This fateful and sodden Saturday past the forces of Liquid Fun were called upon by CitySolve Urban Race Boston to put our particular talents to some practical use. Funners hosted an ultrasecret checkpoint for the two hundred plus contestants whizzing around Boston working out clues and completing challenges. Liquid Fun set up camp on the Comm Ave Mall near the Public Garden, and, having neglected to bring nary an umbrella nor hoodie nor windbreaker among them, proceeded to subject unsuspecting contestants to outdoor improv under periodic downpours. Racers played a round of Questions against each other, in which each player had to keep up a conversation by asking 15 questions in a row without answering questions or careening into the declarative… this proved difficult (uproariously so!) for quite a few teams, while others took to the challenge like so many bedbugs to coed freshmen dorms.

For some it was frustrating.

Bitter secrets were revealed, including the deep-seated racism of this man’s partner… [Why do I have to be the yellow Power Ranger?]

…and this poor lad’s familial history of drunkardliness.

There were great victories…

…and crushing disappointments.

Couples, friends and entire families grew closer through their forced inquisitiveness.

The tough questions were asked…

…and, in shocking contrast to the rules of the game, quite often answered.