Start of a transcript of Savoir-Faire An interactive search for loot. Copyright Emily Short 2002. Type INFO if you have not played before. Type LICENSE for the terms of use and distribution. Type CREDITS for tester and library acknowledgements. Release 6 / Serial number 020420 / Inform v6.15 Library 6/10 Standard interpreter 1.0 (6F) / Library serial number 991113 >restore Ok. >i You are carrying: a bottle of mead (which is closed) a pearl necklace (being worn) a navy cloak (being worn) a sack (which is open) a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc (which is closed) a round metal tin (which is open but empty) an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading east) some documents a rope ladder a red glass jar (which is open but empty) a blue glass jar (which is closed) some sea-salt (which leaves the blue glass jar about half full) an old letter a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (reflecting white light from the sunlight) some household papers a small portrait a stone block a crumpled paper a white handkerchief a burnt scrap of paper a butcher knife a sponge a swordstick a sword a snuffbox (which is closed) ten food items: some apples some hunks of salt pork some lentils some andouillettes a sprig of mint a sprig of parsley a bay leaf a clove of garlic a loaf of stale bread a single yellow onion three recipe cylinders: an Easter Egg Recipe an Andouillettes Recipe a Lentil Soup Recipe three metal dishes: a plate a hinge-lidded teapot (which is open but empty) a cup a dashing hat (being worn) >x mead Aside from the contents, an entirely ordinary bottle. The cork is still wedged firmly in place. >open mead with knife (first taking the butcher knife) That doesn't seem to be something you can unlock. >open mead with sword (first taking the sword) You draw the sword from its sheath. That doesn't seem to be something you can unlock. >sheath sword You put the sword into the swordstick. >[whoo!] That's not a verb I recognize. >eat loaf (first taking the loaf of stale bread) It's hard as a rock. >g It's hard as a rock. >g It's hard as a rock. >i You are carrying: a loaf of stale bread a butcher knife a bottle of mead (which is closed) a pearl necklace (being worn) a navy cloak (being worn) a sack (which is open) a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc (which is closed) a round metal tin (which is open but empty) an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading east) some documents a rope ladder a red glass jar (which is open but empty) a blue glass jar (which is closed) some sea-salt (which leaves the blue glass jar about half full) an old letter a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (reflecting white light from the sunlight) some household papers a small portrait a stone block a crumpled paper a white handkerchief a burnt scrap of paper a sponge a swordstick a sword a snuffbox (which is closed) nine food items: some apples some hunks of salt pork some lentils some andouillettes a sprig of mint a sprig of parsley a bay leaf a clove of garlic a single yellow onion three recipe cylinders: an Easter Egg Recipe an Andouillettes Recipe a Lentil Soup Recipe three metal dishes: a plate a hinge-lidded teapot (which is open but empty) a cup a dashing hat (being worn) >link loaf to stone You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they are just too dissimilar. >s In your hunger, you imagine in great clarity sausages fried in onions and olive oil. Long Salon A long empty room with shined wooden floors, perfect for sliding in stocking- feet. West is the top of the staircase, and rooms open to the north and east. The door east is closed. >w Staircase, First Floor The top of a broad curving stair: east is the long salon that goes the length of the house, downstairs are the foyer and the grand receiving rooms. North is the old conservatory. >n Old Conservatory A chilly northern exposure, perhaps, but really quite lovely. This room used to be where Marie would practice her music, and the Countess play her compositions; Marie's own room lies to the west. On the high shelf is a celestial bauble. The pianoforte stands in the center of the room. >link stone to bauble You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they are just too dissimilar. >link loaf to bauble You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they are just too dissimilar. >link bauble to bottle (the bottle of mead) You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they are just too dissimilar. >jump You leap, displaying the same fine footwork that serves you in dance and fence. >l Old Conservatory A chilly northern exposure, perhaps, but really quite lovely. This room used to be where Marie would practice her music, and the Countess play her compositions; Marie's own room lies to the west. On the high shelf is a celestial bauble. The pianoforte stands in the center of the room. >play letter You try tapping out the letters that correspond to notes on the keyboard, but the result is cacophony. If the letter is meant somehow to be musical, then you do not have the trick of reading it. >[woo!] That's not a verb I recognize. >[Also, I haven't actually opened the letter yet, but hey.] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >play dirge Not a tune you know. >l Old Conservatory A chilly northern exposure, perhaps, but really quite lovely. This room used to be where Marie would practice her music, and the Countess play her compositions; Marie's own room lies to the west. On the high shelf is a celestial bauble. The pianoforte stands in the center of the room. >i You are carrying: a loaf of stale bread a butcher knife a bottle of mead (which is closed) a pearl necklace (being worn) a navy cloak (being worn) a sack (which is open) a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc (which is closed) a round metal tin (which is open but empty) an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading east) some documents a rope ladder a red glass jar (which is open but empty) a blue glass jar (which is closed) some sea-salt (which leaves the blue glass jar about half full) an old letter a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (reflecting white light from the sunlight) some household papers a small portrait a stone block a crumpled paper a white handkerchief a burnt scrap of paper a sponge a swordstick a sword a snuffbox (which is closed) nine food items: some apples some hunks of salt pork some lentils some andouillettes a sprig of mint a sprig of parsley a bay leaf a clove of garlic a single yellow onion three recipe cylinders: an Easter Egg Recipe an Andouillettes Recipe a Lentil Soup Recipe three metal dishes: a plate a hinge-lidded teapot (which is open but empty) a cup a dashing hat (being worn) >e You can go only south or west. >s Staircase, First Floor The top of a broad curving stair: east is the long salon that goes the length of the house, downstairs are the foyer and the grand receiving rooms. North is the old conservatory. >e Long Salon A long empty room with shined wooden floors, perfect for sliding in stocking- feet. West is the top of the staircase, and rooms open to the north and east. The door east is closed. >n Countess' Sitting Room This was the countess' favorite room, and it is more richly decorated than any other in the house, betraying her taste for the brightly-colored and the jewel- like. The count brought her some things from his travels, and made others for her. Most of the contents seem to be gone -- the chairs and sofas, and the wall hangings -- but some bits remain. A thick-pile Persian rug lies on the floor, patterned in lapis and emerald. Against one wall is a glass case full of rare and valuable clockwork figures. >drop mead You set the bottle of mead down gently. In your hunger, you hallucinate curls of toasted bread. The image is more vivid than the vision of food has any right to be. >break case with stone (first taking the stone block) The stone block smites the glass case, which cracks dramatically. It deposits the clockwork bee and the mechanical human dancers. The clockwork bee buzzes faintly, spreading its jeweled wings. >touch bee Smooth and cool. >g You can't see any such thing. >[heh] That's not a verb I recognize. >get bottle (the blue bottle) Taken. [Your score has just gone up by five points.] >open it You haven't got a corkscrew, and a well-developed sense of propriety prevents you simply knocking the top off the bottle. >x it Aside from the contents, an entirely ordinary bottle. The cork is still wedged firmly in place. >get dancers Taken. [Your score has just gone up by four points.] >l Countess' Sitting Room This was the countess' favorite room, and it is more richly decorated than any other in the house, betraying her taste for the brightly-colored and the jewel- like. The count brought her some things from his travels, and made others for her. Most of the contents seem to be gone -- the chairs and sofas, and the wall hangings -- but some bits remain. A thick-pile Persian rug lies on the floor, patterned in lapis and emerald. You can also see some glass shards here. >x shards Pieces of broken glass, thoroughly shattered and useless. >get shards You'd most likely cut yourself. >search shards You find nothing of interest. >w (treading gingerly around the glass bits) You can go only south. >s (treading gingerly around the glass bits) Long Salon A long empty room with shined wooden floors, perfect for sliding in stocking- feet. West is the top of the staircase, and rooms open to the north and east. The door east is closed. >slide What do you want to slide? >me (under the tall door) (first taking yourself) You are always self-possessed. >w Staircase, First Floor The top of a broad curving stair: east is the long salon that goes the length of the house, downstairs are the foyer and the grand receiving rooms. North is the old conservatory. >d Entrance Hall Flourishing, spacious; it is its best with a half-dozen servants in livery. The floor is Italian marble, and the walls are dressed with yellow silk hangings. The main staircase ascends to the corridor on the second floor, and a smaller version leads down into the dim basement. Doors also open north and northeast. On the wall is one of those mechanical clocks that pop open on the hour, allowing the ingenious internal figures out to play. >i You are carrying: some mechanical human dancers a blue bottle (which is closed) a stone block a loaf of stale bread a butcher knife a pearl necklace (being worn) a navy cloak (being worn) a sack (which is open) a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc (which is closed) a round metal tin (which is open but empty) an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading east) some documents a rope ladder a red glass jar (which is open but empty) a blue glass jar (which is closed) some sea-salt (which leaves the blue glass jar about half full) an old letter a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (reflecting white light from the sunlight) some household papers a small portrait a crumpled paper a white handkerchief a burnt scrap of paper a sponge a swordstick a sword a snuffbox (which is closed) nine food items: some apples some hunks of salt pork some lentils some andouillettes a sprig of mint a sprig of parsley a bay leaf a clove of garlic a single yellow onion three recipe cylinders: an Easter Egg Recipe an Andouillettes Recipe a Lentil Soup Recipe three metal dishes: a plate a hinge-lidded teapot (which is open but empty) a cup a dashing hat (being worn) >slide papers (under the mechanical clock) (first taking the household papers) Nothing happens. In your hunger, you hallucinate onion soup. Or perhaps an omelette of herbs and chives. >slide papers under door You can't get to the gothic door to do anything to it at the moment. >[huh?] That's not a verb I recognize. >x door You can't get to the gothic door to do anything to it at the moment. >move hangings You lift the hangings out of the way with both hands -- they are heavy, and it's a struggle to move them far enough to get a good glimpse. Behind them there seems to be a door, yes, but locked, and with its key still in the lock. You drop the hangings again disconsolately. >x hangings Hangings cover up the whole of the west wall, concealing both the wall and the door beyond. >hide behind hangings That's not a verb I recognize. >go behind hangings You can't see any such thing. >movehangins That's not a verb I recognize. >n Library Originally a salon for the receiving of guests; but in recent years the Count has become increasingly interested in his own projects, and has taken over the entire room for the storage of books. Bookshelves line the walls, reaching above your head, leaving exits only east and south. A clockwork model of the universe stands in one corner. On one wall is an enormous portrait of the Count's father, from the hand of Hyacinthe Rigaud. >s Entrance Hall Flourishing, spacious; it is its best with a half-dozen servants in livery. The floor is Italian marble. The main staircase ascends to the corridor on the second floor, and a smaller version leads down into the dim basement. Doors also open north and northeast. On the wall is one of those mechanical clocks that pop open on the hour, allowing the ingenious internal figures out to play. >n Library Originally a salon for the receiving of guests; but in recent years the Count has become increasingly interested in his own projects, and has taken over the entire room for the storage of books. Bookshelves line the walls, reaching above your head, leaving exits only east and south. A clockwork model of the universe stands in one corner. On one wall is an enormous portrait of the Count's father, from the hand of Hyacinthe Rigaud. >x bookshelves The shelves line both sides of the room from floor to ceiling. >search them You peruse the nearest books. Your eye picks out, at random, On Vegetable Dyes, Clock Repair, and Guide to Assorted Wines. >[whoo 3!] That's not a verb I recognize. >read dyes (first taking On Vegetable Dyes) (putting the butcher knife into the sack to make room) Taken. You flip through the pages, becoming transfixed by a discussion of how the Celts, supposedly, were wont to dye clothing in a decoction of powdered lichen and stale piss, brewed together for three weeks and then strained. But beside this pleasant concoction there are references to others, such as onion skin boiled in water to produce a pleasant yellow. >read clock (first taking Clock Repair) (putting the loaf of stale bread into the sack to make room) Taken. A detailed discourse on how to take care of and repair an assortment of common and mechanical clocks. It begins with comprehensible matters, such as pulling up the weights to begin the operation of the pendulum when the clock has stopped, and other bits of routine maintenance; it finishes with diagrams of a clock's inner workings that are almost embarrassingly intimate and far too complex for you to follow. >read wines (first taking Guide to Assorted Wines) (putting the stone block into the sack to make room) Taken. ...some dry wine such as Sauvignon Blanc... >g ...some dry wine such as Sauvignon Blanc... >g ...mead, a wine made of honey and very sweet... >g ...mead, a wine made of honey and very sweet... >g ...should then attend to the possibility that the vines have themselves been tainted... >g ...should then attend to the possibility that the vines have themselves been tainted... >g ...mead, a wine made of honey and very sweet... In your hunger, you dream of a heavy Christmas-time cake with candied fruit. Or perhaps sausages fried in onions and olive oil. >g ...should then attend to the possibility that the vines have themselves been tainted... >g ...some dry wine such as Sauvignon Blanc... >g ...should then attend to the possibility that the vines have themselves been tainted... >g ... from the region of Avignon, in the territories that belonged to the Pope, comes the peppery red Chateauneuf du Pape... >search them You peruse the nearest books. Your eye picks out, at random, The Lavori d'Aracne. >read lavori (first taking The Lavori d'Aracne) (putting the blue bottle into the sack to make room) Taken. On the subject of mirrors: Unusual and costly mirrors of special power exist which enhance the workings of the lavori d'Aracne; they may be recognized by their failure to reflect in the ordinary way. Some make it easier to form a link through the mirror than through open air, allowing the magician to reverse-link items that are otherwise too dissimilar to use. Likewise, such a mirror... But then, unfortunately, it breaks off, the page apparently having been chewed out and carried away by something or other. >l Library Originally a salon for the receiving of guests; but in recent years the Count has become increasingly interested in his own projects, and has taken over the entire room for the storage of books. Bookshelves line the walls, reaching above your head, leaving exits only east and south. A clockwork model of the universe stands in one corner. On one wall is an enormous portrait of the Count's father, from the hand of Hyacinthe Rigaud. >x universe Fitted out with tiny planets on arms, and the major moons of the planets, revolving around a center. There is no sun, however; there is only a sort of holder designed to contain something spherical. Most of the planets are ordinary balls of solid metal, except for Jupiter. They stand still. Oddly, the contraption also seems to be linked, and quite unsubtly, to something in the foyer, to the south. You can feel the pull of it. >s Entrance Hall Flourishing, spacious; it is its best with a half-dozen servants in livery. The floor is Italian marble. The main staircase ascends to the corridor on the second floor, and a smaller version leads down into the dim basement. Doors also open north and northeast. On the wall is one of those mechanical clocks that pop open on the hour, allowing the ingenious internal figures out to play. >e The south door leads only out of the estate, where you are not ready to go. You can go only north, northeast, up or down. >ne Dining Room A grand room, for dining in style. The plastered ceiling is several times your height. The air now is cool and deep, the sunlight glancing through the windows and scattering from the chandelier, putting points of light at your feet, over the table, across the painted wallpaper and the handsome wood paneling. Woodworked columns frame the exits west and southwest. Heavy double doors open east to the kitchen. >e Kitchen Corridor A narrow corridor between the kitchen and the main house, which has a thick separate wall. The two buildings are only barely attached, to discourage fires. A small staircase leads down. Double doors give west onto the main house. >e Kitchen A long, cross-beamed room, originally washed with white, though smoke has tinged the walls above the massive fireplace in which roasts are prepared. In addition, there are thick high tables that run the length of the room. To the east is the kitchen garden through which you entered; west is the corridor that connects with the main house. To the north there is the little scullery, and upstairs is the attic where the servants sleep. On the kitchen tables is a delicate contraption (which is empty). >e Kitchen Garden West is the wall of the kitchen. Most of the space along the wall is planted with herbs -- bay, parsley, stalks of mint -- left of the open doorway. To its right is only a drainage ditch, catching the outflow of a pipe that comes through the wall. In one corner of the plot is the well, drilled many deep feet; in another is the antique sundial. >fill teapot What do you want to fill the hinge-lidded teapot with? >water (first taking the hinge-lidded teapot) (putting the mechanical human dancers into the sack to make room) Taken. You put some water in the hinge-lidded teapot. This fills the hinge-lidded teapot to the brim. >close teapot You close the hinge-lidded teapot. In your hunger, you hallucinate an omelette of herbs and chives. >link teapot to sun (first unlinking the hinge-lidded teapot) You succeed in unlinking the hinge-lidded teapot from the double doors. The hinge-lidded teapot is incapable of so ethereal and peculiar a linkage. >x sundial A sturdy old sundial, its bronze weathered green. Unlike various tawdry sundials you have encountered in your life, it has a firmly-attached gnomon that is unlikely to come off in times of trouble. >stand on it That's not something you can stand on. >climb it I don't think much is to be achieved by that. >w Kitchen A long, cross-beamed room, originally washed with white, though smoke has tinged the walls above the massive fireplace in which roasts are prepared. In addition, there are thick high tables that run the length of the room. To the east is the kitchen garden through which you entered; west is the corridor that connects with the main house. To the north there is the little scullery, and upstairs is the attic where the servants sleep. On the kitchen tables is a delicate contraption (which is empty). >u Servants' Dormitory Up here the female servants used to sleep. Now there is only a dreary row of unmade beds; a rack for drying washing; the fireplace, hollow and untended. Time was, when you were very young, that you used to creep in here for chatter and gossip, and the language you were used to hearing at home. >x brick A reddish-brown brick darkened by smoke, and pushed forward from its position among the others. >move it Age and heat have hardened the cement holding the brick in place. >x cement A reddish-brown brick darkened by smoke, and pushed forward from its position among the others. >d Kitchen A long, cross-beamed room, originally washed with white, though smoke has tinged the walls above the massive fireplace in which roasts are prepared. In addition, there are thick high tables that run the length of the room. To the east is the kitchen garden through which you entered; west is the corridor that connects with the main house. To the north there is the little scullery, and upstairs is the attic where the servants sleep. On the kitchen tables is a delicate contraption (which is empty). >get recipe (the Chocolate Recipe) (putting the household papers into the sack to make room) It takes a bit of wiggling to get the cylinder to come free, but you extricate it without too much difficulty. >w Kitchen Corridor A narrow corridor between the kitchen and the main house, which has a thick separate wall. The two buildings are only barely attached, to discourage fires. A small staircase leads down. Double doors, west, bar your access to the main house. >d Bottom of Servants' Staircase An awkward wedge of space between the foundations of the main house and the walls of the new-built wine cellar, east. The staircase does not leave much room to stand in; it is straight and carefully planed lest anyone trip with a priceless bottle of wine. The wine-cellar door -- sturdy wood in yellowish brass panels -- stands open to the east. An ordinary wooden door opens west into the root cellar. >e Wine Cellar Antechamber The air is cool here, protected by deep walls of stone. Heavy beams overhead support the weight of the upper floors. A thick dust overlays everything. An open grey-blue door leads south. A closed red door leads east. An open magenta door leads northeast. A heavy red door, wreathed in chains and locks, leads north into the vault, where the best wines were kept during your youth. The wine-cellar door -- sturdy wood in yellowish brass panels -- stands open to the west. >s Among Reds Almost all gone now, though the labels still adhere to the racks, indicating where a '67 rested, or an '82, waiting to be taken up to the dining room. A closed magenta door leads east. There is a grey-blue trap door closed in the middle of the room, just visible among the dust as a less-dusty area. An open grey-blue door leads north. >e (first opening the magenta door leading east) You open the magenta door leading east. Among Whites Few bottles remain -- the countess was exceedingly fond of her Rieslings, and it required constant restocking to keep this portion of the cellar properly supplied during her life. An open green door leads north. A closed blue door leads east. An open magenta door leads west. In your hunger, you dream of a salad of dressed spinach greens in a vinaigrette. Or perhaps the hearts of artichokes. >n Centre With all the doors that lead out of this area, and the heavy pillars that support the roofbeams, there is little room for anything to be stored at all. The absence of racks has not prevented a heavy layer of dust from gathering here too, however. A closed cyan door leads east. An open green door leads north. An open green door leads south. A closed red door leads west. >e (first opening the cyan door leading east) You open the cyan door leading east. Dessert Wines Tall, slender bottles of ice-wine once resided here, delicate and sweet; and other fine vintages, waiting to be served with the cheese and fruit. All are gone now. In the south wall, the stonework has crumbled a bit, revealing an opening through to the room beyond. You could get a glimpse through if you were careful not to cut off all the light in the process. An open yellow door leads southwest. A closed white door leads north; it looks oddly streaked. A closed cyan door leads northwest. An open cyan door leads west. >look through crack Through the hole you see Cheese Corner. You can dimly make out a heavy chest, a silver key and a green glass jar. >x silver key (the silver key through the chink) A key of silver metal, with a reddish string tied to it. >[wa-hey!] That's not a verb I recognize. >x green glass (the green glass jar through the chink) A green glass container with a wide mouth and a stopper. >x chest (the heavy chest through the chink) The body of the chest is probably made of stone. >link chest to stone (the heavy chest through the chink) You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they are just too dissimilar. >nw (first opening the cyan door leading northwest) There's no door handle on this side. >w Centre With all the doors that lead out of this area, and the heavy pillars that support the roofbeams, there is little room for anything to be stored at all. The absence of racks has not prevented a heavy layer of dust from gathering here too, however. An open cyan door leads east. A closed red door leads west. An open green door leads south. An open green door leads north. >s Among Whites Few bottles remain -- the countess was exceedingly fond of her Rieslings, and it required constant restocking to keep this portion of the cellar properly supplied during her life. An open green door leads north. An open magenta door leads west. A closed blue door leads east. >w Among Reds Almost all gone now, though the labels still adhere to the racks, indicating where a '67 rested, or an '82, waiting to be taken up to the dining room. An open magenta door leads east. There is a grey-blue trap door closed in the middle of the room, just visible among the dust as a less-dusty area. An open grey-blue door leads north. >nw You can go only north, east or down. >n Wine Cellar Antechamber The air is cool here, protected by deep walls of stone. Heavy beams overhead support the weight of the upper floors. A thick dust overlays everything. An open grey-blue door leads south. A closed red door leads east. The wine-cellar door -- sturdy wood in yellowish brass panels -- stands open to the west. A closed magenta door leads northeast. A heavy red door, wreathed in chains and locks, leads north into the vault, where the best wines were kept during your youth. >w Bottom of Servants' Staircase An awkward wedge of space between the foundations of the main house and the walls of the new-built wine cellar, east. The staircase does not leave much room to stand in; it is straight and carefully planed lest anyone trip with a priceless bottle of wine. The wine-cellar door -- sturdy wood in yellowish brass panels -- stands open to the east. An ordinary wooden door opens west into the root cellar. >u Kitchen Corridor A narrow corridor between the kitchen and the main house, which has a thick separate wall. The two buildings are only barely attached, to discourage fires. A small staircase leads down. Double doors, west, bar your access to the main house. >e Kitchen A long, cross-beamed room, originally washed with white, though smoke has tinged the walls above the massive fireplace in which roasts are prepared. In addition, there are thick high tables that run the length of the room. To the east is the kitchen garden through which you entered; west is the corridor that connects with the main house. To the north there is the little scullery, and upstairs is the attic where the servants sleep. On the kitchen tables is a delicate contraption (which is empty). >e In your hunger, you dream of creme caramel. Kitchen Garden West is the wall of the kitchen. Most of the space along the wall is planted with herbs -- bay, parsley, stalks of mint -- left of the open doorway. To its right is only a drainage ditch, catching the outflow of a pipe that comes through the wall. In one corner of the plot is the well, drilled many deep feet; in another is the antique sundial. >pour pot into ditch The hinge-lidded teapot is closed. >open it You open the hinge-lidded teapot, revealing some water. >pour pot into ditch You put some water in the drainage ditch, exhausting the supply in the hinge- lidded teapot. There is still some room remaining in the drainage ditch. The water mixes with what was already there. >put sponge in ditch (first taking the sponge) (putting On Vegetable Dyes into the sack to make room) Taken. You put the sponge into the drainage ditch. You consume some of the water and mud in moistening the sponge. >get it Taken. >w Kitchen A long, cross-beamed room, originally washed with white, though smoke has tinged the walls above the massive fireplace in which roasts are prepared. In addition, there are thick high tables that run the length of the room. To the east is the kitchen garden through which you entered; west is the corridor that connects with the main house. To the north there is the little scullery, and upstairs is the attic where the servants sleep. On the kitchen tables is a delicate contraption (which is empty). >w Kitchen Corridor A narrow corridor between the kitchen and the main house, which has a thick separate wall. The two buildings are only barely attached, to discourage fires. A small staircase leads down. Double doors, west, bar your access to the main house. >d Bottom of Servants' Staircase An awkward wedge of space between the foundations of the main house and the walls of the new-built wine cellar, east. The staircase does not leave much room to stand in; it is straight and carefully planed lest anyone trip with a priceless bottle of wine. The wine-cellar door -- sturdy wood in yellowish brass panels -- stands open to the east. An ordinary wooden door opens west into the root cellar. >e Wine Cellar Antechamber The air is cool here, protected by deep walls of stone. Heavy beams overhead support the weight of the upper floors. A thick dust overlays everything. An open grey-blue door leads south. A closed red door leads east. A closed magenta door leads northeast. A heavy red door, wreathed in chains and locks, leads north into the vault, where the best wines were kept during your youth. The wine-cellar door -- sturdy wood in yellowish brass panels -- stands open to the west. >s Among Reds Almost all gone now, though the labels still adhere to the racks, indicating where a '67 rested, or an '82, waiting to be taken up to the dining room. An open magenta door leads east. There is a grey-blue trap door closed in the middle of the room, just visible among the dust as a less-dusty area. An open grey-blue door leads north. >e Among Whites Few bottles remain -- the countess was exceedingly fond of her Rieslings, and it required constant restocking to keep this portion of the cellar properly supplied during her life. An open green door leads north. A closed blue door leads east. An open magenta door leads west. >wipe blue door with sponge You manage to smear a few damp stains of white onto the door, but they are pale and fading. It seems that staining it may not be the right way to go. >[Of white?] That's not a verb I recognize. >x sponge A sea sponge, sized and rounded like an apple. It is currently sopping wet. >n Centre With all the doors that lead out of this area, and the heavy pillars that support the roofbeams, there is little room for anything to be stored at all. The absence of racks has not prevented a heavy layer of dust from gathering here too, however. An open cyan door leads east. An open green door leads north. An open green door leads south. A closed red door leads west. >e Dessert Wines Tall, slender bottles of ice-wine once resided here, delicate and sweet; and other fine vintages, waiting to be served with the cheese and fruit. All are gone now. In the south wall, the stonework has crumbled a bit, revealing an opening through to the room beyond. You could get a glimpse through if you were careful not to cut off all the light in the process. An open yellow door leads southwest. A closed white door leads north; it looks oddly streaked. A closed cyan door leads northwest. An open cyan door leads west. >wipe door with sponge You manage to smear a few damp stains of white onto the door, but they are pale and fading. It seems that staining it may not be the right way to go. In your hunger, you imagine in great clarity thinly-sliced venison, cold from the roast. >link ribbon to navy You can't see any such thing. >i You are carrying: a sponge (sodden) a Chocolate Recipe a hinge-lidded teapot (which is open but empty) three books: The Lavori d'Aracne Guide to Assorted Wines Clock Repair a pearl necklace (being worn) a navy cloak (being worn) a sack (which is open) On Vegetable Dyes some household papers some mechanical human dancers a stone block a butcher knife a round metal tin (which is open but empty) an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading west) some documents a rope ladder a red glass jar (which is open but empty) a blue glass jar (which is closed) some sea-salt (which leaves the blue glass jar about half full) an old letter a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (reflecting white light from the sunlight) a small portrait a crumpled paper a white handkerchief a burnt scrap of paper a swordstick a sword a snuffbox (which is closed) three recipe cylinders: an Easter Egg Recipe an Andouillettes Recipe a Lentil Soup Recipe two metal dishes: a plate a cup two bottles of wine: a blue bottle (which is closed) a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc (which is closed) ten food items: a loaf of stale bread some apples some hunks of salt pork some lentils some andouillettes a sprig of mint a sprig of parsley a bay leaf a clove of garlic a single yellow onion a dashing hat (being worn) >x ky You can't see any such thing. >x key Which do you mean, the silver key or the iron key? >iron A key of iron metal, with a magenta string tied through it. >link string to navy You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they seem as though they will never go together. >open letter You crack the seal, aware that you are trespassing on what was meant to be a private confidence. Inside is the count's long black writing: he used to sit at his desk in the gold lamplight, tossing back the lace of his cuff with a little flick so that it would not drag in the ink. >read it At the top of the page is a sketch of dancing figures. Then: Devv Rtare, Ea tu irymhg flolehi e uo rte aose, aeruwsrm ssot. Ea ytfisto kfho tu niame morv es mias, liess tadp. I moiero ardson. Leaovslo ni smeol nao tfyss nti atte. Eng deyr tairlsro or ebtdnt ruo, u tastfcoi omatcnn oli epss ltnf uic -- hse rfoetns nm mode -- e, e edyle. S a eofd. Thhaw fee in aim yd dynwadt, sdore httv eneo hengey oguar. Tphp! gehe tlooer w, own plinh lri. L lt ara nsycgro holi iw ouerey wrvlio ie emk: uwt, tmeo irthsoleo, esk lstela nohdy fo rell. Teesana r rtv lntv heodhae bygeny ea osthelo dui iwsarfn: Ielly dsllio yh ly fuo taoefuo n y oh bto od. Irytfdn. Ooh teguueh r. Sgrret ihmdo ewalh ntaplathy tflg echeaimhet. Rvaeyc g efo, erap rui urroln, ebi mitdr c mghee. Ecness iarost, fryt aiyrohk; toyuee bufr rle mom. Sea mi btnsaso feen wro pdw. Enrlahlb meu. Ol ui. Ag h tniyetse l yreowlo. Irm hd ug neoet, hoownht tt ulsao i ratr pcs nmgre. K dy i ayil dr col aeltl acum hlska si. Cat n oso sod r wmhy. Irieooaybnr kwa. Uyeie cto sn lh wutt. Lihwuha leece, sd.al db danoee e tdsac sese. Ta p aothm enco ier dt eauoio v nsf noe gslgkre tiytyr eno. Hdopk. Utra ot loe tudo psylin ioodege. Tun aarhw oss hds an tesesli loeny tiyi o guvo tt rdeuwoae tdia abhes lsr aue myotsho. Ot mrisu haamt re. Rnovfeb cree yue yr sotro yiucn ulnrof ricmon wssht dtlhe h. I hoeae. Kanwl rnt gatae a ash ylube halle f in sdtold oyhrd, wwo eek eour. Ce ee av stponeil. A nd rn onhihwo eif eaky meina fmunte tcloyfe. alw o. orrytunh. Eihadi fk ar o fa e. I h dhnb n idiyuks imctoitiatnni nshtaon. Risoa hysy vtily oi hs iounevf. -- Urgr eerlfx >d You can go only north, west, northwest or southwest. >s You can go only north, west, northwest or southwest. >sw Closet Not a room of its own; barely a large enough niche to walk into, in fact. An open yellow door leads northeast. >ne Dessert Wines Tall, slender bottles of ice-wine once resided here, delicate and sweet; and other fine vintages, waiting to be served with the cheese and fruit. All are gone now. In the south wall, the stonework has crumbled a bit, revealing an opening through to the room beyond. You could get a glimpse through if you were careful not to cut off all the light in the process. An open yellow door leads southwest. A closed white door leads north; it looks oddly streaked. A closed cyan door leads northwest. An open cyan door leads west. >nw (first opening the cyan door leading northwest) There's no door handle on this side. >w Centre With all the doors that lead out of this area, and the heavy pillars that support the roofbeams, there is little room for anything to be stored at all. The absence of racks has not prevented a heavy layer of dust from gathering here too, however. An open cyan door leads east. An open green door leads north. An open green door leads south. A closed red door leads west. >s Among Whites Few bottles remain -- the countess was exceedingly fond of her Rieslings, and it required constant restocking to keep this portion of the cellar properly supplied during her life. An open green door leads north. A closed blue door leads east. An open magenta door leads west. >w Among Reds Almost all gone now, though the labels still adhere to the racks, indicating where a '67 rested, or an '82, waiting to be taken up to the dining room. An open magenta door leads east. There is a grey-blue trap door closed in the middle of the room, just visible among the dust as a less-dusty area. An open grey-blue door leads north. >n Wine Cellar Antechamber The air is cool here, protected by deep walls of stone. Heavy beams overhead support the weight of the upper floors. A thick dust overlays everything. An open grey-blue door leads south. A closed red door leads east. A closed magenta door leads northeast. A heavy red door, wreathed in chains and locks, leads north into the vault, where the best wines were kept during your youth. The wine-cellar door -- sturdy wood in yellowish brass panels -- stands open to the west. >w Bottom of Servants' Staircase An awkward wedge of space between the foundations of the main house and the walls of the new-built wine cellar, east. The staircase does not leave much room to stand in; it is straight and carefully planed lest anyone trip with a priceless bottle of wine. The wine-cellar door -- sturdy wood in yellowish brass panels -- stands open to the east. An ordinary wooden door opens west into the root cellar. >u Kitchen Corridor A narrow corridor between the kitchen and the main house, which has a thick separate wall. The two buildings are only barely attached, to discourage fires. A small staircase leads down. Double doors, west, bar your access to the main house. >e In your hunger, you dream of a salad of dressed spinach greens in a vinaigrette. Kitchen A long, cross-beamed room, originally washed with white, though smoke has tinged the walls above the massive fireplace in which roasts are prepared. In addition, there are thick high tables that run the length of the room. To the east is the kitchen garden through which you entered; west is the corridor that connects with the main house. To the north there is the little scullery, and upstairs is the attic where the servants sleep. On the kitchen tables is a delicate contraption (which is empty). >e Kitchen Garden West is the wall of the kitchen. Most of the space along the wall is planted with herbs -- bay, parsley, stalks of mint -- left of the open doorway. To its right is only a drainage ditch, catching the outflow of a pipe that comes through the wall. In one corner of the plot is the well, drilled many deep feet; in another is the antique sundial. >w Kitchen A long, cross-beamed room, originally washed with white, though smoke has tinged the walls above the massive fireplace in which roasts are prepared. In addition, there are thick high tables that run the length of the room. To the east is the kitchen garden through which you entered; west is the corridor that connects with the main house. To the north there is the little scullery, and upstairs is the attic where the servants sleep. On the kitchen tables is a delicate contraption (which is empty). >put letter on spindle (first taking the old letter) (putting Clock Repair into the sack to make room) Taken. That does not seem to fit over the spindle. >w Kitchen Corridor A narrow corridor between the kitchen and the main house, which has a thick separate wall. The two buildings are only barely attached, to discourage fires. A small staircase leads down. Double doors, west, bar your access to the main house. >w (first opening the double doors) You open the double doors. Dining Room A grand room, for dining in style. The plastered ceiling is several times your height. The air now is cool and deep, the sunlight glancing through the windows and scattering from the chandelier, putting points of light at your feet, over the table, across the painted wallpaper and the handsome wood paneling. Woodworked columns frame the exits west and southwest. Heavy double doors open east to the kitchen. >w Library Originally a salon for the receiving of guests; but in recent years the Count has become increasingly interested in his own projects, and has taken over the entire room for the storage of books. Bookshelves line the walls, reaching above your head, leaving exits only east and south. A clockwork model of the universe stands in one corner. On one wall is an enormous portrait of the Count's father, from the hand of Hyacinthe Rigaud. >s Entrance Hall Flourishing, spacious; it is its best with a half-dozen servants in livery. The floor is Italian marble. The main staircase ascends to the corridor on the second floor, and a smaller version leads down into the dim basement. Doors also open north and northeast. On the wall is one of those mechanical clocks that pop open on the hour, allowing the ingenious internal figures out to play. >put letter in clock (the mechanical clock) That can't contain things. >put letter on clock (the mechanical clock) You put the old letter on the mechanical clock. >get it Taken. >x letter A letter on parchment; the seal, stamped by the count, has been broken. At the top of the page is a sketch of two figures apparently dancing. >link letter to dancer You can't see any such thing. >link letter to dancers Bending your will, you form the link between the old letter and the mechanical human dancers. >turn on dancers You cannot find a switch to control them anywhere. >read letter At the top of the page is a sketch of dancing figures. Then: Devv Rtare, Ea tu irymhg flolehi e uo rte aose, aeruwsrm ssot. Ea ytfisto kfho tu niame morv es mias, liess tadp. I moiero ardson. Leaovslo ni smeol nao tfyss nti atte. Eng deyr tairlsro or ebtdnt ruo, u tastfcoi omatcnn oli epss ltnf uic -- hse rfoetns nm mode -- e, e edyle. S a eofd. Thhaw fee in aim yd dynwadt, sdore httv eneo hengey oguar. Tphp! gehe tlooer w, own plinh lri. L lt ara nsycgro holi iw ouerey wrvlio ie emk: uwt, tmeo irthsoleo, esk lstela nohdy fo rell. Teesana r rtv lntv heodhae bygeny ea osthelo dui iwsarfn: Ielly dsllio yh ly fuo taoefuo n y oh bto od. Irytfdn. Ooh teguueh r. Sgrret ihmdo ewalh ntaplathy tflg echeaimhet. Rvaeyc g efo, erap rui urroln, ebi mitdr c mghee. Ecness iarost, fryt aiyrohk; toyuee bufr rle mom. Sea mi btnsaso feen wro pdw. Enrlahlb meu. Ol ui. Ag h tniyetse l yreowlo. Irm hd ug neoet, hoownht tt ulsao i ratr pcs nmgre. K dy i ayil dr col aeltl acum hlska si. Cat n oso sod r wmhy. Irieooaybnr kwa. Uyeie cto sn lh wutt. Lihwuha leece, sd.al db danoee e tdsac sese. Ta p aothm enco ier dt eauoio v nsf noe gslgkre tiytyr eno. Hdopk. Utra ot loe tudo psylin ioodege. Tun aarhw oss hds an tesesli loeny tiyi o guvo tt rdeuwoae tdia abhes lsr aue myotsho. Ot mrisu haamt re. Rnovfeb cree yue yr sotro yiucn ulnrof ricmon wssht dtlhe h. I hoeae. Kanwl rnt gatae a ash ylube halle f in sdtold oyhrd, wwo eek eour. Ce ee av stponeil. A nd rn onhihwo eif eaky meina fmunte tcloyfe. alw o. orrytunh. Eihadi fk ar o fa e. I h dhnb n idiyuks imctoitiatnni nshtaon. Risoa hysy vtily oi hs iounevf. -- Urgr eerlfx >unlink dancers You succeed in unlinking the mechanical human dancers from the old letter. >reverse link dancers to letter You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they are just a little too different. Maybe if they looked more alike. Reverse links are even pickier than regular links that way. >link dancers to letter Bending your will, you form the link between the mechanical human dancers and the old letter. In your hunger, you dream of the small, bitter oranges of Jerusalem. Or perhaps frosted petits-four. >turn dancers You attempt to make them dance, but the gears are stiff, and you cannot do anything without the risk of damaging the machinery permanently. >w You can't go that way. >s That way lies the exit, but you have unfinished business here. >u Staircase, First Floor The top of a broad curving stair: east is the long salon that goes the length of the house, downstairs are the foyer and the grand receiving rooms. North is the old conservatory. >n Old Conservatory A chilly northern exposure, perhaps, but really quite lovely. This room used to be where Marie would practice her music, and the Countess play her compositions; Marie's own room lies to the west. On the high shelf is a celestial bauble. The pianoforte stands in the center of the room. >play letter You try tapping out the letters that correspond to notes on the keyboard, but the result is cacophony. If the letter is meant somehow to be musical, then you do not have the trick of reading it. >put dancers on piano (first taking the mechanical human dancers) (putting Guide to Assorted Wines into the sack to make room) Taken. Putting things on the pianoforte would achieve nothing. >x dancers The dancers are antique, and peculiar. Their costume replicates an English mode of the sixteenth century: the lady wears a skirt of beaten copper, pierced in designs, and around the gentleman's neck is a ruff of folded silver, though with long neglect it has begun to darken. As for their skin, it is all carved ivory. They both of them stand on a floor made up of cogs, to permit them to spin and dance around. >dance Dancing alone is an occupation for court performers. You dance only in company. >dance letter I only understood you as far as wanting to dance. >turn on dancers You cannot find a switch to control them anywhere. >turn dancers You attempt to make them dance, but the gears are stiff, and you cannot do anything without the risk of damaging the machinery permanently. >x skirt The woman's gown has a narrow waist and stiff bodice, and then a spreading skirt; the gentleman wears the sort of sleeves slashed to show color beneath, and this effect is emulated by the use of different tones of metal. >turn skirt You attempt to make them dance, but the gears are stiff, and you cannot do anything without the risk of damaging the machinery permanently. >x letter A letter on parchment; the seal, stamped by the count, has been broken. At the top of the page is a sketch of two figures apparently dancing. >turn letter Nothing obvious happens. >read letter At the top of the page is a sketch of dancing figures. Then: Devv Rtare, Ea tu irymhg flolehi e uo rte aose, aeruwsrm ssot. Ea ytfisto kfho tu niame morv es mias, liess tadp. I moiero ardson. Leaovslo ni smeol nao tfyss nti atte. Eng deyr tairlsro or ebtdnt ruo, u tastfcoi omatcnn oli epss ltnf uic -- hse rfoetns nm mode -- e, e edyle. S a eofd. Thhaw fee in aim yd dynwadt, sdore httv eneo hengey oguar. Tphp! gehe tlooer w, own plinh lri. L lt ara nsycgro holi iw ouerey wrvlio ie emk: uwt, tmeo irthsoleo, esk lstela nohdy fo rell. Teesana r rtv lntv heodhae bygeny ea osthelo dui iwsarfn: Ielly dsllio yh ly fuo taoefuo n y oh bto od. Irytfdn. Ooh teguueh r. Sgrret ihmdo ewalh ntaplathy tflg echeaimhet. Rvaeyc g efo, erap rui urroln, ebi mitdr c mghee. Ecness iarost, fryt aiyrohk; toyuee bufr rle mom. Sea mi btnsaso feen wro pdw. Enrlahlb meu. Ol ui. Ag h tniyetse l yreowlo. Irm hd ug neoet, hoownht tt ulsao i ratr pcs nmgre. K dy i ayil dr col aeltl acum hlska si. Cat n oso sod r wmhy. Irieooaybnr kwa. Uyeie cto sn lh wutt. Lihwuha leece, sd.al db danoee e tdsac sese. Ta p aothm enco ier dt eauoio v nsf noe gslgkre tiytyr eno. Hdopk. Utra ot loe tudo psylin ioodege. Tun aarhw oss hds an tesesli loeny tiyi o guvo tt rdeuwoae tdia abhes lsr aue myotsho. Ot mrisu haamt re. Rnovfeb cree yue yr sotro yiucn ulnrof ricmon wssht dtlhe h. I hoeae. Kanwl rnt gatae a ash ylube halle f in sdtold oyhrd, wwo eek eour. Ce ee av stponeil. A nd rn onhihwo eif eaky meina fmunte tcloyfe. alw o. orrytunh. Eihadi fk ar o fa e. I h dhnb n idiyuks imctoitiatnni nshtaon. Risoa hysy vtily oi hs iounevf. -- Urgr eerlfx In your hunger, you hallucinate an omelette of herbs and chives. Or perhaps a heavy Christmas-time cake with candied fruit. >read letter aloud (in the pianoforte) You discover nothing of interest in the pianoforte. >speak letter (to yourself) [crash! Illegal object] The beautiful life is always damned, they say. As for you, you've overexpended yourself: fifteen years of prominence, champagne, carriage rides in the Tuileries, having your name whispered behind manicured hands, getting elegant ladies out of elegant fixes -- and you're in debt. Bound by oath and honor to a pack of scoundrels. Your father, old peasant that he was, could have warned you against their type. You'd hoped to find the Count at home; your original plan was to ask him for an advance on the money you expect to earn on your estate in a month or two. But according to the local population, the Count hasn't been home in months, and Marie, who was in residence until recently, has vanished as well. "No one around the big house now," says one of the peasant women tersely. "Even turned off the cook, they did." But you need the money at once; if you return to Paris without it, your creditors are unlikely to be forgiving. So you walked over the fields anyway, and got in through the gap in the kitchen garden wall. You will just have to find what you can. Savoir-Faire An interactive search for loot. Copyright Emily Short 2002. Type INFO if you have not played before. Type LICENSE for the terms of use and distribution. Type CREDITS for tester and library acknowledgements. Release 6 / Serial number 020420 / Inform v6.15 Library 6/10 Kitchen Garden West is the wall of the kitchen. Most of the space along the wall is planted with herbs -- bay, parsley, stalks of mint -- left of the open doorway. To its right is only a drainage ditch, catching the outflow of a pipe that comes through the wall. In one corner of the plot is the well, drilled many deep feet; in another is the antique sundial. A tangle of climbing roses covers almost completely the wall and door of a shed to the southeast. >restore Ok. >drop mead You set the bottle of mead down gently. >open letter You crack the seal, aware that you are trespassing on what was meant to be a private confidence. Inside is the count's long black writing: he used to sit at his desk in the gold lamplight, tossing back the lace of his cuff with a little flick so that it would not drag in the ink. >read it At the top of the page is a sketch of dancing figures. Then: Devv Rtare, Ea tu irymhg flolehi e uo rte aose, aeruwsrm ssot. Ea ytfisto kfho tu niame morv es mias, liess tadp. I moiero ardson. Leaovslo ni smeol nao tfyss nti atte. Eng deyr tairlsro or ebtdnt ruo, u tastfcoi omatcnn oli epss ltnf uic -- hse rfoetns nm mode -- e, e edyle. S a eofd. Thhaw fee in aim yd dynwadt, sdore httv eneo hengey oguar. Tphp! gehe tlooer w, own plinh lri. L lt ara nsycgro holi iw ouerey wrvlio ie emk: uwt, tmeo irthsoleo, esk lstela nohdy fo rell. Teesana r rtv lntv heodhae bygeny ea osthelo dui iwsarfn: Ielly dsllio yh ly fuo taoefuo n y oh bto od. Irytfdn. Ooh teguueh r. Sgrret ihmdo ewalh ntaplathy tflg echeaimhet. Rvaeyc g efo, erap rui urroln, ebi mitdr c mghee. Ecness iarost, fryt aiyrohk; toyuee bufr rle mom. Sea mi btnsaso feen wro pdw. Enrlahlb meu. Ol ui. Ag h tniyetse l yreowlo. Irm hd ug neoet, hoownht tt ulsao i ratr pcs nmgre. K dy i ayil dr col aeltl acum hlska si. Cat n oso sod r wmhy. Irieooaybnr kwa. Uyeie cto sn lh wutt. Lihwuha leece, sd.al db danoee e tdsac sese. Ta p aothm enco ier dt eauoio v nsf noe gslgkre tiytyr eno. Hdopk. Utra ot loe tudo psylin ioodege. Tun aarhw oss hds an tesesli loeny tiyi o guvo tt rdeuwoae tdia abhes lsr aue myotsho. Ot mrisu haamt re. Rnovfeb cree yue yr sotro yiucn ulnrof ricmon wssht dtlhe h. I hoeae. Kanwl rnt gatae a ash ylube halle f in sdtold oyhrd, wwo eek eour. Ce ee av stponeil. A nd rn onhihwo eif eaky meina fmunte tcloyfe. alw o. orrytunh. Eihadi fk ar o fa e. I h dhnb n idiyuks imctoitiatnni nshtaon. Risoa hysy vtily oi hs iounevf. -- Urgr eerlfx >link letter to dancers Bending your will, you form the link between the old letter and the mechanical human dancers. >read letter to dancers What do you want to read in? >speak letter to dancers You can only do that to something animate. >say hi to me There is no reply. >speak hi to me There is no reply. >speak letter to me There is no reply. >speak letter (to yourself) There is no reply. >quit Are you sure you want to quit? y