Undertow
by Stephen Granade (1995)
Genres: Mystery

Go sailing on a yacht with three friends, and a corpse.

action: %
response: Yesterday, as you were walking through Central Park, a meteorite crashed nearby, bathing you in cosmic radiation. It only made the twelth page of the paper, under Dear Abby. Of course, if anyone could have foreseen the awful effects of that accident, it surely would have been a front page story. But there was no way for you, or anyone else, to predict that the result of that accident would be....

The Underoos That Ate New York!

(c) 1994. All Rights Reserved.
Email: gkw@pobox.com
Type 'xyzzy' for help and information.

Standard interpreter 1.0

Your Bedroom (on the bed)
Home sweet home for a '60s throwback bachelor like yourself.
Assorted, but unimportant decorations litter the walls and ceiling.
To the west is a door that, as you fuzzily recall, leads into your walk-in closet. To the east is a hallway, that, as you even more fuzzily recall, leads to the kitchen.
action: Xyzzy
response: A hollow voice says, "This is a short sample 'game' designed to test out some programming ideas I had. It pays homage to the bad old sci-fi B movies. The material here is, I suppose, vaguely mystifying to small children, so parents be warned, play it through first yourself, and make your own decision about it."
action: %
response: How did Thom ever talk you into this one...

Your friend Thom Hall has always been a smooth talker, which is probably how he got you to attend his party on board the *Bellerophon*. The fourty-eight-foot yacht is named after the H.M.S. Bellerophon, the ship on which Napoleon formally surrendered in 1815 after Waterloo. Thom isn't usually too modest.

Anyway, you're now stuck at a floating party with three other people you barely know, friends of Thom's. Bill Leveritt is one of Thom's partners in his architectural firm. Carl Weathers, another old friend of Thom's, brought his girlfriend Ashleigh Flannagin, which completes the floating fivesome.

So far you've seen Bill and Thom yell at each other, Thom hit Carl for some unexplained reason, and Ashleigh ignore both Thom and you. Not the most pleasant party you've ever been to.

And it's barely 10 a.m...

Undertow v1.1 (9/5/1995) by Stephen Granade

The forward head sports a small toilet, a sink, and a miniscule shower. In the floor is a small drain; above the sink, a mirror and medicine cabinet. A closed door leads west.
action: You open the cabinet
response: Opened.
action: Inventory
response: You are empty-handed.
action: You look at it
response: It is bolted to the wall just above the sink. It is made of strong plastic, and is open.
action: You examine the drain
response: It sees a lot of use due to the shower. Its metal surface is streaked with hard-water stains.
action: Time
response: The time is now 10:12 a.m.
action: About yourself
response: You look remarkably like yourself.
action: You go west
response: You'll have to open the door first.
action: You open the door
response: It's locked.
action: You unlock door
response: Unlocked.
action: You open the door
response: Opened.
action: Go west
response: Compact yet liveable, the fore stateroom has two v-berths that meet near the nose of the ship. On the port wall is a hanging locker, and across from it is the door to the forward head, standing open. A small ladder to the south leads up to a door.
Sitting on the left v-berth is a pill bottle.
action: You examine bottle
response: The closed bottle is opaque and plastic. The label has been torn off, so you don't know where it came from or what its pills do. All that is left is a faded sketch of a man with dark circles under his eyes.
action: You get the bottle
response: Taken.
action: You open it
response: Opening the pill bottle reveals five little pills.
action: You eat the pill
response: You swallow the pill, grimacing at its chalky taste. Almost immediately, you feel a wave of lethargy sweep over you. You have to fight off the overwhelming urge to sleep.
action: You open the locker
response: Opening the hanging locker reveals a safe.
action: You examine safe
response: Squat, grey, metal. It obviously requires a key to unlock it. Part of the top of the safe is scarred with deep gouges.
action: You examine the gouges
response: On closer inspection, you can see that the gouges outline a panel.
action: You examine the panel
response: The panel is surrounded by gouges, evidence of prior removals.
action: You open it
response: No matter how you try to fit your fingers around the panel, you fail. Evidently the panel is not openable without the assistance of a tool.
action: Up
response: The forecastle of the boat is surprisingly comfortable despite its small size. The helm controls, including the wheel, are mounted on the fore wall, next to a chest-of-drawers which sports a lamp. Across from the chest and beside the west entrance is the galley; between the galley and the helm is a companionway to the fore stateroom. Also on the port wall, aft of the entrance, is a small bar. Across from it is a dinette bench. Windows are at each of the cardinal directions. The west entranceway is open, as is the companionway to the north.
Sitting on the small bar is a drink tray.
action: You examine the tray
response: The wooden drink tray has held many, many drinks on its surface and is discolored with many, many drink stains. Right now it holds a whiskey bottle, a scotch bottle, a wine bottle, and a bottle of beer. One edge is chipped slightly.

Carl arrives from the west.
action: You examine Carl
response: Carl Weathers is about 28, with sandy brown hair and light blue eyes. If Hitler were alive today, he'd put Carl on one of his posters. Carl is a bit of a know-it-all, but fairly bright. You've never quite been sure what he does for a living.

Bill arrives from the west.

With a large sigh, Carl sits down on the bench.
action: You ask Carl about Bill
response: Carl says, "Hmm, can't tell you too much about that!"

Bill wanders over to the drink tray and picks up the whiskey bottle. From somewhere around the bar, he scrounges up a slightly-clean glass. With a deft flick of his wrist, he pours himself a shot of the whiskey and replaces the bottle. "I've always, er, liked whiskey," he comments.

Ashleigh arrives from the west.
action: You look at Bill
response: Bill Leveritt has been Thom's partner in their architectural firm for as long as you've known Thom. Bill's thatch of thinning gray hair and round glasses make him look older than his forty-two years. He tries to dress flamboyantly but often fails, as demonstrated today by his long-sleeved blue oxford shirt. He's extremely good at what he does, but he is very unassuming; Thom is the talker of the firm. In one hand he is holding one of his ubiquitous glasses of whiskey.

Ashleigh sits down next to Carl and whispers something to him. He grins slightly in response.
action: You examine Ashleigh
response: Ashleigh Flannagin is a knockout, which is why Thom ever dated her in the first place. However, Thom always has to be right, and it didn't take long for Ash to tire of that and start dating Carl. She has shoulder-length copper hair and dark brown eyes.
action: You look at Carl
response: Carl Weathers is about 28, with sandy brown hair and light blue eyes. If Hitler were alive today, he'd put Carl on one of his posters. Carl is a bit of a know-it-all, but fairly bright. You've never quite been sure what he does for a living.
action: You go west
response: The flying bridge rises above you, its canopy rippling slightly in
the wind. To the east, an open door flanked by windows leads into the forecastle. To the northeast you can see the foredeck; to the south are the aft sections of the boat.
action: You look at the canopy
response: It arches over much of the flying bridge.
action: Go south
response: You stand on the deck of the boat, just to port of the aft
stateroom. Its roof curves across the boat, and a ladder leads to the roof and then to the flying bridge. Beside the ladder, windows open into the stateroom. To starboard is the rail, standing sentinel between you and the cerulean water. The boat runs beneath your feet from the north to the southeast.
action: About yourself
response: You look remarkably like yourself.
action: You go to the south-east
response: boat. A large access panel in the deck allows for any necessary engine maintenance. On the stern, a flagstaff juts skyward, the stern light perched atop it like a squat bird. The door leading down into the aft stateroom yawns widely. Small windows flank the door. Tied to a cleat on the port side is a line. To the northeast and northwest is the remainder of the boat.
action: You examine the line
response: The line is tough, easily able to withstand the rigors of marine life. One end of it is tied to a cleat. The other end of it runs over the rail and into the water. It is taught, as if something heavy were tied to it.
action: You pull the line
response: You tug on the line as hard as you can, but something is weighing it down. Glancing over the rail, you see a dark shape in the water.
action: You examine the shape
response: It looks disturbingly person-like. In fact, it looks disturbingly Thom-like.
action: You pull the line
response: You tug on the line as hard as you can, but Thom's...dead weight, for lack of a better term, is too much for you. Judging from the weight, it is too much for everyone else on board.
action: You look at the water
response: It stretches all around you, rolling and glistening in the glare of the sun, churned up by the propellers. It is tantalizingly close yet out of reach. In the water, you can see a dim shape attached to the line tied to the cleat.

Bill arrives from the northwest.
action: You tell Bill about thom
response: You tell Bill about seeing Thom's body in the water. Bill, however, just waves you off absentmindedly.

As he is walking past it, Bill absentmindedly tugs on the line. Something about it makes him stop. He looks over the rail and into the water. His eyes widen alarmingly, and he yells, "Oh, my God! Quick! Everyone to the cockpit deck! It's Thom!" Bill begins pulling on the line with all his strength. "Help me!" he says to you.
action: You tell Bill about thom
response: You tell Bill about seeing Thom's body in the water. Bill, however, just waves you off absentmindedly.

Carl arrives from the northwest.

Ashleigh arrives from the northwest.
action: Wait
response: Time passes...

Carl grabs hold of the line and strains in concert with Bill. You slide in between them and put your back into the effort, but to no avail. After a few seconds, Carl stops, swearing.

Bill says, "The four of us won't be able to drag Thom on board while we're, uh, moving."

Ashleigh nods in agreement. "We've got to cut the engines." You find yourself wondering just who this "we" are--you surely don't want to monkey around with Thom's boat. Not that he's going to care now, but habits are hard to break.
action: You look at the panel
response: The large access panel can be opened in order to repair or service the engines which power the boat. Right now the panel is closed.

Carl finally convinces himself that he won't be able to drag Thom onboard. You would have been glad to explain it to him, but no doubt that would have taken one minute shy of eternity. He glances at the three of you.

"C'mon," he says, "I need you three on the flying bridge. I'll explain up there, right?"
action: You open the panel
response: Opened.

Bill leaves to the northwest.

Carl leaves to the northwest.

Ashleigh leaves to the northwest.
action: You go to the northwest
response: You stand on the deck of the boat, just to port of the aft
stateroom. Its roof curves across the boat, and a ladder leads to the roof and then to the flying bridge. Beside the ladder, windows open into the stateroom. To starboard is the rail, standing sentinel between you and the cerulean water. The boat runs beneath your feet from the north to the southeast.
Bill stands here, slouching his way from one part of the boat to another.
Carl, hands in pockets, is standing here, obviously on his way to somewhere else.
Ashleigh is briskly walking through here.

Bill climbs up the ladder and is gone.

Carl climbs up the ladder and is gone.

Ashleigh climbs up the ladder and is gone.
action: Go upwards
response: From up here, the skipper of the boat has an almost unobstructed
view of the waters in any direction. The wind whispers around the canopy's poles and past you on its journey. Beyond the helm, through the windscreen, you can see the bow of the boat. Further away is land, quite some distance away to the northeast. A chair sits in front of the helm. Towards the stern, a ladder leads down.
Bill slumps here quietly.
Carl is looking at the helm, thinking.
Ashleigh is standing here, obviously a bit disturbed.

Bill says, "Um, ok, Carl, what now?"

Carl looks at the controls. "I'd best man the anchor." He looks at you, then at Bill. Finally, "Bill, I want you to go to the cockpit deck and take care of the line Thom's attached to. I want you," he turns to Ashleigh, "to relay my instructions to Bill, and I want you," he turns to you, "to throttle back when I say so. Look over the helm." He makes a few adjustments to the helm, then nods to himself.
action: You examine the helm
response: The helm is amazingly complex, with gagues for RPMs, temperature, amperage...the mind boggles. On the right side of the helm are two levers: the throttle handle and the clutch handle. The throttle is taller than and to the right of the clutch handle. In the middle of the helm is a large wooden wheel.

Bill climbs down the ladder and is gone.

Carl climbs down the ladder and is gone.
action: You look at the throttle
response: The throttle handle controls the boat's speed. When pushed all the way forward, the engines run full out. When pulled back, the engines almost idle. Right now it is set to very slow.
action: You examine the clutch
response: The clutch handle controls the direction the boat moves, either forward or reverse. It can be pushed forward or pulled back. Right now it is set to forward.
action: You examine the wheel
response: Attached to the helm, the wheel controls the ship's rudders. It resembles a stereotypical ship wheel, with large wooden handles all around its circumference.

From below, Carl yells at you, "Pull the throttle back to idle."
action: You pull the throttle
response: You pull the throttle back to idling speed. You hear the engines slow down.
action: You look at your surroundings
response: From up here, the skipper of the boat has an almost unobstructed
view of the waters in any direction. The wind whispers around the canopy's poles and past you on its journey. Beyond the helm, through the windscreen, you can see the bow of the boat. Further away is land, quite some distance away to the northeast. A chair sits in front of the helm. Towards the stern, a ladder leads down.
Ashleigh is standing here, obviously a bit disturbed.
action: You ask Ashleigh about Thom
response: Ashleigh laughs, a deep throaty sound. "Sometimes I wonder how I ever dated him."
action: You examine Ashleigh
response: Ashleigh Flannagin is a knockout, which is why Thom ever dated her in the first place. However, Thom always has to be right, and it didn't take long for Ash to tire of that and start dating Carl. She has shoulder-length copper hair and dark brown eyes.
action: Turn wheel
response: Turn it left or right?
action: Turn wheel right
response: You spin the wheel to the right. The bow begins to swing to starboard.

Carl yells, "Ok, reverse the engines!"
action: You pull the clutch
response: You pull the clutch back. You hear the engines drop into neutral.
action: You pull the clutch
response: You pull the clutch back. You hear the engines begin to turn in reverse.
action: You look at your surroundings
response: From up here, the skipper of the boat has an almost unobstructed
view of the waters in any direction. The wind whispers around the canopy's poles and past you on its journey. Beyond the helm, through the windscreen, you can see the bow of the boat. Further away is land, quite some distance away to the northeast. A chair sits in front of the helm. Towards the stern, a ladder leads down.
Ashleigh is standing here, obviously a bit disturbed.
action: You look at the chair
response: The blue chair makes piloting the boat much more comfortable.
action: You sit on the chair
response: Okay, you're now sitting on the chair.

Carl shouts up at you, "Push the throttle to one-quarter."
action: You continue
response: You push the throttle forward to one-quarter speed. You hear the engines rev up to a higher pitch.
action: You look around
response: Flying Bridge, in the chair
From up here, the skipper of the boat has an almost unobstructed
view of the waters in any direction. The wind whispers around the canopy's poles and past you on its journey. Beyond the helm, through the windscreen, you can see the bow of the boat. Further away is land, quite some distance away to the northeast. A chair sits in front of the helm. Towards the stern, a ladder leads down.
Ashleigh is standing here, obviously a bit disturbed.
action: You wait for a while
response: Time passes...
action: You stand
response: Okay, you're no longer in the chair.

Carl yells, "Ok, I need you to shut off the...oh, screw it. Ash, kill the engines! And tell Bill to try pulling Thom in now."

Ashleigh moves to the helm, leaving you to yell Carl's instructions to Bill. "Oh, er, right!" he yells back.
action: You go northeast
response: From where you are, only a thin rail stands between you and the
water to starboard. A roof, much more substantial than the rail and belonging to the aft stateroom, lies to port, stretching from here to the port side of the boat. Small windows gape in the stateroom's side. Two-thirds of the boat lie to the north, while the other one-third of the boat is to the southwest.
action: Go north
response: Above you and to port rises the flying bridge, casting a cold
shadow across you. Also to port are the curtained windows which afford you a glimpse into the forecastle. At your feet lies a closed compartment. The boat continues to the northwest and south.
action: You examine the compartment
response: The compartment is about three meters long by half a meter wide and runs the length of the boat. The lid of the compartment normally doubles as the deck. Built in the lid is a small keyhole. The compartment is closed and locked.
action: You look at the hole
response: The hole in the deck opens into the chain locker, where the anchor chain is stored. The anchor chain runs out of it, over the rail, and plunges into the sea.
action: You open the locker
response: Your hand is too small to fit through the hole.
action: You examine the screwdriver
response: Thom has really put this tool through its paces. Its tip is bent, as if he used it for non-standard purposes.
action: You look at the windows
response: They look into the forecastle.
action: You examine the chain
response: The anchor chain, along with the anchor, is used to attach the boat to the bottom of the sea. It runs out of the hole in the deck, over the rail, and into the sea.
action: You go to the southwest
response: The flying bridge rises above you, its canopy rippling slightly in
the wind. To the east, an open door flanked by windows leads into the forecastle. To the northeast you can see the foredeck; to the south are the aft sections of the boat.
action: You go to the east
response: The forecastle of the boat is surprisingly comfortable despite its small size. The helm controls, including the wheel, are mounted on the fore wall, next to a chest-of-drawers which sports a lamp. Across from the chest and beside the west entrance is the galley; between the galley and the helm is a companionway to the fore stateroom. Also on the port wall, aft of the entrance, is a small bar. Across from it is a dinette bench. Windows are at each of the cardinal directions. The west entranceway is open, as is the companionway to the north.
Sitting on the small bar is a drink tray.
Ashleigh is here, standing pensively.
action: You look at the lamp
response: A quick appraisal of the lamp bring the words "bulbous," "green," and "hideous" to mind for no apparent reason. The red plaid lampshade does little to mute its appearance. It has been attached to a square base about three centimeters thick, in case the boat pitches violently.
action: You examine the chest
response: The chest-of-drawers is a nice piece of furniture despite the many water stains on its surface. Three drawers run from the bottom of the chest to the top. A lamp perches on top of the chest like a vulture.
action: You close it
response: Closed.
action: You close it
response: Opened.

There's nothing in the middle drawer.

Closed.
action: You close it
response: Opened.

There's nothing in the bottom drawer.

Closed.
action: You get the lamp
response: After fooling with it for a few seconds, you decide that taking the lamp is a lost cause.
action: You examine the tray
response: The wooden drink tray has held many, many drinks on its surface and is discolored with many, many drink stains. Right now it holds a whiskey bottle, a scotch bottle, a wine bottle, and a bottle of beer. One edge is chipped slightly.
action: You examine the whiskey bottle
response: The label claims that the whiskey is a good brand. Knowing Thom, the label bears little relationship to what's inside. The bottle contains quite a bit of whiskey.
action: You look at the scotch
response: The scotch appears to be passable. Unfortunately, you don't care much for scotch.
action: You look at the wine
response: It is slightly yellowish.
action: You look at beer
response: It's Stella, an imported beer.
action: You look at the wine bottle
response: The bottle's label proclaims it to be the proud product of Ernest & Julio Gallo's vinyards. The bottle contains some white wine.
action: You examine the beer bottle
response: It is some imported beer named Stella. The bottle contains a little beer.
action: You examine the scotch bottle
response: Light glints off the glass bottle, sparkling in your eyes. Too bad you don't like scotch; this looks to be good. The bottle contains some scotch.
action: You look at the galley
response: It is a marvel of compact engineering, managing to fit an electric stove, an oven, a sink, and a refrigerator in a tiny space.
action: You open the fridge
response: Opened.
action: You close it
response: Closed.
action: You look at stove
response: The stove has four burners, just enough for most marine cooking. However, for this trip the burners have been disconnected. Thom always was paranoid.
action: You look at the oven
response: Close inspection shows you that the oven is without power, to prevent accidents. It is closed.
action: You look at the sink
response: It is a square metal sink, about fourty centimeters by thirty centimeters. It has one handle.
action: You examine the handle
response: Which handle do you mean, the throttle, the clutch, or the sink handle?
action: You look at the sink handle
response: It is one of those single handles which control both cold and hot water. Right now it is off.
action: Go downward
response: Compact yet liveable, the fore stateroom has two v-berths that meet near the nose of the ship. On the port wall is an open hanging locker, and across from it is the door to the forward head, standing open. A small ladder to the south leads up to a door.
The hanging locker seems to contain a safe.
action: You open the panel with the screwdriver
response: You work the screwdriver under the panel and lean on it forcefully. The panel groans open.
action: You look in safe
response: It's closed.
action: You examine safe
response: Squat, grey, metal. It obviously requires a key to unlock it. Part of the top of the safe is scarred with deep gouges which outline an open panel.
action: Unlock safe
response: What do you want to unlock it with?
action: You get panel
response: %You'll% need more than your bare fingers to remove the panel.
action: You examine the panel
response: Peering in the panel only deepens the mystery of the safe. You can clearly see mechanical workings of some sort, and deep inside a battery. An electrically-opened safe? Two contacts jut up from the safe's innards.
action: You open radio
response: Opening the portable radio reveals a nine-volt battery.
action: You take the battery
response: Taken.
action: You put the battery in the panel
response: Done.
action: You examine the contacts
response: The electrical contacts stick up from the workings of the safe.
action: You look at what you're carrying with you
response: You have a pill bottle, a portable radio, a pair of wires, a screwdriver, and a nine-volt battery. The pill bottle seems to contain five little pills.
action: You examine the safe battery
response: No doubt used to power the workings of the safe.
action: You examine the battery
response: Which battery do you mean, the nine-volt battery, or the safe battery?
action: You connect the contacts
response: What do you want to attach it to?
action: You pry the panel with the screwdriver
response: The panel is already open.
action: You examine safe
response: Squat, grey, metal. It obviously requires a key to unlock it. Part of the top of the safe is scarred with deep gouges which outline an open panel.

You are rudely interrupted by the explosion of the *Bellerophon*. As you are flung into the air, you find yourself futilely wondering who caused the explosion.

>> You have died <<

You may restore a saved game, start over, quit, or undo the current command.
action: You examine the berth
response: Which berth do you mean, the left v-berth, or the right v-berth?
action: You go south
response: Almost two meters high, the hanging locker is big, especially when you consider the size of everything else aboard the *Bellerophon*. It was built so clothes could hang freely inside of it. The locker is closed.

The forecastle of the boat is surprisingly comfortable despite its small size. The helm controls, including the wheel, are mounted on the fore wall, next to a chest-of-drawers which sports a lamp. Across from the chest and beside the west entrance is the galley; between the galley and the helm is a companionway to the fore stateroom. Also on the port wall, aft of the entrance, is a small bar. Across from it is a dinette bench. Windows are at each of the cardinal directions. The west entranceway is open, as is the companionway to the north.
Sitting on the small bar is a drink tray.
action: You examine the galley
response: It is a marvel of compact engineering, managing to fit an electric stove, an oven, a sink, and a refrigerator in a tiny space.

Carl arrives from the west.
action: You go to the north
response: Compact yet liveable, the fore stateroom has two v-berths that meet near the nose of the ship. On the port wall is an open hanging locker, and across from it is the door to the forward head, standing open. A small ladder to the south leads up to a door.
The hanging locker seems to contain a safe.
action: Go west
response: The flying bridge rises above you, its canopy rippling slightly in
the wind. To the east, an open door flanked by windows leads into the forecastle. To the northeast you can see the foredeck; to the south are the aft sections of the boat.
Ashleigh is briskly walking through here.

Ashleigh leaves to the east.
action: Go south
response: You stand on the deck of the boat, just to port of the aft
stateroom. Its roof curves across the boat, and a ladder leads to the roof and then to the flying bridge. Beside the ladder, windows open into the stateroom. To starboard is the rail, standing sentinel between you and the cerulean water. The boat runs beneath your feet from the north to the southeast.
action: You go to the south-east
response: boat. A large access panel in the deck allows for any necessary engine maintenance. On the stern, a flagstaff juts skyward, the stern light perched atop it like a squat bird. The door leading down into the aft stateroom yawns widely. Small windows flank the door. Tied to a cleat on the port side is a line. To the northeast and northwest is the remainder of the boat.
action: You go northeast
response: From where you are, only a thin rail stands between you and the
water to starboard. A roof, much more substantial than the rail and belonging to the aft stateroom, lies to port, stretching from here to the port side of the boat. Small windows gape in the stateroom's side. Two-thirds of the boat lie to the north, while the other one-third of the boat is to the southwest.
action: You look at the windows
response: Through them, you can see the aft stateroom.
action: You look through the windows
response: The aft stateroom is deserted.
action: Go downward
response: Squeezed inside the aft stateroom are two single berths, one on
either side of the stateroom, and a dresser. The north door to the aft head is open. A short ladder leads up to the open south door.
action: You examine the dresser
response: The dresser takes up much of the room available in the aft stateroom. It is situated between the right berth and the ladder that leads up, and has three drawers.
action: You open the drawers
response: top drawer: Opened.
middle drawer: Opened.
bottom drawer: Opening the bottom drawer reveals a portable radio.
action: You go to the north
response: Against one wall of the aft head crouches a small toilet. On the
port wall is a sink and mirror, while the starboard wall sports the unbelievable luxury of a full bathtub. Built into the floor is a panel, which is closed. The open door to the south leads to the aft stateroom.
action: You look at the tub
response: A bathtub is not standard issue on most boats. In this case, it's one of the many ways Thom shows you how much money he has. It is plastic, to reduce its weight, and it has a single handle, much like the sink. Its stopper is missing.
action: You examine the tub
response: A bathtub is not standard issue on most boats. In this case, it's one of the many ways Thom shows you how much money he has. It is plastic, to reduce its weight, and it has a single handle, much like the sink. Its stopper is missing. Water is running into the tub and out again.
action: You turn off the tub
response: Okay, it's now turned off.

From somewhere outside you hear Bill yell, "Oh, my God! Quick! Everyone to the cockpit deck! It's Thom!"
action: Time
response: The time is now 10:37 a.m.
action: You open panel
response: You swing open the panel, revealing the bilge pump housed beneath it.
action: Inventory
response: You have a pill bottle, a portable radio, and a pair of wires.
action: Up
response: You can't go that way.

From somewhere outside you hear Carl calling for you. You have to strain to understand what he's saying, but it sounds like he wants you on the flying bridge. Now.
action: Up
response: You can't go that way.

Carl suddenly shows up. "Right, I need you on the flying deck. C'mon." He grabs you by the arm and begins dragging you. You have no real choice but to follow him.

"What is it?" you ask him en route.

"Thom. We've found him dead."

From up here, the skipper of the boat has an almost unobstructed
view of the waters in any direction. The wind whispers around the canopy's poles and past you on its journey. Beyond the helm, through the windscreen, you can see the bow of the boat. Further away is land, quite some distance away to the northeast. A chair sits in front of the helm. Towards the stern, a ladder leads down.
Bill slumps here quietly.
Carl is looking at the helm, thinking.
Ashleigh is standing here, obviously a bit disturbed.

Bill says, "Um, ok, Carl, what now?"

Carl looks at the controls. "I'd best man the anchor." He looks at you, then at Bill. Finally, "Bill, I want you to go to the cockpit deck and take care of the line Thom's attached to. I want you," he turns to Ashleigh, "to relay my instructions to Bill, and I want you," he turns to you, "to throttle back when I say so. Look over the helm." He makes a few adjustments to the helm, then nods to himself.
action: You examine the canopy
response: The large canopy arches overhead, its blue fabric blocking the sun's terrible glare.

Bill climbs down the ladder and is gone.

Carl climbs down the ladder and is gone.
action: Go downwards
response: Ashleigh moves in front of you, blocking you. "What the hell are you doing? You have to run the helm! Stay here!"
action: You wait awhile
response: Time passes...

From below, Carl yells at you, "Pull the throttle back to idle."
action: You pull the throttle
response: You pull the throttle back to idling speed. You hear the engines slow down.
action: You wait a while
response: Time passes...

Carl yells, "Ok, reverse the engines!"
action: You examine the helm
response: The helm is amazingly complex, with gagues for RPMs, temperature, amperage...the mind boggles. On the right side of the helm are two levers: the throttle handle and the clutch handle. The throttle is taller than and to the right of the clutch handle. In the middle of the helm is a large wooden wheel.
action: Turn wheel left
response: You give the wheel a quick tug to the left. The bow begins to swing to port.
action: Continue
response: You give the wheel a quick tug to the left. The bow begins to swing to port.

Muttering to herself, Ashleigh pulls the clutch back. You hear the engines reverse.
action: Turn wheel right
response: You spin the wheel to the right. The stern begins to swing to starboard.

Carl shouts up at you, "Push the throttle to one-quarter."
action: Turn wheel right
response: You spin the wheel to the right. The stern begins to swing to starboard.
action: You ask Ashleigh about Ashleigh
response: Ashleigh is no longer here.

Carl yells, "Ok, I need you to shut off the...oh, screw it. Ash, kill the engines! And tell Bill to try pulling Thom in now."

Ashleigh moves to the helm, leaving you to yell Carl's instructions to Bill. "Oh, er, right!" he yells back.
action: Look around
response: From up here, the skipper of the boat has an almost unobstructed
view of the waters in any direction. The wind whispers around the canopy's poles and past you on its journey. Beyond the helm, through the windscreen, you can see the bow of the boat. Further away is land, quite some distance away to the northeast. A chair sits in front of the helm. Towards the stern, a ladder leads down.
Ashleigh is standing here, obviously a bit disturbed.

Ashleigh climbs down the ladder and is gone.
action: You go downward
response: You stand on the deck of the boat, just to port of the aft
stateroom. Its roof curves across the boat, and a ladder leads to the roof and then to the flying bridge. Beside the ladder, windows open into the stateroom. To starboard is the rail, standing sentinel between you and the cerulean water. The boat runs beneath your feet from the north to the southeast.
Ashleigh is briskly walking through here.

Carl arrives from the north.

Ashleigh leaves to the southeast.
action: You go south
response: You can't go that way.

Carl leaves to the southeast.
action: You go to the south-east
response: boat. A large access panel in the deck allows for any necessary engine maintenance. On the stern, a flagstaff juts skyward, the stern light perched atop it like a squat bird. The door leading down into the aft stateroom yawns widely. Small windows flank the door. Tied to a cleat on the port side is a line. To the northeast and northwest is the remainder of the boat.
Lying on the deck is Thom's body.
Bill slumps here quietly.
Ashleigh stands almost motionless, constantly glancing at Thom's
body.
Carl stands here, hands in his pockets.

Carl glances at poor Thom and shakes his head. "Poor bastard," he whispers.

Bill glances nervously at everyone. "Uh, what now?"

Ashleigh laughs sourly. "We sail back into port."

You nod in agreement, then say, "Who'll pilot the boat?"

After a few seconds of silence, Carl speaks up. "That would be me. I'll run back to the flying bridge."
action: You search the body
response: As disgusting as it is, you riffle through Thom's pockets. Nothing.

Carl leaves to the northwest.

Ashleigh shakes her head. "Nothing to do but go back to the fo'cle and wait."
action: You look at the body
response: No matter how often you hated Thom for one thing or another, you certainly didn't want to see him dead like this. His face is a strange purple color. Along one side of his head, just under his wet hair, is a nasty bruise, slowly darkening. One of his hands is clenched tight, tight enough to drive his fingernails into his palm. Looped complexly around his leg is a length of line.

Bill leaves to the northwest.

Ashleigh leaves to the northwest.
action: Go northwest
response: You stand on the deck of the boat, just to port of the aft
stateroom. Its roof curves across the boat, and a ladder leads to the roof and then to the flying bridge. Beside the ladder, windows open into the stateroom. To starboard is the rail, standing sentinel between you and the cerulean water. The boat runs beneath your feet from the north to the southeast.
Bill stands here, slouching his way from one part of the boat to another.
Ashleigh is briskly walking through here.

Bill leaves to the north.

Ashleigh leaves to the north.
action: You go north
response: The flying bridge rises above you, its canopy rippling slightly in
the wind. To the east, an open door flanked by windows leads into the forecastle. To the northeast you can see the foredeck; to the south are the aft sections of the boat.
Bill stands here, slouching his way from one part of the boat to another.
Ashleigh is briskly walking through here.

Bill leaves to the east.

Ashleigh leaves to the east.
action: Go east
response: The forecastle of the boat is surprisingly comfortable despite its small size. The helm controls, including the wheel, are mounted on the fore wall, next to a chest-of-drawers which sports a lamp. Across from the chest and beside the west entrance is the galley; between the galley and the helm is a companionway to the fore stateroom. Also on the port wall, aft of the entrance, is a small bar. Across from it is a dinette bench. Windows are at each of the cardinal directions. The west entranceway is open, as is the companionway to the north.
You see a purse here. Sitting on the small bar is a drink tray.
Bill slumps here quietly.
Ashleigh is here, standing casually.

Bill collapses onto the dinette bench.

Ashleigh paces back and forth worriedly, then stops self-consciously. She grimaces to herself.
action: You look in the purse
response: It's closed.

Ashleigh climbs down the ladder and is gone.
action: Open purse
response: You open the bag, revealing the usual assortment of purse accoutrements...and a gun.

Bill suddenly notices Ash's purse. "Oh," he says, "Ashleigh's purse." He picks it up, sits back down, changes his mind, starts down the ladder to the fore stateroom, changes his mind again, and collapses on the dinette bench once more.
action: You examine Bill
response: Bill Leveritt has been Thom's partner in their architectural firm for as long as you've known Thom. Bill's thatch of thinning gray hair and round glasses make him look older than his forty-two years. He tries to dress flamboyantly but often fails, as demonstrated today by his long-sleeved blue oxford shirt. He's extremely good at what he does, but he is very unassuming; Thom is the talker of the firm. In one hand he is holding one of his ubiquitous glasses of whiskey.
action: You wait
response: Time passes...

Ashleigh arrives, climbing up the ladder.
action: You wait a while
response: Time passes...

Bill hands Ash's purse to her. "Here," he says, "you dropped this."

Ashleigh turns an odd shade of red: you can't tell if she's embarassed, mad, or worried. "Thanks," she finally says.
action: You ask Ashleigh about the purse
response: Ashleigh says, "I don't know much about that."

Carl arrives from the west.
action: Wait
response: Time passes...

Ashleigh looks up at Carl, sensing that something's wrong. "What's up?" she asks Carl.

He runs his hands distractedly through his curly hair. "Ok," he finally says. "Here's what we've got going on. Someone's sabotaged the engines, and I don't think I can fix them. I'll get on the radio and get someone here to help us. Until that happens, though, we're stuck."

"Great!" Bill says. "Just great! We're stuck on Thom's rotten boat with Thom's rotten body and one of us killed him!" He downs his whiskey in one gulp as he jumps to his feet.
action: Wait
response: Time passes...

With a disgusted shake of his head, Carl moves to the radio and begins calling for help.

Ashleigh, on the other hand, watches Bill for a few seconds before moving to him and slapping him for all she's worth. Bill stops completely: he has no idea how to react.

"Listen here, you pompous ass," Ash hisses at him, "none of us are particularly happy right now. But you're not helping. Stop it."

After a long few seconds of staring, Bill turns and pours himself another whiskey.
action: Wait
response: Time passes...

Bill leaves to the west.

Carl turns from the radio. "Way to tell him," he says softly to Ashleigh, glancing at you as if to see if you agree. Ashleigh, however, grimaces.

"I didn't mean to yell at him like that. It's just...I mean..." Her sentence trails off.

Carl looks at her for almost half a minute, doubt showing on his face. Finally, "I think I'll go check the engines. Gives me something to do, anyway."
action: You wait
response: Time passes...

Carl leaves to the west.
action: Go southeast
response: boat. A large access panel in the deck has been opened for access to the engines. On the stern, a flagstaff juts skyward, the stern light perched atop it like a squat bird. The door leading down into the aft stateroom yawns widely. Small windows flank the door. Tied to a cleat on the port side is a line. To the northeast and northwest is the remainder of the boat.
Lying on the deck is Thom's body. Discarded on the deck, against
one edge of the boat, is a bent screwdriver.
Carl is peering in the engines, pondering possibilities.
action: You get the screwdriver
response: Taken.

Bill arrives, climbing up the ladder.
action: You look
response: boat. A large access panel in the deck has been opened for access to the engines. On the stern, a flagstaff juts skyward, the stern light perched atop it like a squat bird. The door leading down into the aft stateroom yawns widely. Small windows flank the door. Tied to a cleat on the port side is a line. To the northeast and northwest is the remainder of the boat.
Lying on the deck is Thom's body.
Carl is peering in the engines, pondering possibilities.
Bill slumps here quietly.

Bill leaves to the northeast. As Bill walks away, Carl mutters to you, "What a prick."
action: Go downward
response: Squeezed inside the aft stateroom are two single berths, one on
either side of the stateroom, and a dresser. The north door to the aft head is open. A short ladder leads up to the open south door.
action: Up
response: boat. A large access panel in the deck has been opened for access to the engines. On the stern, a flagstaff juts skyward, the stern light perched atop it like a squat bird. The door leading down into the aft stateroom yawns widely. Small windows flank the door. Tied to a cleat on the port side is a line. To the northeast and northwest is the remainder of the boat.
Lying on the deck is Thom's body.
Carl is peering in the engines, pondering possibilities.

As you clear the aft stateroom, you see a flash of color over the rail. You can't quite tell, but it looks like a rag.
action: You examine rag
response: You can't quite see the rag--it's hung on something about a meter down, just above the water. You're surprised it hasn't been washed away.
action: You go to the northwest
response: You stand on the deck of the boat, just to port of the aft
stateroom. Its roof curves across the boat, and a ladder leads to the roof and then to the flying bridge. Beside the ladder, windows open into the stateroom. To starboard is the rail, standing sentinel between you and the cerulean water. The boat runs beneath your feet from the north to the southeast.
action: You check what you're carrying
response: You have a pill bottle, a portable radio, a pair of wires, and a screwdriver.
action: You tie the wires to nine-volt
response: You attach the battery to the pair of wires with a few quick turns of each wire.
action: You tie the wires to the contacts
response: You touch the wires to the contacts. Motors whir as the safe springs open, its regular locking mechanism bypassed.
action: GET KEY, NOTE, PICTURES, LETTERS
response: small key: Taken.
note: Taken.
pictures: Taken.
letters: Taken.
action: You examine the key
response: Unremarkable, even as small metal keys go.
action: You examine the pictures
response: The pictures are of Carl and some woman other than Ashleigh in very compromising positions.
action: You examine the letters
response: The letters are from Carl to Thom.
action: You read the letters
response: Reading them, you quickly figure out that Thom was blackmailing Carl.
action: Up
response: The forecastle of the boat is surprisingly comfortable despite its small size. The helm controls, including the wheel, are mounted on the fore wall, next to a chest-of-drawers which sports a lamp. Across from the chest and beside the west entrance is the galley; between the galley and the helm is a companionway to the fore stateroom. Also on the port wall, aft of the entrance, is a small bar. Across from it is a dinette bench. Windows are at each of the cardinal directions. The west entranceway is open, as is the companionway to the north.
Sitting on the small bar is a drink tray.
Ashleigh is here, standing pensively.
action: You show the pictures to Bill
response: Bill stares at the pictures in confusion. "Uh, so?" he says.
action: You show the letters to Bill
response: Bill stares at the letters in confusion. "Uh, so?" he says.
action: Go southeast
response: Above you and to port rises the flying bridge, casting a cold
shadow across you. Also to port are the curtained windows which afford you a glimpse into the forecastle. At your feet lies a closed compartment. The boat continues to the northwest and south.
action: You unlock compartment with the key
response: Unlocked.
action: You open it
response: Opening the compartment reveals a long pole.
action: You look at the pole
response: The wooden pole is about two meters long and terminates in a curved hook. No doubt Thom used it for retrieving things he dropped in the water.
action: You get rag with the pole
response: It takes you a few seconds to snag the rag, but once you have it, dragging it on deck is almost anticlimactic. Now that it's on deck, you can tell that the rag is actually a shirt.
action: You examine shirt
response: If this shirt doesn't belong to Bill, it's certainly a dead ringer for the one he had on earlier. The right sleeve is torn and slightly blood-stained.
action: You examine the blood
response: The stain looks a lot like blood.
action: You look
response: boat. A large access panel in the deck has been opened for access to the engines. On the stern, a flagstaff juts skyward, the stern light perched atop it like a squat bird. The door leading down into the aft stateroom yawns widely. Small windows flank the door. Tied to a cleat on the port side is a line. To the northeast and northwest is the remainder of the boat.
Lying on the deck is Thom's body.
Carl is peering in the engines, pondering possibilities.
action: You show the shirt to Carl
response: Carl waves you away. "I don't need to see that," he tells you.
action: You tell Carl about the shirt
response: "Yeah, ok, ok," Carl says.
action: You look at the stern light
response: The stern light stares balefully back at you, the sun reflecting off of its clear plastic case.
action: Swim
response: What do you want to swim in?
action: You show the picture to Carl
response: Carl turns away, then back to you. "Ok, yes, Thom had pictures taken of me and...Carol." He runs one hand through his hair. "It was a fling a month ago or so. Thom's been blackmailing me since." He glares at you. "But I wasn't the one who killed him! I swear!"
action: You show the pictures to Carl
response: "What are you trying to do, torture me?" he hisses at you.
action: You examine the body
response: No matter how often you hated Thom for one thing or another, you certainly didn't want to see him dead like this. His face is a strange purple color. Along one side of his head, just under his now-dry hair, is a nasty bruise, slowly darkening. One of his hands is clenched tight, tight enough to drive his fingernails into his palm. Looped complexly around his leg is a length of line.
action: You examine the line
response: The line is tough, easily able to withstand the rigors of marine life. One end of it is tied to a cleat. The other end is looped around one of Thom's ankles.
action: You examine the cleat
response: The cleat is a t-shaped piece of metal with two shafts attached to the boat, and is used in lashing lines. In fact, a line is tied to it now. An odd reddish stain mars its surface.
action: You go north
response: Above you and to port rises the flying bridge, casting a cold
shadow across you. Also to port are the curtained windows which afford you a glimpse into the forecastle. At your feet lies an open compartment. The boat continues to the northwest and south.
action: You ask Bill about shirt
response: "Oh, um, I had to change. The other shirt was chafing me."
action: You look at panel
response: The large access panel can be opened in order to repair or service the engines which power the boat. Right now the panel is open, giving a view of the engines.
action: Go upward
response: From up here, the skipper of the boat has an almost unobstructed
view of the waters in any direction. The wind whispers around the canopy's poles and past you on its journey. Beyond the helm, through the windscreen, you can see the bow of the boat. Further away is land, quite some distance away to the northeast. A chair sits in front of the helm. Towards the stern, a ladder leads down.
action: You look through the windscreen
response: You can see the bow of the boat and Bill standing on the bow. Further out is land.
action: You go to the east
response: The forward head sports a small toilet, a sink, and a miniscule shower. In the floor is a small drain; above the sink, a mirror and medicine cabinet. An open door leads west.
action: You look at the sink
response: The sink is a semi-circle with a single handle attached to it.
action: You examine the cabinet
response: It is bolted to the wall just above the sink. It is made of strong plastic, and is closed.
action: You examine shower
response: The shower is almost more for decoration than utility. It takes up one corner of the head.
action: You open the pill bottle
response: Opening the pill bottle reveals five little pills.

You are rudely interrupted by the explosion of the *Bellerophon*. As you are flung into the air, you find yourself futilely wondering who caused the explosion.

>> You have died <<

You may restore a saved game, start over, quit, or undo the current command.
action: You go to the west
response: (Opening the door)
Forward Stateroom
Compact yet liveable, the fore stateroom has two v-berths that meet near the nose of the ship. On the port wall is a hanging locker, and across from it is the door to the forward head, standing open. A small ladder to the south leads up to a door.
Sitting on the left v-berth is a pill bottle.
action: Go west
response: The flying bridge rises above you, its canopy rippling slightly in
the wind. To the east, an open door flanked by windows leads into the forecastle. To the northeast you can see the foredeck; to the south are the aft sections of the boat.
Carl, hands in pockets, is standing here, obviously on his way to somewhere else.

Bill arrives from the south.

Carl leaves to the east.
action: You examine Bill
response: Bill Leveritt has been Thom's partner in their architectural firm for as long as you've known Thom. Bill's thatch of thinning gray hair and round glasses make him look older than his forty-two years. He tries to dress flamboyantly but often fails, as demonstrated today by his long-sleeved blue oxford shirt. He's extremely good at what he does, but he is very unassuming; Thom is the talker of the firm.

Bill leaves to the east.

Ashleigh arrives from the south.
action: You go to the east
response: The forecastle of the boat is surprisingly comfortable despite its small size. The helm controls, including the wheel, are mounted on the fore wall, next to a chest-of-drawers which sports a lamp. Across from the chest and beside the west entrance is the galley; between the galley and the helm is a companionway to the fore stateroom. Also on the port wall, aft of the entrance, is a small bar. Across from it is a dinette bench. Windows are at each of the cardinal directions. The west entranceway is open, as is the companionway to the north.
Sitting on the small bar is a drink tray.
Bill slumps here quietly.
Carl is seated on the dinette bench.

Bill wanders over to the drink tray and picks up the whiskey bottle. From somewhere around the bar, he scrounges up a slightly-clean glass. With a deft flick of his wrist, he pours himself a shot of the whiskey and replaces the bottle. "I've always, er, liked whiskey," he comments.

Ashleigh arrives from the west.
action: You ask Bill about the whiskey
response: "I, uh, don't really know anything about it," Bill says.

Ashleigh sits down next to Carl and whispers something to him. He grins slightly in response.
action: Inventory
response: You have a pill bottle. The pill bottle seems to contain five little pills.
action: You ask Bill about thom
response: Bill says, "I, uh, I'm really not sure how much longer I can take his attitude. He's been really, ah, annoying lately."
action: You ask Carl about Thom
response: Carl grimaces. "I dunno," he says, "he just really pisses me off some times."
action: You open the bottom
response: Opening the bottom drawer reveals a portable radio.
action: Go south
response: Squeezed inside the aft stateroom are two single berths, one on
either side of the stateroom, and a dresser. The north door to the aft head is open. A short ladder leads up to the open south door.

From somewhere outside you hear Bill yell, "Oh, my God! Quick! Everyone to the cockpit deck! It's Thom!"
action: You go up
response: boat. A large access panel in the deck allows for any necessary engine maintenance. On the stern, a flagstaff juts skyward, the stern light perched atop it like a squat bird. The door leading down into the aft stateroom yawns widely. Small windows flank the door. Tied to a cleat on the port side is a line. To the northeast and northwest is the remainder of the boat.
Bill is tugging with all his might on the line.
action: You pull the line
response: You tug on the line as hard as you can, but something is weighing it down. Glancing over the rail, you see a dark shape in the water.

Carl arrives from the northwest.

Ashleigh arrives from the northwest.
action: You open the radio
response: Opening the portable radio reveals a nine-volt battery.

Carl grabs hold of the line and strains in concert with Bill. You slide in between them and put your back into the effort, but to no avail. After a few seconds, Carl stops, swearing.

Bill says, "The four of us won't be able to drag Thom on board while we're, uh, moving."

Ashleigh nods in agreement. "We've got to cut the engines." You find yourself wondering just who this "we" are--you surely don't want to monkey around with Thom's boat. Not that he's going to care now, but habits are hard to break.
action: You take nine-volt
response: Taken.

Carl finally convinces himself that he won't be able to drag Thom onboard. You would have been glad to explain it to him, but no doubt that would have taken one minute shy of eternity. He glances at the three of you.

"C'mon," he says, "I need you three on the flying bridge. I'll explain up there, right?"
action: Go northwest
response: You stand on the deck of the boat, just to port of the aft
stateroom. Its roof curves across the boat, and a ladder leads to the roof and then to the flying bridge. Beside the ladder, windows open into the stateroom. To starboard is the rail, standing sentinel between you and the cerulean water. The boat runs beneath your feet from the north to the southeast.

Bill arrives from the southeast.

Carl arrives from the southeast.

Ashleigh arrives from the southeast.
action: Go upward
response: From up here, the skipper of the boat has an almost unobstructed
view of the waters in any direction. The wind whispers around the canopy's poles and past you on its journey. Beyond the helm, through the windscreen, you can see the bow of the boat. Further away is land, quite some distance away to the northeast. A chair sits in front of the helm. Towards the stern, a ladder leads down.

Bill arrives, climbing up the ladder.

Carl arrives, climbing up the ladder.

Ashleigh arrives, climbing up the ladder.
action: You tie the wires to nine-volt
response: You attach the battery to the pair of wires with a few quick turns of each wire.

Bill says, "Um, ok, Carl, what now?"

Carl looks at the controls. "I'd best man the anchor." He looks at you, then at Bill. Finally, "Bill, I want you to go to the cockpit deck and take care of the line Thom's attached to. I want you," he turns to Ashleigh, "to relay my instructions to Bill, and I want you," he turns to you, "to throttle back when I say so. Look over the helm." He makes a few adjustments to the helm, then nods to himself.
action: You ask Carl about the helm
response: Carl says, "Hmm, can't tell you too much about that!"

Bill climbs down the ladder and is gone.

Carl climbs down the ladder and is gone.
action: You look through windscreen
response: You can see the bow of the boat. Further out is land.
action: Continue
response: You can see the bow of the boat and Carl standing on the bow. Further out is land.

From below, Carl yells at you, "Pull the throttle back to idle."
action: You look through the windscreen
response: You can see the bow of the boat and Carl standing on the bow. Further out is land.
action: You continue
response: You can see the bow of the boat and Carl standing on the bow. Further out is land.

Carl yells, "Ok, reverse the engines!"
action: You pull the clutch
response: You pull the clutch back. You hear the engines drop into neutral.
action: You pull the clutch
response: You pull the clutch back. You hear the engines begin to turn in reverse.
action: Keep going
response: You can see the bow of the boat and Carl standing on the bow. Further out is land.

Carl shouts up at you, "Push the throttle to one-quarter."
action: You continue
response: You push the throttle forward to one-quarter speed. You hear the engines rev up to a higher pitch.
action: Continue
response: You can see the bow of the boat and Carl standing on the bow. Further out is land.

Carl yells, "Ok, I need you to shut off the...oh, screw it. Ash, kill the engines! And tell Bill to try pulling Thom in now."

Ashleigh moves to the helm, leaving you to yell Carl's instructions to Bill. "Oh, er, right!" he yells back.
action: Continue
response: You can see the bow of the boat and Carl standing on the bow. Further out is land.

Ashleigh climbs down the ladder and is gone.
action: You go downward
response: You stand on the deck of the boat, just to port of the aft
stateroom. Its roof curves across the boat, and a ladder leads to the roof and then to the flying bridge. Beside the ladder, windows open into the stateroom. To starboard is the rail, standing sentinel between you and the cerulean water. The boat runs beneath your feet from the north to the southeast.
Ashleigh is briskly walking through here.

Carl arrives from the north.

Ashleigh leaves to the southeast.
action: Go southeast
response: boat. A large access panel in the deck allows for any necessary engine maintenance. On the stern, a flagstaff juts skyward, the stern light perched atop it like a squat bird. The door leading down into the aft stateroom yawns widely. Small windows flank the door. Tied to a cleat on the port side is a line. To the northeast and northwest is the remainder of the boat.
Lying on the deck is Thom's body.
Bill slumps here quietly.
Ashleigh stands almost motionless, constantly glancing at Thom's
body.

Carl arrives from the northwest.
action: You examine Bill
response: Bill Leveritt has been Thom's partner in their architectural firm for as long as you've known Thom. Bill's thatch of thinning gray hair and round glasses make him look older than his forty-two years. He tries to dress flamboyantly but often fails, as demonstrated today by his long-sleeved blue oxford shirt. He's extremely good at what he does, but he is very unassuming; Thom is the talker of the firm. In one hand he is holding one of his ubiquitous glasses of whiskey.

Carl glances at poor Thom and shakes his head. "Poor bastard," he whispers.

Bill glances nervously at everyone. "Uh, what now?"

Ashleigh laughs sourly. "We sail back into port."

You nod in agreement, then say, "Who'll pilot the boat?"

After a few seconds of silence, Carl speaks up. "That would be me. I'll run back to the flying bridge."
action: You look at the body
response: No matter how often you hated Thom for one thing or another, you certainly didn't want to see him dead like this. His face is a strange purple color. Along one side of his head, just under his wet hair, is a nasty bruise, slowly darkening. One of his hands is clenched tight, tight enough to drive his fingernails into his palm. Looped complexly around his leg is a length of line.

Carl leaves to the northwest.

Ashleigh shakes her head. "Nothing to do but go back to the fo'cle and wait."
action: You go northwest
response: You stand on the deck of the boat, just to port of the aft
stateroom. Its roof curves across the boat, and a ladder leads to the roof and then to the flying bridge. Beside the ladder, windows open into the stateroom. To starboard is the rail, standing sentinel between you and the cerulean water. The boat runs beneath your feet from the north to the southeast.
Carl, hands in pockets, is standing here, obviously on his way to somewhere else.

Bill arrives from the southeast.

Carl climbs up the ladder and is gone.

Ashleigh arrives from the southeast.
action: Go north
response: The flying bridge rises above you, its canopy rippling slightly in
the wind. To the east, an open door flanked by windows leads into the forecastle. To the northeast you can see the foredeck; to the south are the aft sections of the boat.

Bill arrives from the south.

Ashleigh arrives from the south.
action: Go east
response: The forecastle of the boat is surprisingly comfortable despite its small size. The helm controls, including the wheel, are mounted on the fore wall, next to a chest-of-drawers which sports a lamp. Across from the chest and beside the west entrance is the galley; between the galley and the helm is a companionway to the fore stateroom. Also on the port wall, aft of the entrance, is a small bar. Across from it is a dinette bench. Windows are at each of the cardinal directions. The west entranceway is open, as is the companionway to the north.
You see a purse here. Sitting on the small bar is a drink tray.

Bill arrives from the west.

Ashleigh arrives from the west.
action: You examine the purse
response: The closed purse is made of soft leather. Tasteful, but then, what other kind would Ashleigh carry?

Bill collapses onto the dinette bench.

Ashleigh paces back and forth worriedly, then stops self-consciously. She grimaces to herself.
action: Open purse
response: You open the bag, revealing the usual assortment of purse accoutrements...and a gun.

Ashleigh climbs down the ladder and is gone.
action: You take the gun
response: Are you crazy?!? You can't be seen toting that thing around, or everyone will think YOU killed Thom.

Bill suddenly notices Ash's purse. "Oh," he says, "Ashleigh's purse." He picks it up, sits back down, changes his mind, starts down the ladder to the fore stateroom, changes his mind again, and collapses on the dinette bench once more.
action: You take the purse
response: Didn't your mother ever teach you about stealing? That's Asheligh's, not yours.

Bill suddenly notices Ash's purse. "Oh," he says, "Ashleigh's purse." He picks it up, sits back down, changes his mind, starts down the ladder to the fore stateroom, changes his mind again, and collapses on the dinette bench once more.
action: You examine the accoutrements
response: It's the usual assortment of things that any given woman would carry in her purse. The stand-out of the group, however, is the gun.

Bill suddenly notices Ash's purse. "Oh," he says, "Ashleigh's purse." He picks it up, sits back down, changes his mind, starts down the ladder to the fore stateroom, changes his mind again, and collapses on the dinette bench once more.
action: Go down
response: Compact yet liveable, the fore stateroom has two v-berths that meet near the nose of the ship. On the port wall is an open hanging locker, and across from it is the door to the forward head, shut tightly. A small ladder to the south leads up to a door.
The hanging locker seems to contain a safe.
action: Go east
response: You'll have to open the east door first.

You hear the door to the head unlock, then see it swing open.

Ashleigh arrives from the east.
action: You go up
response: The forecastle of the boat is surprisingly comfortable despite its small size. The helm controls, including the wheel, are mounted on the fore wall, next to a chest-of-drawers which sports a lamp. Across from the chest and beside the west entrance is the galley; between the galley and the helm is a companionway to the fore stateroom. Also on the port wall, aft of the entrance, is a small bar. Across from it is a dinette bench. Windows are at each of the cardinal directions. The west entranceway is open, as is the companionway to the north.
Sitting on the small bar is a drink tray.
Bill is slumped in the dinette bench.

Ashleigh arrives, climbing up the ladder.
action: You examine Bill
response: Bill Leveritt has been Thom's partner in their architectural firm for as long as you've known Thom. Bill's thatch of thinning gray hair and round glasses make him look older than his forty-two years. He tries to dress flamboyantly but often fails, as demonstrated today by his long-sleeved blue oxford shirt. He's extremely good at what he does, but he is very unassuming; Thom is the talker of the firm. In one hand he is holding one of his ubiquitous glasses of whiskey.

Carl arrives from the west.

Bill hands Ash's purse to her. "Here," he says, "you dropped this."

Ashleigh turns an odd shade of red: you can't tell if she's embarassed, mad, or worried. "Thanks," she finally says.
action: You ask Bill about the purse
response: "I, uh, don't really know anything about it," Bill says.

Ashleigh looks up at Carl, sensing that something's wrong. "What's up?" she asks Carl.

He runs his hands distractedly through his curly hair. "Ok," he finally says. "Here's what we've got going on. Someone's sabotaged the engines, and I don't think I can fix them. I'll get on the radio and get someone here to help us. Until that happens, though, we're stuck."

"Great!" Bill says. "Just great! We're stuck on Thom's rotten boat with Thom's rotten body and one of us killed him!" He downs his whiskey in one gulp as he jumps to his feet.
action: You ask Bill about the belts
response: Which bill do you mean, Bill, or Bill?
action: You ask Ash about the belts
response: Ashleigh says, "I don't know much about that."

With a disgusted shake of his head, Carl moves to the radio and begins calling for help.

Ashleigh, on the other hand, watches Bill for a few seconds before moving to him and slapping him for all she's worth. Bill stops completely: he has no idea how to react.

"Listen here, you pompous ass," Ash hisses at him, "none of us are particularly happy right now. But you're not helping. Stop it."

After a long few seconds of staring, Bill turns and pours himself another whiskey.
action: You put the pill in whiskey
response: You can't put anything into the whiskey.

With a disgusted shake of his head, Carl moves to the radio and begins calling for help.

Ashleigh, on the other hand, watches Bill for a few seconds before moving to him and slapping him for all she's worth. Bill stops completely: he has no idea how to react.

"Listen here, you pompous ass," Ash hisses at him, "none of us are particularly happy right now. But you're not helping. Stop it."

After a long few seconds of staring, Bill turns and pours himself another whiskey.
action: You put the pill in the whiskey bottle
response: You drop one of the pills into the whiskey bottle. It quickly dissolves, leaving behind virtually no trace.

With a disgusted shake of his head, Carl moves to the radio and begins calling for help.

Ashleigh, on the other hand, watches Bill for a few seconds before moving to him and slapping him for all she's worth. Bill stops completely: he has no idea how to react.

"Listen here, you pompous ass," Ash hisses at him, "none of us are particularly happy right now. But you're not helping. Stop it."

After a long few seconds of staring, Bill turns and pours himself another whiskey.
action: You put the pill in the whiskey bottle
response: You drop one of the pills into the whiskey bottle. It quickly dissolves, leaving behind virtually no trace.

Bill leaves to the west.

Carl turns from the radio. "Way to tell him," he says softly to Ashleigh, glancing at you as if to see if you agree. Ashleigh, however, grimaces.

"I didn't mean to yell at him like that. It's just...I mean..." Her sentence trails off.

Carl looks at her for almost half a minute, doubt showing on his face. Finally, "I think I'll go check the engines. Gives me something to do, anyway."
action: You look through the south window
response: You see no one through the window.

Carl leaves to the west.
action: You look through the south window
response: Through the window, you see Bill.
action: You look through the south window
response: Through the window, you see Bill and Carl.
action: Keep going
response: Through the window, you see Carl and Bill.
action: Continue
response: Through the window, you see Carl.
action: You take the purse
response: Didn't your mother ever teach you about stealing? That's Asheligh's, not yours.

Ashleigh climbs down the ladder and is gone.
action: You examine the purse
response: The closed purse is made of soft leather. Tasteful, but then, what other kind would Ashleigh carry?

Bill suddenly notices Ash's purse. "Oh," he says, "Ashleigh's purse." He picks it up, sits back down, changes his mind, starts down the ladder to the fore stateroom, changes his mind again, and collapses on the dinette bench once more.
action: You look at the purse
response: The closed purse is made of soft leather. Tasteful, but then, what other kind would Ashleigh carry?

Ashleigh climbs down the ladder and is gone.
action: You take the purse
response: Didn't your mother ever teach you about stealing? That's Asheligh's, not yours.

Bill suddenly notices Ash's purse. "Oh," he says, "Ashleigh's purse." He picks it up, sits back down, changes his mind, starts down the ladder to the fore stateroom, changes his mind again, and collapses on the dinette bench once more.
action: You sit on the purse
response: I don't know how to sit on the purse.

Bill suddenly notices Ash's purse. "Oh," he says, "Ashleigh's purse." He picks it up, sits back down, changes his mind, starts down the ladder to the fore stateroom, changes his mind again, and collapses on the dinette bench once more.
action: You ask Ash about the purse
response: Ashleigh says, "I don't know much about that."

Ashleigh climbs down the ladder and is gone.
action: Go down
response: Compact yet liveable, the fore stateroom has two v-berths that meet near the nose of the ship. On the port wall is an open hanging locker, and across from it is the door to the forward head, standing open. A small ladder to the south leads up to a door.
The hanging locker seems to contain a safe.
Ashleigh is briskly walking through here.

Ashleigh leaves to the east.
action: You go east
response: The forward head sports a small toilet, a sink, and a miniscule shower. In the floor is a small drain; above the sink, a mirror and medicine cabinet. An open door leads west.
Ashleigh is here, standing casually.

Ashleigh says, "I really need to use the bathroom, if you don't mind..." Bemused, you leave the head.

Compact yet liveable, the fore stateroom has two v-berths that meet near the nose of the ship. On the port wall is an open hanging locker, and across from it is the door to the forward head, standing open. A small ladder to the south leads up to a door.
The hanging locker seems to contain a safe.

The east door swings close and you hear it lock.
action: You examine safe
response: Squat, grey, metal. It obviously requires a key to unlock it. Part of the top of the safe is scarred with deep gouges.
action: You examine the gouges
response: On closer inspection, you can see that the gouges outline a panel.

You hear the door to the head unlock, then see it swing open.

Ashleigh arrives from the east.
action: You ask Ashleigh about the gun
response: Ashleigh says, "I don't know much about that."

Ashleigh climbs up the ladder and is gone.
action: Go upward
response: The forecastle of the boat is surprisingly comfortable despite its small size. The helm controls, including the wheel, are mounted on the fore wall, next to a chest-of-drawers which sports a lamp. Across from the chest and beside the west entrance is the galley; between the galley and the helm is a companionway to the fore stateroom. Also on the port wall, aft of the entrance, is a small bar. Across from it is a dinette bench. Windows are at each of the cardinal directions. The west entranceway is open, as is the companionway to the north.
Sitting on the small bar is a drink tray.
Ashleigh is here, standing pensively.
Bill is slumped in the dinette bench.

Bill hands Ash's purse to her. "Here," he says, "you dropped this."

Ashleigh turns an odd shade of red: you can't tell if she's embarassed, mad, or worried. "Thanks," she finally says.
action: You ask Bill about Bill
response: "I, uh, don't really know anything about it," Bill says.

Ashleigh climbs down the ladder and is gone.
action: You wait for a while
response: Time passes...

Bill suddenly notices Ash's purse. "Oh," he says, "Ashleigh's purse." He picks it up, sits back down, changes his mind, starts down the ladder to the fore stateroom, changes his mind again, and collapses on the dinette bench once more.
action: Inventory
response: You have a pill bottle, a portable radio, and a pair of wires. The pill bottle seems to contain five little pills.
action: You check your inventory
response: You have a pill bottle, a portable radio, and a pair of wires. The pill bottle seems to contain five little pills.

Ashleigh climbs down the ladder and is gone.
action: You hit Bill
response: Before you can do anything, Carl has glanced up at you, then at Bill. "Yeah?" he asks, but your face tells him something's wrong.

Bill is faster than both of you. "Get in front of me. Both of you. Let's go find Ashleigh."

The forecastle of the boat is surprisingly comfortable despite its small size. The helm controls, including the wheel, are mounted on the fore wall, next to a chest-of-drawers which sports a lamp. Across from the chest and beside the west entrance is the galley; between the galley and the helm is a companionway to the fore stateroom. Also on the port wall, aft of the entrance, is a small bar. Across from it is a dinette bench. Windows are at each of the cardinal directions. The west entranceway is open, as is the companionway to the north.
Sitting on the small bar is a drink tray.
Ashleigh is here, standing pensively.
Carl is standing here, eyeing Bill and his gun.
Bill, more tense than you've ever seen him, is waving around a gun.
action: You show the pictures to Bill
response: Bill points the gun at you. "Don't move! Don't move!" You freeze, hoping you've distracted him enough, but knowing that you haven't.

Carl decided that now's his best chance, and he jumps towards Bill. Bill jerks back, swinging the revolver around and firing in the same motion.

The smell of cordite fills the air as Ashleigh screams. Carl's eyes widen almost comically, and he staggers back, blood spurting from a newly-formed hole approximately in the middle of his chest. Bill fires again, then again, more of a reflex action than anything else. You try to grab the gun from Bill, but he backhands you with it.
"Shut up, Ashleigh!" he yells at Ash. Surprisingly, she stops.

Bill looks around wildly, then makes a decision. "Drag him into the stateroom, both of you."

"Let me at least get one of the drinks for their wounds," Ash begs of Bill. He nods slightly, glancing nervously around the forecastle. Ashleigh grabs the whiskey bottle.

You take hold of one of Carl's arms; Ashleigh grabs the other, looking distinctly queasy. The two of you drag Carl into the stateroom, leaving Bill behind to mutter to himself about his nerves and how they need calming.

Compact yet liveable, the fore stateroom has two v-berths that meet near the nose of the ship. On the port wall is an open hanging locker, and across from it is the door to the forward head, standing open. A small ladder to the south leads up to a door.
The hanging locker seems to contain a safe.
Carl lies limply on the floor where you and Ashleigh dropped him. Asheligh is sitting in some sort of catatonic state.
action: Shout
response: You yell for all you're worth. Bill jerks, swinging the gun at you.

Carl is as surprised as Bill and Ashleigh, but he recovers more quickly and leaps at Bill. Bill turns and fires in the same motion.

The smell of cordite fills the air, and Carl's leap turns into a stumble as the revolver bullet furrows into his left leg. He lets out a long, drawn-out scream. Bill and Ashleigh are shocked into immobility. You make a grab for Bill's gun, but he still possesses the presence of mind to backhand you viciously with it.

Bill looks around wildly, then makes a decision. "Drag him into the stateroom, both of you."

"Let me at least get one of the drinks for their wounds," Ash begs of Bill. He nods slightly, glancing nervously around the forecastle. Ashleigh grabs the whiskey bottle.

You take hold of one of Carl's arms; Ashleigh grabs the other, looking distinctly queasy. The two of you drag Carl into the stateroom, leaving Bill behind to mutter to himself about his nerves and how they need calming.

Compact yet liveable, the fore stateroom has two v-berths that meet near the nose of the ship. On the port wall is an open hanging locker, and across from it is the door to the forward head, standing open. A small ladder to the south leads up to a door.
The hanging locker seems to contain a safe.
Carl lies here, in shock from the wound to his leg.
Ashleigh is sitting beside Carl, tending to his wound.
action: Up
response: You'll have to open the south door first.

Ashleigh dribbles some of the whiskey onto Carl's leg. He screams, then mercifully passes out. "It'll be ok, it'll be ok," she whispers to him, dropping the bottle.
action: Oops bottle
response: Which bottle do you mean, the pill bottle, or the whiskey bottle?
action: Pill
response: Opening the pill bottle reveals five little pills.
action: You put the pills in the whiskey bottle
response: little pill: You drop one of the pills into the whiskey bottle. It quickly dissolves, leaving behind virtually no trace.
little pill: You drop one of the pills into the whiskey bottle. It quickly dissolves, leaving behind virtually no trace.
little pill: You drop one of the pills into the whiskey bottle. It quickly dissolves, leaving behind virtually no trace.
little pill: You drop one of the pills into the whiskey bottle. It quickly dissolves, leaving behind virtually no trace.
little pill: You drop one of the pills into the whiskey bottle. It quickly dissolves, leaving behind virtually no trace.
action: You look
response: Compact yet liveable, the fore stateroom has two v-berths that meet near the nose of the ship. On the port wall is an open hanging locker, and across from it is the door to the forward head, standing open. A small ladder to the south leads up to a door.
The hanging locker seems to contain a safe.
Carl lies here, in shock from the wound to his leg.
Ashleigh is sitting beside Carl, tending to his wound.
action: Up
response: You'll have to open the south door first.
action: You open the door
response: Which door do you mean, the south door, or the east door?
action: South
response: No matter how hard you try, you can't open it. Bill must have wedged something against it.
action: South
response: All that would do would be to reduce your frustration at the expense of something which isn't yours. Besides, you would probably hurt yourself.
action: You go to the east
response: The forward head sports a small toilet, a sink, and a miniscule shower. In the floor is a small drain; above the sink, a mirror and medicine cabinet. An open door leads west.
action: You examine the cabinet
response: It is bolted to the wall just above the sink. It is made of strong plastic, and is closed.
action: You open it
response: Opened.

You hear the companionway between the stateroom and the forecastle being unblocked and opened. A few seconds later, you hear Bill's voice. "Where's the whiskey, Ashleigh?"

Ashleigh stammers, "What--why do you--what--"

"Where is it!?!" he screams, totally out of control now.
action: Go west
response: Compact yet liveable, the fore stateroom has two v-berths that meet near the nose of the ship. On the port wall is an open hanging locker, and across from it is the door to the forward head, standing open. A small ladder to the south leads up to a door.
The hanging locker seems to contain a safe.
Carl lies here, in shock from the wound to his leg.
Ashleigh is sitting beside Carl, tending to his wound.
Bill, more tense than you've ever seen him, is waving around a gun.

As you enter, Bill swivels around. "You!" he screams at you. You hand over the whiskey bottle without a word. He upends the bottle and drains it in one draught. Bill's eyes suddenly close, much to his surprise. The muzzle of the gun traces an arc to the floor.
"Sleepy," he mumbles, just before he drops the gun and crumples to the floor.

You are left with Ashleigh and Carl's unconscious body to wait for someone to pick you up.

In just under an hour, a Coast Guard ship pulls alongside the *Bellerophon*. All you can think is, why did they take so long? The three of you are taken in for questioning, and Bill is turned over to the police. You were fortunate enough to stop Bill before he could kill Carl, even though Carl will limp a bit for the rest of his life. You ferreted out the connection between Carl, Thom, and those pictures; but you never found out why Ashleigh was carrying that gun. All in all, a good showing.

Thank you for playing Undertow.
action: %
response: How did Thom ever talk you into this one...

Your friend Thom Hall has always been a smooth talker, which is probably how he got you to attend his party on board the *Bellerophon*. The fourty-eight-foot yacht is named after the H.M.S. Bellerophon, the ship on which Napoleon formally surrendered in 1815 after Waterloo. Thom isn't usually too modest.

Anyway, you're now stuck at a floating party with three other people you barely know, friends of Thom's. Bill Leveritt is one of Thom's partners in his architectural firm. Carl Weathers, another old friend of Thom's, brought his girlfriend Ashleigh Flannagin, which completes the floating fivesome.

So far you've seen Bill and Thom yell at each other, Thom hit Carl for some unexplained reason, and Ashleigh ignore both Thom and you. Not the most pleasant party you've ever been to.

And it's barely 10 a.m...

Undertow v1.1 (9/5/1995) by Stephen Granade

The forward head sports a small toilet, a sink, and a miniscule shower. In the floor is a small drain; above the sink, a mirror and medicine cabinet. A closed door leads west.
action: You wait
response: Before you can do anything, Carl has glanced up at you, then at Bill. "Yeah?" he asks, but your face tells him something's wrong.

Bill is faster than both of you. "Get in front of me. Both of you. Let's go find Ashleigh."

The forecastle of the boat is surprisingly comfortable despite its small size. The helm controls, including the wheel, are mounted on the fore wall, next to a chest-of-drawers which sports a lamp. Across from the chest and beside the west entrance is the galley; between the galley and the helm is a companionway to the fore stateroom. Also on the port wall, aft of the entrance, is a small bar. Across from it is a dinette bench. Windows are at each of the cardinal directions. The west entranceway is open, as is the companionway to the north.
Sitting on the small bar is a drink tray.
Ashleigh is here, standing pensively.
Carl is standing here, eyeing Bill and his gun.
Bill, more tense than you've ever seen him, is waving around a gun.
action: You ask Carl about Ashleigh
response: Bill points the gun at you. "Don't move! Don't move!" You freeze, hoping you've distracted him enough, but knowing that you haven't.

Carl decided that now's his best chance, and he jumps towards Bill. Bill jerks back, swinging the revolver around and firing in the same motion.

The smell of cordite fills the air as Ashleigh screams. Carl's eyes widen almost comically, and he staggers back, blood spurting from a newly-formed hole approximately in the middle of his chest. Bill fires again, then again, more of a reflex action than anything else. You try to grab the gun from Bill, but he backhands you with it.
"Shut up, Ashleigh!" he yells at Ash. Surprisingly, she stops.

Bill looks around wildly, then makes a decision. "Drag him into the stateroom, both of you."

"Let me at least get one of the drinks for their wounds," Ash begs of Bill. He nods slightly, glancing nervously around the forecastle. Ashleigh grabs the whiskey bottle.

You take hold of one of Carl's arms; Ashleigh grabs the other, looking distinctly queasy. The two of you drag Carl into the stateroom, leaving Bill behind to mutter to himself about his nerves and how they need calming.

Compact yet liveable, the fore stateroom has two v-berths that meet near the nose of the ship. On the port wall is an open hanging locker, and across from it is the door to the forward head, standing open. A small ladder to the south leads up to a door.
The hanging locker seems to contain a safe.
Carl lies limply on the floor where you and Ashleigh dropped him. Asheligh is sitting in some sort of catatonic state.
action: You hit Bill
response: You make a very sudden move towards Bill, not the brightest thing to do to a nervous man with a gun. Bill, however, is reluctant to shoot you. "Don't try anything!" he warns you in a high-pitched voice, the gun trembling in his grip.

Carl is as surprised as Bill and Ashleigh, but he recovers more quickly and leaps at Bill. Bill turns and fires in the same motion.

The smell of cordite fills the air, and Carl's leap turns into a stumble as the revolver bullet furrows into his left leg. He lets out a long, drawn-out scream. Bill and Ashleigh are shocked into immobility. You make a grab for Bill's gun, but he still possesses the presence of mind to backhand you viciously with it.

Bill looks around wildly, then makes a decision. "Drag him into the stateroom, both of you."

"Let me at least get one of the drinks for their wounds," Ash begs of Bill. He nods slightly, glancing nervously around the forecastle. Ashleigh grabs the whiskey bottle.

You take hold of one of Carl's arms; Ashleigh grabs the other, looking distinctly queasy. The two of you drag Carl into the stateroom, leaving Bill behind to mutter to himself about his nerves and how they need calming.

Compact yet liveable, the fore stateroom has two v-berths that meet near the nose of the ship. On the port wall is an open hanging locker, and across from it is the door to the forward head, standing open. A small ladder to the south leads up to a door.
The hanging locker seems to contain a safe.
Carl lies here, in shock from the wound to his leg.
Ashleigh is sitting beside Carl, tending to his wound.
action: You ask Ashleigh about the gun
response: Ashleigh is busy comforting Carl. You'd best leave her alone.

Ashleigh dribbles some of the whiskey onto Carl's leg. He screams, then mercifully passes out. "It'll be ok, it'll be ok," she whispers to him, dropping the bottle.
action: You ask Carl about the purse
response: You wisely decide to leave Carl alone.
action: You ask Ashleigh about the gun
response: "What?!?" Ashleigh says. "Okay! So there's a gun in my purse! So what?" She pushes a lock of her copper hair out of her face. "Yes, I wanted to kill him." She laughs ruefully. "Who didn't? But you saw him. He wasn't shot!"

Ash sighs. "He was ready to have me fired. I just couldn't let him...he was going to..." Her objections slowly wind down. Then she looks back at you. "But I didn't kill him!"

Ash then grabs your shoulder, pleading. "Please, please, don't tell Carl."
action: You ask Ashleigh about Thom
response: Ashleigh runs her hand through her hair. "I just can't believe he's dead. Sure, I'd thought about it before, but..." She stops talking, perhaps realizing what she just said.
action: You get the bottle
response: You already have the pill bottle!

Ashleigh dribbles some of the whiskey onto Carl's leg. He screams, then mercifully passes out. "It'll be ok, it'll be ok," she whispers to him, dropping the bottle.
action: You drop the whiskey bottle
response: Dropped.
action: Go west
response: Compact yet liveable, the fore stateroom has two v-berths that meet near the nose of the ship. On the port wall is an open hanging locker, and across from it is the door to the forward head, standing open. A small ladder to the south leads up to a door.
You see a whiskey bottle here. The hanging locker seems to contain
a safe.
Carl lies here, in shock from the wound to his leg.
Ashleigh is sitting beside Carl, tending to his wound.
action: You wait a while
response: Time passes...

A sudden sound startles you. The companionway is being opened! Bill climbs down the ladder, revolver pointed at you the whole time.

"Where's the whiskey?" he asks you and Ashleigh. He then sees the bottle. "Get it for me," he tells you, motioning with the gun. You comply, handing it to him. He upends the bottle, drinking all of it before tossing the empty bottle aside. Bill's eyes suddenly close, much to his surprise. The muzzle of the gun traces an arc to the floor. "Sleepy," he mumbles, just before he drops the gun and crumples to the floor.

You are left with Ashleigh and Carl's unconscious body to wait for someone to pick you up.

In just under an hour, a Coast Guard ship pulls alongside the *Bellerophon*. All you can think is, why did they take so long? The three of you are taken in for questioning, and Bill is turned over to the police. You were fortunate enough to stop Bill before he could kill Carl, even though Carl will limp a bit for the rest of his life. You ferreted out the connection between Carl, Thom, and those pictures; andyou discovered why Ashleigh was after Thom. All in all, an excellent showing.

Thank you for playing Undertow.