# It's an Enigma. Part II: After the Math Riddle **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 15, 2009, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832 "2009-06-15T14:20:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Here\_Come\_Dots](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/cc9497/32.png) [@Here\_Come\_Dots](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Here_Come_Dots)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/1 "2009-06-15T14:20:20Z")
This is a continuation of the thread, “**[It is an enigma .](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=11242344)**” started by **indian**. Since **badlyburnttoast** was able to circumvent one of the riddles using a brute-force attack on the password protected file, I’m starting this tread for the cheaters among us to collaborate on the next puzzle without ruining the mystery for those with the gumption (and super-human self-restraint) to solve the formula riddle the proper way. For those just joining the challenge, I suggest reading part one of this multi-faceted enigma. ---
**Author:** ![Here\_Come\_Dots](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/cc9497/32.png) [@Here\_Come\_Dots](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Here_Come_Dots)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/2 "2009-06-15T14:37:43Z")
First an update for where things stand right now.: 1. Using a brute-force attack, **badlyburnttoast** was able to crack the password for the [ZIP file](http://www.simianagent.com/images/www. __________.com.zip) that was the solution to the [formula riddle](http://www.simianagent.com/): I’m still curious how a math formula could produce the word BASELESS. 1. The ZIP file contained an audio file, “[www.\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.com.mov](http://bit.ly/pe5bv),” that sounds to me like a snippet of bar-room chatter. ---
**Author:** ![Indian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@Indian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indian)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/3 "2009-06-15T14:38:01Z")
Dont do this ! Dont do this! Dont do this ! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ClintPhoenix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b9bd4f/32.png) [@ClintPhoenix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ClintPhoenix)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/4 "2009-06-15T15:01:35Z")
About the math formula answer: It seems to me that ‘BASELESS’ Could be reduced to numbers with the old upside-down calculator trick. The number to be turned upside down would be 55373548 - but I’m not sure about the 4 - that’s usually ‘h’, not ‘a’. ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/5 "2009-06-15T15:18:54Z")
Not sure if that helps anybody, but the .mov audio sounds to me like various jumbled airport/plane announcements; I think I heard something about ‘security Dallas, 10.35’, and some woman saying something like ‘are you visiting…’ ---
**Author:** ![badlyburnttoast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ad7895/32.png) [@badlyburnttoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badlyburnttoast)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/6 "2009-06-15T15:31:44Z")
As far as the audio file goes, I suspect we need to ‘solve’ it somehow to get the answer to put into ‘www.\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.com’. Something I considered, has anyone tried running it backwards? I don’t really know how to manipulate .mov files (I had to download quicktime just for this ☹ ) or I’d do it. It also sounds to me like, if it’s not reversed, at least some of the people are not speaking english. Anyone have any idea? It sounds like chinese or maybe russian, but that’s more a wild guess then anything. Don’t forget the small file, ._www._\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.com.mov - It’s not a real .mov file (at least, quicktime won’t play it). Opening it with notepad it has the plaintext ‘MooVTVOD’ inside which google says has something to do with itunes, which I also don’t have installed. It was included in the zip so it’s almost certainly important. For the previous puzzle, I really have no idea. I’m horrible at math and don’t understand the equation at all, so I’m no help there. **ClintPhoenix’s** idea does have merit though - that’s an awfully big coincidence if it’s not part of the solution. ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/7 "2009-06-15T15:35:35Z")
Holy crap, I think there’s something – extracting the audio into .wav form, I get something very different: [spoiler]“the security desk at 1055 thomas jefferson street, in Washington DC” …Anybody wanna go take a look?[/spoiler] ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/8 "2009-06-15T15:49:41Z")
> [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](#): > > Holy crap, I think there’s something – extracting the audio into .wav form, I get something very different: > > [spoiler]“the security desk at 1055 thomas jefferson street, in Washington DC” > > …Anybody wanna go take a look?[/spoiler] Weird, when I open the file (in VLC) that’s all I hear. Looks like opening it with Quicktime gives me the layered audio version. ---
**Author:** ![Indian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@Indian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indian)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/9 "2009-06-15T15:50:13Z")
Wow ! 🆒 DC dopers ! Here is your chance for induction into the hall of fame 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/10 "2009-06-15T16:20:20Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Weird, when I open the file (in VLC) that’s all I hear. Looks like opening it with Quicktime gives me the layered audio version. Does anybody know how this works? Could it be that the other audio layers are similarly extractable on their own? ---
**Author:** ![troub](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troub/32/14802_2.png) [@troub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troub)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/11 "2009-06-15T16:35:43Z")
VLC lets you hear other streams in the file, too. Go to Audio-\>Audio Track-\>Track 1, Track 2, Track 3, etc. In addition to the aforementioned track, there’s also: 2 “Friday nights in the DJ booth, at Spin Nightclub, in San Diego” 3 (This is in Spanish) Something about “Ask Curtis in the Starbucks store #2 ??? 32 on Peachtree St. in Atlanta”? Surely somebody can translate that way better. I’m actually ashamed of that attempt 🙂 4 (French) something about Boseman, MT 5 “The deli at the corner of 121st and Manhattan Ave, in New York City” 6 (don’t know this language) something something “Microsoft”…“NE Redmond”. 7 “Cabin Bar at 92 2nd Ave in New York City” 8 (not sure of this language) “Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles” 9 “The Panda Express on E. Adams St. at South Michigan Ave. in Chicago” 10 Gibberish? ---
**Author:** ![troub](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troub/32/14802_2.png) [@troub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troub)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/12 "2009-06-15T16:38:53Z")
I’m thinking, by the way, that these are places where you can Be Sure to Drink Your Ovaltine. ---
**Author:** ![troub](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troub/32/14802_2.png) [@troub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troub)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/13 "2009-06-15T16:50:37Z")
#7 is apparently “Kabin Bar” also. Spelled with a K. ---
**Author:** ![Here\_Come\_Dots](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/cc9497/32.png) [@Here\_Come\_Dots](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Here_Come_Dots)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/14 "2009-06-15T16:57:37Z")
I’m just a few blocks from the Panda Express in #9. ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/15 "2009-06-15T17:04:08Z")
> [@Here\_Come\_Dots](#): > > I’m just a few blocks from the Panda Express in #9. Which I presume means that you’re knocking on their door right about now? ---
**Author:** ![troub](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troub/32/14802_2.png) [@troub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troub)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/16 "2009-06-15T17:09:20Z")
The Atlanta Starbucks is (I think) at 2333 Peachtree Rd. I think it says “Ask for Colin Curtis in the Starbucks 2333 something Peachtree in Atlanta.” ---
**Author:** ![Here\_Come\_Dots](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/cc9497/32.png) [@Here\_Come\_Dots](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Here_Come_Dots)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/17 "2009-06-15T17:11:12Z")
IPhone update: The cashier had an envelope marked CLUE with a $1 bill in it. I’ll upload a photo when I get back to my desk. ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/18 "2009-06-15T17:19:13Z")
Perhaps enter the serial no. at Where’s George? ---
**Author:** ![Here\_Come\_Dots](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/cc9497/32.png) [@Here\_Come\_Dots](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Here_Come_Dots)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/19 "2009-06-15T17:29:48Z")
I’ve [uploaded the photo](http://bit.ly/zdBFD) of the dollar and the envelope. Both sides of the envelope say > [@](#): > > SOMEONE WILL COME BY AND ASK FOR THIS. > CLUE > PLEASE DO NOT OPEN Or THROW AWAY. Inside is a normal-looking, fairly-worn one dollar bill. If it’s of any use, the serial number is 55863974 and it was minted in 2003. ---
**Author:** ![zut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zut/32/2875_2.png) [@zut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zut)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2009, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832/20 "2009-06-15T17:34:01Z")
> [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](#): > > Perhaps enter the serial no. at Where’s George? Brilliant. Apparently one needs an account to access the tracking reports, though? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-an-enigma-part-ii-after-the-math-riddle/499832.md?page=2)