The Blind Leading The Blind
by
Chris Johnson
(c) Copyright 2007, 2013
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It's an older photo of myself from 1999 at a time when I used to perform some of my ESP demonstrations while blindfolded.
Years ago, I saw one of my early inspirations in the form of Ronricco who is the BEST hypnotist I have EVER seen.
He was one of the last of the old greats dating back at least to the 1950's and his shows included demonstrations of ESP, mentalism and hypnosis.
In fact, he was also my 2nd opportunity to be on stage in front of the public at that very young age as I recall being asked on stage to explain the meaning of the word "ornithorynchus". It doesn't mean much for others to know that but for me, at the age of 11 (going on 12), it meant a hell of a lot.
But the first time I saw him was in 1983 when he hypnotised a number of people who were volunteers and also his two assistants.
One of his assistants was hypnotised so that he could literally be controlled by Ronricco's mental thoughts.
Ronricco would gesture and his blindfolded assistant would literally either stop, turn, raise a hand, and more according to the movement or thought of the hypnotist. Other times I'd seen him since then, the mentalist would even be blindfolded himself using plaster, dough, sticky tape, ping pong balls and all manner of other contrivances to make it impossible to see. Still he could navigate better through an obstacle course than if he were wearing his glasses.
My last conversation with him was after a show where he visited my old hometown of Rockhampton. I knew then it was coming up to his last show although it was never advertised as such. His movements were slowing but his mind as agile as ever. Unfortunately Ronricco is no longer with us, having passed away in 2007 after a long battle with ill health. I'm not sure how old he was but the photo sent to me by another colleague was nothing like the large man I used to know and last saw some 10 years ago. I still have his flyer, personally autographed for me when I saw him in 1994. He gave me encouragement to keep following what I was doing.
My own adventures with blindfolds were probably a little more daring. Although I knew what I was doing, my heartbeat was thumping faster than a bunny's humping. They have included riding a bicycle blindfolded in traffic, jumping over audience members (while blindfolded), hopping from chair to chair without falling and then...
There was also the time I attempted to duplicate the same stunt as Ronricco except I didn't have an assistant to control. I had to wear the blindfold myself.
A bright pink balloon was inflated and bounced amongst the audience, one person to the next, until a particular song stopped on a tape playing from a stereo. The person who had the balloon when the music stopped would have to hold on tightly to the balloon. Before this happened, I was blindfolded with putty, band-aids, a handkerchief over my eyes and
then a black cloth bag. The blindfolding was done by other audience members and seen to be secure and light-proof.
Once they were back in their seats, I took a shaky departure from the stage via the steps into the audience while holding a very nasty sharp dagger.
The thoughts from the audience were my only guide and I would walk step by step, sensing the thoughts as I went as well as other impressions. Finally I raised the knife, poising it ready to strike when I stopped the blade from whistling
downwards.
It's lucky too.
What I believed to be the rubbery surface of a round balloon turned out to the be the shiny oval of a man's bald head. If I'd been two inches too slow, I'd have given him a nasty slash and I could have been writing this from prison!
I put my hand out, patted the bald head and made a joke to get around the near miss before picking up some TRUE thoughts... not those of a smart aleck joker as I had been.
Finally it ended as I sliced through the air and the latex bubble which exploded loudly... and then the applause before I ripped the blindfold off.
There is much more to what I call Sightless Vision. Sometimes I still do the dangerous things but as I get older I know that it's like riding the same rollercoaster over and over. Statistically speaking, there just may be an accident one day.
That's why my heart still beats so fast as the adrenaline course through my veins as I don a black blindfold.
Besides, I know some think it's just so damn sexy! What's your personal thought?
ESPecially Best Wishes,
Chris Johnson
PS: You can learn more about the shows I do at special gatherings and corporate events by visiting www.thementalist.com.au
