Cartoon Puzzle

Order

Anywhere

Status

::BUILD::

Location

Status: something

GC PoC: someone

Parking: N/A

Notes: None

Location Notes

Science Fair (placement for playtest run; subject to change)

Type

Optional Puzzle

Plot Setup

Though unsigned, players learn this artwork was made by Catherine. (Perhaps for art class)

Props

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Plot Point to Convey

Without a strong motivation to create a time machine, science is wasted on frivolous inventions. Also, Catherine resents Buffy but is afraid to show it openly.

Short Description

Mis-ordered cartoon panels

Open Time Period

When?

Staff Instructions

Your Role: Lab Assistant.

Handout Instructions: Do something.

Site Close Down: Clean up.

Other Instructions:

• Stay in character.
• Except ... if a team says "time out," break character and help them.

Detailed Description

How To Give To Teams

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Puzzle Answer

I HATE BUFFY

Puzzle Solution

Ignore clocks and calendars for now. Re-order the panels to form a coherent story: "Washer Woman breaks vase with ladder. Decides to build a time machine. Uses it to move the vase before it broke, then leaves. Younger self, instead of breaking vase, is inspired by its shape to invent the lava lamp."

The story flows in this order:

 9 12  1  5
10  3 11  8
 6  4  2  7

Or, if a solver had labeled the panels as given:

 1  2  3  4    A  B  C  D
 5  6  7  8    E  F  G  H
 9 10 11 12    I  J  K  L

then the correct order is:

 3, 11, 6, 10, 4, 9, 12, 8, 1, 5, 7, 2
 C, K, F, J, D, I, L, H, A, E, G, B

Once arranged, take the absolute difference of the clock or calendar numbers appearing in successive panels.

10:00, 1:00, 9th day, 8th day, 28th day, 23rd day, May 25, 4:00, 10am, 4:00, 29th day

Differences = 9, 8, 1, 20, 5, 2, 21, 6, 6, 25

Converting 1-26 to A-Z yields:

I H A T E B U F F Y

Credits

• Dwight: concept, prototype
• Rachel: artwork

Manager

Dwight

Hints

Ask teams what they have done, probing details if necessary (often this will get a team unstuck by themselves).

Response to Correct Answer

None; the solve message is for flavor alone.

To Do

Print and mount.