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Name: Ed Marlo’s Time Machine

Author: Written by Ron Bauer

Price: Ten dollars American (available from Think Like A Conjurer)

Publisher: E-Gads

Date: 2004

Pages/Length: 23

Difficulty: 3 of 5

Out of 10: 10 of 10

Contents One routine with 4 effects

Comments The gist of this effect is traveling back in time. In order to prove the theory of time travel, four distinct experiments are set up. Under test conditions, the magician not only proves that he can travel through time, but that he can take his audience with him and they don’t even feel a thing! An interesting theory and very powerful magic.

In fact, the final proof of the experiment is more of a side note in the routine, leaving the audience disarmed as to the fact that it will be the finale of this piece, which strengthens it, at least, 10 fold. Performed with even a fraction of the panache that is written into this performance script, the magician will have a real winner on his hands. As with all the Bauer scripts, you just don’t realize the power behind them until you see one performed or you perform it and watch the audience reactions.

It was, around, 4 years ago that I first came upon a Bauer script. “Xerox Money” was the title and I read through it. Upon finishing, I decided that it simply was of no big deal and I put it with the rest of my “useless” stuff. Last year, however, I had the pleasure of watching it performed, right in front of me. My only reaction (even knowing the basic modus operandi) was that I just saw strong, and very real, magic. I was flabbergasted. No joke. This is the main weakness of the Bauer scripts - they simply don’t appear to be any big deal on the surface. However, when put into practice, Bauer’s offerings are the strongest magic you will ever do in your life as a magician. Again, no joke.

This is probably for the better for any magician who is using the Bauer scripts. The fewer of us using these, the better it is. Never the less, if you are looking to do the most powerful magic that you can find, then look no further than the Bauer scripts.

This particular piece, “Ed Marlo’s Time Machine” is a card effect. It is directly based on Marlo’s original handling, but has been strengthened with Bauer’s attention to the script itself and his simplification of the idea behind it. Previously, it was a trick, now it is magic! Further, the subtle finale that Ron has added is the convincer. Ron includes all the materials you need for the finale, which is done with a business card (your own, or the ones supplied that declare you a, “Certified Temponaut”). Further, this finale is strengthened via the simplification that Ron has added (or, should I say, taken away since the original handling was very “movey,” but Ron has taken away these extra moves and rid this effect of all the tells).

One thing that Bauer has always stressed in his work is to get rid of the tells. You know what these tells are - things like that tiny hesitation when doing a push off in your Elmsley count - but Bauer ensures that these tells are eliminated through his performance scripts. This one is no different and, if you follow the instructions, you’ll come out with a card effect that is nothing short of magic. Period.

Included in this performance script are three methods for doing “Oil and Water,” and the proper techniques for a “Block Push-off,” a “Single Buckle” and “The Elmsley Count.” Also, all the subtleties, misdirection and proper blocking for this script are written right into it - a usual Bauer script, as it were. The only problem that I perceive is the fact that the script jumps right into teaching the student how to perform this effect…There is no explanation as to what it is about prior to explaining how to do it. Some folks will have a problem with this format, but, while it may appear convoluted in the beginning, once you’ve worked through it, it all comes clear. Bauer does this for a reason. I’ll leave it up to the folks who buy this effect to figure out why.

In a nut shell, this is another winner from Ron Bauer. The card guys will have little problem working this through and adding it immediately to their arsenal. However, with a bit of patience and practice, even those who are not accomplished with cards can have a strong and workable piece for their arsenal. In fact, I suggest this even more emphatically to those, like me, who do little with cards. This will give you a good card routine with a minimal supply of time invested. Highly recommended.

Mike.

That's a nice review Mike. I am also a big fan of Ron Bauer. You always get so much more than just the effect.

Michael Jay wrote:Upon finishing, I decided that it simply was of no big deal and I put it with the rest of my “useless” stuff. Last year, however, I had the pleasure of watching it performed, right in front of me. My only reaction (even knowing the basic modus operandi) was that I just saw strong, and very real, magic

I think many of us have similar experiences to this. Proof enough that 90% (or more) of entertaining with magic is the performance and not the effect.

bananafish wrote:I think many of us have similar experiences to this. Proof enough that 90% (or more) of entertaining with magic is the performance and not the effect.

I know what you mean. I impusle buy way too much because i hear that something is fab, but then i realise that its not to my taste, style etc.

I think i have about 20 large storage boxes full of magic, and of those 20, i use about 3 boxes full regularly!

CUPS is too strong a beast!

Cyas

mark