With a sharp knife, make an incision across the back of the muskrat from one hind leg to the other. Take the tail of the rat in your right hand, and the cut fur in your left. Pull back on the fur and down on the tail (the way a glove or stocking is taken off), then lay the rat on the floor.

Pull the fur loose from the right leg. Cut the fur loose from the tail. Pull it loose from the left leg and, with your right hand, pull the loose fur from the stomach of the rat.

With your right thumb, pull the forepaws out. Turn the rat on its stomach and put your right foot on the tail. Grasp the pelt in your left hand. Cut the ears and eyes loose from the carcass. Cut the pelt loose from the tip of the nose.

Breathe through your nose rather than through your mouth.

Work with the technical crew to get the proper lighting for your act. The wrong lighting can prevent you from being able to see your baton in the air.

Hairspray can be used as setting lotion, and setting lotion can be used as hairspray if you find yourself in an emergency situation.

Wearing a crown is not nearly as important as how you make it shine.