New Year's Eve with Joe Pesci (Super Cool Guy)
Last night I was hired to perform at a New Year's Eve Gala for about 150 people, and what an amazing event it was. I performed four hours of "mingling" close-up magic, and the guests were super cool, but there was one incident that really stands out. It was a surreal and unexpected moment.
(Warning: Explicit language ahead. If you're easily offended by profane language, now is probably a good time to stop reading. You've been warned. Continue at your own risk.)
At one point in the evening they had a comedian do about a 10 minute set. He was funny, but possibly a little too edgy for the crowd. Immediately after his set, I approached a table of three couples. Before I could say a word, one guy at the table looks at me and blurts out, "Get the fuck away! I don't wan't to see a fucken magician. First a comedian, then a magician. Get the fuck out of here!" I was in shock. I didn't know if the guy was serious or joking.
Another guy looks at me, and says. "I want to see some magic." Lo and behold, the second guy turns out to be Joe Pesci (Home Alone, Goodfellas, My Cousin Vinny). I'm thinking "How cool is this?!" So I start my set, and the first guy gets up and walks away. Apparently he was being serious. I made a mental note, and thought, "Some people just don't know how to be happy."
Anyway, I start my set by borrowing a $100 bill from Mr. Pesci, he writes his initials on the bill, and I proceed to make it disappear in a flash of fire.
Now I have the table's attention. I bring out my playing cards, and Mr. Pesci proceeds to show me some of his sleight-of-hand skills. He was pretty good. Apparently he did a little magic when he was younger.
I then proceeded to blow everyone's mind with some card magic and magic with other items. At the end of my set I reproduce the initialed $100 bill, and Mr. Pesci hands it to me, and says, "You keep it."
Right about that time, the first guy returns to the table, and doesn't say a word to me. In my head I'm thinking I need to thank this guy, because he just gave me a memorable story to tell.
One last thing, Joe Pesci was the coolest. I was a fan before this encounter, and I'm a bigger fan now. Thank you Mr. Pesci!
New Year's Eve 2017 leading into 2018 will forever remain in my memory. It was a great way to close out the year!
I'm wishing everyone an amazing 2018!
(About the Author: Lou Serrano is a professional magician who performs at high-end social and corporate events. Based out of Los Angeles, he travels the world sharing his special brand of magic, mentalism, and comedy with people just like you.)