And for his next magic trick ...

Last month, B.J. Newton showed up to the first meeting for his new magic club with his Kennedy half-dollar coins and magic wand eager to pass on his passion.

Ten minutes passed – no one came ... then 30 minutes ... then an hour ... and after two hours no one. So, with his massive hands that once wooed an emir of Kuwait, the magician packed it all up and vanished to his Clovis home. 

"I figured at least two or three people would show up, you know?" said Newton, 72, who has done magic since the sixth grade and won a slew of military talent shows. 

Still, he's undeterred in his pursuit. He's hoping that it won't be just him in the Firehouse-Workspace for the club's second magic club meeting from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday.

Not long ago, Newton said he bought 250 business cards to promote himself for birthday parties, weddings and family gatherings. 

He passed out all 250. No one's called back, he said. 

On several occasions, Newton said he spotted a children's bounce house, pulled over, pulled out the coins he always keeps in his pocket and made them disappear, then reappear. Kids were slack jawed. Parents told him they'll contact him. 

No one has. 

As for the magic club, Newton thinks the lack of interest could be tied to "this new generation." Meaning it's those who would rather watch than do. Some research from the Arizona Republic indicates that magic isn't as popular as it was when Newton was a kid. 

Heading into this second meeting Newton said he's hopeful people will attend because of the exposure of the story and a new ad that he's spruced up. His perspective was lifted when the lady who rented out the room reminded him growth isn't instantaneous. 

"Don't give up," she told him. 

And he won't, not after "six months" at least. And yes, it's just a magic club. There are bigger problems in the world at the moment.

But Newton's inability to do magic – not for money, just the act – is unfortunate. Other than his Afghan Hounds, it's one of the main passions of his life. 

He's never remarried after getting divorced over 30 years ago. He currently works the graveyard shift at Southwest Cheese. He said he keeps to himself mostly. He has the money to retire, but if he did that, he'd be lonely. 

"There is nothing on TV until 5 or 6 in the evening. Nothing on TV. Nothing to do," he said. 

It's not just that he's good at magic. It's his love for it. 

"He's really, really, really, really into it," said Slywia Zapolska, a close friend.

It's been that way since he was a gawky sixth grader in Texas. So gawky, in fact, that his mom banned him from playing sports out of fear he'd get hurt. From there, Newton pivoted to magic. He scoured through textbooks in the library. He used his lunch money to buy magic gear from the catalogs in the back of comic books. He practiced in the mirror. 

"When you fool yourself, that's how you know you got the trick mastered," Newton said. 

He loved how it could help him swing dates with girls he fancied. But, what really kept him going, was the satisfaction of landing the trick. Something about people's facial reaction: In the gap between illusion and reality was their joy, confusion and wonder.

"Self confidence" as he calls it. 

In his adult life, Newton's kept up with magic throughout the several Air Force and Army bases he was stationed at. He's a longtime member of The Society of American Magicians and taught magic at a community college while stationed in Kansas. 

While stationed as a reserve in Kuwait, Newton said he had the opportunity to perform for a royal family there. He went through all his tricks. Mesmerizing them with his ability to cut a rope into two – then make it back into one. 

They were so impressed, they told an emir about it. After mesmerizing the emir later, Newton said he was gifted a gold Rolex by him. He got it appraised upon his return. It's worth $18,000. 

Recently, Newton performed a coin trick for a couple of librarians at Clovis-Carver Public Library. His sprawling, bear-like paws moved without effort. There the coin went, there it came back. A golden glint appeared in his eye when seeing both librarians were in shock. 

"How?" one said, amazed. 

"Can you keep a secret?" Newton asked.

"Yes," she said. 

"Me, too," he smirked. 

All he needs now is a crowd and some people who'd like to learn the trick and keep that secret.