text: [Themes: Espionage, male protagonist, city]
  
  > Describe the surroundings
  Even in the dim light, the plushness of the lobby is unmistakeable, accentuated by the ubiquitous plush red furnishings. Indeed, this is a lobby in name only; in reality it's a lounge given the modest name "lobby" in order to impart a corresponding grandeur to the rest of the hotel. But the rest of the hotel seems to be in darkness right now, and the only viable exit is to the south, back out onto the street.
  
  Incongruously, a large trestle table has been set up in the middle of the Lobby.
  
  > examine the furnishings
  The furnishings lend a general air of sumptuousness to the place.
  
  > think
  That Russian-sounding voice you heard when you picked up the green phone in her office said something about delivering some merchandise to the central car park; perhaps that would be worth checking out.
  
  It would be interesting to know the significance of the phone number scribbled on the back of her business card.
  
  She wants you to help her find a small flat metal key she says she's lost - it seems to be important. She thinks she may have dropped it out running, which could either be in Mandlebury Park (if she meant her lunch-time jog) or at the Sports Ground (if she was doing serious training). It's also possible she left the key either in the Public Library or somewhere on the University Campus.
  
  > go to the car park
  (going south)
  You walk back out into Market Street.
  
  Market Street (west)
  Market Street runs east towards Cornwallis Avenue and west toward the High Street. It's the sort of intimate little street where crowds gather to go the pubs and wine bars and late-night boutiques, with the Grand Hotel attracting a fair amount of the custom. Tonight, though, the street is empty, and the Grand Hotel stands open but seemingly deserted to the north.
  
  You hear a loud clattering, as if someone had just accidentally knocked off a dustbin lid somewhere nearby to the east, but try as you might, you cannot see where the sound came from.
  
  > look at the lorry
  It's a very large lorry, of the kind that permanently risks doing serious damage to narrow streets. It may be painted a dark maroon colour, but it's rather hard to tell by moonlight. What you can make out is the lettering on the side proclaiming "Myles Biggar Haulage - tel: 01921 743589 - Main Depot: 54 Hythe Bridge Street". At the rear of the lorry is a single tambour door which is currently securely shut. At the other end the driver's cab looms well off the ground.
  
  You hear some footsteps behind you and turn to see a man walking briskly towards you. As soon as he catches sight of you, however, he turns and hurries away down the narrow alley.
  
  > look at the business card
  It's one of her business cards. On the front is printed:
  
  "The TAS Agency
  Timely Accommodation for Students
  12 Devon Road
  01921 833758
  tas@tas.co.uk"
  
  On the reverse side of the card another phone number has been written by hand: 01921 743589
  
  > open the tambour door
  The tambour door is locked.
  
  > examine the cab
  (the driver's cab)
  It's nothing special, just a large cab at the front of the lorry.
  
  > open the cab
  (the driver's cab)
  The cab doors are locked.
  
  > turn on the torch
  You switch the torch on.
  
  > examine the lorry
  It's a very large lorry, of the kind that permanently risks doing serious damage to narrow streets. It may be painted a dark maroon colour, but it's rather hard to tell by moonlight. What you can make out is the lettering on the side proclaiming "Myles Biggar Haulage - tel: 01921 743589 - Main Depot: 54 Hythe Bridge Street". At the rear of the lorry is a single tambour door which is currently securely shut. At the other end the driver's cab looms well off the ground.
  
  > Search lorry
  (first trying to open the tambour door)
  The tambour door is locked.
  
  > look at the door
  It seems to be made of metal slats, and is current quite firmly closed.
  
  > think
  You've seen the phone number on the back of her business card elsewhere; there's probably a connection worth investigating there.
  
  She wants you to help her find a small flat metal key she says she's lost - it seems to be important. She thinks she may have dropped it out running, which could either be in Mandlebury Park (if she meant her lunch-time jog) or at the Sports Ground (if she was doing serious training). It's also possible she left the key either in the Public Library or somewhere on the University Campus.
  
  > go to Haulage Depot
  (going to the Haulage Depot)
  (going west)
  
  High Street (South)
  The High Street runs north to the City Centre and continues to the south. A narrow alley runs off to the east, opposite a newsagent to the west.
  
  > examine Depot
  It's a large, ugly building with a large steel door, over which is a faded sign reading: "Myles Biggar Haulage Co. Tel: 01921 743589"
  
  A distant clock strikes eleven.
  
  > go to the southwest
  This short alley comes to the end a few yards away from the street, which lies just to the northeast. A high wall runs along the east side of the alley, with a small window about seven feet off the ground at the end furthest from the street.
  
  > examine the window
  It's about seven feet off the ground, and about two foot square. It's currently closed.
  
  > Inventory
  You are carrying a khaki peaked cap, a long rod, a torch, a gold brooch, a blue cassette, a sharp kitchen knife, a bar mat, a matchbook, a small brown envelope (open but empty), eleven documents (a photograph, a letter, a small piece of paper, a concert programme, a menu, a birthday card, a crumpled piece of paper, a business card, a printed email, some miscellaneous papers and an old newspaper) and two keys (a small brass key and an office key).
  
  > go to Sports Ground
  (going to the Sports Ground)
  (going northeast)
  
  Hythe Bridge Street (south)
  Hythe Bridge Street is quite narrow, being one of the oldest parts of the city. It narrows even further as it approaches an old stone bridge to the northwest; to the southeast it runs towards a junction with the High Street. On the south side of the street stands a large haulage depot, round the side of which a narrow alley runs to the southwest.
  
  > think about the Park
  (going northwest)
  
  Hythe Bridge Street (north)
  Hythe Bridge street runs over an old stone bridge to the southeast and on to a junction with York Road to the northwest. A mixture of old buildings lines the street, representing every period from the Civil War to the Victorian; prominent among the latter is the Old Library, which stands just to the north.
  
  Just use the command THINK, or for more specific hints THINK HARDER.
  
  > remember Park
  (Mandlebury Park)
  In Mandlebury Park you remembered:
  When time permits you often come here to eat your lunch on the park bench. On one such occasion about four years ago you saw her jogging past on a circuit of the park. The second time round, she stopped to catch her breath and chat. You can't remember a great deal of the conversation , but you do remember she was enthusing about some book she'd just read.
  
  "Have you read any Stanilev?" she asked.
  
  "I've never heard of him," you admitted.
  
  "He's a great thinker, you should read him, you really should," she urged you, "Until I read him I never realized anyone else could feel that way. It was so liberating!"
  
  But though you promised her you'd look out for a copy of Stanilev's book, somehow you never got round to it.
  
  > turn on torch
  You switch the torch on.
  
  You see lights just outside the entrance to the Ground and hear a car draw up. A few moments later you hear footsteps and voices just at the entrance to the ground. Nervously, you hide in the shadows by the entrance, carefully concealing the light of your torch, as you listen to the conversation between the two officers:
  
  "Can't see anyone here, sarge."
  
  "I thought I saw someone come this way. Could be here, or they could have gone to Lafayette's."
  
  "Why would anyone still be here?"
  
  "Probably some lowlife looking for easy pickings now the city's deserted -- they've already done Morgans. Let's check the Sports Ground first."
  
  > turn off the torch
  You switch the torch off.
  
  > listen
  The city sounds unnaturally quiet.
  
  > look at Building
  The changing rooms are housed in a long, low concrete building.
  
  > enter Building
  You can't get in; the changing rooms are all locked up.
  
  > think
  You've seen the phone number on the back of her business card elsewhere; there's probably a connection worth investigating there.
  
  She wants you to help her find a small flat metal key she says she's lost - it seems to be important. She thinks she may have dropped it out running, which could either be in Mandlebury Park (if she meant her lunch-time jog) or at the Sports Ground (if she was doing serious training). It's also possible she left the key either in the Public Library or somewhere on the University Campus.
  
  > go to Library
  Which do you mean, the New Library or the Old Library?
  
  > go to college street
  Which do you mean, Junction of High Street and College Street, College Street (south), College Street (mid), Junction of College Street and Devon Road or College Street (North)?
  
  > Junction high
  (going east)
  
  York Street (mid)
  This section of street feels eerily still, with no signs of life anywhere. The river runs silently by to the east, while the City Sports Ground stands mutely to the west. York Street continues to north and south.