Fate? by Rick Maue

Great Routine, Great Value, Great Mentalism! This is the first effect I have purchased from Rick Maue and Deceptions Unlimited, and I must say how impressed I am not just with the effect and routine, but the whole package. And for $35 it is hard to imagine a better value in magic today.

The effect is a mulitple revelation of the precise actions that 5 people take with regards to freely choosing blue and red poker chips and builds to an unexpected but very solid climax. It can be performed on stage or easily adapted for the living room, and yes it does pack flat and play big!

The props are simple, but well made and it comes with detailed scripting and photos of the complete routine.  I have been streamlining my routines these days so that my show fits in a small close-up case, but I feel quite sure that this effect will find its way into my show shortly. The build up of the multiple revelations really is quite incredible.

Effect: Imagine this: Five audience members are brought forward–one joins the performer at the center of the performing area, and the other four position themselves in the four corners of the stage (where there are four laminated targets to mark the spots). Six small squares of aluminum foil are introduced-wrapped inside each one is either a blue poker chip or a red poker chip.

From the corners, the four audience members each select a foil packet, which are opened to reveal the color of the poker chip chosen by each person. The two remaining packets are also opened to see what two chips have been left behind. At this point, the performer poses a question to everyone about whether they believe that the decisions that they make every day actually affect their lives-or is everything that happens predetermined? In other words, is everything simply in the hands of Fate?

The performer then asks the audience member at the center of the stage to pick up a small stack of cardboard signs that has been sitting facedown on the table. As she displays them, one at a time, each sign details exactly what has just occurred-step-by-step-as if all of the choices made by the four different audience members were indeed predetermined. But after the last sign is revealed, there is still one more surprise revelation that brings the routine to an amazing conclusion.

The package contains:

• 15 Step-By-Step Message Signs.
• 3 Sets of Five Cards – So that you can change the outcome for repeat shows.
• 6 Laminated Target Cards – Extra laminated targets are included so that you can change the final revelation for repeat shows.
• 12 Poker Chips.
• Complete Scripting.
• Complete Instructions.
• 2 Pages of Detailed Photographs.
• Laminated Targets 8 1/2″ x 11″ (22cm x 28cm)
• Chip Diameter Approximately 1 5/8″ (4 cm)

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