Start of a transcript of Vampire Ltd A Corporate Espionage Adventure (with Vampires In It) by Alex Harby Release 3 / Serial number 201005 / Inform 7 build 6M62 (I6/v6.33 lib 6/12N) Identification number: //6C540E78-8988-4812-B7A3-B6D069682AB8// Interpreter version 1.2.9 / VM 3.1.2 / Library serial number 080126 Standard Rules version 3/120430 by Graham Nelson Reactable Quips version 10 by Michael Martin Quip-Based Conversation version 5 by Michael Martin >restart Are you sure you want to restart? y Look at him up there. Strutting up and down the stage like he owns the place, which he does. The whole crowd gazing at him, worshipping him. Never mind that he's a vampire, never mind that they're all so much blood to him - he's rich, he's famous, but he likes nerdy things and he smiles a lot, so he must be just like them! Bastard. That should be you up there. Vampire Ltd A Corporate Espionage Adventure (with Vampires In It) by Alex Harby Release 3 / Serial number 201005 / Inform 7 build 6M62 (I6/v6.33 lib 6/12N) Campus Entrance The plaza outside the Lunarcel complex is packed this morning. The crowd hangs on Hadrian's every word as he paces a stage set up near the entrance to the main campus. An old phone booth huddles against the wall. Hadrian is in the middle of a speech. He's been going for about ten minutes, but he seems to be building up to something. "...Hydrological energy needs you to live next to a big enough river. Solar and wind power need you to have the right kind of weather. Geothermal power needs you to live on top of a volcano. Sustainable energy simply does not work for everybody." >save Save failed. >score Yes, you will score one against Hadrian today. [There's no scoring system in this game.] >save Ok. >about > How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints > About Interactive Fiction What to do with > Getting Started Rooms and Travel Objects Controlling the Game How the World is Assembled If You Get Stuck > How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints How to play interactive fiction > How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints How to play interactive fiction > How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints Thanks you for playing Vampire Ltd! This is a standard parser-based interactive fiction. Many common verbs in text adventures will be recognised here. However, you should be aware of the following: 1) This game uses LucasArts-style conversation trees. Start conversations by typing TALK TO ALICE, or T ALICE for short. You'll be prompted to choose dialogue from a numbered list by typing the number of the choice you want to make. You'll be unable to move or take other actions until you choose a "goodbye" prompt, although you can still look at things. (There may be some conversations you won't be able to leave at first!) This means that ASK/TELL ALICE ABOUT X won't work in this game. But SHOW/GIVE X TO ALICE might work. (SHOW and GIVE are treated as the same action in this game.) 2) Extra verbs in this game include BITE (for being a vampire), USE (for computers specifically), and TYPE (for inputting a word or phrase into computers), plus synonyms for these. There may be other non-standard verbs available. 3) Vampire Ltd is not intended to be a cruel game. There is a way for the player to die, but it should be clear when it is about to happen, it should only take one move to avoid, and the player can undo out of a death state. It should never be possible for the game to become unwinnable. If you have found an unwinnable state, this is a bug - please let me know about it! Please press SPACE to continue. How to play interactive fiction > How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints How to play interactive fiction > How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd > About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd > About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints ABOUT: Vampire Ltd is a game by Alex Harby (alexjharby@gmail.com, @wisprabbit on Twitter, comfortcastle on itch.io and IFDb). This is version 3.1. This is a re-release of version 3 with a new interpreter, trying to fix a bug with some web browsers in the online version. Vampire Ltd is an entrant in the 26th Annual Interactive Fiction Competition (IFComp 2020). CREDITS: Written by Alex Harby. Made using Inform 7 by Graham Nelson, via the Inform 7 Windows IDE by David Kinder. Includes the Reactable Quips and Quip-Based Conversation extensions by Michael Martin (using versions updated for Inform 7 build 6M62 by Melvin Rangasamy) and the Basic Help Menu extension by Emily Short (including her instructions for new players). Borrows from example code written by Graham Nelson, Emily Short, Jim Aikin and Melvin Rangasamy (annotated in the source code as appropriate). Beta-tested by AKheon, Christopher Merriner, Dark Star, Mathbrush, Mike Russo and Peter M. J. Gross. Many thanks to all of them. Any remaining errors in this game (and any requested features that didn't get implemented in time!) are my own fault. Thanks to Dannii Willis and the IFComp organisers for technical support during the competition. I am indebted to Taika Waititi and Jermaine Clement's What We Do In The Shadows and Abigail Corfman's 16 Ways to Kill a Vampire at McDonalds, and hope I haven't stolen any of their jokes. CHANGELOG: Version 3.1 - Released with an updated Parchment interpreter to bring the game's presentation in line with other IFComp entries and (hopefully) fix an issue with Firefox where the browser version of the game would lose focus during a "More" prompt. Updated the in-game blurb to match the IFComp blurb. Added this changelog. No changes to the game code or story (intentionally!) introduced. Version 3 - First public release. Fixed a few remaining bugs from Version 1 testing. Version 2 - Second testing release. Fixed many bugs and oversights found by beta-testers, including a game-breaking bug related to opening the cupboard, missing synonyms, poor or misleading hinting, and typos. Added an AMUSING menu. Version 1 - First testing release. Wrote the game. Please press SPACE to continue. How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd > About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd > About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) > Hints How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) > Hints > How to use these hints Getting onto the campus Getting onto more of the campus Getting to the Moonlite Endgame These hints work like invisiclues. Find the puzzle you need help with and press H to reveal the list of hints one hint at a time. This lets you get only the help you need without spoiling the whole puzzle immediately. There are no prizes for getting through the game without help, so use these hints as much or as little as you like! Please press SPACE to continue. > How to use these hints Getting onto the campus Getting onto more of the campus Getting to the Moonlite Endgame > How to use these hints Getting onto the campus Getting onto more of the campus Getting to the Moonlite Endgame How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) > Hints Campus Entrance The plaza outside the Lunarcel complex is packed this morning. The crowd hangs on Hadrian's every word as he paces a stage set up near the entrance to the main campus. An old phone booth huddles against the wall. >x booth An old phone booth, but clearly looked after. That is, none of the windows are smashed right now. "Clearly, the world needs a new solution. A sustainable source of clean energy which is absolutely reliable, no matter who you are or where you are." While he rambles, you shift your umbrella to your other arm, and daydream about the snack you're carrying. >x windows You can't see that here (or if you can, it's not important). >x hadrian Perfectly coiffed and coutured, as always. Amazing how good you can look when you probably pay a dozen people to dress you. "My friends," says Hadrian with a wink, "I present to you the Moonlite." And he whisks the cover off the screen next to him, revealing a picture of... something? Some kind of a machine? >bite hadrian Ew, no. Previously-sucked blood never tastes good. The crowd oohs at the screen. "The Moonlite!" says Hadrian, gloating. "A fission reactor which will work anywhere, for anyone! Clean energy, for anyone! And it's completely safe. Forget uranium, forget plutonium - all that's needed is harmless helium." >x crowd Look at these idiots, lapping up everything Hadrian says. Didn't people use to throw tomatoes at guys like him? Or garlic? "We're still in the development stage, of course. We have a working prototype in our engineering laboratory, but we won't enter production until it's perfect. We'll be announcing more in the coming months. Take care." And Hadrian turns and leaves abruptly, leaving a pool of reporters shouting questions after him. The crowd disperses, the stage is dismantled, and you're standing in the middle of the bustle, fuming. You are Nero Brashov, former nobleman, current vampire, and temporarily-embarassed businessman. You have learned that humans don't like vampires very much... unless you happen to be rich and charismatic. Oh yes, the mortal world will line up to worship Hadrian Alba! You know what kind of person he really is, and you know it's all luck and lies that got him to the top, but that doesn't matter to anyone else, oh no. And you? Victim of rotten luck, reduced to stealing from blood banks and sleeping in your hearse, just because of a handful of failed startups and lawsuits and bankruptcies? Why should you accept that, and watch Hadrian be hailed as a hero because of his stupid Moonlite thing? It's not like he ever cared about sustainable energy when you knew him. Well, you've got your own plan. You're going to go in there and find this Moonlite. And you're going to destroy it. Don't let Hadrian be the bigger man. Get sweet revenge. And you'll put your grand plan into motion just as soon as you're invited in. Campus Entrance The entrance to the Lunarcel campus is now quiet apart from a handful of workers dismantling the stage. The main part of the campus is north of here. Now that the stage has been cleared away, you can see a "Help Wanted" banner affixed by the entrance. An old phone booth huddles against the wall. >x campus The airy central plaza of the Lunarcel campus is visible to the north. >x stage Just a pile of scaffolding now. >stand on stage Too late to get on the stage - it's just scaffolding now. >x stage Just a pile of scaffolding now. >x banner "DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES to deliver high-quality award-winning customer service online and by telephone to Lunarcel customers and clients? WE ARE HIRING! Entry-level positions - NO CV REQUIRED! Start as early as TODAY! CALL NOW!" "No CV required"? "Start today"? They must be desperate to hire people. There's a phone number on the banner - maybe you could get invited in for an interview... >read number You can't see that here (or if you can, it's not important). >x number You can't see that here (or if you can, it's not important). >call number I didn't understand that sentence. >use phone You enter the booth and pick up the phone. Who will you call? [When talking to people or using devices, you'll be given numbered options like those below. To choose one, just type the number of the option you want. For example, just type "1" if you want to select the first option.] [1] Call the Lunarcel job application number [2] Call the emergency services [3] Never mind >3 You hang up and leave the booth. Campus Entrance The entrance to the Lunarcel campus is now quiet apart from a handful of workers dismantling the stage. The main part of the campus is north of here. An old phone booth huddles against the wall. Now that the stage has been cleared away, you can see a "Help Wanted" banner affixed by the entrance. >save Ok. >use phone You enter the booth and pick up the phone. Who will you call? [1] Call the Lunarcel job application number [2] Call the emergency services [3] Never mind >2 Call the police on Hadrian and have him arrested on spurious charges? An excellent idea. And indeed, you tried it a few years ago. And that's how you learned that the emergency services can track call locations to arrest hoaxers. So you'd better not, at least not until you know what's up with Hadrian's dumb machine. [1] Call the Lunarcel job application number [2] Call the emergency services [3] Never mind >2 Call the police on Hadrian and have him arrested on spurious charges? An excellent idea. And indeed, you tried it a few years ago. And that's how you learned that the emergency services can track call locations to arrest hoaxers. So you'd better not, at least not until you know what's up with Hadrian's dumb machine. [1] Call the Lunarcel job application number [2] Call the emergency services [3] Never mind >1 You dial the number on the job advert. It rings for a while, but a glassy-sounding voice eventually picks up. "Hello, Lunarcel customer services department, how may I help you?" [1] I'm applying for that job opening. [2] Do you have Prince Albert in a can? Well you'd better let him out! [3] Sorry, wrong number. >2 You hang up without waiting for a response. It's good to laugh now and then. You head back outside. Campus Entrance The entrance to the Lunarcel campus is now quiet apart from a handful of workers dismantling the stage. The main part of the campus is north of here. An old phone booth huddles against the wall. Now that the stage has been cleared away, you can see a "Help Wanted" banner affixed by the entrance. >use phone You enter the booth and pick up the phone. Who will you call? [1] Call the Lunarcel job application number [2] Call the emergency services [3] Never mind >1 You dial the number on the job advert. It rings for a while, but a glassy-sounding voice eventually picks up. "Hello, Lunarcel customer services department, how may I help you?" [1] I'm applying for that job opening. [2] Is your refrigerator running? Well you'd better go catch him! [3] Sorry, wrong number. >3 You hang up and leave the booth. Campus Entrance The entrance to the Lunarcel campus is now quiet apart from a handful of workers dismantling the stage. The main part of the campus is north of here. An old phone booth huddles against the wall. Now that the stage has been cleared away, you can see a "Help Wanted" banner affixed by the entrance. >g I didn't understand that sentence. >use phone You enter the booth and pick up the phone. Who will you call? [1] Call the Lunarcel job application number [2] Call the emergency services [3] Never mind >1 You dial the number on the job advert. It rings for a while, but a glassy-sounding voice eventually picks up. "Hello, Lunarcel customer services department, how may I help you?" [1] I'm applying for that job opening. [2] Is your refrigerator running? Well you'd better let him out! [3] Sorry, wrong number. >1 "Brilliant. Well, we're hiring quickly at the moment, so we're open all week for applicants. We just need to do an informal interview to get to know you first. Can you drop in today?" You give the woman on the other end a fake name and details. (Well, better pretend to be human while you're sneaking in. You can feed on the employees later.) "Great! Thanks, Oren. Come into the office whenever you can. We're on the Lunarcel campus, on the west end. We're in the white office block there." [1] So I'm definitely allowed into the campus, then? [2] Great! See you soon. >1 "Yes, of course you're allowed in! Why wouldn't you be?" [1] Great! See you soon. >1 You say your goodbyes and end the call. So, you've been invited in for interview! You should be able to cross the threshold into the campus now. Unless Hadrian spots you and bans you again. But how could he possibly find you? You're using a fake name. Campus Entrance The entrance to the Lunarcel campus is now quiet apart from a handful of workers dismantling the stage. The main part of the campus is north of here. An old phone booth huddles against the wall. Now that the stage has been cleared away, you can see a "Help Wanted" banner affixed by the entrance. >undo Inside the Phone Booth [Previous turn undone.] The available options are: [1] Great! See you soon. >undo Inside the Phone Booth [Previous turn undone.] The available options are: [1] So I'm definitely allowed into the campus, then? [2] Great! See you soon. >undo Inside the Phone Booth [Previous turn undone.] The available options are: [1] I'm applying for that job opening. [2] Is your refrigerator running? Well you'd better go catch him! [3] Sorry, wrong number. >3 You hang up and leave the booth. Campus Entrance The entrance to the Lunarcel campus is now quiet apart from a handful of workers dismantling the stage. The main part of the campus is north of here. An old phone booth huddles against the wall. Now that the stage has been cleared away, you can see a "Help Wanted" banner affixed by the entrance. >n You can't. Vampires have a... a whole thing about crossing property thresholds without being invited in. And Hadrian has previously made it very clear that you are not welcome on his property. You will need to be invited onto the campus somehow if you want to enter it. >use phone You enter the booth and pick up the phone. Who will you call? [1] Call the Lunarcel job application number [2] Call the emergency services [3] Never mind >1 You dial the number on the job advert. It rings for a while, but a glassy-sounding voice eventually picks up. "Hello, Lunarcel customer services department, how may I help you?" [1] I'm applying for that job opening. [2] Do you have Prince Albert in a can? Well you'd better go catch him! [3] Sorry, wrong number. >1 "Brilliant. Well, we're hiring quickly at the moment, so we're open all week for applicants. We just need to do an informal interview to get to know you first. Can you drop in today?" You give the woman on the other end a fake name and details. (Well, better pretend to be human while you're sneaking in. You can feed on the employees later.) "Great! Thanks, Oren. Come into the office whenever you can. We're on the Lunarcel campus, on the west end. We're in the white office block there." [1] So I'm definitely allowed into the campus, then? [2] Great! See you soon. >2 You say your goodbyes and end the call. So, you've been invited in for interview! You should be able to cross the threshold into the campus now. Unless Hadrian spots you and bans you again. But how could he possibly find you? You're using a fake name. Campus Entrance The entrance to the Lunarcel campus is now quiet apart from a handful of workers dismantling the stage. The main part of the campus is north of here. An old phone booth huddles against the wall. Now that the stage has been cleared away, you can see a "Help Wanted" banner affixed by the entrance. >in You enter the booth and pick up the phone. Who will you call? [1] Call the Lunarcel job application number [2] Call the emergency services [3] Never mind >3 You hang up and leave the booth. Campus Entrance The entrance to the Lunarcel campus is now quiet apart from a handful of workers dismantling the stage. The main part of the campus is north of here. An old phone booth huddles against the wall. Now that the stage has been cleared away, you can see a "Help Wanted" banner affixed by the entrance. >n Campus Central This central plaza is wide and spacious, offering striking views of all the major landmarks of the campus, as if designed by a brutalist landscape gardener. As a wooden signpost indicates, the black glass building to the immediate north is the corporate headquarters; it also tells you that the campus stretches east to the engineering laboratory, and west to the customer service office. You can also leave the campus through the southern exit. >save Ok. >x signpost Lots of little signs jutting out of a wooden pole. It looks like one of those destination signposts they have at landmarks which tell you how far away other capital cities are, except this one points to buildings on the campus. Is this supposed to be Hadrian's way of making the place feel welcoming and playful to visitors? Because the big black building overshadows it. >x me You are the vampire Nero Brashov. Once proud and wealthy, now destitute and dusty, but still as blood-sucking as ever. >e You've only been invited to the customer service office for your interview. You don't yet have the freedom to explore more of the place. >n You've only been invited to the customer service office for your interview. You don't yet have the freedom to explore more of the place. >w Campus West Somewhat less pretty than the entrance and central plaza were - this part of the campus must usually be seen only by employees. North is a grimy-looking office block, and the rest of the campus is to the east. >n Office A modern open-plan office: bent backs from wall to wall and no privacy anywhere. Just how you used to like it when you were running these kinds of places. North seems to lead to some kind of meeting room. You can head back outside to the south. A woman who you take to be the office manager is bustling wildly, juggling several administrative tasks at once. A list of common passwords has been flimsily stuck up on the wall nearby. >get list You peel the list of passwords off the wall. >read it This looks like a printout of some techie website article: "THIS YEAR'S MOST COMMON PASSWORDS Cybersecurity begins with a strong password, yet many people use simple and easily-guessed passwords. This is a list of the 12 most commonly used passwords of the past year, as revealed by security leaks and database breaches. * 12345678 * admin * dragon * holiness * letmein * monkey * password * q1w2e3r4 * qwerty * sunshine * shadow * trustn01 If you use one of these passwords, you may be at risk of other people accessing your personal information!" >x woman (the manager) A bundle of stress in a turtleneck sweater. >bite manager That won't leave a good impression. Actually, it'll leave two good impressions in her jugular vein, but you'd still better not. Nearby, the manager does some supervising, peering over some random woman's shoulder at their screen. >t manager "Can I help- How can I help you?" [1] I'm here for a job interview. [2] Never mind, I though you were someone else. >2 "Oh. Well, let me know if I can help." She returns to bustling. >g I didn't understand that sentence. >t manager "Can I help- How can I help you?" [1] I'm here for a job interview. [2] Never mind, I though you were someone else. >1 "Ah, you must be Oren! I'm ready for you right now. Follow me, please." She leads you into the meeting room. Interview Room Now that you're in there, you see that what you thought was a conference room is really just a converted stationery closet with two chairs, a table and a cupboard. There's barely room for one person here; with both you and the manager in here, it's dangerously crowded. The manager is sitting across from you. She gives you her friendliest smile. "Good to meet you, Mr. Vohsarb. I only have a few questions for you, just to make sure you're an appropriate fit for this department. So, could you tell me why you applied for this job, and why you want to work at Lunarcel?" [1] Corporate espionage [2] Revenge [3] I've lost control of my life [4] It has always been my dream to serve the customer >undo Office [Previous turn undone.] The available options are: [1] I'm here for a job interview. [2] Never mind, I though you were someone else. >undo Office [Previous turn undone.] >n This looks like the right place, but you can't just wander around. Maybe the manager over there knows something about the interview. >t manager "Can I help- How can I help you?" [1] I'm here for a job interview. [2] Never mind, I though you were someone else. >1 "Ah, you must be Oren! I'm ready for you right now. Follow me, please." She leads you into the meeting room. Interview Room Now that you're in there, you see that what you thought was a conference room is really just a converted stationery closet with two chairs, a table and a cupboard. There's barely room for one person here; with both you and the manager in here, it's dangerously crowded. The manager is sitting across from you. She gives you her friendliest smile. "Good to meet you, Mr. Vohsarb. I only have a few questions for you, just to make sure you're an appropriate fit for this department. So, could you tell me why you applied for this job, and why you want to work at Lunarcel?" [1] Corporate espionage [2] Revenge [3] I've lost control of my life [4] It has always been my dream to serve the customer The interviewer coughs quietly into her fist. >3 (Oh, you used to have control! You had it all once! Successful businesses, all the blood you could want, a castle with all sorts of turrets! But now... is this just how the poor live? Worried about tomorrow? Why would they want to live like this instead of becoming rich? This is just temporary. You just need to build up a little bit. And destroy Hadrian while you're doing it.) You choke back the answer, and consider your other options. [1] Corporate espionage [2] Revenge [3] It has always been my dream to serve the customer The interviewer fiddles with her pen, waiting for a response. >1 (...although you already recognise the kind of work environment this is. You cultivated it yourself when you were in business. Productivity, that's the key. Make sure your workers are turning up and putting in the hours they owe you. Don't let them shirk. Open-plan offices help with that. You know that's what Hade's thinking. You learned it from him, after all.) You guess she won't like that answer, and think again. [1] Revenge [2] It has always been my dream to serve the customer The interviewer writes an ominous little note. >1 (Revenge! You've had your history with Hadrian Alba. You though he was a friend, until you dared to dream bigger. Now his very existence belittles you. He has insulted you, he has whispered behind your back, and it's not right that a prick like him gets the luck of the devil and the wealth to match. It should be you doing press conferences about your big new inventions and investments, and he should be the one sleeping in plywood coffins. Let's see how haughty he is when you find that Moonlite and ruin it and laugh at him.) Better not admit to that in a job interview. Better think again. [1] It has always been my dream to serve the customer >1 You say something about helping other people, the kind of thing you used to like to hear from other people. It looks like the manager likes it too. She scribbles a quick note, and says "Thank you, Oren. Now, why did you leave your last job position?" [1] Failed to attract sufficient startup investment [2] Employees unwilling to work for me [3] Run out of town by pitchforked mob [4] It did not challenge and inspire me like this job would The interviewer gives you an encouraging little smile. >3 (This was just dumb. You've never known investors to actually club together and come round to the company headquarters with blunt weapons before. Of course you would be the first guy it happened to. Yeah, they did lose a couple hundred million dollars between them, but that's investment! It's a risk! Sometimes money doesn't come back! Sometimes share prices just plummet, through no fault of your own! Take it up with every other business vampire!) You guess she won't like that answer, and think again. [1] Failed to attract sufficient startup investment [2] Employees unwilling to work for me [3] It did not challenge and inspire me like this job would The interviewer fiddles with her pen, waiting for a response. >2 (Humans don't like to work, you've noticed. You do the heavy lifting of forming and directing a company, and all your employees will just flake out after a couple of years. Long hours? Some of us work all night. But you still end up burning through staff and stamping out unions like wildfires. At least you'll get to be the one wasting company time and resources this time. Must be fun.) Better not admit to that in a job interview. Better think again. [1] Failed to attract sufficient startup investment [2] It did not challenge and inspire me like this job would >1 (You've had some genuinely brilliant ideas for startup companies. Mail-order blood testing kits. Spice jars with giant kernels of salt and pepper that you can count easily. Portrait painting services which eliminate the need for mirrors. All necessary and important, yet hardly any investors will recognise that! And whenever you do get a business up and running, there's always some stupid thing that comes up, like some study that says your product doesn't work or some big employment tribunal, and suddenly all the investors want their money back! Some call you bitter, but how can you not be when things conspire against you so often?) You choke back the answer, and consider your other options. [1] It did not challenge and inspire me like this job would >1 You improvise something about how you've heard Lunarcel is the land of opportunity, and how the office looks like a great work environment and everything, just like you remember your old job applicants telling you. As you start to wonder if they were lying too, the manager makes another little note. "Thank you. Just one more question, and there are no right or wrong answers here... What would you say is your biggest weakness?" [1] Vulnerability to sunlight [2] Wooden stake through the heart or stomach [3] Inability to cross thresholds uninvited [4] Sensitivity to holy symbols [5] Running water [6] I guess I'm just a perfectionist >3 (You get very uncomfortable when you know you're not welcome. Why should you care? You are a vampire! You should be able to go where you like! You can rip a human's throat out, but their doorway is going to stop you?? But... when you're invading someone's property, and you can't find a reason to say you're welcome, you feel guilty. And you try to snap out of it by telling yourself "well, you don't feel guilty about stealing people's blood." And then you start to feel guilty about the blood... Better not to think about it. Better to be welcome, and walk with your head held high, than to be ashamed...) Better not admit to that in a job interview. Better think again. [1] Vulnerability to sunlight [2] Wooden stake through the heart or stomach [3] Sensitivity to holy symbols [4] Running water [5] I guess I'm just a perfectionist >1 (Is it some property of ultraviolet light? Or just sensitive skin? You're not sure, and neither is anyone else, but the sun still rises every day and ruins your life. Umbrellas and good sunblock help a bit, at least.) You guess she won't like that answer, and think again. [1] Wooden stake through the heart or stomach [2] Sensitivity to holy symbols [3] Running water [4] I guess I'm just a perfectionist >1 (You were killed a couple times, a few hundred years ago. Who wasn't? Europe was lousy with vampire hunters back in the day. The number of times you've been woken up in your coffin by some prick with a wooden stake and a grudge! People have told you that humans can't survive being staked in the heart either, but they don't understand, they don't live in fear of the stake like vampires do.) You choke back the answer, and consider your other options. [1] Sensitivity to holy symbols [2] Running water [3] I guess I'm just a perfectionist >1 (You hate displays of religion. Can't stand to look at any. Superstitious nonsense. Every other vampire says so too. But... if pressed, maybe, maybe you'd have to admit that what you're doing vis-a-vis the whole killing and subjugating humans thing is perhaps not fully condoned in most of the major religions, and maybe you'd concede that your karmic balance or your charitable-act-to-sin ratio or whatever metric of goodness any religion uses is not completely in your favour, and holy symbols are perhaps a reminder of how possibly your actions have hurt other people... It's not worth dwelling on. Change the subject and move on.) Better not admit to that in a job interview. Better think again. [1] Running water [2] I guess I'm just a perfectionist >1 (You don't know why you can't cross running water, but you can't. It's like trying to lick your elbow. It's baffling, and it makes you furious. People don't know how good they have it with their precious bridges.) You choke back the answer, and consider your other options. [1] I guess I'm just a perfectionist >1 Yes, everyone says that." The interviewer has a wry little smile as she checks her notes one more time. "Well, I don't see any cause for concern here. Welcome abroad, Oren!" She shakes your hand. "Can you start today?" Five minutes later, you've been shown to your new desk, on which is a very old computer. You'll be handling online customer enquiries for your first shift, you've been told. Around you, other workers are being yelled at over the phone, or doing something clerical with a spreadsheet, or some other boring task. The interviewer - your new manager - comes back with something on a lanyard. "Here's your ID card, hot off the presses," she says, as you slip it around your neck. "You're supposed to wear your card at all times. You don't really need it unless you're going to high-security areas, but you'd need to be properly authorised anyway, so don't worry about it. Talk to me if you need anything!" And she's gone again. Of course, now that you're officially allowed on the Lunarcel campus, you have no intention of doing any work. You are going to find Hadrian's precious Moonlite machine and destroy it. As soon as you find it, that is. Office A modern open-plan office: bent backs from wall to wall and no privacy anywhere. Just how you used to like it when you were running these kinds of places. North leads to a meeting room. You can head back outside to the south. There's an unused miserable-looking computer here which is, apparently, yours. Lovely. The manager is bustling wildly, juggling several administrative tasks at once. >x computer On a rickety desk near you is a yellowing tower computer running an operating system from 10 years ago. The old computer is currently switched on. >use computer The computer makes noises like it's preparing for take-off, but it seems to work fine. [1] Check your email [2] Do the customer service work you were just hired to do [3] Got any games on this thing? [4] Stop using the computer >1 You check your corporate email inbox. [1] Subject: Password Security [2] Subject: MAKE FREE MONEY NOW!!! [3] Quit looking at email >1 Sent just this morning to the whole company, from someone you suppose to be the head of IT: "Please be advised that, in light of recent security breaches, we will be updating the requirements for account passwords. "Currently, all passwords must be at least seven characters long. Soon, we will also require all passwords to include at least one numerical character. No user password currently includes a number; you are advised that this leaves your account more vulnerable to hacking attempts. "You will be asked to change your password in the coming weeks, We apologise for the inconvenience after you all updated your passwords recently already." Hmm, maybe they're having security breaches because their IT guy is dropping hints about everyone's password to the whole company. [1] Subject: Password Security [2] Subject: MAKE FREE MONEY NOW!!! [3] Quit looking at email >2 Oh! Free money? For cryptocurrency mining? What a steal! You will have to circle back to this as soon as you've finished sabotaging Lunarcel from the inside. [1] Subject: Password Security [2] Subject: MAKE FREE MONEY NOW!!! [3] Quit looking at email >3 Enough email for now. [1] Check your email [2] Do the customer service work you were just hired to do [3] Got any games on this thing? [4] Stop using the computer >3 Just one or two solitaire games, it looks like. You ignore them. You hate things you can't win. [1] Check your email [2] Do the customer service work you were just hired to do [3] Got any games on this thing? [4] Stop using the computer >2 Hah. No. [1] Check your email [2] Got any games on this thing? [3] Stop using the computer >2 Just one or two solitaire games, it looks like. You ignore them. You hate things you can't win. [1] Check your email [2] Got any games on this thing? [3] Stop using the computer >3 You step away from the computer. >turn computer off You switch the old computer off. >s You make a quick and confident exit while the manager's back is turned. Campus West Somewhat less pretty than the entrance and central plaza were - this part of the campus must usually be seen only by employees. North is a grimy-looking office block, and the rest of the campus is to the east. >e Campus Central This central plaza is wide and spacious, offering striking views of all the major landmarks of the campus, as if designed by a brutalist landscape gardener. As a wooden signpost indicates, the black glass building to the immediate north is the corporate headquarters; it also tells you that the campus stretches east to the engineering laboratory, and west to the customer service office. You can also leave the campus through the southern exit. >n Lobby This is the pleasantly airy and open lobby of the building where all the executives keep their offices. A corridor leads visitors and executives north. The main campus is to the south. There's a receptionist here, hunched over a computer and looking very bored. You can also see some grapes here. >x receptionist Receptionists and every other customer service role, you feel, should be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, always ready with a friendly smile and a proactive attitude. This receptionist clearly doesn't share your opinion. He's not even standing up. >bite receptionist You'd love to. But they'd probably call it assault, and being wanted for assault would get in the way of your sabotage plans. >n Hade's Office This is an office?? It looks more like a furniture showroom. It's all expensive tables and chairs and sofas - Hadrian could hold three meetings at once in here. But there are film posters hung up around the room too, like he thinks it makes him look cool. On one especially luxurious desk sits a fancy computer. >x desk Leather and mahogany, everywhere you look. Here's ten chairs arranged around a long table for meetings; over there are deep armchairs and a coffee table for entertainments. It's all very expensive-looking. >x chairs Leather and mahogany, everywhere you look. Here's ten chairs arranged around a long table for meetings; over there are deep armchairs and a coffee table for entertainments. It's all very expensive-looking. >x computer An oak or oak-ish desk supports what must be Hadrian's computer. It's one of those really expensive computers they sell to teenagers and nerds. It's black with red accents, and it looks like a spaceship. The fancy computer is currently switched on. >use computer A password field blocks you! Curse that Hadrian, and screw him, too! He's always one step ahead. Hmm, how can you figure out Hade's password? Hopefully he's not very careful with it - maybe other people in the company can help you guess. >g A password field blocks you! Curse that Hadrian, and screw him, too! He's always one step ahead. Hmm, how can you figure out Hade's password? Hopefully he's not very careful with it - maybe other people in the company can help you guess. >s Lobby This is the pleasantly airy and open lobby of the building where all the executives keep their offices. A corridor leads visitors and executives north. The main campus is to the south. There's a receptionist here, hunched over a computer and looking very bored. You can also see some grapes here. >x grapes Juicy seedless purple grapes. >eat grapes (first turning discreetly away from the receptionist) You pierce the flesh of one grape and drink deep. Then you pierce the flesh of another grape and drink deep. Then another, then another... It takes a while, but eventually all the grapes are shrivelled and dry. You pick them off the stem and throw the stem away. >i You are carrying: an ID card (being worn) a list of passwords an umbrella a blood bag >x grapes Dry, shrivelled, sweet purple grapes. >get grapes Taken. >e No exit that way. From here, you can go north and south. >s Campus Central This central plaza is wide and spacious, offering striking views of all the major landmarks of the campus, as if designed by a brutalist landscape gardener. As a wooden signpost indicates, the black glass building to the immediate north is the corporate headquarters; it also tells you that the campus stretches east to the engineering laboratory, and west to the customer service office. You can also leave the campus through the southern exit. >e Campus East This part of the campus plaza wants to be open and airy, but it's hemmed in by various concrete structures, the biggest of them being the Engineering Laboratory to the north. Prettier parts of the campus are to the west. Water cuts across the laboratory doorway here, spouting from a burst pipe in the wall. There's a worker here, maybe a janitor or other maintenance person, leaning against the wall and holding a sign that says "VAMPIRES SUCK". There's just no need for that kind of tone. >x worker She's leaning against the wall, holding a protest sign. She spots you looking at her, nods at you and waggles the sign a little. >read sign An extremely hurtful and inappropriate placard that says "VAMPIRES SUCK". >bite worker You'd love to. But they'd probably call it assault, and being wanted for assault would get in the way of your sabotage plans. >n You try very hard, but no, vampires can't cross running water. No going around either, it's right in front of the lab doorway. >kill worker No, better not. Not this time, anyway. >get sign Incensed, you try to swipe the rude placard away, but the janitor leans away. "Don't worry, mate," she says. "I can keep holding this. You can make your own sign at home if you like!" >w Campus Central This central plaza is wide and spacious, offering striking views of all the major landmarks of the campus, as if designed by a brutalist landscape gardener. As a wooden signpost indicates, the black glass building to the immediate north is the corporate headquarters; it also tells you that the campus stretches east to the engineering laboratory, and west to the customer service office. You can also leave the campus through the southern exit. >n Lobby This is the pleasantly airy and open lobby of the building where all the executives keep their offices. A corridor leads visitors and executives north. The main campus is to the south. There's a receptionist here, hunched over a computer and looking very bored. >about > How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints How to play interactive fiction > How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints How to play interactive fiction > How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints Thanks you for playing Vampire Ltd! This is a standard parser-based interactive fiction. Many common verbs in text adventures will be recognised here. However, you should be aware of the following: 1) This game uses LucasArts-style conversation trees. Start conversations by typing TALK TO ALICE, or T ALICE for short. You'll be prompted to choose dialogue from a numbered list by typing the number of the choice you want to make. You'll be unable to move or take other actions until you choose a "goodbye" prompt, although you can still look at things. (There may be some conversations you won't be able to leave at first!) This means that ASK/TELL ALICE ABOUT X won't work in this game. But SHOW/GIVE X TO ALICE might work. (SHOW and GIVE are treated as the same action in this game.) 2) Extra verbs in this game include BITE (for being a vampire), USE (for computers specifically), and TYPE (for inputting a word or phrase into computers), plus synonyms for these. There may be other non-standard verbs available. 3) Vampire Ltd is not intended to be a cruel game. There is a way for the player to die, but it should be clear when it is about to happen, it should only take one move to avoid, and the player can undo out of a death state. It should never be possible for the game to become unwinnable. If you have found an unwinnable state, this is a bug - please let me know about it! Please press SPACE to continue. How to play interactive fiction > How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints How to play interactive fiction > How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd > About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd > About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints ABOUT: Vampire Ltd is a game by Alex Harby (alexjharby@gmail.com, @wisprabbit on Twitter, comfortcastle on itch.io and IFDb). This is version 3.1. This is a re-release of version 3 with a new interpreter, trying to fix a bug with some web browsers in the online version. Vampire Ltd is an entrant in the 26th Annual Interactive Fiction Competition (IFComp 2020). CREDITS: Written by Alex Harby. Made using Inform 7 by Graham Nelson, via the Inform 7 Windows IDE by David Kinder. Includes the Reactable Quips and Quip-Based Conversation extensions by Michael Martin (using versions updated for Inform 7 build 6M62 by Melvin Rangasamy) and the Basic Help Menu extension by Emily Short (including her instructions for new players). Borrows from example code written by Graham Nelson, Emily Short, Jim Aikin and Melvin Rangasamy (annotated in the source code as appropriate). Beta-tested by AKheon, Christopher Merriner, Dark Star, Mathbrush, Mike Russo and Peter M. J. Gross. Many thanks to all of them. Any remaining errors in this game (and any requested features that didn't get implemented in time!) are my own fault. Thanks to Dannii Willis and the IFComp organisers for technical support during the competition. I am indebted to Taika Waititi and Jermaine Clement's What We Do In The Shadows and Abigail Corfman's 16 Ways to Kill a Vampire at McDonalds, and hope I haven't stolen any of their jokes. CHANGELOG: Version 3.1 - Released with an updated Parchment interpreter to bring the game's presentation in line with other IFComp entries and (hopefully) fix an issue with Firefox where the browser version of the game would lose focus during a "More" prompt. Updated the in-game blurb to match the IFComp blurb. Added this changelog. No changes to the game code or story (intentionally!) introduced. Version 3 - First public release. Fixed a few remaining bugs from Version 1 testing. Version 2 - Second testing release. Fixed many bugs and oversights found by beta-testers, including a game-breaking bug related to opening the cupboard, missing synonyms, poor or misleading hinting, and typos. Added an AMUSING menu. Version 1 - First testing release. Wrote the game. Please press SPACE to continue. How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd > About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd > About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) > Hints How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) > Hints > How to use these hints Getting onto the campus Getting onto more of the campus Getting to the Moonlite Endgame How to use these hints > Getting onto the campus Getting onto more of the campus Getting to the Moonlite Endgame How to use these hints > Getting onto the campus Getting onto more of the campus Getting to the Moonlite Endgame How to use these hints Getting onto the campus > Getting onto more of the campus Getting to the Moonlite Endgame How to use these hints Getting onto the campus > Getting onto more of the campus Getting to the Moonlite Endgame > I'm on campus, but I can't explore much of it! Where do I need to go? What should I say in the interview? I've been hired! What now? I'm on campus, but I can't explore much of it! Where do I need to go? > What should I say in the interview? I've been hired! What now? I'm on campus, but I can't explore much of it! Where do I need to go? > What should I say in the interview? I've been hired! What now? I'm on campus, but I can't explore much of it! Where do I need to go? What should I say in the interview? > I've been hired! What now? I'm on campus, but I can't explore much of it! Where do I need to go? What should I say in the interview? > I've been hired! What now? 1/5: Remember, your object is to find and sabotage the Moonlite machine. But there are things you can explore now. Press SPACE to return to the menu or H to reveal another hint. 1/5: Remember, your object is to find and sabotage the Moonlite machine. But there are things you can explore now. 2/5: In the office, you should now have access to a computer. Try USE COMPUTER and see what you can do. Press SPACE to return to the menu or H to reveal another hint. 1/5: Remember, your object is to find and sabotage the Moonlite machine. But there are things you can explore now. 2/5: In the office, you should now have access to a computer. Try USE COMPUTER and see what you can do. 3/5: The meeting room can be revisited to the north, and can be explored now that you're not in conversation. Press SPACE to return to the menu or H to reveal another hint. 1/5: Remember, your object is to find and sabotage the Moonlite machine. But there are things you can explore now. 2/5: In the office, you should now have access to a computer. Try USE COMPUTER and see what you can do. 3/5: The meeting room can be revisited to the north, and can be explored now that you're not in conversation. 4/5: You also have access to most of the campus now. (Despite what the manager says, you're free to leave the office.) Press SPACE to return to the menu or H to reveal another hint. 1/5: Remember, your object is to find and sabotage the Moonlite machine. But there are things you can explore now. 2/5: In the office, you should now have access to a computer. Try USE COMPUTER and see what you can do. 3/5: The meeting room can be revisited to the north, and can be explored now that you're not in conversation. 4/5: You also have access to most of the campus now. (Despite what the manager says, you're free to leave the office.) 5/5: Try visiting the HQ building in the centre of the campus, and try exploring the east side. Press SPACE to return to the menu. I'm on campus, but I can't explore much of it! Where do I need to go? What should I say in the interview? > I've been hired! What now? I'm on campus, but I can't explore much of it! Where do I need to go? What should I say in the interview? > I've been hired! What now? How to use these hints Getting onto the campus > Getting onto more of the campus Getting to the Moonlite Endgame How to use these hints Getting onto the campus Getting onto more of the campus > Getting to the Moonlite Endgame How to use these hints Getting onto the campus Getting onto more of the campus > Getting to the Moonlite Endgame > Where is the Moonlite? The east campus is blocked by running water. How do I get past? I have what the janitor wants, but it's empty. How can I fill it? How can I get into the engineering lab? I'm trying to access a locked computer - what is the password? How to use these hints Getting onto the campus Getting onto more of the campus > Getting to the Moonlite Endgame How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) > Hints Lobby This is the pleasantly airy and open lobby of the building where all the executives keep their offices. A corridor leads visitors and executives north. The main campus is to the south. There's a receptionist here, hunched over a computer and looking very bored. >sn I didn't understand that sentence. >n Hade's Office Hadrian's office looks more like a furniture showroom. It's all expensive tables and chairs and sofas - Hadrian could hold three meetings at once in here. But there are film posters hung up around the room too, like he thinks it makes him look cool. On one especially luxurious desk sits a fancy computer. >search desk You survey the furniture quickly, but there's nothing of interest. >use computer A password field blocks you! Curse that Hadrian, and screw him, too! He's always one step ahead. Hmm, how can you figure out Hade's password? Hopefully he's not very careful with it - maybe other people in the company can help you guess. >type admin (typing "admin" on the fancy computer) You type "admin". The computer responds "Password invalid." Hmm, is there anyone who can tell you anything about Hadrian's password? >type 12345678 (typing "12345678" on the fancy computer) You type "12345678". The computer responds "Password invalid." Maybe that receptionist back outside knows something? Maybe he's overheard a few things. >type dragon (typing "dragon" on the fancy computer) You type "dragon". The computer responds "Password invalid." Maybe the manager heard Hadrian's password? Maybe she saw him typing it in a staff meeting or something? >type monkey (typing "monkey" on the fancy computer) You type "monkey". The computer responds "Password invalid." Doesn't Lunarcel have an IT department? Your businesses were always supposed to have those. Maybe they emailed you something about passwords. >type holiness (typing "holiness" on the fancy computer) You type "holiness". The computer responds "Password invalid." There was that article about passwords, from the office. That could give you some pointers. >type letmein (typing "letmein" on the fancy computer) The password field disappears! (Hey! That's the same as your password!) The computer is unlocked and ready for use. >use computer The computer wakes up without a sound. You could snoop through Hade's emails, but you also see an application for controlling Lunarcel's security permissions. [1] Check Hadrian's emails [2] Edit campus security permissions [3] Got any games on this thing? [4] Stop using the computer >3 Yes! Wow, a lot of games. Modern-looking ones, too. Does Hadrian do any actual work? [1] Check Hadrian's emails [2] Edit campus security permissions [3] Got any games on this thing? [4] Stop using the computer >3 Yes! Wow, a lot of games. Modern-looking ones, too. Does Hadrian do any actual work? [1] Check Hadrian's emails [2] Edit campus security permissions [3] Got any games on this thing? [4] Stop using the computer >2 Oho! You've found a program for giving and taking away privileges to staff members. And it looks like you're already in the database! [1] Browse the permissions list [2] Enable full permissions for "Oren" (you) [3] Disable full permissions for Hadrian (prick) [4] Quit the permissions list >1 You have a quick look through the whole database of people with security privileges. As well as all the staff, it looks like certain visitors also get listed here. Some names and titles catch your eye. "Count Urāt," "Baroness Neplacut"... these are other vampires! Hadrian's been giving single-day passes for his engineering laboratory to vampires here and there over the last couple of years. How come they get invited and not you?? [1] Browse the permissions list [2] Enable full permissions for "Oren" (you) [3] Disable full permissions for Hadrian (prick) [4] Quit the permissions list >2 It's the work of a moment to tick the little checkboxes next to your pseudonym. Now you have full security permissions to your name! [1] Browse the permissions list [2] Disable full permissions for Hadrian (prick) [3] Quit the permissions list >3 You close the security program. [1] Check Hadrian's emails [2] Edit campus security permissions [3] Got any games on this thing? [4] Stop using the computer >1 You open Hade's email program. Looks like Hade deletes a lot of his emails as he gets them (you remember he doesn't like to leave evidence), but there's a few messages here that he hasn't gotten around to destroying yet. [1] Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: URGENT: Moonlite Efficiency Report [2] Subject: please change your password, I am BEGGING you [3] Subject: MAKE FREE MONEY NOW!!! [4] Subject: Moonlite Update Request [5] Quit Hadrian's email >1 You skim through a long back-and-forth conversation between Hadrian and one of the Moonlite engineers. Huh... it looks like the Moonlite has problems. A lot of it is jargon and gibberish, but it sounds like the type of fission the reactor uses is massively inefficient. Looks like the energy you put into splitting the helium atom isn't worth the energy you get out of it. And the engineer says something about a shortage of helium in the world. So the Moonlite is both unsustainable and worthless. Hah. Great job, Hade. [1] Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: URGENT: Moonlite Efficiency Report [2] Subject: please change your password, I am BEGGING you [3] Subject: MAKE FREE MONEY NOW!!! [4] Subject: Moonlite Update Request [5] Quit Hadrian's email >2 This one is sort of like the company-wide email about password security you got, except it's personalised to Hade. The sender is very politely explaining something about the importance of numbers and symbols and length in passwords, the value of strong password protection, and the cost of security breaches and ensuing lawsuits. Oh dear, what a shame he didn't pay attention! [1] Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: URGENT: Moonlite Efficiency Report [2] Subject: please change your password, I am BEGGING you [3] Subject: MAKE FREE MONEY NOW!!! [4] Subject: Moonlite Update Request [5] Quit Hadrian's email >3 Hey, wait! This is the same email about cryptocurrency mining that you got! After you're done with the Moonlite, you'd better get on this quick before somebody else gets your free money! [1] Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: URGENT: Moonlite Efficiency Report [2] Subject: please change your password, I am BEGGING you [3] Subject: MAKE FREE MONEY NOW!!! [4] Subject: Moonlite Update Request [5] Quit Hadrian's email >4 Here's an older email sent by some banker. It seems they put some investment capital into the Moonlite a few years back, and they're trying to get Hadrian to give them an update. Maybe that was what the press conference earlier was for. Looks like Hadrian never replied to them. You don't blame him. You always wished your investors would just give you the money and then never talk to you again. Just to help Hadrian out, you send a quick reply in his name telling the banker that the project is cancelled and they should demand their money back. Hadrian can thank you later. [1] Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: URGENT: Moonlite Efficiency Report [2] Subject: please change your password, I am BEGGING you [3] Subject: MAKE FREE MONEY NOW!!! [4] Subject: Moonlite Update Request [5] Quit Hadrian's email >5 You close the email inbox. [1] Check Hadrian's emails [2] Edit campus security permissions [3] Got any games on this thing? [4] Stop using the computer >3 Yes! Wow, a lot of games. Modern-looking ones, too. Does Hadrian do any actual work? [1] Check Hadrian's emails [2] Edit campus security permissions [3] Got any games on this thing? [4] Stop using the computer >2 You reload the campus security program. [1] Browse the permissions list [2] Disable full permissions for Hadrian (prick) [3] Quit the permissions list >2 Aw, nuts. The options next to Hadrian's name are greyed out. The system must be smart enough to not let the boss get locked out of his own property. Pity. You were hoping that if you disinvited Hadrian while he was on campus, maybe he'd be catapulted off the premises or something. [1] Browse the permissions list [2] Quit the permissions list >1 You have a quick look through the whole database of people with security privileges. As well as all the staff, it looks like certain visitors also get listed here. Strangely, there are also some vampire visitors in the list. [1] Browse the permissions list [2] Quit the permissions list >2 You close the security program. [1] Check Hadrian's emails [2] Edit campus security permissions [3] Got any games on this thing? [4] Stop using the computer >4 You get up and step away from Hadrian's fancy computer. >s Lobby This is the pleasantly airy and open lobby of the building where all the executives keep their offices. A corridor leads visitors and executives north. The main campus is to the south. There's a receptionist here, hunched over a computer and looking very bored. >t receptionist He glances up from whatever he's doing. "Hi, how can I help you," he mutters. [1] Hey, I'm new here. [2] I'd like to see Mr. Alba. Is he in? [3] You don't mind me taking that fruit, right? [4] Goodbye. >1 "Sorry to hear that," he mumbles automatically. [1] Is this... not a good place to work? [2] I'd like to see Mr. Alba. Is he in? [3] You don't mind me taking that fruit, right? [4] Goodbye. >1 "It's... it's fine. The people are good, but the bosses are-" The receptionist glances around, and sees no bosses listening in. He leans a little closer. "It's miserable. You've been hired for the customer service department, right? Have they told you you're not allowed bathroom breaks yet? They fired the guys trying to unionise, and most people just quit after the first few months, with all the long shifts. They stopped checking references because they're just trying to hire people quicker than they can quit. I'm lucky, I get to sit down and just deal with the important visitors, but I had some friends in customer service, being yelled at twelve hours a day because somebody else screwed up. Just... bad." He leans back again. [1] Are you thinking of quitting? [2] I'd like to see Mr. Alba. Is he in? [3] You don't mind me taking that fruit, right? [4] Goodbye. >1 The receptionist gives you a wan little smile. "Can't. I need the job. I can't afford... I'm not... doing well-" He looks down abruptly and rubs his eyes for a few seconds. (You remember touring the factory floor once and seeing a worker in tears, and all the other workers clustered around her. You dealt with her. You don't remember what it was about.) He looks up again. "I need the money. I'm just lucky to have a job. Even if it's this one. Sorry. Thanks for listening." [1] I'd like to see Mr. Alba. Is he in? [2] You don't mind me taking that fruit, right? [3] Goodbye. >1 "He's not in right now. Just wait for him in his office if you want. It's just down the hall that way." He waves vaguely northward. [1] Where is Mr. Alba right now? [2] You don't mind me taking that fruit, right? [3] Goodbye. >1 "He's doing something in the lab. Uh, the laboratory, on the east bit of the campus. Where they do the prototypes, and... uh, things. I'd say just go over there and find him, but you need authorisation to get in, and I can't do that for you myself." He shrugs sympathetically. "Sorry, dude." [1] So who can authorise me to get into the laboratory? [2] You don't mind me taking that fruit, right? [3] Goodbye. >1 "The security guys can. Let me check." The receptionist dials a number on his phone and murmurs a conversation for a minute or two. He hangs up. "No luck, sorry. They say they're not changing any of the lab's security permissions at this time. I think they've locked things down with the Moonlite, to stop anyone getting in who shouldn't be there." Damn Hadrian, always a step ahead. "I think all the executives get to change the cards as well," the receptionist adds. "So they can show guests around." [1] Can I get an executive to change my card to let me into the laboratory? [2] You don't mind me taking that fruit, right? [3] Goodbye. >1 "You can ask, but they probably won't do it." The secretary shrugs. "Maybe one of them left themselves logged in. Just borrow their computer and do it yourself. I know Mr. Alba is out. His office is up that way." He waves a lethargic arm northwards. This receptionist has a terrible attitude towards security. [1] Can I get an executive to change my card to let me into the laboratory? [2] You don't mind me taking that fruit, right? [3] Goodbye. >save Ok. >t him [Sorry, most actions (other than looking at things) are disabled when you're in a tree. Please enter a number to keep talking (there will usually be some kind of goodbye option to exit the conversation or menu). Type REPEAT to see your options again.] >1 "You can ask, but they probably won't do it." The secretary shrugs. "Maybe one of them left themselves logged in. Just borrow their computer and do it yourself. I know Mr. Alba is out. His office is up that way." He waves a lethargic arm northwards. This receptionist has a terrible attitude towards security. [1] Can I get an executive to change my card to let me into the laboratory? [2] You don't mind me taking that fruit, right? [3] Goodbye. >2 "Yeah, sure, it's there for anyone. Help yourself." [1] Can I get an executive to change my card to let me into the laboratory? [2] Goodbye. >2 "Oh. Bye." >s Campus Central This central plaza is wide and spacious, offering striking views of all the major landmarks of the campus, as if designed by a brutalist landscape gardener. As a wooden signpost indicates, the black glass building to the immediate north is the corporate headquarters; it also tells you that the campus stretches east to the engineering laboratory, and west to the customer service office. You can also leave the campus through the southern exit. >w Campus West Somewhat less pretty than the entrance and central plaza were - this part of the campus must usually be seen only by employees. North is a grimy-looking office block, and the rest of the campus is to the east. >n You sneak back in. It looks like the manager didn't even notice you were gone. Office A modern open-plan office: bent backs from wall to wall and no privacy anywhere. Just how you used to like it when you were running these kinds of places. North leads to a meeting room. You can head back outside to the south. Your work computer is waiting for you here. The manager is bustling wildly, juggling several administrative tasks at once. >x backs A load of desk jockeys all hunched over computers. They all look the same to you, frankly. On the other side of the office, the manager makes a phone call and arranges some review for tomorrow. >t manager "Hi, Oren. How can I help you?" [1] What are my job duties again? [2] When do we get breaks? [3] Well, back to work for me. >1 (You're asking this just to look like you're interested, of course. You have no intention of doing any actual work.) "Today, you'll be handling online customer support. We've assigned you a computer there." She points to the grimy old spare computer nearby. "You've also got an email account set up for you already - you can check that on the computer too." [1] What are my job duties again? [2] When do we get breaks? [3] Well, back to work for me. >2 "Not for a while, Oren. You have a few more hours yet before your ten-minute break," she says. (You are, of course, not going to wait for a few more hours. You're already planning to sneak out of the office as soon as possible.) [1] What are my job duties again? [2] When do we get breaks? [3] Well, back to work for me. >2 "Not for a while, Oren. You have a few more hours yet before your ten-minute break," she says. (You are, of course, not going to wait for a few more hours. You're already planning to sneak out of the office as soon as possible.) [1] What are my job duties again? [2] When do we get breaks? [3] Well, back to work for me. >2 "Not for a while, Oren. You have a few more hours yet before your ten-minute break," she says. (You are, of course, not going to wait for a few more hours. You're already planning to sneak out of the office as soon as possible.) [1] What are my job duties again? [2] When do we get breaks? [3] Well, back to work for me. >3 "Alright, Oren." The manager gives you a quick smile, and then bustles away again. Nearby, the manager rearranges some files on a desk. >x desk On a rickety desk near you is a yellowing tower computer running an operating system from 10 years ago. The old computer is currently switched off. >n Interview Room A pokey little room currently set up as an interview room. Two chairs and a table take up most of the room; the rest of it is occupied by a cupboard. >x chairs A rickety table and two hard plastic chairs. They look like hand-me-downs from a school. The cupboard looks more interesting. >sing Singing? That's for children of the night. You're an adult of the night. >x table A rickety table and two hard plastic chairs. They look like hand-me-downs from a school. The cupboard looks more interesting. >stand on table That furniture was pretty uncomfortable the first time. >look under table You find nothing of interest. >x cupboard A sizable metal cupboard occupies one corner. There's a sign taped to it: "KEEP CLOSED." >search cupboard Nothing around the outside of the cupboard. You'll need to open the cupboard to see what's inside. >open it You open the cupboard, revealing WAAAUUGH- You slam the cupboard shut. You open the cupboard again, gingerly. Holy symbols! Dozens of them! Of every denomination you can think of! This is no innocent meeting room. It's a multifaith prayer room! The symbols are already getting to you. You look away, and notice a little box on the floor. It must have fallen out of the cupboard. > I beg your pardon? >get box Taken. You lose focus as you wonder if there's an afterlife, and what kind of afterlife you can expect. >search it The empty raisin box is empty. Your concentration breaks as you reflect on all your sins. >x it About the size of a matchbox. There's some writing on it: "Seedless RAISINS. Ingredients: 100% dried seedless grapes; additives." Briefly, a sense of righteous dread grabs you. >put grapes in box You file the raisins neatly into the raisin box. You lose focus as you wonder if there's an afterlife, and what kind of afterlife you can expect. >s First, you stagger to the cupboard and shut it again, so you can come back later without any nasty surprises. Office A modern open-plan office: bent backs from wall to wall and no privacy anywhere. Just how you used to like it when you were running these kinds of places. North leads to a multifaith prayer room. You can head back outside to the south. Your work computer is waiting for you here. The manager is bustling wildly, juggling several administrative tasks at once. >n Prayer Room A mean little room for faiths of all kinds to indulge themselves. All the religious stuff is shoved up inside a cupboard, which is closed. Currently, it's set up as an interview room with two chairs and a table. >s Office A modern open-plan office: bent backs from wall to wall and no privacy anywhere. Just how you used to like it when you were running these kinds of places. North leads to a multifaith prayer room. You can head back outside to the south. Your work computer is waiting for you here. The manager is bustling wildly, juggling several administrative tasks at once. >n Prayer Room A mean little room for faiths of all kinds to indulge themselves. All the religious stuff is shoved up inside a cupboard, which is closed. Currently, it's set up as an interview room with two chairs and a table. >pray I didn't understand that sentence. >s Office A modern open-plan office: bent backs from wall to wall and no privacy anywhere. Just how you used to like it when you were running these kinds of places. North leads to a multifaith prayer room. You can head back outside to the south. Your work computer is waiting for you here. The manager is bustling wildly, juggling several administrative tasks at once. >s You make a quick and confident exit while the manager's back is turned. Campus West Somewhat less pretty than the entrance and central plaza were - this part of the campus must usually be seen only by employees. North is a grimy-looking office block, and the rest of the campus is to the east. >e Campus Central This central plaza is wide and spacious, offering striking views of all the major landmarks of the campus, as if designed by a brutalist landscape gardener. As a wooden signpost indicates, the black glass building to the immediate north is the corporate headquarters; it also tells you that the campus stretches east to the engineering laboratory, and west to the customer service office. You can also leave the campus through the southern exit. >n Lobby This is the pleasantly airy and open lobby of the building where all the executives keep their offices. A corridor leads visitors and executives north. The main campus is to the south. There's a receptionist here, hunched over a computer and looking very bored. >n Hade's Office Hadrian's office looks more like a furniture showroom. It's all expensive tables and chairs and sofas - Hadrian could hold three meetings at once in here. But there are film posters hung up around the room too, like he thinks it makes him look cool. On one especially luxurious desk sits a fancy computer. >use computer The computer wakes up without a sound. You could snoop through Hade's emails, but you also see an application for controlling Lunarcel's security permissions. [1] Check Hadrian's emails [2] Edit campus security permissions [3] Got any games on this thing? [4] Stop using the computer >1 You open Hade's email program. Looks like Hade deletes a lot of his emails as he gets them (you remember he doesn't like to leave evidence), but there's a few messages here that he hasn't gotten around to destroying yet. [1] Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: URGENT: Moonlite Efficiency Report [2] Subject: please change your password, I am BEGGING you [3] Subject: MAKE FREE MONEY NOW!!! [4] Subject: Moonlite Update Request [5] Quit Hadrian's email >1 You revisit the email chain. A lot of it is jargon and gibberish, but it sounds like the type of fission the reactor uses is massively inefficient. Looks like the energy you put into splitting the helium atom isn't worth the energy you get out of it. And the engineer says something about a shortage of helium in the world. So the Moonlite is both unsustainable and worthless. Hah. Great job, Hade. [1] Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: URGENT: Moonlite Efficiency Report [2] Subject: please change your password, I am BEGGING you [3] Subject: MAKE FREE MONEY NOW!!! [4] Subject: Moonlite Update Request [5] Quit Hadrian's email >4 Here's an older email sent by some banker. It seems they put some investment capital into the Moonlite a few years back, and they're trying to get Hadrian to give them an update. Maybe that was what the press conference earlier was for. Looks like Hadrian never replied to them. You don't blame him. You always wished your investors would just give you the money and then never talk to you again. [1] Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: URGENT: Moonlite Efficiency Report [2] Subject: please change your password, I am BEGGING you [3] Subject: MAKE FREE MONEY NOW!!! [4] Subject: Moonlite Update Request [5] Quit Hadrian's email >5 You close the email inbox. [1] Check Hadrian's emails [2] Edit campus security permissions [3] Got any games on this thing? [4] Stop using the computer >2 You reload the campus security program. [1] Browse the permissions list [2] Disable full permissions for Hadrian (prick) [3] Quit the permissions list >2 Aw, nuts. The options next to Hadrian's name are greyed out. The system must be smart enough to not let the boss get locked out of his own property. Pity. You were hoping that if you disinvited Hadrian while he was on campus, maybe he'd be catapulted off the premises or something. [1] Browse the permissions list [2] Quit the permissions list >1 You have a quick look through the whole database of people with security privileges. As well as all the staff, it looks like certain visitors also get listed here. Strangely, there are also some vampire visitors in the list. [1] Browse the permissions list [2] Quit the permissions list >q Are you sure you want to quit? n >2 You close the security program. [1] Check Hadrian's emails [2] Edit campus security permissions [3] Got any games on this thing? [4] Stop using the computer >3 Yes! Wow, a lot of games. Modern-looking ones, too. Does Hadrian do any actual work? [1] Check Hadrian's emails [2] Edit campus security permissions [3] Got any games on this thing? [4] Stop using the computer >4 You get up and step away from Hadrian's fancy computer. >s Lobby This is the pleasantly airy and open lobby of the building where all the executives keep their offices. A corridor leads visitors and executives north. The main campus is to the south. There's a receptionist here, hunched over a computer and looking very bored. >t receptionist He glances up from whatever he's doing. "Hi again," he mutters. [1] Can I get an executive to change my card to let me into the laboratory? [2] Goodbye. >1 "You can ask, but they probably won't do it." The secretary shrugs. "Maybe one of them left themselves logged in. Just borrow their computer and do it yourself. I know Mr. Alba is out. His office is up that way." He waves a lethargic arm northwards. This receptionist has a terrible attitude towards security. [1] Can I get an executive to change my card to let me into the laboratory? [2] Goodbye. >i [Sorry, most actions (other than looking at things) are disabled when you're in a tree. Please enter a number to keep talking (there will usually be some kind of goodbye option to exit the conversation or menu). Type REPEAT to see your options again.] >2 "Oh. Bye." >i You are carrying: a box full of raisins an ID card (being worn) a list of passwords an umbrella a blood bag >n Hade's Office Hadrian's office looks more like a furniture showroom. It's all expensive tables and chairs and sofas - Hadrian could hold three meetings at once in here. But there are film posters hung up around the room too, like he thinks it makes him look cool. On one especially luxurious desk sits a fancy computer. >put id card in computer That can't contain things. >hint > How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints How to play interactive fiction > How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints How to play interactive fiction > How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd > About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd > About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) > Hints How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) > Hints > How to use these hints Getting onto the campus Getting onto more of the campus Getting to the Moonlite Endgame How to use these hints > Getting onto the campus Getting onto more of the campus Getting to the Moonlite Endgame How to use these hints > Getting onto the campus Getting onto more of the campus Getting to the Moonlite Endgame How to use these hints Getting onto the campus > Getting onto more of the campus Getting to the Moonlite Endgame How to use these hints Getting onto the campus > Getting onto more of the campus Getting to the Moonlite Endgame > I'm on campus, but I can't explore much of it! Where do I need to go? What should I say in the interview? I've been hired! What now? How to use these hints Getting onto the campus > Getting onto more of the campus Getting to the Moonlite Endgame How to use these hints Getting onto the campus Getting onto more of the campus > Getting to the Moonlite Endgame How to use these hints Getting onto the campus Getting onto more of the campus > Getting to the Moonlite Endgame > Where is the Moonlite? The east campus is blocked by running water. How do I get past? I have what the janitor wants, but it's empty. How can I fill it? How can I get into the engineering lab? I'm trying to access a locked computer - what is the password? Where is the Moonlite? > The east campus is blocked by running water. How do I get past? I have what the janitor wants, but it's empty. How can I fill it? How can I get into the engineering lab? I'm trying to access a locked computer - what is the password? Where is the Moonlite? > The east campus is blocked by running water. How do I get past? I have what the janitor wants, but it's empty. How can I fill it? How can I get into the engineering lab? I'm trying to access a locked computer - what is the password? 1/10: The water is coming from a leaky pipe on the wall. Press SPACE to return to the menu or H to reveal another hint. 1/10: The water is coming from a leaky pipe on the wall. 2/10: Seems like it would be the nearby janitor's job to fix it. Press SPACE to return to the menu or H to reveal another hint. 1/10: The water is coming from a leaky pipe on the wall. 2/10: Seems like it would be the nearby janitor's job to fix it. 3/10: Maybe you can negotiate with her? Even if she's on strike. (Nero doesn't seem to like that she's on strike, anyway.) Press SPACE to return to the menu or H to reveal another hint. 1/10: The water is coming from a leaky pipe on the wall. 2/10: Seems like it would be the nearby janitor's job to fix it. 3/10: Maybe you can negotiate with her? Even if she's on strike. (Nero doesn't seem to like that she's on strike, anyway.) 4/10: TALK TO THE JANITOR - she's okay with quickly fixing the leak for you if you run an errand for her. Press SPACE to return to the menu or H to reveal another hint. 1/10: The water is coming from a leaky pipe on the wall. 2/10: Seems like it would be the nearby janitor's job to fix it. 3/10: Maybe you can negotiate with her? Even if she's on strike. (Nero doesn't seem to like that she's on strike, anyway.) 4/10: TALK TO THE JANITOR - she's okay with quickly fixing the leak for you if you run an errand for her. 5/10: Once you've got her box of raisins for her, she'll stop the leak. Press SPACE to return to the menu or H to reveal another hint. Where is the Moonlite? > The east campus is blocked by running water. How do I get past? I have what the janitor wants, but it's empty. How can I fill it? How can I get into the engineering lab? I'm trying to access a locked computer - what is the password? Where is the Moonlite? > The east campus is blocked by running water. How do I get past? I have what the janitor wants, but it's empty. How can I fill it? How can I get into the engineering lab? I'm trying to access a locked computer - what is the password? How to use these hints Getting onto the campus Getting onto more of the campus > Getting to the Moonlite Endgame How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) > Hints Hade's Office Hadrian's office looks more like a furniture showroom. It's all expensive tables and chairs and sofas - Hadrian could hold three meetings at once in here. But there are film posters hung up around the room too, like he thinks it makes him look cool. On one especially luxurious desk sits a fancy computer. >s Lobby This is the pleasantly airy and open lobby of the building where all the executives keep their offices. A corridor leads visitors and executives north. The main campus is to the south. There's a receptionist here, hunched over a computer and looking very bored. >s Campus Central This central plaza is wide and spacious, offering striking views of all the major landmarks of the campus, as if designed by a brutalist landscape gardener. As a wooden signpost indicates, the black glass building to the immediate north is the corporate headquarters; it also tells you that the campus stretches east to the engineering laboratory, and west to the customer service office. You can also leave the campus through the southern exit. >e Campus East This part of the campus plaza wants to be open and airy, but it's hemmed in by various concrete structures, the biggest of them being the Engineering Laboratory to the north. Prettier parts of the campus are to the west. Water cuts across the laboratory doorway here, spouting from a burst pipe in the wall. There's a worker here, maybe a janitor or other maintenance person, leaning against the wall and holding a sign that says "VAMPIRES SUCK". >t worker She nods at you as you approach. "Hiya. Vampires suck." [1] What's the protest for? [2] Could you fix this water leak so I can get to the laboratory? [3] Goodbye. >1 "It's against vampires. Especially our guy in charge. It's against vampiric systems. It's against the exploitation of labour on long hours and low pay. It's for changes at the highest level for Lunarcel and every other company which lines its own pockets at the expense of workers. It's for radical new ways of being which aren't built on blood and toil." (You don't like this woman.) [1] Isn't anyone else striking with you? [2] But haven't vampires done so much for us? [3] Could you fix this water leak so I can get to the laboratory? [4] Goodbye. >1 "See, that's another problem. Any time we stand up for ourselves, some spurious reason to fire them comes up. I've known three guys here who were getting support for unions, and they all got found out, and they all got fired immediately for, like, 'toxic influence' or something. They're busting unions. So it's just me protesting for now. I won't get anybody else in trouble." [1] But haven't vampires done so much for us? [2] Could you fix this water leak so I can get to the laboratory? [3] Goodbye. >1 "Oh, I used to think that too! You're not alone. But someone showed me it's all selfish. Vampires get rich off blood and labour, and whatever they give back doesn't usually help anyone but themselves, right? Look at Hadrian Alba. He gave that money for more blood donation clinics years ago, right? But he provided the land, so all the clinics were built on land he owned, right? So he becomes the landlord and proprietor of, basically, grocery stores for vampires. You can't prove anything, but it's a conflict of interest, right? You have to be suspicious. All the stuff vampires do 'for us' is just stuff they'd do anyway but they want to be congratulated for it, so we ignore all the blood-drinking." (You'd argue for vampires if it wasn't Hadrian she was picking on. Anyway, she's right. You were working for Hade when he planned it. You think about some of your own past businesses, such as your mail-order blood testing kits and your anti-garlic lobby, and you decide to drop the subject.) [1] Could you fix this water leak so I can get to the laboratory? [2] Goodbye. >1 "Hm? Oh, this?" The janitor glances at the rip in the water pipe next to her, as if she forgot about it. "Yeah, it's a nasty one. Don't know how it got there. Sorry, mate, I'm leaving it for now. Not much of a strike if I'm working during it. Can't you just cross it?" Before you can think of an excuse, she gasps. "Oh! Holes in your shoes? Fair enough, mate. Nice umbrella, by the way." She thinks a little. "Tell you what, mate, can you do me a favour? I brought some raisins to snack on, but I think I left them in the prayer room. Can you get them for me? I'll tape up the leak for you when you do." [1] What did you want again before fixing the leak? [2] What prayer room? [3] I found your box of raisins. [4] Goodbye. >1 "I left a box of raisins in the prayer room. I'll fix the leak for you if you fetch them for me. I'd get them myself, but it's not much of a protest if I'm gone for most of it." [1] What did you want again before fixing the leak? [2] What prayer room? [3] I found your box of raisins. [4] Goodbye. >2 "Oh yeah! Sorry, mate. It's at the far end of the campus" - she points west towards the offices - "in a side room. You'll find it. We don't talk about it much. It's not official. You know vampires and religion." [1] What did you want again before fixing the leak? [2] What prayer room? [3] I found your box of raisins. [4] Goodbye. >3 "Brilliant! Thanks, mate!" She takes the box of raisins gratefully. She notices your meaningful look. "Oh yeah! Sorry, mate, forgot I promised." She produces a roll of tape from somewhere and patches up the leak in seconds. "Done! Your shoes are safe." She gives you a genuine smile, puts the roll away and returns to leaning. >n Laboratory Entrance This is a little antechamber which serves as a security checkpoint before the laboratory itself. The lab can vaguely be seen through a frosted glass door to the north; the main campus is south. There is a card reader device mounted next to the glass door, which must control the lock. >n (first opening the glass door) It seems to be locked. >put id card in card reader You flick your ID card through the reader. Its LED lights up a cheery green, and you hear a soft click from the glass door. >n (first opening the glass door) Engineering Lab An open-plan laboratory the size of a warehouse, littered with all sorts of scrap and junk. Engineers move from project to project, doing engineering jobs (you've never been interested in the technical side of things). The exit is south. In the centre of the lab sits the Moonlite. Hadrian is here, talking to some engineers. He glances up as you enter. Shock and fury flit across his face. But they're gone in a flash, replaced by the same old magnaminous smirk. You might not have noticed if you weren't watching him carefully. "Nero! To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?" [1] Surprised to see me again, Hadrian, you prick? [2] I'm here for the machine. [3] (skip all the gloating and just attack Hade) >1 "You could say that, Nero," he says. His smile is broad, but his teeth are grinding. "You could say that, after I forbade you from ever darkening my door again. After you stole from me. Tell me, how did you get in? Who invited you?" [1] Looks like you hired me back, boss! [2] Stole? So it's my fault your employees wanted to work for me instead? [3] I'm here for the machine. [4] (skip all the gloating and just attack Hade) >2 "It's your fault you poached my staff, yeah!" Hadrian snaps. "It's your fault you stole my staff and my ideas when you quit! It's your fault you tried to sabotage me on the way out! "And it's your fault you failed anyway, isn't it?" he continues, in a quieter voice. "It's your fault that you alienated everyone you've ever worked with. That now everyone can see you for the stupid hateful little man you are. It's all your own fault. The only mistake I made was turning you. You have no one to blame but yourself." Hadrian is smiling again. You try to hold his gaze. [1] Looks like you hired me back, boss! [2] I'm here for the machine. [3] (skip all the gloating and just attack Hade) >1 Hade looks blank for a second. "Oh, the service jobs. Yeah, well, you're fi-" Something seems to occur to him. "You know what? Why don't you stick around for a while. Saves me having to find you later." [1] I'm here for the machine. [2] (skip all the gloating and just attack Hade) >1 "Oh, you don't even know what it does," says Hadrian dismissively. [1] I know exactly what the machine is. [2] I don't care what your machine for idiots does. [3] (skip all the gloating and just attack Hade) >1 "Oh yeah? This'll be funny. What do you think's going on, then?" [1] You said it was a fission reactor, remember? [2] It doesn't do anything. The fission would be too inefficient. [3] It's a machine to make vampires more powerful. [4] Well... actually, I don't know. [5] (skip all the gloating and just attack Hade) >2 "That's what you'd do, right? Promise the world, deliver nothing, take the money and run," Hade says, a little unfairly. "Well, I have something more ambitious in mind." Hadrian starts pacing. He's about to give you a speech if you let him. "Let me ask you something, Nero. Aren't you tired?" He gestures vaguely. "Of all this?" [1] Of... talking to you? [2] Of... capitalism? [3] Of... being a vampire? [4] Yes. (attack Hade) >2 "Absolutely not," Hadrian says sternly. "No. What the hell is wrong with you? What, you think it's bad that I'm rich, just because you keep wasting your life? No, I'm tired of our bodies! "Look at us! We are vampires! We own this world! We're smarter than everyone, we're stronger than everyone, we've seen everything, we've, we have power. True power. "But we can't use it! We're trapped by all these, these ridiculous weaknesses! We can't go anywhere without permission! We can't cross rivers! We can't eat garlic! We can't handle holy symbols! We can't have stakes driven through our hearts! We can't even go outside without some stupid umbrella or veil! "The Moonlite is going to change that. The Moonlite is going to unshackle us. "Well, again, not you. I'm going to kill you in a few minutes." [1] How does the Moonlite make us more powerful? [2] Where are you getting the money to develop this thing? [3] Sounds like a cool machine. Be a shame if someone took it for themselves. [4] You need to destroy this machine. It's too dangerous. >1 "Sunlight, Nero, sunlight!" Hade almost sounds giddy. He loves explaining how smart he is. "What is sunlight, Nero? It's an explosion! It's the energy of octillions of octillions of hydrogen atoms fusing together into helium! A celestial Hindenburg! "And I wondered, if that hurts us... what about the opposite? So I had the eggheads here prototype a new kind of energy reactor, one that takes helium and splits it into hydrogen. Oh, some of the staff carped at me about inefficiency, and how hard it is to safely contain a nuclear explosion, and how it shouldn't have a window -" he pats the glass bulb on the Moonlite "- but we made it. Of course, I just say it's a new kind of fission reactor we're going to sell, otherwise people might get suspicious. But that's not what it is, Nero. It's an anti-sunlight machine. And just wait till you see what it does for us." [1] Wait, you just had them prototype a nuclear fission reactor? Just like that? [2] Where are you getting the money to develop this thing? [3] Sounds like a cool machine. Be a shame if someone took it for themselves. [4] You need to destroy this machine. It's too dangerous. >1 "Yes," says Hade blankly. There's a small silence. "Well, they had to pull a couple hundred all-nighters to do it," he adds. [1] Where are you getting the money to develop this thing? [2] Sounds like a cool machine. Be a shame if someone took it for themselves. [3] You need to destroy this machine. It's too dangerous. >1 "Investors, of course! I rang up a few rich people and told them about the clean energy revolution. Lots of people want to want to get in on this one. Look like philanthropists while making a quick buck from our hard work. "And then there's the other investors. The ones who know what's up." Hade starts counting on his fingers. "Let's see, I got a couple million from Old Count Urāt, and Baroness Neplacut... Scārbos the Loathsome, Comtesse La Marcil, Big Red Peavis... oh, lots of vampires were interested in this one. Some of them even visited." He leans forward conspirationally. "Between you and me, though, I think I'll keep the Moonlite for myself. Monopolies are so much more profitable, aren't they?" [1] You told every other vampire about this thing, but you didn't tell me?? [2] If this is for vampires, why show it off to everyone this morning? [3] Sounds like a cool machine. Be a shame if someone took it for themselves. [4] You need to destroy this machine. It's too dangerous. >2 Hade looks annoyed, not at you for a change. "I didn't want to. But I told some of my investors that this is a sustainable energy thing, and they were getting mad that I haven't shown anything yet. And some of these were saying that the Moonlite wasn't working," he adds, gesturing to the engineers at work around the lab. "I just needed to stop people getting suspicious and pulling their investment, that's why I did the press conference. I just need a little more time to get it right." [1] You told every other vampire about this thing, but you didn't tell me?? [2] Why? Something not right with the Moonlite? [3] Sounds like a cool machine. Be a shame if someone took it for themselves. [4] You need to destroy this machine. It's too dangerous. >1 "Why would I tell you?" sneers Hadrian. "I don't want you anywhere near this thing. Besides, I know you don't have any money." There was no need for that. [1] Why? Something not right with the Moonlite? [2] Sounds like a cool machine. Be a shame if someone took it for themselves. [3] You need to destroy this machine. It's too dangerous. >1 "It works great, it could just be a little stronger-" Hade catches himself, and gives you a look. "Sneaky, Nero! Sneaky! Almost got me giving away all my secrets! Well, the Moonlite works just fine. I'll show you in a second!" [1] Sounds like a cool machine. Be a shame if someone took it for themselves. [2] You need to destroy this machine. It's too dangerous. >1 "Oh, I'm not worried about that," says Hadrian. He moves to stand in front of the reactor's glass bulb as he talks. "For a start, they'd need a crane. And if anyone did threaten to take the Moonlite off me... I'd have to do something about that." And, holding your gaze and smiling, he slaps the button on the machine. Something explodes in the machine. Engineers around the lab panic and dive for cover. The glass bulb fills with incandescent light, forming a beam pointed directly at Hadrian. Squinting, you see Hade's shape... change. You can see his silhouette grow, and hear the sound of ripping fabric. Soon, the machine powers down. You open your eyes fully. Hadrian is now the size and shape of a comic book superhero. His newfound absurd muscles have torn through his suit, revealing a scarred chest and perfect pectorals. He shines brilliantly. And his fingers have lengthened to evil talons. The engineers around the room sense a change in the atmosphere, and leave the room swiftly. Hadrian grins and advances on you. Hadrian cackles and flexes maliciously. >x hadrian This isn't great. Hade is about a foot taller and a foot wider than he usually is, his shirt torn apart by brand-new biceps and triceps, and all the other ceps you don't know the names of. His pale skin now sparkles underneath the flourescent lighting. His nails have grown into claws. Those claws and his fangs are very, very long. His chest can be seen through his ripped shirt. You can see scar tissue around his heart. Hadrian swipes at you, and you stumble back. >i You are carrying: an ID card (being worn) a list of passwords an umbrella a blood bag Hadrian cackles and flexes maliciously. >kill hadrian with umbrella You line the umbrella up with the scars on Hadrian's chest, and a look of terror crosses his face as you thrust- Quick as a whip, his arm catches your umbrella, inches from his heart! You twist free just as his other arm swipes at you. "Don't you ever try that again!" he screams at you. Sounds like you should try that again sometime. Hadrian swipes at you, and you stumble back. >g You line up your umbrella with his heart again, but Hade is expecting it now. He's too focused for you to get a good staking in. Hadrian cackles and flexes maliciously. >hint > How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints How to play interactive fiction > How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints How to play interactive fiction > How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd > About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd > About Vampire Ltd (including credits) Hints How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) > Hints How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) > Hints > How to use these hints Getting onto the campus Getting onto more of the campus Getting to the Moonlite Endgame How to use these hints > Getting onto the campus Getting onto more of the campus Getting to the Moonlite Endgame How to use these hints > Getting onto the campus Getting onto more of the campus Getting to the Moonlite Endgame How to use these hints Getting onto the campus > Getting onto more of the campus Getting to the Moonlite Endgame How to use these hints Getting onto the campus > Getting onto more of the campus Getting to the Moonlite Endgame How to use these hints Getting onto the campus Getting onto more of the campus > Getting to the Moonlite Endgame How to use these hints Getting onto the campus Getting onto more of the campus > Getting to the Moonlite Endgame How to use these hints Getting onto the campus Getting onto more of the campus Getting to the Moonlite > Endgame How to use these hints Getting onto the campus Getting onto more of the campus Getting to the Moonlite > Endgame > Hadrian is here! What should I say? Hadrian is chasing me! How can I stop him? What should I do with the Moonlite? Hadrian is here! What should I say? > Hadrian is chasing me! How can I stop him? What should I do with the Moonlite? Hadrian is here! What should I say? > Hadrian is chasing me! How can I stop him? What should I do with the Moonlite? 1/18: Since Hadrian is doing a good job of guarding the Moonlite, you can rule out using it in any way here. Press SPACE to return to the menu or H to reveal another hint. Hadrian is here! What should I say? > Hadrian is chasing me! How can I stop him? What should I do with the Moonlite? Hadrian is here! What should I say? > Hadrian is chasing me! How can I stop him? What should I do with the Moonlite? How to use these hints Getting onto the campus Getting onto more of the campus Getting to the Moonlite > Endgame How to play interactive fiction How to play Vampire Ltd About Vampire Ltd (including credits) > Hints Engineering Lab An open-plan laboratory the size of a warehouse, littered with all sorts of scrap and junk. The exit is south. Hadrian is here, and coming after you. In the centre of the lab sits the Moonlite. >get moonlite You reach for the Moonlite- Hadrian bears down on you! You dodge just before his swipe would have taken your arm off. You're not going to be able to touch the Moonlite as long as Hade can do anything about it. Hadrian swipes at you, and you stumble back. >s Laboratory Entrance This is a little antechamber which serves as a security checkpoint before the laboratory itself. The lab can vaguely be seen through a frosted glass door to the north; the main campus is south. There is a card reader device mounted next to the glass door, which must control the lock. As you enter, you slam the glass door shut behind you and hear its lock engage. Hadrian strides straight through! The glass explodes into confetti against his huge body! "Can't run away from this one, Nero!" he bellows (a little unfairly - he was the one who banned you from meeting him). >s Campus East This part of the campus plaza wants to be open and airy, but it's hemmed in by various concrete structures, the biggest of them being the Engineering Laboratory to the north. Prettier parts of the campus are to the west. There's a worker here, maybe a janitor or other maintenance person, leaning against the wall and holding a sign that says "VAMPIRES SUCK". The janitor sees Hadrian in hot pursuit and understands what needs to be done. She lets you past, and then rips the pipe leak open again. A river runs across the campus in front of Hadrian. He grabs the pipe and bends it like spaghetti, diverting the leak to behind the laboratory. The janitor shrugs at you sympathetically, and then legs it before Hadrian can do the same to her. >w Campus Central This central plaza is wide and spacious, offering striking views of all the major landmarks of the campus, as if designed by a brutalist landscape gardener. As a wooden signpost indicates, the black glass building to the immediate north is the corporate headquarters; it also tells you that the campus stretches east to the engineering laboratory, and west to the customer service office. You can also leave the campus through the southern exit. As Hadrian pursues you, the signpost catches his eye. He winks at you. "Let's do this like the vampire hunters used to!" He grabs the signpost and tears it out of the ground effortlessly. The wooden pole of the signpost has a very pointy end. Uh oh. >w Campus West Somewhat less pretty than the entrance and central plaza were - this part of the campus must usually be seen only by employees. North is a grimy-looking office block, and the rest of the campus is to the east. Hadrian strides towards you. >n You charge into the office at full-tilt! Office A modern open-plan office: bent backs from wall to wall and no privacy anywhere. Just how you used to like it when you were running these kinds of places. North leads to a multifaith prayer room. You can head back outside to the south. Your work computer is waiting for you here. The manager is bustling wildly, juggling several administrative tasks at once. Hadrian storms in and pulls the manager aside. "When I'm done with this one, we need to have a little talk about your hiring policies," he hisses. He lets her go and returns to chasing you. You see the manager very quietly slink out of the door. >n Prayer Room A mean little room for faiths of all kinds to indulge themselves. All the religious stuff is shoved up inside a cupboard, which is closed. Currently, it's set up as an interview room with two chairs and a table. Hadrian chases after you. >open cupboard You open the cupboard. You're ready for it this time, but it's no less distressing to you. Hadrian isn't ready for it. He screeches and recoils from the religious symbols as if burned. "WHAT THE HELL ARE THOSE DOING IN THERE???" he cries. >get signpost Now looks like your chance, but somehow Hadrian's grip on the signpost stays firm even while he gazes at the holy symbols and gibbers softly. Too big to be a good stake for you to use anyway. Think smaller! Your concentration breaks as you reflect on all your sins. Hadrian drops his guard for a second as he glances behind him. >kill hade with umbrella Hadrian is too distracted by the symbols, and notices your advance too late! You plunge the umbrella into his heart! A banshee wail escapes his lips. His body starts to crumble and crumple, like a balloon losing its air. Holes open up in his skin, and dust pours out. He tries to say something, maybe a curse, but it's too late, his throat has opened up and all you hear is a wheeze. His eyes sink inwards. Something crackles. It's over in about a minute. All that remains is a pile of dust. He could be back soon. He could be resurrected tonight, if someone loves him enough. You need to act now, while the Moonlite is unprotected. You've seen what it does. Power is good, but that much power? You've seen how Hade treats people - how you treat people - even fettered by weaknesses. But unfettered? No, the right thing to do would be- You blink, and close the cupboard. All shameful thoughts flee your mind. Ah, that feels better. Now let's grab that Moonlite. >s Office A modern open-plan office: bent backs from wall to wall and no privacy anywhere. Just how you used to like it when you were running these kinds of places. North leads to a multifaith prayer room. You can head back outside to the south. Your work computer is waiting for you here. >s Campus West Somewhat less pretty than the entrance and central plaza were - this part of the campus must usually be seen only by employees. North is a grimy-looking office block, and the rest of the campus is to the east. >e Campus Central This central plaza is wide and spacious, offering striking views of all the major landmarks of the campus, as if designed by a brutalist landscape gardener. The black glass building to the immediate north is the corporate headquarters; the campus stretches east to the engineering laboratory, and west to the customer service office. You can also leave the campus through the southern exit. >e Campus East This part of the campus plaza wants to be open and airy, but it's hemmed in by various concrete structures, the biggest of them being the Engineering Laboratory to the north. Prettier parts of the campus are to the west. >n Laboratory Entrance This is a little antechamber which serves as a security checkpoint before the laboratory itself. The lab is clearly visible to the north now that the door which once guarded it has been obliterated; the main campus is south. There is a card reader device mounted next to the glass door, which used to control the lock. >n Engineering Lab An open-plan laboratory the size of a warehouse, littered with all sorts of scrap and junk. The exit is south. In the centre of the lab sits the Moonlite. >get moonlite That's fixed in place. >x it The reactor looks like a thimble the size of an elephant. Up close, you can see a little power button, and next to that, a sort of... glass bulb? It reminds you of a football-sized version of the little bulbs on laser pointers. The Moonlite is currently switched off. >turn on moonlite You were planning to destroy this thing this morning. That's pretty funny now. Of course, you've got some jobs to do later. You'll have to get the Moonlite out of the lab, or maybe just take control of the lab. You'll have to threaten a lot of people to make that happen. You'll have to figure out how it actually operates, or get someone else to teach you. You'll have the power - the money will come soon, you're sure - but a lot of people will want to take it away from you. Get rid of that janitor and her friends, if she has any. Burn down that office with the prayer room. Maybe buy a breastplate. You'l be busy. But that all comes later. Right now, you slam the Moonlite's button with an open palm, and watch the machine explode to life. Your hard work is finally paying off. *** The world is yours *** Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, see some suggestions for AMUSING things to do, QUIT, or UNDO the last command? > amusing Have you tried... * biting yourself? * biting people? during the fight with Hadrian? after the fight? * biting the blood bag? during the fight with Hadrian? * closing your umbrella outside and waiting? during Hadrian's speech? in front of the janitor? during the fight with Hadrian? * hypnotising someone? something? (try >HYPNOTIZE _____ or similar verbs) * kissing someone? Hadrian? yourself? * cursing? * beating E4M2 of The Ultimate Doom, "Perfect Hatred", on Ultra-Violence from a pistol start? * leading Hadrian to the receptionist during the fight? * calling the emergency services? during the fight with Hadrian? * fleeing the campus during the fight with Hadrian? (try going south from the Campus Entrance) * using the receptionist's computer? after biting him? Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, see some suggestions for AMUSING things to do, QUIT, or UNDO the last command? > quit