"Behavior Patterns" by Alan Chitty
Suggested Retail USD$35.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 7 Out of 10

"Behavior Patterns", an effect by Alan Chitty, is simple, clean, direct, and brain-freezing even though the props are garish and the reasoning behind them a mystery; despite the "magic set" look, this thing blows them away.

We're talking stunned silence here. Whispers of expletives. Giggles of nervousness. The whole gamut of reactions we like. Oh, sure, there are some that go straight into problem solving mode, but for the most part? Brain freeze.

The routine is as direct as you could ask for. A small, spiral-bound notebook with thick pages is handed to a spectator for examination or shown freely. Each page has a picture of four different symbols on it along with a large number, printed in black. A small envelope is placed on the table in full view. The performer goes slowly through the book, asking the spectator to say "Stop" at any time and on any page (really -- there's no playing with this to force a page). Once they say "Stop", the performer shows the back of the envelope: it reads "Everyone says stop on an odd number." Of course, they have indeed stopped on an odd-number. The envelope is then opened and a prediction removed; it matches exactly the page the spectator stopped on.

Yes, it really is that direct and clean in appearance. Behind the scenes? Well, it's just as clean. There is nothing to hide in the book; it's completely examinable and all the pages are different. There is no switching of the envelope or the prediction. The spectator stops where they want; there's no coercion at all or even timing issues to fret with. "Behavior Patterns" works every time; you're not playing the odds here or relying on some psychological technique to get this to work. What you've got, instead of all that, is an old idea taken to a new level with a brilliant method.

My hat's off to Chitty on this one; he did great work here.

I've only one gripe and it's something that bugs me: the props. I have nothing against their workmanship, which is gorgeous. But, dammit, this stuff looks like it came out of one of my old magic sets. You know the one: bright pink Ball and Vase, deep purple Penetration Frame, the whole nine yards in brilliant Technicolor. This looks like it came right out of that magic set. There's nothing about it that says it's normal, or regular, or standard, or whatever. I wonder where in the world spectators think it came from (as opposed to where I tell them it came from). And yet... and yet...

And yet spectators don't care. Oh, they take the notebook and look at it, but that's as far as it goes (and even then, not all that often do they even examine the thing, thanks to Chitty's cleanliness). But where it comes from, what it's used for, what rationale there is for it... spectators don't let that bug them since they're too busy having their cerebellums turned to concrete. But boy, it sure bugs me. Oh, I throw a rationale behind it of my own, but I still want to remake this in something that looks more organic and less mass-produced just for my own comfort level. Spectators seem more concerned with the end result and not where the tools that astonished them came from.

"Behavior Patterns", then, is a perfect little book test. Quick, portable, clean, and strong, this one shows some promise in almost any venue. If you can get yourself over the props -- and trust me, that is not easy to do -- you've got an effect that will leave a mark. Add a good presentation to the mix, something that fits you and the props, and you've probably got a little bit of reputation-maker on your hands.

This one I highly recommend.

"Behavior Patterns" by Alan Chitty
In a Blink: 7 Out of 10

Practicality: 8
You'll need some space to carry the notebook around (it's a good size and will fill a jacket pocket) and you'll likely want a table. Set-ups and resets are almost non-existent, and repeating this with a different outcome is possible.

Workmanship: 10
This is very well made. The notebook is printed on glossy, thick paper and will last indefinitely with care.

Documentation: 7
The documentation is quite thorough here and contains additional tips on the working of this one. You'll have no problem making the most of "Behavior Patterns".

Effect: 8
I don't know why, but this plays extremely well and stronger than I could have imagined. Even among the family and neighbors set, this gets good reactions.

Presentation: 6
The work here is exceedingly clean and that makes it all the stronger. The appearance of the props is a little too "magic set reject" for me, but spectators still go for it. Do this up a bit differently and this could be quite the solid -- and different -- book test.

Shane

Available direct from your favorite dealer. Dealers, please contact Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc. toll-free at 1-800-853-7403 or visit Murphy's Magic Supplies website.