Rising Pencil

Effect: The magician places a pencil into a bottle. It reacts to his commands and slowly rises and falls in the bottle.

Secret: The pencil is made to move with the aid of a very fine thread.

Props: A pencil, a vase or bottle and a fine thread.

Preparation: A very fine nylon or black cotton thread or even a long human hair (18 inches to 24 inches in length) is tied, taped or applied with wax to one end of the pencil. The other end is tied to a button on the magician's clothing.

Presentation: Drop the pencil (thread end first) into the bottle or vase (see illustration). By moving slightly away from the table the thread will become tight and, on command, the pencil will either rise or fall, depending on your movements.