STICKS & STONES NUMBER 3 

A leaflet for the left hand

 

BLUE ISSUE 

This issue isn't True Blue. You'll find nothing dangerously Dionysian 
here. However, you may find out the true color of your nose, 
stockings, or whatever. 

A trend may be starting. As the so-called sexual revolution 
continues its spin, fewer people remain shocked or offended by Blue 
material. The crude and lewd have become staple items. Porn is 
everywhere and we've all seen the movies, books, magazines, and 
live shows. The full moon in lover's lane has Enovid written across 
it. Teenagers yawn at stuff that jailed Ralph Ginzburg. Lenny Bruce 
and Harry Reems are folk heroes. Porn's lingo is media 
meter...tongues wag... heads move to & fro... the incessant tsk-tsk 
of society is syncopated to the shake-shake of you-know-what! And 
the beat goes on... 

Magicdom is not immune. Chaos magazine (Canada) was ahead of 
its time. Young Judy Carter--magic lady with her celery stalk--is in 
our time. Frances Marshall, one of magicdom's true sweethearts, 
has published Bar Room Balloons and admits it's "slightly X-rated." 
Not true. Urinating water dogs aren't Blue. Kids won't be offended. 
They will laugh instead. Just imagine... a few years ago Magic Inc. 
received some indignant letters concerning "Boy Meets Girl"--a 
marketed packet trick which used sex symbol cards. 

The new book titled The Shiels Effect by Niacail O'Siaghail is 
actually X-rated on its cover. Its contents, however, aren't really 
Blue. Besides pubic hair has gone public. Who cares if it's in 
context? One needs an eyeful to say a mouthful. One needs to know 
before he can "no"... 

Vulgarisms have started to sneak into our prose. Magic In The 
Morris Manor and Bob Little's Blue Ribbon Lecture use the term 
"asshole". Gospel magicians may recoil, but all this is mild stuff. 
Perhaps the magic marketplace is ready for raunchier stuff? Maybe 
not. Think about it. Magic has always been an upright art, a good 
clean hobby. LePaul called it "an idealistic fantasy" and it's always 
been free from smut. Poking a silk into a tube shouldn't be 
suggestive. Making a rope rigid shouldn't be inadvertent symbolism. 
The finger-chopper shouldn't have Freudian overtones... 

 

 

Magic has always had a seductive quality. Women are intrigued. 
Men say, "I'd hate to play cards with you!" Women say (or think), 
"What other tricks do you know?" Tyros can read Sex and the Single 
Magician or heed Bob Little's advice: "Try a little flirting and see the 
effect... caress objects..." The back room and bar room move into 
the drawing room. 

David A. Wright submits a card item to Pabular (June-1975, Vol. 1-
No. 10) called "Elmsley Out-Sexed". He took Elmsley's Four-Card 
Trick and created a different approach: cuteness coupled with 
sexual innuendo "aimed at attractive young ladies in the audience 
for obvious reasons." Perhaps it's time to revamp all the classics, 
adding bawdy patter and saucier plots? 

The following routine was developed after studying Wright's dubious 
effect. My purposes were satirical; however, when I performed this 
version for magicians, they wanted copies for their files. Some 
wanted to buy the effect, assuming it was a dealer item. One 
magician uses it regularly in his close-up work. (He works at a 
famous Chicago night spot.) 

Wright Wronged 

REQUISITES 

(1) Four red-backed blank cards; (2) One blue-backed blank card; 
(3) A sheet of adhesive letters such as Letraset. 

On the back of a red-backed blank print C-L-I-M-A-X. On its face 
print SEX. On the face of the blue-backer print QUEER. Set these 
cards in the following order from face to back: blank-SEX card-
QUEER card-blank-blank. 

WORKING 

1) Place the cards face-down in your left hand. Execute an Elmsley 
Count. Thumb off the uppermost two cards into your right hand, 
flash their blank faces, and duck them underneath the cards in your 
left hand. Patter: "Have you ever had your mind read? Well, these 

are mind-reading cards... That's why they're red. (Groan) When I 
say that most people give me a blank look... which is why these 
cards are blank..." 

2) Flip the cards face-up and Elmsley Count them to show all 
blanks. Patter: "I want you to make your mind blank as well... 
(Most laymen will say, "This should be easy...)... Think of any 
number between five and seven!" 

3) Explain that one of the blank cards will print his thought; that he 
should concentrate. Here you deal the cards face-up onto the table, 
holding the last two as one. The face of this double-card will have 
SEX printed on it. Grasp this double-card with your right hand, 
holding it from above and by the ends. Drop it onto the tabled 
blanks. Pick up all the cards and place them face-up in your left 
hand. Allow the appearance of the SEX card to sink in as you say, 
"Ah yes...you are concentrating on SIX...er...I mean...SEX! At least 
I'm close..." 

4) Transfer the bottom blank card to the top (face) as you add: 
"Keep concentrating on SEX...which I'll place somewhere--if you 
pardon the expression—into the spread. Now some like SEX face-
up. Others like it face-down. In this case we'll keep it face-up." 

5) Give the cards another Elmsley Count. The SEX card will show up 
during the count. Say, "But if you try too hard, SEX becomes 
elusive. The harder you try, the harder it becomes..." Give the 
cards another Elmsley Count and they'll appear to be blank. The 
SEX card has apparently disappeared. 

6) Say, "Now here's the QUEER part..." Execute another Elmsley 
Count and the QUEER card will appear. Place the last card (a blank) 
on the bottom, leaving the QUEER card on top (face). Look at the 
audience and say, "What's the matter? Hasn't anyone heard of a 
SEX CHANGE?" 

7) Smile and say, "Now here's anyone's favorite part!" Here execute 
a four-card turnover, using the Buckle or Push-off techniques, thus 
disclosing the apparent back of the QUEER card which has C-L-I-M-
A-X printed on it. Finish the patter line with: "...the climax!" 

8) Repeat the four-card turnover and deal the QUEER card face-up 
onto the table. At this point you can place the remaining cards in 
your pocket. If you wish to "prove" anything, then hold the cards 
face-up in your left hand. Your right thumb and fingers hold the 
right longitudinal side of the packet. Your left thumb peels off the 
face card. Next your right thumb does a 2-card push-off as your left 
thumb easily peels off both cards as one. Your right hand places the 
remaining card under the rest. Turn the cards face-down and repeat 
the above actions. You have apparently shown both sides of all 

three cards (?). The whole action should be done quickly and 
casually. 

For the kicker, say: "If you didn't like the SEX part or the QUEER 
part or the ever-popular CLIMAX, will you settle for a BLUE JOB?" 
Here you turn over the tabled QUEER card to disclose its BLUE back. 

As you quickly scoop up the cards, three things are happening: 

(1) The older fellows are chuckling and nudging each other. 

(2) The attractive, young girls are coldly silent, assuming that 
you're a simple-minded ass. 

(3) The young studs, remaining aloof, will be thinking that you're 
too old to be doing this kind of thing. 

If there's a lampshade nearby, place it on your head. Blow up your 
Whoopee Cushion and sit on it yourself. If this doesn't save the day, 
explain why semen is white and urine is yellow. (Answer: 
So______can tell whether they're coming or going! 
- Jon Racherbaumer, August 20, 1975 

Closet Cupid 

Can you imagine Gay Libbers protesting the title "The Straight 
Gambler"? One might expect anything these days, including the 
following modification of a routine credited to Paul Rosini. An 
Eastern publisher recently republished this quickie; however, the 
obvious use of Tilt somehow eluded those involved in the "repeat". 
This version, by the way, was submitted by a well-known cardman 
who'll remain nameless. 

EFFECT - The King leaves the Queen, finding someone more to his 
taste! 

WORKING 

1) Get customers around the bar to pay attention by shouting: "I 
have something queer to show you guys... You may get a bang out 
of it!" 

2) Thumb through the deck, cutting the JH to the top. Openly cull 
the King and Queen of Hearts and drop them face-up on the bar. 

3) Place the QH face-up on top of the deck, then flip it face-down. 
Place the KH face-down on top of all. Push over the uppermost two 
cards and secretly advance the 3rd card (JH) as well. Flip over the 
KH as you jokingly remark: "Notice that the King is on top of the 
Queen." 

4) With the KH face-up on top, your right hand re-squares the deck 
from above and by the ends. While doing this get the uppermost 
three cards into Tilt position. (Note: Lower the talon; don't raise the 
3-card packet.) 

5) Your right fingers remove the face-up KH as you say, "The King 
grew tired of the same position... so he sought rear entry into...his 
castle..." Here you apparently insert the KH, still face-up, into the 
center of the deck. In reality it goes below the top two cards 
because of Tilt. 

6) Push the KH flush from the back end, but get a break below it. 
Flip the top card (QH) face-up, saying: "This flipped the Queen... 
who decided to investigate..." 

7) As you seem to turn the QH back face-down, execute a Triple 
Turnover. Then do a Double Lift and insert both cards (as one) into 
the front end of the deck; however, prior to this insertion your left 
hand turns palm downwards (or flips the deck) so it's face-up. 
Patter: "The Queen goes through the front door of the castle to 
catch the King when he sneaks out!" 

8) After the card(s) are pushed flush, turn the deck face-down and 
say, "Once the Queen entered the castle, what she saw made her 
leave quickly... in a twinkling...jiffy...whatever... and she ended on 
the roof..." Here you turn the top card face-up to disclose the QH on 
top. 

9) Look at your audience (Hopefully high) and say, "Perhaps you're 
wondering what made her leave in such a hurry?!" Spread the cards 
between your hands to disclose the KH face-up in the center. 
Patter: "You see...the Queen found the King flat on his back...face-
to-face with some Jack..." Here your right hand lifts its cards to 
reveal the JH above the KH. Finish by adding, "... proving that the 
King was really a Queen!" 

Marginalia: As mentioned earlier, this version is a variation of a Paul 
Rosini story--a variation of a Vernon variation, based on an Ellis 
Stanyon idea. The use of Tilt, of course, eliminates the unnatural 
cutting action after the Queen is already placed in the center of the 
deck. Daley often noted who performed a given effect, but seldom 
who originated the same effect... 

Ding-a-ling Dong 

Back in August of 1972 Genii magazine ran the following ad: 

The Magic Ding Dong - This is an "X"-rated magic trick for ADULTS 
only. You must be over 21 in order to purchase this item. If you are 
easily offended then this is NOT for you! We are living in an era 

when television and movies are more mature than ever in matters 
regarding sex, SO, why not magic? At the right time and in the right 
places the MAGIC DING DONG can and has caused a sensation. 
Packaged in a plain brown wrapper it comes complete with four 2-
inch sponge balls. If you wish we will mark the parcel private and 
personal. Made of virgin poly foam and warranted never to harden. 
Not for the prudish! 

Albert Goshman was the salesman. 

The wild magic magazine from Canada and the Drinking Ring 
(Chaos) did a satirical piece on the Goshman prop in its September-
1972 issue (#28). 

The following entries are my own additions to the variant models 
offered by the Shoddy Magic Company. Those familiar with the 
utility prop or have purchased this prick will find the following list 
comprehensible (or is the word "reprehensible"?). 
VARIANT MODELS OF THE DING DONG 
1) The Macho model --A very authentic replica that looks like steel, 
glows in the dark, and features the classic mechanics of the Bang 
Gun. (State your preferred one word message for the flag.) 

2) The Renee Richards model -- Great for very mixed company! 
Completely reversible for surprise finish. Available with or without 
fur. 

3) The Won Hung Wang model --A thousand patter possibilities, 
appropriate for stage or stadiums. Chinese red with authentic-
looking ideograms reflecting the wisdom of Marilyn Chambers in 
cute graffiti. 

4) The Moby Dick model -- Replaces the outmoded Pea Can. Stream 
of water hits the face instead of the hand. 

5) The Cannibal model -- Lots of yocks with this one! Realistic 
hickies and bite marks. Made of lasting, purple latex. 

6) The Black Beauty model -- Perfect for ethnic bits and the right 
audience. Coils for a snug load and reaches full size in less than 
sixty seconds! 

7) The "It's My Bird!" model -- This version changes into a scarlet 
tanager for a socko finish! Great for dove workers. 

8) The Tijuana Donkey model -- Terrific for smokers and stag 
groups. Comes with boffo, saucy patter and inflatable woman. 

This is only a partial list of the various models available. Remember, 
too, that the original version is still available and according to a 

strange friend of mine can be effectively used at kiddie birthday 
parties. Simply explain to the moppets that it's a "one-eared 
rabbit"! 

In closing, remember the words of Mae West: 

"I believe in peace! I've never heard a man in the morning say, 'I've 
just had a great war!'" 

- JWR (with apologies to Gene Shelley) 

 

 

Movie Transpo 

January 21, 1972 

This effect is similar to "Signo-Transpo" from The Unexpected Card 
Book (1974) except no gaffs are necessary. It was recorded on a 
film shot by Jon Racherbaumer on January 21, 1972. 

EFFECT - A red card is chosen from twenty-six red cards and is 
openly added to twenty-six black cards. This noted red card 
magically returns to the red packet in a reversed condition. 

WORKING 

1) As you separate the red and black cards, secretly get a black 
card reversed and 2nd from the top of the red packet. (This might 
be confusing. The position of the reversed black card is 2nd from 
the bottom when the cards are held face-up. You'll be primarily 
handling the cards face-up at the beginning, thus this reminder will 
clarify the handling.) The red-black culling is done openly. Getting 
into the secret situation can be done in many ways. Look up Marlo's 
effect called "Environment" in The Linking Ring. This will give you a 
clue. Otherwise you're on your own. 

2) Pick up the red packet and spread the cards face-up. Be careful 
not to expose the reversed black card 2nd from the bottom. 
Security: Hold the last three cards as one. 

3) Hold the squared packet face-up in your right hand, holding the 
cards from above and by the ends. Your right thumb gets a break 
on the lowermost two cards, maintaining the break at the back end. 

4) Your right forefinger Swing Cuts about ten cards into your left 
hand, which holds them in a face-up dealing position. Say, "I want 
you to stop me when you see a card you like!" Your left thumb 
begins peeling cards one-at-a-time until the spectator indicates his 
preference. 

5) Once a card is chosen, momentarily leave it on the face (top) of 
your left-hand portion. Your left thumb pushes the selection to the 
right into a side-jogged position. Using the right side of its packet, 
your right hand flips the selection face-down. Do NOT execute a 
Drop Sleight at this point. 

6) Still holding its packet, your right hand makes a forward gesture 
as you say, "You like the _____?" Here move the right-hand packet 
backwards to more or less "tap" the face-down selection on your 
left-hand packet. When both packets conjoin in alignment, your 
right thumb releases the two cards below its break. The whole drop-
sleight action takes place instantly. Your follow-up patter line is: 
"...the one right here..." 

7) The right-hand packet immediately moves away. The face-down 
card on top of the left-hand packet is now a black one. The 
spectator assumes it's his red selection. Your left thumb deals the 
assumed selection face-down onto the table. 

8) Place your right-hand cards below the left-hand cards. Ribbon 
spread the "reds" face-up, taking care not to expose the face-down 
card (selection) now 2nd from the top (face). Patter: "You could 
have chosen any of these..." 

9) Ribbon spread the black cards face-up. Insert the assumed 
selection face-down into the center of the spread. 

10) Scoop up the cards and square-up. Say, "Believe it or not, I'm 
going to make your red selection disappear. Respread the cards to 
show the face-down card still reversed in the center. As you close 
the spread you're going to "right" the reversed card. It should look 
like a clumsy move. Just more or less do it quickly but openly. Don't 
expose its black face. 

11) Once the "fake" move is made, turn the cards face-down and 
ribbon spread them. All the cards, of course, will appear face-down. 
Patter; "See...the red selection has vanished!" 

12) The audience will assume you're "putting them on"; that their 
selection was awkwardly turned over like the rest of the cards. Look 
at your audience and say, "You don't believe me, do you?" Here you 
flip over the face-down black cards, using the flip-over flourish, and 
reveal ALL BLACK CARDS! 

Pick up the spread of red cards, square, and CUT. Ribbon spread 
them face-down to reveal the face-up selection in the center. 

- Edward Marlo, January 21, 1972 

 

 

 

 

STICKS & STONES is the personal responsibility of JON 
RACHERBAUMER. Don't blame anyone else. Direct your comments, 
contributions, slings, arrows, and miscellaneous bits to: 

P.O. Box 1142, Metairie, Louisiana 70004