HOCUS POCUS MEETS NEWTON'S LAW AS PHYSICS TEACHER PERFORMS MAGIC

If you are planning to enjoy a lazy Wednesday evening at Griffin's Cafe and Spirits in downtown Cape Girardeau, chances are you will be dazzled, dazed or even baffled by the mystical antics of trickster Rob Huff.

Hired by Griffin's to entertain customers one evening a week, Huff can make sponge-rabbits have baby sponge rabbits in your hands.

He can perform mind-boggling card tricks and stretch three different lengths of rope to the same size.

Huff, who is a mathematics teacher at Cape Central Jr. High and teaches physics at Cape Central High School, has been doing magic for more than 25 years.

"It started out as a hobby," he said. "I started performing for pay when I was very young -- at birthday parties and family get-togethers.

"A lot of what I do is self-taught," Huff said. "Some is out of books, mail-order catalogs and magic shops."

When Huff first came to Cape Girardeau from Potosi -- hired to coach soccer at Cape Central High School -- he began to focus his efforts on his routine.

Since then, Huff has re-entered the world of semi-professional magicians, and has since come a long way from back-yard barbecue card tricks.

"There are all different types of entertainment; each type offers something different to its audience," he said. "But magic is the only form of entertainment that has that element of mystery -- something that makes people step back and think for a while.

"The trick to good magic is not trying to fool the audience, but to add mystery to something that appears to be so simple," Huff added. "One of my pet peeves is when a magician gets a big head. Magic should be something special -- for the magician and for the audience."

Huff sometimes uses his magic to promote the products or services of companies who hire him to work at convention centers or trade shows.

"The magic can draw people in and entertain them, but then it's up to me to make sure the people know who's paying for it," said Huff.

For help in that area, Huff turns to his loyal assistant, his wife Rose, a graphic artist. She will design playing cards with company logos that her husband will make "rise" from a deck. She will add other touches to his props to advertise the company paying the bill.

But don't expect Huff to explain the mechanics of a trick.

"I don't give away my secrets," said Huff. "Magic is not as secretive as people might think, but I think figuring out how a trick is done should always require some effort.

"The information is out there, if people are curious enough," he added. "With the exception of religion, there are more books published on magic and magic tricks than any other topic."

Huff does not confine himself to table tricks. In fact, he prefers a large audience who is a few feet away from the stage.

"Illusions are easier to do if you're not under close scrutiny," said Huff. "I can saw people in half, have people float in air and I even have a pet rabbit named Alexander who really doesn't mind being part of the act. He's never complained to me about it, anyway."

But in the magic community, Huff said the only way to get more advanced magicians to share their tricks is to earn their respect through good performances.

Huff said that magic is one of the most popular hobbies today. At trade conventions he attends, Huff said he will meet people from all walks of life -- from doctors and lawyers to factory workers -- who fancy themselves as magicians.

This summer, Huff is teaching a couple of magic classes for children at the Cape Girardeau Area Vocational-Technical School.

He also performs at festivals, picnics and company parties nearly every weekend. On Friday, Huff will appear at Scott City's Mid-Summer Festival. In his free time -- when he's not refining his technique -- Huff will work at the Old Towne Magic Shop in St. Charles

"It keeps me busy," he said.

"Magic is something that makes people feel good," Huff added. "It's something that is suitable for children and adults. Maybe that's why I enjoy it so much."