Maria fails twice

Maria’s intended chain reaction starts with her blowing the leaf-blower at a mop head, which has been placed on top of David’s umpire’s chair. The mop head then pulls a string tied to a large barrel, causing it to roll down a ramp and into a bowling pin, which will knock down a second bowling pin. This second bowling pin has a length of string tied to it, which is attached to a third bowling pin, resting on the BB gun plinth. The third pin falling to the ground is meant to pull on the trigger of the BB gun, as the two are tied together with another length of string.

Unfortunately for Maria, she forgets that the barrel is still anchored to the umpire’s chair with string, and she has not incorporated anything in her chain reaction to cut that string. As such, her attempt fails almost as soon as it starts. She unties the barrel and lets it roll but, while the first two bowling pins are knocked over as planned, there is too much string connecting the second pin and the final pin, so the third remains standing.

In desperation, Maria picks up the leaf-blower and uses it to blow the third pin off of the plinth, triggering the BB gun and causing the balloon to pop.

Maria is credited with a three-step chain reaction (leaf-blower > bowling pin > trigger), and she earns joint fourth place. She also earns a bonus point for incorporating the leaf-blower.

(Written by Jenny R and proofread by Karl Craven)

(Illustrations collected by Jenny R and adjusted by Karl Craven)