Would you like to be a mind reader like Uncle John the Magnificent? All you need is a turban and a trusty assistant. (Okay, you can skip the turban, but you do need a helper.)
ACT I: The Introduction
Lights up
You: “Ladies and gentlemen, I, (insert your name) the Magnificent, have the amazing ability to read your minds. With the help of my able assistant, (insert your friend’s name), I will demonstrate my incredible powers to everyone in this room.”
Pause for dramatic effect, then slowly scan the room, pausing to stare directly into the eyes of one or two people.
You: “In just a few moments, I will leave this room and wait in a soundproof booth offstage. While I’m gone, you will select one single object in this room. When I return, I want you to use your collective brainpower to focus on that object and I, (insert your name) the Magnificent, will identify that object.”
Your assistant chooses someone from the audience to escort you to another room. That person will be able to swear that you didn’t hear a thing.
ACT II: The Setup
Your Assistant: “Ladies and gentlemen, would you now please pick one item in this room. It can be a piece of furniture, a small item of any sort, or even a person.”
World’s oldest national park: Yellowstone, established in 1872.
Your assistant takes suggestions and the group agrees on an item. Now your assistant will ask another audience member to go bring you back into the room. Don’t let your assistant get near you again, so the audience will trust that you aren’t cheating.
You: “Before we begin, does everyone agree that I have no way of knowing what item or person was selected by you, the audience? All right, then I, (insert your name) the Magnificent am ready to begin.”
Put your hands to your temples and close your eyes.
You: “Everyone, please concentrate on your selection.”
Your assistant now moves around the room, pointing to various items, and asking you questions.
Your Assistant: “Is this the item?”
You (pausing for a moment to think): “No.”
Your Assistant: “Is this the person?”
You (pausing): “No.”
Your Assistant: “How about this one?”
You (quickly this time): “No.”
Your Assistant: “Is that the object (or person)?”
You: “Yes! That’s it!”
Wild applause from the audience. Lights out.
Garden rule of thumb: Plants with blue or purple flowers attract bees and butterflies plants with red flowers are more often pollinated by birds.
In every question, the assistant must use the word “this.” As in, “Is this the object?” When your assistant uses the word “that,” then you know that is the object. You can be even more tricky and come up with your own system. But start with this one first. Your friends will think you’re Magnificent!