Gemini Twins .... The Other Version

In order for this story to make sense, I recommend watching the “Twins” performance in the video section of this blog.

Twins is a magic trick that tells a story. It involves 2 black kings who were married to 2 black queens. Trouble arises when 2 red queens try to get friendly with the black kings. When it is all over, the red queens meet two red kings and they all live happily ever after. This is accomplished with four cards.

At least, that is how it is supposed to go - unless you get the cards out of order.

Performing at the Magic Castle in Hollywood is always an experience. This time was no exception. I was performing a set downstairs in the Hat and Hare Room - close-up magic, felt covered round table, very Intimate. You get the picture. All the seats were filled with people from out-of-town, no doubt, vacationing in Hollywood. The back of the room was filled with magicians, many of them, were friends of mine.

To close my set, I began to perform “Twins”. The trick began, as usual, with the introduction of the first black king. "And he was married to", I said. Then I turned over a red king! What! A black king married to a red king! I was in trouble, but the show must go on.

My friends in the back of the room, who had seen me perform this trick a hundred times, took notice. They wanted to see how I was going to handle this. After all, it is times like this that’s what separates the amateurs from the professionals.

Acting as though this is the way the trick is normally performed, I continued, needing to make up a story as I progressed, but not knowing what card was going to come up until after I had turned it over.  The story ended up like this: the black kings were married to red kings. When the red queens joined the party, they got in a fight with the red kings. Eventually, the red queens ran off with the black queens.

My friends loved the story! They thought it was hilarious and were amazed I made it through on what turned out to be an impromptu trick. The out-of-town people around the table gave me courteous lukewarm applause.  It was when a gentleman at the table leaned over to his wife and said, "well... we are in Hollywood", that the room fell apart laughing.

  
-John