Send in the hounds!

I attended my first magic convention in 1982, the same year I joined the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the same year I got married. 1982 was a pretty good year for me.

The convention was in Dallas. I don't remember the whole thing but a few things stand out really clearly. Vito Lupo premiered a new act there and it was brilliant. The late, lamented juggling troupe AirJazz received a standing ovation on both of their shows (and they also "kidnapped" my wife and had her take them to the Scarborough Renaissance Festival in Waxahachie - it's a long story...) Roger Klause did his usual brilliant lecture featuring the bill switch.

Shortly after I left the Klause lecture an interesting thing happened. A gentleman came up to me and asked if I was enjoying the convention. I admitted that I was, but that I didn't have much basis for comparison. He asked what I had learned. I explained about this bill switch thingie Mr. Klause had taught. Well, the guy sat me down for about an hour and showed me about 15 variations on the bill switch, some with the gimmick Roger Klause had used, and some without. I sat there stunned. He asked if I had any other questions and I just shook my head, dazed.

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is how I met Karrell Fox.