Everybody likes a surprise finish, and this effect has all of that combined with originality, to the point action, and definite value as a club program item.

Picking up a single slate, the miracle worker writes on it, in chalk letters “THE NAME OF THE CARD IS”. This message fills the slate and it is laid aside for a minute. From a deck of cards, the performer has one selected, remarking that through some unknown phantom friend he will learn the identity of what card has been chosen from the pack. Friend phantom invariably obliges by writing the name of the card following what he put on the slate in the beginning. The selected card is kept by the person in the audience, and the performer picks the slate up writing towards the audience. IT’S EXACTLY THE SAME !

The performer looks surprised, remarking on the fact that it is the first time the message hasn’t been completed correctly. Then, as an afterthought, he realises that there isn’t room left on the slate for more writing. He erases the words he wrote on the slate, but strangely some of the letters stay in view and spell the name of a card ! Ten of Hearts! Spectator reveals his chosen pasteboard, and it IS the Ten of Hearts.

Thusly you put forth a striking finish which is a complete surprise as well as a mystery.

All that you need for this trick is one slate with a flap, and a deck of cards.

First, write on the slate, with chalk, the words “THE NAME OF THE CARD IS”, as in the illustration. Then erase the various letters so the slate looks like the second one in the illustration. Erase enough of the letter “D” so it is changed to a “T”. With white paint, you now go over the letters spelling Ten of Hearts and let dry. Now chalk in the missing letters and put the addition to the “T” so the message appears as shown on the first slate.

Over this message, half chalk and the other half paint, put the flap. Have the slate on the table and a deck of cards at hand with the ten spot ready to force. Also have a cloth for erasing the writing.

Pick up the slate showing both sides. On the flap side, print the words as in the first illustration. Then lay the slate on the table writing side down, and pick up the cards. Go into patter theme and force the ten of hearts. Use the method which you do the best. If you can’t force one pasteboard it may be better if you try another profession or hobby. (There’s a book out with 202 methods of forcing, Ed.) The spectator keeps the card, and you pick up the slate, LEAVING THE FLAP ON THE TABLE. The message appears the same as when it was written and shown at the start.

You apparently realise that there is no more room for writing, so pick up the cloth and erase. The chalked in letters disappear, and those that remain are the ones that spell a card’s name. And the card spelled is that which was selected.