the assistant cross in front of the performer if it is done "coincidentally." The magician holds silks in one hand at the exact height of the load
on the assistant's back. The magician crosses the stage behind the assistant or the assistant crosses the stage in front of the magician to get an object from a table. As the performer's hand crosses the back of the assistant the load is removed, Figure 11. The performer's hand must not show any signs of movement as the assistant continues across the stage.
This steal is a bold one that requires split second timing and good use of misdirection.
Hidden by choreography:
Choreography may be used to give reason to the assistant crossing in front of the performer. Its use can make even close contact seem logical.
Swinging the load from the bock
This steal demands split second timing and is very bold. The load on the assistant's back must be made to swing in an arc out from their body. The assistant walks in from offstage, keeping a forward momentum until reaching the performer. The assistant stops suddenly, turning slightly to allow the load to swing out to the Side of their body, Figure 12. They must stop very close to the performer. The performer holds
silks in one hand at the exact height of the load as it swings from the assistant's bock. When the load arcs outward and reaches the performer's hand he grasps the load in the midst of the silks.
Loads carried in the assistant's hand:
Steal by gathering a long production
This steal may be used when the assistant enters the stage with the load in their hand or they are handed the load through the curtain.
A long streamer, six foot silk, string of silks, or several large silks tied together are produced, Figure 13. The magician produces the silks as he walks away from the assistant or the assistant moves
away from the magician pulling the silks as they are produced.
The produced items are gathered into the hands by both the magician and assistant. The assistant brings the load from behind their back as they gather the silks into their hands. Once the magician and assistant reach each other as they gather the silks, all the silks with the load are handed to the performer. The production is then made.
Gathering a long production with the load offstage
The same steal as just described can be used without the assistant carrying the load on their back. As the long string of items is produced they are long enough that the assistant momentarily travels offstage or their hand dips behind a curtain.
The load is then carried to the performer as the silks are gathered between the assistant and magician.
Behind A Tray Or Board 3
M A R K T R I M B L E -
The use of the suspended load behind a tray or board is covered fairly well in Chapter 1 in Volume I of this series.
However, the stationary load needs further description. A hat load will be considered in the following description.
The load:
The stationary load can be secured to a surface by a hook and eye device Figure 14. The tray or board may be brought on stage by the assistant
or can be setting on stage with the front to the audience.
The Steal:
1. The assistant brings the tray on stage carrying it by the top edge, in the hand away From the audience, Figure 15.
2. When the performer is ready for the tray, he reaches for the bottom edge.
3. When the tray is at waist height the hand-off is made from the assistant to the performer. The hat is brought upward and makes momentary contact with the back of the tray, Figure 16. The load is scooped into the hat.
4. Keep the tray in motion the entire time. Move the tray 3 in a downward motion and level it out, Figure 17.
5. Place the hat on top of the tray. The load is now inside the hat.
Berg load bag 4
-JOE BERG-
This is a simple but unique load bag that opens completely flat, yet is securely held until released.
Construction:
Take a square of heavy silk and place grommets in each corner, Figure 18. Attach a loop of heavy monofilament to one corner.
Preparation:
1. Gather all four corners together and run the loop through all four grommets.
2. Hang the load bag on a headless nail on the back of a table.
Presentation
1. Steal the bag by the inverted hat method.
See page 271.
From The Front Of A Table 5
Full silk loads may be stolen From the Front of the table.
This method is extremely deceptive because the load is stolen in Full view of the audience without suspicious moves. Figure 19 shows several different thin model table designs that can hide silk loads.
Figure 20 shows a table with a drape that hides a very large load.
Figure 21 shows a relatively thin table with a deceptive Front that recreates the Front as the load is removed.
Steal From Outer Breast Pocket 6
-JERRY
MENTZ1ER-Although the idea of hiding a load in the breast pocket is not a new one, the question still remains, "Once you get the load in your pocket, how do you get it out7" The answer to this question is approached in many different ways. Jerry Mentzer simplified the removal of loaded items by the following method.
Preparation:
1. Place the load you wish to steal in the outer breast pocket of your
coat.
2. Produce a quantity of individual silks.
Presentation:
1. As each silk is produced push one of its corners into the pocket.
2. As the last silk is produced, remove the silks along with the load from your breast pocket.
3. Add the load and silks to the silk in your hand and produce the load.
Note:
Long thin loads may be produced by this method if the pockets are appropriately altered. These could include production birdcages, small parasols, wands, bouquets, etc.
From Inside A Special Table 7
-WARREN
STEPHENS-Warren designed two special tables that deliver a hidden load into a performer's hand with no suspicious moves. The load is stolen without placing anything on the table. The performer never goes behind the table to make the steal.
Table Design 1:
This table uses a lever system to deliver the load into the performer's hand as he stands beside the table.
Construction
Figure 22. Shows how the load is hung on Q lever behind the table. The lever has a special hook that allows the load to be removed as the
performer moves forward, Figure 23. Stepping on the simple foot lever causes the load to swing out to the side of the table, Figure 24. Releasing the foot allows the lever to swing back behind the table. This action is assisted by elastic that pulls the lever back to its original position.
Performance
1. The performer stands to the side of the table with his hand exactly where the load will be delivered.
2. He steps on the lever and the load swings out in back of the silks already in his hand.
3. The hand with the load moves forward enough to remove the load from the hook.
4. As soon as the load is free of the hook the foot is removed from the lever and it swings back behind the table.
Table Design 2:
This table uses a catapult system inside the table to project the load into the waiting hand above the special well.
Construction
Figure 25 shows the table with a special "'well" built into its interior. The tube that forms the well is a felt lined metal or plastic tube with four slits down the length of the tube. Around the top of the tube directly under the tabletop is a rubber cushion that will stop the upward movement of the sliding disk and will deaden the sound when it stops. The sliding disk
2. Push down reset ring “A" to the bottom of the tube, Figure 26.
3. Grasp the reset cord “B" and lock it into slot “C".
Performance
1. Produce a quantity of silks.
2. Hold the silks in the hand that will naturally Preparation
1. Cover the load with a silk that will blend with those in your hand. Place the load into the top of the tube.
is smooth wood and the rods that extend from it are solid rods that pass through the block, Figure 26. Bungee cords are attached from the underside of the table top go to the rod extensions on the outside of the tube. The release mechanism is a simple lever system that pushes the bead on the reset cord out of its locked position, Figure 27. The foot pedal extends just beyond the side of the table, Figure 28.