VI
EXPERIMENTS WITH EGGS
“As innocent as a new-laid egg.”
William Schwenck Gilbert—Engaged.
The magician, not being quite so innocent as he professes to be, seldom uses new-laid eggs; in fact, only on such occasions as he finds it necessary to break the egg to prove that it is real. For ordinary purposes artificial eggs of ivorine or celluloid (obtainable from the magic shops) are preferable. Even better than these are real eggs prepared by having the contents blown out, the shells being then strengthened by pasting several layers of white paper strips on them. When the strips are thoroughly dry the surface is rubbed smooth with fine emery paper, with the result that the finished article looks like an egg, will not break if accidentally dropped, and will last for an indefinite time.
I. MANIPULATIONS
The manipulation of eggs follows closely that of balls. As the sleights already described for balls are applicable to eggs, it is not necessary to repeat them. Because of the difference in shape some little practice will be necessary to handle them neatly, but the adept in ball manipulation will have little difficulty. The series of moves which follow will serve as an example from which other routines can be arranged.
Four eggs are required and they should be rather small, since one has to be retained in the mouth temporarily. Prepare by placing one egg in the vest pocket on the right-hand side and two more under the vest on the left side. Presuming that you have changed some article into an egg, proceed with the following moves:
(1) Pretend to place the egg in your left hand, vanish it, and produce it from your left elbow.
Note that when vanishing the egg the hand must not be opened immediately and shown empty. Close the left fingers to the same extent that they would be if they really held the egg; move the hand upwards diagonally to the left; close the fingers on the palm slowly, working them as if rubbing the egg to nothing; then open them one by one, beginning with the little finger.
Again, in producing the egg from any particular spot apply the hand there; then draw it back so that the egg appears at the fingertips. Seize the egg between the thumb and fingers, and pull it away as if a slight effort is required to remove it.
(2) Place the egg in the mouth and move the hand upwards as if forcing it in; really take it in the palm and at once push out the cheek with the tongue, strike the swelling with the tips of the fingers, and pretend to swallow the egg. Place both hands flat on the stomach; then turn up the edge of the vest, at the same time pushing the egg up under it with the right little finger.
Hold the egg in view for a moment or two by pressing the right hand against the vest; then let it fall into the left hand.
(3) Repeat the swallowing sleight and produce the egg from behind the right ear.
(4) Place the egg in the mouth with exactly the same movements as before, retain it there, and squeeze the egg out of the right vest pocket with the right hand.
(5) Pretend to place the egg in the left hand, slap that hand against the outside of the left knee, and produce the palmed egg from behind the right knee.
(6) Pretend to take the egg with the left hand; place this hand behind the back, strike it against the middle of the back, and bring it forward empty. Then take the egg from the top of the vest with the right hand.
(7) Pretend to put the egg in the left sleeve; raise the left arm and shake it as if letting the egg slide down to the left shoulder; wiggle the shoulders and let the right arm hang down, allowing the sleeve to come down over the right wrist as far as possible. Then raise the right hand, back to front, toward the left; with the left hand take hold of the bottom of the right sleeve and draw it over the egg; then let the egg roll into sight at the tips of the right fingers. The effect is that the egg put into one sleeve rolls out of the other.
(8) Apparently place the egg in the left hand; hang that hand down on your head; instantly show the egg in your mouth between your teeth (Fig. 1), and at the same moment palm an egg from the vest in the left hand.
(9) Pretend to take the egg from the mouth with the right hand, really letting it slip back into the mouth, and show the palmed egg.
(10) Take the egg from the right hand with the left and transfer the second egg from the left palm to the right palm. Place the egg on a plate with the left hand. Tap stomach with right fingertips and show egg in mouth; at the same moment palm the remaining egg from the vest.
(11) Repeat moves 9 and 10; place the second egg on the plate with the left hand.
(12) Tap stomach; show egg between the teeth and pretend to take it with the right hand, showing the palmed egg; take egg with the left hand and put it on the plate.
(13) Tap stomach once more and show egg in the mouth, let it drop into the hand, and place it with the others. Adjust your vest with a smile of relief, as if you now felt more comfortable.
The moves are not difficult and if the routine is worked smoothly, without hesitation and without haste, the effect will be found all that can be desired. Patter is not necessary, but a light musical accompaniment should be used if possible.
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