(Hank) Moorehouse 1934 – 2011 - The Society of American Magicians

it (Photo 2). Now lock these two bubbles together (Photo
3). The remainder of the balloon is again set next to these
two bubbles to measure and twist a third bubble. Ideally,
there should be about two to four inches remaining, which
will be the tail (Photo 4). With the third bubble lying on the
other two, you literally “push” or roll this bubble between
the other two to lock in a three-bubble body (Photos
5 and 6).
As you complete this portion, look puzzled at the odd
creation and say, “Hey wait a minute…this isn’t purple! Why
didn’t you guys tell me?” (Believe me, you won’t have to say
it for the second section; they will all yell about it not being
purple as soon as you blow it up!) “This obviously isn’t the
Giant Tasmanian Purple People Eater…um, it’s a…it’s a…(and
the kids will start yelling things out, so go with whatever
they say such as…) …a coon skin cap? (Put it on your head.)
No, it’s not that! How about a shoe? (Lift one foot in the air
and hold the balloon next to your foot.) No, it’s not that!
I think it’s an old man’s cane!” Grab the shortest bubble,
hunch your back over like a rickety old man, and take a
few steps around the stage. “Well, it’s obviously not the Giant
Tasmanian Purple People Eater – I’ll just get back to that later.”
Set this balloon aside and get back to the magic show.
Step 2 – The Eyes: Pull out the white 260Q and proudly
state, “I am going to make the Giant Tasmanian Purple People
Eater…first time, every time!” The kids should immediately
have an uproarious fit about the color of the balloon this
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time, but politely dismiss them as you inflate the balloon
completely. You only need a few inches of the white
balloon, so make two bubbles that are three inches long
and lock them together by actually tying the nozzle into the
joint (Photo 7). Do not remove the remainder yet.
Look puzzled at this creation; scratch your head. The kids
will start yelling out ideas of what it is, so acknowledge
some of their ideas by repeating what they say. “Yes! It’s
a (whatever the kids say).” After a couple of their ideas
are acted out, stop and say, “No! I’ve got it! It’s a golf club!
(Swing it around like a pro and talk about the new flexible
shaft that helps your swing.) Well, it’s obviously not the Giant
Tasmanian Purple People Eater – I’ll just get back to that later.”
Set this balloon aside and go back to the magic show.
Step 3 – Beak: Inflate the orange balloon, leaving about
three-inches uninflated. “I am going to make the Giant
Tasmanian Purple People Eater…first time, every time!” Again,
the kids should shout about the color not being purple,
but just go on. Make two six-inch fold twists side by side,
by taking approximately six inches of balloon and folding it
back on itself; twist this fold together at the nozzle (Photo
8). Take the remainder of the balloon and make a big loop
out of it by taking the uninflated nipple and attaching it into
the joint of the two fold twists (Photos 9 and 10).
Ideas will come forward about it being a hair bow, a hat, or
a fish. Proudly announce that it is any of these objects, then
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