Clue Crackers: Part 1
Clue Crackers was meant as a children’s video series for a class I taught. Unfortunately, due to an overloaded schedule, I was unable to film, edit, and upload a majority of the episodes. Here are the scripts for the uploaded episodes and the unfinished mid-season finale
Episode One: The Secret of Atbash
[opens on black screen] [confidential: for your eyes only]
[cut to Master Code] {music}
MC: Welcome, future spies. You might be wondering who I am and what you’re doing watching this video. Let me explain.
My name is Master Code, I work for an orginization known as I.N.E. [logo] We’re spies. It’s my job to train the next generation of spies; that’s where you come in.
My sources tell me you’re a prime candidate for I.N.E. The higher-ups in the company have tasked me with giving you assignments.
(laughs) Don’t worry, they’re not math or English assignments. They’re spy assignments.
Each week, I’ll give you a riddle or code for you to crack. One of our operatives, Agent Anagram, will then teach you how the code works or how to solve the riddle.
Does that sound fun?
I hope you said yes because I can’t hear you. That’s not how videos work.
This week’s code
[code on screen: dvoxlnv, xofv xizxpvih! R.M.V. rmergvh blf!]
It may seem like gibberish, but there’s a message there, I promise.
I’ve assigned Agent Anagram to explain the code. Think of her as your mentor.
{beep SFX}
Ah, that should be her now!
[swipe to Agent Anagram]
AA: Hey, Clue Crackers, let’s take a look at this code, shall we?
[code on screen]
Oh, okay. It might look like nothing more than a jumbled mess of words and I bet if you tried to unscramble them, you’d come up with some words.
[the words partially unscramble, showing the word “blond”]
Like that! But the rest of it is still gibberish. [words return to normal order]
This phrase has been put through a cipher! A cipher is a way of disguising words by putting them in a secret code. A good way to tell a cipher apart from scrambled words is the overall lack of vowels.
(studies the words for a second)
Aha! I’ve got it! The phrase has been put through the Atbash cipher!
[wipe to a white screen with the code]
The Atbash cipher is the most popular of the ciphers because it’s one of the easiest to understand.
Instead of the normal alphabet- so A, B, C, and so on- [wipe to the reverse alphabet] you go backward- Z, Y, X, etcetera. [show examples] For Cat- C-A-T- you’d write X-Z-G.
Here’s a chart to help you. [show the conversion chart for 5 seconds]
[wipe back to Agent Anagram] [show coded phrase with spaces beneath for the translation and small version of the chart]
Okay! Let’s solve this code!
[swipe to overhead]
(talk through live solving the code) (stop before the last three)
[cut to Miss Abby]
Okay, but what does the whole thing look like?
[the blanks all fill in]
Aha! “Welcome, Clue Crackers! I.N.E. invites you!”
{beep SFX}
Oh! There’s another message from Master Code!
[swipe back to Master Code]
MC: Great job, Clue Crackers! I hope you had fun solving that code because I have another one for you.
[code on screen: pvvk zm vbv lfg vli] (Master Code pauses here)
I’ll be back next week for your next assignment. Until then, keep cracking codes!
And keep your eyes open!
[fade to black, leaving the new code up and revealing the last word: Irwwov]
Episode Two: Green Glass Door’s Hidden Passcode
[opens on black screen] [confidential: for your eyes only]
[cut to Master Code] {music}
MC: Welcome back, Clue Crackers. I have another assignment for you.
One of our agents in Texas, Agent Tabitha, has set up a passcode for the database that I.N.E. agents use to get into our database of information. The problem is Agent Tabitha was sent off on an assignment in Argentina and didn’t tell anyone what the passcode was.
We have her notes, but so far no one has been able to understand what they mean.
[we see a list of words and a riddle]
[words: tabby, lettuce, cat, llama, candy, spinach, grass, door, tacos, password, name, fries]
[double letter words are in a different font]
[riddle: first is the green thing, next is the food, lastly is the one closest to my name]
We need to recover the passcode quickly so our top-secret files aren’t lost… or worse stolen.
A clue before you get started: Agent Apple can go through the door, but I can’t. In fact, none of our agents can, but all of our apples could.
Good luck, agents!
[cut to Agent Anagram]
Agent Apple can fit through the door? What is he talking about? We don’t have an Agent Apple!
(shakes head) Let’s take a look at those notes.
[they appear over her head]
Okay, so we have tabby, llama, grass, door, password, and lettuce that work. And cat, candy, spinach, tacos, name, and fries that don’t. The first word we need is green, the next is a food, and the last one is closest to the name of the agent who created the passcode…
…Agent Tabitha! I’ve got it! It’s the green glass door!
[words disappear]
Agent Tabitha taught me this riddle game a few months ago before she was shipped off to Argentina. I think she meant it as a clue!
The game is called Green Glass Door and the only rule is you can’t tell someone how it works. They have to figure it out themselves.
Much like our password situation, only certain words can fit through the Green Glass Door. Green, glass, and door can fit through the green glass door, but blue, metal, and opening can’t.
Cheese could go through the green glass door, but onions can’t.
(leans forward) Okay, I’m going to break the rule and tell you how it works.
Only words that have double letters can go through the door. Agent Tabitha must have made the passcode out of words that have double letters! That’s why Agent Apple can go through, but Master Code can’t! Apple has double letters!
Alright, let’s look at the words Agent Tabitha gave us.
[the words reappear] [words: tabby, lettuce, cat, llama, candy, spinach, grass, door, tacos, password, name, fries]
Of these, the only ones with double letters are tabby, lettuce, grass, door, and password.
[the non-double letter options disappear]
Now for the riddle.
[the riddle appears] [riddle: first is the green thing, next is the food, lastly is the one closest to my name]
The green thing, the food, and the one closest to her name.
Wait, lettuce and grass are both green! (pauses and laughs) But only one is a food!
Lettuce is the second one because it’s the only food on the list, which means grass is the first word. But which word is closest to her name?
(she scans the remaining words)
Oh! Tabby is a nickname for Tabitha! The code is grass lettuce tabby!
[cut to Master Code]
Grass lettuce tabby! (chuckles) Leave it to Tabitha to make such a nonsense password.
Thanks for your help Clue Crackers! We would have never been able to get into the database without your help.
Well… I mean we are spies. I’m sure we could have figured it out eventually, but your help was still greatly appreciated!
While you were solving that clue, I was able to track down one of our biggest threats! Which means I get to update our files.
Speaking of our files, here’s a passcode so you can access the files.
[passcode on screen: Kfaaovh]
The code has been put through that cipher you learned last week, just to be safe.
I’ll be back next week for your next assignment. Keep cracking codes!
[fade to black, leaving the new code up and showing a web link alongside the code]
[message: ULI NLIV: achambutonline.com/clue-crackers ]
Episode Three: Put It In Reverse!
[opens on black screen] [confidential: for your eyes only]
[cut to Master Code] {music}
MC: Welcome back, Clue Crackers. Ready for your next assignment?
We’ve received a message from one of our agents in Canada, Agent Dixon. I’d read it to you, but… well, it’s not readable. Take a look!
[a copy of the message appears on the screen]
The letters all look familiar to me so I know it’s not a cipher or another language, but we can’t seem to crack the code. Agent Dixon is one of our top operatives as well as one of the smartest. We’re positive there’s a way to read it, we just need help cracking the code.
Do you think you’re up for the task?
(long pause) Oh right, I can’t hear your answer. I’m hoping you said yes!
I’ve sent Agent Anagram a copy of the message.
[cut to Agent Anagram] (she holds the copy) [message returns to screen]
AA: Oh wow. He’s right, it looks like gibberish.
Agent Dixon is a huge fan of the Atbash Cipher. I’m surprised he didn’t use that to write his message.
(she squints at the print)
I can see what Master Code meant. Some of these letters look familiar. See that one?
(she points) [the backwards “a” on screen enlarges]
It looks kind of like a lowercase a, except it’d be backward.
Wait, how could we make something backwards seem forward?
(pauses for a second, “listening”)
That’s it! We need a mirror!
[swipe to Agent Anagram in front of or holding a mirror]
Agent Dixon went undercover at a circus last year. When he got back, he told a lot of stories about the hall of mirrors the circus had. We couldn’t understand what was so fascinating about it at the time, but maybe he was thinking of a new code!
(she holds the message up to the mirror) [close shot]
Look! When we put the words in the mirror it reveals a message! And it’s in Atbash.
[cut back to regular shot] [message appears at the bottom]
Alright, Clue Crackers. Do you remember the Atbash Cipher we learned?
[the key appears on screen alongside the message]
We need to translate everything from Atbash to regular English. Can you help me?
[cut to overhead, we see the message written out]
[music plays as Agent Anagram translates the message, adlibbing as she does]
[cut back to regular]
The message reads: (she reads from her translation)
Master Code,
Riddle was nowhere to be seen when I arrived in Canada. All traces of our foe have vanished.
Please advise,
Agent Dixon.
(looks up) Yikes. It seems Riddle is at it again. Let's hope they find that villain soon!
I better send this to Master Code.
[swipe to Master Code]
MC: Great work, team! I would have never figured out that code if it hadn’t been for your smart thinking and hard work.
I’ll send a message to Agent Dixon right away. Riddle might have given us the slip for now, but we’ll catch that fiend soon enough.
For your help, here’s some information about our enemy.
[an acrostic poem appears]
Riddle has been missing for some time-
Is never caught when there’s a crime.
Don’t close your eyes: Riddle is close behind.
Don’t forget that Riddle isn’t a friend.
Let’s not forget that like a good villain-
See you next week, Clue Crackers.
[fade to black, revealing the last line]
Everywhere and nowhere, very well hidden.
Episode Four: Codes With A Caesar On The Side
[opens on black screen] [confidential: for your eyes only]
[cut to Master Code] {music}
MC: Good to see you, Clue Crackers. I have your next assignment.
As you know, we here at I.N.E. use a lot of codes and ciphers in case our messages fall into the hands of the enemies…
But, uh, sometimes we run into problems. Like this.
[Message on screen] [LP PDNLQJ EVRZQLHV WR QLJKW]
It's from Agent Carla, but we don't know who the message is for!
I myself tried to translate it with the Atbash but it was still nonsense. I'd try another cipher, but I have to leave for my assignment in Italy.
Agent Anagram, do you think you could help our Clue Crackers decide the message?
[cut to Agent Anagram]
Can do, Master Code.
[The message reappears] [LP PDNLQJ EVRZQLHV WR QLJKW]
Alright guys, Master Code says it's not the Atbash Cipher, but maybe it's a different one.
He said the message was from Agent Carla, who works in the I.N.E. cafeteria. She likes to do food-related things in her messages. One time she sent a message through her grocery list!
If she's using a cipher it'd be close to the menu this week.
[Message disappears, replaced with menu]
(Reads list) Looks like we're having spaghetti and meatballs for dinner with a Caesar salad on the side. That’s weird. She left off what we’re having for dessert.
I wonder how that will relate to our cipher.
Okay out of the ciphers we have [list comes on screen] the playfair cipher, the four square cipher, the Caesar cipher, and the pig pen cipher.
Wait! Caesar cipher and Caesar salad! That must be it! Let's learn how to solve the Caesar cipher!
[The cipher appears and other things disappear on screen]
The Caesar cipher is a lot like the Atbash Cipher. It's still the English letters, but instead of being backwards, every letter is off by three. So for the letter A ,you skip B and C and write D. For B, you skip C and D and write E.
To solve the cipher, you go backward. It's easier to do it if you write down the alphabet and just go up three letters from the one written.
Alright! Now, let's solve this message!
For L, we go back K and J and get I. We have multiple L’s in this, which means we have a lot of I’s. Next, we have a P. So go back O and N and put M. Our next one is an M, too! We already have a full word!
[cut to overhead] [Agent Anagram leads us through solving the message on a piece of paper] (adlibs)
[cut back when message is solved]
It says, “I’m making brownies tonight!” That must be the missing spot on the menu!
[cut to Master Code]
Brownies! I should have guessed that!
Great job with the Ceasar Cipher, Clue Crackers! I can’t believe I didn’t think of that!
I just landed in Italy. It seems our good friend Riddle was just here causing chaos. Looks like I won’t be back in time to get one of Agent Carla’s brownies.
But I can share a message that we’ve found here. It seems to also have been put through the Ceasar Cipher.
[Message: VHH BRX VRRQ FOXH FUDFNHUV]
See you next week, Clue Crackers.
[fade to black]
[We see the signature on the message: ULGGOH]
Episode Five: A Riddle With Wolf, Goat, And Cabbage
[opens on black screen] [confidential: for your eyes only]
[cut to Master Code] {music}
MC: Welcome, Clue Crackers! Glad to have you back! I have a problem I need you to solve.
Don't worry! It's not a math problem! Agent Barnaby bet me five dollars I wouldn't be able to solve this riddle and… uh… I would really like not to lose five dollars.
Here's how it goes: a man is travelling with a goat, a wolf, and a head of lettuce when they come across a river. They have a boat, but only one person can ride with the man at a time. The wolf would eat the goat, and the goat would eat the lettuce. How does the man get everyone across safely?
I know it sounds hard, but Agent Anagram will help you.
[Cut to Agent Anagram]
AA: I will? Okay looks like we have a challenge in front of us. Luckily, I got a higher score on my I.N.E. evaluations than Agent Barnaby did. I should be able to ace this.
Master Code said only one person can ride with the man at a time, and the man's the only one with a boating license, so he has to be driving the boat.
[Graphics appear on screen]
The wolf and the goat can't be left together, and the goat can't be left with the lettuce.
But he didn't say anything about the lettuce being unable to stay with the wolf!
Okay, so the man takes the goat across first! The wolf can stay with the lettuce. Then the man can come back.
Okay, who goes next? Hmmm… well, the wolf can't be left with the goat… and the goat can't be left with lettuce. Looks like we've hit a problem.
Wait! I know! (Pulls out phone) Let's call Agent Willow! She works in the logic department. If anyone knows how to solve this riddle, it's her.
[Video call incoming] [graphics disappear]
[Split screen of Agent Anagram and Agent Willow]
AW: Hey, Agent A. And hello, Clue Crackers! How can I help you guys?
AA: We got a riddle from Master Code, but we got stuck.
AW: Ooh, Let me take a look.
[Graphic reappears]
AW: Ahh, the wolf-goat-cabbage problem. Agent Barnaby’s betting someone they can't solve it, isn't he?
AA: Yep.
AW: Well, I don't want to give all the secrets away, but I'll give you a hint. Someone can ride both ways.
AA: Someone can ride both ways… Oh, I got it! Thanks, Agent Willow!
AW: No problem!
[The split screen ends]
AA: Okay. Someone can ride both ways… Oh! I got it! [graphic reappears] We can let the wolf ride across and take the goat back with us, so the wolf doesn’t eat him!
[graphic shows this]
Then we can take the lettuce and leave the goat. [reflect on graphic] Then once we leave the lettuce with the wolf, who won’t eat it, we go back and get the goat!
We did it! Great jo-
[sharp cut to Master Code]
Sorry! Our servers are being hacked, and we have to go on lockdown. I don’t have long!
Thanks for your work, Clue Crackers! We’ll see you next week if we can stop this hacker.
[glitches out] {music cuts}
[black]
[typing that reveals a message: ebiil zirb zoxzhbop f elmb tbii yb jbbqfkd pllk -Ofaaib]
[wlg wlg wlg - Irwwov]
[message flickers out after a second, leaving it all black]
Episode Six: A Cipher Squared
[opens on black screen, long hold] {music swell}
{music glitches} [confidential: for your eyes only glitches on and off screen]
[glitch cut to Master Code] {music}
MC: Clue Crackers! There you are! I was worried the transmission wouldn’t go through!
Riddle has been attacking the I.N.E. servers for a week now. Even with our top agents on the case, we had trouble getting control of them back.
We’ve got a message from Riddle for you to decode. It’s got your name on it.
I’d advise you to be careful. Riddle’s codes can be hard to decode. Even some of our best agents can go crazy trying to figure out what Riddle’s trying to say.
Let’s hope Agent Anagram is able to log on and help you with the riddle.
Best of luck, Clue Crackers.
[cut to black] [loading symbol for five seconds]
[cut to Agent Anagram]
AA: You’re here! Good! I was worried we wouldn’t be able to meet.
Did Master Code tell you that Riddle’s been hacking our servers? It’s been hectic at I.N.E. this week!
Let’s look at the code, shall we?
[code appears on screen] [message: FOR CLUE CRACKERS ]
Oh! It’s the pigpen cipher! (laughs) And Master Code said this would be hard.
Alright, Clue Crackers! Let’s solve a cipher that doesn’t use the English alphabet… or any real alphabet.
The pig pen cipher is made using this key. [show the key] Each part of the key is a separate letter. For example, this [] is the letter A and [] the letter N, and [] V, and [] X.
Alright! Now to solve it!
[overhead shot of solving the message] (AA adlibs the solving process)
[cut to normal when done]
(reads from the paper) “For Clue Crackers, Let’s play a game/just say my name/and we will meet/my take over complete.” Signed Riddle.
Looks like Riddle wants to meet you… (mumbles) “my takeover complete.” (eyes widen) It sounds like Riddle is planning to {music cuts} [screen starts glitching] take over [more glitches- snippet of Riddle] I.N.E.!
[final burst of glitches] Hello? Clue Crack- [cuts to black]
[flickers onto a video of Riddle] {sinister music starts}
R: Aha! There you are! I’m so glad to finally meet you!
As you’ve probably figured my name is Riddle. Your pesky little friends at I.N.E. have been trying to find me. They’re upset because:
I took their toy, now it’s broke
Hurt the feelings of someone you know.
Now stopping me is their aim.
Mine is to bring chaos and pain.
I also like rhyming! I’ve heard that you’ve been able to solve some of my clues. I’m impressed! I could use a good ally like you, but I can’t pay you and don’t really need any new friends, so I think you’ll make perfect guinea pigs.
While I.N.E. has their hands full looking for me, you’ll be free to- [cuts out]
[comes back] Hey! Who’s messing with my- [glitches]
Stop that or I’ll- [cuts out]
[opens on Master Code]
MC: (not looking at camera) We did it! We kicked Riddle off the server!
(looks to camera) You’re back! Good. I was worried the signal had been blocked and we wouldn’t be able to reach you anymore.
Were you able to solve the message? [message appears]
Oh, wow. Seems like our friend Riddle wants to play games with you.
Having a nemesis can be dangerous… but solving Riddle’s clues might help us find her and catch her sooner.
What do you say? Are you up for the task?
[fade to black] [message, in pig pen cipher, fades in]
Episode Seven: Anybody Got A Match?
[confidential: for your eyes only glitches on and off screen]
[fade open on Master Code]
MC: Welcome back, Clue Crackers. It’s good to see you. I.N.E. hasn’t had any word from Riddle, but someone’s triggered one of our alarms at our Dallas base. We believe it could be her. The question is: what does she want there?
(coughs) Anyways, onto this week’s assignment. [The puzzle appears on screen: 5 - 3 = 4]
This is a matchstick puzzle. You might notice that it’s wrong. Five minus three doesn’t equal 4. Your job is to make an equation that is true. You’ll be given four more matchsticks to try and make the equation right.
A few rules: no number can be bigger than nine, and you can’t change the equals symbol.
I’ll give you a hint: there are two different answers.
I think you’re up to the task, but don’t worry, you won’t be alone- Agent Anagram will be there to walk you through the puzzle.
[cut to Agent Anagram]
AA: Oh darn, I’m awful at math equations. But I did specialize in pyrkinetics when I was in the Undercover Regiment. Maybe that’ll help.
Okay, we have four matchsticks we can use, but how should we use them?
Well, if we only have four, we won’t be able to change all the numbers. I think three should stay the same. It’s a small number, so it won’t drastically change the equation.
(studies equation) Five minus three doesn’t equal four… What about five minus two? No, that’s three, and now we have another matchstick. Eight minus three? No, that doesn’t work. It’s not anything minus three.
Five minus three… Maybe we should try five plus three!
[The graphic reflects her words.] We can add three matchsticks to the four and make it an eight. Then, we can use the last matchstick to make the minus symbol a plus sign!
Aha! We did it!
But Master Code says there are two ways to solve this… I wonder if we can figure out the other way.
[The graphic resets to the original equation.]
Hmm…. Okay. Let’s keep the three the same. Maybe we can change everything else.
[The graphic reflects her words.] If we put one match for the plus symbol and another on the five to make it a six… hmm. Okay. Six plus three is… Nine! Let’s add the last matchstick to make a nine!
Yes! We found both the right answers! Hmm… I wonder if we could make codes with matchsticks.
[numbers in matchsticks appear, each missing a piece]
Maybe the numbers could each be missing a match and when you figure out what the numbers are it gives you the access code to something!
I’ve got to share that idea with Agent Carlson!
[Master Code appears]
MC: Well done! Most of our agents struggle to find an answer to that equation– and you guys managed to find both!
Our headquarters in Dallas just alerted me that Riddle has left the area. We have no idea where she’s heading, but wherever she goes, we’ll find her.
See you next week, Clue Crackers, and remember to keep your eyes peeled for clues and codes.
[fade to black]
[glitches to reveal a message] [the first part is in Atbash, the second in Ceasar, the third in Pig Pen, and the fourth in A1226]
Hello, hello, hello, my friends. Svool, svool, svool, nb uirvmwh.
My reign of chaos will never end. Tf ylpnu vm johvz dpss ulcly luk
I’m here. I’m there. I’m everywhere.
I will win, by this I swear. 9 23-9-12-12 23-9-14, 2-25 20-8-9-19 9 19-23-5-1-18
Episode Eight: Smthng Mssng
[confidential: for your eyes only glitches on and off screen]
[fade open on Master Code]
MC: Great to see you again, Clue Crackers. We've received a message from Riddle.
(He holds up an envelope)
It's addressed to you and Agent Anagram. I'd have opened it to see what it says, but it's illegal to open someone else's mail.
I'm positive Riddle has coded her message somehow, probably with a new cipher of some sort.
Solve the code and report back. Godspeed, Clue Crackers!
[Transitions to Agent Anagram]
AA: I love getting mail! Let's open it, shall we?
(She opens the envelope and scans the document)
[Document on screen]
Huh, it's an article about Riddle. (reads the article)
Weird. There’s a lot of typos here for a professionally written article.
(to camera) Did you guys notice any clues or codes here?
(pause) Me neither. I wonder how Riddle left her clue…
There’s got to be something here! We’ve got to be missing something… What if what we’re missing is something missing!
It looks like all the typos are all missing letters! What’s if it’s an absent letter code!
Let’s put all the absent letters together and see if it holds a message!
[throughout the whole explanation, the screen bears the letters: stringing them together to reveal the message] (other than first solve, the rest will be ad libbed by actor)
Okay! The first letter missing is the letter “h” in the word “anti-hero.”
(continues)
(Agent Anagram looks up at the solved message)
“Hello, my friends. We’ll meet again soon.”
Uh oh. Looks like Riddle plans on showing her face again. I wonder how, though? I.N.E. is keeping an eye on the servers so there’s no way she could hack them again.
(shrugs it off) Oh well, that’s a problem for another day. Keep your eyes open, Clue Crackers.
[cuts to Master Code]
MC: Wonderful work as always, Clue Crackers. We’ll be sure to keep our eyes open for any of Riddle’s schemes. In the meantime, enjoy this joke.
[on screen: What did the buffalo say when his son left for his new job?]
[fade to blac] [letters disappear with it]
[now reads: What did the uffalo say when h s on left f r his ew job?]
Episode Nine: Numbers Are Letters?
[confidential: for your eyes only glitches on and off screen]
[fade open on Master Code]
MC: Hello, Clue Crackers. I’m glad you’re here.
We’ve received another coded message from Riddle… of at least, I’m hoping it’s a coded message.
[message appears]
[23-8-1-20-’19 9-14 1 14-1-13-5?
13-9-14-5 9-19 20-8-5 19-1-13-5
2-21-20 1-4-4-18-5-19-19 9-20 20-15 13-5
1-14-4 20-8-5 18-5-16-12-25 25-15-21-12-12 18-5-3-9-5-22-5]
If I’m being quite honest, I’ve been unable to make heads or tails of it. But that’s why I don’t work in the ciphers department.
I’m hoping you guys will have better luck than I did.
Between you and Agent Anagram, I’m hoping you’ll be able to get to the bottom of it and figure out what Riddle has planned.
[swipe to Agent Anagram] [message gone]
AA: Hey, Clue Crackers! A little birdie told me that Riddle’s message would be hard to solve… Well, it wasn’t a bird, it was Agent Denver.
Anyways, let’s see what we’ve got.
[message appears]
Whoa… it looks like a messed up math equation. Oh boy, I’m drawing a blank on this one. I have no idea what it could be!
Luckily, I have an agent friend who’s great with numbers!
I think it’s time you met Agent Hoop.
[cut to her calling and Agent Hoop picking up]
(Agent Hoop hums a song as the video starts, she pauses noticing the call)
AH: Hey, A! Hey, Clue Crackers! What’s up?
AA: We’ve got a code from Riddle, but we have no idea how to solve it.
[message appears]
AH: Oh, wow. That’s a tough one!
AA: I know. Do you recognize it at all?
AH: Umm… I think it’s the A-1 Z-26 cipher.
AA: The what?
AH: You don’t know the A-1 Z-26 cipher? I thought you were the code specialist??
AA: Maybe I just forgot it. Give me a reminder.
AH: (shaking her head) The A-1 Z-26 cipher uses numbers in place of their letter counterparts. A is the first letter of the alphabet, so its letter is one.
[the number 1 in the code is replaced by the letter A]
AH: The number two would be B, the number three, C, and so on all the way down to z which would be-
AA: 26! I got it! Thanks, Agent Hoop!
AH: No problem! (hums song)
[Agent Hoop’s screen shrinks as Agent Anagram’s returns to normal] [message leaves]
AA: Okay, just like with the Atbash and Ceaser ciphers, we’ll start with the whole alphabet.
[the alphabet appears on screen]
Then we assign them each their number, starting with one.
[numbers appear beside each letter]
Now we have a key to follow for tranlasting!
[overhead shot of Agent Anagram translating the code]
(actor ad libs this part)
[cuts to normal when she’s done translating]
(reading) “What’s in a name? Mine is the same but address it to me and the reply you’ll receive.”
It sounds like Riddle wants us to send her a letter… and will send one to us in return!
We’ll have to ask Master Code what to do next.
[cut to Master Code]
A letter, eh? I’m not surprised Riddle is fond of snail mail.
We’ll get that letter sent right away and give you her response when it’s received.
I have no doubt that her next clue will be harder than the one’s we’ve gotten before.
Are you up for the challenge? [fade to black]
[4-15-20 4-15-20 4-15-20 –18-9-4-4-12-5]
Episode Ten: Dots And Dashes
[confidential: for your eyes only glitches on and off screen]
[fade open on Master Code]
MC: Ah! Clue Crackers! It’s good to see you again. (holds up letter) You’ve recieved a reply from Riddle. I’ve given the message to Agent Anagram. I anticipate it’s been heavily coded.
I’m believing you can solve the code and perhaps discover what Riddle will be up to next.
Are you up for the task?
Excellent! Report back with your findings. Over and out.
[swipe to Agent Anagram]
AA: Welcome back, Clue Crackers! Riddle wrote a reply! Are you as excited as I am?
Let’s open it!
(opens the letter, pulling out the message) [message on screen]
[message:
_._. ._.. .._ .
_._. ._. ._ _._. _._ . ._. … ,
..
._ _ ._ …
… _ _ _
. _.._ _._. .. _ . _..
_ _ _ _
_ _ . . _
_._ _ _ _ _ .._ ._.
._.. . _ _ . ._. … !
.. _.
…. ._ ._.. .._.
._
.._. _ _ _ ._. _ _. .. _ _. …. _
._ _ . ‘ ._.. ._..
_ _ . . _
.._. ._ _._. .
_ _ _
.._.. ._ _._. .
… _ ._ _._ _
._.. _ _ _ _ _ . _ _ . . _..
_ _ _ _.
. _ _ . ._ … … ._ _ _ _ _ ._. _..
_… _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . ._ ._.. _ _ _ _ _ _
Oh! I know this! It’s Morse Code!
Morse code is a very famous code and it isn’t just a written thing, it’s also an audible code. It’s a code you can hear!
In wartime, soldiers would send messages back and forth with morse code to keep their messages hidden from their enemies. Instead of writing them, they’d play them over radio waves. If there was an important message, you might here this.
{S.O.S. in Morse Code plays}
The dots our message have represent the short bleeps, while the dashes are the long ones. All the dots and dashes represent letters. [message reflects this part] A dot and a line is A. {SFX of Morse Code A} Two dashes and a dot is G. {SFX for Morse Code G}
Here’s the full key for the Morse Code alphabet. [appears on screen, replacing message]
Now, let’s get translating!
[overhead shot] (Agent Anagram walks us through translating the message, ad libbing)
[cut back to normal]
(Agent Anagram reads) “Clue Crackers, I was so excited to get your letter. In half a fortnight, we’ll meet face to face. Stay logged on. Password: boogaloo.”
Well, if Riddle’s planning on hacking into I.N.E.’s servers again, she’s going to get caught…
…although if she is trying to hack on, why would we need a passcode?
“Half a fortnight.” Well, fortnight means two weeks. Half of two is one… so she’s planning on contacting us in one week! That’s great! It means I.N.E. will know when we need to keep an eye out for her.
We better tell Master Code what we’ve found.
[swipe to Master Code]
(reading the translated message on paper) Very strange indeed. It appears to me that Riddle’s going to call again, although how, I don’t know.
We’ll just have to wait and see next week.
Good work, as always, Clue Crackers! We’ll do all we can on our end to make sure your call with Riddle is watched by I.N.E. so we can take down the villain once and for all.
Until then, keep your eyes open for clues.
[fade to black]
[message: _ .. _ _ _ _. ‘ _ _… ._.. .. _. _._]
Episode Eleven: Blink And You’ll Miss It
[confidential: for your eyes only glitches on and off screen]
[fade open on Master Code]
MC: Welcome back, Clue Crackers. We’ve been keeping an eye out for Riddle, but she must be lying low. We’re not sure how she’s planning on contacting you, but we’re certain she’ll do it by any means necessary.
For the time being, we have a new code for you to solve! Agent Willow sent me an email suggesting a new code. I’ve forwarded the message to Agent Anagram so you can learn it.
Best of luck, Clue Crackers and remember to keep an eye out for Riddle.
[swipe to Agent Anagram]
AA: (reading from paper) Hmm… Agent Willow’s code is tough to decode, but I think we can get it.
[email on screen]
[message: Master Code, I have a code our Clue Crackers can decipher. I'd say it’s a visual code, not one that the viewer would read. It’s the blink code. When the message is given, the message giver is careful to keep their eyes open. Whenever they blink, they reveal a word that’s a part of their true message. The message could be a sentence or a passcode. To start, the Clue Crackers should try and make a sentence with a three word clue. I’ve done this multiple times and it’s the least likely to be decoded by an enemy. Sincerely, Agent Willow.]
(Agent Anagram reads the email)
[message leaves]
Okay, let me take a stab at it. Pay attention to the words I blink on and find the code I’m giving.
“On Tuesday, I went to the park for, like, an hour with my friend, Cat, who showed up in neon shorts.”
Did you catch it? I blinked on the words “I,” “like,” and “neon.” So the message reads, “I like neon.”
I get why Agent Willow uses this code so much, it’s very clever!
[sharp cut to Master Code]
MC: Sorry to interrupt!
We’ve just received word from Agent Willow that her email has been hacked. She didn’t send that message, which means it’s most likely from Riddle.
I’d expect there’s a message hidden in it. Can you find it?
[cut to Agent Anagram]
AA: Riddle! We’d better get to finding her message as soon as possible. Can you help me?
[message on screen]
Hmm… Wait! There’s underlined words! I bet if we put them together, it’ll show us the message.
[the underlined words join together] [email fades]
“Say the password three times”
Right! The code in Riddle’s letter had a password in it!
…but what was it? I think it was a weird word that starts with “B.”
Boogaloo! Riddle wants us to say Boogaloo three times.
Let’s try it! Repeat with me.
Boogaloo, Boogaloo, Boogaloo.
[screen starts glitching]
Wait! Clue Crackers! I’m losing the signal. Clue Crackers?
[glitch to Riddle and back]
Clue Crackers! Keep your eyes-
[glitch to Riddle]
R: Ah! There you are. I had a plan to talk to you in person.
I wanted to discuss at length my next scheme.
Unfortunately, due to I.N.E. and their meddling, I had to settle for a pre-recorded video message.
I can’t hear anything you say, which hurt initially because I love a captive audience.
But, lucky for me and for you, I have more to say than the words I’m speaking.
Now, I have to go.
I don’t think the connection will last much longer.
But we will meet again soon.
I have more codes for you to solve before my revenge is to take place.
[video switched back to Agent Anagram]
AA: There you are! What happened? What did Riddle say!
{notification SFX}
Oh! Looks like I.N.E. managed to record the message!
I bet there’s a code in it! Maybe that’s part of the reason Riddle wanted us to understand blink codes! Her message could be hidden in plain sight!
Let’s rewatch it and see what words she blinks on!
[replay the video] [as Riddle blinks, the words stay on the screen]
[back to Agent Anagram]
She said “A person at I.N.E. hurt me now I will have revenge.”
I wonder who hurt her and if it’s too late to make amends.
[cut to Master Code]
Great work, Clue Crackers! We’ll try and figure out which agents have had a run in with Riddle and report back.
Until then, keep your eyes open!
[fade to black]
[message: KLPRZEQEBTOLKTLOA]
Episode Twelve: See Elle You Ee Ess
[confidential: for your eyes only glitches on and off screen]
[fade open on Master Code]
MC: Clue Crackers! We’re so glad to have you back!
Our favorite fiend, Riddle, has sent you another clue. She somehow managed to sneak it into Agent Milton’s lunch bag. Scared the dickens out of him when he found it. He took the long way back to work to make sure he wasn’t being stalked.
Anyways, the message!
[message on screen]
I’m honestly not sure what to make of it, but I wouldn’t put it past Agent Anagram to be able to help you figure it out.
I’m hoping we can get to the bottom of what Riddle has revealed this time and put a stop to her foul plans.
Good luck, Clue Crackers!
[swipe cut to Agent Anagram] [no message]
AA: You guys, I am so so so excited for this code! I overheard Agent Milton talking about how weird it was in the breakroom.
[message on screen]
Yep that’s weird alright!
Hmmm… well, it doesn’t appear to be a regular cipher. It appears to be nonsense. But Riddle’s codes are never simple nonsense, they always have a meaning. Which means there’s got to be something here!
The hyphens remind me of the A1Z26 code. Maybe each nonsensical word represents a letter. The first word would be four letters long.
(pause) Maybe if we try reading aloud. That’s what my mentor says to do.
(reading) “Double you, aye, in, tee–” Wait! These are regular letters!
[reflected on screen] Double you is “W” and aye is “A!”
It’s all the letters spelled phonetically! They’re written how they sound!
Okay! Let’s get to solving it!
(walk through the solving process, ad libbing) [message reflects the decoding]
Riddle said, “Want to know my enemy? He’s not an agent from A to Z. My uncle, tried and true. I bet he doesn’t have a clue.”
The I.N.E. agent who hurt Riddle is her uncle! Well, “not an agent from A to Z”... I’m not sure what that means and if he doesn’t know Riddle is after him we might not be able to figure out who it is.
But! A lead is a lead! Great job, Clue Crackers.
Back to you, Master Code.
[slide transition to Master Code]
MC: We’ll have an agent look into Riddle’s past to see if we can figure out her family tree so we can try and locate her uncle. So far she’s managed to keep her identity a secret fairly well, but I’m sure that’s a problem our top agents can solve in no time.
As always, great work, Clue Crackers!
We’ll see you next week and remember to keep your eyes open for clues.
[fade to black]
[closing message: kay-ee-ee-pee aye-in ee-why-ee oh-in em-why you-in-see-elle-ee eff-oh-are em-ee – are-eye-dee-dee-elle-ee]
Episode Thirteen: Was It A Mistake?
[confidential: for your eyes only glitches on and off screen]
[fade open on empty room]
{beep SFX}
Voice Over: You have one new message. Message one.
Master Code (VO): Clue Crackers! I’m sorry to report I won’t be seeing you today. There’s a family emergency I needed to take care of.
I’m sorry to report we’ve had no sign of Riddle in the past week, but we have a lead! Clandest, I.N.E.’s sister organization, had someone trying to hack their records database on Thursday. We’re not positive the hacker was Riddle, but the Clandest agent who discovered the hacker and stopped them found them trying to access their agent records.
My theory is that Riddle’s uncle used to work for Clandest before I.N.E. Luckily for us, I have friends at Clandest because I did an internship there when I was younger. We’ll find Riddle’s relative soon enough.
Onto your assignment for the day. I’ve given Agent Anagram a copy of this message with an instruction for you to follow. Hopefully I’ll be able to see you when you’re done with the code.
Good luck, Clue Crackers. Keep your eyes open.
{beep SFX}
VO: End of message
[slide transition to Agent Anagram]
AA: Welcome back, Clue Crackers! Let’s read that message shall we?
[message on screen]
[message: Cluu Crackers! I’m sonry to report I won’t be seeing you today. Tdere’s a family emergency I needed to take care of. I’m serry to report we’ve had no sign of Riddle in the past week, but we have a lead! Clandest, I.N.E.’s sistrr organization, had someone trying to hack their recorts database on Thursday. We’re not positive the hacker was Raddle, but the Clandest agent who biscovered the hacker and stopped them found them trying to access their agent records. My theory is that Riddle’s unlle used to work for Clandest before I.N.E. Luckily for us, I have friends at Clandest because I did an internship there when I was younger. We’ll find Riddle’s relative soon enough. Onto your assignment for the day. I’ve given Ageet Anagram a copy of this message with an instruction for you to follow. Hopefully I’ll be able to see you when you’re done with the code. Good luck, Clue Crackers. Keep your eyes open.]
Huh… He said he’d leave an instruction so we’d have a cold to solve, but there isn’t anything here. Did he forget to send it?
Or! Did he put it in the message itself!
(studies message) Wait! There’s typos here!
(looks to Clue Crackers) Master Code never makes grammatical errors, at least not this many. They must be the code he left with the instructions!
Okay! There’s two ways you can use gramatical errors in a sentence to leave a code. Option one, the letters you put in the wrong place are the code. Option two, the letters that are supposed to be there are the code.
Let’s work through the message with both options and see which one has a message!
[overhead shot to solve it]
(ad libs, solving both ways until the first word is found, then sticking to the way that worked)
[back to main]
Under table? What does that mean?
Master Code isn’t in your area so there’s no way he left it under your table.
But there’s a table in the I.N.E. break room! Come on!
[cut to “I.N.E. break room”]
(Agent Anagram, crouches and peeks under the table)
Aha! There’s an envelope!
(stands, opens and reads silently)
It’s short and I think it’s in Atbash!
[message on screen: blf'iv zonlhg szoudzb gl yvrmt z hkb -NX]
Do you think you can translate it?
[key on screen]
Let’s do it together!
[overhead shot, at home] (ad libs translation)
“You’re almost halfway to being a spy - MC”
Wow! That’s high praise! And Master Code’s right, you’re doing a great job!
{incoming call message on screen}
Speaking of Master Code! He must be back from his trip!
[cut to Master Code]
MC: Clue Crackers! I’ve received word from the Ablete postal services that there’s a package coming with your name on it. I’ll make sure it gets to Agent Anagram for next week’s lesson.
I have no doubt that the package is from Riddle. I’d be careful. Whatever is inside of it is probably going to be the hardest code you’ve had to solve yet.
Until then, keep your eyes peeled for clues.
[fade to black]
[message: ._ _. .. . _._. . …]
Episode Fourteen: Pieces
[confidential: for your eyes only glitches on and off screen]
[fade open on Master Code]
MC: Welcome back, Clue Crackers! I hope you’ve been keeping an eye open for clues. Agent Delores has.
She found a box hidden along her walking route to I.N.E. headquarters. At first glance, it wasn’t too unusual. But then she noticed it was addressed to you guys.
I’m not quite sure what to expect inside it, but I’d advise being cautious. If it’s not a trap, it’s some sort of code.
Good luck! Over to you, Agent Anagram.
[cut to Agent Anagram]
AA: (holding box) I have no idea what to expect here, but the guys down at the lab didn’t find any traps inside. In fact, they said it looked like nothing was inside. Maybe it’s a prank!
(she gingerly opens it and peeks inside)
It’s paper! That must be why it didn’t show up on the scanners, it’s too thin!
(withdraws multiple pieces, the lines are cut in thirds) [multiple codes on screen, out of order]
They’re coded phrases… I’d bet they’re all a part of a larger message!
Wait! Each of these segments are in different colors! We just need to find the pieces that align to figure out each line. Hey! That rhymed!
[overhead shot] (ad libs through the solving process)
[message lines out of order]
Okay, now to make the whole thing make sense.
Put this here. (swtiches lines to put them in order) And this here… Aha!
[cut to regular shot]
“You might think it’s a bit strange
In a box all tucked away.
See, the person I seek to find
Eleven times left me behind.
He’s the first of each of these lines.”
What does that mean? He’s the first of each line? Maybe it’s the first letter!
Y, I, S, E, H,…. Yie-sew? No, that can’t be it.
Maybe it’s the first words?
You, in, see, eleven, he’s…. That’s nonsense too.
(mumbles the words again)
Wait! Maybe it’s the words-letters cipher!
[on screen] U-N-C…. Eleven? Could it be A1Z26?
(counts on fingers) A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K… no that’s not it…
Wait! Maybe it’s just the first syllable. El-even. It’s L!
Now He… Could be E!
It spells “Uncle!” Riddle’s enemy at I.N.E. is her uncle, ya see?
Oops! I started rhyming again.
We have to tell Master Code!
[cut to Master Code]
MC: We still haven’t found Riddle’s uncle, but I bet whoever they are is an important figure here.
When we’re able to figure out who it is, maybe we can find a way to find Riddle!
Good work, Clue Crackers! We’ll see you next week and remember what I always say!
[fade to black]
[code: rllw fvby lflz vwlu mvy jsblz]
Episode Fifteen: Making Up A Cipher
[confidential: for your eyes only glitches on and off screen]
[fade open on Master Code]
MC: Welcome back, Clue Crackers. I'm afraid I don't have an assignment for you today. We've been running around here like crazy trying to figure out who Riddle is after and what she plans on doing to them when she finds him. That and– Well, I’ll get to that later.
I've talked Agent Anagram with figuring out an assignment for today.
Let's hope she's not so caught up in this craziness that she forgot.
Over and out, Clue Crackers.
[Cut to Agent Anagram]
(Agent Anagram has her back to us, staring at a crazy string board of theories with Riddles picture and name in the middle)
(She whirls around)
AA: Clue Crackers! Right, I knew you were coming today! (Frantically searching) And I have... An assignment for you... (Finds it) Aha! Here!
When I was in the Undercover Regiment, Agent Masih taught me how to make my own codes. I think she was trying to give me busy work, but I actually ended up enjoying it!
It’s because of Agent Masih that I work in I.N.E.’s codes department.
Anyways! Here’s my code!
[code on screen]
I’ll tell you how I made it. Every letter I made is made up of filling in the empty spaces in or beside the normal version of the letter. [reflect this] [Agent Anagram’s name on screen]
Every letter of my code represents a real letter.
[AA’s name switch to coded]
Now! To make your own code you can do the same thing!
We could do an emoji for each letter!
[show emoji-fied name]
Or animal names.
[reflected on screen]
Or come up with your own code!
[names disappear]
A lot of our agents make their own codes that they use to help keep their messages from being read by enemy agents.
I wonder how many different codes we could make up!
Quick! Grab a pen and paper and think of as many as you can in thirty seconds! (runs)
[swipe cut] [open to Agent Anagram sitting on the floor with a journal]
{30 SECOND count down}
(Agent Anagram thinks hard and writes a bunch until timer goes off)
Okay! Did you come up with anything? I got a few!
[her name reappears]
First, we could draw half of each letter!
[reflection]
Secondly, we could make outlines of each letter and do it upside down!
[reflect]
And then we could do each letter by a dinosaur name…
…okay, that one’s a bit of a stretch!
What do you think, Clue Crackers? What code will you make-
[sharp cut to Master Code]
MC: (solemn) Clue Crackers, I regret to inform you that we’ve had a new break in the case. And not a good one.
It seems as if Riddle has found a way to be reading all of our messages. It’s only a matter of time until she solves all of our secret codes and finds a way to break into our database.
We’ll have to find a new way to make a message before next week.
Keep your eyes open for clues.
[fade to black]
[message (in AA’s code): oh no, riddle’s close, will we be able to stop her?]
Episode Sixteen: Talking Hands
[confidential: for your eyes only glitches on and off screen]
[fade open on Master Code] (Master codes signs with the ASL alphabet in underlined italics)
MC: Welcome back, Clue Crackers. (R, held up in the air to grab attention) I’m afraid we’ve heard nothing (I) new on the Riddle front. (D) It seems like (D) she’s gone for now. (L) In other words, (E) I have an assignment for you. (I) It’s hard for me to explain, (S) but I’ve sent (L) instructions to Agent Anagram. (I) so you can perhaps learn the basics. (S) I’m not overstating it when (T) I say this might be your (E) hardest assignment yet. (N) But I have (I) complete faith in (N) you.
Good luck, Clue Crackers. (G)
[cut to Agent Anagram]
AA: Hey guys, it’s good to see you. It’s been crazy here. We’re half convinced Riddle is listening in silence, waiting for a chance to attack.
(checks phone/laptop)
Hmm… I haven’t received a message from Master Code. He was supposed to send me the assignment for the day.
What if he left a code in the video? But why would he do that?
It could be a test, but it’s our last week for the semester… Usually he gives the new recruits an easier task, not a harder one.
I’m not sure why he’d do this, but I’ve got a hunch his message will tell us.
Let’s rewatch the video.
(Agent Anagram pulls up the video on her computer) {video on screen}
(waits for the first letter to appear) Wait! I know what the clue is!
Do you guys know about sign language? It’s how deaf people, people who can’t hear, communicate. They have signs for words, numbers, and letters!
This – {zoom into Master Code’s hand} – is R in ASL!
Master Code is trying to give us a letter Riddle can’t hear!
Let’s see what other shapes we find!
{keep playing video}
(as each hand motion happens, Agent Anagram points them out and the handshape stays on screen)
{video leaves when done}
Okay, let’s go through the ASL alphabet!
(signs) A-B-C-D- E! We have D and E!
{replace sign with English letter}
F-G, Hey we have one of these too!
H-I- There’s another one!
J-K-L! M-N! O-P-Q-R-S! T!
His message says Riddle is listening! That’s why he-
[sharp cut to Riddle]
(she smiles slowly)
R: You have a question, I have the answer.
(signs M-A-S-T-E-R C-O-D-E)
And I will have my revenge on him.
[glitches to Agent Anagram]
AA: She signed Master Code, but what does she mean that’s our answer?
Let’s retrace the mystery. We knew she was hacking I.N.E. to send us messages.
We learned she had someone here who hurt her, an uncle…
An uncle! Master Code is her uncle!
We’ve got to tell him he’s in danger! Now that we know it’s him we can keep him safe!
[cut to Master Code]
MC: My niece? I don’t have a niece…
…but I do have a sister. We haven’t talked in years.
(eyes wide) There was a girl who reached out to me last year about needing money.
I thought it was a scam because she said it was for my brother-in-law who was sick.
Riddle must be my sister’s daughter.
Clue Crackers, I don’t know what I should do, but I know I need to right this wrong and keep Riddle from destroying I.N.E.
Do you think you can help me?
[fade to black]
