A chosen card appears to “melt” in front of spectators’ eyes. Peter Eggink’s Heatwave offers a different and visual card trick that employs a lighter and is sure to draw attention. And the melted card at the trick’s apex is something that spectators are not expecting.
Like a Heatwave
In Heatwave, a spectator selects a card and memorizes it, and it’s mixed back into the deck. The magician explains that the spectator's card has risen to the top. When the top card is revealed it’s the wrong card. The magician takes out a lighter, lights it and holds it under the wrong card. The card is turned over, and it’s now the spectator's selection.
The lighter is again held under the card, but this time, when the card is turned around, it has gotten too hot and the ink on the card has run (see the picture on this page). If the magician wants to, she can magically restore the card to its original condition and hand it out for examination.
Hot to Handle
Eggink offers two handlings. The first one is straightforward, the second felt rather convoluted to me. The trick is not difficult to perform if you have basic card handling skills.
You’ll have to perform a force. Eggink recommends a dribble, but I found that the glide worked just as well. You’ll need to control a card, double-cutting is fine, as well as execute a DL. The routine also requires a top change, but the move occurs at a relatively safe moment when the audience's guard is down. If you want to restore the card at the trick's end, you’ll also need to employ a color change, or apply Eggink’s suggested handling. For this, I adapted Marc DeSouza's Shapeshifter.
Packing Heat
I was pleased with the positive response that the trick garnered from spectators. Other advantages, the effect doesn't require a table, a plus in most of my strolling venues, and it immediately resets. This effect has merit.
The gimmicked card comes in blue Bicycle to work with your Bicycle deck. In execution, Heatwave is much like a color or back change effect, but here, it’s the face of the card that changes in a bizarre and unexpected way. Spectators are definitely surprised when that melted card turns up. If you’re looking for something visual and different, Peter Eggink’s Heatwave can be worth a look.
-Wayne N. Kawamoto
Dealers can purchase from Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc.
