In the original presentation it uses queens to stand for quarters. Gradually each queen disappears until a stroke of luck comes for the performer and he wins his money back (i.e. all of the queens reappear back on top of the deck).

That presentation seems like it would work perfectly if you were performing it near casino's, or if you really believed in it. To me it's just lame. Here's what I am thinking.

The queens are four sisters or house mates that just moved into town. They go out together to find things to do in the city. As they are walking down the street they hear a noise (riffle the deck). When they turn around they realise that one of them is missing. They start looking for her when they hear another noise (riffle the deck). Again, they turn around to find another one missing. The two left are really panicking now. The two of them start looking around and one of them reaches out to hold hands are finds nothing. Her other sister is missing. After I show that there is only one I riffle the deck again.

This is where I am at a loss. I don't know how to end it. It would be nice to have multiple endings depending who I am performing it for.

Here's a morbid ending. After I show that there is only one I riffle the deck again after I square it up. Scared at what might have happen to her sister's, but determined to find them, the last sister see's some stairs and goes down them (I riffle the deck and she vanishes. I spread the deck so that the backs are facing me. There are five cards facing me. I take them out). Luckily, all four girls are okay. But there attacker (riffle the deck) is found with a knife in his head (king of hearts).

The other ending I have is; After I show that there is only one I riffle the deck again after I square it up. Scared at what might have happen to her sister's, but determined to find them, the last sister see's some stairs and begins walking down them. She hears another noise (I riffle the deck -this time the last queen stays on top) and out runs the others girls screaming, startling the girl left (I spread the deck showing all four queens on top again). It was all just a prank.

What do you think? The second story is much easier to perform, but not by much. Also, neither are finished at all. I just began writing them today.

I'm kind of stuck. I'd like a version to perform for kids.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.