text: [Themes: Humor, Slice of life, gender-neutral protagonist]
  
  > Look around
  Here is where the middle of the couch is. If you want to play you should totally go north to the middle of the room where there is a lot of space. There is more couch to the east and west.
  
  Those are the mom's legs there by the couch.
  
  You can also see a building instructions booklet (open to some poosh stick instructions), a pile of dayglo blox, and a brix blox bucket here.
  
  Watson is gloomy in his sad homemade bat costume.
  
  Watson looks at the instruction booklet and his hands move so fast they are almost blurry and the dayglo blox go together and suddenly Watson has built a poosh stick. He looks at it and then drops it.
  
  > get on it
  You don't have speech down yet.
  
  Watson picks up the poosh stick and takes it apart and dumps the brix into the big pile.
  
  > examine the stick
  The parents call this a poosh stick because they think you are stupid and need baby talk, it is really a push stick. It is a stick for pushing things around. I guess the blox makers wanted easier and easier things to make and someone said, "Hey, I know what would be easy to build, a long stick." The stick is nearly two babies long, it's amazing that it holds together.
  
  > Go northeast
  The entertainment center here holds the TV all towering above you and it has these glass doors beneath the TV that you can see stereo equipment through. You are near the couch to the south and the middle of the living room to the west and there is a small open area to play in to the north.
  
  > Go north
  You are east of the gliding rocking chair that is fun to ride on and north of the big TV that Sesame Street comes from. On the wall is a big bookcase full of chewy books. There is a way into the kitchen to the north but one of those baby gates is there, that is no fair.
  
  About half a parent high in the bookcase is your favorite toy.
  
  There is a big old baby swing all shoved up against the bookcase.
  
  Part of your playpen is here, there is more of it to the southwest.
  
  You can also see a plastic cup, a much-loved kangaroo, a tall plastic block, a short plastic block, and a medium plastic block here.
  
  Zoe and Jemison are here. Zoe has hold of a little doll but she looks like she doesn't like it. Jemison is all dressed like a bumblebee.
  
  Zoe gets onto the short plastic block.
  
  > examine the switch
  That is the switch that controls how high the swing goes, it can be set to lo, med, or hi. Right now it is on lo.
  
  Zoe gets onto the medium plastic block.
  
  > get in the swing
  You cannot get in the baby swing yourself, that is something the parents do for you when they are bored of you or you are upset.
  
  Zoe pokes the little doll towards your favorite toy.
  
  > cry
  This time you add a lot of tremolo to your crying and the mom says, "You're not going to calm down, are you, kiddo? Do you need the swing?"
  
  Zoe gets onto the medium plastic block.
  
  > cry
  "Okay, kiddo, let's check you and make sure," the mom says and scoops you up. "Diaper's okay. You're not hungry. To the swing!" You're airlifted into the swing and the mom takes away the poosh stick and straps you in. She turns it on, click click click, and then you are swinging really high.
  
  Small Open Area (in the baby swing)
  You are east of the gliding rocking chair that is fun to ride on and north of the big TV that Sesame Street comes from. On the wall is a big bookcase full of chewy books. There is a way into the kitchen to the north but one of those baby gates is there, that is no fair.
  
  About half a parent high in the bookcase is your favorite toy.
  
  Part of your playpen is here, there is more of it to the southwest.
  
  You can also see a poosh stick, a plastic cup, a much-loved kangaroo, a tall plastic block, a short plastic block, and a medium plastic block (on which is Zoe) here.
  
  Jemison is all dressed like a bumblebee.
  
  The baby swing clicks and clacks as it swings really high, and the whole world tilts and turns as you swing with it. At the top of the swing you are way close to your toy.
  
  Zoe gets onto the tall plastic block.
  
  > take the toy
  You stretch for the toy but it is just barely out of reach.
  
  The baby swing clicks and clacks as it swings really high, and the whole world tilts and turns as you swing with it. At the top of the swing you are way close to your toy.
  
  Zoe watches you swing back and forth, back and forth.
  
  > jump
  You are strapped into the swing and that keeps you from jumping to your pain if not death.
  
  The baby swing clicks and clacks as it swings really high, and the whole world tilts and turns as you swing with it. At the top of the swing you are way close to your toy.
  
  Zoe watches you swing back and forth, back and forth.
  
  > take the toy
  You stretch for the toy but it is just barely out of reach.
  
  The baby swing clicks and clacks as it swings really high, and the whole world tilts and turns as you swing with it. At the top of the swing you are way close to your toy.
  
  Zoe watches you swing back and forth, back and forth.
  
  Parry comes wandering by with his water glass but he stops when he sees you swinging. He looks at your favorite toy. He looks at you. He looks at your toy. He looks at Zoe. He looks at how close you get to your favorite toy. When he is all done with his looking he casually leans against the bookcase and taps your toy. It totally falls a bit closer! He winks at you and heads on by.
  
  > take the toy
  You stretch your arms but they are still too much like teeny T. Rex arms so then you scrunch down in your swing and stretch out a leg and as you swoop up again you just are able to kick the toy! It flies into the air and onto your lap! But as you swing back Zoe leans over from the tall block and swats at the toy and you swat at her and the upshot is the toy goes flying again and it goes kerplunk into the playpen.
  
  This is the worst playdate ever.
  
  > cry
  You have already gotten in the baby swing, crying will do you no good now.
  
  The baby swing clicks and clacks as it swings really high, and the whole world tilts and turns as you swing with it.
  
  Zoe gets onto the medium plastic block.
  
  You look up and there is the mom, you are swinging toward her face and away, toward and away. She turns off the swing and gets you down and puts you on the floor before going back to her seat.
  
  You are east of the gliding rocking chair that is fun to ride on and north of the big TV that Sesame Street comes from. On the wall is a big bookcase full of chewy books. There is a way into the kitchen to the north but one of those baby gates is there, that is no fair.
  
  There is a big old baby swing all shoved up against the bookcase.
  
  Part of your playpen is here, there is more of it to the southwest. Through the mesh you can see your favorite toy.
  
  You can also see a squishy ball, a poosh stick, a much-loved kangaroo, a tall plastic block, a short plastic block, and a medium plastic block (on which is Zoe) here.
  
  Jemison is all dressed like a bumblebee.
  
  > look at the toy
  This is the thing your aunt gave you which is a super fun toy. It has places to chew and places that are shiny and it rattles when you shake it.
  
  Zoe gets onto the short plastic block.
  
  > look in the playpen
  In the northeast part of the playpen is your favorite toy.
  
  Zoe climbs down off of the short plastic block.
  
  Jemison carefully picks up the squishy ball.
  
  > take the foam
  The soft foam block is by the west end of the couch to the southwest and so is way too far away for that.
  
  Zoe tosses the little doll aside. Jemison sees Zoe drop the little doll and is all excited and lets go of a squishy ball and takes the little doll instead.
  
  > go southwest
  This is the middle of the living room, it is all big and vast. This is where everybody plays because it is so big. But when you get bored there is a bunch of other stuff you can go to like the TV to the east and the loveseat to the west and the couch to the south and the gliding rocking chair to the north.
  
  Part of your playpen is here, there is more of it to the northeast.
  
  Zoe comes in and looks sadly at the playpen.
  
  > go southwest
  The couch is very long and this is the west part of it. There is a loveseat to the north and more couch to the east.
  
  Lisa's legs are hanging off of the couch.
  
  You can also see a rattly car and a soft foam block here.
  
  > Go northeast
  This is the middle of the living room, it is all big and vast. This is where everybody plays because it is so big. But when you get bored there is a bunch of other stuff you can go to like the TV to the east and the loveseat to the west and the couch to the south and the gliding rocking chair to the north.
  
  Part of your playpen is here, there is more of it to the northeast.
  
  Zoe hunkers in a ladybug costume like a wolf in cute sheep's clothing.
  
  Zoe hunches her shoulders sadly.
  
  > go to the north-east
  You are east of the gliding rocking chair that is fun to ride on and north of the big TV that Sesame Street comes from. On the wall is a big bookcase full of chewy books. There is a way into the kitchen to the north but one of those baby gates is there, that is no fair.
  
  There is a big old baby swing all shoved up against the bookcase.
  
  Part of your playpen is here, there is more of it to the southwest. Through the mesh you can see your favorite toy.
  
  You can also see a squishy ball, a plastic cup, a poosh stick, a much-loved kangaroo, a tall plastic block, a short plastic block, and a medium plastic block here.
  
  Jemison is all dressed like a bumblebee.
  
  Zoe comes in and sighs heavily.
  
  > Inventory
  You are carrying:
  a soft foam block
  
  > take the stick
  You pick it up and it takes two hands.
  
  Jemison chews on the little doll.
  
  > open the playpen with the stick
  (the northeast part of the playpen with the poosh stick)
  That doesn't seem to be something you can unlock.
  
  Zoe looks at the playpen.
  
  > open the playpoen with the stick
  (the northeast part of the playpen with the poosh stick)
  That doesn't seem to be something you can unlock.
  
  Jemison pulls the little doll out of his mouth.
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  Zoe gets onto the medium plastic block.
  
  > examine playpen
  This portable playpen is all old, probably it should be recalled except that the parents are way cheap. It is this frame made of metal bars and it has mesh sides and a floor for babies to play on. The bars go around in ovals at the top and bottom. It should be recalled because the top oval is hinged and you can lower one side of the playpen by pushing the top bar up and then letting go so that the mesh comes down.
  
  You hear this cough, it is Zoe trying to get your attention.
  
  > examine Zoe
  Grr, Zoe Kinmundy. That little red-haired girl has this ladybug costume on, it is supposed to be cute but you are not fooled. Her red hair is in pigtails, like that will fool anyone into thinking she is nice.
  
  You hear this cough, it is Zoe trying to get your attention.
  
  > Go northeast
  You are east of the gliding rocking chair that is fun to ride on and north of the big TV that Sesame Street comes from. On the wall is a big bookcase full of chewy books. There is a way into the kitchen to the north but one of those baby gates is there, that is no fair.
  
  There is a big old baby swing all shoved up against the bookcase.
  
  Part of your playpen is here, there is more of it to the southwest. The playpen is all open. In the playpen you can see your favorite toy.
  
  You can also see a soft foam block, a squishy ball, a plastic cup, a much-loved kangaroo, a tall plastic block, a short plastic block, and a medium plastic block (on which is Zoe) here.
  
  Jemison is all dressed like a bumblebee.
  
  Zoe climbs down off of the medium plastic block.
  
  Lisa suddenly says, "Parry! Are you eating Cheerios?"
  
  Parry sounds all sheepish, "Yeah."
  
  Becca is all "I hope you don't mind crumbs all over your loveseat, Farina," and everyone laughs but Parry.
  
  > go to the southwest
  This is the middle of the living room, it is all big and vast. This is where everybody plays because it is so big. But when you get bored there is a bunch of other stuff you can go to like the TV to the east and the loveseat to the west and the couch to the south and the gliding rocking chair to the north.
  
  Part of your playpen is here, there is more of it to the northeast. The playpen is all open.
  
  > enter the playpen
  You get into the southwest part of the playpen.
  
  > go northeast
  You move to the other part of the playpen.
  
  Small Open Area (in the northeast part of the playpen)
  You are east of the gliding rocking chair that is fun to ride on and north of the big TV that Sesame Street comes from. On the wall is a big bookcase full of chewy books. There is a way into the kitchen to the north but one of those baby gates is there, that is no fair.
  
  There is a big old baby swing all shoved up against the bookcase.
  
  You can also see a soft foam block, a squishy ball, a plastic cup, a much-loved kangaroo, a tall plastic block, a short plastic block, and a medium plastic block here.
  
  Zoe and Jemison are here. Zoe has your toy! ZOE HAS YOUR TOY! Jemison is all dressed like a bumblebee.
  
  > get the toy
  Zoe sees you coming for the toy! She will not let you have it!
  
  Zoe pushes her way past babies and runs off to the south with your toy! SHE HAS YOUR TOY!
  
  First Jemison lets go of a little doll. Then he trails after Zoe.
  
  > go south
  You'll have to get out of the northeast part of the playpen first.
  
  You hear this rattle jingle, it is Zoe playing with your toy!
  
  > Go outside
  You get out of the northeast part of the playpen.
  
  You are east of the gliding rocking chair that is fun to ride on and north of the big TV that Sesame Street comes from. On the wall is a big bookcase full of chewy books. There is a way into the kitchen to the north but one of those baby gates is there, that is no fair.
  
  There is a big old baby swing all shoved up against the bookcase.
  
  Part of your playpen is here, there is more of it to the southwest. The playpen is all open.
  
  You can also see a little doll, a soft foam block, a squishy ball, a plastic cup, a much-loved kangaroo, a tall plastic block, a short plastic block, and a medium plastic block here.
  
  You hear this rattle jingle, it is Zoe playing with your toy!
  
  > Go south
  The entertainment center here holds the TV all towering above you and it has these glass doors beneath the TV that you can see stereo equipment through. You are near the couch to the south and the middle of the living room to the west and there is a small open area to play in to the north.
  
  Zoe has your toy! ZOE HAS YOUR TOY!
  
  > bite Zoe
  Zoe sees you coming and she runs like the toyful coward she is!
  
  Zoe runs off to the southwest with your toy!
  
  > Go southwest
  Here is where the middle of the couch is. If you want to play you should totally go north to the middle of the room where there is a lot of space. There is more couch to the east and west.
  
  Those are the mom's legs there by the couch.
  
  You can also see a building instructions booklet (open to some poosh stick instructions), a pile of dayglo blox, and a brix blox bucket here.
  
  Zoe and Jemison and Watson are here. Zoe has your toy! ZOE HAS YOUR TOY! Jemison is all dressed like a bumblebee. Watson is gloomy in his sad homemade bat costume.
  
  > get the bucket
  The brix blox bucket is way big and there is no way you're picking it up or anything.
  
  Zoe pushes her way past babies and runs off to the west with your toy!
  
  Jemison trails after Zoe.
  
  > go west
  The couch is very long and this is the west part of it. There is a loveseat to the north and more couch to the east.
  
  You can see a rattly car and Lisa here.
  
  Jemison and Zoe are here. Jemison is all dressed like a bumblebee. Zoe has your toy! ZOE HAS YOUR TOY!
  
  > look at the doll
  It has red hair like Zoe but presumably it is not evil like Zoe. It is in that small open area to the northeast. It is all damp from being chewed.
  
  Zoe pushes her way past babies and runs off to the east with your toy! SHE HAS YOUR TOY!
  
  > go to the east
  Here is where the middle of the couch is. If you want to play you should totally go north to the middle of the room where there is a lot of space. There is more couch to the east and west.
  
  Those are the mom's legs there by the couch.
  
  You can also see a building instructions booklet (open to some poosh stick instructions), a pile of dayglo blox, and a brix blox bucket here.
  
  Zoe and Watson are here. Zoe has your toy! ZOE HAS YOUR TOY! Watson is gloomy in his sad homemade bat costume.
  
  Watson tries to build a poosh stick but he doesn't have enough blox.
  
  > bite Zoe
  Zoe sees you coming and she runs like the toyful coward she is!
  
  Zoe pushes her way past babies and runs off to the northwest with your toy! SHE HAS YOUR TOY!
  
  > Go northwest
  This is the south end of the loveseat, there is more loveseat to the north and a big play area to the east and to the south is the couch that is bigger than the loveseat.
  
  Zoe has your toy! ZOE HAS YOUR TOY!
  
  > bite Zoe
  Zoe sees you coming and she runs like the toyful coward she is!
  
  Zoe runs off to the south with your toy!
  
  > go north
  This is the part of the loveseat that is to the north. It goes on to the south and you could totally slip around the end of the loveseat to the west. There is the rocking chair to the east as well, that is always fun.
  
  On the north pink striped loveseat is a cup of Cheerios.
  
  You can see Parry here.
  
  > Go south
  The couch is very long and this is the west part of it. There is a loveseat to the north and more couch to the east.
  
  You can see Lisa here.
  
  Zoe and Jemison are here. Zoe has your toy! ZOE HAS YOUR TOY! Jemison is all dressed like a bumblebee.
  
  > bite Zoe
  Zoe sees you coming and she runs like the toyful coward she is!
  
  Zoe pushes her way past babies and runs off to the east with your toy!
  
  You hear this rattle jingle, it is Zoe playing with your toy!
  
  > go to the east
  Here is where the middle of the couch is. If you want to play you should totally go north to the middle of the room where there is a lot of space. There is more couch to the east and west.
  
  Those are the mom's legs there by the couch.
  
  You can also see a building instructions booklet (open to some poosh stick instructions), a pile of dayglo blox, and a brix blox bucket here.
  
  Zoe and Watson are here. Zoe has your toy! ZOE HAS YOUR TOY! Watson is gloomy in his sad homemade bat costume.
  
  > pull up on the mom
  You have stuff in your hands and you will need those hands to pull yourself up so drop something I guess.
  
  Zoe pushes her way past babies and runs off to the northwest with your toy! SHE HAS YOUR TOY!
  
  Watson tries to build a poosh stick but he doesn't have enough blox.
  
  > cry
  Crying to get the parents to take back the toy is a total Zoe trick, you will not stoop that low. Besides, you are so close to getting the toy it would be no good to have the mom take it away again.
  
  > drop stick
  Dropped.
  
  Watson picks up the poosh stick and takes it apart and dumps the brix into the big pile.
  
  > Turn page
  You flip the pages by scrabbling at them until you are looking at this blocky diagram of a helicopter.
  
  Watson looks at the instruction booklet and his hands move so fast they are almost blurry and the dayglo blox go together and suddenly Watson has built a helicopter. He looks at it and then drops it.
  
  > Turn page
  You flip the pages by scrabbling at them until you are looking at this blocky diagram of a wall.
  
  You hear this rattle jingle, it is Zoe playing with your toy!
  
  > look at Watson
  Watson Mason has this big round face that is perfect for commercials and baby food labels, only his face is always tear-streaked so maybe he is not cut out for show-biz. Maybe he is sad because he is dressed in this costume that is supposed to be a scary bat but instead is like a sad dumpy bat.
  
  > look at the bat
  You can see how someone would think this was a fun idea but man, it just makes Watson look like a giant emo cupid.
  
  You hear this rattle jingle, it is Zoe playing with your toy!
  
  > look at Watson
  Watson Mason has this big round face that is perfect for commercials and baby food labels, only his face is always tear-streaked so maybe he is not cut out for show-biz. Maybe he is sad because he is dressed in this costume that is supposed to be a scary bat but instead is like a sad dumpy bat.
  
  Watson picks up the helicopter and takes it apart and dumps the brix into the big pile.
  
  > look at Zoe
  Grr, Zoe Kinmundy. That little red-haired girl has this ladybug costume on, it is supposed to be cute but you are not fooled. Her red hair is in pigtails, like that will fool anyone into thinking she is nice. She has a death-grip on your favorite toy. She is by the south end of the loveseat to the northwest.
  
  > look at Cassie
  That is Cassie Sandoval, she is wearing a costume that makes her look like a pumpkin. Her arms are scraped up and she has some bruises on her legs. She is carrying a smooth rock. She is next to the gliding rocking chair to the northwest.
  
  > Turn page
  You flip the pages by scrabbling at them until you are looking at this blocky diagram of a poosh stick.
  
  You hear this rattle jingle, it is Zoe playing with your toy!
  
  Watson looks at the instruction booklet and his hands move so fast they are almost blurry and the dayglo blox go together and suddenly Watson has built a poosh stick. He looks at it and then drops it.
  
  > Turn page
  You flip the pages by scrabbling at them until you are looking at this blocky diagram of a helicopter.
  
  > Turn page
  You flip the pages by scrabbling at them until you are looking at this blocky diagram of a rolly car thing.
  
  Watson picks up the poosh stick and takes it apart and dumps the brix into the big pile.
  
  > Turn page
  You flip the pages by scrabbling at them until you are looking at this blocky diagram of a nuclear reactor model.
  
  Watson looks at the instruction booklet and his hands move so fast they are almost blurry and the dayglo blox go together and suddenly Watson has built a nuclear reactor model. He looks at it and then drops it.
  
  > Turn page
  You flip the pages by scrabbling at them until you are looking at this blocky diagram of a wall.
  
  Watson picks up the nuclear reactor model and takes it apart and dumps the brix into the big pile.
  
  > wait awhile
  Time passes.
  
  Watson looks at the instruction booklet and his hands move so fast they are almost blurry and the dayglo blox go together and suddenly Watson has built a wall. He looks at it and then drops it.
  
  > wait awhile
  Time passes.
  
  You hear this rattle jingle, it is Zoe playing with your toy!
  
  > examine the wall
  Man what? This is the stupidest blox thing ever. Who needs a tiny portable wall that is like six inches tall? You can't even stop someone with it, even clumsy Jemison would crawl right over it and knock it over, and keeping orcs from overrunning Helm's Deep? Forget it.
  
  You hear this rattle jingle, it is Zoe playing with your toy!
  
  > examine doll
  It has red hair like Zoe but presumably it is not evil like Zoe. It is in that small open area to the northeast. It is all damp from being chewed.
  
  You hear this rattle jingle, it is Zoe playing with your toy!
  
  Watson tries to build a wall but he doesn't have enough blox.
  
  > go to the northeast
  The entertainment center here holds the TV all towering above you and it has these glass doors beneath the TV that you can see stereo equipment through. You are near the couch to the south and the middle of the living room to the west and there is a small open area to play in to the north.
  
  It looks like the TV is done with white things, now there is this big row of balls starting with this huge yellow one and then a smaller one and a little bigger one and so on. There are a lot of those balls.
  
  > go to the north
  You are east of the gliding rocking chair that is fun to ride on and north of the big TV that Sesame Street comes from. On the wall is a big bookcase full of chewy books. There is a way into the kitchen to the north but one of those baby gates is there, that is no fair.
  
  There is a big old baby swing all shoved up against the bookcase.
  
  Part of your playpen is here, there is more of it to the southwest. The playpen is all open.
  
  You can also see a little doll, a soft foam block, a squishy ball, a plastic cup, a much-loved kangaroo, a tall plastic block, a short plastic block, and a medium plastic block here.
  
  > take doll
  You pick it up.
  
  You hear this rattle jingle, it is Zoe playing with your toy!
  
  > Shake doll
  You shake the little doll and that is okay I guess.
  
  > look at the doll
  Grr, Zoe Kinmundy. That little red-haired girl has this ladybug costume on, it is supposed to be cute but you are not fooled. Her red hair is in pigtails, like that will fool anyone into thinking she is nice. She has a death-grip on your favorite toy. She is by the south end of the loveseat to the west.
  
  It has red hair like Zoe but presumably it is not evil like Zoe. It is all damp from being chewed.
  
  > go west
  The gliding rocking chair is all tall and wooden. It is where the mom rocks you when she thinks you need a nap even though you do not need naps. The loveseat is west and there is a small open area to the east and a big open area in the middle of the room to the south.
  
  There are Becca's legs, they are by the rocking chair.
  
  You can also see a smooth rock, a teething ring, a teeny squeezy book, and a plush book here.
  
  Cassie is dressed in this pumpkin costume, it is adorable.
  
  > Chew doll
  You shove the little doll in your mouth and start chewing on it and that feels good.
  
  > go to the west
  This is the part of the loveseat that is to the north. It goes on to the south and you could totally slip around the end of the loveseat to the west. There is the rocking chair to the east as well, that is always fun.
  
  On the north pink striped loveseat is a cup of Cheerios.
  
  You can see Parry here.
  
  > go west
  Back here is the back of the loveseat casting a shadow over you, it is kind of cold. You can go south and east. You could go west but there is totally a door in your way. You could go north in the hall but there is a baby gate in the way there.
  
  You hear this rattle jingle, it is Zoe playing with your toy!
  
  > Go east
  This is the part of the loveseat that is to the north. It goes on to the south and you could totally slip around the end of the loveseat to the west. There is the rocking chair to the east as well, that is always fun.
  
  On the north pink striped loveseat is a cup of Cheerios.
  
  You can see Parry here.
  
  You hear this rattle jingle, it is Zoe playing with your toy!
  
  > examine cup
  So which do you mean, the cup of Cheerios, or the plastic cup?
  
  > Cheerios
  Cheerios! In a cup! What a totally portable idea.
  
  You hear this rattle jingle, it is Zoe playing with your toy!
  
  > drop all
  little doll: (popping the little doll out of your mouth first)
  Dropped.
  wall: Dropped.
  
  > climb on the loveseat
  (first taking the cup of Cheerios)
  You cannot reach the cup of Cheerios because you are standing and if you let go with one hand you would just plop down before you could get it.
  
  You are already all pulled up on the north pink striped loveseat and you can't go any higher.
  
  > Go southeast
  This is the middle of the living room, it is all big and vast. This is where everybody plays because it is so big. But when you get bored there is a bunch of other stuff you can go to like the TV to the east and the loveseat to the west and the couch to the south and the gliding rocking chair to the north.
  
  Part of your playpen is here, there is more of it to the northeast. The playpen is all open.
  
  You hear this rattle jingle, it is Zoe playing with your toy!
  
  > Go south
  Here is where the middle of the couch is. If you want to play you should totally go north to the middle of the room where there is a lot of space. There is more couch to the east and west.
  
  Those are the mom's legs there by the couch.
  
  You can also see a building instructions booklet (open to some wall instructions), a pile of dayglo blox, and a brix blox bucket here.
  
  Watson is gloomy in his sad homemade bat costume.
  
  > drop the wall
  Dropped.
  
  Watson picks up the wall and takes it apart and dumps the brix into the big pile.
  
  > Turn page
  You flip the pages by scrabbling at them until you are looking at this blocky diagram of a poosh stick.
  
  > examine the pile
  A big pile of dayglo blox from the brix blox bucket. Some are one hand wide and some are two hands wide and some are three hands wide and I guess they go together in various ways but whatever, you are no engineer.
  
  Watson looks at the instruction booklet and his hands move so fast they are almost blurry and the dayglo blox go together and suddenly Watson has built a poosh stick. He looks at it and then drops it.
  
  > take the stick
  You pick it up and it takes two hands.
  
  > Go northwest
  This is the south end of the loveseat, there is more loveseat to the north and a big play area to the east and to the south is the couch that is bigger than the loveseat.
  
  Cassie and Zoe are here. Cassie is dressed in this pumpkin costume, it is adorable. Zoe has your toy! ZOE HAS YOUR TOY!
  
  > Go west
  You so can't go that way.
  
  Zoe pushes her way past babies and runs off to the southeast with your toy!
  
  > go to the north
  This is the part of the loveseat that is to the north. It goes on to the south and you could totally slip around the end of the loveseat to the west. There is the rocking chair to the east as well, that is always fun.
  
  On the north pink striped loveseat is a cup of Cheerios.
  
  You can see a little doll and Parry here.
  
  > take Cheerios
  You have short arms, you can't reach the cup of Cheerios from down here.
  
  You hear this rattle jingle, it is Zoe playing with your toy!
  
  > look at Zoe
  (tearing yourself away from the Cheerios)
  Grr, Zoe Kinmundy. That little red-haired girl has this ladybug costume on, it is supposed to be cute but you are not fooled. Her red hair is in pigtails, like that will fool anyone into thinking she is nice. She has a death-grip on your favorite toy. She is at the middle of the couch to the southeast.
  
  Watson wanders in from the south.
  
  Jemison crawls in from the southeast.
  
  > go southeast
  (tearing yourself away from the Cheerios)
  You have to push your way past Jemison, Watson, and Cassie thanks to those Cheerios and that slows you down.
  
  This is the middle of the living room, it is all big and vast. This is where everybody plays because it is so big. But when you get bored there is a bunch of other stuff you can go to like the TV to the east and the loveseat to the west and the couch to the south and the gliding rocking chair to the north.
  
  Part of your playpen is here, there is more of it to the northeast. The playpen is all open.
  
  > look at Zoe
  Grr, Zoe Kinmundy. That little red-haired girl has this ladybug costume on, it is supposed to be cute but you are not fooled. Her red hair is in pigtails, like that will fool anyone into thinking she is nice. She has a death-grip on your favorite toy. She is at the middle of the couch to the south.
  
  You hear this rattle jingle, it is Zoe playing with your toy!
  
  > Go south
  Here is where the middle of the couch is. If you want to play you should totally go north to the middle of the room where there is a lot of space. There is more couch to the east and west.
  
  Those are the mom's legs there by the couch.
  
  You can also see a building instructions booklet (open to some poosh stick instructions), a pile of dayglo blox, and a brix blox bucket here.
  
  Zoe has your toy! ZOE HAS YOUR TOY!
  
  > take the toy
  Zoe sees you coming for the toy! She will not let you have it!
  
  Zoe runs off to the northwest with your toy!
  
  > Go northwest
  This is the south end of the loveseat, there is more loveseat to the north and a big play area to the east and to the south is the couch that is bigger than the loveseat.
  
  Zoe has your toy! ZOE HAS YOUR TOY!
  
  > take the toy
  Zoe sees you coming for the toy! She will not let you have it!
  
  Zoe runs off to the north with your toy!
  
  > go to the north
  This is the part of the loveseat that is to the north. It goes on to the south and you could totally slip around the end of the loveseat to the west. There is the rocking chair to the east as well, that is always fun.
  
  Those sure are a bunch of Cheerios spilled everywhere.
  
  You can also see a little doll and Parry here.
  
  Zoe and Jemison and Watson and Cassie are here. Zoe has your toy! ZOE HAS YOUR TOY! Jemison is all dressed like a bumblebee. Watson is gloomy in his sad homemade bat costume. Cassie is dressed in this pumpkin costume, it is adorable.
  
  Cassie takes some Cheerios and eats them.
  
  Jemison considers the pile of Cheerios and then he takes some Cheerios and munches on them.
  
  > take toy
  Zoe tries to crawl away, but there are babies and Cheerios and it is a big train-wreck and she cannot get away!
  
  Your hands are all full, maybe if you drop something you could get your favorite toy.
  
  Zoe somehow ignores the Cheerios and pushes her way past babies who don't move very fast because of the Cheerios and runs off to the southeast with your toy!
  
  Watson gingerly takes a single Cheerio and then he eats it.
  
  > drop all
  (tearing yourself away from the Cheerios)
  Dropped.
  
  Zoe somehow ignores the Cheerios and pushes her way past babies who don't move very fast because of the Cheerios and runs off to the west with your toy!
  
  Jemison picks up some Cheerios and munches on them.
  
  Zoe screws up her face and bursts into these loud wails, they are so terribly loud. She shoves at Cassie who also starts crying and soon just about everyone is crying except you, ha ha, they are such babies.
  
  Marion says, "I was afraid we were staying too late past Zoe's naptime. Farina, everyone, it's been fun, and glad you could come, Parry. See everyone next week." Hands come down and the squalling Zoe zips up into the air and into Marion's arms. Soon all of the babies are going skywards, parentwards, and out-the-doorwards.
  
  With them all gone the air kinda leaks out of you, it has been a long playdate. The mom gathers you and your favorite toy up. "C'mon, kid, let's get you to bed before you completely pass out." But you do not need naps, does she not understand that?
  
  Though your crib is nice and soft and your favorite toy chimes a bit as you curl around it and your teeny eyelids are so heavy.
  
  So...heavy....
  
  > drop all
  Dropped.
  
  Zoe runs off to the north with your toy!
  
  > Go north
  This is the part of the loveseat that is to the north. It goes on to the south and you could totally slip around the end of the loveseat to the west. There is the rocking chair to the east as well, that is always fun.
  
  Those sure are a bunch of Cheerios spilled everywhere.
  
  You can also see a little doll and Parry here.
  
  Zoe and Jemison and Watson and Cassie are here. Zoe has your toy! ZOE HAS YOUR TOY! Jemison is all dressed like a bumblebee. Watson is gloomy in his sad homemade bat costume. Cassie is dressed in this pumpkin costume, it is adorable.
  
  Cassie snatches a handful of Cheerios and inhales them and grins around the mushy oatiness of them.
  
  > take toy
  Zoe tries to crawl away, but there are babies and Cheerios and it is a big train-wreck and she cannot get away!
  
  You lunge forward and yank on the toy and Zoe is all distracted by Cheerios and the toy pops out of her evil sweaty grasp! You have your toy!
  
  Zoe screws up her face and bursts into these loud wails, they are so terribly loud. She shoves at Watson who also starts crying and soon just about everyone is crying except you, ha ha, they are such babies.
  
  Marion says, "I was afraid we were staying too late past Zoe's naptime. Farina, everyone, it's been fun, and glad you could come, Parry. See everyone next week." Hands come down and the squalling Zoe zips up into the air and into Marion's arms. Soon all of the babies are going skywards, parentwards, and out-the-doorwards.
  
  With them all gone the air kinda leaks out of you, it has been a long playdate. The mom gathers you and your favorite toy up. "C'mon, kid, let's get you to bed before you completely pass out." But you do not need naps, does she not understand that?
  
  Though your crib is nice and soft and your favorite toy chimes a bit as you curl around it and your teeny eyelids are so heavy.
  
  So...heavy....
  
  > Commentary on
  Commentary track on[1]. To read commentary track notes, type NOTE #.
  
  > Note 1
  Welcome to the commentary track of Child's Play! I'm your author and host, Stephen Granade. In this track, I'll be talking about design decisions I made, some of my goals in writing the game, and fun things to try.
  
  > cry
  Suddenly the darkness is gone, and it is so light, you are blinded for just a second. You blink and blink and then you can see the mom holding the blanket she was covering you with. "Oh, kid, I'm so sorry, I thought you were having fun," she says. "We'll do something else."
  
  That'll teach her[2].
  
  A child, a toy, and a rival by Stephen Granade
  
  All rights reserved.
  Type ABOUT for more information.
  
  This is the middle of the living room, it is all big and vast. But it would be bigger and vaster if there weren't all these pillows and stuff in a big ring around you. The mom is totally all paranoid and whatever, she is a new mom.
  
  There is a red footstool, it looms over you.
  
  The mom[3] is playing with you and is all excited about it.
  
  You can also see a squishy ball, a plush book, and your favorite toy here.
  
  You eye your favorite toy and the mom sees you doing it and scoops it up. "No, no, we're going to try pulling up!" She is all the time trying to build your character or something. She waves the toy at you. "Look! Look where I'm putting it!" She drops the toy on the footstool where you can't see it unless you're all pulled up, that is just no fair[4].
  
  > Note 2
  Crying is a great baby way of manipulating parents.
  
  > Note 3
  The protagonist doesn't really think of the parents in a possessive way. They're just people who provide food and toys.
  
  > Note 4
  The major conceit of the game is that the player is a baby, and must interact with the world as a baby. That leaves the player with a limited range of actions. Sadly, unless you've become a parent recently, you've probably forgotten what it's like to be a baby and what a baby does. That's why the game has to re-teach you babies' limited actions, like pulling up[5].
  
  > Note 5
  By the way, you should wait for a while and frustrate the mom.
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  The mom sits there looking at you all expectantly.
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  The mom points to the footstool. "Give it a try! Go ahead! Pull up!"
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  The mom sighs and is all "You were pulling up just yesterday[6]."
  
  > pull up on the stool
  You pull yourself up and it is one hand and another hand which is hard because the footstool is all unstable and rocks some but then you are all on your feet so yay you! And now that you are up here you can see your favorite toy on the footstool.
  
  The mom applauds, "Way to go!" She looks at her watch and is all "Whoops! Playgroup's about to arrive. You hang out here while mom goes and gets ready." She stands up and steps over all of those pillows and you are stuck here now by yourself[7].
  
  > look at the toy
  This is the thing your aunt gave you[8] which is a super fun toy. It has places to chew and places that are shiny and it rattles when you shake it.
  
  > Note 9
  Babies are notorious for trying to pull up on things and instead accidentally pushing them or knocking them over. This initial footstool puzzle serves to introduce the push-on-things mechanic in a setting where there's little else to do.
  
  > look at the pillows
  The ring is a bunch of pillows and stuff piled around in a circle so you can't go crawling away when the mom is all distracted. The whole thing is taller than you even when you are sitting.
  
  Hey wait, what is Alfadog doing wedged in the pillows like that?
  
  > look at Alfadog
  It is Alfadog, your alphabet-knowing toy and it is all wedged under some pillows. He is about as long as you and he is about as tall as you when you are crawling, it is as if he is your brother only he is a dog. He has this switch on him that makes him run and say the alphabet and such.
  
  > turn on Alfadog
  You are all fumbly on the switch but then you get it turned on and look out! Alfadog lights up and his paws start digging in and he is barking out "A! B! C! D! EFG!" It looks like he may be stuck under those pillows but then "L! M! N! O! P!" pillows tumble out of his way and he is free, zipping off to the east! You hear him winding down, "W X Y and Zeee....." And now there is this big gap in the pillows to the east.
  
  That Alfadog is very powerful, he should probably be recalled[10].
  
  > Note 10
  A theme of the game is the PC getting others, both animate and inanimate, to do his or her bidding.
  
  > Examine book
  It is plush and the mom likes to read it to you.
  
  > go to the east
  The entertainment center here holds the TV all towering above you and it has these glass doors beneath the TV that you can see stereo equipment through. You are near the couch to the south and the middle of the living room to the west and there is a small open area to play in to the north[11].
  
  You can see Alfadog and your favorite toy here.
  
  > Note 11
  I entered this first part of the game in Introcomp 2006. The competition helped, as it really made me think about what I wanted the player to see in the first few moves. I wanted to have a few simple puzzles that nevertheless depended on baby-like actions, introduce the writing style I'd chosen, and have a very clear direction. The last was critical -- without that throughline, players are increasingly likely to type QUIT.
  
  > take the toy
  You pick it up.
  
  There is a ding-dong and the mom comes clattering in all "Hang on! I'm coming!" She opens the door and there is Marion Kinmundy here for playgroup. She is carrying that little red haired girl Zoe who started coming to playgroup a couple of whiles ago. Zoe sees your favorite toy and her eyes light up.
  
  The mom must be psychic or something because she whirls around and snatches up your favorite toy. "Oh, no," she says with a little laugh, "we're not having you two fight over this thing again. I'll tuck it away where it'll be safe." And Marion laughs too, which is cool, that way they don't notice you and the little red haired girl glaring at each other.
  
  She wants your toy? And the mom wants to lock the toy away? Bring it on[12].
  
  > Note 12
  Right behind Marion and Zoe the little red haired girl is Lisa who is Cassie's mom. Lisa is carrying Cassie all carefully but Cassie is squirming to get down. "Hi Farina, hi Marion--hang on Cassie, mommy's going to put you down," Lisa says and then she steps over the baby gate and dumps Cassie by the couch to the south of you.
  
  Meanwhile the mom is putting all the pillows back on the couch and loveseat. As she finishes she asks Marion, "Can I put this toy in Zoe's backpack for now?" Marion is all "Sure!" as she puts Zoe on the floor over by the rocking chair and sits on the loveseat.
  
  > Note 12
  I like games with an antagonist. Wandering around exploring is fine, but it's nice to be working against someone. With that said, I wanted Zoe to start out passively working against you, in effect pursuing her own separate agenda, only working directly against you as the game went on.
  
  > look at the backpack
  Zoe's backpack has all these cute bears sewed on it. Clearly her mom Marion picked it out, it does not reek of evil like it would if Zoe had chosen it. It is closed so you can't see what's in it though you know your toy is in there somewhere. It is next to the gliding rocking chair to the northwest[13].
  
  > Note 13
  Lucian Smith suggested that you be able to examine things in other "rooms" within the large living room. It was an extremely handy addition to the game, since then I could see where things were and go to them. Shame it was such a headache to implement. I managed to get it working for this small game, but I'd hate to try it for a larger game.
  
  > Examine tv
  The TV is dark and that makes you sad.
  
  > go northwest
  The gliding rocking chair is all tall and wooden. It is where the mom rocks you when she thinks you need a nap even though you do not need naps. The loveseat is west and there is a small open area to the east and a big open area in the middle of the room to the south.
  
  A backpack with bears on and your favorite toy in it is shoved behind the rocking chair next to the wall[14].
  
  You can also see a smooth rock here.
  
  Zoe is sitting in a fog of grump on the floor.
  
  There is a ding-dong! and the mom goes and opens the front door. It is Becca and her son Jemison and some strange guy is there holding Watson Mason. "Come on in, everyone," the mom says. She turns to the strange guy, "I'm glad you could make it, Parry[15]."
  
  Parry shrugs and smiles and says, "I always wondered what everyone did during playgroup."
  
  "Drink mimosas[16]!" Becca says over her shoulder to Parry and there is polite laughter and Parry smiles like he is kinda unsure about all of this.
  
  "Why don't you put Watson in here with the others?" the mom asks and Parry nods. He ends up putting Watson by Jemison over by the loveseat. Then all the standing adults sit down with Parry sitting near you so now I guess they are sitting adults.
  
  > Note 14
  Admiral Jota is a madman and managed to break the backpack puzzle by the judicious use of TAKE ALL, requiring me to fiddle the rules regarding what's included in ALL.
  
  > Note 15
  Parry's the foil to the rest of the group. He's an outsider and can thus make comments that are probably closer to your reactions to the groups' comments. Plus he does things the more experienced moms don't.
  
  > look at Parry
  That is Parry Mason, he is Watson Mason's dad. Normally Watson's mom Shari is here but she must be somewhere else so that is why Parry is here.
  
  > go southwest
  This is the south end of the loveseat, there is more loveseat to the north and a big play area to the east and to the south is the couch that is bigger than the loveseat.
  
  Those are Becca's legs by the loveseat.
  
  You can also see a rattly car here.
  
  Jemison and Watson are here. Jemison watches you watching him. Watson sits all sad and dumpy on the floor. [17]
  
  Watson gingerly picks up the rattly car[18]. When Jemison sees Watson take the rattly car, he gets all excited and he starts watching the rattly car and thus Watson[19].
  
  Watson puts down the rattly car. Jemison suddenly sees that the rattly car is available and he scoops it up.
  
  > Note 17
  Many turns there's a heck of a lot of text printed as parents talk and playmates romp around. To cut down on how many paragraphs are printed, I collated the descriptions of the playmates into a single paragraph.
  
  > Note 18
  I randomized the babies' behavior and action descriptions to keep things fresh. It also made debugging a nightmare. NPCs suck; randomized NPCs suck more.
  
  > Note 19
  Babies are all the time becoming fascinated by what other babies do. Stupid babies.
  
  > go north
  This is the part of the loveseat that is to the north. It goes on to the south and you could totally slip around the end of the loveseat to the west except that a baby gate is in the way. There is the rocking chair to the east as well, that is always fun.
  
  The legs of Marion dangle from the loveseat.
  
  > look at Marion
  Grr, Marion Kinmundy. She is Zoe's mom. Grr, Zoe. What is weird is that Marion is all nice while Zoe is pure evil.
  
  > Go southeast
  This is the middle of the living room, it is all big and vast. This is where everybody plays because it is so big. But when you get bored there is a bunch of other stuff you can go to like the TV to the east and the loveseat to the west and the couch to the south and the gliding rocking chair to the north.
  
  Part of your playpen is here, there is more of it to the northeast.
  
  You can also see a plush book here.
  
  > take the book
  You pick it up and it takes two hands.
  
  You can hear Zoe squalling all loudly by the gliding rocking chair.
  
  > Go west
  This is the south end of the loveseat, there is more loveseat to the north and a big play area to the east and to the south is the couch that is bigger than the loveseat.
  
  Those are Becca's legs by the loveseat.
  
  Jemison and Watson are here. Jemison is playing with the rattly car. Watson sits all sad and dumpy on the floor.
  
  Watson pulls up on Becca who says "Watch the pants, kid!" and she laughs and puts him back on the floor.
  
  > Drop book
  Dropped.
  
  Watson pulls up on Becca who says "Watch the pants, kid!" and she laughs and puts him back on the floor.
  
  > take the book
  When Jemison sees you take the plush book, his eyes light up and he starts watching the plush book and thus yourself.
  
  Watson gingerly picks up the rattly car.
  
  > go to the northeast
  The gliding rocking chair is all tall and wooden. It is where the mom rocks you when she thinks you need a nap even though you do not need naps. The loveseat is west and there is a small open area to the east and a big open area in the middle of the room to the south.
  
  Parry's feet keep leaving the floor as he rocks.
  
  A backpack with bears on and your favorite toy in it is shoved behind the rocking chair next to the wall.
  
  You can also see a smooth rock here.
  
  Zoe has hold of a much-loved kangaroo loosely.
  
  Jemison comes in after you and settles close by you and looks pointedly at the plush book.
  
  "Say, how's Watson's rash doing?" Lisa asks Parry.
  
  Parry clears his throat. "He's much better, thanks."[20]
  
  > Note 20
  All of the parents' conversations are exaggerated versions of conversations and arguments that parents really have.
  
  > put the book in the mouth
  (the plush book in mouth)
  You shove the plush book in your mouth and start chewing on it and that feels good.
  
  The mom says, "Did you use zinc oxide cream?"
  
  > pull up on Parry
  Even though you are chewing on the plush book it is big enough that you still have to keep it in your hands and so you can't pull up while you have it, if only the plush book were smaller you would have your hands free.
  
  "In a roundabout way," Parry says, "We used Boudreaux's butt paste[21]."
  
  Zoe looks at the much-loved kangaroo and she sighs.
  
  > Note 21
  http://www.buttpaste.com/. Ask for it by name!
  
  > Drop book
  (popping the plush book out of your mouth first)
  When you drop the plush book Jemison is all over that and he snatches it up.
  
  "Ew," Becca laughs, "that is the grossest name for a product."
  
  Watson wanders in from the southwest.
  
  > look at the stone
  The mom found this one one of your walks, well it wasn't really a walk, more like the mom driving you around in a stroller, anyway she found this rock and gave it to you.
  
  Marion tells Becca, "Given what we have to deal with from our children, a name like that is the least of our worries."
  
  > take the stone
  When Jemison sees you pick up the smooth rock, he gets all excited and he gets rid of a plush book and starts watching the smooth rock and thus yourself.
  
  Zoe pulls at the much-loved kangaroo but then she stops, she is so bored with it.
  
  > put the stone in the mouth
  You shove the smooth rock in your mouth and start chewing on it and that leaves your hands free[22].
  
  > Note 22
  Babies are all the time chewing on things. They also -- and I swear this is true -- chew on things to get around their inventory limit.
  
  > pull up on Parry
  As soon as you have pulled up on the gliding rocking chair Parry looks down and says "Hey, there, you want to be picked up?" and he lifts you into his lap and stops rocking. If you were on the ground you could get to the backpack now. And then Jemison pulls up on the gliding rocking chair and looks up at you and grunts softly.
  
  > drop the stone
  (popping the smooth rock out of your mouth first)
  The smooth rock falls into Parry's lap.
  
  Zoe takes the much-loved kangaroo and shakes it half-heartedly.
  
  Watson picks up the plush book.
  
  > Squirm
  You wriggle and fuss a bit and Parry says, "Okay, down you go," and he gently lowers you to the floor. He then is all "And now it's your turn" and he picks Jemison up[23].
  
  > open the backpack
  When you open the backpack all you can see in it is this white onesie that is totally in your way.
  
  Zoe sees you open that backpack and she gets agitated and tosses the much-loved kangaroo aside.
  
  > take the onsie
  You pull on the onesie and it comes part of the way out of the backpack and then it gets hung on the backpack zipper. Great. Now it is blocking the backpack and it is also stuck[24].
  
  Watson puts the plush book down.
  
  > take book
  You pick it up and it takes two hands.
  
  Zoe shrieks angrily and bounces up and down and flails her arms in the general direction of the backpack that you opened. That makes Marion sigh and she says, "Parry, if you don't mind?" So Marion reaches the backpack under the rocking chair and she sees the white onesie stuck in the backpack. "Geez," she says and pulls out a plastic cup and dumps it in Zoe's lap. Zoe gets all upset but Marion says, "Shh, Zoe, be calm, I can't fix the backpack if you're fussing." Parry says, "Here, I'll empty out the backpack and fix that for you" but Marion says "No, thanks," and she sits down and starts trying to get the onesie out of the backpack.
  
  Parry says, "Okay, down you go" to Jemison who scrabbles around and grabs the smooth rock. Parry gently lowers Jemison to the floor and starts rocking again.
  
  > give the book to Zoe
  (the plush book to Zoe)
  Zoe shrieks at you and shoves the plush book out of your hands and hits at you. Marion sees that and she reacts in a flash and says "Parry, here," and shoves the backpack at Parry who takes it. "Can you get that onesie out of the way?" Parry just nods and digs in the backpack and pulls out your favorite toy and dumps it in his lap! Then he starts tugging the onesie this way and that to free it from the implacable jaws of the backpack zipper. Meanwhile Marion shushes Zoe before sitting back on the loveseat[25].
  
  > Note 25
  Babies are masters at destroying the flow of your actions and plans. Eventually you learn how to break your plans up into tiny chunks separated by what you have to do for your kid.
  
  > pull up on Parry
  As soon as you have pulled up on the gliding rocking chair Parry looks down and says "Hey, there, you want to be picked up?" and he lifts you into his lap and stops rocking.
  
  > take the toy
  You pick it up.
  
  Parry says, "Okay, down you go," and he gently lowers you to the floor, right next to Zoe. Zoe looks over and sees what you have in your hands and she goes totally nuts, she is shrieking and waving her fists and if she had Force powers you would totally be choked right now.
  
  And of course Zoe acting out gets Marion and the mom to pay attention and Marion is all "Hey, hey, Zoe, calm down!" and the mom is all "Oh, gosh, they managed to get that toy out of the backpack." So the jig is up where by "the jig" I mean the toy and by "up" I mean going away.
  Chapter 2
  Snacktime
  
  And it's just like you expected. The mom scoops you and the toy up and the two of you dangle in mid-air while she removes the baby gate by the loveseat and goes around behind the loveseat. There's a cabinet back there, she pushes down the baby lock at the top of the cabinet door and opens the door and in goes your toy.
  
  You would be all into getting the toy back except everyone decides now is the time to have a snack so a bunch of toys get piled in that small open area in the living room and you and Zoe and Cassie and Watson and Jemison are dragged into the kitchen and out comes the food.
  
  Your high chair is not way super high since it only gets you up to the level of the kitchen table but that is still pretty high. It lets you see around the table which is better than when you are on the floor and cannot even see the top of the table[26].
  
  The mom is hovering around you.
  
  In front of you is this spoon full of food that the mom wants you to eat.
  
  You can also see Becca, Parry, Lisa, and Marion here.
  
  Jemison and Watson and Cassie and Zoe are here. They are all being fed.
  
  > eat the food
  You open your mouth and the mom spoons in the prunes and they slide down your throat. Yeuch. And if that isn't bad enough, the spoon goes away and comes back with more prunes! You are just like Sisyphus here.
  
  Becca says, "Farina, I know you're not feeding that child chopped-up people food." Meanwhile, the mom is saying, "Here! Take a bite!"
  
  > examine Becca
  Becca is Jemison's mom, she is as loud as Jemison is quiet and that is very loud. Or very quiet. Anyway, that is Becca.
  
  "It's no different than canned baby food," the mom tells Becca. Meanwhile, Cassie is trying to climb out of her chair so she can fall to the floor and Lisa is restraining her.
  
  > eat the food
  You open your mouth and the mom spoons in the prunes. Yeuch. And if that isn't bad enough, the spoon goes away and comes back with more prunes!
  
  "Really?" Lisa says. "I'd be worried that I'd give Cassie something that'd hurt her." Meanwhile, Watson is spitting up and Parry is looking sad that he's going to have to change Watson's clothes.
  
  > hit Zoe
  With you strapped into your high chair you cannot reach Zoe.
  
  "Weird," Becca says. "Then why buy special baby food at all?" Meanwhile, Jemison is taking bits of food and dropping them over his high chair and then watching them hit the floor.
  
  > examine Jemison
  Jemison Thorsby's name is not one you would want, that is for sure. He is stylish in his blue onesie and he has a small mouth and these big eyes that are watching, always watching, it is kinda creepy.
  
  "Well," says Parry, "Sometimes it's really convenient to have a jar for Mason[27] so--whoops!" And then you stop paying attention to him because he spilled a teeny bowl of Cheerios and you and all the other babies are all staring at the spray of Cheerios.
  
  > Note 27
  Perhaps a Mason jar. Ha! I crack myself up.
  
  > look at Cheerios
  Oaty o's of pure goodness.
  
  Jemison reaches for the Cheerios but they are way too far away.
  
  > take the cherrios
  With you strapped into your high chair you cannot reach the pile of Cheerios.
  
  Watson looks at the Cheerios all sadly.