The roots of magic aren’t all elegant stage shows, top hats, and bunnies. Back in the day, magic was basically a way to swindle folks at carnivals. It’s generally good that the craft has gone legit, but the basic concepts that go into palming a coin are the same as those for palming a watch.

A Calgary Sun reporter found that out first hand. He interviewed a Cirque du Soleil performer who taught to him, kinesthetically and repeatedly, just how misdirection works. The reporter is an awfully good sport about the whole thing, so have yourself a little chuckle at this rapid-fire display.