Horror of Horrors!

You pull the card out from the center of the deck and peek at it. The ace of spades.
MagnifiCAT holds the deck to his forehead. "Your card," he announces. "is the ace of spades."
You were right. This trick is definitely lame.
"Because you drew this card, you have been chosen," MagnifiCAT continues. "You will be honored to receive the Serpent Cut. Your companion will assist."
You have no idea what the 'Serpent Cut' is, but if it is part of MagnifiCAT's act, you won't enjoy it.
MagnifiCAT holds up one of the cards. "These are not ordinary playing cards," he tells the audience. "This is the famous Serpent Deck. The serpents are no mere playthings. In the hands of a master, these serpents can become deadly weapons. I shall now demonstrate."
"Deadly weapons?" Will exclaims. "Hold on --- what are you going to do to my friend?"
MagnifiCAT points a finger at him. Will stiffens as if frozen in place.
Von hurries onstage carrying a round wooden target. He leads you to the far side of the stage, turns you to face MagnifiCAT, and hands you the target. You hold it in front of you.
MagnifiCAT turns to you and holds up the ace of spades. "This is the card that you chose," he says. "Hold very still. If you move, your life is in peril."
With a sharp flick of the wrist, he sends the card spinning in your direction. WHIRR-R-R-R...THWACK! It strikes the target you are holding dead center. It hits with so much force that you have to take a step backwards.
Your jaw drops in astonishment. The ace of spades sliced all the way through the thick wood. One corner of the card is peeping out from the back.
WHIRR-R-R-R...THWACK! The seventh of diamonds imbeds itself in the wood.
THWACK! THWACK!
You glance across the stage at Will. His eyes are wide with terror for you.
A card sails past your head. It plunges into the curtain behind you. You suddenly realize that MagnifiCAT may not always hit the target. You stand very still.
MagnifiCAT is tossing the cards faster now, two and three at a time.
Moving only your eyes, you try to scan the area near you for some island of safety. The curtain at the back of the stage is just a few feet away. What if you dived under it?
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