Riddle 029: Where is the Father?

[questionauthority]

{First, a public phone call, filtered from drones.]

Hello again, Mayfield. I've been noticing plenty of new faces around town as of late. Plenty of people with plenty of questions.

Every question has an answer, friends---I can guarantee you that. And I, Edward Nigma, can help you find all of these answers. And more. Now, I'm sure I can already predict the next question that's on your minds right now. "What's the catch?" Answer: I I'll be needing your help with a little summer project of mine. Here's your first clue as to what it might be.

“I cannot be seen and I weigh nothing,
But when put into a barrel, I make it lighter.”

What am I?

[It's just after finishing up with this little phone call that he gets his first good look at the calendar. Father's Day. Not exactly Edward's favorite day by any means, given his own relationship with his old man. Needless to say, his mood's been a little bit soured.

Throughout the rest of this lovely day, you're likely to run into the Riddler...

A: In the Backyard of 726 Anderson, sketching something out into a notebook.

B: Out for a drive in the Riddler-Mobile, to try and relax.

C: At Jonathan's Tools, loading up plenty of tools and building supplies into the back of his car.

Wherever he goes, he'll likely be sulking. Cheer him up? Help him out? He's all yours, ladies.]

Comments

[tapshoetomove.livejournal.com]

Really?! I love puzzles! I'm getting to be quite the whiz at them!

You should ask the Professor about puzzles and riddles, when he gets here of course. He knows way more then I do!

[glowing-science.livejournal.com]

You're welcome.

Seriously, though. You doing okay? I imagine today is not high on your list of favorite holidays...

[brotherseyes.livejournal.com]

Please tell me you aren't trying to build some kind of underground lair.

[Filtered]

[uranophobe.livejournal.com]

Will that be before or after the first cave-in?

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

The Professor? [Curious.] Is he your mentor?

[tapshoetomove.livejournal.com]

Right, I'm his number one apprentice! He's the best teacher you could ask for!

[And he says that with a great deal of admiration too.]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Is that so? Well. [He smirks.] I'm sure even the best teacher you could ask for could learn a thing or two from yours truly.

[tapshoetomove.livejournal.com]

[And Luke just folds his arms, slightly huffy.]

And how do you figure that? You'd have to be smarter then the smartest gentleman who ever lived!

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

That? [That, Slugger, would just happen to be a setup for what appears to be a private room. Perhaps a personal study of some sort?] That's none of your business.

[Filtered]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Simply put, Ms. Sasaki, our Legion needs a new home. As lovely as the facilities at Mayfield High have been, I feel as though our operation needs a more permanent location.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Slugger's... [He frowns.] He's an interesting sort. It shouldn't come as any surprise to you that he isn't exactly... human.

[Filtered]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Don't press your luck.

[Filtered]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Perhaps you're right, my friend. And who, might I ask, am I speaking with?

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

The smartest gentleman who ever lived? I know hyperbole when I hear it, Luke.

[Usually when it's coming out of his own mouth.]

[tapshoetomove.livejournal.com]

Well he is! When you get the chance to talk to 'im you'll see why!

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

A demon? [Smiiiiirk.] Interesting.

[Honestly, after living where he's lived, he isn't at all surprised to hear of demons living in Mayfield.]

Well, now. Do you have a name?

[Filtered]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Well. Clearly I must have done something to win your favor.

I suppose it wouldn't hurt to fill you in. [In a very conspiratorial voice.] We're going to be building a new headquarters for my little Legion.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[The smile fades a little bit.]

It isn't. But it's going to pass by, as any other day would.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

A hint? You honestly expect me to give you the whole answer?

[Filter]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Don't sound too enthusiastic. We're going to be building this fortress from the ground up. Literally.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

I'm sure I will.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[This face.]

[tapshoetomove.livejournal.com]

Good!

[Now that that's settled.]

But uh, until he gets here you wouldn't mind sharing a few of those puzzles, would you?

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Not at all. As a matter of fact... [Hmm.] Now that business has been taken care of, I was just going to prepare myself some breakfast and tend to this morning's crossword. Feel like joining me?

[jaws5sonofjaws.livejournal.com]

Well, I was hoping.

Is it like.... something having to do with the barrel having nothing in it?