# A curious parcel arrived last night **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 19, 2007, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-curious-parcel-arrived-last-night/423309 "2007-10-19T16:42:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_chao_goes_mu/32/3191_2.png) [@The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Chao_Goes_Mu)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2007, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-curious-parcel-arrived-last-night/423309/161 "2007-10-22T20:12:08Z")
[QUOTE=Most Creative User Name Ever] _Comes in carrying a heap of quilts_ Can I listen to more of the story if I share? [/QUOTE] Of course! _Passes a hot toddy to MCUNE_ I hope we get more clues soon before the pitchforks and torches come out. ---
**Author:** ![Euryphaessa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Euryphaessa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euryphaessa)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2007, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-curious-parcel-arrived-last-night/423309/162 "2007-10-22T21:25:27Z")
I have Doritos if someone has a chair for me… ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2007, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-curious-parcel-arrived-last-night/423309/163 "2007-10-22T21:58:51Z")
[QUOTE=eleanorigby] Have a cookie. And some cocoa. Can I have the afghan? [/QUOTE] Sorry, I’m still knitting it. _holds up the needles and the half done blanket_ What? I need something to do to pass the time! ---
**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:** [October 22, 2007, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-curious-parcel-arrived-last-night/423309/164 "2007-10-22T22:06:48Z")
[QUOTE=Cat Fight] It contains a million dollars. Unfortunately, someone you’ve never met will have to die. [/QUOTE] Is this a reference to something? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2007, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-curious-parcel-arrived-last-night/423309/165 "2007-10-22T22:12:34Z")
[QUOTE=eleanorigby] Have a cookie. And some cocoa. Can I have the afghan? [/QUOTE] …and a fish? ---
**Author:** ![shamrock227](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@shamrock227](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shamrock227)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2007, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-curious-parcel-arrived-last-night/423309/166 "2007-10-22T22:22:38Z")
:: gives **Queen of Town** one of the overstuffed leather chairs :: :: hands **eleanorrigby** a fluffy pink afghan :: Thank you for the cookie and cocoa, they really hit the spot. :: whacks **Bosda** with a huge, fish shaped, pillow :: [chant]We want more story! We want more story! We want more story![/chant] ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2007, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-curious-parcel-arrived-last-night/423309/167 "2007-10-22T23:51:08Z")
What a er, lovely afghan. It’s very pink. Oh, well, it’s warm. Can–I mean, may I have some Doritos, please? I’ve got some root beer. (oh, and Marie’s blue cheese dressing is a great dip for nacho cheese Doritos–a fond memory of college days). Perhaps someone can teach me to knit in the meantime–I’d like to learn. ---
**Author:** ![Lynne\_kilii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lynne\_kilii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynne_kilii)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2007, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-curious-parcel-arrived-last-night/423309/168 "2007-10-23T04:13:12Z")
I’d be happy to share some chips and queso, but if I fall asleep, someone has to wake me up for the good parts. ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2007, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-curious-parcel-arrived-last-night/423309/169 "2007-10-23T04:16:56Z")
[QUOTE=eleanorigby] Perhaps someone can teach me to knit in the meantime–I’d like to learn. [/QUOTE] Sure! It’s really not that hard you see, two stitches (knit and purl) two sticks and some string.. er, yarn. The more ‘complicated’ stitches are really the same thing, just done in slightly different ways. Here! _shows eleanor a few knit stitches, then hands over the half knit afghan_ afghans are actually pretty easy, you can work them like giant scarves, or you can do more complex stuff also. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2007, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-curious-parcel-arrived-last-night/423309/170 "2007-10-23T16:11:41Z")
No matter which tile I press first, all the others are immediately locked out. My tentative conclusion is that they are all meant to be pressed at once, and evenly—a sort of pressure lock, rather than a combination lock. I have found and charted a total of twenty such tiles. It would seem that this box was not meant to be opened by one person alone. I could certainly get someone to assist me in opening it, but I find that I’m growing increasingly wary of actually showing the box to anyone. The relative anonymity of my postings here seems safe enough, but the continued silence of my friends leaves me reluctant to involve anyone else directly. Fortunately, I expect that it will be a relatively simple matter to improvise a device that will open the box for me. I should have all the components in my lab. ---
**Author:** ![brewha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@brewha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brewha)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2007, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-curious-parcel-arrived-last-night/423309/171 "2007-10-23T16:29:16Z")
OOoh very clever! Could you glue something to the top of the tiles? Something that is as tall as the distance the tiles can be depressed. Then, you could build a bladder that you fill with air. You’d have to wrap the bladder around the box. Then, when you filled the bladder with air, equal pressure would be exerted on all the tiles. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2007, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-curious-parcel-arrived-last-night/423309/172 "2007-10-23T16:35:15Z")
[QUOTE=Flutterby] Sure! Here! _shows eleanor a few knit stitches, then hands over the half knit afghan_ afghans are actually pretty easy, you can work them like giant scarves, or you can do more complex stuff also. [/QUOTE] Who’re you–Tom Sawyer? Seems like a sucker move to me. \ 😃 I have no idea how to get onto the needles, how to stop knitting etc. I took one class 2 years ago, but had to stop. I WILL learn this, soon. Your afghan looks pretty–is it a gift for someone? What’s that? Oh, **Balance** is back with the Box? Ok, sssshhh, everyone! (honestly, these people who talk over other people-how obnoxious is that?) ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2007, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-curious-parcel-arrived-last-night/423309/173 "2007-10-23T16:49:02Z")
Have you really tried all the tiles? This could be the box’s way of telling you you are pressing the wrong tile. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2007, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-curious-parcel-arrived-last-night/423309/174 "2007-10-23T21:52:11Z")
[QUOTE=Sapo] Have you really tried all the tiles? This could be the box’s way of telling you you are pressing the wrong tile. [/QUOTE] Try pressing them with a fish. ---
**Author:** ![Tapiotar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@Tapiotar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapiotar)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2007, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-curious-parcel-arrived-last-night/423309/175 "2007-10-23T23:03:44Z")
I’m starting to worry about this fish obsession. What would Freud say? **Balance** , what you need is not another person to help you press the tiles, but a tentacled being. You do have a squid or two in your basement, don’t you? The knitting talk is interesting, and knitting is a way to pass the time while we wait for the next installment – I’m working on a camisole made of a lovely, gently shimmering blue bamboo yarn – but isn’t it so cozy and friendly it takes away from the nicely building atmosphere of menace? **Balance** , if you are forced to go on the run from the bad guys, I can let you sleep on a cot in between the rows of books of arcane lore in my library… ---
**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2007, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-curious-parcel-arrived-last-night/423309/176 "2007-10-23T23:31:53Z")
Hey **Balance** , you might want to check this page for some puzzle inspiration: [http://home.comcast.net/~stegmann/disassembly.htm](http://home.comcast.net/~stegmann/disassembly.htm) What if you need to press a tile or tiles in order to remove one? There are many lock boxes that involve moving a piece or pieces in order to finally remove a pin or slide a panel that unlocks the box. I have got to see a pic of this thing. Even if this thread is total bullshit, at least it’s interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2007, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-curious-parcel-arrived-last-night/423309/177 "2007-10-23T23:50:57Z")
[QUOTE=Ghanima] I have got to see a pic of this thing. Even if this thread is total bullshit, at least it’s interesting. [/QUOTE] We have asked for them several times already. None was forthcoming. Insisting on it is like turning on the lights on a magic act. ---
**Author:** ![DiggitCamara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@DiggitCamara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiggitCamara)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2007, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-curious-parcel-arrived-last-night/423309/178 "2007-10-24T00:08:52Z")
[QUOTE=Mr Shine] Is this a reference to something? [/QUOTE] Twilight Zone. Couple receives mysterious box, delivered by a stranger, with a single button on it. Instructions: 1. Press the button 2. Someone you don’t know will die 3. You receive large amount of money After much deliberation, the woman presses the button The stranger returns, delivers the money and takes the box with him. The couple asks what will happen to the box. The stranger answers: “After it’s reactivated, it will be delivered to someone you don’t know”. ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2007, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-curious-parcel-arrived-last-night/423309/179 "2007-10-24T00:18:29Z")
Who wants a margarita? _starts blender_ Every time I get a notice of another post, I think the solution has been found. It’s driving me to drink. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2007, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-curious-parcel-arrived-last-night/423309/180 "2007-10-24T00:22:14Z")
[QUOTE=Tapiotar] The knitting talk is interesting, and knitting is a way to pass the time while we wait for the next installment – I’m working on a camisole made of a lovely, gently shimmering blue bamboo yarn – but isn’t it so cozy and friendly it takes away from the nicely building atmosphere of menace? .. [/QUOTE] Never heard of Madame DeFarge? Talk about menace! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-curious-parcel-arrived-last-night/423309.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-curious-parcel-arrived-last-night/423309.md?page=10)