TOTALLY aWE-SUM CLOSE-UP
In 1978 in his book The World of Super Mentalism Volume I, Larry Becker introduced an effect he called ‘Sum Total’ a stage routine that utilised a beautifully disguised, simple mathematical principle, which enabled the performer to predict a random, audience generated, six-digit number in the hundreds of thousands.
In 2004 in his book ‘Simple Minded’ Greg Arce introduced his version based on Larry’s original, Greg called his routine
‘Awe-Sum Total’.
And it is just that, awesome. The routine appears almost completely hands off and in fact the performer can sit in the audience while a volunteer does all the work on stage.
Although over the years I’ve performed Greg’s version in cabaret numerous times, I always felt it would be great to be able to present such a strong routine, close-up from my pockets with minimal props, minimal handling and a quick reset time for table hopping, without losing the impact of the original.
So here for the first time and with Greg’s permission, I’d like to introduce
Totally Awe-Sum Close Up.
Effect:
Five, five digit numbers are displayed to the audience as a prediction. These predictions remain in full view throughout the routine and are not switched. The audience generates a random six-digit number in the hundreds of thousands, no forcing. The five prediction numbers are added together by an audience member using the calculator on his phone. The total matches the random generated number.
No finger flinging, no memory work, no complicated calculations, fast reset, worked from your pockets
Totally Awe-Sum Close up.
“I’ve always been proud of this routine. I know it’s devastated many a spectator and even mentalists. I love how Scott has taken the subtlety and method and turned it into a fantastic close up routine. It takes very little space in your pocket yet will play like a monster routine. Scott always amazes me with his construction of effects and methods. You are going to be thrilled when you see what Scott has put together." - Greg Arce
“Was chuckling before I got to the method. Very nice Mr Creasey” – Peter Arcane
“Bought it, tried it, loved it!” - Ian Howarth
“This is very good. So clean” – J Taylor
“Like all of Scott's work that I've seen, this is simple and innocent, and will play pretty strong. It's a nice adaptation of the more deceptive math-based effects around” – Dave Dodds
“Seemingly impossible, very deceptive and yet quite easy to do, "Totally Awe-Sum Close-Up" is another great release from Scott is a genius at making effects so deceptive yet simple to do at the same time….Well done!” - Stunninger