HEADLINE

COfJNTDOWN

Very few magicians ever saw this effect performed. Al Koran's audiences
were frequently guests at private functions, and rarely numbered magicians in their
ranks. When a conjuror saw Al perform, it was, most of the time, on television. This trick
was never used on TV; its impact was such that Al reserved it, from 1967 onwards, as
one of his three favourite 'closers'. I saw it first at close-quarters,
in an office with an
atmosphere
far from conducive to the performance
of magic. I was, nevertheless
staggered. A few weeks later, I saw Al do the trick in an exclusive club in Mayfair. I
watched
very carefully
this time but found myself applauding
as loudly and
enthusiastically
a the rest of the audience at the end. A full six months elapsed before Al
let me off the hook, and it is a great pleasure to describe the routine now. It can be used
in cabaret or as close-up item with equal impact.
The description of the effect will be brief. The performer hands a foolscap
manilla envelope to a spectator. "Hold on to this, we'll need it," he says. A two-page
section of a tabloid paper (The Daily Mirror or New York Daily News are ideal) is now
produced. "You've already made a decision about this paper, the performer tells his
assistant; "stay with me if you want to know what you've decided. I think I already know,
but we shall see. Take this pen and write down a number on the envelope, a number
somewhere between one and twelve." The performer waits as the spectator writes down
his number.
Taking back the pen, the performer says, "I'll initial that. OK?" That is
precisely what he says as he openly initials the envelope. It is done in a brisk but
unhurried way, and the performer turns away as soon as he has done it, pocketing his pen
and picking tip the newspaper from the chair or table where he left it. The spectator
retains the envelope. The paper is now torn into twelve equal pieces, which the performer
holds in a neat bundle on the open palm of his left hand. "Sir, what number did you
decide upon?" We will presume that the number is nine. The hand holding the pieces of
paper remains stationary, as the forefinger and thumb of the performer's other hand pick
off sheets of paper, one by one. The performer counts to nine and hands the ninth piece