Classic Center Tear – Magic Trick
13 Aug, 2009 by James L. Clark in Magic, Magic Trick, Mentalism
Richard Osterlind in The Perfected Center Tear writes, "The history of the center tear is fascinating and mysterious. To this day, no one can be sure who invented it. In all fairness, it could have been one of those discoveries that a number of people came upon independently."
A "Billet" in the magical sense of the word, means a small piece of paper which is used generally in the performance of an effect of Mentalism and is used for the center tear.
This piece of paper may be of any texture and of any size, although it is usually conceded that a Billet is about the size of a Playing card or smaller (Corinda, 1968). Though, Osterlind who has decades of experience behind him using the center tear recommends that the paper should be around 2.5" x 3.5" inches, but that 3" x 5" inch note pads will work just fine. Others use white business cards, which are always on hand and can come into play without bring any undue attention. It should also be thick enough to not be see through; you don’t want to give people something to hone in on like that. Variations in size are okay and simply depends on what is available and what you prefer.
The Effect: Someone is asked to think of any word, the name of someone still with us but with whom they are close, or a number. The paper is then torn and burned. Then, with suitable build up you divine what was "thought of" by the spectator.
How It’s Done: Take a 2.5" x 3.5" slip of paper (billet) and fold it in quarters (half one way, then half again the other). For visual purposes, draw a circle in the middle about 1 to 1-1/2" in diameter and put a horizontal line from left to right as a reference marker; people will write on top of that, which will make it easier for you to orientate it. This is where you’ll have someone write information. Some mentalists use squares, triangles, and Lee Earle even draws a TV set to correspond with the patter he uses, but regardless, this will be the section you retain from the center tear and use to peek the information contained within it.
All you have to do is now invite someone to take the slip, write something in it such as a family member’s name or something else in ENGLISH. What you don’t want to happen is someone writes something in another language and you’re stuck trying to figure it out.
It is a good idea to use a pencil with soft lead rather than an ink pen, especially if you use a boon writer or other swami gimmick in routines before or after you use a center tear for continuity. It certainly isn’t critical, but worth consideration.
When presenting any effect using the Center Tear, be sure not to call what you are doing an effect or trick, but rather refer to it as an experiment or something else that would be seen as innocuous. In mentalism, it is always preferable to suggest that what you are presenting is psychological in nature and not a trick or something supernatural. The former invites them to look for a solution, whereas the latter can invite ridicule and skepticism.
This part may be a little confusing at first, so if you find yourself in that place, take a step back and try it again.
1.) Take the folded billet from the spectator between your right thumb and index finger. The center corner should be facing the inside of your palm so it can’t be seen. Tear half to two-thirds of the billet with your left thumb and index towards you and down. That will leave the corner with the circle in your right hand and out of view. Immediately put the right third on top of the left two thirds and re-grip for the next tear.
2.) Rip down another third from this packet and put that left packet under the right one. The torn corner is on top and the whole thing should be held by the right hand under the thumb.
3.) Rotate the strips clockwise using your right thumb and index and the pivot point at the far right of the packet. Now tear that packet in half and put the left half under the right and re-grip in the right hand. If done properly, the center will remain under the right thumb.
