"...Damn." Jackie shoved his guns into their holsters and tore off his coat, fully aware that that would leave him very, very vulnerable. But all the same, he went to cover Angie with it.

But as soon as he stepped within a few inches of Angie he felt a sudden silence in the back of his mind, and something between his veins and muscles seemed to stop moving. He stumbled, dropped the jacket and looked at his own hands, which were shaking. It was gone...


Mr. Showman's eyes snapped open an instant before it happened. It was hidden like a trap-door spider, that enchantment, which is why it eluded him.

He retreated, stepping backward and away until he was once again with Maxx and Deadpool.

{you,} he pointed at Deadpool. {You're my bodyguard, I have to go into a trance. I think I can get through this spell if my body isn't in the vicinity. You, Maxx, go with Angela and Mr. Estacado.}

Maxx gave Mr. Showman a dubious look.

{Don't worry, Maxx. You're the only one who is fit for this job.} After all, Maxx was only a regular guy.