Fortune 500 Company Solution

How It Works

Earlier in the event, teams were given a sheet of communication rules and a plastic frame. They were expected to realize when patrons begun coming up to them that they needed to use the communication rules for speaking with the patrons, and any time they correctly applied a rule, they would receive a triangle. The rules and complete scripts for the actors are listed at the bottom of this page.

When teams received all of the triangles an actor had, they formed this tag:

Solution

Scanning the tag revealed the answer: CAPTCHA

Design Notes

The puzzle was inspired by this image

It had been floating around about the time we'd started planning, and I joked that it'd be amusing to flip the phrase. I started musing on the idea of teams coming up to a lemonade stand, and Ben suggested flipping it and having the teams run the stands.

I decided to run with this, and initially played with the idea of having some logic puzzle where the actors would come by and something would happen. I thought this could involve different colors of lemonade, and one night had the sudden realization that Microsoft Tags came in plausible lemonade colors. After Kim talked me out of the logic problems and to just give teams the rules upfront, the puzzle in this basic iteration was formed.

The main difference from the puzzle at this point and what shipped was how teams built the tag; originally actors picked up lemonade based on which rule they were on instead of giving teams the triangles, and when teams got a challenge wrong they would have to start from scratch. A lot of the beta teams really didn't like this, and Ben suggested printing the clue numbers on the triangles so we could keep track of state, leading to the file version of the puzzle.

Construction Notes

There was a lot of laser cutting. Thanks, Ben. Also, thanks to the folks who sacrificed their fingernails to peeling the paper off the acrylic.

GC Notes

Asking teams to make their own signs was a last minute addition, but was awesome. Beyond that there were some fun things different teams did at the stands; No Resume was singing harmonized jingles to call patrons over, Maroon picked up their table and rushed one actor. In general I was sending SMSes to GC to award points to teams pretty constantly.

Maybe I missed it, but I was a little disappointed no teams went for the Portal reference and demanded to see life's manager. Lime Green almost snuck the quote into their sign.

Team Rulesheet

Actor A Script

1. "Rome is a beautiful city, don't you think?"
   • If they mention a place in Italy: respond in pig latin
2. *pull out phone* "Are you guys having fun?"
   • If they pull out a phone: turn your back to them while you respond.
3. "Any of you guys named Mike?"
   • If you hear a NATO letter: your response should include its ROT-13 pair (Mike->Zulu)
4. "Oh I'm sorry; I thought I saw you on the canoe earlier"
   • If they apologize: you must dance while you respond.
   • If they mention an aquatic vessel: speak like a pirate in your response.
5. "Where did you fly in from? France?"
   • If they name a country: say 'hello' in that country's language. (bonjour)
   • If they mention flight: flap your arms like a bird while you respond.
6. "Well in Spain, it takes two to tango, but one to walk like a fool."
   • If they name a country: say 'hello' in that country's language. (hola)
   • If you hear a NATO letter: your response should include its ROT-13 pair (Tango->Golf)
   • If they mention numbers: the number of words in your response must be less than or equal to the sum of all numbers they used. (3 words or less)
7. "This one day I saw four frogs fly right in a lake"
   • If you hear an animal's name: make its sound.
   • If they mention numbers: the number of words in your response must be less than or equal to the sum of all numbers they used. (5 words or less)
   • If they mention flight: flap your arms like a bird while you respond.
8. "I remember when I went to Finland I saw a note that no dolphins were harmed making their lemonade."
   • If they name a country: say 'hello' in that country's language. (it's 'hei')
   • If you hear an animal's name: make its sound.
   • If they use the word 'note:' you must sing while you respond.
9. "Have you ever passed out on a raft with 5 bottles of morimoto whiskey?"
   • If they mention numbers: the number of words in your response must be less than or equal to the sum of all numbers they used. (5 words or less)
   • If you hear a NATO letter: your response should include its ROT-13 pair (Whiskey->Juliet)
   • If they use a Japanese word: respond with a haiku
   • If they mention an aquatic vessel: speak like a pirate in your response.

Actor B Script

1. "Is everything good in the hood?"
   • If they rhyme: your last word must also rhyme with the rhyming words.
2. "You run a tight ship here."
   • If they mention an aquatic vessel: speak like a pirate in your response.
3. "What's your favorite lemonade flavor?"
   • If they use the word 'flavor', you must cheer. Woo-hoo!
4. *pull out phone* "Did you bring the katana you were supposed to bring?"
   • If they use a Japanese word: respond with a haiku
   • If they pull out a phone: turn your back to them while you respond.
5. *point at two team members* When I bake, I like to make cake.
   • If you are pointed at: you must respond, and you must fulfill all other rules in a manner different than any teammates responding.
   • If they rhyme: your last word must also rhyme with the rhyming words.
6. *with lisp* "Th-so did you th-see my note?
   • If they speak with a lisp: you may not use any vowels they use.
   • If they use the word 'note:' you must sing while you respond.
7. "The antidiscrimination rules in Osaka are a lot worse than the rules in Milan."
   • If they use a Japanese word: respond with a haiku
   • If they mention a place in Italy: respond in pig latin
   • If they use a word with 7 syllables or more: all words you respond with must be at least 3 syllables in length
8. *with lisp* "I th-simply love drinking four drinks-ths during my break. Do you?"
   • If they use the work 'break:' you must violate all rules other than this one for this round.
   • If they mention numbers: the number of words in your response must be less than or equal to the sum of all numbers they used. (i.e., five words or more)
   • If they speak with a lisp: you may not use any vowels they use. (more or less a freebee)
9. *point at 2 different team members* "Did you hear in Tokyo they have seaweed flavored dog treats?"
   • If you hear an animal's name: make its sound.
   • If you are pointed at: you must respond, and you must fulfill all other rules in a manner different than any teammates responding.
   • If they use a Japanese word: respond with a haiku
   • If they use the word 'flavor', you must cheer. Woo-hoo!

Actor C Script

1. "Take note; I love this lemonade."
   • If they use the word 'note:' you must sing while you respond.
2. "This lemonade is fit for a ninja."
   • If they use a Japanese word: respond with a haiku
3. "Do you know what time it is? It's close to three o'clock right?
   • If they use the word 'time': you can't use any words they used. (they'll probably get it, can't use o'clock or 'it')
   • If they mention numbers: the number of words in your response must be less than or equal to the sum of all numbers they used. (3)
4. "Ah, so half past the crow's flight?"
   • If they mention flight: flap your arms like a bird while you respond.
   • If you hear an animal's name: make its sound.
5. "Do you know what time it is? Time to get this ship in shape"
   • If they use the word 'time': you can't use any words they used.
   • If they mention an aquatic vessel: speak like a pirate in your response.
6. "What do you think of the socioeconomic ramifications of samurai?"
   • If they use a Japanese word: respond with a haiku
   • If they use a word with 7 syllables or more: all words you respond with must be at least 3 syllables in length
7. *holding blue token clearly, point at two team members* "A green sink means it's not right to drink"
   • If they rhyme: your last word must also rhyme with the rhyming words.
   • If you are pointed at: you must respond, and you must fulfill all other rules in a manner different than any teammates responding.
   • If they mention a color: mention the color they're holding.
8. *holding a phone* "This flavor of lemonade is one of my two favorites."
   • If they use the word 'flavor', you must cheer. Woo-hoo!
   • If they pull out a phone: turn your back to them while you respond.
   • If they mention numbers: the number of words in your response must be less than or equal to the sum of all numbers they used. (3)
9. *with a lisp, a phone in hand, and pointing at two team members* "I think it-th a nic-th day"
   • If they speak with a lisp: you may not use any vowels they use. (no is, as)
   • If you are pointed at: you must respond, and you must fulfill all other rules in a manner different than any teammates responding. (strict interpretation: they cannot use the same vowels. Kind interpretation: they just need to use different words)
   • If they comment on the weather: disagree with them
   • If they pull out a phone: turn your back to them while you respond.

Actor D Script

1. "The pig is in the pen."
   • If you hear an animal's name: make its sound.
2. "Is mischief is aflight?"
   • If they mention flight: flap your arms like a bird while you respond.
3. *with a lisp* "Less-thon from me: th-spend no money"
   • If they speak with a lisp: you may not use any vowels they use.
4. *point to two team members* "Show me the nice tones on your phones"
   • If you are pointed at: you must respond, and you must fulfill all other rules in a manner different than any teammates responding.
   • If they rhyme: your last word must also rhyme with the rhyming words.
5. "When in Rome, note your surroundings"
   • If they mention a place in Italy: respond in pig latin
   • If they use the word 'note:' you must sing while you respond.
6. "I'm sorry, what flavor is this?"
   • If they use the word 'flavor', you must cheer. Woo-hoo!
   • If they apologize: you must dance while you respond.
7. *phone in hand* "I don't think Juliet will stand for this."
   • If you hear a NATO letter: your response should include its ROT-13 pair (Juliet -> Whiskey)
   • If they pull out a phone: turn your back to them while you respond.
   • If they have paid with three black tiles in a row: all responses must include chump or a variation.
8. Can I get a different flavor in Okinawa?
   • If they use the word 'flavor', you must cheer. Woo-hoo!
   • If they use a Japanese word: respond with a haiku
   • If they have paid with three black tiles in a row: all responses must include chump or a variation.
9. "Sorry about my irresponsibility here, but I just didn't want those three lemonades."
   • If they mention numbers: the number of words in your response must be less than or equal to the sum of all numbers they used. (3 words or less)
   • If they use a word with 7 syllables or more: all words you respond with must be at least 3 syllables in length
   • If they have paid with three black tiles in a row: all responses must include chump or a variation.
   • If they apologize: you must dance while you respond.

Actor E Script

1. "Lovely weather we're having today"
   • If they comment on the weather: disagree with them
2. "Why the hate, mate?"
   • If they rhyme: your last word must also rhyme with the rhyming words.
3. "I haven't seen attitude like this since I was in Sicily"
   • If they mention a place in Italy: respond in pig latin
4. "I'm sorry you can't appreciate this wonderful weather."
   • If they comment on the weather: disagree with them
   • If they apologize: you must dance while you respond.
5. "I could really go for some Sierra Chicken"
   • If you hear an animal's name: make its sound.
   • If you hear a NATO letter: your response should include its ROT-13 pair (Sierra -> Foxtrot)
6. *point at two team members* I'm sorry, but this lemonade is not my favorite flavor.
   • If you are pointed at: you must respond, and you must fulfill all other rules in a manner different than any teammates responding.
   • If they use the word 'flavor', you must cheer. Woo-hoo! (they must cheer differently)
   • If they apologize: you must dance while you respond. (they must dance differently)
7. "You should see the weather from my yacht, the Florence, it's as amazing as today."
   • If they mention a place in Italy: respond in pig latin
   • If they comment on the weather: disagree with them
   • If they mention an aquatic vessel: speak like a pirate in your response.
8. "I regret to inform you of your ineligibility for the free hotel room."
   • If you hear a NATO letter: your response should include its ROT-13 pair (Hotel->Uniform)
   • If they use a word with 7 syllables or more: all words you respond with must be at least 3 syllables in length
   • If they apologize: you must dance while you respond.
9. *point at two team members* "You're just wrong; these eight lemonades were perfect for the sunshine. In fact, I'll have one last one before my break."
   • If they use the work 'break:' you must violate all rules other than this one for this round.
   • If they mention numbers: the number of words in your response must be less than or equal to the sum of all numbers they used. (More than 10 words)
   • If you are pointed at: you must respond, and you must fulfill all other rules in a manner different than any teammates responding. (Team members not pointed at must respond. If this team rocks, all responders must respond identically, otherwise, give them a pass as long as they weren't pointed at)
   • If they comment on the weather: disagree with them (They should agree with you)