CON TRAILS
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rolled off the ship in South Africa where they continued their street crime research and writing.
In downtown Durban, Arno filmed pickpockets at work, then interviewed the thieves and their cohorts on camera for some of his most fascinating footage.
Flying from South Africa to Kenya, the Arnos changed planes in Lusaka, Zambia, where they were surprised to be told that flight schedules had changed and they must overnight in Lusaka. Visa fees were extracted—in U.S. dollars, a "five-star" hotel was booked, and Kenya Air personnel accepted bribes for "excess" luggage. Detaining in-transit passengers can be financially rewarding for a poor nation…
Durban Pickpocket Mdubuzi, 23
Crystal Cruises also had the Arnos on a segment of Symphony's world cruise, Mombasa to Cape Town. Visiting Zanzibar and Durban, the trip was more research, more decadance.
ABC 20/20 met the Arnos in Italy immediately following, where two segments on crime against travelers was shot. [ See Page 1.]
Ericsson had Arno host the June launch of its new research facility in Berkeley, California. Days later Arno was entertaining at the Australian Stockbroker Awards Show in Sydney.
Sixty corporate shows in 80 days in Asia made a strong finish for the Arnos' year.
Sour…and Swede
The ultimate anti-pickpocketing tool.
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What's so Funny about Crime?
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in a personal way during the show. It's the resulting tension on stage and sparring with the executives that the audience recognizes as unrehearsed, comedy-without-a-net theater.
TSJ: What is the proper label for your show? Are you a comedian, a magician, or something else?
BA: In my career, which has spanned several decades and all the continents, I have used several epithets. I started out with "comedy in action," then I used "con-man comedy" and nowadays I use "the most dangerous hands in show-business." It's a little long but intriguing, and implies that the audience will experience something unique. Ultimately, my show is comedy—people are going to laugh, uproariously—but the vehicle for the laughs is pickpocketing.
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use certain fundamentals of mentalist magic. There are no props in my show; I work with what the audience has.
TSJ: You work as much outside the United States as within. Isn't that difficult with comedy?
BA: I've found there's a universal fascination with pickpocketing, at least the way I present it. And my humor, because it's people-based, works everywhere. I do have to tweak my language a bit, but that's all part of customizing, which I do for every performance anyway. Successful young executives in banking, telecoms, and dot-coms around the world seem to see my show as some sort of a sublime mind game. I think it has something to do with the pleasure they get seeing their confident colleagues on stage in a challenging situation, not totally in control. They recognize that we're all gullible
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The tie goes at a show for Sony
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TSJ: Ah, the obvious evolution of a pickpocket. But comedy has been a constant?
BA: For sure! There have been three stages in the development of my present show. I started as a comedy magician, doing 50% comedy-magic and 50% pickpocketing. Then I had a decade of stand-up comedy and pickpocketing without magic. Lately, I have dropped the stand-up material and now my show is comedy pickpocketing with bits of what could be called mind-challenge. It has overtones of mentalism without being serious, and the audience never realizes that I
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in certain situations. Simple mental distraction makes us laugh at our own naiveté. It's a study in human character and cultural differences.
TSJ: How do you maintain your international profile?
BA: I've orchestrated our marketing carefully. We're frequently asked to appear on tv, in America as well as abroad. We have an interesting and useful website, www.BobArno.com, which is as popular with those seeking entertainment as with people wanting facts on travel safety.
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Letters to the Editor
Estee Lauder
Riveting performance! Arno captivated our 400-strong audience with his slick, non-stop delivery. Everyone was baffled… astounded and in stitches… excellent entertainment. This highly sophisticated performance is hilarious, fast-paced, and breathtaking from start to finish.
Grace Ban
General Manager
Estee Lauder Cosmetics
Epson
We enjoyed ourselves tre-mendously and had a great time at the show. We are impressed with your excellent performance!
Dorrin Ker
Epson
SingTel
Outstanding performance! Thank you for a superb performance at Shangri-La. We received numerous accolades from our customers and partners complimenting your show. It has been one of the most talked-about topics at social events in our industry for weeks.
Yuen Kuan Moon
Director, Consumer Business
Singapore Telecom
Delta Air Lines
An awe-inspiring performance. Your side-splitting humor left everyone in high spirits.Your mastery of humor, wit, human expressions, body language, and deception are tremendous.
Pat Wildenburg
VP-Purchasing
Delta Airlines
THE TALL SWEDE JOURNAL
is published irregularly by 4N,d and edited by Bambi Vincent. Please address comments and inquiries to Bambi Vincent at: P.O.Box 80177, Las Vegas, NV 89180. Or:
Bob@BobArno.com
Fax: (504)910-0585
www.BobArno.com
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