Correct! The title of this “gag” trick really is I’M SORRY! There’s only a bit of mystery. Essentially, the stunt is for a laugh unexpectedly, and it can be used where they don’t want cards. You start with nothing but a deck, and just as the committeemen are voting on your expulsion you wind up with glory. (And if there is a stall and they get to you first, you’ll wind up gory! Ed.)

The effect and the blueprint will just about cover everything. The magician gets three assisting spectators and plays his part very “straight” during the preliminaries. He tells all that it’s merely a test of observation. Those who love to patter can talk about accidents and remind that seldom can there be found two people who afterwards recite the same story or give the same description. And how many of those who have been held up by bandits can agree with other victims as to height, color, shape, and dress of the armed gentry? Anyhow, I’m giving you gabby ideas even if I don’t use them myself.

The top card of the deck is shown to one spectator to remember. Then the card is fairly placed on his outstretched palm. The next card is shown to the second person and he gets it likewise. So it goes with the third. The magus says “You have looked at cards, each of you, and right now you are holding them. What was your card, please?” The first person names it. Without a pause the wonder worker asks the same thing of the second person. This man names the same card! And without blinking, the necromancer turns to the third. He also, names the same card as the others!

The modern Merlin says “It just can’t be — even though you do agree. Show your cards to the audience.” The three spectators show their cards, All three are blank!

In mock despair (I’m despairing myself, and it’s not mock! Ed.) the conniving conjuror let go of the deck, it opening out in a curtain, four wide and about ten long, each card bearing a large letter. He yelps “Maybe this is a good time for everybody to get his eyes tested. Here is an Eye Examination Chart!”

The deck is gimmicked as per the illustration. This is after CARD CURTAIN idea of Orrin from his book RING UP THE CURTAIN.

The drawing shows the construction across the top, and one of the four “strings” which drop down. You can use the transparent tape so common for the “strings” which are accordion pleated. Make these first, and then, after closing them, tape them sidewise so all assemble into a deck. Put the small tabs on the outside top cards. With one in each hand, and the deck released, the curtain opens. All dealers now handle blank cards, or perhaps you can use one of the popular letter game decks and save some work.

The top three cards held by spectators are also faked. Take three blanks and three regular playing cards. Put a playing card behind each blank and paste them together at one end. These are on top of the curtain deck. Show each person a card by lifting the free end of a double card. Let it drop and deal the card onto his hand. When he shows it, it’s blank. And they all NAME the same card because the three playing cards behind the blanks are alike, say the Ace of Spades. Have I made myself clear? (Yeah. Very transparent. Ed.)