Dream Lock by Alan Wong

This 2-inch by 1-inch brass combination padlock has four numerical dials. The steel shaft swivels freely and sets into a small depression on the locking side. When it is locked, the shaft is set solid and cannot be pulled up or open, but when the lock is opened, the spectator may notice that the shaft sets into a depression rather than a hole. This gives the lock a slight feel of being less than totally secure. Other sizes of this lock are also available.

The lock opens when the correct four-digit combination is aligned with a red bar inscribed on the front of the lock. It is a gimmicked lock that can be programmed to open at any specific number setting, although not all four digits need to be set. This gives the lock an opening range, as opposed to a single specific four-digit number. Because it is adjustable, the lock can be altered quickly, even within a routine. This feature means that you can present a routine where a certain number opens the lock, but then alter it so that other numbers within the range will not open it.

Effect: A borrowed ring is locked on a 4 digit combination brass lock, the dials are mixed by the magician and the spectator can hold on to the lock while the dials are mixed and spectator can test a few times that the lock cannot be opened. Spectator thought of any 4 digit number and put the numbers on the lock by herself. This proves to be the secret code that opens the lock! Spectator retrieves her ring from the lock in the end. There is no need to force any pre-conditioned numbers such as someone’s year of birth, anniversary or birthday.

You can do either of the following:

1. Ask spectator to name ANY 4 digit number
2. Tell the spectator you are going to project the secret 4 digit number to her mind and have the spectator name it.
3. Have 4 different people name a single number each to form a 4 digit number. (This plays big on stage) Whatever numbers the spectators have chosen, they put the numbers and open the lock with their own hands!

Alan Wong: “I remembered my fascination when I saw the effect of a combination lock that opened on my year of birth. Later I came to notice an enhanced version that opens only on the month and day of your birthday. This further enhanced my interest and become a dream to develop a stronger effect with the combination lock possibilities where you are not limited to dates and years but open with any numbers named without any force and presetting work. After more than a year’s work, I am pleased to present you here my idea realized of such desired effect, the Dream Lock.”

Important points:

• Work is pure mechanical, nothing will break
• Nothing to add or taken away
• No electronics parts, no remote control
• No magnets, no PK rings
• No threads, no wires
• No buttons, no switches
• No gravity switch, no directional limit
• No timers
• No years, no birthdays (not limit to these although you can use these numbers)
• Lock can be in spectator’s hand from the beginning to end of performance
• Reset in 2 seconds and right under the nose of a spectator
• Any 4 digit number can be named. Absolutely no force.
• Remember this: Spectators set the chosen numbers on the lock. They open it themselves!

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