"You genuinely want to know? Seriously? If you can keep a secret, I'll tell you the truth. Do you have a pen and paper? I actually have to write it down. [Performer scribbles something on a spare business card, folds it up, and hands it to the participant.] Look at me. You need to promise me-- you won't open this up right away. If you do, I'm telling you, it probably won't make any sense and you'll just end up throwing it away. But listen-- this one secret explains to nearly everything I do, and it's been cherished by every serious magician for nearly 200 years. Please, please don't show it to anyone else; just keep it to yourself. And when your curiosity gets the best of you later this week, I want you to open this up and take in the information. It won't make sense right away, but if you ever find yourself in the right place and the right time, you'll find everything you want to know about magic's most well-kept secrets."
On the back of the business card is, simply, "793.8"
A good friend of mine, Shawn Mullins, gave me this gem years ago, and I've been using it ever since. I think it's a great blend of mystery, humor, and actual practicality. Most importantly, I love this response, because it doesn't patronize the audience, and the magician genuinely doesn't have to flirt with lying to anyone at all. I think it's a genius way of answering the question while continuing to create a unique experience for everyone watching.
As far as the significance of 793.8? Wellllll... if you don't know, you don't know.
RS.