Finally got the material to start making my gimmicks. With more thought, the ACAAN gimmick is even simpler than I’d first imagined. I now have a working prototype that will generate a correct answer starting from any point in the deck. This will be a different card and different number (genuinely random, not forced) every time, a different deck order every time (no Stebbins stack, no memorization). And it can be hidden inside a man’s wallet or a woman’s make-up thingy. I’m excited! I’ve been playing with this thing all morning. It cannot miss!
Also bought a batch of matching tissue boxes. All will be perfectly normal except for one, which will be gaffed in such a way that it can be passed around the table without anyone noticing something different. This will enable me to answer questions, sight unseen, as the next-to-last effect of the night. Will start building that as soon as I’m done typing here.
I feel a mixture of excitement and trepidation. This is going to be so much fun. But I’m also very much aware that the presentation skills will be unlike anything I’ve done before, not for a full show. Mentalism is so distinct from Magic, even simple “ta ta” flourishes should be dropped from my manner. I want to keep “illusion” or “trickery” from even entering their thoughts. This is not a “show”, it’s a “demonstration”.
I’m going to have WAY more fun than the audience, and for them, it will be something they’ll never forget!