The Ex-Presidential Card Trick

by Peter Duffie

The following routine, dragged out of my files, is no longer topical and I include it here
for amusement purposes only. It uses the Marty Kane Status Quo Principle. Note new
suggestion from Ken Simmons at end.

1. Say, "This is trick based on two characters - Bill Clinton and Monica
Lewinsky....you may have heard of them?"

Give the deck to a spectator and ask him to remove 9 cards then place the rest of the
deck face down on the table. He now deals the 9 cards into three piles of three.

2. Ask him to look at the top card of any pile and remember it, as you point out that this
card will represent Monica Lewinsky. He now picks up the other two piles and drops
them on top of his card.

3. Pick up the pile, saying, "Wherever Monica is, you’ll also find Bill Clinton. He’s
easy to find because he’s always on top." Double Lift and show the card asking
another spectator to remember it for later. Turn double face down and remove top card
and place it on top of the deck, saying, "We’ll put Bill over here for the moment, but
you can’t forget where he is because Bill is always on top!"

4. Say, "To discourage the press, Monica likes to hide amongst the crowd."

Here you instruct the spectator to carry out a UNDER/down deal. And then as many
more as he likes.

When he has finished, say, "Now you’ve lost Monica. But she’s easy to find. All you
have to do is follow Bill." At this, tap the top of the deck and turn over the top card
revealing a random card. At this, say, "You see Bill has vanished? But he’s easy to
find because he’s always on top!" Ask the spectator to turn over the top card of the
packet to reveal Bill.

Finally say, "Remember - wherever Bill Clinton is, you’ll also find Monica."

Have him spell B-I-L-L-C-L-I-N-T-O-N transferring cards from top to bottom. Finally
have him turn over the top card revealing Monica!

END NOTE:
Ken Simmons enjoyed the above trick and offered a much better line than spelling BILL
CLINTON. Instead, he spells THE BIG CIGAR. Having audience-tested it, Ken said it
REALLY gets a better reaction and a TON OF LAUGHS!