For this one, you must get information from a mad king as to what would work best for his surprise birthday party.
GREATEST BIRTHDAY (any gender, early twenties through late life)
Your Majesty, it will be the greatest birthday of your life. So far. So FAR. If you hire me back-- that is to say if the party is to your liking and you choose not execute me-- and if you hire me back, the parties will only get better and better. But this one will be the best yet.
So, I am thinking... riddles and a hunt. Little notes left around the palace. Each one leading you to the next clue. And then at the end? Well... that's part of the joy of not knowing but... but... perhaps I could get a few ideas? I certainly wouldn't want the grand party to offend you. It's not really for my own survival but more my, my, my PASSION for putting on birthday parties.
Are you by chance partial to big loud festivities? Or perhaps more solemn ceremony involving the whole court down at your feet? Or perhaps just an intimate evening with the queen, promising a time of passion and-- well, yes, yes, yes. Of course you can't tell me directly. Alright. I can research much of this by talking to the others in the palace. Fair enough. Fair enough.
However, regarding the aforementioned "little notes." Since much of the fun lies in the search and the chase, do you want the "little notes" to be difficult or easy to solve? I don't mean to be patronizing. Maybe little notes are a bad idea. Perhaps we go with blatant misdirection. By example and only by EXAMPLE... but what if someone were to run to you and tell you that the castle is under siege? And then at the end, it has all been tricks and your birthday party ends the day? Or would that cause you more rage and distress? Or...
I... you must forgive me, your majesty. This WILL be the greatest birthday you've ever had SO FAR. But... but I must say that it is a unique request for you to be planning your own surprise party.
Copyright 2016 by Matt Haynes.
If you would like to use this piece, please credit: "Courtesy of Matt Haynes and The Pulp Stage"