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- Page Six
-Mephisto's Wandering Musings-
"In any field, if a student has been taught properly, the moment one day comes when he realizes that he is no longer beneath his Master; that he CAN defeat his Master; that he CAN show up that Master in a single stroke. -But he doesn't." -Mephisto.
It naturally is my sincerest wish and hope that you will be that "good student." Some of the saddest things in the world are an animal turning against it's master, child against parent, or student against teacher. In the case of animals, it is generally a neglected or abused animal which eventually turns on its master. More often than not, this is also found -in hindsight, unfortunately- to be the case with children gone wrong. Teachers, too, who teach a subject solely for the sake of teaching, or the glory of being able to say they taught, eventually reap the consequences of students going astray or misusing what knowledge they have attained.
Some early visitors to this web site have already questioned Mephisto's motives and sensibilities in creating and publishing these pages to the Internet. They ask WHY he would ever want to create competition for himself, or WHY he would want to risk having someone turn this knowledge against him.
This question is perfectly sound, reasonable, and understandable. It is a question that Bill Gates himself would be prone to ask. And in answer to these people, I can only sympathize and say that there was a time when I shared their feelings exactly. Why should a magician teach others? Why did the Masked Magician reveal Magic's Best Kept Secrets on international television? (Actually, as a practicing magician myself, I happen to know that the "secrets" he revealed, for the most part, were only ONE way a trick could be performed. A few of his "explanations" were not even close to the ways the best tricks are actually accomplished. Rather than being enraged, I am sure most professional magicians got a chuckle out of his programs.) -Why should a comedian, musician, or anyone else teach their trade, for that matter? -Why did Beethoven teach music? Simply because he hated to see it done wrong.
In regards to competition, the Internet is a BIG place, as is the world. I do not see any way a performer in Seattle is competition for a similar performer in Liverpool or Cairo. Besides the geography, there is the simple fact that everyone has their own style. Though they are in the same business, Jerry Seinfeld is no competition for Tim Allen, and vise-versa. I staunchly believe that two or more fire-eaters could even perform at the same festival, fair, or event, as do jugglers, story-tellers, musicians, and mimes. I cannot teach you my style, and you cannot "steal" my style. If you try, you are doomed to failure from the start. Your style of performing is something you MUST develop on your own, and it is uniquely yours.
To answer "Why teach fire-eating?", -If someone is truly intent on learning this art (and I do call it an "art" or "craft" rather than a "stunt" or "trick") then there is not much I or anyone can do to stop them. -You have read this far, haven't you? Have you been dissuaded yet? Without proper and thorough instruction in correct technique and skill, or worse yet, with incorrect or incomplete advice, many of those who refuse to quit are going to end up getting hurt badly -or worse.
I am forced to pause a moment here, in memory of my friend, the late "Blazzen Bill" of Arizona, whom I still feel would never have required all those skin grafts had I been able to convince him to change one of his methods that same day it happened... I remember Storm, of Louisiana, whom I never could bring back to the art after she was "kissed by the flame". I remember others, too, Who had the talent and the guts, and "fire in their blood" -but something happened...
Time is not standing still for any of us. Although I am "only" in my early 50's at this time, I will not be around forever. (Some who know me think otherwise, I know!) It has long been one of my fondest dreams to sit in the audience and observe a great and wonderful, awe-inspiring fire-eating performance. It would please me even more to know, personally, that this person onstage might not be there if not for some of the advice I was able to provide.
This is my hope that this web site will accomplish. This is my request to you as reader of these pages: Should you continue in your endeavors, and one day have the good fortune to present a fire-eating spectacular somewhere in the continental United States, please remember Mephisto the Master. If you can honestly say my Tips and advice have been a help and benefit to your act, skills, and/or safety, then please search me out. Let me know when and where your performance will be, and the Goddess and Gods willing, I will do my best to proudly be there in your audience. -Could I ask for a greater honor?
-Mephisto the Master, Feb. 5, 2000
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