text: [Themes: Fantasy, metaphysics, telescopic descriptions, transformation, physical simulation]
  
  > Look around
  A narrow ledge of solid rock at the southern end of a great cavern. Beyond it lies a body of water so flat, so black and tranquil, that it might be a surface of polished obsidian.
  
  Embedded in the wall, a mirror reflects your movements: an odd smoothness in the unshaped stone.
  
  A heavy bronze bell hangs from a stand.
  
  > examine the bell
  A very ancient bronze bell, covered with a curious pattern. It is mounted on a stand; there is no clapper within.
  
  > hit the bell
  You slap ineffectually at the bell.
  
  > hit the bell with the rock
  The peal is deep and resonant; the surface of the lake stands up in ripples; the darkness grows (if that is possible) more dark. Even when the sound has died and the water stilled, you find yourself waiting.
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  There is a distant splash; a long silence; a repetition.
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  A dark shape distinguishes itself from the other darkness on the water: a small gondola without passengers, a single gondolier bent at his pole. It is progressing towards you.
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  The gondola draws up against the ledge, its flank scraping stone. The gondolier awaits.
  
  > examine the gondola
  Black and smooth as the surface of the water itself, but ornamented here and there with tiny gilt images -- mostly human figures, with mute faces and outstretched hands.
  
  > look at the gondolier
  Robed and hooded in heavy black cloth, the face obscured.
  
  The gondolier lifts his head and sighs softly.
  
  > enter the gondola
  The gondolier watches impassively as you clamber in.
  
  The gondolier pushes away from the ledge and propels the gondola through the water with remarkable speed. Soon you cannot see the walls of the cavern, only the ghostly shafts of stalactites, present and then swiftly gone. It seems an eternity before you land again.
  
  > look
  You step out onto solid ground.
  
  Against the rough north wall of the cavern lies a moon-shaped landing of white stone, with a pair of shallow steps down to the glass-black surface of the lake. A Moorish archway leads away to the north.
  
  The only furniture is an ornate metal pole, branching at the top, with dozens of bells hung from the branches.
  
  A gondola waits nearby, the gondolier leaning against his pole.
  
  The gondolier lifts his head and sighs softly.
  
  > examine the bells
  Tiny silver bells, each with its tongue.
  
  The gondolier, apparently weary of the wait, pushes off from the ledge and is quickly merged again with the darkness.
  
  > examine the archway
  Outlined in white stone and decorated with a geometric pattern.
  
  > look at the pattern
  Predominantly made of triangular or near-triangular figures, interlocked, and carved deeply into the stone.
  
  > take the bell
  That's hardly portable.
  
  > Go north
  A straight white light comes through the hole in the ceiling, but it is soon after twisted and bent: mirrors cast it from angle to angle; crystal divides it; glass stains it.
  
  East and west, low corridors lead into shadow.
  
  In the north wall is a closed door, covered with a silver substance.
  
  Fallen from one of these strands, but intact, is a large magnifying-lens.
  
  > look at substance
  Not quite shiny enough to act as a mirror. It is significantly taller than you are, narrow, with a keyhole exactly in the middle.
  
  > take the lens
  Taken.
  
  > look at the lens
  A powerful lens about the size of your open palm, with a rim of chased bronze.
  
  > examine the light
  It's hard to tell, from here, whether you are seeing sunlight or some other kind. You see daylight rarely in your travels; these are isolated places, self-contained.
  
  But the light is too bright too look at long, whether it falls through glass or empty air; it carries no heat.
  
  > examine the keyhole
  A modestly-sized keyhole, surrounded by an undecorated plate of silver metal.
  
  > look at the crystal
  Strings of faceted crystals, like a giantess' necklace; here and there a large prism, pendant; shards of stained glass, linked with bits of chain. The rainbows color your skin.
  
  > examine the glass
  (the magnifying glass)
  A powerful lens about the size of your open palm, with a rim of chased bronze.
  
  > Inventory
  You are carrying:
  a magnifying glass
  a rock
  a workbox
  a ball of yarn
  a needle
  a brown dress (being worn)
  a ring (being worn)
  some slippers (being worn)
  
  > turn the crystals
  You are unable to.
  
  > look at the keyhole through the lens
  It looks much as it did before, but larger. The magnification does not help you see any better what lies on the other side.
  
  > go to the west
  A long, vaulted room, lined with cages of filigree and jewels. All of the animals are motionless and still, perhaps through the art of a taxidermist. In one cage is an elephant, so short that he reaches only to your knee; you easily could lift him under one arm and carry him away. In another cage, a giant mouse lies, curled as though slumbering, his paws folded in the semblance of prayer.
  
  Mounted on a swivel on the wall is what looks like an irregular hourglass, one bulb larger than the other. There is no sand within -- nor could there be, since the contraption is open at each end. At the moment the smaller end is uppermost.
  
  > look at the mouse
  He seems peaceful and ponderous, as though enlargement has banished all his fears and replaced them with a blissful serenity.
  
  > look at the elephant
  There's a look almost beseeching in his grave eyes, as though he lived to old age at a proper size, and then only at the end was reduced to this sad state.
  
  > examine the cage
  They look like something out of a pasha's pleasure garden: ornate in shape and workmanship, but still strong enough to withstand considerable battering, even though the animals inside are stuffed.
  
  > examine the hourglass
  Made of a clear material (glass? perhaps, perhaps not), large at one end and smaller at the other, and mounted on a sort of swivel on the wall so that it can be turned over at will. At the moment the smaller end is uppermost.
  
  > turn it
  You rotate the contraption on the wall so that the larger end is uppermost.