# Guess the mystery event **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 4, 2005, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983 "2005-09-04T03:00:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/61 "2005-09-12T16:33:55Z")
> [@Corii](#): > > A movie and dinner maybe? Dinner and a show? If my employers did the whole “date” thing it would make me very nervous…as in real life, it’s usually a prelude to your getting screwed… ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Macphisto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b487fb/32.png) [@Ms\_Macphisto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Macphisto)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2005, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/62 "2005-09-14T15:51:37Z")
Apparently they’ve decided to torture us a bit longer. > [@](#): > > Good morning Everyone! > > Mark your calendars!!! Please ensure you’ll be available on Friday September 23rd, from 1:00 to ~ 8:00 pm, for a really exciting, really special event. We promise, you won’t want to miss it! > > Rather than sending out invitations, telling you exactly what has been planned - we thought we’d keep you in suspense a little longer! (Sorry Sue A, we’re having too much fun!) So, each day between now and the 23rd, you’ll be provided with a “clue” of sorts which, when compiled together, will reveal our itinerary. > > There will be a special prize for the smarty-pants who guesses correctly. Guesses should be submitted to HR by 4:00 on the 22nd (we’ll draw a name if there’s more than one correct guess). > > Otherwise, the “event” will be revealed just before we depart. Don’t worry, we’ll give you tidbits of info “prior to” to ensure you’re well prepared. Here’s today’s tidbit: The event is for employees only. Sorry, no other guests allowed. > > Also, it’s really important that we have firm numbers - so we need you to RSVP (via email is fine) confirming you will attend no later than Friday, September 16th. > > And, without further delay, here is your first clue: > > Royalty will play a part > > Have fun and stay tuned for Thursday’s clue! Based on the royalty clue, I’ve got three guesses: something at the Empress hotel, a cruise on a boat with something related to royalty in the name, or there’s a whale watching company around here called Prince of Whales. Whale watching would be cool, so that’s what I’m holding out hope for. ---
**Author:** ![nonacetone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonacetone/32/2819_2.png) [@nonacetone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nonacetone)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2005, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/63 "2005-09-14T16:09:43Z")
Hmmm…Looks like Burger King will be catering! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2005, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/64 "2005-09-14T16:31:41Z")
My guesses are Tarot reading, or a bridge tournament. As a long shot, it may be a class in Texas hold-em. ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2005, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/65 "2005-09-14T16:41:53Z")
> [@nonacetone](#): > > Hmmm…Looks like Burger King will be catering! 😃 With dessert provided by Dairy Queen! Maybe you’ll be watching 14 back-to-back episodes of that smash comedy hit, _The King of Queens_! ---
**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:** [September 14, 2005, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/66 "2005-09-14T16:56:37Z")
1. Steven King horror movie marathon 2. Basic Geometry class (bring your ruler!) 3. Boss shows off his collection of Monarch butterflies 4. Snake handling with king cobras 5. Visit to an apiary ---
**Author:** ![Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2005, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/67 "2005-09-14T17:00:13Z")
_Royalty will play a part_ Could it be… 1. A Chess tournament? 2. A fake Elvis taking the stage? 3. A marsquade party where all of you have to dress up? ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2005, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/68 "2005-09-14T17:47:48Z")
Your motivational speaker will be Sarah Ferguson. ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2005, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/69 "2005-09-14T18:19:31Z")
[Gwendolen]This suspense is dreadful. I hope it lasts.[/Gwendolen] ---
**Author:** ![Feydeau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df788c/32.png) [@Feydeau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feydeau)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2005, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/70 "2005-09-14T20:20:39Z")
Well, I personally don’t see anything in that announcement that implies “mandatory.” I mean, they’re asking for RSVPs – so apparently you have an option not to participate? This is just so unusual. If I may ask (and sorry if you’ve already mentioned it), what’s the size of your firm, in employee numbers? ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Macphisto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b487fb/32.png) [@Ms\_Macphisto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Macphisto)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/71 "2005-09-15T03:14:42Z")
It would appear to be optional, yes. I’m not sure what the participation level will be, since people are a bit reluctant to RSVP for something if we don’t even know what it is. I suspect that a lot of that is just talk though, and most people will wind up going. In terms of the size of the company, the Victoria office is around 25 people these days. ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Macphisto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b487fb/32.png) [@Ms\_Macphisto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Macphisto)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/72 "2005-09-15T15:44:03Z")
Today’s clue: Good morning! A little more info for you… While food will be a part of the event, we recommend you have a light lunch before we head out… And on that note, the “clue” today is a word scramble: E O N S A P A \_\_ \_\_ \_\_ \_\_ \_\_ \_\_ \_\_ I probably haven’t had enough caffeine yet, but I just can’t figure out the word scramble. ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/73 "2005-09-15T15:55:39Z")
The only one-word solution I could find was “paesano.” ---
**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:** [September 15, 2005, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/74 "2005-09-15T15:57:35Z")
A Sno Pea? As a peon? SO: an ape? ---
**Author:** ![Corii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/aeb1de/32.png) [@Corii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corii)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/75 "2005-09-15T16:01:46Z")
E O N S A P A O An Apse! Maybe you are going to a church On A Peas. Muh? A Spa Eon. You’ll be there FOREVER ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/76 "2005-09-15T16:02:27Z")
Dude! You’re going to Aspen! :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/77 "2005-09-15T16:13:32Z")
NASA Poe–“The Raven”, as performed by Neil Armstrong. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/78 "2005-09-15T16:15:06Z")
If you have a place up there with a name like Royal A-One Spa you can quit right now. ---
**Author:** ![Salem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@Salem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salem)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/79 "2005-09-15T17:00:00Z")
OPEN SEA Do you have a port nearby? Royal Cruise Ship? Or a Gambling Boat Cruise (with the “royal” clue, could be related to playing cards)? ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/80 "2005-09-15T17:05:04Z")
> [@Ms Macphisto](#): > > A little more info for you… While food will be a part of the event, we recommend you have a light lunch before we head out… My translation: “We ain’t gonna’ feed you (much / at all) during this seven hour event.” Sounds like you’re going to be feeding other people. Maybe at a soup kitchen, maybe as unpaid catering wait staff. As for the scramble… NO ASPAE SPAN EOA SAN OPAE (Spanish for “Saint Opal?”) ASPA EON ONE A SPA (on preview, **kunilou** already got A ONE SPA) AEON SPA Maybe it’s an abbreviation? Employees Ought Not Seek Any Pay Allowance Eat Our Nice Steak And Pay Alot Everybody Out Now! Serve All, Please All. Elegant Opulence Necessary. Sorry About Peons’ Attire. Expedition: Orca, Narwhal Sightseeing. All-day Personnel Activity. On double preview, I think **Salem** is closest with OPEN SEA – but the clue has two As and one E. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983.md?page=5)