Performing Dogs
by Oliver Meech

Oliver Meech is a 27-year old Oxford University Psychology graduate who creates TV commercials when he's not creating illusions. His first magic book, The Plot Thickens, is available from www.olivermeech.co.uk

Often when you replace one object used in a routine with another a new presentation falls into your lap. This is what happened here when I was thinking about developing a Copper/Silver transposition without coins.

Effect
Two dog tags swap places.

Required
Three specially-made dog tags. They may take a little time and money to produce but once made they'll last for ever.

Preparation
You need metal dog tags that are the same on each side. Engravers normally stock a range to choose from.

On the first, get ‘MAX' engraved on one side and leave the other side blank.
On the second, get ‘Fifi' engraved on one side and leave the other side blank.
On the third, get ‘MAX' engraved on one side and ‘Fifi' engraved on the other.

You now have a sort of Copper/Silver set made from dog tags.

Method
You can adapt any Copper/Silver transposition you know to use dog tags. I normally start by displaying the MAX and Fifi tags in my right palm whilst the MAX/Fifi tag is in MAX-side-up in left fingerpalm.

Display the tags as you explain that they used to belong to performing circus dogs and that, though they are dead, their showbiz spirits live on. Offer to substantiate your claim.

Fingerpalm the MAX coin as you transfer the Fifi coin to your left hand, which turns face up to meet it (i.e. a Shuttlepass). Place both coins on their hand, with the MAX/Fifi coin closer to their thumb. Have them close their hand and turn it over.

Reach into their fist with your right hand, entering through the hole near their thumb. Remove and display the nearer coin (i.e. the MAX/Fifi coin, now Fifi side up) on your fingertips. Close your hand over the coin, which turns it over. Command the ghosts of the dogs to play dead (which they're already doing) and then to jump and swap places.

Open your hand to reveal that you now have the MAX coin (actually the MAX/Fifi coin, MAX-side-up) then ask them to open their hand. As they are discovering the Fifi coin, switch the MAX coin back in via another Shuttlepass and place it with the Fifi coin to finish.

Ditch the MAX/Fifi coin whenever you get the chance.

Notes
If you keep the tags in a pouch you have a built-in reason to go to your pocket at the end of the routine, ditching the MAX/Fifi coin as you remove the pouch.

Since people can only distinguish the tags by the different names engraved on them, you'll need to perform this with good lighting and to a reasonably small group so they can easily read the difference.

Credits
I believe the Copper Silver handling used is Marc De Souza's from The Magic Menu.

Diamond Jim Tyler and Tommy Wonder both use pouches/purses as a cover for going to their pockets.

Oliver Meech