I have now read your “Present Company,” and I like it. I particularly like the layering of methods. If I had seen you perform this, it probably would have fooled me.”Max Maven

In “Present Company,” the magician reveals that the true joy of gift-giving lies not in the gifts themselves, but in the celebrations and rituals that accompany them. By enhancing these rituals, fewer gifts can still yield the same level of collective enjoyment.

To illustrate this concept, the magician presents a single gift-wrapped box and declares, “With just one gift, I will bring you all joy and wonder!”

Five audience members are invited to participate, asked to rearrange themselves in a random order. Each participant secretly writes down their desired gift without revealing it to anyone. After a random elimination process, only one participant remains. This individual discloses their secret wish, and the gift-wrapped box, which has been visible throughout, is opened to reveal exactly what they wished for — and they get to keep it.

For instance, if the wish is for a bottle of wine, the box will indeed contain a real bottle of wine.

While the theme is seasonally inspired, this performance can be enjoyed year-round.

No stooges or pre-show work are required.

Includes 9 pages and 21 illustrations.