Fate

THE BLURB:
Imagine this: Five audience members are brought forward--one
joins the performer at the center of the performing area,
and the other four position themselves in the four corners
of the stage (where there are four laminated targets to mark
the spots). Six small squares of aluminum foil are
introduced-wrapped inside each one is either a blue poker
chip or a red poker chip.

From the corners, the four audience members each select a
foil packet, which are opened to reveal the color of the
poker chip chosen by each person. The two remaining packets
are also opened to see what two chips have been left behind.
At this point, the performer poses a question to everyone
about whether they believe that the decisions that they make
every day actually affect their lives-or is everything that
happens predetermined? In other words, is everything simply
in the hands of Fate?

The performer then asks the audience member at the center of
the stage to pick up a small stack of cardboard signs that
has been sitting facedown on the table. As she displays
them, one at a time, each sign details exactly what has just
occurred-step-by-step-as if all of the choices made by the
four different audience members were indeed predetermined.
But after the last sign is revealed, there is still one more
surprise revelation that brings the routine to an amazing
conclusion.

The package contains:

    * 15 Step-By-Step Message Signs.
    * 3 Sets of Five Cards - So that you can change the
outcome for repeat shows.
    * 6 Laminated Target Cards - Extra laminated targets are
included so that you can change the final revelation for
repeat shows.
    * 12 Poker Chips.
    * Complete Scripting.
    * Complete Instructions.
    * 2 Pages of Detailed Photographs.

Laminated Targets 8 1/2" x 11" (22cm x 28cm)
Chip Diameter Approximately 1 5/8" (4 cm)

MY COMMENTS:
This is a truly impressive routine. Magician Bob Kohler
praised it as one of the best effects he saw at Mindvention
2005 and I'd have to agree. The blurb, however, is vague on
several points. If you haven't read the blurb yet (and
you're one of those who skip down to these comments first,
go back and read the blurb).

Here's what's not detailed: First, the audience members
called up to the stage have an absolutely free choice of
which target to stand on. They have an absolutely free
choice as to which foil packet they'd like to choose. And
the foil pockets, after the red or blue chip is unwrapped,
are shown to be otherwise empty.

The signs that the fifth volunteer hold up are the
folliwing: The first sign accurately predicts the color of
the two remaining chips, the ones not chosen. The second
sign states which color chip the first participant chose.
The third through fifth state the same and names the color
chips that the other three chose. The final kicker is that
the performer explains that some people may explain this by
chance, but that one more thought will have people thinking
about whether it's really fate. The participants who chose
blue chips are instructed to bend down and pick up the
laminated targets they are standing on and show the other
side to the audience. The back side of each target says
"Blue chip." And the ones who picked red chips show their
targets to read "Red chip"!

The scripting and instructions for this incredibly
entertaining and effective comprise six pages in a 8.5" and
11" stapled booklet with color covers. A separate two-page
booklet with detailed photographs gets the same treatment.
As the blurb states, you get the targets and signs enough
for three different outcomes. It's a bit unclear that the
15 message signs actually comprise the 3 different sets.
You won't use all fifteen in the routine. You also get the
poker chips. The only things not included are the aluminum
foil and some spray adhesive (available at any crafts shop)
that you'll need to do a few minutes worth of prep work.
Incidentally, that prep work could last you a long time
depending on how you treat the props.

As you might have concluded, this is a stage routine. But
it does re-set quickly and it packs flat since it's mostly
paper and some chips. If the premise is something you can
work into your act, then I highly recommend this powerful
effect. Heck, I'll go farther and say that anything by Rick
Maue is recommended. Period.