Without actually saying and without making it look like the cliched line. All I can think of it either "Think of a card." "Name a card." "Touch a card." or whatever else. Tho even if you spread the cards it can look tired and lame. There has to be a non cliched, interesting way of saying that time old line. Without making yourself look like the typical magician.
Forgot to mention that there are performers who are able to say the exact line without looking stupid or lame. I know Bill Malone might do it while having a card stick out as a joke. I can't think how Vernon or anybody else would do it tho. I remember Steerpike mentioning that Eugene Burger is able to pull it off decently enough, but that's mainly due to his tone of voice and character.
Forgot to mention that there are performers who are able to say the exact line without looking stupid or lame. I know Bill Malone might do it while having a card stick out as a joke. I can't think how Vernon or anybody else would do it tho. I remember Steerpike mentioning that Eugene Burger is able to pull it off decently enough, but that's mainly due to his tone of voice and character.
