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Crossword Help Forum
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chrise

11th October 2021, 17:13
Thanks jazzgirl, but your link just seems to come back to this page!
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chrise

11th October 2021, 17:15
OK, got it by copying the link to the address bar.
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jazzgirl

11th October 2021, 17:17
Oh that is odd.
I have read the rules and there is nothing shown about aaking for help on forums etc
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chrise

11th October 2021, 17:17
I see - no mention of online help. I suppose it was a fairly pointless request anyway!
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chrise

11th October 2021, 17:37
Years ago I heard a short radio play in which a new office worker was irritated that his co-worker seemed to do nothing except the Times crossword. His boss explained to him that it was important for the business to be able to leave a paper with the completed puzzle in the foyer, for prospective clients to be impressed by. The new boy came up with a solution. On his commuter train he would go into the first compartment (you see how long ago it was!) and ask "I'm just stuck on 1 across - can anyone help?", and so on down the train, enabling him to hand in a completed crossword as he got in to work.
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nelson

11th October 2021, 21:06
chrise,
I remember that play - or maybe it was a slightly different one?

In the one I heard the man was doing it because he wanted to impress a girl at work who was into another guy because of his prowess in solving the Times crossword.
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chrise

11th October 2021, 21:14
Hi nelson
Perhaps a slightly different one? I think I've remembered the reason for solving from the one I heard.
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nelson

11th October 2021, 21:45
Must have been a different one then. I suppose it's a fairly popular trope for a play or short story.

And, apologies for going off piste in this thread, I have my own story of cheating (sort of).

About 30 years ago I went to meet a man at his office with a view to possibly doing some freelance work for him. We'd never met, but somebody had recommended me to him.

We'd only got past the shaking hands bit when his phone rang and he excused himself to take the call. I pulled out my copy of the Times, saying:"That's fine - I'll finish the crossword."

The call only lasted about five minutes, and as he put the phone down I said:"Perfect timing, I've just finished the last clue!"

Which was absolutely true, as I'd done most of it on the train journey into town. The man seemed very impressed - then I realised he thought I'd done it all while he was on the phone.

Now, this was the point at which any decent person wold explain this was not the case. But that day, I was not that decent person. My excuse to myself was that if I explaned the misunderstanding he might feel a bit foolish.

I kept quiet, and the interview went brilliantly. I was obviously the kind of genius he was looking for. Which led to lots of work being put my way over the next three decades or so.

But . . . ever since that first meeting he would very often call me when he wanted the answer to some obscure question that was plaguing him, always starting with the words: "You'll know this . . . ".

(this was before Google of course.

And I always lived slightly in fear of a call from him - would it just be work, or worse?

Karma.
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chrise

11th October 2021, 21:54
Good story, nelson!
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nelson

11th October 2021, 22:06
If only he's seen me struggle with the Inquisitor every Saturday, he would have have soon changed his mind.

Anyway. I've always loved this forum. If people want to abuse its spirit and aims I think it's sad. There will always be people who find a way to cheat.
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