Mort of Magic

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Mort of Magic1


I first met Mort at the Belmore Cafeteria on 28th Street and Park Avenue in New York City. On Saturday afternoons it was the place where magicians congregated to entertain and amaze one another, socialize, and show and tell; just about everything but eat. Mort loved to eat and made an unabashed ritual of it during the week, when he gathered at one of the other, more formal, magical meeting places for luncheon. He would open his suit jacket and tuck one of Rosoff's large linen napkins behind his shirt collar, straighten the square over his large mid section and ask what kind of soup was being served today... to start with. 2

But on this Saturday afternoon Mort was not eating. He was otherwise engaged in demonstrating a piece of magic to a small group of magi, whose rapt attentions were focused on a couple of coins which Mort kept dropping as they slipped through his chubby fingers. At first, going by the little coterie, I mistook Mort for one of the senior sleighters who appeared from time to time on Saturdays, like memory maven Harry Lorayne or young David Roth, but it soon became clear that Mort, although he desperately tried to battle his way through "moves" and manipulations, was, despite his gold finger ring, no master magician. (I asked him where he got his master magician's ring... Mort said he bought it for himself.) Essentially he was a collector, a lover of magic and magical apparatus, or as he called it, the affus-gaffus. 3

My curiosity led me to ask Mort what he had there, and thus began a lengthy friendship during which I don't think I ever witnessed Morty perform an... "effect" without a fumble. But his ungainly finger flicking afforded me more spasms of laughter than anyone has before or since. 4

I recall him walking down the aisle at the New York Hunter College auditorium with his extremely tall and lovely girlfriend Lynn. It reminded me of Mort donning the Rosoff's napkin... and of his attempts at manipulating a complicated "affus-gaffus." He was in charge, never mind appearances. Everyone smiled and greeted him. He was an integral part of his surroundings, although I certainly knew he was not the night's recipient of the Star of Magic Award! But everyone knew Mort. And he, slowly negotiating the center aisle, smiled at everyone on both sides. 5

Lynn was regal and stately; Mort, not quite. But they laughed together and fit together and enjoyed each other. They seemed to come from an adult mystery-world of romance, late nights, expensive dinners, nightclubs and country weekends. Mort and Lynn seemed to be forever emerging from the good life, sharing intimate thoughts and sharing each other. With his gold, diamond-topped pinky ring prominently in view as if he were on the verge of a performance (a miracle, in Mort's words), or with Lynn on his arm, Mort appeared the quintessence of class and magic... during the time I knew him. 6

One afternoon Morty invited me up to his east side apartment. He turned on the living room fountain that he had bought, he said, for Lynn before their break-up, and led me into his room. As the water spouted through the pink and green lights (or was it the pink and green lights which illuminated the jets of water?) Mort treated me to a look at dozens and dozens of unopened pieces of close-up magic. Gawking in disbelief and wonder, I saw marvelous effects from all over the world, from the best and most exclusive manufacturers of magic: coins, cards, boxes, silks, dice, brass, copper, silver, mechanisms and assorted apparatus (affus-gaffus). But they were all unopened: some in see-through packages, some still sealed in mystery enshrouded brown envelopes, some boxed with gold and black printed labels, official and precise. 7

"You've not opened any of these," I said. 8

"I opened a few, not too many," said Mort. 9

"And what are you waiting for? 10

"Someday," said Mort, "when I am old and infirm I'll lie back on this bed and open all the packages and amuse myself." He said he couldn't wait. 11

Weekends for me were taken up with jaunts out of town and a thinner, city life, but in time I had become inured of the tired colors of autumn leaf viewing. Country antiquing over the years had become less than novel and I missed the old urban magic... and some of the magicians. 12

I had lost track of Mort for some time and imagined that one day I would magically appear at the old cafeteria for a joyful reunion with all the boys, especially hoping to run into Mort. On an overcast weekend afternoon when I did show up, peering through the little clumps of people gathered at the back tables, I did not espy my old friend fumbling with slippery decks or trying to recover bouncing and rolling gaffed coins from beneath a performing surface. I couldn't find him. In fact I could find no one I remembered. Mort, they asked? Mort who? 13

It was at the magic shop, months later, that I recognized one of Mort's pieces in a blue velvet box. It was one of those strange and contrived bits of magical mystery wherein linen napkins glide through golden napkin rings and are transformed into colorful silks. It was unused and judging by the complicated set of instructions that accompanied the effect it would probably never be used. But it had passed from Mort's estate into the magic shop and of course I bought it. 14

I sometimes think of the time Mort was showing off a new miracle he had recently attempted to learn which required a delicate double-lifting of the top two cards. With very little subtlety, Mort wet his thumb repeatedly as he brushed it across his tongue, and then proceeded to drop all the cards as the lift failed. Observing this as perhaps the worst, most audacious and inept kind of misdirection possible, I began to laugh uncontrollably. And knowing it was more than misdirection, indeed the end of a failed sleight as well as a performance, Mort shook with laughter as well. In fact, the two of us convulsed for longer than the effect could have lasted. And then one elderly onlooker who had been gazing intently at Mort's manipulation said: "You know, that was a shitty trick!" 15

I never performed the napkin ring effect... Somehow I never got around to opening it. I just look at the blue velvet box when I pass the case it rests in, and think of the magic. 16

*17

Author notes

The Magic is not always in the magic!
This is entered in the CHARACTER category (Option#2)

A contest entry

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Comments

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  • EmeraldDreams
    August 14, 2007

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    The piece is filled with so many wonderful observations. I remember as a child, looking at the grown ups, and thinking them so very glamorous and mysterious. Now of course, I find the same kind of people overbearing and tacky!
    Mort was a truly heart warming character. You write these personal pieces so well, with such charm that they are a pleasure to read.
    How sad that Mort's demise was only discovered after his affus gaffus was found for sale. But what a touching tribute that it remained un-opened, just as it's original owner had kept it.
    Magic in life is never where we would obviously look for it. Mort's magic was not in his tricks (however un-skillful they may have been), but in his good humour and sheer charm. The world would be better for a few more men like Mort!
    A wonderful tale, Gary. Reading your work is so often comparable to a cozy chat with an old friend, and this one had every ounce of warmth and informality I would come to expect from you.
    Keep writing my friend, for many people surely take pleasure with your words.


  • TheMoodchangingPoet
    August 14, 2007

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    good write.

    I enjoyed the read... and of course, like all the readers, I loved Mort. And I found it to have a rather sad ending.

    I have no idean why some disaprove the rhetorical questions. I think they are in fact making the story better and add a special flavour to it... I myself tend to put rhetorical questions in my stories and I don't thinnk that it indicates a children-book style.

    I enjoyed.
    I take the hat off and bow


  • Rosemary silver member
    August 13, 2007
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    Good story

    I think the real magic was in the laughter and friendship you two shared. Nice memory.


  • Azaradelle Moderators member
    August 13, 2007

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    I finally read this amazing, wonderful piece of yours!

    ... And as per usual, regret not reading it sooner!

    Ah this was fantastic! I enjoyed reading every word, and found myself smiling at this beautiful character you portray so vividly. You managed to make me feel like i too knew him. I think i miss him.

    Mort. Haha he was great! You made him SO real! It is a shame he never got to open his boxes of magic, but it felt as though he didn't really need them. I liked how he lived life to the full, and continued being a magician, despite how bad at it he was. So, i don't really feel all that sorry for him in the end.

    Your story conveys so many different messages, yet at the same time sticks to one theme. Something only a talented author like you could achieve!

    My father went through a stage where he was obsessed with magic. I remember how proud i was of his little card, knife and coin tricks. I'd make him show all my friends who came to visit, just so they too could see what an amazing father i had.

    After a few years i figured out the tricks behind them. I never told him i knew though, i didn't want him to stop. And even now that i am 18, I'm still as fascinated by them as i was when younger. He's not obsessed anymore, but he still does them from time to time, and i love it!

    You're absolutely right, the magic is NOT in the magic! The fun Mort had while performing the tricks, and the laughter and amusement it brought. The life he lead, and the person he was, are all magic in themselves.

    A truly touching tale! Once again you have amazed me with your talent Gary!

    Please keep writing! And i shall keep reading!

    Yrs.

    Azaradelle.


    • Gary Alexander silver member
      August 13, 2007
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      Some things won't rest!

      I decided to open this one final package of Magic for Mort...who might well, as we speak, be attempting a miraculous bit of levitation! I certainly would not put it past him to try!
      Thank you for all the kind words and your insights.
      I'm sure Mort thanks you as well.
      GA

  • Geronimo
    August 13, 2007

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    Great, GREAT, why did it stop

    I was just leaning back im my old captain's chair and enjoying your story, big grin on my fed-up face, when Mort stopped making me smile. I loved it. A relaxing piece of reading. Well written, good vocabulary, very professional, write some more about this bad magician, love to read it. You've got the knack!!!!!!

    beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 4, ending: 4, dialog: 5, characters: 5.

    • Gary Alexander silver member
      August 13, 2007
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      One must know when to stop!

      I guess most things have to come to an end...and sometimes I feel I can create just so much Magic!...before I drop the cards and the coins...and the affus-gaffus! But at least I managed to convey a little abracadabra! Thanks for going along!
      GA


  • Asfand
    August 12, 2007
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    I forgot...

  • Asfand
    August 12, 2007

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    affus-gaffus...nice name for something in such a warm, yet deep story!

    I LOVED the character of Mort, he was so ordinary, so goofy ans sucha funny and adorable guy. Wonderful character development. A very fine piece of literature.

    As a narrator, the overall things are well said. It was a wonderful read, and i'm glad i spotted this along the aisles.

    the author's notes are so true indeed. Magic is all around us, we just look into the wrong places. We are surrounded by miracles and the forces if nature, contemplation and meditation may lead us all somewhere truly unique.

    Excellent write, once again. The theme is nicely chosen too.

    Be blessed Gary! Wonderful job!


    ~*~Asfand~*~


    • Gary Alexander silver member
      August 12, 2007
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      And...Presto!

      What a nice and kind comment. I'm delighted you spotted this as well. Magic for both of us!
      GA


  • callthexylophone
    August 11, 2007

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    I disagree with Six of Diamonds, I think the narrator was fine. Mort seemed totally real, like the cool uncle you always loved but never quite figured out; he was a really well written character. I'm not feeling the ending, though. I guess because I was kind of expecting it to end with Mort on a hospital bed, too sick to open any of his magic tricks and the story would have a moral about waiting or soemthing ^_^. I should stop thinking ahead. I fell in love with this story, mostly because of Mort, I just can't help it, he's an awesome character! A few rough spots, though, like "blue velvet box when I pass the case it rests.." I think you need a comma in there or a conjunction. Great story!

    • Gary Alexander silver member
      August 11, 2007
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      Appreciate the Support!

      Thanks. I understand Six...she means well (lol!).
      And I don't disagree with anyone here...yet! (After all, I'm only the author!) You do realize, Mort leaves us, and this only becomes beknownst to the narrator when he makes the purchase from Mort's "estate." (A clue!) He never...got to open his packages. (One of the sad themes herein.)
      I looked at your suggestion for the last sentence. You have a point, I believe, but a comma really doesn't belong anywhere in that sentence. You just have to take in that unfortunately long phrase: the "blue velvet box when I pass the case it rests in and think of the magic!" Perhaps after "in." (I bet Six would know how to fix that though. She's good at that!)
      Thanks again,
      GA


  • Sensual Sapphire
    August 11, 2007

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    Magic can be found everywhere

    It seems that Mort enjoyed himself even when things went awry. More people should learn to do that. They should realise that perfection is not the only thing to seek. Mort is a loveable individual or at least he seems to be. It's a shame they lost contact but life does move forward and Mort couldn't wait.

    beginning: 4, language: 4, plot: 4, ending: 4, dialog: 4, characters: 4.

    • Gary Alexander silver member
      August 11, 2007
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      Vive la Difference

      Funny how readers get different truths from this story.... It's gratifying to realize the piece is that rich. BTW...you understand, contact was lost because Mort "shuffled off" our mortal coil!
      Thanks for reading.
      GA


  • six of diamonds
    August 11, 2007

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    You know your pieces seem to have another theme I'm noticing as I read more of them--do you really feel that way, worried that no one will remember? That it all won't mean anything in the end? I hope not.

    Mort has enough faults that he feels like he could be real, you could take him and show us another side of him in a different story.

    You know, in all of these pieces the narrator is so aloof, standing back and observing, never quite participating fully, always holding something back. In them, others are seen from an emotional distance even it seems there should have been a more honest camaraderie.

    • Gary Alexander silver member
      August 11, 2007
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      The Answer is Yes.

      Correct again Kristina! I DO feel people will not remember. And behind that feeling...that impetus, lies the motivation for what I write. A chronicler, a recorder...lest it all melt away. You can't...I can't...make this stuff up!
      And the narrator...the narrator stands back...but only to observe better. But he was there...he was a "comrade"...and he was honest. Nothing is held back. It is all here.
      Thanks for reading.
      GA


  • k8fairy
    August 11, 2007

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    You didn't need to say it in your authors note, I think your story conveys it wonderfully, I wish I knew Mort! It is so sad he lost mort, but I love the way you lead us to the conclusion and the images you create, especially about the mysteries of the adult world, I think everyone can remember feeling that.
    You have really got an amazing character here GA, he is awesome.

    • Gary Alexander silver member
      August 11, 2007
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      You saw behind the Curtain!

      I loved the fact that you caught the subtlety of my "mysteries of the adult world." I was just commenting on that today, lamenting that, despite a long philosophical rant on this topic one evening, a friend completely failed to understand what you picked up. I'm so glad it stood out...even though it was somewhat peripheral. Nice too, that you were able to feel sadness at the loss of this jolly fellow...and that magic! This is always a loss for everyone. It's rewarding to have perceptive readers.
      Thanks.
      GA

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