#6: Card and Ribbon

EFFECT:

A card is selected from a deck and, after noting it, is replaced and the deck placed in full view on the table.

He now exhibits a yard length of ribbon, having a gummed sticker at one end. The ribbon is gathered and tucked into the outside breast pocket of the coat, and the end of the ribbon is allowed to hang out of pocket, or better yet... someone holds onto the end. The performer announces he will cause the selected card to vanish from the deck. He turns the deck face up and slowly turns the cards over... not a trace of the selected card is seen. The assistant holding on to the end of the ribbon is told to pull it free of the pocket... There, attached to the end on the sticker, is the selected card... They may look in your pocket, but it is empty.

SECRET and HOW TO PERFORM:

Two lengths of ribbon are required... also duplicate cards. Get a box of gummed stickers. They are sold in stationery stores. The round kind used for legal papers is good. To prepare, simply stick one of the cards to the length of the ribbon and place it in a pocket, bunching the ribbon near the top edge, just out of sight. You can use any method of forcing a card. A simple method is to cut the other "short", thus using it as a locator like in the Svengali Deck. Place a short card about the center of the deck. Place a bit of magician's wax on the top card of the deck, and you are ready. The other length of the ribbon should be in a lower vest pocket with a thumb tip.

Tap the deck at the end, approach someone and ask them to stop you as you riffle cards at the end. When they say stop, you allow the cards to run until the short card. Always start with the cards falling slowly. Now allow them to remove the "selected" card. Note it.

While they are looking at the card, undercut the deck, that is, pull away the lower half, and allow the selected card to be placed on top of the card having the magician's wax. Press the deck together and place it on the table.

Now reach into the vest pocket, take out the ribbon, and with thumb tip on. Exhibit ribbon, and closing the left hand in a loose fist, begin tucking ribbon in it. Secretly pull the thumb tip off, and you really are stuffing ribbon into it. Replace on your thumb. Pretend to take the bunched-up ribbon with the closed right hand, showing the left empty and placing the hand in the pocket. The fingers reach in and pull out the bunched-up ribbon, re-questing the spectator to hold the end. Show hand empty. You can get rid of the thumb tip in your pocket if you wish.

Now pick up the deck and turn cards face up, going through the deck one at a time. The duplicate card being stuck behind the waxed card naturally makes it appear as though vanished from the deck.

Have them pull the ribbon free of the pocket and reveal the missing card. Allow them to look in your pocket and assure them it is empty.