Page 373 - Brion Toss - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice

Figure 11-5A–C. Threading a Ring. Place the ring on
the string between thumb and forefinger and begin
pushing it down (A). The threaded ring. But how was
this accomplished using the hopeless maneuver of
Figure 11-5A? The next drawing reveals all (B). Start
as in Figure 11-5A, but let the thumb’s string fall off,
then reach in and re-snag the string from the middle
of the slowly descending ring. Practice this move until
it’s subtle to the point of invisibility when you watch
it in a mirror (C).

down between thumb and index finger, you slipped
the tip of the thumb back under the string. A little
dexterity is required here so that the ring can con-
tinue downward without hesitation. The ends will
come up as they have before, but this time one of
them will be pulled through the ring on the way up.

THE JUMPING RING

“But some impossible things are possible,” you con-
tinue. And as you launch into an idiotic monologue
on modern physics—Schrodinger’s Cat works well
here—you tie three Overhand Knots in your 6-foot
(1.8-m) string. The first knot is in the middle, the
next one a hand’s-breadth away, and the third a
hand’s-breadth beyond that. Slip the ring on, and
tie it to the string with the third knot.
“The ring,” you announce with exaggerated
confidence, “is on the right.” Then you pause,
appear to consider that statement, then continue
with somewhat less confidence. “That is, it’s on my
right, which is to say it’s on your left, right? I mean,
well, I’m going to make the ring jump magically to
my left, which is stage left, assuming you are the
stage. Unless we were both facing the other way, in
which case, um. . . .” Confidence is no longer in evi-
dence, but you plunge ahead:
“I’ll just put the string behind my back,” which
you proceed to do, letting go with the hand holding
the long end, then reaching behind your back with
both hands.
“Now I’ll bring the string back out, and—” You
stop, hands still behind your back. You fight back

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