Mephisto Thot

Effect

An assistant from the audience distributes nine numbered slips of paper and the performer asks each person receiving one to write a question or bit of personal data. The written slips are then collected and sealed in an envelope. This is left in full view of everyone on a table and another assistant is recruited to watch it.

The medium is now introduced and is seated with her back to the audience. While the performer blindfolds her, the person who has the envelope in his care bums it in a nearby ashtray. Next a large slate is shown to contain a square divided into nine smaller ones, three across and three down. The assistant, as soon as he has finished burning the envelope and slips, is handed the slate together with a piece of chalk and is asked to number the squares from 1 to 9 in any order he pleases.

He is then given a pointer and is asked to point to any number that he pleases. As soon as he has indicated a number, the person who wrote on the slip bearing that particular number stands. Immediately the medium answers his question or correctly reveals what had been written on that person's slip. This is continued haphazardly until all the squares have been indicated and all the nine questions answered.

As a climax, the medium calls out several numbers which the performer puts under the numbered squares on the slate. These form a total across the bottom of the slate. When the three vertical columns are added, this total is found to be correct!