I was cleaning up some files on my computer and found this old story from my days as a restaurant magician. Enjoy: The Platypus Pariah by Diamond Jim Tyler Since 1986 I have made a living by writing, teaching, selling, inventing and performing close-up and stand-up magic around the world. For nineteen years I made a good living table-hopping in various restaurants in the Dallas metroplex. This is important because a weekly gig has many perks. The free food and steady income is nice, but more importantly you are forced to constantly work on new material. Obviously, it’s an ideal environment to hand out your promo and make contacts. The biggest bonus is developing friendships with those who come to see you on a regular basis. I performed at one restaurant named Slider & Blues in Plano, TX. for about eight years. I watched many children grow up there, befriended many, and created memories that will stay with me forever. Each night I would fill my pockets with miracles and strive to turn someone’s mundane night out into an unforgettable evening. On one such night, I approached a table of regulars, two couples who each had a nine year old daughter with them. One of the little girls was sobbing as I approached the table. Instantly I knew that I had one job, and one job only, to make her smile. I had performed for this group many times before but this night would be special. As I asked her what was the matter she looked at me as if she had lost her puppy. Her parents informed me that she had tried to win the white stuffed bunny rabbit from the claw-game in the corner of the restaurant’s game room. Instead she snagged the most awful looking neon blue duck-billed platypus stuffed animal any of us had ever seen. Granted it was ugly, but I immediately saw the potential and character it had. I took the stuffed blue platypus and went into Dave Williamson’s Rocky the Raccoon routine. The ugly platypus began eating from my hand, dancing and doing impersonations. Suddenly, her tears of sorrow became tears of joy. All at the table laughed like I had never seen them laugh before. They too were crying with glee. As I finished the bit, the little girl took the platypus from me and hugged it tightly. She was literally grinning from ear to ear. I was proud of the way I had left things. Talk about a transformation. I felt like Superman who had saved the day. The parents of the little girl clutching the blue platypus thanked me again and again. As I was pondering the object lesson all had just learned I realized that the other nine year old girl was very unhappy. This young lady wanted a funny stuffed platypus too! The rest of that group’s evening was spent at the claw-game trying to catch the only remaining green platypus trapped inside the game box. Fifteen dollars in quarters later they were successful. I think that ultimately everyone was happy. So what is the lesson we can all learn from this? Personally, I’m considering investing in the video game and vending machine business.
Posted on: Wed, 31 Jul 2013 19:44:01 +0000
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