Synopsis : In a parody comic book universe, a darkly beautiful illusionist faces an irresistible, blond hypnoteuse. One must succumb.
Believe it or not, even sexy superheroines have to make a living. Oh, sure, super powers COULD bring you untold wealth, but in the real world you have to declare the income on your 1040 or the IRS will investigate you.
Even though Superman could squeeze coal into diamondsall day, if Clark Kent started spending more income than a reporter could logically earn ..... the IRS audit letter would soon be in the mail.
And even a gorgeous superheroine who DOESN'T have a secret identity , MUST pay her taxes. It's just the right thing , for a righteous superhero, to do.
Zatanna , the comely, raven haired, illusionist (and JLA crime fighter) was working her Saturday night floor show at one of Las Vegas' biggest casinos, to packed houses. That was how SHE kept the IRS "wolf" from her door. The rest of the time she was a fishnet, top hat, and tuxedo wearing heroine who had magical, crime fighting powers. But this week she was a well paid casino entertainer.
As the sexy sorceress was reaching the big finale of today's early performance , her JLA communicator buzzed and she hurried through the magical illusion that she was doing and headed toward back stage, without even showing the audience her "signature" final illusion. She had to answer that call. When the JLA rang, it's members answered.
" Zatanna here," she whispered into her magic wand shaped communicator, " What's up?"
" Hey Zee, I just wanted to warn you that Evilena has been spotted in the Las Vegas area , and let you know that she's apparently been targeting superheroines. She's turned our best into thieves, and who knows WHAT else, and so far there seems to be nothing we can do to stop her." She recognized the voice as belonging to The Batman.
" Well, she's NO magician, and my magical powers certainly would protect me against a mere mortal woman. I may even go out on a hunt for the villainess," the crime fighting enchantress responded, " She'd be no match for me."
"Jeez Zee, don't get yourself in trouble", the Dark Knight chided," I'll be out there as soon as I finish up the case I'm working on now, and then we can tackle her together. I'll send you some digital pix of her so you will know what she looks like. I know you two haven't faced each other before."
The beautiful, raven haired heroine hesitated a moment , then spoke, " OK BW, I'll wait for you, two heads ARE better than one.
She walked thoughtfully back to her well appointed dressing room, and lowered her sexy body into a plush, overstuffed chair, to rest between shows, her mind bouncing back and forth between her responsibilities as a JLA heroine and an A list performer in casino country. Soon her eyes closed and she was taking a little, rejuvenating nap. She'd check out those pictures later.
As she slowly awakened to a knock on her door, she heard " Last Call Ms. Zatara, the second show starts in five minutes. Everybody on stage." It was the stage manager shouting instructions.
She stood up and quickly checked her appearance in the full length mirror. The illusionist's eyes took in her own lush figure, long legs, and beautiful visage. She smoothed her tuxedo jacket, and straightened the bow tie that accentuated the bustier under her silken, tailed jacket. A final flip of her head and her long, black hair fell perfectly into place. She made sure her fishnet stockings were on straight as she slipped back in to her black high heels, which had slipped off during her nap. She picked up her top hat from an end table and put it on her head at just the right, rakish angle.
Superheroines are supposed to be modest, but Zatanna was VERY pleased at the way she looked. " Damn, I AM hot, " she muttered as she turned, tapped her top hat, and walked toward the stage.
The first bars of her theme music floated through the large show room in the casino.
Zatanna Zatara, illusionist and performer extraordinaire took the stage.
To orchestral flourishes and drum rolls Zee made flowers, rabbits, doves, handkerchiefs, chickens, puppies, kittens and tall shapely stage assistants disappear and appear at her command.
But, these were mere theatrical illusions. Zatanna was a REAL magician with occult, supernatural powers. All she had to do was say an incantation BACKWORDS and the words would become reality. But that didn't make for much of a floor show. She had to learn STAGE magic from her father, as she grew up, to keep audiences satisfied. And, her fans, KNOWING she had real magical powers, never quite knew what was real and what was mere trickery.
She saved the REAL magic for her Justice League crime fighting duties.
Tonight she was WOWING the audience. They were awed by her illusions and fascinated by her beauty. Cheers followed each trick and, as she looked across the seats she could see every member of the audience adored her. She smiled her best seductive smile. All the men wanted her and all the women wanted to BE her.
As a deft performer,she also was scanning the crowd for the an attractive member of her audience. It was the normal grand finale of her stage act, to take an unsuspecting audience member and make her "disappear" as a show stopping, ultimate, trick at the end of each performance. But this last trick was REAL magic. Other magicians used boxes with false floors, walls or mirrors to do this illusion. But Zatanna merely said the words, "raeppaer ni ym gnisserd moor" ( reappear in my dressing room, backwards) and the volunteer DID vanish from stage, in full view of everyone. No box, no curtains, no slight of hand, they just popped out of existence.
She had them reappear in her dressing room so that she could privately thank them for cooperating, and give each one a souvenir or autograph to remember the night that they became a Las Vegas "star."
