| 
  • If you are citizen of an European Union member nation, you may not use this service unless you are at least 16 years old.

  • You already know Dokkio is an AI-powered assistant to organize & manage your digital files & messages. Very soon, Dokkio will support Outlook as well as One Drive. Check it out today!

View
 

Outing to NYPL

Page history last edited by Big T 15 years, 4 months ago

According to the research I've seen and done myself, a trip to the New York Public Library seems to be in order.

 

http://www.nypl.org/research/chss/admin/3rdfloor.html

 

This map shows the Rose Main Reading Room, which may correspond to the *R-RMRR on the youtube video.

 

I am going tomorrow when the library opens at 11:00am, but I need at least two more people to join me.

 

I'll bring my video camera.  Anybody wanna loan me a flare gun and rebreather?

 

Update

 

I will be in front of the library to the right of the entrance at about 10:45am.  I'll be wearing a long black coat, white Chuck Taylor (R) tennis shoes, and I will be holding a white bag.

 

(just for kicks) If you see me, approach me and say, "Do you have a flare gun?"  I will respond, "No, but this sector has been clear of fragments for weeks."

 

Latest Update

 

I finally got the video up.  Yeah! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP6F_AyORMg

 

Report

 

Here's the play-by-play. Video to come... 

 

10:30am - I photoshop a print-out of a "family tree" and attach it to my white camera bag 

 

 

10:40am - I head out to the library. Adrenaline running through my veins 

 

 

10:46am - I arrive at the library. There's a guy at the top of the stairs that is looking at me with an interested face. I walk in his direction... In my mind I'm rehearsing my response in case he asks me about a flare gun. I reach the top of the stairs, and he looks away and stares into the distance. 

 

 

10:46-10:56am - I stand at the top of the steps. It's raining a little bit, and in my excitement, I forgot to bring an umbrella. No big deal, though. Actually, I'm kind of glad for the weather. It just made me more noticeable... a tall guy with a black coat holding a bag with a picture of a fennel bulb taped to it.  As I stood, I took some pictures of the signage at the library.  I found one of them interesting because of the jazz references in the movie.

 

 

10:56am - I ask some tourists to take my picture (I figure nobody's coming by this point). I tell them it's for "a project". 

 

 

11:00am - Doors to the library open! 

 

 

11:02am - I'm in the doors. Security guards are checking bags. I have my video camera in my coat pocket just in case they check my camera case. The security guard sees me and my camera case (which is actually a lunch box) and says, "Oh, is that just your lunch?" "Yeah, well kinda." He lets me pass without inspection. 

 

 

11:03am - Up the stairs. I tried to videotape the whole experience for you. I checked out the online maps, so I had my exact route planned. It's my first time in the NYPL. Very beautiful inside! 

 

 

11:06am - Made it to the Rose Reading Room, South Hall. My heart is pumping really fast now! 

 

 

11:07am - Now, I was prepared to have to apply for a library card or show my id or something. Nope. I was also prepared to have to ask a librarian for help finding the book. Nope. I found it right away. In fact, when I get the video posted, you'll see how easy the book was to find and... 

 

 

11:08am - The book is about as big as a small dictionary. I popped open the book (after taking several photos) and it's a huge index of magazines, I guess. And... YES! after ruffling the pages a little bit, I find a note tucked inside under the letter "M". Indeed, the note was in the page for "Milwaukee" 

THE NOTE HAS A PICTURE OF THE "FAMILY TREE" ON IT AND SAYS 

 

---------------------------- 

414-688-8471

Leave this in the book & 

return it. 

---------------------------- 

 

The note is folded in half inside out and kind of glued together like the glue on the back of an old manilla envelope. Kind of hard to explain. I couldn't unfold it without ripping it, and it really seemed like it was not intended to be opened up. 

Seeing as how they also instructed the reader to return the note and book, I doubt there's any kind of "lemon juice" message encoded into the paper. But, I could be wrong about that. 

 

All in all, a most excellent adventure. I've read about ARG's before but never been involved in one myself. It was the coolest feeling in the world walking back from the library!

 

More pictures of the book and note below:

 

 

Comments (13)

morningcoffee said

at 9:18 am on Nov 25, 2008

Hunt for the 1984 edition of "Access: The Supplementary Index to Periodicals" (AI3.A23) in the South Hall of the Rose Main Reading Room! :)

Big T said

at 10:39 am on Nov 25, 2008

Just got back... updates to come in a bit. I'm at work, so...

morningcoffee said

at 10:45 am on Nov 25, 2008

Oooooohhhhhh the suspense!!


Did you find anything??

Big T said

at 11:06 am on Nov 25, 2008

Grrr.... anyone wanna help me deal with all these stinkin' emergencies at the office? This is supposed to be a slow week!

Short version:

Went to the library. Sadly nobody joined me.

Took pictures and video. Will post later today.

Found the book.

JACKPOT!

Another phone number:

(414) 688-8471

Big T said

at 11:07 am on Nov 25, 2008

Oh, and I called the phone number (sorry to spoil it for some!)

Got a voicemail with a young woman's voice saying (very quickly, I might add - I'm glad I recorded it), "Please leave your fax number after the tone"

morningcoffee said

at 11:12 am on Nov 25, 2008

Thanks! :D

niles said

at 11:24 am on Nov 25, 2008

Were you able to leave a fax number?

morningcoffee said

at 11:28 am on Nov 25, 2008

I called and left my fax number, but as I'm in the UK, I'd be surprised if I got anything. If there's a US person with access to a fax machine, I'd recommend they call and leave the number for it :)
The phone did ring several times before going to the voicemail, so maybe try calling it again later in the day and it may be answered. The Milwaukee Tourism Commission number sometimes goes to voicemail but is sometimes answered.

Starblind said

at 11:29 am on Nov 25, 2008

I've left a fax number. Nothing yet, but it's early.

ian dees said

at 11:29 am on Nov 25, 2008

Where was the other number located? I'm excited to see the pictures!

morningcoffee said

at 11:30 am on Nov 25, 2008

Thanks, Starblind :)
Keep us updated if you receive anything!

niles said

at 11:32 am on Nov 25, 2008

I'm not able to call right now, but I just set up an online account at k7.net so I'll get digital copies of anything sent. If someone wants to call and give the number (206) 666-2135, that would be awesome.

niles said

at 11:41 am on Nov 25, 2008

Never mind, I was able to get a phone. If I get anything, I'll post links.

You don't have permission to comment on this page.