Start of a transcript of ENTANGLED Written by Dark Star Copyright (c) 2020 by Infodarkness Productions (First-time players should type "ABOUT") Release 1 / Serial number 200928 / Inform v6.33 Library 6/11 S Standard interpreter 1.2 (0) / Library serial number 040227 >l Eastside Cliff This cliff overlooks Sunnybrook, a small town that could be any one of a number of cities dotted across the Midwest. A path runs north and south. North down into town. South back to the trailer park. >i You are carrying: your watch (being worn) your clothes (being worn) >x me Dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt, they're the most comfortable things you own. But a little warm in the sun. >x watch It's an old digital Casio. Looking at it you see it's October 2020, at 6:06 pm. The date's missing, but it's a cheap watch. >n You walk down the path into town. Gas Station This gas station is where everybody from the trailer park gets their cigarettes. It sits on the south side of Main Street. The open lot has a couple of pumps surrounding a booth in the middle. A garage sits off to the side under a digital sign. The path continues north to Main Street. South you can follow it back up the cliff. Mark's working the booth today. Jerry must have taken the night off. You wave at him, but he's ignoring you while playing with his phone. >x pumps Two pumps line the booth, both unleaded. >x mooth You can't see any such thing. >x booth The booth is dark. Inside the lights blown out, but the attendant doesn't mind playing with his phone. Gas pumps lie on either side. From behind a deranged-looking scientist bumps into you. "Oh sorry," he exclaims, dropping his notes by accident. Turning, he walks north to the road. >take notes Taken. The scientist walks down the street, out of sight. >read noes You can't see any such thing. >read notes You don't have time to read right now. You need to find Sam. It looks like a bunch of useless scientific writing anyways. >x mark The shaggy attendant doesn't seem to notice you as he plays with his phone. >talk to mark [You can try ASK ABOUT SAM or ASK ABOUT CIGARETTES or ASK ABOUT BOWLING ALLEY. There are also lots of other things too.] >ask mark about sam "I can't say that I've seen him. It's been busy 'round here." You push him to see if he can remember anything. "Look. Sam might have come this way. I don't know. To be honest, I don't pay a lot of attention to the people 'round here." >ask about cigarettes "Look. You're always busted. I ain't givin' you nothin'." You tell him you'll pay him tomorrow, that you're good for it. "If I had a dollar every time someone said that, I wouldn't have to work here anymore." >ask about bowling "What? You're goin' over to the alley?" You tell him that you're looking for Sam and he might be down there. "Sam and you will never learn. I bet he's down there right now gettin' plowed off those taps. Have fun with that." >l Gas Station The station sits on the south side of Main Street. The open lot has a couple of pumps surrounding a booth in the middle. A garage sits off to the side under a digital sign. The path continues north to Main Street. South you can follow it back up the cliff. An attendant works the booth messing with his phone. >ask mark about mark "You've never asked me that. Hm. Well. I want to make it out of this town someday. Don't we all? Who knows. Not even sure where I'd go." >ask mark about jerry "Jerry is probably goin' to be out for a few days. Came down with a nasty bug. I hope it's not COVID." >n Main Street On the north side of the street sits a sign telling people they're entering Sunnybrook. To the south, a path leads to the gas station. To the west down Main Street, the road will take you to the bowling alley. >x sign The name of the city is in big white letters on a green background. Underneath it says: Population 342 >n You can go south to the gas station or west to the bus stop. >w Bus Stop Main Street runs east to west with a bus stop on the north side of the street. To the west is the library. East, the road continues until it eventually meets up with the highway. ... Sam moved into your trailer last month with his wife. Things have gone downhill ever since. Your place is small enough as is, and having the two of them take over the living room is wrong. You've gotten little sleep over the last month. It's starting to hit you at work. >x stop No one is sitting under the awning even though the line runs all night. >s You can go east or west. >n You need to get to the bowling alley, riding the bus won't help. It's route takes you to Springfield. >w Corner of Main & Midland The library is set off Main Street, with an elementary school tucked behind it. Lined with benches, the walkway up to the library is covered with trees. Main Street runs east out of the city and west to the town hall. Midland Drive heads south to the convenience store. >x library The library used to be taken care of, but the benches are decomposing, and the building's tagged like others in this town. >x school The elementary school sits behind the library, but the kids have to be bused out of town for middle and high school. >x benches The benches are made of oak and are so neglected they're rotting away. >x trees Old gnarled oaks line the walkway up to the library. >s Midland Drive For being open 24 hours a day, no one's around the convenience store - a building covered in ads for beer and cigarettes. Lined with duplexes, Midland Drive runs north and south. North the library is set off the street. South Highland Towers looms over the city. You can also go into the store. >n Corner of Main & Midland The library is set off Main Street, with an elementary school tucked behind it. Lined with benches, the walkway up to the library is covered with trees. Main Street runs east out of the city and west to the town hall. Midland Drive heads south to the convenience store. >w Main Street Along the north side of the street, among some other buildings, sits the town hall. Graffiti covers the building, but there have never been any real gangs here. It's kids causing mischief. Across from the town hall is a small park to the south. Main Street runs east to west with the library on the east side and the post office on the west. >e Corner of Main & Midland The library is set off Main Street, with an elementary school tucked behind it. Lined with benches, the walkway up to the library is covered with trees. Main Street runs east out of the city and west to the town hall. Midland Drive heads south to the convenience store. >s Midland Drive For being open 24 hours a day, no one's around the convenience store - a building covered in ads for beer and cigarettes. Lined with duplexes, Midland Drive runs north and south. North the library is set off the street. South Highland Towers looms over the city. You can also go into the store. >in Convenience Store The entrance to the store is clean except for scuff marks on the floor. Rows of junk food line the place, and there's a cooler in back for the cold drinks. The door out of this place is west. Amy looks up from her paperback. Seeing you enter the store, she nods going back to her book. >x marks Convenience Store The entrance to the store is clean except for scuff marks on the floor. Rows of junk food line the place, and there's a cooler in back for the cold drinks. The door out of this place is west. Amy reads her paperback while sitting behind the counter. >x food The row is full of snack bars with a wide selection of assorted chocolate. >x drinks The drinks are kept in a cooler in the back. There are a few Cokes left. >take chocolate It's all junk. You don't need any of it. >x coke The drinks are kept in a cooler in the back. There are a few Cokes left. >take coke As good as one would taste, you don't need it and can't afford it. >x paperback It's a worn copy of On The Road. The clerk reads it with tired eyes. >talk to amy [You can try ASK ABOUT SAM or ASK ABOUT STORE. There are also lots of other things too.] >ask about sam "Yes," the clerk says, raising her head to look up at you. "Isn't he your friend? I heard he moved in with you - with his wife. That must be tough. Help that guy out before he destroys your friendship." >ask about store "When it's slow like this I like to get in a bit of reading. It keeps my mind occupied." >ask about paperback "It's On The Road, by Kerouac. Do you know it? Hm." >ask about kerouac "He was a great writer. An old friend turned me on to him. But he was before my time." >ask about friend "Yeah. I made friends with this older guy around here. He died a long time ago, but he taught me a lot about myself. Wish he was here. Drank too hard." >ask about jerry "Jerry runs things over at the gas station, even though he doesn't own it. Hm." >ask about mark "Kids nowadays. I doubt that Mark even knows how easy he has it over there. Jerry's told me about that kid. Hm. A real slacker." >ask about notes "Look. I don't care about that." >ask about amy "Look. You and everybody else that comes in here asks the same thing. But you don't even know who I am. Hm. Like you're going to get to know me?" >ask about me "Can't say I ever got to know you, but you've always treated me well every time you're in here. Better than some." >w Midland Drive For being open 24 hours a day, no one's around the convenience store - a building covered in ads for beer and cigarettes. Lined with duplexes, Midland Drive runs north and south. North the library is set off the street. South Highland Towers looms over the city. You can also go into the store. >s Corner of South & Midland Highland Towers sits on the corner. A large and looming apartment complex. It was once an upscale joint but has been neglected over time. South Street runs west to The Tavern. North along Midland Drive, a convenience store is tucked in amongst some duplexes. A doorman stands outside smoking a cigarette. >x doorman The doorman is a little lax, standing outside smoking a cigarette. >talk to doorman "Look. I'm not your friend. You don't live here. Move along." >w South Street South Street sits on the edge of a subdivision. The bar on the corner has been closed now for almost a year. The road runs east to west with a high-rise to the east and a tattoo shop to the west. A light beep rings from your watch. >x watch It's an old digital Casio. Looking at it you see it's October 2020, at 7:01 pm. The date's missing, but it's a cheap watch. >x bar They left the sign up for some reason. It reads, "The Tavern." Looking through the bar's window, you see the lights are off and the place has been gutted. Nothing is left but a few chairs. >open it You don't have a set of keys. You're not getting in. >w Corner of South & Ryders On this corner sits the Crazy Monkey. A tattoo shop run by an old biker. The lights are on, and Nick is always happy to see people in his place. Ryders Road heads north to Madame Sorra's. South Street runs east to a bar. An alley lies to the southwest and runs alongside the shop. >in Crazy Monkey Tattoo Shop Music fills the room from the back, a section that's partitioned off. With the place cut in half, there's only one table for the artist to work at. A full-size mirror covers the wall behind him. The door out of here is north. Nick greets you. "How are you doing tonight," he asks as you walk in. >talk to nick [You can try ASK ABOUT TATTOOS or ASK ABOUT MUSIC. There are also lots of other things too.] >ask about tattoos "I've been doing it for around 30 years now. I think I've learned my art. If you're looking for something. Let me know." >ask about music "You like it? It's some stuff that I wrote when I lived in Los Angeles. It's a little dated now. But I think it has a solid beat." >ask about sam "Haven't seen Sam in a while. Last time I checked, he moved in with you." >ask about amy "Amy? She's worked at that convenience store for as long as I've known her. When I left for Los Angeles, she went to college or something. When I came back, she was still there. Guess it didn't work out for her." >ask about mark "Mark's cool enough, but he's a slacker afraid of the ink." >ask about jerry "The guy's great. Funny too. Stops in here now and then. I've inked him. And he works too hard over at the station. I've told him he should open his own shop, but he seems happy over there." >ask about doorman "That guy that works over at the Towers? That place is a dump. I don't even know why they keep someone like that around." >ask about nick "I've had the shop now for almost 25 years. But I started inking people after I got back from Los Angeles, around 30 years ago, when I started riding with the Outlaws." >ask about me "I don't know you well. You don't stick out. Not like Tom." >ask about tom "You know, sometimes I could just throttle Tom. And at other times, he just cracks me up. But I've gotten into it with him. I've seen him think a meteor shower is a UFO invasion. Crazy." >l Crazy Monkey Tattoo Shop Music fills the room from the back, a section that's partitioned off. With the place cut in half, there's only one table for the artist to work at. A full-size mirror covers the wall behind him. The door out of here is north. Nick sits in the corner, looking over a magazine. >n You nod to the biker heading out the door. "Later," he says. Corner of South & Ryders On this corner sits the Crazy Monkey. A tattoo shop run by an old biker. The lights are on, and Nick is always happy to see people in his place. Ryders Road heads north to Madame Sorra's. South Street runs east to a bar. An alley lies to the southwest and runs alongside the shop. >sw Back Alley This alley has been spray-painted by vandals. It's places like these where people get murdered. A dumpster sits against the wall of the shop, so full that a bike sticks out of it. The way out of here is northeast. >x dumpster The dumpster is full, packed with all sorts of debris, but a bike does stick out of the top of it. >take bike It would be too hard to pull out of the garbage and not worth the effort. >x bike A mountain bike sticks out of the refuse. On the backend, there's a fake plate attached to it. >x plate The plate must be a souvenir from Area 51. It says "Believe" with a picture of an alien next to it - a Grey with big eyes. >take it Working the plate back and forth for a minute, it breaks away from the bike. >i You are carrying: a plate some notes your watch (being worn) your clothes (being worn) >ne Corner of South & Ryders On this corner sits the Crazy Monkey. A tattoo shop run by an old biker. The lights are on, and Nick is always happy to see people in his place. Ryders Road heads north to Madame Sorra's. South Street runs east to a bar. An alley lies to the southwest and runs alongside the shop. >s Crazy Monkey Tattoo Shop Music fills the room from the back, a section that's partitioned off. With the place cut in half, there's only one table for the artist to work at. A full-size mirror covers the wall behind him. The door out of here is north. Nick greets you. "How are you doing tonight," he asks as you walk in. >n You nod to the biker heading out the door. "Later," he says. Corner of South & Ryders On this corner sits the Crazy Monkey. A tattoo shop run by an old biker. The lights are on, and Nick is always happy to see people in his place. Ryders Road heads north to Madame Sorra's. South Street runs east to a bar. An alley lies to the southwest and runs alongside the shop. >n Ryders Road In the middle of a row of buildings sits a structure that looks like it's going to fall in on itself. It welcomes you in with a pink neon sign - a handprint behind the window. Written above the doorbell is the name Sorra. Ryders Road heads north to the post office and south to the tattoo shop. >in (first ringing the doorbell) After a bit, Madame Sorra opens the door, "Please. Come in." Madame Sorra's The old fortune-teller sits down as you enter the room, slowly seating herself behind a crystal ball. The place has little light, all of it coming from the sign in the window giving off a pink glow. The door out of here is east. "Looking to have your palm read this evening?" >x ball The crystal ball is made from clear quartz and distorts the room when you look at it. >take it "What are you doing?" she asks, pushing you back, "do you try to curse yourself?" >talk to sorra [You can try ASK ABOUT READING or ASK ABOUT CITY. There are also lots of other things too.] >ask about reading "Yes. I have much practice in reading others. I vus taught how to scry and see into the future. I do readings for only a dollar." >ask about city "It's a cold place. I've lived here too long and the people have harden. I should have moved on long ago. Now it's too late." >ask about sam "I do not know this person. Vhy do you ask about him?" >ask about sorra "I'm a gifted fortune teller that comes from a long line of scryers. I can see you're trouble." >ask about me "You are trouble in these dark times. I can see it around you. Something blocks your path." >ask about path "Ve all walk one, but no one listens. I try to point people in the right direction, but they never follow." >e You nod goodbye to Madame Sorra before heading out the door. Ryders Road In the middle of a row of buildings sits a structure that looks like it's going to fall in on itself. It welcomes you in with a pink neon sign - a handprint behind the window. Written above the doorbell is the name Sorra. Ryders Road heads north to the post office and south to the tattoo shop. >n Corner of Main & Ryders The hum of a street light breaks the silence. Maple Road becomes Main Street at this intersection, and Ryders Road shoots off south. A granite post office sits on the corner. Main Street heads east to the town hall and west to a diner. Ryders Road leads south to Madame Sorra's. ... Sam's been staying away from the mess by hanging out at the bar down at the bowling alley. His wife blames you. Now that the landlord's found out you're all living there, he's going to flip. You need to speak with Sam since you can't talk to his wife. >in You can head east to the town hall, south to Madame Sorra's or west to the diner. >w Maple Road Maple Road runs east to west with a 24-hour diner attached to the south. To the east is the town post office. West a poorly kept dirt road will take you to the bowling alley. Tom is standing outside the diner and freaking out. He stops you in the street, "Hey, I... I just saw some lights in the sky. Something is going on. You know. The government covers that stuff up. It has to be a UFO." >x tom Wearing glasses, this guy is middle-aged and podgy around the middle. A thin patch of squirrelly hair slicks his dome while sweat pours down his pale face. >talk to tom [You can try ASK ABOUT GOVERNMENT or ASK ABOUT DINER or ASK ABOUT SAM. There are also lots of other things too.] >ask about government "Oh yeah. They cover stuff up all the time," he says adjusting his glasses, "They know about the UFOs. Ever watch Ancient Aliens? But now with the mothership coming, there's no way to hide it any longer." >ask about diner "Those people in there don't care about UFOs. They all think I'm crazy. I hear them behind my back. But you look like someone that might understand." >ask about ufo "Check out the lights in the sky. You can see them every now and then. They're fast. That's how you know it's a UFO." >ask about lights "If you watch the sky long enough, you can see them. But they're fast. I'm sure there's a mothership out there controlling it all." >ask about sam "I saw him pass through here. He's no help. I couldn't even stop him. Probably ran into the aliens and didn't even know it." >ask about nick "That old biker thinks he knows it all. I've tried to tell him, but he won't listen. When the aliens come, I hope they don't take him." >ask about jerry "Who cares about that. They're going to take us away." >ask about amy "The lady that works over at the convenience store? She told me once that she wanted to be a writer. I told her she should do a book on UFOs. She never took my advice. Some writer she is." >ask about mark "Mark's a cool guy, but he just doesn't get it. I've tried to tell him about the aliens. All he cares about are girls." >ask about tom "People say I'm into conspiracy theories, but I'm not. I just know that the aliens are coming like Ford Prefect in Hitchhiker's Guide." >ask about me "I've seen you around, on the bus and all, but I don't know anything about you." >ask about plate "What plate are you talking about?" >i You are carrying: a plate some notes your watch (being worn) your clothes (being worn) >show plate to tom He takes the plate from you. "I guess you do believe. I'm not the only one in this town. I knew it. Thanks. I'm going to have to put this up on my bedroom wall. And it'll drive those people in the diner crazy." Smiling, he returns to the restaurant. >l Maple Road Maple Road runs east to west with a 24-hour diner attached to the south. To the east is the town post office. West a poorly kept dirt road will take you to the bowling alley. A light beep rings from your watch. >s There's no need to follow Tom. You should head down to the bowling alley and find Sam. >w Dirt Road This lonely strip of road turns around a corner here. Maple Road connects at the east end while it wraps around meeting up with the bowling alley to the north. >n You walk up to the parking lot. Parking Lot Muted colors display a mural on the front of the building. Above, a bright neon sign blinks Lowry Lanes or at least tries to. The sign has been broken for years. A few cars are in the parking lot tonight. To the north is the bowling alley. South the dirt road. >x cars The few cars in the lot are beaters - older vehicles driven into the ground. >search cars The few cars in the lot are beaters - older vehicles driven into the ground. >n Stepping through the doors, a bright light flashes before your eyes. You feel a swaying motion. Then your stomach lurches. You look down at yourself. Everything seems to be fine, but the bowling alley is different somehow. Maybe cleaner. Brighter. Happier if that was even possible. Lowry Lanes Thick smoke hangs in the air of the bowling alley. At the entrance, two kids play an arcade machine. On the west side of the building, there's a bar. Sam's not there. On the east side, a girl handles equipment rental. Next to the far lane a backdoor, painted red like the walls, leads north. >x kids The two boys are engrossed in the game. The little one watches while the bigger one plays. >x arcade The arcade cabinet is something from the '80s if you're not mistaken. "Asteroids" is written in large print on the side. Two kids crowd out the screen. >w Bar The bar is lined with a few stools and runs the length of the room. Behind it, rows of empty glasses sit along the back wall. There's also a lone bottle of whiskey on the shelf. A bathroom lies to the west while the entrance is east. The bartender looks busy as he washes some glasses. And it's not Judy. It's an older man. "How's it going," he asks turning to you. >talk to bartender [You can try ASK ABOUT BAR or ASK ABOUT SAM. There are also lots of other things too.] >ask about bar "Every bowling alley has to have a bar, am I right? This place has been a fixture in this town since the '50s," he says, taking a drag off his cigarette before returning to the dishes. >ask about sam "Sam? Sorry. Don't know him. Haven't seen anybody like that tonight either. Maybe he'll show up a little later. Why don't you have a drink?" The bartender finishes his cigarette. Dying it out in one of the ashtrays only to light up another. >ask about drink "If you have cash, I'd gladly pour you some." >ask about cigarettes "Usually we have some. But I bought the last pack. Sorry. We're all sold out." The bartender drys off a glass before putting it back on the shelf. >ask about bartender "Don't have much to say about myself. I'm just a hard working bartender," he says, taking a drag off his cigarette before returning to the dishes. >ask about me "I can't say I've seen you around." The bartender reaches into a tub full of water, pulling out a glass to wash. >w You peek into the bathroom, but Sam isn't in there. >e Lowry Lanes Thick smoke hangs in the air of the bowling alley. At the entrance, two kids play an arcade machine. On the west side of the building, there's a bar and an older guy works behind the counter. On the east side, a girl handles equipment rental. Next to the far lane a backdoor, painted red like the walls, leads north. >e Equipment Rental Shoes fill the racks lining the back wall. It's been a slow night. A bored teen works the counter. No one else is here. The few customers in the place are already bowling. To the west, the entrance for the alley. North, the backdoor out of here. Behind the counter, the teen watches you while playing with the cash register - a can of freshener by her side. "Like. Did you know you can spell 'hell' using numbers on a keypad? You have to look at it upside down, but it's pretty cool." >x shoes The shoe rack behind the teen is mostly full. The few pairs missing have been lent out to the people in the alley. >x teen With a platinum-dyed mohawk, this girl sticks out. She looks like a model or a rock star that shouldn't be working here. But she seems bored, tapping her nails on the keypad of the register. >x can Out on the counter, a can of freshener sits next to the teen. It looks generic, painted red with blocky white lettering. >take it "Get your hands off that," she says, slapping you away. >talk to teen [You can try ASK ABOUT FRESHENER or ASK ABOUT CITY. There are also lots of other things too.] >ask about freshener "Like. It's just some spray that I throw in the shoes when someone rents them. I can't stand the smell." >ask about city "This town's so dull. Like, I'm looking to hit New York. Once I get some more money." >ask about sam "Uh. Like. I don't even know Sam. God." >ask about bartender "Gross. What about him. He works across the way in the bar. I don't talk to him much." >ask about lowry "You know. Like. Does that really matter?" >ask about lowry lanes "Oh my God. Are you going to talk all night, 'cause? Like. I thought you were going to rent something." >kiss teen "Watch it," she says pushing you back, "I'm not into the poor." >l Equipment Rental Shoes fill the racks lining the back wall. It's been a slow night. A bored teen works the counter. No one else is here. The few customers in the place are already bowling. To the west, the entrance for the alley. North, the backdoor out of here. Behind the counter, the teen watches you while playing with the cash register - a can of freshener by her side. >x me Dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt, they're the most comfortable things you own. But a little warm. >i You are carrying: some notes your watch (being worn) your clothes (being worn) >x notes The notes look new, with pages that are white but wrinkled. The stack of papers has a few hand drawings with entries to explain it. >read notes You don't have time to read right now. You need to find out what is going on. It looks like a bunch of useless scientific writing anyways. >x drawings The notes look new, with pages that are white but wrinkled. The stack of papers has a few hand drawings with entries to explain it. >l Equipment Rental Shoes fill the racks lining the back wall. It's been a slow night. A bored teen works the counter. No one else is here. The few customers in the place are already bowling. To the west, the entrance for the alley. North, the backdoor out of here. Behind the counter, the teen watches you while playing with the cash register - a can of freshener by her side. >x register The teen stands behind the register, tapping her nails on the keypad and paying more attention to the display than you. >open it "Don't make me call the cops. They're not my scene," she says, staring you down. >n Giving it a minute you slip out the backdoor without anybody noticing. Backlot This area opens up into the back parking lot. No cars are parked here since the alley gets mostly foot traffic. Further back to the northwest, a brick house sits on the property line. The backdoor into the place is south. A dumpster sits along the wall of the bowling alley. >x dumpster The rusted bin is open, giving workers easy access. You can't help but think that some rodents might make their way in at night. >enter it Now that's just gross. >search it Leaning into a pile of filth, you push some garbage out of the way, finding a metal flask. Reaching down, you pick it out of the grime made of rot and grease. Doing your best, you wipe it off. It feels like there's a bit of alcohol left behind. >search it You push a few pieces of garbage around, but nothing looks promising. >i You are carrying: a flask some notes your watch (being worn) your clothes (being worn) >x flask It's a metal flask that feels like it has a bit of liquor left behind. >open it Are you looking for a drink? That's no way to solve your problems. >smell it The stench of rot and grease comes from your hands since you reached into the dumpster. It's overpowering. >nw Back Yard Paint peels away from the house like dry, flaky skin falling off a dead body. The windows are boarded up. There's also a bit of light coming from inside - through the backdoor that's cracked open to the north. The bowling alley lies southeast. >n Kitchen Dust covers this room. The window above the sink is boarded up. The stove looks forgotten, but the refrigerator next to it is stained and used. The backdoor out of here is south, while an open doorway to a hallway lies north. >open fridge Opening the refrigerator, you find some leftover Chinese food and an open beer bottle. The fridge isn't cold and the stuff is warm. You close it leaving it all behind. >n Hallway This hallway is short and small, like the rest of the house. To the north, the living room. South the kitchen. West the rest of the place. With the door to the basement removed, the light comes up from below. >d Basement Lights dim and flicker. A fuse pops. A small explosion rocked this place with walls charred in the aftermath. What's left is a cobbled-together machine sitting in the center of this room. The generator next to it is shut down. Whoever did this is gone, though you can't help but wonder why the walls are charred. Stairs lead out of the basement. There's a workbench tucked in the corner with a socket wrench on it. >x macine You can't see any such thing. >x machine It's a strange piece of machinery with a metal arm that comes off one end. But there's no power going to it, and the panel in the middle is blank. Looking it over further, you find the lack of power comes from a generator that's off. One of the vacuum tubes that ran the thing is black as night, and the crystal lodged in the metal arm is cloudy and dull. Besides that, it might work. >tkae tube That's not a verb I recognize. >take tube You pull out the broken tube throwing it to the ground. It shatters on contact. >take crystal You pull out the dull crystal from the metal arm, tossing it aside. It rolls out of sight under the large machine. >x generator There's a ripcord on the side of the scorched generator, and a fused plug sits where a good one should be. >x plug The blast that shook this room somehow fused the spark plug at the core. Now it's a useless hunk of metal screwed into the generator. >take it Without a wrench, you're not going to be able to remove it. A light beep rings from your watch. >l Basement A small explosion rocked this place with walls charred in the aftermath. What's left is a cobbled-together machine sitting in the center of this room. The generator next to it is shut down. Stairs lead out of the basement. There's a workbench tucked in the corner with a socket wrench on it. >take wrench Taken. >take plug Using the socket wrench, you unscrew the spark plug. But when you pull it out of the cylinder, it crumbles to dust in your hand. >i You are carrying: a socket wrench a flask some notes your watch (being worn) your clothes (being worn) >x generator There's a ripcord on the side of the scorched generator, and the opening for the spark plug is empty. >l Basement A small explosion rocked this place with walls charred in the aftermath. What's left is a cobbled-together machine sitting in the center of this room. The generator next to it is shut down. In the corner is a bench. Stairs lead out of the basement. >u Hallway This hallway is short and small, like the rest of the house. To the north, the living room. South the kitchen. West the rest of the place. With the door to the basement removed, the light comes up from below. >n Living Room A pillow sits in the corner on top of an old phonebook with other pieces of junk scattered around the room - the front door's nailed shut. The light coming in from the boarded-up window barely illuminates the room. You can go south back to the hallway. >x pillow A pillow has been tucked away, placed on top of the old phonebook. It's missing a cover. The dirt is worn in. >take it It's used and dirty. You don't need it. >move it There's no need to do that. >search it A pillow has been tucked away, placed on top of the old phonebook. It's missing a cover. The dirt is worn in. >look under it You don't need to do that. >x phonebook Underneath the pillow, you see the book is for the northeast part of the county and it's old. The spine says July 1977 - 1978. >take it The book is old and the information is worthless. >read it The book is old and the information is worthless. >x junk The junk consists mostly of old wrappers along with a few empty beer bottles. >search junk The junk consists mostly of old wrappers along with a few empty beer bottles. >s Hallway This hallway is short and small, like the rest of the house. To the north, the living room. South the kitchen. West the rest of the place. With the door to the basement removed, the light comes up from below. >w You can go north to the living room. South to the kitchen or down into the basement. The rest of the house that is west is dark and uninviting. >s Kitchen Dust covers this room. The window above the sink is boarded up. The stove looks forgotten, but the refrigerator next to it is stained and used. The backdoor out of here is south, while an open doorway to a hallway lies north. >s Back Yard Paint peels away from the house like dry, flaky skin falling off a dead body. The windows are boarded up. There's also a bit of light coming from inside - through the backdoor that's open to the north. The bowling alley lies southeast. >se Backlot This area opens up into the back parking lot. No cars are parked here since the alley gets mostly foot traffic. Further back to the northwest, a brick house sits on the property line. The backdoor into the place is south. To the east is a shortcut through a field. A dumpster sits along the wall of the bowling alley. >e Open Field Tall, uncut grass waves back and forth in the breeze as animals scurry through the thicket. A narrow path cuts through the field. You can take it south or head west to the backlot of the bowling alley. >x grass Uncut grass surrounds you, creating a thicket that's hard to walk through. >search grass It's too dense. >search thicket It's too dense. >s You follow the path walking through the field until you come out on the road. Maple Road Maple Road comes to a bit of a fork here with the town post office to the east. A poorly kept dirt road is west. A shortcut through a field is north, and a worn path cuts through the tree line to the northeast. There is no diner to the south - only an empty lot. There must not have been one in the past. >x watch It's an old digital Casio. Looking at it you see it's October 2020, at 9:29 pm. The date's missing, but it's a cheap watch. >w Dirt Road This lonely strip of road turns around a corner here. Maple Road connects at the east end while it wraps around meeting up with the bowling alley to the north. >n You walk up to the parking lot. Parking Lot Bright colors display a mural on the side of the building. Above, a bright neon sign blinks Lowry Lanes. The letters are fixed. A few cars are in the parking lot tonight. To the north is the bowling alley. South the dirt road. >x cars The few cars that are out here are a bit dated but in good condition. >s Dirt Road This lonely strip of road turns around a corner here. Maple Road connects at the east end while it wraps around meeting up with the bowling alley to the north. >e Maple Road Maple Road comes to a bit of a fork here with the town post office to the east. A poorly kept dirt road is west. A shortcut through a field is north, and a worn path cuts through the tree line to the northeast. >ne Rusty Gate The path comes to an end at a rusty gate. Broken down vehicles litter the yard behind it. The sign on the fence reads, "Trespassers Will Be Shot." To the southwest is Maple Road. The yard's protected by a dog, he bares his teeth and barks at your presence. >x dog The dog barks at you. A Doberman Pinscher trained to protect the yard. >talk to dog The dog puts on a show of force, barking at you. >pet dog If you reached over to pet him, he'd take your arm off. >i You are carrying: a socket wrench a flask some notes your watch (being worn) your clothes (being worn) >sw Maple Road Maple Road comes to a bit of a fork here with the town post office to the east. A poorly kept dirt road is west. A shortcut through a field is north, and a worn path cuts through the tree line to the northeast. >n Open Field Tall, uncut grass waves back and forth in the breeze as animals scurry through the thicket. A narrow path cuts through the field. You can take it south or head west to the backlot of the bowling alley. >s You follow the path walking through the field until you come out on the road. Maple Road Maple Road comes to a bit of a fork here with the town post office to the east. A poorly kept dirt road is west. A shortcut through a field is north, and a worn path cuts through the tree line to the northeast. >e Corner of Main & Ryders The sound of a dog barking in the distance breaks the silence. Maple Road becomes Main Street at this intersection, and Ryders Road shoots off south. A granite post office sits on the corner. Graffiti used to cover the building, but it's cleaned up. Main Street heads east to the town hall and west towards the bowling alley. Ryders Road leads south to Madame Sorra's. >x post The post office is a landmark made from granite. An edifice made to last forever. >enter post The post office is closed. >s Ryders Road In the middle of a row of buildings sits a structure that looks like it's going to fall in on itself. It welcomes you in with a pink neon sign - a handprint behind the window. Written above the doorbell is the name Sorra. Ryders Road heads north to the post office and south to an art gallery. >w (first ringing the doorbell) Madame Sorra opens the door, "Please. Come in." Madame Sorra's The old fortune-teller looks almost spry, carefully seating herself behind a crystal ball. The place has little light, all of it coming from the sign in the window giving off a pink glow. The door out of here is east. "Looking to have your palm read this evening?" >talk to sorra [You can try ASK ABOUT CITY or ASK ABOUT READING. There are also lots of other things too.] >ask about city "It's a cold place. I've lived here too long, and I vant to retire. Plus, there's Sarah. Hmm. Vhy are all the people here so cold?" >ask about sarah "Sarah. The vitch that vaunts to steal my things. Don't trust that one. She's got a forked tongue on her." >ask about sorra "I come from a long line of scryers. I can see you're out of place and could use my help." >ask about reading "I have a gift, passed down from my mother who taught me how to scry and see into the future. I do a reading. It vill cost a dollar." >e You nod goodbye to Madame Sorra before heading out the door. Ryders Road In the middle of a row of buildings sits a structure that looks like it's going to fall in on itself. It welcomes you in with a pink neon sign - a handprint behind the window. Written above the doorbell is the name Sorra. Ryders Road heads north to the post office and south to an art gallery. >s Corner of South & Ryders On this corner sits the South Street Gallery with a symbol of a tree painted on the door. Lights are on inside. It looks open though no one is around. Ryders Road heads north to Madame Sorra's. South Street runs east to The Tavern. An alley lies to the southwest and runs alongside the gallery. >in South Street Gallery The gallery looks larger on the inside than out. There's only one item on display. It's in the center of the room on a pedestal giving the place an open feeling. The piece is clear crystal in the shape of a cat. The smell of incense hangs heavy in the air, and the door out of this place is north. The curator steps in from the alley, stopping at the counter and closing the door behind her. "How are you doing this evening?" >x crystal Clear, and with no cut lines, the crystal statue is a foot tall. The cat has to be molded. It's too perfect. >take it "What do you think you're doing?" asks the curator, stepping between you and the cat. "I don't want to have to call the cops." >smell The room has a sickeningly sweet odor that permeates everything. The curator moves back to the counter, looking at some paperwork and pushing the incense out of the way. >talk to urator You can't see any such thing. >talk to curator [You can try ASK ABOUT CITY or ASK ABOUT GALLERY. There are also lots of other things too.] >ask about city "It's small and backward, but it has its charm. It's grown on me. I plan to settle here if I can." A light beep rings from your watch. >ask about gallery "I've been doing this for the past four years. I had to take out a loan, my parents put up the collateral, but I've always had a love for art. I majored in it in college. I even help out this local sculptor. We have a deal that gives him exposure." >ask about sculptor "He's become a friend of mine and is a great artist. Somehow he puts together these fantastic works. That cat is solid with no cut lines. It's clean and clear, perfectly aligned, crystal." >ask about cat "It's a beautiful statue. Isn't it? A local sculptor makes them. I used to sell necklaces, but I had to move on to something sturdier." >ask about curator "I like it here in this small town. I opened my shop a few years back. Got to know the people. It's the customers that keep me going." >ask about me "I'm sorry. I don't know you, though you look familiar." >x curator She's wearing a loose, open flowing, white dress with long hair past her shoulders. Trying to look busy, she stands against the back wall next to a counter. >ask about dress "Sorry. Can't help you there." >ask about counter "Sorry. Can't help you there." >x counter The curator uses the counter in the back to store paperwork. On top of it sits a pack of incense - Nag Champa by the looks of it. >x incense A pack of incense sits on the counter. It must be the source of the smell in the place. >ask about incense "Do you like it? It's Nag Champa. It's a lovely smell. It comes from India. I discovered it when I lived at the commune. And please leave the pack alone. It's not for sale." >take incense The curator tries to stop you, just missing your arm. "What are you doing? Put back my incense. It's not for sale." >n The curator stops you before you can leave. "Please give me back the incense. It's not for sale." >i You are carrying: a pack of incense a socket wrench a flask some notes your watch (being worn) your clothes (being worn) >open incense "Why are you messing around? Give it back." >give incense to curator Giving the curator the incense back, she yanks it out of your hand. Thin sticks of scented wood go flying across the room. "Look at what you did," she says, bending over to pick them up. But she slips on one bumping into the crystal cat. Before it hits the ground, you slip out the door. Corner of South & Ryders On this corner sits the South Street Gallery with a symbol of a tree painted on the door. Lights are on inside. It looks open though no one is around. Ryders Road heads north to Madame Sorra's. South Street runs east to The Tavern. From the southwest, you can hear the curator curse to herself in the alley. >in South Street Gallery Trying to enter the gallery, the curator yells, "Get out of here before I call the cops." Not wanting to push it you leave. Corner of South & Ryders On this corner sits the South Street Gallery with a symbol of a tree painted on the door. Lights are on inside. It looks open though no one is around. Ryders Road heads north to Madame Sorra's. South Street runs east to The Tavern. An alley lies to the southwest and runs alongside the gallery. >e South Street South Street sits on the edge of a subdivision with a small bar on the corner. The Tavern. Music beats its way into the street. The road runs east to west with a high-rise to the east and an art gallery to the west. You can also enter the bar to the south. The wind picks up a dollar bill sitting in the middle of the street, blowing it east. >e Corner of South & Midland Highland Towers sits on the corner. A large and looming apartment complex. South Street runs west to The Tavern, a bar that's playing music too loud. North along Midland Drive, a convenience store is tucked in amongst some duplexes. A doorman that knows his tenants stands outside the building. The wind picks up a dollar bill sitting in the middle of the street, blowing it north. >n Midland Drive For being open 24 hours a day, no one's around the convenience store - a building that used to be covered in ads for beer. It's now cleaned up. Lined with duplexes, Midland Drive runs north and south. North the library is set off the street. South Highland Towers looms over the city. You can also go into the store. The wind picks up a dollar bill sitting in the middle of the street, blowing it north. >n Corner of Main & Midland The library is set off Main Street, with an elementary school tucked behind it. Lined with benches, the walkway up to the library is covered with trees. Main Street runs east out of the city and west to the town hall. Midland Drive heads south to the convenience store. The wind picks up a dollar bill sitting in the middle of the street, blowing it west. >w Main Street Along the north side of the street, among some other buildings, sits the town hall. Graffiti used to cover this building too, but no longer. Across from it is a small park to the south. Main Street runs east to west with the library on the east side and the post office on the west. The wind picks up a dollar bill sitting in the middle of the street, blowing it south. >s You cross the street, entering the park. Park There's a statue of an elder statesman in the center of the park, surrounded by benches in a wide radius. Shrubs and trees line the park creating the green wall that keeps the city out. Closed in, you can head back across the street north to the town hall. "Oh. I guess this is yours," a rough-looking guy says, picking up the dollar bill and handing it to you. >talk to guy [You can try ASK ABOUT PARK or ASK ABOUT WORK. There are also lots of other things too.] >ask about park "Stayin' out here doesn't work so well on rainy nights, so I'll go over to the abandoned house behind the bowlin' alley when it's like that. But now I'm not sure where I'll go." >ask about work "Why do you care? Hm. No mind. I used to work for a local factory in Melville. But then, around 1960 or so, I ended up reading 'On The Road.' I quit that gig and found my path." >ask about kerouac "Hmm. I don't get it." >ask about on the road "That book changed my life and the whole generation. Once we found out that there was a world out there we could explore, it didn't take long for us to drop out and tune into it. I never went back." >x statue The statue is of a statesman, something leftover from another time. He stands on a pedestal. Rumor has it he founded this city. Covered in droppings, no one respects him. >ask about statue "They say it's of Yukypah Heef. Some founder. I've never heard of him. So I piss on him when I have the chance." >ask about guy "I don't know, my life kind of took a wrong turn. What do you want me to say?" >n You cross the street, stopping at the town hall. Main Street Along the north side of the street, among some other buildings, sits the town hall. Across from it is a small park to the south. Main Street runs east to west with the library on the east side and the post office on the west. >w Corner of Main & Ryders The sound of a dog barking in the distance breaks the silence. Maple Road becomes Main Street at this intersection, and Ryders Road shoots off south. A granite post office sits on the corner. Main Street heads east to the town hall and west towards the bowling alley. Ryders Road leads south to Madame Sorra's. >s Ryders Road In the middle of a row of buildings sits a structure that looks like it's going to fall in on itself. It welcomes you in with a pink neon sign - a handprint behind the window. Written above the doorbell is the name Sorra. Ryders Road heads north to the post office and south to an art gallery. >in (first ringing the doorbell) Madame Sorra opens the door, "Please. Come in." Madame Sorra's The old fortune-teller sits down as you enter the room, carefully seating herself behind a crystal ball. The place has little light, all of it coming from the sign in the window giving off a pink glow. The door out of here is east. "Hello again, how can I help you this evening?" >give dollar to sorra She takes the dollar from you. "Show me your hands. Yes. Yes. Wait... I don't see your lifeline. You're not supposed to be here." "This is troubling. I wonder what my mother would do," she says, ignoring you and returning her gaze to the crystal ball. >z Time passes. >x ball The crystal ball is made from clear quartz and distorts the room when you look at it. >talk to sorra [You can try ASK ABOUT CURATOR or ASK ABOUT BALL. There are also lots of other things too.] >ask about curator "Stay away from that vitch. She only has her interests at heart." >ask about ball "This crystal ball vus my mother's. God rest her soul. It has been in my family for many generations. Handed down from one to the next. But I have no one to pass it on to." >ask about lifeline "Everybody has a lifeline. It's one of the three major lines. Along vith the head and the heart. It's strange that you don't have one." >ask about time You better keep that information to yourself. >ask about me "You are trouble in these dark times. I can see it around you. Something blocks your path." >ask about mother "She came from the motherland, Romania, and vus a powerful scryer. She could read the future and always knew what I vus up to. Taught me how to see using the ball and gave me her scarf as a reminder of where we come from." >ask about scarf "Yes, I lost my babushka a v'ile back. I'm sure that snake in the park stole it. My mother gave it to me. God rest her soul." >e You nod goodbye to Madame Sorra before heading out the door. Ryders Road In the middle of a row of buildings sits a structure that looks like it's going to fall in on itself. It welcomes you in with a pink neon sign - a handprint behind the window. Written above the doorbell is the name Sorra. Ryders Road heads north to the post office and south to an art gallery. >n Corner of Main & Ryders The sound of a dog barking in the distance breaks the silence. Maple Road becomes Main Street at this intersection, and Ryders Road shoots off south. A granite post office sits on the corner. Main Street heads east to the town hall and west towards the bowling alley. Ryders Road leads south to Madame Sorra's. >e Main Street Along the north side of the street, among some other buildings, sits the town hall. Across from it is a small park to the south. Main Street runs east to west with the library on the east side and the post office on the west. >s You cross the street, entering the park. Park There's a statue of an elder statesman in the center of the park, surrounded by benches in a wide radius. Shrubs and trees line the park creating the green wall that keeps the city out. Closed in, you can head back across the street north to the town hall. A rough-looking guy in shabby clothes sits on one of the benches. >ask about scarf "Oh. You're lookin' for a scarf. Might have one if you had some booze. You know how it is. I'm a little dry tonight." >give flask to guy He takes the flask from you. "You know. I was going to give this stuff up. But why bother? Am I right?" Downing the last swig, he gets up, stretches, and walks out of the park. >ask about scarf It looks like you're trying to talk to yourself. That's a little strange. >i You are carrying: a socket wrench some notes your watch (being worn) your clothes (being worn) >x scarf You can't see any such thing. >n You cross the street, stopping at the town hall. Main Street Along the north side of the street, among some other buildings, sits the town hall. Across from it is a small park to the south. Main Street runs east to west with the library on the east side and the post office on the west. >e Corner of Main & Midland The library is set off Main Street, with an elementary school tucked behind it. Lined with benches, the walkway up to the library is covered with trees. Main Street runs east out of the city and west to the town hall. Midland Drive heads south to the convenience store. >w Main Street Along the north side of the street, among some other buildings, sits the town hall. Across from it is a small park to the south. Main Street runs east to west with the library on the east side and the post office on the west. >w Corner of Main & Ryders The sound of a dog barking in the distance breaks the silence. Maple Road becomes Main Street at this intersection, and Ryders Road shoots off south. A granite post office sits on the corner. Main Street heads east to the town hall and west towards the bowling alley. Ryders Road leads south to Madame Sorra's. >e Main Street Along the north side of the street, among some other buildings, sits the town hall. Across from it is a small park to the south. Main Street runs east to west with the library on the east side and the post office on the west. >s You cross the street, entering the park. Park There's a statue of an elder statesman in the center of the park, surrounded by benches in a wide radius. Shrubs and trees line the park creating the green wall that keeps the city out. Closed in, you can head back across the street north to the town hall. A light beep rings from your watch. >x benches Benches line the park surrounding the statue in the middle. >x shrubs Surrounded by trees and shrubs that wall in the whole thing, the park has a calm feeling. >x trees Surrounded by trees and shrubs that wall in the whole thing, the park has a calm feeling. >n You cross the street, stopping at the town hall. Main Street Along the north side of the street, among some other buildings, sits the town hall. Across from it is a small park to the south. Main Street runs east to west with the library on the east side and the post office on the west. >w Corner of Main & Ryders The sound of a dog barking in the distance breaks the silence. Maple Road becomes Main Street at this intersection, and Ryders Road shoots off south. A granite post office sits on the corner. Main Street heads east to the town hall and west towards the bowling alley. Ryders Road leads south to Madame Sorra's. >s Ryders Road In the middle of a row of buildings sits a structure that looks like it's going to fall in on itself. It welcomes you in with a pink neon sign - a handprint behind the window. Written above the doorbell is the name Sorra. Ryders Road heads north to the post office and south to an art gallery. >w (first ringing the doorbell) Madame Sorra opens the door, "Please. Come in." Madame Sorra's The old fortune-teller sits down as you enter the room, carefully seating herself behind a crystal ball. The place has little light, all of it coming from the sign in the window giving off a pink glow. The door out of here is east. "Hello again, how can I help you this evening?" >talk to sorra [You can try ASK ABOUT CURATOR or ASK ABOUT BALL. There are also lots of other things too.] >ask about scarf "Yes, I lost my babushka a v'ile back. I'm sure that snake in the park stole it. My mother gave it to me. God rest her soul." >e You nod goodbye to Madame Sorra before heading out the door. Ryders Road In the middle of a row of buildings sits a structure that looks like it's going to fall in on itself. It welcomes you in with a pink neon sign - a handprint behind the window. Written above the doorbell is the name Sorra. Ryders Road heads north to the post office and south to an art gallery. >s Corner of South & Ryders On this corner sits the South Street Gallery with a symbol of a tree painted on the door. Lights are on inside. It looks open though no one is around. Ryders Road heads north to Madame Sorra's. South Street runs east to The Tavern. An alley lies to the southwest and runs alongside the gallery. >w You can head north to Madame Sorra's. South to the gallery. East to The Tavern or southwest down the alley. >s South Street Gallery Trying to enter the gallery, the curator yells, "Get out of here before I call the cops." Not wanting to push it you leave. Corner of South & Ryders On this corner sits the South Street Gallery with a symbol of a tree painted on the door. Lights are on inside. It looks open though no one is around. Ryders Road heads north to Madame Sorra's. South Street runs east to The Tavern. An alley lies to the southwest and runs alongside the gallery. >e South Street South Street sits on the edge of a subdivision with a small bar on the corner. The Tavern. Music beats its way into the street. The road runs east to west with a high-rise to the east and an art gallery to the west. You can also enter the bar to the south. >s The Tavern The Tavern is a small bar with enough room for a band, a few chairs and tables, the counter, and some stools. There's no band tonight, but upon the riser is a Marshall half-stack. The front doors out of this place are north. A pretty boy works behind the counter. "Come in, come in," the bartender greets you. >x marshall The Marshall half-stack sits upon the riser. Inside it must be full of vacuum tubes. Anyone should be able to fix the machine. >search it Not with the bartender here. >x bartender The bartender looks too young to be serving drinks. He smiles as you look him over, confident in his skills and looks. >talk to bartender [You can try ASK BARTENDER ABOUT BAND or ASK BARTENDER ABOUT MUSIC. There are also lots of other things too.] >ask bartender about band "Sorry. There's no band tonight. We usually have one, but you know how musicians are. I wish the Vagabonds were here. I could sit in with them." >ask bartender about music "You like it? It's an import from overseas. A new band called Iron Maiden. The mix is a little rough. You know how it is, new band starting out and all. But these guys rock." "Can you give me a minute," asks the bartender rubbing his nose, "I need to go to the bathroom." He steps out of the room. >search marshall (first stepping upon the riser) You turn the amp quickly. There are casters on the bottom and the riser is made of wood. Looking behind the amp, you see it's full of vacuum tubes. >take tube Pulling on the largest tube, it takes a minute to get it out. >i You are carrying: a power vacuum tube a socket wrench some notes your watch (being worn) your clothes (being worn) >l The Tavern (on the riser) Being on stage doesn't feel different, but no one is in the room right now. Next to you is the Marshall half-stack. In the corner, the mixer that controls the sound. >x mixer The mixer sits upon the stage, driving the sound that's coming through the speakers. Right now, it's a mix of heavy metal played from an 8-track behind it. >take mix You can't see any such thing. >x 8-track It's an 8-track tape deck that's wired into the mixer. The cartridge inside plays a tinny mix of heavy metal. >take it If you touched that it would only bring back the bartender. >x cartridge It's an 8-track tape deck that's wired into the mixer. The cartridge inside plays a tinny mix of heavy metal. >take it If you touched that it would only bring back the bartender. You step down off the riser, turning the half stack back into place before the bartender gets back. The bartender walks back into the room, adjusting his collar. "Thanks for not messing with anything, gotta love these tunes." >i You are carrying: a power vacuum tube a socket wrench some notes your watch (being worn) your clothes (being worn) >talk to bartender [You can try ASK BARTENDER ABOUT VAGABONDS or ASK BARTENDER ABOUT MAIDEN. There are also lots of other things too.] >ask about vagabonds "They're an old blues band that plays around here. A couple of real cool cats. If you stop 'round next week, I'll introduce them." >ask about maiden "I heard about these guys from another guitar player around here. Steve. He's big into the whole import thing. Maiden caught my attention when he played it for me. I made a copy on 8-track. That's what's playing right now." >ask about 8-track "Yeah. There's an 8-track up there on stage. Perfect for in here. It'll play Maiden all night." >ask about city "Sunnybrook's an average little town. I want to be where the action is. I'm headed out to L.A. Big music scene out there." "Can you give me a minute," asks the bartender rubbing his nose, "I need to check on the kitchen. And don't touch anything while I'm gone." He steps out of the room. >n South Street South Street sits on the edge of a subdivision with a small bar on the corner. The Tavern. Music beats its way into the street. The road runs east to west with a high-rise to the east and an art gallery to the west. You can also enter the bar to the south. >e Corner of South & Midland Highland Towers sits on the corner. A large and looming apartment complex. South Street runs west to The Tavern, a bar that's playing music too loud. North along Midland Drive, a convenience store is tucked in amongst some duplexes. A doorman that knows his tenants stands outside the building. >talk to doorman "Look. I'm not your friend. You don't live here. Move along." >i You are carrying: a power vacuum tube a socket wrench some notes your watch (being worn) your clothes (being worn) >n Midland Drive For being open 24 hours a day, no one's around the convenience store - a building that used to be covered in ads for beer. It's now cleaned up. Lined with duplexes, Midland Drive runs north and south. North the library is set off the street. South Highland Towers looms over the city. You can also go into the store. >in Convenience Store Dirt and scuff marks cover the entrance to the store. Rows of junk food line the place, but there's a pharmacy in back where the cooler for the cold drinks usually is. Packs of beef jerky are displayed next to the register. The door out of this place is west, next to it is a book rack. A clerk looks up from a comic book. Seeing you enter the store, she nods going back to the comic. >x food Looking down the row, you see it's missing a box of Snickers bars. >x pharmacy It looks like the pharmacy is open. The lights are on, but no one is working back there. >search it It looks like the pharmacy is open. The lights are on, but no one is working back there. >enter it There's no reason to go back there. >x jerky There are packs of beef jerky displayed at the register, enticing people to buy. >x rack It's the circular kind of wired rack that holds a number of comics. >search it It's the circular kind of wired rack that holds a number of comics. >x comics Which do you mean, the Conan comic, the Wonder Woman comic or the X-Men comic? >conan It's Conan The Barbarian #115, the 10th-anniversary edition. Conan attacks in the center of the cover, drawn on top of a yellow background that has green reliefs of Conan attacking different enemies over the years. >x wonder It's Wonder Woman #272. There's a drawing of Wonder Woman standing against a yellow background and the American flag. She's smiling with a bald eagle on her arm. >x x-men It's X-Men #138. One of the X-Men walks away from the group huddled in the background. The words "Exit Cyclops!" in green at the bottom. >talk to clerk [You can try ASK ABOUT T-SHIRT or ASK ABOUT COMIC. There are also lots of other things too.] >ask about t-shirt "What? Empire? It's amazing. I've seen it more times than I've seen Star Wars. And that ending. Wow! Darth Vader is Luke's Father? Can you believe it?" >ask about comic "We got some new ones at the beginning of the month. Wonder Woman is my favorite, rereading it right now. But I had to put the past-dated ones in the back." >ask about wonder "I've been reading the series for years," she says looking up for a minute. "And this is a great story where Angle Man attacks the base Diana Prince is stationed at. He pulls her into another dimension. I can't wait to see what happens in the next issue. It looks like she's trapped." >ask about angle "He's a part of the Secret Society of Super-Villains, and he put Wonder Woman is a bind. Pulled her into another dimension. What is she going to do?" The clerk turns back to her comic, flipping the page. >ask about diana "I wish I grew up on Paradise Island. Surrounded by loving sisters. Not my annoying brother. And to have that lasso? You can make anybody tell the truth." >ask about x-men "Some interesting superheroes in that one. I even like Storm. But no one is like Diana Prince." >ask about storm "I'm sorry. I got a lot of things to do. Are you going to keep going on all night? You know, 'cause, I thought you were gonna buy something." A light beep rings from your watch. >ask about conan "It's the 10th anniversary for that comic. Special edition and a quarter more." >ask about clerk "You know, when I think about it, I'm hoping to write a book someday. But I don't know. Who would read it?" >ask about me "You haven't been in here before tonight." >ask about city "Lived here all my life. 17 years of it. I love this place." >l Convenience Store Dirt and scuff marks cover the entrance to the store. Rows of junk food line the place, but there's a pharmacy in back where the cooler for the cold drinks usually is. Packs of beef jerky are displayed next to the register. The door out of this place is west, next to it is a book rack. A clerk reads a comic book sitting behind the counter. >w Midland Drive For being open 24 hours a day, no one's around the convenience store - a building that used to be covered in ads for beer. It's now cleaned up. Lined with duplexes, Midland Drive runs north and south. North the library is set off the street. South Highland Towers looms over the city. You can also go into the store. >n Corner of Main & Midland The library is set off Main Street, with an elementary school tucked behind it. Lined with benches, the walkway up to the library is covered with trees. Main Street runs east out of the city and west to the town hall. Midland Drive heads south to the convenience store. >e Bus Stop Main Street runs east to west with a bus stop on the north side of the street. To the west is the library. East, the road continues until it eventually meets up with the highway. >x stop No one is sitting under the awning even though the line runs all night. >w Corner of Main & Midland The library is set off Main Street, with an elementary school tucked behind it. Lined with benches, the walkway up to the library is covered with trees. Main Street runs east out of the city and west to the town hall. Midland Drive heads south to the convenience store. >x library This library has been well taken care of, the benches that line the walkway look new. There is no garbage or graffiti in the area. >in You can head east to the bus stop, west to the town hall, or south to the convenience store. >e Bus Stop Main Street runs east to west with a bus stop on the north side of the street. To the west is the library. East, the road continues until it eventually meets up with the highway. >e Main Street On the north side of the street, a sign tells people they're entering Sunnybrook. To the south, a path leads to the gas station. The road out of town continues east, meeting up with the highway. It also runs west back into the city. >x sign The name of the city is in big white letters on a green background. Underneath it says: Population 508. Last time you checked, the population was less than 350. >e You're not going to walk out of town. Melville is over 20 miles away. You can go south or west. >s Gas Station The station sits on the south side of Main Street. It's an open lot that has a car parked in front of the garage. In the center of the station is a booth. An attendant watches television inside. A backlit sign towers above it all. There's a path heading north to Main Street. South it goes up the cliff. The attendant relaxes, watching a small television while working the booth. But it's not Mark. >x car Looking over at the car you see it's an old Mercury. The hood is up with a spark plug lying on the radiator. "Like it?" the attendant asks, "I've put a lot of work into her." >x booth The booth is dark, and the attendant sits there watching a fight on T.V. >x tv The television is a small portable model. A black and white that keeps the attendant occupied watching two boxers fight it out. >x boxers You can't see any such thing. >x sign The sign is backlit, but not the price. It's made from plastic inserts that show it at $1.27 a gallon. The attendant raises the soda to his lips, sipping on it a few times. >talk to attendant [You can try ASK ABOUT BOWLING ALLEY or ASK ABOUT CAR or ASK ABOUT WORK. There are also lots of other things too.] >ask about alley "It's about the only entertainment we have in this town unless you like hanging out at the bar. Which I'm not old enough to do. Give me less than a year and I'll be 18 though." >ask about car "I'm putting that old Mercury back together. Done a lot of work already with the suspension. Now I'm working on the engine. It'll purr like a kitten when I'm done." >ask about engine "I had to pull the head gaskets. They're warped. Need to mill them down and reseal the whole thing. Not too bad though. At least I know what I'm doing." >ask about plug "You trying to fix that mower? The one over at the trailer park? I've looked at her, and even I can't get her running." >ask about spark "You trying to fix that mower? The one over at the trailer park? I've looked at her, and even I can't get her running." >ask about work "I like it here," he says with a shrug, "though the boss can be a bit of a pain. They at least let me work on the cars now and then. Who knows. If I'm lucky I might make manager one day." >ask about boss "He can be a real piece of work. Always checking up on me come morning. Like I'm going to steal something. But I don't think he trusts anybody around here." >ask about attendant "I grew up in this town, great little place. I know some that want to move on. I don't see the need." >ask about me "What about you? I'm watching something here." The attendant swishes the soda around before taking a sip. >take spark Stepping up to the car the attendant scolds you, "what do you think you're doing?" Thinking it over, you step back. >search car Stepping up to the car, the attendant scolds you, "what do you think you're doing?" Thinking it over, you step back. >x it The car's an old Mercury. The hood is up with a spark plug lying on the radiator. "Like it?" the attendant asks, "I've put a lot of work into her." >i You are carrying: a power vacuum tube a socket wrench some notes your watch (being worn) your clothes (being worn) >s Eastside Cliff This cliff overlooks Sunnybrook, a small town that could be any one of a number of cities dotted across the Midwest. A path runs north and south. North down into town. South back to the trailer park. >s Sunnybrook Trailer Park Rectangular structures made of aluminum and wood form mobile-homes that never move. A few picnic tables are out. A shed sits on the edge of the property. The sign out in front of it all displays the park's name, and a path runs north by the cliff. >x tables Picnic tables are out between the trailers and scattered across the lot all the way to the shed. >search tables Picnic tables are out between the trailers and scattered across the lot all the way to the shed. >x sign In big white letters written across a dark brown background, the sign reads, Sunnybrook Trailer Park. >x she You can't see any such thing. >x shed The old, dilapidated shed has a fresh coat of white paint. Rocks form the landscaping around it. Back in your time, Old Johnson used to keep the key hidden around here. >search it You search around the hill for a minute but only see the rocks. >search rocks You push one of the rocks out of the way, finding a key underneath it. You try to brush away some of the dirt before taking it. >open shed (first unlocking the shed door) You open the shed. >w Shed This simple structure protects a lawnmower, a BMX, and some spare parts from the weather. In the corner are some gardening tools, forgotten and rusted. The door out is east. >x lawnmower It's a small push mower that's being worked on. The cover is off and the spark plug is gone. >x bmx It's a BMX bike. Chain driven. It's smaller than a ten-speed and has no gears. >take it The bike is in good shape, but there is no reason to tow it around. >x tools They're simple tools left behind to rust in the shed. Whoever used them must have forgotten they're here. >search tools They're simple tools left behind to rust in the shed. Whoever used them must have forgotten they're here. >take all Try referring to the direct object. >take tools The tools are in poor condition. There's no reason to take them. >take lawnmower The lawnmower isn't even working. It doesn't need to go anywhere. >take bmx The bike is in good shape, but there is no reason to tow it around. >use bmx That's not a verb I recognize. >ride bmx It would be too uncomfortable. The bike is small, made for a young teen. >l Shed This simple structure protects a lawnmower, a BMX, and some spare parts from the weather. In the corner are some gardening tools, forgotten and rusted. The door out is east. >x parts A spark plug sits in the middle of some leftover nuts and bolts on the shelf. >take plug You take the spark plug from the pile of spare parts. >x it The spark plug is almost pristine - the electrode gleaming in the light. The casing wiped clean. >put it in lawnmower You don't need to fix the mower. You better hold on to the part. >x nuts There are some leftover nuts and bolts on the shelf. A light beep rings from your watch. >search nuts There are some leftover nuts and bolts on the shelf. >take nuts The spare parts don't need to go anywhere. >e Sunnybrook Trailer Park Rectangular structures made of aluminum and wood form mobile-homes that never move. A few picnic tables are out. A shed sits on the edge of the property. The sign out in front of it all displays the park's name, and a path runs north by the cliff. >n Eastside Cliff This cliff overlooks Sunnybrook, a small town that could be any one of a number of cities dotted across the Midwest. A path runs north and south. North down into town. South back to the trailer park. >n You walk down the path into town. Gas Station The station sits on the south side of Main Street. It's an open lot that has a car parked in front of the garage. In the center of the station is a booth. An attendant watches television inside. A backlit sign towers above it all. There's a path heading north to Main Street. South it goes up the cliff. The attendant relaxes, watching a small television while working the booth. >talk to attendant [You can try ASK ABOUT JUNKYARD or ASK ABOUT ENGINE or ASK ABOUT PUMPS. There are also lots of other things too.] >ask about junkyard "The junkyard? We get some big things from there. Engines, transmissions, that sort of thing. But all the smaller stuff we keep locked up in the garage." >ask about garage "It's small, and there are two cars in there. After I graduate, I need to clean it out. Then I can repair them for real, not just tinker, like with this Mercury." >ask about mercury "I'm putting that old Mercury back together. Done a lot of work already with the suspension. Now I'm working on the engine. It'll purr like a kitten when I'm done." >ask about engine "I had to pull the head gaskets. They're warped. Need to mill them down and reseal the whole thing. Not too bad though. At least I know what I'm doing." >ask about gaskets "Look. I'm watching the fight here. And I'm not sure what you want." The attendant takes a sip from the soda he's drinking. >ask about pumps "We don't have full service anymore. Thank God. That would make the job so much more difficult." >l Gas Station The station sits on the south side of Main Street. It's an open lot that has a car parked in front of the garage. In the center of the station is a booth. An attendant watches television inside. A backlit sign towers above it all. There's a path heading north to Main Street. South it goes up the cliff. The attendant relaxes, watching a small television while working the booth. >x garage The garage is as big as you remember it, but it has a fresh coat of green paint. The bathroom next to it still looks beat and would barely pass code. >x bathroom It's a small attachment tacked on to the side of the garage, but it's a poor design that's hardly standing. >in You can go north to the street or south back up the cliff. >enter bathroom The door's locked, you need a key to get in there. >ask attendant about bathroom "I can't just let you use the bathroom. You gotta buy something. Sorry. Not my rules, the bosses." >ask attendant about garage "It's small, and there are two cars in there. After I graduate, I need to clean it out. Then I can repair them for real, not just tinker, like with this Mercury." >i You are carrying: a nickel spark plug a dirty key a power vacuum tube a socket wrench some notes your watch (being worn) your clothes (being worn) >n Main Street On the north side of the street, a sign tells people they're entering Sunnybrook. To the south, a path leads to the gas station. The road out of town continues east, meeting up with the highway. It also runs west back into the city. >n You can go south to the gas station or west to the bus stop. >w Bus Stop Main Street runs east to west with a bus stop on the north side of the street. To the west is the library. East, the road continues until it eventually meets up with the highway. >w Corner of Main & Midland The library is set off Main Street, with an elementary school tucked behind it. Lined with benches, the walkway up to the library is covered with trees. Main Street runs east out of the city and west to the town hall. Midland Drive heads south to the convenience store. >w Main Street Along the north side of the street, among some other buildings, sits the town hall. Across from it is a small park to the south. Main Street runs east to west with the library on the east side and the post office on the west. >w Corner of Main & Ryders The sound of a dog barking in the distance breaks the silence. Maple Road becomes Main Street at this intersection, and Ryders Road shoots off south. A granite post office sits on the corner. Main Street heads east to the town hall and west towards the bowling alley. Ryders Road leads south to Madame Sorra's. >w Maple Road Maple Road comes to a bit of a fork here with the town post office to the east. A poorly kept dirt road is west. A shortcut through a field is north, and a worn path cuts through the tree line to the northeast. >w Dirt Road This lonely strip of road turns around a corner here. Maple Road connects at the east end while it wraps around meeting up with the bowling alley to the north. >e Maple Road Maple Road comes to a bit of a fork here with the town post office to the east. A poorly kept dirt road is west. A shortcut through a field is north, and a worn path cuts through the tree line to the northeast. >ne Rusty Gate You stand in front of a rusty gate. Broken down vehicles litter the yard behind it. The sign on the fence reads, "Trespassers Will Be Shot." To the southwest is Maple Road. The yard's protected by a dog, he bares his teeth and barks at your presence. >i You are carrying: a nickel spark plug a dirty key a power vacuum tube a socket wrench some notes your watch (being worn) your clothes (being worn) >sw Maple Road Maple Road comes to a bit of a fork here with the town post office to the east. A poorly kept dirt road is west. A shortcut through a field is north, and a worn path cuts through the tree line to the northeast. >w Dirt Road This lonely strip of road turns around a corner here. Maple Road connects at the east end while it wraps around meeting up with the bowling alley to the north. >n You walk up to the parking lot. Parking Lot Bright colors display a mural on the side of the building. Above, a bright neon sign blinks Lowry Lanes. A few cars are in the parking lot tonight. To the north is the bowling alley. South the dirt road. >n Lowry Lanes Thick smoke hangs in the air of the bowling alley. An arcade machine sits at the entrance. On the west side of the building, there's a bar and an older guy works behind the counter. On the east side, a girl handles equipment rental. The way out is south. Next to the far lane a backdoor, painted red like the walls, leads north. >n Backlot This area opens up into the back parking lot. No cars are parked here since the alley gets mostly foot traffic. Further back to the northwest, a brick house sits on the property line. The backdoor into the place is south. To the east is a shortcut through a field. A dumpster sits along the wall of the bowling alley. >nw Back Yard Paint peels away from the house like dry, flaky skin falling off a dead body. The windows are boarded up. There's also a bit of light coming from inside - through the backdoor that's open to the north. The bowling alley lies southeast. >n Kitchen Dust covers this room. The window above the sink is boarded up. The stove looks forgotten, but the refrigerator next to it is stained and used. The backdoor out of here is south, while an open doorway to a hallway lies north. >n Hallway This hallway is short and small, like the rest of the house. To the north, the living room. South the kitchen. West the rest of the place. With the door to the basement removed, the light comes up from below. >d Basement A small explosion rocked this place with walls charred in the aftermath. What's left is a cobbled-together machine sitting in the center of this room. The generator next to it is shut down. In the corner is a bench. Stairs lead out of the basement. >put tube in machine Carefully you insert the vacuum tube. Pushing down on it, making sure it's seated in place. >put spark in generator You put the nickel plug into the cylinder, tightening it into place with the wrench. If you're lucky, the generator should kick in now. >l Basement A small explosion rocked this place with walls charred in the aftermath. What's left is a cobbled-together machine sitting in the center of this room. The generator next to it is shut down. In the corner is a bench. Stairs lead out of the basement. >x machine It's a strange piece of machinery with a metal arm that comes off one end. But there's no power going to it, and the panel in the middle is blank. Looking it over further, you find the lack of power comes from a generator that's off. One of the vacuum tubes has been replaced, and the housing at the end of the metal arm is missing a crystal. Besides that, it might work. >u Hallway This hallway is short and small, like the rest of the house. To the north, the living room. South the kitchen. West the rest of the place. With the door to the basement removed, the light comes up from below. >n Living Room A pillow sits in the corner on top of an old phonebook with other pieces of junk scattered around the room - the front door's nailed shut. The light coming in from the boarded-up window barely illuminates the room. You can go south back to the hallway. >s Hallway This hallway is short and small, like the rest of the house. To the north, the living room. South the kitchen. West the rest of the place. With the door to the basement removed, the light comes up from below. >s Kitchen Dust covers this room. The window above the sink is boarded up. The stove looks forgotten, but the refrigerator next to it is stained and used. The backdoor out of here is south, while an open doorway to a hallway lies north. >s Back Yard Paint peels away from the house like dry, flaky skin falling off a dead body. The windows are boarded up. There's also a bit of light coming from inside - through the backdoor that's open to the north. The bowling alley lies southeast. >se Backlot This area opens up into the back parking lot. No cars are parked here since the alley gets mostly foot traffic. Further back to the northwest, a brick house sits on the property line. The backdoor into the place is south. To the east is a shortcut through a field. A dumpster sits along the wall of the bowling alley. >e Open Field Tall, uncut grass waves back and forth in the breeze as animals scurry through the thicket. A narrow path cuts through the field. You can take it south or head west to the backlot of the bowling alley. >s You follow the path walking through the field until you come out on the road. Maple Road Maple Road comes to a bit of a fork here with the town post office to the east. A poorly kept dirt road is west. A shortcut through a field is north, and a worn path cuts through the tree line to the northeast. >ne Rusty Gate You stand in front of a rusty gate. Broken down vehicles litter the yard behind it. The sign on the fence reads, "Trespassers Will Be Shot." To the southwest is Maple Road. The yard's protected by a dog, he bares his teeth and barks at your presence. >take sign The sign's secured to the fence. Thick ties twist around, holding it in place. >x ties The sign is a rusted piece of sheet metal. Scrawled across it in red paint, it says: "Trespassers Will Be Shot." >l Rusty Gate You stand in front of a rusty gate. Broken down vehicles litter the yard behind it. The sign on the fence reads, "Trespassers Will Be Shot." To the southwest is Maple Road. The yard's protected by a dog, he bares his teeth and barks at your presence. >i You are carrying: a dirty key a socket wrench some notes your watch (being worn) your clothes (being worn) >sw Maple Road Maple Road comes to a bit of a fork here with the town post office to the east. A poorly kept dirt road is west. A shortcut through a field is north, and a worn path cuts through the tree line to the northeast. >e Corner of Main & Ryders The sound of a dog barking in the distance breaks the silence. Maple Road becomes Main Street at this intersection, and Ryders Road shoots off south. A granite post office sits on the corner. Main Street heads east to the town hall and west towards the bowling alley. Ryders Road leads south to Madame Sorra's. >s Ryders Road In the middle of a row of buildings sits a structure that looks like it's going to fall in on itself. It welcomes you in with a pink neon sign - a handprint behind the window. Written above the doorbell is the name Sorra. Ryders Road heads north to the post office and south to an art gallery. A light beep rings from your watch. >w (first ringing the doorbell) Madame Sorra opens the door, "Please. Come in." Madame Sorra's The old fortune-teller sits down as you enter the room, carefully seating herself behind a crystal ball. The place has little light, all of it coming from the sign in the window giving off a pink glow. The door out of here is east. "Hello again, how can I help you this evening?" >talk to sorra [You can try ASK ABOUT CURATOR or ASK ABOUT BALL. There are also lots of other things too.] >ask about ball "Like I said. This vus my mother's." >take it You already have that. >take ball "What are you doing?" she asks, pushing you back, "do you try to curse yourself?" >ask about curse "Vhy are you concerned about such a thing?" >ask about scarf "Yes, I lost my babushka a v'ile back. I'm sure that snake in the park stole it. My mother gave it to me. God rest her soul." >e You nod goodbye to Madame Sorra before heading out the door. Ryders Road In the middle of a row of buildings sits a structure that looks like it's going to fall in on itself. It welcomes you in with a pink neon sign - a handprint behind the window. Written above the doorbell is the name Sorra. Ryders Road heads north to the post office and south to an art gallery. >s Corner of South & Ryders On this corner sits the South Street Gallery with a symbol of a tree painted on the door. Lights are on inside. It looks open though no one is around. Ryders Road heads north to Madame Sorra's. South Street runs east to The Tavern. An alley lies to the southwest and runs alongside the gallery. >sw Back Alley For being an alley, it's clean back here. There's a side door into the gallery and a dumpster next to it. The back street continues behind the rest of the buildings and is used for garbage pick up. The way out of here is northeast. You hear the curator curse to herself, loud enough to hear it in the alley. >listen You can hear the curator curse and swear from inside the gallery. >listen You can hear the curator curse and swear from inside the gallery. >x dumpster Pushed against the gallery, it sits next to the side door. A few quartz shards line the bottom of the dumpster - the remains of the cat. >take shards You lean into the dumpster picking up one of the shards. >ne Corner of South & Ryders On this corner sits the South Street Gallery with a symbol of a tree painted on the door. Lights are on inside. It looks open though no one is around. Ryders Road heads north to Madame Sorra's. South Street runs east to The Tavern. An alley lies to the southwest and runs alongside the gallery. >n Ryders Road In the middle of a row of buildings sits a structure that looks like it's going to fall in on itself. It welcomes you in with a pink neon sign - a handprint behind the window. Written above the doorbell is the name Sorra. Ryders Road heads north to the post office and south to an art gallery. >n Corner of Main & Ryders The sound of a dog barking in the distance breaks the silence. Maple Road becomes Main Street at this intersection, and Ryders Road shoots off south. A granite post office sits on the corner. Main Street heads east to the town hall and west towards the bowling alley. Ryders Road leads south to Madame Sorra's. >w Maple Road Maple Road comes to a bit of a fork here with the town post office to the east. A poorly kept dirt road is west. A shortcut through a field is north, and a worn path cuts through the tree line to the northeast. >n Open Field Tall, uncut grass waves back and forth in the breeze as animals scurry through the thicket. A narrow path cuts through the field. You can take it south or head west to the backlot of the bowling alley. >w You follow the path until it opens up to the backlot. Backlot This area opens up into the back parking lot. No cars are parked here since the alley gets mostly foot traffic. Further back to the northwest, a brick house sits on the property line. The backdoor into the place is south. To the east is a shortcut through a field. A dumpster sits along the wall of the bowling alley. >nw Back Yard Paint peels away from the house like dry, flaky skin falling off a dead body. The windows are boarded up. There's also a bit of light coming from inside - through the backdoor that's open to the north. The bowling alley lies southeast. >n Kitchen Dust covers this room. The window above the sink is boarded up. The stove looks forgotten, but the refrigerator next to it is stained and used. The backdoor out of here is south, while an open doorway to a hallway lies north. >n Hallway This hallway is short and small, like the rest of the house. To the north, the living room. South the kitchen. West the rest of the place. With the door to the basement removed, the light comes up from below. >d Basement A small explosion rocked this place with walls charred in the aftermath. What's left is a cobbled-together machine sitting in the center of this room. The generator next to it is shut down. In the corner is a bench. Stairs lead out of the basement. >put shard in machine Grabbing on to the metal arm, you force the crystal into place with your hands. It eventually snaps into the housing. >save Ok. >turn on generator You give the ripcord a good tug, and the generator springs to life. The machine next to it lights up. The panel displaying some dates. >x panel There are similar dates in the center of the panel. One is set to October 1980. The other October 2020. The button underneath the display is green. >push button You press the green button on the machine. The room begins to ebb and flow. Time distorts space. The vacuum tubes start to glow red, and the clear crystal shines bright. Waves of space-time ripple out from the machine. The force of it impacting you like a loud sub-woofer. Suddenly the tubes glow white-hot. It's blinding to look at, and the whole room's engulfed in an explosion - an explosion that happens in reverse. Layers of grease peel off the walls, creating a convergence of molecules that form the scientist. He looks up, baffled, as everything starts to crystallize. The waves slow and the machine comes to a halt - time and space settle. The world around you has changed. You could have found and talked with 10 more people. Nick, the bartender from The Tavern: He always blamed Steve for taking the vacuum tube, a local musician that was better than him. Steve saw to it that Nick was fired from The Tavern, something about drugs. Nick never recovered. He thought about working at Lowry Lanes but left town instead. Ended up riding with the Outlaws until he was gunned down in 1992. Jerry, gas station attendant: He did well at the gas station. Not only securing a position as manager, but he invested everything he had on the side. By early 2000 he cashed out the stocks and bought the station. As the owner, he became Mark's mentor, trying to pass on some life lessons. Mark, gas station attendant: He works at the gas station, doing as little as possible to get by, taking the night shift whenever he can, so he doesn't have to deal with anybody. Friends with Jerry, he hopes to inherit it one day. Nancy, the attendant from the bowling alley: She made it out of Sunnybrook but got in with the wrong crowd in New York. She started using with her friend from California, and it didn't take long until they were out on the street. That was the last anybody heard from her. Phil, the bartender from the bowling alley: He retired shortly after to Florida but always complained about the humidity. He spent his spare time walking the beach with a metal detector, never finding anything valuable. Madame Sorra, the fortune teller: She never left Sunnybrook, growing into her old age as an attraction for the city. People from all over would make the trip to see her. She made good money. But her heart slowly died long before it gave out. She was never able to pass on her art. Sarah, curator for the gallery: With the cat breaking, she lost the gallery. Debt piled up. There was nothing she could do. The gallery sat on the market for a while, but then place was rented to Amy. She opened a flower shop. Where she got the money was always in question. Amy, the clerk from the convenience store: She went to college to get her English degree, but found writing hard and dropped out. Taking all her comics, she cashed in on them with a shady collector, using the money to rent the old art gallery. She turned it into a flower shop. At 57, she's a model citizen and runs a modest business. Eddie, the bum from the street: He left Sunnybrook but never left the street. Moving to Los Angeles, he rotated through some of the local shelters. He managed to get by, but never lead a healthy life. He died at 56 in 1994. Harry, the old guy from The Tavern: He retired in Sunnybrook, staying in the subdivision but was never liked. Keeping to himself, the neighbors would talk about him behind his back. Tom, UFO fanatic: One day he went missing, and everyone started to joke about how the aliens took him. Your existence is stable in this reality, and you find yourself back in your mobile home. Sam's here too, shouting at his wife. You think to yourself how some things never change. *** You have won *** In that game you scored 25 out of a possible 50, in 506 turns, and have been to 35 out of 36 rooms, earning you the title of Inquisitive Adventurer. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, UNDO your last move, see some suggestions for AMUSING things to do or QUIT? > amusing Did you ask Amy about Wonder Woman? Or look at the walls in the bowling alley? Or drop the crystal ball in front of Sarah? Or ask Tom about himself? Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, UNDO your last move, see some suggestions for AMUSING things to do or QUIT? >