text: > look around
  Once inside, you realize why this car wasn't accessible from the rest of the train: it's a mail transport car. Bags of letters and parcels fill the shelves around you, almost completely obscuring the one light fixture in the car. The sliding metal door east offers a possible exit.
  
  In front of you stands a large metal box, closed on all sides save the front, which is protected by a pane of glass. The rose-tinting of the glass hints at rather than exposes the complicated machinery held within.
  
  An open metal hatch reveals the sun and sky above.
  
  You can also see a can of lubricant here.
  
  > examine the light
  (the light bulb socket)
  In the light bulb socket is a 60-watt soft-white incandescent light bulb.
  
  > take the white bulb
  The bulb is too hot to handle.
  
  The train just rushed by the Glendale station.
  
  > Inventory
  You are carrying:
  a diamond ring (being worn)
  a sport coat (being worn)
  a bottle of hydroxide (which is open but empty)
  some cans of soda
  a squirt bottle (which is closed)
  a quantity of pale blue liquid
  a strange red bulb
  a bottle of acid (which is open)
  a quantity of acid
  a small plastic tube (which is closed)
  some litmus powder
  
  > turn off the light
  (the light bulb socket)
  The 60-watt soft-white incandescent light bulb goes dark.
  
  > put the red bulb in the socket
  You screw the strange red bulb into the light bulb socket.
  
  The train just rumbled through the Los Angeles station.
  
  > turn on the light
  (the light bulb socket)
  The strange red bulb begins to glow.
  
  > open the pane
  Try as you might, the glass is securely affixed to the front of the box by some thick, gooey sealant. The sealant itself seems to be invulnerable to all of your attacks.
  
  > pour it on the sealant
  That would scarcely empty anything.
  
  > cut the pane with the diamond
  As you cut the glass, you hear a gentle hiss, as if gas is escaping.
  
  Whumpf! The white powder suddenly bursts into flame!
  
  The resulting fire must have set off some sensor in the bomb. The subsequent explosion vaporizes you, the train, and a large portion of California instantaneously.
  
  > read left beaker
  Written on the side are the letters "NaOH."
  
  > read right beaker
  Written on the side are the letters "HCl."
  
  > take the left beaker
  The left beaker is firmly attached to the pair of scales.
  
  > examine tube
  (the can of lubricant)
  It's a very large can of a popular brand of all-purpose lubricant, complete with the long pointy tube that allows delivery of chemicals into tight spaces.
  
  The train just barreled past the Fullerton station.
  
  > squirt the lubricant on sealant
  You apply a liberal amount of lubricant to the silicone caulking.
  
  The train just barreled by the Fullerton station.
  
  > pour the LITMUS on the sealant
  Try as you might, you cannot puncture the silicone caulking with the litmus powder.
  
  The train just barreled past the Anaheim station.
  
  > Inventory
  You are carrying:
  some litmus powder
  a 60-watt soft-white incandescent light bulb
  a diamond ring (being worn)
  a sport coat (being worn)
  a bottle of hydroxide (which is open but empty)
  some cans of soda
  a squirt bottle (which is closed)
  a quantity of pale blue liquid
  a bottle of acid (which is open)
  a quantity of acid
  a small plastic tube (which is open but empty)
  
  > pour the ammonia on the LITMUS
  The litmus powder can't contain things.
  
  The train just rumbled past the Santa Ana station.
  
  The oil on the silicone caulking evaporates away.
  
  > pour the soda in the tube
  (the can of lubricant)
  (putting the 60-watt soft-white incandescent light bulb into the sport coat to make room)
  That can't contain things.
  
  > Go north
  You can't hold onto all the things you are carrying and move around the top of the train.
  
  The train just barreled through the Irvine station.
  
  > look at what you're carrying with you
  You are carrying:
  some cans of soda
  some litmus powder
  a diamond ring (being worn)
  a sport coat (being worn)
  a 60-watt soft-white incandescent light bulb
  a bottle of hydroxide (which is open but empty)
  a squirt bottle (which is open)
  a quantity of pale blue liquid
  a bottle of acid (which is open)
  a quantity of acid
  a small plastic tube (which is open but empty)
  
  > look
  Handholds in the top of the car allow one to move carefully across the surface, but make no mistake about it: one slip means a short but unpleasant trip over the side. The handholds travel south or north along the length of the train, provided one does not get snagged on the numerous air vents and lights protruding from the surface.
  
  You hear noises from the car below.
  
  > Examine vent
  This is one of a number of screened portals, designed to allow fresh air to be drawn into the car as it moves.
  
  The train just zoomed past the Simi Valley station.
  
  > Inventory
  You are carrying:
  a sport coat (being worn)
  a can of lubricant
  a squirt bottle (which is closed)
  a quantity of pale blue liquid
  a bottle of hydroxide (which is closed)
  a small velvet box (which is closed)
  a train schedule
  
  > Y.
  Amazing! After all these years some girl finally got Jack to propose. All you need to do is hop on a commuter plane, get the big lug to the church on time, and zip back. Piece of cake...
  
  Well, almost. Blasted El Ni?o has air traffic in an uproar. This daily commuter flight out of San Francisco was delayed three times, which will make life fun when you finally make it down to San Diego...
  
  Airplane (on Seat 4B)
  The airlines claim that planes are getting bigger, but you don't believe a word of it. This cramped cabin feels about as roomy as a culvert, and has approximately the same decor.
  
  There is a door south and a small kitchenette north.
  
  (First time players should type INFO for game-playing details.)
  
  > go south
  You'll have to get off Seat 4B first.
  
  > wash the coat
  A quick wipe and the stain disappears.
  
  The flow from the faucet stops suddenly. (It must have one of those spring valves to prevent waste.)
  
  Wait... was that gunfire...?
  
  > unlock door
  The fluorescent light goes off.
  
  Your Russian may be rusty, but a voice definitely said, "Sergei, check the toilets."
  
  > open the window
  You open the lavatory window.
  
  A voice outside the door says, "Empty."
  
  > Go west
  That looks like a particularly unsafe direction to go.
  
  "Is everyone here?"
  
  "Everyone was here or in the press car," the conductor replies, strangely calm. "As you can see, everyone in this car is also on this list."
  
  "Da..."
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  "Sergei, did you check the toilets?"
  
  "Da, I checked the toilets."
  
  "Did you check inside the toilets?
  
  There is a momentary pause, followed by a low curse.
  
  > Continue
  Time passes.
  
  "Ready?" asks a voice outside.
  
  > Continue
  Time passes.
  
  The door explodes inward.
  
  "Good, nobody here."
  
  The door is closed again.
  
  > Go east
  The door is closed.
  
  > open the door
  You open the lavatory door.
  
  > turn on the computer
  The computer comes to life, goes through its complex bootstrap procedure, then asks you for a user name and password. You turn the machine off in disgust.
  
  The train just rushed past the Salinas station.
  
  > take the hydroxide
  (putting the punched ticket into the sport coat to make room)
  Taken.
  
  > take the acid
  (putting Wolfie (the paper spider guardian of computers) into the sport coat to make room)
  Taken.
  
  > take the fluid
  (putting the bottle of hydroxide into the sport coat to make room) Taken.
  
  > go to the south
  You open the door to the car junction.
  
  The door to car 4 slides shut.
  
  > Go south
  You open the door to car 3.
  
  Car 3, Aft
  
  The lavatory door is open.
  
  The door to the car junction slides shut.
  
  > go south
  Without any passengers, this car takes on a definite tomb-like atmosphere. A sealed passageway leads south, while the junction to the next car leads north.
  
  > go south
  The metal plate sealing the door prevents movement south.
  
  > Go north
  Car 3, Aft
  
  The lavatory door is open.
  
  > Go north
  You open the door to the car junction.
  
  The door to car 3 slides shut.
  
  > go north
  You open the door to car 4.
  
  Car 4, Fore
  
  The door to the car junction slides shut.
  
  > open hatch
  (I assume you mean the concealed access hatch that you found out about in an earlier incarnation.)
  You open the maintenance access hatch.
  
  > Inventory
  You are carrying:
  a small plastic tube (which is closed)
  some red powder
  a bottle of developing fluid (which is closed)
  a sport coat (being worn)
  a bottle of acid (which is closed)
  a quantity of acid
  a bottle of hydroxide (which is closed)
  Wolfie (the paper spider guardian of computers)
  a punched ticket
  a small velvet box (which is closed)
  a train schedule
  
  > check what you're carrying
  You are carrying:
  a bottle of developing fluid (which is closed)
  a sport coat (being worn)
  a bottle of acid (which is closed)
  a quantity of acid
  a bottle of hydroxide (which is closed)
  Wolfie (the paper spider guardian of computers)
  a punched ticket
  a small velvet box (which is closed)
  a train schedule
  
  > Go upward
  (You pop open the maintenance access hatch as you go topside.)
  
  Between each pair of cars is an area which has always frightened you. Maybe it's the fact that the area is open save for a flimsy metal railing across the gaps; maybe it's the constant shifting of the floor beneath your feet. Safer areas lie south and north.
  
  A maintenance access hatch is open, leading downwards to darkness.
  
  You can also see a small plastic tube (which is closed) (in which is some red powder) here.
  
  > put the fluid in the coat
  You put the bottle of developing fluid into the sport coat.
  
  > take the bottle
  Which do you mean, the squirt bottle, the bottle of developing fluid, the bottle of acid or the bottle of hydroxide?
  
  > check your inventory
  You are carrying:
  a can of lubricant
  a squirt bottle (which is closed)
  a quantity of pale blue liquid
  a sport coat (being worn)
  a bottle of developing fluid (which is closed)
  a bottle of acid (which is closed)
  a quantity of acid
  a bottle of hydroxide (which is closed)
  Wolfie (the paper spider guardian of computers)
  a punched ticket
  a small velvet box (which is closed)
  
  > take the box
  (the tool chest)
  It's too bulky for you to lug around, so you leave it.
  
  > take the velvet box
  (putting the squirt bottle into the sport coat to make room)
  There is no more room in the sport coat.
  
  > check your inventory
  You are carrying:
  a can of lubricant
  a sport coat (being worn)
  a bottle of developing fluid (which is closed)
  a bottle of acid (which is closed)
  a quantity of acid
  a bottle of hydroxide (which is closed)
  Wolfie (the paper spider guardian of computers)
  
  > go north
  You open the door to car 6.
  
  Car 6, the last car
  This is a tiny car-- a classic caboose, except it isn't red, and it doesn't have a potbelly stove. It's pretty much a lounge for the conductor and his assistants, except the conductor is conspicuously missing.
  
  You can see a punched ticket, a small velvet box (which is closed), all of the passengers and a tool chest (which is empty) here.
  
  The door to the car junction slides shut.
  
  > Go north
  (The maintenance access hatch slams shut when you release it to move.) You open the door to car 6.
  
  Car 6, the last car
  This is a tiny car-- a classic caboose, except it isn't red, and it doesn't have a potbelly stove. It's pretty much a lounge for the conductor and his assistants, except the conductor is conspicuously missing.
  
  You can see a punched ticket, a small velvet box (which is closed), all of the passengers and a tool chest (which is empty) here.
  
  The door to the car junction slides shut.
  
  > check what you're carrying
  You are carrying:
  a squirt bottle (which is closed)
  a quantity of pale blue liquid
  a can of lubricant
  a sport coat (being worn)
  a bottle of developing fluid (which is closed)
  a bottle of acid (which is closed)
  a quantity of acid
  a bottle of hydroxide (which is closed)
  Wolfie (the paper spider guardian of computers)
  
  > put the squirt in the coat
  You put the squirt bottle into the sport coat.
  
  The train just zoomed by the Paso Robles station.
  
  > Go south
  Slowly you crawl southwards along the length of the train...
  
  Car 5, underside
  From here, you can make out the complex speed regulators, air brakes, and other mechanisms you take for granted whenever you travel by rail. You can crawl south or north along the length of the car.
  
  The train just rushed by the Paso Robles station.
  
  There is the movement of feet above you.
  
  > go north
  Slowly you crawl northwards along the length of the train...
  
  You're in a small gap between the cars. Small maintenance tunnels lead south and north, although they are rather small and probably not safe when the train is in motion. A maintenance hatch above you offers more traditional passage on the train.
  
  A prominent lever is attached to the car junction. The lever has been pushed into the "closed" position.
  
  The train just rushed past the San Luis Obispo station.
  
  > open hatch
  You can't. There's something on the other side preventing you from opening it.
  
  > go to the north
  Slowly you crawl northwards along the length of the train...
  
  Car 3, underside
  From here, you can make out the complex speed regulators, air brakes, and other mechanisms you take for granted whenever you travel by rail. You can crawl south or north along the length of the car.
  
  > go south
  Slowly you crawl southwards along the length of the train...
  
  You're in a small gap between the cars. Small maintenance tunnels lead south and north, although they are rather small and probably not safe when the train is in motion. A maintenance hatch above you offers more traditional passage on the train.
  
  A prominent lever is attached to the car junction. The lever has been pushed into the "closed" position.
  
  The train just rumbled by the Paso Robles station.
  
  > Go south
  Slowly you crawl southwards along the length of the train...
  
  Car 3, underside
  From here, you can make out the complex speed regulators, air brakes, and other mechanisms you take for granted whenever you travel by rail. You can crawl south or north along the length of the car.
  
  > put the LITMUS in the dish
  The metal box isn't open.
  
  The train just rumbled through the Glendale station.
  
  > check what you're carrying
  You are carrying:
  some litmus powder
  a diamond ring (being worn)
  a sport coat (being worn)
  a bottle of hydroxide (which is open but empty)
  some cans of soda
  a squirt bottle (which is closed)
  a quantity of pale blue liquid
  a strange red bulb
  a bottle of acid (which is open)
  a quantity of acid
  a small plastic tube (which is open but empty)
  
  > take the bulb
  Which do you mean, the 60-watt soft-white incandescent light bulb or the strange red bulb?
  
  > Close hatch
  You close the metal hatch.
  
  It is now pitch dark in here!
  
  > open hatch
  You open the metal hatch.
  
  Once inside, you realize why this car wasn't accessible from the rest of the train: it's a mail transport car. Bags of letters and parcels fill the shelves around you, almost completely obscuring the one light fixture in the car. The sliding metal door east offers a possible exit.
  
  In front of you stands a large metal box, closed on all sides save the front, which is protected by a pane of glass. The rose-tinting of the glass hints at rather than exposes the complicated machinery held within.
  
  An open metal hatch reveals the sun and sky above.
  
  You can also see a can of lubricant here.
  
  > put the red bulb in light
  (the light bulb socket)
  There is no more room in the light bulb socket.
  
  The train just zoomed past the Los Angeles station.
  
  > look in the socket
  In the light bulb socket is a 60-watt soft-white incandescent light bulb.
  
  > take the light bulb
  (the strange red bulb)
  You already have that.
  
  > take the incandescent bulb
  (putting the litmus powder into the sport coat to make room)
  You unscrew the 60-watt soft-white incandescent light bulb from the light bulb socket.
  
  > Close hatch
  You close the metal hatch.
  
  > cut the pane with the diamond
  As you cut the glass, you hear a gentle hiss, as if gas is escaping.
  
  Whumpf! The white powder suddenly bursts into flame!
  
  The resulting fire must have set off some sensor in the bomb. The subsequent explosion vaporizes you, the train, and a large portion of California instantaneously.
  
  > look at the scales
  A pair of antique brass scales, intricately carved.
  
  The scales are balanced.
  
  > check your inventory
  You are carrying:
  a 60-watt soft-white incandescent light bulb
  a diamond ring (being worn)
  a sport coat (being worn)
  some litmus powder
  a bottle of hydroxide (which is open but empty)
  some cans of soda
  a squirt bottle (which is closed)
  a quantity of pale blue liquid
  a bottle of acid (which is open)
  a quantity of acid
  a small plastic tube (which is open but empty)
  
  > look at what you're carrying with you
  You are carrying:
  a squirt bottle (which is closed)
  a quantity of pale blue liquid
  a 60-watt soft-white incandescent light bulb
  a diamond ring (being worn)
  a sport coat (being worn)
  some litmus powder
  a bottle of hydroxide (which is open but empty)
  some cans of soda
  a bottle of acid (which is open)
  a quantity of acid
  a small plastic tube (which is open but empty)
  
  > Hints
  N = next subjectP = previous
  RETURN = read subject  Q = resume game
  
  > The Plane
  The Train
  
  > Go north
  N = next subjectP = previous
  RETURN = read subject  Q = resume game
  
  > The Plane
  The Train
  The Plane
  N = next subjectP = previous
  RETURN = read subjectQ = previous menu
  
  > What's going on here?
  How do I warn the stewardess?
  How do I warn the pilot?
  I don't want to die in a crash!
  
  > Go north
  N = next subjectP = previous
  RETURN = read subject  Q = resume game
  
  > The Train
  The Train
  N = next subjectP = previous
  RETURN = read subjectQ = previous menu
  
  > The Prologue
  After the Attack
  Under the Train
  On Top of The Train
  The Mail Car
  
  > Go north
  N = next subjectP = previous
  RETURN = read subjectQ = previous menu
  
  > After the Attack
  Under the Train
  On Top of The Train
  The Mail Car
  
  > go north
  N = next subjectP = previous
  RETURN = read subjectQ = previous menu
  
  > Under the Train
  On Top of The Train
  The Mail Car
  
  > go to the north
  N = next subjectP = previous
  RETURN = read subjectQ = previous menu
  
  Under the Train
  > On Top of The Train
  The Mail Car
  
  > Go north
  N = next subjectP = previous
  RETURN = read subjectQ = previous menu
  
  Under the Train
  On Top of The Train
  > The Mail Car
  
  > Go north
  N = next subjectP = previous
  RETURN = read subjectQ = previous menu
  
  > The Prologue
  After the Attack
  Under the Train
  On Top of The Train
  The Mail Car
  The Prologue
  N = next subjectP = previous
  RETURN = read subjectQ = previous menu
  
  > I got kicked off the train!
  What a mess! How do I clean my jacket?
  What's going on in the corridor?
  How can I avoid being shot?
  
  > check your inventory
  You are carrying:
  a squirt bottle (which is closed)
  a quantity of pale blue liquid
  a diamond ring (being worn)
  a sport coat (being worn)
  a bottle of hydroxide (which is open but empty)
  some cans of soda
  a strange red bulb
  a bottle of acid (which is open)
  a quantity of acid
  a small plastic tube (which is closed)
  some litmus powder
  
  > look at the socket
  In the light bulb socket is a 60-watt soft-white incandescent light bulb.
  
  The train just barreled through the Glendale station.
  
  > take the incandescent bulb
  You unscrew the 60-watt soft-white incandescent light bulb from the light bulb socket.
  
  > take the red bulb
  (putting the squirt bottle into the sport coat to make room)
  Taken.
  
  > put it in the socket
  You screw the strange red bulb into the light bulb socket.
  
  > cut the pane with the diamond
  As you cut the glass, you hear a gentle hiss, as if gas is escaping.
  
  Whumpf! The white powder suddenly bursts into flame!
  
  The resulting fire must have set off some sensor in the bomb. The subsequent explosion vaporizes you, the train, and a large portion of California instantaneously.
  
  > open hatch
  That's already open.
  
  The train just barreled through the Los Angeles station.
  
  > cut the pane with the diamond
  As you cut the glass, you hear a gentle hiss, as if gas is escaping.
  
  Whumpf! The white powder suddenly bursts into flame!
  
  The resulting fire must have set off some sensor in the bomb. The subsequent explosion vaporizes you, the train, and a large portion of California instantaneously.
  
  > turn off  the light
  (the light bulb socket)
  The strange red bulb goes dark.
  
  It is now pitch dark in here!
  
  > cut the pane with the diamond
  As you cut the glass, you hear a gentle hiss, as if gas is escaping.
  
  Whumpf! The white powder suddenly bursts into flame!
  
  The resulting fire must have set off some sensor in the bomb. The subsequent explosion vaporizes you, the train, and a large portion of California instantaneously.
  
  > P.
  N = next subjectP = previous
  RETURN = read subjectQ = previous menu
  
  Under the Train
  On Top of The Train
  > The Mail Car
  The Mail Car
  N = next subjectP = previous
  RETURN = read subjectQ = previous menu
  
  > How do I open the glass-fronted box?
  The powder burst into flame!
  
  > go to the north
  N = next subjectP = previous
  RETURN = read subjectQ = previous menu
  
  How do I open the glass-fronted box?
  > The powder burst into flame!
  [Press H for another hint, any other key to exit]
  
  (1/17) The conductor may offer some insight on the white powder and the silicone caulking.