PuzzleMaster

You blink your eyes open. A digital red clock blinks back at you. ''(text-colour:red)[60:00]'' You're in a lot of discomfort, and you're disoriented... The space is cramped, dimly lit and unfamiliar. Your back and neck ache from the position you find yourself contorted into, knees pressed into chest. Your hands are bound behind your back. You can tell the rope is sturdy as it cuts into the back of your wrists. [[Try to use your strength to break free of the rope->strength check (2)]] [[Look around->look around (2)]] [[Call for help->call for help(2)]] [[Wait a few minutes to see what happens ->wait silently]] [[Thrash around->thrash around (2)]]

You pull your wrists apart with all the force you can muster. The ropes don't budge. Nothing happens. Your arms are tired, and you can feel the rope starting to burn your skin. [[Look around->look around (3)]] [[Call for help->call for help(2)]] [[Try again to break free of the rope->strength check (3)]]

You look around the space. Slowly, your eyes adjust to the light. You realize you're in a familiar space after all. It looks like the trunk of a car. YOUR car. The car appears to me motionless for the time being. You see a few objects within what would be arms reach, if your arms were free, but you can't tell what they are quite yet. [[Call out for help ->call for help(3)]] [[Try to grab the objects->grab objects (3)]]

You call out for help. First quiet, then a bit louder. What do you say? [[Hello? HellloooooOOOOOOO??->Hello (3)]] [[Help! HELP ME PLEASE->Help me (3)]] [[*indistinguishable screams*->Screams(3)]] [[Check the time->clock 2]]

"Hello? Is anyone there?" you call out whimsically. "Helllooooooo?!" you shout, in a sing-songy kind of way. "Helloooooooo?!" someone calls back out at you. The voice is filtered by a metallic, mechanical ping, as if coming from an old-timey speaker at a drive in movie. [["You can hear me?"->you can hear me?]] [[be silent and wait->wait silently]]

You scream "Help!! Help me! I'm stuck in here! somebody let me out!" but nothing happens. There is no reply. [[check the clock->clock 5]] [[wait silently]] [[give up]]

"AHHHHHHHHH! ARRRGGH!" You scream into the wall ofthe space. But nothing happens. [[give up]] [[Call out for help->Help me (3)]] [[Call out a "hello"->Hello (3)]] [[Look around->look around (3)]]

You call out for help. First quiet, then a bit louder. What do you say? [[Hello? HellloooooOOOOOOO??->Hello (3)]] [[Help! HELP ME PLEASE->Help me (3)]] [[*indistinguishable screams*->Screams(3)]]

You try to pull the ropes off your wrists as hard as you can. You grunt, starting to sweat from the exertion. You start to scream and cry out. Your wrists are starting to bleed by now. [[keep pushing->keep pushing]] [[give up->give up]] [[wait silently]] [[check the clock ->clock 4]]

You thrash around, and kick the sides and the walls of the space. From the metal clang, you are able to tell you are inside of the back of a car. No, the trunk of a car. YOUR car. You bang up your knee pretty badly in the process. Great. Now your knee and your wrists are messed up. [[Call for Help->call for help(3)]] [[wait silently]] [[check the clock -> clock 3]]

Everything looks the same.

"You can hear me?" You say into the darkness. A faint crackling sound comes from the metal box at your feet. Static. "Hello?" You say again "Welcome!" A chipper 1950's transatlantic style disembodied voice bounced dully off the walls of the cramped little box you're in. "Thank you for playing PuzzleMasters! Before we begin with your first puzzle, I'd like to remind you of the liability waiver you signed that frees PuzzleMasters LLC from any indemnity or liability in the event of death, destruction, dismemberment, confusion, injury, or general malaise as a result of playing PuzzleMasters! Additionally, please note that PuzzleMasters LLC holds the rights to all media and content produced as a result of this taping, from now and indefinitely into the future!" Your eyes widen. Oh. Now you remember. You signed up for this show a few weeks ago, at that birthday party that you messed up. You bet, extremely confidently, that you could throw Abby a great birthday party and if she wasn't happy with it you would sign up for Puzzle Masters, her favorite show. As it turns out, Abby hated everything about the party, from the color of the baloons, to the mariachi band, right down to the piñata with her face on it that took sooooo long to come from China. Oh well, you thought, you really nailed it this time, but a bet is a bet, and you are a man of your word, after all. "Now, before we get started, I'm going to need you to confirm once more that you agree to the terms and conditions of THE PUZZ - the puzzle-based portion of our game!" "Can I get an affirmative YES for our viewers back at home?" [[Yes!->Yes, puzzle]] [[Wait, who are you?->wait who are you]] [[Get me out of here!!->Get me out!]]

You wait silently for something to happen, but nothing does. Time passes. [[check the clock->clock 7]] [[give up]]

Your wrists are rubbed raw but mama didn't raise no quitter. You try again to break free of your shackles with brute force. You spend a lot of time trying to wiggle out, but it just makes your more and more tired and hurt. You are extremely worn down by this and are too weak to do much else. [[wait silently]] [[give up]] [[check the clock->clock 10]]

It's too much to bear! You give up. Naturally, you do not escape your fate. You have died. [[Start Again->Awake (1)]]

''(text-colour:red)[55:00]''

You spend several minutes trying to flip yourself over in the small space you are in, The spend several more minutes trying to figure out how to grab the objects you can feel rolling around near your feet. They are just out of reach, but maybe with a little force, you could push yourself to reach them. A voice in your head reminds you that you don't know what the objects are. They could be anything. [[Take off your shoes->remove your shoes]] [[Try to pick up the objects with your bound hands->use your hands]] [[Wait Silently for help->wait silently]] [[Check the clock->clock 4]]

You're able to kick off your shoes, and then your socks. You remember you have quite dextrous toes. Using your monkey-like feet, you're able to kick the objects from around your feet near your still bound hands. There are three objects: 1. a sticky small plastic object you suspect is a lighter. But, why is it sticky? 2. a small metal box with buttons. Maybe an old-timey radio? 3. an empty plastic bottle with something rattling around inside. [[use the lighter]] [[try to remember why the lighter is sticky->remember]] [[wait silently]] [[check the clock->clock 6]]

You spend quite a bit of time trying to reach down and grab the objects with your hands. Eventually, you grab one object. It's small, plastic, and a bit sticky. You recognize it as a lighter. But why is it sticky? You try to remember, but your memory is fuzzy. [[try to remember->remember]] [[try to use the lighter->use the lighter]] [[wait silently]] [[check the clock->clock 6]]

''(text-colour:red)[45:00]''

''(text-colour:red)[50:00]''

''(text-colour:red)[08:00]''

''(text-colour:red)[40:00]''

You think hard, and you remember slowly how you got where you are. At first, the memories are fuzzy, then they hit you all at once. You signed up for this. You were on a game show, competing for something. What was the show? What do you remember? [[It was Survivor, or something like it. You think you are on an island somewhere being transported to a new location->survivor]] [[It was Sabado Gigante, or something like it. You think you were on set when you were kidnapped, but that show is so crazy, everyone thought it was part of the regular programming ->Sabado Gigante]] [[It was Wife Swap, or something like it. You think you were swapped with another contestants spouse, but something went horribly, horribly wrong and now you are being smuggled across the border ->wife swap]] [[You don't remember what show it was but you remember it had something to do with puzzles->puzzles]] [[give up]]

There's no time! You flick the lighter a few times and do your best to get it going. At first, nothing happens. Then, all at once, the lighter flicks open and the entire space is englufed in a ball of painful orange light. You are able to see enough to remember the stickiness of the lighter was gasoline that was spilled on to it, and your shoes, which are now aflame. You're reminded that you are in the trunk of your car, and time is running out fast. [[Try to kick the flame out with your feet->kick flame out]] [[Give up]] [[Thrash around->thrash around (3)]]

''(text-colour:red)[32:00]''

''(text-colour:red)[28:00]''

''(text-colour:red)[20:00]''

You attempt to kick the flame out with your feet, but that only makes things worse. You have died.

You thrash around some more. Dang! You're tired. [[check the clock->clock 5]]

Are you sure you want to give up? [[Yes, I hate it here->give up]]

You're convinced you were a contestant on a show like survivor, but you can't piece together what to do next. [[Give up]]

You're convinced you were a contestant on a show like Sabado Gigante, but you can't piece together what to do next. [[Give up]]

You're convinced you were a contestant on a show like Wife Swap, but you can't piece together what to do next. [[Give up]]

The show was called...Puzzle something...PuzzleMasters! You could usually get in touch with the host by calling his name or saying Hellooooooo in a sing-songy way... [[Call out Hellooooo I love Lucy style->Hello (3)]] [[Give up]]

"FAAAANTAstic! Now, you have three objects at your feet. Your first task is simple, but requires a lot of creativity. Can you figure out what the heck those three things are? Just like in every episode of Puzzle Masters, you are allowed to ask for hints at ANY TIME! but REMEMBER - You only have 60 minutes to escape! and...oops! Looks like your clock is already counting down! Good luck!" [[Attempt to grab the objects->grab objects (4)]] [[Check the clock->clock 5]]

"Wait a minute, who are you?" You ask the disembodied voice. a brief, shrill laugh comes through the speaker. "You are already know, sweetie, you just need to REMEMBER! Now, are you ready to PUZZ?" [[Yes, puzzle me up ->Yes, puzzle]] [[Give up]]

"I'm afraid, sweetie, that isn't possible" The cheerful voice explains. "Unfortunately, the only way out is to PUZZ" You become more agitated. "Then why ask me if I want to puzzle or whatever in the first place?" This whole thing makes no sense. "Hmm, well." The voice pauses for a moment, "I suppose it's part of the whole schtick. Well, that, and I'm holding the waiver and consent form you signed to be locked INTO the vehicle. We just need you to consent to be able to get yourself OUT, is all. A simple matter of beaurocracy, you see, in the state of California, we can only complete one of these life of death waivers per day, you know the who SB 999 bill, such and such, yadda yadda, such a drag, am I right? But we have to do it. Now, all you have to in order to free yourself is PUZZ your way out, easy peasy. Are you ready to consent?" [[Yes, puzzle me! ->Yes, puzzle]] [[Give up]] [[Wait, who are you?->wait who are you]]

You spend several minutes trying to flip yourself over in the small space you are in, The spend several more minutes trying to figure out how to grab the objects you can feel rolling around near your feet. They are just out of reach, but maybe with a little force, you could push yourself to reach them. A voice in your head reminds you that you don't know where you are or what the objects are. They could be anything. [[Think back and try to recall->recall what happened]] [[There's no time, just grab the objects however you can and move on]]

You remember one of the objects is a lighter, but that you probably shouldn't use it because at only point you think there was a gasoline spill that could prove dangerous. You reach down but struggled to grab the lighter, so you try to kick off your shoes and grab it with your weird, flexible yet dextrous toes. You're able to grab it. Success! Then, you kick the other two objects closer to your still bound hands. You can't quite tell what they are, but one of them was where the weird voice was coming from. "WELL DONE! You got a hold of the first three clues! Now, can you tell me what they are? If you can, I'll give you your next clue!" [["It's a lighter, a water bottle, and a radio]] [[It's a lighter, a takeout box, and a Walkie Talkie]] [[Ack, there's too much pressure!! You freeze up]]

Your anxiety is building, and so you begin to rush. the first object you grab is a lighter. Thinking quickly, you realize you can probably just light the rope tying you down breifly and then rolle over to stamp out the fire. Then, at least your hands would be free, right? Might make things easier. [[Set the rope on fire->use the lighter]] [[Calm down and think for a moment->recall what happened]]

"DING DING, good work, detective!" the voice cheers. A sigh of relief washes over you. You almost forget about all of the weird wrist pain you are in. "Now, your next clue: a bit of a riddle." Oh great, a riddle, you think to yourself. "Now for this one, just gie me the first letter of yur answer, not the entire thing, got it?" "Yeah, yeah, yeah, just the first letter," you nod in agreement. "Alright. I'm where yesterday follows today and tomorrow's in the middle. What am I? [[W]] [[D]] [[S]] [[Ack, there's too much pressure!! You freeze up]]

Your palms are sweaty, moms spaghetti. [[Give up]]

''(text-colour:red)[10:00]''

"Unfortunately, that is NOT the correct answer, my boy! Today seems to not be your lucky day!" The sound of the radio goes staticky again and then it clicks off. You hear nothing. [[check the clock->clock 9]]

"'Fraid not, better luck next time, though! Well, er, I suppose in your next lifetime that is!" The radio switches off and you hear a brief moment of static before the silence of the evening kicks in. [[Give up]]

"Correcto!" The voice cheers once again. With that, the back hatch of the trunk of the car pops open and you find yourself in an open field. "Now you'll notice that I am just a little voice in a tiny radio, so don't forget to take me with you wherever you go! But don't worry, we have a live studio audience here in sunny Burbank, CA ready for your safe return! How, you ask? Well, to be honest, you've had the key this whole time!" You push yourself up slowly and awkwardly from the trunk and attempt to stand. Your knees and legs are a bit sore. Youre able to carefully climb out of the trunk with your arms still bound, but it's night and quite dark. You can see a little bit under the light of the full moon. [[check the clock]] [[Inspect the radio]] [[Inspect the water bottle]] [[Inspect the lighter]]

The clock is a simple alarm clock that has been duck taped to the inside door of the car's trunk. You can't move it with your hands tied but it reads ''(text-colour:red)[28:00]''

It's a small, battery operated portable radio from the first half of the 20th century. It's made of metal. A faint staticky noise emminates from it. [[Inspect the lighter]] [[Inspect the water bottle]] [[Give up]]

It's a plastic water bottle that has been cruumpled up and uncrumpled. Upon closer inspection, you notice a tiny key inside. [[Open the cap slowly, with your hands behind your back->slowly open the bottle]] [[Look for something to get your hands free->search for a knife]]

It's a sticky BIC lighter. It vaguely smells like gasoline. Ew. [[Inspect the radio]] [[Inspect the water bottle]] [[Give up]]

You pick up the bottle carefully with your hands still tied behind your back. Gingerly, you twist open the tiny cap and are able to take it off completely. [[Dump the contents into your hand->hand]] [[Dump the contents into the back of the trunk->trunk]]

You search the exterior of the car for a knife, but it's pitch black and no such knife exists, or at least no such knife exists in your field of vision. [[Inspect the radio]] [[Inspect the water bottle]] [[Inspect the lighter]] [[Give up]]

You're a dextrous boy, so you attempt to dump the key into your big, strong open palm. With your hands tied behind your back, however, this is proving to be a ridiculousy diffiult task. After several minutes of struggle, eventually you are able to get the key out but your hand shakes and the key flops on the grass beneath your feet. Fuck. In the distance, you hear some otherworldly noise. A siren, comining to your aid? No, as it comes closer, the sound intensified and you're able to hear it clearer. Howls. [[Drop to your knees to find the key]] [[Start Running]] [[Give up]]

You know you're not going to be able to drop that key into your hand, so you drop it into the trunk instead. Smart! you're able to find it pretty quickly and pick it up, even with your hands bound. Now, you just need to figure out what the heck it goes to. A quick search of the car's exterior shows nothing. [[Try to open the front passenger door]] [[Try to open the rear doors]] [[Try to open the drivers side door]]

As you drop to your knees looking for the key, you hear the sound of what is clearly a canine enemy drawing nearer. Frantic, you begin to sweat. One howl turns to two, then five, then 10, and within moments, you're surrounded. They make quick work of you. This episode of Puzzle Masters, which was intended to be a Halloween special, never airs. You Have Died. [[Return to Start->Awake (1)]]

You figure things are not going to get better and you at least have your legs and your gumption, right? You start to run as fast as you can. One howl soon turns to two, then three, then five, then ten, then so many you can't pick out exactly how many there are anymore. You ran track in high school though, so there's a chance you might make it, right? Your unwaivering optimisim is starting to waiver. As you approach it, the field appears to end in about 100 meters at the edge of a dark forest. To the left, there is a corn maze. [[Take the corn maze->corn maze]] [[Take the Forest->forest]]

You run towards the corn maze with your hands tied behind your back. Soon, along with the howling at your rear, you hear another unearthly sound from the corn. Is that, singing? You swear you can hear drums out in the distance. As you approach the corn maze, you start to see dozens, no, hundreds of tiny hands emerging from the stalks. Some of them wave to you, some of them beckon you closer. Some of them appear to be, dancing? [[Enter the corn maze]] [[Turn back]]

You head towards the dark forest, overgrown with thick brambles and trees. The trees and vines slow you down. The sound of howling fills your ears, and soon, you're surrounded. You Have Died. [[Play Again->Awake (1)]]

To your surprise, the door opens immediately. With some difficulty you are able to pull it open completely. You are reminded visually that the tiny key probably goes to the glove box. [[Attempt to open the glove box with the tiny key]] [[Continue searching the car->Search2]]

You try to open the rear doors, and they open easily but nothing notable is inside.

The driver side doors is unlocked. The front door swings wide open. [[Continue searching the car]] [[Try to open the front passenger door]]

You carefully, VERY carefully, insert the tiny key into the glove box and find its a perfect fit. You turn the key and are able to open the box! Is that...joy, you're feeling? Inside the box there lies a pair of scissors and small, metal box with a combination padlock on it. [[Grab the scissors and cut yourself loose]]

As you search the car, you don't find much. But maybe, if you could figure out how to get your hands free, you could look more thoroughly. [[Try to open the front passenger door]]

You grab the scissors and carefully use them to cut through the rope tying your wrists together. You are finally free and have use of you hands. Your wrists are pretty beat up, but now, things will be much easier. [[Inspect the Padlock]] [[Continue searching the car]]

It's a standard combination padlock. The combo is four letters. [[Try some random combinations]] [[Try the word SAFE]] [[Try the word GATE]] [[Continue searching the car->Search2]]

No luck this time. Nothing happens.

Nothing happens.

With your hands free, you rifle through the car with gusto. In the back seat pockets you find several scraps of paper. Old photographs of someone you can't remember, a beautiful girl, someone from your childhood. On the back of one, something is scribbled in near cursive writing. // Voiceless it cries, wingless it flutters, toothless it bites, mouthless it flutters// In the distance, you hear what sound like howls. You're running out of time. What is the first and second letter of the word you need to open the lock? [[SO]] [[FL]] [[WI]] [[MI]]

The beating of the drums, the sound of the singing, the tiny hands, it all feels strangely inviting to you. You enter the corn maze on foot and become one with it. You are never seen or heard from again. [[Play Again->Awake (1)]]

As you turn back, you find yourself surrounded by a pack of hungry wolves. Unfortunately, there's nowhre to turn. You Have died. [[Play Again->Awake (1)]]

Nothing happens. The sound of wolves grows louder.

The Howls grow louder. What are the last two letter of the word in the combination lock? [[SH]] [[ND]] [[LL]] [[NK]]

Nothing happens. The sound of wolves grows louder.

SUCCESS! The combo lock pops open and out pops your good 'ole reliable car key. You run around to the drivers side door, shutting any other doors, plus the trunk you opened during your search, pop the ley into the ignition and miraculously, the car starts! [[Drive Away]]

Wrong answer. The wolves surround you, You're done for. You Have Died. [[Play Again->Awake (1)]]

Nope. The wolves surround you, You're done for. You Have Died. [[Play Again->Awake (1)]]

(text-colour:green)[Congratulations! You have completed the game!] You hear a round of studio audience applause fill the car as you drive in no particular direction but away from the sound of the wolves. You roll up the windows and lock the doors. Up ahead you see a paved road, a beautiful sight to see. in your rear view mirror, the wolves have given up their chase and appear to be hanging back now... "WELL DONE PUZZLEMASTER!" The Puzzler's tinny voice blares through your speakers as you accelerate through the darkness. "I beleive I speak for all of us here at PuzzleMaster LLC when I say we never doubted you for a moment! Congratulations on completing part 1 of our PuzzleMaster Halloween Special! And just in time, too, with only 11 seconds left on your countdown timer!" A wave of relief washes over you. You drive for a while listening to the commercial break ads for the show. Odd, usually the shows just ends. You keep an eye out for the set crew who will direct you back to an airport or van to get back home. After about 15 minutes or so, the theme music starts up again. "Welcome back! Now, PuzzleMaster! Don't get too comfortable, because in just a few moments, you'll get to met your fellow Puzzle....master...CHAMPIONS!" More applause fills the car. Mildly confused, you listen carefully as you continue down the dark country road, winding in and out of farmland skirting the forest. Then you see it. At the next intersection, the road is blocked off, with a large ROAD CLOSED - UNDER CONSTRUCTION sign posed in front. TO BE CONTINUED...