text: > look at your surroundings
  The room has a masculine air, with ebony panelling, a large messy table, and a rumpled bed. A curtain masks the forward exit and gilded woodwork decorates the sill of the tall window looking aft.
  
  > open the curtain
  You pull the cloth aside momentarily. Behind it, a large cupboard mostly blocks the doorway.
  
  > look at cupboard
  You can see only the back of the large cupboard. You might be able to squeeze past it.
  The end of a rope ladder blows past the window.
  
  > open the cupboard
  The door is on the other side of the large cupboard.
  The end of a rope ladder blows past the window.
  
  > grab the ladder
  It's on the other side of the window.
  The end of a rope ladder blows past the window.
  
  > throw the chest at the window
  You hurl the coffer through the window, sending it and a shower of glass into the sea. The ledge now looks deep enough to sit upon.
  The end of a rope ladder blows past the window.
  
  > grab the rope
  You lean over the ledge, but the ladder is too far out to reach.
  The end of a rope ladder blows past the window.
  
  > sit on the ledge
  You climb onto the ledge. The ladder drifts within reach.
  
  > climb the ladder
  You put everything in your reticule and reach out for the ladder and over-balance, tumbling from your perch. Your hand closes on a slimy hemp rung as you fly out over the waves, clinging tenuously, feet free, to the ladder.
  
  You are clinging to a slimy ladder, tied to a rail of the poop deck above you. Not far from your feet, waves kiss the stern of the ship.
  
  > jump
  In these clothes? You jest.
  All air is driven out of you as the ladder slams into the stern.
  
  > Up
  In these clothes? You jest.
  Rebounding, the ladder twists you around to face the Helena Louise.
  
  > climb ladder
  In these clothes? You jest.
  The ladder swings back towards the Helena Louise.
  
  > remove the dress
  You can't manage the fastenings while whipping to and fro on a ladder. All air is driven out of you as the ladder slams into the stern.
  
  > Enter
  You pull yourself over the ledge, tumbling head over heels into Jamison's quarters.
  
  > remove the dress
  You take off the cotton frock.
  
  > Go outside
  Did you have any particular direction in mind?
  
  > Yes
  That was just a rhetorical question.
  
  > sit on the ledge
  You climb onto the ledge. The ladder drifts within reach.
  
  > Up
  You'll have to be holding the ladder first.
  The end of a rope ladder blows by.
  
  > grab the ladder
  You put everything in your reticule and reach out for the ladder and over-balance, tumbling from your perch. Your hand closes on a slimy hemp rung as you fly out over the waves, clinging tenuously, feet free, to the ladder.
  
  Rebounding, the ladder twists you around to face the Helena Louise.
  
  > Up
  You climb up the ladder.
  Your battered hands can take no more. Your grip loosens and the sea comes up to break your fall.
  
  > What
  You may start over, restore a saved position, or end this session of the game. (Type RESTART, RESTORE, or QUIT):
  
  > get up
  You get out of the bed.
  "The Falcon! The Falcon conquers!" yells someone.
  
  > open the door
  It appears to be locked.
  
  > wait for a while
  Time passes...
  Suddenly, the ship lurches to one side, throwing you off balance. A coffer slides from under the bed and bumps against your foot.
  
  > open the coffer
  It's quite locked.
  You recognize a voice from far away, "Don't take that! Look in the cabin at the stern -- you'll find some fun there!" It sounds like Davis.
  
  > take the coffer
  Taken.
  With a creak and a crash, somewhere a mast falls to the deck.
  
  > check your inventory
  You have a coffer and your reticule (hanging from your wrist). It seems that your reticule contains smelling salts and a banknote. You are wearing your kid slippers, a linen chemise and a cotton frock.
  "Cap'n Jamison! We've got 'em!" cries a rough voice.
  
  > examine the chemise
  It's covered by other clothes.
  Crash! You whirl around to see the door shatter, kicked by a hulking man, his twisted visage blackened with soot and blood. "Me name's Andy Crulley, and ladies learn to love me," sniggers the pirate, advancing toward you.
  
  > kick andy
  Your slippered toes could not hurt Crulley.
  "Avast me, but ain't ye a beauty," sniggers the pirate. His breath
  is heavy with rum.
  "Aaieeee!" echoes a scream, followed by several grunts and thumps.
  
  > Kiss andy
  "Wi' a wannion! I likes me ladies forward!"
  "They calls me Andy, but I'm really randy," sniggers the pirate, advancing toward you.
  Crulley drags you, despite your resistance, towards him. Then
  suddenly he grunts, stiffens and slumps into your arms. Stunned, Crulley collapses at your feet, his eyes rolling.
  A tall form blocks the shattered door, one fist still raised from striking your attacker. You catch a glimpse of the hard masculinity of his broad shoulders, the implied power in the scar that etches the stranger's jaw, and feel tremors course through your veins. Then you realize how ragged are his shirt, patched breeches and high boots. Intuitively, you understand -- he is the dreaded Falcon, scourge of the sea! Alas, your fate is sealed. Resigned, you meet his sea-blue eyes. With a creak and a crash, somewhere a mast falls to the deck.
  
  > examine Falcon
  Jamison carries an aura of power unusual in men so slim and tall, the strength of a willow in his hard seaworn body, straight shouldered and resilient. Chestnut hair, tousled by the wind, frames the tanned oval of his face. A jagged scar etches one cheek, harsh against the warmth of his limpid blue eyes.
  To your surprise, the stranger bows. "Well met, my lady." His accent
  is cultured, his smile vibrant. "I am Captain Nicholas Jamison, known in these waters as 'The Falcon'. Your father has sent me." He chuckles at your glare of distrust. "Yes, you are like your sire. You needn't believe me untried -- I carry this." He hands you a missive.
  
  > look at the eyes
  They look just like your eyes.
  The pirate captain glances around the empty room, then notices the coffer in your arms. "Davis's safety box -- my men were hoping I'd find it." He takes it and nudges the unconscious man on the floor, "I wonder how Crulley knew you were here? Just his bad luck? He'll be flogged when he wakes."
  The pirate bows. "My lady, may I offer my protection and my ship
  until your father is free?"
  
  > Yes
  You nod tentatively.
  He chuckles. "Brave lady, to trust a stranger -- and a pirate. Who knows, perhaps I forged your father's signature? Keep by my side as we go to my ship -- few sailors respect a lady's dignity." He helps you through the door.
  
  The deck is an avalanche of noise and blood. Lit by roaring fires, silhouetted forms crash swords, dancing around the screaming wounded. Out of the smoke staggers Davis, tugging a bloodied knife from the
  back of a pirate. Davis's eyes gleam white from a face blackened and bloody, his lips dark red as if he has been drinking blood. He turns to face you.
  
  > Scream
  Although your voice is quite piercing, no one notices you.
  Davis leaps across the deck to your side, "Free me or she dies!" he yells, jabbing a knife up to your throat. In one smooth motion, Captain Jamison draws his rapier, pulls you free and stabs. Davis slumps into a bloody heap.
  Swooning, you fall into the Falcon's arms. You are dimly aware of
  being carried to the other ship, down a short flight of stairs, and laid gently on a soft bed. When you gather strength to look around, the Falcon has left you in peace.
  You remain confined to this room, a large cupboard blocking the
  door. Meals are brought by a peg-legged old man and eaten in silence. Of your handsome rescuer you see nothing. Slowly the days pass.
  
  [Press RETURN or ENTER to continue.]
  TWO DAYS LATER...
  
  You blear awake from a bored nap, focusing on something shiny. You discern it to be a new ring, on a strong hand in the act of tying a ribbon onto a rapier.
  The man with the rapier and the ring turns, "Sorry, I tried not to
  wake you." You sit up as if the bed had caught fire, for this is the Falcon, changed from his rags to a finery all red velvet and white lace -- and in your presence!
  
  Captain's Quarters, on the bed
  You are in the captain's quarters of the Helena Louise, where you
  have been trapped these past days since your "rescue" from the Lafond Deux. The room has a masculine air, with ebony panelling, a large messy table, and a rumpled bed (upon which you lie). A curtain masks the forward exit and gilded woodwork decorates the sill of the tall window looking aft.
  
  > get up
  You get out of the bed.
  "We have anchored off St. Sinistra," says Captain Jamison, "and I
  must look like a guest at Lafond's dance tonight. I will find and free your father, and then finally wreak my revenge on Lafond." He half draws his rapier from its scabbard.
  
  > examine the rapier
  Jamison's rapier is a dangerous looking sword with a narrow pointed blade. It is decorated with a big floppy ribbon.
  "I am sorry you have been confined down here, but I don't trust my lonely crew with such beauty. Crulley isn't the only man aboard with few principles." He smiles at you, eyes lingering, and takes your hand. You feel your color rising. "If anything goes wrong, turn to Cookie. He is quite deaf, but capable. He'll see you through."