Everyone has heard of the famous inkblot personality tests. Few have seen samples of them and some may not realize what they actually test, which is good!
“Ladies and gentlemen, I'm not a fortune teller nor do I ever make tabloid predictions. Person-ally, I leave it up to each individual to decide whether we're all responsible for our own fate or whether there is a Book of Life or Kismet that has everyone's entire future already laid out.
“However, we all have inherited personality traits and have a lifetime of unique experiences that tremendously affect our futures. THAT, I do have a belief in. And like some of the great psychologists, I've found the famous Rorschach Inkblot Tests quite practical and useful. Here's an example of one of those inkblots. To me, it looks like one thing. To you, it may look and mean something entirely different! These differences define personality.
“I need several volunteers. I promise it'll be fun and illuminating---and a lot more perceptive than tea leaves or tarot cards!” (Use this last line at your own discretion and risk. There are more shut-eyes out there than you may imagine and their skins are very thin indeed!) “I'm sorry but we'll have to limit this to five participants. So let's involve some of you who haven't been tested yet tonight.
“Thank you. You two, and you, and you, and----you. Here's an file card for each of you.
Would you please fold them in half.”
We have to “freeze-frame” here to explain a few things. These cards have been nail-nicked to identify each of them. There are many ways, but here's mine:
Person #1 Nick the long edge 2/5 way in from the corner #2 ditto 1/5 ditto
#3 Nick one of the corners
#4 Nick the short edge 1/4 way up from the corner #5 ditto 1/2 ditto
Be sure the nicks are large enough to be visual and “feelable.” This system works face-up, up-side-down or in the dark!
Also, unknown to the audience, an hour or so before the show you've decided on one person who has an unusual “look” about them. Male or female, young or old, sharp or plain--- you decide. And you must not use him/her in any tests until the last one!
Two weeks earlier, you've hand-written your grand exclamation point for the evening:
“It's after midnight, two weeks before my performance at the___(whatever) __. I feel compelled to write about a very strange premonition. During this show, I feel I'll meet a very special (grey-haired, young-at-heart lady in bright clothing) who will be involved in the last event on the program. She seems to be very kind and will write something out-of-the-ordinary on a card. Her name is almost like (Maria.)”
___(dated) ______(signed)______________
The above parenthetical descriptions of some person and name are left blank. A bogus letter is folded and put into a letter envelope which is labeled, sealed and Scotch Taped. Jot a separate note asking that the unopened envelope be brought to the show. The note and letter envelope are sealed inside a legal envelope and mailed to the organizer. Oh, and be sure to call him and check that it arrived safely!
On the night of the show, when you're chatting with the organizer, KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN!
Without being obvious, spot some gregarious target who's got unique features and/or clothing.
Avoid drunks or show-offs. Discreetly learn his/her name or nick name and some personal things about the target. (If this is hard for you, perhaps go back to magic!) Credit for the let-ter concept goes to a neat Bruce Bernstein idea.
Visit your “office” (the men's room) and appropriately fill in the blanks on the original letter.
Put it in a duplicate letter envelope, label and seal with Scotch Tape EXACTLY like the one mailed.
This, in turn, is put inside the second envelope of a stack of six or eight face-down 6 X 9 manilas. Cut the flap off the first envelope and you're all set for a “flapless envelope switch.” (The open second flap appears to belong to the top envelope.)
Find the organizer again and tell him you'd like to make things a bit more entertaining during the show. “Let's put the envelope I mailed you into a bigger manila envelope that you can seal and sign. It'll be much more dramatic!”
Hand him a marker pen as you take the mailed letter envelope. The moment he starts to uncap the pen, drop the mailed envelope into the flapless manilla, lick the flap of the second manila (containing your completed premonition) and lift it out of the stack. Ask HIM to check it, seal it and then sign it any way he'd like. Put the stack of manillas back in your open brief case.
The switch has been accomplished!
Fast-forward back to your performance. As the five people get settled near you, ask the organ-izer if he has the envelope you mailed him last week. Have him hold it up to show it's sealed and signed. Ask him to closely guard it for a few more minutes.
It should be clear that the person you finally decided on (and wrote about in the switched letter) is one of the five chosen and is holding an identifiable folded index card. Approach the first person with a small tray, plate, bottle of ink and some paper napkins . Set his card on the plate, put two or so drops of ink on it so he can press the halves together to make his own inkblot.
(Extra napkins can pat dry the ink patterns.)
“Try not to let me see the inkblot. I don't want to get any preconceived or conflicting images in my mind.” Keep things moving, avoiding stage-waits while each makes the personal ink pat-tern. Hand them pens. “Please study your inkblot and then PRINT a couple of words that sum up what it looks like or means to you.”
This is the time you'll have to tap dance. It's really dead-times-vile! Sooooo, you show the audience two more Rorschach inkblot examples. (These can be found in any public library---in the psychology section. I cut mine from several used psych books and laminated them. By the way, the chapters on Rorschach gave me all the patter I'd need in a lifetime! P.S. I was a psych major at USC---with as much musical theatre, TV and cinema as I could squeeze into a heavy Navy Midshipmen program.)
Have somebody collect and mix up their inkblots so no one knows which is which. “Ladies and gentlemen, I'm going to try to find out about the personalities of the five people here. Is that all right folks?” Mix the face-down cards a bit more, shifting the target-person card to the bottom.
Turn over the top card. It's nicked #3. Let's say the nick tells you it's one of two women.
(And the other is your targeted lady.)
“The first inkblot says, Clown in mountains. The printing is neat, somewhat angled. I feel feminine vibrations coming off the card. This is a well-groomed lady. Quite charming. And the Clown is a tip-off.”
Show her the card. “You're coy. This has you written all over it. You've travelled, haven't you.
You certainly give off great vibes!” It's important to flatter and chatter with some substance.
Any old astrology magazine or book of fortunes is filled with enough “substance” to turn a dull-ard into a cosmopolitan conversationalist. You have to have fun if you want them to have fun!
TILLAR'S FIRST LAW OF MENTALISM: DON'T TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY!
This is show biz! Be enthusiastic!
Put the card face-down under the stack of five. Turn over the next card, check the nick and give another cool reading. Show it to the proper person and be sure to get a conformation. Put it face-down under the stack. The routine is repeated once more.
For this fourth card, we use a Max Maven color series move (with a slight variation, okay Phil?) Double lift, turn the two over on top of the stack and #5 is staring at you! Slide it off the pile and hold it up to your forehead, shielding your eyes. Glance down at the words on card #4, then use card #5 as a pointer while giving the fourth reading.
“You have a very fascinating Dr. Rorschach inkblot, etc.” This reading should be short and sweet. Now lay #5 face-up on top of #4. (Be sure the #5 data is memorized!) Double lift, turning them over again so all cards are face-down (#4 on top.)
Set the pile on the table and move away. Have the fourth man take the top card and verify it was his. Ask him to slide the next (last) card to the center of the table face- down. “I won't touch it. We're down to an obvious situation.” Turn to your target lady. “This last card does belong to you. Have we ever met before? I don't know you. I don't know what you wrote.
Has anyone seen what is on your card? Good.” Start your mini cold reading using the infor-mation you learned earlier and refer to her printed words but don't be specific. Get some affir-mations, then pull the trigger!
Fondle the card on table, close your eyes and recite exactly what's printed. “Is that accurate? I had a premonition about this moment. Mr._(organizer)_, I think it's time to read a letter I wrote you last week, something even I can't comprehend! First, will you swear we have nothing pre-arranged and you're not a confederate? Then please open and read what you received by regis-tered mail and has been in your custody 'til this moment.” Organizer reads the letter and leads the applause as you bow and exit. AND---you can leave cards, envelope, letter, EVERYTHING to be examined!
ADDENDUM:
The alternate bill switch for “Teacups” requires two small squares of double-faced tape put on the base of each middle finger. Your crumpled memorized bill is palmed (stuck) in your left hand. The borrowed crumpled bill is taken by the right hand and stuck to its tape, then appar-ently “rolled” over to the left hand (the “shuttle pass.”) The right hand immediately picks up any cup, your memorized bill is dropped in and cup handed to a guest!
Have Fun . . . Jack