Glass Through Table

Effect

You state that you will cause a solid object to pass through the top the table. With that, you place a coin on the table and cover it with a glass, mouth down. You cover the glass with two paper napkins, concealing both the glass and coin from view. You explain that, by mere concentration, you will cause the coin to "melt" through the top of the table. After several unsuccessful attempts, you explain that the reason for your failure is that you forgot the most important parts of the experiment. You must first strike the top of the glass, giving the coin momentum to penetrate the table. Suddenly, with a sharp downward motion of your hand, you smash the glass and the napkins flat on the table. When the napkins are lifted, the coin is still there, but the glass is gone! Immediately, you reach beneath the table and produce the glass.

Secret and preparation:

The secret of this trick is due to the stiffness of the paper napkins, they will retain the form or shape of the glass even if the glass is not within them. This creates a very convincing illusion, making this mystery possible. The glass should be smooth so it slides easily from within the napkins. It should also be slightly smaller at the base than at the mouth. A glass that is approximatley 4" or 5" tall works well. In addition you need a coin a (a half dollar or a quater is a good size) and two ordinary paper napkins.

Method:

1: You must be seated at a card table or dining table to perform the illusion.

2:Place the coin directly in front of you, about 12" from the edge of the table. Cover the coin with the glass, mouth down. Point out that the glass completely encloses the coin so thatit is impossible for you to touch it.

3:Open both napkins, lay them on top of each other, and place them over the glass, as shown. Explain that the coin must be kept in the dark, so you will cover the glass with the napkins.

4:With both hands, pull the napkins downward around the glass. This makes the form of the glass clearly outlined through the napkins.

5:With one hand, grip the top of the glass through the napkins and place your other hand around the mouth of the glass. Then, twist the glass, drawing the napkins tightly against the sides of the glass. This helps to form the shape of the glass even more distinctly inside the paper napkins.

6:To reassure the spectators that the coin is still on the table, lift both the glass and napkins together.

7:Once again, cover the coin with the glass and explain that through deep concentration you can cause the coin to penetrate through the table. All eyes will be fixed on the napkin-covered glass, waiting to see if the coin actually does as you say.

8:Pretend to concentrate for a few seconds. Then announce that you think the coin has done its work. With your right hand, lift the napkins and glass, revealing that the coin is still on the table. Act surprised, as if you actually expected the coin to be gone.

9:Pick up the coin in your left hand as remark that something seems to be wrong. At the same time, move your right hand to the edge of the table, while holding the napkins and the glass. This motion of your hand is completely natural, as it must move away to make room for your left hand, which picks up the coin. Your eyes, your gestures, your total attention should all be directed at the coin to draw away from the glass.

10:It is now that the secret move takes place. While the attention of the spectators is on the coin, the fingers of your right hand relaxes their grip on the glass through the napkins into your lap.

11:The napkins retain the shape of the glass creating the illusion that the glass is still there.

12:Dropping the glass should only take a moment. As soon as the glass falls from the napkins, place the coin back on the table and cover it with the napkins (which apparantley still contains the glass).

13:Explain that trick failed cause you forgot to strike the top of the glass. As you say this, raise your left hand above the glass and smash the napkins on the table with your left hand.

14:Act puzzled for a moment. Lift the napkins with your left hand, revealing the coin on the table. At the same time, your right hand grasps the glass in your lap and carries it beneath the table, as if reaching below the spot where you "smashed" the glass. Then bring your hand into view from beneath the table with the glass.

15:Place the glass on the table and say, "Now I rember how the trick is done! It's the glass that is supposed to penetrate the table not the coin."