through which there is a padlock, which is at
present not locked. The key to the padlock is
EITHER AURA
Phil Goldstein
The following two-person mentalism
routine is presentationally derived from Charles
Cameron's "The Spirit Tells" (Cauldron #3,
1967); the method, however, is quite different.
The medium having been sent out of the
room, the performer begins by offering a brief
discussion of auras - psychic "vibrations" that
emanate from individuals, and in tum from
objects they come in contact with.
A small wooden box is introduced. This
box can be closed with a small metal hasp,
given to a spectator to hold. The box is opened,
and placed onto the table.
The spectators decide on a "target item"
for the test - any common object belonging to
any person in the room. For example, a
wristwatch is nominated. This item is held over
the open mouth of the box - so as to allow the
object's aura to be absorbe? into the box...
A spectator delivers the box to the
medium, who - following a few moments
privately with it - returns the box to the
spectator. The padlock is now shut through the
hasp on the box.
The spectator brings the box back to the
assembly. The person holding the key unlocks'
the box, and finds therein a slip of paper, upon
which the medium has written, "I sense the
vibrations associated with timepieces - perhaps
a wristwatch . . ."
* * * * * * *
The method, in addition to being deceptive,
has the added feature of requiring virtually no
effort on the part of the medium; all of the work
is actually done by the performer.
The box is a loader. Certain Lippincott-
style boxes will function, as will the old Watch
Box, various types of Prediction Chests, and so
forth. The performer must be able to have
secret access to the interior of the box after it
has been locked closed.
In addition to the already named props,
the performer will need a billet index, prepared
with slips of paper describing various common
objects - pen, watch, glasses, cigarettes, coins,
and so on. These should be Written out by the
medium, in his/her own handwriting.
The handling is obvious. During the initial
build-up, the performer sees to it that an object
is nominated from among those covered by the
billets. During the time that the box is in the
hands of the medium, there is ample time for
the performer to obtain the correct billet from
the index, holding the slip finger-palmed. Upon
receiving the box, of course, the medium simply
shuts the padlock through the hasp, and returns
the empty box to the spectator.
wp~n the spectator returns to the room, __
is nominated from among those covered by the
billets. During the time that the box is in the
hands of the medium, there is ample time for
the performer to obtain the correct billet from
the index, holding the slip finger-palmed. Upon
receiving the box, of course, the medium simply
shuts the padlock through the hasp, and returns
the empty box to the spectator.
When the spectator returns to the room,
he/she naturallv hands the boxto the nerformer.