Classroom Magic Trick: You WILL Do What I Say!

The illusion: You reach into your pocket or desk drawer and start pulling out random objects - a pair of scissors, some keys, a whistle, flux capacitor, the watch from your wrist, thumb screw etc. You select three items (let's say the watch, the keys and the whistle) and place them on the desk.

"Daniel, you're going to pick one of these items and I'm going to make you pick the one I want you to pick using subliminal messaging. The key here, I'll say that again, the key here is to focus on one item and pick the one that locks (looks) right." (You make it quite obvious that you are trying to suggest the keys to Daniel by highlighting the words 'key' and 'locks'.)

Daniel smiles a smile which says "I don't think so, sir" and picks the watch.

You look surprised but then say "Well, that's very interesting Daniel, you obviously think you can ignore my instructions completely but you underestimate the power I have over you."You point at a blank piece of paper on the desk and ask Daniel to turn it over. On the other side it reads "You will pick the watch - told you!"

How it's done:

You are actually covered no matter what object the student picks with this nifty little trick. If he picks the keys you direct him to look closely at the keys and read the key fob. On the key fob is written "Ha ha, I knew you'd pick the keys! Don't underestimate me. "

By placing the keys with the fob facing down to the table, he would not see this during the trick until he picks them up.

Similarly, if he picks the whistle, you ask him to look carefully at the ribbon to which the whistle is tied. Written clearly along it are the words "Ha ha, I knew you'd pick the whistle! Don't underestimate me. " Again, he would only see these words when his attention is drawn to them - after he has picked the item.

If you happen to have a Dictaphone in your drawer a nice variation is to have a message pre-recorded... "Ha ha, I knew you'd pick the Dictaphone..."

(Note: this trick is quite adaptable, and also works with children not called Daniel.)

Rob Plevin

The author, Rob Plevin, is a top UK behaviour management expert and is director of Behaviour Needs.





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