Start of a transcript of Academic Pursuits (As Opposed To Regular Pursuits) An Interactive Fiction by Ruqiyah Release 5 / Serial number 201013 / Inform 7 build 6M62 (I6/v6.33 lib 6/12N) Identification number: //B7B92502-CDE8-43A5-8022-BDBB22D4D182// Interpreter version 1.3.5 / VM 3.1.2 / Library serial number 080126 Standard Rules version 3/120430 by Graham Nelson Automated Drawers version 6 by Emily Short Smarter Parser version 16/140501 by Aaron Reed Response Assistant by Aaron Reed Assorted Text Generation version 5/150410 by Emily Short >credits Written by Ruqiyah. Cover art by just saf. Playtesting by: Gary Kings, Parisa Nafis, Alex Short, Tom Spratt, Jarrod Farquhar-Nicol & Nasim Patel. >commends Sorry, that command was not understood. Try typing COMMANDS for a list of valid commands. >commands Most of the basic commands you will need are: EXAMINE/X/LOOK AT (noun) THINK ABOUT/CONSIDER (noun) OPEN (noun) (WITH (object)) TAKE (noun) (FROM (object)) PUT (noun) IN/ON (object) HANG (noun) ON (object) Some special commands you might want to use: INVENTORY/I checks what you are holding. LOOK FOR SPACE can help you find a spot to put something. LOOK FOR THING can remind you where you've put something. UNPACK (noun) can work in multiple contexts, so experiment. Try other commands as they occur to you. >* That was embarrassing! Sorry, that command was not understood. Try typing COMMANDS for a list of valid commands. >l Office At the far end of the office is a small wooden desk. No chair, apparently. Three drawers are built into the desk. The north wall is bare except for a single nail hammered into the dead centre. To the east, a large window overlooks the university courtyard. An empty bookshelf squats along the south wall. To the west is the door you came in through. It is slightly ajar. In the centre of the office there is a stack of four boxes, labelled from the top down: STATIONERY, BOOKS, TROPHIES, MISC. Off to the side there is a rubbish bin and a cardboard box labelled STORAGE. >x assistant You glance around the office, but can't see any such thing. >* oh, did they duck out? You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >x me Blazer, skirt, heels. Polished and professional. You'll be home before dawn. >x blazer Navy-blue, freshly ironed, flattering cut. >i You are carrying nothing. >x skirt Knee-high and a sensibly shade of grey. >x heels Strappy and professional, and while they're not the easiest to walk in they certainly make your presence powerful. >l Office At the far end of the office is a small wooden desk. No chair, apparently. Three drawers are built into the desk. The north wall is bare except for a single nail hammered into the dead centre. To the east, a large window overlooks the university courtyard. An empty bookshelf squats along the south wall. To the west is the door you came in through. It is slightly ajar. In the centre of the office there is a stack of four boxes, labelled from the top down: STATIONERY, BOOKS, TROPHIES, MISC. Off to the side there is a rubbish bin and a cardboard box labelled STORAGE. >x desk A small wooden desk begging to have random items stacked on it. You don't seem to have a chair. Did the previous occupant take it along with the curtains? >x drawers Three very narrow vertical drawers built into the desk. >open drawers You open the top drawer. You open the middle drawer. You open the bottom drawer. >x top An empty drawer. >x middle An empty drawer. >x bottom An empty drawer. >l Office At the far end of the office is a small wooden desk. No chair, apparently. Three drawers are built into the desk. The north wall is bare except for a single nail hammered into the dead centre. To the east, a large window overlooks the university courtyard. An empty bookshelf squats along the south wall. To the west is the door you came in through. It is slightly ajar. In the centre of the office there is a stack of four boxes, labelled from the top down: STATIONERY, BOOKS, TROPHIES, MISC. Off to the side there is a rubbish bin and a cardboard box labelled STORAGE. >x nail A nail juts out of the centre of the bare wall. >take nail You're pretty damn strong, but you're not gonna waste all your strength on the nail. >x windo You glance around the office, but can't see any such thing. >x window Through the closed window you can see a few streetlamps flickering in the university courtyard. Some figures mill around in the distance. The window has no curtains. Is it customary to take the curtains and chair when you move out? >x figures Out in the courtyard a few figures are milling around. >x lamps You glance around the office, but can't see any such thing. >x streetlamps Through the closed window you can see a few streetlamps flickering in the university courtyard. Some figures mill around in the distance. The window has no curtains. Is it customary to take the curtains and chair when you move out? >* Good attention to detail! Sorry, that command was not understood. Try typing COMMANDS for a list of valid commands. >l Office At the far end of the office is a small wooden desk. No chair, apparently. Three drawers are built into the desk. The north wall is bare except for a single nail hammered into the dead centre. To the east, a large window overlooks the university courtyard. An empty bookshelf squats along the south wall. To the west is the door you came in through. It is slightly ajar. In the centre of the office there is a stack of four boxes, labelled from the top down: STATIONERY, BOOKS, TROPHIES, MISC. Off to the side there is a rubbish bin and a cardboard box labelled STORAGE. >x bookshelf A squat bookshelf with a narrow upper shelf and a wider lower shelf. Both shelves are bare. >look behind bookshelf You glance around the office, but can't see any such thing. >push bookshelf It is fixed in place. >x door The door to the office swings open. >close door You close the office door, revealing a little brass hook jutting out of the back. >* aha! Sorry, that command was not understood. Try typing COMMANDS for a list of valid commands. >x hook A little brass hook for hanging things on, attached to the back of the door. >l Office At the far end of the office is a small wooden desk. No chair, apparently. Three drawers are built into the desk. The north wall is bare except for a single nail hammered into the dead centre. To the east, a large window overlooks the university courtyard. An empty bookshelf squats along the south wall. To the west is the door you came in through. It is firmly closed. There is a hook on the back of the door. In the centre of the office there is a stack of four boxes, labelled from the top down: STATIONERY, BOOKS, TROPHIES, MISC. Off to the side there is a rubbish bin and a cardboard box labelled STORAGE. >x bin An empty rubbish bin. >x storage A large open cardboard box, ready to go back into storage when you're done here. >open stationary You glance around the office, but can't see any such thing. >open stationary bo You glance around the office, but can't see any such thing. >open stationary box You glance around the office, but can't see any such thing. >x box (the stationery box) The stationery box teeters uncertainly on top of the stack of boxes. It's taped shut. >* Oops Sorry, that command was not understood. Try typing COMMANDS for a list of valid commands. >open it The stationery box is taped up securely. You had a stanley knife somewhere for this exact purpose, but...well, it is technically stationery. You may have to open the stationery box with your teeth. >search blazer Navy-blue, freshly ironed, flattering cut. >search skirt Knee-high and a sensibly shade of grey. >put stationery on floor You're not here to scatter stuff all over the floor. Either you find a place for the stationery box, or it's going in the bin. >put stationery on desk (first taking the stationery box) All you need to do with the stationery box is get it open and get it unpacked. >* teeth it is Sorry, that command was not understood. Try typing COMMANDS for a list of valid commands. >bite stationery You slice open the tape sealing the stationery box with your razor-sharp teeth. Bleuch. There's a lot of things inside the stationery box, but on top are a stained mug, an envelope and a calendar. >* razor-sharp? Bleuch? home by dawn? Are we a vampire? Sorry, that command was not understood. Try typing COMMANDS for a list of valid commands. >x mug Some rusty brown stains ring the inside of the mug. Emblazoned on the outside in cursive are the words BAD BITCH JUICE. The stained mug is in the stationery box. >* missing line break Sorry, that command was not understood. Try typing COMMANDS for a list of valid commands. >x stains Some rusty brown stains ring the inside of the mug. Emblazoned on the outside in cursive are the words BAD BITCH JUICE. The stained mug is in the stationery box. >lick stains Tastes like old iron. >* There we go Sorry, that command was not understood. Try typing COMMANDS for a list of valid commands. >* Nicely implemented here! Sorry, that command was not understood. Try typing COMMANDS for a list of valid commands. >put mug on desk (first taking the stained mug) You take the stained mug from inside the stationery box. Let's see...the stained mug could go on the desk, or in a drawer. It could go in the bookshelf if you wanted to display it. There's also the nail in the wall and the hook on the back of the door to hang things on, but a stained mug isn't very hangable. Otherwise you could always put it back into storage and deal with it later. Failing all else, some of this stuff probably belongs in the bin. You have all night, so if anything catches your interest you can examine and think about it. You place the stained mug on the desk. Still space to fit some more things on. Looking at the mug is making you thirsty, but...no. Stay strong. When you're done here, you can call back that admin assistant. >x mug Some rusty brown stains ring the inside of the mug. Emblazoned on the outside in cursive are the words BAD BITCH JUICE. The stained mug is on the desk. >think about mug BAD BITCH JUICE. You wipe a tiny tear away. Jeez. That's so funny. >x tear You glance around the office, but can't see any such thing. >* Ooof that's actually kinda dark Sorry, that command was not understood. Try typing COMMANDS for a list of valid commands. >l Office At the far end of the office is a small wooden desk boasting a stained mug. No chair, apparently. Three drawers are built into the desk. The north wall is bare except for a single nail hammered into the dead centre. To the east, a large window overlooks the university courtyard. An empty bookshelf squats along the south wall. To the west is the door you came in through. It is firmly closed. There is a hook on the back of the door. In the centre of the office there is a stack of four boxes, labelled from the top down: STATIONERY, BOOKS, TROPHIES, MISC. Off to the side there is a rubbish bin and a cardboard box labelled STORAGE. >x box (the stationery box) There's a lot of things in the box, but on top are an envelope and a calendar. >x envelope A heavy-duty sealed A4 envelope. The envelope is in the stationery box. >open it You try to open the flap of the envelope with your bare hands, but your fingernails are too long and sharp. You could damage the contents. Didn't you have a knife somewhere? >* allegedly Sorry, that command was not understood. Try typing COMMANDS for a list of valid commands. >put envelope in top (first taking the envelope) You take the envelope from inside the stationery box. You fit the envelope into the top drawer. Still some space left in the drawer. Could the envelope contain threats? Blackmail? Best not to leave it in the open. >think about top It's just the top top drawer. >close top You close the top drawer. >x calendar A stand-up desk calendar. The calendar is in the stationery box. >put calendar on hook It's not the hanging sort of calendar, it's the kind that stands up. >put calendar on desk (first taking the calendar) You take the calendar from inside the stationery box. You place the calendar on the desk. Some space left on the desk, but not much. Nothing big could fit. You flip through the calendar to today's date, circled in red. There, now you look organised. >x calendar A stand-up desk calendar. The calendar is on the desk. >think about it You went and bought this after a colleague spent twenty minutes explaining the concept of a "deadline" to you. It didn't stick. >x stationery All that's left in the box are a microwave, a bookmark and a pair of joggers. >* A microwave??? Sorry, that command was not understood. Try typing COMMANDS for a list of valid commands. >x microwave An old, off-white microwave. Some rust stains. The microwave is in the stationery box. >* That's really not stationery Sorry, that command was not understood. Try typing COMMANDS for a list of valid commands. >take microwave You take the microwave from inside the stationery box. >x rust stains You glance around the office, but can't see any such thing. >x rust You glance around the office, but can't see any such thing. >open microwave It isn't something you can open. >plug in microwave Sorry, that command was not understood. Try typing COMMANDS for a list of valid commands. >turn on microwave It isn't something you can switch. >* hmm Sorry, that command was not understood. Try typing COMMANDS for a list of valid commands. >put microwave in storage You put the microwave into the storage box. You can survive without it for a few months. Eat more fresh food. Lots of good options around campus. >* indeed! Sorry, that command was not understood. Try typing COMMANDS for a list of valid commands. >x stationery All that's left in the box are a bookmark and a pair of joggers. >x bookmark A flimsy old paper bookmark. Wasn't this marking a page in a book? The bookmark is in the stationery box. >think about microwave Some things taste better at body temperature. >take bookmark You take the bookmark from inside the stationery box. >think about it You don't even remember where you got this. Looks like an old receipt, with all the text faded off. >read it A flimsy old paper bookmark. Wasn't this marking a page in a book? >put it in top If you leave the bookmark lying around on its own it'll get lost in an instant. Where's its home? >x stationery All that's left in the box are a pair of joggers. >x joggers A pair of grotty joggers with worn soles. The joggers are in the stationery box. >take tem You glance around the office, but can't see any such thing. >oops them You take the joggers from inside the stationery box. That's the stationery box all unpacked now. You drop off the empty stationery box in the corridor, out of the way. >think about joggers Your regular office shoes are very high-heeled (to assert dominance). They won't be much help if you need to book it. >wear them You slip on the joggers and run a few laps around the office perimeter. Not bad. But standards must be maintained, so, a little regretfully, you put your heels back on. >l Office At the far end of the office is a small wooden desk boasting a calendar, among other items. No chair, apparently. Three drawers are built into the desk. The north wall is bare except for a single nail hammered into the dead centre. To the east, a large window overlooks the university courtyard. An empty bookshelf squats along the south wall. To the west is the door you came in through. It is firmly closed. There is a hook on the back of the door. In the centre of the office there is a stack of three boxes, labelled from the top down: BOOKS, TROPHIES, MISC. Off to the side there is a rubbish bin and a cardboard box labelled STORAGE. >x window Through the closed window you can see a few streetlamps flickering in the university courtyard. Some figures mill around in the distance. The window has no curtains. Is it customary to take the curtains and chair when you move out? >x books A dented cardboard box. Written on the side in texta is the word "BOOK'S". It's taped shut. >open it The book box is taped up securely. Shouldn't the stanley knife have been packed in with the stationery? Why wasn't it in that box? Eurgh, you might have to open this box with your teeth again. >bite box (the book box) You slice open the tape sealing the book box with your razor-sharp teeth. Bleuch. There's a lot of things inside the book box, but on top are a degree, a thesis and a hat. >x degree A framed PhD from a prestigious-enough university. There's a wire on the back so you can hang it up. The degree is in the book box. >read it A framed PhD from a prestigious-enough university. There's a wire on the back so you can hang it up. >think about it Took you eight years to get the PhD, but you've spent longer on less. You're here now and this is going to be worth it. >put degree on hook You take the degree from inside the book box. You hang the degree on the hook. You take a moment to imagine the Professor coming in, slamming the door behind her, an extended bit of shouting and throwing things, some light attempts at sta- and then she turns around, face-to-face with your PhD. It's what you gather the kids call a flex. >x thesis A thick hardbound thesis. Your name is embossed on the front cover in gold foil. The thesis is in the book box. >read it You open your thesis and scan the first page. There are four typos in the abstract. You close the thesis. >* LOL Sorry, that command was not understood. Try typing COMMANDS for a list of valid commands. >think about thesis You smashed the whole thing out in a couple of weeks. It's about some bit of 12th century architecture. You can't remember which. They were all the same. Working out how to open the word processor took the most time. >put thesis on top shelf (first taking the thesis) You take the thesis from inside the book box. You place the thesis on the narrow shelf. Doesn't look like anything else will fit onto the narrow shelf now. You're surprised by the feeling of pride that hits you at the sight of your thesis sitting on your shelf. So what if you only wrote it on your way to teach the Professor a lesson. You made that! The office isn't big, and it's getting quite crowded. If you can't find anywhere to put something, you can try looking for space. >look for space No space on the narrow shelf. The wide shelf is still bare. There's room for something medium-sized on the desk. There's some space in the top drawer. There's some space in the middle drawer. There's some space in the bottom drawer. You could hang something on the nail in the wall. And there's always space in the STORAGE box and in the rubbish bin. >* I see Sorry, that command was not understood. Try typing COMMANDS for a list of valid commands. >put microwave on desk You'd have to take something off the shelf to fit the microwave in. >* Hmm, desk You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >x books There's a lot of things in the box, but on top is a hat. >x hat Straw, with a wide droopy brim that shades your whole head and usually gets in your eyes. It has a daintily decorated hatband. The hat is in the book box. >take hat You take the hat from inside the book box. >x hatband Straw, with a wide droopy brim that shades your whole head and usually gets in your eyes. It has a daintily decorated hatband. >look in hatband Straw, with a wide droopy brim that shades your whole head and usually gets in your eyes. It has a daintily decorated hatband. >wear hat You wrangle the oversized, floppy straw hat onto your head. Standing in the centre of your dark office in the middle of the night wearing an enormous sun hat, you feel like a prize idiot. You take the hat off again. >x book All that's left in the box are a small framed headshot, a cardigan and a pencil. >x headshot A small framed black-and-white headshot of the Professor. The frame has a little metal bit on the back to hang on. The small framed headshot is in the book box. >take it You take the small framed headshot from inside the book box. >think about it You cut this headshot out of the bio on the back of the dustcover of The Book. You only framed it to keep it safe?this is the best photograph of her you've ever had. >think about hat You discovered a few years ago that sunshine is quite nice, really, but you wouldn't dare go outside during the day without this hat. You burn something terrible. >put headshot on desk You place the small framed headshot on the desk. You could still squish something small beside it. Propped up on the desk, the headshot will look to any visitor like some personal trinket?a family photo, or a pet. You'll know the truth, though. Oh, you'll know. >l Office At the far end of the office is a small wooden desk boasting a small framed headshot, among other items. No chair, apparently. Three drawers are built into the desk. The north wall is bare except for a single nail hammered into the dead centre. To the east, a large window overlooks the university courtyard. A mostly-empty bookshelf squats along the south wall, featuring a thesis in prime position. To the west is the door you came in through. It is firmly closed. A degree hangs on the back of the door. In the centre of the office there is a stack of three boxes, labelled from the top down: BOOKS, TROPHIES, MISC. Off to the side there is a rubbish bin and a cardboard box labelled STORAGE. Between the degree and the calendar, not to mention the thesis, the office has a fresh, academic feel. >x book All that's left in the box are a cardigan and a pencil. >x cardigan A moth-eaten knitted cardigan with "stylish" stripes. Very vintage. Not to your tastes. The cardigan is in the book box. >x it A moth-eaten knitted cardigan with "stylish" stripes. Very vintage. Not to your tastes. The cardigan is in the book box. >wear it You cautiously put on the cardigan. Mmm...soft. Smells a bit like lavender. You'd try looking in the mirror, except... But you're here to unpack stuff, not to play dress up. You'd better decide what to do with it. You take the cardigan off. >think about it Last time the Professor visited, you hid her cardigan in the back of your wardrobe. She never found it. Still smells like her, a bit. >* We're kind of creepy Sorry, that command was not understood. Try typing COMMANDS for a list of valid commands. >x box (the book box) All that's left in the box is a pencil. >x pencil A 2B lead pencil, very well sharpened. The pencil is in the book box. >take i You glance around the office, but can't see any such thing. >take it You take the pencil from inside the book box. That's the book box all unpacked now. You drop off the empty book box in the corridor, out of the way. You carry the pencil with immense care, ensuring that the pointy end isn't aimed in your direction. >think about it Wooden. Pointy. Exceptionally sharp. Why do you have this? Did someone else put it in your moving box? Is it a threat? >put pencil on desk You place the pencil on the desk. The desk is definitely packed full now. If you're going undercover, you're going to commit. You might even write with it sometimes. >x box (the trophies box) An old grocers box advertising bananas. The label on the side says "TROPHIES". It's taped shut. >open it The trophies box is taped up securely. Still no sign of your knife? What is this? Your teeth are getting all gross and sticky, but you don't have any other option. >think about it It's just a trophies box. >bite box (the trophies box) You slice open the tape sealing the trophies box with your razor-sharp teeth. Bleuch. There's a lot of things inside the trophies box, but on top are a hardcover book and a jar of soil. >x teeth Clean, white, like to bite. >clean teeth You rub your teeth. >* Nice! Sorry, that command was not understood. Try typing COMMANDS for a list of valid commands. >x book A chunky, fancy-looking hardcover book titled Solving the Mysteries of the Sangsue Town Murders. A square is cut out of the back. The hardcover book is in the trophies box. >x square A square where the author's headshot used to be. >put bookmark in book You take the hardcover book from inside the trophies box. You flip through the hardcover book until you find the marked page, and slot the bookmark in. The bookmark marks a page in the hardcover book with a single highlighted sentence: While much has been made of historical references to "something" inhabiting the abandoned palace and murder victims oft appearing exsanguinated, both phenomena are easily explained by the colony of vampire bats that have occupied the bell tower for generations. >think about book (the hardcover book) You can still remember the first time you saw this book in the window of the castle gift shop. You picked it up and flipped through, expecting a sensible chuckle?but the solutions posed were sensible, logical, and disgustingly banal. And then you saw the headshot of the author. Every word in the book is a complete lie, and the Professor knows it. And you know it. The Professor's words echo through your mind. Both phenomena are easily explained.... >* Oh, do I have a rival vampire? You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >* Like in [spoiler]? Sorry, that command was not understood. Try typing COMMANDS for a list of valid commands. >l Office At the far end of the office is a small wooden desk boasting a calendar, among other items. No chair, apparently. Three drawers are built into the desk. The north wall is bare except for a single nail hammered into the dead centre. To the east, a large window overlooks the university courtyard. A mostly-empty bookshelf squats along the south wall, featuring a thesis in prime position. To the west is the door you came in through. It is firmly closed. A degree hangs on the back of the door. In the centre of the office there is a stack of two boxes, labelled from the top down: TROPHIES, MISC. Off to the side there is a rubbish bin and a cardboard box labelled STORAGE. Between the degree and the thesis, not to mention the pencil, the office has a fresh, academic feel. ...easily explained by the colony of vampire bats...vampire bats... You would never have kept bats in the bell tower! That was where you lurked. Once the tourists started arriving, at least. She's finally accepted that she's never going to succeed in slaying you, so she's taking aim at your legacy? Your reputation? Well! We'll see where that takes her. >x box (the trophies box) There's a lot of things in the box, but on top is a jar of soil. >x soil A glass jar filled with soil. The jar of soil is in the trophies box. >think about soil You've been carrying this around with you ever since you first left home, and you haven't needed the contents yet, but you also haven't been this close to the Professor before. >put soil on bottom shelf (first taking the jar of soil) You take the jar of soil from inside the trophies box. You carry the jar of soil with immense care. You place the jar of soil on the wide shelf. Still space to fit some more things on. That's it. Leave the most secret stuff in the most obvious spaces. Tell people you're trying to grow tulips?no, gardenias?but you've got a brown thumb. No-one will want a jar of dried-out, rocky old dirt. >x box (the trophies box) All that's left in the box is a souvenir. >x souvenir A beautiful plastic model of an immense stone palace, about half a metre tall. The souvenir is in the trophies box. >think about it You stole this model from the palace gift shop after hours, so you could keep a memento of home when you left. A gift shop that might not exist for much longer, if the tourist dollars keep drying up... >put it in bottom (first taking the souvenir) You take the souvenir from inside the trophies box...revealing a single stanley knife at the bottom of the box. You fit the souvenir into the bottom drawer. Still some space left in the drawer. The souvenir's pretty tall what with all the towers. The drawer doesn't want to close?you twist and wedge and shove until eventually- drat. One of the towers is now shattered. On the plus side you managed to get the drawer closed. >x souvenir You glance around the office, but can't see any such thing. >undo Office [Previous turn undone.] >undo Office [Previous turn undone.] >put souvenir on shelf (the bookshelf) There might be space for the souvenir on the lower wide shelf of the bookshelf. (first taking the souvenir) You take the souvenir from inside the trophies box...revealing a single stanley knife at the bottom of the box. You place the souvenir on the wide shelf. The wide shelf is fit to bursting now what with the jar of soil and the souvenir. The Professor always hated the palace?really she'd complain, every time she visited too dark, too bleak, too lonely, too stereotypical, have you no shame?but it kept you safe and happy and well-fed and damn it all, you love that place. >x knife An old stanley knife with a blunt blade, slightly rusty. The stanley knife is in the trophies box. >take it You take the stanley knife from inside the trophies box. That's the trophies box all unpacked now. You drop off the empty trophies box in the corridor, out of the way. Always the last place you look, huh? At least it wasn't at the bottom of the miscellaneous box. >x rust You glance around the office, but can't see any such thing. >lick knife Tastes like frustration. >think about knife Of course it was at the bottom of the THIRD box you tried. Of COURSE. >open envelope with knife You glance around the office, but can't see any such thing. >open top You open the top drawer. >open envelope with knife You slice open the envelope with the stanley knife, revealing a card inside. You pull the card out and shred the envelope into the rubbish bin. >x card A congrats on the job card covered in signatures. >read card A congrats on the job card covered in signatures. >think about card Oh, you remember this, actually. Your cohort threw you a party after you mentioned you'd got the teaching party. Streamers and things. You didn't eat the cake, and you left the gift somewhere. Someone must have slid the card into your stuff. >put card in top drawer You fit the card into the top drawer. Still some space left in the drawer. The card is way too tacky to display?can't let colleagues know you have feelings?but somehow you can't bring yourself to throw it away. Odd. >x box (the miscellaneous box) A plastic crate with a piece of paper taped to the side, which reads "M?I?S?S?A?L? M?I?S?C?N?E?L? MISC". >open box The miscellaneous box is taped up securely, but now you have more than one way to open it... >open box with knife You slice the box open with the stanley knife and it is quite possibly the most satisfying experience of your life. Look at that. You're civilised. You can use people tools. Your teeth are exclusively for steak. There's a lot of things inside the miscellaneous box, but on top are a pair of blackout curtains and a pair of lacy curtains. >x curtains Which do you mean, the blackout curtains or the lacy curtains? >blackout You unfold the bundle of curtains to reveal a faded old photograph in a wooden frame. You must have wrapped it up for safekeeping. You take the old photograph. >x lacy Cream-coloured light lacy curtains, with lots of holes to let the sunlight in. The lacy curtains are in the miscellaneous box. >put lacy in storage (first taking the lacy curtains) You take the lacy curtains from inside the miscellaneous box. You put the lacy curtains into the storage box. The lacy curtains are certainly nice, but you're not sure what to do with them. >* I mean c'mon Sorry, that command was not understood. Try typing COMMANDS for a list of valid commands. >put curtains on window Which do you mean, the blackout curtains or the lacy curtains? >blackout You take the blackout curtains from inside the miscellaneous box. You hang the blackout curtains over the window. It was already dark in here, but with the curtains blocking the streetlamps outside, it's pitch black. You feel the tension leaving your shoulders already. >x photo A faded and torn sepia-tinted photograph of you and the Professor?though at the time she was better known as the stakeholder?and three children, ranging in age. The frame has a wire on the back for hanging. >put photo on nail You hang the old photo on the nail. If the stakeholder?no, Professor?storms in baying for blood, the photograph should stop her in her tracks?at least long enough for you to get armed. This is the only photograph taken of all of you. >* hmm... Sorry, that command was not understood. Try typing COMMANDS for a list of valid commands. >x box (the miscellaneous box) All that's left in the box are a cape and a mirror. >x cape Long and black with a red satin lining. The cape is in the miscellaneous box. >x lining You glance around the office, but can't see any such thing. >wear cape You draw the cape reverently over your shoulders and strike a dramatic pose. You glance into the mirror but there's not much to see. More's the pity, as you're sure you strike a very threatening air. But you're here to unpack stuff, not to play dress up. You'd better decide what to do with it. You take the cape off. >x mirror A large old-fashioned mirror with a wire on the back to hang it with. The mirror reflects an empty office. The mirror is in the miscellaneous box. >think about cape You were wearing it the first time you met her. You run one hand up and down the fabric. You've kept it in good condition all these years. >think about photo She stood at your door, more frazzled than you'd ever seen her, one child on her hip and two hiding behind her skirts. Forgive me, she said, though she wasn't apologising to you. I didn't know where to go, and you are always here... And of course you'd let her in, because you always let her in. >think about mirror You absentmindedly wonder what your face looks like these days. You should find a photographer. Or get a smartphone? >think about blackout A necessary requirement for a good day's sleep. >think about lacy The Professor replaced your bedroom curtains with these on one of her earlier visits. If the next morning hadn't been so overcast... Not one of her cleverest strategies, but nearly the most efficient. >x box (the miscellaneous box) All that's left in the box is a mirror. >put mirror in bin (first taking the mirror) You take the mirror from inside the miscellaneous box. That's the miscellaneous box all unpacked now. You drop off the empty miscellaneous box in the corridor, out of the way. You put the mirror into the rubbish bin. What were you thinking? A mirror? In your own office? Are you trying to be found out? >i You are carrying: a cape (medium) a stanley knife (small) a hardcover book (medium) a cardigan (medium) a hat (medium) a pair of joggers (medium) ...now that you're thinking about it...your storage unit is running low on space. You should commit to this properly and work out what to do with the lacy curtains and the microwave. >put lacy in bin (first taking the lacy curtains) The thought of it languishing in a cardboard box for fifty years is stupid. You take the lacy curtains out of the storage box. You put the lacy curtains into the rubbish bin. Lacy curtains? You don't have a death wish. >look for space No space on the narrow shelf. No space on the wide shelf. No space on the desk. There's some space in the top drawer. There's some space in the middle drawer. There's some space in the bottom drawer. And there's always space in the STORAGE box and in the rubbish bin. >i You are carrying: a cape (medium) a stanley knife (small) a hardcover book (medium) a cardigan (medium) a hat (medium) a pair of joggers (medium) >put cape in middle You fit the cape into the middle drawer. Still some space left in the drawer. Best to keep the cape out of sight; if she can't see it, she might start to believe you've turned over a new leaf. You haven't. >put cardigan in middle You can't quite fit the cardigan into the drawer. Maybe if you took the cape out first? >take cape >* oops Sorry, that command was not understood. Try typing COMMANDS for a list of valid commands. >l Office At the far end of the office is a small wooden desk boasting a stained mug, among other items. No chair, apparently. Three drawers are built into the desk. The north wall is bare except for a single old photo. To the east, a pair of blackout curtains hangs over a large window overlooking the university courtyard. A mostly-empty bookshelf squats along the south wall, featuring a jar of soil in prime position. To the west is the door you came in through. It is firmly closed. A degree hangs on the back of the door. In the centre of the office there is a worn carpet. Off to the side there is a rubbish bin and a cardboard box labelled STORAGE. Between the jar of soil and the souvenir, not to mention the stained mug, the office has a gloomy feel. >l Office At the far end of the office is a small wooden desk boasting a calendar, among other items. No chair, apparently. Three drawers are built into the desk. The north wall is bare except for a single old photo. To the east, a pair of blackout curtains hangs over a large window overlooking the university courtyard. A mostly-empty bookshelf squats along the south wall, featuring a jar of soil in prime position. To the west is the door you came in through. It is firmly closed. A degree hangs on the back of the door. In the centre of the office there is a worn carpet. Off to the side there is a rubbish bin and a cardboard box labelled STORAGE. Between the stained mug and the jar of soil, not to mention the souvenir, the office has a gloomy feel. >open bottom That's already open. >i You are carrying: a cape (medium) a stanley knife (small) a hardcover book (medium) a cardigan (medium) a hat (medium) a pair of joggers (medium) >put cardigan in middle You fit the cardigan into the middle drawer. Still some space left in the drawer. The cardigan is so colourful it hurts your eyes to look at. The Professor's the fashion disaster, not you. But sometimes you want to remember what she smells like. >put cape in middle You can't quite fit the cape into the drawer. Maybe if you took the cardigan out first? >put cape in bottom You fit the cape into the bottom drawer. Still some space left in the drawer. >put book in bottom You can't quite fit the hardcover book into the drawer. Maybe if you took the cape out first? >l Office At the far end of the office is a small wooden desk boasting a calendar, among other items. No chair, apparently. Three drawers are built into the desk. The north wall is bare except for a single old photo. To the east, a pair of blackout curtains hangs over a large window overlooking the university courtyard. A mostly-empty bookshelf squats along the south wall, featuring a jar of soil in prime position. To the west is the door you came in through. It is firmly closed. A degree hangs on the back of the door. In the centre of the office there is a worn carpet. Off to the side there is a rubbish bin and a cardboard box labelled STORAGE. Between the souvenir and the jar of soil, not to mention the stained mug, the office has a gloomy feel. >i You are carrying: a stanley knife (small) a hardcover book (medium) a hat (medium) a pair of joggers (medium) >l Office At the far end of the office is a small wooden desk boasting a stained mug, among other items. No chair, apparently. Three drawers are built into the desk. The north wall is bare except for a single old photo. To the east, a pair of blackout curtains hangs over a large window overlooking the university courtyard. A mostly-empty bookshelf squats along the south wall, featuring a jar of soil in prime position. To the west is the door you came in through. It is firmly closed. A degree hangs on the back of the door. In the centre of the office there is a worn carpet. Off to the side there is a rubbish bin and a cardboard box labelled STORAGE. Between the souvenir and the stained mug, not to mention the jar of soil, the office has a gloomy feel. >put souvenir in storage (first taking the souvenir) What were you thinking, putting the souvenir on the lower shelf? That's a terrible place for a souvenir! You take the souvenir off the lower shelf. You put the souvenir into the storage box. You don't want to think about the palace right now?can't afford to get too nostalgic for the good old days of you and the Professor killing time (or each other). >i You are carrying: a stanley knife (small) a hardcover book (medium) a hat (medium) a pair of joggers (medium) >put book on shelf (the bookshelf) The narrow upper shelf of the bookshelf is full, but there might be space for the hardcover book on the lower wide shelf of the bookshelf. You place the hardcover book on the wide shelf. The wide shelf is fit to bursting now what with the jar of soil and the hardcover book. You angle the book so that the spine faces the door. The moment the Professor walks in she'll know that you found it, and guess at what you've come here to do. >l Office At the far end of the office is a small wooden desk boasting a pencil, among other items. No chair, apparently. Three drawers are built into the desk. The north wall is bare except for a single old photo. To the east, a pair of blackout curtains hangs over a large window overlooking the university courtyard. A mostly-empty bookshelf squats along the south wall, featuring a jar of soil in prime position. To the west is the door you came in through. It is firmly closed. A degree hangs on the back of the door. In the centre of the office there is a worn carpet. Off to the side there is a rubbish bin and a cardboard box labelled STORAGE. Between the jar of soil and the blackout curtains, not to mention the stained mug, the office has a gloomy feel. >i' Sorry, that command was not understood. Try typing COMMANDS for a list of valid commands. >i You are carrying: a stanley knife (small) a hat (medium) a pair of joggers (medium) >put knife in top You fit the stanley knife into the top drawer. You could still cram something small in there. So the knife was in a stupid place before, but you're damn well keeping it somewhere sensible now. >l Office At the far end of the office is a small wooden desk boasting a stained mug, among other items. No chair, apparently. Three drawers are built into the desk. The north wall is bare except for a single old photo. To the east, a pair of blackout curtains hangs over a large window overlooking the university courtyard. A mostly-empty bookshelf squats along the south wall, featuring a thesis in prime position. To the west is the door you came in through. It is firmly closed. A degree hangs on the back of the door. In the centre of the office there is a worn carpet. Off to the side there is a rubbish bin and a cardboard box labelled STORAGE. Between the blackout curtains and the stained mug, not to mention the jar of soil, the office has a gloomy feel. >x narrow You glance around the office, but can't see any such thing. >x shelves You can't use multiple objects with that verb. >x shelf (the bookshelf) A squat bookshelf with a narrow upper shelf and a wider lower shelf. Squished onto the narrow shelf is a thesis. The wide shelf carries a hardcover book and a jar of soil. >x wide You glance around the office, but can't see any such thing. >x wide shelf A wide shelf packed to bursting. There are a hardcover book and a jar of soil on it. >x thesis A thick hardbound thesis. Your name is embossed on the front cover in gold foil. The thesis is on the upper shelf. >take it What were you thinking, putting the thesis on the upper shelf? That's a terrible place for a thesis! You take the thesis off the upper shelf. >i You are carrying: a thesis (medium) a hat (medium) a pair of joggers (medium) >x desk A small wooden desk, creaking under the weight of a pencil, a small framed headshot, a calendar and a stained mug. Better not put anything else on it. You don't seem to have a chair. Did the previous occupant take it along with the curtains? >take mug What were you thinking, putting the stained mug on the desk? That's a terrible place for a stained mug! You take the stained mug off the desk. >x bottom A drawer containing a cape. >put mug in bottom You cram the stained mug into the bottom drawer. The drawer is packed full now. You've heard about these office environments. Mugs go missing and turn up on other floors all the time. You're too fond of this one to risk leaving it in the open. >close bottom You close the bottom drawer. >i You are carrying: a thesis (medium) a hat (medium) a pair of joggers (medium) >x desk A small wooden desk, creaking under the weight of a pencil, a small framed headshot and a calendar. There's just enough space left for something small. You don't seem to have a chair. Did the previous occupant take it along with the curtains? >take headshot What were you thinking, putting the small framed headshot on the desk? That's a terrible place for a small framed headshot! You take the small framed headshot off the desk. >put headshot in middle You cram the small framed headshot into the middle drawer. The drawer is packed full now. It's safest to keep the headshot hidden. You want your history with the Professor on the down-low. >close it It isn't something you can close. >x desk A small wooden desk, creaking under the weight of a pencil and a calendar. You could still fit something medium on the desk. You don't seem to have a chair. Did the previous occupant take it along with the curtains? >take pencil What were you thinking, putting the pencil on the desk? That's a terrible place for a pencil! You take the pencil off the desk. >open top That's already open. >put pencil in top You cram the pencil into the top drawer. The drawer is packed full now. There. You dust off your hands. No splinters, no harm done. You saw a pencil and you put it in the stationery drawer. Good job. >close it It isn't something you can close. >i You are carrying: a thesis (medium) a hat (medium) a pair of joggers (medium) >x shelf (the bookshelf) A squat bookshelf with a narrow upper shelf and a wider lower shelf. The wide shelf carries a hardcover book and a jar of soil. The narrow shelf is bare. >put hat on narrow shelf You place the hat on the narrow shelf. Doesn't look like anything else will fit onto the narrow shelf now. The Professor used to laugh at the nocturnal hours you kept. As if they were strange! This hat will prove you've changed. >put joggers on floor You're not here to scatter stuff all over the floor. Either you find a place for the joggers, or they're going in the bin. >look for space No space on the narrow shelf. No space on the wide shelf. There's room for something big on the desk. The top drawer's full. Middle drawer's full. Bottom drawer's full. And there's always space in the STORAGE box and in the rubbish bin. >i You are carrying: a thesis (medium) a pair of joggers (medium) >put thesis on desk You place the thesis on the desk. You could still squish something small beside it. Oh, the Professor thinks she's going to rewrite your history, huh? Joke's on her. History's not written by the victors, it's written by the rememberers, and there's two of you now. >put joggers on desk You'd have to take something off the desk to fit the joggers in. >look for space No space on the narrow shelf. No space on the wide shelf. There's room for something small on the desk. The top drawer's full. Middle drawer's full. Bottom drawer's full. And there's always space in the STORAGE box and in the rubbish bin. >i You are carrying: a pair of joggers (medium) >x bottom A drawer containing a stained mug and a cape. >take cape You glance around the office, but can't see any such thing. >open bottom You open the bottom drawer. >take cape >* Hmm, some weirdness here with what can be seen You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >l Office At the far end of the office is a small wooden desk boasting a calendar, among other items. No chair, apparently. Three drawers are built into the desk. The north wall is bare except for a single old photo. To the east, a pair of blackout curtains hangs over a large window overlooking the university courtyard. A mostly-empty bookshelf squats along the south wall, featuring a hardcover book in prime position. To the west is the door you came in through. It is firmly closed. A degree hangs on the back of the door. In the centre of the office there is a worn carpet. Off to the side there is a rubbish bin and a cardboard box labelled STORAGE. Between the blackout curtains and the jar of soil, not to mention the stained mug, the office has a gloomy feel. >i You are carrying: a cape (medium) a pair of joggers (medium) >put joggers in bottom You cram the joggers into the bottom drawer. The drawer is packed full now. If you need the joggers, it'll be at a moment's notice. Good to have them close at hand, but you don't want anyone to think you're active. >put cape in storage You put the cape into the storage box. You're not sure about the cape. Is it too much? >close all You can't use multiple objects with that verb. >close bottom You close the bottom drawer. >l Office At the far end of the office is a small wooden desk boasting a calendar, among other items. No chair, apparently. Three drawers are built into the desk. The north wall is bare except for a single old photo. To the east, a pair of blackout curtains hangs over a large window overlooking the university courtyard. A mostly-empty bookshelf squats along the south wall, featuring a jar of soil in prime position. To the west is the door you came in through. It is firmly closed. A degree hangs on the back of the door. In the centre of the office there is a worn carpet. Off to the side there is a rubbish bin and a cardboard box labelled STORAGE. Between the blackout curtains and the stained mug, not to mention the jar of soil, the office has a gloomy feel. >i You are carrying nothing. >x storage A large open cardboard box containing a cape, a souvenir and a microwave, ready to go back into storage when you're done here. >l Office At the far end of the office is a small wooden desk boasting a thesis, among other items. No chair, apparently. Three drawers are built into the desk. The north wall is bare except for a single old photo. To the east, a pair of blackout curtains hangs over a large window overlooking the university courtyard. A mostly-empty bookshelf squats along the south wall, featuring a hat in prime position. To the west is the door you came in through. It is firmly closed. A degree hangs on the back of the door. In the centre of the office there is a worn carpet. Off to the side there is a rubbish bin and a cardboard box labelled STORAGE. Between the jar of soil and the blackout curtains, not to mention the stained mug, the office has a gloomy feel. >close storage It isn't something you can close. >look for space No space on the narrow shelf. No space on the wide shelf. There's room for something small on the desk. The top drawer's full. Middle drawer's full. Bottom drawer's full. And there's always space in the STORAGE box and in the rubbish bin. >w (first opening the main door) The degree sways as you open the door. Tempting, but you'd better get everything unpacked first. >l Office At the far end of the office is a small wooden desk boasting a thesis, among other items. No chair, apparently. Three drawers are built into the desk. The north wall is bare except for a single old photo. To the east, a pair of blackout curtains hangs over a large window overlooking the university courtyard. A mostly-empty bookshelf squats along the south wall, featuring a jar of soil in prime position. To the west is the door you came in through. It is slightly ajar. In the centre of the office there is a worn carpet. Off to the side there is a rubbish bin and a cardboard box labelled STORAGE. Between the stained mug and the blackout curtains, not to mention the jar of soil, the office has a gloomy feel. >i You are carrying nothing. >x storage A large open cardboard box containing a cape, a souvenir and a microwave, ready to go back into storage when you're done here. >put microwave in bin (first taking the microwave) The thought of it languishing in a cardboard box for fifty years is stupid. You take the microwave out of the storage box. You put the microwave into the rubbish bin. There's a microwave down the corridor if you need it, and you shouldn't be drinking on the job anyway. >put souvenir in bin (first taking the souvenir) The thought of it languishing in a cardboard box for fifty years is stupid. You take the souvenir out of the storage box. You put the souvenir into the rubbish bin. The palace is a reminder of too many dark and lonely nights. You're out of there now, and heading into a new life, and it's a piece of the past. You're surprised at how little you miss it. >put cape in bin (first taking the cape) You put the cape into the rubbish bin. The cape had sentimental value, sure, but it's not fitting in with this university persona. Wait, is that?is that everything? Have you unpacked everything? You cast your eyes over the office you have laid out in painstaking detail. Look at your card, calendar, joggers, degree, thesis, hat and pencil. ... Your old battlefield was losing its edge?stuck at home, day in, day out, abiding by your arrangement, until she turned up again at the front door to take another shot at you, and then back to fighting tooth and nail 'til you both limped to the bedroom. But now you stand on her home soil, and you will steal it from under her feet. You'll win the grants. You'll write all the critical peer reviews on her journal articles. You'll dismantle her entire body of academic work, one paper at a time, until her academic reputation is entirely discredited. You'll haunt the walls of this building, keep late night office hours, build yourself a whole new legend from nothing, all out in the open. You have never hunted her before. She has always come to you. But an apex predator can always adapt. *** The End *** Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, QUIT or UNDO the last command? >