Jack Kent Tillar - TRIO

At last! The NEVER-REVEALED complete secrets of a proven exclusive routine for the vast charity, club and church field!

THE FUND-RAISING MENTALIST By Jack Kent Tillar NO confederates! --- NO electronics! --- NO carbon copies! --- Totally fail-safe! --NO assistants! --- NO palming or pocketing of stolen billets! This is the EASIEST and possibly the BEST version ever released of the famous Thought Reading portion of Dunninger's stage and TV act. It is trouble-free and highly polished after years of performances at private, public and church affairs. This is the two-part FULL EVENING'S ENTERTAINMENT that directly led to numerous private and TV appearances. NOTHING is being held back! Also included is the REAL SECRET of the lucrative after-show “mini readings” and “back-ofhouse” sales. This single idea doubled the number of private readings and tripled the book sales! The script is in full detail. Everything you need to know. Secrets that have been guarded for years.

In the process of much giving . . . YOU receive much more! PRICED AT JUST . . .

$ 45.00 Post Paid or via E-mail in PDF You are granted all performing rights

© Jack Kent Tillar January 2006 All rights reserved

The FUND-RAISING MENTALIST BACKGROUND It still surprises me how this fund-raising act produced long lines after each show of people waiting for an individual astrology-numerology “personality” reading. And half of those fiveminute readings (actually “Solar ticking charts” ¹) led to the sale of one or more booklets on astrology, palmistry, numerology or fortune telling! The booklets, of course, said “written by the performer,” but in truth, were printed and purchased in quantity from Nelson Enterprises of Columbus, Ohio. Before getting into the after-show readings and sales or discussing fees and “splitting the take,” we will explain in detail The Thought-Reading Act, which we call: HOLD A GOOD THOUGHT! EFFECT: After brief introductory remarks regarding the latent ESP ability in everyone, the performer tests the “receptiveness” of his audience. These quick psychological experiments are followed by two more mini tests, the first with three women and then the surprising interception of an unwritten thought from a gentleman in the audience. The main body of the Act consists of the performer “receiving” the sealed written thoughts held by eight or ten of the guests. (These are very detailed and personal thoughts that no one else could possibly know!) The finale is the duplication of a picture drawn by a lady freely selected from the audience. No mirrors, stooges or previously drawn pictures---plus a surprise ending! REQUIREMENTS: Box of 100 security letter envelopes Package of 100 3 x 5 inch lined index (file) cards 2 large drawing pads 2 marker pens Roll of Scotch Tape Package of bridge/golf pencils Deck of children's Alphabet Picture/Letter cards ¹ Solar Ticking sheets are owned by Carlyle Enterprises and are available from them and can be personalized See list at end of manuscript. The Fund Raising Mentalist

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PREPARATION: Eight to twelve “Audience Cards” are prepared from the package of index cards. Each one is printed with different instructions: Card #1: Favorite childhood pet: Pet's description: Pet's name: Your name: Card #2: Favorite teacher: Subject: Grade: Your name: Card #3: First love (or kiss): Favorite fantasy: Your name: Card #4 Dream vacation: Partial Social Security Number: Your name:

The Fund Raising Mentalist

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Card #5: Favorite celebrity: What did you eat this morning? Your birthday: Your name: Card #6: Favorite movie or TV show: Favorite snack: Your name: Card #7: Favorite auto: Color: Last ticket: Your name: Card #8: Favorite relative: Why? Your birthday: Your name:


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Card #9: Dream job: Where? Worst job: Your name: Card #10: Favorite song: Singer: Your name: Card #11: Favorite National Park: Favorite state: Your name: Card #12: Favorite sport: All time hero: Your name: Of course you can make up any “instructions” you like. We have supplied these twelve “instruction cards” instructions for their proven entertainment value ( some of you may prefer to use more than the eight or ten cards we have recommended, by all means do so. But remember the more you use the longer your act time. You may use other subjects to replace these. We know these work ) Now carefully cut the gummed flaps off of twelve security letter envelopes. One of the prepared instruction cards is placed face down into each flap-less envelope. They are all left seam side upward.


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Next, insert an UN-prepared index card into twelve more UN-prepared matching letter envelopes Put one of them under each flap-less envelope allowing its flap to cover and hide the opening of the flap-less envelope (and the prepared index card inside.) You now have twelve pairs and all are seam side up. You may want to put a rubber band around the stack of envelopes and/or put them back into their original box to make things look more legitimate. PRE-SHOW WORK: Arrange to have a card table (or a slightly smaller table) put against a side wall in some out-ofthe-way spot at the performance venue. If you're at a private home, ask if you can use the study or library. If it's at a club, studio or theatre, use the “green room” or its equivalent. You'll also need a couple of chairs on either side of the table (or desk) but not facing each other. (The arrangement must give the participant a feeling of privacy when he's asked to fill out one of the “audience” cards.) As the guests first begin to arrive, the host or organizer should greet them and then introduce you as the “special entertainment for the event.” The trick here is to get ten or eleven early arrivers in a one-on-one situation---out of the view of other guests. This requires grace, diplomacy and patience! Don't ever rush these meetings or dare show any signs of nervousness. It's actually “part of the show”---you just start earlier than most of the audience ever imagines! It's important to use only one person from each group that arrives. This helps distribute the participants throughout the audience. It also limits “conjecture” among friends, i.e.: “Did he already have instructions on a card telling you what to write?” When you've button-holed the first woman, ask her if she'd like to possibly participate in a fascinating little experiment. “It's not a big deal and I promise you, it won't be embarrassing in any way. I'm just going to have you think of a picture. OK? The only problem is that almost everyone thinks of the same two or three things!” Bring out the deck of children's alphabet cards and spread them to show the simple pictures that help kids learn their ABCs. Explain how she has to select one, but you don't want to influence her in any way. Also, she might be psychologically drawn to one picture over another. To avoid these things, she'll “randomly select one.” In reality, you already have chosen an easy-to-draw picture (like an Apple, Cat or Dog) and placed this “force card” on top of the deck. Give the deck a good “non- magician-like” shuffle, keeping your chosen card on top. Add a fair-looking false cut. (See Addendum.) Then slip off the top card as you begin a casual over-hand shuffle. This leaves the force card on the bottom of your face-down Alphabet deck.


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Spread the cards casually between your hands and ask her to point to the back of anyone. Begin separating the deck at that point, with her pointed-to card on the bottom of the upper (righthand) portion. Simultaneously, use your left fingers to push its bottom card over to the right. When it meets your right fingers, use them to draw this force card onto the bottom of the right hand packet. Continue separating the deck and move your right hand upward so she can see the card “she freely pointed to.” Ask her to study the picture and to get the image firmly planted in her mind. “Tonight, I may ask you to think of a picture and I want to be sure you have this one thought, and only this one thought, uppermost in your mind. OK? Please--- don't share this image with anyone else! It always leads to conflicting thoughts.” Next retrieve a stack of blank Filing cards about 5. You will ask her to mix the cards before choosing one. “To make certain this entire procedure is random, would you take one of these remaining 'number' cards? Just keep it in your purse. I have a feeling you'll be one of those chosen.” Tell the lady that others have been given a choice of cards and you want her to have a choice also, as you feel she will be lucky and has a very good chance of being chosen, This is a great “swindle.” You've handed her five face-down cards which are all marked “7” and given her the impression that other cards have already been taken. To cap it off, you've also made her feel she'll be lucky if she's selected! People always like to win, even if it's to do something they otherwise wouldn't want to do! (Tom Sawyer got kids to paint fences this way. Remember?) We'll explain a disarming technique to get her up on stage in the following PERFORMANCE section. The next eight or ten pre-show guests are handled the same way---in a one-on-one situation, away from everyone else's view. And they each will take only a couple of minutes apiece. Give every person the same spiel about possibly participating in the evening's entertainment. Tell them how, “Eight or ten guests are going to be thinking of something very personal--something that no one else could ever know. “Everyone is filling out a secret audience card. It only takes a minute and they get to keep them. Each card asks for a different funny or curious fact that might be entertaining to an audience. I never know what they are.” These comments are carefully worded to put guests off guard and happy to join others in becoming part of the show. When the first person agrees to participate, pick up the stack of prepared envelopes and remove the face-down question card from the top flap-less envelope. Hand it to him, offer one of the bridge pencils and turn away to give him his privacy. After the guest has completed the card, ask him to be sure it's face-down and then turn around. Take the card and ask him, “Will you tear off a couple of inches of Scotch Tape.” While he's distracted, slide the card back into its flap-less envelope and then pull the NEXT dummy envelope (by its flap) up and out of the stack and lick it. Hand it to him. “Please seal it and put the Scotch Tape across its flap for good measure.” The Fund Raising Mentalist

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The entire procedure is absolutely fool-proof and slam-dunk easy. (The Scotch Tape will prevent any tampering temptation.) Then tell him to, “Hide your envelope away until we call for it--along with the others---during the show. And thanks for holding a good thought!” Excuse him. When alone, take out his card and add several things to it---his age, hair color, height, dress, character, etc., plus any random comments you may have picked up during your brief encounter. Put this first card in your coat pocket and dispose of its flap-less envelope, then move on to the next guest. This has to be the most direct way to be certain you'll have interesting, provocative and varied thoughts. The days of “taking chances“ on random written questions are long past. Thank you Lord! (I told you this was the easiest and possibly the best version of Dunninger's Thought- Reading Act yet released.) When you've completed all the basic pre-show work, retire and study the eight, ten or twelve cards. Arrange them in an entertaining order, saving the best for last, with a real attentiongrabber to kick off this main body of the program. Don't forget to print a complete crib sheet that you can refer to under the existing lighting conditions. And keep it short with plenty of abbreviations! (We'll cover ways to hide and handle the crib sheet in the PERFORMANCE section that follows.) There is only one remaining thing to do: get some information that you can turn into a blockbuster reading of an “unwritten inner-most thought from some gentleman in the audience.“ There are many ways to do this. I'll start off by telling a tale about my wilder teenage years. Dunninger was the rage on TV and I wanted to be Dunninger, Jr.! One Wednesday evening at a service club meeting on Vermont Ave. in South Central Los Angeles (before it got a bad reputation,) I was waiting outside to perform my little act (that was paid even littler! It was a good act, if I do say so myself.) Directly in front of the street entrance (which led to the upstairs meeting hall) were the diagonal parked cars of members. One of the cars had its passenger window rolled down. And the temptation was too great! (I'd read all the Robert Nelson and Doctor “Q” and William Larson works on stage mentalism. They all had stressed “advance information” and “city directories” and assistants “hiding in wash rooms” to get “hot info.” This advice had not fallen on deaf ears.


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I knew the meeting was well underway, so I looked in both directions, brazenly sat down in the passenger seat and rummaged through the glove compartment. I struck pay dirt! There was a bag from a jewelry store with a new Benrus ladies watch and its sales slip inside. Needless to say, during the show I milked that information for all it was worth. They ended up giving me a five dollar bonus! There are many ways to get inside information. Someone can visit the home of a VIP under the pretense of “helping his noble cause” or “getting a quote for some newspaper” but really to case the joint for an inside scoop! You can eves-drop while attending their dinner event or hang around during the pre-show festivities to pick up a tidbit. You can hide (and get bored) in the men's room---until you get the morsel you need. Or---you can sink to the lowest level of all and ask the host or organizer for inside information on one of the “good guys” in their group. Who cares! It doesn't matter how you get the info or from what stool pigeon. All that matters is the entertainment value. Secrets are secondary. (Also, it's smart to get a few names of popular members to use as the occasions arise.) You may wish to leave a stack of cards and envelopes on a table for other guests to use and keep. (It's helpful to have a volunteer or a little sign explaining the process.) P.S. The entire pre-show work should never take more than 30 or 40 minutes. Less is more. Then you make yourself scarce. After all, you're a special celebrity! PERFORMANCE: “Good evening. No doubt you've heard a little about me, but there may be some confusion regarding just what I am. First, let me tell you what I am not; I'm not a fortune teller. If I could predict things like stocks or lottery numbers, I wouldn't be here. I'd be on my yacht! And if I could do these mind-bending things all the time, I'd be a threat to you, to Las Vegas AND to myself! “The Men in Black would be after me in a heart beat! One more thing. Don't worry. I can't read minds UNLESS, you want me to. It's always a two-way street. “I have a good feeling about this evening. You look like a very receptive crowd. Let's find out. This is a little warm up---a gauge to see if we're on the same wave length. I'll 'project' a couple of things to you and you tell me how well I transmitted them. OK? “First, you have to relax. They used to call this 'slipping into a beta state.' Please make your minds a complete blank. That should be very easy for some of you. “Now close your eyes and imagine you're looking outside---through a window. It's a beautiful day. When I slap this movie clap stick*, think of the first object you see. (Slap the stick.) Good. Now let's try it again. Minds blank. Ready? (Slap.) * Clap Sticks can sometimes be found in “Movie” shops like The Disney and MGM stores in shopping malls. The Fund Raising Mentalist

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“I was trying to project a tree---and then a car. How many of you got one right? How many got both? Sensational!” (I used this back in the '50s and it's still great!) * (As an alternative, you may ring a bell, strike a small gong, clap your hands or tap a wine glass with a table knife.) “There's always some conjecture as to whether women or men have better ESP instincts. Let's try an experiment.” (Select a young lady near the front.) “Miss? Will you please stand up for a minute? Thank you. Now look around and point to a woman you don't know, but who you feel may have psychic ability.” (She does.) “Very good.” (To the second woman:) “And will you also please stand for a minute and point to another lady you sense may have ESP talent? For some of you who may not know, ESP stands for extra sensory perception. Your little psychology lesson for the evening.” (She points to someone.) “Fine. And will you kindly stand and join this coven of sensitives? Here's what we're going to do. I want you three ladies to close your eyes, make your minds a blank and think---not say--the first color that pops into your mind. Ready? Think! “Very good. Before we compare notes, was anything pre-arranged? Will you swear you had a completely free choice of any color in the spectrum? Good. Now don't change your minds on me. “One of you thought of blue, Another: green. And a third saw red. If I was correct, please sit down and give yourselves a big hand!” One out of ten times, you'll miss and a lady will remain standing. Here's what to do. It's rather mean. “Miss, please don't feel bad. What color did you see in your mind's eye?” (She names one.) “Ah hah. That's a complimentary color. Your were very close. Take you seat and some applause for being a 'near miss'---or is it Mrs.? “Ladies and gentlemen, every demonstration produces different results. Sometimes the men have better hunches, sometimes women's intuition wins out. But almost every demonstration produces some strong 'random' thought waves. This time I seem to be getting something from a gentleman in the audience. Who is thinking of a clock or wrist watch? It possibly could be a gift.” (The man timidly acknowledges.) “Would you please stand, sir? Have we ever met before? Did you write anything down--about a clock or watch? Was I correct, is this a gift? I'm getting a psychic impression this is for a lady. Right? She is a relative? I don't sense it's for a sister or a daughter. Am I correct? Is this gift for your wife? Thank you!” (Applause.) The Fund Raising Mentalist

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“One more thing, before you sit down. Let me try to get the maker of this fine gift. Concentrate.” (Have trouble. Strain.) “Try a little harder. Is it B--, B--, Benrus? ² A Benrus ladies watch?” The audience went nuts. This is almost the exact words I used that night so long ago. The impact on me was profound. I've never done a show since then that didn't include an unwritten, hard-hitting bit of inside information. And please notice where it is positioned in the program--quickly after a rather simple 'three ladies' effect that may be too easily figured out by a clever audience. See? Routining is important! “Many of you earlier have secretly written down bits of personal information that only you could know. Then you sealed the data in security envelopes that you safeguarded in your pockets or purses. “Will those folks please pass their envelopes to the aisle so they can be collected and brought to the stage? If you didn't write anything yet, you might take out a scrap of paper and jot something down at this time. I'm often able to receive some un-collected impressions. “Is there anyone who has second thoughts and decided not to pass their envelopes forward? Don't be timid. This demonstration is only for entertainment purposes and not to foster a belief in the supernatural. I'm just like you---maybe with more experience in psychology or psychic testing---but I'm certainly not from Planet X.” This disclaimer is important for two reasons. First, you further distance yourself from fortune tellers and tabloid psychics. Second, you've reminded the ten or twelve pre- show guests to part with their envelopes! (But I've never had anyone come up to me after the show and challenge me with a blank card claiming I had pulled a “switch.”) With smaller audiences, it's easier to keep track of the pre-show participants. In this case, I take part in the actual collection process. And while handing out more cards and envelopes, I give the disclaimer spiel. All the collected envelopes are poured onto a table in plain view. You may touch them if it seems right for your style of performance, but never, never return any of the audience cards. (George Armstrong wrote this advice fifty years ago and it's still valid. “It proves nothing and slows down your act!”) “There's never enough time to include everyone, but I'll connect with as many of you as I can. By the way, we won't touch on any legal or medical issues---and I know some of you were seeking some personal advice. I'll do my best to be discreet.”

² Use whatever brand the watch is, of course.


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This sets up a couple of sensational “dummy” questions that are inserted after pre- show cards #3 and #7. Don't even think of not including a few sexy or poignant “embarrassing” fake thoughts. They are GREAT theatre! If you feel otherwise, PLEASE! Go into another tamer branch of show biz. “The first thought that strikes me is about a childhood pet. I'm getting the initials R. and J. Is there an R.J. or a J.R. thinking about a pet of some kind? Thank you. Will you stand so everyone can see and hear you? “Please folks, if I happen to catch your initials or part of your thought, stand up and answer 'loud and clear' so everyone can be in on the magic. “Was this a childhood pet? Possibly a dog---yes! It was a dog. Incidentally, is the R. your first initial? Does it stand for Ray---no, Raymond. Right? You were quite young but the memory is very vivid. Raymond, you're making this too easy. Who could not connect with a dog named Spot? Am I right? Thank you.” And you plow right into the next one. The pace must be brisk and light-hearted. Avoid the heavy, frowning , overly-dramatic manner of the vaudeville crystal gazer! 'The times---they are a changing.' Try to keep these short and sweet---one-and-a- half minutes max---so you'll have time to milk the fake questions a little more. “Who's next?” (Try to alternate between male and female.) “Please concentrate on your name and thought. Good, I'm getting the letter T.---and something about school, a favorite teacher? ” And so you “do” guests #2 and #3---always getting their conformations and audience “oohs” and “ahs.” Don't forget to sneak in a bit of cold reading---like lines from the astrology section of your daily newspaper. And don't step on any applause that may come your way. If you can find an audio tape of a Dunninger broadcast, study how he paced things. We can't all be Dunninger Juniors, nor should we want to be. Besides, his announcer had a big APPLAUSE sign that he held up now and again! OK, OK. So the great man “cheated.” We'd all better learn to be better cheaters, if we want to prosper! Which leads us to the first fake reading. “I hesitate to respond to the next thought. I'll try to be delicate. Please don't stand or acknowledge this. I'll try not to glance in your direction or say anything politically incorrect. This person is asking me to give some personal advice. “I can only say it has already gone much too far. Break it off now before someone finds out. And you know who I'm talking to. Consider this. What if BOTH your husbands find out? You've become addicted. (Pause) Twice a week is enough! --- to play Mah-Jongg!”


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Let's pause here to discuss the crib sheet that you may or may not have to refer to. (We'll explain a very useful memory system a little later on.) In the good old days (?) the vaudeville crystal gazers used a nickel-silver sphere. It had a window in one side and an inner roller mechanism that allowed him to scroll through copious crib notes. Switching boxes, baskets or change bags were used to collect and switch the audience questions for “dummy” slips. The dummies were emptied into a large fishbowl displayed down stage. While the performer lectured, his back stage assistants were busily sorting through the piles of questions and jotting down notes on a paper roll. Many other prompting devices were used: roller boxes, windows cut in the velvet cloth under a crystal ball, large hand-lettered cue cards, head sets hidden in turbans or blindfolds to receive audio transmissions through wires or induction coils, etc. Dunninger secretly opened up stolen slips behind his large notepad (which had flaps for privacy.) He would sit center stage in an easy chair, wave his heavy glasses and “emote” as only he could. Today you still have many choices because of “pre-show” work. Now you don't have to sift through a hundred badly written questions to get several “meaty” ones. Here are some of our favorite prompting devices and options: 1. Many current mentalists use a medium-size notebook to “jot down impressions as they come to me.” Each card's notes have been penciled in at the top of a page. 2. Some performers brazenly lay their printed crib sheets right on top of their table. They can hide them under the large drawing pads when necessary. 3. Those with eagle-like eyesight can jot tiny notes on their shirt cuffs or even write on their palm! 4. Others simply use small cards---usually 3 x 5 inch file cards cut in half. 5. There can be prop books lying on the table with Post-its stuck to the top or sides. They are later used in an appropriate favorite book test. 6. Even hand mikes have had crib notes taped to them! 7. The best prompter of all is a trusted memory. After all, you only have to remember eight or ten new “mini” stories. Here are the bare bones of my Base Ten Memory System, first published in a 1975 “Bonus Insert” of Magick. 1 = Wand 2 = Tube 3 = Tray (in poker a 3 is known as a “tray”) 4 = Fork 5 = Fiver (a five dollar bill) 6 = 6 Pack 7 = 7 Up 8 = 8 Ball 9 = 9 Lives (cat food) 10 = Tent (Notice the unique phonetics.) The Fund Raising Mentalist

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To memorize a pre-show audience card, simply use “association” and “sounds like--” Here's an example using card #1: One (Wand) --- Dog --- Spot --- Raymond Johnson. Visualize a DOG jumping over a large magic WAND and landing on a big black SPOT. (Say it over in your mind until you know these three specific key words.) When you have that first part locked in your memory, you can add to the scene. Now imagine RAY Charles (or ?) on his hands and knees wiping up the black SPOT with JOHNSON'S Wax! I dare you to say this three times and then try to forget it! You'll remember the darn scene tonight when you go to bed and again in the morning when you wake up! That's how strong association is and how well it works! Also, you always will remember an object or a situation better when it relates to something you're already familiar with. It's especially easy when you visualize an absurd situation with exaggerated or weird items. As a test, go back to our pre-show card #2 and arbitrarily fill out the instructions. Make an outlandish connection between the TEACHER and a huge chrome TUBE. Work out your own cartoon associations with the subject, grade and names. You'll see how easy it is and how fast it comes to you. Kids make up this stuff all day long! When you come to a difficult name, use a “sounds like--.” Can a day for Kennedy will put you on the right track. So will hill town for Hilton. You get the basic idea. To practice, you can photo copy our pages of the twelve pre-show audience cards and have a friend fill them out. Push yourself so you get the feeling that it's an actual show. After you've done this a few times, you'll realize what a valuable tool it is to free yourself from the crib notes. You certainly can use our “Wand, Tube, Tray” system (or any memory system you're already familiar with) in combination with crib notes. We're just offering you another “tool of the mentalist's trade.” Cards #4, 5, 6 and 7 are handled in the same direct and entertaining manner as we've explained earlier. Just keep up your enthusiasm. You've got to be excited if you are receiving a telepathic thought from someone in the audience! One of the truly significant lessons to be learned from Dunninger is that the majority of the audience was hoping he would connect with them. This kept people on the edges of their seats. It's why you should have as many as possible write something down and then ask them to concentrate hard! (Remember the two-way street analogy in your opening remarks?)


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Following card #7, you insert another fake question. There are many manuscripts and books on “Answering Questions,” “Sensational Answers,” etc., etc. However, we do not advocate that you base this act on Questions. They harken back to a different time and a different mind set. Dunninger anticipated this and was ready when the Federal Communications Commission outlawed fortune telling over the public air waves. What YOU should do is learn from today's radio and television pop psychologists. They wade right into an intriguing family matter and offer sage advice. Another source for great material is the “Dear so-in-so” and the “Advice to the Lovelorn” columns on the Astrology page of your daily newspaper. Every performer is different and so is every audience. You have to know yourself and do some group research before each show to know your audience. “One size” does not “fit all.” You also should read up on current psychology so you won't make an accidental fool of yourself before, during or after the show. Give your audience credit. Never talk down to people or try to appear God-like. You're suppose to be an authority with a special trained gift---not Superman. An audience can and will doom you to show business hell if you go too far! This is the fake question we've often used in the spot following audience card #7: “Oh oh. Here's another thought I can't have acknowledged. Hmm, this is a sticky one. It concerns book keeping. (Suddenly) Do you know how deeply you are involved in this? You didn't just fudge---you've really crossed the line. Avoiding taxes is allowed. Evading them is illegal---even though you feel everybody else does it. This could be a federal offense if you don't file an amended return---soon! I don't want to be a rude prude, but don't try to write off your brother-in-law as a dependant. You can't claim his losses! Besides, I sense you've been very lucky you haven't been audited the last four years! Let's move on to something more pleasant.” After you've given your last (and hopefully your best) pre-show card presentation, explain, “Ladies and gentlemen, I 'd like to present one more demonstration of ESP that I know you'll be intrigued by. Eleven of you were asked to imagine a picture--- any picture that came into your heads---one that you could visualize in your mind's eye. To make this totally random, I have a dozen number cards from one to twelve. Each of the volunteers has a different matching number in their pocket or purse.” Point to a VIP. “Would you please stand for a moment and select the winning number? Let me first remove card #12.” (You do so and he makes his selection.) “Which one did you draw for this million-dollar honor?”


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Great goodness gracious! He hands you number 7! How could this have possibly happened?! Unless you cheated---which, of course, you did. All eleven cards were numbered 7 as if you hadn't guessed. People always assume they see what they don't. They only see the 12 on the bottom and part of a 7 in the middle of the tight little fan you flash to the audience. You openly remove card 12 and mix up the rest. (Look for my book, The Assumption Swindle coming out in 2006. You've just had a tiny taste of its devilish delights. Please pardon my pride, but I feel it is quite special.) “Who has card #7? There she is. Congratulations---I hope! Would you come up and join us for a minute? Thank you. Will you tell us your name (---and phone number?---if you're leaning toward a more comic presentation.) Nancy, do you have the picture you chose to concentrate on locked in your mind? And you haven't told anyone about it? You didn't write it down or ever draw it anywhere? Very good. “Now for the hard questions.” (Hold up a marker pen.) “This is a --- ?” hold up a drawing pad.) “And this is a --- ?” (She laughs and answers.) “And you are --- an artist!

(Hand it to her and

“While I turn around, please draw a large simple picture of the image you're holding in your mind. Don't let anyone see what you draw---so they can't signal me. OK?” Take your pad and, before you turn, say something like, “I'll try to get a telepathic impulse each time you move your pen. I know, I know---it's IMPOSSIBLE, but let's try it anyway. Be a brave artiste!” Position yourselves a few yards apart with the lady facing the audience and you facing the opposite wings---also partially facing the audience. You should try to avoid letting anyone see what you're drawing so the climax won't be spoiled. “Ready? Set? (Beat) Draw!” (Pause and give the audience your best Jack Benny dead pan look.) “This is impossible!” (Start drawing.) “They say 'Don't try this at home, kids.' Well you sure could try this one! “Nancy, have you completed your art work? Would you show it to us? Whoa! That's a work of art. Very nice indeed. Now, would it be a miracle if our pictures had a 'Close Encounter of the Fourth Dimensional Kind?” (Audience will agree.) “Will you please give a round of applause if we're partially close? Then---witness a . . . . . . . MIRACLE!” (You both should be holding your drawings at chest height while standing side by side, center stage.)


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“Nancy, thank you for being on the same wave length with me. And thanks to our audience.” (Take her drawing pad and pen and put everything on the table.) ”Before you take your seat, there's one more cherry to put on top of your sundae.” Turn to the organizer. “Mr. __________, will you please bring up the sealed letter you received earlier today?” (As he comes to the stage, you continue explaining.) “It contains a prediction I made last night before going to bed.. Sir, have you had the letter in your possession and guarded it for the entire time? Do you swear no one has tampered with it--including you? Thank you. Please break the seal and read my prediction so everyone can hear.” (He reads it to guaranteed big applause. Take the letter, hold it high and put it on the table.) “Will you kindly escort Miss ________ back to her seat? Ladies and gentlemen, I never know how close I'll come when I have these prophetic visions. This one happened to be exceptional. And you've been an exceptional group. Until next time, thank you and good night.” This second ending is a perfect capper for your picture duplication's first ending. You've topped yourself, so to speak, and ended up center stage, alone for your finale round of applause. The mechanics of Second Ending are simple enough but they play big! Immediately after your pre-show work with the lady, you fill in the blanks of a pre-written letter (or just write it out!), seal it and take it to the organizer for safe-keeping until called for during the show. The following is the exact text I've used since I was twenty. HAND WRITTEN!

(Yesterday's date!)

Dear Mr. ____________ , I can't get to sleep until I write out this “vision” that keeps running through my mind. Tomorrow, at your event, I see a young blond lady trying to visualize a picture. It seems to be an animal --- perhaps a CAT. I also have a part of a name. It is something like Mary or Marie or even Maria. Thank you for holding this “thought” of mine until show time. And thanks again for your cooperation and kindness. Sincerely, (Your signature)


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The underlined words are blanks that you fill in As indicated, this letter (plus any changes) is given to the host or organizer as early as possible. He's asked to keep it continually on his person and not to let anyone have access to, or tamper with, the envelope or its contents until you call for it near the end of your performance. AFTER-SHOW MINI READINGS: There's nothing like the compliments given after a great performance. Probably the finest is a long line at your card table that's set up off to one side at the charity event! This table and two chairs setting allows you to do your “ticking sheet” readings while the folks standing in line can peruse the attractive display of pitch books, etc. on your second nearby table. This is exactly like a super-market which keeps magazines, tabloids and snacks alongside the waiting lines at each check-out station. (Smart marketing!) Under the table are the stacked boxes of excess pitch booklets, etc. There are always three parts to these after-show readings. The first part is your Approach, followed by the actual Reading and then the Pitch Book Sales. A good Approach includes an announcement, the setting, you signs and the merchandise display. The announcement should go something like this: “You've just witnessed a true miracle man. Mr. ___________ has agreed to help our charity raise additional funds by giving private Aura readings beside the pool cabana. This is a rare chance to get a glimpse into your true inner-personality from a man of great vision. insight and experience. Don't miss this fun opportunity.” There is one more angle to the Approach --- the magic word “FREE!” If the master thought reader does not correctly tell you what number you chose, your “innerpersonality” reading is free. (Just like the carnival barker who tries to guess your correct weight.) To the average Joe, the word “free” is a very powerful magnet! For years I've used the wonderful Anverdi Electronic Die Box to learn which side of a plastic die the guest secretly chooses to leave uppermost. The lid remains closed and I never touch this finely made wooden box! It is magic! I'm always in complete control and can decide which pretty girl or nice old lady will get a free reading. In the Addendum, we'll cover three or four alternate methods you can use to save yourself hundreds of dollars. (Today, the boxes are a collector's item.) The second part of the Approach is the setting, which should never be ornate or hint of a gypsy's fortune telling booth. Trust me, less is more. This is not a séance. You should appear more as a psychologist than a reader. That's why the act is styled after Dunninger rather than the mysterious Alexander! A card table, two comfortable chairs, your charts and the sign. That's it!---plus whatever prop you need to perform the secret “free choice” opening gambit. The Fund Raising Mentalist

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The third element of the Approach is a sign on the table which states “YOUR READING FREE --- IF I'M WRONG! My sign is twelve inches wide by nine inches tall in a silver selfstanding picture frame. The last Approach element is the merchandise display of pitch books, talismans, lucky charms, etc. This will be discussed in some detail a bit later. Part Two is the actual Reading. You must use a prepared “ticking chart” like the old Nelson Enterprises single sheet “Solar” or “Graphology” charts. E. Raymond Carlyle (my friend Ed Fowler) and Miriam Rothchild both have fine variations of this theme. Loren Tindall has a variety of neat charts including Aura, Palmistry, etc. Richard Webster (of New Zealand) has a variety of stock forms as does my compatriot Gene Nielsen. Their products are always excellent. So, you see, there is no dearth of great material out there. The trick is to do your homework and pick the one that is just right for you. Here are some tips: 1. Decide what you have the strongest belief in. 2. Piggy-back anything on top of graphology. 3. Astrological birth dates always combine well with numerology. 4. Aura readings are a current favorite. 5. “Psy-Graphico” by Dr. Charles Scott is always safe and sure. 6. Regression is too complex. 7. Only use check-off charts that take two minutes or less. 8. Avoid complex mathematical mumbo-jumbo. 9. Talk to a variety of your typical clients to get their views. 10. Basic psychic readings are too close to fortune telling. It's best to have a “hook.” 11. Always remain serious but friendly. 12. Most importantly, don't use a chart that produces duplicate results for people born under the same sign. (This embarrassed me more than once when using the old Nelson Solar Charts for large gatherings.) ³ When the participant first sits down, be courteous but a bit brusque. You don't have time for too much fun and games. People are waiting in line, and, to be blunt, time really IS money! You have maybe three hours at the most. At the best, you can read for only ten people an hour. That would be a total of thirty---times “X” (the price the charity agreed to charge for each reading)---divided by whatever your “split” agreement is. THAT is exactly what YOU are WORTH! Don't get me wrong. You may want to donate your entire earnings to the charity. But, in either case, you always should look at the total take and figure out how to maximize it. ³ Carlyle Enterprises is the owner of the Nelson Solar Charts and offers other charts on Handwriting and Palmistry. Also Pitch Books. All may be personlized. The Fund Raising Mentalist

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One way is to not do too many “freebies.” Another is to work with the host or the organizer to set a fair but hefty fee for each reading. After all, this is for a good cause. And, since there are only twenty or thirty openings, they should be valuable! The rarer something is, the more valuable it becomes. ---Which leads us to one of our favorite “ploys”---APPOINTMENTS! Get the host to make an announcement about this rare opportunity and you'll see the lines forming at the appointment desk, not at your table. This allows the guests to roam around and do other things (for the charity?) until their scheduled time. It also minimizes mild arguments over pushing, crowding in, saving places, etc.---all of which are disruptions to your readings. Another neat ploy is a Donation Jar clearly labeled MINIMUM DONATION $5.00 or $10.00 or $100.00. (Why not?) Our last idea is to auction off each appointment. It takes a little extra time, but is great fun if you clown around a bit---like pulling up your pant leg, blowing a thank you kiss, miming deafness at a low bid, shaking your hands like a champ, etc. This also can be dove-tailed in between other auctioned items to raise even more funds. Auctions and appointments have to be handled carefully. They should be scheduled after the lunch or dinner and after your performance. Never do an auction or a show while people are eating! Rodney Dangerfield was right---you'll get no respect! And a mental act is all about audience participation. The worst of it is, people always like to TALK while they're eating. We may have side-tracked you a bit from the topic of Readings, but these last paragraphs strike to the very heart of fund-raising---the bottom line. When you realize fund-raisers can charge AND GET, $25,000 a plate, you know you must never sell yourself short---unless you happen to be not too good. If that's true---GET BETTER, QUICK! The actual Reading is a matter of following the Aura or Astro or Numerical-Solar chart's directions. Then it's all up to you and your personality. Our only additional advice is to give different readings to everyone, to be positive (say nothing morbid) and, as the old former Prime Minister of Great Britain once said about handling Queen Victoria --- “You have to lay it on with a trowel!” Oh, and one more thing. Always give them a trinket like a lucky charm or a talisman¹ card that does something. It's good advertising IF it says who you are and how to get in touch with you or your agent.

¹ A stone from a gem shop or a Fortune Telling Fish. A crystle is nice and can be found a ‘swap meets’. The fish can be obtaied from John Riggs at [email protected]


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Part Three is the Pitch Book Sales. This “back of the house” selling is so important you should always have a volunteer helper to keep track of things. She should handle the cash box and keep an eye on the goods. She also must know the merchandise. Face it! You're busy as hell doing a show every six minutes. (Allow for bathroom breaks and whetting your whistle.) You can barely squeeze in a quick answer now and then when she asks about quantity discounts and how much to charge if they buy one of everything. Be sure to have a stack of small fliers that tell folks how they can order items directly from your company. Fliers are cheap, easy to print up and effective. Don't have too many items piled on the display table. Tell your volunteer exactly how many of each booklet and item you want on the table at any one time. Never look cluttered. A bare card table without a table cloth is not a sin. And never let a volunteer or organizer talk you into some gaudy covering! Lastly, always bring more than you expect to sell. As we mentioned, keep the main stock in their boxes under the table. It must never look like sales are slow or weak. Ask the volunteer to encourage friends to come over and “talk up” the products. Every old pro would have his shills helping him sell snake oil! The last topic is fees and splitting profits. Fees are based on four things: 1. 2. 3. 4.

How good are you? How “hungry” are they? How much have they paid in the past? How much do your competitors get?

The “law of supply and demand” especially holds true in the psychic entertainment field. (At least it's stronger than the magic field!) You must always set your sights high. However, that requires an honest evaluation of your ability and salesmanship. In my own case (as a teenager), I had to do a score of free shows before I made a dime. Appearances on television helped me immensely! It gave me something to crow about in my simple fliers or little sales letters. How neat to be able to say that: “I appeared with Henry Fonda at the Children's Hospital.” Or honestly quote that: “Peggy Lee and husband Dave Barbour were the star entertainers, but Jackie Tillar stole the show with his uncanny ability to see with his finger tips!” Having an agent or a booking agency is the real way to go---but that's a different league. You have to be a true professional, not a part-time “once-a-monther.” If being a pro is your goal, then GO FOR IT! The fund-raisers will help you on your long journey. The Fund Raising Mentalist

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I can give you one important tip. Be different. Stand apart from the rest of the crowd. As the old stripper advised Gypsy Rose Lee (in the musical about her life and family), “You've got to have a gimmick. I bump it with a trumpet!” Always keep searching for your “gimmick.” Only you know how much your expenses are (including your cost-of-sales.) Frankly, we all have had to “invest in ourselves.” It's an on-going thing. You are a business as well as a commodity. (Maybe you're also an oddity, which could be very good!) So this brings us to something we all must have---a minimum. You should at least have your expenses paid and your costs covered. For years, I was a guest lecturer on the topic of Post-Production and/or Music for Television and Films. These were often favors for producers, directors or composers. They'd teach a course at Stanford, USC or UCLA for magnanimous purposes, but would use the opportunity to proselyte the best and the brightest students to become free interns or low-paid assistants! I often was paid an honorarium but always would donate it back to the university. It was a logical circle. It's what “net-working” is all about. And fund-raising is based on networking and “contact lists.” The best charity organizers have the best address books of celebrities and the rich. You must absorb this idea and try to figure out how to squeeze into their great circle. Remember: “You scratch my back, and I'll scratch your's.“ Favors beget favors. Don't let anyone tell you differently. Sure, you may get stiffed now and then, but it won't be from the people at the top. That's one of the reasons they are on top. Always try to fly with the eagles. It takes time, but it absolutely is worth it! Splitting profits requires a contract. NEVER do a benefit show, charity event or a local church bazaar without a contract. It must have the signature of the authorized organizer. Most cities require permits to solicit contributions. Ask about this and be sure you're not dealing with frauds or contributing to a confidence scam. You could be arrested as an accessory and fined or worse! The “back of the house” split (of 50/50, 60/40, etc.) must be in writing and requires a strict accounting. Under no circumstances, disclose your actual costs. This is nobody else's business. As your career progresses, you can drive a harder bargain, but never let organizers or producers step on you. Cutting expenses is what they do for a living!


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Your best source for pitch booklets, ticking charts, charms, talismans, printing rights or reference information and mentalism effects is from the following current (but incomplete) list: E. Raymond Carlyle Richard Webster Lee Jacobs (or heir)/ Miriam Rothchild Hocus Pocus Joe Stevens Penguin Magic Gene Nielsen Loren Tindall

(757) 427-3235 -----(740) 992-5208 (559) 266-5150 (316) 683-9582 (702) 734-3333 (805) 962-3829 (802) 862-7609

[email protected] Site www.carlyletouch.com [email protected] [email protected] www.hocuspocus.com [email protected] www.penguinmagic.com [email protected] [email protected]

ADDENDUM: There are many two and three-way false cuts. Here's an easy one if you don't have a reference source. Hold the deck in dealing position. Undercut about half and put it on the table. Using the same motions, grab the top half and put it onto the tabled half. Anverdi Die Box Alternatives: Don't use anything that people can buy in a magic shop! You may already be using an effect that gives you knowledge of a person's secret choice. Go through all your material and try to find one that is repeatable. Tony Blake's new Mentalist ESP Chips would be an excellent choice. These are very well made and can be “read” via cleverly-disguised marks on the back of each chip. Marked cards may tend to be too obvious. It would be much better to use six blank back number cards that are stacked and false shuffled. A simple series of cuts is OK. Burt Sperber' s poker chip force is great. You show six different colors and shake them in a double bag or envelope, then have the guest take one from the forcing side ² A magician's choice works well. Write your prediction and have guest touch two of five objects. If he touched the force item, remove the rest and have him give you one. Now one of you holds the predicted object. If he didn't point to it, remove those he pointed to and have him pick up two of the remaining three. If the forced item is left you're set, but if he holds it, have him give you one as above. Either way, you win! Another version is the PATEO force. You Point At Two items, the guest Eliminates One. You alternate each time, reversing roles. The last item left is the predicted one. The secret is you never choose the force object! Great good luck with your charities! Jack Kent Tillar ² An excellent clear, self-sealing, Forcing Bag can be obtained from Carlyle. See list above. Since it’s clear use folded color slips with numbers printed on the inside of the fold. The Fund Raising Mentalist

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Bonus Insert I ask my good friend Carlyle ( Ed Fowler) if he had any additional thoughts he might add. He agreed and here are some that fit my effect. “Thanks Jack for the opportunity to add just a few thoughts. I have in my collection an effect that is accomplished by the use of a special dictionary. I call it The Working Mentalist Dictionary. I won’t tell your readers how it works, but here is what you can add to the show. Near the opening where you have the three women do the colors, have a person stand that has a word in their mind. You ask if they freely chose the word, didn’t tell anyone or write it down. The agree they chose the word and didn’t tell or write. You ask them to mix up the letters, in their mind and pick one and project it to you. They do and you get the letter then more letters and finally the whole word. Next a working on the Hoy Tossed out deck, if you have nothing against cards. Also other decks can be used by making them up in the same way as three-way forcing decks. The usual handling to get three spectators to select a card. (For those that don’t know it. A rubber band is around the deck and it is handed to the first person to just lift up and peek at one card without riffling the deck. The next two do the same and the deck returned to the stage. The regular method is to have the spectators think hard on their card and send the thought to you. Now you call out the three cards and tell the spectators if they heard their card to sit down. I don’t like that approach and learned this method. It’s not mine and I don’t really know where it came from. Go to # 1 and name the three force cards . Ask him if he heard his card he is to sit down. The other two will hear their card so they know you got their thought, but you have only ask #1 so he sits down. Now to #2 and do the same and she sits down. You need now only turn to #3 and ask if he also heard his card. Yes and he sits down. It plays better than if they all sit down at the same time. The special questions should be of a very similar nature to the real ones. That is look between a couple of people somewhere about halfway back as if someone back thee had said yes to the initials. And give the same kind of info you are giving to the other 8 or so real cards. Then state that you are receiving a question from this person. Just give initials and not the full name. Say that you are not a fortune teller, but—and then give the type Jack has given in the text. This assumes that you are doing the same as all the rest and this just came from a person that wants more which you really don’t want to do, but since it’s of such a serious nature, well . . . Don’t offer to answer it after the show. This will open the flood gates and you don’t want to go there unless you have decided to go into readings. That’s your choice. This manuscript is full of solid, workable information. Only a few of Dunninger’s recorded radio shows are still available. We may be able to offer one with this effect. PEAce, Carlyle


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EXTRA SECRET By Carlyle This is something I have not shared with anyone. But because Jack is such a good friend, well . . . It first happened over 30 years ago. I was ask by a very good friend to do a fund raiser for the City of Hope. Now I didn’t do find raisers, at least not then. So I agreed. But what was I going to charge? My fee was high then and living on the fact that I had created a famous show at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, Calif., The Houdini Séance. After much thought I decided to do what follows and it has been my way since. I made arrangements with the lady in charge to set up the whole thing. Here is what the audience saw and heard: I had just finished my act which followed along the lines of Jack’s routine you have just bought. I said my good byes and the host came up with me on stage and thanked me and told the audience that I would be doing charts for readings in the lobby. She then handed me my check for $3,000. I turned to the audience and said that the City of Hope was one of my favorite charities and that right here in front of all I was signing over this check to the City of Hope. “Now ladies and gentlemen I want you to dig down deep into your pockets and match me.” Before the evening was over they had raised more money than on any other fund-raiser. Yes I did a band up job at the tic sheet table. All of which I kept. Now the arrangements with the host was that I would give back the check so they would not be out my fee. I was to keep the table profits and receive a letter from the City of Hope that I had contributed $3,000 to them. I used it on my tax return as a deduction. And it was legal. My friend was also my tax man. It can work for you as it is a “win, win” situation. PEAce,

Carlyle


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The Intimate Mentalist By Jack Kent Tillar Six classics of mentalism make up this beautiful act. Each effect has been carefully restructured with fresh twists and turns. These are subtle NEW METHODS and SETTINGS. Each effect is independent and two may even be used one-on-one!

This is a NO CARDS and NO PRE-SHOW WORK act you can carry in your pocket!! PRICE: $45.00

Carlyle Enterprises 2753 Livingston Loop Virginia Beach, VA 23456 Phone: 757.427.3235 E-Mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.carlyletouch.com

© Copyright by Jack Kent Tillar 2004

Jack Kent Tillar 1002 11th Street #2 Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 Phone: 562.715.5541

The Intimate Mentalist 1. JACK'S “THIS WAY OUT”: The cunning of Dr. Stanley Jaks “no-force” effect without his dependence on the old “one-ahead!” You'll love this new handling! 2. UNDER THE TEA CUPS: This is the REAL method used to perform Dollar Bill 3 Cup Monte written up in Magick, including an original bill switch and reading! 3. BIG-LITTLE POCKET DICTIONARY: This is brand new and devilish! 3 people secretly write down page numbers. A volunteer freely selects one and turns to that page. Without hesitation you know his word! You'll never guess the M.O.! 4. JIG-SAW BUSINESS CARDS: Several versions have been tried to divine the four quarters of a torn business card mixed among many other torn pieces in an unprepared bag or bowl. A fine effect, right? But THIS method allows pieces to be TORN AND STIRRED by the spectators! And it uses no duplicates! 5. THE “A-TEAM” WORK: This is a great change-of-pace. The Guest of Honor or VIP is asked for a large denomination bill. It's put into an envelope, sealed and mixed among three similar envelopes. He picks a “psychic team” to “protect his investment.” Each burns an envelope! You tensely open up the last one and find (to great relief) HIS MONEY! The routine is loaded with comic moments. 6. PSYCHIC RORSCHACH TEST: Here is a fitting climax for a classic act. Five guests are given an index card. They're folded in half and each presses drops of ink between the halves to create their own Rorschach Inkblot. Each secretly prints what the design means to him. Using psychic abilities, you study the first four cards, correctly analyze the personalities and return each card to its proper owner! You then divine the last face-down card! PLUS a very surprising dream ending!! The above represents a honest description of The INTIMATE MENTALIST Act, but it does not mean to infer that this material automatically will make you a performer of Dr. Stanley Jaks capabilities or stature. His noble demeanor, his use of English and his elegant props matched his sense of drama. He was a showman and a gentleman! Great traits to emulate.

The Intimate Mentalist

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JACK'S “THIS WAY OUT': This is my handling of Dr. Jaks “Triple Prediction.” The effect usually requires a force and one-ahead . But be warned! The public has become aware of this old method through the cheap plastic knock-offs of Hen Fetsch's clever Mental Epic. I loved Jaks idea of avoiding the force by letting the SPECTATOR try to read YOUR mind for the third prediction. That's a great bit of theatre, but not-so-great when used with the one-ahead principle. It also was a let-down, as Bob Cassidy has pointed out, to end the routine featuring the spectator and not you! My final addition (though certainly not original) is to play this as a telepathic effect instead of a prophecy. For decades, I've been against predictions because they invite comparisons with tabloid fortune tellers. We're better than that. (Aren't we???) Required are a packet of about thirty 3 X 5 plain index cards and six 3 1/2 x 6 security envelopes. Two of these are prepared by cutting a window 2 1/2 by 4 1/2 from the face---but below the lip, so the cutout can't be seen when the envelope is open (seam side up.) The stack of six are face down with the windows 2nd and 3rd from the top. Begin the performance with a FEW words about parapsychology and psychic testing. It's important to mention that everything in the universe is inter-related and that we all have inborn ancient wisdom and latent psychic talents. Give them rational reasons to suspend their probable skepticism (This also is your best opportunity to sell you!) “As a test to illustrate this power of the mind, take a card (any card---I'm kidding.) On it, you'll try to write down a thought I'm going to send you. I'll be thinking of something from the old game called Twenty Questions. They had three categories: Animal, Vegetable and Mineral: I'm concentrating on an Animal---the Jungle kind. “I'll write out my thought and 'bag the evidence so it can't be contaminated.' (Slide it into the top envelope.) Now, sir, try to sense what I'm thinking and write it so no one can see.” Of course, you also did not let anyone see you write TIGER, scratch it out and write LION before slipping it into the top envelope. Write Animal below flap. Another subtle bit: point with the Animal envelope, freely showing both sides (thus planting the seed that ALL envelopes are ordinary and not transparent.) Lay it in the middle of the table, unsealed, with the mouth facing you (and the word facing him.) As he finishes his writing, have him turn his card face down (in front of him.) “Now we switch. I'll try the next two categories.” Turn to someone else at the table. “Would you please think of a common or UNcommon Vegetable and secretly print it out for our later confirmation?” Ask another innocent bystander, “And would you be kind enough to think of an ordinary or exotic Mineral---and also secretly print it out?”


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Take his Vegetable card, slide it face-down into the top window envelope, label it Vegetable and lay it beside your Animal envelope. Do the same with the Mineral card: into a face-down window and label it Mineral. (Flaps are upright but unsealed.) “We've bagged all the evidence in one, two, three envelopes.” Lay the Mineral on top of the Vegetable, and both of them on top of the Animal. Pick them up and fan them, as you would a poker hand, but keeping the flap sides toward the audience. Then hold them “close to your vest” as in a card game. Turn to Person One, “You've had a chance to write down which Animal you thought I chose. Now you get another chance to touch my envelope and see if you get any second thoughts.” Pick out the Animal envelope and put it down in front of him. SURPRISE! The other two cards are LOOKING AT YOU through their two little windows! (Don't be obvious, however, in reading their written info.) Casually lay the two envelopes face-down onto the table as you ask, “Is that your final choice?” Whatever he says or scratches out and rewrites, touch the Veggie envelope, get the vibes and write them down on a blank card and put it face-down in front of Person Two. Do the same with Person Three's Mineral choice. “These both seemed to give off great vibrations, but first, let's see how you (#1) did.” Slide your Animal card out of its envelope and turn it over in front of him. “I almost chose a tiger but decided on a lion. What Animal did you think I selected?” If he gets it--- great! If he doesn't, remind him, “It becomes easier and easier with a lot of practice.” Slide out the Vegetable card and turn it over. “You chose eggplant (?) and what did I think you chose?” Ask Person Two to turn your card over. “See what I mean? Lots and lots of practice! Let's look at the Mineral you decided on” Slide out the third card and turn it over. “Darn! Gold. That's what I almost chose---” Have Person Three turn it over. “---and did! By the way, does the Golden Rule really mean whoever has the gold--- rules?!” Leave the cards out but pocket the envelopes! UNDER THE TEA CUPS: This was written up by Bascom Jones in the second or third year of Magick but I selfishly held back the REAL way I normally did it. It's a Bob Hummer idea, refined by Al Koran, that always had flawed logic. It still does, but not nearly as much. This is a table trick---that require lapping, so don't do it if you have people behind or on either side of you. (I do it surrounded but the switch is not as clean---or clever.) All you need are three cups, a tightly crumpled-up dollar bill with the serial number memorized and good eyesight (or you're likely to tip the M.O.) “I'd like to borrow a dollar bill for a couple of minutes. Thanks. Please crumple it up into a small ball and drop it into this cup.” Push one of the cups over toward him.


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Using this distraction, mark two cups. (It could be done before the show.) It's your choice of “daub” but for over forty years I've always used tiny fingernail marks of pancake make-up (hence the need for good eyesight!) It's never been discovered, accidentally wiped off or failed me! The twist to all other methods is the marking of two upside-down cups, on the lip facing you, with one daub and two daub marks. Pour out the borrowed bill in front of you and turn over all three cups. (The marks will ALWAYS be facing you.) “Since early Egypt, there has been some form of the old 'Three Shell Game.' It got its modern name from the carnival game using walnut shells and a pea. It's like 'Three Card Monte' played on too many city street corners in America---where you learn 'the hand is quicker than the eye.' Like this.” Demonstrate by covering the bill, mixing the cups (near the back edge of the table) and OBVIOUSLY sliding the bill off into your lap---where the memorized bill has been stashed. “Now it's impossible for the mark to find the bill. There IS NO BILL!” Show all cups empty, then display the memorized bill from your lap. I love to do this switch. It's brazen!! (See ADDENDUM for a bill switch you can do surrounded.) Turn the cups upside down. Ask which cup to put the bill under and begin moving them around, monte fashion. IMPORTANT: always keep the handles pointing in the same direction. Your shifting pattern will be emulated by your volunteer. Trust me. Ask someone close to slide the cups around while your back is turned. “I'll show you how psychics play the game.” (Keep cups close to you.) “All set? Can I play now?” Of course it's like shooting fish in a barrel doing it this way. NO STRANGE “MOVE THE OTHER TWO CUPS.” NO COUNTING ON YOUR FINGERS. NO LOSING TRACK OF THE CUP. Just straight-forward, unhampered entertainment! The bill is always under the one, two or NO marked cup! Repeat it, but after the first two times, casually ask, “Would you like it to try it under another cup?” (Five times is plenty.) “I wish I could really do this for money, but that's not the way the Universe lets us use the power. I can't even pick horses or stocks! But there's another thing it does let me do. Sir, will you take your bill back and open it so only you can see its face? By the way, we have nothing pre-arranged. Will you give everyone your word on that? “Now try to spot the tiny series date on your dollar bill. It should be to one side and just below George's picture. Don't tell me what it is but focus on it. I see a two and a zero and another zero---I'm always good on those first three numbers. Concentrate--- there's a one! Is it series 2001? Good. Now let's go from series to serious. There are millions of bills dated 2001 but only ONE with the serial number you now hold. Concentrate again.” Divine the memorized serial number in a not-over-done modern fashion; wipe off the marks in a discreet fashion; and acknowledge your applause in a noble and gentlemanly Dr. Jaks fashion. You're clean and “ready to rumble” onward.


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BIG-LITTLE POCKET DICTIONARY: (The name comes from a glut of thick, wallet-sized kids comic books of the thirties.) I've always loved a principle used in book tests by Leslie Anderson, Al Mann, Phil and Max Maven, among others, where you get the secret data from what PART of the book someone is looking at. In other words, there has been a limited choice of pages forced on them (via Add-aNumber, Out-to-Lunch, etc.) but they get to make a final free choice of the page. It can be in the front, middle or back of the book and either the right or left page. These clues lead you to the correct word on your prompt sheet. This works great on stage, but not great for close-up or living room. And how could you use the principle with a relatively thin pocket dictionary? Ah HA! I finally figured it out (but I'm sure someone in the Big-Little Book era discovered it before I did. Damn it's hard to invent new principles. You're lucky to find one in a lifetime.) On the top half of a vertical index card write: #1.

121

#2.

513

#3.

967

(The three-digit numbers are each in a different hand writing.) (The #1, #2 and #3 are in your your hand writing.)

Put this card face-up on a stack of index cards. Now cut a spare card exactly in half, keep one part and use it to cover the above numbers so they're neatly hidden---as in “Out-to-Lunch.” Wrap a wide rubber band around the middle of the stack, hiding the cut edge of the top half card and securely holding it in place on the stack. You're set. “We have to pick something at random in a moment.“ As you're speaking, write #1, #2 and #3 on the top blank half card exactly like you've written them on the full card beneath it. “Miss, would you kindly write your initials on the bottom of this card. Thank you.” Move away from her. “Now you, sir, please jot down any three-digit number, like 267 or 913 alongside the #1 on the card? And you, miss, another three- digit number opposite #2. And you, madam, a number in the hundreds beside #3?“ Go back to the first woman, carefully pull out the initialed card from under the half card and hand it to her---perhaps pointing to her initials. Put the card stack back in your pocket and remove the small (unprepared) dictionary. “Language is one of our most cherished legacies. Without it, we wouldn't have survived or deserved to be atop the animal kingdom.” Hand her the dictionary. “Here are some of our most used words---not too many technical or foreign---just words we all know and use daily. You're about to select ONE word in this American Dictionary absolutely at random, using the numbers freely chosen by our audience.“ Step away.


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Jack Kent Tillar

“Without telling anyone, please mentally choose one of those three-digit numbers. Do you have one? Fine. Now use the first two digits to represent a page. If the number was 375, you'd use 37 and turn to that page. That's clear? Good. You'll use the last digit to decide which word on that page. So, if you were using 375, you'd count down to the fifth word. This is positively as fair and random as we can make it. “We're using TEST CONDITIONS similar to those imposed at the Stanford Research Institute or the UCLA and Duke Parapsychology Labs. Please clear your mind and just concentrate on the word.” The simple secret is that if she doesn't count, it's the #1 word on the small crib notes you've penciled on the bottom of the index card stack. If she counts only a bit, it's #2 and if she counts a lot, it's #3. Elementary, my dear Watson. You may wish to use a six word limited-choice force. If so, you'd also need to watch if she was looking at the right or left page. Personally, I think it would drag things out and your “test conditions” spiel logically covers three people writing down numbers. One last thing: Try to memorize the three words. It's much, much neater. I've never used the crib notes (or even made them up.) You always have to look for ways to keep your act moving along. Mentalism doesn't like stage-waits!---or excuses!!! JIG-SAW BUSINESS CARDS: It's always important to analyze a problem from all angles---like they do in TV crime scene investigations and like Darrell Fitzkee advocated over six decades ago in his ground-breaking The Trick Brain. If four quarters of a chosen business card---or a playing card---are to be magically found amidst dozens and dozens of similar pieces, you could start your analysis from four starting points: (1.) (2.) (3.) (4.)

They're actually separated or they remain together as a group. They're actually go into the receptacle or they're kept separate. The chosen quarters are discernable from the other pieces. There are four duplicate quarters.

Here are several ways to solve it, depending on the situation and the receptacle. When I first tried this great effect I would crimp the pieces like Larry Becker, Karl Fulves and others. Then I started using a plastic paper clip to keep them together. Next, I stole a duplicate card (and quartered it.) Lately I got minimalistic and just held pieces finger-palmed against the inside of the bowl (or butter tub, right Ed?) See Below* Before divulging the final and current method, let's step back a moment. If we view the effect from a spectator's standpoint, he'll no doubt surmise: 1) you probably had a duplicate card, and 2) the pieces never got into the bowl or bag. Good thinking. So you have to block or divert his line of logic. Here's how I currently play it. * The Headline Prediction or “Butter Tub” is available from Carlyle at: www.carlyletouch.com The Intimate Mentalist

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Jack Kent Tillar

“Most business people carry business cards. Some give them out like confetti. The old school gentlemen were required to carry “calling” cards and to leave near the front door on an ornate tray designed just for that purpose. I believe that these cards always take on the “vibrations” of their owners. Let's test that thesis. “May I borrow five or six different business cards, preferably white, without raised printing. Thank you very much. I also need to borrow a lady to mix them up and select one. Thank you for volunteering, Miss____________.” Swap names and spread out the cards on the table. She points to one. Hand her a pen. “And since you're now a celebrity, could I have your autograph---on the back of the card you've selected. Very good.” Take back the signed card and the pen. “Now we must all agree that there is only one card like this in the universe. Right? By the way, we've never met before, have we?” She responds. “You don't have to sound that happy about it, do you? And we don't have anything pre-arranged? No? Very good. Please pick a second card and do as I do. Tear it in half. Good. And tear the halves in to quarters. Hold them up to show everyone.” You do likewise. “And now choose another card that catches your fancy while I get us ready for the big drawing.” This holds everyone's attention while you open the folded up small paper lunch bag from the table. It's absolutely ordinary. Almost. Except that it ALREADY HOLDS FOUR PIECES OF A SIMILAR TORN CARD AND IT HAS A SECRET FULL FRONT FLAP (cut from another sack) SCOTCH TAPED TO “HINGE” AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BAG. THAT'S ALL! Otherwise, it's absolutely ordinary. Show the torn pieces again, hold the bag out in front of you and drop the pieces into the secret flap compartment! Close the bag and shake up the pieces. Then open it again holding the flap closed with your fingers inside. “Okay, please drop in your pieces and stir the eight of them together.”. Set the open bag back down on the table (watch your angles!--or you may want to keep the flap closed with a small piece of tape or magicians wax.) Take the card she just selected, ask her to pick another one and, “Please do as I do, again.” Tear it into quarters, pick up the bag (holding flap closed), drop in your pieces, have her do the same plus stirring everything up again. “You're getting so good at this, why don't you just tear up the last two cards yourself? Very nice. Now into the bag they go and mix up all the 20 or 30 pieces. Perfect! Now (pause) will you just reach in and take out your signed card, one piece at a time, without looking?” The expression on her face is always priceless! “If you used your eyes, would that help?” She looks in and is still lost. “Nothing yet? Well perhaps it is a lot to ask. Would you mind if I tried? I'm nothing if not a gentleman.” Hold up your free empty hand, take a deep breath and dramatically take out the “four easy pieces.” Hand each to her while counting aloud. “Does the jig-saw match?” Pour out all the other pieces, show bag empty, crumple it up and thank her! Applause, applause. Fini! Next


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Jack Kent Tillar

PSYCHIC “A-TEAM” WORK: As a teenager, I was a member of the L.A. “Modern Mountebanks,” together with 'Aubrey' (Jimmy Crabbe), Kenny Williams, Shotzie and with several visits from Milt Larsen. Dr. Claude Leaf, former president of the PCAM, was our mentor and was dedicated to creating a new and bright generation of magicians. Usually he would teach us showmanship and stagecraft but sometimes he would spend the evening working on a classic of magic. My favorite was the “Banknite” session. I could hardly wait to try it on family and friends. Their response was NO response. They wanted the magician to lose! How rude. I was a good kid and couldn't afford the dollar bill--even for applause. This life lesson has translated into the following effect which HAS NO LOSERS. “Now it's time to involve your guest of honor. Are you up to it? Good. The ante is only a hundred dollar bill. You seem to have lost your enthusiasm. Would it help if I asked for a fifty? A twenty? A ten? A fiver? Great. You're also a celebrity--- can I have your autograph---on the bill? Thank you. You'll probably get it back. “It depends. Would you look around and choose three people to be on your very own 'Psychic A-Team?'---to protect your investment? Fine. They look solid and honest.” Take out a stack of six or seven small security envelopes. Fold his bill in half. “We're going to put your bill safely away in a security envelope and seal it.” Suit actions for words and put the folded bill into the open envelope on the top of the stack. Lick the flap and hand it to the VIP to press down and seal. Take it back and lay it on the table in front of you. The envelope is marked with a dot on each side. Show the next envelope front and back. “This second envelop is exactly like the first EXCEPT it has a piece of newspaper folded up to resemble your bill. It's already sealed. So is the third one and the fourth.” Show 2, 3 and 4 front and back and lay them on top of the Money envelope. (Discard the other unprepared envelopes.) “Now we get to separate the real psychics, from the wanna-bes. Mr. (guest) , who would you like to lead your Psychic 'A-Team'?” He points to one of the three. “Was there a particular reason you chose her, or was it impulsive?” Keep shuffling the envelopes as he answers, then lay two together on your left and two together on your right. “Now they're so well mixed that even I have no idea which is which. And this is the lady who gets to make the first choice. Will you please point to either the two envelopes on my left or the two on my right?” You are doing something I've rarely seen or read before, the Magician's Choice with, not one, but three different people. Here's how it works: The Money envelope is on your right side under one of the dummies after a non-magic looking slip-shod shuffle.


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Jack Kent Tillar

If the leader points to the two dummies on your LEFT side: Nod and slide them toward her, spreading them apart. “Good. Now who is going to be #2 on your psychic team?” She indicates one or the other and you address him or her, “Will you please pick one for your leader and one for yourself?” Turn to #3, the last team member, “That leaves you to make the final decision. Will you please pick one of these envelopes?” If she picks the Money Envelope, add, “And hand it to your guest of honor.” And you hand her the remaining dummy. If she picks the last dummy envelope, add, “And just hold on to it, like the others. The team has selected this one for our guest of honor.” Hand it to him. If the leader points to the Money and a dummy on the RIGHT side: Nod and slide them toward her and spread them apart. “Good. Now who is going to be #2 on you psychic team?” She indicates one or the other and you address him or her: “Will you please pick one of these envelopes?” If #2 picks the Money envelope, ask #3 to hand it to the trusting guest of honor. Then ask #3 to keep the second one for herself and to hand the other two (dummies) to her psychic “A-Team” members. If #2 picks the dummy, “All right, that will be yours.” Then ask #3 to point to two of the three remaining envelopes. If #3 points to the two dummies, ask him/her to give one to the team leader and to keep the other for him or her self. Pick up the last envelope. “The team has selected this one for our guest of honor.” Hand it to him. If #3 points to the Money and a dummy envelope, you ask the third team member to touch one, “As the final protector of the investment.” If #3 touches the Money, ask him/her to hand it to your guest of honor. If #3 touches the dummy, ask him/her to hold it like the others. “The team has selected this one for our guest of honor.” Hand it to him. This may sound complicated, but it really isn't. Just keep protecting the Money! It's nothing but ever-reducing logic. Be smooth and convincing. (Practice and it's yours.) “Well, sir, your psychic 'A-Team' has spoken. Now the fun starts. I happen to have three little books of matches and three little tin plates ”(or whatever you care to use.)


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Jack Kent Tillar

“Would each Protector of the Investment please fold your envelope and set it on your tin plate like a greeting card? Can you guess what's cooking----or about to cook?” You'll get groans and comments! “Now please open your matchbooks. (pause) Ladies and gentlemen, LIGHT YOUR ENVELOPES!” Turn to the guest of honor, “Are you a praying man, sir? Now may be a good time.” Entreat them to keep the envelopes burning (using additional matches) or until most of the evidence is substantially gone. “Let's investigate these burnt offerings.” Use a table knife to poke at the ashes in a quick, cursory manner. “Nothing here --- or here --- so far, so good! --- and, oh oh, this doesn't look too good.” Turn to the guest. “Before you begin to think the worst, will you open your envelope ----and either read a newspaper clipping---or thank your Psychic 'A-Team.'” He finds his signed bill! “A-Team, you're off the hook.” Collect the plates, etc., and tidy up. “Congratulations everyone. Mr.__(VIP)___, did you ever have sinking moments of doubt?” Get his reactions and then add, “Can I tell you a trade secret? I always get the correct vibes from a personal article. And you can bet on it, I'd never let money burn! Thank you for being such a brave, and good sport!” PSYCHIC RORSCHACH TEST: Everyone has heard of the famous inkblot personality tests. Few have seen samples of them and some may not realize what they actually test, which is good! “Ladies and gentlemen, I'm not a fortune teller nor do I ever make tabloid predictions. Personally, I leave it up to each individual to decide whether we're all responsible for our own fate or whether there is a Book of Life or Kismet that has everyone's entire future already laid out. “However, we all have inherited personality traits and have a lifetime of unique experiences that tremendously affect our futures. THAT, I do have a belief in. And like some of the great psychologists, I've found the famous Rorschach Inkblot Tests quite practical and useful. Here's an example of one of those inkblots. To me, it looks like one thing. To you, it may look and mean something entirely different! These differences define personality. “I need several volunteers. I promise it'll be fun and illuminating---and a lot more perceptive than tea leaves or tarot cards!” (Use this last line at your own discretion and risk. There are more shut-eyes out there than you may imagine and their skins are very thin indeed!) “I'm sorry but we'll have to limit this to five participants. So let's involve some of you who haven't been tested yet tonight.


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Jack Kent Tillar

“Thank you. You two, and you, and you, and----you. Would you please fold them in half.”

Here's an file card for each of you.

We have to “freeze-frame” here to explain a few things. These cards have been nail-nicked to identify each of them. There are many ways, but here's mine: Person #1 Nick the long edge 2/5 way in from the corner #2 ditto 1/5 ditto #3 Nick one of the corners #4 Nick the short edge 1/4 way up from the corner #5 ditto 1/2 ditto Be sure the nicks are large enough to be visual and “feelable.” This system works face-up, upside-down or in the dark! Also, unknown to the audience, an hour or so before the show you've decided on one person who has an unusual “look” about them. Male or female, young or old, sharp or plain--- you decide. And you must not use him/her in any tests until the last one! Two weeks earlier, you've hand-written your grand exclamation point for the evening: “It's after midnight, two weeks before my performance at the___(whatever) __. I feel compelled to write about a very strange premonition. During this show, I feel I'll meet a very special (grey-haired, young-at-heart lady in bright clothing) who will be involved in the last event on the program. She seems to be very kind and will write something out-of-the-ordinary on a card. Her name is almost like (Maria.)” ___(dated)

______(signed)______________

The above parenthetical descriptions of some person and name are left blank. A bogus letter is folded and put into a letter envelope which is labeled, sealed and Scotch Taped. Jot a separate note asking that the unopened envelope be brought to the show. The note and letter envelope are sealed inside a legal envelope and mailed to the organizer. Oh, and be sure to call him and check that it arrived safely! On the night of the show, when you're chatting with the organizer, KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN! Without being obvious, spot some gregarious target who's got unique features and/or clothing. Avoid drunks or show-offs. Discreetly learn his/her name or nick name and some personal things about the target. (If this is hard for you, perhaps go back to magic!) Credit for the letter concept goes to a neat Bruce Bernstein idea. Visit your “office” (the men's room) and appropriately fill in the blanks on the original letter. Put it in a duplicate letter envelope, label and seal with Scotch Tape EXACTLY like the one mailed.


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Jack Kent Tillar

This, in turn, is put inside the second envelope of a stack of six or eight face-down 6X9 manilas. Cut the flap off the first envelope and you're all set for a “flapless envelope switch.” (The open second flap appears to belong to the top envelope.) Find the organizer again and tell him you'd like to make things a bit more entertaining during the show. “Let's put the envelope I mailed you into a bigger manila envelope that you can seal and sign. It'll be much more dramatic!” Hand him a marker pen as you take the mailed letter envelope. The moment he starts to uncap the pen, drop the mailed envelope into the flapless manilla, lick the flap of the second manila (containing your completed premonition) and lift it out of the stack. Ask HIM to check it, seal it and then sign it any way he'd like. Put the stack of manillas back in your open brief case. The switch has been accomplished! Fast-forward back to your performance. As the five people get settled near you, ask the organizer if he has the envelope you mailed him last week. Have him hold it up to show it's sealed and signed. Ask him to closely guard it for a few more minutes. It should be clear that the person you finally decided on (and wrote about in the switched letter) is one of the five chosen and is holding an identifiable folded index card. Approach the first person with a small tray, plate, bottle of ink and some paper napkins . Set his card on the plate, put two or so drops of ink on it so he can press the halves together to make his own inkblot. (Extra napkins can pat dry the ink patterns.) “Try not to let me see the inkblot. I don't want to get any preconceived or conflicting images in my mind.” Keep things moving, avoiding stage-waits while each makes the personal ink pattern. Hand them pens. “Please study your inkblot and then PRINT a couple of words that sum up what it looks like or means to you.” This is the time you'll have to tap dance. It's really dead-times-vile! Sooooo, you show the audience two more Rorschach inkblot examples. (These can be found in any public library---in the psychology section. I cut mine from several used psych books and laminated them. By the way, the chapters on Rorschach gave me all the patter I'd need in a lifetime! P.S. I was a psych major at USC---with as much musical theatre, TV and cinema as I could squeeze into a heavy Navy Midshipmen program.) Have somebody collect and mix up their inkblots so no one knows which is which. “Ladies and gentlemen, I'm going to try to find out about the personalities of the five people here. Is that all right folks?” Mix the face-down cards a bit more, shifting the target-person card to the bottom. Turn over the top card. It's nicked #3. Let's say the nick tells you it's one of two women. (And the other is your targeted lady.) “The first inkblot says, Clown in mountains. The printing is neat, somewhat angled. I feel feminine vibrations coming off the card. This is a well-groomed lady. Quite charming. And the Clown is a tip-off.” The Intimate Mentalist

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Jack Kent Tillar

Show her the card. “You're coy. This has you written all over it. You've travelled, haven't you. You certainly give off great vibes!” It's important to flatter and chatter with some substance. Any old astrology magazine or book of fortunes is filled with enough “substance” to turn a dullard into a cosmopolitan conversationalist. You have to have fun if you want them to have fun! TILLAR'S FIRST LAW OF MENTALISM: DON'T TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY! This is show biz! Be enthusiastic! Put the card face-down under the stack of five. Turn over the next card, check the nick and give another cool reading. Show it to the proper person and be sure to get a conformation. Put it face-down under the stack. The routine is repeated once more. For this fourth card, we use a Max Maven color series move (with a slight variation, okay Phil?) Double lift, turn the two over on top of the stack and #5 is staring at you! Slide it off the pile and hold it up to your forehead, shielding your eyes. Glance down at the words on card #4, then use card #5 as a pointer while giving the fourth reading. “You have a very fascinating Dr. Rorschach inkblot, etc.” This reading should be short and sweet. Now lay #5 face-up on top of #4. (Be sure the #5 data is memorized!) Double lift, turning them over again so all cards are face-down (#4 on top.) Set the pile on the table and move away. Have the fourth man take the top card and verify it was his. Ask him to slide the next (last) card to the center of the table face- down. “I won't touch it. We're down to an obvious situation.” Turn to your target lady. “This last card does belong to you. Have we ever met before? I don't know you. I don't know what you wrote. Has anyone seen what is on your card? Good.” Start your mini cold reading using the information you learned earlier and refer to her printed words but don't be specific. Get some affirmations, then pull the trigger! Fondle the card on table, close your eyes and recite exactly what's printed. “Is that accurate? I had a premonition about this moment. Mr._(organizer)_, I think it's time to read a letter I wrote you last week, something even I can't comprehend! First, will you swear we have nothing prearranged and you're not a confederate? Then please open and read what you received by registered mail and has been in your custody 'til this moment.” Organizer reads the letter and leads the applause as you bow and exit. AND---you can leave cards, envelope, letter, EVERYTHING to be examined! ADDENDUM: The alternate bill switch for “Teacups” requires two small squares of double-faced tape put on the base of each middle finger. Your crumpled memorized bill is palmed (stuck) in your left hand. The borrowed crumpled bill is taken by the right hand and stuck to its tape, then apparently “rolled” over to the left hand (the “shuttle pass.”) The right hand immediately picks up any cup, your memorized bill is dropped in and cup handed to a guest! Have Fun . . . Jack The Intimate Mentalist

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Jack Kent Tillar

The Naked Mentalist B y Ja ck K e n t Tilla r Anytime! Anywhere! Everything Borrowed! No Pre-show Work! This remarkable act consists of seven powerful impromptu effects which “Play BIG!“ They are designed to work together using variety, pacing and contrast---building to a grand finale. Individually, the seven routines are strong enough to stand alone, so, mix or match, use one or more, add your own pet effects, but USE this great material! PRICE: $45

Carlyle Enterprises 2753 Livingston Loop Virginia Beach, VA 23456 Phone: 757.427.3235 E-Mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.carlyletouch.com

© Copyright by Jack Kent Tillar 2004

Jack Kent Tillar 1002 11th Street #2 Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 Phone: 562.715.5541

The Naked Mentalist A COMPLETE 30 MINUTE

1. AUDIENCE VISION gets everyone involved. You “project” target items that . . . create astonishing results . . . a large percentage of the people actually receive your thoughts! And it's repeated! This is the perfect way to warm up an audience. 2. PHENOMINAL MEMORY EXERCISE: The audience calls out individual numbers which are written down to extend into the trillions! As an exercise to “stretch and loosen up your mind,” you hand the pad to a spectator and explain you've instantly memorized it. Then you rattling off the “monster” perfectly! 3. INVISIBLE JOURNEY: Now it's up close and personal. A woman imagines she's holding a World Atlas and opens it to any page. You explain this is a map of the Pacific Ocean. Her mission (if she should choose to accept it) is to mentally decide on any port-of-call. She concentrates. You focus and name it! She agrees! 4. HOY DOUBLE PLAY: Two gentlemen each select a book from the dozen borrowed. The first man has free choice of any words or phrase from his book. The second selects words by chance. You jot down your impressions. The men read their words aloud, and, whether by choice or chance, you're 100% correct! 5. IDENTITY THEFT is a timely routine using five people who each choose an alias. Not only do you fit each alias to the right person, but you read the last lady's mind! 6. DESIGN DUPICATIONS: This change of pace has two people read each other's minds! Their freely drawn pictures prove to be virtually identical! 7. TRILLION-TO-ONE against you getting a number secretly accumulated by members of the audience. It's so strong that Dunninger used this test as his stage closer! But HE had to use a trick slate! Not You! Without clip boards, nail writers, switches or stooges, you divine their correct number! How? . . . YOU are . . . The NAKED MENTALIST! The above “Hype” is a fair, but brief, description of the routine. You're holding a small treasure. Please enjoy!

The Naked Mentalist

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Jack Kent Tillar

AUDIENCE VISION: “We've all heard the expression “Use your brain!” But what do we really mean? Use all your brain? Use half? Use three-quarters? For the fun of it---and we're here for fun tonight---how many of you think we normally only use half our brain? Hands? “How many would guess two-thirds? How many think only a third? Well, scientists tell us we only use 10% of our brain during a lifetime. Wow. Tonight you're going to see how the other 90% lives. “Some of the things we'll do are truly mind-expanding. Some of the things anyone can do, with twenty or thirty years practice. Yet other things will just be your mind playing tricks on you. Mind you, pardon the pun, I'm not above playing mind games. It's my business!” (NOTE: “ÁUDIENCE VISION” is my practical handling of a century-old stage mind reading act. Once you use it this way, you'll know why it will last another 100 years.) “Let's begin. This is a little experiment to see how many of you can receive a simple thought projected out into the audience. It will be a number between 1 and 50. To make it easier, I'll choose an odd number of two digits---and both will be different. In other words, not 11 or definitely not 55.” Without letting them see, write a large 35 on your drawing pad. Then draw a line through it and write 37 beside it. “Have you all got an odd number between 1 and 50? Both different? Okay, here it is.” Turn the pad over to show them. “How many of you received my 37? Very good. How many got the number I started to send, 35? Great. I see a lot of us are already on the same wave length. “Let's try it again with another number. This time between 50 and 100. Let's make it two even digits and they'll both be different.” Tear off the top sheet and write a big 68 on your pad. “I'm projecting. Remember, an even number, two different digits between 50 and 100. “Come in. Come in. Can you hear me now? All right, did you get it?” Show the new number. “How many got 68? Excellent. Any 86s? You're doing quite well.” Applaud the audience. PHENOMINAL MEMORY EXERCISE: “Onward. You may be surprised to learn I have to do warm-up exercises just like any athlete. It's not a ritual. It's a necessity. Let me show one of my favorites.” Pick up your pad and marker. Look around momentarily and pick a lady. “Hello Miss, or Mrs.? Give me a single number. Nine? Good. And you, sir, another one. Eight? Okay. And you? Three? Fine.” After you have pointed to the first three, stop pointing to individuals.

The Naked Mentalist

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Jack Kent Tillar

“Anyone. Just call out a number at random.” Whoever yells first, repeat his digit, aloud, nod and record it. (You're writing all these across your pad and making them large enough to be easily read, but not too big---you want this to be a very long number.) Then, nod like you're acknowledging the next digit, but really write a zero as the fifth number. “Keep them coming.” And you keep nodding and recording numbers. BUT NOT THEIR NUMBERS! After the first four and your zero, you write some friend's telephone number, followed by any other 15 or 20 numbers that you've memorized! Your drivers license, social security number, an old phone number---all are fine. You need at least 25 or 30 to make an impression. Two things: (1) You don't tell them this is a memory test, and , (2) Let them see you write only the first four digits; then move faster and faster as you turn the pad away from their view. “We're in the trillions. That should be enough. I told you I had a warm-up exercise. This is it. My mind stretcher. Okay, let's see. 9 - 8 - 3 - 5 -0.” Then stop reading aloud and just quietly nod about twenty times. Hand the pad to someone close by. “You be the judge. Check me.” Close your eyes. “There was a 9, then an 8, a 3, a 5 ---- ” repeating the numbers you just read off. Now here's the trick: while you were nodding and apparently memorizing the whole 25 or 30 digits, you actually were just repeating the first four over and over in your mind to be sure you had them right! You know the fifth is your zero and from then on, rattle off the phone number, social security number, etc., etc., all run together. It's IMPRESSIVE! “Was I correct? 100%?” Take back the pad. “Thank you. Let's give him a hand. And, to paraphrase That's Incredible!, DO try this at home, kids.” INVISIBLE JOURNEY: “Where's that lady who kindly started my mind warm-up exercise? You really started something, didn't you? Thank you. Will you help me again? Up here?” (To audience:) “Let's encourage her.” (Lead applause and help her up onto the stage.) “I'm Jack and you are. . . ? Mary? It's nice to meet you.” (Pantomiming) “This--- is my reference library.” Pullout an invisible book. “I want you to thumb through this large World Atlas. Careful. It's a little heavy. Stop at any page, a completely free choice.” (She does) “Good. Oh, this is perfect, the Pacific Ocean.” (Pointing) “Here we are at Los Angeles Harbor, the busiest port in the United States. Here's Hong Kong on the other side. Hawaii's in the middle. Here's San Francisco up above us. Now look closely at the map.”

The Naked Mentalist

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(Smile at audience) “She must feel like Alice in Wonderland.” (To Mary) “Do I really remind you of the Mad Hatter?” As she answers, take a small note pad and a retractable pen from your pocket. “Mary, have we ever met before or do we have anything pre-arranged?” Get a response. “Is that your final answer?” She'll laugh and give a positive comment. “YES, it's her final answer and, NO, we don't have anything pre-arranged. Mary, will you still help me and cooperate no matter how brain-damaged I may appear? I'll take that book and put it away now.” (Pantomime again.) (NOTE: This is all very important to loosen her up, get her laughing and then enlist her as your secret instant confederate.) “Okay then, for God and country and all these people, please READ MY THOUGHTS. I'm concentrating on my favorite port-of-call in the entire Pacific. Don't say anything. I want you to print it on this note pad. “Oh, here's Liverpool from the last show.” Tear off the page and stuff it in your pocket. “Mary, while you turn around and write what you think is my favorite Pacific rim port-of-call, I'll do the same thing on my drawing pad.” (NOTE 1: On the small pad, under the “Liverpool” sheet, you've printed HONG KONG. Hold on to the pad until you're ready to have her turn around. Hand it to her at the VERY MOMENT you're saying, “I hope you can read my thoughts.” Use your eyes to cue her to look at the pad and use your free hand to signal her to turn around. (NOTE 2: If you have a chance before the performance, it would help your cause to remove the ink tube from the retractable ball point pen. Now she can't write over your words! For an oldie-but-goodie Tom Sellers book test, some performers carried a spare ink tube that had run dry and just switched tubes before the show. A “Naked Mentalist” brazenly could hand her a pencil with the lead broken off. If he had the chance, he, alternately, could apply a drop of Crazy Glue over the lead to make it un-writable!) Print HONG KONG on your big pad and hold it under your arm. “Mary, did you get my message? I hope we're on the same wave length.” You might want to hold your fingers to your forehead when saying, “message.” “Please turn around now. So, ladies and gentlemen, here's what I tried to send Mary.” Show it to everyone but keep it tilted away from her. “Mary, did we even come close? Tell us what is printed on your note pad.” She'll proudly say, “Hong Kong” (or whatever you've chosen.) No one has ever blown this. They want to be part of the show and they want their part to succeed. It all comes down to picking a warm, friendly and gentle person.

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Congratulate Mary, lead her applause and thank her. “You were incredible. Now that we're bonded at the brain, please don't tell anyone how you did it. They'd all want to take you to Vegas!” HOY DOUBLE PLAY: This is a beautiful handling of the late David Hoy's classic impromptu book test. By using two people, you not only promote it to a more entertaining stage version, but it also adds additional misdirection. “From Mary in Wonderland to a higher realm of mind power. We need to borrow the minds of two gentlemen, Hopefully their bodies will accompany them. How about you, sir, and this man over here? Thank you, in advance.” Usher them up. Get their names. Ask if their brains have ever been borrowed before. “Our host/chairman provided a dozen or so books for your use. I don't even know what they are. Would you pick one?” Turn to the second. “And now you, sir.” Take the book from the first man and note its page count. “This book has 346 pages. Would you please select one about the same size?” While everyone's distracted, open the first book to the approximate middle and note the page number and first line content. It's not a big memory chore (especially for a “Naked Mentalist” who can instantly memorize 30 numbers as a warm-up exercise!) Take the second book and do a little shuffle with the first book. “Who wants first choice?” To whichever gets the first book (the one you looked at), say, “Please open it up to any page. What page did you turn to?” Ask the other man, “Will you go to that chosen page in your book and mentally select several words from the first line?” Pick up the drawing pad and study the second man for a moment. “There seems to be some interference. Don't look at the other page. Put your hand over it. And try not to think of that first word you almost chose. That's better. Now I think I'm getting it.” What you REALLY write are two or three key words, a paraphrase, of the top line you read in the first book! (Be careful not to let anyone “read” your elbow or hand writing movements.) Tear off the top sheet, fold it twice and hand it to the second gentleman to keep him occupied. “Will you collect my thought? Don't let anyone peek. I'll take the book now. Thank you.” Turn back to the first man. “By the way, what was the book you chose? . . . Who's the author? . . . Did you know the book?” This is all bull. You're distracting everyone so you can toy with the book and sneak a peek at the second man's page, THE BOOK WILL NATURALLY BREAK OPEN TO THE PAGE HAD JUST HELD DOWN! And you already know the page number---as a safety measure. You merely COP THE PEEK WHILE THE FIRST MAN IS TALKING. Be casual, but get a good look.

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“While I hold the book above my head and riffle through the pages, just say, ”Stop,“ at any time. Be sure to time the riffle so you'll be near the center. (Please don't leave this to chance. You should practice it.) You simply MISCALL the page number you came to and call out the page you read in the first book! Have him turn to that page, silently read the top line and concentrate on a few key words. Set your book down, pick up the pad and write the words you've just peeked at in the SECOND BOOK. (Again---don't let anyone “pencil read” your writing movements.) Tear off this sheet, fold it exactly like the other one and hand it to the man who is “collecting your thoughts.” Ask him to pass the papers to two ladies “who might be able to read my handwriting.” Then hand him his book back. “Ladies and gentlemen, lets review: free choices of YOUR books, randomly chosen pages, words freely selected from those pages.” (Pause) “If what I've written on those folded pieces of paper prove correct, there can only be one---possible--- rational explanation. I snuck in and memorized your entire library!” Milk the laugh. (To the first man:) “Will you turn to your freely chosen page and read the first line?” He does so. “Now, ladies, please open your folded papers. Is there one that's close?” One of them will speak up in an amazed way. Ask her to try to decipher your writing. She does. “Thank you! We're half-way home. Now you, sir, will you turn to your page and read what you freely chose?” He does. Turn to the second lady. “Would you?----read my declaration?” She'll be properly amazed. Thank her after the applause. “And I didn't have to use my Life Line!” INDENTITY THEFT: To be timely, relevant AND personal makes this effect a slam-dunk winner. easy-picking, piece-of-cake simple to do.

And it's

“We come now to our 'Timely Topics' department. Today our topic will be Identity Theft, both timely AND relevant. I need five women and/or men who can afford to gamble with millions--not YOUR millions, but with MY millions. Any takers? “Ah--- thank you. Step right up and claim your blank checks. (To older gentleman:) No sir. I didn't say 'bank chicks.' This is a family show.” The five arrive on stage. “Good. You all look a little shady. Here's the deal. You each get a blank check and I do mean blank.” Show some 3 x 5 index cards (or whatever cards or checks you can borrow from the host.) “Please think of a nice, big, round number and write that amount in the center of the card. Then, think of an alias---like Alan Greenspan or Tom Cruise or Donald Trump. Julia Roberts would be nice. Ahhh. Very nice!

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“Okay. You write two things: an amount, say $1,000,000, and your alias, say Bill Gates. That's it---only try to disguise you writing.” Give one card to each participant and NAIL NICK them as you hand them out (or you can do it before the show) ie: No. 1 --- on the long edge in the middle. No. 2 --- on the long edge, a quarter of the way in. No. 3 --- on the corner. No. 4 --- on the short edge, a quarter of the way up. No. 5 --- on the short edge, in the middle. This marking technique can never be confused. No matter which side is up, no matter how it's written or handled. Just make sure your nick them with authority. You want to be able to see them and feel them without hesitation or staring. “Miss or Madam, would you collect them and mix them face down. Thank you. Now here's how a psychic detective handles identity theft.” Hold the five cards face down in you left hand. With your right, turn over the top card and read the name and amount. You can really milk this as you hold it up and study the five shady suspects. “All right, folks. This is a LINE UP and you're all UNDER SUSPICION. That's why you were picked up on a 901-623-78-12---forgery, without a license charge. Now this amount of ______ and this name of _______ were obviously chosen to fool Inspector Clawed P. Hardway. But not so fast! This is a woman's hand writing DISGUISED to look like a man's. “YOU. Number 3. Step forward and turn to your right. A Ha! Just as I thought. That is the profile of _(alias) if I've ever seen it! YOU are alias __________.” Hand her the card with a thank you. “Do some community service---you'll enjoy it.” “Now. For my second challenge, Alias #2.” Hold up the remaining four cards face down. Turn over the top card, hold it up and read the amount and the name. “Who, of you, could be _________?” Have great fun again. Toy with the guilty party and finally excuse him also. “Now we are down to three.” Here comes the “move” (if you can call it that.) You hold the three face-down cards in your left hand. Thumb off the top card as usually, taking it in your right hand. “Ladies and that other sex, you may think detective work is easy. It's not. This is the result of a very misspent childhood.” ---or whatever comedy lines you'd like to deliver. Drop the left hand to your side and, while reading off the third card's amount and alias, simply roll over the other two so they're face-up! Then, as you're kidding with Alias #3, casually bring the left hand back up in front of you to waist level. “Three suspects remain.” Hold card #3 up to your forehead. Use it to shield your eyes as you concentrate, glance down and READ the fifth card's information! Remember it. It's your finale!

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Keep having fun with Alias #3, accuse him or her, give them their card with a “thank you” and a “goodbye.” As you're doing this, the left hand has dropped down to your side and the two cards are secretly turned over again. Now everything is Kosher. You're down to two. With 50-50 odds, it's not very dramatic, sooooo------- Mix the face-down cards, keeping track of which is #5. Have your trusty lady from the World Atlas routine “take a card, any card.” (Please, I'm only kidding. DON'T sound like a magician---even though this is a magician's choice!) If she takes #5, great! Ask her to guard it and don't let anyone see it. If she takes #4, great again! Take it and hand her #5 to guard and not let anyone peek at it. You do the same humorous routine with card #4 just as you did with the first three cards. . . only shorten it. We're heading for the barn. “Since everyone knows who Mr. #5 is, let's up the ante. Shouldn't a great detective be able to do more than “deduce” things? Especially if he's psychic! Mary, will you please concentrate on the last amount and the alias. Mr. #5, will you help her? “I see big money. There's a 10 and a whole bunch of zeros. Is that 10 million dollars? Thank you Mary and #5. Now the alias. There's a C, no it's K. Is that right? There's royalty. I thought the C was for Crown but it's not. It's a K for King. Right? Holy Guacamole! This IS an alias. You want 10 million for King Kong! Thank you Mary and #5. I don't actually think we could get the rights to King Kong for 10 million. Maybe. Who knows . . . for a sequel? . . . Son of Kong?. . . That's it! We've got a sure hit: PRINCE KONG? I better quit while I'm ahead.” DESIGN DUPLICATIONS: Notice the title is plural. There have been several picture duplication routines based on the same principle. The idea was first used by a few well-versed vaudeville mind readers. But I think you'll find a twist and a turn that set this one apart. “For a change of pace, let's see how you're progressing. We're going to try a little test to see if one of you can read someone else's mind! We'll make this ladies only and use two fresh faces who might have artistic talents---you---and you.” Choose women on opposite sides of the room! Get their names. “Have we pre-arranged any of this?” Take out your small note pad again. “In this type of experiment, we use a sender and a receiver. The psychological term for this is sender and receiver. I'll write it out on two slips of paper so no one, including me, can play favorites.” Write in the middle of the first page: SENDER: a picture of HAWAII The Naked Mentalist

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Fold the paper up so the bottom writing is covered and only the word SENDER remains visible. Show it to both ladies, then tear it off and fold it again. Ask one lady, “Would you be kind enough to hold this a minute?” Write on the second page: RECEIVER: draw your first impressions Show it to both ladies and fold the bottom to cover the writing so only RECEIVER can be seen then STOP! As you hold the pad still, ask them which they would rather be. While they answer, apparently tear out the page, but REALLY casually tear out the NEXT PREPARED PAGE on which you've written the exact message that's on the first slip and it is folded up to look like page 2! (Before the show you've partially torn out page 3 to facilitate this tearing out move.) Put the note pad back in you pocket, backside outward. Then fold the duplicate slip again like its mate and hand it to the lady holding the first slip. “Will you hold the slips in your cupped hands and shake them to mix them up? Good. Now, as my mother use to say, the other person gets first choice. But don't unfold them yet.“ Hand each a drawing pad and a marker. “This is a very even and fair test. Neither of you is more important than the other. So, whoever is the sender, just do your best to draw a clear, simple picture that the receiver can understand. And the receiver should draw the first impressions she gets.” Have them stand far apart facing the audience. “One final word before you open your slips. Do not start drawing until I tell you. It's not fair to have anyone know who is the receiver or who is the sender. We don't want to get any cross currents of audience thoughts confusing things.” “Are you ready? Open your slips and study them. Take your time.” (To audience) “This is a very real challenge for these two. Let's be very quiet and respect their concentration. (Pause) Ladies, I'll take your slips back but I won't look at them.” Put them in your pocket. “Both of you should have thoughts and pictures swirling around in your minds by now. So---get on your marks. (Pause) Get set. Start drawing! You will have one minute, exactly, to visualize the thought on paper.” Don't be tempted to imitate a bit of Jeopardy or Twilight Zone music. It would be corny and distracting. Play this one straight. When your watch shows 30 seconds, you may quietly call out, “Thirty seconds.” You can do it again at 15 seconds, just to not let things die. When their time is up, say so. Be very careful now, because you can easily say the wrong thing and get them thinking back to sender-receiver. DON'T! You only should patter about two minds that have possibly become one. “For a brief moment in time, there may have been a very special psychic connection.” The Naked Mentalist

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Have one step forward and show what she drew. “Don't say anything yet.” Then have the other step forward and show her picture. This always produces a gasp from the audience. There is a mixture of some applause and awe. “Ladies, you were magnificent! You can look at each other's picture now. Notice you both have created a tropical, Hawaiian-like drawing. Do you agree audience?” Lead the big applause. “I'd like you to congratulate each other! This should help you believe in your own mental powers. We ALL have this power if we were to develop and use it. Thank both of you once again.” Help them off the stage (but keep the pictures!!) A TRILLION-TO-ONE: (You want to get this started right away, so there is no discussion time for people to reconstruct a possible scenario of how the pictures were duplicated.) This last routine borrows heavily from Dunninger's stage finale, but it uses a totally different M.O. We all know many methods for doing the 16 digit effect: flap slates, half flaps, hinged portion flaps, index card switches, Out-to-Lunch switches, reversed pad switches, etc. and the more recent Matrix principle which goes down yet another path. BUT, if you don't verify the original numbers after they've been added up, then you're not getting the most from this great effect. THAT is what we all must thank Dunninger for. “Anytime I have people write things down, I'm open to accusations of cheating---by obtaining carbon copies or using mirrors or secretly exchanging papers. Magicians might do that. I absolutely do not! I use psychology and that other 90% of my brain. So, I've devised a test that allows people to merely THINK of numbers and I SENSE what they are. Not only that, at the same time, I ADD THEM UP IN MY HEAD and write out the total BEFORE ANY OF THE NUMBERS ARE EVER DISCLOSED! “Is there a CPA or a math major in the audience? Will you be kind enough to add up a group of numbers in a few minutes? Good. We need four volunteers to think of some numbers. To avoid any collusion, is there anyone who's birthday falls on, say the 19th of the month?” Use this or any device to pick someone and then ask him to mentally select any four single numbers that are meaningful to him. Then ask him to point to someone else. Repeat this three times until they have 16 numbers in mind. “Will you all agree that these 16 numbers have been picked at random? And I can't change them?” Ask the first person to call out his four digits. Write each one on a single page of a small spiral note pad, tear them out and lay them on the table into four separate piles. As he looks about and chooses a second person, secretly write the numbers again, only smaller on a top “flap” page which has its bottom ¾ cut off! Have the next person call out his numbers. Jot them down, put each slip onto its proper pile and covertly write them again directly under the first four numbers on the flap . Do it a third and fourth time, then invite the CPA to come up while you hand the first pile to #1, the second pile to #2, etc. “You all have only one of your original numbers and three from other people. Now mix them up to create a totally NEW secret number that only you can know!” The Naked Mentalist

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Hand the CPA a marker pen and drawing pad from the last test. The second sheet has a large square16-space grid penciled-in. Use the marker pen to draw a line over its bottom line (with space below for the total.) Then turned away, ask the first person to give the CPA his first number. “Please write his number in the first square. And will the second person hand our CPA his first number to write in the second space? Now the third person, (etc.).” Continue with the second, third and fourth sets of numbers. Meanwhile, you've torn out that top ¼ page and secretly transferred it to the second drawing pad, which you pick up (and drop the small pad.) Now you're set to do your math. It will help to keep turned away and to focus attention onto the CPA by asking him not to let anyone see his numbers yet, “so they can't possibly signal them to me.” While he's writing, you fill time: “Now ladies and gentlemen, there are 16 numbers stored in the other 90% of my brain. There are an astounding TRILLION different combinations and ways to add up any 16 digits. I'm attempting it without a calculator or pencil and paper. Please concentrate on your NEW secret numbers.” Close your eyes, mumble and write vaguely in mid-air. (Don't overdo this!) In reality, you're secretly adding up the ¼ slip and writing the total in big numbers on the pad! “I think I have it---maybe. I could be off by one digit, but that's got to be acceptable.” Tear off the sheet, fold it and give it to someone pretty to hold and keep hidden. “Now, the moment of truth. Mr. CPA, would you please let everyone watch you add up the 16 freely-chosen numbers? (Pause) And you swear those are their secretly re-arranged numbers? Now---would you announce your total?” He does. “It's time for all of you to cross your fingers. Miss, would you please show everyone the grand total of 16 digits I sensed and then added up in my mind? And dramatically read it!” “One chance, in a trillion possibilities. I was even right about being one off! You've witnessed a minor miracle that should start you THINKING! and it's exactly what I'd like all of you to do. It's only a small part of what can be done--with that other 90%!” ADDENDUM: You may not realize that, with the Matrix principle, it doesn't matter how often or if the people rearrange their numbers after you've written your total! The CPA's total always matches yours because you both merely added up each person's four digits! I trust you find these seven offerings worthy. Great good luck! Jack Editorial Note: All the effects in these instructions have appeared before and are not new, but Jack’s handling and presentations are. A Special Note: FOR THE RECORD… The year 1995 saw the birth of a very fine publication: SYZYGY – The Journal of Contemporary Mentalism (edited and published by Lee Earle). During that year, it was my pleasure to The Naked Mentalist

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contribute a Super Memory routine that Lee dubbed “Deep Sea Digits.” (The “Deep Sea” component was a reference to the fact that I worked almost exclusively on cruise ships.) The routine was voted one of “Syzygy' s Best” for that year, which meant that it was included in Lee’s lecture (and lecture notes) of the same name. In fact, it can currently be found in the Syzygy Compendium that Lee still, I believe, has on the market. The reason I mention this is to forestall any allegations that Jack may have “borrowed” my routine. This is impossible since, as stated in the original article, “Deep Sea Digits” is not “my” routine, but rather my version of an old chestnut that I discovered in the book Mental Mysteries: The Theory and Practice of Mentalism, by E. R. Hutchison, M.A. I’m certain that the concept goes back to the early 1900s; the Hutchison book just happened to be my initial exposure to it. It appealed to me so much that I added a few presentational touches to better suit my persona and performing style. Lee liked the end result, and the rest is history. So please, know that Jack and I independently “discovered” this particular Super Memory approach, neither of us aware of the other. And please, do study Jack’s working of it. It’s a killer. George Saint-James Note from Carlyle: Further, at my request George, a member in good standing of the Psychic Entertainers Association (PEA), called Jack. They had talked before by mail about the effect. George bought Jack’s version a loved it thinking that in many points it was superior to his version which he did in his act and which he gave to Lee for Syzygy. All this because there are those out there that would jump at the chance to point fingers at a wonderful, smart and very kind man. Carlyle

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Jack Kent Tillar - TRIO

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