Aha, that did the trick (changing it to “dancing with” in the original rule). Thanks again.
Now there’s one final problem. I already–
Scratch that, I figured out the solution right before I clicked post. “can be worn” is not the same as “is wearable.” Easy fix.
Your explanation for visible came at just the right time. In order to get calling them to the Ballroom to work, I had to specify visible. Although technically they wouldn’t be visible… but I don’t have to tell Inform that.
Thanks a ton. I think with this, I can move on to the actual game/IF that I was hoping to make.
Here’s the end result of the demo:
[code]“Dancing Demo” by Will414
Instead of examining player:
say “You have worn your favorite tuxedo, a slightly older but still refined suit. You have made sure the edges of the suit are crisp and neat. Your face is clean-shaven and your straight black hair is slicked back casually. With ice-blue eyes, you look around, hoping to find a beautiful young woman to dance with.”
A person can be confident or not confident.
Persuasion rule for asking a person to try doing something:
persuasion succeeds.
Red Dress is a thing. Red Dress is wearable. Blue Dress is a thing. Blue Dress is wearable.
The Ballroom is a room. “This is the ballroom. There is a wide dance floor surrounded by tables draped with white cloth. Candlelight fills the dimly lit room.”
Calling is an action applying to one visible thing. Understand “call [any thing]” as calling.
Instead of calling Alice: say “Alice enters the ballroom with a demure smile on her face, looking incredibly alluring in her red dress and the soft candlelight.”;
now Alice is wearing Red Dress;
move Alice to Ballroom
Instead of calling Mary when Mary is not confident:
say “There is a gasp from behind the door and a decisive, ‘No! I can’t!’ Your pleading falls on deaf ears.”
Instead of calling Mary when Mary is confident:
say “Still shy, Mary’s cheeks flush a rosy color as she steps out onto the ballroom floor. Still, she smiles as she walks up to you wearing her blue dress and gratefully takes your offered hand.”;
now Mary is wearing Blue Dress;
move Mary to Ballroom
The Lounge is west of the Ballroom. “This is the lounge. There is a bar at one side and a number of small booths. One area of the floor is open and spacious, inviting some private dancing.”
A woman called Alice is here. Alice is confident. Alice is carrying a Red Dress. “[if Alice is wearing Red Dress]Alice has an exotic beauty about her as she looks your way. Her red dress hugs her hips and curves. Every movement of her lithe body is distractingly apparent.[end if][if Alice is not wearing Red Dress]A dark-haired beauty stands here, giving you a special smile when you look her way. She has on a miniskirt and a low-cut blouse, exposing the cleft of her perky cleavage. You remember her name is Alice.[end if]”
The description of Alice is “[if Alice is wearing Red Dress]With an eager smile, the dark-haired beauty twirls, lifting the hem of her short, adventurous carmine dress. The sleeveless affair hugs her body, accentuating her slim curves.[end if] Winking your direction, Alice beckons you over to the dance floor, hoping to have some more fun before the night is through.”
The Private Room is east of the Ballroom. “This spacious room has a large bed, fancy antique furniture, and a broad open living area. The glass-topped table has been slid to one side, making for even more open floor space.”
A woman called Mary is here. Mary is not confident. Mary is carrying a Blue Dress. “[if Mary is wearing the Blue Dress]Wearing her long blue dress, the innocent blonde smiles shyly, hands clasped in front of herself. Mary’s green eyes sparkle as her curly blonde hair cascades down her back.[end if][if Mary is not wearing the Blue Dress]Smiling nervously from where she stands in the middle of the room, your friend Mary waves when you look her way. Her curly blond hair cascades down her shoulders and her green eyes sparkle like emeralds. She has on a pair of white slacks and a blue turtleneck sweater.[end if]”
The description of Mary is “[if Mary is wearing Blue Dress]The radiant young woman before you seems the picture of beauty in her elegant, royal blue dress. The hem of the dress reaches nearly to the floor, modestly covering her ample bosom.[end if] Smiling at you shyly, she holds out her hand, hoping for another chance to dance with you.”
Dancing with is an action applying to one thing. Understand “dance [something]” or “tango [something]” or “dance with [something]” or “dancing with [something]” or “waltz [something]” or “waltz with [something]” or “tango with [something]” as dancing with.
Check dancing with:
if the noun is not a person, say “The girls might get jealous if you would rather dance with a [noun].” instead.
Instead of dancing with Mary when Mary is in the Ballroom:
say “There is soft applause as the music begins, gently dying away as the dance begins. From the surrounding tables, people watch with smiles on their faces, making Mary blush even more. You can’t help but admire her innocent beauty as Mary moves with you, her blue dress almost sparkling in the candlelight. The onlookers, too, seem rapt with her beauty. Holding Mary’s hands tightly, you lead the way through each beat, your movements becoming more natural as you move through the candlelight, each of you smiling at each other as the music starts. Moving lightly and elegantly, the two of you stay in perfect rhythm, the soft beat of the music the only guidance you both need. As the music comes to a finish, you are both smiling warmly at each other. Applause rises up again, louder than before. [paragraph break]Mary laughs and breaks away, quickly returning to her room.”;
move Mary to the Private Room
Instead of dancing with Mary when Mary is confident: say “[if Mary wears the Blue Dress]You can’t help but admire her innocent beauty as Mary walks up to you in that blue dress.[end if] Taking Mary’s hands, you lead her out onto the floor, each of you smiling at each other as the music starts. Moving lightly and elegantly, the two of you stay in perfect rhythm, the soft beat of the music the only guidance you both need.”
Instead of dancing with Mary when Mary is not confident:
say “[if Mary wears the Blue Dress]You can’t help but admire her innocent beauty as Mary walks up to you in that blue dress.[end if] Taking Mary’s hand, you gently lead her out onto the floor, trying to calm her nerves as the slow beat of the music begins. It takes some time, but eventually, Mary’s smile becomes more natural and she begins to feel the rhythm of the music. The two of you press closer as her smile grows wider.”;
now Mary is confident.
Instead of dancing with Alice when Alice is in the Ballroom:
say “The crowd begins murmuring approval as the two of you move out onto the dance floor. Once the music kicks off, there is an awed silence. You and Alice dance magnificently, your spicy hot tango catching the eyes of everyone around. The hem of her red dress flies up, catching the candlelight, constantly teasing without ever revealing. Her grin becomes more predatory as the dance moves on and your breathing gets heavier. As the song grinds to a halt, you are both left panting, staring into each other’s eyes. The onlookers clap loudly, cheering on your performance.[paragraph break]Alice slips away, sauntering back toward the lounge, beckoning you with a look over her shoulder.”;
move Alice to the Lounge
Instead of dancing with Alice: say “The two of you fall into a[if Alice wears the red dress] steaming hot[end if] tango.[run paragraph on][if Mary wears the red dress] Her skirt flares; the candlelight shimmer in her eyes.[end if] As the music picks up, you match each other stride for stride, both beginning to breathe heavily but grinning even more at each other. By the end of the fast-paced dance, you are both panting and flushed, staring into each others’ eyes.[paragraph break]”
[/code]