He watches it.
He loves it.
And lately he always has a deck of cards on hand so he can invite watchers to pick a card and find it again — magically — at the end of the trick.
So when he asked for magic tricks for his 12th birthday, I wanted to support him.
I scoured the Internet to find a couple of tricks that would be impressive and good additions to his growing collection.
I found two, each in England so I figured I could save some shipping money and spend a touch more on the actual trick.
It was early October so I knew I had time on my side.
I fired up my computer and pushed send.
Both gifts were on their way.
I sat back and waited for a response.
After a couple of weeks I checked.
My son said nothing had arrived.
I checked my bank account and the money for both tricks had been withdrawn.
I started looking for phone numbers and emails.
The one trick (a Rigid Rope) was supplied by a local magician in Yorkshire who told me he'd promptly sent the trick. He said he'd send another one.
When it didn't show, I checked my address information. Seems the address I'd been using for years to get Christmas and birthday gifts to Hednesford was not correct anymore. (Maybe it never was...but they made it there.)
The magician said he'd send a third but that would be it. He was now losing money on the deal.
On his birthday, Jack had his magic rope.
Now to find the other trick.
I started emailing after which I got a couple of long-distance calls from Florida. I didn't pick them up in time and there was no room in the mailbox for messages.
We kept waiting.
Yesterday, the company spokesman told me it had been sent but refused. He said he had tried to contact me via an ancient email address I haven't used for years. He told me he'd arranged a refund. I hadn't seen one.
I checked my PayPal records.
Yup. I had a refund but I still wanted the magic trick.
Long story short: the trick is supposedly on its way again.
It's going to the right address, the right kid, the correct country and money will be paid once more.
Let's just hope it magically appears before Dec. 25.
This magic stuff is hard!
