Dumas relaxed visibly when Chester toned down his birthday plans.  A public announcement might be embarrassing, but at least it wouldn’t lead to any fatalities.  “How about one of those giant fake cakes?” he suggested helpfully.  “No candles, no calories.  Best of all, after everyone else has gone home, you can pop out of it and do a little striptease while singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to me.  I think<span style="font-style: italic">I’d</span>rather enjoy that.”<br/><br/>Dumas knew that someone as smart as Chester couldn’t fail to notice his little lapses, but the magician always took them in stride.  They never led to awkward silences or prying questions.  Perhaps somewhere, a look of pity flitted across the genuine Chester’s face -- although Dumas doubted even that.  For the most part, he and Chester accepted each other on their own terms.  It was one of the reasons that Dumas, not normally a chatty person, enjoyed their conversations so much.<br/><br/>“But what about your birthday, Ches?  If you’re going to make my big day special, it’s only fair for me to return the favor.”