text: > descend
  The stairway down to the beach has collapsed.
  
  > jump
  You peer over the railing at the beach some fifty feet below. You make a mental note to reconsider your decision not to put The Suicide Prevention Hotline on speed dial.
  
  > Search shells
  The broken shells are too far away.
  
  > look at the rocks
  The beach is hemmed in on both ends by a jumble of fallen rock. Waves break over their jagged edges.
  
  > Dive
  What do you want to dive in?
  
  > Ocean
  The water is too far away.
  
  > jump on the brush
  The thick brush is too far away.
  
  > search the stairway
  The stairway is too far away.
  
  > look at what you're carrying with you
  You are carrying a package, a paddle, a business card, an inner tube patch, a forked stick, and a shiny penny.
  
  > South
  The hike back isn't any shorter, and it's all uphill. You're huffing and puffing a bit by the time you make it back to Poseidon & Amphitrite.
  
  The flagstone path ends at a circular open area, also paved in gray flagstone. There is a large and beautifully crafted bronze sculpture set on an elevated stone pedestal in its center. A polished brass plaque is attached to the pedestal below the sculpture. Decorative concrete benches are spaced around the perimeter of the pavement. The entire area is completely surrounded by lush flower beds.
  
  The main flagstone path leads back east. A rocky footpath leads north toward the cliffs overlooking the ocean.
  
  > North
  The path ends at the entrance to a large greenhouse. Its glass-paneled walls are fogged with moisture. Peering inside you can just make out what looks like long rows of plants, as well as the shadowy shape of a figure moving about among them. There is a single door, also glass, directly in front of you. It's closed.
  
  The flagstone path leads back south across the lawn.
  
  > look at the figure
  You can see a shadowy figure moving around among the rows of plants inside the greenhouse.
  
  > knock on the door
  You step up and knock on the greenhouse door. You see the shadowy figure look your way, then walk over to a table and pick something up. The door swings open.
  
  The figure turns out to be the estate's gardener. He is clad in coveralls and stooped with age. He is carrying a pair of hedge clippers. He peers up at you through thick, fogged glasses.
  
  "That you Earl? 'Bout time you got back. That hedge by the garage needs clippin', and uh, wait a sec..." He studies you intently through the Coke bottle bottoms he uses for lenses for a moment, then says, "Saaay, you ain't Earl."
  
  You decide to try the direct approach. "No, actually I have a very important package I need to deliver to Mr. Winton, but I'm having a hard time getting in to see him. I wonder if you could..."
  
  The old gardener cuts you off with a snort. "Nope! Try the main entrance."
  
  Once again you find yourself standing before a closed door. So much for the direct approach.
  
  > knock on the door
  You start to knock on the door again and realize that you don't have a plan of action, even if he does answer. He can't see that well. He might talk to you if you could somehow make him think you were Earl.
  
  The gardener stoops and appears to examine some plants.
  
  > look in the greenhouse
  You press your face against the glass and try to peer through the fog. You see the shadowy figure of the gardener moving around among the rows of plants inside the greenhouse.
  
  The gardener shuffles over to one side of the greenhouse and picks through some objects on a table.
  
  > Go west
  You see no particular reason to go hiking off across the beautifully manicured lawn when there are perfectly good paths available. Obvious exits lead north; and south, back to the west lawn.
  
  > go to the south
  The flagstone path runs east to west through acres of low, rolling hills covered by emerald-green lawn. The path itself is bordered on both sides by lush flower beds. Tall trees dot the landscape, getting generally thicker to the south.
  
  The main path leads north toward what appears to be greenhouse in the distance. The way back to the mansion is east.
  
  > Go south
  You can't bring yourself to trample through the flowers when there are perfectly good paths available. Obvious exits lead north, back to the greenhouse; east, to the gravel driveway; and west, to the west lawn by Poseidon & Amphitrite.
  
  > read the card
  PLASTI-SIDE, Inc.
  
  Guarantee!
  
  Dwayne R. Splatz
  Customer Representative
  (800) 555-KOTE
  
  Hmm... Looks like some poor siding salesman didn't read the plaque. Oh well, not your problem.
  
  > go to the south
  The thick (but neatly trimmed) hedge blocks your way. Obvious exits lead north, to the garage entrance; east, to the east lawn; and west, back to the gravel driveway.
  
  > go to the south
  You can't bring yourself to trample through the flowers when there are perfectly good paths available. Obvious exits lead east, to the east lawn by Triton; and west, back to the east gravel driveway.
  
  > Go west
  The thick, overgrown hedge blocks your way. Obvious exits lead north, to the garage; and south, back to the east gravel driveway.
  
  > Trim hedge
  What do you want to cut it with?
  
  > take the hopper
  You lunge for the grasshopper, and miss again. This time he takes flight just long enough to reach a clump of grass on the other side of the clearing.
  
  > Continue
  Ooh... really close that time. The grasshopper takes three quick hops and ends up behind you.
  
  > Keep going
  Just as you're about to spring the grasshopper decides the grass is greener over... there, and leaps to a new clump.
  
  > keep going
  You lunge for the grasshopper one last time, and much to your (and even more to the grasshopper's) surprise you actually manage to trap him under your cupped palm. I guess your previous clumsy efforts must have lulled the poor little guy into a false sense of security.
  
  > go to the south-west
  The forest thins slightly here, no doubt due to the huge old oak that is blocking most of the sunlight. The footpath continues from west to east along the wall for a bit before bending northeast to go around the tree's massive trunk.
  
  > drop the paddle
  Dropped.
  
  > Go upward
  It's been a long time since you last did much tree climbing, but you're willing to give it a try. You grab one of the lower branches and pull yourself up.
  
  You pause to catch your breath at a point that is about ten feet above the ground. The branch under your feet is thick and sturdy, and the trunk beside you is reassuringly massive.
  
  > Go upwards
  The branches aren't quite so thick and sturdy here. You can feel them swaying slightly under you with the wind. Every once in awhile the leaves part enough for you to catch a glimpse of the ground some twenty-five feet below.
  
  There is a three-inch wide hole in the trunk here. It contains a huge pile of acorns.
  
  > Go upward
  The dangerously thin branches creak and groan under your weight as you cling precariously to your shaky perch. Your climb has taken you nearly forty feet into the air. Looking out and down, all you can see are the tops of the other trees below you. Glancing up, you see that you have climbed to within ten feet of the top.
  
  A large female robin is perched on a branch to your left. She appears to be standing guard over the nest she has built there. The nest contains four pale blue eggs and a bobby pin.
  
  You hear birds twittering in the branches below you.
  
  > give the grasshopper to Robin
  It just so happens that small green grasshoppers are this particular robin's absolute favorite afternoon snack. Her normal caution overcome by hunger, she bursts forth in a flurry of beating wings and dives for the grasshopper. Before you can even twitch in response she's snapped it from your fingertips and zoomed back out of reach.
  By the time she has regained her perch all traces of the poor little guy are gone. She continues to watch you warily.
  
  So much for your show of good will.
  
  > Show hopper to Robin
  Carefully taking the grasshopper between thumb and forefinger, you hold it out to where the robin can see it. She begins cheeping and bobbing her head in excitement. You can almost feel the poor little guy cringe in your fingers.
  
  > drop the hopper
  You hold the hand containing the grasshopper out in front of you and slowly open it. The grasshopper cautiously pokes its head up and takes a look around. Spotting the robin, it immediately springs in terror for the nearest clump of leaves. The robin explodes into the air and dives in after it. You hear rustling sounds and occasional excited chirps coming from various points in the branches around you.
  
  The chase is on.