Mystery!
by Gene Welborn (2016)
Genres: Mystery


action: %
response: [Picture number 3 here.]

Release: 2 / Serial #: 160508
IFID: 4EBA8B85-932B-4813-B0A9-BC344587A8EB.

Press SPACE key to continue...
** Welcome!

There are several non-standard commands in this story.

You are in a conversation when the command prompt is (something like) Say to John >
The suggested topics of conversation appear below the prompt. For those who do not want to type in the whole phrase, just use the highlighted word. And a word of warning... after you enter the mansion, you will be immediately placed in a conversation.

Other commands are hinted in the text, i.e. "blah blah knock
blah blah."

If you get stuck, try help game.

Finally, the solution to Mystery! changes each time it is
played, so there is no walkthrough.

** Enjoy!

Press SPACE key to continue...
Entrance
For the front entrance to the famous Tudor Mansion, it is underwelming; except for a very ornate wooden door. The rest
of the porch looks like it will collapse at any moment, but at least it is under cover and keeping most of the rain off.
action: You look at the door
response: It looks extremely old but unlike the rest of the mansion, it appears well taken care of. It has an intricate carving of intertwining vines. They almost look like they are moving in the scattered moonlight. Dead center is a huge wrought iron knocker.
action: About yourself
response: [Picture number 4 here.]

As good-looking as ever.
action: Inventory
response: ...except it's locked. You might try knocking.
action: You knock
response: (lifting the Wrought Iron Knocker...)

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

Once the echo dies away, you can hear footsteps coming towards you. The ornate wooden door opens (without an eerie creak). In the
doorway stands Rick, your... employer? Well, sort of, he hires you when he wants someone investigated. Deeply investigated. Who are you kidding? He hires you to get the dirt on people. Rick's profession is selling influence, and influence comes from dirty little secrets, and you are very good at finding those.

"You came!", says Rick. "Well, you really had no
choice, did you? Come on in".
action: You look at Rick
response: [Picture number 7 here.]
action: You go in
response: Ah. The mansion is undergoing renovation. All the walls are torn down to the structure. The staircases to the upper levels are totally gone but there is a scaffold apparently used to climb up. From
here you can seen into all the first floor rooms, albeit not in great detail. The plumbing, wiring and remants of lathe-and-plaster slightly obscure your view. Construction materials are scattered everywhere. It looks like very little of the original furniture has been left. That is probably fortunate since it looks like the workers are using what was left as workbenches.

You can see into all the rooms.

You can see Rick Mortis and an ornate wooden door here.

Rick Mortis says: "I have got some good news for you. I have decided to retire and tonite will conduct my final...
transactions.

(Why am I here?)
action: Why
response: "Two reasons really."

(What reasons?)
action: What reasons
response: "First, to act as security. I know intimidation is not your
normal line of work but with this group that should not
matter."

(And the second reason? / Who is in this group?)
action: Second
response: "After I am done with them. You and I need to settle
up."

(Settle up?)
action: Group
response: "Are you done? Or do you want me to keep waiting?"
action: And the second reason
response: "Hey, pay attention. Do you want to keep working for me
forever?"
action: No
response: "Go ahead. I will wait."
action: You settle
response: "Nothing melodramatic. I am going to give you a large sum of
money. And you are going to agree to forget you ever knew me."

(I am skeptical / How much?)
action: Skeptical
response: "Really. You know me well enough. I have never engaged in
violence, it just is not profitable."

(Why should I trust you?)
action: You trust
response: "Just like you know me, I know you. Regardless what your
ex-colleagues at the police department think, you are an honorable person. If you give your word, you will keep it."

(What do you want me to do?)
action: You want
response: "Go down to the Billiard Room. Amuse yourself for a few
minutes."

(Okay)
action: Okay
response: "After all my guests arrive, we will come down. Be patient,
this will take a few minutes."
action: You look around
response: Ah. The mansion is undergoing renovation. All the walls are torn down to the structure. The staircases to the upper levels are totally gone but there is a scaffold apparently used to climb up. From
here you can seen into all the first floor rooms, albeit not in great detail. The plumbing, wiring and remants of lathe-and-plaster slightly obscure your view. Construction materials are scattered everywhere. It looks like very little of the original furniture has been left. That is probably fortunate since it looks like the workers are using what was left as workbenches.

You can see into all the rooms.

You can see Rick Mortis and an ornate wooden door here.
action: You look at the door
response: It looks extremely old but unlike the rest of the mansion, it appears well taken care of. It has an intricate carving of intertwining vines. They almost look like they are moving in the scattered moonlight. Dead center is a huge wrought iron knocker.
action: You go to the north
response: Rick says, "I really would prefer you not wander around right
now."
action: You descend
response: Ah, the "game" room. This looks like it might be the only intact room in the mansion. There is no obvious signs of construction. There is a billiard table, with billiard balls and
billiard cues, and one of those stained glass lights
over the table. There are some stools with backs arranged
around the walls. A pub style dart board, but no visible
darts. There is some quite terrible art on the walls. Yes, even a "Dogs Playing Poker" and on the opposite wall "Dogs
Shooting Pool". Somebody either has a very sophisticated sense
of humor or a very juvenile one. You can also see up into the Foyer.
action: You look at the table
response: A sea of unmarked green felt. There is are billiard balls on
the table

On billiard table is billiard balls.
action: You examine the balls
response: 1. 2. 3... 14. 15. Looks like a full set.
action: You examine the cues
response: Several hanging on the wall. With even a cursory inspection you can tell they are fairly expensive ones.
action: You get the cue
response: And what use would a stick be?.
action: You examine the lights
response: Although you are not an expert, it sure looks like a Tiffany. It could be a reproduction.

** Suddenly....

Rick yells out.

A loud extended series of crashes.

A woman screams...

Pounding of running feet...

Men and women yelling...

You better get upstairs.
action: Go upward
response: A room in the center of the first floor of the mansion with a collapsed scaffold. From here you can seen into all the
first floor rooms.

You can see into all the rooms.

You can see Professor Puce, Mrs Fowl, Reverend Weed, Madam Cream, Colonel De Jon and Miss Flame here.

As you top the stairs, you see people gathered around a pile of construction materials. They are frantically pulling them off someone. It takes you a second to realize it is Rick. He is clearly dead. His skull is crushed, there is a length of pipe sticking out of his chest, and it looks like a sheet of metal has nearly decapitated him.

Colonel De Jon says: "Who the hell are you?"

(What happened?)
action: Happened
response: "I asked who you were. And I expect an answer."

(I am an employee.)
action: Employee
response: What kind of employee? Bodyguard? Accountant?
Gardener?

(I am private investigator.)
action: Investigator
response: I see. Well then...

(What happened?)
action: Happened
response: "Well, I am not too sure. I heard Mr. Mortis yell out and
came running toward his voice."

(What did you see? / What did you hear?)
action: You hear
response: "Something like Stop! What do you think you are
doing?."

(What did you see? / What did you hear?)
action: See
response: "When I got to the Foyer, I saw Mr. Mortis collapse against
that scaffolding. He fell down and then the scaffolding fell on
him."

(Is he dead?)
action: Dead
response: "That is sort of obvious. If he wasn't before the scaffolding
fell on him, he is now."

(We better call an ambulance and the police.)
action: You call
response: "No. No. No. None of us want to do that. Look he is clearly
dead so an ambulance is a waste of time. And frankly, none of us want to be questioned by the police about our relationship with Mr. Mortis."

(What do you suggest?)
action: Suggest
response: "Well, I think we all agree that someone tried to kill Rick.
And it looks like they succeeded. You say you are a private investigator. I suggest you figure out what happened. Then we can hand the police a nice neat package."

(Alright, that seems like the best option.)
action: Option
response: (Colonel De Jon looking around) "Well, it appears we are all
agreed. You figure out who killed Mr. Mortis, with what weapon, and in what room. We'll call the police and all get out of here with a minimum of trouble."

You say, "Just to be clear. I will investigate by interviewing each of you. Luckily I have perfect recall so I won't need to take
notes. First I will search each of you for a weapon..."

(You search each person, no sign of a weapon...)

"The killer must have hid the weapon in the same room where Rick was assaulted. I will search all the rooms on the first floor looking for the murder weapon (your mental map will come in handy here).
When I am ready to reveal the solution, I will call everyone
together. Once everyone has gathered in the Foyer, I will state the solution. I will be carrying the murder weapon. Does everyone understand?"

With nods of heads and mumbles of agreement, everyone begins leaving the Foyer...

Mrs Fowl and Professor Puce wander into Study.
action: You recall
response: You have no conversations to recall.

Reverend Weed strolls into Kitchen.
action: Mental map
response: [Picture number 20 here.]
action: Go north
response: This is a very large (read huge) room. It could probably hold a hundred people, plus a small orchestra. A high vaulted ceiling with 1... 2... 4 chandelier. They are wrapped in
plastic, dirty plastic so the light they cast is
uneven. The only dancer here is a rusty barrel.

You can see into Kitchen and Conservatory. You can see Reverend Weed in Kitchen.

You can see Chandliers here.
action: You examine chandlier
response: You see nothing special about Chandliers.

Colonel De Jon wanders into Kitchen.
action: You look at the barrel
response: A fifty-five gallon drum. The degree of rust encrusting the outside testifies to its history.

In rusty barrel is a wrench.
action: You examine the wrench
response: [Picture number 19 here.]

Professor Puce saunters into Kitchen.
action: You get it
response: Taken.
action: You look at the plastic
response: Sheets of translucent plastic intended to protect the chandeliers during the remodeling.

Professor Puce drifts into Ballroom.
action: You talk to Puce
response: Professor Puce says: "So it is my turn at the
inquisition?"

(yes)
action: Yes
response: "So ask away."

(Did you kill him?)
action: You kill
response: "No. With so many witnesses that would be foolish. And I
assure you, I am no fool."

(What did you see? / Where were you?)
action: See
response: "I could see Miss Flame in the Dining Room and Colonel De
Jon in the Hall".

(Where were you?)
action: Where
response: "I was in the Study."
"Do you have any more questions?"

(No. I guess that is all for now.)
action: No
response: "Fine. Move along then."

(further conversations can be terminated early by typing
done at the conversation command prompt so...
Say to John > done  The information you would have
gathered is automatically added to your recall
ability).
action: You go to the east
response: Ah, the obligatory Conservatory. Looks like it has the potential of being quite lovely in the summer and spring. Since it is almost winter, and since it is raining heavily outside, cold and damp describes it very well. There is a depression in the floor,
probably for a pond or fountain. The construction workers apparently have been using it to collect trash.

You can see into Ballroom and Library. You can see Professor Puce in Ballroom. Miss Flame in Library.

Miss Flame strolls into Library.
action: You examine depression
response: A kidney-shaped hole about 6 inches deep. Yes, probably for a pond. There is some random trash in it. And maybe something else?

trash.

Mrs Fowl wanders into Ballroom.
action: You get the pipe
response: Taken.

Miss Flame saunters into Ballroom.
action: You look at the trash
response: Really a random assortment of wrapping paper, pieces of wood, wire, and plumbing.

Madam Cream wanders into Library.
action: Look around
response: Ah, the obligatory Conservatory. Looks like it has the potential of being quite lovely in the summer and spring. Since it is almost winter, and since it is raining heavily outside, cold and damp describes it very well. There is a depression in the floor,
probably for a pond or fountain. The construction workers apparently have been using it to collect trash.

You can see into Ballroom and Library. You can see Miss Flame in Library.

Miss Flame strolls into Library.
action: You go to the south
response: With all the construction, the purpose of some these rooms is really just a guess. There are some shelves on one wall, so
maybe... a library? There is a solitary closed cardboard box
labeled "White Marble Tiles - 25 per box". Some blue drop
cloths cover the floor and the air is moist and smells of
concrete.

You can see into Conservatory and Lounge. You can see Miss Flame and Madam Cream in Lounge.
action: You examine the shelves
response: Built in shelves that probably held books. Only their footprints are visible in the dust.
action: You look at box
response: Clearly labeled "White Marble Tiles".
action: You open it
response: You open cardboard box, revealing a candlestick.
action: You go west
response: A room in the center of the first floor of the mansion with a collapsed scaffold. From here you can seen into all the
first floor rooms. And, of course, the corpse of Rick Mortis.

You can see into all the rooms. You can see Professor Puce in Kitchen. Miss Flame in Library. Madam Cream in Hall. Colonel De Jon and Mrs Fowl in Study. Reverend Weed in Dining Room.

Madam Cream saunters into Study.
action: You examine Rick
response: [Picture number 6 here.]

Professor Puce drifts into Dining Room.
action: You go to the north-west
response: The remodeling has pretty much gutted this room. A
refrigerator, a stove and a cabinet with a
sink and only a single drawer. The others appear to
be missing. The floor of cheap green tiles has islands of
bare wood where cabinetry has been removed. Three incandescent
bulbs hang from the ceiling not really shedding much light. The window over the sink is painted black. So, even in the
daytime, the workers must have a really hard time seeing.

You can see into Ballroom and Dining Room. You can see Reverend Weed and Professor Puce in Dining Room.
action: You examine fridge
response: An old 1970s Avocado Green side-by-side. Instead of kid art, the front is covered with some pinups (at least they are
clothed). You assume the decorations are courtesy of the workers.

Reverend Weed saunters into Kitchen.
action: You talk to Weed
response: Reverend Weed says: "I suppose you have questions?"

(yes)
action: Yes
response: "Go ahead and ask your questions, my son."

(Did you kill him?)
action: You kill
response: "No. I am a religious man, how could I possibly do
that?"

(What did you see? / Where were you?)
action: See
response: "I could see Colonel De Jon in the Hall and Mrs Fowl in
the Library".

(Where were you?)
action: Where
response: "I was in the Lounge."
"Do you have any more questions?"

(No. I guess that is all for now.)
action: No
response: "May his soul rest in peace."

Mrs Fowl wanders into Dining Room.
action: You recall
response: Professor Puce was in Study and could see Miss Flame in the Dining Room and Colonel De Jon in the Hall.
Reverend Weed was in Lounge and could see Colonel De Jon in the Hall and Mrs Fowl in the Library.

candlestick (Library)
lead pipe (Conservatory)
wrench (Ballroom)

Reverend Weed drifts into Dining Room.
action: You open the fridge
response: You open refrigerator revealing.... it is empty.

Madam Cream strolls into Dining Room.
action: You examine stove
response: Circa 1970 Stove. Avocado Green. And missing all 4 burners. The oven door is slightly ajar.

Reverend Weed drifts into Kitchen.
action: You open it
response: You open stove revealing.... it is empty.
action: Look around
response: The remodeling has pretty much gutted this room. A
refrigerator, a stove and a cabinet with a
sink and only a single drawer. The others appear to
be missing. The floor of cheap green tiles has islands of
bare wood where cabinetry has been removed. Three incandescent
bulbs hang from the ceiling not really shedding much light. The window over the sink is painted black. So, even in the
daytime, the workers must have a really hard time seeing.

You can see into Ballroom and Dining Room. You can see Madam Cream in Dining Room.

You can see Reverend Weed here.

Professor Puce wanders into Ballroom.
action: You examine Tiles
response: Cheap, heavily worn green linoleum tiles. There are islands of bare wood where most of the cabinets once stood.

Madam Cream drifts into Kitchen. Colonel De Jon and Reverend Weed drift into Ballroom.
action: You talk to Cream
response: Madam Cream says: "You have some questions?"

(yes)
action: Yes
response: "Go ahead and ask your questions."

(Did you kill him?)
action: You kill
response: "No. Violence is so primitive, don't you think?"

(What did you see? / Where were you?)
action: See
response: I could see Miss Flame in the Dining Room.

(Where were you?)
action: Where
response: "I was in the Kitchen."
"Do you have any more questions?"

(No. I guess that is all for now.)
action: No
response: "Well, move on to the next person then and let's get this
over with."
action: You open the drawer
response: You open drawer revealing.... it is empty.

Reverend Weed saunters into Dining Room. Miss Flame wanders into Ballroom.
action: You examine the sink
response: Avocado green. You wonder what people were thinking. How was that ever a good color for... well... anything? It appears empty and with no faucet, it is probably non-functional.

Madam Cream drifts into Ballroom.
action: You examine the cabinet
response: Stained dark walnut and heavily marred. A white(?) sink on top and a single drawer towards the bottom.
action: You move Tiles
response: It is fixed in place.
action: You open the cabinet
response: It isn't something you can open.

Madam Cream saunters into Kitchen.
action: You look around
response: The remodeling has pretty much gutted this room. A
refrigerator, a stove and a cabinet with a
sink and only a single drawer. The others appear to
be missing. The floor of cheap green tiles has islands of
bare wood where cabinetry has been removed. Three incandescent
bulbs hang from the ceiling not really shedding much light. The window over the sink is painted black. So, even in the
daytime, the workers must have a really hard time seeing.

You can see into Ballroom and Dining Room.

You can see Madam Cream and Colonel De Jon here.
action: You examine the bulbs
response: Several bare bulbs hanging from the ceiling.

Reverend Weed wanders into Dining Room.
action: You examine the sink
response: Avocado green. You wonder what people were thinking. How was that ever a good color for... well... anything? It appears empty and with no faucet, it is probably non-functional.
action: You look at the cabinet
response: Stained dark walnut and heavily marred. A white(?) sink on top and a single drawer towards the bottom.

Madam Cream drifts into Dining Room.
action: You recall
response: Professor Puce was in Study and could see Miss Flame in the Dining Room and Colonel De Jon in the Hall.
Reverend Weed was in Lounge and could see Colonel De Jon in the Hall and Mrs Fowl in the Library.
Madam Cream was in Kitchen and could see Miss Flame in the Dining Room.

candlestick (Library)
lead pipe (Conservatory)
wrench (Ballroom)
action: Go south
response: A surprisingly small room and with no table or chairs, you can only guess its the dining room. Along one wall is a built-in
cabinet, probably for the china and flatware. The ceiling is completely gone and you can see up to the second floor. The lighting comes from some worker lights.

You can see into Kitchen and Study. You can see Colonel De Jon in Kitchen. Miss Flame and Reverend Weed in Study.

You can see Madam Cream here.

Mrs Fowl saunters into Study.
action: You examine the cabinet
response: (the built-in cabinet)
A tall dark cabinet, probably a china cabinet. There is a
flatware drawer for the silver. Most of the cabinet
doors underneath the draw have been removed. Only one is left.

Professor Puce drifts into Study.
action: You open the drawer
response: You open flatware drawer revealing.... it is empty.

Mrs Fowl wanders into Dining Room. Madam Cream drifts into Kitchen.
action: You open the door
response: You open the cabinet door, revealing a rope.

Miss Flame saunters into Study.
action: You get the rope
response: Taken.

Madam Cream and Professor Puce saunter into Dining Room.
action: You talk to Puce
response: Professor Puce says: "So it is my turn at the
inquisition?"

(yes)
action: Yes
response: "So ask away."

(Did you kill him?)
action: Done
response: You can't see any such thing.
action: You go to the south
response: "You're as bad as my students. Pay attention."
action: You stop
response: "Fine. Move along then."

You can't reach into the Study.
action: You recall
response: Professor Puce was in Study and could see Miss Flame in the Dining Room and Colonel De Jon in the Hall.
Reverend Weed was in Lounge and could see Colonel De Jon in the Hall and Mrs Fowl in the Library.
Madam Cream was in Kitchen and could see Miss Flame in the Dining Room.

rope (Dining Room)
candlestick (Library)
lead pipe (Conservatory)
wrench (Ballroom)

Madam Cream wanders into Study.
action: Look around
response: A surprisingly small room and with no table or chairs, you can only guess its the dining room. Along one wall is a built-in
cabinet, probably for the china and flatware. The ceiling is completely gone and you can see up to the second floor. The lighting comes from some worker lights.

You can see into Kitchen and Study. You can see Madam Cream, Reverend Weed and Professor Puce in Study.

You can see Mrs Fowl here.

Professor Puce strolls into Dining Room.
action: You talk to Fowl
response: Mrs Fowl says: "Is it my turn?"

(yes)
action: Yes
response: "Go ahead and ask your questions, young man."

(Did you kill him?)
action: You kill
response: "No. I am not capable of such a heinous deed."

(What did you see? / Where were you?)
action: See
response: "I could see Reverend Weed in the Lounge".

(Where were you?)
action: Where
response: "I was in the Library."
"Do you have any more questions?"

(No. I guess that is all for now.)
action: No
response: "This is such a horrible business, I hope you solve this
quickly."
action: You examine lights
response: Two stands of high intensity lights. This may be the only room adequately lit.

worker lights is currently switched on.

Professor Puce drifts into Study. Madam Cream saunters into Dining Room.
action: You go to the south
response: A huge desk with one chair behind it. There are
some papers strewn all over it. A coat rack stands
in one corner with a bright orange slicker hanging on it.

You can see into Dining Room and Hall. You can see Madam Cream and Mrs Fowl in Dining Room. Reverend Weed in Hall.

You can see Professor Puce here.

Mrs Fowl wanders into Study.
action: You examine the desk
response: A huge desk with a single drawer in the center. Obviously
brought by the construction crew to work on.

On huge desk is some papers.

Professor Puce saunters into Dining Room.
action: You look at the papers
response: Construction related papers. Purchase orders, plans, delivery schedules.

Colonel De Jon wanders into Hall.
action: You open drawer
response: You open drawer revealing.... it is empty.

Reverend Weed saunters into Study.
action: You look at the chair
response: An old style wooden swivel chair with little metal rollers.

Professor Puce drifts into Study. Mrs Fowl strolls into Dining Room.
action: You examine rack
response: Matches the chair. Old wooden rack with 3 or 4 hooks.

On coat rack is bright orange slicker.

Reverend Weed saunters into Hall.
action: You examine the slicker
response: Bright and orange. Stained with grease and dirt.

Professor Puce drifts into Hall. Colonel De Jon saunters into Study.
action: You get it
response: What are you thinking? Are you going out to direct traffic?.

Reverend Weed wanders into Study.
action: You look around
response: A huge desk with one chair behind it. There are
some papers strewn all over it. A coat rack stands
in one corner with a bright orange slicker hanging on it.

You can see into Dining Room and Hall. You can see Mrs Fowl in Dining Room. Professor Puce in Hall.

You can see Reverend Weed and Colonel De Jon here.

Mrs Fowl drifts into Study.
action: You talk to De Jon
response: Colonel De Jon says: "About time you got to me. I am not use
to being kept waiting, you know?"

(yes)
action: Yes
response: "Well ask your questions."

(Did you kill him?)
action: You kill
response: "Of course not. I am insulted sir!"

(What did you see? / Where were you?)
action: See
response: "I could see Reverend Weed in the Lounge and Professor
Puce in the Study".

(Where were you?)
action: Where
response: "I was in the Hall."
"Do you have any more questions?"

(No. I guess that is all for now.)
action: No
response: "If you are done with me, get on with it. I don't have all
night."
action: You recall
response: Professor Puce was in Study and could see Miss Flame in the Dining Room and Colonel De Jon in the Hall.
Reverend Weed was in Lounge and could see Colonel De Jon in the Hall and Mrs Fowl in the Library.
Madam Cream was in Kitchen and could see Miss Flame in the Dining Room.
Mrs Fowl was in Library and could see Reverend Weed in the Lounge. Colonel De Jon was in Hall and could see Reverend Weed in the Lounge and Professor Puce in the Study.

rope (Dining Room)
candlestick (Library)
lead pipe (Conservatory)
wrench (Ballroom)

Reverend Weed strolls into Hall.
action: You look under the desk
response: You find nothing of interest.

Professor Puce saunters into Dining Room.
action: You go east
response: A fairly utilitarian room off the foyer. There is a closet.
For hanging coats? There is a shovel and a sledge
hammer leaning against one wall.

You can see into Lounge and Study. You can see Colonel De Jon in Study.

You can see Reverend Weed here.

Reverend Weed drifts into Study.
action: You open the closet
response: You open closet, revealing a dagger.
action: You get the dagger
response: Taken.

Colonel De Jon saunters into Study.
action: You get the hammer and shovel
response: sledge hammer: If Rick was hit with this, he would never have
made it to the Foyer. This can't be the murder weapon..
shovel: Too big to be the murder weapon, so you decide not to
take it..
action: Look around
response: A fairly utilitarian room off the foyer. There is a closet.
For hanging coats? There is a shovel and a sledge
hammer leaning against one wall.

You can see into Lounge and Study. You can see Colonel De Jon and Reverend Weed in Study.

Reverend Weed drifts into Hall.
action: You look at shovel
response: A brand new shovel. Doesn't look like it has ever been used.
action: You examine the hammer
response: This tool has definately seen alot of use. Probably the main tool that broke through all the walls on the first floor.
action: Go east
response: Okay, you have no idea what this room is for. The only clue is a pyramid of beer cans in the corner probably left by the
workers. You guess you will call this the lounge. On the outside wall is a fireplace that seems to have been used by the
workers to burn trash. There is a large toolbox sitting near
the beer cans.

You can see into Hall and Library.

You can see Reverend Weed here.
action: You examine cans
response: A monument to alcholic consumption.
action: You examine the fireplace
response: Takes up all of the outside wall. Looks like it could burn a small forest in one sitting.

Reverend Weed strolls into Hall.
action: You look at the toolbox
response: A dented, red toolbox. It has seen a lot of use. One of the workers is a very trusting soul leaving it here. It isn't even locked.
action: You open it
response: You open toolbox, revealing a revolver.
action: You get the revolver
response: Taken.

Professor Puce drifts into Library.
action: You go to the northwest
response: A room in the center of the first floor of the mansion with a collapsed scaffold. From here you can seen into all the
first floor rooms. And, of course, the corpse of Rick Mortis.

You can see into all the rooms. You can see Madam Cream in Kitchen. Colonel De Jon and Miss Flame in Ballroom. Mrs Fowl in Conservatory. Professor Puce in Lounge. Reverend Weed in Hall.

Reverend Weed wanders into Study. Madam Cream strolls into Dining Room. Colonel De Jon drifts into Conservatory.
action: You look at the scaffold
response: A collapsed frame of aluminum struts. The construction materials it supported are scattered throughout the Foyer.
action: You go north
response: A huge room lit by chandelier. Obviously for dancing but the
only dancer here is a rusty barrel.

You can see into Kitchen and Conservatory. You can see Colonel De Jon and Mrs Fowl in Conservatory.

You can see Miss Flame and Chandliers here.

Mrs Fowl and Professor Puce stroll into Ballroom.
action: You talk to Flame
response: Miss Flame says: "I suppose you want to interview me
now?"

(yes)
action: Yes
response: "Go ahead and ask your questions... detective."

(Did you kill him?)
action: You kill
response: "Only in my dreams."

(What did you see? / Where were you?)
action: See
response: "I could see Professor Puce in the Study".

(Where were you?)
action: Where
response: "I was in the Dining Room."
"Do you have any more questions?"

(No. I guess that is all for now.)
action: No
response: "I wish you would hurry up. I want to get out of
here."

Miss Flame strolls into Kitchen. Reverend Weed and Professor Puce wander into Ballroom. Mrs Fowl wanders into Ballroom.
action: You recall
response: Professor Puce was in Study and could see Miss Flame in the Dining Room and Colonel De Jon in the Hall.
Reverend Weed was in Lounge and could see Colonel De Jon in the Hall and Mrs Fowl in the Library.
Madam Cream was in Kitchen and could see Miss Flame in the Dining Room.
Mrs Fowl was in Library and could see Reverend Weed in the Lounge. Colonel De Jon was in Hall and could see Reverend Weed in the Lounge and Professor Puce in the Study.
Miss Flame was in Dining Room and could see Professor Puce in the Study.

revolver (Lounge)
dagger (Hall)
rope (Dining Room)
candlestick (Library)
lead pipe (Conservatory)
wrench (Ballroom)
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
a revolver (found in Lounge)
a dagger (found in Hall)
a rope (found in Dining Room)
a candlestick (found in Library)
a lead pipe (found in Conservatory)
a wrench (found in Ballroom)

Reverend Weed drifts into Conservatory.
action: You drop all but the wrench
response: revolver: You should hold on to revolver. You may
need it to reveal the solution to Rick's murder.
dagger: You should hold on to dagger. You may need
it to reveal the solution to Rick's murder.
rope: You should hold on to rope. You may need it to
reveal the solution to Rick's murder.
candlestick: You should hold on to candlestick. You
may need it to reveal the solution to Rick's murder.
lead pipe: You should hold on to lead pipe. You may
need it to reveal the solution to Rick's murder.

Mrs Fowl wanders into Conservatory.
action: You go south
response: A room in the center of the first floor of the mansion with a collapsed scaffold. From here you can seen into all the
first floor rooms. And, of course, the corpse of Rick Mortis.

You can see into all the rooms. You can see Miss Flame in Kitchen. Professor Puce in Ballroom. Reverend Weed and Mrs Fowl in Conservatory. Colonel De Jon in Hall. Madam Cream in Study.

Madam Cream saunters into Hall. Miss Flame wanders into Dining Room. Professor Puce saunters into Kitchen. Colonel De Jon drifts into Library.
action: You reveal the the solution
response: You say, "Could everyone come into the Foyer? I think I have solved Rick's murder."

All the suspects have gathered in the Foyer.

[Picture number 21 here.]

You say, "I will now state my accusation."

Professor Puce was in Study and could see Miss Flame in the Dining Room and Colonel De Jon in the Hall.
Reverend Weed was in Lounge and could see Colonel De Jon in the Hall and Mrs Fowl in the Library.
Madam Cream was in Kitchen and could see Miss Flame in the Dining Room.
Mrs Fowl was in Library and could see Reverend Weed in the Lounge. Colonel De Jon was in Hall and could see Reverend Weed in the Lounge and Professor Puce in the Study.
Miss Flame was in Dining Room and could see Professor Puce in the Study.

revolver (Lounge)
dagger (Hall)
rope (Dining Room)
candlestick (Library)
lead pipe (Conservatory)
wrench (Ballroom)
action: Wrench
response: "The solution is

Madam Cream in Ballroom with the wrench."

"I assert that Rick Mortis was killed by

Madam Cream in Ballroom with the wrench."

Press SPACE key to continue...
Press SPACE key to continue...** You solved the murder in 1 hours  56 minutes.

Madam Cream starts to run but is grabbed by Miss Flame and Professor Puce. Reverend Weed shakes his head, and pulls out his cell phone and says

"I am calling the police".

You say, "We should tie him up and then make sure we all have our stories straight. In order to avoid complications, we will tell the police we came tonight to see Rick's remodeling project. You each have an alibi. Stick to it, don't embelish. Do not make up a complicated story about how you know Rick. Stick to the truth as much as possible. Business associates or long time acquantance will probably work best."

These people are getting out of here without paying off Rick, thus, I won't get paid. Sigh, no good deed goes unpunished I guess...

Press SPACE key to continue...