Here's A Trick To Try........!

The performer makes an electric plug that doesn't work from a box of matches! This is a real stonker! more of a practical joke than a trick, it may not win you money but it will definitely get you a laugh.

THE SECRET

First make sure that the person you do this to can take a joke! this item is all about presentation, I usually patter on about electric appliances and how they let you down when you most need them. I then go on to tell them about an invention that you have found where you can generate electricity straight from an ordinary everyday matchbox.

Next borrow a matchbox and take out three matches. Place the three matches beteween the inner box and sleeve and explain that the matches represent live, neutral, and earth.

Now build the tension by explaining that by making the two matches that represent live and neutral touch, you can generate enough electric to power your TV!

At this point hold out the matchbox towards your victim (matches toward him/her) and get your victim to slowly move the two matches that represent live and neutral together so that they touch but, they must do this SLOWLY! after all it is electric we are dealing with here (ha ha ha). When he has done this look a bit puzzled that nothing has happened and almost as an afterthought explain that if you make all three matches touch (live, neutral, and earth) it should work!

Again, keep building the tension hold out the box and invite the victim to move the three matches together so that they all touch but, again, SLOWLY!! Electric can be dangerous and we don't want any accidents!

By this time everyone will be watching a very nervous person fumbling with the three matches!

Now the split second that you see ALL THREE matches come into contact you shout at the top of your voice very loudly BANG!!! Your victim (and most of your onlookers) will jump so high that you will have to peel them off the ceiling and the walls!

Again choose your victim very carefully (you don't want to get a punch on the nose). If you really build up the tension in your patter you can't fail to make everyone jump.

Always stress that they must be careful and to move the matches VERY SLOWLY! This will create lots of tension. You can even use a story about bomb disposal experts and how they diffuse bombs. This item can be done with matchbooks too, just bend three matches up.