Val Andrews UNFAKED Book Test Terri Rogers & Bobby Sernand. COPYRIGHT 1985: VAL ANDREWSTHE UNFAKED BOOK TEST THE KORAN CONNECTION THE EFFECT METHOD THE TWENTY-MEMORY SYSTEM VAL ANDREWS BOOK TEST THE PERFORMANCE PATTER PRESENTATION ‘WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS BOBBY BERNARD TERRI ROGERS FINAL THOUGHTS A FEW WORDS ON THE PRESENTATION OF MENTALISM Page 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 4 PAGE 5 PAGE 6 PAGE 7 PAGE 7 PAGE 8 PAGE 8 PAGE 9 PAGE 9 PAGE 9 PAGE 10 PAGE 10THE UNFAKED BOOK TEST THE KORAN CONNECTION. When Al Koran told me in 1948 that he was going to become a mentalist I figured that it was just another of his phases 1 had known him from’ 1945, from stammering ventriloquist; through singing magician, comedy conjuror and manipulator, So when he showed me the velvet jacket, monocle mid white hair make up that he had purchased in preparation, I didn't take it seriously. However, from my seat ‘m the back af the stalls, I could soon tell that Al had found himself. He was of course inventive in the adaptation of existing effects. He could take a magical idea and dress and routine it to become a hundred per cent, and indeed to the extent that it's originator would fail to recognise it! All of his friends delved into their libraries and magical Exptoetss to find comedian. Therefore. In trying to aid Al in his search for novel mental items I was bane a completely fresh mind to this branch of magic, I had seen lg aes Tests, most of which seemed rather complicated and not at all clean as effects. After months of Slbaston J found what I was looking for, and told Al that I had a new and very direct method. { said, “Al what would you say to a book test, where the book is completely innocent, the Spiciaror seemingly having a completely free choice of page and line, yet you would he able to repeat the line to them without recourse to any other properties, gimmicks or confederates?” Koran grinned and said, “You couldn't do that, unless something else is involved, which you haven't told me about?” It was my tum to grin; I tapped my brow. “Did I mention that you use your mind?” I performed the effect for Al, and then explained it to him. Al called me the crafty son of unmarried parents; but didn’ use it himself, as it clashed with his famous dictionary effect. rare bird, an original book test of great strength. About thirty-five years ago | was prevailed upon to grant part rights for the performance of the book test to some half a dozen Ripe These had all become deceased by 1980. Then, in 1981 1 made the first of several extensive lecture tours of the United States, 1 included the book test in my lecture, afterwards explaining its secret and details of its performance. But although the magicians greeted the effect itself with great enthusiasm were unable to fully iate the verbal explanation in the short time that 1 could devote to it. Despite such lecture experiences. I have never seen anyone perform the effect. Page 3THE UNFAKED BOOK TEST THE EFFECT. A: AS THE AUDIENCE WILL LATER DESCRIBE IT ‘The performer shows a paper hack novel of some 200 closely printed pages. This can be minutely examined and proves to he exactly as claimed: entirely innocent of any sort of preparation. One spectator holds the book whilst another freely chooses a page and a line. ‘The holder of the book turns to that page and reads the selected line over to himself. The magician or mentalist announces, aloud what is printed there. He proves to he correct, and the effect can he immediately repeated! B: THE EFFECT AS IT ACTUALLY IS! The performer does indeed show and allow a perfectly innocent 200-page paper back novel to be minutely examined. He explains that he needs a line and a page freely chosen, and suggests that he be given a number, from one to twenty. Whatever number is chosen; a zero is added to designate the chosen page. The original chosen number designates the line. Thus if fifteen is chosen, line 15 of page 150 will be used. The holder of the book turns to that page, counts down to that line, and reads it over, to himself. The performer repeats, aloud, what is printed there (or near enough,) and the effect can he repeated. IT IS TRUE THAT THE PERFORMER MAKES NO USE OF CONFEDERATES, CRIBS OR ANY ADDITIONAL PROPERTY OR GIMMICK, MOREOVER, THE PERFORMER DOES NOT EVEN HAYE TO SEE THE BOOK AT ALL, SO THE EFFECT CAN BE PERFORMED BLINDFOLDED, OR ON RADIO OR T.V WITH A TWO STUDIO SET UP (BOOK AND AUDIENCE IN ONE STUDIO WHILST THE PERFORMER IS IN ANOTHER.) REQUIRED: A soft backed book or novel of approx. 200 pages, (200/230). A hard backed book can be used, but seems more likely to be suspect, in this day and age. Whilst any such book can be used, the performer needs to own the book for a few hours prior to the performance, for reasons that will become clear. Nothing else is required. Page 4THE UNFAKED BOOK TEST METHOD: FIRST THE PRINCIPLE: The method depends on two elements. First let us consider the seeming choice any page and line from a 200-page book. (Secmingly a choice from about 44300 lines!) In fact, (Although, if the presentation is right, the spectators will never believe it,) the choice is limited to only twenty lines. The method of selection is smartly worded. (See under "Patter and Presentation’) Page and line are selected through a number from one to twenty inclusive. The page is selected by adding a zero, Thus 4 becomes 40 and 15 becomes 150 and so on. The line is decided through the use of the original number given. (4th line.1Sth line, and so on.) SO IF YOU CONSIDER THIS CAREFULLY, YOU WILL REALISE THAT THERE ARE ONLY REALLY TWENTY POSSIBLE LINE CHOICES. The second element? Well, with twenty choices possible, our only other task is to be able to commit to memory those twenty lines. DO NOT LET THIS TASK FRIGHTEN YOU. IT IS EASY; BELIEVE ME! After all, there are memory systems, which allow one to remember THOUSANDS of names and facts. You only have to remember twenty lines from the book. Moreover, due to the nature of the effect, and its presentation you do not need to be anywhere near word perfect: only the sense of each the twenty lines needs to be memorised. HOW? - We rely on the very old parlour trick, the TWENTY MEMORY FEAT. Most magicians and mentalists will be already familiar with this system, but taking no chances, I will explain. Page 5THE UNFAKED BOOK TEST “THE TWENTY MEMORY SYSTEM” The most popular use of the system is the performer memorising twenty numbered objects, names or locations nominated by the audience. One spectator notes down the choices against the numbers, on a pad or slate. Without seeing the list, the performer is able to name any of the choices, from being given its number. The demonstration is based on association of ideas. The performer has a mental code with key word/s for each number given. For the most part these key words rhyme with the numbers. (But there are notable exceptions, as the following list will reveal.) One. Gun. Two. Shoe. Three. Tree. Four. Door, Five Hive. Six. Sticks. Seven. Heaven. Eight. Gare. Nine. Mine, Ten. Hen. Eleven. Double One, (or a pair, or twins). Twelve. Elves. Thirteen. Unlucky. Fourteen. Courting. Fifteen. Lifting. Sixteen. Sweet Sixteen. Seventeen. Revelling. Eighteen. Military Age. Nineteen, Fighting. Twenty. Plenty. ‘Thus when a choice is made. For example: Number One. The performer visualises a Gun. In relation to whatever object or name is chosen. So if she choice for number one is "A. Duck-Billed Platypus", the performer makes a mental picture of himself, shooting such a creature with a Gun. This is very graphic and will stay in the mind. So later when asked for Number One, he will have no difficulty in saying "Number one is a Duck-Billed Platypus”. BUT PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE SIMILARITY BETWEEN THE TWO EFFECTS ENDS HERE. THE MEMORY FEAT OPENLY FLAUNTS THE FACT THAT THE PERFORMER CAN MEMORISE A GREAT MANY ITEMS. IN THE BOOK TEST, THIS IS CONCEALED RATHER THAN FLAUNTED. THE MEMORY IS A HIDDEN AID. Page 6‘THE UNFAKED BOOK TEST THE VAL ANDREWS BOOK TEST. 1. PREPARATION: First obtain a suitable book. Almost any book, which does not interrupt its text with illustrations or designs, will do, if it has between 200 and 250 pages. (Also check the book you propose using, for freak pages with only a few lines on them, these could occur in just the wrong places.) The average newsagent’s paperback will invariably prove suitable. Familiarise yourself with the book you choose, and the applicable twenty lines. You now have the task of memorising them, or rather their sense. (No self-respecting mentalist would want to be word perfect.) EXAMPLE: Let us suppose that the appropriate line, the fifteenth on page 150 is “The sacks have been only partially filled,” Your memory code key word is lifting. So picture yourself lifting some sacks. You can do this fairly easily, as they have been only partially filled. At this stage, you can make a list of the numbers, code words and lines, pencilling the mental picture. Need | say that the chart must mever be scen by anyone else? Do not be tempted to use it as a crib, or you will destroy the beautiful simplicity of the effect. THE PERFORMANCE Pick up and flip the pages of the book, describing it to the audience and passing it to a spectator for examination. Explain that you want a page and a line selected in the simplest possible manner. (SEE UNDER “PATTER AND PRESENTATION). Ask for a number to be chosen, from One to Twenty, inclusive. Let us assume that the chosen number is twelve. Tell the audience that the addition of a zero will give a fairly freely selected page number. Ask the spectator holding the book to turn therefore, to page One Hundred and Twenty. To choose the line, what better to use the original number given, twelve? The book holder counts down to the twelfth line and is asked to read it over, silently to himself. Explain that you will try and pick up their thought waves, By this time of course you know the rough sense of the line, via the rhyming code and mental image. Speak the line aloud, slowly and not too accurately. Ask the spectator to read aloud the actual printed line. It will then be obvious to all that you know what is printed on the line, Repeat the effect just once, having another spectator as holder of the book. NOTE: DO NOT LOOK THOUGHTFUL UNTIL THE SPECTATOR WITH THE BOOK IS ACTUALLY READING THE LINE OVER TO HIMSELF. ANY INTIMATION THAT YOU ARE TRYING TO “REMEMBER” SOMETHING, WILL DESTROY THE EFFECT, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE ATTAINED BY READING AND NOT THROUGH MEMORY! s Page 7THE UNFAKED BOOK TEST PATTER: (OBVIOUSLY WITH A MIND READING EFFECT THERE SHOULD BE NO SLICK LINES OR HEAVY COMEDY, JUST LIGHT, GOOD HUMOURED COMMENTARY, RATHER ON THE FOLLOWING LINES.) “Here is an ordinary paperback, or, as the Americans would call it a dime novel. Unless you are convinced of its innocence, the demonstration becomes even more pointless than it already is. Do what you will with it, but no peeking at the page to find out who dunnit! ‘You will find that the book contains some two hundred pages, perhaps a hundred and fifty thousand words, and some four thousand lines. I will have a page chosen in the fairest and most direct manner possible, Will anyone choose a number from One to Twenty, inclusive? Sixteen Thank You! If we add a Zero we can arrive at a page number... page ‘one hundred and sixty. We need to choose a line, so what fairer than to use the original number... Sixteen? Sir, if you could aim to page one hundred and sixty, and then count down to the sixteenth line, from the top of the page we will have isolated one line from four thousand. Have you found it? Good! Please read the line over to yourself, and I'll try and collect your thought waves. Concentrate on the sense of the line, rather than actual words. I get the impression of a man getting off a train and into a tram car... does that make sense, it does... then please read the actual printed line, aloud. In case any of you should think that by coincidence we have arrived at one line that I know out of four thousand... we will repeat the experiment. (REPEATS.) Ladies and Gentlemen, I have presented this experiment before distinguished bodies, of Doctors, Lawyers and Plumbers, Many explanations have been suggested, but in the end one must always consider the possibility that it might be mind reading!" PRESENTATION: The presentation should not be rushed, but at the same time needs to'be kept moving. The seemingly free selection of a page and line, need to be smartly paced to be convincing. Don't give them too long to consider what you are doing. I have already mentioned that care should be taken not to look thoughtful until it is appropriate. I cannot over stress this point, Part of the strength of this effect is the complete absence of possible cues or cribs. So avoid making any sort of suspicious movement during the presentation, If you handle any object such as a handkerchief or cigarette case, the audience will grasp at straws. The effect is that strong! Page &THE UNFAKED BOOK TEST "WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS.” The words of the Beatles evergreen remind me that two of my closest friends have developed variations on my theme with their kind permission to publish. BOBBY BERNARD is one of the first to buy part-rights to my book test back in 1948, He presented it as a feature of the mental act that he presented under the name of “BERNARD VINCENT’. Bobby had a slight variation, which I believe makes the presentation of the effect more convincing. Here it is, with his permission. The performer points out that there are some twenty lines to a page. (Usually there are rather more, but the audience are unlikely to contest this.) So, he would like a number between one and twenty, to nominate the line used, then the addition of a zero to choose a page. In other words a reversal of my original presentation, but rather more convincing is it not? I think it is. TERRI ROGERS Is a lady best known to you as a ventriloquist, or close up magicienne but she went mental in 1983! It came about through Terri wanting an extra spot for her work for The Royal Viking Cruise Line. She borrowed my book test, and, being Terri, thought of an addition that puts it into the miracle class. Terri gives the audience a free choice of any number from one to two hundred. How on earth can she do this? Well, if they choose from one to twenty she proceeds as already explained. Terri suggests that a three figured number would make it more interesting (and of course seemingly more difficult), If they choose 10 20 30 40 90 etc; then the afore mentioned routine is followed, but if a number such as say ‘One Hundred and Eighty Seven (187) she tells the book holder that the last number is going to indicate the number of the word along the line, and asks the whole audience to remember the number seven (7). But first he must turn to page one hundred and eighty (180) which she explains is the first number, next to count down 18 lines, 18 being the first two numbers in the chosen number. She now asks the audience to remind her of the last number SEVEN. She then asks the book holder to count to the word that is seven along, and to concentrate on that word. The rest is of course easy as Terri has by this time brought approximately the whole line to mind, and can then slowly bring not only the word but the whole line. IT IS REALLY A SERIES OF OUTS. A DARING AND SENSATIONAL WAY OF PRESENTING THE EFFECT, FULL MARKS TERRI. Page 9FINAL THOUGHTS. Give the memory work a few evenings of your time, and you will have a “knockout! mental effect. Very little to worry about, so you will have every chance to ‘sell it’ for all you are worth. Obviously you will keep to the same book for a considerable period. The only real problem with the effect is in switching to a new book for whatever reason. It is a little bit difficult to forget the original memorised lines in order to memorise a fresh set. For this reason, invest in a few duplicate copies of the same paperback, so that you have mint spares. The shops where remaindered books are sold can supply suitable volumes at only thirty or forty pence each. So it's not an expensive investment. A FEW WORDS ON THE PRESENTATION OF MENTALISM. The fact that you can so carelessly handle the book in this effect reminds me that this is a very important presentation angle. Many magicians who present mental effects tend to handle envelopes as if they were valuable pieces of apparatus. To a real mind reader, such things would be of very little importance and could be handled carelessly. T have always believed that the mentalist, like the hypnotist or escapologist, needs to be sold to the audience via publicity before he even sets foot upon the platform or night club floor. © VAL ANDREWS. JULY 1985 © Page 10Val Andrews