Laboratory Conditions

THE BLURB:
History – “Laboratory Conditions” - Bob's first commercial
effect - was originally released in 1976 by Frank Pazel.
Supplied with the effect were two pieces of plexiglas,
rubber bands, some aluminum foil and a specially gimmicked
pen. Except for the foil, none of the other items were
necessary to accomplish the effect, but Frank felt that the
effect wouldn’t sell unless it came with props.

The late Ed Mishell gave the effect a very favorable review
in Genii magazine – but, then again, Ed gave favorable
reviews to just about everything. That, together with the
fact that nobody in the magic world at the time had any idea
who Bob Cassidy was, resulted in somewhat less than
spectacular sales.

A few years later, a modified version of the effect was
released to the newly formed Psychic Entertainers
Association – this time supplied with a special clear
plastic envelope in place of the plexiglas.

Again, the prop wasn’t necessary, but the mindset at the
time was that you couldn’t charge a decent price for an
effect unless some kind of prop was included.

Here, for the first time, is the effect as Bob originally
conceived it. And, like he said, no special props – unless
you call cheap aluminum foil a prop – are required. The
effect is virtually self-working and is straightforward and
completely inexplicable. The conditions under which it is
performed seem to completely rule out any form of trickery –
hence the title Laboratory Conditions.

Effect - The mentalist draws several designs on business
cards – these can be standard ESP symbols or designs
suggested by the spectators. Any number of designs can be
used, as will be seen. The design cards are handed to a
volunteer and are not touched again by the mentalist. While
the performer’s back is turned, one of the designs is
selected by the volunteer and placed on the center of a
piece of aluminum foil as shown in the photograph.

The spectator then wraps the card in the foil, hides the
rest of the cards, and tells the performer when he is
finished. The performer turns around and, without any false
moves whatsoever, picks up the foil package and places it
into an envelope which is handed to the volunteer to be
sealed. After emphasizing the impossibility of what he is
attempting to do, the mentalist draws a design on the face
of the envelope. The envelope is torn open and the card is
removed from the foil and shown to the audience. It is the
same design drawn by the performer.

The envelope, foil and card can be left with the audience
and examined to their hearts delight – no preparation or
gimmickry can be found because there isn’t any.
Alternatively, it is possible to allow the spectator to draw
a simple design or picture of his choice on a blank business
card, which he or she then wraps in the foil.

1st edition 2003; 9 pages

MY COMMENTS:
COMING SOON!