BFF

THE BLURB:
A secret writing technique for close-up performers. Learn
this crazy skill and you'll be able to read minds and create
stunning prediction effects under fire. This is next level.

"This is the best thing I've seen in a couple years."
- Bob Cassidy

"No matter where you are, who you're sitting with, you'll
have this. Predict their thoughts, read their minds. It's
whatever you want it to be, the potential is overwhelming."
- Alvo Stockman

From the unconventional mind of Alvo Stockman comes a
revolutionary technique for group level mentalism. BFF isn't
just one trick, it's an entire system for prediction you can
use to create a limitless number of miracles. Here are some
examples:

At a restaurant, with 3 friends, you offer a demonstration.

"You guys know me so well... you're three of my best
friends. I want to try something interesting. Whenever we
talk, a lot of times, I feel like I know what one of you is
going to say before you even say it. For example, John, if I
said the word 'barn' to you, what's the first word that pops
into your mind?"

"Horse"

"'Horse', right. Well if I predicted that, it wouldn't be so
impressive. A lot of people would probably say 'horse.' What
I'd like to try is something a little more difficult. I'm
going to try to predict a chain of associations that the 3
of you will have. For example, if I said 'barn,' John said
'horse,' Luke said 'jockey,' and Michael said 'helmet,'
predicting the final word 'helmet' would be considerably
harder!

I'm going to write down a word here, and I'm going to try to
start a chain of events that will end with Michael saying
this word. I'm going to cover it with my hand for now. Now
to start off, John, what's the first word you think of, when
I say 'blue?'"

"We've known each other for a long time. And we've had some
great times, haven't we? I'm thinking of one of those times.
I'm going to write down a word that reminds me specifically
of that time, and I want the three of you to figure out not
only what event I'm thinking of, but the word that sums up
that experience."

What's great about this plot is that it gets your friends to
reminisce about some of the best times the four of you have
had and to decide on one and a word. This elevates the mood
of the group and builds rapport.

"I'm thinking of a time. A time that was special to the four
of us. A very specific time, and I know that the three of
you subconsciously know what I'm talking about. I'm going to
write down the time here on the placemat.

I want John to say a number between 1 and 12. This will be
the hour. Four? Great. Now, Luke. You say a number between
one and sixty. This will be the minute. Michael, 'AM' or
'PM?' Perfect.

Do you guys remember the time we were at the beach in San
Diego and played beach volleyball with the women's national
team? We must have all been thinking about that
subconsciously, because that was at right around 4:37pm,
just like I have written here."

Toss out 4 different colored pens. Everyone grabs one,
secretly writes their lucky number on the table in front of
them and covers it with their hands. Using the remaining
pen, you write your lucky number as well. All four pens are
returned to the center of the table and after your three
friends have revealed their 3 numbers, you reveal that yours
is the largest one. What's not immediately obvious, is that
your number is the sum of their lucky numbers!

With one friend, write down a word and cover it with your
hands. Ask her to try and read your mind by looking into
your eyes. Have her try to read the word you're thinking of.
"Window?" she asks? "Very close!" you exclaim. "I was
thinking of 'wind'" you say as you uncover the word.

AND MUCH MORE! Read on..

Introduction

[from the manuscript...]

While the method of this manuscript is a prediction
technique, the magic of it is the involvement of a group of
people sitting around bonding and reconnecting.

In an effort to be thorough, I looked up "friendship" in
Wikipedia and it says it's a term used to denote
co-operative and supportive behavior between two or more
beings. I'm not sure that's how I would have put it, but now
that you know what friendship is, we can move on.

BFF grew from my desire for a magical routine I could use to
bring people together. Specifically, I wanted a way to
perform for my close friends and family that made sense,
helped us all subtly remember the value of our relationships
and could be performed in a casual environment.

What follows is my solution.

Includes 29 page saddle stiched manuscript and props.

MY COMMENTS:
Alvo's material is specifically for those who perform in
coffee lounges like Starbucks. That's not a criticism, and
I've nothing against that, except that much of the stuff he
markets isn't geared towards the working mentalist. It's
geared to the guys who want to impress their dates or their
buddies. It's stuff that most of the time you really can't
do in performance.

What Alvo has presented here is a novel secret writing
technique. You apparently are just sitting at a table with
your fingers of your hands interlocked on a sheet of paper.
It's a very natural position for most. However, when you're
ready, you can lift up your hands and show that the paper
contains an accurate prediction of anything you like. It's
kind of like a technique that often uses a stubby pencil,
but it is done on the table.

I haven't mastered this technique, nor tried it out in front
of an audience, so I can't personally vouch for its
effectiveness. However, I have tried it and I can see how
it could be effective for someone who has mastered it. My
initial workings with it came out the same as when I was
learning to do another secret writing technique that uses a
gimmick involving the fingertips. But after a few tries, I
could tell I was getting better.

Aside from needing to be at the table, there are other
considerations. First, the technique is not easy, though
it's not incredible difficult. It must be practiced like
many techniques mentalists use. Second, the routine
included is okay, but I think experienced mentalists can
easily conceive of better presentations. Finally, some of
the handling is awkward. I could see instantly where one
can improve the handling. I'm not referring to the
technique, but the handling necessary to get into position
to do the technique. I can't go into details, of course.

The package contains the 29 page saddle-stitched 5.5" x 8"
manuscript and two pens which are ideal for this technique
(but, by no means, are you limited to using these). This
is, indeed, an intriguing technique. I did say that the
technique is not easy, but just how difficult depends on
your skill level. If this interests you, then I recommend
it only to learn what this technique is because if you can
do it, then you have one more valuable skill in your
arsenal.