“Of all mysteries in the realm of magic,” the performer says, “the East Indian Needle Feat is supreme.” (See Jinx #1 – Ed.) He patters on “In the presentation of that oriental deception, one which must have been developed from the feat of laying on sharpened spikes, the fakir swallows from 25 to 50 needles and follows this repast with several yards of thread and a glass of water. After incantations of doubtful origin the needles and thread are up-chucked, and the sewing appliances found threaded upon that product of the spinner’s art.” (Note before going farther, where in hell did you get that “up-chucked” bit ? Ed.)
Stating that he is just learning the effect and is not yet too proficient, the performer offers to show the basic part of the trick with one needle and a foot of thread.
Needle and thread are examined. Performer places in mouth, swallows, and then regurgitates (still at it, eh ? Ed.) Something has gone wrong. Several small ends of thread are through the eye of the needle; “but the audience, I hope, can get a rough idea of what the Hindu does, albeit in reverse.”
This is merely an adaptation of a very old puzzle, i.e., putting from fifteen to twenty lengths of thread through the eye of a single needle. For those who haven’t their ancient puzzle books at hand — take a length of thread about three feet long; draw through a piece of wax to prevent strands from clinging when moistened by saliva; thread needle in usual manner. Call short end of thread through needle eye “A” and longer end “B”. About two inches from needle eye split strand “B” by pressing point of needle through thread, forming a loop around needle. Thread is drawn up over eye until it lies hard against strand “B”. The loop thus formed is pulled so split passes through eye. Each time the split passes through the eye an additional strand of thread is put through. Continue until eye is too full to accommodate more pulling; get split at top of loops; cut split out and leave just several loose 2 inch strands in eye. Loosely tie each end of strands with small piece of thread and cut knots off close.
Purpose of this is to prevent strands entangling in mouth. When needle is produced, draw fingers and thumb over ends of threads to remove tie and permit strands to be shown separate. Threads in needle are wrapped around eye and needle placed under edge of coat on right side, convenient for clutching between second and third finger tips with needle running point toward base of fingers.
To switch needles : Hold unprepared needle in right hand at tip of first finger and thumb. Drop it into hand at base of fingers, at same time pushing faked needle into view with eye and threads covered by fingers. Place in mouth. Then take thread and swallow balled up or keep under lip until able to dispose of it. Finish !
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