by Adam Jackson

I've got two related methods here, depending on what you think is reasonable. Both should fit a very simple direct presentation, and involve about two sleights. They work seated or standing, though I think seating is preferable for the second, and both require some kind of horizontal surface. A spectators' hands is an option, but a poor and risky one.

To me the simplest solution, though it rides pretty close to the 'no stooges' rule is a little pre-show work. Approaching someone before the show:

"I'm going to ask you to name a card during the show. Sometimes people get a little stuck under the pressure, which spoils the flow, so... say stop... *dribbles cards* There? There's no way I can see that is there? Ok, now just think of that card, and it should flow smoothly... Thanks!

A break, and glimpse at your leisure. The next passage is pretty standard sandwich trick fare...

Remove and display the kings by spreading through the cards, outjogging the kings and culling the selection to the top of the deck. Close the deck injogging the card above the selection, pivot the kings around your middle finger and elegantly flip the deck over underneath them. You have from the top, in left-hand mechanic's grip:

face-up king
face-up king
face-down selection
injogged face-down card
face down rest-of-deck

Collapse the injog taking a break below the selection and pull out the second king with the selection below it in right end grip, with the left thumb holding back the upper king. Bring the selection and king above the left-hand king and thumb that off so you are clearly showing the two face-up kings, with the selection secretly hidden between them. Put this packet on the table and square it. It would be a nice touch to let a spectator place a finger on the packet to stop you sneaking anything in or out. Choose your spectator carefully and ask them nicely, you don't want them messing around or looking too closely... Ask your friend to name a card, reveal the face-down card and let a spectator turn it over.

If you're afraid of pre-show work with spectators, perhaps you will prefer pre-show work regarding the deck... You'll need a pocket indexed deck of the same type and similar condition to the borrowed deck, in your right pocket. I never perform with a borrowed deck but that may just be a reflection on the quality of borrowed decks in the UK. I suppose Americans can have a red rider back index and only perform this when provided with said bikes...

Load the face-down card between the kings as before, again all under a spectators finger, except this time it is an indifferent card. I know there was a condition of 'no forces' but I see no harm in using a mental force card if you happen to know a good mental force. Ask a spectator to imagine any card in the deck (proceed with your mental force procedure if using one) and then to name it out loud. Ask your audience to imagine a new card materializing between the kings. If your mental force hit, you're all set. Otherwise, reach across and spread the cards with your left hand to show the new face-down card while your right hand reaches into your pocket and recovers the mental selection face-down in lateral palm. This is where the angles get a little tricky. As the left fingers further separate the kings until they are no longer touching the indifferent card, the right hand, sliding the near-left corner of the palmed card under the selection until the cards are almost square, when the double card is flipped to land square in the left hand mechanic's grip.

Applause. Cleanup by putting the cards face-down on the deck and continuing your routine.