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Spirits From the Great Beyond
By Verne McCarthy
You explain to your audience that Houdini used to give demonstrations in the art of automatic writing. That's where a spirit from the great beyond would guide Houdini's own hand, automatically writing down information that Harry couldn't possibly have known. When you inquire if they'd like to see a demonstration, they'll leap at the chance.
As you give your spectator a piece of paper to write on, tell him to think of something that nobody else in the world could possibly know, and to write it down. Hand him a book to write on, and a pen or pencil. After he writes, have him put down the book and the pen, and fold the paper that he's written on, taking care not to accidentally let you see what was written.
You now instruct him to leave the room you're in, find a waste basket, thoroughly tear up the paper that he's written on, and deposit the pieces in the waste basket. He can even flush them down a toilet, if you prefer.
When he returns to your room, you pick up another piece of paper, the pen and the book, and position the pen on the paper. You call upon the great spirit of Harry Houdini to assist you and to guide your hand as you write. After a few moments for effect, your hand begins moving, almost of it's own accord. You don't even watch it, as it slowly, jerkily writes out the exact same message that your spectator wrote earlier!
Harry actually performed an effect like this that was talked about for years, as magicians tried to figure out his technique. The trick above is accomplished by placing a sheet of typewriter paper with a sheet of carbon paper above it, and putting both under the dust cover of your book. As he writes his message, he is unknowingly making you a copy. When he leaves to destroy his message you simply peek at the copy under the dust cover.
Don't let the simplicity of this effect lull you into thinking it isn't a knockout. I've been doing it for years, and it always elicits great response from the audience. Remember that ghost effects are stronger in the evening when it's darker (I'm not afraid of the dark...I'm afraid of what's in it!).
Until next time...
Verne
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