Helen's Murder Mystery Dinner

Happy Sunday, dear readers! I am on house arrest for 24 hours because I had a vomiting episode in the middle of the night. It's policy that staff do not come in contact with other staff or guests for 24 hours after a puke event, to prevent spreading of whatever bug is present. Thus, my dear readers, I have time to update you with recent events! We've been busy with conference visitors since Thursday, but we had an opportunity for some staff bonding this past Monday, with a special Mystery Dinner, hosted by Chelsea, with the help of Anna, Hannah, Joy, Kellie, and Lauren!

Everyone, because of the Staff Ride a few weeks ago, is familiar with the story of Helen's Rock, and how the heap of calcified horse manure ended up landing on, and killing, Helen, the Texas Olympic sharp-shooter who worked at the ranch many years ago. The point of the mystery dinner is to figure out "Who Dunnit?", or, who killed Helen? All of the staff were required to dress up as a character from the story. From left: Kellie (Japanese Climatologist), Caroline (Diamond Lil), Anna (Texas Olympic sharp-shooter teammate #2), Chelsea (Helen's Upset Sister), me (Sheriff Sassafras), and Hannah (Shavoshala's gypsy handmaiden.

Tish (Russian geologist) and Caroline (Diamond Lil) showing off their revolvers.

Abbie (Texas Olympic sharp-shooter teammate #3), Lindsay (Helen's ghost), and Tish (Russian geologist).

So how it works:

1. Staff sit down at a table with a list of characters/suspects and each person receives a "menu" of murder weapons

2. Each person checks off 3 murder weapons to "order"

In the kitchen, each murder weapon represents a food item/eating utensil. On the food item/eating utensil will be taped the name of a suspect that is NOT the murderer. One by one, each person will order something that will give them a clue as to who DIDN'T murder Helen, and the process of elimination will help them to guess who DID murder Helen. You get it?

3. Staff are served their three items, and are allowed to order three more items until 6 "rounds" have passed.

4. Individuals sitting at each table are allowed to collaborate and a representative is to stand and make an accusation at the end of the meal. Above, is JHam (the horse, Picklefart), accusing Jacob (Texas Ranger George Arrington, far left) of killing Helen.

5. The accused have the right to defend themselves, or receive court appointed representation (one of the organizers can defend the innocent).

What makes it all fun:

1. You don't know what you're going to get. An arrow could represent a toothpick. Some people, when ordering their three items, receive a toothpick, a plate of meatloaf, and a cup of ice (yes, it's just ice). That makes it tricky and getting what you want to eat may require some time to figure out what murder weapons represent what food items/eating utensils. Having a table collaborate definitely speeds up the process. Next time, I think it should be every man for himself. No cheating!

2. Hearing the accusations. It's like the game of mafia, you make it up as you go. The more creative and outlandish, the funnier it is!

3. Hearing the defense of the accused. Like the accusations, the more ridiculous, the more fun!

At the end, we, the organizers, came out with the "real story" and announced the real murderer. Texas Ranger George Arrington, who had been in search of an outlaw, wanted for heinous crimes, was really in search of our very own Helen! It turns out that her life before coming to work on the ranch was a dishonest one, as she cheated in the Olympic competitions, and was wanted for other various crimes. Above is a picture of Jacob (Texas Ranger George Arrington) with Lindsay (Helen's ghost). Ah, justice is served, on both ends! The Texas Ranger ends the life of a criminal, and we discover who Helen's mysterious murderer is!

And we all lived happily ever after.

The end.