The Hugo Clock
Jason McWright
Mini-comp
Two men, one a brusque bowling ball; the other a murderous dandy, discuss their fate and the fate of the world. They've chosen someone to send. He's clever, but hopefully not too clever.
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How would you like your text displayed?

(a) Always easy reading.
(b) Occasionaly dark and sinister.
You check what you're carrying
You are carrying the iron key.
Suddenly there's an explosion of breaking tree limbs nearby and you look up to see a gibbering shadow! You sprint like a cheetah with wings in the opposite direction, forging a painful trail through the forest. Given that you're so occupied with what's behind you, you miss the light quickly approaching in front. Before you realize what's happening, you cross a gravel road and run face-first into a door.

You claw at the knob and of course find it locked. You shove the key given to you by the mysterious stranger into the keyhole and, mercifully, it turns the lock. You burst through the door and bolt it shut.

Your heart begins to slow down just as your eyes adjust to the light and you find yourself standing in a short hallway. The front door stands to the east and another door leads west. The only other adornments are several portraits lining the walls on either side of the room. All of the subjects in the pictures share common facial features hinting that they are closely related. Their most troubling feature is the eyes, piercing and violent; a malicious intelligence eager for blood. There can be no doubt that you have found Dr. Hugo's lab.
You examine the portraits
These are portraits of Dr. Hugo's dearly departed kin. Each of them share some version of a pointed chin and small, razor sharp nose. The hair is thin and in most cases slicked back. The eyes of each portrait burn thin holes through your clothing and into your soul. Each seems to watch you, eager to spring from the canvas and do murder in their preferred way. Dr Hugo himself is not represented here.
You look behind the portraits
Jostling one of the portraits causes something to fall out from behind it. You pick it up and discover that it is a copper key.
You examine the key
Which key do you mean, the iron key or the copper key?
Copper
This is a copper key.
You go west
(opening the interior door first)
Opened.

This is a hallway that runs north and south. A door is to the east
and a set of double doors lead west.
You examine the double doors
These are an impresive set of heavy double doors. You see no sign that anything is wrong with them.
You go to the west
The double doors appear to be wedged shut, no matter how much you push they refuse to budge
You unlock the doors
(with the iron key)
Unlocked.
You open the doors
These doors seem to be wedged shut. No matter how much you push, they refuse to budge.
You look around
This is a hallway that runs north and south. A door is to the east
and a set of double doors lead west.
Go north
This is the north end of the hallway. To the north is a richly carved oak door. The main hallway leads back south. A small door leads east.
You examine the door
Which door do you mean, the oak door or the small door?
You examine the oak door
This door is carved to depict some sort of scene. In the center is a great oak tree. At its base is a jagged rift with light spilling out of it. Near the rift, two creatures are fighting, one a snake and the other a thing with more heads than necessary. Circling the scene is a huge gear that appears to be meshed with the earth itself.
You look at the small door
The small door is closed.
You open the small door
Opened.
You open the oak door
The oak door is locked.
You unlock the oak door with the copper key
Unlocked.
You go to the east
This is a sparsely furnished pantry. A single shelf lines the wall.
The only door leads west.

You see a rectagular console sitting on a shelf here.
You examine the shelf
The shelf looks just like you would expect.

You see a rectagular console sitting on a shelf here.
You search the shelf
You see a rectagular console sitting on a shelf here.
You look at the console
This appears to some sort of hand-held console. Its a rectangle with two switches on one side, both of which are in the off possition.
You take the console
Taken.
You examine the switch
Which switch do you mean, the top switch or the bottom switch?
You examine the top switch
This is a simple toggle switch. It is in the off possition.
You turn on the top switch
You set the top switch to the on possition.
You turn on the bottom switch
You set the bottom switch to the on possition.
You examine the console
This appears to some sort of hand-held console. Its a rectangle with two switches on one side, both of which are in the on possition.
You turn off the top switch
You set the top switch to the off position.
You turn off the bottom switch
You set the bottom switch to the off possition.
You look around
This is a sparsely furnished pantry. A single shelf lines the wall.
The only door leads west.
You go north
(opening the oak door first)
Opened.

This is the good doctor's study. It would appear that a tornado has been through here recently. Papers are scattered every where and you can see several destroyed books. There is wooden desk and a chair here. A single portrait hangs on the wall.

Lying among the debris is a damaged book that might be salvageable.

A waste basket is here.
Examine book
This book has been badly damaged. What's left of its few remaining pages is hard to read. You're able to make out a single chapter heading:

.........sho...be taken..extreme danger when pow....the....ine. ..........................................wrong..be disastrous!
..to control..e..eatures...en...uting the port................... ............first...squ.....irc..hen...tr..gle...................
.irst set..to...bl...en then red........not ..d..whit..een,.this... woul..free....eings from....other wor.......................... ......when ..dy ...lace th....block, the..snak...k,..he man...ck
then fin....ar block...will secu......ortal....................

MP...ANT!....ke....uickly...clo..ikes...elve is ..too..ate!

And that's all.
You take the book
Taken.
You examine basket
This is a simple waste basket.
You look at the desk
This is a plain wooden desk. It's not the large, impressive, corporate-office desk you expected. This is a working-man's desk. The legs are worn and the surface is scarred with a multitude of pencil marks that found their way through paper. It has a single drawer.

The calm figure sits reading a book, its subject arcane and unknowable. His hands follow the words with intense focus. He often mouths the words and the syllables are alien and grotesque. The pacing figure's attention, on the other hand, is scattered. He stops to speak several times but, knowing his companion, chooses to remain silent. After some time the calm figure takes a break from his reading and looks up. He finds his friend staring at him with an expression reserved for suffocated fish.
He smiles for the first time. "Try to Relax," he says.

This is the good doctor's study. It would appear that a tornado has been through here recently. Papers are scattered every where and you can see several destroyed books. There is wooden desk and a chair here. A single portrait hangs on the wall.

A waste basket is here.
You examine the chair
The chair looks just like you would expect.
You open the drawer
Opened.
You look at the drawer
The desk drawer looks just like you would expect.
You examine marks
These scarrs mar the surface of the desk.
You look at the portrait
This is the man himself, Doctor Hugo. His features are as sharp and thin as his ancestors, only more so. His hair is ice-skater slick and his nose could slice carrots. His eyes seem to scrutinize your every move. In the portrait he's wearing billowing clothes no man should wear. His posture is somewhat effeminate and this, along with his clothes, complete a twisted picture of menace.
You look behind the portrait
You don't find anything behind the portrait of Dr. Hugo.
Go south
This is the northern end of a room displaying arcane and bizarre artifacts. Notable among the items is a large, embalmed snake. The rest of the artifact room is to the south. You can also go north.

The automaton is here. Slumped over and lifeless.

A waste basket is here.
You see an ornately carved, wooden box sitting on one of the tables.
You examine the snake
At first this appears to be two snakes tangled together but, upon closer inspection, is a snake with two heads. Its body forks several inches below the heads, forming a grotesque natural obscenity. The snake is embalmed and sits on display.
You examine the automaton
This is a metal automaton. His body is a tangle of wires and gears. He has a human-like face made from some shiny metal. One of his hands closely resembles a broom while other is closer to a powerful looking claw. He has a single access panel in his mid-section.
You examine the panel
This is the automaton's control panel. It is currently closed.
You open the panel
Opening the panel reveals a single button.

[press any key to continue]
Space
"I wonder if we sent the right man?"
At this the sedate man looks up and says nothing. His fingers mark a spot in his book. He's visibly annoyed.
"Be patient," he says, "he needs time to adapt to his surroundings. Perhaps my personal servant can assist him if he's stuck."
The nervous man doesn't appear satisfied with his answer but says nothing more.

This is the northern end of a room displaying arcane and bizarre artifacts. Notable among the items is a large, two-headed, embalmed snake. The rest of the artifact room is to the south. You can also go north.

The automaton is here. Slumped over and lifeless.

A waste basket is here.
You see an ornately carved, wooden box sitting on one of the tables.
Examine box
This is a wooden box with carvings of fantastical creatures on it. It is currently closed.
You open the box
Opened.

Inside the wooden box are the snake block, the many-legs block, the tree block, and the gear block.
You take box
Taken.
You look at the snake block
This block depicts a fierce snake. It is molded metal without any seam.
You examinthe snake many-legs block
You haven't encountered anything like that. (If you're sure you need to refer to that, try putting it another way.)
You examine the tree block
This block depicts an oak tree. The detail is amazing for something so small. It is molded metal without any seam.
You examine the gear block
This block depicts a gear in motion. It is molded metal without any seam.
You examine the legs
This block depicts a creature with more legs that hair follicles. It is molded metal without any seam.
You press the button
"Click." Nothing happens.
You go to the south
This is the southern end of the artifact room. Most of the displays
are gone, their tables bare. One of the more striking items on display here is a bizarre animal skeleton. You also see what looks like a rocky pillar.The rest of the artifact room is to the north.

You see a glass case sitting on one of the tables.
You examine the case
This is a glass box that contains a rough rock. A small plaque is attached to its side that reads:

This is a rock that is considered to be cursed. Its first five owners fell sick and died unexpectedly shortly after gaining ownership of it. They were described as violently nauseous and lost all of their hair before perishing from the mystery illness. Since that time it has been safely contained within this protective glass case.
You examine the skeleton
It appears that someone took the skeletons of several animals and glued them all together. What you see is a confused tangle of legs and tails, claws and heads. What this creature was originally is anyone's guess. What you are sure of is that this creature couldn't exist in our world.
You look at the pillar
This at first appears to be a rocky pillar but is in fact a petrified tree. It is unlike any petrified tree you have every seen. It's bark is very similar to the oak trees that grow in this area and you could swear that you see the initials "DH" carved into it. This section of tree is massive, several tons at least.
You look at initials
You can't understand how initials could have been carved into anything like this. It's clear that they were not chiseled into the tree.
You read the book
.........sho...be taken..extreme danger when pow....the....ine. ..........................................wrong..be disastrous!
..to control..e..eatures...en...uting the port................... ............first...squ.....irc..hen...tr..gle...................
.irst set..to...bl...en then red........not ..d..whit..een,.this... woul..free....eings from....other wor.......................... ......when ..dy ...lace th....block, the..snak...k,..he man...ck
then fin....ar block...will secu......ortal....................

MP...ANT!....ke....uickly...clo..ikes...elve is ..too..ate!

And that's all.
You check what you're carrying
You are carrying the iron key, the copper key, the console, the damaged book, and a wooden box. Inside the wooden box are four steel blocks (the snake block, the many-legs block, the tree block, and the gear block).
You look at your surroundings
This is the southern end of the artifact room. Most of the displays
are gone, their tables bare. One of the more striking items on display here is a bizarre animal skeleton. You also see a huge section of petrified tree.The rest of the artifact room is to the north.

You see a glass case sitting on one of the tables.
You look at the console
This appears to some sort of hand-held console. Its a rectangle with two switches on one side, both of which are in the off possition.
You open the panel
The panel is already open.
You put the console in the panel
You put the console in the panel.
You look at the broom
One of the automatons hands resembles a broom while the other looks more like a claw.
You examine the face
The automaton's face seems errily human.
You turn on top switch
You set the top switch to the on possition.

"Do you thing he found a key to your office?" says the nervous figure. "It's critical that he does," says the calm man, "how else would he know how to operate the machine?"
This causes the pacing man to pace faster.
"I've hidden them of course, but not so that he can't find them," says the calm figure.

This is the northern end of a room displaying arcane and bizarre artifacts. Notable among the items is a large, two-headed, embalmed snake. The rest of the artifact room is to the south. You can also go north.

The automaton is here. Slumped over and lifeless.

A waste basket is here.
You press the button
"Click." The automaton's eyes light up and he starts to move. His control panel snaps shut and he scans the area.
You look at the automaton
This is a metal automaton. His body is a tangle of wires and gears. He has a human-like face made from some shiny metal. One of his hands closely resembles a broom while other is closer to a powerful looking claw. He has a single access panel in his mid-section.

The automaton lightly dusts the two-headed snake. He seemingly takes a moment to admire his work.
You turn on bottom switch
You set the bottom switch to the on possition.

The automaton heads off to the north.
You go to the north
This is a hallway that runs north and south. A door is to the east
and a set of double doors lead west.

The automaton is here, moving with purpose.

The automaton heads off to the north.
Go north
This is the north end of the hallway. To the north is a richly carved oak door. The main hallway leads back south. A small door leads east.

The automaton is here, moving with purpose.

The automaton heads off to the north.
Go north
This is the good doctor's study. It would appear that a tornado has been through here recently. Papers are scattered every where and you can see several destroyed books. There is wooden desk and a chair here. A single portrait hangs on the wall.

The automaton is here, moving with purpose.

A waste basket is here.
The Automaton picks up the wastebasket.
Wait
Time passes...

The automaton heads off to the south.
Go south
This is the north end of the hallway. To the north is a richly carved oak door. The main hallway leads back south. A small door leads east.

The automaton is here carrying a waste basket.

The automaton heads off to the south.
You go south
This is a hallway that runs north and south. A door is to the east
and a set of double doors lead west.

The automaton is here carrying a waste basket.

The automaton attempts to go through the double doors. As he struggles you can hear grinding gears and whining motors. Finally the door makes a huge cracking sound and crashes to the floor.

The automaton heads off to the west.
You go to the west
This is Dr. Hugo's laboratory. A machine takes up most of the south side of the room and a closed red, steel door is to the west. A red strobe light is above the door and a lever is near it. The rest of the lab is to the north or you can go east through a broken door.

The automaton is here carrying a waste basket.

A waste basket is here.

The automaton heads off to the north.
You examine the machine
This is a massive machine. It's a mass of gears and pulleys, wheels and cogs. The only obvious interface is a screen and three geometric shapes. The shapes are a black square, a black circle and a black triangle. There is also a small square slot in the machine and what looks like a clock above it.
You look at the clock
This looks like a clock. It has one hand that appears to be pointing to the eleven o'clock position.

The automaton arrives from the north.
Examine slot
This is a square hole in the machine.

The automaton heads off to the east.
You turn off the top button
You haven't encountered any "top button". (If you're sure you need to refer to that, try putting it another way.)
You turn off the top switch
For some reason you are unable to flip the switch.
You look around
This is Dr. Hugo's laboratory. A machine takes up most of the south side of the room and a closed red, steel door is to the west. A red strobe light is above the door and a lever is near it. The rest of the lab is to the north or you can go east through a broken door.

A waste basket is here.
You examine basket
This is a simple waste basket.
You go east
This is a hallway that runs north and south. A door is to the east
and a set of broken double doors lead west.

The automaton arrives from the south.
Wait
Time passes...

The automaton heads off to the west.
You go to the west
This is Dr. Hugo's laboratory. A machine takes up most of the south side of the room and a closed red, steel door is to the west. A red strobe light is above the door and a lever is near it. The rest of the lab is to the north or you can go east through a broken door.

The automaton is here carrying a waste basket.

A waste basket is here.

The automaton heads off to the north.
Go north
This is the northern part of the lab.

The automaton is here carrying a waste basket.

You see a heavy sledge hammer leaning against one wall.
The trash receptacle is here. Inside the trash receptacle is some garbage.
The automaton empties the waste basket into the trash receptacle and smashes it down with surprising force.
You look at the hammer
This is a heavy sledge hammer.

The automaton heads off to the south.
You go east
This is a hallway that runs north and south. A door is to the east
and a set of broken double doors lead west.
You go south
This is the northern end of a room displaying arcane and bizarre artifacts. Notable among the items is a large, two-headed, embalmed snake. The rest of the artifact room is to the south. You can also go north.

The automaton is here, moving with purpose.

A waste basket is here.

The automaton heads off to the north.
Go north
This is a hallway that runs north and south. A door is to the east
and a set of broken double doors lead west.

The automaton is here, moving with purpose.

The automaton heads off to the west.
You go west
This is Dr. Hugo's laboratory. A machine takes up most of the south side of the room and a closed red, steel door is to the west. A red strobe light is above the door and a lever is near it. The rest of the lab is to the north or you can go east through a broken door.

The automaton is here, moving with purpose.

A waste basket is here.
The Automaton picks up the wastebasket.
You go north
This is the northern part of the lab.

The trash receptacle is here. Inside the trash receptacle is some garbage.

The automaton arrives from the south.
Search receptacle
Inside the trash receptacle is some garbage.
The automaton empties the waste basket into the trash receptacle and smashes it down with surprising force.
You search the garbage
You find nothing special in the garbage.

The automaton heads off to the south.
You examine the receptacle
This is a large trash receptacle.

Inside the trash receptacle is some garbage.
You empty it
(I'll assume you mean the trash receptacle)
garbage: Dropped.
Look around
This is the northern part of the lab.

The trash receptacle and some garbage are here.
You examine the garbage
The garbage looks just like you would expect.
You search the garbage
You find nothing special in the garbage.

You notice that both switches on the console just automatically flipped to the off position.
You examine the receptacle
This is a large trash receptacle.
You examine the light
This is a red strobe light positioned directly above the steel door.
You examine the lever
The lever looks just like you would expect.
You examine the steel door
The steel door is closed.
You pull the lever
With some effort you pull the lever back. It clicks several times and locks into position. The strobe light above the steel door starts blinking and the steel door itself slides open with a painful sound.

"Your problem," says the dark figure, "is that you can't take things in stride."
The pacing gentleman stops.
"How can certain death be taken in stride?"
The calm gentleman's smile disappears. "There are ways," he says, in a voice like a world without wholesome bread.
The nervous man, jittery as crickets, turns pale.
"Lets review what we know; there is a power source available, he should have a few clues as to how to operate the machine by now so the only question is whether he can adjust the portal settings properly."
"You don't think you left too much do you?" says the nervous figure. "What do you mean?"
"I mean..........," says the nervous man, wondering how he can say this diplomatically. "Did you, maybe, leave some clue as to how he might close the portal and........," he searches frantically for the right words, "free the prisoners?"
"Quiet you fool!" says the other. There's fear in his dangerous tone and this abruptly ends the conversation.

This is Dr. Hugo's laboratory. A machine takes up most of the south side of the room and an open red, steel door is to the west. A red strobe light is above the door, blinking rapidly, and a lever is near it. The rest of the lab is to the north or you can go east through a broken door.

A waste basket is here.
You look at the clock
This looks like a clock. It has one hand that appears to be pointing to the eleven o'clock position.
You look at the shapes
These are three geometric shapes.The shapes are a black square, a black circle and a black triangle.
You examine the screen
This is a display screen that gives the status of the machine. It currently reads:

"LOW POWER"
Examine book
This book has been badly damaged. What's left of its few remaining pages is hard to read. You're able to make out a single chapter heading:

.........sho...be taken..extreme danger when pow....the....ine. ..........................................wrong..be disastrous!
..to control..e..eatures...en...uting the port................... ............first...squ.....irc..hen...tr..gle...................
.irst set..to...bl...en then red........not ..d..whit..een,.this... woul..free....eings from....other wor.......................... ......when ..dy ...lace th....block, the..snak...k,..he man...ck
then fin....ar block...will secu......ortal....................

MP...ANT!....ke....uickly...clo..ikes...elve is ..too..ate!

And that's all.
Examine slot
This is a square hole in the machine.
You go east
This is a hallway that runs north and south. A door is to the east
and a set of broken double doors lead west.
You go south
This is the northern end of a room displaying arcane and bizarre artifacts. Notable among the items is a large, two-headed, embalmed snake. The rest of the artifact room is to the south. You can also go north.

A waste basket is here.
Go south
This is the southern end of the artifact room. Most of the displays
are gone, their tables bare. One of the more striking items on display here is a bizarre animal skeleton. You also see a huge section of petrified tree.The rest of the artifact room is to the north.

You see a glass case sitting on one of the tables.
Go north
This is the good doctor's study. It would appear that a tornado has been through here recently. Papers are scattered every where and you can see several destroyed books. There is wooden desk and a chair here. A single portrait hangs on the wall.

A waste basket is here.
Go east
You stand in a short hallway. The front door stands to the east and another door leads west. The only other adornments are several portraits lining the walls on either side of the room. All of the subjects in the pictures share common facial features hinting that they are closely related. Their most troubling feature is the eyes, piercing and violent; a malicious intelligence eager for blood.
You go to the west
This is Dr. Hugo's laboratory. A machine takes up most of the south side of the room and an open red, steel door is to the west. A red strobe light is above the door, blinking rapidly, and a lever is near it. The rest of the lab is to the north or you can go east through a broken door.

A waste basket is here.
Go north
This is the north end of the hallway. To the north is a richly carved oak door. The main hallway leads back south. A small door leads east.

This is the good doctor's study. It would appear that a tornado has been through here recently. Papers are scattered every where and you can see several destroyed books. There is wooden desk and a chair here. A single portrait hangs on the wall.

A waste basket is here.
You go to the east
This is a sparsely furnished pantry. A single shelf lines the wall.
The only door leads west.

The automaton is here. Slumped over and lifeless.
Inventory
You are carrying the iron key, the copper key, the damaged book, a wooden box, the console, and a sledge hammer. Inside the wooden box are four steel blocks (the snake block, the many-legs block, the tree block, and the gear block).
You open the panel
Opening the panel reveals a single button.
You open the panel
It's too difficult to open the panel while the automaton is moving.
You wait a while
Time passes...
The automaton does a bit of dusting.
Go west
This is the north end of the hallway. To the north is a richly carved oak door. The main hallway leads back south. A small door leads east.

The automaton is here cleaning.

The automaton sweeps around the oak door.
You wait
Time passes...
The automaton patrols the room, looking for trash.
Wait
Time passes...

The automaton heads off to the south.
Go south
This is a hallway that runs north and south. A door is to the east
and a set of broken double doors lead west.

The automaton is here cleaning.

The automaton does a bit of dusting.
You wait a while
Time passes...
The automaton bumps into you while gathering random debris. He gives you an electronic look.
You wait
Time passes...
The automaton cleans the floorboards.
You wait awhile
Time passes...

The automaton heads off to the north.
Go north
This is the north end of the hallway. To the north is a richly carved oak door. The main hallway leads back south. A small door leads east.

The automaton is here cleaning.

The automaton dusts the oak door.
You wait awhile
Time passes...
The automaton dusts the oak door.
Wait
Time passes...
The automaton dusts the small door.
You wait for a while
Time passes...
The automaton sweeps up a bit of dust.
You wait a while
Time passes...
The automaton does a bit of dusting.
You turn off the top switch
You set the top switch to the off position. The automaton immediately powers down.
You look around
This is the north end of the hallway. To the north is a richly carved oak door. The main hallway leads back south. A small door leads east.

The automaton is here. Slumped over and lifeless.
You turn on the bottom switch
You set the bottom switch to the on possition.
You open the panel
Opening the panel reveals a single button.
You look at the hammer
This is a heavy sledge hammer.
You give the hammer to Automaton
The automaton is not switched on. He can do nothing.
You turn on bottom switch
The bottom switch's already turned on.
You turn off the bottom switch
For some reason you are unable to flip the switch.

The automaton heads off to the south.
Go south
This is the north end of the hallway. To the north is a richly carved oak door. The main hallway leads back south. A small door leads east.

The automaton is here carrying a waste basket.

The automaton heads off to the south.
Go south
This is a hallway that runs north and south. A door is to the east
and a set of broken double doors lead west.

The automaton is here carrying a waste basket.

The automaton heads off to the west.
You go to the west
This is Dr. Hugo's laboratory. A machine takes up most of the south side of the room and an open red, steel door is to the west. A red strobe light is above the door, blinking rapidly, and a lever is near it. The rest of the lab is to the north or you can go east through a broken door.

The automaton is here carrying a waste basket.

A waste basket is here.

The automaton heads off to the north.
Go north
This is the northern part of the lab.

The automaton is here carrying a waste basket.

The trash receptacle and some garbage are here.
The automaton empties the waste basket into the trash receptacle and smashes it down with surprising force.
You go south
This is Dr. Hugo's laboratory. A machine takes up most of the south side of the room and an open red, steel door is to the west. A red strobe light is above the door, blinking rapidly, and a lever is near it. The rest of the lab is to the north or you can go east through a broken door.

The automaton is here carrying a waste basket.

A waste basket is here.

The automaton heads off to the east.
Go east
This is a hallway that runs north and south. A door is to the east
and a set of broken double doors lead west.

The automaton is here carrying a waste basket.

The automaton heads off to the north.
You go north
This is the north end of the hallway. To the north is a richly carved oak door. The main hallway leads back south. A small door leads east.

The automaton is here carrying a waste basket.

The automaton heads off to the north.
Go north
This is the good doctor's study. It would appear that a tornado has been through here recently. Papers are scattered every where and you can see several destroyed books. There is wooden desk and a chair here. A single portrait hangs on the wall.

The automaton is here carrying a waste basket.

The automaton returns the waste basket to it's original spot.
You go south
This is the north end of the hallway. To the north is a richly carved oak door. The main hallway leads back south. A small door leads east.

The automaton arrives from the north.
You go to the south
This is a hallway that runs north and south. A door is to the east
and a set of broken double doors lead west.

The automaton is here, moving with purpose.

The automaton heads off to the south.
Go south
This is the northern end of a room displaying arcane and bizarre artifacts. Notable among the items is a large, two-headed, embalmed snake. The rest of the artifact room is to the south. You can also go north.

The automaton is here, moving with purpose.

A waste basket is here.
The Automaton picks up the wastebasket.
You go north
This is a hallway that runs north and south. A door is to the east
and a set of broken double doors lead west.

The automaton arrives from the south.
You go to the west
This is Dr. Hugo's laboratory. A machine takes up most of the south side of the room and an open red, steel door is to the west. A red strobe light is above the door, blinking rapidly, and a lever is near it. The rest of the lab is to the north or you can go east through a broken door.

A waste basket is here.

The automaton arrives from the east.
Go north
This is the northern part of the lab.

The trash receptacle and some garbage are here.

The automaton arrives from the south.
Wait
Time passes...
The automaton empties the waste basket into the trash receptacle and smashes it down with surprising force.
You go south
This is Dr. Hugo's laboratory. A machine takes up most of the south side of the room and an open red, steel door is to the west. A red strobe light is above the door, blinking rapidly, and a lever is near it. The rest of the lab is to the north or you can go east through a broken door.

A waste basket is here.

The automaton arrives from the north.
You go east
This is a hallway that runs north and south. A door is to the east
and a set of broken double doors lead west.

The automaton arrives from the west.
You go to the south
This is the northern end of a room displaying arcane and bizarre artifacts. Notable among the items is a large, two-headed, embalmed snake. The rest of the artifact room is to the south. You can also go north.

The automaton arrives from the north.
Wait
Time passes...
The automaton returns the waste basket to it's original spot.
You wait awhile
Time passes...

The automaton heads off to the north.
Go north
This is a hallway that runs north and south. A door is to the east
and a set of broken double doors lead west.

The automaton is here, moving with purpose.

The automaton heads off to the west.
You go to the west
This is Dr. Hugo's laboratory. A machine takes up most of the south side of the room and an open red, steel door is to the west. A red strobe light is above the door, blinking rapidly, and a lever is near it. The rest of the lab is to the north or you can go east through a broken door.

The automaton is here, moving with purpose.

A waste basket is here.
The Automaton picks up the wastebasket.
You go to the south
This is Dr. Hugo's laboratory. A machine takes up most of the south side of the room and an open red, steel door is to the west. A red strobe light is above the door, blinking rapidly, and a lever is near it. The rest of the lab is to the north or you can go east through a broken door.

The automaton arrives from the north.
You go west
This is the reaction chamber for the machine. It is a small room with smooth steel walls. you can leave by going east.
You pull lever
The lever is pulled back as far as it will go.
You look at the light
This is a red strobe light positioned directly above the steel door. It is blinking urgently.
You take the case
The glass case is much heavier than you first expected. Taken.
Drop case
Dropped.
Smash case
You hit the glass a couple of times but it's impossible to do bare handed.
Smash case with hammer
It takes only a few blows with the hammer to smash your way through the glass. Suddenly a high pitched alarm sounds and the steel door slams shut. You have only a few moments of regret before the reactor heats up and cooks you alive.
You take the box
The glass case is much heavier than you first expected. Taken.
You go east
This is Dr. Hugo's laboratory. A machine takes up most of the south side of the room and an open red, steel door is to the west. A red strobe light is above the door, blinking rapidly, and a lever is near it. The rest of the lab is to the north or you can go east through a broken door.

A waste basket is here.
You put the case in the basket
You put the glass box in the waste basket.
You go west
This is the north end of the hallway. To the north is a richly carved oak door. The main hallway leads back south. A small door leads east.

The automaton arrives from the east.
You go west
This is Dr. Hugo's laboratory. A machine takes up most of the south side of the room and an open red, steel door is to the west. A red strobe light is above the door, blinking rapidly, and a lever is near it. The rest of the lab is to the north or you can go east through a broken door.

A waste basket is here. Inside the waste basket is a glass box.
You wait for a while
Time passes...
Go north
This is the northern part of the lab.

The trash receptacle and some garbage are here.
Wait
Time passes...

The automaton arrives from the south.
Wait
Time passes...
The automaton empties the waste basket into the trash receptacle and smashes it down with surprising force.

The glass container shatters and the rock sits exposed in the trash receptacle. The Automaton leaves and you begin to feel nauseous. You lay down to rest for just a minute. You wake up to violent projectile vomiting and stomach cramps from the pit of hell. It isn't long before you succumb to your illness.
Go south
This is Dr. Hugo's laboratory. A machine takes up most of the south side of the room and an open red, steel door is to the west. A red strobe light is above the door, blinking rapidly, and a lever is near it. The rest of the lab is to the north or you can go east through a broken door.

The automaton is here carrying a waste basket.

A waste basket is here. Inside the waste basket is a glass box.

The automaton heads off to the north.
Wait
Time passes...

The automaton arrives from the north.
You wait awhile
Time passes...

The automaton heads off to the east.
Wait
Time passes...

The automaton arrives from the east.
You wait a while
Time passes...
The Automaton picks up the wastebasket.
You wait awhile
Time passes...

The automaton heads off to the north.
You go north
You bump into a wall. You can go south.
You take the receptacle
You're carrying too much to take that.

The automaton arrives from the south.
You drop all
iron key: Dropped.
copper key: Dropped.
damaged book: Dropped.
wooden box: Dropped.
console: Dropped.
sledge hammer: Dropped.
The automaton empties the waste basket into the trash receptacle and smashes it down with surprising force.
You take receptacle
Taken.

The automaton heads off to the south.
Go south
This is Dr. Hugo's laboratory. A machine takes up most of the south side of the room and an open red, steel door is to the west. A red strobe light is above the door, blinking rapidly, and a lever is near it. The rest of the lab is to the north or you can go east through a broken door.

The automaton is here carrying a waste basket.

A waste basket is here. Inside the waste basket is a glass box.

The automaton heads off to the east.
You go west
This is the reaction chamber for the machine. It is a small room with smooth steel walls. you can leave by going east.
You wait
Time passes...
An alarm sounds just as the steel door slams shut. You hear the the pathetic bangs of your friend, the automaton, from inside the reactor but they quickly subside. The readout on the machine now reads:

FULL POWER, SET PORTAL CONFIGURATION

You notice that the geometric symbols on the machine have all lit up.
Go north
This is the northern part of the lab.

Some garbage, the iron key, the copper key, the damaged book, a
wooden box, the console, and a sledge hammer are here. Inside the wooden box are the snake block, the many-legs block, the tree block, and the gear block.
You take all but the garbage
iron key: Taken.
copper key: Taken.
damaged book: Taken.
wooden box: Taken.
console: Taken.
sledge hammer: Taken.
Go south
This is Dr. Hugo's laboratory. A machine takes up most of the south side of the room and a closed red, steel door is to the west. A red strobe light is above the door, blinking rapidly, and a lever is near it. The rest of the lab is to the north or you can go east through a broken door.

The display now reads:
You look at the shapes
These are three geometric shapes.The shapes are a white square, a white circle and a white triangle.
Keep going
The square shape changes from red to green.
Continue
The square shape changes from green to blue.
Keep going
The circle shape changes from red to green.
You examine clock
This looks like a clock. It has one hand that appears to be pointing to the eleven o'clock position. It is rapidly counting down to midnight.

CONTAINMENT PROCESS INITIATED, INSERT KEY SEQUENCE
You take all the blocks
snake block: Taken.
many-legs block: Taken.
tree block: Taken.
gear block: Taken.
FULL POWER
CONTAINMENT PROCESS INITIATED, INSERT KEY SEQUENCE
You put the tree in the slot
The tree block slides into the hole.

CONTAINMENT PROCESS INITIATED, INSERT KEY SEQUENCE

the clock is rapidly approaching midnight.
You put the snake in the slot
The snake block slides into the hole.

CONTAINMENT PROCESS INITIATED, INSERT KEY SEQUENCE
You put the legs in the slot
The many-legs block slides into the hole.

CONTAINMENT PROCESS INITIATED, INSERT KEY SEQUENCE

your time is running out.
You put the gear in the slot
The gear block slides into the hole.

The Pacing man is jumping for joy.
"I can't believe he did it!"
"Yes," says the serene man, "I have to admit that I was concerned he might open the portal or close it the wrong way, freeing my....captives. No matter, come with me, we have work to do."

The display reads:

"KEY SEQUENCE CORRECT, CLOSING PORTAL"

A terrible scream emits from somewhere and it sounds like a hurricane just struck outside. Suddenly you hear the front door burst open. thinking it was a gust of wind, you investigate, and run right into Dr. Hugo himself! The two of you tumble over in heap. The doctor's assistant helps him to his feet and you cower in his awful presence.

"Thank you for closing the portal," he says, "I couldn't come near the lab because I lost control of the creatures that I had previously tormented to do my bidding."
"But now," he says, pausing for effect, "I can re-open the portal safely and continue my work."
Dr. hugo then pulls a strange looking weapon from his clothes. It resembles an instrument of torture crossed with a squid. It almost looks alive.
Thank you again. I'm almost sorry I have to do this," he says.
You look at the shapes
These are three geometric shapes.The shapes are a white square, a white circle and a white triangle.
Continue
The triangle shape changes from red to green.

CONTAINMENT PROCESS INITIATED, INSERT KEY SEQUENCE

You've noticed that the clock above the machine is starting to run.
You take all the blocks
You don't see that.
FULL POWER
CONTAINMENT PROCESS INITIATED, INSERT KEY SEQUENCE
You take all blocks
snake block: Taken.
many-legs block: Taken.
tree block: Taken.
gear block: Taken.
Go south
This is Dr. Hugo's laboratory. A machine takes up most of the south side of the room and a closed red, steel door is to the west. A red strobe light is above the door, blinking rapidly, and a lever is near it. The rest of the lab is to the north or you can go east through a broken door.

The display now reads:
You put the tree in the slot
The tree block slides into the hole.

CONTAINMENT PROCESS INITIATED, INSERT KEY SEQUENCE
You put the legs in the slot
The many-legs block slides into the hole.

CONTAINMENT PROCESS INITIATED, INSERT KEY SEQUENCE

the clock is rapidly approaching midnight.
You put the gear in the slot
The gear block slides into the hole.

"Oh God!" says the pacing man. He is curled into the fetal position on the plush carpeting, trembling a like rabbit.
"We knew the danger," says the calm man, now slightly less calm. He reaches into his shirt and pulls out a strange looking weapon. "This might help us a little," he says, without confidence.

The display reads:

"KEY SEQUENCE CORRECT, CLOSING PORTAL"

A terrible scream emits from somewhere and it sounds like a hurricane just struck outside. You crouch in a corner for awhile and listen for sounds of danger. You hear none. After awhile, maybe minutes, maybe hours, you emerge from the lab to discovery brilliant sunshine. The portal is closed.