Introduction

Another ACAN routine? What's the deal Dave?

Some of you may be familiar with my other ACAN routine, 'ROUTE 1', and may
very well be asking yourself the above question. Well, first of all, 'AUTOBAHN'
is actually a wee bit older than 'ROUTE 1' in terms of conception. Secondly,
'AUTOBAHN' is truly a 'workers' solution whereas 'ROUTE 1' is a bit more
'purist' in approach. Finally, 'AUTOBAHN' is designed with the table
hopper/stroller in mind - it's designed specifically for close-up conditions. This,
coupled with the fact that it's just too damn practical for words, prompted me to
release it. I think you'll be glad I did!

I had a real desire to perform the 'Any Card at Any Number' plot for the type of
audiences I perform for most often - people sitting around a table or people
standing around awkwardly, making idle chit-chat with 'colleagues' and 'clients' -
Uuugh! (It's these type of gigs that remind me how lucky I am to be a lowly
magician!) I couldn't really find anything suitable. Most ACAN's are designed
more for the parlour or stage type environment and simply could not be adapt-
ed for my needs. So, I thought about the problem for a while (a LONG while
actually) and eventually came up with a reasonable solution. That reasonable
solution has since been tweaked and re-modeled into the lean, mean ACAN
machine that you are about to be privy to.

Keep in mind that everything in the ad copy is true. No memory, no maths, no

sleight of hand, no gaff cards, deck is examinable, spectator does the counting
and on and on… If you know of a more workable, close-up solution that trades
off less of the effect than this version, I'd love to hear about it but my bet is that
I won't be hearing from any of you any time soon! Enjoy.

All the best,

Dave.
You will need

1. A stack of your own business cards.

2. A 'blank both sides' piece of card the same size as your business cards.
3. Two Sharpie markers. (preferably red)
4. A glue stick
5. A deck of cards
6. AUTOBAHN artwork (last pages of this manuscript - print both pages)

Preparation

Take the deck of cards from its case. Discard all advertising cards and Jokers. Stack
all 52 cards in the following order from the top down:

3H, AC, QC, AH, 5C, 6S, 10D, AS, 4D, 6D, 9H, 5S, 8S, QS, 2H, 2S, 9S, 2D, 5D,
KD, JC, 9D, 3S, 7C, 7S, JS, 10H, 6C, KS, AD, 2C, KH, 10S, 8H, 3D, 8D, QD, 9C,
5C, QH, 7H, 4H, 8C, 5H, 4C, KC, 10C, JH, 4S, JD, 7D, 3C, 6H.

This is a completely random stack. It's the one I've been using for ages. I simply
shuffled a deck and made the cheat sheet to show me the order. It's worth pointing
out that if you already have a mem-deck system that you use (such as the Aronson
stack), you don't need the cheat sheet at all. Simply arrange your deck into the
known order and use that.

OK, cut out the small narrow cheat sheet from the
Fig.01
page you printed out. You'll find that it has the
same dimensions as the long side of a card case.
Using the glue stick, attach the cheat sheet to the
left hand long edge of the card case. Fig.01. You'll
see that the cheat sheet has been split into red
and black and that each suit is individually identi-
fied by its own suit symbol. This makes locating the
correct card, and subsequently the number
attached to it, an absolute breeze! Now, if you want
to test your new stack/cheat sheet combo simply cut to a card and use the card
case to identify the numerical position at which it lays - piece of cake!

Note: to preserve space, the number '10' is displayed simply as '0' on the cheat
sheet. I realize that the numbers are very small. I don't have any problems with my
eyesight but I realise that it may be a problem for some of you. With this in mind,
I've included a second, larger cheat sheet that is the size of the entire back of the
card case should you find the smaller one too difficult to read.

Now that you can correctly identify the numerical position of any card called for
quickly and easily all you have to do is provide a means by which to have a specta-
tor 'choose' that number. To do this you'll create a stack of 'Random Number
Generators' (From now on, 'RNG's') using your own business cards and the artwork
provided on the sheet you have printed out.
Before going any further, let's have a closer look at the RNG itself. In order that you
may quickly locate the correct number on the RNG in actual performance, the num-
bers have been arranged in such a way that is not quite as random as it may first
seem. Firstly the numbers are 'grouped' into three areas. The numbers 1 through 19
are located in area 1.The numbers 20 through 40 are all located in area 2 and the
numbers 41 through 52 are all located in area 3. Fig.02. In addition to this grouping
of numbers there is also a 'zig-zag' pattern at work that will help you to locate any
number you require very quickly. Fig.03 shows the zig-zag pattern that will lead you
through the numbers 1 to 10. Fig.04 shows the zig-zag pattern that will lead you
through the numbers 10 to 20. Fig.05 shows the pattern that will lead you through
the numbers 20 to 30. Fig.06 shows the path through 30 to 40. Fig.07 shows how

Fig.02 Fig.03

Fig.04 Fig.05
 Fig.06 Fig.07

you get from 40 to 52. As you can see, there is a slight 'leap' to be made between
40 and 41, but otherwise you will always find that by simply locating a number that
is close to your target number you will only be a few 'zig-zag' moves away from your
goal. This system, coupled with the fact that the presentation has been

constructed to allow you more than ample time to locate your target number makes
this a very easy routine to perform.

OK, let's create some RNG's! First, cut out all the RNG's from the sheet. Now take
the double blank piece of card stock and glue one RNG onto one side of it. Place
the card on the table in front of you so that the numbers, from your point of view are
the right way round. Turn the card stock over, so that you are looking at the blank
side, by taking the long edge furthest away from you and turning the card over
towards you. In this position, glue a second RNG to the card, again so that the num-
bers from your perspective are the correct way round. You have basically created a
double faced RNG card. If you flip this card over widthwise, the numbers on the
RNG should always face the same way.

With this complete take a number of your business cards and stick RNG's to the
back of them. One will be used for each performance so make as many as you
think you'll need. However many you choose to make, you'll need the same number
of regular, unprepared business cards. Stack the business cards in the following
order, from the top down:

Regular business card - blank side up, Double faced RNG card, Stack of RNG busi-
ness cards - RNG side up, Stack of regular business cards - blank side up. All the
RNG's should be in the same orientation.

Ok, we're nearly there. Take one of the red Sharpie markers, remove the cap and
allow it to completely dry out. This won't take as long as you might think and if you're
anything like me you'll have a pile of 'almost done' markers lying around anyway! In
case you haven't guessed already, this effect uses the 'dry marker principle'! If you
don't know what that is, you're in for a REAL treat!

Finally, take the cap of the marker that is drying out and buff one side of it with a bit
of sandpaper. If you don't have any sandpaper, take the pen cap outside and rub it
on the ground a few times. This 'roughing' of the cap will allow you to distinguish
between the dried out pen and the regular pen with touch alone.

Place the stack of business cards, the deck and both markers into one pocket - I
use my right jacket pocket. You're ready to go.

When you would like to perform AUTOBAHN, remove the deck from your pocket.
(Another nice thing is that the nature of the effect justifies a second deck being
brought into play) Just by holding the deck naturally, the cheat sheet can be read
easily.

"I'd like to try something here just before I go. I shuffled this deck thoroughly last
night and immediately, without looking at any cards or noticing the order, I slipped
them back in the case. They haven't been out since! I'll be honest with you now, this
doesn't always work. The sheer randomness of the idea is such that it really should-
n't work and therefore, rarely does. The actual odds of a successful conclusion are,
quite seriously, astronomical!"

"Madam. I'd like you to simply name any card in the deck. Don't make it an obvious
card, like the Ace of Spades but name out loud, any card you think of."

Let's say she replies "The Nine of Diamonds!"

"The Nine of Diamonds? That certainly is an obscure card and most definitely a free
choice on your part, yes?"

You are holding the deck in your left hand. As you say the above, go to your right
jacket pocket with your right hand and remove the working marker along with the
stack of business cards. It is at this point that I check my cheat sheet for the numeri-
cal position of the Nine of Diamonds - it's in position 22. Look at fig.08 This shows
how the cheat sheet can be brought directly into your eye line in a natural way as
the right hand goes to the right pocket. Fig.08

The right hand comes out of the pocket with the

business cards and the working marker. You will
transfer these items into your left hand, so either
place the deck down on the table or, and this is my
preference, place it in a spectators hand and ask
them to place their other hand on top. This may
seem bold, but in actual fact the odds of them dis-
covering the cheat sheet are very slim indeed. First
off they are definitely not looking for anything at Fig.09
this stage and secondly, if they were to see it I
doubt whether a lay person would even comment
on it. At the end of the day, it's up to you but trust
me, placing the deck between the spectators hands
is by far the stronger option. OK, so you now con-
tinue:

"As we go along, so that everyone remains on the

same page, I'm going to record the choices that
are made." Fig.10

As you say the above line, un-cap the marker and

replace it on the bottom of the pen. Now position
the stack of business cards deep in the left hand
as in fig.09. Now gain a break under the top two
business cards - a regular un-gimmicked card and
the double faced RNG - and move them forward as
in fig.10. You now have access to an RNG card as
well as the blank side of a regular business card.
You are going to write down the name of the
selected card, in this case, the nine of diamonds,
and as you do you'll also make a small ink dot
(actually, a small 'tick' looks more realistic but it
doesn't really matter) just on the edge of the num-
ber 22 circle on the RNG. Don't mark the circle
dead centre. (Fig.11.) Being slightly off allows you
a nice subtlety in a moment. You have all the time
Fig.11
it takes to write down the name of the card to locate the correct number and mark it.
And, you can always ask, "What was the card again? The Nine of Diamonds - that's
right.", should you need to buy yourself a wee bit more time.

So, you've marked the correct number and you've written down the chosen card.
Move both the 'up-jogged' cards back onto the
stack. Re-cap the marker and put it in your right
jacket pocket. Turn the stack of cards towards your
audience and show them that you have written
down the 'Nine of Diamonds'. As you display the
card remove it from the stack with the other hand.
This will reveal an RNG card underneath it, but it's
completely blank - which is nice! Fig.12. Hand the
card to the spectator who named the card and ask
Fig.01
them to keep it safe before drawing attention to the
RNG card. Continue:

"Now simply naming any card is certainly a very fair way to have a card chosen but
it's not truly a random event. At the end of the day, you still made a choice and
some may argue that certain people are prone to choosing certain cards or whatev-
er. A truly random choice is almost impossible to achieve - almost! You see on the
back of this business card here I have the worlds smallest 'Random Number
Generator'! This contains the numbers 1 to 52 arranged randomly. I don't want to
show it to you for too long because in order to achieve a truly random event, you
shouldn't be familiar with the positions of any numbers. In fact I'm going to have you
place it behind your back…"

As you go through this spiel, gain a break under the top two cards of the stack. Turn
both cards over as one and lift off the top card only. Thanks to the double faced
RNG card everything looks cool but you've actually switched in the marked card.
Hold the card face down in the left hand as the right hand places the rest of the
business cards into the right pocket. As it dumps the cards, the right hand feels for
the rough cap of the dry marker and removes it from the pocket.

OK, this is the most important part of the routine - it's essentially out of your hands
for a few moments and a successful outcome depends on your ability to give clear
and implicit instructions. Un-cap the marker and replace the cap on the bottom of
the pen. Continue:
"OK, I want you to take the pen and the card behind your back and simply dab the
tip of the pen once on the card. This way, we'll arrive at a completely random num-
ber. Be careful you don't get ink on yourself and just dab the tip of the pen once on
this side of the card."

As you are saying this, you still hold both the pen and the card and are demonstrat-
ing everything that you are telling them. When you are sure they understand, hand
them both the card and the marker and have them carry out the task. When they
have done that, ask them to bring both items back out in front of them again.
Immediately, take the pen from them, re-cap it and drop it into the right jacket pock-
et. Continue:

"Take a look at the numbers on the back of the card. Did you make a mark?"

They'll see the mark you made earlier and confirm that they have.

"OK, which number would you say that your mark is closest too?"

This is the subtlety I mentioned earlier. To the rest of the group it appears that the
spectator is being given a certain degree of freedom to 'choose' a number. In reality,
there is only one number they could honestly say the mark is indicating, and that's
the target number. This is the subtle brilliance of the dry marker principle that I feel
is often overlooked. If you look at it from the spectator's point of view, there is
absolutely no way in the world you could have influenced which number would be
chosen. You don't even look at the card after they have it, it's marked by them,
behind their back and then they even get to 'decide' which number they feel the
mark is closest to. It truly is, as Max Maven would say, a thing of terrifying beauty!

So, your spectator informs you that they feel the mark lies closest to the number
'22'. You are now in a place where magicians feel all warm. There is a deck in one
persons' possession, it's been there from the start and could not have been manipu-
lated in any way. One person holds a business card with a freely named selection
on it. And, yet another person holds another business card with what really appears
to be a randomly determined number on it. Other than that, there is just you and as
much bullshit as you feel is necessary between here and the successful conclusion
of the effect. I'm not sure of your own particular brand of bullshit, but here's a wee
sample of mine:
"So, let's think about this. You have the shuffled deck and you've had it from the
start. You named a card. It was a free choice and it's written on the business card
right there. Show it around. (She does) The Nine of Diamonds! And finally, you
selected a number in a way that is completely random - not even you could have
known what the number would be - correct? (They will agree) Remember I said the
odds on this turning out would be astronomical? Well, now you see why, right?"

Take the deck from the spectator who is holding it. Clearly show empty hands and
be as fair and deliberate as possible. Remove the cards and hand them back to the
spectator. Show them the inside of the box and have them confirm that it is empty.

"Please deal the cards to the table*, face up, one at a time, counting one card for
each number and stop when you reach twenty one."

*If you're strolling, place both your hands out in front of you, creating an impromptu
table onto which the cards are dealt.

The spectator deals the cards one at a time, face up. Stop them when they reach
twenty one and milk it a bit more.

"I haven't seen the Nine of Diamonds yet but I'd have to say, and you'd have to
agree, that if the next card, the card at position 22 in the deck, is the Nine of
Diamonds then we'll all have witnessed something a little out of the ordinary. Turn it
over."

The 22nd card is turned over. It is the Nine of Diamonds. Your spectator's brains
begin to melt simultaneously.

To re-set simply place the Nine of Diamonds face up onto the dealt cards and place
the whole pile face down onto the un-dealt cards. Slip the deck back into the case.
To re-set the business cards, simply move one regular card from the bottom of the
stack to the top - that's it. You're re-set!

Finally

Well, there you have it.An anytime, anywhere ACAN designed specifically for use in
close-up performing situations. I hope you get as much use out this as I have over
the years - it’s been a good friend to me so please, take care of it!

A quick note on the RNG artwork - it is designed to fit the majority of business
cards. If you have an exceptionally small, enormously huge or oddly shaped busi-
ness card and are having problems making things work with the provided artwork
simply e-mail me at dave@full52.com and I’ll send you a JPEG of the image that
you can stretch, squeeze or manipulate however you see fit.

That’s all for now. As always, thoughts and comments are always welcome and may
be directed to dave@full52.com. And, if you’ve never stopped by the website,
please do. It’s a wonderful little corner of cyber-space! www.full52.com

Cheers,

Dave Forrest.
Cheat Sheets
Random Number Generators