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A luxury cruise ship was traveling through icy, cold Northern waters when suddenly the rudder stopped and the ship lost all steering.
The captain realized they were in direct trajectory of a huge iceberg about half-a-mile ahead and the ship was in trouble.
He ordered the Exec Officer to get tonight’s Magic act on stage in the lounge immediately.
The ExO located Mr. Magnificence, the Master Prestidigitator.
He explained the situation and told the magician
“I need you to keep passengers distracted with illusion and tricks for as long as it takes. Can you do this?”
Mr. Magnificence, obviously shaken and nervous over the news confessed “Its my first magic act but I think I can.”
The Exec Officer “There is no real cause for alarm because rescue ships are fast on their way and air craft, satellite all have us in their sights.” he continued,
“Keep an eye on me and when I see imminent danger I’ll give a signal”
All eyes on Mr. Magnificence. For a half hour, with expert skill, good eye contact and vocal variety he mesmerized the audience with sleight of Hand and fantastic optical illusions, but was rapidly running out of material.
Suddenly he spied the ExO waving frantically from the back of the ship’s lounge.
He took a deep breath, “and for my final act, I shall make an iceberg appear.”
As he waved his cloak and wand there came an awful crash whereupon the ship indeed crashed right into a huge iceberg.
But, just as the XO said, rescue ships had arrived and everyone was saved before the ship broke in half and sunk to the depths.
As Mr. Magnificence sat in the lifeboat awaiting rescue. One the passengers asked,”
“Hey, aren’t you the magician who put this iceberg in front of the ship?”
“Yes” replied Mr. Magnificence ”It was my first Icebreaker.” *
* This jokes punchline was tailor made for a Toastmaster meeting.
Alternative punch line
As Mr. Magnificence sat in the lifeboat awaiting rescue. One the passengers asked,”
“Hey, aren’t you the magician who put this iceberg in front of the ship?”
“Yes” replied Mr. Magnificence
Passenger replied, ”and what was so magnificent about that?”
