"Autobahn" by David Forrest
Suggested Retail USD$20.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 8 Out of 10

"Autobahn", the printed booklet of a previously sold PDF by David Forrest, is a neat, creative take on the "any card at a number" plot that will disappoint purists but will make the day of many a performer who wants to pull off a minor miracle with little fuss or muss.

The effect of "Autobahn" is going to be difficult to describe without tipping off everything, something I don't want to even come close to doing because it's so blessedly clever. So you'll have to bear with me while I get intentionally vague here and there.

It all begins with a spectator naming any old card from a deck. This is written down on the back of one of your business cards. Another spectator -- or the same one, if you're doing this for just one person -- uses what Forrest calls a "random number generator" on the back of your business card to arrive at a number, marking it. With everything written down so it can't be changed, the spectator then deals down to that number in the deck and, lo and behold, it's the card freely named.

Okay, so the plot's familiar, if a bit altered due to Forrest's working. But the benefits of his methodology is what makes this one such a fine piece of work.

With "Autobahn", it's not so much what's in the routine as it is what isn't present. There is absolutely no memory work involved. There are no mathematical calculations to be made. There is not a single sleight anywhere near this thing. There's no gimmicked or gaffed cards in play. There are no duplicates, either. There is also no reset and no problems with repeating this thing as you go a-strolling or a-hopping.

Those are usually the things that shoot the ACAN plot in the foot. "Autobahn", lacking those typical pieces of business, just keeps running along.

That's not to say "Autobahn" is some idea of a Holy Grail. You will need a deck set aside for this one, so be prepared for needing that extra pocket space. Also this is one dependent a lot on your business cards; you'll need to do some copying and pasting of some parts of the booklet onto your own business cards to perform this one. Also, you'll need to pay a bit of attention to your angles because, if your lax, a flash here or there will definitely get you noticed and not in a good way.

Me, I was disappointed when I first read "Autobahn". We're talking a level of disappointment here roughly equivalent to finding out that there is no Santa Claus. That made me set this one aside and forget about it. Yeah, I can be a little spoiled kid at times.

Later I picked it up, broke out the deck and the marker and the business cards and copied things and pasted things and gave it a shot.

Wonder of wonders, the thing took off with spectators like a balloon. It plays as a bit of fun, a bit of silliness, and yet packs a punch at the end. Watching the spectator deal the cards -- face-up even -- and realize the named card is at that number -- is worth the price of this one: the look on their faces is priceless.

This is a great effect. It's a bit convoluted -- it's not as straightforward as I would like -- but with all the pluses, that's a piddling minus to have to deal with.

If you're looking for something entertaining and interactive that packs a punch, look no further than "Autobahn". This is a good one.

"Autobahn" by David Forrest
In a Blink: 8 Out of 10

Material: 7
If you're looking for the Holy Grail of the ACAAN plot, this isn't it (technically, it's an ACAN anyway). In fact, purists will go nuts about a huge piece of its working (a popular ploy used by mentalists). But if you're looking for a sweet piece of thinking, a very neat routine that is quick and entertaining, then this one is for you.

Quality: 10
Forrest always -- always -- puts together some of the best documentation in the business. This is no exception. With all the details covered and with lots of additional work done to make sure you get the most of things, Forrest does it again.

Illustrations: 10
The black-and-white photos are plentiful and well-placed. A lot of thought was put into these and it shows.

Presentation: 7
It's a bit convoluted and that detracts a bit, but in the grand scheme of things everything is explained well and generally accepted by spectators without any problem. All in all, the presentation is a good one and works.


Shane

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