I made an escape room!

That‘s right. And you can play it with your friends! You can just read or print it below.

THE PRESTIGE (1995) ESCAPE ROOM, by Peter

Notes

No special rules, just the usual: write everything, don‘t guess randomly and break nothing.

Introduction

What did you do this time? It‘s not the first time you‘ve passed out only to wake up not knowing where you are, but that‘s usually after AT LEAST a few drinks. You swear you drank nothing last night (well: almost nothing). Besides, you wouldn‘t have missed last night‘s show for anything in the world. Last night, you sat at the back of the last Robert Borden show. “Borden: magician extraordinaire“ he calls himself. But to you, he‘s just Robert - an old friend. In fact, you were surprised when you received Borden‘s invitation last week since you thought he had left the field a few years ago. You couldn‘t miss seeing him back to his old self and as good as ever. What you don‘t remember is why you‘re still sitting in that chair. You take a look at the time. As you thought, your appointment is coming up. Better leave this place and quickly. Why didn‘t Borden just wake you up? Strangely, you don‘t see Borden anywhere. Either way, it‘s better to get going.

STAGE ROOM

Introduction: You take a look around. It looks like you are still in the room where Borden‘s show was performed - the STAGE ROOM. You instinctively spot the exit. The room is divided into two sections: the stage on one side and the spectator chairs on the other. The row of chairs seems quite mundane to you, except for what was your chair. The stage still has plenty of props from last night. You see a big wooden chest in one corner. On a small table stands a flower pot. Front and centre on the stage is a large glass box filled with water. You take another look around and remember the small enclave at the back where you can see a camera stall. There seems to be a figure within it. Borden? Next to it, on the wall, you see a lone poster.

Observable items

The Exit: You dash for the exit: you have things to do and places to go. Yet, the door is not as you remember it from last night. In front of you is a door barred in metal. A small contraption is placed next to it on the wall. A note placed on it immediately grasp your attention. It‘s Borden handwriting! It reads: “Got one chance to shine! Don‘t miss it.“ Always the trickster that Borden. Taking back your attention on the contraption itself, three slots are apparent. Seems like you can screw something in each. The slots are coloured: red, yellow and white. Whatever goes in these slots better be sure what you place and how. [IF THE ELECTRICITY CONTROL LEVER IS TO THE RIGHT, IT‘S ORIGINAL POSITION] You see a green indicator opened. A power source maybe? [OTHERWISE] The contraption seems inactive anyway. Looks like you would need a power source too.

Wooden chest: There is a big wooden chest sitting on the stage. You saw Borden use it just last night. You remember the unimaginable wonders he pulled out of it. Trying to opening the box, you are surprised to confront great resistance. No luck: it won‘t budge. You‘re sure you remember Borden lift and open it with ease during the show...

Wooden Chest (with the electricity NOT in its normal position): You‘ve tried already so you don‘t expect anything different but to your surprise you open the box with ease. Within the box sits a camera device! You take it.

Flower Automat: In one corner of the stage, you see a flower pot alone on a nightstand. The flowers seemed to have seen better days.

Chairs: Facing the stage, you see rows of small wooden chairs. It is on one of those chairs that you woke up this morning. You wonder what really happened after last night show. Other than your chair, all other chairs seem the same to you.

Escape Box: It very hard to miss this huge glass container on the stage. Yes, it‘s as big as a few baths, but it is its role last night that keeps your mind running. How long did Borden stay in it? 30 minutes maybe? One of his assistants even continued the show while Borden himself waited patiently at the bottom of it. You could enter the box by taking the ladder next to it, but jumping through the hatch into cold water doesn‘t excite you. Either way, you don‘t see anything in it.

Camera stall: You see a bare wooden mannequin. One hand extended slightly opened with the other pointing at it. Its pose seems familiar. Behind the mannequin, you can see through a thin black sheet on the wall. Upon further inspection, that sheet seems to be a photographic film which can be slotted in and out of a wooden frame. To the other side of the mannequin you see a camera stand bolted to the ground but no camera. Seems like the mannequin is waiting for you.

Poster: In an isolated corner of the room, you can see a poster for Borden‘s next show. In bold red letters is written “Borden, the master of mystery is back in town. Come to your next fantastic adventure and be amazed!“. On it you can see Borden in his typical attire: one hand extended with 4 cards and the other hand pointing at it. That‘s Borden brand pose. The pose is familiar, but there is something weird with the poster itself. Borden grins at you.

Actions

Exit - Placing light bulbs: NOTE TO GAME-MASTER. Be kind with your players: if they try the contraption and fail to recognize that they need to use electricity down below to light the bulbs and find their light colour, give them another chance later. The note is there to avoid them just trying to guess the correct answer. [IF THE ELECTRICITY CONTROL LEVER IS TO THE RIGHT, IT‘S ORIGINAL POSITION] You see a green indicator opened. [OTHERWISE] The light indicator is off.

Exit - [Correct order]: READ THE CONCLUSION.

Flower Automat - Looking more closely: At first you don‘t think much of these flowers, yet taking a closer look, you are surprised to note that the leafs seem metallic in nature. Looking more closely, you think you can glimpse something between the faded leaves. A card maybe? You try reaching for it but fail. If only the leaves were loose...

Flower Automat - Water the flowers: You water the clearly false flowers on whim. Nothing happens for a few seconds but then you hear gears in motion. Slowly, the leaves perk up, revealing colourful flowers and your prize. You take the empress tarot card. Something is scribbled on the back of the card. It reads 12th march 1875.

Chairs - Knowing the specific chair to search: At first, the chair doesn‘t seem any different from the others and, in a way, that‘s true. What matters is what is UNDER it. You find a clean white glove! Clearly Borden‘s.

Escape Box - You know the secret: You climb the ladder unconvinced that you can truly get something from that empty box. Yet, following Borden‘s instructions, you find the secret latch and open the box. To your surprise, you reveal a ladder going through the box - a secret compartment within the box! Most important of all it is completely water-free. You take the ladder down and reach a new room. READ THE INTRODUCTION TO THE WORKSHOP.

Camera Stall - Outfit the mannequin according to the poster: Taking a few glances back at the poster you outfit the mannequin exactly as Borden on your reference. You take a minute to appreciate your work. Top hat? Check. Black suit? Check. Monocle? Check. Cravat? Check. Pair of gloves? Che... Oh. You only have one. You leave your work to find the other.

Camera Stall - The missing glove: You (almost) run to the mannequin and put the missing glove on the mannequin. It fits... like a glove. Your work is complete! Your wooden apprentice looks back at you expectingly. Better find a way to take a picture.

Camera Stall - Using the missing camera with incorrect pose/outfit: You place the camera on the stand and press the button. A blinding flash. After a few seconds, your sight comes back. You take a look at the film. Doesn‘t look like anything in particular, well apart from a mush. Maybe you took the picture incorrectly? You try to think: how would Borden take his own picture? If only you had a reference... You still have plenty of film in any case.

Camera Stall - Using the missing camera with correct pose/outfit: You place the camera on the stand and press the button. A blinding flash. After a few seconds, your sight comes back. The room seems the same, but not the photographic film. Taking a closer look the film arbours a familiar shape. You remove it from the wall to take a closer look. Clearly not your imagination: it makes the shape of an hangman just like what you could saw on a tarot card. It‘s even the right size too! You take the hanged man “tarot card“.

Poster - Get closer: Getting closer to the poster, it starts to tilt and change size. You never saw a poster on a wall do that. Wait. That‘s not a poster... and it‘s not wall. You ponder for a second. That portion of the room is actually occupied by a large mirror reflected back a small section BEHIND the wall of the room. Looking at that section, you see the REAL poster of Borden, four cards in hand. Behind the mirror you find a door leading to another room. READ THE INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY.

Poster - Look at cards on hand/Investigate the poster: You take an inquisitive look at the poster looking for anything out of the ordinary. Nothing sticks out in particular. The poster looks specifically made to fix your gaze on the cards. They are: the 5 of diamond, the 2 of spades, the 8 of clubs and the 9 of hearts.

WORKSHOP

Introduction: Going down the ladder reveals a dusty room underneath the stage. Based on the various contraptions lying around, it looks like a WORKSHOP. Strange glass tubes run across the roof. On a table to your right, you see a strange skull with different markings. Next, you spot what looks like a chemistry stand. To your left, an impressive spherical lump of wires grabs your attention. Next to it, you see a strange device with a large wooden lever.

Observable items

Roof with neon path: Looking up, you see the steel room of the chamber. [IF THE ELECTRICITY CONTROL IS CONNECTED TO THE ROOF, IT‘S NATURAL POSITION] Neon lights are open and light a section of the room. Strangely, those neon form a small “X“ in an apparently random location. You hear the faint buzz of electricity.

Phenology Brain: Sitting on the small workbench you see a skull. You are not too surprised to see it there knowing Borden, although it looks like it would rather fit in a medical office. Strange markings separate sections of it like a jigsaw puzzle. Each section is named. You read some: “Self-Esteem“, “Firmness“, “Hope“, “Wonder“ and “Veneration“. Bizarre. Next to the skull, you see a tarot card: the justice tarot card.

Chemistry Stand: A part of the workbench attracts your attention. Looks like it came directly from the workshop of an alchemist. You see vials with strange mixtures, a variety of colourful powders and a glass container. That container seems the strangest of all. You see one tube coming out of it in an empty bowl. Two other tubes link it to metal containers. On one is written the letter “O“, on the other is written “N“. In front of the container, you see a slot in the shape of a bird. Looks like something is missing.

Tesla Coil: In front of you stand a strange spherical lump of wires on a pedestal. You remember Borden calling it a “Coil“. He said he used it for some tricks. [IF SUPPLIED IN ELECTRICITY] Seeing the impressive sparks coming out of it you understand why he did. You can feel the electricity in the air all around you. [IF NOT] In any case, it looks pretty tame right now.

Electricity Control: In front of you stands an impressive machine. Luckily for you, you spot an obvious lever: it has to be a way to control that machine, whatever it does. It is currently pushed to the right.

Left: Tesla Coil and machines.

Right: Roof, box and exit.

Actions

Phenology Brain - Pressing Hope: You press one of the central regions - the one written “Hope“. You then pause and, well, hope for a result. To your relief, you hear a satisfying *click* and the skull opens up revealing a light bulb! You take it.

Chemistry Stand - Inserting the cane without electricity: You insert the strap in the slot. It fits perfectly, yet nothing happens. Looks like you need some sort of trigger. Some source of power...

Chemistry Stand - Inserting the cane WITH electricity: You insert the strap in the slot. Immediately you hear a crack of lightning going through the container. In surprise you see a few drops of water dripping down the bowl. You keep the cane in position for a minute and take the now full water bowl, satisfied.

Electricity Control - Pushing left: You move the lever to the left and immediately hear the crackle of electricity. As suddenly, you see the lump of wires next to you light up with purple sparks. Instinctively, you recoil but after a few seconds you realize that you are in no danger. Yet, you can FEEL the electricity in the air around the room. The purple sparks continue to spur out of the strange coil sporadically. You see different devices in the room light up. The roof is dark. That‘s clearly something.

Electricity Control - Pushing right You pull back the lever to its original position. Almost immediately, the purple sparks disappear, the roof lights up again. Seems like the current is going up: you don‘t feel it in the room anymore. The machines around you have calmed down too.

STUDY

Introduction: Peeking behind the mirror reveals a room covered in strange markings. It looks like Borden‘s STUDY. In the centre of the room sits an old table. You see an opened book on it. Next to that sits a strange spherical device with different signs. On the wall next to it, you see the painting of a woman. On the other side of the room, you see a chessboard with a strange Turkish man sitting still next to it. There is a closet on the other side of the room. Is that really Borden‘s room? You didn‘t know Borden had a penchant for the occult.

Observable items

Spiritual table: You take notice of the wooden table in front of you. It seems old yet sturdy. Strange carving run along its side. You don‘t know where Borden found that table, but it sure look one of a kind. The carvings continue up to the centre of the table at which point you see a intricate pentagram. Within the pentagram you notice 3 large rectangle slots, one of which is neatly filled by a tarot card: the Magician. That‘s seems fitting. The card seems inlaid within the table. It won‘t budge.

NOTE TO THE GAME MASTER: The solution is: Magician, Empress and Hanged Man. Still, feel free to use the table as a guide for your players. Whatever cards they place (if it‘s the wrong answer) answer what they think they are asking (as what they say matter more to the table than the cards). One knock is “No“ an two is “Yes“. Alternatively, you can use the standard meaning of tarot cards available if you prefer:

• Magician: Willpower, desire, creation, manifestation.
• High Priestess: Intuitive, unconscious, inner voice.
• Empress: Motherhood, fertility, nature.
• Justice: Cause and effect, clarity, truth.
• Hanged Man: Sacrifice, release, martyrdom.
• Devil: Addiction, materialism, playfulness.

Diary: On the table sits a worn booklet. You recognize it and remember seeing Borden write in it on multiple occasions. It has to be his diary! The book is opened to the last entry. You cannot resist reading it. GIVE LETTER 1 HANDOUT.

Being as cryptic as it is, its definitely Borden‘s. An ultimate trick? A seance? What does that have to do with you? In any case, it‘s dated from last night. It will probably be handy to get out from here. You take it. A quick skim convinces you that using the diary without looking for a specific date entry will be quite impractical.

Zodiac Signs: On a table you see a strange golden globe. It seems very complex, yet twelve strange symbols immediately grab your attention. It takes you a minute but you recognize them as the zodiac signs. They are: a ram (Aries), a bull (Taurus), twins (Gemini), a crab (Cancer), a lion (Leo), a maiden (Virgo), scales (Libra), a scorpion (Scorpio), a centaur (Sagittarius), a goat (Capricornis), water-bearer (Aquarius) and a fish (Pisces). Looks like you can press up to three signs at the same time. Maybe it‘s a strange mechanism? That would clearly be Borden‘s style.

A safe: In one corner, you see a painting of a smiling woman. Whoever she was, Borden seems to care about her since the painting is completely free of dust.

Chessboard: You see an elegant red and white ivory chess set sitting on a cabinet. The automaton sitting next to it seems eager for an opponent You take one look at the chessboard. You admit not being the best chess player, but maybe today is your lucky day? GIVE THE CHESSBOARD HANDOUT.

Board Position here

Winning move is white Queen to F8!

Automaton: In front of the chessboard, you see what looks like a man with a black beard and grey eyes. Its long and colourful robe makes it hard to guess if its floating or sitting. You remember it to be one of Borden‘s automaton and a real master of chess. You had the displeasure of losing to it two times in the past. The automaton ignores your presence, keeping a long pipe in the right hand and its left hand close to the board, ready to play.

Closet: In one corner of the room, you see a large closet. In other circumstances, you would have left it to Borden‘s discretion. At that moment, it doesn‘t even cross your mind. Opening it, you find a selection of Borden‘s attire. You find a black trimmed top hat, a clean black suit, an elegant cane with a golden strap in the shape of a swan, a monocle and a white silk cravat. You also find a single white glove. You quickly check the closet again and again, yet the matching glove escapes you. Knowing Borden, you think likely that he misplaced it. The question is where?

Actions

Spiritual table - Correct cards: You place the last card and wait for an answer. After what looks like ages, you hear a knock and then another... and another. The last one is particularly powerful, so much in fact that the table shakes! Chilling. What does it mean? While you ponder on it, you gaze rests on a small case now sticking out of the table. A secret compartment! Within it, you find ANOTHER tarot card: the high priestess tarot card. At your surprise, when you try to take back the cards you placed, you are not able to. They somehow seem glued to it.

Solution: Magician, Empress and Hanged Man.

Diary - Entering the date given by the automaton: You skim through the diary until you reach the indicate entry. Well, it‘s not really an entry but rather a page from a magician guide book. Looks like visual explanation for the classic hat trick. You see an extravagant magician pulling out a rabbit from an hidden sleeve within his top hat. Looks like a simple trick to you. Next to it, the author lists important traits of every magician: Hypnotic, Original, Persuasive and Enigmatic. Looks like Borden found these especially important. He took notes and underlined each.

Diary - Entering the date on the High Priestess tarot card: You quickly browse through the diary until you reach march 1875. It looks like he‘s talking about his deceased wife. Make sense: she would have died not long before. It looks quite personal, do you read it? You read it anyway (a bit shamefully). GIVE LETTER 2 HANDOUT.

What a tragic story. Robert never told you before.

Zodiac Signs - Correct symbols: You press the three signs and are surprised to see the device break up on two in your hands with a thud. Looking down, you find what made the sound: a light bulb! You eagerly take it.

Solution: Virgo (The maiden/virgin), Libra (the scales), Goat (devil-like!).

Safe - Moving painting: You get near the painting and remark that it is slightly off-centre. Did Borden put something behind it? You move the portrait. Turns out there is a safe behind it. Classic. The safe can accept a 4-digit code. There is a note next to it that reads: “It‘s all in the cards“. Whatever that means.

Safe - Correct combination: You enter the last number on wheel paying attention to every noise the safe makes. Suddenly you hear *tick*. The safe is wide open! You take a second to pat your shoulder (figuratively). Within the safe, you see a single light bulb. Must be important. You pocket it.

Solution: 5-2-8-9

Chessboard - Winning move: With confidence, you make what you consider the best move. You feel like the automaton examines your play. Seemingly impressed, he takes a small piece of paper within the chamber of his pipe and hands it to you. You take a closer look at it. It reads: 19th September 1878.

Automaton - Investigating the pipe: You take a closer look at the automaton strange pipe. Doesn‘t look like he mind. To your surprise you see a piece of paper slightly sticking out of the chamber. You glance at the automaton and back to the pipe a few times. Then, quickly and slightly embarrassed, you take the small piece of paper. Written on it is a date: 19th September 1878.

Top Hat - Investigating the top hat: [IF THE PLAYERS WERE TIPPED OFF BY THE CLUE IN THE DIARY ENTRY] Taking a look back at the diary page, [OTHERWISE START HERE] you search the black top hat thoroughly. At first, you find nothing but you then spot an hidden sleeve. You dig in only to reveal what feels like a card. It is a card! In fact, the devil tarot card. Proud of yourself, you take it.

Conclusion

You place the last light bulb in its slots. With a surprising fast jolt, the iron bars retract and the door opens wide. You can finally get out! With a sight of relief, you get out of that pesky room. You‘ll be late, but with a great story to back you up. Wait: wasn‘t all this fuss suppose to prepare Borden‘s “ultimate trick“? You promise yourself to have a little chat with Borden next time you meet.

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU WIN.

LETTER 1

Dear friend,

I trust this letter finds you well. Your presence at last night‘s show was a delight. Yet, I feel like a very poor friend since I take it as an opportunity to request your invaluable assistance once more. I am concocting the ultimate act, the trick to finally best that insufferable charlatan - Rupert Angier. This is where you come in. But do not worry: I do not leave you empty handed. To begin, you will need to access my workshop. Search for a secret hatch in my escape box. You should find some of my contraptions quite handy. Further, do not take where this book sits as a mere table. It is a powerful spiritual ally - an eye piercing the beyond. You will need tarot cards to speak with it. I remember having six of those lying around. Together, we shall confound Angier and secure my place as the premier magician of our time! I know I am in no position to request something from you, but please perform this little errand for an old friend.

I am, as always, forever in your debt,

Alfred Borden, magician extraordinaire.

LETTER 2

Tonight, I attended a seance. Angier's wife thought it would relieve my spirit and organized it at their estate. My heart raced with the thought of talking one last time with my empress. The dimly lit room, filled with eager faces, felt charged with anticipation. Yet, as Angier‘s wife closed her eyes and murmured, I sensed the artifice. The flickering candles betrayed her. Her words rang hollow. I turned to Angier in anger and rushed outside. I left, haunted not by spirits, but by the illusion of hope. My throat is soar from sorrow. I feel like I was hanged. Never again will I attempt such a thing.