Column Chronicles: The Amazing Raymond Copperhead, Magician, part one

The Amazing Raymond Copperhead, Magician, part one

Frank Cotolo
January 2, 2025

There once was a magician so great and under-appreciated that today his performances are only whispered about.

His name was Raymond Copperhead and his ability to amaze the public with magic began at seven years old when he made his little brother disappear.

At first his parents were concerned and so were the Missouri police. But when Raymond brought his brother back unhurt a day later Raymond's dad dropped the charges. But he encouraged his son to become a professional magician and became the kid's manager for 60 percent of the take.

By 17 Raymond learned enough magic to go on stage. He changed names for each performance and was known as Preston Digitation and then Who Deenie but when he was introduced by his real name he responded best to getting on stage.

"You gotta do stuff no one does and make them believe it," his dad said. "Like when you made your brother disappear. And another thing. They're called illusions. Not tricks."

Raymond took time off and practiced doing illusions. When he was 19 he introduced his first illusion.

"I will now make an automobile disappear," he said.

The audience was confused and then Raymond said, "It's gone. Someone please go out to the street and confirm the nineteen-ninety-nine Chevy is no longer parked in front of the theater."

A random audience member left the theater and came back shouting, "He's right. It's gone," the applauded.

"That was a trick," his dad said. "I told you to learn illusions."

Raymond held in the shame he experienced when his dad was not as happy as the audience. Things got worse when the owner of a nineteen-ninety-nine Chevy called the police and wanted Raymond arrested for car theft.

...to be continued.

Frank Cotolo can be found hosting the talk and interview programme Cotolo Chronicles. You can send him an e-mail at this address: frank@148.ca.