How Three Card Monte Changed My Life

About 15 years ago when I was a young, struggling actor in Hollywood, I auditioned for a co-star appearance on the NBC sit-com, "Wings".  I was supposed to be a Street hustler in New York City and cheat Crystal Bernard out a hundred bucks.  To win the role, I marked the cards knowing that the cards would not appear in a closeup.  I got the patter down right, "Keep your on the red queen.  Just follow the red lady.  Look for the honey and double your money". I got the part and it was a very fun time on the set.  Though I didn't have any scenes with him, I even sat down for lunch with Tony Shalhoub (Monk), who, just like Crystal Bernard and Steve Webber were fantastically sweet, nice people.

So this was not just another role.  Suddenly,everywhere I went, people were asking me to show them the Three Card Monte and I didn't really know it!  I had to change that or I would be discovered as a fraud!  Well, I went down to the Hollywood Magic Shop and bought a book on magic and severaldecks of Bicycle cards so I could learn the art of close up card magic.  I had already been doing lots of kids magic in my "day job" as a kids' party entertainer in Los Angeles.  (That gig had gotten me the plum cameo in Liar Liar.)

So the number one element in perfecting close up card magic is Practice!  Number two is deciphering the trick instructions.  Good thing, I was already a detective in my murder mystery show!  You really have to be a detective to deduce the instructions for many magic tricks.  So, much to the chagrin of my family, I would practice my tricks all day, in between mundane , non-magical activities.

Many years later, I incorporate magic into almost every performance of my mystery dinner theater show.  I now get all my supplies at the Magic Apple on Ventura Blvd in North Hollywood or through M.U.M.  magazine, which I receive monthly as a benefit to being a member of the Society Of American Magicians.  I joined last year,after hearing the first president of the organization was Harry Houdini.  

Strolling magic is a delightful part of mingling parties and cocktail receptions.  If you want to see some great close up magic in this environment, come down to the El Cid Dinner Theater in Los Angeles on Friday nights.  My lovely and brilliant wife, Nora and I produce our hit selll-out murder mystery, comedy, and magic show there.  Ask me to show you the red lady.  I will. Please don't blow my cover, since I may be the mystery detective too!