The trick begins with someone minding their own business listening to their tunes. Along comes the magician (you) who rudely interrupts to tell the listener about the awesome new feature with iPods - the ability to magically heal! The magician grabs the earbud cord and snaps it into two with a pair of scissors (the kind you normally run around with).

Panic begins to set in, tempers begin to flare. It's time to work some magic. With a little gesture the cord is massaged back to normal.

Secret Unbeknownst to the victim, the iPod earphone cord is not actually capable of healing itself (not yet at least). What's cut is actually a secret loop of cord hidden in the magician's hand (figure 7).

Performance 1. Start off with a loop of white wire in your right hand. 2. Pick up a pair of scissors. 3. Find someone with an iPod. 4. Place the scissors under your left arm and gather the cord in your left fist. 5. Tuck the secret loop into your fist and then pull part of it from the top of your fist. 6. Cut the loop with the scissors. 7. Place the scissors back under your arm. 8. Laugh at your victim. 9. Make them cry. 10. Grab the cut loop with your right hand as you grip the earphone cord. 11. Slide your hands apart revealing the unharmed cord. 12. Grab the scissors with your right hand and put them away along with your secret loop. 13. Run.

Want more magic fun? Check out my website at www.weirdthings.com.

Copyright 2006 Andrew Mayne