Cigarette tricks are always popular and the following effect on those who know the old cig vanish via the thumb-tip is quite mystifying. It is an excellent close up item and it has everything in magical elements.
You will need a thumb-tip, a bag of Bull Durham tobacco, a booklet of cigarette papers and one ordinary cigarette. That’s all. The thumb-tip is tucked slightly behind your hanky which is in the same pocket. The regular cigarette is placed into the lower right side vest pocket, protruding a little so that it may be easily secured at the opportune moment by thumb palming it. If you wish you may place it into any of the standard type of cigarette holders and pin to the position given.
Reaching into the right coat pocket, take out the tobacco and paper. Hand to a nearby spectator to open and also have one paper ready for you. In the meantime you reach into the breast pocket of your coat and take out the hanky including the thumb-tip fixed to its proper place, on the thumb. Now state that you would prefer using someone else’s hank instead, so borrow one, allowing the spectator to keep yours as security. With the right hand, hold the borrowed hank at the center of one side and with the left hand pretend to hunt for a match in your lower right vest pocket and at the same time secure the real cigarette by thumb palming. As if not finding a match, bring out your hand, drop the hank over the left hand and with the right hand reach into the left vest pocket still searching. These moves must be timed but are perfectly natural. Not finding a match, borrow one from another spectator and have him poke a pocket into the left fist with his match.
As if the hole were not large enough, use your finger and then thumb to make it larger. The thumb tip, of course, is left in the pocket and underneath the hank, the left fingers are now holding the cigarette. The match is taken from the spectator and placed in your right coat pocket. Take the opened tobacco bag and pour some into the pocket. Put the single cigarette paper in next and tuck it well into the tip, making the usual getaway on the right thumb. With the hand obviously empty, reach into your right coat pocket and take out the match, leaving the tip behind. Now state that you will cause the tobacco and paper to penetrate the hank and appear in your closed fist.
The hank is next drawn off and shaken out to show the tobacco and paper gone. Upon opening the hand, it is a surprise to find a perfect cigarette. With the match you light the cigarette and take your bow. From this point the individual performer may go on with any routine or effect using a lighted cigarette.
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