Puzzlebrains

I've just given a copy of this current issue to a friend. It amused me because I just got a phone call from her about it.

I have given copies of puzzles to friends in the past, and they mostly made polite noises and then ignored it. However, this friend is actually trying the puzzles. The conversation went like this:

c. Well. First comment - there aren't any instructions!
H Yes, that's part of the puzzle.
C. Oh. (Bemused silence) I'm trying that flower thing. How do I know which way to put the answers in?
H. You don't. That's part of the puzzle.
C. Oh. (Another pause) I also tried London Zoo. They are really odd clues, but then I suddenly realised something about them!
H Well done. Keep going on that and you should eventually get an answer.
C. It's supposed to give me an ANSWER?


H. I'll ask Scurra to get you a password organised so you can put in any answers you get to see if they're right.
C. Well, I don't think there will be a rush for that....

I apologised for her forthcoming breakdown.

How long do you think she'll stay being my friend??

I gave lennon wall to a girl in the office who is "an expert" on skeleton crosswords. That was a week ago. I asked her how she was getting on and all I got was a mumbled "have a few answers". I don't think she will be bragging about how easy they are in future

I keep trying to get my boss into these puzzles - as he does enjoy crossword puzzles - and given he came up with a lyrics quiz for me a couple of weeks ago - thought I would get him back - ops return the favour - with lennon wall!!

Not sure this is a wise move - forget losing friends - I could be looking for a new job!!!

This is a fair point. I have tended to assume that people are not coming to the magazine "cold" which is why there are gradually things going onto the main website introducing puzzles and so on. The idea that a puzzle produces an "answer" isn't mentioned anywhere in the magazine, nor is the idea of the meta - not even the whole business of not getting instructions! So I'm not surprised people are a bit* baffled...

*this may be an understatement.

...well, yes it probably is. I haven't heard from her since...