| Author | Message | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 537 Registered: 6-2008 |
OK, here's my second puzzle. It's apparently another true story, told to me by word of mouth, though MUCH more lateral than the last one. This should last quite a while. "Is there anything else I can do for you, ma'am?" | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 826 Registered: 9-2009 |
Speaker: HAM? Ma'am: HAF? Has the speaker just done something for "ma'am"? Headline relevant? Sayings arelevant? Dogs? Other people involved? Animal(s)? | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 538 Registered: 6-2008 |
Speaker: HAM?Yes to all Ma'am: HAF?Yes to all Has the speaker just done something for "ma'am"?Yesish, explore! Headline relevant?You mean the title? See next answers Sayings relevant?Only in that the above saying would have been good advice for the subjects of this puzzle Dogs?No Other people involved?Noish--one other HAM was present but I wouldn't say he was "involved", so no need to explore Animal(s)?Yes, one, very much so Believe me, it may sound like I'm giving away a lot, but you'll need luck on this | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 1949 Registered: 5-2003 |
So he shouldn't have asked "Is there anything else I can do for you, ma'am?" Because she took advantage? Or talked his ear off? (I get this all the time as a librarian -- order a pile of books, ask if they need anything else, and they go, "Yes, actually, there's more, thanks for reminding me!") Is this in a business situation? Is "ma'am" a customer? I'm going to call the HAM Tom, and the HAF Becky. Is Tom's profession relevant? Becky's? Is Tom's age/ethnicity/appearance relevant? Becky's? Are they related? Have they ever met before? Has Tom just done something for Becky? | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 540 Registered: 6-2008 |
So he shouldn't have asked "Is there anything else I can do for you, ma'am?"FA Because she took advantage? Or talked his ear off? It's not of help to explore her reaction to the puzzle statement. I don't know if he even did ask anything like it. But it would have been VERY amusing if he had, as long as Becky had a sense of humor, due to something that happened immediately prior. That "something" is what you're trying to find. Is this in a business situation? Is "ma'am" a customer? Not in the sense that she would pay him. The puzzle situation does take place in the course of his work, though. I'm going to call the HAM Tom, and the HAF Becky.Sure Is Tom's profession relevant?Yes, see above. Becky's? No Is Tom's age/ethnicity/appearance relevant? Becky's? Neither Are they related? No Have they ever met before? No, almost definitely Has Tom just done something for Becky? Yesish, explore! | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 830 Registered: 9-2009 |
Did he do something negative to her? Something trivial? Something accidental? | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 542 Registered: 6-2008 |
Did he do something negative to her? on purpose you mean? Something trivial? No Something accidental? YES, but don't let this mislead you | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 838 Registered: 9-2009 |
Some negative, accidentally? Did he mean to do something else? Or nothing at all? Did he try to do something nice, but failed? Spectacularly? | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 543 Registered: 6-2008 |
Some negative, accidentally? Yes Did he mean to do something else? Yes Or nothing at all? Did he try to do something nice, but failed? Spectacularly? Well, he technically didn't fail to do what was asked, but this is all very OTRT | ||
| Arek_fu (Arek_fu)
New member Username: Arek_fu Post Number: 797 Registered: 12-2007 |
I understand Tom did not actually utter the puzzle statement. Is that correct? It would only have been funny if he had, right? Were Tom and Becky in the same place? Did they talk to each other? Did they interact with each other? Was each of them conscious of the other's presence? For the whole duration of the relevant actions? How long had Tom and Becky been interacting when the puzzle statement could have been pronounced? <1 minute? <5 minutes? <20 minutes? <1 hour? <1 day? Tom's profession: Artistic? Musical? Agriculture? Hunter? Fisherman? Banking? Financial? Real estate? Clerical? Administrative? Receptionist? Computer related? Hardware? Information technology? Construction? Craftsman? Criminal? Jailbird? Education? Academic Research? Entertainment? Media? Executive? Management? Hospitality? Travel? Food Service? Law enforcement? Police? Legal Services? Manufacturing? Distributions? Medical? Health Services? Politics? Government? Military? Sales? Marketing? Tradesman? Religion? Retired person? Occupational disease? Sports? Student? Trainee? Teaching? Child care? Technical? Science? Engineering? Transportation? Unemployed? Writer? Editor? Translator? Interpreter? Other? | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 545 Registered: 6-2008 |
I understand Tom did not actually utter the puzzle statement. I don't know, I wasn't there Is that correct? It would only have been funny if he had, right? It would have presumably been funny to a (hypothetical) third party. To Becky, depends. Were Tom and Becky in the same place? Did they talk to each other? Did they interact with each other? Was each of them conscious of the other's presence? For the whole duration of the relevant actions? Yes to all How long had Tom and Becky been interacting when the puzzle statement could have been pronounced? <1> less than 1 hour? Maybe this... less than 1 day? but likely this Tom's profession: Artistic? Musical? Agriculture? Hunter? Fisherman? Banking? Financial? Real estate? Clerical? Administrative? Receptionist? Computer related? Hardware? Information technology? Construction? Craftsman? Criminal? Jailbird? Education? Academic Research? Entertainment? Media? Executive? Management? Hospitality? Travel? Food Service? Law enforcement? Police? This Legal Services? Manufacturing? Distributions? Medical? Health Services? Politics? Government? Military? Sales? Marketing? Tradesman? Religion? Retired person? Occupational disease? Sports? Student? Trainee? Teaching? Child care? Technical? Science? Engineering? Transportation? Unemployed? Writer? Editor? Translator? Interpreter? Other? | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 840 Registered: 9-2009 |
So Tom is a police officer? And Becky asked him to do something? Help her with something? And he did what was asked? But it accidentally turned out negative? Is a misunderstanding involved? Did Tom: injure Becky? Damage something of hers? Injure an animal? Kill an animal? Is the animal invovled hers? His? Is it a dog? A cat? A pet? Service animal? Does he do something: to the animal? For the animal? Against the animal? Age or sex of animal relevant? | ||
| Arek_fu (Arek_fu)
New member Username: Arek_fu Post Number: 798 Registered: 12-2007 |
So is Tom a cop? Is he questioning Becky? Has she been charged? Is she a witness? A hostage? A victim of a crime? Did a crime take place? Has anyone committed a crime? Has Becky? Tom? Has anyone died? The animal involved: is it a cat? Bird? Bear? Crocodile? Swordfish? Whale? Snake? Lizard? Panda? Dodo? T-Rex? Ok, seriously, a mammal? Reptile? Bird? Fish? A pet? Someone's pet? Becky's? Tom's? Is the animal involved in the crime? Did the animal commit the crime? | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 546 Registered: 6-2008 |
So Tom is a police officer? And Becky asked him to do something? Help her with something? And he did what was asked? But it accidentally turned out negative? All yes up to here Is a misunderstanding involved? but no Did Tom: injure Becky? Yes Damage something of hers? This too Injure an animal? Possibly, yes if "injury" can be indirect Kill an animal? Possibly, though not necessarily Is the animal invovled hers? His? Is it a dog? A cat? A pet? Service animal? No to all of these Does he do something: to the animal? Yes For the animal? Against the animal? This and previous depend on the exact outcome. More likely against, though Age or sex of animal relevant? No | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 547 Registered: 6-2008 |
So is Tom a cop? Yes, see above Is he questioning Becky? Has she been charged? Is she a witness? A hostage? A victim of a crime? Did a crime take place? Has anyone committed a crime? Has Becky? Tom? Has anyone died? No to all the rest The animal involved: is it a cat? Bird? Bear? Crocodile? Swordfish? Whale? Snake? Lizard? Panda? Dodo? T-Rex? No to all (: Ok, seriously, a mammal? This, no to rest and FA on last two Reptile? Bird? Fish? A pet? Someone's pet? Becky's? Tom's? Is the animal involved in the crime? Did the animal commit the crime? OK, this is actually starting to go somewhere... | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 548 Registered: 6-2008 |
Slight correction: To "Damage something of hers?", the best answer is probably yesish. "Was something of hers damaged?" would get a "yes" | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 847 Registered: 9-2009 |
Was the animal: wild? Tamed? Domesticated? Did it belong to someone? Bigger than: a mouse? Guinea pig? Cat? Small dog? Big dog? Pony? Bear? Cow? elephant? Did she ask him to get rid of the animal? Chase it away? Capture it? Do something else to the animal? Are they: where she lives? At her car? Inside? Outside? Era/location relevant? Time of day? | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 549 Registered: 6-2008 |
Was the animal: wild? This Tamed? Domesticated? No, as you will find out! Did it belong to someone? No Bigger than: a mouse? Guinea pig? Yes to here, no to rest Cat? Small dog? Big dog? Pony? Bear? Cow? elephant? Did she ask him to get rid of the animal? Chase it away? Capture it? Do something else to the animal? Any of these would have worked Are they: where she lives? This At her car? Inside? And this. No to rest. Outside? Era/location relevant? Time of day? I think it's time for a little *******RECAP******** Becky called Tom, a (rookie) cop, to her house to have him remove a small, wild mammal from somewhere. Against the better judgment of his more experienced partner (the non-involved HAM), he went ahead, and somehow this resulted in Becky being injured and some of her property being damaged. | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 848 Registered: 9-2009 |
Was it the animal that destroyed Becky's stuff? That injured her? If so, did it do so with: claws? Teeth? Urine? Feces? Other? Relevant what kind of home it was? Was the home itself damaged? Was it a rodent? Had it already damaged something before Tom came to the scene? | ||
| Yojimbo (Yojimbo)
New member Username: Yojimbo Post Number: 191 Registered: 11-2009 |
was it a mouse? a rat? a squirrel? a pika? a mountain beaver? a mole? a vole? a shrew? a gopher? was it in an inaccessible place? under something? above something? inside something? in the process of trying to extract it, did Tom (or the mammal) damage something? knock something over? rip something? punch a hole in something? burn something? anyone get bit by the little varmint? was Becky's damaged property a personal item? an article of clothing? was it kitchenware? a houseware? an appliance? furniture? her automobile? her shrubbery? was Becky's injury a cut? a bruise? a scrape? broken [arm? leg? head? other?] did she get shocked? burned? | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 550 Registered: 6-2008 |
Was it the animal that destroyed Becky's stuff? Yesish That injured her? Not directly If so, did it do so with: claws? Teeth? Urine? Feces? Other? This, at least primarily Relevant what kind of home it was? No Was the home itself damaged? No Was it a rodent? Yes Had it already damaged something before Tom came to the scene? Assume no | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 551 Registered: 6-2008 |
was it a mouse? a rat? a squirrel? This a pika? a mountain beaver? a mole? a vole? a shrew? a gopher? was it in an inaccessible place? Yope under something? above something? This... inside something? or this, depending on how you look at it in the process of trying to extract it, did Tom (or the mammal) damage something? Yes knock something over? rip something? punch a hole in something? burn something? YES anyone get bit by the little varmint? Assume no was Becky's damaged property a personal item? an article of clothing? was it kitchenware? a houseware? an appliance? furniture? This, no to others her automobile? her shrubbery? was Becky's injury a cut? a bruise? a scrape? broken [arm? leg? head? other? This, no to others] did she get shocked? burned? While the part up to the recap was going slow, this is actually going a little faster than I thought... | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 850 Registered: 9-2009 |
Was it inside the ceiling? In a lamp? On furniture? In furniture? Was the damaged object burnt by fire? If so: did the cop create the fire? The squirrel? The woman? Did he try to chase it with fire, or smoke it out? Becky broke something, right? Toe? Finger? Nose? Or did she get burned? | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 1959 Registered: 5-2003 |
Did Tom try to blow something up? Did the squirrel escape him? Is it still alive? | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 552 Registered: 6-2008 |
Was it inside the ceiling? Noish to this, no to all the others In a lamp? On furniture? In furniture? Was the damaged object burnt by fire? Yes If so: did the cop create the fire? No The squirrel? Yope The woman? Probably, but may mislead Did he try to chase it with fire, or smoke it out? No Becky broke something, right? Toe? Finger? Nose? This Or did she get burned? No, it was the furniture that burned | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 553 Registered: 6-2008 |
Did Tom try to blow something up? No Did the squirrel escape him? Is it still alive? To tell you the truth, I don't know what finally became of the squirrel. It's mostly irrelevant. | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 554 Registered: 6-2008 |
Notice: "It" in that last answer means the ultimate fate of the squirrel, not the squirrel itself, which is obviously very relevant! | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 1963 Registered: 5-2003 |
Did the squirrel accidentally start a fire? Was it chewing on electrical wires? | ||
| Yojimbo (Yojimbo)
New member Username: Yojimbo Post Number: 192 Registered: 11-2009 |
did the squirrel do something that increased the risk of or caused the fire? did it gnaw on some wires? was a fire already burning (as in a fireplace or stove)? was the furniture burned because a "controlled" fire got out of control? during the squirrel-extraction mayhem? was the squirrel on top of furniture? inside a wall? in a closet? | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 555 Registered: 6-2008 |
did the squirrel do something that increased the risk of or caused the fire? No did it gnaw on some wires? No was a fire already burning (as in a fireplace Yes, exactly this or stove)? was the furniture burned because a "controlled" fire got out of control? during the squirrel-extraction mayhem? Yes to both was the squirrel on top of furniture? inside a wall? in a closet? None of these. As a hint, remember it was noishly in the ceiling (as opposed to no), was above something but also could be said to be in someplace, that was not inaccessible but a little hard to access (hence the yope). I think I may have said something misleading, as this is not the lateral part. | ||
| Yojimbo (Yojimbo)
New member Username: Yojimbo Post Number: 193 Registered: 11-2009 |
was the squirrel up in the chimney? did Tom handle any burning wood intentionally? did a piece of wood Tom was handling catch the furniture on fire? or did a piece of burning wood get kicked/knocked from the stove and catch the furniture on fire? what sort of furniture -- a chair? upholstered? a sofa? a table? bookshelf? a cabinet? | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 556 Registered: 6-2008 |
was the squirrel up in the chimney? did Tom handle any burning wood intentionally? did a piece of wood Tom was handling catch the furniture on fire? or did a piece of burning wood get kicked/knocked from the stove and catch the furniture on fire? what sort of furniture -- a chair? upholstered? a sofa? This, I believe. Also could have been a chair. No to everything else. a table? bookshelf? a cabinet? | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 853 Registered: 9-2009 |
Was the squirrel: on/in furniture? A part of the house itself? Was it near the ceiling? In the ventilation? Near the fireplace? Were embers/burning pieces of wood ejected from the fireplace, setting fire to the furniture? Or was the furniture moved too close/into the fire? Did the cop stand on the furniture? To reach the hard-to-access place? Was this place above the fireplace? Did the woman break her nose by: fall? By being hit by something? By the cop? | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 557 Registered: 6-2008 |
Was the squirrel: on/in furniture? No A part of the house itself? Yes. It was yesishly a room Was it near the ceiling? Yes In the ventilation? No Near the fireplace? No Were embers/burning pieces of wood ejected from the fireplace, setting fire to the furniture? No Or was the furniture moved too close/into the fire? No Did the cop stand on the furniture? No To reach the hard-to-access place? No Was this place above the fireplace? Well, technically yes, as in part of it was Did the woman break her nose by: fall? No, if you are thinking she fell By being hit by something? Yes By the cop? No, not if you mean he bumped into her | ||
| Yojimbo (Yojimbo)
New member Username: Yojimbo Post Number: 194 Registered: 11-2009 |
was the squirrel on the bricks above the fireplace, as in clinging to them? on a balcony? a landing? a ledge? a sill? a shelf? a railing? a banister? a ceiling fan? a picture frame? a sconce? a menorah? some other object in the same room as the fireplace? is the burning furniture independent of the fire in the fireplace? did something from the fireplace cause the furniture to ignite? | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 559 Registered: 6-2008 |
was the squirrel on the bricks above the fireplace, as in clinging to them? on a balcony? a landing? a ledge? a sill? a shelf? a railing? a banister? a ceiling fan? a picture frame? a sconce? a menorah? some other object in the same room as the fireplace? No to all. I'll just say it--the squirrel was initially in the attic. I probably should have said "yesish" to "in the ceiling" and then I bet you'd have gotten it. Not that this makes everything clear, mind you... is the burning furniture independent of the fire in the fireplace? No did something from the fireplace cause the furniture to ignite? Yesish | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 560 Registered: 6-2008 |
Since we have a bunch of new info, I think I'll put a ***********RECAP****************** Becky sent Tom up into her attic to chase a squirrel. In the ensuing mayhem, something (not Tom) hit Becky in the nose, and also a sofa caught fire. The fire spread from a fireplace, but not because embers flew out, nor because part of the sofa was pushed into the fireplace. | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 856 Registered: 9-2009 |
Did the squirrel ignite? Did something else ignite and carry the fire from the fireplace to the sofa? Did something fall into the fire? Did something go down the chimney? Did Tom get injured? Did he fall? Did Tom do anything relevant other places than the attic? Did something fall from the ceiling on Becky? Relevant how the attic was accessed? If so: normal stairs? Steep stairs? Mounted ladder? Loose ladder? Stepladder? Lift? Other? Was Becky in the attic when she was injured? On her way up? On her way down? Downstairs? | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 562 Registered: 6-2008 |
Did the squirrel ignite? YES! Did something else ignite and carry the fire from the fireplace to the sofa? No Did something fall into the fire? No Did something go down the chimney? No Did Tom get injured? No Did he fall? No Did Tom do anything relevant other places than the attic? Yesish Did something fall from the ceiling on Becky? Yesish Relevant how the attic was accessed? If so: normal stairs? Steep stairs? Mounted ladder? Loose ladder? Stepladder? Lift? Other? Anything except a lift would work here, I don't know which it was. The fact he was standing up above Becky was relevant Was Becky in the attic when she was injured? No On her way up? No On her way down? No Downstairs? This | ||
| Yojimbo (Yojimbo)
New member Username: Yojimbo Post Number: 197 Registered: 11-2009 |
did Tom's gun (hit? fall? land on?) Becky? his flashlight? other "cop" paraphernalia? a fire extinguisher? did the burning squirrel hide under/in the sofa, catching it on fire? did Tom try to suppress the furniture fire? was he successful? would this make a good action movie? | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 564 Registered: 6-2008 |
did Tom's gun (hit? fall? land on?) Becky? his flashlight? This other "cop" paraphernalia? a fire extinguisher? did the burning squirrel hide under/in the sofa, catching it on fire? Yes did Tom try to suppress the furniture fire? I'm sure he did was he successful? I hope so! would this make a good action movie? At least a scene, yes Excellent work Yojimbo. Now you just need to put the events together in sequence | ||
| Yojimbo (Yojimbo)
New member Username: Yojimbo Post Number: 199 Registered: 11-2009 |
A woman tells the two policemen that there's a squirrel in her attic (or, she doesn't know what it is, but there's something). Tom's partner, Harry Callahan, thinks Tom is up to it, so Tom climbs the steep stairs to the attic hatch, his flashlight out to look in the attic. The squirrel leaps out, frightening Tom, causing him to drop his flashlight on Becky's face, causing her to step on the squirrel (having fallen at 32ft/sec/sec), causing him to dash, alas, into the fireplace, and then back out -- catching his bushy tail on fire during the detour -- and under the sofa he goes, catching it on fire. Okay so far? Then, how about his partner, Dirty Harry Callahan, gets out his gun (since the sofa is on fire), and blasts away at it. Out limps the poor squirrel, his burnt tail having been shot off and his fire out. Harry poses his famous question, telling the squirrel that "...in the excitement, I kind of lost track myself..." so he doesn't even know how many rounds he squeezed off. He asks the squirrel if he feels lucky. "Well, do ya, punk?" The squirrel has to know, and of course, he does know, having paid close attention. Can you put an asterisk by the FAs? I won't be dissuaded by a constellation... the poor squirrel -- I came home tonight to a bat in the house... it happens out here, off the coast of america. He made it out fine, with some experienced help. | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 566 Registered: 6-2008 |
A woman tells the two policemen that there's a squirrel in her attic (or, she doesn't know what it is, but there's something). Tom's partner, Harry Callahan, thinks Tom is up to it Actually no, the other guy knew better and tried to dissuade him (see the 1st recap), but our "hero" Tom was obviously very anxious to, literally, play the hero. Maybe Becky was a total hottie. So Tom climbs the steep stairs to the attic hatch, his flashlight out to look in the attic. The squirrel leaps out, frightening Tom, causing him to drop his flashlight on Becky's face, Exactly right to here causing her to step on the squirrel (having fallen at 32ft/sec/sec) But not this, it was Tom chasing him, after running back down, causing him to dash, alas, into the fireplace, and then back out -- catching his bushy tail on fire during the detour -- and under the sofa he goes, catching it on fire. Yep, can you believe it? Then, how about his partner, Dirty Harry Callahan, gets out his gun (since the sofa is on fire), and blasts away at it. Out limps the poor squirrel, his burnt tail having been shot off and his fire out. Harry poses his famous question, telling the squirrel that "...in the excitement, I kind of lost track myself..." so he doesn't even know how many rounds he squeezed off. He asks the squirrel if he feels lucky. "Well, do ya, punk?" The squirrel has to know, and of course, he does know, having paid close attention.Nice ending Can you put an asterisk by the FAs? I won't be dissuaded by a constellation... No FAs, just minor inaccuracies the poor squirrel -- I came home tonight to a bat in the house... it happens out here, off the coast of america. He made it out fine, with some experienced help.That's good to hear Well that's a *********************Spoiler************* I was going to tell the story myself, but since Yojimbo's creative license is better than mine, I'll let you read his version. I'll just add that I would have liked to see the look on Becky's face if he had asked the puzzle statement before leaving. My grandfather was a policeman, and apparently he was told this story at some point, who then told it to my dad. Though who knows if it was just dragged out to get someone's buddy to buy another round at the bar one night. | ||
| Yojimbo (Yojimbo)
New member Username: Yojimbo Post Number: 201 Registered: 11-2009 |
Nice puzzle, Biograd. I don't doubt that it's true -- as a writer friend of mine is fond of saying, "Truth IS stranger than fiction -- it just doesn't sell." I had fun with that - and really enjoyed the Dirty Harry part at the end (although I got a bit carried away!). | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 1974 Registered: 5-2003 |
I've just been reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, which is where Tom and Becky came from. Very funny puzzle. |
