Solve-it-yourself mystery

SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF Myster yMyster y Gimme the mone y

Good evening. I’m Craig Wayland, your host of Gimme the Money, the multiplechoice game show where contestants can win thousands of dollars ! Our current champion, Harvey Patterson, has been on a hot streak, so let’s not waste any time. Are you ready, Harv? ”

Patterson nodded, his beady eyes darting back and forth as the lights came down.

“The f irst category is past television shows,” Wayland continued. “First question: Who played the mother on Leave It to Beaver ? Was it (a) Mary Tyler Moore, (b) Jane Wyman, or (c) Barbara Billingsly? ”

“C, Barbara Billingsly.”

“That’s right—you just won another thousand dollars ! ”

Wayland pulled a card from a box in front of him, glanced at it and smiled. “I think this one is a little harder, Harv. Listen closely.”

He read the question and choices. Patterson didn’t hesitate. “A.”

“Right again.” The audience roared.

“Our next category is science.”

Wayland read the question and choices. This time Patterson said, “C.”

“Correct.” Another card was pulled. “In the category world geography…” Again the question and choices were read.

“The answer is B,” Patterson smiled.

“You’re on a roll. But we have to pause now for a commercial break. Be right back, folks ! ”

In the control room, Scott Brigham, the show’s producer, turned to Detective Sue Donald.

“You see ? ” he asked. “On our show, when a contestant gets his third answer wrong, his turn ends and a new person comes on. This guy hasn’t missed a single question in six days. The odds of that are astronomical.”

“You think he’s cheating? ”

“He has to be. And I’m afraid Wayland is helping him.”

“Wayland gives him the answers beforehand? ”

Brigham shook his head. “Impossible. Craig doesn’t know what the questions are until he pulls them from that box.”

“Then how does he know which answer is right? ”

“The correct choice is underlined on the card.”

“Then I don’t see how…” Detective Donald began, but the commercial break had ended. On set, Craig Wayland pulled another card.

“Now the questions are going to get harder,” he said. “Algebra is the category.”

He read the question and choices and waited as Patterson pondered his answer.

“C.”

“Amazing. That brings your total winnings today alone to $5,000. At this point,” Wayland said as he pulled a card from the box, “each question is worth $1,500.”

He read the question. Patterson answered “B”— right again.

This continued for the rest of the show: Wayland asked questions and Patterson got every answer correct.

After almost 30 minutes, Wayland said, “I have your last

question for today in the category opera.” Craig Wayland, Again, he asked the question Gimme the and Patterson’s answer of A the multiple- was correct. choice game show where As the show ended, Brigham contestants can win turned to Sue Donald again. thousands of dollars ! Our “I know they’re cheating. current champion, Harvey You have to prove it before the Patterson, has been on a hot next show.” “That gives me all night to think about it,” Donald said. “No. We tape f ive shows a day. There’s a half hour break so Wayland and the contestant can change so it looks like a whole day has passed.” Donald sighed. “Can I go over today’s show somehow? ” Brigham nodded. “I’ll have the technicians replay the tape.” Detective Donald reviewed the tape and smiled. “I’ll need some cue cards and a large black marker.” “What for? ” ayland pulled a card from “Tell Craig he is to read a box in front of him, glanced only what is on the cards. No improvising.” “You f igured out how they’re cheating? ” “Yes,” Donald said. “And this should prove it.” —Richard Ciciarelli Donald

afraid Wayland is helping him.” Wayland said as he pulled a card from the box, “each question is worth $1,500.” Patterson answered “B”— right of the show: Wayland asked questions and Patterson got every answer correct. Wayland said, “I have your last

“Come to think of it, I haven’t had my day” Q : How were they cheating? A : Turn to pg 51

Order Up!

Can you guess which happened fi rst, second and third?

A. Loretta Lynn’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter” hits the airwaves B. Raiders of the Lost Ark opens at the movies C. Reese Witherspoon is born in New Orleans

Person, Place or T hing?

Can you guess what I am?

■ My name is Italian ■ Some people seriously rely on me ■ I might call your name out in public ■ I have my own international world championship, held annually ■ I don’t make food, only drinks ■ My work requires a machine ■ I help wake people up ■ For me, the “daily grind” has a double meaning ■ Cappuccino, latte—I love it all ■ You can fi nd me at Starbucks