2. A BLACKBOARD FEAT
Effect. The medium is blindfolded and the spectators write numbers on a blackboard, which is placed in such a position that the medium could not see the figures even if a blindfold were not used. The medium then calls the correct total of the sum figure by figure, the performer remaining silent throughout. He then points to various figures and the subject calls them correctly; a spectator writes a figure on the board and the subject names it; finally the subject names correctly various cards taken from a shuffled deck.
Articles required. Fake blindfold, blackboard, chalk, and pack of cards. The prepared blindfold is best obtained from a magic shop and, in general, this applies to all trick apparatus; home-made articles are seldom satisfactory. For parlor work, to avoid the necessity of carrying a blackboard, several large sheets of white paper can be fastened with thumbtacks to the top of a small table overturned on a larger one. This, with a heavy black crayon, will serve the purpose admirably. A few cards, say six, are removed from the pack and placed in a certain order, which the subject memorizes. They are then laid on the table, face up, and covered by the blindfold.
Method. Introduce the medium and seat her so that she is back of the blackboard and to the left. Take the deck from its case and have the cards thoroughly shuffled by a spectator, whom you have invited to come forward. This done, take the deck and, as you lift the blindfold with one hand, with the other drop the pack, face up, on the six cards that were hidden by it. Hold the blindfold over the spectator’s eyes and ask him if he can see through it. He announces that it is opaque and with it you blindfold the medium. Hand the chalk to the spectator and invite him to set down a sum consisting of four rows of four or five figures in each row. If you think it desirable, to avoid all suspicion of confederacy, you may have each of four spectators write a row of figures.
Announce that the medium will add the sum. Signal the figures to her thus: Stand with your left side to the board; right side toward the spectators; left hand resting on the board, the thumb in front and the fingers behind. The digits 1 to 5 are signaled with the hand near the top of the board—one finger extended for 1, two fingers for 2, three fingers for 3, four fingers for 4, and the hand clenched for 5. For 6, 7, 8, 9, and 0, hold the board near its lower side and repeat same signals.
As soon as the sum has been written down, add the first column mentally, draw a line below the figures, and signal the first digit of the total; at the same time add the second column mentally. When the medium calls the first figure, write it down and code the next. Proceed in exactly the same way until the total is completed. The subject must work in the approved style; that is, hesitatingly—occasionally making a mistake, such as calling a 1 for a 7 or a 0 for a 9, then claiming to see the figure more distinctly and correcting herself.
A series of figures is then touched in quick succession and the medium instantly calls them. This is managed very simply. Both must memorize the figures beforehand and the same series is always used. For example, the following couplet can be memorized:
Eight Kings Threatened To Save
Ninety-five ladies for one sick knave, coding 8, K, 3, 10, 2, 7, 9, 5, Q, 4, 1, 6, K.
When the court cards are reached you tap on the blank part of the blackboard and the subject at once calls, “Nothing there.” A second series—such as 13, 17, 14, 12—can also be memorized and called. After the last of the couplet figures has been named, place circles round two figures which total 13 and the subject calls that number, and so with the rest.
Next, hand the chalk to a spectator and invite him to write a figure on the hoard. Stand with your left side to the medium, the left hand on your hip, and signal with the fingers as before—holding the hand high for 1 to 5, low for 6 to 0.
Finish by taking the pack of cards; deal the first six, face up in a row, as you stand behind the table with your back to the medium. Take up the first card, look at it for a few moments, and the medium says, “I see a black card, a club, and it has . . . eight spots”—or as the case may be, and so on with the others.
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