Finding Spades

Every hero has an origin story, Spades is no different.  Spades, born Mitch, has been doing magic since he was seven years old, his specialty is card tricks.  When he first began magic, it was a hobby doing simple things for his own and others entertainment.  Mitch loved magic, but his life wasn’t centered on it. That changed when he was living in Cedar City and found his best friend had taken his own life. After that contretemps Mitch found himself in sea of stress, pressure, and despair. Because of his close relationship with his friend he was asked to be the closing speaker at his friend's funeral, the family of his friend began confiding in him, and he was experiencing anxiety attacks with seizure like symptoms. This situation was extremely trying on Mitch and he found himself in a very dark place.  He found safety and peace in his magic. “I needed it to be an obsession, it was what kept me alive.” Mitch divulged.

As he delved deeper into his magic, he began performing on the streets of Vegas, looking for a new identity in his magic. Originally Mitch thought of going by Ace but he said, “When I think of Ace, I think of a greaser on a motorcycle or a fighter pilot and that’s not how I wanted to present myself.” His next idea was Jack of Spades but that was too long. But when the name “Spades” rolled off his tongue he knew it was right. Mitch found more than just a name, he found an identity. He found a solace where he could escape his woes. Somewhere he could hide and find the strength to grow. “As soon as you start making your own life better, you start making the lives of other people better too,” Spades expressed. He now has a steady full time job and health insurance.

I used to think of magic as a way to get attention and impress the people around you. Merriam-Webster defines magic as “the art of producing illusions by sleight of hand entertained with acts of jugglery and magic.” While both can be true, Spades showed me a deeper meaning can be found in magic. The way Spades does magic is an act of kindness. “We carry our dead with us,” said Spades, “ Whether it be a grandma, a friend, or it could even be a break up. If I can help someone forget about their dead for just five minutes and bring them joy and happiness and distraction, that’s all I want because they will come back to that moment, and they may not remember my trick, but they will remember how they felt.”  

One of Spades’s most touching stories took place at a child’s party. A redheaded girl of about five came up to him and said, “I do not believe in magic.” She was very stern and wanted to make sure he knew that she was no fool. “Can I convince you magic is real?” asked Spades. “Nope,” said the young girl. He then suggested he show her a trick and then she could decide.

Spades let her pick a card, any card and had her draw on it. The card was then shuffled into the deck and a lighter was pulled out.  He took the lighter and swayed it on the bottom card for a few seconds, he showed the little girl. She was full of pride and responded with “That is not my card.”  To which he responded, “and it’s not burnt.” She replied with a firm, “duh.” He went ahead and repeated the trick; knowing she thought he had failed. Then he pulled a card out from the center of the deck. She was astonished to find the card she had drawn on; blackened as if it had been over a fire for a long time,yet none of the cards he showed her from the bottom of the deck had been damaged in the slightest... “I loved seeing her face transform from pride to wonder,” said Spades. She ran up to her mom with the card and told her mother magic is real.

Spades doesn’t think of himself as a hero, he simply does what he loves.  He loves seeing grown men turn into five year old boys and make five year olds believe in magic.  When I walked into the interview I thought it was going to be a quick thirty minutes, but Spades kept me talking and entertained for three hours.  When you hire Spades you aren’t just hiring a magician you are hiring someone who can carry your troubles and blow your mind. This man has used his trials as motivation to bring joy to others as he works his way through his own battles. This man has not had an easy life, but he is working his way through it and simultaneously helping others.

Instagram: @supernaturalspades
Email: supernaturalspades@gmail.com