Dug from my scrapbook of personal notes, facts, and fancies comes this
really fine idea regarding the age old phantom ring on the cord between
the wrists trick. I print it for posterity, or something or other, because it
is too good a routine, and has too nice an effect to be lost in the limbo
of forgotten tricks.
A wooden ring and two stout cords are examined. A spectator steps
forward as the subject to work with the performer. Someone else ties
one rope to the performer’s wrists so that there is about six inches of
cord running between them. The performer’s hands are thus tied in front
of him, and the spectator’s hands are tied in the same manner behind
him. The spectator faces the audience and the performer takes the ring.
He steps behind the spectator for a moment, and then turns the spectator
around. The ring is now on the cord between the spectator’s wrists !
The spectator again faces the audience, the performer stepping behind
again. Again the spectator turns, but the performer is carried with him as
the ring now encircles both spectator and performer ropes between the
wrists ! Again the spectator faces the front, and this time the performer
walks free with the ring only on his own rope.
The spectator is free ! And everything is taken off by the audience and
examined to their heart’s content.
There are really three rings used, they being large wooden curtain rings,
and of a size to fit over the hand and be pushed up on forearm under
sleeve. Take one of these and drop it or pound it until it cracks. With
such a ring, the defect can only be noticed when the ring is sprung open.
Put the broken ring under vest, and a solid one on your left forearm.
Have the other solid ring and two ropes at hand.
Have the spectator’s wrists and your wrists secured as described.
Take the solid ring and step behind the spectator. Merely exchange
it for the vested and broken one, spring it slightly apart and slip over
the spectator’s rope between the wrists. Turn him around and show.
The second time, merely open the ring again and slip it over your rope
between your wrists so you both are secured. The last time, remove the
ring from both ropes and vest it, bringing the solid ring down from your
left arm onto your rope for the finale and subsequent inspection.
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