Start of a transcript of Brave Bear by John Evans, JohnEvansCS@gmail.com, http://chaoseed.com, September 2021 Type HELP for help, or ABOUT for story information. Release 2 / Serial number 210928 / Inform v6.31 Library 6/11 Standard interpreter 1.1 (1C) / Library serial number 040227 >about Brave Bear by John Evans, JohnEvansCS@gmail.com, http://chaoseed.com, September 2021 Type HELP for help, or ABOUT for story information. Release 2 / Serial number 210928 / Inform v6.31 Library 6/11 This game was inspired by the stuffed animals I've owned during my life...imagining what they could do, and how they could help. It was also inspired by anxiety, loss, hope, all the standard things people write about. Dedicated to my mother. The house is based on that of a childhood friend, though with the attic from my own childhood home. Brave Bear should be fairly easy; there is no way to lose, nor is there any way to get the game into an unwinnable state--barring programmer errors (which, y'know, are a thing). This is Release 2, the "slightly more polished" release. Created with Inform 6--thanks go to Graham Nelson. Thanks also to the organizers of the Interactive Fiction Competition. >about Brave Bear by John Evans, JohnEvansCS@gmail.com, http://chaoseed.com, September 2021 Type HELP for help, or ABOUT for story information. Release 2 / Serial number 210928 / Inform v6.31 Library 6/11 This game was inspired by the stuffed animals I've owned during my life...imagining what they could do, and how they could help. It was also inspired by anxiety, loss, hope, all the standard things people write about. Dedicated to my mother. The house is based on that of a childhood friend, though with the attic from my own childhood home. Brave Bear should be fairly easy; there is no way to lose, nor is there any way to get the game into an unwinnable state--barring programmer errors (which, y'know, are a thing). This is Release 2, the "slightly more polished" release. Created with Inform 6--thanks go to Graham Nelson. Thanks also to the organizers of the Interactive Fiction Competition. >hep That's not a verb I recognize. >help Explore. Examine. Think. There should be no way to "lose", or to make the game unwinnable. You may try to "talk to (friend)". Don't worry about specific topics of conversation; simply talk to them, and your friends will tell you anything useful they know. You may also give them orders, like this: "friend, do something". >l Bed Owner's bed. Many quilts and blankets cover it in soft, colorful layers. Dim light comes from somewhere outside. >x me Your body is small, and soft. But your heart is brave. You are a Brave Bear. >i You are carrying nothing. >x heart You can't see any such thing. >x body You can't see any such thing. >x bed You can't see any such thing. >x quilts You can't see any such thing. >x blankets Over time, many blankets have accumulated here. Some are brightly colored, some are dark, but all are soft. Owner enjoys being under them. >* hmm, some synonyms could be better [Comment recorded.] >x light You can't see any such thing. >out You crawl off the bed, and your soft body lands on the floor. Owner's Room Owner's room. Great, crisscrossing wooden shelves are filled with books. There is a great bed with many blankets. A device on the wall sheds dim light. North is a door to the hallway. The exit from this room is blocked by a dark phantom. >x shelves The shelves are pale wood, arranged in a crisscross pattern of squares. The shelves hold books, although many are empty; you recall seeing friends there, but many have been packed away. >x books The shelves are pale wood, arranged in a crisscross pattern of squares. The shelves hold books, although many are empty; you recall seeing friends there, but many have been packed away. >x device The Nightlight is here. Shaped vaguely like an elephant, it rests perennially in its wall socket. Day or night, it sheds a comforting light. Even one as brave as yourself feels uplifted in its presence of this friend. >x phantom It is a cloud, but also an image. It is darkness, and you cannot see through it. Yet there is something within...a door closes, the door to the Owner's room, closed by a woman. Then it is open again; then it is closed again. The same action repeated over and over. Each time the door is closed, you feel fear, and sadness. There is a sense of wrongness about the dark image. Your heart swells in readiness as you regard it. You feel you must deal with the image, somehow. >talk to phantom Your action does not affect the image. You continue to feel anxiety radiating from it...but you feel bravery swelling from your own heart in answer. You must deal with this thing. >open heart You can't see any such thing. >open door You can't see any such thing. >l Owner's Room Owner's room. Great, crisscrossing wooden shelves are filled with books. There is a great bed with many blankets. A device on the wall sheds dim light. North is a door to the hallway. The exit from this room is blocked by a dark phantom. >n The dark image blocks your way. Though it hardly seems material, the fear radiating from it has an almost physical force. You must answer it with your own bravery. >attack phantom You are not a cowering toy. You do not shrink from darkness. Your bravery comforts and inspires. You are a Brave Bear. You attack the phantom, not just with your soft arms, but with your bravery. It dissipates immediately. The fear and loneliness vanish. [Your score has just gone up by one point.] >score You have so far scored 1 out of a possible 7, in 13 turns. >l Owner's Room Owner's room. Great, crisscrossing wooden shelves are filled with books. There is a great bed with many blankets. A device on the wall sheds dim light. North is a door to the hallway. >n Hallway A hallway at the top of the stairs, running east-west. West is the mezzanine overlooking the lower floor. South is Owner's room. There is a door to the attic to the northwest, standing open. North is the bathroom door. Northeast and southeast are more doors. There is a light switch, and there is a light. The way west is blocked by another dark image. >* wow lots of doors [Comment recorded.] >x switch A black switch in a white frame. >x light A pane of glass set into the ceiling, with something behind it shedding light. >turn switch You are unable to. >* more feedback here would be helpful [Comment recorded.] >turn on switch You cannot reach the light switch. In any case, it seems a good idea to keep things well lit. >* i see [Comment recorded.] >i You are carrying nothing. >x image Another dark cloud blocks the way west. You can see flashing eyes, you can hear far-off shouting. Sadness, and fear--not vague anxiety, but sharper, more immediate. More wrongess, but stronger. Can you deal with it? You must...but you may need help. >se You press your soft arms against the door, but it doesn't yield. You're sure Owner and family are not in there, though, and you also suspect none of your friends are. >e The hallway ends just past those other doors. >ne You press your soft arms against the door, but it doesn't yield. You're sure Owner and family are not in there, though, and you also suspect none of your friends are. >n You press your soft arms against the door, but it doesn't yield. You're sure Owner and family are not in there, though, and you also suspect none of your friends are. >nw Attic The attic would feel spacious were it not for the stacks and piles of boxes. The ceiling and floor are unfinished wood. A light shines from the ceiling. Off to the west there are great open pits of gray material, something called 'insulation'. The exit is a set of rough wooden steps leading down, in the east wall. A long-armed Monkey is here. You see a Transforming Robot figure, off on the western side of the attic, past the insulation pits. They are gazing at you with trepidation. The Monkey raises themself from the floor, then gives a wave. "Hello!" the Monkey says. "Something is going on...maybe we should...stick together?" [Your score has just gone up by one point.] >x boxes The attic is filled with stacked boxes. They leave only a small path leading past the insulation pits to the western part of the room. >open boxes That's not something you can open. >x light The attic light is a small, modern gadget. It began to shine when you entered. >x monkey The Monkey is not stuffed; they are hollow, meant to have a hand inside. Their fur is soft. Their arms and legs are long, the ends sporting small pads that can stick one to another, forming a sound and comforting embrace. Noticing your scrutiny, the Monkey waves a long arm. >x robot You remember that someone was upset when Owner received the Transforming Robot as a gift. Something about gender; Owner and Owner's family weren't upset, though. While Owner has never been much for action or war play, the Robot became as loved as any friend. The Transforming Robot is smaller even than yourself, and they can quickly transform from a robot to a car that may be raced across the floor. >talk to monkey "I'll follow along with you," the Monkey says. "I don't know what I can do to help, but if you need something...just tell me to do it!" The Monkey waves their long arms. >talk to robot "Let's go!" the Transforming Robot proclaims. "Time's a wastin'!" >l Attic The attic would feel spacious were it not for the stacks and piles of boxes. The ceiling and floor are unfinished wood. A light shines from the ceiling. Off to the west there are great open pits of gray material, something called 'insulation'. The exit is a set of rough wooden steps leading down, in the east wall. A long-armed Monkey is here. You see a Transforming Robot figure, off on the western side of the attic, past the insulation pits. They are gazing at you with trepidation. >w You walk toward the other side of the attic, following the narrow path by the insulation pits. >l Attic The attic would feel spacious were it not for the stacks and piles of boxes. The ceiling and floor are unfinished wood. A light shines from the ceiling. Off to the west there are great open pits of gray material, something called 'insulation'. The exit is a set of rough wooden steps leading down, in the east wall. A long-armed Monkey is here. You see a Transforming Robot figure, off on the western side of the attic, past the insulation pits. They are gazing at you with trepidation. >w You walk toward the other side of the attic, finally making it to the western wall. The Transforming Robot looks more relaxed as you approach. However, they still look with trepidation at the insulation pits. >l Attic The attic would feel spacious were it not for the stacks and piles of boxes. The ceiling and floor are unfinished wood. A light shines from the ceiling. Off to the west there are great open pits of gray material, something called 'insulation'. The exit is a set of rough wooden steps leading down, in the east wall. A long-armed Monkey is here. You see a Transforming Robot figure, off on the western side of the attic, past the insulation pits. They are gazing at you with trepidation. >w You're already at the western wall. >d You can't get to the exit from this part of the attic, you have to travel east first. >e You walk across the attic, toward the exit, following the narrow path by the insulation pits. "Wait," the Transforming Robot says, weakly. It seems they are not going to simply follow you along the narrow path. >d You can't get to the exit from this part of the attic, you have to travel east first. >e You walk across the attic, leaving the insulation pits behind. >d Hallway A hallway at the top of the stairs, running east-west. West is the mezzanine overlooking the lower floor. South is Owner's room. There is a door to the attic to the northwest, standing open. North is the bathroom door. Northeast and southeast are more doors. There is a light switch, and there is a light. The way west is blocked by another dark image. The Monkey follows you. >u Attic The attic would feel spacious were it not for the stacks and piles of boxes. The ceiling and floor are unfinished wood. A light shines from the ceiling. Off to the west there are great open pits of gray material, something called 'insulation'. The exit is a set of rough wooden steps leading down, in the east wall. You see a Transforming Robot figure, off on the western side of the attic, past the insulation pits. They are gazing at you with trepidation. The Monkey follows you. >talk to robot "Let's go!" the Transforming Robot proclaims. "Time's a wastin'!" >z Time passes. >z Time passes. >e Hallway A hallway at the top of the stairs, running east-west. West is the mezzanine overlooking the lower floor. South is Owner's room. There is a door to the attic to the northwest, standing open. North is the bathroom door. Northeast and southeast are more doors. There is a light switch, and there is a light. The way west is blocked by another dark image. The Monkey follows you. >nw Attic The attic would feel spacious were it not for the stacks and piles of boxes. The ceiling and floor are unfinished wood. A light shines from the ceiling. Off to the west there are great open pits of gray material, something called 'insulation'. The exit is a set of rough wooden steps leading down, in the east wall. You see a Transforming Robot figure, off on the western side of the attic, past the insulation pits. They are gazing at you with trepidation. The Monkey follows you. >se You can't go that way. >sw You can't go that way. >d Hallway A hallway at the top of the stairs, running east-west. West is the mezzanine overlooking the lower floor. South is Owner's room. There is a door to the attic to the northwest, standing open. North is the bathroom door. Northeast and southeast are more doors. There is a light switch, and there is a light. The way west is blocked by another dark image. The Monkey follows you. >sw You can't go that way. >s Owner's Room Owner's room. Great, crisscrossing wooden shelves are filled with books. There is a great bed with many blankets. A device on the wall sheds dim light. North is a door to the hallway. The Monkey follows you. >n Hallway A hallway at the top of the stairs, running east-west. West is the mezzanine overlooking the lower floor. South is Owner's room. There is a door to the attic to the northwest, standing open. North is the bathroom door. Northeast and southeast are more doors. There is a light switch, and there is a light. The way west is blocked by another dark image. The Monkey follows you. >attack image You are not a cowering toy. You do not shrink from darkness. Your bravery comforts and inspires. You are a Brave Bear. You attack the phantom, not just with your soft arms, but with your bravery--and with the love and joy of your friends. The darkness vanishes, and with it the fear. [Your score has just gone up by one point.] >l Hallway A hallway at the top of the stairs, running east-west. West is the mezzanine overlooking the lower floor. South is Owner's room. There is a door to the attic to the northwest, standing open. North is the bathroom door. Northeast and southeast are more doors. There is a light switch, and there is a light. A long-armed Monkey is here. >w Mezzanine The mezzanine extends above the southern edge of the living room. On the east side is a stairway leading down, close to the entrance to the upper level hallway. Large windows in the south wall provide a view to the outside on both floors; at the moment it is dark, with occasional flashes of lightning, and rain spatters against the windows. The Monkey follows you. >x windows There are two rows of tall windows in the south wall of the house. Rain spatters against them, not hard, but constant. Darkness roils outside, so deep that you cannot see the trees at the edge of the yard; even the occasional flashes of lighting reveal nothing more. >i You are carrying nothing. >e Hallway A hallway at the top of the stairs, running east-west. West is the mezzanine overlooking the lower floor. South is Owner's room. There is a door to the attic to the northwest, standing open. North is the bathroom door. Northeast and southeast are more doors. There is a light switch, and there is a light. The Monkey follows you. >w Mezzanine The mezzanine extends above the southern edge of the living room. On the east side is a stairway leading down, close to the entrance to the upper level hallway. Large windows in the south wall provide a view to the outside on both floors; at the moment it is dark, with occasional flashes of lightning, and rain spatters against the windows. The Monkey follows you. >ne You can't go that way. >ne You can't go that way. >n You flop slowly down one carpeted step after another, until you reach the living room. Living Room The living room is a wide open space. To the east, a stairway goes up to the mezzanine and the rest of the upper floor. South is a great wall of windows. North, you step up to the tiled floor of the kitchen. West is a smaller door to the utility room, and ultimately outside. The hardwood floor of this room has often been used as Owner's playroom, though now everything is packed into boxes. Lights shine from above. A Music Maker rests on the floor here. The Monkey follows you. >s You can't go that way. >nw You can't go that way. >un That's not a verb I recognize. >u You pull yourself up the stairs, one at a time. Some of your friends can handle the stairs, but you doubt all of them can manage it. Mezzanine The mezzanine extends above the southern edge of the living room. On the east side is a stairway leading down, close to the entrance to the upper level hallway. Large windows in the south wall provide a view to the outside on both floors; at the moment it is dark, with occasional flashes of lightning, and rain spatters against the windows. The Monkey follows you. >nw You can't go that way. >w The mezzanine runs along the edge of the room, but ultimately it reaches a wall. >sw You can't go that way. >s Those windows have never been opened in your memory. >se You can't go that way. >d You flop slowly down one carpeted step after another, until you reach the living room. Living Room The living room is a wide open space. To the east, a stairway goes up to the mezzanine and the rest of the upper floor. South is a great wall of windows. North, you step up to the tiled floor of the kitchen. West is a smaller door to the utility room, and ultimately outside. The hardwood floor of this room has often been used as Owner's playroom, though now everything is packed into boxes. Lights shine from above. A Music Maker rests on the floor here. The Monkey follows you. >x windows There are two rows of tall windows in the south wall of the house. Rain spatters against them, not hard, but constant. Darkness roils outside, so deep that you cannot see the trees at the edge of the yard; even the occasional flashes of lighting reveal nothing more. >x kitchen You can't see any such thing. >open windows These windows have never been opened in your memory. >l Living Room The living room is a wide open space. To the east, a stairway goes up to the mezzanine and the rest of the upper floor. South is a great wall of windows. North, you step up to the tiled floor of the kitchen. West is a smaller door to the utility room, and ultimately outside. The hardwood floor of this room has often been used as Owner's playroom, though now everything is packed into boxes. Lights shine from above. A long-armed Monkey is here. A Music Maker rests on the floor here. >x boxes There may be more friends inside, but you are certain you cannot get them out. >x maker The Music Maker is here. They have a cheerful face and body, and they can roll slowly on four wheels. Their top is sensitive, and battery-operated; if the Music Maker is struck, they will play a happy tune and flash various colors. The Music Maker's joy is no less effective for being simple. >talk to maker "I'm happy to see you!" the Music Maker says, eyes spinning. "I'm here for you! Do you want some music and lights?" >yes That was a rhetorical question. >touch maker Keep your hands to yourself! >hit maker You have no reason to attack a friend of the Owner...unless you do! You bop the Music Maker upon the head, and their song begins to blare, while their lights flash garishly. The Music Maker's song continues to blare, and their lights flash relentlessly! >l Living Room The living room is a wide open space. To the east, a stairway goes up to the mezzanine and the rest of the upper floor. South is a great wall of windows. North, you step up to the tiled floor of the kitchen. West is a smaller door to the utility room, and ultimately outside. The hardwood floor of this room has often been used as Owner's playroom, though now everything is packed into boxes. Lights shine from above. A long-armed Monkey is here. A Music Maker rests on the floor here. The Music Maker's song continues to blare, and their lights flash relentlessly! >se You can't go that way. The Music Maker's song winds to a close, and their lights go dark. >e You can't go that way. The Music Maker's song winds to a close, and their lights go dark. >ne You can't go that way. The Music Maker's song winds to a close, and their lights go dark. >n Kitchen A black and white tiled floor is the most obvious feature of the kitchen. There is also a table with chairs, and there are several counters where Mother used to prepare food. The pots and pans aren't used so much any more. East is the den and front door. South is the living room, and you could go back up to the mezzanine from here. North is the back porch. Lights are on in this room, 24 hours a day. The Monkey follows you. The Music Maker follows you. >s Living Room The living room is a wide open space. To the east, a stairway goes up to the mezzanine and the rest of the upper floor. South is a great wall of windows. North, you step up to the tiled floor of the kitchen. West is a smaller door to the utility room, and ultimately outside. The hardwood floor of this room has often been used as Owner's playroom, though now everything is packed into boxes. Lights shine from above. The Monkey follows you. The Music Maker follows you. >nw You can't go that way. >w Utility Room A general purpose room. It holds many shelves, and it also contains the rumbling machines that clean clothing. East is the living room, and in the west wall is a door leading outside. That door draws your attention. From it you feel fear--a familiar fear. It is the dully twisting fear of your Owner. You must go there. The Monkey follows you. The Music Maker follows you. >e Living Room The living room is a wide open space. To the east, a stairway goes up to the mezzanine and the rest of the upper floor. South is a great wall of windows. North, you step up to the tiled floor of the kitchen. West is a smaller door to the utility room, and ultimately outside. The hardwood floor of this room has often been used as Owner's playroom, though now everything is packed into boxes. Lights shine from above. The Monkey follows you. The Music Maker follows you. >sw You can't go that way. >s You can't go that way. >se You can't go that way. >w Utility Room A general purpose room. It holds many shelves, and it also contains the rumbling machines that clean clothing. East is the living room, and in the west wall is a door leading outside. That door draws your attention. From it you feel fear--a familiar fear. It is the dully twisting fear of your Owner. You must go there. The Monkey follows you. The Music Maker follows you. >x machines You can't see any such thing. >x shelves You can't see any such thing. >w The door flies open, and beyond it stretches darkness. More than physical darkness, this is like gazing into all the fear a soul can muster. It is a whirling storm of loss, shame, sadness, despair, terror, pain... As brave as you are, you cannot stand up to this. You can feel your friends supporting you--the comforting Nightlight, the clownish Monkey...yet it is not enough. You cannot make it through. The door slams before you. >e Living Room The living room is a wide open space. To the east, a stairway goes up to the mezzanine and the rest of the upper floor. South is a great wall of windows. North, you step up to the tiled floor of the kitchen. West is a smaller door to the utility room, and ultimately outside. The hardwood floor of this room has often been used as Owner's playroom, though now everything is packed into boxes. Lights shine from above. The Monkey follows you. The Music Maker follows you. >n Kitchen A black and white tiled floor is the most obvious feature of the kitchen. There is also a table with chairs, and there are several counters where Mother used to prepare food. The pots and pans aren't used so much any more. East is the den and front door. South is the living room, and you could go back up to the mezzanine from here. North is the back porch. Lights are on in this room, 24 hours a day. The Monkey follows you. The Music Maker follows you. >x floor You see nothing unexpected in that direction. >x table The chairs are neatly pushed up to the table. The table has some placemats showing maps and quiz material, but it's otherwise empty. >x chairs The chairs are neatly pushed up to the table. The table has some placemats showing maps and quiz material, but it's otherwise empty. >x placemats You can't see any such thing. >x counters You don't really know what all these things are for, other than that they are involved in preparing food. >x pots You don't really know what all these things are for, other than that they are involved in preparing food. >l Kitchen A black and white tiled floor is the most obvious feature of the kitchen. There is also a table with chairs, and there are several counters where Mother used to prepare food. The pots and pans aren't used so much any more. East is the den and front door. South is the living room, and you could go back up to the mezzanine from here. North is the back porch. Lights are on in this room, 24 hours a day. A Music Maker rests on the floor here. A long-armed Monkey is here. >n Back Porch You stand outside the house, a canopy above shielding you from the rain and holding a wanly shining light. South is the door back to the kitchen; you stand on an expanse of painted wood, and around it...the Outside. Grass and gravel. Even without the storm and roiling darkness, you do not think you can venture any further. Friends have been Lost out there...You are an indoors bear. There's brave, and then there's foolish. A Plastic Car rests in the grass. At the edge of the roiling cloud, you spot a Plastic Doll laying in the grass. >s Kitchen A black and white tiled floor is the most obvious feature of the kitchen. There is also a table with chairs, and there are several counters where Mother used to prepare food. The pots and pans aren't used so much any more. East is the den and front door. South is the living room, and you could go back up to the mezzanine from here. North is the back porch. Lights are on in this room, 24 hours a day. A Music Maker rests on the floor here. A long-armed Monkey is here. >e Darkness It is pitch dark, and you can't see a thing. >w Kitchen A black and white tiled floor is the most obvious feature of the kitchen. There is also a table with chairs, and there are several counters where Mother used to prepare food. The pots and pans aren't used so much any more. East is the den and front door. South is the living room, and you could go back up to the mezzanine from here. North is the back porch. Lights are on in this room, 24 hours a day. A Music Maker rests on the floor here. A long-armed Monkey is here. >se You can't go that way. >ne You can't go that way. >w You can't go that way. >e Darkness It is pitch dark, and you can't see a thing. >hit maker You can't see any such thing. >w Kitchen A black and white tiled floor is the most obvious feature of the kitchen. There is also a table with chairs, and there are several counters where Mother used to prepare food. The pots and pans aren't used so much any more. East is the den and front door. South is the living room, and you could go back up to the mezzanine from here. North is the back porch. Lights are on in this room, 24 hours a day. A Music Maker rests on the floor here. A long-armed Monkey is here. >hit maker You have no reason to attack a friend of the Owner...unless you do! You bop the Music Maker upon the head, and their song begins to blare, while their lights flash garishly. The Music Maker's song continues to blare, and their lights flash relentlessly! >e Den The east wall has windows and the front door. There's an area where shoes are left and coats are hung, the floor smooth hardwood. Most of the rest of the room has a soft gray carpet, with several couches and a small table. The kitchen is to the west, with a wall extending most of the way between the rooms. A Music Maker rests on the floor here. A Frog Reporter is here. The Music Maker's song continues to blare, and their lights flash relentlessly! The Monkey follows you. The Frog Reporter was laying behind a chair. They stand and move over to you. "Hi ho!" the Frog Reporter says. "Are you trying to help out? Let's help together!" [Your score has just gone up by one point.] >talk to frog "Hi ho!" the Frog Reporter says. "I'm here to help, if you need me!" The Music Maker's song winds to a close, and their lights go dark. It is now pitch dark in here! >w Kitchen A black and white tiled floor is the most obvious feature of the kitchen. There is also a table with chairs, and there are several counters where Mother used to prepare food. The pots and pans aren't used so much any more. East is the den and front door. South is the living room, and you could go back up to the mezzanine from here. North is the back porch. Lights are on in this room, 24 hours a day. The Monkey follows you. The Frog Reporter follows you. The Music Maker follows you. >x frog The Frog Reporter is soft and green, with a coat that may be removed. You seem to recall a hat, but it was Lost long ago. The Frog Reporter is confident and curious. Their hands have pads that can stick together, much like the Monkey. >n Back Porch You stand outside the house, a canopy above shielding you from the rain and holding a wanly shining light. South is the door back to the kitchen; you stand on an expanse of painted wood, and around it...the Outside. Grass and gravel. Even without the storm and roiling darkness, you do not think you can venture any further. Friends have been Lost out there...You are an indoors bear. There's brave, and then there's foolish. A Plastic Car rests in the grass. At the edge of the roiling cloud, you spot a Plastic Doll laying in the grass. >x canopy You can't see any such thing. >x car A very simple, rounded version of a car, molded in bright plastic. There is a seat, but Owner is now too large to fit. The perennially cheerful face is speckled with black spots of mold. >talk to car The Plastic Car brightens. "I'm so glad to see you! Something is happening, isn't it? I can't go inside, but my joy will go with you!" You do indeed feel strengthened by the Plastic Car's spirit. "I know my joy will help you!" the Plastic Car says. "I...I can't come inside. I can go around out here, maybe..." [Your score has just gone up by one point.] >x doll The Plastic Doll is in the shape of a woman who may be dressed in many different outfits. Her current dress is wet and grass-stained. Her painted face is meant to project confidence, though there seems little of that to go around. >talk to doll The Plastic Doll makes a weak reply, but you cannot even understand what they say. >take doll You cannot reach the Plastic Doll, and they do not appear able to move from where they are. >car, get doll "Oh!" the Plastic Car says. "Oh, yes! I think I can do that!" The Car rolls over to the doll laying in the grass. Sheltered from the rain, the Doll appears to recover. Soon the Doll is able to hold onto the Car, and the vehicle slowly returns to the porch. Once in your presence, the Plastic Doll gives you a quick hug. "Thank you," they say. "I miss being inside..." The Doll hurries back through the door, leaving you alone with the beaming Car. [Your score has just gone up by one point.] >s Kitchen A black and white tiled floor is the most obvious feature of the kitchen. There is also a table with chairs, and there are several counters where Mother used to prepare food. The pots and pans aren't used so much any more. East is the den and front door. South is the living room, and you could go back up to the mezzanine from here. North is the back porch. Lights are on in this room, 24 hours a day. The Plastic Doll is standing here. A Music Maker rests on the floor here. A Frog Reporter is here. A long-armed Monkey is here. >x doll The Plastic Doll is in the shape of a woman who may be dressed in many different outfits. Her current dress is wet and grass-stained. Her painted face is meant to project confidence, though there seems little of that to go around. >talk to doll "It's okay to take pride in how you look!" the Plastic Doll says. "I...I don't know what else I can do." >s Living Room The living room is a wide open space. To the east, a stairway goes up to the mezzanine and the rest of the upper floor. South is a great wall of windows. North, you step up to the tiled floor of the kitchen. West is a smaller door to the utility room, and ultimately outside. The hardwood floor of this room has often been used as Owner's playroom, though now everything is packed into boxes. Lights shine from above. The Monkey follows you. The Frog Reporter follows you. The Plastic Doll follows you. The Music Maker follows you. >u You pull yourself up the stairs, one at a time. Some of your friends can handle the stairs, but you doubt all of them can manage it. Mezzanine The mezzanine extends above the southern edge of the living room. On the east side is a stairway leading down, close to the entrance to the upper level hallway. Large windows in the south wall provide a view to the outside on both floors; at the moment it is dark, with occasional flashes of lightning, and rain spatters against the windows. The Monkey follows you. The Frog Reporter follows you. >u You can't go that way. >e Hallway A hallway at the top of the stairs, running east-west. West is the mezzanine overlooking the lower floor. South is Owner's room. There is a door to the attic to the northwest, standing open. North is the bathroom door. Northeast and southeast are more doors. There is a light switch, and there is a light. The Monkey follows you. The Frog Reporter follows you. >u Attic The attic would feel spacious were it not for the stacks and piles of boxes. The ceiling and floor are unfinished wood. A light shines from the ceiling. Off to the west there are great open pits of gray material, something called 'insulation'. The exit is a set of rough wooden steps leading down, in the east wall. You see a Transforming Robot figure, off on the western side of the attic, past the insulation pits. They are gazing at you with trepidation. The Monkey follows you. The Frog Reporter follows you. >w You walk toward the other side of the attic, following the narrow path by the insulation pits. >w You walk toward the other side of the attic, finally making it to the western wall. The Transforming Robot looks more relaxed as you approach. However, they still look with trepidation at the insulation pits. >talk to robot "Let's go!" the Transforming Robot proclaims. "Time's a wastin'!" >robot, transform "What?" The Transforming Robot looks nervously at the insulation pits. "I'm not sure I..." >i You are carrying nothing. >l Attic The attic would feel spacious were it not for the stacks and piles of boxes. The ceiling and floor are unfinished wood. A light shines from the ceiling. Off to the west there are great open pits of gray material, something called 'insulation'. The exit is a set of rough wooden steps leading down, in the east wall. A Frog Reporter is here. A long-armed Monkey is here. You see a Transforming Robot figure, off on the western side of the attic, past the insulation pits. They are gazing at you with trepidation. >x robot You remember that someone was upset when Owner received the Transforming Robot as a gift. Something about gender; Owner and Owner's family weren't upset, though. While Owner has never been much for action or war play, the Robot became as loved as any friend. The Transforming Robot is smaller even than yourself, and they can quickly transform from a robot to a car that may be raced across the floor. >robot, transform into car "What?" The Transforming Robot looks nervously at the insulation pits. "I'm not sure I..." >robot, asdf "What?" The Transforming Robot looks nervously at the insulation pits. "I'm not sure I..." >robot, drive "What?" The Transforming Robot looks nervously at the insulation pits. "I'm not sure I..." >robot, turn into car "What?" The Transforming Robot looks nervously at the insulation pits. "I'm not sure I..." >d You can't get to the exit from this part of the attic, you have to travel east first. >e You walk across the attic, toward the exit, following the narrow path by the insulation pits. "Wait," the Transforming Robot says, weakly. It seems they are not going to simply follow you along the narrow path. >robot, transform "What?" The Transforming Robot looks nervously at the insulation pits. "I'm not sure I..." >robot, come here "What?" The Transforming Robot looks nervously at the insulation pits. "I'm not sure I..." >l Attic The attic would feel spacious were it not for the stacks and piles of boxes. The ceiling and floor are unfinished wood. A light shines from the ceiling. Off to the west there are great open pits of gray material, something called 'insulation'. The exit is a set of rough wooden steps leading down, in the east wall. A Frog Reporter is here. A long-armed Monkey is here. You see a Transforming Robot figure, off on the western side of the attic, past the insulation pits. They are gazing at you with trepidation. >monkey, take robot "I can't, um..." The Monkey doesn't quite seem to know what to do. The Robot stays where they are as well. Maybe if you could lead the Monkey over there... >w You walk toward the other side of the attic, finally making it to the western wall. The Transforming Robot looks more relaxed as you approach. However, they still look with trepidation at the insulation pits. >monkey, take robot "I know what to do!" the Monkey cries. They grab part of a box with one arm, and they stretch the other out to the Transforming Robot. This gives the Robot enough confidence to start along the path. With your bravery spurring them on, your small group makes it all the way across the narrow path to the safe area. "Thank you," the Robot says. "I will help you. I must help!" [Your score has just gone up by one point.] >d Hallway A hallway at the top of the stairs, running east-west. West is the mezzanine overlooking the lower floor. South is Owner's room. There is a door to the attic to the northwest, standing open. North is the bathroom door. Northeast and southeast are more doors. There is a light switch, and there is a light. The Monkey follows you. The Transforming Robot follows you. The Frog Reporter follows you. >d You can't go that way. >w Mezzanine The mezzanine extends above the southern edge of the living room. On the east side is a stairway leading down, close to the entrance to the upper level hallway. Large windows in the south wall provide a view to the outside on both floors; at the moment it is dark, with occasional flashes of lightning, and rain spatters against the windows. The Monkey follows you. The Transforming Robot follows you. The Frog Reporter follows you. >d You flop slowly down one carpeted step after another, until you reach the living room. Living Room The living room is a wide open space. To the east, a stairway goes up to the mezzanine and the rest of the upper floor. South is a great wall of windows. North, you step up to the tiled floor of the kitchen. West is a smaller door to the utility room, and ultimately outside. The hardwood floor of this room has often been used as Owner's playroom, though now everything is packed into boxes. Lights shine from above. A Music Maker rests on the floor here. The Plastic Doll is standing here. The Monkey follows you. The Transforming Robot follows you. The Frog Reporter follows you. >talk to maker "I'm happy to see you!" the Music Maker says, eyes spinning. "I'm here for you! Do you want some music and lights?" >n Kitchen A black and white tiled floor is the most obvious feature of the kitchen. There is also a table with chairs, and there are several counters where Mother used to prepare food. The pots and pans aren't used so much any more. East is the den and front door. South is the living room, and you could go back up to the mezzanine from here. North is the back porch. Lights are on in this room, 24 hours a day. The Monkey follows you. The Transforming Robot follows you. The Frog Reporter follows you. The Plastic Doll follows you. The Music Maker follows you. >w You can't go that way. >n Back Porch You stand outside the house, a canopy above shielding you from the rain and holding a wanly shining light. South is the door back to the kitchen; you stand on an expanse of painted wood, and around it...the Outside. Grass and gravel. Even without the storm and roiling darkness, you do not think you can venture any further. Friends have been Lost out there...You are an indoors bear. There's brave, and then there's foolish. A Plastic Car rests in the grass. >w You can't go that way. >s Kitchen A black and white tiled floor is the most obvious feature of the kitchen. There is also a table with chairs, and there are several counters where Mother used to prepare food. The pots and pans aren't used so much any more. East is the den and front door. South is the living room, and you could go back up to the mezzanine from here. North is the back porch. Lights are on in this room, 24 hours a day. A Music Maker rests on the floor here. The Plastic Doll is standing here. A Frog Reporter is here. The Transforming Robot is here, ready to change from car to biped and back again in a flash. A long-armed Monkey is here. >s Living Room The living room is a wide open space. To the east, a stairway goes up to the mezzanine and the rest of the upper floor. South is a great wall of windows. North, you step up to the tiled floor of the kitchen. West is a smaller door to the utility room, and ultimately outside. The hardwood floor of this room has often been used as Owner's playroom, though now everything is packed into boxes. Lights shine from above. The Monkey follows you. The Transforming Robot follows you. The Frog Reporter follows you. The Plastic Doll follows you. The Music Maker follows you. >w Utility Room A general purpose room. It holds many shelves, and it also contains the rumbling machines that clean clothing. East is the living room, and in the west wall is a door leading outside. That door draws your attention. From it you feel fear--a familiar fear. It is the dully twisting fear of your Owner. You must go there. The Monkey follows you. The Transforming Robot follows you. The Frog Reporter follows you. The Plastic Doll follows you. The Music Maker follows you. >w The door flies open, and beyond it stretches darkness. More than physical darkness, this is like gazing into all the fear a soul can muster. It is a whirling storm of loss, shame, sadness, despair, terror, pain... But you have all your friends with you. Monkey and Frog, Music Maker and Robot, Car and Doll...even the Nightlight gives you strength. Tying them all together is your bravery. You are a Brave Bear. The darkness is pushed back, and in the yard outside you see Owner and Father, both cowering before the storm. But then Owner's gaze alights upon you, and your heart swells. "I suppose we weren't needed after all, what with this...familiar taking care of things." "No, I'm glad you're here, really. You say this is all due to my daughter's...powers?" "Usually it happens when they're a bit older." "Magic is tied to emotion, as is everything in life, really." "Uh, yes master. Anyway, we've certainly seen it before, fears and anxieties manifesting in the physical world. Especially in someone who has experienced, er, loss." "Often we see darkness, but fortunately we also see light." "Yes, um, he's right. The fact that she was able to create all these...beings of positive emotion. It's a good sign." You don't understand what the strange people say. But you know that you have saved Owner, and that she is grateful. You are a Brave Bear. *** You have won *** In that game you scored 7 out of a possible 7, in 167 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game or QUIT? >