Start of a transcript of:

Bad Beer
An Interactive Adventure by Vivienne Dunstan
Release 1 / Serial number 240729 / Inform 7 v10.1.1
Inform 7 v10.1.1
Identification number: //8EB3CF7D-61A6-4EA6-9231-F40A61DD5C09//
Interpreter version 0.6.0 / VM 3.1.3

>x beams
Sturdy wooden beams run across above the main pub area, giving an impression of age.

A customer makes a joke, and their friend laughs in response.

Jack looks at you expectantly.

>x jack
Jack is in his early sixties. He has receding grey hair, and is rather plump around the midriff. He likes his beer! He's a friendly chap, who you've got to know well over the years since you moved here.

"Let me show you what this beer is like. Hand that glass over," says Jack.

>x regulars
There are a few people in the pub at the moment, quietly chatting and drinking. Normally the pub is busier than this.

"Ere, give me that glass, will ee!" says Jack.

>x glass
It is an empty pint glass, waiting to be filled with the pub's delicious beer.

>get glass
Taken.

"Yes, let me show you," says Jack eagerly, taking the empty pint glass from you. He fills it carefully with beer, with a good head of froth on top. "There, try that!" he says, passing it back to you.

You hear the chat of regulars, though a smaller number than the pub usually has.

>i
You are carrying:
  a full pint glass

>x me
You look older than you feel, but otherwise you're just you.

>drink beer
You raise the glass to your lips, and drink. But unlike the usual good drink here, this tastes like something really bad, rotten, just all wrong. You pull a face, and put the glass back down. "Aarr!" says Jack. "Now you see! It ain't right!" He takes the glass from you and empties it with disgust. "All our drinks taste like that now. I might as well shut up shop. I can't find anything wrongly set up. Can you check around the pub for me?" You nod, though uncertain what you will find. But Jack is just grateful, and shakes your hand warmly, before turning away, leaving you free to start exploring.

>l
Inside the Pub
This is the main room of "The Dog and Duck", your local pub. You've spent many a happy night here. The room is quaint, with wooden beams. You feel the sense of history here. There are several tables and seats. To the south is the front door leading onto the street, and to the north is the area behind the bar.

You can see Jack and some regulars here.

A customer makes a joke, and their friend laughs in response.

>x tables
There are various tables in the pub for customers to sit by.

You hear the chat of regulars, though a smaller number than the pub usually has.

>x seats
Various seats are scattered around the pub.

>s

Outside the Pub
This is the village street outside the pub which lies to the north. Above the door is the old pub sign.

In the distance you hear the sound of grass cutting.

>x sign
You look at the pub sign, which shows a black and white collie dog sitting beside a green and brown duck. Suddenly something catches your eye. At one of the pub's upper windows you see a face. Not one you recognise. You blink, and look again. They've gone.

>l
Outside the Pub
This is the village street outside the pub which lies to the north. Above the door is the old pub sign.

>x windows
You look at the pub's old sign, featuring a black and white collie dog sitting beside a green and brown duck. You glance briefly to the upper window beside the sign, but see nothing strange this time.

>x  pub
You look at the pub's old sign, featuring a black and white collie dog sitting beside a green and brown duck. You glance briefly to the upper window beside the sign, but see nothing strange this time.

You hear the song of birds nearby.

>l
Outside the Pub
This is the village street outside the pub which lies to the north. Above the door is the old pub sign.

>listen
The air is filled with bird songs and you can also hear voices from inside the pub.

You can faintly hear happy voices of drinkers inside the pub.

>smell
The air smells fresh and invigorating.

In the distance you hear the sound of grass cutting.

>s
Best not, Jack needs your help in the pub.

>n

Inside the Pub
This is the main room of "The Dog and Duck", your local pub. You've spent many a happy night here. The room is quaint, with wooden beams. You feel the sense of history here. There are several tables and seats. To the south is the front door leading onto the street, and to the north is the area behind the bar.

You can see Jack and some regulars here.

>n

Behind the Bar
This is the area behind the pub counter, where Jack and June often stand to serve the patrons, though they are not here right now. Rows of taps for pulling curiously titled beers and ciders run along the wooden counter top, delivering drinks from the kegs stored below. Behind the standing area are shelves holding glasses for the drinks. Exits go to the south, east and west from here.

>x taps
A row of taps for pulling beer and cider run along the wooden bar. Among them are the pub's most popular beers: Honeyed Badger, Golden Hare, and the one you tried just now, Stinky Ferret. Each tap has an ornate handle for pulling the beer.

>x handle
A row of taps for pulling beer and cider run along the wooden bar. Among them are the pub's most popular beers: Honeyed Badger, Golden Hare, and the one you tried just now, Stinky Ferret. Each tap has an ornate handle for pulling the beer.

>x counter
A row of taps for pulling beer and cider run along the wooden bar. Among them are the pub's most popular beers: Honeyed Badger, Golden Hare, and the one you tried just now, Stinky Ferret. Each tap has an ornate handle for pulling the beer.

>x kegs
You bend down, and see the kegs under the bar, each connected to its tap with a beer line. You're no expert, but everything looks as you think it probably should. You stand back up again, no wiser.

>x line
You bend down, and see the kegs under the bar, each connected to its tap with a beer line. You're no expert, but everything looks as you think it probably should. You stand back up again, no wiser.

>x shelves
The shelves hold glasses ready for the drinks to be poured.

>x glasses
The shelves hold glasses ready for the drinks to be poured.

>get glass
Best leave the glasses where they are.

>l
Behind the Bar
This is the area behind the pub counter, where Jack and June often stand to serve the patrons, though they are not here right now. Rows of taps for pulling curiously titled beers and ciders run along the wooden counter top, delivering drinks from the kegs stored below. Behind the standing area are shelves holding glasses for the drinks. Exits go to the south, east and west from here.

>pull handle
Jack's tried to show you how to pull a pint, but you're still unsure, so best not.

>x hare
Golden Hare is a blond beer, with a rich golden colour and a lighter taste.

>x stinky
The strongest of all the beers the pub serves, Stinky Ferret certainly packs a punch.

>x badger
One of your favourites, Honeyed Badger has a mellow honey taste combined with a rich beer flavour.

>l
Behind the Bar
This is the area behind the pub counter, where Jack and June often stand to serve the patrons, though they are not here right now. Rows of taps for pulling curiously titled beers and ciders run along the wooden counter top, delivering drinks from the kegs stored below. Behind the standing area are shelves holding glasses for the drinks. Exits go to the south, east and west from here.

>e

Kitchen
This is the small but functional pub kitchen, east of the rest of the pub. A well lit room, filled with shelves of pots and pans, as well as a cooker, fridge freezer, and sink. This is mainly June's area, and she pops in and out during the pub's opening hours. June is indeed here, preparing the pub's meals. Sally is also here, chatting to her and helping. Both look up and smile as you enter. "Having a look around, are you love?" asks June. "Jack hoped you might help."

You can see June and Sally here.

>x june
June is a bit younger than her husband Jack, and has short wavy brown hair. She's always been welcoming and kind to you.

"It's been odd here lately, hasn't it?" says June, musing as she works.

>x sally
You'd guess Sally is in her early forties, with long, straight, blonde hair. She's a real help in the pub to June and Jack.

>talk to june
"How are you getting on love?" says June. "If you want to ask us anything about what's been happening go ahead."

>ask about beer
You can't see any such thing.

>ask june about beer
"Oh Jack's so worried. The beer has been off for a while, and we can't find anything wrong with the setup," says June, shaking her head sadly. "Though it's not the only strange thing that's been going on here," she says, nodding to you significantly.

Sally washes up some things in the sink.

>ask june about strange
"We've had so many strange things going on," says June. "Not just the beer, but also odd noises everywhere." "And cold spells too," adds Sally. "Especially on the stairs and in the cellar. I don't like going in there now."

"I hope the diners enjoy the latest food," says Sally, hard at work.

>ask june about ghosts
"Sometimes it almost feels as though we have a ghost," says June. "Or maybe a poltergeist?" adds Sally.

>ask june about cold
"The pub is usually such a cosy place," says June. "But there are some chilly areas now."

>ask june about noises
June has already told you that that they've had strange things going on, including odd noises, and (as Sally adds) cold spells too.

"It's been odd here lately, hasn't it?" says June, musing as she works.

>talk to sally
"We're so grateful you're having a ferret around," says Sally. "Things have been getting very strange here." She nods significantly towards June, who nods back, eyes wide open for emphasis.

Sally washes up some things in the sink.

>x sink
This is where the dishes and things are washed up.

"Even the vicar's been looking into it!" says June. "We'll have an exorcism next at this rate, you mark my words." Sally laughs.

>x dishes
You can't see any such thing.

>ask sally about vicar
Sally looks puzzled. Perhaps you should ask her about something else. Try TOPICS for ideas.

>topics
The pub staff especially will be happy to answer your questions. Try asking them about topics like beer, the pub and its history, or parts of the pub. Then see what further topics their responses suggest you could ask about. For example ASK JACK ABOUT BEER.

>ask sally about pub
"Oh it's an old pub this, with history back as long as your arm," says Sally. "Sometimes I wonder if the place is haunted. Right enough we've been having cold spells lately. And odd noises."

"I hope the diners enjoy the latest food," says Sally, hard at work.

>ask june about pub
"Oh I don't know much of the pub's history," says June thoughtfully. "Though I think the vicar's been looking into it."

>ask june about vicar
"I don't know him well, but he seems like a good vicar," says June.

>ask sally about vicar
Sally looks puzzled. Perhaps you should ask her about something else. Try TOPICS for ideas.

>ask sally about strange
Sally has already told you that the pub has an old history, and then there are the cold spells and odd noises of late. Maybe the pub is haunted.

>ask june about bar
June looks puzzled. Perhaps you should ask her about something else. Try TOPICS for ideas.

>ask june about regulars
June looks puzzled. Perhaps you should ask her about something else. Try TOPICS for ideas.

Sally wipes her head. "Oh, I'm tired!" she says, grinning at the same time.

>ask june about taps
June looks puzzled. Perhaps you should ask her about something else. Try TOPICS for ideas.

Voices come through from the pub. Sounds like the customers are having a good time.

>ask june about kegs
June looks puzzled. Perhaps you should ask her about something else. Try TOPICS for ideas.

>ask june about kitchen
"This is my favourite spot usually, but it's been odd lately," says June, glancing as she says it towards the fridge in particular.

>ask sally about kitchen
"There have been odd things going on here too," says Sally. "Especially that fridge!" which she glowers at.

"Hope you can find something, love," says June, looking at you with concern.

>ask sally about fridge
"I don't want to open it now!" says Sally.

"I hope the diners enjoy the latest food," says Sally, hard at work.

>ask june about fridge
"It keeps shutting suddenly!" says June.

>open fridge
You open the fridge freezer. It is full of supplies for the pub. You are about to shut the door when it suddenly BANGS shut on you by itself. "There it's doing that again!" says Sally. "Gives me the creeps it does." June nods, adding, "It's been going on for a while."

>x fridge
It's a small but functional fridge freezer, used to store pub supplies. You consider opening it again, but think better of it.

"Hope you can find something, love," says June, looking at you with concern.

>look behind fridge
You can't see any such thing.

>l
Kitchen
This is the small but functional pub kitchen, east of the rest of the pub. A well lit room, filled with shelves of pots and pans, as well as a cooker, fridge freezer, and sink. This is mainly June's area, and she pops in and out during the pub's opening hours.

You can see June and Sally here.

>x shelves
The shelves have various things on them.

>x pots
You glance at the pots and pans but don't spot anything of note.

Sally puts some things away. It's important to keep a small kitchen like this tidy.

>x cooker
It's a pretty basic cooker. Nothing much to see here.

>w

Behind the Bar
This is the area behind the pub counter, where Jack and June often stand to serve the patrons, though they are not here right now. Rows of taps for pulling curiously titled beers and ciders run along the wooden counter top, delivering drinks from the kegs stored below. Behind the standing area are shelves holding glasses for the drinks. Exits go to the south, east and west from here.

>w

Bottom of the Stairs
This small hallway leads east to the bar area and up some stairs to the pub's bedrooms. An exit leads west and down into the pub's cellar.

>x stairs
The stairs lead up to the pub's bedrooms for paying guests.

>u

Top of the Stairs
This is the top of the stairs. You feel surprisingly high up here, almost vertiginous. Two bedrooms lead off to the west and south. The stairs lead back down to the pub.

>w

In one of the pub's bedrooms
This is a small bedroom upstairs in the pub, with a small bed, plus a window. The room is decorated a pale green colour. Back to the east are the stairs down to the main pub.

>x window
You see nothing special about the window.

>look out window
I only understood you as far as wanting to look outside.

>look outside
You can see outside the pub. A very familiar sight.

>x bed
The bed is made up ready for guests, though few people stay here.

>look under bed
You kneel down but find nothing of interest.

>sit on bed
Oh the bed looks tempting, but June wouldn't approve. Best not.

>sleep
You aren't feeling especially drowsy.

>search bed
There is nothing on the bed.

>e

Top of the Stairs
This is the top of the stairs. You feel surprisingly high up here, almost vertiginous. This time around this spot also suddenly feels cold, causing you to shiver. That's strange. Two bedrooms lead off to the west and south. The stairs lead back down to the pub.

>s

In one of the pub's bedrooms
This is a small bedroom upstairs in the pub, with a small bed, plus a window. The room is decorated a warm red colour. Back to the north are the stairs down to the main pub.

>x bed
The bed is made up ready for guests, though few people stay here. You suddenly feel a chill, as though someone is behind you. You turn around quickly, but there is no-one there.

>look under bed
You kneel down but find nothing of interest.

>sit on bed
Oh the bed looks tempting, but June wouldn't approve. Best not.

>l
In one of the pub's bedrooms
This is a small bedroom upstairs in the pub, with a small bed, plus a window. The room is decorated a warm red colour. Back to the north are the stairs down to the main pub.

>x bed
You see nothing special about the bed.

>smell
You sniff carefully but smell nothing unexpected.

>listen
You listen carefully but hear nothing unexpected.

>feel
What do you want to feel?

>bed
You feel nothing unexpected.

>x window
You see nothing special about the window.

>x red
You can't see any such thing.

>l
In one of the pub's bedrooms
This is a small bedroom upstairs in the pub, with a small bed, plus a window. The room is decorated a warm red colour. Back to the north are the stairs down to the main pub.

>n

Top of the Stairs
This is the top of the stairs. You feel surprisingly high up here, almost vertiginous. Two bedrooms lead off to the west and south. The stairs lead back down to the pub.

>n
Sorry, you can't go that way. From here, you can go south, west and down.

>u
Sorry, you can't go that way. From here, you can go south, west and down.

>d

Bottom of the Stairs
This small hallway leads east to the bar area and up some stairs to the pub's bedrooms. An exit leads west and down into the pub's cellar.

>d

Down in the Pub's Cellar
You step down towards the pub's cellar, turning on the light switch at the top of the steps as you start to go down. This small room stores the pub's spare kegs of beer, crates of bottles, and other bits and pieces. The lighting is poor, and you remember when Jack showed you down here that the light has a habit of flickering.

There the light goes for a moment.

>z
Time passes.

The light flickers.

>l
Down in the Pub's Cellar
This small room stores the pub's spare kegs of beer, crates of bottles, and other bits and pieces. The lighting is poor, and you remember when Jack showed you down here that the light has a habit of flickering.

>x kegs
Various kegs of the pub's drinks are stored here.

>x crates
Various heavy crates of drink bottles are stored here. You notice something hidden behind the crates, but can't quite reach it.

>look behind crates
You can't see any such thing.

>push crates
With an effort you move the crates slightly. There is something behind them, and you take it. You push the crates back in place.
You look at the object in your hand. It is a small roughly carved figure, maybe a child's toy? As you ponder the light flickers suddenly then turns off. You feel a sense of dread, yet are unable to move.

It seems to be getting colder, and you shiver more and more.

>x figure
It is a small roughly carved figure, maybe a child's toy. Rather crudely carved, and simple in shape, but recognisable as a person.

>i
You are carrying:
  a wooden figure

>x bits
You can't see any such thing.

>l
Down in the Pub's Cellar
It's too dark in here to see anything much without the light on.

Suddenly you hear a voice up above. It's Sally. "Is there someone down there?" You hear her flick the switch twice, and the light turns back on. "Come out of there! What were you doing?" You climb the steps, grateful to see her, and step out of the cold. "You daft thing!" says Sally, looking at you with concern. "Come through to the kitchen for a chat if you like."

Bottom of the Stairs
This small hallway leads east to the bar area and up some stairs to the pub's bedrooms. An exit leads west and down into the pub's cellar.

>e

Behind the Bar
This is the area behind the pub counter, where Jack and June often stand to serve the patrons, though they are not here right now. Rows of taps for pulling curiously titled beers and ciders run along the wooden counter top, delivering drinks from the kegs stored below. Behind the standing area are shelves holding glasses for the drinks. Exits go to the south, east and west from here.

>e

Kitchen
This is the small but functional pub kitchen, east of the rest of the pub. A well lit room, filled with shelves of pots and pans, as well as a cooker, fridge freezer, and sink. This is mainly June's area, and she pops in and out during the pub's opening hours. June sees the expression on your face. "Are you alright love?" she asks.

You can see Sally and June here.

>ask june about cellar
"Oh I don't go down there usually," says June, "and certainly not now. It gives me the creeps it does."

"I hope Jack doesn't need anything fetched from the cellar," says Sally. "That place has been giving me the creeps."

>ask sally about cellar
"I still have to go in the cellar to get stuff," says Sally, "but I don't like it one bit now."

>show figure to june
"What a curious figure!" June says, turning it over in her hands, before handing it back to you.

>show figure to sally
"Oh that gives me the creeps!" Sally says, handing it back to you. She shakes her hands, as if trying to get rid of the strange feeling.

>tell june about figure
"We've never had an object like that," says June. "It looks very old though."

>tell sally about figure
"I've not seen a wooden figure before," says Sally. "But the pub is of some age. Maybe it was lost long ago?"

>tell june about cellar
June has already told you that that the cellar gives her the creeps now.

>l
Kitchen
This is the small but functional pub kitchen, east of the rest of the pub. A well lit room, filled with shelves of pots and pans, as well as a cooker, fridge freezer, and sink. This is mainly June's area, and she pops in and out during the pub's opening hours. June sees the expression on your face. "Are you alright love?" she asks.

You can see Sally and June here.

>tell june about cold
June has already told you that there are now some chilly areas in the pub.

"Even the vicar's been looking into it!" says June. "We'll have an exorcism next at this rate, you mark my words." Sally laughs.

>tell sally about cold
"There are so many cold spots now," says Sally, shivering as she speaks. "Especially up the stairs and down in the cellar."

Sally wipes her head. "Oh, I'm tired!" she says, grinning at the same time.

>ask sally about stairs
Sally looks puzzled. Perhaps you should ask her about something else. Try TOPICS for ideas.

>ask june about stairs
June looks puzzled. Perhaps you should ask her about something else. Try TOPICS for ideas.

>topics
The pub staff especially will be happy to answer your questions. Try asking them about topics like beer, the pub and its history, or parts of the pub. Then see what further topics their responses suggest you could ask about. For example ASK JACK ABOUT BEER.

>l
Kitchen
This is the small but functional pub kitchen, east of the rest of the pub. A well lit room, filled with shelves of pots and pans, as well as a cooker, fridge freezer, and sink. This is mainly June's area, and she pops in and out during the pub's opening hours. June sees the expression on your face. "Are you alright love?" she asks.

You can see Sally and June here.

>w

Behind the Bar
This is the area behind the pub counter, where Jack and June often stand to serve the patrons, though they are not here right now. Rows of taps for pulling curiously titled beers and ciders run along the wooden counter top, delivering drinks from the kegs stored below. Behind the standing area are shelves holding glasses for the drinks. Exits go to the south, east and west from here.

>s

Inside the Pub
This is the main room of "The Dog and Duck", your local pub. You've spent many a happy night here. The room is quaint, with wooden beams. You feel the sense of history here. There are several tables and seats. To the south is the front door leading onto the street, and to the north is the area behind the bar.

You can see Jack and some regulars here.

Jack comes over to you. "Ere, the Reverend wanted to show you something." You see a man approach, and recognise him as the village's vicar, Reverend Bottledale. "I found some papers that might help," says the vicar, handing some sheets of paper over to you. "It's about the pub's history," he adds.

A customer makes a joke, and their friend laughs in response.

>x papers
The papers are printouts of various notes about the pub and its history. Lots of small details, but not - at least yet - written up in a coherent history. You glance down the page and see details like:

 - The Dog and Duck dates from at least the early 1800s
 - Pub possibly under a different name before, but recorded under modern name back a long way
 - Publicans traced in census returns include Jacob Gudgeon, Arthur Pretty, George Sherry and Fred Sparks
 - Vague rumours of a tragic death here, maybe mid 1800s
 - Newspaper references to local pub games, other notable events, plus some dodgy drink selling and illegal gambling on site!

You suddenly feel cold, and looking up from the papers see a pale, wispy figure standing. It looks like a young boy. He is pointing straight at you. Your chest clenches, and the view around you fades, before moments later you come to again ...


Please press SPACE to continue.

Inside the Pub
This is a pub, with thick wooden beams, and lots of tables and chairs for people to sit in. It is a comfortable space. The area behind the bar is to the north and a door leads out to the south.

You can see a landlord and some customers here.

This looks so like the pub you know so well, similar layout, it feels familiar. But the decor and the people are like something from the past, in fact a really long time ago in the past. What just happened?! You look at yourself and you seem faint now. This just gets odder.

>x landlord
The landlord here looks of a similar age to Jack, but who knows how old he actually is if he lived in the past. He doesn't seem to notice you.

>talk to landlord
You try to get his attention, but he doesn't respond. In fact he doesn't seem to see or hear you at all.

Some of the customers are laughing loudly, as one tells a risqué story. Then the landlord calls, "Will, can you go and fetch the plant pot from upstairs? I think it would do better down here." He is speaking to a young boy, maybe 14 or 15 years old, who you now notice standing beside the bar. A boy, you realise with a jolt, who is worryingly familiar. For a moment you remember the strange spectre you saw in your time.

"Aye, sir," says Will, with a cheery voice, putting away a small wooden toy that he had been playing with. He walks round the bar and heads through to the back of the pub. Not knowing why, you follow him. No one notices as you pass them in the pub.

In the hallway you see Will dart upstairs, sometimes two steps at a time. You follow, and see he dashes into one bedroom, then comes back out, holding a plant pot with a small leafy plant inside it. He steps back towards the stairs, then everything slows ... as you watch ... unable to act. Will catches his foot on the floor ... and with a strange, slow motion cry tumbles down the stairs ... the plant pot flying up into the air as he falls, only to land beside the boy's broken and bleeding body at the bottom of the stairs. The wooden toy he had been playing with also falls, rolling down towards the cellar. You know there is no hope. Your heart breaks.

Shocked to the core, you suddenly feel light headed and pressed upon from all around. The room spins, and you find yourself ...



Please press SPACE to continue.
... back in the old version of the pub. You shake your head in disbelief. You hear the same story that you heard a few minutes ago. Will is standing by the bar. What on earth is happening?

Inside the Pub
This is a pub, with thick wooden beams, and lots of tables and chairs for people to sit in. It is a comfortable space. The area behind the bar is to the north and a door leads out to the south.

You can see Will, a landlord and some customers here.

>s

Outside the Pub
Stepping outside you find yourself beside a rough surfaced old village street. And there's the pub sign, "The Dog and Duck". Of course it is. Though it looks to have a fresher lick of paint than you remember. Everything is different, but somehow it's still the same.

>x sign
The pub sign is fresher but as you remember. Glancing at the pub the building is similar. At the windows you see nothing strange.

The air is filled with the fresh smell of the countryside.

>smell
The air smells fresh.

>listen
The air is filled with quiet country sounds. You can also hear some voices from inside the pub.

You faintly hear voices from inside the pub.

>n

Inside the Pub
This is a pub, with thick wooden beams, and lots of tables and chairs for people to sit in. It is a comfortable space. The area behind the bar is to the north and a door leads out to the south.

You can see Will, a landlord and some customers here.

Will heads off to the back of the pub.

>x will
You can't see any such thing.

>n

Behind the Bar
This is the area behind the pub counter. Similar to what you remember, though somewhat simpler. Exits go to the south, east and west from here.

You can see Will here.

>x will
Will looks to be in his early or mid teens, but seems quite small for his age. He has short, brown hair, and a cheery face.

Will walks out west towards the stairs.

>w

Bottom of the Stairs
This small hallway leads east to the bar area and up some stairs to the pub's bedrooms. An exit leads west and down into the pub's cellar. It feels virtually the same as you remember from your time.

You can see Will here.

>talk to will
For a moment it's as though Will can hear you. But then he looks away.

Will starts to climb up the stairs.

>u

Top of the Stairs
This is the top of the stairs. As in your time you feel surprisingly high up here, almost vertiginous. Two bedrooms lead off to the west and south. The stairs lead back down to the pub.

You can see Will here.

>w

In one of the pub's bedrooms
This is a small bedroom upstairs in the pub, with a small bed, plus a window. It looks much like in your time, but is more simply decorated. Back to the east are the stairs down to the main pub.

>e

Top of the Stairs
This is the top of the stairs. As in your time you feel surprisingly high up here, almost vertiginous. Two bedrooms lead off to the west and south. The stairs lead back down to the pub.

>s

In one of the pub's bedrooms
This is a small bedroom upstairs in the pub, with a small bed, plus a window. It looks much like in your time, but is a lighter cream colour. Back to the north are the stairs down to the main pub.

You can see Will and a plant pot here.

Will spots what he is looking for, and picks up the plant pot.

>get pot
That seems to belong to Will. You can't take that.

>x pot
The small plant pot has a small houseplant in it.

Will leaves the bedroom.

>s
Sorry, you can't go that way. From here, you can go north.

>n

Top of the Stairs
This is the top of the stairs. As in your time you feel surprisingly high up here, almost vertiginous. Two bedrooms lead off to the west and south. The stairs lead back down to the pub.

You can see Will here.

To your horror the accident happens all over again. You didn't stop it. Suddenly you feel faint, and the world spins around you ...



Please press SPACE to continue.
... and you find yourself back in the old version of the pub. You shake your head in disbelief. You hear the same story that you heard a few minutes ago. Will is again standing by the bar. Suddenly, and differently from last time, you hear a ghostly voice in your head say, "Just one last chance to save me. Please."

Inside the Pub
This is a pub, with thick wooden beams, and lots of tables and chairs for people to sit in. It is a comfortable space. The area behind the bar is to the north and a door leads out to the south.

You can see Will, a landlord and some customers here.

>n

Behind the Bar
This is the area behind the pub counter. Similar to what you remember, though somewhat simpler. Exits go to the south, east and west from here.

>e

Kitchen
This is the pub's small kitchen, east of the rest of the pub. It looks familiar, though is missing all the modern electrical equipment from your time. A cook is here, preparing pub food at a table.

You can see a cook here.

>x cook
The pub cook here is a man, currently busy here in the kitchen. He doesn't seem to notice you.

>x table
The table provides a good workspace for the cook to prepare food.

>talk to cook
You try to get his attention, but he doesn't respond. In fact he doesn't seem to see or hear you at all.

The cook works busily.

>w

Behind the Bar
This is the area behind the pub counter. Similar to what you remember, though somewhat simpler. Exits go to the south, east and west from here.

You can see Will here.

>w

Bottom of the Stairs
This small hallway leads east to the bar area and up some stairs to the pub's bedrooms. An exit leads west and down into the pub's cellar. It feels virtually the same as you remember from your time.

Will arrives from the main pub area. He looks so full of life, and steps up towards the stairs.

>u

Top of the Stairs
This is the top of the stairs. As in your time you feel surprisingly high up here, almost vertiginous. Two bedrooms lead off to the west and south. The stairs lead back down to the pub.

>s

In one of the pub's bedrooms
This is a small bedroom upstairs in the pub, with a small bed, plus a window. It looks much like in your time, but is a lighter cream colour. Back to the north are the stairs down to the main pub.

You can see a plant pot here.

>get pot
Taken.

>z
Time passes.

Will comes into the bedroom and looks around.

>z
Time passes.

>z
Time passes.

Will suddenly seems to see you, spots the plant pot, and takes it from you, smiling.

>z
Time passes.

>z
Time passes.

Will leaves the bedroom.

>z
Time passes.

>z
Time passes.

Though you don't witness it happening, somehow you know the accident has just happened all over again. You didn't stop it. Suddenly you feel faint, and the world spins around you ...



Please press SPACE to continue.
Some time has passed, since your jaunt into the past. Today you are meeting Reverend Bottledale in the small churchyard some distance from the pub. He said he had something to show you.

In a small country churchyard
This is the village's old churchyard. A calm place, where old gravestones push up among wild flowers and grasses, with ancient trees leaning overhead, dappling the sunshine and providing shade. You can hear birds singing nearby.

You can see Reverend Bottledale here.

>x vicar
The local vicar is quiet, and quite shy. Not very tall, with balding hair and glasses. Though you recognise a sharp intelligence there.

>talk to vicar
"Jack said you were looking into what's been going on," says the vicar quietly. "I hope you can find some answers."

"I've been thinking about what you said, about what you saw in the past," says the vicar quietly. "And I think I've found Will's grave." He leads you over towards a small gravestone. There you can just make out the name Will Sharman. Your skin tingles.

"He died in 1856," says the vicar sadly. "He was just 15 years old. At least he lies in a quiet spot." If only he was still at peace. The disturbances have continued at the pub. But you know why now. Even if you dearly wish you could have changed what happened.

You place the small wooden toy that you found in the pub's cellar beside Will's grave. It is only a small token, but it feels like the right thing to do. You turn away, determined not to forget the boy.



    *** The End ***




Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, QUIT, UNDO the last command, read an AFTERWORD or oh go on then, have another trip into the PAST to try to save Will?
> past
Jumping you to the point where you first see the accident ...


Please press SPACE to continue.

Some of the customers are laughing loudly, as one tells a risqué story. Then the landlord calls, "Will, can you go and fetch the plant pot from upstairs? I think it would do better down here." He is speaking to a young boy, maybe 14 or 15 years old, who you now notice standing beside the bar. A boy, you realise with a jolt, who is worryingly familiar. For a moment you remember the strange spectre you saw in your time.

"Aye, sir," says Will, with a cheery voice, putting away a small wooden toy that he had been playing with. He walks round the bar and heads through to the back of the pub. Not knowing why, you follow him. No one notices as you pass them in the pub.

In the hallway you see Will dart upstairs, sometimes two steps at a time. You follow, and see he dashes into one bedroom, then comes back out, holding a plant pot with a small leafy plant inside it. He steps back towards the stairs, then everything slows ... as you watch ... unable to act. Will catches his foot on the floor ... and with a strange, slow motion cry tumbles down the stairs ... the plant pot flying up into the air as he falls, only to land beside the boy's broken and bleeding body at the bottom of the stairs. The wooden toy he had been playing with also falls, rolling down towards the cellar. You know there is no hope. Your heart breaks.

Shocked to the core, you suddenly feel light headed and pressed upon from all around. The room spins, and you find yourself ...



Please press SPACE to continue.
... back in the old version of the pub. You shake your head in disbelief. You hear the same story that you heard a few minutes ago. Will is standing by the bar. What on earth is happening?

Inside the Pub
This is a pub, with thick wooden beams, and lots of tables and chairs for people to sit in. It is a comfortable space. The area behind the bar is to the north and a door leads out to the south.

You can see Will, a landlord and some customers here.

>n

Behind the Bar
This is the area behind the pub counter. Similar to what you remember, though somewhat simpler. Exits go to the south, east and west from here.

Suddenly you hear those fateful words again: "Will, can you go and fetch the plant pot from upstairs? I think it would do better down here." "Aye, sir," says Will. He turns, and almost seems to notice you. But then he turns away again, and the moment has passed.

>w

Bottom of the Stairs
This small hallway leads east to the bar area and up some stairs to the pub's bedrooms. An exit leads west and down into the pub's cellar. It feels virtually the same as you remember from your time.

>u

Top of the Stairs
This is the top of the stairs. As in your time you feel surprisingly high up here, almost vertiginous. Two bedrooms lead off to the west and south. The stairs lead back down to the pub.

>s

In one of the pub's bedrooms
This is a small bedroom upstairs in the pub, with a small bed, plus a window. It looks much like in your time, but is a lighter cream colour. Back to the north are the stairs down to the main pub.

You can see a plant pot here.

>get pot
Taken.

>n

Top of the Stairs
This is the top of the stairs. As in your time you feel surprisingly high up here, almost vertiginous. Two bedrooms lead off to the west and south. The stairs lead back down to the pub.

>w

In one of the pub's bedrooms
This is a small bedroom upstairs in the pub, with a small bed, plus a window. It looks much like in your time, but is more simply decorated. Back to the east are the stairs down to the main pub.

>z
Time passes.

>z
Time passes.

>z
Time passes.

>z
Time passes.

>z
Time passes.

>z
Time passes.

>z
Time passes.

>z
Time passes.

>z
Time passes.

Though you don't witness it happening, somehow you know the accident has just happened all over again. You didn't stop it. Suddenly you feel faint, and the world spins around you ...



Please press SPACE to continue.
... and you find yourself back in the old version of the pub. You shake your head in disbelief. You hear the same story that you heard a few minutes ago. Will is again standing by the bar. Suddenly, and differently from last time, you hear a ghostly voice in your head say, "Just one last chance to save me. Please."

Inside the Pub
This is a pub, with thick wooden beams, and lots of tables and chairs for people to sit in. It is a comfortable space. The area behind the bar is to the north and a door leads out to the south.

You can see Will, a landlord and some customers here.

>n

Behind the Bar
This is the area behind the pub counter. Similar to what you remember, though somewhat simpler. Exits go to the south, east and west from here.

>e

Kitchen
This is the pub's small kitchen, east of the rest of the pub. It looks familiar, though is missing all the modern electrical equipment from your time. A cook is here, preparing pub food at a table.

You can see a cook here.

There is a wonderful smell here.

>w

Behind the Bar
This is the area behind the pub counter. Similar to what you remember, though somewhat simpler. Exits go to the south, east and west from here.

>w

Bottom of the Stairs
This small hallway leads east to the bar area and up some stairs to the pub's bedrooms. An exit leads west and down into the pub's cellar. It feels virtually the same as you remember from your time.

>d

Down in the Pub's Cellar
This is the pub's cellar, though with no modern electric light it is gloomy, and you decide against going into it properly.

>u

Bottom of the Stairs
This small hallway leads east to the bar area and up some stairs to the pub's bedrooms. An exit leads west and down into the pub's cellar. It feels virtually the same as you remember from your time.

>u

Top of the Stairs
This is the top of the stairs. As in your time you feel surprisingly high up here, almost vertiginous. Two bedrooms lead off to the west and south. The stairs lead back down to the pub.

>s

In one of the pub's bedrooms
This is a small bedroom upstairs in the pub, with a small bed, plus a window. It looks much like in your time, but is a lighter cream colour. Back to the north are the stairs down to the main pub.

You can see a plant pot here.

>get pot
Taken.

>put pot under bed
I didn't understand that sentence.

>x bed
You see nothing special about the bed.

>open window
It doesn't seem to open, no matter how hard you try.

Will comes into the bedroom and looks around.

>n

Top of the Stairs
This is the top of the stairs. As in your time you feel surprisingly high up here, almost vertiginous. Two bedrooms lead off to the west and south. The stairs lead back down to the pub.

>z
Time passes.

>z
Time passes.

>d

Bottom of the Stairs
This small hallway leads east to the bar area and up some stairs to the pub's bedrooms. An exit leads west and down into the pub's cellar. It feels virtually the same as you remember from your time.

You hear a noise at the top of the stairs, as Will returns.

>drop pot
Dropped.

>z
Time passes.

To your horror the accident happens all over again. You didn't stop it. Suddenly you feel faint, and the world spins around you ...



Please press SPACE to continue.
Some time has passed, since your jaunt into the past. Today you are meeting Reverend Bottledale in the small churchyard some distance from the pub. He said he had something to show you.

In a small country churchyard
This is the village's old churchyard. A calm place, where old gravestones push up among wild flowers and grasses, with ancient trees leaning overhead, dappling the sunshine and providing shade. You can hear birds singing nearby.

You can see Reverend Bottledale here.

>z
Time passes.

>z
Time passes.

"I've been thinking about what you said, about what you saw in the past," says the vicar quietly. "And I think I've found Will's grave." He leads you over towards a small gravestone. There you can just make out the name Will Sharman. Your skin tingles.

"He died in 1856," says the vicar sadly. "He was just 15 years old. At least he is at peace here in a quiet spot." These are true words indeed. There have been no more strange occurrences at the pub. Even the beer tastes fine now. You turn around, and glimpse a spectral figure nearby. He is watching you, with a sad but calm face. Maybe it helped that you saw what happened to him, even if you dearly wish you could have changed what happened in the past.

You place the small wooden toy that you found in the pub's cellar beside Will's grave. It is only a small token, but it feels like the right thing to do. You turn away, determined not to forget the boy.



    *** The End ***




Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, QUIT, UNDO the last command, read an AFTERWORD or oh go on then, have another trip into the PAST to try to save Will?
> past
Jumping you to the point where you first see the accident ...


Please press SPACE to continue.

Some of the customers are laughing loudly, as one tells a risqué story. Then the landlord calls, "Will, can you go and fetch the plant pot from upstairs? I think it would do better down here." He is speaking to a young boy, maybe 14 or 15 years old, who you now notice standing beside the bar. A boy, you realise with a jolt, who is worryingly familiar. For a moment you remember the strange spectre you saw in your time.

"Aye, sir," says Will, with a cheery voice, putting away a small wooden toy that he had been playing with. He walks round the bar and heads through to the back of the pub. Not knowing why, you follow him. No one notices as you pass them in the pub.

In the hallway you see Will dart upstairs, sometimes two steps at a time. You follow, and see he dashes into one bedroom, then comes back out, holding a plant pot with a small leafy plant inside it. He steps back towards the stairs, then everything slows ... as you watch ... unable to act. Will catches his foot on the floor ... and with a strange, slow motion cry tumbles down the stairs ... the plant pot flying up into the air as he falls, only to land beside the boy's broken and bleeding body at the bottom of the stairs. The wooden toy he had been playing with also falls, rolling down towards the cellar. You know there is no hope. Your heart breaks.

Shocked to the core, you suddenly feel light headed and pressed upon from all around. The room spins, and you find yourself ...



Please press SPACE to continue.
... back in the old version of the pub. You shake your head in disbelief. You hear the same story that you heard a few minutes ago. Will is standing by the bar. What on earth is happening?

Inside the Pub
This is a pub, with thick wooden beams, and lots of tables and chairs for people to sit in. It is a comfortable space. The area behind the bar is to the north and a door leads out to the south.

You can see Will, a landlord and some customers here.

>n

Behind the Bar
This is the area behind the pub counter. Similar to what you remember, though somewhat simpler. Exits go to the south, east and west from here.

Suddenly you hear those fateful words again: "Will, can you go and fetch the plant pot from upstairs? I think it would do better down here." "Aye, sir," says Will. He turns, and almost seems to notice you. But then he turns away again, and the moment has passed.

>w

Bottom of the Stairs
This small hallway leads east to the bar area and up some stairs to the pub's bedrooms. An exit leads west and down into the pub's cellar. It feels virtually the same as you remember from your time.

>u

Top of the Stairs
This is the top of the stairs. As in your time you feel surprisingly high up here, almost vertiginous. Two bedrooms lead off to the west and south. The stairs lead back down to the pub.

>s

In one of the pub's bedrooms
This is a small bedroom upstairs in the pub, with a small bed, plus a window. It looks much like in your time, but is a lighter cream colour. Back to the north are the stairs down to the main pub.

You can see a plant pot here.

>get pot
Taken.

>n

Top of the Stairs
This is the top of the stairs. As in your time you feel surprisingly high up here, almost vertiginous. Two bedrooms lead off to the west and south. The stairs lead back down to the pub.

>d

Bottom of the Stairs
This small hallway leads east to the bar area and up some stairs to the pub's bedrooms. An exit leads west and down into the pub's cellar. It feels virtually the same as you remember from your time.

You can see Will here.

>give pot to will
You reach towards him, trying to hand over the plant pot. He looks confused for a moment, but then seems to see you, and takes the plant pot.

Will pauses, looking at what he is carrying. He grins, and turns round back towards the pub.

>e

Behind the Bar
This is the area behind the pub counter. Similar to what you remember, though somewhat simpler. Exits go to the south, east and west from here.

>s

Inside the Pub
This is a pub, with thick wooden beams, and lots of tables and chairs for people to sit in. It is a comfortable space. The area behind the bar is to the north and a door leads out to the south.

You can see a landlord and some customers here.

You breathe a sigh of relief. He is safe. The accident hasn't happened. Suddenly you feel faint, and the world spins around you ...



Please press SPACE to continue.
Some time has passed, since your jaunt into the past. Today you are meeting Reverend Bottledale in the small churchyard some distance from the pub. He said he had something to show you.

In a small country churchyard
This is the village's old churchyard. A calm place, where old gravestones push up among wild flowers and grasses, with ancient trees leaning overhead, dappling the sunshine and providing shade. You can hear birds singing nearby.

You can see Reverend Bottledale here.

>listen
The sounds you can hear are calm, country ones.

>smell
There is a gorgeous smell here of fresh wild flowers.

"I've been thinking about what you said, about what you saw in the past," says the vicar quietly. "And I think I've found Will's grave." He leads you over towards a small gravestone. There you can just make out the name Will Sharman. Your skin tingles.

"See: he died in 1912," says the vicar. "He lived a long, and happy life. I find it hard to believe what you told me, but he did not die from an accident, and lived to a grand old age. And this is a beautiful spot," he says, gently touching the top of the gravestone. Beyond the gravestone among the trees you see a faint figure watching. It is Will, young again. He smiles, and waves, then vanishes. There have been no more strange occurrences at the pub. Even the beer tastes fine now. He is truly at peace.

You place the small wooden toy that you found in the pub's cellar beside Will's grave. It is only a small token, but it feels like the right thing to do. You turn away, determined not to forget the boy.

But first it's time for a proper drink. Jack promised you a glass of the pub's once again excellent beer this afternoon. You head off towards the pub, chatting to the vicar about Will as you walk.



    *** The End ***




Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, QUIT, UNDO the last command or read an AFTERWORD?
> afterword
Thank you for playing my game! I hope that you enjoyed it.

I want to thank again my testers (Amanda Walker, Jeffrey Elliott, Jkj, Mel Jason, Josh Grams, Martin Dunstan and Nick Marsh), who spotted so many things, and without whom this game would have been much poorer.

This game came out of an original design written during a short RPG scenario writing course, although I was intentionally thinking of something that might work as parser interactive fiction. It was ages before I pulled out the design again and started coding it.

The main literary inspiration was K.M. Peyton's book A Pattern of Roses. Other inspirations were Helen Cresswell's book Moondial, Dee Cooke's PunyInform game Morris, and British TV series Sapphire & Steel. There are also elements inspired by my husband's home county Somerset, or, as I often like to think of it, Zummerzet.

I am not a great beer drinker myself, but love cider, thanks to my husband's Somerset background. I should probably have coded some bizarre cider names in the game as well, to go along with the beers Honeyed Badger, Golden Hare, and Stinky Ferret!

Thank you again for playing.

Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, QUIT, UNDO the last command or read an AFTERWORD?
> quit