For publicity or close-up purposes the following series of three effects will impress those who see them as being produced by a magnetic quality belonging only to the magician. While extremely simple, the appearance of the ideas from the audience view makes for quite a bit of wonderment. The performer does some simple magnetic feat such as the mesmerized cards. Then he offers to explain everything and credits it to “electricity”. He rubs his finger briskly up and down his coat, across the carpet, or through his hair. Touching its tip to a metal surface or object a faint but distinct buzz is heard.

Offering to demonstrate this “power” further the performer has someone turn out the lights and hold his (the performer’s) wrists. Next he places his forefingers together with an admonition to watch what happens when he separates them. He moves his fingers apart slightly and a spark is seen between them accompanied by an audible “snap”.

“Electricity,” confides the performer as the lights are being turned on. “Why, practically everything I have is charged.”

One of the best methods for the mesmerized one that I have never seen used, utilizes the new cellophane mending tape sold in stationery stores — “scotch tissue” — that sticks to anything but peels off without a trace. An inch long piece is attached to the center of one card. One half inch of the tape is pressed down and the other half inch left loose to be clipped between the second and third fingers of the hand. This card is on top of the deck to start. About half the deck is cut off and after fanning to show, squared and placed face up on the right palm. The half inch of tissue goes between the second and third fingers and is clipped tightly. The left hand now takes the face up loose cards one at a time and inserts them in circle around the clipped card at the bottom of the pile against hand. The circle of cards overlap and are built out as far as practice will admit. When all loose cards are thus secured, the right hand is slowly turned over and the circle of cards is seen to be adhering to the hand. By closing the fingers of the hand steadily the tape can be forced from the key card and all drop to the table or floor where they can be minutely examined.

Or the tape may be released from between the fingers and in picking up the cards pressed against the back where it is practically invisible.

The buzzing sound when fingertips are put against metal is caused by one of the novelty “practical joke” Joy Buzzers. This is wound, not tightly, but only a few turns to give a “light” instead of a “heavy” buzz. It is carried in the coat or vest pocket and pressed with the arm at the moment when the finger of the opposite hand touches metal.

Required for the spark effect is a Necco candy wafer — a white one — no other color works. This is taken from the pocket while the lights are being turned off. It is held between the fingers and broken at the proper moment in your patter theme, producing a “snap”, and strangely enough, a bluish spark. The reason for spectator holding the wrists is so that he can focus his attention at the proper spot and not miss the flash. The center of the wafer should be pressed out towards the spectator for the same reason. Before the lights go on the performer puts the pieces of wafer into his mouth and the evidence literally melts away. It’s a sweet trick.