text: [Themes: Mystery]
  
  > look at your surroundings
  The waiting area is done up in the art deco style, all white and silver. Beside the club entrance is a lectern where the ma?tre d' is greeting customers and checking reservations. On the lectern is a round white logo with the silhouette of a cat wearing a top hat. Peeking through the crowd, it's clear that the joint is jumpin' tonight.
  
  When you're ready to leave, the elevator awaits you to the south. The club itself is to the north.
  
  You can see some customers, Jean Claude and a lectern here.
  
  > talk to Jean Claude
  "Oui, monsieur. My name is Jean Claude. 'Ow may I 'elp you?"
  
  [1] Ask for a table.
  [2] Ask about Bob Watterson.
  [3] Say goodbye.
  
  > 2
  You step in close and speak quietly so as not to be overheard.
  
  "I'm looking for a man named Bob Watterson. Do you know him?"
  
  "Oui, monsieur. I know 'im very well. 'e comes 'ere most frequently."
  
  [1] Ask for a table.
  [2] Ask when he saw him last.
  [3] Ask if he knows anything about him.
  [4] Say goodbye.
  
  > 3
  "What do you know about this guy?"
  
  "'e comes 'ere very frequently this last few weeks. Sometimes it is with Miss Scarlet. Sometimes it is alone. I see 'im all ze time."
  
  "Thanks. Can you tell me any more about him? Do you know where he lives? What he does?"
  
  "Non. Pardon me. I do not meddle with ze affairs of ze customers."
  
  "Yeah. I get it. Thanks anyway, bub."
  
  [1] Ask for a table.
  [2] Ask when he saw him last.
  [3] Say goodbye.
  
  > 2
  "When did you last see him?"
  
  "I saw 'im just last night, monsieur. It was with Miss Scarlet I think. Zat is usually who 'e is with."
  
  [1] Ask for a table.
  [2] Say goodbye.
  
  > 1
  "I'd like a table for one."
  
  "Oh non, non, non. I am very sorry, monsieur, but we are very busy tonight. We do not 'ave any more tables for tonight. But we do 'ave space at ze bar.
  
  [1] Say goodbye.
  
  > 1
  "Thanks, bub."
  
  "Eet is my pleasure, monsieur."
  
  > get it
  That's fixed in place.
  
  > go to the north
  You have to admit that this place is pretty swank. Like the lobby, it's all done up in art deco white and gleaming silver. The cavernous room is filled with tables, which in turn are filled with the upper-crustiest crumbs in this crummy city. There are so many tuxedos it looks like a penguin convention, and enough feathers to defrock a flock of ostriches.
  
  The central focus of the club is the dance floor, just south of the stage, which fills the entire north wall of the room. There is a small backstage door in the north wall, just to the side of the stage. A guy about the size of Mt. Rushmore guards the door.
  
  The bar is to the east. The lobby is south.
  
  You can see the backstage door, the stage, some customers, some tables, some dancers and a guard here.
  
  Someone at one of the far tables sings Happy Birthday.
  
  You hear the sound of someone opening the backstage door.
  
  The band stops playing and the bandleader steps up to the microphone.
  
  "Ladies and gentlemen. Once again, the Top Cat Club is proud to present the star of our show, Miss Ginger Andrews!"
  
  The crowd erupts into applause, the lights go down, a spotlight illuminates the stage door and the most stunning blonde you have ever seen steps into the light, sashays over to center stage and proceeds to make love to the microphone.
  
  > look at Ginger
  Wow! What a dish! Ginger Andrews is perhaps the most stunning blond you have ever seen. She stands about five foot seven and every inch a woman. She wears a glittering backless dress with a plunging neckline that barely conceals an ample bosom. Her blue eyes are dazzling. And her shapely legs... Wow!
  
  Ginger's voice is heavenly as she sings a number from the Hit Parade.
  
  > look at the guard
  This guy looks like someone cross-bred a gorilla with a pit bull.
  
  Ginger holds every man spellbound as she reaches the climax of a devilishly provocative number.
  
  > look at the customers
  The place is packed with tuxedo wearing men and glittering women.
  
  Brother, that Ginger dame can really sing.
  
  > examine the backstage door
  You see nothing special about the backstage door.
  
  Ginger brings the crowd to tears with a steamy love song.
  
  When Ginger's act comes to a close the spotlight goes out, the audience applauds, the house lights go back up, and Ginger begins working the room, moving from one fat-cat to another. It's very clear what every man in the room wants and she's all too happy to dangle it in front of them without giving them any of it.
  
  > talk to the customers
  You strike up a conversation with some of the customers and try to steer it towards your missing man but it soon becomes apparent that this line is getting you nowhere. These guys aren't regulars.
  
  All eyes are on Ginger as she passes between the tables.
  
  > talk to Ginger
  Prying Ginger away from her adoring public you flash her what you hope is your most charming smile and say, "Hello there, beautiful. My name is Sam. Got a minute?"
  
  Ginger looks you over and says "Why not? Shoot, tough guy. What's on your mind? I mean besides that."
  
  [1] Compliment her singing.
  [2] Compliment her looks.
  [3] Ask her out.
  [4] Ask her about Bob.
  [5] Say goodbye.
  
  The band plays something from the Hit Parade.
  
  > 1
  "You have a very healthy set of lungs there, baby. Where'd you learn to sing like that?"
  
  "Sunday school, Sam. Sunday school."
  
  "Well you obviously had a first rate teacher."
  
  "That's very kind of you to say so, Sam."
  
  [1] Compliment her looks.
  [2] Ask her out.
  [3] Ask her about Bob.
  [4] Say goodbye.
  
  Someone in the back of the club laughs loudly.
  
  > 1
  "Baby, you are some piece of work. With a face like yours, I bet you have to circle the wagons whenever you so much as step outside."
  
  She smiles and says, "Flattery will get you everywhere, mister. You aren't so bad yourself."
  
  [1] Ask her out.
  [2] Ask her about Bob.
  [3] Say goodbye.
  
  One of the couples in the club starts to argue but it quickly passes.
  
  > 2
  "Hey, sweetheart, I'm looking for a friend of mine. His name's Bob Watterson. You know him?"
  
  "Who Bobby? Sure, I know him." She looks a little put off. You can't tell if it's because she's upset that you're not talking about her or if it's because she doesn't want to discuss her relationship with Bob.
  
  "Seen him around?"
  
  "Not for a while. Hey, I barely know the guy. Let's talk about you instead."
  
  You let her steer the conversation back around to your favorite topic for a while: Sam Fortune. It's plain that she's an expert when it comes to stroking a man's ego.
  
  [1] Ask her out.
  [2] Say goodbye.
  
  Someone from the crowd bumps into you and apologizes before continuing on.
  
  > 1
  "What time do you get off? How about you and me go somewhere for a drink?"
  
  "I'd like that, Sam, but tonight's bad for me. Come by tomorrow and ask me again will ya?"
  
  "Sure, kid. You bet."
  
  [1] Say goodbye.
  
  There is a brief lull in the music and the dancers return to their seats before the music starts and more take their places.
  
  > 1
  "See you around sweetheart."
  
  "Oh I'm sure you will, Sam. At least I certainly hope so."
  
  Ginger flashes a brilliant smile at a portly man who is old enough to be her father. It looks like he'll go home happy.
  
  > enter backstage
  You can't, since the backstage door is in the way.
  
  Every man in the room watches as Ginger moves to another table.
  
  > open backstage
  Man-mountain over there doesn't say a word, but he doesn't let you open the door either. If you want to get backstage, you'll have to somehow get rid of the guard.
  
  A customer laughs at one of Ginger's jokes.
  
  > look at the tables
  It looks like business is booming. Not a single table remains vacant.
  
  Ginger briefly dances with one of the customers before returning him to his previous partner.
  
  > talk to the guard
  You attempt to start a conversation with the guard but it quickly becomes obvious that conversation isn't his forte.
  
  Ginger's jewelry sparkles as she passes one of the stage lights.
  
  > go east
  On the east side of the club, set back from the main area, is the bar area. It's almost as crowded as the rest of the joint but there's still enough room for you to slide up next to the bar.
  
  You can see the stage, some customers, a bar (on which is a nut bowl (in which are lots of beer nuts)) and the bartender here.
  
  Ginger pauses to chat with a customer.
  
  > get the beer nuts
  You grab a handful of nuts from the bowl.
  
  Ginger's jewelry sparkles as she passes one of the stage lights.
  
  > talk to the bartender
  "Hi friend. Name's Jack. What can I get you?"
  
  [1] Ask for a drink.
  [2] Ask about Bob Watterson.
  [3] Ask about Tony.
  [4] Say goodbye.
  
  The band is playing some up-tempo dance number.
  
  > 1
  You consider asking Jack for a drink but then you think better of it. The last time you drank on the job you nearly wound up taking out a reservation in the city morgue.
  
  [1] Ask about Bob Watterson.
  [2] Ask about Tony.
  [3] Say goodbye.
  
  Someone from the crowd bumps into you and apologizes before continuing on.
  
  > 1
  "I'm looking for a guy named Bob Watterson. Ever heard of him?"
  
  "Yeah. Sure. I know him. Real snooty society guy right?"
  
  "That's the one."
  
  [1] Ask when he saw him last.
  [2] Ask if he knows anything about him.
  [3] Ask about Tony.
  [4] Say goodbye.
  
  One of the couples in the club starts to argue but it quickly passes.
  
  > 1
  "When did you see him last?"
  
  "He was here last night. He's here a lot actually. He bought a river of drinks for Ginger."
  
  [1] Ask if he knows anything about him.
  [2] Ask about Ginger.
  [3] Ask about Tony.
  [4] Say goodbye.
  
  The band plays something from the Hit Parade.
  
  > 1
  "What do you know about him?"
  
  "I see him a lot. He hangs around with the society set. Irene Scarlett and her friends."
  
  "So I hear. Can you tell me any details? Do you know where he lives? What he does?"
  
  "I think he has a penthouse apartment downtown somewhere. I don't think he does much of anything other than spend his old man's money."
  
  "You know who his 'old man' is?"
  
  "Naw. I just assumed he had one."
  
  "Yeah. Don't we all? Thanks, Jack."
  
  [1] Ask about Ginger.
  [2] Ask about Tony.
  [3] Say goodbye.
  
  There is a brief lull in the music and the dancers return to their seats before the music starts and more take their places.
  
  > 1
  "So what's the story with this Ginger dame?"
  
  "Quite the looker isn't she?"
  
  "Yeah. But can you tell me what she was doing with Bob last night?"
  
  "Other than accepting the drinks he bought her?"
  
  "Well, for instance, are they an item?"
  
  "What? Ginger and that guy? That'll be the day. Perhaps he thought so but I don't think she ever did."
  
  [1] Ask about Tony.
  [2] Say goodbye.
  
  Someone in the back of the club laughs loudly.
  
  > 1
  "So you been working here long?"
  
  "A few months."
  
  "Like it?"
  
  "Yeah. It's alright. It pays well and I get to enjoy the floor show every night. I can't complain."
  
  "This place is owned by Tony Gabriele isn't it? I hear he's a nice guy to work for. That true?"
  
  "Sure. Mr. Gabriele is good people. I don't care what anybody says. He might be a little peculiar but he takes care of his own. But look, Mack, what's it to you?"
  
  "Just curious. Who knows? I might want to work for him someday myself."
  
  "You thinking of taking up bar tending?"
  
  "Naw. Don't worry, Jack. You're job's safe."
  
  [1] Ask what he means by peculiar.
  [2] Say goodbye.
  
  The band is playing some up-tempo dance number.
  
  > 1
  "When you say Tony's peculiar, just what do you mean?"
  
  "Hey. You're gettin' awful nosey. Ain'tcha?"
  
  "I'm just naturally curious is all."
  
  "Well Mr. Gabriele don't like people meddling in his private affairs. If you get any more nosey, I'm liable to get fired and you're liable to get worse."
  
  "Okay. I get the hint. No need to get sore. Let's talk about something else then."
  
  [1] Make with the small talk.
  [2] Say goodbye.
  
  Someone at one of the far tables sings Happy Birthday.
  
  > 1
  "Busy night tonight."
  
  "Yeah. Ginger really packs 'em in."
  
  You go on like that for another minute or two before running out of pleasantries.
  
  [1] Say goodbye.
  
  Someone in the back of the club laughs loudly.
  
  > 1
  "Thanks, Jack."
  
  "Don't mention it."
  
  Ginger pauses to chat with a customer.
  
  > talk to Ginger
  Prying Ginger away from her adoring public you flash her what you hope is your most charming smile and say, "Hello there, beautiful. Got a minute?"
  
  Ginger looks you over and says "Why not? Shoot, tough guy. What's on your mind? I mean besides that."
  
  [1] Say goodbye.
  
  The band plays something from the Hit Parade.
  
  > 1
  "See you around sweetheart."
  
  "Oh I'm sure you will, Sam. At least I certainly hope so."
  
  Ginger briefly dances with one of the customers before returning him to his previous partner.
  
  > examine the bowl
  In the nut bowl are some beer nuts.
  
  All eyes are on Ginger as she passes between the tables.
  
  > examine the nuts
  (the beer nuts)
  Hard, round, and saltier than a sailor. These things are designed for one purpose only: to make you wish you had ordered a drink instead.
  
  A customer laughs at one of Ginger's jokes.
  
  > go to the west
  You can see the stage, some customers, Ginger Andrews, the backstage door, some tables, some dancers and a guard here.
  
  Ginger flashes a brilliant smile at a portly man who is old enough to be her father. It looks like he'll go home happy.
  
  > give the nuts to guard
  The guard doesn't seem interested.
  
  Every man in the room watches as Ginger moves to another table.
  
  > throw the nuts at the guard
  You throw a handful of beer nuts at the guard and they scatter everywhere.
  
  The nuts get under the feet of the dancers and they begin falling like ten pins. The guard runs over to help them back to their feet.
  
  A customer laughs at one of Ginger's jokes.
  
  > open door
  You open the backstage door.
  
  Ginger flashes a brilliant smile at a portly man who is old enough to be her father. It looks like he'll go home happy.
  
  > Go inside
  You can't go that way.
  
  Ginger pauses to chat with a customer.
  
  > enter backstage
  You're in a narrow hallway that runs behind the stage. Along the north wall is the door to what must be Ginger's dressing room. The small star with the name "Ginger" written on it provides the tip-off. To the east is a door with the word "management" written on it. That door is cracked just enough that you might be able to get a peek inside. The door that leads back to the club is to the south.
  
  You can see the dressing room door, the manager's office door, the backstage door and a switchbox here.
  
  > close the door
  Which do you mean, the dressing room door, the manager's office door or the backstage door?
  
  > Backstage
  You close the backstage door.
  
  > examine the manager's door
  Through the crack in the door you can just make out the shapes of three men. If you listen closely you might just catch bits and snatches of their conversation.
  
  > Manager'S
  You hear the voices of three men. You can't make out everything they say but you are able to hear a few words here and there:
  
  "... due early tomorrow morning ... louse this up."
  
  You probably don't want to get caught back here. You should think about leaving soon.
  
  > examine the switchbox
  This looks like the master electrical switchbox for the club.
  
  The switchbox is currently switched on.
  
  Ginger's next act is coming up soon. She'll probably be heading back to her dressing room to get ready. You really ought to think about going back to the club soon.
  
  > open the dressing room
  You open the dressing room door.
  
  You really don't have much time. Get out before you're caught!
  
  > exit
  But you aren't in anything at the moment.
  
  Come on! Come on! She'll be back any minute! Wrap it up already bub!
  
  > go south
  You open the backstage door.
  
  You can see the backstage door, the stage, some customers, Ginger Andrews, some tables, some dancers and a guard here.
  
  You step through the door and right into the back of the guard. He is none too happy to see you and pushes you back into the manager's office where three more thugs are waiting.
  
  "I caught this guy nosin' 'round backstage, boss. Whatdya want I should do wit 'im?"
  
  "Thank you, Rocky. You may leave him with us and return to your post."
  
  "Duh. OK Boss."
  
  The boss pulls out a .38 and points it at your chest while one of the other thugs grabs your arms from behind.
  
  The one with the gun says, "Well look what we have here boys."
  
  The one holding your arms says, "Looks like a spy, boss."
  
  The thin one with a face like a weasel says, "And look what I found in his pocket, boss." He holds your gun.
  
  "Mickey Boy, I think you better take Mr. Nosey for a ride."
  
  Soon you find yourself shoved in the back of a black sedan. Some fifteen minutes later you find yourself on a dark pier being fitted for a new pair of cement overshoes. They're a little tight but it doesn't matter. You won't notice them for long.
  
  Just then your mother reaches over and shuts off the radio. "Honestly, Junior. I don't know why you bother filling your head with all those silly detective stories. Now get off to bed."