by Jaime Vega

The Effect: The performer borrows a bill and has a spectator sign it. The bill then changes to another denomination. The spectator's signature is still on the bill, exactly as they signed it, and can be given to the spectator to keep.

My version of the effect:

The performer borrows a one dollar bill and has a spectator sign it. The bill then changes into a two dollar bill. The spectator's signature is still on the bill, exactly as they signed it, and can be given to the spectator to keep.

Materials:

The materials are very easy to come by. You'll only need some tape some tape and carbon paper. You can go to any office supply store and find some DOUBLE sided tape and for the carbon paper you can get a receipt booklet. Try to find a receipt booklet like the kind most places use for carbon copies of what you order at restaurants, auto part stores, or anything of the like. The good thing about these booklets is that they have a black carbon paper between pages. This makes for a handy supply for your gimmick. Don't get the kind of booklet that has a page that leaves a carbon copy on a yellow page or of the like. Make sure it has the black carbon between the pages. That's important.

Gimmick:

Cut a piece of carbon about ¾ inch high by about an inch to inch and a half long. Cut a piece of double sided tape in the same dimensions. Stick the on the side of the carbon paper that is greyed out or the side that does not "print." Experiment, it should be easy to figure out. Now you gimmick is completed.

Setup:

Go to your nearest or favorite bank and get a two dollar bill. Most banks should have it or try to come across on. It's not too hard. Once you have it, fold it in half length wise, then in half again. Make sure that when you fold the bill you start with the back facing you, not the part with Jefferson facing you. After your first two folds, fold the bill down. You should see some green numbers and the two dollar bill logo on the bottom left corner. Keep that in mind because that's where you'll instruct the spectator to sign their name on the borrowed bill. Keep that bill folded and stick the gimmick somewhere, out of site but easily accessible, on your person. Now you're ready to perform.

Performance:

Ask to borrow a one dollar bill from anyone. As they are taking out a bill take this time to palm your folded two dollar bill. Palm the folded bill in your left hand. Make sure you make this as natural as possible. Take their bill with your right hand and tell them that you want to try and do something impossible. Tell them that as a magician everyone asks if you can just make money. You tell then you're not that great at making money but that you'd like to try this with them. As you're telling your story you move the bill to your left hand and conceal the folded bill with their borrowed bill. Keep both bills in your left hand. Continue with your patter as you discretely and naturally find your gimmick. Here's the tricky part. The gimmick should be palmed, and stuck, somewhere on your right hand. Transfer both bills to your right hand, careful not to flash, and stick the gimmick on the lower, left hand side of the back of the borrowed bill. With good patter and misdirection this will look innocent. Transfer the bills, with the gimmick between the bills to your left hand again, as you reach for a pen with your right hand. Ask the spectator to sign the lower left hand side of their bill, while still in your (left) hand. Tell them you want them to sign the lower left so that they will have no problem if they still want to use the bill later. NOW the trick is done! Just fold their bill in half and then in half again. Don't fold it down yet. Tell them that you will attempt to make more money in a flash. Hold their bill up. They see their folded bill, you see a two dollar bill. Remember the folded bills are in your left hand. You hold the bills at the bottom between your middle finger, forefinger, and thumb. Now, with your right hand, you use the cover of all your fingers to fold the bill down. At the same time with your right thumb you start to lift part of the two dollar bill. IN ONE SMOOTH MOTION DOWN with your right hand, you fold their bill down as you unfold the two dollar bill up with your thumb. It will look like you "swiped" the bill and made it into a two dollar bill. As you finish the motion down with your right hand, you palm off their bill and hand them the two dollar bill. The gimmick should be stuck to the borrowed bill. As they look at the two dollar bill, you simply put away the gimmick and other bill in your pocket. They will be too amazed to notice. As they unfold they'll notice their signature sill on it and think you just made real magic!!!

I suggest a two dollar bill because that way you are down a dollar but UP a ton in reputation and you leave them with an unforgettable souvenir. ENJOY!!!