Bank Teller

“arbitrage - the simultaneous buying and selling of securities, currency, or commodities in different markets or in derivative forms in order to take advantage of differing prices for the same asset” - https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/

Arbitrage Box by Ryan Hughbanks

Also a 2012 crime drama starring Richard Gere, "Arbitrage" is now a puzzle box, too. Hot off the heels of his debut creation, the Sideswiper Box, comes a new item from Hughbanks Puzzleboxes that is sure to raise interest rates. The Sideswiper is a small chest of wonderful secrets and colorful discoveries. It is large and complex, and takes a long time for Ryan Hughbanks to make. They will be a limited edition, he needs to price them accordingly, and he will stop making more eventually. Fortunately, Ryan has a lot of clever and creative ideas, and while he has plans for other large, complex limited-edition boxes, he also wants to offer more reasonable options that allow his work to be enjoyed by a wide audience. It’s an admirable objective that he is already putting into practice.

Punch in your PIN and make a deposit

Arbitrage is a handsome box, much smaller than the Sideswiper, yet still substantial at 6 x 6 inches square. Ryan feels it has the perfect dimensions for holding it comfortably in your lap. The distinctive stripes on top remind me of an Oreo cookie or an ice cream sandwich – don’t blame me if you get a craving while trying to solve this one. Ryan has placed a few well disguised tricks here reminiscent of something you might find in a Japanese Karakuri Creation Group type puzzle box. It won’t keep you guessing for too long, but you won’t discover the solution immediately either. It’s a nice balance of elements and has plenty of space inside to place a special item. Ryan will continue to offer these boxes indefinitely, as long as he keeps getting orders, although I don’t know if they are at an adjustable or fixed rate, so make your deposit today!

Bank Exchange by Zachary Taylor

I’m celebrating the Arbitrage Box with this refreshing highball from San Francisco bartender Zachary Taylor. Taylor ironically shares his name with the twelfth President of the United States, who eschewed alcohol and yet still managed to die of stomach disease. Taylor the bartender created modern interpretations of the classics and new inventions at the helm of the now defunct Dirty Water, named after the term for pre-prohibition era moonshine.

Pisco and pineapple, a perfect pair

The drink features pisco, the Peruvian national spirit which is a clear grape derived brandy. It lends an unusual flavor to any familiar drink and works very well in a highball with ginger beer, in place of something more typical like rum. Fresh sage leaves provide an herbal nuance and pineapple brings the tropical vibe. Try one the next time you engage in a little arbitrage – cheers!

Performing a little arbitrage on the Bank Exchange

Bank Exchange by Zachary Taylor

1½ oz. pisco

¾ oz. pineapple syrup

½ oz. fresh lime juice

3-4 sage leaves, torn

Ginger beer

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a tall glass with ice. Top with ginger beer.

For more from this artist see: