Vain Empires
Thomas Mack
built-in map Colossal Cash Prize Evil protagonist first person IFComp 2020 IFComp Game parser supernatural
The memoir of a demonic spy in the Cold War between Heaven and Hell.
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It's a mistake to anthropomorphize humans. For all their rationality and free will, they won't do anything if left to their own devices. Instead, it falls to my organization to push them in the right, or
more often wrong, direction. We operate with secrecy and subtlety: a hint here, a nudge there, and eventually an empire collapses.

A few situations require more direct intervention. Recently, a station in the town of ������������������������ in the earthly realm suddenly went silent.
It's probably nothing serious; the most likely explanation is that its cover was compromised, and the officer in charge had to abandon it.
The day before, we intercepted a highly encrypted communiqu�� from the Other Side sent to one of their agents in the area. Again, it's probably nothing; they send a lot of messages.

"Probably" isn't good enough for me, though. Our rival organization is also engaged in a complex war of manipulation, and we both have elaborate systems of measures and countermeasures to ensure that the other side plays fairly. Officially, I'm here to look over the station and make sure the place is clean. Unofficially, I'm here to make sure the Other Side isn't cheating at the Great Game.

You can't trust angels.

The casino complex looming before me is a converted seaside chateau. Only the most discreet glimpses of opulence are visible through the windows: checkerboard marble floors, liveried valets roaming the hallways, tiny but undoubtedly very expensive objets d'art sitting on oversized tables, and so on. As a warm breeze from the beach ruffles the palm trees, humans in formalwear stride through the grounds, staring longingly at the casino's beckoning entrance to the north.

A suspiciously large quantity of salt forms an arc around the doorway.

A bouncer kicks idly at the pile of salt.

A thief watches, hoping for the bouncer to get distracted.
About yourself
Me? There's not much to say, really. My name is Sidewinder.

(That's a lie. "Sidewinder" is a cryptonym; my real name is classified.)

I'm a legal counsel to Hell's Office of Mortal Trade and Economic Development.

(That's also a lie, or more accurately a cover. I'm an
intelligence officer, or more accurately a spy.)

My job is to build peaceful, productive relations with mortals and to prevent my opposite number from expanding their influence in the
mortal realm.

(That one's true, although the methods by which I go about it are
far outside the ambit of my cover job.)

I am, of course, a demon. Rather than the slavering mass of fangs and claws humans tend to expect, though, I'm a noncorporeal entity who moves in the spiritual realm and has some ability to influence humans in the physical realm.

(Also true, although I could probably have the research department
whip me up some fangs and claws if I really needed them.)

To put it simply: I'm from Hell, and I'm here to help.

(Absolutely true, though I'm not going to say whom I'm going to
help.)

The bouncer greets a well-dressed visitor.

The thief watches, hoping for the bouncer to get distracted.
You examine the salt
The mostly likely explanation of the salt is that it's just a random, unremarkable accident, probably spilled by someone delivering kitchen supplies. The most worrying possibility is that it was placed here deliberately, probably by some useful idiot on the casino's staff who managed to dredge up some bit of folklore about demons and was trying to be helpful.

The bouncer shuffles from foot to foot.

The thief watches, hoping for the bouncer to get distracted.
You examine the bouncer
A burly, ill-tempered human standing next to the door. Even if it is
an exclusive place, the casino doesn't benefit from turning too many people away; the role of the bouncer is to keep an eye out for troublemakers.

The bouncer slowly surveys the crowd.

The thief sidles up to the bouncer and has an animated conversation with it, but to no avail.
You examine thief
It's wearing a black-and-white striped shirt and a domino mask. It doesn't fit in.

> ENTER
the casino.

It goes without saying that my kind have certain affordances when it comes to dealing with mortals. We may not be much for the shuffling around of physical objects, but when it comes to humans' intentions,
we can pluck them out, give them to others, and generally treat them
as playthings.

The bouncer leans against the doorway, idly watching the thief.

The thief watches, hoping for the bouncer to get distracted.
You take enter
I extract the enter intent from the thief.

The bouncer leans against the doorway, idly watching the thief.
You put enter on the bouncer
I give the enter intent to the bouncer, who now intends to enter the casino.

The bouncer sighs, looks at its watch, and decides to duck into the casino for a quick break. As it shuffles inside, it conveniently kicks aside enough of the salt to break the barrier. The thief gamely
follows after it.
You go inside
The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.

At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an imposing door.

The thief sidles toward the door, but a guard notices and glares menacingly. The thief slinks back to the casino floor.

The bouncer disappears further into the casino and is soon lost in the crowd.
You examine the door
It's an enormous door of brass and wood. It's probably locked
(footnote 1).

The thief sidles toward the door, but the guard notices and glares menacingly. The thief slinks back to the casino floor.
Footnote 1
(1) ...probably locked.: Not that a locked door is an
obstacle to me.
You examine the guard
A somberly dressed human posted to guard the door. Despite the boredom of its job, it's focused and professional.

> BLOCK
entry into the vault.

The thief tries to subtly watch the guard.
You look at the thief
It's wearing a black-and-white striped shirt and a domino mask. It doesn't fit in.

The thief looks longingly at the guarded door.
You examine the machines
The machines attract a steady stream of humans with their incessant noise and lights. The humans drawn in don't look like they're enjoying themselves, though; their expressions are flat or even mildly annoyed.

The thief sidles toward the door, but the guard notices and glares menacingly. The thief slinks back to the casino floor.
You examine the humans
Awash in an amorphous mass of greed and bedazzlement.

The thief sidles toward the door, but the guard notices and glares menacingly. The thief slinks back to the casino floor.
You take the block
I extract the block intent from the guard.

The thief inches toward the door, but the guard notices and glares aggressively. Apparently it's more alert than I thought.
Inventory
Intentions:
the block intent

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
You look at the detector
The device is a convenient detector attuned to items tagged by demons from my home office, such as the chief of station here. When spun, it indicates how many of those items are in my present location (but not yet in my possession) and how many are in the same portion of the compound.

The thief inches toward the door, but the guard notices and glares aggressively. Apparently it's more alert than I thought.
You read the communique
43999 10698 03659 31802 08678 65629 67043 24095 85994

The thief inches toward the door, but the guard notices and glares aggressively. Apparently it's more alert than I thought.
You turn on the detector
It isn't something I can switch.

The thief watches hopefully for the guard to get distracted.
You use the detector
The detector produces three high whistles, indicating three unattained codebooks in this region of the compound, but none in this specific location.

The thief watches hopefully for the guard to get distracted.
You look
The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.

At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an imposing door.

The thief is skulking nearby, trying unsucessfully to avoid looking suspicious.

The guard is watching the door.
Go west
If the rest of the casino is a place of leisure, this lair is a place of business. Shark-faced humans in formal attire loom over tables playing some incomprehensible card game, accepting both wins and
losses with aloof detachment. Aside from a desultory appreciative or sympathetic murmur from onlookers following a particularly involved hand, the room has the quiet intensity of an art museum. Whorls of cigarette smoke drift across the glaring lights overhead.

The main area of the of the casino lies to the east.

side.

A card sharp is watching the other gamblers.
Go north
From here, I can only go east.

Of course, as a disembodied force made of spiritual energy rather than physical matter, I can theoretically go to and fro in the earth wherever I please. As in any business involving demons, though, terms and conditions apply. The particular summoning spell that I used to access the mortal plane ties my presence here to the premises of the casino, and I can't wander too far away from it. It also requires me
to begrudgingly respect the human fiction of its walls.

Besides, I take the responsibilities of my position seriously. It
might be nice to wander away from the casino and the nagging problems of its humans, float out to some deserted island, and spend a well-deserved vacation alone on the beach; but ultimately, I've got a job to do, and I don't have time to waste idly drifting around the mortal realm.
You examine the door
I don't see the imposing door here. It was on the casino floor.
You look
If the rest of the casino is a place of leisure, this lair is a place of business. Shark-faced humans in formal attire loom over tables playing some incomprehensible card game, accepting both wins and
losses with aloof detachment. Aside from a desultory appreciative or sympathetic murmur from onlookers following a particularly involved hand, the room has the quiet intensity of an art museum. Whorls of cigarette smoke drift across the glaring lights overhead.

The main area of the of the casino lies to the east.

The card sharp is watching the other gamblers.

I can also see the gambler here.
You examine the gambler
The well-dressed guest hovers around the poker tables with evident curiosity. It also carries an attach�� case that is sparkling with faint spiritual energy.

> EXPLORE
the poker tables without getting sucked in.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.
You take explore
I extract the explore intent from the gambler.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.

The card sharp looks at the bunch of unobservant, unwary gamblers in the casino optimistically.
You examine sharp
A wily human wearing a green visor and a charcoal suit. It looks like it's been here for quite a while, and it watches the other gamblers with a predatory manner.

> CLEAN
up at poker.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.
You take clean
I extract the clean up intent from the card sharp.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.

The card sharp looks around the room predatorily.
You check your inventory
Intentions:
the clean up intent
the explore intent
the block intent

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
Go east
The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.

At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an imposing door.

The thief inches toward the door, but the guard notices and glares aggressively. Apparently it's more alert than I thought.
You go east
This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is playing some forgettable piece of classical music energetically. A breeze from the nearby sea occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat. The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor
lies to the west.

Some musicians play an intricate fugue.
You look at the musicians
A string quartet is stationed in the upper reaches of the hall to entertain the humans dancing below.

> PLAY
music.

The musicians play a lively scherzo.
You take the play
I extract the play intent from the musicians.

The musicians take the opportunity to drink some water.
You look at the humans
(the musicians)
A string quartet is stationed in the upper reaches of the hall to entertain the humans dancing below.

The musicians rosin their bows.
Go north
The casino's bar is a lively retreat for the dancers in the ballroom, with a steady stream of patrons drifting in and out. The bar itself is a giant mahogany beast with a bewildering array of decanters, bottles, and vials set against the mirror behind it. Floor-length windows fill the room with orange light.

The ballroom is south of here.

A bartender folds some towels at the bar.

A waiter sweeps through the room and attends to the guests.

It occurs to me that I should clarify that what I'm glossing as moving from place to place is actually a complicated warping of my spiritual probability field to move the mean of the distribution to another
point in space while preserving the decay rate of the tails. I'm told that humans use muscles and tendons for their locomotion, and I
suppose that works too. Most of my experience, however, is completely alien to humans' frame of reference, and I'm trying to meet you halfway. If I mention, say, that I have a headache, I don't mean to imply that I have a literal head that literally hurts; I'm referring
to some part of my non-human non-physical non-anatomy that would make absolutely no sense to you, so I've put it in terms of the closest human equivalent. Similarly, I can't pick up and hold even a spiritual object such as an intention; I don't have hands (or, despite the unflattering paintings you may have seen, horns and a tail). Instead, to keep something like that nearby, I'm doing something impossibly complex that nevertheless has the same effect as your holding a teacup with your grubby, meaty human hands. To avoid confusion, I'm just
going to describe myself as, say, holding the communiqu��, and I'll leave it to you to wonder about how a spiritual being such as myself navigates the physical realm.

That having been said, I do wonder how you all manage with only five basic senses, and not particularly well-developed ones at that. Birds can see more colors than you, and they even get to fly. I don't think humans are any good at flying (though I have confirmed that humans are great at falling), which strikes me as a major design flaw. If you're stuck in only three spatial dimensions, you might as well get the most out of them.
You examine bartender
A human who's dressed tidily but unobtrusively to look respectable and approachable.

> FOLD
napkins.

The bartender folds some linen napkins at the bar.

The waiter sweeps through the room and attends to the guests.
You take the fold
I extract the fold intent from the bartender.

The waiter sweeps through the room and attends to the guests.
You examine waiter
The waiter's uniform includes a half-apron with a pocket, in which rests a small notepad.

> WAIT
on the various guests.

The waiter sweeps through the room and attends to the guests.
You take the wait
I extract the wait intent from the waiter.

The waiter loafs in the corner.
You examine the notepad
If I understand the procedure correctly, the notepad is something the waiter uses to take customers' orders. It therefore holds no interest to me; I give orders to humans, not take them.

The waiter loafs in the corner.
Go west
From here, I can only go south.
Go south
This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is tuning
up as the crowd below them mingles. A breeze from the nearby sea occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat. The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor lies to the
west.

The musicians are chatting quietly among themselves and setting up for the next piece.
You go west
The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.

At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an imposing door.

The thief inches toward the door, but the guard notices and glares aggressively. Apparently it's more alert than I thought.
You go to the north
Unlike the rest of the casino, this small room is refreshingly severe and empty. Bookshelves filled with identical logbooks line the windowless walls, occasionally broken up by racks of electronic equipment. The only exit is an imposing door to the south.

An elaborate laser grid encloses a metal strongbox, which is sparkling with faint spiritual energy.
You examine the strongbox
A heavy metal strongbox designed for storing valuables. It's sparkling with faint spiritual energy.

As I approach, I feel an odd kind of tension or humming in the air. I gingerly tap the strongbox, and my curiosity is punished with a
painful surge of energy. I grit my teeth and push through it, but the strongbox is completely sealed shut. It's like the surface is coated
in something dense and completely smooth, without any handholds or purchase. I'm not sure what could be causing���

Ah! I remember my colleague Whiptail mentioning developing some sort
of protective device like this in a briefing a few centuries back. It functions as the spiritual equivalent of a diplomatic pouch: It makes the thing inside completely inaccessible to spiritual entities such as angels or my kind. Humans, being entirely corporeal, should be unaffected.

I don't know how exactly the barrier works, and I've never seen it deployed in the field before. I have heard rumors that they're
starting to be used at embassies and other diplomatic posts, so it's not unreasonable to assume that Krait, the officer in charge here, would have had one. He must have had to stash something important in the complex; maybe he had to escape through enemy territory and didn't want to keep it on his person, or maybe this post was suddenly compromised and had to find a safe hiding place at a moment's notice. Regardless, if Krait considered something important enough to keep out of the greedy claws of the Other Side's agents even as he was under attack or forced to abandon this station, then I consider it important too.

Inside the strongbox are a confidential codebook and some stacks of banknotes. As long as it's closed, though, I can't get inside.
You examine the codebook
Cryptographic information that is useful in deciphering the communiqu��. As a metaphysical item, it is is invisible to humans but tangible to me, or at least it would be if I could get it out of that mystically sealed container.
You check your inventory
Intentions:
the wait intent
the fold intent
the play intent
the clean up intent
the explore intent
the block intent

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
You put the explore on the guard
I give the explore intent to the guard, who now vaguely intends to explore.

The thief inches toward the door, but the guard notices and glares aggressively. Apparently it's more alert than I thought.
You put the play on the guard
I give the play intent to the guard, taking the explore intent in exchange. It now intends to play some casino games.

The thief inches toward the door. The guard is apparently not completely engrossed in the game, though, and pulls itself away long enough to bark at the thief.
You put clean on guard
I give the clean up intent to the guard, taking the play intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to clean up.

The thief watches hopefully for the guard to get distracted.
You take clean
I extract the clean up intent from the guard.

The thief inches toward the door, but the guard notices and glares aggressively. Apparently it's more alert than I thought.
You go west
If the rest of the casino is a place of leisure, this lair is a place of business. Shark-faced humans in formal attire loom over tables playing some incomprehensible card game, accepting both wins and
losses with aloof detachment. Aside from a desultory appreciative or sympathetic murmur from onlookers following a particularly involved hand, the room has the quiet intensity of an art museum. Whorls of cigarette smoke drift across the glaring lights overhead.

The main area of the of the casino lies to the east.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.

The card sharp is watching the other gamblers.
You put the fold on gambler
I give the fold intent to the gambler, who now intends to fold in the poker game.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.

The card sharp sizes up its fellow players.
You wait
Time passes.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.
You take the fold
I extract the fold intent from the gambler.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.

The card sharp looks at the bunch of unobservant, unwary gamblers in the casino optimistically.
You put the play on the gambler
I give the play intent to the gambler, who now intends to play poker.

With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and starts a game.

The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
You examine the cards
Cards shuffle across the felt as the onlookers rap on the tabletop, make inscrutable gestures to the dealer, and grimly flick chips into a small pile in the center.

The fine details of the game are alien to me. The fine details of
human nature are not, though; and judging from its expression, I'd say that the gambler has quite a good hand.

The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing, the gambler thinks it has the better hand.
Inventory
Intentions:
the fold intent
the clean up intent
the explore intent
the wait intent
the block intent

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
You put clean up on the gambler
I give the clean up intent to the gambler, taking the play intent in exchange. It now intends to clean up its act and avoid gambling.

The gambler raises. The card sharp stares at its opponent's face for a moment, then tosses its cards onto the table.

The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
You put the play on the gambler
I give the play intent to the gambler, taking the clean up intent in exchange. It now intends to play poker.

With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and starts a game.

The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
You look at the gambler
The well-dressed guest hovers around the poker tables with evident curiosity. It also carries an attach�� case that is sparkling with faint spiritual energy.

> PLAY
poker.

The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing, the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
You put the fold on sharp
I give the fold intent to the card sharp, who now intends to fold in the poker game.

The card sharp quickly folds.

The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
You take the fold
I extract the fold intent from the card sharp.

With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and starts a game.

The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
You examine sharp
A wily human wearing a green visor and a charcoal suit. It looks like it's been here for quite a while, and it watches the other gamblers with a predatory manner.

The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing, the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
You put the fold on sharp
I give the fold intent to the card sharp, who now intends to fold in the poker game.

The card sharp summarily folds.

The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
You take the clean up
I already have that.

The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing, the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
You take the play
I extract the play intent from the gambler.

The gambler loses its nerve and folds.

The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
Go east
The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.

At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an imposing door.

The thief inches toward the door, but the guard notices and glares aggressively. Apparently it's more alert than I thought.
You go to the east
This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is tuning
up as the crowd below them mingles. A breeze from the nearby sea occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat. The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor lies to the
west.

The musicians look through their sheet music.
Go north
The casino's bar is a lively retreat for the dancers in the ballroom, with a steady stream of patrons drifting in and out. The bar itself is a giant mahogany beast with a bewildering array of decanters, bottles, and vials set against the mirror behind it. Floor-length windows fill the room with orange light.

The ballroom is south of here.

The bartender stands behind the bar.

The waiter loafs in the corner.
You put the clean up on the waiter
I give the clean up intent to the waiter, who now intends to clean up the general area.

The waiter dusts a spot with a rag.
You wait for a while
Time passes.

The waiter straightens some furniture.
You take the clean up
I extract the clean up intent from the waiter.

The waiter loafs in the corner.
Go south
This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is tuning
up as the crowd below them mingles. A breeze from the nearby sea occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat. The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor lies to the
west.

The musicians are chatting quietly among themselves and setting up for the next piece.
Wait
Time passes.
You look around
This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is tuning
up as the crowd below them mingles. A breeze from the nearby sea occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat. The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor lies to the
west.

I can see the musicians here.
You take the explore
I extract the explore intent from the musicians.

The musicians take the opportunity to drink some water.
You check your inventory
Intentions:
the explore intent
the clean up intent
the play intent
the fold intent
the wait intent
the block intent

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
You examine the block
The abstract will-composite of the intention to block.

The musicians look through their sheet music.
You use the detector
The detector produces three high whistles, indicating three unattained codebooks in this region of the compound, but none in this specific location.

The musicians are chatting quietly among themselves and setting up for the next piece.
You go west
The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.

At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an imposing door.

The thief inches toward the door, but the guard notices and glares aggressively. Apparently it's more alert than I thought.
You use the detector
The detector produces three high whistles, indicating three unattained codebooks in this region of the compound, but none in this specific location.

The thief watches hopefully for the guard to get distracted.
You go west
If the rest of the casino is a place of leisure, this lair is a place of business. Shark-faced humans in formal attire loom over tables playing some incomprehensible card game, accepting both wins and
losses with aloof detachment. Aside from a desultory appreciative or sympathetic murmur from onlookers following a particularly involved hand, the room has the quiet intensity of an art museum. Whorls of cigarette smoke drift across the glaring lights overhead.

The main area of the of the casino lies to the east.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.

The card sharp looks around the room predatorily.
You use the detector
The detector produces one low thud, indicating one unattained codebook in this specific location, and two high whistles, indicating two additional unattained codebooks in this region of the compound.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.
You examine the tables
Cards shuffle across the felt as the onlookers rap on the tabletop, make inscrutable gestures to the dealer, and grimly flick chips into a small pile in the center.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.
You look at the case
A thin, leather-bound case used for transporting private documents. It's more effective when onlookers can only see in three dimensions.

The attach�� case is mystically sealed, presumably to protect its contents from the opposition. The barrier is also keeping me from accessing its contents, a confidential codebook, as long as it's closed.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.

The card sharp looks at the bunch of unobservant, unwary gamblers in the casino optimistically.
You put the play on the gambler
I give the play intent to the gambler, who now intends to play poker.

With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and starts a game.

The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
You wait
Time passes.

The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing, the gambler thinks it has the better hand.
You put the wait on card sharp
I give the wait intent to the card sharp, who now vaguely intends to wait around idly.

The gambler raises. The card sharp studies its opponent's face for a moment, then tosses its cards onto the table.

The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
You get wait
I extract the wait intent from the card sharp.

With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and starts a game.

The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
You look at what you're carrying with you
Intentions:
the wait intent
the explore intent
the clean up intent
the fold intent
the block intent

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
You put the block on card sharp
I give the block intent to the card sharp, who now vaguely intends to block.

The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing, the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
You get the block
I extract the block intent from the card sharp.

The gambler cautiously throws another batch of chips into the pot.
You put clean up on card sharp
I give the clean up intent to the card sharp, who now intends to clean up at poker.

The gambler loses its nerve and folds.

The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
Look around
If the rest of the casino is a place of leisure, this lair is a place of business. Shark-faced humans in formal attire loom over tables playing some incomprehensible card game, accepting both wins and
losses with aloof detachment. Aside from a desultory appreciative or sympathetic murmur from onlookers following a particularly involved hand, the room has the quiet intensity of an art museum. Whorls of cigarette smoke drift across the glaring lights overhead.

The main area of the of the casino lies to the east.

The card sharp is watching the other gamblers.

I can also see the gambler here.
You go to the east
This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large, well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.

east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
hedges.

A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn. A sword cane has been left on it.
You look at the bench
It's a ponderous bulk of white marble, with lion's heads carved into its armrests.

On the marble bench is a sword cane.
You look at the cane
A weapon for people who like looking smart more than being smart. Nevertheless, I've seen them put to good use once or twice.
You get it
As a demon, I can only manipulate spiritual objects, not physical
ones.
You go north
meticulously cut into a network of crisscrossing channels. Presumably the effect is disorienting to humans, but I have no trouble making out the open area to the north, nestled in the center of the maze. The gravel pathways snake around it, warm in the heavy evening air.

The rest of the casino grounds lie to the south.

A magpie perches, looking for something shiny to abscond with.
You look at the magpie
Magpies are not quite up to the level of ravens, but they're still solidly respectable corvids. They're not as evil as ravens, sadly, but they're actually a bit more acquisitive and mischievous.

> TAKE
something shiny.

The magpie perches, looking for something shiny to abscond with.
You get take
I extract the take intent from the magpie.
Go north
This small garden lies at the center of the hedge maze. Moss grows optimistically through cracks in the mosaic floor, and vines wrap around the columns ringing the open area. A fountain in the center, flowing but full of vegetation and other flotsam, breaks the summer humidity. A torturous (footnote 2) path to the south heads back into the maze.

of the area, sparkling with faint spiritual energy.
Footnote 2
(2) ...A torturous path to the south: My editor suggests that
I meant tortuous here, but I'm a hopeless optimist.
You look at the statue
I don't know what sort of figure it's supposed to represent; it may
not even be intended to be anyone at all. The statue is also hollow
and sparkling with faint spiritual energy.

The statue is mystically sealed, presumably to protect its contents from the opposition. The barrier is also keeping me from accessing its contents, a confidential codebook, as long as it's closed.
Go south
meticulously cut into a network of crisscrossing channels. Presumably the effect is disorienting to humans, but I have no trouble making out the open area to the north, nestled in the center of the maze. The gravel pathways snake around it, warm in the heavy evening air.

The rest of the casino grounds lie to the south.

A magpie is perched here.
You go south
This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large, well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.

east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
hedges.

A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn. A sword cane has been left on it.
Go east
This cobblestone trail runs from the casino to the hotel on the complex. Box trees flank the path, interspersed with a variety of colorful ornamental plants I don't recognize. The hotel it leads to is a sprawling villa of orange bricks with towers sprouting around its perimeter. A stone archway leads east into the hotel, and the trail winds to the west.

A tarnished silver mirror hangs over the archway leading east.

On the silver mirror is some holly.

A kid stands off to one side, looking bored.
You look at the kid
One of those young humans there seem to keep being more of. I wouldn't normally expect to see one in a place like this, but perhaps away from the actual gambling humans deem it appropriate.

I've never understood the point of children. My kind, and as far as I know those of my opposite number as well, are created ex nihilo for a specific purpose. We're ideally suited for that purpose, and we have all the talent and drive needed to fulfill it. I haven't always been the efficient and accomplished lawyer I am now, for example, but I've always wanted to be, and I've had millennia to hone my craft. Humans are just thrown into a world they don't understand without any explanation, and they're expected to find something meaningful to do, figure out how to do it, and find an opportunity to do it���all on their
own, and with a time limit of less than a century. It's hardly surprising that humanity is so receptive to the influences of my organization and the Other Side.
You examine the mirror
The mirror is so badly tarnished as to be almost black. This is partially disguised by the prickly-leaved, festive, and inconvenient holly on it. It hangs over a stone archway that I'd ordinarily be able to easily pass through.
You examine the holly
A festive garland of holly in an inconvenient location. It reminds me of the salt at the casino entrance; if that was happenstance, then the holly is at least coincidence.
Inventory
Intentions:
the take intent
the block intent
the wait intent
the explore intent
the fold intent

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
You put the explore on kid
I give the explore intent to the kid, who now intends to explore for somewhere fun to play.

The kid wanders off to the west.
You go west
This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large, well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.

east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
hedges.

A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn. A sword cane has been left on it.

The kid runs excitedly into the maze.
Go north
meticulously cut into a network of crisscrossing channels. Presumably the effect is disorienting to humans, but I have no trouble making out the open area to the north, nestled in the center of the maze. The gravel pathways snake around it, warm in the heavy evening air.

The rest of the casino grounds lie to the south.

The kid gets completely confused and ends up running right out of the maze.

A magpie is perched here.
You wait a while
Time passes.

The kid runs into the maze and immediately gets turned around here.
Wait
Time passes.

The kid gets completely confused and ends up running right out of the maze.
You get explore
I extract the explore intent from the kid.
You look at your surroundings
meticulously cut into a network of crisscrossing channels. Presumably the effect is disorienting to humans, but I have no trouble making out the open area to the north, nestled in the center of the maze. The gravel pathways snake around it, warm in the heavy evening air.

The rest of the casino grounds lie to the south.

The kid shuffles around nearby.

A magpie is perched here.
You give the explore to the kid
I give the explore intent to the kid, who now intends to explore for somewhere fun to play.

The kid gets completely confused and ends up running right out of the maze.
You go south
This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large, well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.

east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
hedges.

A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn. A sword cane has been left on it.

The kid runs excitedly into the maze.
You wait awhile
Time passes.

The kid runs out of the maze, sees that it's back at the terrace, and sighs sadly.
You give take to the kid
I give the take intent to the kid, taking the explore intent in exchange. It now intends to take something to play with.

The kid picks up the sword cane and starts swinging it around experimentally.
You give the explore to the kid
I give the explore intent to the kid, taking the take intent in exchange. It now intends to explore for somewhere fun to play.

The kid runs excitedly into the maze.
You check what you're carrying
Intentions:
the take intent
the block intent
the wait intent
the fold intent

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
You go south
This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large, well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.

east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
hedges.

A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn.
Go west
This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is tuning
up as the crowd below them mingles. A breeze from the nearby sea occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat. The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor lies to the
west.

The musicians are chatting quietly among themselves and setting up for the next piece.
Go west
The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.

At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an imposing door.

The thief watches hopefully for the guard to get distracted.
Go west
If the rest of the casino is a place of leisure, this lair is a place of business. Shark-faced humans in formal attire loom over tables playing some incomprehensible card game, accepting both wins and
losses with aloof detachment. Aside from a desultory appreciative or sympathetic murmur from onlookers following a particularly involved hand, the room has the quiet intensity of an art museum. Whorls of cigarette smoke drift across the glaring lights overhead.

The main area of the of the casino lies to the east.

The gambler loses its nerve and folds.

The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.

The card sharp is watching the other gamblers.
You get the play
I extract the play intent from the gambler.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.
You get clean
I extract the clean up intent from the card sharp.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.

The card sharp sizes up its fellow players.
You go east
This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is tuning
up as the crowd below them mingles. A breeze from the nearby sea occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat. The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor lies to the
west.

The musicians take the opportunity to drink some water.
Go east
This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large, well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.

east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
hedges.

A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn.
You go north
meticulously cut into a network of crisscrossing channels. Presumably the effect is disorienting to humans, but I have no trouble making out the open area to the north, nestled in the center of the maze. The gravel pathways snake around it, warm in the heavy evening air.

The rest of the casino grounds lie to the south.

The kid shuffles around nearby.

A magpie is perched here.
You give the play to the kid
I give the play intent to the kid, who now intends to play around with the sword cane.

The kid swings the cane around wildly, slashing at unseen enemies. After a dramatic charge, it hits a sturdy trunk, hard, and the outer cane shatters, revealing the blade. The kid squeals in excitement.
You wait awhile
Time passes.

The kid hacks its way through the maze with the sword, easily cutting
a way to the north. It excitedly charges in that direction.
You go to the north
This small garden lies at the center of the hedge maze. Moss grows optimistically through cracks in the mosaic floor, and vines wrap around the columns ringing the open area. A fountain in the center, flowing but full of vegetation and other flotsam, breaks the summer humidity. A torturous path to the south heads back into the maze.

of the area, sparkling with faint spiritual energy.

The kid runs around wildly, swinging the sword. In its enthusiasm, it bumps into the statue, which rocks slightly but does not fall.
You wait awhile
Time passes.

The kid runs around wildly, swinging the sword. In its enthusiasm, it bumps into the statue, which rocks quite a bit but does not fall.
You wait a while
Time passes.

The kid runs around wildly, swinging the sword. In its enthusiasm, it bumps into the statue, which rocks precariously but does not fall.
You check your inventory
Intentions:
the clean up intent
the explore intent
the take intent
the block intent
the wait intent
the fold intent

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
You put the block on kid
I give the block intent to the kid, taking the play intent in
exchange. It now vaguely intends to block.
You put the take on kid
I give the take intent to the kid, taking the block intent in
exchange. It now intends to take something to play with.

The kid picks up the sword cane and starts swinging it around experimentally.
You put the clean up on the kid
I give the clean up intent to the kid, taking the take intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to clean up.
You put the explore on kid
I give the explore intent to the kid, taking the clean up intent in exchange. It now intends to explore for somewhere fun to play.

The kid wanders off to the south.
You look at kid
One of those young humans there seem to keep being more of. I wouldn't normally expect to see one in a place like this, but perhaps away from the actual gambling humans deem it appropriate.

The kid is holding the clean up intent and a sword cane.

> CLEAN
up.
You get clean up
I extract the clean up intent from the kid.
Inventory
Intentions:
the clean up intent
the take intent
the block intent
the play intent
the explore intent
the wait intent
the fold intent

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
Go south
meticulously cut into a network of crisscrossing channels. Presumably the effect is disorienting to humans, but I have no trouble making out the open area to the north, nestled in the center of the maze. The gravel pathways snake around it, warm in the heavy evening air.

The rest of the casino grounds lie to the south.

A magpie is perched here.
Wait
Time passes.

The magpie hops up and flies off to the south.
You go south
This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large, well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.

east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
hedges.

A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn.

A magpie is perched here.
You wait for a while
Time passes.

The magpie hops up and flies off to the east.
You go east
This cobblestone trail runs from the casino to the hotel on the complex. Box trees flank the path, interspersed with a variety of colorful ornamental plants I don't recognize. The hotel it leads to is a sprawling villa of orange bricks with towers sprouting around its perimeter. A stone archway leads east into the hotel, and the trail winds to the west.

A tarnished silver mirror hangs over the archway leading east.

On the silver mirror is some holly.

A magpie is perched here.
You get explore
I extract the explore intent from the magpie.
You give take to the magpie
I give the take intent to the magpie, who now intends to take
something shiny.

The magpie perches across from the archway, but it doesn't see
anything shiny enough to attract its interest.
You go east
As I try to pass through the archway, I bump my nonexistent head on a nonexistent wall. Looking around in confusion, I find the culprit: There's a sprig of holly on the mirror over the archway.

Humans have a lot of folk tales about fending off my kind (and, perversely, attracting agents from the Other Side). Most of it is superstitious nonsense. The folklore about holly's keeping demons
away, though, actually is true (footnote 3). It's embarrassing to admit, but something as simple as bit of holly over a doorway does in fact create a barrier that's difficult for demons to pass through. The effect is like running into a glass door, except that I can pass effortlessly through closed doors, so it's more like running into an archway that has holly stuck onto it.

I'm not very good with metaphors. The point is that the holly is going to prevent me from passing through the archway as long as it's up there.

The magpie perches across from the archway, but it doesn't see
anything shiny enough to attract its interest.
You go north
meticulously cut into a network of crisscrossing channels. Presumably the effect is disorienting to humans, but I have no trouble making out the open area to the north, nestled in the center of the maze. The gravel pathways snake around it, warm in the heavy evening air.

The rest of the casino grounds lie to the south.
Go north
This small garden lies at the center of the hedge maze. Moss grows optimistically through cracks in the mosaic floor, and vines wrap around the columns ringing the open area. A fountain in the center, flowing but full of vegetation and other flotsam, breaks the summer humidity. A torturous path to the south heads back into the maze.

of the area, sparkling with faint spiritual energy.

The kid shuffles around nearby.
You put the explore  on kid
I give the explore intent to the kid, who now intends to explore for somewhere fun to play.

The kid wanders off to the south.
Go south
meticulously cut into a network of crisscrossing channels. Presumably the effect is disorienting to humans, but I have no trouble making out the open area to the north, nestled in the center of the maze. The gravel pathways snake around it, warm in the heavy evening air.

The rest of the casino grounds lie to the south.

The kid gets completely confused and ends up running right out of the maze.
You go south
This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large, well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.

east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
hedges.

A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn.

The kid runs excitedly into the maze.
You put the clean up on the kid
I give the clean up intent to the kid, taking the explore intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to clean up.
East
Our carefully negotiated treaties with the Other Side prohibit me from talking directly to humans.
You check your inventory
Intentions:
the explore intent
the block intent
the play intent
the wait intent
the fold intent

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
You put the fold on kid
I give the fold intent to the kid, taking the clean up intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to fold.
You put the block on kid
I give the block intent to the kid, taking the fold intent in
exchange. It now vaguely intends to block.
You get the block
I extract the block intent from the kid.
Examine bar
Presumably it's intended to make the room feel larger. Humans have a thing for illusions.

The waiter loafs in the corner.
You give the clean up to the bartender
I give the clean up intent to the bartender, who now vaguely intends
to clean up.

The waiter loafs in the corner.
You give the explore to the waiter
I give the explore intent to the waiter, who now intends to explore
the casino in search of work to do.

The waiter walks purposefully off to the south.
Go south
This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is tuning
up as the crowd below them mingles. A breeze from the nearby sea occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat. The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor lies to the
west.

The musicians are chatting quietly among themselves and setting up for the next piece.

I can see the waiter here.
Wait
Time passes.

The musicians look through their sheet music.

The waiter walks purposefully off to the east.
Go east
This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large, well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.

east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
hedges.

A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn.

The kid shuffles around nearby.

I can also see the waiter here.
Wait
Time passes.

The waiter walks purposefully off to the east.
Go east
This cobblestone trail runs from the casino to the hotel on the complex. Box trees flank the path, interspersed with a variety of colorful ornamental plants I don't recognize. The hotel it leads to is a sprawling villa of orange bricks with towers sprouting around its perimeter. A stone archway leads east into the hotel, and the trail winds to the west.

A tarnished silver mirror garlanded with holly hangs over the archway leading east.

The magpie perches across from the archway, but it doesn't see
anything shiny enough to attract its interest.

I can also see the waiter here.
You put the clean up on the waiter
I don't have the clean up intent in my possession. I last saw it in
the bartender's possession.
You get explore
I extract the explore intent from the waiter.

The waiter loafs in the corner.

The magpie perches across from the archway, but it doesn't see
anything shiny enough to attract its interest.
You go to the west
This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large, well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.

east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
hedges.

A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn.

The kid shuffles around nearby.
You go to the west
This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is tuning
up as the crowd below them mingles. A breeze from the nearby sea occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat. The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor lies to the
west.

The musicians rosin their bows.
You go north
The casino's bar is a lively retreat for the dancers in the ballroom, with a steady stream of patrons drifting in and out. The bar itself is a giant mahogany beast with a bewildering array of decanters, bottles, and vials set against the mirror behind it. Floor-length windows fill the room with orange light.

The ballroom is south of here.

The bartender stands behind the bar.
You get clean up
I extract the clean up intent from the bartender.
You go east
This cobblestone trail runs from the casino to the hotel on the complex. Box trees flank the path, interspersed with a variety of colorful ornamental plants I don't recognize. The hotel it leads to is a sprawling villa of orange bricks with towers sprouting around its perimeter. A stone archway leads east into the hotel, and the trail winds to the west.

A tarnished silver mirror garlanded with holly hangs over the archway leading east.

The waiter loafs in the corner.

The magpie perches across from the archway, but it doesn't see
anything shiny enough to attract its interest.
You put the clean up on the waiter
I give the clean up intent to the waiter, who now intends to clean up the general area.

The waiter, noticing the state of the silver mirror, applies some silver polish and elbow grease. Soon, the mirror is shiny again.

The magpie, seeing the mirror reflecting light onto the holly, immediately swoops down and grabs it in its talons. Yanking hard on
it, it dislodges the holly and flies off with it back towards the terrace.
You get clean up
I extract the clean up intent from the waiter.

The waiter loafs in the corner.
You go north
meticulously cut into a network of crisscrossing channels. Presumably the effect is disorienting to humans, but I have no trouble making out the open area to the north, nestled in the center of the maze. The gravel pathways snake around it, warm in the heavy evening air.

The rest of the casino grounds lie to the south.

The magpie perches in a rough nest of holly, looking for something shiny to abscond with.
You get take
I extract the take intent from the magpie.
Go south
This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large, well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.

east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
hedges.

A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn.

The kid stands off to one side, looking bored.
Go east
This cobblestone trail runs from the casino to the hotel on the complex. Box trees flank the path, interspersed with a variety of colorful ornamental plants I don't recognize. The hotel it leads to is a sprawling villa of orange bricks with towers sprouting around its perimeter. A stone archway leads east into the hotel, and the trail winds to the west.

A shiny silver mirror hangs over the archway leading east.

The waiter loafs in the corner.
Go east
The detector blinks briefly, indicating that I've moved into a new region of the compound.

I'm at the hotel's reception, a small entryway with a gleaming marble floor and lamps made of dark green glass. The reception desk itself is a massive thing of oak, with a plush red carpet in front of it and a few potted chrysanthemums on top of it making it more inviting. A safe has been set into the wall behind it. A ceiling fan slowly spins above a passage farther into the hotel to the east. The exit from the hotel, flanked by ferns in massive clay pots, lies to the west.

A hotel clerk stands behind the desk.

A wealthy dowager is sitting in a plush leather chair.
Spin detector
The detector produces one low thud, indicating one unattained codebook in this specific location, and two high whistles, indicating two additional unattained codebooks in this region of the compound.
You examine clerk
A harried-looking human, dressed neatly in hotel livery.
You examine the dowager
An elderly human, dressed in the conspicuous finery of one who has
more money than taste.
You look at the desk
It's a massive thing, at least by human standards. These things are de rigueur in hotels, though I don't know why. Perhaps they're a mystery of human behavior that, like hats, will forever remain unsolved.
You examine safe
A standard, unimpressive hotel desk safe. It's good enough for the sorts of ordinary valuables humans care about, I suppose. As for actually valuable valuables, I notice that the safe is glowing with spiritual energy.

The safe is mystically sealed, presumably to protect its contents from the opposition. The barrier is also keeping me from accessing its contents, a jewel collection and a secret codebook, as long as it's closed.
Inventory
Intentions:
the take intent
the clean up intent
the explore intent
the block intent
the fold intent
the play intent
the wait intent

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
You examine the livery
I don't see the valets here. They were at Casino Entrance.
You put the take on the dowager
Some odd freezing, feathery barrier stops me, like an angry swan made of ice is getting in my way. I haven't encountered this sort of obstacle before, and it's clearly spiritual in nature. While I try be reasonably au fait with security measures in the field myself, my division has an entire research branch devoted to unusual and cutting-edge technology. I've worked with them before, and I even know one of their top scientists. The best option here would be for me to give my friend Whiptail a call and ask him if he knows anything about this apparently new bit of technology. Due to the abruptness of my assignment here, I don't have any sophisticated means of contacting headquarters. Instead, I'll have to fall back on the old standby of a bell, book, and candle.
You examine the chrysanthemums
Poofy yellow flowers. They're nice, I suppose, if you like flowers. I do not.
You look at the fan
As befitting a place used by the Other Side, the ceilings fans here go around in circles without accomplishing much.
Go upwards
From here, I can only go east and west.
You go east
At the center of the hotel is this wide atrium, a plaza of orange
brick dotted with flowerboxes and ornamental bushes. The ceiling of
the lobby is made of glass, and so the sunset outside gives an unnatural hue to the hibiscus vines adorning the open doors to the south. Despite the location, it's mostly quiet here. Even the rattan chairs overlooking the garden to the east are empty.

The hotel reception is to the west, and a corridor to the north leads deeper into the hotel.

A gigantic ice sculpture of a swan sits prominently on a pedestal.

A thermostat is located unobtrusively in a corner.

A bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.

A guest complains to no one in particular about the temperature of the room and looks meaningfully at the thermostat.
You look at the guest
Wearing shorts and a gaudy-print t-shirt.

> WARM
itself up.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.

The guest complains to no one in particular about the temperature of the room and looks meaningfully at the thermostat.
You get warm
Some odd freezing, feathery barrier stops me, like an angry swan made of ice is getting in my way. I don't think I'll be able to do much about this problem myself.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.

The guest shivers exaggeratedly.
You look at the bellhop
It's wearing a red uniform with one of those ridiculous hats.

> DEFEND
the sculpture.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.

The guest shivers exaggeratedly.
You examine the sculpture
It is very big, and surprisingly good at not melting. (The unusually low room temperature is probably a contributing factor.) At this close distance, I can feel some sort of numinous field radiating from it that's blocking my ability to manipulate these humans.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.

The guest looks pointedly at the thermostat.
You examine the thermostat
It's currently set to an unusually low temperature.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.

The guest complains to no one in particular about the temperature of the room and looks meaningfully at the thermostat.
Go north
The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.

A drunk burps loudly.
You look at drunk
The drunk has disheveled, stained clothes and an unpleasant odor. I'm not sure how it's managed to avoid getting kicked out of here by some sort of respectable environment operative.

The drunk is holding a bottle of vodka.

> DRINK
from a bottle of vodka.

The drunk burps loudly.

My editor has informed me that for legal reasons, I'm supposed to
refer to the drunk human as "tired and emotional." I don't get it, but you can't argue with lawyers.
You get the drink
(the drink intent)
Some odd freezing, feathery barrier stops me, like an angry swan made of ice is getting in my way. I don't think I'll be able to do much about this problem myself.

The tired and emotional human exhales contentedly.

I have informed my editor that demons don't care about human laws, and humans can't sue Hell anyway. Besides, if we had to defend our case, there's no shortage of lawyers here. I'm going to keep referring to
the drunk human as a drunk.
You go south
At the center of the hotel is this wide atrium, a plaza of orange
brick dotted with flowerboxes and ornamental bushes. The ceiling of
the lobby is made of glass, and so the sunset outside gives an unnatural hue to the hibiscus vines adorning the open doors to the south. Despite the location, it's mostly quiet here. Even the rattan chairs overlooking the garden to the east are empty.

The hotel reception is to the west, and a corridor to the north leads deeper into the hotel.

A gigantic ice sculpture of a swan sits prominently on a pedestal.

A thermostat is located unobtrusively in a corner.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.

The guest complains to no one in particular about the temperature of the room and looks meaningfully at the thermostat.
Go west
I'm at the hotel's reception, a small entryway with a gleaming marble floor and lamps made of dark green glass. The reception desk itself is a massive thing of oak, with a plush red carpet in front of it and a few potted chrysanthemums on top of it making it more inviting. A safe has been set into the wall behind it. A ceiling fan slowly spins above a passage farther into the hotel to the east. The exit from the hotel, flanked by ferns in massive clay pots, lies to the west.

The hotel clerk stands behind the desk.

The wealthy dowager is sitting in a plush leather chair.
You examine the dowager
An elderly human, dressed in the conspicuous finery of one who has
more money than taste.
You go to the west
The detector blinks briefly, indicating that I've moved into a new region of the compound.

This cobblestone trail runs from the casino to the hotel on the complex. Box trees flank the path, interspersed with a variety of colorful ornamental plants I don't recognize. The hotel it leads from is a sprawling villa of orange bricks with towers sprouting around its perimeter. A stone archway leads east into the hotel, and the trail winds to the west.

A shiny silver mirror hangs over the archway leading east.

The waiter loafs in the corner.
You look at the villa
The hotel sits comfortably out of the glare of the lights from within the casino.

The waiter loafs in the corner.
You go west
This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large, well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.

east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
hedges.

A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn.

The kid stands off to one side, looking bored.
You put the explore on kid
I give the explore intent to the kid, who now intends to explore for somewhere fun to play.

The kid runs excitedly into the maze.
Go north
meticulously cut into a network of crisscrossing channels. Presumably the effect is disorienting to humans, but I have no trouble making out the open area to the north, nestled in the center of the maze. The gravel pathways snake around it, warm in the heavy evening air.

The rest of the casino grounds lie to the south.

The kid gets completely confused and ends up running right out of the maze.

The magpie is sitting in a nest made of holly.
You put the play on the kid
I give the play intent to the kid, taking the explore intent in exchange. It now intends to play around with the sword cane.

The kid hacks its way through the maze with the sword, enlarging the way to the north. It excitedly charges in that direction.
You go north
This small garden lies at the center of the hedge maze. Moss grows optimistically through cracks in the mosaic floor, and vines wrap around the columns ringing the open area. A fountain in the center, flowing but full of vegetation and other flotsam, breaks the summer humidity. A torturous path to the south heads back into the maze.

of the area, sparkling with faint spiritual energy.

The kid runs around, swinging the sword frantically. Apparently spotting a mighty foe in the form of the statue, it takes a powerful swing. The statue falls over and shatters into a thousand pieces, revealing a codebook.

The kid looks around sheepishly. Seeing no one, it resumes its play.
You get the codebook
I pick up the confidential codebook and page through it. The cipher on the communiqu�� is at a much higher classification level than the confidential codebook, but I can still decipher some of its header information and basic format. The cipher is apparently one used by high-level angelic operatives; it's something that the Other Side reserves for particularly sensitive missions involving particularly important assets. Each five-digit number corresponds to a word or phrase; 12345, for example, could mean anything from "demon" to "eliminate" to "next Thursday afternoon." The association is also one-to-many, so the same plaintext word or phrase could have (and, if it's a common one, certainly does have) multiple ciphertext numbers corresponding to it. In short, this isn't something I can break by myself.

This codebook contains a portion of the code, at least the part of it that's available at the confidential classification level. With it, I can start to decrypt some of the communiqu��:

42734 72880 of 46480 44946 04845 62628 73048 74615 in the 47576 45953 40297 62029 31368 02666 and 63211 79260 67549 07135 14066 43999 is 03659 31802 08678 65629 67043 24095 85994

The kid swings the sword around, carefully avoiding stepping on the shattered statue pieces.
Go south
meticulously cut into a network of crisscrossing channels. Presumably the effect is disorienting to humans, but I have no trouble making out the open area to the north, nestled in the center of the maze. The gravel pathways snake around it, warm in the heavy evening air.

The rest of the casino grounds lie to the south.

The magpie is sitting in a nest made of holly.
Go west
The maze is uninteresting to me, either as a diversion or as an obstacle. I might as well just walk through the hedges to the north or south.
You go south
This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large, well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.

east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
hedges.

A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn.
You check what you're carrying
Intentions:
the explore intent
the take intent
the clean up intent
the block intent
the fold intent
the wait intent

Codebooks:
one confidential codebook

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
You get clean up
I extract the clean up intent from the musicians.

The musicians look through their sheet music.
Go north
This small garden lies at the center of the hedge maze. Moss grows optimistically through cracks in the mosaic floor, and vines wrap around the columns ringing the open area. A fountain in the center, flowing but full of vegetation and other flotsam, breaks the summer humidity. A torturous path to the south heads back into the maze.

The kid swings the sword around, carefully avoiding stepping on the shattered statue pieces.
You get the play
I extract the play intent from the kid.
Look around
This small garden lies at the center of the hedge maze. Moss grows optimistically through cracks in the mosaic floor, and vines wrap around the columns ringing the open area. A fountain in the center, flowing but full of vegetation and other flotsam, breaks the summer humidity. A torturous path to the south heads back into the maze.

The kid shuffles around nearby.
Go south
The casino complex looming before me is a converted seaside chateau. Only the most discreet glimpses of opulence are visible through the windows: checkerboard marble floors, liveried valets roaming the hallways, tiny but undoubtedly very expensive objets d'art sitting on oversized tables, and so on. As a warm breeze from the beach ruffles the palm trees, humans in formalwear stride through the grounds, staring longingly at the casino's beckoning entrance to the north.

A suspiciously large quantity of salt is no longer blocking the doorway.
You check your inventory
Intentions:
the play intent
the clean up intent
the explore intent
the take intent
the block intent
the fold intent
the wait intent

Codebooks:
one confidential codebook

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
You put wait on the thief
I give the wait intent to the thief, taking the take intent in exchange. It now intends to wait patiently until a solid opportunity for thievery arises.

The thief is waiting patiently, paying attention to the guard.

The guard loafs idly.
You put the explore on the guard
I give the explore intent to the guard, who now vaguely intends to explore.

The thief is waiting patiently, watching the surrounding area.
You put the play on the guard
I give the play intent to the guard, taking the explore intent in exchange. It now intends to play some casino games.

The thief is waiting patiently, looking up at the security cameras.

The guard sits down at a nearby slot machine and begins to play, still keeping an eye on the door.
You wait
Time passes.

The thief is waiting patiently, listening carefully to the sounds of the casino.

The guard gets more distracted by the slot machine.
Wait
Time passes.

The thief is waiting patiently, looking up at the security cameras.

The guard gets even more distracted by the slot machine.
You wait for a while
Time passes.

The thief is waiting patiently, paying attention to the guard.

The guard continues to play the slots, intent on the false allure of riches.
You wait for a while
Time passes.

The thief is waiting patiently, looking up at the security cameras.

The guard continues to play the slots, intent on the false allure of riches.
You take the wait
I extract the wait intent from the thief.

The thief picks the lock of the counting house door and slips through, gently closing it behind it.

The guard continues to play the slots, intent on the false allure of riches.
Go north
Unlike the rest of the casino, this small room is refreshingly severe and empty. Bookshelves filled with identical logbooks line the windowless walls, occasionally broken up by racks of electronic equipment. The only exit is an imposing door to the south.

An elaborate laser grid encloses a metal strongbox, which is sparkling with faint spiritual energy.

The thief sidles over to the strongbox and peers at it intently.

The thief is skulking nearby, trying unsucessfully to avoid looking suspicious.
You give the take to the thief
I give the take intent to the thief, who now intends to take something valuable.

The thief tinkers with the strongbox. Despite its obvious skill, its hand grazes one of the laser beams as it attempts to break inside. It hesitates briefly but, sweating nervously, continues its delicate
work.
You wait awhile
Time passes.

As the thief continues to poke at the strongbox, I hear muffled footsteps outside approaching the door. A security team furiously rushes inside, grabs the thief, and abruptly hauls it out of the room amid a series of curses and threats. After the door slams shut again, another set of impatient footsteps issues from the opposite side. As they recede, though, I suddenly hear something heavy fall, followed by the sound of someone frantically running. It would seem the thief managed to escape after all.
Go south
The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.

At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an imposing door.

The guard continues to play the slots, intent on the false allure of riches.
Go south
The casino complex looming before me is a converted seaside chateau. Only the most discreet glimpses of opulence are visible through the windows: checkerboard marble floors, liveried valets roaming the hallways, tiny but undoubtedly very expensive objets d'art sitting on oversized tables, and so on. As a warm breeze from the beach ruffles the palm trees, humans in formalwear stride through the grounds, staring longingly at the casino's beckoning entrance to the north.

A suspiciously large quantity of salt is no longer blocking the doorway.
You go to the north
The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.

At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an imposing door.

The guard continues to play the slots, intent on the false allure of riches.

The thief creeps in from the east.
Go south
The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.

At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an imposing door.

The thief is skulking nearby, trying unsucessfully to avoid looking suspicious.

The guard continues to play the slots, intent on the false allure of riches.
You examine thief
It's wearing a black-and-white striped shirt and a domino mask. It doesn't fit in.

> TAKE
something valuable.

The guard continues to play the slots, intent on the false allure of riches.
Wait
Time passes.

The guard continues to play the slots, intent on the false allure of riches.
You get take
I extract the take intent from the thief.

The thief picks the lock of the counting house door and slips through, gently closing it behind it.

The guard continues to play the slots, intent on the false allure of riches.
Go north
Unlike the rest of the casino, this small room is refreshingly severe and empty. Bookshelves filled with identical logbooks line the windowless walls, occasionally broken up by racks of electronic equipment. The only exit is an imposing door to the south.

An elaborate laser grid encloses a metal strongbox, which is sparkling with faint spiritual energy.

The thief sidles over to the strongbox and peers at it intently.

The thief is skulking nearby, trying unsucessfully to avoid looking suspicious.
You check what you're carrying
Intentions:
the take intent
the wait intent
the explore intent
the clean up intent
the block intent
the fold intent

Codebooks:
one confidential codebook

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
You give the take to the thief
I give the take intent to the thief, who now intends to take something valuable.

The thief tinkers with the strongbox. Despite its obvious skill, its hand grazes one of the laser beams as it attempts to break inside. It hesitates briefly but, sweating nervously, continues its delicate
work.
Go south
The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.

At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an imposing door.

The guard continues to play the slots, intent on the false allure of riches.

Unnoticed by the crowd, a half-dozen humans in sleek black suits mix through the room and arrive at the door. Ignoring the guard, they unlock the door and quickly close it behind them. In my line of work, I've come to recognize the look a person, or even a human, has when he's carrying a weapon he intends to use. Even if I hadn't been able
to see them reaching inside their jackets, it's clear from their faces that they're preparing to handle the burglar with supererogatory viciousness. After a couple of heavy thumps from inside, the security team emerges with the would-be thief securely held in the center of their formation. They close and relock the door, then march the
burglar down the maze of machines, away from the densest groups of players.

As they begin to recede into the distance in the cavernous hall, I
hear the thud of something hitting the floor, some muttered curses,
and the sound of someone running frantically. It would seem that the thief escaped after all.
Go east
This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is tuning
up as the crowd below them mingles. A breeze from the nearby sea occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat. The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor lies to the
west.

The musicians are chatting quietly among themselves and setting up for the next piece.

The thief creeps in from the east.
You go to the west
The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.

At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an imposing door.

The guard continues to play the slots, intent on the false allure of riches.

The thief creeps in from the east.
You get take
I extract the take intent from the thief.

The thief picks the lock of the counting house door and slips through, gently closing it behind it.

The guard continues to play the slots, intent on the false allure of riches.
You get the play
I extract the play intent from the guard.

The guard loafs idly.
Go north
Unlike the rest of the casino, this small room is refreshingly severe and empty. Bookshelves filled with identical logbooks line the windowless walls, occasionally broken up by racks of electronic equipment. The only exit is an imposing door to the south.

An elaborate laser grid encloses a metal strongbox, which is sparkling with faint spiritual energy.

The thief tinkers with the strongbox. Despite its obvious skill, its hand grazes one of the laser beams as it attempts to break inside. It hesitates briefly but, sweating nervously, continues its delicate
work.
You put the block on the thief
I give the block intent to the thief, who now intends to block the door.

The thief pushes a shelf against the door, blocking it from the
inside.
You wait
Time passes.

As the thief pokes at the strongbox, I hear muffled footsteps outside approaching the door. Something heavy collides with the door, but the bookshelves braced against it keep it closed. The thief continues its desperate lockpicking even as the bookcases shake under the force from the door. Eventually the thief succeeds, crying out triumphantly as it pries open the box and plucks a wad of banknotes from inside it. Its glee is short-lived, though, as the door flies open and a contingent
of stone-faced security guards rushes in to seize it. While they
search it, one member of the team splits off to inspect the open strongbox. It grabs the banknotes from the burglar and returns it to its former place of safekeeping, though I deftly fish out the codebook inside and lay it aside before the guard reseals the box. The same guard pauses to clear away the exit and move the bookshelves back into position. With the room now secure, the security detail hauls the
thief outside and relocks the door. I pluck the intention from the thief as it leaves; judging from the guards' expressions, I don't
think the thief will be of much use to me for quite a while.
You get the codebook
I pick up the confidential codebook and page through it. A few of the code sequences from the communiqu�� are in it, and I decrypt some more of it:

42734 72880 of 46480. There is no 62628 73048 74615 in the 47576 45953 has been 62029 31368 02666 and 63211 79260 67549 07135 14066 43999 is 03659 31802 08678 65629 67043 on the 85994
Inventory
Intentions:
the block intent
the play intent
the take intent
the wait intent
the explore intent
the clean up intent
the fold intent

Codebooks:
two confidential codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
Go south
The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.

At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an imposing door.

The guard is being distracted by the flashing games.
You go west
If the rest of the casino is a place of leisure, this lair is a place of business. Shark-faced humans in formal attire loom over tables playing some incomprehensible card game, accepting both wins and
losses with aloof detachment. Aside from a desultory appreciative or sympathetic murmur from onlookers following a particularly involved hand, the room has the quiet intensity of an art museum. Whorls of cigarette smoke drift across the glaring lights overhead.

The main area of the of the casino lies to the east.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.

The card sharp is watching the other gamblers.
You put the play on the gambler
I give the play intent to the gambler, who now intends to play poker.

With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and starts a game.

The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
You wait awhile
Time passes.

The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing, the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
You examine sharp
A wily human wearing a green visor and a charcoal suit. It looks like it's been here for quite a while, and it watches the other gamblers with a predatory manner.

The gambler cautiously throws another batch of chips into the pot.
You examine the gambler
The well-dressed guest hovers around the poker tables with evident curiosity. It also carries an attach�� case that is sparkling with faint spiritual energy.

> PLAY
poker.

The gambler loses its nerve and folds.

The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
Look around
If the rest of the casino is a place of leisure, this lair is a place of business. Shark-faced humans in formal attire loom over tables playing some incomprehensible card game, accepting both wins and
losses with aloof detachment. Aside from a desultory appreciative or sympathetic murmur from onlookers following a particularly involved hand, the room has the quiet intensity of an art museum. Whorls of cigarette smoke drift across the glaring lights overhead.

The main area of the of the casino lies to the east.

The card sharp is watching the other gamblers.

I can also see the gambler here.
You look at the case
A thin, leather-bound case used for transporting private documents. It's more effective when onlookers can only see in three dimensions.

The attach�� case is mystically sealed, presumably to protect its contents from the opposition. The barrier is also keeping me from accessing its contents, a confidential codebook, as long as it's closed.

With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and starts a game.

The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
You put the wait on sharp
I give the wait intent to the card sharp, who now vaguely intends to wait around idly.

The gambler cautiously throws another batch of chips into the pot.
You take the wait
I extract the wait intent from the card sharp.

The gambler loses its nerve and folds.

The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.

The card sharp looks around the room predatorily.
You wait for a while
Time passes.

With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and starts a game.

The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
You wait
Time passes.

The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing, the gambler thinks it has the better hand.
You take fold
I extract the fold intent from the card sharp.

The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing, the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
You put clean up on sharp
I give the clean up intent to the card sharp, who now intends to clean up at poker.

The gambler cautiously throws another batch of chips into the pot.
You wait awhile
Time passes.

The gambler loses its nerve and folds.

The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
Wait
Time passes.

The gambler raises. The card sharp scrutinizes its opponent's face for a moment, then tosses its cards onto the table.

The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.

The card sharp looks around the room predatorily.
You wait
Time passes.

The gambler raises. The card sharp stares at its opponent's face for a moment, then tosses its cards onto the table.

The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.

The card sharp looks at the bunch of unobservant, unwary gamblers in the casino optimistically.
You examine the gamblers
I don't see the gamblers here. They were on the casino floor.
Go east
The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.

At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an imposing door.

The guard is being distracted by the flashing games.
You look at the gamblers
Awash in an amorphous mass of greed and bedazzlement.

The guard loafs idly.
You put the explore on the gamblers
The gamblers are too vague for me to manipulate. Crowds are more trouble than they're worth.

The guard loafs idly.
You go west
If the rest of the casino is a place of leisure, this lair is a place of business. Shark-faced humans in formal attire loom over tables playing some incomprehensible card game, accepting both wins and
losses with aloof detachment. Aside from a desultory appreciative or sympathetic murmur from onlookers following a particularly involved hand, the room has the quiet intensity of an art museum. Whorls of cigarette smoke drift across the glaring lights overhead.

The main area of the of the casino lies to the east.

With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and starts a game.

The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
You take clean
I extract the clean up intent from the card sharp.

The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing, the gambler thinks it has the better hand.
You put the fold on gambler
I give the fold intent to the gambler, taking the play intent in exchange. It now intends to fold in the poker game.

The gambler summarily folds.

The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
You put the play on gambler
I give the play intent to the gambler, taking the fold intent in exchange. It now intends to play poker.

With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and starts a game.

The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
You wait awhile
Time passes.

The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing, the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
You put clean up on the gambler
I give the clean up intent to the gambler, taking the play intent in exchange. It now intends to clean up its act and avoid gambling.

The gambler loses its nerve and folds.

The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
You put the play on the gambler
I give the play intent to the gambler, taking the clean up intent in exchange. It now intends to play poker.

With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and starts a game.

The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
Wait
Time passes.

The gambler cautiously throws another batch of chips into the pot.
You wait
Time passes.

The gambler loses its nerve and folds.

The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.

The card sharp looks around the room predatorily.
You check what you're carrying
Intentions:
the clean up intent
the fold intent
the wait intent
the block intent
the take intent
the explore intent

Codebooks:
two confidential codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
You put explore on the gambler
I give the explore intent to the gambler, taking the play intent in exchange. It now intends to explore the poker tables without getting sucked in.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.

The card sharp looks at the bunch of unobservant, unwary gamblers in the casino optimistically.
You wait
Time passes.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.
You take the explore
I extract the explore intent from the gambler.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.
You put the explore on sharp
I give the explore intent to the card sharp, who now vaguely intends
to explore.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.
You take the explore
I extract the explore intent from the card sharp.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.
You put clean up on the gambler
I give the clean up intent to the gambler, who now intends to clean up its act and avoid gambling.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.

The card sharp looks at the bunch of unobservant, unwary gamblers in the casino optimistically.
You put the take on sharp
I give the take intent to the card sharp, who now vaguely intends to take something.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.
You take take
I extract the take intent from the card sharp.

With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and starts a game.

The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
You put the clean up on sharp
I give the clean up intent to the card sharp, taking the wait intent
in exchange. It now intends to clean up at poker.

The gambler loses its nerve and folds.

The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.

The card sharp sizes up its fellow players.
You take clean
I extract the clean up intent from the card sharp.

With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and starts a game.

The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
Inventory
Intentions:
the clean up intent
the wait intent
the take intent
the explore intent
the fold intent
the block intent

Codebooks:
two confidential codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
You put the block on sharp
I give the block intent to the card sharp, who now vaguely intends to block.

The gambler cautiously throws another batch of chips into the pot.
You take the block
I extract the block intent from the card sharp.

The gambler loses its nerve and folds.

The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
You put the fold on gambler
I give the fold intent to the gambler, taking the play intent in exchange. It now intends to fold in the poker game.

The gambler abruptly folds.

The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
You put the play on gambler
I give the play intent to the gambler, taking the fold intent in exchange. It now intends to play poker.

With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and starts a game.

The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
You put the wait on the gambler
I give the wait intent to the gambler, taking the play intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to wait around idly.

The gambler loses its nerve and folds.

The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
You take the wait
I extract the wait intent from the gambler.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.
Inventory
Intentions:
the wait intent
the play intent
the fold intent
the block intent
the clean up intent
the take intent
the explore intent

Codebooks:
two confidential codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
You examine the wait
The abstract will-composite of the intention to wait.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.
You put the play on the gambler
I give the play intent to the gambler, who now intends to play poker.

With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and starts a game.

The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
You put the fold on sharp
I give the fold intent to the card sharp, who now intends to fold in the poker game.

The card sharp abruptly folds.

The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.

The card sharp sizes up its fellow players.
You take the fold
I extract the fold intent from the card sharp.

With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and starts a game.

The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
You wait
Time passes.

The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing, the gambler thinks it has the better hand.
You put clean on sharp
I give the clean up intent to the card sharp, who now intends to clean up at poker.

The gambler raises. The card sharp scrutinizes its opponent's face for a moment, then tosses its cards onto the table.

The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
You take clean
I extract the clean up intent from the card sharp.

With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and starts a game.

The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
You put the fold on sharp
I give the fold intent to the card sharp, taking the clean up intent
in exchange. It now intends to fold in the poker game.

The card sharp quickly folds.

The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
You take the fold
I extract the fold intent from the card sharp.

With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and starts a game.

The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
You put the fold on sharp
I give the fold intent to the card sharp, who now intends to fold in the poker game.

The card sharp abruptly folds.

The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
You put the fold on sharp
I give the fold intent to the card sharp, who now intends to fold in the poker game.

The card sharp quickly folds.

The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.

The card sharp looks around the room predatorily.
You look at sharp
A wily human wearing a green visor and a charcoal suit. It looks like it's been here for quite a while, and it watches the other gamblers with a predatory manner.

> FOLD
in the poker game.

With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and starts a game.

The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
You look at the money
I don't see the stacks of banknotes here. I last saw them in the strongbox in the laser grid at Counting House.
You take all
play intent: I extract the play intent from the gambler.
fold intent: I extract the fold intent from the card sharp.

The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing, the gambler thinks it has the better hand.
You examine sharp
A wily human wearing a green visor and a charcoal suit. It looks like it's been here for quite a while, and it watches the other gamblers with a predatory manner.

The gambler raises. The card sharp studies its opponent's face for a moment, then tosses its cards onto the table.

The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
You examine the gambler
The well-dressed guest hovers around the poker tables with evident curiosity. It also carries an attach�� case that is sparkling with faint spiritual energy.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.

The card sharp looks at the bunch of unobservant, unwary gamblers in the casino optimistically.
You take all
play intent: I extract the play intent from the gambler.

The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing, the gambler thinks it has the better hand.
You wait for a while
Time passes.

The gambler raises. The card sharp stares at its opponent's face for a moment, then tosses its cards onto the table.

The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
You put the fold on gambler
I give the fold intent to the gambler, who now intends to fold in the poker game.

The gambler quickly folds.

The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.

The card sharp looks at the bunch of unobservant, unwary gamblers in the casino optimistically.
You take all
play intent: I extract the play intent from the gambler.

The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing, the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
Inventory
Intentions:
the play intent
the fold intent
the clean up intent
the wait intent
the block intent
the take intent
the explore intent

Codebooks:
two confidential codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
You put the play on sharp
I give the play intent to the card sharp, who now intends to play
poker for high stakes.

The gambler loses its nerve and folds.

The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
You examine the chips
With a game not currently in play, there aren't any chips being wagered.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.

The card sharp looks at the bunch of unobservant, unwary gamblers in the casino optimistically.
You take all
play intent: I extract the play intent from the card sharp.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.

The card sharp looks around the room predatorily.
You put the play on the gambler
I give the play intent to the gambler, who now intends to play poker.

With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and starts a game.

The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
You put the play on the gambler
(first taking the play intent from the gambler)
I give the play intent to the gambler, who now intends to play poker.

The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing, the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
You put the play on sharp
(first taking the play intent from the gambler)
I give the play intent to the card sharp, who now intends to play
poker for high stakes.

The gambler loses its nerve and folds.

The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
You put the play on the gambler
(first taking the play intent from the card sharp)
I give the play intent to the gambler, who now intends to play poker.

With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and starts a game.

The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
You put the play on sharp
(first taking the play intent from the gambler)
I give the play intent to the card sharp, who now intends to play
poker for high stakes.

The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing, the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
You wait
Time passes.

The gambler loses its nerve and folds.

The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.

The card sharp looks around the room predatorily.
You check your inventory
Intentions:
the fold intent
the clean up intent
the wait intent
the block intent
the take intent
the explore intent

Codebooks:
two confidential codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
You put the take on gambler
I give the take intent to the gambler, who now vaguely intends to take something.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.
You put the play on gambler
(first taking the play intent from the card sharp)
I give the play intent to the gambler, taking the take intent in exchange. It now intends to play poker.

With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and starts a game.

The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
You get the play
I extract the play intent from the card sharp.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.

The card sharp sizes up its fellow players.
You put take on gambler
I give the take intent to the gambler, taking the play intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to take something.

The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing, the gambler thinks it has the better hand.
You put the block on the gambler
I give the block intent to the gambler, taking the take intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to block.

The gambler raises. The card sharp studies its opponent's face for a moment, then tosses its cards onto the table.

The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
You put the play on the gambler
I give the play intent to the gambler, taking the block intent in exchange. It now intends to play poker.

With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and starts a game.

The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
You put the play on sharp
(first taking the play intent from the gambler)
I give the play intent to the card sharp, who now intends to play
poker for high stakes.

The gambler, awkwardly trying to suppress a smug grin, raises. The
card sharp frowns and raises as well. The pile of chips on the table
is now substantial.
You put the fold on gambler
I give the fold intent to the gambler, who now intends to fold in the poker game.

The gambler abruptly folds.

The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
You get all
fold intent: I extract the fold intent from the gambler.
play intent: I extract the play intent from the card sharp.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.

The card sharp looks at the bunch of unobservant, unwary gamblers in the casino optimistically.
You put the play on sharp
(first taking the play intent from the gambler)
I give the play intent to the card sharp, who now intends to play
poker for high stakes.

The gambler, putting its elbows on the table in a transparent attempt to appear nonchalant, raises. The card sharp hesitantly raises as
well. The pile of chips on the table is now substantial.
Wait
Time passes.

The gambler, twitching nervously, raises. The card sharp grimaces slightly and raises as well. The pile of chips on the table is now large.
Wait
Time passes.

The gambler, keeping its eyes resolutely on the table and its face expressionless, raises. It counts its stack of chips, looking
worriedly at its briefcase, and then shoves both its pile of chips and the case into the center of the table. The look of careless
malevolence it gives the card sharp is impressive even by the lofty standards of my kind; I'll have to remember it for my next
departmental review. The card sharp is also impressed and hesitates, but ultimately raises as well.
You put the fold on gambler
I give the fold intent to the gambler, who now intends to fold in the poker game.

The gambler summarily folds.

The card sharp rakes in the chips from the table. As it attempts to grab the attach�� case, the gambler snaps it up and cradles it possessively. After a few very short words from a very tall security guard, it reluctantly hands over the case to its opponent. As the card sharp opens it up to examine its new prize, a codebook falls out onto the floor.
You get the codebook
I pick up the confidential codebook and page through it. A few of the code sequences from the communiqu�� are in it, and I decrypt some more of it:

Confirmed 72880 of 46480. There is no significant 73048 74615 in the 47576 45953 has been 62029 31368 02666 and 63211 79260 67549 07135 14066 43999 is 03659. We will 65629 67043 on the 85994

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.
You go to the east
The detector blinks briefly, indicating that I've moved into a new region of the compound.

I'm at the hotel's reception, a small entryway with a gleaming marble floor and lamps made of dark green glass. The reception desk itself is a massive thing of oak, with a plush red carpet in front of it and a few potted chrysanthemums on top of it making it more inviting. A safe has been set into the wall behind it. A ceiling fan slowly spins above a passage farther into the hotel to the east. The exit from the hotel, flanked by ferns in massive clay pots, lies to the west.

The hotel clerk stands behind the desk.

The wealthy dowager is sitting in a plush leather chair.
Exits
From here, I can only go east and west.
Go east
At the center of the hotel is this wide atrium, a plaza of orange
brick dotted with flowerboxes and ornamental bushes. The ceiling of
the lobby is made of glass, and so the sunset outside gives an unnatural hue to the hibiscus vines adorning the open doors to the south. Despite the location, it's mostly quiet here. Even the rattan chairs overlooking the garden to the east are empty.

The hotel reception is to the west, and a corridor to the north leads deeper into the hotel.

A gigantic ice sculpture of a swan sits prominently on a pedestal.

A thermostat is located unobtrusively in a corner.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.

The guest shivers exaggeratedly.
Go north
The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.

The drunk burps loudly.
You go to the north
Bookshelves line the walls of this small, wood-paneled room, mixing
the smell of paper with that of cigarette smoke. There are some high-backed chairs arranged in front of the shelves, clustered around tables topped with small but bright wrought-iron lamps. A passageway, above which sits an oil painting of a tropical seascape, leads south.
You look at the painting
It's not a masterpiece, but it's a reasonably compelling and well-executed oil painting of a lagoon or beach. The puzzling thing is why the humans here want a modestly competent representation of a tropical seascape when there's a real one right outside. There's probably some sort of metaphor for humanity there; I just think it's a waste of the artist's time.
You look at books
Various novels written by and for humans. As physical objects in the mortal realm, they're not even useful in summoning Whiptail.
Go south
The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.

The drunk takes a swig from its bottle.
You examine the trolley
Arrayed on the trolley are a variety of bottles and drinking implements.

The drunk takes a swig from its bottle.
Go west
Humans crowd this room, sitting nervously on folding chairs and clutching lorgnettes. They face a dais piled with paintings,
furniture, and small sculptures, continually fed by humans in black uniforms carrying in works of art from a smaller room to the north.
The rest of the room is starkly utilitarian, with bare walls and
overly bright lights. A passage to the east leads back into the rest
of the hotel.

An auctioneer looks intently at potential bidders.

A tourist considers bidding, but it decides against it.
You look at the auctioneer
Grey-haired but with a voice like a megaphone.

The auctioneer is holding a circlet.

> SELL
the circlet.

The auctioneer sets the circlet aside, unsold. One of the workers carries it back to the storage room to the north.
You examine the tourist
The tourist watches the auction keenly, its fingers twitching.

> BUY
something impressive.

One of the staffers hands the auctioneer a ring.
You examine the ring
A simple golden ring. Humans are all over these sorts of things.

The auctioneer solicits bids for the ring, naming a very high starting price.
You look at drunk
The drunk has disheveled, stained clothes and an unpleasant odor. I'm not sure how it's managed to avoid getting kicked out of here by some sort of respectable environment operative.

The drunk is holding a bottle of vodka.

> DRINK
from a bottle of vodka.

The drunk takes a swig from its bottle.
Go east
This gallery is a small, stark alcove adjoining the lounge to the
west. The walls are bare and white, and the carpet is a deep brown. An exhibit at the far end of the room shows off a few brightly colored pieces of pottery, protected by a velvet rope in front of the display.

A bell with a large crack is displayed on a plinth here.
You examine the bell
According to the rushed briefing I had before the mission, this particular bell used to be part of a church that was on the property long before this chateau was built. It glows with a faint greenish-yellow light, presumably from accreted spiritual residue. In fact, the bell has enough of a presence in the spiritual realm for me to interact with it.
You ring bell
Not much use in the bell without the almanach and the candle.
Exits
From here, I can only go west.
You go west
Humans crowd this room, sitting nervously on folding chairs and clutching lorgnettes. They face a dais piled with paintings,
furniture, and small sculptures, continually fed by humans in black uniforms carrying in works of art from a smaller room to the north.
The rest of the room is starkly utilitarian, with bare walls and
overly bright lights. A passage to the east leads back into the rest
of the hotel.

The auctioneer solicits bids for a circlet, naming a very high
starting price.

The tourist sits off to one side.
Go north
An almost endless mass of crates, chests, and pallets fills this small room. They reach the ceiling, yet an array of humans in black uniforms manages to glide through narrow openings in the debris, shuttling
items into the larger room to the south. There's no apparent organization to the clutter, or even visible labels on the various boxes, but the humans have no difficulty in finding whatever objects they're looking for.

A large golden chest, glowing with spiritual energy, catches the eye off to one side.

A picker listens to the auction in the next room, waiting for a new item to be needed.
You examine chest
The chest is actually made of oak; its surface is covered in gold
foil. It's glowing with spiritual energy.

The golden chest is mystically sealed, presumably to protect its contents from the opposition. The barrier is also keeping me from accessing its contents, a secret codebook, as long as it's closed.

The picker listens to the auction in the next room, waiting for a new item to be needed.
You examine picker
A tall, wiry human that resembles a rodent.

> SELECT
something light for the auction.

The picker listens to the auction in the next room, waiting for a new item to be needed.
Examine boxes
They're filled with human artifacts that are presumably valuable to them but worthless to me.

The picker listens to the auction in the next room, waiting for a new item to be needed.
Go south
Humans crowd this room, sitting nervously on folding chairs and clutching lorgnettes. They face a dais piled with paintings,
furniture, and small sculptures, continually fed by humans in black uniforms carrying in works of art from a smaller room to the north.
The rest of the room is starkly utilitarian, with bare walls and
overly bright lights. A passage to the east leads back into the rest
of the hotel.

The auctioneer sets the circlet aside, unsold. One of the workers carries it back to the storage room to the north.

The tourist sits off to one side.
You go east
The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.

The drunk takes a swig from its bottle.
Go upward
I make my way to my predecessor's room, ignoring the frivolous rooms
of the human guests.

My predecessor, Krait, used this hotel room as a temporary base of operations for his role as chief of station. Of course, he had no use for its amenities. Thus the bed and dining table were both employed, judging from the papers scattered across them, as makeshift desks. A smaller but bona fide desk sits in the corner, with an artless landscape in watercolors hanging above it. The liquor cabinet lurks untouched in the corner, and the ashtray on top of it is completely empty. The stark white carpet here is plush and spotless.

The only exit from the room is to the south.

An almanach sits obtrusively on the center of the desk.
You look at almanach
This almanach is a directory the demon intelligence services compiled on the known operatives working on our side or on the Other Side. Of course, it's heavily redacted even at the ������������������������ classification
level, and the entities and organizations in it are listed by codeword rather than real name (if they even have real names). Looking up an angel in it might give you his official cover, but don't expect to
find any state secrets.
You take it
Taken.
You look at the cabinet
The cabinet's contents are untouched. The small niceties of human existence are beneath the notice of my kind.
Go downwards
I make my way back down to the lounge, past rows of uninteresting
guest rooms.

The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.

The drunk exhales contentedly.
Go south
At the center of the hotel is this wide atrium, a plaza of orange
brick dotted with flowerboxes and ornamental bushes. The ceiling of
the lobby is made of glass, and so the sunset outside gives an unnatural hue to the hibiscus vines adorning the open doors to the south. Despite the location, it's mostly quiet here. Even the rattan chairs overlooking the garden to the east are empty.

The hotel reception is to the west, and a corridor to the north leads deeper into the hotel.

A gigantic ice sculpture of a swan sits prominently on a pedestal.

A thermostat is located unobtrusively in a corner.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.

The guest looks pointedly at the thermostat.
You go east
The gardens on the eastern edge of the hotel lie in uniform, geometric precision. Straight gravel paths bound squares of brightly colored flowers, each with a placard bearing the scientific names of its contents. The breeze from the nearby sea mixes the faint aromas in the various plants into an unidentifiable but not unpleasant smell. A ponderous chapel made of rough stone looms at the eastern edge of the gardens, and a well-worn path leading northeast skirts around it. To the west, there is a wide portico that leads into the hotel.
Go east
I could go in, but I'd rather prefer not to. I still haven't
gotten the stains out from last time I had to visit a chapel.
You go to the north-east
squat building to the east. It is trim and spartan, with no ornamentation aside from the tall hedges forming its boundary. They also block the breeze coming in off the sea, so the air here is warm and still.

There's a set of double doors here blocking the way east, the carvings of which form a pentagram.

An agent stands next to the doors.

A reporter inches towards the door, but the agent refuses.
You look at the agent
A human in a sharp black suit.

The reporter calmly shows the agent its press pass, but the agent ignores it placidly.
You examine reporter
A human carrying a notebook and wearing a press pass.

> OPEN
the way into the conference.

The reporter asks politely to be let in, but the agent curtly refuses to let it through.
You examine the pentagram
Heavy carved oak doors with a dark varnish. Disguised to unobservant humans, but obvious to me, is the pattern of a pentagram, which unfortunately serves as a barrier to my kind.

It's a clich��, but pentagrams do repel demons. That fact isn't classified; we actually disseminate it ourselves. The trick is that a pentagram has to be constructed with absolute, mathematical precision to be effective, and it's extraordinarily rare for humans to possess that level of skill. We want humans to try making pentagrams; it's
much better if they have a worthless defense but not realize it than
if they have no defense at all. This particular pentagram, however, is the real stuff. With the double doors closed, the faint etchings over their flush surfaces create a pentagram with the exact measurements to constitute an effective ward.

The reporter calmly shows the agent its press pass, but the agent ignores it placidly.
You go to the east
The inexorable geometric forces of the pentagram block my path. I
can't go through the doors until it's disrupted.

The reporter calmly shows the agent its press pass, but the agent curtly refuses to let it through.
You look at the doors
Heavy carved oak doors with a dark varnish. Disguised to unobservant humans, but obvious to me, is the pattern of a pentagram, which unfortunately serves as a barrier to my kind.

The reporter asks politely to be let in, but the agent ignores it placidly.
Exits
From here, I can only go southwest and east.
Go southwest
The gardens on the eastern edge of the hotel lie in uniform, geometric precision. Straight gravel paths bound squares of brightly colored flowers, each with a placard bearing the scientific names of its contents. The breeze from the nearby sea mixes the faint aromas in the various plants into an unidentifiable but not unpleasant smell. A ponderous chapel made of rough stone looms at the eastern edge of the gardens, and a well-worn path leading northeast skirts around it. To the west, there is a wide portico that leads into the hotel.
You go west
At the center of the hotel is this wide atrium, a plaza of orange
brick dotted with flowerboxes and ornamental bushes. The ceiling of
the lobby is made of glass, and so the sunset outside gives an unnatural hue to the hibiscus vines adorning the open doors to the south. Despite the location, it's mostly quiet here. Even the rattan chairs overlooking the garden to the east are empty.

The hotel reception is to the west, and a corridor to the north leads deeper into the hotel.

A gigantic ice sculpture of a swan sits prominently on a pedestal.

A thermostat is located unobtrusively in a corner.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.

The guest complains to no one in particular about the temperature of the room and looks meaningfully at the thermostat.
You go south
The hotel's restaurant is a tediously chic affair, full of spindly tables and blobby oil paintings. In addition to the artfully placed mirrors, the emptiness of the hall also makes it seem cavernous; there are few patrons this evening. Nevertheless, there are fresh hydrangeas in the delicate glass epergnes at the precise center of each table,
and the electric lights have been dimmed in favor of the soft evening light coming from the open doors to the north. Another swinging door lies to the east.

A diner looks thoughtfully at the dessert menu.

The server walks in from the east.
You look at the epergnes
dining, but I don't know how exactly they're used.

The diner looks thoughtfully at the dessert menu.

The server looks to see if the diner wants to order anything.
You look at the diner
It's wearing a light jacket and sitting by itself at a table.

> READ
all the options on the dessert menu.

The diner considers getting another drink with dessert.

The server walks off to the east.
You go east
Even at this hour, the kitchen is a frenzy of activity. At rows of steel tables, cooks go through whatever laborious tasks are necessary to make food for humans. I'm not sure exactly what they are, but they apparently involve a lot of fire and yelling. The cramped room is filled with smoke and the aromas of spices. A swinging door leads west into the restaurant, and a heavy steel door is to the south.

The server looks around vaguely.
You look at the server
Impeccably dressed in the manner of one who's used to its tips depending on it.

> SERVE
food to the restaurant patrons.

The server walks off to the west.
Exits
From here, I can only go south, west, and inside.
You go south
This small room is cluttered with tins, crates, and boxes of human foodstuffs. The air is cold and dry, and the shelves along the walls are covered in a faint rime of frost. The only exit is a heavy steel door to the north.

Two cartons of ice cream, one old and one new, sit next to the door.
You look at the old ice cream
There is a noticeable hoar of frost on the waxy substance inside the container. Beyond that, I can't tell you much; food is not my area of expertise. There's a cow on the carton; maybe it's cow-flavored ice cream.
You look at the new ice cream
The ice cream in it is green with little black specks. Insects, perhaps? More importantly, the carton is glowing with spiritual
energy.

The new carton of ice cream is mystically sealed, presumably to
protect its contents from the opposition. The barrier is also keeping me from accessing its contents, a secret codebook, as long as it's closed.
Go north
Even at this hour, the kitchen is a frenzy of activity. At rows of steel tables, cooks go through whatever laborious tasks are necessary to make food for humans. I'm not sure exactly what they are, but they apparently involve a lot of fire and yelling. The cramped room is filled with smoke and the aromas of spices. A swinging door leads west into the restaurant, and a heavy steel door is to the south.

The server walks off to the west.
You go outside
Even at this hour, the kitchen is a frenzy of activity. At rows of steel tables, cooks go through whatever laborious tasks are necessary to make food for humans. I'm not sure exactly what they are, but they apparently involve a lot of fire and yelling. The cramped room is filled with smoke and the aromas of spices. A swinging door leads west into the restaurant, and a heavy steel door is to the south.

The server walks in from the west.
Go west
The hotel's restaurant is a tediously chic affair, full of spindly tables and blobby oil paintings. In addition to the artfully placed mirrors, the emptiness of the hall also makes it seem cavernous; there are few patrons this evening. Nevertheless, there are fresh hydrangeas in the delicate glass epergnes at the precise center of each table,
and the electric lights have been dimmed in favor of the soft evening light coming from the open doors to the north. Another swinging door lies to the east.

The diner considers getting another drink with dessert.
You examine the hydrangeas
Large and colorful ornamental flowers, out of place in the otherwise somber restaurant.

The diner looks back and forth between two possible desserts.

The server walks in from the east.
You take read
Some odd freezing, feathery barrier stops me, like an angry swan made of ice is getting in my way. I don't think I'll be able to do much about this problem myself.

The diner considers getting another drink with dessert.

The server looks to see if the diner wants to order anything.
You go to the north
At the center of the hotel is this wide atrium, a plaza of orange
brick dotted with flowerboxes and ornamental bushes. The ceiling of
the lobby is made of glass, and so the sunset outside gives an unnatural hue to the hibiscus vines adorning the open doors to the south. Despite the location, it's mostly quiet here. Even the rattan chairs overlooking the garden to the east are empty.

The hotel reception is to the west, and a corridor to the north leads deeper into the hotel.

A gigantic ice sculpture of a swan sits prominently on a pedestal.

A thermostat is located unobtrusively in a corner.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.

The guest complains to no one in particular about the temperature of the room and looks meaningfully at the thermostat.
You go to the north
The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.

The drunk takes a swig from its bottle.
Go east
Really? I suppose it's for a good cause, but...
Go east
...Fine. Let's get this over with.

The interior of the chapel is exactly what you'd expect: A ������������������������������������������������ in front of a ������������������������������������ without the ������������������������ and ������������������������������������������������������������. The whole place ���������������������������������, but that's hardly
surprising, given ������������������������������������������. It's a ������������������������ place, for obvious
reasons, and the ������������������������������������������ doesn't make it any less ��������������� or
��������������������������� to those of my kind, the ��������������������������� notwithstanding. Even
though humans would undoubtedly love to know that ������������������������������������������������������,
it's simply ������������������������������������ and ������������������������������������������, which neatly explains the meaning of life. An unobtrusive stairway at the back of the room leads upward, and the much more inviting exit from the chapel is to the
west.

A hatrack stands to one side of the doors.

I can also see a candle here.
You take candle
Taken.

I hear faint movement from above.
You examine the hatrack
It's a little-known fact that humans sometimes wear hats, though
nobody knows why. When they're not being worn, hats are often placed
on a hatrack like this one. Not exactly like this one, of
course, because this one is a spiritual object. The principle is the same, though.

An angel glides down the stairs, and I realize with a start that I recognize him. My department doesn't know his real name; we've given him the codename Kingfisher. Even by the standards of my opposite number, he's a monster. If you've ever heard about the ���������������������������
disaster, or the breakdown of the ������������������ Agreement, or even the
incident in ������������������������������������������ just last millennium, you've come across
his handiwork. Everyone in our profession bends the rules a little
bit, but Kingfisher has a psychopathic contempt for both his adversaries and his colleagues. He's effective, at least if you
measure effectiveness by his kill count, but brute force is the last refuge of the incompetent. Both my side and his have spent centuries cleaning up his bloody missions, trying desperately to avoid
disrupting the delicate peace between the two sides and escalating the cold war. We've managed to succeed so far, but it's been as much through luck as through our skill. Kingfisher is reckless,
thoughtless, and completely remorseless. Those are fine attributes for an assassin, but we're in the part of the clandestine services that handles metaphorically and sometimes literally world-shaking matters. He's a feckless amateur who covers up his incompetence with lazy charm and violence.

He's thus notorious in my business, and so I recognize him immediately from descriptions in briefings I've read. His outer teleological field is amplified to���well, let me put it in roughly equivalent terms humans
can understand. He's wearing an inordinately expensive suit with a tie from some boarding school whose entry fee costs as much as several large planets. He's smiling at me���or, at least, showing me his teeth���superciliously and uninterestedly. In a different era, he would have been wearing an eyepatch or a monocle just for effect. As it stands, he just gives me a bovine yet predatory stare, twitching the cuffs of his suit with disdain.

I instantly hate him. I hated him before, of course; he's directly or indirectly responsible for the termination of several of my
colleagues. It's different, though, when you see the thing directly in front of you. He doesn't seem to recognize me, or maybe the insight hasn't gotten through his bloated, stupid skull yet. I'm probably beneath his notice, but I've had to deal with him before. I spent two entire centuries cleaning up his blundering in just the matter of the ������������������ Agreement. Do you know how long it takes to file petitions with
the interplanar courts to revoke an agreement when you aren't allowed to mention the name of the agreement, the parties involved in the agreement, or what the agreement was even about? Well, I do: seventy-four years. The entire thing was several thousand pages long and completely redacted, beginning to end. I started out filling an entire room in my department with black highlighters, and I had to borrow some more from the Accounting department to finish it off. And you can't just borrow something from Accounting; they want a
signed contact in blood saying that you'll pay them interest in perpetuity. I don't even have blood. I wound up finding a
couple of convenient humans on the department's Take a Child to Work Day, but that's three months I'm never going to get back.
You go west
Hang on, I'm not done yet.

I spent an entire century dealing with the fallout from that bout of idiocy. I spent another century dealing with literal fallout when Kingfisher decided that one particular human in Pompeii wasn't
treating his organization with enough respect. I spent two centuries covering up a rain of spiders, another two covering up a rain of fish, and three covering up a rain of rain, which wouldn't have been remarkable if it hadn't been falling upward; apparently Kingfisher
made a sign error in his calculations. I suppose I should be glad that his meteorological escapades didn't cause any lasting damage beyond giving me some billable hours doing extra paperwork, but my job is not to clean up his messes while he blunders his way through the human world. I'm not naive enough to think that we can always avoid collateral damage, but he's not even trying. To lose one hundred
humans may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose one hundred thousand humans looks like carelessness. I've wasted millennia trying to ensure that his assassinations, unsubtle displays of powers, and outright threats don't disrupt the balance of power and ignite what has been up until now a cold war. This is a delicate business for professionals, not a clumsy, bloodthirsty amateur who's too stupid to bother wiping that stupid smirk off his stupid face. Four millennia of paperwork for one stupid, murderous, stupid git! And I'm not even on his side! I spent four millennia babysitting someone I had never met and
am actively working to oppose, and the only recognition from him I get is a stupid, vacant smirk on his stupid, vacant face. And now he's standing there again, doing nothing but staring at me with the same stupid, vacant expression. Stupid stupid stupid stupid.

He's a horrible person, and I hate him.
You talk to Kingfisher
I suppose I shouldn't delay the inevitable. One of us is going to have to say something, and Kingfisher's still just starting at me blankly.

"Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Agama," I say, suppressing my revulsion and giving him a polite nod and an alias.
"I'm part of a delegation assisting with some exercises in the area, and our treaties require that I meet to inform you of my presence here." I can cite regulations for my purpose.

"Of course," says Kingfisher, with unctuous contempt oozing through
his voice. He continues reading from the script both our sides have memorized. "On behalf of both my organization and myself, let me formally extend my greeting to you. This is a neutral area with unaligned humans, and I'm sure that we can put aside the differences between our two organizations and work peaceably together here."

"Of course," I agree tepidly.

"On behalf of the Kingdom of Heaven, let me express my gratitude for your diligence in proactively reaching out to us and keeping us in the loop on these developments. We are, of course, always happy to grow
our organizations' ability to work together and avoid any breakdowns
in communication that might negatively impact our security."

"Of course," I say again. It's not like Kingfisher's listening to me anyway.

He continues with the formal words of introduction our diplomats have worked out in countless meetings over countless centuries. "And, going forward, I'm sure we can achieve a productive synergy with what common interests we have and align our values to vector toward a mutually beneficial working relationship."

I nod, because there's not really any response to that.

"As we build a roadmap to a peaceful resolution of our organizations' conflict, I hope that you will keep me informed of any further exercises or events that would add value to our mutual goal, as clarified by our extensive prior treaties and memoranda of understanding, of establishing a paradigm conducive to peace and prosperity."

Having given a desultory recitation of the required boilerplate, Kingfisher summarily retreats upstairs, probably to plan to do to the human world what he's done to language.
Exits
From here, I can only go west and up.
Go upwards
Against my better judgment, I'm in Kingfisher's inner sanctum. It's more mundane than I would have expected; it could have easily passed for the office of a mid-level human bureaucrat, except for the glowing telex on his desk (and, of course, for the state secrets of the universe that are undoubtedly kept securely locked away in its drawers). I would have expected the walls to be filled with propaganda posters and his bookshelves with plundered artifacts, but the room is neat and spartan and grey. The sole color comes from a stained-glass window that throws blotchy, irregular patterns onto the floor. A stairway leads back down into the main chapel.

I can see Kingfisher here.
You examine the telex
Obviously it's not literally a telex; that's just the closest human equivalent. It's a device for handling classified communication
between the Other Place and the human realm. Describing the exact mechanisms involved would make your head hurt, both from their complexity and the fact that the penalty for receiving unauthorized classified information involves sticking your head in a vise. Let's just say that it's a fax machine made of magic.

The telex is closed.
You examine the window
Even in the feeble light of the sunset, the stained glass window creates splotches of iridiscent light on the office floor.
You go downward
The interior of the chapel is exactly what you'd expect: A ������������������������������������������������ in front of a ������������������������������������ without the ������������������������ and ������������������������������������������������������������. The whole place ���������������������������������, but that's hardly
surprising, given ������������������������������������������. It's a ������������������������ place, for obvious
reasons, and the ������������������������������������������ doesn't make it any less ��������������� or
��������������������������� to those of my kind, the ��������������������������� notwithstanding. Even
though humans would undoubtedly love to know that ������������������������������������������������������,
it's simply ������������������������������������ and ������������������������������������������, which neatly explains the meaning of life. An unobtrusive stairway at the back of the room leads upward, and the much more inviting exit from the chapel is to the
west.

A hatrack stands to one side of the doors.
Go west
The gardens on the eastern edge of the hotel lie in uniform, geometric precision. Straight gravel paths bound squares of brightly colored flowers, each with a placard bearing the scientific names of its contents. The breeze from the nearby sea mixes the faint aromas in the various plants into an unidentifiable but not unpleasant smell. A ponderous chapel made of rough stone looms at the eastern edge of the gardens, and a well-worn path leading northeast skirts around it. To the west, there is a wide portico that leads into the hotel.
You go north
The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.

The drunk exhales contentedly.
Go east
This gallery is a small, stark alcove adjoining the lounge to the
west. The walls are bare and white, and the carpet is a deep brown. An exhibit at the far end of the room shows off a few brightly colored pieces of pottery, protected by a velvet rope in front of the display.

A bell with a large crack is displayed on a plinth here.
You ring bell
I ring the bell, producing an uncanny tone.
You read the book
I skip to a random entry in the almanach and read it aloud. Going through the minor biographical details of a well-placed angelic official whose entry is almost entirely redacted is tedious, but it should be sufficient for the ritual.
Light candle
I hesitate before lighting the candle. The ritual and ensuing conversation would go completely unnoticed by humans, but I want to keep far away from Kingfisher during them. I'd better find a more private location.
Light candle
I hesitate before lighting the candle. The ritual and ensuing conversation would go completely unnoticed by humans, but I want to keep far away from Kingfisher during them. I'd better find a more private location.

The waiter loafs in the corner.
You go to the north
Unlike the rest of the casino, this small room is refreshingly severe and empty. Bookshelves filled with identical logbooks line the windowless walls, occasionally broken up by racks of electronic equipment. The only exit is an imposing door to the south.

An elaborate laser grid encloses a metal strongbox.
Light candle
I hesitate before lighting the candle. The ritual and ensuing conversation would go completely unnoticed by humans, but I want to keep far away from Kingfisher during them. I'd better find a more private location.
Go north
This small garden lies at the center of the hedge maze. Moss grows optimistically through cracks in the mosaic floor, and vines wrap around the columns ringing the open area. A fountain in the center, flowing but full of vegetation and other flotsam, breaks the summer humidity. A torturous path to the south heads back into the maze.

The kid stands off to one side, looking bored.
Go up
I make my way to my predecessor's room, ignoring the frivolous rooms
of the human guests.

My predecessor, Krait, used this hotel room as a temporary base of operations for his role as chief of station. Of course, he had no use for its amenities. Thus the bed and dining table were both employed, judging from the papers scattered across them, as makeshift desks. A smaller but bona fide desk sits in the corner, with an artless landscape in watercolors hanging above it. The liquor cabinet lurks untouched in the corner, and the ashtray on top of it is completely empty. The stark white carpet here is plush and spotless.

The only exit from the room is to the south.
You close the door
I don't see the double doors here. They were at Lawn.
Light candle
I light the candle with a snap of my fingers, completing the ritual.

With the ritual components in place, I chant ������������������������������������ (footnote 4)
and open a secure line to headquarters. A hazy image of a weedy demon in a lab coat appears before me. We quickly exchange signs and countersigns, and I explain my problem.

"So, Whiptail, any ideas about what could be going on?"

"Does it hurt when you do this?" he asks, twisting his claw
in a way that would undoubtedly be painful if we weren't wearing functional anatomy like Halloween costumes. I repeat the gesture and shrug.

"But your influence just bounces off humans?"

"It's more like hitting a wall."

"Hmm. It sounds like it could be a thaumatic force dampener."

"What's that?"

"They've been in development for years, but we never���wait, have you been cleared for Project ���������������?"

"No."

"Ah. Then they haven't been in development for years. It must be something else."

"I don't really care what it is; I just want to shut it off."

"Well, thaumatic force dampeners aren't a thing, of course���"

"Of course."

"���but if they were a thing, then shutting one off would
easy.
It has to be tied in to a corporeal object in the human realm to function. Get rid of that, and you'll get rid of the dampener too."

"But how am I supposed to do that when I can't influence humans?"

"Ah! I've got just the thing for that. Hang on!" he says brightly,
then disappears from view. Whiptail runs the research and development team for my department, and his office is an unorganized mass of brilliant inventions, half-finished prototypes, and complete junk.
Even through the tinny secure line, I can hear him rummaging through heavy piles of equipment. Eventually he shows up in person again, bearing some sort of incomprehensible widget, as well a few fresh
scars from bits of jagged metal.

"So, Sidewinder, the thing that is definitely not a thaumatic force dampener is going to stop you from influencing humans' intents. I can help you influence their manners, though."

"Good. Humans are revolting."

"Not that kind of manners. With this device, you should be able to influence how humans do something, even if you can't directly
influence what they're doing. So, for example, I can't help
you make a human run or make it stop running, but I can help you make it run quickly or slowly."

"That sounds useful."

He nods. "I'll arrange for someone to drop it into the field. I don't know where exactly, but you should be able to find it. Hopefully it'll be enough for you to shut down the device." He passes off the widget
to someone off to the side whom I can't see. "Let me know if you need anything else. I always need test subjects for my inventions, and there's less paperwork afterward if the test subjects are immortal."

I quickly thank him for his help and shut down the portal.
Footnote 4
(4) ...and chant ������������������������������: My original
draft had an
unredacted but useless incarnation here���the infernal equivalent of a "555-" telephone number. Invoking it summons a horde of imps to flay the invoker with scorpions filled with bees. It would have been a hilarious prank, but the lawyers made me censor it. If you want to try it out, though, just light a candle and chant ������������������ (footnote 5).
Footnote 5
(5) ...and chant ������������������: Looks like they read the
footnotes
too. Oh well.
Go downwards
I make my way back down to the lounge, past rows of uninteresting
guest rooms.

The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.

The drunk exhales contentedly.
Go west
Humans crowd this room, sitting nervously on folding chairs and clutching lorgnettes. They face a dais piled with paintings,
furniture, and small sculptures, continually fed by humans in black uniforms carrying in works of art from a smaller room to the north.
The rest of the room is starkly utilitarian, with bare walls and
overly bright lights. A passage to the east leads back into the rest
of the hotel.

The auctioneer surveys the audience expectantly.

The tourist starts at the the stage as if contemplating a bid, but it decides against it.

The detector vibrates faintly in my hand, and a magnetic force is pulling it east.
You go east
The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.

The drunk takes a swig from its bottle.

The detector vibrates faintly in my hand, and a magnetic force is pulling it south.
Go south
At the center of the hotel is this wide atrium, a plaza of orange
brick dotted with flowerboxes and ornamental bushes. The ceiling of
the lobby is made of glass, and so the sunset outside gives an unnatural hue to the hibiscus vines adorning the open doors to the south. Despite the location, it's mostly quiet here. Even the rattan chairs overlooking the garden to the east are empty.

The hotel reception is to the west, and a corridor to the north leads deeper into the hotel.

A gigantic ice sculpture of a swan sits prominently on a pedestal.

A thermostat is located unobtrusively in a corner.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.

The guest complains to no one in particular about the temperature of the room and looks meaningfully at the thermostat.

The detector vibrates faintly in my hand, and a magnetic force is pulling it west.
You go west
I'm at the hotel's reception, a small entryway with a gleaming marble floor and lamps made of dark green glass. The reception desk itself is a massive thing of oak, with a plush red carpet in front of it and a few potted chrysanthemums on top of it making it more inviting. A safe has been set into the wall behind it. A ceiling fan slowly spins above a passage farther into the hotel to the east. The exit from the hotel, flanked by ferns in massive clay pots, lies to the west.

The hotel clerk stands behind the desk.

The wealthy dowager is sitting in a plush leather chair.

The detector vibrates faintly in my hand, and a magnetic force is pulling it west.
You go west
The detector blinks briefly, indicating that I've moved into a new region of the compound.

This cobblestone trail runs from the casino to the hotel on the complex. Box trees flank the path, interspersed with a variety of colorful ornamental plants I don't recognize. The hotel it leads from is a sprawling villa of orange bricks with towers sprouting around its perimeter. A stone archway leads east into the hotel, and the trail winds to the west.

A shiny silver mirror hangs over the archway leading east.

The waiter loafs in the corner.

The detector vibrates faintly in my hand, and a magnetic force is pulling it west.
Go west
This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large, well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.

east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
hedges.

Shoved unobtrusively under the marble bench is an oblong package.

The detector buzzes insistently.
You take the package
I tear into the package. Inside it is the odd device Whiptail showed
me earlier. I gingerly reach out to touch it, and I suddenly seize up with a painful jolt as my thaumatic field realigns. I don't feel that different afterwards, but I definitely notice some extra sharpness around the outer edge of the field. Hopefully that did the trick; there's only one way to find out.

The package and the device itself obligingly self-destruct, leaving no evidence of the home office's intervention.
Inventory
Intentions:
the block intent
the take intent
the clean up intent
the wait intent
the explore intent

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
the almanach
a candle
You look at the waiter
The waiter's uniform includes a half-apron with a pocket, in which rests a small notepad.

The waiter loafs in the corner.
You go to the east
The detector blinks briefly, indicating that I've moved into a new region of the compound.

I'm at the hotel's reception, a small entryway with a gleaming marble floor and lamps made of dark green glass. The reception desk itself is a massive thing of oak, with a plush red carpet in front of it and a few potted chrysanthemums on top of it making it more inviting. A safe has been set into the wall behind it. A ceiling fan slowly spins above a passage farther into the hotel to the east. The exit from the hotel, flanked by ferns in massive clay pots, lies to the west.

The hotel clerk stands behind the desk.

The wealthy dowager is sitting in a plush leather chair.
You take warm
Some odd freezing, feathery barrier stops me, like an angry swan made of ice is getting in my way.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.

The guest complains to no one in particular about the temperature of the room and looks meaningfully at the thermostat.
Spin guest
I'm a noncorporeal entity, and so I can't interact directly with
purely physical objects.
You examine the thermostat
It's currently set to an unusually low temperature.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.

The guest looks pointedly at the thermostat.
Inventory
Intentions:
the block intent
the take intent
the clean up intent
the wait intent
the explore intent

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
the almanach
a candle
You take aggressively
I extract the aggressively manner from the bellhop.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.

The guest complains to no one in particular about the temperature of the room and looks meaningfully at the thermostat.
You put aggressively on the guest
I give the aggressively manner to the guest, who now intends to aggressively warm itself up.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.

The guest goes right up to the thermostat and boldly turns it up. The room begins to warm.
Wait
Time passes.

The temperature grows steadily warmer.
You wait
Time passes.

There's a loud crack, and the neck of the sculpture breaks and falls
to the floor. The rest of the sculpture is rapidly melting, forming a puddle on the floor. The bellhop runs over, but it's too late.

I feel a shift in the astral energies of this place. My ability to manipulate intentions seems to have returned.
You take defend
I extract the defend intent from the bellhop.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.
You take warm
I extract the warm intent from the guest, along with the aggressively manner.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.
You take the drink
(the drink intent)
I extract the drink intent from the drunk, along with the recklessly manner.
You go west
Humans crowd this room, sitting nervously on folding chairs and clutching lorgnettes. They face a dais piled with paintings,
furniture, and small sculptures, continually fed by humans in black uniforms carrying in works of art from a smaller room to the north.
The rest of the room is starkly utilitarian, with bare walls and
overly bright lights. A passage to the east leads back into the rest
of the hotel.

The auctioneer takes a deep breath.

The tourist starts at the the stage as if contemplating a bid, but it decides against it.
You examine the tourist
The tourist watches the auction keenly, its fingers twitching.

> BUY
something impressive.

The auctioneer looks intently at potential bidders.

The tourist hesitantly begins to raise its hand to make a bid, but it decides against it.
You take buy
I extract the buy intent from the tourist, along with the seriously manner.

The auctioneer surveys the audience expectantly.
You look at the auctioneer
Grey-haired but with a voice like a megaphone.

The auctioneer is holding a necklace.

> SELL
the necklace.

The auctioneer surveys the audience expectantly.
You take the sell
I extract the sell intent from the auctioneer, along with the greedily manner.
Go north
An almost endless mass of crates, chests, and pallets fills this small room. They reach the ceiling, yet an array of humans in black uniforms manages to glide through narrow openings in the debris, shuttling
items into the larger room to the south. There's no apparent organization to the clutter, or even visible labels on the various boxes, but the humans have no difficulty in finding whatever objects they're looking for.

A large golden chest, glowing with spiritual energy, catches the eye off to one side.

The picker listens to the auction in the next room, waiting for a new item to be needed.
You examine picker
A tall, wiry human that resembles a rodent.

> SELECT
something light for the auction.

The picker listens to the auction in the next room, waiting for a new item to be needed.
You take the select
I extract the select intent from the picker, along with the lazily manner.
You check your inventory
Intentions:
the select intent
the sell intent
the buy intent
the drink intent
the warm intent
the defend intent
the block intent
the take intent
the clean up intent
the wait intent
the explore intent

Manners:
the lazily manner
the greedily manner
the seriously manner
the recklessly manner
the aggressively manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
the almanach
a candle
You go to the south
Humans crowd this room, sitting nervously on folding chairs and clutching lorgnettes. They face a dais piled with paintings,
furniture, and small sculptures, continually fed by humans in black uniforms carrying in works of art from a smaller room to the north.
The rest of the room is starkly utilitarian, with bare walls and
overly bright lights. A passage to the east leads back into the rest
of the hotel.

The tourist sits off to one side.

I can also see the auctioneer here.
Go east
The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.

The drunk sprawls nearby.
Go south
At the center of the hotel is this wide atrium, a plaza of orange
brick dotted with flowerboxes and ornamental bushes. The ceiling of
the lobby is made of glass, and so the sunset outside gives an unnatural hue to the hibiscus vines adorning the open doors to the south. Despite the location, it's mostly quiet here. Even the rattan chairs overlooking the garden to the east are empty.

The hotel reception is to the west, and a corridor to the north leads deeper into the hotel.

A thermostat is located unobtrusively in a corner.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.

The guest is loitering off to one side.

I can also see a large puddle here.
Go west
I'm at the hotel's reception, a small entryway with a gleaming marble floor and lamps made of dark green glass. The reception desk itself is a massive thing of oak, with a plush red carpet in front of it and a few potted chrysanthemums on top of it making it more inviting. A safe has been set into the wall behind it. A ceiling fan slowly spins above a passage farther into the hotel to the east. The exit from the hotel, flanked by ferns in massive clay pots, lies to the west.

The hotel clerk stands behind the desk.

The wealthy dowager is sitting in a plush leather chair.
Go south
The hotel's restaurant is a tediously chic affair, full of spindly tables and blobby oil paintings. In addition to the artfully placed mirrors, the emptiness of the hall also makes it seem cavernous; there are few patrons this evening. Nevertheless, there are fresh hydrangeas in the delicate glass epergnes at the precise center of each table,
and the electric lights have been dimmed in favor of the soft evening light coming from the open doors to the north. Another swinging door lies to the east.

The diner looks thoughtfully at the dessert menu.

The server walks in from the east.
Examine diner
It's wearing a light jacket and sitting by itself at a table.

> READ
all the options on the dessert menu.

The diner considers getting another drink with dessert.

The server looks to see if the diner wants to order anything.
You take read
I extract the read intent from the diner, along with the slowly
manner.

The server walks off to the east.
You go east
Even at this hour, the kitchen is a frenzy of activity. At rows of steel tables, cooks go through whatever laborious tasks are necessary to make food for humans. I'm not sure exactly what they are, but they apparently involve a lot of fire and yelling. The cramped room is filled with smoke and the aromas of spices. A swinging door leads west into the restaurant, and a heavy steel door is to the south.

The server looks around vaguely.
You look at the server
Impeccably dressed in the manner of one who's used to its tips depending on it.

> SERVE
food to the restaurant patrons.

The server walks off to the west.
You go west
The hotel's restaurant is a tediously chic affair, full of spindly tables and blobby oil paintings. In addition to the artfully placed mirrors, the emptiness of the hall also makes it seem cavernous; there are few patrons this evening. Nevertheless, there are fresh hydrangeas in the delicate glass epergnes at the precise center of each table,
and the electric lights have been dimmed in favor of the soft evening light coming from the open doors to the north. Another swinging door lies to the east.

The server looks to see if the diner wants to order anything.
You take serve
I extract the serve intent from the server, along with the generously manner.
You go to the northeast
squat building to the east. It is trim and spartan, with no ornamentation aside from the tall hedges forming its boundary. They also block the breeze coming in off the sea, so the air here is warm and still.

There's a set of double doors here blocking the way east, the carvings of which form a pentagram.

The agent stands next to the doors.

The reporter asks politely to be let in, but the agent curtly refuses to let it through.
You examine the agent
A human in a sharp black suit.

The reporter calmly shows the agent its press pass, but the agent refuses.
You examine reporter
A human carrying a notebook and wearing a press pass.

> OPEN
the way into the conference.

The reporter calmly shows the agent its press pass, but the agent ignores it placidly.
You take the open
I extract the open intent from the reporter.

The reporter attempts to peer through a window.
You put open on the dowager
I give the open intent to the wealthy dowager, who now intends to open the safe to check on its jewels.

The wealthy dowager demands to check that its jewels are safe in the safe, but the clerk doesn't bother complying.
You put greedily on the dowager
I give the greedily manner to the wealthy dowager, who now intends to greedily open the safe to check on its jewels.

The wealthy dowager demands to check that its jewels are safe in the safe, but the clerk doesn't bother complying.
You take greedily
I extract the greedily manner from the wealthy dowager.

The wealthy dowager demands to check that its jewels are safe in the safe, but the clerk doesn't bother complying.
You check your inventory
Intentions:
the serve intent
the read intent
the select intent
the sell intent
the buy intent
the drink intent
the warm intent
the defend intent
the block intent
the take intent
the clean up intent
the wait intent
the explore intent

Manners:
the greedily manner
the generously manner
the slowly manner
the lazily manner
the seriously manner
the recklessly manner
the aggressively manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
the almanach
a candle
You put the serve on the clerk
I give the serve intent to the hotel clerk, who now intends to serve
in its role at the hotel desk.

The hotel clerk gives a cursory look around the hotel reception.

The wealthy dowager demands to check that its jewels are safe in the safe. The clerk, grumbling to itself, opens it for a split second but shuts its again too quickly for me to grab the codebook.
You put lazily on the clerk
I give the lazily manner to the hotel clerk, who now intends to lazily serve in its role at the hotel desk.

The hotel clerk gives a cursory look around the hotel reception.

The wealthy dowager demands to check that its jewels are safe in the safe. The clerk grudgingly opens it for a split second but shuts its again too quickly for me to grab the codebook.
You put slowly on the clerk
I give the slowly manner to the hotel clerk, taking the lazily manner in exchange. It now intends to slowly serve in its role at the hotel desk.

The hotel clerk keenly surveys the hotel reception.

The wealthy dowager demands to check that its jewels are safe in the safe. The clerk grudgingly obliges, slowly opening the safe for inspection.
You take the codebook
(the secret codebook)
I pick up the secret codebook and page through it. The cipher on the communiqu�� is at a much higher classification level than the secret codebook, but I can still decipher some of its header information and basic format. This particular cipher is used by a research division in the Other Side's clandestine intelligence services. Most of its work
is unclear to my side, but they're extremely ambitious and kept under tight wraps; some are still classified even millennia after their conceptions. The coded information on the communiqu�� indicates that it was sent to an operative on site, presumably Kingfisher.

With the part of the cipher in the codebook, I can decrypt some more
of the communiqu��:

Confirmed 72880 of 46480. There is no significant 73048 remaining in the 47576 45953 has been 62029 31368 02666 and ensure that 79260 67549 07135 14066 43999 is 03659. We will act 67043 on the 85994

The hotel clerk closes the safe again.
You take serve
I extract the serve intent from the hotel clerk, along with the slowly manner.

The wealthy dowager demands to check that its jewels are safe in the safe, but the clerk doesn't bother complying.
You take the open
I extract the open intent from the wealthy dowager.
You go east
At the center of the hotel is this wide atrium, a plaza of orange
brick dotted with flowerboxes and ornamental bushes. The ceiling of
the lobby is made of glass, and so the sunset outside gives an unnatural hue to the hibiscus vines adorning the open doors to the south. Despite the location, it's mostly quiet here. Even the rattan chairs overlooking the garden to the east are empty.

The hotel reception is to the west, and a corridor to the north leads deeper into the hotel.

A thermostat is located unobtrusively in a corner.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.

The guest is loitering off to one side.

I can also see a large puddle here.
Go south
The hotel's restaurant is a tediously chic affair, full of spindly tables and blobby oil paintings. In addition to the artfully placed mirrors, the emptiness of the hall also makes it seem cavernous; there are few patrons this evening. Nevertheless, there are fresh hydrangeas in the delicate glass epergnes at the precise center of each table,
and the electric lights have been dimmed in favor of the soft evening light coming from the open doors to the north. Another swinging door lies to the east.

I can see the server and the diner here.
You check your inventory
Intentions:
the open intent
the serve intent
the read intent
the select intent
the sell intent
the buy intent
the drink intent
the warm intent
the defend intent
the block intent
the take intent
the clean up intent
the wait intent
the explore intent

Manners:
the slowly manner
the lazily manner
the greedily manner
the generously manner
the seriously manner
the recklessly manner
the aggressively manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks
one secret codebook

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
the almanach
a candle
You take buy
I extract the buy intent from the diner.
You put the drink on diner
I give the drink intent to the diner, who now vaguely intends to
drink.
You take the drink
I extract the drink intent from the diner.
You put the select on the diner
I give the select intent to the diner, who now intends to select a dessert.

The diner looks thoughtfully at the dessert menu.
You put greedily on the diner
I give the greedily manner to the diner, who now intends to greedily select a dessert.

The diner calls over the server and orders a bowl of ice cream.
You put the serve on the server
I give the serve intent to the server, who now intends to serve food
to the restaurant patrons.

The diner calls over the server and orders a bowl of ice cream.

The server walks off to the east.
You go east
Even at this hour, the kitchen is a frenzy of activity. At rows of steel tables, cooks go through whatever laborious tasks are necessary to make food for humans. I'm not sure exactly what they are, but they apparently involve a lot of fire and yelling. The cramped room is filled with smoke and the aromas of spices. A swinging door leads west into the restaurant, and a heavy steel door is to the south.

The server walks into the walk-in freezer.
Go south
This small room is cluttered with tins, crates, and boxes of human foodstuffs. The air is cold and dry, and the shelves along the walls are covered in a faint rime of frost. The only exit is a heavy steel door to the north.

Two cartons of ice cream, one old and one new, sit next to the door.

The server carefully scoops a bowl of ice cream from the ice-covered old carton.
You take serve
I extract the serve intent from the server.

The server carefully carries a bowl of ice cream out of the walk-in freezer.
Go north
Even at this hour, the kitchen is a frenzy of activity. At rows of steel tables, cooks go through whatever laborious tasks are necessary to make food for humans. I'm not sure exactly what they are, but they apparently involve a lot of fire and yelling. The cramped room is filled with smoke and the aromas of spices. A swinging door leads west into the restaurant, and a heavy steel door is to the south.

The server carefully carries a bowl of ice cream off to the west.
You go to the west
The hotel's restaurant is a tediously chic affair, full of spindly tables and blobby oil paintings. In addition to the artfully placed mirrors, the emptiness of the hall also makes it seem cavernous; there are few patrons this evening. Nevertheless, there are fresh hydrangeas in the delicate glass epergnes at the precise center of each table,
and the electric lights have been dimmed in favor of the soft evening light coming from the open doors to the north. Another swinging door lies to the east.

The server gracefully gives the bowl of ice cream to the diner.

The diner eats its ice cream.
You check what you're carrying
Intentions:
the serve intent
the drink intent
the buy intent
the open intent
the read intent
the sell intent
the warm intent
the defend intent
the block intent
the take intent
the clean up intent
the wait intent
the explore intent

Manners:
the slowly manner
the lazily manner
the generously manner
the seriously manner
the recklessly manner
the aggressively manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks
one secret codebook

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
the almanach
a candle
You put the warm intent on the server
I give the warm intent to the server, who now vaguely intends to warm.

The diner calls over the server and orders a bowl of ice cream.
You put generously on the server
I give the generously manner to the server, but it doesn't have much effect.

The diner calls over the server and orders a bowl of ice cream.
You put serve on the server
I give the serve intent to the server, taking the warm intent in exchange. It now intends to generously serve food to the restaurant patrons.

The diner calls over the server and orders a bowl of ice cream.

The server walks off to the east.
You go east
Even at this hour, the kitchen is a frenzy of activity. At rows of steel tables, cooks go through whatever laborious tasks are necessary to make food for humans. I'm not sure exactly what they are, but they apparently involve a lot of fire and yelling. The cramped room is filled with smoke and the aromas of spices. A swinging door leads west into the restaurant, and a heavy steel door is to the south.

The server walks into the walk-in freezer.
Go south
This small room is cluttered with tins, crates, and boxes of human foodstuffs. The air is cold and dry, and the shelves along the walls are covered in a faint rime of frost. The only exit is a heavy steel door to the north.

Two cartons of ice cream, one old and one new, sit next to the door.

The server carefully scoops a bowl of ice cream from the ice-covered old carton.
Put open on server
I give the open intent to the server, taking the serve intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to generously open something.

The server carefully carries a bowl of ice cream out of the walk-in freezer.
Go north
Even at this hour, the kitchen is a frenzy of activity. At rows of steel tables, cooks go through whatever laborious tasks are necessary to make food for humans. I'm not sure exactly what they are, but they apparently involve a lot of fire and yelling. The cramped room is filled with smoke and the aromas of spices. A swinging door leads west into the restaurant, and a heavy steel door is to the south.

The server carefully carries a bowl of ice cream off to the west.
You go to the west
The hotel's restaurant is a tediously chic affair, full of spindly tables and blobby oil paintings. In addition to the artfully placed mirrors, the emptiness of the hall also makes it seem cavernous; there are few patrons this evening. Nevertheless, there are fresh hydrangeas in the delicate glass epergnes at the precise center of each table,
and the electric lights have been dimmed in favor of the soft evening light coming from the open doors to the north. Another swinging door lies to the east.

The server gracefully gives the bowl of ice cream to the diner.

The diner eats its ice cream.
Put recklessly on the server
I give the recklessly manner to the server, taking the generously manner in exchange.

The diner calls over the server and orders a bowl of ice cream.
You put the serve on the server
I give the serve intent to the server, taking the open intent in exchange. It now intends to recklessly serve food to the restaurant patrons.

The diner calls over the server and orders a bowl of ice cream.

The server walks off to the east.
You go to the south
This small room is cluttered with tins, crates, and boxes of human foodstuffs. The air is cold and dry, and the shelves along the walls are covered in a faint rime of frost. The only exit is a heavy steel door to the north.

Two cartons of ice cream, one old and one new, sit next to the door.

The server hurriedly picks up the ice-covered old carton, but it slips from its grasp and lands face down. It grimaces at the waste but opens the new carton and quickly scoops a bowl of ice cream from there.
You take the codebook
(the secret codebook)
I pick up the secret codebook and page through it. A few of the code sequences from the communiqu�� are in it, and I decrypt some more of it:

Confirmed 72880 of 46480. There is no significant opposition remaining in the target area. The action has been authorized. Assist 02666 and ensure that 79260 67549 successfully as quickly as possible 43999 is standing by. We will act 67043 on the 85994

The server carefully carries a bowl of ice cream out of the walk-in freezer.
You take serve
I extract the serve intent from the server, along with the recklessly manner.

The diner calls over the server and orders a bowl of ice cream.
You take select
I extract the select intent from the diner, along with the greedily manner.
You go to the north
An almost endless mass of crates, chests, and pallets fills this small room. They reach the ceiling, yet an array of humans in black uniforms manages to glide through narrow openings in the debris, shuttling
items into the larger room to the south. There's no apparent organization to the clutter, or even visible labels on the various boxes, but the humans have no difficulty in finding whatever objects they're looking for.

A large golden chest, glowing with spiritual energy, catches the eye off to one side.

I can also see the picker here.
You check your inventory
Intentions:
the select intent
the serve intent
the warm intent
the drink intent
the buy intent
the read intent
the sell intent
the defend intent
the block intent
the take intent
the clean up intent
the wait intent
the explore intent

Manners:
the greedily manner
the recklessly manner
the generously manner
the slowly manner
the lazily manner
the seriously manner
the aggressively manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks
two secret codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
the almanach
a candle
You put greedily on the picker
I give the greedily manner to the picker, taking the seriously manner in exchange.
You put lazily on the picker
I give the lazily manner to the picker, taking the greedily manner in exchange.
You take lazily
I extract the lazily manner from the picker.
You go to the south
Humans crowd this room, sitting nervously on folding chairs and clutching lorgnettes. They face a dais piled with paintings,
furniture, and small sculptures, continually fed by humans in black uniforms carrying in works of art from a smaller room to the north.
The rest of the room is starkly utilitarian, with bare walls and
overly bright lights. A passage to the east leads back into the rest
of the hotel.

The tourist sits off to one side.

I can also see the auctioneer here.
Inventory
Intentions:
the select intent
the serve intent
the warm intent
the drink intent
the buy intent
the read intent
the sell intent
the defend intent
the block intent
the take intent
the clean up intent
the wait intent
the explore intent

Manners:
the lazily manner
the greedily manner
the seriously manner
the recklessly manner
the generously manner
the slowly manner
the aggressively manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks
two secret codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
the almanach
a candle
You go to the north
An almost endless mass of crates, chests, and pallets fills this small room. They reach the ceiling, yet an array of humans in black uniforms manages to glide through narrow openings in the debris, shuttling
items into the larger room to the south. There's no apparent organization to the clutter, or even visible labels on the various boxes, but the humans have no difficulty in finding whatever objects they're looking for.

A large golden chest, glowing with spiritual energy, catches the eye off to one side.

I can also see the picker here.
You put lazily on the picker
I give the lazily manner to the picker, taking the aggressively manner in exchange.
You look at the picker
A tall, wiry human that resembles a rodent.

> OPEN
something.
You put the sell on the auctioneer
I give the sell intent to the auctioneer, who now intends to sell the necklace.

The auctioneer sets the necklace aside, unsold. One of the workers carries it back to the storage room to the north.
You check your inventory
Intentions:
the select intent
the serve intent
the warm intent
the drink intent
the read intent
the defend intent
the block intent
the take intent
the clean up intent
the wait intent
the explore intent

Manners:
the greedily manner
the seriously manner
the recklessly manner
the generously manner
the slowly manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks
two secret codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
the almanach
a candle
You put greedily on the tourist
I give the greedily manner to the tourist, taking the seriously manner in exchange. It now intends to greedily buy something impressive.
You put seriously on the picker
I give the seriously manner to the picker, taking the lazily manner in exchange.
You look at the tourist
The tourist watches the auction keenly, its fingers twitching.

> BUY
something impressive.
You look at auctioneer
Grey-haired but with a voice like a megaphone.

> SELL
various items.
You put take on picker
I give the take intent to the picker, taking the open intent in exchange. It now intends to seriously take something valuable to be auctioned.

With great effort, the picker carries the golden chest off to the south.
You go to the south
Humans crowd this room, sitting nervously on folding chairs and clutching lorgnettes. They face a dais piled with paintings,
furniture, and small sculptures, continually fed by humans in black uniforms carrying in works of art from a smaller room to the north.
The rest of the room is starkly utilitarian, with bare walls and
overly bright lights. A passage to the east leads back into the rest
of the hotel.

The auctioneer solicits bids for the golden chest, naming a high starting price.

The tourist sits off to one side.

From here, I can only go north and east.
You put greedily on the tourist
(first taking the greedily manner from the tourist)
I give the greedily manner to the tourist, who now intends to greedily buy something impressive.

The auctioneer looks intently at potential bidders.

The tourist pores over the contents of its wallet. It starts to raise its hand to bid, but rechecks its wallet, sighs, and decides against it.
You put recklessly on the tourist
I give the recklessly manner to the tourist, taking the greedily
manner in exchange. It now intends to recklessly buy something impressive.

The auctioneer surveys the audience expectantly.

The tourist pores over the contents of its wallet. It starts to raise its hand to bid, but it checks its wallet again and decides against
it.
You put recklessly on the auctioneer
(first taking the recklessly manner from the tourist)
I give the recklessly manner to the auctioneer, taking the
aggressively manner in exchange. It now intends to recklessly sell the golden chest.

The auctioneer surveys the audience expectantly.

The tourist starts at the the stage as if contemplating a bid, but it decides against it.
You put greedily on the tourist
I give the greedily manner to the tourist, who now intends to greedily buy something impressive.

The auctioneer looks intently at potential bidders.

The tourist pores over the contents of its wallet. It starts to raise its hand to bid, but its mouth moves for a moment in silent calculation, and it decides against it.
You put open on the auctioneer
I give the open intent to the auctioneer, taking the sell intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to recklessly open something.
Go north
An almost endless mass of crates, chests, and pallets fills this small room. They reach the ceiling, yet an array of humans in black uniforms manages to glide through narrow openings in the debris, shuttling
items into the larger room to the south. There's no apparent organization to the clutter, or even visible labels on the various boxes, but the humans have no difficulty in finding whatever objects they're looking for.

The picker listens to the auction in the next room, waiting for a new item to be needed.
You take take
I extract the take intent from the picker, along with the seriously manner.
You examine the chest
The chest is actually made of oak; its surface is covered in gold
foil. It's glowing with spiritual energy.

The golden chest is mystically sealed, presumably to protect its contents from the opposition. The barrier is also keeping me from accessing its contents, a secret codebook, as long as it's closed.
You look at what you're carrying with you
Intentions:
the take intent
the sell intent
the select intent
the serve intent
the warm intent
the drink intent
the read intent
the defend intent
the block intent
the clean up intent
the wait intent
the explore intent

Manners:
the seriously manner
the aggressively manner
the lazily manner
the generously manner
the slowly manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks
two secret codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
the almanach
a candle
You put generously on the auctioneer
I give the generously manner to the auctioneer, taking the recklessly manner in exchange.
You put recklessly on the tourist
I give the recklessly manner to the tourist, taking the greedily
manner in exchange. It now intends to recklessly buy something impressive.
You put the sell on the auctioneer
I give the sell intent to the auctioneer, taking the open intent in exchange. It now intends to generously sell the golden chest.

The auctioneer sets the golden chest aside, unsold. One of the workers carries it back to the storage room to the north.
You check your inventory
Intentions:
the open intent
the take intent
the select intent
the serve intent
the warm intent
the drink intent
the read intent
the defend intent
the block intent
the clean up intent
the wait intent
the explore intent

Manners:
the greedily manner
the seriously manner
the aggressively manner
the lazily manner
the slowly manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks
two secret codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
the almanach
a candle
You put the take on picker
I give the take intent to the picker, who now intends to take
something arbitrary to be auctioned.

The picker selects an arbitrary item, a circlet, and carries it south to the Auction Hall.
You wait awhile
Time passes.

The picker listens to the auction in the next room, waiting for a new item to be needed.
You go south
Humans crowd this room, sitting nervously on folding chairs and clutching lorgnettes. They face a dais piled with paintings,
furniture, and small sculptures, continually fed by humans in black uniforms carrying in works of art from a smaller room to the north.
The rest of the room is starkly utilitarian, with bare walls and
overly bright lights. A passage to the east leads back into the rest
of the hotel.

The auctioneer looks intently at potential bidders.

The tourist begins to pore over the contents of its wallet, but it shrugs and boldly bids on the circlet.
You get buy
I extract the buy intent from the tourist, along with the recklessly manner.

The auctioneer says, "Going once..."
You get sell
I extract the sell intent from the auctioneer, along with the generously manner.
You put seriously on the picker
I give the seriously manner to the picker, who now intends to
seriously take something valuable to be auctioned.

The picker listens to the auction in the next room, waiting for a new item to be needed.
You put greedily on the auctioneer
The auctioneer doesn't intend to do anything in particular right now; doing nothing greedily is a bit much to ask.
You put buy and recklessly on the tourist
buy intent: I give the buy intent to the tourist, who now intends to buy something impressive.
recklessly manner: I give the recklessly manner to the tourist, who
now intends to recklessly buy something impressive.
You put the sell and greedily on the auctioneer
sell intent: I give the sell intent to the auctioneer, who now intends to sell the circlet.
greedily manner: I give the greedily manner to the auctioneer, who now intends to greedily sell the circlet.

The auctioneer says, "Going twice..."
Wait
Time passes.

The auctioneer says, "Sold!"

The tourist pays the auctioneer and receives the circlet in exchange. With an eager look toward the storage room to the north, it returns to its seat.

One of the staffers hands the auctioneer a golden chest.
You put generously on auctioneer
I give the generously manner to the auctioneer, taking the greedily manner in exchange. It now intends to generously sell the golden
chest.

The auctioneer solicits bids for the golden chest, naming a low starting price.
Wait
Time passes.

The auctioneer surveys the audience expectantly.

The tourist begins to pore over the contents of its wallet, but it shrugs and boldly bids on the golden chest.
You wait
Time passes.

The auctioneer says, "Going once..."
You wait a while
Time passes.

The auctioneer says, "Going twice..."
You wait for a while
Time passes.

The auctioneer says, "Sold!"

The tourist pays the auctioneer and receives the golden chest in exchange. Delighted, it staggers off to the east with its new prize.

One of the staffers hands the auctioneer a bracelet.
You go east
The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.

The tourist admires its purchase.

The drunk sprawls nearby.
You put OPEN on the tourist
I give the open intent to the tourist, taking the buy intent in exchange. It now intends to recklessly open its newly won chest.

The tourist shakes the chest around with great abandon, to no apparent effect. It's good there isn't any glass in there.
You put slowly on the tourist
I give the slowly manner to the tourist, taking the recklessly manner in exchange. It now intends to slowly open its newly won chest.

The tourist tugs casually on the lid of the chest, but it remains stuck.
Inventory
Intentions:
the buy intent
the select intent
the serve intent
the warm intent
the drink intent
the read intent
the defend intent
the block intent
the clean up intent
the wait intent
the explore intent

Manners:
the recklessly manner
the greedily manner
the aggressively manner
the lazily manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks
two secret codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
the almanach
a candle
You put aggressively on the tourist
I give the aggressively manner to the tourist, taking the slowly
manner in exchange. It now intends to aggressively open its newly won chest.

The tourist gives the chest several hard knocks to break its hinges open. Those hinges are apparently stronger than the tourist, though, and it fails.
Go west
Humans crowd this room, sitting nervously on folding chairs and clutching lorgnettes. They face a dais piled with paintings,
furniture, and small sculptures, continually fed by humans in black uniforms carrying in works of art from a smaller room to the north.
The rest of the room is starkly utilitarian, with bare walls and
overly bright lights. A passage to the east leads back into the rest
of the hotel.

The auctioneer looks intently at potential bidders.
You get all
generously manner: I extract the generously manner from the
auctioneer.
sell intent: I extract the sell intent from the auctioneer.
You get all
seriously manner: I extract the seriously manner from the picker.
take intent: I extract the take intent from the picker.
Go south
Humans crowd this room, sitting nervously on folding chairs and clutching lorgnettes. They face a dais piled with paintings,
furniture, and small sculptures, continually fed by humans in black uniforms carrying in works of art from a smaller room to the north.
The rest of the room is starkly utilitarian, with bare walls and
overly bright lights. A passage to the east leads back into the rest
of the hotel.

I can see the auctioneer here.
Go east
The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.

The tourist gives the chest several hard knocks to break its hinges open. Those hinges are apparently stronger than the tourist, though, and it fails.

The drunk sprawls nearby.
You put seriously on the tourist
I give the seriously manner to the tourist, taking the aggressively manner in exchange. It now intends to seriously open its newly won chest.

The tourist attempts to open the chest but fails. It carefully tinkers with the lock but fails. It searches the exterior of the chest for another means of entry but fails. The tourist steps back and seriously ponders the chest. With an abstracted frown, it returns to the chest, methodically inspects each face and seam of it, and then gives it a solid kick. That must have been just the right spot, because the chest grudgingly creaks open. Unfortunately for the tourist, it looks inside to find it empty, at least to its limited senses.
You get the codebook
(the secret codebook)
I pick up the secret codebook and page through it. A few of the code sequences from the communiqu�� are in it, and I decrypt some more of it:

Confirmed neutralization of 46480. There is no significant opposition remaining in the target area. The action has been authorized. Assist 02666 and ensure that 79260 concludes successfully as quickly as possible 43999 is standing by. We will act immediately on the 85994

to find any secret compartment.
You get all
seriously manner: I extract the seriously manner from the tourist.
open intent: I extract the open intent from the tourist.
Spin detector
The detector is silent. There must not be any unattained codebooks nearby.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.
Go northeast
squat building to the east. It is trim and spartan, with no ornamentation aside from the tall hedges forming its boundary. They also block the breeze coming in off the sea, so the air here is warm and still.

There's a set of double doors here blocking the way east, the carvings of which form a pentagram.

The agent stands next to the doors.

The reporter looks at the agent appraisingly.
You put open on the agent
I give the open intent to the agent, who now intends to open its eyes and keep careful watch.

The agent keeps its eyes wide open, looking for anyone up to no good. It's rare, but humans occasionally have strong enough internal motivations to ignore or subvert my influence, at least for certain specific actions. Oh well.

The reporter attempts to peer through a window.
You put lazily on the agent
I give the lazily manner to the agent, who now intends to lazily open its eyes and keep careful watch.

The agent keeps its eyes wide open, looking for anyone up to no good.

The reporter looks at the agent appraisingly.
You get all
lazily manner: I extract the lazily manner from the agent.
open intent: I extract the open intent from the agent.

The reporter skulks toward the door, but the agent rebuffs it.
You put open on the reporter
I give the open intent to the reporter, who now intends to open the
way into the conference.

The reporter asks politely to be let in, but the agent refuses.
You put aggressively on the reporter
I give the aggressively manner to the reporter, who now intends to aggressively open the way into the conference.

The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent
moves to block the agent's path.
You put the serve on agent
I give the serve intent to the agent, who now vaguely intends to
serve.

The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent
moves to block the agent's path.
Inventory
Intentions:
the take intent
the sell intent
the buy intent
the select intent
the warm intent
the drink intent
the read intent
the defend intent
the block intent
the clean up intent
the wait intent
the explore intent

Manners:
the lazily manner
the seriously manner
the generously manner
the slowly manner
the recklessly manner
the greedily manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks
three secret codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
the almanach
a candle
You put the explore on the guard
I don't see the guard here. I last saw it on the casino floor.
You put the explore on the agent
I give the explore intent to the agent, taking the serve intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to explore.

The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent
moves to block the agent's path.
You put the explore on the reporter
(first taking the explore intent from the agent)
I give the explore intent to the reporter, taking the open intent in exchange. It now intends to aggressively explore the conference.

The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent
moves to block the agent's path.
You put lazily and the block on the agent
lazily manner: The agent doesn't intend to do anything in particular right now; doing nothing lazily is a bit much to ask.
block intent: I give the block intent to the agent, who now intends to block the way into the next area.

The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent angrily shoves it back, clearly outmatching the agent.
You put lazily on the agent
I give the lazily manner to the agent, who now intends to lazily block the way into the next area.

The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent angrily shoves it back, clearly outmatching the agent.
You put defend on the agent
I give the defend intent to the agent, taking the block intent in exchange. It now intends to lazily defend the political conference.

The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent angrily shoves it back, clearly outmatching the agent.
You put the wait on the agent
I give the wait intent to the agent, taking the defend intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to lazily wait around idly.

The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent
moves to block the agent's path.
You put the drink on the agent
I give the drink intent to the agent, taking the wait intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to lazily drink.

The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent
moves to block the agent's path.
You put the serve on the agent
I give the serve intent to the agent, taking the drink intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to lazily serve.

The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent
moves to block the agent's path.
You put the take on the agent
I give the take intent to the agent, taking the serve intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to lazily take something.

The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent
moves to block the agent's path.
You go north
The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.

The tourist sits off to one side.

The drunk sprawls nearby.
You put the explore on drunk
I don't have the explore intent in my possession. I last saw it in the reporter's possession.
You go to the north-east
squat building to the east. It is trim and spartan, with no ornamentation aside from the tall hedges forming its boundary. They also block the breeze coming in off the sea, so the air here is warm and still.

There's a set of double doors here blocking the way east, the carvings of which form a pentagram.

The agent stands next to the doors.

The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent
moves to block the agent's path.
You get all
take intent: I extract the take intent from the agent, along with the lazily manner.
lazily manner: I already have that.
explore intent: I extract the explore intent from the reporter, along with the aggressively manner.
aggressively manner: I already have that.

The reporter looks at the agent appraisingly.
You put the explore on drunk
I give the explore intent to the drunk, who now intends to explore,
for lack of something better to do.

The drunk looks blearily around.
You wait for a while
Time passes.

The drunk stumbles off to the south.
Go south
At the center of the hotel is this wide atrium, a plaza of orange
brick dotted with flowerboxes and ornamental bushes. The ceiling of
the lobby is made of glass, and so the sunset outside gives an unnatural hue to the hibiscus vines adorning the open doors to the south. Despite the location, it's mostly quiet here. Even the rattan chairs overlooking the garden to the east are empty.

The hotel reception is to the west, and a corridor to the north leads deeper into the hotel.

A thermostat is located unobtrusively in a corner.

The drunk stumbles off to the east.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.

The guest is loitering off to one side.

I can also see a large puddle here.
You go to the east
The gardens on the eastern edge of the hotel lie in uniform, geometric precision. Straight gravel paths bound squares of brightly colored flowers, each with a placard bearing the scientific names of its contents. The breeze from the nearby sea mixes the faint aromas in the various plants into an unidentifiable but not unpleasant smell. A ponderous chapel made of rough stone looms at the eastern edge of the gardens, and a well-worn path leading northeast skirts around it. To the west, there is a wide portico that leads into the hotel.

The drunk stumbles off to the northeast.
You go to the north-east
squat building to the east. It is trim and spartan, with no ornamentation aside from the tall hedges forming its boundary. They also block the breeze coming in off the sea, so the air here is warm and still.

There's a set of double doors here blocking the way east, the carvings of which form a pentagram.

The drunk staggers unsteadily.

The agent stands next to the doors.

The reporter skulks toward the door, but the agent rebuffs it.
You put open on reporter
I give the open intent to the reporter, who now intends to open the
way into the conference.

The drunk staggers about drunkenly.

The reporter asks politely to be let in, but the agent just shakes its head.
You put aggressively on the reporter
I give the aggressively manner to the reporter, who now intends to aggressively open the way into the conference.

The drunk stumbles off to the southwest.

The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent
moves to block the agent's path.
You look at the guard
I don't see the guard here. I last saw it on the casino floor.
Inventory
Intentions:
the take intent
the serve intent
the drink intent
the wait intent
the defend intent
the block intent
the sell intent
the buy intent
the select intent
the warm intent
the read intent
the clean up intent

Manners:
the lazily manner
the seriously manner
the generously manner
the slowly manner
the recklessly manner
the greedily manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks
three secret codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
the almanach
a candle
You put the block and lazily on the agent
block intent: I give the block intent to the agent, who now intends to block the way into the next area.
lazily manner: I give the lazily manner to the agent, who now intends to lazily block the way into the next area.

The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent angrily shoves it back, clearly outmatching the agent.
You go to the south-west
The gardens on the eastern edge of the hotel lie in uniform, geometric precision. Straight gravel paths bound squares of brightly colored flowers, each with a placard bearing the scientific names of its contents. The breeze from the nearby sea mixes the faint aromas in the various plants into an unidentifiable but not unpleasant smell. A ponderous chapel made of rough stone looms at the eastern edge of the gardens, and a well-worn path leading northeast skirts around it. To the west, there is a wide portico that leads into the hotel.

The drunk stumbles off to the west.
You go to the west
At the center of the hotel is this wide atrium, a plaza of orange
brick dotted with flowerboxes and ornamental bushes. The ceiling of
the lobby is made of glass, and so the sunset outside gives an unnatural hue to the hibiscus vines adorning the open doors to the south. Despite the location, it's mostly quiet here. Even the rattan chairs overlooking the garden to the east are empty.

The hotel reception is to the west, and a corridor to the north leads deeper into the hotel.

A thermostat is located unobtrusively in a corner.

The drunk stumbles off to the north.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.

The guest is loitering off to one side.

I can also see a large puddle here.
Go north
The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.

The drunk ponders its next move.

The tourist sits off to one side.
You wait
Time passes.

The drunk gives a loud sigh.
You wait
Time passes.

The drunk staggers about drunkenly.
Go east
The gardens on the eastern edge of the hotel lie in uniform, geometric precision. Straight gravel paths bound squares of brightly colored flowers, each with a placard bearing the scientific names of its contents. The breeze from the nearby sea mixes the faint aromas in the various plants into an unidentifiable but not unpleasant smell. A ponderous chapel made of rough stone looms at the eastern edge of the gardens, and a well-worn path leading northeast skirts around it. To the west, there is a wide portico that leads into the hotel.

The drunk lumbers toward the chapel, but stops itself at the last moment.
You put recklessly on the drunk
I give the recklessly manner to the drunk, who now intends to recklessly explore, for lack of something better to do.

The drunk stumbles off to the northeast.
You go to the north-east
squat building to the east. It is trim and spartan, with no ornamentation aside from the tall hedges forming its boundary. They also block the breeze coming in off the sea, so the air here is warm and still.

There's a set of double doors here blocking the way east, the carvings of which form a pentagram.

The drunk staggers about drunkenly.

The agent stands next to the doors.

The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent angrily shoves it back, clearly outmatching the agent.
Inventory
Intentions:
the take intent
the serve intent
the drink intent
the wait intent
the defend intent
the sell intent
the buy intent
the select intent
the warm intent
the read intent
the clean up intent

Manners:
the seriously manner
the generously manner
the slowly manner
the greedily manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks
three secret codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu��
the almanach
a candle
You put generously on the agent
I give the generously manner to the agent, taking the lazily manner in exchange. It now intends to generously block the way into the next area.

The drunk staggers unsteadily.

The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent angrily shoves it back, clearly outmatching the agent.
You put the read on drunk
I give the read intent to the drunk, taking the explore intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to recklessly read.

The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent angrily shoves it back, clearly outmatching the agent.
Exits
From here, I can only go southwest and east.
Wait
Time passes.

The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent angrily shoves it back, clearly outmatching the agent.
You look at your surroundings
squat building to the east. It is trim and spartan, with no ornamentation aside from the tall hedges forming its boundary. They also block the breeze coming in off the sea, so the air here is warm and still.

There's a set of double doors here blocking the way east, the carvings of which form a pentagram.

The drunk sprawls nearby.

The agent stands next to the doors.

The reporter is looking around and taking notes.
You put open on drunk
(first taking the open intent from the reporter, along with the aggressively manner)
I give the open intent to the drunk, taking the read intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to recklessly open something.

The reporter skulks toward the door, but the agent rebuffs it.
You put explore and aggressively on the reporter
explore intent: I give the explore intent to the reporter, who now intends to explore the conference.
aggressively manner: I give the aggressively manner to the reporter, who now intends to aggressively explore the conference.

The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent angrily shoves it back, clearly outmatching the agent.
You put defend on drunk
I give the defend intent to the drunk, taking the open intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to recklessly defend.

The reporter demands to be let in. The agent threatens throw the reporter thrown out. The drunk steps up to intervene, but the agent turns to it and starts ranting at the the drunk about something. The details of its harangue are outside the scope of my knowledge of the human language, but the general thrust of the argument is clear
enough. The drunk tries to defend its honor, gesturing wildly with its bottle. The agent responds by grabbing the drunk's arm. A brief and comically inept scuffle ensues. In the ensuing commotion, the reporter pushes open the doors and slips through.
You go east
The detector blinks briefly, indicating that I've moved into a new region of the compound.

Humans flitter across this wide hallway, clumping into and breaking
out of knots of intense, whispered intrigue. A table next to the
double doors to the west is laden with delicate champagne flutes,
which some of the humans stalking around the room are also
brandishing. Nondescript oil paintings hang at regular intervals
around the room. A small hallway leads south, and a wider passage
leads east.

There's a set of open double doors here leading west.

The reporter explores the gallery, spying on various notables.

A burglar stands off to one side of the room, looking around
carefully.

A brute lounges against one wall.
Go west
The detector blinks briefly, indicating that I've moved into a new region of the compound.

This small lawn runs between the hotel toward the southwest and the squat building to the east. It is trim and spartan, with no ornamentation aside from the tall hedges forming its boundary. They also block the breeze coming in off the sea, so the air here is warm and still.

There's a set of open double doors here leading east.

The drunk sprawls nearby.

The agent stands next to the doors.
You get all
defend intent: I extract the defend intent from the drunk, along with the recklessly manner.
recklessly manner: I already have that.
generously manner: I extract the generously manner from the agent. block intent: I extract the block intent from the agent.
You go east
The detector blinks briefly, indicating that I've moved into a new region of the compound.

Humans flitter across this wide hallway, clumping into and breaking
out of knots of intense, whispered intrigue. A table next to the
double doors to the west is laden with delicate champagne flutes,
which some of the humans stalking around the room are also
brandishing. Nondescript oil paintings hang at regular intervals
around the room. A small hallway leads south, and a wider passage
leads east.

There's a set of open double doors here leading west.

The reporter explores the gallery, spying on various notables.

The burglar stands off to one side of the room, looking around carefully.

The brute lounges against one wall.
Spin  detectospin   detector
The detector produces two high whistles, indicating two unattained codebooks in this region of the compound, but none in this specific location.

The reporter explores the gallery, spying on various notables.
You look around
Humans flitter across this wide hallway, clumping into and breaking
out of knots of intense, whispered intrigue. A table next to the
double doors to the west is laden with delicate champagne flutes,
which some of the humans stalking around the room are also
brandishing. Nondescript oil paintings hang at regular intervals
around the room. A small hallway leads south, and a wider passage
leads east.

There's a set of open double doors here leading west.

The reporter is looking around and taking notes.

The burglar stands off to one side of the room, looking around carefully.

The brute lounges against one wall.
Inventory
Intentions:
the block intent
the defend intent
the open intent
the read intent
the take intent
the serve intent
the drink intent
the wait intent
the sell intent
the buy intent
the select intent
the warm intent
the clean up intent

Manners:
the generously manner
the recklessly manner
the lazily manner
the seriously manner
the slowly manner
the greedily manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks
three secret codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu??
the almanach
a candle
You look up Sidewinder in almanach
With self-indulgent curiosity, I look up my own entry in the almanach:

"Sidewinder is a renowned, almost legendary demon who epitomizes the competence, judgment, and honor we all strive for. His cleverness and devotion to duty put the 'intelligence' and 'services' in
'intelligence services'. He's received every award our organization
has to give, including some that were created just for him. He's had a meteoric rise in the department that's still continuing. He's our most valuable asset in our war against the Other Side, and every demon
looks up to him and wants to be his best friend (footnote 6)."

The reporter explores the gallery, spying on various notables.
Footnote 6
(6) ...to be his best friend.: The question is, was I lying
to the editors to the almanach, or am I lying to you now? The answer
is yes.
You look up Whiptail in almanach
I look up Whiptail in the almanach, but his entry doesn't tell me anything I don't already know. We've been friends for centuries, and his research department has worked enough with mine that I'm familiar with his r??sum??. He's a brilliant scientist, with all the absent-mindedness and sloppy cleverness that entails.

The reporter explores the gallery, asking sudden, pointed questions.
You look up Kingfisher in almanach
Kingfisher certainly has an extensive entry, but it's not anything I don't already know.

The reporter explores the gallery, spying on various notables.
You look up Krait in almanach
Krait's entry in the almanach is brief. It describes him as a cultural attach?? involved in some low-stakes missions in friendly posts. That's complete nonsense, of course, but it's about the almanach can say at its classification level. Krait is an amateur poet, having edited a
few poetry journals and done a bit of writing himself, and I suspect that that flimsy cover is an excuse for him to scratch that itch.

The reporter explores the gallery, asking sudden, pointed questions.
You look up Agama in almanach
I page through the almanach, but I don't find anything relevant, at least under that name.

The reporter explores the gallery, taking notes on overheard conversations.
You examine the burglar
I can tell it's a burglar because it's wearing one of those masks.

The reporter explores the gallery, spying on various notables.
You examine the brute
Muscles the size of excessively large muscles.

The brute is holding nothing.

The reporter explores the gallery, spying on various notables.
You look at the flutes
The humans in the room are dutifully carrying glasses of champagne. Both the humans and the glasses are half-drunk.

The reporter explores the gallery, taking notes on overheard conversations.
You look at the reporter
A human carrying a notebook and wearing a press pass.

> EXPLORE
the conference.

The reporter explores the gallery, taking notes on overheard conversations.
You get explore
I extract the explore intent from the reporter, along with the aggressively manner.

The reporter surveils the crowd.
Go south
Diplomats fill this crowded room, sitting impatiently at a gigantic ring-shaped table. In front of each human is a miniature flag and a white placard bearing its name and title. A map of the world, elaborately drawn but completely devoid of any cities or borders or other political features, covers the far wall. The only exit from the room is to the north.

A bottle of champagne, shining brightly with spiritual energy, sits to one side in a bucket of ice.

The short diplomat gazes at the other diplomats, perhaps expecting one of them to enter a proposal for consideration.

I can also see the tall diplomat and the medium diplomat here.
You examine short
Short, stocky, with excessive amounts of hair.

The medium diplomat gazes at the other diplomats, perhaps expecting
one of them to enter a proposal for consideration.
You look at the medium
Non-distinctive, with rounded edges.

The tall diplomat gazes at the other diplomats, perhaps expecting one of them to enter a proposal for consideration.
You examine tall
Tall, thin, with awkward angles.

The short diplomat glances at its notes.
You examine the map
The map is a two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional slice of a four-dimensional part of an inordinately complicated multiverse.

The medium diplomat glances at its notes.
You look at the bottle
A bottle of Taittinger Brut from what I assume is a good vintage.

The bottle of champagne is mystically sealed, presumably to protect
its contents from the opposition. The barrier is also keeping me from accessing its contents, a top secret codebook, as long as it's closed.

The tall diplomat gazes at the other diplomats, perhaps expecting one of them to enter a proposal for consideration.
You look at the bucket
Humans have quite specific opinions about the temperatures of their beverages.

The short diplomat gazes at the other diplomats, perhaps expecting one of them to enter a proposal for consideration.
Inventory
Intentions:
the explore intent
the block intent
the defend intent
the open intent
the read intent
the take intent
the serve intent
the drink intent
the wait intent
the sell intent
the buy intent
the select intent
the warm intent
the clean up intent

Manners:
the aggressively manner
the generously manner
the recklessly manner
the lazily manner
the seriously manner
the slowly manner
the greedily manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks
three secret codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu??
the almanach
a candle
You put the drink on the medium
I give the drink intent to the medium diplomat, who now intends to drink champagne when this is all resolved.

The medium diplomat solicits suggestions from the other diplomats.
You examine candle
A simple wax candle with a spiritual aura, enabling me to interact
with it. I could instantly relight it with my demonic powers (footnote 7), if I were so inclined.

The tall diplomat gazes at the other diplomats, perhaps expecting one of them to enter a proposal for consideration.
Footnote 7
(7) ...with my demonic powers: Many of the powers you ascribe
to my kind are just paranoid delusions, but this one is actually accurate: Rudimentary fire-starting ability is part of the standard onboarding package for the infernal intelligence services. It's little more than a parlor trick, especially considering that the thermostat
in my office building is set to the temperature of the surface of the sun.
You put the read on the medium
I give the read intent to the medium diplomat, taking the drink intent in exchange. It now intends to read a proposal when one is available.

The short diplomat solicits suggestions from the other diplomats.
You put the read on short
(first taking the read intent from the medium diplomat)
I give the read intent to the short diplomat, who now intends to read
a proposal when one is available.

The medium diplomat gazes at the other diplomats, perhaps expecting
one of them to enter a proposal for consideration.
You put the drink on tall
I give the drink intent to the tall diplomat, who now intends to drink champagne when this is all resolved.

The tall diplomat gazes at the other diplomats, perhaps expecting one of them to enter a proposal for consideration.
You put explore on the medium
I give the explore intent to the medium diplomat, who now intends to explore the possibilities of the next proposal.

The short diplomat glances at its notes.
You put open on medium
I give the open intent to the medium diplomat, taking the explore intent in exchange. It now intends to open discussions on expanding trade.

wheat taxed at 2%.
Wait
Time passes.

The tall diplomat sighs, makes a few concessions, and suggests signing this and calling it a day.

The short diplomat rejects the suggestion out of hand due to the complexity of the language.
You put explore on short
I give the explore intent to the short diplomat, taking the read
intent in exchange. It now intends to explore the possibilities of the proposal.

The short diplomat makes some edits to the proposed deal, increasing the tariff on wheat to 4%.
Wait
Time passes.

The medium diplomat extols the virtues of its trade deal.
You check your inventory
Intentions:
the read intent
the block intent
the defend intent
the take intent
the serve intent
the wait intent
the sell intent
the buy intent
the select intent
the warm intent
the clean up intent

Manners:
the aggressively manner
the generously manner
the recklessly manner
the lazily manner
the seriously manner
the slowly manner
the greedily manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks
three secret codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu??
the almanach
a candle
You put the select on short
I give the select intent to the short diplomat, taking the explore intent in exchange. It now intends to select its words.

The short diplomat seems unhappy with the proposal, but isn't sure how to express it.
You put the take on short
I give the take intent to the short diplomat, taking the select intent in exchange. It now intends to take all possible circumstances into account.

The medium diplomat extols the virtues of its trade deal.
You put greedily on short
I give the greedily manner to the short diplomat, who now intends to greedily take all possible circumstances into account.

The tall diplomat sighs, makes a few concessions, and suggests signing this and calling it a day.

The short diplomat rejects the suggestion out of hand due to the complexity of the language.
You put the select on short
I give the select intent to the short diplomat, taking the take intent in exchange. It now intends to greedily select its words.

The short diplomat makes some edits to the proposed deal, increasing the tariff on wheat to 9%.
You put open on short
(first taking the open intent from the medium diplomat)
I give the open intent to the short diplomat, taking the select intent in exchange. It now intends to greedily open discussions on expanding trade.

The medium diplomat looks at the proposed trade deal, and nods approvingly.
Wait
Time passes.

The tall diplomat sighs, makes a few concessions, and suggests signing this and calling it a day.

The short diplomat rejects the suggestion out of hand due to the complexity of the language.
You put seriously on short
I give the seriously manner to the short diplomat, taking the greedily manner in exchange. It now intends to seriously open discussions on expanding trade.

The short diplomat mutters that they should all move on to a more serious proposal.
You take all
drink intent: I extract the drink intent from the tall diplomat. seriously manner: I extract the seriously manner from the short diplomat.
open intent: I extract the open intent from the short diplomat.

The medium diplomat looks at the proposed trade deal, and nods approvingly.
Look around
Diplomats fill this crowded room, sitting impatiently at a gigantic ring-shaped table. In front of each human is a miniature flag and a white placard bearing its name and title. A map of the world, elaborately drawn but completely devoid of any cities or borders or other political features, covers the far wall. The only exit from the room is to the north.

The diplomats are considering a trade deal.

A bottle of champagne, shining brightly with spiritual energy, sits to one side in a bucket of ice.

I can also see the tall diplomat, the short diplomat, and the medium diplomat here.
Go north
Humans flitter across this wide hallway, clumping into and breaking
out of knots of intense, whispered intrigue. A table next to the
double doors to the west is laden with delicate champagne flutes,
which some of the humans stalking around the room are also
brandishing. Nondescript oil paintings hang at regular intervals
around the room. A small hallway leads south, and a wider passage
leads east.

There's a set of open double doors here leading west.

The reporter makes some notes.

The burglar stands off to one side of the room, looking around carefully.

The brute lounges against one wall.
You go east
This spacious gallery is empty, though murmurs of conversation from
the room to the west echo throughout the chamber. High, narrow windows around the circumference of the room cast orange light on the marble floor. An ornately carved archway leads east, next to which is a conspicuous black keypad. Plainer exits lead north and south.

An ornate chandelier hangs from the ceiling.
You examine the chandelier
An elaborate creation of brass and crystal.
You examine the keypad
This gadget is part of the mechanism of the archway, allowing my cohorts on the Other Side to control access to whatever they're planning in the deeper recesses of the complex. It's a sophisticated device; they must have been planning things for a while. It has a
clear spiritual aura, so I could interact with it if I knew the code
to type in.
You look at the archway
The archway leads east deeper into the complex. Bands of spiritual energy roil across the opening, perfectly harmless to humans but
lethal to those in my line of business. I'm immortal, but even immortality has limits.
Go north
Judging from the pigeon-hole boxes filling the walls, I'm in the conference's mail room. The cubbyholes are mostly empty; I doubt anything important would be left out in the open anyway. For that, a metal storage locker stands in the corner, gleaming in the harsh fluorescent lights overhead. The only exit from the room is to the south.

A hacker looks toward the doorway with suspension.
You examine the locker
A secure metal locker with some sort of electronic lock.

In the storage locker is a leather briefcase.

The hacker looks toward the doorway with suspension.
You look at the briefcase
As a diplomat and a demon, I've worked with quite a few lawyers. Most of them carried briefcases like this one: smart and ludicrously expensive. Like the lawyers themselves, really. Unlike the lawyers,
the briefcase is shining brightly with spiritual energy.

The leather briefcase is mystically sealed, presumably to protect its contents from the opposition. The barrier is also keeping me from accessing its contents, some launch codes and a top secret codebook,
as long as it's closed.

The hacker looks toward the doorway with suspension.
You look at the hacker
person.

The hacker looks toward the doorway with suspension.
You examine the devices
interact with other bits of human technology in some way advantageous to the hacker. Their exact details are uninteresting to me.

The hacker looks toward the doorway with suspension.
You go south
This spacious gallery is empty, though murmurs of conversation from
the room to the west echo throughout the chamber. High, narrow windows around the circumference of the room cast orange light on the marble floor. An ornately carved archway leads east, next to which is a conspicuous black keypad. Plainer exits lead north and south.

An ornate chandelier hangs from the ceiling.
You go south
This stuffy closet is filled with a variety of stark metal equipment, undoubtedly very important and very dangerous to humans. A maze of wiring creeps over the walls, sinking into the further recess of the complex. There's an electrical hum throughout the room and a faint metallic smell in the dusty air. The single exit from the room leads north.

A large steel cage blocks access to high-voltage equipment.
You examine the cage
I suppose it's here for safety, what with the "danger, high voltage" signs, but it'd also do a bang-up job as a dungeon cell.
You examine the equipment
The equipment keeps the electricity in, or something. Look, I'm a lawyer and diplomat. My expertise is in the spiritual realm. The
grubby business of electrons and photons and second quantization (footnote 8) is better left to humans.
Footnote 8
(8) ...and second quantization: Well, maybe I know a
bit about it.
You examine wiring
From what I can gather, the wiring connects and powers the building's lighting system. Human eyes require light to see. Instead of fixing that obvious problem, humans have decided to install artificial lights in every corner of their world. There's probably some sort of metaphor for humanity there; I just think it's wasted effort.
Go north
Judging from the pigeon-hole boxes filling the walls, I'm in the conference's mail room. The cubbyholes are mostly empty; I doubt anything important would be left out in the open anyway. For that, a metal storage locker stands in the corner, gleaming in the harsh fluorescent lights overhead. The only exit from the room is to the south.

The hacker looks toward the doorway with suspension.
You put the explore on hacker
I give the explore intent to the hacker, who now intends to explore
the possibilities of the mail room.

The hacker looks toward the doorway with suspension.
Wait
Time passes.

The hacker looks toward the doorway with suspension.
You put aggressively on the hacker
I give the aggressively manner to the hacker, who now intends to aggressively explore the possibilities of the mail room.

The hacker looks toward the doorway with suspension.
You put seriously on the hacker
I give the seriously manner to the hacker, taking the aggressively manner in exchange. It now intends to seriously explore the possibilities of the mail room.

The hacker looks toward the doorway with suspension.
You put OPEN on hacker
I give the open intent to the hacker, taking the explore intent in exchange. It now intends to seriously open the secure locker.

Spotting an opportunity, the hacker connects some sort of device to
the secure locker and begins fiddling with it, paying close attention both to the task and to the doorway. After some painstaking work, the locker slides open.
You examine the locker
A secure metal locker with some sort of electronic lock.

In the storage locker is a leather briefcase.

The hacker gingerly reaches into the locker and takes the glowing briefcase.
You wait
Time passes.

The hacker, clutching the glowing briefcase, slowly makes its way south.
You go south
This spacious gallery is empty, though murmurs of conversation from
the room to the west echo throughout the chamber. High, narrow windows around the circumference of the room cast orange light on the marble floor. An ornately carved archway leads east, next to which is a conspicuous black keypad. Plainer exits lead north and south.

An ornate chandelier hangs from the ceiling.

The hacker gives the briefcase a thorough inspection, but apparently it's less adroit with physical locks than electronic ones.
You examine the hacker
person.

The hacker is holding a leather briefcase, inside which are some
launch codes and a top secret codebook.

> OPEN
something it shouldn't.

The hacker gives the briefcase a thorough inspection, but apparently it's less adroit with physical locks than electronic ones.
You go to the west
Humans flitter across this wide hallway, clumping into and breaking
out of knots of intense, whispered intrigue. A table next to the
double doors to the west is laden with delicate champagne flutes,
which some of the humans stalking around the room are also
brandishing. Nondescript oil paintings hang at regular intervals
around the room. A small hallway leads south, and a wider passage
leads east.

There's a set of open double doors here leading west.

The reporter surveils the crowd.

The burglar stands off to one side of the room, looking around carefully.

The brute lounges against one wall.
You put the explore on burglar
I give the explore intent to the burglar, who now intends to explore the area.

The reporter surveils the crowd.

The burglar wanders off to the east.
Go east
This spacious gallery is empty, though murmurs of conversation from
the room to the west echo throughout the chamber. High, narrow windows around the circumference of the room cast orange light on the marble floor. An ornately carved archway leads east, next to which is a conspicuous black keypad. Plainer exits lead north and south.

An ornate chandelier hangs from the ceiling. A leather briefcase, shining brightly with spiritual energy, has somehow managed to hook itself onto it in my absence.

The burglar wanders off to the west.

The hacker stares pensively at the briefcase above it, but it takes no action to retrieve it.
You wait awhile
Time passes.

The burglar wanders in from the west.

The hacker lounges nonchalantly.
You get all
explore intent: I extract the explore intent from the burglar.
open intent: I extract the open intent from the hacker, along with the seriously manner.
seriously manner: I already have that.

The burglar looks around with an appraising eye.

The hacker lounges nonchalantly.
You put the take on the hacker
I give the take intent to the hacker, who now vaguely intends to take something.

The burglar looks around with an appraising eye.

The hacker lounges nonchalantly.
You put the take on the burglar
(first taking the take intent from the hacker)
I give the take intent to the burglar, who now intends to take something valuable.

The burglar's eyes alight on the briefcase.

The hacker lounges nonchalantly.
Wait
Time passes.

The burglar looks up at the briefcase, but then looks over at the hacker and turns away, trying to look nonchalant.

The hacker lounges nonchalantly.
You put greedily on the burglar
I give the greedily manner to the burglar, who now intends to greedily take something valuable.

The burglar's eyes alight on the briefcase.

The hacker lounges nonchalantly.
You put the explore on hacker
I give the explore intent to the hacker, who now intends to explore in search of another opportunity.

The burglar's eyes alight on the briefcase.

The hacker wanders morosely back to the north.
You wait
Time passes.

The burglar takes out a grappling hook.

The hacker walks in from the north.
Wait
Time passes.

The burglar looks up at the briefcase, but then looks over at the hacker and turns away, trying to look nonchalant.

The hacker wanders morosely back to the north.
You go north
Judging from the pigeon-hole boxes filling the walls, I'm in the conference's mail room. The cubbyholes are mostly empty; I doubt anything important would be left out in the open anyway. For that, a metal storage locker stands in the corner, gleaming in the harsh fluorescent lights overhead. The only exit from the room is to the south.

The hacker walks off to the south.
You wait
Time passes.

The hacker wanders morosely in from the south.
You get all
explore intent: I extract the explore intent from the hacker.

The hacker mopes around dejectedly.
You go south
This spacious gallery is empty, though murmurs of conversation from
the room to the west echo throughout the chamber. High, narrow windows around the circumference of the room cast orange light on the marble floor. An ornately carved archway leads east, next to which is a conspicuous black keypad. Plainer exits lead north and south.

An ornate chandelier hangs from the ceiling. A leather briefcase, shining brightly with spiritual energy, has somehow managed to hook itself onto it in my absence.

The burglar takes out a grappling hook.
Wait
Time passes.

The burglar throws the grappling hook up to catch on the chandelier.
Keep going
Time passes.

The burglar starts climbing up its rope with powerful yanks. Unfortunately, one yank is too many, and the hook slips off and it falls to the ground with a crash. Panicking, the burglar then scampers off to the west.
You look at the briefcase
As a diplomat and a demon, I've worked with quite a few lawyers. Most of them carried briefcases like this one: smart and ludicrously expensive. Like the lawyers themselves, really. Unlike the lawyers,
the briefcase is shining brightly with spiritual energy.

The leather briefcase is mystically sealed, presumably to protect its contents from the opposition. The barrier is also keeping me from accessing its contents, some launch codes and a top secret codebook,
as long as it's closed.
Look around
This spacious gallery is empty, though murmurs of conversation from
the room to the west echo throughout the chamber. High, narrow windows around the circumference of the room cast orange light on the marble floor. An ornately carved archway leads east, next to which is a conspicuous black keypad. Plainer exits lead north and south.

An ornate chandelier hangs from the ceiling. A leather briefcase, shining brightly with spiritual energy, has somehow managed to hook itself onto it in my absence.
Go west
Humans flitter across this wide hallway, clumping into and breaking
out of knots of intense, whispered intrigue. A table next to the
double doors to the west is laden with delicate champagne flutes,
which some of the humans stalking around the room are also
brandishing. Nondescript oil paintings hang at regular intervals
around the room. A small hallway leads south, and a wider passage
leads east.

There's a set of open double doors here leading west.

The burglar stands off to one side of the room, looking around carefully.

The reporter surveils the crowd.

The brute lounges against one wall.
You put the explore and slowly on the burglar
explore intent: I give the explore intent to the burglar, taking the take intent in exchange. It now intends to greedily explore the area. slowly manner: I give the slowly manner to the burglar, taking the greedily manner in exchange. It now intends to slowly explore the
area.

The reporter makes some notes.

The burglar wanders off to the east.
Go east
This spacious gallery is empty, though murmurs of conversation from
the room to the west echo throughout the chamber. High, narrow windows around the circumference of the room cast orange light on the marble floor. An ornately carved archway leads east, next to which is a conspicuous black keypad. Plainer exits lead north and south.

An ornate chandelier hangs from the ceiling. A leather briefcase, shining brightly with spiritual energy, has somehow managed to hook itself onto it in my absence.

The burglar wanders off to the west.
Wait
Time passes.

The burglar wanders in from the west.
You put the take on the burglar
I give the take intent to the burglar, taking the explore intent in exchange. It now intends to slowly take something valuable.

The burglar's eyes alight on the briefcase.
You wait for a while
Time passes.

The burglar takes out a grappling hook.
Wait
Time passes.

The burglar throws the grappling hook up to catch on the chandelier.
You wait awhile
Time passes.

The burglar starts carefully climbing up the rope. After it gets a few feet up, however, the rope starts swinging wildly, and it climbs back down and reconsiders.
You check your inventory
Intentions:
the explore intent
the open intent
the drink intent
the select intent
the read intent
the block intent
the defend intent
the serve intent
the wait intent
the sell intent
the buy intent
the warm intent
the clean up intent

Manners:
the greedily manner
the seriously manner
the aggressively manner
the generously manner
the recklessly manner
the lazily manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks
three secret codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu??
the almanach
a candle
You put seriously on the burglar
I give the seriously manner to the burglar, taking the slowly manner
in exchange. It now intends to seriously take something valuable.

The burglar starts carefully climbing up the rope. After it gets a few feet up, however, the rope starts swinging wildly, and it climbs back down and reconsiders.
You put recklessly on the burglar
I give the recklessly manner to the burglar, taking the seriously manner in exchange. It now intends to recklessly take something valuable.

The burglar quickly climbs up its rope without regard to its wild swinging back and forth. It grabs the briefcase and quickly swings
back down.
You put open on burglar
I give the open intent to the burglar, taking the take intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to recklessly open something.

The burglar struggles with the lock on the briefcase.
You put seriously on the burglar
I give the seriously manner to the burglar, taking the recklessly manner in exchange.

The burglar struggles with the lock on the briefcase.
You wait
Time passes.

The burglar struggles with the lock on the briefcase.
You put aggressively on the burglar
I give the aggressively manner to the burglar, taking the seriously manner in exchange.

The burglar struggles with the lock on the briefcase.
You go to the west
Humans flitter across this wide hallway, clumping into and breaking
out of knots of intense, whispered intrigue. A table next to the
double doors to the west is laden with delicate champagne flutes,
which some of the humans stalking around the room are also
brandishing. Nondescript oil paintings hang at regular intervals
around the room. A small hallway leads south, and a wider passage
leads east.

There's a set of open double doors here leading west.

The reporter makes some notes.

The brute lounges against one wall.
You put the explore on the brute
I give the explore intent to the brute, who now intends to explore the area.

The reporter makes some notes.

The brute trundles off to the east.
You go east
This spacious gallery is empty, though murmurs of conversation from
the room to the west echo throughout the chamber. High, narrow windows around the circumference of the room cast orange light on the marble floor. An ornately carved archway leads east, next to which is a conspicuous black keypad. Plainer exits lead north and south.

An ornate chandelier hangs from the ceiling.

The brute trundles off to the north.

The burglar struggles with the lock on the briefcase.
Wait
Time passes.

The burglar struggles with the lock on the briefcase.

The brute trundles in from the north.
You get explore
I extract the explore intent from the brute.

The burglar sees the brute and flees to the south, clutching its briefcase.
You put the explore on the brute
I give the explore intent to the brute, who now intends to explore the area.

The brute trundles off to the south.
Go south
This stuffy closet is filled with a variety of stark metal equipment, undoubtedly very important and very dangerous to humans. A maze of wiring creeps over the walls, sinking into the further recess of the complex. There's an electrical hum throughout the room and a faint metallic smell in the dusty air. The single exit from the room leads north.

A large steel cage blocks access to high-voltage equipment.

The brute trundles off to the north.

The burglar tries to figure out the combination on the locked briefcase, but it isn't having much luck.
You wait
Time passes.

The burglar tries to figure out the combination on the locked briefcase, but it isn't having much luck.
You wait for a while
Time passes.

The burglar tries to figure out the combination on the locked briefcase, but it isn't having much luck.

The brute trundles in from the north.
You get explore
I extract the explore intent from the brute.

The burglar looks up from its briefcase and sees the brute. Thinking quickly, it slips the briefcase through the bars of the cage and wanders nonchalantly north.
You put take on brute
I give the take intent to the brute, who now intends to take something of value.

The brute's eye catches on the briefcase in the cage.
You wait a while
Time passes.

The brute reaches for the briefcase, but the bars are too close together.
You put open on brute
I don't have the open intent in my possession. I last saw it in the burglar's possession.
You go north
This spacious gallery is empty, though murmurs of conversation from
the room to the west echo throughout the chamber. High, narrow windows around the circumference of the room cast orange light on the marble floor. An ornately carved archway leads east, next to which is a conspicuous black keypad. Plainer exits lead north and south.

An ornate chandelier hangs from the ceiling.

The burglar looks around with an appraising eye.
You get all
aggressively manner: I extract the aggressively manner from the burglar.
open intent: I extract the open intent from the burglar.

The burglar looks around with an appraising eye.
You go to the south
This stuffy closet is filled with a variety of stark metal equipment, undoubtedly very important and very dangerous to humans. A maze of wiring creeps over the walls, sinking into the further recess of the complex. There's an electrical hum throughout the room and a faint metallic smell in the dusty air. The single exit from the room leads north.

A large steel cage blocks access to high-voltage equipment, as well as the leather briefcase.

The brute's eye catches on the briefcase in the cage.
You put open on the brute
I give the open intent to the brute, taking the take intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to open something.
You look at the cage
I suppose it's here for safety, what with the "danger, high voltage" signs, but it'd also do a bang-up job as a dungeon cell.

In the steel cage is a leather briefcase.
You look at what you're carrying with you
Intentions:
the take intent
the explore intent
the drink intent
the select intent
the read intent
the block intent
the defend intent
the serve intent
the wait intent
the sell intent
the buy intent
the warm intent
the clean up intent

Manners:
the aggressively manner
the seriously manner
the recklessly manner
the slowly manner
the greedily manner
the generously manner
the lazily manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks
three secret codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu??
the almanach
a candle
You put take and aggressively on the brute
take intent: I give the take intent to the brute, taking the open intent in exchange. It now intends to take something of value. aggressively manner: I give the aggressively manner to the brute, who now intends to aggressively take something of value.

The brute reaches for the briefcase, but the bars are too close together.
Wait
Time passes.

The brute hurriedly grips two bars, one with each hand.
Wait
Time passes.

bars, and it soon has bent them enough to grab the briefcase.
You wait
Time passes.

The brute clutches the glowing briefcase.
You put open on the brute
I give the open intent to the brute, taking the take intent in exchange. It now intends to aggressively open the briefcase.

The brute, grunting, rips open the locked and glowing briefcase.
Seeing the launch codes, it touches a concealed earpiece and makes
some sort of report.
You get the codebook
(the top secret codebook)
I pick up the top secret codebook and page through it. The cipher on the communiqu?? is at an extraordinarily high classification level, and even the top secret codebook doesn't cover all of it. I can still decipher some of its header information and basic format, though. This particular cipher is used in very rare circumstances to give immediate orders to agents in the field when a completely secure method of communication isn't available. It's effectively one step below a one-time pad, used when logistics or circumstances prevent that from being an option, and it's almost as secure; this code isn't one that I'm going to be able to break on my own. Its use by the Other Side suggests that there was an urgent, probably unexpected order they had to give to one of their agents. The mere presence of agent isn't a
huge secret; neither my side nor my opponents are naive or arrogant enough to think that we're the only one in this business. This coded communiqu?? suggests, however, that the agent was doing something that would cause a serious escalation if we found out about it???violating one of our treaties, for example, or taking direct action against one of our agents.

With the part of the cipher in the codebook, I can decrypt the rest of the communiqu??:

Confirmed neutralization of Krait. There is no significant opposition remaining in the target area. The action has been authorized. Assist the delegations and ensure that the conference concludes successfully as quickly as possible. Cardinal is standing by. We will act immediately on the broadcast.

This is definitely cause for alarm. If only I knew something more
about this "Cardinal," then maybe Whiptail and I could figure out what to do about it. That takes priority over finding the rest of the codebooks; there's now a clear, imminent threat to us.

The brute mutters something into its earpiece.
You look up cardinal in almanach
I search through the almanach and find the sparse entry for Cardinal. It's listed as operating under the Advanced Research Directive, but there's no further description; it doesn't even indicate whether Cardinal is the name of an angel, or a highly classified research group, or a codeword for a specific project. The only other
information provided is a reference to a node on the Other Side's communications network: LN-199. That could be anything from a data
feed with public information to the personal line of the director of the research department. Whiptail would probably know how to get more information on it.

The brute mutters something into its earpiece.
You get all
open intent: I extract the open intent from the brute, along with the aggressively manner.
aggressively manner: I already have that.

The brute mutters something into its earpiece.
You go north
This spacious gallery is empty, though murmurs of conversation from
the room to the west echo throughout the chamber. High, narrow windows around the circumference of the room cast orange light on the marble floor. An ornately carved archway leads east, next to which is a conspicuous black keypad. Plainer exits lead north and south.

An ornate chandelier hangs from the ceiling.

The burglar looks around with an appraising eye.
Go west
Humans flitter across this wide hallway, clumping into and breaking
out of knots of intense, whispered intrigue. A table next to the
double doors to the west is laden with delicate champagne flutes,
which some of the humans stalking around the room are also
brandishing. Nondescript oil paintings hang at regular intervals
around the room. A small hallway leads south, and a wider passage
leads east.

There's a set of open double doors here leading west.

The reporter makes some notes.
You go to the north
The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.

The tourist sits off to one side.
Go east
This gallery is a small, stark alcove adjoining the lounge to the
west. The walls are bare and white, and the carpet is a deep brown. An exhibit at the far end of the room shows off a few brightly colored pieces of pottery, protected by a velvet rope in front of the display.

A bell with a large crack is displayed on a plinth here.
You ring bell
I ring the bell, producing an uncanny tone.
You read almanach
I skip to a random entry in the almanach and read it aloud. Going through the minor biographical details of a functionary who seems to have done nothing but attend meetings for seven consecutive millennia is tedious, but it should be sufficient for the ritual.
Light candle
"I quickly invoke the ritual again and conjure up a hazy image of Whiptail.

"Hey, Sidewinder. Did you have any luck with the thing that definitely wasn't a thaumatic force dampener?"

"Things have escalated here. There's more involvement from the Other Side than I suspected, and I'm dealing with a hostile operative." The portal isn't a secure line, so I can't go into the full details, but I give him a summary of what I read from the intercepted communiqu??.

Whiptail snaps to attention and looks at me sharply. "Do you need reinforcements?"

"There's no one else nearby. That's the only reason I'm here in the first place. What I really need is information on this Cardinal that's in the communiqu??."

"Do you know anything about them?"

"Very little. I don't even know if Cardinal is an asset, or an angel, or a group of angels, or a project codeword, or what. I suspect it's that it's the superior officer of that hostile operative I ran into, but that's just a guess. Can you get me any intel on them?"

"It would be tricky; if you're right about this operation being more serious than we expected, anyone involved in it is going to be well-protected. I could start organizing an infiltration team, setting up a cover???"

"We don't have time for that. The summit is going on right now; I need something faster."

"I could try to tap into their communication network."

"We don't know whether Cardinal's even an enemy operative. If they're not even an angel, then we're a signatory to treaties that would restrict-"

"Sidewinder, I'm a demonic scientist. I break the laws of physics
every day; do you think I care about breaking the actual law?" He shrugged. "But we'd need physical access to some sort of relay in
their network, and that has the same problem as a direct assault."

"Wait, I've seen something like that here." I describe the telex in Kingfisher's office to Whiptail.

"Perfect! I've got just the thing." He begins digging through the drawers of his desk, casually tossing discarded bits of machinery over his shoulder into the mass of spare parts piled around his office. He then emerges into my field of view triumphantly holding a tiny metal flange.

"Here, this should work," he says, showing me the object and then passing it off to a subordinate. "I'll arrange a drop at your location and send this to you. Use it to tap into that angel's telex. You'll need to locate Cardinal's line, but it should handle the decryption
for you."

"Thanks, Whiptail. I owe you one." I pause and reconsider. "That was just a turn of phrase, and as such it does not constitute a legally binding notice of obligation or commitment, whether implicit or explicit, for services that may or may not have been rendered, in part or in full, throughout the execution of actions that would be considered in a court of law to follow from the commission of either party's normal duties, nor to actions in preparation for such actions; and any such assistance does not require either party to guarantee continuation of prior assistance, nor further effort toward establishing new assistance, except as it falls with the usual and established ambit of their duties acting as officers of the demonic intelligence services, as well as organizations controlled in whole or in part by the aforementioned services, their delegated agents and recognized attorneys-in-fact, their usufructuary interests, and any subsidiaries or similar organizations in which they have a controlling interest."

I don't have time to give the full disclaimer (footnote 9), so I quickly shut down the portal.
Footnote 9
(9) ...the full disclaimer: You can never be too careful. As
I know from personal experience (albeit on the other side of things), making a deal with a devil???even an inadvertent one???never ends well.
Go downward
I make my way back down to the lounge, past rows of uninteresting
guest rooms.

The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.

The tourist sits off to one side.
You go south
At the center of the hotel is this wide atrium, a plaza of orange
brick dotted with flowerboxes and ornamental bushes. The ceiling of
the lobby is made of glass, and so the sunset outside gives an unnatural hue to the hibiscus vines adorning the open doors to the south. Despite the location, it's mostly quiet here. Even the rattan chairs overlooking the garden to the east are empty.

The hotel reception is to the west, and a corridor to the north leads deeper into the hotel.

A thermostat is located unobtrusively in a corner.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.

The guest is loitering off to one side.

I can also see a large puddle here.

The detector vibrates faintly in my hand, and a magnetic force is pulling it east.
You go east
The gardens on the eastern edge of the hotel lie in uniform, geometric precision. Straight gravel paths bound squares of brightly colored flowers, each with a placard bearing the scientific names of its contents. The breeze from the nearby sea mixes the faint aromas in the various plants into an unidentifiable but not unpleasant smell. A ponderous chapel made of rough stone looms at the eastern edge of the gardens, and a well-worn path leading northeast skirts around it. To the west, there is a wide portico that leads into the hotel.

The detector vibrates faintly in my hand, and a magnetic force is pulling it northeast.
Go northeast
This small lawn runs between the hotel toward the southwest and the squat building to the east. It is trim and spartan, with no ornamentation aside from the tall hedges forming its boundary. They also block the breeze coming in off the sea, so the air here is warm and still.

Lying at the base of one of the bushes is a small package.

There's a set of open double doors here leading east.

The drunk sprawls nearby.

The agent stands next to the doors.

The detector buzzes insistently.
You examine package
It's an unmarked package with some sort of nondescript wrapping. Of course, it wouldn't be a problem if it were descript; the package is a spiritual object, so humans wouldn't be able to notice it anyway.

The detector buzzes insistently.
You get it
I shred open the package, revealing the wiretap that Whiptail showed
me earlier. I deftly pocket the item, and the remains of the package helpfully self-destruct.
You examine the wiretap
The device we've nicknamed an "egg tooth" is the spiritual equivalent of a wiretap, designed to pierce the thin security layer around
certain parts of the Other Side's communications network. It's not going to give us access to their deepest secrets, but it's a quick and dirty way of getting some basic signals intelligence. The inner workings of the egg tooth are complicated, but its operation is simple enough: Just set it to the address you're targeting and put it on a convenient communications relay. The trick is getting access to that relay, of course.

The device is currently set to AA-000.
You set the wiretap to LN-199
Done.
Go east
The interior of the chapel is exactly what you'd expect: A ???????????????????????????????????????????????? in front of a ???????????????????????????????????? without the ???????????????????????? and ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????. The whole place ?????????????????????????????????, but that's hardly
surprising, given ??????????????????????????????????????????. It's a ???????????????????????? place, for obvious
reasons, and the ?????????????????????????????????????????? doesn't make it any less ??????????????? or
??????????????????????????? to those of my kind, the ??????????????????????????? notwithstanding. Even
though humans would undoubtedly love to know that ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????,
it's simply ???????????????????????????????????? and ??????????????????????????????????????????, which neatly explains the meaning of life. An unobtrusive stairway at the back of the room leads upward, and the much more inviting exit from the chapel is to the
west.

A hatrack stands to one side of the doors.
You examine the hatrack
It's a little-known fact that humans sometimes wear hats, though
nobody knows why. When they're not being worn, hats are often placed
on a hatrack like this one. Not exactly like this one, of
course, because this one is a spiritual object. The principle is the same, though.
You get it
That's fixed in place.
You talk to Kingfisher
I'd rather boil my eyeballs than engage in unnecessary conversation with that idiot.
You put the wiretap on the telex
I shouldn't show him that I've got the wiretap. It's highly classified equipment, and Kingfisher is literally the worst person to have access to it.
You look at Kingfisher
Kingfisher is a dangerous, stupid, smug idiot, and he looks exactly like you'd expect him to look.

My editor has informed me that that isn't a useful description, so let me try to elaborate in terms humans are familiar with. Like me, he's not a physical entity, but the manner in which he's composed his metaphysical substance is analogous to wearing an impossibly expensive suit in order to impress or intimidate onlookers. His aristocratic, condescending demeanor combines the oiliness of an elected politician with the thoughtless obstinacy of an appointed commissar. He speaks
at people rather than to them, and certainly not
with them. He considers me to a spectator in some elaborate
performance he's starring in, and he expects me to play the role of a grateful audience who's dazzled by him.

Beneath that veneer of vague professional courtesy is a stupid, bumbling hitman who has no ideas beyond unfocused violence. He's a dangerous, incompetent, vicious lunatic who thinks that a superficial layer of charm makes him clever and deep. My only explanation for why he's been allowed on a mission in the mortal realm is that his superiors hate having him around as much as I do.
You put the explore on Kingfisher
It would just slide off. Kingfisher isn't a mortal; I can't give him intentions???or vice versa, fortunately.
Go up
From here, I can only go down.
You look around
Against my better judgment, I'm in Kingfisher's inner sanctum. It's more mundane than I would have expected; it could have easily passed for the office of a mid-level human bureaucrat, except for the glowing telex on his desk (and, of course, for the state secrets of the universe that are undoubtedly kept securely locked away in its drawers). I would have expected the walls to be filled with propaganda posters and his bookshelves with plundered artifacts, but the room is neat and spartan and grey. The sole color comes from a stained-glass window that throws blotchy, irregular patterns onto the floor. A stairway leads back down into the main chapel.

I can see Kingfisher here.
You open the telex
"Hands off, demon!"
You examine the desk
There's nothing useful in the desk. That bit about "state secrets" was just a joke. If Kingfisher's desk is anything like mine, it's full of centuries-old memoranda, spare pencils and decoy white papers to
entrap the gullible. We don't keep actual state secrets out in the open; we keep them some place safe, like in a safe.
You examine the telex
Obviously it's not literally a telex; that's just the closest human equivalent. It's a device for handling classified communication
between the Other Place and the human realm. Describing the exact mechanisms involved would make your head hurt, both from their complexity and the fact that the penalty for receiving unauthorized classified information involves sticking your head in a vise. Let's just say that it's a fax machine made of magic.

The telex is closed.
Inventory
Intentions:
the open intent
the take intent
the explore intent
the drink intent
the select intent
the read intent
the block intent
the defend intent
the serve intent
the wait intent
the sell intent
the buy intent
the warm intent
the clean up intent

Manners:
the aggressively manner
the seriously manner
the recklessly manner
the slowly manner
the greedily manner
the generously manner
the lazily manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks
three secret codebooks
one top secret codebook

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu??
the almanach
a candle
a wiretap
You drop candle
Dropped.
You put almanach on the desk
As a spiritual being, I'm unable to manipulate physical objects.
You go northeast
This small lawn runs between the hotel toward the southwest and the squat building to the east. It is trim and spartan, with no ornamentation aside from the tall hedges forming its boundary. They also block the breeze coming in off the sea, so the air here is warm and still.

There's a set of open double doors here leading east.

The drunk sprawls nearby.

The agent stands next to the doors.
You put the explore on drunk
I give the explore intent to the drunk, who now intends to explore,
for lack of something better to do.

The drunk scratches itself absently.
Wait
Time passes.

The drunk stumbles off to the southwest.
Go southwest
The gardens on the eastern edge of the hotel lie in uniform, geometric precision. Straight gravel paths bound squares of brightly colored flowers, each with a placard bearing the scientific names of its contents. The breeze from the nearby sea mixes the faint aromas in the various plants into an unidentifiable but not unpleasant smell. A ponderous chapel made of rough stone looms at the eastern edge of the gardens, and a well-worn path leading northeast skirts around it. To the west, there is a wide portico that leads into the hotel.

The drunk scratches itself absently.
You wait
Time passes.

The drunk scratches itself absently.
Wait
Time passes.

The drunk stumbles off to the west.
You go to the west
At the center of the hotel is this wide atrium, a plaza of orange
brick dotted with flowerboxes and ornamental bushes. The ceiling of
the lobby is made of glass, and so the sunset outside gives an unnatural hue to the hibiscus vines adorning the open doors to the south. Despite the location, it's mostly quiet here. Even the rattan chairs overlooking the garden to the east are empty.

The hotel reception is to the west, and a corridor to the north leads deeper into the hotel.

A thermostat is located unobtrusively in a corner.

The drunk stumbles off to the north.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.

The guest is loitering off to one side.

I can also see a large puddle here.
You go north
The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.

The drunk looks blearily around.

The tourist sits off to one side.
You get all
explore intent: I extract the explore intent from the drunk.
You get all
explore intent: I extract the explore intent from the tourist.
You go to the north
Bookshelves line the walls of this small, wood-paneled room, mixing
the smell of paper with that of cigarette smoke. There are some high-backed chairs arranged in front of the shelves, clustered around tables topped with small but bright wrought-iron lamps. A passageway, above which sits an oil painting of a tropical seascape, leads south.
You go south
The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.

The drunk sprawls nearby.

The tourist sits off to one side.
Go west
Humans crowd this room, sitting nervously on folding chairs and clutching lorgnettes. They face a dais piled with paintings,
furniture, and small sculptures, continually fed by humans in black uniforms carrying in works of art from a smaller room to the north.
The rest of the room is starkly utilitarian, with bare walls and
overly bright lights. A passage to the east leads back into the rest
of the hotel.

I can see the auctioneer here.
Go north
An almost endless mass of crates, chests, and pallets fills this small room. They reach the ceiling, yet an array of humans in black uniforms manages to glide through narrow openings in the debris, shuttling
items into the larger room to the south. There's no apparent organization to the clutter, or even visible labels on the various boxes, but the humans have no difficulty in finding whatever objects they're looking for.

I can see the picker here.
You get all
explore intent: I extract the explore intent from the picker.
You put the explore on the bellhop
I give the explore intent to the bellhop, who now vaguely intends to explore.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.
You wait
Time passes.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.
You put the explore on the guest
(first taking the explore intent from the bellhop)
I give the explore intent to the guest, who now vaguely intends to explore.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.
You get all
explore intent: I extract the explore intent from the guest.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.
Go west
I'm at the hotel's reception, a small entryway with a gleaming marble floor and lamps made of dark green glass. The reception desk itself is a massive thing of oak, with a plush red carpet in front of it and a few potted chrysanthemums on top of it making it more inviting. A safe has been set into the wall behind it. A ceiling fan slowly spins above a passage farther into the hotel to the east. The exit from the hotel, flanked by ferns in massive clay pots, lies to the west.

The hotel clerk stands behind the desk.

The wealthy dowager is sitting in a plush leather chair.
You put the explore on clerk
(first taking the explore intent from the wealthy dowager)
I give the explore intent to the hotel clerk, who now vaguely intends to explore.
You get all
seriously manner: I extract the seriously manner from the hotel clerk. explore intent: I extract the explore intent from the hotel clerk.
You go to the west
The detector blinks briefly, indicating that I've moved into a new region of the compound.

This cobblestone trail runs from the casino to the hotel on the complex. Box trees flank the path, interspersed with a variety of colorful ornamental plants I don't recognize. The hotel it leads from is a sprawling villa of orange bricks with towers sprouting around its perimeter. A stone archway leads east into the hotel, and the trail winds to the west.

A shiny silver mirror hangs over the archway leading east.

The waiter loafs in the corner.
You put the explore on waiter
I give the explore intent to the waiter, who now intends to explore
the casino in search of work to do.
Wait
Time passes.

The waiter walks purposefully off to the west.
You go to the west
This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large, well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.

east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
hedges.

A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn.

I can also see the waiter here.
You get all
explore intent: I extract the explore intent from the waiter.

The waiter loafs in the corner.
You go to the east
This cobblestone trail runs from the casino to the hotel on the complex. Box trees flank the path, interspersed with a variety of colorful ornamental plants I don't recognize. The hotel it leads to is a sprawling villa of orange bricks with towers sprouting around its perimeter. A stone archway leads east into the hotel, and the trail winds to the west.

A shiny silver mirror hangs over the archway leading east.
You show the communique to Kingfisher
I'm not letting Kingfisher anywhere near the intercepted communiqu??.
You go to the northeast
This small lawn runs between the hotel toward the southwest and the squat building to the east. It is trim and spartan, with no ornamentation aside from the tall hedges forming its boundary. They also block the breeze coming in off the sea, so the air here is warm and still.

There's a set of open double doors here leading east.

The agent stands next to the doors.
You go east
The detector blinks briefly, indicating that I've moved into a new region of the compound.

Humans flitter across this wide hallway, clumping into and breaking
out of knots of intense, whispered intrigue. A table next to the
double doors to the west is laden with delicate champagne flutes,
which some of the humans stalking around the room are also
brandishing. Nondescript oil paintings hang at regular intervals
around the room. A small hallway leads south, and a wider passage
leads east.

There's a set of open double doors here leading west.

The reporter asks one of the dignitaries some pointed questions.
Go south
This stuffy closet is filled with a variety of stark metal equipment, undoubtedly very important and very dangerous to humans. A maze of wiring creeps over the walls, sinking into the further recess of the complex. There's an electrical hum throughout the room and a faint metallic smell in the dusty air. The single exit from the room leads north.

A large steel cage blocks access to high-voltage equipment.

The brute mutters something into its earpiece.
You look at the brute
Muscles the size of excessively large muscles.

The brute is holding a leather briefcase, inside which are some launch codes.

The brute mutters something into its earpiece.
You listen to the brute
I hear nothing unexpected.

The brute mutters something into its earpiece.
You look at launch codes
Yes, these are nuclear launch codes, one of the most prized secrets in the human world. That's about I'm allowed to say here; after all, a nuclear strike is in the interests of neither my organization nor the Other Place's. My editor said I can tell you one of the digits, which is 0. Hope that helps.

The brute mutters something into its earpiece.
You examine keypad
This gadget is part of the mechanism of the archway, allowing my cohorts on the Other Side to control access to whatever they're planning in the deeper recesses of the complex. It's a sophisticated device; they must have been planning things for a while. It has a
clear spiritual aura, so I could interact with it if I knew the code
to type in.

The burglar looks around with an appraising eye.
Type 199
(on the keypad)
Nothing happens.

The burglar looks around with an appraising eye.
You go to the west
Humans flitter across this wide hallway, clumping into and breaking
out of knots of intense, whispered intrigue. A table next to the
double doors to the west is laden with delicate champagne flutes,
which some of the humans stalking around the room are also
brandishing. Nondescript oil paintings hang at regular intervals
around the room. A small hallway leads south, and a wider passage
leads east.

There's a set of open double doors here leading west.

The reporter eavesdrops on a nearby conversation.
Go south
Diplomats fill this crowded room, sitting impatiently at a gigantic ring-shaped table. In front of each human is a miniature flag and a white placard bearing its name and title. A map of the world, elaborately drawn but completely devoid of any cities or borders or other political features, covers the far wall. The only exit from the room is to the north.

The diplomats are considering a trade deal.

A bottle of champagne, shining brightly with spiritual energy, sits to one side in a bucket of ice.

The short diplomat looks at the proposed trade deal, but seems to be having trouble understanding the details.

I can also see the tall diplomat and the medium diplomat here.
You check your inventory
Intentions:
the explore intent
the open intent
the take intent
the drink intent
the select intent
the read intent
the block intent
the defend intent
the serve intent
the wait intent
the sell intent
the buy intent
the warm intent
the clean up intent

Manners:
the seriously manner
the aggressively manner
the recklessly manner
the slowly manner
the greedily manner
the generously manner
the lazily manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks
three secret codebooks
one top secret codebook

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu??
the almanach
a candle
a wiretap
You put explore and generously on short
explore intent: I give the explore intent to the short diplomat, who now intends to explore the possibilities of the proposal.
generously manner: I give the generously manner to the short diplomat, who now intends to generously explore the possibilities of the proposal.

The medium diplomat looks at the proposed trade deal, and nods approvingly.
You wait for a while
Time passes.

The tall diplomat looks at the proposed trade deal, and nods approvingly.
You wait
Time passes.

The short diplomat makes some edits to the proposed deal, increasing the tariff on wheat to 12%.
Wait
Time passes.

The medium diplomat looks at the proposed trade deal, and nods approvingly.
You wait
Time passes.

The short diplomat makes some edits to the proposed deal, increasing the tariff on wheat to 15%.
Inventory
Intentions:
the open intent
the take intent
the drink intent
the select intent
the read intent
the block intent
the defend intent
the serve intent
the wait intent
the sell intent
the buy intent
the warm intent
the clean up intent

Manners:
the seriously manner
the aggressively manner
the recklessly manner
the slowly manner
the greedily manner
the lazily manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks
three secret codebooks
one top secret codebook

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu??
the almanach
a candle
a wiretap
You put the take on short
I give the take intent to the short diplomat, taking the explore
intent in exchange. It now intends to generously take all possible circumstances into account.

The medium diplomat looks at the proposed trade deal, but frowns at
the tariff on wheat.
You wait for a while
Time passes.

The short diplomat closes a few loopholes, resulting in a simplistic proposal.
You wait
Time passes.

The medium diplomat looks at the proposed trade deal, but frowns at
the tariff on wheat.
You wait for a while
Time passes.

The short diplomat smiles at the wording of the simplistic proposal.
You put the clean up and greedily on the medium
clean up intent: I give the clean up intent to the medium diplomat,
who now intends to clean up the language of the proposal.
greedily manner: I give the greedily manner to the medium diplomat,
who now intends to greedily clean up the language of the proposal.

The tall diplomat looks at the proposed trade deal, and nods approvingly.
You wait awhile
Time passes.

The medium diplomat smiles at the wording of the simplistic proposal but frowns at the tariff on wheat.
You put take on the medium
(first taking the take intent from the short diplomat, along with the generously manner)
I give the take intent to the medium diplomat, taking the clean up intent in exchange. It now intends to greedily take all possible circumstances into account.

The tall diplomat looks at the proposed trade deal, and nods approvingly.
You wait
Time passes.

The short diplomat looks at the proposed trade deal, and nods approvingly.
You wait
Time passes.

The medium diplomat smiles at their contributions to the simplistic proposal but frowns at the tariff on wheat.
You put the drink on the medium
I give the drink intent to the medium diplomat, taking the take intent in exchange. It now intends to greedily drink champagne when this is all resolved.

The tall diplomat looks at the proposed trade deal, and nods approvingly.
Wait
Time passes.

The medium diplomat sighs, makes a few concessions, and suggests signing this and calling it a day.

The other diplomats give the proposal one final look, then sign it. There are cheers and excitement!

The medium diplomat pops open the bottle of champagne, and they all drink enthusiastically.
You get the codebook
(the top secret codebook)
I pick up the top secret codebook and page through it. I've deciphered the entirety of the communiqu??, but a codebook from the Other Side is certainly an impressive prize. If the opposition hasn't noticed that it's now in our possession, it's invaluable. Even if they have,
though, we can use it to decrypt old communications, and our research department might be able to reverse engineer some of their cryptographic systems with the extra data.

The tall diplomat proposes another clich?? toast.
You look at your surroundings
Diplomats fill this crowded room, sitting impatiently at a gigantic ring-shaped table. In front of each human is a miniature flag and a white placard bearing its name and title. A map of the world, elaborately drawn but completely devoid of any cities or borders or other political features, covers the far wall. The only exit from the room is to the north.

The diplomats are considering a trade deal.

A bottle of champagne sits to one side in a bucket of ice.

I can also see the tall diplomat, the short diplomat, and the medium diplomat here.
You get all
drink intent: I extract the drink intent from the medium diplomat, along with the greedily manner.
greedily manner: I already have that.

The short diplomat sniffs its champagne appreciatively.
Go west
The detector blinks briefly, indicating that I've moved into a new region of the compound.

This small lawn runs between the hotel toward the southwest and the squat building to the east. It is trim and spartan, with no ornamentation aside from the tall hedges forming its boundary. They also block the breeze coming in off the sea, so the air here is warm and still.

There's a set of open double doors here leading east.

The agent stands next to the doors.
You get it
Excellent, now I have everything I need to call down below: bell,
book, and candle.
Light candle
I consider summoning Whiptail again but decide against it. He already gave me the wiretap, and it's unwise to use the portal unless it's absolutely necessary. It would be ironic if I were comprised because
of an unsecure communication channel while trying to tap someone
else's unsecure communication channel.
Go downwards
I make my way back down to the lounge, past rows of uninteresting
guest rooms.

The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.

The drunk sprawls nearby.

The tourist sits off to one side.
You pull the hatrack
It is fixed in place.
Climb hatrack
Little is to be achieved by that.
You put candle on the hatrack
The hatrack is the wrong shape for that.
You put the explore on the hatrack
I put the explore intent on the hatrack.
You put the take on the hatrack
I put the take intent on the hatrack.
You get all
take intent: Taken.
explore intent: Taken.
You examine the hatrack
It's a little-known fact that humans sometimes wear hats, though
nobody knows why. When they're not being worn, hats are often placed
on a hatrack like this one. Not exactly like this one, of
course, because this one is a spiritual object. The principle is the same, though.
You check your inventory
Intentions:
the explore intent
the take intent
the drink intent
the clean up intent
the open intent
the select intent
the read intent
the block intent
the defend intent
the serve intent
the wait intent
the sell intent
the buy intent
the warm intent

Manners:
the greedily manner
the generously manner
the seriously manner
the aggressively manner
the recklessly manner
the slowly manner
the lazily manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks
three secret codebooks
two top secret codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu??
a bell
the almanach
a candle
a wiretap
You put open on the hatrack
I put the open intent on the hatrack.
You get all
open intent: Taken.
You examine the agent
A human in a sharp black suit.
Go east
The detector blinks briefly, indicating that I've moved into a new region of the compound.

Humans flitter across this wide hallway, clumping into and breaking
out of knots of intense, whispered intrigue. A table next to the
double doors to the west is laden with delicate champagne flutes,
which some of the humans stalking around the room are also
brandishing. Nondescript oil paintings hang at regular intervals
around the room. A small hallway leads south, and a wider passage
leads east.

There's a set of open double doors here leading west.

The reporter surveils the crowd.
You examine reporter
A human carrying a notebook and wearing a press pass.

The reporter asks one of the dignitaries some pointed questions.
You look at the pass
Although the human press (footnote 10) is often useful to us, I don't have much respect for its competence. This human, for example, has decided to wear a conspicuous badge declaring itself to be a reporter. The first rule of finding out secrets is to not wear a sign saying
that you're trying to find out secrets.

The reporter asks one of the dignitaries some pointed questions.
You go south
Diplomats fill this crowded room, sitting impatiently at a gigantic ring-shaped table. In front of each human is a miniature flag and a white placard bearing its name and title. A map of the world, elaborately drawn but completely devoid of any cities or borders or other political features, covers the far wall. The only exit from the room is to the north.

The diplomats are considering a trade deal.

A bottle of champagne sits to one side in a bucket of ice.

The short diplomat takes another sip of champagne.

I can also see the tall diplomat and the medium diplomat here.
Footnote 10
(10) ...the human press: Human journalists, that is, not the
machine we have to???well, use your imagination.
You look at short
Short, stocky, with excessive amounts of hair.

The medium diplomat sniffs its champagne appreciatively.
You look at the medium
Non-distinctive, with rounded edges.

The tall diplomat takes another sip of champagne.
You look at tall
Tall, thin, with awkward angles.

The short diplomat takes another sip of champagne.
Go north
Humans flitter across this wide hallway, clumping into and breaking
out of knots of intense, whispered intrigue. A table next to the
double doors to the west is laden with delicate champagne flutes,
which some of the humans stalking around the room are also
brandishing. Nondescript oil paintings hang at regular intervals
around the room. A small hallway leads south, and a wider passage
leads east.

There's a set of open double doors here leading west.

The reporter asks one of the dignitaries some pointed questions.
You go east
This spacious gallery is empty, though murmurs of conversation from
the room to the west echo throughout the chamber. High, narrow windows around the circumference of the room cast orange light on the marble floor. An ornately carved archway leads east, next to which is a conspicuous black keypad. Plainer exits lead north and south.

An ornate chandelier hangs from the ceiling.

The burglar looks around with an appraising eye.
You examine the burglar
I can tell it's a burglar because it's wearing one of those masks.

The burglar looks around with an appraising eye.
You examine the mask
The mask isn't subtle. In fairness to the burglar, though, it's almost certain that both the group he's working for and the group he's
working against are aware of its presence here and are watching it closely.

The burglar looks around with an appraising eye.
Go west
Humans flitter across this wide hallway, clumping into and breaking
out of knots of intense, whispered intrigue. A table next to the
double doors to the west is laden with delicate champagne flutes,
which some of the humans stalking around the room are also
brandishing. Nondescript oil paintings hang at regular intervals
around the room. A small hallway leads south, and a wider passage
leads east.

There's a set of open double doors here leading west.

The reporter surveils the crowd.
You get all
drink intent: I extract the drink intent from the reporter.

The reporter asks one of the dignitaries some pointed questions.
You examine the earpiece
Some sort of miniaturized technology that humans find impressive.

The brute mutters something into its earpiece.
You go to the north
Judging from the pigeon-hole boxes filling the walls, I'm in the conference's mail room. The cubbyholes are mostly empty; I doubt anything important would be left out in the open anyway. For that, a metal storage locker stands in the corner, gleaming in the harsh fluorescent lights overhead. The only exit from the room is to the south.

The hacker mopes around dejectedly.
You examine the hacker
person.

The hacker mopes around dejectedly.
You examine the equipment
The equipment keeps the electricity in, or something. Look, I'm a lawyer and diplomat. My expertise is in the spiritual realm. The
grubby business of electrons and photons and second quantization is better left to humans.

The brute mutters something into its earpiece.
You put the explore on hacker
I give the explore intent to the hacker, who now intends to explore in search of another opportunity.

The hacker walks off to the south.
Go south
This spacious gallery is empty, though murmurs of conversation from
the room to the west echo throughout the chamber. High, narrow windows around the circumference of the room cast orange light on the marble floor. An ornately carved archway leads east, next to which is a conspicuous black keypad. Plainer exits lead north and south.

An ornate chandelier hangs from the ceiling.

The hacker wanders morosely back to the north.

The burglar looks around with an appraising eye.
Wait
Time passes.

The burglar looks around with an appraising eye.

The hacker walks in from the north.
You take the explore
I extract the explore intent from the hacker.

The burglar looks around with an appraising eye.

The hacker lounges aimlessly.
You put OPEN on hacker
I give the open intent to the hacker, who now intends to open
something it shouldn't.

The burglar looks around with an appraising eye.

The hacker lounges aimlessly.
You put seriously on the hacker
I give the seriously manner to the hacker, who now intends to
seriously open something it shouldn't.

The burglar looks around with an appraising eye.

The hacker lounges aimlessly.
Wait
Time passes.

The burglar looks around with an appraising eye.

The hacker lounges aimlessly.
You take all
seriously manner: I extract the seriously manner from the hacker.
open intent: I extract the open intent from the hacker.

The burglar looks around with an appraising eye.

The hacker lounges aimlessly.
You put the explore on burglar
I give the explore intent to the burglar, who now intends to explore the area.

The burglar wanders off to the west.

The hacker lounges aimlessly.
You go west
Humans flitter across this wide hallway, clumping into and breaking
out of knots of intense, whispered intrigue. A table next to the
double doors to the west is laden with delicate champagne flutes,
which some of the humans stalking around the room are also
brandishing. Nondescript oil paintings hang at regular intervals
around the room. A small hallway leads south, and a wider passage
leads east.

There's a set of open double doors here leading west.

The burglar wanders off to the east.

The reporter asks one of the dignitaries some pointed questions.
Wait
Time passes.

The reporter surveils the crowd.

The burglar wanders in from the east.
You take all
explore intent: I extract the explore intent from the burglar.

The reporter surveils the crowd.
You go east
This spacious gallery is empty, though murmurs of conversation from
the room to the west echo throughout the chamber. High, narrow windows around the circumference of the room cast orange light on the marble floor. An ornately carved archway leads east, next to which is a conspicuous black keypad. Plainer exits lead north and south.

An ornate chandelier hangs from the ceiling.

The hacker lounges aimlessly.
You go west
Humans flitter across this wide hallway, clumping into and breaking
out of knots of intense, whispered intrigue. A table next to the
double doors to the west is laden with delicate champagne flutes,
which some of the humans stalking around the room are also
brandishing. Nondescript oil paintings hang at regular intervals
around the room. A small hallway leads south, and a wider passage
leads east.

There's a set of open double doors here leading west.

The burglar stands off to one side of the room, looking around carefully.

The reporter makes some notes.
You put the drink and recklessly on the reporter
drink intent: I give the drink intent to the reporter, who now vaguely intends to drink.
recklessly manner: I give the recklessly manner to the reporter, but
it doesn't have much effect.
You take all
recklessly manner: I extract the recklessly manner from the reporter. drink intent: I extract the drink intent from the reporter.

The reporter asks one of the dignitaries some pointed questions.
You look at the paintings
I'm aware of the contradiction in describing them as nondescript, but it's the best I can do. They're unambitious portraits of unambitious humans.

The reporter asks one of the dignitaries some pointed questions.
Go west
The detector blinks briefly, indicating that I've moved into a new region of the compound.

This small lawn runs between the hotel toward the southwest and the squat building to the east. It is trim and spartan, with no ornamentation aside from the tall hedges forming its boundary. They also block the breeze coming in off the sea, so the air here is warm and still.

There's a set of open double doors here leading east.

The agent stands next to the doors.
You put recklessly on the agent
I give the recklessly manner to the agent, taking the seriously manner in exchange.
You examine the agent
A human in a sharp black suit.

> EXPLORE
.
You take all
recklessly manner: I extract the recklessly manner from the agent. explore intent: I extract the explore intent from the agent.
Inventory
Intentions:
the explore intent
the drink intent
the open intent
the take intent
the clean up intent
the select intent
the read intent
the block intent
the defend intent
the serve intent
the wait intent
the sell intent
the buy intent
the warm intent

Manners:
the recklessly manner
the seriously manner
the greedily manner
the generously manner
the aggressively manner
the slowly manner
the lazily manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks
three secret codebooks
two top secret codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu??
a bell
the almanach
a candle
a wiretap
You take all
recklessly manner: I extract the recklessly manner from the agent. defend intent: I extract the defend intent from the agent.
You put the serve on the agent
I give the serve intent to the agent, who now vaguely intends to
serve.
You put the clean up on the agent
I give the clean up intent to the agent, taking the serve intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to clean up.
You take clean
I extract the clean up intent from the agent.
You examine the puddle
The ice sculpture has melted into a large and mystically ineffective puddle.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.
You take puddle
As a demon, I can only manipulate spiritual objects, not physical
ones.
You examine the bellhop
It's wearing a red uniform with one of those ridiculous hats.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.
You check your inventory
Intentions:
the clean up intent
the serve intent
the defend intent
the explore intent
the drink intent
the open intent
the take intent
the select intent
the read intent
the block intent
the wait intent
the sell intent
the buy intent
the warm intent

Manners:
the recklessly manner
the seriously manner
the greedily manner
the generously manner
the aggressively manner
the slowly manner
the lazily manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks
three secret codebooks
two top secret codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu??
a bell
the almanach
a candle
a wiretap
You show candle to Kingfisher
It's a violation of my organization's charter, as well as several important treaties, to offer any assistance to Kingfisher.
You throw candle at Kingfisher
There are better ways of attacking Kingfisher. I should know; if there's one thing Hell's good at, it's retributive violence. It's practically in our charter.
Light Kingfisher
Aside from the geopolitical risks that brawling with Kingfisher would invite, trying to attack him with my rudimentary fire-starting abilities would be like trying to burn down a mountain with a match.
If he's on a mission from the Other Side, he's undoubtedly heavily armed.
Light hatrack
I toss a couple of smoky flames at the hatrack, to little effect.
You put the wiretap on the hatrack
The hatrack is the wrong shape for that.
Burn hatrack
I toss a couple of spiteful flames at the hatrack, to little effect.
You continue
I toss a couple of sputtering flames at the hatrack, to little effect.
Light candle
I hesitate before lighting the candle. The ritual and ensuing conversation would go completely unnoticed by humans, but I want to keep far away from Kingfisher during them. I'd better find a more private location.
You examine the communique
Confirmed neutralization of Krait. There is no significant opposition remaining in the target area. The action has been authorized. Assist the delegations and ensure that the conference concludes successfully as quickly as possible. Cardinal is standing by. We will act immediately on the broadcast.
Spin detector
The detector is silent. There must not be any unattained codebooks nearby.
You examine bed
It must be frustrating for mortals to spend a third of their limited life span unconscious.
You examine the desk
An ordinary hotel desk with a dark veneer.
You look around
My predecessor, Krait, used this hotel room as a temporary base of operations for his role as chief of station. Of course, he had no use for its amenities. Thus the bed and dining table were both employed, judging from the papers scattered across them, as makeshift desks. A smaller but bona fide desk sits in the corner, with an artless landscape in watercolors hanging above it. The liquor cabinet lurks untouched in the corner, and the ashtray on top of it is completely empty. The stark white carpet here is plush and spotless.

The only exit from the room is to the south.
You examine table
The dining table is overflowing with papers.
You examine the carpet
I don't see the plush red carpet here. It was at Hotel Reception.
You examine the landscape
As far as its artistic merit goes, it is a creative work executed by a human and thus technically qualifies as art.
You burn it
Unfortunately, my fire-starting abilities only apply to spiritual objects.
You examine the ashtray
Unsurprisingly, the ashtray is clean and empty.
You look around
My predecessor, Krait, used this hotel room as a temporary base of operations for his role as chief of station. Of course, he had no use for its amenities. Thus the bed and dining table were both employed, judging from the papers scattered across them, as makeshift desks. A smaller but bona fide desk sits in the corner, with an artless landscape in watercolors hanging above it. The liquor cabinet lurks untouched in the corner, and the ashtray on top of it is completely empty. The stark white carpet here is plush and spotless.

The only exit from the room is to the south.
Go downwards
I make my way back down to the lounge, past rows of uninteresting
guest rooms.

The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.

The drunk sprawls nearby.

The tourist sits off to one side.
You look at the tourist
The tourist watches the auction keenly, its fingers twitching.

The tourist is holding a golden chest.
You look at the auctioneer
Grey-haired but with a voice like a megaphone.

The auctioneer is holding a bracelet.
Examine bracelet
Red gems on a silver band.
You look at the server
Impeccably dressed in the manner of one who's used to its tips depending on it.
You look at the diner
It's wearing a light jacket and sitting by itself at a table.
You go east
Even at this hour, the kitchen is a frenzy of activity. At rows of steel tables, cooks go through whatever laborious tasks are necessary to make food for humans. I'm not sure exactly what they are, but they apparently involve a lot of fire and yelling. The cramped room is filled with smoke and the aromas of spices. A swinging door leads west into the restaurant, and a heavy steel door is to the south.
Burn telex
I toss a couple of spiteful flames at the telex, to little effect.
You read almanach
I skip to a random entry in the almanach and read it aloud. Going through the minor biographical details of a junior undersecretary who left the organization three millennia before I joined is tedious, but it should be sufficient for the ritual.
Light candle
I hesitate before lighting the candle. The ritual and ensuing conversation would go completely unnoticed by humans, but I want to keep far away from Kingfisher during them. I'd better find a more private location.
Light communique
I toss a couple of smoky flames at the intercepted communiqu??, to little effect.
You look at Kingfisher
Kingfisher is a dangerous, stupid, smug idiot, and he looks exactly like you'd expect him to look.

My editor has informed me that that isn't a useful description, so let me try to elaborate in terms humans are familiar with. Like me, he's not a physical entity, but the manner in which he's composed his metaphysical substance is analogous to wearing an impossibly expensive suit in order to impress or intimidate onlookers. His aristocratic, condescending demeanor combines the oiliness of an elected politician with the thoughtless obstinacy of an appointed commissar. He speaks
at people rather than to them, and certainly not
with them. He considers me to a spectator in some elaborate
performance he's starring in, and he expects me to play the role of a grateful audience who's dazzled by him.

Beneath that veneer of vague professional courtesy is a stupid, bumbling hitman who has no ideas beyond unfocused violence. He's a dangerous, incompetent, vicious lunatic who thinks that a superficial layer of charm makes him clever and deep. My only explanation for why he's been allowed on a mission in the mortal realm is that his superiors hate having him around as much as I do.
You examine the patterns
Even in the feeble light of the sunset, the stained glass window creates splotches of iridiscent light on the office floor.
Light Kingfisher
Unfortunately, my fire-starting abilities only apply to spiritual objects.

Aside from the geopolitical risks that brawling with Kingfisher would invite, trying to attack him with my rudimentary fire-starting abilities would be like trying to burn down a mountain with a match.
If he's on a mission from the Other Side, he's undoubtedly heavily armed.
Light papers
I don't see newspaper here. It was at Lounge.
You examine the placard
I don't see the white placards here. It was at Conference Room.
You examine guest
Wearing shorts and a gaudy-print t-shirt.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.
Go west
The detector blinks briefly, indicating that I've moved into a new region of the compound.

This cobblestone trail runs from the casino to the hotel on the complex. Box trees flank the path, interspersed with a variety of colorful ornamental plants I don't recognize. The hotel it leads from is a sprawling villa of orange bricks with towers sprouting around its perimeter. A stone archway leads east into the hotel, and the trail winds to the west.

A shiny silver mirror hangs over the archway leading east.
You go west
This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large, well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.

east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
hedges.

A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn.

The waiter loafs in the corner.
You look at sharp
A wily human wearing a green visor and a charcoal suit. It looks like it's been here for quite a while, and it watches the other gamblers with a predatory manner.

> PLAY
poker for high stakes.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.

The card sharp looks around the room predatorily.
You get the play
I extract the play intent from the card sharp.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.
You examine the gambler
The gambler is disheveled and distraught at its change in fortunes.

> FOLD
in the poker game.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.
You get fold
I extract the fold intent from the gambler.

The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the side.
You examine the guard
A somberly dressed human posted to guard the door. Despite its job, it's become distracted by the enticing game and wandered away from its task.

The guard loafs idly.
You go to the east
This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is tuning
up as the crowd below them mingles. A breeze from the nearby sea occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat. The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor lies to the
west.

The musicians look through their sheet music.
You examine the musician
A string quartet is stationed in the upper reaches of the hall to entertain the humans dancing below.

The musicians take the opportunity to drink some water.
Examine bar
Presumably it's intended to make the room feel larger. Humans have a thing for illusions.
You look at the magpie
Magpies are not quite up to the level of ravens, but they're still solidly respectable corvids. They're not as evil as ravens, sadly, but they're actually a bit more acquisitive and mischievous.
Go north
This small garden lies at the center of the hedge maze. Moss grows optimistically through cracks in the mosaic floor, and vines wrap around the columns ringing the open area. A fountain in the center, flowing but full of vegetation and other flotsam, breaks the summer humidity. A torturous path to the south heads back into the maze.

The kid shuffles around nearby.
You examine kid
One of those young humans there seem to keep being more of. I wouldn't normally expect to see one in a place like this, but perhaps away from the actual gambling humans deem it appropriate.

The kid is holding a sword cane.
You look at the newspaper
the two earthly Great Powers. It's a substantial write-up, but I wouldn't trust anything published at the unclassified level. The rest of it deals with minutiae of human politics that are beneath my interest.
You examine the chair
Much like the hotel's guests, the chairs are soft, plush, and designed for idleness.
You examine lamps
They're ponderous but effective.
You put the explore on drunk
I give the explore intent to the drunk, who now intends to explore,
for lack of something better to do.

The drunk staggers about drunkenly.
Wait
Time passes.

The drunk lurches in from the northeast.
You get explore
I extract the explore intent from the drunk.
You put the explore on the guest
I give the explore intent to the guest, who now vaguely intends to explore.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.
You get explore
I extract the explore intent from the guest.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.
You check your inventory
Intentions:
the explore intent
the fold intent
the play intent
the clean up intent
the serve intent
the defend intent
the drink intent
the open intent
the take intent
the select intent
the read intent
the block intent
the wait intent
the sell intent
the buy intent
the warm intent

Manners:
the recklessly manner
the seriously manner
the greedily manner
the generously manner
the aggressively manner
the slowly manner
the lazily manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks
three secret codebooks
two top secret codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu??
a bell
the almanach
a candle
a wiretap
You put clean on the bellhop
I give the clean up intent to the bellhop, who now vaguely intends to clean up.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.
You get all
clean up intent: I extract the clean up intent from the bellhop.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.
You put the explore on the server
(first taking the explore intent from the diner)
I give the explore intent to the server, who now vaguely intends to explore.
You get all
explore intent: I extract the explore intent from the server.
Go east
The gardens on the eastern edge of the hotel lie in uniform, geometric precision. Straight gravel paths bound squares of brightly colored flowers, each with a placard bearing the scientific names of its contents. The breeze from the nearby sea mixes the faint aromas in the various plants into an unidentifiable but not unpleasant smell. A ponderous chapel made of rough stone looms at the eastern edge of the gardens, and a well-worn path leading northeast skirts around it. To the west, there is a wide portico that leads into the hotel.

The drunk sprawls nearby.
You go to the northeast
This small lawn runs between the hotel toward the southwest and the squat building to the east. It is trim and spartan, with no ornamentation aside from the tall hedges forming its boundary. They also block the breeze coming in off the sea, so the air here is warm and still.

There's a set of open double doors here leading east.

The agent stands next to the doors.
Go east
The detector blinks briefly, indicating that I've moved into a new region of the compound.

Humans flitter across this wide hallway, clumping into and breaking
out of knots of intense, whispered intrigue. A table next to the
double doors to the west is laden with delicate champagne flutes,
which some of the humans stalking around the room are also
brandishing. Nondescript oil paintings hang at regular intervals
around the room. A small hallway leads south, and a wider passage
leads east.

There's a set of open double doors here leading west.

The burglar stands off to one side of the room, looking around carefully.

The reporter asks one of the dignitaries some pointed questions.
You go to the south
Diplomats fill this crowded room, sitting impatiently at a gigantic ring-shaped table. In front of each human is a miniature flag and a white placard bearing its name and title. A map of the world, elaborately drawn but completely devoid of any cities or borders or other political features, covers the far wall. The only exit from the room is to the north.

The diplomats are considering a trade deal.

A bottle of champagne sits to one side in a bucket of ice.

The short diplomat sniffs its champagne appreciatively.

I can also see the tall diplomat and the medium diplomat here.
You examine the placards
are, I certainly can't be bothered to remember them.

The medium diplomat takes another sip of champagne.
You examine table
This variety of table is popular at humans' diplomatic missions, since its symmetry means that there isn't a definite head of the table; thus none of the participants feel slighted. I don't know why they haven't thought to use a spherical table, which would have the same diplomatic advantages but fit more humans around it.

The tall diplomat takes another sip of champagne.
You go north
Humans flitter across this wide hallway, clumping into and breaking
out of knots of intense, whispered intrigue. A table next to the
double doors to the west is laden with delicate champagne flutes,
which some of the humans stalking around the room are also
brandishing. Nondescript oil paintings hang at regular intervals
around the room. A small hallway leads south, and a wider passage
leads east.

There's a set of open double doors here leading west.

The burglar stands off to one side of the room, looking around carefully.

The reporter asks one of the dignitaries some pointed questions.
You go east
This spacious gallery is empty, though murmurs of conversation from
the room to the west echo throughout the chamber. High, narrow windows around the circumference of the room cast orange light on the marble floor. An ornately carved archway leads east, next to which is a conspicuous black keypad. Plainer exits lead north and south.

An ornate chandelier hangs from the ceiling.

The hacker lounges aimlessly.
Go south
This stuffy closet is filled with a variety of stark metal equipment, undoubtedly very important and very dangerous to humans. A maze of wiring creeps over the walls, sinking into the further recess of the complex. There's an electrical hum throughout the room and a faint metallic smell in the dusty air. The single exit from the room leads north.

A large steel cage blocks access to high-voltage equipment.

The brute mutters something into its earpiece.
You put the explore on the brute
I give the explore intent to the brute, who now intends to explore the area.

The brute trundles off to the north.
You go north
This spacious gallery is empty, though murmurs of conversation from
the room to the west echo throughout the chamber. High, narrow windows around the circumference of the room cast orange light on the marble floor. An ornately carved archway leads east, next to which is a conspicuous black keypad. Plainer exits lead north and south.

An ornate chandelier hangs from the ceiling.

The brute trundles off to the west.

The hacker lounges aimlessly.
You go to the west
Humans flitter across this wide hallway, clumping into and breaking
out of knots of intense, whispered intrigue. A table next to the
double doors to the west is laden with delicate champagne flutes,
which some of the humans stalking around the room are also
brandishing. Nondescript oil paintings hang at regular intervals
around the room. A small hallway leads south, and a wider passage
leads east.

There's a set of open double doors here leading west.

The brute trundles off to the east.

The burglar stands off to one side of the room, looking around carefully.

The reporter makes some notes.
You wait
Time passes.

The reporter asks one of the dignitaries some pointed questions.
Wait
Time passes.

The reporter makes some notes.
Wait
Time passes.

The reporter eavesdrops on a nearby conversation.
Wait
Time passes.

The reporter makes some notes.

The brute trundles in from the east.
You get explore
I extract the explore intent from the brute.

The reporter makes some notes.

The brute mutters something into its earpiece.
You examine the windows
The windows are really just slits in the wall of the dome above.

The hacker lounges aimlessly.
Go north
Judging from the pigeon-hole boxes filling the walls, I'm in the conference's mail room. The cubbyholes are mostly empty; I doubt anything important would be left out in the open anyway. For that, a metal storage locker stands in the corner, gleaming in the harsh fluorescent lights overhead. The only exit from the room is to the south.
You look at the boxes
I don't see the box trees here. They were by the colonnade.
You go east
The archway is sparking with spiritual energy that leaps through the stonework and zaps across the opening. I tentatively approach the portal and receive a shock so jarring that I'm shoved backwards.
Trying to push through would be to a demon what covering yourself with aluminum foil and climbing a tree in a thunderstorm would be to a human.

The hacker lounges aimlessly.
Light keypad
I toss a couple of sputtering flames at the keypad, to little effect.

The hacker lounges aimlessly.
You go west
Humans flitter across this wide hallway, clumping into and breaking
out of knots of intense, whispered intrigue. A table next to the
double doors to the west is laden with delicate champagne flutes,
which some of the humans stalking around the room are also
brandishing. Nondescript oil paintings hang at regular intervals
around the room. A small hallway leads south, and a wider passage
leads east.

There's a set of open double doors here leading west.

The brute mutters something into its earpiece.

The burglar stands off to one side of the room, looking around carefully.

The reporter makes some notes.
Light briefcase
Unfortunately, my fire-starting abilities only apply to spiritual objects.

The reporter makes some notes.

The brute mutters something into its earpiece.
You examine the doors
Heavy carved oak doors with a dark varnish. Disguised to unobservant humans, but obvious to me, is the pattern of a pentagram, which unfortunately serves as a barrier to my kind.

The reporter makes some notes.

The brute mutters something into its earpiece.
You examine the hedges
The hedges are neatly trimmed and uniform in appearance.
You go southwest
The gardens on the eastern edge of the hotel lie in uniform, geometric precision. Straight gravel paths bound squares of brightly colored flowers, each with a placard bearing the scientific names of its contents. The breeze from the nearby sea mixes the faint aromas in the various plants into an unidentifiable but not unpleasant smell. A ponderous chapel made of rough stone looms at the eastern edge of the gardens, and a well-worn path leading northeast skirts around it. To the west, there is a wide portico that leads into the hotel.

The drunk sprawls nearby.
You examine the wiretap
The device we've nicknamed an "egg tooth" is the spiritual equivalent of a wiretap, designed to pierce the thin security layer around
certain parts of the Other Side's communications network. It's not going to give us access to their deepest secrets, but it's a quick and dirty way of getting some basic signals intelligence. The inner workings of the egg tooth are complicated, but its operation is simple enough: Just set it to the address you're targeting and put it on a convenient communications relay. The trick is getting access to that relay, of course.

The device is currently set to LN-199.
You examine the telex
Obviously it's not literally a telex; that's just the closest human equivalent. It's a device for handling classified communication
between the Other Place and the human realm. Describing the exact mechanisms involved would make your head hurt, both from their complexity and the fact that the penalty for receiving unauthorized classified information involves sticking your head in a vise. Let's just say that it's a fax machine made of magic.

The telex is closed.
Pray
Seriously, praying? If I'm going to commit treason, I might as well do it in a more dignified way.
Footnote 11
(11) ...not my department: I mean that literally. My
organization has a department staffed with succubi and incubi that handles that sort of thing.
Hint
The Hotel
The Conference
General Questions
Go north
The Conference
General Questions
You go north
> The Conference
General Questions
You go to the north
The Conference
> General Questions
> Who am I?
What is my goal here?
Why can't I do anything?
How does the detector work?
How do intents work?
There are so many intents to try with each human!
How do I move humans around the map?
How do I get the humans to pick up objects?
How many footnotes are there?
What is the purpose of the codebooks?
Why are there codebooks everywhere?
How many codebooks do I need to find?
How do manners work?
There are so many intent and manner pairs to try with each human!
P.
> The Conference
General Questions
> How do I open the bottle of champagne?
How do I get the diplomats to open the bottle of champagne?
How do I start the diplomats' negotiation?
What does the short diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the medium diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the tall diplomat want from the negotiation?
How do I make the diplomats come to a deal?
The diplomats are done, but how do I get them to open the
champagne?
How do I get past the archway in the Rotunda?
How do I open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase off the chandelier?
Why won't the burglar retrieve the briefcase?
Why can't the burglar open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase out of the cage?
Why won't the brute open the briefcase?
What do I do once I have all the codebooks?
How do I decrypt the communiqu???
How do I install the wiretap?
What channel should I set the wiretap to?
You go north
How do I open the bottle of champagne?
> How do I get the diplomats to open the bottle of champagne?
How do I start the diplomats' negotiation?
What does the short diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the medium diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the tall diplomat want from the negotiation?
How do I make the diplomats come to a deal?
The diplomats are done, but how do I get them to open the
champagne?
How do I get past the archway in the Rotunda?
How do I open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase off the chandelier?
Why won't the burglar retrieve the briefcase?
Why can't the burglar open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase out of the cage?
Why won't the brute open the briefcase?
What do I do once I have all the codebooks?
How do I decrypt the communiqu???
How do I install the wiretap?
What channel should I set the wiretap to?
P.
How do I open the bottle of champagne?
How do I get the diplomats to open the bottle of champagne?
How do I start the diplomats' negotiation?
What does the short diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the medium diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the tall diplomat want from the negotiation?
How do I make the diplomats come to a deal?
The diplomats are done, but how do I get them to open the
champagne?
How do I get past the archway in the Rotunda?
How do I open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase off the chandelier?
Why won't the burglar retrieve the briefcase?
Why can't the burglar open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase out of the cage?
Why won't the brute open the briefcase?
What do I do once I have all the codebooks?
How do I decrypt the communiqu???
How do I install the wiretap?
What channel should I set the wiretap to?
Go north
How do I open the bottle of champagne?
How do I get the diplomats to open the bottle of champagne?
> How do I start the diplomats' negotiation?
What does the short diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the medium diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the tall diplomat want from the negotiation?
How do I make the diplomats come to a deal?
The diplomats are done, but how do I get them to open the
champagne?
How do I get past the archway in the Rotunda?
How do I open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase off the chandelier?
Why won't the burglar retrieve the briefcase?
Why can't the burglar open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase out of the cage?
Why won't the brute open the briefcase?
What do I do once I have all the codebooks?
How do I decrypt the communiqu???
How do I install the wiretap?
What channel should I set the wiretap to?
Go north
How do I open the bottle of champagne?
How do I get the diplomats to open the bottle of champagne?
How do I start the diplomats' negotiation?
> What does the short diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the medium diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the tall diplomat want from the negotiation?
How do I make the diplomats come to a deal?
The diplomats are done, but how do I get them to open the
champagne?
How do I get past the archway in the Rotunda?
How do I open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase off the chandelier?
Why won't the burglar retrieve the briefcase?
Why can't the burglar open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase out of the cage?
Why won't the brute open the briefcase?
What do I do once I have all the codebooks?
How do I decrypt the communiqu???
How do I install the wiretap?
What channel should I set the wiretap to?
You go north
How do I open the bottle of champagne?
How do I get the diplomats to open the bottle of champagne?
How do I start the diplomats' negotiation?
What does the short diplomat want from the negotiation?
> What does the medium diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the tall diplomat want from the negotiation?
How do I make the diplomats come to a deal?
The diplomats are done, but how do I get them to open the
champagne?
How do I get past the archway in the Rotunda?
How do I open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase off the chandelier?
Why won't the burglar retrieve the briefcase?
Why can't the burglar open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase out of the cage?
Why won't the brute open the briefcase?
What do I do once I have all the codebooks?
How do I decrypt the communiqu???
How do I install the wiretap?
What channel should I set the wiretap to?
Go north
How do I open the bottle of champagne?
How do I get the diplomats to open the bottle of champagne?
How do I start the diplomats' negotiation?
What does the short diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the medium diplomat want from the negotiation?
> What does the tall diplomat want from the negotiation?
How do I make the diplomats come to a deal?
The diplomats are done, but how do I get them to open the
champagne?
How do I get past the archway in the Rotunda?
How do I open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase off the chandelier?
Why won't the burglar retrieve the briefcase?
Why can't the burglar open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase out of the cage?
Why won't the brute open the briefcase?
What do I do once I have all the codebooks?
How do I decrypt the communiqu???
How do I install the wiretap?
What channel should I set the wiretap to?
You go to the north
How do I open the bottle of champagne?
How do I get the diplomats to open the bottle of champagne?
How do I start the diplomats' negotiation?
What does the short diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the medium diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the tall diplomat want from the negotiation?
> How do I make the diplomats come to a deal?
The diplomats are done, but how do I get them to open the
champagne?
How do I get past the archway in the Rotunda?
How do I open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase off the chandelier?
Why won't the burglar retrieve the briefcase?
Why can't the burglar open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase out of the cage?
Why won't the brute open the briefcase?
What do I do once I have all the codebooks?
How do I decrypt the communiqu???
How do I install the wiretap?
What channel should I set the wiretap to?
You go north
How do I open the bottle of champagne?
How do I get the diplomats to open the bottle of champagne?
How do I start the diplomats' negotiation?
What does the short diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the medium diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the tall diplomat want from the negotiation?
How do I make the diplomats come to a deal?
> The diplomats are done, but how do I get them to open the
champagne?
How do I get past the archway in the Rotunda?
How do I open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase off the chandelier?
Why won't the burglar retrieve the briefcase?
Why can't the burglar open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase out of the cage?
Why won't the brute open the briefcase?
What do I do once I have all the codebooks?
How do I decrypt the communiqu???
How do I install the wiretap?
What channel should I set the wiretap to?
You go north
How do I open the bottle of champagne?
How do I get the diplomats to open the bottle of champagne?
How do I start the diplomats' negotiation?
What does the short diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the medium diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the tall diplomat want from the negotiation?
How do I make the diplomats come to a deal?
The diplomats are done, but how do I get them to open the
champagne?
> How do I get past the archway in the Rotunda?
How do I open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase off the chandelier?
Why won't the burglar retrieve the briefcase?
Why can't the burglar open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase out of the cage?
Why won't the brute open the briefcase?
What do I do once I have all the codebooks?
How do I decrypt the communiqu???
How do I install the wiretap?
What channel should I set the wiretap to?
You go north
How do I open the bottle of champagne?
How do I get the diplomats to open the bottle of champagne?
How do I start the diplomats' negotiation?
What does the short diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the medium diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the tall diplomat want from the negotiation?
How do I make the diplomats come to a deal?
The diplomats are done, but how do I get them to open the
champagne?
How do I get past the archway in the Rotunda?
> How do I open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase off the chandelier?
Why won't the burglar retrieve the briefcase?
Why can't the burglar open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase out of the cage?
Why won't the brute open the briefcase?
What do I do once I have all the codebooks?
How do I decrypt the communiqu???
How do I install the wiretap?
What channel should I set the wiretap to?
Go north
How do I open the bottle of champagne?
How do I get the diplomats to open the bottle of champagne?
How do I start the diplomats' negotiation?
What does the short diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the medium diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the tall diplomat want from the negotiation?
How do I make the diplomats come to a deal?
The diplomats are done, but how do I get them to open the
champagne?
How do I get past the archway in the Rotunda?
How do I open the locker?
> How do I get the hacker to open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase off the chandelier?
Why won't the burglar retrieve the briefcase?
Why can't the burglar open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase out of the cage?
Why won't the brute open the briefcase?
What do I do once I have all the codebooks?
How do I decrypt the communiqu???
How do I install the wiretap?
What channel should I set the wiretap to?
You go to the north
How do I open the bottle of champagne?
How do I get the diplomats to open the bottle of champagne?
How do I start the diplomats' negotiation?
What does the short diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the medium diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the tall diplomat want from the negotiation?
How do I make the diplomats come to a deal?
The diplomats are done, but how do I get them to open the
champagne?
How do I get past the archway in the Rotunda?
How do I open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the locker?
> How do I get the hacker to open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase off the chandelier?
Why won't the burglar retrieve the briefcase?
Why can't the burglar open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase out of the cage?
Why won't the brute open the briefcase?
What do I do once I have all the codebooks?
How do I decrypt the communiqu???
How do I install the wiretap?
What channel should I set the wiretap to?
You go north
How do I open the bottle of champagne?
How do I get the diplomats to open the bottle of champagne?
How do I start the diplomats' negotiation?
What does the short diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the medium diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the tall diplomat want from the negotiation?
How do I make the diplomats come to a deal?
The diplomats are done, but how do I get them to open the
champagne?
How do I get past the archway in the Rotunda?
How do I open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the briefcase?
> How do I get the briefcase off the chandelier?
Why won't the burglar retrieve the briefcase?
Why can't the burglar open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase out of the cage?
Why won't the brute open the briefcase?
What do I do once I have all the codebooks?
How do I decrypt the communiqu???
How do I install the wiretap?
What channel should I set the wiretap to?
You go to the north
How do I open the bottle of champagne?
How do I get the diplomats to open the bottle of champagne?
How do I start the diplomats' negotiation?
What does the short diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the medium diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the tall diplomat want from the negotiation?
How do I make the diplomats come to a deal?
The diplomats are done, but how do I get them to open the
champagne?
How do I get past the archway in the Rotunda?
How do I open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase off the chandelier?
> Why won't the burglar retrieve the briefcase?
Why can't the burglar open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase out of the cage?
Why won't the brute open the briefcase?
What do I do once I have all the codebooks?
How do I decrypt the communiqu???
How do I install the wiretap?
What channel should I set the wiretap to?
You go north
How do I open the bottle of champagne?
How do I get the diplomats to open the bottle of champagne?
How do I start the diplomats' negotiation?
What does the short diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the medium diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the tall diplomat want from the negotiation?
How do I make the diplomats come to a deal?
The diplomats are done, but how do I get them to open the
champagne?
How do I get past the archway in the Rotunda?
How do I open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase off the chandelier?
Why won't the burglar retrieve the briefcase?
> Why can't the burglar open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase out of the cage?
Why won't the brute open the briefcase?
What do I do once I have all the codebooks?
How do I decrypt the communiqu???
How do I install the wiretap?
What channel should I set the wiretap to?
Go north
How do I open the bottle of champagne?
How do I get the diplomats to open the bottle of champagne?
How do I start the diplomats' negotiation?
What does the short diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the medium diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the tall diplomat want from the negotiation?
How do I make the diplomats come to a deal?
The diplomats are done, but how do I get them to open the
champagne?
How do I get past the archway in the Rotunda?
How do I open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase off the chandelier?
Why won't the burglar retrieve the briefcase?
Why can't the burglar open the briefcase?
> How do I get the briefcase out of the cage?
Why won't the brute open the briefcase?
What do I do once I have all the codebooks?
How do I decrypt the communiqu???
How do I install the wiretap?
What channel should I set the wiretap to?
Go north
How do I open the bottle of champagne?
How do I get the diplomats to open the bottle of champagne?
How do I start the diplomats' negotiation?
What does the short diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the medium diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the tall diplomat want from the negotiation?
How do I make the diplomats come to a deal?
The diplomats are done, but how do I get them to open the
champagne?
How do I get past the archway in the Rotunda?
How do I open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase off the chandelier?
Why won't the burglar retrieve the briefcase?
Why can't the burglar open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase out of the cage?
> Why won't the brute open the briefcase?
What do I do once I have all the codebooks?
How do I decrypt the communiqu???
How do I install the wiretap?
What channel should I set the wiretap to?
Go north
How do I open the bottle of champagne?
How do I get the diplomats to open the bottle of champagne?
How do I start the diplomats' negotiation?
What does the short diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the medium diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the tall diplomat want from the negotiation?
How do I make the diplomats come to a deal?
The diplomats are done, but how do I get them to open the
champagne?
How do I get past the archway in the Rotunda?
How do I open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase off the chandelier?
Why won't the burglar retrieve the briefcase?
Why can't the burglar open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase out of the cage?
Why won't the brute open the briefcase?
> What do I do once I have all the codebooks?
How do I decrypt the communiqu???
How do I install the wiretap?
What channel should I set the wiretap to?
You go north
How do I open the bottle of champagne?
How do I get the diplomats to open the bottle of champagne?
How do I start the diplomats' negotiation?
What does the short diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the medium diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the tall diplomat want from the negotiation?
How do I make the diplomats come to a deal?
The diplomats are done, but how do I get them to open the
champagne?
How do I get past the archway in the Rotunda?
How do I open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase off the chandelier?
Why won't the burglar retrieve the briefcase?
Why can't the burglar open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase out of the cage?
Why won't the brute open the briefcase?
What do I do once I have all the codebooks?
> How do I decrypt the communiqu???
How do I install the wiretap?
What channel should I set the wiretap to?
Go north
How do I open the bottle of champagne?
How do I get the diplomats to open the bottle of champagne?
How do I start the diplomats' negotiation?
What does the short diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the medium diplomat want from the negotiation?
What does the tall diplomat want from the negotiation?
How do I make the diplomats come to a deal?
The diplomats are done, but how do I get them to open the
champagne?
How do I get past the archway in the Rotunda?
How do I open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the locker?
How do I get the hacker to open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase off the chandelier?
Why won't the burglar retrieve the briefcase?
Why can't the burglar open the briefcase?
How do I get the briefcase out of the cage?
Why won't the brute open the briefcase?
What do I do once I have all the codebooks?
How do I decrypt the communiqu???
> How do I install the wiretap?
What channel should I set the wiretap to?
1/6: The telex is a spiritual object; you can manipulate it.

Press SPACE to return to the menu or H to reveal another hint.
You look at the sign
I don't see the sign here. It was at Botanical Garden.
Go west
The gardens on the eastern edge of the hotel lie in uniform, geometric precision. Straight gravel paths bound squares of brightly colored flowers, each with a placard bearing the scientific names of its contents. The breeze from the nearby sea mixes the faint aromas in the various plants into an unidentifiable but not unpleasant smell. A ponderous chapel made of rough stone looms at the eastern edge of the gardens, and a well-worn path leading northeast skirts around it. To the west, there is a wide portico that leads into the hotel.

The drunk sprawls nearby.
You look at the chapel
It's an ugly, squat thing made of stone and full of grotesque
spiritual energy. A set of grand wooden doors leads into the chapel and, more usefully, out of it.

A sign has been posted in the grass next to the entrance.
You examine the sign
My grasp on the written human language can be a bit tenuous, but fortunately the sign just contains simple iconography. It shows two pictures of stylized humans, one lying awkwardly on the ground next to a bottle and clutching a wine glass, and the other banging on the chapel door with angry speech lines coming out of its mouth. Both are surrounded by red circles with slashes through them.
You put open on drunk
I give the open intent to the drunk, who now vaguely intends to open something.

The drunk puts a hand on the chapel doors, but thinks better of it.
You put aggressively on drunk
I give the aggressively manner to the drunk, but it doesn't have much effect.

The drunk starts banging and tugging on the chapel doors, trying to
get in.
You wait for a while
Time passes.

The drunk keeps trying to break the chapel doors open.

Kingfisher emerges from the chapel's closed door and steps into the garden.
Go upward
Against my better judgment, I'm in Kingfisher's inner sanctum. It's more mundane than I would have expected; it could have easily passed for the office of a mid-level human bureaucrat, except for the glowing telex on his desk (and, of course, for the state secrets of the universe that are undoubtedly kept securely locked away in its drawers). I would have expected the walls to be filled with propaganda posters and his bookshelves with plundered artifacts, but the room is neat and spartan and grey. The sole color comes from a stained-glass window that throws blotchy, irregular patterns onto the floor. A stairway leads back down into the main chapel.
You open the telex
I open the telex, revealing an access point.

Kingfisher proceeds in from below.

I close the telex before Kingfisher notices.
Go downwards
The interior of the chapel is exactly what you'd expect: A ???????????????????????????????????????????????? in front of a ???????????????????????????????????? without the ???????????????????????? and ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????. The whole place ?????????????????????????????????, but that's hardly
surprising, given ??????????????????????????????????????????. It's a ???????????????????????? place, for obvious
reasons, and the ?????????????????????????????????????????? doesn't make it any less ??????????????? or
??????????????????????????? to those of my kind, the ??????????????????????????? notwithstanding. Even
though humans would undoubtedly love to know that ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????,
it's simply ???????????????????????????????????? and ??????????????????????????????????????????, which neatly explains the meaning of life. An unobtrusive stairway at the back of the room leads upward, and the much more inviting exit from the chapel is to the
west.

A hatrack sparkling with residual spiritual energy stands to one side of the doors.

On the hatrack are the open intent and the aggressively manner.
You get all
open intent: Taken.
aggressively manner: Taken.
Go west
At the center of the hotel is this wide atrium, a plaza of orange
brick dotted with flowerboxes and ornamental bushes. The ceiling of
the lobby is made of glass, and so the sunset outside gives an unnatural hue to the hibiscus vines adorning the open doors to the south. Despite the location, it's mostly quiet here. Even the rattan chairs overlooking the garden to the east are empty.

The hotel reception is to the west, and a corridor to the north leads deeper into the hotel.

A thermostat is located unobtrusively in a corner.

The drunk sprawls nearby.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.

The guest is loitering off to one side.

I can also see a large puddle here.
You put the explore on drunk
I give the explore intent to the drunk, who now intends to explore,
for lack of something better to do.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.

The drunk stumbles off to the north.
You wait for a while
Time passes.

The drunk lurches in from the west.
You put open and aggressively on drunk
open intent: I give the open intent to the drunk, who now vaguely intends to open something.
aggressively manner: I give the aggressively manner to the drunk, but it doesn't have much effect.

The drunk starts banging and tugging on the chapel doors, trying to
get in.
You go east
The interior of the chapel is exactly what you'd expect: A ???????????????????????????????????????????????? in front of a ???????????????????????????????????? without the ???????????????????????? and ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????. The whole place ?????????????????????????????????, but that's hardly
surprising, given ??????????????????????????????????????????. It's a ???????????????????????? place, for obvious
reasons, and the ?????????????????????????????????????????? doesn't make it any less ??????????????? or
??????????????????????????? to those of my kind, the ??????????????????????????? notwithstanding. Even
though humans would undoubtedly love to know that ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????,
it's simply ???????????????????????????????????? and ??????????????????????????????????????????, which neatly explains the meaning of life. An unobtrusive stairway at the back of the room leads upward, and the much more inviting exit from the chapel is to the
west.

A hatrack stands to one side of the doors.

I can also see Kingfisher here.

Kingfisher grumbles to himself.

Kingfisher passes through the closed chapel door and heads outside.
Go upward
Against my better judgment, I'm in Kingfisher's inner sanctum. It's more mundane than I would have expected; it could have easily passed for the office of a mid-level human bureaucrat, except for the glowing telex on his desk (and, of course, for the state secrets of the universe that are undoubtedly kept securely locked away in its drawers). I would have expected the walls to be filled with propaganda posters and his bookshelves with plundered artifacts, but the room is neat and spartan and grey. The sole color comes from a stained-glass window that throws blotchy, irregular patterns onto the floor. A stairway leads back down into the main chapel.
You open the telex
I open the telex, revealing an access point.
You put the wiretap on the access point
I attach the egg tooth to the telex line. The display burbles with the usual bits of office gossip and petty intrigue, most of which is beneath my notice. I notice one memo being sent out from Cardinal, though, that's heavily encrypted and thus mostly unreadable, except
for one notable line: "Assist Kingfisher on project MARMOSET".

I blink in shock and scrutinize the egg tooth for any signs of errors in decryption or transcription. Project MARMOSET is a highly
classified project on the Other Side that we uncovered decades ago. It's so highly classified that I can't even give you a sanitized codename; "MARMOSET" is my own invention. I frantically look through the rest of the traffic with the egg tooth, but I can't find any further mention of it. Instead, I pocket the device and step back for
a moment to collect my thoughts.
Go downwards
I've collected my thoughts. So, about Project MARMOSET.

There's a persistent idea among humans that Hell is other people. That's certainly true metaphorically; humans are awful. More prosaically, however, Hell is a literal place at the literal center of the earth. The earth's core is a dense, roiling mass of molten iron, but it's not unpleasant for those of my kind; besides, being under
fire and under pressure is hardly a new experience for a member of the infernal intelligence services.

In order to protect our domain, we've established a defense grid
around the earth's core. Any attempts by the Other Side to broach that perimeter would trigger an immediate, global, full-scale retaliation that would take out both sides and leave Earth a smoldering ruin in both the spiritual and mortal realms. That fact isn't classified; the whole point of mutually assured destruction is lost if you keep it a secret. What is classified (footnote 12) is that the Other
Side has been trying for a while to find some way of deactivating our defenses. We weren't surprised; after all, we're trying to do the same to their defenses (footnote 13). We thought they had (rightfully) abandoned that idea as being too risky and dangerous, but apparently someone is attempting to revive MARMOSET. Unfortunately for all of us???demons, humans, and angels???Kingfisher is exactly the kind of someone who would jump at the chance to do something so reckless, foolish, and irredeemably stupid.

In order to know exactly what Kingfisher is plotting and how to proceed, I'd better get more information from headquarters. I've reviewed a few dossiers about MARMOSET, but that was a while back, and the information was outdated even then. Whiptail should be able to
give me more details.
Footnote 12
(12) ...What is classified: It was classified at the time,
anyway. You're reading a memoir, not a briefing.
Footnote 13
(13) ...we're trying to do the same to their defenses: We can
neither confirm nor deny trying to do the same to their defenses.
Go downwards
I close the telex before leaving, for obvious reasons.

The interior of the chapel is exactly what you'd expect: A ???????????????????????????????????????????????? in front of a ???????????????????????????????????? without the ???????????????????????? and ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????. The whole place ?????????????????????????????????, but that's hardly
surprising, given ??????????????????????????????????????????. It's a ???????????????????????? place, for obvious
reasons, and the ?????????????????????????????????????????? doesn't make it any less ??????????????? or
??????????????????????????? to those of my kind, the ??????????????????????????? notwithstanding. Even
though humans would undoubtedly love to know that ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????,
it's simply ???????????????????????????????????? and ??????????????????????????????????????????, which neatly explains the meaning of life. An unobtrusive stairway at the back of the room leads upward, and the much more inviting exit from the chapel is to the
west.

A hatrack sparkling with residual spiritual energy stands to one side of the doors.

On the hatrack are the open intent and the aggressively manner.
Light candle
The indistinct form of Whiptail appears before me.

"Hey, Sidewinder. How's the mission going?"

"I'm just about ready to head out. I have some things to check up on back in the office." That was a pre-arranged passphrase for an
insecure line, the meaning of which is: There is a serious threat
here, and I need immediate assistance from headquarters.

"Great. We'll get a start on the paperwork over here," he responds calmly. That was the pre-arranged countersign: Acknowledged,
notifying headquarters. He makes a carefully inconspicuous
gesture to someone outside my field of vision.

"Good. I've been in the field for a while, and it would be nice to see my coworkers again," I say just as calmly, even managing a grin. Another passphrase: Send reinforcements.

"I'm not sure who's around the office at this hour, but I might be
able to grab some people for a welcome-home party." There isn't
anyone close enough to your location, but I can arrange an extraction if you're in danger.

"No, I'm fine." No extraction. "I wouldn't turn down a cake,
though." I need a certain dossier.

"Vanilla or chocolate?" Secret or top secret?

"Chocolate." Top secret. "Actually, why don't you send me a
menu." I also need a human-translation device.

"That should be possible." That should be possible."When
should we schedule your party?" Which dossier do you want?

"Right now, I'm planning to get back to Pandemonium by the 18th." Dossier P-18.

Whiptail rubs his horns distractedly. That isn't a signal; he's just worried. "I think we can manage that. I'll have the company bakery do
a rush order." I'll have it sent over immediately. "Do you
still have a refrigerator in your office?" Do you have a secure location to which we can send the material?

"Yes." No.

"Then I'll tell the bakery to drop it off there. Keep an eye out for it." I'll have it dropped by parachute somewhere in your location;
keep an eye out for it.

"Great, I'm looking forward to it." Send it immediately.

Whiptail nods. "Good luck. We're all looking forward to seeing you safely back in the office again." Your department and mine are all looking forward to seeing you safely back in the office again, but
that office is a literal and metaphorical snake pit, and it
undoubtedly has occurred to some of the more ambitious and short-sighted demons that your absence, while regrettable, would nevertheless open up advancement opportunities for them. Be
careful.

I quickly shut the portal and prepare to look for the drop site.
Go downward
I make my way back down to the lounge, past rows of uninteresting
guest rooms.

The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.

The tourist sits off to one side.
You go to the south
At the center of the hotel is this wide atrium, a plaza of orange
brick dotted with flowerboxes and ornamental bushes. The ceiling of
the lobby is made of glass, and so the sunset outside gives an unnatural hue to the hibiscus vines adorning the open doors to the south. Despite the location, it's mostly quiet here. Even the rattan chairs overlooking the garden to the east are empty.

The hotel reception is to the west, and a corridor to the north leads deeper into the hotel.

A thermostat is located unobtrusively in a corner.

The drunk sprawls nearby.

The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.

The guest is loitering off to one side.

I can also see a large puddle here.

The detector vibrates faintly in my hand, and a magnetic force is pulling it north.
You go to the north
The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.

The tourist sits off to one side.

The detector vibrates faintly in my hand, and a magnetic force is pulling it north.
You go north
Bookshelves line the walls of this small, wood-paneled room, mixing
the smell of paper with that of cigarette smoke. There are some high-backed chairs arranged in front of the shelves, clustered around tables topped with small but bright wrought-iron lamps. A passageway, above which sits an oil painting of a tropical seascape, leads south.

A thin package is cunningly concealed among the books on the shelves. It's a clever hiding place; I wouldn't even have noticed it myself if
I weren't looking for it.

The detector buzzes insistently.
You get the package
I rip apart the package. Nestled inside is a translation receiver, which I carefully prize out of its packing material. Beneath it is a thin dossier with "P-18" stenciled on its cover. Whiptail has
encrypted this copy with a one-time pad, but its key is burned into my mind (footnote 14), and I methodically decipher it. Leafing through
it, I'm grimly satisfied that my suspicions are confirmed: The dossier has been updated recently to note renewed activity on MARMOSET, and it specifically lists Cardinal and Kingfisher as attached to it. There's another entity mentioned as connected with the project: Warbler.
That's the first time I've heard the name; I should look into it. As I mull it over, the package conveniently self-destructs, leaving no
trace for enemy agents to find.

The dossier goes into detail about the attempts at MARMOSET over the decades, but it emphasizes one particular incarnation of it that the Other Side reportedly found promising. Their research indicated that certain kinds of electromagnetic fields could potentially disrupt our alarms and allow Hell's perimeter to be broached without triggering
our literal and metaphorical scorched-earth response; there was just the logistical difficulty of setting up a field with that much
strength and coverage.

The summit! That's why Kingfisher's here! Humans have been
sending up communications satellites for the last few years. Those satellites would definitely have enough strength to pull it off, and even a dozen of them in orbit would have the coverage necessary to surround and push through the grid. Normally they would be
transmitting at different times and toward different places, but this summit is worldwide news. They're all going to be in sync,
broadcasting the summit together and spewing whatever payload Kingfisher convinced their engineers to install into our defense grid.

I've got to stop him. The summit itself isn't big news; nobody wants
to watch a bunch of diplomats make painful small-talk and eat canap??s. What is big news, and what would make the communication
satellites all link up, is the pact that would come at its end: the perfect photo op of a handshake between bitter rivals. The summit's already begun, but I can still save Hell if I can derail it and
prevent a peace treaty from being signed. If I want peace between Heaven and Hell, I'm going to have to delay peace on Earth for just a bit longer.
Footnote 14
(14) ...burned into my mind: That's not a metaphor.
You look up Warbler in almanach
The almanach has a brief entry on Warbler, which turns out be a cryptonym for an angel on the Other Side. Skimming through his biography, I realize with a start that I know him. We met briefly at some human diplomatic function, where he couldn't stop bragging, to what turned out to be one of our agents, about some new cryptography research project he was working on. It was a clever idea, but digging into it exposed some critical flaws I assumed his side eventually figured it out too, or else he was just spreading disinformation. If they wound up using it, then???

Of course, the keypad in the Rotunda! That must have been his handiwork. The mechanism he uses rotates keys daily, but we found a flaw in the update scheme that would allow us to predict it based on???

...My editor has just politely informed me that readers don't want to go through the twelve pages of math I did to figure out the keypad code. It's a shame, because there was some really clever stuff in there. Oh well. I'll just say that I did some brilliant and inspired derivation, completely off the top of my head and based on a half-remembered conversation I had at a party about a century ago, of the passcode for a lock about which I had no concrete information. It turns out to be 750400, but that's just the punchline to a much more interesting story about math.
You go east
The detector blinks briefly, indicating that I've moved into a new region of the compound.

Humans flitter across this wide hallway, clumping into and breaking
out of knots of intense, whispered intrigue. A table next to the
double doors to the west is laden with delicate champagne flutes,
which some of the humans stalking around the room are also
brandishing. Nondescript oil paintings hang at regular intervals
around the room. A small hallway leads south, and a wider passage
leads east.

There's a set of open double doors here leading west.

The brute mutters something into its earpiece.

The burglar stands off to one side of the room, looking around carefully.

The reporter asks one of the dignitaries some pointed questions.
You go east
This spacious gallery is empty, though murmurs of conversation from
the room to the west echo throughout the chamber. High, narrow windows around the circumference of the room cast orange light on the marble floor. An ornately carved archway leads east, next to which is a conspicuous black keypad. Plainer exits lead north and south.

An ornate chandelier hangs from the ceiling.

The hacker lounges aimlessly.
Type 750400
(on the keypad)
The spiritual field inside the archway abruptly shuts off with an ethereal sound like a shattering teacup. A few vicious bolts of energy spark off and smolder briefly on the ground, and then the archway is quiet and empty.

The hacker lounges aimlessly.
Go east
The detector blinks briefly, indicating that I've moved into a new region of the compound.

This hallway is a literal corridor of power, connecting the main complex with a restricted area for the most elite dignitaries. The space is narrow, and the walls on either side are bare concrete.
Thick, insulated cables run down the hallway, presumably part of the telecommunications apparatus for the summit. The passage widens into a larger hall to the east; to the west, it ends abruptly in an ornately carved archway, roiling with supernatural energy, with a conspicuous black keypad next to it.
Spin detector
The detector is silent. There must not be any unattained codebooks nearby.
You go east
Unlike the plain corridor to the west, this auditorium is designed to impress the audience???not the fidgety crowd of half-interested reporters and minor officials physically present here, but the
audience for the mass of television cameras perched above them.
They're pointed toward the northern stage, where a couple of summit representatives and their entourages face toward the assembly. Their features are hard to make out in the bright spotlights, but their
bland voices fill the room.
You go to the west
This hallway is a literal corridor of power, connecting the main complex with a restricted area for the most elite dignitaries. The space is narrow, and the walls on either side are bare concrete.
Thick, insulated cables run down the hallway, presumably part of the telecommunications apparatus for the summit. The passage widens into a larger hall to the east; to the west, it ends abruptly in an ornately carved archway, roiling with supernatural energy, with a conspicuous black keypad next to it.
You examine the crowd
A mixture of excitement and boredom pervades the audience.
You examine the spotlights
The spotlights suffuse the assembled dignitaries on stage with a halo of light that, if my experience with politicians is any indication, is a bit of false advertising.
You go north
From this viewpoint, the auditorium's stage is smaller and emptier
than it appeared from the audience. Nevertheless, its heavy blue curtains and and gold-edged insignia give it a certain gravitas. Two scrupulously identical banks of seats have been placed on either side, exactly equidistant from a center podium. The spotlights above are intense, and it's difficult to make out any details in the audience to the south. Passages to the northwest and northeast, concealed behind the folds of the curtain, lead backstage.

The western politician speaks: "We stand at the precipice of the dawning of a new era. As we climb up to our new prosperity, let us proceed with caution. The road ahead is a new one, and we are the
first ones to explore it. We will do so together. Let us embark on our mission with caution but not fear, with vision but not illusions, and with prudence but not timidity."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Now, let us
address how we can move with all due haste toward the peace we have envisioned here."

An eastern politician and an unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You look at the western
With most humans, convincing them to take even a modest bit of initiative is an uphill battle. They simply have no motivation. This particular human, though, is one of a rare sort that actually has some internal drive. Politicians and those of that ilk aspire to be men of wealth and taste like us and, also like us, manipulate their hapless inferiors to achieve their goals. Unlike us, they rely on smarmy glad-handling and sycophancy instead of subtlety and talent.

To that end, the western politician is wearing an expensive but tasteful suit, its hair is slightly greying, and it has a carefully constructed expression of reserved thoughtfulness. Its voice has the careful modulation of one for whom every action is a performance its audience is expected to appreciate.

The western politician speaks: "In preparing for the new challenges that await us in the future, we have to be quick. We can only win the future and forge a new, more secure peace between our nations if we proceed rapidly, using our agreements here to accelerate our efforts not towards arming ourselves for war, but for building trust and establishing peace. We have established a road map that will lead us into the next decades, but the highway of progress we're on has no speed limit. The engine of progress is strong. We will not allow ourselves to quiet that engine because of fear or suspicion."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Of course,
improved relations between our two nations would generate a tremendous peace dividend. How should we use it most effectively?"

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You examine unaligned
Most politicians are self-serving creatures, which makes them refreshingly straightforward to work with; it's easy to give a human what it wants when it already knows what it wants. An annoying few, however, insist on attaching a moral dimension to petty human intrigues. If a human wants money, it's usually easy enough to push it to grab it out of a conveniently open safe. It a human wants money but has moral qualms about stealing, it can be annoyingly difficult to get it to do the thing we both want it to do. The upside of working with these rare people is that their inertia becomes momentum once they finally start moving. Once you get the ball rolling, they'll fervently apply themselves to the task and, fueled by self-righteousness, keep pushing themselves for you.

I consider myself a competent judge of humans at this point in my career, and the unaligned politician strikes me as exactly this sort. Its attire isn't as expensive as its opposite numbers', which is a warning sign. Its manner is one of prim condescension, and it keeps glancing at its colleagues for approval and support.

The western politician speaks: "Our nations have both entered an unprecedented era of prosperity. Most of our people have never had it so good. As we move forward, let us not forget those of us around the world who are not so fortunate. We have an obligation to use our great wealth to help out other nations and to be good neighbors to our
fellow man. Forging ties of peace and comity with the other nations around the world will ensure a steady path forward for our two countries to thrive. Our preeminence on the world stage gives us an extraordinary chance to share our resources and our peace with the world and to lead by example."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Let me now outline how we can de-escalate tensions between our two nations."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You examine the eastern
Politicians are an odd sort. The frightening about humans is that most of them simply have no motivation. If you ask them what they want, they'll probably come back with some desultory remark about being rich or famous, but that's not truly what drives them; if it were, they'd spend all their time trying to drum up money and recognition???in short,
what politicians do. The rest idealize a life of idleness???not a life of leisure, which is one without obligations, but rather one without any activity at all.

who actually possess ambition. It complicates my job, though, if
humans start to get goals of their own. I have no fear of hard work, but I don't like complexity; it introduces uncertainty and risk. This particular politician carries itself with a mildly pompous and defensive air, occasionally giving its comrades quick, suspicious glances.

The western politician speaks: "With this summit, we are moving
towards a more peaceful d??tente. Our nations are not so different; one day we may see each other as friends. Until then, we can at least work together to earn each other's trust, establish lines of communication, and build a framework for a thawing of relations in which we can at least work together on our mutually beneficial goals. Let us move beyond the conflicts of the past. Even if we're not there yet, we can at least look forward to the day when we beat our swords into plowshares and plant the seeds of a new, more peaceful future."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "This summit is a unique opportunity for our two nations. Let us discuss what we can do with it."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You check your inventory
Intentions:
the open intent
the explore intent
the clean up intent
the fold intent
the play intent
the serve intent
the defend intent
the drink intent
the take intent
the select intent
the read intent
the block intent
the wait intent
the sell intent
the buy intent
the warm intent

Manners:
the aggressively manner
the recklessly manner
the seriously manner
the greedily manner
the generously manner
the slowly manner
the lazily manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks
three secret codebooks
two top secret codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu??
a bell
the almanach
a candle
an universal translator
the dossier
a wiretap
You go to the north-west
Green Room (West)
This narrow alcove is deep within the theater, the thick concrete
walls blocking out the noise from the stage. A couch with threadbare cushions occupies one side of the room. At a table in the corner, a human sits in front of a machine resembling a typewriter, but with a profusion of wires running out of it and into a large suitcase at its feet. An empty coffee cup is next to it on the table, with a cigarette smoldering in it. A staircase to the southeast leads upward.

A speechwriter sits nearby.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and, frowning, feeds them into the contraption.
You examine the speechwriter
A human with rolled-up sleeves and ink-stained hands.

> WRITE
notes for the western politician.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and confidently feeds them into the contraption.
You get write
I extract the write intent from the speechwriter.

The speechwriter looks anxiously at the contraption, but it doesn't feed anything into it.
You look at the typewriter
The contraption comprises a mass of electrical parts squashed into a compact Bakelite case whose exterior is studded with various dials and gauges. It's currently closed up and off. The components inside are shiny and free of dust.

The speechwriter looks anxiously at the contraption, but it doesn't feed anything into it.
You look at the cup
The coffee cup is now being used as a makeshift ashtray, with a cigarette smoldering in it.

The speechwriter looks anxiously at the contraption, but it doesn't feed anything into it.
You examine the cigarette
The neglected cigarette continues to burn within the coffee cup.

The speechwriter looks anxiously at the contraption, but it doesn't feed anything into it.

The tepid applause from the direction of the stage tells me that the western politician has run out of things to say. I rush over there to survey the damage.

The speech is over, and the politicians there slither together in a knot on the center of the stage, patting each other on the back and exchanging overwrought handshakes. Flashbulbs explode around the stage as the journalists surge forward to the base of the stage. A massive table with three identical leather-bound proclamations is wheeled out to the center of the stage, and the politicians take their positions around it. Preparing to sign, they take up three identical pens to
pose for the cameras. With the historical conclusion of the summit finally at hand, the telecommunication equipment begins its transmission. The satellite uplinks Kingfisher tampered with activate, and a vast light???

You know what happened next. We did our best to avoid it, but we failed. Mistakes were made. No one could be blamed, though the demons who wound up being blamed anyway were summarily dismissed, to
encourage the others. In the end, our defense grid turned out to be more resilient than any of us expected. Hell survived, severely weakened but still strong enough to repel an invasion from Heaven. Our operations in the remnants of the mortal realm were curtailed, but there were far fewer humans left afterward anyway. Heaven and Hell divided up the dead and redoubled our efforts to influence the few living souls.

As for me, I managed to weather the fallout and keep my job. I even
got a perfunctory commendation out of it, presumably to keep me quiet. I'm still faithfully working to advance the interests of our empire, even as we rebuild and prepare for the next war. The Great Game continues???on a very different board with very different pieces, but it
continues. We'll meet again.
Go northeast
Green Room (East)
This cramped alcove is deep within the theater, the massive concrete walls blocking out the noise from the stage. A couch with fraying cushions occupies one side of the room. At a table in the corner, several humans sit around an open portfolio full of loose typewritten papers, methodically scribbling notes in green pencil. A staircase to the southwest leads upward.
You put greedily on the speechwriter
I give the greedily manner to the speechwriter, who now intends to greedily write notes encouraging selfishness.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and, via some mechanism that I can't make out, feeds them into the contraption.
You go southeast
From this viewpoint, the auditorium's stage is smaller and emptier
than it appeared from the audience. Nevertheless, its heavy blue curtains and and gold-edged insignia give it a certain gravitas. Two scrupulously identical banks of seats have been placed on either side, exactly equidistant from a center podium. The spotlights above are intense, and it's difficult to make out any details in the audience to the south. Passages to the northwest and northeast, concealed behind the folds of the curtain, lead backstage.

The western politician speaks: "In preparing for the new challenges that await us in the future, we have to be quick. We can only win the future and forge a new, more secure peace between our nations if we proceed rapidly, using our agreements here to accelerate our efforts not towards arming ourselves for war, but for building trust and establishing peace. We have established a road map that will lead us into the next decades, but the highway of progress we're on has no speed limit. The engine of progress is strong. We will not allow ourselves to quiet that engine because of fear or suspicion."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Let me now outline how we can de-escalate tensions between our two nations."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
Go northwest
Green Room (West)
This narrow alcove is deep within the theater, the thick concrete
walls blocking out the noise from the stage. A couch with threadbare cushions occupies one side of the room. At a table in the corner, a human sits in front of a machine resembling a typewriter, but with a profusion of wires running out of it and into a large suitcase at its feet. An empty coffee cup is next to it on the table, with a cigarette smoldering in it. A staircase to the southeast leads upward.

The speechwriter sits nearby.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and feeds them into the contraption.
Go up
From this viewpoint, the auditorium's stage is smaller and emptier
than it appeared from the audience. Nevertheless, its heavy blue curtains and and gold-edged insignia give it a certain gravitas. Two scrupulously identical banks of seats have been placed on either side, exactly equidistant from a center podium. The spotlights above are intense, and it's difficult to make out any details in the audience to the south. Passages to the northwest and northeast, concealed behind the folds of the curtain, lead backstage.

The western politician speaks: "We stand at the precipice of the dawning of a new era. As we climb up to our new prosperity, let us proceed with caution. The road ahead is a new one, and we are the
first ones to explore it. We will do so together. Let us embark on our mission with caution but not fear, with vision but not illusions, and with prudence but not timidity."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Of course,
improved relations between our two nations would generate a tremendous peace dividend. How should we use it most effectively?"

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait a while
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "My nation has entered an unprecedented era of prosperity. Most of our people have never had it so good. To start moving that wealth out of my nation, when we've worked so hard
to achieve it, would be a disservice to our loyal citizens. By showing the rest of the world how wealthy we are, we can lead by example and give them an ideal to aspire to. We hope that you will be motivated by this display as well and, one day, share in our prosperity."

My sharp, if technically nonexistent, ears pick up some faint
murmuring even through the muffled reception of the wireless contraption.

The western politician glances down at his podium. "This summit is a unique opportunity for our two nations. Let us discuss what we can do with it."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You put the block on eastern
I give the block intent to the eastern politician, but it's focused on the speech and shows little reaction.

The western politician speaks: "This is the time for action. This summit has taken years, if not decades, to arrange. It will all have been worth it if we can take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity. The time for the future is now. Let us strike while the iron is hot and forge a peace together. We cannot wait, or we will
lose our special moment in history. We must act, decisively and confidently, to secure a peaceful and prosperous future."

crowd, who are now leaning back in comfortable boredom. Even the wary politicians on stage next to it relax.
The western politician glances down at his podium. "Now, let us
address how we can move with all due haste toward the peace we have envisioned here."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You put the block on unaligned
(first taking the block intent from the eastern politician)
I give the block intent to the unaligned politician, but it's focused on the speech and shows little reaction.

The western politician speaks: "In preparing for the new challenges that await us in the future, we have to be quick. We can only win the future and forge a new, more secure peace between our nations if we proceed rapidly, using our agreements here to accelerate our efforts not towards arming ourselves for war, but for building trust and establishing peace. We have established a road map that will lead us into the next decades, but the highway of progress we're on has no speed limit. The engine of progress is strong. We will not allow ourselves to quiet that engine because of fear or suspicion."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Of course,
improved relations between our two nations would generate a tremendous peace dividend. How should we use it most effectively?"

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You go northwest
Green Room (West)
This narrow alcove is deep within the theater, the thick concrete
walls blocking out the noise from the stage. A couch with threadbare cushions occupies one side of the room. At a table in the corner, a human sits in front of a machine resembling a typewriter, but with a profusion of wires running out of it and into a large suitcase at its feet. An empty coffee cup is next to it on the table, with a cigarette smoldering in it. A staircase to the southeast leads upward.

The speechwriter sits nearby.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and confidently feeds them into the contraption.
You put recklessly on the speechwriter
I give the recklessly manner to the speechwriter, taking the greedily manner in exchange. It now intends to recklessly write notes encouraging immediate action.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and feeds them into the contraption.
Go up
From this viewpoint, the auditorium's stage is smaller and emptier
than it appeared from the audience. Nevertheless, its heavy blue curtains and and gold-edged insignia give it a certain gravitas. Two scrupulously identical banks of seats have been placed on either side, exactly equidistant from a center podium. The spotlights above are intense, and it's difficult to make out any details in the audience to the south. Passages to the northwest and northeast, concealed behind the folds of the curtain, lead backstage.

The western politician speaks: "This is the time for action. This summit has taken years, if not decades, to arrange. It will all have been worth it if we can take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity. The time for the future is now. Let us strike while the iron is hot and forge a peace together. We cannot wait, or we will
lose our special moment in history. We must act, decisively and confidently, to secure a peaceful and prosperous future."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Of course,
improved relations between our two nations would generate a tremendous peace dividend. How should we use it most effectively?"

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
Go northeast
Green Room (East)
This cramped alcove is deep within the theater, the massive concrete walls blocking out the noise from the stage. A couch with fraying cushions occupies one side of the room. At a table in the corner, several humans sit around an open portfolio full of loose typewritten papers, methodically scribbling notes in green pencil. A staircase to the southwest leads upward.
You put greedily on the humans
The note-takers don't intend to do anything in particular right now; doing nothing greedily is a bit much to ask.
Go upward
From this viewpoint, the auditorium's stage is smaller and emptier
than it appeared from the audience. Nevertheless, its heavy blue curtains and and gold-edged insignia give it a certain gravitas. Two scrupulously identical banks of seats have been placed on either side, exactly equidistant from a center podium. The spotlights above are intense, and it's difficult to make out any details in the audience to the south. Passages to the northwest and northeast, concealed behind the folds of the curtain, lead backstage.

The western politician speaks: "This is the time for action. This summit has taken years, if not decades, to arrange. It will all have been worth it if we can take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity. The time for the future is now. Let us strike while the iron is hot and forge a peace together. We cannot wait, or we will
lose our special moment in history. We must act, decisively and confidently, to secure a peaceful and prosperous future."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "But, you may be wondering, how can we ensure that we're acting in our best interests?"

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You go northwest
Green Room (West)
This narrow alcove is deep within the theater, the thick concrete
walls blocking out the noise from the stage. A couch with threadbare cushions occupies one side of the room. At a table in the corner, a human sits in front of a machine resembling a typewriter, but with a profusion of wires running out of it and into a large suitcase at its feet. An empty coffee cup is next to it on the table, with a cigarette smoldering in it. A staircase to the southeast leads upward.

The speechwriter sits nearby.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and, via some mechanism that I can't make out, feeds them into the contraption.
You look at what you're carrying with you
Intentions:
the open intent
the explore intent
the clean up intent
the fold intent
the play intent
the serve intent
the defend intent
the drink intent
the take intent
the select intent
the read intent
the wait intent
the sell intent
the buy intent
the warm intent

Manners:
the greedily manner
the aggressively manner
the seriously manner
the generously manner
the slowly manner
the lazily manner

Codebooks:
three confidential codebooks
three secret codebooks
two top secret codebooks

Other possessions:
a detector
an intercepted communiqu??
a bell
the almanach
a candle
an universal translator
the dossier
a wiretap
You put sell on speechwriter
I give the sell intent to the speechwriter, taking the write intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to recklessly sell.

The speechwriter looks anxiously at the contraption, but it doesn't feed anything into it.
You put write on the speechwriter
I give the write intent to the speechwriter, taking the sell intent in exchange. It now intends to recklessly write notes encouraging immediate action.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and confidently feeds them into the contraption.
You go up
From this viewpoint, the auditorium's stage is smaller and emptier
than it appeared from the audience. Nevertheless, its heavy blue curtains and and gold-edged insignia give it a certain gravitas. Two scrupulously identical banks of seats have been placed on either side, exactly equidistant from a center podium. The spotlights above are intense, and it's difficult to make out any details in the audience to the south. Passages to the northwest and northeast, concealed behind the folds of the curtain, lead backstage.

The western politician speaks: "This is the time for action. This summit has taken years, if not decades, to arrange. It will all have been worth it if we can take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity. The time for the future is now. Let us strike while the iron is hot and forge a peace together. We cannot wait, or we will
lose our special moment in history. We must act, decisively and confidently, to secure a peaceful and prosperous future."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Now, let us
address how we can move with all due haste toward the peace we have envisioned here."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You get all
block intent: I extract the block intent from the unaligned
politician.

The western politician speaks: "In preparing for the new challenges that await us in the future, we have to be quick. We can only win the future and forge a new, more secure peace between our nations if we proceed rapidly, using our agreements here to accelerate our efforts not towards arming ourselves for war, but for building trust and establishing peace. We have established a road map that will lead us into the next decades, but the highway of progress we're on has no speed limit. The engine of progress is strong. We will not allow ourselves to quiet that engine because of fear or suspicion."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "I know many of you may have some concerns about our new policies, but let me assure you that we are giving all the issues due consideration."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You go to the north-west
Green Room (West)
This narrow alcove is deep within the theater, the thick concrete
walls blocking out the noise from the stage. A couch with threadbare cushions occupies one side of the room. At a table in the corner, a human sits in front of a machine resembling a typewriter, but with a profusion of wires running out of it and into a large suitcase at its feet. An empty coffee cup is next to it on the table, with a cigarette smoldering in it. A staircase to the southeast leads upward.

The speechwriter sits nearby.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and gently feeds them into the contraption.
You put the block on the speechwriter
I give the block intent to the speechwriter, taking the write intent
in exchange. It now vaguely intends to recklessly block.

The speechwriter looks anxiously at the contraption, but it doesn't feed anything into it.
You put write and lazily on the speechwriter
write intent: I give the write intent to the speechwriter, taking the block intent in exchange. It now intends to recklessly write notes encouraging immediate action.
lazily manner: I give the lazily manner to the speechwriter, taking
the recklessly manner in exchange. It now intends to lazily write
notes encouraging rest.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and gingerly feeds them into the contraption.
You go up
From this viewpoint, the auditorium's stage is smaller and emptier
than it appeared from the audience. Nevertheless, its heavy blue curtains and and gold-edged insignia give it a certain gravitas. Two scrupulously identical banks of seats have been placed on either side, exactly equidistant from a center podium. The spotlights above are intense, and it's difficult to make out any details in the audience to the south. Passages to the northwest and northeast, concealed behind the folds of the curtain, lead backstage.

The western politician speaks: "With this summit, we are moving
towards a more peaceful d??tente. Our nations are not so different; one day we may see each other as friends. Until then, we can at least work together to earn each other's trust, establish lines of communication, and build a framework for a thawing of relations in which we can at least work together on our mutually beneficial goals. Let us move beyond the conflicts of the past. Even if we're not there yet, we can at least look forward to the day when we beat our swords into plowshares and plant the seeds of a new, more peaceful future."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Of course,
improved relations between our two nations would generate a tremendous peace dividend. How should we use it most effectively?"

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
Wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "Our nations have both entered an unprecedented era of prosperity. Most of our people have never had it so good. As we move forward, let us not forget those of us around the world who are not so fortunate. We have an obligation to use our great wealth to help out other nations and to be good neighbors to our
fellow man. Forging ties of peace and comity with the other nations around the world will ensure a steady path forward for our two countries to thrive. Our preeminence on the world stage gives us an extraordinary chance to share our resources and our peace with the world and to lead by example."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Now, let us
address how we can move with all due haste toward the peace we have envisioned here."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You examine the podium
The podium itself is a heavy wooden thing, solid and unornamented. On its top surface is a pane of glass, visible only to the person
standing at the podium. Words flash across its surface and are duly repeated by the politician, who manages to keep his eyes mostly on the audience.

The western politician speaks: "In preparing for the new challenges that await us in the future, we have to be quick. We can only win the future and forge a new, more secure peace between our nations if we proceed rapidly, using our agreements here to accelerate our efforts not towards arming ourselves for war, but for building trust and establishing peace. We have established a road map that will lead us into the next decades, but the highway of progress we're on has no speed limit. The engine of progress is strong. We will not allow ourselves to quiet that engine because of fear or suspicion."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "This summit is a unique opportunity for our two nations. Let us discuss what we can do with it."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You put the block and greedily on the western
block intent: I give the block intent to the western politician, but it's focused on the speech and shows little reaction.
greedily manner: I give the greedily manner to the western politician, but it doesn't have much effect.

The western politician speaks: "This summit has taken years, if not decades, to arrange. After all that effort, we should take a breather and look to our own nations. We will have more opportunities in the future. Forging a peace together will take more decades, and we can afford to wait. We have an unprecedented opportunity here to enjoy the amenities of the complex and relax after years of stressful negotiations. Once we're rested, we can take on the thornier issues in the summit; until then, let's take things slowly."

My sharp, if technically nonexistent, ears pick up some faint
murmuring even through the muffled reception of the wireless contraption.

The western politician glances down at his podium. "But, you may be wondering, how can we ensure that we're acting in our best interests?"

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You get all
greedily manner: I extract the greedily manner from the western politician.
block intent: I extract the block intent from the western politician.

The western politician speaks: "Every nation has the right to manage its own affairs. We must jealously guard our sovereignty and safeguard the rights of our own citizens. What we're proposing here is not an alliance, or a merger, or even a friendship; it's simply a wary d??tente between independent powers. Neither of us is here because of naive goodwill or charity; we are both doing it because of our enlightened self-interest."

crowd, who are now leaning back in comfortable boredom. Even the wary politicians on stage next to it relax.
The western politician glances down at his podium. "Let me now outline how we can de-escalate tensions between our two nations."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "With this summit, we are moving
towards a more peaceful d??tente. Our nations are not so different; one day we may see each other as friends. Until then, we can at least work together to earn each other's trust, establish lines of communication, and build a framework for a thawing of relations in which we can at least work together on our mutually beneficial goals. Let us move beyond the conflicts of the past. Even if we're not there yet, we can at least look forward to the day when we beat our swords into plowshares and plant the seeds of a new, more peaceful future."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Now, let us
address how we can move with all due haste toward the peace we have envisioned here."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You go northwest
Green Room (West)
This narrow alcove is deep within the theater, the thick concrete
walls blocking out the noise from the stage. A couch with threadbare cushions occupies one side of the room. At a table in the corner, a human sits in front of a machine resembling a typewriter, but with a profusion of wires running out of it and into a large suitcase at its feet. An empty coffee cup is next to it on the table, with a cigarette smoldering in it. A staircase to the southeast leads upward.

The speechwriter sits nearby.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and, via some mechanism that I can't make out, feeds them into the contraption.
You put aggressively on the speechwriter
I give the aggressively manner to the speechwriter, taking the lazily manner in exchange. It now intends to aggressively write notes encouraging warmongering.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and gingerly feeds them into the contraption.
Go upwards
From this viewpoint, the auditorium's stage is smaller and emptier
than it appeared from the audience. Nevertheless, its heavy blue curtains and and gold-edged insignia give it a certain gravitas. Two scrupulously identical banks of seats have been placed on either side, exactly equidistant from a center podium. The spotlights above are intense, and it's difficult to make out any details in the audience to the south. Passages to the northwest and northeast, concealed behind the folds of the curtain, lead backstage.

The western politician speaks: "We stand at the precipice of the dawning of a new era. As we climb up to our new prosperity, let us proceed with caution. The road ahead is a new one, and we are the
first ones to explore it. We will do so together. Let us embark on our mission with caution but not fear, with vision but not illusions, and with prudence but not timidity."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Now, let us
address how we can move with all due haste toward the peace we have envisioned here."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait awhile
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "In preparing for the new challenges that await us in the future, we have to be quick. We can only win the future and forge a new, more secure peace between our nations if we proceed rapidly, using our agreements here to accelerate our efforts not towards arming ourselves for war, but for building trust and establishing peace. We have established a road map that will lead us into the next decades, but the highway of progress we're on has no speed limit. The engine of progress is strong. We will not allow ourselves to quiet that engine because of fear or suspicion."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Of course,
improved relations between our two nations would generate a tremendous peace dividend. How should we use it most effectively?"

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait a while
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "Our nations have both entered an unprecedented era of prosperity. Most of our people have never had it so good. As we move forward, let us not forget those of us around the world who are not so fortunate. We have an obligation to use our great wealth to help out other nations and to be good neighbors to our
fellow man. Forging ties of peace and comity with the other nations around the world will ensure a steady path forward for our two countries to thrive. Our preeminence on the world stage gives us an extraordinary chance to share our resources and our peace with the world and to lead by example."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "I know many of you may have some concerns about our new policies, but let me assure you that we are giving all the issues due consideration."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "We stand at the precipice of the dawning of a new era. As we climb up to our new prosperity, let us proceed with caution. The road ahead is a new one, and we are the
first ones to explore it. We will do so together. Let us embark on our mission with caution but not fear, with vision but not illusions, and with prudence but not timidity."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "This summit is a unique opportunity for our two nations. Let us discuss what we can do with it."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
Wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "This is the time for action. This summit has taken years, if not decades, to arrange. It will all have been worth it if we can take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity. The time for the future is now. Let us strike while the iron is hot and forge a peace together. We cannot wait, or we will
lose our special moment in history. We must act, decisively and confidently, to secure a peaceful and prosperous future."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "But, you may be wondering, how can we ensure that we're acting in our best interests?"

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "Every nation has the right to manage its own affairs. We must jealously guard our sovereignty and safeguard the rights of our own citizens. What we're proposing here is not an alliance, or a merger, or even a friendship; it's simply a wary d??tente between independent powers. Neither of us is here because of naive goodwill or charity; we are both doing it because of our enlightened self-interest."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Now, let us
address how we can move with all due haste toward the peace we have envisioned here."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "Our nations have both entered an unprecedented era of prosperity. Most of our people have never had it so good. As we move forward, let us not forget those of us around the world who are not so fortunate. We have an obligation to use our great wealth to help out other nations and to be good neighbors to our
fellow man. Forging ties of peace and comity with the other nations around the world will ensure a steady path forward for our two countries to thrive. Our preeminence on the world stage gives us an extraordinary chance to share our resources and our peace with the world and to lead by example."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "But, you may be wondering, how can we ensure that we're acting in our best interests?"

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait for a while
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "Every nation has the right to manage its own affairs. We must jealously guard our sovereignty and safeguard the rights of our own citizens. What we're proposing here is not an alliance, or a merger, or even a friendship; it's simply a wary d??tente between independent powers. Neither of us is here because of naive goodwill or charity; we are both doing it because of our enlightened self-interest."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Let me now outline how we can de-escalate tensions between our two nations."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait awhile
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "With this summit, we are moving toward a more peaceful d??tente. Until we get there, however, we must continue to be wary. Let us move beyond the conflicts of the past. Whatever disagreements, we have had, we are in it for the long haul. We will bury you. We can look forward to the day when we beat our swords into plowshares and forge a new, more peaceful future; but until then, we will continue to make swords, and we will continue to point them towards you."

My sharp, if technically nonexistent, ears pick up some faint
murmuring even through the muffled reception of the wireless contraption.

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Of course,
improved relations between our two nations would generate a tremendous peace dividend. How should we use it most effectively?"

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait awhile
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "Our nations have both entered an unprecedented era of prosperity. Most of our people have never had it so good. As we move forward, let us not forget those of us around the world who are not so fortunate. We have an obligation to use our great wealth to help out other nations and to be good neighbors to our
fellow man. Forging ties of peace and comity with the other nations around the world will ensure a steady path forward for our two countries to thrive. Our preeminence on the world stage gives us an extraordinary chance to share our resources and our peace with the world and to lead by example."

crowd, who are now leaning back in comfortable boredom. Even the wary politicians on stage next to it relax.
The western politician glances down at his podium. "This summit is a unique opportunity for our two nations. Let us discuss what we can do with it."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
Wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "This is the time for action. This summit has taken years, if not decades, to arrange. It will all have been worth it if we can take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity. The time for the future is now. Let us strike while the iron is hot and forge a peace together. We cannot wait, or we will
lose our special moment in history. We must act, decisively and confidently, to secure a peaceful and prosperous future."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "But, you may be wondering, how can we ensure that we're acting in our best interests?"

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait for a while
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "With this summit, we are moving toward a more peaceful d??tente. Until we get there, however, we must continue to be wary. Let us move beyond the conflicts of the past. Whatever disagreements, we have had, we are in it for the long haul. We will bury you. We can look forward to the day when we beat our swords into plowshares and forge a new, more peaceful future; but until then, we will continue to make swords, and we will continue to point them towards you."

My sharp, if technically nonexistent, ears pick up some faint
murmuring even through the muffled reception of the wireless contraption.

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Now, let us
address how we can move with all due haste toward the peace we have envisioned here."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You go northwest
Green Room (West)
This narrow alcove is deep within the theater, the thick concrete
walls blocking out the noise from the stage. A couch with threadbare cushions occupies one side of the room. At a table in the corner, a human sits in front of a machine resembling a typewriter, but with a profusion of wires running out of it and into a large suitcase at its feet. An empty coffee cup is next to it on the table, with a cigarette smoldering in it. A staircase to the southeast leads upward.

The speechwriter sits nearby.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and deftly feeds them into the contraption.
You put greedily on the speechwriter
I give the greedily manner to the speechwriter, taking the
aggressively manner in exchange. It now intends to greedily write
notes encouraging selfishness.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and deftly feeds them into the contraption.
Go upwards
From this viewpoint, the auditorium's stage is smaller and emptier
than it appeared from the audience. Nevertheless, its heavy blue curtains and and gold-edged insignia give it a certain gravitas. Two scrupulously identical banks of seats have been placed on either side, exactly equidistant from a center podium. The spotlights above are intense, and it's difficult to make out any details in the audience to the south. Passages to the northwest and northeast, concealed behind the folds of the curtain, lead backstage.

The western politician speaks: "My nation has entered an unprecedented era of prosperity. Most of our people have never had it so good. To start moving that wealth out of my nation, when we've worked so hard
to achieve it, would be a disservice to our loyal citizens. By showing the rest of the world how wealthy we are, we can lead by example and give them an ideal to aspire to. We hope that you will be motivated by this display as well and, one day, share in our prosperity."

The humans in the audience whisper loudly among themselves, and the western politicians' counterparts on the stage give each other looks
of alarm.
The western politician glances down at his podium. "Now, let us
address how we can move with all due haste toward the peace we have envisioned here."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
Wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "In preparing for the new challenges that await us in the future, we have to be quick. We can only win the future and forge a new, more secure peace between our nations if we proceed rapidly, using our agreements here to accelerate our efforts not towards arming ourselves for war, but for building trust and establishing peace. We have established a road map that will lead us into the next decades, but the highway of progress we're on has no speed limit. The engine of progress is strong. We will not allow ourselves to quiet that engine because of fear or suspicion."

crowd, who are now leaning back in comfortable boredom. Even the wary politicians on stage next to it relax.
The western politician glances down at his podium. "This summit is a unique opportunity for our two nations. Let us discuss what we can do with it."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You go northwest
Green Room (West)
This narrow alcove is deep within the theater, the thick concrete
walls blocking out the noise from the stage. A couch with threadbare cushions occupies one side of the room. At a table in the corner, a human sits in front of a machine resembling a typewriter, but with a profusion of wires running out of it and into a large suitcase at its feet. An empty coffee cup is next to it on the table, with a cigarette smoldering in it. A staircase to the southeast leads upward.

The speechwriter sits nearby.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and confidently feeds them into the contraption.
You put recklessly on the speechwriter
I give the recklessly manner to the speechwriter, taking the greedily manner in exchange. It now intends to recklessly write notes encouraging immediate action.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and, frowning, feeds them into the contraption.
Go upwards
From this viewpoint, the auditorium's stage is smaller and emptier
than it appeared from the audience. Nevertheless, its heavy blue curtains and and gold-edged insignia give it a certain gravitas. Two scrupulously identical banks of seats have been placed on either side, exactly equidistant from a center podium. The spotlights above are intense, and it's difficult to make out any details in the audience to the south. Passages to the northwest and northeast, concealed behind the folds of the curtain, lead backstage.

The western politician speaks: "With this summit, we are moving
towards a more peaceful d??tente. Our nations are not so different; one day we may see each other as friends. Until then, we can at least work together to earn each other's trust, establish lines of communication, and build a framework for a thawing of relations in which we can at least work together on our mutually beneficial goals. Let us move beyond the conflicts of the past. Even if we're not there yet, we can at least look forward to the day when we beat our swords into plowshares and plant the seeds of a new, more peaceful future."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "I know many of you may have some concerns about our new policies, but let me assure you that we are giving all the issues due consideration."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
Wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "We stand at the precipice of the dawning of a new era. Our precarious outpost here is crumbling away, and lofty ideals or dreams of prosperity won't save it. We need to act immediately. We're entering a brave new world, and we don't have a roadmap for the future, and we can't stop to ask for directions. Our only option is to act now. If you're not willing to make a commitment right now, then we'll walk out of this summit."

My sharp, if technically nonexistent, ears pick up some faint
murmuring even through the muffled reception of the wireless contraption.

The western politician glances down at his podium. "This summit is a unique opportunity for our two nations. Let us discuss what we can do with it."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "This is the time for action. This summit has taken years, if not decades, to arrange. It will all have been worth it if we can take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity. The time for the future is now. Let us strike while the iron is hot and forge a peace together. We cannot wait, or we will
lose our special moment in history. We must act, decisively and confidently, to secure a peaceful and prosperous future."

crowd, who are now leaning back in comfortable boredom. Even the wary politicians on stage next to it relax.
The western politician glances down at his podium. "Now, let us
address how we can move with all due haste toward the peace we have envisioned here."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
Wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "In preparing for the new challenges that await us in the future, we have to be quick. We can only win the future and forge a new, more secure peace between our nations if we proceed rapidly, using our agreements here to accelerate our efforts not towards arming ourselves for war, but for building trust and establishing peace. We have established a road map that will lead us into the next decades, but the highway of progress we're on has no speed limit. The engine of progress is strong. We will not allow ourselves to quiet that engine because of fear or suspicion."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "I know many of you may have some concerns about our new policies, but let me assure you that we are giving all the issues due consideration."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You put aggressively on the speechwriter
I give the aggressively manner to the speechwriter, taking the recklessly manner in exchange. It now intends to aggressively write notes encouraging warmongering.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and feeds them into the contraption.
Go up
From this viewpoint, the auditorium's stage is smaller and emptier
than it appeared from the audience. Nevertheless, its heavy blue curtains and and gold-edged insignia give it a certain gravitas. Two scrupulously identical banks of seats have been placed on either side, exactly equidistant from a center podium. The spotlights above are intense, and it's difficult to make out any details in the audience to the south. Passages to the northwest and northeast, concealed behind the folds of the curtain, lead backstage.

The western politician speaks: "We stand at the precipice of the dawning of a new era. As we climb up to our new prosperity, let us proceed with caution. The road ahead is a new one, and we are the
first ones to explore it. We will do so together. Let us embark on our mission with caution but not fear, with vision but not illusions, and with prudence but not timidity."

crowd, who are now leaning back in comfortable boredom. Even the wary politicians on stage next to it relax.
The western politician glances down at his podium. "Of course,
improved relations between our two nations would generate a tremendous peace dividend. How should we use it most effectively?"

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
Wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "Our nations have both entered an unprecedented era of prosperity. Most of our people have never had it so good. As we move forward, let us not forget those of us around the world who are not so fortunate. We have an obligation to use our great wealth to help out other nations and to be good neighbors to our
fellow man. Forging ties of peace and comity with the other nations around the world will ensure a steady path forward for our two countries to thrive. Our preeminence on the world stage gives us an extraordinary chance to share our resources and our peace with the world and to lead by example."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Now, let us
address how we can move with all due haste toward the peace we have envisioned here."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
Wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "In preparing for the new challenges that await us in the future, we have to be quick. We can only win the future and forge a new, more secure peace between our nations if we proceed rapidly, using our agreements here to accelerate our efforts not towards arming ourselves for war, but for building trust and establishing peace. We have established a road map that will lead us into the next decades, but the highway of progress we're on has no speed limit. The engine of progress is strong. We will not allow ourselves to quiet that engine because of fear or suspicion."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Let me now outline how we can de-escalate tensions between our two nations."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "With this summit, we are moving toward a more peaceful d??tente. Until we get there, however, we must continue to be wary. Let us move beyond the conflicts of the past. Whatever disagreements, we have had, we are in it for the long haul. We will bury you. We can look forward to the day when we beat our swords into plowshares and forge a new, more peaceful future; but until then, we will continue to make swords, and we will continue to point them towards you."

My sharp, if technically nonexistent, ears pick up some faint
murmuring even through the muffled reception of the wireless contraption.

The western politician glances down at his podium. "This summit is a unique opportunity for our two nations. Let us discuss what we can do with it."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "This is the time for action. This summit has taken years, if not decades, to arrange. It will all have been worth it if we can take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity. The time for the future is now. Let us strike while the iron is hot and forge a peace together. We cannot wait, or we will
lose our special moment in history. We must act, decisively and confidently, to secure a peaceful and prosperous future."

crowd, who are now leaning back in comfortable boredom. Even the wary politicians on stage next to it relax.
The western politician glances down at his podium. "I know many of you may have some concerns about our new policies, but let me assure you that we are giving all the issues due consideration."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You go northwest
Green Room (West)
This narrow alcove is deep within the theater, the thick concrete
walls blocking out the noise from the stage. A couch with threadbare cushions occupies one side of the room. At a table in the corner, a human sits in front of a machine resembling a typewriter, but with a profusion of wires running out of it and into a large suitcase at its feet. An empty coffee cup is next to it on the table, with a cigarette smoldering in it. A staircase to the southeast leads upward.

The speechwriter sits nearby.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and, via some mechanism that I can't make out, feeds them into the contraption.
You put aggressive on speechwriter
(first taking the aggressively manner from the speechwriter)
I give the aggressively manner to the speechwriter, who now intends to aggressively write notes encouraging warmongering.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and, via some mechanism that I can't make out, feeds them into the contraption.
You put greedily on the speechwriter
I give the greedily manner to the speechwriter, taking the
aggressively manner in exchange. It now intends to greedily write
notes encouraging selfishness.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and, frowning, feeds them into the contraption.
You put recklessly on the speechwriter
I give the recklessly manner to the speechwriter, taking the greedily manner in exchange. It now intends to recklessly write notes encouraging immediate action.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and, via some mechanism that I can't make out, feeds them into the contraption.
You put recklessly on the speechwriter
(first taking the recklessly manner from the speechwriter)
I give the recklessly manner to the speechwriter, who now intends to recklessly write notes encouraging immediate action.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and gently feeds them into the contraption.
You put aggressively on the speechwriter
I give the aggressively manner to the speechwriter, taking the recklessly manner in exchange. It now intends to aggressively write notes encouraging warmongering.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and gingerly feeds them into the contraption.
You put greedily on the speechwriter
I give the greedily manner to the speechwriter, taking the
aggressively manner in exchange. It now intends to greedily write
notes encouraging selfishness.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and deftly feeds them into the contraption.
You examine the contraption
The contraption comprises a mass of electrical parts squashed into a compact Bakelite case whose exterior is studded with various dials and gauges. It's currently closed up and off. The components inside are shiny and free of dust.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and, via some mechanism that I can't make out, feeds them into the contraption.
Go upwards
From this viewpoint, the auditorium's stage is smaller and emptier
than it appeared from the audience. Nevertheless, its heavy blue curtains and and gold-edged insignia give it a certain gravitas. Two scrupulously identical banks of seats have been placed on either side, exactly equidistant from a center podium. The spotlights above are intense, and it's difficult to make out any details in the audience to the south. Passages to the northwest and northeast, concealed behind the folds of the curtain, lead backstage.

The western politician speaks: "Every nation has the right to manage its own affairs. We must jealously guard our sovereignty and safeguard the rights of our own citizens. What we're proposing here is not an alliance, or a merger, or even a friendship; it's simply a wary d??tente between independent powers. Neither of us is here because of naive goodwill or charity; we are both doing it because of our enlightened self-interest."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Of course,
improved relations between our two nations would generate a tremendous peace dividend. How should we use it most effectively?"

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait awhile
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "My nation has entered an unprecedented era of prosperity. Most of our people have never had it so good. To start moving that wealth out of my nation, when we've worked so hard
to achieve it, would be a disservice to our loyal citizens. By showing the rest of the world how wealthy we are, we can lead by example and give them an ideal to aspire to. We hope that you will be motivated by this display as well and, one day, share in our prosperity."

My sharp, if technically nonexistent, ears pick up some faint
murmuring even through the muffled reception of the wireless contraption.

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Let me now outline how we can de-escalate tensions between our two nations."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
Wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "With this summit, we are moving
towards a more peaceful d??tente. Our nations are not so different; one day we may see each other as friends. Until then, we can at least work together to earn each other's trust, establish lines of communication, and build a framework for a thawing of relations in which we can at least work together on our mutually beneficial goals. Let us move beyond the conflicts of the past. Even if we're not there yet, we can at least look forward to the day when we beat our swords into plowshares and plant the seeds of a new, more peaceful future."

crowd, who are now leaning back in comfortable boredom. Even the wary politicians on stage next to it relax.
The western politician glances down at his podium. "This summit is a unique opportunity for our two nations. Let us discuss what we can do with it."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You put aggressively on speechwriter
I give the aggressively manner to the speechwriter, taking the
greedily manner in exchange. It now intends to aggressively write
notes encouraging warmongering.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and gingerly feeds them into the contraption.
You put greedily on the speechwriter
I give the greedily manner to the speechwriter, taking the
aggressively manner in exchange. It now intends to greedily write
notes encouraging selfishness.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and gingerly feeds them into the contraption.
You put recklessly on speechwriter
I give the recklessly manner to the speechwriter, taking the greedily manner in exchange. It now intends to recklessly write notes encouraging immediate action.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and deftly feeds them into the contraption.
Go up
From this viewpoint, the auditorium's stage is smaller and emptier
than it appeared from the audience. Nevertheless, its heavy blue curtains and and gold-edged insignia give it a certain gravitas. Two scrupulously identical banks of seats have been placed on either side, exactly equidistant from a center podium. The spotlights above are intense, and it's difficult to make out any details in the audience to the south. Passages to the northwest and northeast, concealed behind the folds of the curtain, lead backstage.

The western politician speaks: "Our nations have both entered an unprecedented era of prosperity. Most of our people have never had it so good. As we move forward, let us not forget those of us around the world who are not so fortunate. We have an obligation to use our great wealth to help out other nations and to be good neighbors to our
fellow man. Forging ties of peace and comity with the other nations around the world will ensure a steady path forward for our two countries to thrive. Our preeminence on the world stage gives us an extraordinary chance to share our resources and our peace with the world and to lead by example."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Let me now outline how we can de-escalate tensions between our two nations."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait for a while
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "With this summit, we are moving
towards a more peaceful d??tente. Our nations are not so different; one day we may see each other as friends. Until then, we can at least work together to earn each other's trust, establish lines of communication, and build a framework for a thawing of relations in which we can at least work together on our mutually beneficial goals. Let us move beyond the conflicts of the past. Even if we're not there yet, we can at least look forward to the day when we beat our swords into plowshares and plant the seeds of a new, more peaceful future."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "But, you may be wondering, how can we ensure that we're acting in our best interests?"

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
Wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "Every nation has the right to manage its own affairs. We must jealously guard our sovereignty and safeguard the rights of our own citizens. What we're proposing here is not an alliance, or a merger, or even a friendship; it's simply a wary d??tente between independent powers. Neither of us is here because of naive goodwill or charity; we are both doing it because of our enlightened self-interest."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "This summit is a unique opportunity for our two nations. Let us discuss what we can do with it."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
Wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "This is the time for action. This summit has taken years, if not decades, to arrange. It will all have been worth it if we can take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity. The time for the future is now. Let us strike while the iron is hot and forge a peace together. We cannot wait, or we will
lose our special moment in history. We must act, decisively and confidently, to secure a peaceful and prosperous future."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "I know many of you may have some concerns about our new policies, but let me assure you that we are giving all the issues due consideration."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait for a while
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "We stand at the precipice of the dawning of a new era. Our precarious outpost here is crumbling away, and lofty ideals or dreams of prosperity won't save it. We need to act immediately. We're entering a brave new world, and we don't have a roadmap for the future, and we can't stop to ask for directions. Our only option is to act now. If you're not willing to make a commitment right now, then we'll walk out of this summit."

My sharp, if technically nonexistent, ears pick up some faint
murmuring even through the muffled reception of the wireless contraption.

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Let me now outline how we can de-escalate tensions between our two nations."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait for a while
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "With this summit, we are moving
towards a more peaceful d??tente. Our nations are not so different; one day we may see each other as friends. Until then, we can at least work together to earn each other's trust, establish lines of communication, and build a framework for a thawing of relations in which we can at least work together on our mutually beneficial goals. Let us move beyond the conflicts of the past. Even if we're not there yet, we can at least look forward to the day when we beat our swords into plowshares and plant the seeds of a new, more peaceful future."

crowd, who are now leaning back in comfortable boredom. Even the wary politicians on stage next to it relax.
The western politician glances down at his podium. "But, you may be wondering, how can we ensure that we're acting in our best interests?"

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
Wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "This is the time for action. This summit has taken years, if not decades, to arrange. It will all have been worth it if we can take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity. The time for the future is now. Let us strike while the iron is hot and forge a peace together. We cannot wait, or we will
lose our special moment in history. We must act, decisively and confidently, to secure a peaceful and prosperous future."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Of course,
improved relations between our two nations would generate a tremendous peace dividend. How should we use it most effectively?"

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "Our nations have both entered an unprecedented era of prosperity. Most of our people have never had it so good. As we move forward, let us not forget those of us around the world who are not so fortunate. We have an obligation to use our great wealth to help out other nations and to be good neighbors to our
fellow man. Forging ties of peace and comity with the other nations around the world will ensure a steady path forward for our two countries to thrive. Our preeminence on the world stage gives us an extraordinary chance to share our resources and our peace with the world and to lead by example."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "But, you may be wondering, how can we ensure that we're acting in our best interests?"

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait awhile
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "We stand at the precipice of the dawning of a new era. Our precarious outpost here is crumbling away, and lofty ideals or dreams of prosperity won't save it. We need to act immediately. We're entering a brave new world, and we don't have a roadmap for the future, and we can't stop to ask for directions. Our only option is to act now. If you're not willing to make a commitment right now, then we'll walk out of this summit."

My sharp, if technically nonexistent, ears pick up some faint
murmuring even through the muffled reception of the wireless contraption.

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Now, let us
address how we can move with all due haste toward the peace we have envisioned here."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You get all
recklessly manner: I extract the recklessly manner from the speechwriter.
write intent: I extract the write intent from the speechwriter.

The speechwriter looks anxiously at the contraption, but it doesn't feed anything into it.
You put write on the speechwriter
I give the write intent to the speechwriter, who now intends to write notes for the western politician.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and gently feeds them into the contraption.
Go upward
From this viewpoint, the auditorium's stage is smaller and emptier
than it appeared from the audience. Nevertheless, its heavy blue curtains and and gold-edged insignia give it a certain gravitas. Two scrupulously identical banks of seats have been placed on either side, exactly equidistant from a center podium. The spotlights above are intense, and it's difficult to make out any details in the audience to the south. Passages to the northwest and northeast, concealed behind the folds of the curtain, lead backstage.

The western politician speaks: "With this summit, we are moving
towards a more peaceful d??tente. Our nations are not so different; one day we may see each other as friends. Until then, we can at least work together to earn each other's trust, establish lines of communication, and build a framework for a thawing of relations in which we can at least work together on our mutually beneficial goals. Let us move beyond the conflicts of the past. Even if we're not there yet, we can at least look forward to the day when we beat our swords into plowshares and plant the seeds of a new, more peaceful future."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "But, you may be wondering, how can we ensure that we're acting in our best interests?"

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "Every nation has the right to manage its own affairs. We must jealously guard our sovereignty and safeguard the rights of our own citizens. What we're proposing here is not an alliance, or a merger, or even a friendship; it's simply a wary d??tente between independent powers. Neither of us is here because of naive goodwill or charity; we are both doing it because of our enlightened self-interest."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "I know many of you may have some concerns about our new policies, but let me assure you that we are giving all the issues due consideration."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
Go upward
From this viewpoint, the auditorium's stage is smaller and emptier
than it appeared from the audience. Nevertheless, its heavy blue curtains and and gold-edged insignia give it a certain gravitas. Two scrupulously identical banks of seats have been placed on either side, exactly equidistant from a center podium. The spotlights above are intense, and it's difficult to make out any details in the audience to the south. Passages to the northwest and northeast, concealed behind the folds of the curtain, lead backstage.

The western politician pauses for a moment, then continues: "I'm reminded of a story..." It stays silent.

I can see the eastern politician and the unaligned politician here.
Go northeast
Green Room (East)
This cramped alcove is deep within the theater, the massive concrete walls blocking out the noise from the stage. A couch with fraying cushions occupies one side of the room. At a table in the corner, several humans sit around an open portfolio full of loose typewritten papers, methodically scribbling notes in green pencil. A staircase to the southwest leads upward.
You put the write on the humans
The note-takers are too indistinct for me to manipulate. Crowds are more trouble than they're worth.

The tepid applause from the direction of the stage tells me that the western politician has run out of things to say. I rush over there to survey the damage.

The speech is over, and the politicians there slither together in a knot on the center of the stage, patting each other on the back and exchanging overwrought handshakes. Flashbulbs explode around the stage as the journalists surge forward to the base of the stage. A massive table with three identical leather-bound proclamations is wheeled out to the center of the stage, and the politicians take their positions around it. Preparing to sign, they take up three identical pens to
pose for the cameras. With the historical conclusion of the summit finally at hand, the telecommunication equipment begins its transmission. The satellite uplinks Kingfisher tampered with activate, and a vast light???

You know what happened next. We did our best to avoid it, but we failed. Mistakes were made. No one could be blamed, though the demons who wound up being blamed anyway were summarily dismissed, to
encourage the others. In the end, our defense grid turned out to be more resilient than any of us expected. Hell survived, severely weakened but still strong enough to repel an invasion from Heaven. Our operations in the remnants of the mortal realm were curtailed, but there were far fewer humans left afterward anyway. Heaven and Hell divided up the dead and redoubled our efforts to influence the few living souls.

As for me, I managed to weather the fallout and keep my job. I even
got a perfunctory commendation out of it, presumably to keep me quiet. I'm still faithfully working to advance the interests of our empire, even as we rebuild and prepare for the next war. The Great Game continues???on a very different board with very different pieces, but it
continues. We'll meet again.
You describe your surroundings
Green Room (West)
This narrow alcove is deep within the theater, the thick concrete
walls blocking out the noise from the stage. A couch with threadbare cushions occupies one side of the room. At a table in the corner, a human sits in front of a machine resembling a typewriter, but with a profusion of wires running out of it and into a large suitcase at its feet. An empty coffee cup is next to it on the table, with a cigarette smoldering in it. A staircase to the southeast leads upward.

The speechwriter sits nearby.
You put write on the writer
(first taking the write intent from the speechwriter)
I give the write intent to the speechwriter, who now intends to write notes for the western politician.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and feeds them into the contraption.
You put aggressive on the writer
I give the aggressively manner to the speechwriter, who now intends to aggressively write notes encouraging warmongering.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and confidently feeds them into the contraption.
Wait
Time passes.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and confidently feeds them into the contraption.
Wait
Time passes.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and gingerly feeds them into the contraption.
You wait a while
Time passes.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and, frowning, feeds them into the contraption.
You examine the notes
I don't see the notes here. It was at Green Room (East).
Go up
From this viewpoint, the auditorium's stage is smaller and emptier
than it appeared from the audience. Nevertheless, its heavy blue curtains and and gold-edged insignia give it a certain gravitas. Two scrupulously identical banks of seats have been placed on either side, exactly equidistant from a center podium. The spotlights above are intense, and it's difficult to make out any details in the audience to the south. Passages to the northwest and northeast, concealed behind the folds of the curtain, lead backstage.

The western politician speaks: "This is the time for action. This summit has taken years, if not decades, to arrange. It will all have been worth it if we can take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity. The time for the future is now. Let us strike while the iron is hot and forge a peace together. We cannot wait, or we will
lose our special moment in history. We must act, decisively and confidently, to secure a peaceful and prosperous future."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Of course,
improved relations between our two nations would generate a tremendous peace dividend. How should we use it most effectively?"

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "Our nations have both entered an unprecedented era of prosperity. Most of our people have never had it so good. As we move forward, let us not forget those of us around the world who are not so fortunate. We have an obligation to use our great wealth to help out other nations and to be good neighbors to our
fellow man. Forging ties of peace and comity with the other nations around the world will ensure a steady path forward for our two countries to thrive. Our preeminence on the world stage gives us an extraordinary chance to share our resources and our peace with the world and to lead by example."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "But, you may be wondering, how can we ensure that we're acting in our best interests?"

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "We stand at the precipice of the dawning of a new era. As we climb up to our new prosperity, let us proceed with caution. The road ahead is a new one, and we are the
first ones to explore it. We will do so together. Let us embark on our mission with caution but not fear, with vision but not illusions, and with prudence but not timidity."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Let me now outline how we can de-escalate tensions between our two nations."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait for a while
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "With this summit, we are moving toward a more peaceful d??tente. Until we get there, however, we must continue to be wary. Let us move beyond the conflicts of the past. Whatever disagreements, we have had, we are in it for the long haul. We will bury you. We can look forward to the day when we beat our swords into plowshares and forge a new, more peaceful future; but until then, we will continue to make swords, and we will continue to point them towards you."

My sharp, if technically nonexistent, ears pick up some faint
murmuring even through the muffled reception of the wireless contraption.

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Now, let us
address how we can move with all due haste toward the peace we have envisioned here."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
Wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "In preparing for the new challenges that await us in the future, we have to be quick. We can only win the future and forge a new, more secure peace between our nations if we proceed rapidly, using our agreements here to accelerate our efforts not towards arming ourselves for war, but for building trust and establishing peace. We have established a road map that will lead us into the next decades, but the highway of progress we're on has no speed limit. The engine of progress is strong. We will not allow ourselves to quiet that engine because of fear or suspicion."

crowd, who are now leaning back in comfortable boredom. Even the wary politicians on stage next to it relax.
The western politician glances down at his podium. "But, you may be wondering, how can we ensure that we're acting in our best interests?"

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
Wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "We stand at the precipice of the dawning of a new era. As we climb up to our new prosperity, let us proceed with caution. The road ahead is a new one, and we are the
first ones to explore it. We will do so together. Let us embark on our mission with caution but not fear, with vision but not illusions, and with prudence but not timidity."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "But, you may be wondering, how can we ensure that we're acting in our best interests?"

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "Every nation has the right to manage its own affairs. We must jealously guard our sovereignty and safeguard the rights of our own citizens. What we're proposing here is not an alliance, or a merger, or even a friendship; it's simply a wary d??tente between independent powers. Neither of us is here because of naive goodwill or charity; we are both doing it because of our enlightened self-interest."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Of course,
improved relations between our two nations would generate a tremendous peace dividend. How should we use it most effectively?"

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
Wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "Our nations have both entered an unprecedented era of prosperity. Most of our people have never had it so good. As we move forward, let us not forget those of us around the world who are not so fortunate. We have an obligation to use our great wealth to help out other nations and to be good neighbors to our
fellow man. Forging ties of peace and comity with the other nations around the world will ensure a steady path forward for our two countries to thrive. Our preeminence on the world stage gives us an extraordinary chance to share our resources and our peace with the world and to lead by example."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Now, let us
address how we can move with all due haste toward the peace we have envisioned here."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait for a while
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "In preparing for the new challenges that await us in the future, we have to be quick. We can only win the future and forge a new, more secure peace between our nations if we proceed rapidly, using our agreements here to accelerate our efforts not towards arming ourselves for war, but for building trust and establishing peace. We have established a road map that will lead us into the next decades, but the highway of progress we're on has no speed limit. The engine of progress is strong. We will not allow ourselves to quiet that engine because of fear or suspicion."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "This summit is a unique opportunity for our two nations. Let us discuss what we can do with it."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You get aggressively
I extract the aggressively manner from the speechwriter.

The speechwriter scribbles some notes and feeds them into the contraption.
Go upward
From this viewpoint, the auditorium's stage is smaller and emptier
than it appeared from the audience. Nevertheless, its heavy blue curtains and and gold-edged insignia give it a certain gravitas. Two scrupulously identical banks of seats have been placed on either side, exactly equidistant from a center podium. The spotlights above are intense, and it's difficult to make out any details in the audience to the south. Passages to the northwest and northeast, concealed behind the folds of the curtain, lead backstage.

The western politician speaks: "This is the time for action. This summit has taken years, if not decades, to arrange. It will all have been worth it if we can take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity. The time for the future is now. Let us strike while the iron is hot and forge a peace together. We cannot wait, or we will
lose our special moment in history. We must act, decisively and confidently, to secure a peaceful and prosperous future."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "But, you may be wondering, how can we ensure that we're acting in our best interests?"

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait awhile
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "With this summit, we are moving
towards a more peaceful d??tente. Our nations are not so different; one day we may see each other as friends. Until then, we can at least work together to earn each other's trust, establish lines of communication, and build a framework for a thawing of relations in which we can at least work together on our mutually beneficial goals. Let us move beyond the conflicts of the past. Even if we're not there yet, we can at least look forward to the day when we beat our swords into plowshares and plant the seeds of a new, more peaceful future."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "I know many of you may have some concerns about our new policies, but let me assure you that we are giving all the issues due consideration."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "We stand at the precipice of the dawning of a new era. As we climb up to our new prosperity, let us proceed with caution. The road ahead is a new one, and we are the
first ones to explore it. We will do so together. Let us embark on our mission with caution but not fear, with vision but not illusions, and with prudence but not timidity."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "This summit is a unique opportunity for our two nations. Let us discuss what we can do with it."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "This is the time for action. This summit has taken years, if not decades, to arrange. It will all have been worth it if we can take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity. The time for the future is now. Let us strike while the iron is hot and forge a peace together. We cannot wait, or we will
lose our special moment in history. We must act, decisively and confidently, to secure a peaceful and prosperous future."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Now, let us
address how we can move with all due haste toward the peace we have envisioned here."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
Wait
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "This is the time for action. This summit has taken years, if not decades, to arrange. It will all have been worth it if we can take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity. The time for the future is now. Let us strike while the iron is hot and forge a peace together. We cannot wait, or we will
lose our special moment in history. We must act, decisively and confidently, to secure a peaceful and prosperous future."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Let me now outline how we can de-escalate tensions between our two nations."

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
You wait for a while
Time passes.

The western politician speaks: "With this summit, we are moving
towards a more peaceful d??tente. Our nations are not so different; one day we may see each other as friends. Until then, we can at least work together to earn each other's trust, establish lines of communication, and build a framework for a thawing of relations in which we can at least work together on our mutually beneficial goals. Let us move beyond the conflicts of the past. Even if we're not there yet, we can at least look forward to the day when we beat our swords into plowshares and plant the seeds of a new, more peaceful future."

The western politician glances down at his podium. "Of course,
improved relations between our two nations would generate a tremendous peace dividend. How should we use it most effectively?"

The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.