ClubFloyd Transcript:
Vain Empires by Thomas Mack and Xavid
As played on ifMUD on November 8-15, 2020

The idea behind ClubFloyd is that each week at a pre-arranged time, a group of people meet online to cooperatively play a game of interactive fiction.

Below is a transcript of Vain Empires written by Thomas Mack and Xavid. Vain Empires was originally released as part of the 2020 IFComp, in which it took third place. It also took third place in the Miss Congeniality contest. You can learn more about the game, including how to download it, by visiting IFDB.


WARNING! Below you will find a transcript of people playing this game, and it goes without saying that the transcript is full of spoilers. So, if you've never played this game, and think you might like to at some point, I do not recommend reading any further. Instead, you might want to return to the interactive fiction page.


ToyShop & Floyditorium
#ClubFloyd Discussion



DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "load sleepmask vainempires"
CF ] Casino Entrance 0/0
CF |
CF |
CF |
CF |
CF | It's a mistake to anthropomorphize humans. For all their rationality
CF | and free will, they won't do anything if left to their own devices.
CF | Instead, it falls to my organization to push them in the right, or
CF | more often wrong, direction. We operate with secrecy and subtlety: a
CF | hint here, a nudge there, and eventually an empire collapses.
CF |
CF | A few situations require more direct intervention. Recently, a station
CF | in the town of ������������������������ in the earthly realm suddenly
CF | went silent.
CF | It's probably nothing serious; the most likely explanation is that its
CF | cover was compromised, and the officer in charge had to abandon it.
CF | The day before, we intercepted a highly encrypted communiqu�� from the
CF | Other Side sent to one of their agents in the area. Again, it's
CF | probably nothing; they send a lot of messages.
CF |
CF | "Probably" isn't good enough for me, though. Our rival organization is
CF | also engaged in a complex war of manipulation, and we both have
CF | elaborate systems of measures and countermeasures to ensure that the
CF | other side plays fairly. Officially, I'm here to look over the station
CF | and make sure the place is clean. Unofficially, I'm here to make sure
CF | the Other Side isn't cheating at the Great Game.
CF |
CF | You can't trust angels.
CF |
CF | Vain Empires
CF | An interactive memoir by Thomas Mack and Xavid
CF | Release 1 / Serial number 201003 / Inform 7 build 6M62 (I6/v6.33 lib
CF | 6/12N)
CF | Type about for information about this game, help for
CF | general tips on playing interactive fiction, or hint for an
CF | interactive hint menu.
CF |
CF | Casino Entrance
CF | The casino complex looming before me is a converted seaside chateau.
CF | Only the most discreet glimpses of opulence are visible through the
CF | windows: checkerboard marble floors, liveried valets roaming the
CF | hallways, tiny but undoubtedly very expensive objets d'art sitting on
CF | oversized tables, and so on. As a warm breeze from the beach ruffles
CF | the palm trees, humans in formalwear stride through the grounds,
CF | staring longingly at the casino's beckoning entrance to the north.
CF |
CF | A suspiciously large quantity of salt forms an arc around the doorway.
CF |
CF | A bouncer kicks idly at the pile of salt.
CF |
CF | A thief watches, hoping for the bouncer to get distracted.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW asks, "Uh, salt repels us?"
DavidW says, "Salt repels slugs. I think we're more the demon type."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x me"
CF ] Casino Entrance 0/1
CF | >
CF | > X ME
CF |
CF | Me? There's not much to say, really. My name is Sidewinder.
CF |
CF | (That's a lie. "Sidewinder" is a cryptonym; my real name is
CF | classified.)
CF |
CF | I'm a legal counsel to Hell's Office of Mortal Trade and Economic
CF | Development.
CF |
CF | (That's also a lie, or more accurately a cover. I'm an
CF | intelligence officer, or more accurately a spy.)
CF |
CF | My job is to build peaceful, productive relations with mortals and to
CF | prevent my opposite number from expanding their influence in the
CF | mortal realm.
CF |
CF | (That one's true, although the methods by which I go about it are
CF | far outside the ambit of my cover job.)
CF |
CF | I am, of course, a demon. Rather than the slavering mass of fangs and
CF | claws humans tend to expect, though, I'm a noncorporeal entity who
CF | moves in the spiritual realm and has some ability to influence humans
CF | in the physical realm.
CF |
CF | (Also true, although I could probably have the research department
CF | whip me up some fangs and claws if I really needed them.)
CF |
CF | To put it simply: I'm from Hell, and I'm here to help.
CF |
CF | (Absolutely true, though I'm not going to say whom I'm going to
CF | help.)
CF |
CF | The bouncer greets a well-dressed visitor.
CF |
CF | The thief watches, hoping for the bouncer to get distracted.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x salt"
CF ] Casino Entrance 0/2
CF | >
CF | > X SALT
CF |
CF | The mostly likely explanation of the salt is that it's just a random,
CF | unremarkable accident, probably spilled by someone delivering kitchen
CF | supplies. The most worrying possibility is that it was placed here
CF | deliberately, probably by some useful idiot on the casino's staff who
CF | managed to dredge up some bit of folklore about demons and was trying
CF | to be helpful.
CF |
CF | The bouncer shuffles from foot to foot.
CF |
CF | The thief watches, hoping for the bouncer to get distracted.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x bouncer"
CF ] Casino Entrance 0/3
CF | >
CF | > X BOUNCER
CF |
CF | A burly, ill-tempered human standing next to the door. Even if it is
CF | an exclusive place, the casino doesn't benefit from turning too many
CF | people away; the role of the bouncer is to keep an eye out for
CF | troublemakers.
CF |
CF | The bouncer slowly surveys the crowd.
CF |
CF | The thief sidles up to the bouncer and has an animated conversation
CF | with it, but to no avail.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x thief"
CF ] Casino Entrance 0/4
CF | >
CF | > X THIEF
CF |
CF | It's wearing a black-and-white striped shirt and a domino mask. It
CF | doesn't fit in.
CF |
CF | The thief has an intent to
CF | > ENTER
CF | the casino.
CF |
CF | It goes without saying that my kind have certain affordances when it
CF | comes to dealing with mortals. We may not be much for the shuffling
CF | around of physical objects, but when it comes to humans' intentions,
CF | we can pluck them out, give them to others, and generally treat them
CF | as playthings.
CF |
CF | The bouncer leans against the doorway, idly watching the thief.
CF |
CF | The thief watches, hoping for the bouncer to get distracted.
CF |
CF | > DavidW asks, "Intent? Affordances. Is this inspired by Delightful Wallpaper?"
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take enter"
CF ] Casino Entrance 0/5
CF | >
CF | > TAKE ENTER
CF |
CF | I extract the enter intent from the thief.
CF |
CF | The bouncer leans against the doorway, idly watching the thief.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put enter on bouncer"
CF ] Casino Entrance 0/6
CF | >
CF | > PUT ENTER ON BOUNCER
CF |
CF | I give the enter intent to the bouncer, who now intends to enter the
CF | casino.
CF |
CF | The bouncer sighs, looks at its watch, and decides to duck into the
CF | casino for a quick break. As it shuffles inside, it conveniently kicks
CF | aside enough of the salt to break the barrier. The thief gamely
CF | follows after it.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "in"
CF ] Casino Floor 0/6
CF | >
CF | > IN
CF |
CF |
CF | Casino Floor
CF | The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a
CF | garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers
CF | calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
CF | the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to
CF | join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area
CF | of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.
CF |
CF | At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an
CF | imposing door.
CF |
CF | The thief sidles toward the door, but a guard notices and glares
CF | menacingly. The thief slinks back to the casino floor.
CF |
CF | The bouncer disappears further into the casino and is soon lost in the
CF | crowd.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW says, "...huh! That's an interesting mechanic."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x door"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/7
CF | >
CF | > X DOOR
CF |
CF | It's an enormous door of brass and wood. It's probably locked
CF | (footnote 1).
CF |
CF | The thief sidles toward the door, but the guard notices and glares
CF | menacingly. The thief slinks back to the casino floor.
CF |
CF | [Your score has just gone up by one point.]
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "It's distracting that demons "it" people."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "footnote 1"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/7
CF | >
CF | > FOOTNOTE 1
CF |
CF | (1) ...probably locked.: Not that a locked door is an
CF | obstacle to me.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x guard"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/8
CF | >
CF | > X GUARD
CF |
CF | A somberly dressed human posted to guard the door. Despite the boredom
CF | of its job, it's focused and professional.
CF |
CF | The guard has an intent to
CF | > BLOCK
CF | entry into the vault.
CF |
CF | The thief tries to subtly watch the guard.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x thief"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/9
CF | >
CF | > X THIEF
CF |
CF | It's wearing a black-and-white striped shirt and a domino mask. It
CF | doesn't fit in.
CF |
CF | The thief looks longingly at the guarded door.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x machines"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/10
CF | >
CF | > X MACHINES
CF |
CF | The machines attract a steady stream of humans with their incessant
CF | noise and lights. The humans drawn in don't look like they're enjoying
CF | themselves, though; their expressions are flat or even mildly annoyed.
CF |
CF | The thief sidles toward the door, but the guard notices and glares
CF | menacingly. The thief slinks back to the casino floor.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x humans"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/11
CF | >
CF | > X HUMANS
CF |
CF | Awash in an amorphous mass of greed and bedazzlement.
CF |
CF | The thief sidles toward the door, but the guard notices and glares
CF | menacingly. The thief slinks back to the casino floor.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take block"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/12
CF | >
CF | > TAKE BLOCK
CF |
CF | I extract the block intent from the guard.
CF |
CF | The thief inches toward the door, but the guard notices and glares
CF | aggressively. Apparently it's more alert than I thought.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "i"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/12
CF | >
CF | > I
CF |
CF | Intentions:
CF | the block intent
CF |
CF | Other possessions:
CF | a detector
CF | an intercepted communiqu��
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x detector"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/13
CF | >
CF | > X DETECTOR
CF |
CF | The device is a convenient detector attuned to items tagged by demons
CF | from my home office, such as the chief of station here. When spun, it
CF | indicates how many of those items are in my present location (but not
CF | yet in my possession) and how many are in the same portion of the
CF | compound.
CF |
CF | The thief inches toward the door, but the guard notices and glares
CF | aggressively. Apparently it's more alert than I thought.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW asks, "Read the communique?"
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "read communique"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/14
CF | >
CF | > READ COMMUNIQUE
CF |
CF | 42734 72880 40921 46480 44946 04845 62628 73048 74615 96248 47576
CF | 45953 40297 62029 31368 02666 18580 63211 79260 67549 07135 14066
CF | 43999 10698 03659 31802 08678 65629 67043 24095 85994
CF |
CF | The thief inches toward the door, but the guard notices and glares
CF | aggressively. Apparently it's more alert than I thought.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "I suppose that could be telephone code."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "turn on detector"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/15
CF | >
CF | > TURN ON DETECTOR
CF |
CF | It isn't something I can switch.
CF |
CF | The thief watches hopefully for the guard to get distracted.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "use detector"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/16
CF | >
CF | > USE DETECTOR
CF |
CF | The detector produces three high whistles, indicating three unattained
CF | codebooks in this region of the compound, but none in this specific
CF | location.
CF |
CF | The thief watches hopefully for the guard to get distracted.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "look"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/16
CF | >
CF | > LOOK
CF |
CF | Casino Floor
CF | The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a
CF | garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers
CF | calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
CF | the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to
CF | join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area
CF | of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.
CF |
CF | At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an
CF | imposing door.
CF |
CF | The thief is skulking nearby, trying unsucessfully to avoid looking
CF | suspicious.
CF |
CF | The guard is watching the door.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/17
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Poker Tables
CF | If the rest of the casino is a place of leisure, this lair is a place
CF | of business. Shark-faced humans in formal attire loom over tables
CF | playing some incomprehensible card game, accepting both wins and
CF | losses with aloof detachment. Aside from a desultory appreciative or
CF | sympathetic murmur from onlookers following a particularly involved
CF | hand, the room has the quiet intensity of an art museum. Whorls of
CF | cigarette smoke drift across the glaring lights overhead.
CF |
CF | The main area of the of the casino lies to the east.
CF |
CF | A gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | A card sharp is watching the other gamblers.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW asks, "Can we pass through the door?"
MoyTW says, "I thought we were, like, incorporeal."
Knight_Otu says, "We can."
Knight_Otu says, "Unless it's warded somehow."
MoyTW asks, "...try?"
DavidW asks, "hm?"
DavidW says (to MoyTW), "did you want to drive? Go ahead."
MoyTW says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/17
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF | From here, I can only go east.
CF |
CF | Of course, as a disembodied force made of spiritual energy rather than
CF | physical matter, I can theoretically go to and fro in the earth
CF | wherever I please. As in any business involving demons, though, terms
CF | and conditions apply. The particular summoning spell that I used to
CF | access the mortal plane ties my presence here to the premises of the
CF | casino, and I can't wander too far away from it. It also requires me
CF | to begrudgingly respect the human fiction of its walls.
CF |
CF | Besides, I take the responsibilities of my position seriously. It
CF | might be nice to wander away from the casino and the nagging problems
CF | of its humans, float out to some deserted island, and spend a
CF | well-deserved vacation alone on the beach; but ultimately, I've got a
CF | job to do, and I don't have time to waste idly drifting around the
CF | mortal realm.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW says, "Oh. Okay, we have to "begrudgingly respect the human fiction of its walls""
MoyTW says, "RIP"
DavidW says, "The door is to the room to the east."
Knight_Otu says, "Walls, but apparently not doors, from the earlier footnote."
MoyTW says (to ClubFloyd), "x door"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/17
CF | >
CF | > X DOOR
CF |
CF | I don't see the imposing door here. It was on the casino floor.
CF |
CF | >
MoyTW says (to ClubFloyd), "look"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/17
CF | >
CF | > LOOK
CF |
CF | Poker Tables
CF | If the rest of the casino is a place of leisure, this lair is a place
CF | of business. Shark-faced humans in formal attire loom over tables
CF | playing some incomprehensible card game, accepting both wins and
CF | losses with aloof detachment. Aside from a desultory appreciative or
CF | sympathetic murmur from onlookers following a particularly involved
CF | hand, the room has the quiet intensity of an art museum. Whorls of
CF | cigarette smoke drift across the glaring lights overhead.
CF |
CF | The main area of the of the casino lies to the east.
CF |
CF | The card sharp is watching the other gamblers.
CF |
CF | I can also see the gambler here.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW says, "...oh, I missed when we moved in the scroll. Sorry, go 'head David, unless you don't want to drive."
DavidW says, "I went west to here but I didn't examine these people yet."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/18
CF | >
CF | > X GAMBLER
CF |
CF | The well-dressed guest hovers around the poker tables with evident
CF | curiosity. It also carries an attach�� case that is sparkling with
CF | faint spiritual energy.
CF |
CF | The gambler has an intent to
CF | > EXPLORE
CF | the poker tables without getting sucked in.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take explore"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/19
CF | >
CF | > TAKE EXPLORE
CF |
CF | I extract the explore intent from the gambler.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | The card sharp looks at the bunch of unobservant, unwary gamblers in
CF | the casino optimistically.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/20
CF | >
CF | > X SHARP
CF |
CF | A wily human wearing a green visor and a charcoal suit. It looks like
CF | it's been here for quite a while, and it watches the other gamblers
CF | with a predatory manner.
CF |
CF | The card sharp has an intent to
CF | > CLEAN
CF | up at poker.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take clean"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/21
CF | >
CF | > TAKE CLEAN
CF |
CF | I extract the clean up intent from the card sharp.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | The card sharp looks around the room predatorily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "i"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/21
CF | >
CF | > I
CF |
CF | Intentions:
CF | the clean up intent
CF | the explore intent
CF | the block intent
CF |
CF | Other possessions:
CF | a detector
CF | an intercepted communiqu��
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/22
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Casino Floor
CF | The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a
CF | garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers
CF | calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
CF | the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to
CF | join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area
CF | of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.
CF |
CF | At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an
CF | imposing door.
CF |
CF | The thief inches toward the door, but the guard notices and glares
CF | aggressively. Apparently it's more alert than I thought.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Ballroom 1/23
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Ballroom
CF | This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are
CF | attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues
CF | and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A
CF | string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is playing
CF | some forgettable piece of classical music energetically. A breeze from
CF | the nearby sea occasionally rustles the curtains around the French
CF | doors leading outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the
CF | summer heat. The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor
CF | lies to the west.
CF |
CF | Some musicians play an intricate fugue.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x musicians"
CF ] Ballroom 1/24
CF | >
CF | > X MUSICIANS
CF |
CF | A string quartet is stationed in the upper reaches of the hall to
CF | entertain the humans dancing below.
CF |
CF | The musicians have an intent to
CF | > PLAY
CF | music.
CF |
CF | The musicians play a lively scherzo.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take play"
CF ] Ballroom 1/25
CF | >
CF | > TAKE PLAY
CF |
CF | I extract the play intent from the musicians.
CF |
CF | The musicians take the opportunity to drink some water.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x humans"
CF ] Ballroom 1/26
CF | >
CF | > X HUMANS
CF |
CF | (the musicians)
CF | A string quartet is stationed in the upper reaches of the hall to
CF | entertain the humans dancing below.
CF |
CF | The musicians rosin their bows.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Bar 1/27
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Bar
CF | The casino's bar is a lively retreat for the dancers in the ballroom,
CF | with a steady stream of patrons drifting in and out. The bar itself is
CF | a giant mahogany beast with a bewildering array of decanters, bottles,
CF | and vials set against the mirror behind it. Floor-length windows fill
CF | the room with orange light.
CF |
CF | The ballroom is south of here.
CF |
CF | A bartender folds some towels at the bar.
CF |
CF | A waiter sweeps through the room and attends to the guests.
CF |
CF | It occurs to me that I should clarify that what I'm glossing as moving
CF | from place to place is actually a complicated warping of my spiritual
CF | probability field to move the mean of the distribution to another
CF | point in space while preserving the decay rate of the tails. I'm told
CF | that humans use muscles and tendons for their locomotion, and I
CF | suppose that works too. Most of my experience, however, is completely
CF | alien to humans' frame of reference, and I'm trying to meet you
CF | halfway. If I mention, say, that I have a headache, I don't mean to
CF | imply that I have a literal head that literally hurts; I'm referring
CF | to some part of my non-human non-physical non-anatomy that would make
CF | absolutely no sense to you, so I've put it in terms of the closest
CF | human equivalent. Similarly, I can't pick up and hold even a spiritual
CF | object such as an intention; I don't have hands (or, despite the
CF | unflattering paintings you may have seen, horns and a tail). Instead,
CF | to keep something like that nearby, I'm doing something impossibly
CF | complex that nevertheless has the same effect as your holding a teacup
CF | with your grubby, meaty human hands. To avoid confusion, I'm just
CF | going to describe myself as, say, holding the communiqu��, and I'll
CF | leave it to you to wonder about how a spiritual being such as myself
CF | navigates the physical realm.
CF |
CF | That having been said, I do wonder how you all manage with only five
CF | basic senses, and not particularly well-developed ones at that. Birds
CF | can see more colors than you, and they even get to fly. I don't think
CF | humans are any good at flying (though I have confirmed that humans are
CF | great at falling), which strikes me as a major design flaw. If you're
CF | stuck in only three spatial dimensions, you might as well get the most
CF | out of them.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW says, "ha."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x bartender"
CF ] Bar 1/28
CF | >
CF | > X BARTENDER
CF |
CF | A human who's dressed tidily but unobtrusively to look respectable and
CF | approachable.
CF |
CF | The bartender has an intent to
CF | > FOLD
CF | napkins.
CF |
CF | The bartender folds some linen napkins at the bar.
CF |
CF | The waiter sweeps through the room and attends to the guests.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take fold"
CF ] Bar 1/29
CF | >
CF | > TAKE FOLD
CF |
CF | I extract the fold intent from the bartender.
CF |
CF | The waiter sweeps through the room and attends to the guests.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "We are very great at falling, thanks for noticing."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x waiter"
CF ] Bar 1/30
CF | >
CF | > X WAITER
CF |
CF | The waiter's uniform includes a half-apron with a pocket, in which
CF | rests a small notepad.
CF |
CF | The waiter has an intent to
CF | > WAIT
CF | on the various guests.
CF |
CF | The waiter sweeps through the room and attends to the guests.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take wait"
CF ] Bar 1/31
CF | >
CF | > TAKE WAIT
CF |
CF | I extract the wait intent from the waiter.
CF |
CF | The waiter loafs in the corner.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x notepad"
CF ] Bar 1/32
CF | >
CF | > X NOTEPAD
CF |
CF | If I understand the procedure correctly, the notepad is something the
CF | waiter uses to take customers' orders. It therefore holds no interest
CF | to me; I give orders to humans, not take them.
CF |
CF | The waiter loafs in the corner.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Bar 1/32
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF | From here, I can only go south.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Ballroom 1/33
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Ballroom
CF | This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are
CF | attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues
CF | and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A
CF | string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is tuning
CF | up as the crowd below them mingles. A breeze from the nearby sea
CF | occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading
CF | outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat.
CF | The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor lies to the
CF | west.
CF |
CF | The musicians are chatting quietly among themselves and setting up for
CF | the next piece.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/34
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Casino Floor
CF | The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a
CF | garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers
CF | calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
CF | the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to
CF | join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area
CF | of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.
CF |
CF | At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an
CF | imposing door.
CF |
CF | The thief inches toward the door, but the guard notices and glares
CF | aggressively. Apparently it's more alert than I thought.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Counting House 1/35
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Counting House
CF | Unlike the rest of the casino, this small room is refreshingly severe
CF | and empty. Bookshelves filled with identical logbooks line the
CF | windowless walls, occasionally broken up by racks of electronic
CF | equipment. The only exit is an imposing door to the south.
CF |
CF | An elaborate laser grid encloses a metal strongbox, which is sparkling
CF | with faint spiritual energy.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x strongbox"
CF ] Counting House 1/36
CF | >
CF | > X STRONGBOX
CF |
CF | A heavy metal strongbox designed for storing valuables. It's sparkling
CF | with faint spiritual energy.
CF |
CF | As I approach, I feel an odd kind of tension or humming in the air. I
CF | gingerly tap the strongbox, and my curiosity is punished with a
CF | painful surge of energy. I grit my teeth and push through it, but the
CF | strongbox is completely sealed shut. It's like the surface is coated
CF | in something dense and completely smooth, without any handholds or
CF | purchase. I'm not sure what could be causing���
CF |
CF | Ah! I remember my colleague Whiptail mentioning developing some sort
CF | of protective device like this in a briefing a few centuries back. It
CF | functions as the spiritual equivalent of a diplomatic pouch: It makes
CF | the thing inside completely inaccessible to spiritual entities such as
CF | angels or my kind. Humans, being entirely corporeal, should be
CF | unaffected.
CF |
CF | I don't know how exactly the barrier works, and I've never seen it
CF | deployed in the field before. I have heard rumors that they're
CF | starting to be used at embassies and other diplomatic posts, so it's
CF | not unreasonable to assume that Krait, the officer in charge here,
CF | would have had one. He must have had to stash something important in
CF | the complex; maybe he had to escape through enemy territory and didn't
CF | want to keep it on his person, or maybe this post was suddenly
CF | compromised and had to find a safe hiding place at a moment's notice.
CF | Regardless, if Krait considered something important enough to keep out
CF | of the greedy claws of the Other Side's agents even as he was under
CF | attack or forced to abandon this station, then I consider it important
CF | too.
CF |
CF | Inside the strongbox are a confidential codebook and some stacks of
CF | banknotes. As long as it's closed, though, I can't get inside.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x codebook"
CF ] Counting House 1/37
CF | >
CF | > X CODEBOOK
CF |
CF | Cryptographic information that is useful in deciphering the
CF | communiqu��. As a metaphysical item, it is is invisible to humans but
CF | tangible to me, or at least it would be if I could get it out of that
CF | mystically sealed container.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW says, "So, we need to somehow get somebody (probably the thief) in here to open the thing."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/38
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Casino Floor
CF | The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a
CF | garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers
CF | calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
CF | the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to
CF | join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area
CF | of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.
CF |
CF | At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an
CF | imposing door.
CF |
CF | The thief inches toward the door, but the guard notices and glares
CF | aggressively. Apparently it's more alert than I thought.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "i"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/38
CF | >
CF | > I
CF |
CF | Intentions:
CF | the wait intent
CF | the fold intent
CF | the play intent
CF | the clean up intent
CF | the explore intent
CF | the block intent
CF |
CF | Other possessions:
CF | a detector
CF | an intercepted communiqu��
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put explore on guard"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/39
CF | >
CF | > PUT EXPLORE ON GUARD
CF |
CF | I give the explore intent to the guard, who now vaguely intends to
CF | explore.
CF |
CF | The thief inches toward the door, but the guard notices and glares
CF | aggressively. Apparently it's more alert than I thought.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on guard"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/40
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON GUARD
CF |
CF | I give the play intent to the guard, taking the explore intent in
CF | exchange. It now intends to play some casino games.
CF |
CF | The thief inches toward the door. The guard is apparently not
CF | completely engrossed in the game, though, and pulls itself away long
CF | enough to bark at the thief.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put clean on guard"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/41
CF | >
CF | > PUT CLEAN ON GUARD
CF |
CF | I give the clean up intent to the guard, taking the play intent in
CF | exchange. It now vaguely intends to clean up.
CF |
CF | The thief watches hopefully for the guard to get distracted.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take clean"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/42
CF | >
CF | > TAKE CLEAN
CF |
CF | I extract the clean up intent from the guard.
CF |
CF | The thief inches toward the door, but the guard notices and glares
CF | aggressively. Apparently it's more alert than I thought.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/43
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Poker Tables
CF | If the rest of the casino is a place of leisure, this lair is a place
CF | of business. Shark-faced humans in formal attire loom over tables
CF | playing some incomprehensible card game, accepting both wins and
CF | losses with aloof detachment. Aside from a desultory appreciative or
CF | sympathetic murmur from onlookers following a particularly involved
CF | hand, the room has the quiet intensity of an art museum. Whorls of
CF | cigarette smoke drift across the glaring lights overhead.
CF |
CF | The main area of the of the casino lies to the east.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | The card sharp is watching the other gamblers.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put fold on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/44
CF | >
CF | > PUT FOLD ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the fold intent to the gambler, who now intends to fold in the
CF | poker game.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | The card sharp sizes up its fellow players.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/45
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take fold"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/46
CF | >
CF | > TAKE FOLD
CF |
CF | I extract the fold intent from the gambler.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | The card sharp looks at the bunch of unobservant, unwary gamblers in
CF | the casino optimistically.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/47
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the play intent to the gambler, who now intends to play poker.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x cards"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/48
CF | >
CF | > X CARDS
CF |
CF | Cards shuffle across the felt as the onlookers rap on the tabletop,
CF | make inscrutable gestures to the dealer, and grimly flick chips into a
CF | small pile in the center.
CF |
CF | The fine details of the game are alien to me. The fine details of
CF | human nature are not, though; and judging from its expression, I'd say
CF | that the gambler has quite a good hand.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the gambler thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "i"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/48
CF | >
CF | > I
CF |
CF | Intentions:
CF | the fold intent
CF | the clean up intent
CF | the explore intent
CF | the wait intent
CF | the block intent
CF |
CF | Other possessions:
CF | a detector
CF | an intercepted communiqu��
CF |
CF | > DavidW asks, "Do we want him to clean up or wait or fold?"
MoyTW asks, "I have...no idea. What are we even trying to do here?"
DavidW says, "I'm not sure."
Knight_Otu asks, "Good question. Promote gambling?"
DavidW says, "I want the thief at the strongbox, but manipulating the guard directly isn't working."
DavidW says, "So one of these other characters, like the gambler, must be used instead."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put clean up on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/49
CF | >
CF | > PUT CLEAN UP ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the clean up intent to the gambler, taking the play intent in
CF | exchange. It now intends to clean up its act and avoid gambling.
CF |
CF | The gambler raises. The card sharp stares at its opponent's face for a
CF | moment, then tosses its cards onto the table.
CF |
CF | The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes
CF | marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a
CF | bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu asks, "If we make the gambler win highly, the guard might investigate?"
MoyTW says, "...huuuuh."
MoyTW says, "I guess? Good a plan as any."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/50
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the play intent to the gambler, taking the clean up intent in
CF | exchange. It now intends to play poker.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/51
CF | >
CF | > X GAMBLER
CF |
CF | The well-dressed guest hovers around the poker tables with evident
CF | curiosity. It also carries an attach�� case that is sparkling with
CF | faint spiritual energy.
CF |
CF | The gambler has an intent to
CF | > PLAY
CF | poker.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put fold on sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/52
CF | >
CF | > PUT FOLD ON SHARP
CF |
CF | I give the fold intent to the card sharp, who now intends to fold in
CF | the poker game.
CF |
CF | The card sharp quickly folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes
CF | marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a
CF | bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take fold"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/53
CF | >
CF | > TAKE FOLD
CF |
CF | I extract the fold intent from the card sharp.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/54
CF | >
CF | > X SHARP
CF |
CF | A wily human wearing a green visor and a charcoal suit. It looks like
CF | it's been here for quite a while, and it watches the other gamblers
CF | with a predatory manner.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "play fold on sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/54
CF | >
CF | > PLAY FOLD ON SHARP
CF |
CF | That's not a verb I recognize.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put fold on sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/55
CF | >
CF | > PUT FOLD ON SHARP
CF |
CF | I give the fold intent to the card sharp, who now intends to fold in
CF | the poker game.
CF |
CF | The card sharp summarily folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes
CF | marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a
CF | bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take fold"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/56
CF | >
CF | > TAKE FOLD
CF |
CF | I extract the fold intent from the card sharp.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take clean up"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/57
CF | >
CF | > TAKE CLEAN UP
CF |
CF | I already have that.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "Hm."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take play"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/58
CF | >
CF | > TAKE PLAY
CF |
CF | I extract the play intent from the gambler.
CF |
CF | The gambler loses its nerve and folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the
CF | gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its
CF | total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "I think I need a better strategy here or work on someone else."
Knight_Otu asks, "Maybe making the waiter clean up does something?"
DavidW asks, "What if we played explore on the musicians?"
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/59
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Casino Floor
CF | The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a
CF | garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers
CF | calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
CF | the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to
CF | join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area
CF | of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.
CF |
CF | At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an
CF | imposing door.
CF |
CF | The thief inches toward the door, but the guard notices and glares
CF | aggressively. Apparently it's more alert than I thought.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Ballroom 1/60
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Ballroom
CF | This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are
CF | attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues
CF | and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A
CF | string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is tuning
CF | up as the crowd below them mingles. A breeze from the nearby sea
CF | occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading
CF | outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat.
CF | The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor lies to the
CF | west.
CF |
CF | The musicians look through their sheet music.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Bar 1/61
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Bar
CF | The casino's bar is a lively retreat for the dancers in the ballroom,
CF | with a steady stream of patrons drifting in and out. The bar itself is
CF | a giant mahogany beast with a bewildering array of decanters, bottles,
CF | and vials set against the mirror behind it. Floor-length windows fill
CF | the room with orange light.
CF |
CF | The ballroom is south of here.
CF |
CF | The bartender stands behind the bar.
CF |
CF | The waiter loafs in the corner.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "play clean up on waiter"
CF ] Bar 1/61
CF | >
CF | > PLAY CLEAN UP ON WAITER
CF |
CF | That's not a verb I recognize.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put clean up on waiter"
CF ] Bar 1/62
CF | >
CF | > PUT CLEAN UP ON WAITER
CF |
CF | I give the clean up intent to the waiter, who now intends to clean up
CF | the general area.
CF |
CF | The waiter dusts a spot with a rag.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Bar 1/63
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The waiter straightens some furniture.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "Seems unhelpful to us."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take clean up"
CF ] Bar 1/64
CF | >
CF | > TAKE CLEAN UP
CF |
CF | I extract the clean up intent from the waiter.
CF |
CF | The waiter loafs in the corner.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Ballroom 1/65
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Ballroom
CF | This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are
CF | attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues
CF | and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A
CF | string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is tuning
CF | up as the crowd below them mingles. A breeze from the nearby sea
CF | occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading
CF | outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat.
CF | The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor lies to the
CF | west.
CF |
CF | The musicians are chatting quietly among themselves and setting up for
CF | the next piece.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "Sadly so."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put explore on musicians"
CF ] Ballroom 1/66
CF | >
CF | > PUT EXPLORE ON MUSICIANS
CF |
CF | I give the explore intent to the musicians, who now vaguely intend to
CF | explore.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Ballroom 1/67
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Ballroom 1/68
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "l"
CF ] Ballroom 1/68
CF | >
CF | > L
CF |
CF | Ballroom
CF | This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are
CF | attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues
CF | and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A
CF | string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is tuning
CF | up as the crowd below them mingles. A breeze from the nearby sea
CF | occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading
CF | outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat.
CF | The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor lies to the
CF | west.
CF |
CF | I can see the musicians here.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take explore"
CF ] Ballroom 1/69
CF | >
CF | > TAKE EXPLORE
CF |
CF | I extract the explore intent from the musicians.
CF |
CF | The musicians take the opportunity to drink some water.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "i"
CF ] Ballroom 1/69
CF | >
CF | > I
CF |
CF | Intentions:
CF | the explore intent
CF | the clean up intent
CF | the play intent
CF | the fold intent
CF | the wait intent
CF | the block intent
CF |
CF | Other possessions:
CF | a detector
CF | an intercepted communiqu��
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x block"
CF ] Ballroom 1/70
CF | >
CF | > X BLOCK
CF |
CF | The abstract will-composite of the intention to block.
CF |
CF | The musicians look through their sheet music.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "I guess "vaguely intend" is not helpful in general."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "use detector"
CF ] Ballroom 1/71
CF | >
CF | > USE DETECTOR
CF |
CF | The detector produces three high whistles, indicating three unattained
CF | codebooks in this region of the compound, but none in this specific
CF | location.
CF |
CF | The musicians are chatting quietly among themselves and setting up for
CF | the next piece.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/72
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Casino Floor
CF | The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a
CF | garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers
CF | calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
CF | the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to
CF | join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area
CF | of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.
CF |
CF | At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an
CF | imposing door.
CF |
CF | The thief inches toward the door, but the guard notices and glares
CF | aggressively. Apparently it's more alert than I thought.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "use detector"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/73
CF | >
CF | > USE DETECTOR
CF |
CF | The detector produces three high whistles, indicating three unattained
CF | codebooks in this region of the compound, but none in this specific
CF | location.
CF |
CF | The thief watches hopefully for the guard to get distracted.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/74
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Poker Tables
CF | If the rest of the casino is a place of leisure, this lair is a place
CF | of business. Shark-faced humans in formal attire loom over tables
CF | playing some incomprehensible card game, accepting both wins and
CF | losses with aloof detachment. Aside from a desultory appreciative or
CF | sympathetic murmur from onlookers following a particularly involved
CF | hand, the room has the quiet intensity of an art museum. Whorls of
CF | cigarette smoke drift across the glaring lights overhead.
CF |
CF | The main area of the of the casino lies to the east.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | The card sharp looks around the room predatorily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "use detector"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/75
CF | >
CF | > USE DETECTOR
CF |
CF | The detector produces one low thud, indicating one unattained codebook
CF | in this specific location, and two high whistles, indicating two
CF | additional unattained codebooks in this region of the compound.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "oh, one codebook is here."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x tables"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/76
CF | >
CF | > X TABLES
CF |
CF | Cards shuffle across the felt as the onlookers rap on the tabletop,
CF | make inscrutable gestures to the dealer, and grimly flick chips into a
CF | small pile in the center.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW asks, "I assume in the atache case the gambler has there's one?"
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x case"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/77
CF | >
CF | > X CASE
CF |
CF | A thin, leather-bound case used for transporting private documents.
CF | It's more effective when onlookers can only see in three dimensions.
CF |
CF | The attach�� case is mystically sealed, presumably to protect its
CF | contents from the opposition. The barrier is also keeping me from
CF | accessing its contents, a confidential codebook, as long as it's
CF | closed.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | The card sharp looks at the bunch of unobservant, unwary gamblers in
CF | the casino optimistically.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu asks, "So maybe if the gambler loses everything...?"
DavidW says (to Knight), "Feel free to drive."
DavidW says, "I'm a bit puzzled what to do."
Knight_Otu says, "I can try..."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/78
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the play intent to the gambler, who now intends to play poker.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/79
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the gambler thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put wait on card sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/80
CF | >
CF | > PUT WAIT ON CARD SHARP
CF |
CF | I give the wait intent to the card sharp, who now vaguely intends to
CF | wait around idly.
CF |
CF | The gambler raises. The card sharp studies its opponent's face for a
CF | moment, then tosses its cards onto the table.
CF |
CF | The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes
CF | marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a
CF | bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get wait"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/81
CF | >
CF | > GET WAIT
CF |
CF | I extract the wait intent from the card sharp.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "i"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/81
CF | >
CF | > I
CF |
CF | Intentions:
CF | the wait intent
CF | the explore intent
CF | the clean up intent
CF | the fold intent
CF | the block intent
CF |
CF | Other possessions:
CF | a detector
CF | an intercepted communiqu��
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put block on card sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/82
CF | >
CF | > PUT BLOCK ON CARD SHARP
CF |
CF | I give the block intent to the card sharp, who now vaguely intends to
CF | block.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get block"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/83
CF | >
CF | > GET BLOCK
CF |
CF | I extract the block intent from the card sharp.
CF |
CF | The gambler cautiously throws another batch of chips into the pot.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put clean up on cardsharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/83
CF | >
CF | > PUT CLEAN UP ON CARDSHARP
CF |
CF | I don't see any cardsharp here.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put clean up on card sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/84
CF | >
CF | > PUT CLEAN UP ON CARD SHARP
CF |
CF | I give the clean up intent to the card sharp, who now intends to clean
CF | up at poker.
CF |
CF | The gambler loses its nerve and folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the
CF | gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its
CF | total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "Hm."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "l"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/84
CF | >
CF | > L
CF |
CF | Poker Tables
CF | If the rest of the casino is a place of leisure, this lair is a place
CF | of business. Shark-faced humans in formal attire loom over tables
CF | playing some incomprehensible card game, accepting both wins and
CF | losses with aloof detachment. Aside from a desultory appreciative or
CF | sympathetic murmur from onlookers following a particularly involved
CF | hand, the room has the quiet intensity of an art museum. Whorls of
CF | cigarette smoke drift across the glaring lights overhead.
CF |
CF | The main area of the of the casino lies to the east.
CF |
CF | The card sharp is watching the other gamblers.
CF |
CF | I can also see the gambler here.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/85
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Casino Floor
CF | The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a
CF | garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers
CF | calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
CF | the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to
CF | join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area
CF | of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.
CF |
CF | At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an
CF | imposing door.
CF |
CF | The thief inches toward the door, but the guard notices and glares
CF | aggressively. Apparently it's more alert than I thought.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW says, "The "only a small portion" is making it hard to tell if that's actually helpful."
Knight_Otu says, "Yeah."
DavidW says, "agreed"
DavidW asks, "also, did I miss any intent anywhere?"
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Ballroom 1/86
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Ballroom
CF | This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are
CF | attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues
CF | and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A
CF | string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is tuning
CF | up as the crowd below them mingles. A breeze from the nearby sea
CF | occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading
CF | outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat.
CF | The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor lies to the
CF | west.
CF |
CF | The musicians are chatting quietly among themselves and setting up for
CF | the next piece.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "spin detector"
CF ] Ballroom 1/87
CF | >
CF | > SPIN DETECTOR
CF |
CF | The detector produces three high whistles, indicating three unattained
CF | codebooks in this region of the compound, but none in this specific
CF | location.
CF |
CF | The musicians are chatting quietly among themselves and setting up for
CF | the next piece.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Terrace 1/88
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Terrace
CF | This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large,
CF | well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the
CF | casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few
CF | stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's
CF | remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of
CF | metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.
CF |
CF | The cobblestones of the terrace continue in a sinuous path to the
CF | east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
CF | hedges.
CF |
CF | A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn. A sword cane has been
CF | left on it.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "oh. I missed this location."
Knight_Otu says, "Easy to miss."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x bench"
CF ] Terrace 1/89
CF | >
CF | > X BENCH
CF |
CF | It's a ponderous bulk of white marble, with lion's heads carved into
CF | its armrests.
CF |
CF | On the marble bench is a sword cane.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x cane"
CF ] Terrace 1/90
CF | >
CF | > X CANE
CF |
CF | A weapon for people who like looking smart more than being smart.
CF | Nevertheless, I've seen them put to good use once or twice.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get it"
CF ] Terrace 1/90
CF | >
CF | > GET IT
CF |
CF | As a demon, I can only manipulate spiritual objects, not physical
CF | ones.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "Thought so."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/91
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Hedge Maze
CF | The tall hedges filling this part of the grounds have been
CF | meticulously cut into a network of crisscrossing channels. Presumably
CF | the effect is disorienting to humans, but I have no trouble making out
CF | the open area to the north, nestled in the center of the maze. The
CF | gravel pathways snake around it, warm in the heavy evening air.
CF |
CF | The rest of the casino grounds lie to the south.
CF |
CF | A magpie perches, looking for something shiny to abscond with.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x magpie"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/92
CF | >
CF | > X MAGPIE
CF |
CF | Magpies are not quite up to the level of ravens, but they're still
CF | solidly respectable corvids. They're not as evil as ravens, sadly, but
CF | they're actually a bit more acquisitive and mischievous.
CF |
CF | The magpie has an intent to
CF | > TAKE
CF | something shiny.
CF |
CF | The magpie perches, looking for something shiny to abscond with.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get take"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/93
CF | >
CF | > GET TAKE
CF |
CF | I extract the take intent from the magpie.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Peristyle 1/94
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Peristyle
CF | This small garden lies at the center of the hedge maze. Moss grows
CF | optimistically through cracks in the mosaic floor, and vines wrap
CF | around the columns ringing the open area. A fountain in the center,
CF | flowing but full of vegetation and other flotsam, breaks the summer
CF | humidity. A torturous (footnote 2) path to the south heads back into
CF | the maze.
CF |
CF | A stone statue of some sort of classical figure stands in the center
CF | of the area, sparkling with faint spiritual energy.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "footnote 2"
CF ] Peristyle 1/94
CF | >
CF | > FOOTNOTE 2
CF |
CF | (2) ...A torturous path to the south: My editor suggests that
CF | I meant tortuous here, but I'm a hopeless optimist.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x statue"
CF ] Peristyle 1/95
CF | >
CF | > X STATUE
CF |
CF | I don't know what sort of figure it's supposed to represent; it may
CF | not even be intended to be anyone at all. The statue is also hollow
CF | and sparkling with faint spiritual energy.
CF |
CF | The statue is mystically sealed, presumably to protect its contents
CF | from the opposition. The barrier is also keeping me from accessing its
CF | contents, a confidential codebook, as long as it's closed.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "There's the third one."
Knight_Otu says, "Number 3."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/96
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Hedge Maze
CF | The tall hedges filling this part of the grounds have been
CF | meticulously cut into a network of crisscrossing channels. Presumably
CF | the effect is disorienting to humans, but I have no trouble making out
CF | the open area to the north, nestled in the center of the maze. The
CF | gravel pathways snake around it, warm in the heavy evening air.
CF |
CF | The rest of the casino grounds lie to the south.
CF |
CF | A magpie is perched here.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Terrace 1/97
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Terrace
CF | This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large,
CF | well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the
CF | casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few
CF | stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's
CF | remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of
CF | metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.
CF |
CF | The cobblestones of the terrace continue in a sinuous path to the
CF | east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
CF | hedges.
CF |
CF | A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn. A sword cane has been
CF | left on it.
CF |
CF | > DavidW asks, "And east of here?"
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Colonnade 1/98
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Colonnade
CF | This cobblestone trail runs from the casino to the hotel on the
CF | complex. Box trees flank the path, interspersed with a variety of
CF | colorful ornamental plants I don't recognize. The hotel it leads to is
CF | a sprawling villa of orange bricks with towers sprouting around its
CF | perimeter. A stone archway leads east into the hotel, and the trail
CF | winds to the west.
CF |
CF | A tarnished silver mirror hangs over the archway leading east.
CF |
CF | On the silver mirror is some holly.
CF |
CF | A kid stands off to one side, looking bored.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x kid"
CF ] Colonnade 1/99
CF | >
CF | > X KID
CF |
CF | One of those young humans there seem to keep being more of. I wouldn't
CF | normally expect to see one in a place like this, but perhaps away from
CF | the actual gambling humans deem it appropriate.
CF |
CF | I've never understood the point of children. My kind, and as far as I
CF | know those of my opposite number as well, are created ex nihilo for a
CF | specific purpose. We're ideally suited for that purpose, and we have
CF | all the talent and drive needed to fulfill it. I haven't always been
CF | the efficient and accomplished lawyer I am now, for example, but I've
CF | always wanted to be, and I've had millennia to hone my craft. Humans
CF | are just thrown into a world they don't understand without any
CF | explanation, and they're expected to find something meaningful to do,
CF | figure out how to do it, and find an opportunity to do it���all on
CF | their
CF | own, and with a time limit of less than a century. It's hardly
CF | surprising that humanity is so receptive to the influences of my
CF | organization and the Other Side.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x mirror"
CF ] Colonnade 1/100
CF | >
CF | > X MIRROR
CF |
CF | The mirror is so badly tarnished as to be almost black. This is
CF | partially disguised by the prickly-leaved, festive, and inconvenient
CF | holly on it. It hangs over a stone archway that I'd ordinarily be able
CF | to easily pass through.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x holly"
CF ] Colonnade 1/101
CF | >
CF | > X HOLLY
CF |
CF | A festive garland of holly in an inconvenient location. It reminds me
CF | of the salt at the casino entrance; if that was happenstance, then the
CF | holly is at least coincidence.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW asks, "...holly repels us?"
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "i"
CF ] Colonnade 1/101
CF | >
CF | > I
CF |
CF | Intentions:
CF | the take intent
CF | the block intent
CF | the wait intent
CF | the explore intent
CF | the fold intent
CF |
CF | Other possessions:
CF | a detector
CF | an intercepted communiqu��
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put explore on kid"
CF ] Colonnade 1/102
CF | >
CF | > PUT EXPLORE ON KID
CF |
CF | I give the explore intent to the kid, who now intends to explore for
CF | somewhere fun to play.
CF |
CF | The kid wanders off to the west.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Terrace 1/103
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Terrace
CF | This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large,
CF | well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the
CF | casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few
CF | stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's
CF | remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of
CF | metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.
CF |
CF | The cobblestones of the terrace continue in a sinuous path to the
CF | east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
CF | hedges.
CF |
CF | A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn. A sword cane has been
CF | left on it.
CF |
CF | The kid runs excitedly into the maze.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/104
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Hedge Maze
CF | The tall hedges filling this part of the grounds have been
CF | meticulously cut into a network of crisscrossing channels. Presumably
CF | the effect is disorienting to humans, but I have no trouble making out
CF | the open area to the north, nestled in the center of the maze. The
CF | gravel pathways snake around it, warm in the heavy evening air.
CF |
CF | The rest of the casino grounds lie to the south.
CF |
CF | The kid gets completely confused and ends up running right out of the
CF | maze.
CF |
CF | A magpie is perched here.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Terrace 1/105
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Terrace
CF | This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large,
CF | well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the
CF | casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few
CF | stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's
CF | remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of
CF | metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.
CF |
CF | The cobblestones of the terrace continue in a sinuous path to the
CF | east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
CF | hedges.
CF |
CF | A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn. A sword cane has been
CF | left on it.
CF |
CF | The kid runs excitedly into the maze.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/106
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Hedge Maze
CF | The tall hedges filling this part of the grounds have been
CF | meticulously cut into a network of crisscrossing channels. Presumably
CF | the effect is disorienting to humans, but I have no trouble making out
CF | the open area to the north, nestled in the center of the maze. The
CF | gravel pathways snake around it, warm in the heavy evening air.
CF |
CF | The rest of the casino grounds lie to the south.
CF |
CF | The kid gets completely confused and ends up running right out of the
CF | maze.
CF |
CF | A magpie is perched here.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/107
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The kid runs into the maze and immediately gets turned around here.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/108
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The kid gets completely confused and ends up running right out of the
CF | maze.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/109
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The kid runs into the maze and immediately gets turned around here.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/110
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The kid gets completely confused and ends up running right out of the
CF | maze.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/111
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The kid runs into the maze and immediately gets turned around here.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/112
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The kid gets completely confused and ends up running right out of the
CF | maze.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "Hm."
Knight_Otu says, "Hm."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/113
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The kid runs into the maze and immediately gets turned around here.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "oops."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get explore"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/114
CF | >
CF | > GET EXPLORE
CF |
CF | I extract the explore intent from the kid.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "l"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/114
CF | >
CF | > L
CF |
CF | Hedge Maze
CF | The tall hedges filling this part of the grounds have been
CF | meticulously cut into a network of crisscrossing channels. Presumably
CF | the effect is disorienting to humans, but I have no trouble making out
CF | the open area to the north, nestled in the center of the maze. The
CF | gravel pathways snake around it, warm in the heavy evening air.
CF |
CF | The rest of the casino grounds lie to the south.
CF |
CF | The kid shuffles around nearby.
CF |
CF | A magpie is perched here.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "If the kid had something shiny..."
Knight_Otu says, "Hm."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "give explore to kid"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/115
CF | >
CF | > GIVE EXPLORE TO KID
CF |
CF | I give the explore intent to the kid, who now intends to explore for
CF | somewhere fun to play.
CF |
CF | The kid gets completely confused and ends up running right out of the
CF | maze.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Terrace 1/116
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Terrace
CF | This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large,
CF | well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the
CF | casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few
CF | stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's
CF | remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of
CF | metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.
CF |
CF | The cobblestones of the terrace continue in a sinuous path to the
CF | east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
CF | hedges.
CF |
CF | A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn. A sword cane has been
CF | left on it.
CF |
CF | The kid runs excitedly into the maze.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Terrace 1/117
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The kid runs out of the maze, sees that it's back at the terrace, and
CF | sighs sadly.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "give take to kid"
CF ] Terrace 1/118
CF | >
CF | > GIVE TAKE TO KID
CF |
CF | I give the take intent to the kid, taking the explore intent in
CF | exchange. It now intends to take something to play with.
CF |
CF | The kid picks up the sword cane and starts swinging it around
CF | experimentally.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "I do not feel comfortable..."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "give explore to kid"
CF ] Terrace 1/119
CF | >
CF | > GIVE EXPLORE TO KID
CF |
CF | I give the explore intent to the kid, taking the take intent in
CF | exchange. It now intends to explore for somewhere fun to play.
CF |
CF | The kid runs excitedly into the maze.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/120
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Hedge Maze
CF | The tall hedges filling this part of the grounds have been
CF | meticulously cut into a network of crisscrossing channels. Presumably
CF | the effect is disorienting to humans, but I have no trouble making out
CF | the open area to the north, nestled in the center of the maze. The
CF | gravel pathways snake around it, warm in the heavy evening air.
CF |
CF | The rest of the casino grounds lie to the south.
CF |
CF | The kid gets completely confused and ends up running right out of the
CF | maze.
CF |
CF | A magpie is perched here.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "i"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/120
CF | >
CF | > I
CF |
CF | Intentions:
CF | the take intent
CF | the block intent
CF | the wait intent
CF | the fold intent
CF |
CF | Other possessions:
CF | a detector
CF | an intercepted communiqu��
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/121
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The kid runs into the maze and immediately gets turned around here.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/122
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The kid gets completely confused and ends up running right out of the
CF | maze.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "I noticed that the kid still has the sword."
MoyTW asks, "Let's get him to the guard somehow?"
DavidW says, "I don't see how."
Knight_Otu says, "I was thinking the kid may use it, perhaps to mark a path..."
MoyTW says, "Yeah"
MoyTW says, "I have no idea what to do with the kid either."
Knight_Otu says, "I think the kid'll run into the maze as long as they explore."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/123
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The kid runs into the maze and immediately gets turned around here.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get explore"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/124
CF | >
CF | > GET EXPLORE
CF |
CF | I extract the explore intent from the kid.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Terrace 1/125
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Terrace
CF | This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large,
CF | well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the
CF | casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few
CF | stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's
CF | remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of
CF | metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.
CF |
CF | The cobblestones of the terrace continue in a sinuous path to the
CF | east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
CF | hedges.
CF |
CF | A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "We can also retake the play intent from the gambler."
MoyTW says, "Yeah, though, that doesn't seem to get us much."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Ballroom 1/126
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Ballroom
CF | This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are
CF | attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues
CF | and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A
CF | string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is tuning
CF | up as the crowd below them mingles. A breeze from the nearby sea
CF | occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading
CF | outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat.
CF | The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor lies to the
CF | west.
CF |
CF | The musicians are chatting quietly among themselves and setting up for
CF | the next piece.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW says, "...play with sword cane. What can go wrong."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/127
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Casino Floor
CF | The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a
CF | garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers
CF | calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
CF | the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to
CF | join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area
CF | of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.
CF |
CF | At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an
CF | imposing door.
CF |
CF | The thief watches hopefully for the guard to get distracted.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "What indeed."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/128
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Poker Tables
CF | If the rest of the casino is a place of leisure, this lair is a place
CF | of business. Shark-faced humans in formal attire loom over tables
CF | playing some incomprehensible card game, accepting both wins and
CF | losses with aloof detachment. Aside from a desultory appreciative or
CF | sympathetic murmur from onlookers following a particularly involved
CF | hand, the room has the quiet intensity of an art museum. Whorls of
CF | cigarette smoke drift across the glaring lights overhead.
CF |
CF | The main area of the of the casino lies to the east.
CF |
CF | The gambler loses its nerve and folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the
CF | gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its
CF | total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | The card sharp is watching the other gamblers.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get play"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/129
CF | >
CF | > GET PLAY
CF |
CF | I extract the play intent from the gambler.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/130
CF | >
CF | > X SHARP
CF |
CF | A wily human wearing a green visor and a charcoal suit. It looks like
CF | it's been here for quite a while, and it watches the other gamblers
CF | with a predatory manner.
CF |
CF | The card sharp has an intent to
CF | > CLEAN
CF | up at poker.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get clean"
CF ] Poker Tables 1/131
CF | >
CF | > GET CLEAN
CF |
CF | I extract the clean up intent from the card sharp.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | The card sharp sizes up its fellow players.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Casino Floor 1/132
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Casino Floor
CF | The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a
CF | garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers
CF | calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
CF | the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to
CF | join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area
CF | of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.
CF |
CF | At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an
CF | imposing door.
CF |
CF | The thief inches toward the door, but the guard notices and glares
CF | aggressively. Apparently it's more alert than I thought.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Ballroom 1/133
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Ballroom
CF | This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are
CF | attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues
CF | and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A
CF | string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is tuning
CF | up as the crowd below them mingles. A breeze from the nearby sea
CF | occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading
CF | outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat.
CF | The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor lies to the
CF | west.
CF |
CF | The musicians take the opportunity to drink some water.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Terrace 1/134
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Terrace
CF | This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large,
CF | well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the
CF | casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few
CF | stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's
CF | remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of
CF | metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.
CF |
CF | The cobblestones of the terrace continue in a sinuous path to the
CF | east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
CF | hedges.
CF |
CF | A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/135
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Hedge Maze
CF | The tall hedges filling this part of the grounds have been
CF | meticulously cut into a network of crisscrossing channels. Presumably
CF | the effect is disorienting to humans, but I have no trouble making out
CF | the open area to the north, nestled in the center of the maze. The
CF | gravel pathways snake around it, warm in the heavy evening air.
CF |
CF | The rest of the casino grounds lie to the south.
CF |
CF | The kid shuffles around nearby.
CF |
CF | A magpie is perched here.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "give play to kid"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/136
CF | >
CF | > GIVE PLAY TO KID
CF |
CF | I give the play intent to the kid, who now intends to play around with
CF | the sword cane.
CF |
CF | The kid swings the cane around wildly, slashing at unseen enemies.
CF | After a dramatic charge, it hits a sturdy trunk, hard, and the outer
CF | cane shatters, revealing the blade. The kid squeals in excitement.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "Uh oh."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/137
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The kid hacks its way through the maze with the sword, easily cutting
CF | a way to the north. It excitedly charges in that direction.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Peristyle 1/138
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Peristyle
CF | This small garden lies at the center of the hedge maze. Moss grows
CF | optimistically through cracks in the mosaic floor, and vines wrap
CF | around the columns ringing the open area. A fountain in the center,
CF | flowing but full of vegetation and other flotsam, breaks the summer
CF | humidity. A torturous path to the south heads back into the maze.
CF |
CF | A stone statue of some sort of classical figure stands in the center
CF | of the area, sparkling with faint spiritual energy.
CF |
CF | The kid runs around wildly, swinging the sword. In its enthusiasm, it
CF | bumps into the statue, which rocks slightly but does not fall.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW says, "sweet"
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Peristyle 1/139
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The kid runs around wildly, swinging the sword. In its enthusiasm, it
CF | bumps into the statue, which rocks quite a bit but does not fall.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW exclaims, "progress!"
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Peristyle 1/140
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The kid runs around wildly, swinging the sword. In its enthusiasm, it
CF | bumps into the statue, which rocks precariously but does not fall.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "i"
CF ] Peristyle 1/140
CF | >
CF | > I
CF |
CF | Intentions:
CF | the clean up intent
CF | the explore intent
CF | the take intent
CF | the block intent
CF | the wait intent
CF | the fold intent
CF |
CF | Other possessions:
CF | a detector
CF | an intercepted communiqu��
CF |
CF | > MoyTW asks, "No, I think waiting's not the answer. What happens if we extracct the play?"
DavidW says, "Something new for the kid, I think."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put block on kid"
CF ] Peristyle 1/141
CF | >
CF | > PUT BLOCK ON KID
CF |
CF | I give the block intent to the kid, taking the play intent in
CF | exchange. It now vaguely intends to block.
CF |
CF | > DavidW asks, "Take again?"
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put take on kid"
CF ] Peristyle 1/142
CF | >
CF | > PUT TAKE ON KID
CF |
CF | I give the take intent to the kid, taking the block intent in
CF | exchange. It now intends to take something to play with.
CF |
CF | The kid picks up the sword cane and starts swinging it around
CF | experimentally.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "hm, no."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put clean up on kid"
CF ] Peristyle 1/143
CF | >
CF | > PUT CLEAN UP ON KID
CF |
CF | I give the clean up intent to the kid, taking the take intent in
CF | exchange. It now vaguely intends to clean up.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "I don't see how fold would help either."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put explore up on kid"
CF ] Peristyle 1/143
CF | >
CF | > PUT EXPLORE UP ON KID
CF |
CF | I don't have any explore up in my possession.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put explore on kid"
CF ] Peristyle 1/144
CF | >
CF | > PUT EXPLORE ON KID
CF |
CF | I give the explore intent to the kid, taking the clean up intent in
CF | exchange. It now intends to explore for somewhere fun to play.
CF |
CF | The kid wanders off to the south.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "undo"
CF ] Peristyle 1/143
CF |
CF | > UNDO
CF |
CF | Peristyle
CF | [Previous turn undone.]
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "We probably want the kid here."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x kid"
CF ] Peristyle 1/144
CF | >
CF | > X KID
CF |
CF | One of those young humans there seem to keep being more of. I wouldn't
CF | normally expect to see one in a place like this, but perhaps away from
CF | the actual gambling humans deem it appropriate.
CF |
CF | The kid is holding the clean up intent and a sword cane.
CF |
CF | The kid has a vague intent to
CF | > CLEAN
CF | up.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get clean up"
CF ] Peristyle 1/145
CF | >
CF | > GET CLEAN UP
CF |
CF | I extract the clean up intent from the kid.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "i"
CF ] Peristyle 1/145
CF | >
CF | > I
CF |
CF | Intentions:
CF | the clean up intent
CF | the take intent
CF | the block intent
CF | the play intent
CF | the explore intent
CF | the wait intent
CF | the fold intent
CF |
CF | Other possessions:
CF | a detector
CF | an intercepted communiqu��
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/146
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Hedge Maze
CF | The tall hedges filling this part of the grounds have been
CF | meticulously cut into a network of crisscrossing channels. Presumably
CF | the effect is disorienting to humans, but I have no trouble making out
CF | the open area to the north, nestled in the center of the maze. The
CF | gravel pathways snake around it, warm in the heavy evening air.
CF |
CF | The rest of the casino grounds lie to the south.
CF |
CF | A magpie is perched here.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "give explore to magpie"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/147
CF | >
CF | > GIVE EXPLORE TO MAGPIE
CF |
CF | I give the explore intent to the magpie, who now intends to explore in
CF | search of something shiny.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/148
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The magpie hops up and flies off to the south.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Terrace 1/149
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Terrace
CF | This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large,
CF | well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the
CF | casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few
CF | stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's
CF | remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of
CF | metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.
CF |
CF | The cobblestones of the terrace continue in a sinuous path to the
CF | east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
CF | hedges.
CF |
CF | A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn.
CF |
CF | A magpie is perched here.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Terrace 1/150
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The magpie hops up and flies off to the east.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Colonnade 1/151
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Colonnade
CF | This cobblestone trail runs from the casino to the hotel on the
CF | complex. Box trees flank the path, interspersed with a variety of
CF | colorful ornamental plants I don't recognize. The hotel it leads to is
CF | a sprawling villa of orange bricks with towers sprouting around its
CF | perimeter. A stone archway leads east into the hotel, and the trail
CF | winds to the west.
CF |
CF | A tarnished silver mirror hangs over the archway leading east.
CF |
CF | On the silver mirror is some holly.
CF |
CF | A magpie is perched here.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get explore"
CF ] Colonnade 1/152
CF | >
CF | > GET EXPLORE
CF |
CF | I extract the explore intent from the magpie.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW asks, "take?"
DavidW asks, "hm, maybe?"
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "give take to magpie"
CF ] Colonnade 1/153
CF | >
CF | > GIVE TAKE TO MAGPIE
CF |
CF | I give the take intent to the magpie, who now intends to take
CF | something shiny.
CF |
CF | The magpie perches across from the archway, but it doesn't see
CF | anything shiny enough to attract its interest.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW says, "...shiny. drat."
Knight_Otu says, "Yeah."
DavidW says, "The mirror needs to be cleaned up somehow."
Knight_Otu asks, "Would the kid have wanted to clean up the mirror?"
DavidW says, "I don't know how to get the kid to the mirror now."
MoyTW asks, "Worth a try...? But what would that do?"
MoyTW says, "Explore again and I bet he'll make a circuit."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Colonnade 1/154
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF | As I try to pass through the archway, I bump my nonexistent head on a
CF | nonexistent wall. Looking around in confusion, I find the culprit:
CF | There's a sprig of holly on the mirror over the archway.
CF |
CF | Humans have a lot of folk tales about fending off my kind (and,
CF | perversely, attracting agents from the Other Side). Most of it is
CF | superstitious nonsense. The folklore about holly's keeping demons
CF | away, though, actually is true (footnote 3). It's embarrassing to
CF | admit, but something as simple as bit of holly over a doorway does in
CF | fact create a barrier that's difficult for demons to pass through. The
CF | effect is like running into a glass door, except that I can pass
CF | effortlessly through closed doors, so it's more like running into an
CF | archway that has holly stuck onto it.
CF |
CF | I'm not very good with metaphors. The point is that the holly is going
CF | to prevent me from passing through the archway as long as it's up
CF | there.
CF |
CF | The magpie perches across from the archway, but it doesn't see
CF | anything shiny enough to attract its interest.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Terrace 1/155
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Terrace
CF | This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large,
CF | well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the
CF | casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few
CF | stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's
CF | remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of
CF | metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.
CF |
CF | The cobblestones of the terrace continue in a sinuous path to the
CF | east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
CF | hedges.
CF |
CF | A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/156
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Hedge Maze
CF | The tall hedges filling this part of the grounds have been
CF | meticulously cut into a network of crisscrossing channels. Presumably
CF | the effect is disorienting to humans, but I have no trouble making out
CF | the open area to the north, nestled in the center of the maze. The
CF | gravel pathways snake around it, warm in the heavy evening air.
CF |
CF | The rest of the casino grounds lie to the south.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Peristyle 1/157
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Peristyle
CF | This small garden lies at the center of the hedge maze. Moss grows
CF | optimistically through cracks in the mosaic floor, and vines wrap
CF | around the columns ringing the open area. A fountain in the center,
CF | flowing but full of vegetation and other flotsam, breaks the summer
CF | humidity. A torturous path to the south heads back into the maze.
CF |
CF | A stone statue of some sort of classical figure stands in the center
CF | of the area, sparkling with faint spiritual energy.
CF |
CF | The kid shuffles around nearby.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "But I dunno if kid + clean means wander to clean."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put explore on kid"
CF ] Peristyle 1/158
CF | >
CF | > PUT EXPLORE ON KID
CF |
CF | I give the explore intent to the kid, who now intends to explore for
CF | somewhere fun to play.
CF |
CF | The kid wanders off to the south.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/159
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Hedge Maze
CF | The tall hedges filling this part of the grounds have been
CF | meticulously cut into a network of crisscrossing channels. Presumably
CF | the effect is disorienting to humans, but I have no trouble making out
CF | the open area to the north, nestled in the center of the maze. The
CF | gravel pathways snake around it, warm in the heavy evening air.
CF |
CF | The rest of the casino grounds lie to the south.
CF |
CF | The kid gets completely confused and ends up running right out of the
CF | maze.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Terrace 1/160
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Terrace
CF | This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large,
CF | well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the
CF | casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few
CF | stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's
CF | remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of
CF | metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.
CF |
CF | The cobblestones of the terrace continue in a sinuous path to the
CF | east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
CF | hedges.
CF |
CF | A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn.
CF |
CF | The kid runs excitedly into the maze.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "No, I guess the kid's stuck in this area."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Terrace 1/161
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The kid runs out of the maze, sees that it's back at the terrace, and
CF | sighs sadly.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "With explore, yes."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put clean up on kid"
CF ] Terrace 1/162
CF | >
CF | > PUT CLEAN UP ON KID
CF |
CF | I give the clean up intent to the kid, taking the explore intent in
CF | exchange. It now vaguely intends to clean up.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "kid, east"
CF ] Terrace 1/163
CF | >
CF | > KID, EAST
CF |
CF | Our carefully negotiated treaties with the Other Side prohibit me from
CF | talking directly to humans.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "i"
CF ] Terrace 1/163
CF | >
CF | > I
CF |
CF | Intentions:
CF | the explore intent
CF | the block intent
CF | the play intent
CF | the wait intent
CF | the fold intent
CF |
CF | Other possessions:
CF | a detector
CF | an intercepted communiqu��
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put fold on kid"
CF ] Terrace 1/164
CF | >
CF | > PUT FOLD ON KID
CF |
CF | I give the fold intent to the kid, taking the clean up intent in
CF | exchange. It now vaguely intends to fold.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put block on kid"
CF ] Terrace 1/165
CF | >
CF | > PUT BLOCK ON KID
CF |
CF | I give the block intent to the kid, taking the fold intent in
CF | exchange. It now vaguely intends to block.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "Hm."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get block"
CF ] Terrace 1/166
CF | >
CF | > GET BLOCK
CF |
CF | I extract the block intent from the kid.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Ballroom 1/167
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Ballroom
CF | This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are
CF | attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues
CF | and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A
CF | string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is tuning
CF | up as the crowd below them mingles. A breeze from the nearby sea
CF | occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading
CF | outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat.
CF | The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor lies to the
CF | west.
CF |
CF | The musicians look through their sheet music.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Bar 1/168
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Bar
CF | The casino's bar is a lively retreat for the dancers in the ballroom,
CF | with a steady stream of patrons drifting in and out. The bar itself is
CF | a giant mahogany beast with a bewildering array of decanters, bottles,
CF | and vials set against the mirror behind it. Floor-length windows fill
CF | the room with orange light.
CF |
CF | The ballroom is south of here.
CF |
CF | The bartender stands behind the bar.
CF |
CF | The waiter loafs in the corner.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x bar"
CF ] Bar 1/169
CF | >
CF | > X BAR
CF |
CF | Presumably it's intended to make the room feel larger. Humans have a
CF | thing for illusions.
CF |
CF | The waiter loafs in the corner.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "One of these two must have a cleaning towel."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "give clean up to bartender"
CF ] Bar 1/170
CF | >
CF | > GIVE CLEAN UP TO BARTENDER
CF |
CF | I give the clean up intent to the bartender, who now vaguely intends
CF | to clean up.
CF |
CF | The waiter loafs in the corner.
CF |
CF | > DavidW asks, "What if the waiter explores?"
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "give explore to waiter"
CF ] Bar 1/171
CF | >
CF | > GIVE EXPLORE TO WAITER
CF |
CF | I give the explore intent to the waiter, who now intends to explore
CF | the casino in search of work to do.
CF |
CF | The waiter walks purposefully off to the south.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Ballroom 1/172
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Ballroom
CF | This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are
CF | attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues
CF | and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A
CF | string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is tuning
CF | up as the crowd below them mingles. A breeze from the nearby sea
CF | occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading
CF | outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat.
CF | The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor lies to the
CF | west.
CF |
CF | The musicians are chatting quietly among themselves and setting up for
CF | the next piece.
CF |
CF | I can see the waiter here.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Ballroom 1/173
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The musicians look through their sheet music.
CF |
CF | The waiter walks purposefully off to the east.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Terrace 1/174
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Terrace
CF | This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large,
CF | well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the
CF | casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few
CF | stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's
CF | remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of
CF | metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.
CF |
CF | The cobblestones of the terrace continue in a sinuous path to the
CF | east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
CF | hedges.
CF |
CF | A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn.
CF |
CF | The kid shuffles around nearby.
CF |
CF | I can also see the waiter here.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Terrace 1/175
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The waiter walks purposefully off to the east.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Colonnade 1/176
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Colonnade
CF | This cobblestone trail runs from the casino to the hotel on the
CF | complex. Box trees flank the path, interspersed with a variety of
CF | colorful ornamental plants I don't recognize. The hotel it leads to is
CF | a sprawling villa of orange bricks with towers sprouting around its
CF | perimeter. A stone archway leads east into the hotel, and the trail
CF | winds to the west.
CF |
CF | A tarnished silver mirror garlanded with holly hangs over the archway
CF | leading east.
CF |
CF | The magpie perches across from the archway, but it doesn't see
CF | anything shiny enough to attract its interest.
CF |
CF | I can also see the waiter here.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "yes! take explore"
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put clean up on waiter"
CF ] Colonnade 1/176
CF | >
CF | > PUT CLEAN UP ON WAITER
CF |
CF | I don't have the clean up intent in my possession. I last saw it in
CF | the bartender's possession.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get explore"
CF ] Colonnade 1/177
CF | >
CF | > GET EXPLORE
CF |
CF | I extract the explore intent from the waiter.
CF |
CF | The waiter loafs in the corner.
CF |
CF | The magpie perches across from the archway, but it doesn't see
CF | anything shiny enough to attract its interest.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "Unfortunately clean up is back with the bartender. Go get it."
CF ] Colonnade 1/177
CF | >
CF | > UNFORTUNATELY CLEAN UP IS BACK WITH THE BARTENDER. GO GET IT.
CF |
CF | That's not a verb I recognize.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "Forgot that the bartender had it."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Terrace 1/178
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Terrace
CF | This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large,
CF | well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the
CF | casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few
CF | stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's
CF | remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of
CF | metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.
CF |
CF | The cobblestones of the terrace continue in a sinuous path to the
CF | east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
CF | hedges.
CF |
CF | A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn.
CF |
CF | The kid shuffles around nearby.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Ballroom 1/179
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Ballroom
CF | This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are
CF | attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues
CF | and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A
CF | string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is tuning
CF | up as the crowd below them mingles. A breeze from the nearby sea
CF | occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading
CF | outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat.
CF | The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor lies to the
CF | west.
CF |
CF | The musicians rosin their bows.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Bar 1/180
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Bar
CF | The casino's bar is a lively retreat for the dancers in the ballroom,
CF | with a steady stream of patrons drifting in and out. The bar itself is
CF | a giant mahogany beast with a bewildering array of decanters, bottles,
CF | and vials set against the mirror behind it. Floor-length windows fill
CF | the room with orange light.
CF |
CF | The ballroom is south of here.
CF |
CF | The bartender stands behind the bar.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get clean up"
CF ] Bar 1/181
CF | >
CF | > GET CLEAN UP
CF |
CF | I extract the clean up intent from the bartender.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "ss"
CF ] Bar 1/181
CF | >
CF | > SS
CF |
CF | That's not a verb I recognize.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Ballroom 1/182
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Ballroom
CF | This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are
CF | attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues
CF | and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A
CF | string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is tuning
CF | up as the crowd below them mingles. A breeze from the nearby sea
CF | occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading
CF | outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat.
CF | The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor lies to the
CF | west.
CF |
CF | The musicians are chatting quietly among themselves and setting up for
CF | the next piece.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Terrace 1/183
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Terrace
CF | This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large,
CF | well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the
CF | casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few
CF | stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's
CF | remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of
CF | metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.
CF |
CF | The cobblestones of the terrace continue in a sinuous path to the
CF | east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
CF | hedges.
CF |
CF | A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn.
CF |
CF | The kid shuffles around nearby.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Colonnade 1/184
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Colonnade
CF | This cobblestone trail runs from the casino to the hotel on the
CF | complex. Box trees flank the path, interspersed with a variety of
CF | colorful ornamental plants I don't recognize. The hotel it leads to is
CF | a sprawling villa of orange bricks with towers sprouting around its
CF | perimeter. A stone archway leads east into the hotel, and the trail
CF | winds to the west.
CF |
CF | A tarnished silver mirror garlanded with holly hangs over the archway
CF | leading east.
CF |
CF | The waiter loafs in the corner.
CF |
CF | The magpie perches across from the archway, but it doesn't see
CF | anything shiny enough to attract its interest.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put clean up on waiter"
CF ] Colonnade 1/185
CF | >
CF | > PUT CLEAN UP ON WAITER
CF |
CF | I give the clean up intent to the waiter, who now intends to clean up
CF | the general area.
CF |
CF | The waiter, noticing the state of the silver mirror, applies some
CF | silver polish and elbow grease. Soon, the mirror is shiny again.
CF |
CF | The magpie, seeing the mirror reflecting light onto the holly,
CF | immediately swoops down and grabs it in its talons. Yanking hard on
CF | it, it dislodges the holly and flies off with it back towards the
CF | terrace.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW says, "Sweet."
DavidW says, "yes! Holly is gone."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get clean up"
CF ] Colonnade 1/186
CF | >
CF | > GET CLEAN UP
CF |
CF | I extract the clean up intent from the waiter.
CF |
CF | The waiter loafs in the corner.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Terrace 1/187
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Terrace
CF | This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large,
CF | well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the
CF | casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few
CF | stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's
CF | remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of
CF | metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.
CF |
CF | The cobblestones of the terrace continue in a sinuous path to the
CF | east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
CF | hedges.
CF |
CF | A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn.
CF |
CF | The kid shuffles around nearby.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/188
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Hedge Maze
CF | The tall hedges filling this part of the grounds have been
CF | meticulously cut into a network of crisscrossing channels. Presumably
CF | the effect is disorienting to humans, but I have no trouble making out
CF | the open area to the north, nestled in the center of the maze. The
CF | gravel pathways snake around it, warm in the heavy evening air.
CF |
CF | The rest of the casino grounds lie to the south.
CF |
CF | The magpie perches in a rough nest of holly, looking for something
CF | shiny to abscond with.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get take"
CF ] Hedge Maze 1/189
CF | >
CF | > GET TAKE
CF |
CF | I extract the take intent from the magpie.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Terrace 1/190
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Terrace
CF | This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large,
CF | well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the
CF | casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few
CF | stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's
CF | remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of
CF | metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.
CF |
CF | The cobblestones of the terrace continue in a sinuous path to the
CF | east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
CF | hedges.
CF |
CF | A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn.
CF |
CF | The kid stands off to one side, looking bored.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Colonnade 1/191
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Colonnade
CF | This cobblestone trail runs from the casino to the hotel on the
CF | complex. Box trees flank the path, interspersed with a variety of
CF | colorful ornamental plants I don't recognize. The hotel it leads to is
CF | a sprawling villa of orange bricks with towers sprouting around its
CF | perimeter. A stone archway leads east into the hotel, and the trail
CF | winds to the west.
CF |
CF | A shiny silver mirror hangs over the archway leading east.
CF |
CF | The waiter loafs in the corner.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Hotel Reception 5/192
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF | The detector blinks briefly, indicating that I've moved into a new
CF | region of the compound.
CF |
CF | Hotel Reception
CF | I'm at the hotel's reception, a small entryway with a gleaming marble
CF | floor and lamps made of dark green glass. The reception desk itself is
CF | a massive thing of oak, with a plush red carpet in front of it and a
CF | few potted chrysanthemums on top of it making it more inviting. A safe
CF | has been set into the wall behind it. A ceiling fan slowly spins above
CF | a passage farther into the hotel to the east. The exit from the hotel,
CF | flanked by ferns in massive clay pots, lies to the west.
CF |
CF | A hotel clerk stands behind the desk.
CF |
CF | A wealthy dowager is sitting in a plush leather chair.
CF |
CF | [Your score has just gone up by four points.]
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "spin detector"
CF ] Hotel Reception 5/193
CF | >
CF | > SPIN DETECTOR
CF |
CF | The detector produces one low thud, indicating one unattained codebook
CF | in this specific location, and two high whistles, indicating two
CF | additional unattained codebooks in this region of the compound.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "Three more."
DavidW says, "gosh"
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x clerk"
CF ] Hotel Reception 5/194
CF | >
CF | > X CLERK
CF |
CF | A harried-looking human, dressed neatly in hotel livery.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x dowager"
CF ] Hotel Reception 5/195
CF | >
CF | > X DOWAGER
CF |
CF | An elderly human, dressed in the conspicuous finery of one who has
CF | more money than taste.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x desk"
CF ] Hotel Reception 5/196
CF | >
CF | > X DESK
CF |
CF | It's a massive thing, at least by human standards. These things are de
CF | rigueur in hotels, though I don't know why. Perhaps they're a mystery
CF | of human behavior that, like hats, will forever remain unsolved.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x safe"
CF ] Hotel Reception 5/197
CF | >
CF | > X SAFE
CF |
CF | A standard, unimpressive hotel desk safe. It's good enough for the
CF | sorts of ordinary valuables humans care about, I suppose. As for
CF | actually valuable valuables, I notice that the safe is glowing with
CF | spiritual energy.
CF |
CF | The safe is mystically sealed, presumably to protect its contents from
CF | the opposition. The barrier is also keeping me from accessing its
CF | contents, a jewel collection and a secret codebook, as long as it's
CF | closed.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "Hats: The Musical by Andrew Lloyd Haberdasher"
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x jewel"
CF ] Hotel Reception 5/198
CF | >
CF | > X JEWEL
CF |
CF | I don't care about worthless shiny rocks myself, of course, but the
CF | greed humans have for such things can be quite useful.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW says, "Now that'd be a heck of a musical."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "i"
CF ] Hotel Reception 5/198
CF | >
CF | > I
CF |
CF | Intentions:
CF | the take intent
CF | the clean up intent
CF | the explore intent
CF | the block intent
CF | the fold intent
CF | the play intent
CF | the wait intent
CF |
CF | Other possessions:
CF | a detector
CF | an intercepted communiqu��
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put take on clerk"
CF ] Hotel Reception 5/199
CF | >
CF | > PUT TAKE ON CLERK
CF |
CF | Some odd freezing, feathery barrier stops me, like an angry swan made
CF | of ice is getting in my way.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x clerk"
CF ] Hotel Reception 5/200
CF | >
CF | > X CLERK
CF |
CF | A harried-looking human, dressed neatly in hotel livery.
CF |
CF | > DavidW asks, "x livery?"
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x livery"
CF ] Hotel Reception 5/200
CF | >
CF | > X LIVERY
CF |
CF | I don't see the valets here. They were at Casino Entrance.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "Hm."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x hotel livery"
CF ] Hotel Reception 5/200
CF | >
CF | > X HOTEL LIVERY
CF |
CF | I only understood you as far as wanting to examine the hotel clerk.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put take on dowager"
CF ] Hotel Reception 5/201
CF | >
CF | > PUT TAKE ON DOWAGER
CF |
CF | Some odd freezing, feathery barrier stops me, like an angry swan made
CF | of ice is getting in my way. I haven't encountered this sort of
CF | obstacle before, and it's clearly spiritual in nature. While I try be
CF | reasonably au fait with security measures in the field myself, my
CF | division has an entire research branch devoted to unusual and
CF | cutting-edge technology. I've worked with them before, and I even know
CF | one of their top scientists. The best option here would be for me to
CF | give my friend Whiptail a call and ask him if he knows anything about
CF | this apparently new bit of technology. Due to the abruptness of my
CF | assignment here, I don't have any sophisticated means of contacting
CF | headquarters. Instead, I'll have to fall back on the old standby of a
CF | bell, book, and candle.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "The clerk must be protected somehow."
MoyTW says, "...a bell, book, and candle. Ok."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x potted"
CF ] Hotel Reception 5/201
CF | >
CF | > X POTTED
CF |
CF | I don't see any potted here.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x chrysanthemums"
CF ] Hotel Reception 5/202
CF | >
CF | > X CHRYSANTHEMUMS
CF |
CF | Poofy yellow flowers. They're nice, I suppose, if you like flowers. I
CF | do not.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x fan"
CF ] Hotel Reception 5/203
CF | >
CF | > X FAN
CF |
CF | As befitting a place used by the Other Side, the ceilings fans here go
CF | around in circles without accomplishing much.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "u"
CF ] Hotel Reception 5/203
CF | >
CF | > U
CF |
CF | From here, I can only go east and west.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Hotel Lobby 5/204
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Hotel Lobby
CF | At the center of the hotel is this wide atrium, a plaza of orange
CF | brick dotted with flowerboxes and ornamental bushes. The ceiling of
CF | the lobby is made of glass, and so the sunset outside gives an
CF | unnatural hue to the hibiscus vines adorning the open doors to the
CF | south. Despite the location, it's mostly quiet here. Even the rattan
CF | chairs overlooking the garden to the east are empty.
CF |
CF | The hotel reception is to the west, and a corridor to the north leads
CF | deeper into the hotel.
CF |
CF | A gigantic ice sculpture of a swan sits prominently on a pedestal.
CF |
CF | A thermostat is located unobtrusively in a corner.
CF |
CF | A bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.
CF |
CF | A guest complains to no one in particular about the temperature of the
CF | room and looks meaningfully at the thermostat.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x guest"
CF ] Hotel Lobby 5/205
CF | >
CF | > X GUEST
CF |
CF | Wearing shorts and a gaudy-print t-shirt.
CF |
CF | The guest has an intent to
CF | > WARM
CF | itself up.
CF |
CF | The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.
CF |
CF | The guest complains to no one in particular about the temperature of
CF | the room and looks meaningfully at the thermostat.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get warm"
CF ] Hotel Lobby 5/206
CF | >
CF | > GET WARM
CF |
CF | Some odd freezing, feathery barrier stops me, like an angry swan made
CF | of ice is getting in my way. I don't think I'll be able to do much
CF | about this problem myself.
CF |
CF | The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.
CF |
CF | The guest shivers exaggeratedly.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x bellhop"
CF ] Hotel Lobby 5/207
CF | >
CF | > X BELLHOP
CF |
CF | It's wearing a red uniform with one of those ridiculous hats.
CF |
CF | The bellhop has an intent to
CF | > DEFEND
CF | the sculpture.
CF |
CF | The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.
CF |
CF | The guest shivers exaggeratedly.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "That swan itself seems to be the problem."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x sculpture"
CF ] Hotel Lobby 5/208
CF | >
CF | > X SCULPTURE
CF |
CF | It is very big, and surprisingly good at not melting. (The unusually
CF | low room temperature is probably a contributing factor.) At this close
CF | distance, I can feel some sort of numinous field radiating from it
CF | that's blocking my ability to manipulate these humans.
CF |
CF | The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.
CF |
CF | The guest looks pointedly at the thermostat.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "So it would appear."
MoyTW asks, "Can we turn the AC off or something?"
Knight_Otu asks, "I'm not sure we can do anything here yet?"
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x thermostat"
CF ] Hotel Lobby 5/209
CF | >
CF | > X THERMOSTAT
CF |
CF | It's currently set to an unusually low temperature.
CF |
CF | The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.
CF |
CF | The guest complains to no one in particular about the temperature of
CF | the room and looks meaningfully at the thermostat.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Lounge 5/210
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Lounge
CF | The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to
CF | each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded
CF | newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready
CF | against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In
CF | addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of
CF | the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
CF | my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.
CF |
CF | A drunk burps loudly.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x drunk"
CF ] Lounge 5/211
CF | >
CF | > X DRUNK
CF |
CF | The drunk has disheveled, stained clothes and an unpleasant odor. I'm
CF | not sure how it's managed to avoid getting kicked out of here by some
CF | sort of respectable environment operative.
CF |
CF | The drunk is holding a bottle of vodka.
CF |
CF | The drunk has an intent to
CF | > DRINK
CF | from a bottle of vodka.
CF |
CF | The drunk burps loudly.
CF |
CF | My editor has informed me that for legal reasons, I'm supposed to
CF | refer to the drunk human as "tired and emotional." I don't get it, but
CF | you can't argue with lawyers.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get drink"
CF ] Lounge 5/212
CF | >
CF | > GET DRINK
CF |
CF | (the drink intent)
CF | Some odd freezing, feathery barrier stops me, like an angry swan made
CF | of ice is getting in my way. I don't think I'll be able to do much
CF | about this problem myself.
CF |
CF | The tired and emotional human exhales contentedly.
CF |
CF | I have informed my editor that demons don't care about human laws, and
CF | humans can't sue Hell anyway. Besides, if we had to defend our case,
CF | there's no shortage of lawyers here. I'm going to keep referring to
CF | the drunk human as a drunk.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "I don't remember seeing any bells, books, or candles yet."
DavidW says, "Unless the dowager was reading a book."
Knight_Otu says, "Neither."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Hotel Lobby 5/213
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Hotel Lobby
CF | At the center of the hotel is this wide atrium, a plaza of orange
CF | brick dotted with flowerboxes and ornamental bushes. The ceiling of
CF | the lobby is made of glass, and so the sunset outside gives an
CF | unnatural hue to the hibiscus vines adorning the open doors to the
CF | south. Despite the location, it's mostly quiet here. Even the rattan
CF | chairs overlooking the garden to the east are empty.
CF |
CF | The hotel reception is to the west, and a corridor to the north leads
CF | deeper into the hotel.
CF |
CF | A gigantic ice sculpture of a swan sits prominently on a pedestal.
CF |
CF | A thermostat is located unobtrusively in a corner.
CF |
CF | The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.
CF |
CF | The guest complains to no one in particular about the temperature of
CF | the room and looks meaningfully at the thermostat.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW says, "Same."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Hotel Reception 5/214
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Hotel Reception
CF | I'm at the hotel's reception, a small entryway with a gleaming marble
CF | floor and lamps made of dark green glass. The reception desk itself is
CF | a massive thing of oak, with a plush red carpet in front of it and a
CF | few potted chrysanthemums on top of it making it more inviting. A safe
CF | has been set into the wall behind it. A ceiling fan slowly spins above
CF | a passage farther into the hotel to the east. The exit from the hotel,
CF | flanked by ferns in massive clay pots, lies to the west.
CF |
CF | The hotel clerk stands behind the desk.
CF |
CF | The wealthy dowager is sitting in a plush leather chair.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x dowager"
CF ] Hotel Reception 5/215
CF | >
CF | > X DOWAGER
CF |
CF | An elderly human, dressed in the conspicuous finery of one who has
CF | more money than taste.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x finery"
CF ] Hotel Reception 5/215
CF | >
CF | > X FINERY
CF |
CF | I don't see any finery here.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "nope. Just sitting there."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Colonnade 5/216
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF | The detector blinks briefly, indicating that I've moved into a new
CF | region of the compound.
CF |
CF | Colonnade
CF | This cobblestone trail runs from the casino to the hotel on the
CF | complex. Box trees flank the path, interspersed with a variety of
CF | colorful ornamental plants I don't recognize. The hotel it leads from
CF | is a sprawling villa of orange bricks with towers sprouting around its
CF | perimeter. A stone archway leads east into the hotel, and the trail
CF | winds to the west.
CF |
CF | A shiny silver mirror hangs over the archway leading east.
CF |
CF | The waiter loafs in the corner.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x villa"
CF ] Colonnade 5/217
CF | >
CF | > X VILLA
CF |
CF | The hotel sits comfortably out of the glare of the lights from within
CF | the casino.
CF |
CF | The waiter loafs in the corner.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Terrace 5/218
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Terrace
CF | This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large,
CF | well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the
CF | casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few
CF | stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's
CF | remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of
CF | metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.
CF |
CF | The cobblestones of the terrace continue in a sinuous path to the
CF | east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
CF | hedges.
CF |
CF | A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn.
CF |
CF | The kid stands off to one side, looking bored.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put explore on kid"
CF ] Terrace 5/219
CF | >
CF | > PUT EXPLORE ON KID
CF |
CF | I give the explore intent to the kid, who now intends to explore for
CF | somewhere fun to play.
CF |
CF | The kid runs excitedly into the maze.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Hedge Maze 5/220
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Hedge Maze
CF | The tall hedges filling this part of the grounds have been
CF | meticulously cut into a network of crisscrossing channels. Presumably
CF | the effect is disorienting to humans, but I have no trouble making out
CF | the open area to the north, nestled in the center of the maze. The
CF | gravel pathways snake around it, warm in the heavy evening air.
CF |
CF | The rest of the casino grounds lie to the south.
CF |
CF | The kid gets completely confused and ends up running right out of the
CF | maze.
CF |
CF | The magpie is sitting in a nest made of holly.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Hedge Maze 5/221
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The kid runs into the maze and immediately gets turned around here.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on kid"
CF ] Hedge Maze 5/222
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON KID
CF |
CF | I give the play intent to the kid, taking the explore intent in
CF | exchange. It now intends to play around with the sword cane.
CF |
CF | The kid hacks its way through the maze with the sword, enlarging the
CF | way to the north. It excitedly charges in that direction.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Peristyle 5/223
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Peristyle
CF | This small garden lies at the center of the hedge maze. Moss grows
CF | optimistically through cracks in the mosaic floor, and vines wrap
CF | around the columns ringing the open area. A fountain in the center,
CF | flowing but full of vegetation and other flotsam, breaks the summer
CF | humidity. A torturous path to the south heads back into the maze.
CF |
CF | A stone statue of some sort of classical figure stands in the center
CF | of the area, sparkling with faint spiritual energy.
CF |
CF | The kid runs around, swinging the sword frantically. Apparently
CF | spotting a mighty foe in the form of the statue, it takes a powerful
CF | swing. The statue falls over and shatters into a thousand pieces,
CF | revealing a codebook.
CF |
CF | The kid looks around sheepishly. Seeing no one, it resumes its play.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "Maybe waiting was the answer after all."
DavidW says, "yay! Take the codebook!"
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get codebook"
CF ] Peristyle 7/224
CF | >
CF | > GET CODEBOOK
CF |
CF | I pick up the confidential codebook and page through it. The cipher on
CF | the communiqu�� is at a much higher classification level than the
CF | confidential codebook, but I can still decipher some of its header
CF | information and basic format. The cipher is apparently one used by
CF | high-level angelic operatives; it's something that the Other Side
CF | reserves for particularly sensitive missions involving particularly
CF | important assets. Each five-digit number corresponds to a word or
CF | phrase; 12345, for example, could mean anything from "demon" to
CF | "eliminate" to "next Thursday afternoon." The association is also
CF | one-to-many, so the same plaintext word or phrase could have (and, if
CF | it's a common one, certainly does have) multiple ciphertext numbers
CF | corresponding to it. In short, this isn't something I can break by
CF | myself.
CF |
CF | This codebook contains a portion of the code, at least the part of it
CF | that's available at the confidential classification level. With it, I
CF | can start to decrypt some of the communiqu��:
CF |
CF | 42734 72880 of 46480 44946 04845 62628 73048 74615 in the 47576 45953
CF | 40297 62029 31368 02666 and 63211 79260 67549 07135 14066 43999 is
CF | 03659 31802 08678 65629 67043 24095 85994
CF |
CF | The kid swings the sword around, carefully avoiding stepping on the
CF | shattered statue pieces.
CF |
CF | [Your score has just gone up by two points.]
CF |
CF | > MoyTW says, "hooray, progress"
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Hedge Maze 7/225
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Hedge Maze
CF | The tall hedges filling this part of the grounds have been
CF | meticulously cut into a network of crisscrossing channels. Presumably
CF | the effect is disorienting to humans, but I have no trouble making out
CF | the open area to the north, nestled in the center of the maze. The
CF | gravel pathways snake around it, warm in the heavy evening air.
CF |
CF | The rest of the casino grounds lie to the south.
CF |
CF | The magpie is sitting in a nest made of holly.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Hedge Maze 7/225
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF | The maze is uninteresting to me, either as a diversion or as an
CF | obstacle. I might as well just walk through the hedges to the north or
CF | south.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Terrace 7/226
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Terrace
CF | This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large,
CF | well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the
CF | casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few
CF | stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's
CF | remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of
CF | metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.
CF |
CF | The cobblestones of the terrace continue in a sinuous path to the
CF | east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
CF | hedges.
CF |
CF | A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Ballroom 7/227
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Ballroom
CF | This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are
CF | attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues
CF | and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A
CF | string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is tuning
CF | up as the crowd below them mingles. A breeze from the nearby sea
CF | occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading
CF | outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat.
CF | The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor lies to the
CF | west.
CF |
CF | The musicians look through their sheet music.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "i"
CF ] Ballroom 7/227
CF | >
CF | > I
CF |
CF | Intentions:
CF | the explore intent
CF | the take intent
CF | the clean up intent
CF | the block intent
CF | the fold intent
CF | the wait intent
CF |
CF | Codebooks:
CF | one confidential codebook
CF |
CF | Other possessions:
CF | a detector
CF | an intercepted communiqu��
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put clean up on musicians"
CF ] Ballroom 7/228
CF | >
CF | > PUT CLEAN UP ON MUSICIANS
CF |
CF | I give the clean up intent to the musicians, who now vaguely intend to
CF | clean up.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get clean up"
CF ] Ballroom 7/229
CF | >
CF | > GET CLEAN UP
CF |
CF | I extract the clean up intent from the musicians.
CF |
CF | The musicians look through their sheet music.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Casino Floor 7/230
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Casino Floor
CF | The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a
CF | garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers
CF | calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
CF | the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to
CF | join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area
CF | of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.
CF |
CF | At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an
CF | imposing door.
CF |
CF | The thief inches toward the door, but the guard notices and glares
CF | aggressively. Apparently it's more alert than I thought.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Poker Tables 7/231
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Poker Tables
CF | If the rest of the casino is a place of leisure, this lair is a place
CF | of business. Shark-faced humans in formal attire loom over tables
CF | playing some incomprehensible card game, accepting both wins and
CF | losses with aloof detachment. Aside from a desultory appreciative or
CF | sympathetic murmur from onlookers following a particularly involved
CF | hand, the room has the quiet intensity of an art museum. Whorls of
CF | cigarette smoke drift across the glaring lights overhead.
CF |
CF | The main area of the of the casino lies to the east.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | The card sharp looks around the room predatorily.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Casino Floor 7/232
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Casino Floor
CF | The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a
CF | garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers
CF | calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
CF | the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to
CF | join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area
CF | of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.
CF |
CF | At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an
CF | imposing door.
CF |
CF | The thief inches toward the door, but the guard notices and glares
CF | aggressively. Apparently it's more alert than I thought.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Ballroom 7/233
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Ballroom
CF | This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are
CF | attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues
CF | and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A
CF | string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is tuning
CF | up as the crowd below them mingles. A breeze from the nearby sea
CF | occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading
CF | outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat.
CF | The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor lies to the
CF | west.
CF |
CF | The musicians are chatting quietly among themselves and setting up for
CF | the next piece.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Terrace 7/234
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Terrace
CF | This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large,
CF | well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the
CF | casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few
CF | stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's
CF | remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of
CF | metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.
CF |
CF | The cobblestones of the terrace continue in a sinuous path to the
CF | east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
CF | hedges.
CF |
CF | A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Hedge Maze 7/235
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Hedge Maze
CF | The tall hedges filling this part of the grounds have been
CF | meticulously cut into a network of crisscrossing channels. Presumably
CF | the effect is disorienting to humans, but I have no trouble making out
CF | the open area to the north, nestled in the center of the maze. The
CF | gravel pathways snake around it, warm in the heavy evening air.
CF |
CF | The rest of the casino grounds lie to the south.
CF |
CF | The magpie is sitting in a nest made of holly.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Peristyle 7/236
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Peristyle
CF | This small garden lies at the center of the hedge maze. Moss grows
CF | optimistically through cracks in the mosaic floor, and vines wrap
CF | around the columns ringing the open area. A fountain in the center,
CF | flowing but full of vegetation and other flotsam, breaks the summer
CF | humidity. A torturous path to the south heads back into the maze.
CF |
CF | The kid swings the sword around, carefully avoiding stepping on the
CF | shattered statue pieces.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get play"
CF ] Peristyle 7/237
CF | >
CF | > GET PLAY
CF |
CF | I extract the play intent from the kid.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "l"
CF ] Peristyle 7/237
CF | >
CF | > L
CF |
CF | Peristyle
CF | This small garden lies at the center of the hedge maze. Moss grows
CF | optimistically through cracks in the mosaic floor, and vines wrap
CF | around the columns ringing the open area. A fountain in the center,
CF | flowing but full of vegetation and other flotsam, breaks the summer
CF | humidity. A torturous path to the south heads back into the maze.
CF |
CF | The kid shuffles around nearby.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Hedge Maze 7/238
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Hedge Maze
CF | The tall hedges filling this part of the grounds have been
CF | meticulously cut into a network of crisscrossing channels. Presumably
CF | the effect is disorienting to humans, but I have no trouble making out
CF | the open area to the north, nestled in the center of the maze. The
CF | gravel pathways snake around it, warm in the heavy evening air.
CF |
CF | The rest of the casino grounds lie to the south.
CF |
CF | The magpie is sitting in a nest made of holly.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Terrace 7/239
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Terrace
CF | This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large,
CF | well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the
CF | casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few
CF | stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's
CF | remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of
CF | metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.
CF |
CF | The cobblestones of the terrace continue in a sinuous path to the
CF | east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
CF | hedges.
CF |
CF | A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Ballroom 7/240
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Ballroom
CF | This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are
CF | attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues
CF | and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A
CF | string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is tuning
CF | up as the crowd below them mingles. A breeze from the nearby sea
CF | occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading
CF | outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat.
CF | The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor lies to the
CF | west.
CF |
CF | The musicians are chatting quietly among themselves and setting up for
CF | the next piece.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Casino Floor 7/241
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Casino Floor
CF | The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a
CF | garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers
CF | calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
CF | the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to
CF | join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area
CF | of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.
CF |
CF | At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an
CF | imposing door.
CF |
CF | The thief inches toward the door, but the guard notices and glares
CF | aggressively. Apparently it's more alert than I thought.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Casino Entrance 7/242
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Casino Entrance
CF | The casino complex looming before me is a converted seaside chateau.
CF | Only the most discreet glimpses of opulence are visible through the
CF | windows: checkerboard marble floors, liveried valets roaming the
CF | hallways, tiny but undoubtedly very expensive objets d'art sitting on
CF | oversized tables, and so on. As a warm breeze from the beach ruffles
CF | the palm trees, humans in formalwear stride through the grounds,
CF | staring longingly at the casino's beckoning entrance to the north.
CF |
CF | A suspiciously large quantity of salt is no longer blocking the
CF | doorway.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Casino Floor 7/243
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Casino Floor
CF | The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a
CF | garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers
CF | calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
CF | the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to
CF | join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area
CF | of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.
CF |
CF | At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an
CF | imposing door.
CF |
CF | The thief inches toward the door, but the guard notices and glares
CF | aggressively. Apparently it's more alert than I thought.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Counting House 7/244
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Counting House
CF | Unlike the rest of the casino, this small room is refreshingly severe
CF | and empty. Bookshelves filled with identical logbooks line the
CF | windowless walls, occasionally broken up by racks of electronic
CF | equipment. The only exit is an imposing door to the south.
CF |
CF | An elaborate laser grid encloses a metal strongbox, which is sparkling
CF | with faint spiritual energy.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Casino Floor 7/245
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Casino Floor
CF | The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a
CF | garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers
CF | calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
CF | the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to
CF | join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area
CF | of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.
CF |
CF | At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an
CF | imposing door.
CF |
CF | The thief inches toward the door, but the guard notices and glares
CF | aggressively. Apparently it's more alert than I thought.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "i"
CF ] Casino Floor 7/245
CF | >
CF | > I
CF |
CF | Intentions:
CF | the play intent
CF | the clean up intent
CF | the explore intent
CF | the take intent
CF | the block intent
CF | the fold intent
CF | the wait intent
CF |
CF | Codebooks:
CF | one confidential codebook
CF |
CF | Other possessions:
CF | a detector
CF | an intercepted communiqu��
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put take on thief"
CF ] Casino Floor 7/246
CF | >
CF | > PUT TAKE ON THIEF
CF |
CF | I give the take intent to the thief, who now intends to take something
CF | valuable.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put wait on thief"
CF ] Casino Floor 7/247
CF | >
CF | > PUT WAIT ON THIEF
CF |
CF | I give the wait intent to the thief, taking the take intent in
CF | exchange. It now intends to wait patiently until a solid opportunity
CF | for thievery arises.
CF |
CF | The thief is waiting patiently, paying attention to the guard.
CF |
CF | The guard loafs idly.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put explore on guard"
CF ] Casino Floor 7/248
CF | >
CF | > PUT EXPLORE ON GUARD
CF |
CF | I give the explore intent to the guard, who now vaguely intends to
CF | explore.
CF |
CF | The thief is waiting patiently, watching the surrounding area.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on guard"
CF ] Casino Floor 7/249
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON GUARD
CF |
CF | I give the play intent to the guard, taking the explore intent in
CF | exchange. It now intends to play some casino games.
CF |
CF | The thief is waiting patiently, looking up at the security cameras.
CF |
CF | The guard sits down at a nearby slot machine and begins to play, still
CF | keeping an eye on the door.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Casino Floor 7/250
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The thief is waiting patiently, listening carefully to the sounds of
CF | the casino.
CF |
CF | The guard gets more distracted by the slot machine.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Casino Floor 7/251
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The thief is waiting patiently, looking up at the security cameras.
CF |
CF | The guard gets even more distracted by the slot machine.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Casino Floor 7/252
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The thief is waiting patiently, paying attention to the guard.
CF |
CF | The guard continues to play the slots, intent on the false allure of
CF | riches.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Casino Floor 7/253
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The thief is waiting patiently, looking up at the security cameras.
CF |
CF | The guard continues to play the slots, intent on the false allure of
CF | riches.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "take wait"
CF ] Casino Floor 7/254
CF | >
CF | > TAKE WAIT
CF |
CF | I extract the wait intent from the thief.
CF |
CF | The thief picks the lock of the counting house door and slips through,
CF | gently closing it behind it.
CF |
CF | The guard continues to play the slots, intent on the false allure of
CF | riches.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Counting House 7/255
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Counting House
CF | Unlike the rest of the casino, this small room is refreshingly severe
CF | and empty. Bookshelves filled with identical logbooks line the
CF | windowless walls, occasionally broken up by racks of electronic
CF | equipment. The only exit is an imposing door to the south.
CF |
CF | An elaborate laser grid encloses a metal strongbox, which is sparkling
CF | with faint spiritual energy.
CF |
CF | The thief sidles over to the strongbox and peers at it intently.
CF |
CF | The thief is skulking nearby, trying unsucessfully to avoid looking
CF | suspicious.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW says, "Nice."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "give take to thief"
CF ] Counting House 7/256
CF | >
CF | > GIVE TAKE TO THIEF
CF |
CF | I give the take intent to the thief, who now intends to take something
CF | valuable.
CF |
CF | The thief tinkers with the strongbox. Despite its obvious skill, its
CF | hand grazes one of the laser beams as it attempts to break inside. It
CF | hesitates briefly but, sweating nervously, continues its delicate
CF | work.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Counting House 7/257
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | As the thief continues to poke at the strongbox, I hear muffled
CF | footsteps outside approaching the door. A security team furiously
CF | rushes inside, grabs the thief, and abruptly hauls it out of the room
CF | amid a series of curses and threats. After the door slams shut again,
CF | another set of impatient footsteps issues from the opposite side. As
CF | they recede, though, I suddenly hear something heavy fall, followed by
CF | the sound of someone frantically running. It would seem the thief
CF | managed to escape after all.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Casino Floor 7/258
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Casino Floor
CF | The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a
CF | garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers
CF | calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
CF | the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to
CF | join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area
CF | of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.
CF |
CF | At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an
CF | imposing door.
CF |
CF | The guard continues to play the slots, intent on the false allure of
CF | riches.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "Hm."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Casino Entrance 7/259
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Casino Entrance
CF | The casino complex looming before me is a converted seaside chateau.
CF | Only the most discreet glimpses of opulence are visible through the
CF | windows: checkerboard marble floors, liveried valets roaming the
CF | hallways, tiny but undoubtedly very expensive objets d'art sitting on
CF | oversized tables, and so on. As a warm breeze from the beach ruffles
CF | the palm trees, humans in formalwear stride through the grounds,
CF | staring longingly at the casino's beckoning entrance to the north.
CF |
CF | A suspiciously large quantity of salt is no longer blocking the
CF | doorway.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Casino Floor 7/260
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Casino Floor
CF | The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a
CF | garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers
CF | calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
CF | the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to
CF | join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area
CF | of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.
CF |
CF | At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an
CF | imposing door.
CF |
CF | The guard continues to play the slots, intent on the false allure of
CF | riches.
CF |
CF | The thief creeps in from the east.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "Ah there they are."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Counting House 7/261
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Counting House
CF | Unlike the rest of the casino, this small room is refreshingly severe
CF | and empty. Bookshelves filled with identical logbooks line the
CF | windowless walls, occasionally broken up by racks of electronic
CF | equipment. The only exit is an imposing door to the south.
CF |
CF | An elaborate laser grid encloses a metal strongbox, which is sparkling
CF | with faint spiritual energy.
CF |
CF | > DavidW asks, "Did the thief get the mirror?"
Knight_Otu says, "Hm."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Counting House 7/262
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Counting House 7/263
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Casino Floor 7/264
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Casino Floor
CF | The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a
CF | garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers
CF | calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
CF | the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to
CF | join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area
CF | of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.
CF |
CF | At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an
CF | imposing door.
CF |
CF | The thief is skulking nearby, trying unsucessfully to avoid looking
CF | suspicious.
CF |
CF | The guard continues to play the slots, intent on the false allure of
CF | riches.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x thief"
CF ] Casino Floor 7/265
CF | >
CF | > X THIEF
CF |
CF | It's wearing a black-and-white striped shirt and a domino mask. It
CF | doesn't fit in.
CF |
CF | The thief has an intent to
CF | > TAKE
CF | something valuable.
CF |
CF | The guard continues to play the slots, intent on the false allure of
CF | riches.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Casino Floor 7/266
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The guard continues to play the slots, intent on the false allure of
CF | riches.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get take"
CF ] Casino Floor 7/267
CF | >
CF | > GET TAKE
CF |
CF | I extract the take intent from the thief.
CF |
CF | The thief picks the lock of the counting house door and slips through,
CF | gently closing it behind it.
CF |
CF | The guard continues to play the slots, intent on the false allure of
CF | riches.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Counting House 7/268
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Counting House
CF | Unlike the rest of the casino, this small room is refreshingly severe
CF | and empty. Bookshelves filled with identical logbooks line the
CF | windowless walls, occasionally broken up by racks of electronic
CF | equipment. The only exit is an imposing door to the south.
CF |
CF | An elaborate laser grid encloses a metal strongbox, which is sparkling
CF | with faint spiritual energy.
CF |
CF | The thief sidles over to the strongbox and peers at it intently.
CF |
CF | The thief is skulking nearby, trying unsucessfully to avoid looking
CF | suspicious.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "i"
CF ] Counting House 7/268
CF | >
CF | > I
CF |
CF | Intentions:
CF | the take intent
CF | the wait intent
CF | the explore intent
CF | the clean up intent
CF | the block intent
CF | the fold intent
CF |
CF | Codebooks:
CF | one confidential codebook
CF |
CF | Other possessions:
CF | a detector
CF | an intercepted communiqu��
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "give take to thief"
CF ] Counting House 7/269
CF | >
CF | > GIVE TAKE TO THIEF
CF |
CF | I give the take intent to the thief, who now intends to take something
CF | valuable.
CF |
CF | The thief tinkers with the strongbox. Despite its obvious skill, its
CF | hand grazes one of the laser beams as it attempts to break inside. It
CF | hesitates briefly but, sweating nervously, continues its delicate
CF | work.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Casino Floor 7/270
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Casino Floor
CF | The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a
CF | garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers
CF | calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
CF | the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to
CF | join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area
CF | of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.
CF |
CF | At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an
CF | imposing door.
CF |
CF | The guard continues to play the slots, intent on the false allure of
CF | riches.
CF |
CF | Unnoticed by the crowd, a half-dozen humans in sleek black suits mix
CF | through the room and arrive at the door. Ignoring the guard, they
CF | unlock the door and quickly close it behind them. In my line of work,
CF | I've come to recognize the look a person, or even a human, has when
CF | he's carrying a weapon he intends to use. Even if I hadn't been able
CF | to see them reaching inside their jackets, it's clear from their faces
CF | that they're preparing to handle the burglar with supererogatory
CF | viciousness. After a couple of heavy thumps from inside, the security
CF | team emerges with the would-be thief securely held in the center of
CF | their formation. They close and relock the door, then march the
CF | burglar down the maze of machines, away from the densest groups of
CF | players.
CF |
CF | As they begin to recede into the distance in the cavernous hall, I
CF | hear the thud of something hitting the floor, some muttered curses,
CF | and the sound of someone running frantically. It would seem that the
CF | thief escaped after all.
CF |
CF | > DavidW asks, "block?"
DavidW says, "The thief needs to block the laser."
Knight_Otu says, "That may work."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Ballroom 7/271
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Ballroom
CF | This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are
CF | attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues
CF | and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A
CF | string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is tuning
CF | up as the crowd below them mingles. A breeze from the nearby sea
CF | occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading
CF | outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat.
CF | The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor lies to the
CF | west.
CF |
CF | The musicians are chatting quietly among themselves and setting up for
CF | the next piece.
CF |
CF | The thief creeps in from the east.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW asks, "No, I think - how about we put the guard back outside and make him obstructive?"
Knight_Otu says, "Also a possibility."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Casino Floor 7/272
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Casino Floor
CF | The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a
CF | garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers
CF | calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
CF | the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to
CF | join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area
CF | of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.
CF |
CF | At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an
CF | imposing door.
CF |
CF | The guard continues to play the slots, intent on the false allure of
CF | riches.
CF |
CF | The thief creeps in from the east.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW says, "Can try both."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get take"
CF ] Casino Floor 7/273
CF | >
CF | > GET TAKE
CF |
CF | I extract the take intent from the thief.
CF |
CF | The thief picks the lock of the counting house door and slips through,
CF | gently closing it behind it.
CF |
CF | The guard continues to play the slots, intent on the false allure of
CF | riches.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "But I also think block requires the mirror to be successful."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get play"
CF ] Casino Floor 7/274
CF | >
CF | > GET PLAY
CF |
CF | I extract the play intent from the guard.
CF |
CF | The guard loafs idly.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Counting House 7/275
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Counting House
CF | Unlike the rest of the casino, this small room is refreshingly severe
CF | and empty. Bookshelves filled with identical logbooks line the
CF | windowless walls, occasionally broken up by racks of electronic
CF | equipment. The only exit is an imposing door to the south.
CF |
CF | An elaborate laser grid encloses a metal strongbox, which is sparkling
CF | with faint spiritual energy.
CF |
CF | The thief tinkers with the strongbox. Despite its obvious skill, its
CF | hand grazes one of the laser beams as it attempts to break inside. It
CF | hesitates briefly but, sweating nervously, continues its delicate
CF | work.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put block on thief"
CF ] Counting House 7/276
CF | >
CF | > PUT BLOCK ON THIEF
CF |
CF | I give the block intent to the thief, who now intends to block the
CF | door.
CF |
CF | The thief pushes a shelf against the door, blocking it from the
CF | inside.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "oh"
MoyTW says, "...huh."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Counting House 7/277
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | As the thief pokes at the strongbox, I hear muffled footsteps outside
CF | approaching the door. Something heavy collides with the door, but the
CF | bookshelves braced against it keep it closed. The thief continues its
CF | desperate lockpicking even as the bookcases shake under the force from
CF | the door. Eventually the thief succeeds, crying out triumphantly as it
CF | pries open the box and plucks a wad of banknotes from inside it. Its
CF | glee is short-lived, though, as the door flies open and a contingent
CF | of stone-faced security guards rushes in to seize it. While they
CF | search it, one member of the team splits off to inspect the open
CF | strongbox. It grabs the banknotes from the burglar and returns it to
CF | its former place of safekeeping, though I deftly fish out the codebook
CF | inside and lay it aside before the guard reseals the box. The same
CF | guard pauses to clear away the exit and move the bookshelves back into
CF | position. With the room now secure, the security detail hauls the
CF | thief outside and relocks the door. I pluck the intention from the
CF | thief as it leaves; judging from the guards' expressions, I don't
CF | think the thief will be of much use to me for quite a while.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW says, "Nice."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get codebook"
CF ] Counting House 9/278
CF | >
CF | > GET CODEBOOK
CF |
CF | I pick up the confidential codebook and page through it. A few of the
CF | code sequences from the communiqu�� are in it, and I decrypt some more
CF | of it:
CF |
CF | 42734 72880 of 46480. There is no 62628 73048 74615 in the 47576 45953
CF | has been 62029 31368 02666 and 63211 79260 67549 07135 14066 43999 is
CF | 03659 31802 08678 65629 67043 on the 85994
CF |
CF | [Your score has just gone up by two points.]
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "i"
CF ] Counting House 9/278
CF | >
CF | > I
CF |
CF | Intentions:
CF | the block intent
CF | the play intent
CF | the take intent
CF | the wait intent
CF | the explore intent
CF | the clean up intent
CF | the fold intent
CF |
CF | Codebooks:
CF | two confidential codebooks
CF |
CF | Other possessions:
CF | a detector
CF | an intercepted communiqu��
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Casino Floor 9/279
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Casino Floor
CF | The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a
CF | garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers
CF | calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
CF | the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to
CF | join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area
CF | of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.
CF |
CF | At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an
CF | imposing door.
CF |
CF | The guard is being distracted by the flashing games.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "That leaves the poker game. No idea how that one could play out though."
DavidW says, "It's also after 4, if that's an issue."
Knight_Otu says, "Also, got to take a quick break. If someone else wants to drive in the meantime..."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/280
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Poker Tables
CF | If the rest of the casino is a place of leisure, this lair is a place
CF | of business. Shark-faced humans in formal attire loom over tables
CF | playing some incomprehensible card game, accepting both wins and
CF | losses with aloof detachment. Aside from a desultory appreciative or
CF | sympathetic murmur from onlookers following a particularly involved
CF | hand, the room has the quiet intensity of an art museum. Whorls of
CF | cigarette smoke drift across the glaring lights overhead.
CF |
CF | The main area of the of the casino lies to the east.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the Knight_Otu says, "I can go for another hour."
CF | side.
CF |
CF | The card sharp is watching the other gamblers.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/281
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the play intent to the gambler, who now intends to play poker.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/282
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/283
CF | >
CF | > X SHARP
CF |
CF | A wily human wearing a green visor and a charcoal suit. It looks like
CF | it's been here for quite a while, and it watches the other gamblers
CF | with a predatory manner.
CF |
CF | The gambler cautiously throws another batch of chips into the pot.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW asks, "Which one of these are we trying to bankrupt?"
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/284
CF | >
CF | > X GAMBLER
CF |
CF | The well-dressed guest hovers around the poker tables with evident
CF | curiosity. It also carries an attach�� case that is sparkling with
CF | faint spiritual energy.
CF |
CF | The gambler has an intent to
CF | > PLAY
CF | poker.
CF |
CF | The gambler loses its nerve and folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the
CF | gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its
CF | total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "I'm not sure."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "l"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/284
CF | >
CF | > L
CF |
CF | Poker Tables
CF | If the rest of the casino is a place of leisure, this lair is a place
CF | of business. Shark-faced humans in formal attire loom over tables
CF | playing some incomprehensible card game, accepting both wins and
CF | losses with aloof detachment. Aside from a desultory appreciative or
CF | sympathetic murmur from onlookers following a particularly involved
CF | hand, the room has the quiet intensity of an art museum. Whorls of
CF | cigarette smoke drift across the glaring lights overhead.
CF |
CF | The main area of the of the casino lies to the east.
CF |
CF | The card sharp is watching the other gamblers.
CF |
CF | I can also see the gambler here.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW asks, "Well, I guess we just have to pick one. I doubt it's mean enough to make it unrecoverable if we pick the wrong one. Gambler?"
DavidW says, "There's a case here but I don't know whose it is."
MoyTW says, "I thought the case was the gambler's."
MoyTW says, "Since they're carrying it."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x case"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/285
CF | >
CF | > X CASE
CF |
CF | A thin, leather-bound case used for transporting private documents.
CF | It's more effective when onlookers can only see in three dimensions.
CF |
CF | The attach�� case is mystically sealed, presumably to protect its
CF | contents from the opposition. The barrier is also keeping me from
CF | accessing its contents, a confidential codebook, as long as it's
CF | closed.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | > DavidW asks, "Where does it say the gambler is carrying it?"
MoyTW asks, "x gambler?"
DavidW says, "ok, I see it now."
DavidW asks, "So we probably want to make the gambler lose?"
MoyTW says, "Yeah probably."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/286
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put wait on sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/287
CF | >
CF | > PUT WAIT ON SHARP
CF |
CF | I give the wait intent to the card sharp, who now vaguely intends to
CF | wait around idly.
CF |
CF | The gambler cautiously throws another batch of chips into the pot.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take wait"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/288
CF | >
CF | > TAKE WAIT
CF |
CF | I extract the wait intent from the card sharp.
CF |
CF | The gambler loses its nerve and folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the
CF | gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its
CF | total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | The card sharp looks around the room predatorily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/289
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/290
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the gambler thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put fold on sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/291
CF | >
CF | > PUT FOLD ON SHARP
CF |
CF | I give the fold intent to the card sharp, who now intends to fold in
CF | the poker game.
CF |
CF | The card sharp quickly folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes
CF | marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a
CF | bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/292
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take fold"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/293
CF | >
CF | > TAKE FOLD
CF |
CF | I extract the fold intent from the card sharp.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put clean up on sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/294
CF | >
CF | > PUT CLEAN UP ON SHARP
CF |
CF | I give the clean up intent to the card sharp, who now intends to clean
CF | up at poker.
CF |
CF | The gambler cautiously throws another batch of chips into the pot.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/295
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler loses its nerve and folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the
CF | gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its
CF | total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/296
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/297
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the gambler thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/298
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler raises. The card sharp scrutinizes its opponent's face for
CF | a moment, then tosses its cards onto the table.
CF |
CF | The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes
CF | marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a
CF | bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | The card sharp looks around the room predatorily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/299
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/300
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the gambler thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/301
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler raises. The card sharp stares at its opponent's face for a
CF | moment, then tosses its cards onto the table.
CF |
CF | The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes
CF | marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a
CF | bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | The card sharp looks at the bunch of unobservant, unwary gamblers in
CF | the casino optimistically.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x gamblers"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/301
CF | >
CF | > X GAMBLERS
CF |
CF | I don't see the gamblers here. They were on the casino floor.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Casino Floor 9/302
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Casino Floor
CF | The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a
CF | garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers
CF | calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
CF | the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to
CF | join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area
CF | of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.
CF |
CF | At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an
CF | imposing door.
CF |
CF | The guard is being distracted by the flashing games.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x gamblers"
CF ] Casino Floor 9/303
CF | >
CF | > X GAMBLERS
CF |
CF | Awash in an amorphous mass of greed and bedazzlement.
CF |
CF | The guard loafs idly.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put explore on gamblers"
CF ] Casino Floor 9/304
CF | >
CF | > PUT EXPLORE ON GAMBLERS
CF |
CF | The gamblers are too vague for me to manipulate. Crowds are more
CF | trouble than they're worth.
CF |
CF | The guard loafs idly.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/305
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Poker Tables
CF | If the rest of the casino is a place of leisure, this lair is a place
CF | of business. Shark-faced humans in formal attire loom over tables
CF | playing some incomprehensible card game, accepting both wins and
CF | losses with aloof detachment. Aside from a desultory appreciative or
CF | sympathetic murmur from onlookers following a particularly involved
CF | hand, the room has the quiet intensity of an art museum. Whorls of
CF | cigarette smoke drift across the glaring lights overhead.
CF |
CF | The main area of the of the casino lies to the east.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take clean"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/306
CF | >
CF | > TAKE CLEAN
CF |
CF | I extract the clean up intent from the card sharp.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the gambler thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put fold on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/307
CF | >
CF | > PUT FOLD ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the fold intent to the gambler, taking the play intent in
CF | exchange. It now intends to fold in the poker game.
CF |
CF | The gambler summarily folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the
CF | gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its
CF | total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/308
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the play intent to the gambler, taking the fold intent in
CF | exchange. It now intends to play poker.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/309
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put clean up on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/310
CF | >
CF | > PUT CLEAN UP ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the clean up intent to the gambler, taking the play intent in
CF | exchange. It now intends to clean up its act and avoid gambling.
CF |
CF | The gambler loses its nerve and folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the
CF | gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its
CF | total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "Back and caught up."
DavidW says, "put play on gambler"
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/311
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the play intent to the gambler, taking the clean up intent in
CF | exchange. It now intends to play poker.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/312
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/313
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler cautiously throws another batch of chips into the pot.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/314
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler loses its nerve and folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the
CF | gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its
CF | total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | The card sharp looks around the room predatorily.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "I want to have the gambler make a big bet, but I don't know how to do it."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "i"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/314
CF | >
CF | > I
CF |
CF | Intentions:
CF | the clean up intent
CF | the fold intent
CF | the wait intent
CF | the block intent
CF | the take intent
CF | the explore intent
CF |
CF | Codebooks:
CF | two confidential codebooks
CF |
CF | Other possessions:
CF | a detector
CF | an intercepted communiqu��
CF |
CF | > DavidW asks, "Should one of them explore?"
Knight_Otu says, "I'm not really seeing a possible intend, beyond maybe clean up? Butthat didn't seem last time..."
MoyTW asks, "Can't hurt?"
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put explore on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/315
CF | >
CF | > PUT EXPLORE ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the explore intent to the gambler, taking the play intent in
CF | exchange. It now intends to explore the poker tables without getting
CF | sucked in.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | The card sharp looks at the bunch of unobservant, unwary gamblers in
CF | the casino optimistically.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/316
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take explore"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/317
CF | >
CF | > TAKE EXPLORE
CF |
CF | I extract the explore intent from the gambler.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW says, "Oh right we got explore off the gambler in the first place."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put explore on sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/318
CF | >
CF | > PUT EXPLORE ON SHARP
CF |
CF | I give the explore intent to the card sharp, who now vaguely intends
CF | to explore.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/319
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take explore"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/320
CF | >
CF | > TAKE EXPLORE
CF |
CF | I extract the explore intent from the card sharp.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put clean up on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/321
CF | >
CF | > PUT CLEAN UP ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the clean up intent to the gambler, who now intends to clean up
CF | its act and avoid gambling.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | The card sharp looks at the bunch of unobservant, unwary gamblers in
CF | the casino optimistically.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put take on sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/322
CF | >
CF | > PUT TAKE ON SHARP
CF |
CF | I give the take intent to the card sharp, who now vaguely intends to
CF | take something.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/323
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the play intent to the gambler, taking the clean up intent in
CF | exchange. It now intends to play poker.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/324
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/325
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler cautiously throws another batch of chips into the pot.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/326
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler loses its nerve and folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the
CF | gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its
CF | total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take take"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/327
CF | >
CF | > TAKE TAKE
CF |
CF | I extract the take intent from the card sharp.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/328
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put wait on sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/329
CF | >
CF | > PUT WAIT ON SHARP
CF |
CF | I give the wait intent to the card sharp, who now vaguely intends to
CF | wait around idly.
CF |
CF | The gambler cautiously throws another batch of chips into the pot.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put clean up on sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/330
CF | >
CF | > PUT CLEAN UP ON SHARP
CF |
CF | I give the clean up intent to the card sharp, taking the wait intent
CF | in exchange. It now intends to clean up at poker.
CF |
CF | The gambler loses its nerve and folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the
CF | gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its
CF | total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | The card sharp sizes up its fellow players.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take clean"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/331
CF | >
CF | > TAKE CLEAN
CF |
CF | I extract the clean up intent from the card sharp.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/332
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "i"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/332
CF | >
CF | > I
CF |
CF | Intentions:
CF | the clean up intent
CF | the wait intent
CF | the take intent
CF | the explore intent
CF | the fold intent
CF | the block intent
CF |
CF | Codebooks:
CF | two confidential codebooks
CF |
CF | Other possessions:
CF | a detector
CF | an intercepted communiqu��
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put block on sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/333
CF | >
CF | > PUT BLOCK ON SHARP
CF |
CF | I give the block intent to the card sharp, who now vaguely intends to
CF | block.
CF |
CF | The gambler cautiously throws another batch of chips into the pot.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take block"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/334
CF | >
CF | > TAKE BLOCK
CF |
CF | I extract the block intent from the card sharp.
CF |
CF | The gambler loses its nerve and folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the
CF | gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its
CF | total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/335
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/336
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the gambler thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put fold on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/337
CF | >
CF | > PUT FOLD ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the fold intent to the gambler, taking the play intent in
CF | exchange. It now intends to fold in the poker game.
CF |
CF | The gambler abruptly folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the
CF | gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its
CF | total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/338
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the play intent to the gambler, taking the fold intent in
CF | exchange. It now intends to play poker.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/339
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put wait on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/340
CF | >
CF | > PUT WAIT ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the wait intent to the gambler, taking the play intent in
CF | exchange. It now vaguely intends to wait around idly.
CF |
CF | The gambler loses its nerve and folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the
CF | gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its
CF | total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "Hrm."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take wait"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/341
CF | >
CF | > TAKE WAIT
CF |
CF | I extract the wait intent from the gambler.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | > DavidW asks, "Ideas?"
MoyTW says, "Yeah I don't think it's a matter of repeating."
MoyTW asks, "Hmm, can we check our intents?"
DavidW asks, "Should I try to make the gambler win?"
DavidW says, "We can examine intents."
Knight_Otu says, "I'd guess it's a matter of sequencing, but I have no idea what the sequence would be."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x intents"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/341
CF | >
CF | > X INTENTS
CF |
CF | I don't see any intents here.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "i"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/341
CF | >
CF | > I
CF |
CF | Intentions:
CF | the wait intent
CF | the play intent
CF | the fold intent
CF | the block intent
CF | the clean up intent
CF | the take intent
CF | the explore intent
CF |
CF | Codebooks:
CF | two confidential codebooks
CF |
CF | Other possessions:
CF | a detector
CF | an intercepted communiqu��
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x wait"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/342
CF | >
CF | > X WAIT
CF |
CF | The abstract will-composite of the intention to wait.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "I'm gonna try and make the gambler win this time."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/343
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the play intent to the gambler, who now intends to play poker.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/344
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put fold on sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/345
CF | >
CF | > PUT FOLD ON SHARP
CF |
CF | I give the fold intent to the card sharp, who now intends to fold in
CF | the poker game.
CF |
CF | The card sharp abruptly folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes
CF | marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a
CF | bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | The card sharp sizes up its fellow players.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/345
CF | >
CF | > TAKE SHARP
CF |
CF | Unfortunately, as a spiritual being, I'm not equipped for manipulating
CF | physical objects that lack any spiritual aspect.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take fold"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/346
CF | >
CF | > TAKE FOLD
CF |
CF | I extract the fold intent from the card sharp.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/347
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the gambler thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put clean on sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/348
CF | >
CF | > PUT CLEAN ON SHARP
CF |
CF | I give the clean up intent to the card sharp, who now intends to clean
CF | up at poker.
CF |
CF | The gambler raises. The card sharp scrutinizes its opponent's face for
CF | a moment, then tosses its cards onto the table.
CF |
CF | The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes
CF | marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a
CF | bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take clean"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/349
CF | >
CF | > TAKE CLEAN
CF |
CF | I extract the clean up intent from the card sharp.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/350
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put clean on sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/351
CF | >
CF | > PUT CLEAN ON SHARP
CF |
CF | I give the clean up intent to the card sharp, who now intends to clean
CF | up at poker.
CF |
CF | The gambler cautiously throws another batch of chips into the pot.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put fold on sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/352
CF | >
CF | > PUT FOLD ON SHARP
CF |
CF | I give the fold intent to the card sharp, taking the clean up intent
CF | in exchange. It now intends to fold in the poker game.
CF |
CF | The card sharp quickly folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes
CF | marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a
CF | bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take fold"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/353
CF | >
CF | > TAKE FOLD
CF |
CF | I extract the fold intent from the card sharp.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/354
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put fold on sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/355
CF | >
CF | > PUT FOLD ON SHARP
CF |
CF | I give the fold intent to the card sharp, who now intends to fold in
CF | the poker game.
CF |
CF | The card sharp abruptly folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes
CF | marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a
CF | bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take fold"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/356
CF | >
CF | > TAKE FOLD
CF |
CF | I extract the fold intent from the card sharp.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/357
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put fold on sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/358
CF | >
CF | > PUT FOLD ON SHARP
CF |
CF | I give the fold intent to the card sharp, who now intends to fold in
CF | the poker game.
CF |
CF | The card sharp quickly folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes
CF | marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a
CF | bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | The card sharp looks around the room predatorily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take fold"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/359
CF | >
CF | > TAKE FOLD
CF |
CF | I extract the fold intent from the card sharp.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/360
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put fold on sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/361
CF | >
CF | > PUT FOLD ON SHARP
CF |
CF | I give the fold intent to the card sharp, who now intends to fold in
CF | the poker game.
CF |
CF | The card sharp abruptly folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes
CF | marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a
CF | bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "I don't think early folding is the way to victory, but I don't think the game goes much longer without it."
DavidW says, "I can't tell if I'm making any progress or not."
MoyTW says, "Yeah this is incredibly frustrating."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take fold"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/362
CF | >
CF | > TAKE FOLD
CF |
CF | I extract the fold intent from the card sharp.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/363
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put clean up on sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/364
CF | >
CF | > PUT CLEAN UP ON SHARP
CF |
CF | I give the clean up intent to the card sharp, who now intends to clean
CF | up at poker.
CF |
CF | The gambler cautiously throws another batch of chips into the pot.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "put fold on sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/365
CF | >
CF | > PUT FOLD ON SHARP
CF |
CF | I give the fold intent to the card sharp, taking the clean up intent
CF | in exchange. It now intends to fold in the poker game.
CF |
CF | The card sharp quickly folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes
CF | marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a
CF | bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/366
CF | >
CF | > X SHARP
CF |
CF | A wily human wearing a green visor and a charcoal suit. It looks like
CF | it's been here for quite a while, and it watches the other gamblers
CF | with a predatory manner.
CF |
CF | The card sharp has an intent to
CF | > FOLD
CF | in the poker game.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x money"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/366
CF | >
CF | > X MONEY
CF |
CF | I don't see the stacks of banknotes here. I last saw them in the
CF | strongbox in the laser grid at Counting House.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW asks, "Can I try driving?"
DavidW says, "sure"
MoyTW says (to ClubFloyd), "take all"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/367
CF | >
CF | > TAKE ALL
CF |
CF | play intent: I extract the play intent from the gambler.
CF | fold intent: I extract the fold intent from the card sharp.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the gambler thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
MoyTW says (to ClubFloyd), "x sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/368
CF | >
CF | > X SHARP
CF |
CF | A wily human wearing a green visor and a charcoal suit. It looks like
CF | it's been here for quite a while, and it watches the other gamblers
CF | with a predatory manner.
CF |
CF | The gambler raises. The card sharp studies its opponent's face for a
CF | moment, then tosses its cards onto the table.
CF |
CF | The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes
CF | marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a
CF | bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | >
MoyTW says (to ClubFloyd), "x gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/369
CF | >
CF | > X GAMBLER
CF |
CF | The well-dressed guest hovers around the poker tables with evident
CF | curiosity. It also carries an attach�� case that is sparkling with
CF | faint spiritual energy.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | The card sharp looks at the bunch of unobservant, unwary gamblers in
CF | the casino optimistically.
CF |
CF | >
MoyTW says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/370
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the play intent to the gambler, who now intends to play poker.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
MoyTW says (to ClubFloyd), "take all"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/371
CF | >
CF | > TAKE ALL
CF |
CF | play intent: I extract the play intent from the gambler.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the gambler thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
MoyTW says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/372
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler raises. The card sharp stares at its opponent's face for a
CF | moment, then tosses its cards onto the table.
CF |
CF | The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes
CF | marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a
CF | bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | >
MoyTW says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/373
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the play intent to the gambler, who now intends to play poker.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
MoyTW says (to ClubFloyd), "take all"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/374
CF | >
CF | > TAKE ALL
CF |
CF | play intent: I extract the play intent from the gambler.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the gambler thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
MoyTW says (to ClubFloyd), "put fold on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/375
CF | >
CF | > PUT FOLD ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the fold intent to the gambler, who now intends to fold in the
CF | poker game.
CF |
CF | The gambler quickly folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the
CF | gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its
CF | total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | The card sharp looks at the bunch of unobservant, unwary gamblers in
CF | the casino optimistically.
CF |
CF | >
MoyTW says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/376
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the play intent to the gambler, taking the fold intent in
CF | exchange. It now intends to play poker.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
MoyTW says (to ClubFloyd), "take all"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/377
CF | >
CF | > TAKE ALL
CF |
CF | play intent: I extract the play intent from the gambler.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
MoyTW says (to ClubFloyd), "i"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/377
CF | >
CF | > I
CF |
CF | Intentions:
CF | the play intent
CF | the fold intent
CF | the clean up intent
CF | the wait intent
CF | the block intent
CF | the take intent
CF | the explore intent
CF |
CF | Codebooks:
CF | two confidential codebooks
CF |
CF | Other possessions:
CF | a detector
CF | an intercepted communiqu��
CF |
CF | >
MoyTW says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/378
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON SHARP
CF |
CF | I give the play intent to the card sharp, who now intends to play
CF | poker for high stakes.
CF |
CF | The gambler loses its nerve and folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the
CF | gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its
CF | total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | >
MoyTW says (to ClubFloyd), "x chips"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/379
CF | >
CF | > X CHIPS
CF |
CF | With a game not currently in play, there aren't any chips being
CF | wagered.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | The card sharp looks at the bunch of unobservant, unwary gamblers in
CF | the casino optimistically.
CF |
CF | >
MoyTW says (to ClubFloyd), "take all"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/380
CF | >
CF | > TAKE ALL
CF |
CF | play intent: I extract the play intent from the card sharp.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | The card sharp looks around the room predatorily.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "oh, interesting about the high stakes part."
Knight_Otu says, "Yeah."
MoyTW says, "Yeah but it doesn't seem to change the "total money" thing."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/381
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the play intent to the gambler, who now intends to play poker.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
MoyTW says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/382
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | (first taking the play intent from the gambler)
CF | I give the play intent to the gambler, who now intends to play poker.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "Oops, sorry."
MoyTW says, "nah I'm good"
MoyTW says, "you go 'head"
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/383
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON SHARP
CF |
CF | (first taking the play intent from the gambler)
CF | I give the play intent to the card sharp, who now intends to play
CF | poker for high stakes.
CF |
CF | The gambler loses its nerve and folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the
CF | gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its
CF | total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW asks, "We don't have enough time to put something on both do we?"
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/384
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | (first taking the play intent from the card sharp)
CF | I give the play intent to the gambler, who now intends to play poker.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/385
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON SHARP
CF |
CF | (first taking the play intent from the gambler)
CF | I give the play intent to the card sharp, who now intends to play
CF | poker for high stakes.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/386
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler loses its nerve and folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the
CF | gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its
CF | total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | The card sharp looks around the room predatorily.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW asks, "Is there something we have that will make the gambler raise?"
Knight_Otu says, "Hm."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "i"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/386
CF | >
CF | > I
CF |
CF | Intentions:
CF | the fold intent
CF | the clean up intent
CF | the wait intent
CF | the block intent
CF | the take intent
CF | the explore intent
CF |
CF | Codebooks:
CF | two confidential codebooks
CF |
CF | Other possessions:
CF | a detector
CF | an intercepted communiqu��
CF |
CF | > MoyTW asks, "Clean up makes him not take to win...take does what?"
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put take on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/387
CF | >
CF | > PUT TAKE ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the take intent to the gambler, who now vaguely intends to take
CF | something.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on gambler and sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/387
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON GAMBLER AND SHARP
CF |
CF | I don't see any gambler and sharp here.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/388
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | (first taking the play intent from the card sharp)
CF | I give the play intent to the gambler, taking the take intent in
CF | exchange. It now intends to play poker.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW asks, "Maybe: 1. sharp has winning hand 2. sharp has "play" 3. gambler has [???] <- possibly take?"
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/389
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the card sharp thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/390
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON SHARP
CF |
CF | (first taking the play intent from the gambler)
CF | I give the play intent to the card sharp, who now intends to play
CF | poker for high stakes.
CF |
CF | The gambler loses its nerve and folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the
CF | gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its
CF | total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get play"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/391
CF | >
CF | > GET PLAY
CF |
CF | I extract the play intent from the card sharp.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | The card sharp sizes up its fellow players.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW asks, "What does "take" do on gambler when he's at the poker table?"
DavidW says, "dunno"
Knight_Otu says, "I suspect nothing, but we can try."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/392
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the play intent to the gambler, who now intends to play poker.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "we've never tried block at the poker game either."
MoyTW says, "oh, yeah."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put take on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/393
CF | >
CF | > PUT TAKE ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the take intent to the gambler, taking the play intent in
CF | exchange. It now vaguely intends to take something.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the gambler thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put block on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/394
CF | >
CF | > PUT BLOCK ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the block intent to the gambler, taking the take intent in
CF | exchange. It now vaguely intends to block.
CF |
CF | The gambler raises. The card sharp studies its opponent's face for a
CF | moment, then tosses its cards onto the table.
CF |
CF | The gambler happily takes the pile of chips from the table and becomes
CF | marginally richer. Despite its loss, the card sharp still has quite a
CF | bit of money remaining, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW exclaims, "Wait. A raise!"
DavidW says, "The gambler will raise if he thinks he's got a good hand."
Knight_Otu says, "The gambler had the better hand this time."
MoyTW says, "oh, drat."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/395
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the play intent to the gambler, taking the block intent in
CF | exchange. It now intends to play poker.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/396
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the gambler thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/397
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON SHARP
CF |
CF | (first taking the play intent from the gambler)
CF | I give the play intent to the card sharp, who now intends to play
CF | poker for high stakes.
CF |
CF | The gambler, awkwardly trying to suppress a smug grin, raises. The
CF | card sharp frowns and raises as well. The pile of chips on the table
CF | is now substantial.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW says, "...huh. Ok."
DavidW says, "oooo"
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put fold on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/398
CF | >
CF | > PUT FOLD ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the fold intent to the gambler, who now intends to fold in the
CF | poker game.
CF |
CF | The gambler abruptly folds.
CF |
CF | The gambler watches its opponent take the pile of chips. Despite the
CF | gambler's glum expression, the loss was only a small fraction of its
CF | total money, and it shows no indication of slowing down.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "Okay, probably too early."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get all"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/399
CF | >
CF | > GET ALL
CF |
CF | fold intent: I extract the fold intent from the gambler.
CF | play intent: I extract the play intent from the card sharp.
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | The card sharp looks at the bunch of unobservant, unwary gamblers in
CF | the casino optimistically.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW says, "I feel like we should save, but I bet we can get them to raise each other."
DavidW says, "probably shouldn't fold"
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/400
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the play intent to the gambler, who now intends to play poker.
CF |
CF | With evident trepidation, the gambler approaches the poker table and
CF | starts a game.
CF |
CF | The cards are dealt, and the gambler and the card sharp toss some
CF | chips onto the table and look at each other warily.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/401
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler and the card sharp study their cards intently. I don't
CF | know the details of the game, but based on its expression and bearing,
CF | the gambler thinks it has the better hand.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put play on sharp"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/402
CF | >
CF | > PUT PLAY ON SHARP
CF |
CF | (first taking the play intent from the gambler)
CF | I give the play intent to the card sharp, who now intends to play
CF | poker for high stakes.
CF |
CF | The gambler, putting its elbows on the table in a transparent attempt
CF | to appear nonchalant, raises. The card sharp hesitantly raises as
CF | well. The pile of chips on the table is now substantial.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/403
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler, twitching nervously, raises. The card sharp grimaces
CF | slightly and raises as well. The pile of chips on the table is now
CF | large.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW says, "I feel like we should save the game"
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "SAVE"
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "cf12"
CF | >
CF | > SAVE
CF | %% Enter a save filename to write:
CF ] Poker Tables 9/403
CF | > SAVEOk.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "z"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/404
CF | >
CF | > Z
CF |
CF | Time passes.
CF |
CF | The gambler, keeping its eyes resolutely on the table and its face
CF | expressionless, raises. It counts its stack of chips, looking
CF | worriedly at its briefcase, and then shoves both its pile of chips and
CF | the case into the center of the table. The look of careless
CF | malevolence it gives the card sharp is impressive even by the lofty
CF | standards of my kind; I'll have to remember it for my next
CF | departmental review. The card sharp is also impressed and hesitates,
CF | but ultimately raises as well.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu asks, "Now?"
DavidW says, "finally the case is in play."
MoyTW asks, "Yeah, probably put fold on gambler?"
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "put fold on gambler"
CF ] Poker Tables 9/405
CF | >
CF | > PUT FOLD ON GAMBLER
CF |
CF | I give the fold intent to the gambler, who now intends to fold in the
CF | poker game.
CF |
CF | The gambler summarily folds.
CF |
CF | The card sharp rakes in the chips from the table. As it attempts to
CF | grab the attach�� case, the gambler snaps it up and cradles it
CF | possessively. After a few very short words from a very tall security
CF | guard, it reluctantly hands over the case to its opponent. As the card
CF | sharp opens it up to examine its new prize, a codebook falls out onto
CF | the floor.
CF |
CF | >
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "get codebook"
CF ] Poker Tables 11/406
CF | >
CF | > GET CODEBOOK
CF |
CF | I pick up the confidential codebook and page through it. A few of the
CF | code sequences from the communiqu�� are in it, and I decrypt some more
CF | of it:
CF |
CF | Confirmed 72880 of 46480. There is no significant 73048 74615 in the
CF | 47576 45953 has been 62029 31368 02666 and 63211 79260 67549 07135
CF | 14066 43999 is 03659. We will 65629 67043 on the 85994
CF |
CF | The gambler looks longingly at a poker table but remains off to the
CF | side.
CF |
CF | [Your score has just gone up by two points.]
CF |
CF | > MoyTW says, "Okay. Wow that's a confusingly written puzzle."
Knight_Otu exclaims, "Finally!"
MoyTW says, "Yeah. Nice work."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "SAVE"
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "cf13"
CF | >
CF | > SAVE
CF | %% Enter a save filename to write:
CF ] Poker Tables 11/406
CF | > SAVEOk.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "I don't know what to do about the ice swan."
MoyTW says, "If we get the candle book and bell we can call a friend! But yeah I got no ideas."
MoyTW asks, "I feel like now is a reasonable stopping point?"
Knight_Otu says, "We'll need to find at least a bell and a candle. Who knows if the codebooks count for book."
DavidW asks, "Did we explore the hotel fully?"
MoyTW says, "Uh, I hope you've been mapping David 'cuz I ain't."
DavidW says, "I stopped mapping a while ago."
Knight_Otu says, "We didn't fully explore it. There was a crossroads and a stair that we haven't taken."
DavidW says, "I didn't map the hotel at all."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Casino Floor 11/407
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Casino Floor
CF | The center floor is a pandemonium of human activity. Machines flash a
CF | garish array of lights to beckon them closer, competing with barkers
CF | calling out the inscrutable results of their games. Crowds fed from
CF | the main entrance to the south swarm over the floor, peeling off to
CF | join games or just to socialize in the cacophony. A less crowded area
CF | of the floor lies to the west, and a hallway leads east.
CF |
CF | At the north end of the room, kept apart from the gaming tables, is an
CF | imposing door.
CF |
CF | The guard is being distracted by the flashing games.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Ballroom 11/408
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Ballroom
CF | This ballroom is a cavernous hall in which well-dressed humans are
CF | attacking the serious business of entertainment, conducting intrigues
CF | and little negotiations as they stomp across the parquet floor. A
CF | string quartet perched on a loggia running around the hall is tuning
CF | up as the crowd below them mingles. A breeze from the nearby sea
CF | occasionally rustles the curtains around the French doors leading
CF | outside to the east, but the room is still stuffy in the summer heat.
CF | The hall continues to the north, and the casino floor lies to the
CF | west.
CF |
CF | The musicians take the opportunity to drink some water.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Terrace 11/409
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Terrace
CF | This small area at the edge of the casino empties out onto a large,
CF | well-kept lawn. Decorative urns and uninspired statuary flank the
CF | casino entrance to the west, but the lawn is empty except for a few
CF | stands of bay trees. After the incessant commotion of the casino, it's
CF | remarkable in its unremarkableness. There's probably some sort of
CF | metaphor for humanity there; I just think it looks pretty.
CF |
CF | The cobblestones of the terrace continue in a sinuous path to the
CF | east. To the north, at the far end of the lawn, is a cluster of
CF | hedges.
CF |
CF | A marble bench sits near the edge of the lawn.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Colonnade 11/410
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Colonnade
CF | This cobblestone trail runs from the casino to the hotel on the
CF | complex. Box trees flank the path, interspersed with a variety of
CF | colorful ornamental plants I don't recognize. The hotel it leads to is
CF | a sprawling villa of orange bricks with towers sprouting around its
CF | perimeter. A stone archway leads east into the hotel, and the trail
CF | winds to the west.
CF |
CF | A shiny silver mirror hangs over the archway leading east.
CF |
CF | The waiter loafs in the corner.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Hotel Reception 11/411
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF | The detector blinks briefly, indicating that I've moved into a new
CF | region of the compound.
CF |
CF | Hotel Reception
CF | I'm at the hotel's reception, a small entryway with a gleaming marble
CF | floor and lamps made of dark green glass. The reception desk itself is
CF | a massive thing of oak, with a plush red carpet in front of it and a
CF | few potted chrysanthemums on top of it making it more inviting. A safe
CF | has been set into the wall behind it. A ceiling fan slowly spins above
CF | a passage farther into the hotel to the east. The exit from the hotel,
CF | flanked by ferns in massive clay pots, lies to the west.
CF |
CF | The hotel clerk stands behind the desk.
CF |
CF | The wealthy dowager is sitting in a plush leather chair.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "exits"
CF ] Hotel Reception 11/411
CF | >
CF | > EXITS
CF |
CF | From here, I can only go east and west.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "I'd think there should be a bell on the hotel desk, but I don't think there was."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x bell"
CF ] Hotel Reception 11/411
CF | >
CF | > X BELL
CF |
CF | I don't see any bell here.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "Oh, hey, exits works."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Hotel Lobby 11/412
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Hotel Lobby
CF | At the center of the hotel is this wide atrium, a plaza of orange
CF | brick dotted with flowerboxes and ornamental bushes. The ceiling of
CF | the lobby is made of glass, and so the sunset outside gives an
CF | unnatural hue to the hibiscus vines adorning the open doors to the
CF | south. Despite the location, it's mostly quiet here. Even the rattan
CF | chairs overlooking the garden to the east are empty.
CF |
CF | The hotel reception is to the west, and a corridor to the north leads
CF | deeper into the hotel.
CF |
CF | A gigantic ice sculpture of a swan sits prominently on a pedestal.
CF |
CF | A thermostat is located unobtrusively in a corner.
CF |
CF | The bellhop stands near the entrance, attempting to look professional.
CF |
CF | The guest shivers exaggeratedly.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "exits"
CF ] Hotel Lobby 11/412
CF | >
CF | > EXITS
CF |
CF | From here, I can only go north, south, east, and west.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Lounge 11/413
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Lounge
CF | The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to
CF | each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded
CF | newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready
CF | against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In
CF | addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of
CF | the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
CF | my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.
CF |
CF | The drunk burps loudly.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "exits"
CF ] Lounge 11/413
CF | >
CF | > EXITS
CF |
CF | From here, I can only go north, south, east, west, and up.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "Oh, I only saw the north exit."
Knight_Otu says, "From the sculpture."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Library 11/414
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Library
CF | Bookshelves line the walls of this small, wood-paneled room, mixing
CF | the smell of paper with that of cigarette smoke. There are some
CF | high-backed chairs arranged in front of the shelves, clustered around
CF | tables topped with small but bright wrought-iron lamps. A passageway,
CF | above which sits an oil painting of a tropical seascape, leads south.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x painting"
CF ] Library 11/415
CF | >
CF | > X PAINTING
CF |
CF | It's not a masterpiece, but it's a reasonably compelling and
CF | well-executed oil painting of a lagoon or beach. The puzzling thing is
CF | why the humans here want a modestly competent representation of a
CF | tropical seascape when there's a real one right outside. There's
CF | probably some sort of metaphor for humanity there; I just think it's a
CF | waste of the artist's time.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x books"
CF ] Library 11/416
CF | >
CF | > X BOOKS
CF |
CF | Various novels written by and for humans. As physical objects in the
CF | mortal realm, they're not even useful in summoning Whiptail.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "u"
CF ] Library 11/416
CF | >
CF | > U
CF |
CF | From here, I can only go south.
CF |
CF | > MoyTW asks, "...uh. So we need, like, a metaphorical book or something?"
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Lounge 11/417
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Lounge
CF | The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to
CF | each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded
CF | newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready
CF | against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In
CF | addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of
CF | the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
CF | my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.
CF |
CF | The drunk takes a swig from its bottle.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "A bible, typically, is the book."
Knight_Otu says (to ClubFloyd), "x trolley"
CF ] Lounge 11/418
CF | >
CF | > X TROLLEY
CF |
CF | Arrayed on the trolley are a variety of bottles and drinking
CF | implements.
CF |
CF | The drunk takes a swig from its bottle.
CF |
CF | > DavidW says, "The ritual is to ring a bell, close the book, and blow out the candle."
DavidW says, "At least in Zork."
MoyTW says, "Huh. Well, fair 'nuff."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Auction House 11/419
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Auction House
CF | Humans crowd this room, sitting nervously on folding chairs and
CF | clutching lorgnettes. They face a dais piled with paintings,
CF | furniture, and small sculptures, continually fed by humans in black
CF | uniforms carrying in works of art from a smaller room to the north.
CF | The rest of the room is starkly utilitarian, with bare walls and
CF | overly bright lights. A passage to the east leads back into the rest
CF | of the hotel.
CF |
CF | An auctioneer looks intently at potential bidders.
CF |
CF | A tourist considers bidding, but it decides against it.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x auctioneer"
CF ] Auction House 11/420
CF | >
CF | > X AUCTIONEER
CF |
CF | Grey-haired but with a voice like a megaphone.
CF |
CF | The auctioneer is holding a circlet.
CF |
CF | The auctioneer has an intent to
CF | > SELL
CF | the circlet.
CF |
CF | The auctioneer sets the circlet aside, unsold. One of the workers
CF | carries it back to the storage room to the north.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x circlet"
CF ] Auction House 11/420
CF | >
CF | > X CIRCLET
CF |
CF | I don't see the circlet here.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x tourist"
CF ] Auction House 11/421
CF | >
CF | > X TOURIST
CF |
CF | The tourist watches the auction keenly, its fingers twitching.
CF |
CF | The tourist has an intent to
CF | > BUY
CF | something impressive.
CF |
CF | One of the staffers hands the auctioneer a ring.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x ring"
CF ] Auction House 11/422
CF | >
CF | > X RING
CF |
CF | A simple golden ring. Humans are all over these sorts of things.
CF |
CF | The auctioneer solicits bids for the ring, naming a very high starting
CF | price.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Lounge 11/423
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Lounge
CF | The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to
CF | each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded
CF | newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready
CF | against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In
CF | addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of
CF | the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
CF | my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.
CF |
CF | The drunk takes a swig from its bottle.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x drunk"
CF ] Lounge 11/424
CF | >
CF | > X DRUNK
CF |
CF | The drunk has disheveled, stained clothes and an unpleasant odor. I'm
CF | not sure how it's managed to avoid getting kicked out of here by some
CF | sort of respectable environment operative.
CF |
CF | The drunk is holding a bottle of vodka.
CF |
CF | The drunk has an intent to
CF | > DRINK
CF | from a bottle of vodka.
CF |
CF | The drunk takes a swig from its bottle.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "There was a room to the north."
DavidW says, "Library"
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Art Gallery 11/425
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Art Gallery
CF | This gallery is a small, stark alcove adjoining the lounge to the
CF | west. The walls are bare and white, and the carpet is a deep brown. An
CF | exhibit at the far end of the room shows off a few brightly colored
CF | pieces of pottery, protected by a velvet rope in front of the display.
CF |
CF | A bell with a large crack is displayed on a plinth here.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "From the auction I mean."
DavidW asks, "oh?"
Knight_Otu says, "Oh, hello bell."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x bell"
CF ] Art Gallery 11/426
CF | >
CF | > X BELL
CF |
CF | According to the rushed briefing I had before the mission, this
CF | particular bell used to be part of a church that was on the property
CF | long before this chateau was built. It glows with a faint
CF | greenish-yellow light, presumably from accreted spiritual residue. In
CF | fact, the bell has enough of a presence in the spiritual realm for me
CF | to interact with it.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "ring bell"
CF ] Art Gallery 11/427
CF | >
CF | > RING BELL
CF |
CF | Not much use in the bell without the almanach and the candle.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "Yeah, the circlet was put back there."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "exits"
CF ] Art Gallery 11/427
CF | >
CF | > EXITS
CF |
CF | From here, I can only go west.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Lounge 11/428
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Lounge
CF | The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to
CF | each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded
CF | newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready
CF | against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In
CF | addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of
CF | the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
CF | my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.
CF |
CF | The drunk takes a swig from its bottle.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "w"
CF ] Auction House 11/429
CF | >
CF | > W
CF |
CF |
CF | Auction House
CF | Humans crowd this room, sitting nervously on folding chairs and
CF | clutching lorgnettes. They face a dais piled with paintings,
CF | furniture, and small sculptures, continually fed by humans in black
CF | uniforms carrying in works of art from a smaller room to the north.
CF | The rest of the room is starkly utilitarian, with bare walls and
CF | overly bright lights. A passage to the east leads back into the rest
CF | of the hotel.
CF |
CF | The auctioneer solicits bids for a circlet, naming a very high
CF | starting price.
CF |
CF | The tourist sits off to one side.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Storage Room 11/430
CF | >
CF | > N
CF |
CF |
CF | Storage Room
CF | An almost endless mass of crates, chests, and pallets fills this small
CF | room. They reach the ceiling, yet an array of humans in black uniforms
CF | manages to glide through narrow openings in the debris, shuttling
CF | items into the larger room to the south. There's no apparent
CF | organization to the clutter, or even visible labels on the various
CF | boxes, but the humans have no difficulty in finding whatever objects
CF | they're looking for.
CF |
CF | A large golden chest, glowing with spiritual energy, catches the eye
CF | off to one side.
CF |
CF | A picker listens to the auction in the next room, waiting for a new
CF | item to be needed.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x chest"
CF ] Storage Room 11/431
CF | >
CF | > X CHEST
CF |
CF | The chest is actually made of oak; its surface is covered in gold
CF | foil. It's glowing with spiritual energy.
CF |
CF | The golden chest is mystically sealed, presumably to protect its
CF | contents from the opposition. The barrier is also keeping me from
CF | accessing its contents, a secret codebook, as long as it's closed.
CF |
CF | The picker listens to the auction in the next room, waiting for a new
CF | item to be needed.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x picker"
CF ] Storage Room 11/432
CF | >
CF | > X PICKER
CF |
CF | A tall, wiry human that resembles a rodent.
CF |
CF | The picker has an intent to
CF | > SELECT
CF | something light for the auction.
CF |
CF | The picker listens to the auction in the next room, waiting for a new
CF | item to be needed.
CF |
CF | > Knight_Otu says, "Ah, codebook."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x boxes"
CF ] Storage Room 11/433
CF | >
CF | > X BOXES
CF |
CF | They're filled with human artifacts that are presumably valuable to
CF | them but worthless to me.
CF |
CF | The picker listens to the auction in the next room, waiting for a new
CF | item to be needed.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "exits"
CF ] Storage Room 11/433
CF | >
CF | > EXITS
CF |
CF | From here, I can only go south.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Auction House 11/434
CF | >
CF | > S
CF |
CF |
CF | Auction House
CF | Humans crowd this room, sitting nervously on folding chairs and
CF | clutching lorgnettes. They face a dais piled with paintings,
CF | furniture, and small sculptures, continually fed by humans in black
CF | uniforms carrying in works of art from a smaller room to the north.
CF | The rest of the room is starkly utilitarian, with bare walls and
CF | overly bright lights. A passage to the east leads back into the rest
CF | of the hotel.
CF |
CF | The auctioneer sets the circlet aside, unsold. One of the workers
CF | carries it back to the storage room to the north.
CF |
CF | The tourist sits off to one side.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "exits"
CF ] Auction House 11/434
CF | >
CF | > EXITS
CF |
CF | From here, I can only go north and east.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Lounge 11/435
CF | >
CF | > E
CF |
CF |
CF | Lounge
CF | The hotel's lounge is a maze of overstuffed leather chairs. Next to
CF | each one is a narrow table with an ashtray and an occasional discarded
CF | newspaper or magazine on it. A trolley with drinks sits at the ready
CF | against the far wall. Passages lie in all four cardinal directions. In
CF | addition, an ornate, sweeping staircase leads upward into the part of
CF | the hotel for guests. While the human guests are of little interest,
CF | my predecessor also kept a room here on one of the upper floors.
CF |
CF | The drunk takes a swig from its bottle.
CF |
CF | >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "u"
CF ] Hotel Room 11/436
CF | >
CF | > U
CF |
CF | I make my way to my predecessor's room, ignoring the frivolous rooms
CF | of the human guests.
CF |
CF | Hotel Room
CF | My predecessor, Krait, used this hotel room as a temporary base of
CF | operations for his role as chief of station. Of course, he had no use
CF | for its amenities. Thus the bed and dining table were both employed,
CF | judging from the papers scattered across them, as makeshift desks. A
CF | smaller but bona fide desk sits in the corner, with an artless
CF | landscape in watercolors hanging above it. The liquor cabinet lurks
CF | untouched in the corner, and the ashtray on top of it is completely </