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Sherlockian Challenge

There was a time in my life when I traveled for a living. That is how I ended up working in Peoria for nearly six months. Every airport I have ever flown into there are people waiting near the baggage claims area holding up signs. They might read "Mr. Slaney, Elrige's Farm" or "Baron Gruner, Anti-acid Conference". They are printed on pieces of paper and are held aloft. These are strangers who are getting paid to find other strangers, well sort of. This is a scene that is happening everyday at airports around the world.

Seeing such signs gave me a what four (pawky play-on-words). I had this semi-brilliant Sherlockian idea. How about Sherlockian societies around the world have the First Annual Sherlockian Garrideb Challenge?

What is the First Annual Sherlockian Garrideb Challenge you ask?

Well the rules are simple. On a standard sheet of (8.5 x 11in) write "GARRIDEB". On a set date and time, competing Sherlockian societies will go to a predetermined airport. Upon arrival the contestants must go to the baggage claim area with their "GARRIDEB" sign. The goal is to be the first Sherlockian society to have 3 people come up to them a comment on the Sherlockian significance of their sign.

Since all Sherlockians are known for their honestly, the should be a separate non-bribable person or persons who can verify the validity of those who respond to the sign. They must send confirmations that include the respondent's name, city name, and what, if any Sherlockian affiliations. Confirmations must be sent this web.address.

This challenge will not only be fun and well, challenging but will also provide vital information to Sherlockian purveyors. Let's say that a Sherlockian group in Boston received their 3 response in 5 hours while the society in Dallas took 46 hours. This could mean more Sherlockians travel to Boston than to Dallas or maybe it would mean something else completely. (I just come up with these far-fetched ideas; I try not to analyze them). Those wishing to sell their Sherlockian wares will surely want to have the results. Conan O'Brien will more than likely wish to interview the winners. The winner will probably be asked to be the Grand Marshal of the Thanksgiving Parade.

All interested Sherlockian should be aware about airport security. Leave your jack-knife in the mantel. If anyone has a service revolver, keep it in the drawers at home unless you are from Texas. In that case just check it at the checkpoint. If you see the drug-sniffing dog, do not shout, "Toby, the game's afoot!" Leave your Penang lawyers behind. Okay, so I might be getting a little carried away. Just wait until the challenge begins and then we will see who gets carried away.

Happy Collecting (those Garridebs)