This is quite possibly THE SINGLE STRONGEST ROUTINE in Scott's arsenal. A clean, magical, and effective Bill in Lemon routine that is audience tested and approved.
A spectator's dollar bill (verified as the same bill at every step of this process) is identified, such that everyone in the audience knows it is HIS bill. The bill is then openly (no envelopes) burned by the same spectator. Another spectator has been holding a package since before the show started. He brings it forward. The first spectator opens it and removes its contents: some napkins, a lemon, and a knife. The spectator cuts the lemon in half and from its center he removes HIS BILL!
New, updated manuscript, with a much more in-depth explanation, full presentation, theory behind the routine, and alternate ending.
[Note that a part of this routine relies on features of the serial number of US currency. This may or may not work with non-US bills. Also burning currency my be illegal in your country.]
"Dear Scott: Just wanted to say thank you for your Working Pro's Bill in Lemon routine. I used it as my closer tonight and it was great! I went back and forth about burning the bill and chose to do it. I was VERY glad that I did. It upped the level of mystery considerably and the audience couldn't stop laughing as the guy looked at his bill burning away. I left the audience baffled and giddy from laughing so much. Plus, my volunteer hired me on the spot for his son's birthday party. I got another booking right after the show too for an office party -- they too had loved the lemon trick. Thanks again for a great routine--it was genuinely a perfect closer." - Benjamin Dodger (“Lord Bennington”)
"Bottom line, its 24 pages greatly details Scott's routine, covers every nuance, every joke and all the psychology behind the effect. That's one of the things I like about Scott's work, he, like myself, believes that the performance and psychology of magic are key elements in being a true magician. If you presently perform a "Bill in (fill in the fruit)", have ever thought about it, or are looking for a strong effect to close your stage act with then check this one out; I know you won't be disappointed." - Hank Morfin
"I saw Scott conclude a show for several hundred with this effect, and it killed. He got plenty of laughs, and something that isn't mentioned in the write-up is that by having several people play different roles (holding the lemon, the knife, writing the serial number) in separate parts of the audience, he moved the effect from the stage and into the audience, in a way that involved the entire audience. Interacting with several different audience members makes the effect play large and provides plenty of opportunity to get laughs. It is also important that Scott shares his reasons for why he does what he does, and carefully analyzes the pros and cons of various approaches (e.g. signed vs. unsigned, envelope or not, torn corner identification, and so on). Even if you don't go with Scott's approach, or decide to modify it, it will be because you have thought through the effect and the ramifications of various approaches. This is a strong routine, is very thorough, and for the price, I don't see how you could beat it." - Darrin Cook
"I love your bill to lemon routine. It is just so darn practical! I love the idea of identifying the bill as it is burning. And the fact that you don't use envelopes. It really blows my mind how magicians buy $400 bill to lemon routines, when there is gold like this routine available for 10 dollars! Brilliant work, my friend! What you will find here is a highly entertaining effect, with some very solid routining. I must admit, I currently use another marketed bill to lemon routine in my parlour act. After reading Scott's manuscript, I've decided that I'm changing to his routine. This is the way BTL should be performed. Here are some key points to remember..
- The lemon is handed out prior to the bill being borrowed
- The spectator cuts open the lemon themselves
- The bill is identified so that the spectator is certain that the bill is his! (There is a subtlety that Scott utilizes during the burning of the bill that is priceless. My absolute favorite part of the routine.)
Bottom line... Buy this now! This is my first experience with Scott's work, and it certainly will not be my last. Excellent job Scott! Keep up the great work!" - Aaron Smith
"This is a very strong routine and for $10 it's a real bargain! Scott goes into lots of depth and covers details that can only be learnt after performing a routine hundreds of times - he has done the hard work, so we don't have to!" - Iain Moran
"This is in my opinion one of the strongest handlings in this plot line. Like I said I truly respect and admire your routine, and I gained a lot from it. At the very least anyone that shells out the lousy ten bucks to buy your manuscript will be getting one of the GREATEST gags I've ever heard in a routine like this. Guys shell out between three and four hundred dollars for those so called "ultimate" methods, @#!*% I did, what's another lousy ten dollars on top of that?" - Mac Stone
"Just wanted to let you know, I received your "bill in lemon". It's without a doubt "THE" best version I have ever seen. I can't wait to pick up some bills and try it out on someone. It’s gonna kill, I can tell just by reading about it. It just amazes me that you would sell this for so cheap--I can honestly say that if I thought of it, I would never give it up; I would keep it to myself! Thanks again for this great effect. I have studied and performed quite a few of the versions out there: Barrie Richardson, Ammar, Cloutier, Eason, Malone, etc. This is still without a doubt the best. Great Job, my man!" - Bobby Forbes
"Scott's "Bill in Lemon" routine is one of the best I have ever seen or read about. Scott has thought of everything and his version is very clean and very strong. The spectator and the audience are all absolutely convinced that the spectator's bill has been burned and totally destroyed...and then is inexplicably found restored inside of a lemon that the performer never touched during the entire performance. A very nice tight, logical, motivated and entertaining effect. It is a thing of beauty to behold and will be an absolute pleasure to perform. I can well understand why Scott uses this effect as his closer." - Mike Sturgeon ("Turk")
"This routine is wonderful. Biggest bargain in Magic! Thank you so much." - Charley Nigh
"Man, I'm so impressed by you and your writing! LOVE the lemon routine!" - Tim Hanning
