Perplexing Pencil

Effect: A pencil adheres to one hand and then to the other.

Secret: The secret is a small pin pushed into the pencil. Hold the pin between the fingers of your right hand. The pencil seems to stick to the fingers. Bring your left hand to the pencil. Turn to the left and revolve the pencil between your hands. This causes the pin to move from your right fingers to your left fingers. Remove your right hand and the pencil is now apparently stuck to the left fingers. By reversing this movement, you can move the pencil back to the right hand.

Pencil Vanish

Effect: A pencil disappears.

Secret: Show a pencil or pen and drape a large handkerchief over it. As soon as the pencil is out of sight, secretly extend your forefinger under the handkerchief as you allow the pencil to drop down your sleeve. Take the handkerchief with the other hand as if holding the pencil through the material. Throw the handkerchief into the air and the pencil has vanished!

Rising Pencil

Effect: The magician places a pencil into a bottle. It reacts to his commands and slowly rises and falls in the bottle.

Secret: The pencil is made to move with the aid of a very fine thread.

Props: A pencil, a vase or bottle and a fine thread.

Preparation: A very fine nylon or black cotton thread or even a long human hair (18 inches to 24 inches in length) is tied, taped or applied with wax to one end of the pencil. The other end is tied to a button on the magician's clothing.

Presentation: Drop the pencil (thread end first) into the bottle or vase (see illustration). By moving slightly away from the table the thread will become tight and, on command, the pencil will either rise or fall, depending on your movements.