ARCH Madness

Good Morning Folks, and welcome to the wrap-up report of the 2021 WHAA Arch Madness tournament. I am your friendly announcer Arthur Fischel. All four rounds of Arch Madness have come to a close; and let me tell you folks, it was quite the couple weeks. This will be the final episode for the year – a tournament recap. The William Hezmalhalch Architectural Association (WHAA) conducted an office-wide series of surveys, pitting sixteen architectural styles against one another to find out the office’s favorite. Would Modern mob Mediterranean? Would Tudor topple Tuscan? Would Cape Cod upset Contemporary? Stay tuned to find out the winning style…and the employees with the winning brackets who would take home the prize. Joining me is my courtside commentator, Jim Nasium. Jim, tell us about the tournament. 

Thanks Arty Fischel, it’s been an exciting series, with a number of close calls and upsets:

The En Suite Sixteen saw eight games. In the first game, the student surpassed the teacher as Mid-Century Modern slid past Modern. Speaking of education, Tudor was schooled by Craftsman. They played erratically and unhinged, more like One-door. It was no wonder Craftsman ran away with the W, yelling, “half-timbered!” as their opponents fell. French Country surrendered to Contemporary; and Traditional ate Italianate. It was rumored no one could take down Monterey, but it quickly became apparent Tuscan. Spanish even created a new Creative Suite program – Adobe Eraser.

The next round was the Entitled Eight. Mid-Century Modern brought down the beastly team that opposed them, claiming as its prize large ivory Tuscans. There was a lot of excitement here about the win against Traditional from the Greek Feat., the only team to feature straight from the Mediterranean. Despite the style’s lovely arches, the Spanish threw a flat three-point buzzer-beater, only to hit the rim and dash their dreams, losing the competition to Contemporary. In the most anticipated American matchup, Craftsman received a late vote that sent them into overtime against Farmhouse. Craftsman tried to board and batten down the hatches on defense, but ultimately lost by one.

The penultimate round featured the Final Floor: Farmhouse vs. Mediterranean, and Mid-Century Modern vs. Contemporary. The Greek Feat. put up quite the fight, but eventually their arches drooped like frowns, and their dist-wrought iron slumped in defeat. Meanwhile, the winner’s porches wrapped-around each other in a victorious embrace. Mid-Century put the “earn” in “Modern” and upset their Contemporary rivals.

Then with just a cupola teams left, it was time for the finals, the Big Eave-Vent: Farmhouse vs. Mid-Century. I’ve been reporting these games for fifty years, Arty, and this is the most exciting game I’ve seen in the past Mid-Century. Fans chanted, “we must protect this Farmhouse!” but instead of winning, they bought the Farm…house. It was a clere-storybook ending for Mid-Century Modern, who took home the title and the trophy. It was crazy. It was unexpected. It was Arch Madness. Back to you, Arty.

Thanks, Jim. Within the office, there were two winners: Brandon and Linda, who only missed one each on their brackets. Congrats you two on having such Style! This has been another episode of Totes Offish with Arty Fisch. Tune in next year for another exciting month of Arch Madness. Thanks for listening.