Its not a terrible solution - but it asks, in the title, if you can escape at dawn, and then states in the end you have worked out how your people will be able to dispatch "rescue" - I don't think paying the ransom fits that description - but I would not quibble much with it either.
Of course, once you pay the ransom, the kidnappers know you are good for the money, and will probably do this again...
Good points.
I am not too worried about the wording of the riddle. I can justify in my mind the way I interpret "rescue". I do accept your interpretation as well. So, we are agreed that the main quibble lies elsewhere.
The main concern is: will I open myself up to a cycle of kidnappings?
I don't know. I need to think more. I see risk on both sides.
OK, your points were valid and very helpful.
I did some reading on actual kidnappings this morning, and I was not able to find any instances of repeat kidnappings of an individual after a ransom was paid. The closest I came, were stories that were related to terrorism and politically inspired kidnappings. In these cases, I see the negative potential of paying the ransom.
- Terrorists are more likely to repeat these tactics if they work.
- Governments that pay are more likely to be victimized in this way.
I have not found anything
exactly like this in regards to non-political abductions - which this riddle
appears to be but I have found some things that are
similar. (I did not do a
deep dig).
Also, family related abductions do not follow the standard "kidnap for $" patterns. Thus, I am not using data on those here - since the riddle implies that this is not a family custody type of abduction.
OK here is what I did find that is
similar to the points above- from
Inside the ransom business – why kidnapping rarely pays
So, the best response to a ransom demand is never to agree immediately to a kidnapper’s demands. If the kidnappers have time, they will keep doubling the price and judge the response to this accordingly. If the kidnappers agree to the first ransom offer they are given, they are probably negotiating from the back of a car and are desperate to return the hostage already. If the victim’s representatives prevaricate, the case will most likely end with the victim withdrawing whatever cash they can from an ATM once before and once just after midnight: the so called “express kidnap” or “millionaire’s ride”.
By contrast, a swiftly agreed, overgenerous ransom puts a bulls-eye target on your wider family, your firm’s other employees (if you’re travelling with work), and fellow nationals. News of easy profits spread quickly in criminal communities and can cause local or regional kidnapping booms.
Thus, (at this point) I would make a
brief call to "my people" after daybreak and explain my situation quickly. I would state that I don't think I can afford the ransom, but I would prefer to buy my way out regardless - through negotiation. I would ask my contact to get all available funds ready - BUT, I would NOT mention a specific amount, and I would say something like, "
Yeah - I know funds are limited - I don't even want to know the actual amount. Don't tell me. Just have funds ready."
My true purpose for negotiation would not be to save money (I am super rich), rather it would be to persuade the kidnappers that "milking this thing further" would not be to their ultimate benefit. Of course, I do not know if the kidnappers are listening in on my phone call or observing me remotely - it is possible though. The important thing to establish, is that I am not too quick or eager to agree to the terms - whatever they are.
In this riddle, there is no info about how "my people" will actually contact the kidnappers.
“That’s a satellite phone,” the figure growls. “It’s got one minute of battery left in it. Use that to call your people to let ’em know you’re not dead — but not until daylight.” He tosses a paper bag next to the sat phone. “That’s some sandwiches and water, enough for a few days. That’s salt,” he explains, waving toward the surf. “If your people pay our ransom,” he continues, “We’ll come get you. Otherwise, there won’t be any more paper bags. Remember, wait until daylight to make that call.”
So, the "negotiation" that I desire is not readily apparent. Therefore, the only way I can think of to make the kidnappers believe that I am not an easy mark - is to delay. I will take my time.
After the 1st brief call, I will hold out - and enjoy the lovely sandwiches, water and beach.
The case of Somali piracy is an excellent example. Somalis had hijacked a few ships a year for decades, releasing hostages after a few months for low six-figure sums. Yet when nervous negotiators tried to accelerate this process by offering million-dollar ransoms, Somali piracy escalated and became a threat to global trade. It is therefore in the financial interest of those being issued ransom demands, as well as their moral responsibility, to try to limit the payments.
The quote above is what I would think about between the 1st and 2nd calls to my contact. I want to be a morally responsible citizen, but I also want to live. After that contemplation, I would decide to do my best to live - but also to live morally.
Once out of supplies, I would have
maybe a week (3-4 days is actually more typical) before succumbing to thirst and dehydration. I could go longer without food (about 3 weeks), but with no water, that does not matter.
Therefore, I have made my 1st call and am now thinking about my next move. I have 3-4 days marked as my deadline.
I think I am going to submit an answer to the website. I will be posting it later. I have until:
submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time June 9, 2019
All criticism is welcome. You are all "my people".
