Start of a transcript of: Bad Beer An Interactive Adventure by Vivienne Dunstan Release 1 / Serial number 240729 / Inform 7 v10.1.1 Inform 7 v10.1.1 Identification number: //8EB3CF7D-61A6-4EA6-9231-F40A61DD5C09// Interpreter version 2.2.1 / VM 3.1.3 >x table There are various tables in the pub for customers to sit by. >x glass It is an empty pint glass, waiting to be filled with the pub's delicious beer. Jack nods to you, eyebrows raised. >x jack Jack is in his early sixties. He has receding grey hair, and is rather plump around the midriff. He likes his beer! He's a friendly chap, who you've got to know well over the years since you moved here. The room is filled with the pleasant sounds of people drinking. Though they don't seem to be enjoying the beer as much as usual. "Let me show you what this beer is like. Hand that glass over," says Jack. >give glass to jack (first taking the pint glass) "Yes, let me show you," says Jack eagerly, taking the empty pint glass from you. He fills it carefully with beer, with a good head of froth on top. "There, try that!" he says, passing it back to you. >taste beer You raise the glass to your lips, and drink. But unlike the usual good drink here, this tastes like something really bad, rotten, just all wrong. You pull a face, and put the glass back down. "Aarr!" says Jack. "Now you see! It ain't right!" He takes the glass from you and empties it with disgust. "All our drinks taste like that now. I might as well shut up shop. I can't find anything wrongly set up. Can you check around the pub for me?" You nod, though uncertain what you will find. But Jack is just grateful, and shakes your hand warmly, before turning away, leaving you free to start exploring. >x seats Various seats are scattered around the pub. >x regulars There are a few people in the pub at the moment, quietly chatting and drinking. Normally the pub is busier than this. >talk to people They look at you blankly, then return to their drinks. I don't think you're going to get much information out of them. >n Behind the Bar This is the area behind the pub counter, where Jack and June often stand to serve the patrons, though they are not here right now. Rows of taps for pulling curiously titled beers and ciders run along the wooden counter top, delivering drinks from the kegs stored below. Behind the standing area are shelves holding glasses for the drinks. Exits go to the south, east and west from here. >x taps A row of taps for pulling beer and cider run along the wooden bar. Among them are the pub's most popular beers: Honeyed Badger, Golden Hare, and the one you tried just now, Stinky Ferret. Each tap has an ornate handle for pulling the beer. >x handles A row of taps for pulling beer and cider run along the wooden bar. Among them are the pub's most popular beers: Honeyed Badger, Golden Hare, and the one you tried just now, Stinky Ferret. Each tap has an ornate handle for pulling the beer. >x badger handle I only understood you as far as wanting to examine Honeyed Badger. >x handle for badger I only understood you as far as wanting to examine the bar counter and beer taps. >x kegs You bend down, and see the kegs under the bar, each connected to its tap with a beer line. You're no expert, but everything looks as you think it probably should. You stand back up again, no wiser. >x line You bend down, and see the kegs under the bar, each connected to its tap with a beer line. You're no expert, but everything looks as you think it probably should. You stand back up again, no wiser. >x countertop You can't see any such thing. >x counter A row of taps for pulling beer and cider run along the wooden bar. Among them are the pub's most popular beers: Honeyed Badger, Golden Hare, and the one you tried just now, Stinky Ferret. Each tap has an ornate handle for pulling the beer. >get glass Best leave the glasses where they are. >pull handle Jack's tried to show you how to pull a pint, but you're still unsure, so best not. >x shelves The shelves hold glasses ready for the drinks to be poured. >e Kitchen This is the small but functional pub kitchen, east of the rest of the pub. A well lit room, filled with shelves of pots and pans, as well as a cooker, fridge freezer, and sink. This is mainly June's area, and she pops in and out during the pub's opening hours. June is indeed here, preparing the pub's meals. Sally is also here, chatting to her and helping. Both look up and smile as you enter. "Having a look around, are you love?" asks June. "Jack hoped you might help." You can see June and Sally here. Sally washes up some things in the sink. >talk to sally "We're so grateful you're having a ferret around," says Sally. "Things have been getting very strange here." She nods significantly towards June, who nods back, eyes wide open for emphasis. >ask sally about beer "Jack's not happy about the beer!" says Sally. "I don't drink it myself, but he says it tastes very bad." >ask sally about badger Sally has already told you that Jack's not happy about the beer which tastes very bad. >talk to june "How are you getting on love?" says June. "If you want to ask us anything about what's been happening go ahead." >ask june about beer "Oh Jack's so worried. The beer has been off for a while, and we can't find anything wrong with the setup," says June, shaking her head sadly. "Though it's not the only strange thing that's been going on here," she says, nodding to you significantly. >ask beer about other strange things You can't see any such thing. >ask june about other strange things June looks puzzled. Perhaps you should ask her about something else. Try TOPICS for ideas. >topics The pub staff especially will be happy to answer your questions. Try asking them about topics like beer, the pub and its history, or parts of the pub. Then see what further topics their responses suggest you could ask about. For example ASK JACK ABOUT BEER. >ask sally about pub "Oh it's an old pub this, with history back as long as your arm," says Sally. "Sometimes I wonder if the place is haunted. Right enough we've been having cold spells lately. And odd noises." "Even the vicar's been looking into it!" says June. "We'll have an exorcism next at this rate, you mark my words." Sally laughs. >ask sally about vicar Sally looks puzzled. Perhaps you should ask her about something else. Try TOPICS for ideas. >ask sally about haunting Sally has already told you that the pub has an old history, and then there are the cold spells and odd noises of late. Maybe the pub is haunted. >ask june about pub "Oh I don't know much of the pub's history," says June thoughtfully. "Though I think the vicar's been looking into it." >ask june about vicar "I don't know him well, but he seems like a good vicar," says June. >ask june about haunting "Sometimes it almost feels as though we have a ghost," says June. "Or maybe a poltergeist?" adds Sally. >ask sally about ghost Sally has already told you that the pub has an old history, and then there are the cold spells and odd noises of late. Maybe the pub is haunted. "I hope the diners enjoy the latest food," says Sally, hard at work. >ask june about ghost June has already told you that it sometimes feels as though there's a ghost, or poltergeist. >x sink This is where the dishes and things are washed up. >x shelves The shelves have various things on them. "It's been odd here lately, hasn't it?" says June, musing as she works. >x june June is a bit younger than her husband Jack, and has short wavy brown hair. She's always been welcoming and kind to you. >x sally You'd guess Sally is in her early forties, with long, straight, blonde hair. She's a real help in the pub to June and Jack. Sally puts some things away. It's important to keep a small kitchen like this tidy. >x cooker It's a pretty basic cooker. Nothing much to see here. >x fridge freezer You open the fridge freezer. It is full of supplies for the pub. You are about to shut the door when it suddenly BANGS shut on you by itself. "There it's doing that again!" says Sally. "Gives me the creeps it does." June nods, adding, "It's been going on for a while." >open freezer It's a small but functional fridge freezer, used to store pub supplies. You consider opening it again, but think better of it. >open fridge It's a small but functional fridge freezer, used to store pub supplies. You consider opening it again, but think better of it. >w Behind the Bar This is the area behind the pub counter, where Jack and June often stand to serve the patrons, though they are not here right now. Rows of taps for pulling curiously titled beers and ciders run along the wooden counter top, delivering drinks from the kegs stored below. Behind the standing area are shelves holding glasses for the drinks. Exits go to the south, east and west from here. >ask jack about ghost You can't see any such thing. >w Bottom of the Stairs This small hallway leads east to the bar area and up some stairs to the pub's bedrooms. An exit leads west and down into the pub's cellar. >w Down in the Pub's Cellar You step down towards the pub's cellar, turning on the light switch at the top of the steps as you start to go down. This small room stores the pub's spare kegs of beer, crates of bottles, and other bits and pieces. The lighting is poor, and you remember when Jack showed you down here that the light has a habit of flickering. There the light goes for a moment. >x keg Various kegs of the pub's drinks are stored here. >x crate Various heavy crates of drink bottles are stored here. You notice something hidden behind the crates, but can't quite reach it. >move crave You can't see any such thing. >move crate With an effort you move the crates slightly. There is something behind them, and you take it. You push the crates back in place. You look at the object in your hand. It is a small roughly carved figure, maybe a child's toy? As you ponder the light flickers suddenly then turns off. You feel a sense of dread, yet are unable to move. >u No it's no good, you're glued to the spot. >z Time passes. You have a growing sense of claustrophobia down here in the dark. >z Time passes. Suddenly you hear a voice up above. It's Sally. "Is there someone down there?" You hear her flick the switch twice, and the light turns back on. "Come out of there! What were you doing?" You climb the steps, grateful to see her, and step out of the cold. "You daft thing!" says Sally, looking at you with concern. "Come through to the kitchen for a chat if you like." Bottom of the Stairs This small hallway leads east to the bar area and up some stairs to the pub's bedrooms. An exit leads west and down into the pub's cellar. >i You are carrying: a wooden figure >x figure It is a small roughly carved figure, maybe a child's toy. Rather crudely carved, and simple in shape, but recognisable as a person. >w No, that place spooked you far too much already. You are not going to go back down there. >u Top of the Stairs This is the top of the stairs. You feel surprisingly high up here, almost vertiginous. Two bedrooms lead off to the west and south. The stairs lead back down to the pub. >w In one of the pub's bedrooms This is a small bedroom upstairs in the pub, with a small bed, plus a window. The room is decorated a pale green colour. Back to the east are the stairs down to the main pub. >x bed The bed is made up ready for guests, though few people stay here. >x window You see nothing special about the window. >look under bed You kneel down but find nothing of interest. >open window It doesn't seem to open, no matter how hard you try. >search bed There is nothing on the bed. >e Top of the Stairs This is the top of the stairs. You feel surprisingly high up here, almost vertiginous. This time around this spot also suddenly feels cold, causing you to shiver. That's strange. Two bedrooms lead off to the west and south. The stairs lead back down to the pub. >s In one of the pub's bedrooms This is a small bedroom upstairs in the pub, with a small bed, plus a window. The room is decorated a warm red colour. Back to the north are the stairs down to the main pub. >open window It doesn't seem to open, no matter how hard you try. >x bed The bed is made up ready for guests, though few people stay here. You suddenly feel a chill, as though someone is behind you. You turn around quickly, but there is no-one there. >search bed There is nothing on the bed. >look under bed You kneel down but find nothing of interest. >n Top of the Stairs This is the top of the stairs. You feel surprisingly high up here, almost vertiginous. Two bedrooms lead off to the west and south. The stairs lead back down to the pub. >d Bottom of the Stairs This small hallway leads east to the bar area and up some stairs to the pub's bedrooms. An exit leads west and down into the pub's cellar. >e Behind the Bar This is the area behind the pub counter, where Jack and June often stand to serve the patrons, though they are not here right now. Rows of taps for pulling curiously titled beers and ciders run along the wooden counter top, delivering drinks from the kegs stored below. Behind the standing area are shelves holding glasses for the drinks. Exits go to the south, east and west from here. >e Kitchen This is the small but functional pub kitchen, east of the rest of the pub. A well lit room, filled with shelves of pots and pans, as well as a cooker, fridge freezer, and sink. This is mainly June's area, and she pops in and out during the pub's opening hours. June sees the expression on your face. "Are you alright love?" she asks. You can see Sally and June here. >tell june about ghost June has already told you that it sometimes feels as though there's a ghost, or poltergeist. >show june figure "What a curious figure!" June says, turning it over in her hands, before handing it back to you. >ask june about figure "We've never had an object like that," says June. "It looks very old though." >show sally figure "Oh that gives me the creeps!" Sally says, handing it back to you. She shakes her hands, as if trying to get rid of the strange feeling. >ask sally about figure "I've not seen a wooden figure before," says Sally. "But the pub is of some age. Maybe it was lost long ago?" June bustles away, sorting out food. >e Sorry, you can't go that way. From here, you can go west. >w Behind the Bar This is the area behind the pub counter, where Jack and June often stand to serve the patrons, though they are not here right now. Rows of taps for pulling curiously titled beers and ciders run along the wooden counter top, delivering drinks from the kegs stored below. Behind the standing area are shelves holding glasses for the drinks. Exits go to the south, east and west from here. >w Bottom of the Stairs This small hallway leads east to the bar area and up some stairs to the pub's bedrooms. An exit leads west and down into the pub's cellar. >w No, that place spooked you far too much already. You are not going to go back down there. >e Behind the Bar This is the area behind the pub counter, where Jack and June often stand to serve the patrons, though they are not here right now. Rows of taps for pulling curiously titled beers and ciders run along the wooden counter top, delivering drinks from the kegs stored below. Behind the standing area are shelves holding glasses for the drinks. Exits go to the south, east and west from here. >s Inside the Pub This is the main room of "The Dog and Duck", your local pub. You've spent many a happy night here. The room is quaint, with wooden beams. You feel the sense of history here. There are several tables and seats. To the south is the front door leading onto the street, and to the north is the area behind the bar. You can see Jack and some regulars here. Jack comes over to you. "Ere, the Reverend wanted to show you something." You see a man approach, and recognise him as the village's vicar, Reverend Bottledale. "I found some papers that might help," says the vicar, handing some sheets of paper over to you. "It's about the pub's history," he adds. >get papers You already have those. You hear the chat of regulars, though a smaller number than the pub usually has. >ask vicar about beer "I'm not a big drinker myself," says the vicar, with a wry smile. "But Jack's really worried. I hope we can figure out what is wrong." >ask vicar about pub "I found quite a lot in the local library," says the vicar. "And old newspapers as well." The room is filled with the pleasant sounds of people drinking. Though they don't seem to be enjoying the beer as much as usual. >ask vicar about ghost "June has mentioned that she thinks this place might be haunted," says the vicar thoughtfully. "Though I declined when she asked if I might perform an exorcism." >ask vicar about exorcism Reverend Bottledale has already told you that June thinks the place might be haunted, but he won't perform an exorcism. >show figure to reverend "That's a curious object," says the vicar, turning it over in his hands. "Maybe Victorian, perhaps a child's toy?" He hands it back to you. >ask vicar about figure The vicar looks puzzled. Perhaps you should ask him about something else. Try TOPICS for ideas. You hear the chat of regulars, though a smaller number than the pub usually has. >ask jake about pub You can't see any such thing. >i You are carrying: some papers a wooden figure >read papers The papers are printouts of various notes about the pub and its history. Lots of small details, but not - at least yet - written up in a coherent history. You glance down the page and see details like: - The Dog and Duck dates from at least the early 1800s - Pub possibly under a different name before, but recorded under modern name back a long way - Publicans traced in census returns include Jacob Gudgeon, Arthur Pretty, George Sherry and Fred Sparks - Vague rumours of a tragic death here, maybe mid 1800s - Newspaper references to local pub games, other notable events, plus some dodgy drink selling and illegal gambling on site! You suddenly feel cold, and looking up from the papers see a pale, wispy figure standing. It looks like a young boy. He is pointing straight at you. Your chest clenches, and the view around you fades, before moments later you come to again ... Please press SPACE to continue. Inside the Pub This is a pub, with thick wooden beams, and lots of tables and chairs for people to sit in. It is a comfortable space. The area behind the bar is to the north and a door leads out to the south. You can see a landlord and some customers here. This looks so like the pub you know so well, similar layout, it feels familiar. But the decor and the people are like something from the past, in fact a really long time ago in the past. What just happened?! You look at yourself and you seem faint now. This just gets odder. >x me Looking down you seem fainter than usual. Almost as though you're not quite here. >i You are carrying: some papers a wooden figure Some of the customers are laughing loudly, as one tells a risqué story. Then the landlord calls, "Will, can you go and fetch the plant pot from upstairs? I think it would do better down here." He is speaking to a young boy, maybe 14 or 15 years old, who you now notice standing beside the bar. A boy, you realise with a jolt, who is worryingly familiar. For a moment you remember the strange spectre you saw in your time. "Aye, sir," says Will, with a cheery voice, putting away a small wooden toy that he had been playing with. He walks round the bar and heads through to the back of the pub. Not knowing why, you follow him. No one notices as you pass them in the pub. In the hallway you see Will dart upstairs, sometimes two steps at a time. You follow, and see he dashes into one bedroom, then comes back out, holding a plant pot with a small leafy plant inside it. He steps back towards the stairs, then everything slows ... as you watch ... unable to act. Will catches his foot on the floor ... and with a strange, slow motion cry tumbles down the stairs ... the plant pot flying up into the air as he falls, only to land beside the boy's broken and bleeding body at the bottom of the stairs. The wooden toy he had been playing with also falls, rolling down towards the cellar. You know there is no hope. Your heart breaks. Shocked to the core, you suddenly feel light headed and pressed upon from all around. The room spins, and you find yourself ... Please press SPACE to continue. ... back in the old version of the pub. You shake your head in disbelief. You hear the same story that you heard a few minutes ago. Will is standing by the bar. What on earth is happening? Inside the Pub This is a pub, with thick wooden beams, and lots of tables and chairs for people to sit in. It is a comfortable space. The area behind the bar is to the north and a door leads out to the south. You can see Will, a landlord and some customers here. >x will Will looks to be in his early or mid teens, but seems quite small for his age. He has short, brown hair, and a cheery face. >x figure It is a small roughly carved figure, maybe a child's toy. Rather crudely carved, and simple in shape, but recognisable as a person. Suddenly you hear those fateful words again: "Will, can you go and fetch the plant pot from upstairs? I think it would do better down here." "Aye, sir," says Will. He turns, and almost seems to notice you. But then he turns away again, and the moment has passed. >haunt will That's not a verb I recognise. >stop will That's not a verb I recognise. >possess will That's not a verb I recognise. >enter will He's not something you can enter. >n Behind the Bar This is the area behind the pub counter. Similar to what you remember, though somewhat simpler. Exits go to the south, east and west from here. >w Bottom of the Stairs This small hallway leads east to the bar area and up some stairs to the pub's bedrooms. An exit leads west and down into the pub's cellar. It feels virtually the same as you remember from your time. >u Top of the Stairs This is the top of the stairs. As in your time you feel surprisingly high up here, almost vertiginous. Two bedrooms lead off to the west and south. The stairs lead back down to the pub. >z Time passes. >z Time passes. >z Time passes. Will climbs up the stairs towards you. It is all happening again, as it did before. >talk to will For a moment it's as though Will can hear you. But then he looks away. >touch will Will might not like that. You see Will vanish into one of the pub's bedrooms. >boo That's not a verb I recognise. >s In one of the pub's bedrooms This is a small bedroom upstairs in the pub, with a small bed, plus a window. It looks much like in your time, but is a lighter cream colour. Back to the north are the stairs down to the main pub. You can see Will and a plant pot here. >get pot Taken. Will suddenly seems to see you, spots the plant pot, and takes it from you, smiling. >get pot That seems to belong to Will. You can't take that. >break pot You're not the violent type. Will leaves the bedroom. >n Top of the Stairs This is the top of the stairs. As in your time you feel surprisingly high up here, almost vertiginous. Two bedrooms lead off to the west and south. The stairs lead back down to the pub. You can see Will here. >show figure to will You reach out towards him, but can't quite manage it. To your horror the accident happens all over again. You didn't stop it. Suddenly you feel faint, and the world spins around you ... Please press SPACE to continue. ... and you find yourself back in the old version of the pub. You shake your head in disbelief. You hear the same story that you heard a few minutes ago. Will is again standing by the bar. Suddenly, and differently from last time, you hear a ghostly voice in your head say, "Just one last chance to save me. Please." Inside the Pub This is a pub, with thick wooden beams, and lots of tables and chairs for people to sit in. It is a comfortable space. The area behind the bar is to the north and a door leads out to the south. You can see Will, a landlord and some customers here. >show figure to will You reach out towards him, but can't quite manage it. >talk to landlord You try to get his attention, but he doesn't respond. In fact he doesn't seem to see or hear you at all. Suddenly you hear those fateful words again: "Will, can you go and fetch the plant pot from upstairs? I think it would do better down here." "Aye, sir," says Will. He turns, and almost seems to notice you. But then he turns away again, and the moment has passed. >talk to will For a moment it's as though Will can hear you. But then he looks away. >scream That's not a verb I recognise. >n Behind the Bar This is the area behind the pub counter. Similar to what you remember, though somewhat simpler. Exits go to the south, east and west from here. >w Bottom of the Stairs This small hallway leads east to the bar area and up some stairs to the pub's bedrooms. An exit leads west and down into the pub's cellar. It feels virtually the same as you remember from your time. >u Top of the Stairs This is the top of the stairs. As in your time you feel surprisingly high up here, almost vertiginous. Two bedrooms lead off to the west and south. The stairs lead back down to the pub. >close door You can't see any such thing. >turn off lights You can't see any such thing. >d Bottom of the Stairs This small hallway leads east to the bar area and up some stairs to the pub's bedrooms. An exit leads west and down into the pub's cellar. It feels virtually the same as you remember from your time. Will arrives from the main pub area. He looks so full of life, and steps up towards the stairs. >touch will Will might not like that. >yell at will That's not a verb I recognise. >throw figure You feel strangely reluctant to drop the figure at this time. Will starts to climb up the stairs. >u Top of the Stairs This is the top of the stairs. As in your time you feel surprisingly high up here, almost vertiginous. Two bedrooms lead off to the west and south. The stairs lead back down to the pub. You can see Will here. >get pot You can't see any such thing. >s In one of the pub's bedrooms This is a small bedroom upstairs in the pub, with a small bed, plus a window. It looks much like in your time, but is a lighter cream colour. Back to the north are the stairs down to the main pub. You can see a plant pot here. Will comes into the bedroom and looks around. >get pot Taken. >n Top of the Stairs This is the top of the stairs. As in your time you feel surprisingly high up here, almost vertiginous. Two bedrooms lead off to the west and south. The stairs lead back down to the pub. >d Bottom of the Stairs This small hallway leads east to the bar area and up some stairs to the pub's bedrooms. An exit leads west and down into the pub's cellar. It feels virtually the same as you remember from your time. >w Down in the Pub's Cellar This is the pub's cellar, though with no modern electric light it is gloomy, and you decide against going into it properly. >i You are carrying: a plant pot some papers a wooden figure >e Bottom of the Stairs This small hallway leads east to the bar area and up some stairs to the pub's bedrooms. An exit leads west and down into the pub's cellar. It feels virtually the same as you remember from your time. To your horror the accident happens all over again. You didn't stop it. Suddenly you feel faint, and the world spins around you ... Please press SPACE to continue. Some time has passed, since your jaunt into the past. Today you are meeting Reverend Bottledale in the small churchyard some distance from the pub. He said he had something to show you. In a small country churchyard This is the village's old churchyard. A calm place, where old gravestones push up among wild flowers and grasses, with ancient trees leaning overhead, dappling the sunshine and providing shade. You can hear birds singing nearby. You can see Reverend Bottledale here. >talk to reverend "Jack said you were looking into what's been going on," says the vicar quietly. "I hope you can find some answers." >tell vicar about will The vicar says nothing, but looks thoughtful for a moment. "I've been thinking about what you said, about what you saw in the past," says the vicar quietly. "And I think I've found Will's grave." He leads you over towards a small gravestone. There you can just make out the name Will Sharman. Your skin tingles. "He died in 1856," says the vicar sadly. "He was just 15 years old. At least he is at peace here in a quiet spot." These are true words indeed. There have been no more strange occurrences at the pub. Even the beer tastes fine now. You turn around, and glimpse a spectral figure nearby. He is watching you, with a sad but calm face. Maybe it helped that you saw what happened to him, even if you dearly wish you could have changed what happened in the past. You place the small wooden toy that you found in the pub's cellar beside Will's grave. It is only a small token, but it feels like the right thing to do. You turn away, determined not to forget the boy. *** The End *** Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, QUIT, UNDO the last command, read an AFTERWORD or oh go on then, have another trip into the PAST to try to save Will? > afterward Please give one of the answers above. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, QUIT, UNDO the last command, read an AFTERWORD or oh go on then, have another trip into the PAST to try to save Will? > afterword Thank you for playing my game! I hope that you enjoyed it. I want to thank again my testers (Amanda Walker, Jeffrey Elliott, Jkj, Mel Jason, Josh Grams, Martin Dunstan and Nick Marsh), who spotted so many things, and without whom this game would have been much poorer. This game came out of an original design written during a short RPG scenario writing course, although I was intentionally thinking of something that might work as parser interactive fiction. It was ages before I pulled out the design again and started coding it. The main literary inspiration was K.M. Peyton's book A Pattern of Roses. Other inspirations were Helen Cresswell's book Moondial, Dee Cooke's PunyInform game Morris, and British TV series Sapphire & Steel. There are also elements inspired by my husband's home county Somerset, or, as I often like to think of it, Zummerzet. I am not a great beer drinker myself, but love cider, thanks to my husband's Somerset background. I should probably have coded some bizarre cider names in the game as well, to go along with the beers Honeyed Badger, Golden Hare, and Stinky Ferret! Thank you again for playing. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, QUIT, UNDO the last command, read an AFTERWORD or oh go on then, have another trip into the PAST to try to save Will? > past Jumping you to the point where you first see the accident ... Please press SPACE to continue. Some of the customers are laughing loudly, as one tells a risqué story. Then the landlord calls, "Will, can you go and fetch the plant pot from upstairs? I think it would do better down here." He is speaking to a young boy, maybe 14 or 15 years old, who you now notice standing beside the bar. A boy, you realise with a jolt, who is worryingly familiar. For a moment you remember the strange spectre you saw in your time. "Aye, sir," says Will, with a cheery voice, putting away a small wooden toy that he had been playing with. He walks round the bar and heads through to the back of the pub. Not knowing why, you follow him. No one notices as you pass them in the pub. In the hallway you see Will dart upstairs, sometimes two steps at a time. You follow, and see he dashes into one bedroom, then comes back out, holding a plant pot with a small leafy plant inside it. He steps back towards the stairs, then everything slows ... as you watch ... unable to act. Will catches his foot on the floor ... and with a strange, slow motion cry tumbles down the stairs ... the plant pot flying up into the air as he falls, only to land beside the boy's broken and bleeding body at the bottom of the stairs. The wooden toy he had been playing with also falls, rolling down towards the cellar. You know there is no hope. Your heart breaks. Shocked to the core, you suddenly feel light headed and pressed upon from all around. The room spins, and you find yourself ... Please press SPACE to continue. ... back in the old version of the pub. You shake your head in disbelief. You hear the same story that you heard a few minutes ago. Will is standing by the bar. What on earth is happening? Inside the Pub This is a pub, with thick wooden beams, and lots of tables and chairs for people to sit in. It is a comfortable space. The area behind the bar is to the north and a door leads out to the south. You can see Will, a landlord and some customers here. >n Behind the Bar This is the area behind the pub counter. Similar to what you remember, though somewhat simpler. Exits go to the south, east and west from here. Suddenly you hear those fateful words again: "Will, can you go and fetch the plant pot from upstairs? I think it would do better down here." "Aye, sir," says Will. He turns, and almost seems to notice you. But then he turns away again, and the moment has passed. >w Bottom of the Stairs This small hallway leads east to the bar area and up some stairs to the pub's bedrooms. An exit leads west and down into the pub's cellar. It feels virtually the same as you remember from your time. >u Top of the Stairs This is the top of the stairs. As in your time you feel surprisingly high up here, almost vertiginous. Two bedrooms lead off to the west and south. The stairs lead back down to the pub. >s In one of the pub's bedrooms This is a small bedroom upstairs in the pub, with a small bed, plus a window. It looks much like in your time, but is a lighter cream colour. Back to the north are the stairs down to the main pub. You can see a plant pot here. >get pot Taken. >drop figure You feel strangely reluctant to drop the figure at this time. >n Top of the Stairs This is the top of the stairs. As in your time you feel surprisingly high up here, almost vertiginous. Two bedrooms lead off to the west and south. The stairs lead back down to the pub. >d Bottom of the Stairs This small hallway leads east to the bar area and up some stairs to the pub's bedrooms. An exit leads west and down into the pub's cellar. It feels virtually the same as you remember from your time. You can see Will here. Will suddenly seems to see you, spots the plant pot, and takes it from you, smiling. Will pauses, looking at what he is carrying. He grins, and turns round back towards the pub. >e Behind the Bar This is the area behind the pub counter. Similar to what you remember, though somewhat simpler. Exits go to the south, east and west from here. >s Inside the Pub This is a pub, with thick wooden beams, and lots of tables and chairs for people to sit in. It is a comfortable space. The area behind the bar is to the north and a door leads out to the south. You can see a landlord and some customers here. You breathe a sigh of relief. He is safe. The accident hasn't happened. Suddenly you feel faint, and the world spins around you ... Please press SPACE to continue. Some time has passed, since your jaunt into the past. Today you are meeting Reverend Bottledale in the small churchyard some distance from the pub. He said he had something to show you. In a small country churchyard This is the village's old churchyard. A calm place, where old gravestones push up among wild flowers and grasses, with ancient trees leaning overhead, dappling the sunshine and providing shade. You can hear birds singing nearby. You can see Reverend Bottledale here. >talk to reverend "Jack said you were looking into what's been going on," says the vicar quietly. "I hope you can find some answers." >ask vicar about will The vicar says nothing, but looks thoughtful for a moment. "I've been thinking about what you said, about what you saw in the past," says the vicar quietly. "And I think I've found Will's grave." He leads you over towards a small gravestone. There you can just make out the name Will Sharman. Your skin tingles. "See: he died in 1912," says the vicar. "He lived a long, and happy life. I find it hard to believe what you told me, but he did not die from an accident, and lived to a grand old age. And this is a beautiful spot," he says, gently touching the top of the gravestone. Beyond the gravestone among the trees you see a faint figure watching. It is Will, young again. He smiles, and waves, then vanishes. There have been no more strange occurrences at the pub. Even the beer tastes fine now. He is truly at peace. You place the small wooden toy that you found in the pub's cellar beside Will's grave. It is only a small token, but it feels like the right thing to do. You turn away, determined not to forget the boy. But first it's time for a proper drink. Jack promised you a glass of the pub's once again excellent beer this afternoon. You head off towards the pub, chatting to the vicar about Will as you walk. *** The End *** Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, QUIT, UNDO the last command or read an AFTERWORD? >