Each line represents a square dancing call. The eight dancers start in four pairs that make up 4 sides of a square. Couple 1 refers to the couple on the bottom, couple 2 refers to the couple on the right, couple 3 to the couple on the top, and couple 4 to the couple on the left (this is a standard square dancing convention). Each call changes the position of the eight dancers. To solve this puzzle, one must keep track of the configuration of the dancers after every step. After each asterisked call, the configuration of the dancers form a letter. The letters in called order spell MOVESIXX2, so multiply the sixth call, "Cast off 1/2," by 2 in order to get CASTOFF, which is the solution. To interpret the following images, know that boys are squares, girls are circles, couple 1 = blue, 2 = red, 3 = green, 4 = orange.
2006 MIT Mystery Hunt