Mist by Adrien Lochon

Mist is one of my pet routines. If the title didn't give it away yet, it's based on Larry Becker's "Sneak Thief" and Max Maven's "Desire," as well as many other variations. But what makes this version different is it uses no gimmicks and no marks of any kind. All you need are four business cards and a writing instrument and you're good to go.

It's one of my workhorses because I get so much out of so little work. It can be done in walk around and table hopping situations. It involves multiple people. It can be made as long or short as I need it. It's technically easy to do, and it's a beautiful plot that, in my opinion, really shows what a mind reader is supposed to do.

In this routine, you hand four participants a business card each and ask them to draw something. When they're done, the cards are collected, mixed and handed to a participant. The participant turns over the first drawing and after you analyze it, you determine its author. You repeat the feat for the second and third drawings and, for the last drawing; you duplicate it without going near the card.

This method uses no marks, no gimmicks and is absolutely impromptu.