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Ravenwood Magic
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Revenant
Boo Bait
13
The Revenant
I have a great uncle who has a wonderful Southern plantation house in Water Valley,
Mississippi. On our way to Florida, we decided to spend the night there. I always liked the
house and how it made you feel like you had stepped back in time. There is a ballroom
upstairs where my wife and I were able to do the tango and waltz. It really is a beautiful old
house. After everyone went to bed (which was around 8:00 since my great uncle and aunt
are in their 80s) I decided to look through the old library. This is one of those libraries that
has bookshelves from the floor to the ceiling. All of the bookshelves are full of books and
since I love books, I would spend a lot of
time in that room.
One particular book caught my eye. It
was an old leather bound book that was
worn. I opened the book and breathed in
the old musty smell that accompanies
these old books.
As I turned the pages I was surprised at
what I found.
Notes
Thisoneisalsoeasytodo.Youcanshowthebonetoeveryone
anddoafalsetransfertoamortarandpestle.Simplyholdthebone
inyourhand.Asyouturnyourhanddown,useyourthumbtohold
ontothebone.
6
Letthebonelightlyhitthesideofthemortartomakea
soundlikethebonehasdroppedintothemortar.Thisstrengthensthe
illusionofplacingtheboneintothemortar.
Asfortheflame,powderedcoffeecreamer,lightlysprinkledover
afirewillproduceagreatflame.Asforthesmell,finelycutbits
ofhairwilldonicely.
Iamsurethatinthetimeoftheauthor,heusedsomeother
chemicalsuchassaltpeter(potassiumnitrate)whichisstillavailable
inpharmaciesandiscommonlyusedasanaccelerantinpyrotechnics.
However,ifwearetalkingaboutabominations,whynotusethat
abominationtocoffee,powderedcreamer.Itischeap,readilyavailable
andworkswell.
Ohyes,Ialmostforgot.Howdoyougetthecreamerinthe
mortar?Itwasinthereallalong.Nooneeversaidyouhaveto
showanyonetheinside.
BOO BAIT
The doorbell rang and the man opened the door. There was a group of ghosts and goblins
with their orange plastic jack o lanterns brimming with candy.
Trick or treat! the shouted in unison.
The man looked past the kids off in the distance. He jerked his head to the left and then
back to the right. All of the kids were watching him.
Did you see the ghost?
Some of the kids shrieked with mock fear, most of them were laughing.
You didnt see him?
He isnt anyone to worry about. His name is Boobert and he is my friend. I met him one
night while on a walk. I ran into him on a dead end street.
The man waited for the obligatory moans.
He is actually pretty shy. Every now and then he will come out to play, but not very often.
I do have something that sometimes gets him to come out. Do you want to see him?
The kids all responded with wild yelling. They were high on candy corns and other sugary
treats.
I will need someone to help me.
The magician picked out a green faced witch. She came up and stood beside him.
I have something very special in this little container. Can you read what it says?
The girl took the container and read Boo Bait.
Thats right, this is Boo Bait. This is how you catch a ghost.
Please open the container of boo bait. Take a look inside. You see the bait?
The witch looked up and shook her head no.
to
say,
Hey
10
METHOD
I was asked to perform at a friends childs Halloween party. Honestly, I dont particularly
enjoy doing shows for children and generally avoid them. But, this was a friend and this was
a Halloween party! I couldnt resist, so I performed as a vampire and everything was done
with a ghostly theme. This is done with the use of a thumb tip.
The container that says Boo Bait is a metal gum container from Starbucks. I painted it black
and then wrote Boo Bait with a gold paint pen. You can also design a logo on the computer
and then print it on sticker paper and stick it on your box.
The ghost is just a small white silk. I used a Sharpie to draw on eyes and a mouth.
As far as the timing, I dont transfer the thumb tip to the hand until after showing it empty.
Moving the hand and slowly showing it empty builds up suspense. When I show it empty,
everyone relaxes, focus shifts and then, I quickly put the thumb tip into the hand as I am
begin talking again. Simple and fun.
11
12
13
The pirate looked around the room and called on the two girls dressed in ttogas
ogas and covered
with glitter. They had been referred to as the glitter girls all night. They wore the glitter
and togas well.
I need each of you to help me.
Are
Are you right handed or left
handed? he asked one of the girls
girls.
Right handed, she answered.
Please take this piece of brick in your
left hand.
ith the second girl
He repeated this with
and handed her the shell.
Now
Now I need each of you to please
take my hand as I hold the key. I nee
need
one of you to hold the tips of my
fingers and the other to hold my
wrist. Whatever happens, do not let
go, do you understand?
The girls looked at each other, then at
him and nodded.
Portrait
ortrait of Marie Laveau
14
Marie, I see you have made your presence known. Please know that these people have your
items. They are holding your possessions. I am innocent. Please leave your curses with them
and leave me be.
The pirate set the key on the hosts table and walked away.
15