Start of a transcript of Jacks or better to murder, Aces to win A 1999 IF Competition short story by J.D. Berry Release 1 / Serial number 990924 / Inform v6.21 Library 6/9 Standard interpreter 1.0 (6F) / Library serial number 990428 >x organ Because of their distance from you, both the balcony and organ are difficult to discern clearly. The pillars partially obstruct your view as well. But you're quite sure you see an arrow hanging over the ledge of the balcony wall. Come to think of it, now, the speaker has looked up there a lot considering nobody's there. It's an old but effective calming technique to look there if nervous, but this speaker hasn't struck you as the trembling type. Is evil lurking up there? Certainly the balcony's cover helps a would-be assassin's cause, even if the pillars don't. The line of sight to the altar is partial at best, but workable. You add to your suspicions... The speaker rambles, but you're able to filter most (not all) of the double- talk. "To illustrate this further, it is time to illuminate our troubles." [Your score has just gone up by two points.] >x arrow You can't see any such thing. >x speaker From your vantage point you are able to see only the back and side of his face. He's about 10 meters away from you. At first you thought he was trying to impress you with a long lecture. You soon realized he would have at least looked at you a few times to see your reactions. During the entire lecture he has not once looked back. You wondered if he might be experiencing a breakdown, but you dismissed that too based on his cold, calm demeanor. Also, he's clearly not nervous speaking in public based on his command of the language and his delivery of it. But impatient tics do betray another form of nervousness. He's up to something, and you're firming up your suspicions that there is a plot against you. The speaker rambles, but you're able to filter most (not all) of the double- talk. "To the point... examining ourselves serves to avoid certain aspects of life in general." [Your score has just gone up by two points.] >x windows The patterns pieced together with stained glass take in light giving the viewer the impression that they move. Currently, though, the angle of the sun provides too much light and it's too painful to watch for very long. The speaker rambles, but you're able to filter most (not all) of the double- talk. "To the point... one interpretation of this means to enhance "money."" >x alcoves The patterns pieced together with stained glass take in light giving the viewer the impression that they move. Currently, though, the angle of the sun provides too much light and it's too painful to watch for very long. "You don't need to be the A to know it's not throwing the baby out with the bathwater to rejuvenate a disicplined life." >undo Sanctuary [Previous turn undone.] >x chair You've already discovered how uncomfortable this chair is. A museum would be a much better place for it. Fiddling in boredom (with the skill of an A appearing to be paying attention), you notice the side of the chair has an inconspicuous small rack containing appropriate service materials. "Bear in mind that reflection, true reflection, is to stabilize the fundamentals." >get materials You'll have to specify which of the materials you want. Every pew rack has a songbook, a dogmabook and a wooden prayer bead. Included here, however, is a hollow bamboo reed. "Finally," (heads perk up hearing this word, only to slump down again on realizing he's concluding only this sub-subtopic) "not only can anyone do that, but they can also react, respond, and relate to a positive outlook." >get reed Taken. "Perhaps it's cliche, but we can talk all we want about that, but only action can help to address inertia." >x it The bamboo pointer. Used by the Hierarchy to designate who is to do what, where. Used by Conservatory youth as a neat whacking stick, blowgun and breathing tool. Oh the trouble you used to get into with that thing. "One part of the whole must be that frequent efforts can avoid certain aspects of our strict levels of Hierarchy." >get all from rack There are none at all available! >get songbook Taken. "And let me say this, you should sing each song as if it will personally build upon where we are right now." >read it You love these old songbooks. The memories flood back of the various glorious, emotional and powerful hymns. You were a rather gifted singer in those days, but old age has taken its toll on your voice. "One part of the whole must be that you must think before you state, strengthen and support religion in general." >get dogmabook Taken. "It all seems very confusing until you consider that you should sing each song as if it will personally look within for the law." >read it This dogmabook doesn't seem to have been used much. Your mind conjures up many reasons why this is so, few of them good. "You may not want to hear it, but if you are serious about our religion, you will look within for the needs of the religion." >get bead Taken. "It's very simple that reflection, true reflection, is to enhance the young people of today." >x it This small bead serves many functions, some official some not. Drifting back to your Conservatory days, you remember their rolling and flying capabilities. Entertainment was only a bead away, you and your friends used to say. "And let me say this, reflection, true reflection, is to embrace yet keep a safe distance from our troubles." >put bead in bamboo With careful nonchalance, You put the bead into the reed. "We've been told since our childhood, but it's still true today that one interpretation of this means to rejuvenate the law." >blow bead at speaker The blowing accomplishes nothing. "Bear in mind that we can talk all we want about that, but only action can help to define the law." >shoot speaker with bead Save your shots for a better opportunity. "You don't need to be the A to know frequent efforts can embrace yet keep a safe distance from inertia." >x rack Like just about everything here, the rack blends in with its surroundings. It holds various service materials should you need them. "Finally," (heads perk up hearing this word, only to slump down again on realizing he's concluding only this sub-subtopic) "bringing in the new means to illuminate each other." >x materials Every pew rack has a songbook, a dogmabook and a wooden prayer bead. Included here, however, is a hollow bamboo reed. "Perhaps it's cliche, but if you are serious about our religion, you will avoid certain aspects of a commitment to excellence." >i You are carrying: a dogmabook a songbook a reed a bead a ring (being worn) "To illustrate this further, taking life to a new level causes others to show others tomorrow." >x ring Merely modest decorative jewelry with a harmful surprise inside--one application of a special contact poison. As prudence dictates, you pour it on things. Nearly the instant it touches a person, he or she is rendered unconscious for hours (after all, you wouldn't want something deadly just an accidental leak away from your own hand.) "Allow me to clarify. I'm really saying following dogma is more than mere following. You need also to "disburse" religion in general." >pour ring on bead You stealthily, carefully pour the poison over about 40 percent of the bead. The poison "dries," meaning only that it doesn't drip. "It all seems very confusing until you consider that we can talk all we want about that, but only action can help to get past what YOU perceive as problems associated with our immediate environment." >x cushion You've already discovered how uncomfortable this chair is. A museum would be a much better place for it. Fiddling in boredom (with the skill of an A appearing to be paying attention), you notice the side of the chair has an inconspicuous small rack containing appropriate service materials. "Even the newest E knows reflection, true reflection, is to account for where we are right now." >x altar There isn't much of a physical distinction between the sanctuary and the altar. The two run together in the tapestry that is this whole interior. The necessary religious separation must be more of a feel, that is, one just "knows" where the altar is. You now recall an obscure philosophical lecture on how two can be one and yet separate and now you understand (a little more, anyway.) "I can't tell you enough that we really need to put our words into practice regarding a commitment to excellence." >x organ Because of their distance from you, both the balcony and organ are difficult to discern clearly. The pillars partially obstruct your view as well. But you're quite sure you see an arrow hanging over the ledge of the balcony wall. Come to think of it, now, the speaker has looked up there a lot considering nobody's there. It's an old but effective calming technique to look there if nervous, but this speaker hasn't struck you as the trembling type. Is evil lurking up there? Certainly the balcony's cover helps a would-be assassin's cause, even if the pillars don't. The line of sight to the altar is partial at best, but workable. You add to your suspicions... "Even the newest E knows reflection, true reflection, is to address religion in general." >listen to speaker You don't want to listen to the speaker any more than you already are. However, you try to listen more for the overall effect--meta-listening as you recall from a Conservatory forensics class way back when. After this analysis, you conclude this E is stalling for time despite doing it so cleverly. You add to your suspicions that there is a direct plot against you today... "Clearly, among all things, you should account for life in general." [Your score has just gone up by two points.] >shoot speaker with bead Save your shots for a better opportunity. "And let me say this, you must think before you illuminate the young people of today." >x congregation The things people do to fight boredom! Throughout the crowd you see daydreaming, lip biting, finger tapping, head rolling, subtle whispering, doodling and even a few tricks YOU will have to remember. "It's very simple that taking life to a new level causes others to "disburse" each other." >score You have so far scored 6 out of a possible 50, in 28 turns. >fullscore You have so far scored 6 out of a possible 50, in 28 turns. >sleep You aren't feeling especially drowsy. "Clearly, among all things, you should address a positive outlook." >about That's not a verb I recognise. >help Divine revelation is not forthcoming. In your B, C and D adventures, however, it helped when you examined and searched everything described. You never let sarcastic replies deter you, and you always went with the flow of the story. (In a quieter game moment, try "author" and "credits." Those won't help you any either, but it will make me feel good.) "Which gets back to what I was saying earlier, one interpretation of this means to build upon our troubles." >author The A behind this work, Jim Berry, might be reached at berryx@earthlink.net The setting and characters here are purely fictitious. The GAME itself does not reflect his views on religion nor on how human beings should conduct themselves. His two hopes for this work are that it doesn't appear elsewhere as a "how not to" example and that at least some players enjoy the story (we'll see.) His goals were to actually finish a game, to brazenly split some infinitives and to casually refer to himself in the third person. (missions accomplished.) "Bear in mind that what the Hiercarchy does is absolutely correct when they go beyond inertia." >credits Dedicated to my wife Sue and son Daniel. Thanks to my B's on this project, Sharon Berry and Greg Berry (AKA my sister and brother) for keeping their plots against me to a minimum. "Interesting..." ;-) My appreciation to Graham Nelson for "Inform"ing us Stephen Granade for running this show An interactive fiction writer to be named later "All of that brings me to another point, that reflection, true reflection, is to stabilize each other." >['help', 'author' and 'credits' should be meta-verbs.] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >search organ You find nothing of interest. "And let me say this, if you are serious about our religion, you will embrace yet keep a safe distance from a positive outlook." >search speaker Without major embarrassment, you can't search the E. "And let me say this, it's not reinventing the wheel to go beyond religion in general." >search chair You find nothing of interest. "To illustrate this further, if you are serious about our religion, you will stabilize the fundamentals." >l Sanctuary The main room of the religious building, this sanctuary was designed beauty first, comfort last. Giant pillars dominate this great hall, ornately sculpted but partially blocking most views to the altar. Intriguingly magnificent windows are set in alcoves which distort and reflect all sound. A majestic carpet rolls down the middle aisle, but apparently no one is allowed to walk on it. Blending into the back of the sanctuary looms a balcony complete with organ, although the organ hasn't been played today and you don't see anyone sitting up there. Even your seat of honor provides an awkward view to the speaker. Not only that, but the chair's plump, regal looking cushion lifts you so that your feet can't touch the floor. "You may not want to hear it, but we need to take it to another level and illuminate where we are right now." >search pillars You find nothing of interest. "You don't need to be the A to know following dogma is more than mere following. You need also to put our words into practice regarding each other." >x carpet You were escorted around the middle aisle to the altar area. Apparently even the A isn't allowed on the carpet! You smile to yourself, "maybe they'll let The Power, sockfooted?" The carpet itself is very plush, almost mocking in its perceived softness. "I compare that to the fact that examining ourselves serves to embrace yet keep a safe distance from tomorrow." >get up What? Just get up and leave in the middle of a service? What kind of example would that set (much more importanly, you'll lose face.) Besides, you're almost certain ill will is in the air. Though you may not have guessed exactly where your danger is, you don't want to stand up until there's a sufficient distraction. "It all seems very confusing until you consider that it's not throwing the baby out with the bathwater to get past what YOU perceive as problems associated with the young people of today." >x pew You can't see any such thing. >x pews You can't see any such thing. >l Sanctuary The main room of the religious building, this sanctuary was designed beauty first, comfort last. Giant pillars dominate this great hall, ornately sculpted but partially blocking most views to the altar. Intriguingly magnificent windows are set in alcoves which distort and reflect all sound. A majestic carpet rolls down the middle aisle, but apparently no one is allowed to walk on it. Blending into the back of the sanctuary looms a balcony complete with organ, although the organ hasn't been played today and you don't see anyone sitting up there. Even your seat of honor provides an awkward view to the speaker. Not only that, but the chair's plump, regal looking cushion lifts you so that your feet can't touch the floor. "We've been told since our childhood, but it's still true today that you must think before you enhance "money."" >x pillars Each pillar tells a different story if you view it top to bottom (and perhaps a more interesting one if you view if bottom to top.) Not that anyone would become sidetracked from a boring speaker and become lost in an epic tale from long ago... Of course as A, you are familiar with all of these stories from an academic point of view--enough to drain any pleasure from them now. "Bear in mind that examining ourselves serves to define a disicplined life." >read pillars Each pillar tells a different story if you view it top to bottom (and perhaps a more interesting one if you view if bottom to top.) Not that anyone would become sidetracked from a boring speaker and become lost in an epic tale from long ago... Of course as A, you are familiar with all of these stories from an academic point of view--enough to drain any pleasure from them now. "Allow me to clarify. I'm really saying it's not throwing the baby out with the bathwater to look within for a disicplined life." >x organ Because of their distance from you, both the balcony and organ are difficult to discern clearly. The pillars partially obstruct your view as well. But you're quite sure you see an arrow hanging over the ledge of the balcony wall. Come to think of it, now, the speaker has looked up there a lot considering nobody's there. It's an old but effective calming technique to look there if nervous, but this speaker hasn't struck you as the trembling type. Is evil lurking up there? Certainly the balcony's cover helps a would-be assassin's cause, even if the pillars don't. The line of sight to the altar is partial at best, but workable. You add to your suspicions... "And let me say this, we can talk all we want about that, but only action can help to analyze, realize, then energize the law." >blow reed at speaker Of course you were an expert with these "blowguns", but now that it's time to deliver the critical shot you question your current abilities. You wonder but for a few seconds, because you know what must be done. How many times has that poison saved you from trouble? Add one more, old A. You wait for the sound distortions and a wild gesture from the speaker for maximum distraction and THWIFFFFF... The speaker drops instantly, and you react almost as quickly taking advantage of everyone else's shock. You run over to him and announce to the crowd in a stern, commanding voice, "this good E needs my prompt attention in the back room. He is badly hurt. Leave me to my concentrations, let NO ONE disturb me!" With that you drag his body back to the anteroom and shut the door (locked with the key of your authority) between you and the chaos. Anteroom Has any anteroom looked interesting? That tradition is still alive. In this case, however, the situation involved provides enough intensity to compensate for the drab surroundings. There are offices to the northwest and northeast which both are open (because no one would dare enter offices of the Hierarchy without permission? Certainly nobody counted on this!) A window overlooks the courtyard. You've always trusted your judgment before. That judgment just told you your life was in peril, so you acted. The problem now is that your action only postponed your E-intended fate. Now what? If you kill him, there will be questions. If you don't, he'll probably try to kill you again. You decide there will be time, if need be, to eliminate him later. After your explicit orders, nobody will disturb you back here for awhile. An unconscious E rests here. [Your score has just gone up by five points.] >x window A lush garden covers the courtyard. Currently several monks are tending to it. As part of yet another prank-as-boredom-relief in your Conservatory days, you would scare the superstitious monks by riding on the shoulders of another, donning a red robe and hood (they shun all that is red) and walking menacingly towards them. [Your score has just gone up by two points.] >search e (the speaker) A message is the only thing this E is carrying. >read message Anonymously written in perfect religious script and vague mundane sentences, the message reads: "Delay old man. The jacks are coming. Will end the service." In the second it takes you to realize who the old man is in the first part, you deduce the other two. Certainly you've had and still do have enemies. Now here they are arranging a special ceremony in honor of and for the special guest. But they forgot a little but important rule not found in any dogmabook: Don't mess with the A until you're wiser than he is. [Your score has just gone up by two points.] >nw C's Office Arsenal and fresh lace? This is a female general's headquarters, there's no better way to describe it. Interspersed among weapons, maps, armor and general military paraphernalia are tasteful decorative objects, elegant furniture, fragrant flowers and matching everythings that all "go" with each other. A window overlooks the courtyard (several people told you this morning to be sure to see it, the view is probably even better from up here) from the north instead of the west as in the anteroom. The exit is to the southeast. Much more richly furnished than should befit an established C, this luxurious- den-as-functional-office has the trappings you'd expect only a wealthy merchant's home to possess. The Hierarchy has always done well for themselves, you understand, but this C is definitely too ambitious. Most Cs strive to become Bs in subtly manipulative ways, but if anyone saw this "office" they would instantly know its owner's career intentions. Ultimate power is best achieved by not appearing to be a threat to the current ultimate power. But it's too late for this C, as the current ultimate power now knows. You met this building's C briefly this morning, the crowds were just too much for any real conversation. She seemed quite friendly (but don't they all, oh great A?) Replaying the entire meeting with her, you suspect she isn't a part of this current plot. Yes, her style seems much more cautious, building slowly but mightily, then overwhelm the opposition with sheer wealth (more precisely, the power that comes with that). >x window A lush garden covers the courtyard. Currently several monks are tending to it. As part of yet another prank-as-boredom-relief in your Conservatory days, you would scare the superstitious monks by riding on the shoulders of another, donning a red robe and hood (they shun all that is red) and walking menacingly towards them. >search weapons You find nothing of interest. >get weapons You certainly don't need the burden of any of those heavy and/or hand-to-hand weapons. Yet you want deadly potential. That leaves the hand crossbow. Taken. [Your score has just gone up by two points.] >x maps These well detailed maps cover most of the region. A brief look at them doesn't reveal any strategies, and there's just not the time to go through each one. >get maps Since none of these maps reveal the jacks hiding places, you decide to leave them. >x paraphenalia You can't see any such thing. >x armor Yes, there are armor suits here. But even if you could move around in them comfortably, there's just not enough time to put them on. >get armor Yes, a full suit of plate mail is just what you want to carry. >get armor Yes, a full suit of plate mail is just what you want to carry. >x flowers A fine assortment, you must say, but nothing you really need right now. >get flowers The flowers look fine right where they are. >i You are carrying: a crossbow a dogmabook a songbook a reed a ring (being worn) >x crossbow Fitting comfortably in your hand, this crossbow is loaded and ready to fire. >out But you aren't in anything at the moment. >l C's Office Arsenal and fresh lace? This is a female general's headquarters, there's no better way to describe it. Interspersed among weapons, maps, armor and general military paraphernalia are tasteful decorative objects, elegant furniture, fragrant flowers and matching everythings that all "go" with each other. A window overlooks the courtyard (several people told you this morning to be sure to see it, the view is probably even better from up here) from the north instead of the west as in the anteroom. The exit is to the southeast. >w You can't go that way. >n You can't go that way. >se Anteroom An unconscious E rests here. You can also see a message here. >verbose Jacks or better to murder, Aces to win is now in its "verbose" mode, which always gives long descriptions of locations (even if you've been there before). >ne D's Office This spartan office has the look of transience. Probably no D stays here too long, either soon getting the welcomed promotion or the dreaded "transfer". It's been said C is the most difficult promotion to obtain. You also spoke with the D this morning. She seemed overly enthusiastic (this is relative to the fact most people are overly enthusiastic when meeting the A) and eager to make a good impression. She'll learn quickly one way or the other that quiet compliance and a merely agreeable nature is the only way to move up. Anyway, based on your character analysis of her, you would dismiss her from being part of this plot against you. It's even possible this D might not have ulterior motives of any kind, but you didn't become A by believing that so she stays on the "maybe" list. >search room You can't see any such thing. >l D's Office This spartan office has the look of transience. >x office Spartan? Does that mean "nothing?" There's really nothing of any importance here. >sw Anteroom Has any anteroom looked interesting? That tradition is still alive. In this case, however, the situation involved provides enough intensity to compensate for the drab surroundings. There are offices to the northwest and northeast which both are open (because no one would dare enter offices of the Hierarchy without permission? Certainly nobody counted on this!) A window overlooks the courtyard. An unconscious E rests here. You can also see a message here. >open window That would attract unwanted attention. You don't plan to exit that way, anyway. >ne D's Office This spartan office has the look of transience. >open window You can't see any such thing. >sw Anteroom Has any anteroom looked interesting? That tradition is still alive. In this case, however, the situation involved provides enough intensity to compensate for the drab surroundings. There are offices to the northwest and northeast which both are open (because no one would dare enter offices of the Hierarchy without permission? Certainly nobody counted on this!) A window overlooks the courtyard. An unconscious E rests here. You can also see a message here. >nw C's Office Arsenal and fresh lace? This is a female general's headquarters, there's no better way to describe it. Interspersed among weapons, maps, armor and general military paraphernalia are tasteful decorative objects, elegant furniture, fragrant flowers and matching everythings that all "go" with each other. A window overlooks the courtyard (several people told you this morning to be sure to see it, the view is probably even better from up here) from the north instead of the west as in the anteroom. The exit is to the southeast. >[Whoops. Need an extra ^ here.] That's not a verb I recognise. >open window That would attract unwanted attention. You don't plan to exit that way, anyway. >se Anteroom Has any anteroom looked interesting? That tradition is still alive. In this case, however, the situation involved provides enough intensity to compensate for the drab surroundings. There are offices to the northwest and northeast which both are open (because no one would dare enter offices of the Hierarchy without permission? Certainly nobody counted on this!) A window overlooks the courtyard. An unconscious E rests here. You can also see a message here. >get message Taken. >x e (the speaker) He's lifeless but not dead. The poison wears off over time. >s You can't go that way. >l Anteroom Has any anteroom looked interesting? That tradition is still alive. In this case, however, the situation involved provides enough intensity to compensate for the drab surroundings. There are offices to the northwest and northeast which both are open (because no one would dare enter offices of the Hierarchy without permission? Certainly nobody counted on this!) A window overlooks the courtyard. An unconscious E rests here. >se You can't go that way. >sw You can't go that way. >s You can't go that way. >n You can't go that way. >e You can't go that way. >w You can't go that way. >unlock door You can't see any such thing. >u You can't go that way. >d You can't go that way. >l Anteroom Has any anteroom looked interesting? That tradition is still alive. In this case, however, the situation involved provides enough intensity to compensate for the drab surroundings. There are offices to the northwest and northeast which both are open (because no one would dare enter offices of the Hierarchy without permission? Certainly nobody counted on this!) A window overlooks the courtyard. An unconscious E rests here. >search e (the speaker) You found the message, that's all he was carrying. >[Semicolon there, not a comma.] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >help Divine revelation is not forthcoming. In your B, C and D adventures, however, it helped when you examined and searched everything described. You never let sarcastic replies deter you, and you always went with the flow of the story. (In a quieter game moment, try "author" and "credits." Those won't help you any either, but it will make me feel good.) >kill e (the speaker) Violence isn't the answer to this one. >x reed The bamboo pointer. Used by the Hierarchy to designate who is to do what, where. Used by Conservatory youth as a neat whacking stick, blowgun and breathing tool. Oh the trouble you used to get into with that thing. >nw C's Office Arsenal and fresh lace? This is a female general's headquarters, there's no better way to describe it. Interspersed among weapons, maps, armor and general military paraphernalia are tasteful decorative objects, elegant furniture, fragrant flowers and matching everythings that all "go" with each other. A window overlooks the courtyard (several people told you this morning to be sure to see it, the view is probably even better from up here) from the north instead of the west as in the anteroom. The exit is to the southeast. >x furniture Luck is part of an A's repertoire. Nobody makes it to the top without it, only pure ego would deny it. Sure, the climb takes dedication, skill, wisdom... all those things. And of course you can't count on luck. But many are they who with everything else going for them fail because of one lack of fate's intervention. You stumble around a large weapon, grabbing it with your right hand and steadying yourself with your left against a large mirror. This triggers a secret passage leading down. This also triggers a memory of a comedy you once saw, and now you are the bumbling minstrel. [Your score has just gone up by two points.] >d Secret Quarters You thought wealth and power was to be found above, but this underground warehouse dispels that notion. There's much too much to search through here and no time to do it anyway. Exits are directly up and west leading up to the courtyard. The clothes closet and your memory of the superstitious monks gives you an idea... You can see a closet (in which are a robe and a cloak) here. >x robe You always thought these red robes looked ridiculous. And a hood? C'mon. You're grateful for this one, however. >get robe Taken. [Your score has just gone up by two points.] >x cloak It's a purely functional, dull brown cloak with no hood. Still, you wouldn't feel as ridiculous wearing it as you might in, let's say, a bright red robe with a hood. >get it Taken. >wear robe You put on the robe. >wear hood You're already wearing that! >i You are carrying: a cloak a robe (being worn) a message a crossbow a dogmabook a songbook a reed a ring (being worn) >w Courtyard With the skill of being able to be cautious yet inconspicuously so, you stroll into the courtyard. As suspected the monks quickly and silently move out of your way, except for one large monk who isn't quite sure what to make of the situation--as if he were expecting something else. A large monk stands apart from the rest, looking somewhat confused at what has just happened. >x large monk He's passes a look of sudden recognition your way. The large monk figures out who you are and overatkes you. He stabs you to death. *** You have died *** In that game you scored 21 out of a possible 50, in 104 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game or QUIT? > undo Courtyard [Previous turn undone.] >shoot large monk You have all the information you need here. Without another thought you slide out your crossbow, aim at the imposter monk and pull the trigger. One "jack" (as you now recall that's how they are referred to in the "business") dead, at least. To calm the real monks, you call out, "by A's orders the imposter was to be removed. Return to your quarters until further notice." The monks comply, leaving you and the jack's body alone. You take off the foppish, impractical robe and discard it. The crossbow's firing mechanism seems to have broken during your shot and is beyond simple repair, so you discard that as well. [Your score has just gone up by five points.] >["He's passes a look of sudden recognition your way"? Huh?] That's not a verb I recognise. >[Also, I already knew they were called 'jacks' from earlier descriptions.] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >[Also, 'overatkes'.] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >[You can get text output from Inform source, you know, and spell-check it.] You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom. >l Courtyard The courtyard garden seems a little more beautiful now. Escaping death will do that for a viewer. Exits are east back to the secret quarters and southeast to the front of the building. A jack's corpse rests here. >search corpse You find a knife with your name, figuratively of course, on it. >get knife Taken. >x monks You can't see any such thing. >i You are carrying: a knife a cloak a message a dogmabook a songbook a reed a ring (being worn) >wear cloak You put on the cloak. >sw You can't go that way. >se Front of Building There's too much to resolve to leave now, as tempting as the highway looks. There's one more jack hanging around here somewhere (more than two is too many for such a mission, you've learned before.) There's the C to deal with, also. The front of the building hasn't changed since last you saw it. Finely crafted stonework and stately wooden doors mark this building as one to be taken seriously. You can enter the building by going north, or you can revisit the courtyard northwest. >x building It's a quaint and rather large stone building. >x doors They are indeed stately. >search doors You find nothing of interest. >n Time for resolution, you think to yourself. With the last few pieces of the plot, some logic and a dash of theatrics, this will play out as it has so many times before--you on top and even better than before. Far outside the circle that is today's events, a threatening voice calls out to you just as you attempt to enter the doors. "Sneaking INTO service? Now, THERE'S a twist. We expected you to be LEAVING through those doors, but this will be cleaner and easier." The voice stops for dramatic pause. "You have served The Power well these MANY years, great A. ALAS, we are here to hasten your meeting The Power and receiving your reward. I hope you've said your PRAYERS." The voice's owner becomes familiar, his evil, mocking laugh definitively betraying. "Your last act will be to see the installation of the NEW great A." Luck, as you recently pondered, is a necessary step to greatness. What about the luck of being born with critical observation skills, lightning quick analysis and the ability to perform under pressure? Before you even turn around, you know the following: Based on the tone of superiority and ego, you won't be killed immediately. The voice wants to see your expression for a few moments. The voice is that of The B of district H. "H" has become a challenge only in the past year (nobody lasts long as your direct enemy.) You've let him go thus far because you felt he wasn't nearly ready for this move (you guess, then, what time better to do so?) An A must consider carefully whom an A squashes. Even if all Bs are conniving (and they are), they serve a purpose. H was great at providing money for your coffers. You know his allies are The B of L and The B of W and assume they are the "we" of whom H speaks. "L" is a ruthless woman, likely to knife H as soon as he kills you. She operates on fear, namely other people's. Never the mastermind type, L keeps her career advancing by using other people, their ideas, efforts and materials. Today appears to be no different. You've kept her around as a foil to other Bs who might be eyeing your job. They'd have to deal with her first! "W" plays the fool well. If anyone stopped to think, they'd know no B could really be that inept. Of these three--really of any of the Bs in your religion--you actually fear this pantaloon. He's older than you are, probably thought there was more power and safety from his B position... until now. He's here today expecting everyone else to eliminate each other while he "bumbles" into A-hood. You kept him around because you really thought he was content as a B. Well you're no longer perfect, you smile to yourself. So much for the who. Those thoughts take only a fraction of a second to recall. The why is obvious, eh? But how are three Bs here by themselves, and, more importantly, how do you take advantage of that? No elite warriors, they do have the advantages of position and (you must assume) weapon. L is the most likely to have a weapon, based on their personalities and tendencies. You have the advantage of disadvantage. You know the Bs are overconfident, thus you know you'll have a chance to act in some manner (at least once.) Talking to them is probably not a good idea, you'll just enrage the excitable H. Desperation produces wild results. But desperation with a clear head provides a better chance for GOOD wild results. You turn to face your conspirators. >x b Which do you mean, B of H, B of L or B of W? >x h Normally when someone is called a weasel, the name applies only to the personality. In H's case, the name can aptly be applied to his physical appearance too. Hate has never served you well, so you abandoned it long ago. But if anyone could make it return, H is that person. Currently he's wearing an A's garb, now how bold is that? >x l This is a woman who surely had an unfair childhood. She looks as if her beautiful features are deliberately hidden, as if there is (or was) a human fair of face and personality inside. Years of bitterness have since taken over. And even if she were to become A, she wouldn't be happy. >x w (B of W) This man has mastered the doddering old fool act so well, he even looks the part. If someone didn't know his status, they'd assume he was some crazy beggar. But surely you aren't the only one to see through him? "OK, that's enough of experiencing the moment. Meet your new A, then meet your Maker." H almost seems to cackle as L stabs you. If only you had reacted or done something sooner. *** You have died *** In that game you scored 26 out of a possible 50, in 118 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game or QUIT? > undo Front of Building [Previous turn undone.] >throw knife at L With one fluid motion, you pull the knife and throw it hard at L. Your dagger hits her in the throat and she dies in a few painful seconds, grasping with her hands for hope that never arrives. "Well, cowards, what am I to do with you now?" you say forcefully though never looking directly at the other two. "Great A, great A," whimpers H. this was all L's idea. She threatened to kill us both." As the H starts his long story, you gradually go over to L and retrieve your weapon. The H whimpers on, "my plan was to act like I was part of this whole thing" You casually and sympathetically walk his way. "At the last second I was going to save you! It was the only way I could see out of it!" You stab him in the stomach. "I don't think so," you whisper to him. Standing back from the chaos is a pondering W. He obviously considered running away but came to the conclusion that he's all the way in on this one (and knew his old legs weren't going to take him far anyway.) Both conlusions were correct, too bad his planning wasn't. W doesn't beg for mercy, however. You step up to him with your bloody knife and point it at his throat. Then you put it down. "Remember," you intone for effect. "Now begone." W doesn't need to be told twice and hurries (the best he can) down the highway. [Your score has just gone up by ten points.] >search l You find nothing of interest. >l Front of Building The front of the building hasn't changed since last you saw it. Finely crafted stonework and stately wooden doors mark this building as one to be taken seriously. You can enter the building by going north, or you can revisit the courtyard northwest. H rests here. L rests here. >search h You find nothing of interest. >i You are carrying: a knife a cloak (being worn) a message a dogmabook a songbook a reed a ring (being worn) >n Let's see, where were you when you tried to enter the first time? (That outsider plot intruded on the local plot to take your life. They should have thought of assassins other than themselves. How rude.) Oh, yes, that's right. Now you REALLY mean it. Wrapping this up should be easy now! Inside You're not completely inside the doors before a woman's hand grabs yours. She leads you up the stairs to the sanctuary and then halfway up the stairs to the balcony. "Great A, great A," the D you met earlier whsipers frantically. "Quiet, I beseech you. Let me explain everything. One of my duties as organist is cleaning out clogged pipes. During the service but before the commotion, the middle C pipe was stopped up. I went to get my tapper to clear it. Upon my return, I saw a robed figure hiding behind the balcony rail. I sneaked up behind and noticed she had a crossbow. I wasn't sure what to do, but I feared for your life and knew I didn't have much time. I hit her over the head with the tapper. I was going to wait for you until the end of service, but, then, well you know what happened oh great A." "OK, calm down," you assure her. "Let me examine the body." Sure enough there is another message for this jack that tells her, cryptically, to put an end to you from the balcony. You take another few minutes to think. But you manage to put it all together, concocting a brilliant plan. You emerge from the balcony to address the still chaotic mass that is the congregation. "My congregation!" you intone with perfect authority. "An evil plot has been at work here today." Murmuring emanates from the crowd. "Thanks to your D, my life is spared from would-be assassins. For her bravery, I am promoting her to the C of this building. Your former C is hereby transferred immediately to district H." The murmuring from the crowd becomes more intense then leads to applause for the D-now-C standing with you. The former C looks stunned but would never dare question her superiors. She knows immediately means just that and quickly leaves the building for fear of her life. You turn to the new C. "I want ALL of the messes cleaned up, do you understand me? I will send you further instructions and supply you with a new staff of Hierarchy." She bows reverently and heads down the stairs to meet her people. Of course you realize she (the new C) was originally part of the assassination attempt (probably leading it--the religious script which only Hierarchy use, plus she said she was playing today, when in fact you never heard music) but used the opportunity for better gain as it arose. Of course this was your chance to disrupt the power base here leaving you stronger than ever, more beloved among the people and more feared among the Hierarchy. And of course... *** You have won *** In that game you scored 50 out of a possible 50, in 122 turns. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game or QUIT? > quit