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I broke my own code of not making money off magic recently. It is only my personal code as I do not want to turn magic into work again. I used to do magic in restaurants, bars, and camps. I made pretty good money doing this, more than the typical 8-5 jobs in my area. Yet I found myself burnt out on something which I went to bed and awoke thinking about.

I went out and joined the layman work force and forgot all about something I once really loved. Then a few years ago while working for the local Sheriffs Dept. I walked into a pizza restaurant and watched a group of teens sitting at a table with a pack of cards. As I ate my greasy pizza I watched as one of them do the old clock card trick. Putting down my fork I got up and walked over and asked if they would mind if I watched.

Seeing a officer standing there made them a bit nervous at first but as I joked around with them all they began to relax. The one performing the card tricks for his buddies looked up and asked me if I knew any card tricks. After I told him I knew one or two he handed me the cards and I performed my versions of Brother Johns Twins and Harris' Re-set. They all wanted me to perform some other effects but I had a call and had to leave. As I was getting into the car the teen that had handed me the cards came up to my window and told me his name was Steve. He wanted to know if I would mind teaching him magic.

This was what renewed my love of magic. I taught Steve off and on for a few years and he always asked why I didn't perform for money anymore. I told him I have to keep magic as a hobby as I didn't want to lose it again.

Anyway back to me breaking my magical resolution. Three days ago going to work I was unaware of my car having a small hole in the fuel filter. I now work some 60 miles form my place of residence. After work I looked down and noticed that the full gauge that should read mostly full was about to bottom out. Finding the problem I called the auto part store and got a price on the filter and reached back to get my credit card out of my wallet.

Surprise surprise my wallet was not there! I then tried calling my wife and a few friends again no luck. I noticed there seemed to be a festival going on across the street, so I walked over to see what was going on. I became aware of a woman about 40 in age sitting with a crying child of about 10, on a bench. I asked if everything was OK to which she replied that he had asburgers and had lost one of his quarters. He wouldn't take a replacement from her as it wasn't the same quarter and she'd tried everything. Classic palming a quarter from my pocket I sat down on the bench and told him that maybe it just looked like something else at the moment. Maybe he didn't lose it maybe it had changed into something else. I then told him how one morning I couldn't find my shoes and had looked everywhere. I knew where I'd taken them off but all that was there when I went to look was a pair of black socks. I had given up and decided to wear the socks instead. To my amazement when I looked down I was wearing the very shoes I thought I'd lost.

Taking out the silver wrapper from my cigs I then performed a David Acer effect of minting a coin from a wrapper. The boy as well as the mother were blown away. I told him see its like I thought it was there all the time and gave the boy the quarter. The mother was close to tears that I had calmed the child down and as I told them to take care and enjoy the day she handed me a couple of dollars. I told her there was no need but she told me that she would feel bad if I didn't so I agreed. I looked up and there where others walking up to me wanting to me perform something. I performed for about 30 mins or so and then wished them all a happy day and walked back to my car. Several people had handed me tips and I had no idea how much I had made till sitting in my car I counted it. I had enough to buy the part I needed and fill my tank full plus a little more.

I posted this as to how magic has helped me out of a tough situation. Was wondering if anyone else might have a story on how it has them.

(kinda) reminds me how I first started busking. I was (and am) at school, couldn't find a job, just spent a whole lot of money on trips and books and what not. I was out with friends and accidentally spent my bus money on food. had some coins and stuff on me (always do) so decided to give it a go. Busking laws are fairly lax where I am so that was no problem and I made a fair bit in an hour, much more than I needed any way. Next time I brought a table into town and never looked back! I'v only been busking now for about a term but I've been really enjoying it.

Thank you for sharing! I'm happy you took the chance and found a way to share your magic with the public

Kalen, that's a great story. Well done.

Thank you Tony