Can you solve the bridge riddle? - Alex Gendler

Summary

In a remote mountain lab, a mischievous lever pull unleashes mutant zombies. With limited time and a fragile rope bridge as the only escape, a group—comprising the protagonist, a lab assistant, a janitor, and an old professor—must strategize to cross the gorge. The plan involves pairing the slowest with the lantern bearers for efficiency, ensuring all cross before the zombies arrive. A nail-biting race against time culminates in a daring escape, just as the bridge collapses, leaving the monsters behind.

Takeaways

• 🏔️ The setting is a remote mountain lab where a lever with a skull symbol was pulled, leading to a zombie outbreak.
• 🔄 The group consists of a quick protagonist, a lab assistant, a slow janitor, and an old professor, all trying to escape mutant zombies.
• 🌉 The only escape route is an old rope bridge that can only hold two people at a time and spans a massive gorge.
• ⏱️ The bridge crossing times are one minute for the protagonist, two for the lab assistant, five for the janitor, and ten for the professor.
• 🕰️ The zombies will catch up in just over 17 minutes, creating a time constraint for the group to cross the bridge.
• 💡 The old lantern is the only source of light, limiting visibility and requiring it to be carried or closely followed.
• 👥 No more than two people can cross the bridge at the same time, and the lantern must be used for visibility.
• 🚫 The scenario rules out alternative escape methods such as swinging across or using the bridge as a raft.
• 🔑 The strategy involves minimizing the time wasted by the slowest individuals by having them cross together.
• 🏃‍♂️ The fastest individuals are used for returning the lantern to expedite the crossing process.
• ✂️ The final act involves cutting the ropes to collapse the bridge just as the zombies arrive, ensuring everyone's safety.

Q & A

What was the protagonist's initial mistake that led to the zombie situation?

The protagonist's initial mistake was pulling the lever with the skull symbol out of curiosity without knowing its consequences.

Who are the four individuals trying to escape from the mutant zombies?

The four individuals are the protagonist, the janitor, the lab assistant, and the old professor.

What is the only way to safety for the group?

The only way to safety is across an old rope bridge that spans a massive gorge.

How long does it take for each person to cross the bridge alone?

The protagonist takes one minute, the lab assistant takes two minutes, the janitor takes five minutes, and the professor takes ten minutes.

What is the time constraint for the group to escape before the zombies catch up?

The group has just over 17 minutes to get everyone across the bridge and cut the ropes before the zombies catch up.

What is the limitation of the rope bridge?

The bridge can only hold two people at a time.

Why is it necessary to return the lantern after crossing the bridge?

The lantern is needed for visibility, as it's very dark and the lantern only illuminates a tiny area. It must be brought back for others to cross.

What is the strategy to minimize time wasted by the slowest individuals?

The strategy is to have the two slowest individuals, the professor and the janitor, cross the bridge together.

Why is it crucial for the lab assistant to return the lantern to the protagonist?

The lab assistant returns the lantern to the protagonist so they can make the final crossing together within the remaining time before the zombies arrive.

What is the final action taken by the group to ensure the zombies cannot follow them?

The final action is cutting the ropes and collapsing the bridge behind them as soon as everyone is safely across.

What is the protagonist's resolution for the future?

The protagonist resolves to stick to the library next summer, implying a decision to avoid dangerous situations like the one in the script.