# 53 bicycles: A lateral thinking puzzle **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [July 9, 2017, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868 "2017-07-09T19:51:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 140
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2781 "2018-03-21T22:26:52Z")
Is Rex running some kind of con game or scam? Is the investment given to Rex by someone else? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2782 "2018-03-22T00:25:43Z")
> [@SpoilerVirgin](#): > > Is Rex running some kind of con game or scam? **I think “scam” is a reasonable term, yes.** > > Is the investment given to Rex by someone else? NO kk ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2783 "2018-03-22T00:46:20Z")
Is the “investment” a physical thing? Was the “investment” knowledge or information about something? Was the “investment” something like a bribe or illicit payment? Did Rex die from something that’s primary purpose was to kill people (for example, being shot by a gun, as opposed to being crushed in a car crusher)? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2784 "2018-03-22T01:41:19Z")
Was Rex the only one to die? Would Rex’s death be considered murder? Did Rex have some reason to believe his investment would always work? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2785 "2018-03-22T01:54:29Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > Is the “investment” a physical thing? Yes…I mean, money is physical. > > Was the “investment” knowledge or information about something? No. > > Was the “investment” something like a bribe or illicit payment? No. > > Did Rex die from something that’s primary purpose was to kill people (for example, being shot by a gun, as opposed to being crushed in a car crusher)? YES > [@Biotop](#): > > Was Rex the only one to die? NO > > Would Rex’s death be considered murder? NO > > Did Rex have some reason to believe his investment would always work? NO KK ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2786 "2018-03-22T03:00:52Z")
So, Rex’s death was intentional, but would not be considered murder… Would it be considered self-defense? Manslaughter? Judicial killing? Warfare? ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2787 "2018-03-22T03:20:28Z")
Was Rex killed by: a gun? another projectile weapon? a melee weapon? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2788 "2018-03-22T21:12:04Z")
> [@Fretful\_Porpentine](#): > > So, Rex’s death was intentional, but would not be considered murder… > > Would it be considered self-defense? NO > > Manslaughter? NO > > Judicial killing? YES > > Warfare? NO > [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > Was Rex killed by: > > a gun? I THINK SO, YES > another projectile weapon? NO > a melee weapon? NO KK ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2789 "2018-03-23T00:28:20Z")
Is the scam similar to the one in A Few Dollars More? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2790 "2018-03-23T00:57:29Z")
Was Rex a king? Was Rex any sort of governmental office-holder? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2791 "2018-03-23T01:02:30Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Is the scam similar to the one in A Few Dollars More? No, I don’t’ think so. Describe the scam for me; I’ve not seen the movie. This does not involve bounty hunters of any kind. > [@Chronos](#): > > Was Rex a king? > > Was Rex any sort of governmental office-holder? No to both. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2792 "2018-03-23T02:27:08Z")
He was killed by some one who intended to kill him, but was not a victim of dishonesty … The investment was made once before by a different person (the First Investor) who also died 1. Was the investment a bribe? 2. Was Rex killed by a person? 3. Was the First Investor killed by a person? 4. If 2 and 3 are answered yes", were they killed by the same person? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2793 "2018-03-23T02:36:37Z")
> [@j666](#): > > He was killed by some one who intended to kill him, but was not a victim of dishonesty … > The investment was made once before > by a different person (the First Investor) > who also died > > - **NO. Not by a different person. By him.** > > 1. Was the investment a bribe? NO > > 2. Was Rex killed by a person? YES > > 3. Was the First Investor killed by a person? He is the first investor. > > 4. If 2 and 3 are answered yes", were they killed by the same person? N/A KK ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2794 "2018-03-23T02:47:11Z")
So, it was a judicial killing by gun, but not involving bounty hunters. Was it a judicial execution, like a firing squad? Was the person who killed Rex a law enforcement officer? Was the person who killed Rex a soldier or military combatant? ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2795 "2018-03-23T02:58:55Z")
Could this happen in the present day? Could it happen in the 20th century? 19th? 18th? ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2796 "2018-03-23T10:13:54Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > No, I don’t’ think so. Describe the scam for me; I’ve not seen the movie. This does not involve bounty hunters of any kind. A man gets turned in to the authorities for a bounty. When the man is being executed he is rescued by the man who turned him in, to repeat the scam at the next town. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Shine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr_shine/32/464_2.png) [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2797 "2018-03-23T10:20:55Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > A man gets turned in to the authorities for a bounty. When the man is being executed he is rescued by the man who turned him in, to repeat the scam at the next town. That’s _The Good, the Bad and the Ugly_ ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2798 "2018-03-23T11:59:32Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > So, it was a judicial killing by gun, but not involving bounty hunters. > > Was it a judicial execution, like a firing squad? YES, pretty much. > Was the person who killed Rex a law enforcement officer? NOT POLICE, NO. Here I’ll help: An executioner. > Was the person who killed Rex a soldier or military combatant? NO > [@Fretful\_Porpentine](#): > > Could this happen in the present day? YES > > Could it happen in the 20th century? YES > > 19th? YES > > 18th? YES > [@Quartz](#): > > A man gets turned in to the authorities for a bounty. When the man is being executed he is rescued by the man who turned him in, to repeat the scam at the next town. NO, it isn’t that. ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2799 "2018-03-23T16:42:42Z")
Is the country where this happens relevant? Could it happen in the United States? Did Rex cause the death of anyone else? If yes: Intentionally? As an unintended consequence of some action related to the “investment”? If no: Is he being executed for treason? Some other crime? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/2800 "2018-03-23T22:03:31Z")
> [@Fretful\_Porpentine](#): > > Is the country where this happens relevant? **NOT REALLY. N** O. Maybe a smidge.\*\* > > Could it happen in the United States? **Which part???** > > Did Rex cause the death of anyone else? **KIND OF. I’D SAY YES** > > If yes: > > Intentionally? **NO** > > As an unintended consequence of some action related to the “investment”? \*\*YES, DEFINITELY. > \*\* > If no: > > Is he being executed for treason? NO > > Some other crime? YES KK [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868.md?page=139) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868.md?page=141)