Strongest Thought and Improved Question Reading By J. G. Thompson
Description
"I guess I must have looked at them all...all the many, many methods for reading sealed messages that have appeared in profusion since the twenties. Designed primarily for answering-of-question acts, there were none that, in my opinion approached perfection of the type I was seeking. After years of fruitless searching, I finally developed a set of moves...not difficult ones either...that produced the desired effect for me."
- J. G. Thompson, Jr.
Two complete sealed message reading acts from one of magic and mentalism's most brilliant thinkers, J. G. Thompson, Jr.
STRONGEST THOUGHT
Here’s the description from Nelson Enterprises:
A volunteer assistant (not a confederate) hands out to any spectator of his choice, white cards and envelopes and the performer requests these persons to “write something.” The spectators comply and seal their cards in the envelopes provided, after which they are gathered by the volunteer who passed them out.
ALL THIS IS PERFECTLY FAIR FOR THE PERFORMER DOES NOT LEAVE THE STAGE AT ANY TIME! THE ASSISTANT TAKING CARE OF EVERYTHING!
After securing all the envelopes, the volunteer mixes them well, brings them to the stage, and spreads them on a table while the performer stands as far away as possible.
NOW REMEMBER THAT NONE OF THE ENVELOPES HAVE BEEN IN THE PERFORMER’S HANDS FROM THE BEGINNING! THAT’S WHAT MAKES THE EFFECT SO STRONG!
The assistant selects ANY ONE of the envelopes on the table and holds it above his head. This is an absolutely free choice.
The performer writes something on a small slate and hands it to the volunteer.
The selected envelope is opened and the writing on the card is read. Then the volunteer turns the slate and the exact data, whatever it is, is upon the slate. There is no writing done after the envelope is opened.
Once again the volunteer chooses an envelope, also a free choice, and holds it above his head. Immediately the performer divulges the contents AND THE CARD AND ENVELOPE ARE RETURNED TO THE WRITER FOR VERIFICATION.
Then the assistant picks up two more envelopes and, retaining them in his possession (PERFORMER NEVER TOUCHES THEM) proceeds with the performer into the audience. The latter directs volunteer to the writer of each who opens them and verifies the correctness of the delivery.
On the way back to the stage, the performer suddenly stops, points to a certain section of the audience and states that he has just received a final thought from that direction. He announces it and one of the writers verifies that the data was written by him (THIS IS NOT A CONFEDERATE EITHER! FOR THE EFFECT IS STRICTLY A ONE-MAN PRESENTATION AND NO HELP OF ANY KIND IS REQUIRED).
NO IMPRESSIONS! NO WINDOW OR CUT ENVELOPES!
If you are worried about this being only suitable for presentation from a stage, we hasten to add that you can perform it in your home or at the next party you attend.
IMPROVED QUESTION READING
Here’s the original catalog description for Thompson’s “Improved Question Reading”:
Envelopes and cards are passed out to spectators with request that they write some data on the card. They then seal the message card in the envelope. As Mentalist collects these, he assigns each person a number which he writes on envelope. When all envelopes are collected, Mentalist starts to answer the questions. After the question is answered, the VERY SAME QUESTION and NUMBERED ENVELOPE is handed back to proper spectator. No chemicals; nothing to memorize—nothing other than the cards and envelopes. Also contains a TWO-PERSON routine in which an assistant is called upon to duplicate the drawing as spectator concentrates on it.
