text: > go west
  The heat is stifling at this barren strip of track seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Even the ever present weeds have given up this area as hopeless and only a few cacti have managed to gain a foothold in the constantly shifting sand. One of the rails has become dislodged, forming a six-inch gap on one side of the tracks.
  
  > look at the rail
  One of the rails has moved about six inches laterally, introducing a significant discontinuity in the track system.
  
  > examine the gap
  One of the rails has become dislodged, forming a six-inch gap on one side of the tracks. A train would probably get derailed trying to pass through here.
  
  > Go west
  The tracks gradually turn southwest here through a tight ravine cut into the sandy soil. Thick brush once again lines the tracks limiting passage only along the tracks themselves.
  
  The tracks through the ravine are littered with rattlesnakes.
  
  > examine the snakes
  Dozens of rattlesnakes line the track. Most of them are coiled up and presumably sleeping; however, the few that are staring directly at you appear very daunting. It is with little disinterest that you note the crescendo of rattles in the area.
  
  > go west
  It is somewhat doubtful that you would survive the trek through the snakes.
  
  > Inventory
  You are carrying:
  a leather-bound book
  a cauldron
  some metallic flakes
  a lantern
  a silver spoon
  a crumpled note
  a couple kernels of corn
  two matches
  a cube of sugar
  a square of gum base
  a piece of gauzy cloth
  a pan
  
  > Go east
  The heat is stifling at this barren strip of track seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Even the ever present weeds have given up this area as hopeless and only a few cacti have managed to gain a foothold in the constantly shifting sand. One of the rails has become dislodged, forming a six-inch gap on one side of the tracks.
  
  > go southwest
  A briskly moving stream widens here and is shallow enough to cross without difficulty. Along one bank where the water slows to a crawl a deposit of black magnetite can be seen. The trail continues to the northeast and up a small ridge to the southwest.
  
  > look at the magnetite
  The black iron oxide particles are quite dense and tend to settle out with other heavy minerals and metals such as gold.
  
  > shake the pan
  Using your best gold panning technique, you swish the wet slurry around, discarding the lighter materials in the process. Your efforts are soon rewarded by the discovery of a large gold nugget in the bottom of the pan!
  
  > look at nugget
  The gold nugget is about the size of a marble and is probably worth a small fortune.
  
  > Go northeast
  This northeast-southwest trail has all the appearances of being a main thoroughfare prior to becoming overrun with weeds and brush. A narrow footpath leads off to the east through the brush.
  
  > go northeast
  The trail winds its way from the southwest through a shadowy canyon formed in the cleft of two large hills. You cannot help but feel confined and vulnerable by the sheer walls of this gorge and limited visibility in front of you and behind. The trail continues to the north.
  
  > Go north
  A set of well-worn railroad tracks crosses the north-south trail here. The wooden ties have all but disintegrated and the rails are thick with bright red rust. The weed ridden-tracks run east-west.
  
  > go north
  The trail here turns to fine dust with only a trace of vegetation. The wind is howling from the west, blowing dust, sand, and tumbleweeds everywhere. A brief respite in the blowing debris allows you to see the trail continuing north and an overgrown path going up to the east.
  
  > go to the north
  You are at the outskirts of what you would guess is a small town. Tumbleweeds and debris litter the trail giving all appearances that this place is deserted. The majority of buildings and other structures are to the west while a large barn-like building is due north. There is a faded sign just off to the side of the trail.
  
  > Green
  "It's a beautiful day for the race.
  Stooge Hand is the favorite today, Assault is in there.
  Dog Biscuit is 3:1, Safety Pin has been scratched,
  and at 20:1, Beetlebaum.
  
  Now the horses are approaching the starting gate,
  and there - There they go!
  
  Johannes Stuchan is going to the front.
  Cabbage is second on the rail.
  Beautiful Linda is third by a length.
  And Beetlebaum - around the first turn.
  
  Stuchan is still in the front,
  Cabbage is second by a head.
  (Cabbage by a head!)
  Beautiful Linda is third.
  And Beetlebaum - into the back strech.
  
  Dog Biscuit is now leading the pack.
  Lady Appolonius is second, very close.
  Banana is coming up through the bunch.
  (Banana coming up through the bunch!)
  And Beetlebaum - at the half.
  
  Stuchan still out in the front.
  Apartment House is second with plenty of room.
  Assault is passing Battery.
  (Assaulting Battery!)
  Notary Sojack is fourth.
  And in lastplace by 10 lengths,
  I belive it is, yes it is, Beetlebaum.
  
  Around the turn and heading for home.
  It's Stuchan, Dog Biscuit and Girdle in the stretch.
  Flying Silvester is third.
  And Mother-in-Law nagging in the rear.
  And now they come down to the wire.
  And it's number one and now number two.
  And it's very close.
  It'll be a photo finish or an oil painting.
  And now Louis leads for the left.
  And Louis is an inertia sluggin'.
  And it's battle and now they're tearing hair.
  There's hair all over the ring,
  There's hair all over the place.
  I don't know whose hair it is - it's mine.
  And there goes the winner! - Beetlebaum!"
  
  > examine the contraption
  The contraption has a metal block just an inch or so above a metal plate with a small circular impression. A series of gears connects the metal block to a lever.
  
  > put the nugget in the plate
  You put the gold nugget into the impression.
  
  > pull the lever
  The lever moves with hardly any effort at all, pressing the gold nugget into something resembling a coin.
  
  > examine it
  The gold coin is relatively primitive, yet has a monetary feel about it. There is a crudely engraved figure with a mask riding a horse on the face. Beneath the figure is the inscription "1 Buck-a-Bin."
  
  > read the note
  (the writing)
  The writing is pretty much your ordinary bar graffiti with even an occasional heart and arrow. However, as you study the crude lettering you find some kind of note has evidently been scrawled into the surface.
  
  The note says "Feed and Water Your Horses at ROYBOB Livery."
  
  > look at the paint
  Which do you mean, the orange paint, the yellow paint, the red paint or the blue paint?
  
  > Red
  It's just your everyday faded red paint.
  
  > touch red
  The door creaks loudly.
  
  > examine the blue
  It's just your everyday faded blue paint.
  
  > examine the yellow
  It's just your everyday faded yellow paint.
  
  > look at the orange
  It's just your everyday faded orange paint.
  
  > touch the orange
  The door creaks loudly and then shudders.
  
  > touch the blue
  You hear a click somewhere inside the door.
  
  > open the door
  You open the livery door.
  
  > go north
  This dilapidated building has long fallen into disrepair. It is surprisingly bright in here as light filters through large gaping holes in the roof. Numerous stalls line the walls presumably for horses or other livestock. A wooden ladder provides access to a hayloft to the north while large sliding doors, long off their rails, provide an egress to the east. You can leave the building by heading south.
  
  > examine the stalls
  There are at least twenty stalls shrouded in shadows from the high timber enclosures. Most of the stalls are blocked with wood and debris, but one looks ready for the nearest horse.
  
  > enter the stall
  You get into the horse stall.
  
  In the horse stall you can see a shovel.
  
  > Go outside
  You get out of the horse stall.
  
  This dilapidated building has long fallen into disrepair. It is surprisingly bright in here as light filters through large gaping holes in the roof. Numerous stalls line the walls presumably for horses or other livestock. A wooden ladder provides access to a hayloft to the north while large sliding doors, long off their rails, provide an egress to the east. You can leave the building by heading south.
  
  > examine the shovel
  The wooden handle has splintered several times and has been thoughtfully wrapped in old rags for support, and the hand-forged blade is quite thin from use. All in all, though, it looks like the old girl could still toss a few more shovelfuls.
  
  > go to the east
  All is not so 'O.K.' with this corral as most of the wooden fences have given away to the ravages of time and the elements. Tall range grass has overtaken the ground and the air is alive with the sounds of grasshoppers, crickets and the like.
  
  > examine grass
  The grass is about waist high and is so thick it could conceal about anything.
  
  > search the grass
  You find a rusting green square tin.
  
  > get the tin
  You're carrying too many things already.
  
  > check what you're carrying
  You are carrying:
  a shovel
  a coin
  a green note
  a leather-bound book
  a cauldron
  some metallic flakes
  a lantern
  a silver spoon
  a crumpled note
  a couple kernels of corn
  two matches
  a cube of sugar
  a square of gum base
  a piece of gauzy cloth
  a pan
  
  You are carrying:
  a shovel
  a coin
  a green note
  a leather-bound book
  a cauldron
  some metallic flakes
  a lantern
  a silver spoon
  a crumpled note
  a couple kernels of corn
  two matches
  a cube of sugar
  a square of gum base
  a piece of gauzy cloth
  a pan
  
  > put all in the cauldron
  shovel: Done.
  coin: Done.
  green note: Done.
  leather-bound book: Done.
  lantern: Done.
  silver spoon: Done.
  crumpled note: Done.
  couple kernels of corn: Done.
  match: Done.
  match: Done.
  cube of sugar: Done.
  square of gum base: Done.
  piece of gauzy cloth: Done.
  pan: Done.
  
  > get the tin
  Taken.
  
  > examine the tin
  The rusted square tin declares itself as "Scented Bag Balm" and includes these special directions:
  
  "For minor congestion of the udder due to calving, high feeding, bruising or chilling. Using individual towels, thoroughly wash treated teats and udder before each milking to avoid contamination of milk. After each milking, bathe with plenty of hot water, strip milk out clean, dry skin and apply bag balm freely, massaging gently with this stiff ointment fifteen minutes twice daily or more often as needed. Special scented formula repels flies and other flying insects."
  
  > open the tin
  You open the tin, revealing two portions of balm.
  
  > Go up
  The floorboards of the loft creak and sag with your weight but seem to be holding firm, at least for now. Only a few clumps of straw remain where there were once probably dozens of hay bales. The heat up here is nearly unbearable and perspiration begins to run down your face. The only way off of the loft is to impose yourself on the weathered ladder once again.
  
  You can see a pitchfork here.
  
  > examine it
  It is a long-handled fork with four tines.
  
  > go east
  The entrance to the barn-like structure is to the west.
  
  > put the coin in the slot
  The coin drops into the slot.
  
  > pull the lever
  The tumblers spin for several seconds and then stop. The tumblers now show:
  
  The machine produces a loud CLUNK and a bottle rolls out into the tray.
  
  > look at it
  It's a corked bottle of whiskey with an old faded label.
  
  > read the label
  "Daniel Jack's Redeye Special"
  
  > take the whiskey
  That seems to be a part of the quarter-full bottle of whiskey.
  
  > examine the cork
  It is a cylindrical thumb-sized object made from the elastic outer bark of the cork oak (Quercus suber).
  
  > taste the whiskey
  Your head starts to spin...
  
  The ol' saloon is hoppin' tonight! Dance girls (ahem) swarm the dusty patrons, encouraging them to drink and gamble amongst other indiscretions. Above all the whoopin' 'n hollerin', you can just make out the tinny ragtime of an unseen brass-tack piano. The barkeep is shoveling out drinks to the bar at a furious pace while one of the other hired help polishes the wall-length mirror. Swinging doors lead back to the street to the north.
  
  You can see a table here.
  
  > look at the table
  The four-legged table is exceptionally pristine considering the clientele around this place. The table top is flawlessly finished and sports nary a water mark.
  
  John Bro calls for one of the dance hall girls and whispers something in her ear. The girl blushes and walks away giggling.
  
  > About you
  As good-looking as ever.
  
  When one of the patrons isn't looking, John Bro swaps his drink for an empty glass.
  
  > examine john
  The barkeep looks somewhat familiar. He has curly brown hair heavily seasoned with gray, a lightly bearded face, and  a slightly paunchy stomach. The local clientele seem to refer to him as "John Bro" or just "Bro" for short. Without exception, every time someone orders a drink, John Bro bellows out "Done Deal!" and then serves both the patron and himself a drink.
  
  John Bro calls for one of the dance hall girls and whispers something in her ear. The girl blushes and walks away giggling.
  
  > check your inventory
  You are carrying nothing.
  
  When one of the patrons isn't looking, John Bro swaps his drink for an empty glass.
  
  > say done deal
  Whom do you want to say that to?