Slydini was a true believer in developing sleight of hand that mimicked the natural gestures of the hands, eyes and body. The result? Slydini fooled the best of magicians. Even when you knew his methods, you still couldn't detect them. They were so well hidden and timed into his routines, that you would believe you were experiencing real magic.
Slydini was a legend in magic and should not be remembered as someone whose magic was only good when seated at a table. Slydini's magic theory and misdirection can strengthen all magicians' performances.
The effect which follows takes my favorite Slydini routine, Paper Balls in the Box, and places it in the standup magician's repertoire. It is such an incredible effect, yet you seldom see anyone performing it these days. My routine uses 5 rubber instead of 4 paper balls used in the Slydini version. The complete Slydini routine, Paper Balls in the Box, is featured in the marvelous two-book set The Best of Slydini...and More, by Karl Fulves. D.Robbins, a magic company, owns the rights to them. A special thanks to P.R. Fried of D. Robbins for giving me permission to present this version in my lecture notes. On with the routine.
EFFECT: Four yellow rubber balls are shown in a wine glass. A 4" x 7" x 4" plastic box frame (without top or bottom) is place beside the wine glass on the table. One by one, the four balls are removed from the glass and vanished. When the box frame is lifted, the four yellow balls are found inside!
APPARATUS: 2 Pieces of 4"x7" Plastic (or Cardboard); 2 Pieces of 4"x4" Plastic (or Cardboard); 5 Yellow, 1 1/2" Rubber Balls; Wine Glass; Clear Packing Tape.
SETUP: Place the five rubber balls in the wine glass. Tape the 4 pieces of plastic together (on the inside) so that opposite sides are 4"x7" and 4"x4". Fold this box frame (with no top or bottom) flat, and place it next to the wine glass inside your table.
PRESENTATION: Show the flat box frame and open it. Place it at the upper right corner of your table. The right hand secretly palms one of the yellow balls, while the right fingers hold the stem of the wine glass (Fig. 1). Set the wine glass down on the table to the left of the box frame. The left fingers remove one ball from the glass and toss it up in the air a few times. Place the ball on top of the right fist near the extra ball which is secretly palmed (Fig.2).
Bounce the ball from the top of the right fist over to the left hand. Display this ball in the left while the right reaches into the open frame for a little "magic dust". Say, "A little magic dust is sprinkled for good luck!" Actually, you secretly put the extra ball into the frame (Fig.3)
Toss the ball from the left hand to the right hand. Make a fake transfer of the ball to the left hand, while retaining it in a right thumbpalm. The left hand closes into a fist like it is holding the ball, while the right hand pulls up the left sleeve a little (Fig.4). Immediately pivot to face the right. The right hand drops to your side (Fig.5). In the process, the right fingers quickly and secretly push the palmed ball so it is held securely by the outer edge of your right front pants pocket (Fig.6). The right hand immediately comes up and squeezes the left fist. Both hands open slowly, revealing that the first ball has vanished.
Pivot to the right to look into the box. Hold up one finger on the left hand and say, "One!". As you face the right, the right thumb secretly hooks behind the ball in your right pocket (Fig.7), and thumbpalms it out of the pocket. The left hand now removes the second ball from the wine glass, and places it on top of the right fist (Fig.2) Repeat Figures 2-7 three more times. Since you are one ahead with the fifth (extra) ball, the last ball that is placed in your right pants pocket will remain there. There is no need to retrieve it.
Walk over to the box frame, insert your two index fingers, and tilt it up, revealing the four yellow rubber balls (Fig.8). Let the frame fall flat to the table. Build up the revelation to heighten the impact of this routine!
Thank you, Slydini!
