“I think Esmé’s right,” cried Potty. “You love magic, you try and work out how the tricks are done… and you seem to have the technical know-how to help create some incredible, never-before-seen tricks.”
“Well, I do like to tinker with electricals and gadgets,” said Keith. “I’ve even made a few inventions of my own recently…”
“Do say you’ll help us,” said Esmé.
There was a long, tense pause as Keith looked lost in thought.
“Why not,” he said at last. “It would be an honour.”
Potty and Keith shook hands; both were grinning widely.
Suddenly Twinkle started to swoon again. “It’s terribly hot in here,” she said.
“Oh, gracious, not again,” said Tabitha.
“I just feel a little…” Twinkle fanned her face with her hand as she slumped back into her chair. “Ooh, the spirits!” Twinkle squeaked as she wrinkled her nose.
“Oh, deary me, not another premonition?” Tabitha was concerned. “You’ve only just finished your last one…”
“I can’t help it,” murmured Twinkle. “These apparitions just arrive… Might be important.”
Twinkle’s head drooped to one side then the other. It looked as if she was watching a very slow game of tennis.
“Hurghmumble,” said Twinkle. “Flurghlehoi…”
“Anything bubbling up from the spirit world?” Tabitha asked her sister.
Esmé watched in wonder as Twinkle was visited – yet again – by some sort of mystical presence. Esmé wondered what she might see this time.
“I’ve got it.” Twinkle’s eyes opened and she shot up in her chair. “It’s a shark in a suit, and it’s coming to get us.”
“A shark in a suit?” asked Tabitha. “Sharks don’t wear clothes.”
“Oh, but this one does…” Twinkle Table said, and shivered.
Just at that moment, a man entered the auditorium.
An excerpt from
Dr Pompkins – Totality Magic
TRICK: Remove an Ice Cube with a Piece of String
Compatriots and cavaliers, place before you a glass full of water and one ice cube. Give each of your friends a piece of string – medium length – and ask them to remove the ice cube with it.
Watch as they will try to lasso the cube out – to no avail. Once they have given up, take the string, soak it in the water then double it into a loop at the centre.
Rest this loop on top of the ice cube, pour some magic dust over both of them (the magic dust is actually salt, but your audience need not know this) and you will be able to lift the ice cube, which will have become frozen to the loop. The ice melts as you pour the salt on it, and refreezes when you stop.
Now that is magic. Oh, no, it’s not – it’s science.
Magic Hands
An audience is always watching a magician’s hands – they are the tools of his trade – so it is very important to keep them looking good and working well.
Finger exercises:
The best way to improve your flexibility and coordination is by doing regular finger exercises like the ones described below:
Close your fingers very tightly into your palms, then open them one by one, starting with the forefinger. Then try opening alternate fingers – second finger, little finger, forefinger, third finger and so on {see fig. 1}.
Hold your hand up straight and separate your fingers as illustrated. Now change positions as quickly as you can {see fig. 2}.
Touch the tip of your little finger with the tip of your forefinger – first at the back, then quickly at the front {see fig. 3}.
In all totality,
Dr Pompkins
“Do my eyes deceive me or am I getting a sneak preview of the performance?” said the man. He had in his hand a poster for Potty’s magic show.
The assembled crew turned towards the darkness.
“You sneaky little ladies,” the man said, wagging a finger at the Table sisters. “You didn’t tell me you were planning another magic show. How wonderful!” He smiled round at everyone, although Esmé couldn’t help but notice that his smile looked a little forced. More like a grimace, she thought to herself.
“And you must be the Potty Magician…”
“Yes, that’s me,” said Potty, walking forwards, squinting into the shadowy auditorium.
The man walked up to the stage and shook Potty’s hand, then waved uncomfortably at Esmé and Monty. He was not used to children.
Twinkle and Tabitha rushed up to greet him.
“How nice to see you, Mr Portobello,” said Tabitha, trying not to flinch as he kissed her cheek, then Twinkle’s.
“Tea?” asked Twinkle.
“No, thanks, Twinks,” said Mr Portobello, wiping his mouth with his sleeve.
So this is the man who wanted to buy the Sea Spray, thought Esmé.
Mr Portobello had greased-back hair and wore a shiny suit that was clearly one size too small for him. Esmé wondered what it was about him that made her feel uncomfortable, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. But the man was, for the Table sisters, all important, so Esmé kept smiling and decided to be as charming as she could.
“Potty’s act is going to be fantastic, Mr Portobello,” Esmé said.
“Please, call me Ronnie,” oozed Mr Portobello.
