Hidden Verbiage
by Linus Hamilton (2018)

The city of Reality has turned invisible due to lack of interest. The nearby city of Illusions, while beautiful, is but a figment of the collective imagination. King Azaz has sent you on a quest to end this perversion and restore Reality.

action: You look at the lace
response: When you look closely, you see the lacy chest decoration shimmer and shift in the light. The effect reminds you of the buildings in the city of Illusions.
action: You examine troll
response: The troll has a big club and it looks tough.
action: You take the lace
response: You try taking the lacy chest decoration, but mysteriously find that it passes right through your fingers. It must be an illusion.
action: You find the lace
response: The lacy chest decoration was never hidden to begin with.
action: About yourself
response: As good-looking as ever.
action: You talk to the troll
response: The troll growls menacingly.
action: You give lace to you
response: (the troll first taking the lacy chest decoration)
The troll has better things to do.
action: You go south
response: (first opening the mahogany door)
It seems to be locked.
action: You look at the door
response: The door has a slender keyhole.
action: You hit the troll
response: With your bare hands? Not a chance.
action: You find the key
response: You found a hidden key!
You take it.

A troll stands here menacingly, ready to give you a blacK EYe.
action: You unlock the door with the key
response: You unlock the mahogany door.
action: You go south
response: (first opening the mahogany door)

In the center of this room hangs a heavy counter; bait is tied to a thick red rope vanishing up into a hole in the ceiling.

Exits lead north and south.
action: You look at the counter
response: When you look closely, you see the kitchen counter shimmer and shift in the light. The effect reminds you of the buildings in the city of Illusions.
action: You examine the bait
response: When you look closely, you see the wriggling worm shimmer and shift in the light. The effect reminds you of the buildings in the city of Illusions.
action: You look at the rope
response: It is made of thick red twine.
action: You find the lance
response: You found a hidden spear!
You take it.
action: Look around
response: In the center of this room hangs a heavy counterbaLANCE. It is tied to a thick red rope vanishing up into a hole in the ceiling.

Exits lead north and south.
action: Go south
response: You stand on a balcony. You're standing in a tone, can assume, given the stage below you and the array of spotlights above.

Stairs descend to the stage below. Also, a passage returns to the north.
action: You examine the tone
response: When you listen closely, you hear the musical tone waver and shift pitch. The effect reminds you of the birdsong in the city of Illusions.
action: You find the spotlight
response: Spotlights was never hidden to begin with.
action: You look at the spotlights
response: The spotlights illuminate the stage below.
action: You find the heater
response: You found a hidden heater!
You take it.
action: You examine the heater
response: The oil heater is currently off. It needs a flame to operate.
action: You look around
response: You stand on a balcony. You're standing in a tHEATER, one can assume, given the stage below you and the array of spotlights above.

Stairs descend to the stage below. Also, a passage returns to the north.
action: Go down
response: (first opening Stairs)

You stand on a wooden stage. In front of the stage, between you and the audience seats, is a cavernous pit. Down in the pit, you can barely hear a pie strap laying faint strains of music.

Stairs lead back up to the balcony. You can go backstage to the east.
action: You examine the pie strap
response: When you look closely, you see the delicious pie fastener shimmer and shift in the light. The effect reminds you of the buildings in the city of Illusions.
action: You find the orchestra
response: You can't see any such thing.

> FIND ORC

You can't see any such thing.
action: You find the torch
response: You found a hidden torch!
You take it.
action: You look around
response: You stand on a wooden stage. In front of the stage, between you and the audience seats, is a cavernous pit. Down in the pit, you can barely hear a piT ORCHestra playing faint strains of music.

Stairs lead back up to the balcony. You can go backstage to the east.
action: You examine the torch
response: It burns brightly. It's not a flashlight because we're not in Britain. You could use it to BURN stuff.
action: You go east
response: There's a prop table here. On the table, you see acre, a Mecler Nickel, bread, and a butter croissant.

The stage is back west.
action: You find the eclair
response: Unfortunately, it's just a prop, and it's fixed to the table.
action: You find airpump
response: You found a hidden air pump!
You take it.
action: You describe your surroundings
response: There's a prop table here. On the table, you see a cream eclAIR, PUMPernickel bread, and a butter croissant.

The stage is back west.
action: You examine the croissant
response: It is mouthwateringly accurate, but unfortunately, it's just a prop.
action: Go downwards
response: Jump into the pit? No way. You can't even see the bottom.
action: You jump
response: You jump on the spot.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
an air pump
a torch
a heater
a spear
a key
action: You look at the lance
response: This lance, or spear, has a long shaft and a fine point.
action: You examine the key
response: It looks custom-built for fitting into locks.
action: Go upwards
response: You stand on a balcony. You're standing in a tHEATER, one can assume, given the stage below you and the array of spotlights above.

Stairs descend to the stage below. Also, a passage returns to the north.
action: Go north
response: In the center of this room hangs a heavy counterbaLANCE. It is tied to a thick red rope vanishing up into a hole in the ceiling.

Exits lead north and south.
action: You climb rope
response: (Just type "up" or "down".)
action: Go upwards
response: The hole in the ceiling is way too small.
action: You cut the rope
response: Cutting it up would achieve little.
action: You go north
response: A troll stands here menacingly, ready to give you a blacK EYe.

A passage continues south. The troll guards the north exit.
action: Stab troll
response: You plunge your spear into the troll's flesh. The troll squeals and runs away far to the north!
action: You pull the rope
response: It is fixed in place.
action: Go north
response: A human-sized black-feathered bird sits on a perch here. "Caw! No wings and no claws? You sure look stupid." It ruffles its feathers. "Wanna hear a pun? You're a Cro-Magnon, and I row
mignon!

Anyway, if you wanna open that door, gimme a snack."

It's referring to a closed rune-covered door to the north. An open passage leads south.
action: You find the mac
response: You found a hidden apple! (Specifically, a red fruit of the cultivar Mac.)
You take it.
action: You examine the Mac
response: It's a juicy-looking apple. Specifically, a Mac.
action: Look around
response: A human-sized black-feathered bird sits on a perch here. "Caw! No wings and no claws? You sure look stupid." It ruffles its feathers. "Wanna hear a pun? You're a Cro-Magnon, and I'M A
Crow mignon!

Anyway, if you wanna open that door, gimme a snack."

It's referring to a closed rune-covered door to the north. An open passage leads south.
action: You give the Mac to the crow
response: The crow devours the apple. "Caw, yum. So my snack was here all along." The crow performs a complicated feather dance, and the runed door slides open.
action: You examine the door
response: It's open.
action: You go to the north
response: As you leave the room, the crow flies down and snatches your spear. "Caw! Shiny!" The crow quickly flies away to the north.
action: Cro- VS crow
response: To the north, a paved road ends in a long upward ramp overlooking a 50-foot-wide canyon. Passages lead south and east. The road continues west.
action: You go to the east
response: Here, the giant crow sits on an equally giant nest, looking at you smugly. "Caw-ha! Gotcher pointy shiny thing!"

Peeking behind it, you see that your stop earliest other ear of the nest.

The only way out is west.
action: You look at stop
response: When you look closely, you see the bus stop shimmer and shift in the light. The effect reminds you of the buildings in the city of Illusions.
action: You describe your surroundings
response: Here, the giant crow sits on an equally giant nest, looking at you smugly.

Peeking behind it, you see that your stop earliest other ear of the nest.

The only way out is west.

> FIND RING

You can't see any such thing.

> FIND STOLEN

You can't see any such thing.
action: You find the lens
response: You found a hidden lens!
You take it.
action: You describe your surroundings
response: Here, the giant crow sits on an equally giant nest, looking at you smugly.

Peeking behind it, you see that your stoLEN Spear lies to the rear of the nest.

The only way out is west.
action: You take Spear
response: The crow blocks you with a giant feathery wing. "Caw-haw! Without that spear, you think you can scare me?"
action: You look at the lens
response: It's a small magnifying lens. Try EXAMINE NEST WITH LENS.
action: You examine the NEST with the lens
response: The lens magnifies the nest, but it's unclear how this helps you. (OK, bad example.)
action: You look at the NEST
response: A messy tangle of branches.
action: You go west
response: To the north, a paved road ends in a long upward ramp overlooking a 50-foot-wide canyon. Passages lead south and east. The road continues west.
action: Go west
response: The corridor ends here. The only exit is back to the east.

A small car is here. Unfortunately, it has AFL.
action: You find attire
response: You found some hidden clothing!
You take it.
action: You examine the clothing
response: It's a full set of clothing, including a hat and shoes. Looks like something a farmer would wear.
action: You look at the car
response: A small blue car with four wheels. The kind that might have driven through a tollbooth. Due to the flAT TIRE, it is listing to one side.
action: Pump tire
response: You pump the flat tire full of air.
action: You examine the car
response: A small blue car with four wheels. The kind that might have driven through a tollbooth.
action: You enter the car
response: You get into the car.
action: You drive the car
response: But you're already in the car.
action: You go east
response: The car speeds up to 10mph.

Road To Reality (in the car)
To the north, a paved road ends in a long upward ramp overlooking a 50-foot-wide canyon. Passages lead south and east. The road continues west.
action: You go east
response: The car speeds up to 20mph.

Crow's Nest (in the car)
Here, the giant crow sits on an equally giant nest, looking at you smugly.

Peeking behind it, you see that your stoLEN Spear lies to the rear of the nest.

The only way out is west.
action: Go west
response: The car coasts at 20mph to handle the turn.

Road To Reality (in the car)
To the north, a paved road ends in a long upward ramp overlooking a 50-foot-wide canyon. Passages lead south and east. The road continues west.
action: Go south
response: The car coasts at 20mph to handle the turn.

Bird's Perch (in the car)
There's an empty perch here. Passages lead north and south.
action: You go south
response: The car speeds up to 30mph.

Danger Den (in the car)
Passages continue to the north and south.
action: You go to the south
response: The car speeds up to 40mph.

Ersatz Corridor (in the car)
In the center of this room hangs a heavy counterbaLANCE. It is tied to a thick red rope vanishing up into a hole in the ceiling.

Exits lead north and south.
action: Go south
response: The car speeds up to 50mph.

Balcony (in the car)
You stand on a balcony. You're standing in a tHEATER, one can assume, given the stage below you and the array of spotlights above.

Stairs descend to the stage below. Also, a passage returns to the north.
action: Go north
response: The car slows down to 20mph to handle the turn.

Ersatz Corridor (in the car)
In the center of this room hangs a heavy counterbaLANCE. It is tied to a thick red rope vanishing up into a hole in the ceiling.

Exits lead north and south.
action: Go north
response: The car speeds up to 40mph.

Bird's Perch (in the car)
There's an empty perch here. Passages lead north and south.
action: You go to the north
response: The car speeds up to 50mph.

Road To Reality (in the car)
To the north, a paved road ends in a long upward ramp overlooking a 50-foot-wide canyon. Passages lead south and east. The road continues west.
action: Go north
response: You pull the throttle and launch the car off of the ramp.

You soar through the air over the canyon.

Crash!
Crash Site
The wreckage of your crashed car is here.

The path continues north. The wide canyon is south.

A red button is mounted on the ground here.

Fortunately, you were wearing a seatbelt. You stand up, uninjured.
action: You look around
response: The wreckage of your crashed car is here.

The path continues north. You can also cross the canyon to the south.

A red button is mounted on the ground here.
action: Go north
response: The troll you scared earlier guards the path north. Blocking the north exit is a vault door. You can also return to the south.

Next to the door is a note printed in tiny text.
action: You examine the note with the lens
response: The lens magnifies the text: "Note: for security reasons, I have reversed the door's passcode."
action: You examine the door
response: This is an ornate vault door.
action: You open the door
response: It isn't something you can open.

> TALK TO TROLL

The troll growls menacingly.
action: You wear the clothes
response: It's too small for you.
action: Pump clothes
response: There's too many air holes.
action: You say 'XXXX'
response: (to the troll)
There is no reply.
action: You unlock door
response: What do you want to unlock the vault door with?
action: You go south
response: The wreckage of your crashed car is here.

The path continues north. You can also cross the canyon to the south.

A red button is mounted on the ground here.
action: Go south
response: A paved road bridges the canyon to the north. Passages lead south and east. The road continues west.
action: Go east
response: Here, the giant crow sits on an equally giant nest, looking at you smugly.

Peeking behind it, you see that your stoLEN Spear lies to the rear of the nest.

The only way out is west.
action: You talk to Crow
response: "Caw! Got'cher shiny pointy spear. It's right behind me, but you can't have it! Without that spear, you can't scare me one bit."
action: Burn nest
response: This dangerous act would achieve little.
action: You take Spear
response: The crow blocks you with a giant feathery wing. "Caw-haw! Without that spear, you think you can scare me?"

> CROW, GIVE ME SPEAR

(the crow first taking the spear)
The crow has better things to do.

> UNDO

[Previous turn undone.]
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
some clothing
a lens
an air pump
a torch
a heater
a key
action: You tell the troll about the bridge
response: This provokes no reaction.

> GIVE CLOTHES TO TROLL

The troll doesn't seem interested.
action: You examine scared
response: You can't see any such thing.

> LIGHT HEATER

You light the oil in the heater. It flickers to life and begins producing a comfortable warmth.
action: You check what you're carrying
response: You are carrying:
some clothing
a lens
an air pump
a torch
a heater (providing light)
a key
action: Burn troll
response: The troll parries your attack with its club. Looks like the torch doesn't have enough reach to get past the troll's defenses.
action: You examine the clothes
response: It's a full set of clothing, including a hat and shoes. Looks like something a farmer would wear.
action: You take the note
response: That's fixed in place.
action: You go west
response: The corridor ends here. The only exit is back to the east.
action: Burn Crow
response: The crow deftly dodges your torch.
action: Go south
response: There's an empty perch here. Passages lead north and south.
action: You go south
response: In the center of this room hangs a heavy counterbaLANCE. It is tied to a thick red rope vanishing up into a hole in the ceiling.

Exits lead north and south.
action: Burn rope
response: Your torch burns straight through the rope. It snaps!

The counterbalance crashes to the floor.

The rope above the burn point is rapidly pulled up into the hole in the ceiling.

You hear a loud crash from the south. You turn around just in time to see an elevator fall through the ceiling to the south.
action: Go south
response: You stand on a balcony. You're standing in a tHEATER, one can assume, given the stage below you and the array of spotlights above.

Stairs descend to the stage below. The ceiling above you is splintered open. A thick red rope hangs down from it into the pit. Also, a passage returns to the north.
action: Go downwards
response: You stand on a wooden stage. In front of the stage, between you and the audience seats, is a cavernous pit. Down in the pit, you can barely hear a piT ORCHestra playing faint strains of music.

Stairs lead back up to the balcony. You can go backstage to the east. The ceiling far above you is splintered open. A thick red rope hangs down from it into the pit.
action: Go down
response: In front of you, the orc: he arms up. In front of it, a woman waves a stick back and forth to a rhythm only she hears.

You can climb the rope back up to the stage.
action: You find the straw
response: You found some hidden straw!
You take it.
action: Look around
response: In front of you, the orcheSTRA Warms up. In front of it, a woman waves a stick back and forth to a rhythm only she hears.

You can climb the rope back up to the stage.
action: You put the straw in the clothes
response: You stuff the straw into the clothing, creating a makeshift scarecrow.
action: You examine the scarecrow
response: It's your standard makeshift scarecrow: straw stuffed into a set of clothing. If you were a bird, you'd freeze to death on the spot.
action: You examine the woman
response: She waves a stick back and forth. Nobody seems to be watching.
action: You look at the stick
response: The conductor waves it about in 4/4 rhythm. The musicians down below don't seem to be watching.
action: You talk to the woman
response: The woman turns to you, frustrated. "They won't start playing the piece! They keep practicing and practicing while asking me for winter coats. Could you help?"
action: You give HEATER to the woman
response: The conductor says, "Oh! This will be perfect! Now my ensemble can finally stop warming up." She takes the heater from you and fixes it in place in the middle of the orchestra. The room begins warming up rapidly.

You listen as the musicians start playing their symphony. It has some strange lyrics: "The - passcode - to - the - vault - is - banana." (To say a passcode, just type it.)

The conductor sighs in relief. "Maybe tomorrow we can figure out why an elevator crashed through the ceiling here."
action: You look at the musicians
response: The musicians are happily playing music, with lyrics: "The passcode to the vault is banana."
action: Go upwards
response: You stand on a wooden stage. In front of the stage, between you and the audience seats, is a cavernous pit. Down in the pit, you can barely hear a piT ORCHestra playing faint strains of music.

Stairs lead back up to the balcony. You can go backstage to the east. The ceiling far above you is splintered open. A thick red rope hangs down from it into the pit.
action: You examine the ceiling
response: It's splintered open. Something must have fallen through.
action: You go to the north
response: In the center of this room lies a heavy counterbaLANCE. It used to be tied to a thick red rope, but no longer.

Exits lead north and south.
action: You go to the north
response: There's an empty perch here. Passages lead north and south.
action: You give the scarecrow to Crow
response: "Aaawck!" The crow stares at the faux-farmer with death in its eyes. It snaps its beak nervously. "It wasn't me. I'm innocent! I was framed. It was self-defense!"

The crow buries its head in its wings. "Oh, I never should have stolen that corn. Have mercy! Have mercy!"

The crow darts away in a storm of feathers. "Caw! I'll never come back. Don't shoot! Off to Digitopolis with me. No more trouble from me, caw."
action: You take Spear
response: Taken.
action: Look around
response: There is a recently vacated giant nest here. The only way out is west.
action: Stab troll
response: You shank the troll in the torso. The troll squeals and runs away, never to return.
action: You say the ananab
response: As you say "ananab", the vault door hinges open!
action: Go north
response: You step through the vault door and tumble down a steep slope into a dark cave, lit only by your torch.

An arm-sized salamander crawls up to you. "My name is Isaac Newt. You were sent by King Azaz to restore Reality, were you not? I see you are carrying several pieces of it. To begin the healing of Reality, you must put them together."

Isaac gives you a quick look-see. "So far you have been very observant. But many have failed before you, too focused on
finding things. Heed my advice: in this land, every action
has an equal and opposite action. If you can find something,
then..."

Isaac trails off cryptically, and scurries away into a crack in the rock.

It is very dark here. The only exit is north.
action: Look around
response: It is very dark here. The only exit is north.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
a spear
a scarecrow
a lens
an air pump
a torch
a key
action: Go north
response: You walk into a small cavern. You see nonsense words carved into a plaque here:

"Kiss, pear, care, crown, glen. Skey's questor chair. Pump TV I."

As for the final step -- using the pieces of Reality you collected...
action: You find the kis
response: You can't see any such thing.

> REMOVE T

You can't see any such thing.