I am not sure if or how much we are allowed to assist here, but firstly I would question which ‘parser’ you are using? I know @SomeOne2 tends to use the original or ‘new’ Infocom parser - but if you are compiling using the zillib (zilf) parser there are some differences. For one, there is no ACTORBIT as it is called PERSONBIT (unless you specify a synonym to add ACTORBIT to mean PERSONBIT). Also INVISIBLE BIT is not a zilf bit flag either, I think Infocom used this. For a person holding an object I would use :-
<OBJECT JOHNNY
(IN STARTROOM)
(DESC "little Johnny")
(SYNONYM JOHN JOHNNY BOY)
(ADJECTIVE LITTLE SMALL)
(FLAGS NARTICLEBIT PERSONBIT CONTBIT SURFACEBIT TRANSBIT)>
<OBJECT BALL
(IN JOHNNY)
(DESC "red ball")
(SYNONYM BALL)
(ADJECTIVE RED)
(FLAGS TAKEBIT TRYTAKEBIT)>
You don’t need the SURFACEBIT, but I like to see “On Johnny is a red ball” for the default examine rather than “In Johnny is a red ball” - Although neither sound correct and I would probably override it in the persons action routine.- keep it up - I am enjoying the ‘challenge’ and how it all is panning out - Coming into this with little knowlege of ZIL is a big step 