Peter Bendall

An Extra-Sensory Perception?

"We want a different act from you! Something with two people it - and something other than a Clown...."
"Well, I could do an Extra-Sensory Perception Presentation?"
"And who do you need for a partner?"
"Oh, anyone - Provided they are presentable, and more or less intelligent...."
That was the outline of the conversation that I had with the producer of the Scouts Gang Show during the interval. The second half happened to be light one act, and she thought I was the candidate to provide it!
"All right! When do you want to know the partner?"
"At least one act before...."
"OK!"

I was presented with the partner ten minutes later, a young lady who was tall and thin and looked like a possible secretary when she was older! I explained the theory, I tested her with two cards to see what her voice was like, and we were on!
She was blindfolded and sat down on the chair in the centre of stage, comfortably! I was to do a "test" first, I collected 16 'random' single figure numerals on a blackboard from the audience. Then, rapping the blackboard with a pencil to indicate to her that she could speak one figure, I 'randomized' her one figure! We recollected the series OK! 4 1 7 3 ....

We did playing cards next! Two actually! I had a Jumbo-Pack with me, cards ten inches long, and I didn't have to speak until I queried the card. I selected two from the audience at random, honestly , to select a card. They showed the card around - and they held the card aloft. She remembered the spoken code, and the cards were collected again amongst thunderous applause....

Returning to the audience, I attempted one trick that I hadn't tried before - it relies on the code being used three times - to get the birthday including year! I selected a volunteer from the audience and got them up on the stage. Turning the blackboard around, I got them to write their birthday.
I spoke the cue words revealing the year... She nodded, signifying that she was ready.
Turning to the date, I spoke the cue words revealing the day - she announced the year. It was correct! I breathed out!
"OK! The Day of the Month, please?" Revealing the month....
She announced the day, correctly...

She was alone now! I sealed my mouth with a sign like a zip-fastener, signing that my lips were sealed!

She repeated the day, month and year - correctly, and the audience were amazed, and they clapped until we had left the stage ....

I understand she was feted owing to her showing in the act! I have not found anyone to understand binary code so well - and apply the code words just with a ten minutes lesson! I was not feted! Only, deservedly, her....

Return to Clowns....