# "...keep your laser handy" is from what? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 6, 2006, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-your-laser-handy-is-from-what/375520 "2006-10-06T17:44:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![psiekier](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psiekier/32/116_2.png) [@psiekier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psiekier)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2006, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-your-laser-handy-is-from-what/375520/21 "2006-10-13T04:17:08Z")
One other thing that I liked about the original _Paranoia_ was how the same illustration was often used in different contexts depending on whether it appeared in a Red-clearance level book as opposed to an Ultraviolet-clearance book. For example, there was one picture of a Troubleshooter loaded down with gear dangling precariously from the ledge of a tall building, holding on by just the tips of his fingers. In the players’ book, the caption under this picture read, “a loyal Troubleshooter demonstrates the proper use of the ‘Strength’ attribute.” In the gamemaster’s book, the caption under the same illustration was, “a traitor disregards his obligation to The Computer and risks valuable equipment.” This, in my mind, is the essence of the game. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Artemis\_Shrike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f475e1/32.png) [@Artemis\_Shrike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Artemis_Shrike)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-your-laser-handy-is-from-what/375520/22 "2017-07-22T10:53:16Z")
The quote to my knowledge is from the first edition of the role playing game Paranoia. The catch phrases were Trust no one, keep your lasers handy, and the computer is your friend. It was a fun game that did not encourage team play. Every player was out for himself. I understand that it has gone through several editions but have not had time to try one in some years. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-your-laser-handy-is-from-what/375520/23 "2017-07-22T14:04:17Z")
> [@Artemis\_Shrike](#): > > The quote to my knowledge is from the first edition of the role playing game Paranoia. The catch phrases were Trust no one, keep your lasers handy, and the computer is your friend. It was a fun game that did not encourage team play. Every player was out for himself. I understand that it has gone through several editions but have not had time to try one in some years. Welcome to the boards, **Artemis** , but you’re eleven years late. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-your-laser-handy-is-from-what/375520.md?page=1)