No, not a prison, though stone stands around you, as expressionless as a mirror awaiting face and form; and in the silence you hear no plaint of flute or roar of gong, but instead the crash of porcelain shattering.

The Moonlit Tower
Interactive Fiction, v.1.0
Yoon Ha Lee, copyright 2002
Newcomers may want to type HELP or ABOUT.
Release 1 / Serial number 020927 / Inform v6.21 Library 6/10

Moonlit Chamber
Moonlight diffuses through the walls, tracing out unreadable sigils in calligraphies of light and dark. Stairs adorned with bas-relief motifs spiral downward.

You can see a porcelain mask here.

take egg
take mask
get in stairs
take all
push mask to stairs
down

take egg
get in stairs
put mask down
put mask on stairs
down

The half-mask is the pale, almost bluish color of the finest celadon, cracked with uncanny precision down its axis of symmetry. The face in its blank, sculpted features has no more personality than new-forged steel. Half a mask, though--that must mean the left half is--

The weight of armor and the breath of silk are familiar. Your face, though--when you reach up, it is porcelain that meets your touch on the left side, and you cannot remove it, though neither does it impede your senses. It seems the left half is a part of you, perhaps no more a mask than a hand is a glove...

Shadow Armory
Shadows gather around you. For a moment, dregs of light defined by the negative space take on the shapes of maple leaf, kite, comb, and other shapes that flicker across the walls too rapidly for you to interpret.

Curiously, the only weapons here live amid light and cannot be worn: they are silhouettes flung against the walls. Stairs carved with bas-reliefs spiral upward.

Northward and westward lie passageways unhindered by door or folding screen.

take dagger
get in stairs
put mask down
put mask on stairs
push dagger to stairs
north
west
up

Here the light, apparently sourceless, adirectional, takes on a burnished quality.

Autumn is the maple's season, when all things die but fire and sun, pine and moon, last guardians before the door into winter and winter's snowlocked court. Once you knew a dark-haired woman who always wore red, gold and black, the maple's colors, even at the emperor's winter court, steadfast against the encroaching fashions of indigo or palest blue. She had a low ironic laugh, but she is lost to you....

Here, surrounded by stone, shadow, light, there is no indication of the season.

There should be two kites, not one: brothers and sisters fly them as pairs during the kite-fighting auguries of spring. Alas, no wind stirs in this dustless place.

The comb has the curved, tortoise-shell shape that you have seen in years past--but is one of the teeth broken?

Weapons line the walls, writ in shadow--yet you know their heft and balance, the patterns of movement that make one deadly in attack and another impenetrable in defense. If only you knew, as well, the histories of blood, patronage and betrayal--or loyalty--that they represent.

One of the weapons is more substantial than you realized at first, a bronze-hilted dagger with a tassel hanging from the pommel.

get in stairs
put mask down
put dagger down
put all down
put mask on stairs
put dagger on stairs
put all on stairs
north
west
up

bronze-hilted dagger
porcelain mask
armor and silks

The shapes of light you saw as you entered fade irrevocably.

Undying Garden
Barren branches and pines suggest winter's quiet. Metal and wood, painted and sculpted, the false garden is heedless of harvest, drought or rain.

A jade compass rests at the garden's metaphysical center, between translucence and opacity, curve and line, and other dichotomies too subtle for your eye. A gentle warmth from the surface invites touch.

Transactions of light show other rooms southward and westward.

You can see a tortoise-shell comb here.

take comb
turn compass
put mask down
put dagger down
put all down
take other with comb
hit comb
turn compass to crane
turn compass to swallow
turn compass to hawk
put mask on compass
put dagger on compass
push comb to compass
put all on compass
south
west

turn compass
put mask down
put dagger down
put comb down
put all down
hit comb
turn compass to crane
turn compass to swallow
turn compass to hawk
put mask on compass
put dagger on compass
put comb on compass
put all on compass
south
west

tortoise-shell comb
bronze-hilted dagger
porcelain mask
armor and silks

The comb is curved like a smile, though it seems fragile, easily broken by a chance hand.

Three of the long central teeth flex, then snap in your fingers. The justiciar wore a comb long-broken as a memento; it proved an uneasy prophecy of waking passion and breaking promises.

turn compass
put mask down
put dagger down
put teeth down
put comb down
put all down
turn compass to crane
turn compass to swallow
turn compass to hawk
put mask on compass
put dagger on compass
put teeth on compass
put comb on compass
put all on compass
south
west

comb's teeth
tortoise-shell comb
bronze-hilted dagger
porcelain mask
armor and silks

The compass is carved from a single piece of jade in which violet and green intermingle delicately; the cardinal directions--if such they be--are marked by hawk, swallow, crane and feather. More curiously still, the needle is of glass, suggesting that it homes to something other than the north. Perhaps you can set it yourself?

The needle points to the feather.

Even for the emperor's winter court, the only birds that remain in the gardens are the jeweled nightingales, which sing dainty mechanical tunes when they are stroked with a feather. Your brother hated them passionately, but he listened to them readily enough whenever the justiciar asked, with that smile that lit her eyes, though it never reached her mouth.

It was autumn when last you went hawking with the emperor's justiciar. Freed of court robes, she soared as surely as the kestrel that raced before her; her hair was black and scandalously unbound as the red-and-gold ribbons tore away in the wind to land in your waiting hand. Autumn...

Spring is the swallows' season, when they return from their sojourn in distant lands and signal the kite-flying auguries. If only an augury could help you now...

The most auspicious of all birds, save the imperial phoenix. Many a summer morning have you gazed upon cranes in flight, whether silhouetted against the setting sun or set in abalone-shell upon a fine lacquered cabinet, a cloisonne hairpin.

The needle points to the hawk now. You hear a clear chiming sound as the garden's trees and flowers move subtly, obedient to this new season.

take leaf
turn compass
put mask down
put dagger down
put teeth down
put comb down
put all down
open leaf
turn compass to crane
turn compass to swallow
turn compass to hawk
take other with leaf
put mask on compass
push leaf to compass
put dagger on compass
put teeth on compass
put comb on compass
put all on compass
south
west

Undying Garden
Autumn's fiery colors are evident in the trees and flowers around you. Metal and wood, painted and sculpted, the false garden is heedless of harvest, drought or rain.

A jade compass rests at the garden's metaphysical center, between translucence and opacity, curve and line, and other dichotomies too subtle for your eye. A gentle warmth from the surface invites touch.

Transactions of light show other rooms southward and westward.

On the unliving trees is a folded maple leaf.

Maples in black, red and gold, like the colors she loved so well, and the cloven yellow of gingko.
A single maple leaf flutters loosely, as though seeking escape.

This cleverly-folded leaf stirs as though, in its secret paper dreams, it yearns to fly.

turn compass
put mask down
put leaf down
put dagger down
put teeth down
put comb down
put all down
open leaf
turn compass to crane
turn compass to swallow
turn compass to hawk
put mask on compass
put leaf on compass
put dagger on compass
put teeth on compass
put comb on compass
put all on compass
south
west

folded maple leaf
comb's teeth
tortoise-shell comb
bronze-hilted dagger
porcelain mask
armor and silks

turn compass
close paper
put mask down
put dagger down
put paper down
put teeth down
put comb down
put all down
turn compass to crane
turn compass to swallow
turn compass to hawk
put paper on teeth
put teeth on paper
put mask on compass
put dagger on compass
put paper on compass
put teeth on compass
put comb on compass
put other on teeth
put all on compass
put all on paper
south
west

sheet of red paper
comb's teeth
tortoise-shell comb
bronze-hilted dagger
porcelain mask
armor and silks

You are carrying:
  a sheet of red paper
  three comb's teeth
  a lady's tortoise-shell comb (broken)
  a bronze-hilted dagger
  half a porcelain mask
  armor and silks (worn)

A tasseled fan appears upon the compass' surface. The needle points to the crane now. You hear a clear chiming sound as the garden's trees and flowers move subtly, obedient to this new season.

take fan
turn compass
cut blue tassel
close paper
put mask down
put dagger down
put paper down
put teeth down
put comb down
put all down
turn compass to crane
turn compass to swallow
turn compass to hawk
take other with fan
put paper on teeth
put teeth on paper
put mask on compass
push fan to compass
put dagger on compass
put paper on compass
put teeth on compass
put comb on compass
put other on teeth
put all on compass
put all on paper
south
west

turn compass
cut blue tassel
close paper
put mask down
put fan down
put dagger down
put paper down
put teeth down
put comb down
put all down
turn compass to crane
turn compass to swallow
turn compass to hawk
put paper on teeth
put teeth on paper
put mask on compass
put fan on compass
put dagger on compass
put paper on compass
put teeth on compass
put comb on compass
put all on compass
put all on paper
put all on teeth
south
west

tasseled fan
sheet of red paper
comb's teeth
tortoise-shell comb
bronze-hilted dagger
porcelain mask
armor and silks

More remarkable than the fan's intricate designs is the long blue tassel that trails from it. It is the kind of fan a lady might carry to cool herself during the summer's heat.

A few neat cuts free some strands from the tassel, and tying them together results in--a kitestring?

For a second there is a dark-eyed boy beside you, whose laugh is yours, but wilder; whose smile is yours, but wider. If only you remembered the augury that you and your brother cast that spring in the kite-flying ritual, years before either of you met the woman who wore black and red and gold...

turn compass
close paper
put mask down
put fan down
put dagger down
put paper down
put teeth down
put comb down
put kitestring down
put all down
turn compass to crane
turn compass to swallow
turn compass to hawk
put paper on teeth
put teeth on paper
put mask on compass
put fan on compass
put dagger on compass
put paper on compass
put teeth on compass
put comb on compass
put kitestring on compass
put all on compass
put all on paper
put all on teeth
south
west

kitestring
tasseled fan
sheet of red paper
comb's teeth
tortoise-shell comb
bronze-hilted dagger
porcelain mask
armor and silks

You are carrying:
  a kitestring
  a tasseled fan
  a sheet of red paper
  three comb's teeth
  a lady's tortoise-shell comb (broken)
  a bronze-hilted dagger
  half a porcelain mask
  armor and silks (worn)

Gently, you fold the paper and pierce it with the tortoise-shell teeth to create a delicate, string-less kite no larger than your hand.

turn compass
put mask down
put kite down
put fan down
put dagger down
put comb down
put string down
put all down
turn compass to crane
turn compass to swallow
turn compass to hawk
tie kite to string
put mask on compass
put kite on compass
put fan on compass
put dagger on compass
put comb on compass
put string on compass
put all on compass
south
west

red paper kite
kitestring
tasseled fan
tortoise-shell comb
bronze-hilted dagger
porcelain mask
armor and silks

You are carrying:
  a red paper kite with no string
  a kitestring
  a tasseled fan
  a lady's tortoise-shell comb (broken)
  a bronze-hilted dagger
  half a porcelain mask
  armor and silks (worn)

Though it takes some patience, you tie the kitestring to the kite. Surely a season of gales and newborn blossoms awaits you, even in this skyless tower.

turn compass
put mask down
put kite down
put fan down
put dagger down
put comb down
put all down
turn compass to crane
turn compass to swallow
turn compass to hawk
put mask on compass
put kite on compass
put fan on compass
put dagger on compass
put comb on compass
put all on compass
south
west

red paper kite
tasseled fan
tortoise-shell comb
bronze-hilted dagger
porcelain mask
armor and silks

The needle points to the swallow now. You hear a clear chiming sound as the garden's trees and flowers move subtly, obedient to this new season.

turn compass
put mask down
put kite down
put fan down
put dagger down
put comb down
put all down
fly kite
turn compass to crane
turn compass to swallow
turn compass to hawk
put mask on compass
put kite on compass
put fan on compass
put dagger on compass
put comb on compass
put all on compass
south
west

Spring: the season of augury. Red and black and gold, maple colors, kite colors; you no longer know which. A breeze stirs through the room, though the trees and flowers are no more affected by it than they would be by the sun's earnest light or a plague of locusts. Nevertheless, you hear the hollow sound of something being dislodged from one of the trees.

It was spring when your kite and your brother's became too entangled for one glass-edged string to cut the other's, for one to conquer the other, though entangled they flew yet; and spring when you were first parted from your brother on his first campaign and yours, two fatherless boys entering the emperor's service as adults.

The kite tugs from your hand, as impatient as a hawk winning free of hood; dances perilously upward upon the wings of this nowhere breeze; and disappears.

The breeze swells to a gale that rears southward and upward, seeking the sky in this enclosed and skyless room.

turn compass
put mask down
put fan down
put dagger down
put comb down
put all down
turn compass to crane
turn compass to swallow
turn compass to hawk
put mask on compass
put fan on compass
put dagger on compass
put comb on compass
put all on compass
south
west

tasseled fan
tortoise-shell comb
bronze-hilted dagger
porcelain mask
armor and silks

Shadow Armory
Curiously, the only weapons here live amid light and cannot be worn: they are silhouettes flung against the walls. Stairs carved with bas-reliefs spiral upward.

Northward and westward lie passageways unhindered by door or folding screen.

A wind gallops toward the stairs, seeking the sky.

get in stairs
put mask down
put fan down
put comb down
put dagger down
put all down
put mask on stairs
put fan on stairs
put comb on stairs
put dagger on stairs
put all on stairs
north
west
up

Moonlit Chamber
Moonlight diffuses through the walls, tracing out unreadable sigils in calligraphies of light and dark. Upwards, the sky is open to your eyes. Stairs adorned with bas-relief motifs spiral downward.

Wind flings itself up the walls and toward the sky; you have but to look up.

take egg
get in stairs
put mask down
put fan down
put comb down
put dagger down
put all down
put mask on stairs
put fan on stairs
put comb on stairs
put dagger on stairs
put all on stairs
down

The night spreads her wings above you, and shows no sign of welcoming her sister of the sunborn day. Constellations jewel the sky, half-hidden by clouds like nestling feathers: the Heavenly Horse and the Imperial Chrysanthemum.

The star-stallion rears like the chargers you once rode. The justiciar herself preferred such spirited mounts.

It is the first among constellations, open to the eyes of all people unlike the emperor himself. You and your brother saw him only once, when he called on you to stand together for your family's name.

Undying Garden
Spring's blossoms and budding trees are here in profusion. Metal and wood, painted and sculpted, the false garden is heedless of harvest, drought or rain.

A jade compass rests at the garden's metaphysical center, between translucence and opacity, curve and line, and other dichotomies too subtle for your eye. A gentle warmth from the surface invites touch.

Transactions of light show other rooms southward and westward.

Skeletal Banquet
It seems this is a banquet room, if a banquet had no especial place for people to dine. Glassware and stoneware are arranged in deliberate shapes, as though they are constellations.

South lies a chamber of brooding silence, and a vague, sweet fragrance comes from the east. Stairs of blackest marble lead downward.

On the table are a banquet of bones and some ivory chopsticks.

take chopsticks
get in marble
south
east
put mask down
put fan down
put dagger down
put comb down
put all down
hit bones
take all off table
put mask on marble
put mask on table
put fan on marble
put fan on table
push chopsticks to marble
push chopsticks to table
put dagger on marble
put dagger on table
put comb on marble
put comb on table
put all on marble
put all on table

The feast before you seems a mockery, for everywhere upon the plates and bowls there is nothing but skeletons artfully pieced together to create grotesqueries from ordinary game. A creature half-bird, half-rabbit, for one, or a pheasant with extra legs. Yet it is perhaps no more grotesque than some of the intrigues that poisoned the emperor's court, at times.

(first taking the ivory chopsticks)
Bone calls to bone, it seems, for the skeletal feast flees no more. With great care you disentangle the bones and piece them back together in a more seemly fashion. Despite some puzzling conjunctions of joints, you discover that interlocking skeletons of dragon and phoenix form the centerpiece.

In a battle older than bone, says one story, the dragon and phoenix were brothers, both born of fire; but one ascended to burn in splendor, and the other clothed himself in lightning tongue and storm rains. The phoenix must die, but is ever reborn; the dragon lives no more, but never dies.

ivory chopsticks
tasseled fan
tortoise-shell comb
bronze-hilted dagger
porcelain mask
armor and silks

As your feet meet that first step, a sudden vertigo overtakes you, as though you journeyed through skies beyond imagining, across hollow and infinite distances. You emerge back where you started: it seems the night's hold is too strong here, and you must find some guide-star to anchor your way.

The arrangement is in the shape of the constellation called the White Archer, who shot the Sun out of the sky and wanders the night in penance. It seems a curiously ill-fortuned constellation for an ill-fortuned feast, and almost any other arrangement would be more auspicious.

The Moon is the horse that bears the White Archer's messages to his lover the Sun, returning to rove the night's passages with him. The Heavenly Horse, though, is a messenger that submits to no rider, like the justiciar with her dark, proud eyes. It seems a strangely fitting sign for a stranger's feast.

get in marble
south
east
put mask down
put chopsticks down
put fan down
put dagger down
put comb down
put all down
hit bones
put mask on marble
put mask on table
put chopsticks on marble
put chopsticks on table
put fan on marble
put fan on table
put dagger on marble
put dagger on table
put comb on marble
put comb on table
put all on marble
put all on table
down

The arrangement is in the shape of the Heavenly Horse, sky-messenger and swift-runner.

Hall of Hawks
Memory overtakes you as you enter: you and your brother speaking to each other in low, tense voices (not shouting, never shouting before her) until the justiciar bids you leave, curtly. The next day, when the emperor stripped her of her rank, and neither you nor your brother had the influence to free her from the court's machinations--you have lived that day over and over, more than any man ought.

Hawks painted in gold and brown soar along the walls. It is strangely warm here, as though fires lived just beyond your perception. The entire hall is open to the wind and warmth, unobstructed except by your presence.

Stairs of darkest marble circle upward. A passageway leads south into clear, colorless light.

get in marble
put mask down
put chopsticks down
put fan down
put dagger down
put comb down
put all down
put mask on marble
put chopsticks on marble
put fan on marble
put dagger on marble
put comb on marble
put all on marble
up

A splendor of hawks in flight, each feather meticulously painted. Each one has a woman's dark eyes instead of a raptor's golden gaze.

As you approach, you realize that the shadows split the passageway in a terrible clean fracture, and your face aches unbearably; only when you move away does the pain ease.

Suddenly and disturbingly inspired by the riven passage to the south, you lift the mask to your face, momentarily shadowing your vision. When you can see clearly again, the mask has been rejoined flawlessly--and the shadows close around the passageway. Yours is the dragon's perfection, the dark journey skyward, as you have chosen.

get in stairs
put chopsticks down
put fan down
put comb down
put dagger down
put all down
put chopsticks on stairs
put fan on stairs
put comb on stairs
put dagger on stairs
put all on stairs
up

ivory chopsticks
tasseled fan
tortoise-shell comb
bronze-hilted dagger
armor and silks

Hall of Hawks
Hawks painted in gold and brown soar along the walls. It is strangely warm here, as though fires lived just beyond your perception. The entire hall is open and unobstructed except by your presence.

Passage of Storms
Cherry blossoms and lilacs, kite-flying auguries and newly-budding leaves: the trappings of spring are far beneath you now, though the kite is a red speck dancing in the storm. The moonlit tower lays open beneath you, as though stones were no more than the barest skeleton, the merest shadow. Lightning and storm clouds gather around you, and in the sky above the Moon gallops beyond your reach to the horizon.

It is night, now and always, with the storm clouds and lightning your constant companions.

The sky is yours, in a dance unending, and you have shed your past (her eyes, the hand upon the blade, the blood, your brother's white and anguished face) as you ascend to your place in the zodiac.

    *** You have won ***

In that game you scored 0 out of a possible 0, in 59 turns.

Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, see some suggestions for AMUSING things to do or QUIT

take mask
x mask
x self
d
x light
x leaf
x kite
x comb
x shadow
take dagger
n
take comb
x comb
hit comb
x compass
x feather
x hawk
x swallow
x crane
set compass to hawk
look
x trees
x leaf
take leaf
unfold leaf
i
x crane
set compass to crane
get fan
x fan
cut blue tassel
i
attach paper to teeth
i
attach string to kite
set compass to swallow
fly kite
s
u
look up
x horse
x flower
d
n
w
x bones
get bones with chopsticks
d
x arrangement
set constellations to horse
x arrangement
d
x hawks
s
wear mask
l
u
x storm
u
QUIT


Life sucks. Today has been just another crummy day in another dismal spring which you've spent delivering pizzas. This afternoon has totally been dragging, except for that bit of excitement an hour ago when you broke the soda machine. You thought your boss was going to rip you a new orifice.

Anyway, you've just finished mopping up behind the counter. There's only one more hour left on your shift and you're anxious to get out of here. Go home, watch the tube, blast some tunes, maybe scan the new "Surfers Monthly" magazine... gonna be a nice relaxing evening.

Shyeah, right. That's what YOU think.

REVERBERATIONS
A Hectic Voltairian Adventure
Copyright (c) 1996 by Russell Glasser.
Updated and revised 1998
Release 1 / Serial number 990110 / Inform v6.10 Library 6/5
Standard interpreter 1.0

Behind the Counter
You are behind the counter at "Mr. Tasty's Pizza Parlor", where you are currently working. Not much of a job, but it keeps you from going broke during the nine months of the year when you can't pull down the bucks as surfing instructor. The rest of the parlor is southwest.

There is something pressing that you think you have to do, but you can't think what it might be.

get up
examine box
take box
take note
examine note
leave box
open box
push box to southwest
push note to southwest
push box to counter
push note to counter

It's a majorly boring counter which you're unfortunately very familiar with.  Hey, maybe that handwritten note lying next to a pizza box on the counter is related to whatever it is you're supposed to be doing now.

get up
take box
take note
examine note
open box
push box to southwest
push note to southwest
take all off counter
push box to counter
push note to counter

The note reads:

"Stanley,
    Don't forget to make your delivery to Mr. Calzone, located at the San Doppleton Courthouse. You're already on thin ice, kid. One more screwup and you can expect to be looking for a new job."

The note is signed with the initials "RT". The paper is official "Mr. Tasty's" stationery with the name Bob "Tasty" Tasker and lots of balloons and smiley faces all over the border. Isn't that cute?

get up
take note
put box down
examine note
open box
push note to southwest
put box on counter
push note to counter

You walk around to the front of the pizza parlor.

Pizza Parlor
You are standing in the middle of "Mr. Tasty's Pizza Parlor". The counter separating you from the back of the parlor stretches in front of you on the northeast corner of the room. To the south is an exit to the street.

On the counter is a handwritten note.

south
get in northeast
take note
put box down
examine note
open box
push note to northeast
put box on counter
push note to counter

Street, by Pizza Parlor
San Doppleton is where you live, work and play -- at least until summer. It has the typical California culture; which is to say, none. But at least it's just forty minutes' drive from Santa Barbara and the beach, so you can't complain much.

You stand in the heart of San Doppleton's main drag, the business district. The street goes east and west. The sidewalk runs by a pizza parlor, with a sewer vent nearby.

Two men bump into each other. They murmur apologies and go their separate ways.

examine east
examine box
north
pronouns
wake people
put on east
put box down
east
west
kiss people
hit people
open box
throw box
say east to people
ask people about east
ask people for east
show people box
give people box
tell people about east
throw box against people

Street, Near Courthouse
You are approaching the center of downtown San Doppleton. There is a courthouse to the south. The street runs east and west.

examine west
examine box
south
pronouns
put on west
put box down
west
open box
throw box
east

Courthouse
You are in a crowded courthouse.  The street is off to the north.

The courtroom is currently abuzz with excitement as it seems that the pre-trial hearing of the infamous gangster, Guido "The Armadillo" Calzone is winding to a close. Guido and his hotshot lawyer sit placidly at their table, while the flustered young district attorney who is prosecuting the case seems like she's at her wits' end. At the moment, the D.A. stands at the front of the courtroom, arguing over a legal point with the judge.

wake district
put box down
north
kiss district
hit district
examine district
open box
say box to district
ask district about box
ask defense attorney for box
show district box
show calzone box
give district box
give calzone box
tell district about box
throw box against district

You've never been up to date on local politics, but you can see that the DA is an attractive brunette in her mid-thirties. Why, that would make her only, uh... ten years old than you!

The more you look at her, the more you think she's a total babe! You bet she could totally go for a guy like you!  After all, she's a brilliant, successful career-oriented woman with a promising future ahead of her, and you're... you're a college dropout pizza delivery boy.

Never mind.

"Miss Thompson," says the judge, "I've had about enough of you wasting this court's time. Unless you can demonstrate a clear threat to public safety, I'm going to recommend that Mr. Calzone be transported to a minimum security prison pending further review. His trial is to be held next week."  Jill is clearly not happy with this pronouncement.

wake jill
put box down
north
kiss jill
hit jill
examine jill
open box
say box to jill
ask jill about box
ask defense attorney for box
show jill box
show defendant box
give jill box
give defendant box
tell jill about box
throw box against jill

Time passes.

"Your honor, I wish you would reconsider," says Jill. "The defendant has a long history of disappearances, and it is counsel's opinion that he will not be around in a week to stand trial. I recommend transporting him to a more secure prison."

You flip open the pizza box, revealing a large pizza.

"Your opinion is duly noted, Miss Thompson," says the judge sarcastically. "But the fact is, the 'long history' you refer to is based on hearsay. Now, I recommend you gather some solid evidence when you prepare for the trial, because the minimal research you've obviously done won't be enough to convict the defendant."

wake guido
put box down
close box
north
eat pizza
kiss guido
push pizza to guido
hit guido
examine jill
look in pizza
open box
say box to guido
ask guido about box
ask guido for box
take pizza off box
push pizza to box
show guido box
show jill box
give guido box
give jill box
tell guido about box
throw box against guido

Digging through layers of cheese, you discover and confiscate a metal file.

Jill tries desperately to convince the judge that Guido "The Armadillo" Calzone plans to escape, but it's obvious she won't get anywhere without more evidence.

[Your score has just gone up by two points.]

wake jill
put box down
put file down
put all down
close box
north
kiss jill
push pizza to file
hit jill
examine file
examine jill
open box
say box to jill
ask jill about box
ask defense attorney for box
take pizza off box
push pizza to box
show jill box
show jill file
give jill box
give jill file
tell jill about box
throw box against jill
throw file against jill

Jill looks astonished when you tell her where you found the file. She marches smartly up to the stand and shows this new evidence to the judge, who can't argue with her logic. He orders Guido into a maximum security prison pending further review.

As the courtroom clears out, the bailiff drags Guido past you. With intense calm, Guido looks you right in the eye and says, "That was a mistake, my friend. It don't pay to mess with The Family.

"I believe THIS belongs to me," he adds, ungraciously snatching the pizza box from your hands on the way out.

[Your score has just gone up by five points.]

Jill is here.

Jill approaches and shakes your hand warmly. "That was a brilliant work in there, kid. If it hadn't been for you, Guido might have escaped from jail."  Seeing your blank look, she says, "My name Jill Thompson. I'm San Doppleton's District Attorney. For the past four years, I've been pursuing this local mafia branch, trying to bring some serious legal action down on them. These guys seem to own everything in town, and they already know me by sight. So I can't find any more clues before the trial but you can. Please try dig up whatever information you can, I'll be up in my office if you need me. I work at Gunther & Associates. It's on the third floor of that tall building over there, you can't miss it."

Jill walks away to the west.

Street, Near Courthouse

examine west
north
south
pronouns
put on west
west
east

Downtown
You are in downtown San Doppleton. The street coming from the east ends at a three-story office building to the west.

A guy in a business suit walks past you.

examine east
examine rider
west
pronouns
wake rider
put on rider
east
kiss rider
hit rider
say east to rider
ask rider about east
ask rider for east
tell rider about east

Office Building
You are in an office building. The exit to the street is east. There is also a flight of stairs heading up to the north.

There are fronds on either side of the exit on the east.

The stairs angle up and back, and you emerge south.

Office Building, Second Floor
To the east you can see an office door labelled "Gunther & Associates"; other than that, the office doors on this floor are pretty unremarkable. The stairs go up to the south and down to the north.

wake other
east
south
north
kiss other
say east to other
ask other about east

Law Office
You are in a bustling law office. The east wall is dominated by a large window.

Jill stands here.

As you walk into the office, Jill spots you. "Hi!" she says. "Listen, Stan. I have reason to believe that the Mayor is tangled up in the mafia. I managed to use some connections to get this key. It unlocks the mayor's cabinet."  She hands you a key. "I'd use it myself, but I already have several eyes on me at all times. They know me."

wake attorney
put key down
kiss attorney
hit attorney
say window to attorney
ask attorney about window
give attorney key
tell attorney about window
throw key against attorney
west

wake other
put other down
east
south
north
kiss other
say east to other
ask other about east

The stairs angle up and back, and you emerge north.

Office Building, Third Floor
To the east is a door labelled "John Winnick, Mayor of San Doppleton". The stairs go up to the north and down to the south.

put key down
close door
east
south
north

Mayor's Office
You are in the mayor's office. To the east is a window overlooking a second-story drop. There is a glass box mounted on the north wall.

You can see a file cabinet (which is closed) here.

put key down
close story
close door
west
hit story
open story
open cabinet with key

put key down
close story
close door
west
hit story
open cabinet
open story
lock cabinet with key

You open the mayor's file cabinet. A massive quantity of paperwork is in there. Amongst the paper you see a particular file which looks suspicious.

take file
put key down
close cabinet
close story
close door
west
push file to east
hit story
open story
take file off cabinet
put key in cabinet
push file to cabinet

You smugly retrieve the file.

Just are you're starting to feel disappointed about how easy it was to search around in the mayor's secret files, you hear a commotion out in the hall. Suddenly, you find yourself staring into the shifty face of Mayor Winnick himself. He quickly assesses the situation and makes a curt gesture. In walks a very large, very ugly lackey, who begins to approach with a nasty look in his eye.

The henchman approaches with a mean gleam in his eye. It is highly recommended that you find an escape route.

[Your score has just gone up by three points.]

wake lackey
put file down
put key down
put all down
close cabinet
close story
close door
get in story
get in door
kiss lackey
hit story
open story
say east to mayor
ask lackey about east
ask mayor for east
put file in cabinet
put key in cabinet
put all in cabinet
give mayor file
tell lackey about east
throw file against lackey

Desperately looking for a way out, you climb out the open window. You find yourself dangling from the window sill over a three-story drop.

Hangin' Out
You are dangling over a three-story drop, desperately clutching the window ledge with your fingertips. And as if that weren't bad enough, a very angry mayor and a very large security guard are inside, and they're both very eager to get rid of you.

Your feet are just low enough to touch the window on the next floor below you.

Inside the window, you hear the mayor and the lackey congratulating each other on getting rid of you.

[Your score has just gone up by five points.]

examine floor
examine third story window
pronouns
put on floor
put key down
put file down
throw key
throw file
put all on second story window

You frantically kick on the window below you, hoping that somebody will hear.

Inside the window, you hear the mayor and the lackey engaged in low conversation, too quiet for you to hear.

There seems to be some activity in the room on the second story.

Time passes.

Inside the window, you hear the mayor and the lackey engaged in low conversation, too quiet for you to hear.

The window down below is opening.

Time passes.

Inside the window, you hear the mayor and the lackey engaged in low conversation, too quiet for you to hear.

Somebody sticks their head out of the second story window... by god, it's Jill!

examine floor
examine third story window
put sill down
pronouns
examine window
wake jill
put on floor
put file down
put key down
kiss jill
hit jill
throw file
throw key
say third story window to jill
ask jill about third story window
ask jill for third story window
put all on jill
give jill file
tell jill about third story window
throw sill against jill

Jill nods frantically. She holds out her arms trying to reach you.

The mayor and the lackey look out the window. They are surprised to see you.

Jill looks up at you anxiously.

examine floor
examine mayor
put sill down
pronouns
wake mayor
put on mayor
put on lackey
put file down
put key down
take all
kiss mayor
kiss jill
take lackey
hit mayor
hit jill
throw lackey
throw file
throw key
say mayor to jill
say jill to mayor
ask mayor about jill
ask jill about mayor
ask mayor for jill
hit mayor with lackey
hit jill with lackey
put all on mayor
push lackey to mayor
give mayor file
pay mayor lackey
tell mayor about jill
tell jill about mayor
throw lackey against mayor
throw file against mayor

You release your grip on the window and you're falling, falling...

"GOTCHA!"  You find yourself in the remarkably strong arms of Jill, who hauls you into her window and onto solid ground. You've never been so happy to see anyone in your life.

Law Office
You are in a bustling law office. The east wall is dominated by a large window.

Jill stands here.

You briefly relate to Jill what's just been happening to you. Jill looks thoughtful as she takes the file from you. "So you uncovered evidence that the mayor is connected to the mob?  And he knows that you found out. This sounds serious. If I'm not mistaken, every cop in the district is going to be after your head pretty soon.

"Good work, though, Stan. Don't stop now. I'm going to phone the state police and see if I can get outside help on this case."

[Your score has just gone up by five points.]

The stairs angle down and back, and you emerge south.

Office Building

There are fronds on either side of the exit on the east.

Downtown

A police car drives by. You press yourself against a wall until it goes by.

examine east
examine gun
west
pronouns
wake people
put on east
put key down
east
kiss people
hit people
throw key
say east to people
ask people about east
ask people for east
give people key
tell people about east
throw key against people

examine west
examine key
south
pronouns
put on west
put key down
west
throw key
east

examine east
examine parlor
north
pronouns
wake people
put on east
put key down
east
west
kiss people
hit people
throw key
say east to people
ask people about east
ask people for east
give people key
tell people about east
throw key against people

Pizza Parlor

On the counter are a small pizza box (which is closed) and a handwritten note.

get up
get in northeast
take box
take note
put key down
south
examine note
open box
throw box
push note to northeast
take all off counter
put key on counter
push box to counter
push box to northeast
push note to counter

south
get in northeast
take note
put box down
put key down
put all down
examine note
open box
throw box
push note to northeast
put box on counter
put key on counter
put all on counter
push note to counter

You flip open the pizza box... AND THERE'S A BOMB INSIDE!!!!!

south
get in northeast
take note
take bomb
put box down
put key down
put all down
close box
push bomb to northeast
examine note
throw box
push note to northeast
put box on counter
put key on counter
put all on counter
push note to counter
push bomb to box
push bomb to counter

south
get in northeast
take note
put box down
put bomb down
put key down
put all down
close box
examine note
push note to northeast
put box on counter
put bomb on counter
put key on counter
put all on counter
put bomb in box
put key in box
push note to box
push note to counter

examine east
examine box
pronouns
wake people
put on east
put box down
put bomb down
put key down
put all down
close box
kiss people
hit people
throw box
throw bomb
throw key
say east to people
ask people about east
ask people for east
put all on east
put bomb in box
put bomb in vent
put key in box
put all in box
give people box
tell people about east
throw box against people

Thinking fast, you deposit the bomb in the sewer duct. Moments later, you breathe a sigh of relief as you hear a quiet splash. No doubt you've saved yourself and the city from certain destruction.

An absolutely massive explosion rocks the ground beneath your feet. Buildings tremble all around you and the pavement lurches sickeningly. After a moment the shockwaves die down, but you still feel an occasional tremor. Seems like you might have triggered some sort of geological disaster.

[Your score has just gone up by five points.]

examine east
examine box
north
pronouns
wake people
put on east
put box down
put key down
put all down
close box
east
west
kiss people
hit people
throw box
throw key
say east to people
ask people about east
ask people for east
put key in box
give people box
tell people about east
throw box against people

Street, by Department Store
On this end of the street, a department store called Barkley's sits to the south.

examine south
examine store
south
pronouns
wake people
put on people
put box down
put key down
put all down
close box
kiss people
hit people
throw box
throw key
say store to people
ask people about store
ask people for store
put key in box
give people box
tell people about store
throw box against people
west

Clothing Department
You are in the clothing department at Barkley's. There are many racks of clothes here. You may exit to the north. To the southwest lies the hardware department, and southeast is the cosmetics department.

You can see a store clerk here.

north
wake clerk
put box down
put key down
put all down
close box
get in southeast
get in southwest
kiss clerk
hit clerk
say box to clerk
ask clerk about box
ask clerk for box
put key in box
give clerk box
tell clerk about box
throw box against clerk

As you enter the cosmetics department, a big thug steps out of the shadows. Making a mocking bow in your direction, the thug says: "Greetings. I am Sammy 'The Inhospitable' Toriglioni, and I will be joining you for your dying pleasure this afternoon."  He pulls a gun out of his suit coat and bounces it lightly in one hand.

Cosmetics Department
The shelves are lined with bottles of perfume, cologne, hairspray, and other cosmetic paraphernalia. [You know, an adventure game just isn't complete if it doesn't use the word "paraphernalia."]  You can go northwest to the clothing department, or west to the hardware department.

You can see a thug here.

tell other about bunch of cosmetic stuff

Taken.

The building you are in shakes ominously under the force of the earthquake. You lean up against a wall until it subsides.

"SO, ya wanted to be a hero, kid?  I'd say your future as the Lone Ranger isn't looking too promising."

wake other
put hairspray down
put box down
put key down
put all down
close box
kiss other
take hairspray
hit other
spray other
say hairspray to other
ask other about hairspray
ask other for hairspray
hit other with hairspray
put hairspray in box
put key in box
give thug hairspray
tell other about hairspray
throw hairspray against other

You spritz the thug right in the face. He is so totally surprised to have you actually fight back that he takes the shot right in the eyes and winces, momentarily unabled to fight back. He's not down yet, but this might be a good time to finish him off.

[Your score has just gone up by five points.]

examine hairspray
wake other
put hairspray down
put box down
put key down
put all down
close box
kiss other
take hairspray
hit other
say hairspray to other
ask other about hairspray
ask other for hairspray
put hairspray in box
put key in box
give thug hairspray
tell other about hairspray
throw hairspray against other

You give him a kick to the stomach, and a passable imitation of a karate chop on the back. Normally this wouldn't have worked, but since he was temporarily blinded, he never saw you coming. He collapses on the floor, momentarily winded. This would be a great time for you to get out.

The building you are in shakes ominously under the force of the earthquake. You lean up against a wall until it subsides.

examine hairspray
wake other
put hairspray down
put box down
put key down
put all down
close box
west
kiss other
take hairspray
say hairspray to other
ask other about hairspray
ask other for hairspray
put hairspray in box
put key in box
show thug hairspray
give thug hairspray
tell other about hairspray
throw hairspray against other
northwest

Doubled over in pain, the thug is powerless to stop your retreat.

Clothing Department

get up
put hairspray down
put box down
put key down
put all down
close box
get in southeast
get in southwest
north
take hairspray
put hairspray in box
put key in box

The clerk seems to have been knocked out and dragged somewhere by the thug on his entrance. You brazenly walk out with your shoplifted item.

Street, by Department Store

A police car drives by. You press yourself against a wall until it goes by.

The ground trembles under your feet. It feels like an earthquake might be in progress.

Okay, let's recap the story so far. Your afternoon got off to an interesting start when you foiled an escape attempt by Guido "The Armadillo" Calzone. This heroic-but-not-terribly-bright action brought down the wrath of the local mafia down on you, who tried to assassinate you inside a department store. They also left a "special delivery" for you which started an earthquake. You were also responsible for uncovering the illicit activities of the corrupt mayor, who then sent every cop and trooper in the area to take care of you. So, you're hounded by the police, wanted dead by the mob, and trying to cope with a massive earthquake.

As you step outside, you can see that the people of the town have succumbed to the general chaos of the environment, and now the town of San Doppleton is marred by heavy rioting.

examine bottle of hairspray
examine hairspray
south
pronouns
wake people
put on south
put hairspray down
put box down
put key down
put all down
close box
kiss people
take hairspray
throw hairspray
throw box
throw key
say hairspray to people
ask people about hairspray
ask people for hairspray
put all on south
put hairspray in box
put key in box
put all in box
show people hairspray
give people hairspray
tell people about hairspray
throw hairspray against people
west

Time passes.

Someone rushes out of Barkley's carrying a TV set.

The ground trembles under your feet. It feels like an earthquake might be in progress.

north
put hairspray down
put box down
put key down
put all down
close box
get in southeast
get in southwest
take hairspray
put hairspray in box
put key in box

Hardware Department
You are in the hardware department at Barkley's. There are tools all over the place. You can go northeast to the clothing department, or east to the cosmetics department.

The place is filled with debris from the riots. Lying on the ground you see a rope and a hammer which have been randomly flung off the shelves.

take rope
take hammer
put hairspray down
put box down
put key down
put all down
close box
east
take all
take hairspray
throw rope
throw hammer
put hairspray in box
put key in box
push rope to hairspray
push rope to box
push hammer to hairspray
push hammer to box
northeast

take rope
put hairspray down
put box down
put hammer down
put key down
put all down
close box
east
take hairspray
take hammer
throw rope
put hairspray in box
put hammer in box
put key in box
push rope to hairspray
push rope to box
northeast

hammer
bottle of hairspray
small pizza box
key

Taken.

[Your score has just gone up by two points.]

put hairspray down
put box down
put hammer down
put rope down
put key down
put all down
close box
east
take hairspray
take hammer
put hairspray in box
put hammer in box
put rope in box
put key in box
northeast

rope
hammer
bottle of hairspray
small pizza box
key

north
put hairspray down
put box down
put hammer down
put rope down
put key down
put all down
close box
get in southeast
get in southwest
take hairspray
take hammer
put hairspray in box
put hammer in box
put rope in box
put key in box

Street, by Department Store

Someone rushes out of Barkley's carrying a TV set.

examine south
examine box
south
put all on south
wake people
put on south
put box down
put rope down
put key down
put hairspray down
put hammer down
put all down
close box
kiss people
take rope
take hairspray
throw box
throw rope
throw key
throw hairspray
throw hammer
say box to people
ask people about box
ask people for box
put all on box
put rope in box
put key in box
put hairspray in box
put hammer in box
put all in box
show people box
give people box
tell people about box
throw box against people
west

Street, by Pizza Parlor

You lurch for a moment as the ground makes loud rumbling noises. Sounds like an earthquake is about to hit. A bad one.

examine east
examine box
north
put all on east
wake people
put on east
put box down
put hairspray down
put hammer down
put rope down
put key down
put all down
close box
east
west
kiss people
take hairspray
take hammer
throw box
throw hairspray
throw hammer
throw rope
throw key
say east to people
ask people about east
ask people for east
put all on box
put hairspray in box
put hammer in box
put rope in box
put key in box
put all in box
show people box
give people box
tell people about east
throw box against people

examine west
examine hairspray
south
put all on west
put on west
put hairspray down
put box down
put hammer down
put rope down
put key down
put all down
close box
west
take hairspray
take hammer
throw hairspray
throw box
throw hammer
throw rope
throw key
put all on hairspray
put hairspray in box
put hammer in box
put rope in box
put key in box
put all in box
east

Downtown

A security guard stands in front of the entrance to the government building, looking bored.

A rioter throws a rock at the mayor's window. The rock bounces to the ground, barely missing you. Those windows are pretty durable.

examine east
examine box
enter
put all on east
wake guard
put on east
put box down
put rope down
put key down
put hairspray down
put hammer down
put all down
close box
east
kiss guard
take rope
take hairspray
throw box
throw rope
throw key
throw hairspray
throw hammer
say east to guard
ask guard about east
ask people about east
ask guard for east
put all on box
put rope in box
put key in box
put hairspray in box
put hammer in box
put all in box
show guard box
show guard rope
give guard box
give guard rope
tell guard about east
tell people about east
throw box against guard

You close the pizza box.

A police car drives by. You press yourself against a wall until it goes by.

examine east
examine box
enter
put all on east
wake guard
put on east
put box down
put rope down
put key down
put hairspray down
put hammer down
put all down
east
kiss guard
take rope
take hairspray
open box
throw box
throw rope
throw key
throw hairspray
throw hammer
say east to guard
ask guard about east
ask people about east
ask guard for east
put all on box
show guard box
show guard rope
give guard box
give guard rope
tell guard about east
tell people about east
throw box against guard

The guard looks suspicious as you explain that you have a pizza delivery for Jill Thompson, the District Attorney. Pulling a cellular phone off of his uniform, he dials a number that you presume is for Jill's office. After a few moments, he hangs up and grudgingly steps aside for you.

[Your score has just gone up by three points.]

examine east
examine box
west
put all on east
wake guard
put on east
put box down
put hairspray down
put hammer down
put rope down
put key down
put all down
east
kiss guard
take hairspray
take hammer
hit guard
open box
throw box
throw hairspray
throw hammer
throw rope
throw key
say east to guard
ask guard about east
ask people about east
ask guard for east
put all on box
give guard box
give guard hairspray
tell guard about east
tell people about east
throw box against guard

The guard steps aside and lets you pass.

Office Building

There are fronds on either side of the exit on the east.

east
put box down
put hairspray down
put hammer down
put rope down
put key down
put all down
north
take hairspray
take hammer
open box

The stairs angle up and back, and you emerge south.
Jill runs out of her office. "Stan!  Thank goodness you made it!  The mafia has just regrouped in the mayor's office to discuss their final plans for total citywide domination! Reinforcements from the state are on their way, but they're going to need some kind of diversion to get into the building without being caught by the mayor's troops!  Can you do that for us?"

Of course you can; you're the hero. (A paper-thin excuse if you ever heard one, but you don't seem to have enough excitement in your life anyway.)

Jill runs back into her office.

Office Building, Second Floor

wake other
put box down
put hairspray down
put hammer down
put rope down
put key down
put all down
east
north
south
kiss other
take hairspray
take hammer
open box
say east to other
ask other about east

The stairs angle up and back, and you emerge north.

Office Building, Third Floor

put box down
put hairspray down
put hammer down
put rope down
put key down
put all down
south
north
take hairspray
take hammer
open box

The stairs angle up and back, and you emerge south.

Roof of Office Building
You are on the roof of the government building. You can go back down the stairs to the north. There is a lightning rod sticking up.

jump
put box down
put rope down
put key down
put hairspray down
put hammer down
put all down
north
take rope
take hairspray
open box

You cleverly tie the rope to the lightning rod, dropping the other end on the ground.

The building you are in shakes ominously under the force of the earthquake. You lean up against a wall until it subsides.

jump
take rope
put hairspray down
put box down
put hammer down
put key down
put all down
climb rope
north
take hairspray
take hammer
open box
push rope to hairspray
push rope to box

You pick up the other end of the rope. Now what?

Giving a mighty yell, you boldly leap off the side of the building!  The rope tightens and then swings you back towards the building. You do your best to look like Bruce Willis as you haplessly zoom towards the window...

CRASH!!!

Mayor's Office
You are in the mayor's office. To the east is a window overlooking a second-story drop. There is a glass box mounted on the north wall.

You can see Robert "Tasty" Tasker, a huge crowd of mafia guys and a file cabinet (which is empty) here.

Oh my. You seem to have crashed (pardon the pun) a private party of some sort. There are a couple of dozen guys wearing suits and dark glasses. And sitting imperiously at the mayor's desk, glaring at you behind a bevy of bodyguards, is... <ga

wake guys
put hairspray down
put pizza down
put hammer down
put key down
put all down
close cabinet
close door
get in story
get in door
kiss guys
take hairspray
take hammer
open pizza
say hairspray to guys
ask guys about hairspray
ask guys for hairspray
hit box with hammer
put hairspray in cabinet
put pizza in cabinet
put hammer in cabinet
put key in cabinet
put all in cabinet
give guys hairspray
tell guys about hairspray
throw hairspray against guys

You smash the glass.

Robert "Tasty" Tasker speaks. "Stan, you idiot, can't you get ANYTHING right?  I ask you to make one simple delivery in the afternoon and you have to go and ruin all my plans."

[Your score has just gone up by three points.]

wake guys
take axe
put pizza down
put key down
put hairspray down
put hammer down
put all down
close cabinet
close door
get in story
get in door
kiss guys
push axe to east
take hairspray
take hammer
open pizza
say east to guys
ask guys about east
ask guys for east
hit guys with axe
put pizza in cabinet
put key in cabinet
put hairspray in cabinet
put hammer in cabinet
put all in cabinet
push axe to cabinet
give guys pizza
pay guys axe
tell guys about east
throw pizza against guys
throw axe against guys

Taken.

Robert "Tasty" Tasker continues his rant. "By now, I'm sure even YOU have figured out that Guido was just a fall-guy, a figurehead. His escape from jail would have been a purely symbolic event. I'm the real leader of the mafia around here. A pity that information won't do you any good since you'll be dead."

Your eyes are drawn to a movement on the street below. Looking through the broken glass, you see a huge squad of police cars. You breathe a sigh of relief... maybe they're here to save you!

A huge tremor shakes the office building.

wake guys
put pizza down
put axe down
put key down
put hairspray down
put hammer down
put all down
close cabinet
close door
get in story
get in door
kiss guys
take hairspray
take hammer
open pizza
say east to guys
ask guys about east
ask guys for east
put pizza in cabinet
put axe in cabinet
put key in cabinet
put hairspray in cabinet
put hammer in cabinet
put all in cabinet
give guys pizza
tell guys about east
throw pizza against guys

fire axe
hammer
bottle of hairspray
small pizza box
key

Time passes.

Outside the window, a cop steps out in front of the cars, holding a bullhorn. "STANLEY, THIS IS THE SAN DOPPLETON POLICE. YOU ARE UNDER ARREST FOR ILLEGAL BREAKING AND ENTERING, ASSAULT ON A STATE OFFICIAL, AND ESPIONAGE. COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP."  Your sigh of relief dies.

"With the mayor receiving kickbacks from us, you didn't *really* think the police would be on your side, did you Stan?" says Mr. Tasker wryly. "Looks like you're all finished, kid."

(the floor with the fire axe)
Swinging the axe high above your head, you pause for just a minute and look Mr. Tasker in the eye. "I'll see you all in hell," you comment lightly.

You bring the axe down with a mighty chop, smack in the middle of the crack in the floor. A gigantic rift opens in the floor. The mafia guys topple and fall right down into the office below. Having seen it coming, you manage to leap onto the window sill, out of harm's way.

At the same moment, the door opens with a loud crash. Seven heavily armed police officers barge in, aiming their weapons at you. "You're under arrest..." they begin to say.

"No, YOU'RE under arrest," says a voice behind them. You grin broadly as you see Jill leaning on the door frame. Backing her up is a great big SWAT team. Using the evidence that you collected for her, Jill was able to get support from the state's higher court and expose the corrupt local government.

"How convenient that your mafia friends just happened to land right in my office," says Jill. Looking past her, you see all the dark suited guys being handcuffed and booked by the SWAT team. The team leader adds, "You're all under arrest for bribery, corruption, public endangerment, impersonating police officers... and, um, extreme stupidity."

"Take 'em away, boys," says Jill.

As the police drag Mr. Tasker past you, he says to you, "I hope you realize... YOU'RE FIRED!"  "Fine!" you reply. "You can take this job and shove it anyway."  Jill chimes in, "Especially since you have a brilliant career as a hired investigator ahead of you!"

You look at Jill as the dust begins to settle. "Really?" you ask. "How about a future on date with you?" She smiles and gives you a big kiss. The earth moves for you. Or maybe it's just the quake.

    *** You Rule!  The game's totally over! ***

In that game you scored 50 out of a possible 50, in 74 turns.

Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game or QUIT

x counter
read note
get pizza box
sw
x note
s
w
s
x district attorney
z
open pizza box
search pizza
show file to district attorney
n
w
w
n
e
w
s
e
open window
unlock cabinet with key
open cabinet
get file
jump out window
kick second window
z
z
jill, hold me
jump
w
n
e
e
e
n
get pizza box
open pizza box
get bomb
s
put bomb in sewer
e
s
se
get spray
spray thug
kick thug
nw
n
z
z
s
sw
take hammer
take rope
ne
n
w
w
w
close pizza box
show box to guard
w
n
s
n
tie rope to rod
hold rope
jump
break glass with hammer
take axe
z
hit floor with axe
QUIT


Familiar as your dream may be, the shapes and the colours that surround you feel as scary as ever. For more than two months the beginning of your nightly nightmares have stayed the same. The old woman drags you up from your bed. Your struggles are in vain against the iron-hard grip of the bony hands as she pushes you out of the window. But instead of falling headlong towards the backyard below you find yourself in an alien world, trying desperately to wake up.

The Temple
An Interactive Homage to H.P. Lovecraft
(c) 2002 Johan Berntsson

Please type "help" for instructions and license information.
Release 2 / Serial number 021118 / Inform v6.15 Library 6/2
Standard interpreter 1.0

Void
You plunge through limitless abysses of inexplicably coloured twilight and distorted sound, whose material and gravitational properties are beyond reason and understanding. The abysses are by no means vacant, being crowded with hazy objects, much like shadows, that are moving around in a haphazard manner.

You try to feel your body, but get only the strangest feeling. Something is there, but no reaction, no nerve pulse, feels normal. As you look down on your body you see only a haze, like those of the shadows around you.

A cascade of red colour explodes below you.

They are sometimes stationary, sometimes moving around. Their movement is not linear and they seem to suddenly dissolve from one place, only to appear from nothing in a new place, apparently at random. Although they sometimes are close to you they always appear hazy.

Suddenly there is a new element in your dream, one you have never experienced before. A sense of blinding fear threatens to overwhelm you as a shape appears close to you. There is nothing visually different about it, but you can't bear looking at it for very long.

In your current state of fear your mind and body refuse to cooperate.

The shadow disappears somewhere. A slave under someone else's will, you find yourself moving towards a place you have never seen before.

Roof
The city below you is ancient. Dark domes and steep roofs form a silent silhouette against the clear star-filled sky. You are standing on the roof of a tower, built of crumbling masonry, which seems to be centuries old. An iron railing of strange design circles the perimeter of the roof and a winding staircase leads down.

The railing won't budge, but one of the statues breaks of in your hands.

In the stone the artist has carved a hideous monster. It is vaguely human-shaped, but the arms are too long, the skin is covered by scales, and the fangs are definitely out of place.

The winding staircase leads to a spacious chamber inside the tower.

Study
Dust and spider webs cover all surfaces in this room in a soft silver gleam, blurring the outlines of the furnishings into fantastic, dreamy forms. The walls are lined with bookshelves and a lone desk lies at one corner. Close to a staircase, which leads further up and down the tower, is a massive table made of black stone. A doorway leads to a smaller room to the south.

On the desk is a yellow paper.

take paper
examine writing
down
south
put statue down
examine table
put statue on desk
put statue on ink
put statue on dust
put statue on table
put statue on bookshelves
up

On the paper is a coded message and it is impossible to say even in which language the text is written.

examine writing
down
south
put paper down
put statue down
put all down
examine table
put paper on desk
put paper on ink
put paper on dust
put paper on table
put paper on bookshelves
put statue on desk
put statue on ink
put statue on dust
put statue on table
put statue on bookshelves
put all on desk
put all on ink
put all on dust
put all on table
put all on bookshelves
up

The base of the stone table is covered with carvings, each showing different kinds of creatures, or maybe Gods, standing on stone tables. Humans, who seem to be reciting prayers or spells, are standing in front of the creatures.

You spot something behind the table. Pushing the cobwebs aside, you reveal some writing, crudely painted on the stone wall with black paint.

examine writing
down
south
put paper down
put statue down
put all down
put paper on desk
put paper on ink
put paper on dust
put paper on table
put paper on bookshelves
put statue on desk
put statue on ink
put statue on dust
put statue on table
put statue on bookshelves
put all on desk
put all on ink
put all on dust
put all on table
put all on bookshelves
up

It seems to be a poem, or chant. The language is unfamiliar and complicated, and you repeat the syllables with a low voice: Y'ai'ng'ngah h'ee-l'geb f'ai throdog.

Even as you speak you sense something approaching. The light in the room darkens, and a mysterious green glow is emitted from some dust on the stone table. Its brightness intensifies to an unbearable level and you involuntarily step away. A shape appears on the previously empty table. As the flash fades away you recognise the shape as that of a man, lying still on the table.

[Your score has just gone up by five points.]

touch body
down
south
put statue down
put paper down
put all down
put statue on desk
put statue on table
put statue on bookshelves
put statue on ink
put statue on dust
put paper on desk
put paper on table
put paper on bookshelves
put paper on ink
put paper on dust
put all on desk
put all on table
put all on bookshelves
put all on ink
put all on dust
up

The unconscious man is young, tall, and white. You guess he could be of British descent. The most striking thing about him is his clothes, which looks at least eighty years out of fashion.

After several attempts, you manage to shake the man awake. He sits up on the table, still confused. In response to your many questions the man simply states that he can't remember and it seems that he is suffering from amnesia.

examine staircase
down
south
put statue down
put paper down
put all down
put statue on desk
put statue on table
put statue on bookshelves
put statue on ink
put statue on dust
put paper on desk
put paper on table
put paper on bookshelves
put paper on ink
put paper on dust
put all on desk
put all on table
put all on bookshelves
put all on ink
put all on dust
up

You browse through the library but can't find any books written in a language you can read, so you leave them alone.

The man gets up from the table and looks around, perplexed. 'I think I've been here before', he mutters.

The dust is everywhere.

The man asks who you are. You tell him about your dream, and how you ended up here.

The desk is well used and the surface has many scratches and stains of ink.

The man falls silent for a while, and then he says: 'Some parts of my memory have come back now. I remember that my name is Charles Bristow and I studied archeology and history in New England. Something terrible happened but of that I can recall only small fragments.' He looks around the chamber and says with despair in his voice, 'My God, where am I? Will my nightmares never end?'

Hall
This damp hall occupies the whole ground level of the tower. A staircase provides access to the higher levels, while a massive oak door, set in the southern wall, leads out.

Charles comes walking behind you.

take into bristow
up
put paper down
put statue down
put all down

The door is big and made of crude oak logs, which have darkened to almost black with time and wear. The lock and the iron handle look handcrafted and antique.

Charles tries to open the door and says 'It's locked. Do you know where the key is?'

The winding staircase leads to a spacious chamber inside the tower.

Study

Charles comes with you.

Storage
This is a minor storage chamber, connected to the study through a doorway in the northern wall. There are some shelves, mostly vacant, here.

On one of the shelves are four small vials, each neatly labelled and containing some green powder.

Charles follows you.

take vial
put paper down
put statue down
put all down
take all off shelves
put paper on shelves
put statue on shelves
put all on shelves
north

Randomly you pick one of the vials from the shelf.

Charles picks up a vial. 'I saw this before in a dream', he says and puts it back.

take vial
put vial down
put paper down
put statue down
put all down
take all off shelves
put paper on shelves
put statue on shelves
put vial on shelves
put all on shelves
north

mysterious vial
yellow paper
hideous statue

Randomly you pick one of the vials from the shelf.

take vial
put paper down
put statue down
put all down
put paper on shelves
put statue on shelves
put vial on shelves
put all on shelves
north

mysterious vial
mysterious vial
yellow paper
hideous statue

Randomly you pick one of the vials from the shelf.

Charles is lost in thoughts.

take vial
put vial down
put paper down
put statue down
put all down
put paper on shelves
put statue on shelves
put vial on shelves
put all on shelves
north

mysterious vial
mysterious vial
mysterious vial
yellow paper
hideous statue

Study

Charles comes walking behind you.

down
south
put statue down
put vial down
put paper down
put all down
put statue on desk
put statue on table
put statue on bookshelves
put statue on ink
put statue on dust
put vial on desk
put vial on table
put vial on bookshelves
put vial on ink
put vial on dust
put paper on desk
put paper on table
put paper on bookshelves
put paper on ink
put paper on dust
put all on desk
put all on table
put all on bookshelves
put all on ink
put all on dust
up

Just as you descend the last steps of the staircase you notice that something is wedged between the door and the door frame!

Hall

Charles comes with you.

take into bristow
up
put vial down
put paper down
put statue down
put all down

You explain your idea for Charles and he lifts you up. After a few moments of nervous search your fingers touch cold metal. You jerk it out and Charles puts you down again. The fruit of your effort is an iron key.

[Your score has just gone up by three points.]

up
put key down
put vial down
put paper down
put statue down
put all down
open door with key

wrought iron key
mysterious vial
mysterious vial
mysterious vial
yellow paper
hideous statue

up
put key down
put vial down
put paper down
put statue down
put all down
open door
lock door with key

south
up
close door
put key down
put vial down
put paper down
put statue down
put all down

Before A Dark Tower
This area in front of an old tower offers a nightmarish view over a monstrous tangle of dark stone buildings. Most buildings are elliptical, built of irregular-sized basalt blocks of irregular size. None of them seem to have any doors or windows. There is a square further down to the southwest. The sole passage to the tower is through the door to the north.

Charles comes walking behind you.

close door
north
take into southwest
put statue down
put key down
put vial down
put paper down
put all down

Judging from the masonry the tower must be centuries old. It towers high above the nightmarish city below.

Charles looks nervously around.

Public Square
There is a large public square here, surrounded by the same strange elliptical buildings on all sides except to the east, where a high wall built of massive sandstone blocks stands. There is a road to the west leading deeper into the city. Against the sky you see a high tower to the northeast. The only trace of life comes from the south where a road leads to what appears to be a temple.

Charles comes with you.

west
south
take into northeast
put statue down
put key down
put vial down
put paper down
put all down

The wall is running in north-south direction. It is constructed of huge sandstone blocks and must be more than twelve feet high.

The temple is an impressive and forbidding structure, adorned by mysterious mural paintings. Many people have gathered inside, and muffled sounds of praying can be heard even from the outside.

Charles is lost in thoughts.

'Look at the carvings, and the strange shape of that building! I know well what that temple is housing. It is a house of worship of the evil Gods. Don't go there if you value your life.'

Road
Wandering through the deserted city you stumble upon something unexpected. A large crack yawns darkly into the side of one of the ponderous elliptical buildings to the north. You wonder what monumental forces could have effected this rupture. The road extends to the east and west.

Charles comes walking behind you.

west
east
north
put key down
put vial down
put paper down
put statue down
put all down

The crack is just wide enough to squeeze through.

Charles sighs deeply and says  'Will I ever see Miriam again?' to himself.

Squeezing through the crack, you manage to enter the building.

A Dark Hallway
The building is of great size and decorated with extreme elaborateness, giving you a glimpse the nameless past. The walls are covered with mural carvings, whose interpretation escapes you. The smoothness of the sheer stone walls is interrupted by a crack that gapes into the southern wall. A doorway to the north leads deeper inside the building.

Charles comes walking behind you.

south
north
put statue down
put key down
put vial down
put paper down
put all down

The carvings shows picturesque patterns and figures, but you have a feeling that they are not meant for decoration. Instead, they make you think of illustrations in works of physics and mathematics.

Charles studies the wall and says 'Nice carvings, but I don't understand what they mean.'

Library
This is an enormous vaulted chamber whose lofty stone groining rise indefinitely into the murky shadows overhead. The exposed stonework features mural carvings in curvilinear designs. Vast shelves of dark wood line the walls, but they are all empty. Although deserted, the place has the air and the feel of a big library. The main exit is to the south.

Charles comes with you.

A shout of surprise stops you in your tracks. Charles is standing in a remote corner, looking down at something. You move closer, and find a skeleton lying partly hidden in a niche.

take note
take book
south
put statue down
put paper down
put key down
put vial down
put all down
take note off skeleton
give charles note

The yellowed remains lie face down on the floor, still covered by torn clothing. Its bony hand is clutching a note.

Charles points at the skeleton and says 'Poor fellow, I hope we don't end up like him'

take book
south
put statue down
put paper down
put key down
put vial down
put note down
put all down
give bristow note

note
wrought iron key
mysterious vial
mysterious vial
mysterious vial
yellow paper
hideous statue

A message is written in spidery script on the note:

I must be brief, because there is not much time left. The fever is burning in my body and I think I won't survive the night.

The Caelestae Horriblis has answered many of my questions. I know of the evil Gods of the past. I now understand that the barbaric rites in the temple have raised them from their eternal sleep and that it is only a question of time before they reconquer Earth. When this happens, we are all doomed. Our only hope is to reimpose the ban once set upon the evil Gods by the Eternal Ones. A sacrifice, on which a mystic symbol is written with holy powder, is necessary to summon them . Hidden in the cryptic language of the Caelestae Horriblis were the ingredients for this powder, and I gathered them in my hideout. I have searched for the exact shape of the mystic symbol, but this knowledge has been denied me. My time is running out, but I know that people from Earth are sometimes thrown into this dimension, and my last wish is that someone can continue where I failed and prepare the sacrifice.

Charles looks at the note and suddenly grows pale. 'Mother of God...', he whispers and drops the note on the floor, 'it is my handwriting.'

take note
take book
south
put statue down
put paper down
put key down
put vial down
put all down

The yellowed remains lie face down on the floor, still covered by torn clothing.

Charles is lost in thoughts.

The skeleton is dressed in the torn remains of a tweed jacket and cotton trousers.

take note
south
put statue down
put paper down
put key down
put book down
put vial down
put all down

Caelestae Horriblis
wrought iron key
mysterious vial
mysterious vial
mysterious vial
yellow paper
hideous statue

A forbidden book of ancient lore, unfortunately written in Latin, which you can't read. One thing of interest is that the title, Caelestae Horriblis, and the author's name, Abtin Mukhtar, have been written both in Arabic and Latin letters.

When you compare the writing on the label with the name written in the Caelestae Horriblis, you discover a vial labelled Mukhtar!

[Your score has just gone up by two points.]

take note
south
put key down
put mysterious vial down
put paper down
put statue down
put mukhtar down
put horriblis down
put all down

vial labelled Mukhtar
Caelestae Horriblis
wrought iron key
mysterious vial
mysterious vial
yellow paper
hideous statue

Apart from it being labelled Mukhtar, it looks identical to the other vials and contains some green power.

Charles is lost in thoughts.

A Dark Hallway

Charles comes walking behind you.

south
north
put statue down
put key down
put mysterious vial down
put mukhtar down
put horriblis down
put paper down
put all down

west
east
north
put key down
put mysterious vial down
put horriblis down
put paper down
put statue down
put mukhtar down
put all down

Crossroads
The road to the public square, way back east, forks into a north-south road here. To the west looms yet another of the stone buildings.

Charles comes walking behind you.

east
south
north
put key down
put mysterious vial down
put horriblis down
put paper down
put statue down
put mukhtar down
put all down

Road
The ceaseless blandness of the surrounding architecture has a dimly sinister suggestiveness and you can't but help but wonder who the primal entities which rear, or reared, here are. The road leads north, deeper into the city.

Charles comes with you.

put key down
put mysterious vial down
put horriblis down
put paper down
put statue down
put mukhtar down
put all down
south

Dead End
This part of the town is radically different from the parts closer to the tower. The roads are narrower and the paving is irregular, sometimes stone slabs and sometimes cobblestones. The buildings are tall but less well kept than before. There are still no windows or doors, but there are a few overhead bridges from house to house. The road ends here and the only way out is to the north.

A cat is sitting on one of the overhead bridges.

Charles comes walking behind you.

examine bristow
look in slab
north
put key down
put mysterious vial down
put paper down
put statue down
put mukhtar down
put horriblis down
put all down
ask cat for bristow
drop key against cat
drop mysterious vial against cat
drop statue against cat
drop mukhtar against cat

The cat is almost completely white. Only a spot on its tail is black. It is sitting on an overhead bridge and looks frightened.

Charles says 'Oh God, I'm so tired of this. I only want to return home.'

The cat says 'Meow.'

The paving consists of stone slabs and cobblestones. It is in bad repair.

'I used to have a cat, you know' Charles remarks.

The cat says 'Meow.'

One of the stone slabs seems out of place. Kicking it emits a hollow sound, much like there was some cavity below it.

The cat looks down at you.

examine bristow
take slab
north
put key down
put mysterious vial down
put paper down
put statue down
put mukhtar down
put horriblis down
put all down
ask cat for bristow
drop key against cat
drop mysterious vial against cat
drop statue against cat
drop mukhtar against cat

You push the stone slab aside, revealing a entrance to a staircase, leading down into darkness.

The cat looks scared.

examine bristow
take into entrance
north
put key down
put mysterious vial down
put paper down
put statue down
put mukhtar down
put horriblis down
put all down
ask cat for bristow
drop key against cat
drop mysterious vial against cat
drop statue against cat
drop mukhtar against cat

Stairs
You are the top of an staircase, leading down into darkness. A few steps above is the opening, through which you can return to the city.

Charles arrives, and looks around with a puzzled expression. He seems to hesitate briefly, and then says 'Look, I know that this must sound insane, but ever since I came here I keep getting the feeling that I have seen this place before, like in a dream or in a distant past that I have almost forgotten.'

take into entrance
put key down
put mysterious vial down
put horriblis down
put paper down
put statue down
put mukhtar down
put all down
down

Charles looks down the stairs and says gravely 'Don't ask me how, but I just know that if I go down there I won't return alive. Go ahead if you have to, but I will stay here and wait for you.'

In the almost complete darkness, the stairs seem endless but you finally arrive to a corridor far below the city.

Corridor
The staircase to the south opens into a wide corridor, reaching further north. One both side massive walls rise, culminating in massive vaults, on which carvings are just visible. The floor is strewn with fallen blocks, sand, and detritus of every kind.

Behind and above, a faint luminous blur tells of the distant world outside.

The stone is badly fragmented and the carvings almost gone.

They are just shapeless fragments of stone.

Corridor
This is a Cyclopean north-south corridor ten feet wide, paved with octagonal and square blocks, and solidly vaulted overhead. A side passage once led west, but it has collapsed.

south
north
put key down
put mysterious vial down
put horriblis down
put paper down
put statue down
put mukhtar down
put all down

Chamber
You are in a round vaulted chamber, about fifty feet across. The black masonry suggests that this might be a room under one of the mysterious buildings in the city. The chamber is bare and undecorated. Two corridors lead from this room, one to the south and one to the east. Looking up also reveals a square opening in the ceiling.

In the floor just below the opening in the ceiling is a trapdoor. It is closed and carefully sealed down with metal bands.

Seeing the trapdoor suddenly gives you an unexpected feeling of fear, and suggestions of some special peril.

south
east
put statue down
put key down
put mysterious vial down
put mukhtar down
put horriblis down
put paper down
put all down

The trapdoor is carefully sealed with metal bands, which look strong. Its size corresponds to the opening in the ceiling above, and it is possible that it might lead to similar chamber below.

Corridor
This is a badly heaped east-west corridor. It is almost completely dark, but you can make out a chamber further east. In the north wall is the entrance to a caved-in corridor.

west
east
put key down
put mysterious vial down
put horriblis down
put paper down
put statue down
put mukhtar down
put all down

You struggle through the debris.

Rock Chamber
This is a black chamber, directly cut in the rock. Crystals embedded in the walls reflect and magnify the available  light. There is an antique gas stove mounted in one of the walls, and a rack just above it. The sole exit leads west into a dark corridor.

The chamber seems ancient, but the furniture feels more recent. Someone must have been using this chamber not so long ago.

You can also see a chair and a wooden chest (which is closed) here.

take bottle
take chair
take kettle
take yellow
take red powder
turn stove on
take into chair
put statue down
put key down
put mysterious vial down
put mukhtar down
put horriblis down
put yellow down
put all down
open bottle
light stove with bottle
light stove with chair
light stove with kettle
light stove with yellow powder
light stove with red powder
take all off rack
put statue on rack
put statue on chair
put key on rack
put key on chair
put mysterious vial on rack
put mysterious vial on chair
put mukhtar on rack
put mukhtar on chair
put horriblis on rack
put horriblis on chair
put yellow on rack
put yellow on chair
put all on rack
put all on chair
west

It is an old gas stove, which can be turned on by turning a switch. On the stove is a kettle.

The gas stove is currently switched off.

The rack is mounted on the wall above the stove. On the rack are some red powder, some yellow powder and a glass bottle, inside which is a clear liquid.

It is a big and heavy wooden chest. You can't see inside, since it is closed.

You struggle through the debris.

Chamber

In the floor just below the opening in the ceiling is a trapdoor. It is closed and carefully sealed down with metal bands.

Corridor

Behind and above, a faint luminous blur tells of the distant world outside.

Stairs

You can also see Charles Bristow here.

'I just have this brief memory of seeing a crowbar in an underground chamber somewhere.'

Dead End

A stone slab has been moved, revealing a dark entrance leading down.

A cat is sitting on one of the overhead bridges.

Charles comes walking behind you.

Public Square

Charles comes walking behind you.

west
south
take into northeast
put key down
put mysterious vial down
put paper down
put statue down
put mukhtar down
put horriblis down
put all down

Road
An endless array of indistinguishably drab stone buildings lies at either side of the road. Though humbled by the sheer magnitude of the other buildings, a distinctive temple-like structure catches your eye at the south end of the road. Flickering light emanates from its high and narrow windows, casting uncertain shadows on the murals that adorn its wide doorway.

Charles follows you.

south
put key down
put mysterious vial down
put paper down
put statue down
put mukhtar down
put horriblis down
put all down
north

The murals decorating the main entrance to the temple are hard to interpret. Some humans are engaged in what appears to be a ritual. One is bringing a tray with something on it to a table and the others are standing a few paces behind, holding long knifes.

Charles looks at the temple and says 'I think that the tower and the temple are more recent than the city itself. The style is quite different, don't you think?'

From inside the temple sounds of chants and prayers are heard, but the are too muffled to make out clearly.

Temple
The temple is an immense building, whose vaulted ceiling towers high above. It is scantily lit, but a stage is set in its southern part. On the stage there is a huge statue, whose appearance is frightening even from this distance. In front of the statue is a roughly cube-shaped black stone table. There are lots of people in front of the stage, and the air is filled with sounds of chants and prayer. The main exit is to the north.

Charles follows you.

There is some commotion as a man is led up to the stage by a few persons, who force him onto the stone table and ties him down.

north
put key down
put mysterious vial down
put horriblis down
put paper down
put hideous statue down
put mukhtar down
put all down

The huge statue on the stage is indeed grotesque and frightening. It is vaguely human-shaped, but the arms are too long, the skin is covered by scales, and the fangs are definitely out of place.

A hooded, priestly figure carrying a dagger approaches the victim on the table. Without further ceremony he stabs the man in the chest. People around you start chanting terrible hymns in a foreign language.

You notice suspicious glances from people close to you. Charles whispers that it is better to leave before the crowd get too suspicious, and leaves the temple.

You manage to slip out unnoticed.

Road

You can see Charles Bristow here.

south
put statue down
put key down
put mysterious vial down
put other down
put horriblis down
put paper down
put all down
north

Before A Dark Tower

Charles comes walking behind you.

close door
north
take into southwest
put key down
put mysterious vial down
put paper down
put statue down
put mukhtar down
put horriblis down
put all down

south
up
close door
put key down
put mysterious vial down
put horriblis down
put paper down
put statue down
put mukhtar down
put all down

The winding staircase leads to a spacious chamber inside the tower.

Study

Charles comes walking behind you.

down
south
put key down
put mysterious vial down
put paper down
put statue down
put mukhtar down
put horriblis down
put all down
put key on ink
put key on desk
put key on dust
put key on table
put key on bookshelves
put mysterious vial on ink
put mysterious vial on desk
put mysterious vial on dust
put mysterious vial on table
put mysterious vial on bookshelves
put paper on ink
put paper on desk
put paper on dust
put paper on table
put paper on bookshelves
put statue on ink
put statue on desk
put statue on dust
put statue on table
put statue on bookshelves
put mukhtar on ink
put mukhtar on desk
put mukhtar on dust
put mukhtar on table
put mukhtar on bookshelves
put horriblis on ink
put horriblis on desk
put horriblis on dust
put horriblis on table
put horriblis on bookshelves
put all on ink
put all on desk
put all on dust
put all on table
put all on bookshelves
up

You put the vial labelled Mukhtar on the black stone table.

take vial
examine writing
down
south
put key down
put mysterious vial down
put paper down
put statue down
put horriblis down
put all down
put key on ink
put key on desk
put key on dust
put key on table
put key on bookshelves
put mysterious vial on ink
put mysterious vial on desk
put mysterious vial on dust
put mysterious vial on table
put mysterious vial on bookshelves
put paper on ink
put paper on desk
put paper on dust
put paper on table
put paper on bookshelves
put statue on ink
put statue on desk
put statue on dust
put statue on table
put statue on bookshelves
put horriblis on ink
put horriblis on desk
put horriblis on dust
put horriblis on table
put horriblis on bookshelves
put all on ink
put all on desk
put all on dust
put all on table
put all on bookshelves
up

Caelestae Horriblis
wrought iron key
mysterious vial
mysterious vial
yellow paper
hideous statue

Once again you read the syllables of the chant aloud... Y'ai'ng'ngah h'ee-l'geb f'ai throdog.

The green sand emits a faint glow which quickly assumes an unbearable brightness. When the light finally dissipates, the vial is gone. Nothing seems to have changed, yet you detect something alien in your mode of thinking.

The sight of the writing evokes strangely uncommon thoughts.

A stream of incomprehensible thoughts floods your brain, as if an alien presence was occupying your mind.  You are unsure whether to attribute it to fatigue or to insanity.

[Your score has just gone up by five points.]

down
south
put key down
put vial down
put paper down
put statue down
put horriblis down
put all down
examine paper
put key on ink
put key on desk
put key on dust
put key on table
put key on bookshelves
put vial on ink
put vial on desk
put vial on dust
put vial on table
put vial on bookshelves
put paper on ink
put paper on desk
put paper on dust
put paper on table
put paper on bookshelves
put statue on ink
put statue on desk
put statue on dust
put statue on table
put statue on bookshelves
put horriblis on ink
put horriblis on desk
put horriblis on dust
put horriblis on table
put horriblis on bookshelves
put all on ink
put all on desk
put all on dust
put all on table
put all on bookshelves
up

A deep feeling of frustration in projected into your brain. This soon gives away to a concentrated study of the papers. One sentence is revealed, then another. Before long, Mukhtar has decoded the message, and you are swept away in a powerful vision.

Dark Chamber
This is a small chamber with rough walls, cut directly from rock. There is a fireplace set in the wall, and a doorway leading west.

You can see an old man here.

The man seems to be at work. He puts a handful of yellow powder in a bowl.

[Your score has just gone up by five points.]

x me
x shadow
x shape
pull railing
x statue
d
x paper
take paper
x table
x writing
x man
touch man
x books
x dust
x desk
d
x door
u
s
take vial
take vial
take vial
n
d
stand on charles
unlock door with key
open door
s
x tower
sw
x sandstone
x temple
ask charles about temple
w
x crack
n
x carvings
n
x carvings
x skeleton
take note
x note
show note to charles
x skeleton
x torn clothes
take book
x book
x vial
x mukhtar
s
s
w
n
s
s
x cat
x slabs
search slabs
move slab
d
d
x carvings
x blocks
n
n
x trapdoor
e
e
x stove
x kettle
x rack
x chest
w
w
s
s
s
ask charles about chest
u
n
e
e
s
x mural
listen
s
x huge statue
n
n
ne
n
u
put mukhtar on table
read writing
x paper
QUIT