Effect: You borrow a pen or pencil and a bill of any denomination. You then proceed to fold the bill into thirds. Taking the pencil in your hand, you insert it into the fold of the bill and then proceed to push it through the center of the bill creating a ripping sound. You display the bill and pencil, front and back, showing that the pencil has indeed penetrated right through the bill. But upon inviting the spectator to pull the pencil on through the bill, you simultaneously snap the bill open revealing that it is completely restored – with no hole!
Secret: You will need a pencil or pen and a paper bill or be able to borrow these two items from a spectator. This is basically an impromptu, very visual penetration of a pencil or pen right through a dollar bill, complete with a ripping sound. Yet, when the bill is unfolded, it is completely restored. The secret lies in a third fold secretly placed in the bill under the misdirection of having the pencil examined by the spectator.
1. Ask a spectator if he believes that you have the ability to rip a hole through a dollar bill with a pen or pencil and then magically restore the bill to its original condition. Either supply your own bill or borrow a bill from a spectator. It is always makes for a more convincing effect when you use a borrowed bill.
2. Take the bill and fold it into thirds (like a “Z”) length-wise, leaving approximately 1/3 of an inch on either end. Picking up a pencil or a pen, ask the spectator to examine it just to make sure everything is fair.
3. Under the misdirection of the spectator’s examination of the pencil, take the bill in your right hand with your first two fingers and thumb. With your ring finger, find the bottom crease and push it in so that it creates a small triangular pocket in the bill.
4. Covering the secret fold with your right hand fingers, take the pencil, find the “pocket” created by the secret fold and start to slowly “penetrate” the pencil through the bill.
5. Holding the bill tightly around the pencil, say, “I need to shove it through,” push the pencil through the fold and the rest of the bill, creating a “ripping” sound to add the illusion of the pencil penetrating through the bill.
6. Ask the spectator to complete the penetration by taking hold of the pointed end of the pencil and pulling it all the way through. At the same tie he is pulling the pencil, grab the ends of the bill and snap it open, dramatically showing the spectator that the bill has been complete been restored. Make sure to nonchalantly smooth out the creases in the bill made by the secret fold.
