CRACK THE WHIP
BRANDON, THE MAGICIANEFFECT:--The card is picked, as usual, and returned, as usual. It has been forced, as usual. (FUNNY?) The deck is then thrown into the air by the assistant. Let us leave the deck flying in the air while we give our thought to the performer. He has been cracking a circus side-show whip (i.e., the kind sold for 15c or 25c) into the air several times. On cracking the whip the third time, he cracks it into the falling cards, all falling except the selected card, which, needless to say, is now on the end of the whip. The card was the Ace of Spades.
TIME: Same as the sword trick of a much similar nature.
REQUIREMENTS:--Everything as above stated, including a piece of cord-string as long as the card, and a tube about 1/8 in. in diameter, made of aluminum. The card is made of thin rubber with the spots and back design put on with India ink.
The next part of the explanation is something like the last chapter in a mystery novel. The climax is passed. But I must needs insert this chapter for the sake of completeness, so I say, too, for the sake of being complete, that the tube is inserted at the end of the whip, the cord string is fastened at the back end of the tube (the pictures show this) and is then run out to just the end of the tube. The rubber card is tied on the end of the string which allows the card to hang at the end of the whip without the string showing. (I know this is painstaking, but bear with me.) [WE WILL, KID.]
TO PRESENT:--Roll card as tightly as possible, lengthwise (a la wand to cigarette) and insert in tube. A small cork (like the one in ink bottle) is inserted in the tube to prevent escape of card on first two cracks of the whip. There is a pause in which the cork is pulled out in the act of drawing the cord of whip through fingers. Naturally, the next crack of the all-ready-too-many-times-mentioned whip will throw the card out of tube, which, because of its being made of thin white rubber, will instantly unfold. To add to the reality of the illusion the Performer may have a small hook on end of tube which he may explain "hooks" the card as he grabs into the air for it.
If you think this trick the least bit practical you may use it (as long as you paid to get in) and if you decide to use it I shall be greatly complimented. Please remember there are no springs or rubber bands to get out of order.
Lil Arthur says he has another one--want to see it?--Well, clap then, that's the stuff--come on, Arthur, let's have it--and listen folks (whisper) I know what's coming, so watch carefully, because it's GOOD.
(BRANDON SPEAKING AGAIN)
Thanks very much, Frank, it was very nice of you to say those things about me, even if you were exaggerating. As long as you insist, I'll give you my
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