This is a clean and simple method for an effective living and dead test. At the finish all material used may be left behind as there is nothing wrong to find.

Use five or six blank cards and a drug envelope. Four people write the names of living persons and the fifth writes the name of someone dead. The performer has them collected by someone and mixed. Taking them with the writing sides down, the performer also mixes them a little more and puts the entire packet into the envelope. Holding the envelope to his head, the performer slowly and correctly reveals the dead name!

Opening the envelope, the cards are removed and spread out with writing still downward. Waving his hand over them the performer finishes by correctly picking out the dead name card and handing it to the writer.

I consider this a very practical method for any close up opportunity, especially press work.

The drug envelope used is faked in a far from new manner. On the face side a half inch from flap end a slit is made large enough across to easily accommodate one of the blank cards used. The five or six cards used are ordinary except for one which has a nail nick in the upper left and lower right corners. If one takes such a card, holds it between the thumb and first finger with thumb on top, and presses hard with the thumbnail, a nick is made that becomes an easily felt bump on the other side.

I put these cards with the nicked one on top into the envelope and carry it in my vest pocket ready for immediate use.

Take out the envelope, being careful not to expose the slit on the face side, and remove the cards. Leave the envelope laying on the table face side down. Now show the cards and ask someone to think of the dead person. Hand them the top card for writing and hand the rest out for the writing of living names.

Now have them collected by someone else and mixed with the writing sides down. Take them and mix them a little more and in doing so the nicked card is brought to the bottom of the pile or the face side. Don’t try to shuffle them like playing cards or do anything fancy. Just mix them carelessly with your two hands while they are held flat-wise with the floor.

Pick up the envelope with your left hand, flap open and with your right hand insert the packet. The right fingers are underneath and, as you start this, the bottom card is pushed a little ahead of the others and, going into the envelope, goes through the slit. The rest of the cards on top are slightly tilted down at the end being held and go on into the envelope proper.

Try this several times with the material in hand and it will be found an easy move. Now lift the envelope up and moisten the flap with the right forefinger and seal the flap down while this side is towards the audience. At this time, because you are making it apparent that you are sealing the flap down, the back or face of the envelope is towards you and the dead name card is looking right towards you.

If perhaps the name is upside down it doesn’t matter because you still have to bring the envelope to your forehead and it is turned around in your hands while you ask the particular person to think intently of the name. Slowly reveal the name of the person who has passed away.

Hold the envelope in your left hand with the flap side to the audience and at the right end. With a small pair of scissors cut the end away. However, the left thumb has drawn the exposed card back about an inch to clear the slit, and the envelope is cut at this point which destroys all evidence of trickery in the envelope.

Reach in the opened end with the right first and second fingers which grasp the cards inside. The right thumb goes against the card on the back and with one move the cards are removed and the card from the back along with them.

Toss the envelope aside or to spectators and, holding the cards with writing downward, mix them a little and spread them on the table. Waving your hand over them, finally pick up the correct card and return it to the writer.

For cleanness I think this is a welcome routine. At any rate, try it out a few times.