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sepaternoster New user 62 Posts |
The thread on the Haunted Key reminded me of an old effect with a miniature matchbox. The effect is that a matchbox is resting in the (palm up) hand, across the fingers, near the where the fingers join the hand. After some magic words (or whatever), the matchbox is seen to rise slowly upward from one end (to nearly 90 degrees). After a few seconds, it drops back to the hand. The hands are shown to be clean, and the matchbox can be immediately examined (there really is no gimmick, no shim, no IT).
I am not sure where I learned this effect, but I think I remember it being credited to Blackstone (I could be wrong). I did try several searches for it here, but was unsuccessful. If anyone out there knows what I'm talking about, please provide a reference. Anyway, I love the fact that this effect can be done completely impromptu, even with a borrowed matchbox. However, I haven't used this thing because I haven't been able to come up with a good story to go with this effect. Why would a matchbox have any special importance? Any ideas? Thanks, Seth
Seth E. Paternoster
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sepaternoster New user 62 Posts |
I've just had a minor thought about a possible story. Maybe the matchbox is linked to some deadly fire of the past. Maybe it's not the box, but a particular, already burnt, match that you put into a modern matchbox (no need to have an "old" matchbox). Did they have matches when they were burning witches at the stake? Maybe, it's not a match, but some ashes or small pieces of charcoal that you put into the box?
Anyone?
Seth E. Paternoster
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Dr Spektor Eternal Order Carcanis 10781 Posts |
Hmm.. maybe it can also be linked to Max Maven's ELEMENTAL effect in his PRISM series... i.e. elemental fire effects for close up
"They are lean and athirst!!!!"
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kaytracy Inner circle Central California 1793 Posts |
Match history here
http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blmatch.htm So perhaps the matches were thought of as a toy by some unfortunate child- the victim of an...accident. Then again, we have all seen those movies with the "Chemist", the person who is hired to start fires that look like accidents...... There are stories I recall hearing about people keeping crickets in small containers for luck, something very like a matchbox. Then again, the box, once holdig matches used to light a pipe, used by <whomever> was found to have "unusual" properties. <opportunity to incorporate odors wtih this one, as well as sounds depending on what tale you choose to weave!> k
Kay and Tory
www.Bizarremagick.com |
The Curator V.I.P. Beware Vampire, I have 3909 Posts |
Know your classics.
http://hca.gilead.org.il/li_match.html |
Bill Ligon Inner circle A sure sign of a misspent youth: 6437 Posts |
Wonderful site, Curator! Thanks!
Author of THE HOLY ART: Bizarre Magick From Naljorpa's Cave. NOW IN HARDCOVER! VIEW: <BR>www.lulu.com/content/1399405 ORDER: http://stores.lulu.com/naljorpa
<BR>A TASSEL ON THE LUNATIC FRINGE |
Caspar Veteran user Tacoma 316 Posts |
The Curator beat me to it, I am sure that the Little Match Girl will give you some nice ideas. You can also find the story in the Book of Virtues a great book that is nothing less than inspiring.
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kaytracy Inner circle Central California 1793 Posts |
What about those tales of "Three on a match"
Kay and Tory
www.Bizarremagick.com |
santlerconjurer Veteran user 364 Posts |
How about this:
http://london.sonoma.edu/Writings/LostFace/fire.html Heck, there was even once a well-known mental performer named "Jack London!" For example see: http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=15 |
sepaternoster New user 62 Posts |
Thanks everyone. Hans Christian Andersen and Jack London have both been on my "to read" list for quite some time, and both of those stories are quite inspiring.
I leaning toward a story about a beautiful, young woman who is accidentally burned to death when her hair catches fire. I don't have many of details worked out yet, but I think she has very long hair, due to some tradition; perhaps she is Gypsy... Seth
Seth E. Paternoster
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DrNorth Veteran user North Starr Entertainment, Harrisburg PA 364 Posts |
I don't know how this will work with your effect, BUT The ashes on the arm routine might add to the thread of the tale. It needn't be a card reveal, It could be a word, name or occult symbol that was forced or even done on the fly if the set up is there to do the work in the middle of it.
It to is a classic, but seems to get a strong response from people. I think we tend to toss out those old "simple" effects we first learned as "easy" or everyone knows that old chestnut. There are also those Phoenix matches that look burnt but can be lit. I know you asked for a story, but maybe these additional effects my spur some ideas from you or others. "For it shows things that were, and things that are, and things that yet may be. But which it that he sees, even the wisest cannot always tell" ~Galadriel "A heretic is a man who sees with his own eyes." |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The spooky, the mysterious...the bizarre! » » Petite Effect Seeking Strong Story (0 Likes) |
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