Devin Knight – The Skeleton of Jekyll and Hyde

Many magicians are acquainted with the classic Do-As-I-Do card trick, where both the performer and spectator pick the same card from separate decks. This has been a cornerstone of card magic for over a century. Now, envision executing this with two dictionaries, where both the spectator and magician independently select the same word!

Imagine achieving this without any word forcing! This is made possible through a long-lost secret from the 1930s, now revitalized for modern performers. Let’s explore how it works.

Picture yourself as the spectator while I take on the role of the magician. I present two identical large-print dictionaries. You choose a page (left or right), a column (left or right), and a word position from the top of the page, without specifying a page number. I then hand you one dictionary and retreat to another room, where I select a word from any page of my dictionary based on your chosen side, column, and position. Meanwhile, you do the same with your dictionary. Upon my return, we exchange dictionaries. Each of us locates the chosen word in the other’s dictionary, writes it on an index card, and seals it in an opaque envelope, placing it against the page that lists the word.

After exchanging dictionaries again, I open yours to the envelope’s location. Noticing its placement, I deduce that your word is in the ‘M’ section. I tear open your envelope to reveal that you selected the word ‘mystery.’ Next, you open my dictionary, where my envelope is located in the same ‘M’ section. You unveil that I also selected the word ‘mystery’!

This astonishing coincidence appears impossible, as both words were chosen while we were in separate rooms.

• No nail writers or secret writing
• No sleights involved
• No envelope switches
• Extremely easy to perform
• A solo effect, requiring no secret assistant

This clever method is a genuine magician’s fooler, utilizing a principle that many magicians may not recognize.

1st edition 2016, 13 pages.