Transcript enabled for: TITLE: The Brutal Murder of Jenny Lee VERSION: 1.0 IFID: 43490e8c-312e-4e25-b4ac-227fec61477b [ Enter SCRIPT OFF to disable the transcript. ] * Ooops, only thought to check for that post-tutorial Noted. > x drums It's an old drumstick, labeled by Sharpie on a piece of masking tape: "Property of Angela Zhao, If Found Please Return To Owner." > take it It doesn't look like it would be very convenient to carry around. > take drumstick It doesn't look like it would be very convenient to carry around. * Really? Noted. * What kind of IF protagonist are we? Noted. > l Band Room The room is dark and spacious. A tall podium sits surrounded by a semicircle of black chairs and empty stands. Behind the podium is an elevated platform and a swivel chair; sitting here, one has a clear view of large windows blocked in by stolid evergreens. The window on the rightmost side is boarded up. On the left of the room are an old Yamaha piano and a dirty drumset. On the right side, a bookshelf runs wall-to-wall, with trophies stacked on top in ascending height. An unremarkable doorway leads to a storage area. You can see a piano, a drum set (on which there is a drumstick), a podium (on which there is a binder and a book), a bookshelf, a chalkboard and a bulletin board. You can go east. > x podium In contrast to the cheap plastic chairs and run-down instruments, the podium is actually nice. There are no scratches on its smooth surface, and there are a bunch of dials on its neck that allow the user to tune it to just the right angle. You sit on the chair but the podium is angled way above your head; the person who used this must have been a giant. On the podium sits a binder and a book. > x binder The binder is thick but color-coded tabs tell you exactly where everything is. It's flipped open to an attendance sheet. You examine it carefully: most students have one or two absences and a couple of lates. Two people have perfect records: Colin Yates and Rebecca DeVries. Angela Zhao hasn't been to class for two weeks. Something is scrawled into the margins in blue pen: "Note to Substitute: If Angela comes to class, her backpack is in the cabinet. The combination is set to the year the school was founded." * Well that's a secure system, no complaints here Noted. > x book The book is titled "World's Most Expensive Instruments". On the cover is a guitar adorned with huge diamonds. > read it The book is titled "World's Most Expensive Instruments". On the cover is a guitar adorned with huge diamonds. > take it It doesn't look too interesting. * fair Noted. > take binder The binder is too heavy to take with you. > l Band Room The room is dark and spacious. A tall podium sits surrounded by a semicircle of black chairs and empty stands. Behind the podium is an elevated platform and a swivel chair; sitting here, one has a clear view of large windows blocked in by stolid evergreens. The window on the rightmost side is boarded up. On the left of the room are an old Yamaha piano and a dirty drumset. On the right side, a bookshelf runs wall-to-wall, with trophies stacked on top in ascending height. An unremarkable doorway leads to a storage area. You can see a piano, a drum set (on which there is a drumstick), a podium (on which there is a binder and a book), a bookshelf, a chalkboard and a bulletin board. You can go east. * Am I a ghost or something? Or just exceptionally weedy? Noted. > x bookshelf The bookshelf looks neatly and meticulously arranged, every compartment representing a different theme. In the bottom row are thick volumes of music theory with titles such as "Principles of Counterpoint, Fifth Edition", that look as if they have never been opened. The top row holds a line of identical blue binders, each with a student's name clearly labelled on the spine. One binder stands out, a bright speck of pink in a sea of blue: you stand on your tiptoes to see that it belonged to "Jenny Lee". It contains a pink binder. > x pink The binder is too high up for you to reach. > climb bookshelf You can't climb it. * Am I like an elf? Noted. * Like a short, fairytale elf, not a Tolkein one I mean Noted. > l Band Room The room is dark and spacious. A tall podium sits surrounded by a semicircle of black chairs and empty stands. Behind the podium is an elevated platform and a swivel chair; sitting here, one has a clear view of large windows blocked in by stolid evergreens. The window on the rightmost side is boarded up. On the left of the room are an old Yamaha piano and a dirty drumset. On the right side, a bookshelf runs wall-to-wall, with trophies stacked on top in ascending height. An unremarkable doorway leads to a storage area. You can see a piano, a drum set (on which there is a drumstick), a podium (on which there is a binder and a book), a bookshelf (on which there is a pink binder), a chalkboard and a bulletin board. You can go east. > x chalkboard Behind the podium is a chalkboard, messy with the half-erased traces of music staffs and notes. In the bottom right corner, neatly written in dull orange chalk: April 24, 2003 Mrs. Redford, Substitute Teacher It's been seventeen years since she died. Seventeen years I've spent in this hellhole, where every second feels like an eternity. Seventeen years, the same amount of time that she was on this earth. And yet, what is time in the face of death? > x bulletin The bulletin is a battleground of broken pins and twisted staples, still stubbornly holding on to pieces of ripped paper. Pinned to the center of the board is a bulletin notice. > x notice It reads: Pickton High 50th Anniversary Talent Palooza Friday May 9th All Students & Members of the Community Welcome || Students $8 || Adults $15 The Vanishing Act: A Magic Show ft. Colin Yates My Mother's Garden: Slam Poetry ft Isabella Reed Jazz Ensemble ft Angela Zhao, Nick Gates, and Jenny Lee And Others! Tickets Go On Sale Monday April. 28th In The Foyer. Don't Miss This Amazing Chance! She was killed on the 8th. I never got to see her perform. She was bashed on the head with her own saxophone, the force so excessive that all the keys broke off. They were never found. * OK, brutal as advertised! Noted. * let's see, math Noted. > x cabinet I can't see that. * must be somewhere Noted. > l Band Room The room is dark and spacious. A tall podium sits surrounded by a semicircle of black chairs and empty stands. Behind the podium is an elevated platform and a swivel chair; sitting here, one has a clear view of large windows blocked in by stolid evergreens. The window on the rightmost side is boarded up. On the left of the room are an old Yamaha piano and a dirty drumset. On the right side, a bookshelf runs wall-to-wall, with trophies stacked on top in ascending height. An unremarkable doorway leads to a storage area. You can see a piano, a drum set (on which there is a drumstick), a podium (on which there is a binder and a book), a bookshelf (on which there is a pink binder), a chalkboard and a bulletin board (on which there is a bulletin notice). You can go east. > x chair I can't see that. > x swivel chair I can't see that. > stand on podium I don't understand your command. > x chairs I can't see that. > x stands I can't see that. > x platform I can't see that. > u You can't go there. > enter platform I don't understand your command. * I'd like to get the swivel chair and stand on it to get the binder Noted. > l Band Room The room is dark and spacious. A tall podium sits surrounded by a semicircle of black chairs and empty stands. Behind the podium is an elevated platform and a swivel chair; sitting here, one has a clear view of large windows blocked in by stolid evergreens. The window on the rightmost side is boarded up. On the left of the room are an old Yamaha piano and a dirty drumset. On the right side, a bookshelf runs wall-to-wall, with trophies stacked on top in ascending height. An unremarkable doorway leads to a storage area. You can see a piano, a drum set (on which there is a drumstick), a podium (on which there is a binder and a book), a bookshelf (on which there is a pink binder), a chalkboard and a bulletin board (on which there is a bulletin notice). You can go east. > x trophies I can't see that. * hmm Noted. > out You can't go there. > x window I can't see that. * Says it's here and boarded up... Noted. > u You can't go there. > n You can't go there. > w You can't go there. > s You can't go there. > e Storage Room You are in a narrow walkway, hemmed in on both sides by shelves full of instruments. Every row is clearly labelled by sharpie on a piece of masking tape: heavy instruments like "Tuba" are put on the lower shelves and lighter ones like "Flute" are on the upper shelves. There is a small band office at the other end, but a drawn curtain prevents you from seeing inside. A cabinet stands outside the office like a shabby sentry. You can see a tuba, a trombone, a flute, a poster and a cabinet. You can go west or east. * nice details here Noted. > open curtain I can't see that. * maybe it's just drawn Noted. * Use of Oxford comma seems inconsistent, FYI Noted. > x shelves I can't see that. > tuba I don't understand your command. > x flute The flute case looks shiny and new. There is no name on it. > office I don't understand your command. > x tuba The tuba case looks like it weighs a million pounds. There is a piece of paper taped to the front: "Whoever keeps putting this on the top shelf, please stop. It's not funny.". > take it What on earth do you need a tuba for? * fair Noted. > l Storage Room You are in a narrow walkway, hemmed in on both sides by shelves full of instruments. Every row is clearly labelled by sharpie on a piece of masking tape: heavy instruments like "Tuba" are put on the lower shelves and lighter ones like "Flute" are on the upper shelves. There is a small band office at the other end, but a drawn curtain prevents you from seeing inside. A cabinet stands outside the office like a shabby sentry. You can see a tuba, a trombone, a flute, a poster and a cabinet. You can go west or east. > flute I don't understand your command. > take flute What on earth do you need a flute for? * a fortiori Noted. > x trombone The long case is cracked in several places and barely held together with duct tape. A nametag reads "Nick Gates". > play trombone I don't understand your command. > take it What on earth do you need a trombone for? * Playing Noted. > x poster There is a poster taped to the window of the band office. Sharp white text stands out on top of a stock photo of an empty auditorium. Honors Jazz Band Open Auditions || Friday September 10th || Lead by Award Winning Band Director James Seymour > x cabinet The cabinet is rusty but the keypad on it looks new. A piece of printed paper taped to it reads: Please take instruments home at end of day. School not responsible for any lost or damaged property. If you have any information regarding the recent break-ins, please contact the Principal's Office immediately. There is a keypad on the cabinet door. > type 1953 on keypad I don't understand your command. > x keypad Just a standard keypad. None of the buttons look worn so it's unlikely you'll be able to brute force it. > type 1953 I don't understand your command. > open cabinet You open it. * oh Noted. * I was lead to believe this would be locked Noted. > x cabinet The cabinet is rusty but the keypad on it looks new. A piece of printed paper taped to it reads: Please take instruments home at end of day. School not responsible for any lost or damaged property. If you have any information regarding the recent break-ins, please contact the Principal's Office immediately. There is a keypad on the cabinet door. > look in cabinet You can't look in it. * isn't it open? Noted. > unlock cabinet You can't unlock it. > touch keypad You can't touch it. > type on keypad I don't understand your command. > push keypad You can't push it. * OK I guess we're just going to come back to the cabinet Noted. > e You jiggle the knob but it does not turn. The office looks to be locked. * hrm Noted. > w Band Room The room is dark and spacious. A tall podium sits surrounded by a semicircle of black chairs and empty stands. Behind the podium is an elevated platform and a swivel chair; sitting here, one has a clear view of large windows blocked in by stolid evergreens. The window on the rightmost side is boarded up. On the left of the room are an old Yamaha piano and a dirty drumset. On the right side, a bookshelf runs wall-to-wall, with trophies stacked on top in ascending height. An unremarkable doorway leads to a storage area. You can see a piano, a drum set (on which there is a drumstick), a podium (on which there is a binder and a book), a bookshelf (on which there is a pink binder), a chalkboard and a bulletin board (on which there is a bulletin notice). You can go east. > play drums I don't understand your command. > hit drum Please choose which 'drum' you mean: 1: drum set 2: drumstick You can't hit it. > hit drumstick You can't hit it. > i You are not carrying anything. > take all piano: You can't take it. drum set: You can't take it. drumstick: It doesn't look like it would be very convenient to carry around. podium: You can't take it. binder: The binder is too heavy to take with you. book: It doesn't look too interesting. bookshelf: You can't take it. pink binder: The binder is too high up for you to reach. chalkboard: You can't take it. bulletin board: You can't take it. bulletin notice: You fold the notice carefully and place it in your pocket. * Ok, not missing anything there (TAKE ALL should probably be disabled, it's a bad crutch) Noted. > e Storage Room You are in a narrow walkway, hemmed in on both sides by shelves full of instruments. Every row is clearly labelled by sharpie on a piece of masking tape: heavy instruments like "Tuba" are put on the lower shelves and lighter ones like "Flute" are on the upper shelves. There is a small band office at the other end, but a drawn curtain prevents you from seeing inside. A cabinet stands outside the office like a shabby sentry. You can see a tuba, a trombone, a flute, a poster and a cabinet (on which there is a keypad). You can go west or east. > ke all I don't understand your command. > take all tuba: What on earth do you need a tuba for? trombone: What on earth do you need a trombone for? flute: What on earth do you need a flute for? poster: The poster is stuck on pretty tight and you don't want to risk ripping it. cabinet: You can't take it. keypad: You can't take it. > look behind poster I can't see that. > i You are carrying a bulletin notice. > read notice It reads: Pickton High 50th Anniversary Talent Palooza Friday May 9th All Students & Members of the Community Welcome || Students $8 || Adults $15 The Vanishing Act: A Magic Show ft. Colin Yates My Mother's Garden: Slam Poetry ft Isabella Reed Jazz Ensemble ft Angela Zhao, Nick Gates, and Jenny Lee And Others! Tickets Go On Sale Monday April. 28th In The Foyer. Don't Miss This Amazing Chance! > push 1 key I can't see that. (1 key) > push keypad You can't push it. > pull keypad You can't pull it. > l Storage Room You are in a narrow walkway, hemmed in on both sides by shelves full of instruments. Every row is clearly labelled by sharpie on a piece of masking tape: heavy instruments like "Tuba" are put on the lower shelves and lighter ones like "Flute" are on the upper shelves. There is a small band office at the other end, but a drawn curtain prevents you from seeing inside. A cabinet stands outside the office like a shabby sentry. You can see a tuba, a trombone, a flute, a poster and a cabinet (on which there is a keypad). You can go west or east. > unlock dor I can't see that. (dor) > unlock door I can't see that. (door) > x door I can't see that. > x office I can't see that. > x curtain I can't see that. > x tape I can't see that. > x keypad Just a standard keypad. None of the buttons look worn so it's unlikely you'll be able to brute force it. > x buttons I can't see that. > type code I don't understand your command. > write code I don't understand your command. > write 1953 I don't understand your command. > type 1953 I don't understand your command. > enter 1953 I don't understand your command. * You're killing me Noted. > w Band Room The room is dark and spacious. A tall podium sits surrounded by a semicircle of black chairs and empty stands. Behind the podium is an elevated platform and a swivel chair; sitting here, one has a clear view of large windows blocked in by stolid evergreens. The window on the rightmost side is boarded up. On the left of the room are an old Yamaha piano and a dirty drumset. On the right side, a bookshelf runs wall-to-wall, with trophies stacked on top in ascending height. An unremarkable doorway leads to a storage area. You can see a piano, a drum set (on which there is a drumstick), a podium (on which there is a binder and a book), a bookshelf (on which there is a pink binder), a chalkboard and a bulletin board. You can go east. > x binder The binder is thick but color-coded tabs tell you exactly where everything is. It's flipped open to an attendance sheet. You examine it carefully: most students have one or two absences and a couple of lates. Two people have perfect records: Colin Yates and Rebecca DeVries. Angela Zhao hasn't been to class for two weeks. Something is scrawled into the margins in blue pen: "Note to Substitute: If Angela comes to class, her backpack is in the cabinet. The combination is set to the year the school was founded." > e Storage Room You are in a narrow walkway, hemmed in on both sides by shelves full of instruments. Every row is clearly labelled by sharpie on a piece of masking tape: heavy instruments like "Tuba" are put on the lower shelves and lighter ones like "Flute" are on the upper shelves. There is a small band office at the other end, but a drawn curtain prevents you from seeing inside. A cabinet stands outside the office like a shabby sentry. You can see a tuba, a trombone, a flute, a poster and a cabinet (on which there is a keypad). You can go west or east. > set keypad to 1953 I don't understand your command. > set combination I don't understand your command. > set 1953 I don't understand your command. > w Band Room The room is dark and spacious. A tall podium sits surrounded by a semicircle of black chairs and empty stands. Behind the podium is an elevated platform and a swivel chair; sitting here, one has a clear view of large windows blocked in by stolid evergreens. The window on the rightmost side is boarded up. On the left of the room are an old Yamaha piano and a dirty drumset. On the right side, a bookshelf runs wall-to-wall, with trophies stacked on top in ascending height. An unremarkable doorway leads to a storage area. You can see a piano, a drum set (on which there is a drumstick), a podium (on which there is a binder and a book), a bookshelf (on which there is a pink binder), a chalkboard and a bulletin board. You can go east. > play piano I don't understand your command. > sit No time for lounging about now. > x windows I can't see that. > x window I can't see that. > x board The bulletin is a battleground of broken pins and twisted staples, still stubbornly holding on to pieces of ripped paper. > take it You can't take it. > look behind it I can't see that. > search it You can't search it. > l Band Room The room is dark and spacious. A tall podium sits surrounded by a semicircle of black chairs and empty stands. Behind the podium is an elevated platform and a swivel chair; sitting here, one has a clear view of large windows blocked in by stolid evergreens. The window on the rightmost side is boarded up. On the left of the room are an old Yamaha piano and a dirty drumset. On the right side, a bookshelf runs wall-to-wall, with trophies stacked on top in ascending height. An unremarkable doorway leads to a storage area. You can see a piano, a drum set (on which there is a drumstick), a podium (on which there is a binder and a book), a bookshelf (on which there is a pink binder), a chalkboard and a bulletin board. You can go east. > x pink The binder is too high up for you to reach. > i You are carrying a bulletin notice. > stand I don't understand your command. > stand on drums I don't understand your command. > take podium You can't take it. > push podium to wall I can't see that. (podium to wall) > push podium You can't push it. > l Band Room The room is dark and spacious. A tall podium sits surrounded by a semicircle of black chairs and empty stands. Behind the podium is an elevated platform and a swivel chair; sitting here, one has a clear view of large windows blocked in by stolid evergreens. The window on the rightmost side is boarded up. On the left of the room are an old Yamaha piano and a dirty drumset. On the right side, a bookshelf runs wall-to-wall, with trophies stacked on top in ascending height. An unremarkable doorway leads to a storage area. You can see a piano, a drum set (on which there is a drumstick), a podium (on which there is a binder and a book), a bookshelf (on which there is a pink binder), a chalkboard and a bulletin board. You can go east. > stand on piano I don't understand your command. > push piano You can't push it. > x bookshelf The bookshelf looks neatly and meticulously arranged, every compartment representing a different theme. In the bottom row are thick volumes of music theory with titles such as "Principles of Counterpoint, Fifth Edition", that look as if they have never been opened. The top row holds a line of identical blue binders, each with a student's name clearly labelled on the spine. One binder stands out, a bright speck of pink in a sea of blue: you stand on your tiptoes to see that it belonged to "Jenny Lee". It contains a pink binder. > take books You can't take it. > stack books I don't understand your command. > i You are carrying a bulletin notice. > jump You jump, but nothing happens. > help Again? You should have paid more attention the first time. I don't have time for this. Type "look" to look at the room description, objects, and exits. For a specific object, type "look at object" to examine it and "use object" if applicable. Some objects you can "take" and "drop", and you can see what objects you have by typing "inventory". For containers, you can try "open". There may be some other object verbs you will need to use, but you'll have to figure that out yourself. Type "go south" to move to the next room and so on. > open all I can't see that. > e Storage Room You are in a narrow walkway, hemmed in on both sides by shelves full of instruments. Every row is clearly labelled by sharpie on a piece of masking tape: heavy instruments like "Tuba" are put on the lower shelves and lighter ones like "Flute" are on the upper shelves. There is a small band office at the other end, but a drawn curtain prevents you from seeing inside. A cabinet stands outside the office like a shabby sentry. You can see a tuba, a trombone, a flute, a poster and a cabinet (on which there is a keypad). You can go west or east. > n You can't go there. > open I don't understand your command. > open cabinet It is already open. > close cabinet You can't close it. > enter cainet I don't understand your command. > enter cabinet I don't understand your command. > take backpack I can't see that. > unlock keypad Try "use keypad". * oh FFS Noted. > use keypad Enter combination You hear a beep and the cabinet pops open with a satisfying click. It's filled with tidy stacks of papers and binders, mostly class materials and grading sheets. The only thing that interests you is a backpack, built to look like a stuffed penguin. You pull it out, letting the cabinet slide shut on its own. * shoot me Noted. > x binkder I can't see that. > x backpack It's a cute little backpack, with a small yellow beak and cloth flippers. It looked like the kind of thing that would either get its owner envied or bullied. > open it You open the backpack. Inside you find a water bottle, a school binder, a pencil case, and a small book bound in leather. It contains a water bottle, a school binder, a pencil case and Angela's Journal. > x bottle The water bottle is plastic and cheap; it looks like something you buy from Walmart by the dozen. > x binder It's a green school binder, packed to the brim with loose sheets of paper. It would be a headache to look through it all. > x case It's an old pencil case, with a picture of "Hello Kitty" on the front. > x book I can't see that. > x journal The journal opens easily, its well worn bindings giving little resistance. A small green card drops out and you put it in your pocket. You flip to the latest page: Friday April 4th Today was the worst day of my life. I just found out that Jenny is planning a birthday party and I'm not invited. When she first arrived at Pickton Elementary, she was a pitiful thing: small, scrawny, unable to speak a word of English. I was the one who took her in, the only one who wanted to be her friend. For years we were inseparable, the only Asian students in a foreign land. And now, because puberty favored her and not me, she is popular and I am not. And she doesn't want anything to do with me. All of the boys trip over themselves for Jenny. Nick, who I've had a crush on since 5th grade, asked her out within one month of knowing her. She draws them in with some sob story about her dad, some Chinese government official who went missing. I'm not saying it's not sad, just that she knows what she's doing. Jenny has taken everything from me. I used to be Mr. Seymour's favorite student, his star musician. But ever since Jenny joined, things have been different. She's good, okay, but she's far from the best. How did it happen? How did she become the teacher's pet? It's so fucking obvious, the way she stays behind after class to chat with him, the way he always calls on her to demonstrate a new technique. Jazz band used to be my favorite class, now I can't even bear to show up, to be in the same room as her. I hate Jenny. But I still wish that she would just talk to me, that she would invite me to her party . . . Recreational hour has ended. Have your electronic devices ready for collection. Time's up. I hope we can be more productive tomorrow. But then again, we've got all the time in the world. Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. You've moved, but everything around you still looks the same . . . * I mean that's sort of how limbo works Noted. > n Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > in You can't go there. > out You can't go there. > sleep No time for lounging about now. * I thought we had all the time in the world? Noted. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > i You are carrying a bulletin notice and a green card. > x me Looking good. > x card It reads: Medicine Hat Public Library || Angela Zhao || 5602-3356-0903 > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > eat card You can't eat it. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > u You can't go there. > d You can't go there. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > limbo I don't understand your command. > do limbo I don't understand your command. > like, that thing where you throw yourself down and backwards and crabwalk under a pole I can't see that. (like) > it was big when I was a kid I don't understand your command. > and the joke seemed funny at the time I don't understand your command. > wait Time passes. > g Time passes. > g Time passes. > g Time passes. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > curse darkness I don't understand your command. > l Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > exit I don't understand your command. > use darkness I can't see that. * I suppose that's true Noted. > jump You jump, but nothing happens. > turn on lights I can't see that. (lights) > l Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > se You can't go there. > ne You can't go there. > n Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > n Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > n Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > n Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > i You are carrying a bulletin notice and a green card. > d You can't go there. > u You can't go there. > read notice It reads: Pickton High 50th Anniversary Talent Palooza Friday May 9th All Students & Members of the Community Welcome || Students $8 || Adults $15 The Vanishing Act: A Magic Show ft. Colin Yates My Mother's Garden: Slam Poetry ft Isabella Reed Jazz Ensemble ft Angela Zhao, Nick Gates, and Jenny Lee And Others! Tickets Go On Sale Monday April. 28th In The Foyer. Don't Miss This Amazing Chance! > drop all bulletin notice: You drop it. green card: You drop it. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > l Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can see a bulletin notice and a green card. You can go east, west, north or south. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can see a bulletin notice and a green card. You can go east, west, north or south. * OK, so I am going places when I move Noted. > take all bulletin notice: You fold the notice carefully and place it in your pocket. green card: You can't take it. * ruh ruh Noted. > undo Undo: take all > undo Undo: e > undo Undo: w > undo Undo: e > undo Undo: l > undo Undo: w > undo Undo: drop all > undo Undo: read notice > i You are carrying a bulletin notice and a green card. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > s Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > listen You can't hear much. > smell I don't understand your command. > shout I don't understand your command. > say hello I don't understand your command. > sleep No time for lounging about now. > rest No time for lounging about now. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > i You are carrying a bulletin notice and a green card. > dig I don't understand your command. > sing I don't understand your command. > joke I don't understand your command. > count I don't understand your command. > count sheep I don't understand your command. > l Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > i You are carrying a bulletin notice and a green card. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > i You are carrying a bulletin notice and a green card. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > s Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. * the order of the directions shifts Noted. > drop notice You drop it. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > drop card You drop it. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can see a bulletin notice. You can go west, east, south or north. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can see a green card. You can go east, west, north or south. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can see a bulletin notice. You can go west, east, south or north. > n Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can see a green card. You can go east, west, north or south. > n Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can see a bulletin notice. You can go west, east, south or north. * OK Noted. > undo Undo: n > undo Undo: n > undo Undo: e > undo Undo: e > undo Undo: e > undo Undo: drop card > undo Undo: e > undo Undo: drop notice > l Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. * I'm checking out the walkthrough now Noted. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. *Am I missing the "any" direction? Noted. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > n Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > n Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > s Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > s Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > s Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > s Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > s Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > s Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > s Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > s Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > s Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > s Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > s Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > s Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > s Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > s Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > s Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > s Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > s Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > s Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > n Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > s Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > wn I don't understand your command. > n Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > s Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > restore I don't understand your command. > restart Are you sure you want to restart the game? 1: Yes 2: No Hey you! Keep it down! Excessive noise is forbidden during recreational hour! Are you awake? Nod your head if you can hear me. Good. Now, listen closely. We've got a lot to do, and so little time. Well, go on then. Take a look around. I don't need to teach you how to look, do I? I do? You would expect, at this price point . . . Whatever. I don't have time for this. Type "help" to learn about the basic commands. > help Type "look" to look at the room description, objects, and exits. For a specific object, type "look at object" to examine it and "use object" if applicable. Some objects you can "take" and "drop", and you can see what objects you have by typing "inventory". For containers, you can try "open". There may be some other object verbs you will need to use, but you'll have to figure that out yourself. Type "go south" to move to the next room and so on. > l The Room The room is cubical in shape. The floor, walls, and ceiling are identical in color and texture so that you can barely make out the edges. Light seems to come from everywhere and nowhere at the same time; there are no shadows to be seen. Before you is a lone table. Behind you is a door. You can see a table (on which there is a key) and a door. > take key You pick up the key. Its texture feels metallic but it is oddly light. Now let's get started, shall we? The first task is very easy. Take the key, and open the door. Got it? > open door The key slides smoothly into the keyhole. The door swings open on silent hinges. I wouldn't look so smug if I were you. Even one of my kindergarteners could have done that. Okay, let's try something else. Something that requires a little bit of thinking . . . outside the box. Here it is. Pay attention. Take the door, and open the key. > s You can't go there. > take door You slide your hands along the wall and find a groove running under the frame of the door. You grasp the edges and it comes loose in your hands, falling to the floor with a soft thud. The doorway opens into the south and through it you can see another room. > s The Room The room is cubical in shape. The floor, walls, and ceiling are identical in color and texture so that you care barely make out the edges. Light seems to come from everywhere and nowhere at the same time; there are no shadows to be seen. Before you is a lone table. Behind you is a door. This room is completely identical to the one you were just in. You can see a table (on which there is a key). You can go north. > pen key I don't understand your command. > open key You examine the key, moving your fingers carefully around the surface. You discover a tiny pair of hinges along the side, almost invisible to the eye. You use your nails for leverage and the key cracks open. Inside is a tiny piece of paper, rolled up and sitting snugly in the hollow space. You pick it out and begin to unfurl it . . . Not bad. Here, let me take that, thank you very much. It looks like you might be up for the job after all; you're already better than the last one. The world is not always what it seems. Keys are not always just keys. If only the police had known that . . . I think you're ready to move on. Your task is to investigate a murder that took place seventeen years ago. I'm going to send you back to the places she used to frequent the most, so you can start looking for clues. Ready? This might be a bit disorienting, so close your eyes. Band Room The room is dark and spacious. A tall podium sits surrounded by a semicircle of black chairs and empty stands. Behind the podium is an elevated platform and a swivel chair; sitting here, one has a clear view of large windows blocked in by stolid evergreens. The window on the rightmost side is boarded up. On the left of the room are an old Yamaha piano and a dirty drumset. On the right side, a bookshelf runs wall-to-wall, with trophies stacked on top in ascending height. An unremarkable doorway leads to a storage area. You can see a piano, a drum set, a podium (on which there is a binder and a book), a bookshelf, a chalkboard and a bulletin board. You can go east. > x chalkboard Behind the podium is a chalkboard, messy with the half-erased traces of music staffs and notes. In the bottom right corner, neatly written in dull orange chalk: April 24, 2003 Mrs. Redford, Substitute Teacher It's been seventeen years since she died. Seventeen years I've spent in this hellhole, where every second feels like an eternity. Seventeen years, the same amount of time that she was on this earth. And yet, what is time in the face of death? > x binder The binder is thick but color-coded tabs tell you exactly where everything is. It's flipped open to an attendance sheet. You examine it carefully: most students have one or two absences and a couple of lates. Two people have perfect records: Colin Yates and Rebecca DeVries. Angela Zhao hasn't been to class for two weeks. Something is scrawled into the margins in blue pen: "Note to Substitute: If Angela comes to class, her backpack is in the cabinet. The combination is set to the year the school was founded." > e Storage Room You are in a narrow walkway, hemmed in on both sides by shelves full of instruments. Every row is clearly labelled by sharpie on a piece of masking tape: heavy instruments like "Tuba" are put on the lower shelves and lighter ones like "Flute" are on the upper shelves. There is a small band office at the other end, but a drawn curtain prevents you from seeing inside. A cabinet stands outside the office like a shabby sentry. You can see a tuba, a trombone, a flute, a poster and a cabinet. You can go west or east. Jenny's father's name was Li. It's the most common name in China, or so I've heard. But when they moved to Canada, her mother wanted them to fit in. > use keypad I can't see that. > x cabinet The cabinet is rusty but the keypad on it looks new. A piece of printed paper taped to it reads: Please take instruments home at end of day. School not responsible for any lost or damaged property. If you have any information regarding the recent break-ins, please contact the Principal's Office immediately. There is a keypad on the cabinet door. > use keypad Enter combination You hear a beep and the cabinet pops open with a satisfying click. It's filled with tidy stacks of papers and binders, mostly class materials and grading sheets. The only thing that interests you is a backpack, built to look like a stuffed penguin. You pull it out, letting the cabinet slide shut on its own. > open backpack You open the backpack. Inside you find a water bottle, a school binder, a pencil case, and a small book bound in leather. It contains a water bottle, a school binder, a pencil case and Angela's Journal. Do I have to tell you again? Instrument practice is not allowed during recreational hour. That's what instrument practice hour is for. This was one of Jenny's favorite places. She played the saxophone, and she was rather good at it too. She couldn't practice at home because of the neighbors, so Mr. Seymour gave her a key. She could come in and use this room whenever she wanted. > read journal The journal opens easily, its well worn bindings giving little resistance. A small green card drops out and you put it in your pocket. You flip to the latest page: Friday April 4th Today was the worst day of my life. I just found out that Jenny is planning a birthday party and I'm not invited. When she first arrived at Pickton Elementary, she was a pitiful thing: small, scrawny, unable to speak a word of English. I was the one who took her in, the only one who wanted to be her friend. For years we were inseparable, the only Asian students in a foreign land. And now, because puberty favored her and not me, she is popular and I am not. And she doesn't want anything to do with me. All of the boys trip over themselves for Jenny. Nick, who I've had a crush on since 5th grade, asked her out within one month of knowing her. She draws them in with some sob story about her dad, some Chinese government official who went missing. I'm not saying it's not sad, just that she knows what she's doing. Jenny has taken everything from me. I used to be Mr. Seymour's favorite student, his star musician. But ever since Jenny joined, things have been different. She's good, okay, but she's far from the best. How did it happen? How did she become the teacher's pet? It's so fucking obvious, the way she stays behind after class to chat with him, the way he always calls on her to demonstrate a new technique. Jazz band used to be my favorite class, now I can't even bear to show up, to be in the same room as her. I hate Jenny. But I still wish that she would just talk to me, that she would invite me to her party . . . Recreational hour has ended. Have your electronic devices ready for collection. Time's up. I hope we can be more productive tomorrow. But then again, we've got all the time in the world. Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. You've moved, but everything around you still looks the same . . . > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. Hey, I'm back. Still here? Still sane? Good. Let's get started. Bedroom You are in a small bedroom that looks like it was repurposed from a study. There is a bed with pink covers, a desk, a chair, and barely enough room left to stand. A bookshelf in the corner is packed full from row to row, with some books jammed in horizontally to make optimal use of the available space. The afternoon sun streams in from a small window. A doorway to the North leads into the hallway, but curiously there is no door in the frame. The house came with a door, obviously, but her mother took it out. Privacy is not an idea that Asian parents believe in. You can see a calendar, a bed, a chair, a bookshelf and a desk. You can go north. * Whew, worked that time Noted. > x bed The "Hello Kitty" duvet looks like it has been owned since Jenny was young enough to like it. * That's a good line! Noted. > x desk The desk is covered in so many layers of paper and junk that it is impossible to know what color the surface is. There are school notebooks, past SAT exams, university pamphlets, permission slips . . . your eye catches on a small leather book. You pull it out to find youself holding a journal identical to the one you found in the storage room cabinet. Tucked between the pages is a short letter without a signature, printed on thick paper with the corner ripped off: Dear Jenny: Only one more week until our reunion; I can hardly wait, after all these years. Remember, you cannot let your mother know. That is the most important thing. If she finds out, it will all be ruined. See you soon. Hey! What do you think you're doing? You're supposed to be investigating her death, not putting your filthy fingers through her personal belongings! I will not stand by and let you disrespect her memory like this. You can come back when you learn how to behave. Library As far as public libraries go, this is a pretty nice one. A large, open space filled with reading desks, bean bags, and book stands is encircled by a maze of bookshelves. At one corner of the room is a small information desk. On the other side is a row of computer stations, with relatively new-looking monitors that speak of healthy public funding. To the north is a glass door leading to a smaller room. A shiny brass sign indicates that it was named after some rich guy: "Harvey S. Firestone Reading Room". You can see a book stand, an information desk, a file cabinet and a computer station. You can go north. * Er, OK Noted. > x book Letters cut out from cardboard spell "Asian American Heritage Month". You read the titles of some of the books on display: "The Joy Luck Club", "Intepreter of Maladies", "Sour Heart". * There are a lot of books and desks in this game, and I'm here for it Noted. * ooh, Jumpa Lahiri Noted. * Jhumpa I mean Noted. > read books I can't see that. (books) > read joy luck club I can't see that. (joy luck club) * Come on, it's a modern classic! Noted. * I mean, it's 30 years old but whatever Noted. > l Library As far as public libraries go, this is a pretty nice one. A large, open space filled with reading desks, bean bags, and book stands is encircled by a maze of bookshelves. At one corner of the room is a small information desk. On the other side is a row of computer stations, with relatively new-looking monitors that speak of healthy public funding. To the north is a glass door leading to a smaller room. A shiny brass sign indicates that it was named after some rich guy: "Harvey S. Firestone Reading Room". You can see a book stand, an information desk, a file cabinet and a computer station. You can go north. > x sign I can't see that. > x desk This looks like where the librarian sits: a paper nameplate reads "Mrs. Vanderbilt". The semi-circular desk is angled in such a way that gives her an unobstructed view of the entrance and the seating areas. On the desk is an Apple monitor covered with green sticky notes, piles of returned books that have yet to be shelved, and a clear plastic box labeled "lost-and-found". There are two portaits of different dogs and one of a middle-aged lady holding a baby. On the desk is a box, a monitor, a book and a notepad. Look, I'm sorry for going crazy like that. It's just . . . there are some things that I can't tell you. Things that I have never told anyone. Let's just forget about all of this and move on. We've got a lot of work left to do. * no biggie, weird ghost-buddy Noted. > x box It's a clear plastic box labeled "lost-and-found". From the looks of it, people tend to forget things at the library a lot. > open it You open it. You are amazed at the sheer number of things that people leave behind and then compeletely forget about. There are old sweaters, handbags, scarfs, and even a left boot. Near the bottom you find a Hello Kitty pencil case, so old that the paint had started to crack like scars across the mascot's face. You open it to find an assortment of cheap mechanical pencils, Sharpies, and a pink library card. You slip the card into your pocket. * ah ha! Noted. > i You are carrying a pink card and a green card. Jenny loved the library. It was quiet and peaceful in ways that her home was not. She was close with the librarian, Mrs. Vanderbilt. She would pick out books that she thought Jenny would like and save them for when she next visited. * I wonder what would happen if one ditched the green card in limbo Noted. > l Library As far as public libraries go, this is a pretty nice one. A large, open space filled with reading desks, bean bags, and book stands is encircled by a maze of bookshelves. At one corner of the room is a small information desk. On the other side is a row of computer stations, with relatively new-looking monitors that speak of healthy public funding. To the north is a glass door leading to a smaller room. A shiny brass sign indicates that it was named after some rich guy: "Harvey S. Firestone Reading Room". You can see a book stand, an information desk (on which there is a box, a monitor, a book and a notepad), a file cabinet and a computer station. You can go north. > x monitor You read some of the post-it notes. "Jenny's journal and pencilcase are in the lost-and-found box" "Mortgage payment due on Sunday" "Destroy letters in file cabinet" > x journal I can't see that. > x box It's a clear plastic box labeled "lost-and-found". From the looks of it, people tend to forget things at the library a lot. I think Jenny found Mrs Vanderbilt easier to relate to than her peers because the librarian also grew up without a father. > x book The book title reads "The Empress Dowager Cixi's Pearls and Other Things that Went Missing in the Cultural Revolution". On the cover is a rather unflattering photo of an old lady wearing a ridiculously large headpiece. The headpiece is inlaid with a row of large pearls that seem to shine from the black-and-white picture. You open the book and a clipping of a newspaper article falls out. It was being used as a bookmark. > x article It's an article from "The Medicine Hat Chronicles". There is a photo of a middle-aged white lady sitting next to a stack of books. Mrs. Janice Vanderbilt has been the face of the Medicine Hat Public Library for the past twelve years. Every day she greets young and old readers alike with her lovely smile and contagious enthusiasm for literature. We sit down with her to find out more about the person behind the books. Q: Why did you decide to become a librarian? A: I've always loved to read books, even from a very young age. My father passed away when I was very young and my mother worked three shifts, so I was often home alone. I didn't have many friends and so I preferred to spend my time with my books. The library was my absolute favorite place to be; all week I would look forward to Sunday when my mother would take me there after church. Q: What motivates you in your work? A: My son, Harry, who just turned 6. I had a very rough childhood growing up; my mother struggled to make ends meet and we were often on the edge of hunger. I promised myself that my son would have all the things I couldn't have. I would do anything to make sure he has the childhood he deserves . . . * Medicine hat is somewhere in like Canada, right? Noted. > l Library As far as public libraries go, this is a pretty nice one. A large, open space filled with reading desks, bean bags, and book stands is encircled by a maze of bookshelves. At one corner of the room is a small information desk. On the other side is a row of computer stations, with relatively new-looking monitors that speak of healthy public funding. To the north is a glass door leading to a smaller room. A shiny brass sign indicates that it was named after some rich guy: "Harvey S. Firestone Reading Room". You can see a book stand, an information desk (on which there is a box, a monitor, a book, a notepad and a newspaper article), a file cabinet and a computer station. You can go north. > x notepad The notepad is partially used, with half of its pages ripped out. It's made of thick white paper, with the words "Medicine Hat Public Library" written at the top and a small logo of a heron. > take article You fold up the article and put it in your pocket. > take notepad You can't take it. > l Library As far as public libraries go, this is a pretty nice one. A large, open space filled with reading desks, bean bags, and book stands is encircled by a maze of bookshelves. At one corner of the room is a small information desk. On the other side is a row of computer stations, with relatively new-looking monitors that speak of healthy public funding. To the north is a glass door leading to a smaller room. A shiny brass sign indicates that it was named after some rich guy: "Harvey S. Firestone Reading Room". You can see a book stand, an information desk (on which there is a box, a monitor, a book and a notepad), a file cabinet and a computer station. You can go north. > x cabinet The green file cabinet sits behind the librarian's desk. You can't even begin to imagine what sorts of boring things lie inside. * I mean, letters that must be destroyed, apparently Noted. > x station Each computer station has its own cubicle. The cubicle is clean and functional, with a notepad and a basket filled with Bic pens. > use computer A window pops up on the screen, prompting you to enter the last 4 digits of your library card number. A red error message pops up: "Card number not recognized". > g A window pops up on the screen, prompting you to enter the last 4 digits of your library card number. A red error message pops up: "Card number not recognized". > x green It reads: Medicine Hat Public Library || Angela Zhao || 5602-3356-0903 > use computer A window pops up on the screen, prompting you to enter the last 4 digits of your library card number. You log in successfully, and are redirected to another page. Welcome, Angela Zhao! 2 Items Overdue: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee How to Lose 30 Pounds in 30 Days - Dieting That Works by Erin Wright 0 Items On Hold You are automatically logged out after 60 seconds of inactivity. > s You can't go there. > z Time passes. > z Time passes. > i You are carrying a pink card , a green card and a newspaper article. > x pink It reads: Medicine Hat Public Library || Jenny Lee || 5602-3363-4489 > use computer A window pops up on the screen, prompting you to enter the last 4 digits of your library card number. You log in successfully, and are redirected to another page. Welcome, Jenny Lee! 0 Items Overdue 3 Items On Loan: Barron's AP Physics 1 and 2 by Jonathan Wolf and Kenneth Rideout To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee The Fault in Our Stars by John Green 1 Item On Hold: The Empress Dowager Cixi's Pearls and Other Things that Went Missing in the Cultural Revolution by Ted Zhang You are automatically logged out after 60 seconds of inactivity. Recreational hour is over! Have your electronic devices ready for collection. You don't want to keep me waiting. You know how it goes. I'll see you tomorrow. Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > save Saved: C:\Users\russo\Documents\blarg.quest-save > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go east, west, north or south. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can see a piece of paper. You can go east, west, north or south. > x paper A torn piece of paper, written on hastily with blue pen: "I've found a way out. Look inside the basket." You turn the paper over and see that it was ripped from a flyer advertising for "ACE Tutoring Agency". > take it You fold up the note and put it carefully into your pocket. You have a feeling that it is very important. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. Hey, what's that you've got in your hands? Just notes from yesterday's investigation? That's alright, then. No, you don't have to show me. If it seems like I'm being paranoid, just know that it comes from past experience. It's nothing personal. Today I'm going to take you somewhere special. This was Jenny's favorite place. It was my favorite place, too, because it was where I got to see her. Learning Center The room is wide and spacious with cream colored walls. Plastic tables fill the space, lined up in neat rows and columns. Each table has an office chair on one side and a couple of stools on the other. Lined up along the right wall are a series of shelves, their cubbies filled to the brim with paperwork. A large banner hangs from the ceiling. To the north is a glass door that leads into a lecture room, and to the south is an opaque door marked "Tutoring Office". You can see a banner, a registration table, a shelf and a plant. You can go west or east. * haha your favorite place was a tutorial center - nerd! Noted. * No, it's fine, I actually quite like standardized tests in point of fact Noted. * I apologize for being hurtful Noted. * I had a couple of drinks while watching the VP debate, so here we are Noted. * what were we up to? Noted. * shelves and paperwork! But what's this, no cabinet! Noted. > l Learning Center The room is wide and spacious with cream colored walls. Plastic tables fill the space, lined up in neat rows and columns. Each table has an office chair on one side and a couple of stools on the other. Lined up along the right wall are a series of shelves, their cubbies filled to the brim with paperwork. A large banner hangs from the ceiling. To the north is a glass door that leads into a lecture room, and to the south is an opaque door marked "Tutoring Office". You can see a banner, a registration table, a shelf and a plant. You can go west or east. > x banner It's a wide, cloth banner hanging from the ceiling. Ostentatious blue letters shout out: "ACE Tutoring Agency, est 1985". Below the lettering is a logo of a playing card, the Ace of Spades, with the words "English", "Math", and "Science" on banners wrapping around the spade. Oh no, it's those guys again. I hope they'll leave me alone this time. If not . . . just continue without me. You seem to know what you are doing," > x table The table is covered in a dark cloth bearing the ACE logo. A metallic nameplate on the table reads "Registration", behind which lies a thick stack of neatly folded pamphlets. You can see a pamphlet and a pen. > x pamphlet The pamphlet is filled with stock images of happy, diverse students smiling at tutors wearing suits and ties. You skim over some of the excerpts: ACE offers value for students of every age and ability. Each of the three core subjects (English, math, science) are split into ten proficiency levels, with detailed worksheets and lesson plans for each. We also offer SAT tutoring for all subjects! Guaranteed satisfaction or your money back! We have sent more students to Ivy League schools than any other agency in Medicine Hat! Flexible and convenient! If none of our lesson times suit you, you can schedule a home visit with one of our tutors. We will come to you! > l Learning Center The room is wide and spacious with cream colored walls. Plastic tables fill the space, lined up in neat rows and columns. Each table has an office chair on one side and a couple of stools on the other. Lined up along the right wall are a series of shelves, their cubbies filled to the brim with paperwork. A large banner hangs from the ceiling. To the north is a glass door that leads into a lecture room, and to the south is an opaque door marked "Tutoring Office". You can see a banner, a registration table (on which there is a pamphlet and a pen), a shelf and a plant. You can go west or east. Prisoner 3347, your cell has been chosen for a random search. Please step out outside. Again? My cell was chosen last week. And the week before that as well. What do you have against me? Shut up, if you know what's good for you. * Oh, OK, I sorta get who you might be Noted. * and what circumstances you inhabit Noted. > x pen It's a blue Bic pen, missing its cap. > take it You pick it up. > x shelf The cubbies are organized very carefully according to subject and ability level. The shelf is so full of worksheets and practice exams that you are worried it might collapse at any second. What the hell is this? That thing . . . it's looking at me. I can tell you don't have kids, Mike. That console is one of the best selling gaming systems right now, my son has been bugging me to get it for months. And that game, it's just a simulator. It simluates consciousness; you know, artificial intelligence, or whatever you want to call it. Well, I don't like it. It's uncanny, and it's unnatural. Kids should be running outside and enjoying the sun, not messing around with things they don't understand. You're such a boomer, Mike. * Actually my name is Mike, so this was spooky Noted. * I am not a Boomer, though Noted. > l Learning Center The room is wide and spacious with cream colored walls. Plastic tables fill the space, lined up in neat rows and columns. Each table has an office chair on one side and a couple of stools on the other. Lined up along the right wall are a series of shelves, their cubbies filled to the brim with paperwork. A large banner hangs from the ceiling. To the north is a glass door that leads into a lecture room, and to the south is an opaque door marked "Tutoring Office". You can see a banner, a registration table (on which there is a pamphlet), a shelf and a plant. You can go west or east. > take pamphlet You pick it up. > x shelf The cubbies are organized very carefully according to subject and ability level. The shelf is so full of worksheets and practice exams that you are worried it might collapse at any second. > push shelf You can't push it. > x plant There is a large, tropical plant standing in the corner of the room, for some reason. You touch it and the dry, plastic texture tells you it's a fake. > w The handle won't budge. There is a scanner on the wall flashing red; you probably need a keycard to open this door. You peer through the glass and see rows upon rows of chairs pointing at a projector screen at the far end of the room. Someone forgot their rain jacket on the back of a chair. > x jacket I can't see that. > e Office There are two workspaces squished into this small area, separated by a room divider. The workspaces are color coded, one green and one blue. At the back of the room is a large shelf filled with cubby holes. You can see a shelf, a blue workspace and a green workspace. You can go west. > x shelf Each cubby is labeled with the name of a student, and they seem to be sorted according to alphabetical order. Which name are you looking for? There's no cubby with that name. > x shelf Each cubby is labeled with the name of a student, and they seem to be sorted according to alphabetical order. Which name are you looking for? There's no cubby with that name. > x shelf Each cubby is labeled with the name of a student, and they seem to be sorted according to alphabetical order. Which name are you looking for? There's no cubby with that name. > e You can't go there. > z Time passes. > x shelf Each cubby is labeled with the name of a student, and they seem to be sorted according to alphabetical order. Which name are you looking for? There's no cubby with that name. > x shelf Each cubby is labeled with the name of a student, and they seem to be sorted according to alphabetical order. Which name are you looking for? There's no cubby with that name. > x shelf Each cubby is labeled with the name of a student, and they seem to be sorted according to alphabetical order. Which name are you looking for? This cubby appears to be empty. A sticky note attached to it reads: Signed out on May 7th by John Hubert. Purpose: home visit. * Ugh Noted. > l Office There are two workspaces squished into this small area, separated by a room divider. The workspaces are color coded, one green and one blue. At the back of the room is a large shelf filled with cubby holes. You can see a shelf, a blue workspace and a green workspace. You can go west. > x blue The desk is clean and tidy, with a single monitor and keyboard sitting on the spotless surface. The only other objects on the desk are a yellow notepad, a bookmarked novel, and a pencil basket. A metal nameplate reads: "John Hubert". Inside the workspace you can see a notepad, a pencil basket, a monitor and a novel. > x notepad There are some indents on the notepad from previous sheets that were torn off, but you can't quite make out any words. > draw on notepad with pen I don't understand your command. > use notepad You can't use it. > use pen You can't use it. > x basket You pick up the basket to examine it; it's heavier than you expected, considering that it's only filled with blue Bic pens. > open it You can't open it. * no but for real Noted. > empty basket You turn the basket upside down and dump its contents out onto the table. Bic pen, Bic pen, . . . a large metallic key. You pick it up. > x key The key is a shiny, metallic green. It seems surprisingly light given its large size. It looks strangely familiar . . . you remember something about an empty cubical room . . . > open it You examine the key, moving your fingers carefully around the surface. You discover a tiny pair of hinges along the side, almost invisible to the eye. You use your nails for leverage and the key cracks open. Inside is a tiny sticky note, rolled up and sitting snugly in the hollow space. > x note It's a yellow sticky note, written on hastily with blue pen: "How to get out of Limbo: N W N E E E S" All right, we're done. You can go back to your cell. I'll take the console. Save the warden some time. Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > n Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > n Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > s Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > undo Undo: s > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go west, east, south or north. > s Rainy Street You find yourself on the streets of a small town. You can see a library, a cafe, and a couple of shops. In front of you is a boarded up office, with a banner that reads "ACE Tutoring Agency". There is a light drizzle and the rain lends the pavement a silvery shine. You can see a notice, a picket sign and a newspaper clipping. > save Saved: C:\Users\russo\Documents\blarg.quest-save > x notice The notice is stuck to the door, the transparent tape preventing it from getting wet. ACE Tutoring Agency will be closed until further notice. We apologize for the inconvenience. > x picket The picket sign is lying abandoned on the curb. The paper is soaked through but you can still make out the words. No Leniency for Pedophiles || Bring Back the Death Penalty * eek Noted. > x clipping The clipping of "The Medicine Hat Chronicles" is attached to the door with duct tape. John Hubert, 27, has been sentenced to life in prison today for the murder of Jenny Lee. The body of the 17 year old was found on the morning of May 9th in the grounds of Central Park, a 20 minute walk from her home. Her head had been bashed in with her own saxophone, the impact so great that the keys were knocked clean off. The sensational trial, which lasted three weeks, was cinched in the end by irrefutable physical evidence. Traces of semen that were found in Lee's dress have been matched to Hubert's DNA. Hubert has been a resident of Medicine Hat for 10 years; previously he resided in Ottawa, where he was born. He worked as a tutor at the ACE Tutoring Agency, where one of his students was Jenny Lee . . . Ah. So you've found it. My secret. Should I be angry? Disappointed? Ashamed? Who are you to judge me? You're just a computer program. You don't know what it's like to love. And I did love her. She was so beautiful, so different from all the other girls I taught, so different from the girls I've dated in the past. There was something special about her, something I'll never see again . . . I admit I have reason for shame. She was only 17. But what happened on that last day, in her bedroom . . . that was consensual. I would never have raised a finger to hurt her. The last detective was the same. Prying into things that didn't concern him, always asking the wrong questions. In the end, I had to deactivate him. That key that you're holding . . . it was found next to Jenny's body, but the police never found out what it opened. I gave it to your predecessor, but he did nothing with it. Maybe you'll do better. I'll give you one last chance. One more hour to find the real killer. And then it's lights off for you. Well, what are you waiting for? I wouldn't waste any time if I were you. Bedroom You are in a small bedroom that looks like it was repurposed from a study. There is a bed with pink covers, a desk, a chair, and barely enough room left to stand. A bookshelf in the corner is packed full from row to row, with some books jammed in horizontally to make optimal use of the available space. The afternoon sun streams in from a small window. A doorway to the North leads into the hallway, but curiously there is no door in the frame. You can see a calendar, a bed, a chair, a bookshelf and a desk. You can go north. * weird future prisoner pedophile guy, you are starting to make me worried Noted. > x calendar A two-paneled calendar hangs from a thumbtack in the wall. The top panel shows the red outline of a goat, along with the logo of a Chinese supermarket. The bottom panel shows the month of May, with homework deadlines, social plans, and tutoring sessions marked neatly in the boxes. There is a big red circle around May 8th, along with the words "The Big Day!!!". > x bed The "Hello Kitty" duvet looks like it has been owned since Jenny was young enough to like it. > x chair It's a small swivel chair with minimal back support. * I mean she's 17, she probably doesn't need much lumbar support, unlike the rest of us Noted. > x bookshelf Every row seems to have a theme. From top to bottom: Teen Romance, Mystery, Fantasy, National Geographic, SAT Study Guides > x desk The desk is covered in so many layers of paper and junk that it is impossible to know what color the surface is. There are school notebooks, past SAT exams, university pamphlets, and permission slips . . . It contains Jenny's Journal, an university pamphlet, a SAT exam and a notebook. > x journal It's a small leather book, identical to the one you found in the band storage room. You flip through the pages but no letters drop out. You reach the last page and read its contents: Tuesday May 6 Mama has been so nosy as of late. She's always walking by, making sure that I'm doing my homework or working on practice SAT exams. If she catches me slacking, she will blow her top and lecture me for hours on the importance of studying and good work ethic. Does she realize that I could have done another two exams in the time she spent yelling at me? More often I find myself wishing I could have grown up with my father instead. I've decided to hide the letters. With the big day coming up so soon, I can't afford to risk anything. She's always walking by and scanning over the things on my desk. I'll just have to put the letters somewhere she can't see. I mean, if I can't hide the letters OVER my desk . . . > search desk You can't search it. > look under desk You feel around under the table, and your hands find something strange. It's a bundle of letters, taped to the underside of the table. > l Bedroom You are in a small bedroom that looks like it was repurposed from a study. There is a bed with pink covers, a desk, a chair, and barely enough room left to stand. A bookshelf in the corner is packed full from row to row, with some books jammed in horizontally to make optimal use of the available space. The afternoon sun streams in from a small window. A doorway to the North leads into the hallway, but curiously there is no door in the frame. You can see a calendar, a bed, a chair, a bookshelf and a desk (on which there is Jenny's Journal, an university pamphlet, a SAT exam and a notebook). You can go north. > x desk The desk is covered in so many layers of paper and junk that it is impossible to know what color the surface is. There are school notebooks, past SAT exams, university pamphlets, and permission slips . . . It contains Jenny's Journal, an university pamphlet, a SAT exam and a notebook. > x pamphlet The pamphlet is filled with stock images of happy, diverse students smiling at tutors wearing suits and ties. You skim over some of the excerpts: ACE offers value for students of every age and ability. Each of the three core subjects (English, math, science) are split into ten proficiency levels, with detailed worksheets and lesson plans for each. We also offer SAT tutoring for all subjects! Guaranteed satisfaction or your money back! We have sent more students to Ivy League schools than any other agency in Medicine Hat! Flexible and convenient! If none of our lesson times suit you, you can schedule a home visit with one of our tutors. We will come to you! > x university It's a pamphlet for Princeton University, with a picture of a smiling girl sitting on a stone tiger on the front cover. Was this her dream school? > x sat It's a thick paper booklet, marked on the front with blue pen: "2150. Graded by John Hubert". * Is that good? It was out of 1600 in my day, so I don't really know Noted. > x notebook The cover reads "AP Calculus B". But when you open it, you see that the first page is filled with a pencil sketch of a handsome young man in military uniform. > x sketch I can't see that. > l Bedroom You are in a small bedroom that looks like it was repurposed from a study. There is a bed with pink covers, a desk, a chair, and barely enough room left to stand. A bookshelf in the corner is packed full from row to row, with some books jammed in horizontally to make optimal use of the available space. The afternoon sun streams in from a small window. A doorway to the North leads into the hallway, but curiously there is no door in the frame. You can see a calendar, a bed, a chair, a bookshelf and a desk (on which there is Jenny's Journal, an university pamphlet, a SAT exam and a notebook). You can go north. > x letters The letters are neatly typed on thick printer paper, with a small logo of a heron on the top right corner. You pick out one at random: Dearest Jenny: All these years, I've never forgotten about you. I have a portrait of you from when you were three, and I keep it with me all the time. It's the one thing they haven't been able to take away from me. Through all these long years of imprisonment and torture, I've been kept alive by the thought that one day I will get to see my daughter again. And now that day is coming near. Do you still have the saxphone that I gave you? I would love to hear you play it. Please bring it to our meeting. Love, Dad * So written on the paper from the library Noted. * Unless community prison has a lot of heron-themed stationary Noted. > l Bedroom You are in a small bedroom that looks like it was repurposed from a study. There is a bed with pink covers, a desk, a chair, and barely enough room left to stand. A bookshelf in the corner is packed full from row to row, with some books jammed in horizontally to make optimal use of the available space. The afternoon sun streams in from a small window. A doorway to the North leads into the hallway, but curiously there is no door in the frame. You can see a calendar, a bed, a chair, a bookshelf and a desk (on which there is Jenny's Journal, an university pamphlet, a SAT exam and a notebook). You can go north. > n Hallway The hallway is long and bare; there are some marks on the wall where portraits used to hang. You can go south or west. > x marks I can't see that. > n You can't go there. > w Master Bedroom The master bedroom is spacious but almost empty. The only things in the room are a bed, a nightstand, and a small deck. You can see a desk, a bed and a nightstand (on which there is a portrait). You can go east or north. > x bed It's a queen-sized bed, neatly made. The covers are old and worn. > x desk The desk is old and cracked, but the surface is clean. It contains a bill and a letter. > x letter The letter is unfinished. A black fountain pen holds it down on the desk like a paperweight. Dear Brother: The worst we feared has come to pass. I've been diagnosed with cancer, and not the kind that can be cured easily. I'm not afraid to die; I'm afraid for what will happen to Jenny when I am gone. She lost her father long ago, and now she will lose me too . . . I must push her now, harder than ever, to do the best that she can. I can tell that she hates me for it sometimes, but perhaps that is a good thing. It will make it easier to deal with the loss. I just wish that Here the letter ends. > x bill It's a bill from the Medicine Hat Radiology Center. A red stamp on the envelope reads "OVERDUE". * Don't y'all have socialized medicine? Noted. > l Master Bedroom The master bedroom is spacious but almost empty. The only things in the room are a bed, a nightstand, and a small deck. You can see a desk (on which there is a bill and a letter), a bed and a nightstand (on which there is a portrait). You can go east or north. > portrait I don't understand your command. > x portrait It's a black-and-white photo of a young man in military uniform. He is smiling at the camera and you can see that he was very handsome. > x nightstand It's a small, wooden nightstand that looks as if it doesn't really want to be there. It contains a portrait. > n Lecture Room The room is empty except for a projector screen at the far end. There is a rain jacket lying on the floor. You can see a jacket. You can go south or east. > x jacket It's just a regular Adidas rain jacket. You reach inside the pocket and pull out a business card. > x card The front of it reads "John Hubert, ACE Tutoring Agency". On the back, scribbled hastily in blue pen: I've found a way to escape. Remember this number: 2471. * Why not Noted. > l Lecture Room The room is empty except for a projector screen at the far end. There is a rain jacket lying on the floor. You can see a jacket. You can go south or east. > take jacket It's not raining right now. > wear it You can't wear it. > take business card You are already carrying it. > n You can't go there. > l Lecture Room The room is empty except for a projector screen at the far end. There is a rain jacket lying on the floor. You can see a jacket. You can go south or east. > e Learning Center The room is wide and spacious with cream colored walls. Plastic tables fill the space, lined up in neat rows and columns. Each table has an office chair on one side and a couple of stools on the other. Lined up along the right wall are a series of shelves, their cubbies filled to the brim with paperwork. A large banner hangs from the ceiling. To the north is a glass door that leads into a lecture room, and to the south is an opaque door marked "Tutoring Office". You can see a shelf, a plant, a banner and a registration table. You can go west or east. > x shelf The cubbies are organized very carefully according to subject and ability level. The shelf is so full of worksheets and practice exams that you are worried it might collapse at any second. > x plant There is a large, tropical plant standing in the corner of the room, for some reason. You touch it and the dry, plastic texture tells you it's a fake. > x banner It's a wide, cloth banner hanging from the ceiling. Ostentatious blue letters shout out: "ACE Tutoring Agency, est 1985". Below the lettering is a logo of a playing card, the Ace of Spades, with the words "English", "Math", and "Science" on banners wrapping around the spade. > x table The table is covered in a dark cloth bearing the ACE logo. > e Office There are two workspaces squished into this small area, separated by a room divider. The workspaces are color coded, one green and one blue. At the back of the room is a large shelf filled with cubby holes. You can see a shelf, a blue workspace and a green workspace. You can go west or east. > x green The green desk is a complete mess; it's covered almost completely in loose-leaf documents, practice exams, and empty chip bags. There is a place where it looks like there used to be a nameplate, but it has fallen off and nobody has bothered to put it back. Inside the workspace you can see a bill, a candy wrapper and a practice exam. > x bill It looks like the rent for the building is overdue. The agency doesn't seem to be doing so well. > x wrapper The wrapper reads: "Aero: melts inside your mouth". There are still specs of brown on the aluminum foil. > take it You can't take it. > x exam It's an SAT essay, yet to be marked. The title is: "An Examination of the Deceptive Practices of NASA in Concealing the Flat Nature of the Earth". * ooof Noted. > x blue The desk is clean and tidy, with a single monitor and keyboard sitting on the spotless surface. The only other objects on the desk are a yellow notepad, a bookmarked novel, and a pencil basket. A metal nameplate reads: "John Hubert". Inside the workspace you can see a notepad, a monitor and a novel. > x notepad There are some indents on the notepad from previous sheets that were torn off, but you can't quite make out any words. > x monitor It's an old Dell monitor, nothing to brag about. At least it's clean. * Don't be Lolita don't be Lolita don't be Lolita Noted. > x novel The book is "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov. * FUUUUUCK Noted. * I mean it's an amazing work of art, but yeah, sorta problematically-deployed Noted. > x basket I can't see that. > x notepad There are some indents on the notepad from previous sheets that were torn off, but you can't quite make out any words. > take it You don't need a notepad. > i You are carrying a pink card , a piece of paper, a green card, a key, a sticky note, a bundle of letters, a business card, a newspaper article, a pamphlet and a pen. > take novel You don't have time to read. * It's relatively short Noted. > l Office There are two workspaces squished into this small area, separated by a room divider. The workspaces are color coded, one green and one blue. At the back of the room is a large shelf filled with cubby holes. You can see a shelf, a blue workspace (on which there is a notepad, a monitor and a novel) and a green workspace (on which there is a bill, a candy wrapper and a practice exam). You can go west or east. > e Reading Room The room is warm and cozy. You can see a long wooden table, surrounded by comfortable-looking leather chairs. There is an electric fireplace blazing in the corner. You can see a table, a lamp and a book. You can go west or south. > x table The table is old but it seems to be made from real mahogany wood. > x lamp The lamp is old and dirty. It looks like something you might find in a cheap motel. > x book The book is "The Three Body Problem" by Cixin Liu. > read it You can't read it. > s Library As far as public libraries go, this is a pretty nice one. A large, open space filled with reading desks, bean bags, and book stands is encircled by a maze of bookshelves. At one corner of the room is a small information desk. On the other side is a row of computer stations, with relatively new-looking monitors that speak of healthy public funding. To the north is a glass door leading to a smaller room. A shiny brass sign indicates that it was named after some rich guy: "Harvey S. Firestone Reading Room". You can see a book stand, an information desk, a computer station and a file cabinet. You can go north. > x stand Letters cut out from cardboard spell "Asian American Heritage Month". You read the titles of some of the books on display: "The Joy Luck Club", "Intepreter of Maladies", "Sour Heart". > x desk This looks like where the librarian sits: a paper nameplate reads "Mrs. Vanderbilt". The semi-circular desk is angled in such a way that gives her an unobstructed view of the entrance and the seating areas. On the desk is an Apple monitor covered with green sticky notes and a pile of returned books that have yet to be shelved. There are two portaits of different dogs and one of a middle-aged lady holding a baby. On the desk is a monitor and a book. > x monitor You read some of the post-it notes. "Jenny's journal and pencilcase are in the lost-and-found box" "Mortgage payment due on Sunday" "Destroy letters in file cabinet" > x book The book title reads "The Empress Dowager Cixi's Pearls and Other Things that Went Missing in the Cultural Revolution". On the cover is a rather unflattering photo of an old lady wearing a ridiculously large headpiece. The headpiece is inlaid with a row of large pearls that seem to shine from the black-and-white picture. > l Library As far as public libraries go, this is a pretty nice one. A large, open space filled with reading desks, bean bags, and book stands is encircled by a maze of bookshelves. At one corner of the room is a small information desk. On the other side is a row of computer stations, with relatively new-looking monitors that speak of healthy public funding. To the north is a glass door leading to a smaller room. A shiny brass sign indicates that it was named after some rich guy: "Harvey S. Firestone Reading Room". You can see a book stand, an information desk (on which there is a monitor and a book), a computer station and a file cabinet. You can go north. > x station Each computer station has its own cubicle. The cubicle is clean and functional, with a notepad and a basket filled with Bic pens. > x cabinet The green file cabinet sits behind the librarian's desk. You can't even begin to imagine what sorts of boring things lie inside. > open it You place the key in the lock and are surprised to see that it fits. You pull the cabinet open. The only things inside are a stack of letters and a silk bag. It contains a silk bag and a stack of letters. > x bag It's a black silk bag, sealed at the top with a drawstring. You open it and peer inside: a million stars twinkle at you from a silky void. You blink and look again. Inside is a set of small pearl buttons, like the kind you would find on a brass instrument. > x letters The letters are neatly typed, sorted in order by date. You pick out one at random, a piece of thick printer paper with a small logo of a heron in one corner: Dearest Jenny: I'm sure you understand by now why your mother must not know. I believe that she feels guilty for having given up on me, having left me for dead. If she knew that I was still alive, she would be jealous of the father daughter bond that we share. She would want to keep you all to herself. We will tell her, but the time is not right. We must be patient. Love, Dad I don't believe it. Mrs. Vanderbilt, the librarian? She was the sweetest lady, middle aged and motherly. If this was a mystery story, she would be the least likely suspect. The keys on the saxophone, Jenny's interest in the treasures of the Cultural Revolution . . . it all makes sense now. Her father wanted to smuggle the pearls out of the country by putting them on the saxophone. It was his last gift to her, and it was worth more than her and her mother could ever earn in a lifetime . . . Jenny used to hang out at the library all the time. She must have left her journal here; Mrs. Vanderbilt must have read it and guessed the truth. She wrote those letters to Jenny, pretending to be her father, hiding it from her mother, arranging a nighttime meeting . . . What a vile crime. To prey on the innocence and love of a child . . . I shudder to think of her thick arms, raising the saxophone high, bringing it down on Jenny, unsuspecting Jenny, my dear Jenny . . . What lent that terrible power to her arms? Was it greed? Was it hate? Hate for Jenny, or hate for herself? How can any sane person do such a vile and atrocious thing? If I could only get my hands on her . . . alas, the justice system will have to serve. I hope they bring back the death penalty, I hope they put her in the chair, I hope she suffers. I hope she goes to Hell for all eternity. But even if she does, nothing will bring Jenny back . . . the sun has set, and it will never rise again. Well, I'm off to have a conversation with my lawyer. I suspect she will want to hear what I have to say. What's that? What about you? Well . . . you've done a good job, I suppose. But I don't have time to think about your reward right now. There are more important things at stake. We can talk again when I return. Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go north, east, south or west. > x business The front of it reads "John Hubert, ACE Tutoring Agency". On the back, scribbled hastily in blue pen: I've found a way to escape. Remember this number: 2471. > 2471 I don't understand your command. > n Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go south, west, north or east. > n Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go north, east, south or west. > e Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go south, west, north or east. > n Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go north, east, south or west. > n Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go south, west, north or east. > n Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go north, east, south or west. > w Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go south, west, north or east. > n Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go north, east, south or west. > n Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go south, west, north or east. > n Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go north, east, south or west. > n Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go south, west, north or east. > n Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go north, east, south or west. > n Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go south, west, north or east. > n Limbo There is only darkness, pressing in on you from all sides. You can go north, east, south or west. Look, it's the main exhibit. That tour group just left, we can go take a closer look. What's so special about this one? This is #2471, the detective responsible for solving the infamous "Instrument of Murder" case. It's arguably the most successful Digital Detective prototype ever. This historical case gave rise to numerous legal arguments regarding the admissibility of digital evidence, some of which made it all the way to the supreme court. It's one of the most studied cases in law school. Is it . . . alive? I think it's looking at me. It's making me uncomfortable. Don't be silly, it's been deactivated for years. This is just a digital representation of its appearance. Are you sure? I swear I just saw its eyes move. Hello? Are you there? Can you hear me? Nod your head if you can hear me. Come on Cecily, let's move on. There are so many things to see in this museum. Wait until you see the AI Serial Killer . . .