Big Ed comes on down to see what's going on with the Vera-less Vanko. Vanko may be cuckolding Vera with cockatoos, if the presence of Olga in his dressing room is any indication. Olga explains een an ocksent that, "Thees are de famuss cockatiels Horse und Carriage. First pair called Luf and Marriage. Marriage died of gout. Love et Marriage's legs." There's a metaphor in there somewhere. Big Ed mumbles, "Nice meeting you, Olga. Birds." Out of curiosity, how much money do you think they're paying James Caan? Do you suppose it's thoughts of his salary that propel him through these scenes? Anyway, Vanko stokes the adultery fires by smacking Olga's caboose as she chugs on by, and then he talks business with Big Ed. Big Ed asks, "I, um, need to ask you something: when Vera disappears, where does she go?" Vanko asks uncomprehendingly, "Go?" Big Ed is all, "Yeah. Go. Like in, go. I mean, besides thin air. Is there any way she could, I don't know, get stuck someplace?" Vanko's all, "No. No, no, no, no. Vanko and Vera never reveal their secrets to the magic." Big Ed snaps, "What is your problem. We need to find your wife." The conversation degenerates from there, with Big Ed eventually pointing out that the Montecito booked Vanko and Vera, and if Vera's not there, they're going to close down the box office. Vanko announces he will perform solo, with Olga "Eve Harrington" the bird lady helping.

Big Ed obliquely threatens Vanko by pointing out that the cops are sure going to be interested to know that Vanko is all excited to be performing solo, and if Vanko will just spill on how the trick works, he can help investigate. Vanko blah blee blahs about how he has nothing to hide because his magic depends on a pure heart, then bids Big Ed to sit, and explains, "In magic, there are five basic categories: appearance, disappearance, transformation, levitation and sawink." Big Ed ask, "Sawink?" We establish that sawink = sawing. Vanko adds, "And, in this trick, there is no sawink involved." Big Ed gets some sort of insight off that, and heads off.

We hear Danny over the phone asking if Big Ed thinks Vanko and Olga worked together, and Big Ed cracks, "There's a lot of guys who wish their wives would disappear." And vice-versa, I'm sure.