We've already been stuck in here 25 minutes, and we only have 35 minutes left. We have, however, made progress. Locked compartments have been opened and fresh clues have been found.
None of this is quite as straightforward as it sounds.
We'd been introduced to the Circus scenario by Escape boss Debbie Purdy, who'd given us one hour to "escape" from the room after finding three "stolen" items.
Mrs Purdy had offered us four levels of difficulty. With combined IQs well into double figures, Borren and I had boldly chosen "Medium".
Larger groups, with more collective brainpower, would find this challenging enough, Mrs Purdy had said. It proved to be harder still for two people.
"Help," said Borren, pressing a button. Mrs Purdy came to the room and gave us some hints.
More progress was made, but not enough. When the clock hit zero, we still had some way to go.
An hour had passed very, very quickly.
Congratulations Team: BOPT You have ESCAPED from the Circus Room on medium level in 60+ minutes. You spotted all the...
Posted by Escape Masters on Sunday, 19 March 2017
Back at reception, franchise owner Phil Holland said he got the idea for these puzzle-rooms after visiting Auckland's original Escape Masters with his teenaged daughters.
He opened the Tauranga version last Tuesday, offering three scenarios.
Borren and I came away thinking that this would be great fun for groups of three to six adults, maybe after a beer or two. Families might also enjoy it, although the puzzles would be tough for pre-teens.
So how did the photographer feel after his mental gymnastics?
"Knackered," he said.
Escape Masters Tauranga
Room 1: Eyre's Family Store
Room 2: Circus
Room 3: Prison Break
Location: Upstairs, 27 Spring St, Red Square, Tauranga
Price: $20-$33 per person, depending on group size/concessions
