Sidewalk Saints - Johnny Balloons

Johnny Balloons

Written by Administrator

Thursday, 16 April 2009 05:36

Feel my hands, how soft they are. They’re like baby’s hands. I can tie a knot in anything. I could have been a surgeon, but I don’t like blood. You know I’m sixty-years-old now, and I’m just as quick as the boxer I was when I was sixteen. Just as quick — and just as deadly. Hah! You wanna arm wrestle?
I grew up in a magic shop. Tannens, greatest magic shop in the world. By age thirteen I was one of the best slight of hands you’ll ever see. Used to run the three card monte in Times Square. Took a little break when I went in the service. When I got out, I was back running the road hustling. I didn’t have a clue what was going on in my life, thirteen years I wasted. In October of 1982, I didn’t wanna spend the winter in New York, so I got on a bus to New Orleans to come down here and do street magic...

Link
Amarillo Globe News article 11/03 by David Bowser

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Last Updated on Friday, 24 April 2009 23:17