It was during the nineties, more than a decade after the economic reform had opened China to the world. The arrival of a world-famous Western magician to perform in China caused quite a sensation. But, since most people still got their news from newspapers at that time, and not every household had a TV, even many locals in W City were oblivious to the event.
Edward Harland's magic shows were always inseparably linked with Gothic themes of death, which would be considered very grim by today's standards. He and his female assistant dressed in a style reminiscent of Marilyn Manson, hence very few parents would take their children to see his magic shows.
In comparison, the cabinet trick was one of the less bloody and spooky acts in his repertoire.
But that day... when the assistant failed to reappear as he reopened the cabinet, he did not panic but instead broke into a sinister laugh. The magic show descended into utter chaos.
