PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz
Hernando the Magnificent died on Wednesday, June 6, 1974 at age of 70. Hernando’s passion for magic and illusion began when he saw a live Harry Houdini show in 1926. Hernando traveled the east coast for 40 years and was President of the Magicians and Illusionists International Guild for the last 20 of them.
On Sunday, loved ones, friends, and fans gathered for the funeral. Afterwards, Hernando’s coffin levitated while his colleagues walked, three on each side, as it traveled out to the hearse — untouched by any of them.
Buried without incident, no miraculous escapes are expected.
For Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ Friday Fictioneers
Tao Talk 
I loved the idea of an illusion at a magician’s funeral.
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:) So glad you enjoyed the story, Neil.
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Quite a performance.
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I don’t know how any illusionist or association of them could resist…
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HA! I would love to replicate the levitating coffin!! :) How apt! :) Great piece!
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Now that’s a funeral I would have liked to see, as sad as the occasion is. I wouldn’t be so sure about the miraculous escape though. :)
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:) Glad you enjoyed it.
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Very Houdini.ish. He and his wife, unfortunately, were interested in Se’ances, the occult, yahda yahda
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One of my old buddies who lived in NYC said every Halloween there is a huge party at Houdini’s grave. Know anything about it?
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I’ve read very little about it. He died on Halloween. The Houdinis were superstitious and really liked all that kind of thing
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Wow!🏆
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Thanks Richa!
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So cool!
I hope this happens at my funeral! <3
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One last trick before he goes for good. Loved it!
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Thanks Iain, glad you enjoyed it.
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Good one Li!👏
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Thanks, Sadje, glad you liked it :)
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You’re welcome 😉
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Big smile here on that last line :)
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So happy it made you smile, Linda.
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Dear Lisa,
I almost expected Hernando to escape. ;) Loved the levitation of his casket. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle, thank you very much. So glad you enjoyed my whimsical tale. Shalom, Lisa
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Now that is going out with a wow-factor!
Fun take, Lisa.
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Thank you, Dale. I wouldn’t expect any less from a group of magicians :)
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Very convenient for the pall bearers ! :-D
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for sure. from what I’ve heard it can be a struggle
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A lot depends on the other people in the group… but it can be quite awkward.
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That would be tough if you had a mismatch on heights, strengths, etc.
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Absolutely.
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A performer to the end – and beyond! A delightful tale!
My story – An audience with Rosey!
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Thank you, Keith :)
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Still performing, even after death!
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Loved it.
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Thanks, Shirley!
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A touch of magic! Very well done.
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what a way to send him off with one last trick.
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That that was unique – well done!!
https://dbmcnicol.com/friday-fictioneers-freshly-boxed/
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Thanks much, DB. Glad you liked it.
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Magic that is life ends in death.
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Wonderfully imaginative story. I love the levitating coffin and the note of uncertainty about future ‘miraculous escapes’.
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Thank you so much, Margaret.
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Well, the way it was told, I thought it was true. Good work.
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Thank you! I tried to make it seem plausible :)
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Mmm, one last trick indeed, a levitating coffin. A fun read, still, I would expect an annual escape of doves from the grave.
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Awwww that’s a wonderful thought.
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Ah, ha, ha. That was just great, Jade. I loved the title and that little additional twist at the end pointing out his colleagues weren’t supporting the coffin on its way to burial. I do hope he rests in peace. He’s earned it. Well written. :D — Suzanne
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Thank you so much for reading and commenting :)
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I love the concept of the levitating coffin. The way you have written the story like a brief account in a newspaper really adds to the humour.
Nice writing, Jade!
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Thanks, Penny! I tried to have fun with it.
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Love this. He went out as he lived!
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Thanks, Sascha :)
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Such a lovely idea, the levitation of the coffin!
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Thank you, Jilly :)
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Lovely story. Yes, the idea of a levitating coffin is very intriguing.
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Thank you, Neel. Sorry for the late response, just found your message in my spam folder.
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So very clever, I love it! He seemed to be the real deal. Maybe the “unexpected” would happen. =)
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You just never know….
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What a way to go! True to himself till the very end.
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:)
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A great tribute to an ambitious, talented man. Love the open ending, inviting the reader to expect the unexpected.
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:) Thank you, Magarisa.
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My pleasure… what should I call you?
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Lisa or Li
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Okay, Li. 😊
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:)
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I think he’s still here, since his magic survives! :)
Maybe he pulled off the greatest trick: cheating death! :)
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That is an AWESOME thought. Maybe he did! :)
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Aw I love this, how sad but fabulous way to walk with the coffin.
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Thanks, Laurie.
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That was fun and a probably how magicians be given their final farewell. Nice one.
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Thank you, Subroto :)
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love this! :-)
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Thanks!
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Love it.
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Thanks, Ted!
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