Idea #33: You perform, I take something

Effect

Every time an artist wants to use the fruits of their work, the universe will take something from them without them knowing.

Question

What are you ready to give up in order to be able to pursue what you love most? What you give up must be of somehow equal balance to what you gain.

Ideas

Let us take as an example the case of a magician.

Maybe the same type of sleights and effects take from the magician the same type of things (physical or metaphorical).

In this world, there can be great masters of their craft, but no one knows this because they are afraid of performing for something unknown to them will be taken away from them.

The fact that the universe takes something from the performers allows you to spin this stor into something philosophical and dramatic or funny and irresponsible.

This applies not only to magicians, but to any performers of their craft (dancers, painters, etc.). If you want to take it a step further you can apply it to everyone as well (plumbers, doctors, chefs, etc.).

You must also find a way to balance all this taking. Let's say when you decide to do something you also know that there is something you would never do in your life. Once you would like for the universe to start giving you things back (from what you have lost) you being doing that thing which you hate.

Routine

On stage there is a table with plenty of props. The magician begins performing his act, including all of the props that can be seen. Every 2 minutes the spectators can choose which prop to eliminate from the show.

The spectators can keep on eliminating objects until you are left with nothing and can begin performing a mentalism routine.

Obviously, you can also have plenty of objects that are hidden in your coat or table.