I have never been one to hang
out in magic shops. I've never known why and
I've never given it much thought. I do know
that many magic shops are social gathering spots
where magicians meet to visit. It's just never
been something I've done. However, I recently
visited a major magic shop, probably my first
time in about five years, and now I might know
what it is that has kept me away.
It was early in the day, and
if there were to be a gathering of magicians
they hadn't yet arrived. In addition to me,
there was only one other customer, a young boy
probably about 12 years old. He was with his
mother, but she wasn't the one buying. She was
just the one paying. I've never known a 12-year
old magician except for myself when I was that
age. I was rather curious just what it is a
boy that age would buy. His purchase didn't
seem odd, probably a brightly colored box and
a silk hank or two. Not really of much interest
to me.
I was, though, extremely interested
in a question both he and his mother asked the
demonstrator behind the counter. It was a basic
question; one we have all asked. He wanted to
know how he could make money with his magic.
Even today I often wonder if I shouldn't be
asking that question. It's a good question.
It was the answer he received that distressed
me. The demonstrator was an experienced man
in magic, a guy my own age, and one who I know
rather well.
He went into great detail telling
the kid to do the following: (Keep in mind,
I doubt if this kid had ever read a magic book).
The kid was told to get a business card, and
that the card should have a phrase of some sort
claiming experience and quality, something like
Master Magician. The card should also have a
name ending in "ini" a la Houdini. The kid was
told how to use the advertising material of
others, and pictures from magic magazines, to
make a clip art brochure. He was instructed
how to make a clip art letterhead using the
material of others. He was told, correctly,
how to get all this done at little expense at
places like Kinko. He was told to emulate (nice
word for copy) the routines of the magicians
he had seen, for this would make his performances
professional in appearance. This went on and
on. You get the idea.
All in all I couldn't believe
what I was hearing. I kept wondering if this
type advice is given often? The boy listened
closely and seemed to absorb it all. To make
it even worse, everything the kid was told to
do could actually be done at little expense.
Moreover, the kid probably felt he was getting
excellent guidance. I locked my teeth and kept
my mouth shut.
After the boy and his mother
left the store, when I was the only customer,
I told the demonstrator that the boy's question
should have been answered with four words. Perplexed,
the demonstrator asked me what possible four
words could have answered the question as to
how to make money with magic. I replied, "First,
become a magician."
I think I know why I've never
been one to hang out in magic shops.
