Transcript enabled.

1. “But cleaning up is so boring!”
2. “I'd love to, Dad, but Nibbles wants to be a rock star, and I have to work on his outfit.”
3. “I was doing that, but a stegosaurus went stomping through the house and messed everything up again.”
4. “It's already done. Everything is spick and span!”

> 4
“It's already done. Everything is spick and span!”

Dad looks meaningfully at the bright red fire truck in the middle of the kitchen floor.

“Almost”, you admit.

1. “But cleaning up is so boring!”
2. “I'd love to, Dad, but Nibbles wants to be a rock star, and I have to work on his outfit.”
3. “I was doing that, but a stegosaurus went stomping through the house and messed everything up again.”
4. “Oh, all right then.”

> 1
“But cleaning up is so boring!”

“It doesn't have to be. You never know what excitement lurks just around the corner. Some would say that peeling potatoes is boring, but I prefer to think of it as the potential starting point of an exciting adventure!”

You pout. “Adventures are about cunning and bravery and old sailing ships. Not potatoes.”

“All right, Emma. As you wish. But you still have to clean up.”

1. “I'd love to, Dad, but Nibbles wants to be a rock star, and I have to work on his outfit.”
2. “I was doing that, but a stegosaurus went stomping through the house and messed everything up again.”
3. “Oh, all right then.”

> 1
“I'd love to, Dad, but Nibbles wants to be a rock star, and I have to work on his outfit.”

“You'll clean up right now, young lady. Then you can play with Nibbles.”

1. “I was doing that, but a stegosaurus went stomping through the house and messed everything up again.”
2. “Oh, all right then.”

> 1
“I was doing that, but a stegosaurus went stomping through the house and messed everything up again.”

“Suppose I did believe that, Emma. You'd still have to clean up, wouldn't you?”

1. “Oh, all right then.”

> 1
“Oh, all right then.”

“There's a good girl.” Dad returns to his cooking.

The Impossible Bottle
An interactive fiction by Linus Åkesson.
Release 1. Serial number 200928.
Dialog compiler version 0m/01. Library version 0.44.

Type about for credits and help for game-specific instructions.

Kitchen
Dad is standing by the kitchen counter. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east.

A fire truck is on the floor.

Dad peels some carrots.

> about

The Impossible Bottle
An interactive fiction by Linus Åkesson.
Release 1. Serial number 200928.
Dialog compiler version 0m/01. Library version 0.44.

Written for the 26th Annual Interactive Fiction Competition, IFComp 2020.

Honed and hardened with heaps of help from: Brian Rushton, Mike Carletta, fos1, Hanon Ondricek, Mike Russo, Christopher Merriner, Arthur DiBianca, and Gabriella Åkesson.

In this story, you may come across quoted lyrics from songs by Robert Wells and Pete Seeger. There's also a mangled quote from the opening of Andrew Plotkin's “Freefall”.

Type help for game-specific instructions.

> take truck
Got the fire truck. Dad nods approvingly.

Dad rinses some onions.

> x it
Your beloved fire truck is about the size of a house cat, and bright red. It has a ladder that you can extend and retract, and a little steering wheel that actually works.

Right now the ladder is retracted.

Dad chops away at some carrots.

> i
You have:
    a fire truck

> x me
You are Emma, six years old. You're wearing a pretty dress, white leggings, and a light blue ribbon in your hair.

Dad stirs a pan.

> x dad
Dad is wearing an apron over his light blue shirt and brown trousers. He is hard at work with the cooking.

Dad adds a pinch of salt and pepper.

> x dress
You're wearing a white dress with little playful kittens all over it.

Dad stirs a pan.

> x leggings
Soft and comfortable.

Dad adds a pinch of salt and pepper.

> x ribbon
Neat and graceful.

Dad stirs a pan.

> x counter
The counter is made of wood, with grey stone on top. It has a stove with three burners, an oven, and a sink with a tap. On the countertop are several pans, ladles, measuring cups, and veggies.

Dad rinses some bell peppers.

> x fridge
The fridge is beige and tall and makes a comforting sound. On its closed door is a list.

Dad adds a pinch of salt and pepper.

> x list
A list of everything Dad needs to do before the Taylors arrive.

[ ] Cook
[ ] Vacuum
[ ] Set table
[ ] Shower & get dressed

Dad peels some potatoes.

> x park
You can see a park and a deserted bike trail through the window in the west wall. On the sill is a fern in a pot.

Dad rinses some carrots.

> x fern
The fern sits there, quietly vegetating.

Dad stirs a pan.

> help
This game can never be placed in an unwinnable state.

Some helpful commands:
Goals: Review your current goals.
Verbs: Show a list of supported verbs.
Hint: Ask for a hint.

A graphical map is included in the game package.

Game control: Undo, restart, save, restore, progress, about, quit.

> goals
Your current goals are:

• Clean up your toys.

Dad has a to-do list of his own, on the fridge.

> l

Kitchen
Dad is standing by the kitchen counter. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east.

Dad peels some onions.

> e

Sitting room
The green velvet sofa looks as inviting as ever. Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street.

Open doorways lead west and north.

There's a blanket fort in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

> x fort
A masterfully crafted blanket fort, if you may say so yourself. It's the size of a large dining table.

Dad would want you to return the blanket to the large bed upstairs, so this is probably your last chance to get in there and play a little.

> in
You crawl into the blanket fort.

Blanket fort
You're inside a cozy blanket fort. Light seeps in through a gap under the blanket edge. All directions lead out.

There's a microphone and a pillow here.

> take all
The microphone: Got the microphone.

The pillow: Got the pillow.

> x microphone
It's the pink glittery microphone for your My First Karaoke set. A cable is coming out of the back.

> x pillow
Soft and fluffy. It's supposed to be on your bed.

> x cable
It's the pink glittery microphone for your My First Karaoke set. A cable is coming out of the back.

> x light
Neat and graceful.

> out
You crawl out of the blanket fort.

Sitting room
The green velvet sofa looks as inviting as ever. Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street.

Open doorways lead west and north.

There's a blanket fort in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

> take blanket
You take the blanket, revealing a dining table.

Phew! That was the last toy you had to clean up, unless you're forgetting something. Time to go and put them in your room, and the blanket on the bed in the master bedroom.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> x calendar
June 2020. Today's date is circled in red.

> x date
June 2020. Today's date is circled in red.

> x coats
Outdoor clothes for rainy days. You haven't had much use for them lately.

> x jackets
Outdoor clothes for rainy days. You haven't had much use for them lately.

> x shelf
Outdoor clothes for rainy days. You haven't had much use for them lately.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, Mom's study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> s

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A bookshelf stands next to the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk, with Mom on a rolling chair next to it. There's also an enormous potted plant in a corner.

Open doorways lead west and north.

Mom frowns.

> talk to mom
“Hi Mom!”

“Soon, honey.” Mom fiddles with her phone.

1. “What are you doing?”
2. “See you Mom!”

> 1
“What are you doing?”

“Not now, dearest.” Mom frowns.

1. “When do you have time?”
2. “See you Mom!”

> 1
“When do you have time?”

“I don't have time right now, Emma.” Mom fiddles with her phone.

1. “When do you have time?”
2. “See you Mom!”

> 1
“When do you have time?”

“Soon, honey.” Mom looks intently at her phone.

1. “When do you have time?”
2. “See you Mom!”

> 2
“See you Mom!”

Mom fiddles with her phone.

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A bookshelf stands next to the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk, with Mom on a rolling chair next to it. There's also an enormous potted plant in a corner.

Open doorways lead west and north.

Mom frowns.

> x shelf
Lots of boring books for grownups. Mom's book is there too.

Mom taps on her phone.

> x mom's book
“The Impossible Bottle: On the inhabitability of locally Euclidean self-intersecting manifolds.”

According to Mom, it's something you'll understand when you get older.

“Yes. No. Yes, yes. Twice.” Mom is talking on the phone.

> x desk
On the flimsy work desk is a laptop computer.

Mom looks intently at her phone.

> x plant
Did you want to examine the geranium or the huge potted plant?

> x computer
As always, Mom's computer is full of text. Boring work-related text for grownups, like “Rules for Judges (which authors should know too)”.

Mom presses her fingers against her temples.

> x geranium
The geranium sits there, quietly vegetating. Its flowers are reddish purple.

Mom looks intently at her phone.

> x huge
The plant is about twice your height, and full of large green leaves but no flowers. Mom calls it a money tree, but you're pretty sure that's not how things work.

Mom makes another phone call.

> w

Master bedroom
This room is dominated by a large double bed and a worn vanity. The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall.

There's an open doorway to the east.

> put blanket on bed
You place the blanket on top of the large double bed.

> goal
(I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.)

> goals
Your current goals are:

• Put your toys away. Then report to Dad.

Dad has a to-do list of his own, on the fridge.

> e

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A bookshelf stands next to the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk, with Mom on a rolling chair next to it. There's also an enormous potted plant in a corner.

Open doorways lead west and north.

“No, I double-checked.” Mom is on the phone again. Probably work related.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker.

> connect
(I only understood you as far as wanting to plug in something.)

> connect microphone to karaoke speaker
Click.

> sing
A smile is something special.
A ribbon is something rare.
So I'll be special and I'll be rare
with a smile and a ribbon in my hair.

> sing in microphone
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
Early in the morning.

> i
You have:
    a pillow
    a microphone (plugged in)
    a fire truck

> put pillow on bed
You place the pillow on top of your bed.

> put fire truck in chest
You put the fire truck in the toy chest.

> x chest
It's a large white box, with happy animals painted on the outside. The lid is open.

In the toy chest are a fire truck, a jigsaw puzzle piece, a microphone stand, and a doll-sized wardrobe.

> take stand
Got the microphone stand.

> put microphone in stand
(first attempting to put the microphone stand down)
You place the microphone stand on the floor.

You put the microphone in the microphone stand.

All right, you've cleaned up. Let's report to Dad.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> n
(first attempting to open the bathroom door)
You open the bathroom door.

Bathroom
Grey plastic floor, tiled walls. A blurry window high up on the eastern wall. There's a toilet, a sink underneath a mirror, and a shower. The exit is south.

> x toilet
It's just a normal toilet.

> pee
(I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.)

> x sink
It's an ordinary porcelain sink with a tap. Two bottles are on the sink: Soap and hand sanitizer.

> wash hands
You wash your hands thoroughly with plenty of soap.

> x mirror
You are Emma, six years old. You're wearing a pretty dress, white leggings, and a light blue ribbon in your hair.

> x shower
A silvery thing on the wall. When you turn it on, water comes from above and eventually finds its way into your eyes.

> s

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

You close the bathroom door behind you.

> s

Sitting room
The green velvet sofa looks as inviting as ever. Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street.

Open doorways lead west and north.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

> w

Kitchen
Dad is standing by the kitchen counter. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east.

Dad stirs a pan.

> talk to dad
“Hey Dad!”

“Hey Emma! By the way, have you seen my phone anywhere?” Dad peels some potatoes.

1. “What's for dinner?”
2. “Why do you need your phone anyway? Aren't you cooking?”
3. “I'm done cleaning up my toys.”
4. “When are the Taylors coming, do you think?”
5. “Good luck with the cooking!”

> 3
“I'm done cleaning up my toys.”

“Way to go, Emma! I'll go and have a look right away.”

1. “Sure, Dad!”
2. “Maybe not just yet. I need to double-check.”

> 1
“Sure, Dad!”

Dad wipes his hands on his apron, winks at you, and starts looking around the room.

Kitchen
There's a kitchen counter here, with a stove, sink, and oven. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east.

Dad looks all over the room, to see if you left any toys. Then he disappears east to the sitting room.

> e

Sitting room
The green velvet sofa looks as inviting as ever. Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street.

Open doorways lead west and north.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

Dad looks all over the room, to see if you left any toys. Then he disappears north to the entrance hall.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

Dad looks all over the room, to see if you left any toys. Then he disappears up to the landing.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad looks all over the room, to see if you left any toys. Then he disappears south to the study.

> s

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A bookshelf stands next to the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk, with Mom on a rolling chair next to it. There's also an enormous potted plant in a corner.

Open doorways lead west and north.

“But that's clearly outlined in the terms of service.” Mom is on the phone.

Dad looks all over the room, to see if you left any toys. Then he disappears west to the master bedroom.

> w

Master bedroom
This room is dominated by a large double bed and a worn vanity. The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall.

There's an open doorway to the east.

Dad looks all over the room, to see if you left any toys.

“Ah, there you are, Emma! Good work cleaning up! I'll be able to vacuum now, as soon as I get that casserole in the oven.”

You smile at Dad.

> talk to dad
“Hey Dad!”

“Hey Emma! Have you seen my phone anywhere?” Dad looks a little tired.

1. “What's for dinner?”
2. “Why do you need your phone?”
3. “When are the Taylors coming, do you think?”
4. “See you around, Dad.”

> 1
“What's for dinner?”

“It's gonna be my mother's chicken casserole. You like that one, don't you? The one with basil on top.” Dad scratches his chin.

“Yaaay! You're the best, Dad!”

Grandma's casserole is your favourite dish.

1. “Why do you need your phone?”
2. “When are the Taylors coming, do you think?”
3. “See you around, Dad.”

> 1
“Why do you need your phone?”

“I'm going to make a casserole, but I don't remember if I'm supposed to use eggs or eggplant, and I have a photo of the recipe on the phone. Have you seen it anywhere?”

1. “It's eggplant in Grandma's casserole, Dad.”
2. “Why do you need your phone again?”
3. “When are the Taylors coming, do you think?”
4. “Is there anything else I can do to help?”
5. “I'll let you know if I find your phone.”

> 1
“It's eggplant in Grandma's casserole, Dad.”

“That does ring a bell, but I'd still like to double-check it on my phone. Hey, maybe you could ask Mom to call it. I'm sure it's nearby.”

1. “Why do you need your phone again?”
2. “When are the Taylors coming, do you think?”
3. “Is there anything else I can do to help?”
4. “I'll let you know if I find your phone.”

> 2
“When are the Taylors coming, do you think?”

“Oh, probably the minute I get into the shower.” Dad chuckles at his own whimsical insight.

1. “Why do you need your phone again?”
2. “When are the Taylors coming again?”
3. “Is there anything else I can do to help?”
4. “I'll let you know if I find your phone.”

> 3
“Is there anything else I can do to help?”

“Yes there is! We have to set the table for dinner. Could you arrange a clean white tablecloth, a candlestick, and some pretty flowers in a vase? I'll take care of the food and the tableware.”

1. “Where can I find a tablecloth?”
2. “A candlestick? Where do we keep those?”
3. “What vase should I get?”
4. “Can we have light blue flowers in the vase, please, Dad? They'd go perfectly with my ribbon.”
5. “I'm on it, Dad!”

> 1
“Where can I find a tablecloth?”

“I'm pretty sure there's a clean one in the laundry room.”

1. “Where can I find a tablecloth, again?”
2. “A candlestick? Where do we keep those?”
3. “What vase should I get?”
4. “Can we have light blue flowers in the vase, please, Dad? They'd go perfectly with my ribbon.”
5. “I'm on it, Dad!”

> 2
“A candlestick? Where do we keep those?”

“Good question. I was looking for the silver candlestick the other day and couldn't find it. Oh, that's right! Nolan borrowed it a while back, for a school play. He might still have it.”

1. “Where can I find a tablecloth, again?”
2. “Where did you say the candlestick was?”
3. “What vase should I get?”
4. “Can we have light blue flowers in the vase, please, Dad? They'd go perfectly with my ribbon.”
5. “I'm on it, Dad!”

> 3
“What vase should I get?”

“Oh, let me see... You know the tin vase, right? Kind of looks like a narrow bucket? It should be somewhere in the basement.”

1. “Where can I find a tablecloth, again?”
2. “Where did you say the candlestick was?”
3. “What vase should I get, again?”
4. “Can we have light blue flowers in the vase, please, Dad? They'd go perfectly with my ribbon.”
5. “I'm on it, Dad!”

> 4
“Can we have light blue flowers in the vase, please, Dad? They'd go perfectly with my ribbon.”

“Hmm. I don't think we have any blue flowers in the house. Sorry about that, Emma.”

1. “But blue is my favourite colour!”
2. “Please, Dad. Pretty please with sugar on top!”

> 1
“But blue is my favourite colour!”

“Well, like I said, I haven't seen any blue flowers around the house.”

1. “Please, Dad. Pretty please with sugar on top!”
2. “Just leave it to me. I'll go and find some blue flowers right away.”

> 2
“Just leave it to me. I'll go and find some blue flowers right away.”

Dad sighs. “All right, Emma. You can have a look around, of course. Perhaps you'll change your mind.”

Master bedroom
This room is dominated by a large double bed and a worn vanity. The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall.

There's an open doorway to the east.

Dad disappears east to the study.

> e

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A bookshelf stands next to the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk, with Mom on a rolling chair next to it. There's also an enormous potted plant in a corner.

Open doorways lead west and north.

Mom presses her fingers against her temples.

Dad disappears north to the landing.

> talk to mom
“Hi Mom!”

“In a minute, honey.” Mom looks intently at her phone.

1. “When do you have time?”
2. “Mom, could you call Dad's phone so we can find it?”
3. “See you Mom!”

> 2
“Mom, could you call Dad's phone so we can find it?”

“Huh? Oh, the adorable plodder. Sure, honey.” Mom taps a few times on the display. “But now I really have to work.”

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A bookshelf stands next to the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk, with Mom on a rolling chair next to it. There's also an enormous potted plant in a corner.

Open doorways lead west and north.

Mom frowns.

You can hear a faint ringing from the north.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

You hear a ringing. It seems to come from the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A ringing sound is coming from the toy chest.

> search ches
(I only understood you as far as wanting to search something.)

> search chest
In the toy chest you find a fire truck, a jigsaw puzzle piece, and a doll-sized wardrobe.

A ringing sound is coming from the toy chest.

> empty chest
The fire truck: Got the fire truck.

A ringing sound is coming from the toy chest.

The jigsaw puzzle piece: Got the jigsaw puzzle piece.

A ringing sound is coming from the toy chest.

The doll-sized wardrobe: Got the doll-sized wardrobe.

A ringing sound is coming from the doll-sized wardrobe.

> x wardrobe
It's made of wood, painted in a dark colour with details in gold. The doorknobs are beads. The little wardrobe is closed.

It appears to be ringing.

> open it
You open the doll-sized wardrobe, revealing some tiny clothes.

A ringing sound is coming from the doll-sized wardrobe itself. You have no idea how that works.

> take tiny clothes
The clothes are just a picture, glued to the inside of the wardrobe.

A ringing sound is coming from the doll-sized wardrobe itself. You have no idea how that works.

> shake wardrobe
You wave the doll-sized wardrobe in the air, with no apparent consequences.

> turn it
You wave the doll-sized wardrobe in the air, with no apparent consequences.

> open it
The doll-sized wardrobe is already open.

> tip it
(I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.)

> push it
You give the doll-sized wardrobe a bit of a push.

> pull it
You yank at the doll-sized wardrobe, but nothing noteworthy happens.

> i
You have:
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a fire truck

> put piece in chest
You put the jigsaw puzzle piece in the toy chest.

> put truck in chest
You put the fire truck in the toy chest.

> x wardrobe
It's made of wood, painted in a dark colour with details in gold. The doorknobs are beads. The little wardrobe is open, and there are tiny clothes inside.

> listen
You hear nothing in particular.

> put it in chest
You put the doll-sized wardrobe in the toy chest.

> l

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> e
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

> w
You can hear Nolan in there, so it's best to knock.

Knock, knock.

“What?”

Nolan is your big brother. He can whistle through his front teeth and has a bike with seven gears. He hardly leaves his room anymore except for food and video games, and he can be mean sometimes, but then on other days he's the best brother you could ever wish for. Dad says it's because of a doll essence.

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “Can I come in?”
3. “Nolan, do you have the silver candlestick?”
4. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 1
“What are you up to?”

Nolan sighs. “I'm exploring a secret dungeon. Will you leave me alone, Em?”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “Can I come in?”
3. “Nolan, do you have the silver candlestick?”
4. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 2
“Can I come in?”

“No you can't.” Nolan sounds annoyed.

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “Can I come in?”
3. “Nolan, do you have the silver candlestick?”
4. “Have you ever felt an urge to go and play video games in some other room?”
5. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 3
“Nolan, do you have the silver candlestick?”

A pause.

“Certainly not. Especially not in here.”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “Can I come in?”
3. “Nolan, do you have the silver candlestick?”
4. “Have you ever felt an urge to go and play video games in some other room?”
5. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 4
“Have you ever felt an urge to go and play video games in some other room?”

“Like, where? We don't even have a TV, Emma.”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “Can I come in?”
3. “Nolan, do you have the silver candlestick?”
4. “Have you ever felt an urge to go and play video games in some other room?”
5. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 3
“Nolan, do you have the silver candlestick?”

“Nope. And if I did, I certainly wouldn't tell you about it.”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “Can I come in?”
3. “Nolan, do you have the silver candlestick?”
4. “Have you ever felt an urge to go and play video games in some other room?”
5. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 3
“Nolan, do you have the silver candlestick?”

“Certainly not. Especially not in here.”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “Can I come in?”
3. “Nolan, do you have the silver candlestick?”
4. “Have you ever felt an urge to go and play video games in some other room?”
5. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 3
“Nolan, do you have the silver candlestick?”

“Nope. And if I did, I certainly wouldn't tell you about it.”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “Can I come in?”
3. “Nolan, do you have the silver candlestick?”
4. “Have you ever felt an urge to go and play video games in some other room?”
5. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 2
“Can I come in?”

Nolan sighs. “I told you. No!”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “Nolan, do you have the silver candlestick?”
3. “Have you ever felt an urge to go and play video games in some other room?”
4. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 3
“Have you ever felt an urge to go and play video games in some other room?”

“Like, where? We don't even have a TV, Emma.”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “Nolan, do you have the silver candlestick?”
3. “Have you ever felt an urge to go and play video games in some other room?”
4. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 4
“See you around, Nolan!”

“Whatever, Em.”

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> x window
Through the window you can see the main street below, devoid of people on this lazy Sunday afternoon. On the sill is a potted begonia.

> x begonie
(I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.)

> x begonia
The begonia sits there, quietly vegetating. It's full of crimson red flowers.

> x main street
Through the window you can see the main street below, devoid of people on this lazy Sunday afternoon. On the sill is a potted begonia.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> w

Laundry room
The low afternoon sun shines in through a plain window. There's a washing machine and a tumble dryer along one wall, and a tall closet. Empty clotheslines are strung across the ceiling.

The basement door is to the north, and the exit is to the east.

> x washing machine
The washing machine is currently closed.

> open it
You open the washing machine. There's nothing inside.

> x dryer
The tumble dryer is currently closed.

> x it
The tumble dryer is currently closed.

> open it
You open the tumble dryer, revealing a handkerchief.

> take handkerchief
Got the handkerchief.

> x closet
Just a plain white closet. It's currently closed.

> open it
You open the tall closet, revealing some cleaning equipment.

> x equipment
Mops, detergents, dusters. The vacuum cleaner.

> l

Laundry room
The low afternoon sun shines in through a plain window. There's a washing machine and a tumble dryer along one wall, and a closet full of cleaning equipment. Empty clotheslines are strung across the ceiling.

The basement door is to the north, and the exit is to the east.

> x clotheslines
White lines high above your head. There's nothing on them.

> n
(first attempting to open the basement door)
You open the basement door.

Top of the basement stairs
You're on a narrow landing. Stairs lead down into darkness, and the exit is to the south.

There's a small wooden cupboard on one wall, and a light switch some distance above it.

A large shovel hangs from a hook.

> turn switch
You can't reach the light switch.

> take shovel
Got the shovel.

> turn switch with shovel
Did you want to:
1. turn the light switch with the shovel, or
2. switch the light switch with the shovel?
(Type the corresponding number)

> 1
You can't reach the light switch.

> turn switch with shovel
Did you want to:
1. turn the light switch with the shovel, or
2. switch the light switch with the shovel?
(Type the corresponding number)

> 2
You manage to reach the switch, only to be rewarded by a cracking sound and a bright spark. The bulb has burned out.

Looks like you'll need a flashlight after all.

> l

Top of the basement stairs
You're on a narrow landing. Stairs lead down into darkness, and the exit is to the south.

There's a small wooden cupboard on one wall, and a light switch some distance above it.

> open cupboard
You open the small wooden cupboard, revealing a flashlight.

> take flashlight
Got the flashlight.

> turn it on
You switch the flashlight on, but no light comes out.

> x it
It's a small handy flashlight, metallic red, with a rubber cap on its rear end. A switch is in the position marked ON, but no light is coming from the flashlight.

> open it
You unscrew the cap and look inside the flashlight. Nothing.

> l

Top of the basement stairs
You're on a narrow landing. Stairs lead down into darkness, and the exit is to the south.

There's a small wooden cupboard on one wall, and a light switch some distance above it.

> i
You have:
    a flashlight
    a shovel
    a handkerchief

> s

Laundry room
The low afternoon sun shines in through a plain window. There's a washing machine and a tumble dryer along one wall, and a closet full of cleaning equipment. Empty clotheslines are strung across the ceiling.

The basement door is to the north, and the exit is to the east.

> e

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> n
(first attempting to open the bathroom door)
You open the bathroom door.

Bathroom
Grey plastic floor, tiled walls. A blurry window high up on the eastern wall. There's a toilet, a sink underneath a mirror, and a shower. The exit is south.

> s

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

You close the bathroom door behind you.

> s

Sitting room
The green velvet sofa looks as inviting as ever. Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street.

Open doorways lead west and north.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

> x table 
It's a large, sturdy table made of brown wood. Sometimes you cover it with a blanket to make a fort.

> search it
You find nothing of interest.

> x sofa
It's a long cozy sofa, covered in green velvet, with room for about four people.

> search it
You find nothing of interest.

> look under it
You find nothing under the sofa.

> look under table
You find nothing under the dining table.

> x chairs
They are heavy wooden chairs with lion feet. Sometimes you make a blanket fort and pretend that there are real lions outside.

> search chairs
The wooden chair on the floor: You find nothing of interest.

The wooden chair on the floor: You find nothing of interest.

The wooden chair on the floor: You find nothing of interest.

The wooden chair on the floor: You find nothing of interest.

The wooden chair on the floor: You find nothing of interest.

The wooden chair on the floor: You find nothing of interest.

> look under chairs
(You're not allowed to use multiple objects in that context. Please do it step by step.)

> look under chair
You find nothing under the wooden chair.

> l

Sitting room
The green velvet sofa looks as inviting as ever. Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street.

Open doorways lead west and north.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

> w

Kitchen
Dad is standing by the kitchen counter. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east.

Dad stirs a pan.

> open fridge
You open the refrigerator, revealing a half-eaten birthday cake.

Dad adds a pinch of salt and pepper.

> x cake
A half-eaten cake on a plate. It looks delicious!

Dad peels some carrots.

> eat it
Not between meals.

Dad adds a pinch of salt and pepper.

> close fridge
You close the refrigerator.

Dad stirs a pan.

> talk to dada
(I only understood you as far as wanting to talk to someone.)

> talk to dad
“Hey Dad!”

“Hey Emma! Have you found my phone yet?” Dad rinses some carrots.

1. “Why do you need your phone again?”
2. “When are the Taylors coming again?”
3. “What should I get for the table, again?”
4. “I'll let you know if I find your phone.”

> 4
“I'll let you know if I find your phone.”

“See you! I'll be right here.” Dad peels some onions.

Kitchen
Dad is standing by the kitchen counter. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east.

Dad stirs a pan.

> e

Sitting room
The green velvet sofa looks as inviting as ever. Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street.

Open doorways lead west and north.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> w

Laundry room
The low afternoon sun shines in through a plain window. There's a washing machine and a tumble dryer along one wall, and a closet full of cleaning equipment. Empty clotheslines are strung across the ceiling.

The basement door is to the north, and the exit is to the east.

> x equipment
Mops, detergents, dusters. The vacuum cleaner.

> take duster
That's fine where it is.

> e

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

> open speaker
The karaoke speaker doesn't open.

> search it
You find nothing of interest.

> open microphone
The microphone doesn't open.

> x bed
Nibbles lies slumped in one corner of it. There's also a pillow.

> search it
On your bed you find a pillow and Nibbles.

> x nibbles
Nibbles is a brown plush Capybara, almost as large as yourself. Mom brought him back from Brazil when she was there on a conference. He is a bit rugged, but very huggable.

> open it
Nibbles doesn't open.

> talk to nibbles
There is no reply.

> x pillow
Soft and fluffy. It's supposed to be on your bed.

> search it
You find nothing of interest.

> l

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

> turn on speaker
The little indicator lights up.

A faint hum fills the room.

> sing
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago.

Your words are amplified by the speaker and seem to come from everywhere. To your surprise, the sound appears to be even louder outside your room.

> out

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A faint hum fills the room.

> listen
A faint hum fills the room.

> sing
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
Early in the morning.

Your words are amplified by the speaker and seem to come from everywhere. Somehow the sound appears to enter your room from the south too.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> listen
You can hear Nolan in his room, tapping away at the computer.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A faint hum fills the room.

> take microphone
Got the microphone.

A nasty loud wail emerges from the speaker and you hurry to turn it off again.

Oh, that's right. This always happens when the microphone is too close to the speaker. Perhaps you can mount it on the microphone stand.

“Emma, dear, could you keep it down?” Mom shouts from another room.

> put microphone on stand
You put the microphone in the microphone stand.

> search speaker
You find nothing of interest.

> open it
The karaoke speaker doesn't open.

> x battery
(I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.)

> l

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

> i
You have:
    a flashlight
    a shovel
    a handkerchief

> x handkerchief
A square piece of clean white fabric.

> x chest
It's a large white box, with happy animals painted on the outside. The lid is open.

In the toy chest are a doll-sized wardrobe, a fire truck, and a jigsaw puzzle piece.

> x dollhouse
The dollhouse has four separate rooms, a wooden plaque on the front, and a small hatch at the back.

In the master bedroom (upper left) are a little vanity and a miniature double bed.

In the study (upper right) are a miniature bookshelf, a small potted herb, a little rolling chair, and a miniature work desk. A mommy doll is sitting on the rolling chair.

In the kitchen (lower left) are a miniature refrigerator and a miniature kitchen counter. There's also a daddy doll.

In the sitting room (lower right) are six miniature wooden chairs, a miniature dining table, and a cute little sofa.

> open hatch
You would have to unscrew the screw first.

> unscrew screw
With what?

> i
You have:
    a flashlight
    a shovel
    a handkerchief

> unscrew screw
With what?

> shovel
The blade of the shovel is way too thick for the slotted screw head.

> take all
The microphone stand: Got the microphone stand.

The microphone: Got the microphone.

The pillow: Got the pillow.

Nibbles: Got Nibbles.

The little vanity: As you fumble with the little vanity, the tiny music box falls onto the floor of the upper left room.

Got the little vanity.

The miniature double bed: Got the miniature double bed.

The scrap of felt: Got the scrap of felt.

The miniature bookshelf: Got the miniature bookshelf.

The small potted herb: Got the small potted herb.

The little rolling chair: Got the little rolling chair.

The mommy doll: Got the mommy doll.

The miniature work desk: Got the miniature work desk.

The miniature refrigerator: Got the miniature refrigerator.

The miniature kitchen counter: Got the miniature kitchen counter.

The daddy doll: Got the daddy doll.

The six miniature wooden chairs: Got the six miniature wooden chairs.

The miniature dining table: You take the miniature dining table.

The cute little sofa: Got the cute little sofa.

The doll-sized wardrobe: Got the doll-sized wardrobe.

The fire truck: Got the fire truck.

The jigsaw puzzle piece: Got the jigsaw puzzle piece.

> x herb
Basil in a cute little pot. It's from the kitchen. You can eat the leaves, but they are kind of sour.

> l

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker.

> x table 
Did you want to examine the miniature dining table or the white table?

> miniature
It's a plain brown table.

> x table 
Did you want to examine the miniature dining table or the white table?

> white
It's a smooth white table, waist-high and almost exactly as wide as the dollhouse on top. The table top extends a bit in front of the house.

> look under table
Did you want to look under the miniature dining table or the white table?

> white
You find nothing under the white table.

> i
You have:
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a fire truck
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a cute little sofa
    a miniature dining table
    six miniature wooden chairs
    a daddy doll
    a miniature kitchen counter
    a miniature refrigerator
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a mommy doll
    a little rolling chair
    a small potted herb
    a miniature bookshelf
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    a little vanity
    Nibbles
    a pillow
    a microphone (plugged in)
    a microphone stand (empty)
    a flashlight
    a shovel
    a handkerchief

> x piece
It's a small wooden puzzle piece, cut along the contours of a lizard viewed from above.

> xsofa
(I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.)

> x sofa
It's long and covered in green velvet. Four dolls can sit in a row.

> x chairs
They are cute wooden chairs with lion feet.

> x doll
Did you want to examine the daddy doll or the mommy doll?

> daddy
The daddy doll is wearing brown trousers, a light blue shirt, and a white apron. He has shiny black hair.

> x mommy
The mommy doll is wearing grey pants, a white top, and a grey jacket. She has long brown hair in a ponytail, and she's holding a phone in her hand.

> x phone
It's a small pink plastic rectangle in the hand of the mommy doll.

> x kitchen
The kitchen counter is grey on top, and there's a stove, an oven, and a sink with a tiny tap. Some utensils and veggies are spread out over the surface.

> x fridge
It's a doll-sized refrigerator with a tiny door. Right now the little door is closed.

> open foor
(I only understood you as far as wanting to open something.)

> open door
You open the miniature refrigerator, revealing a tiny half-eaten cake.

> x cake
A half-eaten cake on a plate. It looks delicious!

> take it
The cake is actually part of the little fridge, but you pretend to take some. Yum!

> i
You have:
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a fire truck
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a cute little sofa
    a miniature dining table
    six miniature wooden chairs
    a daddy doll
    a miniature kitchen counter
    a miniature refrigerator
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a mommy doll
    a little rolling chair
    a small potted herb
    a miniature bookshelf
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    a little vanity
    Nibbles
    a pillow
    a microphone (plugged in)
    a microphone stand (empty)
    a flashlight
    a shovel
    a handkerchief

> x desk
On the miniature work desk is a miniature laptop computer.

> x laptop
The screen has little black squiggly lines on a white background.

> x rolling
A cute little chair with a set of tiny wheels.

> x bookshelf
It's full of tiny books.

> x felt
Light blue felt, cut in the shape of a small blanket. It's held by you.

> x double
It's for the mommy doll and the daddy doll.

> x vanity
A little vanity never hurt anybody. This one has an openable drawer and a mirror made of tin foil.

> open drawer
You open the little drawer, revealing some tiny makeup items.

> x items
Little dabs of colour on the bottom of the tiny drawer.

> x mirror
You can't get a good view of yourself in the tin foil.

> x nibbles
Nibbles is a brown plush Capybara, almost as large as yourself. Mom brought him back from Brazil when she was there on a conference. He is a bit rugged, but very huggable.

> x pillow
Soft and fluffy. It's supposed to be on your bed.

> s
The microphone gets pulled out of its jack as you leave.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> sing
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago.

> w
Maybe Nolan will open if you knock the Morse code for N, as in Nolan. Let's see, that's one long, one short.

Knock... knock.

“What is it?”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “Nolan, do you have the silver candlestick?”
3. “Have you ever felt an urge to go and play video games in some other room?”
4. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 4
“See you around, Nolan!”

“As if.”

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> open window
The window doesn't open.

> take all
You're not aware of any such thing!

> x plant
Did you want to examine the small potted herb or the begonia?

> begonia
The begonia sits there, quietly vegetating. It's full of crimson red flowers.

> take begonia
But you're looking for blue flowers.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

You kind of miss having Dad around.

> l

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

> x window
Through the window you can see the main street below, devoid of people on this lazy Sunday afternoon. On the sill is a geranium in a pot.

> x geranium
The geranium sits there, quietly vegetating. Its flowers are reddish purple.

> w

Room with baby blue wallpaper
The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall. There's an open doorway to the east.

In this room is a music box.

> x box
On the music box is a hollow cylinder, open on one side, with pegs on the outside. When you turn a crank, the cylinder spins, and the pegs play a melody on little metal prongs.

Mom bought it in Switzerland, when she was there on a conference.

> take it
Got the music box.

> turn crank
Plinkety-dink! The cylinder rotates, and a tinny, slightly wrong La Cucaracha emerges from the music box.

> l

Room with baby blue wallpaper
The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall. There's an open doorway to the east.

> open window
The window doesn't open.

> e

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> w
Knock, knock.

“Oh, for crying out loud. Yes, what do you want?”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “Nolan, do you have the silver candlestick?”
3. “Have you ever felt an urge to go and play video games in some other room?”
4. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 2
“Nolan, do you have the silver candlestick?”

“Certainly not. Especially not in here.”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “Nolan, do you have the silver candlestick?”
3. “Have you ever felt an urge to go and play video games in some other room?”
4. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 4
“See you around, Nolan!”

“Whatever, Em.”

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

You kind of miss having Dad around.

> w

Laundry room
The low afternoon sun shines in through a plain window. There's a washing machine and a tumble dryer along one wall, and a closet full of cleaning equipment. Empty clotheslines are strung across the ceiling.

The basement door is to the north, and the exit is to the east.

> e

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> s

Room with light yellow wallpaper
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

You kind of miss having Dad around.

> e
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

> w

Room with off-white wallpaper
You can see a park through the window on the western wall. An open doorway leads east.

> s
You step down from the floor.

Smooth surface
You find yourself on a large, strangely smooth surface that appears to end abruptly with sharp edges to the west, east, and south, suggesting sheer drops into some unknown chasm. A room with off-white wallpaper is visible to the northwest, and a room with light yellow wallpaper to the northeast.

> nw

Room with off-white wallpaper
You can see a park through the window on the western wall. An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

> e

Room with light yellow wallpaper
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

> e
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

> w

Room with off-white wallpaper
You can see a park through the window on the western wall. An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

> n
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

> u
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

> s
You step down from the floor.

Smooth surface
You're on a large, strangely smooth surface that appears to end abruptly with sharp edges to the west, east, and south, suggesting sheer drops into some unknown chasm. A room with off-white wallpaper is visible to the northwest, and a room with light yellow wallpaper to the northeast.

> n
You can go northwest to the room with off-white wallpaper or northeast to the room with light yellow wallpaper.

> nw

Room with off-white wallpaper
You can see a park through the window on the western wall. An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

> e

Room with light yellow wallpaper
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

> u
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker.

> i
You have:
    a music box
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a fire truck
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a cute little sofa
    a miniature dining table
    six miniature wooden chairs
    a daddy doll
    a miniature kitchen counter
    a miniature refrigerator
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a mommy doll
    a little rolling chair
    a small potted herb
    a miniature bookshelf
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    a little vanity
    Nibbles
    a pillow
    a microphone
    a microphone stand (empty)
    a flashlight
    a shovel
    a handkerchief

> x dollhouse
The dollhouse has four separate rooms, a wooden plaque on the front, and a small hatch at the back.

The upper left room has baby blue walls.

The upper right room has beige walls with brown stripes.

The lower left room has off-white walls.

The lower right room has light yellow walls.

> put wardrobe in lower right room
You put the doll-sized wardrobe in the lower right room.

> put herb in lower right room
You put the small potted herb in the lower right room.

> put mommy in lower right room
You put the mommy doll in the lower right room.

> put daddy in lower left room
You put the daddy doll in the lower left room.

> put chairs in lower right room
You put the six miniature wooden chairs into the lower right room.

> put fridge in lower left room
You put the miniature refrigerator in the lower left room.

> put miniature table in lower right room
There's no room for the miniature dining table in the lower right room when all those other things are already there.

> x lower right room
The yellow room is in the lower right corner of the dollhouse. It contains six miniature wooden chairs, a small potted herb, and a doll-sized wardrobe. The room is painted in a light yellow colour, and an open doorway is set in the left wall. There's also a painted doorway on the back wall.

A mommy doll is in the yellow room.

> take herb
Got the small potted herb.

> take wardrobe
Got the doll-sized wardrobe.

> take mommy
Got the mommy doll.

> put miniature table in lower right room
You put the miniature dining table in the lower right room.

> x lower right
The dining room is in the lower right corner of the dollhouse. It contains a miniature dining table and six miniature wooden chairs. The room is painted in a light yellow colour, and an open doorway is set in the left wall. There's also a painted doorway on the back wall.

> put handkerchief on miniature table
You place the handkerchief on top of the miniature dining table.

> l

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker.

> x dollhouse
The dollhouse has four separate rooms, a wooden plaque on the front, and a small hatch at the back.

The upper left room has baby blue walls.

The upper right room has beige walls with brown stripes.

In the kitchen (lower left) is a miniature refrigerator. There's also a daddy doll.

In the dining room (lower right) are a miniature dining table and six miniature wooden chairs.

> i
You have:
    a mommy doll
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a small potted herb
    a music box
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a fire truck
    a cute little sofa
    a miniature kitchen counter
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature bookshelf
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    a little vanity
    Nibbles
    a pillow
    a microphone
    a microphone stand (empty)
    a flashlight
    a shovel

> put mommy in lower left
You put the mommy doll in the lower left room.

> put wardrobe in upper right
You put the doll-sized wardrobe in the upper right room.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. There's a wardrobe against one wall. Open doorways lead west and north.

> open wardrobe
The wardrobe is already open.

> x it
It's a tall cabinet made of dark wood. The doors are open, and you can see a lot of clothes inside.

> x clothes
Fancy clothes for grownups. Dresses, jackets, shiny shoes.

> search clothes
Fancy clothes for grownups. Dresses, jackets, shiny shoes.

> take clothes
You're not allowed to play with your parents' best clothes.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> s

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

> x table
It's a large, sturdy table covered by a white tablecloth.

> w

Kitchen
A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

Mom fiddles with her phone.

Dad is here, looking confused.

> talk to dad
“Hey Dad!”

“Hey Emma! Have you found my phone yet?” Dad looks a little tired.

1. “Why do you need your phone again?”
2. “When are the Taylors coming again?”
3. “What should I get for the table, again?”
4. “I'll let you know if I find your phone.”

> 4
“I'll let you know if I find your phone.”

“See you!” Dad scratches his chin.

Kitchen
A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

Mom taps on her phone.

Dad is here, looking stumped.

> talk to mom
“Hi Mom!”

“Honey, I'm kind of busy right now.”

1. “When do you have time?”
2. “Could you call Dad's phone again?”
3. “See you Mom!”

> 2
“Could you call Dad's phone again?”

“Huh? Oh, sure honey.” Mom taps a few times on the display. “But now I really have to work.”

Kitchen
A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

Mom looks intently at her phone.

Dad is here, looking befuddled.

You can hear a very very faint ringing that seems to come from the east.

> e

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

You can hear a very faint ringing from the north.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

You can hear a faint ringing from above.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

You hear a ringing. It seems to come from the south.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. There's a wardrobe against one wall. Open doorways lead west and north.

A ringing sound seems to come from the clothes inside the wardrobe.

> listen
You hear nothing in particular.

A ringing sound seems to come from the clothes inside the wardrobe.

> search clothes
Fancy clothes for grownups. Dresses, jackets, shiny shoes.

The ringing seems to come from Dad's best jacket.

> search best
Usually, you're not allowed to touch your parents' best clothes. But Dad specifically asked you to get his phone, so you reach into the inner pocket of his best jacket and retrieve it.

Dad's phone is ringing.

> take phone
You're already holding Dad's phone.

Dad's phone is ringing.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad's phone is ringing.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker.

> i
You have:
    Dad's phone
    a small potted herb
    a music box
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a fire truck
    a cute little sofa
    a miniature kitchen counter
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature bookshelf
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    a little vanity
    Nibbles
    a pillow
    a microphone
    a microphone stand (empty)
    a flashlight
    a shovel

> put counter in lower left
You put the miniature kitchen counter in the lower left room.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> e
The front door is closed. Besides, you're not allowed to go out.

> s

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

> w

Kitchen
Dad is standing by the kitchen counter. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

“I know these are extraordinary times.” Mom is on the phone again.

Dad chops away at some carrots.

> give phone to dad
“I found your phone, Dad! It was in your jacket pocket.”

Dad smacks his forehead. “Oh, of course. See, I'm going to wear the jacket tonight when the Taylors come, and I was trying it on this morning to see if it still fits. Thanks a thousand times, Emma!”

He taps a few times on the screen. “Eggplant! I knew it!”

Mom fiddles with her phone.

Dad puts his phone down on the counter.

> goals
Your current goals are:

• Put a candlestick on the table. Nolan might have it.
• Put a vase of blue flowers on the table.

Dad has a to-do list of his own, on the fridge.

> x list
A list of everything Dad needs to do before the Taylors arrive.

[ ] Cook
[ ] Vacuum
[ ] Set table
[ ] Shower & get dressed

Mom frowns.

Dad peels some onions.

> w
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

Mom fiddles with her phone.

“Uh, Emma dear, do you know where the basil plant is? It's supposed to be here somewhere.”

> i
You have:
    a small potted herb
    a music box
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a fire truck
    a cute little sofa
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature bookshelf
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    a little vanity
    Nibbles
    a pillow
    a microphone
    a microphone stand (empty)
    a flashlight
    a shovel

> w
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

Mom makes another phone call.

Dad appears to be looking for something.

> n
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

“Yes. No. No! Yes, I already told you that.” Mom is on the phone.

“I don't see how a basil plant can just disappear.” Dad mutters to himself.

> s
You step down from the floor.

Smooth surface
You're on a large, strangely smooth surface that appears to end abruptly with sharp edges to the west, east, and south, suggesting sheer drops into some unknown chasm. A kitchen is visible to the northwest, and a dining room to the northeast.

> ne

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker.

> put herb in lower right
You put the small potted herb in the lower right room.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> s

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. There's an enormous potted plant in a corner. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

> take basil
The huge potted plant is way too big for you to move.

> x plant
Did you want to examine the huge potted plant or the potted petunia?

> huge
The plant is about twice your height, and full of large green leaves but no flowers. Mom calls it a money tree, but you're pretty sure that's not how things work.

> i
You have:
    a music box
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a fire truck
    a cute little sofa
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature bookshelf
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    a little vanity
    Nibbles
    a pillow
    a microphone
    a microphone stand (empty)
    a flashlight
    a shovel

> x herb
(I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.)

> w

Kitchen
Dad is standing by the kitchen counter. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

Mom presses her fingers against her temples.

“Emma, have you seen the basil?” Dad seems lost in a thought.

> e

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. There's an enormous potted plant in a corner. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker.

> take herb
Got the small potted herb.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> e
The front door is closed. Besides, you're not allowed to go out.

> s

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

> e
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

> w

Kitchen
Dad is standing by the kitchen counter. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

Mom fiddles with her phone.

“I don't see how a basil plant can just disappear.” Dad mutters to himself.

> give herb to dad
“Oh, there it is! Thank you, Emma!”

Mom frowns.

Dad puts the basil plant down on the counter.

> i
You have:
    a music box
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a fire truck
    a cute little sofa
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature bookshelf
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    a little vanity
    Nibbles
    a pillow
    a microphone
    a microphone stand (empty)
    a flashlight
    a shovel

> e

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> w

Laundry room
The low afternoon sun shines in through a plain window. There's a washing machine and a tumble dryer along one wall, and a closet full of cleaning equipment. Empty clotheslines are strung across the ceiling.

The basement door is to the north, and the exit is to the east.

> e

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

Dad disappears west to the laundry room.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker.

> x chest
It's a large white box, with happy animals painted on the outside. The lid is open.

The toy chest is empty.

> take speaker
The speaker is heavy and plugged into the wall, so it has to remain here.

> unplug it
You're not allowed.

> i
You have:
    a music box
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a fire truck
    a cute little sofa
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature bookshelf
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    a little vanity
    Nibbles
    a pillow
    a microphone
    a microphone stand (empty)
    a flashlight
    a shovel

> put microphone in upper right
You put the microphone in the upper right room.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The distant drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from below.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. There's a wardrobe against one wall. Open doorways lead west and north.

In this room is an oversized microphone.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

> x microphone
It's a very large microphone.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

> open it
The oversized microphone doesn't open.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

> search it
You find nothing of interest.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

> sing
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
Early in the morning.

Dad appears from the north, vacuum cleaner in tow.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. There's a wardrobe against one wall. Open doorways lead west and north.

In this room is an oversized microphone.

Dad drags the vacuum cleaner west to the room with baby blue wallpaper.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the west.

> w

Room with baby blue wallpaper
The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall. There's an open doorway to the east.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

> e

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. There's a wardrobe against one wall. Open doorways lead west and north.

In this room is an oversized microphone.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the west.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The distant drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker.

> take microphone
Got the microphone.

> i
You have:
    a microphone
    a music box
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a fire truck
    a cute little sofa
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature bookshelf
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    a little vanity
    Nibbles
    a pillow
    a microphone stand (empty)
    a flashlight
    a shovel

> put jigsaw in lower right
You put the jigsaw puzzle piece in the lower right room.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. There's a wardrobe against one wall. Open doorways lead west and north.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the west.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker.

> put jigsaw in upper right
(first attempting to take the jigsaw puzzle piece)
Got the jigsaw puzzle piece.

You put the jigsaw puzzle piece in the upper right room.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. There's a wardrobe against one wall. Open doorways lead west and north.

In this room is an enlarged puzzle piece.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

> x piece
It's a relatively large wooden puzzle piece, cut along the contours of a lizard viewed from above.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad appears from the south, vacuum cleaner in tow.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> take piece
Got the jigsaw puzzle piece.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> i
You have:
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a microphone
    a music box
    a fire truck
    a cute little sofa
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature bookshelf
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    a little vanity
    Nibbles
    a pillow
    a microphone stand (empty)
    a flashlight
    a shovel

> put vanity in upper right
You put the little vanity in the upper right room.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A vanity stands next to the window. There's a wardrobe against one wall. Open doorways lead west and north.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

> x vanity
It's old and worn and painted white, and there's a mirror and a drawer.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

> open drawer
The drawer is already open.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

> x drawer
It's open and there's some makeup inside.

Dad appears from the north, vacuum cleaner in tow.

> take makeup
You're not allowed to play with Mom's makeup.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

> x mirror
You are Emma, six years old. You're wearing a pretty dress, white leggings, and a light blue ribbon in your hair.

Dad drags the vacuum cleaner west to the room with baby blue wallpaper.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the west.

> l

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A vanity stands next to the window. There's a wardrobe against one wall. Open doorways lead west and north.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the west.

> x window
Through the window you can see the main street below, devoid of people on this lazy Sunday afternoon. On the sill is a geranium in a pot.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the west.

> take geranium
But you're looking for blue flowers.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the west.

> x it
The geranium sits there, quietly vegetating. Its flowers are reddish purple.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the west.

> w

Room with baby blue wallpaper
The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall. There's an open doorway to the east.

Dad drags the vacuum cleaner east to the room with striped wallpaper.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the east.

> x window
You can see a park and a deserted bike trail through the window in the west wall. On the sill is a primrose in a pot.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the east.

> x primrose
The primrose sits there, quietly vegetating. It has pale yellow flowers.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the east.

> take it
But you're looking for blue flowers.

The distant drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the east.

> e

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A vanity stands next to the window. There's a wardrobe against one wall. Open doorways lead west and north.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

> x window
Through the window you can see the main street below, devoid of people on this lazy Sunday afternoon. On the sill is a geranium in a pot.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

> x window
Through the window you can see the main street below, devoid of people on this lazy Sunday afternoon. On the sill is a potted begonia.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> x window
Did you want to examine the real window or the windows of the dollhouse?

> real
Through the window you can see the main street below, devoid of people on this lazy Sunday afternoon.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad drags the vacuum cleaner south to the room with striped wallpaper.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> w
Knock, knock.

“What is it now?”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “Nolan, do you have the silver candlestick?”
3. “Have you ever felt an urge to go and play video games in some other room?”
4. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 4
“See you around, Nolan!”

“As if.”

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> i
You have:
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a microphone
    a music box
    a fire truck
    a cute little sofa
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature bookshelf
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    Nibbles
    a pillow
    a microphone stand (empty)
    a flashlight
    a shovel

> x stand
It's a tripod with a little clamp where you can put a microphone.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> put microphone in stand
(first attempting to put the microphone stand down)
You place the microphone stand on the floor.

You put the microphone in the microphone stand.

The distant drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> sing
A smile is something special.
A ribbon is something rare.
So I'll be special and I'll be rare
with a smile and a ribbon in my hair.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> turn on speaker
(I only understood you as far as wanting to switch something on.)

> turn on speaker
(I only understood you as far as wanting to switch something on.)

> switch on speaker
(I only understood you as far as wanting to switch something on.)

> x speaker
(I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.)

> l

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

You see a microphone stand here.

The distant drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> take all
The microphone stand: Got the microphone stand.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

The microphone: Got the microphone.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker.

> put microphone in stand
(first attempting to put the microphone stand down)
You place the microphone stand on the floor.

You put the microphone in the microphone stand.

> turn on speaker
The little indicator lights up, but there is no sound. Perhaps because nothing is connected to the jack.

> plug microphone in speaker
Click.

A faint hum fills the room.

> turn it on
There's no switch on the microphone itself.

A faint hum fills the room.

> sing
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago.

Your words are amplified by the speaker and seem to come from everywhere, but especially from the south.

“A little quieter, please, Em!” Mom shouts from another room.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> l

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> listen

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A faint hum fills the room.

> take microphone
Got the microphone.

A nasty loud wail emerges from the speaker and you hurry to turn it off again.

Oh, that's right. This always happens when the microphone is too close to the speaker. Perhaps you can mount it on the microphone stand.

“Will you keep it down, Emma!” Mom shouts from another room.

> take mommy
Got the mommy doll.

> turn on speaker
The little indicator lights up.

A nasty loud wail emerges from the speaker and you hurry to turn it off again.

Oh, that's right. This always happens when the microphone is too close to the speaker. Perhaps you can mount it on the microphone stand.

> l

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

> put microphone on stand
You put the microphone in the microphone stand.

> sing
A smile is something special.
A ribbon is something rare.
So I'll be special and I'll be rare
with a smile and a ribbon in my hair.

> l

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

> i
You have:
    a mommy doll
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a music box
    a fire truck
    a cute little sofa
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature bookshelf
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    Nibbles
    a pillow
    a flashlight
    a shovel

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A vanity stands next to the window. There's a wardrobe against one wall. Open doorways lead west and north.

Dad drags the vacuum cleaner north to the landing.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

> drop shovel
You place the shovel on the floor.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> x upper right
The striped room is in the upper right corner of the dollhouse. It contains a little vanity, a doll-sized wardrobe, and a miniature shovel. The walls are beige with brown stripes, and there's an open doorway on the left side. There's also a painted doorway on the back wall.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> take shovel
Got the miniature shovel.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> unscrew screw with shovel
The metallic end of the shovel fits the slotted screw head perfectly, and you remove the screw from the hatch.

The screw falls into a crack between the floorboards and is lost forever.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> x hatch
It's a small hatch on hinges.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> l

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> look inside hatch
(first attempting to open the hatch of the dollhouse)
You open the compartment at the back of the dollhouse, revealing two triple-A batteries.

In the battery compartment you see two triple-A batteries.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> put batteries in flashlight
(first attempting to take the two triple-A batteries)
Got the two triple-A batteries.

A fan that you hadn't even noticed before stops whirring.

“Honey! The power just went out!” Dad shouts from somewhere.

Light is still coming in through the window.

You put the two triple-A batteries into the flashlight.

A narrow beam of light comes out of the flashlight.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad mumbles something about the electricity company.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> w

Laundry room
The low afternoon sun shines in through a plain window. There's a washing machine and a tumble dryer along one wall, and a closet full of cleaning equipment. Empty clotheslines are strung across the ceiling.

The basement door is to the north, and the exit is to the east.

> d
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

> n

Top of the basement stairs
You're on a narrow landing. Stairs lead down into darkness, and the exit is to the south.

There's a small wooden cupboard on one wall, and a light switch some distance above it.

> d
You carefully step down, shining in front of you with the flashlight.

Basement
It's chilly down here. The floor is made of concrete, and there are cobwebs in every corner. The storage room door is to the east, and stairs lead back up. To the south is the back door to the garage, but that's out of bounds.

> s
You're not allowed to play in the garage.

> e
(first attempting to open the storage door to the east)
Creeeek!

Storage room
Large cardboard boxes line the walls, piled on top of each other. An antique sewing machine is stashed away in a corner. The exit is to the west.

> take all
You're not aware of any such thing!

> x machine
The sewing machine is built into a wooden table with a little drawer and a foot pedal underneath.

> x drawer
It's closed.

> open it
You open the drawer, revealing a lonely thimble.

> take thimble
Got the thimble.

> x it
It's a finger cap made of metal.

> x pedal
Cast iron.

> push it
The sewing machine doesn't work.

> take it
That's part of the antique sewing machine.

> x boxes
Old worn boxes full of history.

> open boxes
There's no way for you to get into the boxes, as they're stacked too high.

> search boxes
There's no way for you to get into the boxes, as they're stacked too high.

> l

Storage room
Large cardboard boxes line the walls, piled on top of each other. An antique sewing machine is stashed away in a corner. The exit is to the west.

> x wals
(I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.)

> x walls
Large cardboard boxes line the walls, piled on top of each other. An antique sewing machine is stashed away in a corner. The exit is to the west.

> search walls

Storage room
Large cardboard boxes line the walls, piled on top of each other. An antique sewing machine is stashed away in a corner. The exit is to the west.

> l

Storage room
Large cardboard boxes line the walls, piled on top of each other. An antique sewing machine is stashed away in a corner. The exit is to the west.

> w

Basement
It's chilly down here. The floor is made of concrete, and there are cobwebs in every corner. The storage room is to the east, and stairs lead back up. To the south is the back door to the garage, but that's out of bounds.

> x floor
With its timeless utilitarian design, the floor acts as a versatile platform for many activities.

> x cobweb
Ugh.

> take it
That's fine where it is.

> u
You climb up the stairs.

Top of the basement stairs
You're on a narrow landing. Stairs lead down into darkness, and the exit is to the south.

There's a small wooden cupboard on one wall, and a light switch some distance above it.

> open cupboard
The small wooden cupboard is already open.

>  xit
(I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.)

> x it
The small wooden cupboard is open.

> s

Laundry room
The low afternoon sun shines in through a plain window. There's a washing machine and a tumble dryer along one wall, and a closet full of cleaning equipment. Empty clotheslines are strung across the ceiling.

The basement door is to the north, and the exit is to the east.

> x closet
Just a plain white closet. It's currently open, and you can see cleaning equipment inside.

> e

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad is here, looking disoriented.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

> put batteries in dollhouse
(first attempting to take the two triple-A batteries)
Got the two triple-A batteries.

The flashlight goes out.

You put the two triple-A batteries into the battery compartment.

A fan begins to hum somewhere.

“Power's back!” Dad shouts from somewhere.

> x thimble
It's a finger cap made of metal.

> l

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

> goals
Your current goals are:

• Put a candlestick on the table. Nolan might have it.
• Put a vase of blue flowers on the table.

Dad has a to-do list of his own, on the fridge.

> i
You have:
    a thimble
    a miniature shovel
    a mommy doll
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a music box
    a fire truck
    a cute little sofa
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature bookshelf
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    Nibbles
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> x fire truck
Your beloved fire truck is about the size of a house cat, and bright red. It has a ladder that you can extend and retract, and a little steering wheel that actually works.

Right now the ladder is retracted.

> extend ladder
Now the ladder is all the way out.

> x it
Right now the ladder is extended.

> retract it
Now the ladder is all the way in.

> put truck in upper right
The fire truck is too large for the upper right room.

> put truck in upper left
The fire truck is too large for the upper left room.

> put truck in lower left
The fire truck is too large for the lower left room.

> put truck in lower right
The fire truck is too large for the lower right room.

> x dollhouse
The dollhouse has four separate rooms, a wooden plaque on the front, and a small hatch at the back.

The upper left room has baby blue walls.

In the striped room (upper right) are a little vanity and a doll-sized wardrobe.

In the kitchen (lower left) are a miniature kitchen counter and a miniature refrigerator.

In the dining room (lower right) are a miniature dining table and six miniature wooden chairs.

> x plaque
The plaque says “SMALL HOUSE”, which you've always considered very apt. Dad made it for you back when he was taking woodworking classes.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad turns the vacuum cleaner on.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A vanity stands next to the window. There's a wardrobe against one wall. Open doorways lead west and north.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

> x vanity
It's old and worn and painted white, and there's a mirror and a drawer.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

> x drawer
It's open and there's some makeup inside.

Dad appears from the north, vacuum cleaner in tow.

> search it
Mom's makeup is in the drawer.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

> w

Room with baby blue wallpaper
The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall. There's an open doorway to the east.

Dad appears from the east, vacuum cleaner in tow.

> n
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

> e

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A vanity stands next to the window. There's a wardrobe against one wall. Open doorways lead west and north.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the west.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The distant drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

> take vanity
Got the little vanity.

> put it in lower right
You put the little vanity in the lower right room.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

The distant drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from above.

> e
The front door is closed. Besides, you're not allowed to go out.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from above.

> s

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. A vanity stands next to the window. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

The distant drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

> x vanity
It's old and worn and painted white, and there's a mirror and a drawer.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

> x drawer
It's open and there's some makeup inside.

> x makeup
Foundation, mascara, eyeshadow in lots of colours.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

> take it
You're not allowed to play with Mom's makeup.

Dad appears from the north, vacuum cleaner in tow.

He brightens up as he sees you. “Hey Emma! Guess what I found?”

Dad is struggling to make himself heard above the din.

1. “What did you find?”
2. “Can you turn off the vacuum cleaner? It's too loud to speak.”

> 2
“Can you turn off the vacuum cleaner? It's too loud to speak.”

Dad realizes that he can't hear you, and turns off the vacuum cleaner.

“Come again?”

1. “What did you find, Dad?”

> 1
“What did you find, Dad?”

Dad is beaming as he makes a pause for dramatic effect.

“The plastic dinosaur that you were looking for last week!”

1. “Cool! Where did you find it?”
2. “Actually, Nolan was looking for the dinosaur, and it was back in January.”
3. “That's great! So can I have it?”

> 1
“Cool! Where did you find it?”

“It was in the room with baby blue wallpaper, near the window.”

1. “Actually, Nolan was looking for the dinosaur, and it was back in January.”
2. “That's great! So can I have it?”

> 1
“Actually, Nolan was looking for the dinosaur, and it was back in January.”

“Really? I was certain it was you. I've put it in your room. In a goofy place!” Dad can hardly contain his mirth. “You can't miss it!”

A sinking feeling slowly creeps into your stomach.

1. “Dad. Where exactly did you put the toy dinosaur?”
2. “I need to go and check something.”

> 1
“Dad. Where exactly did you put the toy dinosaur?”

“Oh, you'll see it as soon as you enter your room. It's in a good place.” Dad giggles to himself.

1. “And is the good place by any chance... inside the dollhouse?”
2. “I need to go and check something.”

> 1
“And is the good place by any chance... inside the dollhouse?”

“Bingo! I don't know why, but it looks hilarious in there. Totally the wrong scale.”

1. “Um, I need to go now, Dad.”

> 1
“Um, I need to go now, Dad.”

“All right honey! See you around.” Dad turns the vacuum cleaner back on and returns to his toil.

There is a distinct thud from upstairs.

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. A vanity stands next to the window. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

A muffled stomping sound comes from somewhere above you.

> take makeup
You're not allowed to play with Mom's makeup.

Dad drags the vacuum cleaner west to the kitchen.

The ceiling shakes, and a little cloud of plaster falls down.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the west.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

The whole house seems to vibrate from the commotion upstairs.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

It is hard to miss the huge grey stegosaurus standing in the middle of the room, blissfully chewing on a begonia.

It turns to look at you, and lets out a delighted: “Gah-gronk?”

> x stegosaurus
The stegosaurus is ponderous but cheerful, and occupies a large portion of the room. It has silvery scales, sturdy back plates, and a long tail.

The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

> talk to stegosaurus
“Who's the cutest stegosaurus in the world?”

“Gronk! Gronk!” The stegosaurus can barely contain itself.

> 1
(I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.)

> w
Knock, knock.

“What?”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “Nolan, do you have the silver candlestick?”
3. “Have you ever felt an urge to go and play video games in some other room?”
4. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 1
“What are you up to?”

Nolan seems upset. “A grue just got me. Look, I'm busy.”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “Nolan, do you have the silver candlestick?”
3. “Have you ever felt an urge to go and play video games in some other room?”
4. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 4
“See you around, Nolan!”

“Whatever, Em.”

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus takes a few clumsy steps around the room, causing the whole house to shake ever so slightly.

> s

The stegosaurus trudges after you.

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. There's a wardrobe against one wall. Open doorways lead west and north.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus wags its tail, and accidentally knocks the geranium off the window sill and onto the floor, spilling dirt all over the place.

> x dirt
There's dirt all over the floor, from the potted plant.

The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

> search it
You find nothing of interest.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the floor.

> take it
Dad will take it with the vacuum cleaner.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus chews thoughtfully on the geranium.

> n

The stegosaurus saunters after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the begonia.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from below.

> n

The stegosaurus ambles after you.

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus chases its own tail.

> take dinosaur
The stegosaurus is way too big for you to move.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus takes a few tentative steps around the room, causing the whole house to vibrate.

> x dollhouse
The dollhouse has four separate rooms, a wooden plaque on the front, and a small hatch at the back.

The upper left room has baby blue walls.

In the striped room (upper right) is a doll-sized wardrobe.

In the kitchen (lower left) are a miniature kitchen counter and a miniature refrigerator.

In the dining room (lower right) are a little vanity, a miniature dining table, and six miniature wooden chairs.

The stegosaurus chases its own tail.

> s

The stegosaurus trots after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from below.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

Dad drags the vacuum cleaner west to the laundry room.

The ceiling shakes, and a bit of plaster falls down.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the west.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

> s

The stegosaurus trudges after you.

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. There's a wardrobe against one wall. Open doorways lead west and north.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus takes a few hopeful steps around the room, causing the house to shake ever so slightly.

> w

The stegosaurus trots after you.

Room with baby blue wallpaper
The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall. There's an open doorway to the east.

The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

> e

The stegosaurus ambles after you.

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. There's a wardrobe against one wall. Open doorways lead west and north.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus chews thoughtfully on the geranium.

> n

The stegosaurus trots after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The stegosaurus wags its tail energetically, accidentally knocking the begonia off the window sill and onto the floor, spilling dirt all over the place.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from below.

> n

The stegosaurus trudges after you.

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

> sing
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
Early in the morning.

The stegosaurus perks up at the music. It cocks its head as if to hear better.

> turn on speaker
The little indicator lights up.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus takes a few clumsy steps around the room, causing the whole house to shake ever so slightly.

A faint hum fills the room.

> sing
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago.

Your words are amplified by the speaker and seem to come from everywhere. The sound appears to be hitting the house from the south.

The stegosaurus seems invigorated by your song.

> sing
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
Early in the morning.

Your words are amplified by the speaker and seem to come from everywhere. The sound appears to be even louder outside your room.

The stegosaurus clearly likes your song. Perhaps, if you could somehow provide music with a bit of rhythm, you could make it dance.

> turn on speaker
The karaoke speaker is already on.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

A faint hum fills the room.

> i
You have:
    a thimble
    a miniature shovel
    a mommy doll
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a music box
    a fire truck
    a cute little sofa
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature bookshelf
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    Nibbles
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> turn crank
Plinkety-dink! The cylinder rotates, and a tinny, slightly wrong La Cucaracha emerges from the music box.

The melody is greatly amplified by the speaker and seems to come from everywhere. Somehow the music appears to enter your room from the south too.

The stegosaurus perks up and taps a foot to the music.

> turn crank
Plinkety-dink! The cylinder rotates, and a tinny, slightly wrong La Cucaracha emerges from the music box.

The melody is greatly amplified by the speaker and seems to come from everywhere, but especially from the south.

The stegosaurus sways rhythmically from side to side.

> turn crank
Plinkety-dink! The cylinder rotates, and a tinny, slightly wrong La Cucaracha emerges from the music box.

The melody is greatly amplified by the speaker and seems to come from everywhere. The music appears to be hitting the house from the south.

The stegosaurus clearly enjoys the music, but something is holding it back from dancing. Perhaps the tinny music needs more bass?

> put thimble in upper right
You put the thimble in the upper right room.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus chases its own tail.

A faint hum fills the room.

> s

The stegosaurus skips after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

A potted begonia lies overturned on the floor.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from below.

> s

The stegosaurus saunters after you.

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. There's a wardrobe against one wall. Open doorways lead west and north.

In this room is a tin vase.

The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

> take vase
Got the tin vase.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus chews thoughtfully on the geranium.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

> n

The stegosaurus skips after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

A potted begonia lies overturned on the floor.

Dad picks up the begonia and puts it on the window sill.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the window.

> n

The stegosaurus saunters after you.

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

The stegosaurus chases its own tail.

A faint hum fills the room.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> put music box in vase
That's not a flower.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus wags its tail, accidentally knocking a miniature wooden chair out of the lower right room.

A faint hum fills the room.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> l

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A miniature wooden chair is on the floor.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus takes a few tentative steps around the room, causing the house to shake ever so slightly.

A faint hum fills the room.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> sing
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago.

Your words are amplified by the speaker and seem to come from everywhere. The sound appears to be even louder outside your room.

The stegosaurus enjoys your song. Perhaps, if you could somehow provide music with a bit of rhythm, you could make it dance.

> i
You have:
    a tin vase
    a miniature shovel
    a mommy doll
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a music box
    a fire truck
    a cute little sofa
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature bookshelf
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    Nibbles
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> hit vase
That's not called for. And if it breaks you'll be sorry.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

A faint hum fills the room.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> turn crank
Plinkety-dink! The cylinder rotates, and a tinny, slightly wrong La Cucaracha emerges from the music box.

The melody is greatly amplified by the speaker and seems to come from everywhere. Somehow the music appears to enter your room from the south too.

The stegosaurus sways rhythmically from side to side, but something is holding it back from dancing. Perhaps the tinny music needs more bass?

> put music box in upper right
You put the music box in the upper right room.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

A faint hum fills the room.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> s

The stegosaurus trudges after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus chews thoughtfully on the begonia.

> s

The stegosaurus ambles after you.

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. There's a wardrobe against one wall. Open doorways lead west and north.

In this room is a large musical mechanism.

The stegosaurus wags its tail.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

> x mechanism
On the large contraption is a hollow cylinder, open on one side, with pegs on the outside. There's also a crank.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on Dad's best jacket.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

> turn crank
It's surprisingly easy to turn the crank, given the size of the machinery.

The large hollow cylinder spins, and the pegs bend thick metal prongs, producing a stately, low-pitched, slightly wrong La Cucaracha.

The stegosaurus stomps in time with the music, but something is holding it back from dancing. Perhaps the unamplified music isn't loud enough?

Dad appears from the north, vacuum cleaner in tow.

> take mechanism
The musical mechanism is too heavy to lift.

Dad picks up the geranium and puts it on the window sill.

The stegosaurus chews thoughtfully on the geranium.

> x cylinder
On the large contraption is a hollow cylinder, open on one side, with pegs on the outside. There's also a crank.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the floor.

> x pegs
On the large contraption is a hollow cylinder, open on one side, with pegs on the outside. There's also a crank.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

The stegosaurus chews thoughtfully on the geranium.

> hit pegs
That's not called for. And if it breaks you'll be sorry.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus takes a few clumsy steps around the room, causing the house to shake ever so slightly.

> move cylinder
In what direction?

> right
(I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.)

> x cylinder
On the large contraption is a hollow cylinder, open on one side, with pegs on the outside. There's also a crank.

The cylinder is currently empty.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

The stegosaurus chews thoughtfully on the geranium.

> i
You have:
    a tin vase
    a miniature shovel
    a mommy doll
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a fire truck
    a cute little sofa
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature bookshelf
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    Nibbles
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> put vase in cylinder
The tin vase is too large for the musical mechanism.

Dad drags the vacuum cleaner north to the landing.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the musical mechanism.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

> put shovel in cylinder
You put the miniature shovel in the musical mechanism.

The stegosaurus wags its tail energetically, accidentally knocking the geranium off the window sill and onto the floor, spilling dirt all over the place.

> turn crank
The large hollow cylinder spins, and the pegs bend thick metal prongs, producing a stately, low-pitched, slightly wrong La Cucaracha.

The miniature shovel falls out.

The stegosaurus sways rhythmically from side to side, but something is holding it back from dancing. Perhaps the unamplified music isn't loud enough?

> take shovel
Got the miniature shovel.

The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the floor.

> i
You have:
    a miniature shovel
    a tin vase
    a mommy doll
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a fire truck
    a cute little sofa
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature bookshelf
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    Nibbles
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> put all in cylinder
The miniature shovel: You put the miniature shovel in the musical mechanism.

The miniature shovel, being inanimate, fails to drive the mechanism.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus wags its tail.

The tin vase: The tin vase is too large for the musical mechanism.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus chews thoughtfully on the geranium.

> i
You have:
    a tin vase
    a mommy doll
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a fire truck
    a cute little sofa
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature bookshelf
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    Nibbles
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> put piece in cylinder
There's no room for the jigsaw puzzle piece in the musical mechanism when the miniature shovel is already there.

The stegosaurus takes a few tentative steps around the room, causing the whole house to shake ever so slightly.

> take shovel
Got the miniature shovel.

The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

> put piece in cylinder
You put the jigsaw puzzle piece in the musical mechanism.

The jigsaw puzzle piece, being inanimate, fails to drive the mechanism.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

> take piece
Got the jigsaw puzzle piece.

The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the floor.

> enter cylinder
Although the musical mechanism is large, it is not as large as you.

The stegosaurus chews thoughtfully on the geranium.

> i
You have:
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a miniature shovel
    a tin vase
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a cute little sofa
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature bookshelf
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    Nibbles
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> put truck in cylinder
The fire truck is too large for the musical mechanism.

The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

> x cylinder
On the large contraption is a hollow cylinder, open on one side, with pegs on the outside. There's also a crank.

The cylinder is currently empty.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus chews thoughtfully on the geranium.

> x pegs
On the large contraption is a hollow cylinder, open on one side, with pegs on the outside. There's also a crank.

The cylinder is currently empty.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus wags its tail.

> i
You have:
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a miniature shovel
    a tin vase
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a cute little sofa
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature bookshelf
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    Nibbles
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> turn crank
The large hollow cylinder spins, and the pegs bend thick metal prongs, producing a stately, low-pitched, slightly wrong La Cucaracha.

The stegosaurus clearly enjoys the music, but something is holding it back from dancing. Perhaps the unamplified music isn't loud enough?

> put nibbles in cylinder
Nibbles is too large for the cylinder. If only he were a bit smaller.

The stegosaurus takes a few hopeful steps around the room, causing the house to vibrate.

> n

The stegosaurus lumbers after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus chews thoughtfully on the begonia.

> n

The stegosaurus skips after you.

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A miniature wooden chair is on the floor.

The stegosaurus takes a few tentative steps around the room, causing the whole house to vibrate.

A faint hum fills the room.

> put nibbles in upper right
Nibbles is too large for the upper right room.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the doll-sized wardrobe in the upper right room.

A faint hum fills the room.

> s

The stegosaurus ambles after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus takes a few clumsy steps around the room, causing the house to vibrate.

> s

The stegosaurus trots after you.

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. There's a wardrobe against one wall. Open doorways lead west and north.

In this room is a large musical mechanism.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the striped wallpaper.

> n

The stegosaurus lumbers after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus takes a few tentative steps around the room, causing the whole house to vibrate.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from below.

> n

The stegosaurus trots after you.

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A miniature wooden chair is on the floor.

The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

A faint hum fills the room.

> take nibbles
You're already holding Nibbles.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus takes a few clumsy steps around the room, causing the house to vibrate.

A faint hum fills the room.

> s

The stegosaurus lumbers after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad appears from below, vacuum cleaner in tow.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus chews thoughtfully on the begonia.

> s

The stegosaurus skips after you.

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. There's a wardrobe against one wall. Open doorways lead west and north.

In this room is a large musical mechanism.

Dad appears from the north, vacuum cleaner in tow.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus wags its tail.

> drop nibbles
You place Nibbles on the floor.

Dad picks up the geranium and puts it on the window sill.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

> n

The stegosaurus trudges after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus chews thoughtfully on the begonia.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> n

The stegosaurus saunters after you.

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A miniature wooden chair is on the floor.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus takes a few hopeful steps around the room, causing the house to shake ever so slightly.

A faint hum fills the room.

> take nibbles
Got the hamster.

The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster studies the jigsaw puzzle piece.

> s

The stegosaurus trudges after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

The hamster scratches its ears.

> s

The stegosaurus ambles after you.

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. There's a wardrobe against one wall. Open doorways lead west and north.

In this room is a large musical mechanism.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus takes a few clumsy steps around the room, causing the whole house to shake ever so slightly.

The hamster sniffs at the scrap of felt.

> put hamster in cylinder
The hamster instinctively starts to run inside the cylinder, driving the musical mechanism.

La cucaracha,
La cucaracha,
Ya no puede caminar!

At the loud music, the hamster stops running and freezes in terror. It keeps tumbling around for a while after the mechanism grinds to a halt. Then it scurries out of the cylinder and plops onto the floor.

The stegosaurus stomps in time with the music, but something is holding it back from dancing. Perhaps the unamplified music isn't loud enough?

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

“Haven't I done this room already?” Dad mutters to himself.

> take hamster
Got the hamster.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the wardrobe.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> i
You have:
    a hamster
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a miniature shovel
    a tin vase
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a cute little sofa
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature bookshelf
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> take crank
That's part of the musical mechanism.

Dad drags the vacuum cleaner north to the landing.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

> take cylinder
The musical mechanism is too heavy to lift at its current size.

The stegosaurus chews thoughtfully on the geranium.

The hamster scratches its ears.

> x mechanism
On the large contraption is a hollow cylinder, open on one side, with pegs on the outside. There's also a crank.

The cylinder is currently empty.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus takes a few hopeful steps around the room, causing the whole house to vibrate.

The hamster takes a close look at the miniature work desk.

> turn crank
The large hollow cylinder spins, and the pegs bend thick metal prongs, producing a stately, low-pitched, slightly wrong La Cucaracha.

The hamster freezes in terror at the loud music.

The stegosaurus clearly enjoys the music, but something is holding it back from dancing. Perhaps the unamplified music isn't loud enough?

> i
You have:
    a hamster
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a miniature shovel
    a tin vase
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a cute little sofa
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature bookshelf
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> put vase on hamster
You can't put things on the hamster, except maybe a woolly hat or something.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

The hamster scratches its head.

> put felt on hamster
You can't put things on the hamster, except maybe a woolly hat or something.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus takes a few tentative steps around the room, causing the house to vibrate.

> x hat
(I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.)

> n

The stegosaurus trots after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

The hamster seems fascinated by the miniature bookshelf.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

The whole house seems to vibrate from the commotion upstairs.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the west.

> x hat
(I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.)

> open pillow
The pillow doesn't open.

The ceiling shakes, and a little fragment of plaster falls down.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the west.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> search it
You find nothing of interest.

Dad appears from the west, vacuum cleaner in tow.

A muffled stomping sound comes from somewhere above you.

The hamster sniffs at the miniature double bed.

> l

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

The ceiling shakes, and a cloud of plaster falls down.

> i
You have:
    a hamster
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a miniature shovel
    a tin vase
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a cute little sofa
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature bookshelf
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> x felt
Light blue felt, cut in the shape of a small blanket. It's held by you.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

A muffled stomping sound comes from somewhere above you.

The hamster seems fascinated by the scrap of felt.

> x mommy
The mommy doll is wearing grey pants, a white top, and a grey jacket. She has long brown hair in a ponytail, and she's holding a phone in her hand.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

The ceiling shakes, and a small bit of plaster falls down.

The hamster scratches its head.

> x dad
Dad is wearing an apron over his light blue shirt and brown trousers.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

“How can this floor be dirty again?” Dad mutters to himself.

A muffled stomping sound comes from somewhere above you.

The hamster studies the little rolling chair.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the doorway.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from below.

> i
You have:
    a hamster
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a miniature shovel
    a tin vase
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a cute little sofa
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature bookshelf
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> x sofa
It's long and covered in green velvet. Four dolls can sit in a row.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from below.

The hamster seems fascinated by the miniature bookshelf.

> take velvet
You're already holding the cute little sofa.

The stegosaurus wags its tail energetically, accidentally knocking the begonia off the window sill and onto the floor, spilling dirt all over the place.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> x desk
On the miniature work desk is a miniature laptop computer.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus chews thoughtfully on the begonia.

> x bed
It's for the mommy doll and the daddy doll.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

The hamster studies the jigsaw puzzle piece.

> n

The stegosaurus trudges after you.

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A miniature wooden chair is on the floor.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus takes a few clumsy steps around the room, causing the whole house to shake ever so slightly.

A faint hum fills the room.

> i
You have:
    a hamster
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a miniature shovel
    a tin vase
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a cute little sofa
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature bookshelf
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> put tin vase on hamster
You can't put things on the hamster, except maybe a woolly hat or something.

The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster seems fascinated by the tin vase.

> open desk
The miniature work desk doesn't open.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus takes a few hopeful steps around the room, causing the whole house to shake ever so slightly.

A faint hum fills the room.

> put desk in upper right
You put the miniature work desk in the upper right room.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster scratches its ears.

> s

The stegosaurus skips after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

A potted begonia lies overturned on the floor.

The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the floor.

> s

The stegosaurus trots after you.

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk. There's also a wardrobe against one wall.

Open doorways lead west and north.

A large musical mechanism is on the floor.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus wags its tail, and accidentally knocks the geranium off the window sill and onto the floor, spilling dirt all over the place.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> open desk
The work desk doesn't open.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

The hamster studies the mommy doll.

> x desk
On the flimsy work desk is a laptop computer.

The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

> x laptop
As always, Mom's computer is full of text. Boring work-related text for grownups, like “Rules for Judges (which authors should know too)”.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

The hamster scratches its ears.

> take it
Mom wouldn't like that.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus chews thoughtfully on the geranium.

> n

The stegosaurus trudges after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

A potted begonia lies overturned on the floor.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

The hamster scratches its head.

> n

The stegosaurus trots after you.

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A miniature wooden chair is on the floor.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster takes a close look at the little rolling chair.

> put bookshelf in upper right
You put the miniature bookshelf in the upper right room.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the power button.

A faint hum fills the room.

> s

The stegosaurus skips after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

A potted begonia lies overturned on the floor.

The stegosaurus chews thoughtfully on the begonia.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> s

The stegosaurus ambles after you.

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A bookshelf stands next to the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk. There's also a wardrobe against one wall.

Open doorways lead west and north.

A large musical mechanism is on the floor.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the doorway.

> take mom's book
Too abstract for your taste. It even says so on the first page.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus chews thoughtfully on the geranium.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

The hamster scratches its ears.

> read it
Too abstract for your taste. It even says so on the first page.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the laptop computer.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

The hamster seems fascinated by the fire truck.

> l

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A bookshelf stands next to the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk. There's also a wardrobe against one wall.

Open doorways lead west and north.

A large musical mechanism is on the floor.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus chews thoughtfully on the geranium.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

> x wardrobe
It's a tall cabinet made of dark wood. The doors are open, and you can see a lot of clothes inside.

The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

The hamster sniffs at the mommy doll.

> search it
Fancy clothes for grownups. Dresses, jackets, shiny shoes.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus takes a few tentative steps around the room, causing the whole house to vibrate.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

> x hat
(I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.)

> i
You have:
    a hamster
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a miniature shovel
    a tin vase
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a cute little sofa
    a little rolling chair
    a scrap of felt
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> n

The stegosaurus trots after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad drags the vacuum cleaner south to the study.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

The hamster seems fascinated by the miniature double bed.

> n

The stegosaurus saunters after you.

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A miniature wooden chair is on the floor.

The stegosaurus takes a few clumsy steps around the room, causing the whole house to vibrate.

A faint hum fills the room.

> put felt in upper right
You put the scrap of felt in the upper right room.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the white table.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster studies the flashlight.

> s

The stegosaurus skips after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The stegosaurus chews thoughtfully on the begonia.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> s

The stegosaurus saunters after you.

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A bookshelf stands next to the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk. There's also a wardrobe against one wall.

Open doorways lead west and north.

A large musical mechanism and a blanket are on the floor.

Dad picks up the geranium and puts it on the window sill.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

The hamster sniffs at the pillow.

> take blanket
Got the blanket.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the window.

The hamster scratches its head.

> n

The stegosaurus ambles after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus takes a few hopeful steps around the room, causing the house to shake ever so slightly.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

The ceiling shakes, and a cloud of plaster falls down.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> w

Laundry room
The low afternoon sun shines in through a plain window. There's a washing machine and a tumble dryer along one wall, and a closet full of cleaning equipment. Empty clotheslines are strung across the ceiling.

The basement door is to the north, and the exit is to the east.

The whole house seems to vibrate from the commotion upstairs.

The hamster studies the tin vase.

> put blanket in washer
Dad says you're not supposed to put things in the washing machine, because somebody could start the machine and not notice. Then those things would get all wet.

A muffled stomping sound comes from somewhere above you.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the east.

The hamster scratches its head.

> put blanket in dryer
Dad says you're not supposed to put things in the tumble dryer, because somebody could start the machine and not notice. Then those things would get all dry.

The ceiling shakes, and a little fragment of plaster falls down.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the east.

> i
You have:
    a blanket
    a hamster
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a miniature shovel
    a tin vase
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a cute little sofa
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> l

Laundry room
The low afternoon sun shines in through a plain window. There's a washing machine and a tumble dryer along one wall, and a closet full of cleaning equipment. Empty clotheslines are strung across the ceiling.

The basement door is to the north, and the exit is to the east.

The whole house seems to vibrate from the commotion upstairs.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the east.

The hamster takes a close look at the flashlight.

> take all
You're not aware of any such thing!

> e

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

A muffled stomping sound comes from somewhere above you.

The hamster scratches its ears.

> e
The front door is closed. Besides, you're not allowed to go out.

Dad drags the vacuum cleaner west to the laundry room.

The ceiling shakes, and a small cloud of plaster falls down.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the west.

> s

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. A vanity stands next to the window. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by five wooden chairs.

The whole house seems to vibrate from the commotion upstairs.

The hamster sniffs at the mommy doll.

> x vanity
It's old and worn and painted white, and there's a mirror and a drawer.

A muffled stomping sound comes from somewhere above you.

> x drawer
It's open and there's some makeup inside.

The whole house seems to vibrate from the commotion upstairs.

The hamster takes a close look at the little rolling chair.

> x makeup
Foundation, mascara, eyeshadow in lots of colours.

A muffled stomping sound comes from somewhere above you.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

The hamster scratches its head.

> take foundation
You're not allowed to play with Mom's makeup.

The ceiling shakes, and a little bit of plaster falls down.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

> take mascara
You're not allowed to play with Mom's makeup.

The whole house seems to vibrate from the commotion upstairs.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> s
You step down from the floor.

Smooth surface
You're on a large, strangely smooth surface that appears to end abruptly with sharp edges to the west, east, and south, suggesting sheer drops into some unknown chasm. A kitchen is visible to the northwest, and a dining room to the northeast.

> nw

Kitchen
There's a kitchen counter here, with a stove, sink, and oven. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

The ceiling shakes, and a fragment of plaster falls down.

The hamster scratches its ears.

> x list
A list of everything Dad needs to do before the Taylors arrive.

[X] Cook
[ ] Vacuum
[ ] Set table
[ ] Shower & get dressed

A muffled stomping sound comes from somewhere above you.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the east.

> x pot
Did you want to examine the basil plant or the fern?

> fern
The fern sits there, quietly vegetating.

The ceiling shakes, and a small cloud of plaster falls down.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the east.

The hamster studies the jigsaw puzzle piece.

> take it
But you need flowers. The fern doesn't have any.

A muffled stomping sound comes from somewhere above you.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the east.

The hamster scratches its head.

> x basil
Basil in a cute little pot. You can eat the leaves, but they are kind of sour.

The whole house seems to vibrate from the commotion upstairs.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the east.

> eat basil
(first attempting to take the basil plant)
Got the basil plant.

You pick a leaf of basil and eat it.

Dad appears from the east, vacuum cleaner in tow.

The ceiling shakes, and a little bit of plaster falls down.

The hamster scratches its ears.

> talk to dad
“Hey Dad!”

“Hey Emma! Everything all right?” Dad keeps vacuuming.

1. “There's a dinosaur loose in the house.”
2. “I found a vase!”
3. “When are the Taylors coming again?”
4. “What should I get for the table, again?”
5. “Dad, can I borrow your phone to play Tetris? Please?”
6. “See you around, Dad.”

> 1
“There's a dinosaur loose in the house.”

Dad just laughs. “Your imagination is the best, Emma!”

1. “I found a vase!”
2. “When are the Taylors coming again?”
3. “What should I get for the table, again?”
4. “Dad, can I borrow your phone to play Tetris? Please?”
5. “See you around, Dad.”

> 1
“I found a vase!”

“Great! Put that on the dining room table.”

1. “When are the Taylors coming again?”
2. “What should I get for the table, again?”
3. “Dad, can I borrow your phone to play Tetris? Please?”
4. “See you around, Dad.”

> 3
“Dad, can I borrow your phone to play Tetris? Please?”

“Oh, okay. It's over there on the kitchen counter. Just put it back when you're done.” Dad keeps vacuuming.

“Okay!”

You grab the phone off the counter.

Kitchen
There's a kitchen counter here, with a stove, sink, and oven. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

“It feels like I've been doing this forever.” Dad mutters to himself.

A muffled stomping sound comes from somewhere above you.

The hamster sniffs at the miniature double bed.

> x phone
Did you want to examine Dad's phone or the tiny pink phone?

> dad's
Dad's phone is black and has Tetris. It is currently off.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

The ceiling shakes, and a fragment of plaster falls down.

> turn it on
You start Tetris on Dad's phone and clear a couple of rows on level one, but you find the narrative emotionally drab and stop.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

The whole house seems to vibrate from the commotion upstairs.

The hamster studies the little rolling chair.

> n
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

“Haven't I done this room already?” Dad mutters to himself.

The ceiling shakes, and a little cloud of plaster falls down.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> w
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

The whole house seems to vibrate from the commotion upstairs.

The hamster takes a close look at the flashlight.

> e

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. A vanity stands next to the window. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by five wooden chairs.

The ceiling shakes, and a fragment of plaster falls down.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the west.

The hamster scratches its ears.

> put vase on table
You place the tin vase on top of the dining table.

The whole house seems to vibrate from the commotion upstairs.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the west.

The hamster seems fascinated by the blanket.

> goals
Your current goals are:

• Get the stegosaurus out of the house. It keeps making a mess.
• Put a candlestick on the table. Nolan might have it.
• Put some blue flowers in the vase on the table.

Dad has a to-do list of his own, on the fridge.

> w

Kitchen
There's a kitchen counter here, with a stove, sink, and oven. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

Dad drags the vacuum cleaner east to the dining room.

The ceiling shakes, and a little bit of plaster falls down.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the east.

> u
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

The whole house seems to vibrate from the commotion upstairs.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the east.

The hamster sniffs at the little rolling chair.

> w
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

The ceiling shakes, and a small fragment of plaster falls down.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the east.

> e

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. A vanity stands next to the window. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by five wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

A muffled stomping sound comes from somewhere above you.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

The whole house seems to vibrate from the commotion upstairs.

> x shoe
Outdoor clothes for rainy days. You haven't had much use for them lately.

A muffled stomping sound comes from somewhere above you.

The hamster seems fascinated by the little rolling chair.

> n
(first attempting to open the bathroom door)
You open the bathroom door.

Bathroom
Grey plastic floor, tiled walls. A blurry window high up on the eastern wall. There's a toilet, a sink underneath a mirror, and a shower. The exit is south.

The hamster scratches its ears.

> x window
Light gets in, but you can't see what's on the other side.

The hamster takes a close look at the jigsaw puzzle piece.

> x shower
A silvery thing on the wall. When you turn it on, water comes from above and eventually finds its way into your eyes.

The hamster scratches its head.

> turn it on
You've already had a shower today.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> s

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

You close the bathroom door behind you.

Dad drags the vacuum cleaner up to the landing.

The ceiling shakes, and a little cloud of plaster falls down.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from above.

The hamster scratches its ears.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

The hamster studies the flashlight.

> s

The stegosaurus trots after you.

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A bookshelf stands next to the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk. There's also a wardrobe against one wall.

Open doorways lead west and north.

A large musical mechanism is on the floor.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the floor.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> n

The stegosaurus ambles after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus wags its tail energetically.

> n

The stegosaurus trudges after you.

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A miniature wooden chair is on the floor.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

A faint hum fills the room.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

The hamster scratches its ears.

> put phone in upper right
You balance Dad's phone against a wall in the upper right room, like a big TV screen.

The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the dollhouse.

A faint hum fills the room.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> s

The stegosaurus skips after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad drags the vacuum cleaner south to the study.

The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

The hamster scratches its head.

> s

The stegosaurus ambles after you.

Study
A huge TV is mounted on the wall. A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A bookshelf stands next to the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk. There's also a wardrobe against one wall.

Open doorways lead west and north.

A large musical mechanism is on the floor.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus takes a few tentative steps around the room, causing the house to shake ever so slightly.

> x tv
“Tetris” it says on the screen, and “Game over”. You'd expect Nolan to be around, but he isn't.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

The hamster scratches its ears.

> n

The stegosaurus skips after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the floor.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> w
Knock, knock.

“Oh, for crying out loud. Yes, what do you want?”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “Nolan, do you have the silver candlestick?”
3. “How come you're not playing on the big TV?”
4. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 3
“How come you're not playing on the big TV?”

“I like it here, and there's no good place to sit by the TV.”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “Nolan, do you have the silver candlestick?”
3. “How come you're not playing on the big TV?”
4. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 4
“See you around, Nolan!”

“Whatever, Em.”

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The stegosaurus chews thoughtfully on the begonia.

The hamster scratches its head.

> s

The stegosaurus saunters after you.

Study
A huge TV is mounted on the wall. A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A bookshelf stands next to the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk. There's also a wardrobe against one wall.

Open doorways lead west and north.

A large musical mechanism is on the floor.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the Sunday clothes.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the west.

> n

The stegosaurus trudges after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

The hamster sniffs at the blanket.

> n

The stegosaurus skips after you.

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A miniature wooden chair is on the floor.

The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

A faint hum fills the room.

> put dad's phone in upper left
(first attempting to take the TV (Dad's phone))
Got the TV (Dad's phone).

You balance Dad's phone against a wall in the upper left room, like a big TV screen.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster seems fascinated by the blanket.

> put sofa in upper left
You put the cute little sofa in the upper left room.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus takes a few hopeful steps around the room, causing the whole house to shake ever so slightly.

A faint hum fills the room.

> s

The stegosaurus trots after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus chews thoughtfully on the begonia.

The hamster scratches its ears.

> s

The stegosaurus saunters after you.

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A bookshelf stands next to the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk. There's also a wardrobe against one wall.

Open doorways lead west and north.

A large musical mechanism is on the floor.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus wags its tail, accidentally knocking the geranium off the window sill and onto the floor, spilling dirt all over the place.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the west.

> w

The stegosaurus lumbers after you.

Sitting room
A green velvet sofa faces a huge wall-mounted TV. The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall.

There's an open doorway to the east.

Nolan sits on the sofa, deeply immersed in a game of Tetris.

Dad drags the vacuum cleaner east to the study.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the east.

The hamster sniffs at the pillow.

> e

The stegosaurus ambles after you.

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A bookshelf stands next to the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk. There's also a wardrobe against one wall.

Open doorways lead west and north.

A large musical mechanism is on the floor.

Dad picks up the geranium and puts it on the window sill.

The stegosaurus wags its tail energetically.

> n

The stegosaurus saunters after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the white wallpaper.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

The hamster seems fascinated by the miniature shovel.

> w
(first attempting to open the door to Nolan's room)
Very slowly and carefully, you open the door.

The stegosaurus skips after you.

Nolan's room
Nolan's room is a little bit smaller than yours, a fact that he likes to bring up at least twice a week. There's a desk with a computer on it, a large gaming chair, a bed underneath a window, and some shelves.

The door is to the east.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus wags its tail energetically.

The hamster scratches its head.

> take all
You're not aware of any such thing!

> x desk
On the desk is a computer.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

The hamster takes a close look at the pillow.

> open it
The desk doesn't open.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the east.

> x computer
It's off.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the shelves.

The hamster scratches its ears.

> turn it on
Nolan would be furious. But you have more important things to do.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

> l

Nolan's room
Nolan's room is a little bit smaller than yours, a fact that he likes to bring up at least twice a week. There's a desk with a computer on it, a large gaming chair, a bed underneath a window, and some shelves.

The door is to the east.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> x chair
Did you want to examine the little rolling chair or the gaming chair?

> gaming
The pretentious stuffed chair has a Nolan-shaped depression.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the door.

The hamster seems fascinated by the miniature shovel.

> search it
You find nothing of interest.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

> x bed
It's messy, and smells of Nolan.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus wags its tail energetically.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the east.

The hamster takes a close look at the blanket.

> look under bed
You find nothing under the bed.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the east.

> search bed
You find nothing of interest.

The stegosaurus chases its own tail.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the east.

The hamster sniffs at the pillow.

> x shelves
The shelves are loaded with all kinds of boring Nolan-stuff. Well, one thing isn't boring: Nolan's precious impossible bottle. But it's too high up to reach.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus takes a few clumsy steps around the room, causing the house to vibrate.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the east.

> x window
You can see a park and a deserted bike trail through the window in the west wall.

The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

The hamster takes a close look at the pillow.

> x park
You can see a park and a deserted bike trail through the window in the west wall.

The stegosaurus wags its tail energetically.

> i
You have:
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a hamster
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a miniature shovel
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> l

Nolan's room
Nolan's room is a little bit smaller than yours, a fact that he likes to bring up at least twice a week. There's a desk with a computer on it, a large gaming chair, a bed underneath a window, and some shelves.

The door is to the east.

The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

The hamster scratches its head.

> i
You have:
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a hamster
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a miniature shovel
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> x truck
Your beloved fire truck is about the size of a house cat, and bright red. It has a ladder that you can extend and retract, and a little steering wheel that actually works.

Right now the ladder is retracted.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus chases its own tail.

> e

The stegosaurus ambles after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> n

The stegosaurus saunters after you.

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A miniature wooden chair is on the floor.

The stegosaurus takes a few tentative steps around the room, causing the whole house to vibrate.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster sniffs at the small potted herb.

> put truck in upper right
The fire truck is too large for the upper right room.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

A faint hum fills the room.

> put truck in lower right
The fire truck is too large for the lower right room.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the miniature kitchen counter in the lower left room.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster scratches its head.

> s

The stegosaurus lumbers after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

> w

The stegosaurus trudges after you.

Nolan's room
Nolan's room is a little bit smaller than yours, a fact that he likes to bring up at least twice a week. There's a desk with a computer on it, a large gaming chair, a bed underneath a window, and some shelves.

The door is to the east.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus chases its own tail.

The hamster seems fascinated by the miniature shovel.

> extend ladder
Now the ladder is all the way out.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the computer.

> climb it
The ladder is too small for that. You're a big girl now.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

The hamster sniffs at the miniature shovel.

> take bottle with truck
You can't reach the impossible bottle, at least not from down here on the floor.

> climb shelves
You're not allowed to climb the shelves.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus chases its own tail.

The hamster scratches its ears.

> i
You have:
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a hamster
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a miniature shovel
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> enter truck
The fire truck is much smaller than yourself.

The stegosaurus takes a few clumsy steps around the room, causing the whole house to shake ever so slightly.

The hamster takes a close look at the little rolling chair.

> n
It's cumbersome to carry the fire truck with the ladder out, so you retract it first.

There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the east.

> e

The stegosaurus saunters after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad drags the vacuum cleaner down to the entrance hall.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from below.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> n

The stegosaurus trots after you.

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A miniature wooden chair is on the floor.

The stegosaurus takes a few tentative steps around the room, causing the whole house to shake ever so slightly.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster sniffs at the small potted herb.

> take all from upper right
The miniature bookshelf: Got the miniature bookshelf.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus chases its own tail.

A faint hum fills the room.

The miniature work desk: Got the miniature work desk.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster takes a close look at the miniature shovel.

The music box: Got the music box.

The stegosaurus chases its own tail.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster scratches its ears.

The doll-sized wardrobe: Got the doll-sized wardrobe.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus takes a few clumsy steps around the room, causing the house to vibrate.

A faint hum fills the room.

> x doll house
The dollhouse has four separate rooms, a wooden plaque on the front, and a small hatch at the back.

In the sitting room (upper left) are a cute little sofa and a TV (Dad's phone). A teenager doll is sitting on the sofa.

The upper right room has beige walls with brown stripes.

In the kitchen (lower left) are a miniature kitchen counter and a miniature refrigerator.

In the dining room (lower right) are a little vanity, a miniature dining table, and five miniature wooden chairs.

The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the tin foil mirror.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster studies the miniature shovel.

> put truck in upper right
The fire truck is too large for the upper right room.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster scratches its head.

> take teenager
Got the teenager doll.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus takes a few tentative steps around the room, causing the whole house to vibrate.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster sniffs at the music box.

> s

The stegosaurus lumbers after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from below.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> s

The stegosaurus trots after you.

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

The stegosaurus wags its tail energetically, and accidentally knocks the geranium off the window sill and onto the floor, spilling dirt all over the place.

> w

The stegosaurus saunters after you.

Sitting room
A green velvet sofa faces a huge wall-mounted TV. The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall.

There's an open doorway to the east.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the primrose.

The hamster scratches its ears.

> x tv
“Tetris” it says on the screen, and “Game over”.

The stegosaurus takes a few hopeful steps around the room, causing the house to shake ever so slightly.

> l

Sitting room
A green velvet sofa faces a huge wall-mounted TV. The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall.

There's an open doorway to the east.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus chews thoughtfully on the primrose.

The hamster seems fascinated by the pillow.

> i
You have:
    a teenager doll
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a music box
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a hamster
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a miniature shovel
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> e

The stegosaurus ambles after you.

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the dirt.

> n

The stegosaurus trudges after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

The hamster scratches its head.

> w

The stegosaurus lumbers after you.

Nolan's room
Nolan's room is a little bit smaller than yours, a fact that he likes to bring up at least twice a week. There's a desk with a computer on it, a large gaming chair, a bed underneath a window, and some shelves.

The door is to the east.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the gaming chair.

> x bottle
It's a beautiful miniature of an old ship, captured in a small glass bottle. The ship is larger than the bottle opening, so how did it get in there?

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

The hamster scratches its ears.

> x shelves
The shelves are loaded with all kinds of boring Nolan-stuff. Well, one thing isn't boring: Nolan's precious impossible bottle. But it's too high up to reach.

The stegosaurus chases its own tail.

The hamster sniffs at the miniature bookshelf.

> take it
You can't reach the impossible bottle, at least not from down here on the floor.

> climb dinosaur
It occurs to you that “dinosaur” is a long and somewhat impersonal nickname, so you ask: “Do you mind if I call you Dino, or Deb, or maybe Al instead?”

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus (or Dino, or Deb, or Al) nods enthusiastically.

(climb dino)
The back plates are easy to grab onto, and you carefully climb all the way to the neck. Wohoo! You can touch the ceiling from up here.

The stegosaurus is practically buzzing with excitement at this new development.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> take bottle
Stretching your arm as far as you can, you're finally able to get hold of the bottle.

As you grab it, something soft and black falls to the floor. The bottle must have been resting on it.

The stegosaurus wags its tail energetically.

> d
You slide down from the stegosaurus.

The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

The hamster takes a close look at the music box.

> l

Nolan's room
Nolan's room is a little bit smaller than yours, a fact that he likes to bring up at least twice a week. There's a desk with a computer on it, a large gaming chair, a bed underneath a window, and some shelves.

The door is to the east.

Something black is on the floor.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the desk.

> take black
Got the woolly hat.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

The hamster sniffs at the fire truck.

> put hat on hamster
The woolly hat is too large for the hamster.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus takes a few tentative steps around the room, causing the whole house to vibrate.

The hamster scratches its ears.

> x bottle
It's a beautiful miniature of an old ship, captured in a small glass bottle. The ship is larger than the bottle opening, so how did it get in there?

The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

> e

The stegosaurus trots after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus wags its tail energetically, accidentally knocking the begonia off the window sill and onto the floor, spilling dirt all over the place.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from below.

The hamster takes a close look at the fire truck.

> s

The stegosaurus ambles after you.

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus chews thoughtfully on the geranium.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> drop hat
You place the woolly hat on the floor.

The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the window.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

> n

The stegosaurus lumbers after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus wags its tail.

The hamster scratches its head.

> n

The stegosaurus saunters after you.

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A miniature wooden chair is on the floor.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus takes a few hopeful steps around the room, causing the house to shake ever so slightly.

A faint hum fills the room.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> take hat
Got the hamster-sized woolly hat.

The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the little drawer.

A faint hum fills the room.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

The hamster studies the teenager doll.

> i
You have:
    a hamster-sized woolly hat
    an impossible bottle
    a teenager doll
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a music box
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a hamster
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a miniature shovel
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> put music box in upper right
You put the music box in the upper right room.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

A faint hum fills the room.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> s

The stegosaurus trots after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus chews thoughtfully on the begonia.

> s

The stegosaurus saunters after you.

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

In this room is a large musical mechanism.

The stegosaurus takes a few tentative steps around the room, causing the whole house to vibrate.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

The hamster seems fascinated by the miniature shovel.

> put hat on hamster
You carefully push the hamster-sized woolly hat down over the ears of the hamster. So cute!

Dad appears from the north, vacuum cleaner in tow.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus wags its tail energetically.

> put hamster in music
The hamster instinctively starts to run inside the cylinder, driving the musical mechanism. It looks absolutely adorable while running with the rock'n'roll hat over its ears.

La cucaracha,
La cucaracha,
Ya no puede caminar!

The stegosaurus stomps in time with the music, but something is holding it back from dancing. Perhaps the unamplified music isn't loud enough?

Dad picks up the geranium and puts it on the window sill.

> n

The stegosaurus ambles after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus takes a few hopeful steps around the room, causing the house to vibrate.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> n

The stegosaurus trudges after you.

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A miniature wooden chair is on the floor.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus wags its tail, and accidentally knocks a miniature wooden chair out of the lower right room.

A faint hum fills the room.

> take music
As you fumble with the music box, the microscopic hamster falls onto the floor of the upper right room.

Got the music box.

The stegosaurus chases its own tail.

A faint hum fills the room.

> s

The stegosaurus lumbers after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> s

The stegosaurus saunters after you.

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

The hamster runs as fast as it can inside the cylinder, driving the musical mechanism. A low-pitched, slightly wrong La Cucaracha fills the room, on repeat.

The stegosaurus sways rhythmically from side to side, but something is holding it back from dancing. Perhaps the unamplified music isn't loud enough?

> i
You have:
    a music box
    an impossible bottle
    a teenager doll
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a miniature shovel
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> x hamster
It's a perky brown hamster with bright, curious eyes and the cutest little paws. Pushed down over its ears is a hamster-sized woolly hat.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

The hamster runs as fast as it can inside the cylinder, driving the musical mechanism. A low-pitched, slightly wrong La Cucaracha fills the room, on repeat.

The stegosaurus clearly enjoys the music, but something is holding it back from dancing. Perhaps the unamplified music isn't loud enough?

> l

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

The hamster runs as fast as it can inside the cylinder, driving the musical mechanism. A low-pitched, slightly wrong La Cucaracha fills the room, on repeat.

The stegosaurus sways rhythmically from side to side, but something is holding it back from dancing. Perhaps the unamplified music isn't loud enough?

> x music
On the music box is a hollow cylinder, open on one side, with pegs on the outside. When you turn a crank, the cylinder spins, and the pegs play a melody on little metal prongs.

Mom bought it in Switzerland, when she was there on a conference.

Dad drags the vacuum cleaner north to the landing.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

The hamster runs as fast as it can inside the cylinder, driving the musical mechanism. A low-pitched, slightly wrong La Cucaracha fills the room, on repeat.

The stegosaurus clearly enjoys the music, but something is holding it back from dancing. Perhaps the unamplified music isn't loud enough?

> i
You have:
    a music box
    an impossible bottle
    a teenager doll
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a miniature shovel
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> l

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

The hamster runs as fast as it can inside the cylinder, driving the musical mechanism. A low-pitched, slightly wrong La Cucaracha fills the room, on repeat.

The stegosaurus stomps in time with the music, but something is holding it back from dancing. Perhaps the unamplified music isn't loud enough?

> x hamster
It's a perky brown hamster with bright, curious eyes and the cutest little paws. Pushed down over its ears is a hamster-sized woolly hat.

The hamster runs as fast as it can inside the cylinder, driving the musical mechanism. A low-pitched, slightly wrong La Cucaracha fills the room, on repeat.

The stegosaurus clearly enjoys the music, but something is holding it back from dancing. Perhaps the unamplified music isn't loud enough?

> n

The stegosaurus lumbers after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from below.

> n

The stegosaurus trudges after you.

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

Two miniature wooden chairs are on the floor.

The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

A faint hum fills the room.

> x cable
A microphone is mounted on the stand, its cable plugged into the jack on the speaker.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

A faint hum fills the room.

> x speaker
A large pink speaker with My First Karaoke written in shiny letters on the front. There's a button, a little indicator light (currently lit), and a jack for plugging in a microphone.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus wags its tail, and accidentally knocks a miniature wooden chair out of the lower right room.

A faint hum fills the room.

> sing
A smile is something special.
A ribbon is something rare.
So I'll be special and I'll be rare
with a smile and a ribbon in my hair.

Your words are amplified by the speaker and seem to come from everywhere, but especially from the south.

At the loud music, the hamster stops running and freezes in terror. It keeps tumbling around for a while after the mechanism grinds to a halt. Then it scurries out of the cylinder and plops onto the floor.

The stegosaurus clearly likes your song. Perhaps, if you could somehow provide music with a bit of rhythm, you could make it dance.

> s

The stegosaurus ambles after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from below.

> i
You have:
    a music box
    an impossible bottle
    a teenager doll
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a miniature shovel
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> s

The stegosaurus skips after you.

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the window.

The hamster sniffs at the stegosaurus.

> take hamster
Got the hamster.

The stegosaurus takes a few clumsy steps around the room, causing the whole house to vibrate.

> i
You have:
    a hamster (wearing a woolly hat)
    a music box
    an impossible bottle
    a teenager doll
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a miniature shovel
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> n

The stegosaurus ambles after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the door to your room.

The hamster takes a close look at the pillow.

> n

The stegosaurus saunters after you.

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

Three miniature wooden chairs are strewn about on the floor.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> x doll house
The dollhouse has four separate rooms, a wooden plaque on the front, and a small hatch at the back.

In the sitting room (upper left) are a cute little sofa and a TV (Dad's phone).

The upper right room has beige walls with brown stripes.

In the kitchen (lower left) are a miniature kitchen counter and a miniature refrigerator.

In the dining room (lower right) are a little vanity, a miniature dining table, and three miniature wooden chairs.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus wags its tail energetically, and accidentally knocks a little vanity out of the lower right room.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster seems fascinated by the little rolling chair.

> put music box in upper right
You put the music box in the upper right room.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> put microphone in upper right
(first attempting to unplug the microphone)
You'd rather not mess with the speaker setup now that it works. Perhaps there's a way to bring the large musical mechanism in here.

> i
You have:
    a hamster (wearing a woolly hat)
    an impossible bottle
    a teenager doll
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a miniature shovel
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a little rolling chair
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> put rolling in upper right
You put the little rolling chair in the upper right room.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus seems thrilled to have you around.

A faint hum fills the room.

> put music on rolling
(first attempting to take the music box)
Got the music box.

You place the music box on top of the little rolling chair.

“Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus is looking at you with big friendly eyes.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster paws proudly at the woolly hat.

> s

The stegosaurus skips after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The stegosaurus wags its tail energetically, and accidentally knocks the begonia off the window sill and onto the floor, spilling dirt all over the place.

> s

The stegosaurus trudges after you.

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A rolling chair is here, with a large musical mechanism on it.

Open doorways lead west and north.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus drools affectionately on the crank.

The hamster sniffs at the doll-sized wardrobe.

> push chair n
You push the rolling chair north.

The stegosaurus trots after you.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

A rolling chair is here, with a large musical mechanism on it.

A potted begonia lies overturned on the floor.

“Gah-gronk!” The stegosaurus chews thoughtfully on the begonia.

> push chair n
You push the rolling chair north.

The stegosaurus trudges after you.

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A little vanity and three miniature wooden chairs are strewn about on the floor.

A rolling chair is here, with a large musical mechanism on it.

The stegosaurus wags its tail, accidentally knocking a miniature wooden chair out of the lower right room.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> put hamster in cylinder
The hamster instinctively starts to run inside the cylinder, driving the musical mechanism. It looks absolutely adorable while running with the rock'n'roll hat over its ears.

La cucaracha,
La cucaracha,
Ya no puede caminar!

The sound is greatly amplified by the speaker and seems to come from everywhere. The sound appears to be hitting the house from the south.

The stegosaurus lets out a happy yip and dashes through the door.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

A potted begonia lies overturned on the floor.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house.

The stegosaurus is shaking its limbs in a lively zapateado, dancing and tapping its way to the south and into the room with striped wallpaper, where the music seems to be even louder yet.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

The stegosaurus is nowhere to be seen, but a very noisy clamor can be heard from the sitting room to the west.

> w

Sitting room
A green velvet sofa faces a huge wall-mounted TV. The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall.

There's an open doorway to the east.

Your Jurassic friend, the enormous stegosaurus, is bouncing up and down ecstatically, twisting and bending its body in time with the catchy but painfully loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha, with an absolutely euphoric look on its face.

Floorboards are creaking, walls trembling.

> open window
The window doesn't open.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

The stegosaurus cavorts with glee, dancing around the room and swinging its gigantic tail in time with the music. Then, with a look of utter concentration on its face, it propels its massive prehistoric frame into the air, performing a triumphant half-somersault before gravity foils its plans.

In its quiet, loyal way, the floor of the sitting room has always held its ground, dutifully and without complaint. But this becomes too much for the poor thing. With a thundering crash, the stegosaurus punches a large hole in the floorboards, and falls right through.

> d
You jump through the hole in the floor. Whee!

Kitchen (on the stegosaurus)
There's a kitchen counter here, with a stove, sink, and oven. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a gaping hole in the ceiling.

The stegosaurus is here, upside down, with you on its belly.

Dad appears from the east, vacuum cleaner in tow.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

> talk to dad
“Hey Dad!”

“Hey Emma! Everything all right?” Dad keeps vacuuming.

1. “When are the Taylors coming again?”
2. “What should I get for the table, again?”
3. “See you around, Dad.”

> 3
“See you around, Dad.”

“See you!” Dad resumes his vacuuming.

Kitchen (on the stegosaurus)
There's a kitchen counter here, with a stove, sink, and oven. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a gaping hole in the ceiling.

The stegosaurus is here, upside down, with you on its belly.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

> u
(first attempting to get off the stegosaurus)
You slide down from the stegosaurus.

There's no way you could climb up through the hole in the ceiling.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

> e

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, with a pair of wooden chairs on opposite sides.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the west.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> w

Laundry room
The low afternoon sun shines in through a plain window. There's a washing machine and a tumble dryer along one wall, and a closet full of cleaning equipment. Empty clotheslines are strung across the ceiling.

The basement door is to the north, and the exit is to the east.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the east.

> e

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

Dad drags the vacuum cleaner up to the landing.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from above.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

A potted begonia lies overturned on the floor.

Dad picks up the begonia and puts it on the window sill.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

Four miniature wooden chairs and a little vanity are strewn about on the floor.

A rolling chair is here, with a large musical mechanism on it.

The hamster runs as fast as it can inside the cylinder, driving the musical mechanism.

The sound coming out of the mechanism is greatly amplified by the speaker and seems to come from everywhere.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> x doll house
The dollhouse has four separate rooms, a wooden plaque on the front, and a small hatch at the back. There's also a large hole in the plywood between the upper left and lower left rooms.

In the sitting room (upper left) are a cute little sofa and a TV (Dad's phone).

The upper right room has beige walls with brown stripes.

In the kitchen (lower left) are a miniature kitchen counter, a miniature refrigerator, and a plastic dinosaur.

In the dining room (lower right) are a miniature dining table and two miniature wooden chairs.

The hamster runs as fast as it can inside the cylinder, driving the musical mechanism.

The sound coming out of the mechanism is greatly amplified by the speaker and seems to come from everywhere.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> take dinosaur
Got the plastic dinosaur. Finally!

The hamster runs as fast as it can inside the cylinder, driving the musical mechanism.

The sound coming out of the mechanism is greatly amplified by the speaker and seems to come from everywhere.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

The relentless drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> goals
Your current goals are:

• Put a candlestick on the table. Nolan might have it.
• Put some blue flowers in the vase on the table.

Dad has a to-do list of his own, on the fridge.

> x bottle
It's a beautiful miniature of an old ship, captured in a small glass bottle. The ship is larger than the bottle opening, so how did it get in there?

The hamster runs as fast as it can inside the cylinder, driving the musical mechanism.

The sound coming out of the mechanism is greatly amplified by the speaker and seems to come from everywhere.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> put it in upper right
You put the impossible bottle in the upper right room.

The hamster runs as fast as it can inside the cylinder, driving the musical mechanism.

The sound coming out of the mechanism is greatly amplified by the speaker and seems to come from everywhere.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

The muffled drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the south.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

In the midst of an ear-splitting noise, Dad vacuums the floor.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

The dull drone of a vacuum cleaner can be heard from the north.

> open bottle
The oversized impossible bottle doesn't open.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

> x it
The thick glass bottle is about your own size. Behind the curved glass you can make out the contours of a magnificent sailing ship.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

Four miniature wooden chairs and a little vanity are strewn about on the floor.

A rolling chair is here, with a large musical mechanism on it.

The hamster runs as fast as it can inside the cylinder, driving the musical mechanism.

The sound coming out of the mechanism is greatly amplified by the speaker and seems to come from everywhere.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

> open bottle
The impossible bottle is already open.

The hamster runs as fast as it can inside the cylinder, driving the musical mechanism.

The sound coming out of the mechanism is greatly amplified by the speaker and seems to come from everywhere.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

> search it
You reach into the bottle with a few fingers, but the ship is too far in.

The hamster runs as fast as it can inside the cylinder, driving the musical mechanism.

The sound coming out of the mechanism is greatly amplified by the speaker and seems to come from everywhere.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

> look inside it
In the bottle is a miniature of an old ship.

The hamster runs as fast as it can inside the cylinder, driving the musical mechanism.

The sound coming out of the mechanism is greatly amplified by the speaker and seems to come from everywhere.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

“Emma, dear, could you keep it down?” Dad shouts from another room.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

“Will you keep it down, Emma!” Dad shouts from the north.

> x bottle
The thick glass bottle is about your own size. Behind the curved glass you can make out the contours of a magnificent sailing ship.

Dad enters from the north.

“Emma!” There's a slight panic in Dad's eyes. “Have you seen my other cufflink anywhere?”

Dad owns a pair of silver cufflinks that Mom gave him a long time ago, before Nolan and you were born. Now he's waving one of them in the air.

“I had them in my pocket just a moment ago, before I started vacuuming” he explains. “But now one is gone, and I just found a big tear in the pocket lining. It's got to be on the floor somewhere.”

“Calm down, Dad. I'll find your cufflink.”

But Dad is too distraught to answer.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

Four miniature wooden chairs and a little vanity are strewn about on the floor.

A rolling chair is here, with a large musical mechanism on it.

The hamster runs as fast as it can inside the cylinder, driving the musical mechanism.

The sound coming out of the mechanism is greatly amplified by the speaker and seems to come from everywhere.

A very loud, slightly wrong La Cucaracha is booming throughout the house, on repeat.

“Emma, dear, could you keep it down?” Dad shouts from another room.

> take hamster
Got the hamster.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster seems fascinated by the miniature bookshelf.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad enters from the south.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

The hamster sniffs at the miniature work desk.

> enter bottle
There just might be enough room for you inside the bottle, but you are too large to squeeze through the bottleneck.

> put hamster in bottle
You'd never be able to get it out again.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> i
You have:
    a hamster (wearing a woolly hat)
    a plastic dinosaur
    a teenager doll
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a miniature shovel
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> put truck in bottle
You'd never be able to get it out again.

The hamster takes a close look at the mommy doll.

> l

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

> goals
Your current goals are:

• Find Dad's cufflink.
• Put a candlestick on the table. Nolan might have it.
• Put some blue flowers in the vase on the table.

Dad has a to-do list of his own, on the fridge.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The hamster studies the mommy doll.

> w

Nolan's room
Nolan's room is a little bit smaller than yours, a fact that he likes to bring up at least twice a week. There's a desk with a computer on it, a large gaming chair, a bed underneath a window, and some shelves.

The door is to the east.

The hamster paws proudly at the woolly hat.

> x shelves
The shelves are loaded with all kinds of boring Nolan-stuff.

> x window
You can see a park and a deserted bike trail through the window in the west wall.

The hamster sniffs at the pillow.

> x park
You can see a park and a deserted bike trail through the window in the west wall.

> look under desk
Did you want to look under the miniature work desk or Nolan's desk?

> search desk
Did you want to search the miniature work desk or Nolan's desk?

> nolan's
A computer is on the desk.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> look under desk
Did you want to look under the miniature work desk or Nolan's desk?

> nolan's
You find nothing under the desk.

The hamster takes a close look at the jigsaw puzzle piece.

> e

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The hamster paws proudly at the woolly hat.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

> l

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> i
You have:
    a hamster (wearing a woolly hat)
    a plastic dinosaur
    a teenager doll
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a miniature shovel
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> break bottle
You'd only cut yourself on the glass.

> i
You have:
    a hamster (wearing a woolly hat)
    a plastic dinosaur
    a teenager doll
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a miniature shovel
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The hamster paws proudly at the woolly hat.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

Four miniature wooden chairs and a little vanity are strewn about on the floor.

A rolling chair is here, with a large musical mechanism on it.

A faint hum fills the room.

> put teenager in upper lef
(I only understood you as far as wanting to put the teenager doll in something.)

> put teenager in upper left
You put the teenager doll in the upper left room.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

The hamster seems fascinated by the flashlight.

> w

Sitting room
A green velvet sofa faces a huge wall-mounted TV. The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall.

There's an open doorway to the east.

There's a gaping hole in the floor.

Nolan sits on the sofa, deeply immersed in a game of Tetris.

> talk to nolan
“Hello, Nolan!”

“Tetris can teach us many things about life, Emma. For instance: Sometimes, in order to reduce clutter, it is first necessary to increase clutter.”

Great. Nolan the guru.

1. “About that candlestick...”
2. “Good luck with the game!”

> 1
“About that candlestick...”

“Look, I'm not going to tell you where it is. It's my secret, okay? And I keep my secrets bottled up.”

1. “About that candlestick...”
2. “Good luck with the game!”

> 1
“About that candlestick...”

“I'm not going to tell you where I keep it, Emma. Loose lips sink ships.”

1. “About that candlestick...”
2. “Good luck with the game!”

> 2
“Good luck with the game!”

Nolan keeps his eyes on the TV.

Sitting room
A green velvet sofa faces a huge wall-mounted TV. The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall.

There's an open doorway to the east.

There's a gaping hole in the floor.

Nolan sits on the sofa, deeply immersed in a game of Tetris.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> e

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

The hamster sniffs at the mommy doll.

> x candlestick
(I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.)

> x window
Through the window you can see the main street below, devoid of people on this lazy Sunday afternoon. On the sill is a geranium in a pot.

The hamster paws proudly at the woolly hat.

> x ship
The thick glass bottle is about your own size. Behind the curved glass you can make out the contours of a magnificent sailing ship.

Dad enters from the north.

The hamster takes a close look at the flashlight.

> turn it
The oversized impossible bottle is too large for you to turn.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

Four miniature wooden chairs and a little vanity are strewn about on the floor.

A rolling chair is here, with a large musical mechanism on it.

A faint hum fills the room.

> turn bottle
Turning the impossible bottle has no apparent effect.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster seems fascinated by the miniature shovel.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The hamster paws proudly at the woolly hat.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

Four miniature wooden chairs and a little vanity are strewn about on the floor.

A rolling chair is here, with a large musical mechanism on it.

A faint hum fills the room.

> look inside bottle
In the bottle is a miniature of an old ship.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster takes a close look at the miniature double bed.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> look inside bottle
In the bottle is a magnificent sailing ship.

> x ship
The thick glass bottle is about your own size. Behind the curved glass you can make out the contours of a magnificent sailing ship.

Dad enters from the west.

The hamster paws proudly at the woolly hat.

> enter bottle
There just might be enough room for you inside the bottle, but you are too large to squeeze through the bottleneck. If only you were smaller.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink.

The hamster sniffs at the small potted herb.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

Four miniature wooden chairs and a little vanity are strewn about on the floor.

A rolling chair is here, with a large musical mechanism on it.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster studies the miniature shovel.

> enter upper right
It's not possible to get into the upper right room.

A faint hum fills the room.

> enter lower right
It's not possible to get into the lower right room.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster takes a close look at the flashlight.

> enter lower left
It's not possible to get into the lower left room.

A faint hum fills the room.

> enter upper left
It's not possible to get into the upper left room.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster paws proudly at the woolly hat.

> i
You have:
    a hamster (wearing a woolly hat)
    a plastic dinosaur
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a miniature shovel
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> put mommy in bottle
The mommy doll is too large for the bottle.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster studies the plastic dinosaur.

> put all in bottle
Did you want to:
1. put the hamster, the plastic dinosaur, the doll-sized wardrobe, the miniature work desk, the miniature bookshelf, the small potted herb, the blanket, the jigsaw puzzle piece, the miniature shovel, the mommy doll, the fire truck, the miniature double bed, the pillow, and the flashlight in the impossible bottle, or
2. put the impossible bottle down?
(Type the corresponding number)

> 1
The hamster: The hamster is too large for the bottle.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad enters from the south.

The hamster sniffs at the miniature shovel.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> take bottle
The oversized impossible bottle is way too big for you to move.

> push it
You apply a bit of force to the oversized impossible bottle, but it doesn't budge.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The hamster studies the pillow.

> w

Nolan's room
Nolan's room is a little bit smaller than yours, a fact that he likes to bring up at least twice a week. There's a desk with a computer on it, a large gaming chair, a bed underneath a window, and some shelves.

The door is to the east.

> e

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The hamster paws proudly at the woolly hat.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

Four miniature wooden chairs and a little vanity are strewn about on the floor.

A rolling chair is here, with a large musical mechanism on it.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster takes a close look at the pillow.

> x dollhouse
The dollhouse has four separate rooms, a wooden plaque on the front, and a small hatch at the back. There's also a large hole in the plywood between the upper left and lower left rooms.

In the sitting room (upper left) are a cute little sofa and a TV (Dad's phone). A teenager doll is sitting on the sofa.

In the striped room (upper right) is an impossible bottle.

In the kitchen (lower left) are a miniature kitchen counter and a miniature refrigerator.

In the dining room (lower right) are a miniature dining table and two miniature wooden chairs.

A faint hum fills the room.

> put miniature chairs in lower right
The two miniature wooden chairs:
(first attempting to take the two miniature wooden chairs)
Got the two miniature wooden chairs.

You put the two miniature wooden chairs into the lower right room.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster scratches its nose.

The four miniature wooden chairs:
(first attempting to take the four miniature wooden chairs)
Got the four miniature wooden chairs.

You put the four miniature wooden chairs into the lower right room.

A faint hum fills the room.

> x dollhouse
The dollhouse has four separate rooms, a wooden plaque on the front, and a small hatch at the back. There's also a large hole in the plywood between the upper left and lower left rooms.

In the sitting room (upper left) are a cute little sofa and a TV (Dad's phone). A teenager doll is sitting on the sofa.

In the striped room (upper right) is an impossible bottle.

In the kitchen (lower left) are a miniature kitchen counter and a miniature refrigerator.

In the dining room (lower right) are six miniature wooden chairs and a miniature dining table.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> x hole
The hole is in the shape of a lizard viewed from above.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster sniffs at the miniature bookshelf.

> enter doll house
What if you're already in it?

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster paws proudly at the woolly hat.

> x me
You are Emma, six years old. You're wearing a pretty dress, white leggings, and a light blue ribbon in your hair.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster takes a close look at the jigsaw puzzle piece.

> search doll house
You find nothing of interest.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> climb doll house
You're not allowed to climb the dollhouse.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster seems fascinated by the mommy doll.

> l

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A little vanity is on the floor.

A rolling chair is here, with a large musical mechanism on it.

A faint hum fills the room.

> x chest
It's a large white box, with happy animals painted on the outside. The lid is open.

The toy chest is empty.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> x flower
(I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.)

> x flowers
(I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.)

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> x flowers
The begonia sits there, quietly vegetating. It has no flowers anymore, though. The stegosaurus must have been very hungry.

The hamster paws proudly at the woolly hat.

> w

Nolan's room
Nolan's room is a little bit smaller than yours, a fact that he likes to bring up at least twice a week. There's a desk with a computer on it, a large gaming chair, a bed underneath a window, and some shelves.

The door is to the east.

The hamster sniffs at the fire truck.

> x flowers
(I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.)

> e

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

> e
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> x flowers
The geranium sits there, quietly vegetating. It has no flowers anymore.

The hamster takes a close look at the flashlight.

> w

Sitting room
A green velvet sofa faces a huge wall-mounted TV. The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall.

There's an open doorway to the east.

There's a gaping hole in the floor.

Nolan sits on the sofa, deeply immersed in a game of Tetris.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> x flowers
The primrose sits there, quietly vegetating. It has no flowers anymore.

The hamster seems fascinated by the pillow.

> e

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

The hamster paws proudly at the woolly hat.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink. “I'm sure I had it before I started vacuuming.”

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> w

Laundry room
The low afternoon sun shines in through a plain window. There's a washing machine and a tumble dryer along one wall, and a tall closet. Empty clotheslines are strung across the ceiling.

The basement door is to the north, and the exit is to the east.

The hamster takes a close look at the pillow.

> x flowers
(I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.)

> e

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> x flowers
(I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.)

> e
The front door is closed. Besides, you're not allowed to go out.

> s

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> x flowers
The potted petunia sits there, quietly vegetating. It has no flowers anymore.

The hamster sniffs at the small potted herb.

> s
You step down from the floor.

Smooth surface
You're on a large, strangely smooth surface that appears to end abruptly with sharp edges to the west, east, and south, suggesting sheer drops into some unknown chasm. A kitchen is visible to the northwest, and a dining room to the northeast.

> x flowers
(I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.)

> w
You'd fall and hurt yourself and probably die.

The hamster studies the pillow.

> s
You'd fall and hurt yourself and probably die.

> n
You can go northwest to the kitchen or northeast to the dining room.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> nw

Kitchen
There's a kitchen counter here, with a stove, sink, and oven. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a gaping hole in the ceiling.

> x flowers
The fern sits there, quietly vegetating.

The hamster sniffs at the flashlight.

> x hole
The hole in the ceiling is shaped exactly like a stegosaurus.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> x surface
What a peculiar direction to look in.

> x oven
You can see the casserole cooking inside the oven. Yummy!

The hamster takes a close look at the pillow.

> open it
Only grownups are allowed to open the oven.

> x sink
It's an ordinary sink with a tap.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> e

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

The hamster seems fascinated by the miniature bookshelf.

> take calendar
That's fine where it is.

Dad enters from above.

The hamster paws proudly at the woolly hat.

> talk to dad
“Hey Dad!”

“Hey Emma! Did you find my cufflink?” Dad looks a little tired.

1. “Where did you last see the cufflink, Dad?”
2. “When are the Taylors coming again?”
3. “What should I get for the table, again?”
4. “See you around, Dad.”

> 1
“Where did you last see the cufflink, Dad?”

“I had both of them in my pocket before I started vacuuming. Now I only have one, and there's a big tear in the pocket lining.”

1. “When are the Taylors coming again?”
2. “What should I get for the table, again?”
3. “See you around, Dad.”

> 3
“See you around, Dad.”

“See you!” Dad scratches his chin.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink.

The hamster takes a close look at the doll-sized wardrobe.

> s

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

> w

Kitchen
There's a kitchen counter here, with a stove, sink, and oven. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a gaping hole in the ceiling.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> search counter
You find nothing of interest.

> search stove
You find nothing of interest.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> search sink
A water is in the sink.

Dad enters from the east.

The hamster studies the blanket.

> search oven
A casserole is in the oven.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink.

> x water
A few drops of water are in the sink.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink. “I'm sure I had it before I started vacuuming.”

The hamster seems fascinated by the doll-sized wardrobe.

> take water
You can't get hold of the drops.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink.

> i
You have:
    a hamster (wearing a woolly hat)
    a plastic dinosaur
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a miniature shovel
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> d
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink.

The hamster paws proudly at the woolly hat.

> w
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink. “I'm sure I had it before I started vacuuming.”

> e

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

Dad enters from the west.

The hamster sniffs at the fire truck.

> sw
You step down from the floor.

Smooth surface
You're on a large, strangely smooth surface that appears to end abruptly with sharp edges to the west, east, and south, suggesting sheer drops into some unknown chasm. A kitchen is visible to the northwest, and a dining room to the northeast.

> drop truck
You place the fire truck on the floor.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> push it
You give the fire truck a bit of a push.

The hamster seems fascinated by the miniature work desk.

> push it south
You could just take the fire truck with you.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> take it
Got the fire truck.

The hamster sniffs at the miniature shovel.

> throw it south
At what?

> chasm
Throwing the fire truck at the chasm would achieve little.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> x chasm
Dramatic.

> n
You can go northwest to the kitchen or northeast to the dining room.

The hamster paws proudly at the woolly hat.

> n
You can go northwest to the kitchen or northeast to the dining room.

The hamster takes a close look at the jigsaw puzzle piece.

> ne

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> search vase
You find nothing of interest.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink.

> look under table
You find nothing under the dining table.

Dad disappears north to the entrance hall.

The hamster sniffs at the flashlight.

> w

Kitchen
There's a kitchen counter here, with a stove, sink, and oven. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a gaping hole in the ceiling.

> e

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

The hamster takes a close look at the plastic dinosaur.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

Dad disappears west to the laundry room.

The hamster paws proudly at the woolly hat.

> w

Laundry room
The low afternoon sun shines in through a plain window. There's a washing machine and a tumble dryer along one wall, and a tall closet. Empty clotheslines are strung across the ceiling.

The basement door is to the north, and the exit is to the east.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink. “I'm sure I had it before I started vacuuming.”

> search closet
You find nothing of interest.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> n

Top of the basement stairs
You're on a narrow landing. Stairs lead down into darkness, and the exit is to the south.

There's a small wooden cupboard on one wall, and a light switch some distance above it.

> x cupboard
The small wooden cupboard is open.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> search it
You find nothing of interest.

The hamster seems fascinated by the flashlight.

> s

Laundry room
The low afternoon sun shines in through a plain window. There's a washing machine and a tumble dryer along one wall, and a tall closet. Empty clotheslines are strung across the ceiling.

The basement door is to the north, and the exit is to the east.

Dad disappears east to the entrance hall.

The hamster paws proudly at the woolly hat.

> e

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The hamster takes a close look at the small potted herb.

> w

Nolan's room
Nolan's room is a little bit smaller than yours, a fact that he likes to bring up at least twice a week. There's a desk with a computer on it, a large gaming chair, a bed underneath a window, and some shelves.

The door is to the east.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> e

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The hamster sniffs at the small potted herb.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> w

Sitting room
A green velvet sofa faces a huge wall-mounted TV. The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall.

There's an open doorway to the east.

There's a gaping hole in the floor.

Nolan sits on the sofa, deeply immersed in a game of Tetris.

The hamster seems fascinated by the mommy doll.

> x sofa
It's a long cozy sofa, covered in green velvet, with room for about four people.

Nolan is sitting on the sofa.

The hamster paws proudly at the woolly hat.

> search it
Nolan is on the sofa.

> look under it
You find nothing under the sofa.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> talk to nolan
“Hello, Nolan!”

“Tinny music plays.
Tremendous chunks of stone are
Falling towards you.”

Then, after a carefully timed pause:

“Bashō.”

You roll your eyes.

1. “About that candlestick...”
2. “Good luck with the game!”

> 1
“About that candlestick...”

“Look, I'm not going to tell you where it is. It's my secret, okay? And I keep my secrets bottled up.”

1. “About that candlestick...”
2. “Good luck with the game!”

> 1
“About that candlestick...”

“I'm not going to tell you where I keep it, Emma. Loose lips sink ships.”

1. “About that candlestick...”
2. “Good luck with the game!”

> 1
“About that candlestick...”

“Look, I'm not going to tell you where it is. It's my secret, okay? And I keep my secrets bottled up.”

1. “About that candlestick...”
2. “Good luck with the game!”

> 2
“Good luck with the game!”

Nolan keeps his eyes on the TV.

Sitting room
A green velvet sofa faces a huge wall-mounted TV. The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall.

There's an open doorway to the east.

There's a gaping hole in the floor.

Nolan sits on the sofa, deeply immersed in a game of Tetris.

> e

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

The hamster studies the mommy doll.

> i
You have:
    a fire truck
    a hamster (wearing a woolly hat)
    a plastic dinosaur
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a miniature shovel
    a mommy doll
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A little vanity is on the floor.

A rolling chair is here, with a large musical mechanism on it.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster seems fascinated by the jigsaw puzzle piece.

> put mommy in upper right
You put the mommy doll in the upper right room.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The hamster takes a close look at the jigsaw puzzle piece.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

Mom taps on her phone.

The hamster paws proudly at the woolly hat.

> talk to mom
“Hi Mom!”

Mom doesn't appear to notice you.

1. “When do you have time?”
2. “See you Mom!”

> 1
“When do you have time?”

“And that's exactly why we chose the premium option.” Mom is on the phone again.

1. “When do you have time?”
2. “See you Mom!”

> 2
“See you Mom!”

“Mhmmm.”

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

“I know it's Sunday afternoon.” Mom is talking on the phone.

The hamster studies the jigsaw puzzle piece.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A little vanity is on the floor.

A rolling chair is here, with a large musical mechanism on it.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster sniffs at the blanket.

> take mommy
Got the mommy doll.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> x street
Through the window you can see the main street below, devoid of people on this lazy Sunday afternoon.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster studies the small potted herb.

> x house
The dollhouse has four separate rooms, a wooden plaque on the front, and a small hatch at the back. There's also a large hole in the plywood between the upper left and lower left rooms.

In the sitting room (upper left) are a cute little sofa and a TV (Dad's phone). A teenager doll is sitting on the sofa.

In the striped room (upper right) is an impossible bottle.

In the kitchen (lower left) are a miniature kitchen counter and a miniature refrigerator.

In the dining room (lower right) are six miniature wooden chairs and a miniature dining table.

A faint hum fills the room.

> put truck in hatch
The fire truck is too large for the battery compartment.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster seems fascinated by the pillow.

> enter hatch
It's not possible to get into the battery compartment.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> take plaque
That's part of the dollhouse.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster studies the miniature shovel.

> l

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A little vanity is on the floor.

A rolling chair is here, with a large musical mechanism on it.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> x house
The dollhouse has four separate rooms, a wooden plaque on the front, and a small hatch at the back. There's also a large hole in the plywood between the upper left and lower left rooms.

In the sitting room (upper left) are a cute little sofa and a TV (Dad's phone). A teenager doll is sitting on the sofa.

In the striped room (upper right) is an impossible bottle.

In the kitchen (lower left) are a miniature kitchen counter and a miniature refrigerator.

In the dining room (lower right) are six miniature wooden chairs and a miniature dining table.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster sniffs at the plastic dinosaur.

> goals
Your current goals are:

• Find Dad's cufflink.
• Put a candlestick on the table. Nolan might have hidden it.
• Put some blue flowers in the vase on the table.

Dad has a to-do list of his own, on the fridge.

> i
You have:
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a hamster (wearing a woolly hat)
    a plastic dinosaur
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a jigsaw puzzle piece
    a miniature shovel
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> x shovel
A wooden handle about as long as your hand, with a flat metallic bit at the end.

A faint hum fills the room.

> x  piece
It's a small wooden puzzle piece, cut along the contours of a lizard viewed from above.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster studies the flashlight.

> put piece in hole
The jigsaw puzzle piece is way smaller than the hole.

A faint hum fills the room.

> put piece in upper right
You put the jigsaw puzzle piece in the upper right room.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster sniffs at the miniature bookshelf.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

In this room is an enlarged puzzle piece.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

The hamster studies the flashlight.

> take piece
Got the enlarged puzzle piece.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink. “I'm sure I had it before I started vacuuming.”

The hamster paws proudly at the woolly hat.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A little vanity is on the floor.

A rolling chair is here, with a large musical mechanism on it.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster takes a close look at the doll-sized wardrobe.

> put piece in hole
The enlarged puzzle piece fits the hole perfectly, and the floor is as good as new.

A faint hum fills the room.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad disappears south to the room with striped wallpaper.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink.

> w

Sitting room
A green velvet sofa faces a huge wall-mounted TV. The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall.

There's an open doorway to the east.

Nolan sits on the sofa, deeply immersed in a game of Tetris.

The hamster seems fascinated by the small potted herb.

> x floor
With its timeless utilitarian design, the floor acts as a versatile platform for many activities.

Dad enters from the east.

> e

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

The hamster takes a close look at the miniature double bed.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

The hamster sniffs at the fire truck.

> s

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> w

Kitchen
There's a kitchen counter here, with a stove, sink, and oven. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

> x fridge
The fridge is beige and tall and makes a comforting sound. On its closed door is a list.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> open it
You open the refrigerator, revealing a half-eaten birthday cake.

The hamster seems fascinated by the miniature double bed.

> x cake
A half-eaten cake on a plate. It looks delicious!

> search it
You find nothing of interest.

The hamster paws proudly at the woolly hat.

> take it
Not between meals. Remember, you have two adult teeth.

The hamster sniffs at the miniature double bed.

> close it
The half-eaten birthday cake can't be closed.

> close fridge
You close the refrigerator.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> i
You have:
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a hamster (wearing a woolly hat)
    a plastic dinosaur
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a miniature shovel
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> l

Kitchen
There's a kitchen counter here, with a stove, sink, and oven. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

The hamster studies the doll-sized wardrobe.

> s
You step down from the floor.

Smooth surface
You're on a large, strangely smooth surface that appears to end abruptly with sharp edges to the west, east, and south, suggesting sheer drops into some unknown chasm. A kitchen is visible to the northwest, and a dining room to the northeast.

> w
You'd fall and hurt yourself and probably die.

The hamster sniffs at the plastic dinosaur.

> nw

Kitchen
There's a kitchen counter here, with a stove, sink, and oven. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

> e

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

Dad enters from the north.

The hamster takes a close look at the miniature shovel.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> n
(first attempting to open the bathroom door)
You open the bathroom door.

Bathroom
Grey plastic floor, tiled walls. A blurry window high up on the eastern wall. There's a toilet, a sink underneath a mirror, and a shower. The exit is south.

The hamster sniffs at the blanket.

> climb toilet
You get onto the toilet.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> l

Bathroom (on the toilet)
Grey plastic floor, tiled walls. A blurry window high up on the eastern wall. There's a toilet, a sink underneath a mirror, and a shower. The exit is south.

The hamster seems fascinated by the miniature bookshelf.

> x window
Light gets in, but you can't see what's on the other side.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> open it
You can't reach the blurry window.

> climb window
You can't reach the blurry window.

> climb sink
You're not allowed to climb the sink.

> x mirror
You are Emma, six years old. You're wearing a pretty dress, white leggings, and a light blue ribbon in your hair.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> d
You get off the toilet.

The hamster sniffs at the doll-sized wardrobe.

> s

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

You close the bathroom door behind you.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The hamster seems fascinated by the miniature shovel.

> w

Nolan's room
Nolan's room is a little bit smaller than yours, a fact that he likes to bring up at least twice a week. There's a desk with a computer on it, a large gaming chair, a bed underneath a window, and some shelves.

The door is to the east.

> push chair east
It's the cheaper model, without wheels.

The hamster studies the plastic dinosaur.

> push bed
You apply a bit of force to the bed, but it doesn't budge.

The hamster paws proudly at the woolly hat.

> move it
You apply a bit of force to the bed, but it doesn't budge.

The hamster takes a close look at the small potted herb.

> move chair
It's the cheaper model, without wheels.

> e

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> w

Nolan's room
Nolan's room is a little bit smaller than yours, a fact that he likes to bring up at least twice a week. There's a desk with a computer on it, a large gaming chair, a bed underneath a window, and some shelves.

The door is to the east.

The hamster studies the blanket.

> close door
You close the door.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> x door
The door is currently closed.

> open it
You open the door.

The hamster sniffs at the miniature work desk.

> e

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

The hamster takes a close look at the pillow.

> w

Sitting room
A green velvet sofa faces a huge wall-mounted TV. The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall.

There's an open doorway to the east.

Nolan sits on the sofa, deeply immersed in a game of Tetris.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> close door
(I only understood you as far as wanting to close something.)

> e

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

The hamster sniffs at the miniature work desk.

> close door
(I only understood you as far as wanting to close something.)

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A little vanity is on the floor.

A rolling chair is here, with a large musical mechanism on it.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> close door
You close the door.

A faint hum fills the room.

> x door
The door is currently closed.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> open it
You open the door.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster takes a close look at the small potted herb.

> l

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A little vanity is on the floor.

A rolling chair is here, with a large musical mechanism on it.

A faint hum fills the room.

> push chair s
You push the rolling chair south.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

A rolling chair is here, with a large musical mechanism on it.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink. “I'm sure I had it before I started vacuuming.”

The hamster seems fascinated by the blanket.

> push chair s
You push the rolling chair south.

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A rolling chair is here, with a large musical mechanism on it.

Open doorways lead west and north.

There's also an oversized impossible bottle here.

Dad enters from the north.

The hamster scratches its nose.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A little vanity is on the floor.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster sniffs at the doll-sized wardrobe.

> take box
Got the music box.

A faint hum fills the room.

> take rolling
Got the little rolling chair.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster seems fascinated by the little rolling chair.

> i
You have:
    a little rolling chair
    a music box
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a hamster (wearing a woolly hat)
    a plastic dinosaur
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a miniature shovel
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> take hat
Got the hamster-sized woolly hat.

A faint hum fills the room.

> x it
A black hamster-sized woolly hat, with “ROCK'N'ROLL” in white letters across the front.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster scratches its ears.

> look inside it
The hamster-sized woolly hat can't contain things.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster takes a close look at the doll-sized wardrobe.

> put it on hamster
You carefully push the hamster-sized woolly hat down over the ears of the hamster. So cute!

A faint hum fills the room.

> l

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A little vanity is on the floor.

A faint hum fills the room.

The hamster sniffs at the miniature shovel.

> sing
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
Early in the morning.

Your words are amplified by the speaker and seem to come from everywhere.

> turn off speaker
You switch the karaoke speaker off.

The hamster seems fascinated by the miniature work desk.

> l

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A little vanity is on the floor.

The hamster seems fascinated by the woolly hat.

> sing
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago.

The hamster takes a close look at the plastic dinosaur.

> put hamster in upper right
You put the hamster in the upper right room.

The hamster paws proudly at the woolly hat.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

Nibbles is here.

Dad disappears west to the sitting room.

> take nibbles
Got Nibbles.

> put nibbles in bottle
You'd never be able to get him out again.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A little vanity is on the floor.

> jump
You hop, skip, and jump.

> enter upper right
It's not possible to get into the upper right room.

> x doll
Did you want to examine the daddy doll, the mommy doll, or the teenager doll?

> house
The dollhouse has four separate rooms, a wooden plaque on the front, and a small hatch at the back.

In the sitting room (upper left) are a cute little sofa and a TV (Dad's phone). There's also a daddy doll. A teenager doll is sitting on the sofa.

In the striped room (upper right) is an impossible bottle.

In the kitchen (lower left) are a miniature kitchen counter and a miniature refrigerator.

In the dining room (lower right) are six miniature wooden chairs and a miniature dining table.

> break bottle
You'd only cut yourself on the glass.

> look inside it
In the bottle is a miniature of an old ship.

> take ship
Got the impossible bottle.

> put it in upper right
You put the impossible bottle in the upper right room.

> search bottle
You reach into the bottle with a few fingers, but the ship is too far in.

> i
You have:
    Nibbles (wearing a woolly hat)
    a little rolling chair
    a music box
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a plastic dinosaur
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a miniature shovel
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> save
Game state saved successfully.

> goals
Your current goals are:

• Find Dad's cufflink.
• Put a candlestick on the table. Nolan might have hidden it.
• Put some blue flowers in the vase on the table.

Dad has a to-do list of his own, on the fridge.

> go to kitchen
(I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.)

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> e
The front door is closed. Besides, you're not allowed to go out.

> w

Laundry room
The low afternoon sun shines in through a plain window. There's a washing machine and a tumble dryer along one wall, and a tall closet. Empty clotheslines are strung across the ceiling.

The basement door is to the north, and the exit is to the east.

> e

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> s

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

> w

Kitchen
There's a kitchen counter here, with a stove, sink, and oven. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

> x list
A list of everything Dad needs to do before the Taylors arrive.

[X] Cook
[X] Vacuum
[ ] Set table
[ ] Shower & get dressed

> n
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

> e

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

> look insida vase
(I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.)

> look inside vase
The tin vase is empty.

> x stove
(I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.)

> x sink
(I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.)

> s
You step down from the floor.

Smooth surface
You're on a large, strangely smooth surface that appears to end abruptly with sharp edges to the west, east, and south, suggesting sheer drops into some unknown chasm. A kitchen is visible to the northwest, and a dining room to the northeast.

> x sink
(I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.)

> n
You can go northwest to the kitchen or northeast to the dining room.

> w
You'd fall and hurt yourself and probably die. Perhaps you could arrange a safer way down.

> nw

Kitchen
There's a kitchen counter here, with a stove, sink, and oven. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

> x sink
It's an ordinary sink with a tap.

> x tap
Tappidy-tap. It's off.

> take it
That's part of the sink.

Dad enters from the east.

> turn it on
Water splashes into the sink.

Dad turns off the tap.

> talk to dad
“Hey Dad!”

“Hey Emma! Did you find my cufflink?” Dad seems to be in a hurry.

1. “When are the Taylors coming again?”
2. “What should I get for the table, again?”
3. “See you around, Dad.”

> 3
“See you around, Dad.”

“See you!” Dad looks a little tired.

Kitchen
There's a kitchen counter here, with a stove, sink, and oven. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink.

> x sink
It's an ordinary sink with a tap.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink.

> look inside it
The sink can't contain things.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink. “I'm sure I had it before I started vacuuming.”

> search isnk
(I only understood you as far as wanting to search something.)

> search sink
A water is in the sink.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink.

> z
A moment slips away.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink.

> z
A moment slips away.

Dad disappears east to the dining room.

> turn on tap
Water splashes into the sink.

> search sink
A water is in the sink.

> x water
The water is coming out of the tap.

> i
You have:
    Nibbles (wearing a woolly hat)
    a little rolling chair
    a music box
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a plastic dinosaur
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a miniature shovel
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> put pillow in sink
You can't put things in the sink.

> drink water
You take a sip from the water.

> x hat
A black woolly hat, with “ROCK'N'ROLL” in white letters across the front.

> take it
Got the woolly hat.

> fill it with water
(I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.)

> fill hat with water
(I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.)

> verbs
The following verbs will get you through the game. It's not an exhaustive list, and you should feel free to type anything that comes into your mind.

l/look
i/inventory
x/examine something (or just the name of the thing, without verb)
go direction (or just the direction, e.g. north or n, without verb)
talk to someone
take/drop something
put something in/on/by something
get in/on/under something
open/close something
push something
push something direction
turn something
turn something on/off
throw something at something
extend/retract something

The directions are: n, s, e, w, ne, nw, se, sw, up, down, in, out

> put truck in water
You can't put things in the water.

> put water in truck
You're not holding the water.

> take water
It runs through your fingers.

> i
You have:
    a woolly hat
    Nibbles
    a little rolling chair
    a music box
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a plastic dinosaur
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a miniature shovel
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> x bookshelf
It's full of tiny books.

> x pillow
Soft and fluffy. It's supposed to be on your bed.

> i
You have:
    a woolly hat
    Nibbles
    a little rolling chair
    a music box
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a plastic dinosaur
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a miniature shovel
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> l

Kitchen
There's a kitchen counter here, with a stove, sink, and oven. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

> n
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

> e

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

Dad enters from the north.

> take vase
Got the tin vase.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink. “I'm sure I had it before I started vacuuming.”

> w

Kitchen
There's a kitchen counter here, with a stove, sink, and oven. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

> fill vase
(I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.)

> put water in vase
That's not a flower.

Dad enters from the east.

> i
You have:
    a tin vase
    a woolly hat
    Nibbles
    a little rolling chair
    a music box
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a plastic dinosaur
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a miniature shovel
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> verbs
The following verbs will get you through the game. It's not an exhaustive list, and you should feel free to type anything that comes into your mind.

l/look
i/inventory
x/examine something (or just the name of the thing, without verb)
go direction (or just the direction, e.g. north or n, without verb)
talk to someone
take/drop something
put something in/on/by something
get in/on/under something
open/close something
push something
push something direction
turn something
turn something on/off
throw something at something
extend/retract something

The directions are: n, s, e, w, ne, nw, se, sw, up, down, in, out

> w
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

Dad turns off the tap.

> e

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

> put vase on table
You place the tin vase on top of the dining table.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> w

Laundry room
The low afternoon sun shines in through a plain window. There's a washing machine and a tumble dryer along one wall, and a tall closet. Empty clotheslines are strung across the ceiling.

The basement door is to the north, and the exit is to the east.

> take clotheslines
You can't reach the clotheslines.

> x closet
Just a plain white closet. It's currently closed.

> open it
You open the tall closet, revealing some cleaning equipment.

> x closet
Just a plain white closet. It's currently open, and you can see cleaning equipment inside.

> take equipment
That's fine where it is.

> e

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

Dad enters from the south.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> w

Nolan's room
Nolan's room is a little bit smaller than yours, a fact that he likes to bring up at least twice a week. There's a desk with a computer on it, a large gaming chair, a bed underneath a window, and some shelves.

The door is to the east.

> e

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

> i
You have:
    a woolly hat
    Nibbles
    a little rolling chair
    a music box
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a plastic dinosaur
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a miniature shovel
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> put hat in bottle
You'd never be able to get it out again.

> put nibbles in bottle
You'd never be able to get him out again.

> put chair in bottle
You'd never be able to get it out again.

> put box in bottle
You'd never be able to get it out again.

> put truck in bottle
You'd never be able to get it out again.

> put dino in bottle
You'd never be able to get it out again.

> put wardrobe in bottle
You'd never be able to get it out again.

> put desk in bottle
You'd never be able to get it out again.

> put shelf in bottle
You'd never be able to get it out again.

> put herb in bottle
You'd never be able to get it out again.

> put blanket in bottle
You'd never be able to get it out again.

> i
You have:
    a woolly hat
    Nibbles
    a little rolling chair
    a music box
    a mommy doll
    a fire truck
    a plastic dinosaur
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a miniature shovel
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> put shovel in bottle
You'd never be able to get it out again.

> put bed in bottle
You'd never be able to get it out again.

> put piillow in bottle
(I only understood you as far as wanting to put something in the oversized impossible bottle.)

> put pillow in bottle
You'd never be able to get it out again.

> put flashlight in botle
(I only understood you as far as wanting to put the flashlight in something.)

> put flashlight in bottle
You'd never be able to get it out again.

> enter bottle
There just might be enough room for you inside the bottle, but you are too large to squeeze through the bottleneck. If only you were smaller.

> x me
You are Emma, six years old. You're wearing a pretty dress, white leggings, and a light blue ribbon in your hair.

> goals
Your current goals are:

• Find Dad's cufflink.
• Put a candlestick on the table. Nolan might have hidden it.
• Put some blue flowers in the vase on the table.

Dad has a to-do list of his own, on the fridge.

> get in bottle
There just might be enough room for you inside the bottle, but you are too large to squeeze through the bottleneck. If only you were smaller.

> get on bottle
You try, but slide off.

> get under bottle
There's no room for you under the oversized impossible bottle.

> l

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

> w

Sitting room
A green velvet sofa faces a huge wall-mounted TV. The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall.

There's an open doorway to the east.

Nolan sits on the sofa, deeply immersed in a game of Tetris.

> get under sofa
There's no room for you under the sofa.

> get on sofa
You get onto the sofa.

> u
You get off the sofa.

> e

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

Dad enters from the north.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A little vanity is on the floor.

> take dad's phone
Got the TV (Dad's phone).

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

Dad disappears west to the sitting room.

> w

Sitting room
The green velvet sofa looks as inviting as ever. The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall.

There's an open doorway to the east.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink.

> e

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> w
Knock, knock.

“What?”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “About that candlestick...”
3. “How come you're not playing Tetris anymore?”
4. “Have you ever felt an urge to go and play video games in some other room?”
5. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 3
“How come you're not playing Tetris anymore?”

“Because I'm super clever, Emma! Listen. I kept getting Tetris pieces that were flipped the wrong way, and it was infuriating. But then I thought: Maybe the pieces are good, and it's the board that's reversed. And then I suddenly realized how I would be able to attach the gnomon to the sundial, and...”

“...and then you found a way to stop the atomic arms-race and save the world forever?” you tease.

“Oh, shut up. I'm still stuck on all the other puzzles.”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “About that candlestick...”
3. “Have you ever felt an urge to go and play video games in some other room?”
4. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 1
“What are you up to?”

Nolan makes an annoyed noise. “I have to figure out a way to get a coconut from a dolphin. Go away, Emma.”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “About that candlestick...”
3. “Have you ever felt an urge to go and play video games in some other room?”
4. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 1
“What are you up to?”

Nolan seems upset. “I'm trying to transport an icicle but it keeps melting. Look, I'm busy.”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “About that candlestick...”
3. “Have you ever felt an urge to go and play video games in some other room?”
4. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 1
“What are you up to?”

Nolan sighs. “I have to figure out a way to get a coconut from a dolphin. Will you leave me alone, Em?”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “About that candlestick...”
3. “Have you ever felt an urge to go and play video games in some other room?”
4. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 2
“About that candlestick...”

“I'm not going to tell you where I keep it, Emma. Loose lips sink ships.”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “About that candlestick...”
3. “Have you ever felt an urge to go and play video games in some other room?”
4. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 3
“Have you ever felt an urge to go and play video games in some other room?”

“Like, where? We don't even have a TV, Emma.”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “About that candlestick...”
3. “Have you ever felt an urge to go and play video games in some other room?”
4. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 4
“See you around, Nolan!”

“Whatever, Em.”

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> call mom
You call Mom on Dad's phone and get a busy tone.

> play tetris
Dad's phone is already on. “Tetris” it says on the screen, and “Game over”. You don't feel like playing again.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A little vanity is on the floor.

> take vanity
Got the little vanity.

> take chest
The toy chest is way too big for you to move.

> get in chest
You get into the toy chest.

> close it
You close the toy chest.

> l

In the dark
You are surrounded by darkness.

> u
(first attempting to get out of the toy chest)
(first attempting to open the toy chest)
You open the toy chest.

You get out of the toy chest.

There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

> get under bed
There's no room for you under your bed.

> get in bed
You get onto your bed.

> u
You get off your bed.

> get in doll house
What if you're already in it?

> get on doll house
You're not allowed to climb the dollhouse.

> x doll house
The dollhouse has four separate rooms, a wooden plaque on the front, and a small hatch at the back.

In the sitting room (upper left) is a cute little sofa.

In the striped room (upper right) is an impossible bottle. There's also a daddy doll.

In the kitchen (lower left) are a miniature kitchen counter and a miniature refrigerator.

In the dining room (lower right) are six miniature wooden chairs and a miniature dining table.

> put mommy in upper right
You put the mommy doll in the upper right room.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad enters from the south.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

Mom presses her fingers against her temples.

> talk to mom
“Hi Mom!”

There is no answer.

1. “When do you have time?”
2. “See you Mom!”

> 1
“When do you have time?”

“Soon, honey.” Mom looks intently at her phone.

1. “When do you have time?”
2. “See you Mom!”

> 2
“See you Mom!”

“Huh? Yes. Yes, of course.”

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

Mom frowns.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad disappears down to the entrance hall.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

> x house
The dollhouse has four separate rooms, a wooden plaque on the front, and a small hatch at the back.

In the sitting room (upper left) is a cute little sofa.

In the striped room (upper right) is an impossible bottle. There's also a mommy doll.

In the kitchen (lower left) are a miniature kitchen counter and a miniature refrigerator.

In the dining room (lower right) are six miniature wooden chairs and a miniature dining table.

> i
You have:
    a little vanity
    Dad's phone
    a woolly hat
    Nibbles
    a little rolling chair
    a music box
    a fire truck
    a plastic dinosaur
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a miniature shovel
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> put hat in upper right
You put the woolly hat in the upper right room.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

In this room is an oversized woolly hat.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

Mom fiddles with her phone.

> x hat
A woolly hat, size of a small tent, with “ROCK'N'ROLL” in white letters across the front.

Mom makes another phone call.

> take it
The oversized woolly hat is way too big for you to move.

“But that's clearly outlined in the terms of service.” Mom is on the phone again.

> enter it
You'd get lost in the folds.

Mom presses her fingers against her temples.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

> i
You have:
    a little vanity
    Dad's phone
    Nibbles
    a little rolling chair
    a music box
    a fire truck
    a plastic dinosaur
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a miniature shovel
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> put nibbles in upper right
Nibbles is too large for the upper right room.

> take hat
Got the woolly hat.

> put nibbles in upper right
Nibbles is too large for the upper right room.

> save
Game state saved successfully.

> put dino in upper right
Oh, no you don't. It has caused enough havoc for one day. Maybe tomorrow.

> put hat on bottle
The woolly hat is too large for the bottle.

> x hat
A black woolly hat, with “ROCK'N'ROLL” in white letters across the front.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> s

Room with striped wallpaper
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. Open doorways lead west and north.

There's an oversized impossible bottle here.

Mom frowns.

> put hat on bottle
You place the woolly hat on top of the oversized impossible bottle. The woolly hat falls off.

Mom looks intently at her phone.

> take it
Got the woolly hat.

Mom taps on her phone.

> drop it
You place the woolly hat on the floor.

“I know these are extraordinary times.” Mom is talking on the phone.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the room with striped wallpaper is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

> take hat
Got the hamster-sized woolly hat.

> put it on bottle
The hamster-sized woolly hat is too large for the bottle.

> i
You have:
    a hamster-sized woolly hat
    a little vanity
    Dad's phone
    Nibbles
    a little rolling chair
    a music box
    a fire truck
    a plastic dinosaur
    a doll-sized wardrobe
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a miniature shovel
    a miniature double bed
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> x house
The dollhouse has four separate rooms, a wooden plaque on the front, and a small hatch at the back.

In the sitting room (upper left) is a cute little sofa.

In the striped room (upper right) is an impossible bottle. There's also a mommy doll.

In the kitchen (lower left) are a miniature kitchen counter and a miniature refrigerator.

In the dining room (lower right) are six miniature wooden chairs and a miniature dining table. There's also a daddy doll.

> put sofa in lower right
(first attempting to take the cute little sofa)
Got the cute little sofa.

There's no room for the cute little sofa in the lower right room when all those other things are already there.

> take daddy
Got the daddy doll.

> put sofa in lower right
You put the cute little sofa in the lower right room.

> x daddy
The daddy doll is wearing brown trousers, a light blue shirt, and a white apron. He has shiny black hair.

> take apron
You're already holding the daddy doll.

> put bed in upper left
You put the miniature double bed in the upper left room.

> put wardrobe in upper left
You put the doll-sized wardrobe in the upper left room.

> i
You have:
    a daddy doll
    a hamster-sized woolly hat
    a little vanity
    Dad's phone
    Nibbles
    a little rolling chair
    a music box
    a fire truck
    a plastic dinosaur
    a miniature work desk (with a miniature laptop computer on it)
    a miniature bookshelf
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a miniature shovel
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> put desk in lower right
There's no room for the miniature work desk in the lower right room when all those other things are already there.

> x house
The dollhouse has four separate rooms, a wooden plaque on the front, and a small hatch at the back.

In the master bedroom (upper left) are a doll-sized wardrobe and a miniature double bed.

In the striped room (upper right) is an impossible bottle. There's also a mommy doll.

In the kitchen (lower left) are a miniature kitchen counter and a miniature refrigerator.

In the sitting room (lower right) are a cute little sofa, six miniature wooden chairs, and a miniature dining table.

> put desk in upper right
You put the miniature work desk in the upper right room.

> put rolling in upper right
You put the little rolling chair in the upper right room.

> put shelf in upper right
You put the miniature bookshelf in the upper right room.

> i
You have:
    a daddy doll
    a hamster-sized woolly hat
    a little vanity
    Dad's phone
    Nibbles
    a music box
    a fire truck
    a plastic dinosaur
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a miniature shovel
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> put vanity in upper right
You put the little vanity in the upper right room.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> s

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A vanity and a bookshelf stand on either side of the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk, with Mom on a rolling chair next to it.

Open doorways lead west and north.

There's also an oversized impossible bottle here.

“I know it's Sunday afternoon.” Mom is on the phone again.

> x vanity
It's old and worn and painted white, and there's a mirror and a drawer.

Mom fiddles with her phone.

> search it
You find nothing of interest.

Mom looks intently at her phone.

> open drawer
The drawer is already open.

Mom taps on her phone.

> x it
It's open and there's some makeup inside.

“No, I double-checked.” Mom is talking on the phone. Probably work related.

> search it
Mom's makeup is in the drawer.

Mom fiddles with her phone.

> search bottle
Putting your arm through the opening, you can almost reach the ship inside. If only the bottle were a bit larger still.

Mom frowns.

You kind of miss having Dad around.

> talk to mom
“Hi Mom!”

“I don't have time right now, Emma.” Mom looks intently at her phone.

1. “When do you have time?”
2. “See you Mom!”

> 2
“See you Mom!”

Mom looks intently at her phone.

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A vanity and a bookshelf stand on either side of the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk, with Mom on a rolling chair next to it.

Open doorways lead west and north.

There's also an oversized impossible bottle here.

Mom frowns.

> extend ladder
Now the ladder is all the way out.

Mom taps on her phone.

> put ladder in bottle
You'd never be able to get it out again.

“Yes. No. Yes, yes. Twice.” Mom is on the phone.

> take ladder
That's part of the fire truck.

Mom looks intently at her phone.

> n
It's cumbersome to carry the fire truck with the ladder out, so you retract it first.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

> put bottle in rolling
(first attempting to take the impossible bottle)
Got the impossible bottle.

There's no room for the impossible bottle on the little rolling chair when the mommy doll is already there.

> take mommy
Got the mommy doll.

> put bottle in rolling
You place the impossible bottle on top of the little rolling chair.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

It's been some time since you saw Dad around the house.

> s

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A vanity and a bookshelf stand on either side of the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk, with an oversized impossible bottle on a rolling chair next to it.

Open doorways lead west and north.

> push rolling north
You push the rolling chair north.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

A rolling chair is here, with an oversized impossible bottle on it.

> push rolling north
You push the rolling chair north.

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A rolling chair is here, with an oversized impossible bottle on it.

> put bottle in house
You're not holding the oversized impossible bottle.

> take bottle
The oversized impossible bottle is way too big for you to move.

> push bottle
You apply a bit of force to the oversized impossible bottle, but it doesn't budge.

> put rolling by house
Did you want to put the rolling chair next to the dollhouse or the windows of the dollhouse?

> windows
You're not holding the rolling chair.

> put rolling next to the dollhouse
Did you want to put the rolling chair next to the dollhouse or the windows of the dollhouse?

> yes
(In this story, you can simply “talk to” characters.)

> put rolling next to the dollhouse
Did you want to put the rolling chair next to the dollhouse or the windows of the dollhouse?

> dollhouse
You're not holding the rolling chair.

> push rolling
In what direction?

> w
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

> put truck next to the dollhouse
Only a small part of the table extends in front of the dollhouse, and there's no room for the fire truck up there.

> push house
No, it might fall down and break.

> x table
Did you want to examine the miniature dining table or the white table?

> white
It's a smooth white table, waist-high and almost exactly as wide as the dollhouse on top. The table top extends a bit in front of the house.

> x top
It's a smooth white table, waist-high and almost exactly as wide as the dollhouse on top. The table top extends a bit in front of the house.

> i
You have:
    a mommy doll
    a daddy doll
    a hamster-sized woolly hat
    Dad's phone
    Nibbles
    a music box
    a fire truck
    a plastic dinosaur
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a miniature shovel
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> put truck on top
Only a small part of the table extends in front of the dollhouse, and there's no room for the fire truck up there.

> put shovel on top
You place the miniature shovel on top of the white table.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> s

Sitting room
The green velvet sofa looks as inviting as ever. Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street.

Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

> s
You step down from the floor.

Smooth surface
You're on a large, strangely smooth surface that appears to end abruptly with sharp edges to the west, east, and south, suggesting sheer drops into some unknown chasm. A kitchen is visible to the northwest, and a sitting room to the northeast.

A shovel is here, looking oddly out of place.

> n
You can go northwest to the kitchen or northeast to the sitting room.

> ne

Sitting room
The green velvet sofa looks as inviting as ever. Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street.

Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

> w

Kitchen
There's a kitchen counter here, with a stove, sink, and oven. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

> e

Sitting room
The green velvet sofa looks as inviting as ever. Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street.

Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A rolling chair is here, with an oversized impossible bottle on it.

> put rolling by top
Did you want to put the rolling chair next to the white table, the study (upper right), the master bedroom (upper left), or the mommy doll?

> white
You're not holding the rolling chair.

> put truck on bottle
The fire truck is too large for the oversized impossible bottle.

> i
You have:
    a mommy doll
    a daddy doll
    a hamster-sized woolly hat
    Dad's phone
    Nibbles
    a music box
    a fire truck
    a plastic dinosaur
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> put dino on top
You place the plastic dinosaur on top of the white table.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

It's been some time since you saw Dad around the house.

> s

Sitting room
The green velvet sofa looks as inviting as ever. Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street.

Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

> s
You step down from the floor.

Smooth surface
You're on a large, strangely smooth surface that appears to end abruptly with sharp edges to the west, east, and south, suggesting sheer drops into some unknown chasm. A kitchen is visible to the northwest, and a sitting room to the northeast.

A shovel and a sleeping stegosaurus are here, looking oddly out of place.

> pet dino
“Gronk! Gah-honk!” The stegosaurus is overjoyed.

> ne

Sitting room
The green velvet sofa looks as inviting as ever. Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street.

Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A rolling chair is here, with an oversized impossible bottle on it.

> push table
Did you want to push the miniature dining table or the white table?

> white
You apply a bit of force to the white table, but it doesn't budge.

> pull it
You yank at the white table, but it won't budge.

> extend it
You don't know how to extend the white table.

> i
You have:
    a mommy doll
    a daddy doll
    a hamster-sized woolly hat
    Dad's phone
    Nibbles
    a music box
    a fire truck
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a pillow
    a flashlight

> move
(I only understood you as far as wanting to push something.)

> push rolling to top
(I only understood you as far as wanting to push something.)

> push rolling
In what direction?

> push rolling towards white
(I only understood you as far as wanting to push something.)

> push rolling towards white
(I only understood you as far as wanting to push something.)

> push rolling to white
(I only understood you as far as wanting to push something.)

> push rolling by white
(I only understood you as far as wanting to push something.)

> push rolling by top
(I only understood you as far as wanting to push something.)

> x rolling
Mom's working chair can spin and roll across the floor. An oversized impossible bottle is on it.

> turn it
You spin the rolling chair with the oversized impossible bottle on top.

> enter top
It's not possible to get into the white table.

> get in top
It's not possible to get into the white table.

> get on top
The dollhouse is already covering most of the surface.

> get by top
(I only understood you as far as wanting to take something.)

> get under table
Did you want to get under the miniature dining table or the white table?

> white
There's no room for you under the white table.

> push rolling
In what direction?

> x house
The dollhouse has four separate rooms, a wooden plaque on the front, and a small hatch at the back.

In the master bedroom (upper left) are a doll-sized wardrobe and a miniature double bed.

In the study (upper right) are a little vanity, a miniature bookshelf, and a miniature work desk.

In the kitchen (lower left) are a miniature kitchen counter and a miniature refrigerator.

In the sitting room (lower right) are a cute little sofa, six miniature wooden chairs, and a miniature dining table.

> push chest
You apply a bit of force to the toy chest, but it doesn't budge.

> push bed
You apply a bit of force to your bed, but it doesn't budge.

> push house
No, it might fall down and break.

> l

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A rolling chair is here, with an oversized impossible bottle on it.

> x top
It's a smooth white table, waist-high and almost exactly as wide as the dollhouse on top. The table top extends a bit in front of the house. On that part of the table are a plastic dinosaur and a miniature shovel.

> put truck on floor
You place the fire truck on the floor in front of the white table.

> extend ladder
Now the ladder is all the way out, reaching the edge of the white table. You remember when that ladder used to be taller than you.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

You kind of miss having Dad around.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> s

Sitting room
The green velvet sofa looks as inviting as ever. Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street.

Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

> s
You step down from the floor.

Smooth surface
You're on a large, strangely smooth surface that appears to end abruptly with sharp edges to the west, east, and south, suggesting sheer drops into some unknown chasm. A kitchen is visible to the northwest, and a sitting room to the northeast.

By the south edge is the top of a ladder.

A shovel and a sleeping stegosaurus are here, looking oddly out of place.

> d
You climb down the ladder and step onto the floor.

Your room
The floor of a vast room extends in all directions. A huge bed looms far away in one corner, and a gigantic toy chest is visible in another. Above, you can see the enormous underbelly of a table.

You can just about make out a doorframe far to the south. A ladder leads up.

In addition you see a huge microphone stand, a very large rolling chair, and a huge karaoke speaker.

A big fire truck is parked here, ladder extended.

> enter bottle
You walk a few steps towards the rolling chair, but quickly reconsider. There must be a smarter way to cross these vast distances.

> enter truck
You hop into the fire truck.

> s
After pushing a button to retract the ladder, you drive the fire truck south.

Landing (in the fire truck)
A vast floor spreads out in all directions. In the middle, a gaping hole leads to a series of platforms, half surrounded by sparse columns that connect in the form of a gigantic railing high above you. There are doors in the far distance to the north and west, and an open doorway to the south.

> n
You drive the fire truck north.

Your room (in the fire truck)
You're inside a fire truck in a vast room. A huge bed looms far away in one corner, and a gigantic toy chest is visible in another. Above, you can see the enormous underbelly of a table.

You can just about make out a doorframe far to the south.

In addition you see a huge microphone stand, a very large rolling chair, and a huge karaoke speaker.

> out
You get out of the fire truck.

> extend ladder
Now the ladder is all the way out.

> u
You hop into the fire truck, retract the ladder, and drive over to the table.

You push a button to extend the ladder again and climb back on top of the table.

Smooth surface
You're on a large, strangely smooth surface that appears to end abruptly with sharp edges to the west, east, and south, suggesting sheer drops into some unknown chasm. A kitchen is visible to the northwest, and a sitting room to the northeast.

By the south edge is the top of a ladder.

A shovel and a sleeping stegosaurus are here, looking oddly out of place.

> ne

Sitting room
The green velvet sofa looks as inviting as ever. Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street.

Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table. A fire truck is parked nearby.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A rolling chair is here, with an oversized impossible bottle on it.

> pull rolling s
(I only understood you as far as wanting to pull something.)

> push rolling s
You push the rolling chair south.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

A rolling chair is here, with an oversized impossible bottle on it.

> push rolling s
You push the rolling chair south.

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A vanity and a bookshelf stand on either side of the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk, with an oversized impossible bottle on a rolling chair next to it.

Open doorways lead west and north.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table. A fire truck is parked nearby.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

> take bottle
Got the impossible bottle.

> put bottle in upper right
You put the impossible bottle in the upper right room.

> x truck
Parked just in front of the table, your beloved fire truck is about the size of a house cat, and bright red. It has a ladder that you can extend and retract, and a little steering wheel that actually works.

Right now the ladder is extended.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> s

Sitting room
The green velvet sofa looks as inviting as ever. Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street.

Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

> s
You step down from the floor.

Smooth surface
You're on a large, strangely smooth surface that appears to end abruptly with sharp edges to the west, east, and south, suggesting sheer drops into some unknown chasm. A kitchen is visible to the northwest, and a sitting room to the northeast.

By the south edge is the top of a ladder.

A shovel and a sleeping stegosaurus are here, looking oddly out of place.

> d
You climb down the ladder and step onto the floor.

Your room
The floor of a vast room extends in all directions. A huge bed looms far away in one corner, and a gigantic toy chest is visible in another. Above, you can see the enormous underbelly of a table.

You can just about make out a doorframe far to the south. A ladder leads up.

In addition you see a huge microphone stand and a huge karaoke speaker.

A big fire truck is parked here, ladder extended.

> enter truck
You hop into the fire truck.

> s
After retracting the ladder, you drive the fire truck south.

Landing (in the fire truck)
A vast floor spreads out in all directions. In the middle, a gaping hole leads to a series of platforms, half surrounded by sparse columns that connect in the form of a gigantic railing high above you. There are doors in the far distance to the north and west, and an open doorway to the south.

> s
You drive the fire truck south.

Study (in the fire truck)
You're in a vast room with striped wallpaper. To the west and north are open doorways.

In addition you see an enormous impossible bottle, a very large vanity, an incredibly tall bookshelf, a huge work desk, and a very large rolling chair.

> enter bottle
You drive over to the enormous impossible bottle.

You can't reach all the way up to the neck of the bottle.

> extend ladder
Now the ladder is all the way out.

> enter bottle
(first attempting to get onto the ladder)
You get onto the ladder.

Inside the bottleneck
The glass is curved in a most disorienting way. You can go back east through the circular opening, where the top of the ladder is visible near the edge. Or you could go further in, west, towards the tip of the bowsprit of a magnificent sailing ship.

> w
You take a few tentative steps towards the ship, but the curving floor is treacherous. You lose your footing and slide all the way down into the bottle proper.

Outside the ship
The hull of a magnificent sailing ship towers in front of you, as you balance awkwardly on the curved glass floor.

> x hull
The ship is resting on a pair of wooden stands. High above, near the bowsprit, you can just about make out its name: “Nelson”.

From a large anchor by your feet, a rope stretches all the way up to the railing.

> x rope
One end is attached to the anchor, and the other disappears over the railing of the ship.

> climb it
You can't climb the rope while juggling all those things. Perhaps if you drop all your possessions first.

> drop all
The mommy doll: You place the mommy doll on the curved glass floor.

The daddy doll: You place the daddy doll on the curved glass floor.

The hamster-sized woolly hat: You place the hamster-sized woolly hat on the curved glass floor.

Dad's phone: You place Dad's phone on the curved glass floor.

Nibbles: You place Nibbles on the curved glass floor.

The music box: You place the music box on the curved glass floor.

The small potted herb: You place the small potted herb on the curved glass floor.

The blanket: You place the blanket on the curved glass floor.

The pillow: You place the pillow on the curved glass floor.

The flashlight: You place the flashlight on the curved glass floor.

> climb rope
Holding the rope tightly with both hands, and pushing against the hull with your feet, you manage to climb all the way up and board the ship.

Deck
Wooden planks, worn but scrubbed to a shine. Masts, sails, and rigging. The door to the captain's quarters is west of here. The bowsprit is to the east, pointing the way towards the distant circular opening where you got in.

A rope, emerging from a rusty windlass, disappears over the railing and down the side of the hull.

There's also a large crate here.

> open crate
It's nailed shut.

> w
(first attempting to open the door to the captain's quarters)
The hefty iron lock says otherwise.

> knock door
Knock, knock.

> x planks
You spot some peculiar marks on the deck near the crate.

> x marks
It looks like the crate was dragged across the wooden deck to its current position.

> push crate
You lean into the crate with the full weight of your six-year-old body. With a Herculean effort you manage to push it aside, revealing a trapdoor underneath.

> open trapdoor
You open the trapdoor.

> d
You climb down through the trapdoor.

Cargo hold
The inside walls of the model ship are slanting just like on the outside, and they come together into a narrow keel along the bottom. As you balance with one foot on either side, it strikes you that it would be very impractical to store actual goods in a space shaped like this. That could explain why it is mostly empty.

A ladder leads up to a trapdoor in the ceiling.

An old discarded oil can lies near the aft.

> take can
As you approach the oil can, your left foot suddenly goes through the wood, followed by your entire left leg. As you pull yourself back out, more rotten planks are torn away, leaving a large hole in the hull. Oops.

Well, the ship clearly wasn't seaworthy anyway. And you can probably reach the oil can now.

> take can
Got the oil can.

> d
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

> x hole
A bit jagged around the edges, but large enough to pass through.

> enter hole
You slip through the hole.

Outside the ship
The hull of a magnificent sailing ship towers in front of you, as you balance awkwardly on the curved glass floor. There's a large hole in the side of the ship.

A flashlight, a pillow, a blanket, a small potted herb, a music box, Nibbles, Dad's phone, a hamster-sized woolly hat, a daddy doll, and a mommy doll are strewn about on the curved glass, waiting for you to pick them up again.

> take all
The flashlight: Got the flashlight.

The pillow: Got the pillow.

The blanket: Got the blanket.

The small potted herb: Got the small potted herb.

The music box: Got the music box.

Nibbles: Got Nibbles.

Dad's phone: Got Dad's phone.

The hamster-sized woolly hat: Got the hamster-sized woolly hat.

The daddy doll: Got the daddy doll.

The mommy doll: Got the mommy doll.

> enter hole
You climb through the hull.

Cargo hold
The inside walls of the model ship are slanting just like on the outside, and they come together into a narrow keel along the bottom. As you balance with one foot on either side, it strikes you that it would be very impractical to store actual goods in a space shaped like this. That could explain why it is mostly empty.

There is a large hole where you stepped through the hull, and a ladder leads up to a trapdoor in the ceiling.

Some rotten planks are here.

> x planks
Good thing this is a ship in a bottle, and not a ship on the seven seas.

> u
You climb up through the trapdoor.

Deck
Wooden planks, worn but scrubbed to a shine. Masts, sails, and rigging. The door to the captain's quarters is west of here. A trapdoor leads down. The bowsprit is to the east, pointing the way towards the distant circular opening where you got in.

A rope, emerging from a rusty windlass, disappears over the railing and down the side of the hull.

There's also a large crate here.

> i
You have:
    a mommy doll
    a daddy doll
    a hamster-sized woolly hat
    Dad's phone
    Nibbles
    a music box
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a pillow
    a flashlight
    an oil can

> x oil can
It's a little metal can with a long nozzle and a handle, and it smells of machine oil.

> open it
The oil can doesn't open.

> x masts
Majestic.

> x sails
Imposing.

> x rigging
Awe-inspiring.

> l

Deck
Wooden planks, worn but scrubbed to a shine. Masts, sails, and rigging. The door to the captain's quarters is west of here. A trapdoor leads down. The bowsprit is to the east, pointing the way towards the distant circular opening where you got in.

A rope, emerging from a rusty windlass, disappears over the railing and down the side of the hull.

There's also a large crate here.

> x door
There's a hefty iron lock on it.

> open lock
With what?

> oil
You fail to unlock the door to the captain's quarters with the oil can.

> pour oil on lock
You put some oil on the hefty iron lock.

> pour oil on nails
The nails could get stains.

> x nails
The crate is nailed shut.

> x lock
Hefty.

> i
You have:
    a mommy doll
    a daddy doll
    a hamster-sized woolly hat
    Dad's phone
    Nibbles
    a music box
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a pillow
    a flashlight
    an oil can

> e
You take a few tentative steps onto the bowsprit, but it starts to wobble and you back off.

> x bowsprit
The bowsprit points the way towards the distant circular opening where you got in.

> u
You climb around for a while on the rigging until you get bored and return to the deck.

> d
You climb down through the trapdoor.

Cargo hold
The inside walls of the model ship are slanting just like on the outside, and they come together into a narrow keel along the bottom. As you balance with one foot on either side, it strikes you that it would be very impractical to store actual goods in a space shaped like this. That could explain why it is mostly empty.

There is a large hole where you stepped through the hull, and a ladder leads up to a trapdoor in the ceiling.

Some rotten planks are here.

> x keel
(I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.)

> d
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

> enter hole
You slip through the hole.

Outside the ship
The hull of a magnificent sailing ship towers in front of you, as you balance awkwardly on the curved glass floor. There's a large hole in the side of the ship.

> u
You can't climb the rope while juggling all those things. But you could probably squeeze in through the hole.

> u
You can't climb the rope while juggling all those things. But you could probably squeeze in through the hole.

> take rope
You pick up the anchor. It's actually much lighter than you thought it would be.

> enter hole
The anchorline is holding you back.

> drop anchor
You place the large anchor on the curved glass floor.

> x it
It looks kind of like an upside-down grappling hook, attached to a long stretch of rope.

> i
You have:
    a mommy doll
    a daddy doll
    a hamster-sized woolly hat
    Dad's phone
    Nibbles
    a music box
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a pillow
    a flashlight
    an oil can

> untie rope
The rope is firmly attached with a spliced loop.

> u
You can't climb the rope while juggling all those things. But you could probably squeeze in through the hole.

> enter hole
You climb through the hull.

Cargo hold
The inside walls of the model ship are slanting just like on the outside, and they come together into a narrow keel along the bottom. As you balance with one foot on either side, it strikes you that it would be very impractical to store actual goods in a space shaped like this. That could explain why it is mostly empty.

There is a large hole where you stepped through the hull, and a ladder leads up to a trapdoor in the ceiling.

Some rotten planks are here.

> u
You climb up through the trapdoor.

Deck
Wooden planks, worn but scrubbed to a shine. Masts, sails, and rigging. The door to the captain's quarters is west of here. A trapdoor leads down. The bowsprit is to the east, pointing the way towards the distant circular opening where you got in.

A rope, emerging from a rusty windlass, disappears over the railing and down the side of the hull.

There's also a large crate here.

> x rope
The rope emerges from a rusty windlass and disappears over the railing of the ship.

> pull rope
You reel in the anchor.

> take anchor
You're already holding the large anchor.

> open crate with anchor
(I only understood you as far as wanting to open something.)

> open lock with anchor
(I only understood you as far as wanting to open something.)

> hit lock with anchor
Futile.

> hit crate with anchor
It won't open.

> e
You take a few tentative steps onto the bowsprit, but it starts to wobble and you back off.

> throw anchor east
You swing the anchor a couple of times over your head, and then you throw it like a grappling hook towards the opening of the bottle.

Unfortunately, the rope is a little bit too short and the anchor falls and settles down the side of the ship again.

> x rope
The rope emerges from a rusty windlass and disappears over the railing of the ship.

> x windlass
A metal structure with a spool of rope and a big wheel on one end.

> put oil on windlass
You pour a drop of oil into the rusty old mechanism. That should do it.

> turn it
Turning the oil can has no apparent effect.

> turn windlass
With great effort you manage to rotate the wheel, releasing a few more turns of rope.

> take rope
You reel in the anchor.

> throw anchor east
You swing the anchor a couple of times over your head, and then you throw it like a grappling hook towards the opening of the bottle. And it sticks!

> e
You take a few tentative steps onto the anchorline, but it starts to wobble and you back off. You'll have to tighten the line first.

> turn windlass
You turn the wheel the other way, tightening the rope. Suddenly something clicks inside the mechanism, and the wheel seems to be locked in place.

> e
You cross the gap on the tightrope.

Inside the bottleneck
The glass is curved in a most disorienting way. You can go back east through the circular opening, where the top of the ladder is visible near the edge.

From an anchor hooked to the edge of the bottleneck, a tightrope extends west and onto the deck.

> e
You take a few steps down the ladder.

Study (on the ladder)
You're in a vast room with striped wallpaper. To the west and north are open doorways.

In addition you see an enormous impossible bottle, a very large vanity, an incredibly tall bookshelf, a huge work desk, and a very large rolling chair.

A big fire truck is parked here, ladder extended.

> enter truck
You hop into the fire truck.

> w
After retracting the ladder, you drive the fire truck west.

Master bedroom (in the fire truck)
You're in a vast room with baby blue wallpaper. An open doorway is to the east.

In addition you see a gigantic wardrobe and a huge double bed.

> look under bed
You drive over to the huge double bed.

You find nothing under the huge double bed.

> e
You drive the fire truck east.

Study (in the fire truck)
You're in a vast room with striped wallpaper. To the west and north are open doorways.

In addition you see an enormous impossible bottle, a very large vanity, an incredibly tall bookshelf, a huge work desk, and a very large rolling chair.

You drive up to the enormous bottle again and extend the ladder.

> look under vanity
After retracting the ladder, you drive over to the very large vanity.

You find nothing under the very large vanity.

> look under shelf
You drive over to the incredibly tall bookshelf.

You find nothing under the incredibly tall bookshelf.

> look under desk
You drive over to the huge work desk.

You find nothing under the huge work desk.

> look under chair
You drive over to the rolling chair.

You find nothing under the rolling chair.

> n
You drive the fire truck north.

Landing (in the fire truck)
A vast floor spreads out in all directions. In the middle, a gaping hole leads to a series of platforms, half surrounded by sparse columns that connect in the form of a gigantic railing high above you. There are doors in the far distance to the north and west, and an open doorway to the south.

> n
You drive the fire truck north.

Your room (in the fire truck)
You're inside a fire truck in a vast room. A huge bed looms far away in one corner, and a gigantic toy chest is visible in another. Above, you can see the enormous underbelly of a table.

You can just about make out a doorframe far to the south.

In addition you see a huge microphone stand and a huge karaoke speaker.

> extend ladder
Now the ladder is all the way out.

> u
After retracting the ladder, you drive over to the table.

You extend the ladder again and climb back on top of the table.

Smooth surface
You're on a large, strangely smooth surface that appears to end abruptly with sharp edges to the west, east, and south, suggesting sheer drops into some unknown chasm. A kitchen is visible to the northwest, and a sitting room to the northeast.

By the south edge is the top of a ladder.

A shovel and a sleeping stegosaurus are here, looking oddly out of place.

> ne

Sitting room
The green velvet sofa looks as inviting as ever. Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street.

Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table. A fire truck is parked nearby.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

> take shovel
Got the miniature shovel.

> i
You have:
    a miniature shovel
    a mommy doll
    a daddy doll
    a hamster-sized woolly hat
    Dad's phone
    Nibbles
    a music box
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a pillow
    a flashlight
    an oil can

> x house
The dollhouse has four separate rooms, a wooden plaque on the front, and a small hatch at the back.

In the master bedroom (upper left) are a doll-sized wardrobe and a miniature double bed.

In the study (upper right) are an impossible bottle, a little vanity, a miniature bookshelf, a miniature work desk, and a little rolling chair.

In the kitchen (lower left) are a miniature kitchen counter and a miniature refrigerator.

In the sitting room (lower right) are a cute little sofa, six miniature wooden chairs, and a miniature dining table.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

It's been some time since you saw Dad around the house.

> w
Knock, knock.

“What is it?”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “About that candlestick...”
3. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 2
“About that candlestick...”

“Look, I'm not going to tell you where it is. It's my secret, okay? And I keep my secrets bottled up.”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “About that candlestick...”
3. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 3
“See you around, Nolan!”

“As if.”

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> e
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

You kind of miss having Dad around.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table. A fire truck is parked nearby.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

> x house
The dollhouse has four separate rooms, a wooden plaque on the front, and a small hatch at the back.

In the master bedroom (upper left) are a doll-sized wardrobe and a miniature double bed.

In the study (upper right) are an impossible bottle, a little vanity, a miniature bookshelf, a miniature work desk, and a little rolling chair.

In the kitchen (lower left) are a miniature kitchen counter and a miniature refrigerator.

In the sitting room (lower right) are a cute little sofa, six miniature wooden chairs, and a miniature dining table.

> take double
Got the miniature double bed.

> put sofa in upper left
(first attempting to take the cute little sofa)
Got the cute little sofa.

You put the cute little sofa in the upper left room.

> put dad's phone in upper left
You balance Dad's phone against a wall in the upper left room, like a big TV screen.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

It's been some time since you saw Dad around the house.

> s

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

> s
You step down from the floor.

Smooth surface
You're on a large, strangely smooth surface that appears to end abruptly with sharp edges to the west, east, and south, suggesting sheer drops into some unknown chasm. A kitchen is visible to the northwest, and a dining room to the northeast.

By the south edge is the top of a ladder.

A sleeping stegosaurus is here, looking oddly out of place.

> d
You climb down the ladder and step onto the floor.

Your room
The floor of a vast room extends in all directions. A huge bed looms far away in one corner, and a gigantic toy chest is visible in another. Above, you can see the enormous underbelly of a table.

You can just about make out a doorframe far to the south. A ladder leads up.

In addition you see a huge microphone stand and a huge karaoke speaker.

A big fire truck is parked here, ladder extended.

> enter truck
You hop into the fire truck.

> s
After retracting the ladder, you drive the fire truck south.

Landing (in the fire truck)
A vast floor spreads out in all directions. In the middle, a gaping hole leads to a series of platforms, half surrounded by sparse columns that connect in the form of a gigantic railing high above you. There are doors in the far distance to the north and west, and an open doorway to the south.

> w
(first attempting to open the door to the west)
You drive over to the door.

It's way too big for you to move.

> e
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

> n
You drive the fire truck north.

Your room (in the fire truck)
You're inside a fire truck in a vast room. A huge bed looms far away in one corner, and a gigantic toy chest is visible in another. Above, you can see the enormous underbelly of a table.

You can just about make out a doorframe far to the south.

In addition you see a huge microphone stand and a huge karaoke speaker.

> s
You drive the fire truck south.

Landing (in the fire truck)
A vast floor spreads out in all directions. In the middle, a gaping hole leads to a series of platforms, half surrounded by sparse columns that connect in the form of a gigantic railing high above you. There are doors in the far distance to the north and west, and an open doorway to the south.

> s
You drive the fire truck south.

Study (in the fire truck)
You're in a vast room with striped wallpaper. To the west and north are open doorways.

In addition you see an enormous impossible bottle, a very large vanity, an incredibly tall bookshelf, a huge work desk, and a very large rolling chair.

You drive up to the enormous bottle again and extend the ladder.

> w
After retracting the ladder, you drive the fire truck west.

Sitting room (in the fire truck)
You're in a vast room with baby blue wallpaper. An open doorway is to the east.

In addition you see a ridiculously large TV, a huge sofa, and a gigantic wardrobe.

> x tv
You drive over to the ridiculously large TV.

It's absolutely huge.

> look under sofa
You drive over to the huge sofa.

You find nothing under the huge sofa.

> e
You drive the fire truck east.

Study (in the fire truck)
You're in a vast room with striped wallpaper. To the west and north are open doorways.

In addition you see an enormous impossible bottle, a very large vanity, an incredibly tall bookshelf, a huge work desk, and a very large rolling chair.

You drive up to the enormous bottle again and extend the ladder.

> in
The bottle towers in front of you, its opening just slightly above your reach. Behind the curved glass you can make out the contours of a magnificent sailing ship.

> enter bottle
(first attempting to get onto the ladder)
You get onto the ladder.

Inside the bottleneck
The glass is curved in a most disorienting way. You can go back east through the circular opening, where the top of the ladder is visible near the edge.

From an anchor hooked to the edge of the bottleneck, a tightrope extends west and onto the deck.

> w
You cross the gap on the tightrope.

Deck
Wooden planks, worn but scrubbed to a shine. Masts, sails, and rigging. The door to the captain's quarters is west of here. A trapdoor leads down. A rope is stretched tightly between a rusty windlass and the distant circular opening to the east.

There's also a large crate here.

> open crate
It's nailed shut.

> open crate with shovel
(I only understood you as far as wanting to open something.)

> i
You have:
    a miniature double bed
    a miniature shovel
    a mommy doll
    a daddy doll
    a hamster-sized woolly hat
    Nibbles
    a music box
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a pillow
    a flashlight
    an oil can

> pry
(I only understood you as far as wanting to push something.)

> x crate
Made of wood, no less.

> hit crate with shovel
It won't open.

> l

Deck
Wooden planks, worn but scrubbed to a shine. Masts, sails, and rigging. The door to the captain's quarters is west of here. A trapdoor leads down. A rope is stretched tightly between a rusty windlass and the distant circular opening to the east.

There's also a large crate here.

> i
You have:
    a miniature double bed
    a miniature shovel
    a mommy doll
    a daddy doll
    a hamster-sized woolly hat
    Nibbles
    a music box
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a pillow
    a flashlight
    an oil can

> e
You cross the gap on the tightrope.

Inside the bottleneck
The glass is curved in a most disorienting way. You can go back east through the circular opening, where the top of the ladder is visible near the edge.

From an anchor hooked to the edge of the bottleneck, a tightrope extends west and onto the deck.

> e
You take a few steps down the ladder.

Study (on the ladder)
You're in a vast room with striped wallpaper. To the west and north are open doorways.

In addition you see an enormous impossible bottle, a very large vanity, an incredibly tall bookshelf, a huge work desk, and a very large rolling chair.

A big fire truck is parked here, ladder extended.

> d
You step down from the ladder.

> enter truck
You hop into the fire truck.

> n
After retracting the ladder, you drive the fire truck north.

Landing (in the fire truck)
A vast floor spreads out in all directions. In the middle, a gaping hole leads to a series of platforms, half surrounded by sparse columns that connect in the form of a gigantic railing high above you. There are doors in the far distance to the north and west, and an open doorway to the south.

> n
You drive the fire truck north.

Your room (in the fire truck)
You're inside a fire truck in a vast room. A huge bed looms far away in one corner, and a gigantic toy chest is visible in another. Above, you can see the enormous underbelly of a table.

You can just about make out a doorframe far to the south.

In addition you see a huge microphone stand and a huge karaoke speaker.

> extend ladder
Now the ladder is all the way out.

> u
After retracting the ladder, you drive over to the table.

You extend the ladder again and climb back on top of the table.

Smooth surface
You're on a large, strangely smooth surface that appears to end abruptly with sharp edges to the west, east, and south, suggesting sheer drops into some unknown chasm. A kitchen is visible to the northwest, and a dining room to the northeast.

By the south edge is the top of a ladder.

A sleeping stegosaurus is here, looking oddly out of place.

> ne

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> s

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A vanity and a bookshelf stand on either side of the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk, with a rolling chair next to it.

Open doorways lead west and north.

There's also an oversized impossible bottle here.

> w

Sitting room
A green velvet sofa faces a huge wall-mounted TV. The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall. There's also a wardrobe against one wall.

There's an open doorway to the east.

> e

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A vanity and a bookshelf stand on either side of the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk, with a rolling chair next to it.

Open doorways lead west and north.

There's also an oversized impossible bottle here.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> w
Knock, knock.

“What is it now?”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “About that candlestick...”
3. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 1
“What are you up to?”

Nolan seems upset. “I'm trying to transport an icicle but it keeps melting. Go away, Emma.”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “About that candlestick...”
3. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 3
“See you around, Nolan!”

“Whatever, Em.”

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> s

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A vanity and a bookshelf stand on either side of the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk, with a rolling chair next to it.

Open doorways lead west and north.

There's also an oversized impossible bottle here.

It's been some time since you saw Dad around the house.

> w

Sitting room
A green velvet sofa faces a huge wall-mounted TV. The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall. There's also a wardrobe against one wall.

There's an open doorway to the east.

> e

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A vanity and a bookshelf stand on either side of the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk, with a rolling chair next to it.

Open doorways lead west and north.

There's also an oversized impossible bottle here.

> drop shovel
You place the miniature shovel on the floor.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table. A fire truck is parked nearby.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

> extend ladder
The ladder is already all the way out.

> u
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

> climb
(I only understood you as far as wanting to get onto something.)

> l

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table. A fire truck is parked nearby.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> s

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

> s
You step down from the floor.

Smooth surface
You're on a large, strangely smooth surface that appears to end abruptly with sharp edges to the west, east, and south, suggesting sheer drops into some unknown chasm. A kitchen is visible to the northwest, and a dining room to the northeast.

By the south edge is the top of a ladder.

A sleeping stegosaurus is here, looking oddly out of place.

> d
You climb down the ladder and step onto the floor.

Your room
The floor of a vast room extends in all directions. A huge bed looms far away in one corner, and a gigantic toy chest is visible in another. Above, you can see the enormous underbelly of a table.

You can just about make out a doorframe far to the south. A ladder leads up.

In addition you see a huge microphone stand and a huge karaoke speaker.

A big fire truck is parked here, ladder extended.

> enter truck
You hop into the fire truck.

> s
After retracting the ladder, you drive the fire truck south.

Landing (in the fire truck)
A vast floor spreads out in all directions. In the middle, a gaping hole leads to a series of platforms, half surrounded by sparse columns that connect in the form of a gigantic railing high above you. There are doors in the far distance to the north and west, and an open doorway to the south.

> s
You drive the fire truck south.

Study (in the fire truck)
You're in a vast room with striped wallpaper. To the west and north are open doorways.

In addition you see an enormous impossible bottle, a very large vanity, an incredibly tall bookshelf, a huge work desk, a very large rolling chair, and a shovel.

You drive up to the enormous bottle again and extend the ladder.

> exit
You get out of the fire truck.

> take shovel
You hop into the fire truck, retract the ladder, and drive over to the shovel.

Got the shovel.

> u
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

> extend ladder
Now the ladder is all the way out.

> u
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

> enter bottle
After retracting the ladder, you drive over to the enormous impossible bottle.

(first attempting to extend the ladder)
Now the ladder is all the way out.

(first attempting to get onto the ladder)
You get onto the ladder.

Inside the bottleneck
The glass is curved in a most disorienting way. You can go back east through the circular opening, where the top of the ladder is visible near the edge.

From an anchor hooked to the edge of the bottleneck, a tightrope extends west and onto the deck.

> w
You cross the gap on the tightrope.

Deck
Wooden planks, worn but scrubbed to a shine. Masts, sails, and rigging. The door to the captain's quarters is west of here. A trapdoor leads down. A rope is stretched tightly between a rusty windlass and the distant circular opening to the east.

There's also a large crate here.

> hit crate with shovel
It won't open.

> break crate
It won't open.

> i
You have:
    a shovel
    a miniature double bed
    a mommy doll
    a daddy doll
    a hamster-sized woolly hat
    Nibbles
    a music box
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a pillow
    a flashlight
    an oil can

> hit lock with shovel
Futile.

> x key
(I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.)

> l

Deck
Wooden planks, worn but scrubbed to a shine. Masts, sails, and rigging. The door to the captain's quarters is west of here. A trapdoor leads down. A rope is stretched tightly between a rusty windlass and the distant circular opening to the east.

There's also a large crate here.

> x planks
Made of wood, no less.

> search planks
You find nothing of interest.

> push crate
(first attempting to close the trapdoor below)
You close the trapdoor.

You push the crate back over the trapdoor.

> x crate
You spot some peculiar marks on the deck near the crate.

> push crate
You push the crate aside, revealing a trapdoor underneath.

> open trapdoor
You open the trapdoor.

> x door
There's a hefty iron lock on it.

> i
You have:
    a shovel
    a miniature double bed
    a mommy doll
    a daddy doll
    a hamster-sized woolly hat
    Nibbles
    a music box
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a pillow
    a flashlight
    an oil can

> save
Game state saved successfully.

> x box
Did you want to examine the music box or the large crate?

> music
On the music box is a hollow cylinder, open on one side, with pegs on the outside. When you turn a crank, the cylinder spins, and the pegs play a melody on little metal prongs.

Mom bought it in Switzerland, when she was there on a conference.

> take crank
That's part of the music box.

> x crate
Made of wood, no less.

> turn it
The large crate is too large for you to turn.

> look under it
You find nothing under the large crate.

> push it east
(first attempting to close the trapdoor below)
You close the trapdoor.

You push the crate back over the trapdoor.

> push it east
You push the crate aside, revealing a trapdoor underneath.

> push it east
You push the crate back over the trapdoor.

> push it east
You push the crate aside, revealing a trapdoor underneath.

> open trapdoor
You open the trapdoor.

> d
You climb down through the trapdoor.

Cargo hold
The inside walls of the model ship are slanting just like on the outside, and they come together into a narrow keel along the bottom. As you balance with one foot on either side, it strikes you that it would be very impractical to store actual goods in a space shaped like this. That could explain why it is mostly empty.

There is a large hole where you stepped through the hull, and a ladder leads up to a trapdoor in the ceiling.

Some rotten planks are here.

> x ladder
It leads up to a trapdoor in the ceiling.

> take planks
You don't need that rubbish.

> take ladder
The ladder is way too big for you to move.

> move it
You apply a bit of force to the ladder, but it doesn't budge.

> enter hole
You slip through the hole.

Outside the ship
The hull of a magnificent sailing ship towers in front of you, as you balance awkwardly on the curved glass floor. There's a large hole in the side of the ship.

> u
You can't climb the rope while juggling all those things. But you could probably squeeze in through the hole.

> in
You climb through the hull.

Cargo hold
The inside walls of the model ship are slanting just like on the outside, and they come together into a narrow keel along the bottom. As you balance with one foot on either side, it strikes you that it would be very impractical to store actual goods in a space shaped like this. That could explain why it is mostly empty.

There is a large hole where you stepped through the hull, and a ladder leads up to a trapdoor in the ceiling.

Some rotten planks are here.

> u
You climb up through the trapdoor.

Deck
Wooden planks, worn but scrubbed to a shine. Masts, sails, and rigging. The door to the captain's quarters is west of here. A trapdoor leads down. A rope is stretched tightly between a rusty windlass and the distant circular opening to the east.

There's also a large crate here.

> move crate
(first attempting to close the trapdoor below)
You close the trapdoor.

You push the crate back over the trapdoor.

> open crate
It's nailed shut.

> x nails
The crate is nailed shut.

> i
You have:
    a shovel
    a miniature double bed
    a mommy doll
    a daddy doll
    a hamster-sized woolly hat
    Nibbles
    a music box
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a pillow
    a flashlight
    an oil can

> use
(I only understood you as far as wanting to use something.)

> use shovel
How? Please be more specific.

> use shovel with crate
(I only understood you as far as wanting to use something.)

> use shovel on crate
(I only understood you as far as wanting to use something.)

> pry
(I only understood you as far as wanting to push something.)

> verbs
The following verbs will get you through the game. It's not an exhaustive list, and you should feel free to type anything that comes into your mind.

l/look
i/inventory
x/examine something (or just the name of the thing, without verb)
go direction (or just the direction, e.g. north or n, without verb)
talk to someone
take/drop something
put something in/on/by something
get in/on/under something
open/close something
push something
push something direction
turn something
turn something on/off
throw something at something
extend/retract something

The directions are: n, s, e, w, ne, nw, se, sw, up, down, in, out

> l

Deck
Wooden planks, worn but scrubbed to a shine. Masts, sails, and rigging. The door to the captain's quarters is west of here. A rope is stretched tightly between a rusty windlass and the distant circular opening to the east.

There's also a large crate here.

> take all
You're not aware of any such thing!

> x rope
The rope emerges from a rusty windlass, and is stretched tightly across the gap all the way to the bottle opening, where the anchor is attached.

> climb mast
You climb around for a while on the rigging until you get bored and return to the deck.

> x door
There's a hefty iron lock on it.

> x lock
Hefty.

> smash it
Futile.

> open it
With what?

> shovel
You fail to unlock the door to the captain's quarters with the shovel.

> i
You have:
    a shovel
    a miniature double bed
    a mommy doll
    a daddy doll
    a hamster-sized woolly hat
    Nibbles
    a music box
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a pillow
    a flashlight
    an oil can

> open it with box
(I only understood you as far as wanting to open something.)

> open lock with box
(I only understood you as far as wanting to open something.)

> open lock
With what?

> box
Did you want to unlock the door to the captain's quarters with the music box or the large crate?

> music
You fail to unlock the door to the captain's quarters with the music box.

> e
You cross the gap on the tightrope.

Inside the bottleneck
The glass is curved in a most disorienting way. You can go back east through the circular opening, where the top of the ladder is visible near the edge.

From an anchor hooked to the edge of the bottleneck, a tightrope extends west and onto the deck.

> take anchor
It's held in place by the tightrope.

> take rope
It's held in place by the anchor.

> e
You take a few steps down the ladder.

Study (on the ladder)
You're in a vast room with striped wallpaper. To the west and north are open doorways.

In addition you see an enormous impossible bottle, a very large vanity, an incredibly tall bookshelf, a huge work desk, and a very large rolling chair.

A big fire truck is parked here, ladder extended.

> d
You step down from the ladder.

> x vanity
You hop into the fire truck, retract the ladder, and drive over to the very large vanity.

It's absolutely huge.

> search it
You can't see the top of the very large vanity.

> look under it
You find nothing under the very large vanity.

> x desk
You drive over to the huge work desk.

It's absolutely huge.

> look under it
You find nothing under the huge work desk.

> x vanity
You drive over to the very large vanity.

It's absolutely huge.

> extend ladder
Now the ladder is all the way out.

> u
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

> climb ladder
You get onto the ladder.

> l

Study (on the ladder)
You're in a vast room with striped wallpaper. To the west and north are open doorways.

In addition you see an enormous impossible bottle, a very large vanity, an incredibly tall bookshelf, a huge work desk, and a very large rolling chair.

A big fire truck is parked here, ladder extended.

> enter vanity
It's not possible to get into the very large vanity.

> d
You step down from the ladder.

> l

Study
You're in a vast room with striped wallpaper. To the west and north are open doorways.

In addition you see an enormous impossible bottle, a very large vanity, an incredibly tall bookshelf, a huge work desk, and a very large rolling chair.

A big fire truck is parked here, ladder extended.

> w
(first attempting to get into the fire truck)
You hop into the fire truck.

After retracting the ladder, you drive the fire truck west.

Sitting room (in the fire truck)
You're in a vast room with baby blue wallpaper. An open doorway is to the east.

In addition you see a ridiculously large TV, a huge sofa, and a gigantic wardrobe.

> x wardrobe
You drive over to the gigantic wardrobe.

It's absolutely huge.

> drive under sofa
(I only understood you as far as wanting to drive something.)

> go under sofa
You drive over to the huge sofa.

There's no room for you under the huge sofa.

> x tv
You drive over to the ridiculously large TV.

It's absolutely huge.

> search it
You find nothing of interest.

> e
You drive the fire truck east.

Study (in the fire truck)
You're in a vast room with striped wallpaper. To the west and north are open doorways.

In addition you see an enormous impossible bottle, a very large vanity, an incredibly tall bookshelf, a huge work desk, and a very large rolling chair.

You drive up to the enormous bottle again and extend the ladder.

> n
After retracting the ladder, you drive the fire truck north.

Landing (in the fire truck)
A vast floor spreads out in all directions. In the middle, a gaping hole leads to a series of platforms, half surrounded by sparse columns that connect in the form of a gigantic railing high above you. There are doors in the far distance to the north and west, and an open doorway to the south.

> x hole
You don't want to get too close to the huge gaping hole in the floor.

> look into hole
The gaping hole can't contain things.

> x railing
You don't want to get too close to the huge gaping hole in the floor.

> w
(first attempting to open the door to the west)
You drive over to the door.

It's way too big for you to move.

> n
You drive the fire truck north.

Your room (in the fire truck)
You're inside a fire truck in a vast room. A huge bed looms far away in one corner, and a gigantic toy chest is visible in another. Above, you can see the enormous underbelly of a table.

You can just about make out a doorframe far to the south.

In addition you see a huge microphone stand and a huge karaoke speaker.

> x speaker
You drive over to the huge karaoke speaker.

It's absolutely huge.

> search it
You find nothing of interest.

> x underbelly
You drive over to the table.

It's absolutely huge.

> look under bed
You drive over to the huge bed.

You find nothing under the huge bed.

> x table
You drive over to the table.

It's absolutely huge.

> extend ladder
Now the ladder is all the way out.

> climb it
Step by step, you climb the ladder until you are back on top of the table.

Smooth surface
You're on a large, strangely smooth surface that appears to end abruptly with sharp edges to the west, east, and south, suggesting sheer drops into some unknown chasm. A kitchen is visible to the northwest, and a dining room to the northeast.

By the south edge is the top of a ladder.

A sleeping stegosaurus is here, looking oddly out of place.

> i
You have:
    a shovel
    a miniature double bed
    a mommy doll
    a daddy doll
    a hamster-sized woolly hat
    Nibbles
    a music box
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a pillow
    a flashlight
    an oil can

> ne

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

> w

Kitchen
There's a kitchen counter here, with a stove, sink, and oven. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

It's been some time since you saw Dad around the house.

> e

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> n
(first attempting to open the bathroom door)
You open the bathroom door.

Bathroom
Grey plastic floor, tiled walls. A blurry window high up on the eastern wall. There's a toilet, a sink underneath a mirror, and a shower. The exit is south.

> s

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

You close the bathroom door behind you.

> w

Laundry room
The low afternoon sun shines in through a plain window. There's a washing machine and a tumble dryer along one wall, and a closet full of cleaning equipment. Empty clotheslines are strung across the ceiling.

The basement door is to the north, and the exit is to the east.

> n

Top of the basement stairs
You're on a narrow landing. Stairs lead down into darkness, and the exit is to the south.

There's a small wooden cupboard on one wall, and a light switch some distance above it.

> d
No way! It's pitch dark. Besides, you think you've got everything you need from there.

> e
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

> s

Laundry room
The low afternoon sun shines in through a plain window. There's a washing machine and a tumble dryer along one wall, and a closet full of cleaning equipment. Empty clotheslines are strung across the ceiling.

The basement door is to the north, and the exit is to the east.

You kind of miss having Dad around.

> e

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> s

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A vanity and a bookshelf stand on either side of the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk, with a rolling chair next to it.

Open doorways lead west and north.

There's also an oversized impossible bottle here.

> w

Sitting room
A green velvet sofa faces a huge wall-mounted TV. The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall. There's also a wardrobe against one wall.

There's an open doorway to the east.

You kind of miss having Dad around.

> e

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A vanity and a bookshelf stand on either side of the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk, with a rolling chair next to it.

Open doorways lead west and north.

There's also an oversized impossible bottle here.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> w
Knock, knock.

“What?”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “About that candlestick...”
3. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 2
“About that candlestick...”

“I'm not going to tell you where I keep it, Emma. Loose lips sink ships.”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “About that candlestick...”
3. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 1
“What are you up to?”

Nolan makes an annoyed noise. “I have to figure out a way to get a coconut from a dolphin. Will you leave me alone, Em?”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “About that candlestick...”
3. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 3
“See you around, Nolan!”

“Whatever, Em.”

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table. A fire truck is parked nearby.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

> i
You have:
    a shovel
    a miniature double bed
    a mommy doll
    a daddy doll
    a hamster-sized woolly hat
    Nibbles
    a music box
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a pillow
    a flashlight
    an oil can

> put oil can in upper right
The upper right room could get stains.

> put oil can in upper left
The upper left room could get stains.

> x oil can
It's a little metal can with a long nozzle and a handle, and it smells of machine oil.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> w
Knock, knock.

“Oh, for crying out loud. Yes, what do you want?”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “About that candlestick...”
3. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 3
“See you around, Nolan!”

“Whatever, Em.”

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> n
(first attempting to open the bathroom door)
You open the bathroom door.

Bathroom
Grey plastic floor, tiled walls. A blurry window high up on the eastern wall. There's a toilet, a sink underneath a mirror, and a shower. The exit is south.

> empty oil can
The oil can can't contain things.

> pour oil
On what?

> sink
The sink could get stains.

> put water in oil can
You're not holding the water.

> turn on tap
Water splashes into the sink.

You kind of miss having Dad around.

> put oil can in sink
The sink could get stains.

> put oil can in water
The water could get stains.

> take mirror
The mirror is way too big for you to move.

> turn off tap
You turn off the tap.

> i
You have:
    a shovel
    a miniature double bed
    a mommy doll
    a daddy doll
    a hamster-sized woolly hat
    Nibbles
    a music box
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a pillow
    a flashlight
    an oil can

> goals
Your current goals are:

• Find Dad's cufflink.
• Put a candlestick on the table. Nolan might have hidden it.
• Put some blue flowers in the vase on the table.

Dad has a to-do list of his own, on the fridge.

> s

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

You close the bathroom door behind you.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table. A fire truck is parked nearby.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

> put dad in lower left
You put the daddy doll in the lower left room.

> put shovel in lower right
The shovel is too large for the lower right room.

> put shovel in upper right
The shovel is too large for the upper right room.

> x shovel
Wooden handle almost as long as yourself, and then a flat metallic bit at the end.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> s

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A vanity and a bookshelf stand on either side of the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk, with a rolling chair next to it.

Open doorways lead west and north.

There's also an oversized impossible bottle here.

> drop shovel
You place the shovel on the floor.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table. A fire truck is parked nearby.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

> take shovel
Got the miniature shovel.

> x it
A wooden handle about as long as your hand, with a flat metallic bit at the end.

> bend it
(I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.)

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

Dad enters from the south.

> s

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink. “I'm sure I had it before I started vacuuming.”

> talk to dad
“Hey Dad!”

“Hey Emma! Did you find my cufflink?” Dad seems to be in a hurry.

1. “When are the Taylors coming again?”
2. “What should I get for the table, again?”
3. “Dad, can I borrow your phone to play Tetris? Please?”
4. “See you around, Dad.”

> 3
“Dad, can I borrow your phone to play Tetris? Please?”

“Oh, okay. I don't know where it is, though.” Dad looks a little tired.

“Okay!”

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

Dad disappears up to the landing.

> n
(first attempting to open the bathroom door)
You open the bathroom door.

Bathroom
Grey plastic floor, tiled walls. A blurry window high up on the eastern wall. There's a toilet, a sink underneath a mirror, and a shower. The exit is south.

> s

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

You close the bathroom door behind you.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad disappears south to the study.

> s

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A vanity and a bookshelf stand on either side of the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk, with a rolling chair next to it.

Open doorways lead west and north.

There's also an oversized impossible bottle here.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink.

> give shovel to dad
“Cool miniature shovel!”

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink.

> w

Sitting room
A green velvet sofa faces a huge wall-mounted TV. The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall. There's also a wardrobe against one wall.

There's an open doorway to the east.

Dad enters from the east.

> e

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A vanity and a bookshelf stand on either side of the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk, with a rolling chair next to it.

Open doorways lead west and north.

There's also an oversized impossible bottle here.

> x chair
Mom's working chair can spin and roll across the floor.

> enter it
You get onto the rolling chair.

> spin
You practise your moves.

> roll
A black hamster-sized woolly hat, with “ROCK'N'ROLL” in white letters across the front.

> w
You roll west on the chair. Wheee!

Sitting room (on the rolling chair)
A green velvet sofa faces a huge wall-mounted TV. The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall. You're seated on a rolling chair. There's also a wardrobe against one wall.

There's an open doorway to the east.

Dad disappears east to the study.

> e
You roll east on the chair. Wheee!

Study (on the rolling chair)
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A vanity and a bookshelf stand on either side of the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk, with you on a rolling chair next to it.

Open doorways lead west and north.

There's also an oversized impossible bottle here.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink. “I'm sure I had it before I started vacuuming.”

> n
You roll north on the chair. Wheee!

Landing (on the rolling chair)
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

A rolling chair is here, with you on it.

> d
Down the stairs? That would be crazy.

Dad enters from the south.

> n
You roll north on the chair. Wheee!

Your room (on the rolling chair)
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table. A fire truck is parked nearby.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A rolling chair is here, with you on it.

> exit
You get off the rolling chair.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> w

Laundry room
The low afternoon sun shines in through a plain window. There's a washing machine and a tumble dryer along one wall, and a closet full of cleaning equipment. Empty clotheslines are strung across the ceiling.

The basement door is to the north, and the exit is to the east.

> x closet
Just a plain white closet. It's currently open, and you can see cleaning equipment inside.

> take vacuum
You're not supposed to play with the vacuum cleaner. Besides, it's heavy.

> open it
You open the small cover, revealing a whole lot of dust, a cufflink and a diary key.

> take cufflink
Got the cufflink.

> take key
Got the diary key.

> e

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table. A fire truck is parked nearby.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A rolling chair is here.

> put key in upper right
You put the diary key in the upper right room.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> s

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A vanity and a bookshelf stand on either side of the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk.

Open doorways lead west and north.

A hefty iron key is on the floor.

There's also an oversized impossible bottle here.

> take key
Got the hefty iron key.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table. A fire truck is parked nearby.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A rolling chair is here.

> x ladder
Right now the ladder is extended.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> n
(first attempting to open the bathroom door)
You open the bathroom door.

Bathroom
Grey plastic floor, tiled walls. A blurry window high up on the eastern wall. There's a toilet, a sink underneath a mirror, and a shower. The exit is south.

> s

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

You close the bathroom door behind you.

Dad enters from the south.

> s

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

> s
You step down from the floor.

Smooth surface
You're on a large, strangely smooth surface that appears to end abruptly with sharp edges to the west, east, and south, suggesting sheer drops into some unknown chasm. A kitchen is visible to the northwest, and a dining room to the northeast.

By the south edge is the top of a ladder.

A sleeping stegosaurus is here, looking oddly out of place.

> d
You climb down the ladder and step onto the floor.

Your room
The floor of a vast room extends in all directions. A huge bed looms far away in one corner, and a gigantic toy chest is visible in another. Above, you can see the enormous underbelly of a table.

You can just about make out a doorframe far to the south. A ladder leads up.

In addition you see a huge microphone stand, a very large rolling chair, and a huge karaoke speaker.

A big fire truck is parked here, ladder extended.

> enter truck
You hop into the fire truck.

> s
After retracting the ladder, you drive the fire truck south.

Landing (in the fire truck)
A vast floor spreads out in all directions. In the middle, a gaping hole leads to a series of platforms, half surrounded by sparse columns that connect in the form of a gigantic railing high above you. There are doors in the far distance to the north and west, and an open doorway to the south.

> s
You drive the fire truck south.

Study (in the fire truck)
You're in a vast room with striped wallpaper. To the west and north are open doorways.

In addition you see an enormous impossible bottle, a very large vanity, an incredibly tall bookshelf, and a huge work desk.

You drive up to the enormous bottle again and extend the ladder.

> in
The bottle towers in front of you, its opening just slightly above your reach. Behind the curved glass you can make out the contours of a magnificent sailing ship.

> w
After retracting the ladder, you drive the fire truck west.

Sitting room (in the fire truck)
You're in a vast room with baby blue wallpaper. An open doorway is to the east.

In addition you see a ridiculously large TV, a huge sofa, and a gigantic wardrobe.

> e
You drive the fire truck east.

Study (in the fire truck)
You're in a vast room with striped wallpaper. To the west and north are open doorways.

In addition you see an enormous impossible bottle, a very large vanity, an incredibly tall bookshelf, and a huge work desk.

You drive up to the enormous bottle again and extend the ladder.

> climb ladder
You get onto the ladder.

> enter bottle

Inside the bottleneck
The glass is curved in a most disorienting way. You can go back east through the circular opening, where the top of the ladder is visible near the edge.

From an anchor hooked to the edge of the bottleneck, a tightrope extends west and onto the deck.

> w
You cross the gap on the tightrope.

Deck
Wooden planks, worn but scrubbed to a shine. Masts, sails, and rigging. The door to the captain's quarters is west of here. A rope is stretched tightly between a rusty windlass and the distant circular opening to the east.

There's also a large crate here.

> unlock lock
(with the hefty iron key)
You unlock the door to the captain's quarters with the hefty iron key.

> w
(first attempting to open the door to the captain's quarters)
You open the door to the captain's quarters.

Captain's quarters
A greasy porthole fills the cramped cabin with a dim light. There's barely enough space for a cot, a stool, and a small wooden table. The exit is east.

On the wooden table is a candlestick and what looks like a diary.

> take all
The candlestick: Got the candlestick.

The diary: Got the diary.

> x cot
Hard and unforgiving.

> x stool
Unforgivingly hard.

> take it
That's fine where it is.

> take cot
That's fine where it is.

> x table
Old and worn.

> x diary
The slightly frayed book has a tiny lock to keep its contents safe from prying eyes like yours.

> read it
(first attempting to open the diary)
The diary is locked.

> e

Deck
Wooden planks, worn but scrubbed to a shine. Masts, sails, and rigging. The door to the captain's quarters is west of here. A rope is stretched tightly between a rusty windlass and the distant circular opening to the east.

There's also a large crate here.

> e
You cross the gap on the tightrope.

Inside the bottleneck
The glass is curved in a most disorienting way. You can go back east through the circular opening, where the top of the ladder is visible near the edge.

From an anchor hooked to the edge of the bottleneck, a tightrope extends west and onto the deck.

> e
You take a few steps down the ladder.

Study (on the ladder)
You're in a vast room with striped wallpaper. To the west and north are open doorways.

In addition you see an enormous impossible bottle, a very large vanity, an incredibly tall bookshelf, and a huge work desk.

A big fire truck is parked here, ladder extended.

> d
You step down from the ladder.

> n
(first attempting to get into the fire truck)
You hop into the fire truck.

After retracting the ladder, you drive the fire truck north.

Landing (in the fire truck)
A vast floor spreads out in all directions. In the middle, a gaping hole leads to a series of platforms, half surrounded by sparse columns that connect in the form of a gigantic railing high above you. There are doors in the far distance to the north and west, and an open doorway to the south.

> n
You drive the fire truck north.

Your room (in the fire truck)
You're inside a fire truck in a vast room. A huge bed looms far away in one corner, and a gigantic toy chest is visible in another. Above, you can see the enormous underbelly of a table.

You can just about make out a doorframe far to the south.

In addition you see a huge microphone stand, a very large rolling chair, and a huge karaoke speaker.

> extend ladder
Now the ladder is all the way out.

> climb it
After retracting the ladder, you drive over to the table.

You extend the ladder again and climb back on top of the table.

Smooth surface
You're on a large, strangely smooth surface that appears to end abruptly with sharp edges to the west, east, and south, suggesting sheer drops into some unknown chasm. A kitchen is visible to the northwest, and a dining room to the northeast.

By the south edge is the top of a ladder.

A sleeping stegosaurus is here, looking oddly out of place.

> ne

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

Dad disappears west to the laundry room.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table. A fire truck is parked nearby.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A rolling chair is here.

> i
You have:
    a diary
    a candlestick
    a hefty iron key
    a cufflink
    a miniature shovel
    a miniature double bed
    a mommy doll
    a hamster-sized woolly hat
    Nibbles
    a music box
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a pillow
    a flashlight
    an oil can

> put key in upper right
You put the hefty iron key in the upper right room.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> s

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A vanity and a bookshelf stand on either side of the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk.

Open doorways lead west and north.

An oversized iron key is on the floor.

There's also an oversized impossible bottle here.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table. A fire truck is parked nearby.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A rolling chair is here.

> take key
Got the hefty iron key.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> s

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A vanity and a bookshelf stand on either side of the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk.

Open doorways lead west and north.

There's also an oversized impossible bottle here.

> drop key
You place the hefty iron key on the floor.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table. A fire truck is parked nearby.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A rolling chair is here.

> taker key
(I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.)

> take key
Got the diary key.

> unlock diary
(with the diary key)
Repressing an irrational pang of conscience, you turn the key inside the lock.

> open it
You open the diary.

> read it
Hang on! This is Nolan's handwriting.

My beautiful, you are so sweet
The finest girl I'll ever meet

You dropped some flowers that I keep
And when we are apart I weep

I wish it could be you and me
Cornelia, I worship thee!

Yikes. Nolan just gets weirder and weirder.

A tiny bundle of pressed forget-me-nots falls out of the diary.

> x bundle
Cute little blue flowers, pressed and dried.

> i
You have:
    a diary key
    a diary
    a candlestick
    a cufflink
    a miniature shovel
    a miniature double bed
    a mommy doll
    a hamster-sized woolly hat
    Nibbles
    a music box
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a pillow
    a flashlight
    an oil can

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad enters from below.

> w
Knock, knock.

“What is it?”

1. “What are you up to?”
2. “See you around, Nolan!”

> 2
“See you around, Nolan!”

“As if.”

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

Wait a minute. How did Nolan's diary end up inside the bottle? Does he know about the dollhouse?

> n
(first attempting to open the bathroom door)
You open the bathroom door.

Bathroom
Grey plastic floor, tiled walls. A blurry window high up on the eastern wall. There's a toilet, a sink underneath a mirror, and a shower. The exit is south.

> water bundle
(I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.)

> x bundle
(I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.)

> i
You have:
    a diary key
    a diary
    a candlestick
    a cufflink
    a miniature shovel
    a miniature double bed
    a mommy doll
    a hamster-sized woolly hat
    Nibbles
    a music box
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a pillow
    a flashlight
    an oil can

> u
There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

> s

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

You close the bathroom door behind you.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table. A fire truck is parked nearby.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A tiny bundle of pressed forget-me-nots is on the floor.

A rolling chair is here.

> take bundle
Got the tiny bundle of pressed forget-me-nots.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> n
(first attempting to open the bathroom door)
You open the bathroom door.

Bathroom
Grey plastic floor, tiled walls. A blurry window high up on the eastern wall. There's a toilet, a sink underneath a mirror, and a shower. The exit is south.

> water bundle
(I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted to do.)

> x bundle
Cute little blue flowers, pressed and dried.

> turn on tap
Water splashes into the sink.

> put bundle in water
You can't put things in the water.

> e
You turn off the tap as you leave. There doesn't appear to be an exit in that direction.

> s

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

You close the bathroom door behind you.

> s

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

> put bundle in vase
The forget-me-nots are too small for this vase.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad disappears down to the entrance hall.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table. A fire truck is parked nearby.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A rolling chair is here.

> put bundle in upper right
You put the tiny bundle of pressed forget-me-nots in the upper right room.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> s

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A vanity and a bookshelf stand on either side of the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk.

Open doorways lead west and north.

A bouquet of flowers is on the floor.

There's also an oversized impossible bottle here.

> take bouquet
Got the bouquet of flowers.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table. A fire truck is parked nearby.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A rolling chair is here.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> s

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A tin vase rests on the white tablecloth.

> put boquet in vase
(I only understood you as far as wanting to put something in the tin vase.)

> put bouquet in vase
You put the bouquet of flowers in the tin vase.

> goals
Your current goals are:

• Give Dad his cufflink.
• Put a candlestick on the table.

Dad has a to-do list of his own, on the fridge.

> put candlestick on table
You place the candlestick on top of the dining table.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

Dad scrutinizes the room, looking for his missing cufflink. “I'm sure I had it before I started vacuuming.”

> give cufflink to dad
“Here's your cufflink, Dad! It was in the vacuum cleaner.”

“Oh, thank you, Emma! You're an angel! Thank you so much!”

Dad holds his two cufflinks tightly. He looks really relieved.

Dad disappears south to the dining room.

> goals
Your current goals are:

• Wait until the Taylors arrive.

Dad has a to-do list of his own, on the fridge.

> s

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A candlestick and a vase full of blue flowers are tastefully laid out on the white tablecloth.

Dad disappears west to the kitchen.

> w

Kitchen
There's a kitchen counter here, with a stove, sink, and oven. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

Dad takes the casserole out of the oven.

> talk to dad
“Hey Dad!”

“Hey Emma! Everything all right?” Dad seems to be in a hurry.

1. “When are the Taylors coming again?”
2. “What should I get for the table, again?”
3. “Dad, can I borrow your phone to play Tetris? Please?”
4. “See you around, Dad.”

> 1
“When are the Taylors coming again?”

“Probably the minute I get into the shower.” Dad sighs.

1. “When are the Taylors coming again?”
2. “What should I get for the table, again?”
3. “Dad, can I borrow your phone to play Tetris? Please?”
4. “See you around, Dad.”

> 4
“See you around, Dad.”

“See you!” Dad's eye is twitching just a little bit.

Kitchen
There's a kitchen counter here, with a stove, sink, and oven. A refrigerator hums cordially in a corner of the room. You can see a park through the window on the western wall.

An open doorway leads east, and a strange surface extends to the south.

Dad disappears east to the dining room.

> e

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A candlestick and a vase full of blue flowers are tastefully laid out on the white tablecloth.

Dad puts the casserole on the table.

> x table
It's a large, sturdy table covered by a white tablecloth. A casserole, a candlestick, and a vase full of blue flowers are tastefully laid out on top.

“Look at that gorgeous dining table!” Dad is beaming. “Well done, Emma! I'll get the plates and glasses and cutlery, but first I really need to fetch my clothes and hit the shower.”

> save
Game state saved successfully.

> l

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A casserole, a candlestick, and a vase full of blue flowers are tastefully laid out on the white tablecloth.

Dad disappears north to the entrance hall.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

Dad disappears up to the landing.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad disappears south to the study.

> s

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A vanity and a bookshelf stand on either side of the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk.

Open doorways lead west and north.

There's also an oversized impossible bottle here.

Dad disappears west to the sitting room.

> w

Sitting room
A green velvet sofa faces a huge wall-mounted TV. The afternoon light filters in through a window in the western wall. There's also a wardrobe against one wall.

There's an open doorway to the east.

Dad takes some clothes out of the wardrobe.

> z
A moment slips away.

Dad disappears east to the study.

> e

Study
A window in the eastern wall overlooks the main street. A vanity and a bookshelf stand on either side of the window. Propped up against one wall is a flimsy work desk.

Open doorways lead west and north.

There's also an oversized impossible bottle here.

Dad disappears north to the landing.

> n

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad disappears down to the entrance hall.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

Dad opens the bathroom door.

Dad disappears north and locks the bathroom door from the inside.

> n
(first attempting to open the bathroom door)
The bathroom door is locked.

> e
The front door is closed. Besides, you're not allowed to go out.

You hear the shower turn on.

> l

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

Dad is singing in the shower. He seems happier now.

> l

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

Dad is singing in the shower. He seems happier now.

> l

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

Ding-dong! The doorbell rings.

You hear the shower turn off.

“Emma, will you get it?” Dad yells from the bathroom.

> e
With a big smile, you throw the front door wide open and shout: “Hello! There you are! The table is already set!”

A balding middle-aged man peers back at you over a face mask.

“Package for Dr. Felicia Small.” The balding man has a curt and efficient manner, but kindly eyes.

1. “Uh, that's Mom. I'll go and get her.”
2. “I think Mom is busy. Can I sign for it?”

> 2
“I think Mom is busy. Can I sign for it?”

“Of course, ma'am.” The middle-aged man hands you a plastic pen and an electronic device displaying an “X” and a dotted line.

You draw an elephant.

“Thank you, ma'am!” The man nods briefly, takes the electronic device and the pen, hands you a package, and walks away briskly.

You close the door behind him.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

> i
You have:
    a brown paper package
    a diary key
    a diary
    a miniature shovel
    a miniature double bed
    a mommy doll
    a hamster-sized woolly hat
    Nibbles
    a music box
    a small potted herb
    a blanket
    a pillow
    a flashlight
    an oil can

> x package
The address label has Mom's name on it: Felicia Small.

The bathroom door opens, and Dad comes out dressed in his best suit.

> open it
“Dad, this package has Mom's name on it.”

Dad just smiles. “It's for you, Emma! But I think Mom wants to see you open it too.”

Dad looks expectantly at you.

> u
You climb the spiral staircase.

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

> n

Your room
This is the best room in the house, because it's yours. The exit is south, and there's a window towards the street.

Front and center is a large dollhouse on a white table. A fire truck is parked nearby.

There's also a bed, a toy chest, and a karaoke speaker with a microphone stand next to it.

A rolling chair is here.

> put mom in lower right
You put the mommy doll in the lower right room.

> s

Landing
A railing half-encloses a spiral staircase leading down. To the south, the study is visible through an open doorway. The door to Nolan's room is set in the west wall, across from a window, and the door to your room is to the north.

Dad enters from below.

> d
You climb down the spiral staircase.

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

Mom gives you an encouraging look.

> open package
“Mom, this package has your name on it.”

Mom just smiles. “It's for you, Emma! But I think Dad wants to see you open it too.”

Mom tries to get a glimpse of the package in your hands.

> s

Dining room
Through the window in the eastern wall you can see the main street. Open doorways lead west and north, and a strange surface extends to the south.

There's a large dining table in the middle of the room, surrounded by six wooden chairs.

A casserole, a candlestick, and a vase full of blue flowers are tastefully laid out on the white tablecloth.

Mom enters from the north.

> z
A moment slips away.

Mom smiles.

> z
A moment slips away.

Mom tries to get a glimpse of the package in your hands.

> x dad
(I only understood you as far as wanting to examine something.)

> give package to mom
“It's for you, Emma! But I think Dad wants to see you open it too.”

Mom looks expectantly at you.

> n

Entrance hall
Coats and jackets hang on a rack over a shoe shelf, by the front door to the east. The laundry room is to the west, and the bathroom is to the north. There is an open doorway to the south, and a spiral staircase leads up.

A calendar is on the wall.

Mom enters from the south.

Dad smiles.

> open package
“Mom, this package has your name on it.”

Mom just smiles. “It's for you, Emma! Go ahead and open it!”

That's all you needed to hear.

Your heart pounds as you eagerly tear off the brown paper. And there it is! Exactly the one you wanted!

“Oh, thank you, Mom! Thank you, Dad!” You hug each of them in turn.

Mr. Taylor is a doctor with a white coat and the cutest little stethoscope. Mrs. Taylor is a police officer in uniform. The boy is about your age and has a Dalmatian puppy on a leash, while the girl is older and comes with a fishing rod and a straw hat.

“Happy birthday, Emma!” Dad is beaming.

“Sorry we couldn't give this to you in the morning, with the rest of the presents. Both the web-shop and the delivery company turned out to be absolutely hopeless.” Mom sounds annoyed, but checks herself. “Sorry, sweetie. Happy birthday!”

Nolan comes down the stairs. “Hey guys, I'm starving! When are we eating?” He sounds as nonchalant as ever, but you notice that he's changed into a proper shirt.

1. “All right, let's hit that casserole!”

> 1
“All right, let's hit that casserole!”

* * *

Later, when you've all had as much chicken casserole as you could eat, and ice cream with marshmallows, and Mom and Dad have had their coffee, and Nolan and you have split the remains of the birthday cake from this morning, Mom clinks her glass. You all turn to look at her.

“Emma, my sweet six-year-old daughter! We live in strange times. The world is upside down and inside out. I'm sorry that we couldn't have a real birthday party for you this year, and I'm sorry that we couldn't get you your presents on time, but, well, you know. We have to stay bottled up, just like everybody else. We're lucky to have our health, and we're extraordinarily lucky to have each other.

“And today I realized something. If I had to bring only three people with me to a desert island, I'd bring you, honey (she looks at Dad); you, Nolan; and you, Emma. And in a sense then, I've really hit the jackpot, because until this whole thing blows over, that's exactly the people I get to hang out with.

“But here's what I think: We're not bottled up at all. We're the only ones who ended up on the outside of the bottle, and the rest of the crazy world is on the inside. At some point, that bottle is going to shatter, but for now there's no way for all those other people to come out and bother us. So let's keep them on a shelf and marvel at the whole impossible situation, while it lasts!

She raises her glass. “To the only four people on the outside!”

*** Little does she know ***

Would you like to:
     UNDO the last move,
     RESTORE a saved position,
     see a list of AMUSING things to do,
     QUIT the program,
     or RESTART from the beginning?
> amusing
Have you tried...
...redecorating the house to your liking?
...talking to Mom on the smooth surface?
...talking to Nolan after he stops playing Tetris?
...climbing into the musical mechanism?
...playing?
...entering the blanket fort and looking out through the gap?
...licking the batteries?
...locking the bathroom door from the inside?
...jumping down through the stegosaurus-shaped hole?
...reading the text on Mom's computer?
...peeling the vegetables?

Would you like to:
     UNDO the last move,
     RESTORE a saved position,
     see a list of AMUSING things to do,
     QUIT the program,
     or RESTART from the beginning?
>