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 dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (reflecting white light from the sunlight) a red glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the red glass jar about half full) a blue glass jar (which is open but empty) some mechanical human dancers a blue bottle (which is closed) a stone block a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) a navy cloak 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 west) some documents a rope ladder an old letter some household papers a small portrait 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) >put box in blue jar (the dark wooden box in the blue glass jar) You put the dark wooden box into the blue glass jar. >close jar Which do you mean, the red glass jar or the blue glass jar? >blue You close the blue glass jar. >x blue (the blue door leading east) A blue door leading east, currently closed. >x blue jar A blue glass container with a wide mouth and a stopper. >i You are carrying: a red glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the red glass jar about half full) a blue glass jar (which is closed) a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (reflecting white light from the sunlight) some mechanical human dancers a blue bottle (which is closed) a stone block a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) a navy cloak 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 west) some documents a rope ladder an old letter some household papers a small portrait 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) >[hmm.] That's not a verb I recognize. >w In your hunger, you imagine in great clarity purple-black Hellene olives in a tray, with the pits still in. Or perhaps frosted petits-four. 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 give west onto the main house. >w 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, 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. >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. >w Marie's Chamber Stripped of the elegant clutter it once possessed, the room still offers a charming view through the north window of the old grounds, and the way out is to the east. The wallpaper and floorboards are still as elegant as ever. Hanging on the wall is an elegant gilt-wood mirror, casting eerie distant light over the ground before it. Her desk remains, pushed against the wall. >x window Windows framed in the old style, arched at the top with a little knot of carved flowerettes and ribbon-work. >x jar Which do you mean, the red glass jar or the blue glass jar? >blue A blue glass container with a wide mouth and a stopper. >link window to blue Linking structural elements of a building you are inhabiting is generally considered a bad idea. >[arr] That's not a verb I recognize. >wipe mirror with sponge (the gilt-wood mirror with the sponge) (first taking the sponge) You wipe the gilt-wood mirror off with the sponge. >take off cloak You can't see any such thing. >i You are carrying: a sponge a red glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the red glass jar about half full) a blue glass jar (which is closed) a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (reflecting white light from the sunlight) some mechanical human dancers a blue bottle (which is closed) a stone block a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) a navy cloak 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 an old letter some household papers a small portrait a crumpled paper a white handkerchief a burnt scrap of paper a butcher knife 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 cloak A fine navy cloak for a woman, lined with swansdown. >wrap box in cloak That's not a verb I recognize. >put box in cloak Which do you mean, the dark wooden box or the snuffbox? >dark (first taking the dark wooden box) The blue glass jar isn't open. You need to be holding the dark wooden box before you can put it on top of something else. >open blue jar You open the blue glass jar. In your hunger, you imagine in great clarity an omelette of herbs and chives. Or perhaps a salad of dressed spinach greens in a vinaigrette, tossed with curried walnuts, such as they did at the house of the Princesse when you visited her last summer. >put box in cloak Which do you mean, the dark wooden box or the snuffbox? >dark (first taking the dark wooden box) (putting the stone block into the sack to make room) Taken. That can't contain things. >i You are carrying: a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (reflecting white light from the sunlight) a sponge a red glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the red glass jar about half full) a blue glass jar (which is open but empty) some mechanical human dancers a blue bottle (which is closed) a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) a stone block a navy cloak 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 an old letter some household papers a small portrait a crumpled paper a white handkerchief a burnt scrap of paper a butcher knife 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) >e 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. >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. >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. >put ladder on shelf There's no good way to attach the rope ladder. >throw ladder at shelf (first taking the rope ladder) (putting the blue bottle into the sack to make room) The rope ladder is much too large for you to throw gracefully. >i You are carrying: a rope ladder a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (reflecting white light from the sunlight) a sponge a red glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the red glass jar about half full) a blue glass jar (which is open but empty) some mechanical human dancers a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) a stone block a navy cloak a round metal tin (which is open but empty) an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading east) some documents an old letter some household papers a small portrait a crumpled paper a white handkerchief a burnt scrap of paper a butcher knife 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 two bottles of wine: a blue bottle (which is closed) a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc (which is closed) a dashing hat (being worn) > I beg your pardon? >d 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. >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. >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. >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. >e 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 In your hunger, you dream of little grey-pink mushrooms. Or perhaps the small, bitter oranges of Jerusalem. 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 round tin from well (first taking the round metal tin) (putting the mechanical human dancers into the sack to make room) Taken. You put some water in the round metal tin. This fills the round metal tin to the brim. >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 give west onto the main house. >w 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. >sw 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. >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. >drop tin Dropped. >x tin A thin metal container, somewhat old. In the round metal tin is some water. >throw stone at bauble (first taking the stone block) The stone block races through the air. It strikes the celestial bauble. The celestial bauble rolls off the high shelf and strikes the ground. It smashes dramatically. It deposits the tiny silver star and the tiny golden sun. The stone block comes to rest on the high shelf. >undo Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] >x ground You see nothing special about the floor. >i You are carrying: a rope ladder a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (reflecting white light from the sunlight) a sponge a red glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the red glass jar about half full) a blue glass jar (which is open but empty) a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) some mechanical human dancers a stone block a navy cloak an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading east) some documents an old letter some household papers a small portrait a crumpled paper a white handkerchief a burnt scrap of paper a butcher knife 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 two bottles of wine: a blue bottle (which is closed) a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc (which is closed) a dashing hat (being worn) >drop all rope ladder: Dropped. dark wooden box: Dropped. sponge: Dropped. red glass jar: You set the red glass jar down gently. blue glass jar: You set the blue glass jar down gently. sack: Dropped. >get all from sack mechanical human dancers: Removed. stone block: Removed. navy cloak: Removed. iron key: Removed. documents: Removed. old letter: Removed. household papers: Removed. small portrait: You're carrying too many things already. crumpled paper: You're carrying too many things already. white handkerchief: You're carrying too many things already. burnt scrap of paper: You're carrying too many things already. butcher knife: You're carrying too many things already. swordstick: You're carrying too many things already. snuffbox: You're carrying too many things already. apples: You're carrying too many things already. hunks of salt pork: You're carrying too many things already. lentils: You're carrying too many things already. andouillettes: You're carrying too many things already. sprig of mint: You're carrying too many things already. sprig of parsley: You're carrying too many things already. bay leaf: You're carrying too many things already. clove of garlic: You're carrying too many things already. loaf of stale bread: You're carrying too many things already. single yellow onion: You're carrying too many things already. Easter Egg Recipe: You're carrying too many things already. Andouillettes Recipe: You're carrying too many things already. Lentil Soup Recipe: You're carrying too many things already. plate: You're carrying too many things already. hinge-lidded teapot: You're carrying too many things already. cup: You're carrying too many things already. blue bottle: You're carrying too many things already. bottle of Sauvignon Blanc: You're carrying too many things already. >drop all household papers: Dropped. old letter: Dropped. documents: Dropped. iron key: Dropped. navy cloak: Dropped. stone block: Dropped. mechanical human dancers: Dropped. >get all from sack small portrait: Removed. crumpled paper: Removed. white handkerchief: Removed. burnt scrap of paper: Removed. butcher knife: Removed. swordstick: Removed. snuffbox: Removed. apples: You're carrying too many things already. hunks of salt pork: You're carrying too many things already. lentils: You're carrying too many things already. andouillettes: You're carrying too many things already. sprig of mint: You're carrying too many things already. sprig of parsley: You're carrying too many things already. bay leaf: You're carrying too many things already. clove of garlic: You're carrying too many things already. loaf of stale bread: You're carrying too many things already. single yellow onion: You're carrying too many things already. Easter Egg Recipe: You're carrying too many things already. Andouillettes Recipe: You're carrying too many things already. Lentil Soup Recipe: You're carrying too many things already. plate: You're carrying too many things already. hinge-lidded teapot: You're carrying too many things already. cup: You're carrying too many things already. blue bottle: You're carrying too many things already. bottle of Sauvignon Blanc: You're carrying too many things already. In your hunger, you dream of curls of toasted bread, dripping with butter. >drop all snuffbox: Dropped. swordstick: Dropped. butcher knife: Dropped. burnt scrap of paper: Dropped. white handkerchief: Dropped. crumpled paper: Dropped. small portrait: Dropped. >get all from sack apples: Removed. hunks of salt pork: Removed. lentils: Removed. andouillettes: Removed. sprig of mint: Removed. sprig of parsley: Removed. bay leaf: Removed. clove of garlic: You're carrying too many things already. loaf of stale bread: You're carrying too many things already. single yellow onion: You're carrying too many things already. Easter Egg Recipe: You're carrying too many things already. Andouillettes Recipe: You're carrying too many things already. Lentil Soup Recipe: You're carrying too many things already. plate: You're carrying too many things already. hinge-lidded teapot: You're carrying too many things already. cup: You're carrying too many things already. blue bottle: You're carrying too many things already. bottle of Sauvignon Blanc: You're carrying too many things already. >drop all bay leaf: Dropped. sprig of parsley: Dropped. sprig of mint: Dropped. andouillettes: Dropped. lentils: Dropped. hunks of salt pork: Dropped. apples: Dropped. >get all from sack clove of garlic: Removed. loaf of stale bread: Removed. single yellow onion: Removed. Easter Egg Recipe: Removed. Andouillettes Recipe: Removed. Lentil Soup Recipe: Removed. plate: Removed. hinge-lidded teapot: You're carrying too many things already. cup: You're carrying too many things already. blue bottle: You're carrying too many things already. bottle of Sauvignon Blanc: You're carrying too many things already. >drop all plate: Dropped. Lentil Soup Recipe: Dropped. Andouillettes Recipe: Dropped. Easter Egg Recipe: Dropped. yellow onion: Dropped. loaf of stale bread: Dropped. clove of garlic: Dropped. >get all from sack hinge-lidded teapot: Removed. cup: Removed. blue bottle: Removed. bottle of Sauvignon Blanc: Removed. >drop all bottle of Sauvignon Blanc: You set the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc down gently. blue bottle: You set the blue bottle down gently. cup: Dropped. hinge-lidded teapot: Dropped. >throw stone at baubl You can't see any such thing. >throw stone at bauble (first taking the stone block) The stone block races through the air. It strikes the celestial bauble, which rolls off the high shelf. It strikes the ground. It breaks, disgorging the tiny silver star and the tiny golden sun. The stone block comes to rest on the high shelf. > Hot key -- Undo one turn Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Staircase, First Floor [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Entrance Hall [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Dining Room [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Kitchen Corridor [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Kitchen [Previous turn undone.] >i You are carrying: a round metal tin (which is open) some water (which fills the round metal tin to the brim) a rope ladder a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (reflecting white light from the sunlight) a sponge a red glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the red glass jar about half full) a blue glass jar (which is open but empty) a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) some mechanical human dancers a stone block a navy cloak an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading east) some documents an old letter some household papers a small portrait a crumpled paper a white handkerchief a burnt scrap of paper a butcher knife 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 two bottles of wine: a blue bottle (which is closed) a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc (which is closed) a dashing hat (being worn) >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 give west onto the main house. >w 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. >sw 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. >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. >link bauble to tin You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they seem as though they will never go together. >g You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they seem as though they will never go together. >g You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they seem as though they will never go together. >g You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they seem as though they will never go together. >i You are carrying: a round metal tin (which is open) some water (which fills the round metal tin to the brim) a rope ladder a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (reflecting white light from the sunlight) a sponge a red glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the red glass jar about half full) a blue glass jar (which is open but empty) a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) some mechanical human dancers a stone block a navy cloak an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading east) some documents an old letter some household papers a small portrait a crumpled paper a white handkerchief a burnt scrap of paper a butcher knife 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 two bottles of wine: a blue bottle (which is closed) a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc (which is closed) a dashing hat (being worn) >pour tin into blue You put some water in the blue glass jar, exhausting the supply in the round metal tin. This fills the blue glass jar to the brim. >link bauble to tin You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they seem as though they will never go together. >d 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. In your hunger, you imagine in great clarity flaking puff pastry, wrapped around chicken. Or perhaps frosted petits-four. >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. >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. >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. >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). >turn dial You turn the dial gently with one finger, and it clicks around to display the setting FISH. >g You turn the dial gently with one finger, and it clicks around to display the setting SHOE. >g You turn the dial gently with one finger, and it clicks around to display the setting HEART. >g You turn the dial gently with one finger, and it clicks around to display the setting NONE. >g You turn the dial gently with one finger, and it clicks around to display the setting LEAF. >g You turn the dial gently with one finger, and it clicks around to display the setting ROSE. >[Nope, no 'sphere'] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >[hmm...] That's not a verb I recognize. >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) >restore Ok. >i You are carrying: an Easter Egg Recipe a red glass jar (which is closed) a quantity of sugar (which leaves the red glass jar about half full) a blue glass jar (which is closed) some sea-salt (which leaves the blue glass jar about half full) four food items: some apples some hunks of salt pork some lentils a vanilla bean an old letter a pearl necklace 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 two metal dishes: a hinge-lidded teapot (which is open but empty) a plate a sack (which is open) a cup a stone block a crumpled paper a Lentil Soup Recipe a white handkerchief a burnt scrap of paper a butcher knife a sponge a swordstick a sword a snuffbox (which is closed) seven food items: 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 a dashing hat (being worn) >l Subcellar Used solely for storage of extra items (whether or not associated with the wines). The room is barely large enough to stand up in. The trap door is open to the room above, and you could easily pull yourself up through it if you so desired. >u 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 grey-blue trap door stands open in the middle of the room. A closed grey-blue door leads north. A closed magenta door leads east. >n (first opening the grey-blue door leading north) You open the grey-blue door leading north. The grey-blue door leading down shuts. 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 is closed. >open door Which do you mean, a magenta door leading northeast, the brass door or the red vault door? >brass You open the brass door. >ne Fortified Wines Port, tokay, sherry; amontillado; casks, bottles furred with age and sealed with clots of red wax and ribbon seals. The Count always used to say that a good cognac would close a diplomatic matter more quickly than any bribe. He never let you and Marie stay, of course, on the evenings when he had business; you would be sent up to the conservatory with the Countess, to practice your music and wait for him to finish whatever matters kept him with his guests. A closed magenta door leads east. An open cyan door leads southeast. A closed green door leads south. An open magenta door leads southwest. >se 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. 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. An open cyan door leads northwest. A closed cyan door leads west. There is also a single bottle of mead remaining in one of the slots. >sw Closet Not a room of its own; barely a large enough niche to walk into, in fact. An open yellow door leads northeast. You can also see a round metal tin (which is closed) and an iron key here. [Your score has just gone up by five points.] >get all yellow door leading northeast: That's fixed in place. round metal tin: (putting the plate into the sack to make room) Taken. iron key: (putting the hinge-lidded teapot into the sack to make room) Taken. >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. 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. An open cyan door leads northwest. A closed cyan door leads west. There is also a single bottle of mead remaining in one of the slots. >open tin You open the round metal tin, revealing some dark beans. >close cyan (the cyan door leading northwest) You close the cyan door leading northwest. The cyan door leading west opens. >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 green door leads north. A closed green door leads south. A closed red door leads west. Over to one side, dropped as though carelessly by someone with a large number of things to carry, is a gleaming silver cylinder. >get all cyan door leading east: That's fixed in place. green door leading north: That's fixed in place. green door leading south: That's fixed in place. red door leading west: That's fixed in place. Chocolate Recipe: (putting the small portrait into the sack to make room) Taken. >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. 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 cyan door leads west. An open yellow door leads southwest. A closed cyan door leads northwest. A closed white door leads north; it looks oddly streaked. There is also a single bottle of mead remaining in one of the slots. >close cyan (the cyan door leading west) You close the cyan door leading west. The cyan door leading northwest opens. >nw Fortified Wines Port, tokay, sherry; amontillado; casks, bottles furred with age and sealed with clots of red wax and ribbon seals. A closed magenta door leads east. An open cyan door leads southeast. A closed green door leads south. An open magenta door leads southwest. >sw 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 You should have stopped at an inn on the way down. And eaten. 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. >unlock magenta (with the iron key) You unlock the magenta door leading east. >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. A closed green door leads north. A closed blue door leads east. An open magenta door leads west. A dusty bottle of Sauvignon Blanc lies here. >open green You open the green door leading north. >get all magenta door leading west: That's fixed in place. blue door leading east: That's fixed in place. green door leading north: That's fixed in place. bottle of Sauvignon Blanc: (putting the household papers into the sack to make room) Taken. >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. The wine-cellar door -- sturdy wood in yellowish brass panels -- stands open to the west. A closed magenta door leads northeast. A closed red door leads east. 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 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). >put bean, beans in contraption vanilla bean: Done. dark beans: (first taking the dark beans) (putting the dark wooden box into the sack to make room) Taken. Done. >get red You already have that. >open it You open the red glass jar. >pour it into contraption You put some sugar in the delicate contraption, exhausting the supply in the red glass jar. There is still some room remaining in the delicate contraption. >put plate in it (first taking the plate) (putting the pearl necklace into the sack to make room) Taken. You put the plate into the red glass jar. >get recipe (the Andouillettes Recipe) (putting the old letter 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. >put chocolate on spindle The cylinder slips into place with a satisfying click, as though some mechanism has engaged. >turn on machine There is a regretful clicking noise from the vicinity of the lid-catch. Just as you think you are going to have to close it yourself, a gloved mechanical hand reaches up and slams the contraption shut from the inside. The machine's gears spin into action; a series of fine flanges, like the keys of a music box, move into position against the surface of the cylinder, which rotates steadily. An irritable mechanical voice shouts from within, "I shall be requiring the plate on which to put this item!" >get plate (putting the lentils into the sack to make room) Taken. >put it in contraption (first opening the delicate contraption) You open the contraption, revealing three food items (a quantity of sugar, some dark beans and a vanilla bean). You put the plate into the delicate contraption. >turn on machine There is a regretful clicking noise from the vicinity of the lid-catch. Just as you think you are going to have to close it yourself, a gloved mechanical hand reaches up and slams the contraption shut from the inside. The machine's gears spin into action; a series of fine flanges, like the keys of a music box, move into position against the surface of the cylinder, which rotates steadily. There is such a long silence from inside the box that you think nothing is happening at all. Then, after a great pause, you begin to smell a distinctly sweet chocolatey smell. [Your score has just gone up by four points.] >undo Kitchen [Previous turn undone.] >turn dia You can't see any such thing. >turn dial You turn the dial gently with one finger, and it clicks around to display the setting LEAF. >turn dial You turn the dial gently with one finger, and it clicks around to display the setting ROSE. >turn on machine There is a regretful clicking noise from the vicinity of the lid-catch. Just as you think you are going to have to close it yourself, a gloved mechanical hand reaches up and slams the contraption shut from the inside. The machine's gears spin into action; a series of fine flanges, like the keys of a music box, move into position against the surface of the cylinder, which rotates steadily. There is such a long silence from inside the box that you think nothing is happening at all. Then, after a great pause, you begin to smell a distinctly sweet chocolatey smell. [Your score has just gone up by four points.] >open contraption You open the contraption, revealing a plate, on top of which is a chocolate rose. >get rose (putting the hunks of salt pork into the sack to make room) Taken. In your hunger, you imagine in great clarity fresh white cheese. >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 give west onto the main house. >w 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. >sw 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. >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. >link bauble to rose You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they are just too dissimilar. >[curses[ That's not a verb I recognize. >link rose to floor (down) You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they seem as though they will never go together. >link rose to the ground You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they seem as though they will never go together. >i You are carrying: a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc (which is closed) an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading east) a round metal tin (which is open but empty) 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) a sack (which is open) an old letter a pearl necklace 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 two metal dishes: a hinge-lidded teapot (which is open but empty) a cup a stone block a crumpled paper a Lentil Soup Recipe a white handkerchief a burnt scrap of paper a butcher knife a sponge a swordstick a sword a snuffbox (which is closed) nine food items: 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 a dashing hat (being worn) two food items: a chocolate rose some apples two recipe cylinders: an Andouillettes Recipe an Easter Egg Recipe >link stone to bauble You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they are just too dissimilar. >link tin to bauble You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they seem as though they will never go together. >link bauble to sponge Bending your will, you form the link between the celestial bauble and the sponge. >unlink bauble You succeed in unlinking the celestial bauble from the sponge. >reverse link bauble to sponge Bending your will and all your attention, you manage to make a reverse-link between the celestial bauble and the sponge, feeling their properties begin to merge together. >throw stone at shelf (first taking the stone block) (putting the Easter Egg Recipe into the sack to make room) The stone block arcs through the air before smacking the high shelf solidly. >undo Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] >throw stone at bauble (first taking the stone block) (putting the Easter Egg Recipe into the sack to make room) The stone block arcs through the air. It smites the celestial bauble. The celestial bauble rolls off the high shelf. It hits the ground. The stone block lands on the high shelf. >unlink bauble You succeed in unlinking the celestial bauble from the sponge. In your hunger, you dream of poached turbot on a platter. >x it A delicate ornament made of glass, containing inside it a little sun and star that whirl infinitely in the hollow space. It was a plaything of Marie's, which (due to careful reverse linking to a perfectly round rock) she could hurl at walls and never break, drop down staircases and find intact at the bottom. But it is very doubtful that the link has lasted out the years. >put it in blue jar (first taking the celestial bauble) (putting the Andouillettes Recipe into the sack to make room) Taken. The blue glass jar is closed. [Your score has just gone up by four points.] >[boogie!] That's not a verb I recognize. >open jar (the blue glass jar) You open the blue glass jar. >put bauble in blue jar That won't fit into the blue glass jar, given what else is already there. >x blue A blue glass container with a wide mouth and a stopper. In the blue glass jar is some sea-salt. >x red A red glass container with a wide mouth and a stopper. The glass is molded with a design of vines and clustering grapes around the top. >pour blue into red You put some sea-salt in the red glass jar, exhausting the supply in the blue glass jar. There is still some room remaining in the red glass jar. >[whoops, wrong save game file) You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >restore Ok. >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 give west onto the main house. >w 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. >sw 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. In your hunger, you imagine in great clarity the hearts of artichokes, pickled and speared. Or perhaps dark squares of prepared chocolate. >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. >u You can go only north, east or down. >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 bauble to sponge Bending your will, you form the link between the celestial bauble and the sponge. >reverse link bauble to sponge The two are already linked. >unlink bauble You succeed in unlinking the celestial bauble from the sponge. >reverse link bauble to sponge Bending your will and all your attention, you manage to make a reverse-link between the celestial bauble and the sponge, feeling their properties begin to merge together. >throw stone at bauble The stone block races through the air. It hits the celestial bauble. The celestial bauble rolls off the high shelf. It strikes the ground and the stone block falls on the high shelf. >unlink bauble You succeed in unlinking the celestial bauble from the sponge. >get it Taken. [Your score has just gone up by four points.] >open blue That's already open. >pour salt into red Which do you mean, the sea-salt in the red glass jar or the hunks of salt pork? >pour red into blue You put some sea-salt in the blue glass jar, exhausting the supply in the red glass jar. There is still some room remaining in the blue glass jar. >undo Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] >pour blue into red The blue glass jar is empty. >put bauble in blue You put the celestial bauble into the blue glass jar. >close it That's not something you can close. >close blue You close the blue glass jar. >close box (the dark wooden box) You close the dark wooden box. In your hunger, you hallucinate onion soup. >d 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. >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. >d Root Cellar Stone walls, ribbed ceiling, but only a packed-earth floor in spots. The room is lined on both sides with boxes and barrels, which take on odd shapes in the semi-darkness and seem vaguely menacing. You feared this room as a child, and it still seems cold and unnerving. The twisting stairs ascend to the ground floor. Through the open door to the east you can make out the foot of the servants' staircase. >e 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 black door leads south. A closed black door leads east. A closed black 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 black door leads east. There is a black trap door closed in the middle of the room, just visible among the dust as a less-dusty area. An open black 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 black door leads north. A closed black door leads east. An open black door leads west. >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 black door leads east. An open black door leads north. An open black door leads south. A closed black door leads west. >e (first opening the black door leading east) You open the black 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 black door leads southwest. An open black door leads north; it looks oddly streaked. A closed black door leads northwest. An open black door leads west. >n Spanish Reds The ransackers of the cellar seem not to have reached this room, however: many of the bottles sit intact on their shelves (if anyone cared to sample them). An open black door leads south; it looks oddly streaked. An open black door leads west. In one corner is a massive wine barrel. >close black (the black door leading west) You close the black door leading west. >close black (the black door leading south) You close the black door leading south. It swings more lightly than most of the doors hereabouts. >open it You open the black door leading south. It swings more lightly than most of the doors hereabouts. >close black (the black door leading south) You close the black door leading south. It swings more lightly than most of the doors hereabouts. >w (first opening the black door leading west) You open the black door leading west. Fortified Wines Port, tokay, sherry; amontillado; casks, bottles furred with age and sealed with clots of red wax and ribbon seals. An open black door leads east. A closed black door leads southeast. An open black door leads south. A closed black door leads southwest. In your hunger, you dream of curls of toasted bread. >se (first opening the black door leading southeast) There's no door handle on this side. >s 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 black door leads east. An open black door leads north. A closed black door leads west. An open black door leads south. >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 black door leads north. An open black door leads west. A closed black door leads east. >open east (the black door leading east) It seems to be locked. >open north (north) That's not something you can open. >close north (the black door leading north) You close the black door leading north. >open it You open the black door leading north. >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 black door leads south. A closed black door leads west. An open black door leads east. An open black 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 black door leads north. An open black door leads west. A closed black door leads east. >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 black door leads south. A closed black door leads west. An open black door leads east. An open black door leads north. >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. A closed black door leads north; it looks oddly streaked. A closed black door leads northwest. An open black door leads west. An open black door leads southwest. >look in south You find nothing of interest. >look in hole Through the hole you see Cheese Corner. You can dimly make out a heavy chest, a silver key and a black glass jar. >[nice] That's not a verb I recognize. >[Er, nice that even the jar is 'black'] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >x north door On close examination, you have the impression that the paint on this door has either faded or been washed over with whitewash; you can still see faint streaks of some darker color, but their efficacy would seem to be gone. >clean north (the black door leading north) You scrape at the door ineffectually for a while -- just long enough to reveal that it would take all day to remove the white from the door. But you can see that the underlying paint color was once blue. >[oh, hey.] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >i You are carrying: a dark wooden box (which is closed) a black glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the black glass jar about half full) a black glass jar (which is closed) a celestial bauble some mechanical human dancers a black bottle (which is closed) a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) a navy cloak a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc (which is closed) a round metal tin (which is open but empty) an iron key (which opens the black door leading west) some documents a rope ladder an old letter some household papers a small portrait a crumpled paper a black 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) >open box (the dark wooden box) You open the dark wooden box, revealing a mirror inset inside the box. >l 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 cyan door leads northwest. An open cyan door leads west. A closed white door leads north; it looks oddly streaked. >close box (the dark wooden box) You close the dark wooden box. >open white That's not something you can open. >open north (the black door leading north) There's no handle on this side of the door. >nw (first opening the black door leading northwest) There's no door handle on this side. >e You can go only north, west, northwest or southwest. >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 black door leads east. A closed black door leads west. An open black door leads south. An open black door leads north. >n Fortified Wines Port, tokay, sherry; amontillado; casks, bottles furred with age and sealed with clots of red wax and ribbon seals. A closed black door leads southeast. An open black door leads south. A closed black door leads southwest. An open black door leads east. >e In your hunger, you hallucinate sausages fried in onions and olive oil. Or perhaps a heavy Christmas-time cake with candied fruit and smothered in brandy, such as Englishmen sometimes bring with them to Paris. And you have always considered them an abomination heretofore. Spanish Reds The ransackers of the cellar seem not to have reached this room, however: many of the bottles sit intact on their shelves (if anyone cared to sample them). A closed black door leads south; it looks oddly streaked. An open black door leads west. In one corner is a massive wine barrel. >open south (the black door leading south) You open the black door leading south. It swings more lightly than most of the doors hereabouts. >s 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 black door leads north; it looks oddly streaked. A closed black door leads northwest. An open black door leads west. An open black door leads southwest. >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 black door leads east. An open black door leads north. A closed black door leads west. An open black door leads south. >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 black door leads north. An open black door leads west. A closed black door leads east. >open east (the black door leading east) It seems to be locked. >[grr] That's not a verb I recognize. >i You are carrying: a dark wooden box (which is closed) a black glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the black glass jar about half full) a black glass jar (which is closed) a celestial bauble some mechanical human dancers a black bottle (which is closed) a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) a navy cloak a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc (which is closed) a round metal tin (which is open but empty) an iron key (which opens the black door leading west) some documents a rope ladder an old letter some household papers a small portrait a crumpled paper a black 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) >open black glass jar (the black glass jar) You open the black glass jar. >g Which do you mean, the black glass jar or the black glass jar? >a (the black glass jar) That's already open. >i You are carrying: a dark wooden box (which is closed) a black glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the black glass jar about half full) a black glass jar (which is open) a celestial bauble some mechanical human dancers a black bottle (which is closed) a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) a navy cloak a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc (which is closed) a round metal tin (which is open but empty) an iron key (which opens the black door leading west) some documents a rope ladder an old letter some household papers a small portrait a crumpled paper a black 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 bauble A delicate ornament made of glass, containing inside it a little sun and star that whirl infinitely in the hollow space. It was a plaything of Marie's, which (due to careful reverse linking to a perfectly round rock) she could hurl at walls and never break, drop down staircases and find intact at the bottom. But it is very doubtful that the link has lasted out the years. >s You can go only north, east or 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 black door leads east. There is a black trap door closed in the middle of the room, just visible among the dust as a less-dusty area. An open black door leads north. >s You can go only north, east or down. >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 black door leads west. A closed black door leads east. An open black door leads north. >get bauble Taken. >pour red into blue You put some sea-salt in the black glass jar, exhausting the supply in the black glass jar. There is still some room remaining in the black glass jar. >put bauble in red You put the celestial bauble into the black glass jar. >l 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 black door leads west. A closed black door leads east. An open black door leads north. >[grr, should be maroon] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >open door (the black door leading east) It seems to be locked. >close door You close the black door leading west. >open it You open the black door leading west. >close north (the black door leading north) You close the black door leading north. >open it You open the black door leading north. In your hunger, you dream of little grey-pink mushrooms, tenderly cooked. Or perhaps fresh white cheese, still in the soft balls. >[lame!] That's not a verb I recognize. >version 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 >unlink bauble The celestial bauble is not linked. >link bauble to blue jar You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they are just a little too different. Maybe if they looked more alike. >link bauble to mirror You can't see any such thing. >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 black door leads east. There is a black trap door closed in the middle of the room, just visible among the dust as a less-dusty area. An open black 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 black door leads south. A closed black door leads east. A closed black door leads northeast. The wine-cellar door -- sturdy wood in yellowish brass panels -- stands open to the west. 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. >w Root Cellar Stone walls, ribbed ceiling, but only a packed-earth floor in spots. The room is lined on both sides with boxes and barrels, which take on odd shapes in the semi-darkness and seem vaguely menacing. You feared this room as a child, and it still seems cold and unnerving. The twisting stairs ascend to the ground floor. Through the open door to the east you can make out the foot of the servants' staircase. >u 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. >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 stone block. The pianoforte stands in the center of the room. >w Marie's Chamber Stripped of the elegant clutter it once possessed, the room still offers a charming view through the north window of the old grounds, and the way out is to the east. The wallpaper and floorboards are still as elegant as ever. Hanging on the wall is an elegant gilt-wood mirror, reflecting sunlight over the ground before it. Her desk remains, pushed against the wall. >unlink mirror You succeed in unlinking the gilt-wood mirror from the mirror inset inside the box. The gilt-wood mirror ceases glowing. It ceases glowing. It starts to shine with reflected light. >link bauble to mirror The mirror is incompatible with anything that is not similarly reflective. >link bauble to sun (the sunlight) Bending your will, you form the link between the celestial bauble and the sunlight. The celestial bauble commences to glow with reflected light. >undo Marie's Chamber [Previous turn undone.] >reverse link bauble to sun (the sunlight) The similarities are too weak for a reverse-link. Reverse links are even pickier than regular links that way. >link bauble to sun (the sunlight) Bending your will, you form the link between the celestial bauble and the sunlight. The celestial bauble begins to glow with reflected light. >put bauble in blue jar (first taking the celestial bauble) Taken. That won't fit into the blue glass jar, given what else is already there. >x blue jar A blue glass container with a wide mouth and a stopper. In the blue glass jar is some sea-salt. In your hunger, you hallucinate an omelette of herbs and chives. >pour blue into red You put some sea-salt in the red glass jar, exhausting the supply in the blue glass jar. There is still some room remaining in the red glass jar. >put bauble in blue jar You put the celestial bauble into the blue glass jar. >e 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 stone block. The pianoforte stands in the center of the room. >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. >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. >d Root Cellar Stone walls, ribbed ceiling, but only a packed-earth floor in spots. The room is lined on both sides with boxes and barrels, which take on odd shapes in the semi-darkness and seem vaguely menacing. You feared this room as a child, and it still seems cold and unnerving. The twisting stairs ascend to the ground floor. Through the open door to the east you can make out the foot of the servants' staircase. >e 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 blue door leads south. A closed black door leads east. A closed blue 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. >close box (the dark wooden box) That's already closed. >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 blue door leads east. There is a blue trap door closed in the middle of the room, just visible among the dust as a less-dusty area. An open 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 black door leads north. A closed blue door leads east. An open blue door leads west. >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 blue door leads east. An open black door leads north. An open black door leads south. A closed black door leads west. >n Fortified Wines Port, tokay, sherry; amontillado; casks, bottles furred with age and sealed with clots of red wax and ribbon seals. An open blue door leads east. A closed blue door leads southeast. An open black door leads south. A closed blue door leads southwest. >e Spanish Reds The ransackers of the cellar seem not to have reached this room, however: many of the bottles sit intact on their shelves (if anyone cared to sample them). An open blue door leads south; it looks oddly streaked. An open blue door leads west. In one corner is a massive wine barrel. >close blue (the blue door leading west) You close the blue door leading west. >g (the blue door leading south) You close the blue door leading south. In your hunger, you dream of sausages fried in onions and olive oil, perhaps with a dash of dry wine. >open west (the blue door leading west) You open the blue door leading west. >w Fortified Wines Port, tokay, sherry; amontillado; casks, bottles furred with age and sealed with clots of red wax and ribbon seals. An open blue door leads east. A closed blue door leads southwest. A closed blue door leads southeast. An open black door leads south. >s 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 black door leads north. A closed black door leads west. An open blue door leads east. An open black door leads south. >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 black door leads north. An open blue door leads west. An open blue door leads east. >e Cheese Corner Thanks to the insistence of the Count, this portion of the wine cellar was cleared out for the storage of fine cheeses; instead of bottle racks there are shelves for storage. An open blue door leads west. There is a tiny hole in the north wall, through which one might view the room beyond. One corner of the room is occupied by a heavy chest. A silver key sits here. You can also see a black glass jar (which is closed) (in which are two food items (a goat cheese and a great deal of olive oil)) here. >open box (the dark wooden box) You open the dark wooden box, revealing a mirror inset inside the box. >l Cheese Corner Thanks to the insistence of the Count, this portion of the wine cellar was cleared out for the storage of fine cheeses; instead of bottle racks there are shelves for storage. An open blue door leads west. There is a tiny hole in the north wall, through which one might view the room beyond. One corner of the room is occupied by a heavy chest. A silver key sits here. You can also see a black glass jar (which is closed) (in which are two food items (a goat cheese and a great deal of olive oil)) here. >get bauble Taken. >l Cheese Corner Thanks to the insistence of the Count, this portion of the wine cellar was cleared out for the storage of fine cheeses; instead of bottle racks there are shelves for storage. An open blue door leads west. There is a tiny hole in the north wall, through which one might view the room beyond. One corner of the room is occupied by a heavy chest. A silver key sits here. You can also see a green glass jar (which is closed) (in which are two food items (a goat cheese and a great deal of olive oil)) here. >get green (putting the blue bottle into the sack to make room) Taken. >get silver (the silver key) (putting the mechanical human dancers into the sack to make room) Taken. >open chest You open the heavy chest, revealing two food items (a salers and a wedge of brie). >get all from chest salers: (putting the blue glass jar into the sack to make room) Removed. wedge of brie: (putting the dark wooden box into the sack to make room) Removed. >x salers An aged, creamy yellowish cheese with an uneven grey-brown rind. It has a sharp and distinctive flavor, though it does not fall under the category of stinky cheeses. >x wedge Oozing and ripe, somehow. You would expect it to be thoroughly ruined by now -- this is not a cheese that should age -- but the Count's powers were diverse, and extended to careful protections of his possessions. >[that's just wacky] That's not a verb I recognize. >l Cheese Corner Thanks to the insistence of the Count, this portion of the wine cellar was cleared out for the storage of fine cheeses; instead of bottle racks there are shelves for storage. An open blue door leads west. There is a tiny hole in the north wall, through which one might view the room beyond. One corner of the room is occupied by a heavy chest. >look through hole Through the hole you see Dessert Wines. You can dimly make out very little. >get chest That's fixed in place. >w 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 blue door leads east. An open magenta door leads west. An open green door leads north. >x bauble A delicate ornament made of glass, containing inside it a little sun and star that whirl infinitely in the hollow space. It was a plaything of Marie's, which (due to careful reverse linking to a perfectly round rock) she could hurl at walls and never break, drop down staircases and find intact at the bottom. But it is very doubtful that the link has lasted out the years. >w In your hunger, you dream of the hearts of artichokes, pickled and speared. 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. >unlock east (with the silver key) You unlock the red door leading east. >open east (the red door leading east) You open the red door leading east. The red vault door opens. >n Wine Cellar Vault Thick-layered with dust, with a cool ancient air. The vault door stands invitingly open. You can also see a pine chest (which is closed) and a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape (which is closed) here. [Your score has just gone up by five points.] >open pine You open the pine chest, revealing four pieces of silverware (a fork, a spoon, a table knife and a silver-plated corkscrew). >get all from pine fork: (putting the green glass jar into the sack to make room) Removed. spoon: (putting the silver key into the sack to make room) Removed. table knife: (putting the salers into the sack to make room) Removed. silver-plated corkscrew: (putting the wedge of brie into the sack to make room) Removed. >get all from pine You can't use multiple objects with that verb. >[oops] That's not a verb I recognize. >get bottle (the bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape) (putting the fork into the sack to make room) Taken. [Your score has just gone up by four points.] >x it A grand old bottle, a fine year: you recognize the vintage and know a Duke in Paris who would give his own daughter's hand in marriage in exchange for a gift like this. Worth it? Quite possibly. >[wow] That's not a verb I recognize. >l Wine Cellar Vault Thick-layered with dust, with a cool ancient air. The vault door stands invitingly open. You can also see a pine chest (which is empty) here. >get pine (putting the spoon into the sack to make room) Taken. >[huh] That's not a verb I recognize. >s 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. The vault door stands invitingly open. The wine-cellar door -- sturdy wood in yellowish brass panels -- stands open to the west. A closed magenta door leads northeast. An open red door leads east. An open grey-blue door leads south. >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. >w Root Cellar Stone walls, ribbed ceiling, but only a packed-earth floor in spots. The room is lined on both sides with boxes and barrels, which take on odd shapes in the semi-darkness and seem vaguely menacing. You feared this room as a child, and it still seems cold and unnerving. The twisting stairs ascend to the ground floor. Through the open door to the east you can make out the foot of the servants' staircase. >u The mirror inset inside the box begins to glow with reflected light. 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. >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. >save Ok. >put bauble in model The celestial bauble clicks neatly into position, shining over all the surrounding planets just as the sun ought. But the planets do not move, and the lens through the center of Jupiter is not aligned to cast light anywhere. >s 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. >pull pendulum Nothing obvious happens. In your hunger, you hallucinate an omelette of herbs and chives. Or perhaps purple-black Hellene olives in a tray, with the pits still in. >pull weights You give a tug to the weight chain and pull it all the way back up to the top. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. [Your score has just gone up by four points.] >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. The clockwork model universe has stopped; a beam of light from the "sun" at the center, focused through Jupiter, shines in the direction of the shelves, highlighting The World Is Hollow. On the shelves is The World Is Hollow. On one wall is an enormous portrait of the Count's father, from the hand of Hyacinthe Rigaud. >get world Taken. >read it The pages of the book have been hollowed out, leaving a square hole. In The World Is Hollow is a jeweled pin. >get pin (putting the table knife into the sack to make room) Taken. [Your score has just gone up by four points.] >x it Decorated with fine-chip diamonds, and formed into the shape of a complicated bow of several strands, for a lady's use. The clasp is currently shut. >wear it (first opening the clasp) You open the jeweled pin. You slip the jewelled pin on. You close the jeweled pin. >[hmm, interesting] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >x portrait (the framed portrait) The old man appears to stand in a vague, ruddy landscape; all the artist's attention was spared for his clothing, which is rendered in shimmering detail, lustrous silks and fur, and for the giant bi-partite mound of wig on his head, whose curls fall over each shoulder. >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. The clockwork model universe has stopped; a beam of light from the "sun" at the center, focused through Jupiter, shines in the direction of the shelves, highlighting a spot where The World Is Hollow used to be. On one wall is an enormous portrait of the Count's father, from the hand of Hyacinthe Rigaud. >x model Fitted out with tiny planets on arms, and the major moons of the planets, revolving around a center. In the holder is a celestial bauble, taking the place of the sun. It is gleaming from within. The Jupiter planet catches the light and flings it in a beam at the shelves, marking an empty spot where a book once was. In the model universe is a celestial bauble. >get bauble The celestial bauble slips out of its holder, and the planets go dark. >put it in model The celestial bauble clicks neatly into position, shining over all the surrounding planets just as the sun ought. The beam of light shines through the lens of Jupiter again, just as it did before. >get it The celestial bauble slips out of its holder, and the planets go dark. >s 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. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >set time to 11:58 You can't see any such thing. >set time You can't see any such thing. >set clock to 11:58 The clock now shows 11:58. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >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 model 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. In your hunger, you imagine in great clarity onion soup. Or perhaps creme caramel, elegantly centered in its pool of sweet liquid and garnished with three-- no, make it four-- fresh raspberries. >push planets The model universe is designed to work under its own power. >n You can go only south or east. >x shelves The shelves line both sides of the room from floor to ceiling. >search shelves You peruse the nearest books. Your eye picks out, at random, On Vegetable Dyes, Clock Repair, and Guide to Assorted Wines. >read dyes (first taking On Vegetable Dyes) (putting the silver-plated corkscrew 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 repair (first taking Clock Repair) (putting the bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape 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 guide (first taking Guide to Assorted Wines) (putting the pine chest into the sack to make room) Taken. ...should then attend to the possibility that the vines have themselves been tainted... >search shelves 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 World Is Hollow 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. >search shelves You have found all the books that seem interesting. The rest are dusty and dull- looking. >i You are carrying: four books: The Lavori d'Aracne Guide to Assorted Wines Clock Repair On Vegetable Dyes a celestial bauble (providing white light) a jeweled pin (being worn) a red glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the red glass jar about half full) a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) The World Is Hollow (which is open but empty) a pine chest (which is open but empty) four pieces of silverware: a silver-plated corkscrew a table knife a spoon a fork a silver key (which opens the red door leading west) a green glass jar (which is closed) two food items: a goat cheese a great deal of olive oil (which leaves some room in the green glass jar) a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (providing light) a blue glass jar (which is open but empty) some mechanical human dancers a navy cloak a round metal tin (which is open but empty) an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading east) some documents a rope ladder an old letter some household papers a small portrait 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) 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 three bottles of wine: a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape (which is closed) a blue bottle (which is closed) a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc (which is closed) twelve food items: a wedge of brie a salers 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 a dashing hat (being worn) >[Hey, that 'hollow world' is a ref to Pytho. Yay!] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >read recipe Which do you mean, the Easter Egg Recipe, the Andouillettes Recipe or the Lentil Soup Recipe? >a (the Easter Egg Recipe) Easter Egg Recipe: eggs in colored shells, butter, sea salt, hard cheese. >read andouillettes Veal cased in tripe. Tasty food. The servants used to eat them with fried onions -- a good, hearty smell that leaked out of the kitchen while you played outside, until you went inside, and sometimes they would let you eat at the kitchen table rather than with the Family. >read andouillettes recipe Andouillettes Recipe: andouillettes, olive oil, dry white wine, single yellow onion, sea-salt. >read lentil Lentil Soup Recipe: lentils, single yellow onion, water, clove of garlic, bay leaf, olive oil, sea-salt. >[hmm, still need olive oil for those] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >[Hey, after reading your liquids post, I have idea about tea recipe.] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >s 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. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >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. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >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. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. In your hunger, you dream of the hearts of artichokes, pickled and speared. Or perhaps a heavy Christmas-time cake with candied fruit and smothered in brandy, such as Englishmen sometimes bring with them to Paris. And you have always considered them an abomination heretofore. >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. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >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. >put onion in drain (first taking the single yellow onion) (putting On Vegetable Dyes into the sack to make room) Taken. You wedge the yellow onion into the drain hole, blocking it. >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). >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 pot What do you want to fill the hinge-lidded teapot with? >fill pot from well (first taking the hinge-lidded teapot) Taken. You put some water in the hinge-lidded teapot. This fills the hinge-lidded teapot to the brim. >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). >n Scullery A small, workmanlike room with a floor of white stones. The principal features of the room are a counter, with a large inset washbasin also made of stone, and a tall wooden cupboard. >i You are carrying: a hinge-lidded teapot (which is open) some water (which fills the hinge-lidded teapot to the brim) three books: The Lavori d'Aracne Guide to Assorted Wines Clock Repair a celestial bauble (providing white light) a jeweled pin (being worn) a red glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the red glass jar about half full) a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) two books: On Vegetable Dyes The World Is Hollow (which is open but empty) a pine chest (which is open but empty) four pieces of silverware: a silver-plated corkscrew a table knife a spoon a fork a silver key (which opens the red door leading west) a green glass jar (which is closed) two food items: a goat cheese a great deal of olive oil (which leaves some room in the green glass jar) a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (providing light) a blue glass jar (which is open but empty) some mechanical human dancers a navy cloak a round metal tin (which is open but empty) an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading east) some documents a rope ladder an old letter some household papers a small portrait 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) three recipe cylinders: an Easter Egg Recipe an Andouillettes Recipe a Lentil Soup Recipe two metal dishes: a plate a cup three bottles of wine: a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape (which is closed) a blue bottle (which is closed) a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc (which is closed) eleven food items: a wedge of brie a salers 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 dashing hat (being worn) >[hey, I have an actual cork now, don't I?] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >open blue bottle with corkscrew I only understood you as far as wanting to open the blue glass jar. >[eh?] That's not a verb I recognize. >open bottle with corkscrew Which do you mean, the bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape or a blue bottle? >blue I only understood you as far as wanting to open the blue glass jar. >get bottle Which do you mean, the bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape or a blue bottle? >a (the bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape) (putting Clock Repair into the sack to make room) Taken. >get a bottle (the blue bottle) (putting Guide to Assorted Wines into the sack to make room) Taken. >open it (first taking the corkscrew) (putting The Lavori d'Aracne into the sack to make room) Taken. Delicately you extract the cork and then remove it from the corkscrew. The clockwork bee, detecting your presence, stirs angrily to life. You make a few noble efforts to bat it away, but all to no avail. With deadly accuracy it finds your skin; there is a sharp sting, then a gradual dulling... *** You have died *** In that game you scored 63 out of a possible 125, in 607 turns, giving you the rank of magic-using thief. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, give the FULL score for that game or QUIT? > [eeeagh!] Please give one of the answers above. > undo Scullery [Previous turn undone.] >open bottle Which do you mean, a blue bottle or the bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape? >pape You wouldn't want to jeopardize such a valuable commodity, surely. >i You are carrying: two bottles of wine: a blue bottle (which is closed) a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape (which is closed) a hinge-lidded teapot (which is open) some water (which fills the hinge-lidded teapot to the brim) The Lavori d'Aracne a celestial bauble (providing white light) a jeweled pin (being worn) a red glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the red glass jar about half full) a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) four books: Guide to Assorted Wines Clock Repair On Vegetable Dyes The World Is Hollow (which is open but empty) a pine chest (which is open but empty) four pieces of silverware: a silver-plated corkscrew a table knife a spoon a fork a silver key (which opens the red door leading west) a green glass jar (which is closed) two food items: a goat cheese a great deal of olive oil (which leaves some room in the green glass jar) a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (providing light) a blue glass jar (which is open but empty) some mechanical human dancers a navy cloak a round metal tin (which is open but empty) an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading east) some documents a rope ladder an old letter some household papers a small portrait 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) three recipe cylinders: an Easter Egg Recipe an Andouillettes Recipe a Lentil Soup Recipe two metal dishes: a plate a cup a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc (which is closed) eleven food items: a wedge of brie a salers 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 dashing hat (being worn) In your hunger, you dream of dark squares of prepared chocolate. >get bottle (the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc) (putting The Lavori d'Aracne into the sack to make room) Taken. >open it (first taking the corkscrew) (putting the bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape into the sack to make room) Taken. Delicately you extract the cork and then remove it from the corkscrew. >x cork A cylinder of spongy cork. >reverse link cork to tea Bending your will and all your attention, you manage to make a reverse-link between the cork and the shiny silver cylinder, feeling their properties begin to merge together. >[yay!] That's not a verb I recognize. >pour water into sink You put some water in the drain hole, exhausting the supply in the hinge-lidded teapot. The shiny silver cylinder floats on the surface of the water. >get cylnder You can't see any such thing. >get tea (putting the hinge-lidded teapot into the sack to make room) Taken. [Your score has just gone up by five points.] >[yay!] That's not a verb I recognize. >read it The label is smudged and illegible. >[oh, crap You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. > Hot key -- Undo one turn Scullery [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Scullery [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Scullery [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Scullery [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Scullery [Previous turn undone.] >read tea The label is smudged and illegible. > Hot key -- Undo one turn Scullery [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Scullery [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Scullery [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Scullery [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Scullery [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Scullery [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Scullery [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Scullery [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Scullery [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Scullery [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Scullery [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Scullery [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Scullery [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Scullery [Previous turn undone.] >read tea shiny silver cylinder: The writing is illegible. >[hrm] That's not a verb I recognize. >open blanc Opening a container of Sauvignon Blanc while it is in the sack seems like an invitation to disaster. >get it (putting Clock Repair into the sack to make room) Taken. >open it (first taking the corkscrew) (putting Guide to Assorted Wines into the sack to make room) Taken. Delicately you extract the cork and then remove it from the corkscrew. >x shiny A cylinder of silver metal perhaps as long as your thumb. On the surface are a series of strange bumps, depressions, and grooves, seeming carefully wrought and utterly intentional. The core of the cylinder is hollow, but over one end is a piece of paper which bears a label, in careful lettering, which reads, "Tea Recipe." >read it Tea Recipe: The writing is illegible. In your hunger, you imagine in great clarity fresh white cheese. Or perhaps poached turbot on a platter and hedged around with lightly seared summer vegetables. >reverse link cork to shiny Bending your will and all your attention, you manage to make a reverse-link between the cork and the Tea Recipe, feeling their properties begin to merge together. >pour water into sink You put some water in the drain hole, exhausting the supply in the hinge-lidded teapot. The Tea Recipe bobs to the surface of the water. >get tea (putting The Lavori d'Aracne into the sack to make room) Taken. [Your score has just gone up by five points.] >read it The label is smudged and illegible. >i You are carrying: a Tea Recipe a cork a silver-plated corkscrew a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc a great deal of Sauvignon Blanc (which leaves some room in the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc) a hinge-lidded teapot (which is open but empty) a celestial bauble (providing white light) a jeweled pin (being worn) a red glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the red glass jar about half full) a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) five books: The Lavori d'Aracne Guide to Assorted Wines Clock Repair On Vegetable Dyes The World Is Hollow (which is open but empty) a pine chest (which is open but empty) three pieces of silverware: a table knife a spoon a fork a silver key (which opens the red door leading west) a green glass jar (which is closed) two food items: a goat cheese a great deal of olive oil (which leaves some room in the green glass jar) a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (providing light) a blue glass jar (which is open but empty) some mechanical human dancers a navy cloak a round metal tin (which is open but empty) an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading east) some documents a rope ladder an old letter some household papers a small portrait 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) 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 bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape (which is closed) a blue bottle (which is closed) eleven food items: a wedge of brie a salers 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 dashing hat (being worn) >read crumpled Your name is written on it, perhaps a dozen times, with various honorifics, in Marie's elegant handwriting. She was fluently literate but always a painstaking writer, determined never to blot her work, and wrote, even when grown up, with the tip of her tongue caught between her teeth. >read burnt We want: -- Make the thing shut by itself, annoying to have to close it every time -- Lentil soup recipe [DONE!] -- Souffle recipe as Anton keeps making them fall -- Tea (fix it so it is not picky about what kind of leaves as the little voice quite annoying if using wrong kind) [DONE!] -- Recipes for ices? -- Maybe a nice ga... -- Sauce! >s 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 hinge-lidded teapot 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. >put tea on spindle The cylinder slips into place with a satisfying click, as though some mechanism has engaged. >turn on tea That's not something you can switch. >turn on machine There is a regretful clicking noise from the vicinity of the lid-catch. Just as you think you are going to have to close it yourself, a gloved mechanical hand reaches up and slams the contraption shut from the inside. The machine's gears spin into action; a series of fine flanges, like the keys of a music box, move into position against the surface of the cylinder, which rotates steadily. An irritable mechanical voice shouts from within, "I shall be requiring the cup in which to put this item!" >put cup in machine (first taking the cup) (putting the silver-plated corkscrew into the sack to make room) Taken. (first opening the delicate contraption) You open the delicate contraption. You put the cup into the delicate contraption. >turn on machine There is a regretful clicking noise from the vicinity of the lid-catch. Just as you think you are going to have to close it yourself, a gloved mechanical hand reaches up and slams the contraption shut from the inside. The machine's gears spin into action; a series of fine flanges, like the keys of a music box, move into position against the surface of the cylinder, which rotates steadily. From inside the box comes a plaintive mechanical voice which declares, "Monsieur le Chef!! You need more! water!!!" The mechanism whirrs a moment longer before its functioning gives out. >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. >get onion Taken. The water goes out the drain. The water mixes with what was already there. In your hunger, you hallucinate fresh white cheese. >fill pot from well (first taking the hinge-lidded teapot) (putting the cork 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. >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 closed). >pour water into contraption The delicate contraption is closed. >open it That's not something you can open. >open contraption You open the contraption, revealing a cup. >pour water into contraption You put some water in the delicate contraption, exhausting the supply in the hinge-lidded teapot. There is still some room remaining in the delicate contraption. >turn on contraption There is a regretful clicking noise from the vicinity of the lid-catch. Just as you think you are going to have to close it yourself, a gloved mechanical hand reaches up and slams the contraption shut from the inside. The machine's gears spin into action; a series of fine flanges, like the keys of a music box, move into position against the surface of the cylinder, which rotates steadily. From inside the box comes a plaintive mechanical voice which declares, "Monsieur le Chef!! You cannot make an intinction without something to, how-you-say, steep!" >put mint into contraption (first taking the sprig of mint) (putting the Chocolate Recipe into the sack to make room) Taken. (first opening the delicate contraption) You open the contraption, revealing some water and a cup. You put the sprig of mint into the delicate contraption. The sprig of mint rises to the surface of the water. >turn on contraption There is a regretful clicking noise from the vicinity of the lid-catch. Just as you think you are going to have to close it yourself, a gloved mechanical hand reaches up and slams the contraption shut from the inside. The machine's gears spin into action; a series of fine flanges, like the keys of a music box, move into position against the surface of the cylinder, which rotates steadily. There is a bubbling, boiling noise from within the contraption. >open i You can't see any such thing. >open it You open the contraption, revealing a cup, inside which is some mint tea. >get cup Taken. >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. >get mint (the growing mint) You pick some of the growing mint. >drink tea You take a long draft of the mint tea, leaving only another few sips. Unmistakeably pepperminty. >g You take a sip of the mint tea, leaving only another sip or two. Unmistakeably pepperminty. >g You take a long draft of the mint tea, finishing it off. Unmistakeably pepperminty. > [But, it's less picky, so it would probably work for yellow dye. If I needed yellow dye.] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >[Hmm, how could I use yellow dye?] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >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). In your hunger, you imagine in great clarity sausages fried in onions and olive oil, perhaps with a dash of dry wine. >peel onion You peel the onion of its skin. >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 pot from well You put some water in the hinge-lidded teapot. This fills the hinge-lidded teapot to the brim. >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). >open container You can't see any such thing. >open machine That's already open. >put cup, skin in it cup: Done. onion skin: Done. >save Ok. >pour pot into machine You put some water in the delicate contraption, exhausting the supply in the hinge-lidded teapot. There is still some room remaining in the delicate contraption. >turn on machine There is a regretful clicking noise from the vicinity of the lid-catch. Just as you think you are going to have to close it yourself, a gloved mechanical hand reaches up and slams the contraption shut from the inside. The machine's gears spin into action; a series of fine flanges, like the keys of a music box, move into position against the surface of the cylinder, which rotates steadily. There is a bubbling, boiling noise from within the contraption. >open it You open the contraption, revealing a cup, inside which is some onion dye. >get cup (putting the peeled onion into the sack to make room) Taken. >[yay!] That's not a verb I recognize. >put sponge in cup (first taking the sponge) (putting the hinge-lidded teapot into the sack to make room) Taken. You put the sponge into the cup. You exhaust the onion dye in moistening the sponge. >[cool] That's not a verb I recognize. >[maybe I can,... hmm. There's the curtains, or the upstairs door.] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >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 give west onto the main house. >[Wait, the hanky] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >d The mirror inset inside the box stops glowing. 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. >w Root Cellar Stone walls, ribbed ceiling, but only a packed-earth floor in spots. The room is lined on both sides with boxes and barrels, which take on odd shapes in the semi-darkness and seem vaguely menacing. You feared this room as a child, and it still seems cold and unnerving. The twisting stairs ascend to the ground floor. Through the open door to the east you can make out the foot of the servants' staircase. >w You can go only east or up. >u The mirror inset inside the box begins to shine with reflected light. 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. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. In your hunger, you dream of thinly-sliced venison, cold from the roast. >x hangings Hangings cover up the whole of the west wall, concealing it thoroughly. (Now that you think of it, wasn't there a door through there or some such thing?) The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >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, 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. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >[hey, I'm told about the hangings in the room description again. Whee!] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >link hanky to yellow You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they are just a little too different. Maybe if they looked more alike. On the half-hour the cuckoo clock opens up its door and a mechanical bird flies forward. It sings a brief warbling tune, then withdraws into its little door. >wring sponge into cup You wring out the sponge, causing it to drip onion dye into the cup. Some of it overflows a bit. The cuckoo clock clicks closed. >x cup A cup, glossed in white and decorated with the crest of the family, just as though it belonged to the family china pattern. In the cup are a body of onion dye and a sponge. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >get sponge Taken. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >x it A sea sponge, sized and rounded like an apple. It is currently sopping wet. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >[heh] That's not a verb I recognize. >[I think I just multiplied my dye] That's not a verb I recognize. >put hanky in cup (first taking the white handkerchief) (putting the sprig of mint into the sack to make room) Taken. You put the white handkerchief into the cup. This dyes the white handkerchief somewhat yellow from the onion dye. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >get it Taken. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >x it A square of good linen; rather nice, really. It is currently colored yellow. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >roll it That's not a verb I recognize. >move it Nothing obvious happens. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >link it to yellow (the yellow hangings) Bending your will, you form the link between the yellow handkerchief and the yellow hangings. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >move it Nothing obvious happens. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >lift it That's not a verb I recognize. >x hangings Hangings cover up the whole of the west wall, concealing it thoroughly. (Now that you think of it, wasn't there a door through there or some such thing?) The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >crumple hanky That's not a verb I recognize. >shake hanky Nothing much results of this. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >wave it The yellow handkerchief flutters prettily in the air. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >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, 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. Just on the quarter-hour the cuckoo clock opens up its door and a mechanical bird flies forward. It sings a brief warbling tune, then withdraws into its little door. >[dang] That's not a verb I recognize. >x cup A cup, glossed in white and decorated with the crest of the family, just as though it belonged to the family china pattern. The cuckoo clock clicks closed. >wring sponge into cup You wring out the sponge, causing it to drip onion dye into the cup. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >x cup A cup, glossed in white and decorated with the crest of the family, just as though it belonged to the family china pattern. In the cup is some onion dye. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >x sponge A sea sponge, sized and rounded like an apple. It is currently slightly damp. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >wring it into pot There's nothing in the sponge to wring. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >[Oh, hey, fixed ;-] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >x hanky A square of good linen; rather nice, really. It is currently colored yellow. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >wring it You wring out the yellow handkerchief, causing it to drip onion dye all over the place. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >undo Entrance Hall [Previous turn undone.] >wring it into cup You wring out the yellow handkerchief, causing it to drip onion dye into the cup. Some of it overflows a bit. The onion dye mixes with what was already there. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. In your hunger, you hallucinate creme caramel, elegantly centered in its pool of sweet liquid and garnished with three-- no, make it four-- fresh raspberries. Or perhaps little grey-pink mushrooms, tenderly cooked. >unod That's not a verb I recognize. >wring it into blue There's nothing in the yellow handkerchief to wring. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. > Hot key -- Undo one turn Entrance Hall [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Entrance Hall [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Entrance Hall [Previous turn undone.] >wring yellow into blue (the yellow hangings into the blue glass jar) You compress the yellow hangings. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. In your hunger, you imagine in great clarity a salad of dressed spinach greens in a vinaigrette. >wring hanky into blue You wring out the yellow handkerchief, causing it to drip onion dye into the blue glass jar. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >x it A square of good linen; rather nice, really. It is currently colored yellow. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >compress yello You can't see any such thing. >compress yellow (the yellow handkerchief) You compress the yellow handkerchief. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >wring hangings (first taking the yellow hangings) The hangings are far too well secured to the wall for you to be able to pull them free of their moorings. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >[eh? That's not a verb I recognize. >wring hangings into blue You compress the yellow hangings. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >[huh] That's not a verb I recognize. >[that probably means...] That's not a verb I recognize. >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 stone block. The pianoforte stands in the center of the room. >x sponge A sea sponge, sized and rounded like an apple. It is currently slightly damp. >i You are carrying: a yellow handkerchief a sponge a cup some onion dye (which leaves the cup about half full) a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc a great deal of Sauvignon Blanc (which leaves some room in the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc) a celestial bauble (providing white light) a jeweled pin (being worn) a red glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the red glass jar about half full) a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) a cork five books: The Lavori d'Aracne Guide to Assorted Wines Clock Repair On Vegetable Dyes The World Is Hollow (which is open but empty) a pine chest (which is open but empty) a green glass jar (which is closed) two food items: a goat cheese a great deal of olive oil (which leaves some room in the green glass jar) a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (providing light) a blue glass jar (which is open) not very much onion dye (which leaves some room in the blue glass jar) some mechanical human dancers a navy cloak a round metal tin (which is open but empty) some documents a rope ladder an old letter some household papers a small portrait a crumpled paper a burnt scrap of paper a butcher knife a swordstick a sword a snuffbox (which is closed) two bottles of wine: a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape (which is closed) a blue bottle (which is closed) twelve food items: a sprig of mint a peeled onion a wedge of brie a salers some apples some hunks of salt pork some lentils some andouillettes a sprig of parsley a bay leaf a clove of garlic a loaf of stale bread two metal dishes: a hinge-lidded teapot (which is open but empty) a plate four recipe cylinders: a Chocolate Recipe an Easter Egg Recipe an Andouillettes Recipe a Lentil Soup Recipe four pieces of silverware: a silver-plated corkscrew a table knife a spoon a fork two keys: a silver key (which opens the red door leading west) an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading east) a dashing hat (being worn) >put sponge in cup You put the sponge into the cup. You exhaust the onion dye in moistening the sponge. >throw sponge at shelf (first taking the sponge) The sponge races through the air. It strikes the high shelf. >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 are a sponge and a stone block. The pianoforte stands in the center of the room. >wring sponge into cup It is too high for you to reach. >[curses! ;-] That's not a verb I recognize. > Hot key -- Undo one turn Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Old Conservatory [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Staircase, First Floor [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Entrance Hall [Previous turn undone.] >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. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >s That way lies the exit, but you have unfinished business here. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >d The mirror inset inside the box ceases glowing. Root Cellar Stone walls, ribbed ceiling, but only a packed-earth floor in spots. The room is lined on both sides with boxes and barrels, which take on odd shapes in the semi-darkness and seem vaguely menacing. You feared this room as a child, and it still seems cold and unnerving. The twisting stairs ascend to the ground floor. Through the open door to the east you can make out the foot of the servants' staircase. >e 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. An open red door leads east. A closed magenta door leads northeast. The vault door stands invitingly open. 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 The mirror inset inside the box commences to glow with reflected light. 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. >e Your options are west into the kitchen or southeast into the shed. >put hanky in well You put the yellow handkerchief into the well. The yellow handkerchief sinks into oblivion. In your hunger, you dream of purple-black Hellene olives. Or perhaps dark squares of prepared chocolate. >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 give west onto the main house. >w 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. >sw 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. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >[arr] That's not a verb I recognize. > Hot key -- Undo one turn Entrance Hall [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Dining Room [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Kitchen Corridor [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Kitchen [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Kitchen Garden [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Kitchen Garden [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Kitchen Garden [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Kitchen [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Kitchen Corridor [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Bottom of Servants' Staircase [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Wine Cellar Antechamber [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Bottom of Servants' Staircase [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Root Cellar [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Entrance Hall [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Entrance Hall [Previous turn undone.] >unlink hanky You succeed in unlinking the yellow handkerchief from the yellow hangings. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >reverse link hanky to hangings 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. Exactly on the hour, the cuckoo clock opens up its door and a mechanical bird flies forward. It sings 2 times, then withdraws into its little door. >link hanky to hangings Bending your will, you form the link between the yellow handkerchief and the yellow hangings. The cuckoo clock clicks closed. >smash hanky With your bare hands? That could be uncomfortable. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >cut hanky with knife Which do you mean, the table knife or the butcher knife? >butcher (first taking the butcher knife) (putting the sponge into the sack to make room) You slice the handkerchief into a few fluttering scraps, quickly discarded. The yellow hangings tear along the middle with a tremendous ripping noise, and fall from the hooks that held them in place, leaving only a heap of brocade on the floor. The wall itself is bared, and the door in the wall. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. [Your score has just gone up by two points.] >open door It seems to be locked. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >x it A wooden, pointed door in a very old style; this part of the building dates to a previous version of the house, from only the chapel and a few other rooms survive. There is a conspicuous keyhole plate in the door. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >x keyhole A keyhole in a fitted brass plate. There is an ornate key in the keyhole, pushed in from the other side. In the keyhole is an ornate key. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >link ornate to iron The keys resist linking, almost as though they were made to do so. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >x plate Which do you mean, the keyhole or the painted metal plate? >painted A plate, glossed in white and decorated with the crest of the family, just as though it belonged to the family china pattern. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >x keyhole A keyhole in a fitted brass plate. There is an ornate key in the keyhole, pushed in from the other side. In the keyhole is an ornate key. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >i You are carrying: a butcher knife a cup some onion dye (which leaves the cup about half full) a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc a great deal of Sauvignon Blanc (which leaves some room in the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc) a celestial bauble (providing white light) a jeweled pin (being worn) a red glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the red glass jar about half full) a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) a sponge a cork five books: The Lavori d'Aracne Guide to Assorted Wines Clock Repair On Vegetable Dyes The World Is Hollow (which is open but empty) a pine chest (which is open but empty) a green glass jar (which is closed) two food items: a goat cheese a great deal of olive oil (which leaves some room in the green glass jar) a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (providing light) a blue glass jar (which is open) not very much onion dye (which leaves some room in the blue glass jar) some mechanical human dancers a navy cloak a round metal tin (which is open but empty) some documents a rope ladder an old letter some household papers a small portrait a crumpled paper a burnt scrap of paper a swordstick a sword a snuffbox (which is closed) two bottles of wine: a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape (which is closed) a blue bottle (which is closed) twelve food items: a sprig of mint a peeled onion a wedge of brie a salers some apples some hunks of salt pork some lentils some andouillettes a sprig of parsley a bay leaf a clove of garlic a loaf of stale bread two metal dishes: a hinge-lidded teapot (which is open but empty) a plate four recipe cylinders: a Chocolate Recipe an Easter Egg Recipe an Andouillettes Recipe a Lentil Soup Recipe four pieces of silverware: a silver-plated corkscrew a table knife a spoon a fork two keys: a silver key (which opens the red door leading west) an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading east) a dashing hat (being worn) The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. In your hunger, you imagine in great clarity onion soup, with its crust of baked cheese. >save Ok. >slide papers under door (first taking the household papers) The gothic door is flush against the stone threshhold, so much so that it is difficult even to see light between the two. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >[heh.] That's not a verb I recognize. >x keyhole A keyhole in a fitted brass plate. There is an ornate key in the keyhole, pushed in from the other side. In the keyhole is an ornate key. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >turn ornate key Your finger does not fit into the keyhole. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >turn ornate key with sword I only understood you as far as wanting to turn the ornate key. >push ornate with sword (first taking the sword) (putting the butcher knife into the sack to make room) You draw the sword from its sheath. You poke the sword into the keyhole, but the key seems to be quite solidly jammed in place. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >[hmm.] That's not a verb I recognize. >x ornate It's not exactly easy to get a good look. Just on the quarter-hour the cuckoo clock opens up its door and a mechanical bird flies forward. It sings a brief warbling tune, then withdraws into its little door. >i You are carrying: a sword some household papers a cup some onion dye (which leaves the cup about half full) a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc a great deal of Sauvignon Blanc (which leaves some room in the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc) a celestial bauble (providing white light) a jeweled pin (being worn) a red glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the red glass jar about half full) a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) a butcher knife a sponge a cork five books: The Lavori d'Aracne Guide to Assorted Wines Clock Repair On Vegetable Dyes The World Is Hollow (which is open but empty) a pine chest (which is open but empty) a green glass jar (which is closed) two food items: a goat cheese a great deal of olive oil (which leaves some room in the green glass jar) a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (providing light) a blue glass jar (which is open) not very much onion dye (which leaves some room in the blue glass jar) some mechanical human dancers a navy cloak a round metal tin (which is open but empty) some documents a rope ladder an old letter a small portrait a crumpled paper a burnt scrap of paper a swordstick a snuffbox (which is closed) two bottles of wine: a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape (which is closed) a blue bottle (which is closed) twelve food items: a sprig of mint a peeled onion a wedge of brie a salers some apples some hunks of salt pork some lentils some andouillettes a sprig of parsley a bay leaf a clove of garlic a loaf of stale bread two metal dishes: a hinge-lidded teapot (which is open but empty) a plate four recipe cylinders: a Chocolate Recipe an Easter Egg Recipe an Andouillettes Recipe a Lentil Soup Recipe four pieces of silverware: a silver-plated corkscrew a table knife a spoon a fork two keys: a silver key (which opens the red door leading west) an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading east) a dashing hat (being worn) The cuckoo clock clicks closed. >link pin to ornate You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they are just too dissimilar. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >open pin You open the clasp. Naturally, the pin falls off. You open the jeweled pin. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >poke key with pin That's not a verb I recognize. >push key with pin Which do you mean, the ornate key, the silver key or the iron key? >orante You can't see any such thing. >ornate That's not a verb I recognize. >push ornate with pin (first taking the jeweled pin) (putting the household papers into the sack to make room) The jeweled pin is the wrong shape to push into the keyhole. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >[hmm] That's not a verb I recognize. >x jeweled Decorated with fine-chip diamonds, and formed into the shape of a complicated bow of several strands, for a lady's use. The clasp is currently open. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >[Bow? Like a rainbow?] That's not a verb I recognize. >x pin Decorated with fine-chip diamonds, and formed into the shape of a complicated bow of several strands, for a lady's use. The clasp is currently open. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >[I was told that 'tie' would work, so...] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >restore Ok. >tie hanky You can't see any such thing. >i You are carrying: a butcher knife a cup some onion dye (which leaves the cup about half full) a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc a great deal of Sauvignon Blanc (which leaves some room in the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc) a celestial bauble (providing white light) a jeweled pin (being worn) a red glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the red glass jar about half full) a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) a sponge a cork five books: The Lavori d'Aracne Guide to Assorted Wines Clock Repair On Vegetable Dyes The World Is Hollow (which is open but empty) a pine chest (which is open but empty) a green glass jar (which is closed) two food items: a goat cheese a great deal of olive oil (which leaves some room in the green glass jar) a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (providing light) a blue glass jar (which is open) not very much onion dye (which leaves some room in the blue glass jar) some mechanical human dancers a navy cloak a round metal tin (which is open but empty) some documents a rope ladder an old letter some household papers a small portrait a crumpled paper a burnt scrap of paper a swordstick a sword a snuffbox (which is closed) two bottles of wine: a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape (which is closed) a blue bottle (which is closed) twelve food items: a sprig of mint a peeled onion a wedge of brie a salers some apples some hunks of salt pork some lentils some andouillettes a sprig of parsley a bay leaf a clove of garlic a loaf of stale bread two metal dishes: a hinge-lidded teapot (which is open but empty) a plate four recipe cylinders: a Chocolate Recipe an Easter Egg Recipe an Andouillettes Recipe a Lentil Soup Recipe four pieces of silverware: a silver-plated corkscrew a table knife a spoon a fork two keys: a silver key (which opens the red door leading west) an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading east) a dashing hat (being worn) The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >l 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. An old gothic door framed in stone leads west. The wooden door is currently closed. A sad heap of used yellow brocade huddles on the floor here. On the wall is one of those mechanical clocks that pop open on the hour, allowing the ingenious internal figures out to play. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >restore Restore failed. >x hanky You can't see any such thing. >[erm?] That's not a verb I recognize. >restore Ok. >tie hanky You tie the handkerchief into a tight little knot. >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 give west onto the main house. >w 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. >sw 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. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >x hangings Hangings cover up the whole of the west wall, concealing it thoroughly. (Now that you think of it, wasn't there a door through there or some such thing?) The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >untie hanky You pull open the knot in the handkerchief. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >link hanky to hangings You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they are just a little too different. Maybe if they looked more alike. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >put hanky in dye (first taking the white handkerchief) (putting the peeled onion into the sack to make room) Taken. That can't contain things. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >i You are carrying: a white handkerchief a sprig of mint a hinge-lidded teapot (which is open) some water (which fills the hinge-lidded teapot to the brim) a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc a great deal of Sauvignon Blanc (which leaves some room in the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc) a celestial bauble (providing white light) a jeweled pin (being worn) a red glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the red glass jar about half full) a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) a cork five books: The Lavori d'Aracne Guide to Assorted Wines Clock Repair On Vegetable Dyes The World Is Hollow (which is open but empty) a pine chest (which is open but empty) a green glass jar (which is closed) two food items: a goat cheese a great deal of olive oil (which leaves some room in the green glass jar) a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (providing light) a blue glass jar (which is open but empty) some mechanical human dancers a navy cloak a round metal tin (which is open but empty) some documents a rope ladder an old letter some household papers a small portrait a crumpled paper a burnt scrap of paper a butcher knife a sponge a swordstick a sword a snuffbox (which is closed) a plate two bottles of wine: a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape (which is closed) a blue bottle (which is closed) eleven food items: a peeled onion a wedge of brie a salers some apples some hunks of salt pork some lentils some andouillettes a sprig of parsley a bay leaf a clove of garlic a loaf of stale bread four recipe cylinders: a Chocolate Recipe an Easter Egg Recipe an Andouillettes Recipe a Lentil Soup Recipe four pieces of silverware: a silver-plated corkscrew a table knife a spoon a fork two keys: a silver key (which opens the red door leading west) an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading east) a dashing hat (being worn) The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >restore Ok. >restore Ok. >l 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. An old gothic door framed in stone leads west. The wooden door is currently closed. A sad heap of used yellow brocade huddles on the floor here. On the wall is one of those mechanical clocks that pop open on the hour, allowing the ingenious internal figures out to play. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >x brocade Huddled and ripped on the ground. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >[oh, OK] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >restore Ok. > [The room description still lists the hangings, which confused me. Out with one change, in with another.] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >x contraption The body of the contraption is mostly just a large box, into which things can be put, and an assembly of clockwork parts in a separate case, not to be interfered with. There is also a dial which may be set to various positions, and a spindle, on which is a cylinder with a pattern of strange bumps on it, labeled "Tea Recipe". The delicate contraption is currently switched off. In the delicate contraption are an onion skin and a cup. >pour water into machine You put some water in the delicate contraption, exhausting the supply in the hinge-lidded teapot. There is still some room remaining in the delicate contraption. >turn on machine There is a regretful clicking noise from the vicinity of the lid-catch. Just as you think you are going to have to close it yourself, a gloved mechanical hand reaches up and slams the contraption shut from the inside. The machine's gears spin into action; a series of fine flanges, like the keys of a music box, move into position against the surface of the cylinder, which rotates steadily. There is a bubbling, boiling noise from within the contraption. >open it You open the contraption, revealing a cup, inside which is some onion dye. >get cup (putting the peeled onion into the sack to make room) Taken. >put sponge in cup (first taking the sponge) (putting the hinge-lidded teapot into the sack to make room) Taken. You put the sponge into the cup. You exhaust the onion dye in moistening the sponge. >wring sponge into cup You wring out the sponge, causing it to drip onion dye into the cup. Some of it overflows a bit. >get sponge Taken. >put hanky in cup (first taking the white handkerchief) (putting the sprig of mint into the sack to make room) Taken. You put the white handkerchief into the cup. This dyes the white handkerchief somewhat yellow from the onion dye. >wring hanky into cup You wring out the yellow handkerchief, causing it to drip onion dye into the cup. Some of it overflows a bit. >get hanky Taken. >x cup A cup, glossed in white and decorated with the crest of the family, just as though it belonged to the family china pattern. In the cup is a body of onion dye. >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 give west onto the main house. >w 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. >sw 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. The cuckoo clock clicks closed. >link hanky to hangings Bending your will, you form the link between the yellow handkerchief and the yellow hangings. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >tie hanky You tie the handkerchief into a tight little knot. The yellow hangings writhe and twist, but the attempt to tie themselves into an enormous knot goes badly. They tear along the middle with a tremendous unnatural ripping noise, and fall from the hooks that held them in place, leaving only a heap of brocade on the floor. The wall itself is bared, and the door in the wall. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. In your hunger, you dream of creme caramel, elegantly centered in its pool of sweet liquid and garnished with three-- no, make it four-- fresh raspberries. Or perhaps poached turbot on a platter. [Your score has just gone up by two points.] >[Oh, heh.] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >untie hanky You pull open the knot in the handkerchief. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >unlink hanky You succeed in unlinking the yellow handkerchief from the yellow hangings. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >link hanky to brocade Bending your will, you form the link between the yellow handkerchief and the yellow hangings. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >x brocade Huddled and ripped on the ground. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >unlink it You succeed in unlinking the yellow handkerchief from the yellow hangings. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >x brocade Huddled and ripped on the ground. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >get it You already have that. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >get brocade They're fixed in place. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >move it Nothing obvious happens. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >search it There is nothing on the yellow handkerchief. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >[why is 'it' still the hanky?] That's not a verb I recognize. >search brocade There's nothing concealed in the midst of the cloth. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >move brocade There's nothing concealed in the midst of the cloth. Just on the quarter-hour the cuckoo clock opens up its door and a mechanical bird flies forward. It sings a brief warbling tune, then withdraws into its little door. >x door A wooden, pointed door in a very old style; this part of the building dates to a previous version of the house, from only the chapel and a few other rooms survive. There is a conspicuous keyhole plate in the door. The cuckoo clock clicks closed. >unlink hanky The yellow handkerchief is not linked. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >link hanky to keyhole You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they seem as though they will never go together. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >l 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. An old gothic door framed in stone leads west. The wooden door is currently closed. A sad heap of used yellow brocade huddles on the floor here. On the wall is one of those mechanical clocks that pop open on the hour, allowing the ingenious internal figures out to play. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >x stone You can't see any such thing. >link pine to door You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they seem as though they will never go together. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >x door A wooden, pointed door in a very old style; this part of the building dates to a previous version of the house, from only the chapel and a few other rooms survive. There is a conspicuous keyhole plate in the door. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >[pointed?] That's not a verb I recognize. > [Wait, that sentence makes no sense. 'from only the chapel and a few other rooms survive'? From which?] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >x keyhole A keyhole in a fitted brass plate. There is an ornate key in the keyhole, pushed in from the other side. In the keyhole is an ornate key. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. In your hunger, you imagine in great clarity the small, bitter oranges of Jerusalem. Or perhaps a salad of dressed spinach greens in a vinaigrette, tossed with curried walnuts, such as they did at the house of the Princesse when you visited her last summer. >get plate (the keyhole) That's fixed in place. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >pry it That's not a verb I recognize. >push key with sword Which do you mean, the ornate key, the silver key or the iron key? >ornate (first taking the sword) (putting the sponge into the sack to make room) You draw the sword from its sheath. You poke the sword into the keyhole, but the key seems to be quite solidly jammed in place. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >[hrm hrm hrm] That's not a verb I recognize. >turn iron Nothing obvious happens. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >turn silver Which do you mean, the clock face, the tiny silver star, the Chocolate Recipe, the silver-plated corkscrew, the silver key, the Easter Egg Recipe, the Andouillettes Recipe or the Lentil Soup Recipe? >key Nothing obvious happens. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >x clock face Simply adorned with numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9. The hands are silver, and the hour hand is perhaps an inch shorter than the minute hand. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >[huh] That's not a verb I recognize. >x silverware Which do you mean, the silver-plated corkscrew, the table knife, the spoon or the fork? >knife A silver knife with the crest of the family stamped on the handle. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >link knife to hour hand Which do you mean, the table knife or the butcher knife? >table You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they seem as though they will never go together. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >get hour hand That is part of the clock. Exactly on the hour, the cuckoo clock opens up its door and a mechanical bird flies forward. It sings 2 times, then withdraws into its little door. >x table knife A silver knife with the crest of the family stamped on the handle. The cuckoo clock clicks closed. >x spoon A silver spoon with the crest of the family stamped on the handle. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >x fork A silver fork with the crest of the family stamped on the handle. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >link spoon to fork Bending your will, you form the link between the spoon and the fork. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >unlink spoon You succeed in unlinking the spoon from the fork. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >reverse link spoon to fork 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. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >[Aw, no spork? Curses.] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >[Also, reverse linking seems remarkably plot-driven ;-] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. > [Which, no doubt, stems from a desire to keep coding complexity to a tolerable level.] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >l 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. An old gothic door framed in stone leads west. The wooden door is currently closed. A sad heap of used yellow brocade huddles on the floor here. On the wall is one of those mechanical clocks that pop open on the hour, allowing the ingenious internal figures out to play. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >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. >e In your hunger, you dream of thinly-sliced venison. 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. >x door A single tall door with gilt trim marking out its panels. It is dense with the links the Count laid on it -- to lock by itself when closed, to submit to no links by anyone else. When you lived here, it responded to a touch of your hand, though there was also a key used by the servants. >x panels You can't see any such thing. >touch it Apparently it has forgotten you. >kick it The tall door does not budge an inch. >d You can go only north, east or west. >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. You can also see some glass shards here. >search shards You find nothing of interest. >w (treading gingerly around the glass bits) You can go only south. >x rug So thick and luxurious that it seemed the strangest possession in a house of wonders, when you first came here. Marie used to lie on it, eschewing chairs and sofas, and read in a triangle of sunlight, the halo of her hair and the bleeding color of the carpet so bright it burned to look at. And then she'd fall asleep-- It's a deep, thick carpet, so comfortable that your mother would have been happy to have it for a bed. The pattern is intricate and peculiar. >[oooooeee] That's not a verb I recognize. >x pattern It's a deep, thick carpet, so comfortable that your mother would have been happy to have it for a bed. The pattern is intricate and peculiar. >lie on carpet You get onto the rug. >sleep You need a proper bed to sleep in. >sleep on rug I only understood you as far as wanting to sleep. >get up You get off the rug. 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 pin Decorated with fine-chip diamonds, and formed into the shape of a complicated bow of several strands, for a lady's use. The clasp is currently shut. >link pin to rug You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they seem as though they will never go together. >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. In your hunger, you hallucinate creme caramel. >i You are carrying: a sword a yellow handkerchief (sodden) a cup a body of onion dye (which leaves a fair amount of room in the cup) a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc a great deal of Sauvignon Blanc (which leaves some room in the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc) a celestial bauble (providing white light) a jeweled pin (being worn) a red glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the red glass jar about half full) a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) a sponge (sodden) a cork five books: The Lavori d'Aracne Guide to Assorted Wines Clock Repair On Vegetable Dyes The World Is Hollow (which is open but empty) a pine chest (which is open but empty) a green glass jar (which is closed) two food items: a goat cheese a great deal of olive oil (which leaves some room in the green glass jar) a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (providing light) a blue glass jar (which is open but empty) some mechanical human dancers a navy cloak a round metal tin (which is open but empty) some documents a rope ladder an old letter some household papers a small portrait a crumpled paper a burnt scrap of paper a butcher knife a swordstick a snuffbox (which is closed) two bottles of wine: a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape (which is closed) a blue bottle (which is closed) twelve food items: a sprig of mint a peeled onion a wedge of brie a salers some apples some hunks of salt pork some lentils some andouillettes a sprig of parsley a bay leaf a clove of garlic a loaf of stale bread two metal dishes: a hinge-lidded teapot (which is open but empty) a plate four recipe cylinders: a Chocolate Recipe an Easter Egg Recipe an Andouillettes Recipe a Lentil Soup Recipe four pieces of silverware: a silver-plated corkscrew a table knife a spoon a fork two keys: a silver key (which opens the red door leading west) an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading east) a dashing hat (being worn) >wring hanky into cup You wring out the yellow handkerchief, causing it to drip onion dye into the cup. The onion dye mixes with what was already there. >x cup A cup, glossed in white and decorated with the crest of the family, just as though it belonged to the family china pattern. In the cup is not very much onion dye. >i You are carrying: a sword a yellow handkerchief a cup not very much onion dye (which leaves some room in the cup) a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc a great deal of Sauvignon Blanc (which leaves some room in the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc) a celestial bauble (providing white light) a jeweled pin (being worn) a red glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the red glass jar about half full) a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) a sponge (sodden) a cork five books: The Lavori d'Aracne Guide to Assorted Wines Clock Repair On Vegetable Dyes The World Is Hollow (which is open but empty) a pine chest (which is open but empty) a green glass jar (which is closed) two food items: a goat cheese a great deal of olive oil (which leaves some room in the green glass jar) a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (providing light) a blue glass jar (which is open but empty) some mechanical human dancers a navy cloak a round metal tin (which is open but empty) some documents a rope ladder an old letter some household papers a small portrait a crumpled paper a burnt scrap of paper a butcher knife a swordstick a snuffbox (which is closed) two bottles of wine: a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape (which is closed) a blue bottle (which is closed) twelve food items: a sprig of mint a peeled onion a wedge of brie a salers some apples some hunks of salt pork some lentils some andouillettes a sprig of parsley a bay leaf a clove of garlic a loaf of stale bread two metal dishes: a hinge-lidded teapot (which is open but empty) a plate four recipe cylinders: a Chocolate Recipe an Easter Egg Recipe an Andouillettes Recipe a Lentil Soup Recipe four pieces of silverware: a silver-plated corkscrew a table knife a spoon a fork two keys: a silver key (which opens the red door leading west) an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading east) a dashing hat (being worn) > Hot key -- Undo one turn Long Salon [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Long Salon [Previous turn undone.] >x cup A cup, glossed in white and decorated with the crest of the family, just as though it belonged to the family china pattern. In the cup is not very much onion dye. > Hot key -- Undo one turn Long Salon [Previous turn undone.] >i You are carrying: a sword a yellow handkerchief a cup not very much onion dye (which leaves some room in the cup) a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc a great deal of Sauvignon Blanc (which leaves some room in the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc) a celestial bauble (providing white light) a jeweled pin (being worn) a red glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the red glass jar about half full) a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) a sponge (sodden) a cork five books: The Lavori d'Aracne Guide to Assorted Wines Clock Repair On Vegetable Dyes The World Is Hollow (which is open but empty) a pine chest (which is open but empty) a green glass jar (which is closed) two food items: a goat cheese a great deal of olive oil (which leaves some room in the green glass jar) a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (providing light) a blue glass jar (which is open but empty) some mechanical human dancers a navy cloak a round metal tin (which is open but empty) some documents a rope ladder an old letter some household papers a small portrait a crumpled paper a burnt scrap of paper a butcher knife a swordstick a snuffbox (which is closed) two bottles of wine: a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape (which is closed) a blue bottle (which is closed) twelve food items: a sprig of mint a peeled onion a wedge of brie a salers some apples some hunks of salt pork some lentils some andouillettes a sprig of parsley a bay leaf a clove of garlic a loaf of stale bread two metal dishes: a hinge-lidded teapot (which is open but empty) a plate four recipe cylinders: a Chocolate Recipe an Easter Egg Recipe an Andouillettes Recipe a Lentil Soup Recipe four pieces of silverware: a silver-plated corkscrew a table knife a spoon a fork two keys: a silver key (which opens the red door leading west) an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading east) a dashing hat (being worn) > Hot key -- Undo one turn Long Salon [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Long Salon [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Long Salon [Previous turn undone.] >i You are carrying: a sword a yellow handkerchief (sodden) a cup a body of onion dye (which leaves a fair amount of room in the cup) a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc a great deal of Sauvignon Blanc (which leaves some room in the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc) a celestial bauble (providing white light) a jeweled pin (being worn) a red glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the red glass jar about half full) a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) a sponge (sodden) a cork five books: The Lavori d'Aracne Guide to Assorted Wines Clock Repair On Vegetable Dyes The World Is Hollow (which is open but empty) a pine chest (which is open but empty) a green glass jar (which is closed) two food items: a goat cheese a great deal of olive oil (which leaves some room in the green glass jar) a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (providing light) a blue glass jar (which is open but empty) some mechanical human dancers a navy cloak a round metal tin (which is open but empty) some documents a rope ladder an old letter some household papers a small portrait a crumpled paper a burnt scrap of paper a butcher knife a swordstick a snuffbox (which is closed) two bottles of wine: a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape (which is closed) a blue bottle (which is closed) twelve food items: a sprig of mint a peeled onion a wedge of brie a salers some apples some hunks of salt pork some lentils some andouillettes a sprig of parsley a bay leaf a clove of garlic a loaf of stale bread two metal dishes: a hinge-lidded teapot (which is open but empty) a plate four recipe cylinders: a Chocolate Recipe an Easter Egg Recipe an Andouillettes Recipe a Lentil Soup Recipe four pieces of silverware: a silver-plated corkscrew a table knife a spoon a fork two keys: a silver key (which opens the red door leading west) an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading east) a dashing hat (being worn) >[Hey, extra space in 'which leaves room...' in describe of cup. You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >x cup A cup, glossed in white and decorated with the crest of the family, just as though it belonged to the family china pattern. In the cup is a body of onion dye. >wring hanky into cup You wring out the yellow handkerchief, causing it to drip onion dye into the cup. The onion dye mixes with what was already there. >x cup A cup, glossed in white and decorated with the crest of the family, just as though it belonged to the family china pattern. In the cup is not very much onion dye. > Hot key -- Undo one turn Long Salon [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Long Salon [Previous turn undone.] >i You are carrying: a sword a yellow handkerchief (sodden) a cup a body of onion dye (which leaves a fair amount of room in the cup) a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc a great deal of Sauvignon Blanc (which leaves some room in the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc) a celestial bauble (providing white light) a jeweled pin (being worn) a red glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the red glass jar about half full) a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) a sponge (sodden) a cork five books: The Lavori d'Aracne Guide to Assorted Wines Clock Repair On Vegetable Dyes The World Is Hollow (which is open but empty) a pine chest (which is open but empty) a green glass jar (which is closed) two food items: a goat cheese a great deal of olive oil (which leaves some room in the green glass jar) a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (providing light) a blue glass jar (which is open but empty) some mechanical human dancers a navy cloak a round metal tin (which is open but empty) some documents a rope ladder an old letter some household papers a small portrait a crumpled paper a burnt scrap of paper a butcher knife a swordstick a snuffbox (which is closed) two bottles of wine: a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape (which is closed) a blue bottle (which is closed) twelve food items: a sprig of mint a peeled onion a wedge of brie a salers some apples some hunks of salt pork some lentils some andouillettes a sprig of parsley a bay leaf a clove of garlic a loaf of stale bread two metal dishes: a hinge-lidded teapot (which is open but empty) a plate four recipe cylinders: a Chocolate Recipe an Easter Egg Recipe an Andouillettes Recipe a Lentil Soup Recipe four pieces of silverware: a silver-plated corkscrew a table knife a spoon a fork two keys: a silver key (which opens the red door leading west) an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading east) a dashing hat (being worn) >wring yellow into cup You wring out the yellow handkerchief, causing it to drip onion dye into the cup. The onion dye mixes with what was already there. >x sponge A sea sponge, sized and rounded like an apple. It is currently sopping wet. >wring sponge into cup You wring out the sponge, causing it to drip onion dye into the cup. The onion dye mixes with what was already there. >x cup A cup, glossed in white and decorated with the crest of the family, just as though it belonged to the family china pattern. In the cup is some onion dye. >x keyhole You can't see any such thing. >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. An old gothic door framed in stone leads west. The wooden door is currently closed. A sad heap of used yellow brocade huddles on the floor here. On the wall is one of those mechanical clocks that pop open on the hour, allowing the ingenious internal figures out to play. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >x keyhole A keyhole in a fitted brass plate. There is an ornate key in the keyhole, pushed in from the other side. In the keyhole is an ornate key. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >link plate to keyhole Which do you mean, the keyhole or the painted metal plate? >painted You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they seem as though they will never go together. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >l 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. An old gothic door framed in stone leads west. The wooden door is currently closed. A sad heap of used yellow brocade huddles on the floor here. On the wall is one of those mechanical clocks that pop open on the hour, allowing the ingenious internal figures out to play. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >i You are carrying: a sword a yellow handkerchief a cup some onion dye (which leaves a little room in the cup) a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc a great deal of Sauvignon Blanc (which leaves some room in the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc) a celestial bauble (providing white light) a jeweled pin (being worn) a red glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the red glass jar about half full) a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) a sponge a cork five books: The Lavori d'Aracne Guide to Assorted Wines Clock Repair On Vegetable Dyes The World Is Hollow (which is open but empty) a pine chest (which is open but empty) a green glass jar (which is closed) two food items: a goat cheese a great deal of olive oil (which leaves some room in the green glass jar) a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (providing light) a blue glass jar (which is open but empty) some mechanical human dancers a navy cloak a round metal tin (which is open but empty) some documents a rope ladder an old letter some household papers a small portrait a crumpled paper a burnt scrap of paper a butcher knife a swordstick a snuffbox (which is closed) two bottles of wine: a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape (which is closed) a blue bottle (which is closed) twelve food items: a sprig of mint a peeled onion a wedge of brie a salers some apples some hunks of salt pork some lentils some andouillettes a sprig of parsley a bay leaf a clove of garlic a loaf of stale bread two metal dishes: a hinge-lidded teapot (which is open but empty) a plate four recipe cylinders: a Chocolate Recipe an Easter Egg Recipe an Andouillettes Recipe a Lentil Soup Recipe four pieces of silverware: a silver-plated corkscrew a table knife a spoon a fork two keys: a silver key (which opens the red door leading west) an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading east) a dashing hat (being worn) The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >get blue jar (putting the yellow handkerchief into the sack to make room) Taken. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >pour cup into blue jar You put some onion dye in the blue glass jar, exhausting the supply in the cup. There is still some room remaining in the blue glass jar. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >close blue You close the blue glass jar. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >x it A blue glass container with a wide mouth and a stopper. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >i You are carrying: a blue glass jar (which is closed) some onion dye (which leaves a little room in the blue glass jar) a sword a cup a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc a great deal of Sauvignon Blanc (which leaves some room in the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc) a celestial bauble (providing white light) a jeweled pin (being worn) a red glass jar (which is open) some sea-salt (which leaves the red glass jar about half full) a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) a yellow handkerchief a sponge a cork five books: The Lavori d'Aracne Guide to Assorted Wines Clock Repair On Vegetable Dyes The World Is Hollow (which is open but empty) a pine chest (which is open but empty) a green glass jar (which is closed) two food items: a goat cheese a great deal of olive oil (which leaves some room in the green glass jar) a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (providing light) some mechanical human dancers a navy cloak a round metal tin (which is open but empty) some documents a rope ladder an old letter some household papers a small portrait a crumpled paper a burnt scrap of paper a butcher knife a swordstick a snuffbox (which is closed) two bottles of wine: a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape (which is closed) a blue bottle (which is closed) twelve food items: a sprig of mint a peeled onion a wedge of brie a salers some apples some hunks of salt pork some lentils some andouillettes a sprig of parsley a bay leaf a clove of garlic a loaf of stale bread two metal dishes: a hinge-lidded teapot (which is open but empty) a plate four recipe cylinders: a Chocolate Recipe an Easter Egg Recipe an Andouillettes Recipe a Lentil Soup Recipe four pieces of silverware: a silver-plated corkscrew a table knife a spoon a fork two keys: a silver key (which opens the red door leading west) an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading east) a dashing hat (being worn) The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. In your hunger, you dream of little grey-pink mushrooms. >[wait, I *do* have the olive oil.] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >e The south door leads only out of the estate, where you are not ready to go. You can go only north, west, northeast, up or down. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >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. >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). >x sausage recipe A cylinder of silver metal perhaps as long as your thumb. On the surface are a series of strange bumps, depressions, and grooves. The core of the cylinder is hollow, but over one end is a paper label, which reads, "Andouillettes Recipe." Smaller writing on the label indicates the ingredient list. >read it Andouillettes Recipe: andouillettes, olive oil, dry white wine, peeled onion, sea-salt. >get recipe (the Tea Recipe) (putting the cup 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. >put sausage on spindle (first taking the andouillettes) (putting the sword into the sack to make room) Taken. That does not seem to fit over the spindle. >put sausage recipe on spindle (first taking the Andouillettes Recipe) (putting the blue glass jar into the sack to make room) Taken. The cylinder slips into place with a satisfying click, as though some mechanism has engaged. >put sausage in contraption You put the andouillettes into the delicate contraption. >x recipe (the Tea Recipe) A cylinder of silver metal perhaps as long as your thumb. On the surface are a series of strange bumps, depressions, and grooves, seeming carefully wrought and utterly intentional. The core of the cylinder is hollow, but over one end is a piece of paper which bears a label, in careful lettering, which reads, "Tea Recipe." >put it in sack You put the Tea Recipe into the sack. >x recipe Which do you mean, the Andouillettes Recipe, the Tea Recipe, the Chocolate Recipe, the Easter Egg Recipe or the Lentil Soup Recipe? >x lentil Which do you mean, the lentils or the Lentil Soup Recipe? >x lentil soup A cylinder of silver metal perhaps as long as your thumb. On the surface are a series of strange bumps, depressions, and grooves. The core of the cylinder is hollow, but over one end is a paper label, which reads, "Lentil Soup Recipe." Smaller writing on the label indicates the ingredient list. >read it Lentil Soup Recipe: lentils, peeled onion, water, clove of garlic, bay leaf, olive oil, sea-salt. >get green jar Taken. >open it You open the green glass jar. >x it A green glass container with a wide mouth and a stopper. In the green glass jar are two food items (a goat cheese and a great deal of olive oil). >get goat cheese Taken. >pour olive oil into contraption You put some olive oil in the delicate contraption, exhausting the supply in the green glass jar. There is still some room remaining in the delicate contraption. In your hunger, you dream of onion soup. >undo Kitchen [Previous turn undone.] >pour olive oil into cup (first taking the cup) Taken. You put some olive oil in the cup. This fills the cup to the brim. In your hunger, you imagine in great clarity a heavy Christmas-time cake with candied fruit. Or perhaps curls of toasted bread, dripping with butter. >pour cup into contraption You put some olive oil in the delicate contraption, exhausting the supply in the cup. There is still some room remaining in the delicate contraption. >x green A green glass container with a wide mouth and a stopper. In the green glass jar is some olive oil. >[hey, measuring] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >read recipe Which do you mean, the Andouillettes Recipe, the Tea Recipe, the Chocolate Recipe, the Easter Egg Recipe or the Lentil Soup Recipe? >sausage Andouillettes Recipe: andouillettes, olive oil, dry white wine, peeled onion, sea-salt. >put sausage in machine (first taking the andouillettes) (putting the goat cheese into the sack to make room) Taken. You put the andouillettes into the delicate contraption. >pour wine into cup Which do you mean, the Sauvignon Blanc in the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc or the bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape? >blanc You put some Sauvignon Blanc in the cup. This fills the cup to the brim. >read wines (first taking Guide to Assorted Wines) Taken. ...mead, a wine made of honey and very sweet... >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... >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 ...some dry wine such as Sauvignon Blanc... >x blanc Which do you mean, the Sauvignon Blanc in the cup or the Sauvignon Blanc in the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc? >cup I only understood you as far as wanting to examine the cup. >x bottle of blanc Aside from the contents, an entirely ordinary bottle. Currently open and corkless. In the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc is some Sauvignon Blanc. >pour cup into contraption You put some Sauvignon Blanc in the delicate contraption, exhausting the supply in the cup. There is still some room remaining in the delicate contraption. The Sauvignon Blanc mixes with what was already there. >x contraption The body of the contraption is mostly just a large box, into which things can be put, and an assembly of clockwork parts in a separate case, not to be interfered with. There is also a dial which may be set to various positions, and a spindle, on which is a cylinder with a pattern of strange bumps on it, labeled "Andouillettes Recipe". The delicate contraption is currently switched off. In the delicate contraption are a mixture of Sauvignon Blanc and olive oil and some andouillettes. >read sausage recipe Andouillettes Recipe: andouillettes, olive oil, dry white wine, peeled onion, sea-salt. >pour salt into cup Which do you mean, the sea-salt in the red glass jar or the hunks of salt pork? >sea You put some sea-salt in the cup, exhausting the supply in the red glass jar. There is still some room remaining in the cup. >[hmm] That's not a verb I recognize. >[I need the salt for my easter egg recipe!] That's not a verb I recognize. >[#savoirspoil says no actual eggs in the game, though. Sad.] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >pour salt into contraption Which do you mean, the sea-salt in the cup or the hunks of salt pork? >sea You put some sea-salt in the delicate contraption, exhausting the supply in the cup. There is still some room remaining in the delicate contraption. The sea- salt mixes with what was already there. >x recipe Which do you mean, the Andouillettes Recipe, the Tea Recipe, the Chocolate Recipe, the Easter Egg Recipe or the Lentil Soup Recipe? >read sausage recipe Andouillettes Recipe: andouillettes, olive oil, dry white wine, peeled onion, sea-salt. >turn on machine There is a regretful clicking noise from the vicinity of the lid-catch. Just as you think you are going to have to close it yourself, a gloved mechanical hand reaches up and slams the contraption shut from the inside. The machine's gears spin into action; a series of fine flanges, like the keys of a music box, move into position against the surface of the cylinder, which rotates steadily. From inside the box comes a plaintive mechanical voice which declares, "Monsieur le Chef!! You need more! peeled onion!!!" The mechanism whirrs a moment longer before its functioning gives out. >[arr That's not a verb I recognize. >cut onion with butcher Which do you mean, the onion dye in the blue glass jar or the peeled onion? >peeled (first taking the butcher knife) (putting the red glass jar into the sack to make room) The onion chops easily into numerous pieces, making your eyes water and burn. >get onion Which do you mean, the chopped onion or the onion dye in the blue glass jar? >chopped (putting the cup into the sack to make room) Taken. >x it White pieces of onion. >put it in cup You put the chopped onion into the cup. > Hot key -- Undo one turn Kitchen [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Kitchen [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Kitchen [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Kitchen [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Kitchen [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Kitchen [Previous turn undone.] >x onion Which do you mean, the onion dye in the blue glass jar or the peeled onion? >peeled Shed of its skin, it is pale and tender, with the beginnings of shoots showing at one end. In your hunger, you imagine in great clarity thinly-sliced venison. Or perhaps an omelette of herbs and chives. >put onion in contraption (first taking the delicate contraption) It is both too large and too delicate to remove. (taking the blue glass jar) (putting the red glass jar into the sack to make room) Taken. The blue glass jar isn't open. >open blue You open the blue glass jar. >put onion in contraption The delicate contraption is closed. >open contraption You open the contraption, revealing a mixture of sea-salt, olive oil, and Sauvignon Blanc and some andouillettes. >put onion in contraption You put some onion dye in the delicate contraption, exhausting the supply in the blue glass jar. There is still some room remaining in the delicate contraption. The onion dye mixes with what was already there. >[oops] That's not a verb I recognize. > Hot key -- Undo one turn Kitchen [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Kitchen [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Kitchen [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Kitchen [Previous turn undone.] >get peeled (putting the cup into the sack to make room) Taken. >put it into contraption (first opening the delicate contraption) You open the contraption, revealing a mixture of sea-salt, olive oil, and Sauvignon Blanc and some andouillettes. You put the peeled onion into the delicate contraption. >turn on machine There is a regretful clicking noise from the vicinity of the lid-catch. Just as you think you are going to have to close it yourself, a gloved mechanical hand reaches up and slams the contraption shut from the inside. The machine's gears spin into action; a series of fine flanges, like the keys of a music box, move into position against the surface of the cylinder, which rotates steadily. An irritable mechanical voice shouts from within, "I shall be requiring the plate on which to put this item!" >put plate into machine (first taking the plate) Taken. (first opening the delicate contraption) You open the contraption, revealing a mixture of sea-salt, olive oil, and Sauvignon Blanc and two food items (a peeled onion and some andouillettes). You put the plate into the delicate contraption. >turn on machine There is a regretful clicking noise from the vicinity of the lid-catch. Just as you think you are going to have to close it yourself, a gloved mechanical hand reaches up and slams the contraption shut from the inside. The machine's gears spin into action; a series of fine flanges, like the keys of a music box, move into position against the surface of the cylinder, which rotates steadily. From inside the contraption comes a sound of chopping, and then a hot sizzle. The unmistakeable smell of frying onions rises to greet you from inside the contraption's box. A moment later, there is some additional sloshing, and slowly the smell becomes more complex, redolent of wine and meat. There is a puff of steam around the edges of the lid, and then the mechanism's parts come discreetly to rest. >open machine You open the contraption, revealing a plate, on top of which are some cooked andouillettes. >get plate Taken. >x cooked Marvellous: the sausage is sliced and cooked perfectly in wine and olive oil, seasoned with salt, and accompanied by savory fried onions. The whole is artfully composed into a sort of rosette, sliced sausages placed in a ring and garnished at the center with the onions. One might consider this overkill in the presentation department for such a simple dish, but it's elegantly fashioned. No doubt the machine turns out a nice aspic. > Hot key -- Undo one turn Kitchen [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Kitchen [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Kitchen [Previous turn undone.] > Hot key -- Undo one turn Kitchen [Previous turn undone.] >x machine The body of the contraption is mostly just a large box, into which things can be put, and an assembly of clockwork parts in a separate case, not to be interfered with. There is also a dial which may be set to various positions, and a spindle, on which is a cylinder with a pattern of strange bumps on it, labeled "Andouillettes Recipe". The delicate contraption is currently switched off. In the delicate contraption are a plate, a mixture of sea-salt, olive oil, and Sauvignon Blanc and two food items (a peeled onion and some andouillettes). >x dial A dial which can be rotated to show one word at a time, labeled 'SHAPE'. Currently the word showing is ROSE. >turn it You turn the dial gently with one finger, and it clicks around to display the setting FISH. >g You turn the dial gently with one finger, and it clicks around to display the setting SHOE. >g You turn the dial gently with one finger, and it clicks around to display the setting HEART. >g You turn the dial gently with one finger, and it clicks around to display the setting NONE. >g You turn the dial gently with one finger, and it clicks around to display the setting LEAF. >i You are carrying: a blue glass jar (which is open) some onion dye (which leaves a little room in the blue glass jar) Guide to Assorted Wines a green glass jar (which is open) some olive oil (which leaves a little room in the green glass jar) a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc some Sauvignon Blanc (which leaves some room in the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc) a celestial bauble (providing white light) a jeweled pin (being worn) a pearl necklace (being worn) a sack (which is open) a red glass jar (which is open but empty) a sword a yellow handkerchief a sponge a cork four books: The Lavori d'Aracne Clock Repair On Vegetable Dyes The World Is Hollow (which is open but empty) a pine chest (which is open but empty) a dark wooden box (which is open) a mirror inset inside the box (providing light) some mechanical human dancers a navy cloak a round metal tin (which is open but empty) some documents a rope ladder an old letter some household papers a small portrait a crumpled paper a burnt scrap of paper a butcher knife a swordstick a snuffbox (which is closed) two bottles of wine: a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape (which is closed) a blue bottle (which is closed) four pieces of silverware: a silver-plated corkscrew a table knife a spoon a fork two keys: a silver key (which opens the red door leading west) an iron key (which opens the magenta door leading east) two metal dishes: a cup a hinge-lidded teapot (which is open but empty) eleven food items: a goat cheese a sprig of mint a wedge of brie a salers some apples some hunks of salt pork some lentils a sprig of parsley a bay leaf a clove of garlic a loaf of stale bread four recipe cylinders: a Tea Recipe a Chocolate Recipe an Easter Egg Recipe a Lentil Soup Recipe a dashing hat (being worn) >x goat A compact ball of goat cheese, faintly oily on the surface. >put iron into goat (first taking the iron key) Taken. That can't contain things. >x wedge Oozing and ripe, somehow. You would expect it to be thoroughly ruined by now -- this is not a cheese that should age -- but the Count's powers were diverse, and extended to careful protections of his possessions. In your hunger, you dream of little grey-pink mushrooms, tenderly cooked. >[what do I have left? those two doors? Anything else?] That's not a verb I recognize. >x dial A dial which can be rotated to show one word at a time, labeled 'SHAPE'. Currently the word showing is LEAF. >turn on machine There is a regretful clicking noise from the vicinity of the lid-catch. Just as you think you are going to have to close it yourself, a gloved mechanical hand reaches up and slams the contraption shut from the inside. The machine's gears spin into action; a series of fine flanges, like the keys of a music box, move into position against the surface of the cylinder, which rotates steadily. From inside the contraption comes a sound of chopping, and then a hot sizzle. The unmistakeable smell of frying onions rises to greet you from inside the contraption's box. A moment later, there is some additional sloshing, and slowly the smell becomes more complex, redolent of wine and meat. There is a puff of steam around the edges of the lid, and then the mechanism's parts come discreetly to rest. >open it You open the contraption, revealing a plate, on top of which are some cooked andouillettes. >get plate (putting Guide to Assorted Wines into the sack to make room) Taken. >x sausage Which do you mean, the Andouillettes Recipe or the cooked andouillettes? >cooked Marvellous: the sausage is sliced and cooked perfectly in wine and olive oil, seasoned with salt, and accompanied by savory fried onions. The pieces of sausage are arranged loosely into a leaf shape, which is perhaps as much as one should expect. >eat sausage You really ought to eat these in the appropriate surroundings. >[snork] That's not a verb I recognize. >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 give west onto the main house. >w 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. >eat sausage It would help if you had, say, a fork. >get fork (putting the iron key into the sack to make room) Taken. >eat sausage with fork I only understood you as far as wanting to eat the cooked andouillettes. >eat sausage You consume the cooked andouillettes with great enjoyment, trying not to smack your lips too obviously. Odd. Eating has made you a bit sleepy. [Your score has just gone up by three points.] >sw You should really find a bed soon and sleep. 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. An old gothic door framed in stone leads west. The wooden door is currently closed. A sad heap of used yellow brocade huddles on the floor here. On the wall is one of those mechanical clocks that pop open on the hour, allowing the ingenious internal figures out to play. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >u Odd. Eating has made you a bit sleepy. 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 You could really go for a nap. 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 stone block. The pianoforte stands in the center of the room. >w You should really find a bed soon and sleep. Marie's Chamber Stripped of the elegant clutter it once possessed, the room still offers a charming view through the north window of the old grounds, and the way out is to the east. The wallpaper and floorboards are still as elegant as ever. Hanging on the wall is an elegant gilt-wood mirror, reflecting sunlight over the ground before it. Her desk remains, pushed against the wall. >e You should really find a bed soon and sleep. 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 stone block. The pianoforte stands in the center of the room. You should really find a bed soon and sleep. >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. You find yourself yawning. >e You find yourself yawning. 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. You can also see some glass shards here. You should really find a bed soon and sleep. >lie on rug You get onto the rug. >sleep You need a proper bed to sleep in. Goodness, but you're exhausted. >get up You get off the rug. 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. You could really go for a nap. >x bed You can't see any such thing. >s (treading gingerly around the glass bits) Goodness, but you're exhausted. 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 You could really go for a nap. 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 You could really go for a nap. 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 stone block. The pianoforte stands in the center of the room. >w Marie's Chamber Stripped of the elegant clutter it once possessed, the room still offers a charming view through the north window of the old grounds, and the way out is to the east. The wallpaper and floorboards are still as elegant as ever. Hanging on the wall is an elegant gilt-wood mirror, reflecting sunlight over the ground before it. Her desk remains, pushed against the wall. >x bed You can't see any such thing. >[oy] That's not a verb I recognize. >e Odd. Eating has made you a bit sleepy. 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 stone block. The pianoforte stands in the center of the room. You find yourself yawning. >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. >d Odd. Eating has made you a bit sleepy. 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. An old gothic door framed in stone leads west. The wooden door is currently closed. A sad heap of used yellow brocade huddles on the floor here. On the wall is one of those mechanical clocks that pop open on the hour, allowing the ingenious internal figures out to play. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >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. >e 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. You could really go for a nap. >x paneling Comes up about as high as your waist, and is solidly made out of you-know-not- what. >link pine to paneling You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they seem as though they will never go together. >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. >d The mirror inset inside the box stops glowing. 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. >w Root Cellar Stone walls, ribbed ceiling, but only a packed-earth floor in spots. The room is lined on both sides with boxes and barrels, which take on odd shapes in the semi-darkness and seem vaguely menacing. You feared this room as a child, and it still seems cold and unnerving. The twisting stairs ascend to the ground floor. Through the open door to the east you can make out the foot of the servants' staircase. >e 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. An open red door leads east. A closed magenta door leads northeast. The vault door stands invitingly open. The wine-cellar door -- sturdy wood in yellowish brass panels -- stands open to the west. Goodness, but you're exhausted. >n Odd. Eating has made you a bit sleepy. Wine Cellar Vault Thick-layered with dust, with a cool ancient air. The vault door stands invitingly open. >s You should really find a bed soon and sleep. 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. The vault door stands invitingly open. The wine-cellar door -- sturdy wood in yellowish brass panels -- stands open to the west. A closed magenta door leads northeast. An open red door leads east. An open grey-blue door leads south. >e 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. An open red door leads west. Goodness, but you're exhausted. >n Fortified Wines Port, tokay, sherry; amontillado; casks, bottles furred with age and sealed with clots of red wax and ribbon seals. An open magenta door leads east. A closed cyan door leads southeast. An open green door leads south. A closed magenta door leads southwest. Goodness, but you're exhausted. >e Spanish Reds The ransackers of the cellar seem not to have reached this room, however: many of the bottles sit intact on their shelves (if anyone cared to sample them). A closed white door leads south; it looks oddly streaked. An open magenta door leads west. In one corner is a massive wine barrel. Odd. Eating has made you a bit sleepy. >open it That's already open. Goodness, but you're exhausted. >open white (the white door leading south) You open the white door leading south. It swings more lightly than most of the doors hereabouts. Odd. Eating has made you a bit sleepy. >s 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. An open white door leads north; it looks oddly streaked. A closed cyan door leads northwest. An open cyan door leads west. You could really go for a nap. >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. An open white door leads north; it looks oddly streaked. A closed cyan door leads northwest. An open cyan door leads west. >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. An open 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. An open blue door leads east. An open magenta door leads west. You should really find a bed soon and sleep. >e Cheese Corner Thanks to the insistence of the Count, this portion of the wine cellar was cleared out for the storage of fine cheeses; instead of bottle racks there are shelves for storage. An open blue door leads west. There is a tiny hole in the north wall, through which one might view the room beyond. One corner of the room is occupied by a heavy chest. You find yourself yawning. >look in chest (the heavy chest) The heavy chest is empty. >enter it That's not something you can enter. >w 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 blue door leads east. An open magenta door leads west. An open green door leads north. >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. Goodness, but you're exhausted. >n You should really find a bed soon and sleep. 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. An open red door leads east. A closed magenta door leads northeast. The vault door stands invitingly open. The wine-cellar door -- sturdy wood in yellowish brass panels -- stands open to the west. You could really go for a nap. >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 The mirror inset inside the box begins to shine with reflected light. 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. >[oh, right] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >e You find yourself yawning. 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). Odd. Eating has made you a bit sleepy. >u You should really find a bed soon and sleep. 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. >sleep You need a proper bed to sleep in. Goodness, but you're exhausted. >enter bed You get onto the bed. >sleep You close your eyes... You're standing alone, in a darkened room. It's hard to be certain, but it seems that you are probably underground, and that the walls are stone. You're a bit dirty. There's a bowl of standing water. You glimpse into it, and see Marie's face. This unnerves you, so you examine yourself, and you are Marie -- dressed in a gown you've never seen before, but it's tattered. You are handcuffed, and the cuffs chafe. Then the scene grows more distant, and you feel as though you are pulling out of Marie's eyes, and seeing her now from the outside. Then you realize that you are looking through a strange window, and all around the edge of the window are odd markings. You're still somewhere deep underground, or possibly underwater... You wake up with a start. [Your score has just gone up by three points.] >[oy!] That's not a verb I recognize. >[odd markings around a window...] That's not a verb I recognize. >[in the well!] That's not a verb I recognize. >d You get off the bed. 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. >e You can go only down. >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). >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. >put ladder on bar (first taking the rope ladder) (putting the plate into the sack to make room) Taken. You adroitly fasten the rope ladder to the bar. >d The water would stain the silk of your good waistcoat! >take off waistcoat You can't see any such thing. >doff clothes (first taking yourself) You might spill the onion dye. >d The water would stain the silk of your good waistcoat! >x waistcoat The only remarkable thing about your current dress is the silk waistcoat -- a pale daffodil color with embroidered flowers, especially along the buttons. >look in well In the well is a body of water. >x stone A dark circle of stone, the depths of which you cannot see. The water comes up within reach. A bar of iron crosses the well, to support a bucket on a rope (which, however, is itself lacking). In the well is a body of water. >x bar A thick, sturdy iron bar, round in the middle but flattening at each end so as to fit into slots in the masonry of the well. On the bar is a rope ladder. >turn it Nothing obvious happens. >x ditch Little more than a damp hollow of earth under the pipe opening. In the drainage ditch is a mixture of water and mud. >[hmm. other possibility is that mirror, I guess.] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >x mirror A shining panel that reflects whatever is inside the box. >look in it In the mirror you see reflected your own face, a bit distant and strange. And then very little. >[hrm] That's not a verb I recognize. >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). >look in it The fireplace is empty. >look in mirror In the mirror you see reflected your own face, a bit distant and strange. And then very little. >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 give west onto the main house. >w 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. >sw 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. An old gothic door framed in stone leads west. The wooden door is currently closed. A sad heap of used yellow brocade huddles on the floor here. On the wall is one of those mechanical clocks that pop open on the hour, allowing the ingenious internal figures out to play. The cuckoo clock ticks sullenly. >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 stone block. The pianoforte stands in the center of the room. >w Marie's Chamber Stripped of the elegant clutter it once possessed, the room still offers a charming view through the north window of the old grounds, and the way out is to the east. The wallpaper and floorboards are still as elegant as ever. Hanging on the wall is an elegant gilt-wood mirror, reflecting sunlight over the ground before it. Her desk remains, pushed against the wall. >look in mirror (the gilt-wood mirror) In the mirror you see reflected your own face, a bit distant and strange. And then a desk. Around the edges you can make out other indications of Marie's Chamber. >e 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 stone block. The pianoforte stands in the center of the room. >drop wooden box You haven't got that. >get it Taken. >drop it Dropped. >w Marie's Chamber Stripped of the elegant clutter it once possessed, the room still offers a charming view through the north window of the old grounds, and the way out is to the east. The wallpaper and floorboards are still as elegant as ever. Hanging on the wall is an elegant gilt-wood mirror, reflecting sunlight over the ground before it. Her desk remains, pushed against the wall. >look in mirror In the mirror you see reflected your own face, a bit distant and strange. And then a desk. Around the edges you can make out other indications of Marie's Chamber. >x it Framed with twists and curls of gilded wood, most abstract, though along the top are floral swags. >x frame You can't see any such thing. >e 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 stone block. The pianoforte stands in the center of the room. You can also see a dark wooden box (in which is a mirror inset inside the box (providing light)) here. >get box (the dark wooden box) Taken. >play (the pianoforte) You sit down at the piano and begin to play, as you have not in years: a minuette, suggestive of lost elegance. The dancers, as though touched by the music, come to life. They meet, and bow, and then begin to dance, now taking hands, now letting go, now apart, now together, up and down their cogged dance floor. At the same time, the characters on the Count's letter begin to shuffle themselves: first they march together into squares of six-by-six, and then they split again lengthwise and rearray themselves, gathering here and there into arbitrary words. New punctuation marks sprout up like toadstools, signifying nothing. >g (the pianoforte) You sit down at the piano and begin to play, as you have not in years: a minuette, suggestive of lost elegance. The dancers, as though touched by the music, come to life. They meet, and bow, and then begin to dance, now taking hands, now letting go, now apart, now together, up and down their cogged dance floor. While the dancers dance, the characters on the Count's letter begin to shuffle themselves: each sixth letter steps out of line, bows, and slides across the paper into a new position. The punctuation, the capitalization, fade away in the brisk music, and new forms appear. >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. >read it "Daughter," it begins. "If I ever leave you or am lost, there are some matters you must know of. First-- I have laid aside some provisions, a small store only, against disaster: money, letters of introduction to certain persons, but most of all the means to defend yourself, if need comes. They are hidden, and the ways to find them woven up long ago where only the proper light will show it. You're a clever girl, Marie. I know you will not resort to them heedlessly. "Look after the servants: they have been loyal and good all your life. If you find you wish to sell any of the odder things I brought your mother, don't give them away cheap. They'll fetch a large price from M. Couligne in the Rue des Arbres. If you marry, for your mother's sake let it be a man who is well-born, but for mine, please daughter, not someone who will deny you the right to practice your craft. "And last -- my dear girl, this will come as a shock to you, and I am sorry. But when you were stuck in the well as a child, and so close to death, I became desperate, and took the very dangerous step of linking you to Pierre, so that you would not die as long as he lived. So you see, it was not only gratitude that made us raise him almost as your brother, but concern for your very life, since your mother and I knew that as long as he was healthy and well, so would you be. Therefore, child, keep an eye on him, and if ever he is in want, look after him carefully. I know that you are fond of him in any case, but think on this in addition: his very life is yours." It is signed, "Your loving father." >play (the pianoforte) You sit down at the piano and begin to play, as you have not in years: a minuette, suggestive of lost elegance. The dancers, as though touched by the music, come to life. They meet, and bow, and then begin to dance, now taking hands, now letting go, now apart, now together, up and down their cogged dance floor. At the same time, the characters on the Count's letter begin to shuffle themselves: first they march together into squares of six-by-six, and then they split again lengthwise and rearray themselves, gathering here and there into arbitrary words. New punctuation marks sprout up like toadstools, signifying nothing. >read it You see a gigantic Swiss cheese. [BUG] >[hee!] That's not a verb I recognize. >x it You see a gigantic Swiss cheese. [BUG] >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. >play (the pianoforte) You sit down at the piano and begin to play, as you have not in years: a minuette, suggestive of lost elegance. The dancers, as though touched by the music, come to life. They meet, and bow, and then begin to dance, now taking hands, now letting go, now apart, now together, up and down their cogged dance floor. While the dancers dance, the characters on the Count's letter begin to shuffle themselves: each sixth letter steps out of line, bows, and slides across the paper into a new position. The punctuation, the capitalization, fade away in the brisk music, and new forms appear. >read letter "Daughter," it begins. "If I ever leave you or am lost, there are some matters you must know of. First-- I have laid aside some provisions, a small store only, against disaster: money, letters of introduction to certain persons, but most of all the means to defend yourself, if need comes. They are hidden, and the ways to find them woven up long ago where only the proper light will show it. You're a clever girl, Marie. I know you will not resort to them heedlessly. "Look after the servants: they have been loyal and good all your life. If you find you wish to sell any of the odder things I brought your mother, don't give them away cheap. They'll fetch a large price from M. Couligne in the Rue des Arbres. If you marry, for your mother's sake let it be a man who is well-born, but for mine, please daughter, not someone who will deny you the right to practice your craft. "And last -- my dear girl, this will come as a shock to you, and I am sorry. But when you were stuck in the well as a child, and so close to death, I became desperate, and took the very dangerous step of linking you to Pierre, so that you would not die as long as he lived. So you see, it was not only gratitude that made us raise him almost as your brother, but concern for your very life, since your mother and I knew that as long as he was healthy and well, so would you be. Therefore, child, keep an eye on him, and if ever he is in want, look after him carefully. I know that you are fond of him in any case, but think on this in addition: his very life is yours." It is signed, "Your loving father." >play (the pianoforte) You sit down at the piano and begin to play, as you have not in years: a minuette, suggestive of lost elegance. The dancers, as though touched by the music, come to life. They meet, and bow, and then begin to dance, now taking hands, now letting go, now apart, now together, up and down their cogged dance floor. At the same time, the characters on the Count's letter begin to shuffle themselves: first they march together into squares of six-by-six, and then they split again lengthwise and rearray themselves, gathering here and there into arbitrary words. New punctuation marks sprout up like toadstools, signifying nothing. >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 >[Wow, that really *is* encoded in a 6X6 array. Nice.] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >play (the pianoforte) You sit down at the piano and begin to play, as you have not in years: a minuette, suggestive of lost elegance. The dancers, as though touched by the music, come to life. They meet, and bow, and then begin to dance, now taking hands, now letting go, now apart, now together, up and down their cogged dance floor. While the dancers dance, the characters on the Count's letter begin to shuffle themselves: each sixth letter steps out of line, bows, and slides across the paper into a new position. The punctuation, the capitalization, fade away in the brisk music, and new forms appear. >x it You see a gigantic Swiss cheese. [BUG] >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. >read it "Daughter," it begins. "If I ever leave you or am lost, there are some matters you must know of. First-- I have laid aside some provisions, a small store only, against disaster: money, letters of introduction to certain persons, but most of all the means to defend yourself, if need comes. They are hidden, and the ways to find them woven up long ago where only the proper light will show it. You're a clever girl, Marie. I know you will not resort to them heedlessly. "Look after the servants: they have been loyal and good all your life. If you find you wish to sell any of the odder things I brought your mother, don't give them away cheap. They'll fetch a large price from M. Couligne in the Rue des Arbres. If you marry, for your mother's sake let it be a man who is well-born, but for mine, please daughter, not someone who will deny you the right to practice your craft. "And last -- my dear girl, this will come as a shock to you, and I am sorry. But when you were stuck in the well as a child, and so close to death, I became desperate, and took the very dangerous step of linking you to Pierre, so that you would not die as long as he lived. So you see, it was not only gratitude that made us raise him almost as your brother, but concern for your very life, since your mother and I knew that as long as he was healthy and well, so would you be. Therefore, child, keep an eye on him, and if ever he is in want, look after him carefully. I know that you are fond of him in any case, but think on this in addition: his very life is yours." It is signed, "Your loving father." >[Oh, i think I get it. There's no 'it'] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >play (the pianoforte) You sit down at the piano and begin to play, as you have not in years: a minuette, suggestive of lost elegance. The dancers, as though touched by the music, come to life. They meet, and bow, and then begin to dance, now taking hands, now letting go, now apart, now together, up and down their cogged dance floor. At the same time, the characters on the Count's letter begin to shuffle themselves: first they march together into squares of six-by-six, and then they split again lengthwise and rearray themselves, gathering here and there into arbitrary words. New punctuation marks sprout up like toadstools, signifying nothing. >x it You see a gigantic Swiss cheese. [BUG] >get it That's fixed in place. >move it It is fixed in place. >search it You find nothing of interest. >link it to brie You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they seem as though they will never go together. >link brie to cheese Which do you mean, the goat cheese, the wedge of brie or the salers? >goat You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they seem as though they will never go together. >link brie to salers You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they seem as though they will never go together. >link salers to goat You valiantly try to link the two objects, but they seem as though they will never go together. >x it An aged, creamy yellowish cheese with an uneven grey-brown rind. It has a sharp and distinctive flavor, though it does not fall under the category of stinky cheeses. >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. >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 >play (the pianoforte) You sit down at the piano and begin to play, as you have not in years: a minuette, suggestive of lost elegance. The dancers, as though touched by the music, come to life. They meet, and bow, and then begin to dance, now taking hands, now letting go, now apart, now together, up and down their cogged dance floor. While the dancers dance, the characters on the Count's letter begin to shuffle themselves: each sixth letter steps out of line, bows, and slides across the paper into a new position. The punctuation, the capitalization, fade away in the brisk music, and new forms appear. >read letter "Daughter," it begins. "If I ever leave you or am lost, there are some matters you must know of. First-- I have laid aside some provisions, a small store only, against disaster: money, letters of introduction to certain persons, but most of all the means to defend yourself, if need comes. They are hidden, and the ways to find them woven up long ago where only the proper light will show it. You're a clever girl, Marie. I know you will not resort to them heedlessly. "Look after the servants: they have been loyal and good all your life. If you find you wish to sell any of the odder things I brought your mother, don't give them away cheap. They'll fetch a large price from M. Couligne in the Rue des Arbres. If you marry, for your mother's sake let it be a man who is well-born, but for mine, please daughter, not someone who will deny you the right to practice your craft. "And last -- my dear girl, this will come as a shock to you, and I am sorry. But when you were stuck in the well as a child, and so close to death, I became desperate, and took the very dangerous step of linking you to Pierre, so that you would not die as long as he lived. So you see, it was not only gratitude that made us raise him almost as your brother, but concern for your very life, since your mother and I knew that as long as he was healthy and well, so would you be. Therefore, child, keep an eye on him, and if ever he is in want, look after him carefully. I know that you are fond of him in any case, but think on this in addition: his very life is yours." It is signed, "Your loving father." >save Ok. >quit Are you sure you want to quit? yes