Duplicity is a very different approach to a drawing duplication. Rather than duplicating someone's drawing, you have her duplicate your drawing... and then you go back and show exactly how you allowed her to do it. Far from being a let-down, this apparent peek behind the curtain moves the effect out of the realm of the impenetrably inexplicable (and therefore "unacceptable" in many people's eyes), and into the realm of the wholly believable yet still gobsmackingly incredible. Here's how it plays out...

You invite someone to be your assistant in a thought experiment. You say a few words to explain what you're going to attempt, help relax her, and put her in a receptive state of mind. Then you ask her to draw a picture of an object of her choice, keeping it hidden from you and from the rest of the audience. Afterward, you confirm with her that she could have drawn anything, and that her choice was a free one. She agrees. You then unveil a picture that you drew earlier as a prediction, which you show to the audience, but not to your assistant. But before you see if her picture matches yours, you say you'd first like to demonstrate exactly why you predicted this particular thing. You then repeat, word for word, what you said to your assistant before she started drawing. In retrospect, the entire speech is seen (or rather, heard) to be a series of subtly veiled suggestions aimed at planting the image of your prediction into her mind. As the audience hears it for the second time, they realize it's full of phrases that seemed innocuous at first, but now stand out as glaringly obvious references to the object in your picture. Although your assistant still hasn't seen what you drew, she quickly catches on to what's happening, and her increasingly startled reactions make it clear that she recognizes how each phrase really did influence her thoughts. Finally she reveals her drawing which, of course, matches your prediction.

Important points to remember: The assistant's choice of what to draw really is a free one, and she makes it when she appears to. There is no force, no pre-show, and no selecting from a list or a stack of cards or anything of the sort. She experiences the same effect that the audience sees, and is just as astonished by it.

So that's the effect. Now for more details, here's the section I like to call the...

Q: Is it 100% reliable?

A: From the audience's perspective, the effect will always be successful. From the performer's perspective, the precise nature of that success can occasionally differ from what was intended. In other words, because it relies in part on certain psychological and probabilistic principles, the effect plays as described about 80 to 90% of the time in my experience. However, the alternative outcome is perfectly strong and satisfying in its own right, and is never perceived as failure in any way. So while there will be times when the effect takes a different direction than planned, there's no danger of it "not working."

Q: What's the difficulty level?

A: Let's just say this isn't for beginners or lazy people. Knowledge of basic mentalism techniques is assumed and required. Beyond that, the effect isn't technically difficult, but it does require work. You'll need to invest some time and effort into getting some things together before you can even begin to practice it, and then you'll have a good deal of practicing to do before you can perform it. Hey, if it were quick and easy, everyone would be doing it.

Q: What kind of performing conditions are required?

A: The routine is adaptable for any size audience, though it's best to have at least two people -- one to assist you, and one to show your prediction to. The mechanics can be customized to work under any circumstances from intimate close-up to stage, and the timing can be adjusted from a quickie to a full-blown performance piece.

Q: Can it be performed in other languages?

A: Yes. Though I'm not personally fluent in any language other than English, I can't imagine a spoken language that doesn't have the required characteristics to make the effect work (and the few multilingual friends I've shared it with agree). But know that adapting it will require some extra effort above and beyond simple translation.

Q: What comes with the effect?

A: A handsomely produced, 42-page, 8.5 x 11-inch, staple-bound booklet that meets my usual demanding standards for clarity and readability. Inside this booklet you will find: a thorough discussion of the method and everything that goes into it; numerous explanatory examples; exercises to help you personalize the routine; adjustments for various performing conditions; tips on spectator selection and management; a generous assortment of presentational variations, including impromptu, two-spectator, over-the-phone, and audio-visually enhanced versions; and a bibliography for further reading. You will not find gratuitous filler, bonus effects, irritating self-hype congratulating you on the wisdom of your purchase, or illustrations. (And if you're put off by the idea of having to read 42 whole pages with no pictures just to learn one effect, then this very probably isn't for you.)

Q: What else do I need to know?

A: If you're looking for a slick new method for a drawing dupe and/or prediction, you won't find it here, as the mechanics rely on established principles that you probably already know. If you're looking for a new effect to add to your show next week, you won't find it here, as this one requires more time and preparation than that. But if you're looking for a powerful way to deliver an engaging, memorable, and utterly believable psychological experience that's well worth the effort required to perfect it, then Duplicity may very well be what you're looking for.