a n d r e w m a y n e

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THE MAN WITH THE

X-RAY

SPECS

EFFECT: The magician asks an
audience member to loan him a
reasonably new $1 bill. The
magician has the audience member
wrap the bill in a piece of foil then
place it into an envelope. The
envelope is signed and then given to
a second spectator. This spectator
is asked to stand up and hold the
envelope high above their head.

The magician puts on his patented
X-RAY spectacles and proceeds to
stare at the envelope. He writes
something down on a pad of paper.
Next he reveals to the audience that
he was able to see into the
envelope, past the foil and read the
numbers on the bill. He is able to
offer with 79% certainty that it is
indeed a $1 bill. As an afterthought
he reveals the serial number on the
bill (revealed in a funny way).


METHOD: Using a version of the
double-lift with envelopes, the
spectator’s original bill is switched
out for a second bill that the
magician knows the serial number
for.

MATERIALS: To perform this effect
you’ll need the following items in
addition to the bill you borrow from
an audience member:

• A relatively new and clean $1

bill

• 6 coin envelopes

• Magic marker

• 2 large pieces of cardboard to

write on

• 2 pieces of foil

• One pair of X-Ray specs (or

reasonable facsimile)

PREPARATION:

1. Using the magic marker, write

the serial number of the bill on
one of the large pieces of
cardboard – writing the digits
in reverse order. If the serial
number is 5695495, you’d
write 5945965 (you’ll see why
in a moment).

2. Cut two pieces of foil into

rectangles 5 ½ inches by 3
inches and fold them in half
into folders.

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

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.

PERFORMANCE: Begin by asking
someone on the left side of the
audience if they would lend you a $1
bill that isn’t too worn. Ask them to
pull it out of their wallet or purse and
to fold it in half so that George is on
the inside. Tell them not to stare too
much at their hands so you won’t
pick up any psychic vibes. Hand
them the piece of foil and ask them
to slide the bill into the folder. While
they do this, bring out the stack of
envelopes.

As them to hold the folder to the light
to see if they can see through it.
While they do this, with the stack of
envelopes face up in your left hand,
get a pinky break under the second
envelope (the one with your bill).

FOLDED BILL

ENVELOPE STACK

Open the flap to the top envelope
and ask the spectator to slide the
folder into the envelope.

Look at the flap for a moment then
bring the stack of envelopes slowly
up to your mouth and lick the gum on
the flap. Press the flap shut with
your right hand.

Reach into your pocket and pull out
the marker. Hand it to the spectator.
Bring your right hand back to the
stack of envelopes and flip over the
top two envelopes (a double-lift).
Ask the spectator to write their
initials on the back of the envelope
(actually your prepared envelope).

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.
That’s the reason why you handed
the bill to someone you’re sure never
had a chance to look at it (this is an
intentionally nonsensical
explanation). Pull out your X-Ray
specs and put them on. Explain that
you’re going to use them to see
inside of the envelope.

With the glasses on it’s the perfect
time to leer at your audience and
make suggestive remarks about
being able to see through clothing –
but you won’t because you’re better
than that.

Pick up the two pieces of cardboard.
Casually show the front piece as you
pick them up. Uncap the marker and
prepare to write on the cardboard.
Stare in the direction of the spectator
holding the envelope. Write “$1” on
the cardboard.

Tell the audience that you’ve looked
into the envelope and can tell them
with 79% accuracy that bill is a one
dollar bill. Turn the cardboard
around and show them that’s what
you wrote. Look a little bit stunned,
when they don’t react with
thunderous applause. Turn the
cardboard back towards you. Acting
a little upset, cast aside the top
piece.

Return your gaze back towards the
envelope. Lift the glasses and squint
a little. Pretend you’re really trying to
see the bill in the envelope. Pretend
to write some numbers on the
cardboard (this is the piece with
numbers already written on it).

Finish faking writing and put the cap
back on the pen. Tell the audience
that you’re 22% sure you were able
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
to call out the first three numbers.
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
number in reverse order.

Point to each number in order on the
cardboard as they call them out.
Hopefully they’ll applaud at this
point.

If you’d like more fun magic stuff,
check out MAYHEM

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COPYRIGHT 2004 Andrew Mayne

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