strategies from a specialist **SUBMISSION**
posting this in case you didn’t already see it
Recently discovering this visible offshoot of the ‘lifting’ community, I wanted to offer some advice. First of all I strongly advocate anyone ‘fighting’ capitalistic society and especially in the long history of ‘magicians’ making things disappear. These types of communities have been documented since the 1500’s and its interesting to see how the internet can aid them in todays context. I am 49 years old and have had a tumultuous profession on both sides of these magic tricks. What started as a flirtatious teasing of the law with my best friend from highschool became and long and electric period of stings in the 80’s. Starting with bra’s and lipstick to Gucci bags and Lamborghini’s and everything in between. Eventually we were caught. I have only been released from prison in the last five years. And I tell you, I still have it in me. But Im not here to give you my biography, I want to offer some tips that i’ve learned from recently being back in the magic show. One thing that hasn’t changed is, its always best to have someone on the inside. From Best Buy to Barney’s, the sales clerk can be your ticket. These people are the source of all the information you need. Get to know them, one is all it takes. I used to date a private investigator in NYC, he taught me a lot. But with the internet, we can all be our own P.I.’s. Finding the witty gay guy that works at H&M on facebook or instagram is one thing but finding the loss prevention representative or LP manager is another. Once you get to know a store, I mean really get to know her, she can be all yours. Depending on the heist and the profits will usually determines my dedication. Employee scheduling, inventory estimates, security measures, job listings for LP’s to see when the store is vulnerable, how is the stock exchange treating that company this month, this year, even knowing the manager lunch breaks can give you the perfect opportunity in making that elephant disappear. It looks like a lot of you get hot by just fingering lip gloss, which I adore, so I don’t want to impede if walking the highline is not for you. But even so I hope I can help in any form of lawful ;) larceny…
A lot of things have changed since the 80’s of course. I can no longer walk into Tiffany’s or Chanel and do what I used to but some things never change, Confidence and Direction. Confidence from a perfectly fitting attire and Direction from a well educated plan. There is a small society of professional thieves in my city, but lets not call them that. Magicians are all around us and the most important thing is that you don’t see them. Stealth is a charm that can be acquired but the naturals know who they are. High level stealth is a custom modified Givenchy tote and silent stilettos to accommodate a new $25 dollar lipstick through the slip in the back of the bag. A look that is impossible to accuse of such small crimes. Or how to blend with the masses but look dignified and unique. An air of conviction that tells people your white magicians gloves have never been dirtied with theft. This all does take a lot practice, to commit to something that our society believes to be shameful, unlawful or dirty. So the need to educate yourselves on capitalism, consumerism, corporate dominance and abuse of power, marxism, philosophy, ideologies, politics, etc to empower yourselves is crucial to realizing this exercise of deceiving the law is not against a healthy moral. And in this knowledge you will be able to build your confidence…to master the illusion. Or you can continue to lift panties for that quick cheap high. And in that case, any brand of tote bag is helpful to tailor to your needs. Try cutting a slit in the back of a Trader Joe’s bag and sewing a flap on the inside so nothing will come back out. This is a more discreet way of getting small products into your bag without the obvious motion of reaching over the top. This can also work in an purse with the right needle work to make it discreet. This is how me and my girlfriend began, taking two lipsticks at once sliding one into the slit of the purse and then putting the other one back in place. We came to understand the obviousness of some movements, motioning quickly into a bag or pocket, the bag clenched tight to the body, stiff shoulders… you must avoid this at all costs as these rigid human behavoirs among so many others trigger alarms in sales clerks, security guards etc. Becoming natural, care free and confident can make a blatant action of thievery look as if it was your mascara in the first place. I have stolen thousand dollar pieces while the sales representative was staring me right in my eyes, smiling. Always smile back.
And one characteristic of a good magician, is they never tell their secrets and they never flash their loots. But I find this community very endearing and I want to help. Another good characteristic is they always give back, in someway or another.
if you’d like to know more tips, more realistic ones to target your needs or full blown operations I am ready to help. If not, its nice to know what the kids are up to ; )
