talkmagic.co.uk

Is should firstly point out that most of the people involved in this story are wise to alot of my card magic and (depending on the trick) have been known to figure that I "must've picked up two cards" or whatever.

Today at work (I work in a restaurant if that helps) I had a very interesting experience with a magic trick I literally made up on the spot (although it's no doubt been done before).

I found a paperclip by the till and showed it to someone between my thumb and index finger (right hand) and pushed it into my left hand as if I'd placed it there. Then (with paperclip still in right hand) lowered my right hand to the side of my body and dropped the paperclip on the floor. Then I bought my right hand back up clenched and said "Which hand is it in?" People guessed the one hand and then asked about the other hand and it was in neither.

All of this was done standing up in the middle of a kitchen or restaurant (depending on my speccie) and EVERYONE was really confused about where it had gone. I was even more confused and amazed that people managed to fall for this trick. I found it hilarous. Has anyone else had a situation like this?

The beauty of it is that no-one could hear a meagre paperclip drop on the floor. The simplest impromptu trick ever (I made this up literally on the spot so I've never practiced it) and the most amusing effect ever (possibly a knowledgable bias).

Just goes to show that simple can be best!!

This is how a lot of my tricks begin, from a pressurized on the spot piece. For instance, two days ago some youths asked me to show them a trick with their cigarette. You know the type- wearing hoodies, grungy looking, they'd probably beat me to the ground if I didn't do it. I dont smoke, and had barely handled a cigarette ever. I took it, and fiddled around with it at my hands. I held it in the middle, and quickly made a move to make it appear as if Id torn it in half. I supposedly took the two pieces, and fused them together to make it whole.

Phew! Now I could relax. A small applause from the crwod, then I got on my way.

I feel a new show format being developed here, Magic Under Pressure.

A series of famous and not so famous magicians are put in ever increasingly pressurised situations and asked to perform a completely original trick never before seen.

<picks up the phone, dials 118 and asks for the number for Channel 4>

Great idea - we could call it The Magic Under Pressure, Personalities Exhibiting on Trial Show.
(Or perhaps just The M.U.P.P.E.T. Show?)