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The
TRICK
BRAIN
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
The thought reading effect, or mind reading as it is popularly known, is that in which the performer perceives the thought of someone else, apparently through unnatural means. Very definitely the thought moves but in one direction only in this division. It moves from the spectator to the performer.
Under this classification there must be no confusion with thought transference. In other words, the thought seems to be taken from the subject, not projected to the mind reader by the subject. There is no effort on the part of the spectator to assist the performer except that he concentrates on the particular idea the performer seems to be divining.
We are not concerned here with methods that might in any way be confused with the so-called genuine mind reading, which has been tried experimentally without conclusive result. Indeed, in discussing the methods of the magician, nothing except the methods of the trickster is considered here at all. And that does not mean that I believe there to be such a thing as genuine thought reading or similar intuitive perceptions. And neither do I disbelieve the possibilities. Here, they are simply ignored as being beyond the scope of this work.
Where the thought is recorded in writing it is obvious that the mind reader must contrive a method of reading the original message or a copy of it.
Usually these messages are sealed in envelopes. Under this condition, if the actual message is read, there are not many alternatives. Of course, the oldest method of all is available. The performer either contrives to discover the contents of one message or invents a phony message of his own. Picking up an entirely unknown message, the mind reader apparently divines the contents. Then he opens the envelope, apparently to verify his perceptions but really, since his reading is not connected with the actual message held, he opens the message to read what it really contains. He gives the impression that the message confirms his impression of it and discards it. He is now armed with the actual contents of one of the sealed messages. He picks up another message and "reads" the information secretly obtained in the first envelope. Again he verifies, obtaining the contents of still another envelope. And so he proceeds, actually dealing with messages one ahead of the one he is holding.
There are several methods by which one message may be extracted from its envelope. In one case the bottom of a coin envelope is cut open. The performer insures that the spectator places his message, which is written on a card, face down as he slides it in the envelope. This is so as to control which side of the card contains the message. Slipping his thumb inside the slit end, the slit envelope being on top of the stack of collected messages, the performer apparently picks up the top envelope. Really he slips the message from the envelope, or, more properly explaining it, he takes the envelope off of the card and places it on the back of the stack. Then he takes another envelope and holds it to his brow. With his eyes thus covered from view he deliberately reads the card exposed on top of the stack. Then he puts the envelope back on the stack, its end protruding from the edge about half way, and cuts off the end of the envelope. This message is really sliced beneath the card on the top of the packet. With the envelope open, the performer extracts the card from it and slices it beneath the message just read. The performer actually reads aloud the text of the message he has already answered, afterwards taking it and the envelope just opened from the stack and putting them aside. He is now in position to repeat the operation.
Another way of opening the first message is to put a coat of wax on the envelope upon the area where the moistened flap is to be pressed down. While the envelope will stay sealed, the flap may be detached without difficulty. Then the card is slipped from the envelope and a procedure similar to that discussed before is followed.
Another way of reading a message sealed in an envelope is to render the envelope temporarily transparent. This may be done by the use of chemicals or through the application of a relatively strong light from behind.
Carbon tetrachloride, benzene, alcohol, cologne spirits and a number of highly volatile liquids that will evaporate quickly without leaving a stain are all suitable for rendering envelopes temporarily transparent. Usually a quantity of the liquid is applied to a felt, cotton, sponge rubber or other pad. Sometimes the pad is built into a stack of envelopes. Other pads are contained in a flesh colored feke which is palmed and brushed across the desired envelope. Thumb tips have been so used. Still other pads are built into stands of various types or in tabletops. Some pencils are equipped with sponge rubber "erasers" which have been impregnated with the liquid. The performer seems to write something on the envelope and then he apparently erases it. During the action the envelope becomes transparent temporarily.
Flashlight units have been built into many unsuspicious looking accessories such as stacks of envelopes, books, stands, trays and the like. All that is necessary to do is to lay the message upon the accessory right side up and turn on the light. This method requires the use of cards and envelopes that are not too opaque.
Single messages may be extracted from envelopes that have a horizontal slit about halfway up the back. The slit should be wide enough to permit the card to slip through easily. As the card is being inserted in the envelope, it is inserted secretly through the slit. After the flap is sealed it may be extracted easily.
Written messages, whether sealed or merely folded, may be read easily if they are secretly exchanged for duplicates. Usually in this case the performer's assistant reads the messages and conveys the information to the performer secretly. There are several devices for supplying the performer this information. These take the form of notes that have been copied in very small script. One device is a small roller reel which may be held concealed in the hand or which may be built into a velvet cloth upon which the performer holds a crystal. Or the reel may be built into the stand holding the crystal. In fact, the reel may be built into any convenient accessory that may be brought out to the performer after the assistant has copied the messages.
Of course, if the notes are held in the performer's hand, the device must be small. It must either be smuggled into the performer's band, or placed where he can secure it unsuspiciously. Many times such notes are copied boldly on extra cards and added to the stack of envelopes he is holding. Or they may be written in pencil on the surface of a slate with which the performer works. There are so many ways of communicating with the performer, even to the use of telephone or short wave radio, that any attempt to list them would be impossible. But to reveal how simple these expedients may be, many performers have relied upon a blackboard strategically placed backstage where it can be seen. Here the assistant merely writes the message in chalk and the performer "steals the gravy" at his convenience.
Switching or exchanging duplicates for the real questions is almost a separate branch of this field in itself. Of course, the messages do not have to be exchanged, if only a few are used. A few may be stolen from the question box in the lobby, if such is used. Or the performer may steal a few messages as he collects them from the audience. Apparently he crams them into an envelope, several at a time, moistens the flap, seals the envelope and hands it to a spectator to hold. But he has copped several while so doing.
The performer may also make a sleight-of-hand switch in the audience. A single message may be exchanged for a duplicate by a simple one-hand change. The magician may exchange several written messages for a quantity of duplicates that he has in his pocket. Or he may use a changing bag, a changing tray, a changing basket or any other device of the double compartment type suitable for the purpose. Even envelopes have been faked for such exchanges. One of the cleverest of the exchanges, devised by Dr. Ervin, is in using a thumb tip with a duplicate packet or pellet inside. The performer inserts his thumb in an envelope to open it. But he leaves the thumb tip behind, raking the duplicate pellet out of the tip and allowing it to fall into the envelope. When the message is taken, folded sufficiently small to go into the thumb tip, it is dropped into the tip. Then the thumb tip, containing the message, is stolen from the envelope, on the thumb.
An inkbottle, so made that an inner lining is removable as part of the cork, and with a hole through to the bottom which permits the real message to fall into the hand, is another exchanging accessory. So is a mirror bowl, or glass.
Questions may be read in front of the audience. One method is to throw a sheet over the mind reader. Here the mind reader deliberately opens a quantity of stolen questions and reads them. A stolen message may be opened in the pocket and brought out behind a note pad upon which the performer apparently makes notes. He reads the message, seeming to write something, after which he scratches it out and tears the sheet from the pad, crumpling it up. This disposes of the note.
Another method is to have the note written in the center of a small sheet. The spectator is asked to fold it once in each direction. Then the performer takes the note and tears it up, dropping the pieces in the fireplace or in an ashtray. The pieces are burned. But the performer has torn the note in such a manner that the center section is intact. This contains the message. This center section is retained when the other pieces are dropped. Then it is opened in the pocket and brought out behind the pad, as explained before. Or it may be opened and palmed. It is read as the hand is held to the forehead. This piece may be unfolded behind the back instead of in the pocket, if desired.
There is one direct method of discovering a word or a number written on a slate that is quite deceptive. The magician holds the slate behind his back while the spectator writes upon it. The magician discovers what is written because he can feel the directions of the spectator's strokes. Usually words are printed. This method requires a bit of practice.
Many thought reading routines permit the message to be retained by the spectator. I have already mentioned one method where only a few messages are stolen in handling them.
But there are clipboards, or filing boards, made which permit a carbon copy of the message to be obtained. The surface of these boards is thin. Below this surface is a piece of sensitive carbon paper and another white sheet upon which the message copy is received. Many of these clipboards are so constructed that the carbon copy may be read in front of the audience.
Just a step removed from the clipboard is a table whose top is similarly fashioned for the securing of a carbon copy. Usually the copy may be obtained through a drawer.
Carbon copies are obtainable, too, through the use of double envelopes, the envelope being given to the spectator to use as a writing pad. Writing pads of the note variety have been faked with a thin piece of carbon paper placed between two sheets that have been cemented together. Or with a piece of carbon paper cemented to the third or fourth page down.
Cases containing a deck of cards have been similarly faked. The back is cut out of the regular case and one of the cards is split. A thin piece of carbon paper is pasted beneath this thin card back. The thin card back is cemented to the case, covering the removed section. A thin piece of white paper is pasted to the back of the top card in the deck. Here the spectator uses the card case as a pad when he writes his thought. Almost the same thing has been done with a playing card. One card of normal thickness contains the carbon paper and the thin sheet to receive the impression. Usually a court card is used and a little door is cut around three sides. This may be sprung open secretly to obtain the message.
One prominent mind reader used the note book method mentioned above, where the impression is taken on the second or third sheet. But she did not use carbon paper. She coated the under side of the sheet immediately above the sheet to receive the copy with a coat of paraffin or similar wax. Thus the copy was invisible until some dark colored powder was dusted upon the wax outlines transferred.
There is another way of getting the wax impression. Several cards of hard fiberboard, of proper size, are coated on one side with spermaceti or other hard wax. Two or three sheets of thin paper are clipped to these boards, using ordinary wire paper clips. The spectators are given hard pencils with which to write their thoughts. This causes a waxed transfer to be made on the back of the bottom sheet. The bottom sheet is removed, dusted with graphite, lamp-black or other similar dark powder and the message is read in a mirror, the transfer copy being in reverse.
A spectator's thought, directing the performer to make certain actions, may be read directly, if the performer is in actual physical contact with the spectator. This is possible through contact mind reading methods, through which the spectator subconsciously and entirely unknown to himself physically directs the performer's course. A full explanation of this method and its application is in the writer's CONTACT MIND READING.
Even the spectator's confidentially spoken thought may be picked up by the mind reader through the use of a microphone hidden in his assistant's clothing. Since the thought is expressed to the assistant and since the impression is given that the assistant projects this thought to the performer, this method more properly belongs under the thought transference section.
Messages may be read in the dark through the use of a megaphone equipped with a flashlight. The message is laid face up on the rug or carpet and the megaphone is placed mouth down around it. By applying the eye tightly to the mouth of the megaphone and pressing the cone down tightly, meanwhile turning on the flashlight, the message may be read in the dark. Similarly, a message may be read in the dark if a light-proof cloak or blanket is thrown over the performer, after which the magician reads the message with the assistance of a flashlight. A well-charged card that has been painted with luminous paint will give sufficient illumination to read a message.
Where numbers or drawings are used the performer may use a mirror to obtain the desired information. As discussed before, this is possible through the use of judiciously placed mirrors. Or expedients similar to the palmed diminishing mirror; the extra thin mirror glued to the back of an envelope, a card, a card case or even a slate or some other natural accessory, will supply the necessary information.
Many effects of apparent thought reading are possible through the use of a confederate who may signal the information through some type of code. Or a confederate may even use a nail or thumb writer, secretly writing the desired information on a newspaper, a magazine, the bottom of a notebook or any other accessory from which the performer may get the information in the course of his trick.
Much difficulty is eliminated if the spectator may be induced to concentrate upon a thought previously selected by the performer. Naturally, this cannot be done directly. It is necessary for the magician's choice to be forced upon the spectator in some manner. A judiciously instructed confederate would be of material help, a confederate who might influence the choice.
A confederate often poses as a spectator and confesses to any "thought" the performer might attribute to him.
But the ordinary magician seldom employs confederates. This makes forcing the only other alternative.
One way of accomplishing this is to use the well-known "conjurer's choice," wherein all other choices are eliminated. Here the magician interprets the spectator's indications to suit his own fell purpose, with the result that all other choices are finally discarded except the one the magician desires.
If several thoughts are written on various cards and sealed in envelopes, the magician may have one of these "chosen" for the spectator's concentration. Here the conventional card force is adapted to spread envelopes.
Of course, the several written thoughts may be collected in a changing bag, basket, tray or similar apparatus. The final selection, then, would come from a group of notes, all of which are the same. Many of the forces used in other branches of magic may be utilized here. Many of the card forces, particularly, are adaptable to questions, messages or audience suggestions that have been sealed in small envelopes. To those who are interested in exploring forcing methods 202 METHODS OF FORCING by Annemann is indispensable.
In the final analysis, then, the thought reading effect is confined generally to the following method principles:
- Stratagems to read the actual message, such as the "one ahead;"
- rendering a covering envelope temporarily transparent, by liquid or light;
- transferred impressions, supplying a copy of the thought;
- glimpsing the thought record through reflection;
- exchanging the original record of a thought for a duplicate, then deliberately opening the original and reading it;
- by stealing the message under the guise of destroying it;
- by hearing the spoken thought through a microphone;
- by obtaining the information through a confederate;
- by forcing the spectator to select the magician's choice;
- by feeling the motion when the spectator is writing; and
- through other secret access to the written thought.
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