writes:
Around the World in 80 Days!
"Yes, in eighty days!" exclaimed Stuart, who in his excitement made a false deal. "But that doesn't take into account bad weather, contrary winds, shipwrecks, railway accidents, and so on."
"All included," returned Phileas Fogg, continuing to play despite the discussion.
"But suppose Scurvy or Hooligans pull up the rails," replied Stuart; "suppose they stop the trains, pillage the luggage-vans, and scalp the passengers!"
"All included," calmly retorted Fogg; adding, as he threw down the cards, "Two trumps."
Stuart, whose turn it was to deal, gathered them up, and went on: "You are right, theoretically, Mr. Fogg, but practically - "
"Practically also, Mr. Stuart."
"I'd like to see you do it in eighty days."
"It depends on you. Shall we go?"
Can one package of miniatures go around the world, and arrive back in town, full of painted figures, within 80 days of departure? Join the Worldwide League of Painters as we attempt this challenge!
One dozen random 28mm miniatures will be placed in a box and mailed from Baltimore to the first painter. The painter either paints one of the included figures, or takes a figure from the box and replaces it with a different one that he or she has painted. Then the box is mailed to the next participant, heading ever westward, until it returns to Baltimore!
At that point, the box will go to the Editor's secret mountain lair, with complements of the Worldwide League of Painters.
Participants should be willing to file a report from the field when they get the box, and as proof of your participation, you'll need to include a local postcard in the box with your painted miniature. Please post in the comments thread if you're interested, or send an e-mail to pgmurray@gmail.com with 80 Days! in the subject field.
Already there are five intrepid painters waiting for the box to arrive, and Scale Creep Miniatures and Rattrap Productions have agreed to donate unpainted miniatures for the trip. Sign up today as a sponsor or as a participant, and stay tuned to TMP as the box circumnavigates the globe!