Nixie clocks, Tesla coils, and Snoop Dogg

Even the most mundane tasks can net unforeseen treasures in scav. Ben Shapiro entered Kerstens Physics Teaching Center in search of some helium and left 30 minutes later with a Tesla coil, a cooler filled with dry ice, and item #133 (“A Nixie clock”)—but no helium.

Shapiro and a band of Palevskyites set out for KPTC at around 4:00 this afternoon hoping for a few helium tanks with which to power item #18, a parade balloon of the team’s favorite “cartoon dog.” At 150 points, it’s comparatively more important than even item #17 “Have a beer with a candidate for POTUS.” The final product “must be up to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade standards,” according to The List, and as such Shapiro has acquired three 30-inch balloons and plans to fix a wire frame on top of the inflatable base. For the balloon’s exterior, he and his team have opted to construct a giant caricature of Snoop Dogg, thus ensuring that while the balloon may meet all requirements, it will never, ever, make an appearance at the actual Macy’s Day Parade.

Upon arrival, however, it becomes apparent that KPTC is a dead-end in regards to helium procurement. All is not lost, however. A helpful faculty member has set aside a coveted Nixie Clock, comprised of gas-filled tubes that count upwards—think of a more elaborate version of a neon “Open” sign that you see outside of a diner. At 57 points, it’s a steal, and even after they’re informed that Snell–Hitchcock acquired a similar clock from the same building, the group’ enthusiasm is palpable, as illustrated by the following exchange:

“We have a Nixie clock!”
“Somebody else does, too.”

There’s a brief pause, and then, as if the previous statement had gone unheard:

“We have a Nixie clock!!”

The clock is quickly sent back to headquarters, and they set off through the corridors of the building in search of more essentials. The same willing faculty member offers to lend them a Tesla coil for another item, which is met with eager approval.

Next door to KPTC, the Center for Integrated Sciences offers its share of rewards for the interested scavvies. Here, just a few steps off of the elevator, is a large cooler containing compressed carbon dioxide—dry ice. “The Audacity of Pope” has been assigned the “Titanic” in tonight’s ship-themed party on the quads, and the team has astutely decided that no iceberg-induced catastrophe is complete without an actual iceberg.

“Just remember, this is ‘research,’” says one member of the group, who used his connections in the Physics department to sign out the materials.

Carefully they fill up an ice chest with the blocks of dry ice, and after a little bit of effort, manage to shut their cooler and duct-tape it shut. That too, will need to head straight back to headquarters where it will be stored in a fridge for safe keeping.

Shapiro and his teammates head back to Max having made little progress toward completing the Parade Balloon but with valuable supplies in tow.