text: > Go downwards
  This creepy cellar looks like it predates your house by about a hundred years or so. Cold stone walls provide a framework for countless spiderwebs along with dried insects and other debris. No doors or other exits are evident except for the weathered ladder leading to the trap door in the ceiling, which is the sole source of light for this room. The dust-covered floor reveals a fresh set of small boot prints. Oddly, the trail of boot prints stops dead center in the middle of the room.
  
  You can see a green gumball here.
  
  > examine the gumball
  The green gumball looks more like a marble than a confection.
  
  > Close box
  You close the ornate box.
  
  > eat it
  The gumball has an odd but not unpleasant taste of sage. The colors of the room start to blur and a buzzing sound resonates from the back of your head. Just as your knees begin to weaken, a warm breeze starts from the west. A searing bright light from above washes out all other colors in the room. You quickly begin to have misgivings about this whole thing as the smell of wildflowers wafts through the air. Mere misgivings give way to total apprehension as your focus starts to return...
  
  You are in a flat grassy area surrounded by scrub pines and large granite boulders. Purple and yellow wildflowers flourish in this area and the attendant bees are laden full with pollen and nectar. A lightly traveled path winds west through the rocks.
  
  > Smell wildflowers
  The combined fragrance is subtle but yet almost overwhelming.
  
  > look at the boulders
  The large granite boulders form a near-perfect ring around the clearing. A path runs west between two of the larger specimens.
  
  > look at the flowers
  The wildflowers form a nearly uniform carpet throughout the area. The colors are so brilliant in the bright sun, you have to squint your eyes to avoid seeing spots all day.
  
  > look at the bees
  The bees lazily drift from flower to flower.
  
  > get the flowers
  That's hardly portable.
  
  > go to the west
  A well-traveled path from the west branches south and continues east here under the refreshing shade of the bordering oaks. The sloping path leading south appears somewhat muddy but the footing does not appear to be too difficult.
  
  > examine the oaks
  The oaks must be as old as the hills and provide a good deal of shade over the entire area.
  
  > go to the west
  This northeast-southwest trail has all the appearances of being a main thoroughfare prior to becoming overrun with weeds and brush. A narrow footpath leads off to the east through the brush.
  
  > go northeast
  The trail winds its way from the southwest through a shadowy canyon formed in the cleft of two large hills. You cannot help but feel confined and vulnerable by the sheer walls of this gorge and limited visibility in front of you and behind. The trail continues to the north.
  
  > Go north
  A set of well-worn railroad tracks crosses the north-south trail here. The wooden ties have all but disintegrated and the rails are thick with bright red rust. The weed ridden-tracks run east-west.
  
  > go to the east
  The tracks continue east-west here through thick scrub brush and an occasional patch of cactus. There is a short section of track running parallel to, and eventually joining, the main track to form a spur.
  
  There is a huge clump of tumbleweeds on the track spur.
  
  > examine the clump
  The thorny mass of tumbleweeds is bigger than a small shed.
  
  > get it
  The tumbleweeds resist your attempt. Maybe a better tool would help out.
  
  > Go east
  The railroad tracks once crossed a deep gorge here, but the trestled bridge has long past seen its last train. The gaping hole in the middle of the bridge along with the highly questionable structural stability of the trestles themselves make further progress east unthinkable.
  
  > jump
  You jump on the spot, fruitlessly.
  
  > go north
  The trail here turns to fine dust with only a trace of vegetation. The wind is howling from the west, blowing dust, sand, and tumbleweeds everywhere. A brief respite in the blowing debris allows you to see the trail continuing north and an overgrown path going up to the east.
  
  > go east
  You are standing atop a large knoll which apparently served as a cemetery at some point in time. Remains of a picket fence lie strewn about the hillside and most of the gravestones have disintegrated beyond recognition. One granite marker at the head of a grassless plot, however, remains intact.
  
  > look at fence
  Only shards of whitewash remain on the well-weathered remnants of this former fence.
  
  > examine the gravestones
  There is an inscription on the marker which reads:
  
  "Remember Friends As You Pass By,
  As You Are Now So Once Was I;
  As I Am Now So You Shall Be,
  So Prepare For Death And Follow Me."
  
  You swear you can hear laughing, but then again, maybe it's the wind.
  
  > dig grave
  What do you want to dig the grave with?
  
  > Go east
  The only way off the hill is down to the west.
  
  > Go west
  The trail here turns to fine dust with only a trace of vegetation. The wind is howling from the west, blowing dust, sand, and tumbleweeds everywhere. A brief respite in the blowing debris allows you to see the trail continuing north and an overgrown path going up to the east.
  
  > go to the north
  You are at the outskirts of what you would guess is a small town. Tumbleweeds and debris litter the trail giving all appearances that this place is deserted. The majority of buildings and other structures are to the west while a large barn-like building is due north. There is a faded sign just off to the side of the trail.
  
  > look at the sign
  The bullet-riddled sign reads:
  
  "Welcome To Deadeye Gulch
  No Cussin, Gunnin, or Gamblin"
  
  > go to the north
  You are just outside a large barn-like structure that appears to be the local livery. The aging structure looks fairly sound except that the roof is starting to sag in areas. Just north is an oddly colored entrance to the building. The rest of Deadeye is to the southwest and there is a clearing to the south.
  
  > look at the entrance
  The door is fabricated from weathered planking and leather straps. There are several faded splotches of paint that stand in sharp contrast to the dull gray wood.
  
  > open the door
  It seems to be locked.
  
  > Go southwest
  You are at the east end of Deadeye Gulch on a street which is thick with dried grass and weeds. The remains of hitching posts and water troughs line the crumbling wooden sidewalks. Most of the buildings here have collapsed from aging timbers and a few appear as if they were burned down to their foundations. A couple of structures, however, have withstood the elements. To the north, there is a bank judging from the declaration as to such in the windows. To the south, there is a saloon.
  
  > go south
  This old beer hall served its last cold one many summers past. The rosewood bar stretches from wall to wall and, surprisingly, the wall-length mirror in back of the bar is still intact. The brass foot rail at the base of the bar is worn flat on the top from the countless patrons whose hard-earned wages were quickly converted into good times and song. Swinging doors lead back to the street to the north.
  
  You can see a table, a slot machine and a tray (which is empty) here.
  
  > examine the machine
  The free-standing slot machine bears a sign declaring:
  
  "HAPPY DAYS - 10 TRIES FOR 1 BUCK-A-BIN."
  
  The machine has a lever on the right-hand side, a coin slot on the top, and a large metal tray at the bottom. There are three tumblers on the front of the machine behind a scratched piece of glass. On the left-hand side of the machine are five small wheels. Above each of the wheels is a letter, which collectively spell out the word "AHEAD."
  
  > look at the first wheel
  The first wheel is set to 1.
  
  > examine the second wheel
  The second wheel is set to 2.
  
  > look at the third wheel
  The third wheel is set to 3.
  
  > examine the fourth wheel
  The fourth wheel is set to 4.
  
  > examine the fifth wheel
  The fifth wheel is set to 5.
  
  > examine the tumblers
  The tumblers show:
  
  > examine wheels
  The collection of wheels reads as follows:
  
  The first wheel  (letter 'A') is set to 1.
  The second wheel (letter 'H') is set to 2.
  The third wheel  (letter 'E') is set to 3.
  The fourth wheel (letter 'A') is set to 4.
  The fifth wheel  (letter 'D') is set to 5.
  
  > examine table
  This round table is standing on three legs (versus its last leg). The surface is marred with nicks, scratches and even a little bit of writing.
  
  > examine the writing
  The writing is pretty much your ordinary bar graffiti with even an occasional heart and arrow. However, as you study the crude lettering you find some kind of note has evidently been scrawled into the surface. The letters are so dark with grime they are indistinguishable from the table surface.
  
  > Clean table
  Perhaps if you had something to clean the table with.
  
  > examine the mirror
  The mirror is quite overwhelming in size. Time, however, has started to take its toll on the mirror as indicated by the wavy distortions in the reflection.
  
  > look in the mirror
  A bedraggled yet inquisitive face looks back at you.
  
  > go to the north
  You are at the east end of Deadeye Gulch on a street which is thick with dried grass and weeds. The remains of hitching posts and water troughs line the crumbling wooden sidewalks. Most of the buildings here have collapsed from aging timbers and a few appear as if they were burned down to their foundations. A couple of structures, however, have withstood the elements. To the north, there is a bank judging from the declaration as to such in the windows. To the south, there is a saloon.
  
  > go north
  Abandoned teller windows line the west wall of this former financial hub of the Deadeye community. Not unlike everything else in town, it too has fallen into disrepair. To the north you can make out an open vault and to the south lies Main Street.
  
  There is a rusted pan lying over in the corner.
  
  > examine the pan
  The pan is about 16 inches in diameter and 3 inches deep. The walls of the pan slope gently inward to produce a 10-inch bottom base. The surface of the pan is entirely rusted.
  
  > Examine vault
  The vault is built into the north wall. Strangely, the anticipated massive door is nowhere to be seen.
  
  > go north
  This red brick enclosure has been picked clean of its valuables, bringing to mind the adage "A Day Late, and a Dollar Short." A large wooden table dominates the center of the room supporting some type of mechanical contraption. The rest of the bank lies to the south.
  
  > look at table
  The wooden table is made from oak and supports some strange mechanical device.
  
  > look at the device
  The contraption has a metal block just an inch or so above a metal plate with a small circular impression. A series of gears connects the metal block to a lever.
  
  > pull the lever
  The lever pulls easily, moving the metal block down to the plate. As you release the lever, it returns to its starting position.
  
  > examine the plate
  The impression in the plate is about an eighth of an inch deep and an inch and a half in diameter.
  
  > Go south
  Abandoned teller windows line the west wall of this former financial hub of the Deadeye community. Not unlike everything else in town, it too has fallen into disrepair. To the north you can make out an open vault and to the south lies Main Street.
  
  There is a rusted pan lying over in the corner.
  
  > get the pan
  As you pick up the pan, a hole in one of the floorboards is revealed.
  
  Taken.
  
  > look in the hole
  If you hold your head just right, you can just catch a glimpse of something shining in the hole.
  
  > examine the windows
  The teller windows are uniformly distributed along the west wall with no apparent way to get to the other side of the bars. Perhaps they are no more than window dressing.
  
  > examine bars
  The bars are thick and unremovable.
  
  > go north
  This red brick enclosure has been picked clean of its valuables, bringing to mind the adage "A Day Late, and a Dollar Short." A large wooden table dominates the center of the room supporting some type of mechanical contraption. The rest of the bank lies to the south.
  
  > examine the contraption
  The contraption has a metal block just an inch or so above a metal plate with a small circular impression. A series of gears connects the metal block to a lever.
  
  > examine the pan
  The pan is about 16 inches in diameter and 3 inches deep. The walls of the pan slope gently inward to produce a 10-inch bottom base. The surface of the pan is entirely rusted.
  
  > put the pan on the plate
  Putting the pan into the impression would be in violation of local banking law B-62134. Being the law conscious person you are, you retreat from this ill-advised action.
  
  > Go south
  Abandoned teller windows line the west wall of this former financial hub of the Deadeye community. Not unlike everything else in town, it too has fallen into disrepair. To the north you can make out an open vault and to the south lies Main Street.
  
  There is a hole in one of the floorboards.
  
  > go to the south
  You are at the east end of Deadeye Gulch on a street which is thick with dried grass and weeds. The remains of hitching posts and water troughs line the crumbling wooden sidewalks. Most of the buildings here have collapsed from aging timbers and a few appear as if they were burned down to their foundations. A couple of structures, however, have withstood the elements. To the north, there is a bank judging from the declaration as to such in the windows. To the south, there is a saloon.
  
  > go to the west
  Most of the buildings on this end of town have given up the ghost and are but piles of broken lumber, tarpaper and other debris. One structure, to the north, seems to have fared considerably better than its neighbor to the south. The street narrows to the west where it appears to pick up a trail leading out of town. Back to the east is the center of town.
  
  > look at the jail door
  The door to the jail is comprised of a series of vertical iron bars and a large iron lock.
  
  One of the bars must have fallen off of the door and onto the floor of the jail.
  
  > open the jail door
  It seems to be locked.
  
  > Go north
  The musty smell of rotting wood greets your arrival at this rather dark dry goods store. An empty wood and glass counter parallel to the east wall displays mere remnants of the grains, sugar, fruit, and candy once plentiful in each of the adjacent bins. The shelves behind the counter are now only a repository for dust and a framework for countless cobwebs. The wooden floorboards, once sanded and polished, are now buckled and decrepit. A pair of broken doors leads out to the south and an open screen door leads to the west.
  
  One of the floorboards squeaks when you step on it.
  
  On the shelves are a stack of gum base and a box (which is closed).
  
  The torn cloth in the screen door flaps gently from a barely perceptible breeze.
  
  > take all
  loose floorboard: That's fixed in place.
  
  > look at the shelf
  These are just your average horizontal boards used for displaying store items.
  
  > take the cloth
  The staples are resistant to any attempts you make to strip the cloth from their grasp. Maybe you could tear it.
  
  The torn cloth in the screen door flaps gently from a barely perceptible breeze.
  
  > Tear cloth
  The material yields nothing for a moment, but then "R-I-I-P-P-P." A small piece tears off from the rest.
  
  > examine the gum base
  The stack consists of a number of squares labeled "Uncle Wrigley's Virgin Gum Base."
  
  > look at the box
  The box is adorned with a drawing of a cute redhead and the printing "Mon Cheri's Tea Sugar."
  
  > take the box
  Maybe you could take a free "sample" from the box, but taking the whole thing would probably be grounds for a lynching.
  
  > open the box
  You open the box, revealing a dozen or so sugar cubes.
  
  > take the sugar cube
  You take one of the cubes from the box.
  
  > Close box
  You close the box.
  
  > examine the floorboard
  The floorboard is a couple of feet long and is missing its nails on one end.
  
  > open it
  Under the floorboard are a couple of matches.
  
  > examine matches
  (the match)
  It's your everyday unlit kitchen match.
  
  > Inventory
  You are carrying:
  a match
  a cube of sugar
  a square of gum base
  a piece of gauzy cloth
  a pan
  
  > take the matches
  (the match)
  Taken.
  
  > Keep going
  You already have that.
  
  > Inventory
  You are carrying:
  two matches
  a cube of sugar
  a square of gum base
  a piece of gauzy cloth
  a pan
  
  > Go west
  This small fenced-in area was once a garden, probably for the private use of the store's proprietor. Weeds now blanket the dark soil where once beans, carrots, potatoes, and the like thrived in the hot summer. In one corner of the garden, however, a single corn stalk has made its way skyward supported by the fence. A screen door to the east leads back into the store.
  
  > examine the stalk
  The corn stalk is dried to a crisp from the lack of water and there isn't a single ear left. There are, however, a couple of kernels of corn tucked away in the leaves of the stalk.
  
  > get the corn
  (the couple kernels of corn)
  Taken.
  
  > Dig
  What do you want to dig up?
  
  > Go east
  What do you want to dig up the east wall with?
  
  > Go east
  The musty smell of rotting wood greets your arrival at this rather dark dry goods store. An empty wood and glass counter parallel to the east wall displays mere remnants of the grains, sugar, fruit, and candy once plentiful in each of the adjacent bins. The shelves behind the counter are now only a repository for dust and a framework for countless cobwebs. The wooden floorboards, once sanded and polished, are now buckled and decrepit. A pair of broken doors leads out to the south and an open screen door leads to the west.
  
  One of the floorboards squeaks when you step on it.
  
  On the shelves are a stack of gum base and a box (which is closed).
  
  > go south
  Most of the buildings on this end of town have given up the ghost and are but piles of broken lumber, tarpaper and other debris. One structure, to the north, seems to have fared considerably better than its neighbor to the south. The street narrows to the west where it appears to pick up a trail leading out of town. Back to the east is the center of town.
  
  > Go west
  The east-west trail here is lined by scraggly sycamore trees that look more dead than alive. Even the few birds' nests tucked away in the upper branches look poorly constructed and uninhabitable.
  
  > climb the tree
  After selecting a promising candidate, you carefully scale the trunk. After a few moments you find yourself at...
  
  The upper branches of this tree are almost totally bare of leaves. One branch within reach supports a deserted bird's nest which looks a whisper away from nonexistence. Further travel up the tree does not look promising since, basically, there is no more tree.
  
  > look at the nest
  The nest is constructed out of twigs, leaves and a few other unidentifiable materials. If you are careful, you may be able to look inside without falling out of the tree.
  
  > get the note
  Taken.
  
  > examine the note
  "Congratulations on the purchase of your new
  HAPPY DAYS Slot Machine, the slot guaranteed
  to raise income and please your clientele! Special
  features of the HAPPY DAYS slot include:
  - Large payoff tray
  - Adjustable odds with convenient thumbwheels
  - Ivory grip handle
  - 10 plays for only 1 Buck-a-bin
  
  Remember,
  
  +HAPPY
  +HAPPY
  + DAYS
  
  AHEAD
  
  A=7,8 or 9.
  No two letters represent the same integer.
  
  HerringVille Slot Machine Co."
  
  > look in the nest
  The nest is empty.
  
  > climb down
  The east-west trail here is lined by scraggly sycamore trees that look more dead than alive. Even the few birds' nests tucked away in the upper branches look poorly constructed and uninhabitable.
  
  > Go west
  The trail continues east-west here, but two side trails duck away up to the northwest and down to the southwest somewhat forming a fork.
  
  There is something shiny here half-buried in the dirt.
  
  > take all
  silver spoon: Taken.
  
  > examine the spoon
  This tarnished old spoon is adorned with decorative scrolls on the handle and, although slightly bent, appears quite useable.
  
  > go west
  The trail is straight as an arrow as it leads to the badlands to the west and towards Deadeye Gulch to the east. A barely legible sign shaped like an arrow points west.
  
  > look at the sign
  Warning: Badlands Ahead - Travel
  
  Not Advised.
  
  > go northwest
  A rather tall hill sprouts out of the landscape here, casting a deep shadow to the east. A well-traveled path leads up the hill to the northeast and a grassy trail leads off to the southeast. There is a sign lying in the dirt.
  
  > examine sign
  The bullet-riddled sign reads:
  "No Trespassing
  Private Property"
  
  > take the sign
  The sign is of little use to anyone, particularly you.
  
  > go to the northeast
  The whole valley is revealed to you as you approach the summit. To the east, you see the largely decaying town of Deadeye Gulch, and just further, the small knoll known as Boot Hill. To the south, the dusty valley floor unfolds, divided by a small tree-lined creek. Large snowy mountains abut the hill to the north while endless badlands reach out seemingly forever to the west. The main trail continues around the hill to the west and down to the southwest, whereas a faint side trail heads towards the crest to the north.
  
  > go to the south
  You can proceed up the hill, down the hill, or over to the west.
  
  > Go north
  As you proceed up the hill, your bones start to hurt and you feel like you're....
  
  "I'm too old for this nonsense" is your first thought after a brief journey over the crest of the hill to this dirt outcropping on the north side. Momentarily ignoring your aching joints and brief memory lapses, you spot a trail heading south up the hill. Oddly, the trail shows signs of fresh footprints.
  
  You can see a lantern here.
  
  > look at the lantern
  Hardly your brass variety, but a serviceable lamp with a glass chimney.
  
  > go north
  The path to the south looks like your only sure bet.
  
  > go south
  As you return back, the spring returns to your step and you again feel like your youthful self again.
  
  The whole valley is revealed to you as you approach the summit. To the east, you see the largely decaying town of Deadeye Gulch, and just further, the small knoll known as Boot Hill. To the south, the dusty valley floor unfolds, divided by a small tree-lined creek. Large snowy mountains abut the hill to the north while endless badlands reach out seemingly forever to the west. The main trail continues around the hill to the west and down to the southwest, whereas a faint side trail heads towards the crest to the north.
  
  > go west
  Wisps of steam rise off of the charred timbers of what was once a fair-sized building. Small flames flare up occasionally producing a deep crackling sound. Paper-thin pieces of ash float hither and yon. An odd-shaped sign lies on the ground.
  
  George is here staring at the charred remains of his gum factory.
  
  There is a brass key hanging on George's belt.
  
  You can also see a leather-bound book, a cauldron (in which is some metallic flakes) and a burned sketch here.
  
  > examine sign
  o
  r
  GumBall
  e  e
  e
  t
  l
  e
  b
  Factory
  u
  m
  
  > examine the sketch
  This is a rather charred sketch of a woman opening a door.
  
  > look at the book
  The book is about the size of a small church hymn book. The leather cover is quite worn but still displays an array of wonderful artwork depicting scenes of cowboys, horses, and wide open vistas. The book is slightly singed in places, but more importantly, it appears as if most of the pages have been torn out.
  
  > open the book
  The one remaining page looks like a recipe:
  
  "QuickDraw McGraw"
  1 square gum base
  1 sprig sage
  1 cube sugar
  
  Mix together with silver spoon in iron vessel with pinch of Tryst. Effects are temporary and may vary widely when used with alcohol.
  
  > ask George about the factory
  "'Tweren't that much all in all but it was home. Damn Biscuit Brothers just couldn't take not being able to rob any damn place they choose. I don't hold no grudge. But I ain't goin' to get all watery when they be swingin' from a tree."
  
  > ask George about the gum
  The gnome looks at you crossly and points at the remnants of his factory. "I don't mean to burden yuh with my problems, but as yuh might see, I ain't gonna be makin gum for a spell.""Can't ya see I got stuff on ma mind."
  
  > ask George about the biscuit brothers
  "Just dime store thieves. Shoot ya dead in a minute, ya hear! Keep yer distance from Frank. Since he found his way above, he ain't the same."
  
  > ask George about Frank
  "Don't go messin with Frank. He's got such a mean streak that he makes the devil nervous."
  
  > check your inventory
  You are carrying:
  a lantern
  a silver spoon
  a crumpled note
  
  > examine the cauldron
  a cube of sugar
  a square of gum base
  a piece of gauzy cloth
  a pan
  
  The cauldron is made of cast iron and is small enough to be carried on those long journeys across the open plains.
  
  > examine the flakes
  The flakes remind you of the glitter you used as a child.
  
  > take the key
  "What the hell do ya think yer doin' missy! Keeps yer hands away from me!"
  
  > take the sketch
  Now wouldn't that be cold. She probably was George's sweety.
  
  > ask George about the sketch
  "Prettiest damn woman I ever set eyes on. Ran off into the hills a few years back. Don't really know what became of her. She could do stuff with the Tryst that I never saw done before. Hell, some folks made her to be a witch. She never hurt nobody."