Best Boardgame Cover Ever?

I just want to take a little break from the markets to talk about something that was revealed to me. The story behind the cover to "Mastermind."

Now, you probably don't know this, but I love playing board games. In fact, there's a website called boardgamegeek.com where I go to relax (intellectually speaking) and take trips down memory lane, remembering the games of my misspent youth. And one of the games I remember playing a lot of is "Mastermind."

It was a pretty fun game, but what sucked you in was the cover. Obviously, you're up against a duo bent on global domination. They're taking a break from manipulating the world currency markets to play a game with you on their shiny, shiny table. The guy has an air of intellectual superiority; the lady is a hot asian chick, which considering I picked up this game when I was around 12, was pretty much all she needed to be. Her dress was held together by beads -- it could fall off her at any moment -- and she looks like the kind of gal who would sleep with you and then stab you while you snored! This cover is great marketing. It suggests mental challenge, intrigue, wealth, and hot sex all in one.

So do you want to know the story behind the cover? I just read it on Junkyard Clubhouse.

Mind you, if you are happy with the illusion that these two are a pair of supervillains who enjoy the occasional game of "Mastermind" in their spare time, read no further. Seriously, your illusions are about to be shattered!

Still reading? Okay ... From Junkyard Clubhouse ...

The Mastermind box cover photo shoot took place in Leicester in 1972. Bill Woodward owned a chain of local hair salons, and was only chosen to sit for this photo when the original model they had booked didn’t show up. Cecilia Fung was a computer science student at the nearby University of Leicester, and was spotted on the street and approached for the Mastermind cover shoot.

Another concept for this photo included a cat to sit on Woodward’s lap, but the cat peed on him. Yes, when you look at this distinguished man sitting at the table, you can now know that his lap is secretly spoiled with cat pee.

The dress they had for Fung was way too big for her — they actually had to have another woman behind her, reaching up to cinch her dress for the photo so that it wouldn’t just look like an ill-fitting sack.

So what do this diabolical duo look like now?

This new photo was taken when the two were reunited by the company that owns Mastermind, Invicta. Presumably, this photo shoot went a little more smoothly. But maybe they threw in a little cat piss, for old times’ sake.

Woodward has retired from the salon business. Fung, now named Cecilia Masters, developed a career in information systems for the banking world, and has her own banking software company. Hey ... maybe she is still pursuing global domination.

Check out my new gold and energy blog at MoneyAndMarkets.com