Knife-thrower, Hensch is in town making a comeback performance after less successful shows in the past few months. The audience, the narrator included, does not know whether to be excited or disapprove of the performance. Everyone decides to view Hensh's show and decide in the theater. Hensch begins by simply throwing knives through hoops, apples or he would pin a butterfly to a wooden board with his knives. The audience was already captivated by these tricks but felt as if they were missing something, perhaps some pizzazz or another daring trick. Then his assistant was the target. Easily he threw knives around her, not even slicing her hair. However, the assistant announces that Hensh is going to "mark" her, so she stands in front of the board--back facing the audience. The knife-thrower throws his knives at her, giving her a cut, a flesh wound on her shoulder. This excites the audience, but they still feel as of they are missing something. Next, the assistant asks for someone to volunteer to be marked by Hensch as well. People were hesitant to raise their hands, but a girl was called up to the stage. When she was called, she stood against the board and waited to be marked. The assistant held up her arm and the girl was marked across her arm. Then a young man was told to come up, but he was not a volunteer but instead part of the show. He was also told to go to the board and put his arm to be marked. Hensch threw his knife and it landed straight through the boy's hand. He looked in pain but also as of he enjoyed being marked. As the boy walks off stage, the assistant asks for another volunteer to make "the ultimate sacrifice." At first, no one raises their hand but a girl slowly raises her hand and is called to the stage. The girl goes quietly and is paced in front of the wooden board like the prior participants. She puts her arms up and her chin in the air as Hensch was choosing a knife. This knife is different, however, as it is longer and thinner compared to the knives. He throws the knife directly at her chest, impaling her. Her face has pain and shock just as she falls to the ground, motionless. The knife-thrower and his assistant bow and close the curtains, ending the show, not acknowledging the body of the girl. As the audience leaves they are unsure as to whether the girl is a part of the act or really died on stage.