text: > About you
  You're a grey-fawn Toggenburg with two impressively-curling horns and a particularly smart beard.
  
  > Inventory
  Your mouth is empty.
  
  > Butt
  What do you want to butt?
  
  > Kick
  What do you want to kick?
  
  > examine the trough
  A low metal feeding trough is bolted to the southern wall, a slatted barrier giving each of the herd a feeding space.
  
  > Bleat
  What do you want to bleat at?
  
  > bleat at yourself
  You bleat at yourself.
  
  > Bleat at herd
  You bleat at the herd. They blink at you, but otherwise offer no reaction.
  
  > eat the straw
  But it's filthy.
  
  > eat herd
  You are vegetarian.
  
  > examine the herd
  Two shaggy-looking males, three placid females, and a couple of nervous kids. The goats chew pensively on nothing, their rectangular pupils staring variously around the shed.
  
  > kick the herd
  A couple of the larger males fight you off, and stare at you with a confused anger.
  
  > eat the barrier
  That's plainly inedible.
  
  > examine the trough
  A low metal feeding trough is bolted to the southern wall, a slatted barrier giving each of the herd a feeding space.
  
  > pull the trough
  You are unable to.
  
  > look
  Four damp dry-stone walls, and a cold wind turning to cast rain through the only window, rattling at the door as it goes. Your herd is here, clustered on the drier side of the straw-strewn floor, next to the feeding trough.
  
  > look at the door
  A thick wooden board, not quite the right shape to fit the doorframe, is set in the western wall. It's criss-crossed with three or four generations of scratches, punctuated with impatient kick-holes.
  
  > open door
  You push against the door with your forehead, but something is holding it shut.
  
  > kick the door
  Your horns clatter against the door, but it remains closed.
  
  > examine the window
  A roughly square hole in the western wall looks out onto the yard, and the farm beyond.
  
  > enter the window
  Clambering up the stony wall, you crane your neck through the window...
  
  You look out onto the fenced-in square of concrete, the exercise yard and recreation area for your herd. The shed door rattles in the wind, beside you.
  
  > examine the door
  The wooden board is heavily weathered on this side, and shakes violently in the wind. A short length of blue-plastic rope has been tied between a nail in the door, and a hook on the wall outside.
  
  > eat the rope
  Stretching your neck, you are just able to take the rope between your teeth. Lifting it from the hook, you attempt to pull it free from the door, but it seems too firmly attached.
  
  You let go, and the rope falls to hang limply from the door.
  
  > Bleat at door
  You bleat at the goat-shed door.
  
  > open the door
  You push the door open, struggling slightly against the wind.
  
  > go west
  This fenced-off square of washed-down concrete is as much of the world as your herd has seen, for the past few weeks. The metal gate has been left open to the north.
  
  > go north
  A roughly-bordered area of freshly-laid tarmac marks the centre of the farm - the goat shed and its yard lie back to the south, while the farmhouse is north. Dirt tracks lead east and west, the eastern track continuing out to the main road.
  
  An unfamiliar vehicle has been parked here.
  
  > examine the vehicle
  It looks like one of the big, wheeled machines that the farmer uses, but is of an unfamiliar greyish colour.
  
  Now that you are closer to it, you realise that an unpleasant smell is seeping from it.
  
  > Smell vehicle
  The machine smells of death, of dead and burnt flesh.
  
  > Bleat at vehicle
  You bleat at the grey vehicle.
  
  > kick the vehicle
  With a cantering run-up, you crash angrily against its flank.
  
  > go to the east
  The muddy track opens out onto the main road, here, cutting through a thick and brambly hedge. A low pit has been sunk into the track just before the road, topped with a series of parallel rungs.
  
  A bucket of disinfectant sits at the side of the road.
  
  > look at the bucket
  The sturdy plastic bucket has been filled with an acrid-smelling disinfectant.
  
  > look at the pit
  The pit looks to be about half a leg deep, and is as wide as the track.
  
  > go east
  Your hooves slip and falter as you try to step across the rungs - you back off before you fall and hurt yourself.
  
  > get the bucket
  Taken.
  
  > check your inventory
  You are carrying a bucket of disinfectant, in your mouth.
  
  > drop the bucket
  Dropped.
  
  > go west
  This rough dirt track curves into the barn to the north, while a gateway opens south into the pig-pens. A length of yellow-and-black plastic tape has been drawn across the gateway.
  
  > examine the tape
  Yellow-and-black striped tape has been stretched taut between the gateposts to the south, slapping and fluttering loudly in the wind.
  
  > Go north
  A huge curve of corrugated metal sweeps overhead, resting on half-repaired walls. Haybales are stacked and scattered out of the rain, a ragtag flock of chickens pecking their aimless way around the dirt floor.
  
  > eat tape
  You chew savagely at the unpleasant-tasting tape - it gradually weakens under the grinding of your teeth, before snapping and spiralling away to each side.
  
  > go to the south
  These low concrete buildings were home to a dozen or so ill-tempered pigs, the last time you came this way. The pens are empty, now, a single sheet of corrugated iron clanking forlornly in the wind.
  
  > look at the iron
  Once a roof, the sheet-metal is now only held in place by a couple of rusting bolts. It runs diagonally down into the mud, and buckles back and forth as the wind catches it.
  
  > kick the iron
  You batter your horns against it fiercely. One of the bolts pops free.
  
  > kick the iron
  Another assault, and the second bolt snaps. With a groan, the corrugated metal slides into the mud.
  
  > look
  These low concrete buildings were home to a dozen or so ill-tempered pigs, the last time you came this way. The pens are empty, now, nothing but mud and rainwater.
  
  You can see a sheet of corrugated iron here.
  
  > get the iron
  Clamping your teeth around a bolt-hole, you just about manage to drag the thing with you.
  
  > Go east
  A roughly-bordered area of freshly-laid tarmac marks the centre of the farm - the goat shed and its yard lie back to the south, while the farmhouse is north. Dirt tracks lead east and west, the eastern track continuing out to the main road.
  
  An unfamiliar vehicle has been parked here.
  
  You can see a bucket of disinfectant here.
  
  > go to the east
  The muddy track opens out onto the main road, here, cutting through a thick and brambly hedge. A low pit has been sunk into the track just before the road, topped with a series of parallel rungs.
  
  > put the iron on the pit
  You drop the sheet just before the pit, and nudge it forward along the ground. With a rhythmic clanging, the grooves of the corrugated iron match the rungs above the pit - it is not long before the metal spans the pit entirely.
  
  > go east
  You stand nervously on the muddy B-road that connects the farm to the outside world. The open sky has a grey heaviness to it, tinged with red and black from what seems to be a fire in a field to the east. The field's gate, across the road, has been left open, while your farm lies back to the west.
  
  You notice lights moving in the field, and a dark green vehicle suddenly rumbles into view, framed in the gateway. The engine cuts out as the driver - a thick-set man in white overalls - catches sight of you, a clearly fugitive goat. Before you can react, the vehicle door has swung open, and a shotgun has been fired.
  
  > examine the haybales
  Dozens of grey-yellow haybales have been stacked heavily around the barn, reaching almost to the roof at the back.
  
  > examine the chickens
  The birds peck and scratch around the floor of the barn, occasionally jerking their heads up to stare at you with orange-eyed suspicion.
  
  > Inventory
  Your mouth is empty.
  
  > eat the hay
  You pull out a few strands of hay, and chew on them thoughtfully.
  
  > climb the hay
  They're too soft and precarious to merit any worthwhile climbing.
  
  > Bleat at chickens
  You bleat at the chickens.
  
  > follow you
  You bleat.
  
  > search the hay
  Craning behind them and nudging a few others aside, you fail to find anything other than haybales.
  
  > About you
  You're a grey-fawn Toggenburg with two impressively-curling horns and a particularly smart beard.
  
  > Go north
  You've never quite understood why humans live in such large sheds, particularly when they seem so bipedal. The farmhouse looks to be about twenty times the size of the goat-shed, with glass in its windows and a roof of straw. The path from the south winds through grass to the side of the house, to the west.
  
  > examine the window
  The window looks into the farmhouse's kitchen. You can make out two human figures inside.
  
  > Go west
  A small wooden structure sits in the grass at the corner of the house, here, at the point where the path curves around to the north. As you trot towards it, the kennel begins to make a growling noise.
  
  > examine the figures
  You can just about recognise the face of the farmer. The other human, clad in strange black-and-grey clothes and seated at the large wooden table, seems unfamiliar. They talk loudly and angrily to one another.
  
  > Bleat at farmer
  You bleat at the humans.
  
  > look at other
  (the farmhouse window)
  The window looks into the farmhouse's kitchen. You can make out two human figures inside.
  
  > look at the kennel
  A very small wooden building, barely big enough for a kid. Slumped in the shadows within is a large dog, which you think might belong to the farmer.
  
  > look at the dog
  The heavily-built black dog stares out at you malevolently, growling with his side-teeth slightly bared.
  
  > Bleat at dog
  You bleat at the dog.
  
  > Go north
  As you pass the kennel, the dog bounds out and - his chain pulled taut - begins to bark loudly.
  
  The door to the farmhouse swings open, the farmer emerging onto the driveway. Seeing you and the dog, he pads across and grabs you by the neck, pulling you back before leading you gently to the goat shed.
  
  The rope on the door is tied tightly, and the farmer walks away. After maybe ten minutes, there is the sound of another vehicle turning up - ten minutes after that, the door is pulled open and half a dozen DEFRA slaughtermen burst in with bolt-guns.
  
  > Go south
  A thick, brambly hedge blocks your way.
  
  > look
  A small wooden structure sits in the grass at the corner of the house, here, at the point where the path curves around to the north. The farmer's dog glares out from the shadows of his home, growling darkly.
  
  > Go east
  You've never quite understood why humans live in such large sheds, particularly when they seem so bipedal. The farmhouse looks to be about twenty times the size of the goat-shed, with glass in its windows and a roof of straw. The path from the south winds through grass to the side of the house, to the west.
  
  > go to the south
  A roughly-bordered area of freshly-laid tarmac marks the centre of the farm - the goat shed and its yard lie back to the south, while the farmhouse is north. Dirt tracks lead east and west, the eastern track continuing out to the main road.
  
  An unfamiliar vehicle has been parked here.
  
  You can see a bucket of disinfectant here.
  
  > look in it
  You nose inquisitively at the feed, but there is nothing to be found. All of the interesting tidbits were rooted out and eaten earlier.
  
  > examine the straw
  The brittle grey-yellow straw has been soaked and flattened against the concrete.
  
  > get the straw
  But it's filthy.
  
  > take the trough
  That's hardly portable.
  
  > get the rope
  You are unable to detach it from the door.
  
  > Now is the the time for all the good goats to come to the the aid of their herd
  You bleat at the herd. They blink at you, but otherwise offer no reaction. Goats never take orders, even from other goats.
  
  > look at door
  The door has been opened, revealing the yard.
  
  > look at the gate
  A gate of sturdy metal tubing, carelessly left open.
  
  > kick the gate
  That's hardly portable.
  
  Violence isn't the answer to this one.
  
  > close the gate
  Some sort of locking mechanism is holding it open.
  
  > get the bucket
  You already have that.
  
  > kick the bucket
  You knock the bucket over. The evil disinfectant splashes out in a murky yellow tidal wave, spreading to form a puddle.
  
  > Inventory
  Your mouth is empty.
  
  > kick it
  Dropped.
  You knock the bucket over. The evil disinfectant splashes out in a murky yellow tidal wave, spreading to form a puddle.
  
  > throw the bucket at the dog
  You lack the nerve when it comes to the crucial moment.
  
  > drop the bucket
  Dropped.
  
  > look at the feed
  The trough is about a quarter-full of mixed grains - oats, barley and soya pellets, mainly. Any extra leaves or vegetables have long since been eaten.
  
  > get the feed
  Your mouth is already full.
  
  > drop the bucket
  Dropped.
  
  > get the feed
  You reach through a gap in the barrier and take a mouthful of the feed, holding it on your tongue.
  
  > drop the feed
  Dropped.
  
  As you drop the feed, the chickens begin to flock around you, pecking enthusiastically at the grain.
  
  > look
  A huge curve of corrugated metal sweeps overhead, resting on half-repaired walls. Haybales are stacked and scattered out of the rain, a ragtag flock of chickens pecking their aimless way around the dirt floor.
  
  You can see a small pile of goat-feed here.
  
  > get the feed
  Taken.
  
  The chickens peck up the last few stray grains.
  
  > look at what you're carrying with you
  You are carrying a mouthful of goat-feed, in your mouth.
  
  > show the feed to the chickens
  The chickens are unimpressed.
  
  > feed the chickens
  (to the chickens)
  (first taking the chickens)
  They beat their wings and scrabble out of your reach.
  
  > drop the feed
  Dropped.
  
  As you drop the feed, the chickens begin to flock around you, pecking enthusiastically at the grain.
  
  > get the chicken
  They beat their wings and scrabble out of your reach.
  
  The chickens continue to peck at the scattered goat-feed.
  
  > check what you're carrying
  Your mouth is empty.
  
  Another chicken flaps down from the haybales to join the feast.
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  With a hungry murmuring, the chickens peck at the grain.
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  > Go east
  Four damp dry-stone walls, and a cold wind turning to cast rain through the only window, rattling at the door as it goes. Your herd is here, clustered on the drier side of the straw-strewn floor, next to the feeding trough.
  
  You can see a bucket of disinfectant here.
  
  > get the feed
  You reach through a gap in the barrier and take a mouthful of the feed, holding it on your tongue.
  
  > Go north
  A huge curve of corrugated metal sweeps overhead, resting on half-repaired walls. Haybales are stacked and scattered out of the rain, a ragtag flock of chickens pecking their aimless way around the dirt floor.
  
  You can see a small pile of goat-feed here.
  
  The chickens continue to peck at the scattered goat-feed.
  
  One of the bolder chickens struts out of the barn to the south, but soon returns. She goes back to pecking through the grain.
  
  > go to the west
  You can see a small pile of goat-feed here.
  
  > Go east
  You can see a bucket of disinfectant here.
  
  > go to the west
  A thick hedge blocks your path.
  
  > Go north
  You can see a small pile of goat-feed here.
  
  One of the bolder chickens struts out of the barn to the south, and does not return.
  
  > Go south
  You can see a single chicken and a small pile of goat-feed here.
  
  The chicken wanders away to the north, pecking hungrily at the floor.
  
  > Go north
  You can see a small pile of goat-feed here.
  
  With a hungry murmuring, the chickens peck at the grain.
  
  One of the bolder chickens struts out of the barn to the south, and does not return.
  
  > get the feed
  Taken.
  
  The chickens peck up the last few stray grains.
  
  > Attack chicken
  They beat their wings and scrabble out of your reach.
  
  > drop the feed
  (the mouthful of goat-feed)
  Dropped.
  
  > Go south
  You can see two small piles of goat-feed here.
  
  > Go east
  You can see a single chicken and a small pile of goat-feed here.
  
  > Go north
  As you pass the kennel, the dog bounds out and - his chain pulled taut - begins to bark loudly.
  
  The door to the farmhouse swings open, the farmer emerging onto the driveway. Seeing you and the dog, he pads across and grabs you by the neck, pulling you back before leading you gently to the goat shed.
  
  The rope on the door is tied tightly, and the farmer walks away. After maybe ten minutes, there is the sound of another vehicle turning up - ten minutes after that, the door is pulled open and half a dozen DEFRA slaughtermen burst in with bolt-guns.
  
  > Go north
  You can see a single chicken and a small pile of goat-feed here.
  
  The chicken pecks impatiently at the grain.
  
  > wait for a while
  Time passes.
  
  The chicken triumphantly picks out a speck of what might be linseed.
  
  > Go north
  You can see a single chicken and a small pile of goat-feed here.
  
  The chicken wanders away to the west, pecking hungrily at the floor.
  
  You watch as the chicken, pecking blindly along the ground, wanders too close to the dog's kennel. There is a brief but frenzied period of barking and squawking, before the chicken flaps away.
  
  The farmhouse door swings open in front of you, the farmer stepping out into the rain. He seems surprised to see you standing outside, and - ruffling your hair - leads you gently back to the goat shed.
  
  The rope on the door is tied tightly, and the farmer walks away. After maybe ten minutes, there is the sound of another vehicle turning up - ten minutes after that, the door is pulled open and half a dozen DEFRA slaughtermen burst in with bolt-guns.
  
  > wait awhile
  Time passes.
  
  A chicken arrives from the north, strutting directly to the pile of goat-feed.
  
  > go to the north
  You can see a small pile of goat-feed here.
  
  The chickens pick barley grains out of the dirt on the floor.
  
  > wait awhile
  Time passes.
  
  The chickens pick barley grains out of the dirt on the floor.
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  Another chicken flaps down from the haybales to join the feast.
  
  > go north
  You can see a small pile of goat-feed here.
  
  The chickens continue to peck at the scattered goat-feed.
  
  > wait awhile
  Time passes.
  
  The chickens pick barley grains out of the dirt on the floor.
  
  > wait awhile
  Time passes.
  
  The chickens continue to peck at the scattered goat-feed.
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  Another chicken flaps down from the haybales to join the feast.
  
  One of the bolder chickens struts out of the barn to the south, and does not return.
  
  > eat the feed
  You crunch the husks and pellets between your heavy teeth, swallowing it all down.
  
  The chickens peck up the last few stray grains.
  
  > go to the south
  You can see a single chicken and a small pile of goat-feed here.
  
  The chicken wanders away to the east, pecking hungrily at the floor.
  
  > eat the feed
  You crunch the husks and pellets between your heavy teeth, swallowing it all down.
  
  > Go east
  You can see a single chicken and a small pile of goat-feed here.
  
  The lone chicken scrabbles hungrily through the goat-feed.
  
  > wait for a while
  Time passes.
  
  The lone chicken scrabbles hungrily through the goat-feed.