Signed
Card to Wallet
(Another Version)
By Mike Rogers
There
is quite a turf problem with this routine, as
the idea has made the rounds for years. It might
have all started when Alex ElmsIey combined
the use of a duplicate card with the one ahead
principle to secretly, and openly, place a signed
card between a spectators palms. Roy Walton
was among the first to eliminate the duplicate
card while retaining the same concept. Later
Peter Kane, using the same notion as both Walton
and Elmsley, took the idea in a slightly different
direction in his routine called Kabbala
Aces. Over the years several card magicians
have enjoyed this concept. What follows is more
of the same, and I make no claim to originality.
I am,
however, laying claim to the handling about
to be described. There is a logical reason for
every move, every move blends nicely with what
happens next, and the viewer doesn't have to
play mental gymnastics trying to remember what's
where, and what's what.
The wallet
I use is a Himber style flip-flop
switch wallet. Any switch wallet will
work. The secret to using a switch wallet, whether
it be a Himber type, Z type, or whatever, is
to be able to handle it naturally as you would
any wallet, check book, or pocket secretary.
Quite often we see magicians handle a switch
wallet as if it were a magician's prop (which
it is), and this doesn't go unnoticed by the
viewers. I think a key might be this: If you
have to think about it there's something wrong.
You need to always know where you are, which
way the wallet is to be opened, when to flip
it, and what's going to be there.
I doctor
up my Himber wallets to make them look like
check books, or notebooks. This isn't necessary,
but it's something I've always done. Even though
both sides of the wallet are the same, let's
call them Side A and Side B.
OK, here's
the doin' for a very clean and logical signed
card to wallet. You need a duplicate Joker matching
the Joker in the deck. (Not the Extra
Joker, but a duplicate
Joker). Sign your name on the duplicate Joker
in a manner that you will be able to repeat
later. (Not a difficult thing to do.) Place
this Joker, face down, in
Side A of the wallet. Place
the wallet in your breast pocket in a position
for Side B to show when next opened (the empty side).
The deck,
containing it's Joker, is ribbon spread face
down on the table. The spectator is instructed
to remove any card, but not the Joker. Naturally
he can't see the Joker, and he may in fact remove
it. If he does, make a trick out of it. Take
the credit. Do not have him show you the selected
card. You'll know if he takes the Joker by his
reaction. Once he has his card (not the Joker)
have him sign his name on the face
so he will know it to be the exact same card
when he next sees it. Turn away as he does this.
He must be convinced that you do not know the
value of the card (and you don't).
After
being signed, have the card returned to the
deck and control it to the top. The brief patter
logically agrees with the rather illogical move
that follows. Say, "Finding your card will
be easy as I will simply look for your signature."
While delivering this line execute a Braue
Reversal on the top selected card. You
will now be holding the deck face
up with the selection face down on the bottom of the face up deck. (That's why the
line fits. The Braue Reversal suggests that
you might be turning the deck face up to look
for the card.) With your left fingertips pull
down slightly on the right edge of the selected
card so as to bend it a tiny bit. Don't fight
this, as it's not all that important if you
miss. In other words, don't milk the bottom
card trying to catch its edge. If you can put
the small bend in that's fine. If you miss,
let it go. I'll explain later.
Ribbon
spread the face up deck across the table making
sure the face down selection on the left end
does not show. Not difficult if you shade the
left end with your open left hand. If the selection
is sticking out simply push it back. Patter
that you are looking for the Joker, as "The
Joker is not used in the trick..." Spot
the Joker and slide it from the spread leaving
the spread intact. Don't break the spread while
removing the Joker. Explain that it's only fair
that you get to sign a card since the spectator
got to sign a card. (That doesn't make any sense,
but it flies!) Sign the Joker the same way you
signed the duplicate Joker that's in the wallet.
(Not difficult.)
What
you are about to do will accomplish a double
lift without having to worry about it. Take
the signed Joker in your left hand, face down, and insert it under the left end of the ribbon-spread
deck, flipping over the entire spread in the
standard flourish. Allow the Joker to coalesce
with all the cards, while closing the spread
at the same time. This is a standard flourish
and should cause no problems. While closing
the spread pick up the entire deck and hold
in the left hand. The face up Joker will show
on the top of the deck, hiding the also face
up signed selection. The deck proper will be
face down. (A double lift without having to
do a double lift. Isn't that beautiful? I call
it Delivered Double.)
Flip
the two cards (as one) face
down. This is why I suggested putting a small
bend in the selection a few paragraphs ago.
Hence, for those who tend to fight double lifts
all the work has been done for you. Say, "Better
yet, I'll save the Joker for another day."
Remove the wallet, open so Side
B shows (the empty side), and place the
top card of the deck into Side
B face down. This is actually the spectator's
signed selection. Close the wallet in the manner
that Side A will show when
next opened. Return the wallet to your pocket.
Here's
where we are. The signed selection has been
openly, yet secretly, loaded in the wallet.
The top card of the deck is your signed Joker.
Once again do a Braue Reversal on the top card,
only this time send it to the center of the
deck. Ribbon spread the deck face up. Say, "Let's
see, we each signed a card. Yours is unknown
to me, and everyone knows mine is the Joker."
With this line remove the wallet and open to
Side A. Remove the face
down card and show it to be, in fact, the signed
Joker. (In fact, it's the Joker that has been
in the wallet all along.) Now this is important.
This "proving" must be done as if you are proving
more to yourself rather than proving to the
viewers. It's the type thing you'd do as if
you momentarily forgot, or just want to be certain.
Don't do it as if proving to the spectators,
as that will really put the heat on. It should
be something that they almost don't see. After
looking at the Joker, replace it in the wallet
and close the wallet so Side B
will show when next opened. (That's the side
with the actual selection.)
Now comes
the time for acting. Tell the spectator to place
his finger on his selection in the ribbon spread.
As he looks for his card keep opening the spread
a bit right at the reversed card. He must be
made to think the reversed card is his, as if
that were the intent of the trick. When he does
place his finger on the reversed card you take
it and turn it face up acting as if it's the
end and everyone is expected to see his card.
Act surprised when it is seen to be your signed
Joker. Accuse him of not playing fairly. Ask
him if he stole your card from inside you wallet.
Compliment him on his ability at being a pickpocket.
Remove
the wallet and open it so Side
B shows (the side having his selection).
Remove it and show it to be his signed card.
That's
it. It's a good routine that flows naturally.
As mentioned, I do not claim the principle or
the use of the switch wallet for this effect.
I'm particularly fond of two points. First,
I think the double lift that automatically happens
is delightful. Secondly, the use of the Joker
allows for two cards to be remembered while,
in fact, only one card has to be remembered.
No one forgets the Joker. They don't even have
to think about it. They will recall, without
thinking, that one card is the Joker. Any duplicate
could be used, but that would require the viewers
to remember the value and location of two cards.
Strangely, many people find that a difficult
task. The pain is removed with the use of the
Joker as one of the cards.
END
