Grooverland
by Chandler Groover (2021)
Genres: Fantasy

Magic comes with a price. But on your birthday, all your expenses are paid. Welcome to Grooverland.

action: %
response: "It's coming for the queen! Everybody run!"

Your loyal subjects flee as the dragon circles around for one final attack. It settles directly in front of you.

A frightened crowd of bizarre creatures and monsters surrounds you at a safe distance.

Before you looms a terrible red dragon, invincible, tall, proud, and ready to strike the killing blow.
action: You talk to the dragon
response: "Have at thee, villain!" you cry, waving your sword.

The dragon pushes closer, biting at the air by your head.
action: You kill the dragon
response: The mighty sword whistles through the air as you swing at the dragon. With a loud "snick" you slice through his head.

Out pour buckets and buckets of...

...candy!

The costumed crowd cheers and scrambles towards you to pick through the remains of the dragon, while a voice over the loudspeaker proclaims:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to..."

The theme park of the century! by Mathbrush

Your family gathers around you while an attendant takes the sword.

"That was awesome!" shouts David.

"Pretty cool," says Alice.

"Thanks for choosing this as your wish, kid," says your Dad.

"Alright, let's go! Lily has the run of the park for the day, so the rest of you go ahead. Happy birthday, Lily," your Mom says to you and kisses your head. Then they all run off to the east.
action: You take the candy
response: The crowd already took all the candy in their mad scramble for sweets.
action: About you
response: You are Lily Lee, and this is your eleventh birthday! You are Queen of Grooverland for a day.
action: You check your inventory
response: You are a young queen without possessions.
action: You look
response: The crowd has gone, leaving you free to enter the park to the
east.

The shell of the red papier-mâché dragon is all that remains here. So strange, how lifelike it was!
action: You go east
response: You walk towards the entrance of Grooverland and are impressed by its extravagance and size.

Grooverland is surrounded by a plastic castle wall pierced by two tall gates to the east, one red and one white. Streams of people
flow in and out of them and you can hear screams and laughter from inside.

A gate guard in a paisley vest sitting in a Welcome Booth waves you over. "Welcome, Your Majesty! Let me know if you have any questions. Otherwise, go out there and have fun!" he says, handing you a flier.

A smiling woman (accompanied by dog) is standing near the booth and holding a sign that says "Lily". That's your name!
action: You read the flier
response: As our royal guest of honor, you are cordially invited to your own private coronation tonight at sundown!

To enter the castle, you must find a full set of regalia. This includes:

a ring,
a Sugar Plum Crown,
a royal scepter,
a mantle,
and a sun orb.
Each can be found in a different attraction.

The park is laid out from west to east. Shops are available off the Melancholy Mall. Animals both gentle and dangerous can be found
off the Prowling Promenade. Exciting rides are found off of the Mechanical Marvels. Halloween-themed spooky attractions are
available year-round in the Spooky Sideshow! And our performers
and the Queen's Castle itself are available in the Bitter End.

The Mirrored Queen and the Scarlet Empress welcome you to Grooverland!
action: You ask the guard about the gates
response: "We're not a medieval castle. The gates are open all day!" he says.
action: You ask the guard about mirrored Queen
response: He says, "Well, there's two people in charge of this park: her, and the Scarlet Empress. And let me tell you, if you have to meet one of them, you'd better hope it's the queen!"
action: You ask the guard about scarlet Empress
response: The gate guard looks at you seriously. "Lily, if you're involved with the Scarlet Empress, then you're in for a world of hurt."
action: You ask guard about Mall
response: You can only ASK someone about an important thing or person you've seen. For instance, you could ASK the gate guard ABOUT David, the royal scepter, or Dad.
action: You ask the guard about the mantle
response: "It's a traditional garment worn by royals in Europe," he says. "This one is your size."
action: You ask the guard about the orb
response: He says, "It was traditional for kings of old in some cultures to hold an orb that siginified the earth being in the rulers' hands. But this orb represents the sun."
action: You examine the dog
response: dog is a mixed breed dog, somewhere between a spaniel and a terrier, with a collar and a name tag that says "Toby".
action: You look at the woman
response: This is a professional-looking woman holding a sign with your name on it and standing next to a dog.
action: You talk to the woman
response: "Are you Lily?" the woman asks, crouching down. You nod.

"Hi, Lily! I'm from the 'Kids Paws the Game' Foundation. We've donated our own gift for the big day." She pulls out a whistle on a chain and hands it to you.

"If you ever get lost, just blow this whistle and Toby here will come find you," she says, ruffling the hair of the dog next to you. "We'll let you get on with the big day. Hope you have fun!"

She gives you a wink, and then she vanishes, leaving Toby behind. You blink, but nobody else seems to have noticed her disappearance. Toby licks your hand reassuringly. You place the whistle around your neck.
action: You look at Toby
response: Toby is a mixed breed dog, somewhere between a spaniel and a terrier, with a collar and a name tag that says "Toby".
action: Pet toby
response: Toby smiles and barks, as if to say, "I am indeed a good boy!"
action: Smell toby
response: Everything in this park has a smell like peppermint mixed with copper.
action: You ask toby about Queen
response: (the Mirrored Queen)
Toby doesn't understand you, but he puts a paw on your hand and stares into your eyes, letting you know that he'll wait for you here until you blow the whistle.
action: You ask the guard about Dad
response: "Your father seems like a swell fellow, really knows his way around a map. He was hanging around Mechanical Marvels or thereabout, if I remember," says the guard.
action: You ask the guard about white gate
response: You can only ASK someone about an important thing or person you've seen. For instance, you could ASK the gate guard ABOUT Grooverland, the Scarlet Empress, or the ring.
action: You go east
response: As you enter the gates, the full beauty of Grooverland is exposed to your view. You smell a bizarre mixture of sweets and metal, you hear screams from unseen rides, and, far off to the east, you see the distant castle. That's where your coronation ceremony will be tonight, if you can find everything you need, of course!

[You can check the flier in your inventory to see the requirements for entering the Queen's Castle.]

You are standing in the main thoroughfare for Grooverland. Park-goers wearing masks and carrying cricket bats pass all around you, and you see quite a few children holding jelly-covered ice cream cones.

A sign to the north says "Sugar Plum Snack Bar".

A sign to the south is labeled "Painful Purchases Gift Shop". Underneath the name is a tagline: "All Magic Has a Price".

east to the Prowling Promenade.
action: Go north
response: This snack shop is one of the highest-rated attractions at the park, according to your sister.

A harried-looking snack attendant stands at the register dispensing drinks out to ticket-holders.

A mighty confectionery castle cake rises here, wider than a wedding cake. Each piece is made of a different substance in various layers. The uppermost layer of the cake is the Devil's Food Tower, made of dark, dense chocolate cake. A little sign nearby says "For Lily".
action: You look at the cake
response: An enormous cake made of decadent foods. Currently you can see the Devil's Food Tower, made of dark, dense chocolate cake.
action: You examine the attendant
response: Imagine Betty White in her 50's dressed as a carnival showman, while also being very drunk. This woman is the complete opposite of that.
action: You ask the attendant about the cake
response: "Oh, that cake's all for you. There's a prize if you eat it, sugar," says the attendant.
action: You eat the cake
response: You gorge yourself on the Devil's Food Tower, squishing your fingers through and through the spongy mass. Underneath, you see a library made of marshmallow.
action: You eat the library
response: Your mouth is too dry to eat more.
action: You ask the attendant for the drink
response: (the snack attendant first taking the drinks)
You can TALK TO the snack attendant or ASK the snack attendant ABOUT something you've seen.
action: You talk to the attendant
response: "First time?" she asks, peering down at you with a polite smile. "Drinks are free, but only if you have a ticket. You see any drink tickets, bring them to me and I'll trade them in for a drink. Okay, hun?" She peers closer at you. "Oh, you're Lily, right? The cake is yours, too. There's a prize if you can eat the whole thing!"

She then goes back to serving the other customers.
action: You go south
response: You are standing in the main thoroughfare for Grooverland. Park-goers wearing masks and carrying cricket bats pass all around you, and you see quite a few children holding jelly-covered ice cream cones.

A sign to the north says "Sugar Plum Snack Bar".

A sign to the south is labeled "Painful Purchases Gift Shop". Underneath the name is a tagline: "All Magic Has a Price".

east to the Prowling Promenade.
action: You go south
response: You are standing in Painful Purchases, the gift shop for Grooverland. Everything is decorated in burgundy and beige.

Here, there are rows and rows of pristine merchandise.

A book of poems is on display. A little dollhouse is here as well, filled with simulated rot and rust.

A shop clerk is waiting patiently for your mom to finish her purchases.

Your mom is here, browsing through the merchandise.
action: You look at the dollhouse
response: This house is filled with all sorts of little furniture. It has a label that says, "The house is insignificant, a worthless husk, too tiny to love. It is entirely too small. Please do not shake the house."

It's filled with little furniture.
action: You look at the furniture
response: The dollhouse is filled with little, immovable pieces of furniture. There are plastic doves' nests in little holes. Ridged vines coil over tiles painted with cracks. The rug is a sponge, pre-moistened to a swampy state. The abandoned chairs are crumpled into a pile. A little crooked painting of an elderly woman adorns the wall. There is a little wooden cabinet. There are bookcases with plastic moss and little black wax candles like fingers, black logs in the fireplace with an oversized mantel.
action: You examine the elderly woman
response: I wonder who she is.
action: You examine the cabinet
response: Hmm, this cabinet looks shinier than the rest of the furniture.
action: You open it
response: You open the little cabinet, revealing a winding key.
action: You take the winding key
response: You grab the winding key.
action: You examine the poems
response: You flip through the book.

"They say it is a haunted place.
In ages past a priest lived there
and when his prayers were not
answered he starved himself.
His body transformed into rats
and they destroyed the sacred
books and holy scrolls..."

It goes on like this for some time.
action: You examine mom
response: Mom is wearing her sandals and capri pants. She has her pencil out and is jotting down everything she sees into a present list. She clicks and mutters every time she spots something new.
action: You examine clerk
response: The clerk is short and thin, and he has extremely long golden hair.
action: You ask the clerk about the dollhouse
response: He laughs. "I'm not, like, into dolls, man. I don't know."
action: You examine the dollhouse
response: This house is filled with all sorts of little furniture. It has a label that says, "The house is insignificant, a worthless husk, too tiny to love. It is entirely too small. Please do not shake the house."

It's filled with little furniture, including an open cabinet.
action: You examine the bookcases
response: The moss on the bookcases must have taken forever to make.
action: You examine the rug
response: Gross.
action: You examine the candles
response: They are honestly pretty disgusting.
action: You look at the logs
response: Why is there so much detail in this dollhouse?
action: You examine the bats
response: They're marked with some kind of weird alphabet or sigils. It looks burned into the wood; in fact, some of the bats are still smoking.
action: You asthe park-goers about the bats
response: You can only ASK someone about an important thing or person you've seen. For instance, you could ASK the mall crowd ABOUT the Painful Purchases Gift Shop, the book of poems, or the dollhouse.
action: You go east
response: The crowd is more or less divided here, with younger kids and families headed west to the Melancholy Mall and more adventurous teens
and adults headed east to Mechanical Marvels.

A sign to the north proclaims "Cragne Meatpacking Presents:
Petting Zoo". Some graffiti applied to the sign proclaims, "TOBY KNOWS."

A sign to the south says "The Queen's Menagerie". You've heard
this is where more dangerous animals are displayed.

There are three food sellers here: a sausage seller, a ceviche chef, and a jelly man, each with their own menu and cart. But something about the food they're selling seems weird.
action: Examine seller
response: A heavy-set man with thick stubble and a layer of grease all over him.

He's standing in front of the sausage menu.
action: You examine the sausage menu
response: "Try our delightfully bloody food!

B/S/R FOOD

4/2/1 TAGHAIRM DELUXE
3/2/2 BARON'S BREAKFAST
4/1/2 HUNTED UNICORN"

> XYZZY

You are in a debris room filled with stuff washed in from the surface. A low wide passage with cobbles becomes plugged with mud and debris here, but an awkward canyon leads upward and west. At least, it used to. Now it's blocked by an iron portcullis"

A note on the wall says, "Magic word XYZZY."

You can see a blasting rod here.
action: You take the rod
response: You grab the blasting rod.
action: Go west
response: (first opening the iron portcullis)
(first unlocking the iron portcullis)
You lack a key that fits the iron portcullis.
action: Xyzzy
response: Grooverland is surrounded by a plastic castle wall pierced by two tall gates to the east, one red and one white. Streams of people
flow in and out of them and you can hear screams and laughter from inside.

David is contemplating the various attractions and people in the park with wide eyes. He's holding his favorite plush chimera.

In between the two gates is a Welcome Booth with a kindly-looking gate guard standing inside.

Toby waits patiently here for the next time you'll need him.
action: You ask the guard about the rod
response: Oh no! When you say the words "blasting rod", it explodes!
action: You go to the east
response: You are standing in the main thoroughfare for Grooverland. Park-goers wearing masks and carrying cricket bats pass all around you, and you see quite a few children holding jelly-covered ice cream cones.

A sign to the north says "Sugar Plum Snack Bar".

A sign to the south is labeled "Painful Purchases Gift Shop". Underneath the name is a tagline: "All Magic Has a Price".

east to the Prowling Promenade.

Spike the park inspector comes up to you and grabs the blasting rod. "Not safe for children!" he yells over his shoulder.

Now your blasting rod is gone forever. Which is good, because it was just a silly toy implemented in an out-of-game action and doesn't accomplish anything.
action: You examine chef
response: A thin and almost rubbery-looking woman with bulging eyes.

She's standing in front of the ceviche menu.
action: You examine the ceviche menu
response: "No one is more raw than us!

B/S/R FOOD

1/2/4 BRINY BYTE
2/2/3 CRAGNE CRAWFISH
2/1/4 PICKLED PRIORESS"
action: You look at the jelly menu
response: "The sloppiest scraps you'll ever find!

B/S/R FOOD

2/4/1 JELLIED EELS
1/4/2 MOLTEN MONOLITH
2/3/2 PORCINE PUREE"
action: Go north
response: "Queen coming through!" shouts someone in the crowd, and the petting zoo slowly clears out. Personal time with the animals is one of your perks for the day.

This homey-looking area surrounded by a gleaming chrome fence has several soft animals (and, in one case, squishy) for you to pet or feed. A gleaming chrome food table provides snacks for the animals: a lettuce tray, a crate of mushrooms, and a plate of bratwursts.

A placid and professional zookeeper stands watch over the animals.

A racing slug is oozing around here.

A truffle pig is sniffing around the petting zoo.

A tailypo is stalking back and forth.
action: Pet slug
response: It's very squishy, but you do it. The slug looks happy.
action: You examine the pig
response: Well, it's called a truffle pig, but it looks like a regular pig.
action: Pet pig
response: It oinks merrily at your touch.
action: You examine the tailypo
response: Black shape. Whiskers. Big eyes. Sharp claws. Long tail.
action: You ask the zookeeper about the tailypo
response: "Now he's a weird little creature," says the zookeeper. "Looks so smart I swear he could talk, but I've never heard a peep out of him."
action: You talk to tailypo
response: The tailypo looks at you in utter confusion.
action: Pet tailypo
response: It bristles but allows you to pet it. It does look less grumpy.
action: You examine the lettuce
response: Which do you mean, the 1) lettuce tray or the 2) lettuce leaf?
action: Leaf
response: It is almost disgustingly healthy and vibrant.
action: You look at mushrooms
response: An open crate filled with mushroom caps.

In the crate of mushrooms is a mushroom cap.
action: You look at the bratwurst
response: Which do you mean, the 1) plate of bratwursts or the 2) limp bratwurst?
action: Limp
response: This bratwurst is dripping with grease.
action: You talk to the zookeeper
response: "This part of the park is mostly for the younger kids, but I think you might like it, too," says the zookeeper. It's not as frightening as the menagerie and its strange little keeper.

"We're also missing our monkey, so I'm sorry about that. He's a clever little scamp and likes to disappear from time to time."
action: You ask the zookeeper about the monkey
response: "I do wonder where our monkey has gone to," says the zookeeper worriedly. "He loves to pick fights."
action: You give the leaf to the slug
response: (first taking the lettuce leaf)
The slug devours the lettuce greedily. It squeaks and gurgles in a gelatinous joy.
action: You give the cap to the pig
response: (first taking the mushroom cap)
The pig leans forward to sniff the mushroom, enjoying its fungal scent. It takes a small bite, rolling it around on its tongue to enjoy the flavor, before delicately swallowing it. Then it chomps down on the rest, eating it in one gulp and almost taking off your hand.
action: You give the limp to tailypo
response: (first taking the limp bratwurst)
The tailypo devourse the bratwurst greedily, splashing bits of grease and skin all over itself before cleaning itself.
action: You describe your surroundings
response: This homey-looking area surrounded by a gleaming chrome fence has several soft animals (and, in one case, squishy) for you to pet or feed. A gleaming chrome food table provides snacks for the animals: a lettuce tray, a crate of mushrooms, and a plate of bratwursts.

A placid and professional zookeeper stands watch over the animals.

A racing slug is oozing around here.

A truffle pig is sniffing around the petting zoo.

A tailypo is stalking back and forth.
action: You examine the fence
response: This fence must be polished daily. It's so bright!
action: You ask the zookeeper about the fence
response: You can only ASK someone about an important thing or person you've seen. For instance, you could ASK the zookeeper ABOUT the Devil's Food Tower, the paisley vest, or the Scarlet Empress.
action: You ask the zookeeper about the ticket
response: You can only ASK someone about an important thing or person you've seen. For instance, you could ASK the zookeeper ABOUT the sun orb, the zookeeper, or the Hunted Unicorn.
action: You ask the zookeeper about the sausage seller
response: "I don't trust any of the food vendors. Animals should have simple food, not elaborate concoctions!" she says.
action: You examine the tray
response: A tray filled with fresh lettuce.

In the lettuce tray is a lettuce leaf.
action: Go south
response: The crowd is more or less divided here, with younger kids and families headed west to the Melancholy Mall and more adventurous teens
and adults headed east to Mechanical Marvels.

A sign to the north proclaims "Cragne Meatpacking Presents:
Petting Zoo". Some graffiti applied to the sign proclaims, "TOBY KNOWS."

A sign to the south says "The Queen's Menagerie". You've heard
this is where more dangerous animals are displayed.

There are three food sellers here: a sausage seller, a ceviche chef, and a jelly man, each with their own menu and cart. But something about the food they're selling seems weird.

David is contemplating the various attractions and people in the park with wide eyes. He's holding his favorite plush chimera.

David starts going to the east, but sees something that makes him turn around.
action: You talk to David
response: "Lily, this park is awesome!" says David. "Did you know there's a giant castle cake in the snack shop?"
action: You ask David about the chimera
response: "Chimeras are awesome! They can multiattack and fly!" says David.
action: You ask David about the tickets
response: You can only ASK someone about an important thing or person you've seen. For instance, you could ASK David ABOUT the castle cake, Alice, or the lettuce leaf.

David wanders off to the west.
action: Go south
response: This attraction is lively and loud. You are in a red brick plaza in the middle of all the dangerous animal exhibits of the menagerie.

To the west lies the Griffin Exhibit, to the east lies
the Skull Scraper Sanctuary, and to the south is the Lupine
Lair. You can also go up to the Abandoned Shrine and
down from here is the Rawhead's Refuge.

A large menu is posted on a sign here.

Escape is to the north.

A scabrous little man with a nametag reading Crust walks along the cages, banging the bars with an ornate scepter when the animals become too unruly.
action: You look at the scepter
response: This is a scepter, part of the Grooverland regalia.
action: You examine the Crust
response: He's a little man holding an ornate scepter. His nametag says Crust.
action: You talk to the Crust
response: "Step lightly, child. A misstep here would land somebody in a bad place. We serve the Scarlet Empress in this part of the park, not like that simple-minded zookeeper who serves the Mirrored Queen." He peers at you closely. "Ah, the special girl of the day! Well, we have a treat for you, don't we. If you want this," he says, tapping the royal scepter that he holds, "you'll have to beat me at my own game."

He grins and says, "These animals are hungry beasts, never full. I have my own menu, which you can see in the plaza of the menagerie. I'll give you five tokens for the food carts up in the Promenade. Order your five best foods, and I'll bring my five best, and we'll see which beasts prefer your food over mine. If more animals like your food than mine, I'll give you this piece of the regalia."

Then he hands you five tokens. "Go on then!"
action: You take the ticket
response: You peel off the ticket.
action: You look at the ticket
response: This is a white ticket that says "Good for one glass of milk at the Sugar Plum Snack Bar."
action: You go west
response: This exhibit looks has the appearance of dreadful wilds, with false crags and pools of water.

There is an informational sign here.

The rest of the menagerie is to the east.

A griffin stalks back and forth here, watching you keenly.

Crust arrives from the east.
action: You examine Griffin
response: This animal is not a pleasant one to look at. It has a large head with sharp teeth, powerful claws and a projecting tail.

How they got an animal to look like that, you can't imagine. Its wings are moving, even. Is it an ostrich in a costume? It must be.
action: You look at the Crust
response: He's a little man holding an ornate scepter. His nametag says Crust.

He is carrying the following menagerie food (with Blooodiness, Sloppiness, and Rawness)
(B 7, S 5, R 4) Goat Meat
(B 7, S 3, R 5) Lamb Meat
(B 5, S 3, R 4) Bantam
(B 3, S 3, R 5) Minnow
(B 3, S 3, R 5) Rat Meat
action: You look at the sign
response: It reads, "The griffin is a fiercely independent but intelligent creature who loves bloody food."
action: You go east
response: This attraction is lively and loud. You are in a red brick plaza in the middle of all the dangerous animal exhibits of the menagerie.

To the west lies the Griffin Exhibit, to the east lies
the Skull Scraper Sanctuary, and to the south is the Lupine
Lair. You can also go up to the Abandoned Shrine and
down from here is the Rawhead's Refuge.

A large menu is posted on a sign here.

Escape is to the north.

Crust arrives from the west.
action: You go to the east
response: This dark room is lined with many, many skulls. Plastic, you presume.

There is an informational sign here.

The rest of the menagerie is to the west.

A vicous sharp-toothed skull scraper hops around this exhibit.

Crust arrives from the west.
action: You examine the scraper
response: The skull scraper is small creature with extremely sharp teeth. You can only assume it must be a variant of rabbit, but it doesn't look like any rabbit you've seen. Instead of hopping, it scurries from place to place, occasionally gnawing on skulls.
action: You look at the sign
response: It reads, "The skull scraper is a fastidious creature that prefers raw food but detests sloppiness."
action: You go to the west
response: This attraction is lively and loud. You are in a red brick plaza in the middle of all the dangerous animal exhibits of the menagerie.

To the west lies the Griffin Exhibit, to the east lies
the Skull Scraper Sanctuary, and to the south is the Lupine
Lair. You can also go up to the Abandoned Shrine and
down from here is the Rawhead's Refuge.

A large menu is posted on a sign here.

Escape is to the north.

Crust arrives from the east.
action: You go to the south
response: This unusual exhibit looks like an alley between two suburban houses. A strange choice for a menagerie, but Grooverland is a strange place.

There is an informational sign here.

The rest of the menagerie is back to the north.

A wolf wearing a top hat prowls here, never looking away from you.

Crust arrives from the north.
action: You look at the wolf
response: A wolf that is, for some reason, wearing a top hat.
action: Pet wolf
response: You can't touch the wolf. He is too far away!
action: You examine sign
response: It reads, "This semi-sentient wolf is the only one of its kind known. It especially enjoys sloppy meals."
action: You go north
response: This attraction is lively and loud. You are in a red brick plaza in the middle of all the dangerous animal exhibits of the menagerie.

To the west lies the Griffin Exhibit, to the east lies
the Skull Scraper Sanctuary, and to the south is the Lupine
Lair. You can also go up to the Abandoned Shrine and
down from here is the Rawhead's Refuge.

A large menu is posted on a sign here.

Escape is to the north.

Crust arrives from the south.
action: Go upwards
response: This exhibit is made up to look like an abandoned shrine. There are so many places for something to hide.

There is an informational sign here.

The rest of the menagerie is down from here.

A shadowy shrine beast prowls from hiding place to hiding place.

Crust arrives from below.
action: You examine the beast
response: It's hard to see it, but it looks like a black panther, only...larger.
action: You examine sign
response: It reads, "The shrine beast is a legendary creature with sightings dating back to the Edo period in Japan. It prefers bloody, but not raw, food."
action: Go downward
response: This attraction is lively and loud. You are in a red brick plaza in the middle of all the dangerous animal exhibits of the menagerie.

To the west lies the Griffin Exhibit, to the east lies
the Skull Scraper Sanctuary, and to the south is the Lupine
Lair. You can also go up to the Abandoned Shrine and
down from here is the Rawhead's Refuge.

A large menu is posted on a sign here.

Escape is to the north.

Crust arrives from above.
action: Go downwards
response: This is a dark burrow with shadows everywhere. You'll have to be careful down here.

There is an informational sign here.

The rest of the menagerie is up from here.

The rawhead lurks in a corner here.

Crust arrives from above.
action: You look at Rawhead
response: The rawhead lurks in the corner. What seem to be glistening red sinews constitute its skin. Although it might just be a bald bear.
action: You examine the shadows
response: The perfect hiding place for a killer.
action: You examine the sign
response: It reads, "The rawhead is best not described in detail. It loves raw things."
action: You ask Crust about Rawhead
response: Crust says, "They have a skin condition, that one. Poor little thing. Wish I could do more for it."
action: You ask Crust about the top hat
response: You can only ASK someone about an important thing or person you've seen. For instance, you could ASK Crust ABOUT the Devil's Food Tower, the dollhouse, or Crust.
action: Go upwards
response: This attraction is lively and loud. You are in a red brick plaza in the middle of all the dangerous animal exhibits of the menagerie.

To the west lies the Griffin Exhibit, to the east lies
the Skull Scraper Sanctuary, and to the south is the Lupine
Lair. You can also go up to the Abandoned Shrine and
down from here is the Rawhead's Refuge.

A large menu is posted on a sign here.

Escape is to the north.

Crust arrives from below.
action: You examine the token
response: This token is good for one item from the Prowling Promenade food carts.
action: Go west
response: You are standing in the main thoroughfare for Grooverland. Park-goers wearing masks and carrying cricket bats pass all around you, and you see quite a few children holding jelly-covered ice cream cones.

A sign to the north says "Sugar Plum Snack Bar".

A sign to the south is labeled "Painful Purchases Gift Shop". Underneath the name is a tagline: "All Magic Has a Price".

east to the Prowling Promenade.

David is contemplating the various attractions and people in the park with wide eyes. He's holding his favorite plush chimera.
action: You go to the north
response: This snack shop is one of the highest-rated attractions at the park, according to your sister.

A harried-looking snack attendant stands at the register dispensing drinks out to ticket-holders.

A mighty confectionery castle cake rises here, wider than a wedding cake. Each piece is made of a different substance in various layers. The uppermost layer of the cake is the Marshmallow Library, which seems to consist entirely of marshmallow. A little sign nearby says "For Lily".
action: You give the ticket
response: "Thank you," says the attendant mechanically as she snatches your ticket and hands you a glass of milk.
action: You drink the milk
response: Nice and cold. That was very refreshing!
action: You eat Library
response: The library is sticky, so sticky it drapes over your fingers and hands. You have to snatch at it, gobble up pile after pile of marshmallow. Now you can reach the Cheesecake Guardhouse.
action: You examine Guardhouse
response: This, the center of the cake, is composed of every imaginable flavor of cheesecake.
action: You look east
response: Unfortunately, you missed school on the day they taught you to look in specific directions.
action: You go east
response: This part of the park is blocked off by a maintenance crew working on what looks like a clogged pipe. Some of the park goers try to go past, but the crew turn them back to the west.

A chief engineer is supervising the maintenance crew.

Your dad is here, looking at the maintenance crew with a concerned expression.
action: You examine the pipe
response: There is a large pipe sticking out of the ground at an angle in the middle of a dry fountain. It looks like there's some kind of fungus growing deep inside. It's big, but not big enough for a grownup to fit inside. It look like it's turned off.
action: You look at the fungus
response: There's definitely something growing in there. Looks like a red fungus you saw in biology class. They said it was edible, but you wouldn't eat it!
action: You talk to the engineer
response: "I'm sorry, miss, about your big day and all. Turns out we've had a problem with a clogged pipe. There's some kind of fungus growing in that blocked it up. We've turned off the water, but the pipe is too small for us to fit in to clear the blockage," says the chief engineer.
action: You talk to Dad
response: "I talked to the maintenance crew. They say they can't let anyone through unless they can clear out the fungus in the pipe," he says.
action: You go west
response: The crowd is more or less divided here, with younger kids and families headed west to the Melancholy Mall and more adventurous teens
and adults headed east to Mechanical Marvels.

A sign to the north proclaims "Cragne Meatpacking Presents:
Petting Zoo". Some graffiti applied to the sign proclaims, "TOBY KNOWS."

A sign to the south says "The Queen's Menagerie". You've heard
this is where more dangerous animals are displayed.

There are three food sellers here: a sausage seller, a ceviche chef, and a jelly man, each with their own menu and cart. But something about the food they're selling seems weird.

David is contemplating the various attractions and people in the park with wide eyes. He's holding his favorite plush chimera.
action: You go north
response: "Queen coming through!" shouts someone in the crowd, and the petting zoo slowly clears out.

This homey-looking area surrounded by a gleaming chrome fence has several soft animals (and, in one case, squishy) for you to pet or feed. A gleaming chrome food table provides snacks for the animals: a lettuce tray, a crate of mushrooms, and a plate of bratwursts.

A placid and professional zookeeper stands watch over the animals.

A racing slug is oozing around here.

A truffle pig is sniffing around the petting zoo.

A tailypo is stalking back and forth.
action: You ask the zookeeper about the pipe
response: "Sorry, Lily, but we have problems with fungus in the pipes this time of year," says the zookeeper.
action: You ask the zookeeper for the pig
response: (the zookeeper first taking the truffle pig)
You can TALK TO the zookeeper or ASK the zookeeper ABOUT something you've seen.
action: You take the pig
response: In this game, it will never be necessary to take other people, animatronics, or animals. [Footnote 1].
action: Footnote 1
response: If you want a game that involves taking people, try The Origin of Madame Time.
action: You take the cap
response: You grab the mushroom cap.

The pig grunts in interest, looking at the mushroom cap. It starts following you around.
action: You go to the south
response: The zookeeper says, "Be careful! These pets are gentle, but they'll follow you anywhere for that food. Make sure they get back safely!"

The crowd is more or less divided here, with younger kids and families headed west to the Melancholy Mall and more adventurous teens
and adults headed east to Mechanical Marvels.

A sign to the north proclaims "Cragne Meatpacking Presents:
Petting Zoo". Some graffiti applied to the sign proclaims, "TOBY KNOWS."

A sign to the south says "The Queen's Menagerie". You've heard
this is where more dangerous animals are displayed.

There are three food sellers here: a sausage seller, a ceviche chef, and a jelly man, each with their own menu and cart. But something about the food they're selling seems weird.

The sausage seller looks amused by the truffle pig following you.
action: You go east
response: This part of the park is blocked off by a maintenance crew working on what looks like a clogged pipe. Some of the park goers try to go past, but the crew turn them back to the west.

A chief engineer is supervising the maintenance crew.

Your dad is here, looking at the maintenance crew with a concerned expression.

The chief engineer looks at the truffle pig and says, "Lovely litter critter, isn't it?"
action: You examine the pig
response: Well, it's called a truffle pig, but it looks like a regular pig.
action: You put the cap in the pipe
response: The pig watches as you toss the mushroom cap into the clogged pipe. At first, it looks shocked, but as it gets closer to the pipe, it sniffs, intrigued.

It climbs into the fungus-filled pipe while the maintenance crew stare in surprise. After a minute or two of munching noises, the pig emerges from a now-empty pipe and trots away to the petting zoo.

The engineer says, "Let 'er rip, boys!" They turn the wheel, and water gushes out of the pipe, turning the fountain back on.

"Thanks, kid, you're one in a million," says the engineer as he and his crew pack up and go.

The rest of the park is now open!

"Well, Lily, I'm headed off to try out some rides. See you later!" says your dad before he walks away.
action: You look at your surroundings
response: The air here is split with sounds of screams and clanks from the nearby attractions. Some of the park-goers pass by quickly to more quiet areas to the west, while others run eagerly into the
attractions and to the Spooky Sideshow to the east.

Serpent Slide at the top in bright red paint.

words Midnight Laserfight inscribed on it in silver.
action: You look at the fountain
response: The fountain has now been repaired. Water flows freely from the fountain.

Your dad wanders back into view. He sees you and waves.
action: Drink water
response: You can't touch the free flowing water. That is too far away!
action: You look in the fountain
response: The fountain is empty.
action: Go north
response: This room contains a square pyramid-shaped ramp that leads to a giant opening shaped like the mouth of a huge, feathered serpent. Inside the opening is a bright red slide going down.

You can leave to the south.
action: You examine the Serpent
response: The slide is spongy and soft.
action: Go down
response: You ride down the slide until it comes to its first stop.

This large cylindrical room is constructed from mottled rubber webbing stretched between plastic ribs. The webbing pulses in and out to the hiss of hidden machinery.

The way the ribs pulse in and out is fascinating, although they seem misshapen.

You can try climbing back up or continue sliding down.
action: You examine the ribs
response: The ribs are spaced evenly around the room, supporting the webbing. One unusual rib sticks out to you.
action: You take the rib
response: The rib shifts under your weight. You push again and it comes off in your hand. This isn't a rib at all! It's a plastic beam that says "HYDRAULICS".
action: You examine the webbing
response: This rubbery webbing is stretched between the plastic bones. It is emblazoned with foreign script lightly carved into the rubber.
action: Go downwards
response: You ride down the slide again to the second stop.

You stand on the shore of a shallow lake lit underneath by some sort of yellow source. Mist is pumped over the water from the edges of the lake. To the north, beyond the lake, is a glowing room. You can
climb back up the slide, too.

A plastic skeleton lies partially in the lake.
action: You look at the skeleton
response: One of the skeleton's arms seems positioned like a lever.
action: You pull arm
response: bones and rubber body parts.
action: You examine the lake
response: The water looks nasty.
action: You go to the north
response: You can leave to the south. This is a large round room made of
orange plastic. In the center is a pedestal.

On the pedestal is a sun orb.

As you enter the Sunroom, though, a monkey crawls out from behind the pedestal and snatches the sun orb. It leaps around the room, keeping the orb away from you!
action: You look at the monkey
response: The monkey is lanky and hairy. He has some fresh scratches on him.
action: Pet monkey
response: You can't touch the monkey. He is too far away!
action: You talk to the monkey
response: The monkey shakes its fist at you and chatters angrily.
action: You examine orb
response: It is a clear orb wrapped in a plastic frame.
action: You examine the pedestal
response: This is a simple plastic pedestal fixed to the ground.
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying:
a plastic beam
five food tokens
a winding key
a safety whistle (being worn)
a flier
action: You go to the south
response: The monkey chatters and shakes its fist at you as you leave.

You stand on the shore of a shallow lake lit underneath by some sort of yellow source. Mist is pumped over the water from the edges of the lake. To the north, beyond the lake, is a glowing room. You can
climb back up the slide, too

A bridge of bones and body parts (plastic, of course) leads north.

A plastic skeleton lies partially in the lake.
action: Go upward
response: You carefully climb back up the slide.

This large cylindrical room is constructed from mottled rubber webbing stretched between plastic ribs. The webbing pulses in and out to the hiss of hidden machinery.

The way the ribs pulse in and out is fascinating.

You can try climbing back up or continue sliding down.
action: You go upward
response: You carefully climb back up the slide.

This room contains a square pyramid-shaped ramp that leads to a giant opening shaped like the mouth of a huge, feathered serpent. Inside the opening is a bright red slide going down.

You can leave to the south.
action: Go south
response: The air here is split with sounds of screams and clanks from the nearby attractions. Some of the park-goers pass by quickly to more quiet areas to the west, while others run eagerly into the
attractions and to the Spooky Sideshow to the east.

Serpent Slide at the top in bright red paint.

words Midnight Laserfight inscribed on it in silver.

Dad is standing around, relaxing and occasionally looking at his map.

Your brother David wanders over from the west.
action: Go north
response: "Queen coming through!" shouts someone in the crowd, and the petting zoo slowly clears out.

This homey-looking area surrounded by a gleaming chrome fence has several soft animals (and, in one case, squishy) for you to pet or feed. A gleaming chrome food table provides snacks for the animals: a lettuce tray, a crate of mushrooms, and a plate of bratwursts.

A truffle pig is sniffing around the petting zoo. It looks very full.

A placid and professional zookeeper stands watch over the animals.

A racing slug is oozing around here.

A tailypo is stalking back and forth.
action: You tell the zookeeper about the monkey
response: "So that's where the monkey went! Naughty little thing. Thanks for letting me know. He's done it before, and he always comes back after a day or two, so don't worry too much about it," says the zookeeper. "At least he'll stop fighting with the tailypo."
action: You take the limp
response: You grab the limp bratwurst.

The tailypo smells the bratwurst and scrabbles towards you, knocking the other animals out of the way. It seems the tailypo won't let any other creature get its bratwurst!
action: Go south
response: The zookeeper says, "Be careful! These pets are gentle, but they'll follow you anywhere for that food. Make sure they get back safely!"

The crowd is more or less divided here, with younger kids and families headed west to the Melancholy Mall and more adventurous teens
and adults headed east to Mechanical Marvels.

A sign to the north proclaims "Cragne Meatpacking Presents:
Petting Zoo". Some graffiti applied to the sign proclaims, "TOBY KNOWS."

A sign to the south says "The Queen's Menagerie". You've heard
this is where more dangerous animals are displayed.

There are three food sellers here: a sausage seller, a ceviche chef, and a jelly man, each with their own menu and cart. But something about the food they're selling seems weird.

David is contemplating the various attractions and people in the park with wide eyes. He's holding his favorite plush chimera.

The ceviche chef watches you and the tailypo silently.
action: You go east
response: The air here is split with sounds of screams and clanks from the nearby attractions. Some of the park-goers pass by quickly to more quiet areas to the west, while others run eagerly into the
attractions and to the Spooky Sideshow to the east.

Serpent Slide at the top in bright red paint.

words Midnight Laserfight inscribed on it in silver.

Dad is standing around, relaxing and occasionally looking at his map.

Dad is so absorbed in his map he doesn't even notice the tailypo behind you.

Your brother David wanders over from the west.
action: Go north
response: This room contains a square pyramid-shaped ramp that leads to a giant opening shaped like the mouth of a huge, feathered serpent. Inside the opening is a bright red slide going down.

You can leave to the south.

The tailypo follows you to the north.
action: Go downwards
response: You ride down the slide until it comes to its first stop. The tailypo slides down as well.

This large cylindrical room is constructed from mottled rubber webbing stretched between plastic ribs. The webbing pulses in and out to the hiss of hidden machinery.

The way the ribs pulse in and out is fascinating.

You can try climbing back up or continue sliding down.

The tailypo follows you downwards.
action: Go downwards
response: You ride down the slide again to the second stop. The tailypo slides down as well.

You stand on the shore of a shallow lake lit underneath by some sort of yellow source. Mist is pumped over the water from the edges of the lake. To the north, beyond the lake, is a glowing room. You can
climb back up the slide, too

A bridge of bones and body parts (plastic, of course) leads north.

A plastic skeleton lies partially in the lake.

The tailypo looks at the glowing room with excitement.
action: Go north
response: You can leave to the south. This is a large round room made of
orange plastic. In the center is a pedestal.

A mischievous monkey has the sun orb!

The tailypo follows you to the north.

When the tailypo sees the monkey, it hisses loudly and launches itself forward. The monkey shrieks in terror and drops the sun orb.

The two animals roll around, hissing and shrieking. Finally, the monkey pushes a catch in the floor and a trapdoor springs open.

Unfortunately, the trapdoor is right where you were standing. You, the tailypo, and the sun orb fall into the bowels of the serpent while the monkey screeches in triumph.

This doesn't feel normal. Everything is dark down here, and no one is around. Strange sounds echo down unseen halls.

The tailypo scampers away into the hallways, leaving you alone. The sun orb rolls to a stop on the ground.
action: You take the orb
response: As you take the sun orb, you feel dizzy. It feels like the whole park is spinning around you. From outside, you can hear harsh voices in the street. For a moment, you think you can hear your brother David calling out, but then everything is quiet.

Something about Grooverland has changed.
action: You look at your surroundings
response: This doesn't feel normal. Everything is dark down here, and no one is around. Strange sounds echo down unseen halls.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
a sun orb
a limp bratwurst
a plastic beam
five food tokens
a winding key
a safety whistle (being worn)
a flier
action: You examine the floor
response: The walls, floors and unseen halls are not something you can see or feel clearly. It's just dark and confusing here.
action: You look at the beam
response: This is a long shaft made of plastic. It says "HYDRAULICS" on it in large letters.
action: Blow whistle
response: The whistle pierces through the darkness like a knife.

You hear barking in the distance. After a minute or two, Toby arrives and wags his tail at you, then turns and starts walking slowly. You follow Toby until you arrive back at the Welcome Booth.

Grooverland is surrounded by a plastic castle wall pierced by two tall gates to the east, one red and one white. A rather frightening
crowd of people in realistic monster costumes flows in and out of them and you can hear screams from inside.

David's plush chimera is on the ground. He must have left it here, but why?

In between the two gates is a Welcome Booth with a kindly-looking gate guard standing inside.

Toby waits patiently here for the next time you'll need him.

As you walk into the street, a group of figures covered in red robes passes by you. One bumps heavily into you. The figure turns and snarls, then walks away, disappearing into the crowd. The unsettling thing is, it almost looked like it had a snout!

In fact, it looks like a lot more of the crowd in Grooverland is wearing costumes now. Very realistic ones.
action: You look at the guard
response: This elderly man has a gleaming bald head and a sharp, witty grin. He sits in his booth and wears a paisley vest and a badge saying "Ask me anything--Wade."
action: You ask the wade about Serpent Slide
response: "The Serpent Slide is fun," he says, "even for an old man like me. Has a bumpy ending, though. I wouldn't go in unless you know a way out!"
action: You ask the wade about the ticket
response: "I think you have to give that to the snack attendant," says the gate guard.
action: You ask the wade about Bar
response: He says, "Oh, I love the snack bar. I heard they made a huge cake for you, there."
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
a sun orb
a limp bratwurst
a plastic beam
five food tokens
a winding key
a safety whistle (being worn)
a flier
action: You ask the wade about winding the key
response: He looks closely. "That looks like something you'd use to wind up an old device. Like a clock, or a music player, or a monkey."
action: You ask wade about the bratwurst
response: (the limp bratwurst)
"I'm not really interested in the animals' food," says the gate guard.
action: You go to the east
response: You are standing in the main thoroughfare for Grooverland. Park-goers wearing monstrous costumes and carrying authentic-looking weapons (including swords and pitchforks) pass all around you, getting uncomfortably close at times.

A sign to the north says "Sugar Plum Snack Bar".

A sign to the south is labeled "Painful Purchases Gift Shop". Underneath the name is a tagline: "All Magic Has a Price".

east to the Prowling Promenade.
action: Go east
response: The costumed crowd is more or less divided here, with goblins and elves headed west to the Melancholy Mall and ogres and ghouls
headed east to Mechanical Marvels.

A sign to the north proclaims "Cragne Meatpacking Presents:
Petting Zoo". Some graffiti applied to the sign proclaims, "TOBY KNOWS."

A sign to the south says "The Queen's Menagerie". You've heard
this is where more dangerous animals are displayed.

There are three food sellers here: a sausage seller, a ceviche chef, and a jelly man, each with their own menu and cart. But something about the food they're selling seems weird.
action: Go east
response: The air here is split with sounds of screams and clanks from the nearby attractions. Some of the robed crowd scurries to the
west, while others trot east to the Spooky Sideshow.

Serpent Slide at the top in bright red paint.

words Midnight Laserfight inscribed on it in silver.

Dad is standing around, relaxing and occasionally looking at his map.
action: Go south
response: You're stopped on the way in. "Oh, there's our birthday girl!" says an attendant, beaming at you. "We have a special treat for you. You're just a little too young to compete in the laserfights, but you get to operate the controls of our Midnight Laserfight set!"

She walks you over to a control panel off-stage. She says, "It's a little complicated, but basically, you control the set with this. The players are in exploration phase right now. Turn the knob or pull the lever to help them find new rooms, use the crane to take and drop weapons and armor for the players, then push the duel button to start the actual fight."

She looks closer at the control panel. "Dang it, Brad! I told him not to mess with the panel. It looks like the lever is missing again. He likes to hide it around the park. I'm going to go tell my manager. Have fun here, though!" she says, and she walks away.

You are on a soundstage filled with plastic mannequins in dance positions. A plastic chandelier hangs from above. The back of the stage is painted with a grand staircase.

It takes you a while to figure it out, but it looks like there are two teams: the vicomtes, wielding some red laserpistols and are wearing some red motley, and the countesses, wielding some white laserpistols and are wearing some white motley.

Over everything are cranes you can use to TAKE things from or GIVE things to the people below. The wall has a knob labelled "DIRECTION" that can be turned clockwise (cw) or counterclockwise (cc) and a button labelled "DUEL" that can be pushed. There is a hole that looks like it could fit a lever if you had one. It's labelled "HYDRAULICS".

A monitor describes the rooms adjacent to this one: Grand Staircase (available by PUSHing the hydraulics lever), Well (available by TURNing the knob CLOCKWISE) and Dueling Garden (available by pushing the DUEL button).

You can leave to the north.
action: You put the beam in the hole
response: You slide the hydraulics lever into the hole. It fits perfectly! Now everything should work just fine.
action: You look at the red
response: Which do you mean, the 1) red motley or the 2) red laserpistols?
action: Motley
response: This outfit is filled with bells, and makes people act silly.

You can TAKE and GIVE them (the cranes will move them automatically).
action: You examine the vicomtes
response: This group of people are so wild and diverse they are impossible to describe. Your sister Alice might say they have a look that "inspires passion", but that's just Alice. They are carrying some red laserpistols and wearing some red motley.
action: You examine the countesses
response: These masked and dangerous women wear outrageous gowns. They are carrying some white laserpistols and wearing some white motley.
action: You look at the chandelier
response: It looks pretty fancy for something fake.
action: You look
response: You are on a soundstage filled with plastic mannequins in dance positions. A plastic chandelier hangs from above. The back of the stage is painted with a grand staircase.

It takes you a while to figure it out, but it looks like there are two teams: the vicomtes, wielding some red laserpistols and are wearing some red motley, and the countesses, wielding some white laserpistols and are wearing some white motley.

Over everything are cranes you can use to TAKE things from or GIVE things to the people below. The wall has a lever labelled "HYDRAULICS" that can be pushed or pulled, a knob labelled "DIRECTION" that can be turned clockwise (cw) or counterclockwise (cc), and a button labelled "DUEL" that can be pushed.

A monitor describes the rooms adjacent to this one: Grand Staircase (available by PUSHing the hydraulics lever), Well (available by TURNing the knob CLOCKWISE) and Dueling Garden (available by pushing the DUEL button).

You can leave to the north.
action: You examine the cranes
response: These let you manipulate the weapons and other laserfight equipment.
action: You take the cutlasses
response: A crane comes down and takes all of the laser cutlasses.
action: You turn the knob cc
response: The knob spins and the whole room rotates counterclockwise, revealing a new room!

Black crepe streamers hang from the ceiling and walls, and black shag carpeting covers the floor. Scarlet radiance slants through scarlet cellophane. An ebony box painted as a grandfather clock is set at one quarter to twelve.

You can see some inflatable kielbasas here.

A monitor describes the rooms adjacent to this one: Cloak Room (available by PUSHing the hydraulics lever), Banquet Hall (available by PULLing the hydraulics lever), Grand Staircase (available by TURNing the knob CLOCKWISE) and Dueling Garden (available by pushing the DUEL button).

The lever, knob, and button are still next to you. You can leave to the north.

The Vicomtes and Countesses pour out of various openings onto the new set.
action: Examine box
response: Eh. Could be better. It doesn't look much like a clock.
action: You look at the kielbases
response: These are completely ineffective as weapons, but fun nevertheless.

You can TAKE and GIVE them (the cranes will move them automatically).
action: You give the kielbases
response: You'll have to pick who gets these. You can GIVE the inflatable kielbasas TO the Vicomtes or the Countesses.
action: You give the kielbases to Countesses
response: (first taking the inflatable kielbasas)
A crane comes down and takes all of the inflatable kielbasas.

The cranes come down, dropping the inflatable kielbasas. The countesses leap around excitedly and grab them, ready to fight, dropping their white laserpistols, which you grab.
action: You unlock the clock with the key
response: This isn't that kind of key. This is used for winding.
action: Wind clock
response: You'd never be able to reach that, and it's made of paper.
action: You look at the wings
response: These pink canvas wings allow the players to get a lot more height.

You can TAKE and GIVE them (the cranes will move them automatically).
action: You give wings to Vicomtes
response: (first taking the pig wings)
A crane comes down and takes all of the pig wings.

The cranes come down, dropping the pig wings. The vicomtes leap around excitedly and put on the new outfits after removing their red motley, which you grab.
action: Look around
response: Ornamental oversized overcoats hang from the ceiling, providing a maze for players to run through here.

It takes you a while to figure it out, but it looks like there are two teams: the vicomtes, wielding some red laserpistols and are wearing some pig wings, and the countesses, wielding some inflatable kielbasas and are wearing some white motley.

A monitor describes the rooms adjacent to this one: Black Salon (available by PULLing the hydraulics lever) and Dueling Garden (available by pushing the DUEL button).

The lever, knob, and button are still next to you. You can leave to the north.
action: You look at overcoats
response: It reminds you of a book you read in school last year.
action: You pull lever
response: The lever clanks back to neutral and the room shifts upward on a massive piston, raising a new room up from down below.

Black crepe streamers hang from the ceiling and walls, and black shag carpeting covers the floor. Scarlet radiance slants through scarlet cellophane. An ebony box painted as a grandfather clock is set at one quarter to twelve.

A monitor describes the rooms adjacent to this one: Cloak Room (available by PUSHing the hydraulics lever), Banquet Hall (available by PULLing the hydraulics lever), Grand Staircase (available by TURNing the knob CLOCKWISE) and Dueling Garden (available by pushing the DUEL button).

The lever, knob, and button are still next to you. You can leave to the north.

The Vicomtes and Countesses pour out of various openings onto the new set.
action: You turn the knob cw
response: The knob spins and the whole room rotates clockwise, revealing a new room!

The soundstage is dominated by a monumental staircase covered in red carpet.

A monitor describes the rooms adjacent to this one: Ballroom (available by PULLing the hydraulics lever), Black Salon (available by TURNing the knob COUNTERCLOCKWISE) and Dueling Garden (available by pushing the DUEL button).

The lever, knob, and button are still next to you. You can leave to the north.

The Vicomtes and Countesses pour out of various openings onto the new set.
action: You pull the lever
response: The lever clanks back to neutral and the room shifts upward on a massive piston, raising a new room up from down below.

You are on a soundstage filled with plastic mannequins in dance positions. A plastic chandelier hangs from above. The back of the stage is painted with a grand staircase.

A monitor describes the rooms adjacent to this one: Grand Staircase (available by PUSHing the hydraulics lever), Well (available by TURNing the knob CLOCKWISE) and Dueling Garden (available by pushing the DUEL button).

The lever, knob, and button are still next to you. You can leave to the north.

The Vicomtes and Countesses pour out of various openings onto the new set.
action: You turn the knob cw
response: The knob spins and the whole room rotates clockwise, revealing a new room!

A paper moon hangs down here, and a cardboard well sits in the middle of this space.

A monitor describes the rooms adjacent to this one: Ballroom (available by TURNing the knob COUNTERCLOCKWISE) and Dueling Garden (available by pushing the DUEL button).

The lever, knob, and button are still next to you. You can leave to the north.

The Vicomtes and Countesses pour out of various openings onto the new set.
action: You examine the moon
response: This moon has drawings of skeletons and cheese on it. It seems a little loose.
action: You take moon
response: You can't touch the paper moon. That is too far away!
action: You examine well
response: This is very primitive looking.
action: You check what you're carrying
response: You are carrying:
a sun orb
a limp bratwurst
five food tokens
a winding key
a safety whistle (being worn)
a flier

some white laserpistols
some laser cutlasses

A man with badge saying "Spike M, Park Inspector" wanders by. "I haven't played this one yet!" he says. "Need to make sure I try it out." Then he walks on.
action: You turn the knob cc
response: The knob spins and the whole room rotates counterclockwise, revealing a new room!

You are on a soundstage filled with plastic mannequins in dance positions. A plastic chandelier hangs from above. The back of the stage is painted with a grand staircase.

A monitor describes the rooms adjacent to this one: Grand Staircase (available by PUSHing the hydraulics lever), Well (available by TURNing the knob CLOCKWISE) and Dueling Garden (available by pushing the DUEL button).

The lever, knob, and button are still next to you. You can leave to the north.

The Vicomtes and Countesses pour out of various openings onto the new set.
action: Blow moon
response: You hear barking in the distance. After a minute or two, Toby arrives and wags his tail at you, then turns and starts walking slowly. You follow Toby until you arrive back at the Welcome Booth.

Grooverland is surrounded by a plastic castle wall pierced by two tall gates to the east, one red and one white. A rather frightening
crowd of people in realistic monster costumes flows in and out of them and you can hear screams from inside.

David's plush chimera is on the ground. He must have left it here, but why?

In between the two gates is a Welcome Booth with a kindly-looking gate guard standing inside.

Toby waits patiently here for the next time you'll need him.
action: You turn knob cc
response: The knob spins and the whole room rotates counterclockwise, revealing a new room!

Black crepe streamers hang from the ceiling and walls, and black shag carpeting covers the floor. Scarlet radiance slants through scarlet cellophane. An ebony box painted as a grandfather clock is set at one quarter to twelve.

A monitor describes the rooms adjacent to this one: Cloak Room (available by PUSHing the hydraulics lever), Banquet Hall (available by PULLing the hydraulics lever), Grand Staircase (available by TURNing the knob CLOCKWISE) and Dueling Garden (available by pushing the DUEL button).

The lever, knob, and button are still next to you. You can leave to the north.

The Vicomtes and Countesses pour out of various openings onto the new set.
action: You pull lever
response: The lever clanks back to neutral and the room shifts upward on a massive piston, raising a new room up from down below.

This set is more dynamic than the others. A large table is suspended at an angle in mid-air while a dozen stuffed cherubs pile on the other end. Plastic food is hanging in the air on strings.

The floor of this set looks weakened, with cracks stretching all the way over by you at the controls.

A pink ticket lies near you.

A monitor describes the rooms adjacent to this one: Black Salon (available by PUSHing the hydraulics lever) and Dueling Garden (available by pushing the DUEL button).

The lever, knob, and button are still next to you. You can leave to the north.

A pink ticket flutters out of the machinery and lands by you.

The Vicomtes and Countesses pour out of various openings onto the new set.
action: You take ticket
response: You grab the pink ticket.
action: You look at the cherubs
response: They're so chubby!
action: You examine the FOOD
response: (the food token)
This token is good for one item from the Prowling Promenade food carts.
action: You look
response: This set is more dynamic than the others. A large table is suspended at an angle in mid-air while a dozen stuffed cherubs pile on the other end. Plastic food is hanging in the air on strings.

The floor of this set looks weakened, with cracks stretching all the way over by you at the controls.

It takes you a while to figure it out, but it looks like there are two teams: the vicomtes, wielding some red laserpistols and are wearing some pig wings, and the countesses, wielding some inflatable kielbasas and are wearing some white motley.

A monitor describes the rooms adjacent to this one: Black Salon (available by PUSHing the hydraulics lever) and Dueling Garden (available by pushing the DUEL button).

The lever, knob, and button are still next to you. You can leave to the north.
action: You examine the plastic FOOD
response: This looks like it would taste pretty good!
action: You give plastic Vicomtesvicomtes
response: You can't touch the plastic food on strings. That is too far away!
action: You examine the floor
response: The floor of this set is much flimsier than the others. You can see cracks extending all the way to you by the controls.
action: Examine box
response: The ring that was here fell beneath the stage.
action: Break floor
response: Your karate instructor made you promise to try to find a peaceful solution before attempting violence.
action: You jump on the floor
response: Wait, what was that? I only got the part about wanting to jump.
action: You jump
response: You promised your basketball coach that you wouldn't jump while you're off the court. Don't want to get injured.
action: Go north
response: You exit the Laserfight arena.

The air here is split with sounds of screams and clanks from the nearby attractions. Some of the robed crowd scurries to the
west, while others trot east to the Spooky Sideshow.

Serpent Slide at the top in bright red paint.

words Midnight Laserfight inscribed on it in silver.

Dad is standing around, relaxing and occasionally looking at his map.
action: You go east
response: This part of the park is darker than the rest, lit only by glowing red lanterns. Tall trees shade the street from the sun above. A shadowy crowd seems to linger here, but for some reason they're hard to look at for too long. You can go west to Mechanical Marvels or
east to the Bitter End.

A sign to the north declares "This way to the Creaky House".

The sign to the south is held by a scarecrow, and says "The
Left/Right Corn Maze".

Your sister Alice is here, playing the park's AR game on her phone.
action: You examine Alice
response: Your older sister Alice is excited about discovering park lore on her phone. She's wearing the silver bracelet she got from Nana.
action: You talk to Alice
response: "Hey," says Alice, "this is cool, isn't it? You can ask me about any location and I'll tell you what Groover game it was inspired by!"
action: You ask alice about the stomach
response: "Wow," says Alice, "apparently the Serpent Slide was inspired by Groover's game "Down the Serpent and the Sun!"
action: You ask Alice about the lupine lair
response: Alice says, "Okay, it looks like the menagerie was based on "The Queen's Menagerie" by Groover."
action: You ask alice about the dollhouse
response: "This app only deals with locations, but I'll try to see if I can look up where that's at," she says. "Give me a second." She checks her phone for a second.

"The book of poems contains the first lines of What Fuwa Bunsaku Found, and the tiny dollhouse is a reference to the game 'little'," says Alice.
action: You ask Alice about scarlet Empress
response: "This app only deals with locations, but I'll try to see if I can look up where that's at," she says. "Give me a second." She checks her phone for a second.

"There's not much in that location itself which is a reference to Groover, unfortunately. But the rides off of it are!" says Alice.
action: You look at the bracelet
response: Nana, your great grandmother, left this to Alice when she died. Alice has worn it ever since.
action: You look at the scarecrow
response: This scarecrow fills you with happiness.
action: You ask alice about Maze
response: Alice says, "The corn maze is a reference to the game Left/Right."
action: You ask alice about creaky House
response: "All parts of the creaky house are references to the tiny game Creak, Creak" says Alice. "Parts of it also reference the exceptional story Cricket, Anyone?"
action: You go to the north
response: A cold wind blows around this dilapitated, creaky house to the
north. It creaks and moans.

The Spooky Sideshow, the crowd, and warmth are back to the
south.

A creaky singer with bony, unusually long limbs sits cross-legged here.
action: Examine singer
response: A strange man with yellow eyes whose whole body seems to creak as he moves.
action: You talk to the singer
response: He smiles as you approach, and you smell sulfur.

"Have you come to the creaky house, then? Welcome. You'll find that here, in my little creaky house, your movements are more than mere steps: they are words in a language written by the feet: a "creak" here, a "rattle" there.

"This is the language spoken by the cool wind. If your feet can make a song like mine, the wind will reward you, and something good will happen. Or bad, depending on who you ask. But enough of that. I'll sing the song now," he adds.

The creaky singer begins performing. He starts his song from the very beginning. "Creak, creak, goes the beast," he sings, moving himself in curious patterns.
action: Wait
response: Your majesty deigns to linger for a moment.

The creaky singer continues performing. "Rattle, rattle, soon he'll feast," he sings, moving himself in curious patterns.
action: You wait
response: Your majesty deigns to linger for a moment.

The creaky singer continues performing. "Shake, shake, time to sob," he sings, moving himself in curious patterns.
action: Wait
response: Your majesty deigns to linger for a moment.

The creaky singer continues performing. "Turn, turn goes the knob," he sings, moving himself in curious patterns.
action: Wait
response: Your majesty deigns to linger for a moment.

The creaky singer continues performing. "It's just the wind, mother always says," he sings, moving himself in curious patterns.
action: Wait
response: Your majesty deigns to linger for a moment.

The creaky singer continues performing. "Why fear the wind," he sings, moving himself in curious patterns.
action: You wait a while
response: Your majesty deigns to linger for a moment.

The creaky singer continues performing. He starts his song from the very beginning. "Creak, creak, goes the beast," he sings, moving himself in curious patterns.
action: You go north
response: (first opening the creaky front door)

You stand in front of a creaky front door to the south. To the
west is a creaky dining room, and to the east is a
creaky parlor. A creaky game room is to the north. It's cold in
here.

The wind blows the front door shut.

You can hear something howling outside. It might be the wind.
action: You go west
response: It's so cold in here. A dim chandelier squeaks back and forth from the drafts. You have no desire to remain. To the north is a creaky kitchen. The creaky hallway is back to the east, and you can go
up to the creaky tower.

You can hear the front door creak back and forth. Wasn't it
closed?

At the sound of that creak, you feel the unseen thing behind
you grow stronger.
action: Go upward
response: These tall and narrow walls seem constructed quite shakily. You can go down to the creaky dining room, north to the Creaky
Loft, or east to the creaky passageway.

Something has set the chandelier in the dining room below you rattling. It makes the shadows dance.

The sounds made by your feet are jangling, empty words. The power in the house subsides.
action: You go north
response: You can return to the creaky dining room to the south, go
up to the creaky loft, or move through the kitchen door to the
east. This is the darkest part of the house.

A creaky refrigerator is the only appliance in the kitchen.

Something has set the chandelier in the dining room behind you rattling. It makes the shadows dance.

The sounds made by your feet are jangling, empty words. The power in the house subsides.