by seige » Apr 22nd, '03, 11:03
I don't use a Svengali deck much these days, but here's a little routine which I once used which DEVASTATED my mates...
It's an impromptu routine of sorts, in as much that if you carry a deck of Svengali cards with you, the occasion may arise to perform this.
You'll need to be in a situation where someone with you is drinking BOTTLED beverages, like beer, 'alcopops' like Hooch etc or even soft drinks. The key is that the bottle is made of transparent material and the top is either screw-on or crown.
Select your 'victim'. In my example, my buddy was drinking bottled Newcastle Brown (NB, for the purpose of this explanation) ale. You'll need to go to the bar and befriend one of the barstaff.
Buy a bottle of NB at the bar as discretely as possible. Don't have it opened, but as for a hand-held bottle opener. If you work around the crown of the bottle carefully, you can get the top off without damage! You'll have to sacrifice one of you're Svengali forced cards (3 of spades, in my case) by rolling it tightly and putting it in the bottle. Roll it FACE OUT so that once inside the liquid, it will uncurl to the curve of the bottle with the card revealed quite dramatically inside the bottle.
Once done, gently place the cap back on the bottle and press it down hard. Then, using the opener or something solid, gently tap the pleats in the bottle cap in so that they re-grip the bottle. The cap quite convincingly looks unopened (and if you took it off gently, it will be airtight enough to give a satisfying 'fizz' when the bottle is opened the second time.
Now, your friendly barperson will replace the bottle in full view along with the others. I've managed to get ALL of this done in the time it takes someone to go to the toilet, believe it or not!
OK, here's the trick. Bet your mate a night's worth of beer that you can find his card. You'll need to act pretty confidently!
Perform your favourite Svengali force and have the card returned to the deck. Now, you're going to have to bumble the trick and turn up the wrong card a few times (quite easy, really). Finally, give up.
Take out some money from you're pocket and give it to your mate. Say something like "well, I did say I'd buy you a drink if this didn't work! I don't mind paying if you go and get it!"
Hopefully, with a bit of luck, they'll topple their current beverage, in this case, a bottle of Newcastle Brown.
There's quite a big reaction, and you should get a free beer or two!!!
The effect is well worth your initial investment!
This can obviously be adapted to other situations.
Enjoy!