Volumn 1; Issue 2; The Vanishing Silk

Welcome back to Patter Matters.

This issue is dedicated to the "Vanishing Silk" trick. The device used to perform this trick is one of the most used (if not THE most used) device in close-up magic. It works equally well in one-on-one OR group settings.

The basic trick goes something like this. You show a silk to your audience. "I have silk scarf. What you are seeing is the red (or green or blue, etc.) side.

However, when I poke it into my fist (you say this as you are actually stuffing the silk into your fist),

turn it over and.......now the clear side" (You hold your hands as though you are holding an invisible silk).

"Now, I poke the invisible silk into my hand (you say this as you are pretending to poke the invisible silk into your fist), snap my fingers and.....the red side is back" (You display the colored silk to your audience).

This is a quick, effective trick that will help you gain the attention of your audience. I use this same device in the "Silk to Egg" trick (see Volume 1; Issue 1 newsletter).

There are literally dozens of tricks you can perform with this single device. Most close-up magicians always carry it with them. Some can be very powerful. A word of caution here. Although it is a very simple device, do NOT take it for granted. As with all tricks, you must practice, pratice, practice. Don't just use the device, OWN IT!! I can't stress this enough. I highly recommend practicing in front of a mirror. That way you see what your audience will see. If it doesn't look right to you, it will look wrong to your audience.

One of my favorite tricks for my group performances, using this same device, was the "Transported Bill" trick. I would borrow a bill from a member of the audience (the higher the domination of the currency, the higher the result). It would disappear then reappear inside a sealed coin envelope under another audience member's chair. A very powerful trick but you have to be "nervy" to pull it off. A lot can go wrong when you are using audience members as key elements of your performance. I actually had a performance where I had the trick set up but decided not to perform it because I wasn't very comfortable with the person I would be using in the trick.

"And now, I would like to borrow a hundred dollar bill from somebody" (I very seldom had anybody offer that up). "Oh come on folks....it's only money.....Okay, how about a fifty?.........No?.......and you all look so affluent. How about a twenty" (I usually had somebody go for that but I also had a performance where I had to use a one dollar bill). Once you have a taker, "Would you please join me up here. Thank you, Sir (or Madam). What's your name? (Wait for their answer) Would you please make a mark on your bill so you can identify it" (I carried a water based marker so nobdy could claim I was defacing government property).

"And now, I will make your bill disappear by folding it (I would be folding it into a tiny square as I said this) poke it into my fist (Again, I would do this move as I said this) and............(dramatic pause, then open your hands to show the bill is gone) it's gone!!" (I would take a bow and wait for the applause then turn to the person who gave me the money) "Again, thanks for participating. I really appreciate it. You can take your seat now". (Guess what?? They didn't immediately go back to their seat. Why? They want their money back!!) "Is there a problem?" (Generally, I would get a slow "ummmm" as a response) Oh, I see. You want your money back, is that it? Well, I told you in the beginning I would make the bill DISappear. I NEVER said I could make it REappear!" (At this point you need to be prepared for all kinds of responses. Some might get irate, some may just stand there, etc. My favorite was a man who had given me a fifty dollar bill. When I said I couldn't make it reappear, he just shrugged and started back to his seat. I had to call him back!!)

Well, I can't make it reappear but, I've been getting vibes from a member of this audience ever since I started the show. They are magical. Maybe they can make your money reappear. (I would then point to a member of the audience). "Madam (or Sir) would you please stand up? (Wait for them to get up) What's your name? (Wait for their answer. I know, this is getting redundant. My point is, when you ask a person a question or to do something, WAIT for their response. Okay, now I won't have to put this in anymore). Hi. Are you a professional magician? No?? Wow, you should be. The magic vibes are strong with you. Do you believe me? Well, you are about to prove you have what it takes".

Would you please sit back down, reach under your seat and see if there's anything there that doesn't belong there. Forget the bubble gum.........Ma'am, I meant for you to reach under your OWN seat......Sorry Sir". (At this point, she will produce a coin envelope that was taped under her seat) "Great!! Please bring that up here." (Generally, this person was fairly close to the stage or front where I was performing. However, it was far enough away that everybody knew I could not have just placed it there. This way they would reach me quickly so that there wasn't much down time)

"Great job!! Now, will you verify that the envelope is sealed.......show it to Don" (or whatever the person's name is that gave you the bill) "Do you agree that it is sealed?" (I would then take the envelope and tear off the top. I would start the bill out of the envelope and then say...) "Oh, wait...Don, would you take the bill out of the envelope. I don't want to touch it." (Let them pull the bill out of the envelope. As you say the next line, crumple the empty envelope and put it in your pocket) "Unfold the bill.........do you see the mark you put on it? Is that REALLY your bill??" (Of course, it is!!!) "Wow Ma'am, you really are magic. Thank You to both of you. You were Great!!"

Again, a powerful trick. Just remember, if you are going to perform this particular trick, OWN IT first. You may have to be very flexible in your patter depending on the reactions you get from those involved in the trick. That means you can't concentrate as much on the performance of the trick so it needs to be second nature to you.

As always, "Patter" can make or break this trick. "Patter" is the term used by magicians to refer to the words they use. It also is used when referring to the performer's body language. Both are very important. Practice, practice, practice.

If you wish to purchase this item, go to http://www.pattermatters.com/the-vanishing-silk

Until the next time..........*POOF*..........I'm gone!!!