Effect:
I have found it helpful to narrate from the perspective of the spectator when explaining the effect of this trick. I feel it provides the best possible angle for the reader. I have also opted to leave all patter out of the instructions.
The magician picked me out of the crowd and asked me to step on stage to perform a card trick with him. He then pulled a box of cards out of his trouser pocket and proceeded to give me instructions as he removed the cards. He told me to watch closely as he riffled through the cards with his thumb. He then instructed me to silently and mentally select any card and memorize it. He proceeded to riffle his thumb through the deck a couple times until I assured him I had chosen a card and committed it to memory. He then placed the deck onto the table face up and spread it width wise so each card was exposed. He told me he had magically caused the card I mentally selected to vanish from the deck and asked me to look for it. I was amazed! I never said or indicated the card to anyone yet sure enough, it was not in the deck. He then asked me to pick up the empty card box on the table and instructed me to open it. As I pushed open the top of the pack, I noticed a card inside. Miraculously, it was my missing card!
