I Stole Mark Wilson's Steak Bone

Well, at least I thought about it.

Back in 1974 I was at a Tannen’s Jubilee in the Catskills, and Mark Wilson was a performer and I think he was receiving the coveted Louie award.

That night I saw him eating a few tables away and I watched him eat his steak.

Wow, there was my idol. For years I had watched Mark and Nani and family on Magic Circus specials. I wanted to do all of his effects and be just like him.

And there was his steak bone.

I waited patiently until most of the dining room had emptied and then I sauntered over to Mark’s table.

I wanted to introduce myself but what was I to say? I was about 14 and pimply faced and could think of nothing unique to say, so I just kind of stood there and smiled.

He smiled back awkwardly and left the table with his wife. I watched him exit the dining room, and then I turned and looked at the table, hopeless looking for some souvenir I could have to remember him.

Nothing.

Then I saw the steak bone with some meat still on it.

I looked over my shoulder. The waiters were hurriedly cleaning tables and moving this way. I panicked. I thought about taking the bone and wrapping it in a napkin, but I knew it would only begin to stink.

How does one preserve a steak-bone in the middle of a magic convention?

I reached for it. Suddenly a waiter appeared and asked me if I was done with my dinner. Yes, I said. He picked up the plate with Mark Wilson’s steak bone and threw it into a basket with other plates and leftover steak bones.

I thought about following him to the kitchen to retrieve the steak bone, but how was I to tell Mark Wilson’s steak bone from another.

No, it was too late.

And life was never the same.