Effect: A spectator freely selects a card from an ordinary deck. After being replaced, the deck is genuinely shuffled and cut several times. This may be done by the spectator himself. Saying that he will locate it, the performer removes a card at random. Upon seeing it however, the spectator says it is not the one he picked. A two foot ribbon is fastened with a sticker to the back of this card and it is cut to the center of the deck. The spectator now names his card and gently pulls on the ribbon. He pulls out the card to which the ribbon is attached, and it is the chosen card!

No sleights are made use of; there is nothing to cover up; no quick moves are necessary; and the chosen card may be initialed. A nice angle is to allow the spectator to keep the initialed card on the ribbon as a souvenir.

Method: Diachylon (lead plaster) can be obtained at drug stores. Using a bit of this (a piece about the size of a wheat kernel), warm it over a flame so you can spread it thinly on the back of any card from the deck. Use a Joker to put this on so it can be left out of the deck when not in use. It is best to spread the diachylon in spots along the edges and in the center of the card rather than try to cover the entire back. Two cards stuck together may be freely handled and tossed about as one. A little pressure and sliding motion separates them. With this prepared card on top of the deck, you are ready to present a real startler as the climax is totally unexpected.

Any card is freely selected. Undercut about a half of the pack, have the card replaced on top of the deck and drop the under half on top of this. The selected card is now near the center with the prepared card underneath. The deck is pinched tightly, the two cards adhere, and the cards may be given an overhand shuffle with no fear of them parting company.

After shuffling and cutting, remark that as usual in such cases you will try to find the card. Spread the deck out, locating the double card. It is easily found by the extra thickness. Remove this card and declare it to be the one chosen by the spectator. When told that you are wrong, hand it to him and also give him the ribbon and sticker to fasten to the back.

You need not be afraid of them coming apart but if timid about this, put the card on the back of the deck and have him fasten the ribbon on while in this position. Show it again, after the ribbon is attached and ask the spectator if he is positive you are wrong. Put it back on top and say you will bury the card in the pack. The left thumb exerts a little pressure and slides the top card over as in dealing and this separates the two. Without showing the card again, push it into the center of the deck.

Now hold the pack with face of same towards the audience and standing vertically with the ribbon coming out at the top. Have the spectator name the correct card. Riffle the top of the deck several times and have him gently pull the ribbon up. The correct initialed card makes its appearance on the end of the ribbon and it is the spectator’s to keep!