SMC: Keep, Give Away & Throw Away
Another trick, plus Blackpool & Asking for marketing advice
Here is a trick you can do using the app MultiNotes (MN for friends) or another multiple out system that allows six outs. It is a small variation of Keep, Give Away, or Throw Away by Andy from The Jerx (huge inspiration of mine, his blog is filled with gems). This variation does not use cards, and uses a different method. But the presentation is all his.
Here I report it with his words, with only slight modifications to substitute references of playing cards with ones of everyday objects (original post here):
"If you have a relationship that ends badly, do you keep your old love letters or do you get rid of them?... Oh, you burn them? I see. So there's no desire to try and keep mementos of the good times? Ok. Interesting."
"When you have clothes that don't fit or are out of style, do you just toss them out or do you donate them somewhere?"
"Okay, let's say you've just finished a book. And it was fine, but it's not one of your favorites. Do you keep that book or do you give it to a friend or donate it to the library or something?"
I act as if I'm absorbing and making some calculations in my mind based on these responses. I then ask the spectator to put her keys, her phone, and her wallet on the table.
“Last thing: you don’t have pen and paper, do you?” “It’s fine, I’ll just write something on my phone”
I open the notes app and start writing a prediction.
"You know, psychologists say you can tell a lot about a person by what they keep, what they give away, and what they throw out or just get rid of. I want to see if I can use what you've just told me to try and predict what's going to happen next."
I put the phone down and then I go into the trick.
She has to make a decision: one object is "thrown away" by being placed at the edge of the table. I then slow things down. “Okay, you've thrown the keys away. Now, I want you to be very deliberate about this. Between the wallet, and the phone: you're going to keep one for yourself and you're going to give one to me. Hand me either one.” She does. Before I take it I say, "Are you sure? One of these is an old skirt that doesn't fit and the other is the first polaroid of your child. [Or some other examples that came up during the opening discussion.] Are you sure that's the one you want to give away? This is your last chance to reconsider." She doesn't change her mind and you take the object she gives you.
Gesture at your prediction, open the note, and ask her to read it.
"You will throw away the keys,
You will give away the wallet
And you will keep the phone"
METHOD:
A multiple out system like MultiNotes (download link)
NOTES:
If using her objects (things that she is likely emotionally attached to) makes the plot seem too believable, you can switch them with something different, like coins, receipts; or simply use your own every day carry…
You can find a template for this trick already included inside MultiNotes (thank you Andy for giving me permission to include it)
Blackpool Magic Convention
I am going to be attending Blackpool’s magic convention. I’m so excited, it will be my first magic convention! If you want to meet up, just reply to this email :)
I’m asking for a favor
These days, I am trying to spread the word of my newest release MultiNotes and get more magicians to become aware of it. My question to all of you is: where do you get your magic news? In which websites/newsletters/forums/social media… do you learn about new tricks?
Also, if you are a magic creator, and you have any sort of advice about marketing a trick, I’d love to know.
Best,
Antonio