The Enfolding Drama . . .

Please stay tuned to this page to read about the latest in the mystery of Der Mad Stamper's missing carving media.



It all started with his post to the main and newboxers talk lists.




Okay, everyone... FREEZE! Stop what you're doing right this minute and don't move an inch! I don't want anyone going anywhere until somebody coughs up my freakin' PZ Kut!

I suppose I should explain... last night something absolutely dreadful happened!

It started out pretty much as an ordinary night. I found a nice little karaoke bar that I hadn't been to before. I went in around ten, ordered a drink, and put my name on the list to sing a song. About a half hour later, when they asked me to leave, I headed for home. There was nothing good on TV and the lady next door had her shades pulled down, so I went to bed early.

But I woke up with a start when I heard the sound of screeching tires outside my home. I looked at my alarm and saw that it was exactly 12 midnight. I jumped out of bed and peeked through the curtains of my bedroom window. There was no one in sight and my car was still parked in the middle of my front lawn, so I went back to bed.

Then, this morning, I got up and began my usual routine. I popped a few aspirin, drank some Alka Seltzer, took a quick shower, and then got undressed. After downing a cup of yogurt and a bottle of pale ale, I started making my rounds. I fed my pufferfish, threw another baby bunny into the snake cage, and filled my cat's dish with Cocoa Pebbles. Then I went over to my special shrine to hug and kiss my huge private stockpile of precious Grade A white PZ Kut carving material. To my horror, I realized that my entire hoard was missing! Gone! Vanished!

Why would someone do this to me? Why did they have to take my Grade A white PZ Kut, of all things? There's plenty of other stuff around my house that is more valuable: my ex-wife's car... my ex-wife's wardrobe... my ex-wife's prosthetic leg. Why would they take the one thing that means so very much to me? Why me, Lord, why ME???

It's not like anyone has any personal reason to attack me. Well, I suppose there's that one guy down the block who used to have the peekapoo... and then there was that little incident at the convent. But, for the most part, I've lived a life of pure innocence and have been an absolute model citizen. What could possibly motivate anyone to do something so horrid and unspeakable to someone like me?

I know it must have been one of you!

Who else, but a letterboxer, would be driven to come into my home and steal my beloved PZ Kut? You sick, obsessive, depraved scoundrels! You will never get away with this!

Whoever you are, I will stop at nothing to find you and expose you for the villain that you are! I'm going to hire an investigator! I'm going to hunt you down like an animal! Vengeance will be mine! I will not sit quietly and be violated in this manner!

Nobody... I repeat, NOBODY... goes letterboxing again until I find my PZ Kut! Just stay where you are right this second and my investigator will contact you shortly. Don't any of you move a muscle! You... you... you freakin'... freaks!


- - Der Mad Stamper

And Now - DMS Receives a Ransom Note!

DMS Hires a PI!!!

A post from the big list and the newboxers list:


Dear Letterboxers of North America,

One of your members, known by the name of Der Mad Stamper, has employed my services to solve what he claims to be a "most atrocious crime". One of your members has confiscated what he calls "a valuable commodity", white PZKut, belonging to this individual. My client, Der Mad Stamper, has offered a large reward in the apprehension of this devious crook.

Der Mad Stamper has informed me that you are a close-knit community and would be of much assistance in my investigation. Having no understanding of your hobby I am not quite sure what the big deal is over an item called PZKut. However, I have been hired to solve the crime, and solve I will. I will search the whole continent to discover who and why this senseless act has perpetrated upon my client.

The only name I have discovered thus far in the course of my investigation is that of a Don & Gwen. The last name does not seem to be available to me. Does anyone have knowledge of these individuals and who they might be? Rumor has it that Don has a history of run-ins with others. Have you any knowledge of a past history of wicked deeds by this so called duo?

Sincerely,

Investigator Francis Bacon

Don & Gwen Accused! They Defend Their Honor!

This post was just received on the LBNA list by Don & Gwen - who recently were accused of being the culprits in the much-talked-about pilfered PZ Kut:


I plead 'NOT GUILTY!!!!

We have an iron clad alibi. Just check your facts Mr. Bacon.

The 'Whats New' section has us in the clear. Boy what a great bunch we have here, everyone jumps on the bandwagon and starts throwing accusations my way. History of run-ins indeed! I'm a pussycat and my history is free from MOST of your so called 'wicked deeds.'

This is just wonderful. We get back from a great little letterboxing trip, and the first thing I see this morning is our name being sullied on this list. The most hurtful was the reference to the 'Groover' story, which I might add, put me in the Rafting Hall of Infamy. The nuance was clear for all that know the story--"Don is full of S-it." I won't take these references lightly, nor will I stand by and be accused of stealing Der Mad Stamper's PZKut. While the white stuff is what I enjoy using, I would never steal 'all' of another carvers supply.

While I might have motive, the time and opportunity is lacking. Go crawl into some other corner Mr. Bacon and find your perp. If it is proof you need I can furnish a complete 'Found' and 'Planted' report from San Diego for the time of the theft. For the rest of you----SHAME on you!!!!! Just remember the guilty is among you and your kind.

Don

A Second Ransom Note Arrives!

Will It Never End? Ransom Note #3

And Another Ransom Communication!

Ransom Note #5

And Yet Another Note!

Finally - The Good Inspector Speaks!

My Dear Fellow Letterboxers,

May I call you fellow letterboxers? In the approximately 12 days spent in the investigation of this mysterious case I have been become intrigued with the concept of letterboxing and am looking forward to devoting time to finding and planting the hidden treasures.

This case, I am pleased to inform you, is solved. "Who is it?" you ask. That, dear letterboxers, is for you to discover. The evidence is before you. For a community comprised of solvers of mysteries this should not be a difficult challenge. One of these esteemed letterboxers has lied and is guilty. The rewards will be great for the first one of you to correctly solve this most devastating caper. If you believe you have the correct answer contact me at investigator_bacon @ yahoo. com

Good luck.

Sincerely
Investigator Francis Bacon