Bio-Vlog

Each time Mr. Cool comes in to see me, he pitches a new scam. As the riverboat slightly sways, we sit down to dinner. “Richard,” Mr. Cool says politely, “I think you’ll like this idea. I will have you play against another cheat. In this set-up, I will arrange a game in a hotel room,…

“Richard,” he says impressed, “you are incredible. You, alone, do the work of four mechanics. I wouldn’t need a crew!” He eyes me, quaffs his drink, and says calmly, “I’ll give you a grand a day to come work for me!” I shake my head from side to side and say firmly, “No thanks.” “How about…

I head over to meet Mr. Cool. He stands, we shake hands then we sit down privately in the back of the lounge to – shall we say – lay our cards on the table. As I’m showcasing the range and deceptiveness of the techniques within my arsenal, he crosses his arms in front of…

Again the well-connected bartender quietly confides, “Richard, I have another slick operator, a card mechanic, Mr. Cool. He runs big games, and he’s dying to meet you.” (Like my mentor Dai Vernon, who chased after every crooked card mechanic he could find, I’m always eager to meet cheating enthusiasts.)  I tell the bartender, “I’m willing…

(As we continue please note that I’m going to use pseudonyms in the following passages to “protect the innocent” and, well, that’s mostly me.) Due to the constant publicity from the television shows, radio interviews, and print media, my reputation as a skilled “cheater” continues to grow.  (I first meet Mr. Gruff, Mr. Cool, Mr.…

It’s my deal, I take the deck, and I inadvertently crack out of turn, tipping-off that I have been around the block with a deck. I weigh them and say suspiciously, “There are two cards missing.” The banker sitting to my right, I have noticed over the course of the night, is a very cold,…

Blowers and I drive to the lawyer’s elegant place. We play at a dinner table with placemats, as food and drinks are catered.  Right up front I cover the vision question by saying simply, “my eyes were damaged during the war and My roommate accidentally stepped on and smashed my glasses and, someone will need…

I’m back aboard the boat, a lawyer I know as Tony T pulls me aside and says looking this way and that, “I’m an Attorney, and we are all in the same business – cheating people! I’ve seen your show many times and know about your skills. Your moves are invisible. I would like you…

I’ve bet the proprietor double or nothing for the carpet, and now it is time to slam shut the trap.  The store owner pauses for a moment, and then happily agrees. “Okay, I’ll take that bet!” he says handing over a large stack of his business hand-outs. “Now let me see you cut off nineteen…

“At my table is Dai Vernon’s traveling friend Bill Bowers. Bill, I heard about Herb Zarrow’s party in New York, can you please elaborate on the highlights?” “Sure, Jon, Herb invited a large group of magicians to have dinner at a New York hotel dining room. Sitting next to Dai Vernon was his best friend…

Jim describes a rich brown carpet that feels great. I tell the proprietor, “I’ll take this one.” We head back to Cole’s office to finalize the sale. The proprietor remembers what I stated, he holds up a stack of his business cards and says unlikely believing the truthfulness of my bold assertion, “Are you claiming…

With my newly acquired wealth, I buy a hilltop home with a view, surrounded with blooming fruit trees and hire Jim Blowers as my personal driver.  I decide to spice up my place with new carpet. As soon as Blowers and I walk in the store, the owner recognizes me and says thrilled, “You’re Richard…