text: > Go downwards
  I make my way back down to the lounge, past rows of uninteresting
  guest rooms.
  
  The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
  my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.
  
  The drunk exhales contentedly.
  
  > Go west
  Humans crowd this room, sitting nervously on folding chairs and clutching lorgnettes. They face a dais piled with paintings,
  furniture, and small sculptures, continually fed by humans in black uniforms carrying in works of art from a smaller room to the north.
  The rest of the room is starkly utilitarian, with bare walls and
  overly bright lights. A passage to the east leads back into the rest
  of the hotel.
  
  The auctioneer surveys the audience expectantly.
  
  The tourist starts at the the stage as if contemplating a bid, but it decides against it.
  
  The detector vibrates faintly in my hand, and a magnetic force is pulling it east.
  
  > go east
  The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
  my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.
  
  The drunk takes a swig from its bottle.
  
  The detector vibrates faintly in my hand, and a magnetic force is pulling it south.
  
  > Go south
  At the center of the hotel is this wide atrium, a plaza of orange
  brick dotted with flowerboxes and ornamental bushes. The ceiling of
  the lobby is made of glass, and so the sunset outside gives an unnatural hue to the hibiscus vines adorning the open doors to the south. Despite the location, it's mostly quiet here. Even the rattan chairs overlooking the garden to the east are empty.
  
  The hotel reception is to the west, and a corridor to the north leads deeper into the hotel.
  
  A gigantic ice sculpture of a swan sits prominently on a pedestal.
  
  A thermostat is located unobtrusively in a corner.
  
  The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.
  
  The guest complains to no one in particular about the temperature of the room and looks meaningfully at the thermostat.
  
  The detector vibrates faintly in my hand, and a magnetic force is pulling it west.
  
  > go west
  I'm at the hotel's reception, a small entryway with a gleaming marble floor and lamps made of dark green glass. The reception desk itself is a massive thing of oak, with a plush red carpet in front of it and a few potted chrysanthemums on top of it making it more inviting. A safe has been set into the wall behind it. A ceiling fan slowly spins above a passage farther into the hotel to the east. The exit from the hotel, flanked by ferns in massive clay pots, lies to the west.
  
  The hotel clerk stands behind the desk.
  
  The wealthy dowager is sitting in a plush leather chair.
  
  The detector vibrates faintly in my hand, and a magnetic force is pulling it west.
  
  > go west
  The detector blinks briefly, indicating that I've moved into a new region of the compound.
  
  This cobblestone trail runs from the casino to the hotel on the complex. Box trees flank the path, interspersed with a variety of colorful ornamental plants I don't recognize. The hotel it leads from is a sprawling villa of orange bricks with towers sprouting around its perimeter. A stone archway leads east into the hotel, and the trail winds to the west.
  
  A shiny silver mirror hangs over the archway leading east.
  
  The waiter loafs in the corner.
  
  The detector vibrates faintly in my hand, and a magnetic force is pulling it west.
  
  > Go west
  This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large, well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.
  
  east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
  hedges.
  
  Shoved unobtrusively under the marble bench is an oblong package.
  
  The detector buzzes insistently.
  
  > take the package
  I tear into the package. Inside it is the odd device Whiptail showed
  me earlier. I gingerly reach out to touch it, and I suddenly seize up with a painful jolt as my thaumatic field realigns. I don't feel that different afterwards, but I definitely notice some extra sharpness around the outer edge of the field. Hopefully that did the trick; there's only one way to find out.
  
  The package and the device itself obligingly self-destruct, leaving no evidence of the home office's intervention.
  
  > Inventory
  Intentions:
  the block intent
  the take intent
  the clean up intent
  the wait intent
  the explore intent
  
  Codebooks:
  three confidential codebooks
  
  Other possessions:
  a detector
  an intercepted communiqu��
  the almanach
  a candle
  
  > look at the waiter
  The waiter's uniform includes a half-apron with a pocket, in which rests a small notepad.
  
  The waiter loafs in the corner.
  
  > go to the east
  The detector blinks briefly, indicating that I've moved into a new region of the compound.
  
  I'm at the hotel's reception, a small entryway with a gleaming marble floor and lamps made of dark green glass. The reception desk itself is a massive thing of oak, with a plush red carpet in front of it and a few potted chrysanthemums on top of it making it more inviting. A safe has been set into the wall behind it. A ceiling fan slowly spins above a passage farther into the hotel to the east. The exit from the hotel, flanked by ferns in massive clay pots, lies to the west.
  
  The hotel clerk stands behind the desk.
  
  The wealthy dowager is sitting in a plush leather chair.
  
  > take warm
  Some odd freezing, feathery barrier stops me, like an angry swan made of ice is getting in my way.
  
  The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.
  
  The guest complains to no one in particular about the temperature of the room and looks meaningfully at the thermostat.
  
  > Spin guest
  I'm a noncorporeal entity, and so I can't interact directly with
  purely physical objects.
  
  > examine the thermostat
  It's currently set to an unusually low temperature.
  
  The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.
  
  The guest looks pointedly at the thermostat.
  
  > Inventory
  Intentions:
  the block intent
  the take intent
  the clean up intent
  the wait intent
  the explore intent
  
  Codebooks:
  three confidential codebooks
  
  Other possessions:
  a detector
  an intercepted communiqu��
  the almanach
  a candle
  
  > take aggressively
  I extract the aggressively manner from the bellhop.
  
  The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.
  
  The guest complains to no one in particular about the temperature of the room and looks meaningfully at the thermostat.
  
  > put aggressively on the guest
  I give the aggressively manner to the guest, who now intends to aggressively warm itself up.
  
  The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.
  
  The guest goes right up to the thermostat and boldly turns it up. The room begins to warm.
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  The temperature grows steadily warmer.
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  There's a loud crack, and the neck of the sculpture breaks and falls
  to the floor. The rest of the sculpture is rapidly melting, forming a puddle on the floor. The bellhop runs over, but it's too late.
  
  I feel a shift in the astral energies of this place. My ability to manipulate intentions seems to have returned.
  
  > take defend
  I extract the defend intent from the bellhop.
  
  The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.
  
  > take warm
  I extract the warm intent from the guest, along with the aggressively manner.
  
  The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.
  
  > take the drink
  (the drink intent)
  I extract the drink intent from the drunk, along with the recklessly manner.
  
  > go west
  Humans crowd this room, sitting nervously on folding chairs and clutching lorgnettes. They face a dais piled with paintings,
  furniture, and small sculptures, continually fed by humans in black uniforms carrying in works of art from a smaller room to the north.
  The rest of the room is starkly utilitarian, with bare walls and
  overly bright lights. A passage to the east leads back into the rest
  of the hotel.
  
  The auctioneer takes a deep breath.
  
  The tourist starts at the the stage as if contemplating a bid, but it decides against it.
  
  > examine the tourist
  The tourist watches the auction keenly, its fingers twitching.
  
  > BUY
  something impressive.
  
  The auctioneer looks intently at potential bidders.
  
  The tourist hesitantly begins to raise its hand to make a bid, but it decides against it.
  
  > take buy
  I extract the buy intent from the tourist, along with the seriously manner.
  
  The auctioneer surveys the audience expectantly.
  
  > look at the auctioneer
  Grey-haired but with a voice like a megaphone.
  
  The auctioneer is holding a necklace.
  
  > SELL
  the necklace.
  
  The auctioneer surveys the audience expectantly.
  
  > take the sell
  I extract the sell intent from the auctioneer, along with the greedily manner.
  
  > Go north
  An almost endless mass of crates, chests, and pallets fills this small room. They reach the ceiling, yet an array of humans in black uniforms manages to glide through narrow openings in the debris, shuttling
  items into the larger room to the south. There's no apparent organization to the clutter, or even visible labels on the various boxes, but the humans have no difficulty in finding whatever objects they're looking for.
  
  A large golden chest, glowing with spiritual energy, catches the eye off to one side.
  
  The picker listens to the auction in the next room, waiting for a new item to be needed.
  
  > examine picker
  A tall, wiry human that resembles a rodent.
  
  > SELECT
  something light for the auction.
  
  The picker listens to the auction in the next room, waiting for a new item to be needed.
  
  > take the select
  I extract the select intent from the picker, along with the lazily manner.
  
  > check your inventory
  Intentions:
  the select intent
  the sell intent
  the buy intent
  the drink intent
  the warm intent
  the defend intent
  the block intent
  the take intent
  the clean up intent
  the wait intent
  the explore intent
  
  Manners:
  the lazily manner
  the greedily manner
  the seriously manner
  the recklessly manner
  the aggressively manner
  
  Codebooks:
  three confidential codebooks
  
  Other possessions:
  a detector
  an intercepted communiqu��
  the almanach
  a candle
  
  > go to the south
  Humans crowd this room, sitting nervously on folding chairs and clutching lorgnettes. They face a dais piled with paintings,
  furniture, and small sculptures, continually fed by humans in black uniforms carrying in works of art from a smaller room to the north.
  The rest of the room is starkly utilitarian, with bare walls and
  overly bright lights. A passage to the east leads back into the rest
  of the hotel.
  
  The tourist sits off to one side.
  
  I can also see the auctioneer here.
  
  > Go east
  The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
  my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.
  
  The drunk sprawls nearby.
  
  > Go south
  At the center of the hotel is this wide atrium, a plaza of orange
  brick dotted with flowerboxes and ornamental bushes. The ceiling of
  the lobby is made of glass, and so the sunset outside gives an unnatural hue to the hibiscus vines adorning the open doors to the south. Despite the location, it's mostly quiet here. Even the rattan chairs overlooking the garden to the east are empty.
  
  The hotel reception is to the west, and a corridor to the north leads deeper into the hotel.
  
  A thermostat is located unobtrusively in a corner.
  
  The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.
  
  The guest is loitering off to one side.
  
  I can also see a large puddle here.
  
  > Go west
  I'm at the hotel's reception, a small entryway with a gleaming marble floor and lamps made of dark green glass. The reception desk itself is a massive thing of oak, with a plush red carpet in front of it and a few potted chrysanthemums on top of it making it more inviting. A safe has been set into the wall behind it. A ceiling fan slowly spins above a passage farther into the hotel to the east. The exit from the hotel, flanked by ferns in massive clay pots, lies to the west.
  
  The hotel clerk stands behind the desk.
  
  The wealthy dowager is sitting in a plush leather chair.
  
  > Go south
  The hotel's restaurant is a tediously chic affair, full of spindly tables and blobby oil paintings. In addition to the artfully placed mirrors, the emptiness of the hall also makes it seem cavernous; there are few patrons this evening. Nevertheless, there are fresh hydrangeas in the delicate glass epergnes at the precise center of each table,
  and the electric lights have been dimmed in favor of the soft evening light coming from the open doors to the north. Another swinging door lies to the east.
  
  The diner looks thoughtfully at the dessert menu.
  
  The server walks in from the east.
  
  > Examine diner
  It's wearing a light jacket and sitting by itself at a table.
  
  > READ
  all the options on the dessert menu.
  
  The diner considers getting another drink with dessert.
  
  The server looks to see if the diner wants to order anything.
  
  > take read
  I extract the read intent from the diner, along with the slowly
  manner.
  
  The server walks off to the east.
  
  > go east
  Even at this hour, the kitchen is a frenzy of activity. At rows of steel tables, cooks go through whatever laborious tasks are necessary to make food for humans. I'm not sure exactly what they are, but they apparently involve a lot of fire and yelling. The cramped room is filled with smoke and the aromas of spices. A swinging door leads west into the restaurant, and a heavy steel door is to the south.
  
  The server looks around vaguely.
  
  > look at the server
  Impeccably dressed in the manner of one who's used to its tips depending on it.
  
  > SERVE
  food to the restaurant patrons.
  
  The server walks off to the west.
  
  > go west
  The hotel's restaurant is a tediously chic affair, full of spindly tables and blobby oil paintings. In addition to the artfully placed mirrors, the emptiness of the hall also makes it seem cavernous; there are few patrons this evening. Nevertheless, there are fresh hydrangeas in the delicate glass epergnes at the precise center of each table,
  and the electric lights have been dimmed in favor of the soft evening light coming from the open doors to the north. Another swinging door lies to the east.
  
  The server looks to see if the diner wants to order anything.
  
  > take serve
  I extract the serve intent from the server, along with the generously manner.
  
  > go to the northeast
  squat building to the east. It is trim and spartan, with no ornamentation aside from the tall hedges forming its boundary. They also block the breeze coming in off the sea, so the air here is warm and still.
  
  There's a set of double doors here blocking the way east, the carvings of which form a pentagram.
  
  The agent stands next to the doors.
  
  The reporter asks politely to be let in, but the agent curtly refuses to let it through.
  
  > examine the agent
  A human in a sharp black suit.
  
  The reporter calmly shows the agent its press pass, but the agent refuses.
  
  > examine reporter
  A human carrying a notebook and wearing a press pass.
  
  > OPEN
  the way into the conference.
  
  The reporter calmly shows the agent its press pass, but the agent ignores it placidly.
  
  > take the open
  I extract the open intent from the reporter.
  
  The reporter attempts to peer through a window.
  
  > put open on the dowager
  I give the open intent to the wealthy dowager, who now intends to open the safe to check on its jewels.
  
  The wealthy dowager demands to check that its jewels are safe in the safe, but the clerk doesn't bother complying.
  
  > put greedily on the dowager
  I give the greedily manner to the wealthy dowager, who now intends to greedily open the safe to check on its jewels.
  
  The wealthy dowager demands to check that its jewels are safe in the safe, but the clerk doesn't bother complying.
  
  > take greedily
  I extract the greedily manner from the wealthy dowager.
  
  The wealthy dowager demands to check that its jewels are safe in the safe, but the clerk doesn't bother complying.
  
  > check your inventory
  Intentions:
  the serve intent
  the read intent
  the select intent
  the sell intent
  the buy intent
  the drink intent
  the warm intent
  the defend intent
  the block intent
  the take intent
  the clean up intent
  the wait intent
  the explore intent
  
  Manners:
  the greedily manner
  the generously manner
  the slowly manner
  the lazily manner
  the seriously manner
  the recklessly manner
  the aggressively manner
  
  Codebooks:
  three confidential codebooks
  
  Other possessions:
  a detector
  an intercepted communiqu��
  the almanach
  a candle
  
  > put the serve on the clerk
  I give the serve intent to the hotel clerk, who now intends to serve
  in its role at the hotel desk.
  
  The hotel clerk gives a cursory look around the hotel reception.
  
  The wealthy dowager demands to check that its jewels are safe in the safe. The clerk, grumbling to itself, opens it for a split second but shuts its again too quickly for me to grab the codebook.
  
  > put lazily on the clerk
  I give the lazily manner to the hotel clerk, who now intends to lazily serve in its role at the hotel desk.
  
  The hotel clerk gives a cursory look around the hotel reception.
  
  The wealthy dowager demands to check that its jewels are safe in the safe. The clerk grudgingly opens it for a split second but shuts its again too quickly for me to grab the codebook.
  
  > put slowly on the clerk
  I give the slowly manner to the hotel clerk, taking the lazily manner in exchange. It now intends to slowly serve in its role at the hotel desk.
  
  The hotel clerk keenly surveys the hotel reception.
  
  The wealthy dowager demands to check that its jewels are safe in the safe. The clerk grudgingly obliges, slowly opening the safe for inspection.
  
  > take the codebook
  (the secret codebook)
  I pick up the secret codebook and page through it. The cipher on the communiqu�� is at a much higher classification level than the secret codebook, but I can still decipher some of its header information and basic format. This particular cipher is used by a research division in the Other Side's clandestine intelligence services. Most of its work
  is unclear to my side, but they're extremely ambitious and kept under tight wraps; some are still classified even millennia after their conceptions. The coded information on the communiqu�� indicates that it was sent to an operative on site, presumably Kingfisher.
  
  With the part of the cipher in the codebook, I can decrypt some more
  of the communiqu��:
  
  Confirmed 72880 of 46480. There is no significant 73048 remaining in the 47576 45953 has been 62029 31368 02666 and ensure that 79260 67549 07135 14066 43999 is 03659. We will act 67043 on the 85994
  
  The hotel clerk closes the safe again.
  
  > take serve
  I extract the serve intent from the hotel clerk, along with the slowly manner.
  
  The wealthy dowager demands to check that its jewels are safe in the safe, but the clerk doesn't bother complying.
  
  > take the open
  I extract the open intent from the wealthy dowager.
  
  > go east
  At the center of the hotel is this wide atrium, a plaza of orange
  brick dotted with flowerboxes and ornamental bushes. The ceiling of
  the lobby is made of glass, and so the sunset outside gives an unnatural hue to the hibiscus vines adorning the open doors to the south. Despite the location, it's mostly quiet here. Even the rattan chairs overlooking the garden to the east are empty.
  
  The hotel reception is to the west, and a corridor to the north leads deeper into the hotel.
  
  A thermostat is located unobtrusively in a corner.
  
  The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.
  
  The guest is loitering off to one side.
  
  I can also see a large puddle here.
  
  > Go south
  The hotel's restaurant is a tediously chic affair, full of spindly tables and blobby oil paintings. In addition to the artfully placed mirrors, the emptiness of the hall also makes it seem cavernous; there are few patrons this evening. Nevertheless, there are fresh hydrangeas in the delicate glass epergnes at the precise center of each table,
  and the electric lights have been dimmed in favor of the soft evening light coming from the open doors to the north. Another swinging door lies to the east.
  
  I can see the server and the diner here.
  
  > check your inventory
  Intentions:
  the open intent
  the serve intent
  the read intent
  the select intent
  the sell intent
  the buy intent
  the drink intent
  the warm intent
  the defend intent
  the block intent
  the take intent
  the clean up intent
  the wait intent
  the explore intent
  
  Manners:
  the slowly manner
  the lazily manner
  the greedily manner
  the generously manner
  the seriously manner
  the recklessly manner
  the aggressively manner
  
  Codebooks:
  three confidential codebooks
  one secret codebook
  
  Other possessions:
  a detector
  an intercepted communiqu��
  the almanach
  a candle
  
  > take buy
  I extract the buy intent from the diner.
  
  > put the drink on diner
  I give the drink intent to the diner, who now vaguely intends to
  drink.
  
  > take the drink
  I extract the drink intent from the diner.
  
  > put the select on the diner
  I give the select intent to the diner, who now intends to select a dessert.
  
  The diner looks thoughtfully at the dessert menu.
  
  > put greedily on the diner
  I give the greedily manner to the diner, who now intends to greedily select a dessert.
  
  The diner calls over the server and orders a bowl of ice cream.
  
  > put the serve on the server
  I give the serve intent to the server, who now intends to serve food
  to the restaurant patrons.
  
  The diner calls over the server and orders a bowl of ice cream.
  
  The server walks off to the east.
  
  > go east
  Even at this hour, the kitchen is a frenzy of activity. At rows of steel tables, cooks go through whatever laborious tasks are necessary to make food for humans. I'm not sure exactly what they are, but they apparently involve a lot of fire and yelling. The cramped room is filled with smoke and the aromas of spices. A swinging door leads west into the restaurant, and a heavy steel door is to the south.
  
  The server walks into the walk-in freezer.
  
  > Go south
  This small room is cluttered with tins, crates, and boxes of human foodstuffs. The air is cold and dry, and the shelves along the walls are covered in a faint rime of frost. The only exit is a heavy steel door to the north.
  
  Two cartons of ice cream, one old and one new, sit next to the door.
  
  The server carefully scoops a bowl of ice cream from the ice-covered old carton.
  
  > take serve
  I extract the serve intent from the server.
  
  The server carefully carries a bowl of ice cream out of the walk-in freezer.
  
  > Go north
  Even at this hour, the kitchen is a frenzy of activity. At rows of steel tables, cooks go through whatever laborious tasks are necessary to make food for humans. I'm not sure exactly what they are, but they apparently involve a lot of fire and yelling. The cramped room is filled with smoke and the aromas of spices. A swinging door leads west into the restaurant, and a heavy steel door is to the south.
  
  The server carefully carries a bowl of ice cream off to the west.
  
  > go to the west
  The hotel's restaurant is a tediously chic affair, full of spindly tables and blobby oil paintings. In addition to the artfully placed mirrors, the emptiness of the hall also makes it seem cavernous; there are few patrons this evening. Nevertheless, there are fresh hydrangeas in the delicate glass epergnes at the precise center of each table,
  and the electric lights have been dimmed in favor of the soft evening light coming from the open doors to the north. Another swinging door lies to the east.
  
  The server gracefully gives the bowl of ice cream to the diner.
  
  The diner eats its ice cream.
  
  > check what you're carrying
  Intentions:
  the serve intent
  the drink intent
  the buy intent
  the open intent
  the read intent
  the sell intent
  the warm intent
  the defend intent
  the block intent
  the take intent
  the clean up intent
  the wait intent
  the explore intent
  
  Manners:
  the slowly manner
  the lazily manner
  the generously manner
  the seriously manner
  the recklessly manner
  the aggressively manner
  
  Codebooks:
  three confidential codebooks
  one secret codebook
  
  Other possessions:
  a detector
  an intercepted communiqu��
  the almanach
  a candle
  
  > put the warm intent on the server
  I give the warm intent to the server, who now vaguely intends to warm.
  
  The diner calls over the server and orders a bowl of ice cream.
  
  > put generously on the server
  I give the generously manner to the server, but it doesn't have much effect.
  
  The diner calls over the server and orders a bowl of ice cream.
  
  > put serve on the server
  I give the serve intent to the server, taking the warm intent in exchange. It now intends to generously serve food to the restaurant patrons.
  
  The diner calls over the server and orders a bowl of ice cream.
  
  The server walks off to the east.
  
  > go east
  Even at this hour, the kitchen is a frenzy of activity. At rows of steel tables, cooks go through whatever laborious tasks are necessary to make food for humans. I'm not sure exactly what they are, but they apparently involve a lot of fire and yelling. The cramped room is filled with smoke and the aromas of spices. A swinging door leads west into the restaurant, and a heavy steel door is to the south.
  
  The server walks into the walk-in freezer.
  
  > Go south
  This small room is cluttered with tins, crates, and boxes of human foodstuffs. The air is cold and dry, and the shelves along the walls are covered in a faint rime of frost. The only exit is a heavy steel door to the north.
  
  Two cartons of ice cream, one old and one new, sit next to the door.
  
  The server carefully scoops a bowl of ice cream from the ice-covered old carton.
  
  > Put open on server
  I give the open intent to the server, taking the serve intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to generously open something.
  
  The server carefully carries a bowl of ice cream out of the walk-in freezer.
  
  > Go north
  Even at this hour, the kitchen is a frenzy of activity. At rows of steel tables, cooks go through whatever laborious tasks are necessary to make food for humans. I'm not sure exactly what they are, but they apparently involve a lot of fire and yelling. The cramped room is filled with smoke and the aromas of spices. A swinging door leads west into the restaurant, and a heavy steel door is to the south.
  
  The server carefully carries a bowl of ice cream off to the west.
  
  > go to the west
  The hotel's restaurant is a tediously chic affair, full of spindly tables and blobby oil paintings. In addition to the artfully placed mirrors, the emptiness of the hall also makes it seem cavernous; there are few patrons this evening. Nevertheless, there are fresh hydrangeas in the delicate glass epergnes at the precise center of each table,
  and the electric lights have been dimmed in favor of the soft evening light coming from the open doors to the north. Another swinging door lies to the east.
  
  The server gracefully gives the bowl of ice cream to the diner.
  
  The diner eats its ice cream.
  
  > Put recklessly on the server
  I give the recklessly manner to the server, taking the generously manner in exchange.
  
  The diner calls over the server and orders a bowl of ice cream.
  
  > put the serve on the server
  I give the serve intent to the server, taking the open intent in exchange. It now intends to recklessly serve food to the restaurant patrons.
  
  The diner calls over the server and orders a bowl of ice cream.
  
  The server walks off to the east.
  
  > go to the south
  This small room is cluttered with tins, crates, and boxes of human foodstuffs. The air is cold and dry, and the shelves along the walls are covered in a faint rime of frost. The only exit is a heavy steel door to the north.
  
  Two cartons of ice cream, one old and one new, sit next to the door.
  
  The server hurriedly picks up the ice-covered old carton, but it slips from its grasp and lands face down. It grimaces at the waste but opens the new carton and quickly scoops a bowl of ice cream from there.
  
  > take the codebook
  (the secret codebook)
  I pick up the secret codebook and page through it. A few of the code sequences from the communiqu�� are in it, and I decrypt some more of it:
  
  Confirmed 72880 of 46480. There is no significant opposition remaining in the target area. The action has been authorized. Assist 02666 and ensure that 79260 67549 successfully as quickly as possible 43999 is standing by. We will act 67043 on the 85994
  
  The server carefully carries a bowl of ice cream out of the walk-in freezer.
  
  > take serve
  I extract the serve intent from the server, along with the recklessly manner.
  
  The diner calls over the server and orders a bowl of ice cream.
  
  > take select
  I extract the select intent from the diner, along with the greedily manner.
  
  > go to the north
  An almost endless mass of crates, chests, and pallets fills this small room. They reach the ceiling, yet an array of humans in black uniforms manages to glide through narrow openings in the debris, shuttling
  items into the larger room to the south. There's no apparent organization to the clutter, or even visible labels on the various boxes, but the humans have no difficulty in finding whatever objects they're looking for.
  
  A large golden chest, glowing with spiritual energy, catches the eye off to one side.
  
  I can also see the picker here.
  
  > check your inventory
  Intentions:
  the select intent
  the serve intent
  the warm intent
  the drink intent
  the buy intent
  the read intent
  the sell intent
  the defend intent
  the block intent
  the take intent
  the clean up intent
  the wait intent
  the explore intent
  
  Manners:
  the greedily manner
  the recklessly manner
  the generously manner
  the slowly manner
  the lazily manner
  the seriously manner
  the aggressively manner
  
  Codebooks:
  three confidential codebooks
  two secret codebooks
  
  Other possessions:
  a detector
  an intercepted communiqu��
  the almanach
  a candle
  
  > put greedily on the picker
  I give the greedily manner to the picker, taking the seriously manner in exchange.
  
  > put lazily on the picker
  I give the lazily manner to the picker, taking the greedily manner in exchange.
  
  > take lazily
  I extract the lazily manner from the picker.
  
  > go to the south
  Humans crowd this room, sitting nervously on folding chairs and clutching lorgnettes. They face a dais piled with paintings,
  furniture, and small sculptures, continually fed by humans in black uniforms carrying in works of art from a smaller room to the north.
  The rest of the room is starkly utilitarian, with bare walls and
  overly bright lights. A passage to the east leads back into the rest
  of the hotel.
  
  The tourist sits off to one side.
  
  I can also see the auctioneer here.
  
  > Inventory
  Intentions:
  the select intent
  the serve intent
  the warm intent
  the drink intent
  the buy intent
  the read intent
  the sell intent
  the defend intent
  the block intent
  the take intent
  the clean up intent
  the wait intent
  the explore intent
  
  Manners:
  the lazily manner
  the greedily manner
  the seriously manner
  the recklessly manner
  the generously manner
  the slowly manner
  the aggressively manner
  
  Codebooks:
  three confidential codebooks
  two secret codebooks
  
  Other possessions:
  a detector
  an intercepted communiqu��
  the almanach
  a candle
  
  > go to the north
  An almost endless mass of crates, chests, and pallets fills this small room. They reach the ceiling, yet an array of humans in black uniforms manages to glide through narrow openings in the debris, shuttling
  items into the larger room to the south. There's no apparent organization to the clutter, or even visible labels on the various boxes, but the humans have no difficulty in finding whatever objects they're looking for.
  
  A large golden chest, glowing with spiritual energy, catches the eye off to one side.
  
  I can also see the picker here.
  
  > put lazily on the picker
  I give the lazily manner to the picker, taking the aggressively manner in exchange.
  
  > look at the picker
  A tall, wiry human that resembles a rodent.
  
  > OPEN
  something.
  
  > put the sell on the auctioneer
  I give the sell intent to the auctioneer, who now intends to sell the necklace.
  
  The auctioneer sets the necklace aside, unsold. One of the workers carries it back to the storage room to the north.
  
  > check your inventory
  Intentions:
  the select intent
  the serve intent
  the warm intent
  the drink intent
  the read intent
  the defend intent
  the block intent
  the take intent
  the clean up intent
  the wait intent
  the explore intent
  
  Manners:
  the greedily manner
  the seriously manner
  the recklessly manner
  the generously manner
  the slowly manner
  
  Codebooks:
  three confidential codebooks
  two secret codebooks
  
  Other possessions:
  a detector
  an intercepted communiqu��
  the almanach
  a candle
  
  > put greedily on the tourist
  I give the greedily manner to the tourist, taking the seriously manner in exchange. It now intends to greedily buy something impressive.
  
  > put seriously on the picker
  I give the seriously manner to the picker, taking the lazily manner in exchange.
  
  > look at the tourist
  The tourist watches the auction keenly, its fingers twitching.
  
  > BUY
  something impressive.
  
  > look at auctioneer
  Grey-haired but with a voice like a megaphone.
  
  > SELL
  various items.
  
  > put take on picker
  I give the take intent to the picker, taking the open intent in exchange. It now intends to seriously take something valuable to be auctioned.
  
  With great effort, the picker carries the golden chest off to the south.
  
  > go to the south
  Humans crowd this room, sitting nervously on folding chairs and clutching lorgnettes. They face a dais piled with paintings,
  furniture, and small sculptures, continually fed by humans in black uniforms carrying in works of art from a smaller room to the north.
  The rest of the room is starkly utilitarian, with bare walls and
  overly bright lights. A passage to the east leads back into the rest
  of the hotel.
  
  The auctioneer solicits bids for the golden chest, naming a high starting price.
  
  The tourist sits off to one side.
  
  From here, I can only go north and east.
  
  > put greedily on the tourist
  (first taking the greedily manner from the tourist)
  I give the greedily manner to the tourist, who now intends to greedily buy something impressive.
  
  The auctioneer looks intently at potential bidders.
  
  The tourist pores over the contents of its wallet. It starts to raise its hand to bid, but rechecks its wallet, sighs, and decides against it.
  
  > put recklessly on the tourist
  I give the recklessly manner to the tourist, taking the greedily
  manner in exchange. It now intends to recklessly buy something impressive.
  
  The auctioneer surveys the audience expectantly.
  
  The tourist pores over the contents of its wallet. It starts to raise its hand to bid, but it checks its wallet again and decides against
  it.
  
  > put recklessly on the auctioneer
  (first taking the recklessly manner from the tourist)
  I give the recklessly manner to the auctioneer, taking the
  aggressively manner in exchange. It now intends to recklessly sell the golden chest.
  
  The auctioneer surveys the audience expectantly.
  
  The tourist starts at the the stage as if contemplating a bid, but it decides against it.
  
  > put greedily on the tourist
  I give the greedily manner to the tourist, who now intends to greedily buy something impressive.
  
  The auctioneer looks intently at potential bidders.
  
  The tourist pores over the contents of its wallet. It starts to raise its hand to bid, but its mouth moves for a moment in silent calculation, and it decides against it.
  
  > put open on the auctioneer
  I give the open intent to the auctioneer, taking the sell intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to recklessly open something.
  
  > Go north
  An almost endless mass of crates, chests, and pallets fills this small room. They reach the ceiling, yet an array of humans in black uniforms manages to glide through narrow openings in the debris, shuttling
  items into the larger room to the south. There's no apparent organization to the clutter, or even visible labels on the various boxes, but the humans have no difficulty in finding whatever objects they're looking for.
  
  The picker listens to the auction in the next room, waiting for a new item to be needed.
  
  > take take
  I extract the take intent from the picker, along with the seriously manner.
  
  > examine the chest
  The chest is actually made of oak; its surface is covered in gold
  foil. It's glowing with spiritual energy.
  
  The golden chest is mystically sealed, presumably to protect its contents from the opposition. The barrier is also keeping me from accessing its contents, a secret codebook, as long as it's closed.
  
  > look at what you're carrying with you
  Intentions:
  the take intent
  the sell intent
  the select intent
  the serve intent
  the warm intent
  the drink intent
  the read intent
  the defend intent
  the block intent
  the clean up intent
  the wait intent
  the explore intent
  
  Manners:
  the seriously manner
  the aggressively manner
  the lazily manner
  the generously manner
  the slowly manner
  
  Codebooks:
  three confidential codebooks
  two secret codebooks
  
  Other possessions:
  a detector
  an intercepted communiqu��
  the almanach
  a candle
  
  > put generously on the auctioneer
  I give the generously manner to the auctioneer, taking the recklessly manner in exchange.
  
  > put recklessly on the tourist
  I give the recklessly manner to the tourist, taking the greedily
  manner in exchange. It now intends to recklessly buy something impressive.
  
  > put the sell on the auctioneer
  I give the sell intent to the auctioneer, taking the open intent in exchange. It now intends to generously sell the golden chest.
  
  The auctioneer sets the golden chest aside, unsold. One of the workers carries it back to the storage room to the north.
  
  > check your inventory
  Intentions:
  the open intent
  the take intent
  the select intent
  the serve intent
  the warm intent
  the drink intent
  the read intent
  the defend intent
  the block intent
  the clean up intent
  the wait intent
  the explore intent
  
  Manners:
  the greedily manner
  the seriously manner
  the aggressively manner
  the lazily manner
  the slowly manner
  
  Codebooks:
  three confidential codebooks
  two secret codebooks
  
  Other possessions:
  a detector
  an intercepted communiqu��
  the almanach
  a candle
  
  > put the take on picker
  I give the take intent to the picker, who now intends to take
  something arbitrary to be auctioned.
  
  The picker selects an arbitrary item, a circlet, and carries it south to the Auction Hall.
  
  > wait awhile
  Time passes.
  
  The picker listens to the auction in the next room, waiting for a new item to be needed.
  
  > go south
  Humans crowd this room, sitting nervously on folding chairs and clutching lorgnettes. They face a dais piled with paintings,
  furniture, and small sculptures, continually fed by humans in black uniforms carrying in works of art from a smaller room to the north.
  The rest of the room is starkly utilitarian, with bare walls and
  overly bright lights. A passage to the east leads back into the rest
  of the hotel.
  
  The auctioneer looks intently at potential bidders.
  
  The tourist begins to pore over the contents of its wallet, but it shrugs and boldly bids on the circlet.
  
  > get buy
  I extract the buy intent from the tourist, along with the recklessly manner.
  
  The auctioneer says, "Going once..."
  
  > get sell
  I extract the sell intent from the auctioneer, along with the generously manner.
  
  > put seriously on the picker
  I give the seriously manner to the picker, who now intends to
  seriously take something valuable to be auctioned.
  
  The picker listens to the auction in the next room, waiting for a new item to be needed.
  
  > put greedily on the auctioneer
  The auctioneer doesn't intend to do anything in particular right now; doing nothing greedily is a bit much to ask.
  
  > put buy and recklessly on the tourist
  buy intent: I give the buy intent to the tourist, who now intends to buy something impressive.
  recklessly manner: I give the recklessly manner to the tourist, who
  now intends to recklessly buy something impressive.
  
  > put the sell and greedily on the auctioneer
  sell intent: I give the sell intent to the auctioneer, who now intends to sell the circlet.
  greedily manner: I give the greedily manner to the auctioneer, who now intends to greedily sell the circlet.
  
  The auctioneer says, "Going twice..."
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  The auctioneer says, "Sold!"
  
  The tourist pays the auctioneer and receives the circlet in exchange. With an eager look toward the storage room to the north, it returns to its seat.
  
  One of the staffers hands the auctioneer a golden chest.
  
  > put generously on auctioneer
  I give the generously manner to the auctioneer, taking the greedily manner in exchange. It now intends to generously sell the golden
  chest.
  
  The auctioneer solicits bids for the golden chest, naming a low starting price.
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  The auctioneer surveys the audience expectantly.
  
  The tourist begins to pore over the contents of its wallet, but it shrugs and boldly bids on the golden chest.
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  The auctioneer says, "Going once..."
  
  > wait a while
  Time passes.
  
  The auctioneer says, "Going twice..."
  
  > wait for a while
  Time passes.
  
  The auctioneer says, "Sold!"
  
  The tourist pays the auctioneer and receives the golden chest in exchange. Delighted, it staggers off to the east with its new prize.
  
  One of the staffers hands the auctioneer a bracelet.
  
  > go east
  The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
  my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.
  
  The tourist admires its purchase.
  
  The drunk sprawls nearby.
  
  > put OPEN on the tourist
  I give the open intent to the tourist, taking the buy intent in exchange. It now intends to recklessly open its newly won chest.
  
  The tourist shakes the chest around with great abandon, to no apparent effect. It's good there isn't any glass in there.
  
  > put slowly on the tourist
  I give the slowly manner to the tourist, taking the recklessly manner in exchange. It now intends to slowly open its newly won chest.
  
  The tourist tugs casually on the lid of the chest, but it remains stuck.
  
  > Inventory
  Intentions:
  the buy intent
  the select intent
  the serve intent
  the warm intent
  the drink intent
  the read intent
  the defend intent
  the block intent
  the clean up intent
  the wait intent
  the explore intent
  
  Manners:
  the recklessly manner
  the greedily manner
  the aggressively manner
  the lazily manner
  
  Codebooks:
  three confidential codebooks
  two secret codebooks
  
  Other possessions:
  a detector
  an intercepted communiqu��
  the almanach
  a candle
  
  > put aggressively on the tourist
  I give the aggressively manner to the tourist, taking the slowly
  manner in exchange. It now intends to aggressively open its newly won chest.
  
  The tourist gives the chest several hard knocks to break its hinges open. Those hinges are apparently stronger than the tourist, though, and it fails.
  
  > Go west
  Humans crowd this room, sitting nervously on folding chairs and clutching lorgnettes. They face a dais piled with paintings,
  furniture, and small sculptures, continually fed by humans in black uniforms carrying in works of art from a smaller room to the north.
  The rest of the room is starkly utilitarian, with bare walls and
  overly bright lights. A passage to the east leads back into the rest
  of the hotel.
  
  The auctioneer looks intently at potential bidders.
  
  > get all
  generously manner: I extract the generously manner from the
  auctioneer.
  sell intent: I extract the sell intent from the auctioneer.
  
  > get all
  seriously manner: I extract the seriously manner from the picker.
  take intent: I extract the take intent from the picker.
  
  > Go south
  Humans crowd this room, sitting nervously on folding chairs and clutching lorgnettes. They face a dais piled with paintings,
  furniture, and small sculptures, continually fed by humans in black uniforms carrying in works of art from a smaller room to the north.
  The rest of the room is starkly utilitarian, with bare walls and
  overly bright lights. A passage to the east leads back into the rest
  of the hotel.
  
  I can see the auctioneer here.
  
  > Go east
  The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
  my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.
  
  The tourist gives the chest several hard knocks to break its hinges open. Those hinges are apparently stronger than the tourist, though, and it fails.
  
  The drunk sprawls nearby.
  
  > put seriously on the tourist
  I give the seriously manner to the tourist, taking the aggressively manner in exchange. It now intends to seriously open its newly won chest.
  
  The tourist attempts to open the chest but fails. It carefully tinkers with the lock but fails. It searches the exterior of the chest for another means of entry but fails. The tourist steps back and seriously ponders the chest. With an abstracted frown, it returns to the chest, methodically inspects each face and seam of it, and then gives it a solid kick. That must have been just the right spot, because the chest grudgingly creaks open. Unfortunately for the tourist, it looks inside to find it empty, at least to its limited senses.
  
  > get the codebook
  (the secret codebook)
  I pick up the secret codebook and page through it. A few of the code sequences from the communiqu�� are in it, and I decrypt some more of it:
  
  Confirmed neutralization of 46480. There is no significant opposition remaining in the target area. The action has been authorized. Assist 02666 and ensure that 79260 concludes successfully as quickly as possible 43999 is standing by. We will act immediately on the 85994
  
  to find any secret compartment.
  
  > get all
  seriously manner: I extract the seriously manner from the tourist.
  open intent: I extract the open intent from the tourist.
  
  > Spin detector
  The detector is silent. There must not be any unattained codebooks nearby.
  
  The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.
  
  > Go northeast
  squat building to the east. It is trim and spartan, with no ornamentation aside from the tall hedges forming its boundary. They also block the breeze coming in off the sea, so the air here is warm and still.
  
  There's a set of double doors here blocking the way east, the carvings of which form a pentagram.
  
  The agent stands next to the doors.
  
  The reporter looks at the agent appraisingly.
  
  > put open on the agent
  I give the open intent to the agent, who now intends to open its eyes and keep careful watch.
  
  The agent keeps its eyes wide open, looking for anyone up to no good. It's rare, but humans occasionally have strong enough internal motivations to ignore or subvert my influence, at least for certain specific actions. Oh well.
  
  The reporter attempts to peer through a window.
  
  > put lazily on the agent
  I give the lazily manner to the agent, who now intends to lazily open its eyes and keep careful watch.
  
  The agent keeps its eyes wide open, looking for anyone up to no good.
  
  The reporter looks at the agent appraisingly.
  
  > get all
  lazily manner: I extract the lazily manner from the agent.
  open intent: I extract the open intent from the agent.
  
  The reporter skulks toward the door, but the agent rebuffs it.
  
  > put open on the reporter
  I give the open intent to the reporter, who now intends to open the
  way into the conference.
  
  The reporter asks politely to be let in, but the agent refuses.
  
  > put aggressively on the reporter
  I give the aggressively manner to the reporter, who now intends to aggressively open the way into the conference.
  
  The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent
  moves to block the agent's path.
  
  > put the serve on agent
  I give the serve intent to the agent, who now vaguely intends to
  serve.
  
  The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent
  moves to block the agent's path.
  
  > Inventory
  Intentions:
  the take intent
  the sell intent
  the buy intent
  the select intent
  the warm intent
  the drink intent
  the read intent
  the defend intent
  the block intent
  the clean up intent
  the wait intent
  the explore intent
  
  Manners:
  the lazily manner
  the seriously manner
  the generously manner
  the slowly manner
  the recklessly manner
  the greedily manner
  
  Codebooks:
  three confidential codebooks
  three secret codebooks
  
  Other possessions:
  a detector
  an intercepted communiqu��
  the almanach
  a candle
  
  > put the explore on the guard
  I don't see the guard here. I last saw it on the casino floor.
  
  > put the explore on the agent
  I give the explore intent to the agent, taking the serve intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to explore.
  
  The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent
  moves to block the agent's path.
  
  > put the explore on the reporter
  (first taking the explore intent from the agent)
  I give the explore intent to the reporter, taking the open intent in exchange. It now intends to aggressively explore the conference.
  
  The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent
  moves to block the agent's path.
  
  > put lazily and the block on the agent
  lazily manner: The agent doesn't intend to do anything in particular right now; doing nothing lazily is a bit much to ask.
  block intent: I give the block intent to the agent, who now intends to block the way into the next area.
  
  The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent angrily shoves it back, clearly outmatching the agent.
  
  > put lazily on the agent
  I give the lazily manner to the agent, who now intends to lazily block the way into the next area.
  
  The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent angrily shoves it back, clearly outmatching the agent.
  
  > put defend on the agent
  I give the defend intent to the agent, taking the block intent in exchange. It now intends to lazily defend the political conference.
  
  The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent angrily shoves it back, clearly outmatching the agent.
  
  > put the wait on the agent
  I give the wait intent to the agent, taking the defend intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to lazily wait around idly.
  
  The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent
  moves to block the agent's path.
  
  > put the drink on the agent
  I give the drink intent to the agent, taking the wait intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to lazily drink.
  
  The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent
  moves to block the agent's path.
  
  > put the serve on the agent
  I give the serve intent to the agent, taking the drink intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to lazily serve.
  
  The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent
  moves to block the agent's path.
  
  > put the take on the agent
  I give the take intent to the agent, taking the serve intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to lazily take something.
  
  The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent
  moves to block the agent's path.
  
  > go north
  The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
  my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.
  
  The tourist sits off to one side.
  
  The drunk sprawls nearby.
  
  > put the explore on drunk
  I don't have the explore intent in my possession. I last saw it in the reporter's possession.
  
  > go to the north-east
  squat building to the east. It is trim and spartan, with no ornamentation aside from the tall hedges forming its boundary. They also block the breeze coming in off the sea, so the air here is warm and still.
  
  There's a set of double doors here blocking the way east, the carvings of which form a pentagram.
  
  The agent stands next to the doors.
  
  The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent
  moves to block the agent's path.
  
  > get all
  take intent: I extract the take intent from the agent, along with the lazily manner.
  lazily manner: I already have that.
  explore intent: I extract the explore intent from the reporter, along with the aggressively manner.
  aggressively manner: I already have that.
  
  The reporter looks at the agent appraisingly.
  
  > put the explore on drunk
  I give the explore intent to the drunk, who now intends to explore,
  for lack of something better to do.
  
  The drunk looks blearily around.
  
  > wait for a while
  Time passes.
  
  The drunk stumbles off to the south.
  
  > Go south
  At the center of the hotel is this wide atrium, a plaza of orange
  brick dotted with flowerboxes and ornamental bushes. The ceiling of
  the lobby is made of glass, and so the sunset outside gives an unnatural hue to the hibiscus vines adorning the open doors to the south. Despite the location, it's mostly quiet here. Even the rattan chairs overlooking the garden to the east are empty.
  
  The hotel reception is to the west, and a corridor to the north leads deeper into the hotel.
  
  A thermostat is located unobtrusively in a corner.
  
  The drunk stumbles off to the east.
  
  The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.
  
  The guest is loitering off to one side.
  
  I can also see a large puddle here.
  
  > go to the east
  The gardens on the eastern edge of the hotel lie in uniform, geometric precision. Straight gravel paths bound squares of brightly colored flowers, each with a placard bearing the scientific names of its contents. The breeze from the nearby sea mixes the faint aromas in the various plants into an unidentifiable but not unpleasant smell. A ponderous chapel made of rough stone looms at the eastern edge of the gardens, and a well-worn path leading northeast skirts around it. To the west, there is a wide portico that leads into the hotel.
  
  The drunk stumbles off to the northeast.
  
  > go to the north-east
  squat building to the east. It is trim and spartan, with no ornamentation aside from the tall hedges forming its boundary. They also block the breeze coming in off the sea, so the air here is warm and still.
  
  There's a set of double doors here blocking the way east, the carvings of which form a pentagram.
  
  The drunk staggers unsteadily.
  
  The agent stands next to the doors.
  
  The reporter skulks toward the door, but the agent rebuffs it.
  
  > put open on reporter
  I give the open intent to the reporter, who now intends to open the
  way into the conference.
  
  The drunk staggers about drunkenly.
  
  The reporter asks politely to be let in, but the agent just shakes its head.
  
  > put aggressively on the reporter
  I give the aggressively manner to the reporter, who now intends to aggressively open the way into the conference.
  
  The drunk stumbles off to the southwest.
  
  The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent
  moves to block the agent's path.
  
  > look at the guard
  I don't see the guard here. I last saw it on the casino floor.
  
  > Inventory
  Intentions:
  the take intent
  the serve intent
  the drink intent
  the wait intent
  the defend intent
  the block intent
  the sell intent
  the buy intent
  the select intent
  the warm intent
  the read intent
  the clean up intent
  
  Manners:
  the lazily manner
  the seriously manner
  the generously manner
  the slowly manner
  the recklessly manner
  the greedily manner
  
  Codebooks:
  three confidential codebooks
  three secret codebooks
  
  Other possessions:
  a detector
  an intercepted communiqu��
  the almanach
  a candle
  
  > put the block and lazily on the agent
  block intent: I give the block intent to the agent, who now intends to block the way into the next area.
  lazily manner: I give the lazily manner to the agent, who now intends to lazily block the way into the next area.
  
  The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent angrily shoves it back, clearly outmatching the agent.
  
  > go to the south-west
  The gardens on the eastern edge of the hotel lie in uniform, geometric precision. Straight gravel paths bound squares of brightly colored flowers, each with a placard bearing the scientific names of its contents. The breeze from the nearby sea mixes the faint aromas in the various plants into an unidentifiable but not unpleasant smell. A ponderous chapel made of rough stone looms at the eastern edge of the gardens, and a well-worn path leading northeast skirts around it. To the west, there is a wide portico that leads into the hotel.
  
  The drunk stumbles off to the west.
  
  > go to the west
  At the center of the hotel is this wide atrium, a plaza of orange
  brick dotted with flowerboxes and ornamental bushes. The ceiling of
  the lobby is made of glass, and so the sunset outside gives an unnatural hue to the hibiscus vines adorning the open doors to the south. Despite the location, it's mostly quiet here. Even the rattan chairs overlooking the garden to the east are empty.
  
  The hotel reception is to the west, and a corridor to the north leads deeper into the hotel.
  
  A thermostat is located unobtrusively in a corner.
  
  The drunk stumbles off to the north.
  
  The bellhop stands near the entrance, looking nervous.
  
  The guest is loitering off to one side.
  
  I can also see a large puddle here.
  
  > Go north
  The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
  my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.
  
  The drunk ponders its next move.
  
  The tourist sits off to one side.
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  The drunk gives a loud sigh.
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  The drunk staggers about drunkenly.
  
  > Go east
  The gardens on the eastern edge of the hotel lie in uniform, geometric precision. Straight gravel paths bound squares of brightly colored flowers, each with a placard bearing the scientific names of its contents. The breeze from the nearby sea mixes the faint aromas in the various plants into an unidentifiable but not unpleasant smell. A ponderous chapel made of rough stone looms at the eastern edge of the gardens, and a well-worn path leading northeast skirts around it. To the west, there is a wide portico that leads into the hotel.
  
  The drunk lumbers toward the chapel, but stops itself at the last moment.
  
  > put recklessly on the drunk
  I give the recklessly manner to the drunk, who now intends to recklessly explore, for lack of something better to do.
  
  The drunk stumbles off to the northeast.
  
  > go to the north-east
  squat building to the east. It is trim and spartan, with no ornamentation aside from the tall hedges forming its boundary. They also block the breeze coming in off the sea, so the air here is warm and still.
  
  There's a set of double doors here blocking the way east, the carvings of which form a pentagram.
  
  The drunk staggers about drunkenly.
  
  The agent stands next to the doors.
  
  The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent angrily shoves it back, clearly outmatching the agent.
  
  > Inventory
  Intentions:
  the take intent
  the serve intent
  the drink intent
  the wait intent
  the defend intent
  the sell intent
  the buy intent
  the select intent
  the warm intent
  the read intent
  the clean up intent
  
  Manners:
  the seriously manner
  the generously manner
  the slowly manner
  the greedily manner
  
  Codebooks:
  three confidential codebooks
  three secret codebooks
  
  Other possessions:
  a detector
  an intercepted communiqu��
  the almanach
  a candle
  
  > put generously on the agent
  I give the generously manner to the agent, taking the lazily manner in exchange. It now intends to generously block the way into the next area.
  
  The drunk staggers unsteadily.
  
  The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent angrily shoves it back, clearly outmatching the agent.
  
  > put the read on drunk
  I give the read intent to the drunk, taking the explore intent in exchange. It now vaguely intends to recklessly read.
  
  The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent angrily shoves it back, clearly outmatching the agent.
  
  > Exits
  From here, I can only go southwest and east.
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  The reporter demands to be let into the conference, but the agent angrily shoves it back, clearly outmatching the agent.