a n d r e w m a y n e
p r e s e n t s
THE MAN WITH THE
X-RAY
SPECS
EFFECT: The magician asks an MATERIALS: To perform this effect
audience member to loan him a you ll need the following items in
reasonably new $1 bill. The addition to the bill you borrow from
magician has the audience member an audience member:
wrap the bill in a piece of foil then
" A relatively new and clean $1
place it into an envelope. The
bill
envelope is signed and then given to
" 6 coin envelopes
a second spectator. This spectator
" Magic marker
is asked to stand up and hold the
" 2 large pieces of cardboard to
envelope high above their head.
write on
The magician puts on his patented
" 2 pieces of foil
X-RAY spectacles and proceeds to
" One pair of X-Ray specs (or
stare at the envelope. He writes
reasonable facsimile)
something down on a pad of paper.
Next he reveals to the audience that
he was able to see into the
PREPARATION:
envelope, past the foil and read the
numbers on the bill. He is able to
1. Using the magic marker, write
offer with 79% certainty that it is
the serial number of the bill on
indeed a $1 bill. As an afterthought
one of the large pieces of
he reveals the serial number on the
cardboard  writing the digits
bill (revealed in a funny way).
in reverse order. If the serial
number is 5695495, you d
write 5945965 (you ll see why
METHOD: Using a version of the
in a moment).
double-lift with envelopes, the
2. Cut two pieces of foil into
spectator s original bill is switched
rectangles 5 ½ inches by 3
out for a second bill that the
inches and fold them in half
magician knows the serial number
into folders.
for.
3. Fold the bill in half with the
back on the outside and place
it into a foil folder.
4. Seal the bill and folder into an
envelope.
5. Place the envelope second
from the top of your envelope
stack (with the top being the
flap side).
6. Place the remaining foil
sleeve on top of the stack and
wrap a rubber band around
the packet.
7. Place these in your pocket
FOLDED BILL
with the Magic Marker.
8. Place the blank piece of
cardboard on top of the piece
with the reversed serial
number.
9. Put your X-Ray specs into
your pocket and find an
audience.
ENVELOPE STACK
PERFORMANCE: Begin by asking Open the flap to the top envelope
someone on the left side of the and ask the spectator to slide the
audience if they would lend you a $1 folder into the envelope.
bill that isn t too worn. Ask them to
pull it out of their wallet or purse and Look at the flap for a moment then
to fold it in half so that George is on bring the stack of envelopes slowly
the inside. Tell them not to stare too up to your mouth and lick the gum on
much at their hands so you won t the flap. Press the flap shut with
pick up any psychic vibes. Hand your right hand.
them the piece of foil and ask them
to slide the bill into the folder. While Reach into your pocket and pull out
they do this, bring out the stack of the marker. Hand it to the spectator.
envelopes. Bring your right hand back to the
stack of envelopes and flip over the
As them to hold the folder to the light top two envelopes (a double-lift).
to see if they can see through it. Ask the spectator to write their
While they do this, with the stack of initials on the back of the envelope
envelopes face up in your left hand, (actually your prepared envelope).
get a pinky break under the second
envelope (the one with your bill).
Have them recap the marker and
hand it back to you. Place the
marker in your pocket then take the
signed envelope off the top of the
packet  dropping your left hand to
your side. Hold the envelope high
above your head. Ask the spectator
to sit down. Walk over to the right
side of the audience. Place the
packet of envelopes in your pocket.
Still holding the envelope high above
your head, ask another member of
the audience to stand up. Have
them take the envelope and hold it
between their hands. Return to the
stage (or center of living room,
middle of prison yard, etc.)
Somewhat sarcastically explain that
seeing the bill would be real easy if
you were going to use ESP, but
everybody knows how to do that.
Tell the audience that you ve looked
That s the reason why you handed
into the envelope and can tell them
the bill to someone you re sure never
with 79% accuracy that bill is a one
had a chance to look at it (this is an
dollar bill. Turn the cardboard
intentionally nonsensical
around and show them that s what
explanation). Pull out your X-Ray
you wrote. Look a little bit stunned,
specs and put them on. Explain that
when they don t react with
you re going to use them to see
thunderous applause. Turn the
inside of the envelope.
cardboard back towards you. Acting
a little upset, cast aside the top
With the glasses on it s the perfect
piece.
time to leer at your audience and
make suggestive remarks about
Return your gaze back towards the
being able to see through clothing 
envelope. Lift the glasses and squint
but you won t because you re better
a little. Pretend you re really trying to
than that.
see the bill in the envelope. Pretend
to write some numbers on the
Pick up the two pieces of cardboard.
cardboard (this is the piece with
Casually show the front piece as you
numbers already written on it).
pick them up. Uncap the marker and
prepare to write on the cardboard.
Finish faking writing and put the cap
Stare in the direction of the spectator
back on the pen. Tell the audience
holding the envelope. Write  $1 on
that you re 22% sure you were able
the cardboard.
to look inside the envelope. Ask the
person holding the envelope to tear it
open and pull out the bill. Ask them
to look at the serial number on the
bill.
Turn your  prediction around. Call
out the first three numbers and ask if
those are the first three numbers of
the serial number. The answer will
be  no (because you wrote the
serial number in reverse). Look a
little bit surprised. Ask the spectator
If you d like more fun magic stuff,
to call out the first three numbers.
check out MAYHEM
Take a moment to try to fake a
connection between the numbers.
Example: If they say they re 352 and
your first three are 719, tell the
audience that both of those numbers
are prime numbers in non-Euclidian
Bavarian monkey algebra. When the
audience doesn t buy that excuse
pause for a moment like you re deep
in thought.
Ask the spectator if they were
holding the envelope with their right
hand on top or their left hand. No
matter their answer, say,  Of course!
You had it upside down. It s all your
fault! Look to the audience for
support. After receiving none, look
back at what you wrote. Ask the
spectator to slowly call out the serial
Ask your favorite magic dealer or
number in reverse order.
visit: www.weirdthings.com
Point to each number in order on the
If you re not already a member,
cardboard as they call them out.
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COPYRIGHT 2004 Andrew Mayne
www.weirdthings.com