Is “This, That and the Other” the ultimate card trick? According to a brash, young teenager, it is. Let me explain.
A few years ago I was working a regular table-hopping gig at a micro-brewery. The restaurant’s entrance opened to a weekly street fair. When the restaurant wasn’t busy, I would perform magic on the sidewalk in front to gather crowds and hand out discount coupons to encourage people to come inside.
I was performing a card trick on the sidewalk one night when a teen, I’d say about 15, walks up and begins to offer his loud and obnoxious commentary as to what was happening in the trick.
“The card is now on top,” he interrupted. “He didn’t actually cut the deck...”
The kid did know and understand a few basics of magic and was doing his best to show off his knowledge to the crowd.
While I don’t care to have my magic become a battle of wits, I had a few moves that allowed me to throw the teen off the track. Furthermore, I was able to quiet him without saying anything and continue to entertain the crowd. It felt good at the end of the trick when the outcome was not what the teen expected and he stood there looking perplexed.
As the crowd applauded, the teen suddenly announced that HE was going to show a “great card trick.” (And I assume, one in his opinion that was far superior to what I had just shown.)
I laughed out loud when he pulled out "This, That and the Other."
Before he could start the trick, I said my standard line to pushy magicians. “Hey, they’re paying me to be here and I have to keep on working. I can’t have the boss see me standing around.” I motioned for him to perform his trick down the street -which also implied, get your own crowd. He walked away and I never saw him again.
Maybe someday, if I work hard at my magic, perhaps I too will be able to one day perform “This, That and the Other.”
