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Luke Jermay Building Blocks PDF
Luke Jermay Building Blocks PDF
by Luke Jermay
suggestion”
Professor Hoffmann - 1911
Luke Jermay - 2003
Building Blocks
By
Luke Jermay
7 Deceptions
Building Blocks
Building Blocks
Building Blocks
Building Blocks
Written by Luke Jermay
Peter Nardi
Alakazam Magic
For more information about Alakazam Magic please visit our web
sites at: www.alakazam.co.uk and www.readminds.co.uk
contents
Foreword By Steve Banacheck page 9
Introduction By Luke Jermay page 13
Yet over time, almost all of these people who “just did not get it”
have corresponded with me in some manner telling me that they
have re-read my work, applied it to their own effects over time and
now thank me profusely. One even re-read the book, looked over
the videotape of his show and made three pages of notes where he
could improve his presentations.
So how does this apply to Luke’s work? Two reasons stick out the
most. I have heard a few people say almost the same things about
Luke’s offerings (“I don’t get it, it does not work all the time.”) but
even better, Luke has broken it down for you, something I wish I
had done. He has even given you the title to explain it; Building
Blocks is not about a child’s toy, it is about how to appear to be a
“real psychic”.
If you go straight to the effects in this book and skip over the
“building blocks” you can count yourself in that elite status of
being a magician or one who does “mental magic” and more than
likely a few of Luke’s effects will not work well for you, or never
work for you at all. Again, there is nothing wrong with mental
magic if you are presenting that, but this work is about so much
more than just magic. Luke gives you powerful TOOLS to work
with, don’t expect these tools to work all the time with everyone
but do expect them to enhance what you already do and do expect
that not only will they enhance what you do, but you will be better
suited to choose the right individuals to get the job done and
make it work more often than not.
Since reading Luke’s work I have taken a step back in time and now
no longer rely upon the effect to impress the audience (a trap I
had fallen into over the years), people again feel the prick of the
needle as it pierces a copy of their hand, they feel the fork bending
in their hand. Every sensation is enhanced and as a result, every
effect is enhanced. Does it always work, no! But 90 percent of the
time is okay by me if it enables me to be more “real” when I am in
the moment; it is well worth the chance taken.
I challenge you to take these ideas and subtleties and apply them
to your own work. If you do, I guaranteed you will not be
disappointed. Thanks Luke for taking me back to my early days.
Having talked about the building blocks, let me briefly talk about
the impressive effects in this book. My favourite effect from a
magical point is “A Remote Castle”, to me it shows that Luke, as
young as he is, not only has an understanding of the subtleties of
our art, but can also create a great visual presentation. As with all
of Luke’s writings so far, there is much more to his thinking than
page 11
what you see on the surface. With fresh presentations like these,
I look forward to the future of our craft.
In thoughts
Banachek
Sept 27, 2003
page 12
introduction
by Luke Jermay
You will notice that some of the effects such as The Ice Man
Cometh and A Remote Castle require a little preparation and
staging or order to achieve the desired effect. To my mind this
preparation is more than rewarded in the long run.
Suggestion and deception can bind together like bricks and mortar,
making a powerful and bold effect possible. Such routines also
have the advantage of being able to play with or without the
suggestion sequence. If for some reason the suggestions are not
taken as well as one would have hoped all is not lost. It allows the
page 14
performer the opportunity of honing his suggestion skills without
the menacing fear of failure.
Luke Jermay.
page 15
section one
page 16
First Thing First
“Ok let us move onto something a little easier - now you are
accustomed to such things.“
The experimenter would then secretly turn down the electric juice
a little bit, and re-shock the patient. Only a 7 this time. This
process was repeated three or four times, a lower level of shock
being given after the placebo injection. Then the patient would be
shocked and injected again but this time, when the shock was
given after injection, it would be left at its original level yet felt
only as a 5 or a 6, i.e. like the lower amp shocks.
I feel this could be used to add some kind of contrast with a one-
man show, turning the dial lower every now and again, and then
blasting full at the end. It makes the final effect even stronger.
page 18
section two
definition is creation...
...definition is creation
page 19
Definition is Creation
“By the very simple action of defining we create”
“I would like you to take that ring in your hand and grip it very
tightly. In a moment, not yet, something odd will happen, some
kind of sensation.” Now these lines are so unspecific that anything
could qualify as the odd sensation. They will attribute meaning to
it in their own way.
They will actually deceive themselves into thinking they felt what
you had intended to do. This is due to the simple expression of
intent you displayed. You intended for them to feel something,
they then felt something.
Obviously they will put this down to you and your magical
prowess. They at this point may not feel a thing. I normally
continue on a script of this kind with another small but powerful
linguistic trick: ‘The Honesty Suggestion’ as well as the ‘Pulse
Suggestion’ fully covered in the ‘Convincers’ section coming a
little later.
We will also look more deeply into combining the use of these
techniques in the ‘Building Block Technique’ section. Anyway, let
us continue our examination focusing our attention only on the
‘Definition = Creation’ rule.
page 21
“Now when the ring becomes warm I want you to drop it, don’t
worry I will catch it, but you have to remember to let go. It is a lot
hotter than you would think. OK?”
You’ll notice at no time have I directly stated what will happen and
yet simply through the definition of what they are to do I have
suggested on many levels what will happen. Clearly this is no
strict model and it can be manipulated to suit whatever you may
be doing. This is the first of the building blocks that when
combined with further techniques such as the ‘Convincers’ will
create a powerhouse of deception. One need to look no further
than Orville Meyers’ classic work “Telepathy in Action” to see just
how powerful this very idea can be and indeed to what extent it
can be used.
page 22
section three
page 23
The Power of Silence
With this thinking you create Power within the Silence in your
performance. It becomes something theatrical and takes on a new
level of importance not only from a methodological viewpoint but
more importantly from the viewpoint of those watching the
performance.
page 24
I see silence as a powerful theatrical tool. I remember seeing Jamy
Ian Swiss perform a routine in which a ring moves inexplicably
along a pencil, in which he remains totally silent almost
throughout the whole presentation.
page 25
I cannot take the credit for this effect - the spectator is the one
who deserves it as they are the person who will ultimately deceive
themselves. I plant the first seeds of suggestion with the scripting
and use the ‘Building Block’ technique (to be covered later), then
allow their mind to fill in the gaps and make the effect even more
wild that I could ever imagine. This is done by simply holding
their palm firmly and looking somewhat deeply into their eyes.
I say nothing. I ask them to describe what is happening. I say
nothing more until the very end of the sequence, in which I thank
them for their help. It is a powerful tool, that when wisely
employed can produce stunning results.
page 26
section four
page 27
The ‘Old Witchdoctor’
Basically it is the rule that if you spent so much time and effort in
making some kind of movement or action, it simply must have an
effect. This is the suggestion it carries anyway. In my book
“7 Deceptions” the effect entitled RGM features this and provides a
good example of exactly how and what this powerful tool creates
and how it does so.
page 28
can remember. They invariably cannot. I then allow my arm to fall
under its own weight and relax myself, taking a few moments to
allow the silence to add to the general effectiveness of what has
just happened.
page 30
My good friend Caleb Strange related the following tale that fits
nicely as an example:
page 32
section five
convincers...
...convincers
page 33
Convincers
page 34
Convincer one
“Please hold your hand out, the one tightly gripping the ring.
Thank you. Now I would like you to just relax, take a few deep
breaths and really allow yourself to concentrate upon the way the
ring feels in your hand…
I‘m going to simply cast a shadow over your hand. You will begin
to experience those feelings, but on a much more intense level…”
I then reinforce the suggestion by employing the ‘Power of Silence’
principle and slowly move my hand over the spectator’s. I stare
intently at the shadow. I then move it slowly along the spectator’s
page 35
arm and then back down to her hand, all the while remaining
silent. I then stare her in the eyes and repeat this action while
stating the following:
“See how that makes your arm feel colder but the ring hotter?
Weird isn’t it. Just watch that shadow and feel what it does to you.
Take another deep breath for me.”
This is clearly not something you can use in every effect - but when
used in the right context it becomes a very useful ‘Convincer’.
page 36
Convincer two
“Don’t lie to make me look good...I mean if you don’t feel anything,
you don’t feel anything. It sometimes takes a while, but just wait
for it. It will happen - it is always different with each person as
each person thinks and feels in differing ways.”
page 37
Convincer three
“Now I don’t know when you will notice the heat which you will
begin to feel, but sooner or later it will happen. Don’t worry if it
takes a while but all of a sudden it will happen. Just let us know
when you feel it.”
page 38
Convincer four
“Would you make sure that you keep a tight grip of your ring.
Great - I really want you to focus on the feelings and shape, the
line and the curves from your ring.”
page 39
do not have in their hand.
“I’m not exactly sure when you will begin to notice those weird
feelings...”
After I state this, I simply look at the spectator’s hand and allow for
some moments of silence. I then regain eye contact and pause for
two beats before continuing:
“Like I said, I’m not 100% sure when you will notice that kind of
pulsating feeling from the ring, almost as if it were moving in and
out, breathing if you like, all by itself. You can feel it right? How
much is it moving?”
Notice the wording here. You basically force them into agreeing
that they feel it, which 99% of the time they will anyway. Now I
repeat the wording below while I make a fist in each hand and
bring them together so the knuckles of each hand are touching. I
then move the fingers of each hand away from the palm and back
into the fist shape. This appears to be like a heart beating.
“You will feel it moving in and out, breathing, almost like a pulse
within the object - correct?”
page 40
Convincer five
This is a very simple notion and I will not insult you by spending
any more than this paragraph on it. Despite my brevity though,
please realize that when used in combination with the other
methods it is very useful. It is the naturally implied suggestion of
common objects and what we know to be true about them without
even having to think about it.
A box is held upside down and nothing falls out. The implicit
suggestion is that the box is empty. But is it?
page 41
section six
page 42
The Building Block Technique
Now let us come to something we have not dealt with yet. The
combination of classic magical methods with those we have
covered. This to my mind is a very potent and wonderful mix, as
together they complement one another and can make for some
utterly compelling magic. Now obviously, throwing a few
‘suggestions’ into your Run Rabbit Run routine would not be such
compelling theatre. However, if you can structure your magic
routines to include these elements of suggestion you will have a
win - win situation. You have the magical effect to fall back on if
the suggestions were not as successful as you had hoped, however
if they were, you have doubled the impact of your routine. All the
time you are risking nothing.
page 43
Take for example the standard Ring Flight. If you were to use the
Hot Ring effect we have discussed as our example before vanishing
the ring, then you will have actually made the ring vanish in a
much memorable way than a simple false transfer
.
In the context of mind-reading routines it is very useful to combine
these techniques and for me this is where they are the most
powerful. Why not attempt to use a suggestion sequence during
your centre tear routine to actually have the spectator believe they
physically felt their thought jump from their mind? This very effect
is covered in the effect The Burst Bubble. It is something that I
have enjoyed great success with and I urge you to try it out - I’m
sure you will enjoy performing it as much as I do.
Your imagination is the only limit facing you. If you are willing to
keep pushing things forward and to try something more daring
than the last every time you perform, you soon will be discovering
the true power of these techniques. It is with this mind set that
some of my favorite material has been created and it is this same
mind set that I urge the reader to develop when creating their own
material.
page 44
section seven
page 45
What Are You Suggesting by Using Suggestion?
an essay by Kenton Knepper
Let me try and put your mind at rest now. I have taught
performers how words were used in everyday speech to create
assumptions and illusions - normal people do this everyday of
their lives. I suggested that performers do the same thing - but
consciously be aware of the word illusions when using words.
Suggestion is similar. We use suggestion on others and ourselves
daily. Why not take advantage of this secret influence in our
performances - just by being consciously aware of that which we
already do.
Definition = Creation
One more concept which Luke uses that you might like to
consider: When many things are said or suggested, and one of
page 49
them is acknowledged to be true by a spectator, all the rest will
also be believed to be true, generally. This is not one hundred
percent, as truly outrageous and obviously impossible claims may
be dismissed. But overall, suggestion indicates that if a spectator
answers in the affirmative, it is all true. This is a portion of my so -
called “multiple reality” or “dual reality” principle, as it has been
dubbed since Wonder Words, and Luke uses this very well.
Kenton Knepper
2003
page 50
section eight
page 51
Mixing Magic and Mentalism
page 52
Clearly, Hippity Hop Rabbits does not fit my style. However, I do
feel able to mix a darker form of magic with Mentalism and
Suggestion to make a fresh performance. Some people will throw
in the term ‘Bizarre Magick’ when such concepts are spoken of. I
do not class myself as a Bizarre magician. I do feel at times I draw
from the world of Bizarre Magick in order to create what in my
mind is the strongest possible effect but again I do not commit
myself to the strict term Bizarrist. I feel that my performances
actually fall somewhere in-between the two worlds of Mentalism
and Bizarre Magick.
I feel that the group you are working for dictates just what you can
and cannot do before crossing the line. Upon occasion, if the
mood is right, I perform an effect in which a scar appears and then
heals itself on my palm. This is an effect that if presented at the
wrong time could easily ruin the credibility of the rest of my set.
page 53
I use this as an example of why it is important to stay flexible and
be able, if the mood is right, to push things forward but always
keep the performance strong. Rick Maue offers a lovely
assessment of good theatrical performance being like the wind. It
is inexplicable and invisible, moving as it chooses and affecting all
in its path. This I feel is a very good mind set to be in and the one
I try to put myself in when constructing new material or
performing. Look at the most successful ‘psychic’ on the planet,
Uri Geller. He uses this gambit and probably will for the rest of his
life. A true testament to exactly what is able to be presented with
credibility if the performance is strong. Love him or hate him, no
one can deny him of a strong performance. If we look closely at
Geller’s performances we can see they each run along a central
theme also. He almost always tends to shift the “applause and
admiration” toward the spectator - something I am sure helped a
long way in endearing him early in his career to the public at large.
page 54
section nine
methodology...
...methodology
page 55
Methodology
“A brief look at modern Bizarre Magick”
Personally I have very little room for skulls, daggers and robes
within my professional repertoire. Do not misunderstand me, I
am in no doubt that such a presentational slant can be performed
with style and theatrical grace, one need look no further than Rick
Maue or the god who is Christian Chelman to see so. I am simply
setting forth my own chosen path and my thinking in an area
which almost by its very nature is indefinable.
page 56
I personally feel that people associate skulls and such with
children at Halloween and not with a person with otherworldly
knowledge or powers.
page 57
To my mind simply removing an old skull and an old book from
within a weathered case does not have the same effect on the
spectators within their own home that a creatively and artistically
constructed “Haunted Chamber” has on its visitors.
page 58
section ten
effects...
...effects
page 59
effects
1. ‘Divided by hate’ page 62
2. ‘Stigmata to go please’ page 68
3. ‘The kats kradle’ page 74
4. ‘The ernie ball book test’ page 81
5. ‘The ice man cometh’ page 86
6. ‘Stuck in a moment’ page 92
7. ‘A remote castle’ page 100
8. ‘Blind sentence’ page 110
9. ‘Personality projected’ page 116
10. ‘A safe anchor’ page 122
11. ‘Out of (t)his world page 128
12. ‘A presentation’ page 136
13. ‘A strange garden’ page 140
14. ‘Judgemant day’ page 149
15. ‘Zeroing in’ page 158
page 60
From Luke
page 61
divided by hate...
...divided by hate
page 62
Divided By Hate
Effect:
A rose is displayed and laid down on the table top. The performer
begins to recount a tale of the delicacy of life, and how hate can
divide and conquer all those around it.
The rose then begins to visibly die. The rose continues to die until
nothing is left other than a shriveled and wilted dead flower. A
lasting testament to the power of hatred and its ability to warp
beauty.
Method:
This is an effect I have used in formal settings for a while now. The
effect is larger than the sum of its parts. I have several versions
and here I will outline the version I use more often than any other.
You will need to go get yourself a rose. Pick a few petals from the
rose and place these in a refrigerator until they are needed in
performance, thus ensuring they remain ‘alive’.
Simply leave the remaining rose petals and stem lying around. It
will in a very short time die.
There are hardly any moves in the actual routine. You will,
page 63
however, appear to pick two or three of the petals from the rose
and hand them to a lady or casually drop them to the floor. There
are several presentations open to you - plucking the petals is very
reminiscent of “she loves me, she loves me not” and indeed forms
the basis for one of the presentations detailed, but let’s not run
away with ourselves just yet.
This dead rose is then somewhat hastily placed onto the table, and
you cast a shadow over the rose itself. This is an interesting point.
The shadow actually helps to obscure the true state of events. To
the audience a still living rose has been placed down onto the
table after having a few petals torn from it.
page 64
Script;
The words in bold are said with either a stronger or lighter tone to
them, depending on what works better for your own performance.
“She hates me, she hates me not, doesn’t really have the same ring
to it does it?”
(Plucking the final two ‘live’ petals from the otherwise dead rose)
“The only problem is Love and Hate are emotions that run closely
alongside one another - both powerful emotions with the
possibility to warp and change people, lives, cultures and even
beliefs. One alive and full of beauty, while the other sleeps lifeless
and destroys all in its path. Hate can exist anywhere human life
exists. It is how we deal with this powerful and destructive
emotion that really tests us…”
(Place the rose onto the table. The bud of the rose has been held
cradled in your palm during the above lines, helping to obscure
the true ‘dead’ nature of the rose)
“She loves me, she loves me not, so often the case. But if Love
has the power to heal, then Hate must be said to have the power
to hurt.”
(Clench your fist above the tabled rose and then open your hand
once again. It should appear as though you are exerting some kind
page 65
of physical effort suggesting something is about to happen)
“For hatred can make something so beautiful rot away until there
is nothing of beauty left. Can you see that?”
“You can see just how powerful Hate can be, destructive in itself
and ultimately deadly. It can turn what was once beautiful into an
ugly lifeless version of what existed when it was shadowed by
Love. If you actually look closely you can see a once beautiful
rose, becoming the ugly victim of hate.”
(Blow on the dead petals. They will now be seen to be dry and
brittle. Remove your hand from shadowing the rose)
Added Touches;
This is a subtle change in scent and more often than not will not
actually be noticed on a conscious level, but does add a little
something to the death of the rose.
“I might crumble the rose once it is dried at the end... While this
does not allow the spectator to take home the dried rose, it's now
a "hateful" rose anyway - so not a big loss, I think. Also, crumbling
the rose makes the effect large enough for platform and stand-up
shows - if not stage. The crumbling of dried rose visually is
shocking, in my opinion at a larger distance.”
page 67
stigmata to go please...
...stigmata to go please
page 68
Stigmata To Go Please
This is a truly strong effect - something I actually had one or two
reservations about performing, never mind releasing! I have
actually stopped using this for several reasons - none of which will
be discussed here. I will however leave it to the reader to decide
whether it will fit with their character.
Effect:
The performer after showing both hands removes a book and reads
a section detailing accounts of “stigmata”, the spontaneous and
profuse bleeding of the palms.
Method:
The book used is actually a dummy book which has been fitted
with a ‘Squeeze Bulb’. This bulb is filled with one of the two
substances. I tend to fill this with the darker red substance. As
well as the book you will also prepare a box of tissues with a
second ‘Squeeze Bulb’.
The Book:
Begin by finding a nice looking old leather bound book. Cut away
a window from the back of the book and hollow out quite a few of
the pages. Make sure you hollow enough to allow space for the
page 69
bulb to be glued into the hollowed section. The bulb can now be
filled with the chemical using a syringe, and when pressure is
applied to it the bulb will squirt the chemical onto the palm.
The Box:
Details:
Having written the above I am sure you are all way ahead of me.
Basically, you will secretly obtain the chemicals and then push
your palms together during your ‘concentration’ to produce the
blood. Let us look at the scripting and exactly how this secret
application is worked in an elegant and deceptive manner. The
book and the box of tissues begin in my performance case ready to
be obtained as soon as they are needed. I ensure they are not
held under anything or to apply any pressure onto them as this
could force the chemicals out.
Script:
page 70
the side, palms, feet and head, and often appear and disappear in
the space of a few hours. They can appear in one area alone or all
areas at once. Often, intense bleeding accompanies them, and the
period before they appear is characterized by depression and
weakness. Some stigmatics report feeling whips across their
backs.”
The performer removes from his case an old looking book and
leafs through one or two of the pages as if scanning them for some
important piece of information. He continues reading aloud from
the book:
“The first recorded case of these wounds was in the year 1222, by a
man named Stephen Langton of England. Later, St. Francis of
Assissi, a famous follower of Jesus, experienced wounds in 1224.
The wounds can be experienced by both men and women.”
This is where the handling becomes tricky. You need apply the
second chemical to your left palm without allowing any of it at all
to contact your right palm. The best way to do this is to grip the
box with the right hand wrapped around the edge of the box. With
the right hand, place this box on top of your left palm. Now in the
act of placing the box onto the table, you squeeze the box above
the cut out, causing the bulb to squirt the chemical onto the left
palm, much as with the book. These actions are carried out during
the following lines:
You now stay quiet for a good 2 or 3 minutes, allowing the ‘Power
of Silence’ technique to do its work within the performance. You
will stand still and silent, then suddenly slap your palms together
while taking a deep breath. Rub them against one another and
then move them away holding them with your palms toward the
table. After a suitable pause, display the blood.
page 72
Often I have used this as a finale piece. I would say nothing,
remove a tissue and wipe my hands, then leave. Having made an
impression that would stay with the spectators for a lifetime…
page 73
the kats kradle...
...the kats kradle
page 74
The Kats Kradle
During the course of a fine evening’s dining the conversation turns
to the more sinister topic of Voodoo and the wishing of ill upon
those who cross your path badly. One of the stranger characters
present becomes the main focus of the conversation and with a
twinkle in his eye he suggests they attempt something unusual
together. The other guests agree, albeit with an edgy feeling of
trepidation.
Next, an empty wine bottle is spun on the table top to ‘select’ the
unfortunate guest who will play the ‘victim’ and be the outlet for
the hatred and anger! The unlucky ‘victim’ diner is invited to stand
along with the helper, who is still firmly placing their mind in the
situation they recall so well.
The ‘victim’ is asked to stand with their eyes firmly closed and to
attempt to relax! The helper is then asked to mark the paper with
a bold X representing the area of the body they wish to harm. This
sheet of paper is then rolled firmly and placed in full view standing
in the neck of the wine bottle, as a new attractive centre-piece -
with a soon to be macabre story to accompany it.
page 75
With the ‘victim’ stood with their eyes firmly closed, the dark and
somewhat menacing character who has been overseeing the whole
affair requests the helper to actually see themselves drawing that
large X over and over again, to actually focus upon nothing except
those emotions they have in their memory and the drawing of the
X. They are also requested that they close their eyes to help focus
their mind upon the feelings and the image they have.
The would-be witch doctor asks both the victim and the helper to
open their eyes. He asks the guest who had the unfortunate stroke
of luck to be the ‘victim’ if anything happened?
The first guest appears slightly taken aback by this revelation. The
performer asks the helper where she marked the X. She replies:
The other guests all agree that he was definitely not the best
person to invite to the wake after all…
page 76
Method:
The bare bones of the actual method are surprisingly simple. You
will obviously have received the position of the X and the events
surrounding the helper’s unpleasant memory via your favourite
impression device - currently I use Larry Becker and Lee Earle's
wonderful “Kopy Kat” pad.
The checklist and lines are not written during the performance only
the body outline is - this is then taken by the impression device.
The spectator fills in the X on the page and due to the way you
word the presentation they understand they are to fill in the
details on the page as well.
The performer touches no one and yet when he asks the spectator
if they have felt anything, they reply;
“Taps.”
Method;
Let us first deal with the positioning of the spectator who will
secretly be touched.
If you are not using the original PK Touches you will not need the
second spectator, as you will appear to only touch a member of
the front row of your audience.
You will now be bending very slightly at the knees, leaning all your
weight on your left foot. The right foot now leaves the floor
slightly as your entire body moves toward the foot of a spectator.
The best way to describe this is to imagine you were picking
something up from the floor, bending at the waist and slightly at
the knees. One foot takes all the weight, and the other leaves the
floor slightly. This is a very natural position and something that
does happen naturally when you bend at the waist and the knees
slightly.
Now come the visual and the hidden touches. You will make a
page 79
large gesture with your right hand, moving your entire right arm,
and forming a pointing first finger with your hand. Move this hand
in a wide arch and in a swooping action come forward and tap the
foot of a spectator sat in the front row.
It is under this cover that the raised right foot contacts the foot of
the spectator with their eyes closed on stage. It is important you
make a big deal out of the visible tapping with the hand, on the
spectator’s foot. The more visual this is, the harder it is for the
audience to think you could have somehow sneakily touched the
other spectator’s foot. Which is indeed true, it would be close to
impossible to do without being seen.
page 80
the ernie ball book test...
...the ernie ball book test
page 81
The Ernie Ball Book Test
The pages of a book are riffled in front of a spectator’s eyes and he
is asked to merely think of one of the page numbers. They are
then asked to open the book at the page number they have in
mind and then tightly close their eyes. They are told to open their
eyes and allow their vision to focus on just one word, and then
close the book.
“You will actually feel the word pop right out of your mind and into
mine, it will be kind of weird but it will happen.”
Method:
You do not remove the ink completely but rather make it less
visible. You will find that with little pressure the ink on the pages
will become lighter in tone. I leave one page number untreated.
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If you compare the page numbers that have been treated with the
one that has not, it appears as though the untreated page is in
“bold” type. Darker and easier to see.
If you riffle the pages of the book you will notice that the “bold”
untreated page moves past, it will stand out and be remembered.
The force of this word is really fairly simple. You will request first
the spectator remembers one page number as they fly past.
“I will just let these pages pass here and I want you to focus your
attention on one page, one that really catches your eye.”
This is said as you riffle the pages of the book at their lower corner.
Thanks to the prep work on the book earlier this will be the force
page. Allow the book to close fully and hand it to the spectator.
“I would like you to turn to the page you saw. Then hold it open
and firmly close your eyes. I would then like you to allow yourself
to feel relaxed.”
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I now in my own presentation stand back to back with the
spectator with a pad and go on to later reveal the word by writing
it on the pad.
“Allow your eyes to pop open and look down at that page. I would
like you to see one word that is very clear to you, one that catches
your attention. Then close the book and drop it onto the floor in
front of you.”
Thanks to our treatment this will be the force word. I have the
spectator drop the book to ensure they do not look at other pages.
All that remains now is to reveal the word in your own choosing.
Now comes the part of the routine that is really fun to perform.
You will actually through the suggestion script make the spectator
feel the thought “pop out of their head”. This will use almost all
the techniques we have already outlined. It will however take
some work to become fluid for you. However as I have already
stated you cannot fail in this kind of routine as you still have the
revelation of the word to fall back upon.
Script:
“Now please hold your hand out. We are going to make that
thought travel from your mind into mine, but we need to make
some kind of physical contact to do this so just point your finger
at me.”
Here I use the ‘Old Witch Doctor’ method already taught, slowly
moving my hand to theirs. As I touch their hand I state the
following:
“Ok now, you feel it yes? How strange is that? It’s hard to explain
isn’t it? It just kind of pops right out of your head right?”
Credits:
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the ice man cometh...
...the ice man cometh
page 86
The Ice Man Cometh
Effect:
The performer brings forth an old jewelry box which has a red
ribbon tied around it. This is placed in the safe keeping of a
spectator who takes it to the back of the room, away from the
performer.
The performer takes the ring back from the spectator and makes a
fist around it, recounting a specific tale about the value of ice. He
asks the first spectator to think about the first time she saw her
ring, then he dramatically opens his hand to reveal the ring has
vanished.
The performer, without going anywhere near the box held by the
spectator at the back of the audience, asks him to open it and tell
everyone what he finds inside. He tells everyone that it is the
vanished ring, but it is sealed in ice!
The spectator breaks apart the ice and confirms it is the very same
ring he saw. It is then given back to its owner, still icy cold.
Method:
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You will actually be making use of a dual reality concept. In
essence you will borrow a ring from a spectator on your right side,
and in the action of walking to show the ring to a spectator on
your left side, you will switch the ring for another ring. The ring, of
which you already have a duplicate of sealed in the box, is then
examined thoroughly and remembered by the spectator. When he
finds the ring in the box, as far as he is concerned it is the very
same ring.
Now let’s look at the staging of the effect because this is where the
effect will either be made or broken. I take no risks when using
this routine. I borrow a ring from a spectator on the far right of the
first row. Then I move to the far left of the row and switch the ring
and give it to the spectator on the far left of the first row.
This allows me not only plenty of time to switch the ring but
plenty of cover to mask the dual reality deception.
"Before the 19th Century, ice was a very valuable commodity. From
about 15th C. onwards, an ice cellar was THE household accessory.
Built deep underground, and storing great blocks of ice from the
winter, only the very rich could afford them. And ice cream was
more valuable ounce for ounce, than gold! Into that history
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stepped alchemists, known as ice men, who instead of transmuting
lead into gold, turned water into ice."
This, despite being not strictly true, does make a decent theatrical
setting for effect. You continue:
During this statement you bring forth the box already loaded with
the duplicate ring, the duplicate of which you have ready and
waiting in finger palm to be switched in. You offer to recreate his
process, and say that you too will need a little gold, and borrow a
ring. This is shown to someone, a glass of wine is also borrowed,
and you return to the front and leave the ring in clear sight.
"As the nights sweltered, and the king melted like butter in his
bed, no ice appeared. So, with soldiers he bursts into the ice man’s
workshop and tells him to make ice or else. The ice man takes a
cup of the king’s wine, and holding its rim against another cup,
mutters something and sloshes the liquid between the two cups".
"Sure enough, the king’s wine starts to become solid and ice is
formed in it - but only a small amount".
"The King is less than impressed - so much gold for a beaker full of
ice, so he has the ice man killed."
Continue on,
"I’ve made some ice, and the deal was for gold, so I think this is
mine."
Here you will vanish the ring and drop it secretly into a servant on
your table, that is filled with ice. More on this later.
"The king was in a great rage about the ice man and the loss of his
gold, so he trashes the workshop. Eventually he comes across the
box, and it is prised open. Inside, he found a great quantity of ice,
and inside the ice, the gold he had paid the alchemist."
This last sentence is said as you reveal that the ring has travelled
into the box. This is actually the duplicate ring embedded in ice.
A spectator breaks open the ice and confirms it is the same ring.
Under the cover of this happening you will recover the ring from
your table servant. The ring is then returned to the original
spectator, switching the true ring back in under the cover of
returning it, and she confirms it is her ring, and that it is icy cold.
Notes:
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stuck in a moment...
...stuck in a moment
page 92
Stuck In A Moment
Effect;
“To pass the time I used to actually will the time on the clock to
move - well that, and draw on the table.”
The performer asks for the help of a spectator. They assist the
performer and sit to his right. The performer asks them to glance
at their watch and see if;
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“At school I was not exactly the crayon in the box, so to speak,
however I did learn a lot about myself and about people. You see,
when people are nervous they seem to act differently.”
The performer asks the spectator to remove his or her watch and
just glance at it once again. They see that the second hand again
seems like it is taking longer to move than it should. The
performer explains that our perception begins to change as he
mentioned earlier when a person is placed under a stressful
situation.
“You see the seconds still pass at exactly the same speed as they
would normally, however you are aware of everything around you
and everybody for that time. Your nervousness makes the second
seem longer, it isn’t you’re simply paying it more attention than
you would normally.”
“You see at school I found myself willing the clock to move to 3.15
so I would be able to get out of that small nasty classroom. But I
found that the more I wished it to move, the more it seemed to
slow. At times I even thought I had managed to stop the clock.
The time seemed to stand still, I seemed stuck to my chair. I
couldn’t move and neither could the second hand of the clock.”
The performer snaps his fingers and the spectator is fine, as is her
watch. She is thanked and returns to her seat.
Method:
Any method for the classic watch stop can be used. Let us first
deal with the routine from a suggestion angle.
The performer asks the spectator to remove his or her watch and
just glance at it once again. They see that the second hand again
seem like it is taking longer than it should to move. Here I simply
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reinforce the original convincer covered earlier by doing exactly the
same thing again. I then state the following:
“You see the seconds still pass at exactly the same speed as they
would normally, but since you are aware of everything around you
and everybody for that time, your nervousness makes the second
seem longer, it isn’t simply you’re paying it more attention than
you would normally. It might even be possible to say you were
stuck inside of a moment. Please be totally silent and raise your
hand for just one second. Time it on your very own watch.”
The spectator’s hand will be raised for what seems like an eternity.
Finally the spectator’s hand is lowered as they confirm the second
has passed. Clearly the spectator has a different perspective of a
second than the rest of the room. Don’t sell this short, it is a
strong moment and will have a deep impact on the spectator. I
continue:
“You see at school I found myself willing the clock to move to 3.15
so I would be able to get out of that small nasty classroom. But I
found that the more I wished it to move, the more it seemed to
slow. At times I even thought I had managed to stop the clock.
The time seemed to stand still, I seemed stuck to my chair. I
couldn’t move and neither could the second hand of the clock. It
was if I were stuck along with the movement of the hand right to
my chair, my hands were rigid and my lips seemed like they were
glued together. The more I tried to move, the more strong I
seemed to bond and fuse with my chair, my hands seemed to melt
into the table and my lips seemed to become super glued
together. No matter how hard I fought it, I was stuck along with
the second hand. It was OK though, I know that the moment that
second passed I would be able to move, so I didn’t try to fight it.”
I ask the spectator to focus her attention on the watch face once
again, this time she is asked to:
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“Will the time to move.”
However the more she does this, just like the performer, the slower
the time seems to pass. In fact eventually the time actually seems
to be standing still.
“As it stands still you will experience exactly what I did, becoming
stuck inside that moment. It’s a weird feeling, don‘t try to fight it,
just enjoy it.”
The spectator will now appear to be stuck rigid to the spot. This
works for several reasons. Thanks to the convincer used in the
effect, when you come to the final phase in which you will actually
stop the watch using your favourite method. None will even
suspect that you have actually stopped the watch. You have also
used much suggestion all be it indirect. If you re-read the
scripting I am sure you will be able to pick out certain rules that
we have already covered in the book. All that will remain is for you
to restart the watch and the spectator will instantly begin to move
again. If they do not, I simply either touch their forehead or snap
my fingers loudly. This will cause them to move once again.
Notes:
Any method you prefer can be used to cause the watch to slow.
Several are available on the market, currently I use an unpublished
method. I am not at liberty to explain either the marketed
versions or the unpublished method, however I am sure the reader
will have his or her own preferred method.
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a remote castle...
...a remote castle
page 100
A Remote Castle
Mentalism involving playing cards is something of a hot topic. It
seems to be an issue that can divide and conquer mentalists the
world over.
Each group offers well defined and well argued stances that each
has their own compelling point of view.
On one side we have those that feel the very presence of a pack of
playing cards is from the outset implanting a suggestion of
trickery. Those who feel that an instant link will be drawn between
playing cards and the world of dodgy card tricks performed by your
least favourite uncle at Christmas. Belittling their “psychic”
flavoured entertainment.
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I offer no answers as to what is best for you. You will need to
answer this question for yourself. I have and am happy with my
decision. I limit the use of playing cards in my performance to no
more than one effect and then that effect has to meet a strong set
of stringent requirements.
Let us not dwell any longer on this troublesome topic and move
on to the actual workings of this effect.
Effect:
“Now often it is reported that when a person slips into this altered
state - in order to achieve the ability of remote viewing - both the
heart and pulse rate are said to slow. Serranne, would you please
take my pulse and move your right arm in accordance with the
pulse.”
“Ok I think I may be ready, would you be so kind to relax your grip
from my wrist - I would now like you to take a place behind the
table.”
The spectator moves behind the table, she then pushes the cards
which fall haphazardly onto the table surface.
“I would like you now to allow your eyes to fix onto the playing
cards in front of you. I want you to see all the playing cards - so
please if you would be so kind as to close your eyes firmly. Wait
for just a moment and then open your eyes allowing your vision to
fix onto the playing cards you see, allowing them to become fixed
in your mind’s eye.”
She closes her eyes as requested and opens them, looking quickly
down and allowing her vision to fix on one of the playing cards.
“Excellent - thank you. Now I have to ask you to fix your mind on
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exactly what you see. Perfect, I am seeing a scattering of playing
cards, there are exactly 4 red cards facing upward and exactly 6
black cards facing upward. There are exactly three picture cards. I
can also see the Joker with the word ‘guarantee’ written across it.
Would you please count the Diamond cards for me. Silently in
your head, count each Diamond you can see.”
“I see your eyes being drawn to those picture cards - just relax and
allow your eyes to fix on one of them - that's right, I can see you
being drawn toward the centre of the three - just stare at that
centre card of those three playing cards. You are looking directly
at the Jack of Diamonds - correct?”
Method:
For this effect you will need to gather a few special cards and you
will need to gather some card castle building skills!
Required:
Due to the nature of the deck these are now the only 10 cards that
are possible to fall face up when the card castle falls onto the
tabletop. These 10 cards along with the Joker will later be
described to give the impression of Remote Viewing.
Preparation:
You will need to build a card castle with the deck. This is
something that is nowhere near as troublesome as you might first
think. If you find it difficult simply bow the cards short edges in
opposite directions allowing each card to act as a support for the
last. Another intelligent move for the working performer is to
actually apply a small layer of magicians wax along the short edges
that rest against one another in the card castle to ensure a further
stability to the castle when in the performance. The 10 card stack
and the Joker will be placed in specific positions in the card castle.
4 cards will be placed in the bottom line of 8 cards on the left side
of the inverted pairs of cards; each pair consists of a double
backed card which is the card on the right of the two and a card
from the force stack which is on the left. 3 more of the cards will
be placed in the second row of inverted pair of cards on the left
side of each pair of cards. 2 more cards will be placed in the next
row again on the left side of the pairs of cards. The last pair of the
11 cards, the remaining card from your 10 card stack and the Joker
will make up the final pair of cards on the very top of the card
castle.
page 105
a remote castle...
figure 1
page 106
Presentation:
The effect can be presented in any way you desire, however I feel it
works especially well for the theme of Remote Viewing, as due to
the nature of the method it can offer such detailed descriptions of
the deck’s situation on the table - something that apparently was
controlled only by destiny. It is a nice theatrical touch to blow the
card castle down. Or allow the spectator to blow the card castle
down.
I like the notion of having the castle blow over. It allows many
possible patter routes about the total randomness of the wind and
items that have been blown away resting quietly in a corner totally
beyond the control of any human.
All that remains now is to reveal the cards and describe the
situation that exists at present. The way this is done is a very
carefully planned psychological guiding sequence; the revelation of
the final card is closely related to a wonderful effect of Justin
Higham’s.
The Guiding:
Final Notes:
I blow the card castle allowing the cards to fall to the table. This
makes for a theatrical and pleasing visual to introduce the routine.
I decided to omit this presentation and leave the effect as neutral
as possible allowing you to create what ever presentation will work
with your own wonderful style.
Alternative Method:
“I would like you only to focus upon one playing card. Tightly
close your eyes and then allow them to pop open. I would like you
to focus your attention on the very first playing card you see, make
a large picture and see it brightly and clearly in your mind’s eye.”
You could now move forward in the revelation as per the normal
force deck handling. Fishing, until you discover the full identity of
the playing card.
Credits:
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blind sentence...
...blind sentence
page 110
Blind Sentence
Effect:
The book is opened at this point. The performer runs his fingertip
along the page from top to bottom. He asks the spectator to once
again call stop at any time.
Despite this, he with his fingertips ‘reads’ out loud the very
sentence the spectator has stopped the performer upon. As a
kicker the performer begins running his finger wildly through the
pages and amazingly begins to relate information about the book’s
plot and its characters.
Method;
Despite there being little new here, I think all comes together in
something of a neat way. I have used it several times in my own
blindfold routine. It is interesting to note that despite essentially
being a blindfold routine, it does not appear to be.
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You shift the focus of this effect away from the notion of the
standard ‘Blindfold’ routine into an area of ‘Seeing with the
Fingertips’, something that to your audience will appear very
different.
This effect is also a very good example of the way I feel any kind of
‘Blindfold’ routine can build elements of believability. In this
sequence you can actually perform the effect with no sight. You do
not need to be able to see through your gimmicked blindfold. This
allows me to actually close my eyes during the performance of this
piece during my ‘Blindfold’ sequence. This means that for the
entire duration of the effect I am actually ‘sightless’. As I have
discussed already, such things do affect the way in which you will
communicate to your audience without even knowing it.
Now run your fingers along the spine and the outer top edge of the
closed book. Repeat this with all your books. I am sure you
noticed that each book is already marked by the nature in which it
has been manufactured. Some books are made with a laminated
cover, some a hardback, some are saddle stitched and some a
perfect bound. It is unimportant in what way the books are made -
all that is important is that you are able to remember how each of
the books feel to the touch. This allows us to have any book
handed to us and, simply by the way each book feels to the touch,
instantly know which of the books has been selected.
This is a very interesting and utterly deceptive method that will not
ever be questioned. It is also very close to embarrassingly easy to
execute.
I now insert my pinky (little finger) into this break and transfer it to
my left hand. I am now in a position to do a standard riffle force.
The actual transfer sequence I use can be found described in great
detail in Richard Busch’s “Peek Performances”.
I now riffle force the page upon the spectator. I have so far
discovered which of the books has been handed to me. I have also
managed to force the page of which I remember a sentence during
the introduction roughly two thirds of the way down the page.
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I then run my finger along the page, left to right. Now all that
remains is for me to reveal the remembered sentence. I then hand
the book to the spectator removing my finger and ask the
spectator to:
Due to the way you have worded your request, the spectator looks
to the area in which you stopped and then for the sentence you
said out loud - they will then repeat exactly what you have said
moments before.
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projected personality...
...projected personality
page 116
Projected Personality
Effect:
The spectator agrees to have her aura read and the performer
removes a pad and begins sketching what he sees. He then
explains what each colour is thought to represent and it seems to
fit like a glove the spectator’s own personality. The performer then
claims that he feels the spectator, with the proper training, could
also easily pick up on people’s auras. He then asks the spectator
to close her eyes firmly. She is to picture a bright white screen
with nothing else entering her mind.
He then asks the spectator to open their eyes, keeping the brilliant
white screen at the forefront of their mind, and to stare intently
into the candle flame.
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The performer then explains that all the spectator has to do is
imagine that they will actually see colour in a dizzy haze
surrounding the performer’s hand.
The spectator looks toward the performer’s hand and to her own
amazement she can now see a strange colour surrounding the
hand of the performer. The performer asks what colour the
spectator sees as his own aura.
The performer nods and with a knowing smile rips open the
envelope, taking out a card with a drawing much like the sketch he
made earlier. It shows a hand with a green aura surrounding it.
The spectator managed to correctly read the performer’s aura.
Method:
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without the sketch - simply confirming what the spectator saw.
“I want you to snap your eyes open when I say, until then you keep
them firmly closed just thinking of that white screen. When I bang
my hand on the table I want you to open your eyes and stare
intently upon the candle flame you will see directly in front of
you.”
As the spectator is closing her eyes and picturing the screen, you
simply remove a candle and light it directly in front of her vision. I
have used this visual induction in another effect in my book ‘7
Deceptions’ called The 7th Deception. Basically it will appear to
alter the state of the spectator’s mind. It will in actual fact simply
be causing a natural reaction in the vision of the spectator. Again I
invite you to actually do this yourself. Stare directly at the flame
of a candle for some time and see what it makes you feel and see.
I am sure many of you will be somewhat surprised at the efficiency
of this method.
Here you will recognize the Honesty Suggestion from earlier in the
book. Now I allow The Power of Silence to kick in as we have
already talked about. This is now more than enough to cause the
spectator to see colours coming from your hand. I then ask the
spectator what colour they say and remove the correct prediction.
Credits:
page 121
a safe anchor...
...a safe anchor
page 122
A Safe Anchor
Effect:
Three business cards are shown. On two of the blank sides of the
business cards smiley faces are drawn, on the final blank side a
skull and cross bones is drawn.
The performer explains that the smiley faces represent safety and
the skull and cross bones represents a poison or danger.
The performer explains that it is his task to avoid the skull and
cross bones card. The three cards are mixed and spread on the
table. The performer then raises his hand above the spread cards
and selects two for himself. They are turned over revealing the
safe smiley face cards.
He asks the spectator, while holding the two smiley faces, to recall
a time in which they felt happy and safe. He then asks the
spectator to hold the skull and cross bones card and to recall a
time in which they felt in danger or unhappy.
The three cards are mixed face down, no-one knowing which card
is which. Another spectator is asked to push one of the three
cards forward.
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The spectator is asked the concentrate on the card and to decide
whether it is safe or the card representing danger. The spectator
answers:
“Safe.”
The card is turned over and it is indeed the smiley faced safe card.
Another spectator pushes one of the remaining two cards forward
and again the spectator is asked to concentrate on the card
making their decision between safety and danger. The spectator
replies:
“Danger.”
The card is pushed forward. The final card is turned over revealing
the final smiley face. Finally the remaining card is turned over
revealing the dangerous skull and cross bones. Thus bringing the
effect to a viable conclusion.
Method;
The opening phase has nothing more to it than simply marking the
back of the danger skull and cross bones card. I do this by simply
making a nail nick on one of the edges of the card which is visible
to the performer but will remain invisible to the spectators.
I bring out three business cards and on the face of two of the cards
draw smiley faces. I then draw a skull and cross bones on the final
card.
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As I do so, I make the nail nick on the left short end of the card. I
then turn my back, have the cards mixed and spread on the table
top.
I turn back to face the audience and look for the marked one of the
three business cards lying drawing side down on the table top. I
then raise my hand above each of the cards. I appear to
concentrate for a moment or two and then select the two business
cards with no marks on them.
Let us first explain exactly what the notion of an anchor is. The
only type of anchor which we need to concern ourselves with in
this performance is a visual and auditory anchor.
I ask the spectator to recall vividly a time in which they felt happy.
I then hold the smiley face card up in my left hand leaning toward
the left. As I ask the spectator think of their happy memory I also
place my right hand on my chin. I often appear to scratch my face
with my first finger. I then, as I say the following, allow my hand to
move sharply away from my face toward the table.
I now mirror what I just did for the unhappy or dangerous anchor.
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I display the card in my right hand and instead of raising my left
hand to my chin instead rest it on my left arm. I then repeat the
hand moving away from the face sharply to the table as I say;
Now let us look at the way in which we will use these anchors. The
cards are mixed on the table top. I keep track of the marked
business card and make a mental note of its position. I then ask
another spectator to push any of the three cards forward. If it is
the marked “danger” card I will perform the same actions as I did
when anchoring the dangerous or unhappy memory earlier. If it is
the smiley face card I will do the same actions as I did when
anchoring happy or safe memory earlier.
Obviously if the danger card is the first selected there is only the
need to anchor the unhappy memory then simply reveal the other
two safe cards.
If the danger card is the second card selected I then reveal the
happy smiley face card revealing the danger card as the finale.
Notes:
page 126
Another element can be brought into play with this effect. Many
years ago, Paul Wilson pointed out to me that one of the strongest
forms of misdirection was to look someone in the face and raise
your eyebrows. This sounds weird but it really does work. I
incorporate this into the happy anchor. I also use the idea of voice
stressing. I state things in a similar tone when the happy cards
have been selected, as I also state things in a similar tone when
the unhappy card has been selected, attempting to make my voice
sound as it did when anchoring in the first place.
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out of t(his) world...
...out of t(his) world
page 128
Out of T(his) World
I will flatly state that this is the hardest item in the book, possibly
the most challenging of all the effects I have ever put in print. I do
not have 100% success with this and if I am honest I can’t see it
ever being 100%.
Now many of you have turned the page I will continue. This effect
was born out of a desire to perform a version of Out of This World
in which you actually did what you claimed. Namely influenced
the spectator into correctly guessing which of the cards were red
and which were black.
Effect:
The performer displays six cards - three of which are red and three
of which are black. The cards are shuffled and spread on the table
top.
page 129
A spectator is asked to place all their concentration on the colours
of the cards and slide three of the six cards toward himself. He
himself then picks up the card and turns them over - they are the
three red cards. You turn the remaining three over to display the
separated black cards.
Method:
You will actually be making use of nine playing cards rather than
the six that the audience will be aware of.
Any three middle black spot cards followed by any six middle spot
red cards. These cards are left on the face of the deck. I then
display the six cards that the audience will be aware of, the three
red and the three black.
I then lift these nine cards up from the face of the deck and turn
the deck face down. I then flip the packet of nine playing cards
over face down on the top of the deck.
I then spread the top six playing cards over and place the rest of
the deck onto the table. I now shuffle the six card packet which
the spectator believes contains three red cards and three black
cards. However in truth all the cards in the packet are red.
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I now spread the cards on the table top. I allow the spectator to
push three cards forward. They can then pick these cards up. In
the action of moving the deck from the table in order to allow
space for spreading the packet on the table, I pinky count three
cards obtaining a break below the top three cards of the deck.
I ask:
Regardless of their answer I will always end up with the black cards
and the spectator the red. I handle this as follows:
“Fine, you need to attempt to separate the red cards for yourself.”
“OK I want you to focus your attention on the black cards, sliding
forward the red ones and eliminating them.”
Either way the spectator will end up sliding three red cards
forward. This is simply unavoidable as they can only touch red
cards as there are no black cards in the spread packet.
I then allow the spectator to look at the cards they either chose for
themselves or eliminated. Under the cover of this action I perform
the multiple top change. This move switches the three red cards
for the three black cards. Everything appears as it should. This
entire sequence is a short, sharp and snappy effect.
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However this is not the method that I feel you will be most
interested in. I am sure you all have your own personal favourite
method using your own personal favourite sleights. However, as I
stated, this effect was born out of wishing to abandon the need for
sleight of hand in this effect.
The actions I use in the introduction to the effect are those which
will serve the purpose of our anchor. Let us deal with each colour
separately.
“Now I want you to remember this colour and the feelings you
have right at this moment. In a moment I will ask you to begin to
visualize the colours of the cards. I want you now to turn the
colour of this card up as brightly as possible. Keep it bright and
vivid in your mind.”
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appear to “scratch” my cheek while doing this. This acts as a
further anchor.
Here I basically mirror the actions of the red anchor. I hold the
black card in my right hand leaning my body to the right. I do not
flick the card. However I do raise my hand to my face, but instead
of touching my face, I then drop it sharply to the table. Again here
I ask the spectator to vividly focus their attention on the card. I
also state the following:
“OK, now the black cards. Again I would like you to think about
the way this feels. It’s simple. In a moment we will work together
to create something amazing. Hopefully we will understand each
other and you’re going to really impress all your friends here this
evening.”
Now all that remains is the combination of the method and the
presentation. After I have performed the above Anchoring actions
and the introduction statement I move on picking cards from the
top of the shuffled deck, glancing at the face of the card. If it is red
I continue as follows:
“OK visualize a big screen. Now turn the colour up very brightly.
Vividly picture all that colour rushing in. You will see the colour
brightly filling the screen. It is simple - just go with what feels
right, don’t try to fight it or trick me or this won’t work, simply
follow your gut instinct, your first impressions. Is the card red or
black?”
This is how I handle the first few cards, obviously as the routine
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moves forward the process becomes quicker. However it is worth
working slowly for the first few cards. As I say “is the card red or
black”, on the “red” I move my hand to my face, then make a small
facial movement - more often than not I raise my eyebrows. All
the above is delivered as I repeat the actions used during the
initial Anchoring procedure. Leaning my body to the left, the hand
movements as covered at the beginning of the explanation.
If the top card was black I would then say the following:
The word black should be said in such a way that it seems as if you
said blank. This is a common method employed with such
psychological forces and is often applied to card forces.
This is delivered as the actions for the red Anchor are repeated. It
basically underlines the idea that the card is another red card.
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Now let us look at the way I handle the times in which the colours
switch from red to black or black to red:
“OK, now I want you to really re-focus your attention, almost think
as if you are starting a new sheet, something totally new and
different to you.”
Again all this is said as the Anchored actions for the desired cards
are performed. Now let us look at the way in which I deal with the
times in which the spectator misses the card guessing incorrectly.
“OK I think we might need to relax a little and regain our attention.
This is something very difficult and really needs all your attention
as well as mine. So take a deep breath and let’s begin again.”
Notes:
Many have suggested that this could be used as a way to lead into
a number of effects. I have in the past used this before performing
Ian Rowland’s “Sense of Touch” and a friend who I first shared this
with now uses it to lead into his own version of Out Of This World
using traditional card magic techniques.
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a presentation...
...a presentation
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A Presentation
It has been said that the art of Mentalism is all about the
performance and presentation, not the method. This is something
I could not agree with more.
“OK sir, I also would like you to think of a number between 1 and
10. Again, without thinking, just get a number in your
mind…now.”
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thought to control much of our thinking. One theory says that the
subconscious actually assigns a number to our self in our mind
between 1 and 10 rating our own attractiveness to others. It is
thought that we actually seek and find people with the same
number rated in their mind as to our own most attractive. For
example, someone thinking of the number three could secretly be
searching for another three. ”
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In the opening sequence I try to rule out the second most likely
number, 3, by mentioning it openly in the scripting.
The performer then turns and asks the gentleman:
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a strange garden...
...a strange garden
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A Strange Garden
Effect:
The performer removes from his wallet a battered and worn Tarot
card. It can be seen through the age and wear to depict a male
figure standing at a table.
“The Magician.”
“Would you mind telling us the shapes you saw one inside of the
other?”
The performer smiles a knowing glance toward the table Tarot card
of the Magician. He reaches slowly and deliberately, turning the
card over to reveal boldly across the card’s back scorched into the
surface, a circle inside of a triangle.
The leaf and the card are given as presents and the performer
leaves a wonderful memory of the amazing qualities of the natural
world.
Method:
This is actually not as hard as you might imagine upon reading the
laboured description of the effect. It is an effect that was an
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outgrowth of one of my own effects which appeared in my book “7
Deceptions” under the name A Twisted Palm Reading in which a
spectator believes they see the lines on their palm move wildly.
The second source of inspiration comes from the ever amazing
Banachek who in a conversation suggested that it could be
possible to handle a psychological force after the “Twisted Palm
Reading” by having the spectator visualize the lines on their palm
moving to form the name of a playing card. This was a truly
inspired thought.
It was this thought that set my mind racing and through several
unsuccessful performances, I eventually ended up with the routine
that follows. Obviously the leaf can be replaced with another item
if you so desire but personally I only perform this effect when
actually in a garden and I find the notion of the link between the
Magician and the natural world a pleasing presentational hook.
You will need to obtain a tarot card depicting the Magician. I then
age this card, or better yet, see if it is possible to find a genuinely
aged card from a dealer in such items. Personally I used the tried
and tested schoolboy method of a light baking in the oven
followed by some liberal smudging of dampened tea bags. This
was more than adequate in my opinion. I then scorched the image
of the circle inside of the triangle onto the back using some heated
shaped wire. Be careful not to fall into the same trap as me,
ensure you wear gloves and avoid the burns that I didn’t!
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You will open the effect with the introduction given in the
description of the effect. It is during this introduction that
unbeknown to the spectators you will introduce the prediction or
the link in the form of the Magician tarot card. This to me
overcomes some of the problems I see as being inherent in the
presentation of standard prediction effects. If we look at a
standard prediction effect in which a prediction is handed out at
the outset and introduced as such, to me the focus of the effect
now shifts from the surprise afforded in magic to the stringent
conditions needed to give weight to the prediction. The effect in
my mind shifts from something magical to a strict governing of
procedures to ensure all is fair and above board in the selection of
the information that will be revealed in the prediction. This is not
always a bad thing and many entertaining routines can be built
working from that premise. It was however not the route I wished
to follow with this effect.
You can pluck a leaf from a nearby plant or if you are lucky enough
to have one upon the floor then take this to your advantage.
I then ask the spectator to hold the leaf upon their palm. I now, as
I am sure you already know, make use of The Power of Silence. I
allow the spectator to simply stare at the leaf while we both
remain in total silence.
I then move forward with the scripting that differs somewhat from
the effect mentioned in the opening comments of the explanation,
but still fits the same model.
“I would like you to notice all that you see; I want you to form a
similar bond with nature as we spoke about. Just wait and see
what happens. I know I was surprised the first time I simply stared
into the centre of the leaf.”
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I now again remain silent for some time. I then continue with the
following:
“OK, I want you to notice those textures and patterns that you
have become aware of.”
The spectator will actually now be aware of the subtle textures and
shades of the leaf. This is simply because the spectator has been
look intently into the leaf’s centre. Often they will have already
seen the textures and patterns moving. We will now develop this
suggestion using many of the techniques already taught.
“OK, now I don’t want you to lie to make me look good. Just in
your own time you let me know when you see the textures and the
patterns begin to shift, almost as if they had a life of their own.”
This is often enough to push the spectator over the edge. I now
simply develop this further.
“Its weird isn’t it? I know how strange it felt when I first saw it, but
don’t worry you’re doing the right thing. You can see it can’t you?”
Here you will take as much or little time as is needed for the
suggestions to take effectively. I will now move on as I feel the
reader has an understanding of the techniques needed to do this.
Let us now look at the way in which we will frame the
psychological force of the shapes. To the audience at large it will
appear that the shapes made themselves present upon the leaf. It
may or may not happen. However the force will still be handled
comfortably and work with great success.
“Now I want you to see all the patterns forming two simple shapes
one inside of the other. Let them form in your mind.”
This force takes place as if you were simply forcing the shapes in a
normal sequence. It will be framed in such a way as the routine
comes to a close that will make it appear as if the spectator saw
the shapes form on the leaf. To do this I simply state the
following:
“It’s amazing how you see the patterns on the leaf move and those
shapes form. Tell us what shapes did you see?”
The spectator will respond with the desired force objects and all
that remains is to reveal the prediction or link on the back of the
tarot card.
Alternative Method:
If you happen to have a damp leaf nearby, simply draw the shapes
you wish to force with your fingernail. This will leave a white line
in the shapes of the desired force.
“Now I want you to get two simple shapes one inside the other.
They could appear to form on the leaf - often the more creative
people instantly see these shapes, the more analytic person tends
to have them form. Either way, two shapes will make themselves
clear to you…yes?”
Now on the face of this you might fall into the trap of seeing this
as an instant stooge method and in a way it is. However the major
difference here is the fact that the spectator does not actually see
the shapes until they are told to. To them, after they have
experienced the pattern’s moving, the shapes suddenly appear.
Like I said, in order to achieve the best results from this is to seek
to a slightly dampened leaf. Give it a go and you might just
surprise yourself.
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judgement day...
...judgement day
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Judgement Day
In Thoughts and Words...
I begin by arranging the ESP cards (star, wavy lines, circle, square
and cross) in a known order from the top of the packet. In my own
sequence a spectator is given their own packet to use and then
you have your own; the force happens as you apparently explain
what the designs are as follows:
I begin by going through the well known patter about Dr. Rhine
and his legendary tests for extra sensory perception and then go
on to explain the designs/symbols:
“We have a group of simple designs. The star (briefly flash the face
of the star and drop it to the table), the square (flash the face of
the next card in our example the wavy lines and then correct
yourself) ....er, wavy lines.”
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your part - you simply messed up on the order of the cards. You
correct yourself in the way you would correct any normal “slip of
the tongue” and continue:
Notice the repetition of the same words (the square). The words
in bold type should be said with either a lighter or stronger tone of
voice to the other words (depending on which works best for the
individual - personally a stronger tone seems to suit my style and
works better) and maintaining eye contact as they are said.
The wording ‘simple designs’ will be used in much the same way in
a moment when it comes to their selection of designs. It also
pushes the spectator away from the designs such as the star
(generally in my experience the favourite with female spectators),
pushing them ever so slightly toward the square or the circle. This
is good.
“Now I want you to get the simple design in your mind now”
I know, it’s a lot of effort for only the first selection process in an
ESP card sequence, but it is one of the most direct and startling
openings for such sequences that I have ever performed. It
works...it works very well.
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For those interested I would suggest that 70 - 80 % of the time the
next selection will be the star, especially when using a female
spectator. I usually ask them to picture “their favourite picture”
which is exactly the force that comes next if you were to use all the
forces together to form a routine. Using each force one after the
other allows us the knowledge of which cards are likely to be
selected immediately after which. This was something I noticed
when I only used the In Thoughts and Words force to open a one-
ahead style routine. However I noticed that the overwhelming
majority of women would next select the star. I then built the
following wording to encourage this probability even further.
If the spectator replies in the negative, then you have lost nothing
as you can simply commend them on the clear and focused
concentration as the image came through to you wonderfully.
Then remove the star card and you’re ready to move onto the next
force. However the majority of the time the spectator will go
further and create some kind of image. This will now allow for
some general common sense to add an extra layer of deception to
the force.
Blink Force...
If using this force in the sequence you will only have three cards in
the spread. This will actually make this almost child’s play. I will
describe it as if you were to use all the five of the ESP symbols
along with an interesting out that can be combined with it.
However in my own sequence I use this force with three cards, so
the Star would already have gone.
I obviously omit the out covered here, which is included for those
people who wish to use the forces independently of one another.
This one has been getting me excited ever since first playing with
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it. In effect you fan a packet of cards in front of the face of a
spectator (in my own routine ESP symbols). Ask them to close
their eyes and then to open them once again, then to retain the
image of the first one they came to see. You then, with no fishing,
gaze deeply into their eyes and name the chosen design.
By using the phrase “do not let your eyes circle around” you will
have, unbeknownst to our sweet-hearts, firmly elbowed them away
from the circle.
Square the fan. Look intently into their eyes and smile a knowing
nod. Remove the star, ask them to hold their hands out and state:
If they say yes, this may happen as the wavy lines are instantly
recognisable even with blurred vision. You simply state:
Pick up the card from their palm and replace it onto the packet.
“No you didn’t, that's why I put the star on your hand.”
I ask the spectator to hold each of their palms flat out. I then pick
up the first of their ESP cards which remain and lay it face down
on their outstretched palm. I already know which of the symbols
this is due to me glimpsing the positions of the cards during the
Blink force sequence. I now mirror the actions of the spectator by
placing my remaining two cards on each of my outstretched palms.
“Ok I want you to relax and allow this to happen. Instead of simply
making your decision by whichever card you may like the most, I
want you to pay attention to what your body is telling you. In a
moment you will feel one of your arms falling to the table, it might
feel drastically heavier or just a subtle change. However you will
feel it, sometimes it takes longer than others. Please do not lie to
make me look good, just wait for it to start happening.”
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No force is needed for the final card so I simply flip over what I
have remaining and display that both the spectator and I am left
with the same symbol. All that remains is to reveal the other
forced cards to match.
Notes:
Both the In Thoughts and In Words force and the Blink Force first
appeared in the pages of Kenton Knepper’s “Miracles of
Suggestion” as a guest contribution. I urge the reader to track
down a copy of this work as it contains some wonderful gems of
thinking.
This is the first time all the forces have appeared in print together
and as a sequence.
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zeroing in...
...zeroing in
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Zeroing In
I have chosen to leave this section until last for several reasons.
Firstly it is something that is very difficult to put into words, as in
my own experience it is something that I feel is heavily reliant
upon your own hunches. That said there are some points that I
feel are important to consider before attempting suggestion
sequences upon spectators.
I then allow each person to hold the pendulum and hold it above
each object telling them that the pendulum will remain still until
they come to their object, which they must focus upon. Due to the
nature of the pendulum this will happen. I allow each of the three
to do this. During this, I watch for which spectator made the
pendulum move the most. I then follow this up with one final
sequence, which wraps up the pendulum sequence well and also
reassures me in my decision.
I have the spectator focus upon one of the objects, telling them
they can think of any of the objects they see in front of them. I
then explain that the pendulum will remain still until it is held
over the object they are focusing upon. This will happen. I will
not cover the workings of this in detail as I am sure all of you are
already familiar with it.
I now have zeroed in from the three spectators I felt were the most
likely to respond to my suggestions to the one I feel will respond
best, all under the guise of an effect - an effect that actually plays
very well.
You are now free to move on into further test to build suggestion
or continue on with your pendulum routine and move forward with
your suggestion effects later in the set.
by Peter Nardi
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afterword
by Peter Nardi
We also run a unique and popular site for all those interested in
mentalism. This can be found at www.readminds.co.uk
www.alakazam.co.uk
www.readminds.co.uk
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