Threediopolis
Andrew Schultz
3d movement city cover art gender-neutral protagonist humor IF Competition 2013 IFComp Game SF systematic puzzles wordplay Xyzzy Awards 2013
A wordplay/quasi-maze game.
%
Threediopolis was the first city to have different sidewalk levels, one above another, back in 2050. It's pretty normal now in 2100, but they didn't plan everything right back then, so Threediopolis is still a bit quirky.

You still get lost some days, like today--while remembering a traumatic episode from your youth (adults yelling at you for somehow getting lost on a simple errand) you run across a building you've never seen. You enter and are whisked to a penthouse office. A fellow wearing a fractal power-tie and a white button-down shirt with elbow patches jumps up.

"Ah! You answered my online ad! What? No? You didn't? Even better! You're a natural! Unpoisoned by GPS! Just what I need! It's not anyone can find here. I'm Ed Dunn. You are? ..."
You press the green
Before you can answer, Ed hands you a list of tasks, an equally mysterious package you're told not to open, and a pocket teleporter device, for getting back if you get even more lost than you need to.

"Getting here was the hard part, kid. But if you don't get everything on this list done before you get back here, that's okay."

Before you can ask what list, Ed makes a hush-hush gesture. "It's organized by travel time, kid. Or it should be, once you find how to use it. Don't worry, just--don't lose it."

He explains how some things just don't need to be traced electronically, and how there's lots of weird scenery to see if you're interested in that sort of thing, and since you got here without knowing, you couldn't get anywhere on the list WITH knowing.

"Knowing what...?"

"One other thing, kid. You might want to use that teleporter pretty quickly if you don't see anything to start. Say, no further than five blocks. Til you get your bearings."

Ed stares at his computer, then snaps his fingers. "Oh, hey, I should push this button. Alphabetize this whole list, sort of. Make things easier for the rookie. What do you say?"
You say okay
"Yes or no. Not rocket science."
You say no
"C'mon, kid, you can't answer an easy yes-no question..."
No
"Got it. You look smart enough to take the extra challenge."

Pep talk time. "You got potential. You seem like someone who knows it's not just getting there, but HOW you get there." You've heard that truism before...but does it mean anything? You have no time to ask. Security whisks you away as Ed booms "And keep with it. Note what you found. Don't worry about the order, either!"

It's not a huge list. You even have addresses of where to go. It can't be too hard, can it?
Yes
Threediopolis was the first city to have different sidewalk levels, one above another, back in 2050. It's pretty normal now in 2100, but they didn't plan everything right back then, so Threediopolis is still a bit quirky.

You still get lost some days, like today--while remembering a traumatic episode from your youth (adults yelling at you for somehow getting lost on a simple errand) you run across a building you've never seen. You enter and are whisked to a penthouse office. A fellow wearing a fractal power-tie and a white button-down shirt with elbow patches jumps up.

"Ah! You answered my online ad! What? No? You didn't? Even better! You're a natural! Unpoisoned by GPS! Just what I need! It's not anyone can find here. I'm Ed Dunn. You are? ..."
Club floyd
Before you can answer, Ed hands you a list of tasks, an equally mysterious package you're told not to open, and a pocket teleporter device, for getting back if you get even more lost than you need to.

"Getting here was the hard part, kid. But if you don't get everything on this list done before you get back here, that's okay."

Before you can ask what list, Ed makes a hush-hush gesture. "It's organized by travel time, kid. Or it should be, once you find how to use it. Don't worry, just--don't lose it."

He explains how some things just don't need to be traced electronically, and how there's lots of weird scenery to see if you're interested in that sort of thing, and since you got here without knowing, you couldn't get anywhere on the list WITH knowing.

"Knowing what...?"

"One other thing, kid. You might want to use that teleporter pretty quickly if you don't see anything to start. Say, no further than five blocks. Til you get your bearings."

Ed stares at his computer, then snaps his fingers. "Oh, hey, I should push this button. Alphabetize this whole list, sort of. Make things easier for the rookie. What do you say?"
Yes
"Got it. You look smart enough to know the value of a little organization. Hey, stop on back if you need an extra hint, eh?"

Pep talk time. "You got potential. You seem like someone who knows it's not just getting there, but HOW you get there." You've heard that truism before...but does it mean anything? You have no time to ask. Security whisks you away as Ed booms "And keep with it. Note what you found. Don't worry about the order, either!"

It's not a huge list. You even have addresses of where to go. It can't be too hard, can it?

A Futuristic Word-Play Gofering by Andrew Schultz

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Everything here sort of looks like everything else and doesn't at the same time. Going one direction seems as good as going any other.

You glance quickly at Ed Dunn's list: some things are in sector 444, but you can't see anything resembling them. [Note: the room descriptions are random and for amusement only. Type B to get rid of them or V to have them appear again.]
You go to the south-west
It would be more efficient if you could walk through buildings, but they're private property. Did you mean to run these directions in order?
No
Ok--you can always bypass the two-to-three-letter-command check with J (for jumping.)
You examine the list
(Note: you can just type X to re-examine the list.)

ED DUNN'S NEEDS

LOOKING IN MIDDLE OF JOURNEY IS USELESS.
--friends: pal@346, pal (English name)@335, near pal (Scottish-Canadian)@455, pal@355, pal@535, near pal@444, pal (German)@544, far frieeend@356, pal@434
--extra near: Visit total party-cave@355, Wet grass@344, Chat w/web srvr@344, Visit online univ. HQ@445, Stop Something@355, Retro gm comp@445, A powerful hinty spying telescope@436, Fix holes in my clothes@434, Soak Up Vitamin D@544
--near: Latin Mass@435, New&used Clothes@334, Sheep's milk@435, TV Info show@444, A conventional convent@554, Deploy package@345, Handmade clothes with love in every stitch-1@444, Smokeless tobacco@534, Root Beer &/or Cream Soda@424, New Linux system--boo Windows 27@525, Get a free hint@514
--kinda near: pay property tax@236, cowboy hat & boots@335, sandy beaches@445, ART not porn@445, garden startup materials@326, handmade clothes with love in every stitch-2@335, cheapish leathery clothes@436, Matchmaker for singles@454, visit that vacant lot I loved as a kid@335
--kinda far: Return to Ed Dunn for evaluation and reward@365, Smell/taste test@426, book Scandinavian vacation@345, Invisible Institute docs@556, brand new stuff-in-general@545, new bride/groom stuff@145, anti-athletic club@514
--far: unworn clothes boutique@344, improperly vowelled hot dog hut@447
--extra far: 2nd-hand clothing boutique@325

Hm, he said it was alphabetized, but you aren't sure yet what he was talking about.

[You can put this in the header with t, though it is not recommended with Parchment, or you can toggle this warning with tt. You can also track just friends with f, or you can see one line with o.]

You think a moment. Some of these locations listed twice, there has to be something if you just walk right there. Especially the ones nearby.
O.
You glance at the extra near line.

Visit total party-cave@355, Wet grass@344, Chat w/web srvr@344, Visit online univ. HQ@445, Stop Something@355, Retro gm comp@445, A powerful hinty spying telescope@436, Fix holes in my clothes@434, Soak Up Vitamin D@544.
Note: you can put a list of numbers and found tasks in the status line with oo.
Go north
Threediopolis, Sector 454
Go north
Threediopolis, Sector 464
Go south
Threediopolis, Sector 444
You go to the east
Threediopolis, Sector 445
Hq
Being a messenger, you don't have much more to do than go in the six basic directions (transport tubes make going up and down easy.) Or enter places. Maybe knock. Nothing fancy. Type C to see everything.
Look around
Looking around won't be enough to get you lost the way you need to get lost. It seems it might even add one more variable, or layer of complexity, beyond just waiting.

You could say doing so in the middle of a journey is useless.

Threediopolis, Sector 445
You go north
Threediopolis, Sector 455
Go upwards
Boy, those transport tubes are handy for saving energy during vertical travel.

Threediopolis, Sector 555
You go downwards
Threediopolis, Sector 355
Examine
ED DUNN'S NEEDS

LOOKING IN MIDDLE OF JOURNEY IS USELESS.
--friends: pal@346, pal (English name)@335, near pal (Scottish-Canadian)@455, pal@355, pal@535, near pal@444, pal (German)@544, far frieeend@356, pal@434
--extra near: Visit total party-cave@355, Wet grass@344, Chat w/web srvr@344, Visit online univ. HQ@445, Stop Something@355, Retro gm comp@445, A powerful hinty spying telescope@436, Fix holes in my clothes@434, Soak Up Vitamin D@544
--near: Latin Mass@435, New&used Clothes@334, Sheep's milk@435, TV Info show@444, A conventional convent@554, Deploy package@345, Handmade clothes with love in every stitch-1@444, Smokeless tobacco@534, Root Beer &/or Cream Soda@424, New Linux system--boo Windows 27@525, Get a free hint@514
--kinda near: pay property tax@236, cowboy hat & boots@335, sandy beaches@445, ART not porn@445, garden startup materials@326, handmade clothes with love in every stitch-2@335, cheapish leathery clothes@436, Matchmaker for singles@454, visit that vacant lot I loved as a kid@335
--kinda far: Return to Ed Dunn for evaluation and reward@365, Smell/taste test@426, book Scandinavian vacation@345, Invisible Institute docs@556, brand new stuff-in-general@545, new bride/groom stuff@145, anti-athletic club@514
--far: unworn clothes boutique@344, improperly vowelled hot dog hut@447
--extra far: 2nd-hand clothing boutique@325

[You can put this in the header with t, though it is not recommended with Parchment, or you can toggle this warning with tt. You can also track just friends with f, or you can see one line with o.]
Talk
NOTE: there is currently a problem with web-based interpreters, and older Mac interpreters may not support the status line list.
The screen dimensions are 70 x 24. Dimensions of at least 105x25 are recommended to be able to see all entries at once but not necessary. You can resize later. Do you still wish to toggle the list inventory to the status bar?
Yes
Ok, the list is in the status bar, now. Note: if you resize to <25 height or <105 width, it is at your own risk.
You check your inventory
You are carrying:
a mysterious package
a pocket teleporter device
a list of needs (can be examined with just X)
You examine package
You see nothing special about the mysterious package. But you sure SENSE something special under that newfangled top-open-secret material that can hold things several times its size if necessary. Quantum physics is crazy.
Sense
You pick up the pace of your wandering, there, planning a few blocks ahead.

Threediopolis, Sector 345
You've been wandering for too long. You get tired, and you figure it's probably best to start over with a clean look on things. You push the button on your teleporter device, and back you go to the center, scrapping your remaining plans.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Sense
Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 435

Threediopolis, Sector 445
You are redirected around a political rally where people chant "We need Wu!" then "Wu needs us!"

But what you noticed doesn't seem practical, so you put it out of your mind as you continue pacing. Places you can't enter won't help you help Ed Dunn.

Threediopolis, Sector 435

Threediopolis, Sector 436
You drop the package
You'd be flaking out at your job, doing that. No way!
You eat the package
Are you hungry for a meal, or a job that'll buy several of them? Get back to wandering.
P.
Teleporting technology, apparently only for the very richest people, kicks you back to the center of the city. Your employer must really be loaded.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
F.
Pals: 346/335/455*/355/535/444*/544/356***/434.

Note: while friends are left, you can focus on them in the status bar with ff.
Ff
Friends are now in header. Each asterisk means longer distance.
Edd
Threediopolis, Sector 445

Threediopolis, Sector 345

Threediopolis, Sector 245
P.
Teleporting technology, apparently only for the very richest people, kicks you back to the center of the city.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
You flash back to Ed Dunn's voice booming through your head: "It's not just where you go but how you get there!" Maybe you can try hitting some of the nearer locations.

[NOTE: you can toggle hints like this by typing r.]
Dee
Threediopolis, Sector 344

Threediopolis, Sector 345

Threediopolis, Sector 346
Man! Someone's front door! With the secret detail Ed Dunn showed you that's obvious once you know it!
You examine the door
It looks familiar, slightly different from all the identical ones.
You open it
That front door is someone's home. You should really knock instead.
You knock
(Note: in the future you can type K for knock.)

You are surprised to see a man answer the door, but you're not sure why. "Ed Dunn, eh? My wife will be glad to drop by. Her name's Dee, too. Well, the abbreviation. We both laughed too hard at it when we first met."

Well, Ed won't be alone now. Or, rather, he'll have some of his best pals to talk to.
(Note: from now on you can type IN once you see a place to enter or, if there's a door to knock on, K. On which to knock.)

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Sed
That's a pretty crazy diagonal direction. You'd crash into something, even with a jetpack. Did you mean to run these directions in order?
Yes
[NOTE: you can always bypass this command check with J (for jump through diagonals.)]

Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 435

Threediopolis, Sector 335
You stumble by a bunch of techies discussing AWK and GREP and discussing how it's all more fun and interesting than silly puzzle boxes with no purpose. Not that the guy who just passed would be good at either.
You go inside
Nothing to enter. It's all so unfamiliar.
P.
Teleporting technology, apparently only for the very richest people, kicks you back to the center of the city.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Y.
[NOTE: you can still bypass this command check with J (for jump through diagonals.)]

Threediopolis, Sector 344

Threediopolis, Sector 345

Threediopolis, Sector 335
Man! Someone's front door! With the secret detail Ed Dunn showed you that's obvious once you know it!
K.
"An Ed Dunn party, eh? His are worth the walk. But boy, I tell you, the guy who sold me this place cheated me. Said I'd be near Ed's. I don't get it."

Hoowah, that's another friend found!

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Y.
[NOTE: you can still bypass this command check with J (for jump through diagonals.)]

Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 455

Threediopolis, Sector 355
Man! Someone's front door! With the secret detail Ed Dunn showed you that's obvious once you know it!
K.
Ned compliments you on not getting lost getting here--there are other tempting and even dangerous places in the nearby area. He suspects and hopes that that's why he didn't get the last invite. Well, he hopes it was more temptation than danger.

You've found some pretty swank areas of Threediopolis you'd have missed otherwise. It looks like there are more.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Clubf it lets you go a diagonal direction
Being a messenger, you don't have much more to do than go in the six basic directions (transport tubes make going up and down easy.) Or enter places. Maybe knock. Nothing fancy. Type C to see everything.
Y.
[NOTE: you can still bypass this command check with J (for jump through diagonals.)]

Threediopolis, Sector 445

Threediopolis, Sector 345

Threediopolis, Sector 335
P.
Teleporting technology, apparently only for the very richest people, kicks you back to the center of the city.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Y.
[NOTE: you can still bypass this command check with J (for jump through diagonals.)]

Threediopolis, Sector 445

Threediopolis, Sector 455

Threediopolis, Sector 355
You can see an extremely ominous door here.
J.
Jump mode is on, e.g. NWU or NW diagonals are no longer questioned.
K.
You reach into the mysterious package and pull out a stink-bomb, then knock and run away. Since you didn't light it INSIDE the clinic, there's nothing they can do to you. There's legal precedent--plus if they prosecuted you, they'd have to reveal the address in court, which would mean more annoying protestors. You're glad your benefactor has a conscience!

Threediopolis, Sector 444
You think back to the times Internet route planners gave you wrong or slow directions and feel slightly superior.
End
Threediopolis, Sector 445

Threediopolis, Sector 455

Threediopolis, Sector 355
You go inside
Nothing to enter. It's all so unfamiliar.
Den
Threediopolis, Sector 344

Threediopolis, Sector 345

Threediopolis, Sector 355
You can see a door shaped like a champagne bottle here.
You examine the champagne
It's a bit tacky, but it gets the point across. You will learn something about partying if you go through it.
Go inside
Note: you can type i instead of enter/in in the future. It trumps the default command for I, taking inventory, which has limited use in this game.

You realize that Ed Dunn has done you a favor by allowing you to view this. You take extra careful notes on how the party is, what's being served, what a party should be, and the general atmosphere and how people are acting. Alas, you can't partake of some amenities while on the job, but you can't complain.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
O.
You glance at the extra near line.

Den, Wet grass@344, Chat w/web srvr@344, Visit online univ. HQ@445, End, Retro gm comp@445, A powerful hinty spying telescope@436, Fix holes in my clothes@434, Soak Up Vitamin D@544.
Sundew
Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 534

Threediopolis, Sector 544
You can see some big glass doors here.

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 445

Threediopolis, Sector 444
P.
Nothing seems to happen. You think. But you blink once, and everything FEELS different.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Dun
Threediopolis, Sector 344

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 454
Sun
Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 534

Threediopolis, Sector 544
You can see some big glass doors here.
K.
No need to be so formal. Walk on in.
You check what you're carrying
It's so rare to get natural sun. Usually the heat lamps are enough. Someone punches your ration card and you return to your home, cheerier. You're given a dark bottle of instant sunlight for your employer, too. He seems to be on the monthly plan, and it's too fragile to mail to him.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
You hear Ed Dunn discussed in hushed tones--that he is not that smart but hires people much smarter to work for him. A smart voice and dumb voice agree there's a racket--but they'd work for him, all the same.
Sunk
Being a messenger, you don't have much more to do than go in the six basic directions (transport tubes make going up and down easy.) Or enter places. Maybe knock. Nothing fancy. Type C to see everything.
Dew
Threediopolis, Sector 344

Threediopolis, Sector 345

Threediopolis, Sector 344
You can see a barely detectable gladed trail here.
Inventory
A kid on a lonely park bench. "So you're the one my uncle got to play with me today. You'll do, I guess." It's actually rather fun, and the kid gets bored first.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Tt
Suppressed toggle warning in inventory.
Tt
Unsuppressed toggle warning in inventory.
You send
Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 435

Threediopolis, Sector 445

Threediopolis, Sector 345
You can see a loading dock here.
Y.
(Scottish-Canadian)@455, Ned, pal@535,

Ok, the list is in the status bar, now. Note: if you resize to <25 height or <105 width, it is at your own risk.
You examine the dock
(Scottish-Canadian)@455, Ned, pal@535,

The loading dock is neither exciting nor forbidding. You can probably just ENTER it.
Inventory
(Scottish-Canadian)@455, Ned, pal@535,

You write down your employer's name, location, reason for having to send something physical--and you're promised the package will be sent off.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
It's a good thing the moving walkways--the ones you take for granted--are helping you along, or you'd be more tired than you are.
You go to the northeast
(Scottish-Canadian)@455, Ned, pal@535,

Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 455
You go east
(Scottish-Canadian)@455, Ned, pal@535,

Threediopolis, Sector 456
P.
(Scottish-Canadian)@455, Ned, pal@535,

Teleporting technology, apparently only for the very richest people, kicks you back to the center of the city.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
P.
That'd be kind of pointless here. Well, technically, here and now.
En
Threediopolis, Sector 445

Threediopolis, Sector 455
Dune
Threediopolis, Sector 355

Threediopolis, Sector 455

Threediopolis, Sector 465

Threediopolis, Sector 466
P.
Teleporting technology, apparently only for the very richest people, kicks you back to the center of the city.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Dune
Threediopolis, Sector 344

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 455
Nude
Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 554

Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 455
Wes
Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 455

Threediopolis, Sector 445
P.
Teleporting technology, apparently only for the very richest people, kicks you back to the center of the city.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
You pick up some static from the teleport device. Ed Dunn is babbling some three-letter acronyms you feel half guilty for not understanding. Or not liking and not using. You know you've heard them before, though.
Look around
Threediopolis, Sector 444
Ff
(Scottish-Canadian)@455, Ned, pal@535,

Friends are now not header.
Wes
Threediopolis, Sector 443

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 434
Man! Someone's front door! With the secret detail Ed Dunn showed you that's obvious once you know it!
K.
"Nice of Ed to think of me even though I'm so far away. I hope it wasn't too far for you."

Well, that's another friend found!

Threediopolis, Sector 444
F.
Pals: Dee/Des/455*/Ned/535/444*/544/356***/Wes.
Wed
Threediopolis, Sector 443

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 344
P.
Teleporting technology, apparently only for the very richest people, kicks you back to the center of the city.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
You descend
Threediopolis, Sector 344
P.
You have heard about teleporter overheat. It's quite a way to go. Maybe you should walk around a bit more.
Sue
Threediopolis, Sector 334

Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 435
Sue
Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 534

Threediopolis, Sector 535
Man! Someone's front door! With the secret detail Ed Dunn showed you that's obvious once you know it!
K.
"Ah, yes," says the lady answering the door, "You messengers always find me early, don't you? It must be my personality." Before you can agree, she slams the door in your face.

Over halfway there. You are getting the hang of whom to find, where.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
You think back to the slider puzzles and even the peg solitaire game you never quite figured out. You bet it'll be easier to figure once you're done here. But Rubik's Cubes? Still, no way. Well, not first thing.
Uwe
Threediopolis, Sector 544

Threediopolis, Sector 543

Threediopolis, Sector 544
Man! Someone's front door! With the secret detail Ed Dunn showed you that's obvious once you know it!
K.
"Ah, Ed always appreciates my Continental European flavor. As do his other guests."

Hot dang, that's another friend found!

Threediopolis, Sector 444
F.
Pals: Dee/Des/455*/Ned/Sue/444*/Uwe/356***/Wes.
Newe
Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 455

Threediopolis, Sector 454
A construction site you pass by--and promptly forget about--promises state of the art homes for sale soon.

Threediopolis, Sector 455
Ween
Threediopolis, Sector 443

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 445

Threediopolis, Sector 455
New
Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 455

Threediopolis, Sector 454
You check your inventory
You are carrying:
a mysterious package
a pocket teleporter device
a list of needs (can be examined with just X)
You go inside
Nothing to enter. It's all so unfamiliar.
You go northeast
Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 455
Senn
Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 435

Threediopolis, Sector 445

Threediopolis, Sector 455
P.
Teleporting technology, apparently only for the very richest people, kicks you back to the center of the city.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
You pick up some static from the teleport device. Ed Dunn is babbling some three-letter acronyms you feel half guilty for not understanding. Or not liking and not using. You know you've heard them before, though.
Wend
Threediopolis, Sector 443

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 354
Your most recent turning and twisting around seems like it should've led somewhere. But it did not. Yet.
Ewen
Threediopolis, Sector 445

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 445

Threediopolis, Sector 455
Man! Someone's front door! With the secret detail Ed Dunn showed you that's obvious once you know it!
K.
A man holding Unended, the award-winning book by Deneen Nunn,
answers the door. "Sometimes I wonder if Ed Dunn only invites me to feel multicultural. Eh, well, free food, how can I say no?"

Man! None of Ed's pals have insulted you heinously yet. You already feel a bit more posh.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
You remember walking into dead ends as a kid trying to take shortcuts to school. But you are avoiding them now.
Unended
Threediopolis, Sector 544

Threediopolis, Sector 554

Threediopolis, Sector 555

Threediopolis, Sector 565

Threediopolis, Sector 465

Threediopolis, Sector 466

Threediopolis, Sector 366
Eddunn
Threediopolis, Sector 445

Threediopolis, Sector 345

Threediopolis, Sector 245

Threediopolis, Sector 345

Threediopolis, Sector 355

Threediopolis, Sector 365
Hey, here's the door to Ed Dunn's secret hideout! Makes sense.
You look at what you're carrying with you
As you approach the door, a guard asks your business. You recall Ed Dunn's offer of help. Are you looking for help?
You go north
You loaf around a bit, worried about facing Ed Dunn, but the guard at the door doesn't seem to want you to hang around. Go in?
No
The guard mumbles, "I'm a busy man. Don't waste my time!" and turns away. Slightly ashamed, you push the transporter device button to escape the awkwardness.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Deneennunn
Threediopolis, Sector 344

Threediopolis, Sector 345

Threediopolis, Sector 355

Threediopolis, Sector 356

Threediopolis, Sector 357

Threediopolis, Sector 367

Threediopolis, Sector 377

Threediopolis, Sector 477

Threediopolis, Sector 487

Threediopolis, Sector 497
P.
Teleporting technology, apparently only for the very richest people, kicks you back to the center of the city.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
You pick up some static from the teleport device. Ed Dunn is babbling some three-letter acronyms you feel half guilty for not understanding. Or not liking and not using. You know you've heard them before, though.
Examine
ED DUNN'S NEEDS

LOOKING IN MIDDLE OF JOURNEY IS USELESS.
--friends: Dee, Des, Ewen, Ned,
Sue, near pal@444, Uwe, far frieeend@356,
Wes
--extra near: Den, Dew, Chat w/web srvr@344, Visit
online univ. HQ@445, End, Retro gm comp@445, A powerful hinty
spying telescope@436, Fix holes in my clothes@434, Sun
--near: Latin Mass@435, New&used Clothes@334, Sheep's milk@435, TV Info show@444, A conventional convent@554, Send, Handmade
clothes with love in every stitch-1@444, Smokeless tobacco@534, Root Beer &/or Cream Soda@424, New Linux system--boo Windows 27@525, Get a free hint@514
--kinda near: pay property tax@236, cowboy hat & boots@335, sandy beaches@445, ART not porn@445, garden startup materials@326, handmade clothes with love in every stitch-2@335, cheapish leathery clothes@436, Matchmaker for singles@454, visit that vacant lot I loved as a kid@335
--kinda far: Return to Ed Dunn for evaluation and reward@365, Smell/taste test@426, book Scandinavian vacation@345, Invisible Institute docs@556, brand new stuff-in-general@545, new bride/groom stuff@145, anti-athletic club@514
--far: unworn clothes boutique@344, improperly vowelled hot dog hut@447
--extra far: 2nd-hand clothing boutique@325

[You can put this in the header with t, though it is not recommended with Parchment, or you can toggle this warning with tt. You can also track just friends with f, or you can see one line with o.]
Wendee
Threediopolis, Sector 443

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 354

Threediopolis, Sector 355

Threediopolis, Sector 356
Man! Someone's front door! With the secret detail Ed Dunn showed you that's obvious once you know it!
K.
"Oh! You're with Ed Dunn? Let me see the list he gave you," says the woman answering. She nods approvingly. "He said he only invited Nene because she was closer. I'm glad he meant it this time. I hope he has those awesome hot dogs this party!"

Bada-bing, that's another friend found!

Threediopolis, Sector 444
You remember overhearing coworkers telling you you need to get out more and see the city. Man, if they only knew.
Nene
Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 455

Threediopolis, Sector 465

Threediopolis, Sector 466
News
Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 455

Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 444
You can see some big glass doors here.
Inventory
There is a setup for an old-fashioned newscast. People still watch them, epsecially in the morning, mostly because the anchors are attractive and perky, and none of the reported news is too jarringly thoughtful. However, your package is frisked, and when one of the guards alerts one of the news station big-shots about whom you work for, the big shot schmoozes a bit, gives you a few presents and secret after-party invitations to pass on, and asks for a few favors.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Sudden
Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 534

Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 334

Threediopolis, Sector 335

Threediopolis, Sector 345
A loud noise from nowhere surprises you.
Examine
ED DUNN'S NEEDS

LOOKING IN MIDDLE OF JOURNEY IS USELESS.
--friends: Dee, Des, Ewen, Ned,
Sue, near pal@444, Uwe, Wendee,
Wes
--extra near: Den, Dew, Chat w/web srvr@344, Visit
online univ. HQ@445, End, Retro gm comp@445, A powerful hinty
spying telescope@436, Fix holes in my clothes@434, Sun
--near: Latin Mass@435, New&used Clothes@334, Sheep's milk@435,
News, A conventional convent@554, Send, Handmade
clothes with love in every stitch-1@444, Smokeless tobacco@534, Root Beer &/or Cream Soda@424, New Linux system--boo Windows 27@525, Get a free hint@514
--kinda near: pay property tax@236, cowboy hat & boots@335, sandy beaches@445, ART not porn@445, garden startup materials@326, handmade clothes with love in every stitch-2@335, cheapish leathery clothes@436, Matchmaker for singles@454, visit that vacant lot I loved as a kid@335
--kinda far: Return to Ed Dunn for evaluation and reward@365, Smell/taste test@426, book Scandinavian vacation@345, Invisible Institute docs@556, brand new stuff-in-general@545, new bride/groom stuff@145, anti-athletic club@514
--far: unworn clothes boutique@344, improperly vowelled hot dog hut@447
--extra far: 2nd-hand clothing boutique@325

[You can put this in the header with t, though it is not recommended with Parchment, or you can toggle this warning with tt. You can also track just friends with f, or you can see one line with o.]
Dudu
Threediopolis, Sector 245

Threediopolis, Sector 345

Threediopolis, Sector 245

Threediopolis, Sector 345
Dudu
Threediopolis, Sector 344

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 344

Threediopolis, Sector 444
P.
You plot what to take care of next. Hmm... "near pal at 444" is as good as any.

Nothing seems to happen. You think. But you blink once, and everything FEELS different.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Sund
Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 534

Threediopolis, Sector 544

Threediopolis, Sector 444
P.
Nothing seems to happen. You think. But you blink once, and everything FEELS different.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Wens
Threediopolis, Sector 443

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 444
O.
You glance at the extra near line.

Den, Dew, Chat w/web srvr@344, Visit online univ. HQ@445, End, Retro gm comp@445, A powerful hinty spying telescope@436, Fix holes in my clothes@434, Sun.
Weewee
Threediopolis, Sector 443

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 445

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 445

Threediopolis, Sector 446
You just stepped in a puddle, though it hasn't rained much lately. Whoever, uh, made that puddle is really juvenile.
Denuded
Threediopolis, Sector 344

Threediopolis, Sector 345

Threediopolis, Sector 355

Threediopolis, Sector 455

Threediopolis, Sector 355

Threediopolis, Sector 356
Some weirdo runs by and tries to pull your pants down. You swat him away. He won't try again!

Threediopolis, Sector 256
Dud
Threediopolis, Sector 156

Threediopolis, Sector 256

Threediopolis, Sector 156
Dud
Threediopolis, Sector 344

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 344
Dns
Threediopolis, Sector 344

Threediopolis, Sector 354

Threediopolis, Sector 344
You can see some big glass doors here.
You enter
You probably took less time to walk there than it would've taken to stay on hold if you called in. Or get an email response. Internet customer service was so much better a hundred years ago! You straighten out a few things about your employer's websites, both the ones people know he owns and the one they don't. The acronyms are flying around, here. You hope you don't have to put up with much more of this.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
You reflect back to an unfortunate school incident where you solved a logic-box puzzle and people said that sort of thing would never be handy in real life.
Swen
You plot what to take care of next. Hmm... "near pal at 444" is as good as any.

Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 433

Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Man! Someone's front door! With the secret detail Ed Dunn showed you that's obvious once you know it!
K.
"You look dizzy! You been walking around in circles?" asks Ed's latest invitee. He makes some desultory joke about remembering to forget the lutefisk, explaining it's funnier once you know Ed Dunn.

Excellent. You got all Ed's friends. That should keep him pretty happy.
That's the whole gang! Obviously, there'll be random people to make up the numbers, but Ed's best pals are the ones who will keep the party moving.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Edu
You plot what to take care of next. Hmm... "Visit online univ. HQ at 445" is as good as any.

Threediopolis, Sector 445

Threediopolis, Sector 345

Threediopolis, Sector 445
You can see some big glass doors here.
Enter
While you're not sure what business Ed Dunn has here, the secretaries there recognize it immediately. Apparently, Ed Dunn has a .EDU domain offering real-world business advice, and one of the main projects is getting people to do busy work for you, whether you really need it done or not. This has to be all the acronymage you can put up with for today.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Hmm. You think Ed would be relatively happy enough with what you've done. He mentioned he didn't need perfection. You could probably go see him again any time, now.
You're almost hit by a bicycle messenger who claims to be delivering something REALLY important.
Eddunn
You plot what to take care of next. Hmm... "Retro gm comp at 445" is as good as any.

Threediopolis, Sector 445

Threediopolis, Sector 345

Threediopolis, Sector 245

Threediopolis, Sector 345

Threediopolis, Sector 355

Threediopolis, Sector 365
Ed Dunn's secret hideout door is just where you remember it. You can enter it to report to your employer.
Go inside
As you approach the door, a guard asks your business. You recall Ed Dunn's offer of help. Are you looking for help?
No
You loaf around a bit, worried about facing Ed Dunn, but the guard at the door doesn't seem to want you to hang around. Go in?
Yes
Evaluation time!

You return, with a list of what you've done.

"Great job, kid! You got all my friends. They can keep a party exciting on their own."

He hands you an envelope. "Pretty good, kid. I have made it worth your time. If you know anyone even more efficient than you, let me know, and I'll give you a referral fee." When you get outside, you realize he is right. There is about a year's worth of pay at your regular job here. 18 9 9.
O.
You glance at the extra near line.

Den, Dew, Dns, Edu, End, Retro gm comp@445, A powerful hinty spying telescope@436, Fix holes in my clothes@434, Sun.
Deded
Threediopolis, Sector 344

Threediopolis, Sector 345

Threediopolis, Sector 245

Threediopolis, Sector 246

Threediopolis, Sector 146
Sew
Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 435

Threediopolis, Sector 434
You can see a tiny yet inviting door here.
Go inside
Most people just have to dispose of clothes and get new recyclable ones, but Ed Dunn can afford more expensive stuff. You dump out the clothes that need repairing and get a receipt with the ready date. Technology hasn't managed to speed up clothes mending.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Deeded
Threediopolis, Sector 344

Threediopolis, Sector 345

Threediopolis, Sector 346

Threediopolis, Sector 246

Threediopolis, Sector 247

Threediopolis, Sector 147
Dedded
Threediopolis, Sector 344

Threediopolis, Sector 345

Threediopolis, Sector 245

Threediopolis, Sector 145

Threediopolis, Sector 146

Threediopolis, Sector 046
Go downwards
You're lost. You have strayed beyond the city bounds. A border droid takes your ID and whisks you back to the center.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Unneeded
Threediopolis, Sector 544

Threediopolis, Sector 554

Threediopolis, Sector 564

Threediopolis, Sector 565

Threediopolis, Sector 566

Threediopolis, Sector 466

Threediopolis, Sector 467

Threediopolis, Sector 367
You suddenly feel as if nobody, not even Ed Dunn, cares about you.
Sensenesses
Threediopolis, Sector 357

Threediopolis, Sector 358
You've been wandering for too long. You get tired, and you figure it's probably best to start over with a clean look on things. You push the button on your teleporter device, and back you go to the center, scrapping your remaining plans.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
You pick up some static from the teleport device. Ed Dunn is babbling a three-letter acronym you feel half guilty for not understanding. Or not liking and not using. You know you've heard it before, though.
Suddennesses
Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 534

Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 334

Threediopolis, Sector 335

Threediopolis, Sector 345

Threediopolis, Sector 355

Threediopolis, Sector 356

Threediopolis, Sector 346

Threediopolis, Sector 336
You've been wandering for too long. You get tired, and you figure it's probably best to start over with a clean look on things. You push the button on your teleporter device, and back you go to the center, scrapping your remaining plans.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Denseness
Threediopolis, Sector 344

Threediopolis, Sector 345

Threediopolis, Sector 355

Threediopolis, Sector 345

Threediopolis, Sector 346
You're in an unusually overpopulated area of Threediopolis. And yet, nothing seems worth visiting.

Threediopolis, Sector 356

Threediopolis, Sector 357

Threediopolis, Sector 347

Threediopolis, Sector 337
Unweddedness
Threediopolis, Sector 544

Threediopolis, Sector 554

Threediopolis, Sector 553

Threediopolis, Sector 554

Threediopolis, Sector 454
You can see a secret entry here.

Threediopolis, Sector 354

Threediopolis, Sector 355

Threediopolis, Sector 255

Threediopolis, Sector 265

Threediopolis, Sector 266
You've been wandering for too long. You get tired, and you figure it's probably best to start over with a clean look on things. You push the button on your teleporter device, and back you go to the center, scrapping your remaining plans.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
You pick up some static from the teleport device. Ed Dunn is babbling a three-letter acronym you feel half guilty for not understanding. Or not liking and not using. You know you've heard it before, though.
Unwed
Threediopolis, Sector 544

Threediopolis, Sector 554

Threediopolis, Sector 553

Threediopolis, Sector 554

Threediopolis, Sector 454
You can see a secret entry here.
Go inside
You walk in. "Are you searching for that special someone...?" a clerk asks.

You mumble "Um...not for me, this guy needs it."

"Ah, quite so. Mr. Dunn offers our services as a surprise gift to people who have impressed him. I am not surprised you have not." Whoa!

Threediopolis, Sector 444

You've lost 5 pounds since you started walking around. You'd wanted to. And you're still going strong.
O.
You glance at the extra near line.

Den, Dew, Dns, Edu, End, Retro gm comp@445, A powerful hinty spying telescope@436, Sew, Sun.
See
Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 435

Threediopolis, Sector 436
You can see a secret entry here.
Go inside
You're given a scope to look through--you can follow someone as they make their way to one of your locations. You notice it has settings at 0, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, where 0 means you'll do nothing. What do you choose?

Choose one of 0, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8:
3
You see a graphical depiction of someone walking north, east, then finally south, but then your vision loses focus.

You're informed you have 2 hints left. Then you push the teleporter device button to get back to where it'll be easier to follow that person.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Nes
Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 455

Threediopolis, Sector 445
You can see some big glass doors here.
Go inside
Oh man! There's people playing, not just emulated NES games, but the real thing! With a power glove, too! One competitor, you went to school with. He is impressed you work for Ed Dunn. He knew a guy who almost got to but wasn't up to it! You give a few invites for the winners. Ed likes the nerd street cred.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
You think you remember getting lost where you just were--years ago, though.
O.
You plot what to take care of next. Hmm... "Latin Mass at 435" is as good as any.

You click your tongue now you've solved everything up to extra near. Next!

You glance at the near line.

Latin Mass@435, New&used Clothes@334, Sheep's milk@435, News, A conventional convent@554, Send, Handmade clothes with love in every stitch-1@444, Smokeless tobacco@534, Root Beer &/or Cream Soda@424, New Linux system--boo Windows 27@525, Get a free hint@514.
Examine
ED DUNN'S NEEDS

LOOKING IN MIDDLE OF JOURNEY IS USELESS.
--friends: Dee, Des, Ewen, Ned,
Sue, Swen, Uwe, Wendee,
Wes
--extra near: Den, Dew, Dns, Edu,
End, Nes, See 2 more things@436,
Sew, Sun
--near: Latin Mass@435, New&used Clothes@334, Sheep's milk@435,
News, A conventional convent@554, Send, Handmade
clothes with love in every stitch-1@444, Smokeless tobacco@534, Root Beer &/or Cream Soda@424, New Linux system--boo Windows 27@525, Get a free hint@514
--kinda near: pay property tax@236, cowboy hat & boots@335, sandy beaches@445, ART not porn@445, garden startup materials@326, handmade clothes with love in every stitch-2@335, cheapish leathery clothes@436, Unwed, visit that vacant lot I loved as a
kid@335
--kinda far: Return to Ed Dunn for evaluation and reward@365, Smell/taste test@426, book Scandinavian vacation@345, Invisible Institute docs@556, brand new stuff-in-general@545, new bride/groom stuff@145, anti-athletic club@514
--far: unworn clothes boutique@344, improperly vowelled hot dog hut@447
--extra far: 2nd-hand clothing boutique@325

[You can put this in the header with t, though it is not recommended with Parchment, or you can toggle this warning with tt. You can also track just friends with f, or you can see one line with o.]
Deus
Threediopolis, Sector 344

Threediopolis, Sector 345

Threediopolis, Sector 445

Threediopolis, Sector 435
You can see a stained-glass entryway here.
Go inside
What with the brutal unholy war over atheists' best reasons to disbelieve in God, religion has made a comeback. The priests here acknowledge you've traveled long and hard and far. You're not sure if you've gone anywhere. But they mention the journey is important, and the cliche provides comfort. There's a weird coin in the package, with which you buy a candle to light. Perhaps it is pre-penance for the party.

You're in the zone, zigzagging about. This whole getting lost without getting lost thing is a neat challenge.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Duds
You plot what to take care of next. Hmm... "New&used Clothes at 334" is as good as any.

Threediopolis, Sector 344

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 344

Threediopolis, Sector 334
You can see a clothing store here.
You enter
You walk into the store and realize you don't know what you should buy. A sales associate dubiously asks if he can help you, and when you mention it's not quite you but Ed Dunn, he whistles and hands you some clothes, with obsequious gratitude to be one of several suppliers to Ed Dunn.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Man, this reminds you of the crossword puzzles in the Newer New York Times. How the middle bits seem pretty cool because you have just enough hints, and something impossible to start now seems doable.
OO
Regular header.
Ewes
You plot what to take care of next. Hmm... "Sheep's milk at 435" is as good as any.

Threediopolis, Sector 445

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 445

Threediopolis, Sector 435
You can see a hinged wooden gate here.
Go inside
Sheep's milk? Well, people apparently like all sorts of crazy stuff at parties. You guess. You'd never have noticed this mini-farm if you hadn't been told where to locate it. You'd never been to a farm before.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Nuns
You plot what to take care of next. Hmm... "A conventional convent at 554" is as good as any.

Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 554

Threediopolis, Sector 564

Threediopolis, Sector 554
You can see a stained-glass entryway here.
Go inside
You hand the nuns a folded sheet marked "Ed Dunn's Undue Deeds." Apparently Ed Dunn is enough of a benefactor that the nuns forgive all his sins--and yours--after you say his penance for him!

Threediopolis, Sector 444
You momentarily doubt whether Ed Dunn has your best interest at heart.
Sewn
You plot what to take care of next. Hmm... "Handmade clothes with love in every stitch-1 at 444" is as good as any.

Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 435

Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 444
You can see a clothing store here.
You go inside
Nobody really cares about fashion any more, but there are still clothes to wear to show you don't. Ed Dunn needs a lot of them.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Suds
You plot what to take care of next. Hmm... "Smokeless tobacco at 534" is as good as any.

Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 534

Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 424
You can see a restaurant door here.
You check your inventory
You've never been a Coke or Pepsi man, particularly after they aligned themselves with opposing political parties. Other soft drinks are taxed at a higher rate except for the bootleg stuff. Except here. Your employer apparently Knows People. Because he is such a good customer, you even get some illicit phosphate-filled laundry detergent.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
You remember problems you wanted to solve but never did.
Look
ED DUNN'S NEEDS

LOOKING IN MIDDLE OF JOURNEY IS USELESS.
--friends: Dee, Des, Ewen, Ned,
Sue, Swen, Uwe, Wendee,
Wes
--extra near: Den, Dew, Dns, Edu,
End, Nes, See 2 more things@436,
Sew, Sun
--near: Deus, Duds, Ewes, News,
Nuns, Send, Sewn, Smokeless tobacco@534,
Suds, New Linux system--boo Windows 27@525, Get a free
hint@514
--kinda near: pay property tax@236, cowboy hat & boots@335, sandy beaches@445, ART not porn@445, garden startup materials@326, handmade clothes with love in every stitch-2@335, cheapish leathery clothes@436, Unwed, visit that vacant lot I loved as a
kid@335
--kinda far: Return to Ed Dunn for evaluation and reward@365, Smell/taste test@426, book Scandinavian vacation@345, Invisible Institute docs@556, brand new stuff-in-general@545, new bride/groom stuff@145, anti-athletic club@514
--far: unworn clothes boutique@344, improperly vowelled hot dog hut@447
--extra far: 2nd-hand clothing boutique@325

[You can put this in the header with t, though it is not recommended with Parchment, or you can toggle this warning with tt. You can also track just friends with f, or you can see one line with o.]
Snus
Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 544

Threediopolis, Sector 534
You can see some big glass doors here.
You check your inventory
Of course, the smokable kind's been illegal a while, smoking outdoors being proved worse than smoking indoors being proved worse than smoking outdoors. But this stuff is there, if people MUST. It's been genetically engineered to be okay to snort but very toxic to smoke--just in case people get ideas. The clerk nods as you say it's for someone else. He's heard that one before.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Suse
Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 534

Threediopolis, Sector 524

Threediopolis, Sector 525
You can see a shiny new store door here.
You go inside
If only the people extolling Linux weren't so annoying, you'd have fallen in line with them sooner once you saw why. You suspect your employer felt the same. You pick up a lightweight custom computer for your employer.

You're in the zone, zigzagging about. This whole getting lost without getting lost thing is a neat challenge.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
You recall being made fun of for not wanting to learn how to order a taxicab around--or drive a car.
Suss
You plot what to take care of next. Hmm... "Get a free hint at 514" is as good as any.

Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 534

Threediopolis, Sector 524

Threediopolis, Sector 514
You can see a shiny new store door here.

A suspicious guy sidles up and says, "Psst! Pal! Got a hint. Or even better. Contraband. What d'you say?"

The options are:
1. Hint
2. Adrift-a-tron (tells when things are hopeless)
3. Availableometer (tells what you can do)
4. Leave
3
"Here's your availableometer."

You zap back to the center after that encounter, slightly unnerved.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Inventory
You are carrying:
an availableometer
a mysterious package
a pocket teleporter device
a list of needs (can be examined with just X)
You look at the availableometer
It is lightweight, totally inexplicable to someone from 20 years ago much less 87 (technology, boy,) and indicates it has 10 charges left. FOURTH WALL NOTE: A activates it.
Suss
Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 534

Threediopolis, Sector 524

Threediopolis, Sector 514
You can see a shiny new store door here.

That suspicious guy (again) sidles up and says, "Psst! Pal! Got a hint. Or even better. Contraband. What d'you say?"

The options are:
1. Hint
2. Adrift-a-tron (tells when things are hopeless)
3. Availableometer (tells what you can do)
4. Leave
4
"Okay. Later."

You zap back to the center after that encounter, slightly unnerved.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
2
"Here's your adrift-a-tron. It'll tell you when things are hopeless."

You zap back to the center after that encounter, slightly unnerved.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
O.
You click your tongue now you've solved everything up to near. Next!

You glance at the kinda near line.

pay property tax@236, cowboy hat & boots@335, sandy beaches@445, ART not porn@445, garden startup materials@326, handmade clothes with love in every stitch-2@335, cheapish leathery clothes@436, Unwed, visit that vacant lot I loved as a kid@335.
Dues
Threediopolis, Sector 344

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 445
You overhear a gambler mumbling about the Law of Averages--and in these enlightened times! Why, it's YOU who are owed...well, not quite owed...a place of Ed Dunn's to find, now or soon.

Threediopolis, Sector 435
You overhear someone being shaken down for a racket--a tithe, almost.
Examine
ED DUNN'S NEEDS

LOOKING IN MIDDLE OF JOURNEY IS USELESS.
--friends: Dee, Des, Ewen, Ned,
Sue, Swen, Uwe, Wendee,
Wes
--extra near: Den, Dew, Dns, Edu,
End, Nes, See 2 more things@436,
Sew, Sun
--near: Deus, Duds, Ewes, News,
Nuns, Send, Sewn, Snus,
Suds, Suse, Can still SUSS@514
--kinda near: pay property tax@236, cowboy hat & boots@335, sandy beaches@445, ART not porn@445, garden startup materials@326, handmade clothes with love in every stitch-2@335, cheapish leathery clothes@436, Unwed, visit that vacant lot I loved as a
kid@335
--kinda far: Return to Ed Dunn for evaluation and reward@365, Smell/taste test@426, book Scandinavian vacation@345, Invisible Institute docs@556, brand new stuff-in-general@545, new bride/groom stuff@145, anti-athletic club@514
--far: unworn clothes boutique@344, improperly vowelled hot dog hut@447
--extra far: 2nd-hand clothing boutique@325

[You can put this in the header with t, though it is not recommended with Parchment, or you can toggle this warning with tt. You can also track just friends with f, or you can see one line with o.]
Suede
Threediopolis, Sector 425

Threediopolis, Sector 525

Threediopolis, Sector 526

Threediopolis, Sector 426

Threediopolis, Sector 427
Dudes
Threediopolis, Sector 344

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 344

Threediopolis, Sector 345
There's an argument in the distance about whether someone crossed a foul line while bowling. Someone out of his element with no frame of reference shouts "Well, that's just your OPINION, man!" Silence abides.

Threediopolis, Sector 335
You can see a clothing store here.
Inventory
You reflect that, ironically, you didn't have to go west once to enter here. You buy a fold-up cowboy hat that fits nicely into your big mysterious package.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Two joggers run by, sniffing at how you don't get THAT in shape just walking.
Suede
Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 534

Threediopolis, Sector 535

Threediopolis, Sector 435
Someone moans about his trouble with lawyers. You tune that whining out.

Threediopolis, Sector 436
You can see a clothing store here.
Go inside
Real leather's a bit scarce, even for rich people, but suede still costs about the same, adjusted for inflation. Anyway, it's just like artificial flavors in food--you get used to it, with all the other advances.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Seesee
Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 435

Threediopolis, Sector 436
You can see a secret entry here.

Threediopolis, Sector 426

Threediopolis, Sector 427

Threediopolis, Sector 428
Sees
Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 435

Threediopolis, Sector 436
You can see a secret entry here.

Threediopolis, Sector 426
Swedes
Threediopolis, Sector 416

Threediopolis, Sector 415

Threediopolis, Sector 416

Threediopolis, Sector 316

Threediopolis, Sector 317

Threediopolis, Sector 307
Swedes
Threediopolis, Sector 426

Threediopolis, Sector 425

Threediopolis, Sector 426

Threediopolis, Sector 326

Threediopolis, Sector 327

Threediopolis, Sector 317
P.
Teleporting technology, apparently only for the very richest people, kicks you back to the center of the city.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
You wonder if you can thread the needle once more through the streets to mark off a quick task of Ed's.
Seens
Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 435

Threediopolis, Sector 436
You can see a secret entry here.

Threediopolis, Sector 446
You hear the whirr of a hidden security camera.

Threediopolis, Sector 436
O.
You glance at the kinda near line.

pay property tax@236, Dudes, sandy beaches@445, ART not porn@445, garden startup materials@326, handmade clothes with love in every stitch-2@335, Suede, Unwed, visit that vacant lot I loved as a kid@335.
Seeds
Threediopolis, Sector 426

Threediopolis, Sector 427

Threediopolis, Sector 428

Threediopolis, Sector 328

Threediopolis, Sector 318
Seeds
Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 435

Threediopolis, Sector 436
You can see a secret entry here.

Threediopolis, Sector 336

Threediopolis, Sector 326
You can see an odd grassy door here.
Go inside
Genetic engineering advances have made it so most people, even if they get seeds, can only grow plants for one year. A power grab by agribusiness? Perhaps. But nobody much goes hungry. And no farmland wasted where real estate could grow. You pay for and take the valuable seed packets.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Seeing so much of the city has renminded you of other areas you wanted to visit, like New Wessewn.
Newwessewn
Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 455

Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 453

Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 435

Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Weeds
Threediopolis, Sector 443

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 445

Threediopolis, Sector 345
Based on the smell, maybe there are private gardens behind some walls here, maybe not. Some people just won't pay the exorbitant taxes for growing...THAT.

Threediopolis, Sector 335
You can see a vacant lot here.
Go inside
There aren't many vacant lots left here, and eventually they'll be phased out above the concerns of environmentalists, but this one's still here. You take a few phone-pictures for Ed Dunn to remember, and you take time to remember your own vacant lot.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Dunes
Threediopolis, Sector 344

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 455

Threediopolis, Sector 445
You can see dunes here.
Enter
It's not fully a natural beach, and you can't go in the water, but people shouldn't have to drive to a less wired area just to see the dunes. You are able to reserve the dunes for a weekend for Ed Dunn at a nice discount. The agents like that, because people who reserve on-line cancel more frequently.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
You become a bit worried you won't be able to come back to any of these neat places now you've uncovered them and your time helping Ed is through.
O.
You glance at the kinda near line.

pay property tax@236, Dudes, Dunes, ART not porn@445, Seeds, handmade clothes with love in every stitch-2@335, Suede, Unwed, Weeds.
Nudes
Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 554

Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 455

Threediopolis, Sector 445
You can see an a metal door with a one-way peephole here.
You enter
Obviously there needs to be a crackdown on sicko-porn masquerading as art, but this has been certified by the Ministry of Art as relatively intellectual stuff. It will provoke dynamic conversation at Ed Dunn's party, too, for sure. You pick out a sculpture from the No-Photograph Zone for later delivery to your benefactor.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Deeds
You plot what to take care of next. Hmm... "pay property tax at 236" is as good as any.

Threediopolis, Sector 344

Threediopolis, Sector 345

Threediopolis, Sector 346

Threediopolis, Sector 246

Threediopolis, Sector 236
You can see an intimidating 15-foot revolving door here.
Enter
People seem surprised to see you. You don't look like a property owner. But once they see your list, they realize who you are working for. You paying in person has saved him $500 (exorbitant, even with inflation) in electronic handling fees.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Sewed
Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 435

Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 435

Threediopolis, Sector 335
You can see a clothing store here.
O.
You click your tongue now you've solved everything up to kinda near. Next!

You glance at the kinda far line.

EdDunn, Smell/taste test@426, book Scandinavian vacation@345, Invisible Institute docs@556, brand new stuff-in-general@545, new bride/groom stuff@145, anti-athletic club@514.
Sweden
Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 433

Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 334

Threediopolis, Sector 335

Threediopolis, Sector 345
You can see some big glass doors here.
You check your inventory
Well, I guess Ed Dunn wants to have a few 24 hour days of sunlight. You place the reservation for a summer vacation with an agent named Enes Sund.

You're in the zone, zigzagging about. This whole getting lost without getting lost thing is a neat challenge.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Man, you're totally in shape after all that walking. In shape enough to impress at a ritzy party like Ed Dunn's. Maybe you will even get invited!
Unseen
Threediopolis, Sector 544

Threediopolis, Sector 554

Threediopolis, Sector 544

Threediopolis, Sector 545

Threediopolis, Sector 546

Threediopolis, Sector 556
You can see some blurry doors that seem only half there here.
You look at what you're carrying with you
Knowledge is power is money. You aren't allowed to see what Ed needs, but whatever it is, it's too important to keep online. You hand over a piece of paper, and you get back a booby trapped bag someone makes sure you slip in the package. You're not sure what the Invisible Institute is for, and you still aren't sure you want to find out.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Hmm. You've got 90%. That should be enough for Ed. You hope. There may be some unfair ones in there. You could probably go see him any time, now.
Examine
ED DUNN'S NEEDS

LOOKING IN MIDDLE OF JOURNEY IS USELESS.
--friends: Dee, Des, Ewen, Ned,
Sue, Swen, Uwe, Wendee,
Wes
--extra near: Den, Dew, Dns, Edu,
End, Nes, See 2 more things@436,
Sew, Sun
--near: Deus, Duds, Ewes, News,
Nuns, Send, Sewn, Snus,
Suds, Suse, Can still SUSS@514
--kinda near: Deeds, Dudes, Dunes,
Nudes, Seeds, Sewed, Suede,
Unwed, Weeds
--kinda far: Return to Ed Dunn for evaluation and reward@365, Smell/taste test@426, Sweden, Unseen, brand new
stuff-in-general@545, new bride/groom stuff@145, anti-athletic club@514
--far: unworn clothes boutique@344, improperly vowelled hot dog hut@447
--extra far: 2nd-hand clothing boutique@325

[You can put this in the header with t, though it is not recommended with Parchment, or you can toggle this warning with tt. You can also track just friends with f, or you can see one line with o.]
Weenees
Threediopolis, Sector 443

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 445

Threediopolis, Sector 455

Threediopolis, Sector 456

Threediopolis, Sector 457

Threediopolis, Sector 447
You can see a restaurant door here.
You go inside
Man, you have heard a lot of reasons why this place or that place is good for comfort food, but one thing you can always rely on: owners misspell, grub will excel. The 'S on the sign triggers another rule: apostrophe botch, the sauce is top notch. The proprietor, Mr. Sweenee (of course,) gives you few free samples for such a bulk order--and becausee you look like you've come a ways--and man, you eat them so fast, you already wish you'd got more.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Unused
Threediopolis, Sector 544

Threediopolis, Sector 554

Threediopolis, Sector 654

Threediopolis, Sector 644

Threediopolis, Sector 645

Threediopolis, Sector 545
You can see a shiny new store door here.
Go inside
Ed Dunn deserves this new stuff, you imagine. You get a free new spatula for visiting in-person. You get some new pocket-sized technology for Ed Dunn. It all goes back in your package. It will trickle down to the less fortunate when he gets bored. You think.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Wedded
Threediopolis, Sector 443

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 344

Threediopolis, Sector 244

Threediopolis, Sector 245

Threediopolis, Sector 145
You can see a shiny new store door here.
You go inside
Expensive wedding presents have been discouraged by the government ever since the population was deemed unsustainable. But people now get married and divorced much more frequently, so non-loners still have that racket going. Well, it's your benefactor's money, not yours. He probably needs to do this to keep up business relations.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
O.
You glance at the kinda far line.

EdDunn, Smell/taste test@426, Sweden, Unseen, Unused, Wedded, anti-athletic club@514.
Wusses
Threediopolis, Sector 443

Threediopolis, Sector 543

Threediopolis, Sector 533

Threediopolis, Sector 523

Threediopolis, Sector 524

Threediopolis, Sector 514
You can see a library entrance here.
You enter
You're surprised places like this exist, once you know what it really is. It isn't just rebellion against mandatory exercise for people who do not have computer jobs. It's a group of lazy people who are very clever about mooching off the various welfare programs. Perhaps Ed Dunn takes tips from them? You are given a manuscript that you throw in your package, and it's understood you had better not look at it. They can't beat you up, but they can ruin your credit.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Senses
Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 435

Threediopolis, Sector 445

Threediopolis, Sector 435

Threediopolis, Sector 436

Threediopolis, Sector 426
You can see a secret entry here.
Enter
You are evaluated on various senses, and surprisingly, you are graded high on a sixth sense. You don't know what it is, but you're afraid asking will forfeit your score. You're given a certificate of senseness, which goes in the mysterious package. This will please Ed...I think?

Threediopolis, Sector 444
O.
You click your tongue now you've solved everything up to kinda far. Next!

You glance at the far line.

unworn clothes boutique@344, Weenees.
Unused
Threediopolis, Sector 544

Threediopolis, Sector 554

Threediopolis, Sector 654

Threediopolis, Sector 644

Threediopolis, Sector 645

Threediopolis, Sector 545
You go south
Threediopolis, Sector 535
Unsewn
Threediopolis, Sector 544

Threediopolis, Sector 554

Threediopolis, Sector 544

Threediopolis, Sector 545

Threediopolis, Sector 544

Threediopolis, Sector 554
A button falls off your outfit and rolls where you can't find it. Well, it's biodegradable enough.
Newness
Threediopolis, Sector 564

Threediopolis, Sector 565

Threediopolis, Sector 564

Threediopolis, Sector 574
You've been wandering for too long. You get tired, and you figure it's probably best to start over with a clean look on things. You push the button on your teleporter device, and back you go to the center, scrapping your remaining plans.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Newness
Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 455

Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 464

Threediopolis, Sector 465

Threediopolis, Sector 455

Threediopolis, Sector 445
P.
Teleporting technology, apparently only for the very richest people, kicks you back to the center of the city.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Interference from the teleport device has Ed talking about building on a couple things you previously did to do something bigger.
Unduded
Threediopolis, Sector 544

Threediopolis, Sector 554

Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 554

Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 455

Threediopolis, Sector 355
Sewnsew
Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 435

Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 434

Threediopolis, Sector 435

Threediopolis, Sector 434
Look
ED DUNN'S NEEDS

LOOKING IN MIDDLE OF JOURNEY IS USELESS.
--friends: Dee, Des, Ewen, Ned,
Sue, Swen, Uwe, Wendee,
Wes
--extra near: Den, Dew, Dns, Edu,
End, Nes, See 2 more things@436,
Sew, Sun
--near: Deus, Duds, Ewes, News,
Nuns, Send, Sewn, Snus,
Suds, Suse, Can still SUSS@514
--kinda near: Deeds, Dudes, Dunes,
Nudes, Seeds, Sewed, Suede,
Unwed, Weeds
--kinda far: Return to Ed Dunn for evaluation and reward@365,
Senses, Sweden, Unseen, Unused,
Wedded, Wusses
--far: unworn clothes boutique@344, Weenees
--extra far: 2nd-hand clothing boutique@325

[You can put this in the header with t, though it is not recommended with Parchment, or you can toggle this warning with tt. You can also track just friends with f, or you can see one line with o.]
Newduds
Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 445

Threediopolis, Sector 444
You've been wandering for too long. You get tired, and you figure it's probably best to start over with a clean look on things. You push the button on your teleporter device, and back you go to the center, scrapping your remaining plans.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Newduds
Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 455

Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 354

Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 354

Threediopolis, Sector 344
You can see a clothing store here.
Go inside
You wouldn't wear any clothes like this year's fashions, but you're not paying. You put the clothes in the mysterious package.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
O.
You click your tongue now you've solved everything up to far. Next!

You glance at the extra far line.

2nd-hand clothing boutique@325.
Usedduds
Threediopolis, Sector 544

Threediopolis, Sector 534

Threediopolis, Sector 535

Threediopolis, Sector 435
You feel beaten-down and second-hand all of a sudden. Maybe even wondering if you'll always be a gofer to Ed Dunn types. But maybe you are halfway to somewhere Ed needs you to go.

Threediopolis, Sector 335

Threediopolis, Sector 435

Threediopolis, Sector 335

Threediopolis, Sector 325
You can see a clothing store here.
Go inside
Arriving in the used clothes store, you suddenly realize that there are probably used clothes in the mysterious package. You take them out and give them to the clerk, who credits your employer's account.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Newduds
Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 455

Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 354

Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 354

Threediopolis, Sector 344
Eddunn
Threediopolis, Sector 345

Threediopolis, Sector 245

Threediopolis, Sector 145
You've been wandering for too long. You get tired, and you figure it's probably best to start over with a clean look on things. You push the button on your teleporter device, and back you go to the center, scrapping your remaining plans.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Eddunn
Threediopolis, Sector 445

Threediopolis, Sector 345

Threediopolis, Sector 245

Threediopolis, Sector 345

Threediopolis, Sector 355

Threediopolis, Sector 365
Ed Dunn's secret hideout door is just where you remember it. You can enter it to report to your employer.
Go inside
You're confident you smoked this challenge. You blow past the guard at the front door!

You return, with a list of what you've done.

"Great job, kid! You got all my friends. They can keep a party exciting on their own."

"It's good to see you did all the fun stuff I put in there. I like fun."

Ed hands you some stuff: a Yankees world champs t-shirt from before their 90-year drought, a big block of dehydrated beer, a little extra for helping his business run smoothly, and a a CD--yes, a CD--of games Ed assures you are awesome, by some Andrew Schultz guy. Ed praises you as a new go-getter in the organization. "Didn't even need my help! Kid, I wish I had some extra hard deliveries to make. You'd pick them off, easy."

In fact, he is so pleased, he invites you to his party! He even manages to impress the duende-endued DeeDee Sneed, who's engaged to old-money Sundude Senese. Ed calls you as "Old sport" as he related how Sundude called him "Ed Dung" once (and you can see why it hurts.) He is sure he will get her one day!
You press the green
But he also introduces you to another messenger he has hired. Including Denese (or Sed. I forgot to ask your preference) Senn. You two talk about--well, all kinds of things that will be so fun to learn, you can how you went through the side streets of Threediopolis. Something that recharges its...what's the word...
You press the green
...NEWNESS.
Wait
You reflect briefly that Z is the end of the alphabet, and people who Z too much may run afoul of efficiency laws.
You wait for a while
You hear a buzzing of droids in the distance.
You wait
You fall asleep on your journey. You are awakened by whirring and clacking. Droids pick you up and give you an infra-red marking that identifies you as a potential leech on society--and juice and cookies, this time, since your possessions label you as moderately wealthy. They remind you the marking will fade in a year.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Wait
Time passes.
Go up
Threediopolis, Sector 544
You jump
No reason to, with vertical transport tubes to go up and down.
P.
You have heard about teleporter overheat. It's quite a way to go. Maybe you should walk around a bit more.
End
Threediopolis, Sector 545

Threediopolis, Sector 555

Threediopolis, Sector 455
You go inside
Nothing to enter. It's all so unfamiliar.
Xyzzy
Yes, indeed, the game map has 3 axes--x, y and z.
Fuck
Dude! Eww.
P.
Teleporting technology, apparently only for the very richest people, kicks you back to the center of the city.

Threediopolis, Sector 444
Well, this kind of stinks. You're on a real cold streak. Maybe you can figure what to do by looking at your list. Maybe somewhere will make sense that didn't before you found a few other places.
Undue
Threediopolis, Sector 544

Threediopolis, Sector 554

Threediopolis, Sector 454

Threediopolis, Sector 554

Threediopolis, Sector 555
Someone walks by and gives you an insult you didn't deserve.
Weeenes
Threediopolis, Sector 443

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 445

Threediopolis, Sector 446

Threediopolis, Sector 456

Threediopolis, Sector 457

Threediopolis, Sector 447
You stop by a hot dog hut that doesn't quite look right.
Duende
Threediopolis, Sector 344

Threediopolis, Sector 444

Threediopolis, Sector 445

Threediopolis, Sector 455

Threediopolis, Sector 355

Threediopolis, Sector 356