Rounding out the props are forcing cards and a matching wiregram-a seemingly innocuous wire that when heated with a flame or flashpaper takes the form of a predetermined (forced) symbol. Two different cards force either a symbol or playing card, and both outcomes are based on a freely chosen number. There are small test tubes that you can fill with liquid to drink to later reveal a UV message. There’s also a bottle of “Fuel” or UV ink that may be used to re-ink the stamper or paint objects so that they glow under UV light.
On the Wire
When presenting the wiregram effect, you, as a magician have to justify that you’re carrying around a piece of wire. In Chris Schuh’s performance on the DVD, he “finds” the wire on the ground while performing on the street, which greatly enhances the trick.When business is slow at one of my restaurants, the owners sometimes ask me to perform magic on the sidewalk in front to draw business in. This would be a great time to try out the wiregram. But I’m not sure how I’ll answer that inevitable and logical question from spectators, “Can I have the wire?” After all, I “found” the wire on the ground. In their eyes it’s simply a piece of trash that was turned into magic. I’ve encountered this problem before when performing Daryl’s Printo Presto, an effect where blank cards are magically printed. My spectators always seem to be looking for souvenirs.
Instructions
At the kits’ core lies the thorough instruction and background information. On the first DVD, which is excellent, Brad Christian introduces the various props and explains how to use them; offers introductory sleights for beginners (two forces, bill and color changes and DL) and dispenses lots of solid advice. The second DVD follows magicians Chris Schuh and Justin Miller as they perform Scorpion effects in real-world situations with spectators. There’s lots to learn from these pros.As you would expect, the manuscript and DVD explain and demonstrate various effects where revelations and predictions are revealed in different places through the use of UV light. The various revelations are based on cards, serial numbers on dollar bills, a significant date or set of initials provided by a spectator, symbols and more. There’s some great material here.
