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MIRROR
by
MATT MELLO

Artwork designed by Brian Rodgers

Mental Playground Productions

2009 MATT MELLO

INTRODUCTION
I first started playing around with this effect sometime in 2005, I believe. It
began as a very intricate routine and very slowly changed into Mirror.
To give you a bit of history, this effect was highly inspired from an effect I
saw Derren Brown perform on one of his Trick of the Mind shows. I
believe it was from the first episode. He says something to the likes of 10p,
learn to be a mind reader. I immediately thought this was such a brilliant
and funny idea. But, I thought it would have be even better if he had
somehow incorporated the money that he had just taken from the spectator.
My initial idea was this. He would put the bill into his pocket not really
drawing to much attention to it. He would have the spectator think of a
number. At the end he would remove the bill that the spectator had given
him and the first two numbers of the serial number would be the number he
named.
That effect is what you accomplish with Mirror. The way the effect sounds
above is exactly what it looks like to the spectator. They hand you a bill,
they choose a number, the bill is removed, and you show the first two digits
of the serial number to be the number they just selected.
It really is a very clean effect and I hope you enjoy it.
Matt Mello

PRESENTATION
Performer: If I told you that I could teach you to read minds for only a
dollar would you take me up on the offer? Just think of all the things you
could do with this ability.
The spectator takes you up on the offer and hands you a dollar. You slowly
start to fold it up, then place it into your pocket.
Performer: Do you know anything at all about mind reading?
The spectator answers that she has no clue and has never taken part in any
sort of mind reading before.
Performer: Its a very simple concept. All you have to do is put yourself
into the other persons position. You are basically going to look through the
other persons eyes. It will almost seem like youre looking into a mirror.
Youre looking from their eyes and youre seeing yourself. Does this make
any sense?
The spectator will be slightly confused, but goes along with it anyways.
Performer: Once you feel like you are genuinely in tune with the other
person you can begin to get inside their heads. Lets try it out. Im just
going to think of a two digit number and youll try and guess it. Once again,
try to see from my perspective. Just hold both your hands out in front of you.
In a moment I want you to lower any amount of fingers on your right hand.
The performer tells the spectator to drop any amount and she drops two
fingers. This leaves her with a 3 in her right hand.
Performer: Very good. We will now do the same thing with the other hand.
This time I want you to drop a different amount. So you have a different
number on each hand.
Once again the performer tells her to go and she drops only one finger this
time. Which now leaves her with a 4 in her left hand.

Performer: Very good. Now, you remember me telling you how you were
supposed to look through my perspective. Did you actually do that?
The spectator will usually say yes that she tried.
Performer: Well, looking from my perspective right now, youve very
clearly made the number 34. If you decided to drop one more or one less on
either hand we would have a completely different number. Now, do you want
to know the particularly freaky thing about the number you just chose?
The spectator is of course very interested in why she chose the number 34.
Performer: Its particularly freaky that you picked the number 34, because
thats the number I was thinking of. Seriously, youre amazing. Give yourself
a pat on the back. Thats one dollar well spent.
The spectator clearly doesnt believe you so you try to explain yourself.
Performer: Okay, I can see that you are clearly upset by this. So, Ill give
you a refund.
The performer now goes into his pocket and removes the bill the spectator
gave him in the very beginning.
Performer: Its really a shame that you dont believe me. I really was
thinking of the number 34. What if I could prove it to you?
The spectator once again becomes slightly interested.
Performer: What if I told you that I didnt actually think of number 34 by
myself. But, I actually read it off the bill that you gave me in the beginning.
Open the bill and have a look at the first two digits of the serial number.
The spectator now opens the bill and reads the first two digits aloud. 34.

METHOD
So there you have it. The effect really is that clean in actual performance.
Im going to now take you through everything youll need to know to start
performing this immediately.
Well start with the selection of the number. This is something that I saw on
Banacheks PSI Series. On volume 2, he has an effect called Phone Psychs.
In that effect he has a page selected using number elimination involving your
hands. Basically, the spectator would bring up any amount of fingers on
each hand and then they would open to that page number in a phone book.
The only problem with this, was that at the end of the selection process you
had 15 different possible outcomes. For instance, if you held up 1 finger on
your left hand and 1 on your right hand, you would get the number 11. If
you held up 2 on each hand. You would get 22. 1 and 2 would make 12. 1
and 3 would make 13. All the way up to 55. This once again, gives you 15
outcomes altogether. They are 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 22, 23, 24, 25, 33, 34, 35,
44, 45, and 55. So, I took that concept and I slowly started to make it smaller.
The first thing I did was this. Rather than having them hold up any amount
of fingers. I would have them start out with both hands showing a 5. I would
then have them lower any amount of fingers on one hand. And the lower any
amount on the other. With this sort of setup, it automatically gets rid of any
number with a 5 in it. So, your choices are now 11, 12, 13, 14, 22, 23, 24,
33, 34, 44. Next thing I did was I got rid of the option of having both
numbers being the same by saying, Drop a DIFFERENT amount of fingers
on the other hand. So, that now gets rid of 11, 22, 33, and 44. Which leaves
us with only 6 possible outcomes of 12, 13, 14, 23, 24, and 34.
Right now, you might be asking yourself Well, what if they put up a 4 on
their right hand and a 3 on their left hand? Wouldnt that make it 43 instead
of 34?
The correct answer would be yes. But, you are going to control the way the
number is called. So, no matter what, when you see the numbers 3 and 4
held up, it will ALWAYS be 34. This is something that I didnt like from the
original concept. It just didnt look right when the numbers were backwards
and he called them off in the opposite order to make them fit. Which is why
I created the look through the other persons eyes presentation. So, if the
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number happens to come out in the correct orientation. Figure 1. Then you
simply say Ok, now I told you to look from my perspective. I can see
youve decided on 23. If it comes up in the opposite direction like Figure 2,
then you say the following. Ok, so looking at your hands right now. What
is the number you see? They will have the two on the left and the three on
the right. So they will say 23. So either way you get the number 23. So,
youre either calling it from your perspective. Or, they are calling it from
their perspective. Either way you always get one of the six possible
outcomes.

So, that pretty much covers the number selection. Just a quick recap. They
start out with their hands up in front of them with all 5 fingers up on each
hand. You have them drop a certain amount on one hand, then a different
amount on the other hand. This will always leave you in a position to get
either 12, 13, 14, 23, 24, or 34. You just have to look at their hands and
figure out which way the number needs to be called out.
Now, that you know how to narrow down the selection to those 6 numbers.
Ill take you through how you make the numbers on the serial number match
the bill that they give you. It is very simple. But, it will take a bit of
searching. Basically you need to find 6 bills with serial numbers that start
with the numbers you need. So, you will need serial numbers that look like
this.
12XXXXXX
13XXXXXX
14XXXXXX
23XXXXXX
24XXXXXX
34XXXXXX
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I perform in restaurants so it only took me a day to find all the bills that I
needed. But, for regular hobbyists, or people who dont perform in
restaurants it will be a bit harder to find all of them. Ill provide an alternate
handling at the end so you wont have to find them. I just think the serial
number reveal is the most hard hitting.
So, now we will get into how you are switching in one of these pre-arranged
bills for the bill that the spectator gives you. The answer I came up with was
a pocket index. But, I use something that Ive never seen another magician
use. This pocket index will be made out of a pack of gum. Figure 3.

Its important to get a pack that has at least 15 sticks like the one above.
This will make finding the correct bill easier. Once youve gotten the pack,
youre going to remove the top and remove all the pieces of gum. Be sure to
leave the white sleeves. You should end up with something like Figure 4.

As you can see, those white sleeves that normally hold the gum in place
now act as a perfect impromptu pocket index. I will usually take a pair of
scissors and cut it at and angle to make finding the bill slightly easier.
Figure 5.

Ill now show you how to fold the bills. It is fairly simple. Youll just hold
the bill with the face towards you. Figure 6. You will then fold the left side
over to the right side perfectly in half. You will then do it again. And again.
Follow figures 7-9.

You will fold all 6 bills in this manner. When they are folded you will add
them into the gum index. Figure 10.

Because there are 15 spaces, it allows you to put one bill in for every 3
spots. This puts a small gap in between each bill which you can feel easily
from the side. I should also mention that bills have to be put in a memorized
order. As you can see, my cut is on an incline. I put all the lower number
bills in the front. So it goes 12, then the second bill in is 13, and all the way
up to the top one which is 34. I can feel the orientation of the incline in my
pocket and I know which bills to remove. Its a fairly easy thing to count to
the correct bill in your pocket. Practice for a little while and you will get it
down perfect every time.
Now, that you know the basic workings, Ill walk you through the entire
routine.
You will start out with the index setup in your right jacket or pants pocket.
Left pocket if youre left handed. Youll start by getting a dollar from your
spectator. If they are reluctant to give you a dollar just assure them that
theyll get it back. Most of the time people dont mind giving you a dollar.
So, every time you perform this effect youll get a dollar unless they are
adamant about not giving you their precious buck. So, the spectator hands
you the bill and you look over it really quickly. Just long enough so they
realize that you are looking it over. When you are done you are going to fold
it up the exact same way you have the bills in your index. Once its folded
place it into the same pocket that holds the index. You are now going to ask
them if they have ever had any experience with mind reading. You will then
walk them through the way to do it mentioning how they are to look
through your eyes and all that. Have them hold up 5 fingers on each hand
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and then tell them to lower a certain amount of fingers on one hand, and
then lower a different amount of fingers on the other. Well say they lower 3
fingers on their right hand and 4 fingers on their left hand. From your
perspective you will see the number 21. So, you would simply have them
call out the number they see. They will obviously see the number 12. You
will have your hand in your pocket the entire time. As soon as you see the
number 12. You can remove it from the index. I usually have it removed
before I even ask them what number it is. Once they tell me I go into the
lines about how its amazing because 12 was the number I was thinking of.
They wont believe you, so you offer them a refund. You take the bill out of
your pocket and hand it to them. After a little build up you reveal the
numbers on the bill like in the presentation. At this point I will usually say
something like So, I think you definitely got your dollars worth. Ill take
that. And just grab the dollar out of their hand and put it in my pocket. Its
usually a funny moment and people dont care at this point. Alternatively
you could let them keep the dollar. But, you would just have to go back and
find another dollar which begins with the same two numbers that you just
lost. Or, you could use one of the alternate handlings which dont matter if
the bills are given back at the end.

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ALTERNATE HANDLINGS
HANDLING ONE
Here are two different handlings that you can use with this effect. Instead of
using the serial number I will sometimes carry a marker in my pocket. When
the bill is handed to me I will remove the sharpie and pretend to draw
something on the face. Saying something to the likes of If you ever get a
bill with a mustache on it, that was probably me. This will usually get a
laugh. I put the marker away and continue. Now, on the bills you have in
your index, rather then having the serial numbers match I have written the
correct numbers in George Washingtons forehead. Figure 11.

So, on the first bill Ive written 12. On the next, Ive written 13. All the way
up to the last bill where I write 34 on his forehead. Now, at the end of the
routine when I hand the bill back rather then having them look at the serial
number I say something like:
Well, in any case your time wasnt
completely wasted. You remember when I drew something on the bill in the
beginning. That Matt Mello original will be worth a lot of money one day.
Check it out.
They open the bill and see that Ive written the number they thought of on
his forehead. They can now keep the bill. All you have to do now is go into
a backroom and take out the original bill that they gave you. It will already
be folded up. All you have to do is unfold it and write in the number that
you just lost. Place it back in the index and youre good to go.
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HANDLING TWO
This is the handling that I think a lot of people will enjoy and probably use
more then the original routine. It doesnt go into the whole learn to be a
mind reader for a dollar bit, but the routine is very fun and engaging for
your audience. Its essentially a drawing duplication/prediction done with
dollar bills.
You begin by asking this question. Have you ever gotten a dollar bill and
found that old George had an unexpected mustache drawn on his face?
Everyone will agree that theyve had a bill like this and it will usually get a
laugh because of how you word it. Once they say they have I usually say
Yea that was me. I drew it. And I knew you would find it and make your
way to me eventually. But in all honestly I do usually doodle random things
on my bills.
I now remove a bill from my pocket and show that it hasnt been defaced
yet. I now turn the bill towards myself and make a drawing. While this is
happening I ask a spectator to remove a dollar bill. When I am finished with
my drawing I place the bill back into my pocket. I now talk about my most
famous pieces.
I usually draw one of six things. Never a combination. It will either be a
mustache, a beard, a pair of sunglasses over his eyes, an eye patch over one
eye, a hat, or Ill put a tie on him. So, with your bill Id like you to choose
one of those 6 things. Only one. And then draw it on your bill.
The spectator chooses to draw on an eye patch. You remove your bill from
your pocket and show that youve also drawn an eye patch.
The method to this should be very simple. Basically I have 6 bills and each
one has a different drawing. So, one bill has a mustache drawn on, another
has a beard, and so on all the way up to the tie. I usually like to put them in
order of height on the head. So hat would go at the top. Then glasses (I draw
them on his forehead flipped up). Then eye patch. Then mustache. Then
below that is the beard. And finally below that is the tie. So you can see how
they go in order. So, put them into your index in that order and you are good
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to go. Throw an extra normal bill into your pocket as well. You will
remove this from your pocket and show it to everyone. They will see that
nothing has been drawn on it yet. I now turn it to myself and pretend to
draw something. Im really just running my finger along the bill to make
sounds. While Im doing this I have the spectator remove a dollar. I fold my
bill up and place it back into my pocket. I now walk them through
everything that they can draw. Hat, glasses, eye patch, mustache, beard, and
tie. They draw whichever one they want. You simply watch as they draw it.
When they are finished you go into your pocket and remove the appropriate
bill from the index and your all set. When youre done go in the back and
put the bill back in.

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ADDITIONAL IDEAS
You could always find bills with the numbers you need that are anywhere
in the serial number. For instance if its, xxxxx12x. You could grab a pen
and just circle those two numbers. Do this to all the bills that you find
the numbers on. So, now you have a bunch of bills with the numbers
printed in the serial number, it just isnt the first two numbers. But, it will
make finding the bills much easier. So, when they hand you their bill in
the very beginning, you would take out your pen and just make a fake
circle on their bill. Fold it and put it in your pocket. Then simply remove
the needed bill after youve learned the number.
Another thing is more of a presentation idea. Rather then facing the
spectator when they are doing the number selection, face your back to them.
This way it looks even more like you couldnt have influenced their
choice. You simply turn away and have them hold both their hands up.
Tell them to lower any amount of fingers on their left hand. Ask them
when they are finished. Say Theres no way I could know how many
fingers youve dropped yes? You will automatically get a yes. You then
tell them to drop a different amount of fingers on the other hand. They do
this. You now turn around and go into the same thing of either calling it
from your perspective or simply having the spectator call out the
number they see. Once again, the only choices will be 12, 13, 14, 23, 24,
34.

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CREDITS
As previously mentioned, Banacheks number concept from PSI Series was a
big influence on the number process that I use. I just took what he started and
slowly whittled out some of the numbers to take it from a possible 15
outcomes down to only 6.
Ive never seen anyone use a pack of gum as a pocket index. So as far as I
know that idea is original to me. Alternatively, you could use this idea for
anything. You dont have to use it for bills. You could just as easily use it as
a billet index. You could load in more with billets as they would be thinner
and take up less room in the index. Just different things to think about.
As for the actual routine, Derrens Learn to be a mind reader bit was a big
step in creating this effect. It was basically created on what I thought Derren
was going to do.
I havent seen an effect like this released before. There have been plenty of
serial number revelations and predictions, but Ive never seen a spectator
guess it.
If there is anyone that I am forgetting please feel free to contact me at
mtricks16@aol.com with any additional information.
Matt Mello

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