New Silent Second Sight and Bank Note Test Magic Trick. In this mind-reading illusion, a performer seemingly transfers numbers, words, or cards to an assistant without any spoken communication, gestures, or signals. The assistant is blindfolded, seated with her back to the audience, and uses breathing cues to receive instructions. The performer sits in the audience, silently conveying information through a coded system of breaths and subtle sounds.
New Silent Second Sight and Bank Note Test Magic Trick
Setup and Preparation
- Assistant’s Role: The assistant is seated blindfolded, facing away from the audience. She holds a slate or stands near a blackboard to write down responses.
- Audience’s Cooperation: Silence is essential for the assistant to hear subtle cues, so the performer requests complete quiet from the audience.
Performance Steps
- Beginning the Communication:
- The performer starts by taking a pronounced deep breath, which signals the assistant to begin counting her own breaths. Both the performer and assistant count in sync, silently.
- Conveying Numbers:
- To transmit a number, the performer uses a pattern of deep breaths to mark certain counts.
- For example, if the target number is 74, the assistant begins counting her breaths after the initial deep breath. On the seventh breath, the performer takes another deep breath, signaling “7.” The assistant then resumes counting until the fourth breath, when the performer again signals, stopping her at “4.” She then writes down “74.”
- Cues for Letters, Words, and Cards:
- Using the same breath-counting technique, the performer can also transmit letters, words, and cards using predetermined codes.
- Additional Helper:
- If working in a large hall or when sound is an issue, an additional person (e.g., a child) may be stationed behind a screen. This person watches the performer through a small hole and makes small sounds when the performer looks at the desired object. These sounds act as start/stop cues for the assistant, taking the place of breath cues.
- Example with Cards:
- To signal the Queen of Hearts, the performer looks at the card, signaling the helper to cue the assistant. The assistant counts up to 12 (Queen) and hears a second cue from the helper, signaling her to resume counting. She then counts up to 3 for Hearts and stops, understanding to write “Queen of Hearts.”
Secret and Code System
- Breath Counting: The core mechanism relies on subtle breath counts as signals, allowing for numbers, letters, or any coded item to be transmitted.
- Helper for Audible Cues: If distances make silent breaths hard to follow, a helper provides soft audible cues based on the performer’s eye movements.
Examples of Communication
- Dates on Coins:
- Often, only the last two digits need to be conveyed (e.g., “75” for 1975). The assistant receives this through two breath-based cues.
- Bank Note Numbers or Ticket Numbers:
- Each digit is signaled individually using breath counts.
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- The performer uses the following table to transmit letters. For instance, to spell “Blitz,” the performer would signal based on column and letter position.Words Using Letter Codes:
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1–A B C D E F G H I 2–J K L M N O P Q R 3–S T U V W X Y Z Z
- For “Blitz”:
- B (1st column, 2nd letter), L (2nd column, 3rd letter), I (1st column, 9th letter), T (3rd column, 2nd letter), and Z (3rd column, 9th letter).
Tips for Success
- Practice Synchronization: The performer and assistant must practice to maintain a smooth, synchronized rhythm.
- Maintain Silence: Absolute quiet enhances the subtle cues and makes the trick convincing.
- Stay Natural and Relaxed: The performer must appear natural, making no obvious gestures and relying entirely on the code.
This classic test impressively mimics telepathic communication using a simple code, providing the illusion of a mind-reading feat that can be applied to dates, banknotes, words, or any information desired.
