Applying either/or properties once a condition is met.

If I want a box to be openable only once a certain scene has begun, what should I do?

I think this should do it:

[code]The Living Room is a room.

The box is a container. It is in the living room. It is closed and not openable.

Gift-giving is a scene. Gift-giving begins when the player is in the living room for the third turn.
When gift-giving begins: now the box is openable.[/code]

On reflection, it might be more elegant to create a new phrase.

[code]The Living Room is a room. The funny box is a container. It is in the living room. It is closed and not openable.
To pop the funny box: now the box is openable.

Gift-giving is a scene. Gift-giving begins when the player is in the living room for the third turn.
When gift-giving begins: pop the funny box.[/code]

Or:

Check opening the box when scene foo has not begun:
Instead say “Nope.”

Thanks for your help, guys. Sorry to ask about such basic stuff, but I’ve never done anything like this before.

That’s normal, and I for one don’t mind. In fact, I’ve found that it pays off to refresh my basics every once in a while.