How to Make a Pen Penetrate a Dollar Bill

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Call your audience over to you as if you have something for them

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   Step 2: and tell them as you pull out the paper and only the slitted dollar

   "). , Act rather excitedly in a Hocus-Pocus tone, "Now, watch this!"
   
   This will give the illusion that you also "punched" the dollar bill.
   
   Let everyone see you pull the pen all the way out through the bottom paper where it poked out of the paper strip. , Quickly smooth them together and then with the bill facing you show the audience the back and tell them "Observe the ragged hole through the paper." that's behind the bill. ,, Then come back up waving the punched paper and the creased dollar bill that was not cut, and let everybody see that the dollar is undamaged! Ask to have the dollar back, and then put the dollar bills and paper carefully back in your pocket. ,
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   Step 3: "This is something you should NEVER do with your money.

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   Step 4: Flatten the slitted bill

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   Step 5: for everyone to see

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   Step 6: with the crease still visible (be sure that you--but only you--can see the slit)

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   Step 7: lay it on top of the strip of paper and mysteriously and with a showman's exaggerated hand motions

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   Step 8: fold the bottom edge of the paper so that it extends a little bit over the bottom of the dollar (to help hold the dollar) and as part of the "production value" (They're watching while thinking

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   Step 9: "What is this about?

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    Step 10: Make some attention getting sound or "hum-loudly" a little while quickly preparing like

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    Step 11: "Aaah...!

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    Step 12: Hmmm...?"

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    Step 13: Continuing in quick

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    Step 14: exaggerated motions: hold the strip and the dollar together -- be sure everyone can see what you are doing -- "chuckle" theatrically and take the pen out of your pocket

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    Step 15: then without warning push the pen through the cut you made earlier and out through the dollar and actually punch the strip.

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    Step 16: Continue acting a little dramatically so your audience doesn't think that you are finished yet as you unfold the edge of the paper and keep the dollar and the paper strip together.

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    Step 17: Hold onto the dollar but let only the paper drop on the ground or floor as a distraction -- act surprised or dramatically embarrassed (be careful about a windy place or other problems like children that may interfere).

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    Step 18: Bend down with one side away from the audience and quickly pick up the paper with the front hand and at the same moment with your back hand quickly conceal (hide) the cut dollar and get the uncut dollar (practice to be quick and adroit in making the switch).

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    Step 19: Finished

Detailed Guide

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