Ask Me Help Desk - Lateral Thinking Puzzle

Synn, you really do have the most interesting imagination.

When Ned learned that his sister was dying, he decided to become a used-car salesman. How come?

Quote:

Originally Posted by morgaine300

The death of his sister made him completely lose his mind??? :p

Seriously, I have some stuff to do as well, so I'll cook up some questions while I'm off. And no, I've never heard that attorneys aren't your favorite people. Some of them are actually OK, and unfortunately the bad ones give them all a bad name.

No - but of course you knew that.

Well, the attorney I had to visit is one of the better ones - but then he's my client's attorney. The other side's attorneys in this case are despicable. :mad: Vultures. Liars. Scum.

Okay then...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synnen

Okay. Here goes.

Ned hated his sister. When he found out that she was dying, he was really happy. Except...since he was an estate lawyer, he knew he wasn't going to get a penny of her money unless he was really poor and needed it. SO!! He quit his job working for the rich and famous and went back to his small town in Connecticut to take care of his dying sister and scam her out of as much money as possible. Since he had to have a job to be in her good graces, he got a job as close to the hospital as possible so that he could monitor how soon he could throw his celebratory party.

You really do have a great imagination. :)

Morgaine, this is one of the puzzles that I mentioned took 70-90 questions to answer. I bet you all will get it more quickly than that, but I think it will take many questions. I hope.

Quote:

Well, the attorney I had to visit is one of the better ones - but then he's my client's attorney. The other side's attorneys in this case are despicable. :mad: Vultures. Liars. Scum.

Yup, unfortunately many of those do exist. I wouldn't want to have to deal with one, and I think I'd hate it even more if it were in the capacity of my job cause then I'd have to behave myself. :D

Quote:

Morgaine, this is one of the puzzles that I mentioned took 70-90 questions to answer. I bet you all will get it more quickly than that, but I think it will take many questions. I hope.

Ah. Well, I like having a good challenge as well. I like a variety, really. OK, I have some questions started but not too many. Let's see what else I can come up with.

(I take it that Synn's answer wasn't it, or you wouldn't be still posting.)

Sorry, I didn't make it clear but Synn's answer wasn't it. I took it as more of a joke about lawyers.

Is the cause of his sister's dying relevant?

Did he leave another job to take this one?

Are any of his prior jobs relevant to this situation?

Was his sister married?

Did any relatives (including inlaws) work at the used car lot?

Had he ever sold cars before?

Ned is an adult, correct?

Is his approximate age relevant?

Is his sister a child? Teen? Adult?

Are their parents divorced? (I don't know where that came from, but hey you never know.)

Did he move to take the job?

Is his sister in a hospital?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Looking

Sorry, I didn't make it clear but Synn's answer wasn't it. I took it as more of a joke about lawyers.

That went right over my head. Maybe I should just go back to bed. :rolleyes:

Is the cause of his sister's dying relevant? No

Did he leave another job to take this one? Unknown

Are any of his prior jobs relevant to this situation? No

Was his sister married? Yes

Did any relatives (including inlaws) work at the used car lot? No

Had he ever sold cars before? Unknown, but I don't think so.

Ned is an adult, correct? Yes

Is his approximate age relevant? No

Is his sister a child? No Teen? No Adult? Yes

Are their parents divorced? (I don't know where that came from, but hey you never know.) Unknown

Did he move to take the job? No

Is his sister in a hospital? Unknown

Is sister sane?

Do these two live in the same town?

Is something in Ned's life going to change because of his sister's death? (Other than typical grief - something that's relevant to this situation.)

Is Ned married?

Are their parents still alive?

Did the sister have any kids?

Does Ned have any kids?

Are there other siblings of Ned and sis?

Is sister sane? Yes

Do these two live in the same town? Most likely

Is something in Ned's life going to change because of his sister's death? (Other than typical grief - something that's relevant to this situation.) yes

Is Ned married? Unknown

Are their parents still alive? Unknown

Did the sister have any kids? I would have to guess no.

Does Ned have any kids? Unknown

Are there other siblings of Ned and sis? I would have to guess no.

Quote:

Is something in Ned's life going to change because of his sister's death? (Other than typical grief - something that's relevant to this situation.) yes

Well, since the cause of the death isn't relevant, if you answered this one no, I was going to proceed with tearing my hair out already. ;)

At least this now gives me a start on something to think about...

Do Ned and sis's hubby get along?

Is sis's hubby dying as well?

Is anyone else dying?

Is sis Ned's current boss (dying notwithstanding)?

Does sis have a will?

Do Ned and sis's hubby get along? Unknown

Is sis's hubby dying as well? No

Is anyone else dying? No

Is sis Ned's current boss (dying notwithstanding)? No

Does sis have a will? Yes

Is hubby in the will?

Is Ned in the will?

Is anyone else named in the will?

Did sis leave Ned a used car business? :D

Is a really scummy attorney involved in any way? :eek:

Is hubby in the will? Yes

Is Ned in the will? Yes

Is anyone else named in the will? No

Did sis leave Ned a used car business? :D No

Haha, you added one:

Is a really scummy attorney involved in any way? No

Sorry. I added it immediately and didn't think I'd get caught.

Did Ned get something in the will?
Did he get requested to do something in the will?
Did hubby get something in the will?
Did hubby get requested to do something in the will?

Is Ned planning to work at any particular car dealership?

Did Ned get something in the will? Yes (going with the intent of the question - but does would be better than did in all these questions)

Did he get requested to do something in the will? No

Did hubby get something in the will? Yes

Did hubby get requested to do something in the will? No

Is Ned planning to work at any particular car dealership? No

Quote:

Originally Posted by morgaine300

...

Is the bell anywhere within 1 m from the man? Yes.

I guess that this one is false then :rolleyes:
But true for the 'easier' problem.

T_T
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As for the next one...
Do Ned and his sister share some particular thing that most people don't have?
Is Ned getting something more than hubby? Less? Same?
Is Ned jealous of hubby?

Good morning, Unky. :)

Do Ned and his sister share some particular thing that most people don't have? No
Is Ned getting something more than hubby? No Less? No Same? Yes
Is Ned jealous of hubby? Hmmm ... jealous? I'm not sure that's the way I would word it, but possibly.

Good evening JLo :)

Hm... he is perhaps possessive?
Ned wants to get everything in his sister's will?
Does hubby need a car?
Did hubby and Ned challenged each other over some silly bet?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown008

Quote:

Is the bell anywhere within 1 m from the man? Yes.

I guess that this one is false then :rolleyes:
But true for the 'easier' problem.

I actually thought about that one for a while. I almost said "perhaps," but I would never have said "no" cause it's actually unknown where the bell is, and where it may have drifted to. I thought that was getting a bit far for someone to hear it, but I could be wrong on that. (That would put it the distance from the house where I grew up to the school I went to, and I'm having a hard time imagining hearing a bell from that distance.)

I've done a lot of traveling and most definitely have seen bueys within a fairly short distance from a shore, so that can't be it. Maybe I should have stuck with my "perhaps" answer.

It certainly wouldn't be the first time someone answered in a fashion that may have been wrong or misleading. I didn't agree with some other answers I've seen either. But, I don't mind you saying something - I do try to be careful, so if someone thinks something is wrong, so say.

Hm... he is perhaps possessive? No
Ned wants to get everything in his sister's will? Yes
Does hubby need a car? No
Did hubby and Ned challenged each other over some silly bet? No

Quote:

Originally Posted by morgaine300

I actually thought about that one for a while. I almost said "perhaps," but I would never have said "no" cause it's actually unknown where the bell is, and where it may have drifted to. I thought that was getting a bit far for someone to hear it, but I could be wrong on that. (That would put it the distance from the house where I grew up to the school I went to, and I'm having a hard time imagining hearing a bell from that distance.)

I've done a lot of traveling and most definitely have seen bueys within a fairly short distance from a shore, so that can't be it. Maybe I should have stuck with my "perhaps" answer.

It certainly wouldn't be the first time someone answered in a fashion that may have been wrong or misleading. I didn't agree with some other answers I've seen either. But, I don't mind you saying something - I do try to be careful, so if someone thinks something is wrong, go ahead and so say.

I wonder if you are thinking 1 mile and Unky means 1 meter.

Hm...

Is the something in the will money?
Does Ned want to make hubby buy a car to get the money?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Looking

Did Ned get something in the will? Yes (going with the intent of the question - but does would be better than did in all these questions)

I'm not understanding your meaning there. Intent was pretty much as you'd expect: got money, estate, insurance, stock, whatever. (Not sure what other intent there would be.) I was trying to distinguish him as the recipient of something versus (and/or) having some other request made of him (such as becoming guardian of a child - though I didn't know what it would be).

And not sure what "but does would be better than did in all these questions" was supposed to be. Might check your coffee level there. :p

OK. So how about, was Ned envious of hubby or hubby's inheritance? (Since you didn't like the word jealous. Or you don't like "envious" either?)

Does Ned feel something other than sisterly love for his sister? (I really am sane, really I am. Sorry, it just popped in my head.)

Quote:

It's okay :) I wanted to pick on you a little ;)

Now why would you want to go and do that? I never pick on you. Ever. Really, Never, ever. I'd never even consider it. I'm a wonderful little person who never picks on anyone. I'm totally innocent.

Check you sleep level morgaine :D

What JLo means was that you use the present tense instead of the past tense, because the sister of Ned isn't dead yet. :)

With those questions of yours with all sorts of weird things, that is what pushed me to pick on you once :p

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Looking

I wonder if you are thinking 1 mile and Unky means 1 meter.

Oh well hell. Been online with people all over the world many years - you'd think I'd know better. But metric just did not even occur to me.

Well - you're right. That would be a bad answer. ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown008

Check you sleep level morgaine :D

What JLo means was that you use the present tense instead of the past tense, because the sister of Ned isn't dead yet. :)

With those questions of yours with all sorts of weird things, that is what pushed me to pick on you once :p

Oh well hell again. It would have helped if she'd said, but "does" would be better than "did" in all these questions" It just sounded like some weirdo typing thing going on.

OK, now that we're all done misinterpreting each other. :D

So Ned wants everything. Rather selfish of him, considering hubby is, after all, hubby.

Did Ned want some particular item?

Morgaine, I've been curious. What time zone are you in? I'm always imagining it's really late where you are.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown008

Hm...

Is the something in the will money? Yes
Does Ned want to make hubby buy a car to get the money? No

Quote:

Originally Posted by morgaine300

I'm not understanding your meaning there. Intent was pretty much as you'd expect: got money, estate, insurance, stock, whatever. (Not sure what other intent there would be.) I was trying to distinguish him as the recipient of something versus (and/or) having some other request made of him (such as becoming guardian of a child - though I didn't know what it would be).

And not sure what "but does would be better than did in all these questions" was supposed to be. Might check your coffee level there. :p
Unky is right. It was a question of tense. I could have been clearer.

OK. So how about, was Ned envious of hubby or hubby's inheritance? (Since you didn't like the word jealous. Or you don't like "envious" either?) I don't like "envious" either. There's a better word for what Ned is.

Does Ned feel something other than sisterly love for his sister? (I really am sane, really I am. Sorry, it just popped in my head.)No - ewwwww. It really is late. :p

Quote:

Originally Posted by morgaine300

Now why would you wanna go and do that? I never pick on you. Ever. Really, Never, ever. I'd never even consider it. I'm a wonderful little person who never picks on anyone. I'm totally innocent.

I could tell that about you right away. Don't feel bad - no one ever believes I'm innocent either. :rolleyes:

Quote:

Originally Posted by morgaine300

Oh well hell again. It would have helped if she'd said, but "does" would be better than "did" in all these questions" It just sounded like some weirdo typing thing going on.

OK, now that we're all done misinterpreting each other. :D

Who says we're done misinterpreting each other?

Quote:

Originally Posted by morgaine300

So Ned wants everything. Rather selfish of him, considering hubby is, after all, hubby.

Did Ned want some particular item?

No, not a particular item.

Is he planning to become a used car salesman by trade? As in for his job?

Or

Is he planning on sell a car (or two)?

Is he planning to become a used car salesman by trade? Not really. As in for his job? The puzzle states that: "He decides to become a used car salesman. How come?" It's not that he's planning it to be his job. I know - it's perfectly clear now. :o

Or

Is he planning on sell a car (or two)? No

Does Ned want to prove something to hubby?

Is greedy a better adjective?

Does Ned want to prove something to hubby? No

Is greedy a better adjective? Yes, that's the right word. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Looking

Is he planning to become a used car salesman by trade? Not really. As in for his job? The puzzle states that: "He decides to become a used car salesman. How come?" It's not that he's planning it to be his job. I know - it's perfectly clear now. :o

Or

Is he planning on sell a car (or two)? No

I'm even confused by this answer. He has decided to make his job a used car salesman. Why?

Oh yes, that's so much better.

It is late. I work sort of second-shift hours - my schedule is a little bizarre but second shift is 'the best fit'. So I don't mostly have to do mornings. I'm a night person, always have been. I love the night, I love the dark, I love the quiet. I get many jokes about my coffin. (I do also, however, love a wonderful sunny day outdoors.) My neighbors are usually up leaving for work before I'm in bed, though they also start work really early.

I've actually been trying to knock my schedule back a little at a time (so that I'm up late instead of all night), but too many nights I'm just not getting tired any earlier, so it's not going real well.

As for being innocent, that was total sarcasm. Since I do pick on Unky, I'm sure he got that. Or maybe you were kidding too. So you're right - we're not done misinterpreting each other. LOL.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Looking

I'm even confused by this answer. He has decided to make his job a used car salesman. Why?

Oh yes, that's so much better.

Yes. Actually, that's all I meant. I originally assumed it meant as a job. Then the thought struck me, did it maybe mean he was just planning to sell a used car, like a little trickery of words. Job - that's a good enough word and answers my question.

I'm a little confused now...

Ned decides to sell one car?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown008

I'm a little confused now...

Ned decides to sell one car? No, it's not that he decides to sell just one car.

Sorry, Unky. It's after midnight here - past my bedtime. I just keep thinking you guys will get this any second. I think I over-interpreted Morgaine's question. She just wanted to make sure he was taking a job as a used car salesman. The answer to that is yes. The question is why does he want that job.