"Now. Quick question for the room." Brennan stopped pacing. "Who here has ever had back pain?"
Nicholas closed his eyes. When he opened them, every single elder had raised their hand.
Every. Single. One.
The oldest raised both hands which was either emphasis or a cry for help.
Brennan grinned at the sea of elderly hands. "Gorgeous. Every one of you. You've been underserved. Back pain is a solved problem. Magic has been solving it for thousands of years."
He moved to the elder who had just raised two hands in the air, and pulled a card from behind his ear.
"Is this your card?"
"I didn't pick a card," the elder said.
"And yet." Brennan held it up. "Seven of hearts. Think about it."
The elder stared at the card. Then at Brennan. Then, with the slow, dawning expression of a man encountering true genius: "That IS my favorite number."
The other elders erupted into applause. Full, sustained, enthusiastic applause.
