ORGANIZACIÓN DE LA PRODUCCIÓN EN MODELOS DE ELECCIÓN OCUPACIONAL

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On your table, a purple draw string closure pouch; with something as yet unknown inside as you approach. Looking at the pouch you say, "Well, what have we here? A bag, a pouch, a sack? Perhaps a mystery of sorts. Has this bag a history? We know not! It's contents also unknown; but even though unseen, our senses tell us they are there.

What an almost spiritual epiphany; that even the unseen, the not fully understood, can and does exist. I know what's in here, shall I tell; or better yet let you see?"

Slowly reaching into the pouch, a Tarot Deck is removed. Your free hand pats and smoothes the bag out flat. The cards are evidently old It seems as well that they have survived a fire of some sort. Looking at your audience you say, "Oh, only cards you moan; only cards to you perhaps, but to me, a haunting memory!

It was summer of 1959, Waukegan, Illinois. A warm wind blew through and carried a small caravan of Carny trucks and vans to a field just outside of town. Josh and Marcella and I, fifth wheel and ever faithful friend; needed something just like this to give our boredom a quick and painless death. By nightfall the lights and smells and sounds, like a Pied Piper drew us to the grounds."

Three life long friends, out to enjoy the night. We rode every ride and attempted each game of chance. As the moon had reached its height, we were sure we had seen each and every sight. Then the sound of flapping canvas and a voice just to our right said," Madam, has answers for you this very night". The banner read, Madam Zoltar, palmist, mystic seer; make your future known. Marcella was clearly thrilled to learn what the gypsy knew.

Her assistant held back the flap as we entered the small sparsely appointed tent. Seated at a table, chairs on either side upon an elevated platform up front a, figure in shadows beckoned in an aged Slavic voice. " Yes, yes my dears, come closer and join me at the table, if you are so inclined, and able. I feel it in my bones that one of three seeks to learn the truth. One is skeptical and the third, he believes not. I sense as well questions of the heart. " That being said Marcella was half way to her seat. From within a fine cloth pouch, skinny fingers slipped a damaged Tarot Deck. Madam muttered something about Hell's Gate, 1931, information all but inconsequential to the three of us. With a non too deft overhand shuffle, the cards were mixed, then squared and tabled. Turning the top

card over, the Lover's card revealed, The next card turned and placed was the Fool, the third card was the Devil.

"The cards, they never lie, the old woman was quick to state. I see several hearts in turmoil. Two are true, but one is distant and uncaring. Josh leaned and whispered to Marcella, "The only thing this old hag knows, judging from her breath, is where the bourbon's kept." I heard him, and was certain Madam had as well. I saw controlled anger in her eyes. " The reading it is done! No more. You just pay me now , and then you go."

Josh responded," What a load of crap! This is a total rip off, and I ain't paying any thing.

We stood, she stood. She started to replace the deck inside the pouch, then changed her mind. She then responded more softly than expected. " So young to be so angry. Was I wrong? A moment of your time, to create a small memento, a reminder of Zoltar's powers. Taking up one last card it was folded and transformed to resemble a frog or perhaps a toad. Picking up the origami form, she dropped it in the pouch.

Zoltar looked directly into Josh's eyes, and handed him the pouch. "In your keeping I place this. But you must not open it or touch what I placed within. My powers cannot be thwarted, with the toad a curse; you will be warted, or much worse

Outside the tent, the last thing Josh said was, "Ya, right, a curse; what a crazy gypsy bitch!"

What happened to Josh and Marcella? I don't know, over the years we sort of drifted and lost touch. But several years ago I headed east. Friends who knew my interests suggested I check out the resurrected Coney Island site. A shell of its former glory, but Nathan's was still there! A hand full of Ten -In- One side shows with freak acts as well.

That is where I saw him, billed as the Human Amphibian, marvel of the millennium. Bulging eyes webbed hands and feet, skin a mottled brown; he sat crouched in one corner of a large aquarium.

His name was Alex now, but as our eyes met, the recognition was there. ( Hand the pouch to a spectator and say, "Do you dare to reach inside? Better yet, just feel gently through the material, and see if I have lied." (When they do they discover to their surprise a live frog which may be shown as the finale'

METHOD: The pouch is ungimmicked The middle section of all but the LOVER, FOOL and DEVIL tarot cards are cut out Save a half a dozen extra X cards as well .Glue the frames created together to form a box, Glue two cards on to close the top opening. Glue another card to the bottom at one end of the box to create a trap door like flap. Place a small frog or young toad inside. A toad is recommended since it seems more sinister!

Handling should be obvious. Toad may be dumped upon your table at the end if you wish.

The origami tarot frog fold belongs to Robert E. Neale. Directions may be found in his book " Tricks Of The Imagination, as well as his " Folding Money

Fooling"! Folded frog is 'pretended to be placed into the pouch, but palmed back out. For strongest impact, it is best to shake the toad out of the sack on to the table at the end.

"... AND THAT FEELS JUST RIGHT!"

Jack Disbrow,

"The Friendly Magician"

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(Background) I developed this short presentation to close my platform and stage programs. It has a specific purpose. My style is very personal. Magic happens,

sometimes to my surprise, but my emphasis is on the story line and my own personality. My audience and I interact and enjoy the magical happenings together.

Consequently, I do not want to end my program with an emphasis on the magic. I prefer to focus on, and reinforce, the relationship I have established with my audience. The ending should be believable, personal and meaningful.

This presentation is the result. I have used it for nearly a decade. Later, I will tell you some of the results, and why this is a permanent part of my program.

(Apparatus Needed) A "Circle to Square" trick. For those unfamiliar with it, this is a hoop of metal, usually chrome plated, ten to twelve inches in diameter. It changes from a circle to a square in the blink of an eye. I use an older model of spring steel. A current version is available, made in India. While not top quality, it works fairly well. You should be able to obtain the needed apparatus for under $20.

(The Presentation. NOTE that you will have to change the personal references to match your own life experiences. Those given here are mine. Yours, hopefully, will be different.)

(The performer picks up a chrome hoop, studies it for a moment, then looks at the audience: ) "Before I leave, I would like to share a brief story with you.

"Many years ago, an English philosopher suggested that life resembles a large table full of holes. Some are large, some are small. Each has a different shape. Some are square, some round. Some are star shaped, while others are rectangular, triangular, octaginal … as many shapes as you can imagine. The philosopher said that, in his view, the table of life is full of people of different shapes running all over the place trying to find a hole into which they fit comfortably. (Performer looks at the hoop again, and smiles.) Some discover it. Many do not. And others spend their entire life trying to jam themselves into a hole that just does not fit. (Performer looks again at the hoop, then turns his attention to the audience.)

"Well, like many of you, I am sure, I have been many things in my life. I have been a radio announcer, a radar technician, an advertising executive, a salesman …. but somehow none of those roles felt really comfortable. (Performer looks at the chrome hoop, turning it in his hands, as if examining it. Then he smiles as if in memory.)

"Then, I decided to become a magician, (Performer pauses for a beat and focuses his attention on the hoop.) and that (hoop suddenly changes into a square) felt exactly right. Because, you see, it gave me the opportunity to bring a few minutes of pleasure into the lives of others, and to meet fine people like you. For that opportunity, I thank you very, very much - and wish each of you all a sincere good night."

(Closing thoughts: ) More than once I have been surprised at the reaction to this effect. In a shorter form, it even plays well at children's birthday parties. The version given above is for family and adult audiences. Several young adults have told me that the message caused them to reexamine their own lives and direction. That, alone, makes the effort worthwhile. Equally important from a performance standpoint is the bond with my audience that is reinforced at the end of my program. Their warm reaction after the show bears out the value of this approach.

If this fits your performance style, adjust the words to fit your own situation. I am sure you will find it worthwhile.