Symmyst

This is a magazine test wherein the performer reveals words selected by two different people. The repetition raises the effect above its first climax, for interest ha s been whetted and the second revelation is more confusing than the first.

Effect

The performer exhibits three different magazines and has one selected by one spectator and a second one selected by another person.

The performer then announces that he wishes to have a page selected for the test he is about to attempt and, so that there will be no question but that the page is chosen fairly, he takes a small pad down into the audience and has several people whisper a series of numbers in his ear. These numbers are written on the pad, which is then handed to one of the assistants holding a magazine. This person totals the column of figures and opens his magazine at that page. He then, of his own accord, selects a word on that particular page.

The performer picks up a slate and starts to write down a series of letters, finally combines them into a single word which surprisingly enough turns out to be the chosen word. Now the other assistant opens his magazine to a page suggested by anyone in the audience, and counts down to a word at a number suggested by some one else. He concentrates on this word and the performer successfully reveals it.