Magic Envelope Trick

Effect: 

The magician asks for a volunteer to write down four numbers on a piece of paper.

The magician asks the volunteer to TOTAL up the numbers.

The magician opens a sealed envelope and it has the same number as the TOTAL!

(or have the magic puppet pull out an envelope and hand it to the magician.  Have the puppet "whisper" to the magician to open up the envelope.)

Supplies:

~piece of paper
~a pen
~an envelope

Secret:

Before the show, write down a four figure number that is 2 times the current year's date.  For example, in the year 2000, the number would = 4000.  In the year 2001, the number would = 4002

Seal the paper in the envelope.

At the show, ask a helper to write down the year he was born.

Ask him to write down the year of an important event in his life (for example, the year he started school or the year he lost his first tooth)

Ask him to write down his age

Ask him to write down the number of years that have passed since the important event

(these numbers HAVE to be right *grin*... if it's been 4 years since the event and he writes down 3, the trick won't work)

The years have to be whole numbers (he can't say he's 6 and a half years old)

Have the assistant TOTAL the 4 numbers.

Open the envelope.  The TOTAL will be the same as the number you already wrote down!