Effect: A plastic beaker floats in the air.
Secret: On one side of a plastic beaker attach a strip of strong paper. It is important that the paper is loose along the centre portion. To make the beaker appear to float, you push your right thumb through the paper loop. Place your left hand near your right hand and then lift your hands in the air. With practice it will appear that the beaker is floating in the air. Keep the taped side of the beaker nearest your body so the audience do not see it.
Effect: A ring is magically threaded on a string.
Secret: Place the string and ring supplied on a table, together with a safety pin and a handkerchief. Cover the string, ring and pin with the handkerchief. Allow the ends of the string to remain visible at all times. Place your hands beneath the handkerchief and push the centre of the string through the ring. Open the pin then close it so it goes around the right side of the loop and the rest of the string (see figure 1). Put your left forefinger into the loop (see figure 2). Remove your right hand and lift up the right end of the string and ask someone to hold it. At the same time move your left hand along the string (keeping your finger in the loop) until you reach the end. Remove the handkerchief and show that the ring and pin are now on the string Floating
Effect: A beaker vanishes.
Secret: The beaker is glued to a small wooden tray. In the centre of a scarf sew a circle of cardboard. Show the beaker then cover it with the scarf or handkerchief. Lift the scarf (holding the cardboard disc so it looks as if you are holding the rim of the beaker) and turn the tray towards you. Stand the tray against something on your table – with the beaker side away from the audience. Everyone believes you are holding the beaker. Throw the scarf in the air and catch it as it falls – the beaker has vanished
Effect: You read someone's mind.
Secret: Whilst your back is turned (or you can be blindfolded) someone throws a die on the table. Ask him
to remember the number thrown and then to make another throw. Tell him to double the first number he
threw and to add five to the answer. He has now to multiply his answer by five and then add on the second
number thrown. Ask him what total he has reached. Mentally subtract 25 from the answer he gives.
You will end up with a two digit number – the first digit is the first number thrown and the second is the
second number thrown. Now pretend to read the spectator's mind and tell him what numbers he threw.
Effect: The magician places a pencil into a bottle. It reacts to his commands and slowly rises and falls in the bottle.
Secret: The pencil is made to move with the aid of a very fine thread.
Props: A pencil, a vase or bottle and a fine thread.
Preparation: A very fine nylon or black cotton thread or even a long human hair (18 inches to 24 inches in length) is tied, taped or applied with wax to one end of the pencil. The other end is tied to a button on the magician's clothing.
Presentation: Drop the pencil (thread end first) into the bottle or vase (see illustration). By moving slightly away from the table the thread will become tight and, on command, the pencil will either rise or fall, depending on your movements.
