text: enclature, you're even fuzzier on the usage of this miscellany.
  
  > Saw table
  (with the saw)
  You're not sure that would appreciate a trim.
  
  > go to the west
  You're certainly tempted to slink back to Athens, but you'd feel guilty leaving all this chaos behind you -- especially since the uncharitable might consider that you played a very minor role in bringing things to this point. Besides, it'd be a long walk!
  
  > Go east
  The hexastyle entrance into the sanctuary of Eleusis has seen calmer evenings. A mob of the fellows swarm around its august pillars, unclear on direction now that the initiation has taken something of an unexpected turn. Directly before the entrance stands a statue, the final herm in the long chain running from Athens to Eleusis. Puffy is collapsed against a pillar off to the side of the entrance.
  
  To the east, the peristyle promises some degree of peace, a small yard lies westward, and there's a small path running around the side of the sanctuary to the north.
  
  Alky stands amidst but not of the confusion, frowning while he waits for the hubbub to die down.
  
  Machon is here, looking no different now that he's preliminarily initiated into the mysteries of Eleusis.
  
  > go north
  The path leads to a cozy, tree-lined nook off to the side of the sanctuary, which would be quite the place for peaceful contemplation were it not for the mob tramping about the portico.
  
  Of course, one of the things that would make it so suited for a piece of the said peaceful cont. is that it's rather dull -- besides all the trees, there's not much here besides the path leading back south to the portico.
  
  > examine the tree
  There's a nice copse (or is it a grove?) of trees here, with one noticeably tall tree growing close to the side of the sanctuary, throwing out branches willy-nilly and with a particularly green and springy one growing fairly close to the ground.
  
  Olive buds grow everywhere, though they look rather immature (you can sympathize). Closer inspection also reveals a sizable bee hive slung under one of the boughs.
  
  > examine the buds
  Hard and bud-like, these olives will eventually be delicious, but there's a long way to go yet.
  
  > take the buds
  Your plans for the evening would be slightly crimped by the severe digestive distress these olive buds would occasion.
  
  > take the bough
  You grab onto the branch -- because the wood is so green, it takes quite a lot of undignified bending and straining, but finally you're able to snap it off the tree.
  
  > go south
  The hexastyle entrance into the sanctuary of Eleusis has seen calmer evenings. A mob of the fellows swarm around its august pillars, unclear on direction now that the initiation has taken something of an unexpected turn. Directly before the entrance stands a statue, the final herm in the long chain running from Athens to Eleusis. Puffy is collapsed against a pillar off to the side of the entrance.
  
  To the east, the peristyle promises some degree of peace, a small yard lies westward, and there's a small path running around the side of the sanctuary to the north.
  
  Alky stands amidst but not of the confusion, twiddling his thumbs while he waits for the hubbub to die down.
  
  Machon is here, looking no different now that he's preliminarily initiated into the mysteries of Eleusis.
  
  > Saw bough
  (with the saw)
  Using the saw, you trim off various of the unsightly knots, twigs, &c. until the branch is a smooth, smart-looking number.
  
  > check what you're carrying
  You are carrying:
  a springy green branch
  a toothpick
  a cup
  a largish chunk of amphora
  a heavily-smoking torch (providing light)
  a well-tailored chiton (being worn)
  
  > look at the branch
  This one particular branch, a bit less than arm-length, seems especially springy and flexible.
  
  > put the branch on the wheel
  You think you're onto something, but it's hard to fit the branch onto the wheel since the latter is wobbling about quite a lot on the uneven floor.
  
  > drop the chunk
  Dropped.
  
  > put the wheel on the chunk
  (first taking the wheel)
  Putting things on the largish chunk of amphora would achieve nothing.
  
  > put the wheel on the chariot
  The wheel is still hors de combat, so replacing it would be premature.
  
  > put the wheel on the worktable
  You put the wheel on the worktable.
  
  > put the branch on the wheel
  The honey helps glue the branch into place as you strain, bend, and shimmy it onto the rim of the wheel. You lash it all together with some tiny bits of twine you find lying around on the work-table, and at the end of it you've got a mostly-serviceable wheel.
  
  > put the wheel on the chariot
  With even more lifting and grunting than it took to get it off, you manage to shove the repaired wheel back where it belongs.
  
  > examine the chariot
  Alky's chariot is a sporty little thing, with flashy gilded inlays and a low, sleek profile. The reins hang in tatters from their anchoring ring, somewhat limiting the chariot's top speed.
  
  > hit the pig
  Violence is against the code, old man.
  
  > Go east
  The hexastyle entrance into the sanctuary of Eleusis has seen calmer evenings. A mob of the fellows swarm around its august pillars, unclear on direction now that the initiation has taken something of an unexpected turn. Directly before the entrance stands a statue, the final herm in the long chain running from Athens to Eleusis. Puffy is collapsed against a pillar off to the side of the entrance.
  
  To the east, the peristyle promises some degree of peace, a small yard lies westward, and there's a small path running around the side of the sanctuary to the north.
  
  Alky stands amidst but not of the confusion, idly cleaning a nail while he waits for the hubbub to die down.
  
  Machon is here, looking no different now that he's preliminarily initiated into the mysteries of Eleusis.
  
  > ask Machon about the pig
  "You know, I had a pig once," Machon says. "As a pet, I mean."
  
  > Go south
  In theory, the ceremony in the telesterion is the main event, but the spread on offer in this room make it a close-run thing.
  
  You could go back to the peristyle by going north if you prefer pillars to prandial delights.
  
  > take the food
  You make up a plate from the goodies on offer.
  
  > go to the west
  The hexastyle entrance into the sanctuary of Eleusis has seen calmer evenings. A mob of the fellows swarm around its august pillars, unclear on direction now that the initiation has taken something of an unexpected turn. Directly before the entrance stands a statue, the final herm in the long chain running from Athens to Eleusis. Puffy is collapsed against a pillar off to the side of the entrance.
  
  To the east, the peristyle promises some degree of peace, a small yard lies westward, and there's a small path running around the side of the sanctuary to the north.
  
  Alky stands amidst but not of the confusion, stifling a yawn while he waits for the hubbub to die down.
  
  Machon is here, looking no different now that he's preliminarily initiated into the mysteries of Eleusis.
  
  > ask Alky about the pig
  "Looks as though he likes his grub almost as you do," Alky says approvingly.
  
  > ask Alky about Puffy
  "Yes, well done," says Alky, glancing towards Puffy's slumbering form. "Now he's once again the boring Puffy we all know and love."
  
  > look at puffy
  Puffy, poor lamb, is nestled against the pillar like it's the softest sleeping-couch he's found.
  
  > look at Alky
  Now here's a chap who really fills out a chiton. Those flashing eyes, those silken curls, that perennial sneer have charmed many a gal and many more a fellow. He's managed to grab his lyre in the confusion, and tucked it under his arm.
  
  > ask Alky about the lyre
  "It's only my third best," Alky says, as though in apology.
  
  > go west
  The hexastyle entrance into the sanctuary of Eleusis has seen calmer evenings. A mob of the fellows swarm around its august pillars, unclear on direction now that the initiation has taken something of an unexpected turn. Directly before the entrance stands a statue, the final herm in the long chain running from Athens to Eleusis. Puffy is collapsed against a pillar off to the side of the entrance.
  
  To the east, the peristyle promises some degree of peace, a small yard lies westward, and there's a small path running around the side of the sanctuary to the north.
  
  Alky stands amidst but not of the confusion, looking up at the moon to guess at the time while he waits for the hubbub to die down.
  
  Machon is here, looking no different now that he's preliminarily initiated into the mysteries of Eleusis.
  
  > examine wall
  This waist-high stone wall puts you in mind of all the times your Great-Aunt made you carry rocks for her estate's mason when she thought you weren't sticking to your studies. It's rather less than impregnable (the wall you mean, not your Great-Aunt), what with the large gap where the Sacred Way begins.
  
  > Go east
  The hexastyle entrance into the sanctuary of Eleusis has seen calmer evenings. A mob of the fellows swarm around its august pillars, unclear on direction now that the initiation has taken something of an unexpected turn. Directly before the entrance stands a statue, the final herm in the long chain running from Athens to Eleusis. Puffy is collapsed against a pillar off to the side of the entrance.
  
  To the east, the peristyle promises some degree of peace, a small yard lies westward, and there's a small path running around the side of the sanctuary to the north.
  
  Alky stands amidst but not of the confusion, idly cleaning a nail while he waits for the hubbub to die down.
  
  Machon is here, looking no different now that he's preliminarily initiated into the mysteries of Eleusis.
  
  > go west
  The hexastyle entrance into the sanctuary of Eleusis has seen calmer evenings. A mob of the fellows swarm around its august pillars, unclear on direction now that the initiation has taken something of an unexpected turn. Directly before the entrance stands a statue, the final herm in the long chain running from Athens to Eleusis. Puffy is collapsed against a pillar off to the side of the entrance.
  
  To the east, the peristyle promises some degree of peace, a small yard lies westward, and there's a small path running around the side of the sanctuary to the north.
  
  Alky stands amidst but not of the confusion, frowning while he waits for the hubbub to die down.
  
  Machon is here, looking no different now that he's preliminarily initiated into the mysteries of Eleusis.
  
  You can also see a lump of honey cake here.
  
  > put the pepper on the cake
  (the lump of honey cake)
  Before you meddle with the divine perfection of this food, you figure you'd best take a sniff to make sure you gauge the spiciness right.
  
  > sniff the cake
  (the lump of honey cake)
  Delectable!
  
  > put the pepper on the cake
  (the lump of honey cake)
  No, that pepper is too peppery -- you shan't risk it.
  
  > put the pepper on food
  (the plate of food)
  No, that pepper is too peppery -- you shan't risk it.
  
  > put the kykeon on the food
  (first taking the spilled kykeon)
  Oh good heavens no.
  
  > take the wine
  Now that's the stuff!
  
  > check your inventory
  You are carrying:
  a plate of food
  a lump of honey cake
  a toothpick
  a cup
  a heavily-smoking torch (providing light)
  a well-tailored chiton (being worn)
  
  > examine the cup
  It's not much to look at, but you're more concerned with what's in it: sadly, currently it's empty, so you're just back to it being not much to look at.
  
  > put the wine in the cup
  You fill the cup brim-full with wine.
  
  > search puffy
  Puffy has more than earned some peaceful repose.
  
  > examine the statue
  Herms are little monuments sacred to Hermes -- the tell is in the name, most people don't know that -- which line the Sacred Way to Eleusis, helping protect it and fend off evil spirits and all that sort of thing. There's a rather ho-hum bust of Hermes atop a stone pillar, and an anything-but-ho-hum central attribute midway down that typically makes things awkward when it comes up in conversation with, say, one's Great-Aunt. The unmentionable is rather the worse for wear.
  
  > Go east
  The hexastyle entrance into the sanctuary of Eleusis has seen calmer evenings. A mob of the fellows swarm around its august pillars, unclear on direction now that the initiation has taken something of an unexpected turn. Directly before the entrance stands a statue, the final herm in the long chain running from Athens to Eleusis. Puffy is collapsed against a pillar off to the side of the entrance.
  
  To the east, the peristyle promises some degree of peace, a small yard lies westward, and there's a small path running around the side of the sanctuary to the north.
  
  Alky stands amidst but not of the confusion, looking up at the moon to guess at the time while he waits for the hubbub to die down.
  
  Machon is here, looking no different now that he's preliminarily initiated into the mysteries of Eleusis.
  
  You can also see a plate of food here.
  
  > take the food
  Taken.
  
  > Pet horse
  You gently stroke the side of Hippy's neck. Your touch seems to make her calmer -- a critique you've gotten from more than one lady friend, who evidently held that such things should lead rather to a revving up of excitement than the reverse.
  
  > Keep going
  You gently stroke the side of Hippy's neck. This doesn't seem to calm her down any further though -- as with Midas, you suppose that one touch pretty much does the business.
  
  > Pet pig
  He seems to like that!
  
  > check what you're carrying
  You are carrying:
  a plate of food
  a toothpick
  a cup
  a heavily-smoking torch (providing light)
  a well-tailored chiton (being worn)
  
  > throw the food east
  You whirl the plate like a discus, sending it spinning to the east. The pig leaps after it in close pursuit, giving a little hop to grab the plate out of the air as soon as it comes within leaping distance. He makes short work of the food, then cheerfully trots back to the yard.
  
  > Go east
  The hexastyle entrance into the sanctuary of Eleusis has seen calmer evenings. A mob of the fellows swarm around its august pillars, unclear on direction now that the initiation has taken something of an unexpected turn. Directly before the entrance stands a statue, the final herm in the long chain running from Athens to Eleusis. Puffy is collapsed against a pillar off to the side of the entrance.
  
  To the east, the peristyle promises some degree of peace, a small yard lies westward, and there's a small path running around the side of the sanctuary to the north.
  
  Alky stands amidst but not of the confusion, frowning while he waits for the hubbub to die down.
  
  Machon is here, looking no different now that he's preliminarily initiated into the mysteries of Eleusis.
  
  > take the cheese
  You've already made up a plate.
  
  > Go west
  Besides the wall that encloses it and the penultimate herm, there's not much to this yard.
  
  The Sacred Way begins through a gap in the wall to the west, and eastward lies the portico. A shed stands to the south.
  
  There's a pig hungrily rooting around the yard. Hippy shies away every time the pig comes near her.
  
  Alky's horse Hippy is here, anxiously pawing the grass (well, hooving, perhaps).
  
  > throw the food east
  You whirl the plate like a discus, sending it spinning to the east. The pig leaps after it in close pursuit, giving a little hop to grab the plate out of the air as soon as it comes within leaping distance. He makes short work of the food, then cheerfully trots back to the yard.
  
  > Go east
  The hexastyle entrance into the sanctuary of Eleusis has seen calmer evenings. A mob of the fellows swarm around its august pillars, unclear on direction now that the initiation has taken something of an unexpected turn. Directly before the entrance stands a statue, the final herm in the long chain running from Athens to Eleusis. Puffy is collapsed against a pillar off to the side of the entrance.
  
  To the east, the peristyle promises some degree of peace, a small yard lies westward, and there's a small path running around the side of the sanctuary to the north.
  
  Alky stands amidst but not of the confusion, looking up at the moon to guess at the time while he waits for the hubbub to die down.
  
  Machon is here, looking no different now that he's preliminarily initiated into the mysteries of Eleusis.
  
  You can also see a lump of honey cake here.
  
  > throw cake west
  You heave the lump of cake like a shotput, sending it arcing over the wall. The pig leaps after it in close pursuit, leaving a decrescendoing series of "oinks" in his wake. You miss the friendly blighter, but Hippy seems relieved to have more personal space to herself.
  
  > Pet horse
  You gently stroke the side of Hippy's neck. This doesn't seem to calm her down any further though -- as with Midas, you suppose that one touch pretty much does the business.
  
  > tell Alky about the horse
  "Looks like she's got the collywobbles," says Alky, turning over some ideas for what might help. "Maybe give her a pat? Couldn't hurt, unless she bites."
  
  > Go west
  Besides the wall that encloses it and the penultimate herm, there's not much to this yard.
  
  The Sacred Way begins through a gap in the wall to the west, and eastward lies the portico. A shed stands to the south.
  
  Alky's horse Hippy is here, anxiously pawing the grass (well, hooving, perhaps).
  
  > Search horse
  Alky's horse, much like her master, is a good-looking animal with questionable self-control. Her wide eyes are glancing and rolling every which way, like a rampaging Great-Aunt.
  
  > fill the cup with the water
  You fill the cup brim-full with water.
  
  > go to the west
  The hexastyle entrance into the sanctuary of Eleusis has seen calmer evenings. A mob of the fellows swarm around its august pillars, unclear on direction now that the initiation has taken something of an unexpected turn. Directly before the entrance stands a statue, the final herm in the long chain running from Athens to Eleusis. Puffy is collapsed against a pillar off to the side of the entrance.
  
  To the east, the peristyle promises some degree of peace, a small yard lies westward, and there's a small path running around the side of the sanctuary to the north.
  
  Alky stands amidst but not of the confusion, idly cleaning a nail while he waits for the hubbub to die down.
  
  Machon is here, looking no different now that he's preliminarily initiated into the mysteries of Eleusis.
  
  > Go west
  Besides the wall that encloses it and the penultimate herm, there's not much to this yard.
  
  The Sacred Way begins through a gap in the wall to the west, and eastward lies the portico. A shed stands to the south.
  
  Alky's horse Hippy is here, anxiously pawing the grass (well, hooving, perhaps).
  
  > go to the east
  The hexastyle entrance into the sanctuary of Eleusis has seen calmer evenings. A mob of the fellows swarm around its august pillars, unclear on direction now that the initiation has taken something of an unexpected turn. Directly before the entrance stands a statue, the final herm in the long chain running from Athens to Eleusis. Puffy is collapsed against a pillar off to the side of the entrance.
  
  To the east, the peristyle promises some degree of peace, a small yard lies westward, and there's a small path running around the side of the sanctuary to the north.
  
  Alky stands amidst but not of the confusion, looking up at the moon to guess at the time while he waits for the hubbub to die down.
  
  Machon is here, looking no different now that he's preliminarily initiated into the mysteries of Eleusis.
  
  > tell Alky about Hippy
  "Looks like she's got the collywobbles," says Alky, turning over some ideas for what might help. "You haven't seen her blinders, have you? Those sometimes calm her down."
  
  > go north
  The path leads to a cozy, tree-lined nook off to the side of the sanctuary, which would be quite the place for peaceful contemplation were it not for the mob tramping about the portico.
  
  Of course, one of the things that would make it so suited for a piece of the said peaceful cont. is that it's rather dull -- besides all the trees, there's not much here besides the path leading back south to the portico.
  
  > Go north
  Either the rites of Eleusis involve quite a lot of fancy-dress shenanigans, or one of the priests is a clothes horse of very little discernment, because this small room is chock-a-block with clothes, including a hat rack, a bin for accessories, and a bench heaped with shoes -- everything you might need for a party or some light comic theater.
  
  The peristyle is back to the south.
  
  You can see a set of cothurni, a feather boa, and a silly floppy tam here.
  
  > examine the hat
  This wooden number sports a profusion of hats -- among the swarm, some ear warmers and a crown of laurels catch your eye.
  
  > examine the warmers
  This doohicky is two swatches of fur attached to either end of a band -- were the evening a bit cooler, they'd be quite the thing for the 'ol whorlies!
  
  > put the warmers on Hippy
  It takes a bit of prodding, shoving, and scuffling -- there's a bite or two exchanged in both directions -- but once you get the ear warmers on Hippy's head, they block off her view as if they were a pair of blinders. Once she gets over the excitement of the fray, she seems to settle down.
  
  Finally, Hippy calms down, looking like Hercules must have done when the divine madness had passed and he realized that he'd rather stepped in it. She gives a tuneful nicker, either to thank you for everything you've done or just because she's a musical soul.
  
  > lead Hippy south
  Leading Hippy all about the sanctuary might get her nervous again -- best for her to say put.
  
  > tell Alky about Hippy
  "Thanks for calming her down, old bean," Alky says. "Ride back to Athens would have been rather bumpy otherwise."
  
  > tell Alky about the chariot
  "That's both of our rides back to Athens," says Alky. "Be a pet and sort it out, would you?"
  
  > tell Alky about Puffy
  "Yes, well done," says Alky, glancing towards Puffy's slumbering form. "Now he's once again the boring Puffy we all know and love."
  
  > examine the chain
  This is the kind of accessory that lends a high tone to any occasion.
  
  > Go west
  Besides the wall that encloses it and the penultimate herm, there's not much to this yard.
  
  The Sacred Way begins through a gap in the wall to the west, and eastward lies the portico. A shed stands to the south.
  
  Alky's horse Hippy is here, calmly pawing the grass (well, hooving, perhaps).
  
  > Go south
  The ambiance here in this workshop -- with its worktable, scattering of tools, and general aura of hard, honest toil -- makes you positively allergic.
  
  A low opening to the north leads to the only-better-by-comparison yard.
  
  Alky's second-best chariot is here, somewhat the worse for wear.
  
  You can also see a largish chunk of amphora here.
  
  > put the chain on the ring
  A fabulous idea, but from what your tutor drilled into you about tensile strength, you suspect that trying to use a flimsy gold chain to redirect a galloping horse would be one of those acts of hubris the tragedians are always banging on about.
  
  > take the rope
  You'd have to untie it first.
  
  > examine the ring
  You know, you must have seen dozens of chariots over the years, but until this evening you can't say as you ever noticed this metal ring jobby where you attach the reins. You've got one makeshift rein anchored in place, so everything's set so long as Alky only turns left.
  
  > put boa on the ring
  It may be a little unorthodox qua rein, but the feather boa should meet the need, and besides, you're sure Alky will like the colors.
  You knot it to the chariot, then throw in a few extra knots just to be sure.
  
  There, that's brought the reins back up to regulation strength!
  
  The impression Alky would make rolling up in the chariot as reconstituted is maybe not precisely as good as that made by the first edition, but as someone whose only previous experience of vehicle maintenance was giving sugar-lumps to your Great-Uncle's oxen, you think you've gone rather above and beyond! After doing one final check to ensure it's up to snuff in both the rolling and the turning departments, you push the chariot out of the workshop -- careful not to ding the doorway as you exit! -- and into the yard.
  
  It takes rather more grunting, sweating, and heaving than becomes a chap of your breeding, but eventually the eventuality eventuates and you get it where you want it. As you survey your handiwork with pride, you notice that your manhandling has dislodged a horsey treat from some nether crevice of the chariot.
  
  With Hippy calm and the chariot restored, you hitch the one to the other. It's not the world's simplest process (you think you might be trying to do it the wrong way round), and somehow in the confusion Hippy gives a kick that delivers a painful-looking blow to the most vulnerable spot of the nearby herm. You finish the job and nervously step clear -- lots of bad luck today!
  
  You wave Alky over now that horse, vehicle, and man are all accounted for and more or less intact, not without a bit of wear and tear around the margins. "Nice spot of business," he says, inclining his head at your accomplishments. "The archons and magistrates might come on rather peevish about the herms once they're informed, but since the damage happened within sanctuary grounds I'm sure Puffy can cool them down. In any event, time to head to the metrop!" In fact the mob here appears to be breaking up, with about an even division between those staggering into the temple and calling uncle on the evening, and those hopping into their chariots to zip back to Athens for the after party (you note that Machon, despite his earlier struggle with somnabulance, is of the latter group).
  
  You help Alky get Puffy wedged into the chariot, then join him as he snaps the reins and Hippy takes off onto the Sacred Way at an admirable, though perhaps not completely safety-conscious, pace.
  
  Sacred Way (in Alky's chariot)
  The Sacred Way is called that because it's the holiest road in Attica, running all the way from the sanctuary in Eleusis back to Athens, but given the daredevil clip at which Alky is driving Hippy you'd be forgiven for transposing the c with the a in a moment of mental dyslexia. Trees whizz by at a terrific clip, and if you were better at arithmetic you'd be able to calculate your velocity based on how quickly you're overtaking the regularly-placed herms at the side of the road.
  
  The wind in your face is nice and fresh, and the evening is cool and bright as you race towards Athens. The one fly in the ointment is that you're rather occupied with holding the still-snoozing Puffy in place, since you're not sure he'd appreciate getting up-close-and-personal knowledge of the Sacred Way.
  
  "You know, old man," says Alky, reading your mind, "it might be time to wake Puffy and see if he's sobered up any."
  
  > wake puffy
  You can't really get him to come around. "Here, let me try," Alky calls, and hands you the reins -- just as the road is about to make a sharp curve to the left.
  
  Hippy gives a loud snort, the likes of which you've only previously when heard when asking your man his opinion of your sartorial choices.
  
  > look at the reins
  You know, you must have seen dozens of chariots over the years, but until this evening you can't say as you ever noticed this metal ring jobby where you attach the reins. They're not factory-standard, but you've got two rein-analogues anchored in place.
  
  > pull the reins
  Hippy doesn't seem especially inclined to take instruction from you, or maybe you've managed to confuse her, because she takes the curve a bit too wide -- the rear of the chariot sloughs past the side of the road, colliding with a herm as you pass it and shearing off its unmentionable (more bad luck!)  At least this has the salutary effect of jolting Puffy awake, and the even more salutary effect of getting Alky to take back the reins.
  
  Up ahead, Machon's chariot comes into view -- you're not sure he's noticed you, which is a bit worrisome given how fast Alky's still driving.
  
  > examine the machon's chariot
  Machon's trotting along in a chariot pulled by a horse who looks to be as rotund and as good-natured as he is.
  
  > examine puffy
  Puffy's knuckles are as white as the stones of his temple as he clutches the edge of Alky's chariot.
  
  > look at Alky
  Alky has always been a fiend for speed, and you can see why -- the wind is artfully tousling his hair and he's got quite the roguish, devil-may care aspect going.
  
  > look at Hippy
  Hippy is somewhat burdened by carrying three people in a chariot that's intended for two, but she's still managed to work up to a frankly terrifying speed.
  
  > Inventory
  You are carrying:
  a gold chain
  a plate of food
  a toothpick
  a cup
  a heavily-smoking torch (providing light)
  a well-tailored chiton (being worn)
  
  > tell Alky about Machon
  You draw Alky's attention to Machon and gently imply that he might consider slowing down. He snorts, then pulls back on his reins, which makes Hippy give a louder snort and decelerate sharply. The chariot kicks up a terrific clatter, which startles Machon -- he yanks the reins perhaps a bit harder than he ought, sending his chariot spinning across the road, and inevitably given the way the evening has been going, he smashes into another herm and sends its unmentionable spiraling out into the gloom. Fortunately, before he disappears out of sight behind you, you see Machon pop up none the worse for wear.
  
  Less fortunately, Puffy, seeing the damage to the sacred statue, is now hyperventilating. "Oh no oh no oh no," he keens, "it's been decades since a herm was broken -- they'll have my head for losing one!"
  
  It occurs to you that Puffy missed the several previous instances of herm-destruction and perhaps should be made aware that it's a tiny bit worse than he thinks....
  
  > tell Puffy about the herm
  (the sacred-way herms)
  As gently as you can, you fill Puffy in on the damage to the other herms -- your idea is to warm him up to it with some broad generalizations about the fickleness of fate and the need to take a philosophical attitude of detachment with respect to the vicissitudes fortune pitches into the gentle stream of our lives from time to time, but he's glaring at you with sufficient force as to make you more tongue-tied than usual so eventually you just lay out that the evening's broken-herm quota has just reached four, rather than one.
  
  The change in Puffy is immediate -- one doesn't like to label a fellow berserk, but sometimes that's the clearest word to hand. He gives out a bellow, and makes a grab for the reins, shouting about how he needs to go back and fix things (you're no stone mason, but this seems like a tall order, especially given the hour of the night). "Steady on!" Alky calls, trying to shoulder Puffy aside, but the squabble has confused poor Hippy, who decides she will have none of it and skids to a halt. You and Alky manage to grab on for dear life, but Puffy, who luck is really not being kind to tonight, pitches forward off the chariot and, just to crown things off, fractures his bonce and one more herm in coming to a none-too-gentle landing.
  
  You rush over to assist, but Puffy throws you off, looking now if anything more deranged than he did after drinking the spiked kykeon. "You fools!" he screams, which is an unkind cut though you notice that Machon's now run up to join you, and with his addition maybe the group judgment is a fair one. "You ruined the mysteries, and now you're bent on destroying the herms too? Well, I won't let you -- I'll beat you to the punch!"
  
  With a cry, he levels a terrific kick at the unmentionable attribute of another herm, getting quite a bit of lift onto it as it flies clear, and is no sooner done than he's running to the next one down, bent on yet more destruction. You rush forward to try to rein things in, but Machon, somewhat confused by what's happening, tries to be a good sport and follows Puffy's lead by cracking up some herms of his own. Between the din of everyone's shouts, the panicked neighing of the horse, and the sharp explosions of fracturing statuary, all is pandemonium.
  
  Eventually you and Alky are able to restore some semblance of order and talk Puffy down. You coax him back to the chariot and, once you reach Athens, bring him and the rest of the boys to your flat -- nobody's in much mood for the after party now, but after a nightcap or two and some rest you're sure everything will look better in the morning.
  
  A nightcap or two turned into several more -- more, at least, than you can comfortably count with your head this fuzzy -- but as you thought, with the bright light shining down and your boon companions bunking down with you, things seem, if not exactly right as rain, at least more manageable than they did last night, when all the blasphemous vandalry was really getting you down. But now the birds are chirping, the gentle noises of commerce and socialization drift up from passersby walking and vending beneath your window, and there's a loud pounding, as of armored feet, coming up the stairs to your door... Hang on, that's rather less idyllic!
  
  Whoever's on the other side makes a prim little knock. "Good morning, citizen. Are you awake? I'm one of the city's magistrates, and I have some questions to ask you about your whereabouts last night."
  
  The others are awake now, all suffering more or less from the fallout from last night's drinking and the dread of public odium. "Look, we can bluff it out," Alky whispers. "Puffy, you can just threaten any fellow who squawks with expulsion from the mysteries, and without any evidence we'll be in the clear."
  
  He's confidently walking to the door to throw it open and walk the magistrate through the whole story, when Machon breaks in: "small question, do you think they'd consider the broken-off unmentionables to be evidence?" He spreads out his hands to reveal an even half-dozen of the thing-gummys. "I gathered up as many as I could, so you could fix them," Machon says, looking over to Puffy.
  
  "Oh, that was too kind," Puffy replies with a gulp. "Too kind."
  
  "Right," says Alky, a grim set to his mouth. "Bluffing's out then." He grabs the chair from your writing desk and sets it against the door as a makeshift barricade.
  
  Machon turns to you and hands over the unmentionables, shrugging as you accept them gingerly. "Maybe you can put them out of the way, coz?" Then he and Puffy take up positions next to Alky.
  
  Your pied-��-terre in the city provides you with a temporary base during the season -- though given present circs you'd prefer something a bit more castle-like. Beyond the essentials of your bed, a clothes-chest, the fireplace, and an empty shelf (usually your valet puts a vase of flowers here each morning, but lucky for him he's on holiday), the only other furnishing is your writing desk. The gang, plus your press-ganged desk chair, are braced against the door on the west wall that ordinarily only opens onto the stairs, but now leads to a mob bent on justice. There's also a window facing the door, looking down on an alley that presents a dismal prospect that's nonetheless appealing by comparison to the pickle you're currently in. Pity you're too high up to jump!
  
  > Inventory
  You are carrying:
  six unmentionables
  a gold chain
  a plate of food
  a toothpick
  a cup
  a heavily-smoking torch (providing light)
  a well-tailored chiton (being worn)
  
  > examine the desk
  A little writing desk you sometimes use for scribbling off whatever musical or literary ideas you have bouncing around in your noggin. It holds your trusty inkwell, a sheet of paper, and your pan pipes. Your stylus is also right at hand.
  
  > examine the pipes
  A small set of pan pipes, with loose leather straps holding the small reeds together.