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Copyright 2017 by Michael Murray All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the author. For television performance rights and further information, please contact [email protected]

CONTENTS • Introduction - (Page 4) • Credits & Inspiration - (Page 6) • The Moves - (Page 7) • Script & Presentation - (Page 8) • Additional Thoughts - (Page 13)

The Solution

THESOLUTION by Michael Murray INTRODUCTION: As a self-confessed lover of puzzles, I am certainly no stranger to the Rubik Cube.  In the past, I have played with several of the most popular, cube based magic and mental effects; most notably, ‘Rubik Remembered’ by Mark Elsdon, ‘The Cube’ by Takamiz Usui and Cube 3 by Steven Brundage. Audiences the world over are not only very familiar with the Rubik Cube, they are also under the false impression that these are very difficult to solve.  Almost everyone I have ever met has tried to solve one at some point in their life and, luckily for us, the vast majority have failed.  As such, it is very easy to understand why we get such great responses to those effects which culminate with a fully solved cube. Side Note: My very first standing ovation, was received after a performance of ‘Rubik Remembered’. Whilst I still enjoy performing Mark’s effect from time to time, I had always longed for a more personal routine, one in which the spectator themselves would seemingly be able to solve the cube.  After playing around with this idea for several months, the solution (pardon the pun), hit me out of the blue. By combining a healthy mix of visual, audible and verbal deceptions, I finally managed to create a routine, in which a random spectator is seemingly able to solve a regular cube by turning it behind their back. Note: Whilst the ability to solve a Rubik Cube is not strictly required to perform this effect, it may be wise for you to learn how to do so, as a precautionary step (should your cube become unintentionally mixed prior to, during or after your performance). The best tutorials I have come across to date, are detailed on the

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By Michael Murray following products • Rubik Remembered by Mark Elsdon • Cube 3 by Steven Brundage • CubeFX by Karl Hein and John George For those who would prefer a free resource for this, I would highly recommend taking a look at the following link (which, incidentally, is where I first learned to solve the cube). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeRFCTHRk7g

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The Solution CREDITS & INSPIRATION: Whilst I believed that the ‘spectator solve’ routine was unique with me, it appears that I was pipped to the post by an Australian magician by the name of, Vincent Kuo. Although Vincent has not yet released his routine, we did speak in private and we are both content that our methods differ. Without a doubt, this effect would never have been created without the inspiration of three gentlemen.  Mark Elsdon, who opened my eyes to the possibility of using a Rubik Cube, within the context of a mental demonstration. Takamiz Usui, who has some incredible work on the cube, his onehanded solve technique is the very best I have seen and is explained in full, on his DVD ‘The Cube’. Special thanks must also go to Steven Brundage, who singlehandedly, made the Rubik Cube more popular again via his amazing performance on the Pen & Teller ‘Fool Us’ show. Note: Whilst my own, one hand solve technique is taught via a link within this booklet, I strongly suggest that you still purchase ‘The Cube’, to learn the Takamiz Usui, version (which requires fewer moves and is a little more efficient for our requirements). Incidentally, after posting the premise of this routine on a private forum (CubeFX), Steven, quickly got in touch with me to secure the TV performance rights for a limited time. I am very proud that Steven loved this routine so much, that he now uses it as a closer to his show. You can view Steven’s original TV performance of this routine via the link listed over the page.

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By Michael Murray THE MOVES: To perform this effect, you must first learn a very simple one handed solve technique, along with a false mix Do not worry, these are very easy to learn and will only require a few minutes practice. To help assist with the learning of these techniques, I have added some video tutorials and interactive cube animations to a secret page upon the MindFX website. These can be accessed, via the following link. https://www.mindfx.co.uk/pages/tsst

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The Solution SCRIPT & PRESENTATION:

Holding up the mixed cube for everyone to see “The Rubik Cube is widely recognised as the worlds most popular puzzle. Despite the fact that we have all played with one at some point in our lives, the vast majority of us remain unable to solve one and by solving one, I do not mean by breaking the thing apart or removing the stickers. Please be honest, by a show of hands, who would presently consider it impossible for them to solve the cube? Note: The use of the word ‘presently’, is very important here, since most people given enough time would perhaps consider solving the cube to be an achievable goal. Addressing someone who has raised their hand “May I ask your name?” - The spectator will reply (Let’s assume the spectator’s name is Mary). “Please, give Mary a round of applause, as she makes her way onto the stage.” Position Mary so that she is standing directly to your right. Turning to face her, you suggest“Mary, normally when we attempt to solve the cube, we pay very close attention to the various colour combinations as we begin to turn the cube, like this (you will now give your cube a false mix, leaving it in exactly the same position as when you started (see instructional video page for the tutorial on this)). However, I don’t want you to do that. Instead, I would like you to take hold of the cube with both hands behind your back, so that you can begin to turn it, like this. Now, I do realise that this may appear to be a rather pointless exercise, and that this won’t help you to

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By Michael Murray solve the cube in any way. But, please bear with me, and I promise that this will all make sense in the end.” Note: Take note the specific, yet ambiguous use of the word ‘turn’. You will place the cube behind your own back and take a step forward (making sure that only Mary, can see the cube). In this position, you will begin to very slowly and deliberately, rotate the cube between your hands, without changing the physical layout of the cube itself. Note: As you demonstrate the turning procedure, be sure to squeeze the cube firmly as you rotate it. In quieter venues, the cube will produce a ‘creaking’ sound that perfectly emulates it being twisted. This audible illusion can really help to sell the fact that the cube is being mixed behind your back (in the minds of the audience). You will now suggest “Mary, when I hand you the cube, you can do this just as fast or as slow as you are comfortable with. I do not want you to potentially mess this up, by dropping the cube. Do you think you can do this?” Note: Notice the subtle reference, that you do not want them to mess up the cube. As soon as she replies positively, you will ask her to hold out her hands behind her back. Once she has done this, you must very slowly and deliberately display the mixed up cube to the audience one last time (showing it all around) before handing it to Mary, behind her back. Note: This also affords you the ability to orientate the cube, in preparation for the one handed solve. As you go to place the cube into her hands, you will secretly (using the cover of her body), perform the simple one handed

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The Solution steps required to solve the cube. Once Mary has taken hold of the cube, you will ask her to begin turning the cube exactly as demonstrated. I always take a step back, to watch the spectator complete several of the ‘revolutions’, just to ensure that they are following the instruction correctly. Note: So far, I have never had anyone fail to follow this simple instruction. I suppose if anyone did begin to twist the cube, I would just take it from them and go through the demonstration again, suggesting it will be far easier for them if they just turned it like this (repeating the demonstration again). Once I am content that the spectator is turning the cube correctly, I openly ask “Now, Mary, you would agree that this appears to be a rather pointless exercise, wouldn’t you?” Mary will agree. “And, there is most certainly, no way that you would ever be able to solve that cube by turning it like that, is there?” Mary will once again agree (since she is still under the impression that the cube is mixed). “The reason I am having Mary do this is to illustrate a simple, yet potent philosophical point. The late Napoleon Hill, once suggested, that whatever our minds can conceive and believe, we can achieve. And, in many respects, the exact opposite is also true. If we let doubt enter our minds, then this doubt can often manifest itself in reality. Mary doubted that it would ever be possible for her to solve the cube and it is this negative thought alone, that has prevented her from doing so. In this respect, it is very easy to see how our thoughts are able to shape our realities and that only by changing the way we

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By Michael Murray think, can we begin to unlock our true potential. Mary, I would like to ask you a couple of simple questions; firstly, would you agree that even the most mixed up cubes can be solved?” Mary will agree “…and, theoretically speaking, providing you were given adequate tuition and enough time to practice, irrelevant of whether this were hours, days, weeks, months or years, do you think it might be possible for you to learn how to solve the cube?” Mary will agree. “Mary, whilst maintaining this positive mindset, I would like you to stop turning the cube. However, it is important that you only do this when you feel comfortable.” Once Mary has stopped turning the cube “May I ask you one last question? Roughly, how many times do you think that you turned that Cube?” Allow Mary to Answer Note: Many thanks to my good friend Ken Dyne, for suggesting the above line, this really helps to cement the idea that the spectator was truly mixing up the cube. “Mary, with this new found self-belief, I would like you to tightly close your eyes. Once you have done this, I would like you to hold that cube high above your head, for everyone to see.” Mary will now reveal the solved cube “Congratulations Mary, you may take a look yourself. Today, you have achieved the impossible, and tomorrow the world is yours. Please, put your hands together once more for, Mary!”

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The Solution Note: By breaking the reveal in this fashion, the audience will first get to appreciate the effect as a whole and then, they also get a beautiful secondary moment, where they get to witness Mary’s reaction to this too!

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By Michael Murray ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS: Another way I have enjoyed performing this is, to hand the spectator the mixed cube immediately after doing the false mix (without doing the one handed solve). Halfway through the routine, you will then take the cube from them (ostensibly, to show the audience how mixed up the cube is getting). Only, as you go to hand it back for the second time, do you do the one handed solve. This, has the added feature, in that the cube is seen to be mixed whilst the spectator has a negative mindset and the cube only seems to solve when they are given the positive reinforcements. From time to time, your volunteer will periodically stop turning the cube as they listen to what you are saying. It is important, to encourage them to continue turning the cube as you speak. Should you wish, you can even encourage the spectator to ‘change direction’ several times throughout the demonstration. Another line I have used in the past is to suggest that what the spectator is doing, is very much akin to going around in circles and achieving nothing at all. If you are at all concerned that the spectator may inadvertently mess the cube up, you may wish to position them slightly to the right of centre stage. And, by standing slightly behind them, you will be able to keep an eye on them as the routine progresses. If you use one of the regular Rubik Cubes, you will find that these will hold their position far better than a speed cube. The tradeoff here is, that that they often produce a little more noise as you perform the one handed solve. To counter this, you can ask the audience to give the spectator some encouragement by applauding, as you seemingly hand them the ‘mixed’ cube. In many dual reality effects, the helper often gets a minor effect, whilst the remaining audience get the major effect. In this routine, there is

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The Solution still a huge pay off for the spectator who is helping and their reaction will speak volumes to the remaining audience. I never worry about the spectators talking afterwards, as either way, the effect is just as impressive. For those of you who have seen the Cube 3 demonstration, just think back to how impressed you were when you first saw the bag solve. Need I say more! Although I haven’t tried this personally, you could also use this as an apparent way of having the spectator mix the cube, prior to solving it behind your own back.

I sincerely hope that you have fun playing with these ideas! Best Wishes Michael Murray - 16th February 2017

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If you enjoyed this work please check out some of the other effects available at www.mindfx.co.uk While you are there, why not sign up to my free monthly newsletter too! Best Wishes Michael Murray (February 2017)