text: ed on either side, exactly equidistant from a center podium. The spotlights above are intense, and it's difficult to make out any details in the audience to the south. Passages to the northwest and northeast, concealed behind the folds of the curtain, lead backstage.
  
  The western politician speaks: "With this summit, we are moving
  towards a more peaceful d??tente. Our nations are not so different; one day we may see each other as friends. Until then, we can at least work together to earn each other's trust, establish lines of communication, and build a framework for a thawing of relations in which we can at least work together on our mutually beneficial goals. Let us move beyond the conflicts of the past. Even if we're not there yet, we can at least look forward to the day when we beat our swords into plowshares and plant the seeds of a new, more peaceful future."
  
  The western politician glances down at his podium. "I know many of you may have some concerns about our new policies, but let me assure you that we are giving all the issues due consideration."
  
  The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  The western politician speaks: "We stand at the precipice of the dawning of a new era. Our precarious outpost here is crumbling away, and lofty ideals or dreams of prosperity won't save it. We need to act immediately. We're entering a brave new world, and we don't have a roadmap for the future, and we can't stop to ask for directions. Our only option is to act now. If you're not willing to make a commitment right now, then we'll walk out of this summit."
  
  My sharp, if technically nonexistent, ears pick up some faint
  murmuring even through the muffled reception of the wireless contraption.
  
  The western politician glances down at his podium. "This summit is a unique opportunity for our two nations. Let us discuss what we can do with it."
  
  The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  The western politician speaks: "This is the time for action. This summit has taken years, if not decades, to arrange. It will all have been worth it if we can take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity. The time for the future is now. Let us strike while the iron is hot and forge a peace together. We cannot wait, or we will
  lose our special moment in history. We must act, decisively and confidently, to secure a peaceful and prosperous future."
  
  crowd, who are now leaning back in comfortable boredom. Even the wary politicians on stage next to it relax.
  The western politician glances down at his podium. "Now, let us
  address how we can move with all due haste toward the peace we have envisioned here."
  
  The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  The western politician speaks: "In preparing for the new challenges that await us in the future, we have to be quick. We can only win the future and forge a new, more secure peace between our nations if we proceed rapidly, using our agreements here to accelerate our efforts not towards arming ourselves for war, but for building trust and establishing peace. We have established a road map that will lead us into the next decades, but the highway of progress we're on has no speed limit. The engine of progress is strong. We will not allow ourselves to quiet that engine because of fear or suspicion."
  
  The western politician glances down at his podium. "I know many of you may have some concerns about our new policies, but let me assure you that we are giving all the issues due consideration."
  
  The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
  
  > put aggressively on the speechwriter
  I give the aggressively manner to the speechwriter, taking the recklessly manner in exchange. It now intends to aggressively write notes encouraging warmongering.
  
  The speechwriter scribbles some notes and feeds them into the contraption.
  
  > Go up
  From this viewpoint, the auditorium's stage is smaller and emptier
  than it appeared from the audience. Nevertheless, its heavy blue curtains and and gold-edged insignia give it a certain gravitas. Two scrupulously identical banks of seats have been placed on either side, exactly equidistant from a center podium. The spotlights above are intense, and it's difficult to make out any details in the audience to the south. Passages to the northwest and northeast, concealed behind the folds of the curtain, lead backstage.
  
  The western politician speaks: "We stand at the precipice of the dawning of a new era. As we climb up to our new prosperity, let us proceed with caution. The road ahead is a new one, and we are the
  first ones to explore it. We will do so together. Let us embark on our mission with caution but not fear, with vision but not illusions, and with prudence but not timidity."
  
  crowd, who are now leaning back in comfortable boredom. Even the wary politicians on stage next to it relax.
  The western politician glances down at his podium. "Of course,
  improved relations between our two nations would generate a tremendous peace dividend. How should we use it most effectively?"
  
  The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  The western politician speaks: "Our nations have both entered an unprecedented era of prosperity. Most of our people have never had it so good. As we move forward, let us not forget those of us around the world who are not so fortunate. We have an obligation to use our great wealth to help out other nations and to be good neighbors to our
  fellow man. Forging ties of peace and comity with the other nations around the world will ensure a steady path forward for our two countries to thrive. Our preeminence on the world stage gives us an extraordinary chance to share our resources and our peace with the world and to lead by example."
  
  The western politician glances down at his podium. "Now, let us
  address how we can move with all due haste toward the peace we have envisioned here."
  
  The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  The western politician speaks: "In preparing for the new challenges that await us in the future, we have to be quick. We can only win the future and forge a new, more secure peace between our nations if we proceed rapidly, using our agreements here to accelerate our efforts not towards arming ourselves for war, but for building trust and establishing peace. We have established a road map that will lead us into the next decades, but the highway of progress we're on has no speed limit. The engine of progress is strong. We will not allow ourselves to quiet that engine because of fear or suspicion."
  
  The western politician glances down at his podium. "Let me now outline how we can de-escalate tensions between our two nations."
  
  The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  The western politician speaks: "With this summit, we are moving toward a more peaceful d??tente. Until we get there, however, we must continue to be wary. Let us move beyond the conflicts of the past. Whatever disagreements, we have had, we are in it for the long haul. We will bury you. We can look forward to the day when we beat our swords into plowshares and forge a new, more peaceful future; but until then, we will continue to make swords, and we will continue to point them towards you."
  
  My sharp, if technically nonexistent, ears pick up some faint
  murmuring even through the muffled reception of the wireless contraption.
  
  The western politician glances down at his podium. "This summit is a unique opportunity for our two nations. Let us discuss what we can do with it."
  
  The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  The western politician speaks: "This is the time for action. This summit has taken years, if not decades, to arrange. It will all have been worth it if we can take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity. The time for the future is now. Let us strike while the iron is hot and forge a peace together. We cannot wait, or we will
  lose our special moment in history. We must act, decisively and confidently, to secure a peaceful and prosperous future."
  
  crowd, who are now leaning back in comfortable boredom. Even the wary politicians on stage next to it relax.
  The western politician glances down at his podium. "I know many of you may have some concerns about our new policies, but let me assure you that we are giving all the issues due consideration."
  
  The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
  
  > go northwest
  Green Room (West)
  This narrow alcove is deep within the theater, the thick concrete
  walls blocking out the noise from the stage. A couch with threadbare cushions occupies one side of the room. At a table in the corner, a human sits in front of a machine resembling a typewriter, but with a profusion of wires running out of it and into a large suitcase at its feet. An empty coffee cup is next to it on the table, with a cigarette smoldering in it. A staircase to the southeast leads upward.
  
  The speechwriter sits nearby.
  
  The speechwriter scribbles some notes and, via some mechanism that I can't make out, feeds them into the contraption.
  
  > put aggressive on speechwriter
  (first taking the aggressively manner from the speechwriter)
  I give the aggressively manner to the speechwriter, who now intends to aggressively write notes encouraging warmongering.
  
  The speechwriter scribbles some notes and, via some mechanism that I can't make out, feeds them into the contraption.
  
  > put greedily on the speechwriter
  I give the greedily manner to the speechwriter, taking the
  aggressively manner in exchange. It now intends to greedily write
  notes encouraging selfishness.
  
  The speechwriter scribbles some notes and, frowning, feeds them into the contraption.
  
  > put recklessly on the speechwriter
  I give the recklessly manner to the speechwriter, taking the greedily manner in exchange. It now intends to recklessly write notes encouraging immediate action.
  
  The speechwriter scribbles some notes and, via some mechanism that I can't make out, feeds them into the contraption.
  
  > put recklessly on the speechwriter
  (first taking the recklessly manner from the speechwriter)
  I give the recklessly manner to the speechwriter, who now intends to recklessly write notes encouraging immediate action.
  
  The speechwriter scribbles some notes and gently feeds them into the contraption.
  
  > put aggressively on the speechwriter
  I give the aggressively manner to the speechwriter, taking the recklessly manner in exchange. It now intends to aggressively write notes encouraging warmongering.
  
  The speechwriter scribbles some notes and gingerly feeds them into the contraption.
  
  > put greedily on the speechwriter
  I give the greedily manner to the speechwriter, taking the
  aggressively manner in exchange. It now intends to greedily write
  notes encouraging selfishness.
  
  The speechwriter scribbles some notes and deftly feeds them into the contraption.
  
  > examine the contraption
  The contraption comprises a mass of electrical parts squashed into a compact Bakelite case whose exterior is studded with various dials and gauges. It's currently closed up and off. The components inside are shiny and free of dust.
  
  The speechwriter scribbles some notes and, via some mechanism that I can't make out, feeds them into the contraption.
  
  > Go upwards
  From this viewpoint, the auditorium's stage is smaller and emptier
  than it appeared from the audience. Nevertheless, its heavy blue curtains and and gold-edged insignia give it a certain gravitas. Two scrupulously identical banks of seats have been placed on either side, exactly equidistant from a center podium. The spotlights above are intense, and it's difficult to make out any details in the audience to the south. Passages to the northwest and northeast, concealed behind the folds of the curtain, lead backstage.
  
  The western politician speaks: "Every nation has the right to manage its own affairs. We must jealously guard our sovereignty and safeguard the rights of our own citizens. What we're proposing here is not an alliance, or a merger, or even a friendship; it's simply a wary d??tente between independent powers. Neither of us is here because of naive goodwill or charity; we are both doing it because of our enlightened self-interest."
  
  The western politician glances down at his podium. "Of course,
  improved relations between our two nations would generate a tremendous peace dividend. How should we use it most effectively?"
  
  The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
  
  > wait awhile
  Time passes.
  
  The western politician speaks: "My nation has entered an unprecedented era of prosperity. Most of our people have never had it so good. To start moving that wealth out of my nation, when we've worked so hard
  to achieve it, would be a disservice to our loyal citizens. By showing the rest of the world how wealthy we are, we can lead by example and give them an ideal to aspire to. We hope that you will be motivated by this display as well and, one day, share in our prosperity."
  
  My sharp, if technically nonexistent, ears pick up some faint
  murmuring even through the muffled reception of the wireless contraption.
  
  The western politician glances down at his podium. "Let me now outline how we can de-escalate tensions between our two nations."
  
  The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  The western politician speaks: "With this summit, we are moving
  towards a more peaceful d??tente. Our nations are not so different; one day we may see each other as friends. Until then, we can at least work together to earn each other's trust, establish lines of communication, and build a framework for a thawing of relations in which we can at least work together on our mutually beneficial goals. Let us move beyond the conflicts of the past. Even if we're not there yet, we can at least look forward to the day when we beat our swords into plowshares and plant the seeds of a new, more peaceful future."
  
  crowd, who are now leaning back in comfortable boredom. Even the wary politicians on stage next to it relax.
  The western politician glances down at his podium. "This summit is a unique opportunity for our two nations. Let us discuss what we can do with it."
  
  The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
  
  > put aggressively on speechwriter
  I give the aggressively manner to the speechwriter, taking the
  greedily manner in exchange. It now intends to aggressively write
  notes encouraging warmongering.
  
  The speechwriter scribbles some notes and gingerly feeds them into the contraption.
  
  > put greedily on the speechwriter
  I give the greedily manner to the speechwriter, taking the
  aggressively manner in exchange. It now intends to greedily write
  notes encouraging selfishness.
  
  The speechwriter scribbles some notes and gingerly feeds them into the contraption.
  
  > put recklessly on speechwriter
  I give the recklessly manner to the speechwriter, taking the greedily manner in exchange. It now intends to recklessly write notes encouraging immediate action.
  
  The speechwriter scribbles some notes and deftly feeds them into the contraption.
  
  > Go up
  From this viewpoint, the auditorium's stage is smaller and emptier
  than it appeared from the audience. Nevertheless, its heavy blue curtains and and gold-edged insignia give it a certain gravitas. Two scrupulously identical banks of seats have been placed on either side, exactly equidistant from a center podium. The spotlights above are intense, and it's difficult to make out any details in the audience to the south. Passages to the northwest and northeast, concealed behind the folds of the curtain, lead backstage.
  
  The western politician speaks: "Our nations have both entered an unprecedented era of prosperity. Most of our people have never had it so good. As we move forward, let us not forget those of us around the world who are not so fortunate. We have an obligation to use our great wealth to help out other nations and to be good neighbors to our
  fellow man. Forging ties of peace and comity with the other nations around the world will ensure a steady path forward for our two countries to thrive. Our preeminence on the world stage gives us an extraordinary chance to share our resources and our peace with the world and to lead by example."
  
  The western politician glances down at his podium. "Let me now outline how we can de-escalate tensions between our two nations."
  
  The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
  
  > wait for a while
  Time passes.
  
  The western politician speaks: "With this summit, we are moving
  towards a more peaceful d??tente. Our nations are not so different; one day we may see each other as friends. Until then, we can at least work together to earn each other's trust, establish lines of communication, and build a framework for a thawing of relations in which we can at least work together on our mutually beneficial goals. Let us move beyond the conflicts of the past. Even if we're not there yet, we can at least look forward to the day when we beat our swords into plowshares and plant the seeds of a new, more peaceful future."
  
  The western politician glances down at his podium. "But, you may be wondering, how can we ensure that we're acting in our best interests?"
  
  The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  The western politician speaks: "Every nation has the right to manage its own affairs. We must jealously guard our sovereignty and safeguard the rights of our own citizens. What we're proposing here is not an alliance, or a merger, or even a friendship; it's simply a wary d??tente between independent powers. Neither of us is here because of naive goodwill or charity; we are both doing it because of our enlightened self-interest."
  
  The western politician glances down at his podium. "This summit is a unique opportunity for our two nations. Let us discuss what we can do with it."
  
  The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  The western politician speaks: "This is the time for action. This summit has taken years, if not decades, to arrange. It will all have been worth it if we can take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity. The time for the future is now. Let us strike while the iron is hot and forge a peace together. We cannot wait, or we will
  lose our special moment in history. We must act, decisively and confidently, to secure a peaceful and prosperous future."
  
  The western politician glances down at his podium. "I know many of you may have some concerns about our new policies, but let me assure you that we are giving all the issues due consideration."
  
  The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
  
  > wait for a while
  Time passes.
  
  The western politician speaks: "We stand at the precipice of the dawning of a new era. Our precarious outpost here is crumbling away, and lofty ideals or dreams of prosperity won't save it. We need to act immediately. We're entering a brave new world, and we don't have a roadmap for the future, and we can't stop to ask for directions. Our only option is to act now. If you're not willing to make a commitment right now, then we'll walk out of this summit."
  
  My sharp, if technically nonexistent, ears pick up some faint
  murmuring even through the muffled reception of the wireless contraption.
  
  The western politician glances down at his podium. "Let me now outline how we can de-escalate tensions between our two nations."
  
  The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
  
  > wait for a while
  Time passes.
  
  The western politician speaks: "With this summit, we are moving
  towards a more peaceful d??tente. Our nations are not so different; one day we may see each other as friends. Until then, we can at least work together to earn each other's trust, establish lines of communication, and build a framework for a thawing of relations in which we can at least work together on our mutually beneficial goals. Let us move beyond the conflicts of the past. Even if we're not there yet, we can at least look forward to the day when we beat our swords into plowshares and plant the seeds of a new, more peaceful future."
  
  crowd, who are now leaning back in comfortable boredom. Even the wary politicians on stage next to it relax.
  The western politician glances down at his podium. "But, you may be wondering, how can we ensure that we're acting in our best interests?"
  
  The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  The western politician speaks: "This is the time for action. This summit has taken years, if not decades, to arrange. It will all have been worth it if we can take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity. The time for the future is now. Let us strike while the iron is hot and forge a peace together. We cannot wait, or we will
  lose our special moment in history. We must act, decisively and confidently, to secure a peaceful and prosperous future."
  
  The western politician glances down at his podium. "Of course,
  improved relations between our two nations would generate a tremendous peace dividend. How should we use it most effectively?"
  
  The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  The western politician speaks: "Our nations have both entered an unprecedented era of prosperity. Most of our people have never had it so good. As we move forward, let us not forget those of us around the world who are not so fortunate. We have an obligation to use our great wealth to help out other nations and to be good neighbors to our
  fellow man. Forging ties of peace and comity with the other nations around the world will ensure a steady path forward for our two countries to thrive. Our preeminence on the world stage gives us an extraordinary chance to share our resources and our peace with the world and to lead by example."
  
  The western politician glances down at his podium. "But, you may be wondering, how can we ensure that we're acting in our best interests?"
  
  The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
  
  > wait awhile
  Time passes.
  
  The western politician speaks: "We stand at the precipice of the dawning of a new era. Our precarious outpost here is crumbling away, and lofty ideals or dreams of prosperity won't save it. We need to act immediately. We're entering a brave new world, and we don't have a roadmap for the future, and we can't stop to ask for directions. Our only option is to act now. If you're not willing to make a commitment right now, then we'll walk out of this summit."
  
  My sharp, if technically nonexistent, ears pick up some faint
  murmuring even through the muffled reception of the wireless contraption.
  
  The western politician glances down at his podium. "Now, let us
  address how we can move with all due haste toward the peace we have envisioned here."
  
  The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
  
  > get all
  recklessly manner: I extract the recklessly manner from the speechwriter.
  write intent: I extract the write intent from the speechwriter.
  
  The speechwriter looks anxiously at the contraption, but it doesn't feed anything into it.
  
  > put write on the speechwriter
  I give the write intent to the speechwriter, who now intends to write notes for the western politician.
  
  The speechwriter scribbles some notes and gently feeds them into the contraption.
  
  > Go upward
  From this viewpoint, the auditorium's stage is smaller and emptier
  than it appeared from the audience. Nevertheless, its heavy blue curtains and and gold-edged insignia give it a certain gravitas. Two scrupulously identical banks of seats have been placed on either side, exactly equidistant from a center podium. The spotlights above are intense, and it's difficult to make out any details in the audience to the south. Passages to the northwest and northeast, concealed behind the folds of the curtain, lead backstage.
  
  The western politician speaks: "With this summit, we are moving
  towards a more peaceful d??tente. Our nations are not so different; one day we may see each other as friends. Until then, we can at least work together to earn each other's trust, establish lines of communication, and build a framework for a thawing of relations in which we can at least work together on our mutually beneficial goals. Let us move beyond the conflicts of the past. Even if we're not there yet, we can at least look forward to the day when we beat our swords into plowshares and plant the seeds of a new, more peaceful future."
  
  The western politician glances down at his podium. "But, you may be wondering, how can we ensure that we're acting in our best interests?"
  
  The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  The western politician speaks: "Every nation has the right to manage its own affairs. We must jealously guard our sovereignty and safeguard the rights of our own citizens. What we're proposing here is not an alliance, or a merger, or even a friendship; it's simply a wary d??tente between independent powers. Neither of us is here because of naive goodwill or charity; we are both doing it because of our enlightened self-interest."
  
  The western politician glances down at his podium. "I know many of you may have some concerns about our new policies, but let me assure you that we are giving all the issues due consideration."
  
  The eastern politician and the unaligned politician stand nearby, listening with practiced politeness.
  
  > Go upward
  From this viewpoint, the auditorium's stage is smaller and emptier
  than it appeared from the audience. Nevertheless, its heavy blue curtains and and gold-edged insignia give it a certain gravitas. Two scrupulously identical banks of seats have been placed on either side, exactly equidistant from a center podium. The spotlights above are intense, and it's difficult to make out any details in the audience to the south. Passages to the northwest and northeast, concealed behind the folds of the curtain, lead backstage.
  
  The western politician pauses for a moment, then continues: "I'm reminded of a story..." It stays silent.
  
  I can see the eastern politician and the unaligned politician here.
  
  > Go northeast
  Green Room (East)
  This cramped alcove is deep within the theater, the massive concrete walls blocking out the noise from the stage. A couch with fraying cushions occupies one side of the room. At a table in the corner, several humans sit around an open portfolio full of loose typewritten papers, methodically scribbling notes in green pencil. A staircase to the southwest leads upward.
  
  > put the write on the humans
  The note-takers are too indistinct for me to manipulate. Crowds are more trouble than they're worth.
  
  The tepid applause from the direction of the stage tells me that the western politician has run out of things to say. I rush over there to survey the damage.
  
  The speech is over, and the politicians there slither together in a knot on the center of the stage, patting each other on the back and exchanging overwrought handshakes. Flashbulbs explode around the stage as the journalists surge forward to the base of the stage. A massive table with three identical leather-bound proclamations is wheeled out to the center of the stage, and the politicians take their positions around it. Preparing to sign, they take up three identical pens to
  pose for the cameras. With the historical conclusion of the summit finally at hand, the telecommunication equipment begins its transmission. The satellite uplinks Kingfisher tampered with activate, and a vast light???
  
  You know what happened next. We did our best to avoid it, but we failed. Mistakes were made. No one could be blamed, though the demons who wound up being blamed anyway were summarily dismissed, to
  encourage the others. In the end, our defense grid turned out to be more resilient than any of us expected. Hell survived, severely weakened but still strong enough to repel an invasion from Heaven. Our operations in the remnants of the mortal realm were curtailed, but there were far fewer humans left afterward anyway. Heaven and Hell divided up the dead and redoubled our efforts to influence the few living souls.
  
  As for me, I managed to weather the fallout and keep my job. I even
  got a perfunctory commendation out of it, presumably to keep me quiet. I'm still faithfully working to advance the interests of our empire, even as we rebuild and prepare for the next war. The Great Game continues???on a very different board with very different pieces, but it
  continues. We'll meet again.