FED PHRASE GAME (Early Edition)
Wednesday 14 February
by Gwaptiva
Historically, the Phrase Game has always been played in Studio 1 on The Lattice, but the producers deemed it might provide an exciting new angle to the game if it would be able to go on the road. To this end, and sparing no expense, a portable... well, ok, a moveable version of the wheel was constructed from left-over bits of scenery, wiring and, rumour has it, newsdroid. So was it that at 3pm on Valentine's Day, the fabulous host of the early edition become the fabulous host of the road show.
Joining him in the Duff Modem on Mars were Djentsch, Furgas, Oddball, and, making his debut, Delamitrius. Oddball kicked off proceedings going in search of a 4-word institution, but it immediately became clear this might not be his day. For the first time today he spun up Lose a Turn, proving at least that the builders hadn't forgotten about that field. Furgas did find a few letters, something Djentsch failed to do, Delamitrius then added another couple, before Oddball appeared to steam right toward the solution. However, his greed in trying for extra points turned to disaster when he proved the Bankrupt field is also present on this version of the wheel.
With V A M _ Y R E _ _ S S _ E A _ _ _ S Y S T E M S on the board, Furgas decided to solve. Gwaptiva, having known Furgas for quite some time, warned him that only correctly spelled answers would be accepted, but to great hilarity of all, Furgas said "vamprye kiss weapon systems". Of course, Djentsch would have no problems solving the puzzle, but he decided to try to get some extra points. Wrong! Lose a Turn, and door open for Delamitrius who did add successfully to his total before providing a correctly spelled solution, scoring 2250 points.
Furgas started the search for a three-word famous person but neither he, nor Djentsch could find any letters. Delamitrius did find one, but then it was Oddball who found the phrase until this was on the board:
C A P T A I N A I _ I T _ T A N A _ A D A T E
He knew there was only one vowel unrevealed, but had obviously no idea who the person was, other than his or her rank. Guessing the L lost him his turn to Djentsch who quickly guessed the K and then solved the phrase correctly as Captain Aikitu Tanakadate, who is now added to the list of those in Fed that are not quite as famous as they thought.
Furgas had to drop out of the game during the second game, but the remaining players pressed on, Djentsch starting game number three, searching for a three-word place. He started off brightly enough, then stumbled. Delamitrius made the acquaintance of the Lose a Turn field, as did Oddball, but he was saved by a Free Spin picked up earlier. He racked up 1500 points before losing his turn by trying to buy a vowel not in the phrase.
Djentsch and Delamitrius added some more letters, and when Oddball started to spin and guess correctly, all thought he knew the answer. Not so, and with only one more letter unrevealed he again gave Djentsch the chance to cash in. Which he took.
With one phrase to come, Delamitrius led the field with 2250 points, followed by Djentsch on 1650. Oddball had no points, but the previous round had shown that a winning score would not be beyond the realms of possibility. In short, Delamitrius and Djentsch would take a win with a successful solution, and Oddball needed big points.
Delamitrius quickly came unstuck trying to solve the five-word Service which was the puzzle for this round. Oddball set off in his quest to gather both points and a solution, and despite consistently low values spun up, he did make good progress. But, just as it looked clear he knew where he was heading, and with 1500 points for the round, he admitted to be without a clue as to the solution. Guessing the P which wasn't in the phrase meant that once again Djentsch found that sitting on the backhand isn't such a bad position to be in, and, not risking the wheel, solved the phrase as "Water, Ice, and Legal Documents", services rendered by the wasps on Paradise.
The final score that Oddball joined third place with Furgas without scoring, that Delamitrius took second place on his debut with 2250 points and that Djentsch was this day's winner with 2400 points. All expressed their pleasure at the game, and Delamitrius took proud possession of the slithy tove so kindly donated by an anonymous Fedder.
And of course, join your host, Gwaptiva, for another Fed Phrase Game on the Road. It starts at 3.00pm EST (8.00pm UK time, 21:00 CET) and the location... well, the location will be a surprise. Keep your eye on the notice board.
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