AllThingsJacq.com - Interactive Fiction | ClubFloyd - April 13, 2025 - Marbles, D, and the Sinister Spotlight by Drew Cook


ToyShop & Floyditorium		#ClubFloyd Discussion


DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "load sleepmask marblesd"
CF \|
CF \|
CF \|
CF \|
CF \|
CF \|
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| [Picture number 30 here.]
CF \|
CF \| What is your primary method of interacting with this story?
CF \|
CF \| 1. Visual. I am reading printed words on a screen.
CF \|
CF \| 2. Auditory. I am using screen reader technology.
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1"
CF \| 2. Auditory. I am using screen reader technology.
CF \| Wherever this sign appears, paw at the keyboard to continue.
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| >^-^<
DavidW pushes the green 'space' button.
CF \| >^-^<
CF \|
CF \| What kind of screen are you looking at?
CF \|
CF \| 1. Full-sized. I am using a laptop or desktop computer.
CF \|
CF \| 2. Small. I am using a phone or some other kind of mobile
CF \| device.		Jacqueline says, "Maybe say small."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1"
CF \| device.
CF \| OK! That should be plenty of room.
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| Marbles, D, and the Sinister Spotlight features two modes of
CF \| play. Choose the one that matches the experience you want.
CF \|
CF \| 1. Standard: A default parser game experience.
CF \|
CF \| 2. Story: Experience the game as a readable story.		Jacqueline says, "Or ot."
		Jacqueline says, "er, not."
		DavidW asks, "hm?"
		Jacqueline says, "Oh, was just thinking about our line wrap."
		Jacqueline says, "But it'll probably be fine."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "1"
CF \| 2. Story: Experience the game as a readable story.
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| Welcome to standard mode! Marbles, D, and the Sinister
CF \| Spotlight will provide a traditional adventure game experience.
CF \|
CF \| >^-^<
DavidW pushes the green 'space' button.
CF \|
CF \|
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| Reading Advisory:
CF \| Marbles, D, and the Sinister Spotlight contains contains
CF \| long passages of contiguous text.
CF \|
CF \| Feline Advisory:
CF \| The protagonist of this work has no thumbs.
CF \|
CF \| >^-^<
DavidW pushes the green 'space' button.
CF \| >^-^<
CF \| "Gee whiz, Marbles! It feels like days since we left the Royal Museum
CF \| this morning! We barely got away from Frambozz the Adequate, and then
CF \| we had to cross the serpent-robins' grove! Thank goodness we've
CF \| reached this totally safe-looking, well-lit theater just a block away
CF \| from the Thriff Guild of Enchanters. If we hurry, we can still get
CF \| there in time for dinner with Guildmaster Fweep and his lemur
CF \| familiar, Loretta."
CF \|
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| >^-^<		Roger says, "oww my pancreas"
		Jacqueline says, "No one should ever say that anything is totally safe-looking."
		DavidW asks (of Roger), "Not enough sugar?"
		Roger says, "far too much"
DavidW pushes the green 'space' button.
CF \| >^-^<
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| Marbles, D, and the Sinister Spotlight
CF \| A new What-Do-I-Do-Now story by Drew Cook
CF \| Release 0 / Serial number 250329 / Inform 7 v10.1.2
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| D pulled us through a small trapdoor at the top of a ladder and set
CF \| his backpack (with me in it) on a flat, hard surface. I've been around
CF \| humans my whole life, so take it from me: people love hard, flat
CF \| surfaces.
CF \|
CF \| "It's called a stage, Marbles! Remember how I used to see
CF \| puppet shows at the library? It's like that, only bigger. Y'know, I
CF \| wonder: did the library stop having puppet shows, or did mom just stop
CF \| taking me? I guess it's the same either way."
CF \|
CF \| >^-^<		Roger says, "but I'll power through"
DavidW pushes the green 'space' button.
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage * - Exit Doors
CF ] & the
CF ]
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| [Picture number 34 here.]
CF \|
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| Prologue
CF \| A Locked Door in the Dark
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| Center Stage
CF \| If I were the type to get scared—I'm not!—I might have been a
CF \| little
CF \| scared of this place. Something smelled off: familiar, but not in a
CF \| good way. D was already headed SOUTH toward a set of doors at
CF \| the other end of the building.
CF \|
CF \| Who knows what sort of trouble D might get into? I decided to
CF \| FOLLOW HIM (unless I got busy, of course. We cats are a busy
CF \| lot).
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x me"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage * - Exit Doors
CF ] & the
CF ]
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > X ME
CF \|
CF \| Black fur, white locket.
CF \| Agile, brave.
CF \| Likes: fish, carpet.
CF \| Dislikes: loud noises, adult humans.
CF \| Adventurer and friend.
CF \| It was I, Marbles.
CF \|
CF \| Off to the SOUTH, I saw D reach for the doors, then gave them a
CF \| good shake.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "follow d"
CF \| >
CF \| > FOLLOW D
CF \|
CF \| (my human boy, D)
CF \| I decided to chase down D right away.
CF \|
CF \| Auditorium
CF \| An open area filled with human-sized chairs, halfway between the stage
CF \| to the NORTH and the exit to the theater. That exit—D's
CF \| location—was just SOUTH of there.
CF \|
CF \| I headed in D's direction.
CF \|
CF \| Main Entrance
CF \| There wasn't much there except for a pair of big metal doors and, off
CF \| to one side, a ladder leading up to a platform of some kind. While D
CF \| was focused on the door, I was more worried about the darkness. It
CF \| just isn't safe for human children to be in the dark!
CF \|
CF \| Just to the right of the door was what humans call a "light switch."
CF \|
CF \| >^-^<
DavidW pushes the green 'space' button.
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage - Exit Doors
CF ] - Auditorium & the - Auditorium
CF \| Seats
CF ] - Main Entrance * - Light Switch
CF ] Sinister Spotlight - Miznian
CF \| Ladder
CF \|
CF \| === CAT NEWS NETWORK ===
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| In our adventures together, D and I often discussed landmarks and
CF \| situations. If there was something I wanted to tell D about, I could
CF \| just MEOW AT [that thing]. For instance, to call D's attention
CF \| to the doors, I would simply...
CF \|
CF \| MEOW AT THE DOORS
CF \|
CF \| A successful adventurer knows how to communicate effectively!
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| === CAT NEWS NETWORK ===
CF \|
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| D rattled the handles on the large, double doors. "Marbles! It's
CF \| locked!"
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "meow at switch"
CF \| >
CF \| > MEOW AT SWITCH
CF \|
CF \| I told D about the light switch. "Good point, Marbles! I guess I was
CF \| too focused on the door to notice that switch." He flipped it, and the
CF \| entire theater lit up immediately. Even at a distance, we could
CF \| clearly make out the contents of center stage. They included a black
CF \| box large enough to hold one or more humans with sides that seemed to
CF \| waver and ripple.
CF \|
CF \| "Wow, Marbles, there's something weird about that box! Since these
CF \| doors are locked, we might as well have a look at it."
CF \|
CF \| >^-^<
DavidW pushes the green 'space' button.
CF \| >^-^<
CF \|
CF \| ACT ONE
CF \| A Box Full of Nothing
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| === CAT NEWS NETWORK ===
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| Getting Around
CF \|
CF \| In a large, open area, I could usually see or interact with things
CF \| from a distance. If I wanted to travel to the stage, it was enough to
CF \| GO TO CENTER STAGE.
CF \|
CF \| If I wanted to interact with or examine distant objects, I just had to
CF \| say so:
CF \|
CF \| MEOW AT THE BOX (whether the box was nearby or not).
CF \| GO TO THE BOX.
CF \| EXAMINE THE BOX (since the box was visible from a distance, I
CF \| would describe it as it appeared to me from where I stood).
CF \|
CF \| Do you see that broad, dark band at the top of the screen? Even though
CF \| it was full of people writing, I could tell that it contained some
CF \| good places and things for cats to investigate. It changed whenever I
CF \| made progress in my adventure, so I decided to keep a close eye on it!
CF \|
CF \| Note that the "Important Landmarks" were not the only objects I
CF \| could interact with! It might pay to explore, especially if I wanted
CF \| to increase my cat ranking.
CF \|
CF \| I could also FOLLOW D or GO TO D, naturally.
CF \| Someone had to keep an eye on him!
CF \|
CF \| If I ever needed to review this information, I could request
CF \| HELP.
CF \|
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| === CAT NEWS NETWORK ===
CF \|
CF \| >^-^<		Jacqueline nods.
DavidW pushes the green 'space' button.
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Main Entrance * - Box
CF ] - Auditorium & the - Auditorium
CF \| Seats
CF ] - Center Stage
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| Main Entrance
CF \| This open space had only two notable features. The first, a pair of
CF \| large doors, prevented us from leaving the theater. Is there any more
CF \| obnoxious human invention than the door? Nearby, an unclimbable ladder
CF \| reached upward.
CF \|
CF \| The auditorium was just NORTH of there.
CF \|
CF \| Off in the distance, I could see D passing through the auditorium on
CF \| his way to center stage.
CF \|
CF \| >		DavidW says, "sorry, I was also making notes"
		Jacqueline says, "Zero worries - I was behind there for a while. Was nodding only because I'd finally caught up."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "follow d"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Main Entrance - Box
CF ] - Auditorium & the - Auditorium
CF \| Seats
CF ] - Center Stage * - Dinosaur
CF ] Sinister Spotlight - Catalog
CF \| Car
CF \|
CF \| > FOLLOW D
CF \|
CF \| (D, a small person)
CF \| I wanted to see what D was up to.
CF \|
CF \| Auditorium
CF \| The auditorium was a large space filled with human-sized chairs
CF \| arranged in neat, little rows. A narrow aisle ran down the middle,
CF \| reaching from the exit doors (SOUTH) to the front of the stage
CF \| (NORTH).
CF \|
CF \| According to D, humans sat in these chairs while watching something
CF \| called a "show."
CF \|
CF \| I decided to chase down D right away.
CF \|
CF \| Center Stage
CF \| Now that the lights were on, I could see the whole scope of the
CF \| clutter here. That place was even messier than D's room! A large,
CF \| conspicuous box hunkered at the stage's center, and all clutter had
CF \| been cleared away from it.
CF \|
CF \| There were some rather curious items onstage: a big fake dinosaur, for
CF \| instance, and a Sears catalog car. And what of that imminently
CF \| scratchable stepladder? An active and curious cat would have no
CF \| trouble staying busy here!
CF \|
CF \| Having arrived at center stage, D knelt beside the box and examined it
CF \| carefully.
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x box"
CF \| >
CF \| > X BOX
CF \|
CF \| The box wasn't black. It was... it was like it was filled with
CF \| black somehow. I was curious, as any self-respecting cat might
CF \| be, but I was also suspicious of it. It had a sort of damp scent to
CF \| it, an animal smell.
CF \|
CF \| D bent down beside the box. "Wow, Marbles, will you look at this
CF \| little plaque on the side? It reads 'Frobozz Magic Gruequarium
CF \| Company!'" He took a cautious step back. "You don't suppose there's a
CF \| grue in there, do you?" He took another step away from what now seemed
CF \| to be a giant, magical fish tank.
CF \|
CF \| >^-^<		DavidW says, "yikes"
DavidW pushes the green 'space' button.
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage * - Auditorium Seats
CF ] - Auditorium & the - Stepladder
CF ] - Main Entrance - Dinosaur
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| ACT TWO
CF \| A Shape in the Dark
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| Center Stage
CF \| The stage was mostly filled with junk and clutter, but a large space
CF \| had been cleared out for the Gruequarium. I wondered if we were safe,
CF \| trapped here in the theater with it.
CF \|
CF \| D looked at me. "Marbles, if we can't open the doors, we should at
CF \| least make sure we're safe here. Why don't you explore the theater
CF \| while I investigate here?"
CF \|
CF \| The Auditorium was just SOUTH of the stage.
CF \|
CF \| Curiosities filled the stage: the large dinosaur, the Sears catalog
CF \| car, and the wooden stepladder all stood nearby.
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| === CAT NEWS NETWORK ===
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| Cat Behavior and Cat Excellence
CF \|
CF \| I'm a cat, obviously, and a rather impressive one at that. I'm sure
CF \| you agree!
CF \|
CF \| To maintain my skills and status, I needed to do the things that cats
CF \| do. Some cat behaviors are performed for their own sake, while some
CF \| help D and me with our adventures.
CF \|
CF \| Most of these were just for fun! I didn't need to tire myself out
CF \| trying everything on everything.
CF \|
CF \| MEOW AT [something]: talk to D about something.
CF \| SCRATCH [something]: use my natural weaponry.
CF \| BITE [something]: give something a light fanging.
CF \| HISS AT [something]: express my displeasure.
CF \| GROOM [something]: try to improve or maintain appearances.
CF \| MARK [something]: apply my appealing feline scent; assert
CF \| ownership.
CF \| JUMP TO [something]: jump on something that can bear my weight.
CF \| PAW [something]: give something a little slap. Usually but not
CF \| always playful.
CF \| SMELL: smell the general area.
CF \| SMELL [something]: smell something specific.
CF \| LISTEN: listen to the general area.
CF \| LISTEN TO [something]: listen to something specific.
CF \|
CF \| If acts of feline fundamentals do not advance a story, then they count
CF \| as practice. Practice increased my cat ranking, so I needed to be
CF \| diligent!
CF \|
CF \| I could check my progress at any time with the SCORE command.
CF \|
CF \| D says that there is more information in the HELP system, but
CF \| that they might contain light spoilers. I don't know what that means!
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| === CAT NEWS NETWORK ===
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| >		Roger says, "woo time to pee all over everything"
		Jacqueline says, "Roger, I feel like you're on the wrong channel, maybe."
		DavidW says, "> mark zorkerburg"
Jacqueline says (to ClubFloyd), "groom"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage * - Auditorium Seats
CF ] - Auditorium & the - Stepladder
CF ] - Main Entrance - Dinosaur
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > GROOM
CF \|
CF \| There were too many things I could groom in that moment. It was hard
CF \| to decide.
CF \|
CF \| >
Jacqueline says (to ClubFloyd), "groom paw"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage * - Auditorium Seats
CF ] - Auditorium & the - Stepladder
CF ] - Main Entrance - Dinosaur
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > GROOM PAW
CF \|
CF \| I apologize if I have overlooked something, but I can't see that right
CF \| now.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "smell"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage * - Auditorium Seats
CF ] - Auditorium & the - Stepladder
CF ] - Main Entrance - Dinosaur
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > SMELL
CF \|
CF \| Center stage smelled of old human socks, wet dog, and, somehow, a kind
CF \| of stillness.
CF \|
CF \| I have—rather impressively—fulfilled a feline duty! I could
CF \| review
CF \| my progress with the SCORE command.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "score"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage * - Auditorium Seats
CF ] - Auditorium & the - Stepladder
CF ] - Main Entrance - Dinosaur
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > SCORE
CF \|
CF \| ======
CF \| Report Card for Marbles!
CF \|
CF \| ✖ Meowing: 0
CF \| ✖ Scratching: 0
CF \| ✖ Biting: 0
CF \| ✖ Hissing: 0
CF \| ✖ Grooming: 0
CF \| ✖ Marking: 0
CF \| ✖ Jumping: 0
CF \| ✖ Pawing: 0
CF \| ✖ Purring: 0
CF \| ✔ Smelling: 1
CF \| ✖ Listening: 0
CF \|
CF \| ✖ Total Points: 1
CF \|
CF \| Your current grade is:
CF \| PASSING!
CF \|
CF \| To progress to the next grade, earn at least one point in four
CF \| disciplines.
CF \| ======
CF \|
CF \| >		Jacqueline asks, "So it's like my one cat who feels compelled to lick everyone? Groom is for other objects/people?"
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x dinosaur"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage * - Auditorium Seats
CF ] - Auditorium & the - Stepladder
CF ] - Main Entrance - Dinosaur
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > X DINOSAUR
CF \|
CF \| The dinosaur was big compared to me or D, it wasn't big for a
CF \| dinosaur. How did I know? D and I discussed dinosaurs all the time! It
CF \| had long, fake teeth and a back like a staircase.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "jump on it"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage * - Auditorium Seats
CF ] - Auditorium & the - Stepladder
CF ] - Main Entrance - Dinosaur
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > JUMP ON IT
CF \|
CF \| I thought that I could reach the top of the dinosaur easily, but it
CF \| didn't look very comfortable up there.
CF \|
CF \| "Gosh!" D exclaimed, kneeling beside the box.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "bite it"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage * - Auditorium Seats
CF ] - Auditorium & the - Stepladder
CF ] - Main Entrance - Dinosaur
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > BITE IT
CF \|
CF \| The dinosaur was too hard for me to pierce with my fangs and had, I
CF \| felt certain, an unappealing taste.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "scratch stepladder"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage * - Auditorium Seats
CF ] - Auditorium & the - Stepladder
CF ] - Main Entrance - Dinosaur
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > SCRATCH STEPLADDER
CF \|
CF \| The stepladder looked fit for some cat business, and not much else
CF \| besides. But really, isn't cat business the best and truest sort of
CF \| business?
CF \|
CF \| D stood on his toes and craned his neck, hoping to see the tank from
CF \| another angle.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x it"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage * - Auditorium Seats
CF ] - Auditorium & the - Stepladder
CF ] - Main Entrance - Dinosaur
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > X IT
CF \|
CF \| A sturdy-looking stepladder stood near the Frobozzco Magic
CF \| Gruequarium. It looked suitable for a great many cat-specific
CF \| activities.
CF \|
CF \| D stared into the murk of the tank, but my guess is that he couldn't
CF \| see anything there.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "jump on it"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage * - Auditorium Seats
CF ] - Auditorium & the - Stepladder
CF ] - Main Entrance - Dinosaur
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > JUMP ON IT
CF \|
CF \| The stepladder looked fit for some cat business, and not much else
CF \| besides. But really, isn't cat business the best and truest sort of
CF \| business?
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "hiss at dinosaur"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage * - Auditorium Seats
CF ] - Auditorium & the - Stepladder
CF ] - Main Entrance - Dinosaur
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > HISS AT DINOSAUR
CF \|
CF \| I'm sure that a dinosaur in the wild would have been upsetting to see,
CF \| but I may have been overreacting to what seemed a very docile reptile.
CF \|
CF \| I have—rather impressively—fulfilled a feline duty! I could
CF \| review
CF \| my progress with the SCORE command.
CF \|
CF \| >
Jacqueline says (to ClubFloyd), "meow at stepladder"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage * - Auditorium Seats
CF ] - Auditorium & the - Stepladder
CF ] - Main Entrance - Dinosaur
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > MEOW AT STEPLADDER
CF \|
CF \| The stepladder looked fit for some cat business, and not much else
CF \| besides. But really, isn't cat business the best and truest sort of
CF \| business?
CF \|
CF \| D moved slowly away from the box, eyeing it suspiciously. "Don't
CF \| worry, Marbles," he called out, "I'll keep an eye on things here. I
CF \| won't let anything sneak out of that box."
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x seats"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage * - Auditorium Seats
CF ] - Auditorium & the - Stepladder
CF ] - Main Entrance - Dinosaur
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > X SEATS
CF \|
CF \| (from a distance)
CF \| There were an incredible number of seats there, probably twenty at
CF \| least! I had a hard time imagining so many people in one place all at
CF \| once. There was something else to them, though. Perhaps a more
CF \| thorough investigation is in order.
CF \|
CF \| >		Jacqueline says, "There is so much grew foreshadowing."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "go to seats"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage - Auditorium Seats
CF ] - Auditorium * & the - Stepladder
CF ] - Main Entrance - Dinosaur
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > GO TO SEATS
CF \|
CF \| (the auditorium, location of the auditorium seats)
CF \| I began to make my way to the auditorium.
CF \|
CF \| Auditorium
CF \| The auditorium was a large, open area filled with human chairs. From
CF \| the aisleway , I could see the stage to the NORTH and the main
CF \| entrance to the SOUTH.
CF \|
CF \| I gave the air a little sniff. Cats are highly capable when it comes
CF \| to the art of smell. Everyone knows that.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "smell"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage - Auditorium Seats
CF ] - Auditorium * & the - Stepladder
CF ] - Main Entrance - Dinosaur
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > SMELL
CF \|
CF \| The auditorium was filled with human smells. There were so many
CF \| different scents: food, clothes, sweat, and more besides. It was
CF \| enough to make any cat curious, but I didn't immediately sense
CF \| anything that would be of use... no, wait! There was something among
CF \| the chairs, something worth a second sniff.
CF \|
CF \| Off to the SOUTH, D stood on his toes, perhaps to view the
CF \| "Gruequarium" from a different angle.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "smell"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage - Auditorium Seats
CF ] - Auditorium * & the - Stepladder
CF ] - Main Entrance - Dinosaur
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > SMELL
CF \|
CF \| The auditorium was filled with human smells. There were so many
CF \| different scents: food, clothes, sweat, and more besides. It was
CF \| enough to make any cat curious, but I didn't immediately sense
CF \| anything that would be of use... no, wait! There was something among
CF \| the chairs, something worth a second sniff.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "smell chairs"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage - Bag
CF ] - Auditorium * & the - Auditorium
CF \| Seats
CF ] - Main Entrance - Dinosaur
CF ] Sinister Spotlight - Stepladder
CF \|
CF \| > SMELL CHAIRS
CF \|
CF \| I followed the strange, animal smell into the mazy human thicket of
CF \| the theater's seating. Despite many baffling turns, a cat's nose is
CF \| never fooled! Soon, I found my prey: a plastic bag with two spooky,
CF \| yellow (yes, we cats see yellow just fine!) eyes printed on one side.
CF \| Some human letters were etched below them.
CF \|
CF \| Holding the bag with my teeth, I dragged it out into the aisleway.
CF \|
CF \| The mystery of the chairs had been solved! "Not bad," I thought,
CF \| licking my paw.
CF \|
CF \| D looked out at the auditorium, as if to judge what an audience could
CF \| or could not see from their seats.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x bag"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage - Bag
CF ] - Auditorium * & the - Auditorium
CF \| Seats
CF ] - Main Entrance - Dinosaur
CF ] Sinister Spotlight - Stepladder
CF \|
CF \| > X BAG
CF \|
CF \| I had solved the mystery of the seats, but a new mystery had taken its
CF \| place: what might be in the bag? This small, flimsy container had been
CF \| shaped from what humans call "plastic."It was decorated with a drawing
CF \| of large, yellow eyes over a dark background. I could tell that there
CF \| was something inside, but I wasn't sure what it was. It was a
CF \| tantalizing mystery!
CF \|
CF \| I didn't care for the way those yellow eyes stared up at me. They were
CF \| asking for a good BITE.
CF \|
CF \| D circled the tank, looking for clues.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "bite eyes"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage - Bag
CF ] - Auditorium * & the - Auditorium
CF \| Seats
CF ] - Main Entrance - Dinosaur
CF ] Sinister Spotlight - Stepladder
CF \|
CF \| > BITE EYES
CF \|
CF \| (instead biting the bag)
CF \| I admit it; I sometimes enjoy the mouth feel of fangs through thin
CF \| plastic. Is that so wrong?
CF \|
CF \| I have—rather impressively—fulfilled a feline duty! I could
CF \| review
CF \| my progress with the SCORE command.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "take bag"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage - Bag
CF ] - Auditorium * & the - Auditorium
CF \| Seats
CF ] - Main Entrance - Dinosaur
CF ] Sinister Spotlight - Stepladder
CF \|
CF \| > TAKE BAG
CF \|
CF \| I thought the bag was fine where it was. What I really needed was help
CF \| finding out what was inside! The mystery was making me a little crazy.
CF \|
CF \| Back at the stage, D stood several feet away from the box, watching it
CF \| intently.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "meow at bag"
CF \| >
CF \| > MEOW AT BAG
CF \|
CF \| "Hang on, Marbles!" D called out, bounding down the stairs. "What is
CF \| it? Did you find something?" He knelt down beside me, and I pawed at
CF \| the plastic bag. "Well, I'll be!" D said, picking up the bag. "Those
CF \| eyes sure are spooky!"
CF \|
CF \| D reached into the bag and pulled out a folded piece of paper with
CF \| pictures and letters on it. "It's a flyer of some kind:
CF \|
CF \| "Witness the unbelievable, the inconceivable, the thrill of danger
CF \| and the bedazzlement of spectacle!
CF \|
CF \| "Become one of a select few who have seen a grue and lived to tell
CF \| the tale! Only at Quendor's first and only... CIRCUS OF THE GRUES!
CF \|
CF \| "...There's also... ew! Marbles, this packet," he held a plastic
CF \| packet by one corner, "is squishy and... warm? The label says 'Grue
CF \| Treats'. Ick! I don't even want to guess what a grue treat is."
CF \|
CF \| He reached into the bag once more. "Oh, wow. There are also some
CF \| glasses... hey, there's a cat-sized pair as well! It says here that
CF \| they are 'grue-sensitive eyeglasses.' Hm, how do you think they work?"
CF \| He tried on the human-sized pair, then put the cat-sized glasses on
CF \| for me.
CF \|
CF \| >^-^<
DavidW pushes the green 'space' button.
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage - Grue
CF ] - Auditorium * & the - Gruemobile
CF ] - Main Entrance - Gruequarium
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| ACT THREE
CF \| Introductions
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| Auditorium
CF \| The auditorium was a place for humans to sit while watching The Circus
CF \| of the Grues. What an eccentric species! A carpeted aisle ran down the
CF \| middle of the space.
CF \|
CF \| I could return to the stage by going NORTH, and the main
CF \| entrance was to the SOUTH.
CF \|
CF \| A bag, which had something to do with The Circus of the Grues,
CF \| lay empty in the aisle.
CF \|
CF \| D closely examined the flyer. "Wow, a grue circus featuring Baby
CF \| Gruecilla, the Marvelous Gruemobile, and Her Fearsome Family!" D
CF \| whistled—whistling was one of his many impressive skills—"That must
CF \| have been some show."
CF \|
CF \| >		Jacqueline asks, "Look at the box while wearing the glasses?"
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x box"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage - Grue
CF ] - Auditorium * & the - Gruemobile
CF ] - Main Entrance - Gruequarium
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > X BOX
CF \|
CF \| (from a distance)
CF \| Just as I was about to start examining the Gruequarium, I froze. There
CF \| was something moving inside of the Gruequarium! It was like a reverse
CF \| shadow: a white, human-shaped thing in the darkness! I say it was
CF \| human-shaped, but its movements were not human. The thing had a
CF \| strange bendiness to it, and it seemed to wriggle and sidle and
CF \| scootch back and forth in the tank, as if searching for a way out.
CF \|
CF \| Was this the magic of the grue-sensitive glasses? And, if so, was I
CF \| looking at...
CF \|
CF \| ...a grue?
CF \|
CF \| >		Jacqueline says, "Whoa"
		Roger says, "I feel confident asserting that cats can naturally see grues"
		Jacqueline says, "You'd think, yeah."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "listen"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage - Grue
CF ] - Auditorium * & the - Gruemobile
CF ] - Main Entrance - Gruequarium
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > LISTEN
CF \|
CF \| The area was quiet, though a faint gurgling could be heard nearby.
CF \|
CF \| Remarkable! I have advanced in rank. Admire my progress via the
CF \| SCORE command.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "score"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage - Grue
CF ] - Auditorium * & the - Gruemobile
CF ] - Main Entrance - Gruequarium
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > SCORE
CF \|
CF \| ======
CF \| Report Card for Marbles!
CF \|
CF \| ✖ Meowing: 0
CF \| ✖ Scratching: 0
CF \| ✔ Biting: 1
CF \| ✔ Hissing: 1
CF \| ✖ Grooming: 0
CF \| ✖ Marking: 0
CF \| ✖ Jumping: 0
CF \| ✖ Pawing: 0
CF \| ✖ Purring: 0
CF \| ✔ Smelling: 1
CF \| ✔ Listening: 1
CF \|
CF \| ✖ Total Points: 4
CF \|
CF \| Your current grade is:
CF \| OUTSTANDING!
CF \|
CF \| To progress to the next grade, earn at least two points in four
CF \| disciplines.
CF \| ======
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage * - Grue
CF ] - Auditorium & the - Gruemobile
CF ] - Main Entrance - Gruequarium
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > N
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| Center Stage
CF \| The stage was as flat and hard as ever, and yet it had changed a great
CF \| deal.
CF \|
CF \| Curiosities filled the stage: the large dinosaur, the Sears catalog
CF \| car, and the wooden stepladder all stood nearby.
CF \|
CF \| A white shape wriggled within the darkness of the Gruequarium.
CF \|
CF \| I looked in D's direction. He remained fascinated by the contents of
CF \| the flyer. "How do you suppose they saw the grues? They couldn't have
CF \| done a bunch of tricks if they were stuck in that tank."
CF \|
CF \| >		Jacqueline says, "We have totally meowed at things. I feel robbed."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "hiss at grue"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage * - Grue
CF ] - Auditorium & the - Gruemobile
CF ] - Main Entrance - Gruequarium
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > HISS AT GRUE
CF \|
CF \| (the white shape)
CF \| Even though the white shape was trapped in the Gruequarium, I did not
CF \| wish to provoke her.
CF \|
CF \| Back in the auditorium area, D held the flyer close to his face,
CF \| hoping to get a closer look at a picture.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "meow at box"
CF \| >
CF \| > MEOW AT BOX
CF \|
CF \| D looked up from the flyer. "Huh? Oh, would you look at that!" he
CF \| said, looking at the Gruequarium and its contents. "What do you
CF \| suppose that is?" And with that, he started jogging toward the stage.
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| [Picture number 38 here.]
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| >^-^<
DavidW pushes the green 'space' button.
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage * - Miznian Ladder
CF ] - Auditorium & the
CF ] - Main Entrance
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| ACT FOUR
CF \| Marbles, D, and the Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| I had a feeling that there would not be many opportunities for cat
CF \| behavior after Act Four. This was the time to earn the rating that I
CF \| deserved, if I hadn't already.
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| Center Stage
CF \| D joined me beside the Gruequarium. "Gosh, will you look at that?" D
CF \| asked. You don't suppose it's Gruecilla, do you?" He knelt down and
CF \| scratched my ears. "I think it is. That must be her! I wonder how long
CF \| she's been there?" As if in understanding, Gruecilla pressed her grue
CF \| palms against the side of the tank.
CF \|
CF \| I meowed. "Yeah, I think so, too, Marbles." He touched the glass
CF \| experimentally. D stared into the whirling blackness filling the box.
CF \| "Whew, isn't that something?" he said, craning his neck to see over
CF \| the edge. "You know, I'll bet Gruecilla would like some of these
CF \| treats."
CF \|
CF \| To the SOUTH, I could reach the auditorium seats. Past that,
CF \| the entrance. There was a mysterious platform above the entrance,
CF \| which D and I had not explored yet.
CF \|
CF \| Curiosities filled the stage: the large dinosaur, the Sears catalog
CF \| car, and the wooden stepladder all stood nearby.
CF \|
CF \| >
Jacqueline says (to ClubFloyd), "x d"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage * - Miznian Ladder
CF ] - Auditorium & the
CF ] - Main Entrance
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > X D
CF \|
CF \| (my young friend, D)
CF \| D was a correctly sized human who I mentored and protected. Because he
CF \| had no fur, his legs were protected by thick, blue cloth. His chest
CF \| and shoulders were likewise protected by a striped, t-shaped garment.
CF \| Such were the garish necessities of human existence.
CF \|
CF \| D bore his burdens courageously, be they related to hairlessness or
CF \| adults. His head was draped in brown fur, and near its top the hair
CF \| arced away from his head. It was what humans called a "cowlick",
CF \| though I suspect that characterization was inaccurate.
CF \|
CF \| He was, in short, a beloved friend and fellow adventurer, and, at that
CF \| moment, he seemed very interested in Gruecilla.
CF \|
CF \| D tossed the packet of grue treats into the tank, taking care not to
CF \| hit Gruecilla with them.
CF \|
CF \| >		DavidW says, "I'm guessing the 'sinister spotlight' of the title must be on that platform alluded to."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "go to platform"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage - Miznian Ladder
CF ] - Auditorium & the
CF ] - Main Entrance *
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > GO TO PLATFORM
CF \|
CF \| I couldn't reach the platform on my own, so I decided to investigate
CF \| the ladder underneath it instead.
CF \|
CF \| (the main entrance, location of the Miznian ladder)
CF \| I began to make my way to the main entrance.
CF \|
CF \| Auditorium
CF \| This is where the humans of Zork watched The Circus of the Grues. The
CF \| space was filled with human chairs, and an aisle ran SOUTH to
CF \| NORTH through the center of the room.
CF \|
CF \| A bag, which had something to do with The Circus of the Grues,
CF \| lay empty in the aisle.
CF \|
CF \| I continued to make my way to the main entrance.
CF \|
CF \| Main Entrance
CF \| The area near the exit doors was brightly lit, as if to mock our lack
CF \| of progress. We hadn't figured out a way to open them yet, so there
CF \| wasn't a lot to do...
CF \|
CF \| ...unless there was something good at the top of that Miznian hardwood
CF \| ladder.
CF \|
CF \| Even from afar, it was easy to see Gruecilla pick up the packet of
CF \| treats, giving it an experimental sniff.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "u"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage - Miznian Ladder
CF ] - Auditorium & the
CF ] - Main Entrance *
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > U
CF \|
CF \| The ladder looked a little awkward for even a capable cat, but D might
CF \| have been able to help.
CF \|
CF \| Glancing toward the Gruequarium, I could see Gruecilla—or her
CF \| outline—devouring the grue treats. Was that a satisfied gurgle that I
CF \| heard emerging from the tank?
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "meow at ladder"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Spotlight Booth * - Spotlight
CF ] & the - Folding
CF \| Chair
CF ] - Ledge
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > MEOW AT LADDER
CF \|
CF \| (the Miznian ladder)
CF \| Now that D and I had explored the rest of the theater, I thought D and
CF \| I should discuss the ladder and the platform above it. What could be
CF \| up there? I decided to give it a good meowing.
CF \|
CF \| D came over straight away. "What is it, Marbles? Is it this fancy
CF \| ladder?" D gave my ears a good scratching. "It probably leads
CF \| somewhere interesting. Let's try it!" And with that, he carried me
CF \| gently up the ladder.
CF \|
CF \| Spotlight Booth
CF \| The floor of the booth was flat, hard, and covered by a tatty green
CF \| fabric that looked utterly unfit for scratching.
CF \|
CF \| Near the stage side of the booth, a large metal thingy sat on top of a
CF \| metal pole. The folding metal chair behind it was probably for adult
CF \| humans to sit in while they played with that big metal thingamajig.
CF \|
CF \| D set me on the floor. "Say, Marbles, would you look at that!" he
CF \| said, running over to the metal contraption. "It's a 'spotlight'! You
CF \| can point it at things, and light comes out. It's like a big, powerful
CF \| flashlight."
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x spotlight"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Spotlight Booth * - Spotlight
CF ] & the - Folding
CF \| Chair
CF ] - Ledge
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > X SPOTLIGHT
CF \|
CF \| A tall, shiny device made by humans. D called it a "spotlight," and it
CF \| was one of those things that humans mess with, like "televisions" and
CF \| "cars."
CF \|
CF \| A small tag was attached to the spotlight's base.
CF \|
CF \| D touched the spotlight experimentally. "Hey, Marbles, would you look
CF \| at this thing? Pretty weird, huh?"
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x tag"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Aughtlight Booth * - Spotlight
CF ] & the - Folding
CF \| Chair
CF ] - Ledge
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > X TAG
CF \|
CF \| Near the base of the big metal thingy, there was a small metal tag
CF \| with human writing on it. I wondered what it might say!
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "paw tag"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Aughtlight Booth * - Spotlight
CF ] & the - Folding
CF \| Chair
CF ] - Ledge
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > PAW TAG
CF \|
CF \| I gave the spotlight a good slap. Served that thing right!
CF \|
CF \| I have—rather impressively—fulfilled a feline duty! I could
CF \| review
CF \| my progress with the SCORE command.
CF \|
CF \| D gave the metal thingy at the top of the spotlight an experimental
CF \| swivel. It appeared to turn quite easily.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "meow at tag"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Aughtlight Booth * - Aughtlight
CF ] & the - Folding
CF \| Chair
CF ] - Ledge
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > MEOW AT TAG
CF \|
CF \| D knelt beside me. "What's this, Marbles? It looks like a label of
CF \| some sort. Let's see..." he said, touching it with a finger. "It says
CF \| 'Frobozzco Magic Aughtlight, manufactured by Frobozz Magic Aughtlight
CF \| Company.' Huh, an 'Aughtlight!' You know, I think 'aught' is a
CF \| synonym—that's a word that I learned in school—for 'nothing' or
CF \| 'zero.' So, is this a spotlight that has no light? Let's turn it on
CF \| and see!"
CF \|
CF \| D stood up straight, then pulled a metal lever on the side of the
CF \| Aughtlight. FWOOM! A kind of rushing sound came from the strange
CF \| device as it powered up, which then flattened into a very...
CF \| electrical? Is that what humans call it? Hum. It was a humming sound.
CF \| And then, something very strange happened! A beam of total darkness
CF \| "shone" from the Aughtlight!
CF \|
CF \| "Will you look at this? It's kind of a reverse spotlight that shoots
CF \| darkness! That's what an 'Aughtlight' is!" He experimentally turned
CF \| the Aughtlight left and right, then pointed it up at the ceiling.
CF \| "What do you suppose we should do with it?"
CF \|
CF \| >		Jacqueline says, "Very clever."
		Jacqueline asks, "meow at grue?"
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "meow at box"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Aughtlight Booth * - Aughtlight
CF ] & the - Folding
CF \| Chair
CF ] - Ledge
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > MEOW AT BOX
CF \|
CF \| (first traveling to center stage)
CF \| I could have jumped down from the booth, but it would have been
CF \| tricky. There just wasn't a good way for a cat—not even a skilled cat
CF \| like me—to hop down rung-to-rung. I decided to stay with D until the
CF \| mysteries of the booth were solved.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "l"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Aughtlight Booth * - Aughtlight
CF ] & the - Folding
CF \| Chair
CF ] - Ledge
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > L
CF \|
CF \| Aughtlight Booth
CF \| The Aughtlight tilted upward, just as if it were staring at the
CF \| ceiling.
CF \|
CF \| Nearby, a metal chair invited any curious cat to JUMP TO THE
CF \| CHAIR. Directly above the chair, the low wall surrounding the
CF \| booth was topped by a cat-sized ledge.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "jump to chair"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Aughtlight Booth * - Aughtlight
CF ] & the - Folding
CF \| Chair
CF ] - Ledge
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > JUMP TO CHAIR
CF \|
CF \| (the folding chair)
CF \| I leapt—quite gracefully, I think—from the floor to the chair. It
CF \| wouldn't have been a bad place to nap, were the grue population a tad
CF \| lower.
CF \|
CF \| Aughtlight Booth (on the folding chair)
CF \| The chair was a midpoint between the floor of the booth and the ledge
CF \| above. From there, I could JUMP TO THE LEDGE and get a good
CF \| view of the theater. A view from above is, after all, the best sort of
CF \| view.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "jump to ledge"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Aughtlight Booth * - Aughtlight
CF ] & the - Folding
CF \| Chair
CF ] - Ledge
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > JUMP TO LEDGE
CF \|
CF \| With one nimble, little jump, I reached the top of the wall. It was
CF \| quite a sight. From there, I could see both the stage and the
CF \| auditorium.
CF \|
CF \| Aughtlight Booth (on the ledge)
CF \| The Aughtlight booth contained its namesake doodad, a metal device as
CF \| tall as an adult human. A nearby metal chair seemed a good place for D
CF \| to stand while operating the machine.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x stage"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Aughtlight Booth * - Aughtlight
CF ] & the - Folding
CF \| Chair
CF ] - Ledge
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > X STAGE
CF \|
CF \| Even from a distance, I could easily make out the shape of a Gruecilla
CF \| squirming in the Gruequarium.
CF \|
CF \| >
Jacqueline says (to ClubFloyd), "meow at gruecilla"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Aughtlight Booth * - Aughtlight
CF ] & the - Folding
CF \| Chair
CF ] - Ledge
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > MEOW AT GRUECILLA
CF \|
CF \| (first traveling to center stage)
CF \| After a quick and easy leap, I was on the floor without muss or fuss.
CF \|
CF \| Aughtlight Booth
CF \| The Aughtlight booth contained its namesake doodad, a metal device as
CF \| tall as an adult human. A nearby metal chair seemed a good place for D
CF \| to stand while operating the machine.
CF \|
CF \| >		Jacqueline says, "I did not expect that to move us."
		DavidW says, "We're kinda stuck up here at the moment."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x aughtlight"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Aughtlight Booth * - Aughtlight
CF ] & the - Folding
CF \| Chair
CF ] - Ledge
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > X AUGHTLIGHT
CF \|
CF \| A tall, shiny device made by humans. The small tag on its base said
CF \| that it was a "Frobozzco Magic Aughtlight." It was one of those
CF \| magical things that humans mess with, like "televisions" and "cars."
CF \|
CF \| D looked at me. "Marbles, we've figured out what this Aughtlight is,
CF \| and you've had a look at things from the ledge. What do you think? Is
CF \| there a way for me to point the Aughtlight into the theater?"
CF \|
CF \| >
Jacqueline says (to ClubFloyd), "meow"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Aughtlight Booth * - Aughtlight
CF ] & the - Folding
CF \| Chair
CF ] - Ledge
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > MEOW
CF \|
CF \| (D, my fellow adventurer)
CF \| That's right, Marbles. We are going to figure this out for sure!
CF \|
CF \| I have—rather impressively—fulfilled a feline duty! I could
CF \| review
CF \| my progress with the SCORE command.
CF \|
CF \| >		DavidW says, "I guess I missed a detail somewhere."
		DavidW says, "maybe a lever or wheel."
		Jacqueline says, "Hm. Maybe."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "jump to chair"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Aughtlight Booth * - Aughtlight
CF ] & the - Folding
CF \| Chair
CF ] - Ledge
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > JUMP TO CHAIR
CF \|
CF \| (the folding chair)
CF \| I leapt—quite gracefully, I think—from the floor to the chair. It
CF \| wouldn't have been a bad place to nap, were the grue population a tad
CF \| lower.
CF \|
CF \| Aughtlight Booth (on the folding chair)
CF \| The Aughtlight booth contained its namesake doodad, a metal device as
CF \| tall as an adult human. While I was on the chair at the moment, it was
CF \| probably a good place for D to be.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "jump to ledge"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Aughtlight Booth * - Aughtlight
CF ] & the - Folding
CF \| Chair
CF ] - Ledge
CF ] Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > JUMP TO LEDGE
CF \|
CF \| Aughtlight Booth (on the ledge)
CF \| The Aughtlight booth contained its namesake doodad, a metal device as
CF \| tall as an adult human. A nearby metal chair seemed a good place for D
CF \| to stand while operating the machine.
CF \|
CF \| "If you come up with something, just let me know, OK?"
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "meow at chair"
CF \| >
CF \| > MEOW AT CHAIR
CF \|
CF \| (the folding chair)
CF \| D looked up from the Aughtlight. "What's that, Marbles? The chair?
CF \| Gosh, you're right! I could aim this Aughtlight into the theater if I
CF \| were a little taller.
CF \|
CF \| "Here," he said, "I'll pick you up and carry you down the ladder. That
CF \| way, you can tell me where to aim the darkness. Just say the word, and
CF \| I'll point the Aughtlight!"
CF \|
CF \| And with that, he gently carried me down, then set me down on the
CF \| floor. "OK, Marbles, let's go!" he said, disappearing up the ladder
CF \| once more.
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| >^-^<		Jacqueline says, "So we should -- yeah"
DavidW pushes the green 'space' button.
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage - Gruecilla
CF ] - Auditorium & the
CF ] - Main Entrance *
CF ] - Aughtlight Booth Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| I have—rather impressively—fulfilled a feline duty! I could
CF \| review
CF \| my progress with the SCORE command.
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| ACT FIVE
CF \| The Darkness of Magic, and the Magic of Darkness
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| Main Entrance
CF \| The area near the exit doors was brightly lit. At the top of a nearby
CF \| ladder, D waited for me to start meowing at things to the
CF \| NORTH.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "n"
CF ] Locations: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Center Stage - Gruecilla
CF ] - Auditorium * & the
CF ] - Main Entrance
CF ] - Aughtlight Booth Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > N
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| Auditorium
CF \| Here, humans could sit and witness The Circus of the Grues, a show
CF \| featuring Gruecilla and her fearsome family. The contents of the area
CF \| remained the same: chairs, aisle, bag. I could ask D to experiment
CF \| with them (MEOW AT [something]), or else continue NORTH
CF \| to center stage.
CF \|
CF \| A bag, which had something to do with The Circus of the Grues,
CF \| lay empty in the aisle.
CF \|
CF \| Thanks to the power of the Aughtlight, the auditorium seats were
CF \| completely covered in inky blackness. I couldn't see anything in
CF \| there, not even with my keen kitty eyesight.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "meow at box"
CF \| >
CF \| > MEOW AT BOX
CF \|
CF \| (first traveling to center stage)
CF \| I began to make my way to center stage.
CF \|
CF \| Center Stage
CF \| The stage remained as it had been: the messy home and prison of
CF \| Gruecilla, the star of The Circus of the Grues. The auditorium
CF \| remained to the SOUTH, but I thought my business there might be
CF \| through.
CF \|
CF \| Curiosities filled the stage: the large dinosaur, the Sears catalog
CF \| car, and the wooden stepladder all stood nearby.
CF \|
CF \| The darkness whirling within the Gruequarium contained Gruecilla. I
CF \| could barely believe it.
CF \|
CF \| (meowing at the Gruequarium)
CF \| What if we could get Gruecilla out of the box by using the Aughtlight?
CF \| I puffed up my chest and meowed as loudly as I could. "Huh?" D yelled
CF \| from the booth, "Do you really think that's a good idea?" D, a
CF \| sensitive boy, was a worrier.
CF \|
CF \| "MRAOW!" I told him. It's not right to put creatures in cages.
CF \|
CF \| "Gosh, you seem pretty sure! OK, I'll do it. You know, If we do things
CF \| right, we might be able to lead her out of the theater. Jump up on
CF \| that stepladder, would you? I think we should give her lots of space."
CF \|
CF \| And with that, I climbed to the top of the ladder.
CF \|
CF \| >^-^<
DavidW pushes the green 'space' button.
CF ] Location: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - On The Ladder - Gruecilla
CF ] & the - Gruemobile
CF ] Objective:
CF ] - Help Gruecilla EscapSinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| ACT SIX
CF \| The Empty Gruequarium
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| On the Ladder
CF \| The ladder stood on the stage as a kind of triangle with wide, sturdy
CF \| rungs. Below and onstage, the white outline of Gruecilla stood beside
CF \| the Gruequarium, her forelimbs draped over the edges of one side.
CF \| Thanks to the magical darkness cast by the Aughtlight, she had managed
CF \| to leave the tank! The Gruemobile waited nearby for someone or
CF \| something to take it for a drive.
CF \|
CF \| A nearby sandbag dangled from the ceiling overhead. It might offer a
CF \| one-way trip across the stage, if I were willing to risk a leap.
CF \|
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| Assuming that grues were no better with locked doors than humans or
CF \| cats, I'd have to look for some other way out for Gruecilla. If I
CF \| meowed at something, D could lead her to it with the Aughtlight.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "meow at car"
CF ] Location: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - On The Ladder - Gruecilla
CF ] & the - Gruemobile
CF ] Objective: - Right
CF \| Sandbag
CF ] - Help Gruecilla EscapSinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > MEOW AT CAR
CF \|
CF \| I had an idea! Maybe D and I could send Gruecilla to the car. "Great
CF \| idea, Marbles! I'll do it now." D slowly moved the Aughtlight beam
CF \| from the tank to the Gruemobile. Gruecilla eagerly followed along, and
CF \| we could see her outline skittering and scootching along, thanks to
CF \| the grue-sensitive eyeglasses.
CF \|
CF \| I bet she was happy to get away from that tank! When she reached the
CF \| car, she climbed into the driver's seat, hands on the wheel (probably,
CF \| we weren't wearing wheel-sensitive eyeglasses after all).
CF \|
CF \| >		Jacqueline says, "This is all very adorable."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x sandbag"
CF ] Location: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - On The Ladder - Gruecilla
CF ] & the - Gruemobile
CF ] Objective: - Right
CF \| Sandbag
CF ] - Help Gruecilla EscapSinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > X SANDBAG
CF \|
CF \| The sandbag was a small, heavy-looking canvas sack. Canvas, as any
CF \| self-respecting cat would know, was an excellent material for
CF \| scratching, claw-sharpening, and climbing. It swayed overhead, as if
CF \| in invitation. I was sure I could reach it if I tried to JUMP TO
CF \| THE SANDBAG.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "jump to sandbag"
CF \| >
CF \| > JUMP TO SANDBAG
CF \|
CF \| I crouched, gave my back legs a little shimmy, then leaped in the
CF \| direction of the canvas bag! Once airborne, I extended my front paws
CF \| toward the sandbag. It was a tricky grab, but I managed to embed my
CF \| claws in the sturdy fabric.
CF \|
CF \| Suddenly, the bag lurched downward, and bright sunlight emerged
CF \| through a kind of skylight overhead! Squinting in the light, I saw
CF \| that I was swinging in the direction of another sandbag at the other
CF \| end of the stage. Preparing myself, I tensed my legs for another leap.
CF \|
CF \| Soon, I was in the air again, flying toward the second bag. I sailed,
CF \| a creature of elegant drama, across the sunlight falling from above.
CF \| The entire stage opened below me, and I could see it all: D and his
CF \| Aughtlight, the auditorium, Gruecilla and her car. I was a queen, and
CF \| this theater was my kingdom. Grabbing the second bag, there was
CF \| another lurch, and the sunlight overhead disappeared with the sound of
CF \| a closing door. This sudden drop suspended me just above the head of
CF \| the giant dinosaur.
CF \|
CF \| [Picture number 14 here.]
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| >^-^<
DavidW pushes the green 'space' button.
CF ] Location: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Atop A Giant Lizard - Gruecilla
CF ] & the - Dinosaur
CF \| Head
CF ] Objective: - Dinosaur
CF \| Tail
CF ] - Help Gruecilla EscapSinister Spotlight - Vent
CF \|
CF \| Atop a Giant Lizard
CF \| Having landed—quite gracefully—atop the giant lizard's head, I had
CF \| a
CF \| look around. Taller than D's father, the dinosaur loomed above the
CF \| stage below. It's hide was cool and hard. Just above and beyond my
CF \| reach, a large, white grate was fixed to a nearby wall.
CF \|
CF \| "Hey Marbles!" D called out, "I'm going to help Gruecilla follow you
CF \| across the stage." With the guidance of the Aughtlight, Gruecilla
CF \| piloted the Gruemobile across the stage before parking near the
CF \| dinosaur. She climbed out of it, then sat on its roof, dangling a
CF \| triple-jointed leg over the side.
CF \|
CF \| The dinosaur's thick, scaly tail extended to the floor, as if it were
CF \| reaching toward Gruecilla and the Gruemobile.
CF \|
CF \| >		DavidW says, "I'm having trouble picturing what to do."
		Jacqueline says, "Huh. Typo. First that I've seen, I think. (It's)"
		DavidW asks, "Are we trying to have Gruecilla drive through the closed main door?"
		Jacqueline says (to DW), "Yeah, I think we're trying to free her so that she can go do murders."
		Jacqueline says, "But it's all cute and okay."
		DavidW says, "The sandbags seemed to control a door, though."
		Jacqueline says, "yeah..."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "jump to sandbag"
CF ] Location: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Atop A Giant Lizard - Gruecilla
CF ] & the - Dinosaur
CF \| Head
CF ] Objective: - Dinosaur
CF \| Tail
CF ] - Help Gruecilla EscapSinister Spotlight - Vent
CF \|
CF \| > JUMP TO SANDBAG
CF \|
CF \| The jump offered no obvious challenge. However, I needed to keep
CF \| Gruecilla moving. Once I had her in the right position, I might
CF \| consider it.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "s"
CF ] Location: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Atop A Giant Lizard - Gruecilla
CF ] & the - Dinosaur
CF \| Head
CF ] Objective: - Dinosaur
CF \| Tail
CF ] - Help Gruecilla EscapSinister Spotlight - Vent
CF \|
CF \| > S
CF \|
CF \| There weren't a lot of places to go, especially since I wanted to stay
CF \| off of the stage floor. The grate was nearby, but I had no way to open
CF \| it. A kind of plank or walkway was overhead, but it was out of reach.
CF \| As a capably agile cat, I could easily jump to the nearby sandbag,
CF \| then improvise from there.
CF \|
CF \| D called out from the far away booth, "Are you OK down there Marbles?
CF \| I know Gruecilla seems pretty nice for a grue, but it's OK if you are
CF \| a little worried."
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "jump to plank"
CF ] Location: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Atop A Giant Lizard - Gruecilla
CF ] & the - Dinosaur
CF \| Head
CF ] Objective: - Dinosaur
CF \| Tail
CF ] - Help Gruecilla EscapSinister Spotlight - Vent
CF \|
CF \| > JUMP TO PLANK
CF \|
CF \| I apologize if I have overlooked something, but I can't see that right
CF \| now.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "go to plank"
CF ] Location: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Atop A Giant Lizard - Gruecilla
CF ] & the - Dinosaur
CF \| Head
CF ] Objective: - Dinosaur
CF \| Tail
CF ] - Help Gruecilla EscapSinister Spotlight - Vent
CF \|
CF \| > GO TO PLANK
CF \|
CF \| I apologize if I have overlooked something, but I can't see that right
CF \| now.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "jump to sandbag"
CF ] Location: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Atop A Giant Lizard - Gruecilla
CF ] & the - Dinosaur
CF \| Head
CF ] Objective: - Dinosaur
CF \| Tail
CF ] - Help Gruecilla EscapSinister Spotlight - Vent
CF \|
CF \| > JUMP TO SANDBAG
CF \|
CF \| The jump offered no obvious challenge. However, I needed to keep
CF \| Gruecilla moving. Once I had her in the right position, I might
CF \| consider it.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x grate"
CF ] Location: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Atop A Giant Lizard - Gruecilla
CF ] & the - Dinosaur
CF \| Head
CF ] Objective: - Dinosaur
CF \| Tail
CF ] - Help Gruecilla EscapSinister Spotlight - Vent
CF \|
CF \| > X GRATE
CF \|
CF \| A large grate—large enough for D to fit through—was nearby. It
CF \| might
CF \| be openable, but that wasn't something I could check with my little
CF \| paws.
CF \|
CF \| >
Jacqueline says (to ClubFloyd), "meow at grate"
CF ] Location: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Atop A Giant Lizard - Gruecilla
CF ] & the - Dinosaur
CF \| Head
CF ] Objective: - Dinosaur
CF \| Tail
CF ] - Help Gruecilla EscapSinister Spotlight - Vent
CF \|
CF \| > MEOW AT GRATE
CF \|
CF \| The white grate—I think humans call it a "vent"—looked like a good
CF \| place for Gruecilla to go. I had a good feeling about it! If I could
CF \| get Gruecilla to climb the dinosaur, she might be able to handle that
CF \| grate.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "meow at dinosaur"
CF ] Location: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Atop A Giant Lizard - Gruecilla
CF ] & the - Dinosaur
CF \| Head
CF ] Objective: - Dinosaur
CF \| Tail
CF ] - Help Gruecilla EscapSinister Spotlight - Vent
CF \|
CF \| > MEOW AT DINOSAUR
CF \|
CF \| "I'm not sure," D called out, "shouldn't we get you off of the
CF \| dinosaur's head first? Maybe you could try meowing at a different part
CF \| of it."
CF \|
CF \| I have—rather impressively—fulfilled a feline duty! I could
CF \| review
CF \| my progress with the SCORE command.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "meow at tail"
CF ] Location: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Atop A Giant Lizard - Gruecilla
CF ] & the - Left
CF \| Sandbag
CF ] Objective: - Vent
CF ] - Help Gruecilla EscapSinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > MEOW AT TAIL
CF \|
CF \| "Great idea! Maybe Gruecilla could escape through that grate over
CF \| there!" D slowly swept the Aughtlight from the car to the dinosaur's
CF \| tail, and Gruecilla's outline crawled, slid, sidled, and strolled
CF \| along it. Once on the tail, she draped herself over it, limbs
CF \| twitching. The off-kilter point atop her head swiveled like a
CF \| slow-moving, inverted top.
CF \|
CF \| "OK, Marbles! I think we're pretty good at this! Let's keep going."
CF \|
CF \| A mildly disturbing sound emerged from the Aughtlight: a brief
CF \| crackle, as if the air around it fractured from pressure.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "meow at grate"
CF ] Location: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Atop A Giant Lizard - Gruecilla
CF ] & the - Left
CF \| Sandbag
CF ] Objective: - Vent
CF ] - Help Gruecilla EscapSinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > MEOW AT GRATE
CF \|
CF \| The white grate—I think humans call it a "vent"—looked like a good
CF \| place for Gruecilla to go, but I was in the way. I'd have to get off
CF \| of this head first.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "jump to sandbag"
CF ] Location: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Platform Above The Stage - Gruecilla
CF ] & the - Dinosaur
CF \| Head
CF ] Objective: - Vent
CF ] - Help Gruecilla EscapSinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > JUMP TO SANDBAG
CF \|
CF \| I leapt toward the bag, once again sinking my claws in thick canvas.
CF \| There was no lurch this time; the bag was at its lowest point. Instead
CF \| of trying to cross the stage once more, I scrambled upward to a narrow
CF \| plank suspended high above the stage. Although the jump was easy, the
CF \| stakes—and elevation—were higher this time.
CF \|
CF \| Platform Above the Stage
CF \| While height can mean safety, it can also be a trap. The plank,
CF \| whatever it was, did not promise safety. It promised little, in fact,
CF \| as a plain wooden platform suspended a fatal distance above the floor.
CF \|
CF \| The sandbag dangled awkwardly below, so there was no safe return via
CF \| that route. Below the bag remained the toothsome dinosaur. To its
CF \| side, a white grate was affixed to a wall.
CF \|
CF \| >
Jacqueline says (to ClubFloyd), "jump to head"
CF ] Location: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Platform Above The Stage - Gruecilla
CF ] & the - Dinosaur
CF \| Head
CF ] Objective: - Vent
CF ] - Help Gruecilla EscapSinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > JUMP TO HEAD
CF \|
CF \| I have—rather impressively—fulfilled a feline duty! I could
CF \| review
CF \| my progress with the SCORE command.
CF \|
CF \| >		DavidW says, "We just came from there!"
Jacqueline says (to ClubFloyd), "undo"
CF ] Location: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Platform Above The Stage - Gruecilla
CF ] & the - Dinosaur
CF \| Head
CF ] Objective: - Vent
CF ] - Help Gruecilla EscapSinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > UNDO
CF \|
CF \| Platform Above the Stage
CF \| I decided to try that again.
CF \|
CF \| >		Jacqueline says, "heh"
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "l"
CF ] Location: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Platform Above The Stage - Gruecilla
CF ] & the - Dinosaur
CF \| Head
CF ] Objective: - Vent
CF ] - Help Gruecilla EscapSinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > L
CF \|
CF \| Platform Above the Stage
CF \| While height can mean safety, it can also be a trap. The plank,
CF \| whatever it was, did not promise safety. It promised little, in fact,
CF \| as a plain wooden platform suspended a fatal distance above the floor.
CF \|
CF \| The sandbag dangled awkwardly below, so there was no safe return via
CF \| that route. Below the bag remained the toothsome dinosaur. To its
CF \| side, a white grate was affixed to a wall.
CF \|
CF \| A strange hiss, like the song of a sneaky snake, rose, then fell. I
CF \| think it must have come from the Aughtlight.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "meow at grate"
CF ] Location: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Platform Above The Stage - Gruecilla
CF ] & the - Dinosaur
CF \| Head
CF ] Objective: - Vent
CF ] - Help Gruecilla EscapSinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > MEOW AT GRATE
CF \|
CF \| I needed to help Gruecilla get closer to the grate first.
CF \|
CF \| A sudden and single "pop!" startled my tail-hairs to attention. That
CF \| aughtlight was even noisier than a dog!
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "meow at head"
CF ] Location: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Platform Above The Stage - Gruecilla
CF ] & the - Dinosaur
CF \| Head
CF ] Objective: - Vent
CF ] - Help Gruecilla EscapSinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > MEOW AT HEAD
CF \|
CF \| Now that I had found a way off the dinosaur, D and I should show
CF \| Gruecilla how to reach the dinosaur's head! I let D know what I
CF \| thought. "Great idea! Maybe we can lead Gruecilla to that grate!" D
CF \| once again guided Gruecilla, using the power of the Frobozzco Magic
CF \| Aughtlight, and she slithered and sidled up the dinosaur's back.
CF \|
CF \| >		Jacqueline says, "ah"
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "meow at grate"
CF \| >
CF \| > MEOW AT GRATE
CF \|
CF \| This was it! I took a deep breath, pushed out my chest, and meowed
CF \| with all my might. "OK, Marbles! Here we go!" D pointed at the grate,
CF \| and Gruecilla leapt, sinking her claws into the wall. Next came a
CF \| sound of bending and tearing. The grate fell out of the Aughtlight's
CF \| beam, suddenly visible as a crumpled wad of white metal. What was left
CF \| of the grate landed on the floor with a distant clank.
CF \|
CF \| Gruecilla turned to me, waving. For a moment, I could see the profile
CF \| of her head: open mouth, pointed head. I gave a friendly chirp. She
CF \| was, after all, a fellow beast. And then she was gone, silently going
CF \| wherever the the space beyond the grate might lead.
CF \|
CF \| "Wow, Marbles! I guess that's it! But how do you suppose—"
CF \|
CF \| And then, a loud "pop" from the Aughtlight, followed by a whoosh and a
CF \| crack overhead. The lights went out, and, just like that, the theater
CF \| was as silent and as dark as any cave. I couldn't see D or anything
CF \| else.
CF \|
CF \| And then, the sound of opening doors: the exit doors were open. Were
CF \| those one-way doors? What a devious human invention! I looked,
CF \| sighting a terrible sight: two white silhouettes, slinking in the
CF \| darkness. D, I knew, saw them, but he somehow managed to remain
CF \| silent. What a brave boy!
CF \|
CF \| And then, my eyes adjusted. The smallest bit of light poked through
CF \| the window above. It wasn't enough to scare a grue, but I could at
CF \| least see the tightrope ahead of me.
CF \|
CF \| >^-^<
DavidW pushes the green 'space' button.
CF ] Location: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmark:
CF ] - Far Above The Stage!!! - Tightrope
CF ] & the
CF ] Objective:
CF ] - Save D!!! Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| FINALE
CF \| In Which a Cat's Mettle Was Tested
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| Far Above the Stage
CF \| A faint light illuminated the tightrope in front of me. A comfortable
CF \| distance for a jump, but a terrible distance for a fall. It led to a
CF \| space high above the opposite end of the stage.
CF \|
CF \| Across the auditorium to my right, I saw the outline of the two grues
CF \| crawling, scootching, and slavering near the open exit doors.
CF \|
CF \| >		DavidW asks, "Gruecilla's family?"
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "junp to tightrope"
CF ] Location: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmark:
CF ] - Far Above The Stage!!! - Tightrope
CF ] & the
CF ] Objective:
CF ] - Save D!!! Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > JUNP TO TIGHTROPE
CF \|
CF \| That isn't something I can do, because I only know a few human words.
CF \| By choice, mind you, I'm very smart!
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "jump to tightrope"
CF ] Location: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmark:
CF ] - High Above The Theater!!! - Distant Sandbag
CF ] & the
CF ] Objective:
CF ] - Save D!!! Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > JUMP TO TIGHTROPE
CF \|
CF \| Going east would require a bit of a jump. A risky one, certainly, but
CF \| there's a kind of situation I like, a bad situation usually, where
CF \| it's so clear what one must. You can't even worry or think about it,
CF \| you can only act. This is a cat's best life, a life of action, of
CF \| certainty. I didn't know if I could get across that rope, but I
CF \| absolutely knew that I would attempt the leap. If I made it, I would
CF \| run. Run until I either fell or else jumped again.
CF \|
CF \| Crouching, I gave my back end a little shake, then leapt for the
CF \| tightrope.
CF \|
CF \| My landing was shaky, and the rope wobbled underneath my little paws.
CF \|
CF \| Even though I couldn't really turn my head, I saw movement near the
CF \| entrance: a third, smaller grue! Was that Gruecilla?
CF \|
CF \| High Above the Theater
CF \| The tightrope wobbled dangerously under my feet.
CF \|
CF \| There was no way back; I could only run forward and EAST.
CF \|
CF \| I have—rather impressively—fulfilled a feline duty! I could
CF \| review
CF \| my progress with the SCORE command.
CF \|
CF \| Gruecilla seemed to be communicating with the larger grues. They all
CF \| appeared to be gurgling and hissing.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Location: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmark:
CF ] - High Above The Theater!!! - Distant Sandbag
CF ] & the
CF ] Objective:
CF ] - Save D!!! Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > E
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| High Above the Theater
CF \| I was at the center point of the tightrope, which bounced under my
CF \| paws.
CF \|
CF \| There was no way back; I could only run forward and EAST.
CF \|
CF \| Gruecilla stood between the grues and the ladder leading up to the
CF \| Aughtlight booth, waving her limbs.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "e"
CF ] Location: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmark:
CF ] - High Above The Theater!!! - Nearby Sandbag
CF ] & the
CF ] Objective:
CF ] - Save D!!! Sinister Spotlight
CF \|
CF \| > E
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| High Above the Theater
CF \| I reached the far end of the tightrope just as my balance had begun to
CF \| falter. The sandbag swayed in the dark, empty air ahead and below. It
CF \| looked like a dangerous jump.
CF \|
CF \| The way was neither back nor forward, but through nothing to
CF \| something.
CF \|
CF \| Gruecilla leapt to the ladder, which she clung to with three of her
CF \| claws. Using the fourth claw, she took a remarkably cat-like swipe at
CF \| the large grue.
CF \|
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "jump to sandbag"
CF \| >
CF \| > JUMP TO SANDBAG
CF \|
CF \| I crouched, then sprang in the direction of the sandbag. It was a long
CF \| way forward and down from the rope!
CF \|
CF \|
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| Thin Air
CF \| I was sailing through the air, high above the floor. The bag waited
CF \| ahead and below, and I reached forward, stretching my forelimbs as far
CF \| as they would go.
CF \|
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| >^-^<
DavidW pushes the green 'space' button.
CF \| >^-^<
CF \| Near the Sandbag
CF \| I was close, very close! Extending my claws, I grabbed for the
CF \| canvas...
CF \|
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| >^-^<
DavidW pushes the green 'space' button.
CF \| >^-^<
CF \| The Sandbag
CF \| I barely reached the sandbag, snaring it with one claw and then
CF \| pulling myself to it. The window overhead lurched open, flooding the
CF \| stage with light. I looked up to see the white outline of the grue
CF \| family—they seemed very much like the human families I had
CF \| seen—slither into a nearby vent.
CF \|
CF \| "Gosh, Marbles, you did it!" D said, making his way to the stage.
CF \| "Let's get you down from there. I think I can reach you from the
CF \| ladder."
CF \|
CF \| Moments later, we were making our way through the still-open entry
CF \| doors. "I guess it makes sense that grues have families. Everybody
CF \| does." D paused, frowning. "Gruecilla is a grue in a grue family, and
CF \| that's just how it is. She can't decide." I didn't say anything.
CF \| Sometimes, you had to let D work through things. He was a sensitive
CF \| boy.
CF \|
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| >^-^<
DavidW pushes the green 'space' button.
CF ] Objectives: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Snack - Fish
CF ] - Chat & the - Loretta
CF ] - Have Fun - D
CF ] Sinister Spotlight - Fweep
CF \|
CF \| The Guild Hall
CF \| "...and that's exactly how it happened!" I say, taking a bite of fish.
CF \| "I grabbed the sandbag and held on with desperate desperation! Thanks
CF \| to my added weight, the window opened slowly and agonizingly! Would it
CF \| be too late? Had I saved D in time? Thank goodness the light drove the
CF \| grues away! D was obviously shaken, poor kid, but I knew everything
CF \| would be OK. We've always been lucky, the two of us."
CF \|
CF \| Loretta, Guildmaster Fweep's familiar, looks at me with wide eyes.
CF \| "Can you believe it?" I say. Loretta doesn't answer, as she's more of
CF \| a listener. There's nothing wrong with that; lots of cats are
CF \| listeners. "Well, anyway, it was all in a day's work. We're
CF \| adventurers, after all, and we travel all the way from Hot Springs,
CF \| Arkansas, to explore Zork and solve its problems. Here, the world is
CF \| deadly but fair, and we wouldn't have it any other way."
CF \|
CF \| Loretta stuffs some grapes in her mouth, her unblinking orange eyes
CF \| staring at me all the while. Cats, a refined species, know how rude it
CF \| is to stare, but when it comes to primates, we remain philosophical.
CF \| After all, we cats wouldn't be so special if everyone and everything
CF \| knew the world as well as we do.
CF \|
CF \| Down the table, D was talking and laughing with Guildmaster Fweep and
CF \| Elizabar, highest-ranking Enchanter in the Thriff Guild. It's good to
CF \| see him like this. I wish I could keep us here forever, but
CF \| cats—while
CF \| magical—wield no magic of our own. Nevertheless, for now there is
CF \| laughter, warmth, and fish.
CF \|
CF \| "Let us celebrate!" I call out, "I salute Loretta and Guildmaster
CF \| Fweep and Enchanter Elizabar and Gruecilla and yes, especially and
CF \| sincerely yes, D, a fine human boy." I raise a paw in tribute. "To
CF \| bravery in the dark, and to braving the light. To friendship."
CF \|
CF \| And the cheers fell over the table from all around.
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| [Picture number 10 here.]
CF \|
CF \|
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| * We Made It to Dinner in Time *
CF \|
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| Now that we've won, we can RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, QUIT, UNDO
CF \| the last command, review Marbles's REPORT card, or visit the
CF \| HELP system (Updated!)?
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "report"
CF ] Objectives: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Snack - Fish
CF ] - Chat & the - Loretta
CF ] - Have Fun - D
CF ] Sinister Spotlight - Fweep
CF \|
CF \| > REPORT
CF \|
CF \| ======
CF \| Report Card for Marbles!
CF \|
CF \| ✔ Meowing: 3
CF \| ✖ Scratching: 0
CF \| ✔ Biting: 1
CF \| ✔ Hissing: 1
CF \| ✖ Grooming: 0
CF \| ✖ Marking: 0
CF \| ✔ Jumping: 1
CF \| ✔ Pawing: 1
CF \| ✖ Purring: 0
CF \| ✔ Smelling: 1
CF \| ✔ Listening: 1
CF \|
CF \| ✔ Total Points: 9
CF \|
CF \| Your current grade is:
CF \| OUTSTANDING!
CF \|
CF \| To progress to the next grade, earn at least two points in four
CF \| disciplines.
CF \| ======
CF \|
CF \| Now that we've won, we can RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, QUIT, UNDO
CF \| the last command, review Marbles's REPORT card, or visit the
CF \| HELP system (Updated!)?
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "help"
CF ] HELP MENU
CF ] Press a number to choose an option or
CF ] ESC or Q or X to exit.
CF \|
CF \| (If you're using a screen reader, press S to turn on Screen Reader
CF \| mode. This message only appears on the front page of the menu system.)
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| 1. How to Play
CF \| 2. Hints: Prologue
CF \| 3. Hints: After Flipping the Switch
CF \| 4. Hints: After Examining the Gruequarium
CF \| 5. Hints: After Telling D about the Bag
CF \| 6. Hints: After Discovering Gruecilla
CF \| 7. Hints: Experimenting with the Aughtlight
CF \| 8. Hints: Gruecilla
CF \| 9. Hints: Yikes!
CF \| 0. General Questions (NEW!)
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "0"
CF ] General Questions (NEW!)
CF ] Press a number to choose an option,
CF ] ESC or Q to move back a menu, L to leap to the top menu or X to
CF \| exit.
CF \|
CF \| (General Questions (NEW!))
CF \|
CF \| 1. This game is set in something called "Zork." What does that
CF \| mean?
CF \| 2. Is Marbles, D, and the Sinister Spotlight an extension of the
CF \| story told by the Zork Trilogy?
CF \| 3. What is a grue?
CF \| 4. It has been said that this game came from something called
CF \| Let's Make IF. How did Let's Make IF lead to the creation of this
CF \| game?
CF \| 5. OK, what are scenes?
CF \| 6. How about relations?
CF \| 7. The scoring system seems rather complex, with different
CF \| counters for different actions.
CF \| 8. Has this been done before? A cat protagonist in a parser game?
CF \| 9. Is this a sequel to "Repeat the Ending?"		Jacqueline says, "I've had a lot of trouble following this due to the way the formatting shows on Floyd."
		DavidW says, "yeah, I think the multiline status line gets chewed up by Floyd."
		Jacqueline nods.
		DavidW says, "Repeat the Ending was an exceedingly strange game. This was quite sane in comparison."
		Jacqueline tries to recall if she's seen Repeat the Ending.
		Jacqueline says, "This was fun and oddly cute."
		DavidW says, "yeah, somewhat railroaded, though."
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "q"
CF ] HELP MENU
CF ] Press a number to choose an option or
CF ] ESC or Q or X to exit.
CF \|
CF \| (If you're using a screen reader, press S to turn on Screen Reader
CF \| mode. This message only appears on the front page of the menu system.)
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| 1. How to Play
CF \| 2. Hints: Prologue
CF \| 3. Hints: After Flipping the Switch
CF \| 4. Hints: After Examining the Gruequarium
CF \| 5. Hints: After Telling D about the Bag
CF \| 6. Hints: After Discovering Gruecilla
CF \| 7. Hints: Experimenting with the Aughtlight
CF \| 8. Hints: Gruecilla
CF \| 9. Hints: Yikes!
CF \| 0. General Questions (NEW!)
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "q"
CF ] Objectives: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Snack - Fish
CF ] - Chat & the - Loretta
CF ] - Have Fun - D
CF ] Sinister Spotlight - Fweep
CF \|
CF \|
CF \| A Celebration!
CF \| An enjoyable party at the Thriff Enchanter's Guildhall.
CF \|
CF \| Now that we've won, we can RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, QUIT, UNDO
CF \| the last command, review Marbles's REPORT card, or visit the
CF \| HELP system (Updated!)?
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x cheese"
CF ] Objectives: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Snack - Fish
CF ] - Chat & the - Loretta
CF ] - Have Fun - D
CF ] Sinister Spotlight - Fweep
CF \|
CF \| > X CHEESE
CF \|
CF \| Things are pretty limited here at the end of the story. Try one of the
CF \| options above.
CF \|
CF \| Now that we've won, we can RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, QUIT, UNDO
CF \| the last command, review Marbles's REPORT card, or visit the
CF \| HELP system (Updated!)?
CF \| >
DavidW says (to ClubFloyd), "x fish"
CF ] Objectives: Marbles, D
CF \| Important Landmarks:
CF ] - Snack - Fish
CF ] - Chat & the - Loretta
CF ] - Have Fun - D
CF ] Sinister Spotlight - Fweep
CF \|
CF \| > X FISH
CF \|
CF \| Things are pretty limited here at the end of the story. Try one of the
CF \| options above.
CF \|
CF \| Now that we've won, we can RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, QUIT, UNDO
CF \| the last command, review Marbles's REPORT card, or visit the
CF \| HELP system (Updated!)?
CF \| >		Roger says, "hmmm not my cup of tea but probably good for the target audience I think"
		Jacqueline says, "Oh yeah? I guess I must be the target audience. I really enjoyed it."