Not-So-Phony Psychic: Difference between revisions

One of them is the [['''Not-So-Phony Psychic]]'''. The [['''Not-So-Phony Psychic]]''' is a person that thinks they know what's going on and/or thinks they know what to do about it. They don't. And they somehow have the power to make the mistakes that ensue. Sometimes the [['''Not-So-Phony Psychic]]''' makes money off their "talents" -- by—by screwing up, and badly, on national television, or at the very least by screwing up in private while thinking he's a great hero, or that he's cheating people (by screwing up for money).

Mind, the [['''Not-So-Phony Psychic]]''' isn't usually a quack (though sometimes he ''thinks'' he is). He usually thinks he's doing it right, it's just that he doesn't know it better. Alternatively, the [['''Not-So-Phony Psychic]]''' may well think he's cheating people off their money when he actually does dabble in the occult (and screws up). The "Holy crap, it was ''real?''" look on their faces is usually priceless.

The usual formula for a [['''Not-So-Phony Psychic]]''' intro episode is as follows: The heroes meet him due to his celebrity status or by coincidence. They find out he's doing it wrong on national T.V. or by accident when they see him "at work". They join him and fix his screw-ups, sometimes explaining how and why. And the [['''Not-So-Phony Psychic]]''' is enlightened -- usuallyenlightened—usually meaning he'll still make money, but won't screw up anymore. The [['''Not-So-Phony Psychic]]''' will sometimes remain in the show, sometimes aiding the heroes for what little it usually is worth. Sometimes it is worth way more, though, specifically when they use their fame or resources to help the heroes.

* A minor but recurring character in ''[[The Dresden Files]]'', Mortimer Lindquist, is something like this. According to his backstory, has magical powers called "ectomancy" making him capable of [[Dead Person Conversation|Dead Person Conversations]]s at will and similar abilities, but due to misuse those powers atrophied to nearly nothing by his first appearance in the series. He makes his living as a medium, but it's mostly by conning his clients rather than genuine medium work. Harry, though, persuades him to take the job seriously again.