You’ll be dropping letters as you move across the page, but each dropped letter will go into a letter box, where it will eventually mean something. Nothing is ever truly lost!
Instructions
The words for each column are defined so that their answers are in alphabetical order. Solve the clues for column A. Then rearrange the answers so that their first letters reading down make a six-letter word. Enter the answers in thai order in column A and enter their first letters in the leftmost column of square boxes.
Now solve the column B clues. Rearrange the B answers so that each is next to a column A answer which contains all of its letters plus one. (Example: If the first column answer were ALIVE, the corresponding next column answer might be VEIL, and the dropped letter would be A.) Enter each column B answer on the same line as its column A source word, and put the dropped letter in the box between the two answers. When column B is completed, the column of boxes between A and B. reading down, will make another six-letter word.
Next solve column C, whose answers will be rearranged as before, matching their derivation from column B words, with the dropped letters entered in the boxes between each C word and its B source word. Finally, enter the last letters of the column C words in the rightmost column of boxes. (Using the previous example, the column C word might be LIE, the dropped letter V would be in the box between columns B and C, and the final letter E would be entered in the rightmost box.)
Of course, you might equally well start with column C words and move leftward by adding letters. In any case, when all answers have been deciphered and entered correctly, the four columns of boxes will reveal a puzzler’s lament.
Note: Four clue answers are proper names.
Each clue points to the answer in more than one way. In addition to straightforward definitions, clues may also contain puns, plays on words, anagrams, or embedded spellings (e.g. “HOW IT ZERoes in distinguishes a cannon.”) Sometimes the answer may be constructed out of component parts (e.g. “American leader requires identification in gift”: I.D. inside PRESENT is PRESIDENT, the answer). The one paramount rule is that the clue sentence, with a little re-punctuation, will tell exactly how to get the answer.
Send the completed puzzle (or reasonable facsimile) by July 10 to Letter Drop, D Magazine, 1700 Commerce Street, 18th Moor, Dallas TX 75201. Include your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address. The first correct solution in a random drawing will receive a white polo shirt embroidered with the D logo. A runner-up will receive a 12-month gift subscription to D Magazine. Winners and the completed puzzle will appear in the September issue. Log on to www.dmagazine.com each Monday for new helpful hints.
Get our weekly recap
Brings new meaning to the phrase Sunday Funday. No spam, ever.
Related Articles
Local News
In a Friday Shakeup, 97.1 The Freak Changes Formats and Fires Radio Legend Mike Rhyner
Two reports indicate the demise of The Freak and it's free-flow talk format, and one of its most legendary voices confirmed he had been fired Friday.
Local News
Habitat For Humanity’s New CEO Is a Big Reason Why the Bond Included Housing Dollars
Ashley Brundage is leaving her longtime post at United Way to try and build more houses in more places. Let's hear how she's thinking about her new job.
By Matt Goodman
Sports News
Greg Bibb Pulls Back the Curtain on Dallas Wings Relocation From Arlington to Dallas
The Wings are set to receive $19 million in incentives over the next 15 years; additionally, Bibb expects the team to earn at least $1.5 million in additional ticket revenue per season thanks to the relocation.
By Ben Swanger