Effect
The magician has just finished an effect wherein he has a borrowed handkerchief. He is about to return it when he pauses and states that he will do one more stunt in which the handkerchief plays an important part.
“This effect,” says the great whosit, “is my famous vanishing nickel.”
He starts searching through his pockets for a nickel (?) but finds that they are as scarce as the tips he has received that evening.
Borrowing a nickel, the penniless magus puts it under the handkerchief, which has been draped over the hand all this time, and upon saying the magic words, “One cent – two cents – three cents – four cents – and five cents” the handkerchief is whisked off the hand and in place of the nickel is found an ice cream cone! It is presented to the spectator who loaned the nickel as an even trade.
Operation
The main confession is that the cone is not a real one but a one-cent candy cone that has marshmallow topping for ice cream. The cone itself, however, is real in size and cake. At a distance of three feet, it appears real in every way upon production. The fact that it is candy and not ice cream does not hurt the effect but tends to get a second good laugh when discovered.
These cones are sold at all kid candy counters throughout the country, and if not being carried at present by your dealer, he can get them from his jobber when an order for a box is placed, so there is no reason for not giving this effect a try.
Put the cone in the left lower vest pocket. The steal at this point is practically the same as for the popular wine glass production. The handkerchief is over the left hand while the right searches the right vest and trouser pockets, ending with the lower left pocket, which brings the right hand under or back of the handkerchief. There, the cone is removed to under the handkerchief, and the right hand now has the handkerchief draped over it while the left hand continues the search in left pockets.
Borrow a nickel in your left hand, put it under the handkerchief, and whip the handkerchief away after dropping the coin into your right sleeve. Hand the cone to the donor of the coin, and by dropping the right arm, the nickel drops into your hand to be returned if you feel in the mood.
Editor’s Note
Mr. Manning has an extremely cute idea in this effect. He has used it constantly for nightclub work, and the fact that reporters and reviewers have given it mention is proof that it is effective. With these cones, and in a typical club, only a very few around the spectator receiving it will ever know that the cone is not real. However, it is this writer’s opinion that most of the ‘what’s new’ boys will pass this number up until they see someone else use it, and then the rush will be on.
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