FED PHRASE GAME (Early Edition)
Thursday 14 March
by Gwaptiva
No confusion about shifting times could deter five intrepid Fedders from pitting their wits against each other in the game of fate and fortune, and a rather creaky wheel. Kblackdragon, Sephorin, Cloudbase, Supermayman and Bourbon all proceeded to Chez Diesel where Gwaptiva had pulled the Wheel. After a brief recap of the rules for debutant Cloudbase, Sephorin got the game going.
In the two-word Place, Sephorin identified the R and S, then bought an I, before spinning Lose a Turn. Mayman had obviously decided to persist in his strategy of asking for the H, and this time it got him some points. After adding the N and T, the solution became clear to him and he correctly solved "Starship Cantina", not a particularly difficult one, but nice to get everyone warmed up.
The solution to the second puzzle, started by Mayman, would be an Event of four words. Mayman's initial guess was incorrect, giving Bourbon the chance to get some points on the board. After revealing a few letters, he asked for one that wasn't in the phrase, giving over to Cloudbase whose very first puzzle this was. And did he ever take advantage, letter after letter appeared on the board, with the points total mounting all the time, until it had reached 2700 points at which time he solved "Sliding down the bannister", a reference to the favorite passtime of many who visit the mansion on Earth.
With Cloudbase in the lead over Mayman, Bourbon started the third round, the phrase representing a four-word place. After revealing a T, the C he asked for next did not occur in the phrase and Cloudbase was up to try and extend his lead. Revealing a further four letters, and with the board only showing _ _ _ _ _ _ ' S G _ N _ R _ _ S T _ R _ he stunned all in attendance (including Diesel herself) by solving "Joe Bob's General Store", scoring 1900 points to add to his total.
Looking to threepeat (sorry), and with Kblackdragon yet to be involved, Cloudbase got the fourth game going, going in search of a four-word Event. However, this time his skill (luck?) left him and the T he wanted did not appear in the phrase. Someone was brave enough to awaken the sleeping Kblackdragon, who revealed an R and then lost his turn to Sephorin by requesting an L. It turned out it was her who had been sleeping though, as she asked for the T once more, giving young Mayman the chance to catch up to his parental unit. Again, he asked for an H, and again it was there. He then asked for a D, and that let Bourbon have another go. He too had been sleeping, or possibly drinking, as he repeated the request for the L. The hattrick was on again for Cloudbase, and once more he amazed everyone by solving _ S _ R _ _ _ S _ _ R _ H _ _ S _ _ _ R _ to "A serious warehouse fire".
The final round. Kblackdragon, yet to score, to start the round. The target: Cloudbase's 5600 points. The phrase: Three words that make up an Institution.
Kblackdragon knew he had to be lucky with his spinning, good with his guessing and get a solution to get even close to Cloudbase, but stranger things have happened during the phrase game. He got off to a slow but decent start, adding R, S, T, and L to the phrase, putting him into second place, but still 4000 points behind the leader. He buys an E, it is there, but costs him points. He adds a N, then buys an I. Adds the G for a measly 100 points, and now needs four spins of 1000 points and a correct solution and is rapidly running out of letters. He spins 1000, the first one he needs, and asks for the Y. The lights behind the blank squares stay off. His turn has past and his chances are gone, as are those of the others.
But the battle for second place is still on: Sephorin finds a D, then a C, an H, the W, but the wheel does not wish to cooperate; she cannot catch up with Mayman, and then decides to seal third place at least, by solving the phrase: Sandwich Isles Trading.
A fantastic game, five great players, one fabulous winner: Cloudbase.
Next week, another Phrase Game, again at 5.00pm eastern (9pm UK time), unless the clocks start moving again. Join me somewhere in space.
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