Thomas Wayne Visit Part I

Saturday Night Session with Thomas Wayne and Steve Amaden

I left the Fenix Underground around 11:45PM. When I arrived back at my house, the windows were rattling and the music was pumped up like Arnold Schwartznegger at an orgy. I though to myself, The Grateful Dead at deafening volume. . . that's my boy! Thomas was going to meet me at my house and when I came in through the back door I was surprised to see him sitting on the couch, drinking a beer, rocking out and practicing a new pass he has learned.

I turned the music down and the session started. More than tricks and moves, I have always been a student of people. I am fascinated by the stories of who people are, where they came from, what their influences were, what makes them tick. Thomas shared many details of his background of his early experiments in film making, his adventures as an adolescent working on a fishing boat and his apprenticeship with a fantasy knife maker. His exposure to power tools and his desire to become artisan is evident in his current work as one of the premier gourmet pool cue manufacturers, a magician of stature and a respected manufacturer of a revolutionary system of legerdemain: namely the Fitch / Kohler Hold Out.



Thomas came barring gifts, He brought something for me and one for Tobias one of his Woofle Dusters! A nutty squeaking salt shaker. He also brought beer. He presented me with a gift so exquisite I was speechless. It beautiful Cocobolo Magic Wand with silver inlays and my freaking monograms on the ends. I told him that I was afraid to use something this beautiful. He knew I was rough on my props and assured me that this was a strong wand meant for use in the real world (I used it Sunday at the market and it held up beautifully). Thank you Thomas for a gift so nice I barely feel worthy.




Steve Amaden showed up around 1AM and we retired to the dining room where close up pads, drinks, snacks and cards covered the table. Steve ran in to Thomas at the World Magic Seminar in Vegas last week. I felt lucky to hear it from guys that were there what the low down was. Certainly sounded like a good time.


Part II to Follow