The "Thoughtometer."
By Edward Bagshawe, I.B.M.
Whilst no originality is claimed for the methods used in this effect, the presentation will, I think, be found sufficiently diverting to justify its inclusion in an up-to-date programme. The reader will be better able to visualise the effect if I first give the general patter and presentation, which is as follows:
"Ladies and gentlemen, in these days of wireless and other marvels, you are possibly aware that it is only a question of another hundred years or so before we shall be able to transmit actual solid objects by means of electrical energy. Anticipating this trend of scientific thought, I will now demonstrate my 'Thoughtometer,' a marvellous invention capabable of receiving small objects--such as playing cards--transmitted from a distance, entirely by means of thought waves.
"I hope you will believe me when I say that there are only two people in the world who know exactly how to work this; myself, and the man who gave me the apparatus. He gave it to me because, to tell you the truth, he found it was getting a bit of a nuisance. Every time he thought of an object, that object immediately vanished and was found endeavouring to hide itself in the apparatus. Things came to a head when he absent-mindedly thought of buying a mangle, and sure enough one dropped through the roof, causing quite a commotion. So, perceiving that the invention had certain drawbacks, my friend passed it over to me. Personally I find it the easiest thing in the world to work. My plan is quite simple; I merely keep my mind a perfect blank until the time comes to transmit something.
(During the above, the performer has been shuffling a pack of cards. He now picks up an ordinary photographic printing-frame, opens the back and shows each part.)
"To the uninitiated the 'Thoughtometer' simply consists of an ordinary frame. There is, however, a piece of black paper inside specially prepared with a certain pigment, making it very sensitive. Here is the paper, and here are the other parts of the frame. Having shown you that everything so far is above suspicion I will fasten the frame up again and wrap it in this large handkerchief--so. Might I now ask for a gentleman to assist me in the experiment? I won't keep him very long. Thank you, sir--I can see by your expression that you understand all about wireless.
"I propose to transmit to the frame a card which you will select from the pack. So that you will be able to keep the card in your possession securely until I am ready, we will seal it in one of these envelopes. (Packet of envelopes shown.) If I place the pack in your coat pocket, you will be able to pull out any card at random, sir, thus making sure of a free selection. May I have the loan of your side pocket to place the pack in? Thank you. (Performer has picked up the pack an dnow proceeds to insert it in assistant's pocket, but apparently finding something obstructing its passage, he removes the pack and placing his other hand in the pocket, takes out a white billiard ball.) What's this? A billiard Ball. Did you bring it along for me to do a trick with, sir? (Addressing audience.)--this gentleman wishes me to do a trick with a billiard ball that he has brought with him. Of course I shall be delighted.
"I shall have to alter the experiment a little. I will pass the billiard ball back into your pocket in same manner as I intend to transmit the card you are going to choose. You agree? Very well. I will take one of these envelopes, which you see is quite empty, seal it up, and ask you to place it in your pocket. (Assistant does so.) The envelope will act as a receiving station, and I will pass the ball into it. Are you ready? (Performer takes a large handkerchief and puts the ball underneath). Go! You see that the ball has utterly vanished. Before you find it in your envelope, sir, please select one of these cards. (A few cards are cut off the pack.) If you place your finger in the pack as I riffle them through it will do. Remember the card you are now looking at please. The next problem is to pass the card to the frame--pardon, I should say the 'Thoughtometer.' (Cards are fanned out and the assistant sees that his card has vanished.)
"Your card has gone, has it not? I thought so. It has passed into the frame. Before I uncover it please see if the billiard ball has arrived in the envelope in your pocket. (Assistant takes out the envelope, which obviously does not contain the ball.) Not there? So it isn't! That's very strange, not in your pocket loose, by any chance, sir? (While the assistant feels in his pocket the performer slowly tears open the envelope.)
"Why, what's this? This is the card you chose, is it not, sir? (Removes card from envelope.) Most extraordinary. Possibly the billiard ball has been transmitted to the frame by mistake, although how it can have entered such a small space, I don't know. (The frame is uncovered and the billiard ball is seen beneath the glass, considerably flattened out in transit, as it now appears as a large flat white disc.) There sir, just see what has happened to your billiard ball! I fear it will never be the same again. (Ball is taken from frame and exhibited.) Well, sir, you may not be able to play billiards with it, but if get some more like it you will be able to play draughts. I am sorry the experiment has not gone quite as I expected, but at any rate, it has proved that my 'Thoughtometer' has decided possibilities."
Requirements--
To perform this effect you will need an ordinary photographic printing frame, a packet of fairly large stiff envelopes the top one of which is double, with a duplicate card of the one you intend to force concealed in the closed compartment. Also a large double handkerchief--known in the dealer's lists as a "Demon" handkerchief. If you prefer to vanish the. ball by sleight-of-hand the handkerchief can be dispensed with.
A pack of cards, the top fifteen or so being prepared on the well known "Mephisto" principle. One white billiard ball and one "crushed" billiard ball, the latter being a large disc of white celluloid with a rounded edge. This disc is fixed to the piece of black paper in the frame by a tiny dab of seccotine; the paper is placed against the glass in the frame, with the disc at the back, and the frame then fastened up as usual. Bend the two springs at back of frame till they fit quite loosely, the object being to prevent the back pressing on the disc and thus causing its outline to appear marked on the paper.
Working--
False shuffle the pack and place down behind some object on the table, behind which the billiard ball is temporarily concealed. Show the frame, open it, turn out the back, paper and glass together into the right hand; then replace each part separately, the black paper going in with the reverse side to the glass, thus accounting for the production of celluloid disc. Close up the frame and place it face down on a large silk, wrap it up and stand against a support on the table. Obtain assistant and seat him on left side of table. Show packet of envelopes and then in accordance with the patter, pick up the pack again, at the same time palming ball in right hand. Advance to assistant with pack in left hand and pretend to have difficulty in placing the pack in his coat pocket, then bringing up right hand and producing palmed ball from pocket.
Next take double envelope from packet, show it empty and seal it. Assistant places this in his pocket. Pick up the double handkerchief and place ball underneath and also into the slit in centre of material, and vanish it in the approved manner.
Next cut off a few cards from top of pack (the forcers), and force card by riffling and letting the assistant glimpse the card he inserts his finger at. Fan out the cards and his has disappeared. Finally discover the card in the double envelope and uncover the frame to show billiard ball; detach the ball from the paper and hand it to the assistant as a souvenir.