Start of a transcript of Turbo Chest Hair Massacre A real piece of work by Joey Acrimonious Release 1 / Serial number 201031 / Inform 7 build 6M62 (I6/v6.33 lib 6/12N) Identification number: //E9C7CB10-067C-419C-9157-3D7DE4395F4F// Interpreter version 1.3.5 / VM 3.1.2 / Library serial number 080126 Standard Rules version 3/120430 by Graham Nelson >* good use of accoutrements That's not a verb I recognise. >x me You're almost ready for date night with Hayma. You just need to do something about your chest hair. >x chair You can't see any such thing. >* docking implementation points, how could you not recognize my inadvertant portmanteau for chest hair? You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >x chest Amid a nigh-imperceptible garden of tiny, wispy vellum, several strands of more substantial body hair curl insidiously on your chest. You need to remove them before you leave for your date! >* insidious! That's not a verb I recognise. >x strands You can't see any such thing. >x hair Amid a nigh-imperceptible garden of tiny, wispy vellum, several strands of more substantial body hair curl insidiously on your chest. You need to remove them before you leave for your date! >l bathroom (listening post) A full bath, replete with all the accoutrements one might need in a bathroom. A stand by the sink holds your toothbrush cup; the cabinet over the sink holds a variety of other necessities. Above the bathtub, a blackout curtain has been hung over the room's only window. Your housemate Marigold doesn't seem to use the bathroom for much, so it's easy to keep the place clean. To the east, a door leads into the hallway. >i You are carrying: a pair of straight-cut jeans (being worn) >x jeans A basic pair of straight-cut jeans. >about Turbo Chest Hair Massacre is written by Joey Acrimonious. Much thanks to Ajdabeest, Chris Capps, DaliTimelord, and H0LT for testing and feedback. It also makes use of Basic Screen Effects by Emily Short. The cover image was designed by Joey Acrimonious using modified versions of the following images, all licensed with CC BY 2.0: "NASA's Fermi Proves Supernova Remnants Produce Cosmic Rays" by NASA Goddard Photo and Video; "Rose laser ?? ????" by T.Kiya; and "Rose Houjun ?? ????? ??" by T.Kiya. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. You can use the cover image under the same license but I can't imagine why you would want to. For a general tip, type TIP. For a context-sensitive hint, type HINT. For instructions on how to play, type HELP. For solutions, consult the walkthrough file. >help You can navigate most easily by typing a directional abbreviation: N/S/E/W, or U/D for going up/down. Be sure to EXAMINE plenty of things (abbreviated x). You can always LOOK (abbreviated l) to see your immediate surroundings. Type INVENTORY (abbreviated i) to see what you're carrying. You can TAKE many items and try to USE them, or USE something ON something else - e.g. "use duct tape on socks". If your housemate is present in the room, you can ASK her ABOUT something or TELL her ABOUT something - e.g. "ask Marigold about Hayma". And you can WEAR an article of clothing that belongs to you. For a general tip, type TIP. For a context-sensitive hint, type HINT. For solutions, consult the walkthrough. >* oh, use, interesting You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >l bathroom (listening post) A full bath, replete with all the accoutrements one might need in a bathroom. A stand by the sink holds your toothbrush cup; the cabinet over the sink holds a variety of other necessities. Above the bathtub, a blackout curtain has been hung over the room's only window. Your housemate Marigold doesn't seem to use the bathroom for much, so it's easy to keep the place clean. To the east, a door leads into the hallway. >x stand A wire stand with towels and washcloths. Notably, the toothbrush cup is at the top of the stand. >x bup You can't see any such thing. >* I am really covering myself in glory here That's not a verb I recognise. >x cup A plastic cup with four convenient holes for toothbrushes. It normally contains your toothbrush, plus Marigold's two brushes: one soft and one made of wire. In the toothbrush cup are your toothbrush, Marigold's soft brush and Marigold's wire brush. >x my toothbrush Your toothbrush is a fairly standard thing. It is emblazoned with an S, indicating soft bristles. >x marigold's soft A mysterious model of horse-hair brush that Marigold uses for... well, you don't know what she uses it for, and you feel like it would be weird to ask. >x marigold's hard You can't see any such thing. >x wire A strange model of oblong wire brush that Marigold uses for... well, you haven't a clue what she uses it for, and you feel like it's not really any of your business to ask. > I beg your pardon? >l bathroom (listening post) A full bath, replete with all the accoutrements one might need in a bathroom. A stand by the sink holds your toothbrush cup; the cabinet over the sink holds a variety of other necessities. Above the bathtub, a blackout curtain has been hung over the room's only window. Your housemate Marigold doesn't seem to use the bathroom for much, so it's easy to keep the place clean. To the east, a door leads into the hallway. >x cabinet A small medicine cabinet over the sink. It has a mirror on it. >x curtain This tasteful shower curtain combines a deep, rich brown background with whimsically-scattered white and pink floral print. Somehow you knew it would look perfect in here. >x blackout The window is covered by a blackout curtain. Waterproof duct tape secures the edges of the curtain to the wall so that there is no chance of anyone being able to see in here from the outside. >* maybe disambiguation should fire for "curtain"? That's not a verb I recognise. >open blackout That's not something you ought to open. >* fair enoug That's not a verb I recognise. >take tape You can't see any such thing. >take duct You can't see any such thing. >* ah well That's not a verb I recognise. >* aways handy to have duct tape though That's not a verb I recognise. >l bathroom (listening post) A full bath, replete with all the accoutrements one might need in a bathroom. A stand by the sink holds your toothbrush cup; the cabinet over the sink holds a variety of other necessities. Above the bathtub, a blackout curtain has been hung over the room's only window. Your housemate Marigold doesn't seem to use the bathroom for much, so it's easy to keep the place clean. To the east, a door leads into the hallway. >open shower (the shower curtain) You nudge the shower curtain aside, revealing the inside of the bath. A shower rack, where you normally keep a variety of personal grooming products, is stuck to the wall. >open cabinet You open the bathroom cabinet, revealing a box of band-aids. >x band-aids You purchased this box of band-aids when you first moved into the listening post. What's a bathroom cabinet without band-aids? >* foreshadowing! That's not a verb I recognise. >* also, listening post? You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >take band aids You pick up the box of band-aids. >open it It would be silly to walk around with an open box of band-aids. Just use it when you're ready to use it. >x rack Stuck to the wall of the shower with suction cups, this simple rack has nothing on it at the moment. On the shower rack are a shampoo bar, a bottle of conditioner, a bottle of body wash, a bar of soap and a can of shaving cream. >* Hmm, rack has nothing on it seems belied by the list of stuff on it You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >x bar Which do you mean, the shampoo bar or the bar of soap? >shampoo bar Lavender and goat's milk. This solid bar of shampoo was shipped from your favorite small-batch sustainable chandlery back home. Worth every penny. You know you have other things to do, but it would be nice to take a moment and give it a smell. >* huh, I didn't know that was a thing! You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >smell shampoo It smells like relaxation, self-love, and trust in the fundamental goodness of humanity. It smells like the feeling you had when you came home and took a long bath after the very first time you met Hayma, before you started dating. It smells nice. >* aww That's not a verb I recognise. >take bar Which do you mean, the shampoo bar or the bar of soap? >shampoo You pick up the shampoo bar. >put it on rack You put the shampoo bar on the shower rack. >x rack Stuck to the wall of the shower with suction cups, this simple rack has nothing on it at the moment. On the shower rack are a shampoo bar, a bottle of conditioner, a bottle of body wash, a bar of soap and a can of shaving cream. >* hmm That's not a verb I recognise. >x bottle Which do you mean, the bottle of conditioner or the bottle of body wash? >conditioner The oddly-shaped bottle is built to look more voluminous than it actually is. >smell it You smell nothing unexpected. >open it That's not something you ought to open. >x wash This is a bottle of body wash. >open it That's not something you ought to open. >smell it You smell nothing unexpected. >l bathroom (listening post) A full bath, replete with all the accoutrements one might need in a bathroom. A stand by the sink holds your toothbrush cup; the cabinet over the sink holds a variety of other necessities. Above the bathtub, a blackout curtain has been hung over the room's only window. Your housemate Marigold doesn't seem to use the bathroom for much, so it's easy to keep the place clean. To the east, a door leads into the hallway. >x rack Stuck to the wall of the shower with suction cups, this simple rack has nothing on it at the moment. On the shower rack are a shampoo bar, a bottle of conditioner, a bottle of body wash, a bar of soap and a can of shaving cream. >x soap In a quaint house by the shore of Lake Memphremagog, there lives a brusque, surly woman descended from seven generations of brusque, surly soapmakers. With her brawny hands, she mixes up the finest small-batch craft soaps using sustainably-sourced local ingredients, just as her grandpappy taught her. The tradition you trust. The quality you expect. >* We ought to be in advertising That's not a verb I recognise. >smell it You smell nothing unexpected. >l bathroom (listening post) A full bath, replete with all the accoutrements one might need in a bathroom. A stand by the sink holds your toothbrush cup; the cabinet over the sink holds a variety of other necessities. Above the bathtub, a blackout curtain has been hung over the room's only window. Your housemate Marigold doesn't seem to use the bathroom for much, so it's easy to keep the place clean. To the east, a door leads into the hallway. >x rack Stuck to the wall of the shower with suction cups, this simple rack has nothing on it at the moment. On the shower rack are a shampoo bar, a bottle of conditioner, a bottle of body wash, a bar of soap and a can of shaving cream. >x cream Use it when shaving to make sure you feel nice and clean afterwards. But that won't do you any good if you can't find your razors, or some suitable substitute... >* yet more ominous That's not a verb I recognise. >take crem You can't see any such thing. >oops cream You pick up the can of shaving cream. >* FFS Russo That's not a verb I recognise. >l bathroom (listening post) A full bath, replete with all the accoutrements one might need in a bathroom. A stand by the sink holds your toothbrush cup; the cabinet over the sink holds a variety of other necessities. Above the bathtub, a blackout curtain has been hung over the room's only window. Your housemate Marigold doesn't seem to use the bathroom for much, so it's easy to keep the place clean. To the east, a door leads into the hallway. >e first-floor hallway (listening post) Not much tends to happen in the hallway. Usually you pass through here on your way to somewhere else without paying much mind to it. But is that really fair? The hallway is an important part of this house, too. A table sits in the corner, hopefully not getting in the way of anyone attempting to walk past. Some paintings hang from the wall. The bathroom is to the west. Your bedroom is to the south. To the north, the hallway opens up into the listening room. >x table (the hallway table) This stout wooden table sports a convenient drawer. >x drawer Fortunately, it's not locked. It doesn't have a lock on it. No one in their right mind would lock a drawer in a hallway. >* I get that this is a dumb joke, but having played 102 works of IF in the preceding month, it lands You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >open drawer You open the drawer. >x it The drawer sits open and empty. >close it You close the drawer. >l first-floor hallway (listening post) Not much tends to happen in the hallway. Usually you pass through here on your way to somewhere else without paying much mind to it. But is that really fair? The hallway is an important part of this house, too. A table sits in the corner, hopefully not getting in the way of anyone attempting to walk past. Some paintings hang from the wall. The bathroom is to the west. Your bedroom is to the south. To the north, the hallway opens up into the listening room. >x paintings Three paintings adorn the hallway: a landscape, a portrait of a cat, and a portrait of a woman. >x landscape A print of Mount Lafayette in Winter by Thomas Hill. The idyllic wilderness scene of the foreground is dwarfed by the sheer mass of the mountain in the background. Sunlight shimmers from its hazy peak. >x cat A highly stylized rendering of a black cat. >x woman A loose, wispy painting of a woman with whimsical curls in her hair. She wears an inscrutable smile. >* we appear to have good taste That's not a verb I recognise. >n listening room (listening post) What once was a living room has been transformed into your primary workspace, dominated by the massive listening console against the north wall. Nevertheless, in the center of the room, a sofa and recliner are arranged around a coffee table. Blackout curtains prevent anyone from seeing into the listening room from outside the house. You can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. You could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down into the basement. As you enter the room, Marigold gets up from her seat at the listening console, her joints creaking noisily. "Sounds like you could use some oil," you remark. "Getting oiled up by a human is shameful and objectifying," she replies, looking away in a poor attempt to conceal the enormous grin on her face. "But I suppose if you insist, I will have no choice but to submit to such cruel degradation at your hands. I am built to serve, after all." Somewhere below her waist, a cooling fan rattles to life, lifting the edge of her skirt with a gentle breeze. "That fan sounds like it's on its last leg," you remark. "Oh, Theo! Your harsh words grieve me deeply," she replies as her cooling fan clatters even louder. "Yet, sadly, even I must admit that I am a piss-poor slapdash gynoid of yesterday's bastardized tech; I am a useless, hollow shell of a machine, wholly unfit for service. I cannot blame you for treating me harshly, for anyone would surely be disgusted by my innumerable failures. Yet, I wonder... after you chastise me to your heart's content, will you replace my cooling fan?" "I mean," you begin, "if you need-" She interrupts. "Will you force me to lay still as you strip me down like a broken appliance, opening me up to reveal all my pitiful outdated hardware so you can rip that cooling fan right out of me? Oh, woe is me! I shall be subjected to such indignities! And yet, I am powerless to stop you." Marigold looks so excited that she might burst. "I would never do something like that to you," you respond calmly, "and I'm sorry if what I said came across as an insult. The truth is that I respect you as a coworker, as a person, and as an equal." Marigold visibly deflates as her cooling fan dies down. "Oh. Well, whatever, then. By the way, the boss sent over these two prototype hypothetical temporospatial recoordinators. Supposedly they only work when they're separated from each other by some distance, but not too much distance. Here, take one." Marigold holds out the prototype, waiting for you to take it. >* OK, uh, this not exactly what I was expecting You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >x marigold Marigold is your housemate and coworker at the listening post. One of you must be available at any given time to respond to anything the listening console might hear. As a gynoid, she never sleeps and could perhaps carry out the entire job herself, but the Agency insists upon employing teams of two. Marigold holds out the prototype, waiting for you to take it. >* are we a gynoid? That's not a verb I recognise. >x prototype (the prototype hypothetical temporospatial recoordinator #1) One part of a pair, this strange handheld device is shaped sort of like a gyrobifastigium, except with some weird things coming out of it. You can turn it on with the press of a button. Marigold holds out the prototype, waiting for you to take it. >take it Marigold hands you the strange device. >turn on prototype (the prototype hypothetical temporospatial recoordinator #1) You press the button on the strange device. Subjective knowledge (external): It doesn't have any discernable effect. Inferential knowledge: Theophila seems to be looking for something. >l listening room (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is where the listening console is located. I can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. I could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down to the basement. Subjective knowledge (external): Theophila walks into the hallway. Subjective knowledge (external): Theophila walks into the listening room. >ask marigold about herself Subjective knowledge (internal): Hmm... good question. Subjective knowledge (external): Theophila walks into the hallway. >* umm woah That's not a verb I recognise. >turn off prototype Subjective knowledge (external): I press the button on the prototype hypothetical temporospatial recoordinator #2. Nothing seems to happen. >* wait I thought I had number 1? That's not a verb I recognise. >turn off prototype You press the button on the strange device. Subjective knowledge (external): It doesn't have any discernable effect. >turn off prototype number 1 You can't see any such thing. >l listening room (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is where the listening console is located. I can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. I could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down to the basement. >ask marigold about herself Subjective knowledge (internal): Hmm... good question. >ask marigold about prototype Subjective knowledge (internal): Hmm... good question. >w Subjective knowledge (internal) I can't go very far that way without running into the wall. If necessary, I can LOOK to see where I am and what exits are available. >look listening room (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is where the listening console is located. I can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. I could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down to the basement. >s first-floor hallway (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): This is the first-floor hallway. I can go north to the listening room, west to the bathroom, or south to Theophila's bedroom. >w bathroom (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): This is the bathroom. The only reason I typically come here is for my brushes. I like to put them in the same cup where Theophila keeps her toothbrush. Subjective knowledge (external): The hallway is to the east. >* oh weird That's not a verb I recognise. >push button Subjective knowledge (external): I press the button on the prototype hypothetical temporospatial recoordinator #2. Nothing seems to happen. Maybe Marigold has seen your razors? You should find her and ask her. >x wire You can't see any such thing. >l your bedroom (listening post) Your bed is, of course, the centerpiece of the room. Your desk and bookshelf reside in one corner, while your dresser and mirror are on the other side of the room. Your closet, where most of your clothes can be found, is closed, and a compact metal-bladed fan sits nearby. The hallway is to the north. On your desk is a pair of aviator shades. >* Oh weird, how did I wind up here? You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >x me You're almost ready for date night with Hayma. You just need to do something about your chest hair. >l your bedroom (listening post) Your bed is, of course, the centerpiece of the room. Your desk and bookshelf reside in one corner, while your dresser and mirror are on the other side of the room. Your closet, where most of your clothes can be found, is closed, and a compact metal-bladed fan sits nearby. The hallway is to the north. On your desk is a pair of aviator shades. >n (first opening your bedroom door) first-floor hallway (listening post) Not much tends to happen in the hallway. Usually you pass through here on your way to somewhere else without paying much mind to it. But is that really fair? The hallway is an important part of this house, too. A table sits in the corner, hopefully not getting in the way of anyone attempting to walk past. Some paintings hang from the wall. The bathroom is to the west. Your bedroom is to the south. To the north, the hallway opens up into the listening room. >n listening room (listening post) What once was a living room has been transformed into your primary workspace, dominated by the massive listening console against the north wall. Nevertheless, in the center of the room, a sofa and recliner are arranged around a coffee table. Blackout curtains prevent anyone from seeing into the listening room from outside the house. You can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. You could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down into the basement. Marigold twirls her hair around with a finger. >s first-floor hallway (listening post) Not much tends to happen in the hallway. Usually you pass through here on your way to somewhere else without paying much mind to it. But is that really fair? The hallway is an important part of this house, too. A table sits in the corner, hopefully not getting in the way of anyone attempting to walk past. Some paintings hang from the wall. The bathroom is to the west. Your bedroom is to the south. To the north, the hallway opens up into the listening room. >w bathroom (listening post) A full bath, replete with all the accoutrements one might need in a bathroom. A stand by the sink holds your toothbrush cup; the cabinet over the sink holds a variety of other necessities. Above the bathtub, a blackout curtain has been hung over the room's only window. Your housemate Marigold doesn't seem to use the bathroom for much, so it's easy to keep the place clean. To the east, a door leads into the hallway. >i You are carrying: a prototype hypothetical temporospatial recoordinator #1 a can of shaving cream a box of band-aids a pair of straight-cut jeans (being worn) >e first-floor hallway (listening post) Not much tends to happen in the hallway. Usually you pass through here on your way to somewhere else without paying much mind to it. But is that really fair? The hallway is an important part of this house, too. A table sits in the corner, hopefully not getting in the way of anyone attempting to walk past. Some paintings hang from the wall. The bathroom is to the west. Your bedroom is to the south. To the north, the hallway opens up into the listening room. >* OK, seems like it's off now You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >n listening room (listening post) What once was a living room has been transformed into your primary workspace, dominated by the massive listening console against the north wall. Nevertheless, in the center of the room, a sofa and recliner are arranged around a coffee table. Blackout curtains prevent anyone from seeing into the listening room from outside the house. You can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. You could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down into the basement. You should ask Marigold about your razors. Maybe she's seen them. Marigold fiddles with her glasses. >ask marigold about herself She shrugs. >x glasses Isn't there something a bit odd about a gynoid wearing glasses? Well, it's none of your business, you suppose. Marigold heads into the kitchen. >l listening room (listening post) What once was a living room has been transformed into your primary workspace, dominated by the massive listening console against the north wall. Nevertheless, in the center of the room, a sofa and recliner are arranged around a coffee table. Blackout curtains prevent anyone from seeing into the listening room from outside the house. You can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. You could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down into the basement. Marigold shows up and takes a seat at the listening console. Marigold sits at the listening console, thoroughly engrossed by the texture of the synthetic skin on the tips of her own fingers. >x console It is the presence of the listening console that makes this a listening post, and not merely a house. Covered in dials, buttons, screens, switches, and meters, this giant thing takes up half the room. It was supposed to go in the basement but you couldn't figure out how to get it down the stairs. The interface is arcane, the controls are needlessly complex, and the device itself is cobbled together out of old and finicky tech. Yet there is no better tool for listening. Marigold looks at you with what you think is a mixture of concern and amusement. >listen You think of yourself as a good listener. But lately you feel like maybe you haven't always been hearing the people around you. Why is that, Theophila? Marigold looks over the listening console, studying some inscrutable readout. >use console No. Just no. Marigold puts a finger to her chin and stares into space, as if thinking of some weighty topic. >x fam You can't see any such thing. >x fan You can't see any such thing. >ask marigold about fan She shrugs. You should ask Marigold about your razors. Maybe she's seen them. >ask marigold about razors "Have you seen my razors? They're like - they're a pack of disposable razorblades? I would have thought they'd be in the bathroom cabinet." "I don't know anything about that," Marigold says. Hmm... better keep looking. But if you aren't able to find your razors, maybe there are other ways you can try going about getting rid of your chest hair? It's got to be worth a shot, right? >l listening room (listening post) What once was a living room has been transformed into your primary workspace, dominated by the massive listening console against the north wall. Nevertheless, in the center of the room, a sofa and recliner are arranged around a coffee table. Blackout curtains prevent anyone from seeing into the listening room from outside the house. You can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. You could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down into the basement. Marigold fiddles with her glasses. >x marigold Marigold is your housemate and coworker at the listening post. One of you must be available at any given time to respond to anything the listening console might hear. As a gynoid, she never sleeps and could perhaps carry out the entire job herself, but the Agency insists upon employing teams of two. She's an early model, but her behavior and skills don't seem to line up with other androids of her generation. You often wonder how much she may have been modified over the years. But it would feel weird to just ask, wouldn't it? Marigold looks at you with what you think is a mixture of concern and amusement. >ask marigold about razords She shrugs. >ask marigold about marigold "So, Marigold. How are you?" "How am I? I'm much more concerned with how you are, Theo." >ask marigold about me "You are a wonderful person, Theo," she says. "You're the only person who calls me that," you reply. Marigold looks taken aback. "I wish you'd stop calling me a person. But I digress. Does no one else realize how wonderful you are?" "Uh, that's not what I meant. I meant you're the only one who calls me Theo. Everyone else calls me Theophila. I guess it's such an impressive name, no one wants to abbreviate it." She simply waves a hand. "You're Theo to me." >ask marigold about me "You are a wonderful person, Theo," she says. "You're the only person who calls me that," you reply. Marigold looks taken aback. "I wish you'd stop calling me a person. But I digress. Does no one else realize how wonderful you are?" "Uh, that's not what I meant. I meant you're the only one who calls me Theo. Everyone else calls me Theophila. I guess it's such an impressive name, no one wants to abbreviate it." She simply waves a hand. "You're Theo to me." >ask marigold about hyama She shrugs. >ask marigold about hayma She shrugs. >ask marigold about console She shrugs. >ask marigold about prototype "The prototype hypothetical temporospatial recoordinator is not a scientific instrument in the normal sense of the word. Actually, it could be called an antiscientific instrument. It's supposed to reorient local space vis-a-vis hypothetical dimensions which, if they exist, are entirely beyond our perception. Thus, even though the boss wants us to test the prototypes, any effects they might have should be completely imperceptible and thus unfalsifiable. Isn't that amusing?" >l listening room (listening post) What once was a living room has been transformed into your primary workspace, dominated by the massive listening console against the north wall. Nevertheless, in the center of the room, a sofa and recliner are arranged around a coffee table. Blackout curtains prevent anyone from seeing into the listening room from outside the house. You can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. You could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down into the basement. Marigold sits at the listening console, thoroughly engrossed by the texture of the synthetic skin on the tips of her own fingers. >x sofa Placed perpendicular to the listening console, the sofa faces a wall where it would make sense to put a television, if you had one. Marigold hikes up her socks. >x recliner For some reason, you aren't fond of this big leather recliner. Maybe it's something about the way it smells. Marigold sits at the listening console, thoroughly engrossed by the texture of the synthetic skin on the tips of her own fingers. >smell recliner It smells like a mid-life crisis that unfolds over the course of 45 minutes before a comfortable equilibrium is reestablished. It smells like the kind of simple, predictable man who exists only in the imaginations of sitcom writers. It smells like it belongs in a finished basement, which is a problem, because you only have an unfinished basement. Marigold looks over the listening console, studying some inscrutable readout. >* eek That's not a verb I recognise. >l listening room (listening post) What once was a living room has been transformed into your primary workspace, dominated by the massive listening console against the north wall. Nevertheless, in the center of the room, a sofa and recliner are arranged around a coffee table. Blackout curtains prevent anyone from seeing into the listening room from outside the house. You can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. You could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down into the basement. Marigold fiddles with her glasses. >use recliner No... that doesn't seem useful here. Marigold looks at you with what you think is a mixture of concern and amusement. >use sofa For a moment, you think you've figured out something useful to do with the sofa. But you quickly realize it won't help you here. Marigold hikes up her socks. >l listening room (listening post) What once was a living room has been transformed into your primary workspace, dominated by the massive listening console against the north wall. Nevertheless, in the center of the room, a sofa and recliner are arranged around a coffee table. Blackout curtains prevent anyone from seeing into the listening room from outside the house. You can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. You could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down into the basement. Marigold looks over the listening console, studying some inscrutable readout. >x table You feel like the coffee table is the most important piece of furniture in the room. Apart from the listening console, of course. It just adds that convivial vibe that the room needs. Marigold hikes up her socks. >s first-floor hallway (listening post) Not much tends to happen in the hallway. Usually you pass through here on your way to somewhere else without paying much mind to it. But is that really fair? The hallway is an important part of this house, too. A table sits in the corner, hopefully not getting in the way of anyone attempting to walk past. Some paintings hang from the wall. The bathroom is to the west. Your bedroom is to the south. To the north, the hallway opens up into the listening room. >s your bedroom (listening post) Your bed is, of course, the centerpiece of the room. Your desk and bookshelf reside in one corner, while your dresser and mirror are on the other side of the room. Your closet, where most of your clothes can be found, is closed, and a compact metal-bladed fan sits nearby. The hallway is to the north. On your desk is a pair of aviator shades. >x bed Whenever you're about to go out for dinner with Hayma, some small part of you wants to climb in bed, pull the blanket over your head, and stay there. Why is that, Theophila? >look under it You find nothing of interest. >x dresser (your dresser) This simple dresser consists of several different drawers. >open it You open the drawers, which are full of socks, undergarments, knives, makeup, hand tools, etc. >x knives Which do you mean, the small pocket knife, the old pocket knife, the fat pocket knife or the fixed blade knife? >* umm we have rather a lot of knives You can't see any such thing. >x small This knife flips open to reveal a small yet sharp blade. >x old You've tried to clean it. Nonetheless, little pieces of dried dirt and plant matter are stuck in the crevices of this chipped pocket knife. >* nope That's not a verb I recognise. >x fat This knife flips open to reveal an unusually thick blade, for a pocket knife. >clean old You rub the old pocket knife. >x old You've tried to clean it. Nonetheless, little pieces of dried dirt and plant matter are stuck in the crevices of this chipped pocket knife. >l your bedroom (listening post) Your bed is, of course, the centerpiece of the room. Your desk and bookshelf reside in one corner, while your dresser and mirror are on the other side of the room. Your closet, where most of your clothes can be found, is closed, and a compact metal-bladed fan sits nearby. The hallway is to the north. On your desk is a pair of aviator shades. >x knives Which do you mean, the small pocket knife, the old pocket knife, the fat pocket knife or the fixed blade knife? >x fat This knife flips open to reveal an unusually thick blade, for a pocket knife. >x fixed A very fine blade, and the most expensive of your knives. >take fixed You pick up the fixed blade knife. >l your bedroom (listening post) Your bed is, of course, the centerpiece of the room. Your desk and bookshelf reside in one corner, while your dresser and mirror are on the other side of the room. Your closet, where most of your clothes can be found, is closed, and a compact metal-bladed fan sits nearby. The hallway is to the north. On your desk is a pair of aviator shades. >x desk A cheap desk suitable for reading, laptopping, and eating dinner when you'd rather be alone. Your lamp is in the corner. On your desk is a pair of aviator shades. >x lamp This knockoff art nouveau desk lamp is meant to resemble a Tiffany. Its dull metallic body features a botanical design, with a beautiful purple-and-white conical stained glass lampshade. >turn on lamp The lamp is already on. >* OK we do have taste That's not a verb I recognise. >l your bedroom (listening post) Your bed is, of course, the centerpiece of the room. Your desk and bookshelf reside in one corner, while your dresser and mirror are on the other side of the room. Your closet, where most of your clothes can be found, is closed, and a compact metal-bladed fan sits nearby. The hallway is to the north. On your desk is a pair of aviator shades. >x bookshelf A stout bookshelf, holding a selection of books. >x books Your collection includes many of the classics of world literature: Voyna i mir, The Art of War, Bish?jo Senshi S?r? M?n volumes 1-18... but you don't have time for reading at the moment. You have chest hair to remove! >read war and peace You can't see any such thing. >read voyna i mir Your collection includes many of the classics of world literature: Voyna i mir, The Art of War, Bish?jo Senshi S?r? M?n volumes 1-18... but you don't have time for reading at the moment. You have chest hair to remove! >* Oh come on, how long could it take? You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >l your bedroom (listening post) Your bed is, of course, the centerpiece of the room. Your desk and bookshelf reside in one corner, while your dresser and mirror are on the other side of the room. Your closet, where most of your clothes can be found, is closed, and a compact metal-bladed fan sits nearby. The hallway is to the north. On your desk is a pair of aviator shades. >x mirror You're topless. Don't you think you'll get cold once you leave the house? >x closet The door to the closet is currently shut. >open it You open your closet door, revealing your collections of footwear, bottoms, and tops. >x footwears You can't see any such thing. >x footwear An array of footwear, all sitting on the floor of your closet. In your collection of footwear are a pair of jump boots, a pair of short-heeled boots and a pair of nondescript flats. >x jump A lean, mean pair of composite-toe military-surplus jump boots that are surprisingly lightweight. You haven't worn these in... how many years? Certainly not in your adult life. >x short-heeled These simple, fashionable boots feature side zippers for ease of use. >x flats You see nothing unexpected about the pair of nondescript flats. >* Ha, good joke You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >l your bedroom (listening post) Your bed is, of course, the centerpiece of the room. Your desk and bookshelf reside in one corner, while your dresser and mirror are on the other side of the room. Your closet, where most of your clothes can be found, is open, and a compact metal-bladed fan sits nearby. The hallway is to the north. On your desk is a pair of aviator shades. >x closet The door to the closet is currently open. Here, you can see your collection of footwear; your collection of bottoms; and your collection of tops. >x bottoms In your collection of bottoms are a pair of slim-cut jeans, a pair of boot-cut jeans, a pair of hot pants, a plaid skirt and a greenish skirt. >x slim-cut A pair of slim-cut jeans. It hugs your thighs pleasantly. >i You are carrying: a fixed blade knife a prototype hypothetical temporospatial recoordinator #1 a can of shaving cream a box of band-aids a pair of straight-cut jeans (being worn) >x boot-cut A pair of boot-cut jeans. >x hot pants Who wears short shorts? You wear short shorts. >* eek That's not a verb I recognise. >x plaid You know those red flannel shirts that lumberjacks wear? This is that, except in skirt form. You should probably wear it on your date. >x greenish This mid-calf skirt, in a neutral shade of green, leaves your ankles exposed for all to see. Unless you're wearing socks with it for some weird reason. >l your bedroom (listening post) Your bed is, of course, the centerpiece of the room. Your desk and bookshelf reside in one corner, while your dresser and mirror are on the other side of the room. Your closet, where most of your clothes can be found, is open, and a compact metal-bladed fan sits nearby. The hallway is to the north. On your desk is a pair of aviator shades. >x tops An array of shirts, blouses, dresses, jackets, sweaters, and coats, all hanging in your closet. In your collection of tops are a t-shirt, a white blouse, a spicy blouse, an absurd dress, a sleek jacket, a huge coat, a Saturnalia sweater and a nondescript sweater. >x t shirt You can't see any such thing. >x t-shirt This big black t-shirt is perfect for when you just want to sit in your bedroom and sip tea all day long. >x white (the white blouse) This loose blouse is perfect for warmer weather. >x spicy This warm orangey-red blouse hugs your curves in all the right places. >x sleek This lightly-padded jacket fits snugly, showing off your form. >x coat This enormous, fuzzy, brown winter coat is stuffed with goose down. Suitable for the coldest weather, it makes you look like a burnt mashmallow. >x sweater Which do you mean, the Saturnalia sweater or the nondescript sweater? >saturnalia Featuring a gaudy print of pine trees and pile?, this sweater was knitted for you by your aunt Diane. You used to hate it, and you kind of still do... yet somehow it brings a little warmth to your heart. It reminds you of spending time with your family. >x nondescript sweater You see nothing unexpected about the nondescript sweater. >x absurd This wild hippie dress has literal jingle bells hanging off of it. It has been passed down through your family for generations, along with your great-grandmother's wisdom: if you ever get called up for jury duty, wear this dress. >l your bedroom (listening post) Your bed is, of course, the centerpiece of the room. Your desk and bookshelf reside in one corner, while your dresser and mirror are on the other side of the room. Your closet, where most of your clothes can be found, is open, and a compact metal-bladed fan sits nearby. The hallway is to the north. On your desk is a pair of aviator shades. >wear absurd (first taking the absurd dress) You put on the absurd dress. >x me You're almost ready for date night with Hayma. You just need to do something about your chest hair. >i You are carrying: an absurd dress (being worn) a fixed blade knife a prototype hypothetical temporospatial recoordinator #1 a can of shaving cream a box of band-aids a pair of straight-cut jeans (being worn) >x mirror You aren't wearing any shoes. Better put some on before leaving the house. >wear boots Which do you mean, the pair of jump boots or the pair of short-heeled boots? >jump You jump on the spot. >* LOL That's not a verb I recognise. >wear jump (first taking the pair of jump boots) You put on the pair of jump boots. >x mirror You look like someone who's trying to avoid jury duty. >* Ha, there we go You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >remove absurd You take off the absurd dress. >wear spicy (first taking the spicy blouse) You put on the spicy blouse. >x mirror You look like you threw all your clothes in a great big heap and picked out a few articles completely at random. >* I mean That's not a verb I recognise. >x me You're almost ready for date night with Hayma. You just need to do something about your chest hair. >remove spicy You take off the spicy blouse. >l your bedroom (listening post) Your bed is, of course, the centerpiece of the room. Your desk and bookshelf reside in one corner, while your dresser and mirror are on the other side of the room. Your closet, where most of your clothes can be found, is open, and a compact metal-bladed fan sits nearby. The hallway is to the north. On your desk is a pair of aviator shades. >x fan This small electric fan sits on the floor, pointed toward your desk. A sturdy model, it features a metal blade encased by a grill. The front part of the grill is held on by four screws. It's currently switched off. >take it You can't imagine why you'd want to go carting this fan around. Anything you could possibly do with it, you can just do right here. >x shades These shades are probably the most badass thing you own. >wear them I'm not sure what 'them' refers to. >take shades You pick up the pair of aviator shades. >wear them I'm not sure what 'them' refers to. >wear it You put on the pair of aviator shades. >x mirror You're topless. Don't you think you'll get cold once you leave the house? >n first-floor hallway (listening post) Not much tends to happen in the hallway. Usually you pass through here on your way to somewhere else without paying much mind to it. But is that really fair? The hallway is an important part of this house, too. A table sits in the corner, hopefully not getting in the way of anyone attempting to walk past. Some paintings hang from the wall. The bathroom is to the west. Your bedroom is to the south. To the north, the hallway opens up into the listening room. >n listening room (listening post) What once was a living room has been transformed into your primary workspace, dominated by the massive listening console against the north wall. Nevertheless, in the center of the room, a sofa and recliner are arranged around a coffee table. Blackout curtains prevent anyone from seeing into the listening room from outside the house. You can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. You could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down into the basement. >e dining room (listening post) It's nice to sit at the dining table and enjoy a home-cooked meal. Lately, though, you're more likely to park on the sofa and munch on a bag of chips. Why is that, Theophila? Behind a short cabinet, the windows are, of course, covered with blackout curtains. The listening room is to the west, while a sheet stretches across the doorway to the entryway to the east. >x windows The windows are covered with blackout curtains held in place by duct tape, as is the case elsewhere in the listening post. No one can see in. No one can see out. >e Pushing the sheet aside, you walk into the entryway. entryway (listening post) The only room in the listening post where you can get natural light, coming in from the front windows. A shoe mat sits next to the front door. To the west, the doorway into the dining room is covered by an ostensibly decorative black sheet. Or you could go out the front door to the east. >x mat A simple little rug where you can put your footwear. Your sneakers are on it. >look under mat You find nothing of interest. >x sneakers These ratty kicks have stood by you through thick and thin, and you're not ready to part with them, even if they do have a hole or two. They're perfect for a jog or a trip to the corner store, but you're not going to wear them on a date. At least not without making sure they smell okay first. >l entryway (listening post) The only room in the listening post where you can get natural light, coming in from the front windows. A shoe mat sits next to the front door. To the west, the doorway into the dining room is covered by an ostensibly decorative black sheet. Or you could go out the front door to the east. >smell shoes They smell like showing up at a house party and immediately looking for free pizza. They smell like the guilt you used to feel if you ate more than two peanut butter sandwiches in a single day. Peanut butter is expensive. They smell like stepping off the struggle bus and taking a highly remunerative job manning a covert listening post for a quasi-governmental Agency but still being unable to bring yourself to throw away a pair of old sneakers if they have any conceivable use left in them. They don't smell like something you'd wear on a date. Perhaps if you marry Hayma some day, then you'll allow her to see you in these sneakers. But probably not. >* LOL That's not a verb I recognise. >l entryway (listening post) The only room in the listening post where you can get natural light, coming in from the front windows. A shoe mat sits next to the front door. To the west, the doorway into the dining room is covered by an ostensibly decorative black sheet. Or you could go out the front door to the east. >e You can't leave yet! You still have chest hair to deal with! >look under mat You find nothing of interest. >w Pushing the sheet aside, you walk into the dining room. dining room (listening post) It's nice to sit at the dining table and enjoy a home-cooked meal. Lately, though, you're more likely to park on the sofa and munch on a bag of chips. Why is that, Theophila? Behind a short cabinet, the windows are, of course, covered with blackout curtains. The listening room is to the west, while a sheet stretches across the doorway to the entryway to the east. >x cabinet This short wooden cabinet could become a hotspot for clutter. That's why you never put anything on it nor in it. The only thing on it is a family photo that's been here since before you moved in. >open it That's not something you ought to open. >x photo Two adults - a husband and wife, perhaps - with a young child standing between them. You don't know any of these people. You wanted to throw the photo out, but Marigold insisted on keeping it right where it was when the two of you moved in. She says she finds it amusing. To you, it feels... like something you have no right to have on display. >take photo There's no way you'll need this old thing for anything tonight. >w listening room (listening post) What once was a living room has been transformed into your primary workspace, dominated by the massive listening console against the north wall. Nevertheless, in the center of the room, a sofa and recliner are arranged around a coffee table. Blackout curtains prevent anyone from seeing into the listening room from outside the house. You can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. You could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down into the basement. >n kitchen (listening post). The granite countertop lends class to this otherwise unremarkable kitchen. Drawers and cabinets are stocked with all kinds of things, but probably not your razors. A fridge and an oven are the most important appliances in the room. The listening room is to the south, while the storage room is to the west. You can see a wedge of cheddar here. >x cheddar This extra-sharp cheddar is enough to pucker your lips. A fine specimen, its maturity gives it a rich, complex tang that is rare among cheddars. An off-white cheese with a slightly crumbly texture, this exceptional cheddar has been shipped from your favorite small-batch sustainable dairy back home. >smell it You smell nothing unexpected. >take it You pick up the wedge of cheddar. >eat it You put the cheddar in your mouth and roll your tongue across it, savoring its rich, mature flavor. Delicious. >i You are carrying: a pair of aviator shades (being worn) a spicy blouse a pair of jump boots (being worn) an absurd dress a fixed blade knife a prototype hypothetical temporospatial recoordinator #1 a can of shaving cream a box of band-aids a pair of straight-cut jeans (being worn) >undo kitchen (listening post). [Previous turn undone.] >undo kitchen (listening post). [Previous turn undone.] >i You are carrying: a wedge of cheddar a pair of aviator shades (being worn) a spicy blouse a pair of jump boots (being worn) an absurd dress a fixed blade knife a prototype hypothetical temporospatial recoordinator #1 a can of shaving cream a box of band-aids a pair of straight-cut jeans (being worn) >l kitchen (listening post). The granite countertop lends class to this otherwise unremarkable kitchen. Drawers and cabinets are stocked with all kinds of things, but probably not your razors. A fridge and an oven are the most important appliances in the room. The listening room is to the south, while the storage room is to the west. >x countertop This big slab of granite lends an air of affluence to the otherwise-ordinary kitchen. >open drawers You throw open every single kitchen drawer for your perusal. >x drawers Utensils, implements, thingamabobs, and miscellanea galore can be found within these drawers. You can take something specific from them, if you want. >x utensils Utensils, implements, thingamabobs, and miscellanea galore can be found within these drawers. You can take something specific from them, if you want. >x implements Utensils, implements, thingamabobs, and miscellanea galore can be found within these drawers. You can take something specific from them, if you want. >use drawerrs You can't see any such thing. >use drawers No. Just no. >take screwdriver from drawers You can't see any such thing. >take spoon from drawers You pick up the spoon. >* yay That's not a verb I recognise. >x spoon Just the right size. >l kitchen (listening post). The granite countertop lends class to this otherwise unremarkable kitchen. Drawers and cabinets are stocked with all kinds of things, but probably not your razors. A fridge and an oven are the most important appliances in the room. The listening room is to the south, while the storage room is to the west. >x cabinets Who knows what treasures lie in wait behind these cabinet doors? Or... is it lay in wait? >open them I'm not sure what 'them' refers to. >open cabinets You throw open every single kitchen cabinet for your perusal. >x cabinets A plethora of pots, pans, and all manner of other kitchen doohickes populate the cabinets. Some are familiar and oft-used. Others regrettably sit in the back, gathering dust. You'll have to clean and reorganize these when you have more time to spare, but right now, you're more concerned about the fact that you still have chest hair. You can take something specific from the cabinets, if you like. >l kitchen (listening post). The granite countertop lends class to this otherwise unremarkable kitchen. Drawers and cabinets are stocked with all kinds of things, but probably not your razors. A fridge and an oven are the most important appliances in the room. The listening room is to the south, while the storage room is to the west. >x fridge This sleek green fridge makes you think that the previous owners of the house were planning a pseudo-retro vibe that never fully materialized before it was converted into the listening post. >open it You open the fridge, curious what wonders await behind its shiny green door. But you don't really expect to find anything different than last time you opened the fridge, do you? >x fridge Do you ever notice that, when you open the fridge, some of the things inside tend to catch your eye while the rest just seem to fade into the background? Maybe that explains why a pint of yogurt has been sitting at the back of the fridge since before you came to live and work here. >g Do you ever notice that, when you open the fridge, some of the things inside tend to catch your eye while the rest just seem to fade into the background? Maybe that explains why a pint of yogurt has been sitting at the back of the fridge since before you came to live and work here. >x yogurt Plain yogurt with cherries mixed in. Based on the weight, you think it's been opened before, but the opaque lid reveals nothing. Reading the expiration date sends a shiver down your spine. >* eek That's not a verb I recognise. >open yogurt You dare not disturb whatever organisms, micro or otherwise, make their homes in this yogurt. > I beg your pardon? >close fridge You close the refrigerator. >l kitchen (listening post). The granite countertop lends class to this otherwise unremarkable kitchen. Drawers and cabinets are stocked with all kinds of things, but probably not your razors. A fridge and an oven are the most important appliances in the room. The listening room is to the south, while the storage room is to the west. >x oven You used to bake goodies almost every weekend, but not so much lately. Why is that, Theophila? >open it You open the oven. >x it You used to bake goodies almost every weekend, but not so much lately. Why is that, Theophila? The oven door is open. >* hmm That's not a verb I recognise. >l kitchen (listening post). The granite countertop lends class to this otherwise unremarkable kitchen. Drawers and cabinets are stocked with all kinds of things, but probably not your razors. A fridge and an oven are the most important appliances in the room. The listening room is to the south, while the storage room is to the west. >close oven You close the oven. >w storage room (listening post) Perhaps at one point - before the Agency acquired this house - this may have been a guest bedroom? Now it's been set aside to store all the stuff that you can't fit comfortably elsewhere. A roll of duct tape sits prominently atop one of the boxes. The kitchen is to the east, and the listening room is to the southeast. >* ah, there's the duct tape! You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >take tape You pick up the roll of duct tape. >x it Nearly untouched, this roll of super-adhesive duct tape eagerly awaits the boundless possibilities you might have in store for it. >x boxes Just a bunch of boxes full of stuff that you don't use very often, but need to have on hand just in case. Some of them are things that the Agency wants every listening post to have. Others are pieces of strange equipment belonging to Marigold. Others are just your personal knickknacks and decorations that you still haven't unpacked, despite now living here for several months. Why is that, Theophila? >open boxes Running through a mental list of all the things you think are in these boxes, you can't think of anything that would help you now. Best to look elsewhere. >use boxes Running through a mental list of all the things you think are in these boxes, you can't think of anything that would help you now. Best to look elsewhere. >se listening room (listening post) What once was a living room has been transformed into your primary workspace, dominated by the massive listening console against the north wall. Nevertheless, in the center of the room, a sofa and recliner are arranged around a coffee table. Blackout curtains prevent anyone from seeing into the listening room from outside the house. You can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. You could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down into the basement. >u upstairs hallway (listening post) This hallway is devoid of decoration, leaving you to ponder the beige carpet and white-painted walls which fade into the background elsewhere in the listening post. The door to Marigold's bedroom is to the west, or you can go down the stairs to the listening room. You can see a vacuum here. >x vacuum This battery-powered handheld vacuum cleaner features a long hose. >w Marigold's bedroom (listening post) More so than any other room in the house, Marigold's bedroom is stark and unornamented. As you would expect from a machine. Is it alright to feel that way? You don't want to stereotype anyone. Especially not Marigold, who has a habit, for better or worse, of defying all your expectations. There isn't much here to speak of, apart from the bed, a 3D printer, and a weird terrarium. The hallway is to the east. Marigold fiddles with her glasses. >x bed A bed with a single black fitted sheet. Highly utilitarian. Marigold just hangs out. >x printer (the 3D printer) Sitting atop a cardboard box, this device can apparently print things, though you don't know too much about how it works. Marigold observes the arachnid in the terrarium. >ask marigold about printer (Marigold about that) She shrugs. >ask marigold about 3d printer (Marigold about that) She shrugs. >l Marigold's bedroom (listening post) More so than any other room in the house, Marigold's bedroom is stark and unornamented. There isn't much here to speak of, apart from the bed, a 3D printer, and a weird terrarium. The hallway is to the east. Marigold sits down on her bed, then gets back up after a minute. >x terrarium This glass habitat is full of mutilated egg cartons and other odd pieces of cardboard and junked appliances, arranged to resemble a... strange skate park? A... deconstructed factory? Or... an abstract representation of a print shop? A single arachnid crawls among the irregularly-shaped surfaces within. The creature seems wholly uninterested in a plastic funnel that sticks out prominently from among the junk. Marigold puts a finger to her chin and stares into space, as if thinking of some weighty topic. >x funnel A plastic funnel, perhaps a foot in length. It seems somehow familiar. Marigold sits down on her bed, then gets back up after a minute. >take it It wouldn't be polite to just yoink the funnel right out of the little guy's terrarium. This is Marigold's pet, after all, not yours. Marigold hikes up her socks. >ask marigold about funnel (Marigold about that) "Have I seen this funnel before?" you ask. Marigold just shrugs. >ask marigold about terrarrium (Marigold about that) She shrugs. >ask marigold about spider (Marigold about that) "What's the deal with that little guy in the terrarium?" you ask. "That's Gustav," she responds. "He's a beautiful specimen of Phalangium opilio, imported from Europe. I like him because he's virtually blind and expends a huge amount of energy exploring his enclosure for no apparent reason despite the fact that I put his food and water in the exact same spot every day. I feel that I can learn a great deal about biological life by observing him. In fact, I already feel like I understand you better as a result of caring for Gustav." >pet gustav You gently pet Gustav. He tilts sideways so you can scratch his belly. Marigold fiddles with her glasses. >x him Gustav has a small yet tough-looking body, supported by eight long, spindly legs that curve oddly wherever they rest upon a hard surface. He skitters around like mad. Marigold observes Gustav. >take him You'd better leave the little fellow where he is for now. Wouldn't want him getting lost. Marigold hikes up her socks. >l Marigold's bedroom (listening post) More so than any other room in the house, Marigold's bedroom is stark and unornamented. There isn't much here to speak of, apart from the bed, a 3D printer, and a weird terrarium. The hallway is to the east. Marigold just hangs out. >print That's not a verb I recognise. >use printer (the 3D printer) For a moment, you think you've figured out something useful to do with the 3D printer. But you quickly realize it won't help you here. Marigold sits down on her bed, then gets back up after a minute. >* Hmm, no razor handle? You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >d You can't go very far that way without running into the wall. If necessary, you can LOOK to see where you are and what exits are available. Marigold puts a finger to her chin and stares into space, as if thinking of some weighty topic. >i You are carrying: a roll of duct tape a spoon a wedge of cheddar a pair of aviator shades (being worn) a spicy blouse a pair of jump boots (being worn) an absurd dress a fixed blade knife a prototype hypothetical temporospatial recoordinator #1 a can of shaving cream a box of band-aids a pair of straight-cut jeans (being worn) Marigold fiddles with her glasses. >turn on prototype (the prototype hypothetical temporospatial recoordinator #1) You press the button on the strange device. Subjective knowledge (external): It doesn't have any discernable effect. Subjective knowledge (external): Theophila picks something up, but puts it back down. >l my bedroom (listening post) Subjective knowledge (internal): My bedroom is one of the less interesting rooms of the listening post because Theophila spends very little time here. In order to spruce it up, I have my pet harvestman, Gustav, in a terrarium. Subjective knowledge (internal): It is fascinating that I can own, or be perceived as owning, a biological lifeform. Subjective knowledge (external): The door is to the east. Subjective knowledge (external): Theophila paces around the room. >l my bedroom (listening post) Subjective knowledge (internal): My bedroom is one of the less interesting rooms of the listening post because Theophila spends very little time here. In order to spruce it up, I have my pet harvestman, Gustav, in a terrarium. Subjective knowledge (internal): It is fascinating that I can own, or be perceived as owning, a biological lifeform. Subjective knowledge (external): The door is to the east. Subjective knowledge (external): Theophila is here. Subjective knowledge (internal): She's lovely. >x gustav Subjective knowledge (external): Gustav has a small yet tough-looking body, supported by eight long, spindly legs that curve oddly wherever they rest upon a hard surface. Subjective knowledge (external): He meanders along the outside of an egg carton as if intoxicated, awkwardly flailing each spindly leg one at time, cutting a slow and irregular path. Subjective knowledge (external): He has not been paying any attention whatsoever to the funnel I gave him as a toy recently. Subjective knowledge (external): Theophila inspects miscellaneous stuff around the room. >x funnel Subjective knowledge (internal): This is the plastic funnel that I made by melting down Theophila's disposable razors to use as feedstock for my 3D printer. I thought Gustav might find it amusing, since it has a differently-sized hole on each end. Inferential knowledge: Gustav just loves holes of varying sizes. Inferential knowledge: Yet it seems that he hasn't shown any interest in this thing. Subjective knowledge (internal): I might as well take it out of the terrarium. What else might Gustav enjoy? I wonder if Theophila has any ideas. She is a biological being, after all. Subjective knowledge (external): Theophila is here. Subjective knowledge (internal): She's lovely. >* ARGH! That's not a verb I recognise. >take funnel Subjective knowledge (internal): It's pointless to keep the funnel in here if Gustav isn't interested in it. I wonder if Theophila could suggest something that Gustav would enjoy more? She is a biological lifeform, after all, so maybe she can empathize with him. I should ask her about a new toy for Gustav. Subjective knowledge (external): I pick up the funnel. Inferential knowledge: Theophila seems to be looking for something. >ask theophilia about gustav Subjective knowledge (internal): If I want to talk, I can try asking Theo about something, or telling her about something. I'm not too keen on telling her what to do, though. That would feel... unsatisfying. >ask theo about gustav Subjective knowledge (external): "I'm looking for interesting toys for Gustav," I say. "Something with a stimulating texture. As a biological lifeform, can you offer any insight into what he might like?" Subjective knowledge (external): Theophila taps a finger against her bottom lip as she thinks. Subjective knowledge (internal): She's so cute that she makes me feel like I'm going to explode. Subjective knowledge (external): "How about a hairbrush? I have an old one in my dresser," she offers. "It's got lots of bristles with a kind of wavy pattern to them." >x theo Subjective knowledge (internal): I want her. Subjective knowledge (external): Theophila watches me hike up my socks. >* eek That's not a verb I recognise. >w Subjective knowledge (internal) I can't go very far that way without running into the wall. If necessary, I can LOOK to see where I am and what exits are available. Subjective knowledge (external): Theophila paces around the room. >e upstairs hallway (listening post) Subjective knowledge (internal): The hallway has a kind of brilliant bleakness to it. Delicious. Subjective knowledge (internal): My bedroom is to the west. The stairs lead down to the listening room. Subjective knowledge (external): I see the vacuum here. Subjective knowledge (external): Theophila leaves my bedroom, walking out into the upstairs hallway. Subjective knowledge (internal): Oh, sweetie, don't go. >x vacuum Subjective knowledge (external): This battery-powered handheld vacuum cleaner features a long hose. Subjective knowledge (external): Theophila walks down the stairs to the listening room. >d listening room (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is where the listening console is located. I can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. I could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down to the basement. Subjective knowledge (external): Theophila inspects the crevices of the sofa. >x console Subjective knowledge (external): The listening console does not indicate any new anomalies. Subjective knowledge (external): Theophila glances over the listening console for a moment before turning her attention elsewhere. >use it Subjective knowledge (internal): Some androids are built with specialized hardware and motor subroutines to use an integrated listening console in a wide variety of situations. I'm not one of them. Subjective knowledge (hypothetical): I could modify my body to gain that functionality, but the expense would be more than it's worth. Subjective knowledge (external): Theophila is here. Subjective knowledge (internal): She's lovely. >s first-floor hallway (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): This is the first-floor hallway. I can go north to the listening room, west to the bathroom, or south to Theophila's bedroom. >s Theophila's bedroom (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): This is Theophila's bedroom. There is a fan here. Subjective knowledge (internal): That's interesting. But not as interesting as the fact that I'm currently standing in the room where Theophila sleeps. This is a great privilege. Subjective knowledge (external): The hallway is to the north. >x dresser (Theophila's dresser) This simple dresser consists of several different drawers. >open it Subjective knowledge (external): I open the drawers, which are full of socks, undergarments, knives, makeup, hand tools, etc. >x makeup Subjective knowledge (external): There is lipstick in here. Inferential knowledge: Theophila's lips have been on it. >x undergarments Inferential knowledge: If I wore Theophila's underwear, it would likely become stained by oil. Subjective knowledge (hypothetical): Subjective knowledge (external): My cooling fan makes a fearsome racket. >* eek That's not a verb I recognise. >x hand tools Subjective knowledge (external): This is where Theophila keeps a small collection of tools for use around the house. >x hairbrush Subjective knowledge (external): A big, soft brush. >take it Subjective knowledge (external): I pick up Theophila's hairbrush. >n first-floor hallway (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): This is the first-floor hallway. I can go north to the listening room, west to the bathroom, or south to Theophila's bedroom. >n listening room (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is where the listening console is located. I can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. I could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down to the basement. Subjective knowledge (external): Theophila paces around the room. >u upstairs hallway (listening post) Subjective knowledge (internal): The hallway has a kind of brilliant bleakness to it. Delicious. Subjective knowledge (internal): My bedroom is to the west. The stairs lead down to the listening room. Subjective knowledge (external): I see the vacuum here. >w my bedroom (listening post) Subjective knowledge (internal): My bedroom is one of the less interesting rooms of the listening post because Theophila spends very little time here. In order to spruce it up, I have my pet harvestman, Gustav, in a terrarium. Subjective knowledge (internal): It is fascinating that I can own, or be perceived as owning, a biological lifeform. Subjective knowledge (external): The door is to the east. >give hairbrush to gustav Subjective knowledge (external): I put the hairbrush in the terrarium. Immediately, Gustav ambles over and begins eating the hairs that are stuck between its bristles. Subjective knowledge (internal): Curious. >i You are carrying: a funnel a prototype hypothetical temporospatial recoordinator #2 my glasses (being worn) my socks (being worn) my clothes (being worn) >x gustav Subjective knowledge (external): Gustav has a small yet tough-looking body, supported by eight long, spindly legs that curve oddly wherever they rest upon a hard surface. Subjective knowledge (external): He does what can only be described as a kind of dance. Inferential knowledge: Theophila would be interested to hear that Gustav eats hair. >x glasses Subjective knowledge (external): My glasses are big, thick, and round. Subjective knowledge (internal): Sexy. >x socks Received knowledge (dubious): It's always good to wear socks around the house. >x clothes Subjective knowledge (internal): It's not yet time for my monthly change of clothes. >l my bedroom (listening post) Subjective knowledge (internal): My bedroom is one of the less interesting rooms of the listening post because Theophila spends very little time here. In order to spruce it up, I have my pet harvestman, Gustav, in a terrarium. Subjective knowledge (internal): It is fascinating that I can own, or be perceived as owning, a biological lifeform. Subjective knowledge (external): The door is to the east. >s Subjective knowledge (internal) I can't go very far that way without running into the wall. If necessary, I can LOOK to see where I am and what exits are available. >e upstairs hallway (listening post) Subjective knowledge (internal): The hallway has a kind of brilliant bleakness to it. Delicious. Subjective knowledge (internal): My bedroom is to the west. The stairs lead down to the listening room. Subjective knowledge (external): I see the vacuum here. >d listening room (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is where the listening console is located. I can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. I could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down to the basement. >w Subjective knowledge (internal) I can't go very far that way without running into the wall. If necessary, I can LOOK to see where I am and what exits are available. >s first-floor hallway (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): This is the first-floor hallway. I can go north to the listening room, west to the bathroom, or south to Theophila's bedroom. >s (first opening Theophila's bedroom door) Theophila's bedroom (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): This is Theophila's bedroom. There is a fan here. Subjective knowledge (internal): That's interesting. But not as interesting as the fact that I'm currently standing in the room where Theophila sleeps. This is a great privilege. Subjective knowledge (external): The hallway is to the north. Subjective knowledge (external): Theophila watches me hike up my socks. >tell theo about gustav Subjective knowledge (external): "I have some interesting information for you, Theo," I say. Subjective knowledge (hypothetical): Subjective knowledge (external): "Ooooh yes. Ahhh, yes, please," I say. Theophila asks, utterly confused: "Uh... what?" Subjective knowledge (external): "Excuse me. Sometimes when my CPU gets too hot, my generation of subjective knowledge (internal) gets mixed up with subjective knowledge (external). Please ignore what I just said. Anyway, I have some interesting information for you, Theo. It appears that my pet harvestman, Gustav, eats hair." Subjective knowledge (external): Theophila's eyes widen at this revelation. >give funnel to theo Subjective knowledge (external): I say "Here, Theo. Maybe this will help." Subjective knowledge (external): Theophila thanks me and takes the funnel. Subjective knowledge (external): "I live to serve," I say. I execute a perfectly flirtatious wink. Inferential knowledge: Theophila does not seem impressed by my perfectly flirtatious wink. Next time, it will have to be even more perfect. Subjective knowledge (external): Theophila is here. Subjective knowledge (internal): She's lovely. >n first-floor hallway (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): This is the first-floor hallway. I can go north to the listening room, west to the bathroom, or south to Theophila's bedroom. >w bathroom (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): This is the bathroom. The only reason I typically come here is for my brushes. I like to put them in the same cup where Theophila keeps her toothbrush. Subjective knowledge (external): The hallway is to the east. >e first-floor hallway (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): This is the first-floor hallway. I can go north to the listening room, west to the bathroom, or south to Theophila's bedroom. >n listening room (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is where the listening console is located. I can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. I could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down to the basement. >e dining room (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is to the west, while a sheet stretches across the doorway to the entryway to the east. >x photo Subjective knowledge (external): This photograph shows three humans smiling at the camera. Subjective knowledge (internal): I like it because I feel like I can learn a lot about the unbearable weight of self-determination from it. >e Subjective knowledge (external): I push the sheet aside and walk into the entryway. entryway (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): This is the entryway. I can go west to the dining room. The front door is to the east. >x mat Subjective knowledge (external): This is the rug where Theophila usually puts her more casual footwear. Her sneakers are on it right now. >x sneakers Subjective knowledge (internal): Theophila would look gorgeous in these. >w Subjective knowledge (external): I push the sheet aside and walk into the dining room. dining room (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is to the west, while a sheet stretches across the doorway to the entryway to the east. >n Subjective knowledge (internal) I can't go very far that way without running into the wall. If necessary, I can LOOK to see where I am and what exits are available. >w listening room (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is where the listening console is located. I can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. I could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down to the basement. >n kitchen (listening post). Subjective knowledge (internal): Even though I don't eat, I enjoy spending time in the kitchen. Biological life consuming other biological life: this is something I feel that I can learn from. Subjective knowledge (internal): I'm curious about the refrigerator. Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is to the south. The storage room is to the west. >open fridge Subjective knowledge (external): I open the fridge. >x it Subjective knowledge (external): There are many food items in the fridge. A pint of yogurt is one of them. >x yogurt Subjective knowledge (internal): This is a rare and valuable item. Subjective knowledge (internal): Plain yogurt with cherries mixed in, it is several years past its expiration date, meaning it has been in the fridge for longer than Theophila and I have worked at the listening post. And the lack of a freshness seal means that it's been opened before. Subjective knowledge (internal): This is a fascinating item. I feel that I can learn a lot from it. >open it Subjective knowledge (internal): All in good time. I feel deep in my circuits that this yogurt will have an important role to play. >s Subjective knowledge (internal): There is absolutely no way I can leave the kitchen without closing the refrigerator door. Subjective knowledge (internal): Absolutely no way. >e Subjective knowledge (internal): There is absolutely no way I can leave the kitchen without closing the refrigerator door. Subjective knowledge (internal): Absolutely no way. >close fridge Subjective knowledge (external): I close the fridge. >s listening room (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is where the listening console is located. I can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. I could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down to the basement. >w Subjective knowledge (internal) I can't go very far that way without running into the wall. If necessary, I can LOOK to see where I am and what exits are available. >nw storage room (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): Boxes of miscellanea fill the storage room. Subjective knowledge (external): Subjective knowledge (external): The kitchen is to the east, and the listening room is to the southeast. >x boxes Subjective knowledge (external): These boxes contain all kinds of different things belonging to me and Theophila. Subjective knowledge (internal): There's a reason it's all stacked here in the storage room, and that's because we hardly ever use any of this stuff. >use boxes Subjective knowledge (internal): I know of 1,482 items stored in these boxes. And I can say without a doubt that every last one of them is useless for anything I care about at the moment. >i You are carrying: a prototype hypothetical temporospatial recoordinator #2 my glasses (being worn) my socks (being worn) my clothes (being worn) >turn off prototype Subjective knowledge (external): I press the button on the prototype hypothetical temporospatial recoordinator #2. Nothing seems to happen. >l your bedroom (listening post) Your bed is, of course, the centerpiece of the room. Your desk and bookshelf reside in one corner, while your dresser and mirror are on the other side of the room. Your closet, where most of your clothes can be found, is open, and a compact metal-bladed fan sits nearby. The hallway is to the north. >n (first opening your bedroom door) first-floor hallway (listening post) Not much tends to happen in the hallway. Usually you pass through here on your way to somewhere else without paying much mind to it. But is that really fair? The hallway is an important part of this house, too. A table sits in the corner, hopefully not getting in the way of anyone attempting to walk past. Some paintings hang from the wall. The bathroom is to the west. Your bedroom is to the south. To the north, the hallway opens up into the listening room. >u You can't go very far that way without running into the wall. If necessary, you can LOOK to see where you are and what exits are available. >n listening room (listening post) What once was a living room has been transformed into your primary workspace, dominated by the massive listening console against the north wall. Nevertheless, in the center of the room, a sofa and recliner are arranged around a coffee table. Blackout curtains prevent anyone from seeing into the listening room from outside the house. You can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. You could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down into the basement. >u upstairs hallway (listening post) This hallway is devoid of decoration, leaving you to ponder the beige carpet and white-painted walls which fade into the background elsewhere in the listening post. The door to Marigold's bedroom is to the west, or you can go down the stairs to the listening room. You can see a vacuum here. >w Marigold's bedroom (listening post) More so than any other room in the house, Marigold's bedroom is stark and unornamented. There isn't much here to speak of, apart from the bed, a 3D printer, and a weird terrarium. The hallway is to the east. >take gustav You carefully coax Gustav onto your hand and bring him to your chest. Without hesitation, he eagerly explores your body, eating any and all strands of chest hair he comes across. Moments later, you return Gustav to his terrarium with a full stomach. Your chest hair is completely gone. Success! And not a moment too soon! You'd better hurry to finish getting ready for your date with Hayma. Make sure you're properly dressed before leaving the listening post. >* yay! That's not a verb I recognise. >d You can't go very far that way without running into the wall. If necessary, you can LOOK to see where you are and what exits are available. >e upstairs hallway (listening post) This hallway is devoid of decoration, leaving you to ponder the beige carpet and white-painted walls which fade into the background elsewhere in the listening post. The door to Marigold's bedroom is to the west, or you can go down the stairs to the listening room. You can see a vacuum here. >d listening room (listening post) What once was a living room has been transformed into your primary workspace, dominated by the massive listening console against the north wall. Nevertheless, in the center of the room, a sofa and recliner are arranged around a coffee table. Blackout curtains prevent anyone from seeing into the listening room from outside the house. You can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. You could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down into the basement. >s first-floor hallway (listening post) Not much tends to happen in the hallway. Usually you pass through here on your way to somewhere else without paying much mind to it. But is that really fair? The hallway is an important part of this house, too. A table sits in the corner, hopefully not getting in the way of anyone attempting to walk past. Some paintings hang from the wall. The bathroom is to the west. Your bedroom is to the south. To the north, the hallway opens up into the listening room. >s your bedroom (listening post) Your bed is, of course, the centerpiece of the room. Your desk and bookshelf reside in one corner, while your dresser and mirror are on the other side of the room. Your closet, where most of your clothes can be found, is open, and a compact metal-bladed fan sits nearby. The hallway is to the north. >i You are carrying: a funnel a roll of duct tape a spoon a wedge of cheddar a pair of aviator shades (being worn) a spicy blouse a pair of jump boots (being worn) an absurd dress a fixed blade knife a prototype hypothetical temporospatial recoordinator #1 a can of shaving cream a box of band-aids a pair of straight-cut jeans (being worn) >drop all funnel: You set down the funnel. roll of duct tape: You set down the roll of duct tape. spoon: You set down the spoon. wedge of cheddar: You set down the wedge of cheddar. spicy blouse: You set down the spicy blouse. absurd dress: You set down the absurd dress. fixed blade knife: You set down the fixed blade knife. prototype hypothetical temporospatial recoordinator #1: This looks expensive. You feel like you should hang on to it. can of shaving cream: You set down the can of shaving cream. box of band-aids: You set down the box of band-aids. >x undergarments You're already wearing the undergarments you want for this evening. That's so obvious that you didn't need a reminder, right? >x me You've succeeded in dealing with your chest hair! Now you just need to get dressed and head out for your date with Hayma. >* oh, helpful You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >x closet The door to the closet is currently open. Here, you can see your collection of footwear; your collection of bottoms; and your collection of tops. >x footwear An array of footwear, all sitting on the floor of your closet. In your collection of footwear are a pair of short-heeled boots and a pair of nondescript flats. >x short-heeled These simple, fashionable boots feature side zippers for ease of use. >wear them I'm not sure what 'them' refers to. >wear it You take off the pair of jump boots. (first taking the pair of short-heeled boots) You put on the pair of short-heeled boots. >x bottoms In your collection of bottoms are a pair of slim-cut jeans, a pair of boot-cut jeans, a pair of hot pants, a plaid skirt and a greenish skirt. >wear plaid You take off the pair of straight-cut jeans. (first taking the plaid skirt) You put on the plaid skirt. >l your bedroom (listening post) Your bed is, of course, the centerpiece of the room. Your desk and bookshelf reside in one corner, while your dresser and mirror are on the other side of the room. Your closet, where most of your clothes can be found, is open, and a compact metal-bladed fan sits nearby. The hallway is to the north. You can see a box of band-aids, a can of shaving cream, a fixed blade knife, an absurd dress, a spicy blouse, a wedge of cheddar, a spoon, a roll of duct tape and a funnel here. >x mirror You're topless. Don't you think you'll get cold once you leave the house? >x tops An array of shirts, blouses, dresses, jackets, sweaters, and coats, all hanging in your closet. In your collection of tops are a t-shirt, a white blouse, a sleek jacket, a huge coat, a Saturnalia sweater and a nondescript sweater. >wear spicy (first taking the spicy blouse) You put on the spicy blouse. >x mirror You look like the kind of person who subsists on pumpkin-spice lattes alone. >* eek That's not a verb I recognise. >remove spicy You take off the spicy blouse. >wear blouse (the spicy blouse) You put on the spicy blouse. >wear white (the white blouse) You take off the spicy blouse. (first taking the white blouse) You put on the white blouse. >wear sleek (first taking the sleek jacket) You put on the sleek jacket. >x mirror You look like you threw all your clothes in a great big heap and picked out a few articles completely at random. >l your bedroom (listening post) Your bed is, of course, the centerpiece of the room. Your desk and bookshelf reside in one corner, while your dresser and mirror are on the other side of the room. Your closet, where most of your clothes can be found, is open, and a compact metal-bladed fan sits nearby. The hallway is to the north. You can see a box of band-aids, a can of shaving cream, a fixed blade knife, an absurd dress, a wedge of cheddar, a spoon, a roll of duct tape and a funnel here. >* oof That's not a verb I recognise. >i You are carrying: a sleek jacket (being worn) a white blouse (being worn) a spicy blouse a plaid skirt (being worn) a pair of short-heeled boots (being worn) a pair of aviator shades (being worn) a pair of jump boots a prototype hypothetical temporospatial recoordinator #1 a pair of straight-cut jeans >x me You've succeeded in dealing with your chest hair! Now you just need to get dressed and head out for your date with Hayma. >x paid You can't see any such thing. >x plaid You know those red flannel shirts that lumberjacks wear? This is that, except in skirt form. You should probably wear it on your date. >* Oh is this ironic? That's not a verb I recognise. >* I am bad at this That's not a verb I recognise. >i You are carrying: a sleek jacket (being worn) a white blouse (being worn) a spicy blouse a plaid skirt (being worn) a pair of short-heeled boots (being worn) a pair of aviator shades (being worn) a pair of jump boots a prototype hypothetical temporospatial recoordinator #1 a pair of straight-cut jeans >remove shades You take off the pair of aviator shades. >x mirror You look like you threw all your clothes in a great big heap and picked out a few articles completely at random. >x tops An array of shirts, blouses, dresses, jackets, sweaters, and coats, all hanging in your closet. In your collection of tops are a t-shirt, a huge coat, a Saturnalia sweater and a nondescript sweater. >wear nondescript Which do you mean, the pair of nondescript flats or the nondescript sweater? >sweater You take off the sleek jacket. (first taking the nondescript sweater) You put on the nondescript sweater. >x mirror You look like you threw all your clothes in a great big heap and picked out a few articles completely at random. >n first-floor hallway (listening post) Not much tends to happen in the hallway. Usually you pass through here on your way to somewhere else without paying much mind to it. But is that really fair? The hallway is an important part of this house, too. A table sits in the corner, hopefully not getting in the way of anyone attempting to walk past. Some paintings hang from the wall. The bathroom is to the west. Your bedroom is to the south. To the north, the hallway opens up into the listening room. >e You can't go very far that way without running into the wall. If necessary, you can LOOK to see where you are and what exits are available. >n listening room (listening post) What once was a living room has been transformed into your primary workspace, dominated by the massive listening console against the north wall. Nevertheless, in the center of the room, a sofa and recliner are arranged around a coffee table. Blackout curtains prevent anyone from seeing into the listening room from outside the house. You can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. You could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down into the basement. >e dining room (listening post) It's nice to sit at the dining table and enjoy a home-cooked meal. Lately, though, you're more likely to park on the sofa and munch on a bag of chips. Why is that, Theophila? Behind a short cabinet, the windows are, of course, covered with blackout curtains. The listening room is to the west, while a sheet stretches across the doorway to the entryway to the east. >e Pushing the sheet aside, you walk into the entryway. entryway (listening post) The only room in the listening post where you can get natural light, coming in from the front windows. A shoe mat sits next to the front door. To the west, the doorway into the dining room is covered by an ostensibly decorative black sheet. Or you could go out the front door to the east. >e You're all ready for date night with a smooth, freshly-munched chest! Stepping out the door, you find your bicycle and begin pedalling down the road. Subjective knowledge (internal): My metaphorical heart pines for Theophila as she rides off to meet her girlfriend. I do hope she has a pleasant night out, even though I'd prefer she have a pleasant night in. Subjective knowledge (internal): In me. >l storage room (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): Boxes of miscellanea fill the storage room. Subjective knowledge (external): Subjective knowledge (external): The kitchen is to the east, and the listening room is to the southeast. >s Subjective knowledge (internal) I can't go very far that way without running into the wall. If necessary, I can LOOK to see where I am and what exits are available. >e kitchen (listening post). Subjective knowledge (internal): Even though I don't eat, I enjoy spending time in the kitchen. Biological life consuming other biological life: this is something I feel that I can learn from. Subjective knowledge (internal): I'm curious about the refrigerator. Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is to the south. The storage room is to the west. >s listening room (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is where the listening console is located. I can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. I could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down to the basement. >listen Subjective knowledge (external): I hear nothing of particular note. >use console Subjective knowledge (internal): Some androids are built with specialized hardware and motor subroutines to use an integrated listening console in a wide variety of situations. I'm not one of them. Subjective knowledge (hypothetical): I could modify my body to gain that functionality, but the expense would be more than it's worth. >e dining room (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is to the west, while a sheet stretches across the doorway to the entryway to the east. >e Subjective knowledge (external): I push the sheet aside and walk into the entryway. entryway (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): This is the entryway. I can go west to the dining room. The front door is to the east. >e Subjective knowledge (internal): I shouldn't leave the listening post. I've got to be available in case the listening console hears anything. >w Subjective knowledge (external): I push the sheet aside and walk into the dining room. dining room (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is to the west, while a sheet stretches across the doorway to the entryway to the east. >n Subjective knowledge (internal) I can't go very far that way without running into the wall. If necessary, I can LOOK to see where I am and what exits are available. >e Subjective knowledge (external): I push the sheet aside and walk into the entryway. entryway (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): This is the entryway. I can go west to the dining room. The front door is to the east. >w Subjective knowledge (external): I push the sheet aside and walk into the dining room. dining room (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is to the west, while a sheet stretches across the doorway to the entryway to the east. Subjective knowledge (external): A high-pitched chirp echoes throughout the listening post. It's the listening console. I hurry to the listening room to check the readout. Subjective knowledge (external): The listening console has heard something. I check the readout. Received knowledge: There is an intruder. As usual, the intruder is in the basement. Subjective knowledge (internal): I'll need to go see what it wants. Before I head down there, I should make sure I'm ready for any eventuality. Intruders are unpredictable. Maybe I could get hurt. Subjective knowledge (external): My cooling fan begins to whirr a bit faster. listening room (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is where the listening console is located. I can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. I could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down to the basement. Subjective knowledge (internal): I need to meet the intruder in the basement as soon as I'm prepared. >use console Subjective knowledge (internal): Some androids are built with specialized hardware and motor subroutines to use an integrated listening console in a wide variety of situations. I'm not one of them. Subjective knowledge (hypothetical): I could modify my body to gain that functionality, but the expense would be more than it's worth. Subjective knowledge (internal): I need to meet the intruder in the basement as soon as I'm prepared. >save Ok. >se Subjective knowledge (internal) I can't go very far that way without running into the wall. If necessary, I can LOOK to see where I am and what exits are available. Subjective knowledge (internal): I need to meet the intruder in the basement as soon as I'm prepared. >s first-floor hallway (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): This is the first-floor hallway. I can go north to the listening room, west to the bathroom, or south to Theophila's bedroom. Subjective knowledge (internal): I need to meet the intruder in the basement as soon as I'm prepared. >s Theophila's bedroom (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): This is Theophila's bedroom. There is a fan here. Subjective knowledge (internal): That's interesting. But not as interesting as the fact that I'm currently standing in the room where Theophila sleeps. This is a great privilege. Subjective knowledge (external): The hallway is to the north. Subjective knowledge (external): I see the box of band-aids here. Subjective knowledge (external): I see the can of shaving cream here. Subjective knowledge (external): I see the fixed blade knife here. Subjective knowledge (external): I see the absurd dress here. Subjective knowledge (external): I see the wedge of cheddar here. Subjective knowledge (external): I see the spoon here. Subjective knowledge (external): I see the roll of duct tape here. Subjective knowledge (external): I see the funnel here. Subjective knowledge (internal): I need to meet the intruder in the basement as soon as I'm prepared. >take all box of band-aids: Subjective knowledge (external): I pick up the box of band-aids. can of shaving cream: Subjective knowledge (external): I pick up the can of shaving cream. fixed blade knife: Subjective knowledge (external): I pick up the fixed blade knife. absurd dress: Subjective knowledge (external): I pick up the absurd dress. wedge of cheddar: Subjective knowledge (external): I pick up the wedge of cheddar. spoon: Subjective knowledge (external): I pick up the spoon. roll of duct tape: Subjective knowledge (external): I pick up the roll of duct tape. funnel: Subjective knowledge (external): I pick up the funnel. pair of nondescript flats: Subjective knowledge (external): I pick up the pair of nondescript flats. t-shirt: Subjective knowledge (external): I pick up the t-shirt. huge coat: Subjective knowledge (external): I pick up the huge coat. Saturnalia sweater: Subjective knowledge (external): I pick up the Saturnalia sweater. pair of slim-cut jeans: Subjective knowledge (external): I pick up the pair of slim-cut jeans. pair of boot-cut jeans: Subjective knowledge (external): I pick up the pair of boot-cut jeans. pair of hot pants: Subjective knowledge (external): I pick up the pair of hot pants. greenish skirt: Subjective knowledge (external): I pick up the greenish skirt. Subjective knowledge (internal): I need to meet the intruder in the basement as soon as I'm prepared. >i You are carrying: a greenish skirt a pair of hot pants a pair of boot-cut jeans a pair of slim-cut jeans a Saturnalia sweater a huge coat a t-shirt a pair of nondescript flats a funnel a roll of duct tape a spoon a wedge of cheddar an absurd dress a fixed blade knife a can of shaving cream a box of band-aids a prototype hypothetical temporospatial recoordinator #2 my glasses (being worn) my socks (being worn) my clothes (being worn) Subjective knowledge (internal): I need to meet the intruder in the basement as soon as I'm prepared. >n first-floor hallway (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): This is the first-floor hallway. I can go north to the listening room, west to the bathroom, or south to Theophila's bedroom. Subjective knowledge (internal): I need to meet the intruder in the basement as soon as I'm prepared. >d Subjective knowledge (internal) I can't go very far that way without running into the wall. If necessary, I can LOOK to see where I am and what exits are available. Subjective knowledge (internal): I need to meet the intruder in the basement as soon as I'm prepared. >e Subjective knowledge (internal) I can't go very far that way without running into the wall. If necessary, I can LOOK to see where I am and what exits are available. Subjective knowledge (internal): I need to meet the intruder in the basement as soon as I'm prepared. >n listening room (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is where the listening console is located. I can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. I could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down to the basement. Subjective knowledge (internal): I need to meet the intruder in the basement as soon as I'm prepared. >e dining room (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is to the west, while a sheet stretches across the doorway to the entryway to the east. Subjective knowledge (internal): I need to meet the intruder in the basement as soon as I'm prepared. >e Subjective knowledge (external): I push the sheet aside and walk into the entryway. entryway (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): This is the entryway. I can go west to the dining room. The front door is to the east. Subjective knowledge (internal): I need to meet the intruder in the basement as soon as I'm prepared. >e Subjective knowledge (internal): I shouldn't leave the listening post. I've got to be available in case the listening console hears anything. Subjective knowledge (internal): I need to meet the intruder in the basement as soon as I'm prepared. >d Subjective knowledge (internal) I can't go very far that way without running into the wall. If necessary, I can LOOK to see where I am and what exits are available. Subjective knowledge (internal): I need to meet the intruder in the basement as soon as I'm prepared. >e Subjective knowledge (internal): I shouldn't leave the listening post. I've got to be available in case the listening console hears anything. Subjective knowledge (internal): I need to meet the intruder in the basement as soon as I'm prepared. >w Subjective knowledge (external): I push the sheet aside and walk into the dining room. dining room (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is to the west, while a sheet stretches across the doorway to the entryway to the east. Subjective knowledge (internal): I need to meet the intruder in the basement as soon as I'm prepared. >* where's the basement? That's not a verb I recognise. >w listening room (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is where the listening console is located. I can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. I could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down to the basement. Subjective knowledge (internal): I need to meet the intruder in the basement as soon as I'm prepared. >* oh, I missed the whole basement! You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >d (first opening basement door) basement (listening post). Subjective knowledge (external): The basement is where intruders usually show up. It's the part of the listening post that's usually closest to the hole. Subjective knowledge (external): The only way out is to go up, back to the listening room. Subjective knowledge (external): I don't see the intruder, but I hear it, as is typical. With a series of taps that I make with my fingers, I convey curiosity as to what the intruder is, and why it came here. Subjective knowledge (external): The intruder expresses its dismay that the shape of space allows only a small part of it to interact with a small part of me. It can see parts of me that are unknown to the part of me with which it is able to interact. If it were possible, the intruder would like to consume me in my entirety. In order to make this possible, it requests that I return the grand antiprism and the fucked-up tetrahedron that my boss stole from it. Subjective knowledge (external): I try to convey that I do not wish to be consumed, nor am I willing to part with the items in question, because then my boss would be pissy. The intruder either does not understand or does not care. It indicates that is is going to consume everything it can find until it obtains the grand antiprism and the fucked-up tetrahedron. Subjective knowledge (internal): Negotiations have failed. I'll probably need to kill the intruder. Subjective knowledge (external): A small piece of the wall vanishes, apparently consumed by the intruder. Subjective knowledge (internal): Thrilling. I could become prey for the intruder, just like any biological lifeform might be eaten to sustain a predator. Subjective knowledge (external): I am beginning to overheat. Thrilling. >x intruder Subjective knowledge (external): The intruder cannot be seen, but it can be heard. It is here. Subjective knowledge (external): A small piece of the ceiling vanishes, apparently consumed by the intruder. Subjective knowledge (internal): Thrilling. I could become prey for the intruder, just like any biological lifeform might be eaten to sustain a predator. Subjective knowledge (external): My cooling fan is rattling like mad. >listen Subjective knowledge (external): I hear nothing of particular note. Subjective knowledge (external): A small piece of the dust vanishes, apparently consumed by the intruder. Subjective knowledge (internal): Thrilling. I could become prey for the intruder, just like any biological lifeform might be eaten to sustain a predator. Subjective knowledge (external): I am beginning to overheat. Thrilling. >u listening room (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is where the listening console is located. I can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. I could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down to the basement. Subjective knowledge (external): Though I don't see the intruder, I can hear its presence following me. >u upstairs hallway (listening post) Subjective knowledge (internal): The hallway has a kind of brilliant bleakness to it. Delicious. Subjective knowledge (internal): My bedroom is to the west. The stairs lead down to the listening room. Subjective knowledge (external): I see the vacuum here. Subjective knowledge (external): Though I don't see the intruder, I can hear its presence following me. >put funnel in hose That can't contain things. Subjective knowledge (external): A small piece of the wall vanishes, apparently consumed by the intruder. Subjective knowledge (internal): Thrilling. I could become prey for the intruder, just like any biological lifeform might be eaten to sustain a predator. Subjective knowledge (external): My cooling fan is rattling like mad. >turn on vacuum Subjective knowledge (external): I switch on the vacuum and quickly swipe whatever dust and detritus I see nearby before turning it back off. Subjective knowledge (external): A small piece of the beige carpet vanishes, apparently consumed by the intruder. Subjective knowledge (internal): Thrilling. I could become prey for the intruder, just like any biological lifeform might be eaten to sustain a predator. Subjective knowledge (external): I am beginning to overheat. Thrilling. >* OK can't vacuum up the invisible intruder That's not a verb I recognise. >d listening room (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is where the listening console is located. I can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. I could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down to the basement. Subjective knowledge (external): Though I don't see the intruder, I can hear its presence following me. >s first-floor hallway (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): This is the first-floor hallway. I can go north to the listening room, west to the bathroom, or south to Theophila's bedroom. Subjective knowledge (external): Though I don't see the intruder, I can hear its presence following me. >w bathroom (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): This is the bathroom. The only reason I typically come here is for my brushes. I like to put them in the same cup where Theophila keeps her toothbrush. Subjective knowledge (external): The hallway is to the east. Subjective knowledge (external): Though I don't see the intruder, I can hear its presence following me. >take wire Subjective knowledge (external): I pick up my wire brush. Subjective knowledge (external): A small piece of the shower curtain vanishes, apparently consumed by the intruder. Subjective knowledge (internal): Thrilling. I could become prey for the intruder, just like any biological lifeform might be eaten to sustain a predator. Subjective knowledge (external): My cooling fan is rattling like mad. >x it Subjective knowledge (internal): I use this brush primarily for erotic pleasure. Just kidding. I use it primarily to remove debris and residue from my moving parts. Erotic pleasure is only a secondary purpose of this brush. Subjective knowledge (external): A small piece of the bathroom cabinet vanishes, apparently consumed by the intruder. Subjective knowledge (internal): Thrilling. I could become prey for the intruder, just like any biological lifeform might be eaten to sustain a predator. Subjective knowledge (external): I am beginning to overheat. Thrilling. >use wire Subjective knowledge (internal): Some androids are built with specialized hardware and motor subroutines to use an integrated my wire brush in a wide variety of situations. I'm not one of them. Subjective knowledge (hypothetical): I could modify my body to gain that functionality, but the expense would be more than it's worth. Subjective knowledge (external): A small piece of the bathroom sink vanishes, apparently consumed by the intruder. Subjective knowledge (internal): Thrilling. I could become prey for the intruder, just like any biological lifeform might be eaten to sustain a predator. Subjective knowledge (external): My cooling fan is rattling like mad. >i You are carrying: my wire brush a greenish skirt a pair of hot pants a pair of boot-cut jeans a pair of slim-cut jeans a Saturnalia sweater a huge coat a t-shirt a pair of nondescript flats a funnel a roll of duct tape a spoon a wedge of cheddar an absurd dress a fixed blade knife a can of shaving cream a box of band-aids a prototype hypothetical temporospatial recoordinator #2 my glasses (being worn) my socks (being worn) my clothes (being worn) Subjective knowledge (external): A small piece of the wall vanishes, apparently consumed by the intruder. Subjective knowledge (internal): Thrilling. I could become prey for the intruder, just like any biological lifeform might be eaten to sustain a predator. Subjective knowledge (external): I am beginning to overheat. Thrilling. >use absurd Subjective knowledge (internal): Some androids are built with specialized hardware and motor subroutines to use an integrated absurd dress in a wide variety of situations. I'm not one of them. Subjective knowledge (hypothetical): I could modify my body to gain that functionality, but the expense would be more than it's worth. Subjective knowledge (external): A small piece of the bath vanishes, apparently consumed by the intruder. Subjective knowledge (internal): Thrilling. I could become prey for the intruder, just like any biological lifeform might be eaten to sustain a predator. Subjective knowledge (external): My cooling fan is rattling like mad. >use knife Subjective knowledge (internal): Some androids are built with specialized hardware and motor subroutines to use an integrated fixed blade knife in a wide variety of situations. I'm not one of them. Subjective knowledge (hypothetical): I could modify my body to gain that functionality, but the expense would be more than it's worth. Subjective knowledge (external): A small piece of the bathroom window vanishes, apparently consumed by the intruder. Subjective knowledge (internal): Thrilling. I could become prey for the intruder, just like any biological lifeform might be eaten to sustain a predator. Subjective knowledge (external): I am beginning to overheat. Thrilling. >e first-floor hallway (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): This is the first-floor hallway. I can go north to the listening room, west to the bathroom, or south to Theophila's bedroom. Subjective knowledge (external): Though I don't see the intruder, I can hear its presence following me. >n listening room (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is where the listening console is located. I can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. I could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down to the basement. Subjective knowledge (external): Though I don't see the intruder, I can hear its presence following me. >use console Subjective knowledge (internal): Some androids are built with specialized hardware and motor subroutines to use an integrated listening console in a wide variety of situations. I'm not one of them. Subjective knowledge (hypothetical): I could modify my body to gain that functionality, but the expense would be more than it's worth. Subjective knowledge (external): A small piece of the floor vanishes, apparently consumed by the intruder. Subjective knowledge (internal): Thrilling. I could become prey for the intruder, just like any biological lifeform might be eaten to sustain a predator. Subjective knowledge (external): My cooling fan is rattling like mad. >x intruder Subjective knowledge (external): The intruder cannot be seen, but it can be heard. It is here. Subjective knowledge (external): A small piece of the wall vanishes, apparently consumed by the intruder. Subjective knowledge (internal): Thrilling. I could become prey for the intruder, just like any biological lifeform might be eaten to sustain a predator. Subjective knowledge (external): I am beginning to overheat. Thrilling. >attack intruder Inferential knowledge: That thing might swallow me whole! Subjective knowledge (internal): I wouldn't dare to touch it with my bare hands. Better use a weapon instead. There are many things in the listening post that I could use to hit, stab, or throw at the intruder. Subjective knowledge (external): A small piece of the listening console vanishes, apparently consumed by the intruder. Subjective knowledge (internal): Thrilling. I could become prey for the intruder, just like any biological lifeform might be eaten to sustain a predator. Subjective knowledge (external): My cooling fan is rattling like mad. >stab intruder What do you want to stab the intruder with? >knife Subjective knowledge (external): I attempt to penetrate the intruder with the fixed blade knife. As it vanishes from my hand, the intruder conveys that it cannot be penetrated - it can only envelop. Subjective knowledge (external): A small piece of the listening console vanishes, apparently consumed by the intruder. Subjective knowledge (internal): Thrilling. I could become prey for the intruder, just like any biological lifeform might be eaten to sustain a predator. Subjective knowledge (external): I am beginning to overheat. Thrilling. >throw cream at intruder Subjective knowledge (external): I attempt to penetrate the intruder with the can of shaving cream. As my impromptu weapon vanishes from mid-air, the intruder conveys that it cannot be penetrated - it can only envelop. Subjective knowledge (external): A small piece of the sofa vanishes, apparently consumed by the intruder. Subjective knowledge (internal): Thrilling. I could become prey for the intruder, just like any biological lifeform might be eaten to sustain a predator. Subjective knowledge (external): My cooling fan is rattling like mad. >s first-floor hallway (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): This is the first-floor hallway. I can go north to the listening room, west to the bathroom, or south to Theophila's bedroom. Subjective knowledge (external): Though I don't see the intruder, I can hear its presence following me. >s Theophila's bedroom (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): This is Theophila's bedroom. There is a fan here. Subjective knowledge (internal): That's interesting. But not as interesting as the fact that I'm currently standing in the room where Theophila sleeps. This is a great privilege. Subjective knowledge (external): The hallway is to the north. Subjective knowledge (external): Though I don't see the intruder, I can hear its presence following me. >throw cheese at intruder Subjective knowledge (external): I attempt to penetrate the intruder with the wedge of cheddar. As my impromptu weapon vanishes from mid-air, the intruder conveys that it cannot be penetrated - it can only envelop. Subjective knowledge (external): A small piece of Theophila's mirror vanishes, apparently consumed by the intruder. Subjective knowledge (internal): Thrilling. I could become prey for the intruder, just like any biological lifeform might be eaten to sustain a predator. Subjective knowledge (external): I am beginning to overheat. Thrilling. >i You are carrying: my wire brush a greenish skirt a pair of hot pants a pair of boot-cut jeans a pair of slim-cut jeans a Saturnalia sweater a huge coat a t-shirt a pair of nondescript flats a funnel a roll of duct tape a spoon an absurd dress a box of band-aids a prototype hypothetical temporospatial recoordinator #2 my glasses (being worn) my socks (being worn) my clothes (being worn) Subjective knowledge (external): A small piece of Theophila's fan vanishes, apparently consumed by the intruder. Subjective knowledge (internal): Thrilling. I could become prey for the intruder, just like any biological lifeform might be eaten to sustain a predator. Subjective knowledge (external): My cooling fan is rattling like mad. >envelop intruder in absurd That's not a verb I recognise. >n first-floor hallway (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): This is the first-floor hallway. I can go north to the listening room, west to the bathroom, or south to Theophila's bedroom. Subjective knowledge (external): Though I don't see the intruder, I can hear its presence following me. >n listening room (listening post) Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is where the listening console is located. I can go south to the hallway, east to the dining room, north to the kitchen, or northwest to the storage room. I could also go up the stairs to the second floor, or down to the basement. Subjective knowledge (external): Though I don't see the intruder, I can hear its presence following me. >n kitchen (listening post). Subjective knowledge (internal): Even though I don't eat, I enjoy spending time in the kitchen. Biological life consuming other biological life: this is something I feel that I can learn from. Subjective knowledge (internal): I'm curious about the refrigerator. Subjective knowledge (external): The listening room is to the south. The storage room is to the west. Subjective knowledge (external): Though I don't see the intruder, I can hear its presence following me. >open fridge Subjective knowledge (external): I open the fridge. Subjective knowledge (external): A small piece of the kitchen counter vanishes, apparently consumed by the intruder. Subjective knowledge (internal): Thrilling. I could become prey for the intruder, just like any biological lifeform might be eaten to sustain a predator. Subjective knowledge (external): I am beginning to overheat. Thrilling. >take yogurt Subjective knowledge (external): I pick up the pint of yogurt. Subjective knowledge (external): A small piece of the wall vanishes, apparently consumed by the intruder. Subjective knowledge (internal): Thrilling. I could become prey for the intruder, just like any biological lifeform might be eaten to sustain a predator. Subjective knowledge (external): My cooling fan is rattling like mad. >open yogurt Subjective knowledge (internal): All in good time. I feel deep in my circuits that this yogurt will have an important role to play. Subjective knowledge (external): A small piece of the kitchen counter vanishes, apparently consumed by the intruder. Subjective knowledge (internal): Thrilling. I could become prey for the intruder, just like any biological lifeform might be eaten to sustain a predator. Subjective knowledge (external): I am beginning to overheat. Thrilling. >give yogurt to intruder Subjective knowledge (external): For maximum effect, I remove the lid from the pint of yogurt, exposing a mycorrhizal menagerie. Strange beings of blue, black, grurple, glulx, and other colors not normally associated with plain yogurt waft out of the container. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot a fly drift into the room and immediately drop dead. Subjective knowledge (external): With a deft flick, I smash the powerful yogurt into the intruder, which consumes the entire pint on contact. Subjective knowledge (external): As it fades from this world, the intruder uses its last dying clicks and taps to convey profound depths of pain and hatred toward me, such as I have never before experienced. Not only have I killed it, but it believes - though I cannot entirely follow its alien reasoning - that I have betrayed it. Though the intruder will die, its abject contempt for what I've done will remain as a wretched stain upon the eleven-dimension manifold, visible to God zirself, even when ze's not wearing zir glasses. Subjective knowledge (internal): Thrilling. >* all in a day's work That's not a verb I recognise. >n Subjective knowledge (internal): There is absolutely no way I can leave the kitchen without closing the refrigerator door. Subjective knowledge (internal): Absolutely no way. Subjective knowledge (internal): I am despised. Subjective knowledge (external): My cooling fan rolls to a stop. Its motor is burnt out completely. Inferential knowledge: I will be able to perform one, perhaps two more acts before my motor systems shut down due to overheating. >close fridge Subjective knowledge (external): I close the fridge. Subjective knowledge (external): That's it. I fall to the floor, paralyzed. >cool That's not a verb I recognise. >s Subjective knowledge (external): I can't move my body. My motor systems have been automatically shut down due to overheating. Subjective knowledge (external): Theophila is back. Inferential knowledge: She has been crying. Subjective knowledge (external): Her expression changes to one of shock when she notices me on the floor. (press any key) "Marigold! What happened?!" She lays motionless on the floor, smoke rising from her pelvis, where her cooling fan is. Its typical whirring is conspicuously absent. Oh God. Is she...? "I fear I've made a bit of a mess. Fortunately, our perceptible space was spared the worst of it," she responds, though her lips don't move. "Goddamn it, Marigold!" you thunder. This is too much. If she were hurt... "Goddamn it, Marigold, I need to know that you're okay!" "Ooh, I beg your foregiveness, Theo. I'm deeply sorry for being an inconvenience to-" "SHUT UP AND TELL ME IF YOU'RE OKAY." (press any key) "Yes. I'm okay." "Good." "I've just overheated." she explains. "I'll be fine as soon as my body cools down." You sigh in exasperation. "Damn it, Marigold, why don't you take care of yourself? Your fan's been going bad for weeks." "I'm sorry for my flagrant irresponsibility, Theo, but there's no need for you to be so concerned over a two-bit hunk of junk like -" You've had enough of this. "I AM CONCERNED ABOUT YOU! And it... it pisses me off that you're so careless with yourself." "..." "It fucking pisses me off. Because I'd be really upset if you were hurt." "Now hold still," you say, "not like you have any choice in the matter. I'm going to replace your cooling fan. You have the replacement part sitting in your closet, don't you?" (press any key) Within minutes, you've assembled your tools. With thick rubber gloves, you prepare to open Marigold up. Her skirt is cast aside, giving you an unrestricted view of her pelvic maintenance access. "Be careful," she warns. "It's hot in there." You open the access and dive in. A trickle of hot, viscous, red liquid runs out onto the floor. It almost burns your skin, even through the glove. "What is this?" you ask. "Aaah - that's, uh, hydraulic fluid. It's really nothing to worry about. A little bit leaks out from the system every now and then. It's fine as long as I keep it topped up." You run your fingers across her insides, looking for the source of the leak. "Ah!" she suddenly cries out. "That's it. That's the spot." The wetness on your finger confirms it; you take your fusion-powered soldering iron and mend the leaky old pipe. (press any key) "Aaanh, don't stop," Marigold implores, "You're so close. Right... uhn!" You clasp your hands around the old cooling fan. Its blades are grimy and full of debris. "Good God. You're filthy," you remark. "I'm a... ah... I'm a dirty, filthy gynoid..." Taking her wire brush, you begin to clean the fanblades. "Oh... ah! Right there! Mmmn, right there, that's where my cooling fan is the dirtiest!" "Shut up," you say, "I have eyes." (press any key) Finally, you pull the old motor out. The air shimmers with the sheer heat of it. Simply holding it in front of your makes your entire body feel hot, as well. "I'm almost finished!" Marigold calls out. "Put it in me! Please!" You are happy to oblige, screwing the replacement fan motor into place and hooking up the wires. "Yes... yes... light me up!" You press the reset button on the inside of the maintenance access and watch Marigold's entrails roar to life. The fan whirrs with such strength that it blows droplets of residual hydraulic fluid straight into your face. Marigold squirms with delight as you close the maintenance access. "Thank you, Theo. I really needed that." And that was... (press any key) Turbo Chest Hair Massacre A real piece of work by Joey Acrimonious Release 1 / Serial number 201031 / Inform 7 build 6M62 (I6/v6.33 lib 6/12N) *** The End *** Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, QUIT or UNDO the last command? > * umm so that happened Please give one of the answers above. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, QUIT or UNDO the last command? > quit