Okay so I'm really interested in a few PK effects but they don't necessarily fit the "power" my character would have. I present PK as if the energy is actually coming from the spectator and I am just kind of a guide that helps the spec unlock this energy inside them. Never the less, PK is not a gift my character personally possesses. So my question is, using the "transfer of power" presentational angle is it possible to sneak a little PK into my act?
Look at the psychic world and you will discover that most Psychics have one primary ability along with one or two secondary skills that are sort-of there but not as reliable as the first. Then you have other latent abilities that they are trying to cultivate, which is why people take so many classes when it comes to being Psychic and developing said abilities. This is the real world and it is how your lay-audience will see things. But you have another "out" in this case.
There is a medical condition that affects roughly one in 20 people born; a bio-electrical-magnetism type field that can prevent them from wearing cheap mechanical watches, work on electronic equipment and a long list of other things depending upon how pronounced the condition is with that individual; some people with this condition and shock you better than an Electric Touch device and that's without walking across a carpet.
I happen to have a mild form of this condition and it is what I use as the foundation to any PK work I may do in the show (which I've stopped doing, simply because too many guys are doing it and doing it poorly . . . to the point of exposure). I start with a time stop bit on a borrowed watch, then PK Time and from there I can graduate into keys, spoons, lighting Light bulbs and ultimately I'd close with a Wine Glass bend ala Ted Lesley. Thing is, the whole presentation depended on this peculiar phenomena -- a medical condition, nothing esoteric though I do reference Mr. Geller and suggest that my condition could explain how psychics accomplish similar things.
If you are trying to give the audience members "the power" to do these things I believe you may want to approach it in a way that builds their confidence; start with some Pendulum bits (a great way to get everyone in the room involved) and then move into the "more difficult" bits such as spoon bending -- the spoon bending in the participant's hands for an example and then moving to the more visible bits.
NOTE: Check with Steven's Magic Emporium, they used to sell a set of special Keys & Nails for PK acts; they are made with a material that allows them to bend really easy and then you can reset them after the show. Yes, it does involve some switches but they are super clean and give you an edge few know about.
