Ever have one of those nights where everything just clicked? Last night was one such night for me. I had a gig, my first one at a new place. Sterling’s in Charlotte North Carolina. It was an hour and a half road trip for me, but well worth it. When you been doing magic for a while, it can become a job and believe it or not, it can even become tiresome. In all honesty I was not looking forward to this gig last night, but I needed the money. I arrived about a half hour ahead of schedule. I do this for two reasons. The first is to check out the clientele for the night. What kinds of people are there, how busy is the place? I also check out the staff. I find the “cool” servers and bartenders hurry and get in with them. The owners of the place went first class with me. They had table tents up announcing the “magician” being there tonight.
I took a seat at the bar, and ordered the first of many cups of coffee. The bartender brought it to me, I added my two spoons of sugar and stirred it up. I make idol chat with the bartender (Lauren) the entire time we are talking I am making the spoon spin around on the table (Loops are great). Finally she notices and lets out an “OH My God”. I introduce myself as the house magician.
I get an introduction by the owner to a hand full of regulars at the bar. I pick out one guy in a nice suit as my first “spectator”. I shake his hand and swipe one of his cigarettes. I pull out the flash paper and roll an invisible cigarette, light it, and after the flash, I am holding his particular brand. I offer it to him and take a quick glance around the place to see who is watching. The big flash in a dark restaurant always gets attention. The screams gasps and applause help a bit too. Now I am set for the night.
I get with one of the above mentioned “cool servers”. Nathan was his name, great guy. I put a ten dollar bill in his hand and tell him to bring it to me when I bring out the two little red sponge balls. I say to him: “Nathan, when I bring these out, bring me the ten dollar bill, hand it to me and say “That other table left this for you”. You do that and I’ll split my tips with you.” Needless to say Nathan was on my team. I know, some of you are thinking “that is a dirty trick”…and you’re right, it is. I need money and this is one sure fire way to generate tips. I ended up working an hour over my ending time. I have not had so much fun in a long time. The owners asked me back, I made the cut. They also paid me an extra $100.00 for the extended stay. By-the-way, I made $234.00 in tips.
Curtis “Miles of Magic”
I took a seat at the bar, and ordered the first of many cups of coffee. The bartender brought it to me, I added my two spoons of sugar and stirred it up. I make idol chat with the bartender (Lauren) the entire time we are talking I am making the spoon spin around on the table (Loops are great). Finally she notices and lets out an “OH My God”. I introduce myself as the house magician.
I get an introduction by the owner to a hand full of regulars at the bar. I pick out one guy in a nice suit as my first “spectator”. I shake his hand and swipe one of his cigarettes. I pull out the flash paper and roll an invisible cigarette, light it, and after the flash, I am holding his particular brand. I offer it to him and take a quick glance around the place to see who is watching. The big flash in a dark restaurant always gets attention. The screams gasps and applause help a bit too. Now I am set for the night.
I get with one of the above mentioned “cool servers”. Nathan was his name, great guy. I put a ten dollar bill in his hand and tell him to bring it to me when I bring out the two little red sponge balls. I say to him: “Nathan, when I bring these out, bring me the ten dollar bill, hand it to me and say “That other table left this for you”. You do that and I’ll split my tips with you.” Needless to say Nathan was on my team. I know, some of you are thinking “that is a dirty trick”…and you’re right, it is. I need money and this is one sure fire way to generate tips. I ended up working an hour over my ending time. I have not had so much fun in a long time. The owners asked me back, I made the cut. They also paid me an extra $100.00 for the extended stay. By-the-way, I made $234.00 in tips.
Curtis “Miles of Magic”
