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Hi.

I've got an offer of a 5-minute open mic spot at a local magic club and was planning a take on Orville Meyer's Tervil, as detailed in Annemann's Practical Mental Effects.

I've got an idea for a patter that presents it as a telepathy/thought transference instead of a prediction. It's near to the requisite length.

Any advice?

Cheers, Caligari

Whatever you do, emphasize (in words or in actions by talking fast) that the audience should not yell out numbers instead of the spectator.

If you don't, it'll look like this -

"Now, I'm going to transfer my number to the lady over there. Lady, can you see the first digit forming in your mind?"

Lady - "Um -'

Drunk #1 - "it's a 3! a 3, I tell you!"
Drunk #2 - "say seven! say seven!"
Drunk #1 - "No, say three! or ten!"

Lady - "Um - "

I would suggest that you talk fast, don't leave place for open questions ("Can you see the first digit forming in your mind? Speak it up right now!").

This is from my impressions from clubs in general. I've never been to a magic club before, though, so your audience might be much more considerate and patient.

It is your local magic club?

Don't try to fool anybody. Entertain them.