Watch Your Back

Imagine this. You're sitting in the campus dining hall eating lasagna (the Tuesday standby) as your friends talk about the big party this weekend. Out of nowhere, another student strides up to the table and shoots your friend in the back. Your friend is the latest in a long string of victims "killed" by this squirt-gun- wielding water assassin.

Everyone on campus seems to be playing the game—Asgard, a group promoting social activities without alcohol; Dartmouth Dining Services; the Marching Band. The object: to squirt before being squirted, while not knowing who is out to squirt you.

The set-up is relatively simple. You're randomly given the name of someone you must kill (your target) before you are killed by the person who is out to get you. If you are killed first, your assassin gets your target, and the circle grows smaller and smaller. Churches, libraries, classrooms, even work-study jobs (if in public areas) are safe, non-squirt sanctuaries for the cowardly.

Strategies for success include enticing your target into a position of vulnerability (if you didn't order Chinese and the Panda House guy is at your door, you know something's fishy). Others gather information about their targets and stake out their dorms and classrooms. Although quickness in executing the deed is essential, few are brazen enough to wield giant Super Soakers. Most prefer guns that are easily hidden within the pocket. Those who succeed are often those who concoct the most clever schemes.

Why bother with such a game? Participants claim it eases mid-term stress.

The game called "Assassin" is all wet.