7. To Cause The Disappearance of a Ball Placed Between Two Cups
A ball is known to be between two cups (as shown at “G” in the Fig.),
which are then picked up and placed in the left hand, the fingers of which
are inside the lower one. The right hand now takes hold of the upper
cup and a slight upward jerk is made with both hands, whereby the ball
is impelled upwards, while (practically simultaneously) the left hand
quickly withdraws the lower cup and the right hand deposits the other on
the table, consequently over the ball.
8. To Cause The Disappearance of Three Balls from Between the Cups
This sleight is an extension of #7, and is known as ‘Galloping Post’
(Courir la Poste) from the sound of the cups in its execution resembling
somewhat that of a galloping horse.
Three balls are known to be between the two bottom cups, the three being
stacked one upon the other, “XX” in the Fig. The stack is then raised and
placed in the left hand, the fingers of the latter being inside the bottom
cup. The right hand then removes the uppermost cup and replaces it on
the table. The second cup is then removed (accompanied with the upper
jerk and quick withdrawal of the lower cup as explained in #7 above), and
placed over the first. The three balls are now between the two cups on the
table, and on the top of which the remaining cup is placed with the right
hand. These movements are repeated several times.
In conclusion, the three cups are dropped in line A, B, C, on the table,
when no little astonishment will be created by turning over “B” and
discovering the balls; or three duplicate balls may be produced from some
other place (presumably those which disappeared from the cups), then
vanished by sleight of hand and discovered under “B”.
Another interesting finish (my own) to the “Galloping Post” is to stand
the cups, opening upwards, in line on the table and produce a ball from
each – without employing duplicates or sleights. First remove all three
balls, hidden behind the fingers, from “B” and drop ONE on the table,
then quickly insert the fingers into “A”, remove them and drop another
ball — and likewise at “C”.
9. To Secretly Introduce a Large Ball Under a Cup
This is always done in conjunction with raising a cup for the purpose of
disclosing a ball, the unexpected appearance of which claims all attention.
The right hand lifts the cup, more or less hesitatingly to attract attention,
then forthwith transfers it to the left hand and over the large ball which
had been secured from the profonde, table servante or elsewhere. The
right hand then picks up the ball, just disclosed, and having tossed it in the
air, replaces it on the table, the movement affording a plausible reason for
placing the cup in the left hand. The right hand then takes the cup, and as
it does so the fingers of the left hand press the large ball into it so that it
becomes fixed, when the cup is replaced on the table, supposedly empty.
Similarly with the second and third cups, after which all are once more
raised to show nothing under them, but in replacing them they are brought
down with sufficient force to dislodge the contents. The production of the
large balls then takes place.
This may be followed by a further production of large balls or other
objects, all secretly introduced into the cups from the table servante as
already explained, until the table becomes strewn with a heterogeneous
collection. Such objects as oranges, onions, birds, etc., that cannot be
pinched into the upper part of the cups are retained by the fingers. In this
case a cup, after loading, may be transferred from one hand to the other
(suggesting emptiness), the tip of the third finger usually being sufficient
to retain the object within it up to the moment it is replaced on the table.
10. To Pass One Cup Through Another
This illusion depends to a very large extent upon the fact that the cups,
being so much alike, cannot be distinguished the one from the other. A cup
is held by the rim, mouth upwards, between the thumb and second finger
of the left hand. The right hand holds another cup directly over and a few
inches above the one in left hand. The upper cup is then dropped into the
lower one, the concussion knocking away the latter and leaving the upper
one in its place. The effect of this is that one cup is passed completely
through the other. The lower cup may be let fall on the ground or table,
but a better effect (my own) is obtained by catching it in the right hand
in position for dropping the one in the left hand through it again, and
repeating the movement, using either hand alternately, a number of times.
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS
This is particularly necessary with Cup and Ball Conjuring, and for
several reasons; to produce merriment and thus put the audience on good
terms with the performer from the start, and to provide the necessary
misdirection for secretly bringing the first ball into play, i.e., palming it in
readiness for the production from the wand as already described (Sleight
3). A burlesque or pseudo-scientific description of the cups, balls, wand,
etc., is usually chosen as the basis of such address. While everyone knows
it to be dust in the eye, it lends an enchantment to the procedures which
follow, and allows the performer unlimited scope in his patter, which
should be almost continuous.
While the opening address, to follow, gives a quite perfect starting
order, at the conclusion of the various suggested “passes” I shall add on
a complete and “actual professional” routine from the very start to the
climactic finish, with variants for those who will make use of objects
other than the conventional balls.