K.I.S.S.

Behold, my 73 phase ambitious card routine. First, the card rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Then it rises to the top of the deck

Count ’em . . . 74 phases. The next thing I know, the mall cop is calling the ambulance because Melanie, the Game Stop counter girl, burned herself at the stake as a token of her regret for asking me to “show her something.”

You’ve all been there. You’re standing in line at the bank practicing your coin roll, flicking your cards, etc. when suddenly a soon-to-be-victim of 74 phases of death asks you if you’re a card shark or magician or something. You respond. She responds back with “show me something.” You’ve got two choices (assuming you’re going to oblige her) . . . showing something that will ensure she never speaks to a magician again for the rest of her life. Or you can show her something that will leave a lasting impact on her . . . for the rest of her life.

I’m just guessing here, but I’m pretty sure y’all would vote for the latter (not to be confused with that climbing thing that causes 1,083 world-wide deaths per year). That being said, you need to be ready with a quick trick. Bag your long-winded presentation that you do in your shows. Forget about your 9 phase ace assembly with the kicker matrix backfire ending.

Case in Point: I was hanging with a close magi friend of mine the other day . . . we’ll call him Boris Green. I was telling him about this article that I was writing and he instantly recalled being in the very situation. Several years back, he was hanging with another magi friend . . . we’ll call him Peter Vaughn . . . and a few others.

One of the peeps in the crowd said, “Hey Boris, you’re a magician . . . show us something.” Boris always happens to carry (back then) four cards in his shirt pocket for The Last Trick of Dr. Daley. Against his better judgement, Boris pulled out the cards and performed it. It went over alright, but he knew it wasn’t right. Then the crowd turned to Peter and said the same thing, “Hey Peter, you’re a magician . . . show us something.”

Peter said nothing. He simply held up a piece of “tissue” paper and lit it on fire. It burst into flames; when the flash of fire was gone, a Hershey’s Kiss appeared at Peter’s finger tips. He handed to the girl asking to see the trick as he said, “here’s a kiss for you.”

Of course the girl melted, and not because she was a wicked witch who can’t survive getting a glass of water spilled on her. I think it’s obvious here which effect was the right one to do. Sure, the Doc’s trick is awesome, and I do it in just about every show I’ve ever performed, but that’s just it . . . it’s a performance, where as the Kiss is a moment . . . a beautiful moment.

Take the time folks . . . be prepared for the moments, not the performances. When you’re out in a setting like this . . . standing in line, waiting for a bus, etc., you are marketing yourself the moment someone figures out your a magician. Be prepared to make them glad they asked you to show them something. K.eep I.t S.imple S.weetheart

Take a moment and post any effects or ideas that you feel fit this type of situation.

Until Next Time . . .