I still haven't worked out one big detail but here's the new idea:
A real-time murder mystery. The moderator (that would be me) selects one Motie as the killer. The killer then has one month to kill as many other Motrons as possible. But there's a limit of one per day.
The killer does the dirty work by posting a message immediately following a post by the intended victim (in whatever thread). The message must contain a certain phrase (unknown to any but the killer). After the message is posted, the killer informs the moderator by email that there's been a hit.
The moderator then waits 24 hours and announces (in the Mystery Thread) that so-and-so has been terminated with electronic prejudice. The notice also states that the murder occurred within a certain time window, randomly selected within, say, 12 hours of the actual hit.
As the murders pile up, the remaining Moties will slowly narrow down the possible killers and identify the murder weapon -- the set of phrases that trigger the hit.
The detail still to be nailed down is how to assign the trigger phrases. I've thought that "concepts" would work -- Movie Titles or TV Shows or European Countries. Each hit would require a different but obvious phrase within the concept. The problem is how to balance all of this to make it a challenge for both killer and the Mote detectives. So...
Is this a good idea? Can it work?
95. judithathome - 1/19/2002 5:11:09 PM
Sounds good to me...
96. CalGal - 1/19/2002 6:17:07 PM
Ha. Sounds fun.
97. Indiana Jones - 1/21/2002 7:16:15 PM
Aytch, you can count me as a participant in almost any game you try to come up with, but I think this game sounds less interesting than the other.
98. CalGal - 1/21/2002 7:20:04 PM
I liked the other one, too. I wonder if it was just the date that was a problem?
99. Wombat - 1/22/2002 9:00:25 AM
Murder Mystery= Not interested.
100. Indiana Jones - 1/22/2002 11:06:24 AM
One problem I see with the new game as described is that we pretty much have to read all the threads here, right?
101. judithathome - 1/22/2002 11:18:09 AM
One problem I see with it is that there are some days when there are so few posts in any thread that it would be very easy to notice when a poster suddenly started posting after the "victims".
102. AytchMan - 1/24/2002 1:33:43 AM
Indy--
Yes, but. The crime could be committed in any thread but only within a certain period. For most threads, this would be only a few posts. And then the only relevant posts would be those following one from the victim.
We could perhaps restrict the number of threads allowed. Obviously, we must strike a balance between fox and hounds. The ideal is to require several murders before a solution is possible.
I'm not saying it's perfect yet. All suggestions are welcome.
103. AytchMan - 1/24/2002 1:39:37 AM
judith--
That's sort of the flip side of Indy's concern. Only a foolish killer would commit the crime in a thread with four posts that day. A smart one would strike only in a busy thread...in theory. But that's part of the strategy.
In addition, a killer is not required to strike at any time. The (suggested) upper limit is once a day.
104. rubberducky - 1/24/2002 7:50:08 AM
i'm in - sounds fun
105. PelleNilsson - 1/24/2002 1:50:53 PM
I'm in of course. Sorry for not having said so earlier. As I understand it we would be required to identify the murderer and the murder weapon. For the reasons Judith mentions it may soon become clear who is the murderer. But the weapon may be more difficult. It could be the foreign cities that Clinton visited during his presidency or the states which changed from democrat to republican governorship in the last two elections or whatever. I'm sure Aytchman's devious mind will come up with something suitable.
106. Ms. No - 1/24/2002 2:37:44 PM
Aytch,
Count me in. This sounds fun. Perhaps the murder weapon should be tailored to the killer? This might make it a bit more difficult to discover. If the trigger is too out of synch with the killer it'll be a giveaway.
107. uzmakk - 1/25/2002 1:38:10 PM
Motie Murder Mystery sounds so much less intoxicating than the Pre pre great Great Issues Forum. How much time must I commit?
108. AytchMan - 1/25/2002 4:56:47 PM
uzmakk--
The mystery idea is not a sequel or replacement for the issues thing. The issues idea just didn't fly. The mystery thread occurred to me while I was trying to get the issues idea to work.
One of the benefits of the mystery thread is that no one (save the killer) is required to commit any time. Moties may pursue the killer or not.
109. AytchMan - 1/25/2002 5:02:44 PM
pelle et al--
The ultimate object for the killer is to hit as many Motrons as possible within a month and remain undetected. Thus, a wily killer might only strike three of four times. Of course, the next month's killer will want to beat the record so a balance will be struck between maximizing kills and minimizing the chance of detection.
110. AytchMan - 1/29/2002 4:56:57 PM
If anybody would like to give this a shot -- as the killer -- email me at:
aytch@onebox.com
After I get a couple of volunteers, I'll pick one and we'll see what happens.
111. Erinys - 2/1/2002 3:31:57 AM
be more funner
Man after my own heart. I can only be sporadic.
Your new idea sounds great! I smell blood.
112. Erinys - 2/1/2002 3:32:21 AM
113. Ms. No - 2/5/2002 2:33:31 PM
Aytch,
Would guesses and reasoning be public or would they be submitted to you in email?
114. Ms. No - 2/5/2002 2:33:43 PM
ahem
115. AytchMan - 2/5/2002 7:50:34 PM
msno et al--
All guesses must be public since each remaining Motie only gets one. Moties killed dead get no vote.
Reasoning and general discussion is welcome and encouraged in the thread. That's where a lot of the fun will come, I think. Also, there's no reason why live Moties can't form teams to cover all of the threads.
As a general note, we'll be refining all of the rules as we go along. I'll restate the official rules before long.
I've now received expressions of interest from multiple killers so we're actually approaching the starting line. I'm pretty confident that everyone here would like to kill somebody.
116. AytchMan - 2/14/2050 5:55:27 PM
The wheels grind slowly but grind they do. We're getting close to starting this thing up.
117. judithathome - 2/14/2050 6:32:24 PM
I'm pretty confident that everyone here would like to kill somebody.
Will we be able to shoot back?
118. AytchMan - 2/14/2050 6:38:44 PM
j--
Only by catching the killer.
119. judithathome - 2/14/2050 6:43:05 PM
:-)
120. Absensia - 2/14/2050 6:54:15 PM
count me in please!
121. judithathome - 2/14/2050 6:56:55 PM
I think we're all "in"...just that some of us will be out and some will be the "out-ers".
122. Absensia - 2/14/2050 7:08:43 PM
hmmm, but do I get a weapon of choice? : )
123. judithathome - 2/14/2050 7:11:55 PM
Don't we wish!
124. AytchMan - 2/15/2050 4:11:01 PM
Well, it's official. We're gonna give it a try. The killer has been selected at random from several thousand volunteers.
I'll try to post the rules over the weekend and we'll go.
For the record, make no presumptions about any posts made by anybody to this point. The selection was indeed random. It could be any Motron.
125. Ms. No - 2/19/2002 2:12:25 PM
date stamp testing
126. AytchMan - 2/20/2002 5:07:22 PM
Confounding the smart money, I have gotten off my duff.
Follows, in meandering fashion, the rules...
127. AytchMan - 2/20/2002 5:18:27 PM
Official Rules For Mote Mystery Killer:
The game will run 30 days.
There will be one killer stalking the Mote, selected at random by our gracious moderator (me). During that time, the killer may attempt to strike as many Moties as possible subject to the following restrictions.
The killer may strike a maximum of once every 48 hours. To strike, the killer posts a message immediately following a post by the intended victim. The message must contain a phrase selected from a list supplied by our gracious moderator (me). The phrases all share some fairly obvious common attribute (such as Broadway Musicals or some such).
The killer must then notify OGM (me) by email and identify the victim and post number. OGM will then review the hit. If the strike is deemed successful, OGM will wait one day and notify the entire cosmos that the strike took place. OGM will note the victim and identify the time of the strike (randomly offset by up to 12 hours).
[more]
128. AytchMan - 2/20/2002 5:24:48 PM
All Moties are fair game and eligible to identify the killer. To win, you must name:
a. the killer
b. the three most recent victims
c. the murder weapon (that is, the concept identified by the phrases).
All Moties may work together or not to check the threads and puzzle out the killer. A dead Motie may still participate in the thread but may NOT make an official guess.
129. judithathome - 2/20/2002 5:27:38 PM
Do we make these guesses in public or mail them to you?
130. AytchMan - 2/20/2002 5:30:00 PM
Please note that this is very much an experiment. It may turn out that it's either very easy or impossible to catch the killer. But if it's fun, we'll adjust for the next one.
If anyone can think of any shortcuts or cheats that blow the game out of the water, please let me know. We'll adjust the rules.
131. AytchMan - 2/20/2002 5:31:32 PM
j--
Everything should be posted in public. The more interaction in the thread, the better.
132. judithathome - 2/20/2002 5:32:30 PM
Cool...!
133. AytchMan - 2/20/2002 5:36:55 PM
Ah, one more detail: all times will be Central Austin By God Standard Time. That's -6 from Zulu (GMT).
134. AytchMan - 2/20/2002 5:39:29 PM
The only thing remaining is for OGM to deliver the phrase list to the killer.
Therefore, let's plan on starting this Friday at noon central.
135. judithathome - 2/20/2002 5:41:00 PM
Are you in AUSTIN? If so, why didn't you come up and join us this weekend?
136. AytchMan - 2/20/2002 5:43:43 PM
Who, what, where, when, why? Had no idea.
137. judithathome - 2/20/2002 5:47:39 PM
I had no idea you were in Texas....we had a gathering at my house in Fort Worth Sunday...Frankster, the Arkys, ChristiP, and of course, me. Jeez, I would've loved for you to join us!
Next time you'll be warned early!
138. AytchMan - 2/20/2002 5:51:51 PM
Much obliged.
139. AytchMan - 2/20/2002 6:01:32 PM
Murder weapons have all been mailed to the killer. So, barring a total electronic collapse of Western civilization -- always a possibility -- we're on for a Friday noon start.
140. judithathome - 2/20/2002 6:13:31 PM
I have a suggestion for first victim...
141. Absensia - 2/20/2002 6:15:44 PM
now now, Judith!
142. Absensia - 2/20/2002 6:16:35 PM
now now, Judith!
143. TheWizardOfWhimsy - 2/20/2002 6:24:04 PM
144. rubberducky - 2/21/2002 11:25:53 AM
Re: Message # 128, AytchMan.
All Moties are fair game and eligible to identify the killer. To win, you must name:
a. the killer
b. the three most recent victims
c. the murder weapon (that is, the concept identified by the phrases).
what if there are only 2 victims at the time you have a guess?
145. judithathome - 2/21/2002 11:29:40 AM
I guess you'll have to off yourself...
146. rubberducky - 2/21/2002 11:59:43 AM
J@H:
you're not the first to suggest that...
147. AytchMan - 2/21/2002 4:16:58 PM
rd--
If there are fewer than three, then all victims to date.
148. PelleNilsson - 2/24/2002 3:52:14 PM
The first clue: The killer doesn't post on weekends.
149. arkymalarky - 2/24/2002 6:47:06 PM
That cuts out half the forum right there.
151. AytchMan - 2/26/2002 4:01:16 PM
Just to be precise, the game will run until noon Central time on March 24th.
152. AytchMan - 3/1/2002 2:55:17 AM
Bulletin!
Cellar Door, a citizen of Moter City, was found dead yesterday in a sub-basement of his moter home. The coroner for the Moter City Police Department has stated that the death occurred sometime during the 24-hour period beginning at 7pm, February 27th. Foul play is suspected.
153. Indiana Jones - 3/1/2002 8:40:44 AM
I suggest the police start with a list of jilted Harry Smith lovers.
154. ycmeehan - 3/1/2002 8:55:28 AM
I suggest the police find out where Andrew Sullivan was during the 24-hour period beginning at 7pm, February 27th.
155. ycmeehan - 3/1/2002 9:24:12 AM
I have long suspected a certain Moter to be Andrew's alter-ego on the Mote.
156. judithathome - 3/1/2002 10:07:40 AM
I'm certain it was a Republican.
157. RustlerPike - 3/1/2002 12:22:13 PM
Cellar Door, a citizen of Moter City, was found dead yesterday in a sub-basement of his moter home.
With a name like that, where do you expect him to be found?
158. concerned - 3/1/2002 5:46:02 PM
Tire tracks suspiciously resembling those of the Batmobile were found near his body.
159. Ms. No - 3/1/2002 6:01:51 PM
Typical.
The Black Dude is always the first to die.
160. ycmeehan - 3/2/2002 11:22:46 AM
OGM will note the victim and identify the time of the strike (randomly offset by up to 12 hours).
Aytch,
What exactly do you mean by the words into parentheses? I just don't understand how we can pinpoint the time of the stike.
161. PelleNilsson - 3/2/2002 12:01:20 PM
yc
If Aytch were to give the exact time of the strike it would be too easy to spot the killer.
162. ycmeehan - 3/2/2002 1:59:08 PM
Pelle, I didn't mean for Aytch to point out to us the exact time. I just thought that he meant that he could add another 12 hours from the time of the strike to when he announces the murder had taken place.
Anyway, language forms are not my forte, you know, so I will stop here before I bury myself further (and lamentably) in semantics.
163. AytchMan - 3/2/2002 2:30:48 PM
yc--
When I receive word of the strike, I randomly select a 24-hour window that includes the actual time of the murder. Thus, the murder could have occurred anywhere within the window. Obviously, I have to wait until the latest possible window has closed to announce the crime.
The only thing you guys need to know is that the crime occurred somewhere within the 24-hour window.
164. AytchMan - 3/2/2002 3:00:58 PM
Clarification:
To make a guess, you must identify the killer, each victim (the most recent three -- obvious since I post them) and each murder weapon.
Bonus points for the concept that ties the weapons together. You'll almost certainly have to know that to figure out the weapons.
My guess is that it'll take at least three or four hits before it's possible to identify the killer and the murder weapons.
165. PelleNilsson - 3/2/2002 3:01:01 PM
Dear yc
Let us get buried together in the semantics.
170. AytchMan - 3/3/2002 4:23:14 PM
I'll remove posts 166-169 when I get on the right computer.
171. ycmeehan - 3/3/2002 6:14:55 PM
Thank you for answering my request, Aytch.
172. AytchMan - 3/5/2002 1:53:31 PM
Bulletin!
Jenerator, a citizen of Moter City, was found dead near a small turbine in the sub-basement of her apartment building. The Moter City coroner believes the death occurred within a 24-hour period beginning at 5 am Monday. Foul play is now really suspected.
Police Chief Hercule Speedtrap has issued the following appeal: "You folks gotta stop hanging out in them sub-basements".
173. Raskolnikov - 3/5/2002 2:22:37 PM
The headline link on the butterscotch bar from the main thread page takes me to the Poetry thread. Murder indeed.
174. AytchMan - 3/5/2002 3:39:10 PM
rask--
Works fine for me. Can you check it again?
175. judithathome - 3/5/2002 3:44:02 PM
Works for me.
176. AytchMan - 3/5/2002 5:13:16 PM
The response thus far has been underwhelming.
Is this worth continuing or should we put it in deep standby status?
177. judithathome - 3/5/2002 5:15:45 PM
What? There's only been two murders...shouldn't you at least wait til more of us are offed?
178. AytchMan - 3/5/2002 5:18:07 PM
j--
I'd like to keep it going. I just haven't seen the activity I expected. If people are working on it, cool.
179. judithathome - 3/5/2002 5:25:15 PM
Good detective doesn't tip hand too soon...Charlie Chan
180. AytchMan - 3/5/2002 5:26:55 PM
Well said.
181. Absensia - 3/5/2002 6:19:24 PM
H...I think it's great...and I also think a lot of people are working on it.
182. AytchMan - 3/5/2002 8:09:02 PM
OK, thanks. Your sensitive artiste now feels all better.
183. TheWizardOfWhimsy - 3/5/2002 8:29:18 PM
Everyone's a critic, Aytch!
184. concerned - 3/7/2002 4:14:03 PM
The Mote-O-Verse. You are getting sleepy. You are getting very sleepy.... 
185. judithathome - 3/7/2002 4:19:35 PM
Too cool!
186. PelleNilsson - 3/7/2002 4:33:03 PM
Indeed. Try looking at it while un-focusing your eyes.
187. Absensia - 3/7/2002 4:35:42 PM
Ohhh, very nice, Concerned.
188. judithathome - 3/7/2002 4:36:54 PM
It's like demented birds, unfocused.
189. concerned - 3/7/2002 4:37:53 PM
Re. 186 -
Neat! I didn't think of trying that.
190. RustlerPike - 3/9/2002 9:12:06 AM
No fair. You can't kill Jenerator.
Did you get her consent at least?
191. RustlerPike - 3/9/2002 9:13:12 AM
143 was good, Wiz. Very good.
Who is that person though? Someone we know?
192. TheWizardOfWhimsy - 3/9/2002 3:34:53 PM
Thanks and yes Pike--it's my vote for the the Motie with all the stealth & subtlety needed to be the Mote Murderer.
193. AytchMan - 3/9/2002 4:04:08 PM
Stand by for an important announcement from the Moter City Police Department.
194. AytchMan - 3/9/2002 4:15:33 PM
Bulletin!
CalGal, a resident of Moter City, has been found dead and without power in the sub-basement of her Bay Area condo. The Moter City coroner believes the death occurred within a 24-hour period beginning at 2 am, Friday, March 8th. Foul play is now -- no kidding around -- really suspected.
Police Chief Hercule Speedtrap is now asking for the direct assistance of all citizens of Moter City.
195. Indiana Jones - 3/9/2002 8:16:48 PM
I suggest an investigation into the whereabouts of a certain Ms. No as her presence has been noted in the vicinity of all three murders.
The victims were Cellar Door, Jenerator, and Calgal.
I think the three killer phrases were "Tom Jones", "The Inferno," and "Candide," which are all classical works of literature.
196. Absensia - 3/9/2002 8:40:34 PM
Wow!Even if you aren't right, you are good!
What are the weapons?
197. judithathome - 3/10/2002 1:02:54 AM
The weapons are copies of those tomes!
198. Absensia - 3/10/2002 1:32:01 AM
Duh, I knew that. *Sigh*
199. PelleNilsson - 3/10/2002 12:40:18 PM
Good thinking, Indy.
200. TheWizardOfWhimsy - 3/10/2002 1:34:56 PM
Very good--show us the crime scenes . . .and chalk marks!
201. RustlerPike - 3/10/2002 2:43:10 PM
No! Not CalGal!
Who will denigrate my children now?
202. Indiana Jones - 3/11/2002 12:26:36 PM
So...was I right or wrong?
Ms. No slams the cellar door
Pulls the plug on Jenerator
And cuts short CalGal's career as a graduate student
203. TheWizardOfWhimsy - 3/11/2002 1:24:40 PM
I'm doubly impressed, Jones--your powers of observation and deduction are quite remarkable . . . not to mention your willingness to read everything! Even if your wrong, your mind is still a marvel!
204. betty - 3/11/2002 1:29:44 PM
Indy,
I declare you the winner even if yer not. It's a solid case, if No isn't the killer then she's an accomplice covering the killer's tracks.
205. AytchMan - 3/11/2002 3:15:39 PM
Congratulations, Indy, right on target. I'll notify the proper authorities immediately. On behalf of Chief Speedtrap, I'd like to thank all of the residents of Moter City for their help in bringing this fiendish killer to justice.
And here we thought it would take at least four or five murders.
206. rubberducky - 3/11/2002 3:16:34 PM
cool!
Great Job Indy, Ms No, and Aytch!
207. AytchMan - 3/11/2002 3:20:18 PM
Now for the post-mortem.
What does everybody think? Was it too easy? Too hard? Should we do it again? Suggested changes?
208. TheWizardOfWhimsy - 3/11/2002 3:24:49 PM
Too subtle for this lexdyksic reader, but I enjoy the added excitement of an assassin in our midst.
209. judithathome - 3/11/2002 3:27:00 PM
I thought it was great...I kept a list of post numbers and suspects next to the computer and was completely off base. So obviously it wasn't too easy for me...ha!
I think it was fun...encore!
210. rubberducky - 3/11/2002 3:37:10 PM
Aytch:
i agree with J@H that it was fine as is, but maybe Indy has a different idea...
211. Ms. No - 3/11/2002 3:40:00 PM
"And I would've gotten away with it too if it weren't for those pesky kids!!!"
Good work Indy!
212. theDiva - 3/11/2002 3:41:27 PM
excellent choice for the murderer, too...randomly bizarre comments being nothing unusual coming from my little sis....
(ducks)
213. Ms. No - 3/11/2002 3:46:34 PM
They don't call me Non-Sequitur Girl for nuthin', Deev.
214. theDiva - 3/11/2002 3:49:30 PM
hyuk hyuk hyuk
Great work, Indy. I'd never have gotten it in a million years.
215. theDiva - 3/11/2002 3:50:23 PM
and kudos, of course, to our thread host.
216. TheWizardOfWhimsy - 3/11/2002 3:59:05 PM
Here! Hear!
217. AytchMan - 3/11/2002 4:02:33 PM
Merci.
Sounds like there's enough interest to go again.
218. arkymalarky - 3/11/2002 5:54:22 PM
That was way too cool. Indy'll have to cut us some slack if we do it again, though.
219. CalGal - 3/11/2002 7:11:49 PM
Cool job. I even noticed the Candide post and thought it was very odd. I couldn't come up with a reason for her having made that post--in fact, I almost emailed you on it, MsNo.
220. judithathome - 3/11/2002 7:19:46 PM
That's funny since it was Candide what done you in! ;-)
221. Absensia - 3/11/2002 10:33:54 PM
It was great fun! I'd like another. I was convinced it was Stostosto and felt I had really tied him in perfectly with Cal and Jen...and was sure I'd find it with CD too. Pelle's hint about not posting on weekends, narrowed it down to about 3 or 4 people, I thought...then someone who shalll not be named assured me it was a red herring.
222. Erinys - 3/12/2002 12:11:23 AM
Another, please!
223. ycmeehan - 3/12/2002 8:01:57 AM
It looks as the killer had an accomplice. Maybe there was an exchange of E-mails between them during the five minutes separating the following postings.
61064. Ms. No - 3/8/02 1:53:05 PM
Anybody in still in touch with Candide? Does she have a publicly available email?
61065. PelleNilsson - 3/8/02 1:58:53 PM
I'm not in touch but I have her email as
mnemonic@nsw.bigpond.net.au
_________________________________________________
Congratulations, Indiana!
224. judithathome - 3/12/2002 9:07:13 AM
YC:
Pelle was a hapless bystander, lured into a life of crime by a master criminal...unbeknownst to him, he unwittingly abetted the wily murderer in her evil deed. He should be charged but with a lesser crime...maybe with being overly helpful.
225. Ms. No - 3/12/2002 4:24:46 PM
I'm just glad I got caught before I had to try and figure out a way to work "Wealth of Nations" into a post.
226. theDiva - 3/12/2002 4:58:01 PM
How about
I wouldn't have sex with XXXX if you gave me the equivalent of the wealth of nations west of the Mississippi?
227. RustlerPike - 3/13/2002 5:14:48 AM
Brilliant, Indy.
228. PelleNilsson - 3/13/2002 1:52:45 PM
But what about the villainess? Will she get off just like that while the bodies are still warm? I think not, in particular, as Judith noted, as she dragged a perfectly innocent, tottering, elderly gentleman into her nefarious web of deceit and death.
I suggest that she, as an atonement, be required to compose a poem of not less than nine lines (three per victim) on the theme "hightech made me do it".
229. AytchMan - 3/13/2002 3:00:04 PM
My first thought was that maybe we'd make it a little more difficult to find the killer. Howesomeever, I think there are steps that the killer can take to cover her tracks longer (you won't hear them from me). So, let's leave the rules as is.
Suggestions are, of course, always welcome.
230. judithathome - 3/13/2002 3:01:14 PM
Great idea, Pelle...I second that!
231. AytchMan - 3/13/2002 3:03:41 PM
Switchboards are now open for the next round. If you think you can top the current record of three hits by Ms No, send an e to:
aytch@onebox.com
232. AytchMan - 3/13/2002 3:12:36 PM
And while we're waiting, I'd like to hear about strategies from the hounds.
Did anybody work together?
Did you guys apply brute deductive force, that is, check every post and cross-reference the common ones? Or apply some intuition?
Should we think about adding false leads of some kind?
233. judithathome - 3/13/2002 3:44:19 PM
I went to certain threads where I'd seen the victim and tried to cover a 24 hour period and made notes on who spoke after the victim...then did the same for the second victim, etc. But I missed some threads. Evidently! I had intuitive feelings about some potential killers but they were all wrong so I'm not at risk to take over Miss Cleo's job anytime soon...
I chatted some with another poster about what I thought were obvious red herrings...
234. AytchMan - 3/13/2002 3:53:07 PM
j--
What kind of red herrings? Swedish?
235. judithathome - 3/13/2002 3:54:03 PM
Could be. ;-)
236. PelleNilsson - 3/13/2002 4:36:07 PM
Aytch
I agree that the rules are OK as is. I think Ms No brought on her own downfall by rushing the Candide reference which was picked up by Indy's devious mind. No need to increase the level of difficulty.
237. Absensia - 3/13/2002 4:58:42 PM
Even I noticed the Candide reference, but I ignored it in my urgency to connect Sto as the killer. I checked very line in every thread and was so tired and cross eyed I decided to wait until "tomorrow" to check the connection between CD and Sto.....Hhahah
238. Snowowl - 3/13/2002 5:09:18 PM
Haha, I noticed the Candide reference as well - it caught my eye since I'd seen "Candide" posting in another forum recently.
However, I was so convinced that the killer was Glendajean (who did mention a knife in one thread) that I spent hours and hours tracking back through all the threads looking for connections.
239. AytchMan - 3/13/2002 5:23:16 PM
Well, it just warms the cockles of my shrivelled litle heart to learn that so many hounds were silently on the case.
Volunteers are pouring in for the next Killer -- no kidding. I'll wait a couple of days to give everybody a chance. Then, without the slightest remorse, I'll unleash the next homicidal maniac. What fun!
240. AytchMan - 3/15/2002 3:09:29 PM
The deadline approaches. If anybody else is interested in pushing back the frontiers of homicide, submit your application by 6pm central today to aytch@onebox.com.
One lucky psychopath will be selected at random.
241. AytchMan - 3/16/2002 2:55:30 PM
The Killer has been selected.
After various administrative details are completed (union registration, lurking certification), we'll get on going about midweek (central standard time).
Many thanks to the many volunteers. Your turn will come.
242. Erinys - 3/17/2002 9:39:40 PM
Oh, good!
I have a whole new method planned out since last round didn't work very well.
243. Erinys - 3/17/2002 9:41:17 PM
My methods didn't work well, that is....not the game itself.
244. AytchMan - 3/18/2002 2:29:09 PM
The Slasher is loose!
Our killer has been briefed and we're officially ready to go.
The game officially started at noon CST. That's minus 6 from GMT.
The hair is now officially standing up on the back of your neck.
245. AytchMan - 3/18/2002 2:37:43 PM
Incidentally, the rules (such as they are) are posted at message 127.
Perhaps, at some point barely visible on the horizon, I shall make a link on the butterfingers bar.
246. vw - 3/20/2002 12:28:54 PM
What? Nobody dead yet?? What a slacker our murderer is!
247. AytchMan - 3/20/2002 12:32:42 PM
Funny you should mention.
248. AytchMan - 3/20/2002 12:33:55 PM
Bulletin!
Judithathome, a citizen of Moter City, has been found quite dead in the penthouse of her lavish residence. The Moter City coroner believes the death occurred within a 24-hour period beginning at 8 am, Tuesday the 19th.
The police found a note taped to her toe: "The Slasher". The Official Police Bookie now estimates the odds of murder at 6-5.
Police Chief Hercule Speedtrap has issued the following statement: "First, it was sub-basements, now penthouses. Who do they think we are, Einstein"?
249. vw - 3/20/2002 12:35:29 PM
Am I good or what! I could sense impending doom....
250. judithathome - 3/20/2002 1:57:53 PM
Too bad I couldn't...guess the view from the Penthouse was just too distracting.
251. vw - 3/20/2002 3:16:38 PM
Would you prefer lilies or an economical carnation casket spray?
252. judithathome - 3/20/2002 4:31:32 PM
Oh, just a bubble vase with a few Calla lilies will be fine. (Miss Cleo is channeling my responses.)
253. Absensia - 3/20/2002 4:45:07 PM
We will have a wake and eat fine pate and champagne as we send you on your way!!!
254. betty - 3/21/2002 10:43:07 AM
I think I know who killed Judith and how...are willy nilly guesses allowed?
255. judithathome - 3/21/2002 10:46:21 AM
I think I know, too...you first!;-)
256. betty - 3/21/2002 10:51:26 AM
I think bubbaette killed you in post number 61483 of the Mote Cafe with Cal Gal as her weapon.
257. judithathome - 3/21/2002 10:56:36 AM
Sounds perfectly reasonable to me...but I think she did it in the Good life in post 14107 using Ajax.
258. betty - 3/21/2002 11:02:34 AM
perhaps...but it is bubbaette!
259. judithathome - 3/21/2002 11:07:55 AM
Yes, but my theory includes the proper time frame...yours is off by a day, I think. But as you say, this is Bubbaette and if she wants to flail me fatally with a dog, so be it.
260. rubberducky - 3/21/2002 11:13:06 AM
um, i don't think the 'dead' are supposed to offer guesses in this thread...
261. judithathome - 3/21/2002 11:14:20 AM
Really? I don't remember that from the rules....
In tht case, forget I said anything.;-)
262. bubbaette - 3/21/2002 2:42:29 PM
I ain't kill nobody. I'm innocent, I tell you! It's all a frame up -- they're just trying to shut me up because they think I know too much (or maybe because my voice is annoying.)
263. AytchMan - 3/21/2002 3:47:06 PM
Hunh. Much activity from the hounds (including the dead one).
As a completely dead hound, judith is NOT allowed to make an official guess but she can kibbitz to her canine heart's content.
betty: All live hounds are allowed one official guess. "Willy-nilly" is a type heretofore unclassified. If you wish to make it official, I'll judge it. But if you're wrong, you can't solve the murder later. But you could still kibbitz.
264. AytchMan - 3/21/2002 3:50:24 PM
Incidentally, you must also identify the type of weapon. For example, the "classic books of literature" used by Ms. No. This might be kinda difficult based on one murder.
265. AytchMan - 3/21/2002 3:56:20 PM
From now on, please send e's to me at
aytch@zipmail.com
The old one will be good for a while but they're shutting it down.
266. judithathome - 3/21/2002 3:58:26 PM
Sorry...I'll go back to purgatory and keep quiet!
267. judithathome - 3/21/2002 4:01:06 PM
I just sent one to the old one...oops!
268. betty - 3/21/2002 4:08:50 PM
I thought Ms. No's weapons had been boring books of literature.
As in, she read to them while they measured the rope and sharpened the knives.
269. AytchMan - 3/22/2002 1:49:53 PM
Bulletin!
CalGal, a citizen of Moter City, has been found dead in the penthouse of her lavish condo. The Moter City coroner believes the death occurred within a 24-hour period beginning at 10 am, Thursday the 21st.
The police found a note taped to her toe: "The Slasher". The Official Police Bookie now estimates the odds of murder as "You betcha".
Police Chief Hercule Speedtrap has asked for the help of Moter City residents in solving this crime. He added: "I've got six weeks of leave built up and I think I'm going to take 'em".
270. Indiana Jones - 3/22/2002 1:57:30 PM
What were the odds Cal would be killed twice before jexster was even done in once?
Sheesh...given his volume of posts one would think he'd have taken a "stray" slash by now.
271. Ms. No - 3/22/2002 2:15:52 PM
She's an easier target because she posts in a number of different threads so it's easier to hide the body.
272. PelleNilsson - 3/22/2002 2:54:14 PM
Words of wisdom from an experienced serial killer.
273. Ms. No - 3/22/2002 2:56:38 PM
Or a red-herring from someone who wants to keep her record.
274. Erinys - 3/25/2002 1:29:31 AM
At first, I thought the penthouse slasher was vw. Now, I suspect betty.
The tool...chilluns.
Not officially, I guess I have to wait for the third.
275. AytchMan - 3/26/2002 4:08:28 PM
Stand by for an important announcement from Police Chief Speedtrap.
276. betty - 3/26/2002 4:11:43 PM
No Erin, I'm just mean, i don't actually kill people.
277. AytchMan - 3/26/2002 4:21:20 PM
Bulletin!
Jexster, a citizen of Moter City, has been found dead in the penthouse of his lavish residence. The Moter City coroner believes the death occurred within a 24-hour period beginning at 11am, Monday the 25th.
The police found a note taped to his keyboard: "The Slasher". Police Chief Hercule Speedtrap has asked for the help of Moter City residents in solving this crime. He added: "I'll be on leave for a while. I really need this crime to be solved before my return".
278. AytchMan - 3/26/2002 4:23:48 PM
Chief Speedtrap wishes to note that The Slasher has now equalled the dastardly record of Ms. No: three kills.
279. judithathome - 3/26/2002 6:34:02 PM
Where is the wake for poor Jex? I'd like to send flowers...
280. jexster - 3/27/2002 10:30:03 PM
The Rosary will be recited next monday evening at 6 pm, Church of the Advent of Christ the King in SF...donations in lieu of flowers to Morons Anonymous -Redefining Intelligence in America c/o the Weekly Standard.
281. Absensia - 3/27/2002 11:07:32 PM
I think I'll send flowers too, judith. I need to think of the proper display. Let's go to SF for the Rosary...I still remember what to say. Then, let's go shopping!!!!! oh, you can't come...sorry Judith, you are dead. Miss Cleo is doing a great job of sending your messages across the way. I think Miss Cleo is doing the same for Jex.
282. jjbiener - 3/28/2002 10:11:50 AM
H - As the original host of both the Fray and Mote Mystery Theaters, I want to offer my congrats on your game. Well done. I tip my deerstalker to you.
283. Erinys - 3/28/2002 12:23:06 PM
Pelle did it!
284. Erinys - 3/28/2002 12:28:45 PM
He attacked judith in the TV room of her posh penthouse!
285. Erinys - 3/28/2002 12:29:30 PM
Then he cleverly hid the weapon.
286. arkymalarky - 3/28/2002 9:00:10 PM
Hey JJ!
287. AytchMan - 3/29/2002 2:32:30 PM
Thanks, JJ. The inspiration for this game came from your mystery story/game a few months back.
288. AytchMan - 3/29/2002 3:08:29 PM
Bulletin!
OhioStopas, a citizen of Moter City, has been found dead in the penthouse of the lavish Cleveland Arms residential complex. The Moter City coroner believes the death occurred within a 24-hour period beginning at 5am, Thursday the 28th.
The police found a note taped to the headboard: "The Slasher". Police Chief Hercule Speedtrap has declared: "Sgettin', sgettin', sgettin' kinda hectic. Let me know when it's safe to return...er, when you need me".
289. AytchMan - 3/29/2002 3:11:33 PM
Chief Speedtrap also wishes to note, from his secure and undisclosed command center, that The Slasher's streak has now reached four, an unprecedented total for Moter City.
290. arkymalarky - 3/29/2002 4:22:11 PM
No wonder he didn't respond to my post in Sports that we got an Ohio coach for the Razorbacks. I thought he was just mad about it.
291. OhioSTOPAS - 3/30/2002 9:11:13 PM
(dead silence)
292. Absensia - 3/31/2002 9:18:42 PM
Very good Ohio. Alas, Ohio, we knew him well.
293. Erinys - 4/2/2002 2:03:38 AM
Ohio's getting buried in London, then?
Judith died in Stockholm?
294. AytchMan - 4/2/2002 3:05:11 AM
Don't nobody panic. I've deleted the initial posts in this thread that dealt with the late, unlamented Great Issues idea.
295. Erinys - 4/2/2002 3:18:33 AM
Pelle is the killer, I tell you, and he's using cities.
judith got it in TV, CalGal and jexter in International, and Ohio in American Politics.
296. AytchMan - 4/2/2002 3:30:15 AM
If you want to make an official guess, you must identify the killer, any three hits (victim, post number and weapon) and the concept that ties the weapons together.
297. Erinys - 4/2/2002 11:09:05 AM
judith in TV post 2535 with Helsinki
CalGal in International post 23971 with Canberra and Washington
jexter in International post 23999 with the entire list of capital cities
Ohio in American Politics post 30713 with London
298. Indiana Jones - 4/2/2002 11:26:08 AM
Pelle's London post did raise an eyebrow. Like all criminals he grew careless as his victims piled up.
If you're correct, congratulations Erinys. If not, you still came up with a plausible solution.
299. Erinys - 4/2/2002 11:38:47 AM
From what I know of Pelle, the concept is probably not as simple as "capital cities," but rather, capital cities near a large body of water with a T in their name and visited by 5 goverment officials in 1983, but hey. That's my guess.
300. AytchMan - 4/2/2002 4:43:02 PM
Congratulations, E, you nailed him. You've done well in ridding us of a particularly nasty scourge.
Chief Speedtrap has returned from vacation to nab the Scandinavian Chainsaw Slasher BUT not in time to prevent a final strike from the evil one. He got Thoughtful (message 20754 in War On Terrorism) a couple of hours before Erin's post.
So, the tally reaches five and we have a new record.
301. judithathome - 4/2/2002 4:46:11 PM
When will the trial be? I think Pelle may have been driven to it by extenuating circumstances.
302. betty - 4/2/2002 4:47:22 PM
He's been in my custody after a citizen's arrest, I am glad to turn him over to Chief Speeedtrap.
303. AytchMan - 4/2/2002 4:50:59 PM
An explanation is now required that will lead to some changes in the game.
When I gave The Slasher the list of Capital Cities, Washington was not included. He very cleverly used the city in the same post as the assigned weapon (Canberra) for misdirection.
As moderator, I envisioned that this might happen and allowed it to make the game a bit more difficult. The problem is that this can be abused and make the game impossible to solve -- in principle, I should not have allowed Erin's accusation to stand as Washington was not one of the weapons. But the hounds could never know that. So, I've flipped the cards and awarded Erin the $10,000 cash prize. Contact Pelle for details.
304. CalGal - 4/2/2002 4:54:46 PM
Good job, Erin! I didn't figure out it was Pelle until the Ohio kill, which struck me oddly much as Christin's post about Candide. But I couldn't figure out the pattern. I kept on thinking it was something to do with travel.
305. CalGal - 4/2/2002 4:55:10 PM
Whoops--I just remembered you don't like Erin. So congrats, Erinys!
306. AytchMan - 4/2/2002 5:14:50 PM
Erinys--
Sorry about that.
307. AytchMan - 4/2/2002 5:17:19 PM
I'll get to the rules changes later. Any strategies anybody can share? How soon did you guys know it was Pelle? How did you home in on his bad self?
308. CalGal - 4/2/2002 5:49:51 PM
When Ohio bought it, I thought hmm, he hasn't been around much lately but was in Politics. So I went and Pelle's 30713 stuck out. That's when I knew. But I didn't have proof.
I went looking and figured that the "recap" of his quiz after jex's post was the kill. Then I figured out the answer to something that had puzzled me for a while--why had Pelle reintroduced the subject of countries with a key city that isn't the capital, or whatever? I knew he'd been in the last one we had. So I went back and saw that he'd posted that after me in my kill time. I was pretty sure that was it. But I thought the theme had something to do with travel, and so I couldn't ever figure out Judith's.
309. judithathome - 4/2/2002 5:52:58 PM
Whayever, I really enjoyed my funeral and wake!
310. Erinys - 4/2/2002 6:38:23 PM
Heee!
I figured there was some misdirection going on somewhere, or I would have guessed capital cities earlier. I knew it was Pelle after CalGal, but I didn't know the weapon concept yet.
Since Pelle wrote But the weapon may be more difficult. It could be the foreign cities that Clinton visited during his presidency, I made it more difficult than it needed to be.
A tip for the other sleuths, don't write down PP's Sports Bar when you're looking at International....I stumbled on CalGal's doom again when I was looking for jexster's.
AytchMan, your other game idea did sound interesting but as others pointed out, the time commitment was a problem. I wouldn't say it was unlamented, though. I'm sorry you felt you had to remove the initial posts.
That Pelle. He's pretty bloodthirsty. Lock him up tight so he can't escape to Cracow.
311. Snowowl - 4/2/2002 8:32:37 PM
Very well done, Erinys. I had a hunch about Pelle but would never have figured cities as the weapon of choice.
312. Absensia - 4/2/2002 8:47:52 PM
Excellent Erinys. It was totally over my head....swooosh!
313. AytchMan - 4/3/2002 1:32:33 AM
Now for the changes.
As stated above, I think we need to prohibit the use of multiple weapons in the same post. So, Rule Change Number One: the killer may never use more than one weapon (or look-alike) in a strike.
But the hounds are getting sharper so we need to re-arm the killer or most games will end after three or four kills. Therefore...
Proposed Change Number Two. The killer may use one red herring at any time during the game. However, no weapon or post will actually be used. The announcement will appear to the hounds as any other official police bulletin.
The point is that the hounds will have to see through the fake and isolate the real kills just as before. My guess is that the new version will run about six or seven kills. Somehow this sounds about right to me.
What thinketh the Hounds?
314. theDiva - 4/3/2002 7:24:31 AM
impressive, Erinys. Good job.
315. bubbaette - 4/3/2002 7:46:32 AM
I tol ya I was framed!
316. PelleNilsson - 4/3/2002 12:23:32 PM
Congratulations Erinys! Good sleuthing.
Some posters have mentioned the London kill as the one that tipped them off that it was me. That's ironic because I thought it was a rather safe kill. The Wizard had had a rather lengthy discussion with marj in Good Life about places to stay, to eat and so on. OK, it was in the wrong thread, but that has been done before when someone wants to reach a poster who is not around on a daily basis. Obviously, I didn't judge that one right.
But it was great fun while it lasted.
317. PelleNilsson - 4/3/2002 12:26:56 PM
My only regret is that I slashed down the poor elderly thoughtful when my real target was sto. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Life - and death - is full of shit.
318. Erinys - 4/3/2002 5:08:40 PM
Poor thoughtful, no wake or even a single flower.
And apparently you're on the loose, Pelle. Eeeek!
That was fun.
AytchMan, about rule change number 1, I don't see that it matters. The sleuths don't have The List of Weapons. A second weapon in one post could either make it fit into the discussion or make it stand out, depending how it's used.
For change 2, I'm not understanding it. Chief Speedtrap would announce a kill as usual, but the sleuths wouldn't know it was fake? Would a true weapon from the list be used? Or is it the weapon that would be the red herring?
319. thoughtful - 4/3/2002 5:24:54 PM
Something really stinks around here!
oh...that's me. Seems I'm beyond rigor mortis at this point and the maggots are starting to feast. Will someone kindly bury me before I start haunting the joint?
320. thoughtful - 4/3/2002 5:27:02 PM
The first one I will haunt will be Pelle for having the nerve to call me elderly!!!! Watch out or I'll be rattling your funnel!
321. Erinys - 4/3/2002 7:46:50 PM
throwing a clump of dirt at thoughtful's sketchy grave, hoping others pitch in
What's with the funnel?
322. Absensia - 4/3/2002 7:56:25 PM
I'll help...and I brought some eternal flowers too!!! Don't worry about the funnel, let's just use this backhoe.
323. PelleNilsson - 4/3/2002 11:49:27 PM
This is the funnel referred to: 
324. Erinys - 4/4/2002 12:23:36 AM
Some text is needed to make sense of that vodka? bottle strapped to that man's chin, else I'll feel like an Outlander/Outsider and I know you wouldn't want that.
An inside job, no doubt.
325. OhioSTOPAS - 4/5/2002 6:03:21 AM
Erinys, thanks for solving my "murder".
Nice picture in 323, but you'd think they'd make Pelle take off the funnel for his mug shot!
326. zojak quafeth - 4/5/2002 9:29:17 AM
Aytch-
Rather than one red herring kill, why not let loose 2 killers, 2 different types of weapons. Give them each others e-mail addresses and let em coordinate, and see what kind of mayhem they can create.
327. Erinys - 4/5/2002 11:27:39 PM
Hee hee, ho ho, ha ha. You lovelies put me in the left-most navbar as unmasking the bloodthirsty Pellel, what fun.
Well let's have another. Unlike the other.
328. Erinys - 4/5/2002 11:32:15 PM
2 killers, zojak quafeth? Bring it on, you devious one. Are you going to help AytchMan?
329. AytchMan - 4/6/2002 3:08:04 PM
Erinys--
We could leave the game as before and allow multiple weapons (both real and fake) in one post if we allow the hounds to nail the killer by naming the fake weapons. This is exactly what you did to win the latest game.
I'm not against this but it's not "clean", convicting a killer on false evidence. Theoretically, I should have disallowed your guess because Washington was not one of the assigned weapons. I awarded the conviction precisely because, under the existing rules strictly interpreted, the game is unsolvable if the killer does this for every kill. Imagine six weapons (five fake, one real) for every kill. You could easily determine the killer but never identify the exact weapon.
Still, if the game works this way and the hounds like it, that's fine with me. The only problem is that each game will only run four or five kills, I think. Again, if you guys like that, cool beans.
330. AytchMan - 4/6/2002 3:22:52 PM
On the red herring:
There would be no actual post by the killer, even a fake. The Chief would simply announce a kill, just like all of the real ones.
Obvously, the hounds would treat it as real initially, searching through the 24-hour window. As the real kills piled up, a pattern would emerge. Eventually, the hounds would see that, say, five of the six kills were tied together by "Pelle" and "Capital Cities". At which point, someone could solve the murder.
The sole purpose of this would be to extend the game a bit. If everybody's happy with shorter games, then it's not necessary. Do the hounds prefer a game to run four kills or seven kills or who cares?
331. AytchMan - 4/6/2002 3:28:10 PM
zojak--
Two killers. More bloodshed. Intriguing.
It's a little more work for Gracious Moderator but I'm up to it. I also wonder if two killers working together could wipe out all of the hounds before they could piece it together. Maybe that would simply add to the suspense. Remember, dead hounds cannot make an official guess.
332. AytchMan - 4/6/2002 3:29:23 PM
Residents of Moter City--
Which experiment shall we try? Two Killers or One Red Herring?
333. AytchMan - 4/6/2002 3:36:19 PM
While the voters are choosing their poison, we'll open up the switchboards to junior killers looking for a move to The Bigs.
Send an e to aytch@zipmail.com if you're interested. The killer(s) will be randomly selected.
Incidentally, let's make all former killers (except the most recent one) eligible.
334. CalGal - 4/6/2002 3:55:45 PM
I think the game is just the right length, and I think either two murderers or a red herring might complicate it. Maybe that's just me, because my home dialin has been slow lately, which makes paging through posts looking for kills harer.
What might be fun to do is to have a second person not be a murderer, but make obscure posts that could be confused as hits, deliberately picking the same victims in the same time frame. The obscure posts couldn't have a pattern, though, which would be the distinguishing factor from the real murder.
335. AytchMan - 4/6/2002 4:03:22 PM
Then let me amend the ballot:
Which game shall we try? Two Killers or One Red Herring or Keep It The Same?
We'll get to other options after the next game.
336. zojak quafeth - 4/8/2002 10:21:50 AM
My vote. 2 killers.
337. judithathome - 4/8/2002 10:29:24 AM
One red herring...
338. judithathome - 4/8/2002 10:30:06 AM
...and a partridge in a pear tree.
339. Erinys - 4/8/2002 9:03:39 PM
Thinking....thinking....
See, the thing about the red herring, taking the past example of Washington and Canberra, they were both captials, and there's no way for a hound to tell what's on Speedtrap's list. So if a guess is disqualified for the reason of not being on the list, it doesn't seem fair. They were both capitals, after all, and fit the pattern.
So that's a con against red herrings. I'm leaning towards 2 killers.
340. AytchMan - 4/9/2002 4:20:04 PM
erinys--
The red herring wouldn't work that way. It doesn't mean multiple weapons in a post by the killer. In fact, that sort of post is now prohibited.
The red herring is an announcement of a kill by the Chief that's independent of any actual kill. The announcement simply appears like any other at the behest of the killer (one time only).
341. AytchMan - 4/9/2002 4:24:45 PM
I've only received a couple of volunteers so far. So, anybody else who's interested in hacking their way through the entrails of Das Moat, drop us a line.
342. Ms. No - 4/9/2002 5:20:00 PM
If there were two killers I think they shouldn't know who the other is.
That means that one killer might possibly off the other killer thereby complicating the game.---In fact, that could even be a goal for the killers--to find one another and off each other. Or frame each other.
343. AytchMan - 4/10/2002 1:55:21 PM
msno--
If we use two killers, I agree that they shouldn't know each other's identity.
344. AytchMan - 4/10/2002 2:01:56 PM
Last call for homicidal maniacs is 6pm tonight (central Austin USA time). I'll randomly pick one and we'll get on going.
For this round, let's keep everything the same except that multiple weapons in a post are prohibited. I think there are still some devious strategies available to the killer.
345. AytchMan - 4/10/2002 2:07:33 PM
Incidentally, use aytch@zipmail.com.
I've received a couple on the old one -- it's still active but it's going away in a couple of days.
346. rubberducky - 4/10/2002 2:14:16 PM
i definitely think the killers should try to kill the other ... great idea Ms No
347. betty - 4/11/2002 10:06:55 AM
multiple killers! multiple killers!
348. AytchMan - 4/11/2002 3:17:15 PM
What the hey, let's try Double Killers.
In each set of weapons, I'll identify a Silver Bullet item that can only be used on the other killer. If you miss, too bad, no more soup for you. You can keep popping the hounds but you get no more chances on the other killer.
I'll notify the killers and we'll begin to prepare to commence to get started.
349. AytchMan - 4/11/2002 3:35:21 PM
btw, with two killers, strictly shall I enforce the 48-hour rule (between kills) for each killer.
Also, if anybody would like to moderate the next round, I might like to play and see how the other half lives. Please post here.
350. judithathome - 4/11/2002 3:36:53 PM
You should get Indy to spell you...
351. AytchMan - 4/12/2002 4:53:58 PM
Chief Speedtrap is getting a bad feeling. He doesn't like it when he gets a bad feeling. Bad things seem to happen after he gets a bad feeling. Crime. Murder. Possibly beginning on Monday.
Time for the Chief to start planning a leave of absence.
352. AytchMan - 4/12/2002 4:54:29 PM
Chief Speedtrap is getting a bad feeling. He doesn't like it when he gets a bad feeling. Bad things seem to happen after he gets a bad feeling. Crime. Murder. Possibly beginning on Monday.
Time for the Chief to start planning a leave of absence.
353. AytchMan - 4/14/2002 5:56:49 PM
And they're off...
The game will start at midnight tonight Central US Daylight Time. Most of the US just went over to daylight time so adjust accordingly, international hounds.
Note that I will strictly enforce the rules on 48 hours between kills (per killer) and NO multiple weapons per strike. Thus, it's possible that the hounds will get a notice of a missed kill. There will be no red herrings.
With a little luck, the entire Mote could be wiped out. Arf.
354. judithathome - 4/14/2002 6:08:26 PM
Well, wait a bit...it could even happen without this game, ya' know.
355. rubberducky - 4/15/2002 10:14:53 AM
A-Man, i could moderate the next game for ya.
356. AytchMan - 4/15/2002 4:24:15 PM
Thanks, rd, I may take you up on that.
357. AytchMan - 4/15/2002 8:21:29 PM
Bulletin!
Cellar Door, a popular murder target in Moter City, has been found dead in the underground solarium of the Moter City Resort Complex. The Moter City coroner believes the death occurred within a 24-hour period beginning at 7pm, Sunday the 15th.
The police found a note taped to the victim's elbow: "The Strangler". Police Chief Hercule Speedtrap was heard to exclaim: "Oy. Margaret, where are those train tickets?"
358. Erinys - 4/16/2002 1:15:03 PM
Say...is Speedtrap trying to trip up the hounds, or is that '15th' a typo?
Absensia or jexster did it!
359. Absensia - 4/16/2002 1:31:31 PM
Shhhhhhhhh!
360. zojak quafeth - 4/16/2002 1:46:22 PM
357. AytchMan - 4/15/02 7:21:29 PM
If it's not a typo then we know cellar died between 7:00 and 7:21.
361. PelleNilsson - 4/16/2002 2:12:17 PM
Aytch
Please tell me the game time in relation to GMT so I can calibrate my Death Watcher Extension.
362. zojak quafeth - 4/16/2002 2:29:44 PM
Pelle -
It's US Central time, which I believe is -5 hours GMT.
363. zojak quafeth - 4/16/2002 2:31:34 PM
oops. correction. It's -6 hours. -5 is Eastern time. Sorry.
364. AytchMan - 4/16/2002 4:12:53 PM
Sorry about the date. It's Sunday the 14th. The Chief really needs this vacation.
365. AytchMan - 4/16/2002 4:14:01 PM
Central time is -6 GMT.
366. AytchMan - 4/16/2002 4:24:59 PM
Standby for an important announcement.
367. rubberducky - 4/16/2002 4:25:54 PM
i'm currently sitting
hope that's okay.
368. AytchMan - 4/16/2002 4:28:25 PM
While you're standing by, I suppose I should add a Victim Rule, to wit, each victim shall be struck down only once per game. If a killer strikes an already-dead Motie, I'll announce it as a miss. Since the killers are working independently, this is a distinct possibility.
369. AytchMan - 4/16/2002 4:29:45 PM
rd--
Please stand. Someone is purchasing the agro-business as we speak.
370. AytchMan - 4/16/2002 4:37:13 PM
Bulletin!
Rama, an unpopular murder target in Moter City, has been found dead in the underground solarium of the Moter City Resort Complex. The Moter City coroner believes the death occurred within a 24-hour period beginning at 6am, Monday the 15th. Officials from the Bureau of Intelligent Date-Stamping have certified that this date is correct, more or less.
The police found a note taped to the victim's eyelash: "The Dutchman". Police Chief Hercule Speedtrap was found sitting in a corner, shaking his head.
371. Cellar Door - 4/17/2002 2:44:56 PM
In the immortal words of Bluebottle on "The Goon Show" : "Oh --You have dead-ed me!"
372. rubberducky - 4/17/2002 2:51:03 PM
you now hold the record for most killed ya know...
373. PelleNilsson - 4/17/2002 3:21:37 PM
Well, Cellar is a journalist, always at the hot spots. A risky profession.
374. AytchMan - 4/17/2002 3:53:20 PM
Standby for an important and different announcement.
375. AytchMan - 4/17/2002 4:06:32 PM
Bulletin!
Jexster, a resident of Moter City, has narrowly escaped death at the hands of The Strangler!
Police Chief Hercule Speedtrap reports that the attempt occurred sometime within the 24-hour period beginning at 2pm, Tuesday the 16th.
Chief Speedtrap then issued a plea to all citizens for any information on the recent whereabouts of the Krispy Kreme's.
376. AytchMan - 4/19/2002 3:17:41 PM
Bulletin!
Wonkers2, a resident of Moter City, has been found stone cold dead in the underground solarium of the Moter City Resort Complex. The Moter City coroner believes the death occurred within a 24-hour period beginning at 11am, Thursday the 18th. Officials from the Bureau of Intelligent Date-Stamping have certified that Ally McBeal has indeed been cancelled.
The police found a note taped to the victim's eyelash: "A boy has never wept...nor dashed a thousand kim -- The Dutchman."
Police Chief Hercule Speedtrap was found sitting in a corner, shaking his head at a box of imported French cruellers.
377. AytchMan - 4/19/2002 3:22:04 PM
Incidentally, it's now The Dutchman with two kills and The Strangler with one.
378. AytchMan - 4/19/2002 3:24:17 PM
Incidentally, it's now The Dutchman with two kills and The Strangler with one.
379. rubberducky - 4/19/2002 3:44:47 PM
ya don't say...
380. rubberducky - 4/19/2002 3:48:34 PM
one question i just thought of - is it possible for a killer to nail AytchMan, or whomever the host is?
381. AytchMan - 4/19/2002 3:51:26 PM
No reason why not.
382. betty - 4/19/2002 7:19:01 PM
who cares about wonkers, but does the Cap'n live on?
383. PelleNilsson - 4/20/2002 3:18:04 PM
I think Betty is the Dutchman. Her weapon is famous satirists/humourists. She killed Rama with Monty Python and wonkers with Swift
384. betty - 4/20/2002 6:30:22 PM
Such accusations, i guess i know who i can't count amongst my friends.
385. Erinys - 4/21/2002 4:47:24 AM
You're probably right, Pelle, that Monty Python stood out. Well done on the Swift...
I think zojak killed Cellar in Religion and tried to off jexster in News & Current.
386. zojak quafeth - 4/22/2002 10:39:29 AM
I think betty's trying to kill me! EEK!
387. zojak quafeth - 4/22/2002 10:43:54 AM
Me? A killer? No way. According to Al, my penis is too small for me to be the aggressive type.
388. AytchMan - 4/22/2002 3:57:07 PM
Just to be rigorous, hounds, please identify official guesses as such. Sometimes it's hard for me to tell them from kibbitzing.
389. AytchMan - 4/22/2002 4:17:06 PM
In light of impending events, I'll treat Pelle's guess as official since I think it's meant to be.
Pelle's guess is incorrect. Which leads us to...
390. AytchMan - 4/22/2002 4:19:15 PM
Bulletin!
PelleNilsson, a resident of a distant suburb of Moter City, has been found ice-cold dead in the underground solarium of the Moter City Resort Complex. The Moter City coroner believes the death occurred within a 24-hour period beginning at 5pm, Saturday the 20th.
The police found a note taped to the victim's elbow: "Sam, you are a boiled man -- The Dutchman."
The Dutchman's tally reaches three.
391. PelleNilsson - 4/23/2002 1:20:08 AM
Ah. The Dutchman is becoming bolder by the day.
392. zojak quafeth - 4/23/2002 4:50:10 PM
I'm beginning to wonder if perhaps the Dutchman offed the Strangler. No kills since the missed attempt on jexster.
393. AytchMan - 4/23/2002 11:26:45 PM
Bulletin!
Betty, a resident of Moter City, has been found fairly dead in the underground solarium of the Moter City Resort Complex. The Moter City coroner believes the death occurred within a 24-hour period beginning at 7am, Monday the 22nd.
The police found a note taped to the victim's upraised finger: "The Strangler." The Strangler's total has now reached two.
Chief Speedtrap has submitted an application to the Moter City Rest Home For The Extremely Weary.
394. vw - 4/24/2002 8:20:53 AM
has been found fairly dead
There's nothing worse then an ambiguously dead Betty.
395. rubberducky - 4/24/2002 8:49:57 AM
i think in the next version, the kills shouldn't be separated out so we know who killed whom.
396. PelleNilsson - 4/24/2002 11:08:04 AM
The game is too easy for you, ducky holmes?
397. AytchMan - 4/25/2002 4:45:21 PM
rd--
As the leading candidate for Grand High Moderator for the next round, you would have the authority to run the game as you see fit. The fact that you are the only candidate at present should not detract from this coveted honor.
398. zojak quafeth - 4/26/2002 8:21:27 AM
Hear, hear. (applause).
399. rubberducky - 4/26/2002 10:27:37 AM
A-Man
that's fine with me, so i'll offer this up to the thread.
the game i'm thinking of doing is having 2 killers as well. the difference is i don't plan to differentiate between the two when the kill is announced.
what say the hounds?
400. AytchMan - 4/28/2002 4:30:38 PM
Sounds fine to me as long as we're sure the hounds will be able to differentiate between the two. I guess, at worst, it will take a couple of extra murders.
401. AytchMan - 4/29/2002 4:41:29 PM
Bulletin!
Indiana Jones, a noted crime detective of Moter City, has reached the end of his career in the underground solarium of the Moter City Resort Complex. The Moter City coroner believes the death occurred within a 24-hour period beginning at 3am, Thursday the 25th.
The police found a note taped to the victim's Crimesolver's Statuette: "The Strangler".
Upon being awakened by nosy investigative reporters, Police Chief Hercule Speedtrap was heard to mutter: "I did NOT eat the last crueller".
402. AytchMan - 4/29/2002 4:46:54 PM
In the homicide derby, it's three to three for The Dutchman and The Strangler.
403. Indiana Jones - 4/29/2002 10:10:20 PM
404. Erinys - 4/30/2002 2:56:56 PM
poor dead motix.
405. AytchMan - 5/2/2002 12:42:36 PM
Bulletin!
Rubberducky, a candidate for moderator from Moter City, has received the ultimate rejection in the underground solarium of the Moter City Resort Complex. The Moter City coroner believes the death occurred within a 24-hour period beginning at noon, Monday the 29th.
The police found a note taped to the victim's knee: "The Strangler".
Despondent over the wave of murders (and the scarcity of Krispy Kremes) Chief Speedtrap has been slow to report the last couple of murders. The Chief apologizes and resolves to improve. The Chief's resolutions typically last but a few minutes.
406. AytchMan - 5/2/2002 12:45:08 PM
The Strangler's streak has now reached four and is within striking distance of the record held by Pelle Nilsson's Slasher (five).
407. AytchMan - 5/2/2002 12:49:16 PM
And while we're on the subject of that record...
408. AytchMan - 5/2/2002 12:56:01 PM
Bulletin!
Ms. No, a dominatrix from Moter City, has been strangled with her own whip [The Strangler's words, not mine -- hey, we don't make the news, we just report it] in the underground solarium of the Moter City Resort Complex. The Moter City coroner believes the death occurred within a 24-hour period beginning at 9 am, Wednesday the 1st.
The police found a note taped to the victim's whip hand: "The Strangler".
Still despondent over the scarcity of Krispy Kremes, Chief Speedtrap has nevertheless reported this crime with dispatch and, dare we say, panache, perhaps even elan.
409. AytchMan - 5/2/2002 12:59:32 PM
The Strangler has now equalled the record of five, held by The Slasher.
Y'know, The Chief could make do with a really good Napoleon. It's not like we're on the frontier in 1883.
410. rubberducky - 5/2/2002 1:06:14 PM
hmmm
bastards
411. OhioSTOPAS - 5/2/2002 4:44:33 PM
Alas, poor Ducky.
And too bad about Ms. No.
It's a shame to lose a good dominatrix.
(And a REAL shame to lose a BAD one.)
412. Indiana Jones - 5/3/2002 10:29:56 AM
Well, ignore my clue post. I thought ducky had done me in because I remembered making only one post that could have led to my demise. His followup did seem innocuous, but I didn't think I'd posted otherwise in the 24-hour period in question.
But if the Strangler killed me and ducky, then was still around to kill Ms. No, that eliminates all possibility that the Strangler is ducky.
Or so it would seem...
413. Indiana Jones - 5/3/2002 10:31:24 AM
BTW, the great thing about being dead is one need not fear death anymore.
Otherwise, I'm glad to inform the living that there don't seem to be too many disadvantages.
414. rubberducky - 5/3/2002 10:56:37 AM
i didn't get your clue, what did you mean, IJ?
415. rubberducky - 5/3/2002 10:57:33 AM
oh, and it seems to me that 'The Strangler' has offed the other killer the dutch one. notice that killer has been quiet now...
416. Indiana Jones - 5/3/2002 11:21:59 AM
The only post of mine I thought occurred in that 24-hour period was on the Comments thread for Smack in the Middle of Hell. Smack in the Middle of Hell. You posted right after me there.
The thread was RIP'd about that time, so hence the reference to hidden under a fresh tombstone.
417. rubberducky - 5/3/2002 11:38:46 AM
ah - yes, ok.
i was thinking that'd be a great place for a killer to strike.
418. PelleNilsson - 5/3/2002 2:09:07 PM
I think the rule is that somebody who has made a wrong guess is not allowed to make another one. If that were not so I could speak plenty. Suffice it to say that the Dutchman's identity will never be revealed but by the grace of The Benevolent Moderator.
419. rubberducky - 5/3/2002 2:25:58 PM
that's what i thought - s/he is dead
420. rubberducky - 5/3/2002 2:28:25 PM
and if i had to guess, and i'm dead so it doesn't matter, but i'd bet it was IJ
421. betty - 5/3/2002 2:35:01 PM
ducky,
IJ was my guess too, but he was apparently killed...though his death could be a red herring.
422. rubberducky - 5/3/2002 2:38:51 PM
there are 2 killers ... and the killers get one chance to off the other one.
423. AytchMan - 5/3/2002 3:00:54 PM
While Moties killed dead may not make any official guesses, they are encouraged to kibbitz, offer suggestions, drop hints and air suspicions.
There are no red herrings in this round.
424. AytchMan - 5/5/2002 6:12:14 PM
Bulletin!
Concerned, a resident of Moter City, has received the ultimate rejection letter in the underground solarium of the Moter City Resort Complex. The Moter City coroner believes the death occurred within a 24-hour period beginning at 7 am, Friday the 3rd.
The police found a note taped to the victim's right hand: "The Strangler".
Looking quite dapper with doughnut glaze on his upper lip, Chief Speedtrap reported that the total for the Strangler has now reached six, a record unparallelled anywhere in the known Cosmos. The Chief urged all citizens of Moter City to catch this fiend "...to ensure the continued supply of fine pastries throughout Moter City".
425. AytchMan - 5/11/2002 6:10:10 PM
Bulletin!
CalGal, a resident of Moter City, has had her power shut down in the underground solarium of the Moter City Resort Complex. The Moter City coroner believes the death occurred within a 24-hour period beginning at 2 am, Thursday the 9th.
The police found a note taped to the victim's wisdom tooth: "The Strangler".
The Strangler's total has now reached seven and apparently all of the hounds are dead. The Chief is considering a position as Minister of Security in Kabul. "Much less stressful", he believes.
426. CalGal - 5/13/2002 12:21:52 AM
I don't have any wisdom teeth. Is that a clue?
427. AytchMan - 5/14/2002 3:47:27 PM
And they say there are no good straight men left.
The possibilities abound.
428. CalGal - 5/14/2002 4:35:03 PM
Ha.
I think I know who killed me, but I tried to find a consistency pattern for the others and could only find a guess for Concerned.
I don't want to officially guess and have you tell me I'm wrong, but since no one is guessing I was wondering if I could just say what I thought and maybe add to someone else's total knowledge.
429. AytchMan - 5/14/2002 4:37:58 PM
cal--
Fire unofficially when ready.
In fact, since your power is off, you can't make an official guess anyway. Kibbitzing from beyond the grave is encouraged.
430. CalGal - 5/14/2002 6:15:51 PM
Well, I think Ronski killed me. I also noticed that Ronski was gone for a while, and there is a big gap between Concerned's death and MsNo's.
I can find a post by Ronski behind Concerned in that time period, but I couldn't find one for MsNo or Pelle. Which means I could be wrong, of course. But if anyone is tracking, I offer it for what it is worth.
431. zojak quafeth - 5/14/2002 6:25:32 PM
Hey Cal,
Can you tell us the thread and time where you think he killed you and concerned so we can try to see if there is a pattern?
432. CalGal - 5/14/2002 6:34:33 PM
The one I think killed me is in the Cafe. Concerned's--hmm, I looked it up last night and I think it's at home. I think it is in I&P.
But I could swear I looked everywhere for MsNo and Ronski, and Pelle's kill in particular should be pretty easy to find, because it happened on a weekend. I couldn't find either.
433. PelleNilsson - 5/15/2002 1:01:08 AM
CalGal
There were two killers from the start. I'm pretty sure the other one (by know killed as well) did me in.
434. CalGal - 5/15/2002 1:13:44 AM
I know there were two killers. But wasn't he supposed to call them either the strangler and the dutchman? Or did I miss something?
435. rubberducky - 5/15/2002 8:55:02 AM
A-Man did say who did the killings in his posts. and, i still say IJ was the other killer. he's probably the one to bump off Pelle
436. zojak quafeth - 5/15/2002 9:24:17 AM
Well, I think we're down to one killer and that one offed the other. Only the strangler has killed anyone recently. I noticed early on though that the strangler had a dry spell that seemed to coincide with jex's suspension. I'm guessing that maybe Jexster is involved. But I haven't been able to see a patern there to prove it.
(PS - I think the other - presumed dead killer was betty)
437. AytchMan - 5/15/2002 5:30:38 PM
Bulletin!
Jexster, a resident of Moter City, has checked out of the underground solarium of the Moter City Resort Complex. The Moter City coroner believes the death occurred within a 24-hour period beginning at 1pm, Tuesday the 14th.
The police found a note taped to the victim's typing fingers: "The Strangler".
The Strangler's total has now reached eight. If you're very quiet, you can hear The Strangler laughing.
438. judithathome - 5/15/2002 5:34:08 PM
How long before no one can guess the idenity of the killer(s) because everyone is dead?
439. AytchMan - 5/15/2002 5:43:05 PM
At the rate we're going, it won't be long. At ten kills, I think we'll pronounce the entire Mote DOA.
440. zojak quafeth - 5/16/2002 8:29:13 AM
well so much for my theory....
441. Erinys - 5/17/2002 2:20:46 AM
Strangler
Cellar Door RIP 7pm 14 April
jexster near miss 2pm 16 April
betty RIP 7am 22 April
Indiana Jones RIP 3am 25 April
rubberducky RIP 12 noon 29 April
Ms. No RIP 9am 1 May
concerned RIP 7am 3 May
CalGal RIP 2am 9 May
jexster RIP 1pm 14 May
Dutchman
Rama RIP 6am 15 April
Wonkers2 RIP 11am 18 April
PelleNilsson RIP 5pm 20 April
poor dead motix
Is no one left to stop zojak?
442. zojak quafeth - 5/17/2002 9:07:00 AM
Erinys -
Zojak is only bloodthirsty in the amotian novel thread. That's the only place I lop people's arms off and whack them about the head and shoulders. Plus, I've never posted at 2am or 3am.
But I do recall that you solved the last of these little mysteries, did you not?
...and that you've been very quiet this round, have you not?
Where were you at 3am on April 25?
443. AytchMan - 5/17/2002 5:18:27 PM
Bulletin!
Uzmakk of the Steppes, a resident of Moter City, has bought the yurt near the underground solarium of the Moter City Resort Complex. The Moter City coroner believes the death occurred within a 24-hour period beginning at 2am, Thursday the 16th.
The police found a note taped to the victim's prize yak: "The Strangler".
The Strangler's total has now reached nine. If the Strangler reaches ten, this game is over and Moties everywhere will be spray-painted with a high-gloss coat of shame.
444. zojak quafeth - 5/18/2002 7:31:03 PM
Well, let's end this little murder spreee by killing off Chief Speedtrap himself shall we?
halfpipe snowboarding
...and that makes 10.
445. zojak quafeth - 5/20/2002 9:07:58 AM
OK, for anyone who cares, the weapon was Winter Olympic events. The kills were:
Kills:
#1 Cellar Door - Movies thread:
24724. zojak quafeth - 4/15/02 10:52:09 AM
Why must they torture us so?
I believe I'll be curling up with a good book ...
I tried to off Jexter too early in News & Current Events:
22827. zojak quafeth - 4/17/02 10:05:18 AM
From South China- Man fears wife will kill kids so he kills her first. The judge, Justice Gareth Luge,, gives the guy 6 years...
#2 I figured out that Betty was the other killer, so I offed her in the aMotian Novel thread:
280. zojak quafeth - 4/22/02 9:11:25 AM
“It’s theDiva. And her lover. And she’s coming down that mountain jumping like she’s in some kind of fucked up Nordic combined....
#3 Indy died in the Sports Thread:
18576. zojak quafeth -4/25/02 10:59:26 AM
Anyone here an Ice Hockey fan?...
#4 Rubberducky bought it in the Sex thread:
6275. zojak quafeth - 4/29/02 3:22:51 PM
Consider the 2 fine young ladies above... And I'm sure many have considered the fime biathlon action they would make.
Julius Caesar's moniker changing propensities provided the opportunity for two kills in Features and New Thread:
#5 Ms. No:
17527. zojak quafeth -5/1/02 3:26:24 PM
OK, I'll throw my hat into the "Suggest a new moniker for Julius" ring....
4. figure skating champ – Scott Hamilton
#6 Concerned:
17564. zojak quafeth - 5/3/02 6:10:31 PM
You're right. Hamilton is much too manly for Julius. I think we have to think Ice Dancing. Give the short latino a long Russian
name. Any suggestions?
446. zojak quafeth - 5/20/2002 9:08:34 AM
#7 CalGal finally saw God in the Religion thread:
16933. zojak quafeth - 5/9/02 2:16:19 PM
...Semantics and verbal gymnastics. Hell I'll go so far as to call it twisty as a 4-man bobsleigh run.
#8 Got it right with Jexster in Enron:
1972. zojak quafeth - 5/14/02 3:13:33 PM
Jex - Reading your thread is kinda like watching short track speed skating. Lots of cutting. Lots of action. Kinda fun to
watch. But in the end it's all just going in a bunch of circles isn't it?
Uzmakk lost his religion:
#9 17471. zojak quafeth - 5/16/02 4:45:41 PM
Heya Uz. Funny you should mention Radical Orthodoxy. The friend I had borrowed it from asked to get it back b/c he's heading to Chubut
Argentina to go downhill skiing ...
447. rubberducky - 5/20/2002 9:36:09 AM
wow - very well played!
448. PelleNilsson - 5/20/2002 12:34:25 PM
Very clever, Zojak, very clever indeed.
So I was right about Betty being the Dutchman.
449. zojak quafeth - 5/20/2002 1:05:55 PM
Yeah. If I remember correctly, the Dutchman killed Rama first and it was a day when Rama's postings were a little light. There were only 4 people who had posted after him, Betty, Cellar Door, Indy and one other. Cellar was dead so it was down to 3. The second kill narrowed it to Indy or Betty. You were killed after you guessed and that nailed it for me. Especially since the 24 hour window began to run 3 hours after your death. So I whacked her using my "silver bullet" - Nordic Combined - which was the only weapon that could kill the other killer.
I'm still not positive what her weapon wasthough. Yo Betty, what was your weapon?
450. zojak quafeth - 5/20/2002 1:11:30 PM
P.S. Erinys had picked me out as the killer after themissed hit on Jex, but had the wrong thread for the cellar kill so I think she was still working on trying to figure weapons...
451. Absensia - 5/20/2002 1:14:18 PM
"Zojak exposes himsef...moties gasp at what they see!"
452. PelleNilsson - 5/20/2002 1:58:44 PM
Wondrous equipment, he has, concludes stunned audience.
453. AytchMan - 5/20/2002 3:59:52 PM
Congratulations to The Strangler Zojak, Shatterer of Records.
As for that last kill, your gracious moderator is not amused.
454. AytchMan - 5/20/2002 4:04:27 PM
Betty's weapons were British TV comedies -- Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, etc.
455. PelleNilsson - 5/20/2002 4:07:12 PM
But she killed me with Swift! Didn't she?
456. AytchMan - 5/20/2002 4:26:39 PM
Betty got you with post 24173 in International. The weapon was "As Time Goes By".
457. CalGal - 5/20/2002 5:09:00 PM
Jeez. Good job!
458. betty - 5/20/2002 5:21:50 PM
Confessions of the Dutchman
zoj you bastard, you were next on my list, If i had thought about the fact that I didn't have to know your weapon I would have taken you out instead of Pelle.
459. zojak quafeth - 5/20/2002 5:29:44 PM
lol. Sorry Betty. I was nervous that you were gonna try to take me out after Erinys' guess. I was waiting for you to post in the amotian novel thread b/c i figured it was really the only place I could use "nordic combined" without arising a lot of suspicion. :)
460. zojak quafeth - 5/20/2002 5:29:50 PM
lol. Sorry Betty. I was nervous that you were gonna try to take me out after Erinys' guess. I was waiting for you to post in the amotian novel thread b/c i figured it was really the only place I could use "nordic combined" without arousing a lot of suspicion. :)
461. zojak quafeth - 5/20/2002 5:30:12 PM
oops edit error. sorry.
462. zojak quafeth - 5/20/2002 5:36:45 PM
...and my apologies to the gracious moderator. I couldn't resist. But you were just sitting there. Looking the other way, eating a donut....
463. arkymalarky - 5/20/2002 10:20:07 PM
Hahaha! Wonderful, ZQ!!
464. Erinys - 5/21/2002 12:04:11 AM
Ha! I knew it was you, zojak! Well done, your tools served you well.
Who knew? Who knew there were sports such as curling? halfpipe snowboarding? I know you were trying to be helpful after that last one, but I was thinking along the lines of combination words such as butter+fly and it just threw me off even more. And you even offed a patron of the sports bar. sobbing ashamedly
What a cold winterish heart you have. Well done!
465. Erinys - 5/21/2002 12:10:46 AM
Oh, and suggesting the Dutchman offed the Strangler was a nice touch. You devil.
466. AytchMan - 5/24/2002 5:24:59 PM
A very entertaining round to moderate, I might add. Two killers, the first missed kill, one killer pops the other. If I remember correctly, betty's attempt on wonkers came only a hour or so after zojak's strike, so betty couldn't have known wonkers was already dead.
467. AytchMan - 5/24/2002 5:32:47 PM
Which brings us to new business. Ducky has offered to moderate the next round so we can go with that OR we can put the game on hold for a while to refresh the hounds' attention spans -- The Strangler made you look very bad.
Go or wait?
If we go ahead, I'd suggest using about six killers and letting them go after each other.
468. PelleNilsson - 5/27/2002 3:47:12 PM
While Chief Speedtrack is recuperating in the asylum, his every need catered for by Sister Diesel, let us have some magic. It's a very old Indian trick and you are the magician.
You produce a thin metal rod and ask Volunteers A and B to hold it between them. You borrow a wedding ring from Volunteer C. You get out a handkerchief, fold the ring into it and tie it up. You borrow the rod, temporarily, from A and B and use it to tap on the handkerchief so that it can be heard that the ring is there. You also let C feel that it is indeed there. You and C each hold one end of the handkerchief in front of the rod. You tell C to let it go on three and count out one, two, three, gone. The ring is now hanging on the rod.
How did you do it?
469. rubberducky - 5/28/2002 8:50:14 AM
A-Man:
i was going to suggest letting this thread go dormant for a month, just to keep it fresh.
as for format, i'm completely open.
470. AytchMan - 5/28/2002 4:04:40 PM
rd--
I think that's a good idea. If anyone has any suggestions for new wrinkles or even a new type of game, fire away.
471. AytchMan - 5/28/2002 4:06:42 PM
pelle--
It's an old trick and I can't remember how exactly but isn't it sleight of hand with a second ring? Either that or the ring has a false opening that allows you to slip it on the rod.
472. PelleNilsson - 5/29/2002 2:57:12 PM
Yes, it is very old. A second ring is sewn into a pocket of trehe handkercheif. When the magician drope the borrowed ring into it, he actually palms it. When he borrows the rod from the volunteers he slips the "real" ring onto it. And there you are.
All those tricks that rely on misdirection are really childishly simple. It is all in the magician's perfomance and stage presence.
The description of the trick is from the invaluable The Amateur Magicians Handbook by Henry Hay, first publiched in 1950. I'm not a magician, and have never aspired to become one, but I'm fascinated by the art, in particular by close-up magic which is performed across the kitchen table.
I'll post some more tricks if I find the time.
473. PelleNilsson - 5/29/2002 2:58:26 PM
publiched = published. Insert apostrophe as required.
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