Adam Green

Mimi O’Donnell reflects on Phillip Seymour Hoffman, his very public death via overdose, and overcoming loss as a family of four.

On Apollo Robbins, a pickpocket legend, who wows even the world’s greatest magicians:

“‘The coin’s not in my hand—it couldn’t be. You know why? It’s on your left shoulder.’

“Josh grew increasingly befuddled, as Robbins continued to make the coin vanish and reappear—on his shoulder, in his pocket, under his watchband. In the middle of this, Robbins started stealing Josh’s stuff. Josh’s watch seemed to melt off his wrist, and Robbins held it up behind his back for everyone to see. Then he took Josh’s wallet, his sunglasses, and his phone. Robbins dances around his victims, gently guiding them into place, floating in and out of their personal space. By the time they comprehend what has happened, Robbins is waiting with a look that says, ‘I understand what you must be feeling.’ Robbins’s simplest improvisations have the dreamlike quality of a casual encounter gone subtly awry. He struck up a conversation with a young man, who told him, ‘We’re going to Penn and Teller after this.’

“‘Oh, then you’ll probably want these,’ Robbins said, handing over a pair of tickets that had recently been in the young man’s wallet.”