Mental Rescue

Effect

Two spectators, A and B, are seated opposite each other at a table. The performer hands a pack of cards to A, who shuffles and returns the cards face down on the performer's outstretched left hand. The second spectator B then cuts off any number of cards for himself, and the remaining lower half of the deck is placed in front of A. The performer stands at a little distance and directs each to deal five cards, face down, in a row before himself.

Both A and B now select one card from among those in front of him. Each notes his card and is told to remember it. Then each puts his card, face down, in among those spread out in front of his partner. (A's card goes in B's pile, and vice versa.) Each picks up the pile in front of him and shuffles them well.

Both A and Bare told to deal their five cards face up on the table. Each in turn is asked if he can positively, and without chance of failure, pick out his partner's selected card. The answer must be “No.” It is quite obvious to all that the performer has had no part in the proceedings to date, but he comes to their assistance at this point, and says:

“I have been standing at quite some distance from the table and consequently I do not have any idea as to what your two cards may be. However, I'll try to find them. I must depend upon mental vibrations, your reactions, and what recently has come to be known as extra-sensory perception. Look directly at me, please (to A). In your mind think of the color of your card, now the suit, and now the value. Lastly, repeat the name of your card to yourself silently. Thank you. Was this.......... your brain picture?”

With this sentence, the performer reaches into B's pile opposite, and picks up the correct card!

Without a pause, the performer turns to B, and says,

“Don't bother with the separate features of your card. I must start like that to become en rapport with the conditions surrounding us here. Just look directly at me while I count ten, and imagine your card as a large picture surrounding me.”

The performer counts quickly and evenly.

“Thank you, too. It developed into a very clear image of the.......... This one right here.”

The second card is picked from A's group and handed to B.