Deja Voodoo - Bob Farmer

You place a small dictionary and a deck of cards on the table. “I’m going to show you something IMPOSSIBLE,” you say. The spectator names any card. He can change his mind if he wishes. Let’s assume the card is the Ace of Clubs. Pick up the deck, fan it and remove the Ace of Clubs. The card is placed, in full view, face-up on the table. “Remember that I told you, before we started, before you named a card, that I was going to show you something IMPOSSIBLE? To make sure that there is no argument about just what the word IMPOSSIBLE means, I’ve brought along this dictionary.” Open the dictionary to the definition of IMPOSSIBLE and read the definition. Then, turn the dictionary around so the spectators can see the printed page. The word IMPOSSIBLE has been outlined with a heavy black line. Written next to it, in thick black ink, is the name of the freely selected card: the Ace of Clubs! Flip through the rest of the book, there is no writing on any other pages! “But wait,” you say, “I’m not through.” Pick up the deck and show the faces and backs of the cards. There’s nothing to see. Just faces and backs. Now pick up the Ace of Clubs and turn it over. On the back, in thick black letters, is the word IMPOSSIBLE! And that card is the only card in the deck with any writing on it!

USED, stapled, 19 pages