<Waits until MistyCat is looking the other way and hands question 4 over to Violetmoon.>

<Traditionally mineral was just used for anything that wasn't animal or vegetable, but I haven't a clue what it means in this version. Please don't let a hazy grasp of the rules worry you - it seems practically compulsory.>

What he said. :-)

It's all just for fun, no pressure at all. Since we installed the drainage channels to let the blood flow away there's hardly any mess left after a wrong answer.

Is it used for communication, such as a mobile phone?

18) Is it used for communication, such as a mobile phone? No.
17) Does it represent or carry a transferable monetary value? No.
16) Does it fit in a pocket? Yes.
15) An mp3 player? No.
14) Do people carry them about? Yes.
13) Do people buy them? Yes.
12) Used in the kitchen for culinary purposes? No.
11) Is it viewed positively? Yes.
10) Spherical? No.
09) Metal? No.
08) Is it useful? Yes.
07) Part of the landscape? No.
06) Underground usually? No.
05) Mineral? Yes.
04) Moving parts? No.
03) Physical? Yes.
02) A book? No.
01) Edible? No.
00) Shall we play Twenty questions? Yes.
-0) Negative numbers allowed? Yes.
-0.0) Reserve -0 for geg? Yes.
-0.0.0) Use numbers other than the integers 1-20? No.

It's a key?

Time for some hints.

19) It's a key? No.
18) Is it used for communication, such as a mobile phone? No.
17) Does it represent or carry a transferable monetary value? No.
16) Does it fit in a pocket? Yes.

A marshmallow, a small green frog and one scoop of vanilla icecream are all items which will fit in a pocket.

15) An mp3 player? No.
14) Do people carry them about? Yes.
13) Do people buy them? Yes.
12) Used in the kitchen for culinary purposes? No.
11) Is it viewed positively? Yes.
10) Spherical? No.
09) Metal? No.
08) Is it useful? Yes.
07) Part of the landscape? No.
06) Underground usually? No.
05) Mineral? Yes.

Indisputable, solely mineral.

04) Moving parts? No.
03) Physical? Yes.
02) A book? No.
01) Edible? No.
00) Shall we play Twenty questions? Yes.
-0) Negative numbers allowed? Yes.
-0.0) Reserve -0 for geg? Yes.
-0.0.0) Use numbers other than the integers 1-20? No.

I didn't say they'd be useful hints.

Although I'm thinking of one specific item (the one that I own) I intend to accept either the type of item or the general class.

This is not a guess, but now I'm thinking "what has it got in itss pocketsesss preciousss"

A small red herring would also fit into a pocket.

Are you feeling generous enough to tell us if the "carry them about" is also a distraction, or if it is intrinsic?

"Carry them/it about" should be interpreted as though "Blue Jeans" were the answer. I feel that "Yes" is honest without being misleading.

Although your answer to question 11 precludes it, there is a slim possibility that someone doesn't consider the mobile phone as a blight on society, so I will guess that .

Hmmm. A mobile phone. Question 11 doesn't entirely rule it out, but perhaps you missed question 18?

I'm still feeling generous (read: perhaps someone else would like the Mantle) so I'll call that "discussion about Question 18" and add another clue by expanding an answer.

"Carry them about."
I've "carried mine about" on a daily basis for nearly 60 years, buying a replacement when necessary. I think I'd be right to say there hasn't been a single day when I haven't had mine with me, until late last year when not only did the carrying conditions change, but there were days when I didn't carry mine about. The actual date has no relevance.

One question remains. I shall then unlock the Pink Cardboard Box of Maximum Security, remove the golden envelope and read the contents.

<Checks to see if MistyCat is looking, and admires the bestest question number> (Thanks geg!)

MC - Thank you for the mineral answer and the interesting read (barelybad). I don't bleed much, normally just bruise, but I'll try to stay near the drainage channels for a while.

With BibwitHart's "This is not a guess, but now I'm thinking 'what has it got in itss pocketsesss preciousss'"

combined with MC's "Indisputable, solely mineral", and there being conditions regarding when one would carry the item(s) about, I'm thinking jewelry, especially the type for fingers.

Wary of blood loss so early in the day (for me), I'll not make a guess, but just be thinking aloud...

Answer N° IV

I'm going to give a really subtle hint in reply to the suggestion that the answer could be circular objects used for digit decoration.

It's not jewelry.

The drainage channels are really just for overflow from the sauna; there's not even the slightest chance of a bruise.

It's early in the morning here too (just after 3 am) and I'm retiring for the night. Goodnight all.

I can think of only two items that I carry about and are not (fully) precluded by the answers and hints so far. Although in my case they both contain metal, they don't need to. They are sometimes in one of my pockets but usually not.

Both are "viewed positively" (question 11 by EgonSpengler) in more than one sense. Would he have guessed right in such an early stage?

I'm using both of them right now to see whether I can go home from work.

One is on my wrist and the other one is on my nose.

Sorry, you are correct: I missed Q18!

Some interesting speculation, with only one guess remaining.

I'm still holding out for the corked hat.

If the hat is corked, ask the wine waiter to take it back.

I keep wondering if we're running out of time in this game.