In too many effects, the surprise element is missing, the audience knowing beforehand that the selected card will be found one way or another, or that the handkerchief, when poked into the fist will disappear or change color. This idea is unusual in that it isn’t done as a trick, but as an “in-between” or “interlude” to other presentations. It seems as strange to the performer as to the audience, but the effect is made greater in their minds because the performer passes it off as something strange that happens with his cards everytime he leaves them alone for a second.

Using two decks with oppositely colored backs, the performer shows them faces and backs, finding a card with the other colored back in the deck being shown. At this point he shakes his head and explains that the Ace of Spades in this particular bridge set are always changing places, and that it must be because something must have happened in the printing of the backs. Showing the card to be the Ace named, the performer transfers it openly to the deck of opposite color, and on fanning through that deck finds the Ace from the first. Showing it, the card is put back in the first deck. As an afterthought, and apparently just realizing how very strange his story must have been, the performer waits a second or two and fans the decks again. Once more an odd card is seen in each deck, and once again each card is the Ace of Spades! Whereupon the magus goes into his next effect rapidly before it can happen again.

Beforehand, any “short” card from the blue deck is placed in the red deck directly behind the Ace of Spades. Also, any “short” card in the red deck is placed behind the Ace of Spades in the blue deck. That is all of the preparation necessary. Put the decks in their cases. Take the decks out, when starting, and give the first one a dovetail shuffle. The short card being near the top or bottom, make it impossible for it and its companion Ace to be separated during such a shuffle. Now fan the deck, let the blue back card be seen (using the red backed deck), and make your first statement. Cut the deck to bring the blue back card to the top. Show it to be the Ace of Spades (?) by lifting it at ends between the thumb and second finger. Really, two cards are lifted as one, but because the top card is a “short” card (trimmed entirely across one end a trifle) you only have to try to take off one card and the other is with it.

These two cards (as one) are placed on top of the blue deck. This deck is fanned near the middle and a red back card seen there. Cutting the deck in order to bring this red backed card to the top (and which action buries the top two cards in the center), the lift is repeated, the two cards (as one) being shown the Ace of Spades, and they are pushed into the other or red deck first used. Now the performer hesitates and says he will show what he meant by the strange tale. A slight wait here of about the count of ten is impressive. The performer watches the cards with a resigned air, as though he knows well enough what will happen. Then he picks up one deck and fans it. Sure enough, there is an odd backed card and, tossing it out face up, it’s the same Ace just transferred. The same is done with the other deck, whereupon they are placed in their correct decks and the performer proceeds with his tricks.

As a trick in itself, this may be good, but in my opinion it invites closer inspection and criticism. As an “offhand” bit of business before going into the trick it is superb and does “dress” whatever is to follow. I hope you don’t wait until someone does it before you start using it. Generally, one reads something and passes it by. Later, often many years, they see it performed and, realizing it is good, immediately start doing it, whereas they should have been the first.