Vampire Ltd
by Alex Harby (2020)
Genres: Comedy

Nero Brashov, vampire and failed businessman, has revenge on his mind. He'll pose as a human, infiltrate his arch-enemy's corporation, and sabotage it from the inside. Just as soon as he's invited in, that is. Contains swearing from the start, so may not be suitable for playing with children.

action: %
response: Look at him up there. Strutting up and down the stage like he owns the place, which he does. The whole crowd gazing at him, worshipping him. Never mind that he's a vampire, never mind that they're all so much blood to him - he's rich, he's famous, but he likes nerdy things and he smiles a lot, so he must be just like them!

Bastard. That should be you up there.

The plaza outside the Lunarcel complex is packed this morning. The crowd hangs on Hadrian's every word as he paces a stage set up near the entrance to the main campus.

An old phone booth huddles against the wall.

Hadrian is in the middle of a speech. He's been going for about ten minutes, but he seems to be building up to something. "...Hydrological energy needs you to live next to a big enough river. Solar and wind power need you to have the right kind of weather. Geothermal power needs you to live on top of a volcano. Sustainable energy simply does not work for everybody."
action: About you
response: You are the vampire Nero Brashov. Once proud and wealthy, now destitute and dusty, but still as blood-sucking as ever.

"Clearly, the world needs a new solution. A sustainable source of clean energy which is absolutely reliable, no matter who you are or where you are." While he rambles, you shift your umbrella to your other arm, and daydream about the snack you're carrying.
action: You look at the umbrella
response: Your one remaining prized possession, an umbrella made of thick black fabric and an aspen wood shaft, sleek and sharp and aerodynamic. You want to keep out of the sun, but you want to look good doing it. The umbrella is currently open.

"My friends," says Hadrian with a wink, "I present to you the Moonlite." And he whisks the cover off the screen next to him, revealing a picture of... something? Some kind of a machine?
action: You look at Moonlite
response: The screen shows a promotional image of something called the Moonlite. It looks like some kind of big dumb thimble-shaped machine.

The crowd oohs at the screen. "The Moonlite!" says Hadrian, gloating. "A fission reactor which will work anywhere, for anyone! Clean energy, for anyone! And it's completely safe. Forget uranium, forget plutonium - all that's needed is harmless helium."
action: Examine banner
response: "DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES to deliver high-quality award-winning customer service online and by telephone to Lunarcel customers and clients? WE ARE HIRING! Entry-level positions - NO CV REQUIRED! Start as early as TODAY! CALL NOW!"

"No CV required"? "Start today"? They must be desperate to hire people. There's a phone number on the banner - maybe you could get invited in for an interview...
action: Examine booth
response: An old phone booth, but clearly looked after. That is, none of the windows are smashed right now.
action: You enter the booth
response: You enter the booth and pick up the phone. Who will you call?

[When talking to people or using devices, you'll be given numbered options like those below. To choose one, just type the number of the option you want. For example, just type "1" if you want to select the first option.]

[1] Call the Lunarcel job application number
[2] Call the emergency services
[3] Never mind
action: 1
response: You dial the number on the job advert. It rings for a while, but a glassy-sounding voice eventually picks up. "Hello, Lunarcel customer services department, how may I help you?"

[1] I'm applying for that job opening.
[2] Do you have Prince Albert in a can? Well you'd better let him out! [3] Sorry, wrong number.
action: 1
response: "Brilliant. Well, we're hiring quickly at the moment, so we're open all week for applicants. We just need to do an informal interview to get to know you first. Can you drop in today?"

You give the woman on the other end a fake name and details. (Well, better pretend to be human while you're sneaking in. You can feed on the employees later.) "Great! Thanks, Oren. Come into the office whenever you can. We're on the Lunarcel campus, on the west end. We're in the white office block there."

[1] So I'm definitely allowed into the campus, then?
[2] Great! See you soon.
action: 1
response: "Yes, of course you're allowed in! Why wouldn't you be?"

[1] Great! See you soon.
action: 1
response: You say your goodbyes and end the call. So, you've been invited in for interview! You should be able to cross the threshold into the campus now. Unless Hadrian spots you and bans you again. But how could he possibly find you? You're using a fake name.

The entrance to the Lunarcel campus is now quiet apart from a handful of workers dismantling the stage. The main part of the campus is north of here.

An old phone booth huddles against the wall.

Now that the stage has been cleared away, you can see a "Help Wanted" banner affixed by the entrance.
action: Go north
response: This central plaza is wide and spacious, offering striking views of all the major landmarks of the campus, as if designed by a brutalist landscape gardener.

As a wooden signpost indicates, the black glass building to the immediate north is the corporate headquarters; it also tells you that the campus stretches east to the engineering laboratory, and west to the customer service office. You can also leave the campus through the southern exit.
action: Go east
response: You've only been invited to the customer service office for your interview. You don't yet have the freedom to explore more of the place.
action: You go west
response: Somewhat less pretty than the entrance and central plaza were - this part of the campus must usually be seen only by employees. North is a grimy-looking office block, and the rest of the campus is to the east.
action: You go to the north
response: A modern open-plan office: bent backs from wall to wall and no privacy anywhere. Just how you used to like it when you were running these kinds of places. North seems to lead to some kind of meeting room. You can head back outside to the south.

A woman who you take to be the office manager is bustling wildly, juggling several administrative tasks at once.

A list of common passwords has been flimsily stuck up on the wall nearby.
action: You examine the list
response: This looks like a printout of some techie website article:

"THIS YEAR'S MOST COMMON PASSWORDS
Cybersecurity begins with a strong password, yet many people use simple and easily-guessed passwords. This is a list of the 12 most commonly used passwords of the past year, as revealed by security leaks and database breaches.

* 12345678
* admin
* dragon
* holiness
* letmein
* monkey
* password
* q1w2e3r4
* qwerty
* sunshine
* shadow
* trustn01

If you use one of these passwords, you may be at risk of other people accessing your personal information!"
action: You look at the woman
response: (the manager)
A bundle of stress in a turtleneck sweater.
action: You talk to her
response: "Can I help- How can I help you?"

[1] I'm here for a job interview.
[2] Never mind, I though you were someone else.
action: 1
response: "Ah, you must be Oren! I'm ready for you right now. Follow me, please." She leads you into the meeting room.

Now that you're in there, you see that what you thought was a conference room is really just a converted stationery closet with two chairs, a table and a cupboard. There's barely room for one person here; with both you and the manager in here, it's dangerously crowded.

The manager is sitting across from you. She gives you her friendliest smile. "Good to meet you, Mr. Vohsarb. I only have a few questions for you, just to make sure you're an appropriate fit for this department. So, could you tell me why you applied for this job, and why you want to work at Lunarcel?"

[1] Corporate espionage
[2] Revenge
[3] I've lost control of my life
[4] It has always been my dream to serve the customer
action: 4
response: You say something about helping other people, the kind of thing you used to like to hear from other people. It looks like the manager likes it too. She scribbles a quick note, and says "Thank you, Oren. Now, why did you leave your last job position?"

[1] Failed to attract sufficient startup investment
[2] Employees unwilling to work for me
[3] Run out of town by pitchforked mob
[4] It did not challenge and inspire me like this job would
action: 4
response: You improvise something about how you've heard Lunarcel is the land of opportunity, and how the office looks like a great work environment and everything, just like you remember your old job applicants telling you.

As you start to wonder if they were lying too, the manager makes another little note. "Thank you. Just one more question, and there are no right or wrong answers here... What would you say is your biggest weakness?"

[1] Vulnerability to sunlight
[2] Wooden stake through the heart or stomach
[3] Inability to cross thresholds uninvited
[4] Sensitivity to holy symbols
[5] Running water
[6] I guess I'm just a perfectionist

The interviewer fiddles with her pen, waiting for a response.
action: 6
response: Yes, everyone says that." The interviewer has a wry little smile as she checks her notes one more time.

"Well, I don't see any cause for concern here. Welcome abroad, Oren!" She shakes your hand. "Can you start today?"

Five minutes later, you've been shown to your new desk, on which is a very old computer. You'll be handling online customer enquiries for your first shift, you've been told. Around you, other workers are being yelled at over the phone, or doing something clerical with a spreadsheet, or some other boring task.

The interviewer - your new manager - comes back with something on a lanyard. "Here's your ID card, hot off the presses," she says, as you slip it around your neck. "You're supposed to wear your card at all times. You don't really need it unless you're going to high-security areas, but you'd need to be properly authorised anyway, so don't worry about it. Talk to me if you need anything!" And she's gone again.

Of course, now that you're officially allowed on the Lunarcel campus, you have no intention of doing any work. You are going to find Hadrian's precious Moonlite machine and destroy it. As soon as you find it, that is.

A modern open-plan office: bent backs from wall to wall and no privacy anywhere. Just how you used to like it when you were running these kinds of places. North leads to a meeting room. You can head back outside to the south.

There's an unused miserable-looking computer here which is, apparently, yours. Lovely.

The manager is bustling wildly, juggling several administrative tasks at once.

A list of common passwords has been flimsily stuck up on the wall nearby.
action: You examine computer
response: On a rickety desk near you is a yellowing tower computer running an operating system from 10 years ago.

The old computer is currently switched on.
action: You examine the card
response: A plastic keycard on a lanyard, currently dangling about your neck.
action: You read it
response: A plastic keycard on a lanyard, currently dangling about your neck.

The manager makes a phone call and arranges some interview for later this week.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
an ID card (being worn)
an umbrella
a blood bag
action: You examine the blood bag
response: Times are tough, and it's getting harder to bite people without being reported. You have to make do with whatever you can find when you break into the blood donation clinic after hours. This blood bag is full, and looking pretty tasty right now. You can bite it if you want a meal.
action: Go south
response: You make a quick and confident exit while the manager's back is turned.

Somewhat less pretty than the entrance and central plaza were - this part of the campus must usually be seen only by employees. North is a grimy-looking office block, and the rest of the campus is to the east.
action: You go east
response: This central plaza is wide and spacious, offering striking views of all the major landmarks of the campus, as if designed by a brutalist landscape gardener.

As a wooden signpost indicates, the black glass building to the immediate north is the corporate headquarters; it also tells you that the campus stretches east to the engineering laboratory, and west to the customer service office. You can also leave the campus through the southern exit.
action: You go east
response: This part of the campus plaza wants to be open and airy, but it's hemmed in by various concrete structures, the biggest of them being the Engineering Laboratory to the north. Prettier parts of the campus are to the west.

Water cuts across the laboratory doorway here, spouting from a burst pipe in the wall.

There's a worker here, maybe a janitor or other maintenance person, leaning against the wall and holding a sign that says "VAMPIRES SUCK". There's just no need for that kind of tone.
action: You look at the worker
response: She's leaning against the wall, holding a protest sign. She spots you looking at her, nods at you and waggles the sign a little.
action: You talk to the worker
response: She nods at you as you approach. "Hiya. Vampires suck."

[1] What's the protest for?
[2] Could you fix this water leak so I can get to the laboratory?
[3] Goodbye.
action: 1
response: "It's against vampires. Especially our guy in charge. It's against vampiric systems. It's against the exploitation of labour on long hours and low pay. It's for changes at the highest level for Lunarcel and every other company which lines its own pockets at the expense of workers. It's for radical new ways of being which aren't built on blood and toil." (You don't like this woman.)

[1] Isn't anyone else striking with you?
[2] But haven't vampires done so much for us?
[3] Could you fix this water leak so I can get to the laboratory?
[4] Goodbye.
action: 2
response: "Oh, I used to think that too! You're not alone. But someone showed me it's all selfish. Vampires get rich off blood and labour, and whatever they give back doesn't usually help anyone but themselves, right? Look at Hadrian Alba. He gave that money for more blood donation clinics years ago, right? But he provided the land, so all the clinics were built on land he owned, right? So he becomes the landlord and proprietor of, basically, grocery stores for vampires. You can't
prove anything, but it's a conflict of interest, right? You
have to be suspicious. All the stuff vampires do 'for us' is just stuff they'd do anyway but they want to be congratulated for it, so we ignore all the blood-drinking."

(You'd argue for vampires if it wasn't Hadrian she was picking on. Anyway, she's right. You were working for Hade when he planned it. You think about some of your own past businesses, such as your mail-order blood testing kits and your anti-garlic lobby, and you decide to drop the subject.)

[1] Isn't anyone else striking with you?
[2] Could you fix this water leak so I can get to the laboratory?
[3] Goodbye.
action: 1
response: "See, that's another problem. Any time we stand up for ourselves, some spurious reason to fire them comes up. I've known three guys here who were getting support for unions, and they all got found out, and they all got fired immediately for, like, 'toxic influence' or something. They're busting unions. So it's just me protesting for now. I won't get anybody else in trouble."

[1] Could you fix this water leak so I can get to the laboratory?
[2] Goodbye.
action: 2
response: "See ya."
action: You talk to the worker
response: She nods at you as you approach. "Hiya. Vampires still suck."

[1] Could you fix this water leak so I can get to the laboratory?
[2] Goodbye.
action: 1
response: "Hm? Oh, this?" The janitor glances at the rip in the water pipe next to her, as if she forgot about it. "Yeah, it's a nasty one. Don't know how it got there. Sorry, mate, I'm leaving it for now. Not much of a strike if I'm working during it. Can't you just cross it?" Before you can think of an excuse, she gasps. "Oh! Holes in your shoes? Fair enough, mate. Nice umbrella, by the way."

She thinks a little. "Tell you what, mate, can you do me a favour? I brought some raisins to snack on, but I think I left them in the prayer room. Can you get them for me? I'll tape up the leak for you when you do."

[1] What did you want again before fixing the leak?
[2] What prayer room?
[3] Goodbye.
action: 2
response: "Oh yeah! Sorry, mate. It's at the far end of the campus" - she points west towards the offices - "in a side room. You'll find it. We don't talk about it much. It's not official. You know vampires and religion."

[1] What did you want again before fixing the leak?
[2] What prayer room?
[3] Goodbye.
action: Go west
response: No exit that way. From here, you can go north and east.
action: Go north
response: You sneak back in. It looks like the manager didn't even notice you were gone.

A modern open-plan office: bent backs from wall to wall and no privacy anywhere. Just how you used to like it when you were running these kinds of places. North leads to a meeting room. You can head back outside to the south.

Your work computer is waiting for you here.

The manager is bustling wildly, juggling several administrative tasks at once.

A list of common passwords has been flimsily stuck up on the wall nearby.
action: Go south
response: You make a quick and confident exit while the manager's back is turned.

Somewhat less pretty than the entrance and central plaza were - this part of the campus must usually be seen only by employees. North is a grimy-looking office block, and the rest of the campus is to the east.
action: Go north
response: This is the pleasantly airy and open lobby of the building where all the executives keep their offices. A corridor leads visitors and executives north. The main campus is to the south.

There's a receptionist here, hunched over a computer and looking very bored.

You can also see some grapes here.
action: You examine grapes
response: Juicy seedless purple grapes.
action: You take the grapes
response: Taken.
action: You look at the receptionist
response: Receptionists and every other customer service role, you feel, should be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, always ready with a friendly smile and a proactive attitude. This receptionist clearly doesn't share your opinion. He's not even standing up.
action: You talk to receptionist
response: He glances up from whatever he's doing. "Hi, how can I help you," he mutters.

[1] Hey, I'm new here.
[2] I'd like to see Mr. Alba. Is he in?
[3] You don't mind me taking that fruit, right?
[4] Goodbye.
action: 3
response: "Yeah, sure, it's there for anyone. Help yourself."

[1] Hey, I'm new here.
[2] I'd like to see Mr. Alba. Is he in?
[3] Goodbye.
action: 1
response: "Sorry to hear that," he mumbles automatically.

[1] Is this... not a good place to work?
[2] I'd like to see Mr. Alba. Is he in?
[3] Goodbye.
action: 1
response: "It's... it's fine. The people are good, but the bosses are-" The receptionist glances around, and sees no bosses listening in. He leans a little closer. "It's miserable. You've been hired for the customer service department, right? Have they told you you're not allowed bathroom breaks yet? They fired the guys trying to unionise, and most people just quit after the first few months, with all the long shifts. They stopped checking references because they're just trying to hire people quicker than they can quit. I'm lucky, I get to sit down and just deal with the important visitors, but I had some friends in customer service, being yelled at twelve hours a day because somebody else screwed up. Just... bad." He leans back again.

[1] Are you thinking of quitting?
[2] I'd like to see Mr. Alba. Is he in?
[3] Goodbye.
action: 1
response: The receptionist gives you a wan little smile. "Can't. I need the job. I can't afford... I'm not... doing well-" He looks down abruptly and rubs his eyes for a few seconds.

(You remember touring the factory floor once and seeing a worker in tears, and all the other workers clustered around her. You dealt with her. You don't remember what it was about.)

He looks up again. "I need the money. I'm just lucky to have a job. Even if it's this one. Sorry. Thanks for listening."

[1] I'd like to see Mr. Alba. Is he in?
[2] Goodbye.
action: 1
response: "He's not in right now. Just wait for him in his office if you want. It's just down the hall that way." He waves vaguely northward.

[1] Where is Mr. Alba right now?
[2] Goodbye.
action: 1
response: "He's doing something in the lab. Uh, the laboratory, on the east bit of the campus. Where they do the prototypes, and... uh, things. I'd say just go over there and find him, but you need authorisation to get in, and I can't do that for you myself." He shrugs sympathetically. "Sorry, dude."

[1] So who can authorise me to get into the laboratory?
[2] Goodbye.
action: 1
response: "The security guys can. Let me check." The receptionist dials a number on his phone and murmurs a conversation for a minute or two. He hangs up. "No luck, sorry. They say they're not changing any of the lab's security permissions at this time. I think they've locked things down with the Moonlite, to stop anyone getting in who shouldn't be there." Damn Hadrian, always a step ahead.

"I think all the executives get to change the cards as well," the receptionist adds. "So they can show guests around."

[1] Can I get an executive to change my card to let me into the laboratory?
[2] Goodbye.
action: 1
response: "You can ask, but they probably won't do it." The secretary shrugs. "Maybe one of them left themselves logged in. Just borrow their computer and do it yourself. I know Mr. Alba is out. His office is up that way." He waves a lethargic arm northwards. This receptionist has a terrible attitude towards security.

[1] Can I get an executive to change my card to let me into the laboratory?
[2] Goodbye.
action: 2
response: "Oh. Bye."
action: You go north
response: This is an office?? It looks more like a furniture showroom. It's all expensive tables and chairs and sofas - Hadrian could hold three meetings at once in here. But there are film posters hung up around the room too, like he thinks it makes him look cool.

On one especially luxurious desk sits a fancy computer.
action: You look at the posters
response: Posters for sci-fi films and cartoons, and things nerds like. Does Hadrian actually like these things?? You thought maybe he was pretending to like media to trick people into liking him.
action: You look at the desk
response: Leather and mahogany, everywhere you look. Here's ten chairs arranged around a long table for meetings; over there are deep armchairs and a coffee table for entertainments. It's all very expensive-looking.
action: You examine computer
response: An oak or oak-ish desk supports what must be Hadrian's computer. It's one of those really expensive computers they sell to teenagers and nerds. It's black with red accents, and it looks like a spaceship.

The fancy computer is currently switched on.
action: You use the computer
response: A password field blocks you! Curse that Hadrian, and screw him, too! He's always one step ahead. Hmm, how can you figure out Hade's password? Hopefully he's not very careful with it - maybe other people in the company can help you guess.
action: Type trustn01
response: (typing "trustn01" on the fancy computer)
You type "trustn01". The computer responds "Password invalid." Hmm, is there anyone who can tell you anything about Hadrian's password?
action: Type nairdah
response: (typing "nairdah" on the fancy computer)
You type "nairdah". The computer responds "Password invalid." Maybe that receptionist back outside knows something? Maybe he's overheard a few things.
action: Go south
response: This is the pleasantly airy and open lobby of the building where all the executives keep their offices. A corridor leads visitors and executives north. The main campus is to the south.

There's a receptionist here, hunched over a computer and looking very bored.
action: You talk to the receptionist
response: He glances up from whatever he's doing. "Hi again," he mutters.

[1] Can I get an executive to change my card to let me into the laboratory?
[2] I'm trying to guess Mr. Alba's password. Any idea what it is?
[3] Goodbye.
action: 2
response: "I don't know his password. Sorry. Let me think." The secretary pinches the bridge of his nose. "I know he forgets his password a lot. I can hear him shouting at his computer for keeping him out from all the way out here. But he usually stops pretty quickly. I guess he remembers after he's shouted a bit. Sorry, that's all I can tell you."

[1] Can I get an executive to change my card to let me into the laboratory?
[2] I'm trying to guess Mr. Alba's password. Any idea what it is?
[3] Goodbye.

* 12345678"
* admin"
* dragon"
* holiness"
* letmein"
* monkey"
* password"
* q1w2e3r4"
* qwerty"
* sunshine"
* shadow"
* trustn01"

> | * ADMIN

I didn't understand that sentence.

> | * DRAGON

I didn't understand that sentence.

> | * HOLINESS

I didn't understand that sentence.

> | * LETMEIN

I didn't understand that sentence.

> | * MONKEY

I didn't understand that sentence.

> | * PASSWORD

I didn't understand that sentence.

> | * Q1W2E3R4

I didn't understand that sentence.

> | * QWERTY

I didn't understand that sentence.

> | * SUNSHINE

I didn't understand that sentence.

> | * SHADOW

I didn't understand that sentence.

> | * TRUSTN01

I didn't understand that sentence.
action: You go to the north
response: [Sorry, most actions (other than looking at things) are disabled
when you're in a tree. Please enter a number to keep talking (there will usually be some kind of goodbye option to exit the conversation or menu). Type REPEAT to see your options again.]
action: You repeat
response: The available options are:

[1] Can I get an executive to change my card to let me into the laboratory?
[2] I'm trying to guess Mr. Alba's password. Any idea what it is?
[3] Goodbye.
action: You go north
response: Hadrian's office looks more like a furniture showroom. It's all expensive tables and chairs and sofas - Hadrian could hold three meetings at once in here. But there are film posters hung up around the room too, like he thinks it makes him look cool.

On one especially luxurious desk sits a fancy computer.
action: Type 12345678
response: (typing "12345678" on the fancy computer)
You type "12345678". The computer responds "Password invalid." Maybe the manager heard Hadrian's password? Maybe she saw him typing it in a staff meeting or something?
action: Type admin
response: (typing "admin" on the fancy computer)
You type "admin". The computer responds "Password invalid." Doesn't Lunarcel have an IT department? Your businesses were always supposed to have those. Maybe they emailed you something about passwords.
action: Type dragon
response: (typing "dragon" on the fancy computer)
You type "dragon". The computer responds "Password invalid." There was that article about passwords, from the office. That could give you some pointers.
action: Type holiness
response: (typing "holiness" on the fancy computer)
You type "holiness". The computer responds "Password invalid." Hell, maybe the custodial staff know Hadrian's password. Hadrian always loves to brag.
action: You type LETMEIN
response: (typing "letmein" on the fancy computer)
The password field disappears! (Hey! That's the same as your password!) The computer is unlocked and ready for use.
action: You use the computer
response: The computer wakes up without a sound. You could snoop through Hade's emails, but you also see an application for controlling Lunarcel's security permissions.

[1] Check Hadrian's emails
[2] Edit campus security permissions
[3] Got any games on this thing?
[4] Stop using the computer
action: 2
response: Oho! You've found a program for giving and taking away privileges to staff members. And it looks like you're already in the database!

[1] Browse the permissions list
[2] Enable full permissions for "Oren" (you)
[3] Disable full permissions for Hadrian (prick)
[4] Quit the permissions list
action: 2
response: It's the work of a moment to tick the little checkboxes next to your pseudonym. Now you have full security permissions to your name!

[1] Browse the permissions list
[2] Disable full permissions for Hadrian (prick)
[3] Quit the permissions list
action: 1
response: You have a quick look through the whole database of people with security privileges. As well as all the staff, it looks like certain visitors also get listed here. Some names and titles catch your eye. "Count Ur��t," "Baroness Neplacut"... these are other vampires! Hadrian's been giving single-day passes for his engineering laboratory to vampires here and there over the last couple of years. How come they get invited and not you??

[1] Browse the permissions list
[2] Disable full permissions for Hadrian (prick)
[3] Quit the permissions list
action: 3
response: You close the security program.

[1] Check Hadrian's emails
[2] Edit campus security permissions
[3] Got any games on this thing?
[4] Stop using the computer
action: 3
response: Yes! Wow, a lot of games. Modern-looking ones, too. Does
Hadrian do any actual work?

[1] Check Hadrian's emails
[2] Edit campus security permissions
[3] Got any games on this thing?
[4] Stop using the computer
action: 1
response: You open Hade's email program. Looks like Hade deletes a lot of his emails as he gets them (you remember he doesn't like to leave evidence), but there's a few messages here that he hasn't gotten around to destroying yet.

[1] Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: URGENT: Moonlite Efficiency Report
[2] Subject: please change your password, I am BEGGING you
[3] Subject: MAKE FREE MONEY NOW!!!
[4] Subject: Moonlite Update Request
[5] Quit Hadrian's email
action: 1
response: You skim through a long back-and-forth conversation between Hadrian and one of the Moonlite engineers.

Huh... it looks like the Moonlite has problems. A lot of it is jargon and gibberish, but it sounds like the type of fission the reactor uses is massively inefficient. Looks like the energy you put into splitting the helium atom isn't worth the energy you get out of it. And the engineer says something about a shortage of helium in the world. So the Moonlite is both unsustainable and worthless. Hah. Great job, Hade.

[1] Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: URGENT: Moonlite Efficiency Report
[2] Subject: please change your password, I am BEGGING you
[3] Subject: MAKE FREE MONEY NOW!!!
[4] Subject: Moonlite Update Request
[5] Quit Hadrian's email
action: 2
response: A message from some technology officer, maybe the head of IT, to Hade. The sender is very politely explaining something about the importance of numbers and symbols and length in passwords, the value of strong password protection, and the cost of security breaches and ensuing lawsuits. Oh dear, what a shame he didn't pay attention!

[1] Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: URGENT: Moonlite Efficiency Report
[2] Subject: please change your password, I am BEGGING you
[3] Subject: MAKE FREE MONEY NOW!!!
[4] Subject: Moonlite Update Request
[5] Quit Hadrian's email
action: 3
response: Just some random email telling Hade he could make money quickly from cryptocurrency mining. Man, he gets all the opportunities!

[1] Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: URGENT: Moonlite Efficiency Report
[2] Subject: please change your password, I am BEGGING you
[3] Subject: MAKE FREE MONEY NOW!!!
[4] Subject: Moonlite Update Request
[5] Quit Hadrian's email
action: 4
response: Here's an older email sent by some banker. It seems they put some investment capital into the Moonlite a few years back, and they're trying to get Hadrian to give them an update. Maybe that was what the press conference earlier was for. Looks like Hadrian never replied to them. You don't blame him. You always wished your investors would just give you the money and then never talk to you again. Just to help Hadrian out, you send a quick reply in his name telling the banker that the project is cancelled and they should demand their money back. Hadrian can thank you later.

[1] Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: URGENT: Moonlite Efficiency Report
[2] Subject: please change your password, I am BEGGING you
[3] Subject: MAKE FREE MONEY NOW!!!
[4] Subject: Moonlite Update Request
[5] Quit Hadrian's email
action: 5
response: You close the email inbox.

[1] Check Hadrian's emails
[2] Edit campus security permissions
[3] Got any games on this thing?
[4] Stop using the computer
action: 2
response: You reload the campus security program.

[1] Browse the permissions list
[2] Disable full permissions for Hadrian (prick)
[3] Quit the permissions list
action: 2
response: Aw, nuts. The options next to Hadrian's name are greyed out. The system must be smart enough to not let the boss get locked out of his own property. Pity. You were hoping that if you disinvited Hadrian while he was on campus, maybe he'd be catapulted off the premises or something.

[1] Browse the permissions list
[2] Quit the permissions list
action: 2
response: You close the security program.

[1] Check Hadrian's emails
[2] Edit campus security permissions
[3] Got any games on this thing?
[4] Stop using the computer
action: 4
response: You get up and step away from Hadrian's fancy computer.
action: You suck the grapes
response: (first turning discreetly away from the fancy computer's operating system)
You pierce the flesh of one grape and drink deep. Then you pierce the flesh of another grape and drink deep. Then another, then another... It takes a while, but eventually all the grapes are shrivelled and dry. You pick them off the stem and throw the stem away.
action: You look at the raisins
response: Dry, shrivelled, sweet purple grapes.
action: Go south
response: This is the pleasantly airy and open lobby of the building where all the executives keep their offices. A corridor leads visitors and executives north. The main campus is to the south.

There's a receptionist here, hunched over a computer and looking very bored.
action: You go east
response: This part of the campus plaza wants to be open and airy, but it's hemmed in by various concrete structures, the biggest of them being the Engineering Laboratory to the north. Prettier parts of the campus are to the west.

Water cuts across the laboratory doorway here, spouting from a burst pipe in the wall.

There's a worker here, maybe a janitor or other maintenance person, leaning against the wall and holding a sign that says "VAMPIRES SUCK".
action: Go east
response: No exit that way. From here, you can go north and west.
action: You give raisins
response: (to the janitor)
You offer the dried grapes to the janitor. "Loose raisins? You can get those?" The janitor shakes her head. "Sorry. mate, I do appreciate it, but I just want a box of raisins. Don't want to be holding them in my bare hand, spilling them everywhere. Thanks anyway."
action: You talk to the worker
response: She nods at you as you approach. "Hiya. Vampires still suck."

[1] What did you want again before fixing the leak?
[2] What prayer room?
[3] Will you accept loose raisins?
[4] Goodbye.
action: 3
response: "Loose raisins? You can get those?" The janitor shakes her head. "Sorry. mate, I do appreciate it, but I just want a box of raisins. Don't want to be holding them in my bare hand, spilling them everywhere. Thanks anyway."

[1] What did you want again before fixing the leak?
[2] What prayer room?
[3] Will you accept loose raisins?
[4] Goodbye.
action: 2
response: "Oh yeah! Sorry, mate. It's at the far end of the campus" - she points west towards the offices - "in a side room. You'll find it. We don't talk about it much. It's not official. You know vampires and religion."

[1] What did you want again before fixing the leak?
[2] What prayer room?
[3] Will you accept loose raisins?
[4] Goodbye.
action: You talk to the manager
response: "Hi, Oren. Settling in alright?"

[1] What are my job duties again?
[2] When do we get breaks?
[3] Well, back to work for me.
action: 2
response: "Not for a while, Oren. You have a few more hours yet before your ten-minute break," she says. (You are, of course, not going to wait for a few more hours. You're already planning to sneak out of the office as soon as possible.)

[1] What are my job duties again?
[2] When do we get breaks?
[3] Well, back to work for me.
action: 1
response: (You're asking this just to look like you're interested, of course. You have no intention of doing any actual work.)

"Today, you'll be handling online customer support. We've assigned you a computer there." She points to the grimy old spare computer nearby. "You've also got an email account set up for you already - you can check that on the computer too."

[1] What are my job duties again?
[2] When do we get breaks?
[3] Well, back to work for me.
action: 3
response: "Alright, Oren." The manager gives you a quick smile, and then bustles away again.
action: You use the computer
response: The computer makes noises like it's preparing for take-off, but it seems to work fine.

[1] Check your email
[2] Do the customer service work you were just hired to do
[3] Got any games on this thing?
[4] Stop using the computer
action: 1
response: You check your corporate email inbox.

[1] Subject: Password Security
[2] Subject: MAKE FREE MONEY NOW!!!
[3] Quit looking at email
action: 1
response: Sent just this morning to the whole company, from someone you suppose to be the head of IT:

"Please be advised that, in light of recent security breaches, we will be updating the requirements for account passwords.

"Currently, all passwords must be at least seven characters long. Soon, we will also require all passwords to include at least one numerical character. No user password currently includes a number; you are advised that this leaves your account more vulnerable to hacking attempts.

"You will be asked to change your password in the coming weeks, We apologise for the inconvenience after you all updated your passwords recently already."

Hmm, maybe they're having security breaches because their IT guy is dropping hints about everyone's password to the whole company.

[1] Subject: Password Security
[2] Subject: MAKE FREE MONEY NOW!!!
[3] Quit looking at email
action: 2
response: Oh! Free money? For cryptocurrency mining? What a steal! You will have to circle back to this as soon as you've finished sabotaging Lunarcel from the inside.

[1] Subject: Password Security
[2] Subject: MAKE FREE MONEY NOW!!!
[3] Quit looking at email
action: 3
response: Enough email for now.

[1] Check your email
[2] Do the customer service work you were just hired to do
[3] Got any games on this thing?
[4] Stop using the computer
action: 3
response: Just one or two solitaire games, it looks like. You ignore them. You hate things you can't win.

[1] Check your email
[2] Do the customer service work you were just hired to do
[3] Got any games on this thing?
[4] Stop using the computer
action: 2
response: Hah. No.

[1] Check your email
[2] Got any games on this thing?
[3] Stop using the computer
action: 3
response: You step away from the computer.
action: You go to the west
response: No exit that way. From here, you can go north and south.

On the other side of the office, the manager rearranges some stationery on a desk.
action: You examine the desk
response: On a rickety desk near you is a yellowing tower computer running an operating system from 10 years ago.

The old computer is currently switched on.

The manager makes a phone call and arranges some review for tomorrow.
action: You examine the desk
response: On a rickety desk near you is a yellowing tower computer running an operating system from 10 years ago.

The old computer is currently switched on.
action: You go east
response: No exit that way. From here, you can go north and south.
action: Go north
response: A pokey little room currently set up as an interview room. Two chairs and a table take up most of the room; the rest of it is occupied by a cupboard.
action: You look at the table
response: A rickety table and two hard plastic chairs. They look like hand-me-downs from a school. The cupboard looks more interesting.
action: You open the cupboard
response: You open the cupboard, revealing WAAAUUGH-

You slam the cupboard shut. You open the cupboard again, gingerly.

Holy symbols! Dozens of them! Of every denomination you can
think of! This is no innocent meeting room. It's a multifaith prayer room!

The symbols are already getting to you. You look away, and notice a little box on the floor. It must have fallen out of the cupboard.
action: You take the box
response: Taken.

Briefly, you are gripped by shame and guilt.
action: You look at the box
response: About the size of a matchbox. There's some writing on it: "Seedless RAISINS. Ingredients: 100% dried seedless grapes; additives."

You lose focus as you wonder if there's an afterlife, and what kind of afterlife you can expect.
action: You close the cupboard
response: You close the cupboard with relief. Thank God. Better yet, don't.
action: You put the raisins in the box
response: (the dessicated grapes in the empty raisin box)
You file the raisins neatly into the raisin box.
action: Go south
response: A modern open-plan office: bent backs from wall to wall and no privacy anywhere. Just how you used to like it when you were running these kinds of places. North leads to a multifaith prayer room. You can head back outside to the south.

Your work computer is waiting for you here.

The manager is bustling wildly, juggling several administrative tasks at once.

A list of common passwords has been flimsily stuck up on the wall nearby.
action: Go south
response: You make a quick and confident exit while the manager's back is turned.

Somewhat less pretty than the entrance and central plaza were - this part of the campus must usually be seen only by employees. North is a grimy-looking office block, and the rest of the campus is to the east.
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying:
a box full of raisins
an ID card (being worn)
an umbrella
a blood bag
action: You give the box to the worker
response: "Brilliant! Thanks, mate!" She takes the box of raisins gratefully. She notices your meaningful look. "Oh yeah! Sorry, mate, forgot I promised." She produces a roll of tape from somewhere and patches up the leak in seconds. "Done! Your shoes are safe." She gives you a genuine smile, puts the roll away and returns to leaning.
action: Go north
response: This is a little antechamber which serves as a security checkpoint before the laboratory itself. The lab can vaguely be seen through a frosted glass door to the north; the main campus is south.

There is a card reader device mounted next to the glass door, which must control the lock.
action: Swipe card
response: (the ID card)
You flick your ID card through the reader. Its LED lights up a cheery green, and you hear a soft click from the glass door.
action: You go to the north
response: (first opening the glass door)

An open-plan laboratory the size of a warehouse, littered with all sorts of scrap and junk. Engineers move from project to project, doing engineering jobs (you've never been interested in the technical side of things). The exit is south.

In the centre of the lab sits the Moonlite.

Hadrian is here, talking to some engineers. He glances up as you enter.

Shock and fury flit across his face. But they're gone in a flash, replaced by the same old magnaminous smirk. You might not have noticed if you weren't watching him carefully.

"Nero! To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?"

[1] Surprised to see me again, Hadrian, you prick?
[2] I'm here for the machine.
[3] (skip all the gloating and just attack Hade)
action: 1
response: "You could say that, Nero," he says. His smile is broad, but his teeth are grinding. "You could say that, after I forbade you from ever darkening my door again. After you stole from me. Tell me, how did you get in? Who invited you?"

[1] Looks like you hired me back, boss!
[2] Stole? So it's my fault your employees wanted to work for me instead?
[3] I'm here for the machine.
[4] (skip all the gloating and just attack Hade)
action: 2
response: "It's your fault you poached my staff, yeah!" Hadrian snaps. "It's your fault you stole my staff and my ideas when you quit! It's your fault you tried to sabotage me on the way out!

"And it's your fault you failed anyway, isn't it?" he continues, in a quieter voice. "It's your fault that you alienated everyone you've ever worked with. That now everyone can see you for the stupid hateful little man you are. It's all your own fault. The only mistake I made was turning you. You have no one to blame but yourself."

Hadrian is smiling again. You try to hold his gaze.

[1] Looks like you hired me back, boss!
[2] I'm here for the machine.
[3] (skip all the gloating and just attack Hade)
action: 2
response: "Oh, you don't even know what it does," says Hadrian dismissively.

[1] Looks like you hired me back, boss!
[2] I know exactly what the machine is.
[3] I don't care what your machine for idiots does.
[4] (skip all the gloating and just attack Hade)
action: 2
response: "Oh yeah? This'll be funny. What do you think's going on, then?"

[1] You said it was a fission reactor, remember?
[2] It doesn't do anything. The fission would be too inefficient.
[3] It's a machine to make vampires more powerful.
[4] Well... actually, I don't know.
[5] (skip all the gloating and just attack Hade)
action: 2
response: "That's what you'd do, right? Promise the world, deliver nothing, take the money and run," Hade says, a little unfairly. "Well, I have something more ambitious in mind."

Hadrian starts pacing. He's about to give you a speech if you let him. "Let me ask you something, Nero. Aren't you tired?" He gestures vaguely. "Of all this?"

[1] Of... talking to you?
[2] Of... capitalism?
[3] Of... being a vampire?
[4] Yes. (attack Hade)
action: 1
response: "Feeling's mutual," Hadrian replies, glaring at you. "No, idiot. I'm tired of our bodies!

"Look at us! We are vampires! We own this world!
We're smarter than everyone, we're stronger than everyone, we've seen everything, we've, we have power. True power.

"But we can't use it! We're trapped by all these, these
ridiculous weaknesses! We can't go anywhere without
permission! We can't cross rivers! We can't eat garlic! We can't handle holy symbols! We can't have stakes driven through our hearts! We can't even go outside without some stupid umbrella or veil!

"The Moonlite is going to change that. The Moonlite is going to unshackle us.

"Well, again, not you. I'm going to kill you in a few minutes."

[1] How does the Moonlite make us more powerful?
[2] Where are you getting the money to develop this thing?
[3] Sounds like a cool machine. Be a shame if someone took it for themselves.
[4] You need to destroy this machine. It's too dangerous.
action: 1
response: "Sunlight, Nero, sunlight!" Hade almost sounds giddy. He loves explaining how smart he is. "What is sunlight, Nero? It's an explosion! It's the energy of octillions of octillions of hydrogen atoms fusing together into helium! A celestial Hindenburg!

"And I wondered, if that hurts us... what about the opposite? So I had the eggheads here prototype a new kind of energy reactor, one that takes helium and splits it into hydrogen. Oh, some of the staff carped at me about inefficiency, and how hard it is to safely contain a nuclear explosion, and how it shouldn't have a window -" he pats the glass bulb on the Moonlite "- but we made it. Of course, I just say it's a new kind of fission reactor we're going to sell, otherwise people might get suspicious. But that's not what it is, Nero. It's an anti-sunlight machine. And just wait till you see what it does for us."

[1] Wait, you just had them prototype a nuclear fission reactor? Just like that?
[2] Where are you getting the money to develop this thing?
[3] Sounds like a cool machine. Be a shame if someone took it for themselves.
[4] You need to destroy this machine. It's too dangerous.
action: 1
response: "Yes," says Hade blankly. There's a small silence. "Well, they had to pull a couple hundred all-nighters to do it," he adds.

[1] Where are you getting the money to develop this thing?
[2] Sounds like a cool machine. Be a shame if someone took it for themselves.
[3] You need to destroy this machine. It's too dangerous.
action: 1
response: "Investors, of course! I rang up a few rich people and told them about the clean energy revolution. Lots of people want to want to get in on this one. Look like philanthropists while making a quick buck from our hard work.

"And then there's the other investors. The ones who know what's up." Hade starts counting on his fingers. "Let's see, I got a couple million from Old Count Ur��t, and Baroness Neplacut... Sc��rbos the Loathsome, Comtesse La Marcil, Big Red Peavis... oh, lots of vampires were interested in this one. Some of them even visited." He leans forward conspirationally. "Between you and me, though, I think I'll keep the Moonlite for myself. Monopolies are so much more profitable, aren't they?"

[1] You told every other vampire about this thing, but you didn't tell me??
[2] If this is for vampires, why show it off to everyone this morning? [3] Sounds like a cool machine. Be a shame if someone took it for themselves.
[4] You need to destroy this machine. It's too dangerous.
action: 1
response: "Why would I tell you?" sneers Hadrian. "I don't want you
anywhere near this thing. Besides, I know you don't have any money." There was no need for that.

[1] If this is for vampires, why show it off to everyone this morning? [2] Sounds like a cool machine. Be a shame if someone took it for themselves.
[3] You need to destroy this machine. It's too dangerous.
action: 1
response: Hade looks annoyed, not at you for a change. "I didn't want to. But I told some of my investors that this is a sustainable energy thing, and they were getting mad that I haven't shown anything yet. And some of these were saying that the Moonlite wasn't working," he adds, gesturing to the engineers at work around the lab. "I just needed to stop people getting suspicious and pulling their investment, that's why I did the press conference. I just need a little more time to get it right."

[1] Why? Something not right with the Moonlite?
[2] Sounds like a cool machine. Be a shame if someone took it for themselves.
[3] You need to destroy this machine. It's too dangerous.
action: 1
response: "It works great, it could just be a little stronger-" Hade catches himself, and gives you a look. "Sneaky, Nero! Sneaky! Almost got me giving away all my secrets! Well, the Moonlite works just
fine. I'll show you in a second!"

[1] Sounds like a cool machine. Be a shame if someone took it for themselves.
[2] You need to destroy this machine. It's too dangerous.
action: 1
response: "Oh, I'm not worried about that," says Hadrian. He moves to stand in front of the reactor's glass bulb as he talks. "For a start, they'd need a crane. And if anyone did threaten to take the Moonlite
off me... I'd have to do something about that." And, holding your gaze and smiling, he slaps the button on the machine.

Something explodes in the machine. Engineers around the lab panic and dive for cover. The glass bulb fills with incandescent light, forming a beam pointed directly at Hadrian.

Squinting, you see Hade's shape... change. You can see his silhouette grow, and hear the sound of ripping fabric.

Soon, the machine powers down. You open your eyes fully.

Hadrian is now the size and shape of a comic book superhero. His newfound absurd muscles have torn through his suit, revealing a scarred chest and perfect pectorals. He shines brilliantly. And his fingers have lengthened to evil talons.

The engineers around the room sense a change in the atmosphere, and leave the room swiftly. Hadrian grins and advances on you.

Hadrian cackles and flexes maliciously.
action: You throw the bag at Hadrian
response: Probably shouldn't. It might be fun, but you'll look like an idiot if you need the blood bag later and you have to go over and get it back.

Hadrian cackles and flexes maliciously.
action: You throw the bag at the button
response: Futile.

Hadrian lunges! You narrowly dodge.
action: Bite hadrian
response: You might shatter your fangs on Hadrian's hard body! Anyway, blood sucked from a vampire always tastes so used.

Hadrian lunges! You narrowly dodge.
action: You go south
response: This is a little antechamber which serves as a security checkpoint before the laboratory itself. The lab can vaguely be seen through a frosted glass door to the north; the main campus is south.

There is a card reader device mounted next to the glass door, which must control the lock.

As you enter, you slam the glass door shut behind you and hear its lock engage.

Hadrian strides straight through! The glass explodes into confetti against his huge body! "Can't run away from this one, Nero!" he bellows (a little unfairly - he was the one who banned
you from meeting him).
action: You go south
response: This part of the campus plaza wants to be open and airy, but it's hemmed in by various concrete structures, the biggest of them being the Engineering Laboratory to the north. Prettier parts of the campus are to the west.

There's a worker here, maybe a janitor or other maintenance person, leaning against the wall and holding a sign that says "VAMPIRES SUCK".

The janitor sees Hadrian in hot pursuit and understands what needs to be done. She lets you past, and then rips the pipe leak open again. A river runs across the campus in front of Hadrian.

He grabs the pipe and bends it like spaghetti, diverting the leak to behind the laboratory. The janitor shrugs at you sympathetically, and then legs it before Hadrian can do the same to her.
action: Go west
response: This central plaza is wide and spacious, offering striking views of all the major landmarks of the campus, as if designed by a brutalist landscape gardener.

As a wooden signpost indicates, the black glass building to the immediate north is the corporate headquarters; it also tells you that the campus stretches east to the engineering laboratory, and west to the customer service office. You can also leave the campus through the southern exit.

As Hadrian pursues you, the signpost catches his eye. He winks at you. "Let's do this like the vampire hunters used to!"

He grabs the signpost and tears it out of the ground effortlessly. The wooden pole of the signpost has a very pointy end. Uh oh.
action: You go west
response: Somewhat less pretty than the entrance and central plaza were - this part of the campus must usually be seen only by employees. North is a grimy-looking office block, and the rest of the campus is to the east.

Hadrian pursues you.
action: You go north
response: You charge into the office at full-tilt!

A modern open-plan office: bent backs from wall to wall and no privacy anywhere. Just how you used to like it when you were running these kinds of places. North leads to a multifaith prayer room. You can head back outside to the south.

Your work computer is waiting for you here.

The manager is bustling wildly, juggling several administrative tasks at once.

A list of common passwords has been flimsily stuck up on the wall nearby.

Hadrian storms in and pulls the manager aside. "When I'm done with this one, we need to have a little talk about your hiring policies," he hisses. He lets her go and returns to chasing you. You see the manager very quietly slink out of the door.
action: You go to the north
response: A mean little room for faiths of all kinds to indulge themselves. All the religious stuff is shoved up inside a cupboard, which is closed. Currently, it's set up as an interview room with two chairs and a table.

Hadrian strides towards you.
action: You open cupboard
response: You open the cupboard. You're ready for it this time, but it's no less distressing to you.

Hadrian isn't ready for it. He screeches and recoils from the religious symbols as if burned. "WHAT THE HELL ARE THOSE DOING IN THERE???" he cries.
action: Look around
response: A mean little room for faiths of all kinds to indulge themselves. All the religious stuff is shoved up inside a cupboard, which is mercilessly hanging open and exposing its contents. Currently, it's set up as an interview room with two chairs and a table - it's a tight squeeze with both you and an enraged superstrong vampire trying to kill you.

Hadrian is here, and coming after you.

Briefly, memories of past transgressions come to you.
Hadrian seems distracted. He stares at his hands.
action: You examine signpost
response: Lots of little signs jutting out of a wooden pole. It looks like one of those destination signposts they have at landmarks which tell you how far away other capital cities are, except this one used to point to buildings on the campus. The end which used to be in the ground is very pointy.

You lose focus as you are gripped by shame and guilt.
Hadrian's eyes wander from you. He glances behind him.
action: You take the signpost
response: Now looks like your chance, but somehow Hadrian's grip on the signpost stays firm even while he gazes at the holy symbols and gibbers softly. Too big to be a good stake for you to use anyway. Think smaller!

Your concentration breaks as you reflect on all your sins.
Hadrian drops his guard for a second as he gazes at the holy symbols.
action: Break chair
response: It's surprisingly sturdy for how tacky it feels. You can't break it down, but maybe you have something else you can use as a weapon.

Briefly, memories of past transgressions come to you.
Hadrian half-heartedly swipes at you. He glances behind him.
action: You check what you're carrying
response: You are carrying:
an ID card (being worn)
an umbrella
a blood bag

Your concentration breaks as you reflect on all your sins.
Hadrian seems distracted. He mutters "No..." to nobody you can see.
action: Stab hadrian with umbrella
response: Hadrian is too distracted by the symbols, and notices your advance too late! You plunge the umbrella into his heart!

A banshee wail escapes his lips. His body starts to crumble and crumple, like a balloon losing its air. Holes open up in his skin, and dust pours out. He tries to say something, maybe a curse, but it's too late, his throat has opened up and all you hear is a wheeze. His eyes sink inwards. Something crackles.

It's over in about a minute. All that remains is a pile of dust.

He could be back soon. He could be resurrected tonight, if someone loves him enough. You need to act now, while the Moonlite is unprotected. You've seen what it does. Power is good, but that much power? You've seen how Hade treats people - how you treat people - even fettered by weaknesses. But unfettered? No, the right thing to do would be-

You blink, and close the cupboard. All shameful thoughts flee your mind. Ah, that feels better. Now let's grab that Moonlite.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
an ID card (being worn)
an umbrella
a blood bag
action: Go south
response: A modern open-plan office: bent backs from wall to wall and no privacy anywhere. Just how you used to like it when you were running these kinds of places. North leads to a multifaith prayer room. You can head back outside to the south.

Your work computer is waiting for you here.

A list of common passwords has been flimsily stuck up on the wall nearby.
action: Go east
response: This central plaza is wide and spacious, offering striking views of all the major landmarks of the campus, as if designed by a brutalist landscape gardener. The black glass building to the immediate north is the corporate headquarters; the campus stretches east to the engineering laboratory, and west to the customer service office. You can also leave the campus through the southern exit.
action: You go east
response: This part of the campus plaza wants to be open and airy, but it's hemmed in by various concrete structures, the biggest of them being the Engineering Laboratory to the north. Prettier parts of the campus are to the west.
action: You go to the north
response: This is a little antechamber which serves as a security checkpoint before the laboratory itself. The lab is clearly visible to the north now that the door which once guarded it has been obliterated; the main campus is south.

There is a card reader device mounted next to the glass door, which used to control the lock.
action: Go north
response: An open-plan laboratory the size of a warehouse, littered with all sorts of scrap and junk. The exit is south.

In the centre of the lab sits the Moonlite.
action: You take Moonlite
response: That's fixed in place.
action: You examine Moonlite
response: The reactor looks like a thimble the size of an elephant. Up close, you can see a little power button, and next to that, a sort of... glass bulb? It reminds you of a football-sized version of the little bulbs on laser pointers.

The Moonlite is currently switched off.
action: Break Moonlite
response: You grab a couple of exposed wires and yank them. You open some panels and pull out some mysterious electronics and circuitboards. After a moment's thought, you search the lab for anything that looks like a blueprint and tear it up.

It feels... it feels... cathartic. Not good, but cathartic.
It feels horrible, and it feels right.

Five minutes later, years of research lie in bits and pieces on the laboratory floor, and you're being escorted by security officers. Tomorrow, you'll be hungry and miserable again, and you'll wonder why the hell you threw away the Moonlite's power. But tomorrow, no one else will have that power either.
action: You enter the booth
response: No, you have to hear what Hadrian has to say. You can't hate him properly if you're not constantly paying attention to him.

"Clearly, the world needs a new solution. A sustainable source of clean energy which is absolutely reliable, no matter who you are or where you are." While he rambles, you shift your umbrella to your other arm, and daydream about the snack you're carrying.
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

"My friends," says Hadrian with a wink, "I present to you the Moonlite." And he whisks the cover off the screen next to him, revealing a picture of... something? Some kind of a machine?
action: You examine the umbrella
response: Your one remaining prized possession, an umbrella made of thick black fabric and an aspen wood shaft, sleek and sharp and aerodynamic. You want to keep out of the sun, but you want to look good doing it. The umbrella is currently open.

The crowd oohs at the screen. "The Moonlite!" says Hadrian, gloating. "A fission reactor which will work anywhere, for anyone! Clean energy, for anyone! And it's completely safe. Forget uranium, forget plutonium - all that's needed is harmless helium."
action: You open the umbrella
response: You open the umbrella.

Under your umbrella's welcome shade, your skin cools rapidly and resets. Ahhh. That's better.
action: You enter the booth
response: You enter the booth and pick up the phone. Who will you call?

[When talking to people or using devices, you'll be given numbered options like those below. To choose one, just type the number of the option you want. For example, just type "1" if you want to select the first option.]

[1] Call the emergency services
[2] Never mind
action: 1
response: Call the police on Hadrian and have him arrested on spurious charges? An excellent idea. And indeed, you tried it a few years ago. And that's how you learned that the emergency services can track call locations to arrest hoaxers. So you'd better not, at least not until you know what's up with Hadrian's dumb machine.

[1] Call the emergency services
[2] Never mind
action: 2
response: You hang up and leave the booth.

The entrance to the Lunarcel campus is now quiet apart from a handful of workers dismantling the stage. The main part of the campus is north of here.

An old phone booth huddles against the wall.

Now that the stage has been cleared away, you can see a "Help Wanted" banner affixed by the entrance.
action: You read the banner
response: "DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES to deliver high-quality award-winning customer service online and by telephone to Lunarcel customers and clients? WE ARE HIRING! Entry-level positions - NO CV REQUIRED! Start as early as TODAY! CALL NOW!"

"No CV required"? "Start today"? They must be desperate to hire people. There's a phone number on the banner - maybe you could get invited in for an interview...
action: You enter the booth
response: You enter the booth and pick up the phone. Who will you call?

[1] Call the Lunarcel job application number
[2] Call the emergency services
[3] Never mind
action: 1
response: You dial the number on the job advert. It rings for a while, but a glassy-sounding voice eventually picks up. "Hello, Lunarcel customer services department, how may I help you?"

[1] I'm applying for that job opening.
[2] Do you have Prince Albert in a can? Well you'd better let him out! [3] Sorry, wrong number.
action: 2
response: You hang up without waiting for a response. It's good to laugh now and then. You head back outside.

The entrance to the Lunarcel campus is now quiet apart from a handful of workers dismantling the stage. The main part of the campus is north of here.

An old phone booth huddles against the wall.

Now that the stage has been cleared away, you can see a "Help Wanted" banner affixed by the entrance.
action: 1
response: You dial the number on the job advert. It rings for a while, but a glassy-sounding voice eventually picks up. "Hello, Lunarcel customer services department, how may I help you?"

[1] I'm applying for that job opening.
[2] Is your refrigerator running? Well you'd better let him out!
[3] Sorry, wrong number.
action: 1
response: You dial the number on the job advert. It rings for a while, but a glassy-sounding voice eventually picks up. "Hello, Lunarcel customer services department, how may I help you?"

[1] I'm applying for that job opening.
[2] Is your refrigerator running? Well you'd better go catch him!
[3] Sorry, wrong number.
action: You close the umbrella
response: You close the umbrella.

The sunlight hits your body like the heat of an oven. You can't survive much direct sunlight!
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

Your skin is blistering! You need to get out of the sunlight now!
action: You wait a while
response: Time passes.

You have been exposed to the sun for too long! You combust like a Roman candle!
action: You bite yourself
response: You don't like to bite yourself. You've never really gotten anything out of it. (Though some other vampires do, apparently. It's said that old Count Ur��t had his ribs removed so he could suck his own blood.)
action: Look around
response: The entrance to the Lunarcel campus is now quiet apart from a handful of workers dismantling the stage. The main part of the campus is north of here.

Now that the stage has been cleared away, you can see a "Help Wanted" banner affixed by the entrance.

An old phone booth huddles against the wall.
action: You use the phone
response: You enter the booth and pick up the phone. Who will you call?

[When talking to people or using devices, you'll be given numbered options like those below. To choose one, just type the number of the option you want. For example, just type "1" if you want to select the first option.]

[1] Call the emergency services
[2] Never mind
action: You go outside
response: [Sorry, most actions (other than looking at things) are disabled
when you're in a tree. Please enter a number to keep talking (there will usually be some kind of goodbye option to exit the conversation or menu). Type REPEAT to see your options again.]
action: 2
response: You hang up and leave the booth.

The entrance to the Lunarcel campus is now quiet apart from a handful of workers dismantling the stage. The main part of the campus is north of here.

An old phone booth huddles against the wall.

Now that the stage has been cleared away, you can see a "Help Wanted" banner affixed by the entrance.
action: You read the banner
response: "DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES to deliver high-quality award-winning customer service online and by telephone to Lunarcel customers and clients? WE ARE HIRING! Entry-level positions - NO CV REQUIRED! Start as early as TODAY! CALL NOW!"

"No CV required"? "Start today"? They must be desperate to hire people. There's a phone number on the banner - maybe you could get invited in for an interview...
action: You use the phone
response: You enter the booth and pick up the phone. Who will you call?

[1] Call the Lunarcel job application number
[2] Call the emergency services
[3] Never mind
action: You talk to the woman
response: (the manager)
"Can I help- How can I help you?"

[1] I'm here for a job interview.
[2] Never mind, I though you were someone else.
action: 1
response: "Ah, you must be Oren! I'm ready for you right now. Follow me, please." She leads you into the meeting room.

Now that you're in there, you see that what you thought was a conference room is really just a converted stationery closet with two chairs, a table and a cupboard. There's barely room for one person here; with both you and the manager in here, it's dangerously crowded.

The manager is sitting across from you. She gives you her friendliest smile. "Good to meet you, Mr. Vohsarb. I only have a few questions for you, just to make sure you're an appropriate fit for this department. So, could you tell me why you applied for this job, and why you want to work at Lunarcel?"

[1] Corporate espionage
[2] Revenge
[3] I've lost control of my life
[4] It has always been my dream to serve the customer

The interviewer writes an ominous little note.
action: 1
response: (...although you already recognise the kind of work environment this is. You cultivated it yourself when you were in business. Productivity, that's the key. Make sure your workers are turning up and putting in the hours they owe you. Don't let them shirk. Open-plan offices help with that. You know that's what Hade's thinking. You learned it from him, after all.)

You choke back the answer, and consider your other options.

[1] Revenge
[2] I've lost control of my life
[3] It has always been my dream to serve the customer
action: 1
response: (Revenge! You've had your history with Hadrian Alba. You though he was a friend, until you dared to dream bigger. Now his very existence belittles you. He has insulted you, he has whispered behind your back, and it's not right that a prick like him gets the luck of the devil and the wealth to match. It should be you doing press
conferences about your big new inventions and investments, and
he should be the one sleeping in plywood coffins. Let's see
how haughty he is when you find that Moonlite and ruin it and laugh at him.)

You guess she won't like that answer, and think again.

[1] I've lost control of my life
[2] It has always been my dream to serve the customer
action: 1
response: (Oh, you used to have control! You had it all once! Successful businesses, all the blood you could want, a castle with all sorts of turrets! But now... is this just how the poor live? Worried about tomorrow? Why would they want to live like this instead of becoming rich? This is just temporary. You just need to build up a little bit. And destroy Hadrian while you're doing it.)

Better not admit to that in a job interview. Better think again.

[1] It has always been my dream to serve the customer

The interviewer coughs quietly into her fist.
action: 1
response: You say something about helping other people, the kind of thing you used to like to hear from other people. It looks like the manager likes it too. She scribbles a quick note, and says "Thank you, Oren. Now, why did you leave your last job position?"

[1] Failed to attract sufficient startup investment
[2] Employees unwilling to work for me
[3] Run out of town by pitchforked mob
[4] It did not challenge and inspire me like this job would

The interviewer writes an ominous little note.
action: 1
response: (You've had some genuinely brilliant ideas for startup companies. Mail-order blood testing kits. Spice jars with giant kernels of salt and pepper that you can count easily. Portrait painting services which eliminate the need for mirrors. All necessary and important, yet hardly any investors will recognise that! And whenever you do get a business up and running, there's always some stupid thing that comes up, like some study that says your product doesn't work or some big employment tribunal, and suddenly all the investors want their money back! Some call you bitter, but how can you not be when
things conspire against you so often?)

You guess she won't like that answer, and think again.

[1] Employees unwilling to work for me
[2] Run out of town by pitchforked mob
[3] It did not challenge and inspire me like this job would
action: 1
response: (Humans don't like to work, you've noticed. You do the heavy lifting of forming and directing a company, and all your employees will just flake out after a couple of years. Long hours? Some of us
work all night. But you still end up burning through staff
and stamping out unions like wildfires. At least you'll get
to be the one wasting company time and resources this time. Must be fun.)

Better not admit to that in a job interview. Better think again.

[1] Run out of town by pitchforked mob
[2] It did not challenge and inspire me like this job would

The interviewer coughs quietly into her fist.
action: 1
response: (This was just dumb. You've never known investors to actually club together and come round to the company headquarters with blunt weapons before. Of course you would be the first guy it happened to.
Yeah, they did lose a couple hundred million dollars between them, but that's investment! It's a risk! Sometimes money doesn't come back! Sometimes share prices just plummet, through no fault of your own! Take it up with every other business vampire!)

You guess she won't like that answer, and think again.

[1] It did not challenge and inspire me like this job would
action: 1
response: You improvise something about how you've heard Lunarcel is the land of opportunity, and how the office looks like a great work environment and everything, just like you remember your old job applicants telling you.

As you start to wonder if they were lying too, the manager makes another little note. "Thank you. Just one more question, and there are no right or wrong answers here... What would you say is your biggest weakness?"

[1] Vulnerability to sunlight
[2] Wooden stake through the heart or stomach
[3] Inability to cross thresholds uninvited
[4] Sensitivity to holy symbols
[5] Running water
[6] I guess I'm just a perfectionist
action: 1
response: (Is it some property of ultraviolet light? Or just sensitive skin? You're not sure, and neither is anyone else, but the sun still rises every day and ruins your life. Umbrellas and good sunblock help a bit, at least.)

Better not admit to that in a job interview. Better think again.

[1] Wooden stake through the heart or stomach
[2] Inability to cross thresholds uninvited
[3] Sensitivity to holy symbols
[4] Running water
[5] I guess I'm just a perfectionist
action: 1
response: (You were killed a couple times, a few hundred years ago. Who wasn't? Europe was lousy with vampire hunters back in the day. The number of times you've been woken up in your coffin by some prick with a wooden stake and a grudge! People have told you that humans can't survive being staked in the heart either, but they don't understand, they don't live in fear of the stake like vampires do.)

You choke back the answer, and consider your other options.

[1] Inability to cross thresholds uninvited
[2] Sensitivity to holy symbols
[3] Running water
[4] I guess I'm just a perfectionist

The interviewer gives you an encouraging little smile.
action: 1
response: (You get very uncomfortable when you know you're not welcome. Why should you care? You are a vampire! You should be able to go where you like! You can rip a human's throat out, but their doorway is going to stop you?? But... when you're invading someone's property, and you can't find a reason to say you're welcome, you feel guilty.
And you try to snap out of it by telling yourself "well, you don't feel guilty about stealing people's blood." And then you start to feel guilty about the blood... Better not to think about it. Better to be welcome, and walk with your head held high, than to be ashamed...)

You guess she won't like that answer, and think again.

[1] Sensitivity to holy symbols
[2] Running water
[3] I guess I'm just a perfectionist
action: 1
response: (You hate displays of religion. Can't stand to look at any. Superstitious nonsense. Every other vampire says so too.

But... if pressed, maybe, maybe you'd have to admit that what
you're doing vis-a-vis the whole killing and subjugating humans thing is perhaps not fully condoned in most of the major religions,
and maybe you'd concede that your karmic balance or your charitable-act-to-sin ratio or whatever metric of goodness any religion uses is not completely in your favour, and holy
symbols are perhaps a reminder of how possibly your actions
have hurt other people... It's not worth dwelling on. Change the subject and move on.)

You choke back the answer, and consider your other options.

[1] Running water
[2] I guess I'm just a perfectionist
action: 1
response: (You don't know why you can't cross running water, but you can't. It's like trying to lick your elbow. It's baffling, and it makes you furious. People don't know how good they have it with their precious bridges.)

Better not admit to that in a job interview. Better think again.

[1] I guess I'm just a perfectionist
action: 1
response: Yes, everyone says that." The interviewer has a wry little smile as she checks her notes one more time.

"Well, I don't see any cause for concern here. Welcome abroad, Oren!" She shakes your hand. "Can you start today?"

Five minutes later, you've been shown to your new desk, on which is a very old computer. You'll be handling online customer enquiries for your first shift, you've been told. Around you, other workers are being yelled at over the phone, or doing something clerical with a spreadsheet, or some other boring task.

The interviewer - your new manager - comes back with something on a lanyard. "Here's your ID card, hot off the presses," she says, as you slip it around your neck. "You're supposed to wear your card at all times. You don't really need it unless you're going to high-security areas, but you'd need to be properly authorised anyway, so don't worry about it. Talk to me if you need anything!" And she's gone again.

Of course, now that you're officially allowed on the Lunarcel campus, you have no intention of doing any work. You are going to find Hadrian's precious Moonlite machine and destroy it. As soon as you find it, that is.

A modern open-plan office: bent backs from wall to wall and no privacy anywhere. Just how you used to like it when you were running these kinds of places. North leads to a meeting room. You can head back outside to the south.

There's an unused miserable-looking computer here which is, apparently, yours. Lovely.

The manager is bustling wildly, juggling several administrative tasks at once.

A list of common passwords has been flimsily stuck up on the wall nearby.
action: Bite manager
response: That won't leave a good impression. Actually, it'll leave two good impressions in her jugular vein, but you'd still better not.
action: Bite bag
response: (first turning discreetly away from the manager)
You puncture the plastic easily with your fangs, and drink deep. There's not a drop left when you're done. No substitute for a warm meal, but you do what you have to when times are hard.
action: You hypnotize the manager
response: She looks at you, puzzled. Hmm, the old powers of suggestion are a little rusty today.
action: Kiss manager
response: You'd rather use your teeth than your lips.
action: Curse
response: Prick!

On the other side of the office, the manager rearranges some paperwork on a desk. You don't think that's even her desk.
action: Go south
response: You make a quick and confident exit while the manager's back is turned.

Somewhat less pretty than the entrance and central plaza were - this part of the campus must usually be seen only by employees. North is a grimy-looking office block, and the rest of the campus is to the east.
action: You use the computer
response: You try to commandeer the receptionist's computer, but he just stammers and says "um, um" over and over until you stop. Well, there are other computers you can use if you need to.
action: You bite him
response: You'd love to. But they'd probably call it assault, and being wanted for assault would get in the way of your sabotage plans.
action: You hypnotize him
response: He looks at you, puzzled. Hmm, the old powers of suggestion are a little rusty today.
action: You go north
response: This is an office?? It looks more like a furniture showroom. It's all expensive tables and chairs and sofas - Hadrian could hold three meetings at once in here. But there are film posters hung up around the room too, like he thinks it makes him look cool.

On one especially luxurious desk sits a fancy computer.
action: You use the computer
response: A password field blocks you! Curse that Hadrian, and screw him, too! He's always one step ahead. Hmm, how can you figure out Hade's password? Hopefully he's not very careful with it - maybe other people in the company can help you guess.
action: You type LETMEIN
response: (typing "letmein" on the fancy computer)
The password field disappears! (Hey! That's the same as your password!) The computer is unlocked and ready for use.
action: You use the computer
response: The computer wakes up without a sound. You could snoop through Hade's emails, but you also see an application for controlling Lunarcel's security permissions.

[1] Check Hadrian's emails
[2] Edit campus security permissions
[3] Got any games on this thing?
[4] Stop using the computer