Solution:
I started doing this trick more than 15 years ago in bars when I was not even old enough to be in them. I don't even remember how I learned it but it sure does win you a free drink every time. You tell the person that you can make smoke rise from your fingers just by simply rubbing them gently together. You bet a drink and take your pointer finger and rub it against your thumb and actual smoke will rise for several seconds.

This takes a little preparing. You will need a lighter and a standard pack of maches. Go into the bathroom (better if it is a one person john that way you can lock the door). Turn on the cold water awhile to let the faucet neck get cold. Carefully rip the dark striker part of the match pack off making sure you get most of the paper that does not have the striker part on it off. Bend it in half(the narrow way)It will look like a long tent. Carefully place it on the neck of the faucet and let the water stay running. The colder the metal faucet gets the better. Place it so that it is closest to the front with out falling off and make sure there is a little bit sticking over the curved part. Take your lighter and light the end of it and make sure it completely burns. The residue from the striker part condensates onto the faucet leaving a brownish mixture. Blow away the ashes and wipe up the residue with you finger and thumb(DONT RUB YET) Gently smear it around you finger and thumb so it kinda blends with your skin. It helps to do this at home a couple of times so you get quick at it. State your trick and rub your fingers together with a good amount of pressure and actual smoke comes off your fingers. Keep rubbing until it is all gone. There will be a little dark residue left on your fingers. Wash as soon as you can because I do not know if the residue is harmful. You can let some time pass after you get back from the bathroom just keep that hand dry. One way to explain the dark marks on your fingers is to quickly put a little ash on your fingers when when explaining the trick and say that you are going to make the ashes start to smoke.

Bill Cousins