As editor of the Universal Sudoku puzzles, my main job is to make sure the dates are correct and that the different versions and languages match up with each other. I also handle customer service questions about the puzzles, which mostly involves explaining to elderly folks how Sudoku works, something I'm not great at even though everyone usually hangs up happy.
Once in a while, however, I'll get a call from some real characters. One Friday last year, a guy named Herbert called from sunny California to make what he said would be a life-changing proposal.
"Lucas," he told me. "This will probably be one of the most unusual phone calls you will ever receive in your life!"
Given the over-the-top enthusiasm crackling in his voice, I wasn't too sure I liked the sound of that. But I'm a polite syndicate editor, so I stayed on the line.
Herbert said he wanted my help in building a one-of-a-kind Sudoku Car. He already owned the "SUDOKU" license plate for California and wanted to turn his highly sought-after '69 Toyota into the official Sudoku Vehicle of the United States. His plan was to cover a car in Sudoku puzzles of all difficulty levels and drive it across the country, holding Sudoku tournaments and parties held in every state. It would be, as Herbert described it, a "magical car."
Herbert said he wanted my help in building a one-of-a-kind Sudoku Car. He already owned the "SUDOKU" license plate for California and wanted to turn his highly sought-after '69 Toyota into the official Sudoku Vehicle of the United States. His plan was to cover a car in Sudoku puzzles of all difficulty levels and drive it across the country, holding Sudoku tournaments and parties held in every state. It would be, as Herbert described it, a "magical car."
When I asked how exactly and to what extend he wanted Universal Press to be involved, he said, "Well I don't know -- That's why I'm calling you! I just want to work with you to make something that's magical, something that's right."
By this point Herbert had given me too much biographical information to suspect it was a friend playing a prank. I suppose he also did this to demonstrate just how serious he was about Sudoku Car success. He told me he was from La Jolla ("the American Riviera") and that he had 16 cars. He was 65-years old but looked only 50. He had climbed Mt. Fuji not once, but two times.
Before I could ask him to try back another time, after which I would have run this by our communications director, he said he had to grab brunch and would call next week. I shared the story with a few people who had overheard my end of the conversation, and more or less forgot about Herbert's proposal. It was a strange enough discussion that I allowed for the possibility that I simply imagined the whole thing.
By this point Herbert had given me too much biographical information to suspect it was a friend playing a prank. I suppose he also did this to demonstrate just how serious he was about Sudoku Car success. He told me he was from La Jolla ("the American Riviera") and that he had 16 cars. He was 65-years old but looked only 50. He had climbed Mt. Fuji not once, but two times.
Before I could ask him to try back another time, after which I would have run this by our communications director, he said he had to grab brunch and would call next week. I shared the story with a few people who had overheard my end of the conversation, and more or less forgot about Herbert's proposal. It was a strange enough discussion that I allowed for the possibility that I simply imagined the whole thing.
But sure enough, Herbert called back the next week with no less enthusiasm in his voice. Unfortunately I had to explain that Sudoku was not something my company had a copyright for, that I was actually just a small fry in the puzzle world and would not be available to personally fly to La Jolla to help create and promote this magical machine. He took it all right, but it took some convincing, and I got the sense I was dealing with someone who has so much money he rarely has to take "no" for an answer.
The whole thing was pretty sad. Like telling a kid you can't take them to the pool today because the pool is closed for the school year. He seemed more taken aback each time I asked him how specifically he wanted us to contribute, as if he never dreamed we wouldn't be absolutely thrilled by the idea. And I have to admit, the prospect of helping design and drive a Sudoku Car across the States did sounds exciting. It just wasn't for me, I guess.
So that's the story of how I broke an old gentleman's heart. Or at least handed him one minor setback on the highway to Sudoku glory. Life's tough like that. I don't care if you've climbed Mt. Fuji 3 times, own 17 cars and look 49 -- no one ever said making dreams come true would be easy.
The whole thing was pretty sad. Like telling a kid you can't take them to the pool today because the pool is closed for the school year. He seemed more taken aback each time I asked him how specifically he wanted us to contribute, as if he never dreamed we wouldn't be absolutely thrilled by the idea. And I have to admit, the prospect of helping design and drive a Sudoku Car across the States did sounds exciting. It just wasn't for me, I guess.
So that's the story of how I broke an old gentleman's heart. Or at least handed him one minor setback on the highway to Sudoku glory. Life's tough like that. I don't care if you've climbed Mt. Fuji 3 times, own 17 cars and look 49 -- no one ever said making dreams come true would be easy.
- LW
Lucas, the annual income of yer average La Jolla resident would make Warren Buffett blush. Hell, the La Jolla homeless make more annually than I do. ESPECIALLY Doug the Drifter on Prospect St.
Call him back and tell him I'll draw Clovis playing Sodoku on the hood of his car for a cool million. (I'm only 5 minutes from La Jolla!)
Posted by: Lucas Turnbloom | May 01, 2009 at 01:13 PM
Well said, Lucas. And thanks for not passing this guy my way.
Though I have to wonder if this could have been a million dollar licensing proposal...
I guess we'll never know.
Posted by: Disc Golf Legend 2009 | May 06, 2009 at 10:16 AM
The person in the picture must be a real sudoku addict :)
Posted by: Sudoku Online | December 23, 2009 at 01:04 PM