Cana According To Micah
by Christopher Huang (as Rev. Stephen Dawson) (2011)

Being an account of the wedding at Cana, by the servant Micah; in which further details, doubtlessly apocryphal, are given of the event, including his contention with a surly Baptist, an interfering orphan, and a proliferation of women named Mary.

action: %
response: Are you sure you want to quit? 



This account of the wedding at Cana, by the servant Micah, was considered apocryphal as early as the third century; it was therefore excluded from consideration at the Synod of Hippo in AD 393. Various surviving texts, notably the writings of Julius of Damascus and of Nestor of Nice, suggest that the account was a late fiction based on the relevant verses in the Gospel of John, intended perhaps as instruction to the faithful.

Of particular interest is the fact that the account was written in the second person, and in liturgical Hebrew instead of the more common Greek or Aramaic of the time. This latter point implies that "Micah" is not a lowly servant as described in the story, but a mouthpiece, a fictional character through which the actual author -- a much more learned person who might or might not be named Micah -- might speak; whereas the former point supports the hypothesis of Nestor of Nice that the author's primary intention was to engage the reader in the action of an already-existing story, rather than to present an actual eyewitness account.

Be that as it may, it is hoped that this translation will prove to be as edifying to the modern scholar as its original author, whoever that might be, had intended.

- Rev. Dr. Stephen Dawson
Barchester, AD 1893

"There's no more wine."

You straighten up and turn to look at Amos, the head steward. Outside the kitchen, the wedding party continues in full swing. Inside, you look at Amos and Amos looks back at you and the disaster looms over both of you. No more wine! What would the master say! For that matter, what would a courtyard full of friends and relatives from all over Judaea say!

Martha (technically one of the guests, but she insisted, as usual, on helping out in the kitchen) interrupts your growing horror to point out that one of the wine jugs is missing. "You should try to find it. If we're lucky, there'll be enough wine in it to buy us a little more time."

"A little more time? Time for what?"

"Time to get to the market and back, of course. It's late, but hopefully there'll be one wine merchant still hanging about. Amos, get a donkey and a small cart, and be quick about it." Amos scurries off to do as he's told, and Martha turns to you: "And Micah, you see if you can find that missing jug!"

Martha hurries off after Amos, through the back garden, avoiding the other guests and leaving you with your half of the mission. Where on earth could that missing wine jug be? As you consider the possible hiding places, you notice a flash of red hair disappearing out the doorway into the courtyard. Just your luck: it's the little orphan brat that Martha and her brother and sister adopted, the one who's been getting underfoot all evening and who's probably heard everything. Hopefully she'll have enough sense to not tell the whole world that you're out of wine. Hah, you should be so lucky.

(Readers unfamiliar with the conventions of Interactive Fiction should type "HELP" for further information.)

Translated from the Hebrew by Rev. Dr. Stephen Dawson

The kitchen is dim and smoky and cluttered, the result of the chaos of preparing for the wedding, currently underway in the courtyard to the south. In the northeast corner, the door to the garden stands wide open, in the hopes of letting in some cool air. Down some steps to the west is the winery.

Except for you and Amos, because you're both ever so reliable, all the other servants have been given leave to go get some rest after the preparations earlier; no-one was expecting a sudden emergency to crop up before it came time to wash the dishes.

All the actual food has been served, except for a plate of honeyed locusts that sits untemptingly nearby, unsurprisingly untouched.
action: You take the plate
response: Taken.
action: About you
response: Your name is Micah, and you are a servant in the household of the family of Clopas.
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying:
a plate of honeyed locusts
action: You go to the south
response: The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.

"Hey, mister!" Little Anna trots up to you. "Is it true that there's no more wine? I saw Martha and Amos get into the cart with the donkey and they rode off in such a hurry. Martha said you were going to find a missing jug of wine and maybe that would help. Can I help? Just say the word, sir!"

Heaven help us.
action: Yes
response: That was a rhetorical question.
action: You say yes
response: (to Little Orphan Anna)
Little Anna has entirely too much to say about that, none of it even remotely useful.
action: You ask Anna about the wine
response: "I think I saw John, the Rabbi's son, sneaking away from the courtyard with a jug of wine earlier, before the feast actually started."
action: You ask Anna about John
response: "I think John is Lazarus's brother, but not a close brother. I mean his parents are totally different people. I wish there were a word for brothers and sisters who aren't actually your brothers and sisters, don't you? Anyway, Mary likes to listen to him, and Lazarus likes to argue with him, but Martha says he ought to clean himself up and marry a nice, respectable girl and settle down. She says he lives out in the wilderness and eats honey and locusts every day, which can't be healthy, but I guess he must like it or he wouldn't do it. Or maybe he's so busy talking he forgets to eat -- his father's the same way."

You hear the guests chattering on: "...had this dream about the butcher's late wife, so they called off the wedding...."
action: You ask Anna about Lazarus
response: "Martha worries about him because he's not very strong, but he's very smart. Everybody says he's going to be High Priest some day, if he lives long enough. They don't say that last part to his face, of course, and both Martha and Mary get very upset when they hear it.
They say it's bad luck, but Lazarus says that if his time comes early, then that's just the way it is."
action: Go north
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a little lost puppy.

The kitchen is dim and smoky and cluttered, the result of the chaos of preparing for the wedding, currently underway in the courtyard to the south. In the northeast corner, the door to the garden stands wide open, in the hopes of letting in some cool air. Down some steps to the west is the winery.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You go to the northeast
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like the too-long hem of an over-sized robe.

This rather large garden supplements the family's table with a few fruits and vegetables throughout the year. Currently, it's about the only peaceful place on the property. The kitchen is back to the southwest, and a passage leads south to the main entryway. There is a stand of fig trees off to the northwest.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: Go northwest
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like Raphael following Tobias, but with significantly less divine intent.

This is about as far from the maddening crowd as you can get, without actually leaving the house. The fig trees provide shade in the daytime, and the air is pleasantly cool; this time of the evening, though, it's rather darker and more shadowy than you care for. The garden itself is to the southeast.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You take the figs
response: You pick a fig and eat it. Yum.
action: You examine the fig trees
response: The fig trees have been planted a little too close together here.
Their branches spread and interlace overhead, drenching the space between them in shadows.
action: You go southeast
response: As you turn to leave, you hear what sounds like a lion's roar, followed by a slight rustle of leaves. It takes you a few moments to recognise the roar as merely the rumble of an empty stomach. Be that as it may, there's clearly someone hiding here.
action: You search the trees
response: You poke about the trees, searching for the intruder, but he's too stealthy for you. Anyway, do you really want to meet up with this person, alone (small orphan girls don't count) out here in the dark?
action: You drop the plate
response: You carefully set down the plate of ... food.
action: You hide
response: As you walk away from the plate of honeyed locusts, you hear some distinctly interested rustling in the bushes nearby. You quickly duck behind one of the fig trees and wait. A minute later, the rather unkempt form of John -- the Rabbi's son, no less -- slinks out of the shadows and descends upon the honeyed locusts. (Better him than you, mate.)  More interesting is the fact that he's washing down the "food" with deep quaffs from the missing wine jug.

"Hullo, John," you say, stepping out of the shadows.

John only sighs and wipes his mouth on his sleeve. "Why don't you leave me alone."
action: You ask John about the jug
response: "Mine. Hands off."
action: You take the wine
response: John clutches the jug closer to himself and snarls, "hands off! Mine!"
action: You ask John about Lazarus
response: "Such a good boy, that Lazarus," says John, a little bitterly. "Well, we all have our roles to play, and he'll play his soon enough. Far be it for me to envy him his lot."
action: You ask John about Mary
response: Who do you mean, the bride, Mary of Bethany or Mary of Nazareth?
action: Bride
response: John frowns. "She seems nice enough, but I seem to recall some rather odd business involving a candle and a mirror, and...." John stops suddenly and shakes his head. "No, wait, that's a different Mary.
Your new mistress is a fine and honourable woman, and your master is fortunate indeed to have her."
action: You take plate
response: That seems to belong to John.
action: You ask John about the locusts
response: "What? I happen to like honeyed locusts. Don't knock 'em till you've tried 'em."
action: You ask John about the Father
response: "Father wanted me to make an appearance. That's the only reason I'm here at all."
action: You ask John for the wine
response: John has better things to do.
action: You ask John about Martha
response: "That woman wants to be everyone's mother. I swear, she could subdue a dragon with her fussing."
action: You go to the south-east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a lost sheep.

This rather large garden supplements the family's table with a few fruits and vegetables throughout the year. Currently, it's about the only peaceful place on the property. The kitchen is back to the southwest, and a passage leads south to the main entryway. There is a stand of fig trees off to the northwest.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: Go south
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like an annoying following thing that follows.

This oddly-shaped room is the house's main entryway. The street is out to the east, and the courtyard is to the southwest. In addition, a narrow passage leads north to an enclosed garden.

Most of the oddity of the room's shape comes from the placement of an alcove, situated just so, to inconvenience any invading evil spirits.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You look at alcove
response: In the alcove are some jars and a bucket.
action: You examine the jars
response: There are six large jars in the alcove, placed there so the guests may wash the dust from their feet after the long journey to get here. All that splashing about has left each of them about half-full.
action: You look at the bucket
response: This is the bucket used to carry water from the village well to the house. It's larger than average, but at least that means not having to make quite so many trips back and forth when filling up all those jars in the entryway. Currently, the bucket is empty.
action: You take the bucket
response: Taken.
action: You go east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a lost sheep.

The road to town stretches off to the south, and the house is back to the west. The dust has finally settled from the arrival of guests, and, compared to the noisy hubbub back in the courtyard, the street is blissfully quiet. It's probably even more quiet by the village well, across the street to the east.

You can see Little Orphan Anna, a bridesmaid and an ancient mariner here.
action: You look at the bridesmaid
response: You recognise her as one of the bridesmaids who'd been arranged for the wedding. She wasn't actually at the wedding, though: Clopas was running a little late, and a bunch of the bridesmaids, including this one, had to run off to the market to replenish the oil in their lamps when he finally arrived. These bridesmaids missed the wedding altogether as a result, and you thought they'd all gone home. Apparently one of them, at least, is still hanging around.
action: You ask the bridesmaid about the oil
response: Unfortunately, the ancient mariner appears to have the bridesmaid's whole and unwilling attention.
action: You look at the mariner
response: This is a pitiful old beggar who's been hanging around town lately. He's a former sailor, apparently, and they say he's possessed, but it's just as likely that he's spent a little too much time in the sun with his head uncovered. Either way, you know better than to sit down and let him tell you any of his interminable seafaring stories.

"There passed a weary time ... a weary time! a weary time!" the old sailor mumbles.

"I can well imagine," mutters the bridesmaid, with a glazed and weary eye.
action: Hello sailor
response: "Shalom."

"...and all that time, it hung there, a reminder of my sin, and I would have given a whole herd of goats as a sin offering if I could...."
action: You ask the mariner about the albatross
response: What, and get him to talk to you? You've seen this man pin down stronger men than yourself, for hours on end, with the simple introduction "There was a ship..." and you really don't have the hours to listen to it all.
action: You go east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like the sort of disciple no prophet ever wants.

You are standing beside the village well, a large stone structure with a heavy wooden cover to keep people and wandering animals from falling in. Off to the west is the road to town, and beyond that is the house and the wedding. Fields stretch out in all other directions.

A few soldiers are hanging about nearby, looking grumpy.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.

"Hey, you there!" says one of the soldiers, approaching you. "You're from the house of Clopas, aren't you? Do us a favour. There's this man we're supposed to arrest, one John son of Zechariah. And we know he's at this wedding, but see, we have no idea what he looks like."

"Crazy wild man living in the wilderness, dressed in animal skins," says another, "great description if he were doing his thing over on the Jordan, but here's this wedding and he's probably all cleaned up for it. Probably looks like decent folk. So if you know the guy and could point him out to us, we'd be much obliged."
action: You follow you
response: One of the soldiers, apparently the leader of the group, grins at you. "Good boy, I knew we could count on you. Here, we'll need a signal. When you see this John son of Zechariah character, you let us know it's him by, uh, kissing him. How's that?"

"Why can't he just point at the guy?"

"Shut up. Weddings are crowded things and we want absolutely no mistakes, got it? So no pointing from a distance or any of that sort of rubbish. And this way, our new friend here can say that he never actually told us who our man was. It's genius."

Little Anna tugs on your sleeve and whispers, "are you sure this is a good idea, sir?"
action: You ask Anna about the soldiers
response: "Nobody seems to like Herod's soldiers, which I think is a little sad. I mean, they're just doing their job, right? Mary says that doing their job is one thing, but a lot of them could be a little nicer about it."
action: You open well
response: (the village well)
You heave the wooden cover aside.
action: You examine well
response: (the village well)
The village well is a large, low stone ring with a rough wooden cover. During the day, it's a gathering space for local servants, women, shepherds, and pretty much the whole town.
action: You fill the bucket
response: Oh no, you hauled enough water from the well earlier today, filling up those jars for washing feet. You're not doing this again unless you absolutely have to.
action: Yes
response: That was a rhetorical question.
action: Close well
response: (the village well)
You carefully reposition the cover over the well.
action: Go west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a red-headed shadow.

The soldiers creep along behind you with rather more stealth and subtlety than you'd have expected.

The road to town stretches off to the south, and the house is back to the west. The dust has finally settled from the arrival of guests, and, compared to the noisy hubbub back in the courtyard, the street is blissfully quiet. It's probably even more quiet by the village well, across the street to the east.

A few soldiers are hanging about nearby, looking stealthy.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna, a bridesmaid and an ancient mariner here.

The bridesmaid glances hopefully at the soldiers following you -- and you know she must be pretty desperate if she's expecting help from Herod's guards -- but they pretend not to notice. One of them peers suspiciously at the old mariner and nudges you with his elbow, brow raised.
action: Kiss sailor
response: You approach the ancient mariner and cough discreetly. He glances at you and blinks. "There was--" he begins, but you quickly step back and jerk your head in the direction of the soldiers standing just behind you. Their eyes meet.

"There was a ship," says the ancient mariner, with a sudden rush of unholy enthusiasm.

"Oh no," whispers one of the soldiers as the first one stops in his tracks and, clearly against his will, tries to sit down. The whole group of soldiers try to drag themselves away, as the old mariner hobbles along after them, claiming one after another one of them for his captive audience.

In all the confusion, the bridesmaid manages to get away and slip inside the house.
action: You go west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like an annoying following thing that follows.

This oddly-shaped room is the house's main entryway. The street is out to the east, and the courtyard is to the southwest. In addition, a narrow passage leads north to an enclosed garden.

Most of the oddity of the room's shape comes from the placement of an alcove, situated just so, to inconvenience any invading evil spirits.

You can see Little Orphan Anna and a bridesmaid here.

"Thank you," says the bridesmaid, "I didn't think the old man would ever stop talking, and somehow I just couldn't stop listening to him. It's not that his story was all that long and terrible; it's actually not bad, once you've put the pieces together. But he would insist on jumping around at random, and repeating some bits over and over." She sighs and turns to enter the courtyard. "Well, ask me about the story sometime, if you want to know what it was all about, and I'll tell it to you so that it makes sense. For now, I'm just going to go and enjoy what's left of the party."
action: Go southwest
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a little lost puppy.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see the bridesmaid, the one you rescued from the ancient mariner, mingling with the guests.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You ask the bridesmaid about oil
response: "Oh, don't remind me. You have no idea how mortifying it all was, being turned away from the door like that!"

You hear the guests chattering on: "...honour one's father and mother. Say what you like, he's always done his duty by her...."
action: You examine the guests
response: Friends and family from all over Judaea.
action: Go north
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like an Egyptian plague.

The kitchen is dim and smoky and cluttered, the result of the chaos of preparing for the wedding, currently underway in the courtyard to the south. In the northeast corner, the door to the garden stands wide open, in the hopes of letting in some cool air. Down some steps to the west is the winery.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You go west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like the sort of disciple no prophet ever wants.

This is where the family keeps the wine and the olive oil. It is a cool, windowless room; the kitchen proper is up some steps to the east.

A rickety set of shelves stands against one wall.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.

Anna takes a step back and points up to the top of the shelves. "Look, there's a jug up there! Maybe there's some wine in it!" You tell her not to be silly, you know for a fact.... but Anna's already begun clambering up the front of the shelves. As might be expected, the shelves creak alarmingly and begin to sway forward as Anna reaches the top....
action: You get Anna
response: You snatch Little Anna away from the toppling shelves, and not a moment too soon. The shelves and their precious contents smash into the floor and shatter into pieces. Clopas will have your head in the morning, assuming he's not too hungover then (fat chance of that, all things considered) but in the meantime, Anna just stares wide-eyed at the mess she's caused. "Ooh," she says, "I guess I shan't be trying that again...."
action: Look around
response: This is where the family keeps the wine and the olive oil. It is a cool, windowless room; the kitchen proper is up some steps to the east.

A broken set of shelves lies shattered and scattered across the floor.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You examine the shelves
response: You always knew that this was how those shelves were going to end up. At least no-one got hurt.
action: You take the shelves
response: The splintered shelving may be pointy, but trying to take it would be worse than pointless.
action: You examine the steps
response: You want to be careful going up and down these steps. they're rather steep and dark.
action: You look at the door
response: The door to the garden is old and battered and wide open. Through it, you can just make out the peace and quiet of the garden itself.
action: You go south
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a lost sheep.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see the bridesmaid, the one you rescued from the ancient mariner, mingling with the guests.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: Go west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like an Egyptian plague.

The guests gather in clumps along the western periphery of the courtyard, under the glow of the hanging lamps. Of particular note is the more scholarly crowd, clustered around the venerable old Rabbi.
The rest of the courtyard is to east and southeast.

The Rabbi is holding court with a crowd of would-be scholars, among whom you recognise Lazarus of Bethany.

Mary of Bethany hovers on the periphery, largely ignored by the learned men.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...his mother-in-law, would you believe it? Of course he never quite forgave...."
action: You look at Mary
response: It seems like every woman is named Mary these days, but this particular Mary is an odd one. She can usually be found hanging about wherever there are learned men having learned discourse; and they say she wants to be a female Rabbi. As if.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...wagon driven by a pack of drunken scoundrels. She was barely more than...."
action: You ask Mary about Rabbi
response: Mary listens attentively, but has little to tell you.
action: You ask Mary about John
response: "He's certainly very learned. I could listen to him for hours. I haven't seen him this evening, though."
action: You examine Rabbi
response: Zechariah, the Rabbi, is a venerable and ancient man, a learned and highly respected member of the community. Now if only he would shut up once in a while. You've heard it said that he was struck dumb with surprise when he heard he was going to be a father -- given his age and the age of his wife, anyone would be -- and remained that way until his son John was born. But you can hardly believe it.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...in the middle of winter.
Anyway, she was lost and...."
action: You examine Lazarus
response: Lazarus of Bethany is a pale, somewhat sickly-looking fellow who was invited along with his sisters Mary and Martha. Martha fusses over him something awful, and you suspect that he brought Little Anna into his household just to divert some of Martha's attention away from himself.
action: You ask Lazarus about Anna
response: Lazarus of Bethany is rather too involved in the ongoing discussion with the Rabbi to pay much attention to what you have to say.
action: You ask Mary about the bridesmaid
response: Mary listens attentively, but has little to tell you.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...so the diplomat grabbed the elephant's ear, and...."
action: You ask Mary about the wine
response: Mary listens attentively, but has little to tell you.
action: You ask Mary about Mary
response: (Mary of Bethany)
Mary listens attentively, but has little to tell you.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...must be starving! So I left a platter of her favourite sweetmeats...."
action: You go to the southeast
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a little lost puppy.

The lamps are brightest here, where the main table overlooks the crush of wedding guests to the north and northwest. The family's main sleeping quarters are beyond, to the south, but no-one has any business going there.

The happy couple sit here, accepting congratulations and well wishes, and occasionally exchanging shy glances as if they'd only just met.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.

Mary, the bride, is about to take a sip from her cup when a guest comes up to offer her congratulations. Mary puts down her cup to thank the guest and promptly forgets about it.
action: You pour the cup in the bucket
response: You don't really want to draw any attention to that, under the circumstances.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...a terrible snob, but you won't find a more honest man...."
action: You examine the cup
response: Clopas and Mary have been so busy receiving everyone's well-wishes, and with making eyes at each other, that they've barely had time to touch their cups. Under the circumstances, this is probably a good thing.
action: You examine Clopas
response: As far as employers go, Clopas is not a bad sort. He was rather fearfully late coming in -- his story was that he had to stop and give a hand to some poor Samaritan traveller who'd been set upon by bandits -- and then when he finally did arrive, a bunch of bridesmaids who'd been caught unprepared were sent packing. That's just the kind of guy he is: a bit hard and uncompromising, but always willing to bend over backwards if you need help.
action: You ask Clopas about Lazarus
response: Clopas seems rather pre-occupied with all the complicated business of being a newlywed. It would be a shame to disturb him.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...his mother-in-law, would you believe it? Of course he never quite forgave...."
action: You ask Mary about Lazarus
response: Mary seems rather pre-occupied with the complicated business of being a newlywed. It would be a shame to disturb her.

Clopas reaches for his cup just as a guest decides to offer her congratulations. Clopas sets down his cup again, reluctantly, to do the polite thing and exchange some small talk with the guest.
action: Go north
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a guilty conscience.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see the bridesmaid, the one you rescued from the ancient mariner, mingling with the guests.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You go southeast
response: You can't go that way.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...rhubarb. Rhubarb rhubarb rhubarb. Rhubarb...?"
action: You ask the bridesmaid about the story
response: "There was a ship...." the bridesmaid describes the voyage of the mariner's ship, which seems mundane enough. "But that's only the beginning," she says.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...wagon driven by a pack of drunken scoundrels. She was barely more than...."
action: You wait awhile
response: Time passes.
action: You ask the bridesmaid about the story
response: The bridesmaid continues the story, describing a curse which befalls the mariner and his crew.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...honour one's father and mother. Say what you like, he's always done his duty by her...."
action: You continue
response: The bridesmaid continues the story, describing the nightmarish fate of the mariner's crew and the terrible visions that plagued him.
action: Continue
response: "That's all there is to it, I think," says the bridesmaid, shrugging.
action: Continue
response: "That's all there is to it, I think," says the bridesmaid, shrugging.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...such a temper. Their mother's ambitious, though, and won't rest until...."
action: Go north
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like Raphael following Tobias, but with significantly less divine intent.

The kitchen is dim and smoky and cluttered, the result of the chaos of preparing for the wedding, currently underway in the courtyard to the south. In the northeast corner, the door to the garden stands wide open, in the hopes of letting in some cool air. Down some steps to the west is the winery.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You ask Anna about Rabbi
response: "That's Uncle Zechariah. He's dreadfully old; I can't imagine being that old, can you? And you know, he never stops talking. I remember once Martha filled up his cup with the best wine, but he was so busy talking to Mary and Lazarus that he just put the cup down and forgot about it. Well, Mary and Lazarus and Mary like to listen, but I thought it was a little rude. Martha tells me so all the time. Anna, she says, this non-stop chatter is very tiresome. But of course she nevers tells Uncle Zechariah that to his face, because he's a very important person. But she always makes sure I'm helping her in the kitchen when Uncle Zechariah visits, so I don't get bored."
action: You go south
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like an Egyptian plague.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see the bridesmaid, the one you rescued from the ancient mariner, mingling with the guests.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: Go west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a red-headed shadow.

The guests gather in clumps along the western periphery of the courtyard, under the glow of the hanging lamps. Of particular note is the more scholarly crowd, clustered around the venerable old Rabbi.
The rest of the courtyard is to east and southeast.

The Rabbi is holding court with a crowd of would-be scholars, among whom you recognise Lazarus of Bethany.

Mary of Bethany hovers on the periphery, largely ignored by the learned men.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.

You notice Mary of Bethany in deep conversation with one of the guests. Or rather, the guest is talking and Mary is listening intently. As the guest moves on towards the main courtyard area, Mary follows along behind, still listening intently and apparently not noticing the change of location.
action: You ask Anna about Lazarus
response: "Martha worries about him because he's not very strong, but he's very smart. Everybody says he's going to be High Priest some day, if he lives long enough. They don't say that last part to his face, of course, and both Martha and Mary get very upset when they hear it.
They say it's bad luck, but Lazarus says that if his time comes early, then that's just the way it is."
action: Go east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like Raphael following Tobias, but with significantly less divine intent.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

Mary of Bethany is listening as one of the guests spills his life story to her.

You can see the bridesmaid, the one you rescued from the ancient mariner, mingling with the guests.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.

The guest, continuing his story, strolls off towards the bridal table. Mary of Bethany follows after, still hanging on to his every word.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...of course no-one likes a tax-collector, but what can you do? At least he's...."
action: Go north
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like an annoying following thing that follows.

The kitchen is dim and smoky and cluttered, the result of the chaos of preparing for the wedding, currently underway in the courtyard to the south. In the northeast corner, the door to the garden stands wide open, in the hopes of letting in some cool air. Down some steps to the west is the winery.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You go to the northeast
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like the sort of disciple no prophet ever wants.

This rather large garden supplements the family's table with a few fruits and vegetables throughout the year. Currently, it's about the only peaceful place on the property. The kitchen is back to the southwest, and a passage leads south to the main entryway. There is a stand of fig trees off to the northwest.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You look at the garden
response: This rather large garden supplements the family's table with a few fruits and vegetables throughout the year. Currently, it's about the only peaceful place on the property. The kitchen is back to the southwest, and a passage leads south to the main entryway. There is a stand of fig trees off to the northwest.
action: You go to the northwest
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a little lost puppy.

This is about as far from the maddening crowd as you can get, without actually leaving the house. The fig trees provide shade in the daytime, and the air is pleasantly cool; this time of the evening, though, it's rather darker and more shadowy than you care for. The garden itself is to the southeast.

John, the Rabbi's son, lounges sullenly against a tree, hugging a nearly-full jug of wine to himself.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You ask John about Rabbi
response: "Father wanted me to make an appearance. That's the only reason I'm here at all."
action: You ask John about the soldiers
response: John sniffs disdainfully, but declines to say anything.
action: Kiss john
response: Keep your mind on the game.
action: You ask John about John
response: "John ben Zechariah, commonly called the Baptist. What, you really didn't recognise me in this monkey suit (Hebrew unclear - SD.) my father made me put on?"
action: Xyzzy
response: Is that supposed to be Punic? Your accent is execrable.
action: You look around
response: This is about as far from the maddening crowd as you can get, without actually leaving the house. The fig trees provide shade in the daytime, and the air is pleasantly cool; this time of the evening, though, it's rather darker and more shadowy than you care for. The garden itself is to the southeast.

John, the Rabbi's son, lounges sullenly against a tree, hugging a nearly-full jug of wine to himself.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You take jug
response: John gives Anna a look that sends her scuttling back behind you.
"Hands off," he growls.
action: You eat the locust
response: (first taking the plate of honeyed locusts)
That seems to belong to John.
action: You give the fig to John
response: (first taking the fig trees)
You pick a fig and eat it. Yum.
action: You ask Anna about John
response: "I think John is Lazarus's brother, but not a close brother. I mean his parents are totally different people. I wish there were a word for brothers and sisters who aren't actually your brothers and sisters, don't you? Anyway, Mary likes to listen to him, and Lazarus likes to argue with him, but Martha says he ought to clean himself up and marry a nice, respectable girl and settle down. She says he lives out in the wilderness and eats honey and locusts every day, which can't be healthy, but I guess he must like it or he wouldn't do it. Or maybe he's so busy talking he forgets to eat -- his father's the same way."
action: You ask John about the locusts
response: "What? I happen to like honeyed locusts. Don't knock 'em till you've tried 'em."
action: You tell the story to John
response: "You don't have to tell me," John snaps. "That old man came to the Jordan to be baptised a couple of months ago, and held up two of my disciples for three days, telling it to them. And the whole thing really didn't take more than four minutes, when they repeated it to me later.
action: Go southeast
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a red-headed shadow.

This rather large garden supplements the family's table with a few fruits and vegetables throughout the year. Currently, it's about the only peaceful place on the property. The kitchen is back to the southwest, and a passage leads south to the main entryway. There is a stand of fig trees off to the northwest.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You go south
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a guilty conscience.

This oddly-shaped room is the house's main entryway. The street is out to the east, and the courtyard is to the southwest. In addition, a narrow passage leads north to an enclosed garden.

Most of the oddity of the room's shape comes from the placement of an alcove, situated just so, to inconvenience any invading evil spirits.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You ask Anna about the parents
response: Anna looks a little wistful. "I don't know anything about my parents, but I'd bet they were young ... bet they were smart. Bet they collected things like ashtrays and art." She pauses, a little puzzled. "What's an ashtray?"
action: You go southwest
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a red-headed shadow.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see the bridesmaid, the one you rescued from the ancient mariner, mingling with the guests.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: Go south
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like Raphael following Tobias, but with significantly less divine intent.

The lamps are brightest here, where the main table overlooks the crush of wedding guests to the north and northwest. The family's main sleeping quarters are beyond, to the south, but no-one has any business going there.

The happy couple sit here, accepting congratulations and well wishes, and occasionally exchanging shy glances as if they'd only just met.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You take the cup
response: She'll only drop it, you're sure.
action: You give the cup to you
response: (Little Orphan Anna first taking the cups)
She'll only drop it, you're sure.

Mary, the bride, is about to take a sip from her cup when a guest comes up to offer his congratulations. Mary puts down her cup to thank the guest and promptly forgets about it.
action: You put the cup in bucket
response: That's hardly helpful.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...could go for another drink right now. I'm not properly drunk yet...."
action: Go northwest
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a little lost puppy.

The guests gather in clumps along the western periphery of the courtyard, under the glow of the hanging lamps. Of particular note is the more scholarly crowd, clustered around the venerable old Rabbi.
The rest of the courtyard is to east and southeast.

Mary of Bethany hovers on the periphery, largely ignored by the learned men.

The Rabbi is holding court with a crowd of would-be scholars, among whom you recognise Lazarus of Bethany.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You tell the story to Lazarus
response: Lazarus of Bethany is rather too involved in the ongoing discussion with the Rabbi to pay much attention to what you have to say.
action: You tell the story to Mary
response: "There was a ship..." you begin, which catches Mary's attention immediately.

"That sounds familiar," she says, giving you her full attention.
"Isn't it the beginning part of that rather confused story that the mariner outside tells? If you've got it all organised, I'd like to hear it."
action: You continue
response: Mary shudders as you describe the curse that befell the mariner's crew. "How terrible! Should all the people suffer for the sin of one man?"
action: You keep going
response: "What a terrible story!" Mary seems to be hanging on to your every word, nonetheless.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...in the middle of winter.
Anyway, she was lost and...."
action: Keep going
response: "And is that how it ends, with the old mariner turning his gaze away from his suffering to these sea snakes? But why would the Lord relent for something like that?" Mary looks to you for the moral of the story.
action: Keep going
response: "But why would the Lord relent for something like that?" Mary looks to you for the moral of the story.

Mary presses you for further details or possibly an explanation for the more inexplicable aspects of the story, but you have to confess that you cannot add to what you have told her. Disappointed, she returns to the Rabbi and his entourage for more erudite discourse.
action: You wait for a while
response: Time passes.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...a pound of flesh, of all things, but then the other gentile's wife pointed out that...."
action: You ask Mary about Martha
response: "My sister means well," she says vaguely.
action: Go southeast
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like the too-long hem of an over-sized robe.

The lamps are brightest here, where the main table overlooks the crush of wedding guests to the north and northwest. The family's main sleeping quarters are beyond, to the south, but no-one has any business going there.

The happy couple sit here, accepting congratulations and well wishes, and occasionally exchanging shy glances as if they'd only just met.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...looking for a map of Lutetia and instead discovering that the entire clan...."
action: You examine table
response: (the main table)
The table is long, much-used, and heavily stained.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...wagon driven by a pack of drunken scoundrels. She was barely more than...."
action: Search table
response: (the main table)
There is nothing on the main table.
action: You take the table
response: That's hardly portable.
action: Go north
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like Raphael following Tobias, but with significantly less divine intent.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see the bridesmaid, the one you rescued from the ancient mariner, mingling with the guests.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...of course no-one likes a tax-collector, but what can you do? At least he's...."
action: Go north
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a lost sheep.

The kitchen is dim and smoky and cluttered, the result of the chaos of preparing for the wedding, currently underway in the courtyard to the south. In the northeast corner, the door to the garden stands wide open, in the hopes of letting in some cool air. Down some steps to the west is the winery.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: Go east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a lost sheep.

The road to town stretches off to the south, and the house is back to the west. The dust has finally settled from the arrival of guests, and, compared to the noisy hubbub back in the courtyard, the street is blissfully quiet. It's probably even more quiet by the village well, across the street to the east.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: Go east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like the sort of disciple no prophet ever wants.

You are standing beside the village well, a large stone structure with a heavy wooden cover to keep people and wandering animals from falling in. Off to the west is the road to town, and beyond that is the house and the wedding. Fields stretch out in all other directions.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You open well
response: (the village well)
You heave the wooden cover aside.
action: Down
response: Little Orphan Anna has better things to do.
action: You put Anna in well
response: (the village well)
That will only get it wet.
action: You put the bucket in well
response: (the village well)
Oh no, you hauled enough water from the well earlier today, filling up those jars for washing feet. You're not doing this again unless you absolutely have to.
action: You take the cover
response: You carefully reposition the cover over the well.
action: You go east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like the too-long hem of an over-sized robe.

The road to town stretches off to the south, and the house is back to the west. The dust has finally settled from the arrival of guests, and, compared to the noisy hubbub back in the courtyard, the street is blissfully quiet. It's probably even more quiet by the village well, across the street to the east.

You can see Little Orphan Anna, a bridesmaid and an ancient mariner here.
action: You go to the east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a guilty conscience.

You are standing beside the village well, a large stone structure with a heavy wooden cover to keep people and wandering animals from falling in. Off to the west is the road to town, and beyond that is the house and the wedding. Fields stretch out in all other directions.

A few soldiers are hanging about nearby, looking grumpy.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.

"Hey, you there!" says one of the soldiers, approaching you. "You're from the house of Clopas, aren't you? Do us a favour. There's this man we're supposed to arrest, one John son of Zechariah. And we know he's at this wedding, but see, we have no idea what he looks like."

"Crazy wild man living in the wilderness, dressed in animal skins," says another, "great description if he were doing his thing over on the Jordan, but here's this wedding and he's probably all cleaned up for it. Probably looks like decent folk. So if you know the guy and could point him out to us, we'd be much obliged."
action: You follow you
response: Come to think of it, you haven't seen the Rabbi's son since that initial uproar over the (bleagh) honeyed locusts. No telling where he is now, and no telling what you don't know.

Little Anna tugs on your sleeve and whispers, "are you sure this is a good idea, sir?"
action: You go west
response: This is where the family keeps the wine and the olive oil. It is a cool, windowless room; the kitchen proper is up some steps to the east.

A rickety set of shelves stands against one wall.
action: You go to the east
response: The kitchen is dim and smoky and cluttered, the result of the chaos of preparing for the wedding, currently underway in the courtyard to the south. In the northeast corner, the door to the garden stands wide open, in the hopes of letting in some cool air. Down some steps to the west is the winery.
action: You drop the plate
response: You carefully set down the plate of ... food.
action: You go to the south
response: This oddly-shaped room is the house's main entryway. The street is out to the east, and the courtyard is to the southwest. In addition, a narrow passage leads north to an enclosed garden.

Most of the oddity of the room's shape comes from the placement of an alcove, situated just so, to inconvenience any invading evil spirits.

"Hey, mister!" Little Anna trots up to you. "Is it true that there's no more wine? I saw Martha and Amos get into the cart with the donkey and they rode off in such a hurry. Martha said you were going to find a missing jug of wine and maybe that would help. Can I help? Just say the word, sir!"

Heaven help us.
action: Go east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like an annoying following thing that follows.

The road to town stretches off to the south, and the house is back to the west. The dust has finally settled from the arrival of guests, and, compared to the noisy hubbub back in the courtyard, the street is blissfully quiet. It's probably even more quiet by the village well, across the street to the east.

You can see Little Orphan Anna, a bridesmaid and an ancient mariner here.
action: Go east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like Raphael following Tobias, but with significantly less divine intent.

You are standing beside the village well, a large stone structure with a heavy wooden cover to keep people and wandering animals from falling in. Off to the west is the road to town, and beyond that is the house and the wedding. Fields stretch out in all other directions.

A few soldiers are hanging about nearby, looking grumpy.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.

"Hey, you there!" says one of the soldiers, approaching you. "You're from the house of Clopas, aren't you? Do us a favour. There's this man we're supposed to arrest, one John son of Zechariah. And we know he's at this wedding, but see, we have no idea what he looks like."

"Crazy wild man living in the wilderness, dressed in animal skins," says another, "great description if he were doing his thing over on the Jordan, but here's this wedding and he's probably all cleaned up for it. Probably looks like decent folk. So if you know the guy and could point him out to us, we'd be much obliged."
action: Kiss john
response: John looks at you in puzzlement, then sees the approaching soldiers over your shoulder. "Oh, I get it," he says, his brow darkening, "this is some sort of identification signal, isn't it? I thought the house of Clopas understood hospitality a little better than that."

"You can come along with us," says one of the soldiers, all puffed up with officious importance. John puts up no resistance, but gives you a venomous glance over his shoulder as the soldiers lead him away.

You are struck by an inexplicaple sense of déjà vu, as the Gauls put it. At any rate, John the Rabbi's son has been taken away and the soldiers are gone, and the errant jug of wine has been left behind.
action: You go southwest
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a guilty conscience.

The kitchen is dim and smoky and cluttered, the result of the chaos of preparing for the wedding, currently underway in the courtyard to the south. In the northeast corner, the door to the garden stands wide open, in the hopes of letting in some cool air. Down some steps to the west is the winery.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.

Success! Well, assuming there actually is enough wine in the jug to hold off everyone's thirst until Martha and Amos get back. How much wine is there in the jug, anyway?
action: You look in the jug
response: The missing wine jug! Unfortunately, it appears to contain nothing but water.

You look up from your inspection of the wine jug in time to see Martha and Amos bustle into the kitchen. You can tell from the looks on their faces that their mission has not been a success. "The only merchant still in the market was a man selling lamp oil," Martha tells you, "he said he'd gotten a very last-minute order for six jars of the stuff, and was hoping there'd be more to come." She sighs and glances at the wine jug. "At least you've been successful. If we water it down a little...."

You confess that, as far as you know, watering down the wine is not going to be an issue. Martha groans. "I'll go tell Clopas," she says, "and see if I can distract the other guests somehow. I don't know what else I can do." Taking a deep breath, she marches out into the courtyard like a brave little Maccabean.

Amos, who really should have been the one to inform Clopas, fidgets distractedly and finally pulls out a bowl of dough and proceeds with the baking for the morrow.
action: You ask Anna about the jesus
response: "Oh, I know him, he's a friend of Lazarus's. He's visited us at Bethany a couple of times."

That was odd, now you think about it. John didn't seem at all drunk, and he couldn't possibly have finished off the whole jug by himself. What actually happened to the wine?
action: You go to the south
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a red-headed shadow.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: Go west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a guilty conscience.

The guests gather in clumps along the western periphery of the courtyard, under the glow of the hanging lamps. Of particular note is the more scholarly crowd, clustered around the venerable old Rabbi.
The rest of the courtyard is to east and southeast.

The Rabbi is holding court with a crowd of would-be scholars, among whom you recognise Lazarus of Bethany.

Mary of Bethany hovers on the periphery, largely ignored by the learned men.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You ask Mary about the jesus
response: "Oh, he's dreadfully wise. You've just got to listen a while and you'll understand."

You hear the guests chattering on: "...his mother-in-law, would you believe it? Of course he never quite forgave...."
action: You ask Lazarus about the jesus
response: Lazarus of Bethany is rather too involved in the ongoing discussion with the Rabbi to pay much attention to what you have to say.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
a wine jug
action: You go to the southeast
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a lost sheep.

The lamps are brightest here, where the main table overlooks the crush of wedding guests to the north and northwest. The family's main sleeping quarters are beyond, to the south, but no-one has any business going there.

The happy couple sit here, accepting congratulations and well wishes, and occasionally exchanging shy glances as if they'd only just met.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.

Clopas reaches for his cup just as a guest decides to offer his congratulations. Clopas sets down his cup again, reluctantly, to do the polite thing and exchange some small talk with the guest.
action: You fill the jug
response: If it's not wine, it doesn't belong in the jug.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...looking for a map of Lutetia and instead discovering that the entire clan...."
action: Go northwest
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like the sort of disciple no prophet ever wants.

The guests gather in clumps along the western periphery of the courtyard, under the glow of the hanging lamps. Of particular note is the more scholarly crowd, clustered around the venerable old Rabbi.
The rest of the courtyard is to east and southeast.

The Rabbi is holding court with a crowd of would-be scholars, among whom you recognise Lazarus of Bethany.

Mary of Bethany hovers on the periphery, largely ignored by the learned men.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.

You notice Mary of Bethany in deep conversation with one of the guests. Or rather, the guest is talking and Mary is listening intently. As the guest moves on towards the main courtyard area, Mary follows along behind, still listening intently and apparently not noticing the change of location.
action: You go east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a red-headed shadow.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

Mary of Bethany is listening as one of the guests spills his life story to her.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.

The guest, continuing his story, strolls off towards the bridal table. Mary of Bethany follows after, still hanging on to his every word.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...had this dream about the butcher's late wife, so they called off the wedding...."
action: Go south
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a guilty conscience.

The lamps are brightest here, where the main table overlooks the crush of wedding guests to the north and northwest. The family's main sleeping quarters are beyond, to the south, but no-one has any business going there.

Mary of Bethany is listening as one of the guests spills his life story to her.

The happy couple sit here, accepting congratulations and well wishes, and occasionally exchanging shy glances as if they'd only just met.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.

The guest concludes his story and disappears into the crowd. Mary nods thoughtfully, then suddenly notices the distinct lack of learned discourse nearby. She even looks a little embarrassed as she hurries back to the west wall.
action: You ask Anna about the guest
response: (the crowd of guests)
Little Anna has entirely too much to say about that, none of it even remotely useful.

Clopas reaches for his cup just as a guest decides to offer her congratulations. Clopas sets down his cup again, reluctantly, to do the polite thing and exchange some small talk with the guest.
action: You ask Anna about Mary of Bethany
response: "I think our Mary is the best of all. She always listens when I have a story to tell. Martha says she spends too much time listening and not enough time doing but I think Martha does enough for everybody.
Anyway, Mary says that all stories mean something if you take the time to listen properly, but a lot of the time she also wants a Rabbi or someone like that to come explain things to her. I think she just likes having people tell her things."

You hear the guests chattering on: "...honour one's father and mother. Say what you like, he's always done his duty by her...."
action: Go northwest
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like the sort of disciple no prophet ever wants.

The guests gather in clumps along the western periphery of the courtyard, under the glow of the hanging lamps. Of particular note is the more scholarly crowd, clustered around the venerable old Rabbi.
The rest of the courtyard is to east and southeast.

Mary of Bethany hovers on the periphery, largely ignored by the learned men.

The Rabbi is holding court with a crowd of would-be scholars, among whom you recognise Lazarus of Bethany.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You look at wall
response: The guests gather in clumps along the western periphery of the courtyard, under the glow of the hanging lamps. Of particular note is the more scholarly crowd, clustered around the venerable old Rabbi.
The rest of the courtyard is to east and southeast.
action: You examine the lamps
response: Several oil lamps light up the courtyard this evening, making it almost as bright as day.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...wouldn't believe a word of it. So I said to Thomas, I said...."
action: You take the lamp
response: You went through a lot of trouble setting these lamps up earlier today, and you're not about to take them down now. And anyway, they're out of reach.
action: You ask Mary about the guest
response: (the crowd of would-be scholars)
Mary listens attentively, but has little to tell you.
action: You ask Mary about Rabbi
response: Mary listens attentively, but has little to tell you.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...could go for another drink right now. I'm not properly drunk yet...."
action: You ask Rabbi about the story
response: The would-be scholars notice the wine jug in your hands, and obligingly let you through to the Rabbi.

The Rabbi has entirely too much to say about ... some esoteric, metaphysical aspect of whatever it is you were talking about, because you lost it somewhere between the philosophy and the theology.
action: You ask Rabbi about the jesus
response: "That boy is entirely to smart for his own good."

You hear the guests chattering on: "...down on the Jordan. Surprised to see him here at all, though of course he's disappeared...."
action: You ask Rabbi about John
response: "I take the trouble to pull the boy out of the wilderness and clean him up so he can be presentable, and what happens? He disappears into the garden to sulk. I know, I know, he's practically a prophet, but sometimes I think it would be better if he'd just been a nice little craftsman of some sort instead."
action: You tell Rabbi about John
response: "He what?" the old Rabbi stares at you, goggle-eyed, and throws up his hands in horror. "Then what am I still here talking theology for? Shoo, get out of the way, I got to go do something about my boy. You, Joshua, you're in charge! The rest of you, stay out of trouble!"

Old Zechariah hustles out of the house with all the speed his old bones can muster, leaving his former entourage to murmur among themselves at this turn of events.
action: You ask Lazarus about the jesus
response: "Joshua's one of my best friends. I like to think that I'm like Jonathan to his David."
action: You ask Lazarus for jesus
response: (Lazarus of Bethany first taking Joshua)
Lazarus of Bethany has better things to do.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...and I'll be writing to Theophilus about that, naturally. He'll be interested to hear...."
action: You examine the jesus
response: You don't know the guy very well. Most of the guests are relative strangers, and this one is stranger than most: he's supposed to be a carpenter, or so you've heard, but apparently he was already teaching the priests and the Levites their own craft when he was ten. Which makes you kind of glad that you didn't know him way back then.
action: You ask Joshua about the wine
response: "All right, maybe I did have something to do with that. I'm just looking out for my brother and his promises here." You tell Joshua how dry the party is getting, but he only shrugs. "Not my problem, really. Clopas doesn't really need any more wine to have a good party, does he?"
action: You ask Joshua about the water
response: (Clean water)
Joshua doesn't seem to have much to say about that.
action: You ask Joshua for the wine
response: (Joshua first taking the wine jug)
Joshua has better things to do.

Anna leans in close to you and says, "I was wondering, do you think maybe Joshua would help if someone else asked him to, sir? Mary says sometimes that Martha would get a lot more help in the kitchen if she wouldn't nag so -- not that you were nagging at all, sir, but I think sometimes it matters who is doing the asking."
action: You ask Joshua for the wine
response: Lazarus of Bethany has better things to do.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...such a temper. Their mother's ambitious, though, and won't rest until...."
action: You ask Joshua about John
response: "John is a great man. If you haven't been baptised by him, you should."
action: You ask Joshua about the carpentry
response: Joshua doesn't seem to have much to say about that.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...of course no-one likes a tax-collector, but what can you do? At least he's...."
action: You ask Joshua for the wine
response: Little Orphan Anna has better things to do.
action: You examine Joshua
response: You don't know the guy very well. Most of the guests are relative strangers, and this one is stranger than most: he's supposed to be a carpenter, or so you've heard, but apparently he was already teaching the priests and the Levites their own craft when he was ten. Which makes you kind of glad that you didn't know him way back then.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...rhubarb. Rhubarb rhubarb rhubarb. Rhubarb...?"
action: You go to the east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a red-headed shadow.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You go north
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like an annoying following thing that follows.

The kitchen is dim and smoky and cluttered, the result of the chaos of preparing for the wedding, currently underway in the courtyard to the south. In the northeast corner, the door to the garden stands wide open, in the hopes of letting in some cool air. Down some steps to the west is the winery.

You can see Little Orphan Anna and Amos here.
action: You examine amos
response: Amos is tall, dark and lanky; there's a fair bit of Ethiopian and Egyptian in his blood. He's been appointed head steward for the wedding, though you know that his first love is really the bakery. He has this idea for tiny little bite-sized matzah that he claims are going to make him famous one of these days, once he perfects the recipe.
action: You ask Amos about the food
response: "Well, that part went wonderfully. But I guess we should have paid more attention to the wine, eh? At least the honeyed locusts appear to be gone, even if making up that dish has left us with more leftover honey than I know what to do with."
action: You ask Amos about honey
response: "Hmm ... that could work, I suppose," says Amos.

Before long, Amos has filled up a tray with honey-flavoured bikkie dough ready for the oven.
action: You examine the dough
response: Amos always resorts to baking when he's troubled by something or other. Lately, his recipes seem to taste better (to you, anyway) before they're baked than after; quite fortunately Amos never begrudges you a sample of his experiments.
action: You ask Amos about the dough
response: "I'll get this recipe right one of these days. So if you have any suggestions as to what I can put in this, go ahead and tell me about them."
action: You taste the dough
response: You taste nothing unexpected.

Amos, satisfied that the bikkies are ready for the oven, takes the tray and deposits its contents into the oven, then goes back to mixing up another batch of dough.
action: You look
response: The kitchen is dim and smoky and cluttered, the result of the chaos of preparing for the wedding, currently underway in the courtyard to the south. In the northeast corner, the door to the garden stands wide open, in the hopes of letting in some cool air. Down some steps to the west is the winery.

You can see Little Orphan Anna and Amos here.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
a wine jug
action: You go west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a lost sheep.

This is where the family keeps the wine and the olive oil. It is a cool, windowless room; the kitchen proper is up some steps to the east.

A rickety set of shelves stands against one wall.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.

Anna takes a step back and points up to the top of the shelves. "Look, there's a jug up there! Maybe there's some wine in it!" You tell her not to be silly, you know for a fact.... but Anna's already begun clambering up the front of the shelves. As might be expected, the shelves creak alarmingly and begin to sway forward as Anna reaches the top....
action: You get Anna
response: You snatch Little Anna away from the toppling shelves, and not a moment too soon. The shelves and their precious contents smash into the floor and shatter into pieces. Clopas will have your head in the morning, assuming he's not too hungover then (fat chance of that, all things considered) but in the meantime, Anna just stares wide-eyed at the mess she's caused. "Ooh," she says, "I guess I shan't be trying that again...."

Amos pops his head into the winery, takes one good look at the mess, then rubs his head and returns to his baking, muttering that he sees nothing and knows nothing.
action: Go east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like the too-long hem of an over-sized robe.

The kitchen is dim and smoky and cluttered, the result of the chaos of preparing for the wedding, currently underway in the courtyard to the south. In the northeast corner, the door to the garden stands wide open, in the hopes of letting in some cool air. Down some steps to the west is the winery.

You can see Little Orphan Anna and Amos here.
action: Go northeast
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like an Egyptian plague.

This rather large garden supplements the family's table with a few fruits and vegetables throughout the year. Currently, it's about the only peaceful place on the property. The kitchen is back to the southwest, and a passage leads south to the main entryway. There is a stand of fig trees off to the northwest.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You go northwest
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like an annoying following thing that follows.

This is about as far from the maddening crowd as you can get, without actually leaving the house. The fig trees provide shade in the daytime, and the air is pleasantly cool; this time of the evening, though, it's rather darker and more shadowy than you care for. The garden itself is to the southeast.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You take the figs
response: You pick a fig and eat it. Yum.
action: You go to the south-west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a red-headed shadow.

The kitchen is dim and smoky and cluttered, the result of the chaos of preparing for the wedding, currently underway in the courtyard to the south. In the northeast corner, the door to the garden stands wide open, in the hopes of letting in some cool air. Down some steps to the west is the winery.

You can see Little Orphan Anna and Amos here.
action: Go south
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like the too-long hem of an over-sized robe.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...so the diplomat grabbed the elephant's ear, and...."
action: You go to the west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like an Egyptian plague.

The guests gather in clumps along the western periphery of the courtyard, under the glow of the hanging lamps. Of particular note is the more scholarly crowd, milling about restlessly since the departure of the Rabbi. The rest of the courtyard is to east and southeast.

Mary of Bethany hovers on the periphery, largely ignored by the learned men.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna, Joshua and Lazarus of Bethany here.
action: You ask Lazarus about the figs
response: Lazarus of Bethany doesn't seem to have much to say about that.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...saved the bridge, though if you ask me he should never have wandered off in the first place...."
action: You ask Lazarus about the poison
response: Lazarus of Bethany doesn't seem to have much to say about that.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...not very bright, but he found the missing animal all the same...."
action: You go northeast
response: You can't go that way.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...must be starving! So I left a platter of her favourite sweetmeats...."
action: You go east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a little lost puppy.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You go north
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a red-headed shadow.

The kitchen is dim and smoky and cluttered, the result of the chaos of preparing for the wedding, currently underway in the courtyard to the south. In the northeast corner, the door to the garden stands wide open, in the hopes of letting in some cool air. Down some steps to the west is the winery.

You can see Little Orphan Anna and Amos here.
action: You ask Amos about the locusts
response: "Well, that particular experiment went well. I'm not trying it again, though I don't know what I'm going to do with the leftover honey.
Thank goodness there aren't any leftover locusts, anyway."
action: You ask Amos about the wine
response: Amos waves you away. "We're doomed, Micah. I've accepted that. So just leave me to my baking, okay?"
action: You follow you
response: Amos has better things to do.
action: You ask Amos about Martha
response: "I can't think why a woman like that isn't already the matriarch of some ever-growing clan. If I weren't a lowly servant --" Amos stops himself and turns back to his baking.
action: Go northwest
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a little lost puppy.

This is about as far from the maddening crowd as you can get, without actually leaving the house. The fig trees provide shade in the daytime, and the air is pleasantly cool; this time of the evening, though, it's rather darker and more shadowy than you care for. The garden itself is to the southeast.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: Go southeast
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like Raphael following Tobias, but with significantly less divine intent.

This rather large garden supplements the family's table with a few fruits and vegetables throughout the year. Currently, it's about the only peaceful place on the property. The kitchen is back to the southwest, and a passage leads south to the main entryway. There is a stand of fig trees off to the northwest.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You go southwest
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like an annoying following thing that follows.

The kitchen is dim and smoky and cluttered, the result of the chaos of preparing for the wedding, currently underway in the courtyard to the south. In the northeast corner, the door to the garden stands wide open, in the hopes of letting in some cool air. Down some steps to the west is the winery.

You can see Little Orphan Anna and Amos here.
action: You go south
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like the too-long hem of an over-sized robe.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You examine the lamps
response: Several oil lamps light up the courtyard this evening, making it almost as bright as day.
action: You take the lamp
response: You went through a lot of trouble setting these lamps up earlier today, and you're not about to take them down now. And anyway, they're out of reach.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...wagon driven by a pack of drunken scoundrels. She was barely more than...."
action: You look around
response: The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You go to the northeast
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a little lost puppy.

This oddly-shaped room is the house's main entryway. The street is out to the east, and the courtyard is to the southwest. In addition, a narrow passage leads north to an enclosed garden.

Most of the oddity of the room's shape comes from the placement of an alcove, situated just so, to inconvenience any invading evil spirits.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: Go southwest
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a lost sheep.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...a terrible snob, but you won't find a more honest man...."
action: Go west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a red-headed shadow.

The guests gather in clumps along the western periphery of the courtyard, under the glow of the hanging lamps. Of particular note is the more scholarly crowd, milling about restlessly since the departure of the Rabbi. The rest of the courtyard is to east and southeast.

Mary of Bethany hovers on the periphery, largely ignored by the learned men.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna, Joshua and Lazarus of Bethany here.
action: You examine Mary
response: It seems like every woman is named Mary these days, but this particular Mary is an odd one. She can usually be found hanging about wherever there are learned men having learned discourse; and they say she wants to be a female Rabbi. As if.
action: You examine Lazarus
response: Lazarus of Bethany is a pale, somewhat sickly-looking fellow who was invited along with his sisters Mary and Martha. Martha fusses over him something awful, and you suspect that he brought Little Anna into his household just to divert some of Martha's attention away from himself.
action: You ask Lazarus about the face
response: Lazarus of Bethany doesn't seem to have much to say about that.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...wouldn't believe a word of it. So I said to Thomas, I said...."
action: You ask Lazarus about Martha
response: "She's my sister. Why do you ask?"
action: You ask Lazarus about Anna
response: Lazarus absently pats Anna on the head. "She's not bothering you, is she? She can be a bit of a chatterbox at times, but she means well."
action: You ask Lazarus about Rabbi
response: "What? He's a wise and learned man, from a fine priestly family."
action: You ask Lazarus about Mary of Bethany
response: "She's my sister. Why do you ask?"

You hear the guests chattering on: "...honour one's father and mother. Say what you like, he's always done his duty by her...."
action: You ask Lazarus about the bride
response: "That Mary is a lovely lady, though I think she's happiest when she's working in the garden. I hear she has quite the charming little plot, all lined with cockle shells and...." Lazarus pauses in uncertainty. "Wait, that was a different Mary. Anyway, She'll make a fine wife and mother, I'm sure. Your master is to be congratulated."

You hear the guests chattering on: "...rhubarb. Rhubarb rhubarb rhubarb. Rhubarb...?"
action: You ask Lazarus about the groom
response: "Clopas is a fine fellow, and to be congratulated on his good fortune. Although I gather he's still busy being congratulated, or else he'd be over here adding a little political edge to our theological discussions."
action: You ask Lazarus about the wine
response: Lazarus shrugs. "A bit of wine at dinner is a good thing, but I avoid excess. It's not good for my health."
action: You ask Lazarus about the jesus
response: "Joshua's one of my best friends. I like to think that I'm like Jonathan to his David."

You hear the guests chattering on: "...looking for a map of Lutetia and instead discovering that the entire clan...."
action: You ask Lazarus about the health
response: "I'm fine. Really."
action: You ask Lazarus about the food
response: Lazarus of Bethany doesn't seem to have much to say about that.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...so the diplomat grabbed the elephant's ear, and...."
action: Look around
response: The guests gather in clumps along the western periphery of the courtyard, under the glow of the hanging lamps. Of particular note is the more scholarly crowd, milling about restlessly since the departure of the Rabbi. The rest of the courtyard is to east and southeast.

Mary of Bethany hovers on the periphery, largely ignored by the learned men.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna, Joshua and Lazarus of Bethany here.
action: Kiss lazarus
response: Keep your mind on the game.
action: Go southeast
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like the sort of disciple no prophet ever wants.

The lamps are brightest here, where the main table overlooks the crush of wedding guests to the north and northwest. The family's main sleeping quarters are beyond, to the south, but no-one has any business going there.

The happy couple sit here, accepting congratulations and well wishes, and occasionally exchanging shy glances as if they'd only just met.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...his mother-in-law, would you believe it? Of course he never quite forgave...."
action: You examine table
response: (the main table)
The table is long, much-used, and heavily stained.
action: You jump
response: You jump on the spot, fruitlessly.
action: You hide
response: You can run, but you can't hide.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...walked straight up to the high priest without glancing back. They say this means...."
action: Smash table
response: Violence isn't the answer to this one.

Clopas reaches for his cup just as a guest decides to offer her congratulations. Clopas sets down his cup again, reluctantly, to do the polite thing and exchange some small talk with the guest.
action: You look at the curtain
response: It's not exactly Persian, but it's a heavy, good-looking piece of material.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...could go for another drink right now. I'm not properly drunk yet...."
action: East
response: Little Orphan Anna has better things to do.
action: You go to the north
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like the sort of disciple no prophet ever wants.

The kitchen is dim and smoky and cluttered, the result of the chaos of preparing for the wedding, currently underway in the courtyard to the south. In the northeast corner, the door to the garden stands wide open, in the hopes of letting in some cool air. Down some steps to the west is the winery.

You can see Little Orphan Anna and Amos here.
action: You take the dough
response: That seems to belong to Amos.
action: You go to the north-east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a little lost puppy.

This rather large garden supplements the family's table with a few fruits and vegetables throughout the year. Currently, it's about the only peaceful place on the property. The kitchen is back to the southwest, and a passage leads south to the main entryway. There is a stand of fig trees off to the northwest.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: Go south
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a red-headed shadow.

This oddly-shaped room is the house's main entryway. The street is out to the east, and the courtyard is to the southwest. In addition, a narrow passage leads north to an enclosed garden.

Most of the oddity of the room's shape comes from the placement of an alcove, situated just so, to inconvenience any invading evil spirits.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You take the jars
response: Even when empty, they're quite heavy; and either way they're dreadfully unwieldy. Best leave them where they are.
action: You fill the bucket
response: You transfer the water from the jug to the bucket. It doesn't exactly help, but at least the water has gone to a better place.
action: You look at water
response: Cool, clear water, with a vaguely mineral aftertaste.
action: Drink water
response: You take a refreshing sip.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...not very bright, but he found the missing animal all the same...."
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying:
a bucket
a wine jug

You hear the guests chattering on: "...so the diplomat grabbed the elephant's ear, and...."
action: Drink water
response: You take a refreshing sip.
action: You examine bucket
response: This is the bucket used to carry water from the village well to the house. It's larger than average, but at least that means not having to make quite so many trips back and forth when filling up all those jars in the entryway. Currently, the bucket is full of water, and very heavy.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...of course no-one likes a tax-collector, but what can you do? At least he's...."
action: You go west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like an annoying following thing that follows.

The guests gather in clumps along the western periphery of the courtyard, under the glow of the hanging lamps. Of particular note is the more scholarly crowd, milling about restlessly since the departure of the Rabbi. The rest of the courtyard is to east and southeast.

Mary of Bethany hovers on the periphery, largely ignored by the learned men.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna, Joshua and Lazarus of Bethany here.
action: You ask Lazarus about the water
response: (Clean water)
Lazarus of Bethany doesn't seem to have much to say about that.
action: You give the water to Lazarus
response: (first taking Clean water)
That seems to be a part of the bucket.
action: You ask Mary about Martha
response: "My sister means well," she says vaguely.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...looking for a map of Lutetia and instead discovering that the entire clan...."
action: You ask Mary about the locusts
response: "You'll have to ask Martha, I think," Mary says vaguely.
action: You find Martha
response: She's somewhere about, surely.
action: Go east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a guilty conscience.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You go north
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like an annoying following thing that follows.

The kitchen is dim and smoky and cluttered, the result of the chaos of preparing for the wedding, currently underway in the courtyard to the south. In the northeast corner, the door to the garden stands wide open, in the hopes of letting in some cool air. Down some steps to the west is the winery.

You can see Little Orphan Anna and Amos here.
action: Go northwest
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like the too-long hem of an over-sized robe.

This is about as far from the maddening crowd as you can get, without actually leaving the house. The fig trees provide shade in the daytime, and the air is pleasantly cool; this time of the evening, though, it's rather darker and more shadowy than you care for. The garden itself is to the southeast.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You go southeast
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like an annoying following thing that follows.

This rather large garden supplements the family's table with a few fruits and vegetables throughout the year. Currently, it's about the only peaceful place on the property. The kitchen is back to the southwest, and a passage leads south to the main entryway. There is a stand of fig trees off to the northwest.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: Go south
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like the sort of disciple no prophet ever wants.

This oddly-shaped room is the house's main entryway. The street is out to the east, and the courtyard is to the southwest. In addition, a narrow passage leads north to an enclosed garden.

Most of the oddity of the room's shape comes from the placement of an alcove, situated just so, to inconvenience any invading evil spirits.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: Go east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like an Egyptian plague.

The road to town stretches off to the south, and the house is back to the west. The dust has finally settled from the arrival of guests, and, compared to the noisy hubbub back in the courtyard, the street is blissfully quiet. It's probably even more quiet by the village well, across the street to the east.

You can see Little Orphan Anna, a bridesmaid and an ancient mariner here.

"There was this albatross ... did I mention the albatross?"

"Yes," says the bridesmaid, barely concealing a yawn, "yes you did."

"Well, there was this albatross, see, and I thought...."
action: You go south
response: You don't have any business in town.

The old sailor describes in lurid detail how two hundred men just dropped dead on the deck of a ship. The bridesmaid looks like she's ready to drop dead, herself.
action: Go east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like Raphael following Tobias, but with significantly less divine intent.

You are standing beside the village well, a large stone structure with a heavy wooden cover to keep people and wandering animals from falling in. Off to the west is the road to town, and beyond that is the house and the wedding. Fields stretch out in all other directions.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: Go west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a lost sheep.

The road to town stretches off to the south, and the house is back to the west. The dust has finally settled from the arrival of guests, and, compared to the noisy hubbub back in the courtyard, the street is blissfully quiet. It's probably even more quiet by the village well, across the street to the east.

You can see Little Orphan Anna, a bridesmaid and an ancient mariner here.
action: You ask the bridesmaid about story
response: Unfortunately, the ancient mariner appears to have the bridesmaid's whole and unwilling attention.
action: You ask the mariner about the story
response: Little Orphan Anna has better things to do.

The old sailor seems to break off in the middle of his narrative to describe some beautiful water snakes. The bridesmaid doesn't seem to notice.
action: Go west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a guilty conscience.

This oddly-shaped room is the house's main entryway. The street is out to the east, and the courtyard is to the southwest. In addition, a narrow passage leads north to an enclosed garden.

Most of the oddity of the room's shape comes from the placement of an alcove, situated just so, to inconvenience any invading evil spirits.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You ask Anna about John
response: "I think John is Lazarus's brother, but not a close brother. I mean his parents are totally different people. I wish there were a word for brothers and sisters who aren't actually your brothers and sisters, don't you? Anyway, Mary likes to listen to him, and Lazarus likes to argue with him, but Martha says he ought to clean himself up and marry a nice, respectable girl and settle down. She says he lives out in the wilderness and eats honey and locusts every day, which can't be healthy, but I guess he must like it or he wouldn't do it. Or maybe he's so busy talking he forgets to eat -- his father's the same way."
action: Go southwest
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like the too-long hem of an over-sized robe.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...a terrible snob, but you won't find a more honest man...."
action: Go west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a little lost puppy.

The guests gather in clumps along the western periphery of the courtyard, under the glow of the hanging lamps. Of particular note is the more scholarly crowd, milling about restlessly since the departure of the Rabbi. The rest of the courtyard is to east and southeast.

Mary of Bethany hovers on the periphery, largely ignored by the learned men.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna, Joshua and Lazarus of Bethany here.
action: You ask Lazarus about Rabbi
response: "What? He's a wise and learned man, from a fine priestly family."
action: You tell Lazarus about wine
response: It seems unlikely that you could get much help there, and anyway it's really not your place to intrude.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...such a temper. Their mother's ambitious, though, and won't rest until...."
action: You tell the jesus about the wine
response: You tell Joshua how dry the party is getting, but he only shrugs. "Not my problem, really. Clopas doesn't really need any more wine to have a good party, does he?"
action: Go southeast
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a red-headed shadow.

The lamps are brightest here, where the main table overlooks the crush of wedding guests to the north and northwest. The family's main sleeping quarters are beyond, to the south, but no-one has any business going there.

The happy couple sit here, accepting congratulations and well wishes, and occasionally exchanging shy glances as if they'd only just met.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...must be starving! So I left a platter of her favourite sweetmeats...."
action: You tell Clopas about the wine
response: Clopas seems rather pre-occupied with all the complicated business of being a newlywed. It would be a shame to disturb him.
action: Go east
response: You can't go that way.

Mary, the bride, is about to take a sip from her cup when a guest comes up to offer his congratulations. Mary puts down her cup to thank the guest and promptly forgets about it.
action: You go to the north
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a guilty conscience.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You go to the northeast
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like Raphael following Tobias, but with significantly less divine intent.

This oddly-shaped room is the house's main entryway. The street is out to the east, and the courtyard is to the southwest. In addition, a narrow passage leads north to an enclosed garden.

Most of the oddity of the room's shape comes from the placement of an alcove, situated just so, to inconvenience any invading evil spirits.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: Go east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a red-headed shadow.

The road to town stretches off to the south, and the house is back to the west. The dust has finally settled from the arrival of guests, and, compared to the noisy hubbub back in the courtyard, the street is blissfully quiet. It's probably even more quiet by the village well, across the street to the east.

You can see Little Orphan Anna, a bridesmaid and an ancient mariner here.
action: You throw the water at the mariner
response: (first taking Clean water)
That seems to be a part of the bucket.

"There passed a weary time ... a weary time! a weary time!" the old sailor mumbles.

"I can well imagine," mutters the bridesmaid, with a glazed and weary eye.
action: You take mariner
response: I don't suppose the ancient mariner would care for that.

"There was a ship," quoth the mariner.

"We've been through this," says the bridesmaid, a trifle desperately.
action: You talk to the mariner
response: Little Orphan Anna has better things to do.

"...the dead men rose up, but don't be alarmed ... it was a troop of blessed spirits...."

The bridesmaid, however alarmed she might have been the first time around, takes this "revelation" with not much more than a resigned sigh.
action: Go west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a guilty conscience.

This oddly-shaped room is the house's main entryway. The street is out to the east, and the courtyard is to the southwest. In addition, a narrow passage leads north to an enclosed garden.

Most of the oddity of the room's shape comes from the placement of an alcove, situated just so, to inconvenience any invading evil spirits.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You go southwest
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like the too-long hem of an over-sized robe.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...wagon driven by a pack of drunken scoundrels. She was barely more than...."
action: You ask Lazarus about the mariner
response: Lazarus of Bethany doesn't seem to have much to say about that.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...walked straight up to the high priest without glancing back. They say this means...."
action: You tell Mary about the mariner
response: Mary listens attentively, but has little to tell you.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...his mother-in-law, would you believe it? Of course he never quite forgave...."
action: You tell Mary about the wine
response: "I'm sorry to hear it," Mary says sympathetically. "I wish there were something I could do to help."
action: You ask Joshua for the wine
response: Mary of Bethany has better things to do.
action: You ask Mary about Joshua
response: "Oh, he's dreadfully wise. You've just got to listen a while and you'll understand."
action: You give jug to Mary
response: Er, maybe it would be best if you don't do that.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...of course no-one likes a tax-collector, but what can you do? At least he's...."
action: You ask Mary about the story
response: "Perhaps you can tell me."

You hear the guests chattering on: "...a pound of flesh, of all things, but then the other gentile's wife pointed out that...."
action: You go east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like an Egyptian plague.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...had this dream about the butcher's late wife, so they called off the wedding...."
action: Go north
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a guilty conscience.

The kitchen is dim and smoky and cluttered, the result of the chaos of preparing for the wedding, currently underway in the courtyard to the south. In the northeast corner, the door to the garden stands wide open, in the hopes of letting in some cool air. Down some steps to the west is the winery.

You can see Little Orphan Anna and Amos here.
action: You ask Amos about the recipe
response: Amos spends a minute or so nattering on about the finer points of his experiments. "But it's still missing something, I think."
action: You ask Amos about the honey
response: "Hmm ... I suppose I could make up another batch with that," says Amos.

Before long, Amos has filled up a tray with honey-flavoured bikkie dough ready for the oven.
action: You examine the tray
response: Amos calls them "bakies" or "bikkies" (Hebrew unclear - SD) because they're supposed to be baked. These are less than half-baked, being raw, but look no less delicious and full of honey-flavoured goodness.
action: You take the tray
response: Taken.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
a tray of bikkies
a bucket
a wine jug
action: Go south
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like Raphael following Tobias, but with significantly less divine intent.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You give the bikkies to Lazarus
response: Lazarus of Bethany doesn't seem interested.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...looking for a map of Lutetia and instead discovering that the entire clan...."
action: You give tray to Joshua
response: Joshua's eyes light up as he takes a bikkie and breaks it into four quarters. "Thanks," he says, after muttering a quick blessing over the bikkie quarters and popping one into his mouth. "I love these things."
action: You ask Joshua for the wine
response: (Joshua first taking the wine jug)
Joshua has better things to do.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...rhubarb. Rhubarb rhubarb rhubarb. Rhubarb...?"
action: You ask Joshua about the wine
response: You tell Joshua how dry the party is getting, but he only shrugs. "Not my problem, really. Clopas doesn't really need any more wine to have a good party, does he?"
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
a tray of bikkies
a bucket
a wine jug

You hear the guests chattering on: "...thankfully managed to work around their language differences and got the medicine for...."
action: You give the tray to Joshua
response: Joshua's eyes light up as he takes a bikkie and breaks it into four quarters. "Thanks," he says, popping one into his mouth. "I love these things."

You hear the guests chattering on: "...his mother-in-law, would you believe it? Of course he never quite forgave...."
action: You show tray to Joshua
response: Joshua's eyes light up as he takes a bikkie and breaks it into four quarters. "Thanks," he says, popping one into his mouth. "I love these things."
action: You go southeast
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like the sort of disciple no prophet ever wants.

The lamps are brightest here, where the main table overlooks the crush of wedding guests to the north and northwest. The family's main sleeping quarters are beyond, to the south, but no-one has any business going there.

The happy couple sit here, accepting congratulations and well wishes, and occasionally exchanging shy glances as if they'd only just met.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You put the tray on the table
response: You put the tray of bikkies on the main table.
action: Look around
response: The lamps are brightest here, where the main table overlooks the crush of wedding guests to the north and northwest. The family's main sleeping quarters are beyond, to the south, but no-one has any business going there.

On the main table is a tray of bikkies.

The happy couple sit here, accepting congratulations and well wishes, and occasionally exchanging shy glances as if they'd only just met.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.

Clopas reaches for his cup just as a guest decides to offer her congratulations. Clopas sets down his cup again, reluctantly, to do the polite thing and exchange some small talk with the guest.
action: You take the tray
response: Taken.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...such a temper. Their mother's ambitious, though, and won't rest until...."
action: You give the tray to Anna
response: "Oh, may I?" Anna takes a bikkie before you can answer, pops it into her mouth, and begins chewing happily.
action: You go north
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like an annoying following thing that follows.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...could go for another drink right now. I'm not properly drunk yet...."
action: Go northeast
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a lost sheep.

This oddly-shaped room is the house's main entryway. The street is out to the east, and the courtyard is to the southwest. In addition, a narrow passage leads north to an enclosed garden.

Most of the oddity of the room's shape comes from the placement of an alcove, situated just so, to inconvenience any invading evil spirits.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.

Anna finally unsticks all the bikkie dough from her teeth, and unfortunately returns to her chatterbox ways.
action: Go east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like an Egyptian plague.

The road to town stretches off to the south, and the house is back to the west. The dust has finally settled from the arrival of guests, and, compared to the noisy hubbub back in the courtyard, the street is blissfully quiet. It's probably even more quiet by the village well, across the street to the east.

You can see Little Orphan Anna, a bridesmaid and an ancient mariner here.

"There was this albatross ... did I mention the albatross?"

"Yes," says the bridesmaid, barely concealing a yawn, "yes you did."

"Well, there was this albatross, see, and I thought...."
action: You give the tray to the mariner
response: The ancient mariner absently takes a bikkie and begins munching on it. But when he tries to continue his story, the sticky bikkie dough proves too much for his old jaws, and he is reduced to silence. The bridesmaid seizes her chance. She leaps to her feet, thanks the mariner very nicely for sharing his story with her, and hurries into the house. The mariner stares sadly after her, then helps himself to another bikkie and hobbles off down the street.
action: You go west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like the too-long hem of an over-sized robe.

This oddly-shaped room is the house's main entryway. The street is out to the east, and the courtyard is to the southwest. In addition, a narrow passage leads north to an enclosed garden.

Most of the oddity of the room's shape comes from the placement of an alcove, situated just so, to inconvenience any invading evil spirits.

You can see Little Orphan Anna and a bridesmaid here.

"Thank you," says the bridesmaid, "I didn't think the old man would ever stop talking, and somehow I just couldn't stop listening to him. It's not that his story was all that long and terrible; it's actually not bad, once you've put the pieces together. But he would insist on jumping around at random, and repeating some bits over and over." She sighs and turns to enter the courtyard. "Well, ask me about the story sometime, if you want to know what it was all about, and I'll tell it to you so that it makes sense. For now, I'm just going to go and enjoy what's left of the party."
action: You go to the southwest
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a lost sheep.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see the bridesmaid, the one you rescued from the ancient mariner, mingling with the guests.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You ask the bridesmaid about the story
response: "There was a ship...." the bridesmaid describes the voyage of the mariner's ship, which seems mundane enough. "But that's only the beginning," she says.
action: Continue
response: The bridesmaid continues the story, describing a curse which befalls the mariner and his crew.
action: You continue
response: The bridesmaid continues the story, describing the nightmarish fate of the mariner's crew and the terrible visions that plagued him.
action: Continue
response: The bridesmaid tells of how the mariner's adventures ended, rather inexplicably, when he stops to admire some sea creatures.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...must be starving! So I left a platter of her favourite sweetmeats...."
action: You ask the bridesmaid about moral
response: The bridesmaid doesn't seem to have much to say about that.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...saved the bridge, though if you ask me he should never have wandered off in the first place...."
action: Go west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a red-headed shadow.

The guests gather in clumps along the western periphery of the courtyard, under the glow of the hanging lamps. Of particular note is the more scholarly crowd, milling about restlessly since the departure of the Rabbi. The rest of the courtyard is to east and southeast.

Mary of Bethany hovers on the periphery, largely ignored by the learned men.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna, Joshua and Lazarus of Bethany here.
action: You tell the story to Mary
response: "There was a ship..." you begin, which catches Mary's attention immediately.

"That sounds familiar," she says, giving you her full attention.
"Isn't it the beginning part of that rather confused story that the mariner outside tells? If you've got it all organised, I'd like to hear it."
action: You continue
response: Mary shudders as you describe the curse that befell the mariner's crew. "How terrible! Should all the people suffer for the sin of one man?"
action: Continue
response: "What a terrible story!" Mary seems to be hanging on to your every word, nonetheless.
action: Continue
response: "And is that how it ends, with the old mariner turning his gaze away from his suffering to these sea snakes? But why would the Lord relent for something like that?" Mary looks to you for the moral of the story.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...rhubarb. Rhubarb rhubarb rhubarb. Rhubarb...?"
action: You give the wine jug to Mary
response: Er, maybe it would be best if you don't do that.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...wouldn't believe a word of it. So I said to Thomas, I said...."
action: You tell the story to Lazarus
response: It seems unlikely that you could get much help there, and anyway it's really not your place to intrude.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...thankfully managed to work around their language differences and got the medicine for...."
action: You show the wine jug to Mary
response: Er, maybe it would be best if you don't do that.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...must be starving! So I left a platter of her favourite sweetmeats...."
action: Go southeast
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like Raphael following Tobias, but with significantly less divine intent.

The lamps are brightest here, where the main table overlooks the crush of wedding guests to the north and northwest. The family's main sleeping quarters are beyond, to the south, but no-one has any business going there.

The happy couple sit here, accepting congratulations and well wishes, and occasionally exchanging shy glances as if they'd only just met.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...of course no-one likes a tax-collector, but what can you do? At least he's...."
action: Go northwest
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a little lost puppy.

The guests gather in clumps along the western periphery of the courtyard, under the glow of the hanging lamps. Of particular note is the more scholarly crowd, milling about restlessly since the departure of the Rabbi. The rest of the courtyard is to east and southeast.

Mary of Bethany hovers on the periphery, largely ignored by the learned men.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna, Joshua and Lazarus of Bethany here.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...his mother-in-law, would you believe it? Of course he never quite forgave...."
action: You tell the story to Mary
response: Mary frowns. "I hope you know a little more about it than you did the last time." She listens as you quickly go over the initial part of the story again.
action: Go east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like an annoying following thing that follows.

"Wait up," says Mary of Bethany, trailing after you, "we're not finished yet!"

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

Mary of Bethany hovers nearby, her attention focussed on you.

You can see the bridesmaid, the one you rescued from the ancient mariner, mingling with the guests.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...honour one's father and mother. Say what you like, he's always done his duty by her...."
action: You tell the story to Mary
response: You repeat the part about the curse that befell the mariner's crew. Mary nods thoughtfully, still searching your words for any grain of meaning she might have missed the first time around.
action: Go north
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a lost sheep.

"Wait up," says Mary of Bethany, trailing after you, "we're not finished yet!"

The kitchen is dim and smoky and cluttered, the result of the chaos of preparing for the wedding, currently underway in the courtyard to the south. In the northeast corner, the door to the garden stands wide open, in the hopes of letting in some cool air. Down some steps to the west is the winery.

Mary of Bethany hovers nearby, her attention focussed on you.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna and Amos here.
action: You go to the west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like the too-long hem of an over-sized robe.

"Wait up," says Mary of Bethany, trailing after you, "we're not finished yet!"

This is where the family keeps the wine and the olive oil. It is a cool, windowless room; the kitchen proper is up some steps to the east.

Mary of Bethany hovers nearby, her attention focussed on you.

A broken set of shelves lies shattered and scattered across the floor.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You tell the story to Mary
response: "But why would the Lord relent for something like that?" Mary looks to you for the moral of the story.
action: Keep going
response: "But why would the Lord relent for something like that?" Mary looks to you for the moral of the story.

Mary presses you for further details or possibly an explanation for the more inexplicable aspects of the story, but you have to confess that you cannot add to what you have told her. Disappointed, she returns to the Rabbi and his entourage for more erudite discourse.
action: Go east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a lost sheep.

The kitchen is dim and smoky and cluttered, the result of the chaos of preparing for the wedding, currently underway in the courtyard to the south. In the northeast corner, the door to the garden stands wide open, in the hopes of letting in some cool air. Down some steps to the west is the winery.

You can see Little Orphan Anna and Amos here.
action: You ask Anna about the story
response: "I've overheard a little bit of the story that the old mariner outside has been telling, sir, and it's really quite amazing, only it's all jumbled up when he tells it. That old mariner seems to have rather an amazing imagination, sir. Or do you think it could all be real? I mean, I hear that a lot of awful things happen at sea, that's why I'm glad I'm not from the tribe of Zebulun. Lazarus told me all about Jacob's blessing on Zebulun, sir. They're supposed to be great sailors, and one imagines that it would be terribly romantic, to be out on the sea with water all around and the sky arching across overhead, but after listening to a bit of the old mariner's story, I think I'd much rather stay on land."
action: You go south
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like an annoying following thing that follows.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see the bridesmaid, the one you rescued from the ancient mariner, mingling with the guests.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You ask Joshua about the zebulun
response: Joshua doesn't seem to have much to say about that.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...a pound of flesh, of all things, but then the other gentile's wife pointed out that...."
action: You go north
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like an Egyptian plague.

The kitchen is dim and smoky and cluttered, the result of the chaos of preparing for the wedding, currently underway in the courtyard to the south. In the northeast corner, the door to the garden stands wide open, in the hopes of letting in some cool air. Down some steps to the west is the winery.

You can see Little Orphan Anna and Amos here.
action: Go south
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like the sort of disciple no prophet ever wants.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see the bridesmaid, the one you rescued from the ancient mariner, mingling with the guests.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You open the cover
response: You heave the wooden cover aside.
action: You pour the water in the well
response: Which do you mean, the village well or the well water?
action: Village
response: (Clean water in the village well)
I think you've got this backwards.
action: You pour the well water in the bucket
response: No sense in making a mess here, especially since you're the one who'll have to clean it up afterwards.
action: You fill the bucket
response: Oh no, you hauled enough water from the well earlier today, filling up those jars for washing feet. You're not doing this again unless you absolutely have to.
action: You go to the west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like the sort of disciple no prophet ever wants.

The road to town stretches off to the south, and the house is back to the west. The dust has finally settled from the arrival of guests, and, compared to the noisy hubbub back in the courtyard, the street is blissfully quiet. It's probably even more quiet by the village well, across the street to the east.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: Go east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like the too-long hem of an over-sized robe.

You are standing beside the village well, a large stone structure with a heavy wooden cover to keep people and wandering animals from falling in. Off to the west is the road to town, and beyond that is the house and the wedding. Fields stretch out in all other directions.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: Close well
response: (the village well)
You carefully reposition the cover over the well.
action: You go to the west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like an Egyptian plague.

The road to town stretches off to the south, and the house is back to the west. The dust has finally settled from the arrival of guests, and, compared to the noisy hubbub back in the courtyard, the street is blissfully quiet. It's probably even more quiet by the village well, across the street to the east.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You go to the west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a lost sheep.

This oddly-shaped room is the house's main entryway. The street is out to the east, and the courtyard is to the southwest. In addition, a narrow passage leads north to an enclosed garden.

Most of the oddity of the room's shape comes from the placement of an alcove, situated just so, to inconvenience any invading evil spirits.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You pour the water into the jars
response: You pour the water into one of the jars. It isn't quite full to the top, and there are five more to go....
action: Go west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like the too-long hem of an over-sized robe.

This oddly-shaped room is the house's main entryway. The street is out to the east, and the courtyard is to the southwest. In addition, a narrow passage leads north to an enclosed garden.

Most of the oddity of the room's shape comes from the placement of an alcove, situated just so, to inconvenience any invading evil spirits.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You go west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a guilty conscience.

The guests gather in clumps along the western periphery of the courtyard, under the glow of the hanging lamps. Of particular note is the more scholarly crowd, milling about restlessly since the departure of the Rabbi. The rest of the courtyard is to east and southeast.

Mary of Bethany hovers on the periphery, largely ignored by the learned men.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna, Joshua and Lazarus of Bethany here.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...saved the bridge, though if you ask me he should never have wandered off in the first place...."
action: You examine Joshua
response: You don't know the guy very well. Most of the guests are relative strangers, and this one is stranger than most: he's supposed to be a carpenter, or so you've heard, but apparently he was already teaching the priests and the Levites their own craft when he was ten. Which makes you kind of glad that you didn't know him way back then.
action: You ask Joshua about the feet
response: Joshua doesn't seem to have much to say about that.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...wouldn't believe a word of it. So I said to Thomas, I said...."
action: You talk to Joshua
response: You might get further if you tried either asking or telling Joshua about something specific.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...had this dream about the butcher's late wife, so they called off the wedding...."
action: You tell Joshua about the mariner's story
response: Joshua doesn't seem to have anything to add to what you tell him.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...rhubarb. Rhubarb rhubarb rhubarb. Rhubarb...?"
action: You ask Anna about the story
response: You don't want to hear that long rigmarole again.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...of course no-one likes a tax-collector, but what can you do? At least he's...."
action: You tell the story to Mary
response: Mary frowns. "I hope you know a little more about it than you did the last time." She listens as you quickly go over the initial part of the story again.
action: You tell story to Mary
response: You repeat the part about the curse that befell the mariner's crew. Mary nods thoughtfully, still searching your words for any grain of meaning she might have missed the first time around.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...thankfully managed to work around their language differences and got the medicine for...."
action: You tell the story to Mary
response: "But why would the Lord relent for something like that?" Mary looks to you for the moral of the story.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...saved the bridge, though if you ask me he should never have wandered off in the first place...."
action: You tell the story to Mary
response: "But why would the Lord relent for something like that?" Mary looks to you for the moral of the story.

Mary presses you for further details or possibly an explanation for the more inexplicable aspects of the story, but you have to confess that you cannot add to what you have told her. Disappointed, she returns to the Rabbi and his entourage for more erudite discourse.
action: You examine Joshua
response: You don't know the guy very well. Most of the guests are relative strangers, and this one is stranger than most: he's supposed to be a carpenter, or so you've heard, but apparently he was already teaching the priests and the Levites their own craft when he was ten. Which makes you kind of glad that you didn't know him way back then.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...could go for another drink right now. I'm not properly drunk yet...."
action: You ask Mary for Joshua
response: (Mary of Bethany first taking Joshua)
Mary of Bethany has better things to do.
action: You ask Mary about the jug
response: Mary listens attentively, but has little to tell you.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...had this dream about the butcher's late wife, so they called off the wedding...."
action: You ask Joshua about sailor
response: Joshua doesn't seem to have much to say about that.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...in the middle of winter.
Anyway, she was lost and...."
action: You tell Joshua about the story
response: Joshua doesn't seem to have anything to add to what you tell him.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...looking for a map of Lutetia and instead discovering that the entire clan...."
action: You ask Mary about Joshua
response: "Oh, he's dreadfully wise. You've just got to listen a while and you'll understand."

You hear the guests chattering on: "...so the diplomat grabbed the elephant's ear, and...."
action: You listen to Joshua
response: "...down on the Jordan. Surprised to see him here at all, though of course he's disappeared...."
action: You keep going
response: "...had this dream about the butcher's late wife, so they called off the wedding...."
action: You look
response: The guests gather in clumps along the western periphery of the courtyard, under the glow of the hanging lamps. Of particular note is the more scholarly crowd, milling about restlessly since the departure of the Rabbi. The rest of the courtyard is to east and southeast.

Mary of Bethany hovers on the periphery, largely ignored by the learned men.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna, Joshua and Lazarus of Bethany here.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...rhubarb. Rhubarb rhubarb rhubarb. Rhubarb...?"
action: Nazareth
response: "A relative of your master's, I think? I think I met her earlier in the evening ... a quiet woman, very dignified. You've got to admire a woman who can keep calm in the midst of wedding preparations."
action: You ask the bridesmaid about the mariner
response: The bridesmaid makes a face. "That man just would not shut up. It would be one thing if he could tell his story straight, but he would insist on messing it all up. I could tell it better than he does; I mean, I've heard it at least five times over by now, backwards, forwards and sideways."
action: You ask the bridesmaid about John
response: "Rabbi Zechariah's son." She smirks a little. "I don't think there's anyone who doesn't know about his preaching out on the Jordan. I can't imagine what his father must think."

You hear the guests chattering on: "...looking for a map of Lutetia and instead discovering that the entire clan...."
action: You ask the bridesmaid about Rabbi
response: "A very fine and learned man, I'm sure, and a pillar of the community. All the same, I think I'll keep my distance: he bores me to tears."
action: You look around
response: The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see the bridesmaid, the one you rescued from the ancient mariner, mingling with the guests.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...a terrible snob, but you won't find a more honest man...."
action: You ask the bridesmaid about Lazarus
response: "Wasn't he one of the potential candidates for the position of High Priest? I hear his health isn't very good."
action: You look at the bridesmaid
response: You recognise her as one of the bridesmaids who'd been arranged for the wedding. She wasn't actually at the wedding, though: Clopas was running a little late, and a bunch of the bridesmaids, including this one, had to run off to the market to replenish the oil in their lamps when he finally arrived. These bridesmaids missed the wedding altogether as a result, and you thought they'd all gone home. Apparently one of them, at least, is still hanging around.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...a pound of flesh, of all things, but then the other gentile's wife pointed out that...."
action: You ask the bridesmaid about the bride
response: You think you detect a hint of bitterness in the bridesmaid's tone as she says, "Mary? She's quite radiant tonight, isn't she?"
action: Go south
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like an Egyptian plague.

The lamps are brightest here, where the main table overlooks the crush of wedding guests to the north and northwest. The family's main sleeping quarters are beyond, to the south, but no-one has any business going there.

The happy couple sit here, accepting congratulations and well wishes, and occasionally exchanging shy glances as if they'd only just met.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.

Mary, the bride, is about to take a sip from her cup when a guest comes up to offer her congratulations. Mary puts down her cup to thank the guest and promptly forgets about it.
action: You examine Mary
response: Mary, the bride, looks absolutely radiant, if a little thirsty. She's been so busy receiving everyone's congratulations that she hasn't been able to take more than a sip from the cup that Amos poured for her, hours ago.
action: You get the cup
response: You don't really want to draw any attention to that, under the circumstances.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...of course no-one likes a tax-collector, but what can you do? At least he's...."
action: Go northwest
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a guilty conscience.

The guests gather in clumps along the western periphery of the courtyard, under the glow of the hanging lamps. Of particular note is the more scholarly crowd, milling about restlessly since the departure of the Rabbi. The rest of the courtyard is to east and southeast.

Mary of Bethany hovers on the periphery, largely ignored by the learned men.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna, Joshua and Lazarus of Bethany here.
action: Go east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a little lost puppy.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see the bridesmaid, the one you rescued from the ancient mariner, mingling with the guests.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna here.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...so the diplomat grabbed the elephant's ear, and...."
action: You look at the guests
response: You've identified a number of women who might be Mary of Nazareth.
That is about all you can say.
action: You go to the west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a red-headed shadow.

The guests gather in clumps along the western periphery of the courtyard, under the glow of the hanging lamps. Of particular note is the more scholarly crowd, milling about restlessly since the departure of the Rabbi. The rest of the courtyard is to east and southeast.

Mary of Bethany hovers on the periphery, largely ignored by the learned men.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna, Joshua and Lazarus of Bethany here.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...down on the Jordan. Surprised to see him here at all, though of course he's disappeared...."
action: You ask Joshua about Mary
response: (Mary of Bethany)
"A lot of people would do well to learn from her."
action: You ask Joshua about the joseph
response: Joshua doesn't seem to have much to say about that.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...in the middle of winter.
Anyway, she was lost and...."
action: You ask Joshua about Mary of the nazareth
response: "She's my mother. Obviously I wouldn't say or do anything but that which would honour her."
action: You examine Joshua
response: You don't know the guy very well. Most of the guests are relative strangers, and this one is stranger than most: he's supposed to be a carpenter, or so you've heard, but apparently he was already teaching the priests and the Levites their own craft when he was ten. Which makes you kind of glad that you didn't know him way back then.
action: You ask Anna about Mary of the nazareth
response: "Mary is a really common name, isn't it? I know half of the women in the crowd are named Mary, and I can point them out, too."

You hear the guests chattering on: "...must be starving! So I left a platter of her favourite sweetmeats...."
action: You ask Lazarus about Mary of the nazareth
response: "Joshua's mother? We actually weren't sure if she would come, you know. But Martha convinced her to put away her widow's weeds and put on a nice, blue dress, and she's somewhere about."

Putting together all the information you've gathered, you think you could probably now pick the right Mary out of the crowd.
action: You look at the guests
response: Following the clues you've gathered, you manage to identify one of the women hovering around the courtyard as Mary of Nazareth, mother of Joshua.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see the bridesmaid, the one you rescued from the ancient mariner, mingling with the guests.

You can also see Mary of Nazareth here.
action: You ask Mary of the nazareth about Joshua
response: "I am truly blessed to have such a son," she says. She sounds like she means that, too, and yet the words seem to trouble her.

You hear the guests chattering on: "...a pound of flesh, of all things, but then the other gentile's wife pointed out that...."
action: You tell Mary about the wine
response: You tell Mary of Nazareth how you've almost run out of wine and how it has been suggested that her son might be able to help but that he doesn't seem interested in doing so. "Let me have a word with him," she says.

Mary pulls her son aside and repeats to him what you've told her about the wine shortage. He glances at you and tells her what he told you, that it's really not his problem, adding a cryptic phrase, that his "hour has not yet come."

Mary seems unperturbed. She simply turns to you and says, "do whatever he tells you to."

You glance over to Joshua. For a moment it looks like you're back where you began, and then he quietly says to you: "All right. You know those large water jars in the entryway alcove? Fill them all with water, up to the brim."
action: You go south
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a red-headed shadow.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see the bridesmaid, the one you rescued from the ancient mariner, mingling with the guests.

You can also see Little Orphan Anna, Joshua and Mary of Nazareth here.
action: You go northeast
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like an Egyptian plague.

This oddly-shaped room is the house's main entryway. The street is out to the east, and the courtyard is to the southwest. In addition, a narrow passage leads north to an enclosed garden.

Most of the oddity of the room's shape comes from the placement of an alcove, situated just so, to inconvenience any invading evil spirits.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You go to the east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like the too-long hem of an over-sized robe.

The road to town stretches off to the south, and the house is back to the west. The dust has finally settled from the arrival of guests, and, compared to the noisy hubbub back in the courtyard, the street is blissfully quiet. It's probably even more quiet by the village well, across the street to the east.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You go east
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a lost sheep.

You are standing beside the village well, a large stone structure with a heavy wooden cover to keep people and wandering animals from falling in. Off to the west is the road to town, and beyond that is the house and the wedding. Fields stretch out in all other directions.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You open well
response: (the village well)
You heave the wooden cover aside.
action: You fill the bucket
response: You lower the bucket into the well and heave it up full of water. Oof, it's heavy; you put down the bucket and pause to catch your breath.
action: Close well
response: (the village well)
You carefully reposition the cover over the well.
action: Go west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like an annoying following thing that follows.

The road to town stretches off to the south, and the house is back to the west. The dust has finally settled from the arrival of guests, and, compared to the noisy hubbub back in the courtyard, the street is blissfully quiet. It's probably even more quiet by the village well, across the street to the east.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You go west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a red-headed shadow.

This oddly-shaped room is the house's main entryway. The street is out to the east, and the courtyard is to the southwest. In addition, a narrow passage leads north to an enclosed garden.

Most of the oddity of the room's shape comes from the placement of an alcove, situated just so, to inconvenience any invading evil spirits.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.
action: You fill the jars
response: You pour the water into one of the jars. It isn't quite full to the top, and there are five more to go....

There's really no need to describe the tedious task of refilling the jars of water. Suffice it to say that you make several trips to and from the well, with Little Anna constantly hounding at your heels. At last, you have five of the jars filled to the brim; one more bucket of water, and you should be done....

You are standing beside the village well, a large stone structure with a heavy wooden cover to keep people and wandering animals from falling in. Off to the west is the road to town, and beyond that is the house and the wedding. Fields stretch out in all other directions.

You're exhausted. But one more bucket should do the trick.
action: You open well
response: (the village well)
You heave the wooden cover aside.
action: You fill the bucket
response: You lower the bucket into the well and heave it up full of water. Oof, it's heavy; you put down the bucket and pause to catch your breath.
action: You take Anna
response: You reach instinctively for Anna, but hesitate for a split-second. Sure, she's only an orphan and she's been nothing but a pest, but ... on the other hand, Mary of Nazareth did say to do exactly what Joshua told you, and Joshua -- who must be some sort of prophet along the lines of Elijah or Elisha if John is to be believed -- said to fill the jars to the brim, and if you lose the bucket.... What do you do?
action: You take Anna
response: You catch hold of Anna's arm as she goes over the edge, and pull her back to safety. For a moment, you both sit there, a little shocked at what's happened. "Thank you," Anna says, weakly. "I ... I'm sorry about the bucket. Maybe Joshua won't mind that one of the jars isn't quite full?"
action: You look in well
response: (the village well)
You can't see into the well with the cover covering it!
action: You look in well
response: (the village well)
The water seems dark and cold, at least from out here.
action: You enter well
response: (the village well)
It's cold and dark and wet and you're just asking for trouble, aren't you?
action: Close well
response: (the village well)
You carefully reposition the cover over the well.
action: You check what you're carrying
response: You are carrying:
a tray of bikkies
a wine jug
action: You go to the west
response: Rather annoyingly, Anna trails along behind you like a little lost puppy.

This oddly-shaped room is the house's main entryway. The street is out to the east, and the courtyard is to the southwest. In addition, a narrow passage leads north to an enclosed garden.

Most of the oddity of the room's shape comes from the placement of an alcove, situated just so, to inconvenience any invading evil spirits.

You can see Little Orphan Anna here.

Joshua strolls into the entryway. "Ah, I see the jars all filled up?"

You shake your head and mumble something about losing the bucket, as Little Anna begins a long-winded account of what happened at the well. Joshua looks a little bemused, and gestures for you both to settle down. "Please," he says, "how much of a stickler do you think I am, over these trivialities?" Producing a ladle which he must have swiped from the kitchen while you were busy hauling water, he draws out a bit of the water from the nearest jar and hands the ladle to you. "Here, let Amos have a taste of this and see what he thinks."

Thankfully, Little Anna seems to have decided she can be of more "use" pleading your case to Joshua than following you around.
action: You go to the south-west
response: The kitchen is dim and smoky and cluttered, the result of the chaos of preparing for the wedding, currently underway in the courtyard to the south. In the northeast corner, the door to the garden stands wide open, in the hopes of letting in some cool air. Down some steps to the west is the winery.

You can see Amos here.
action: You give the ladle to Amos
response: You hand the ladle over to Amos, uncomfortably aware that you've got to be playing part of a very sick joke here. Amos, all unaware and curious, takes a sip. His brow shoots up and, amazingly, he takes another sip. Before you know it, he's gone and drunk down half the ladle. "Micah," he gasps, incredulous, "where'd you get this? This is the good stuff ... Clopas has been holding out on us!"

What? Amos offers the ladle to you, and you hesitantly take a sip ... and it is the best wine you've ever been lucky enough to taste. "It's perfect," Amos says exultantly, "the aroma! The bouquet! Even the way it sits at the bottom of the ladle, weighting it in a way that demonstrates the absolute perfection of its design! I must tell Clopas!" And with that, Amos hurries off.
action: Go south
response: You'd better go see about the rest of those jars of ... water? Wine? Whatever it is, you've got to go see.

The courtyard is a large and spacious place, but the crush of wedding guests makes it seem a lot smaller. Off to the west, the guests gather in smaller, tighter groups under the hanging lamps, and you can see the bridal table to the south. You could retreat north to the kitchen (not that that would be any better) or northeast to the entryway. The bridal chamber is to the east, its doorway screened by an elaborate curtain.

You can see the bridesmaid, the one you rescued from the ancient mariner, mingling with the guests.

You can also see Mary of Nazareth here.

You can see a bit of excitement off to the south, where Amos is waxing lyrical over the sheer perfection of the wine. A job well done, you think, smiling in satisfaction. You don't notice Joshua until he is right behind you. "Micah?" he says, and it occurs to you that you never told him your name. "Micah, where is John ben Zechariah?"

"I don't know ... I'm not his keeper," you stammer, recognising only too late the parallel with Cain's answer to a similar question about Abel.

There is an uncomfortable pause. Then Joshua says, "John would have been arrested sooner or later, that is true. But all the same ... you disappoint me, Micah."

He pauses, waiting for you to respond, but all you can do is hang your head in shame. Sighing, Joshua turns to join the feast.

Three years later...

You've been out of Clopas's service for a while now. After he found out that you'd let a bunch of soldiers -- unclean soldiers, Herod's soldiers -- into his house, there wasn't much possibility of you staying with him. Since then, you've rattled from master to master, and the rise of Joshua's fame has only served to remind you of your guilt over those events at Clopas's wedding.

Joshua was executed a few days ago; you know that Clopas had high hopes for the man, so he must be quite devastated at this turn of events. It is while musing over this that you catch sight, out of the corner of your eye, of a flash of red hair vanishing behind the lone tree in the middle of the field. For a moment, you think, could it be Little Anna? Before you know it, you find yourself in the middle of the field, under the tree. Little Anna is nowhere in sight.

This field isn't much to look at. There's a tall tree, more dead than alive; there are some rocks and a lot of clay. The road is off to the south, and a small stream is to the west.
action: You examine the tree
response: More dead than alive, the tree looks like dead hand clawing at the sky.

You hear a nasty snapping sound from above, and duck aside just in time. A red-headed man lands on the rocks right beside you with a sound you'd rather not ever hear again. An attempted suicide, if the broken noose about his neck is anything to go by. With a start, you recognise him as Judas Iscariot, one of Joshua's friends. Has Joshua's execution really affected him that badly?
action: You examine Judas
response: You don't know all of Joshua's particular group of friends, but Judas always stood out because of his red hair. As you peer closely at him, his eyelids flutter open. He's still alive! Although, judging by the fall, he's not likely to be alive for much longer.

Judas's voice is a hoarse whisper. "Water. Please."
action: Go south
response: This is all really too much. Maybe it's best if you just get as far away from here as you can, as quickly as you can.
action: Go west
response: The grasses grow a little higher here, and nearly hide a small stream that trickles past on its way to greener pastures. The field is back to the east; everywhere else is unfamiliar territory.
action: You get the water
response: You scoop up a bit of water in your hands. It begins to trickle out between your fingers.
action: You go east
response: This field isn't much to look at. There's a tall tree, more dead than alive; there are some rocks and a lot of clay. The road is off to the south, and a small stream is to the west.

Judas lies sprawled among the rocks.
action: You give the water to Judas
response: Judas takes a sip and closes his eyes. He is very still, and for a moment you think he's dead, and then you hear him go on: "I have sinned. My teacher has been executed by crucifixion ... I betrayed him ... with a kiss, I betrayed him...."

You draw back, startled, remembering your own experience with John ben Zechariah and Herod's soldiers. Judas doesn't notice. "Is there forgiveness? I should have sought forgiveness ... they would not have forgiven me ... I don't know that ... I didn't dare ... I was afraid ... and so I damn myself...."

Suddenly, his eyes snap open, and he looks straight at you. "Blessed are the merciful," he says, a little louder than you would have thought possible, "they shall have mercy shown upon them." And then he really is gone.
action: You search Judas
response: He's dead. There's nothing more you can do for him.
action: You put rocks on Judas
response: (first taking the clay)

That's hardly portable.
You need to be holding the clay before you can put it on top of something else.
action: Go south
response: You cannot leave the scene fast enough. There's no way you're going to end up the same way, you tell yourself. What was it he said? He didn't dare ask for forgiveness? You stop at the side of the road and look down towards Jerusalem. Neither John nor his father are still among the living, but there's Joshua's mother ... his closest friends, who'll want to know of Judas's fate ... and Clopas usually has some business in Emmaus at this time of the year, you might be able to catch him there.... It's time to get some things off your chest.