Humanresources@whysoserious.com
2007
November 23, 2007
humanresources@whysoserious.com was an clue that appeared in Thegothamtimes.com in the form of a classified ad correction:
| A classified ad in our last issue was incorrect. The ad should have read:
Charming, handsome man with dazzling smile seeks amateur clowns for discreet encounters. No previous sense of humor necessary. Criminal record a plus. Interested? Write to humanresources@whysoserious.com in the full understanding that we have your email address and might send you alarming, disturbing or annoying material at any moment. |
Upon emailing humanresources@whysoserious.com, the following reply was received by participants:
| See you found my little message. So, do you think you have what it takes to be a part of my circle of friends? Are you a backstabbing, self-promoting, ambitious clown who will do anything to prove yourself to me? If so, the first step of your application process awaits...if you know where to look. |
This led participants to find the clue hidden in Thehahahatimes.com to find Whysoserious.com/Personalityprofile.
November 27, 2007
A new email was sent from humanresources@whysoserious.com:
| Re: Your Application
If you've finished my quiz, then it's time for the next step in the interview process, something to test your aptitude. Spaces count:
|
This clue was resolved in Whysoserious.com/Personalityprofile and led to Whysoserious.com/Mausoleum.
December 3, 2007
Another email was sent from humanresources@whysoserious.com:
| Re: Final Review of your Application
Heads up, clown! Tomorrow means that there's one last shifty step left in the interview process: Arwoeufgryo |
Solving this clue led to Whysoserious.com/Steprightup.
December 4, 2007
Participants who received cell phones from Whysoserious.com/Steprightup are sent a text message from humanresources@whysoserious.com:
| Good work, clown! Keep this phone charged and with you at all times. Don't call me, I'll call you...eventually. |
2008
January 14, 2008
Participants with cell phones received the following text message from humanresources@whysoserious.com:
| You still out there, clown? Reply and let me know. |
Upon replying, the original email was used as an autoresponse (assumedly because the message is always used as a response for first-time emailers), except it was cut off depending on the type of phone:
| See you found my little message. So do you think you have what it takes to be a part of my circle of friends? Are you a backstabbing, self- |
A little while later, a new text message was received confirming the reply:
| It makes me smile to see you’re one of the serious ones, clown. Now...time to be patient. I’ll be in touch... |
March 26, 2008
A new Joker-recruitment text message was received by participants with cell phones, although from a Rent-a-clown.com email address.
April 28, 2008
New cell phones in a package intercepted by participants in the GPD MCU's Operation Slipknot are also associated with Joker, since soon after the conclusion of the game, these new participants receive a new text message from humanresources@whysoserious.com:
| I wouldn't worry about Gordon. ITS ALL PART OF THE PLAN |
This lead to Whysoserious.com/Itsallpartoftheplan
June 9, 2008
All participants with Joker cell phones receive the following text message:
| OK clowns, are you ready for some laughs (y/n)? |
Upon replying yes, a new message was received:
| You put a smile on my face. Hope you're not superstitious. |
This alludes to an event that will occur on Friday, June 13.
June 13, 2008
True to his word, the Joker sends thumbnail images to the phones as clues.
June 19, 2008
Participants receive various text message clues, which turn out to be a letter puzzle leading to Whysoserious.com/Laughtillithurts
The introduction message is the same, but the words differ even though they lead to the same solution when unscrambled.
Welcome to Short-Attention-Span Theater:
|
July 1, 2008
Participants receive the following message:
| Wake up, clown! You have *one hour* to reply to be a part of today's fun. /operator |
This leads to Whysoserious.com/Operator
Upon replying to the message, the following response is received:
| Good. Do not reply again, I'll be in touch. |
July 7, 2008
Participants receive the following message, with a different word following the message:
OK clown, I see one last test of skill in your future. Post this where everyone can see it:
|
This leads to Whysoserious.com/Bamboozle.
July 10, 2008
After the discovery of Whysoserious.com/Kickingandscreening, a new message was sent to email subscribers:
|
http://www.whysoserious.com/kickingandscreening HA HA HA HA HA ha HA HA ha HA HA ha HA HA HA ha HA HA HA ha HA HA HA HA HA HA HA ha ha ha HA HA ha HA HA HA ha ha ha HA HA ha HA HA HA ha ha HA HA HA HA HA HA HA ha HA HA ha HA ha ha HA HA HA HA HA HA ha HA HA ha ha ha HA HA HA HA HA HA ha ha HA HA HA ha HA HA HA HA ha ha HA ha HA ha HA HA HA HA HA ha ha ha HA HA HA HA ha HA HA HA ha HA HA HA HA ha HA ha |
July 11, 2008
Players who used their phone numbers in the game and Joker cell phone owners are called by 000-000-0000. The message consists mostly of jumbled clips from audio recordings heard previously in the game. However, it contains a new clip mentioning the Gotham National Bank, leading to the sixth episode of Gotham Tonight, which reveals the Joker has robbed the bank. An .mp3 file of the call can be downloaded here. The full phone call was later uploaded to stream in the background of Whysoserious.com
| (Approximate transcript)
This is a GCN traffic update. Police activity in the area of the Gotham National Bank building is slowing cars to a crawl downtown. GCN recommends alternative routes... [beep] Gotham Cab... You've reached the administrative offices of Saint Swithuns Church... [beep] You have 2 saved messages. [beep] Hello? C-Can anyone hear me? Please help! [gunshot] Okay! I'll read it! I need to know if you, [beep] the people of Gotham, want change. [blast] What the hell was that?! What was that?! Are you trying to kill me?! [slam] [grunt] [slam] ...that the Gotham National Bank is in... [Joker laughs] |
July 15, 2008
Participants with cell phones begin to receive text messages from hollywoodmoviemoney@yahoo.com that allows them to acquire free tickets to see The Dark Knight, as a gift for their work.
