"ANTI-GRAVITY BOTTLE" (#49)

"Anti-Gravity Bottle" (#49)

This trick is the basis of many "store-bought" tricks and special gimmicks.

The magician asks for a volunteer from the audience who looks inside a bottle to make sure it's a normal, empty container.
The volunteer returns the bottle and then examines a magic wand to ensure it is normal.
The magician drops the wand into the bottle (noting how easily it falls in).
He/she turns bottle over and lets go of the wand.
The wand magically remains suspended in the bottle.

Supplies:
~a magic wand (could use a pencil instead) that is taller than the bottle (when you drop the wand into the bottle, part of it should still be sticking up through the opening.~a bottle that has an opening large enough to fit the wand in (but not too big). The bottle cannot be see-through ~an eraser

If you don't have a bottle that is dark, you can put some dark paint inside the bottle and shake it around so the inside is painted.
Cut a piece off the eraser, just large enough to wedge the wand into the opening of the bottle. The eraser is what makes the trick work!

Secret:
Pass the bottle to the volunteer and ask them to make sure its empty.
Take back the bottle and give your friend the wand. Meanwhile, slip the piece of eraser into the bottle without anyone seeing (you can have it in your pocket until this point). You'll need to practice this a few times.
Take the wand back and drop it into the bottle.
Pick up the wand and bottle and turn them VERY SLOWLY upside down (mumble all sorts of enchantments while you're doing this). Pull on the wand slightly when the bottle is turning over so the piece of eraser gets wedged into the opening (you'll need to practice this a few times too).
Let go of the wand...... It doesn't fall out !
Slowly turn upright again. Let go of everything and the wand remains suspended in the bottle (it doesn't fall back down).
To remove the wand, push it slightly to release the rubber and then take it out

Chicken Bone Knot (#48)

"ABRACA-CHICKEN !!" (#48)

The magician apologizes to the audience -- he forgot the magic rope for his rope trick. BUT, luckily he had chicken for lunch, so he'll use a chicken bone, say a magic word and turn it into a rope with a knot in it.
The magician shows the audience the magic box inside and out ( a Kentucky Fried Chicken box would work well). He can also let them examine the chicken bone (if he's comfortable that no one will break it).
The magician places a chicken bone into a magic box. He says abracadabra but nothing happens. He considers for a moment (consults his magic puppet or assistant if he has one) and realizes he should have said Abraka-chicken.
He places the bone into the box again. He reminds the audience to help him remember the correct magic word. He waves his magic wand over the box and says Abraca-chicken!
Oh no! (either the assistant or the magic puppet or the audience can point out that he's used the wrong magic word again).
What can it mean? What happened? The magician looks nervous and tells the audience that Abraca-chicken is a very advanced magic word... he wasn't ready for magic that advanced.
The magician reaches into the magic box and pulls out a chicken bone with a knot into it. (remember, it was supposed to turn into a rope with a knot in it).

Supplies:
two magic boxes that are identical
main work table covered in a table cloth
OPTIONAL: handkerchief and magic wand
lower table in front of the work table that only the magician can see
two identical thin chicken bones
vinegar

Secret:

BEFORE THE TRICK:
This trick is half science.
Drop one of the chicken bones into the vinegar. Make sure it's totally immersed. Leave it there for a day. (you will notice it bubbling). The bone will now be like a piece of string. Tie it in a knot. Leave it sit on the table for another day. Carbon dioxide from the air will re-enter the bone making it hard again.
Put the knotted bone inside one of the magic boxes. Leave the other one empty, set them both on the low table that no one but the magician can see.
DURING THE TRICK:
Note: If using a handkerchief, fiddle around with it a lot to make the audience think it has something to do with the magic.
Take the empty magic box and put it on the table. Let everyone see that it's empty. Place the chicken bone in the box. Cover with a handkerchief (optional). Wave your magic wand over it and say Abracadabra. Remove the handkerchief, pull out the bone and look very disappointed.
When you're revealing that nothing happened, look embarrassed and quickly put everything back on the table. Make sure you put the box as close as possible to the other box.
Make it look like you're getting ready for / starting to explain the next trick. Then have your assistant or magic puppet remind you that you used the wrong magic word. (or remember yourself).
Look very excited and start repeating the correct magic word ALAKA-CHICKEN to yourself. Moving quickly like you're excited to get going again, put the bone back in the empty box WHILE IT'S STILL ON THE LOW TABLE.
Now turn to the audience and ask them to help you remember the new magic word.
Pick up the box with the knotted bone inside. Cover with a handkerchief. Wave the wand and say ABRACA-CHICKEN.
In all the excitement and confusion the audience should miss the fact that you switched boxes.
Realize that you've said the wrong word again (with the audience's/magic puppet/assistant's help). Look nervous -- it's an advanced magic word *gulp*. Remove the handkerchief. Reach in and pull out the chicken bone with a knot in it.
(you can say something like: The bad news is that it didn't turn into a rope. The good news is that it does have a knot in it).
You can give it to the audience to look at.