Effect: A silk is removed from the trousers pocket which is then shown empty. The silk is marked with an initialed label and then is vanished. A spectator produces it from the magician’s pocket. The trick is repeated, and the spectator who initialed the label is asked to take the silk from the pocket, and identify it for himself.
The equipment needed is two 13-inch red silks, a box of gummed labels (Dennison Index Tabs N°217), and a handkerchief pull. A pencil also is in your pocket.
To prepare, write the word “Hank” across the top of one of the labels, and scribble a couple of initials below it. Attach this label to the corner of one of the silks. Roll this silk into a ball, starting from the corner diagonally opposite the label which is thus saved from being too much wrinkled. Conceal the marked silk in the top of the right-hand side trousers pocket, and put the other silk in the bottom part of the same pocket. Attach the pull so that it hangs at the left side. By the way, it saves trouble to tie a loop in the end of the elastic cord of the pull. This loop may then be slipped easily and quickly over one of the back suspenders buttons.
Patter and presentation: (Note: the numbers refer to the list of moves given at the end of this article. Moves which can easily be deduced from the patter are omitted.)
“I’d like you to meet a funny little friend of mine — a hermit handkerchief. Hank the Hermit, I call him. This is his cave — and this is Hank. He hates to appear in public; just look at him blush! (1) But please don’t laugh at him; that makes it worse.
“I suggest we give Hank a formal christening. Will you be the godfather? Just remove one of these labels and write the name ‘Hank’ across the top of it. That’s fine. Now, just as a matter of record, will you write your own initials below? Thank you. Now with this marked label we’ll see the hermit. (2) This, by the way, is known as hermetic sealing.
“You might like to see what Hank’s cave looks like; so I’ll pull the cave inside out and show you. It’s not very well furnished, but Hank doesn’t seem to mind. (If the lining of your pocket is black, you might say that it’s rather a black outlook for Hank.) Of course, he spends a god deal of his time at the bar (3) just around the corner here. (4)
“As I told you, Hank is very shy with strangers. In fact, he gets all balled up, like this, (5) so that he hardly knows where he is. (6) And I think you’ll admit that it is pretty hard to tell. (7)
“He’s probably back in his cave again. Will you (8) take a look and see? (9) And here’s Hank — complete with label.
“Now (10) for the benefit of the two people in the last row who didn’t quite see that, I’ll do it over again. Here is the empty cave. And at this point I’ll take time out to pull up my sleeves, so that you’ll be quite sure that Hank does not use the elevator. (11) Now we’ll replace the cave in position, and call on Hank to do his aerial act again. (12)
“This time you know exactly what to look for, so — it’s up to you. Will you (13) hold my wrist? Just make sure there are no concealed exits. Now watch! Did you see anything? Well, he’s gone. (14)
“I think you’d better send out a search party for your godson. (15)
“Do you recognize him? You do? Thanks very much! Nice work, Hank! You can go back to bed now. (16) What’s that? Oh — you’re thirsty, are you? All right. (17)
MOVES AS PER PATTER CUES
(1) Pray for a laugh.
(2) Attach the label in the same position as on the duplicate silk.
(3) Replace the lining, at the same time engaging the concealed silk with your thumb and pulling it down into the main part of your pocket. Leave it near the mouth of the pocket so that it will be easy for the spectator to remove it.
(4) Indicate the hip pocket.
(5) Roll up the silk between your palms, starting at corner opposite label.
(6) Palm the silk away in your right hand. I use the thumb palm — it’s easier.
(7) Slowly open your left hand.
(8) Address a spectator other than the one who initialed the silk.
(9) With your right hand, hold the coat aside and look down at your pocket. Keep your hand well away from the pocket. The spectator removes the duplicate silk, which you take from him before he has a chance to thoroughly examine it. Hold it up casually so that the label shows; but do not give anyone a chance to see the label at close range.
(10) As you speak this sentence, your right hand goes into the pocket and shoves the palmed silk into the top of the pocket. Take your time — there’s no hurry.
(11) Lay the silk on the table, and stand at the right of the table while pulling up your sleeves.
(12) Turn to the table, so that your left side is away from the audience. Pick up the silk with the right hand, at the same time stealing the pull with your left hand.
(13) Address the spectator who initialed the label.
(14) This time, open your hand suddenly.
(15) Your hand holds the coat aside as before, and the spectator is invited to reach into your pocket and remove the silk.
(16) Start to put the silk into your side pocket. Pause.
(17) Put the silk into the hip pocket for finish.
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