Pay Day

Effect

This is a mental coin effect based on a mathematical system. On the table are three small coin envelopes labeled respectively: Office Boy, Janitor, President. Also there are five different coins: a penny, nickel, dime, quarter, and half dollar.

Three spectators are asked to participate and each is given a small typewritten sheet or card called a “Salary Schedule”. While the performer's back is turned, one of the three men picks up the three employee envelopes, mixes them well, selects any one for himself, and passes the other two on to a second man. This person mixes the two remaining envelopes, selects either one, and hands the third envelope to the third spectator.

Each man reads the label on his envelope and sees what employee he is to be. Then he reads his salary schedule and sees which coin that employee is to receive. Each of the three men puts into his envelope the coin designated in the schedule. The envelopes are pocketed or held out of sight, and the performer turns around and faces the spectators.

He takes from his pocket a fourth envelope labeled “Income Tax,” and into it he puts the two remaining coins. Pocketing this envelope he looks at each of the three men and tells what job he holds and how much money is in his pay envelope.