I've followed the long, long thread on The Final Answer. It sounds really great but a bit steep for me at $395. Likewise The Lemon Game at $350 or so.

Can anyone suggest the best "budget" alternative? Is Mesika's Bill in Lemon a solid, under $100 option? Any others you recommend?

Bill Malone has a bill in lemon on his 2nd DVD.

Ray

I like Cellini's method in his book the Royal Touch, I have seen a few other versions but this seems really strong and very practical to me.

Doc Eason has a nice one on one of his vids.

Or for stand-up, you could have a bowl of lemons sitting somewhere. At the end of your show,
someone picks one,
you clearly show your hands empty,
dig your TT into one of them and find it that way.

Simple. Cheap. Effective. And signed.

Tim Ellis teaches one on his Ellis in Wonderland DVD. The bill is signed, and found in your favorite impossible location (including lemon).

Mike

I recommend Mark Wilson's version. Though I am positive that the other versions are spectacular, Wilson's is very effective.

This is the version that I use on a consistent basis. It can be found in Wilson's book. The book cost me about $9.95 SEVERAL years ago on eBay.
Jim

A few version I would recommend (I performed them all at one point or another):

-Richard Sanders' "Lime" (Lime: A signed bill in lime which can be done in short sleeves. The spectator can pull the bill from the lime himself...it is really in there! from his "video tricks" http://www.thatsimpossible.com/products.htm )
-Mark Wilson (from his book "Cyclopedia of Magic")
-Doc Eason's (Steve Spill), DVD volume 2
-Bill Malone's "Counterfeit Money", DVD volume 2
-Scott F. Guinn (from his book)
-Barrie Richardson's (from his book "Theater of the Mind", the spectator does all the work!!!!)

I personally do NOT recommend Cellini's routine because the switch is at the wrong moment (at least for me) as there is too much heat at that particular moment.

I also perform Doug Malloy's "The Lemon Game" and it is the one I perform most often if I have my suitcase, if not I perform either Steve Spill's or Richard Sanders' routine, or Barrie Richardson's (if I have enveloppe nearby).

But remember that the method is not important to your audience, it is how you present it and sell it!!!

My 2 cents.

Ronnie Lemieux
Montreal
Canada

I thought that Carl Cloutier had the best one out there. Actually, I still like his, but I would definately recommend Bill Malone's version. No switches, direct and to the point. And absolutley hilarious I should add.

As Ray said, vol 2 of the "On The Loose" DVD series.

Brian

Another vote for Bill Malone. Besides he has a lot of other great effects on the DVD as well. You won't be disappointed.

Caleb

Doc Easons "Bill in lemon" is great. It has a lot of spectator involvement.

I like the Carl Cloutier too, but I too hard for me to sleeving, so I vote the Bill Malone is more easy to do.

In the version I use, the serial number is used to "prove" that the bill is the same. Does Bill Malone's version use a signed bill?
Jim

I also like Cloutier's and Malone's (yes, signed).....

Actually the Cellini method works fine. I've used it for a while now and am very happy with it. I have, however, upgraded to the Final Answer. There are times that the Cellini method (in his book, I don't think he came up with it, though) is perfect. It resets almost instantly, is cheap, and deceptive. The best method for you will require you playing around with the list of methods/routines listed above until you're comfortable with the one for you and you're performing environments.

There is a tape out there somewhere of Galli Galli doing this on th Ed Sullivan show. What it looks like is as follows: He shows an ordinary No. 10 envelope empty, and as he moves about he pokes a hole in it with his finger.

He borrows the bill and apparently puts it into the envolope.

He destroys the envelope (It has been a long time since I saw this so I forgot if he burned it or what? But that doesn't matter, really).

He then brings out a lemon and it is cut open and there is the bill. (Probably just had a large hole in the lemon to slip the bill into it).

Simplicity in itself.

What mattered?

He got on the Sullivan show.

He sold it.

It worked.

The one in my new lecture notes is the one I have used for over 30 years. It is sure-fire and has very high impact.

It is based on the version in Kaplan's Fine Art of Magic.

The best method bar none is crossing the gaze with a signed bill.

Nicholas J. Johnson wrote:
"The best method bar none is crossing the gaze with a signed bill"

This is the method Richard Sanders uses!!!
And to great effect I might add.

And his presentation is killer, and funny

Ronnie Lemieux
Montreal
Canada

Palmer my man... funny how much good (NO GREAT) stuff is in the olde books.

I have been using The Lemon Game for a few years.
It is fantastic. The routine is fantastic.
Very well thought out.