Leon, a locksmith, joined his friends at an escape room.
He offered to open the door for forty pounds. They refused. They wanted to solve the clues themselves.
With two minutes left, they gave up and accepted his offer.
Leon shook his head. His friend asked why forty pounds was no longer enough….
Leon liked meeting his old workmates. He was less sure about their latest plan.
They had paid to spend an hour trying to leave a room.
He spent most working days helping people do that. Usually the people were pleased to see him.
His friend Pete said this was different. There would be puzzles, secrets and hidden clues.
Leon asked whether they could have those at the pub.
Pete had already booked.
The host welcomed them to a room made to look like a dusty study. Four desks held papers. A clock counted down from sixty minutes. Somewhere in the room was the code that would release the door.
Nothing needs force, the host said. Everything you need is here.
Leon looked at the door.
Pete told him not to start.
I haven’t said anything.
You’re looking professionally.
The host left them alone. Pete began searching a bookcase. June studied the pictures. Ray found a box with four little wheels on its lid.
Leon asked how much they had paid.
Twenty-five each, Pete said.
A hundred pounds between us?
It’s a full hour of entertainment.
Leon inspected the lock without touching it.
I could have us out in thirty seconds for forty.
Pete said nobody wanted to get out that way.
June agreed. They wanted the satisfaction of working it out.
Ray said the box might open if someone could find a date. Pete discovered three dates and no reason to choose one.
After twenty minutes, they had opened one drawer and acquired another locked box.
Leon was sitting comfortably, reading the room’s rules.
You could help, Pete said.
My offer’s still open.
No, thank you. We’re enjoying this.
At forty minutes, they were arguing about whether a painted bird was a clue or just a bird.
At fifty, Ray tried his own birthday.
The clock reached two minutes. Pete finally turned to Leon.
All right. Forty pounds. Get us out.
Leon shook his head.
That’s now an emergency call-out.
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