Many good methods of transmitting information have come along in the past years, but for simplicity of effect, and directness of procedure, this little routine of two items must be given a low bow.
The assisting spectator thinks of any card, removes it from the deck, and holds it up for all to see. The medium, notwithstanding the fact that she is seated with her back to the audience, and is, if desired, blindfolded, takes the slate and chalk and immediately inscribes on the slate the name of the chosen card. The magus now hands the spectator a slate, and asks him to draw in view of all any simple geometric design that occurs to him. It is no sooner completed that the medium cries “I have an impression!”, and taking her slate quickly, reproduces the drawing which she has obviously never seen.
This short mental routine for two people is just as simple as it is effective. In both cases, the information is relayed to the medium via a thumb tip writer worn by the performer, but the ruse employed is slightly different in each case.
These thumb writers are on sale by most all magical dealers and are of two general types. One is a short thumb tip with lead attached to the ball of the thumb. The other is a small clip which attaches to the thumb nail itself. Some like one and some like the other, so it is not of any value to recommend either. Only a few trials are necessary to ascertain which is the most practical for each individual.
Having explained what is to be done, the performer asks that the audience aid in projecting the image of the card to the medium. From that time on not a word is spoken until the denouement. In explaining what the medium will do, the performer has picked up the slate and chalk, and when he returns the slate to the table he inadvertently retains the chalk in his right hand, where he already wears the thumb tip writer. He stands facing the audience during the removal of the card by the spectator, right arm dropped to side.
Slipping the chalk into position between the fingers, it is but the work of a second to write the initials of the card removed, on the surface of the chalk (use a fairly long piece). The moment the performer gets the card down, he picks up the slate from the table, and hands it along with the chalk, to the medium, who quickly works up to her first climax, holding up the message for all to see.
The performer now takes the slate, and while quickly erasing it, asks a spectator if he would like to assist in another more difficult test. The performer hands him another slate, and asks that he draw a single and simple design for all to concentrate upon. The performer still holds the medium’s slate, and is wearing the thumb writer. Arm again at side, he draws on the edge of the slate, as well as possible under the circumstances, the idea that the spectator is producing on his own slate. Since these are seldom more than a triangle, circle or parallelogram, the medium should be able to make it out.
During this time she has been listening to the chalking of the spectator on his slate, and as soon as the sound ceases, she cries “I have an impression.” The performer immediately hands her the slate he is holding, and with appropriate pauses and flashes of inspiration, the medium quickly reproduces the drawing and stands up, slate in hand, to reveal it, and take her bow.
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