Hi all,

This past Saturday was my first chain escape using Kondini's and Dr. Wilson's excellent advice!

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......;start=0

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=18

Practiced chaining at home for two weeks, and the day was finally here!

Over 200 people expected to appear for challenge.

Followed all the advice given me from these two gents above:

50' of 3/8" chain
Numerous padlocks
Assistant controls locks
Offer a monetary challange
Kibitz during chaining process
Use backing music
Use criteria in selecting volunteers

So how did it go?

Well, first of all, I kept imaging the worse case scenario.

Something, somehow, somewhere, someplace is gonna go wrong on stage!

And in fact it did, when my G****** lock intended for my neck from Cannon's suddently wouldn't open before the show. No problem though, I had double-checked everything first and this is what the check is for!

And of course I had 21 other padlocks I'd brought to choose from.

So the performance begins, and I am introduced by my assistant, and I appear stage left.

Brief speech made by me to audience members.

I then Invite four volunteers up to chain me.

I first had them pull the chain taught across length of stage as per advice.

Then had them inspect the two handcuffs I had. Followed by a couple padlocks.

Placed my neck into middle of chain, then had assistant place the first g***** padlock in place.

The four volunteers were then able to chain me anyplace, anywhere, and anyhow using the two chain ends on either side of me.

I then had the audience start their watches for the monetary challenge. I will get out in shorter time than I was chained.

The next thing that occured was pure pandamonium!

Once the music started, other audience members stormed the stage and four volunteers quickly turned into ten.

Then my assistant forget her role and let the volunteers all start grabbing the locks themselves and using them indiscriminantly.

The music stopped and I was left standing there in a very very heavy pillar of chains, padlocks, and handcuffs.

The chaining took 2:37 in time.

I then excused the volunteers to applause, repeated my challenge through the mic, and asked the audience to begin their countdown for my release.

Showmanship, twisting, turning, sweating, turning red, etc.

"Oh crap, I can't get my ankle undone. Something is wrong. That *@#$! assistant wasn't watching the locks."

I finally slipped my shoe, the chain came off, and I raised them over my head to great appause!!

Release time is 2:07. Too close for comfort. Not because it was within 30 seconds of my chaining, but because it was mindless. I wasn't watching the time, too.

Exhilarating, fun, and a great kick in the pants!

But some improvements will definitely be in place for my next challenge in two weeks

P.S. Much thanks and appreciation to Kondini and Dr Wilson for their very valuable advice!

WELL DONE TOD!!!

*Applause*

That was scaring me just reading it. lol. Glad you got out.

Make sure you have a few bouncers at the next gig to stop any extra volunteers coming up.

Regards
Wolflock

COOL!!!

Weldone my friend, sounds like you had fun.

Can't wait to hear about the next one :O)

Well written. I enjoyed reading it almost as much as I would have seeing it.

-- Ace

Congratulations Tod! That sounded great. It felt like it was happening to me as I was reading it. Very good work. You didn't panic and you came through with flying colors! Well done Tod!!!!

Glad you did well,,,next time will be even better.

Yes it all works well and has been tried and tested over many years.
Now get out there and do it again,,,

Ken

Thanks, gents!

Some feedback I received after the show was, "You were really struggling up there. It looked like to was really hard to get out of everyting."

I thanked the person, but was smirking on the inside

My next escape is Oct 6.

The same escape as above.

Then my next is Oct 7, the day after.

I sent out Press Releases to area TV stations.

If I fail, this is gonna be one very embarrasing event!

I have as many g**** and entedended hasps locks as possible,

Oh yeah, and a new assistant

Hi Tod,

Where are you performing? If you are in southern California I know a few of us would love to be there to cheer you on.

Or maybe you can video tape it and post it on You Tube.

Good luck with the next two shows!

Joe