I'm pretty new to magic (I've been doing it a few years), but the other day I got a reaction from some friends I could've only wished for.

We were just spending some time together, hanging out over the last weekend. We had just seen a movie and as we were sitting outside the theatre talking, I asked if they wanted to see something. They know I usually have a pack of cards with me, so when I pulled them out of my pocket they knew what to expect. I then proceeded to do the trick where the spectator picks a card by cutting the deck, writes the card's name down a piece of paper, watches the paper burn, and then watches as the name of their card appears on your arm after rubbing the ashes all over it (sorry, I don't know the official name). Anyway, after they cut the deck I started talking about how what I was about to do was based on a principle of Voodoo, reading signs from the spirit world and what not. I told them I'd seen this done before, but had never actually had it work myself. Then I finished the trick and acted as stunned as they were. But what really made their reactions great, was that they believed it all came from a spirit. They were actually afraid of what I'd just done. It was all I could do to keep from laughing. They've been talking to everyone they know now about the "scary" incident. I just hope people don't start thinking I worship Satan or something.

Anyway, have you ever had spectators react in a way that went beyond anything you were hoping for?

Yes. Very yes.

Once, I picked a random card from a deck and told a friend to think of any card. He thought of the same card.

And, once, I did Balducci for some guy and he totally flipped! It was hilarious.

So what was the movie you had just seen?

I love reactions like that. I did card in mouth to 2 friends (one does magic) and when i was "pulling" the different cards out of my mouth the thought it was a jip but when i pulled it out they were so frightened. I ended up doing it to a croud in a kindergarden playground.(but not to kindergardeners)

Do Penn and Teller's punctured eyeball bit. It never fails to get a gross out reaction.

I'm so glad this is in the Restaurant Walkaround section.

why?

Scl95: I love that trick. I remember it was one of the first that my brother showed me (he's the one that introduced me to magic). I can remember thinking he was a god. How'd the reactions go with the crowd in the playground?

Jamesjay1: Too true. I love doing that one for my mom (who freaks out every time).

A2r5r8: If that's supposed to be a sarcastic way of telling me I posted this in the wrong place, then please tell me where this should have gone. The description under the words "Restaurant Walkaround" on the index page says this: "Do you have a routine that is working really well for you? Which tricks do you use at school, on the street, at the restaurant or bar? Definitely share your wildest performance experience here!" I gathered from that that this was the best place to discuss great reactions. If I gathered wrong, let me know so I don't mess things up again.

Creecy: I think it was Facing the Giants, which, for what it was, wasn't half bad. At the risk of getting slightly off subject, I'm looking forward to seeing The Prestige this weekend. Christian Bail and magic: I don't know why someone didn't do it earlier.

My friend said what a rip off cause he bought a DVD with it. Then when i did it he flipped out. Girls go ewwwww guys go wow its all good