Looks innocent enough, doesn’t it? But don’t be fooled—this seemingly ordinary glass holds the secrets to a darkly entertaining and commercially viable performance.
Here’s the lowdown.
The magician shows off three small glasses (just like the ones you see), three cheeky handkerchiefs, three slips of paper, some pencils, and a handful of rubber bands. Three brave souls are roped in to help out. Two of them scribble down the name of a delightful drink on their slips, while the third is asked to write down the name of a drink that’s a one-way ticket to oblivion. They can get as creative as they like, within those guidelines, of course. All slips are folded and popped into the glasses, which are then covered with handkerchiefs and secured with rubber bands—because, you know, we don’t want any accidental poisonings!
After a good mix-up (you can’t have a magic trick without a bit of chaos), the performer turns away. They take hold of the wrist of the volunteer who wrote down the poison and hold her hand over the covered vials. With a flourish, they lower it onto one of the containers, confidently declaring it to be filled with something delectable. The rubber band and handkerchief are whipped away, and voilà! It’s a tasty beverage!
Now, rinse and repeat for round two. Naturally, the last covered glass is the poison (well, isn't that just the way?). But fear not! The performer takes the volunteer’s wrist once more, has her focus on the poison she penned, and calls out various letters until—boom! The exact name is revealed when they lift the cover!
And here’s the kicker: everything is completely examinable both before and after the trick! Plus, it’s a doddle to perform!
Honestly, this is commercial mentalism done right. A unique premise, visually appealing props that are deceptively simple, and a straightforward process that leads to a jaw-dropping conclusion.
You’ll get everything you need, including the three sturdy plastic decanters (2 7/8" X 1 1/2"), three snazzy handkerchiefs (11" X 11"), a stash of billet slips, a perfect supply of rubber bands (though any will suffice), and comprehensive instructions. Just bring your own writing tools, yeah?
The rubber bands and billet slips might need a bit of TLC eventually, but the rest of the kit? Built to last. Those decanters are made from tough plastic that can handle a good bashing. At worst, you might have to give the handkerchiefs a wash every now and then. So, they’re practical and ready for action.
This has been a secret weapon of mine for six years, stashed away, but it’s about time I let it out into the wild!
