Sympathy (for the Devil) Cards c mixed,55 you will keep track of the packets orientation with the ODD/EVEN mnemonic.* My opening question to you was a simple one. It deals with the choices that we were all a part of a moment ago. Simply put, do you believe that each one of us is truly in control of our lives? Do we make the decisions that actually determine what happens to us? Before you decide, maybe you should ask yourself a few more questions. Is it possible that everything that we experience has already been predetermined， and we are simply programmed by something like fate? Or, if fate doesn't control what occurs in our lives, is it possible that others can influence our choices in such a way that they can actually control what we do? In truth, both possibilities are a bit unnerving, if not frightening~and yet, I would like to show you something that I find completely fascinating. I need not remind you that I have not touched these cards under the handkerchief, in the dark... Remove the handkerchief and replace it into your breast pocket. Take from each glass the two cards nearest the audience, one in each hand. The two cards will be matching in color and value. Lets assume they are the Seven of Hearts and the Seven of Diamonds. When we began the cards were shuffled, and I let you cut them wherever you wanted. At the time, you thought you had a free choice, but then I told you that you cut exactly where I wanted you to. And you thought I was joking... If I turn over these two cards and they’re both red, that could be brushed away as a coincidence; but if I turn them over and they are both red Sevens, that would be something amazing. * While this may appear complicated in print a few trials with cards in hands will convince you to how the mnemonic is quite easily applied; after all, the pile can only be one of two ways. 237
The Doors of Deception Turn both cards around and display them at chest level: they are perfect mates. Table both cards face up, one in front of each glass. Then take the next two cards from the glasses, one in each hand. If the initial cut produced an odd number of cards, be sure to remind them: And if you remember correctly， I next asked if you wanted me to add some cards or take some away. Turn the two cards around, showing a flawless match, and then set them onto the previously tabled mates. Then I dealt the cards out and gave you yet another decision. Again, take the two outer cards from the glasses and show that they match. I told you that you could play with either pile, but that you picked the exact one I wanted you to. Set them down onto the others and then continue to remove and reveal matching pairs of cards. I reserve one of my favorite lines for the first moment that two cards are pulled out of the glasses, but one faces you and the other faces the audience. Oh, a mistake?! Turn whichever card is facing the audience toward you so that the audience is seeing the backs of both cards. Let out a sigh. No ... ' Turn both faces toward the audience. ... Perfect! The number of lines you get to use is contingent on the spectators initial cut, which will determine how many pairs of cards are in the wine glasses. Here is a sample of some phrases I say as further pairs are revealed. 238
Sympathy (for the Devil) Cards Then I let you mix them, Steven, in whatever order you wished. And I let you, Terence, do the same thing. Is it possible to control other’s actions? Theres another harmonious pair. And look, behind the red Eights, the two black Threes. You don’t feel you were influenced in any way, do you? Ulysses, you had a chance to mix them, too. Could this be a coincidence? Sometimes the stars do align. When the cards are exhausted, and only the final pair remains, pick up both of the wine glasses by the stems. Remember: you were able to control your pile so that the last card is always facing you; but if need be, spin their glass so that both cards face you. Or maybe Im a Master Magician. Slowly spin the glasses by the stems, simultaneously turning both cards5 faces toward the audience, lifting both hands up and out. You are now in an applause position. Part 2： Can You Hear Me Now? Leave these last two cards in the glasses as a nice visual reminder of what has transpired (this is why the extra set of mates were added on top of your stack). The audience will think the effect is over, but now we are really going to hit their intellects with Thors hammer. 239
The Doors of Deception Even though it appears that all of this was predetermined， please understand that it could have happened merely by chance. It’s highly unlikely ... but possible. Even that is a little unsettling, isn’t it? While you ponder that, please allow me to mention one last thing. Should we try something really crazy? Could I ask you to make another decision^ Indicate someone who hasn’t been involved yet. What’s your name? Turn the two piles of cards face down. WelL Victory now that you know the name of the game, try not to let me influence you. Which pile would you like to use? As before, this is a totally free, but frivolous, choice: both piles are in the same order. That is exactly the pile I wanted you to choose! Take the unchosen packet and place it face down on top of the deck proper. Does anyone in the room have a cell phone that gets reception in here?* You sir, have we ever met before? No. And nobody else has approached you to help me out? No, they haven t. Excellent. What's your name, sir? I’ll be back to you in just a second， William. * Remember, you should also check your phones reception before the performance to make sure the call will go through. 240
Sympathy (for the Devil) Cards Take the chosen pile into dealing position. Let’s push the envelope and mix them one more time to satisfy the skeptics. Swindle Switch With the cards held face down, deal the top card to the table. Begin to deal the next card but stop and ask someone who hasnt yet been involved: Would you like me to deal this card or switch it for the next one? Let s say the participant tells you to switch it for the next card. Take the top card and slip it under the next, then pick up both and drop them onto the previously tabled card. This is Paul Currys wonderful Swindle Switch,* which, counterintuitively, does nothing—it merely reverses the two cards before you set them down, but they would have been reversed in exactly the same way had you dealt them down normally, one at a time. Incidentally, Currys wonderful technique will also bring your ten prediction cards from the bottom of the pile to the top. Continue to deal through the packet in this way, allowing other participants to have the cards switched whenever they choose. I should also mention that each time youre told to switch, you should out-jog the slipped card. This will create a staggered row of dealt cards, apparently to allow the audience to see each location where the sequence was changed. This wonderful touch comes from Tony Picasso 卞 * Paul Curry, ^Swindle Switch,Epilogue^ Issue 21 (1974), p. 197. t Personal communication. 241
The Doors of Deception When youve run out of cards, say: William, I’ll turn over these cards in the order our friends have created. As I turn them, enter each number into your phone. And, as we do this, Fd like a verbal response on each one so that I know we are on the same page, okay? Let’s begin by hitting the “1” that’s used in all long-distance calls. Got it? Good. Keep letting me know as we move along here. Leaving it tabled, square the pile and start to deal off the top from your right to left, face up across the table; this makes it easy on the spectators because it leaves the sequence to be read from their left to right. Looks like were starting off here with a three. Got it, William^ Great. Then it looks like a two. An Ace would be one. Then a four... Oh, wait! A King?... Hmm ... What、 “K” on your dial pad? A Five? Okay, Im ganie if you are. When youve dealt the eighth card, say to William: Let me know when you have enough digits to make a call. He will indicate that he needs two more, of course. Have him enter the final two digits; then take whatever is left and set them aside with all the others. Now, Uliam， before you hit “call,” let’s recap what’s happened here. We had the cards mixed until there was complete chaos; but weve seen positive proof that chaos on one level may be beautiful order on another. If there is something our science and philosophies agree upon, it's that all is one. No matter how 242
Sympathy (for the Devil) Cards dissimilar things appear, they are all linked, someway, somehow. And that's really the essence of magic: that there are no boundaries. THOSE are the illusions because nothing is impossible. Throughout this entire evening, all of you and all of your choices have allowed for THIS moment—right here, right now. William, in a moment, I will have you hit “call.” Chances are, well end up with a wrong number—or a complete stranger will answer. If this happens, you will be connected to this person and this person will be connected to all of us. Out of the billions of phone numbers in the world, this is the number you have created. Out of chaos we have arrived at these ten digits. Please hit “call” now! Before your phone begins to ring, you should have just enough time to ask: Do you have speakerphone? Good， put it on; this way we can all say hi together. Even if some of them have realized what s coming, everyone will react with murmurs of incredulity the moment your phone starts to ring. Answer the phone, and say: Hello. This is________________ . Look up at the audience, spread your arms, and smile. Afterthoughts There are several apps that link a second line to your cell phone, but other convenient options include linking Skype and Google Voice. With these services, you can usually choose from a long list of available phone numbers and find one that is easily represented by a deck of cards. 243
The Doors of Deception If you use the iPhone, a nice option is to have a visual cue for an incoming call (instead of, or in addition to, the standard audible ring) by enabling the LED flash.* 1. Launch Settings from the home screen. 2. Tap on General. 3. Tap on Accessibility. 4. Tap LED Flash for Alerts. 5. Tap the switches for both LED Flash for Alerts and Flash on Silent. Enabling the Flash on Silent option will allow you to do the trick without having to worry about an unexpected call coming through during the performance. Гт sure other manufacturers have similar options in their models as well. 244
CLOSING With all the gaffs you ve rung in and out, the other props going to and fro, as well as the two deck switches (one for a gaffed deck and one for a stacked deck), youve reached the end completely clean. If you take the remaining cards (not those consisting of the tabled phone number)* and shuffle them together, all evidence is destroyed.卞 This combination of subtlety and gaffs, self-working principles and sleightof-hand skill, as well as magic with mind-reading and mystery should leave all witnesses feeling as if theyve had a rare front-row seat to the inexplicable, stunning, and wonderful. If you wish, you could walk away right now, leaving the pack of cards and wine glasses behind, and none would be the wiser; its what I do. * Best to leave those be. ^ In the interest of closing the doors, if you decide to leave the pack for ^Sympathy (for the Devil) Cards** behind, you may also want to put crimps in the three cards that match the gaffed monte set. 245
Acknowledgments From the bottom of my heart, thank you: Jared Kopf Johnny Thompson John Lovick William Blake JefF Corn Bill Abbott Rick Maue Jimmy Fingers Lee Asher Christopher Rose Joey Burton Alpen Nacar David London Bill Malone Bob Farmer Tim Trono Carol Singleton Chris Cromartie CS, Cl & My cat, Ouija
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Two-time Merlin Award recipient Paul Vigil performs magic and mind reading all over the world. From 2010 to 2013, his critically acclaimed evening parlor show at King Ink inside The Mirage Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas gathered standing room only crowds week after week. The Doors of Deception is his second major collection.