Justin Myers plans to astound me on Friday night.

He has asked a particular question that I am not to share, and my private response is scribbled on a sticky note, folded and shoved into my front pocket.

Myers is a mind reader and the opening act for improv troupe Nine and Numb’s first Friday and Saturday night competition “Civil War,” pitting cast members against one another for audience vote.

Sometime during his 30-minute stage performance at the Carrollwood Players Theater, Myers will reveal my answer by reading my thoughts.

Myers, 35, became interested in mind reading in his early teens. He likens his performance to the psychics of Victorian England in the 1800s. 

He has been mind-reading at assisted living and rehab care centers throughout Tampa for over a year.

Every show is different, and like with Nine and Numb, it is solely based upon audience participation.  Myers explains that to read someone’s mind requires the person be “intelligent, imaginative and creative.”

I sat down with him to get a glimpse into the mind of a mind reader.

Patch: How did you get started as a mind reader?

Myers: When I was younger, I read a book by Ormond McGill about hypnosis. That book led me to other books and esoteric readings that are hard to come by. I’ve also read books on Edgar Cayce.

Patch: Is there anything supernatural about your performance?

Myers: I’m not a medium. I don’t talk to the dead. Nothing supernatural.

Patch: Is this a career or a hobby?

Myers:  I would like it to be a career. Right now I do anesthesia full-time at Tampa General Hospital. I do as much performing as I can, but it’s challenging with my work schedule.

Patch: What are people’s reactions when you tell them you are a mind reader?

Myers: People usually laugh and think it’s a joke. The three questions they ask me are ‘Well, what am I thinking? How do you do it? And, why do you do it?’

Patch: Do you have a favorite mind-reading story?

Myers:  There was this lady, and I said ‘you don’t have any vision problems do you?’ She said ‘no’ and laughed. I said ‘I just had a feeling that you might have blind before.’  Her jaw dropped and she said, ‘my maiden name is Blind.’

Patch: Wow. So is this what the audience should expect Friday and Saturday night?

Myers: I really enjoy this, and so many people said it was a waste of time, (or) called it stupid.

The whole mission of my show is to show people something different that they’ve haven’t seen before, and to have them realize their passions in life and not let anyone stand in their way.

My ultimate goal is to entertain people – whether they think I am making everything up or whatever they think, I just hope they are entertained for 30 minutes.

The family-friendly “Civil War” show runs Friday and Saturday night starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are just $10 online or at the door.