Bio

Billy lived a privileged life on Cape Cod as the son of a successful banker. In addition, he was also extremely intelligent and quite nimble, and so excelled at virtually any venture he undertook; be it athletics or academics.

After graduating high school, his ability, pedigree, and popularity left him so inundated with choice that he was unable to decide where to apply himself and his talents. Being that he was always interested in people, and had trouble making decisions of his own, he chose to study why other people acted the way they did. Something that always intrigued him. And so he studied behavioral psychology at Brown.

Late in his education he attended a performance by none other than Harry Houdini. His primary interest was to observe the crowd and how they were manipulated by their beliefs, preconceptions, and the master magician. He always scoffed at superstition and belief in the supernatural. Blind sheep led by an even blinder shepherd. Sunday school had always been exceptionally painful, and he learned to bite his tongue early on, for not even sound logic could penetrate a zealots’ armor of ignorance.

After watching Houdini cunningly manipulate the crowd through suspense, misdirection and their own unwillingness to believe in anything other than the extraordinary, Billy decided that this would be a much more amusing and satisfying application of his studies and natural talent. Not to mention the added benefit of an seemingly endless supply of enamored women.

But there was something else. Something that crept slowly from his subconscious, begging to be noticed but afraid to be seen. He couldn’t (and wouldn’t) admit it, but he was beginning to believe that magic – true magic – really was possible. And blowing on these embers was an increasing awareness of things unexplained. Though his analytical nature would never allow him to blindly accept a phenomena as truly mystical without thorough study, his cynicism masked the hope that he would be proven wrong.

He has spent the last few years building up his reputation and has booked shows all across New England, and has recently began branching out into the larger cities and more distant locations.

Billy studied Behavioral Psychology and practices close-up magic (card tricks, sleight-of-hand) as well as some ‘psychic powers’. He doesn’t believe in the supernatural, but secretly wants to.

Billy treats those he feels who are less privileged than himself with detached pity, and though he is generally friendly, well-mannered and very likable, he keeps his distance and rarely makes close, personal connections. It is obvious that it is his job to work the crowd, regardless of the size of that crowd.

He is very analytical and when he isn’t performing or trying to impress someone, he is outspokenly skeptical. Otherwise, he seems to fully believe in his own ‘magical’ abilities. He will sometimes show how a trick is done, only to perform the same trick in a different way to foster his audience’s belief in his ability.

Smoker and social drinker (mostly brandy and whiskey. Sometimes wine)

He always has a deck of cards on hand.