Antoninus Pius Version 2.0 - Trick

The legend tells that in the year 141 A.D. Antoninus Plus, the Roman Empire Emperor, had to go on a journey due to problems in the borders, while his beloved had to remain in the city. It is said that during the time, the Emperor communicated with his beloved in a very special and unique way: both had decided that, on a certain time of the day, she would write a message on the sand and Antoninus would randomly take some stones with different words engraved on them. He would turn the stones around and the message that appeared was the same as the one written on the sand (by his beloved). The following day Antoninus was the one who would write on the sand his beloved would choose the stones. In that way, at the end of that long journey, they were able to feel closer than ever before.

After telling the legend, the magician shows his audience six engraved wooden pieces which he will make face down a table. he also shows them a beautiful box with sand in its inside.

The magician explains that, in the way of Antoninus, he has drawn a picture on the sand inside the box, which is now hermetically sealed and he asks someone from the audience to hold the box with their hands and to choose one of the six wooden pieces. The magician explains that there has been only one part of the experience and that now the participant (as Antoninus's beloved) will draw something on the sand and the magician (as the Emperor) will choose a piece and the prediction matches.

At that point, the magician asks his audience: "Do you still believe this story is only a legend?"