Box Sets
by Dave Shukan
ANSWER: SMACK
The pictures decompose into 19 sets; each with elements aligned to the corners of a rectangle. Each represents three members of a set and a fourth member with a one-letter typo, as follows:
The replacement letters spell, in grid order, the phrase REST ARE THREES A THRU E:
Set | Letter |
---|---|
LATS POUND COLON REN (YEN) | R |
IRON COPPER MERCURY TIE (TIN) | E |
PENGUIN SIREN BLACKWIDOW ARCHES (ARCHER) | S |
SCOUT SPY FLAG TOMB (BOMB) | T |
TAURUS FOCUS RANGER FLEA (FLEX) | A |
MACE CURRY SALT RINGER (GINGER) | R |
SUMMER SPRING WINTER FELL (FALL) | E |
SPECTER HATCH BOXER BATH (BAYH) | T |
HEART CLUB DIAMOND SHADE (SPADE) | H |
BUTTER COFFEE KIDNEY RUNG (LUNG) | R |
SKITTLES KISSES 3MUSKETEERS BABERUTH (BABYRUTH) | E |
CUP BARREL HOGSHEAD PINE (PINT) | E |
PORT GIN BRANDY SEER (BEER) | S |
TOWER WHEELOFFORTUNE MOON FOAL (FOOL) | A |
BRIDGE CROWN BRACES CAT (CAP) | T |
MULE PUMP STILETTO HEDGE (WEDGE) | H |
FRAME SPARE GUTTER ROCKET (POCKET) | R |
SALSA TAP REEL BULLET (BALLET) | U |
GEORGIA CHINA CHAD CUBE (CUBA) | E |
The remaining, non-matched pictures are 3-letter words starting with A-E:
- ABS
- BUM
- CIA
- DOC
- ELK
The final letters spell the answer SMACK (a callback to "a big hit" in the flavor text.)