All text will now be saved to the script file. Type UNSCRIPT at any time to discontinue scripting. >[Aaaack! TADS crapped out on me. And I figured out I had to restart to save my $$ anyhow. Sigh. I don't understand the punctuation "[". >[It died when I had absolutely everything in the wheelbarrow and was going se from 'north of house' at the contstruction site. I don't understand the punctuation "[". >[The jug of miracle-grow was still there.] I don't understand the punctuation "[". >move rock You find a spare key! [ Your score just went up by 3 points. You can toggle these notifications at any time by typing 'notify.' ] >ne Driveway This is your front driveway, which leads west to the north side of your house. A small path leads southwest to the front door. To the east is the road into town. You see a little car here. >open car (with the spare key) Unlocked. So that's what this key is for. >open trunk (with the car key) Unlocked. The trunk pops open. >enter car (opening the little car) Okay, you're now in the little car. Driveway (in the little car) The interior of the car has gotten a little dusty with disuse, but the seats are still comfy. The only obvious things to see are the glove compartment and the steering wheel. The little car is open. >unlock glove (with the car key) Unlocked. >open it Opening the glove compartment reveals a #2 pencil and a tourist map. >get all from glove #2 pencil: Taken. tourist map: Taken. >search car You find an armrest compartment! [ Your score just went up by 5 points. ] >open armrest Opening the armrest compartment reveals a garage door opener. >get opener Taken. >open hood Opening the hood reveals an engine. >out Okay, you're no longer in the little car. Driveway This is your front driveway, which leads west to the north side of your house. A small path leads southwest to the front door. To the east is the road into town. You see a little car here. The trunk seems to contain a spare tire and a jack. The hood seems to contain an engine. >w North of house The north side of your house is dominated by your garage door. The garage door is closed. A scaled stone wall runs up the side of the house. The driveway extends east, and a small path leads southeast to the front of the house and southwest to the back. >push button You push the opener button. Click. The garage door smoothly glides open. >s In the garage This room is a total mess. No wonder you keep your car in the driveway. It would take a long time to sort through the junk in here, and even then it seems unlikely there would be much point to it. There is a garage door button on the wall. A closed door to the south leads into your house through the kitchen. The only other exit is the way you came in, which is open. You see an opener button here. >search junk You find a crowbar! >g You find a can of WD-40! >g You find an old pillowcase! >g You find a handful of cobwebs. Bleah! >g You find a deflated soccer ball! >g You find a broken tire pump! >g You find a wasp nest! >g You find a 2x4 plank! >g You find a can-opener! >g You find a moose head trophy! >g You find a shovel! >g You find a beat-up mattress! >g You find a divining rod! >g You find a machete! >g You find a busted wheelbarrow! >g You find a frisbee! >g You find a cannonball! >g You find the kitchen sink! >g You find absolutely nothing else! At last!!! [ Your score just went up by 10 points. ] >get all garage door: You can't have the garage door. junk in the garage: It's fixed in place. wall opener button: You can't have the wall opener button. crowbar: Taken. can of WD-40: Taken. old pillowcase: Taken. deflated soccer ball: Taken. broken tire pump: Taken. wasp nest: It looks dead, but you'd better leave it alone. 2x4 plank: You've already got your hands full. can-opener: You've already got your hands full. moose head trophy: You've already got your hands full. shovel: You've already got your hands full. divining rod: You've already got your hands full. machete: You've already got your hands full. frisbee: You've already got your hands full. cannonball: You've already got your hands full. the kitchen sink: You must be kidding. >put all in pillowcase library book: Done. car key: Done. #2 pencil: Done. tourist map: Done. garage door opener: Done. crowbar: Done. can of WD-40: Done. old pillowcase: You can't put the old pillowcase in itself! deflated soccer ball: Done. broken tire pump: Done. >get all garage door: You can't have the garage door. junk in the garage: It's fixed in place. wall opener button: You can't have the wall opener button. wasp nest: It looks dead, but you'd better leave it alone. 2x4 plank: Taken. can-opener: Taken. moose head trophy: You've already got your hands full. shovel: Taken. divining rod: Taken. machete: Taken. frisbee: Taken. cannonball: Taken. the kitchen sink: You must be kidding. >put all in pillowcase old pillowcase: You can't put the old pillowcase in itself! 2x4 plank: Done. can-opener: Done. shovel: Done. divining rod: You can't fit that in the old pillowcase. machete: You can't fit that in the old pillowcase. frisbee: You can't fit that in the old pillowcase. cannonball: You can't fit that in the old pillowcase. >get all garage door: You can't have the garage door. junk in the garage: It's fixed in place. wall opener button: You can't have the wall opener button. wasp nest: It looks dead, but you'd better leave it alone. moose head trophy: You've already got your hands full. the kitchen sink: You must be kidding. >n North of house The north side of your house is dominated by your garage door. The garage door is open. A scaled stone wall runs up the side of the house. The driveway extends east, and a small path leads southeast to the front of the house and southwest to the back. >e Driveway This is your front driveway, which leads west to the north side of your house. A small path leads southwest to the front door. To the east is the road into town. You see a little car here. The trunk seems to contain a spare tire and a jack. The hood seems to contain an engine. >e Sidewalk The concrete sidewalk that leads away from your house is starting to show the wear and tear of the hot summers and cool winters. The sections are uneven and tufts of grass poke up through the cracks. The sidewalk wanders east alongside the road away from your house and toward the nearby shopping village. Your driveway is back to the west. You see a mailbox here. >e Bend in path As you approach the local nub of suburban civilization, you again are reminded that community expansion has a price. A small shrubbery here serves, apparently, as an excuse for people to litter, as it is full of bits of trash. The footpath bends here from west to north, leading into the shopping village. The divining rod vibrates, pulling to the shrubbery. >search shrubbery You find a sewer grating! >open grating (with the crowbar) You pry up the sewer grating. The sewer hole is now wide open. >get bill Taken. [ Your score just went up by 4 points. ] >n In the village This little shopping village is attractively decorated with colored signs pointing you to this merchant and that. To the west is the bank, and to the east is the public library. Because it is late, the only thing open is the sandwich shop, which is to the north. The sidewalk leading home is south. >get books library book: Taken. wedged books: You grab ahold of the books and give them a few solid yanks. They pop free and tumble onto the ground. >get books rare book: Taken. biology book: Taken. >s Bend in path As you approach the local nub of suburban civilization, you again are reminded that community expansion has a price. A small shrubbery here serves, apparently, as an excuse for people to litter, as it is full of bits of trash. The footpath bends here from west to north, leading into the shopping village. You see a sewer grating here. The divining rod vibrates, pulling to the sewer hole. >w Sidewalk The concrete sidewalk that leads away from your house is starting to show the wear and tear of the hot summers and cool winters. The sections are uneven and tufts of grass poke up through the cracks. The sidewalk wanders east alongside the road away from your house and toward the nearby shopping village. Your driveway is back to the west. You see a mailbox here. >w Driveway This is your front driveway, which leads west to the north side of your house. A small path leads southwest to the front door. To the east is the road into town. You see a little car here. The trunk seems to contain a spare tire and a jack. The hood seems to contain an engine. >w North of house The north side of your house is dominated by your garage door. The garage door is open. A scaled stone wall runs up the side of the house. The driveway extends east, and a small path leads southeast to the front of the house and southwest to the back. >u You climb gingerly up the stone wall. North roof This is the north end of the roof. Shingle tiles, already looking the worse for wear, make for slippery traction. A gutter trap, clogged with leaves, runs along the length of the west side of the house. The roof itself continues south. The stone wall, which turns out to be the outside of your chimney, leads back down. [ Your score just went up by 4 points. ] >s South roof The shingles are in even worse shape on this end of the house, which makes you very nervous as the ground is a long way down from the peak here, at least 30 feet. The gutter trap is to the west and continues up to the north end of the house. You can see the top opening of the drainpipe in the clogged leaves. The only exit is north. A squirrel is here. The squirrel is rather squat and feral, but it regards you with an almost intelligent interest. >give rare to squirrel You give the rare book to the squirrel. The squirrel is so excited by the numerous color depictions of female squirrels in heat that he drops the acorn, which unfortunately rolls down the slope of the roof into the gutter. You hear the acorn rattle into the drainpipe and get stuck in the muck halfway down. The squirrel runs off with the rare book. >put cannonball in drain You drop the cannonball into the drainpipe. It barely fits, so you give it a shove. There is a disgusting vomiting noise below, as the cannonball bursts out the bottom of the spout, pushing all the muck out with it. [ Your score just went up by 3 points. ] >n North roof This is the north end of the roof. Shingle tiles, already looking the worse for wear, make for slippery traction. A gutter trap, clogged with leaves, runs along the length of the west side of the house. The roof itself continues south. The stone wall, which turns out to be the outside of your chimney, leads back down. >d You climb gingerly down the stone wall. North of house The north side of your house is dominated by your garage door. The garage door is open. A scaled stone wall runs up the side of the house. The driveway extends east, and a small path leads southeast to the front of the house and southwest to the back. >sw Behind house The back of your house is pretty non-descript, except for some really nice trees that make up for the lack of landscaping in the front. The spout of your drainpipe comes down here from the roof. A gravel path extends northeast and southeast. You see a cannonball and a big juicy acorn here. >get all drainpipe: It's fixed in place. cannonball: Taken. big juicy acorn: Taken. [ Your score just went up by 8 points. ] >se South of house You always thought this would be a nice place to plant a tree, but a bare spot reminds you of your lack of foresight. The ground slopes down slightly here, and the wall of the house looms an extra story high because of it. There is a tiny window high in the wall, about 30 feet up. A little path made by you on your many daily walks leads southwest into the woods. You can walk around your house to the northwest and northeast. >sw Path in the woods This little spot is one of your favorite places to sit and think. A well-trod path winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, so the path does an abrupt curve around it. The path leads northeast to your house, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. >sw Clearing The woods part in a marvelous natural clearing here. Moonlight streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. Your footpath leaves the clearing to the northeast, heading back to the house. There is a warmth to the air you don't recognize. >ne Path in the woods This little spot is one of your favorite places to sit and think. A well-trod path winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, so the path does an abrupt curve around it. The path leads northeast to your house, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. >sw Clearing The woods part in a marvelous natural clearing here. Moonlight streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. Your footpath leaves the clearing to the northeast, heading back to the house. You feel as if something is about to happen, but don't know what. >z Time passes... There is a strange vibration to the air, and the smell of ozone. >z Time passes... Something is definitely happening! The center of the clearing is starting to glow bright yellow. >z Time passes... A sound like the crack of thunder erupts, sucking in the air from around you into a vacuum in the center of the clearing. The light becomes blindingly bright. >z Time passes... When the light fades, you see that a time machine has appeared! >enter machine Okay, you're now standing on the time machine platform. [ Your score just went up by 5 points. ] >open compartment A wave of heat comes out of the compartment. Opening the hinged compartment reveals the time machine manual and a package. >get all from compartment time machine manual: Taken. package: You've already got your hands full. >put money in compartment Done. >put all in pillow old pillowcase: You can't put the old pillowcase in itself! divining rod: Done. machete: You can't fit that in the old pillowcase. frisbee: You can't fit that in the old pillowcase. library book: You can't fit that in the old pillowcase. biology book: You can't fit that in the old pillowcase. cannonball: You can't fit that in the old pillowcase. big juicy acorn: You can't fit that in the old pillowcase. time machine manual: You can't fit that in the old pillowcase. The haze and ozone dissipate from the air. >get package Taken. >open it Opening the package reveals a Herring detector. >put all in package old pillowcase: Done. machete: Done. frisbee: Done. library book: Done. biology book: Done. cannonball: Done. big juicy acorn: Done. time machine manual: Done. package: You can't put the package in itself! >x dial The knob can be turned to settings numbered from 1 to 5. It's currently set to 1. >ne (first getting off the platform) Okay, you're no longer on the time machine platform. Path in the woods This little spot is one of your favorite places to sit and think. A well-trod path winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, so the path does an abrupt curve around it. The path leads northeast to your house, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. >ne South of house You always thought this would be a nice place to plant a tree, but a bare spot reminds you of your lack of foresight. The ground slopes down slightly here, and the wall of the house looms an extra story high because of it. There is a tiny window high in the wall, about 30 feet up. A little path made by you on your many daily walks leads southwest into the woods. You can walk around your house to the northwest and northeast. >nw Behind house The back of your house is pretty non-descript, except for some really nice trees that make up for the lack of landscaping in the front. The spout of your drainpipe comes down here from the roof. A gravel path extends northeast and southeast. >ne North of house The north side of your house is dominated by your garage door. The garage door is open. A scaled stone wall runs up the side of the house. The driveway extends east, and a small path leads southeast to the front of the house and southwest to the back. >u You climb gingerly up the stone wall. North roof This is the north end of the roof. Shingle tiles, already looking the worse for wear, make for slippery traction. A gutter trap, clogged with leaves, runs along the length of the west side of the house. The roof itself continues south. The stone wall, which turns out to be the outside of your chimney, leads back down. >s South roof The shingles are in even worse shape on this end of the house, which makes you very nervous as the ground is a long way down from the peak here, at least 30 feet. The gutter trap is to the west and continues up to the north end of the house. You can see the top opening of the drainpipe in the clogged leaves. The only exit is north. >get tile You pry loose one of the bad shingles. >n North roof This is the north end of the roof. Shingle tiles, already looking the worse for wear, make for slippery traction. A gutter trap, clogged with leaves, runs along the length of the west side of the house. The roof itself continues south. The stone wall, which turns out to be the outside of your chimney, leads back down. >d You climb gingerly down the stone wall. North of house The north side of your house is dominated by your garage door. The garage door is open. A scaled stone wall runs up the side of the house. The driveway extends east, and a small path leads southeast to the front of the house and southwest to the back. >sw Behind house The back of your house is pretty non-descript, except for some really nice trees that make up for the lack of landscaping in the front. The spout of your drainpipe comes down here from the roof. A gravel path extends northeast and southeast. >se South of house You always thought this would be a nice place to plant a tree, but a bare spot reminds you of your lack of foresight. The ground slopes down slightly here, and the wall of the house looms an extra story high because of it. There is a tiny window high in the wall, about 30 feet up. A little path made by you on your many daily walks leads southwest into the woods. You can walk around your house to the northwest and northeast. >sw Path in the woods This little spot is one of your favorite places to sit and think. A well-trod path winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, so the path does an abrupt curve around it. The path leads northeast to your house, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. >sw Clearing The woods part in a marvelous natural clearing here. Moonlight streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. Your footpath leaves the clearing to the northeast, heading back to the house. You see a time machine here. The hinged compartment seems to contain some money (five dollars). >enter machine Okay, you're now standing on the time machine platform. >push button You push the big red button. Click! The time machine vibrates and heats up like a toaster oven. A deep red light envelops you. The world around you spins into a wild vortex that suddenly vanishes, leaving you to find yourself in a ... Forest The woods surround you on all sides, although there is enough space around you to consider it a clearing of sorts. Light streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. You can hear the soft gurgling of a stream nearby, but the foliage is so rich and dense that the sound of it is dispersed. You aren't sure which from which direction it originates. You can barely keep your bearings straight, as each direction looks the same as every other. You see a time machine here. The hinged compartment seems to contain some money (five dollars). The divining rod vibrates, pulling to the south. [ Your score just went up by 5 points. ] >s (first getting off the platform) Okay, you're no longer on the time machine platform. You almost lose your bearings again, but the divining rod seems to pull you through. In the forest The woods surround you on all sides. You can hear the soft gurgling of a stream nearby, but the foliage is so rich and dense that the sound of it is dispersed. The foliage is so rich and dense that you can barely keep your bearings straight. Each direction looks the same as every other. The divining rod vibrates, pulling to the southeast. >se You almost lose your bearings again, but the divining rod seems to pull you through. In the forest The woods surround you on all sides. You can hear the soft gurgling of a stream nearby, but the foliage is so rich and dense that the sound of it is dispersed. The foliage is so rich and dense that you can barely keep your bearings straight. Each direction looks the same as every other. The divining rod vibrates, pulling to the north. >n You almost lose your bearings again, but the divining rod seems to pull you through. In the forest The woods surround you on all sides. You can hear the soft gurgling of a stream nearby, but the foliage is so rich and dense that the sound of it is dispersed. The foliage is so rich and dense that you can barely keep your bearings straight. Each direction looks the same as every other. The divining rod vibrates, pulling to the east. >e You almost lose your bearings again, but the divining rod seems to pull you through. In the forest The woods surround you on all sides. You can hear the soft gurgling of a stream nearby, but the foliage is so rich and dense that the sound of it is dispersed. The foliage is so rich and dense that you can barely keep your bearings straight. Each direction looks the same as every other. The divining rod vibrates, pulling to the northeast. >ne You almost lose your bearings again, but the divining rod seems to pull you through. In the forest The woods surround you on all sides. You can hear the soft gurgling of a stream nearby, but the foliage is so rich and dense that the sound of it is dispersed. The foliage is so rich and dense that you can barely keep your bearings straight. Each direction looks the same as every other. The divining rod vibrates, pulling to the northeast. >ne You almost lose your bearings again, but the divining rod seems to pull you through. In the forest The woods surround you on all sides. You can hear the soft gurgling of a stream nearby, but the foliage is so rich and dense that the sound of it is dispersed. The foliage is so rich and dense that you can barely keep your bearings straight. Each direction looks the same as every other. The divining rod vibrates, pulling to the northwest. >nw You almost lose your bearings again, but the divining rod seems to pull you through. In the forest The woods surround you on all sides. You can hear the soft gurgling of a stream nearby, but the foliage is so rich and dense that the sound of it is dispersed. The foliage is so rich and dense that you can barely keep your bearings straight. Each direction looks the same as every other. The divining rod vibrates, pulling to the west. >w You almost lose your bearings again, but the divining rod seems to pull you through. In the forest The woods surround you on all sides. You can hear the soft gurgling of a stream nearby, but the foliage is so rich and dense that the sound of it is dispersed. The foliage is so rich and dense that you can barely keep your bearings straight. Each direction looks the same as every other. The divining rod vibrates, pulling to the northwest. >nw You almost lose your bearings again, but the divining rod seems to pull you through. In the forest The woods surround you on all sides. You can hear the soft gurgling of a stream nearby, but the foliage is so rich and dense that the sound of it is dispersed. The foliage is so rich and dense that you can barely keep your bearings straight. Each direction looks the same as every other. The divining rod vibrates, pulling to the northeast. >ne You almost lose your bearings again, but the divining rod seems to pull you through. In the forest The woods surround you on all sides. You can hear the soft gurgling of a stream nearby, but the foliage is so rich and dense that the sound of it is dispersed. The foliage is so rich and dense that you can barely keep your bearings straight. Each direction looks the same as every other. The divining rod vibrates, pulling to the southeast. >se You almost lose your bearings again, but the divining rod seems to pull you through. Flowing stream The foliage parts at last to reveal a sparkling forest stream. Light dapples gently through the leaves to highlight slick, wet rocks and the bright green of fresh growth. The stream flows, about half a meter wide, from the north to the southwest. The divining rod vibrates, pulling to the stream. [ Your score just went up by 4 points. ] >n Path in the woods A natural path made by the stream winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, and the stream does an abrupt curve around it. The stream runs from the northeast to the south, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. >ne Sloping wood The ground slopes down here, eroded by the nearby stream. Grasses heavy with fresh dew and spring-saturated soil give the area a soft, spongy feel beneath your feet. The stream leads back southwest, and far ahead through the trees to the northeast, you can see a road of some kind. You see a soft spot here. >dig in soft (with the shovel) The shovel bites a nice hole in the earth. >put acorn in hole You put the acorn into the hole, and scoop the dirt over it, leaving a noticeable little mound. [ Your score just went up by 6 points. ] >save Saved. >sw Path in the woods A natural path made by the stream winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, and the stream does an abrupt curve around it. The stream runs from the northeast to the south, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. >sw You push your way into the clearing, opening your usual path once again. Forest The woods surround you on all sides, although there is enough space around you to consider it a clearing of sorts. Light streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. You can hear the soft gurgling of a stream nearby, but the foliage is so rich and dense that the sound of it is dispersed. You aren't sure which from which direction it originates. You can see your usual path through the grove of trees to the northeast. You see a time machine here. The hinged compartment seems to contain some money (five dollars). The divining rod vibrates, pulling to the northeast. >set dial to 4 Okay, it's now turned to 4. >enter machine Okay, you're now standing on the time machine platform. >push button You push the big red button. Click! The time machine vibrates and heats up like a toaster oven. A bright blue light envelops you. The world around you spins into a wild vortex that suddenly vanishes, leaving you to find yourself in a ... Clearing The woods part in a marvelous natural clearing here. Light streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. You can hear the busy noise of construction work nearby, coming through the woods from the northeast. You see a time machine here. The hinged compartment seems to contain some money (five dollars). [ Your score just went up by 5 points. ] >ne (first getting off the platform) Okay, you're no longer on the time machine platform. You push through the trees. Your footpath doesn't seem to exist any more... Woods The smell of freshly-sawed wood wafts through this natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way. A construction site is to the northeast, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. >ne South of house You are standing on what will be the south side of your house. The house is currently under construction. The wooden frame has gone up, but apart from that, there's not much to see. The ground slopes down slightly here, and the wall of the house looms an extra story high because of it. A little bare path made by you just now leads southwest into the woods. You can walk around the house to the northwest and northeast. To the east is a dirt road leading to town. You see a sapling here. Someone shouts, "Get that paint over to number eight!" A teenaged kid dashes by with hot coffee for the foreman. >n Inside house You finally step into your house. Not much of a victory, given the circumstances. Just a lot of planks and rafters. A temporary work ladder is nailed into the structure, and leads up to the second floor. You see a screwdriver here. Two guys wheel past with a load of cinder blocks. A man with a hard hat barks commands to some dust-covered strongarms. Someone shouts, "Where's the langstrom 7-inch gangley wrench?" >get screwdriver Taken. A young man scurries by, holding three bundles of copper piping. Two women walk by, discussing their favorite winch pulley manufacturers. Someone up in the roof rafters shouts orders that are ignored. >e Front of house You are standing in what will be the front of your house. The house is currently under construction. The wooden frame has gone up, but apart from that, there's not much to see. A construction blockade is to the northeast, preventing you from stepping on the freshly-poured cement driveway. A huge supply truck sitting on the other side of the driveway, behind the blockade. You can walk around the house to the northwest and southwest. You can go around the driveway and find the road into town to the southeast. You see a jug of miracle-grow here. Someone cries, "Yeah! We've been waitin' for those!" A huge man with a mustache to match lopes by, carrying a trowel and a bag of plaster mix. A short man in a blue shirt says, "We ain't got enough water in the mix. Where's the foreman? Get the foreman." >get jug Taken. A crashing noise is heard, and then a burst of laughter. You can't see what caused it. The sharp noise of nails being hammered into thick planks causes you to blink your eyes several times. A young woman with a large box of wood screws rushes past, crying, "Coming! Coming!" >sw South of house You are standing on what will be the south side of your house. The house is currently under construction. The wooden frame has gone up, but apart from that, there's not much to see. The ground slopes down slightly here, and the wall of the house looms an extra story high because of it. A little bare path made by you just now leads southwest into the woods. You can walk around the house to the northwest and northeast. To the east is a dirt road leading to town. You see a sapling here. A sweaty, red-faced man yells, "Where are my ducts? Where are my flim-flanged ducts?" Someone yells, "That's a riot! Where's Ed? He's gotta hear this!" A nervous kid slouches by, looking like it's his first day on the job. >n Inside house You finally step into your house. Not much of a victory, given the circumstances. Just a lot of planks and rafters. A temporary work ladder is nailed into the structure, and leads up to the second floor. A trio of men with puffy faces and scruffy chest hair stride past, telling dirty jokes. A beefy blond man waddles past, blowing his nose ferociously into the sleeve of his shirt. Someone yells, "Fifteen! Fifteen, everybody!" Someone yells back, "You got that right!" >u Second floor The description 'second floor' is misleading, because the floor up here isn't actually finished, so watch your step. From up here you see a nice view of the town square down the road. There is a fancy blueprint of the house sitting on a temporary workdesk. The only exit is down. Sitting on the workdesk is a blueprint. The architect is here. A young woman with a pile of floor tiles rushes past, crying, "Who ordered these?" A guy clambers down from above and yells, "Let's eat!". Someone rushes up to you, looks you up and down, and then shakes his head and runs off. >give bad to architect He takes the bad shingle and then looks at it with alarm. "Oh my goodness! This is the type of shingle we were planning to use, but it's obvious that we need to use something of better quality. I'll make sure to talk to the roofers about this." [ Your score just went up by 4 points. ] A man with round spectacles stares at the sky and predicts rain. A wiry lad from the electrical crew says, "We need to wait for the plumbers." There is a crashing noise and some amount of furor and muttered oaths from the construction crew. >d Inside house You finally step into your house. Not much of a victory, given the circumstances. Just a lot of planks and rafters. A temporary work ladder is nailed into the structure, and leads up to the second floor. The lunchtime whistle blows shrilly. All of the workers cry, "LUNCH!" They drop what they're doing and gather north of the house to start eating. >s South of house You are standing on what will be the south side of your house. The house is currently under construction. The wooden frame has gone up, but apart from that, there's not much to see. The ground slopes down slightly here, and the wall of the house looms an extra story high because of it. A little bare path made by you just now leads southwest into the woods. You can walk around the house to the northwest and northeast. To the east is a dirt road leading to town. You see a sapling here. >sw Woods The smell of freshly-sawed wood wafts through this natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way. A construction site is to the northeast, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. >sw Clearing The woods part in a marvelous natural clearing here. Light streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. You can see a construction site through the woods to the northeast. You see a time machine here. The hinged compartment seems to contain some money (five dollars). >enter machine Okay, you're now standing on the time machine platform. >push button You push the big red button. Click! The time machine vibrates and heats up like a toaster oven. A bright blue light envelops you. The world around you spins into a wild vortex that suddenly vanishes, leaving you to find yourself in a ... Clearing The woods part in a marvelous natural clearing here. Moonlight streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. Your footpath leaves the clearing to the northeast, heading back to the house. You see a time machine here. The hinged compartment seems to contain some money (five dollars). >ne (first getting off the platform) Okay, you're no longer on the time machine platform. Path in the woods This little spot is one of your favorite places to sit and think. A well-trod path winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, so the path does an abrupt curve around it. The path leads northeast to your house, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. >ne South of house The ground slopes down slightly here, and the wall of the house looms an extra story high because of it. There is a tiny window high in the wall, about 30 feet up. A little path made by you on your many daily walks leads southwest into the woods. You can walk around your house to the northwest and northeast. A scrawny, undernourished tree is growing here next to the house, right where you always thought one should. The sad sight of this particular specimen makes you think maybe you were wrong. >nw Behind house The back of your house is pretty non-descript, except for some really nice trees that make up for the lack of landscaping in the front. The spout of your drainpipe comes down here from the roof. A gravel path extends northeast and southeast. >ne North of house The north side of your house is dominated by your garage door. The garage door is open. A scaled stone wall runs up the side of the house. The driveway extends east, and a small path leads southeast to the front of the house and southwest to the back. >s In the garage This room is a total mess. No wonder you keep your car in the driveway. Sure enough, it took a long time to sort through the junk in here, and you have found everything including the kitchen sink, and there still doesn't seem to have been much point to it. There is a garage door button on the wall. A closed door to the south leads into your house through the kitchen. The only other exit is the way you came in, which is open. You see an opener button, a wasp nest, a moose head trophy, a beat-up mattress, a busted wheelbarrow, and the kitchen sink here. >fix wheelbarrow (with the screwdriver) Perhaps a wrench would have been better suited for the task, but with a little effort you tighten the bolt holding the wheel. The axle is still a little bent, but the wheel should stay on. [ Your score just went up by 2 points. ] >push wheelbarrow n North of house The north side of your house is dominated by your garage door. The garage door is open. A scaled stone wall runs up the side of the house. The driveway extends east, and a small path leads southeast to the front of the house and southwest to the back. You see a wheelbarrow here. >push wheelbarrow sw Behind house The back of your house is pretty non-descript, except for some really nice trees that make up for the lack of landscaping in the front. The spout of your drainpipe comes down here from the roof. A gravel path extends northeast and southeast. You see a wheelbarrow here. >push wheelbarrow se South of house The ground slopes down slightly here, and the wall of the house looms an extra story high because of it. There is a tiny window high in the wall, about 30 feet up. A little path made by you on your many daily walks leads southwest into the woods. You can walk around your house to the northwest and northeast. A scrawny, undernourished tree is growing here next to the house, right where you always thought one should. The sad sight of this particular specimen makes you think maybe you were wrong. You see a wheelbarrow here. >push wheelbarrow sw Path in the woods This little spot is one of your favorite places to sit and think. A well-trod path winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, so the path does an abrupt curve around it. The path leads northeast to your house, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. You see a wheelbarrow here. >push wheelbarrow sw Clearing The woods part in a marvelous natural clearing here. Moonlight streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. Your footpath leaves the clearing to the northeast, heading back to the house. You see a time machine and a wheelbarrow here. The hinged compartment seems to contain some money (five dollars). >push wheelbarrow on machine Done. >enter machine Okay, you're now standing on the time machine platform. >set dial to 2 Okay, it's now turned to 2. >push button You push the big red button. Click! The time machine vibrates and heats up like a toaster oven. A dull orange light envelops you. The world around you spins into a wild vortex that suddenly vanishes, leaving you to find yourself in a ... Clearing The woods part in a marvelous natural clearing here. Light streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. You can see a construction site through the woods to the northeast. You see a time machine here. The hinged compartment seems to contain some money (five dollars). Sitting on the time machine platform is a wheelbarrow. >push wheelbarrow ne (first getting off the platform) Okay, you're no longer on the time machine platform. Woods The smell of freshly-sawed wood wafts through this natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way. A construction site is to the northeast, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. You see a wheelbarrow here. >g South of house You are standing on what will be the south side of your house. The house is currently under construction. The wooden frame has gone up, but apart from that, there's not much to see. The ground slopes down slightly here, and the wall of the house looms an extra story high because of it. A little bare path made by you just now leads southwest into the woods. You can walk around the house to the northwest and northeast. To the east is a dirt road leading to town. You see a sapling and a wheelbarrow here. >push wheelbarrow nw Behind house You are standing in what will be the back of your house. If you thought it was boring to look at before, you couldn't possibly be less enthusiastic about seeing it now. The wooden frame has gone up, but that is all there is to see. However, there is something new to see, a temporary workshed built by the construction company. The shed sits to the north. You can walk around the house to the northeast and southeast. You see a wheelbarrow here. >push wheelbarrow n Outside workshed The construction company has built a sturdy workshed on your property, apparently for the convenience of storing materials and tools during the job. It is probably locked at night, but right now it is wide open. You can enter the shed to the north. The back of the house is to the south, and you can hear the work crew having lunch up in your driveway to the east. You see a wheelbarrow here. >push wheelbarrow n Inside workshed It's kind of hot and stuffy in here, during the heat of the day. It is also hard for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. The materials that are locked in here at night must all be in use right now, because the shed is basically empty. The only exit is south. You see four jugs of miracle-grow and a wheelbarrow here. A huge dog is sitting here. >throw frisbee You throw the frisbee. The huge dog tears off after it! You hear his playful barking disappear into the woods. >put jug in wheelbarrow Done. >get jug. put it in wheelbarrow Taken. Done. >get jug. put it in wheelbarrow Taken. Done. >get jug. put it in wheelbarrow Taken. The huge dog comes bounding back into the shed and drops the slobbery frisbee at your feet. From outside, you hear a sharp whistle that gets the huge dog's attention. A voice calls out, "Blackie! Here boy!" The huge dog runs off. Done. >get jug. put it in wheelbarrow Taken. Done. >get jug. put it in wheelbarrow Taken. Done. >get jug. put it in wheelbarrow Taken. Done. >l Inside workshed It's kind of hot and stuffy in here, during the heat of the day. It is also hard for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. The materials that are locked in here at night must all be in use right now, because the shed is basically empty. The only exit is south. You see a wheelbarrow and a frisbee here. >get frisbee Taken. >push wheelbarrow s Outside workshed The construction company has built a sturdy workshed on your property, apparently for the convenience of storing materials and tools during the job. It is probably locked at night, but right now it is wide open. You can enter the shed to the north. The back of the house is to the south, and you can hear the work crew having lunch up in your driveway to the east. You see a wheelbarrow here. >g Behind house You are standing in what will be the back of your house. If you thought it was boring to look at before, you couldn't possibly be less enthusiastic about seeing it now. The wooden frame has gone up, but that is all there is to see. However, there is something new to see, a temporary workshed built by the construction company. The shed sits to the north. You can walk around the house to the northeast and southeast. You see a wheelbarrow here. >push wheelbarrow se South of house You are standing on what will be the south side of your house. The house is currently under construction. The wooden frame has gone up, but apart from that, there's not much to see. The ground slopes down slightly here, and the wall of the house looms an extra story high because of it. A little bare path made by you just now leads southwest into the woods. You can walk around the house to the northwest and northeast. To the east is a dirt road leading to town. You see a sapling and a wheelbarrow here. >push wheelbarrow sw Woods The smell of freshly-sawed wood wafts through this natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way. A construction site is to the northeast, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. You see a wheelbarrow here. >push wheelbarrow sw Clearing The woods part in a marvelous natural clearing here. Light streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. You can see a construction site through the woods to the northeast. You see a time machine and a wheelbarrow here. The hinged compartment seems to contain some money (five dollars). >push wheelbarrow on machine Done. >x it This filthy beast from, apparently, the last century, has a busted front wheel. It's still a little wobbly, but the bolt is holding it tight. In the wheelbarrow you see: five jugs of miracle-grow some thick liquid >enter machine Okay, you're now standing on the time machine platform. >push button You push the big red button. Click! The time machine vibrates and heats up like a toaster oven. A dull orange light envelops you. The world around you spins into a wild vortex that suddenly vanishes, leaving you to find yourself in a ... Forest The woods surround you on all sides, although there is enough space around you to consider it a clearing of sorts. Light streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. You can hear the soft gurgling of a stream nearby, but the foliage is so rich and dense that the sound of it is dispersed. You aren't sure which from which direction it originates. You can see your usual path through the grove of trees to the northeast. You see a time machine here. The hinged compartment seems to contain some money (five dollars). Sitting on the time machine platform is a wheelbarrow. The divining rod vibrates, pulling to the northeast. >push wheelbarrow ne (first getting off the platform) Okay, you're no longer on the time machine platform. Path in the woods A natural path made by the stream winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, and the stream does an abrupt curve around it. The stream runs from the northeast to the south, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. You see a wheelbarrow here. >push wheelbarrow ne Sloping wood The ground slopes down here, eroded by the nearby stream. Grasses heavy with fresh dew and spring-saturated soil give the area a soft, spongy feel beneath your feet. The stream leads back southwest, and far ahead through the trees to the northeast, you can see a road of some kind. You see a soft spot, a little mound of dirt, and a wheelbarrow here. >get jug. pour it on mound. sw. drop it. ne Taken. The liquid seeps into the mound of dirt with a nourishing sigh. Path in the woods A natural path made by the stream winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, and the stream does an abrupt curve around it. The stream runs from the northeast to the south, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. Dropped. Sloping wood The ground slopes down here, eroded by the nearby stream. Grasses heavy with fresh dew and spring-saturated soil give the area a soft, spongy feel beneath your feet. The stream leads back southwest, and far ahead through the trees to the northeast, you can see a road of some kind. You see a soft spot, a little mound of dirt, and a wheelbarrow here. >get jug. pour it on mound. sw. drop it. ne Taken. The liquid seeps into the mound of dirt with a nourishing sigh. [ Your score just went up by 3 points. ] Path in the woods A natural path made by the stream winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, and the stream does an abrupt curve around it. The stream runs from the northeast to the south, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. You see a jug of miracle-grow here. Dropped. Sloping wood The ground slopes down here, eroded by the nearby stream. Grasses heavy with fresh dew and spring-saturated soil give the area a soft, spongy feel beneath your feet. The stream leads back southwest, and far ahead through the trees to the northeast, you can see a road of some kind. You see a soft spot, a little mound of dirt, and a wheelbarrow here. >get jug. pour it on mound. sw. drop it. ne Taken. The liquid seeps into the mound of dirt with a nourishing sigh. Path in the woods A natural path made by the stream winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, and the stream does an abrupt curve around it. The stream runs from the northeast to the south, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. You see two jugs of miracle-grow here. Dropped. Sloping wood The ground slopes down here, eroded by the nearby stream. Grasses heavy with fresh dew and spring-saturated soil give the area a soft, spongy feel beneath your feet. The stream leads back southwest, and far ahead through the trees to the northeast, you can see a road of some kind. You see a soft spot, a little mound of dirt, and a wheelbarrow here. >get jug. pour it on mound. sw. drop it. ne Taken. The liquid seeps into the mound of dirt with a nourishing sigh. Path in the woods A natural path made by the stream winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, and the stream does an abrupt curve around it. The stream runs from the northeast to the south, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. You see three jugs of miracle-grow here. Dropped. Sloping wood The ground slopes down here, eroded by the nearby stream. Grasses heavy with fresh dew and spring-saturated soil give the area a soft, spongy feel beneath your feet. The stream leads back southwest, and far ahead through the trees to the northeast, you can see a road of some kind. You see a soft spot, a little mound of dirt, and a wheelbarrow here. >get jug. pour it on mound. sw. drop it. ne Taken. The liquid seeps into the mound of dirt with a nourishing sigh. [ Your score just went up by 5 points. ] Path in the woods A natural path made by the stream winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, and the stream does an abrupt curve around it. The stream runs from the northeast to the south, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. You see four jugs of miracle-grow here. Dropped. Sloping wood The ground slopes down here, eroded by the nearby stream. Grasses heavy with fresh dew and spring-saturated soil give the area a soft, spongy feel beneath your feet. The stream leads back southwest, and far ahead through the trees to the northeast, you can see a road of some kind. You see a soft spot, a little mound of dirt, and a wheelbarrow here. >put cannonball in wheelbarrow Done. >i You are carrying: a package a Herring detector an old pillowcase a car key a #2 pencil a tourist map a garage door opener a crowbar a can of WD-40 a deflated soccer ball a broken tire pump a 2x4 plank a can-opener a shovel a divining rod a machete a library book a biology book the time machine manual a screwdriver a frisbee >sw Path in the woods A natural path made by the stream winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, and the stream does an abrupt curve around it. The stream runs from the northeast to the south, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. You see five jugs of miracle-grow here. >use herring on jug Not a red herring. >use herring on ball The herring detector bleeps. The deflated soccer ball must be a red herring. >use herring on pump The herring detector bleeps. The broken tire pump must be a red herring. >use herring on plank The herring detector bleeps. The 2x4 plank must be a red herring. >use herring on can-opener The herring detector bleeps. The can-opener must be a red herring. >use herring on pencil The herring detector bleeps. The #2 pencil must be a red herring. >use herring on map The herring detector bleeps. The tourist map must be a red herring. >use herring on machete Not a red herring. >drop ball, pump, plank, can-opener, pencil, map deflated soccer ball: Dropped. broken tire pump: Dropped. 2x4 plank: Dropped. can-opener: Dropped. #2 pencil: Dropped. tourist map: Dropped. >sw You push your way into the clearing, opening your usual path once again. Forest The woods surround you on all sides, although there is enough space around you to consider it a clearing of sorts. Light streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. You can hear the soft gurgling of a stream nearby, but the foliage is so rich and dense that the sound of it is dispersed. You aren't sure which from which direction it originates. You can see your usual path through the grove of trees to the northeast. You see a time machine here. The hinged compartment seems to contain some money (five dollars). The divining rod vibrates, pulling to the northeast. >get money Taken. >ne Path in the woods A natural path made by the stream winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, and the stream does an abrupt curve around it. The stream runs from the northeast to the south, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. You see five jugs of miracle-grow, a deflated soccer ball, a broken tire pump, a 2x4 plank, a can-opener, a #2 pencil, and a tourist map here. >ne Sloping wood The ground slopes down here, eroded by the nearby stream. Grasses heavy with fresh dew and spring-saturated soil give the area a soft, spongy feel beneath your feet. The stream leads back southwest, and far ahead through the trees to the northeast, you can see a road of some kind. You see a soft spot, a little mound of dirt, and a wheelbarrow here. >drop money Dropped. >get cannonball. drop it Taken. Dropped. >sw Path in the woods A natural path made by the stream winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, and the stream does an abrupt curve around it. The stream runs from the northeast to the south, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. You see five jugs of miracle-grow, a deflated soccer ball, a broken tire pump, a 2x4 plank, a can-opener, a #2 pencil, and a tourist map here. >sw You push your way into the clearing, opening your usual path once again. Forest The woods surround you on all sides, although there is enough space around you to consider it a clearing of sorts. Light streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. You can hear the soft gurgling of a stream nearby, but the foliage is so rich and dense that the sound of it is dispersed. You aren't sure which from which direction it originates. You can see your usual path through the grove of trees to the northeast. You see a time machine here. The divining rod vibrates, pulling to the northeast. >enter machine Okay, you're now standing on the time machine platform. >set dial to 4 Okay, it's now turned to 4. >push button You push the big red button. Click! The time machine vibrates and heats up like a toaster oven. A bright blue light envelops you. The world around you spins into a wild vortex that suddenly vanishes, leaving you to find yourself in a ... Clearing The woods part in a marvelous natural clearing here. Light streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. You can see a construction site through the woods to the northeast. You see a time machine here. >ne (first getting off the platform) Okay, you're no longer on the time machine platform. Woods The smell of freshly-sawed wood wafts through this natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way. A construction site is to the northeast, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. >ne South of house You are standing on what will be the south side of your house. The house is currently under construction. The wooden frame has gone up, but apart from that, there's not much to see. The ground slopes down slightly here, and the wall of the house looms an extra story high because of it. A little bare path made by you just now leads southwest into the woods. You can walk around the house to the northwest and northeast. To the east is a dirt road leading to town. You see a sapling here. >sw Woods The smell of freshly-sawed wood wafts through this natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way. A construction site is to the northeast, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. >sw Clearing The woods part in a marvelous natural clearing here. Light streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. You can see a construction site through the woods to the northeast. You see a time machine here. >enter machine Okay, you're now standing on the time machine platform. >push button You push the big red button. Click! Nothing seems to happen. I wonder why. >z Time passes... >z Time passes... >push button You push the big red button. Click! The time machine vibrates and heats up like a toaster oven. A bright blue light envelops you. The world around you spins into a wild vortex that suddenly vanishes, leaving you to find yourself in a ... Clearing The woods part in a marvelous natural clearing here. Moonlight streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. Your footpath leaves the clearing to the northeast, heading back to the house. You see a time machine here. >ne (first getting off the platform) Okay, you're no longer on the time machine platform. Path in the woods This little spot is one of your favorite places to sit and think. A well-trod path winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, so the path does an abrupt curve around it. The path leads northeast to your house, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. >ne South of house The ground slopes down slightly here, and the wall of the house looms an extra story high because of it. There is a tiny window high in the wall, about 30 feet up. A little path made by you on your many daily walks leads southwest into the woods. You can walk around your house to the northwest and northeast. A beautiful, leafy tree is growing here next to the house, right where you always thought it should. You see a tire swing here. >untie tire It's too difficult to untie when it's dangling in the air. >u Mid-way up tree You are mid-way up the tree, which extends up another 15 feet. A strong branch here extends horizontally from the trunk. You can climb even farther up from here, or back down to the ground. You see a thick rope (tied to a tire swing and to a strong branch) here. >untie rope You untie the branch from the rope, and the rope and tire fall to the ground with a thunk. >d South of house The ground slopes down slightly here, and the wall of the house looms an extra story high because of it. There is a tiny window high in the wall, about 30 feet up. A little path made by you on your many daily walks leads southwest into the woods. You can walk around your house to the northwest and northeast. A beautiful, leafy tree is growing here next to the house, right where you always thought it should. You see a thick rope (tied to a tire) and a tire here. >get rope (first untying the rope from the tire) You untie the rope from the tire. Taken. >get tire Taken. >u Mid-way up tree You are mid-way up the tree, which extends up another 15 feet. A strong branch here extends horizontally from the trunk. You can climb even farther up from here, or back down to the ground. >u Treetop You're as high in the tree as your weight will let you climb. The view from here is incredible. The window in the side of the house is right in front of you to the north. You are surprised and somewhat amused to see the rare book nestled within the branches of the tree. The squirrel must have been here recently. >throw rope at window You take aim and heave the thick rope into the window. It disappears inside. >save Saved. >jump at window I don't recognize that sentence. >jump You are too high up in the tree. If you jump you'll break your ankle. >n The window seems to be a little farther away than you thought. If you leap to it, you might just make it. >jump to window You make your leap of faith. Your hands find a firm grip on the sill and you pull yourself in. Unfortunately, you drop all of your possessions in the process. Attic This is a little attic space, barely tall enough for you to stand in. Thick boards run in parallel lines along the floor, with pink insulation laid out in between. A thick brass pipe passes up from the floor next to the window and continues up through the ceiling. Cardboard packing boxes of various sizes are stacked along the walls. A folded-up ladder attached to a hatch would lead down if it were open, but it's closed. The only exit is the little window you came in. You see a thick rope here. [ Your score just went up by 10 points. ] >get rope Taken. >tie it to pipe You tie the rope to the pipe. >open cardboard I don't know how to open the cardboard boxes. >x cardboard In the cardboard boxes you see a blue pencil and a desk lamp. >get pencil, lamp blue pencil: Taken. desk lamp: Taken. >x insulation Which insulation do you mean, the pink insulation, or the pink insulation? >any pink insulation: The insulation is made of pink fiberglass. >x other insulation I don't see any other insulation here. >d (down the rope) (first dropping the rope out the window) You throw the free end of the rope out the window. It doesn't reach all the way down to the ground. You shimmy down the rope. After a few feet, your hands lose their grip and you plummet. The ground breaks your fall, and quite nearly your ankle. South of house The ground slopes down slightly here, and the wall of the house looms an extra story high because of it. There is a tiny window high in the wall, about 30 feet up. There is a rope dangling from the window. A little path made by you on your many daily walks leads southwest into the woods. You can walk around your house to the northwest and northeast. A beautiful, leafy tree is growing here next to the house, right where you always thought it should. You see a package, a screwdriver, a frisbee, and a tire here. The package seems to contain a Herring detector, an old pillowcase, a machete, a library book, a biology book, and the time machine manual. >get all tiny window: It's too far away. wall: It's fixed in place. beautiful tree: It's fixed in place. package: Taken. screwdriver: Taken. frisbee: Taken. tire: Taken. >x wall You always thought that the wall on this side of the house would make a great place to hide a secret door. Again, you are reminded of your lack of foresight. If there were a door here, you could get in that way. >sw Path in the woods This little spot is one of your favorite places to sit and think. A well-trod path winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, so the path does an abrupt curve around it. The path leads northeast to your house, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. >sw Clearing The woods part in a marvelous natural clearing here. Moonlight streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. Your footpath leaves the clearing to the northeast, heading back to the house. You see a time machine here. >set dial to 2 Okay, it's now turned to 2. >enter machine Okay, you're now standing on the time machine platform. >push button You push the big red button. Click! The time machine vibrates and heats up like a toaster oven. A dull orange light envelops you. The world around you spins into a wild vortex that suddenly vanishes, leaving you to find yourself in a ... Clearing The woods part in a marvelous natural clearing here. Light streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. You can see a construction site through the woods to the northeast. You see a time machine here. >ne (first getting off the platform) Okay, you're no longer on the time machine platform. Woods The smell of freshly-sawed wood wafts through this natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way. A construction site is to the northeast, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. >sw Clearing The woods part in a marvelous natural clearing here. Light streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. You can see a construction site through the woods to the northeast. You see a time machine here. >undo (Undoing one command) Woods The smell of freshly-sawed wood wafts through this natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way. A construction site is to the northeast, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. >undo (Undoing one command) Clearing (on the time machine platform) The woods part in a marvelous natural clearing here. Light streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. You can see a construction site through the woods to the northeast. You see a time machine here. >undo (Undoing one command) Clearing (on the time machine platform) The woods part in a marvelous natural clearing here. Moonlight streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. Your footpath leaves the clearing to the northeast, heading back to the house. You see a time machine here. >undo (Undoing one command) Clearing The woods part in a marvelous natural clearing here. Moonlight streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. Your footpath leaves the clearing to the northeast, heading back to the house. You see a time machine here. >undo (Undoing one command) Clearing The woods part in a marvelous natural clearing here. Moonlight streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. Your footpath leaves the clearing to the northeast, heading back to the house. You see a time machine here. >undo (Undoing one command) Path in the woods This little spot is one of your favorite places to sit and think. A well-trod path winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, so the path does an abrupt curve around it. The path leads northeast to your house, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. >sw Clearing The woods part in a marvelous natural clearing here. Moonlight streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. Your footpath leaves the clearing to the northeast, heading back to the house. You see a time machine here. >set dial to 1 Okay, it's now turned to 1. >enter machine Okay, you're now standing on the time machine platform. >push button You push the big red button. Click! The time machine vibrates and heats up like a toaster oven. A deep red light envelops you. The world around you spins into a wild vortex that suddenly vanishes, leaving you to find yourself in a ... Forest The woods surround you on all sides, although there is enough space around you to consider it a clearing of sorts. Light streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. You can hear the soft gurgling of a stream nearby, but the foliage is so rich and dense that the sound of it is dispersed. You aren't sure which from which direction it originates. You can see your usual path through the grove of trees to the northeast. You see a time machine here. The divining rod vibrates, pulling to the northeast. >ne (first getting off the platform) Okay, you're no longer on the time machine platform. Path in the woods A natural path made by the stream winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, and the stream does an abrupt curve around it. The stream runs from the northeast to the south, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. You see five jugs of miracle-grow, a deflated soccer ball, a broken tire pump, a 2x4 plank, a can-opener, a #2 pencil, and a tourist map here. >n There is nowhere to go in that direction. >ne Sloping wood The ground slopes down here, eroded by the nearby stream. Grasses heavy with fresh dew and spring-saturated soil give the area a soft, spongy feel beneath your feet. The stream leads back southwest, and far ahead through the trees to the northeast, you can see a road of some kind. You see a soft spot, a little mound of dirt, a wheelbarrow, some money (five dollars), and a cannonball here. >get all soft spot: It's fixed in place. some money (five dollars): Taken. cannonball: Taken. >push wheelbarrow ne Oakwood drive This pleasant road wanders peacefully through the lush tree growths native to the area. In the intervening years, they'll straighten the road and widen it, cutting down dozens of these thirty- to eighty-year-old live oaks. The road leads north into the old shopping village, and a path winds back into the forest to the southwest. You see a wheelbarrow here. >push wheelbarrow n In the village The little shopping village looks a lot different than you're used to seeing it. The sandwich shop is there, to the north, but it doesn't look like it's open for business yet. To the west is the bank, which seems like it's always been here and always will. To the east is an antique store, where the public library will be. The road leading back is south. You see a wheelbarrow here. >push wheelbarrow e Antique store Stocked full of knickknacks and ancient collectibles, this shop is pervaded by a rich, musty odor. Taking a look around, you are somewhat ashamed to admit that you really can't tell one item from another. None of it looks any more valuable or rare than the collection you keep heaped in your garage. The only exit is west into the village. You see a wheelbarrow here. The merchant is here. >show wheelbarrow to merchant The merchant gives it a quick once-over with her expertly trained eyeballs. The merchant says, "Say, this wheelbarrow is as ancient as Methuselah. I'll give you $60 for it. Deal?" >yes The merchant pulls the wheelbarrow over to one side of the shop and says, "All righty. Here you are. Thank you." >give cannonball to merchant The merchant rejects the offer. >i You are carrying: a blue pencil a desk lamp a package a Herring detector an old pillowcase a car key a garage door opener a crowbar a can of WD-40 a shovel a divining rod a machete a library book a biology book the time machine manual a screwdriver a frisbee a tire some money (65 dollars) a cannonball >show cannonball to merchant The merchant gives the cannonball the once-over with her keen pair of eyeballs. The merchant says, "Say, this cannonball is in good shape. I'll give you $35 for it. Deal?" >yes The merchant tucks the cannonball away into a back room, then returns and hands you the money. The merchant says, "All righty. Here you are. Thank you." >i You are carrying: a blue pencil a desk lamp a package a Herring detector an old pillowcase a car key a garage door opener a crowbar a can of WD-40 a shovel a divining rod a machete a library book a biology book the time machine manual a screwdriver a frisbee a tire some money (100 dollars) >w In the village The little shopping village looks a lot different than you're used to seeing it. The sandwich shop is there, to the north, but it doesn't look like it's open for business yet. To the west is the bank, which seems like it's always been here and always will. To the east is an antique store, where the public library will be. The road leading back is south. >w In the bank The bank interior is polished and impeccable. A desk to the south says "New Accounts." A teller window to the north is labeled "Deposits and Withdrawals." A hallway leads west into the bank's back offices. The exit is east. >s New accounts The new accounts area is a clean little area in the corner of the bank. The lobby is back to the north. Laura, a bank employee, is sitting at the new accounts desk. >ask laura about account Laura asks, "Yes, would you care to open a new account?" >yes Laura says, "Okay. We require a minimum deposit of $100 in order to open your account. Is that all right?" >yes Laura smiles and says, "Okay, you're all set. Your PIN number will be 1234. Thank you!" [ Your score just went up by 7 points. ] >n In the bank The bank interior is polished and impeccable. A desk to the south says "New Accounts." A teller window to the north is labeled "Deposits and Withdrawals." A hallway leads west into the bank's back offices. The exit is east. >s New accounts The new accounts area is a clean little area in the corner of the bank. The lobby is back to the north. Laura, a bank employee, is sitting at the new accounts desk. >ask laura about atm Laura says, "I'm afraid you'll have to ask someone else." >n In the bank The bank interior is polished and impeccable. A desk to the south says "New Accounts." A teller window to the north is labeled "Deposits and Withdrawals." A hallway leads west into the bank's back offices. The exit is east. >n At the Teller window The teller stands ready at the window, with a polite but grim expression. The bank teller is standing behind the teller window. The teller says, "Good morning. Would you care to make a deposit or a withdrawal today?" Teller>no The teller says, "Have a nice day." In the bank The bank interior is polished and impeccable. A desk to the south says "New Accounts." A teller window to the north is labeled "Deposits and Withdrawals." A hallway leads west into the bank's back offices. The exit is east. >e In the village The little shopping village looks a lot different than you're used to seeing it. The sandwich shop is there, to the north, but it doesn't look like it's open for business yet. To the west is the bank, which seems like it's always been here and always will. To the east is an antique store, where the public library will be. The road leading back is south. >s Oakwood drive This pleasant road wanders peacefully through the lush tree growths native to the area. In the intervening years, they'll straighten the road and widen it, cutting down dozens of these thirty- to eighty-year-old live oaks. The road leads north into the old shopping village, and a path winds back into the forest to the southwest. >sw Sloping wood The ground slopes down here, eroded by the nearby stream. Grasses heavy with fresh dew and spring-saturated soil give the area a soft, spongy feel beneath your feet. The stream leads back southwest, and far ahead through the trees to the northeast, you can see a road of some kind. You see a soft spot and a little mound of dirt here. >sw Path in the woods A natural path made by the stream winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, and the stream does an abrupt curve around it. The stream runs from the northeast to the south, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. You see five jugs of miracle-grow, a deflated soccer ball, a broken tire pump, a 2x4 plank, a can-opener, a #2 pencil, and a tourist map here. >sw You push your way into the clearing, opening your usual path once again. Forest The woods surround you on all sides, although there is enough space around you to consider it a clearing of sorts. Light streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. You can hear the soft gurgling of a stream nearby, but the foliage is so rich and dense that the sound of it is dispersed. You aren't sure which from which direction it originates. You can see your usual path through the grove of trees to the northeast. You see a time machine here. The divining rod vibrates, pulling to the northeast. >enter machine Okay, you're now standing on the time machine platform. >set dial to 5 Okay, it's now turned to 5. >push button You push the big red button. Click! The time machine vibrates and heats up like a toaster oven. A blinding purple light envelops you. The world around you spins into a wild vortex that suddenly vanishes, leaving you to find yourself in a ... Clearing The woods part in a marvelous natural clearing here. Moonlight streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. Your footpath leaves the clearing to the northeast, heading back to the house. You see a time machine here. >z Time passes... >z Time passes... >set dial to 4 Okay, it's now turned to 4. >z Time passes... >z Time passes... >z Time passes... >push button You push the big red button. Click! Nothing seems to happen. I wonder why. >g You push the big red button. Click! The time machine vibrates and heats up like a toaster oven. A bright blue light envelops you. The world around you spins into a wild vortex that suddenly vanishes, leaving you to find yourself in a ... Clearing The clearing here is desolate, giving the distinct impression that all natural life has left this area. The ground is hard and overgrown by weedy grass. There are no trees any more, but there are some stumps where once they stood. Your old footpath is nowhere to be seen. You do see your house to the northeast, but it too looks abandoned. You see a time machine here. [ Your score just went up by 5 points. ] >ne (first getting off the platform) Okay, you're no longer on the time machine platform. At the rock A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, a familiar landmark in an otherwise unfamiliar landscape. Once nestled along a wooded path, it now is the sole feature of an eerily empty landscape, distorting your perceptions of scale and distance. The broken remains of dark glass bottles lie around the base. The rock itself looks darker than you remember it, somewhat blackened. To the northeast is your house, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. >ne South of house This is not your house as you expected to find it, but a scene of devastation. The beautiful tree you planted has split from its scorched trunk and smashed into the side of your house. From what you can see, the roof has been torn open by the weight of it, and a terrifying hole gouged out to fully halfway down the wall. However, the fire seems not to have spread thanks to the fire- resistant shingles. Broken splinters of wet and rotting wood lie everywhere, kept moist by recent rains. To the southwest is the old rock and, farther, the clearing. You can walk around your house to the northwest and northeast. >ne Front of house This is the front your house, and something is terribly wrong. The front door is boarded up, sealing off all entrance to what should still be your home. The roof is crippled by the weight of a fallen tree, and all of the front windows are cracked. Sopping mounds of rotting leaves that have collected along the edges and corners indicate years of neglect. A pool of dirty yellow water trickles down from the driveway and collects, full of black silt, near the front door. The driveway is to the northeast, and a clearing is visible far to the southwest. The front door is to the west. >e There is nowhere to go in that direction. >ne Driveway Your driveway looks much the same, a thankful sight after the ruin your house has become. The road to town still lies to the east. Your front door is to the southwest. You see a newspaper here. >get paper Taken. >read it An item in the business section catches your eye. Apparently, the Lothario Corporation has failed to consume DibbleBits, an upstart technology company, in hostile takeover. It seems DibbleBits is cash-rich right now, its stock value having taken a sudden 80-point jump in the last year, due to technology demand, after having languished at pennies-per-share for 30 years. >e Sidewalk After the shocking sight of your house, this once-familiar sidewalk is a calming surprise. Someone must have recently repoured the walk, as it is smooth and free of flaws. The sidewalk wanders east-west alongside the road from your house into the nearby strip mall. You see a mailbox here. There's something in your mailbox. >look in mailbox In the mailbox you see a ATM card. >get atm Taken. [ Your score just went up by 2 points. ] >x it It is your personal automated teller machine card. >e Strip mall The walk to town is much shorter, because progress seems to have brought the town to you. Where there used to be some nice trees and bushes is a concrete strip-mall. The old village square with the library, bank, and sandwich shop seems to have been mowed down to make way for this thing. In fact, a sign here makes you think even this strip mall isn't long for this world. Even the bank is gone, replaced by an impersonal automated teller machine (ATM). In the strip mall you see a number of vacant offices. The only shop that seems to be open for business is an alabaster little store labelled "Locksmith," which is directly to the north. The sidewalk leads back west. >put atm in machine You can't put the automated teller machine anywhere. >put card in machine The display reads: Please type your PIN number or push CANCEL. >1234 There's no verb in that sentence! >type 1234 (on the keypad) The machine whirs for a few moments of mechanical thought. The display reads: Type 1 to make a deposit, type 2 to make a withdrawal, type 3 to check your current balance, or push CANCEL to end this transaction. >type 2 (on the keypad) The display reads: Please type the amount to withdraw, in multiples of $20. >type 0 (on the keypad) The machine whirrs and clacks. Finally, it spits out $0, which you take. The display reads: Would you care to make another transaction? Type 1 for yes, CANCEL to end. >cancel There's no verb in that sentence! >type 1 (on the keypad) The display reads: Type 1 to make a deposit, type 2 to make a withdrawal, type 3 to check your current balance, or push CANCEL to end this transaction. >type 3 (on the keypad) The display reads: You currently have 3795 dollars in your account. Type 1 to make a deposit, type 2 to make a withdrawal, type 3 to check your current balance, or push CANCEL to end this transaction. >type 2 (on the keypad) The display reads: Please type the amount to withdraw, in multiples of $20. >type 3000 (on the keypad) The machine whirrs and clacks. Finally, it spits out $3000, which you take. The display reads: Would you care to make another transaction? Type 1 for yes, CANCEL to end. >type cancel (on the keypad) The display reads: Thank you for using VistaBank! The machine spits out your ATM card, which you take. >i You are carrying: a blue pencil a desk lamp a package a Herring detector an old pillowcase a car key a garage door opener a crowbar a can of WD-40 a shovel a divining rod a machete a library book a biology book the time machine manual a screwdriver a frisbee a tire a newspaper some money (3000 dollars) a ATM card >s There is nowhere to go in that direction. >sw There is nowhere to go in that direction. >2 There's no verb in that sentence! >w Sidewalk After the shocking sight of your house, this once-familiar sidewalk is a calming surprise. Someone must have recently repoured the walk, as it is smooth and free of flaws. The sidewalk wanders east-west alongside the road from your house into the nearby strip mall. You see a mailbox here. >sw There is nowhere to go in that direction. >w Driveway Your driveway looks much the same, a thankful sight after the ruin your house has become. The road to town still lies to the east. Your front door is to the southwest. >s There is nowhere to go in that direction. >sw Front of house This is the front your house, and something is terribly wrong. The front door is boarded up, sealing off all entrance to what should still be your home. The roof is crippled by the weight of a fallen tree, and all of the front windows are cracked. Sopping mounds of rotting leaves that have collected along the edges and corners indicate years of neglect. A pool of dirty yellow water trickles down from the driveway and collects, full of black silt, near the front door. The driveway is to the northeast, and a clearing is visible far to the southwest. The front door is to the west. >sw South of house This is not your house as you expected to find it, but a scene of devastation. The beautiful tree you planted has split from its scorched trunk and smashed into the side of your house. From what you can see, the roof has been torn open by the weight of it, and a terrifying hole gouged out to fully halfway down the wall. However, the fire seems not to have spread thanks to the fire- resistant shingles. Broken splinters of wet and rotting wood lie everywhere, kept moist by recent rains. To the southwest is the old rock and, farther, the clearing. You can walk around your house to the northwest and northeast. >sw At the rock A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, a familiar landmark in an otherwise unfamiliar landscape. Once nestled along a wooded path, it now is the sole feature of an eerily empty landscape, distorting your perceptions of scale and distance. The broken remains of dark glass bottles lie around the base. The rock itself looks darker than you remember it, somewhat blackened. To the northeast is your house, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. >sw Clearing The clearing here is desolate, giving the distinct impression that all natural life has left this area. The ground is hard and overgrown by weedy grass. There are no trees any more, but there are some stumps where once they stood. Your old footpath is nowhere to be seen. You do see your house to the northeast, but it too looks abandoned. You see a time machine here. >enter machine Okay, you're now standing on the time machine platform. >set dial to 1 Okay, it's now turned to 1. >push button You push the big red button. Click! The time machine vibrates and heats up like a toaster oven. A deep red light envelops you. The world around you spins into a wild vortex. The loose money you are carrying goes spinning off into the whirlwind! When the wind dies down again, you find yourself in a ... Clearing The woods part in a marvelous natural clearing here. Light streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. You can see a construction site through the woods to the northeast. You see a time machine here. Unfortunately, you lost all of your money during the time jump. You should probably take steps to prevent that from happening next time. >undo (Undoing one command) Clearing (on the time machine platform) The clearing here is desolate, giving the distinct impression that all natural life has left this area. The ground is hard and overgrown by weedy grass. There are no trees any more, but there are some stumps where once they stood. Your old footpath is nowhere to be seen. You do see your house to the northeast, but it too looks abandoned. You see a time machine here. >put money in compartment You can't fit those in the hinged compartment. >i You are carrying: a blue pencil a desk lamp a package a Herring detector an old pillowcase a car key a garage door opener a crowbar a can of WD-40 a shovel a divining rod a machete a library book a biology book the time machine manual a screwdriver a frisbee a tire a newspaper some money (3000 dollars) a ATM card >x compartment The hinged compartment is open. There's nothing in the hinged compartment. >put money in compartment You can't fit those in the hinged compartment. >put $100 in compartment I don't understand the punctuation "$". >put 100 dollars in compartment I don't see any 100 dollars here. >put money in package Done. >put package in compartment Done. >push button You push the big red button. Click! The time machine vibrates and heats up like a toaster oven. A deep red light envelops you. The world around you spins into a wild vortex that suddenly vanishes, leaving you to find yourself in a ... Clearing The woods part in a marvelous natural clearing here. Light streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. You can see a construction site through the woods to the northeast. You see a time machine here. The hinged compartment seems to contain a package. >get package Taken. >i You are carrying: a blue pencil a desk lamp a screwdriver a frisbee a tire a newspaper a ATM card a package a Herring detector an old pillowcase a car key a garage door opener a crowbar a can of WD-40 a shovel a divining rod a machete a library book a biology book the time machine manual some money (3000 dollars) >ne (first getting off the platform) Okay, you're no longer on the time machine platform. Woods The smell of freshly-sawed wood wafts through this natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way. A construction site is to the northeast, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. You hear a woman calling your name from the northeast. A vibrant young woman in a professional suit is hurrying to catch up to you. "Wait, wait," she says. "The foreman said they'd seen you going down this way." Paying careful attention to where she is stepping in her heeled shoes, she neglects her hand, which is carrying a dark leather briefcase. When she reaches the bend in the path, she smacks her briefcase directly into the rock. It splits open and tumbles out of her hand, and paper scatters everywhere. "Ooh! This is not my day!" she sighs as she kneels and starts to pick up her papers. >z Time passes... Laura continues to pick up the loose papers and put them hastily back into her briefcase. >z Time passes... Laura continues to pick up the loose papers and put them hastily back into her briefcase. >z Time passes... Laura continues to pick up the loose papers and put them hastily back into her briefcase. >get papers Taken. You hand the loose papers you've collected to Laura. She crams them all into the briefcase in a hasty fashion. Laura straightens herself up. "Thank you. I'm such a spaz these days." She looks at you straight on for the first time, and a funny look comes over her face. "You look different. Have you suddenly grown older?" She shakes her head. "Never mind. That was rude of me, sorry." She ruffles through the papers, looking for something. "I came to talk to you about your trust fund and issues concerning construction cost ..." she says, "Argh, I can't find the papers, now, of course." >z Time passes... Laura looks at you soberly. She says, "I got a call from Mr. Mayhew concerning certain improvements to the house that you have called for that significantly drive up the cost of construction." She continues her fruitless search for the right document. "Something about a better grade of roofing? Well, there's good news and bad news about this." >z Time passes... "The good news is, it will lower your insurance significantly, as it significantly reduces the risk of fire damage." She rummages in her briefcase a bit. >z Time passes... "The bad news is, I don't know how you're going to afford this particular modification. You were cutting it close already. Accounting for cost of living increases, I think you're going to run out of money just fifteen years into your thirty year mortgage. If things go in your favor, maybe twenty." She looks at you sympathetically. >z Time passes... "I'm sorry, I just can't make head or tails of my documents now. Do you have a minute? Why don't you come back to the bank with me so we could chat? Thanks. I'm really sorry about this. I'm just a little distracted today anyway." >z Time passes... Laura starts walking to the northeast. You follow her. South of house You are standing on what will be the south side of your house. The house is currently under construction. The wooden frame has gone up, but apart from that, there's not much to see. The ground slopes down slightly here, and the wall of the house looms an extra story high because of it. A little bare path made by you just now leads southwest into the woods. You can walk around the house to the northwest and northeast. To the east is a dirt road leading to town. You see a sapling here. Laura is here. Laura says, "I'm sorry if I'm not up on all of the details of your finances. I only recently accepted a promotion, and had to scramble to get up to speed on a few dozen client histories. My life is suddenly a lot more hectic than I expected. I suddenly have the responsibility to make decisions that affect people's lives." She stares down at the ground as she walks, lost in thought for a minute or two. "If the money hadn't been so good," she says, "If I'd known what I was getting into ..." "Sorry," she says to you. "You probably have enough problems of your own without listening to mine." >z Time passes... Laura continues walking toward the shopping village. You follow her. Sidewalk The concrete sidewalk that leads away from your house is also recently poured. It follows alongside a dirt road that will soon be paved. The sidewalk disappears to the east, just before the road takes a bend to the north. The construction site is back to the west. Laura is here. Laura says, "I don't know if anyone ever talked to you about what options you have for investing your trust fund. I know the stock market can seem confusing when you're new to it, but the payoffs can be worth it, even within a few years' time frame." "I can tell this isn't very interesting to you. Maybe we should forget about all of this for the moment and talk about something else." >z Time passes... Laura continues walking toward the shopping village. You follow her. Bend in path The unpaved dirt road that leads in the direction of the construction site has been crisscrossed by a number of vehicles with large treads. The road bends here from the west to the north, following a scenic paved road into the shopping village. Laura is here. The divining rod vibrates, pulling to the sewer hole. Laura stares at a bird as it passes overhead. "I lost my train of thought just now," she says, distracted by thoughts you can't guess. After a pause, she asks, "Do you ever feel like life is a series of decisions, and you never have quite enough information to make an informed choice? That only in hindsight can you ever see how good or bad a selection you made?" Laura straightens her posture, which had started to slump. "Oh well. What's done is done. You can only go forward, not backward." >z Time passes... Laura continues walking toward the shopping village. You follow her. Oakwood drive This pleasant road wanders peacefully through the lush tree growths native to the area. In the intervening years, they'll straighten the road and widen it, cutting down dozens of these forty- to ninety-year-old live oaks. The road leads north into the shopping village, and south to a familiar bend in the direction of your house. Laura is here. Laura stops for a moment and takes a deep breath. She looks at the trees lining the road and says, "Aren't they beautiful? I can see why you wanted to build out here." She resumes walking, slowly. "I live on the north end of town, so I don't get out into these older areas much. I probably should. I always tell myself I should take walks out here during lunch. I guess today was my excuse. I just wish I'd planned ahead and brought walking shoes." She smiles and winces. "I'm all right. We're almost there." >z Time passes... Laura continues walking toward the shopping village. You follow her. In the village The little shopping village looks a little different than you're used to seeing it. Colored signs point you to this merchant and that. To the west is the bank, which seems like it's always been here and always will. To the east is an empty plot of land. The sandwich shop is to the north. The road leading back is south. Laura is here. Laura looks at the sandwich shop. "Geez, I missed lunch again. That's another thing about being promoted -- it's the best diet I've ever been on. Eight pounds so far." She looks at her watch. "If I weren't running late, I'd buy you lunch. But I guess I don't have time for that. I guess I won't have time for that for a long time." She goes silent again, gazing into the distance. "I keep thinking that if I just keep moving onward and upward, into the big office with the big chair and the big desk, I won't have to worry about money any more. I won't have to worry about anything. That's the big thing, right? Not having to worry? I guess that was your plan with the house. Oops, sore subject, sorry." "But sometimes I lie awake wondering, does that make any sense? Doesn't the bigger office just come with bigger worries? And then I see guys who have made it, women in business whom I admire, and they look happy. I sound like a sap. 'I just want to be happy! I just want to be loved!' My boss tells me that he gave me the promotion so I could toughen up. He says I'm too compassionate, too lenient on the bank's debtors, too open-hearted about people in need." "In fact, if he finds out I made this trip out to see you, he's not going to be happy. And he wants to be happy, too, just like ... everyone." >ask laura about lunch She doesn't seem to register that you asked a question. You get the feeling she has a lot of other things on her mind right now. Laura enters the bank. You follow her. In the bank The bank interior is polished and impeccable. A desk to the south says "New Accounts." A teller window to the north is labeled "Deposits and Withdrawals." A hallway leads west into the bank's back offices. The exit is east. Laura is here. Laura almost walks toward the new accounts desk, but stops herself. "Bad habit," she says, grinning. "I have an office now, in the back. It used to be a closet or something. I remember thinking, 'Wow, my own office? Cool.' And then I saw it for the first time, and -- oh well. It'll only be for a year or so, and then I'll get promoted again, to one with a window. Maybe I'll be able to see the trees from there. Provided they don't cut the trees down to build something, which is the way things look like they're going." "You're a good listener, I have to give you that. I don't know why you bother with basket cases like me." >z Time passes... Laura invites you to come with her into her office in the back part of the bank. You follow her. Laura's office Laura's office is a small, windowless room with a file cabinet and a plain white desk. The only exit is to the east. Laura is here. A paunchy man with a bald head and a brown suit appears in the doorway. "Laura!" he says, and then casts a judgmental glance at you. "We're holding the meeting for you. Are you ready? Where's your report?" Laura puts her briefcase on the desk. "Right here, I'm coming," she says. The man clicks a ballpoint pen a few times, nods sternly, and exits. You hear the clicking noise disappear down the hall. >z Time passes... Laura sits down at her desk, sighing. Laura dumps her papers onto the desk and begins picking out pieces of her report. Laura sighs. "I'm sorry, I guess I need to get back to work. Thanks for the walk -- and the conversation. If you need anything else, come back and see me. My door's open." She manages to get her report put back together and ushers you back into the lobby. In the bank The bank interior is polished and impeccable. A desk to the south says "New Accounts." A teller window to the north is labeled "Deposits and Withdrawals." A hallway leads west into the bank's back offices. The exit is east. Laura shakes your hand, smooths back her hair, and disappears into the back rooms of the bank. >w Laura's office Laura's office is a small, windowless room with a file cabinet and a plain white desk. The only exit is to the east. Laura is here. >ask laura about lunch She doesn't seem to register that you asked a question. You get the feeling she has a lot of other things on her mind right now. >ask her about fred She doesn't seem to register that you asked a question. You get the feeling she has a lot of other things on her mind right now. >ask her about her Laura says, "Technically, I'm here to talk about you, but..." She gazes off for a moment. "I am what I am, I guess. 12 years into my temporary summer job, I guess it's a career now. I'm the associate director now, well, one of five. I don't have much of a life besides this. None worth talking about, anyway." >ask her about life I don't know the word "life". >ask her about money She doesn't seem to register that you asked a question. You get the feeling she has a lot of other things on her mind right now. >ask her about investment Laura says, "What you'd need is about five thousand dollars. I'm sorry, I know that's a lot, but if you trust me with it, I could invest it for you and turn it into more, a lot more. Enough to ensure that you'd never lose this house, which I'm afraid is the way it'll turn out if you don't take steps now." >e In the bank The bank interior is polished and impeccable. A desk to the south says "New Accounts." A teller window to the north is labeled "Deposits and Withdrawals." A hallway leads west into the bank's back offices. The exit is east. >sw There is nowhere to go in that direction. >e In the village The little shopping village looks a little different than you're used to seeing it. Colored signs point you to this merchant and that. To the west is the bank, which seems like it's always been here and always will. To the east is an empty plot of land. The sandwich shop is to the north. The road leading back is south. >sw There is nowhere to go in that direction. >s Oakwood drive This pleasant road wanders peacefully through the lush tree growths native to the area. In the intervening years, they'll straighten the road and widen it, cutting down dozens of these forty- to ninety-year-old live oaks. The road leads north into the shopping village, and south to a familiar bend in the direction of your house. >w There is nowhere to go in that direction. >s Bend in path The unpaved dirt road that leads in the direction of the construction site has been crisscrossed by a number of vehicles with large treads. The road bends here from the west to the north, following a scenic paved road into the shopping village. The divining rod vibrates, pulling to the sewer hole. >w Sidewalk The concrete sidewalk that leads away from your house is also recently poured. It follows alongside a dirt road that will soon be paved. The sidewalk disappears to the east, just before the road takes a bend to the north. The construction site is back to the west. >sw There is nowhere to go in that direction. >w South of house You are standing on what will be the south side of your house. The house is currently under construction. The wooden frame has gone up, but apart from that, there's not much to see. The ground slopes down slightly here, and the wall of the house looms an extra story high because of it. A little bare path made by you just now leads southwest into the woods. You can walk around the house to the northwest and northeast. To the east is a dirt road leading to town. You see a sapling here. >sw Woods The smell of freshly-sawed wood wafts through this natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way. A construction site is to the northeast, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. >sw Clearing The woods part in a marvelous natural clearing here. Light streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. You can see a construction site through the woods to the northeast. You see a time machine here. >sw There is nowhere to go in that direction. >enter machine Okay, you're now standing on the time machine platform. >put package in compartment Done. >set dial to 2 Okay, it's now turned to 2. >push button You push the big red button. Click! The time machine vibrates and heats up like a toaster oven. A dull orange light envelops you. The world around you spins into a wild vortex that suddenly vanishes, leaving you to find yourself in a ... Forest The woods surround you on all sides, although there is enough space around you to consider it a clearing of sorts. Light streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. You can hear the soft gurgling of a stream nearby, but the foliage is so rich and dense that the sound of it is dispersed. You aren't sure which from which direction it originates. You can see your usual path through the grove of trees to the northeast. You see a time machine here. The hinged compartment seems to contain a package. >get package Taken. >ne (first getting off the platform) Okay, you're no longer on the time machine platform. Path in the woods A natural path made by the stream winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, and the stream does an abrupt curve around it. The stream runs from the northeast to the south, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. You see five jugs of miracle-grow, a deflated soccer ball, a broken tire pump, a 2x4 plank, a can-opener, a #2 pencil, and a tourist map here. >n There is nowhere to go in that direction. >ne Sloping wood The ground slopes down here, eroded by the nearby stream. Grasses heavy with fresh dew and spring-saturated soil give the area a soft, spongy feel beneath your feet. The stream leads back southwest, and far ahead through the trees to the northeast, you can see a road of some kind. You see a soft spot and a little mound of dirt here. >ne Oakwood drive This pleasant road wanders peacefully through the lush tree growths native to the area. In the intervening years, they'll straighten the road and widen it, cutting down dozens of these thirty- to eighty-year-old live oaks. The road leads north into the old shopping village, and a path winds back into the forest to the southwest. >e There is nowhere to go in that direction. >ne There is nowhere to go in that direction. >n In the village The little shopping village looks a lot different than you're used to seeing it. The sandwich shop is there, to the north, but it doesn't look like it's open for business yet. To the west is the bank, which seems like it's always been here and always will. To the east is an antique store, where the public library will be. The road leading back is south. >w In the bank The bank interior is polished and impeccable. A desk to the south says "New Accounts." A teller window to the north is labeled "Deposits and Withdrawals." A hallway leads west into the bank's back offices. The exit is east. >n At the Teller window The teller stands ready at the window, with a polite but grim expression. The bank teller is standing behind the teller window. The teller says, "Good morning. Would you care to make a deposit or a withdrawal today?" Teller>deposit The teller says, "A deposit. Very good." He punches some numbers on his computer. "How much will you be depositing today?" $>3000 The teller takes the money and fiddles with his computer for a moment. The teller says, "You currently have 3100 dollars in your account." The teller says, "Have a nice day." In the bank The bank interior is polished and impeccable. A desk to the south says "New Accounts." A teller window to the north is labeled "Deposits and Withdrawals." A hallway leads west into the bank's back offices. The exit is east. >e In the village The little shopping village looks a lot different than you're used to seeing it. The sandwich shop is there, to the north, but it doesn't look like it's open for business yet. To the west is the bank, which seems like it's always been here and always will. To the east is an antique store, where the public library will be. The road leading back is south. >s Oakwood drive This pleasant road wanders peacefully through the lush tree growths native to the area. In the intervening years, they'll straighten the road and widen it, cutting down dozens of these thirty- to eighty-year-old live oaks. The road leads north into the old shopping village, and a path winds back into the forest to the southwest. >s There is nowhere to go in that direction. >sw Sloping wood The ground slopes down here, eroded by the nearby stream. Grasses heavy with fresh dew and spring-saturated soil give the area a soft, spongy feel beneath your feet. The stream leads back southwest, and far ahead through the trees to the northeast, you can see a road of some kind. You see a soft spot and a little mound of dirt here. >sw Path in the woods A natural path made by the stream winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, and the stream does an abrupt curve around it. The stream runs from the northeast to the south, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. You see five jugs of miracle-grow, a deflated soccer ball, a broken tire pump, a 2x4 plank, a can-opener, a #2 pencil, and a tourist map here. >sw You push your way into the clearing, opening your usual path once again. Forest The woods surround you on all sides, although there is enough space around you to consider it a clearing of sorts. Light streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. You can hear the soft gurgling of a stream nearby, but the foliage is so rich and dense that the sound of it is dispersed. You aren't sure which from which direction it originates. You can see your usual path through the grove of trees to the northeast. You see a time machine here. The divining rod vibrates, pulling to the northeast. >enter machine Okay, you're now standing on the time machine platform. >set dial to 5 Okay, it's now turned to 5. >ne (first getting off the platform) Okay, you're no longer on the time machine platform. Path in the woods A natural path made by the stream winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, and the stream does an abrupt curve around it. The stream runs from the northeast to the south, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. You see five jugs of miracle-grow, a deflated soccer ball, a broken tire pump, a 2x4 plank, a can-opener, a #2 pencil, and a tourist map here. >ne Sloping wood The ground slopes down here, eroded by the nearby stream. Grasses heavy with fresh dew and spring-saturated soil give the area a soft, spongy feel beneath your feet. The stream leads back southwest, and far ahead through the trees to the northeast, you can see a road of some kind. You see a soft spot and a little mound of dirt here. >ne Oakwood drive This pleasant road wanders peacefully through the lush tree growths native to the area. In the intervening years, they'll straighten the road and widen it, cutting down dozens of these thirty- to eighty-year-old live oaks. The road leads north into the old shopping village, and a path winds back into the forest to the southwest. >e There is nowhere to go in that direction. >sw Sloping wood The ground slopes down here, eroded by the nearby stream. Grasses heavy with fresh dew and spring-saturated soil give the area a soft, spongy feel beneath your feet. The stream leads back southwest, and far ahead through the trees to the northeast, you can see a road of some kind. You see a soft spot and a little mound of dirt here. >sw Path in the woods A natural path made by the stream winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, and the stream does an abrupt curve around it. The stream runs from the northeast to the south, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. You see five jugs of miracle-grow, a deflated soccer ball, a broken tire pump, a 2x4 plank, a can-opener, a #2 pencil, and a tourist map here. >sw You push your way into the clearing, opening your usual path once again. Forest The woods surround you on all sides, although there is enough space around you to consider it a clearing of sorts. Light streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. You can hear the soft gurgling of a stream nearby, but the foliage is so rich and dense that the sound of it is dispersed. You aren't sure which from which direction it originates. You can see your usual path through the grove of trees to the northeast. You see a time machine here. The divining rod vibrates, pulling to the northeast. >enter machine Okay, you're now standing on the time machine platform. >set dial to 5 It's already set to 5! >push button You push the big red button. Click! The time machine vibrates and heats up like a toaster oven. A blinding purple light envelops you. The world around you spins into a wild vortex that suddenly vanishes, leaving you to find yourself in a ... Clearing The woods part in a marvelous natural clearing here. Moonlight streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. Your footpath leaves the clearing to the northeast, heading back to the house. You see a time machine here. >ne (first getting off the platform) Okay, you're no longer on the time machine platform. Path in the woods This little spot is one of your favorite places to sit and think. A well-trod path winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, so the path does an abrupt curve around it. The path leads northeast to your house, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. >ne South of house The ground slopes down slightly here, and the wall of the house looms an extra story high because of it. There is a tiny window high in the wall, about 30 feet up. There is a rope dangling from the window. A little path made by you on your many daily walks leads southwest into the woods. You can walk around your house to the northwest and northeast. A beautiful, leafy tree is growing here next to the house, right where you always thought it should. >ne Front of house This is the front of your house. A couple of stones laying about make up your half-hearted attempt at landscaping. Your driveway is to the northeast. A small path leads northwest and southwest. The front door stands invitingly to the west. You see a doormat here. >ne Driveway This is your front driveway, which leads west to the north side of your house. A small path leads southwest to the front door. To the east is the road into town. You see a little car here. The trunk seems to contain a spare tire and a jack. The hood seems to contain an engine. >e Sidewalk The concrete sidewalk that leads away from your house is starting to show the wear and tear of the hot summers and cool winters. The sections are uneven and tufts of grass poke up through the cracks. The sidewalk wanders east alongside the road away from your house and toward the nearby shopping village. Your driveway is back to the west. You see a mailbox here. >e Bend in path As you approach the local nub of suburban civilization, you again are reminded that community expansion has a price. A small shrubbery here serves, apparently, as an excuse for people to litter, as it is full of bits of trash. The footpath bends here from west to north, leading into the shopping village. You see a sewer grating here. The divining rod vibrates, pulling to the sewer hole. >n In the village This little shopping village is attractively decorated with colored signs pointing you to this merchant and that. To the west is the bank, and to the east is the public library. Because it is late, the only thing open is the sandwich shop, which is to the north. The sidewalk leading home is south. >w You'll have to open the bank first. >s Bend in path As you approach the local nub of suburban civilization, you again are reminded that community expansion has a price. A small shrubbery here serves, apparently, as an excuse for people to litter, as it is full of bits of trash. The footpath bends here from west to north, leading into the shopping village. You see a sewer grating here. The divining rod vibrates, pulling to the sewer hole. >sw There is nowhere to go in that direction. >w Sidewalk The concrete sidewalk that leads away from your house is starting to show the wear and tear of the hot summers and cool winters. The sections are uneven and tufts of grass poke up through the cracks. The sidewalk wanders east alongside the road away from your house and toward the nearby shopping village. Your driveway is back to the west. You see a mailbox here. >sw Driveway This is your front driveway, which leads west to the north side of your house. A small path leads southwest to the front door. To the east is the road into town. You see a little car here. The trunk seems to contain a spare tire and a jack. The hood seems to contain an engine. >sw Front of house This is the front of your house. A couple of stones laying about make up your half-hearted attempt at landscaping. Your driveway is to the northeast. A small path leads northwest and southwest. The front door stands invitingly to the west. You see a doormat here. >sw South of house The ground slopes down slightly here, and the wall of the house looms an extra story high because of it. There is a tiny window high in the wall, about 30 feet up. There is a rope dangling from the window. A little path made by you on your many daily walks leads southwest into the woods. You can walk around your house to the northwest and northeast. A beautiful, leafy tree is growing here next to the house, right where you always thought it should. >sw Path in the woods This little spot is one of your favorite places to sit and think. A well-trod path winds through a natural grove of cedar and live oak trees. A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, so the path does an abrupt curve around it. The path leads northeast to your house, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. >sw Clearing The woods part in a marvelous natural clearing here. Moonlight streams prettily through the canopy of leaves above. The ground is hard and flat and clean. Your footpath leaves the clearing to the northeast, heading back to the house. You see a time machine here. >enter machine Okay, you're now standing on the time machine platform. >set dial to 4 Okay, it's now turned to 4. >push button You push the big red button. Click! The time machine vibrates and heats up like a toaster oven. A bright blue light envelops you. The world around you spins into a wild vortex that suddenly vanishes, leaving you to find yourself in a ... Clearing The clearing here is desolate, giving the distinct impression that all natural life has left this area. The ground is hard and overgrown by weedy grass. There are no trees any more, but there are some stumps where once they stood. Your old footpath is nowhere to be seen. You do see your house to the northeast, but it too looks abandoned. You see a time machine here. >ne (first getting off the platform) Okay, you're no longer on the time machine platform. At the rock A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, a familiar landmark in an otherwise unfamiliar landscape. Once nestled along a wooded path, it now is the sole feature of an eerily empty landscape, distorting your perceptions of scale and distance. The broken remains of dark glass bottles lie around the base. The rock itself looks darker than you remember it, somewhat blackened. To the northeast is your house, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. >ne South of house This is not your house as you expected to find it, but a scene of devastation. The beautiful tree you planted has split from its scorched trunk and smashed into the side of your house. From what you can see, the roof has been torn open by the weight of it, and a terrifying hole gouged out to fully halfway down the wall. However, the fire seems not to have spread thanks to the fire- resistant shingles. Broken splinters of wet and rotting wood lie everywhere, kept moist by recent rains. To the southwest is the old rock and, farther, the clearing. You can walk around your house to the northwest and northeast. >e You can't go that way. >ne Front of house This is the front your house, and something is terribly wrong. The front door is boarded up, sealing off all entrance to what should still be your home. The roof is crippled by the weight of a fallen tree, and all of the front windows are cracked. Sopping mounds of rotting leaves that have collected along the edges and corners indicate years of neglect. A pool of dirty yellow water trickles down from the driveway and collects, full of black silt, near the front door. The driveway is to the northeast, and a clearing is visible far to the southwest. The front door is to the west. >ne Driveway Your driveway looks much the same, a thankful sight after the ruin your house has become. The road to town still lies to the east. Your front door is to the southwest. >e Sidewalk After the shocking sight of your house, this once-familiar sidewalk is a calming surprise. Someone must have recently repoured the walk, as it is smooth and free of flaws. The sidewalk wanders east-west alongside the road from your house into the nearby strip mall. You see a mailbox here. >e Strip mall The walk to town is much shorter, because progress seems to have brought the town to you. Where there used to be some nice trees and bushes is a concrete strip-mall. The old village square with the library, bank, and sandwich shop seems to have been mowed down to make way for this thing. In fact, a sign here makes you think even this strip mall isn't long for this world. Even the bank is gone, replaced by an impersonal automated teller machine (ATM). In the strip mall you see a number of vacant offices. The only shop that seems to be open for business is an alabaster little store labelled "Locksmith," which is directly to the north. The sidewalk leads back west. >n Locksmith shop A sign inside says, "Going out of business - Free stuff." Most everything has been taken already. The only exit is south. You see a motorized grinder here. The motorized grinder seems to contain a blank. >s Strip mall The walk to town is much shorter, because progress seems to have brought the town to you. Where there used to be some nice trees and bushes is a concrete strip-mall. The old village square with the library, bank, and sandwich shop seems to have been mowed down to make way for this thing. In fact, a sign here makes you think even this strip mall isn't long for this world. Even the bank is gone, replaced by an impersonal automated teller machine (ATM). In the strip mall you see a number of vacant offices. The only shop that seems to be open for business is an alabaster little store labelled "Locksmith," which is directly to the north. The sidewalk leads back west. >put card in machine The display reads: Please type your PIN number or push CANCEL. >type 1234 (on the keypad) The machine whirs for a few moments of mechanical thought. The display reads: Type 1 to make a deposit, type 2 to make a withdrawal, type 3 to check your current balance, or push CANCEL to end this transaction. >type 2 (on the keypad) The display reads: Please type the amount to withdraw, in multiples of $20. >type 6000 (on the keypad) The machine whirrs and clacks. Finally, it spits out $6000, which you take. The display reads: Would you care to make another transaction? Type 1 for yes, CANCEL to end. >type 1 (on the keypad) The display reads: Type 1 to make a deposit, type 2 to make a withdrawal, type 3 to check your current balance, or push CANCEL to end this transaction. >type 3 (on the keypad) The display reads: You currently have 112471 dollars in your account. Type 1 to make a deposit, type 2 to make a withdrawal, type 3 to check your current balance, or push CANCEL to end this transaction. >type cancel (on the keypad) The display reads: Thank you for using VistaBank! The machine spits out your ATM card, which you take. >sw There is nowhere to go in that direction. >w Sidewalk After the shocking sight of your house, this once-familiar sidewalk is a calming surprise. Someone must have recently repoured the walk, as it is smooth and free of flaws. The sidewalk wanders east-west alongside the road from your house into the nearby strip mall. You see a mailbox here. >w Driveway Your driveway looks much the same, a thankful sight after the ruin your house has become. The road to town still lies to the east. Your front door is to the southwest. >sw Front of house This is the front your house, and something is terribly wrong. The front door is boarded up, sealing off all entrance to what should still be your home. The roof is crippled by the weight of a fallen tree, and all of the front windows are cracked. Sopping mounds of rotting leaves that have collected along the edges and corners indicate years of neglect. A pool of dirty yellow water trickles down from the driveway and collects, full of black silt, near the front door. The driveway is to the northeast, and a clearing is visible far to the southwest. The front door is to the west. >sw South of house This is not your house as you expected to find it, but a scene of devastation. The beautiful tree you planted has split from its scorched trunk and smashed into the side of your house. From what you can see, the roof has been torn open by the weight of it, and a terrifying hole gouged out to fully halfway down the wall. However, the fire seems not to have spread thanks to the fire- resistant shingles. Broken splinters of wet and rotting wood lie everywhere, kept moist by recent rains. To the southwest is the old rock and, farther, the clearing. You can walk around your house to the northwest and northeast. >sw At the rock A large rock juts up out of the ground right in your way, a familiar landmark in an otherwise unfamiliar landscape. Once nestled along a wooded path, it now is the sole feature of an eerily empty landscape, distorting your perceptions of scale and distance. The broken remains of dark glass bottles lie around the base. The rock itself looks darker than you remember it, somewhat blackened. To the northeast is your house, and a clearing is visible to the southwest. >sw Clearing The clearing here