Backslash2017

How do you know when to give someone help to solve a puzzle, and do you build hints into them?

I proposed to my girlfriend via a cryptex that had its combination in a fill in the blank quiz, but my quiz backfired because she guessed the answers wrong. My (thankfully placed) backup hint was in a tear-off label on the box that had a QR code for a recorded message that gave her the right numbers, but she didn't find that until I pointed it out to her.

And also... do you have a mailing list for accomplices in various cities, or do you bring a crew with you when you do this for people?

I had a couple of accomplices to help walk me through it -- they helped a good deal to simplify the whole process, and one of them recorded the emergency solution behind the QR code.

I had that experience of her not having fun! "We" had had the quiz all afternoon while doing a car rallye, but I didn't hand her the cryptex until the very end when we'd turned in our scoresheets. "Oh no, another puzzle?" she said, sounding tired, and I was worried I'd ruined the moment.

But then she solved the cryptex with the suspiciously personal answer, and popped it open, and ... she didn't notice the ring was in the top half. And then when I pointed it out, she realized what was happening, and I had my speech ready....

So the key here is less about solving the puzzle and more about sending them on to the next station. Got it.

Also, after checking out the link... you and your company were my inspiration for the proposal -- I recognize the site from an article I read awhile back. :) Thank you for doing what you do! I am signing up to help out!

Among other things, I'm an Amazing Race fan, thanks to my mom. So this sort of puzzle event appeals to my adventuring spirit. And I had been thinking about hiring you to work on my proposal -- but then the pandemic hit and all the plans went out the window. So you might get a call for a future anniversary if nothing else... :)

Hah, that's a part of why I signed up to help you out -- I want to see what -you- do next and maybe be a part of it. ;)

Sent you a mail! I realized it might have gotten lost in the flood of other mails. :)