Bill In Egg

When I was a teenager I bought a 24-page book by Milbourne Christopher for $1.75. On page 22 the author explains a trick called “Bill in Egg”. Christopher describes the effect as “messy but remarkably effective”. I must have had the book for ten years before ever trying the routine. I remember performing it once or twice for friends etc. I don’t know why but the trick sort of drifted out of my awareness. Now that I am trying to build a rigorous and professional level repertoire, this seemed like a natural addition. I didn’t know when I would perform it, but it definitely belonged on my list. Last Monday I decided to purchase a book and a few accessories form Hank Lee’s shop. I also ordered a couple packets of flash bills so I would have them on hand for “Bill in Egg”. By Thursday I still wasn’t sure what to do for Magic Friday. My plan was “PDQ Aces in Case” by Dan Fleshman. (More on that next week). I’ve been working on that effect for several weeks. The problem is I just did two card tricks in a row. I really wanted to do something else. When I got home Thursday evening I was shocked to find Hank’s package on my doorstep. That must have been the fastest delivery ever. Thanks Hank! That settles it. Tomorrow I will perform “Bill in Egg” for my students. Yes it was messy and yes it was effective. But remarkably effective? The performances ranged from fine to great. Most students were amazed and bewildered. But there was a hint of the mundane in the air. I know it was not the trick. It’s a great trick. Are my students getting used to the “impossible”? Is the magic they have been enjoying the past several months becoming ordinary? I doubt that. Maybe it was the fact that I was suffering through a miserable cold and sore throat. My voice sounded like Miss Jane Pittman. I really needed to be home resting in bed, but if I was well enough to be at work, I was well enough to perform. Yes, I suppose my illness could explain the lack of stunned disbelief. But that’s too easy. Although I framed the illusion in the indestructibility of the new money, I probably could have prepared the presentation better. That’s got to be it. Did I fail to create the right expectation? Did I create too mush expectation and spoil the surprise? One thing is for sure, I’m not giving up on the effect. Yes, It was successful and effective. But I want to get more punch out of it. I will analyze the effect and write up a formal script. What a delicate balance it is between eye misdirection, mind misdirection, expectation set up, selling the effect, surprise, revelation and satisfaction of expectancy. And all this must be gracefully and effortlessly carried in a presentation that is irresistible and entertaining. If only audiences knew what was involved in performing good magic. On second thought, it’s probably best that they don’t. At any rate, I am confident that with a little more time and work I can get more power and “remarkable effectiveness” out of “Bill in Egg”. And I intend to do just that.

I'll Take A Life Line Please

As mentioned in the previous post, life is moving way too fast. Among other things I am now teaching a six-week Sunday school class on “Astronomy and the Bible”. I have got to learn to say "no" once and a while!.
I am still working on Vernon’s “Silk and Silver”, “Three Ball Routine” and “Slow Motion Aces”. I am making reasonable progress but have a long way to go before performing any of them. Last week “Chicago Opener” went over very well. But with limited time for practice I needed something for this week that I was already good at. Something that would not require learning a new sleight, arranging a new handling or even writing a fresh script. Something that required little prep time. I had something I was saving for just an occasion as this. The Rising Cards. Okay, I’m a stinky prostitute. I admit it! But in my own defense I remember reading in one of my books that “self working” tricks are not necessarily a sin. If they are balanced with good sleight of hand effects it is perfectly acceptable to include a bit of magical cheese. It serves me to agree. But if the audience has seen you perform near miracles with ordinary objects that have been examined, than why not? Besides, there is no such thing as "no skill required" even a "self-working" effect requres presentation. My students are used to me handing out for examination whatever I have been using. So when I performed the “Rising Cards” they were intently watching me for tell-tale motions. It did not seem to occur to anyone that it might be the cards themselves that are being clever. If on the other hand I had performed the “Rising Cards” closer toward the beginning of the year, before establishing myself as a gentleman of adequate legerdemain, the focus would indeed have been on the cards. Truth be told; When the trick was over I switched the deck out for another. Just in case.
Now that I’ve used a stand-by freebie, (breathe) it’s on to more tasty sleight of hand work for next week.

Red Hot Mama

It’s been almost a month since the last posting. These have been pretty busy times with holiday travel, midterm exams and church activities. When school started back, the first magic Friday was January 8th. I’m writing 18 days behind myself. At this point, I am still working on three nice routines. All of which happen to come from Dai Vernon. Two of them come from “The Vernon Chronicles” and one from “The Dai Vernon Book of Magic”. I don’t know what I would be doing without these two incredibly rich books! (More on these routines later). For magic Friday January 8th I performed an old standard. The “Take Five” of card magic. “The Chicago Opener” aka: "Red Hot Mama". Conceived by Frank Everhart and popularized by Jim Ryan. At conventions in years past I have seen magicians lecture and perform the “Opener” with a card to wallet or pocket finish. A powerful ending to be sure. “My signed card was in his wallet the whole time”! The problem is, (As Patrick Page points out) the audience tends to forget the first part of the routine and only remembers the climax. As a result, one effect is lost.
My quest (the reason for this blog) is to refine older sleight of hand effects I already know, learn new sleights and routines, and perform all this with a polished and professional level quality. A new routine must be perfected and performed each week for six different audiences for 36 weeks. At the end of 36 weeks I will have time off from teaching. I will use this time to try my hand at a little busking, some open mike type stuff and even seek steady work a couple nights a week doing close up at one of the nicer restaurants in town. My skills and creativity seem to be on track. (Though practice time is short and precious). It’s my confidence, presentation and professionalism that will be the real test. I digress. The point is, I can’t afford to combine effects that are strong enough to stand on their own. So, as tempted as I am, I will keep “Chicago Opener” and “Card to Wallet” as two separate, stand alone effects.
The “Chicago Opener” played extremely well with my students. Using a cheap trinket, I framed the routine as a “scientific” phenomenon. When the second card was turned over to reveal the first spectator’s card, roars of joyous disbelief were raised. Timing is everything, isn’t it? However, my first period class usually has a less enthusiastic response to my effects. I’m not sure if this is because it is a smaller group, too early in the morning, or if they are just more laid back. But the common denominator is me. I must assume it is something I am doing or not doing. The most likely cause I suppose, is that since it is my first performance of the day, perhaps I’m just not in the zone yet. Maybe I’m coming off as too cautious or unconfident. It could be that I’m just not properly building or selling the effect on the first go. I know there is a valuable thing to learn here. I must pay closer attention to my presentations and create the same level of enthusiasm in this group that I have achieved with the others.