Parker Doodlebug's Patented Bladder Cannon

Finally! I can't tell you how long I've been mulling this idea over. The magic routine that goes along with this gadget has been in the works since last summer and here I am only days away from doing the routine on stage for the first time, and I've finally finished the prop.

This of course is a Bladder Cannon, not to be confused with Parker Doodlebug's Patented Aether Flatulator which (in spite of a few technical difficulties) has been up and running for a couple of weeks now.

What does it do? Depends on how technical you want to get. As far as the routine is concerned, it gathers particulated aether in a latex bladder until it reaches critical mass and is released towards its intended target, disintegrating an item even hidden between two protective layers. In layman's terms, it inflates a balloon until it pops, and in the process blows a hole through the middle of a selected playing card.

Yup.

My main concern at the moment is the Flatulator - whoopee cushions are apparently not designed to withstand compressed air flow for any significant length of time. Too much fart power in a tank of compressed 'aether', it would appear. Repairs are in progress.

All of this comes to a head on Wednesday at Calaway Park when Parker Doodlebug takes the stage for the first time this season. It's a brand new show and frankly I'm a little concerned about the bugs that will inevitably appear during the first few shows.

But hey...I have a bladder cannon to help me handle criticisms.