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BobSheets
V.I.P.
167 Posts
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Posted: Feb 19, 2009 6:17pm
OK,
Now just to clear it up a little. The next day it was early evening. The first dinner show seating was in and Steve was working for a very small group of very big tippers so he's pulling out all the big guns.
He gave the clips to a woman in the party. She pulled the bill out and said, "There's wire all over this clips"? I hit the floor. I mean it. Me and the other bartender physically fell over.
Steve didn't fall, but he wanted to. The women sees us laughing and not wanting to spoil the party she follows it up with,” There’s a lot of wire." We all fall out again and of course could not reveal why we were laughing so hard. I do think the men in the party did tumble to it but stayed mum. We might have told the guys the story when the women went to the washroom.
The night before was pure bachelor party raunch. The next evening was side splitting, gut busting comedy. I laugh at this story by myself to this very day.
bob.
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Fred Johnson
Regular user
110 Posts
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Posted: Feb 19, 2009 11:38pm
These Jolly Jester stories are what legends are made of.
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BobSheets
V.I.P.
167 Posts
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Posted: Feb 19, 2009 11:41pm
The Chicken.
Another one of the funny bits we did at the Tower, Jolly Jester and Brookfarm Inn Of Magic was the hanging chicken. Great visual when you walked in the bar. Lot’s of people took pictures of the chicken.
In the service area on the right end of the bar was a rubber chicken hanging at the end of a rope by his neck. I say “his” because he had a kid’s bike horn stuck up the posterior with the big red bulb hanging out. When a cocktail waitress wanted a drink she had to reach up and HONK the horn to get a bartender over to make up her order. If you walked up and ordered your own drink you had to HONK the horn.
It was just another situational scene to watch the different reactions from patrons. There was the moment they saw it. Laughter, revulsion, discussion, “You get the drinks. No you get the drinks. I’m not squeezing that thing. Well then you’re not getting a drink.”
The servers had to squeeze it or we wouldn’t get their drinks. We had one squeamish waitress that just didn’t like doing it. She would get so embarrassed. The other waitress was more of a broad and would just look at her and squeeze it for her. And sometimes to irritate the shy one she would daintily fondle it just to see her turn red, which the other server always did.
Just more fun than humans should be allowed to have.
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steve spill
V.I.P.
138 Posts
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Posted: Feb 20, 2009 12:02am
One summer we briefly fooled with the Shulien gold fish eating bit. As I remember we didn't do it long because the fish dyed rather quickly. A girl friend brought me a baggie of goldfish from Denver, we just had a little bowl with overfed fish in a smoke filled bar.
The a bowl of goldfish sat on the back bar. Now and then, we apparently grabbed a live one outta the water, popped it in our mouth and chewed it up. In reality, we just pretended to eat the live fish, actually we ate carrots cut to an approximate fish shape.
People started to hear about the goldfish eating and wanted to see it done. A regular customer brought in a younger brother on holiday from college. The young brother was impressed with the fish stunt and I let him in on the carrot secret.
I told him, “In the next hour we’re going to ask for volunteers, raise your hand and I’ll put a carrot in your mouth, you’ll be a hero.” When the time came, I put a real live wiggling goldfish in his mouth. Everyone cried laughing.
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steve spill
V.I.P.
138 Posts
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Posted: Feb 20, 2009 12:10am
I vividly remember the first time I realized magicians who worked at The Jester were kinda big fish in a tiny pond.
As the sun set I was driving up a winding road near Woody Creek. I maneuvered around what I would call… dead man’s curve… and my entire right front wheel flew off. I lost control as the car swerved, finally skidding into the guard rail. The guard rail stopped the car and I from crashing a thousand feet below.
I sat there for a moment stunned. I was okay, the car was not. It was getting dark, it was snowing, and I was stranded… a spare tire doesn’t help when the whole wheel is gone and the front end was squished. Cell phones hadn’t been invented yet, I was on an uninhabited wilderness road, and no help was in sight.
Out of nowhere, I saw an Aspen Police vehicle approaching. In those days the local police drove Saabs and their official uniforms were jean jackets and cowboy hats. They had a hip car and a country cool costume, and I was happy to see help is on the way… but I saw a hassle coming. My vehicle had expired out-of-state license plates and in my wallet was an expired out-of-state driver’s license.
The cops jumped outta the Saab, their first words: “Hey it’s the guy from The Jester.” They asked what my name was, and when I said “Steve Spill” they agreed, and told me about the tricks I did, so that we would all know that that was in fact who I was. They said “Don’t worry buddy, we’ll get you some help…”
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Fred Johnson
Regular user
110 Posts
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Posted: Feb 20, 2009 1:25am
Because of the title of this thread I assume The Jolly Jester was what Spill considers his first best job. Bob, what was your first best job? Tell me before you pee.
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BobSheets
V.I.P.
167 Posts
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Posted: Feb 20, 2009 9:59am
My adult life started in the Circus baby.
In 1968 after graduation I joined the Navy and then retired after 17 days. I’m allergic to the wool in the blankets and from my neck to my ankles turned in to a giant strawberry. I tried to stay in but received my medical excuse and the Dear Bob letter from my high school sweetheart in short order and went home.
I took a couple of sales jobs and Kenny Benge (author of Three Ball Juggling) called and asked if I knew how to eat fire. I said no. He asked me again. Again I said no. Then he told me to meet him at his garage at 2:00 pm and he would teach me. I got the basic in the mouth, breath out pitch and was proclaimed an official Circus Fire Eater.
Kenny was leaving The John Strong Circus, a one ring touring tent show with a new name. The 1869 Circus, scheduled to open in San Diego in a couple of weeks. Kenny was leaving to go to Chicago and work for the man who bought Mark Wilson’s trade show company, and needed someone to take his place in the Circus.
Wow. The Circus became my new “Army.” John Strong was a great old timer that ran a great little show. I scooped elephant poop, worked and ran the side show, performed a center ring silent act, sold cotton candy, pounded stakes, drove truck and a million other 24 hour circus duties. I never imagined that at eighteen I would be come a working entertainer and on the road. WOW. What an eye opening education for this San Diego greenhorn. When I left the Circus two years later I was a confident and real performer ready to meet the challenges of being a performer in the 70’s. Right. Six months after my induction in the John Strong organization I tried out at the Magic Castle, I was 18 at the time, and never mentioned my age and got to work there for the first of many times. I was in magic heaven.
I never broke the rules or drank at the Magic Castle even though they thought I was 21. I considered it the ultimate privilege and never wanted to abuse it.
At 20 I moved to Chicago to work for Kenny’s new boss, Magical Productions, a year later I would start my job and real career at the Pickle Barrel with Heba Haba Al.
Ta da. bob.
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steve spill
V.I.P.
138 Posts
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Posted: Feb 20, 2009 12:00pm
Bob your task of cleaning up after the elephant reminds me of someone who cleaned up after the tigers when I worked on the show Spellbound. One of his favorite sayings was, "It may be tiger **** to you, but it's bread and butter to me." Such was the nature of this man... each time he'd scoop some poop, he'd proclaim, "another shingle on my roof!"
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Fred Johnson
Regular user
110 Posts
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Posted: Feb 20, 2009 2:36pm
Bob sounds like you were a jack of all trades in the circus. What was your job description at the Chicago trade show comopany?
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BobSheets
V.I.P.
167 Posts
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Posted: Feb 20, 2009 7:20pm
I was the roadie. I did shopping center and fair promotions with the Keebler Cookie Show. Set up and tear down the trade shows. I got to do the Mark Wilson Robot Girl and Hand Machine exhibits that I’d only heard about until then. Some sales. I sold Johnny Thompson’s Blue Room Illusion to Motorola. I sold Don Alan on a couple of trade shows.
I was the Roadie.
bob.
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Jonathan Smith
Regular user
125 Posts
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Posted: Feb 21, 2009 2:02am
Mr. Sheets, if you could change or do one thing differently in your career what would it be?
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BobSheets
V.I.P.
167 Posts
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Posted: Feb 21, 2009 8:25am
Mr. Smith,
I’d eat more roughage.
I live the life I never imagined would be mine.
I’m going to be purposely obtuse. I don’t know what that means, but I think it’s a good word. Please don’t ask because I’m not going to give any examples in the dialogue.
I don’t think I would change anything.
When I fought and really wanted some things I never got them. Sorry. There are some people I treated badly out of ignorance and I would love to have changed that. I did make important changes in my life. It’s just a little too late for some in my past. When I backed off and let things find the natural flow, the results came without my pushing.
So many opposites of the things I thought turned out to be true.
Some things I thought I needed were so bad for me once they were in my life they were ultimately harmful and would have to go.
Many of my life’s most important and truly beautiful lessons seem to come from adversity and pain. Some but not all of my personal rewards were always a surprise to me.
If I changed anything then the people I truly love might not be in my life at all. That might be my only certainty.
Rich or poor, high or low, happy or sad my most important lesson, and one I learned in spades, is that you must live on less than what you make!
My friends and family make this life as good as it gets.
Love, bob.
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Jonathan Smith
Regular user
125 Posts
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Posted: Feb 21, 2009 12:57pm
Thank you Mr. Sheets that was truly profound.
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NicholasD
Inner circle
1018 Posts
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Posted: Feb 21, 2009 1:07pm
The best time of my magical life was working at Brookfarm with Bob & Steve. I laughed so hard some nights, my midsection felt like I'd done a thousand sit-ups.
In addition to all that's been mentioned, their Paper Balls over the Head using a toilet paper roll and the Floating Lady from the audience were real classics.
I'm extremely fortunate to know Bob as a magician and as a friend.
I love you Bob.
Nick
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steve spill
V.I.P.
138 Posts
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Posted: Feb 21, 2009 2:45pm
Here's a "Farm" story that bears repeating... Bob and I did a great routine with the sub trunk. I'm Harry Houdini and Bob dressed as my wife Bess Houdini. Houdini had a large Mexican lunch today. So, I'm locked in the trunk... with lots of trapped gas. At the moment I'm ready to vanish and reappear, the most pro-longed fart ever escapes from me... startled for a fraction of an instant, I lose my footing during the switcheroo with Bob and twist my ankle. But it's okay I finish the trick and the show without a problem.
Bob is trapped in the trunk with my fart and the odor is overwhelming... tears well up in his eyes. The volunteers removing the chains and locks are a little slow... Hallelujah... the trunk is finally unlocked and we are about to release Bob, I tell the audience "We gotta get him out quick, when I was in the trunk I broke wind." The line works great and I keep it in the act.
After the show I'm in excruciating pain and my ankle is the size of a softball. It's broken. Now my ankle is in a plaster cast and I'm walking with a cane. I can still do the show except for the Houdini routine which is too physically demanding. A member of our illustrious squad of table-hopping magicians, John Kennedy (one of today's great original close-up inventors/marketers) is rehearsed to take my place in the Houdini bit.
John doesn't speak. He's not mute, just a little shy trying to be funny in front of 150 people. We have a solution. He wears the Houdini outfit and does the trick, but I do the dialogue. One funny sequence happens when Bob slams the lid on the trunk and it looks like John's hand is smashed. His hand is smashed and I'm the one who screams in pain. The audience also screams and Bob lifts the lid. I show everyone... actually John shows everyone... it was just a fake rubber hand, and Bob and I sing a few bars of the Village People's hit song "Macho, Macho,Man."
The situation brings a lot of new comedy to the routine. Bob and I feel pretty confortable with this new arrangement. Then... the show comes when John's hand really does get smashed. He has broken fingers. I have a broken ankle. Mr. and Mrs. Houdini are on hiatus.
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BobSheets
V.I.P.
167 Posts
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Posted: Feb 21, 2009 6:00pm
Steve,
I do remember that and it was painful to see. He's OK now. We had some great folks at the Brookfarm. John Kennedy, David Williamson, Scotty York, Tim Connover, Larry Davidson, John Ekin, Martin Lewis, Eddie Goldstein, Michael Ammar, Daryl, Paul Harris,...
Back in the day, bob.
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steve spill
V.I.P.
138 Posts
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Posted: Feb 21, 2009 8:47pm
Other great guest Farm performers: Ricky Jay, Tomsoni & Pam, Darwin Ortiz, Daryl, Peter Pit.
Nick mentioned our Floating Volunteer which went great for a couple thousand performances, but there were a several screw ups as is usually the case with machinery...
One time, after our usual dramatic intro, selection process, hypnotizing, the giggly party girl refuses to levitate, She just lies there... ten minutes of build up and no pay off. We felt like jerks.
Another pretty young thing is happily floating in mid air, but Bob and I can't seem to summon the power to return her to Earth. Bob threw her over his shoulder and carried her to safety... in the air above the sawhorses is the levitating plywood board.
A girl in a low cut evening gown, as the board starts to go up, her right breast starts to go out. Another volunteer goes up, she starts peeing in her panties...
Now I have to pee. Later.
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BobSheets
V.I.P.
167 Posts
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Posted: Feb 21, 2009 11:06pm
Well Steve You are one of my oldest and best magic buddies. You have always been an inspiration to me and so many others. Don't stop now.
Thank you for making this another great adventure!
What ever I'm doing you always make it better.
Love you man.
You're buddy, bob.
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steve spill
V.I.P.
138 Posts
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Posted: Feb 22, 2009 12:01am
Love you madly...
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| The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The February 2009 entrée: Bob Sheets » » Bob Sheet, my first best job, and beyond... » » TOPIC IS LOCKED |
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