Start of a transcript of DEAD OF WINTER SmoochieComp 2001 Entry (c) Copyright 2000 Christina Pagniacci Please type ABOUT. Release 1 / Serial number 010104 / Inform v6.21 Library 6/10 Standard interpreter 1.0 (6F) / Library serial number 991113 >about DEAD OF WINTER uses no conversation verbs in the common sense.If you want to talk to someone, use 'TALK TO person'. 'TALK TO' can be abbreviated to 'T'. >n The Ice Queen's Cave The inside of the cave consists solely of ice. It is mostly empty, the most striking feature being the gigantic ice throne the Queen is sitting on. Prominently displayed in the middle of the cave is a large, clear block of ice inside which Saul has been frozen. On the throne is the Ice Queen. >t queen 'You want him back? Then bring me the Heart of Winter. It is guarded by the Dragon, but since you have found me, I am sure you are not going to have a problem convincing him to give it to you.' The Ice Queen gestures, and an exit opens towards the north of the cave. >n Gorge of Despair A wide, deep gorge splits the land in half. There is no way across. On the other side, in the distance, you can make out a castle. You can also walk along the gorge to the east and west. An annoying little demon is fluttering around your head. >w As you turn to go, the demon suddenly speaks up... 'You want across this gorge? I can get you there, baby. Just give me what you're holding!' "I'm not..." you start, then realize you are holding something. >i You are carrying: a blue crystal >w 'Ungrateful wench!' screams the demon, suddenly growing in size. 'You do not want my help? Fine! Then try to get out of this mess yourself!' He turns around, whipping you with his tail. You lose your balance and fall... [=>] ...fall, until a large branch stops your descent rather abruptly. Halfway down the Gorge (on the branch) Even from here, you still can't see the bottom of the gorge, but you can hear water rushing below. The top seems miles away; the walls are mostly bare, except for the branch that miraculously broke your fall without injuring you too much in the process. >d Mustering all your courage, you jump off the branch. Just like you hoped, there is a river down there, but it isn't quite what you expected. The currents drag you along... River of Storms Strong wind currents carry you along, as if you were floating on water; instead, you are floating in mid-air. >z Time passes. The currents drag you along... River of Storms Strong wind currents carry you along, as if you were floating on water; instead, you are floating in mid-air. >z Time passes. The currents drag you along... River of Storms Strong wind currents carry you along, as if you were floating on water; instead, you are floating in mid-air. >z Time passes. The currents drag you along... River of Storms Strong wind currents carry you along, as if you were floating on water; instead, you are floating in mid-air. The canyon walls give way to an ice bank to the north. >z Time passes. The currents drag you along... River of Storms Strong wind currents carry you along, as if you were floating on water; instead, you are floating in mid-air. The canyon walls give way to an ice bank to the north. >z Time passes. The currents drag you along... River of Storms Strong wind currents carry you along, as if you were floating on water; instead, you are floating in mid-air. >z Time passes. The currents drag you along... River of Storms Strong wind currents carry you along, as if you were floating on water; instead, you are floating in mid-air. >z Time passes. The currents drag you along... River of Storms Strong wind currents carry you along, as if you were floating on water; instead, you are floating in mid-air. >z Time passes. The currents drag you along... River of Storms Strong wind currents carry you along, as if you were floating on water; instead, you are floating in mid-air. >z Time passes. The currents drag you along... River of Storms Strong wind currents carry you along, as if you were floating on water; instead, you are floating in mid-air. The canyon walls give way to an ice bank to the north. >n You swiftly steer towards the ice bank and the currents drop you softly onto it. Ice Bank A tiny bank of ice is all that separates the River of Storms from a rough path leading up a mountain to the northwest. >s You can't go that way. >enter river You just escaped from there! >nw After a long trip, you arrive at... Castle Courtyard This may have been an impressive castle once, and seemed to be intact from the distance, but the courtyard is all that remains; no walls remain standing. Strange. You can see the Dragon here. >x dragon The Dragon is a handsome man with incredibly white skin and piercing black eyes. >t dragon 'You have come for the Heart of Winter.' You shudder at the sound of his voice. It is... old and otherwordly, yet beautiful. "Y... yes," you manage. 'I will give it to you, under one condition. Give yourself to me, this night. Then you shall have the Heart of Winter. What do you say?' >>no The Dragon smiles. 'Come with me, child.' "What? I said no!" 'I know. I will still give you the Heart of Winter. In fact, I could not withhold it from you even if I wanted.' He leads you into a small chamber. Small Chamber This very small chamber is empty except for a large mirror hanging on one wall. >get mirror 'Look in the mirror. It will answer your question.' >x dragon The Dragon is a handsome man with incredibly white skin and piercing black eyes. >kiss dragon Yes, he is handsome, but your mind is on rescuing Saul. >t dragon 'Look in the mirror. It will answer your question.' >x mirror You see yourself in the mirror. "I only see myself!" you shout, "where is the Heart of Winter?" The Dragon smiles again. 'You are.' "I am? But..." He hushes you with a movement of his hand. 'I think you have someone to go back to, do you not?' With another wave of the Dragon's hand, you are gone and find yourself... Outside the Ice Queen's Cave This is it. The dread Ice Queen's home lies to the north, the dark cave mouth beckoning. >n The Ice Queen's Cave The inside of the cave consists solely of ice. It is mostly empty, the most striking feature being the gigantic ice throne the Queen is sitting on. Prominently displayed in the middle of the cave is a large, clear block of ice inside which Saul has been frozen. On the throne is the Ice Queen. >t queen 'Well,' asks the Ice Queen, 'have you brought me the Heart of Winter?' "Yes." 'So,' she continues eagerly, 'where is it?' "I am the Heart of Winter." 'What? It cannot be!' Her eyes alight with anger, she raises her arms. 'Heart of Winter, eh? You will be dead of Winter!' Glistening magic leaves her fingertips, engulfing you... You feel cold for a second, but nothing else happens. The Queen looks at you, her countenance shattered. Then the magic leaves you and strikes her full force. She screams a high- pitched, bloodcurdling scream, then explodes into thousands of tiny ice splinters. You close your eyes and crouch to shield your body from the shrapnel. The next thing you know is Saul holding you in a tight embrace, kissing you passionately. And then, you walk out of the cave, and make your way home. [=>] TWO DEAD IN SNOW CHAOS The recent snow chaos has caused two more deaths. A young couple, Saul O. (23) and an unidentified female, were caught in the storm. Apparently, O. lost control of the car and crashed it into a tree. The couple froze to death while trying to reach civilisation. It seems they knew what was coming; they were found in a tight embrace, lips frozen together in a final kiss. [=>]