Fine-Tuned
by Dennis Jerz (2001)
Genres: Historical

Can Troy, the handsome daredevil autoist, live up to his "sterling" reputation? What secret threatens the career of the talented singer, Miss Melody Sweet? With the help of the mechanical genius Aloysius Pratt, can Troy and Melody thwart a madman's evil plan?

action: %
response: The life of a daredevil adventurer leaves precious little time for rest. There's always wickedness to thwart, innocence to preserve, and honour to uphold.
action: About yourself
response: You're Troy Sterling, daredevil adventurer. Or you will be, as soon as you master all this technical stuff and get on with the daredeviling part.

"Come on, Mr. Sterling... get in!" says Aloysius.
action: You look at Aloysius
response: Aloysius Pratt is a brilliant inventor, a patient teacher, and a loyal companion. Scratch his crusty exterior and you will find boundless and inexplicable layers of additional crust. As far as you know, he's crust all the way down.

"Mr. Sterling, are you finished staring at me?" he says, fidgeting uncomfortably. He gestures down your driveway, towards the east. "There's no time to lose!"
action: Kiss aloysius
response: "That's not in my job description, Mr. Sterling!"

"This is no time to delay!"
action: You go east
response: "Not on foot, Mr. Sterling!" shouts Aloysius, shocked.
action: Hug aloysius
response: "That's not in my job description, Mr. Sterling!"

"Mr. Sterling, what did you buy the car for if you're not going to get in it?" asks Aloysius.
action: You enter the car
response: You step up on the running board. The instruments are arranged neatly on the dashboard in front of you. You open the glove compartment, revealing some gloves.
action: You get the gloves
response: Taken.
action: You examine it
response: The Pratt Dynamo is Aloysius Pratt's latest, most brilliant invention -- twin six-cylinder motors, an electric starter, hydraulic steering, an on-board heater, and some stuff that has to do with fuel and airflow that you didn't quite catch the last time Aloysius mentioned it. The body is white with gold trim. On the luggage rack are a tool chest and a crate.

In the front seat are yourself and Aloysius.

"Mr. Sterling, we'd better get going," says Aloysius.
action: You look at them
response: Leather, long... still fairly new. Fur-lined.
action: Wear glove
response: (the gloves)

"Great," says Aloysius. "Now let's go!"

You slip them on. They fit you like... well, like gloves.
action: You turn on the heater
response: That's not something you can switch.

Aloysius watches you, puzzled.
action: You examine the heater
response: Ever since the time you accidentally put fuel in the radiator and set it on fire, you have pretty much decided to let Aloysius handle all the details of taking care of the Dynamo.
action: You start the car
response: You push the electrical ignition button. The motors roar to life.

Aloysius beams. "Very good, Mr. Sterling! You've been studying!"

A big metal tool chest, slightly dented. Aloysius still hasn't forgiven you for backing over it last month.
action: Open chest
response: Aloysius, looking agitated, stops you. "Don't mess with that, Mr. Sterling," he says.
action: You go to the east
response: With a horrendous screeching sound, the car lurches forward a little bit.

"Parking brake!" Aloysius shouts. "Release the parking brake!"
action: Release break
response: You release the parking brake.

Aloysius watches approvingly. "Good, good," he says.
action: Go east
response: But wait -- your hair! It might get messed up!
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying:
some gloves (being worn)
action: Examine crate
response: Just a big wooden crate.
action: You ask Aloysius about the hat
response: "I don't know what to say about that," he says. He gestures down your driveway, towards the east. "There's no time to lose!"
action: Open crate
response: You open the crate, revealing some bundles of flyers and a loose flyer.
action: You examine the car
response: The Pratt Dynamo is Aloysius Pratt's latest, most brilliant invention -- twin six-cylinder motors, an electric starter, hydraulic steering, an on-board heater, and some stuff that has to do with fuel and airflow that you didn't quite catch the last time Aloysius mentioned it. The body is white with gold trim. On the luggage rack are a tool chest and a crate.

In the front seat are yourself and Aloysius.
action: You look at loose flyer
response: Taken.
It bears an image of your face in profile, and reads as follows:

Troy Sterling! (Amazing! Courteous!)

Unlike other daredevil would-be role models, Troy always aids the helpless, waves to strangers, and blesses sneezers.

Automotive tours. Camping and hiking expeditions. Birthday parties. House-sitting. Pet exercising.

Troy Sterling! (Polite! Kind!)
action: Honk horn
response: No little puny "ooga-ooga" squeeze-bulb for you! This baby's a steam-powered calliope, built to your exact specifications by Mr. Aloysius Pratt.

The on-board calliope churns out a rousing march rendition of "Greensleeves."
action: You examine the hair
response: Aloysius fidgets. "Aw, you know how I feel about the automobile, Mr. Sterling."

You can't see any such thing.
action: Look around
response: Your Driveway -- Near the House (in the Pratt Dynamo)
The long driveway stretches east, towards adventure.

The instruments are arranged neatly on the dashboard in front of you.

In the Pratt Dynamo you can see Aloysius, an index card, some goggles, your favourite peaked riding cap and a scarf.
action: You wear the cap
response: (first taking the peaked riding cap)

Aloysius watches incredulously. "At a time like this, you're worried about fashion?"
You don your favourite riding cap. The cry, "Huzzah!" escapes your lips.
action: Wear scarf
response: (first taking the scarf)

Aloysius rolls his eyes. "Never mind the threat of darkness looming over your household; paying back your debt to the forces of light can wait until you complete your stylish ensemble!"
You throw the scarf around your manly neck, grinning your winningest grin.
action: Wear the goggles
response: (first taking the goggles)

"Mr. Sterling, whenever you're finished...?" says Aloysius, miming a driving motion, and gesturing east.

You snap the goggles jauntily over your head. A little too jauntily, as it turns out. But a headache and blurred vision are a small price to pay for such dramatic flair.
action: You look at the index card
response: (first taking the index card)
Taken.
Neatly printed on the index card are the following instructions:

"To use the patented Pratt Electrical Ignition System, 'push the ignition button'.
"To use the parking brake, 'set brake' or 'release brake'.
"To drive, simply 'drive [direction]'."
action: Wait
response: Aloysius points east. "To the other end of the driveway we go!" he shouts....

Your Driveway -- Near the Mailbox (in the Pratt Dynamo)
Your tree-lined driveway leads west. Greenwood Lane runs north into town, and south into the country.

The instruments are arranged neatly on the dashboard in front of you.

In the Pratt Dynamo you can see Aloysius.

Aloysius spots something. "There it is!" he shouts, pointing at a horse-drawn van, which approaches from the north.
action: You open the mailbox
response: You open the mailbox.

Aloysius starts to get out of the automobile, but hesitates.

The horse-drawn van is some distance away, but approaching.

Aloysius turns to face you. "You do it, Mr. Sterling," he says, holding out an envelope.
action: You examine the envelope
response: You'd have to be holding it first.

Aloysius, looking over his shoulder at the van, waves the envelope at you.
action: You get the envelope then X it
response: Taken.

"Good," says Aloysius. "You know what to do!"

Indeed! You feel your muscles tingling as you contemplate this, your opportunity to send a message -- one that will pay back your debt, dispel the shadows of night, and restore the forces of light.

The horse-drawn van is drawing closer to your driveway.
It's stamped, and addressed to the Delinquent Accounts Office, Edison Electric Power & Light Co.

The van is almost at your driveway.
action: You put the envelope in the mailbox
response: You put the envelope in the mailbox.

The horse-drawn van pulls up to your mailbox and stops.

The driver peers into the mailbox, takes out the envelope and puts a postcard inside.

"I really wish you were more conscientious about paying your bills on time, Mr. Sterling," says Aloysius. "But I guess it's not my place to say."
action: You wait
response: Time passes.

The horse-drawn van pulls up to your mailbox and stops.
action: You wait for a while
response: Time passes.

The driver peers into the mailbox and puts a postcard inside.
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

"Good day to you!" says the mail driver, waving cheerfully.
action: You wait
response: Time passes.

The driver waves at you again, apparently hoping for a response.
action: You wait
response: Time passes.

"You're not exactly friendly when you're not in front of a paying audience," sniffs the driver.
action: Wave
response: You wave to the driver. He is exceedingly pleased by your friendly gesture.
The driver pulls away, smiling happily.
action: You look at the envelope
response: It's stamped, and addressed to the Delinquent Accounts Office, Edison Electric Power & Light Co.

The postal van disappears around a bend to the south.
action: You give the envelope to the man
response: (Aloysius)
"No, you keep it," he says.

"Good day to you!" says the mail driver, waving cheerfully.
action: You give the envelope to the driver
response: The driver takes the envelope. "Right you are," he says.

The driver waves at you again, apparently hoping for a response.

"I really wish you were more conscientious about paying your bills on time, Mr. Sterling," says Aloysius. "But I guess it's not my place to say."
action: Wave
response: You wave to the driver. He is exceedingly pleased by your friendly gesture.
action: You open the mailbox
response: That's already open.

The driver pulls away, smiling happily.

Aloysius sighs thoughtfully. "Well, we survived another brush with the Dark Riders of the Postal Service," he says.
action: You get the postcard
response: Taken.

The postal van disappears around a bend to the south.

Aloysius hops out of the car.

"You know, Mr. Sterling, something about those motors just didn't sound right. Shut them off a minute, please."
action: You look at postcard
response: The postcard the mailman dropped off in your box seems to be another ominous legal statement from the Edison Electric Power & Light Co.

Whew! You can rest easy now. Your debt has been paid, and your household will no longer be threatened with darkness. *If* the cheque doesn't bounce, that is.

"Mr. Sterling, cut the motors, would you?" says Aloysius.
action: Whistle
response: You take a deep breath. You belt out a few random notes.

Aloysius tinkers with the motors, whistling happily to himself.
action: You look at the motors
response: The motors are currently switched off.

To the south, a horse-drawn buggy rounds a bend and comes into view.
action: You examine the buggy
response: It's just a little horse-drawn buggy, the kind a well-to-do farmer might take out on a Saturday afternoon, to shop with his wife, or *for* his wife, or for *a* wife, as the case may be.

The buggy slows down as it approaches your driveway.

"Broken down again, I see," smirks the driver.

"There's nothing wrong with this machine, MacDougal," growls Aloysius.

MacDougal pretends to steer a wheel. "Look at me, I'm an autoist! I am an affront to the laws of man and nature! I catch bugs in my teeth! Haw, haw!"
action: Honk horn
response: Nothing happens, since the motors aren't on.

Aloysius climbs wearily back into the Dynamo. "Just what I needed today," he mutters.

MacDougal pretends to steer a wheel. "I sit in a noisy, expensive automobile! When it works, I run people off roads! I make little babies cry! My personal hygiene is appalling! Haw, haw!"
action: Honk
response: (the horn)
The on-board calliope churns out an exhilarating percussion rendition of "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean."

MacDougal's horse rears up again.

Aloysius's expression changes from delight to shock, as one of the buggy's wheels slips into a drainage ditch, just east of the road. MacDougal -- cursing a blue streak -- struggles to regain control of the horse, as the buggy totters on the edge.
action: You go to the east
response: ...
The buggy drops out of sight, taking the wild-eyed MacDougal along with it.

The horse breaks free, and bolts into the woods.

MacDougal must have landed hard in the ditch -- nothing seems to be moving down there.
action: Down
response: When still seated in an automobile, horizontal travel is generally best.

Aloysius clucks his tongue, looking down into the ditch. "I hope he's not hurt down there... not too much, anyway."
action: Exit
response: You slip out from behind the wheel. The Dynamo starts to roll...

Aloysius lunges for the instruments. "Parking brake!" he shouts. "Set the parking brake!"

Aloysius stops the Dynamo from rolling away.
action: Go down
response: This is a rather deep roadside ditch. To the west, it ascends back towards the road.

MacDougal, unconscious, is trapped beneath the buggy.

From down here in the ditch, you can just barely see part of the Dynamo.

You can also see MacDougal's ragged felt hat and a detached wooden wheel here.

Muttering, Aloysius clambers down into the ditch just behind you.
action: You take the hat
response: Taken.

"Well, would you look at that," says Aloysius, clucking his tongue.
action: You wake MacDougal
response: His eyes flutter open.

MacDougal's groggy eyes suddenly become sharp. "You!" he snaps. "You autoists and your confounded mechanical monsters!"

Aloysius rolls his eyes. "As you can hear, he's completely unharmed."

MacDougal is still pinned beneath the buggy. "Get me out of here!"
action: You examine the wheel
response: This wooden wheel must have come off the buggy when it flipped over.
action: You give the hat to MacDougal
response: MacDougal, grabbing his hat, grunts the tiniest little grunt of thanks.

Aloysius looks chastened by your good example. "Well, I guess I wouldn't want to see any man trampled dead by his own horse. Not even MacDougal."
action: You give wheel to MacDougal
response: MacDougal just rolls his eyes.

"My horse is bolted, my buggy's broke, and I'm supposed to be picking up some big-city visitor for Professor Sneedlewood," says MacDougal, growling and whining simultaneously.

"Now, now," says Aloysius. "Take it easy, MacDougal. Mr. Sterling here can take care of the visitor."

"I'll thank you keep your hands off my belongings," he snaps.

MacDougal eyes you suspiciously as he stretches out kinks in his neck. "I can't say as I'd want to force anyone to ride in that tin-plated corpse-generator of yours... but here." He fishes into his pocket. "Your victim -- I mean, your passenger -- will be looking for this at the train station."

MacDougal produces a hand-lettered sign.
action: You get the sign
response: Taken.

"Listen here, Sterling. The professor says this visitor is very important," says MacDougal. "Try to keep that damned contraption of yours from killing her."

Aloysius raises an eyebrow. "'Her'?"
action: You examine it
response: ...
"That's right," says MacDougal. "Her name's Melody Sweet."
action: You examine it
response: A small, hand-lettered sign that reads, "Miss Sweat". (The "a" is squeezed in as an afterthought.)

What unaccompanied female wouldn't immediately trust the bearer of this particular sign to pick her up in the train station and drive her to Professor Sneedlewood's estate, north of town?

"I was headed to the train station to pick her up. Supposed to drive her up north, to the professor's place," says MacDougal.
action: You say bye
response: Whom do you want to say the goodbye to?
action: MacDougal
response: He grumbles dismissively. "Too busy fer that."

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a horse to catch," says MacDougal. He climbs back up out of the ditch, and exits.

Aloysius examines the buggy with an expert eye.
action: You search buggy
response: You find nothing of interest.

"Guess I'll get my tools. You can just run along as usual and try to impress the ladies," says Aloysius. "At least I'm good at what *I* do!"

Aloysius climbs back up out of the ditch, and exits.
action: Leave
response: You climb back up out of the ditch.

Your tree-lined driveway leads west. Greenwood Lane runs north into town, and south into the country.

The Dynamo is here, its motors humming.

You can also see Aloysius here.

Aloysius carries his tool chest down into the ditch, muttering to himself: "Someday I gotta get *me* a faithful mechanic sidekick."

The weather is perfect for a little jaunt into town. How fortunate that the arrival of this Miss Sweet affords you this opportunity to be heroic and dashing.
action: You enter Dynamo
response: You step up on the running board. The instruments are arranged neatly on the dashboard in front of you.
action: You release the brake
response: You release the parking brake.
action: Look around
response: Your Driveway -- Near the Mailbox (in the Pratt Dynamo)
Your tree-lined driveway leads west. Greenwood Lane runs north into town, and south into the country.

The instruments are arranged neatly on the dashboard in front of you.
action: You go to the east
response: Aloysius would hardly appreciate having to tow the Dynamo out of the ditch.
action: You go north
response: In the rear-view mirror, you glimpse the earnest wholesomeness of your grinning, lantern-jawed face as you motor along. What a day to celebrate progress -- a man and his machine, together.

Greenwood Lane (in the Pratt Dynamo)
You are on a pleasant stretch of Greenwood Lane, which winds north towards the town (some distance away) and south to your estate (a short drive away).

The road flows by at an exhilarating pace.
action: Go north
response: Greenwood Lane (in the Pratt Dynamo)
You are on a pleasant stretch of Greenwood Lane, which winds north towards the town (some distance away) and south to your estate (a short drive away).

In the distance, you see a boy riding a pony towards you.

The road flows by at an exhilarating pace.
action: Slow
response: You ease up a little on the gas -- but just a little.

You are coming up on the boy fast. He stares in wonderment at the Dynamo.

The road flows by at an exhilarating pace.
action: Slow
response: You ease up a little on the gas -- but just a little.

The boy dismounts and leads the pony off of the road, in order to let you pass.

The road flows by at an exhilarating pace.
action: You wave at boy
response: You wave at the boy.

The boy breaks out into a smile, and waves enthusiastically as you zoom past.

Greenwood Lane (in the Pratt Dynamo)
You are on a hilly stretch of Greenwood Lane, which winds north towards the town and south towards your estate.

An old, beaten-up bucket, lying in the middle of the road, spoils the area's rustic charm.

The road flows by at an exhilarating pace.
action: Break
response: (the car door)
Better not push your luck with the gods of automotive technology. Aloysius knows far more about such things than you do.

The road flows by at an exhilarating pace.

You're coming up fast on the old tin bucket.
action: Curse
response: (the car door)
A modern, twentieth-century man would gain little from such a display of savage behaviour.
action: You go outside
response: You slip out from behind the wheel.
action: You take the bucket
response: You pick up the bucket, restoring the natural beauty to this idyllic stretch of country road.
action: You look at the bucket
response: It's just a tin bucket. There's no obvious hole in the bucket (which eliminates the need for a side quest to mend it).
action: Xyzzy
response: All 69,105 leaves have said "yoho" and disappeared down a 2-inch slit -- along with some cheese, a bowl of sodden Cheerios, losers named Mercury and BVE sniveling under a bridge, and a bunch of other lame rec.arts.int-fiction in-jokes. [Let's stick to one adventure at a time, okay?] ;-)
action: You drive N
response: (first getting into the Dynamo)
You step up on the running board.

Greenwood Lane (in the Pratt Dynamo)
You are on a curvy stretch of Greenwood Lane, which winds north towards the town and south to your estate.

A small, colourful shape catches your eye by the side of the road, just beneath a tree. It seems to be a twitterpated hatchling.

The road flows by at an exhilarating pace.
action: You examine the hatchling
response: The twitterpated hatchling is rather small, and shivering. It looks longingly up into the branches of the tree.

The road flows by at an exhilarating pace.

You're coming up fast on the twitterpated hatchling, which is moving jerkily and flapping stubby little wings.
action: You go outside
response: You slip out from behind the wheel.
action: You get the hatchling
response: You gingerly pick up the twitterpated hatchling. It chirps and wiggles pathetically.
action: You climb the tree
response: (the tree)
You easily grab one of the lower branches, and hoist yourself up.

You are sitting on one of the lower branches of the sprawling tree, shaded by the upper branches.

Down below, through the branches, you have an excellent view of the Dynamo.

A worried-looking mother bird fusses about inside her nest.
action: You put the hatchling in the nest
response: You gingerly place the hatchling in its nest.

The mother bird wraps her wings around her recovered baby. Her joyous song of maternal bliss is all the reward you need. Although another point would be nice, too.
action: Go downwards
response: You are on a curvy stretch of Greenwood Lane, which winds north towards the town and south to your estate.

The Dynamo is here, its motors humming.

A particularly large tree stands by the side of the road here.
action: You enter Dynamo
response: You step up on the running board.
action: You hit a the key
response: You pull into the center of town, and find an excellent parking place right near the train station...

In the Center of Town (in the Pratt Dynamo)
The familiar buildings and side streets look cheerful in the bright sunlight. The train station is to the east, and a livery stable is to the west. Greenwood Lane runs north towards the Sneedlewood Mansion (some distance away), and south towards your estate.

A group of excited children swarms around the Dynamo.
action: You wave to the children
response: The children smile and wave excitedly.

Children run around the Dynamo, waving and cheering. "It's Troy Sterling!" they shout.
action: Examine crate
response: Just a big wooden crate.

More children emerge from the sidestreets. "Blow the horn!" one of them shouts.
action: You look in it
response: In the crate are some bundles of flyers.

All the children are now chanting, "Blow the horn! Blow the horn!"
action: You get flyers
response: crate: There's certainly no need to take a whole crate of promotional flyers!
bundles of flyers: There's no need to take so many.

"Blow the horn! Blow the horn!"
action: Examine bundle
response: The bundles are neatly tied up, waiting for you to distribute at your next big engagement.

"Hey fellas," says one of the taller boys, "let's go wait for the train at the overpass."

As the children scamper off, one collides with a short man on his way to the train station.

"Excuse me," says the child, startled.

The man smiles through clenched teeth. "Quite alright," he says, awkwardly patting the child's head.
action: Go outside
response: You slip out from behind the wheel.

The child stares at the man for a moment, and then darts after the rest of the children. "Hey! Wait for me!"

As the children run off, you can hear their breathless chatter.

The short stranger goes east.
action: You lock the car
response: What do you want to lock the Pratt Dynamo with?
action: Go up
response: (first taking the ceiling)
That isn't available.
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying:
an old bucket
a small sign
a detached wooden wheel
a postcard
an index card
some goggles (being worn)
a scarf (being worn)
your favourite peaked riding cap (being worn)
a loose flyer
some gloves (being worn)
action: You look in the glove compartment
response: The glove compartment is empty.
action: You look under the seat
response: Which do you mean, the front seat or the back seat?
action: You put the bucket in the glove compartment
response: You put the old bucket into the glove compartment.
action: Go east
response: There's really not much to the local train station; just a roofed platform and a long bench. The only exit is back west.

You can see a short stranger here.

You can hear the train approaching. It will be here in a moment if you wait.
action: You examine the stranger
response: His shiny black hair is slicked back over his head. Upon noticing your gaze, he makes what appears to be an honest attempt at a smile, but he looks away quickly.

The train -- a two-boiler, 450-litre Douglas Special, in all its mechanical glory, pulls into the station, belching steam and soot.

The passengers will be exiting soon.
action: Greet the stranger
response: "Hello," he says, shyly avoiding your eyes.

From the train pours forth a spectacle of businessmen with folded newspapers, a blossom of ladies in floral hats, and a fountain of youths scratching at their travel clothes.

Soon, the businessmen have shaken hands and parted; the ladies have claimed the arms and ears of their beaux, and the youths have endured many "welcome home" kisses.
action: Wave sign
response: In a moment, the crowd clears, and the platform is empty once more...or almost empty.

There's now a young woman sitting on the bench.
action: Wave sign
response: You look ridiculous waving the small sign.
action: You show the sign to the woman
response: She takes the small sign and winces.

She gets up from the bench. "I'm Melody Sweet. I'm pleased to meet you. Thank you for coming."

The train engineer pokes his head out of the locomotive. "Look, boys! Sterling's at it again!" he shouts, and withdraws his head from view again.

"I packed as lightly as I could, but I'm afraid my trunk has gotten rather heavy," says Miss Sweet.
action: Kiss melody
response: Her icy glare stops you in your tracks. And a good thing, too -- such an affront would hardly help your reputation.

"I'd be ever so grateful for your assistance," Miss Sweet continues, gesturing towards her trunk.
action: You look at sweet
response: She is a smallish, red-haired young woman, with high cheekbones and bright, intense eyes. She carries herself with the confident bearing of a performer -- someone who is used to being seen and heard. She is carrying a small sign and a purse.

Upon noticing your gaze, she holds her shoulders a bit more erect, and tosses her head a little farther back.

Neaby is a small, white trunk.

Sighing dramatically, Miss Sweet opens her purse. "Perhaps you will help me now?" she asks, flashing a coin at you.

A passing porter changes course in mid-stride, and heads for Miss Sweet.
action: You get the trunk
response: The porter tips his hat stiffly. "I'll be off then," he says, and dashes away.
The trunk is heavier than it looks -- but not too heavy for you.

Miss Sweet smiles politely. "Would you be so kind as to take me to Professor Sneedlewood now? I will follow you."
action: You go west
response: The familiar buildings and side streets look cheerful in the bright sunlight. The train station is to the east, and a livery stable is to the west. Greenwood Lane runs north towards the Sneedlewood Mansion (some distance away), and south towards your estate.

The Dynamo is here, its motors humming.

Miss Sweet follows you.
action: You put the trunk in the trunk
response: (the small white trunk in the small white trunk)
You can't put something inside itself.

"I really shan't be able to relax for a moment -- not until we are safely on our way," says Miss Sweet.
action: You put the trunk in the boot
response: (the small white trunk in the Dynamo)
That can't contain things.
action: You put the trunk in the luggage rack
response: (the small white trunk in the luggage rack)
You heft the trunk onto the luggage rack, where it settles in securely.

"Thank you," says Miss Sweet.

"So this is the famous Pratt Dynamo," says Miss Sweet. She stands near it, hand extended, palm down.
action: You ask sweet about the Professor
response: "Professor Sneedlewood is a professor of Central American Antiquities, although he seems to fancy himself something of a musical historian as well," says Miss Sweet.

Miss Sweet raises her hand a little higher.
action: You open the door
response: Miss Sweet permits you to hand her into the Dynamo. "Thank you," she says.
action: Go inside
response: You step up on the running board.

Miss Sweet settles herself in for the ride.
action: Go south
response: "Excuse me, but the professor has informed me that his house is north of town," says Miss Sweet.

"I believe I shall enjoy the ride to the professor's residence," says Miss Sweet.
action: You hit a the key
response: As soon as you start moving, the train in the station lurches forward. You and the engineer make eye contact briefly. His steely glare is all the challenge you need....

As you make your way through the narrow streets, the train pulls ahead of you; but you start making up ground rapidly once you make it out onto...

Greenwood Lane (in the Pratt Dynamo)
You're on a lovely stretch of country road on the way to Professor Sneedlewood's estate, just north of town.

On the rails which parallel the road, the Douglas Special tears along northwards, steam and sparks flying.

In the Pratt Dynamo you can see Miss Sweet.

The Dynamo is trailing the caboose.
action: You look at the instruments
response: Among the notable features of the dashboard are a steering wheel, an electrical ignition button, a parking brake, a horn and a glove compartment (which is open).

The Dynamo is trailing the caboose.
action: Go north
response: The Dynamo catches up to the caboose with little trouble.

Miss Sweet watches in amazement. "What a remarkable automobile," she says.

Greenwood Lane (in the Pratt Dynamo)
You're on a lovely stretch of country road on the way to Professor Sneedlewood's estate, just north of town.

On the rails which parallel the road, the Douglas Special tears along northwards, steam and sparks flying.

In the Pratt Dynamo you can see Miss Sweet.

The Dynamo is even with the caboose.
action: You go north
response: The Dynamo passes the caboose and works its way towards the front of the train.

Greenwood Lane (in the Pratt Dynamo)
You're on a lovely stretch of country road on the way to Professor Sneedlewood's estate, just north of town.

On the rails which parallel the road, the Douglas Special tears along northwards, steam and sparks flying.

In the Pratt Dynamo you can see Miss Sweet.

Far up ahead, you notice a slow-moving surrey.

The Dynamo is even with a freight car.
action: You go to the north
response: But the slow-moving surrey is blocking your progress!

The Dynamo falls behind the freight car.

Miss Sweet watches in dismay. "I had expected much more from the driver of the famous Pratt Dynamo, that's for sure," she sighs.

The driver of the surrey has positioned himself directly in the middle of the road, making it impossible to pass.

The Dynamo is even with the caboose.
action: Honk
response: (the horn)
The on-board calliope churns out a peppy dog-bark rendition of "Ave Maria." Miss Sweet can't help but to join in, and finishes off with a fancy flourish.
action: Honl
response: The horse (harnessed to the surrey) rears up in alarm... The horse pulls the surrey off the road, where it careens through the brush.

The road leading north is now clear.

The Dynamo is even with the caboose.
action: Go north
response: The Dynamo passes the caboose and works its way towards the front of the train.

Greenwood Lane (in the Pratt Dynamo)
You're on a lovely stretch of country road on the way to Professor Sneedlewood's estate, just north of town.

On the rails which parallel the road, the Douglas Special tears along northwards, steam and sparks flying.

In the Pratt Dynamo you can see Miss Sweet.

The Dynamo is even with a freight car.
action: You go to the north
response: The Dynamo pulls even with a passenger coach.

"Very impressive," says Miss Sweet.

Greenwood Lane (in the Pratt Dynamo)
You're on a lovely stretch of country road on the way to Professor Sneedlewood's estate, just north of town.

On the rails which parallel the road, the Douglas Special tears along northwards, steam and sparks flying.

In the Pratt Dynamo you can see Miss Sweet.

The Dynamo is even with a passenger coach.
action: Go north
response: The Dynamo passes the coaches and pulls even with the locomotive, from which you can see the engineer's fist shaking in rage.

Greenwood Lane (in the Pratt Dynamo)
You're on a lovely stretch of country road on the way to Professor Sneedlewood's estate, just north of town.

On the rails which parallel the road, the Douglas Special tears along northwards, steam and sparks flying.

In the Pratt Dynamo you can see Miss Sweet.

The Dynamo is even with the locomotive.
action: Go north
response: The Dynamo pulls ahead of the locomotive.

Miss Sweet turns to watch the locomotive recede behind you. "I've never seen an automobile perform so admirably," she says, breathlessly.

Greenwood Lane (in the Pratt Dynamo)
You're on a lovely stretch of country road on the way to Professor Sneedlewood's estate, just north of town.

On the rails which parallel the road, the Douglas Special tears along northwards, steam and sparks flying.

In the Pratt Dynamo you can see Miss Sweet.

The Dynamo is leading the locomotive.
action: Go north
response: The locomotive falls behind, out of view.

Greenwood Lane (in the Pratt Dynamo)
You're on a lovely stretch of country road that leads north towards Professor Sneedlewood's estate. The road stretches south some distance to the town.

The rails run north and south, parallel to the road.

In the Pratt Dynamo you can see Miss Sweet.

You catch Miss Sweet watching you intently. She immediately looks away, with a hint of a smile.

The Dynamo continues to hurtle along.
action: You go north
response: Greenwood Lane (in the Pratt Dynamo)
You're on a lovely stretch of country road that leads north towards Professor Sneedlewood's estate. The road stretches south some distance to the town.

The rails run north and south, parallel to the road.

In the Pratt Dynamo you can see Miss Sweet.

Suddenly, three children emerge from the bushes, and dart recklessly in front of the Dynamo's path!

"LOOK OUT!" Miss Sweet shrieks.
action: You go to the north
response: You press on the accelerator. The motors roar murderously....

The children are frozen in terror!

Miss sweet grabs at the wheel in a desperate attempt to alter your course, sending the vehicle into a wild spin, which ejects you from your seat.

Just before your face becomes intimate with a tree trunk, you catch a glimpse of your vehicle rolling over into a ditch.

* * * You have died. * * *

In that game you scored 14 out of a possible 42, in 143 turns.

Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, UNDO your last move, give the FULL score for that game or QUIT?
action: Honk
response: (the horn)
The on-board calliope churns out the trademark Sterling oom-pah rendition of "London Bridge Is Falling Down."

The children cheer wildly.

The children are frozen in terror!

Miss sweet grabs at the wheel in a desperate attempt to alter your course, sending the vehicle into a wild spin, which ejects you from your seat.

Just before your face becomes intimate with a tree trunk, you catch a glimpse of your vehicle rolling over into a ditch.

* * * You have died. * * *

In that game you scored 14 out of a possible 42, in 144 turns.

Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, UNDO your last move, give the FULL score for that game or QUIT?
action: You pull break
response: With a horrible grinding noise, the vehicle comes to a screeching halt.

The children are frozen in terror!

Miss sweet grabs at the wheel in a desperate attempt to alter your course, sending the vehicle into a wild spin, which ejects you from your seat.

Just before your face becomes intimate with a tree trunk, you catch a glimpse of your vehicle rolling over into a ditch.

* * * You have died. * * *

In that game you scored 14 out of a possible 42, in 144 turns.

Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, UNDO your last move, give the FULL score for that game or QUIT?
action: Turn wheel
response: (the detached wooden wheel)
action: Go south
response: Nothing obvious happens.

The children are frozen in terror!

Miss sweet grabs at the wheel in a desperate attempt to alter your course, sending the vehicle into a wild spin, which ejects you from your seat.

Just before your face becomes intimate with a tree trunk, you catch a glimpse of your vehicle rolling over into a ditch.

* * * You have died. * * *

In that game you scored 14 out of a possible 42, in 144 turns.

Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, UNDO your last move, give the FULL score for that game or QUIT?

Please give one of the answers above.
action: You go east
response: Please give one of the answers above.
action: You turn the steering wheel
response: (When you're ready to drive, just type the direction you want to go.)

The children are frozen in terror!

Miss sweet grabs at the wheel in a desperate attempt to alter your course, sending the vehicle into a wild spin, which ejects you from your seat.

Just before your face becomes intimate with a tree trunk, you catch a glimpse of your vehicle rolling over into a ditch.

* * * You have died. * * *

In that game you scored 14 out of a possible 42, in 144 turns.

Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, UNDO your last move, give the FULL score for that game or QUIT?
action: You stop
response: The terrified children freeze in their tracks. You manage to avoid hitting them, but the Dynamo spins off the road and into the trees... The Dynamo's motors cut off with a horrible grinding sound.

"Hooray for Troy Sterling!" shout the children, scampering off into the woods.

Steam is escaping from the radiator.
action: Go east
response: But you can't drive the Dynamo unless the motors are on!

Miss Sweet avoids your eyes. "I hope it's not too serious, Mr. Sterling," she says. "I guess I'll just wait here, while you fix it... if you can, that is."

To the south, you can hear the Douglas Special approaching.
action: Go inside
response: But you're already in the Pratt Dynamo.

The steam coming from the radiator is much lighter now.
action: You examine the radiator
response: The radiator is gleaming and shiny. There are hardly any dead bugs in it, thanks to Aloysius's careful ministerings. There is no water in it, leaving the car undriveable.

Miss Sweet puts her hand to her temple and sighs.
action: Lift hood
response: You are unable to.
action: You get the bucket
response: Taken.
action: You look
response: You're on a lovely stretch of country road that leads north towards Professor Sneedlewood's estate. The road stretches south some distance to the town.

The Dynamo gleams in the dappled sunlight. In the front seat is Miss Sweet.

The rails run north and south, parallel to the road.

Miss Sweet hums a little something to herself.
action: You go north
response: Actually, you're much closer to town. It would make more sense to walk south instead.
action: You hit a the key
response: You put one foot in front of the other, making slow progress, the old-fashioned way...

You're on a lovely stretch of country road that leads north towards Professor Sneedlewood's estate. The road stretches south some distance towards the town.

The rails run north and south, parallel to the road.

The Dynamo is still visible some distance to the north, on the side of the road, crippled.

Around a bend to the south comes the slow-moving surrey. The driver is glowering, and the apple-cheeked blonde is sulking, sitting as far away from the driver as she can get.
action: You wave to the driver
response: He's too far away for that.

The surrey continues to approach from the south.

"Get a horse!" shouts the driver.

The apple-cheeked blonde giggles, and slips her hand through the driver's arm.

The surrey continues on up the road, passes the Dynamo without slowing down, and disappears around the corner.
action: You go to the south
response: You put one foot in front of the other, making slow progress, the old-fashioned way...

The familiar buildings and side streets look cheerful in the bright sunlight. The train station is to the east, and a livery stable is to the west. Greenwood Lane runs north towards the Sneedlewood Mansion
action: You hit a the key
response: (some distance away), and south towards your estate.

You can't see any such thing.
action: You go to the west
response: You are in front of the livery stable, in the old commercial sector of town. The center of town is east.

Some old men sit around in the shade, playing checkers and generally passing the time.

A rusty iron pump stands next to a watering trough.
action: You fill the bucket from the pump
response: You pump vigorously. Water gushes from the spout and soon fills the watering trough.

From the woods, MacDougal emerges, leading his nervous horse.

Some of the old men greet MacDougal; others continue playing without interruption.
action: You check what you're carrying
response: You are carrying:
an old bucket
a detached wooden wheel
a postcard
an index card
some goggles (being worn)
a scarf (being worn)
your favourite peaked riding cap (being worn)
a loose flyer
some gloves (being worn)

MacDougal eyes you with disdain. "I didn't hear your God-awful contraption ride up. Ya didn't break down already, did ya? Haw, haw."

A low chuckle rises from the group of old men, who elbow each other and smirk at you from beneath their hats.
action: You pour the bucket on MacDougal
response: (MacDougal)
That would hardly be polite.

MacDougal glances over his shoulder at the old men. One or two are watching with amusement.

MacDougal pats his horse's flank. "This here's a horse. H-O-R-S-S. It's kinda of like an automobile, except it works! Haw, haw!"
action: You fill the bucket
response: (transferring water from the watering trough)
You fill the old bucket.

MacDougal pretends to throw a scarf around his neck, and shows his grizzled profile. "Look here, I'm Troy Sterling!" he shouts. "Haw, haw!"
action: You throw water at MacDougal
response: (MacDougal)
(first taking the water)
Taken. MacDougal gasps. "The Great Troy Sterling done picked up an old bucket! Whatever can this mean? Haw, haw!"

MacDougal prances about. "I eat all my vegetables! I do everything my mother tells me! That's why I have no friends except for my machines and my paid help! Haw haw!"
action: You pour the water on MacDougal
response: (MacDougal)
You heft the bucket in the air and dump it ceremoniously over MacDougal's head.

The water trickles away and disappears.

In a series of jerky motions that seem to call for a total lack of coordination, MacDougal staggers backwards all the way to the water trough, and somehow manages to fall in.

The old men look up from their checkerboards. "That MacDougal don't know when to quit," says one of them, amused. The others murmur their assent.
action: You fill the bucket
response: (transferring water from the watering trough)
You fill the old bucket.

MacDougal drags himself out of the trough, water streaming from his clothes. "I'll get you, Sterling!" he shouts. "By this time next year, automobiles will be outlawed, all across the country!"
action: Cheer
response: "Huzzah!" you shout.

"The days of the automotive menace are numbered, Troy Sterling! Farmers and their animals will once again be safe on the roads!" shouts MacDougal, mounting his horse.

Unfortunately for MacDougal, and for the dramatic scene he has so far managed to create, the jittery horse runs out from beneath him, sending him sprawling on the ground.
action: Smirk
response: You pour on the charm, but don't get much of a reaction.

MacDougal, understandably upset, runs after his horse. "Come back here!"

The horse disappears into the woods, with MacDougal close behind.
action: You pour the water on yourself
response: Getting yourself wet might be fun, but would hardly accomplish anything useful.
action: Drink water
response: You swallow a few sips.
action: Go east
response: The familiar buildings and side streets look cheerful in the bright sunlight. The train station is to the east, and a livery stable is to the west. Greenwood Lane runs north towards the Sneedlewood Mansion (some distance away), and south towards your estate.
action: You go to the north
response: You put one foot in front of the other, making slow progress, the old-fashioned way...

You're on a lovely stretch of country road that leads north towards Professor Sneedlewood's estate. The road stretches south some distance towards the town.

The rails run north and south, parallel to the road.

The Dynamo is still visible some distance to the north, on the side of the road, crippled.
action: You go north
response: You put one foot in front of the other, making slow progress, the old-fashioned way.

You're on a lovely stretch of country road that leads north towards Professor Sneedlewood's estate. The road stretches south some distance to the town.

The rails run north and south, parallel to the road.

The Dynamo gleams in the dappled sunlight. In the front seat is Miss Sweet.

"Oh, there you are. I was growing worried," says Miss Sweet.
action: You pour the water in the radiator
response: water: You pour the water into the radiator. That should hold it until Aloysius can take care of the problem.
action: Close radiator
response: That's already closed.
action: You enter the car
response: You step up on the running board.
action: You open the door
response: That's already open.
action: You look around
response: Greenwood Lane (in the Pratt Dynamo)
You're on a lovely stretch of country road that leads north towards Professor Sneedlewood's estate. The road stretches south some distance to the town.

The rails run north and south, parallel to the road.

In the Pratt Dynamo you can see Miss Sweet.
action: You go to the north
response: With a horrendous screeching sound, the car lurches forward a little bit.

Miss Sweet averts her eyes.
action: Space
response: The wheel is pulling a little to the left, but otherwise, the vehicle seems fine, as you arrive at...

Sneedlewood's Driveway (in the Pratt Dynamo)
The rustic charm of Sneedlewood's estate provides an excellent backdrop for a daring and exciting motoring jaunt. The driveway curves southwest, towards the street. The professor's front door is to the north.

In the Pratt Dynamo you can see Miss Sweet.

A tweedy, bespectacled, balding man emerges from the house.

"Miss Sweet, I presume?" he says. "I didn't expect you to arrive in the famous Pratt Dynamo."

"I'm happy to have arrived at all," says Miss Sweet, in a perfectly innocent tone, but casting you a significant look.

The Dynamo has started to steam again.
action: You give the flyer to Sweet
response: She takes the loose flyer and reads it. Her eyebrows climb. "My. You have a very... interesting profession, Mr. Sterling."
Miss Sweet hesitates slightly, but responds with a gracious nod.

"You'd better get that vehicle back to your friend, Mr. Pratt," says the professor. "It looks like it needs his attention."

"Mr. Sterling," says Miss Sweet. "The right engine sounds about half a tone higher than the left engine. That may be why your automobile was pulling to the left as you came up the driveway."
action: You ask sweet about the engines
response: Miss Sweet shakes her head. "My specialty is music, Mr. Sterling, not automotive mechanics."

"I didn't know you were so mechanically inclined, Miss Sweet," says Professor Sneedlewood, stroking his beard with bemusement.

"I'm not," she says, and sings two notes, which sound exactly alike to you. "Couldn't you hear it? The dissonance was giving me a headache. It's my curse, I guess... I hear music in everything."

"Of course," says Professor Sneedlewood. "That's precisely why I sent for you, my dear."
action: You say goodbye to Sweet
response: "Goodbye," she replies, showing good manners.

"Please, Miss Sweet, let us sit down for a cup of tea," says Sneedlewood.

"I'd be delighted, professor." she replies. On her way back inside, she turns around to nod politely in your direction. "Good day, Mr. Sterling."

Sneedlewood grabs one handle of the trunk and drags it inside the doorway.

The professor goes inside and shuts the door.
action: You knock on door
response: ...
Now you and the Dynamo are alone.
action: You cry
response: Your outburst achieves little.
action: You enter car
response: But you're already in the Pratt Dynamo.
action: Space
response: As you turn the Dynamo towards the open road once again, you ponder your next step. The motors roar thrillingly...

Chapter 2: A Melodious Accompaniment

The lopsided sound of Mr. Sterling's automobile recedes into the distance.

After a chance to change and refresh yourself, you're enjoying a nice cup of tea with the professor, in his...

The walls are heavy with green and maroon hangings. Some photographs are arranged on the wall, above an old upright piano. The foyer is visible to the east.
action: About you
response: ...
The professor smiles at you from across the tea table.

"I hope you'll forgive me for lodging you in the guest cottage, Miss Sweet. My man Montgomery insisted the upstairs rooms are suitable only for old bachelors," he says. "I'm delighted that you accepted my invitation, vague as it was."
action: About you
response: You're Melody Sweet, the world-renowned opera singer. You're feeling more impatient than usual, but otherwise you're holding up well. You are carrying a loose flyer, a coin, a small sign and a purse.

"I am honoured to entrust you with information very precious, concerning an artifact of ancient origin," the professor continues, his eyes gleaming. "Because of your vocal accomplishments, and your ancestral relationship to the indigenous peoples of Central America, I am convinced me that *you* are the key to the riddle of the Nisnoc Siw people."
action: You look at the sign
response: A small, hand-lettered sign that reads, "Miss Sweat". (The "a" is squeezed in as an afterthought.)

How charmingly, authentically rustic.

"Only one of my colleagues has ever believed my theories about the Nisnoc Siw. Unfortunately, he went mad fifteen years ago," says the professor, with a rueful smile. "Many still debate whether his faith caused the madness, or vice versa."
action: You ask the Professor about the artifact
response: "At any rate, I've found my life's work to be unpublishable. If I were less well-mannered, this is probably the point where I would shake my fist and shout, 'Fools! I shall crush them all!'"

Sneedlewood heaves a heart-rending sigh. "But instead..."

"One moment, and I shall retrieve the artifact for you," says Sneedlewood, leaping to his feet. "I think you'll find it fascinating."

Prof. Sneedlewood goes east.
action: You look at the photographs
response: One photograph shows a shambles of masonry which might once have been a burial pyramid. In the foreground are two men -- one man is Professor Sneedlewood, as he might have appeared thirty years ago. The other is apparently a colleague, but his face is entirely in shadow.

The rest of the photographs show different scenes from what appears to be the same archeological site.
action: You sip the tea
response: A spot of tea might be refreshing under ordinary circumstances -- but today seems less and less ordinary every minute.
action: Sing
response: (warming up)
You sing middle C.

The professor enters from the foyer and settles back into his seat.

He is carrying his precious artifact.
action: You examine artifact
response: Something like a slender brick. Its surface is pitted and flaky, like some kind of shale. Some strange markings are barely visible, running around all the edges.

The professor holds the rock-like object up to the light.

"I found this in an Aztec ruin. But these inscriptions aren't Aztec -- they're some kind of musical notation, dating from a much older culture -- most likely the Nisnoc Siw, although without additional evidence, I am unlikely to convince my colleagues. My guess is that this particular item was acquired by the Aztecs in trade, or perhaps unearthed by Aztec archeologists -- amateurs, of course."

You sing middle C.
action: You look at the markings
response: If the professor is right, and the strange patterns on the artifact have something to do with music, then they aren't like any kind of musical notation you've seen before.

"This artifact has enabled me to identify the Nisnoc Siw with the legendary music-makers of quite a number of indigenous cultures across the Americas," says the professor. "But aside from the music-making mythologies we can cobble together, this artifact, with its inscriptions, is all we know of the Nisnoc Siw."
action: You ask Professor about the photographs
response: "So the photographs from my past intrigue you? Shortly after these were taken, my closest colleague and I had something of a falling out," says the professor. "We've recently gotten back in touch, despite my reservations, in connection with the opening of the new Central American antiquities exhibit at my university, you see.

"I keep this little display as a memento of better times... and also a reminder of what madness can do to a man's soul."

"Take it, Miss Sweet," he says, gazing lovingly at the artifact.
action: You ask Professor about the colleague
response: "Ah, yes... My old friend, the dastardly Count Catastrophe," mutters the professor, momentarily troubled. "Never mind him. We've more important matters to tend to."

The professor holds the artifact out to you, his eyes brimming with gratitude, his face a trembling mask.
action: You take the artifact
response: As you take the artifact, the professor beams. "It is yours, Miss Sweet," he says. "Use it, to bring to life the music that has been silent for thousands of years."

The professor leans forward excitedly. "On my first trip to Central Mexico, our native guide sang a few bars of something he remembered his grandmother singing whenever she boiled water. His cousin remembered a similar tune; she called it the 'stone-soup song'."
action: You ask Professor abouthe stone-soup song
response: "Quite, quite," says the professor, ever agreeable, if occasionally inattentive.

"I later found parts of the same tune in a Brazilian goatherd song, a Chilean lullaby, and even a hymn written by a Carmelite nun who spent thirty years as a missionary among the Navaho. This tune must be deeply imbedded in the collective memory of the native peoples of America."
action: You listen to Professor
response: Calling forth your most eager, attentive expression, you await the professor's next words.

"Using the variations in the folk tune as a kind of Rosetta stone, I managed to work out a basic musical notation system," says the professor. "It matches the markings on that artifact surprisingly well. I've come to believe that the artifact describes a long-lost musical composition of great ritualistic value."

The professor grasps his lapels, a distant look in his eye, and slips into lecture mode: "Determining the exact nature of the connection is a matter of mapping a strange and wondrous landscape, interpreting and applying information from a wide variety of arcane and incomplete reference materials, completing side-quests in order to gain the trust of assorted simple-minded characters who just so happen to be posted at various important junctures, recording and cross-referencing a large number of unfamiliar symbols, and determining the meaning of each through a rigorous process of inductive reasoning."
action: You listen to Professor
response: Calling forth your most eager, attentive expression, you await the professor's next words.

"Of course, I performed all that tedious legwork years ago as a graduate student," says the professor, winking playfully at you. "I'll be happy to share all my findings with you -- just as soon as I finish my tea."

He raises his cup. "To success!"
action: You drink the tea
response: ...
The professor swallows heartily.

Suddenly, he slumps forward, groaning. One hand clutches frantically at his heart, the other slams the table.
action: Faint
response: ...
He draws a raspy, painful breath. His lips part, as he strains -- with gut-wrenching effort -- to divulge some utterance of vital importance.
action: Kiss professor
response: ...
*Bu-u-r-p!*
action: You kill Professor
response: A diva's temper, while fearsome when unleashed, wouldn't be helpful in this situation.

The professor slides his copybook over towards you.
action: Examine copybook
response: (first taking the copybook)
You take the copybook. The professor smiles benevolently. "Good, good!"
action: You look at the artifact
response: Something like a slender brick. Its surface is pitted and flaky, like some kind of shale. Some strange markings are barely visible, running around all the edges.
action: Sing markings
response: The professor leans forward excitedly. "I hope the tutorial in the copybook was clear enough," he says. "These symbols describe a five-tone octave, with seven beats per measure -- two pairs, followed by one group of three." He reaches over to point to one prominent symbol. "That's a C sharp."

You manage to pick out a short musical passage inscribed on the artifact, including one featuring a musical tension between low, repetitive clusters and longer, higher notes. But almost as soon as you grasp the sense of the notes, you lose it, trailing off uncertainly.

"An excellent attempt, Miss Sweet," says the professor, a bit hastily. "You may be more comfortable playing it on the piano, at this point."
action: You examine the piano
response: Hmm. There seems to be a manuscript of some sort, propped on the piano...

It's just an ordinary piano, with a simple matching bench.
action: You examine the manuscript
response: The manuscript is labeled "Stone Soup Folk Melody" in blocky masculine lettering. There appear to be seven beats per measure, which is odd enough... but the score also shows a strange sequence of notes, ranging from a low C to a high E. Surely the professor knows this is out of your range. And that D! How does he expect anyone to sing it for eight full measures?

The professor is grinning like a schoolboy. What's the matter with him? Playing this on the piano is one thing -- but singing it? Doesn't he know this is impossible?
action: You play the piano
response: You play a few random chords on the piano. It sounds a little tinny, but is reasonably well tuned.
action: Play markings
response: Thanks to the professor's excellent primer, you manage to translate the ancient notes inscribed on the artifact, and play them reasonably well. The tune is most curious.

As the tinny sounds of the piano fade, you hear a strange, muffled resonance emanating from the artifact -- but the sound fades almost immediately.
action: Sing markings
response: You manage to pick out a short musical passage inscribed on the artifact, including one featuring a musical tension between low, repetitive clusters and longer, higher notes. But almost as soon as you grasp the sense of the notes, you lose it, trailing off uncertainly.

"An excellent attempt, Miss Sweet," says the professor, a bit hastily.
action: Play song
response: You manage to play the "Stone Soup" score without much trouble, although -- as Maestro Fibonacci is fond of saying -- your piano playing is rather leaden.

As the tinny sounds of the piano fade, you hear a strange, muffled resonance emanating from the artifact. But it vanishes almost immediately.
action: You look at the artifact
response: Something like a slender brick. Its surface is pitted and flaky, like some kind of shale. Some strange markings are barely visible, running around all the edges.
action: You sing the song
response: Which do you mean, the opera or the manuscript?
action: Manuscript
response: You try out the first few bars of the haunting, almost hypnotic theme... but towards the middle of the manuscript, the notes climb until they are completely out of your range. The professor must have a great deal of faith in you, or must be completely ignorant of the physiological characteristics of the human voice, if he expects you to be able to sing this all the way through.

"Excellent try, Miss Sweet," says the professor, a bit too hastily.
action: You look at the manuscript
response: The manuscript is labeled "Stone Soup Folk Melody" in blocky masculine lettering. There appear to be seven beats per measure, which is odd enough... but the score also shows a strange sequence of notes, ranging from a low C to a high E. Surely the professor knows this is out of your range. And that D! How does he expect anyone to sing it for eight full measures?

The professor is grinning like a schoolboy. What's the matter with him? Playing this on the piano is one thing -- but singing it? Doesn't he know this is impossible?

The professor reaches over and takes your hand. "I can't begin to tell you how much your presence here means to me."
action: You read the manuscript
response: The manuscript is labeled "Stone Soup Folk Melody" in blocky masculine lettering. There appear to be seven beats per measure, which is odd enough... but the score also shows a strange sequence of notes, ranging from a low C to a high E. Surely the professor knows this is out of your range. And that D! How does he expect anyone to sing it for eight full measures?

The professor is grinning like a schoolboy. What's the matter with him? Playing this on the piano is one thing -- but singing it? Doesn't he know this is impossible?

"Now, if you don't mind, I believe I shall retire to my room for my customary nap. I've sent my man, Montgomery, out on an errand -- but he should be back shortly. He's been instructed to get you whatever you may need.

"It has been a great pleasure to meet you, Miss Sweet," says the professor. "I have little choice but to trust you perfectly with the artifact, Miss Sweet, since you're the only one who can make use of it. But would you please give me the copybook? I wouldn't want it to fall into the wrong hands."
action: Turn manuscript
response: Nothing obvious happens.

The professor waits patiently for the copybook.
action: You put the stone on the piano
response: You need to be holding the manuscript before you can put it on top of something else.

The professor, looks somewhat puzzled.
action: You give the copybook to Professor
response: The professor accepts it gratefully. "I'll put this in a safe place," he says.

"Now if you'll excuse me, Miss Sweet," he says.

He strolls out of the room, humming something to himself -- something very strange, and very old.
action: You look at what you're carrying with you
response: You are carrying:
some newspaper clippings
an artifact
a loose flyer
a coin
a small sign
a purse (which is closed)
action: You examine the coin
response: A monetary unit, in the form of a small metallic disc.
action: You examine the clippings
response: Some of the headlines read:
"Student Almost Sings Chords, Fibonacci Claims" ..."Fibonacci's Star Pupil Intrigues London"
action: Open purse
response: You open the purse, revealing a programme and a handkerchief.
action: You flip the coin
response: Only something animate can respond to that action.
action: You sing humming
response: For some reason, that got mixed up in your head. (Try a synonym, or a different strategy.)
action: You look at the programme
response: It's the programme from Les Contes d'Hoffmann. A keepsake from your Paris debut.
action: You examine the handkerchief
response: It's just one of your handkerchiefs.
action: Sing
response: (warming up)
You sing middle D.
action: You warm up
response: (warming up)
You sing middle E.
action: You look at the artifact
response: Something like a slender brick. Its surface is pitted and flaky, like some kind of shale. Some strange markings are barely visible, running around all the edges.
action: Sing
response: (warming up)
You sing middle F.
action: Sing
response: (warming up)
You sing middle G.
action: Sing
response: (warming up)
You sing high A.
action: You examine the stone soup
response: The manuscript is labeled "Stone Soup Folk Melody" in blocky masculine lettering. There appear to be seven beats per measure, which is odd enough... but the score also shows a strange sequence of notes, ranging from a low C to a high E. Surely the professor knows this is out of your range. And that D! How does he expect anyone to sing it for eight full measures?
action: You sing low C
response: (warming up)
You sing high B.

You sing the note.
action: Sing
response: (warming up)
You sing high C.
action: Sing
response: You've warmed up about as high as you can go.
action: Sing markings
response: You manage to pick out a short musical passage inscribed on the artifact, including one featuring a musical tension between low, repetitive clusters and longer, higher notes. But almost as soon as you grasp the sense of the notes, you lose it, trailing off uncertainly.
action: You sing the stone soup
response: You try out the first few bars of the haunting, almost hypnotic theme... but towards the middle of the manuscript, the notes climb until they are completely out of your range. The professor must have a great deal of faith in you, or must be completely ignorant of the physiological characteristics of the human voice, if he expects you to be able to sing this all the way through.
action: You look at your surroundings
response: Front Parlor (on the chair)
The walls are heavy with green and maroon hangings. Some photographs are arranged on the wall, above an old upright piano. The foyer is visible to the east.

On the upright piano are an artifact and a manuscript.
action: You take all
response: artifact: You take the artifact in your hands. It feels like some kind of stone, although it is oddly warm.
manuscript: You take the manuscript.
programme: Taken.
handkerchief: Taken.
action: Look around
response: Front Parlor (on the chair)
The walls are heavy with green and maroon hangings. Some photographs are arranged on the wall, above an old upright piano. The foyer is visible to the east.
action: East
response: A tiny space; really just the beginning of a hallway leading north. The Parlor is back to the west, and the professor's study is east. The front yard is to the south.
action: Go east
response: Slightly musty, a bit too tweedy, and very fussily organised. The foyer is back to the west.

A floor-to-ceiling display cabinet fills one wall. Inside you can make out a pygmy statuette, an emerald the size of a plover's egg, an elf figurine and a remarkable porcelain art object.

You can also see a letter opener here.
action: You look at the statuette
response: A menacing, almost cartoon-like statuette of a pygmy spirit with a snake around its neck.
action: You eat the emerald
response: (first taking the emerald the size of a plover's egg)
(first opening the display cabinet)
It seems to be locked.
action: You examine elf
response: A tag, written in a blocky masculine hand, reads: "My father reluctantly accepted this figurine from his aunt, who married into the Ickwiddy family. Rather ignobly executed from degraded materials, it represents an elf absorbed in woodland frolics."
action: You examine letter opener
response: An ivory-handled letter opener.
action: You examine the porcelain
response: A colorful sculpture. Beneath a sparkling rainbow, a fluffy, white bunny rabbit peeps sleepily from behind a daffodil, and cocks its head quizzically at a pair of rosy-cheeked cherubim, who bear between them a sunbeam, in which is nestled a droopy-eared puppy wearing around its neck a large, heart-shaped medallion, on which, within a border of butterflies, is a crayon drawing of the Earth, around the circumference of which is a ring of shining happy people holding hands.
action: You pick the lock
response: That's fixed in place.
action: You get the opener
response: You already have that.
action: You look around
response: Slightly musty, a bit too tweedy, and very fussily organised. The foyer is back to the west.

A floor-to-ceiling display cabinet fills one wall. Inside you can make out a pygmy statuette, an emerald the size of a plover's egg, a sordid elf of Great-Aunt Ickwiddy and a remarkable porcelain art object.
action: Sing
response: You've warmed up about as high as you can go.
action: Go north
response: The front hall stretches south towards the foyer. The dining room is west, a plain door is east, and a flight of stairs curls around to the northeast.
action: You go to the west
response: A pleasant dining room, done up in the latest Edwardian style, with a few Colonial touches here and there. A doorway leads east to the front hall.
action: You go to the east
response: The door to the cellar is locked.
action: You go to the northeast
response: Sneedlewood warned you that this part of the house is in no shape to receive visitors. But so far, it looks respectable enough.

The main stairway leads down. A passageway leads east, and a bedroom is west.
action: Go west
response: You can hear the professor snoring in his bedroom. You really ought to give him some privacy.
action: You go to the east
response: The eastern passageway leads to an ascending spiral staircase.

This is your basic wretched garret, at the top of flight of suitably rusty spiral stairs, and featuring the typical creaky wooden floor, exposed rafters, dusty cobwebs, etc.

You can see a roof hatch here.

There appears to be no madwoman here. (Unless of course... well, never mind.)
action: You look at the hatch
response: It's a square hatch, set flush into the roofline.
action: Go downwards
response: You can't go that way.

The main stairway leads down. A passageway leads east, and a bedroom is west.
action: You go to the west
response: The front hall stretches south towards the foyer. The dining room is west, a plain door is east, and a flight of stairs curls around to the northeast.

A tiny space; really just the beginning of a hallway leading north. The Parlor is back to the west, and the professor's study is east. The front yard is to the south.

The walls are heavy with green and maroon hangings. Some photographs are arranged on the wall, above an old upright piano. The foyer is visible to the east.
action: You examine the photos
response: One photograph shows a shambles of masonry which might once have been a burial pyramid. In the foreground are two men -- one man is Professor Sneedlewood, as he might have appeared thirty years ago. The other is apparently a colleague, but his face is entirely in shadow.

The rest of the photographs show different scenes from what appears to be the same archeological site.
action: You drink the tea
response: A spot of tea might be refreshing under ordinary circumstances -- but today seems less and less ordinary every minute.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
a letter opener
a handkerchief
a programme
a manuscript
an artifact
some newspaper clippings
a loose flyer
a coin
a small sign
a purse (which is open but empty)
action: You read markings
response: Those can't contain things.

If the professor is right, and the strange patterns on the artifact have something to do with music, then they aren't like any kind of musical notation you've seen before.
action: You read the clippings
response: Some of the headlines read:
"Sweet's Amazing Voice Stuns Paris with Olympia's Aria" ..."Understudy will Sing Olympia in 'Les Contes' -- Sweet 'Indisposed'"
action: You read the clippings
response: Some of the headlines read:
"Lilly McCoy is 'Sweet Enough' for Olympia, Say Critics" ..."Opera Debutante Sweet Found Babbling in Subway"
action: Keep going
response: Some of the headlines read: "McCoy Leads Milan in Ovation for Stricken Sweet" ..."Rehearsal Breakdown Derails Sweet's Comeback; McCoy Recalled from Moscow"
action: You read clippings
response: Some of the headlines read:
"Student Almost Sings Chords, Fibonacci Claims" ..."Fibonacci's Star Pupil Intrigues London"
action: You sing manuscript
response: You try out the first few bars of the haunting, almost hypnotic
action: You sing low low low low G
response: theme... but towards the middle of the manuscript, the notes climb until they are completely out of your range. The professor must have a great deal of faith in you, or must be completely ignorant of the physiological characteristics of the human voice, if he expects you to be able to sing this all the way through.

For some reason, that got mixed up in your head. (Try a synonym, or a different strategy.)
action: Go south
response: A tiny space; really just the beginning of a hallway leading north. The Parlor is back to the west, and the professor's study is east. The front yard is to the south.

This rural setting is certainly peaceful, but this far from the big city crowds, you can't help feeling a little isolated at the same time. A garden path leads east. A wooded hill rises to the south. The professor's front door is to the north.
action: You go east
response: This garden path leads from the front of the house to the west, towards the guest cottage to the east. It also forks northeast into a side yard.

Dry leaves and twigs rustle under your feet.
action: Go east
response: Thick woods surround this small forest clearing. Down the path leading west, you can glimpse part of the main house. A yard is to the north.

A rustic cottage lies on the eastern edge of the clearing. The simple wooden door is closed.
action: You open door
response: You open the door to the cottage.
action: You go east
response: This is a small alcove. A small salon is north, and the exit is back west.

A simple tin pot hangs on the wall, below an iron pump.
action: You look at the pot
response: The tin pot has a smooth wooden handle.
action: Pump water
response: You pump vigorously a few times. Water gushes from the spout.

The water trickles away and disappears.
action: You fill the pot from the pump
response: You pump vigorously a few times. Water gushes from the spout.
action: Oops spout
response: You fill the tin pot.

Sorry, that can't be corrected.
action: You put the brick in the pot
response: You put the artifact into the tin pot.
action: You go north
response: The Parlor has been converted into a cozy-looking studio, with a nice little wood stove. The only exit is back south.

You can see a small white trunk here.
action: You look at the stove
response: It's a typical barrel-shaped cast-iron stove, with a pipe extending up through the ceiling, and a heavy firebox below.
action: Light stove
response: This dangerous act would achieve little.
action: You look at the firebox
response: It's just the compartment where fuel is supposed to go.
You can't see inside, since the firebox is closed.
action: You open the firebox
response: You open the firebox, revealing some dark coals.
action: You examine the pot
response: The tin pot has a smooth wooden handle.

In the tin pot are an artifact and some water.
action: You look at coals
response: The coals are dark.
action: You put clippings on the coals
response: A flash of flame and rush of sparks quickly consume the newspaper clippings.
action: Go south
response: This is a small alcove. A small salon is north, and the exit is back west.

You can see a pump here.
action: Go west
response: Thick woods surround this small forest clearing. Down the path leading west, you can glimpse part of the main house. A yard is to the north. To the south, a gap in the bushes leads into a thicket.

The cottage door lies open to the east.
action: You go west
response: This garden path leads from the front of the house to the west, towards the guest cottage to the east. It also forks northeast into a side yard.

Dry leaves and twigs rustle under your feet.

An unseen songbird chirps melodiously.
action: You get the twigs
response: You already have those.
action: Go north
response: This is a grassy stretch just east of the vine-covered house. A clearing lies south, a garden path leads southwest, and another path leads northwest, behind the house.

A birdbath stands in the middle of the yard.

To the west is a narrow door, nearly hidden by a rose trellis.
action: You examine the birdbath
response: The birdbath is a statue of a woman holding a shallow brass basin.

An unseen songbird chirps melodiously.
action: You look at the trellis
response: The trellis is firmly attached to the wall, and climbs upwards towards the roof.
action: You look at the bird
response: (the melodious songbirds)
You can't really get a good look at any of the melodious songbirds.
action: You climb the trellis
response: Climbing around the garden like a schoolgirl is hardly the way to retain the professor's respect for you.
action: Sing
response: Inspired by the voices of birds in the treetops, you extemporise a little tune to amuse yourself. The birds sing along cheerfully.

An unseen songbird chirps melodiously.
action: You open the door
response: It seems to be locked.
action: You look at the door
response: The door, fronted by a few modest flagstones, would seem to lead to the professor's study. The old iron lock is a prominent feature.
action: You go northwest
response: You are standing behind the house, in the shade of a lovely tree. A path leads southeast past the back porch, back towards the side yard.

On the back porch is a rubbish bin (which is closed).

You can see a stack of firewood (on which is a cat) here.

The cat licks itself languidly.
action: You get the cat
response: As you approach the firewood, the cat hisses at you viciously. It's clearly not interested in giving up its perch this easily.

The cat licks itself languidly.
action: You look at the cat
response: Big and orange. It seems to keep one predatory eye open at all times, scanning the yard.

The cat yawns and stretches, scanning the yard with sleepy green eyes.
action: You open bin
response: You open the rubbish bin.

The cat shifts position on top of the log pile.
action: You look in the bin
response: The rubbish bin is empty.

Nearby, a bird sings. The cat sits up and looks around eagerly. Seeing only you, it yawns disdainfully, and flops back onto the logs.
action: Sing
response: But the professor has prepared the cozy little salon for you. The least you can do for the good professor is to keep his artifact safe there, while you experiment with it.

The cat yawns and stretches, scanning the yard with sleepy green eyes.
action: Whistle
response: You chime in with a few wordless bars of music.

The cat licks itself languidly.
action: You sing manuscript
response: You try out the first few bars of the haunting, almost hypnotic theme... but towards the middle of the manuscript, the notes climb until they are completely out of your range. The professor must have a great deal of faith in you, or must be completely ignorant of the physiological characteristics of the human voice, if he expects you to be able to sing this all the way through.

The cat shifts position on top of the log pile.
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying:
some leaves and twigs
a tin pot
an artifact
some water
a letter opener
a handkerchief
a programme
a manuscript
some newspaper clippings
a loose flyer
a coin
a small sign
a purse (which is open but empty)

The cat shifts position on top of the log pile.
action: Describe the surroundings
response: You are standing behind the house, in the shade of a lovely tree. A path leads southeast past the back porch, back towards the side yard.

On the back porch is a rubbish bin (which is empty).

You can see a stack of firewood (on which is a cat) here.

The cat yawns and stretches, scanning the yard with sleepy green eyes.
action: Search bin
response: The rubbish bin is empty.

The cat shifts position on top of the log pile.
action: You examine the tree
response: It's close enough to the house that the lower branches brush the upper storey windows.

Nearby, a bird sings. The cat sits up and looks around eagerly. Seeing only you, it yawns disdainfully, and flops back onto the logs.
action: Go southeast
response: This is a grassy stretch just east of the vine-covered house. A clearing lies south, a garden path leads southwest, and another path leads northwest, behind the house.

A birdbath stands in the middle of the yard.

To the west is a narrow door, nearly hidden by a rose trellis.
action: Sing
response: Inspired by the voices of birds in the treetops, you extemporise a little tune to amuse yourself. The birds sing along cheerfully.
action: You fill the birdbath
response: You fill the birdbath with water from the tin pot.

A little bird flutters down from the treetops, settles briefly on the edge of the basin, and flits away again, chirping happily.
action: Sing
response: Inspired by the voices of birds in the treetops, you extemporise a little tune to amuse yourself. The birds sing along cheerfully.

A pygmy nutfinch flutters down from the treetops, and lands on the edge of the birdbath.
action: Sing
response: Inspired by the voices of birds in the treetops, you extemporise a little tune to amuse yourself. The birds sing along cheerfully. The pudgy little nutfinch listens, utterly fascinated by your performance. It flutters out of the basin and lands at your feet, where it watches you with interest.
action: Sing
response: Inspired by the voices of birds in the treetops, you extemporise a little tune to amuse yourself. The birds sing along cheerfully. The pudgy little nutfinch listens, utterly fascinated by your performance.
action: You examine the nutfinch
response: The nutfinch is small, but round and plump-looking.

The nutfinch keeps one eye on you, but ruffles its wings restlessly.
action: You get the nutfinch
response: Trying to grab the pudgy little nutfinch would not be particularly helpful at present.

The nutfinch, losing interest in you, flutters back into the birdbath.
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying:
some leaves and twigs
a tin pot
an artifact
a letter opener
a handkerchief
a programme
a manuscript
some newspaper clippings
a loose flyer
a coin
a small sign
a purse (which is open but empty)
action: You go to the northwest
response: You are standing behind the house, in the shade of a lovely tree. A path leads southeast past the back porch, back towards the side yard.

On the back porch is a rubbish bin (which is empty).

You can see a stack of firewood (on which is a cat) here.

The cat licks itself languidly.

The nutfinch follows you, hopping along in your tracks.
action: Sing
response: The pudgy little nutfinch listens, utterly fascinated by your performance.

The cat notices the nutfinch with hungry eyes. In a flash, the cat leaps from its perch and charges into the yard. The bird flies up into the treetops, out of harm's way.

The cat skulks around in the bushes for a while, and then disappears.
action: You get the firewood
response: Taken.
action: You go to the east
response: This is a small alcove. A small salon is north, and the exit is back west.

You can see a pump here.

The orange tabby cat follows you in.

He sits down inside the doorway for a moment, but soon disappears into a corner.
action: You go to the north
response: The Parlor has been converted into a cozy-looking studio, with a nice little wood stove. The only exit is back south.

The firebox of the iron stove is open.

You can also see a small white trunk here.
action: You put the leaves in the firebox
response: You throw the armload of kindling inside the firebox. Crackling tongues of flame engulf it almost immediately. Soon, the armload of firewood catches fire as well.
action: You put the pot on stove
response: You put the tin pot on top of the stove.
action: You fill the pot
response: You pump vigorously a few times. Water gushes from the spout.
You fill the tin pot.
action: You go north
response: The Parlor has been converted into a cozy-looking studio, with a nice little wood stove. The only exit is back south.

The firebox of the iron stove is open.

You can also see a small white trunk here.

The fire crackles and sputters, as the fuel settles down amidst a growing mound of ashes.
action: You put the pot on stove
response: You put the tin pot on top of the stove.

The fire crackles and sputters, as the fuel settles down amidst a growing mound of ashes.
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

The fire crackles and sputters, as the fuel settles down amidst a growing mound of ashes.
action: You look at the pot
response: The tin pot has a smooth wooden handle.

In the tin pot are some water and an artifact.

The fire crackles and sputters, as the fuel settles down amidst a growing mound of ashes.
action: You look at the water
response: It's just water.

The water is currently in the tin pot.
action: You close the firebox
response: You close the firebox.
action: You look at the stove
response: It's a typical barrel-shaped cast-iron stove, with a pipe extending up through the ceiling, and a heavy firebox below.
On the stove is a tin pot.
action: You feel the stove
response: It's much too hot to touch.
action: You feel the pot
response: You feel nothing unexpected.

The water in the tin pot is steaming energetically now.
action: Sing
response: (warming up)
You sing middle C.

The water in the tin pot starts to boil, and the steam carries a musty scent, which mildly irritates your throat.

You absently clear your throat.

That's odd. At the sound of your voice a strange kind of soft, muffled hum seems to rise from inside the pot -- along with some bubbles -- and then fade away.

(warming up)
You sing middle C. The artifact, coated with a thick layer of sludge, pops and hisses strangely.

The water in the tin pot is boiling vigorously.
action: Sing
response: (warming up)
You sing middle D. The artifact, coated with a thick layer of sludge, pops and hisses strangely.

The water in the tin pot is boiling vigorously.
action: You sing high C
response: You sing the note.

The water in the tin pot is boiling vigorously.
action: You sing manuscript
response: You try out the first few bars of the haunting, almost hypnotic theme... but towards the middle of the manuscript, the notes climb until they are completely out of your range. The professor must have a great deal of faith in you, or must be completely ignorant of the physiological characteristics of the human voice, if he expects you to be able to sing this all the way through.

The water in the tin pot is boiling vigorously.
action: Sing markings
response: Hmm. You can't seem to see the markings right now. Better check the artifact more closely.

The water in the tin pot is boiling vigorously.
action: You get the artifact
response: (first reaching into the water)
Ouch! The water is too hot!

The water in the tin pot is boiling vigorously.
action: You examine artifact
response: The artifact is caked with some kind of crusty brown sludge.

The water in the tin pot is boiling vigorously.
action: Clean artifact
response: But the artifact is still in the hot water.

The water in the tin pot is boiling vigorously.
action: You look at your surroundings
response: The Parlor has been converted into a cozy-looking studio, with a nice little wood stove. The only exit is back south.

On the stove is a tin pot (in which are some little brown flecks, some water and an artifact).

You can see a small white trunk here.

The water in the tin pot is boiling vigorously.
action: Smell water
response: The steaming water smells like chalk, or clay, or maybe just dust.

The water in the tin pot is boiling vigorously.
action: You drink it
response: It's much too hot!

The water in the tin pot is boiling vigorously.
action: You examine the manuscript
response: The manuscript is labeled "Stone Soup Folk Melody" in blocky masculine lettering. There appear to be seven beats per measure, which is odd enough... but the score also shows a strange sequence of notes, ranging from a low C to a high E. Surely the professor knows this is out of your range. And that D! How does he expect anyone to sing it for eight full measures?

The water in the tin pot is boiling vigorously.
action: Keep going
response: (warming up)
You sing middle D. The artifact, coated with a thick layer of sludge, pops and hisses strangely.

The water in the tin pot is boiling vigorously.
(warming up)
You sing middle D. The artifact, coated with a thick layer of sludge, pops and hisses strangely.

The water in the tin pot is boiling vigorously.
(warming up)
You sing middle D. The artifact, coated with a thick layer of sludge, pops and hisses strangely.

The water in the tin pot is boiling vigorously.
(warming up)
You sing middle D. The artifact, coated with a thick layer of sludge, pops and hisses strangely.

The water in the tin pot is boiling vigorously.
(warming up)
You sing middle D. The artifact, coated with a thick layer of sludge, pops and hisses strangely.

The water in the tin pot is boiling vigorously.
(warming up)
You sing middle D. The artifact, coated with a thick layer of sludge, pops and hisses strangely.

The water in the tin pot is boiling vigorously.
(warming up)
You sing middle D. The artifact, coated with a thick layer of sludge, pops and hisses strangely.

The water in the tin pot is boiling vigorously.
(warming up)
You sing middle D. The artifact, coated with a thick layer of sludge, pops and hisses strangely.

The water in the tin pot is boiling vigorously.
action: You take the artifact
response: (first reaching into the water)
Ouch! The water is too hot!

The water in the tin pot is boiling vigorously.
action: You take the artifact
response: (first reaching into the water)
Ouch! The water is too hot!
action: Empty pot
response: little brown flecks: Dropped.
water:
The water trickles away and disappears.
artifact: Dropped.
action: You examine artifact
response: The artifact is caked with some kind of crusty brown sludge.
action: You clean it
response: You manage to scrape off some of the crusty sludge, but the process will probably go much faster if you had some fresh water.
action: You take the artifact
response: Taken.
action: You look around
response: The Parlor has been converted into a cozy-looking studio, with a nice little wood stove. The only exit is back south.

You can see a small white trunk here.
action: You clean it
response: Using up all your fresh water, you manage to wash away the muddy sludge, revealing a solid, crystal clear brick.
action: You look at the brick
response: A rectangular brick of a glass-like substance, with slightly beveled edges. The markings, barely visible before, now stand out as raised symbols. The crystal is perfectly clear.

The artifact is currently in the tin pot.
action: Sing
response: But the professor has prepared the cozy little salon for you. The least you can do for the good professor is to keep his artifact safe there, while you experiment with it.
action: Sing
response: (warming up)
You sing middle C. The artifact resonates musically, amplifying your note and making it linger in the air.
action: Sing
response: (warming up)
You sing middle D. The artifact resonates musically, amplifying your note and making it linger in the air.

Something flashes blue out of the corner of your eye. What was that?
action: Sing
response: (warming up)
You sing middle E. The artifact resonates musically, amplifying your note and making it linger in the air.

There it is again -- but this time it's a green flash. It seems to have come from the artifact.
action: You examine artifact
response: A rectangular brick of a glass-like substance, with slightly beveled edges. The markings, barely visible before, now stand out as raised symbols. The crystal has a green tint.
action: Sing
response: (warming up)
You sing middle F. The artifact resonates musically, amplifying your note and making it linger in the air.

A yellow glow from the crystal catches your eye. Yes, the crystal seems to be radiating a soft yellow light. It fades quickly, but the crystal definitely has a yellow tint now.

You feel a little light-headed.
action: Sing
response: (warming up)
You sing middle G. The artifact resonates musically, amplifying your note and making it linger in the air.

As the note builds in volume, the crystal glows a bright orange.

That went pretty well. You're feeling a little dizzy, but confident nonetheless.

The crystal is still glowing orange, but it is fading.
action: Sing
response: (warming up)
You sing high A. The artifact resonates musically, amplifying your note and making it linger in the air.

As the note rises in volume and swells to fill the room, you find yourself singing the most beautiful, the purest, the most amazing high E you have ever sung in your life!
action: Sing
response: The crystal flares, flooding the room with a brilliant red light, as a chord -- an amazing, impossible chord -- emerges from your throat, washes over your body, enfolds your heart, and touches your soul. Your breath becomes alive, and you feel yourself melting into a harmony that caresses the whole universe...
The room spins, and everything goes dark...

Chapter 3: A Miscued Rescue or Two

Ah... nothing like a leisurely walk in the woods, following a morning of rigorous drilling in such automotive daredevil tricks as starting on an incline and backing into a parking space.

"You only choked up the engine twice this time, Mr Sterling," Aloysius is saying. "That's a great improvement."
action: About yourself
response: As luck [and plot contrivance] would have it, your stroll through the woods brings you to a...

This wooded rise overlooks the front yard of Sneedlewood's estate, which is visible to the north. A faint path leads southwest.

You can see Aloysius here.

Peering through the thicket of trees, you can someone approaching the front door to Sneedlewood's residence. It is the same short stranger who bumped into a child in town this morning.
action: About yourself
response: You're Troy Sterling, daredevil adventurer. Or you will be, as soon as you master all this technical stuff and get on with the daredeviling part.

The short stranger rings the doorbell. He looks around anxiously, and then peers in a window.

"Why that... that looks like..." mutters Aloysius.

The man reaches up towards his face and... eww! He seems to have pulled a glass eye out of its socket.

"That's Salomonder!" says Aloysius. "What the devil would the professor want with a worm like him?"

After a few moments, Professor Sneedlewood appears in the doorway, yawning. Salomonder speaks with him inaudibly, casually replacing the eye in its socket.
action: You look at Salomonder
response: You can't make out many details from way up here.

Sneedlewood peers around nervously, lets Salomonder inside, and shuts the door.
action: You ask Aloysius about Salomonder
response: "I knew him when I was boy," says Alyosius. "Tough little kid, from the wrong side of town, you might say -- same as me. But he was good with his hands, so we used to build go-carts together.

"One day, we were racing. He tried to pass me, but wrecked. Lost an eye."

What was that carried by the wind? A scream, from somewhere off to the east, sounding not unlike a woman in distress!

"I don't like the looks of this, Mr. Sterling. I doubt Salomonder came alone."

Aloysius frowns thoughtfully. "This is probably the part where the faithful sidekick gets captured and beaten up, thereby motivating you to delve deeper into the mystery. Maybe we should just skip that and start investigating now. You circle around to the east. I'll see what Salomonder's up to."
action: You go east
response: "Good. It's probably a lot more heroic in that direction, anyway," says Aloysius.
"You don't need that, Mr. Sterling," says Aloysius, taking the detached wheel from you.
...
Forest Path
A faint forest path leads west towards a wooded rise and east into a thicket. A paved stone path leads north.
action: You go north
response: This garden path leads from the front of the house to the west, towards the guest cottage to the east. It also forks northeast into a side yard.
action: Go east
response: Thick woods surround this small forest clearing. Down the path leading west, you can glimpse part of the main house. A yard is to the north. To the south, a gap in the bushes leads into a thicket.

Smoke pours from the roof of a rustic cottage on the eastern edge of the clearing. The simple wooden door is closed.

From inside the cottage, you hear a high-pitched scream! Definitely feminine, and obviously in distress.

A frantic scratching sound comes from the other side of the cottage door.
action: You open the door
response: When the door creaks open, an orange shape streaks out.

It pauses in the yard just long enough for you to identify it as an extremely agitated tabby cat; then it disappears into the bushes.
action: Go inside
response: This is a small alcove. A small salon is north, and the exit is back west.

You hear another scream -- a very long one. Just inside the north, where you can see an ominous red glow, you hear the soft thud of a body hitting the ground -- and then silence.
action: You go north
response: The escape route is back south.

Miss Sweet is here, unconscious.

You're holding your breath!
action: You get miss sweet
response: You gather up Miss Sweet in your muscular, capable arms.
action: Go west
response: You can't go that way.

Miss Sweet stirs in your arms.
action: Go south
response: This is a small alcove. A small salon is north, and the exit is back west.
action: Go west
response: Thick woods surround this small forest clearing. Down the path leading west, you can glimpse part of the main house. A yard is to the north. To the south, a gap in the bushes leads into a thicket.

The cottage door lies open to the east.

Hmm. Now that the thrill of the rescue is fading, you're beginning to feel a bit awkward carrying her around like this.
action: You drop sweet
response: You carefully put Miss Sweet down.
action: You wake sweet
response: Aware that the slightest shock to her womanly operatic constitution may cause her to launch into an interminable and painful death aria, you gently rouse her.

Miss Sweet emerges from her swoon, and looks around crossly. "Where am I? What are you doing?" she demands.

She doesn't seem to realise the danger she was in.
action: Kiss sweet
response: Oho, you've done it now.

"Mr. Sterling, perhaps you'd better tell me what prompted you to this course of action," she says, attempting to compose herself.

Perhaps you'd better tell her about the rescue.

Miss Sweet composes herself for a moment, takes a deep breath, and unleashes a scream. Not any ordinary scream, mind you -- an operatic shriek of nerve-rattling, bone-chilling, eardrum-popping proportions.
action: You tell sweet about the rescue
response: Miss Sweet bursts out in laughter. "How bold and daring of you to snatch me away from my fiery tomb! But I'm afraid that the only smoke I see is from the little fire I made in the stove!"

"O! WOE IS ME!" Miss Sweet shouts -- or, rather -- sings.
action: You tell sweet about the undying love
response: Miss Sweet is not about to be distracted.

Suddenly, Miss Sweet stops. The color drains from her face, as she points behind you. When you turn around, you find yourself staring down the barrel of a revolver.

Salomonder, holding the gun, regards you with a wry grin.
action: Kiss salomonder
response: "Ah, the famous Mr. Sterling... In the audience for a change. This private little performance has been... cancelled."
action: You fight Salomonder
response: Salomonder raises the revolver. "Tut tut, Mr. Sterling."

Salomonder laughs darkly. "Please raise your hands, Mr. Sterling."
action: You check what you're carrying
response: Salomonder raises the revolver. "Tut tut, Mr. Sterling."

Salomonder's mirthless smile becomes cold. "I shall not ask you again, Mr. Sterling."
action: Sing
response: "Oh, very well," he sighs, aiming the gun testily...
action: You look
response: This is a small alcove. A small salon is north, and the exit is back west.

Hmm. Now that the thrill of the rescue is fading, you're beginning to feel a bit awkward carrying her around like this.
action: You tell sweet about the fire
response: Miss Sweet bursts out in laughter. "How bold and daring of you to snatch me away from my fiery tomb! But I'm afraid that the only smoke I see is from the little fire I made in the stove!"
action: You tell sweet about the cat
response: Miss Sweet's eyebrow edges upwards. "I really don't know what to say about that," she says.

"Rest assured," says Miss Sweet, pausing to choose her words carefully, "my gratitude is duly proportionate to the value of the service you have rendered."
action: You tell sweet about the scream
response: "But I was in no danger. I was merely warming up my voice!" she says. "And as for the smoke, have you examined the chimney?"

"I will bid you good-day, Mr. Sterling," she says, turning to go. As she does so, she stumbles, and starts to fall.
action: You catch sweet
response: You manage to prevent her from losing her footing.

Her cheeks redden. "Please excuse me," she says, trying to regaining her balance.

There is an awkward moment of silence, as you both watch the lazy path a bumblebee makes along the edge of the woods.
action: Kiss sweet
response: Oho, you've done it now.

Miss Sweet composes herself for a moment, takes a deep breath, and unleashes a scream. Not any ordinary scream, mind you -- an operatic shriek of nerve-rattling, bone-chilling, eardrum-popping proportions.

"If there had actually been a fire..." Her voice trails off.

The bee briefly lands on the peaked riding cap you are wearing. Hastily, you rip it off and drop it. The insect buzzes more angrily still.
action: You wait a while
response: Time passes.

"If there had actually been a fire..." Her voice trails off.
action: You tell sweet about fire
response: "Yes, Mr. Sterling, I'm fully aware of your heroic intentions."

The bee whirls furiously around your head, and then suddenly breaks off. Soon its angry whine fades to nothing.

"I suppose you really did believe I was in danger. Your actions, though ludicrously unnecessary, were nevertheless thoughtful."
action: Yes
response: That was a rhetorical question.

She sighs. "Once again, I find myself in your debt."
action: Smirk
response: Miss Sweet hesitates slightly, but responds with a gracious nod.

From high over your head, you hear an angry buzzing noise -- faint but growing louder. It can be nothing other than your winged tormentor, bent on inflicting great bodily harm!

Miss Sweet goes east.
action: Go east
response: This is a small alcove. A small salon is north, and the exit is back west.

You can see Miss Sweet here.

Miss Sweet goes north.
action: Go north
response: The escape route is back south.

You can see Miss Sweet here.
action: Sing
response: "Oh, very well," she says, and sings a few scales.

"You've been very kind, Mr. Sterling, but I have some important business to attend to," says Miss Sweet.
action: You look at the stove
response: It's a typical barrel-shaped cast-iron stove, with a pipe extending up through the ceiling, and a heavy firebox below.

"Mr. Sterling, surely there are countless other delicate females out there, just waiting to be rescued by a big, capable hero like yourself!"
action: No
response: That was a rhetorical question.

Miss Sweet puts her hands on her hips. "I should think that when a woman expresses a desire to be alone in her room, that The Gallant Troy Sterling would be gracious enough to oblige."
action: You go to the north
response: The escape route is back south.

You can see Miss Sweet here.

Miss Sweet puts her hands on her hips. "I should think that when a woman expresses a desire to be alone in her room, that The Gallant Troy Sterling would be gracious enough to oblige."
action: Go west
response: Thick woods surround this small forest clearing. Down the path leading west, you can glimpse part of the main house. A yard is to the north. To the south, a gap in the bushes leads into a thicket.

The cottage door lies open to the east.

You can also see a fuzzy yellow bumblebee and a handkerchief here.

The bee hovers about your face, buzzing angrily.
action: You examine the handkerchief
response: It's a delicate, lacy, monogrammed handkerchief -- "M.S."

The bee hovers about your face, buzzing angrily.
action: You get it
response: Taken.

The bee hovers about your face, buzzing angrily.
action: You smell it
response: You smell nothing unexpected.

The bee whirls furiously around your head, and then suddenly breaks off. Soon its angry whine fades to nothing.
action: You kiss it
response: The object of your affection is, sadly, incapable of returning same.
action: Go north
response: This is a grassy stretch just east of the vine-covered house. A clearing lies south, a garden path leads southwest, and another path leads northwest, behind the house.

A birdbath stands in the middle of the yard.

To the west is a narrow door, nearly hidden by a rose trellis.

You can also see some leaves and twigs here.
action: You get the leaves
response: Taken.
action: You climb the trellis
response: You manage to climb up the trellis, crushing only a few roses in the process...

You are on the roof of the lower storey. It slopes up to a brick wall, which forms part of the upper storey.

Nearby is a skylight.
action: You open the skylight
response: (the skylight)
It appears to be stuck. Perhaps if you got a hairpin from Miss Sweet, and used a mixture of saliva and earwax as a lubricant -- Bah! You have no time to waste on such trifles!!
action: You break the skylight
response: (the skylight)
Heroically, you leap through the skylight feet first, intending to hit the floor and roll to absorb the impact. That plan doesn't work out very well, because you end up flat on your back, sprawled across broken furniture.

As you shake the stars out of your eyes, you find yourself staring down the barrel of a revolver.

Salomonder, holding the gun, regards you with a wry grin.
action: You look through the skylight
response: (the skylight)

In the professor's study, you can see Aloysius.
action: You examine Aloysius
response: (peering through the glass)
Aloysius is bound and gagged on the floor. He looks around warily.
action: You wave at Aloysius
response: Not from this side of the glass!
action: You raise the hand
response: You wave, feeling foolish.
action: Look around
response: You are on the roof of the lower storey. It slopes up to a brick wall, which forms part of the upper storey.

Nearby is a skylight.
I beg your pardon?
action: Up
response: Without a handhold or a foothold, you can hardly climb up the brick wall.
action: You look at the brick wall
response: It's just a solid vertical wall, except for a very small ventilation shutter at about waist level. Much too small to enter.
action: You open the shutter
response: You open the ventilation shutter.
action: Smell shutter
response: You are carrying:
some leaves and twigs
a handkerchief
your favourite peaked riding cap (being worn)
a scarf (being worn)
some gloves (being worn)
some goggles (being worn)
an old bucket
a postcard
an index card

You smell nothing unexpected.
action: You look at your surroundings
response: You are on the roof of the lower storey. It slopes up to a brick wall, which forms part of the upper storey.

Nearby is a skylight.
action: Go inside
response: Heroically, you leap through the skylight feet first, intending to hit the floor and roll to absorb the impact. That plan doesn't work out very well, because you end up flat on your back, sprawled across broken furniture.

As you shake the stars out of your eyes, you find yourself staring down the barrel of a revolver.

Salomonder, holding the gun, regards you with a wry grin.
action: You kick the revolver
response: Salomonder raises the revolver. "Tut tut, Mr. Sterling."

Salomonder's mirthless smile becomes cold. "I shall not ask you again, Mr. Sterling."
action: You raise the hands
response: [Some adventurer you turned out to be.]
action: Duck
response: Salomonder smirks insolently. "Excellent. And now," he says to himself, rubbing his hands, "for the lovely Miss Sweet..."...

Chapter 4: The Evil Eye

The vile little greasy man bows to you most obsequiously. "Miss Sweet," he says. "Now that the indubitable professor Sneedlewood and the redoubtable inventor Mr. Pratt have been joined in captivity by the very doubtable Mr. Sterling, I suggest that you and I have a little chat. Won't you come this way?"
action: Shriek
response: ...
Along with the other captives, you are bound and gagged on the floor.

You are in a musty corner of the cellar, almost bare of furnishings but for a simple wooden table. A high shelf blocks much of the light coming in through a single tiny window, which is partly open, but barred. The exit is east.

On the work table are a tin pot (which is empty), some leaves and twigs, some newspaper clippings, a letter opener, a manuscript, an old bucket (which is empty), a small sign, a postcard, a scarf, a peaked riding cap, some goggles, an index card, some gloves, a loose flyer, a handkerchief, a programme, a coin, a purse (which is empty) and an artifact.

You can see Salomonder, Prof. Sneedlewood, Mr. Sterling and Mr. Pratt here.

"Something about a cold, damp cellar makes me feel much better about holding captives," he says. "When I'm in a well-stocked laboratory, or a comfortable drawing room, I tend to hesitate when my profession requires the occasional brutish act. But here..." Salomonder glances around the dreary cellar, and breathes deeply. "Here, I feel more at ease."

An orange tabby saunters into the room.
I beg your pardon?
action: Scream
response: You strain against the ropes, but your efforts are futile.

Salomonder rubs his hands together. "Now, I must go about the business of having you killed."

Salomonder picks up a jar from the shelf. "Peach preserves," he says, inspecting it approvingly. "My favourite."

He smiles down at you. "My dear Miss Sweet," he says, with a wistful smile. "You've already glimpsed the power of the artifact, but you've no inkling of its true power." He crouches down beside you. "Aren't you curious? Wouldn't you like to know a little more about it?"
action: Sing
response: The gag stifles your voice, all but for a muffled moan.

The cat sneezes at Salomonder.

"Come, Miss Sweet. This is no time to be coy. Do you want to help me... and yourself?"
action: Nod
response: (nodding your head)

Salomonder nods. "Very good."

He removes your gag, with a fumbling attempt at gentleness. "Now, Miss Sweet. Ask me about anything at all."

The cat sits and stares at Salomonder.
action: You ask Salomonder about Salomonder
response: The artifact seems to pull a strange sound out of your throat. In an otherworldly voice, you hear yourself saying: "The squash -- the squash are ripe."

You hear yourself laugh. "Behold, I come, with powers renewed and vital. Adore me!"

Mr. Pratt and Mr. Sterling exchange bewildered glances, while the professor stares with wide-eyed horror.
action: Scream
response: You strain against the ropes, but your efforts are futile.

Salomonder sighs moodily. He produces an envelope. "This, Professor Sneedlewood, is a message from a dear old friend of yours -- Count Catastrophe."

What little color is left in the professor's face drains away.

Salomonder brandishes the ivory-handled letter opener, and slices open the envelope.

The cat nuzzles the professor affectionately.
action: Sing
response: As you begin to sing, the artifact pulses with fierce red energy. The artifact seems to pull a strange sound out of your throat. In an otherworldly voice, you hear yourself saying: "The hour approaches."

Salomonder reads from the letter: "My dear Barnaby. I write to you from behind the scenes at the Central American antiquities exhibit, where I have prepared a little surprise for the dignitaries who will be gathering here shortly. As the prophecy foretells, the one who completes the ritual will consort eternally with absolute power. By the time you read this letter, Miss Sweet's lovely voice will have charged the artifact. The ritual will be completed, on schedule, at sunset tonight."

The professor interrupts. "Salomonder, you fool! Can't you see that he's mad?"

Salomonder waves the professor off, irritated. He continues reading: "Barnaby, I am not a bloodthirsty man. I shall spare your lives -- but only if you agree to my demands, chief among which being sole credit for the discoveries I am about to introduce to the world."

"Never!" interrupts the professor. "I'll not be a pawn in Catastrophe's mad game!"

The cat sits and stares at Salomonder.
action: You eat the coin
response: (first taking the coin)
You strain against the ropes, but your efforts are futile.

Salomonder continues: "In the likely event that your pride will not allow you to submit to my demands, I shall have to rely upon Salomonder to eliminate you in whatever way he sees fit. I regret this course of action... but deep in your heart, I think we both know that, if you had the chance, you'd do the same thing to me."

"No!" shouts the professor, a bit too quickly.

Salomonder folds the letter. "Tsk, tsk, Professor. Whatever his faults may be, you must admit that Count Catastrophe is an excellent judge of character."

The cat nuzzles the professor affectionately.

Salomonder picks up the artifact, and strides out with it.
action: Sing
response: You project towards the open window.

Through it, you hear a distant musical echo.
The professor sulks, utterly dejected.

The cat scratches at a table leg.

You can hear Salomonder's footsteps creaking up the stairs. The jars on the shelf resonate musically.
action: Sing
response: (warming up)
You sing high B.

The cat sits pensively in a corner.
action: You listen to the jars
response: From time to time, the jars clink together, resounding with a fairly uniform C sharp pitch.

The cat crawls familiarly across the professor's lap.

Heavy footsteps thump down the stairs. The jars on the shelf resonate musically.

A man dressed for outdoor work enters. He carries a small keg of some kind.

The professor, obviously recognizing him, perks up and cries, "Montgomery!"

"I hate to break up this little reunion," says Salomonder, strutting back into the room, "but Montgomery and I have work to do."
action: You sing high e
response: As you begin to sing, the artifact pulses with fierce red energy. The artifact seems to pull a strange sound out of your throat. In an otherworldly voice, you hear yourself saying: "Hear the voice of the spider languishing on the rock."

The cat sneezes at Salomonder.

As Salomonder watches dispassionately, Montgomery uncorks his keg and lays down a line of black powder.

Something feathery flutters against the window.
action: You sing the c sharp
response: As you begin to sing, the artifact pulses with fierce red energy. The artifact seems to pull a strange sound out of your throat. In an otherworldly voice, you hear yourself saying: "The plover -- the plover is dying, and the mushrooms are foul."

The cat crawls familiarly across the professor's lap.

Moving deliberately but very stiffly, Montgomery pours a small mound of powder in the far corner, and leaves the keg on top of it.

The professor calls out to him again.

Montgomery makes eye contact with the professor, staring uncomprehendingly.

Salomonder laughs ruefully. "No use trying, professor," he says, leaning against the table.
action: You sing high C
response: As you begin to sing, the artifact pulses with fierce red energy. The artifact seems to pull a strange sound out of your throat. In an otherworldly voice, you hear yourself saying: "The gander's mate is untamed as it pursues the crimson riverflesh."

The cat sneezes at Salomonder.

"Thank you, Montgomery," says Salomonder. "You may go."

Salomonder watches him leave. "The Count is so very thorough when he sets out to bend weak minds to do his will," he says, thoughtfully.

Salomonder puts the gag back on the professor. "I've heard quite enough from you," he says.

"What shall I do with you, my friends?" asks Salomonder, pacing.
action: You sing the stone soup
response: As you begin to sing, the artifact pulses with fierce red energy. The artifact seems to pull a strange sound out of your throat. In an otherworldly voice, you hear yourself saying: "The stars fill the sky with the shining purity of destruction."

The cat sits and stares at Salomonder.

Salomonder sighs. "There's never a good sawmill with a slow-moving conveyor belt around when you need one."

Behind Salomonder's back, Mr. Sterling begins to contort his body, trying to twist out of the ropes.
action: You sing middle C.
response: As you begin to sing, the artifact pulses with fierce red energy. The artifact seems to pull a strange sound out of your throat. In an otherworldly voice, you hear yourself saying: "The moon -- the moon drips with blood."

The cat sneezes at Salomonder.
action: You kick the jars
response: You have just enough slack in the ropes to manage a short jab with your foot. Unfortunately, you're tied too tightly to reach the peach preserves.

The cat nuzzles the professor affectionately.
action: You kick the cat
response: Salomonder reaches up casually towards his face. "To keep track of everything going on down here, I would almost need..." He whips his hand around behind his neck, and holds a small round object there..."An eye on the back of my head!"

Mr. Sterling freezes in dismay, one shoulder partially out of a coil of rope.
action: You examine the eye
response: The light glints menacingly off of Salomonder's glass eye.

The cat hops onto the shelf, causing the jars to clatter musically.

"Hi there!" says Salomonder, in a strange little falsetto. "I'm Mr. Salomonder's magic eyeball!"

Salomonder addresses his eye with exaggerated seriousness. "What do you see back there, little fellow?"

Salomonder makes his eye jump up and down excitedly in the air. "It's Troy Sterling, Mr. Salomonder! He was trying to untie himself while you weren't looking, Mr. Salomonder! Better tie him up again!"

Salomonder smiles. "I've taught you well!" he says, stroking his eye affectionately. "Good eye!"
action: You look around
response: You are in a musty corner of the cellar, almost bare of furnishings but for a simple wooden table. A high shelf blocks much of the light coming in through a single tiny window, which is partly open, but barred. The exit is east.

On the shelf is a cat.

On the work table are a letter opener, a tin pot (which is empty), some leaves and twigs, some newspaper clippings, a manuscript, an old bucket (which is empty), a small sign, a postcard, a scarf, a peaked riding cap, some goggles, an index card, some gloves, a loose flyer, a handkerchief, a programme, a coin and a purse (which is empty).

You can see a mound of powder (on which is a powder keg), a line of powder, Salomonder, Prof. Sneedlewood, Mr. Sterling and Mr. Pratt here.

Mr. Pratt wrestles with his ropes.

The cat jumps onto the window ledge.
action: Kick table
response: Salomonder makes the falsetto "eye" voice again: "Thank you, Mr. Salomonder! You always said I was your favourite...pupil!"
...
Salomonder ties Mr. Sterling up again, this time very tightly.
"Don't try to escape again," says Salomonder. He holds the eye momentarily on top of Mr. Sterling's head. "Remember...I've got my eye on you!"

Mr. Pratt struggles furiously at his ropes. He seems to be attempting to slam his own head into the wall.
action: You untie the ropes
response: You strain against the ropes, but your efforts are futile.

The cat bounds onto the table.

Salomonder paces, surveying the room. "I thought my wit would go over better than this," he says. "After all, I have a captive audience."

Salomonder nervously bounces his eyeball on the tabletop. (It resounds with a high E.)
action: You sing high e
response: As you begin to sing, the artifact pulses with fierce red energy. The artifact seems to pull a strange sound out of your throat. In an otherworldly voice, you hear yourself saying: "The plover -- the plover is dying, and the mushrooms are foul."

The cat, prowling about on the tabletop, swats playfully at the letter opener.
action: Signal to cat
response: "You will soon learn to appreciate my wit," continues Salomonder, working himself almost into a frenzy. "In fact, my very next spark of brilliance could very well......bring down the house!"

In the distance to the north, you can hear the distant whistle of a train. Salomonder cups his hand to his ear. "Ah. That sound means it's time for me to leave. The Count is expecting me at the museum. The business we plan to conduct there, Miss Sweet, is enough to leave you speechless... for the rest of your life!

"But don't fret. Soon all your worries will be over. I'd like to thank each of you for being my worthy opponents today," he says, fishing into his pocket, and extracting a small wooden stick from a box. "In light of what's about to happen, I think it's safe to say that you have all met your match!"
...
In one sweeping gesture, Salomonder strikes a match, drops it onto the line of powder, and runs out the door.

The professor shouts desperately into his gag.

You hear Salomonder's footsteps pounding up the stairs and receding. The row of jars clatter together musically.
action: You sing the c sharp
response: You sing the note. The rows of peach preserves begin to rattle -- resonating to the sound of your voice... Suddenly, several jars burst apart. Peach juice, pulp, and glass fragments bounce and splatter on the floor. One glass shard almost hits your foot.

The professor looks on in joyful amazement. The fuse has gone out!
action: You get the shard
response: Although the glass fragment is very near your foot, you're tied too tightly to pick it up.

The cat approaches the peachy gunk, sniffs it warily, and snorts.
action: You cut the rope
response: You strain against the ropes, but your efforts are futile.
action: You kick shard
response: You have just enough slack in the ropes to manage a short jab with your foot. The glass fragment skitters across the room, and comes to a stop near Mr. Sterling!

Mr. Sterling reaches out with his foot, struggling to hook the glass fragment.

The cat stalks over to Mr. Pratt, and crawls onto his lap.

Once again, you hear the train whistle. This time it is much closer, coming from the west side of the house.
action: You sing high e
response: That note's too high for you, even on your best days.

From outside the open window, a warbling voice answers. In a flutter of little wings, the nutfinch lands just outside the window.

Mr. Sterling hooks the glass fragment, and carefully pushes it over to Mr. Pratt, who, rolling over onto his side, manages to pick it up with the fingers of one hand.
action: Sing
response: You sing a wordless fragment of melody.

The little nutfinch listens with some interest, but only chirps tenatively, casting a wary glance towards the cat.

The cat looks at the bird thoughtfully for a moment. Yawning, it casually head-butts Mr. Pratt.

Mr. Pratt, at last free from the cat's meddlesome influence, finally manages to get the glass fragment.

The other captives look on with hopeful expressions, as Mr. Pratt works on his ropes.
action: You sing the stone soup
response: You sing a wordless fragment of melody.

The little nutfinch listens with some interest, but only chirps tenatively, casting a wary glance towards the cat.

Mr. Pratt manages to free one hand, and quickly tugs off his gag. "Thanks for distracting the cat, Miss Sweet!" he says.

In the distance, on the south side of the house, you hear the train whistle.

The professor mumbles urgently into his gag. Mr. Pratt rushes to uncover his mouth.

"The evening express!" cries the professor, his face beaded with sweat. "If Salomonder catches that train, and brings his plunder to the antiquities exhibit before we can stop him, Miss Sweet may never again be free of Anootla's influence!"

"Salomonder's not going anywhere," says Mr. Pratt, as he cuts through Mr. Sterling's ropes. "That's the Douglas Special you just heard, heading back to the station after its last run. Why, Salomonder would need a locomotive of his own to make it to the station in time to get aboard. Isn't that right, boss?"

Mr. Pratt and Mr. Sterling share a hearty masculine laugh.

Mr. Sterling throws off the last of his ropes. With a winning grin, he crouches beside you and starts untying your wrists.
action: Kiss sterling
response: You strain against the ropes, but they are only partly untied at this stage.

Mr. Pratt continues to reassure the professor, who is breathing rather heavily. "Professor, our friend Salomonder would need mighty fast transportation, if he thinks he can make it to the train station ahead of the Douglas Special. He'd need the fastest horse that ever lived. Or a pair of wings. Either that, or -- "

Through the open window, you hear a calliope churning out an Oriental gong rendition of "Three Blind Mice."
action: You sing three blind mice
response: Mr. Pratt and Mr. Sterling exchange a horrified glance... Sterling drops your half-tied wrists, and bolts out of the cellar. You can hear his leaden feet clomping up the stairs.

Mr. Pratt begins to follow Mr. Sterling, but hesitates, and comes back. "Here, let me untie you, Miss Sweet. Are you alright?"

Just outside the open window, the nutfinch cocks its head this way and that.

The cat takes a second look at the bird, but evidently concludes that the bird is too far away to bother with it.
action: No
response: (shaking your head)

Mr. Pratt's face clouds. "That scoundrel. I can't abide a man who mistreats a lady."

You hear Mr. Sterling's clomping feet suddenly stop. Then you hear him coming back down the stairs. He sprints back into the room and dashes over to the table.

He snaps his goggles jauntily over his head.

Mr. Pratt rolls his eyes. "Oh, for Pete's sake!"
action: You wait for a while
response: Time passes.

Mr. Sterling throws his scarf around his neck, flashing a winning grin.

Mr. Pratt hurriedly finishes untying you. Casting a sour look at Mr. Sterling, he charges for the exit, grumbling. His footsteps pound up the stairs.

"Oh, dear," says the professor. He looks very pale and weak.
action: You stand
response: (getting up off the floor)
You're standing up now.

Mr. Sterling puts on his cap. "Huzzah!" he cries.
action: Go south
response: A tiny space; really just the beginning of a hallway leading north. The Parlor is back to the west, and the professor's study is east. The front yard is to the south.

Mr. Sterling arrives from the north.

Salomonder pokes his head around the corner. "A visitor?" he asks.

The next thing you know, you find yourself staring down the barrel of a revolver.

Salomonder, holding the gun, regards you with a wry grin.
action: Look around
response: You are in a musty corner of the cellar, almost bare of furnishings but for a simple wooden table. A high shelf blocks much of the light coming in through a single tiny window, which is partly open, but barred. The exit is east.

On the work table are a letter opener, a tin pot (which is empty), some leaves and twigs, some newspaper clippings, a manuscript, an old bucket (which is empty), a small sign, a postcard, an index card, some gloves, a loose flyer, a handkerchief, a programme, a coin and a purse (which is empty).

You can see Mr. Sterling, some peach gunk and Prof. Sneedlewood here.

Mr. Sterling slips his gloves on.

The professor is breathing heavily, trying to get up.

Mr. Sterling flashes you a brilliant grin, and charges up the stairs.
action: You get all
response: peach gunk: The sharp glass mixed in with the peach gunk would make that a rather unpleasant experience.
gags: Taken.
tight coils of rope: Taken.
saucer: You'd gain little by disturbing the cat's food.
letter opener: Taken.
tin pot: Taken.
leaves and twigs: Taken.
newspaper clippings: Taken.
manuscript: You take the manuscript.
old bucket: Taken.
small sign: Taken.
postcard: Taken.
index card: Taken.
loose flyer: Taken.
handkerchief: Taken.
programme: Taken.
coin: Taken.
purse: Taken.
peach preserves: The jars of peach preserves are too high for you to reach.

"I'm not as young as I once was, you know," the professor says, pausing to rest.
action: You sing the c sharp
response: You sing a soothing, uplifting melody.

The nutfinch, adding its little voice to yours, hops through the bars of the window and onto the window ledge.

"Miss Sweet... I don't see how you can ever forgive me for putting you through this, but perhaps I can figure out whether I can restore your voice," he says. "If I can get to my feet, that is."

The tabby cat saunters back into the room.
action: You untie professor
response: He's not something you can open.

The professor sighs. "I shall have to get up myself, I suppose," he says.
action: You examine table
response: You hear yourself saying: "The wind sings with longing for my return."

"My dear girl -- you should save your voice," chides the professor, with gentle sadness. "You may need it later."

"Where could my copybook have gone? I remember you handed it to me just before I went upstairs for my nap. But I can't recall what I did with it!"

The simple work table is supported by blocky wooden legs.There is nothing on the work table.

"Hurry, Miss Sweet! The marks are already fading. Please find me my copybook!"
action: Go northeast
response: The main stairway leads down. A passageway leads east, and a bedroom is west.
action: You go to the west
response: Plain but spacious, with a window looking north, and a closet to the south. The exit is east.

You can see a bed and a dresser here.
action: You open the drawer
response: That wouldn't exactly be proper, would it?

You open the dresser drawer, revealing a ring of keys.
action: You open the closet
response: There seems to be something hidden there...
The professor must have been reading in bed... under the bedcovers, you discover a copybook. Taken.

That's not something you can open.
action: Go south
response: Sneedlewood's bedroom (in the Closet)

In Sneedlewood's bedroom you can see a bed and a dresser.

No skeletons in here. (Unless of course you count the one you're using.)
action: You look under the bed
response: No monsters. Nothing else, either.
action: Go down
response: Plain but spacious, with a window looking north, and a closet to the south. The exit is east.

You can see a bed and a dresser here.

The main stairway leads down. A passageway leads east, and a bedroom is west.

The front hall stretches south towards the foyer. The dining room is west, a plain door is east, and a flight of stairs curls around to the northeast.

You are in a musty corner of the cellar, almost bare of furnishings but for a simple wooden table. A high shelf blocks much of the light coming in through a single tiny window, which is partly open, but barred. The exit is east.

On the narrow ledge is a pudgy little nutfinch.

You can see a cat, some peach gunk and Prof. Sneedlewood here.
action: You give the copybook
response: Whom do you want to give the copybook to?
action: Prof.
response: "Excellent! We may still have a chance to stop Salomonder!"

He pores feverishly through his copybook.

Now you need to look for Mr. Pratt; and you will be ready to go!

Prof. Sneedlewood goes up.
action: You go to the east
response: The front hall stretches south towards the foyer. The dining room is west, a plain door is east, and a flight of stairs curls around to the northeast.

You can see Prof. Sneedlewood here.

Prof. Sneedlewood goes south.
action: You find Pratt
response: A tiny space; really just the beginning of a hallway leading north. The Parlor is back to the west, and the professor's study is east. The front yard is to the south.

You can see Prof. Sneedlewood here.

Prof. Sneedlewood goes south.

(Mr. Pratt)
(You'll have to use your senses and probably a little trial and error to find anything useful.)
action: Go south
response: This rural setting is certainly peaceful, but this far from the big city crowds, you can't help feeling a little isolated at the same time. A garden path leads east. A wooded hill rises to the south. The professor's front door is to the north.

Once outside, you're treated to quite a sight.

A grizzled country character canters around the front yard on a nervous-looking horse, taunting Mr. Sterling. "Whooeee! You knocked the wheel off my buggy this morning, Sterling, so I went and done a wheel-ectomy on your fancy automobile!" he shouts. Indeed, he is holding a steering wheel over his head. "Come and get it, goggle-boy! Haw, haw!"

Mr. Sterling, bristling at the taunt, adjusts his goggles, tightens the scarf around his neck, and prepares to make a grab for it.
action: You examine the horse
response: It's a jittery but powerful-looking piebald mare.

The poor thing. From the looks of it, it's never known a moment of kindness in its life.

Waving the steering wheel over his head, the grizzled character sings:

"Johnny O'Connor bought an automobile!
He took his sweetheart for a ride one Sunday.
Johnny was togged up in his best Sunday clothes.
She nestled close to his side."

Mr. Sterling grabs for the wheel, but the grizzled horseman spurs on his horse.

The grizzled character goes east.
action: Sing
response: (warming up)
You sing high C.

Mr. Sterling gets up and brushes himself off. He bows politely but quickly.

Mr. Sterling goes east.
action: Sing
response: You've warmed up about as high as you can go. You hear some odd clicking and popping noises from the artifact, as a high-pitched whine fades to nothing.

Maybe you should try that again.
action: Sing
response: (warming up)
You sing middle C.
action: Sing
response: (warming up)
You sing middle D.

(warming up)
You sing middle E.
action: Sing
response: (warming up)
You sing high B.
action: You look around
response: This rural setting is certainly peaceful, but this far from the big city crowds, you can't help feeling a little isolated at the same time. A garden path leads east. A wooded hill rises to the south. The professor's front door is to the north.
action: Go south
response: This wooded rise overlooks the front yard of Sneedlewood's estate, which is visible to the north. A faint path leads southwest.

You can hear mechanical sounds coming from the southwest.

The grizzled character arrives from the east.
action: You hit the character
response: A diva's temper, while fearsome when unleashed, wouldn't be helpful in this situation.

Waving the steering wheel over his head, the grizzled character sings:

The lyrics are slurred and incomprehensible.

Mr. Sterling arrives from the east.
action: Sing
response: You've warmed up about as high as you can go.

Waving the steering wheel over his head, the grizzled character sings:

"Johnny O'Connor bought an automobile!
He took his sweetheart for a ride one Sunday.
Johnny was togged up in his best Sunday clothes.
She nestled close to his side."

Mr. Sterling, his eyes fixed on the steering wheel, prepares to leap again.
action: You get the wheel
response: It's no good -- the jittery horse won't let you get close enough to try to grab the wheel.

Waving the steering wheel over his head, the grizzled character sings:

"Things went just dandy till he got down the road,
Then something happened to the old machinery.
That engine got his goat... off went his hat and coat...
Ev'rything needed repairs!"

Mr. Sterling examines the horse.

Mr. Sterling looks around in frustration, and approaches the horse stealthily.

The horse sniffs Mr. Sterling's empty hand, then snorts dismissively.
action: You examine horse
response: It's a jittery but powerful-looking piebald mare.

The poor thing. From the looks of it, it's never known a moment of kindness in its life.

Waving the steering wheel over his head, the grizzled character sings:

"He'd have to get under, get out and get under,
To fix his little machine!"

Mr. Sterling grabs for the wheel, but the grizzled horseman spurs on his horse.

The grizzled character goes north.
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying:
a ring of keys
a purse (which is open but empty)
a coin
a programme
a handkerchief
a loose flyer
an index card
a postcard
a small sign
an old bucket
a manuscript
some newspaper clippings
some leaves and twigs
a tin pot
a letter opener
some tight coils of rope
some gags

Mr. Sterling gets up and brushes himself off. He bows politely but quickly.

Mr. Sterling goes north.
action: Go north
response: This rural setting is certainly peaceful, but this far from the big city crowds, you can't help feeling a little isolated at the same time. A garden path leads east. A wooded hill rises to the south. The professor's front door is to the north.

You can see Mr. Sterling here.

Waving the steering wheel over his head, the grizzled character sings:

"A dozen times they'd start to [*beep!*] hug and kiss --
And the darned old engine [*boing!*] it would miss,
And then he'd have to get under, get out and get under,
And fix up his automobile!"

Mr. Sterling, his eyes fixed on the steering wheel, prepares to leap again.
action: Tie horse
response: You would achieve nothing by this.

Waving the steering wheel over his head, the grizzled character sings:

"He'd have to get under, get out and get under,
To fix his little machine!"

Mr. Sterling examines the horse.

Mr. Sterling looks around in frustration, and approaches the horse stealthily.

The horse sniffs Mr. Sterling's empty hand, then snorts dismissively.
action: Go west
response: A tiny space; really just the beginning of a hallway leading north. The Parlor is back to the west, and the professor's study is east. The front yard is to the south.

The walls are heavy with green and maroon hangings. Some photographs are arranged on the wall, above an old upright piano. The foyer is visible to the east.
action: You get the tea
response: A spot of tea might be refreshing under ordinary circumstances -- but today seems less and less ordinary every minute.
action: Look around
response: The walls are heavy with green and maroon hangings. Some photographs are arranged on the wall, above an old upright piano. The foyer is visible to the east.
action: You play the piano
response: You play a few random chords on the piano. It sounds a little tinny, but is reasonably well tuned.
action: Go east
response: Slightly musty, a bit too tweedy, and very fussily organised. The foyer is back to the west.

A floor-to-ceiling display cabinet fills one wall. Inside you can make out a pygmy statuette, an emerald the size of a plover's egg, a sordid elf of Great-Aunt Ickwiddy and a remarkable porcelain art object.

You can also see some fragments of broken glass here.
action: Go north
response: A tiny space; really just the beginning of a hallway leading north. The Parlor is back to the west, and the professor's study is east. The front yard is to the south.

The front hall stretches south towards the foyer. The dining room is west, a plain door is east, and a flight of stairs curls around to the northeast.
action: You go to the east
response: You are in a musty corner of the cellar, almost bare of furnishings but for a simple wooden table. A high shelf blocks much of the light coming in through a single tiny window, which is partly open, but barred. The exit is east.

On the narrow ledge is a pudgy little nutfinch.

You can see a cat and some peach gunk here.
action: You get the gunk
response: The sharp glass mixed in with the peach gunk would make that a rather unpleasant experience.
action: You get the glass
response: The sharp glass mixed in with the peach gunk would make that a rather unpleasant experience.

The cat methodically licks itself.
action: You sing to the finch
response: Turning your full attention to the nutfinch, you sing an appropriately reassuring, enticing melody.

The bird hops off the window ledge and flutters to the ground, to join you in a charming little duet.

The cat pounces on the nutfinch.

Carrying the unfortunate bird in its mouth, the cat hops down from the ledge and saunters out of the room.
action: You sing to the cat
response: You sing a wordless fragment of melody.

The little nutfinch listens with some interest, but only chirps tenatively, casting a wary glance towards the cat.
action: Pet cat
response: Keep your hands to yourself!
action: You look at the table
response: The simple work table is supported by blocky wooden legs.There is nothing on the work table.
action: You look at the symbols
response: The professor shoos you away. "You're blocking the light, Miss Sweet!"

The cat yawns happily.
action: Go east
response: The front hall stretches south towards the foyer. The dining room is west, a plain door is east, and a flight of stairs curls around to the northeast.

You are in a musty corner of the cellar, almost bare of furnishings but for a simple wooden table. A high shelf blocks much of the light coming in through a single tiny window, which is partly open, but barred. The exit is east.

On the narrow ledge is a pudgy little nutfinch.

You can see a cat and some peach gunk here.

The cat scratches at a table leg.
action: You go northeast
response: The front hall stretches south towards the foyer. The dining room is west, a plain door is east, and a flight of stairs curls around to the northeast.

The main stairway leads down. A passageway leads east, and a bedroom is west.
action: You go to the east
response: The eastern passageway leads to an ascending spiral staircase.

This is your basic wretched garret, at the top of flight of suitably rusty spiral stairs, and featuring the typical creaky wooden floor, exposed rafters, dusty cobwebs, etc.

You can see a roof hatch here.

There appears to be no madwoman here. (Unless of course... well, never mind.)
action: Go south
response: You can't go that way.

The main stairway leads down. A passageway leads east, and a bedroom is west.
You can't go that way.
You can't go that way.
action: Go south
response: This thicket of trees thins out towards to the north. A faint path leads west.

You can see Mr. Sterling here.

Waving the steering wheel over his head, the grizzled character sings:

The lyrics are slurred and incomprehensible.

Mr. Sterling examines the horse.

Mr. Sterling looks around in frustration, and approaches the horse stealthily.

The horse sniffs Mr. Sterling's empty hand, then snorts dismissively.
action: You go to the west
response: A faint forest path leads west towards a wooded rise and east into a thicket. A paved stone path leads north.

The grizzled character arrives from the east.
action: You unlock door
response: (with the letter opener)
Unfortunately, this doesn't appear to be one of those oh-so-common letter-opener-shaped keyholes.
action: You unlock the door with the keys
response: You unlock the side door.
action: You unlock the door with the keys
response: That's unlocked at the moment.
action: You open the door
response: You open the side door.
action: You go to the west
response: What eccentric professor's house would be complete without a secret passageway? This particular one is just a tiny space between the walls, but it will do. Sunlight spills around the corner from the east, but does not reach the dark alcove to the south.
action: Go south
response: You are in a small, cramped alcove. The only exit is north.

A floor-to-ceiling tinted window, set into the south wall, reveals the inside of a trophy case.
action: You examine the window
response: It's just a thick piece of tinted glass, set into the south wall. The glass fits into a recess that extends from floor to ceiling, but the recess is slightly wider than the glass, leaving a gap.

Just on the other side, you can see a pygmy statuette, an emerald the size of a plover's egg, a sordid elf of Great-Aunt Ickwiddy and a remarkable porcelain art object.

In the professor's study, you can see some fragments of broken glass.
action: You move the glass
response: (the tinted window)
action: You open the window
response: It is fixed in place.

That's not something you can open.
action: Go south
response: But the tinted window is blocking your way.
action: Break glass
response: (the tinted window)
A diva's temper, while fearsome when unleashed, wouldn't be helpful in this situation.
action: You examine the case
response: (the gap)
Gaps on either side permit you to reach around the tinted glass and into the display cabinet.

In the display cabinet are a pygmy statuette, an emerald the size of a plover's egg, a sordid elf of Great-Aunt Ickwiddy and a remarkable porcelain art object.
action: You get the egg
response: (reaching through the gap)
Taken.
action: You get all
response: remarkable porcelain art object: Taken.
sordid elf of Great-Aunt Ickwiddy: Taken.
pygmy statuette: Taken.
action: You examine the porcelain
response: A colorful sculpture. Beneath a sparkling rainbow, a fluffy, white bunny rabbit peeps sleepily from behind a daffodil, and cocks its head quizzically at a pair of rosy-cheeked cherubim, who bear between them a sunbeam, in which is nestled a droopy-eared puppy wearing around its neck a large, heart-shaped medallion, on which, within a border of butterflies, is a crayon drawing of the Earth, around the circumference of which is a ring of shining happy people holding hands.
action: Break art
response: The porcelain object shatters in a shining happy dust plume, which disappear to reveal a small silver heart that had been concealed inside.
action: You look at the heart
response: It is a heart-shaped silver locket.
action: Open heart
response: It pops open easily, revealing an inscription under the lid, and a miniature portrait of a woman holding a shallow brass basin.
action: You look at woman
response: (yourself)
You're Melody Sweet, the world-renowned opera singer. You're feeling more impatient than usual, but otherwise you're holding up well. You are carrying a silver locket, a pygmy statuette, a sordid elf of Great-Aunt Ickwiddy, an emerald the size of a plover's egg, a ring of keys, a purse, a coin, a programme, a handkerchief, a loose flyer, an index card, a postcard, a small sign, an old bucket, a manuscript, some newspaper clippings, some leaves and twigs, a tin pot and a letter opener.
action: You look at the portrait
response: It's a portrait of a woman, done in miniature. She holds a shallow brass basin.
action: You read the inscription
response: The inscription on the locket reads: "'Beauty is truth, truth beauty,' -- that is all / Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know."
action: Sing inscription
response: Hmm. You can't seem to see the markings right now. Better check the artifact more closely.
action: You examine pygmy
response: A menacing, almost cartoon-like statuette of a pygmy spirit with a snake around its neck.
action: Go outside
response: What eccentric professor's house would be complete without a secret passageway? This particular one is just a tiny space between the walls, but it will do. Sunlight spills around the corner from the east, but does not reach the dark alcove to the south.
action: Go east
response: This is a grassy stretch just east of the vine-covered house. A clearing lies south, a garden path leads southwest, and another path leads northwest, behind the house.

A birdbath stands in the middle of the yard.

The narrow door, partially hidden by a rose trellis, lies open to the west.

The grizzled character arrives from the southwest.
action: Sing
response: Waving the steering wheel over his head, the grizzled character sings:

The lyrics are slurred and incomprehensible.

Mr. Sterling arrives from the southwest.
action: You examine the birdbath
response: The birdbath is a statue of a woman holding a shallow brass basin.

In the brass basin is some bathwater.

Waving the steering wheel over his head, the grizzled character sings:

"Johnny O'Connor bought an automobile!
He took his sweetheart for a ride one Sunday.
Johnny was togged up in his best Sunday clothes.
She nestled close to his side."

Mr. Sterling, his eyes fixed on the steering wheel, prepares to leap again.
action: You get the steering wheel
response: It's no good -- the jittery horse won't let you get close enough to try to grab the wheel.

Waving the steering wheel over his head, the grizzled character sings:

"Things went just dandy till he got down the road,
Then something happened to the old machinery.
That engine got his goat... off went his hat and coat...
Ev'rything needed repairs!"

Mr. Sterling examines the horse.

Mr. Sterling looks around in frustration, and approaches the horse stealthily.

The horse sniffs Mr. Sterling's empty hand, then snorts dismissively.
action: You sing to the horse
response: Waving the steering wheel over his head, the grizzled character sings:

"He'd have to get under, get out and get under,
To fix his little machine!"

Mr. Sterling grabs for the wheel, but the grizzled horseman spurs on his horse.

The grizzled character goes south.
action: Go south
response: Thick woods surround this small forest clearing. Down the path leading west, you can glimpse part of the main house. A yard is to the north. To the south, a gap in the bushes leads into a thicket.

The cottage door lies open to the east.

Waving the steering wheel over his head, the grizzled character sings:

"He was just dying to cuddle his queen --
But every minute... when he'd begin it...
He'd have to get under, get out and get under.
Then he'd get back at the wheel."

Mr. Sterling arrives from the north.
action: You go northwest
response: You are standing behind the house, in the shade of a lovely tree. A path leads southeast past the back porch, back towards the side yard.

On the back porch is a rubbish bin (which is empty).
action: You climb the tree
response: Larking about in the treetops like a schoolgirl would hardly justify the professor's faith in you.
action: You get it
response: It's securely fastened to the porch railing.
action: You enter it
response: (getting onto the back porch)

You climb in, close the lid, and hunker down.
action: Wait
response: Time passes.
Time passes.
Time passes.
Time passes.
Time passes.
action: You open bin
response: You open the rubbish bin.
action: You look out
response: (yourself)
You find nothing of interest.
action: Close bin
response: You close the rubbish bin.
action: Go outside
response: You open the rubbish bin.
You get out of the rubbish bin.

Back Yard (on the back porch)
You are standing behind the house, in the shade of a lovely tree. A path leads southeast past the back porch, back towards the side yard.

A rubbish bin is chained to the porch railing.
action: Go east
response: You'll have to get off the back porch first.
action: You get off
response: You get off the back porch.

You are standing behind the house, in the shade of a lovely tree. A path leads southeast past the back porch, back towards the side yard.

On the back porch is a rubbish bin (which is empty).
action: You examine porch
response: Some of the wooden slats are dilapidated. One seems uneven.
action: You examine the slats
response: An small, uneven slat appears to be a little loose.
action: You turn the slat
response: You are unable to.
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying:
a silver locket (which is open)
a portrait (in the locket)
an inscription (in the locket)
a basin detail (in the portrait)
a pygmy statuette
a sordid elf of Great-Aunt Ickwiddy
an emerald the size of a plover's egg
a ring of keys
a purse (which is open but empty)
a coin
a programme
a handkerchief
a loose flyer
an index card
a postcard
a small sign
an old bucket
a manuscript
some newspaper clippings
some leaves and twigs
a tin pot
a letter opener
some tight coils of rope
some gags
action: You look at the basin detail
response: You can't make out much detail. The locket itself is small, and the basin in the portrait is smaller still. With your unaided eye, you can make out only some sort of redish shape in the basin. Possibly a fish.
action: You jump
response: You jump on the spot, fruitlessly.
action: You look at the nail
response: You can't see any such thing.

You can't see any such thing.
action: You pry the slat with the crowbar
response: Some of the wooden slats are dilapidated. One seems uneven.

You can't see any such thing.
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying:
a silver locket (which is open)
a portrait (in the locket)
an inscription (in the locket)
a basin detail (in the portrait)
a pygmy statuette
a sordid elf of Great-Aunt Ickwiddy
an emerald the size of a plover's egg
a ring of keys
a purse (which is open but empty)
a coin
a programme
a handkerchief
a loose flyer
an index card
a postcard
a small sign
an old bucket
a manuscript
some newspaper clippings
some leaves and twigs
a tin pot
a letter opener
some tight coils of rope
some gags
action: Examine postcard
response: The postcard the mailman dropped off in your box seems to be another ominous legal statement from the Edison Electric Power & Light Co.
action: You go to the southeast
response: This is a grassy stretch just east of the vine-covered house. A clearing lies south, a garden path leads southwest, and another path leads northwest, behind the house.

A birdbath stands in the middle of the yard.

The narrow door, partially hidden by a rose trellis, lies open to the west.
action: You go southeast
response: The woods are too thick for you to make much headway in that direction.
action: You go to the south
response: Thick woods surround this small forest clearing. Down the path leading west, you can glimpse part of the main house. A yard is to the north. To the south, a gap in the bushes leads into a thicket.

The cottage door lies open to the east.
action: Pump
response: (the pump)
You pump vigorously a few times. Water gushes from the spout.

The water trickles away and disappears.
action: You go to the north
response: The Parlor has been converted into a cozy-looking studio, with a nice little wood stove. The only exit is back south.

You can see a small white trunk and a stove here.
action: You fill bucket
response: This is a small alcove. A small salon is north, and the exit is back west.

You can see a pump here.
You pump vigorously a few times. Water gushes from the spout.
You fill the old bucket.
action: You fill the pot
response: But there's already some water in the old bucket.
action: You go south
response: This wooded rise overlooks the front yard of Sneedlewood's estate, which is visible to the north. A faint path leads southwest.

You can hear mechanical sounds coming from the southwest.
action: Go southwest
response: It's a low ravine cut into the hillside, over the top of which to the northeast is the professor's residence. The main road is west.

The Dynamo is here, parked under an apple tree. In the back seat is Prof. Sneedlewood.

You can also see Mr. Pratt here.

"Oh, there you are, Miss Sweet," says Mr. Pratt. "Sorry I had to rush off like that, but I'm lucky I did. It turns out it wasn't Salomonder stealing the car after all -- it was MacDougal, who's not exactly a disciple of technological progress, trying to sabotage it. Now he's riding around with my steering wheel. The crazy drunken bastar-- uh, that is... bastion of the agrarian way of life."
action: You get the apple
response: The nearest apple is just out of your reach.

Mr. Pratt twists a crick out of his neck. "I can't quite put my finger on it, but something sounds funny about the motors. I think MacDougal may have tried to damage them, too. We can't go anywhere without the wheel, so I figured I might as well see what I can do here."
action: You stand on the car
response: Mr. Pratt leaves his work for long enough to help you. You step up on the running board. The limb of an apple tree is just over your head.

Mr. Pratt turns a knob to the right.
action: You get the apple
response: You take reach for an apple on the nearest limb. Taken.

Mr. Pratt listens to the left motor.
action: You eat it
response: You eat the apple. It's not quite ripe.

Mr. Pratt listens to the right motor.
action: You get the apple
response: You take reach for an apple on the nearest limb. Taken.

Mr. Pratt shakes his head at the motors.
action: You give the apple to Pratt
response: (Mr. Pratt)
He looks up, startled. "I'm flattered that you're thinking of me, Miss Sweet. I'm not one to rush things. Though I must admit..." His voice trails off, and he looks at you silently for a moment.

After a brief pause, he tugs at his collar, and looks away.

Mr. Pratt shuts off the motors.
action: Kiss pratt
response: (Mr. Pratt)
Keep your mind on the game.

Mr. Pratt crawls under the automobile.
action: You give the apple tothe prof .
response: The professor only glances at the apple. "Er... yes. An excellent example of an apple, wouldn't you say?"

Mr. Pratt adjusts something underneath the automobile.
action: Examine prof.
response: A thick-set man, on the far side of sixty, but still vital and healthy. His eyes are dark and intense, but they frequently sparkle with kindness -- or at least hope. A bit eccentric, perhaps, but no more so than Maestro Fibonacci. He is carrying a copybook.

Mr. Pratt turns the motors back on.
action: You ask the prof about the symbols
response: You hear yourself saying: "The hour approaches."

"Quite, quite," says the professor, ever agreeable, if occasionally inattentive.

Mr. Pratt turns a knob to the left.
action: You go to the east
response: With a horrendous screeching sound, the car lurches forward a little bit.

"Parking brake!" Aloysius shouts. "Release the parking brake!"

Miss Sweet averts her eyes.

Mr. Pratt listens to the left motor.
action: You set the brake
response: The parking brake is already set.

Mr. Pratt listens to the right motor.
action: You go outside
response: You slip out from behind the wheel. So to speak.

Mr. Pratt shakes his head at the motors.
action: Go east
response: That way isn't passable. The main road is to the west, and a hill leads northeast towards the professor's residence.

Mr. Pratt shuts off the motors.
action: You release the parking brake
response: You release the parking brake.

Mr. Pratt crawls under the automobile.
action: You go to the north
response: That way isn't passable. The main road is to the west, and a hill leads northeast towards the professor's residence.

Mr. Pratt adjusts something underneath the automobile.
action: You go north
response: This rural setting is certainly peaceful, but this far from the big city crowds, you can't help feeling a little isolated at the same time. A garden path leads east. A wooded hill rises to the south. The professor's front door is to the north.

You can see Mr. Sterling here.

Mr. Sterling gets up and brushes himself off. He bows politely but quickly.

Mr. Sterling goes east.
action: Go east
response: This garden path leads from the front of the house to the west, towards the guest cottage to the east. It also forks northeast into a side yard.

You can see Mr. Sterling here.

Waving the steering wheel over his head, the grizzled character sings:

The lyrics are slurred and incomprehensible.

Mr. Sterling, his eyes fixed on the steering wheel, prepares to leap again.
action: You give the apple to the horse
response: The horse sniffs at your apple, and settles down enough to nibble at it.

"Come on, there!" says the grizzled horseman, annoyed with you. Mr. Sterling takes advantage of the distraction, and leaps for the steering wheel.

Mr. Sterling does a shoulder roll and lands on his feet, holding the steering wheel aloft, like a wedding bouquet in the hand of a victorious bridesmaid.

Mr. Sterling goes west.

The drunken horseman takes a long draught from his bottle and rides off into the woods, cursing with surprisingly good diction.

Now you need to see what you can do to help Mr. Pratt; track down Mr. Sterling; and you will be ready to go!
action: Go southwest
response: That's the way you came in Mr. Sterling's car. It's much too far to walk back to town on foot.
action: You go southwest
response: It's a low ravine cut into the hillside, over the top of which to the northeast is the professor's residence. The main road is west.

The Dynamo is here, parked under an apple tree. In the back seat is Prof. Sneedlewood.

You can also see Mr. Sterling and Mr. Pratt here.

Mr. Pratt turns the motors back on.
action: Hi
response: You hear yourself saying: "The stars fill the sky with the shining purity of destruction."

"My dear girl -- you should save your voice," chides the professor, with gentle sadness. "You may need it later."

Mr. Pratt shakes his head with a little sigh. "Maybe you shouldn't try to talk to much, Miss Sweet," he says, very gently. "Not until the professor has figured this whole thing out, anyway."

Mr. Sterling tugs at his scarf, and tries to smile for your benefit.

Mr. Pratt turns a knob to the left.
action: You enter the car
response: Mr. Pratt leaves his work for long enough to help you. You step up on the running board. The limb of an apple tree is just over your head.

Mr. Pratt listens to the left motor.
action: You enter car
response: But you're already in the Pratt Dynamo.

Mr. Pratt listens to the right motor.
action: You listen to the motor
response: Mr. Pratt brightens. "Miss Sweet," he says, fidgeting somewhat. "Could I trouble you to tell me when both motors sound exactly the same?" [press any key]
With your help, Mr. Pratt finishes tuning the motors in no time.

"Gosh, thanks, Miss Sweet!" he says, eyes somewhat downcast. "I've never met someone who... someone like you before."

The professor, frustrated, scratches something out of his copybook. "No, no! That's all wrong. "Until I figure out what Salomonder's trying to do, Miss Sweet, the farther we stay away from him, the better."

He continues working in silence for a moment.

Mr. Pratt bangs away at something underneath the Dynamo. "Aha!" he says. "What have we here? The frame is bent against the axle."

He leans out from under the vehicle. "Mr. Sterling, as long as we're still waiting for the professor, could I send you on a very important, noble, and heroic quest? I need is some kind of a long pole. Maybe the professor has a mop or something. I just need a little leverage here."

Mr. Sterling's face brightens. "Huzzah!" he shouts.

Mr. Sterling exits to the northeast.

Mr. Pratt notices your water. "That should do nicely," he says. He takes the old bucket and fills the radiator.

The engines are humming in perfect unision now.

Mr. Pratt smiles proudly. As he starts collecting his tools, he starts humming something to himself, very quietly.
action: You listen to the left motor
response: How delightful -- of all the music that Mr. Pratt could hum to himself, he has chosen "Les oiseaux dans la charmille," the very aria that launched your professional career!

Mr. Pratt smiles shyly. "I thought maybe you'd recognise that song," he says.

Mr. Pratt continues to tinker. "I'm sorry I can't do that song justice. I suppose my voice isn't as bad as the gentleman you saw on the horse earlier. That's MacDougal. We've kind of had a running feud with him and some of the fellows at the livery stable. They don't realise that we can't turn the clock back -- this is the Twentieth Century, for cryin' out loud."
action: Sing
response: You've warmed up about as high as you can go.

"It's a good thing for us that he just wanted to wreck it, rather than steal it. Still, I wish he hadn't chosen today, of all days, to escalate his little anti-automobile crusade."

He looks up, to see whether you are still listening.
action: You listen to Pratt
response: (Mr. Pratt)
Mr. Pratt smiles.

Mr. Pratt rests his arms on the frame of the Dynamo. "I imagine it's very difficult for you, losing your voice and all," he says haltingly. He looks down at his hands. "When we were all down in the cellar, and I was tied up, I felt so utterly helpless."

He splays his fingers, and flexes them in front of his face. He slowly makes his fingers curl up, shriveling them towards his palms. For a moment, he stands there, his thoughtful face framed by his twisted hands. He looks up at you.

"Say... why don't you whistle? I'll sing for you. I know the words."
action: Whistle
response: You whistle the tune, while Mr. Pratt sings in an untrained but pleasant voice:

"Les oiseaux dans la charmille
Dans les cieux l'astre du jour,
Tout parle ? la jeune fille d'amour!
Ah! Voil? la chanson gentille
La chanson d'Olympia! Ah!

"The birds in the garden,
The star of day up above,
They speak to a young girl of love!
Ah! This is the song so charming,
The song of Olympia! Ah!"

Mr. Pratt smiles.
action: Kiss pratt
response: (Mr. Pratt)
Keep your mind on the game.

"I want to show you something, Miss Sweet," says Mr. Pratt, walking around to the side of the Dynamo and opening up a panel. "This is the control console for the steam-powered calliope I designed for Mr. Sterling. It's connected to the horn. Right now it's set to play a set of pre-recorded paper rolls, but look -- it's also got a keyboard."

Mr. Pratt makes a few adjustments. "Let's go for the second verse. Go ahead and play it!"
action: Kiss mr pratt
response: Keep your mind on the game.

Mr. Pratt looks a little concerned. "Just play the keyboard, Miss Sweet," he says. "If you want to, that is."
action: You play the keyboard
response: "Just a minute, Miss Sweet," says Mr. Pratt, making a final adjustment. "Okay, go ahead."

When you push a key, the calliope produces an enchanting tone. Mr. Pratt seems to have adjusted his device to blend the sounds of an angelic choir and the vivid warbles of birdsong, resting upon the surpisingly musical throb of the Dynamo's motors.

If Maestro Fibonacci could hear you play now, he would surely be surprised!

Mr. Pratt sings again, this time with more confidence:

"Tout ce qui chante et r?sonne
Et soupire, tour ? tour,
Emeut son coeur qui frissonne d'amour!
Ah! Voil? la chanson mignonne
La chanson d'Olympia! Ah!

"Everything that sings and sounds
And sighs, in its turn,
Moves her heart, which trembles with love!
Ah! This is the darling song,
The song of Olympia! Ah!"

Mr. Sterling arrives, carrying a rake. "Huzzah!"
Mr. Pratt smiles into your face blankly...

Mr. Sterling waves the rake at Mr. Pratt. "Huz-ZAH?"

Mr. Pratt snaps out of it, and notices the rake. "That'll do nicely," he says, taking it.

The professor rubs his eyes wearily. Suddenly his face lights up. "Of course! Why couldn't I see it before? The notes are only part of the solution. The high priestess sang while presiding over a ritual that involved the preparation of a ceremonial drink... I recently prepared a test batch of that drink. Perfectly harmless stuff, or so it seemed. I left some of it at the Museum."

In the far distance, you hear a train whistle. "That would be the Douglas Special," says Mr. Pratt, "ready to leave town, and headed back this way."

"Salomonder is sure to be on that train," says the professor.

Your little party is ready for the final showdown.

The motors roar thrillingly...

(To Be Continued...)
You have won

In that game you scored 38 out of a possible 42, in 827 turns.

Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, UNDO your last move, give the FULL score for that game, see some suggestions for AMUSING things to do or QUIT?