02 The Stocks - James P. Riser

Illusion Plans courtesy ot James P. Riser of

Riser Custom Magic

The Stocks This is the second in a series of eight illusion plans contributed to Genii by James P. Riser. They were originally sold through Riser Custom Magic. We appreciate this contribution as we know many of our readers like to build their own illusions. Next month, "Cutting In Half".

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EFFECT: The magician displays the stocks and has a member of the audience examine them, as well as, two padlocks. The magician is locked in the stocks and the keyholes on the locks are sealed. A cabinet or screen conceals the performer from the audience. In just a few seconds, the magician is free from the stocks which are still locked with the sealed padlocks.

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GENII, The Conjurors' Magazine

WORKINGS: The wrist holes and neck hole must be cut to the size of the magician. The locks are ordinary and may be borrowed. The stationary part of the hasps is bolted to the bottom half of the stocks. The hasps

are bolted through a slot so that they can slide up and down. They are tightly bolted so that they are difficult to slide. In the brief examination, this will go unnoticed. The performer is locked in the

stocks and concealed from view. Immediately, he raises up the top half of the stocks and withdraws his hands and head. He forces the stocks back together and makes his appearance. The stocks and locks look untouched.

Ambitious Card Opening By Doug Maihafer The original version of the classic "Ambitious Card" by Dai Vernon appears in The Stars of Magic Series #5. This is an opening some might enjoy to lengthen the routine a bit. I use it right after the first two moves, in which the Ambitious Card has returned twice to the top of the deck. First, show the card on top of the deck, then turn it face down. Lower the deck slightly and look up, trying to make eye contact with the audience. At this moment execute a pass, then immediately lift off the top (former bottom) half, and use this block to flip face up the top card of the bottom (former top) half. This is the Ambitious Card.

May, 1979

Now, replace the top half, and keep a break with the left little finger and right thumb below the Ambitious Card. As the deck is being squared, use the left middle finger to slide slip the Ambitious Card (now the bottom card of the top half) into the right palm. The right hand now moves downward, and the Ambitious Card is deposited on the bottom of the deck. Almost simultaneously, revolve the deck face up to show the card on the bottom, then blank-pressure fan the deck to make it appear all blank except for the Ambitious Card. Next, the left thumb secures a break above the bottom card of the squared, face-up deck. The left fore

finger's tip rests on the upper middle short side of this card, in preparation for a color change. A color change is now executed, changing the Ambitious Card on the face of the deck into an indifferent card. The right hand is shown empty, and the deck is normally pressure fanned, showing the deck to be all different cards. I now do a fast shuffle and cut, controlling the Ambitious Card from second from the bottom to the top, and proceed with the rest of Vernon's routine, after flipping the card face up onto the table. This opening series of moves is new, and I am sure could be improved upon by any "Ambitious Cardman".

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