Gratoulet was the name given a mythological sorcerer learning to “tie the
knot” and it could well be that the following effect might have stood him
well. The operator produces 3 twelve inch silks, one black, one white, and
one red. He ties them together in this order, calling attention to the fact
that a white silk lies in between a red and a black.
The silks in a knotted string are rolled into a ball and an elastic band
put around them. The ball of silk is dropped inside a wine glass on the
operator’s table with everything so far done in a most deliberate manner.
A feature of the effect to be welcomed is that no moves other than natural
are used.
The operator picks up a strip of tissue paper coloured red, its only
peculiarity being one small hole at each end. The tissue paper is folded
at the center, a match struck, and the flame applied to the ends. When
it is nearly consumed, the operator allows it to drop. It falls but stops
when almost to the floor and rises again, a glowing ash. As it nears the
operator’s hand he swoops and a silk appears as the ash is caught. Telling
his watchers that if they were paying rapt attention they possibly saw the
silk leave the red and black.
He removes the silks from the glass, and with great deliberation removes
the rubber band. Tell them that if they failed to see the silk leave perhaps
they witnessed the arrival of the paper, the operator lets the bundle unroll
to reveal the tissue securely tied in between black and red silks.
REQUIREMENTS
Red, white and black silks in duplicate; two strips of Cremation tissue
paper; two elastic bands; a box of safety matches; a wine glass. Cut 1/4
in. holes in each strip of tissue at the ends.
PREPARATION
Tie a strip of paper between red and black silks. Starting with the black
roll the silks and paper to form a ball and the elastic band is slipped over
the bundle which then is placed in the operator’s right trousers pocket.
One white silk is folded into a small ball and inserted into one end of the
matchbox as for the usual DeKolta production. On the operator’s table are
placed the remaining silks, the wineglass into which is dropped the other
elastic band, the other strip of Cremation paper, and lastly the matchbox
with the silk tucked in one end, this end being, of course, away from the
audience. The table should be at the operator’s left.
PRESENTATION
The operator picks ups the three silks and ties them together. He rolls
them into a ball with palms towards the audience, attention being called
verbally or by innuendo to the fact that nothing but the silks go into the
ball. As with the duplicates balled in the pocket, the black is started on
first so that the operator is left with a small ball of red silk.
The elastic band is taken now from the wineglass, snapped around the ball
and this latter dropped into the glass.
The piece of Cremation paper is picked up, shown at the fingertips and
folded in half. The hinge part of the strip is held at the left fingertips
and the right thumb and forefinger run along the doubled strip lengthwise
which has the effect of stiffening the paper. The right hand then picks up
the matchbox and it is placed in the left hand immediately over the end of
the paper whilst the right fingers remove a match from the box. The box
is closed pushing the white silk into the left hand. The match is struck
against side of box with right hand, this latter hand taking hold of the
matchbox itself, once the operator is sure that the match is burning O.K.
The flame is now applied to the ends of the paper which is held in a
horizontal position to prevent it burning too rapidly. Once the paper is
alight the match is flicked out and dropped on the floor. The right hand
then puts the box of matches in the right hand trousers pocket AND
REMAINS THERE FOR THE TIME BEING.
The operator now gauges the burning paper. When nearly burnt he allows
it to fall from his left hand. If he has gauged it correctly it should fall to
within about a foot of the floor. The finger and thumb of the left hand
which holds the white silk (from matchbox) snap together at this point
and apparently at this command the ashes rise.
As they come within about a foot of the operator’s hand (left), a grab
is made by it, the white silk being allowed to unfold and held by the
fingertips. AT THE POINT WHERE THE LEFT HAND SWOOPS ON
THE ASHES THE RIGHT HAND IS REMOVED FROM THE RIGHT
HAND TROUSERS POCKET WITH THE BUNDLE OF SILKS
FINGERPALMED.
The audience is given the full effect of the appearance of the white silk
which the right hand now takes at about six inches from the tip with the
thumb and forefinger. The left hand goes to the wine glass, removes the
bundle of silk with the fingertips, the operator saying at the same time “You
possibly saw the white silk leave the black and red if you were watching
as you should.” During this the left hand has taken the silk ball right out
of the glass and the left and right hands are about six inches below the
shoulders and about a foot apart.
The operator then says “If you didn’t see the silk leave etc…” and as he
does so he apparently places the bundle into right hand and takes the
white silk in left.
What actually happens is that the left hand approaches the white silk with
bundle, and immediately the bundle is behind the white silk. This latter is
grasped with first and second fingers (bundle should preferably be held at
this stage between left hand first finger and thumb). The right hand moves
away with the duplicate bundle exposed. IF THE TIMING IS RIGHT
THIS MOVE IS ABSOLUTELY INDETECTABLE.
As the operator says “….paper arrive” the right hand tosses the bundle
about a foot into the air and catches it. The left hand places the white silk
over the right arm, and as this is done, the original bundle is wedged in
the bend of the arm. This is easily done as the move is covered by the
operator drawing the silk over the bend so that half hangs on each side of
the arm. Both hands are now free, with the exception of the exchanged
bundle, and it remains only for the operator to remove the band and finish
climactically.
This presentation is ideal for all conditions AS ANGLES PLAY NO
PART. Even the switch is covered at the side by the hands. In this respect
it must be emphasized that no pause is permissible when this move is
made, although strange as it may seem, if the articles were actually passed
from hand to hand there WOULD be a pause.
(Editor’s note : The Cremation paper mentioned herein and used so
effectively is sold by most magical dealers. A fine grade of French tissue
in yard long sheets and cut into strips about 1 1/4 in. wide will do the trick.
Just follow the presentation instructions of Mr. Warlock and experiment
for correct timing.)
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