No Small Talk by Chris Rawlins

“This is a game you’re meant to play with strangers.”

And with that opening line, you’ve got them hooked. Using a single plastic card that is kept in a simple Tyvek envelope, you’re able to know impossible things about the spectator and answer a question they’ve thought of, allowing you to perform Q&A one-on-one.

The routine begins with the statement above, and then the performer brings out the envelope and removes the card from inside. He looks at the spectator, writes something down on a blank billet, and puts it inside the envelope. The performer then reads off a list of ten personal yes or no questions from the card, and the spectator writes down their answers to the questions. Their answers are then tallied. Let’s say they have answered three questions with “yes” and seven with “no.” The performer removes the billet from the envelope and shows that he predicted exactly how they would answer.

The performer then has the spectator turn the card over. There, they find ten open ended questions. The spectator freely thinks of a number, finds the question at their number, and writes their answer on the back of the blank billet. That billet is put into the envelope and placed away. The performer then looks at the spectator and can know the question they have in mind, and ultimately, the performer answers the question precisely. 

I can’t express how well this plays. It is so incredibly simple, and yet, it really feels like you know things about the spectator that you shouldn’t know. The first phase is just a simple prediction of a single digit number, but it implies that you know precisely how they will answer each question, and then the second phase feels as about as direct as a Q&A could feel. You may have an idea of how one or both phases are done, but together they create a truly strong routine that is engaging and feels legitimate. Every moment of the routine is choreographed to perfection and is completely logical.

The props you receive are top quality, as you’d expect. They look and feel great. The gimmicked envelope makes the entire thing work, and it looks perfect. You can show both sides of the envelope, and there’s nothing to see. It’s very clever, and it’s made of Tyvek, so it will last a lifetime. The card is a flexible plastic that has a nice feel to it. Chris even provides the two blank cards for you to use in your first performance. The entire thing is presented as a game, which makes it feel like it exists in the real world outside of just a magic trick. 

The tutorial is just under 45 minutes, and it’s a perfect length. It includes a live performance, and then every aspect of the routine is covered. It’s a simple routine, but all of Chris’s little touches really elevate it. It’s easy enough that an absolute beginner could do it, but the performance skills are what really sells it. If I were a strolling mentalist, this would be something I performed for every single group. This one routine is enough to leave a lasting impression on them. 

It’s also perfect to keep in your wallet if you’re a stage mentalist. If you see someone after the show or out and about, and they recognize you and want to see something, you can always be set up to launch into this, and they will feel like they experienced something akin to a private reading. 

My one note is that it’s definitely a professional tool that should be performed for strangers. It can’t really be done for people you know because you’ll know some or all of the answers to the yes/no questions. Chris does talk about a way around that, but I still think it’s best for strangers or new acquaintances. 

No Small Talk is available for £35 here:

https://c-r-products.yolasite.com/Store.php#!/No-Small-Talk/p/789240328