Locatrik

A simple method of location is that which follows. The basic principle of location together with the disclosure make an exceptionally clean stunt. While the principle is not new (where has that been said before ?) it has been enlarged upon to the point where it will confuse even those who are acquainted with or have used the old single key card idea.

The deck is handed a spectator and during the operation to follow the performer turns his back. He requests that the person deal cards face down into a pile, singly and silently, and to stop dealing at any time that he may please. At such a time he is told to look at the top card of either the pile he is holding or the pile on the table. He is asked to put it back on the top of either pile, the same or the other, and then to place the two packets of cards together and cut the assembled deck a couple of times. Turning around for the first time, the performer takes the cards, glances through them, and finally says that it may be easier to locate the card while they are behind his back. Putting the cards behind him for a moment, he remarks that he has it at last, and the deck is placed face down on the table. The spectator names the pasteboard he originally noted, and the performer discloses it correctly, without any chance of failure.

While this is not a sensational trick, the majority of readers will find it one of those nice impromptu findings that is easy to remember and present at any moment when a deck may be pressed into his hands. The top and bottom cards are noted before the deck is handed out, and remembered as keys. It will be seen from the above that the directions are given very carelessly, the spectator receiving the impression that he does just about what he pleases. He stops dealing when he desires, looks at the card on top of either heap, puts it back on the same or other, and places the two piles together and cuts. And there is no chance that he may do the wrong thing as far as performer is concerned.

On running through the pack, the performer looks only for the card to the right (or under) each of the remembered key cards. One of these is the noted card without fail. Both are brought to the top of the deck, and, remembering the top one, the performer states that it may be easier behind the back. The deck is placed there for a moment, and the top card pushed face up about center of the pack.

The pack is now placed face down on the table and the spectator names the card. The performer formally discloses it, either by deliberately turning over the top card, or by spreading the deck on the table to reveal the face up pasteboard at center.