text: > look around
  The pavement here is filled with cracks and potholes, but the shop windows are neatly polished and more than one shabby building has been given a fresh, bright coat of paint. Yoshida Floral is on the east side of the street, and the sidewalk in front of it is scattered with petals. A faint sickly yellow glow is emanating from inside the shop. Saguaro Road runs north and south from here.
  
  A goat is here, happily chomping away at the trimmings.
  
  > go east
  A quaint little flower shop, minus the flowers. Even with the shelves bare, it feels almost claustrophobic. The exit is west, and stairs lead up to the Yoshidas' apartment.
  
  A seedling growth chart is tacked to the wall here.
  
  You can also see a glowing seed here.
  
  > examine the chart
  It looks like this is the chart Jenny's going to use to track the growth of her mysterious "plant", Mary Jane Junior, once it hatches, er, germinates. The chart itself hasn't been filled in yet, but Jenny has typed a number of predictions in the "notes" section. "Of course, it's impossible to know just how large my little 'Mary Jane' might get, but with the nutrient saturation the subject is receiving now, I wouldn't be surprised to see a tripling or even a quadrupling of size within days, once growth begins in earnest!"
  
  > examine the seed
  It's about the size of a tennis ball, lumpy and irregular, and covered in spiny armor. It's also sweating a thick, glowing ooze. It's the strangest-looking seed you've ever seen. If it wasn't half-buried in a pot of earth, you'd swear it looked more like an egg or something! "Mary Jane Junior" is written on the pot with magic marker.
  
  > check what you're carrying
  You are carrying:
  a glowing seed
  a game pamphlet
  a Canyonville High yearbook
  a collapsible hula hoop
  a skirt-and-sweater combo (being worn)
  
  > Go up
  You don't want to go poking around in Jenny's apartment when she's not around. That's a good way to get a reputation as a Sally Snoopypants!
  
  > go west
  The pavement here is filled with cracks and potholes, but the shop windows are neatly polished and more than one shabby building has been given a fresh, bright coat of paint. Yoshida Floral is on the east side of the street, and the sidewalk in front of it is scattered with petals. Saguaro Road runs north and south from here.
  
  A goat is here, happily chomping away at the trimmings.
  
  > Go south
  Saguaro Road runs south into Main Street here. The town police station is to the east. The Pine Nut Festival Parade fills Main Street, and the sidewalks are crammed with parade-watchers in both directions.
  
  The Canyonville High marching band passes by in an enthusiastic mess of oompah horns and bleating piccolos.
  
  > examine Parade
  You stand on tip-toe and just watch for a while.
  
  The Canyonville High flag squad marches past, banners fluttering.
  
  > look athe parade-watchers
  A tightly-packed, sardinelike wall of human flesh.
  
  A float shaped like a pink Cadillac slides by.
  
  > Go east
  Your sleepy little town doesn't have much need for active policing, so the building is small and the police officers are large. It's really not much more than a little office that also functions as an overnight hotel for drunks and delinquents. Double doors open onto Saguaro Road to the west.
  
  Officer Buck Wilcox is relaxing with his feet up on the desk.
  
  > talk to Wilcox
  [Picture number 4 here.]
  
  Buck Wilcox nods at you. "Something I can help you with, Miss?"
  
  1) "You've got to help me, Officer! My boyfriend Jimmy was just eaten by some sort of horrible BRAIN GUZZLER!"
  
  > 1
  ["You've got to help me, Officer! My boyfriend Jimmy was just
  eaten by some sort of horrible BRAIN GUZZLER!"]
  
  "Hold on. Let's hear that again, without the goofy teen-age jibber-jabber."
  
  1) "No, that wasn't slang, he was literally torn limb from limb and guzzled down right in front of me by an awful gelatinous monstrosity!"
  
  > 1
  ["No, that wasn't slang, he was literally torn limb from limb and guzzled down right in front of me by an awful gelatinous monstrosity!"]
  
  "Suuure he was. Let me guess--this 'monstrosity', was it bright pink with a loooong nose and, heh heh, big floppy ears?"
  
  1) "I'm not drunk, Officer, and I haven't gone mad--there really is something out there! It's probably from space-or-or the bottom of the ocean or something like that and golly, you've got to warn everyone, or this town will be in deep soup!"
  
  > 1
  ["I'm not drunk, Officer, and I haven't gone mad--there really is something out there! It's probably from space-or-or the bottom of the ocean or something like that and golly, you've got to warn everyone, or this town will be in deep soup!"]
  
  "Look, little missy, I'd hate to have to throw a nice girl like you in the drunk tank. Go home and sleep it off, all right?"
  
  1) "I'm telling the truth! Oh, how can I convince you?"
  2) "That gosh-darn parade is in the way! Can't you tell the crowd to disperse a little so I can get past?"
  3) "Shouldn't you be out doing your job?"
  4) "You want proof--take a look at this! An alien egg!"
  5) "Forget I even brought this up."
  
  > 1
  ["I'm telling the truth! Oh, how can I convince you?"]
  
  "All right, missy," Buck says, laughing. "If you can show me an example of one of these mysterious brain guzzlers of yours, something really 'out of this world', THEN maybe I'll admit we have a problem. Until then, why don't you scoot off and sober up a little, hmm?"
  
  1) "What evidence was it you wanted me to find, again?"
  2) "That gosh-darn parade is in the way! Can't you tell the crowd to disperse a little so I can get past?"
  3) "Shouldn't you be out doing your job?"
  4) "You want proof--take a look at this! An alien egg!"
  5) "Forget I even brought this up."
  
  > 4
  ["You want proof--take a look at this! An alien egg!"]
  
  "Hmm..." Buck frowns, taking the seed from you and peering at it. "There IS somethin' mighty odd-looking about--"
  
  The phone rings, and Buck picks it up. "Police. Hmm? You say your cows are dead? Something guzzled their brains? Yeah, I've heard of that sort of thing--probably just some teen-age delinquents, but I'll come and take a look. Mister? Mister, I sure can't hear you over all that slithering." He pulls the phone away from his ear. "Now, there's no need to scream at me. I'll be out as soon as I can."
  
  "Sorry, missy. Sounds like your delinquent friends are causing trouble at the old Bristlender place. I'll have to deal with you later."
  
  1) "Jeepers, would you please listen to me. I'm telling you that something dangerous is out there--I have the gosh darn evidence right here in front of you. If you go up there, you could be killed!"
  
  > 1
  ["Jeepers, would you please listen to me. I'm telling you that something dangerous is out there--I have the gosh darn evidence right here in front of you. If you go up there, you could be killed!"]
  
  Buck shakes you roughly. "Calm down! I don't have time to deal with a hysterical girl right now. I'm going to have to lock you up until I get back so you don't panic and hurt yourself." He drags you to the drunk tank and shoves you inside. "There. I'm going to collar some teen-aged troublemakers, and when I get back, I'll expect a full apology for wasting valuable police time."
  
  He walks out, leaving you trapped. Somehow, though, between adrenaline and the angry goat and the untreated concussion you've been carrying around since the car accident, you're too exhausted to care just at the moment. Collapsing onto the cot, you fall into uneasy sleep.
  
  You wake to the sound of a key rattling in the door. It's Deputy Wilcox, Buck's nephew. "Miss? I just can't be worryin' about you right now, with all what's goin' on and me all by my lonesome with Unk off doin' goodness knows what. You're free to go, I guess."
  
  He helps you out of the cell before leaving. You're sore, stiff, and hungry, but free. Through the window, you can see the noonday sun beating down. You must have been passed out for hours! Who knows what sort of living heck the town has become in the meantime?
  
  Your sleepy little town doesn't have much need for active policing, so the building is small and the police officers are large. It's really not much more than a little office that also functions as an overnight hotel for drunks and delinquents. Double doors open onto Saguaro Road to the west.
  
  > Go west
  Saguaro Road runs south into Main Street here. The town police station is to the east.
  
  > Go south
  The cracks and potholes of north-south Saguaro meet the fresh black asphalt of east-west Main Street, which is littered with leftover parade stuff. The only business that looks open is the corner diner to the southwest.
  
  > Go southwest
  The Finch family operates this shabby but comfortable burger joint, where the food is cheap, the smiles are free, and the decor can be summed up as "orange paint". A family photo and a daily specials chalkboard are hanging up behind the counter. You can go northeast to get back to the street.
  
  Renee Finch is wiping down tables.
  
  > examine the specials
  "Today's special: "King's Breast" Owl Sandwich (actually chicken). Comes with poooooisonous lead toy."
  
  > examine photo
  Renee with her parents. It was taken a few years ago after they moved into town and bought the place. Her mom and dad had a wedding in the diner on opening day, since mixed-race couples couldn't get married where they lived before, and you remember her dad flipping burgers in the back and her mom waiting tables in her dress. It looks a little surreal in the photo, if you don't know the story.
  
  > talk to Renee
  [Picture number 6 here.]
  
  "Hey. Can I get you something?"
  
  1) "Renee! You like all that space stuff, right? Little green men and slime monsters and...and alien brain guzzlers and things?"
  
  > 1
  ["Renee! You like all that space stuff, right? Little green men
  and slime monsters and...and alien brain guzzlers and things?"]
  
  Renee puts her hands on her hips. "So I like science fiction. What's wrong with having a little imagination, huh?"
  
  1) "It's kind of empty in here. Where is everybody?"
  2) "Where did you get that unusual-looking gun?"
  3) "I want to order something, please."
  4) "Guess that's it for now."
  
  > 3
  ["I want to order something, please."]
  
  "Sure, what?"
  
  1) "I'll have the special!"
  2) "I'll have a burger!"
  3) "One free smile, please!"
  
  > 1
  ["I'll have the special!"]
  
  "Oh, sorry about that. The parade crowd cleaned us out pretty good. I've got some burger supplies, but that's about it."
  
  1) "It's kind of empty in here. Where is everybody?"
  2) "Where did you get that unusual-looking gun?"
  3) "I want to order something, please."
  4) "Guess that's it for now."
  
  > 3
  ["I want to order something, please."]
  
  "Sure, what?"
  
  1) "I'll have a burger!"
  2) "One free smile, please!"
  
  > 1
  ["I'll have a burger!"]
  
  "Sure thing. I'll stick it on your tab." Renee grills up a Finch's Famous Depth Charge Deluxe, a steaming monument to hot peppers and grease, wraps it in paper, and slides it over to you. "Here ya go! Our motto is, whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger! Or at least, you know, bigger."
  
  1) "It's kind of empty in here. Where is everybody?"
  2) "Where did you get that unusual-looking gun?"
  3) "I want to order something, please."
  4) "Guess that's it for now."
  
  > 2
  ["Where did you get that unusual-looking gun?"]
  
  Renee grins and pulls out the weapon. "Pretty cool, huh? I found it on that mountain where the white kids go to make out. I went there last night to watch for unindentified flying... birds. I didn't...see...anything, but I found this...toy...near the...near nowhere."
  
  1) "Does it work?"
  
  > 1
  ["Does it work?"]
  
  "How would I know?" Renee says defensively. "I mean, it's just a toy. Of course it doesn't 'work'! Why do you care, anyway?"
  
  1) "Renee, if you saw something, you can tell me. I've seen it too! It was some sort of huge, horrible THING and it ate my
  boyfriend's brains right out of his gosh darn head!"
  
  > 1
  ["Renee, if you saw something, you can tell me. I've seen it too!
  It was some sort of huge, horrible THING and it ate my
  boyfriend's brains right out of his gosh darn head!"]
  
  Renee narrows her eyes. "You'll excuse me if I'm a little skeptical."
  
  1) "Okay, so we went on five dates. But he was PRACTICALLY my boyfriend. Sort of."
  
  > 1
  ["Okay, so we went on five dates. But he was PRACTICALLY my
  boyfriend. Sort of."]
  
  "No, I mean, you'll excuse me if I don't fall for the latest game of ooh, let's have some fun with the crazy girl. No matter what
  you say about it, I'm going to keep ignoring you, so you can just go back and tell your friends I'm done giving them things to laugh at over their cucumber sandwiches. Got it?"
  
  1) "It's kind of empty in here. Where is everybody?"
  2) "I like sci-fi just as much as you do, you know!"
  3) "I want to order something, please."
  4) "Guess that's it for now."
  
  > 2
  ["I like sci-fi just as much as you do, you know!"]
  
  Renee looks you up and down. "Yeah, the odds of that are about a billion to one."
  
  1) "I think the model spaceships are really neat!"
  2) "I don't read all the comics, but I look at the covers. That's as good as reading them, right?"
  3) "Why, I'd have a Martian for a pet, if I could!"
  
  > 1
  ["I think the model spaceships are really neat!"]
  
  "Science fiction's about ideas, not special effects--no matter how cutting edge they are!"
  
  1) "It's kind of empty in here. Where is everybody?"
  2) "I do so like science fiction!"
  3) "I want to order something, please."
  4) "Guess that's it for now."
  
  > 2
  ["I do so like science fiction!"]
  
  "Oh really?"
  
  1) "I think the model spaceships are really neat!"
  2) "I don't read all the comics, but I look at the covers. That's as good as reading them, right?"
  3) "Why, I'd have a Martian for a pet, if I could!"
  
  > 2
  ["I don't read all the comics, but I look at the covers. That's as good as reading them, right?"]
  
  "Those covers never have anything to do with the stories! You'd know that if you read any of them!"
  
  1) "It's kind of empty in here. Where is everybody?"
  2) "I do so like science fiction!"
  3) "I want to order something, please."
  4) "Guess that's it for now."
  
  > 3
  ["Why, I'd have a Martian for a pet, if I could!"]
  
  "Ha! The Tharks would kick your skinny behind and the tripods would just death-ray you to death. Everybody knows there's no such thing as a nice Martian."
  
  1) "It's kind of empty in here. Where is everybody?"
  2) "I do so like science fiction!"
  3) "I want to order something, please."
  4) "Guess that's it for now."
  
  > Inventory
  You are carrying:
  a Depth Charge Deluxe
  a game pamphlet
  a Canyonville High yearbook
  a collapsible hula hoop
  a skirt-and-sweater combo (being worn)
  
  > 1
  ["It's kind of empty in here. Where is everybody?"]
  
  "Most of 'em headed over to the fairgrounds once the parade ended."
  
  1) "Why aren't you at the fairgrounds with everyone else? Am I going to have to find another goat?"
  2) "I do so like science fiction!"
  3) "I want to order something, please."
  4) "Guess that's it for now."
  
  > 1
  ["Why aren't you at the fairgrounds with everyone else? Am I going
  to have to find another goat?"]
  
  Renee rolls her eyes. "Dad's so overprotective. He doesn't like me hanging out on that side of town."
  
  1) "But MY dad says THIS is the dangerous side of town."
  2) "Has your dad been reading your comic books again?"
  
  > 1
  ["But MY dad says THIS is the dangerous side of town."]
  
  Renee chuckles. "Yeah... funny how that works, huh?"
  
  1) "I do so like science fiction!"
  2) "I want to order something, please."
  3) "Guess that's it for now."
  
  > 3
  ["Guess that's it for now."]
  
  "See ya 'round."
  
  The Finch family operates this shabby but comfortable burger joint, where the food is cheap, the smiles are free, and the decor can be summed up as "orange paint". A family photo and a daily specials chalkboard are hanging up behind the counter. You can go northeast to get back to the street.
  
  Renee Finch is wiping down tables.
  
  > eat Depth Charge Deluxe
  It would probably have been both easier and healthier to eat an actual depth charge, but it's down and it's most likely staying there!
  
  > examine Depth Charge Deluxe
  Wow, it's really big and heavy! It's more like a bowling ball wearing bread earmuffs than a hamburger. It smells delicious, though!
  
  > look
  The Finch family operates this shabby but comfortable burger joint, where the food is cheap, the smiles are free, and the decor can be summed up as "orange paint". A family photo and a daily specials chalkboard are hanging up behind the counter. You can go northeast to get back to the street.
  
  Renee Finch is wiping down tables.
  
  > Inventory
  You are carrying:
  a Depth Charge Deluxe
  a game pamphlet
  a Canyonville High yearbook
  a collapsible hula hoop
  a skirt-and-sweater combo (being worn)
  
  > Go east
  A broad, pleasant thoroughfare running east and west through town. The street's quaint charm is only slightly lessened by the scattered parade garbage and oodles of horse apples. Nobody's around right now, but the door of the five and dime to the south is open.
  
  > Go south
  This small mom-and-pop store has almost everything, except Mom and Pop, who seem to be out at the moment. There are all sorts of other handy-dandy sundries, though, including a rack full of comic books. There's also a pair of eye-catching promotional displays, one green, one blue.
  
  A friendly note is lying on the counter.
  
  > examine the note
  It's a handwritten note. "We're At The Fair! If you want to buy something--just leave money on the counter. We Trust You! Signed, Mom and Pop. P.S. Thieves will be pumped full of rock salt."
  
  > examine the comic books
  Your parents say these are trash, but you've always wanted to READ some.
  
  > read the comic books
  There sure are a lot of comics here! You spend a few minutes leafing through them. Most of them are pretty ridiculous scenarios with none of the realism of a good Hollywood movie. Jungle Tales has a
  story about a reporter who crashes in the jungle and finds a magic idol. Weird Sci-Fi is all about some space explorers being
  menaced by a monster, but the surprise twist is they were alien plants the whole time and the monster is a big cow. Gosh, they're not kidding when they say this stuff is trash! Still, you find one that's not bad--a little volume called Poppy, Girl of the Galaxy, about
  a girl starship captain and her loyal robot dog RF-RF. You read on, and are pulled into a rollicking tale of action and suspense as Poppy and RF-RF face off against "The Stellar Smugglers". Before you know it, you've reached the final page...
  
  POPPY: Jeepers, RF! That sure was a close call!
  RF-RF: You said it, Poppy! You know, I thought for sure that space worm was a bad egg. But in the end, he saved us from the smugglers. Sorta funny!
  POPPY: It makes you think, doesn't it, chum? How much life have we rejected--how many wars have been started--by those two little words "I assume"? A true Girl of the Galaxy doesn't reject someone just because they're slimy or a little different. Scrape away that slime and you might find a friend coccooned underneath!
  
  Gosh, what a story! You even got a little misty-eyed at that moving ending.
  
  > take the comic books
  You're not carrying any money! Better just read them here and then put them back on the rack.
  
  > examine the green display
  A color photo depicts a beach scene. Several good-looking boys are sneering at a distraught-looking girl. The copy under the picture reads: "'PHOOEY! SHE'S TOO FAT FOR ME!'
  
  Are you sick of hearing that from all the fellows? Tired of having them pass you by because you're too plump? Want the slender shape that turns heads? SLIM-U is your solution! SLIM-U uses a zero-calorie stomach sponge to fill you up without need of food and is guaranteed to take off pounds, inches, where you don't want them. No-body loves a blimp--pick up a free sample canister and try SLIM-U today!"
  
  On the green display is a green canister.
  
  > open the green canister
  You open the green canister, revealing a whole bunch of green pills.
  
  > take the green canister
  Taken.
  
  > examine the blue display
  A color photo depicts a beach scene. Several good-looking boys are sneering at a distraught-looking girl. The copy under the picture reads: "'NO SKINNY SCARE-CROW FOR ME!'
  
  Are you tired of hearing that from all the boys? Sick of being ignored because you're too skinny? Want the lush curves that turn heads? WATE-ON is your solution! WATE-ON is scientifically formulated using a high-energy sucrose extract that's guaranteed to quickly add pounds, inches, where you need them. No-body loves a scrawny stick--pick up a free sample box and try WATE-ON today!"
  
  On the blue display is a blue box.
  
  > open the blue box
  You open the blue box, revealing a whole bunch of blue pills.
  
  > talk to Renee
  [Picture number 6 here.]
  
  "Hey, back again?"
  
  1) "I do so like science fiction!"
  2) "I want to order something, please."
  3) "Guess that's it for now."
  
  > 1
  ["I do so like science fiction!"]
  
  "Oh really?"
  
  1) "I think the model spaceships are really neat!"
  2) "I don't read all the comics, but I look at the covers. That's as good as reading them, right?"
  3) "Why, I'd have a Martian for a pet, if I could!"
  4) "But Renee! A true Girl of the Galaxy doesn't reject someone just because they're slimy or a little different. Scrape away that slime and you might find a friend coccooned underneath!"
  
  > 4
  ["But Renee! A true Girl of the Galaxy doesn't reject someone just because they're slimy or a little different. Scrape away that slime and you might find a friend coccooned underneath!"]
  
  Renee squeals. "You read Poppy, Girl of the Galaxy too? I
  never knew!" She drops her voice. "Look, I'm sorry I doubted you. I did see something. It was like a...a flying saucer! We can't
  tell the others, they'll never believe it, but I went up the mountains, near where I saw it flying over, and I found this! Isn't this amazing?"
  
  Renee pulls the ray gun out of her apron pocket and hands it to you. "Here, go ahead and borrow it for a while, if you want."
  
  1) "I want to order something, please."
  2) "Guess that's it for now."
  
  > Inventory
  You are carrying:
  a cosmic ray gun
  a blue box (open)
  a whole bunch of blue pills
  a green canister (open)
  a whole bunch of green pills
  a Depth Charge Deluxe
  a game pamphlet
  a Canyonville High yearbook
  a collapsible hula hoop
  a skirt-and-sweater combo (being worn)
  
  > go northeast
  The cracks and potholes of north-south Saguaro meet the fresh black asphalt of east-west Main Street, which is littered with leftover parade stuff. The only business that looks open is the corner diner to the southwest.
  
  > Go east
  A broad, pleasant thoroughfare running east and west through town. The street's quaint charm is only slightly lessened by the scattered parade garbage and oodles of horse apples. Nobody's around right now, but the door of the five and dime to the south is open.
  
  > go to the east
  Main Street comes from the west, ending here at its intersection with the north-south Oppenheimer Road. To the east is the town square, currently decorated for Pine Nut Days with a number of tents and attractions. It looks like most of the town has gathered there.
  
  > go east
  You're standing at the entrance to Canyonville Pine Nut Days. The scent of fresh-baked pies wafts from a covered area to the northeast, the sleek Tomorrow Pavilion is to the southeast, and straight east takes you to the center of the town square. You can exit the fair onto Main Street to the west.
  
  A young woman walks by, looking distinctly green around the gills and holding her stomach as if she's regretting the last several helpings of cotton candy. Suddenly, she claps a hand over her mouth and flees towards the nearest ladies' room.
  
  > Go northeast
  This tent is filled with the absolutely scrumptious scent of freshly baked pies. Several long tables are laden with dozens of entries competing for the blue-ribbon prize.
  
  Mary Jane Minsky, the Pine Nut Queen, is here, surrounded by her Pine Nut Ladies-In-Waiting.
  
  You can also see a gruesome glowing pie, a row of delicious pies and a pink purse (closed) here.
  
  Mary Jane cuts a slice from the pie in front of her.
  
  > talk to Mary Jane
  [Picture number 5 here.]
  
  "Oh, hello, Bonnie. My, don't you look--disheveled today."
  
  1) "I don't guess you care that your kingdom is being attacked by killer brain guzzlers, Your Majesty."
  
  > 1
  ["I don't guess you care that your kingdom is being attacked by
  killer brain guzzlers, Your Majesty."]
  
  "Not really, Your Peasantiness." Mary Jane giggles. "Sorry. I just have to stay in character, you know!"
  
  1) "Gosh, you sure do love pie."
  2) "Have you seen Jenny? I thought she would be with you."
  3) "Er... I must take my leave, Your Majesty."
  
  > 2
  ["Have you seen Jenny? I thought she would be with you."]
  
  "She was here earlier. She's...not feeling well." Mary Jane lowers her voice. "She wants to be alone. Someone stole the plant she was raising right out of her shop earlier, can you believe it?
  
  1) "Gosh, you sure do love pie."
  2) "Er... I must take my leave, Your Majesty."
  
  > 1
  ["Gosh, you sure do love pie."]
  
  "I'm the judge, silly! It's one of my duties as the Pine Nut Queen. I get to sample every pie here and decide whose is yummiest!"
  
  1) "Have you noticed that, uh, unusual pie at the end of the table?" 2) "Why don't you stop now and declare Jenny's pie the winner? You two are best friends, right?"
  3) "Aren't you worried about what stuffing yourself with pie will do to your figure?"
  4) "Er... I must take my leave, Your Majesty."
  
  > 3
  ["Aren't you worried about what stuffing yourself with pie will do
  to your figure?"]
  
  "Not in the least!" Mary Jane says brightly. "I had a complete physical before my coronation to insure I was fit for my royal duties. Here, have a look!" Mary Jane leads you over to her purse and spins the combination lock until it opens. Rifling inside, she pulls out a sheet of paper. "See? It says here I have the metabolism of a hummingbird. I won't gain an ounce!" She stuffs the paper back into her purse, drops the purse back on the table without bothering to close and lock it, and returns to her entourage.
  
  1) "Have you noticed that, uh, unusual pie at the end of the table?" 2) "Why don't you stop now and declare Jenny's pie the winner? You two are best friends, right?"
  3) "I still don't believe all these calories won't do anything. Are you SURE you read those physical results right?"
  4) "Er... I must take my leave, Your Majesty."
  
  > 4
  ["Er... I must take my leave, Your Majesty."]
  
  "Have fun at the fair!"
  
  This tent is filled with the absolutely scrumptious scent of freshly baked pies. Several long tables are laden with dozens of entries competing for the blue-ribbon prize.
  
  Mary Jane Minsky, the Pine Nut Queen, is here, surrounded by her Pine Nut Ladies-In-Waiting.
  
  You can also see a gruesome glowing pie, a row of delicious pies and a pink purse (in which is a physical results chart) here.
  
  Mary Jane puts a forkful of pie in her mouth.
  
  > examine pies
  They all look extremely delicious!
  
  Mary Jane frowns and makes a face. She quickly sets the piece of pie down.
  
  > examine the glowing pie
  Someone left this pie at the end of the pie-tasting table. It's at least five times bigger than the other pies, it's glowing like a lighthouse, and you can see things moving around under the crust. The smell of decay hovers around it.
  
  Mary Jane murmurs something to one of her Pine Nut Ladies-In-Waiting, who writes it down on a clipboard.
  
  > talk to Mary Jane
  [Picture number 5 here.]
  
  "Oh, hello again, Bonnie."
  
  1) "Have you noticed that, uh, unusual pie at the end of the table?" 2) "Why don't you stop now and declare Jenny's pie the winner? You two are best friends, right?"
  3) "I still don't believe all these calories won't do anything. Are you SURE you read those physical results right?"
  4) "Er... I must take my leave, Your Majesty."
  
  > 1
  ["Have you noticed that, uh, unusual pie at the end of the
  table?"]
  
  "Oh, that. It was just sitting on the table when I got here. It looks a little, ummm..." Mary Jane drops her voice. "I'm putting that one off 'til last."
  
  1) "I don't think you should taste that strange pie at all. It might be, er, poisoned?"
  2) "Why don't you stop now and declare Jenny's pie the winner? You two are best friends, right?"
  3) "I still don't believe all these calories won't do anything. Are you SURE you read those physical results right?"
  4) "Er... I must take my leave, Your Majesty."
  
  > 2
  ["Why don't you stop now and declare Jenny's pie the winner? You
  two are best friends, right?"]
  
  "Why, Bonstance Noodleman, I'm surprised at you!" Mary Jane says. "That would be cheating! Plus I couldn't figure out which one was hers."
  
  1) "I don't think you should taste that strange pie at all. It might be, er, poisoned?"
  2) "Are you sure you don't want to just give Jenny the blue ribbon?" 3) "I still don't believe all these calories won't do anything. Are you SURE you read those physical results right?"
  4) "Er... I must take my leave, Your Majesty."
  
  > 1
  ["I don't think you should taste that strange pie at all. It might
  be, er, poisoned?"]
  
  "Oh, I know it's not the nicest-looking pie, but I only have to take one teeny little bite. It's my duty."
  
  1) "Seriously, I think that weird pie might kill you."
  2) "Are you sure you don't want to just give Jenny the blue ribbon?" 3) "I still don't believe all these calories won't do anything. Are you SURE you read those physical results right?"
  4) "Er... I must take my leave, Your Majesty."
  
  > 1
  ["Seriously, I think that weird pie might kill you."]
  
  "Oh, don't be silly. It can't be THAT bad!"
  
  1) "Seriously, I think that weird pie might kill you."
  2) "Are you sure you don't want to just give Jenny the blue ribbon?" 3) "I still don't believe all these calories won't do anything. Are you SURE you read those physical results right?"
  4) "Er... I must take my leave, Your Majesty."
  
  > 2
  ["Are you sure you don't want to just give Jenny the blue
  ribbon?"]
  
  "No way! I told you, that wouldn't be fair!"
  
  1) "Seriously, I think that weird pie might kill you."
  2) "Are you sure you don't want to just give Jenny the blue ribbon?" 3) "I still don't believe all these calories won't do anything. Are you SURE you read those physical results right?"
  4) "Er... I must take my leave, Your Majesty."
  
  > 4
  ["Er... I must take my leave, Your Majesty."]
  
  "Have fun at the fair!"
  
  This tent is filled with the absolutely scrumptious scent of freshly baked pies. Several long tables are laden with dozens of entries competing for the blue-ribbon prize.
  
  Mary Jane Minsky, the Pine Nut Queen, is here, surrounded by her Pine Nut Ladies-In-Waiting.
  
  You can also see a gruesome glowing pie, a row of delicious pies and a pink purse (in which is a physical results chart) here.
  
  Mary Jane and her retinue move down to the next pie.
  
  > look at the purse
  It matches her dress.
  
  In the pink purse is a physical results chart.
  
  Mary Jane cuts a slice from the pie in front of her.
  
  > take the chart
  Taken.
  
  Mary Jane puts a forkful of pie in her mouth.
  
  > talk to Jane
  [Picture number 5 here.]
  
  "Oh, hello again, Bonnie."
  
  1) "Seriously, I think that weird pie might kill you."
  2) "Are you sure you don't want to just give Jenny the blue ribbon?" 3) "I still don't believe all these calories won't do anything. Are you SURE you read those physical results right?"
  4) "Er... I must take my leave, Your Majesty."
  
  > 3
  ["I still don't believe all these calories won't do anything. Are
  you SURE you read those physical results right?"]
  
  Mary Jane shrugs and walks over to her purse to check the results again. She digs around inside. "Huh," she says. "I can't seem to find it in there. But I remember what it said, and it said I'd be fine."
  
  1) "Seriously, I think that weird pie might kill you."
  2) "Are you sure you don't want to just give Jenny the blue ribbon?" 3) "I still don't believe all these calories won't do anything. Are you SURE you read those physical results right?"
  4) "Er... I must take my leave, Your Majesty."
  
  > 4
  ["Er... I must take my leave, Your Majesty."]
  
  "Have fun at the fair!"
  
  This tent is filled with the absolutely scrumptious scent of freshly baked pies. Several long tables are laden with dozens of entries competing for the blue-ribbon prize.
  
  Mary Jane Minsky, the Pine Nut Queen, is here, surrounded by her Pine Nut Ladies-In-Waiting.
  
  You can also see a gruesome glowing pie, a row of delicious pies and a pink purse (empty) here.
  
  Mary Jane rolls her eyes in pleasure and finishes off the piece of pie in a few healthy bites.
  
  > look at the chart
  These are notes from a recent physical for "Minsky, Mary Jane Minerva". Among other things, the doctors remark that her metabolism seems excellent. "Miss Minsky is near-perfectly fit. It is this doctor's opinion that the various culinary duties of the Pine Nut Queen--including the judging of the pie competition--should pose little damage to her royal figure."
  
  Mary Jane murmurs something to one of her Pine Nut Ladies-In-Waiting, who writes it down on a clipboard.
  
  > examine the pies
  They all look extremely delicious!
  
  Mary Jane and her retinue move down to the next pie.
  
  > Inventory
  You are carrying:
  a physical results chart
  a cosmic ray gun
  a blue box (open)
  a whole bunch of blue pills
  a green canister (open)
  a whole bunch of green pills
  a Depth Charge Deluxe
  a game pamphlet
  a Canyonville High yearbook
  a collapsible hula hoop
  a skirt-and-sweater combo (being worn)
  
  Mary Jane cuts a slice from the pie in front of her.
  
  > give the depth charge to Mary Jane
  "No, thank you!"
  
  Mary Jane puts a forkful of pie in her mouth.
  
  > put the pill in the pie
  Which do you mean, the whole bunch of blue pills or the whole bunch of green pills?
  
  > look at the blue pills
  You see nothing special about the whole bunch of blue pills.
  
  Mary Jane looks throughtful. Slowly, she takes another bite of pie and chews it carefully.
  
  > put the blue pill in the pie
  Which do you mean, the gruesome glowing pie or the row of delicious pies?
  
  > Delicious pies
  You shake a blue pill into your hand.
  
  You discreetly tuck the blue pill beneath the crust of the next pie down from Mary Jane. Soon enough, she's picking it up, cutting a slice, and stuffing it cheerfully into her face. Nothing much happens, though. If you're trying to fatten her up, the pie is probably already doing a good enough job on its own.
  
  Mary Jane murmurs something to one of her Pine Nut Ladies-In-Waiting, who writes it down on a clipboard.
  
  > put the green pill in the delicious pie
  You shake a green pill into your hand.
  
  You discreetly tuck the green pill beneath the crust of the next pie down from Mary Jane. Soon enough, she's picking it up, cutting a slice, and stuffing it cheerfully into her face. A moment later, you hear the muffled whumpf of a giant SLIM-U sponge blowing up
  in her stomach like a life raft trapped in a coffee can. Mary Jane grimaces and puts a hand to her abdomen. "Oof..." she moans, "I think...maybe...that's enough pie for today."
  
  Surrounded by her ladies-in-waiting, Mary Jane rushes off, looking pale.
  
  > take glowing pie
  You heft the gruesome glowing pie. Not only have you saved Mary Jane from biting into a major yuckaroo, you've now got a piece of evidence about the creatures!