Larry and Ellen Kelvin didn't know it but this fateful dreary night was filled with magic, the kind of magic that makes anything possible. Even one's wildest ambitions. The Kelvins have traveled from far away to meet Vance Delbert, the grandmaster of magic who retired suddenly at the height of his fame...
A young magician and his ambitious wife are invited to the home of a retired grand master. Hoping to discover the secret of the master magician’s famed sword-skewering act, the famous magician Vance Delbert passes on the secret of his magic sword and the couple get more than they bargained for. Starring Christopher Durham, Jack Fisher. Original airdate, January 26, 1998. — Rip Torn, opening narration of episode
Tropes:
- Be Careful What You Wish For: The Kelvins get more than they bargained for when they learn how to perform the deadly Sword Trick.
- Big "NO!": Larry screams this at the end as he realizes what curse Vance and his wife suffered for the Stainless Blade and now he and his wife Ellen must suffer the same way too.
- Happily Married: Vance and Miranda compared to bickering couple Larry and Ellen.
- Hell Is That Noise: Miranda's screams and moans of pain echoing throughout the mansion due to the sword trick.
- Here We Go Again!: As Larry and his now undead wife Ellen perform the same ghostly sword trick, a couple watching say "I'd give anything to learn how to do that trick".
- I Love the Dead: Vance and his wife Miranda. And eventually Larry and his wife Ellen.
- Wham Line: Vance delivers one to Larry as Larry and his wife completed the sword trick, Miranda's corpse dissolves and Ellen is now lying on the ground in pain dying.Larry: What the hell is going here?! Oh God, what have I done?Vance Delbert: You freed my wife and you gave Ellen what she wanted.Larry: Help me. She's dying!Vance Delbert: Yes I know. But soon she will return to a life of sorts, and you two will have all the fame you always coveted. Thrilling audiences all over the world as we did. Onstage she will be the perfect assistant but at night, she will feel the agonizing pain of death as my Miranda did and just as I shared her suffering, so will you share hers.Larry: NO!!!Vance Delbert: Success always comes at a price.
- Wham Shot:
- Miranda's back exposed and covered in many gaping sword wounds with the moonlight shining right through them.
- Miranda's corpse fading away to dust, and Ellen lying on the ground in agony after the sword trick.
- Younger Than They Look: Lampshaded by Larry about magician Vance Delbert. The man is supposedly 45 years old but looks like he's 60.
The bliss that comes with fame and fortune can sometimes be an illusion. No slight of hand is required because those eager to obtain success, are often deceived by their own desires. And resisting own's desires...may be the greatest magic feat of all
— Rip Torn, ending narration of episode
