Dabblers of things of a spiritualistic nature should be interested in the following effect which has been put together for the small gathering and intimate type of performer. It can be carried in one pocket and, performed practically impromptu, runs about seven minutes with great impression.

The performer asks the spectator to write the initials of a dead man on one of seven small white cards, explaining that from this point on the card will represent the deceased person and that his burial will be re-enacted. On the six remaining pasteboards, the spectator is told to write the initials of six living persons who will act as pall-bearers for the “dead” man.

This done, the “dead” card is to be placed somewhere in the stack of pall-bearers, all taking place while the performer stands at a distance. Picking up the stack of seven cards at the fingertips, the performer drops them in a borrowed hat, the “cemetery”.

He then explains that the dead man was a sincere believer in spiritualism and that he had left a pair of sealed slates with a friend sometime before his death, stating that he would attempt to “come back” and manifest his return.

At this point the performer exhibits two small slates, numbers the four sides, binds them together with a rubber band, and hands them to a member of his audience.

Suddenly remembering the “pall-bearers” still in the “cemetery”, he remarks that it might be a good plan to see that they got home safely. Holding the hat high above his head, he has a spectator reach in and mix up the cards after which six are removed one by one and laid face down on the table leaving one in the hat.

The performer now asks the spectator to examine the cards to see if the correct one was “buried”. The cards are turned face up and prove to be the six “pall-bearers”. The slates are opened by the person holding them and on one side are the two initials which are the same as those on the dead card remaining in the hat! Gabbatha!

Required are two miniature slates (2 x 2 1/4) with flap purchasable at magical dealers (and sometimes called Vest Pocket Slates), seven rectangular pieces of white cardboard (1 1/4 x 2) and a rubber band.

In preparation, one of the white cards has been coated on one side with Simonize (auto polish), allowed to soak for a few minutes, polished briskly with a piece of cotton, and allowed to dry overnight. With a card thus prepared in a pile of ordinary cards, the packet will cut at the “slick” card with a slight pressure and pushing movement to either side. Write the figure “2” on one side of the flap. Stack the slates with flap written side face down on the upper surface of lower slate. Place a rubber band in your right trouser pocket.

The spectator writes the first and last initials of the dead man on the smooth side of the “slick” card; the living names on the ordinary cards. Receive the stack by the end with right thumb underneath and fore and middle fingers on top. As you place the stack in hat, and the hand momentarily goes out of sight, turn your hand slightly at the same time pushing lightly to right with thumb. The packet will cut at the smooth card and “dead” initials can be read. Slide the “dead” card to one side where it can be reached easily when the hat is next lifted. Set the hat aside for the moment.

Place the stacked slates lengthwise on left palm with one end pressed against base of the thumb, left fingers curled around the other, after showing that the four sides are devoid of writing. Write “1” on upper surface and turn it over by grasping edge furthest from you, turning it towards body. Apparently write “2”, but really write the initials just glimpsed. Turn slate as before and then turn both slates completely over together, which action drops the flap over the initials and brings “2” into correct position. Write “3” on new top surface, and turn single slate over writing “4” on last face.

Make final turn and place slate below other which brings flap surface uppermost. With left thumb slide top slate to fingertips, holding flap in place with thumb. Exhibit on both sides, showing figures “1” and “2”, and pass it to right hand, which is held back to floor. The slate is held with its side edge towards floor and laying along forefinger, the right thumb being on upper edge. As the left hand exhibits the other slate to show the sides marked “3” and “4” the right hand tilts slightly towards body and flap falls into a perfect finger palm on second and third joints of middle and third fingers.

Slide the left hand slate behind the one in right and plunge left hand in pocket for band. Not finding it, transfer slates to left hand and carry the palmed flap to pocket bringing out band which is snapped around slates before handing to spectator.

As the hat is picked up by right hand to have the cards mixed, the right thumb goes outside brim and fingers inside, where they pull the “dead” card against the side of the hat where it is held tightly during the mixing process and subsequent withdrawal of the six pall-bearer cards.

While it has taken some time and space to describe the actual movements throughout, the actual working is smooth and the patter scheme fits all of the action. Although it is just a trifle too long for such, it makes an excellent press stunt where the occasion permits, and the fact that the stunt complete can be carried in a vest pocket is a very satisfying detail.