The Lineup is an absolute gem in the realm of close-up Mentalism!
Picture this: It’s 1950, and the Boston Police have a secret weapon for cracking cases... none other than Detective Thomas Duffy. This bloke solved a fair few crimes during his time in Boston. Some say he had a sixth sense, but he swore he was just particularly intuitive. However, don't let his rationality fool you—he was as superstitious as they come and never left home without his lucky coin. Legend has it that he could pinpoint a criminal just by gazing at a line-up of suspects while clutching that very coin. It’s said the coin would “whisper” to him, revealing the guilty party.
But here’s the kicker: anyone holding this coin is rumoured to tap into his knack for detection.
"Let’s put this to the test," the performer declares with a wink.
Up pops a mugshot, and here's the twist—the actual name of this suspect was a mystery at the time due to a lack of ID. The mugshot stays firmly in view of the participant (no sneaky business here).
With the lucky coin in hand, the participant mentally picks a name from a list of over a dozen suspects linked to this case. As she browses some retro police records from the 50s, she visualises a line-up, believing she’s got the right suspect (and if she’s not feeling it, she can always change her mind).
She answers some questions about the crime, and shockingly nails them all. When the mugshot is flipped over, there’s a label on the back with one name… the very one she just mentally selected!
The following is true of "The Lineup":
No need for the participant to blurt out their chosen name beforehand; the name on the back of the mugshot will always match their mental pick.
Nothing gets written down
Just one mugshot photo in play, and it never leaves the audience's sight
No forcing of the name whatsoever
Handcrafted Props
What you get:
PDF instruction manual
A mugshot record card
A file card of potential suspects in the case
4 Lineup record files
One envelope to keep everything together
And, of course, the “special something” that makes the magic happen.
Note: The handcuffs and coin in the photo are NOT included! Feel free to use any coin (or even a lucky trinket) you fancy.
