Escape!

Blog No. 143

There I was, locked in a room with my friend and four strangers. The key was hidden somewhere beyond a locked door and we had to find the combination. We split up the room and started tearing it apart looking for clues. Nothing was spared. Tables were upturned, stools were disassembled, carpets were pulled violently away. Within minutes we had the room in shambles. Nothing was untouched. Gathering in the middle of the room, we righted a table and split all our collected items onto it, searching for patterns and connections. With the makings of a plan, some astute perception, and lots more looking, we were able to use the puzzles to unlock more clues to more puzzles. Ideas were rapidly created, attempted, and discarded, and when all hope seemed lost, we found the code to the locked room. Inside there was another lock, more clues, and no hope. Our time ran out and the game was over.

Over the weekend, I went up to Toronto to visit my friend and to try and unwind after a long string of work. Fun times were had, but one of the most fun things we did was a room escape game. Other than going to Thor espresso at the behest of the Anchor crew, it was the most eventful time of the trip. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was tons of fun, even though we didn’t succeed. The game was imported from Japan, were I guess they’ve been doing them for a while. We chose one close to my friend’s place, but there are many more (both sequels and completely separate). Windsor is even getting one sometime in the future. While the trip was a much needed escape filled with good times and good people, that game was the highlight for me.

Being able to play the room escape with my friend was a treat (plus he is very smart and really analytical). The specific one we went to can be played with (I believe) six to eleven people. They fill up games with reservations, meaning the groups are sometimes random. Being just two people, we were paired up with four strangers. They knew each other, but we met them for the first time minutes before we were locked in the room. We lucked out. They were nice, pleasant, smart, and eager to get along. Between all of us, we made some real headway. I can imagine the game being much less fun with certain types of people, so it was a very nice bonus.

In the end we all shook hands and went our separate ways. My friend and I went for lunch, then got ready for a night on the town with more of our gang. It only took a couple hours of our day, but it was a fun way to spend time with a friend, get active, and use your mind. It was almost like attending a play, but we were part of the show. I’m sure the staff had a good time watching us crawling around the floor and making up crazy theories. After driving up and relaxing with my friend, I’m eager to get back to work on the novel and Adventure Worlds in general, so I’m very happy I took the time to go up (which I always am). So thanks to you Arvin and Caroline for letting me come up and crash. And thanks to the folks that put the room escape together, for the good time with my friend.