You might see one of those lists of Amazing Facts To Know And Share on a tablemat at your diner, but if you see it written that "fortune telling is illegal in the state of Maryland," tell the lady at the register on your way out that the placemat contains bogus information.
There was (still is, maybe) an anchor on MSNBC named Krystal Ball, and if that law was in effect in Maryland, it would have been illegal to watch her here. But you're ok if you do. There's no statewide ban on this folly in Maryland, but it is regulated in various areas. It's illegal in Baltimore City, but even I can predict your fortune if you go to some areas in the city, shall we say. Calvert County, one of the last counties in the state to have a) slot machines and b) tobacco crops, joins Salisbury, down on the Eastern shore, in requiring a business license and background checks, and then it's ok to tell all the fortunes you can.
I like knowing this: The Maryland Court of Appeals, always on the lookout for what's best for all of us, said in 2010 that it would be unconstitutional to outlaw fortune telling statewide, because looking into a crystal ball (note: not a Krystal Ball) and saying that "your second cousin Abner is about to buy the farm and leave you a tidy bundle" is totally acceptable, but calling Abner on your way home, using a handheld phone, to see how he's feeling is illegal. The law is tricky.
Wait til you get home to call Abner. Tell him he's been looking a bit peaked lately.
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