You Can Do It, Too!

LIFESAVERS* ON THE LOOSE

EFFECT: The magician displays an ordinary shoelace and hands it to a spectator for examination. Reaching into his pocket, the performer removes a new package of Lifesavers candy mints and gives it to another spectator to open. A number of the Lifesavers are then threaded onto the shoelace, and the ends of the lace are handed to two spectators to hold. Removing the handkerchief from his pocket, the magician covers the Lifesavers dangling in the middle of the lace, concealing them from view. Reaching under the handkerchief, the performer magically removes the imprisoned Lifesavers, leaving the now empty shoelace suspended between the two volunteers.

METHOD:
1. The only items required for this effect are an ordinary shoelace or a length of string and a package of Lifesavers or some similar candy with a hole in the center. To begin the presentation, hand the shoelace for examination as you introduce the package of Lifesavers and give them to another spectator to open.
2. Now pick up one of the Lifesavers and thread it on the shoelace as shown.
3. With the candy suspended from the center of the lace, thread the remaining Lifesavers on the shoelace by running both ends of the lace through the holes in the candy as shown.
4. Now give both ends of the shoelace to a spectator to hold between his hands; or, give one end of the lace to one spectator and the other end to another spectator to hold. Either way, have the spectator(s) hold the ends far apart to allow enough space to drape your handkerchief over the suspended Lifesavers.
5. Remove your handkerchief and cover the Lifesavers as shown. Be sure to spread open the handkerchief along the shoelace to provide enough "cover" for your hands when you place them underneath.
6. Reach under the handkerchief with both hands and,
7. as soon as they are out of view, grasp the bottom Lifesaver between both hands and break it in half as shown.
8. NOTE: Try not to break it into little pieces as these can be difficult to conceal in your hand and may also fall to the floor during the presentation and spoil the trick.
9. Hold the broken pieces so that they are concealed in your curled right fingers. Allow the loose candy to slide from the shoelace into your left hand.
10. Now, with your right hand (still concealing the broken pieces), lift the handkerchief away from the shoelace revealing the loose Lifesavers* in your left hand.
11. Now, place the handkerchief back into your pocket along with the broken pieces and the mystery is complete.

COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS:

This is a truly "impromptu" mystery. All of the items are ordinary and easily obtainable. Just be sure to thread enough Lifesavers on the string, and no one will miss the broken one - which is the real secret of this clever mystery.

*®Lifesavers is a registered trademark of Lifesavers, Inc.

HAVE FUN WITH IT !

Reproduced with permission from Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic
Copyright © 1975, 1981, 1988 by Mark Wilson, Mark Wilson Course in Magic
published by Running Press, Philadelphia and London.