The One That Got Away
by Leon Lin (1995)
Genres: Slice of life

Go fishing for 'The Old One'.

action: Yes
response: On an ancient, crumbling clay tablet lie the words writ by a wise Assyrian scribe some 4000 years ago: "The gods do not subtract from the alloted span of men's lives the hours spent on fishing." It is in the spirit of these words that you have gone into your garage, unearthed the fishing equipment passed down to you by your father, and called in sick for several days so that you may seek the pleasure of one of the oldest sports known to humanity.

You drive into a national park well known for its fishing, and, parking your vehicle and yourself by a crowded lake, proceed to bring in a haul as large as your permit allows you. But as the days go by, you feel that the challenge of rod and reel has left. You find yourself limply tossing back the fish you so easily hooked upon your line. You look within that part of your soul that has to do with fishing, and come up with void.

In frustration, you somehow wander into an old general store by the lake. A century ago it was owned by a man whose name is now nearly illegible on the sign; today it is a concession stand for fast food. Still, mingling with the smell of hamburgers and fries are a group of graybeards, sitting on the porch and talking about days gone by.

You find yourself engrossed in their conversation, about catches of yesteryear, and struggles against the mighty fish of the past. And, always mentioned in hushed whispers, is a legendary fish called only "The Old One." Fifty, perhaps a hundred or two hundred pounds, long as the tallest pine and wilder than the savage bear of the forest, and appearing only once every thirty years, The Old One has defied the fishing poles of men for centuries. "They even say," says one man, "The Old One even carried away the bride-to-be of ol' Bob of the bait store, though he never really believed it. That I heard when I was a boy of five, that I did!" There are chuckles all around.

After an awkward silence, one of the men says, "But The Old One
only appears once every thirty years, don't it?" "Uh-huh," replies another. "In fact, it's appearing this year, ain't it?" There are more chuckles all around as you quietly excuse yourself from their company.

That night you toss and turn in your tent as visions of The Old One swim in your mind. You are almost out of bait and money, but perhaps, just perhaps, you might have a chance. And so, at five o'clock in the morning, you slip away from camp, with only a rod, tackle box and thermos of coffee in hand, down the trail the old men told you about. You feel the thrill of fishing return to you as you make your way down to Lake Highwater. Somehow, you think, you will succeed where others have failed. You are sure that The Old One will not be...

(Type "info" for information about this release.)

This ancient dirt path, no doubt trod on by generations of stalwart anglers, leads north to Lake Highwater. The path is surrounded by lush green grass and tall pine trees which fill your welcoming eyes with green. In the distance, small birds chirp and the occasional deer can be seen scampering through the woods. The only anomaly in the landscape is the large, unsightly mound of dirt sitting next to a pile of rocks. To the west is Bob's Fish 'N Bait Store.
action: You examine mound
response: This is a mound of dirt which was obviously formed when someone tried to dig a well here.
action: You look at pile
response: Which pile do you mean, the mound of dirt, or the pile of rocks?
action: Rocks
response: This looks like an old pile of stones. They're quite heavy, and have irregular shapes.

You see something move in the dirt pile! It's slimy, soft, and segmented--an earthworm! Before you can even move, the worm disappears beneath the surface of the dirt.
action: You dig in the dirt
response: What do you want to dig in it with?
action: You check what you're carrying
response: You have a small pamphlet, a fishing pole, a dollar bill, a tackle box, and a thermos. The fishing line seems to contain a hook. The tackle box seems to contain a fishing knife, a cheese ball, a small weight, a medium weight, and a large weight.
action: You read the pamphlet
response: "Fishing Pole Instructions"

fishing experience, but gives you an idea of what you can do with your new fishing pole.

This is the foredeck of the USS Tuna Melt, a fishing boat off the
Baja California coast. The deck is wet with the waters of the sea and the air has its distinctive salt taste. You can go aft.

> INVENTORY

You are carrying a fishing pole and a tackle box. The fishing line seems to contain a hook. The tackle box seems to contain a shrimp and a plastic bobber.

> LOOK AT LINE

You see attached to the line a hook. On the hook you see nothing.

> TIE BOBBER TO LINE

You tie the bobber securely to the line.

Old Man Pete, your captain on this voyage, wanders on deck. He is smoking a pipe agitatedly.

> PETE, HELLO

"Avast, and shiver me timbers!" growls Pete, who flexes his grotesquely oversized biceps restlessly. "Aar, keep fishing! I'll give you this gold doubloon to you if you catch the infamous fish, Doby the Mackrel!"

> PUT THE SHRUMP ON THE HOOK

Sorry, I don't know the word 'shrump'.

> OOPS SHRIMP

You slide the shrimp easily onto the hook.

A sudden wave splashes onto deck, drenching everyone. The water extinguishes Pete's pipe. "%#&@$*( sea," he yells angrily as he plucks a sardine from the pipe. "Can't a man get a decent smoke anymore?"

> ASK PETE ABOUT SHRIMP

"Aar, if ye don't catch Doby soon you'll be eatin' yer bait instead of returning it to the sea," warns Pete.

> CAST LINE

You swing the line back a long way, nearly snagging Pete with the line. "Watch where ye put that line, ye landlubber!" With a strong snap of the wrist, you launch the line and its contents into the sea.

> Z

Time passes...

"Aar, where's me lighter?" growls Pete.

> Z

Time passes...

> Z

Time passes...

> Z

You feel a tug at the line! It's weak, yet persistent, and getting stronger by the second!

> REEL IN LINE

You start reeling in the line when it snags! You pull, and pull, but it won't come up!

> REEL IN LINE

Your pole bends so much from your effort that you think it's going to snap. And suddenly, with a "Whoosh!", your line comes screaming back at you, knocking you to the deck!

> LOOK AT HOOK

You see a mackrel on the hook.

"That's not Doby the Mackrel," says Pete angrily. "You incompetent landlubber, when will you learn! Get below and get more shrimp! I won't rest until Doby the Mackrel is caught!" "Curse you, Doby the Mackrel, curse you!" Pete exclaims, shaking his fist at the sea. "From Hell's heart I stab at thee...for hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee!" You involuntarily twist your body to avoid his flying saliva...
action: About yourself
response: You look about the same as always.
action: Look around
response: This ancient dirt path, no doubt trod on by generations of stalwart anglers, leads north to Lake Highwater. The path is surrounded by lush green grass and tall pine trees which fill your welcoming eyes with green. In the distance, small birds chirp and the occasional deer can be seen scampering through the woods. The only anomaly in the landscape is the large, unsightly mound of dirt sitting next to a pile of rocks. To the west is Bob's Fish 'N Bait Store.
action: Go west
response: This weathered structure is Bob's Fish 'N Bait Store, the oldest
bait shop at Lake Highwater. Except for the sign on the counter that declares "Cameras, worms $1.00" the entire store has an air of rustic antiquity as well as a distinctly robust fishy odor. On the west wall
action: You take the cheese
response: there is a curtain behind the counter leading into some back room, and upon the counter there is an old wooden bucket as well as a plastic receptacle. By the entrance of the store, to the east, is a small collection of old photos, depicting champion fishermen.
On the counter sits a camera.
Bob is here, minding the store.

"Kid," says Bob irritably, "you just going to stand there or are you going to buy something?

Taken.

Bob launches into an extended monologue about the time he and Zeke flushed out a bunch of worms in his mother's vegetable garden with tea and drove the excited nightcrawlers into the pantry, scaring some guests. He rubs his behind wistfully, as if remembering the results of his action.
action: You examine Bob
response: Old Bob has run this store for (if those old men are to be believed) 103 years. While you doubt that particular claim (for after all Willard Scott never wished him a happy birthday on the "Today" show) you sense there is truth to the claim that Bob is the best damn bait seller at Lake Highwater. You could ask this man anything and he'll have an answer.

"Kid," says Bob irritably, "you just going to stand there or are you going to buy something?
action: You check your inventory
response: You have a small pamphlet, a fishing pole, a dollar bill, a tackle box, a thermos, and a cheese ball. The fishing line seems to contain a hook. The tackle box seems to contain a fishing knife, a small weight, a medium weight, and a large weight.

"Kid," says Bob irritably, "you just going to stand there or are you going to buy something?
action: You ask Bob about the worms
response: "Sorry, worms been hard to find recently," says Bob.

"Kid," says Bob irritably, "you just going to stand there or are you going to buy something?
action: You ask Bob about the cheese
response: "New-fangled artificial polysorbic, monosodium, dipeptide 3,3,4, whatever stuff!" sneers Bob. "I don't know what that radioactive-looking thing is made of, but I can tell you, it ain't going to catch The Old One. You're gonna need *real* bait for that!"

You hear what sounds like a sigh. Bob is gazing at the large picture on the wall of the woman, whispering, "Nellie, Nellie." Then he notices you looking at him funny. You quickly avert your gaze.
action: Xyzzy
response: You speak the ancient word of power. When you realize that it does jack diddly, you slap your hand to your forehead and exclaim, "D'OH!"

"When we were kids those magic words really meant something!" snorts Bob.

You hear what sounds like a sigh. Bob is gazing at the large picture on the wall of the woman, whispering, "Nellie, Nellie." Then he notices you looking at him funny. You quickly avert your gaze.
action: You ask Bob about Nellie
response: The normally locquacious Bob falls silent. Finally, with an effort, he says, "Yes, that was my beloved Nellie. She loved fishing as much as I did; we were perfect together.I didn't make that much money, only being a humble seller of bait, but I even managed to scrape together enough to buy her a gold bracelet with her name engraved on it. Finally, on her sixteenth birthday, her father finally gave consent for us to get married, and I was the happiest man on the earth.

However, the day of our wedding, I was all dressed up and ready for the ceremony, but Nellie didn't show up. We searched all around but couldn't find her.That's when I remembered there was some rich European guy who'd been also wooing Nellie, and it dawned on me that even my little gold bracelet wouldn't be enough to compete with the expensive trinkets he could buy without a second thought.My friends tried to console me; they said, 'Nellie's like Lake Highwater! She's not so shallow she would follow riches instead of her heart!' But as the day ended and there was no sign of Nellie, I was forced to conclude she had left me for the European.

At midnight, when I was drinking myself silly, my friend Zeke came up to me and said some guy saw Nellie that day, and that she'd been fishing on the pier and was pulled under by The Old One! I didn't believe Zeke.Even at 14 I'd told many a tall tale about fishing, and I figured Zeke made that up to make me feel better. Never did hear from Nellie again. Her father died of heartbreak shortly thereafter. I always thought Nellie might come back, and I've waited, just minding this store, but I guess it'll never be."

"I ever tell you about the time I caught ol' Big Mouth up at Lake Shawnee?" asks Bob. "Boy, was he a wild one! I waded down into that lake and pummelled him good with my bare fists. That I did!"
action: You ask Bob about Nellie
response: The normally locquacious Bob falls silent. Finally, with an effort, he says, "Yes, that was my beloved Nellie. She loved fishing as much as I did; we were perfect together.I didn't make that much money, only being a humble seller of bait, but I even managed to scrape together enough to buy her a gold bracelet with her name engraved on it. Finally, on her sixteenth birthday, her father finally gave consent for us to get married, and I was the happiest man on the earth.

However, the day of our wedding, I was all dressed up and ready for the ceremony, but Nellie didn't show up. We searched all around but couldn't find her.That's when I remembered there was some rich European guy who'd been also wooing Nellie, and it dawned on me that even my little gold bracelet wouldn't be enough to compete with the expensive trinkets he could buy without a second thought.My friends tried to console me; they said, 'Nellie's like Lake Highwater! She's not so shallow she would follow riches instead of her heart!' But as the day ended and there was no sign of Nellie, I was forced to conclude she had left me for the European.

At midnight, when I was drinking myself silly, my friend Zeke came up to me and said some guy saw Nellie that day, and that she'd been fishing on the pier and was pulled under by The Old One! I didn't believe Zeke.Even at 14 I'd told many a tall tale about fishing, and I figured Zeke made that up to make me feel better. Never did hear from Nellie again. Her father died of heartbreak shortly thereafter. I always thought Nellie might come back, and I've waited, just minding this store, but I guess it'll never be."

Bob launches into an extended monologue about the time he and Zeke flushed out a bunch of worms in his mother's vegetable garden with tea and drove the excited nightcrawlers into the pantry, scaring some guests. He rubs his behind wistfully, as if remembering the results of his action.
action: You look around
response: This weathered structure is Bob's Fish 'N Bait Store, the oldest
bait shop at Lake Highwater. Except for the sign on the counter that declares "Cameras, worms $1.00" the entire store has an air of rustic antiquity as well as a distinctly robust fishy odor. On the west wall there is a curtain behind the counter leading into some back room, and upon the counter there is an old wooden bucket as well as a plastic receptacle. By the entrance of the store, to the east, is a small collection of old photos, depicting champion fishermen.
On the counter sits a camera.
Bob is here, minding the store.

"I ever tell you about the time I caught ol' Big Mouth up at Lake Shawnee?" asks Bob. "Boy, was he a wild one! I waded down into that lake and pummelled him good with my bare fists. That I did!"
action: You ask Bob about Bob
response: "What's that, kid?" demands Bob indignantly. "I don't understand ya, speak up!"

"Kid," says Bob irritably, "you just going to stand there or are you going to buy something?
action: You ask Bob about the fishing
response: "I've picked my teeth with larger," says Bob nonchalantly.

Bob launches into an extended monologue about the time he and Zeke flushed out a bunch of worms in his mother's vegetable garden with tea and drove the excited nightcrawlers into the pantry, scaring some guests. He rubs his behind wistfully, as if remembering the results of his action.
action: You look at the bucket
response: This bucket is normally used to hold worms. At the moment, it's quite empty.

Bob launches into an extended monologue about the time he and Zeke flushed out a bunch of worms in his mother's vegetable garden with tea and drove the excited nightcrawlers into the pantry, scaring some guests. He rubs his behind wistfully, as if remembering the results of his action.
action: You ask Bob about old one
response: Bob starts to say something, probably one of his long winded stories, but suddenly falls silent and looks at the picture of the woman on the wall.

"I ever tell you about the time I caught ol' Big Mouth up at Lake Shawnee?" asks Bob. "Boy, was he a wild one! I waded down into that lake and pummelled him good with my bare fists. That I did!"
action: You look at the picture
response: Which picture do you mean, the first photo, the second photo, the third photo, the fourth photo, the fifth photo, or the sixth photo?
action: First
response: This is a picture of "Bass-ackwards" Joe Bob Thorpe, in 1955. He's holding up a large bass. Next to it, in pen, is the notation "20 lbs".

Bob launches into an extended monologue about the time he and Zeke flushed out a bunch of worms in his mother's vegetable garden with tea and drove the excited nightcrawlers into the pantry, scaring some guests. He rubs his behind wistfully, as if remembering the results of his action.
action: You ask Bob about the camera
response: "Don't know much about those new-fangled Japanese gadgets," says Bob. "They say just point the camera at the target and press the button. I dunno."

Bob launches into an extended monologue about the time he and Zeke flushed out a bunch of worms in his mother's vegetable garden with tea and drove the excited nightcrawlers into the pantry, scaring some guests. He rubs his behind wistfully, as if remembering the results of his action.
action: You buy the camera
response: Bob takes your dollar and hands you the camera. "I don't know why, but it's only got one shot in it," he warns. "Make it count, kid!"

"Kid," says Bob irritably, "you just going to stand there or are you going to buy something?
action: You show the the camera to bob
response: "Don't know much about those new-fangled Japanese gadgets," says Bob. "They say just point the camera at the target and press the button. I dunno."

"Kid," says Bob irritably, "you just going to stand there or are you going to buy something?
action: You examine the second picture
response: This yellowing, aged photo, the largest of the lot, depicts a one Nellie Carpenter in 1894. She's holding up a large bass which has the notation "16 lbs" next to it.

Bob licks his finger and holds it up in the air. "Feels like rain," he remarks. He licks his finger and holds it up again. "Or, maybe not."
action: You examine the third picture
response: According to the caption on this photo, the young man standing in the photo with the bass is Robert Stanowski. The bass is labeled "13 lbs" and the year is 1962.

You hear what sounds like a sigh. Bob is gazing at the large picture on the wall of the woman, whispering, "Nellie, Nellie." Then he notices you looking at him funny. You quickly avert your gaze.
action: You examine the fourth picture
response: In the black and white photo stands a man wearing what looks like a World War I military uniform, complete with rifle and bayonet. Stuck to the end of the bayonet is a large perch, next to which is the notation "15 lbs". A caption identifies the person as Roger Peterson; the year as 1918.

Bob licks his finger and holds it up in the air. "Feels like rain," he remarks. He licks his finger and holds it up again. "Or, maybe not."
action: You examine the fifth picture
response: This photo stands out as the only color picture in the collection. A grizzled old man, in plaid shirt and faded brown trousers, grins through a thick white beard as he holds above his head a surprisingly large bass. The notation next to the fish is "35 lbs" followed by a number of exclamation points. The person is identified as 'Zeke Wilder, and the year is 19xx--you can't quiet make out the last two digits.

Bob licks his finger and holds it up in the air. "Feels like rain," he remarks. He licks his finger and holds it up again. "Or, maybe not."
action: You examine the sixth picture
response: This grainy black and white photo, obviously taken during the twilight hours, is a shot of Lake Highwater. In the middle of the photo is a large but fuzzy black splotch. With a bit of imagination, you think it might possibly be fish-shaped.

Bob licks his finger and holds it up in the air. "Feels like rain," he remarks. He licks his finger and holds it up again. "Or, maybe not."
action: You ask Bob about the sixth picture
response: "Yessir," says Bob, "that's the *only* known picture of The Old One that's known to man." He shakes his head and sighs. "Folks been seeing The Old One since the Cru-sades, but no one's ever caught him on film until 1935. The man who can snag that fish will be hailed as Lake Highwater's greatest angler, you can bet on that."

"I ever tell you about the time I caught ol' Big Mouth up at Lake Shawnee?" asks Bob. "Boy, was he a wild one! I waded down into that lake and pummelled him good with my bare fists. That I did!"
action: You ask Bob about the second picture
response: The normally locquacious Bob falls silent. Finally, with an effort, he says, "Yes, that was my beloved Nellie. She loved fishing as much as I did; we were perfect together.I didn't make that much money, only being a humble seller of bait, but I even managed to scrape together enough to buy her a gold bracelet with her name engraved on it. Finally, on her sixteenth birthday, her father finally gave consent for us to get married, and I was the happiest man on the earth.

However, the day of our wedding, I was all dressed up and ready for the ceremony, but Nellie didn't show up. We searched all around but couldn't find her.That's when I remembered there was some rich European guy who'd been also wooing Nellie, and it dawned on me that even my little gold bracelet wouldn't be enough to compete with the expensive trinkets he could buy without a second thought.My friends tried to console me; they said, 'Nellie's like Lake Highwater! She's not so shallow she would follow riches instead of her heart!' But as the day ended and there was no sign of Nellie, I was forced to conclude she had left me for the European.

At midnight, when I was drinking myself silly, my friend Zeke came up to me and said some guy saw Nellie that day, and that she'd been fishing on the pier and was pulled under by The Old One! I didn't believe Zeke.Even at 14 I'd told many a tall tale about fishing, and I figured Zeke made that up to make me feel better. Never did hear from Nellie again. Her father died of heartbreak shortly thereafter. I always thought Nellie might come back, and I've waited, just minding this store, but I guess it'll never be."

"I ever tell you about the time I caught ol' Big Mouth up at Lake Shawnee?" asks Bob. "Boy, was he a wild one! I waded down into that lake and pummelled him good with my bare fists. That I did!"
action: You ask Bob about the curtain
response: "What's that, kid?" demands Bob indignantly. "I don't understand ya, speak up!"

You hear what sounds like a sigh. Bob is gazing at the large picture on the wall of the woman, whispering, "Nellie, Nellie." Then he notices you looking at him funny. You quickly avert your gaze.
action: You go west
response: Bob says, "Sorry, kid, can't you let you in there. Authorized personelle only."

Bob licks his finger and holds it up in the air. "Feels like rain," he remarks. He licks his finger and holds it up again. "Or, maybe not."
action: Go outside
response: You can't go that way.

"Kid," says Bob irritably, "you just going to stand there or are you going to buy something?
action: Go north
response: Ahhhh, Lake Highwater! This world-famous fishing hole is this
state's best kept secret. Nearly a mile around, Highwater shines a perfect blue in the early morning sun. Ducks calmly fly over its edge, and pine trees crown the circumfrence of this majestic lake.
The only sign of the hand of man is the short pier on which you now stand that points north towards the lake. A well-worn path leads south.
action: You examine the ducks
response: The flock of ducks fly lazily over the lake.
action: You examine Lake
response: Lake Highwater sits as peacefully as it has since the Ice Age, when the great glaciers retreated to reveal this regal body of water in all of its splendor.
action: You look at the tackle box
response: The tackle box is open. In the tackle box you see a fishing knife, a small weight, a medium weight, and a large weight.
action: You look at the rod
response: This is your trusty fishing pole, which belonged to your father and his father, and his father before him, and probably every first-born male in your family line back to the Stone Age. It's made of strong, but flexible wood, and has a titanium reel around which is wound a line of nearly unbreakable catgut. Attached to the end of the line is a hook.
action: Go south
response: This ancient dirt path, no doubt trod on by generations of stalwart anglers, leads north to Lake Highwater. The path is surrounded by lush green grass and tall pine trees which fill your welcoming eyes with green. In the distance, small birds chirp and the occasional deer can be seen scampering through the woods. The only anomaly in the landscape is the large, unsightly mound of dirt sitting next to a pile of rocks. To the west is Bob's Fish 'N Bait Store.

You see something move in the dirt pile! It's slimy, soft, and segmented--an earthworm! Before you can even move, the worm disappears beneath the surface of the dirt.
action: Dig
response: What do you want to dig in?
action: You dig in the dirt with the pamphlet
response: I don't know how to dig in the mound of dirt.

You see something move in the dirt pile! It's slimy, soft, and segmented--an earthworm! Before you can even move, the worm disappears beneath the surface of the dirt.
action: You examine the rocks
response: This looks like an old pile of stones. They're quite heavy, and have irregular shapes.
action: You get the rock
response: You sift through the pile of rocks. Though you're no rock hound, you do see one odd, heavy rock that looks interesting. You take it.
action: You dig in the dirt with the rock
response: Which rock do you mean, the heavy rock, or the pile of rocks?
action: Heavy
response: This is one dang heavy rock. It has many strange protrustions and irregularities sticking out from its surface.

You see something move in the dirt pile! It's slimy, soft, and segmented--an earthworm! Before you can even move, the worm disappears beneath the surface of the dirt.
action: You check what you're carrying
response: You have a small pamphlet, a fishing pole, a tackle box, a thermos, a cheese ball, a disposble camera, and a heavy rock. The fishing line seems to contain a hook. The tackle box seems to contain a fishing knife, a small weight, a medium weight, and a large weight.

You see something move in the dirt pile! It's slimy, soft, and segmented--an earthworm! Before you can even move, the worm disappears beneath the surface of the dirt.
action: You look at the thermos
response: Your trusty bright orange thermos is closed.
action: You open the thermos
response: Opened.

You see something move in the dirt pile! It's slimy, soft, and segmented--an earthworm! Before you can even move, the worm disappears beneath the surface of the dirt.
action: You look at the thermos
response: Your trusty bright orange thermos is filled with coffee.

You see something move in the dirt pile! It's slimy, soft, and segmented--an earthworm! Before you can even move, the worm disappears beneath the surface of the dirt.
action: You pour the coffee on the dirt
response: You pour the entire contents of the thermos onto the dirt pile (and not without a bit of tearful remorse). However, your noble sacrifice does not go unnoticed by the fishing gods. A fat earthworm, moving faster than any other worm you've ever seen in your life, comes barrelling out of the hole in the dirtpile and flops onto the ground. Then it abruptly slows down, and lies on the ground, twitching spasmodically.
action: You get worm
response: Taken.
action: Drink
response: What do you want to drink?
action: Drink water
response: You drink deeply of Lake Highwater. Clear, refreshing water flows into your mouth and down your throat, calming the inner thirst within. You pull your head out of the water. Then you proceed to upchuck all over the place.
action: You put the weight on the line
response: Which weight do you mean, the small weight, the medium weight, or the large weight?
action: Small
response: You tie the weight to the line.
action: You examine medium weight
response: This medium weight can be attached to fishing lines. It'll bring your line down to a fairly deep depth.
action: You examine the large weight
response: This large weight can be attached to fishing lines. It'll sink your line down to a very deep depth.
action: You examine the line
response: This is a fishing line, made of nearly indestructible catgut. Woe be to any member of the fish persuasion that should find itself snared by this, this line of doom.

You see attached to the line a hook, a small weight, and a large weight. On the hook you see nothing.
action: You put the worm on the hook
response: You bait the hook with the worm, which wriggles pathetically.
action: Cast line
response: You swing your fishing pole back, way, way, back, and with a strength honed by years of angling you cast the line beautifully into the lake.
action: Wait
response: Time passes...
action: Wait
response: Time passes...
You feel a slight vibration on the pole.
action: You reel in the line
response: You reel in the line.
action: You examine the line
response: This is a fishing line, made of nearly indestructible catgut. Woe be to any member of the fish persuasion that should find itself snared by this, this line of doom.

You see attached to the line a hook, a small weight, and a large weight. On the hook you see an earthworm and a dilapidated rubber boot.
action: Wait
response: Time passes...
You sense nothing on the line. Perhaps you should reel it in.
action: Wait
response: Time passes...
action: You examine the line
response: This is a fishing line, made of nearly indestructible catgut. Woe be to any member of the fish persuasion that should find itself snared by this, this line of doom.

You see attached to the line a hook, a small weight, and a large weight. On the hook you see an earthworm.
action: Cast line
response: You swing your fishing pole back, way, way, back, and with a strength honed by years of angling you cast the line beautifully into the lake.
action: You look at the line
response: This is a fishing line, made of nearly indestructible catgut. Woe be to any member of the fish persuasion that should find itself snared by this, this line of doom.

You see attached to the line a hook, a small weight, and a large weight. On the hook you see an earthworm and a tire.
action: You examine the line
response: This is a fishing line, made of nearly indestructible catgut. Woe be to any member of the fish persuasion that should find itself snared by this, this line of doom.

You see attached to the line a hook, a small weight, a large weight, and a medium weight. On the hook you see an earthworm and a vax.
action: You examine the vax
response: It's an ancient piece of machinery. You can't tell much more than that.
action: You look at the boot
response: This rubber boot has seen better days, as it's all ragged and filled with holes. Then again, judging from its shoddy construction and poor workmanship, it probably hasn't.
action: You remove the large weight from the line
response: You've already got your hands full.
action: You drop the tire
response: Dropped.
action: You examine the line
response: This is a fishing line, made of nearly indestructible catgut. Woe be to any member of the fish persuasion that should find itself snared by this, this line of doom.

You see attached to the line a hook, a small weight, and a medium weight. On the hook you see an earthworm.
action: You examine the line
response: This is a fishing line, made of nearly indestructible catgut. Woe be to any member of the fish persuasion that should find itself snared by this, this line of doom.

You see attached to the line a hook, a medium weight, and a large weight. On the hook you see an earthworm.
action: Oops cheese
response: What do you want to cut it with?
action: You examine the cheese
response: This is one of those cheese balls fishermen sometimes use as bait. It seems to glow faintly.
action: You examine the rock
response: This is one dang heavy rock. It has many strange protrustions and irregularities sticking out from its surface.
action: You tie the rock to the line
response: You spend a few minutes tying the rock to the line. It takes some effort, and the creative use of various protrusions on the rock, but you do it.
action: You tie the small weight to the line
response: You tie the weight to the line.
action: You examine the line
response: This is a fishing line, made of nearly indestructible catgut. Woe be to any member of the fish persuasion that should find itself snared by this, this line of doom.

You see attached to the line a hook, a medium weight, a large weight, a heavy rock, and a small weight. On the hook you see an earthworm.
action: You put the cheese on the hook
response: You bait the hook with the cheese, which sits there like a dead weight.
action: Wait
response: Time passes...

Jumping Jehosaphat! The line starts like a race horse threatened with with milk wagon. You spot, for a brief instant, great mounds of froth break upon the surface of the lake, and the flash of silvery fins shines brightly through the water. The pole bends, almost to the breaking point which you never thought reachable. You strain to keep your quarry under control, but even your powerful arms must struggle greatly. You feel your feet scraping desperately against the wood of the pier, slipping, slipping... until finally, you're pulled straight into the depths of Lake Highwater!

Somehow, you have found your way into this lake. As you breathe
using lungs and not gills, you feel that perhaps you should vacate this area before you drown.
A humongous fish, which is without a doubt The Old One, struggles
to free itself from your line. A gold bracelet, around its tail, flashes in the feeble light.
action: You reel in the line
response: Not too likely in this circumstance.
action: You examine the camera
response: This is one of those "disposable" cameras in which you simply point the camera, press the button, and deposit the camera with an authorized film developer. This looks like one of those new models that can even be used underwater.
action: Attack fish
response: What do you want to attack it with?
action: Knife
response: Your attack bounces off The Old One's scales, which have ostensibly hardened into an impenetrable shell.

Your oxygen gives out, and shortly thereafter, so do you.
action: You press the button
response: [TADS-1010: object value required]
Click.
action: You look at the camera
response: This is one of those "disposable" cameras in which you simply point the camera, press the button, and deposit the camera with an authorized film developer. This looks like one of those new models that can even be used underwater.

Your oxygen gives out, and shortly thereafter, so do you.
action: You point the camera at the bracelet
response: You point the camera at the gold bracelet.

Your oxygen gives out, and shortly thereafter, so do you.
action: You point the camera at the bracelet
response: You point the camera at the gold bracelet.
action: You press the button
response: Click.
action: You cut the line
response: What do you want to cut it with?
action: Knife
response: Your knife bounces off the indestructible line. So much for guarantees.
action: Go upwards
response: With a push against the lake bottom, you swim back up to the lake shore.



Ahhhh, Lake Highwater! This world-famous fishing hole is this
state's best kept secret. Nearly a mile around, Highwater shines a perfect blue in the early morning sun. Ducks calmly fly over its edge, and pine trees crown the circumfrence of this majestic lake.
The only sign of the hand of man is the short pier on which you now stand that points north towards the lake. A well-worn path leads south.
You see a tire, a dilapidated rubber boot, and a vax here.
action: You examine the camera
response: This is one of those "disposable" cameras in which you simply point the camera, press the button, and deposit the camera with an authorized film developer. This looks like one of those new models that can even be used underwater.
action: Go west
response: This weathered structure is Bob's Fish 'N Bait Store, the oldest
bait shop at Lake Highwater. Except for the sign on the counter that declares "Cameras, worms $1.00" the entire store has an air of rustic antiquity as well as a distinctly robust fishy odor. On the west wall there is a curtain behind the counter leading into some back room, and upon the counter there is an old wooden bucket as well as a plastic receptacle. By the entrance of the store, to the east, is a small collection of old photos, depicting champion fishermen.
Bob is here, minding the store.

Bob licks his finger and holds it up in the air. "Feels like rain," he remarks. He licks his finger and holds it up again. "Or, maybe not."
action: You tell Bob about the bracelet
response: It doesn't look as though Bob is interested.

Bob launches into an extended monologue about the time he and Zeke flushed out a bunch of worms in his mother's vegetable garden with tea and drove the excited nightcrawlers into the pantry, scaring some guests. He rubs his behind wistfully, as if remembering the results of his action.
action: You ask Bob about the camera
response: "Don't know much about those new-fangled Japanese gadgets," says Bob. "They say just point the camera at the target and press the button. I dunno."

"Kid," says Bob irritably, "you just going to stand there or are you going to buy something?
action: You give the camera to Bob
response: "Sorry, kid," says Bob. "I don't particularly need a disposble camera."

You hear what sounds like a sigh. Bob is gazing at the large picture on the wall of the woman, whispering, "Nellie, Nellie." Then he notices you looking at him funny. You quickly avert your gaze.
action: You tell Bob about the camera
response: It doesn't look as though Bob is interested.

Bob scratches his beard abstractly, thinking about the old days when he could wrestle a great white shark to the ground.
action: You tell Bob about the bracelet
response: It doesn't look as though Bob is interested.

"Kid," says Bob irritably, "you just going to stand there or are you going to buy something?
action: Inventory
response: You have a small pamphlet, a tackle box, a thermos, and a disposble camera. The tackle box seems to contain a fishing knife.

"I ever tell you about the time I caught ol' Big Mouth up at Lake Shawnee?" asks Bob. "Boy, was he a wild one! I waded down into that lake and pummelled him good with my bare fists. That I did!"
action: You open the camera
response: I don't know how to open the disposble camera.

Bob scratches his beard abstractly, thinking about the old days when he could wrestle a great white shark to the ground.
action: You examine camera
response: This is one of those "disposable" cameras in which you simply point the camera, press the button, and deposit the camera with an authorized film developer. This looks like one of those new models that can even be used underwater.

Bob scratches his beard abstractly, thinking about the old days when he could wrestle a great white shark to the ground.
action: Look around
response: This weathered structure is Bob's Fish 'N Bait Store, the oldest
bait shop at Lake Highwater. Except for the sign on the counter that declares "Cameras, worms $1.00" the entire store has an air of rustic antiquity as well as a distinctly robust fishy odor. On the west wall there is a curtain behind the counter leading into some back room, and upon the counter there is an old wooden bucket as well as a plastic receptacle. By the entrance of the store, to the east, is a small collection of old photos, depicting champion fishermen.
Bob is here, minding the store.

"I ever tell you about the time I caught ol' Big Mouth up at Lake Shawnee?" asks Bob. "Boy, was he a wild one! I waded down into that lake and pummelled him good with my bare fists. That I did!"
action: You examine plastic receptacle
response: This is the receptacle into which you place disposable cameras so their film can be developed.

"Kid," says Bob irritably, "you just going to stand there or are you going to buy something?
action: You go west
response: Bob says, "Sorry, kid, can't you let you in there. Authorized personelle only."

Bob licks his finger and holds it up in the air. "Feels like rain," he remarks. He licks his finger and holds it up again. "Or, maybe not."
action: You put the camera in the receptacle
response: Done.

"I ever tell you about the time I caught ol' Big Mouth up at Lake Shawnee?" asks Bob. "Boy, was he a wild one! I waded down into that lake and pummelled him good with my bare fists. That I did!"
action: Wait
response: Time passes...

Bob takes the camera out of the receptacle and mutters something about the troubles of modern photo development. He saunters into the back room, where you hear him trying to set up developing equipment. There are lots of clanks and swearing as pans come tumbling down.
action: Wait
response: Time passes...

Developing liquids are being poured in the back room.
action: You wait a while
response: Time passes...

You hear Bob humming to himself as he sets some timers.
action: You wait
response: Time passes...

The sounds of Bob removing a photo from the back room can be heard.
action: You wait awhile
response: Time passes...

Bob emerges from the back room with a photo in his hands.He's shaking his head. "Those dang-blasted cameras," he says. "Even the young'uns can't figure them out!" He tosses a photo into your hands. The picture is a confusing jumble of several pictures, all crammed into the same space simultaneously.

"Couldn't even get a picture of The Old One," he says sadly. "I guess you young people are as feeble as I thought! Better luck in thirty years!"In a total of 164 turns, you have achieved a score of 20 points out of a possible 20.

You may restore a saved game, start over, quit, or undo the current command.
action: You point the camera at the fish
response: You point the camera at The Old One.
action: Go west
response: This weathered structure is Bob's Fish 'N Bait Store, the oldest
bait shop at Lake Highwater. Except for the sign on the counter that declares "Cameras, worms $1.00" the entire store has an air of rustic antiquity as well as a distinctly robust fishy odor. On the west wall there is a curtain behind the counter leading into some back room, and upon the counter there is an old wooden bucket as well as a plastic receptacle. By the entrance of the store, to the east, is a small collection of old photos, depicting champion fishermen.
Bob is here, minding the store.

Bob launches into an extended monologue about the time he and Zeke flushed out a bunch of worms in his mother's vegetable garden with tea and drove the excited nightcrawlers into the pantry, scaring some guests. He rubs his behind wistfully, as if remembering the results of his action.
action: You put the camera in the receptacle
response: Done.

Bob launches into an extended monologue about the time he and Zeke flushed out a bunch of worms in his mother's vegetable garden with tea and drove the excited nightcrawlers into the pantry, scaring some guests. He rubs his behind wistfully, as if remembering the results of his action.
action: You wait
response: Time passes...

The sounds of Bob removing a photo from the back room can be heard.
action: You wait
response: Time passes...

Bob emerges from the back room with a photo in his hands.Bob is handing you the photo when he takes a closer glance at it. "Why, why..." he stammers. Suddenly he turns white and looks as if he's about to collapse. You rush behind the counter to help him, but he recovers enough to thump himself several times in the chest. Shaking his head as if to clear his mind, he stares at the photo again.

"It's The Old One!" he gasps. "Look at it! That's the largest bluegill I ever saw!"

"Um, a bluegill?" you ask."Yeah," says Bob, pointing out some features on the fish. "you can tell by the..." His voice trails off, and you realize that a biology lesson is right now not the most important thing about the moment.

"Nellie," says Bob with a sigh. "I know that's The Old One, because..." He points to the golden bracelet around The Old One's tail. "Because that's Nellie's bracelet. It was just like Zeke said. I guess...she didn't really leave me for that rich guy after all. She never intended to."

"Um, I'm sorry," you say, not knowing what to say.

"You should be!" Bob snorts, life coming back to him. "You have The Old One *that* close, and ya let it get away! Young whippersnappers nowadays, they're as feeble as I thought."

But Bob's tone cheers up as he slips the photo under the counter. "Still, I have to congratulate you on what ya did. Before 1935, no one had a better picture of The Old One than this. I always wanted ta see The Old One with my own eyes, and I didn't want to die before I did."

"Wait a second," you say. "This doesn't mean you're not going to..."

"Of course not!" says Bob. "Just because I done near had a heart attack when I saw that picture doesn't mean I'm going to keel over and die after I've achieved my ambition of seeing that blasted fish! I'm gonna wait, right here, until someday someone brings in The Old One, straight from the water, to this here bait shop! Maybe I'll even try it myself!" You find yourself in awe at the old man's grim determination. "Besides," he says, shoulders slumping a fraction of an inch, "if I don't live, who's gonna take care of poor Zeke's 170 year-old great-grandmother when he dies?"

And so your fishing odyssey at Lake Highwater comes to an end. Out of bait (as your cheese ball has dissipated into its component gases) and money, you pack your belongings and get ready to leave. As you amble happily out of the bait store, ready for the long hike home, you cast one more glance at the beautiful blue surface of Lake Highwater. You spot a shape in the middle, and strain for a second to take a look.

It's The Old One, leaping high into the air, as if to bid you farewell, the golden bracelet around its tail gleaming in the sunlight. You smile and nod, and find yourself saluting this rugged fish, all the while, thinking, "In thirty years! I'll be back!"

As if to acknowledge the receipt of your challenge, The Old One waves its shiny tail at you and disappears beneath the surface of Lake Highwater.

In a total of 153 turns, you have achieved a score of 20 points out of a possible 20.

You may restore a saved game, start over, quit, undo the current command, or see a list of things to do in this game for your amusement.
action: Amusement
response: Have you tried...

Swearing? Swearing in front of Bob?
XYZZY? (And in front of Bob?)
Going east from the Path to Lake?
Asking Bob about the pictures? Taking a picture of Bob?
Kissing, killing, giving objects, showing objects to Bob or The Old One?
Ordering Bob or The Old One to do something? Saying hello to Bob or The Old One?
Fishing with the cheese ball?
Fishing without bait? (Try several times.)  At different depths?
(Use different weights, instead of the rock)
Drinking the coffee? The lake?
Eating the cheese ball? the worm? the birds? the deer? the ducks? Cutting the line with the knife?
Casting the line in front of Bob?
Taking a picture of something other than The Old One? Taking more than one picture?