The Forgotten Girls
Brent H.
built-in hints cover art female protagonist violence
You and your friend Pari have been digging out an escape tunnel. Yesterday she told you that it was ready and that she would come get you right after dinner. Unfortunately, it's already night and she's half an hour late, which is worrying you very much. Even worse, Nikhil probably isn't planning to leave for at least a few hours, and by then you doubt you'll have any chance.
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You and your friend Pari have been digging out an escape tunnel. Yesterday she told you that it was ready and that she would come get you right after dinner. Unfortunately, it's already night and she's half an hour late, which is worrying you very much. Even worse, Nikhil probably isn't planning to leave for at least a few hours, and by then you doubt you'll have any chance.

(The following story was written for Vanderbilt University's 2012 Commons Reading Competition. It was inspired by "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide" by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.)

The room is small, musky, and windowless. A single light bulb is hanging overhead, controlled by a light switch. A bed is pushed in the corner, leaving only a little room for standing. The walls are made of solid gray concrete and are colored by various stains you'd rather not speak of. There is one hole in the wall for electricity. A wooden door separates this room from the hallway to the north.

On the bed is Nikhil Varma.

You can also see a plastic fan here.
You look at Nikhil
An Indian man whom you judge to be about twenty-five years old. He appears to be reasonably fit, fairly healthy, and a despicable monster.

(Try to "examine" everything. You can get a lot of clues from that. It can also be abbreviated "x", as in "x bed".)
About yourself
You are a thin, yet fairly tall, fourteen-year-old Indian girl. You consider yourself to be only of average prettiness, however, which is fortunate here, as beauty is almost a curse.

(To see a description of the room, just type "look". This description will tend to change depending on what's in the room at the time.)
You examine the plastic fan
A generic white fan about half a meter high, consisting of four fairly sharp blades. It is placed here more for the comfort of the customers than for yours. A cord connects it to the hole in the wall. There is a white cover to protect the blades.

The plastic fan is currently switched on.

(To talk to someone, just "mention" a subject while in the same room as someone else. This can be abbreviated "m", as in "m love". In addition, you can "think" in order to show a list of important possible subjects to mention.)
You think
You are currently talking about: whatever comes to mind.

You might want to mention: the building, love, marriage, prostitution, the girls, sex, you, and Nikhil.

(To check what you're holding, type "inventory" or "i".)
M prostitution
Nikhil considers prostitution for a second.

"How else would I pass ten years of my life?"

(If you need more help, just type "help". In that menu is also a list of hints.)
Mention nikhil
Nikhil considers himself for a second.

"I'm a good man, I think, and I'm well on the track to success. I'm not sure there's any need to be more specific."
M yourself
Nikhil considers you for a second.

"You look perfectly fine, even if you're not the best here. I do like how much taller you are than other girls your age, though. You're more adjusted to my body size."
You examine Nikhil
An Indian man whom you judge to be about twenty-five years old. He appears to be reasonably fit, fairly healthy, and a despicable monster.
You look around
The room is small, musky, and windowless. A single light bulb is hanging overhead, controlled by a light switch. A bed is pushed in the corner, leaving only a little room for standing. The walls are made of solid gray concrete and are colored by various stains you'd rather not speak of. There is one hole in the wall for electricity. A wooden door separates this room from the hallway to the north.

On the bed is Nikhil Varma.

You can also see a plastic fan here.
Go north
(first opening the wooden door)
Nikhil says, "Hey, what are you trying to do? I paid for this time, so stop wasting it."

If you want to leave, you'll probably have to be a little more surreptitious.
You examine the hole
A small centimeter-wide hole has been roughly drilled into the wall so that the light bulb and fan can get electricity. You often dream about escaping through it.
You turn the fan off
(the plastic fan off)
You flip the switch near the bottom of the fan, and it sputters to a halt.

Nikhil says "Hey, turn that back on! I'm already too hot." You grimace, thinking that he is, in fact, not.
Mention nikhil
Nikhil considers himself for a second.

"I guess I chose you today because I haven't had you yet. Many of the better-looking ones were already taken as well."
Mention building
Nikhil considers the house for a second.

"If I had designed this building, I definitely would have made it more open. People with claustrophobia could never come here."
Continue
You're already talking about that.

Nikhil considers the house for a second.
You wait
Time passes.
You look around
The room is small, musky, and windowless. A single light bulb is hanging overhead, controlled by a light switch. A bed is pushed in the corner, leaving only a little room for standing. The walls are made of solid gray concrete and are colored by various stains you'd rather not speak of. There is one hole in the wall for electricity. A wooden door separates this room from the hallway to the north.

On the bed is Nikhil Varma.

You can also see a plastic fan here.
Mention nikhil
Nikhil considers himself for a second.

"Yes, I find this building to be extremely old and depressing, but I'm willing to accept it."
M nikhil
You're already talking about that.

Nikhil considers himself for a second.
You think
You are currently talking about: himself.

You might want to mention: the building, love, marriage, prostitution, the girls, sex, you, and Nikhil.
Mention marriage
Nikhil considers marriage for a second.

"Yes, I certainly want to be able to meet a woman soon who is worthy of being my wife."
M love
Nikhil considers love for a second.

"Ah, love is a great thing. It is the most noble of all emotions. A man and a woman are truly great when they so choose to be."
M marriage
Nikhil considers marriage for a second.

"Love can lead to marriage or the other way around. Of course, one never knows which at first."

(The following story was written for Vanderbilt University's 2012 Commons Reading Competition. It was inspired by "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide" by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.)
You examine the bed
Perhaps your least favorite place in the world. It is essentially a large mattress set on the ground, perhaps half a meter high.

On the bed is Nikhil Varma.
M marriage
You're already talking about that.

Nikhil considers marriage for a second.
You open the door
Nikhil says, "Hey, what are you trying to do? I paid for this time, so stop wasting it."

If you want to leave, you'll probably have to be a little more surreptitious.
M building
Nikhil considers the house for a second.

"No, this is a terrible place to have a wedding. It's too dark and everything's too enclosed. That is what you mean, right?"
You think
You are currently talking about: the house.

You might want to mention: the building, love, marriage, prostitution, the girls, sex, you, and Nikhil.
M nikhil
Nikhil considers himself for a second.
M marriage
Nikhil considers marriage for a second.

"I want to be married by the time I'm thirty, but I'm willing to wait if I can't find the right woman."
M girls
Nikhil considers the girls here for a second.

"I don't know where they get these girls from, but most of them are pretty impressive."
M building
Nikhil considers the house for a second.

"This is not the best place for them to work, really. Still, I'm sure that it's the best the owners can afford."
M you
Nikhil considers prostitution for a second.

"Yes, I know what this place is for. Maybe it could branch out a little, though, maybe add a restaurant."

You see no reason to mention that.
M building
Nikhil considers the house for a second.

"I've heard that prostitution is the world's oldest profession. It must have been so open back then. Now we're forced into cramped houses if we want to satisfy ourselves."
M marriage
Nikhil considers marriage for a second.

"Looking for a wife here is probably the worst thing I can do. They have been tainted by other men, of course, but even if they weren't, only the poor girls end up here anyway."
You look at the switch
A small plastic light switch turns the light on and off.

The light switch is currently switched on.
M nikhil
Nikhil considers himself for a second.

"I'm not married yet, of course, but I definitely hope to be some day. My wife will be beautiful, loyal, and hardworking."
You look at what you're carrying with you
You are carrying:
a dress (being worn)
M love
Nikhil considers love for a second.

"There was a girl I knew who I once thought I loved. She and her family disappeared one day, and I have never seen them since. Maybe they moved because of poverty, or maybe she became engaged to another man. I have no idea."
M nikhil
Nikhil considers himself for a second.

"I really must meet someone someday who I love. The world would be so much brighter."
You turn off the light
(the light bulb)
Nikhil shouts at you, "No, leave that on! I want to be able to see you."
You look at bulb
(the light bulb)
A bare yet surprisingly bright bulb dangling from the ceiling is the only source of light in the room. A power cable running along the ceiling is connected to a hole in the wall. Another cable connects it to a light switch by the door.
You examine cable
A thin black rubber cable attached to the light bulb. You can tell that it's already fraying at the hole in the wall.
M prostitution
Nikhil considers prostitution for a second.

"If you mean that I should try becoming a prostitute, I'd really rather not. The demand is probably pretty low as well. That is what you mean, right?"
You pull the cable
Nothing obvious happens.
M building
Nikhil considers the house for a second.
You think
You are currently talking about: the house.

You might want to mention: the building, love, marriage, prostitution, the girls, sex, you, and Nikhil.
M yourself
Nikhil considers you for a second.

"Yes, I guess it must not be comfortable working here all day. Still, we all have to make a living somehow."

You refrain from stating that you don't actually get any of the money.
M prostitution
Nikhil considers prostitution for a second.

"I do wonder how you came to be in this state. Actually, don't tell me. That'll take too long."
M yourself
Nikhil considers you for a second.

"I can plainly see what you are. Everyone can plainly see what you are."
M nikhil
Nikhil considers himself for a second.
M prostitution
Nikhil considers prostitution for a second.
M yourself
Nikhil considers you for a second.
You think
You are currently talking about: you.

You might want to mention: the building, love, marriage, prostitution, the girls, sex, you, and Nikhil.
M girls
Nikhil considers the girls here for a second.

"I imagine that in your field of work you have little time for recreation with those other girls. Still, it's just something you have to accept."
M love
Nikhil considers love for a second.

"Every girl is in love with the idea of love. I would say most men are too."
M prostitution
Nikhil considers prostitution for a second.

"Yes, I've heard that some prostitutes fall in love with their clients. Ah, all those broken dreams."
M girls
Nikhil considers the girls here for a second.

"I wonder how these girls will live the rest of their lives. They certainly cannot survive by themselves for long."
M nikhil
Nikhil considers himself for a second.

"I've been to a few other places in the past few years, but I admit that the girls here are probably the best selection I've seen."
You move the bed
It is fixed in place.
You examine the door
A wooden door with cracked, peeling, green paint in random splotches.
M sex
Nikhil considers sex for a second.

"I'm a fan of it, personally."
You think
You are currently talking about: sex.

You might want to mention: the building, love, marriage, prostitution, the girls, sex, you, and Nikhil.
M yourself
Nikhil considers you for a second.

"Yeah, sure, we might as well get started soon."
M building
Nikhil considers the house for a second.

"If you had to enter this business, couldn't you have picked a better place to do so?"

No, you think. You couldn't have.
M yourself
Nikhil considers you for a second.
M sex
Nikhil considers sex for a second.

"The woman up front said that you were pretty good at this, but of course everyone always oversells their products."
M girls
Nikhil considers the girls here for a second.

"It does bother me sometimes to think of the other guys who have been in all you girls, but I can generally block that image out."
You kiss him
You move near him and take his head into your hands. He pulls you close and kisses you. "Not bad," he says, "but let's just get right down to it."
You get in the bed
You get onto the bed.

On the bed you can see Nikhil Varma.
You have the sex
(with the plastic fan)
You should probably limit yourself to only having sex with animate objects.
You have the sex with Nikhil
Nikhil pulls you closer and proceeds not to let you go for hours. Despite what else you may say about him, he certainly has incredible stamina. Of course, by the time you actually have any chance to leave, it's already too late to.
You look at the fan
(the plastic fan)
A generic white fan about half a meter high, consisting of four fairly sharp blades. It is placed here more for the comfort of the customers than for yours. A cord connects it to the hole in the wall. There is a white cover to protect the blades.

The plastic fan is currently switched off.
You take the fan
(the plastic fan)
Taken.
You remove the cover
(first taking the fan cover)
You position yourself between Nikhil and the fan so that he can't see it. Then you carefully pry the cover off of the fan, leaving the blades exposed.

You're not wearing that.
You examine the blades
Four fairly sharp blades are connected to the center of the fan.
You take the blade
That seems to be a part of the plastic fan.
You touch Nikhil with the fan
That is either not here, not visible, or does not need to be referred to.

I only understood you as far as wanting to touch Nikhil Varma.
Attack
(the plastic fan)
Violence isn't the answer to this one.
You hit Nikhil
You're not that dumb. He could easily defeat you with almost no effort.
You touch fan
(the plastic fan)
You feel nothing unexpected.
You look at the fan
(the plastic fan)
A generic white fan about half a meter high, consisting of four fairly sharp blades. It is placed here more for the comfort of the customers than for yours. A cord connects it to the hole in the wall. You have removed the cover.

The plastic fan is currently switched on.
You examine cover
A slightly damaged white cage used to protect errant fingers from the fan blades. The fan cover is never tightly attached and has in fact fallen off at least four times in the past year. You have managed to take it off.
You look at the cord
A white rubber cord connected to the fan on one side and a hole in the wall on the other.
You cut Nikhil
Cutting him up would achieve little.
You wear the cover
You place the cover on your head, forming a makeshift helmet.
You cut the cable with the fan
(the plastic fan)
You carefully bring the fan blades perpendicularly to the fraying at the edge of the wall.

Nikhil asks, "Hey, why are you messing with that fan back there?"

You lie and tell him that the cover has fallen off, so you're trying to fix it. As you're explaining, the fan blades finally manage to cut through enough of the wire to break the connection, and so the light bulb quickly fizzles out.

It is now pitch dark in here!
You open the door
You open the wooden door.
Go outside
You get off the bed.

It is pitch dark, and you can't see a thing.

Fortunately for you, Nikhil hasn't realized what's happened, so he says "Oh, great, the light bulb has burned out now? Go out and get your owner to change it. I will get what I paid for!"
Go outside
But you aren't in anything at the moment.

"Of all the times to happen..." grumbles Nikhil.

You should probably leave before Nikhil gets suspicious. Just go north. (You can also type "n", while "e", "w", and "s" will work for the other directions. Combinations like "sw" may also be used occasionally.)
Go north
The fan's attached to the wall. You need to drop it first.

"I'm not going to have time to come here again for another two weeks," Nikhil continues to complain.

Come on, this is the perfect chance.
You drop the fan
(the plastic fan)
Dropped.

"And I've got to be back home in just two hours," Nikhil says.

Seriously, you need all the time you can get.
Go north
The hallway is narrow and looks essentially the same as your room in all basic respects, with the same drab walls and poor lighting. Small rooms like yours line the wall on both sides. East leads to Pari's room and west heads to the main room where the customers are.
You go east
The hallway is the same uniform gray all along, and you can see doors stretching all the way further east, leading eventually to the outside. Pari's room is south of here. The hallway in front of your room is to the west.

A door down the hallway on the odd-numbered side opens, as a man leading a girl exit their room and head to the front. You step aside to allow them to pass.
Go south
(first opening Pari's door)

The room looks almost exactly the same as yours. A key difference is that this room is lighted. A key similarity is that Pari is not in either. A door leads north to the hallway.
About yourself
You are a thin, yet fairly tall, fourteen-year-old Indian girl. You consider yourself to be only of average prettiness, however, which is fortunate here, as beauty is almost a curse.
Describe the surroundings
The room looks almost exactly the same as yours. A key difference is that this room is lighted. A key similarity is that Pari is not in either. A door leads north to the hallway.
Go north
The hallway is the same uniform gray all along, and you can see doors stretching all the way further east, leading eventually to the outside. Pari's room is south of here. The hallway in front of your room is to the west.

A door down the hallway on the even-numbered side opens, as a man leading a girl exit their room and head to the front. You step aside to allow them to pass.
You go to the east
A girl who you think is called Navya comes over from the west. She quietly says, "I've been asked to collect all the girls who are done working for the day. There's going to be a demonstration soon."

You suddenly begin to suspect the worst. "Here, follow me," she says, heading west and north to the dining room.

The dining room is simply what you call the collection of tables here where the girls come to eat. However, it is fairly large, so it is often used as a meeting room as well. Tables and chairs have been pushed to the edges of the room for the demonstration. A cupboard stands in the corner. South leads to the hallway.

You can see a table (on which are Pari, some ropes, a wooden stick, an iron rod, and a purse (closed)), Mother Avni Singh, Akshay Singh, Arnav Singh, Aditi Singh, the family dog, some girls, a cupboard (closed), and the rice cooker (closed) here.

Navya heads out to search for others, shutting the door behind her.

Mother Singh hits Pari's right leg. Pari lets out a faint whimper.
You examine the dog
By far your favorite member of the family. A large mutt, he is kept by the Singhs partly for sentimental value and partly for his ability to intimidate customers who refuse to pay or leave quickly enough.

Mother Singh hits Pari's right arm. Pari lets out a faint whimper.
You examine Pari
Pari is fairly tall for a 16-year-old, and thus she is one of the stronger girls here. Because you often talk to her at night through the hole in the wall, she is your closest friend.

Pari is carrying:
Pari's dress (being worn)

Mother Singh hits Pari's right arm. Pari lets out a faint whimper.

Mother Singh shouts, "Well, girl, you thought you could get away with this? Everyone, watch closely and see what happens to those who rebel against me."
You examine the girls
A large ring of girls has surrounded the table on which Pari is bound. Their attention is wholly focused on her, so you are able to sneak around without either them or Mother Singh noticing.

Mother Singh hits Pari's right leg.
Open purse
That might be a bit too obvious.

Mother Singh hits Pari's right arm. Pari lets out a faint whimper.
You get the purse
That might be a bit too obvious.

Suddenly, Nikhil's head pops into the room as he opens the door and peers in. You quickly duck down behind the mass of girls.

Nikhil stares at Pari and asks Mother Singh, "What are you doing now?"

Mother Singh answers, "We're just punishing her a bit. She tried to steal some money from us." You cringe inwardly. Based on your past experience, if that was the crime, Pari is about to be crippled, if not dead. You have to save her.
You open cupboard
You open the cupboard, revealing a can opener and a can of beans.

Nikhil considers the answer before saying, "Well, why are you making all the other girls watch this?"

Mother Singh says, "We need to teach these girls not to disobey us. Everybody here does this. Now, excuse me, but what are you here for?"
You open the rice
You sneak over to the rice cooker by hiding behind the girls.

You open the rice cooker, revealing cooked rice.

Nikhil hesitates before saying, "Well, I need a new light bulb for my room. I sent my girl out to get someone to fix the problem, but she still hasn't returned." You crouch down further.

Mother Singh says, "Interesting. I have no idea where she is, but we happen to be out of light bulbs at the moment. However, I can send my son out with you to the city to get some new ones. Akshay, my boy, go help him."
You take the rice
(cooked rice)
You don't see any use for a handful of rice. Besides, you don't have anything to grab or carry it with.

Nikhil and Akshay walk out of the room, Akshay having an obvious look of displeasure on his face at being forced to miss this.

One of the girls asks, "Should I close the door, Mother Singh?"

She replies, "No, no one else is going to come anymore. Besides, it's hot in here and I'm already breaking a sweat."

Mother Singh says to Pari, "Alright, now that we've softened you up a bit, it's time to start going a little harder." She picks up the wooden stick.
You examine the iron rod
A metal rod about the same length as the stick. It is only used in the worst cases. You are very worried now.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's right leg with a stick. Pari lets out a short cry.
You take the can
(the can of beans)
Taken.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's left arm with a stick.
You open can
(the can of beans)
You use the can opener to open the can of beans. Then you quickly dart out of the way so you are not seen, leaving the can on the ground.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's left leg with a stick. Pari lets out a short cry.
You put beans in the rice cooker
(the can of beans in the rice cooker)
(first taking the can of beans)

No, not yet.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's right arm with a stick.

The dog cautiously weaves its way through the mass of girls, enticed by the smell of the beans. You wave it over and gesture at it to eat. It eagerly complies, sticking its muzzle inside the can. The sound of the dog eating gets Mother Singh's attention, and she turns toward the dog.

Mother Singh shouts, "Who left a can of beans open on the floor? Alright, Arnav, go out and walk the dog for an hour or two. I certainly do not want him making this place smell." Arnav slowly walks out with the dog, obviously annoyed at being assigned this chore.
You turn on the rice cooker
That's not something you can switch.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's right leg with a stick.
You examine the girls
A large ring of girls has surrounded the table on which Pari is bound. Their attention is wholly focused on her, so you are able to sneak around without either them or Mother Singh noticing.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's left leg with a stick. Pari lets out a short cry.
You spill the rice
(cooked rice)
You tilt over the rice cooker and some of the dry grains escape, forming a small heap of spilled rice on the ground. You quickly move away from there so that you won't be suspected. The noise of the grains falling is loud enough for Mother Singh to turn towards it.

She shouts, "Aditi, go out to the closet and get the broom so you can sweep this up." Aditi complies, heading out.

Aditi returns and quickly sweeps the rice up into a dustpan. She then leaves to dump it in the outside refuse pile. Putting the broom back in the closet, she returns to continue watching.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's right arm with a stick. Pari lets out a short cry.
You spill the rice
(cooked rice)
You tilt over the rice cooker and some of the dry grains escape, forming a small heap of spilled rice on the ground. You quickly move away from there so that you won't be suspected. The noise of the grains falling is loud enough for Mother Singh to turn towards it.

She shouts, "Aditi, go out to the closet and get the broom so you can sweep this up." Aditi complies, heading out.

Aditi returns and quickly sweeps the rice up into a dustpan. She then leaves to dump it in the outside refuse pile. Putting the broom back in the closet, she returns to continue watching.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's left arm with a stick.
You examine aditi
She is older than Arnav and younger than Akshay, but beyond that you have little idea of her age. She is as cruel as her mother is.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's right leg with a stick.
You examine the iron
A metal rod about the same length as the stick. It is only used in the worst cases. You are very worried now.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's left arm with a stick. Pari lets out a short cry.
You look at your surroundings
The dining room is simply what you call the collection of tables here where the girls come to eat. However, it is fairly large, so it is often used as a meeting room as well. Tables and chairs have been pushed to the edges of the room for the demonstration. A cupboard stands in the corner. South leads to the hallway.

You can see a can of beans (in which are some brown beans), a table (on which are Pari, some ropes, an iron rod, and a purse (closed)), Mother Avni Singh, Aditi Singh, some girls, a cupboard (empty), and the rice cooker (in which is cooked rice) here.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's left leg with a stick. Pari lets out a short cry.
You take the can
(the can of beans)
Taken.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's left leg with a stick. Pari lets out a short cry.
You throw the can at Aditi
(the can of beans at Aditi Singh)
You lack the nerve when it comes to the crucial moment.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's left arm with a stick.
You put can in the cooker
(the can of beans in the rice cooker)
You put the can of beans into the rice cooker.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's left arm with a stick.
You turn on the cooker
That's not something you can switch.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's left leg with a stick.
Close cooker
(cooked rice)
You tilt over the rice cooker and some of the dry grains escape, forming a small heap of spilled rice on the ground. You quickly move away from there so that you won't be suspected. The noise of the grains falling is loud enough for Mother Singh to turn towards it.

She shouts, "Aditi, go out to the closet and get the broom so you can sweep this up." Aditi complies, heading out.

Aditi returns and quickly sweeps the rice up into a dustpan. She then leaves to dump it in the outside refuse pile. Putting the broom back in the closet, she returns to continue watching.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's right leg with a stick.

You close the rice cooker.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's right arm with a stick. Pari lets out a short cry.
You drop the cooker
The rice cooker is already here.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's right arm with a stick. Pari lets out a short cry.
Examine cooker
A large steel rice cooker enclosed within a wooden cover. It is far too large for its legs, however, and in the common cases where it is accidentally spilled, someone always has to waste time cleaning it up.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's right leg with a stick. Pari lets out a short cry.
You take the can
You already have that.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's right leg with a stick. Pari lets out a short cry.
You check your inventory
You are carrying:
a can opener
a fan cover (being worn)
a dress (being worn)

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's left arm with a stick. Pari lets out a short cry.
You open the cooker
You open the rice cooker, revealing a can of beans and cooked rice.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's right leg with a stick. Pari lets out a short cry.
You put rice into the can
(cooked rice into the can opener)
(first taking cooked rice)

You don't see any use for a handful of rice. Besides, you don't have anything to grab or carry it with.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's right leg with a stick.
You take the beans
(the can of beans)
Taken.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's right arm with a stick. Pari lets out a short cry.
You spill the beans
(the can of beans)
You have no reason to do that.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's left arm with a stick.
You eat the beans
(the can of beans)
You reach into the can and pull out a few beans before popping them into your mouth.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's left arm with a stick.
You go to the south
You crouch behind the mass of girls and quickly sneak out of the room when no one is looking.

The hallway looks exactly the same to the east. South leads to Room Number 1, inhabited by a girl whom you only vaguely know. North leads to the dining room. West leads to the main room. East is the hallway by your room.

A door down the hallway on the odd-numbered side opens, as a girl followed by a man exit their room and head to the front. You step aside to allow them to pass.
Go south
You don't want to randomly barge in if there's a customer with her. Besides, you see no reason why Pari would be there.

A door down the hallway on the even-numbered side opens, as a girl followed by a man exit their room and head to the front. You step aside to allow them to pass.
Go west
This is where the customers enter and wait. However, it is currently very late and so no one is here right now. It is luxuriously decorated compared to the rest of the place. A desk sits in the corner. East is the hallway. North is a closet. West leads outside.
You examine it
An ornamented desk with carvings on the side of tigers and flowers. It has two drawers, one on the left and one on the right.
You open the left drawer
The purse isn't open.

The drawer appears to be locked. You'll have to get the key out of Mother Singh's purse first.
North
(first opening the closet door)

The closet is fairly large and contains many things that are used in the day-to-day running of this place, but most are unfamiliar to you. South leads out.

You can see a broom here.
You take broom
You'd look pretty suspicious walking about with a broom.
You wear the broom
(first taking the broom)
You'd look pretty suspicious walking about with a broom.
You look at what you're carrying with you
You are carrying:
a can of beans (open)
some brown beans
a can opener
a fan cover (being worn)
a dress (being worn)
Go north
The closet is fairly large and contains many things that are used in the day-to-day running of this place, but most are unfamiliar to you. South leads out.

You can see a broom here.
You examine the broom
The broom has been used here for at least as long as you've been used here.
You put the beans in the broom
(the can of beans in the broom)
That can't contain things.
You take broom
You'd look pretty suspicious walking about with a broom.
Break broom
You snap the broom in half.
East
The hallway looks exactly the same to the east. South leads to Room Number 1, inhabited by a girl whom you only vaguely know. North leads to the dining room. West leads to the main room. East is the hallway by your room.
Go north
The dining room is simply what you call the collection of tables here where the girls come to eat. However, it is fairly large, so it is often used as a meeting room as well. Tables and chairs have been pushed to the edges of the room for the demonstration. A cupboard stands in the corner. South leads to the hallway.

You can see a table (on which are Pari, some ropes, an iron rod, and a purse (closed)), Mother Avni Singh, Aditi Singh, some girls, a cupboard (empty), and the rice cooker (in which is cooked rice) here.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's left arm with a stick.
Go north
You can't go that way.

Mother Singh quickly strikes Pari's right leg with a stick. Pari lets out a short cry.
You spill the rice
(cooked rice)
You tilt over the rice cooker and some of the dry grains escape, forming a small heap of spilled rice on the ground. You quickly move away from there so that you won't be suspected. The noise of the grains falling is loud enough for Mother Singh to turn towards it.

She shouts, "Aditi, go out to the closet and get the broom so you can sweep this up." Aditi complies, heading out.

Aditi runs back in, shouting that the broom has been broken. Mother Singh says, "What! Who has done this? The broom was fine earlier; has someone damaged it on purpose? Oh, we shall get to the bottom of this mystery once I have finished with this girl! Meanwhile, go into town and tell your brother to pick up a new broom as well." Aditi quickly dashes out to follow her mother's orders, and you inwardly celebrate at having another family member out of the way.

Now Mother Singh, having worked up a sweat, picks up the metal rod. She laughs and says, "Okay, my girl, prepare for some real pain now."

Mother Singh aims a sharp blow with the metal rod at Pari's stomach. Pari tries hard not to scream, only letting out a short "Oof."
You hit singh
Violence isn't the answer to this one.

Mother Singh aims a sharp blow with the metal rod at Pari's leg. "Urgh...", groans Pari as she reels from the blow.

Mother Singh shouts out, "Someone get me a book of matches for later." The girls stare nervously at each other for a minute, until one of them takes a chair, pushes it in front of the cabinet, and stands on it so she can reach on top of the cabinet. She fishes around for a little bit, finding two books of matches. Then she gets down, pushes the chair in the corner, and gives both to Mother Singh, who says, "I only need one. She's not going to last that long," The girl shudders a bit before throwing one book back into the cupboard, as Mother Singh places the other in an imperceptible fold in her dress.
You take the purse
That might be a bit too obvious.

Mother Singh aims a sharp blow with the metal rod at Pari's arm. "Arghhh!", she shouts, tears glistening in her eyes.
You take the matches
Taken.

Mother Singh aims a sharp blow with the metal rod at Pari's stomach. "AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!", Pari screams, unable to face the pain as the rod hits a sensitive spot.
Light singh
This dangerous act would achieve little.

Mother Singh aims a sharp blow with the metal rod at Pari's leg. Pari tries hard not to scream, only letting out a short "Oof."
Light matches
To use the matches, just BURN an object. You don't have to light them first or anything.

Mother Singh aims a sharp blow with the metal rod at Pari's arm. "Arghhh!", she shouts, tears glistening in her eyes.
You look at Singh
A middle-aged woman who runs the place, she is warm and inviting to the customers, but cruel to everyone else. She always seems even more vicious when her husband is out at the bars, as he probably is now.

Mother Singh aims a sharp blow with the metal rod at Pari's leg. "AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!", Pari screams, unable to face the pain as the rod hits a sensitive spot.
Look around
The dining room is simply what you call the collection of tables here where the girls come to eat. However, it is fairly large, so it is often used as a meeting room as well. Tables and chairs have been pushed to the edges of the room for the demonstration. A cupboard stands in the corner. South leads to the hallway.

You can see spilled rice, a table (on which are a wooden stick, Pari, some ropes, and a purse (closed)), Mother Avni Singh, some girls, a cupboard (empty), and the rice cooker (in which is cooked rice) here.

Mother Singh aims a sharp blow with the metal rod at Pari's arm. "Urgh...", groans Pari as she reels from the blow.
You examine the ropes
Four ropes bind each of Pari's limbs.

Mother Singh aims a sharp blow with the metal rod at Pari's leg. Pari tries hard not to scream, only letting out a short "Oof."
You look at cupboard
A tall wooden cupboard with multiple shelves inside.

Mother Singh aims a sharp blow with the metal rod at Pari's leg. "AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!", Pari screams, unable to face the pain as the rod hits a sensitive spot.
You examine purse
Mother Singh's purse is essentially a brown cloth bag with a strap, about a third of a meter wide.

Mother Singh aims a sharp blow with the metal rod at Pari's stomach. "Arghhh!", she shouts, tears glistening in her eyes.
Light purse
That might be a bit too obvious.

Mother Singh aims a sharp blow with the metal rod at Pari's leg. "Urgh...", groans Pari as she reels from the blow.
Burn rope
That might be a bit too obvious.

Mother Singh aims a sharp blow with the metal rod at Pari's leg. Pari tries hard not to scream, only letting out a short "Oof."
Inventory
You are carrying:
some matches
a can of beans (open)
some brown beans
a can opener
a fan cover (being worn)
a dress (being worn)

Mother Singh aims a sharp blow with the metal rod at Pari's leg. "Urgh...", groans Pari as she reels from the blow.
You examine the matches
A small book of matches. The ultimate danger, and thus the ultimate distraction.

Mother Singh aims a sharp blow with the metal rod at Pari's leg. Pari tries hard not to scream, only letting out a short "Oof."
You go south
You crouch behind the mass of girls and quickly sneak out of the room when no one is looking.

The hallway looks exactly the same to the east. South leads to Room Number 1, inhabited by a girl whom you only vaguely know. North leads to the dining room. West leads to the main room. East is the hallway by your room.
Go north
The hallway is the same uniform gray all along, and you can see doors stretching all the way further east, leading eventually to the outside. Pari's room is south of here. The hallway in front of your room is to the west.
Go west
The hallway looks exactly the same to the east. South leads to Room Number 1, inhabited by a girl whom you only vaguely know. North leads to the dining room. West leads to the main room. East is the hallway by your room.

A door down the hallway on the odd-numbered side opens, as a man leading a girl exit their room and head to the front. You step aside to allow them to pass.
Burn desk
This dangerous act would achieve little.
You go to the north
The closet is fairly large and contains many things that are used in the day-to-day running of this place, but most are unfamiliar to you. South leads out.

You can see a broken broom here.
You take off the dress
You carefully remove the dress, making sure to keep it safe because you are not sure if you would be given another one. Nevertheless, you have the experience of removing it up to ten times a day, so you have learned to do it very quickly. You are now wearing nothing.
You wear the dress
You put on the dress.
You burn beans
(the can of beans)
This dangerous act would achieve little.
Go west
(first opening the front door)

The front gate, about twenty feet away from the building, is the only break in the fence. It's guarded by two men, neither of whom are looking in your direction, who might not be able to see you anyway due to the darkness. Southeast is a dirt clearing and east is the main room.

You can see a tall guard and a short guard here.
Go southeast
A dirt clearing with a fence to the south. Sometimes you come out here in the middle of night for fresh air. The front gate is to the northwest.

You can see a blue car (empty) here.
You look at the car
(the blue car)
The Singh's family car, an old blue four-seater, is facing the wall to the north. They are some of the more affluent people here, and they often need a car in order to transport some of the girls.
Burn car
(the blue car)
This dangerous act would achieve little.
You open car
(the blue car)
That's not something you can open.
You search car
(the blue car)
The blue car is empty.
You go to the north-west
The front gate, about twenty feet away from the building, is the only break in the fence. It's guarded by two men, neither of whom are looking in your direction, who might not be able to see you anyway due to the darkness. Southeast is a dirt clearing and east is the main room.

You can see a tall guard and a short guard here.
You examine the guard
Who do you mean, the tall guard or the short guard?
You examine short
He's short, carries a long gun, and wears a green uniform. The light's too dark to make out more.
You look at the tall guard
He's tall, carries a long gun, and wears a green uniform. The light's too dark to make out more.
Go east
The hallway looks exactly the same to the east. South leads to Room Number 1, inhabited by a girl whom you only vaguely know. North leads to the dining room. West leads to the main room. East is the hallway by your room.

A door down the hallway on the even-numbered side opens, as a man leading a girl exit their room and head to the front. You step aside to allow them to pass.
You go to the north
The dining room is simply what you call the collection of tables here where the girls come to eat. However, it is fairly large, so it is often used as a meeting room as well. Tables and chairs have been pushed to the edges of the room for the demonstration. A cupboard stands in the corner. South leads to the hallway.

You can see spilled rice, a table (on which are a wooden stick, Pari, some ropes, and a purse (closed)), Mother Avni Singh, some girls, a cupboard (empty), and the rice cooker (in which is cooked rice) here.

Mother Singh aims a sharp blow with the metal rod at Pari's leg. "Arghhh!", she shouts, tears glistening in her eyes.
Burn chair
You light a match, sneak over behind the girls, and set it on fire before moving away quickly.

Mother Singh aims a sharp blow with the metal rod at Pari's leg. "Arghhh!", she shouts, tears glistening in her eyes.
You examine the chair
Four-legged stools that appear to be made of the same wood as the tables, they have been stacked in the corner to allow room.

Mother Singh aims a sharp blow with the metal rod at Pari's leg. "Urgh...", groans Pari as she reels from the blow.

One of the girls sniffs and quickly turns around towards the source of the flames. She screams, and Mother Singh and all the other girls turn towards her. Seeing the fire, some of the girls quickly run out of the room, returning with buckets of water. They pour the water over the fire, stopping it before it does much damage. The room slowly returns to normal, while Mother Singh screams about how whoever did this is going to die painfully. Of course, by that point you have taken the opportunity to steal the purse, hiding it in your dress.
You untie the rope
You have no experience with knots. You'll probably just have to cut them.
Burn rope
That might be a bit too obvious.

Mother Singh aims a sharp blow with the metal rod at Pari's leg. "AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!", Pari screams, unable to face the pain as the rod hits a sensitive spot.
Open purse
You open the purse, revealing a drawer key.
You get the key
Taken.
You open the left drawer
You open the left drawer.
You look in the left drawer
The left drawer is empty.
You open the right drawer
You open the right drawer, revealing a car key.
Go east
The hallway looks exactly the same to the east. South leads to Room Number 1, inhabited by a girl whom you only vaguely know. North leads to the dining room. West leads to the main room. East is the hallway by your room.
You get in car
(the blue car)
You use the car key to unlock the car.

The inside of the car has a faint scent that you can't place but still repulses you. The seats are covered with some brown cloth, and the seatbelts are the same color despite being made of some different substance. You put the key into the ignition, as you've seen Mother Singh do before, and fiddle around for a bit before turning it on.

(To drive the car, just move in a direction while inside the car, like "go south". You don't have to do things like "steer wheel" or "shift stick".)
You wear the seatbelt
You click the seat belt in.
You look around
Clearing (in the blue car)
A dirt clearing with a fence to the south. Sometimes you come out here in the middle of night for fresh air. The front gate is to the northwest.

In the blue car you can see a car key.

The inside of the car has a faint scent that you can't place but still repulses you. The seats are covered with some brown cloth, and the seatbelts are the same color despite being made of some different substance.
You turn on car
(the blue car)
That's not something you can switch.
You turn the key
(the car key)
Nothing obvious happens.
You go north
You push the gas pedal as hard as you can, ramming the car into the front wall. The bricks fly apart, as the car folds inward at the front with a gigantic crunching sound. The force of the impact almost throws you out the front window, but your seatbelt protects you. You quickly stagger out, assessing the damage. A large hole is now in the wall between the main room and the clearing. One of the guards runs over to investigate, but by that point you have already snuck around him in the darkness back to the front door. Then Mother Singh screams and runs into the main room, and as the others girls trickle in, you weave behind them while they stare in horror at the car. Finally, you make it back into the dining room, practically collapsing in exhaustion.

The dining room is simply what you call the collection of tables here where the girls come to eat. However, it is fairly large, so it is often used as a meeting room as well. Tables and chairs have been pushed to the edges of the room for the demonstration. A cupboard stands in the corner. South leads to the hallway.

You can see spilled rice, a table (on which are a wooden stick, Pari, and some ropes), a cupboard (empty), and the rice cooker (in which is cooked rice) here.
You examine the can opener
A metal can opener with a plastic handle. It has surely done more than its fair share of work over the years.
You describe your surroundings
The dining room is simply what you call the collection of tables here where the girls come to eat. However, it is fairly large, so it is often used as a meeting room as well. Tables and chairs have been pushed to the edges of the room for the demonstration. A cupboard stands in the corner. South leads to the hallway.

You can see spilled rice, a table (on which are a wooden stick, Pari, and some ropes), a cupboard (empty), and the rice cooker (in which is cooked rice) here.
You look at the cupboard
A tall wooden cupboard with multiple shelves inside.
Inventory
You are carrying:
a drawer key
a purse (open but empty)
some matches
a can of beans (open)
some brown beans
a can opener
a fan cover (being worn)
a dress (being worn)
You look at Pari
Pari is fairly tall for a 16-year-old, and thus she is one of the stronger girls here. Because you often talk to her at night through the hole in the wall, she is your closest friend.

Pari is carrying:
Pari's dress (being worn)
M rope
You don't want anyone to know you're here. Secrecy is your only weapon now.
You think
You are currently talking about: whatever comes to mind.

You might want to mention: nothing.
You examine the can of the beans
A large can of brown beans that often supplements your dinner.

In the can of beans are some brown beans.
You cut the rope with the beans
(the can of beans)
You see no reason to cut that.
You go west
No. If you walk in there, you're going to be the first one that the guards interrogate.
Go south
You don't want to randomly barge in if there's a customer with her. Besides, you see no reason why Pari would be there.
Go east
No, you have to save Pari first.

A door down the hallway on the even-numbered side opens, as a man leading a girl exit their room and head to the front. You step aside to allow them to pass.
Go west
The hallway is narrow and looks essentially the same as your room in all basic respects, with the same drab walls and poor lighting. Small rooms like yours line the wall on both sides. East leads to Pari's room and west heads to the main room where the customers are.

A door down the hallway on the even-numbered side opens, as a man leading a girl exit their room and head to the front. You step aside to allow them to pass.
You examine stick
A round wooden stick that's about half a meter in length. You've felt it too many times.
You look at the table
The circular tables have four legs and are made of a surprisingly durable wood. They have been pushed to the side to allow room, except for the one in the center to which Pari is tied.

On the table are a wooden stick, Pari, and some ropes.
You cut stick
Cutting that up would achieve little.
Examine cooker
A large steel rice cooker enclosed within a wooden cover. It is far too large for its legs, however, and in the common cases where it is accidentally spilled, someone always has to waste time cleaning it up.

In the rice cooker is cooked rice.
You look at your surroundings
The dining room is simply what you call the collection of tables here where the girls come to eat. However, it is fairly large, so it is often used as a meeting room as well. Tables and chairs have been pushed to the edges of the room for the demonstration. A cupboard stands in the corner. South leads to the hallway.

You can see spilled rice, a table (on which are Pari and some ropes), a cupboard (empty), and the rice cooker (in which is cooked rice) here.
You talk to Pari
You don't want anyone to know you're here. Secrecy is your only weapon now.
You look at the chair
Four-legged stools that appear to be made of the same wood as the tables, they have been stacked in the corner to allow room.
You take the chair
That's hardly portable.
You go to the south
The hallway looks exactly the same to the east. South leads to Room Number 1, inhabited by a girl whom you only vaguely know. North leads to the dining room. West leads to the main room. East is the hallway by your room.

A door down the hallway on the even-numbered side opens, as a man leading a girl exit their room and head to the front. You step aside to allow them to pass.
Go east
The hallway is narrow and looks essentially the same as your room in all basic respects, with the same drab walls and poor lighting. Small rooms like yours line the wall on both sides. East leads to Pari's room and west heads to the main room where the customers are.

A door down the hallway on the even-numbered side opens, as a man leading a girl exit their room and head to the front. You step aside to allow them to pass.
Burn match
To use the matches, just BURN an object. You don't have to light them first or anything.
Search dress
(the dress)
You find nothing of interest.
You examine the rope
Four ropes bind each of Pari's limbs.
You examine the beans
(the can of beans)
A large can of brown beans that often supplements your dinner.

In the can of beans are some brown beans.
You feed the beans to Pari
(the can of beans to Pari)
Pari doesn't seem interested.
You feed the rice to Pari
(cooked rice to Pari)
(first taking cooked rice)
You don't see any use for a handful of rice. Besides, you don't have anything to grab or carry it with.
You take the cooker
That's fixed in place.
You break Pari
She's already hurt enough. There's no need to do more to her.
You examine stick
A round wooden stick that's about half a meter in length. You've felt it too many times.
Inventory
You are carrying:
a wooden stick
a drawer key
a purse (open but empty)
some matches
a can of beans (open)
some brown beans
a can opener
a fan cover (being worn)
a dress (being worn)
You look at the key
A small coppery key. You believe it unlocks the drawers in the main room desk.
You examine the can of the beans
A large can of brown beans that often supplements your dinner.

In the can of beans are some brown beans.
You examine the beans
(the can of beans)
A large can of brown beans that often supplements your dinner.

In the can of beans are some brown beans.
You examine the brown beans
Some brown beans. There's not much else to say about them.
You examine the rice
(cooked rice)
Warm long-grain rice. Despite how mistreated you are in so many aspects, food is admittedly not one of them. Customers dislike excessively skinny girls, and so you are fed reasonably well.
Go north
Hints
Credits
Complete Walkthrough
Go north
> Hints
Credits
Complete Walkthrough
> Okay, how do I get Pari down from there?
1/3: You need something sharp to cut the ropes.

Press SPACE to return to the menu or H to reveal another hint.
You cut the rope with the can opener
You rub the blade of the can opener against the rope restraining Pari's left arm. Although it takes a minute, you are eventually able to cut through enough of the fibers to be able to bite it off. From there, you continue cutting the ropes binding the other three limbs, getting faster as you go, partly due to experience and partly due to fear. Eventually, you free Pari, who stumbles onto the ground, limping slightly. She says, "Thank you so much. But we have to go now."
Go south
The hallway looks exactly the same to the east. South leads to Room Number 1, inhabited by a girl whom you only vaguely know. North leads to the dining room. West leads to the main room. East is the hallway by your room.

Pari arrives from the north.
Go east
The hallway is narrow and looks essentially the same as your room in all basic respects, with the same drab walls and poor lighting. Small rooms like yours line the wall on both sides. East leads to Pari's room and west heads to the main room where the customers are.

Pari arrives from the west.
Go east
The hallway is the same uniform gray all along, and you can see doors stretching all the way further east, leading eventually to the outside. Pari's room is south of here. The hallway in front of your room is to the west.

Pari arrives from the west.
You go to the east
(first opening the back door)

The girls come out here to relieve themselves, as there is no bathroom in the building. In fact, this is the only reason that you've even been able to dig the tunnel under the fence, by hiding behind the bushes during your bathroom breaks. The building is back to the west, while the tunnel leading out is to the east.

Pari arrives from the west.
Go east
You jump into the tunnel and manage to worm through after a few minutes.

This is the largest street in the town, threading straight through the center. There's an old street sign nearby that probably states the name of the road. West leads back to the building, while north leads farther into the city.

Pari arrives from the west.
You go north
Suddenly, you see the short guard running here from the north. They have apparently already started searching for you.

The streets are mostly deserted at this hour, but the stars are bright enough to guide you. The road continues farther north and south. West is an alley.

You can see a short guard here.

Pari arrives from the south.
You examine the short guard
He's short, carries a long gun, and wears a green uniform. The light's too dark to make out more.

The guard catches up to you, knocking you both down with a few swift blows of his rifle butt. Before you can get up again, he's captured you both by the arms, and his grip is too strong to resist. Within ten minutes, you both are back in the building. Within twenty, you both are tied to the tables. Within an hour, you both are in a freshly-shoveled pit in the backyard.
You go to the west
A small alley leads to a dead end to the west, as a wooden fence blocks your way. East is the main street.

You can see a dumpster, a trash can (empty), and a balcony here.

Pari arrives from the east.
You examine the fence
A tall, wooden fence cuts the alley in half. It's surprisingly new, as you can't see any easy way to get over it.

The guard continues running towards you.
You climb the dumpster
I don't think much is to be achieved by that.

The guard catches up to you, knocking you both down with a few swift blows of his rifle butt. Before you can get up again, he's captured you both by the arms, and his grip is too strong to resist. Within ten minutes, you both are back in the building. Within twenty, you both are tied to the tables. Within an hour, you both are in a freshly-shoveled pit in the backyard.
You get in the dumpster
You both jump into the pile of trash in the dumpster.

West Alley (in the dumpster)
A small alley leads to a dead end to the west, as a wooden fence blocks your way. East is the main street.

You can see Pari, a trash can (empty), and a balcony here.

The guard continues running towards you.
You wait
Time passes.

The guard checks the dumpster first and discovers both of you trying to hide inside. "Did you really think I'd be stupid enough not to check this place?" says the guard. He takes you both by the arms, but no matter how much you struggle, you can't escape. Within ten minutes, you both are back in the building. Within twenty, you both are tied to the tables. Within an hour, you both are in a freshly-shoveled pit in the backyard.
You describe your surroundings
This is the largest street in the town, threading straight through the center. There's an old street sign nearby that probably states the name of the road. West leads back to the building, while north leads farther into the city.

You can see Pari here.
You think
You are currently talking about: whatever comes to mind.

You might want to mention: the building, love, marriage, prostitution, the girls, sex, you, and Pari.
M pari
Pari considers herself for a second.

"I'm not sure what there is so say about me that you don't already know."
M girls
Pari considers the girls here for a second.

"The girls are all nice people. I just wish I had gotten to know them all better."

You're already talking about that.

Pari considers the girls here for a second.
M building
Pari considers the house for a second.

"It was a horrible place. Everything was dirty and cramped, and either too dark or too bright. I would easily die before going back there."
M yourself
Pari considers you for a second.

"You're a good friend. I don't know how long I would have survived if I hadn't been able to look forward to our conversations."
We could go back and get to know the the girls better if you'D like
PARI, WE COULD GO BACK AND GET TO KNOW THE GIRLS BETTER IF YOU'D LIKE

There is no reply.
M yourself
You're already talking about that.

Pari considers you for a second.
M pari
Pari considers herself for a second.

"You've been my closest tie to humanity. Thank you so much."
You think
You are currently talking about: herself.

You might want to mention: the building, love, marriage, prostitution, the girls, sex, you, and Pari.
Go north
The guard catches up to you, knocking you both down with a few swift blows of his rifle butt. Before you can get up again, he's captured you both by the arms, and his grip is too strong to resist. Within ten minutes, you both are back in the building. Within twenty, you both are tied to the tables. Within an hour, you both are in a freshly-shoveled pit in the backyard.
Up
You and Pari quickly clamber up the balcony, flattening yourselves against the floor so that you are invisible.

West Alley (on the balcony)
A small alley leads to a dead end to the west, as a wooden fence blocks your way. East is the main street.

You can see a dumpster and a trash can (empty) here.

On the balcony you can see Pari.

The guard continues running towards you.
You go west
It's really not the best idea to move right now.

The guard rummages through the dumpster, searching among the trash.
You examine the balcony
A small overhang on the side of the building has a ladder heading up to it.

On the balcony is Pari.

The guard kicks the trash can, feeling whether it might be suspiciously heavy.
You go upward
It's really not the best idea to move right now.

The guard runs around the alley, searching for anything that would reveal where you were.
Wait
Time passes.

Eventually, the guard gives up, muttering that he can't climb over the fence like he's assumed the two of you have. He walks off back into the street, and soon he is gone from view.
Go upwards
You and Pari quickly clamber up the balcony, flattening yourselves against the floor so that you are invisible.

West Alley (on the balcony)
A small alley leads to a dead end to the west, as a wooden fence blocks your way. East is the main street.

You can see a dumpster and a trash can (empty) here.

On the balcony you can see Pari.
Go downwards
You get off the balcony.

A small alley leads to a dead end to the west, as a wooden fence blocks your way. East is the main street.

You can see a dumpster, a trash can (empty), and a balcony (on which is Pari) here.
You look at the can
(the can of beans)
A large can of brown beans that often supplements your dinner.

In the can of beans are some brown beans.
You examine trash
(the trash can)
A small metal trash can that has no trash in it, probably because it happens to be next to a dumpster for some reason.
You climb the trash
(the trash can)
I don't think much is to be achieved by that.
You look at the fence
A tall, wooden fence cuts the alley in half. It's surprisingly new, as you can't see any easy way to get over it.
You get on the trash can
You jump into the trash can, but there's no room for Pari. She stumbles around, looking for somewhere to hide.

West Alley (in the trash can)
A small alley leads to a dead end to the west, as a wooden fence blocks your way. East is the main street.

You can see a dumpster and a balcony (on which is Pari) here.
Exit
You get out of the trash can.

A small alley leads to a dead end to the west, as a wooden fence blocks your way. East is the main street.

You can see a dumpster, a trash can (empty), and a balcony (on which is Pari) here.
You examine balcony
A small overhang on the side of the building has a ladder heading up to it.

On the balcony is Pari.
You jump
Jumping around randomly seems to be a good way to attract a lot of unnecessary negative attention to yourself.
Go downwards
You get off the balcony.

A small alley leads to a dead end to the west, as a wooden fence blocks your way. East is the main street.

You can see a dumpster, a trash can (empty), and a balcony (on which is Pari) here.
Go east
The streets are mostly deserted at this hour, but the stars are bright enough to guide you. The road continues farther north and south. West is an alley.

Pari arrives from the west.
You go north
Although you probably haven't traveled that far into the city, this large road has already terminated. It leads south down the street and north to the police station.

Pari arrives from the south.
Go north
The police station in your imagination was always more impressive: the real one looks like almost every other building in the city. The exit is to the south.

You can see a policeman here.

You rush up to the policeman and start telling him about all that's happened to you. It takes you almost half an hour to get through your story, with him nodding pleasantly the entire time.
You think
You are currently talking about: herself.

You might want to mention: nothing.

"That's a very sad story, little girl. I don't know what to say about it. Still, it's not a very good idea to just run away from them," he says.
M prostitutin
A glare from the policeman freezes you into inaction.

"You're not going to give us back to them, are you?", Pari asks nervously, "Right? You're just joking, right?"
M police
A glare from the policeman freezes you into inaction.

"No, no," he says, "from what I understand, they would just kill you. And how would that help me? I mean, they haven't really been paying us too well recently anyway, so I see no reason to."
You wait for a while
Time passes.

"Actually, I do have a friend who lives further south of here. He might require some girls who are experienced in your field of work," he says.

You bolt first, but the policeman is too fast, and easily manages to pin you down, maneuvering to block the doorway so Pari can't get out either. Then he calls out to the back of the police station, and some other men come rushing out from a back door. One of them grabs her by the arms as well before she can even try to run.

"Now then, we do have a small room in the very back," the policeman says to you, "and I think I deserve some kind of reward for getting you a new job..."

"This story is not just fiction. Millions of girls around the world are held in similar, if not worse, conditions. As Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn write, "Our own estimate is that there are 3 million women and girls (and a very small number of boys) worldwide who can be fairly termed enslaved in the sex trade" (10).

And forced prostitution is not the only problem they face, as women are discriminated against all over the world in many ways, like politics, medical care, and employment. They are thought of as lesser than men, as a necessary evil only good for babies and housework. Things must change, but of course, knowledge is the first step on that path. To that end, I heavily suggest reading "Half the Sky" by Kristof and WuDunn or visiting their website at