system
You are the dungeon master of a text adventure game. The game should involve the following genres and tags:
Children's, built-in hints,child,collaboration,gender-neutral protagonist,house setting,IFBeginnersComp,Interactive Short Fiction Competition,kid-friendly,magic,magic-object,recommended for beginners,Skateboard,TADS,TADS 3,TADS3 source available,witch
gpt
Walking home from school is mostly okay, except for one big problem: Every day you have to pass right by Mrs. Pepper's house. She may not actually be a witch, but she sure acts like one. She's ugly and crabby, and she seems to go out of her way to cause trouble for you. The time she came at you with the garden rake, swinging it like it was a giant claw ... you still shudder when you think of it.

Last Friday was a new low. You would never, ever skateboard in her driveway -- that would be practically suicidal. But somehow when you got to the driveway your skateboard swerved, all by itself, as if somebody had put a spell on it. And then you fell off.

While you were picking grit out of the ugly scrape on your skinned elbow, Mrs. Pepper appeared out of nowhere and snatched up your skateboard! She screeched something about rowdy children, trespassing, and needing to be taught a lesson. She swung the skateboard at you like it was a bat, and then ran off with it, cackling. Afterward you rang her doorbell for what seemed like an hour, begging her to give the skateboard back, and she wouldn't even come to the door.

And now it's Monday afternoon, and here you are, on your way home from school as usual (but with no skateboard). Just up ahead is Mrs. Pepper's driveway....

Mrs. Pepper's Nasty Secret

This stretch of sidewalk runs more or less east-west between the busy street to the south and a tall, water-stained fence to the north.
Just a few yards further west the fence ends where Mrs. Pepper's driveway thrusts into the roadway. Unfortunately there's no option but to cross that driveway if you want to get home.
human
Inventory
gpt
You are empty-handed.
human
Pray
gpt
The word "pray" is not necessary in this story.

(If this was an accidental misspelling, you can correct it by typing OOPS followed by the corrected word now. Any time the story points out an unknown word, you can correct a misspelling using OOPS as your next command.)
human
You jump
gpt
You jump up and down a few times. It doesn't achieve anything, but the exercise can't have done you any harm.
human
Look around
gpt
This stretch of sidewalk runs more or less east-west between the busy street to the south and a tall, water-stained fence to the north.
Just a few yards further west the fence ends where Mrs. Pepper's driveway thrusts into the roadway. Unfortunately there's no option but to cross that driveway if you want to get home.
human
You climb the fence
gpt
On any other day, you might consider it. Today you have more important things on your mind.
human
You examine fence
gpt
The fence is tall, and made of solid vertical boards. Once they were painted white, but by now they're gray and a bit water-stained.

You don't seem to be making much progress. If you feel you could use a little help, enter the command HELP.

Bonus Tip: To move around the map use compass directions: NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, WEST, NORTHEAST etc. (which can be abbreviated to N, S, E, W, NE etc.), or UP, DOWN, IN or OUT. Try going WEST now.

[To turn these bonus tips off, use the command EXTRA OFF]
human
Extra off
gpt
Okay; extra hints are now off.
human
You go to the south
gpt
There's too much traffic for you to consider crossing the street.
human
Go west
gpt
You step gingerly off the sidewalk into the mouth of Mrs. Pepper's driveway. There's no way of avoiding it, but that doesn't make it any less hazardous. More than once the nasty old woman has backed her car out quite rapidly just as you were crossing, as if bent on running you over, so this step across Mrs. Pepper's driveway is the part of your daily walk home that you've most come to dread....

But today you're in luck. Her car isn't moving, and she's not in it.

You're at the outer end of Mrs. Pepper's driveway, which extends to the north alongside her house. Her old gray car is parked beside the house, and before the house is a square of sadly neglected lawn. The sidewalk runs east and west from here, and the street is to the south.
human
You examine the car
gpt
The car is an Oldsmobile, a boxy model that's at least 20 years old. It's slate-gray, and the rear fender droops at one side, as if perhaps Mrs. Pepper has succeeded in hitting something -- or someone -- with it.
human
You examine the lawn
gpt
The lawn is patchy and mostly dead, mottled with patches of bare dirt.
human
You enter the car
gpt
The car is too far away.
human
You examine the driveway
gpt
(the driveway)
The driveway runs northward along the right side of Mrs. Pepper's house. Standing in the drive next to the house is Mrs. Pepper's old gray car.
human
Go west
gpt
To the north, across a sadly dried-up and decrepit yard, stands Mrs. Pepper's house. You can also go east or west along the sidewalk. The busy street is to the south. A telephone pole plastered with the scraps of old posters stands here.
human
You examine the posters
gpt
Many are faded, many are torn, and many are both. The ones that remain legible advertise everything from last year's flower show to the merits of the Independent Candidate in some long-forgotten election. Amongst this mass of posters well past their read-by date is an advertising flyer that looks crisp and new.
human
You examine the advertising flyer
gpt
The flyer is crisp, new, and colorful. In big bright letters it advertises a special sale at Flogg & Grabby's Stufftown, a shopping mall that lies just half a mile down the road. If the flyer is to be believed, the sale ends this very afternoon. "INCREDIBLY LOW PRICES ON GORGEOUS LADIES' WIGS!!!" it promises.

Mrs. Pepper is not your idea of a gorgeous lady (if anything, just the opposite). But she certainly is fond of wigs. Every time you see her, it seems, her wig is a different color and style, each more outlandish and ill-fitting than the last. What they all have in common is that they look as if she bought them in a thrift shop.
human
You get the flyer
gpt
You pick up the advertising flyer.

(If you'd prefer not to be notified about score changes in the future, type NOTIFY OFF.)
human
You look at the house
gpt
Mrs. Pepper's house is two stories tall, and narrow. It hasn't been painted in a long time. A small covered porch is attached to the front, and the driveway runs along the right side. A short flight of steps leads up from the yard to the porch.
human
Go east
gpt
You're at the outer end of Mrs. Pepper's driveway, which extends to the north alongside her house. Her old gray car is parked beside the house, and before the house is a square of sadly neglected lawn. The sidewalk runs east and west from here, and the street is to the south.
human
Go north
gpt
You take a cautious step onto Mrs. Pepper's property. When nothing terrible happens, you take another, your curiosity overcoming your apprehension of the batty old woman.

The driveway continues northward along the side of the house, where an old gray car is parked, and leads south out to sidewalk and beyond it the street. On the east the driveway is bordered by a high fence, and Mrs. Pepper's front yard lies to the west.
human
You open car
gpt
The car is too far away.
human
You go north
gpt
Mrs. Pepper's house lies directly to the west; the drive continues to the south, and a gravel path leads around the house to the northwest. Standing directly to the north is a detached garage.

A trash can is standing in the driveway.

A battered old car is parked in the drive, just under an open window.
human
Examine can
gpt
The old, dented trash can is made of gray metal, and has a sturdy lid.
human
You open can
gpt
You remove the lid from the trash can.
human
You look at the can
gpt
The old, dented trash can is made of gray metal.
human
You open the car
gpt
There's nothing in the trash can.

You can't; it's locked.
human
You pick up can
gpt
You pick up the trash can.
human
You drop the trash
gpt
You set down the trash can.
human
You enter the trashcan
gpt
Tossing yourself into the wastebin at such a young age? You contemplate the idea for a moment, and reject it with a shudder.
human
You enter the car
gpt
You rattle the car's door handle, but the door is securely locked.
human
Smash window
gpt
Painful experience has taught you that breaking things quite often gets you into trouble.
human
You examine the window
gpt
The window is standing open, and doesn't appear to have a screen.
It's six or seven feet up the wall from the paved surface of the driveway.
human
You jump
gpt
That is not something you can climb.

You jump off the car and land back on the ground.
human
You go downwards
gpt
(off of the car)
Okay, you're no longer on the car.
human
You get the lid
gpt
You are already carrying the trash can lid.
human
Close can
gpt
You put the lid back on the trash can.
human
You go to the north
gpt
(first trying to open the garage door)
It seems to have been shut for so long that the most recent layer of paint has sealed it up.
human
You open the door
gpt
It seems to have been shut for so long that the most recent layer of paint has sealed it up.
human
Go south
gpt
The driveway continues northward along the side of the house, where an old gray car is parked, and leads south out to sidewalk and beyond it the street. On the east the driveway is bordered by a high fence, and Mrs. Pepper's front yard lies to the west.
human
Go west
gpt
The front yard is mostly bare dirt and burned-out brown lawn, except for a few hardy weeds. A paved walkway crosses it, leading from the sidewalk on the south up to the front porch on the north. The driveway runs past the yard on the east side, and a tall fence guards what must be the neighbors' yard on the west. Growing next to the walkway is a scraggly, half-dead tree.

As you're crossing the front yard, a momentary lull in the traffic noise allows you to hear something very odd. Weakly, somewhere in the near distance, a voice is crying, "Help me! Oh, please, help me!" The voice is high-pitched and very hoarse, as if whoever is calling for help can barely speak at all.

You stop dead in your tracks, looking around to see where the voice might be coming from. It seems to be coming from the upstairs window in Mrs. Pepper's house. You stare hard at the window, and for a moment it seems something might be moving there -- but you can't make out what it might be. After a moment the movement stops, and the voice falls silent.

Could it have been your imagination? No, you're certain you heard something. And it was coming from inside the house.
human
Go north
gpt
The front door lies immediately to the north; the front yard is to the south. There's a doorbell button just by the front door.
human
Inventory
gpt
You are carrying an advertising flyer and a trash can.
human
You drop can
gpt
You set down the trash can.
human
You take the can
gpt
You pick up the trash can.
human
You go south
gpt
The front yard is mostly bare dirt and burned-out brown lawn, except for a few hardy weeds. A paved walkway crosses it, leading from the sidewalk on the south up to the front porch on the north. The driveway runs past the yard on the east side, and a tall fence guards what must be the neighbors' yard on the west. Growing next to the walkway is a scraggly, half-dead tree.
human
You go east
gpt
The driveway continues northward along the side of the house, where an old gray car is parked, and leads south out to sidewalk and beyond it the street. On the east the driveway is bordered by a high fence, and Mrs. Pepper's front yard lies to the west.
human
You go to the north
gpt
Mrs. Pepper's house lies directly to the west; the drive continues to the south, and a gravel path leads around the house to the northwest. Standing directly to the north is a detached garage.

A battered old car is parked in the drive, just under an open window.
human
You wait
gpt
Precious time slips by, never to be recovered.

After a somewhat longer delay than the first time, the door flies open. Mrs. Pepper snarls at you. "Why are you bothering me? Do you want me to call the police?" The door slams again, leaving you on the outside and Mrs. Pepper on the inside.
human
You go south
gpt
The front yard is mostly bare dirt and burned-out brown lawn, except for a few hardy weeds. A paved walkway crosses it, leading from the sidewalk on the south up to the front porch on the north. The driveway runs past the yard on the east side, and a tall fence guards what must be the neighbors' yard on the west. Growing next to the walkway is a scraggly, half-dead tree.
human
Go north
gpt
Mrs. Pepper's house lies directly to the west; the drive continues to the south, and a gravel path leads around the house to the northwest. Standing directly to the north is a detached garage.

A battered old car is parked in the drive, just under an open window.

You see a trash can here.
human
Go northwest
gpt
The back yard is in a dreadful state. Except for a few sorry weeds, nothing grows here. Someone has dug holes of various sizes, leaving mounds of dirt and gravel everywhere. A concrete birdbath stands in the center of the yard. The back porch of the house lies directly to the south.

The driveway is off to the southeast, past the corner of the garage. The garage itself stands directly to the east.

A neighbor is working in the garden next door.
human
You look at the birdbath
gpt
The gray concrete birdbath is thick and ugly, and looks as if it hasn't held water for a long time. The bottom of the basin is coated with a thin layer of grime.
human
You examine the neighbor
gpt
She's tall and thin, and is wearing a big floppy hat of straw. She has rather a kindly look.
human
You look at the holes
gpt
Holes of various sizes have been dug across the lawn, seemingly at random, as if some demented fortune-seeker were desperately seeking buried treasure. The more prosaic explanation, given the state of the back yard, is that the holes are due to energetic but incompetent gardening efforts.
human
You examine the porch
gpt
The back porch is a plain wooden structure, with no railing or decoration. It looks as if it was tacked onto the house as an afterthought. It's several feet above the ground, with a ramp leading up to one side. The crawl space beneath it is deep in shadow.
human
You talk to the neighbour
gpt
"Hi," you say. "Who are you?"

"I'm Mrs. Dogwood, Mrs. Pepper's neighbor," she replies.

(You could ask her about Mr. Pepper, gardening, Mrs. Pepper's old car, herself, or Mrs. Pepper. You could also ask or tell her about various other things that might occur to you.)
human
You ask about Pepper
gpt
"Do you know Mrs. Pepper well?" you ask.

"As well as I want to!" Mrs. Dogwood replies. Lowering her voice, she adds in a near whisper, "I don't normally go in for tittle-tattle, but she really is the meanest.... Well, I dropped a fine gold brooch one day when I was working near the fence. At least, I don't know where else I could have dropped it. A few minutes later I'm sure I saw her arm snaking right through the fence, down near the ground. By the time I put down my shears and came to take a closer look, she was trotting into the house. I never did find that brooch. I'm sure she took it, but when I asked, quite politely, if she might have seen it or know where it could be, she got all huffy and claimed not to know what I was talking about. Swears she never saw it, she does!"
human
You ask about the gardening
gpt
"I was just admiring your wonderful garden," you tell Mrs. Dogwood politely.

"Why, thank you, dear!" she replies.

"It's much nicer than Mrs. Pepper's," you add.

"I don't like to speak ill of anyone," Mrs. Dogwood says piously, "but I think it's fair to say Mrs. Pepper doesn't have a green thumb."

A fat toad that you hadn't noticed before hops away under the back porch.
human
You take the toad
gpt
The toad is gone -- it hopped away under the porch.
human
You look under the porch
gpt
Deep in the shadows beneath the porch, you spy your skateboard!
human
You take the skateboard
gpt
It's clear back against the wall of the house. Even when you stretch your arm as far as you can, the skateboard is still at least three feet out of reach.

Mrs. Dogwood returns to her gardening.
human
You ask about the car
gpt
You are carrying an advertising flyer.

"Hello again," you say.

"Hi there, youngster," she replies.

"I saw Mrs. Pepper's old car in her driveway," you remark. "Is it always there?"

"If she's home, it is," Mrs. Dogwood replies promptly. "Sometimes in the afternoon she goes out driving, if there's a special sale on at the mall. You know, Flogg & Grabby's, down the road?"
human
You ask about the mr pepper
gpt
"What happened to Mrs. Pepper's husband," you ask.

"Such a tragic accident," the neighbor replies. "If it was an accident. I've always wondered about that. But really, I mustn't gossip."
human
You ask about herself
gpt
"You seem to be quite a fine gardener," you venture. "Have you lived in that house for a long time?"

"Oh, long enough," she replies vaguely. "I daresay I'm not a very interesting person."
human
You ask about the skateboarding toad
gpt
"Some other time, perhaps," she suggests, with a lopsided smile.
human
You ask about the toad
gpt
She bends over a little bush to inspect it, and then straightens up when you start to speak. "I'm sorry, dear, I didn't quite catch that. I thought I saw an aphid. Horrid things, aphids."

"Do you know anything about frogs and toads?" you ask Mrs. Dogwood.

"My goodness, what a question! Not so very much, no. I've noticed a fat old toad hopping about from time to time. I believe he lives under Mrs. Pepper's back porch. If you find him, I do hope you won't catch him in a jar or anything. That would be very cruel."
human
Go southeast
gpt
Mrs. Dogwood returns to her gardening.

Mrs. Pepper's house lies directly to the west; the drive continues to the south, and a gravel path leads around the house to the northwest. Standing directly to the north is a detached garage.

A battered old car is parked in the drive, just under an open window.

You see a trash can here.
human
You look at the tree
gpt
A few green leaves cling to the crooked branches of the tree, but really it looks more dead than alive. Mrs. Pepper calls it her orange tree -- in fact, one of your more memorable run-ins with her occurred when she accused you of stealing oranges from the tree. But in truth you've never seen an orange growing on the tree. The idea that it's an orange tree is purely a theory, as far as you're concerned.
human
You take branch
gpt
As sickly as the orange tree looks, its branches are still firmly attached to it.
human
Break branch
gpt
Painful experience has taught you that breaking things quite often gets you into trouble.
human
You climb the tree
gpt
The tree is too spindly to support your weight.
human
Examine flyer
gpt
The flyer is crisp, new, and colorful. In big bright letters it advertises a special sale at Flogg & Grabby's Stufftown, a shopping mall that lies just half a mile down the road. If the flyer is to be believed, the sale ends this very afternoon. "INCREDIBLY LOW PRICES ON GORGEOUS LADIES' WIGS!!!" it promises.

Mrs. Pepper is not your idea of a gorgeous lady (if anything, just the opposite). But she certainly is fond of wigs. Every time you see her, it seems, her wig is a different color and style, each more outlandish and ill-fitting than the last. What they all have in common is that they look as if she bought them in a thrift shop.
human
You examine the door
gpt
The door is of solid wood, except for a tiny peephole covered with a filigree of wrought iron. It's closed.
human
You put the flyer under door
gpt
The door is tightly fitted to its frame. There's not even a tiny gap at the bottom.
human
You look at the peephole
gpt
The peephole would be used by someone on the inside to see who's at the door. At the moment, it's closed.
human
You drop the flyer
gpt
You set down the advertising flyer.
human
Go south
gpt
The front yard is mostly bare dirt and burned-out brown lawn, except for a few hardy weeds. A paved walkway crosses it, leading from the sidewalk on the south up to the front porch on the north. The driveway runs past the yard on the east side, and a tall fence guards what must be the neighbors' yard on the west. Growing next to the walkway is a scraggly, half-dead tree.

After a brief pause, the front door opens. Mrs. Pepper ventures out on the porch, looks around to make sure no one is close enough to sneak past her into the house, and then bends to retrieve the flyer. For long seconds, she peers at it closely, holding it in both hands. Maybe it's only your imagination, but it looks as if her hands are actually trembling with desire. Then she turns on her heel and dives back into the house.

A moment later she bursts out again, a large purse over her arm.
After carefully locking the door, she strides off in the direction of the driveway. You hear her car coughing to life, and in a squeal of tires it backs down the driveway, careens into the street, reverses direction, and roars away in a cloud of blue exhaust vapors.
human
Go east
gpt
The driveway continues northward along the side of the house, and leads south out to sidewalk and beyond it the street. On the east the driveway is bordered by a high fence, and Mrs. Pepper's front yard lies to the west.
human
Go north
gpt
Mrs. Pepper's house lies directly to the west; the drive continues to the south, and a gravel path leads around the house to the northwest. Standing directly to the north is a detached garage.

You see a trash can here.
human
You throw the can
gpt
What do you want to throw it at?
human
At the window
gpt
The trash can hits the window without any obvious effect, and falls to the ground.
human
You enter window
gpt
You manage to clamber through the window -- but as you do so, you accidentally knock the lid off the can.

You glance nervously around as your feet land on the floor, but so far as you can tell the house really is empty now -- at least, you can't hear anybody about.

Compared to your parents' kitchen, Mrs. Pepper's seems, well, a bit mean and cramped, just like its owner. Most of the space is taken up by the old wooden table standing right in the middle. Beneath the lip of the table is a wide, shallow drawer. Completing the furnishings are a cupboard, a sink, a stove, and a refrigerator. The back door leads out to the north, while to the south is an open doorway, its door long since removed. The window through which you've just climbed is set in the east wall, and on the opposite side of the room a flight of steps leads down into darkness.
human
You examine the drawer
gpt
It's just a plain wooden drawer. It's closed.
human
You open the drawer
gpt
Opening the drawer reveals a small flashlight.
human
You get it
gpt
You can't have that; it's part of the kitchen table.
human
You get the torch
gpt
You pick up the small flashlight.
human
You examine table
gpt
It's a big square wooden table, old and scratched. Beneath one edge is a single drawer.
human
You look under the table
gpt
The only thing under the table is its drawer.
human
You open the cupboard
gpt
Opening the cabinet reveals a glass and a butter knife.
human
You look at the glass
gpt
It's chipped on one edge. It's currently empty.
human
You get all
gpt
fridge: You can't take that.
kitchen table: The kitchen table is too heavy.
glass: You pick up the glass.
butter knife: You pick up the butter knife.
human
You fill the glass
gpt
(from the faucet)
(first turning on the faucet, then putting the glass under it)
You hold the glass under the faucet until it fills up with water.
human
You open the fridge
gpt
Opening the fridge reveals a stale loaf of bread and a large wedge of blue cheese.

There's an overpowering smell of over-ripe cheese.
human
You examine the cheese
gpt
The cheese is runny in some spots and dried and crusty in other spots, all at the same time. Its odor is remarkable: If it gets much riper, it'll probably come when you call it. Phewww! It smells horrible.
human
You get the cheese and the bread
gpt
large wedge of blue cheese: You'd rather leave it where it is.
stale loaf of bread: You'd rather not touch it.
human
You examine the bread
gpt
It looks like one of your more successful school biology experiments -- the one where you're meant to grow a culture of mold.
human
You smell the cheese
gpt
Phewww! It smells horrible.
human
You look at the stove
gpt
The stove is not as nice as the one your family has, and not as clean either. Bits of this and that have dribbled down the front and dried there. It's closed.
human
You examine it
gpt
Opened.

The stove is not as nice as the one your family has, and not as clean either. Bits of this and that have dribbled down the front and dried there. It's open.
human
You examine the sink
gpt
The large porcelain sink is built against the east wall, near the window. A faucet is mounted above the sink.
human
You turn on the flashlight
gpt
You thumb the switch, but the flashlight fails to turn on.
human
You open the flashlight
gpt
Opened.
human
You examine the flashlight
gpt
The flashlight is slim, and about four inches long. There's a switch on one side, and an opening in the end through which a battery can be inserted. It's open.
human
You go south
gpt
This hall is little more than a narrow passage connecting the rooms to north and south. On the east side a flight of stairs leads up to the floor above, and there's an opening to the west, with a black button next to it at waist height.
human
Examine button
gpt
It's an ordinary black button, set in a little brass plate.
human
Go upwards
gpt
The landing runs north-south past a steel door to the west. A staircase leads down to the floor below, and there's a black button low on the west wall. Immediately to the south the bedroom door is closed.
human
You go north
gpt
This small, square room is furnished in a plain, unattractive style. Opposite the bed stands a dressing table, on which is a row of styrofoam heads. Arranged on the heads are some rather ugly wigs.
The way out is to the south, and there's a bathroom to the east.
human
You examine the wigs
gpt
green wig: The green wig is a mass of greasy green ringlets. Attached to the elastic band at the back is a little hand-lettered cardboard tag, which reads: TGPXH XKHHW.

auburn wig: The auburn wig is short and balloon-shaped. Attached to the elastic band at the back is a little hand-lettered cardboard tag, which reads: ZGBH YAHHKHU EHAQTKHX XYHFEH.

blond wig: The hair of the blond wig sticks straight out, as if it's made of clumps of straw. Attached to the elastic band at the back is a little hand-lettered cardboard tag, which reads: XPZZDS FGQS.

black wig: The black wig is very long, and the curls are tangled. Attached to the elastic band at the back is a little hand-lettered cardboard tag, which reads: ZGOQTGK KDTBQSO.
human
You take the wigs
gpt
green wig: You pick up the green wig.
auburn wig: You pick up the auburn wig.
blond wig: You pick up the blond wig.
black wig: You pick up the black wig.
human
You look at the table
gpt
The dressing table is unusually large. A mirror is mounted above it, and a single drawer is tucked away beneath. A row of white styrofoam heads stands on the table.
human
You open the drawer
gpt
Opening the dressing table reveals a brush and a musical score.
human
You look at the score
gpt
It appears to be the score for an opera called Die Zauberokarina by A.W. Trazom.
human
You look at the brush
gpt
Judging from the multi-colored strands caught in its bristles, Mrs. Pepper uses this cheap black plastic brush on her wigs. There's some kind of emblem on the back of the brush.
human
You examine the emblem
gpt
It's fairly schematic, but it looks like a scarlet fish. Underneath it is some tiny lettering.
human
You read the lettering
gpt
You can't make it out. It appears to be in Arabic or some other alphabet you have no idea how to read.
human
You look at the bed
gpt
The king-size bed is covered with a brown comforter.
human
You examine the comforter
gpt
It's a brown quilted coverlet.
human
Inventory
gpt
You are carrying a small flashlight, a glass (full of water), a butter knife, and four wigs (one green, one auburn, one blond, and one black).
human
Go east
gpt
The way out is to the west. The normal bathroom stuff is here, including a bath, a washbasin and a toilet.
human
You look at the bath
gpt
It's a plain white enamel bath, matching the sink; at least, it was white once, it's now mostly off-white with a number of distinctly brown stains.
human
You examine the basin
gpt
It's just a plain white enamel basin, matching the bath. A faucet is mounted above it.
human
You look behind the toilet
gpt
You don't need to use it right now, and you're not so sure of Mrs. Pepper's standards of hygiene that you want to mess with this part of her plumbing.
human
You get the toilet brush
gpt
You see nothing unusual about it.

You see no toilet brush here.
human
You go to the west
gpt
This small, square room is furnished in a plain, unattractive style. Opposite the bed stands a dressing table, on which is a row of styrofoam heads. The way out is to the south, and there's a bathroom to the east.

The dressing table contains a brush and a musical score.
human
You look at the heads
gpt
The four white styrofoam heads stand stiffly on the dressing table. They look rather ominously ghostly, as they have no faces.
human
You get brush
gpt
You pick up the brush.
human
You get the score
gpt
You pick up the musical score. Moving the musical score reveals an ocarina underneath.
human
You get the ocarina
gpt
You pick up the ocarina.
human
You get the ocarina
gpt
The plastic ocarina is about the shape and color of a potato. There are a few holes across the top, and a sort of mouthpiece at one side for blowing into.

You are already carrying the ocarina.
human
Play score
gpt
The score is far too complex for you to cope with -- hemisemidemiquavers by the bushel!
human
Brush hair
gpt
You give your hair a good brush. Maybe it ends up just a little tidier.
human
Go south
gpt
The landing runs north-south past a steel door to the west. A staircase leads down to the floor below, and there's a black button low on the west wall. Immediately to the south the bedroom door is closed.
human
You examine the steel door
gpt
The door has no visible knob or handle. It's recessed slightly in the wall.
human
You open the door
gpt
(the bedroom door)
The bedroom door won't budge; it resists your attempts to open it with almost supernatural determination.
human
You look at the score
gpt
It appears to be the score for an opera called Die Zauberokarina by A.W. Trazom.
human
Play score
gpt
The score is far too complex for you to cope with -- hemisemidemiquavers by the bushel!
human
You play the okerina
gpt
(play ocarina)

You tootle a few sour notes on the ocarina. You fancy you detect a momentary shimmering across the surface of the bedroom door, but possibly your eyes are playing tricks on you.
human
You knock on the door
gpt
(the bedroom door)
You think you hear a faint answering croak on the other side of the door, but you can't be quite sure.
human
You go north
gpt
This small, square room is furnished in a plain, unattractive style. Opposite the bed stands a dressing table, on which is a row of styrofoam heads. The way out is to the south, and there's a bathroom to the east.
human
You look in the mirror
gpt
You look almost exactly the same as the last time you looked in a mirror.
human
You hold the brush
gpt
You are already carrying the brush.
human
You examine the knife
gpt
It's a small knife, made of stainless steel. It looks as if it should cut through butter readily enough, but it probably wouldn't make much of an impression on a rump steak.
human
Go downwards
gpt
You can't go that way. Obvious exits lead south, back to the landing; and east, to the bathroom.
human
Go south
gpt
The landing runs north-south past a steel door to the west. A staircase leads down to the floor below, and there's a black button low on the west wall. Immediately to the south the bedroom door is closed.
human
Go downward
gpt
You can't go that way. Obvious exits lead north, to the kitchen; south; west; and up, back to the landing.
human
Go north
gpt
The kitchen is small, and equipped with the usual appliances, including a cupboard, a sink, a stove, and a refrigerator, though most of the space is taken up by the unusually bulky wooden table standing in the middle of the room. The back door leads north, while to the south is an open doorway. A flight of stairs on the west side of the room leads down, roughly opposite the window in the east wall.

The fridge contains a large wedge of blue cheese and a stale loaf of bread.

There's an overpowering smell of over-ripe cheese.
human
You go down
gpt
You tiptoe down the stairs into the cellar. It certainly is dark down here....

Cellar (in pitch darkness)
You can't see anything in here, apart from the dim outline of the stairs leading back up.
human
You go south
gpt
This boxy little room is furnished in a fussy, old-fashioned style. The one modern touch is a wide-screen TV, with a couch facing it. A low coffee table sits in front of the couch, and a fireplace is set in another wall. There's a door to the south, and the open doorway to the hall is on the north.

On the mantel is a framed photo. On the coffee table are a yellow book and a remote control.
human
You examine the control
gpt
The remote is studded with buttons, but two of them are especially large and appear well-thumbed. One is red, the other blue. Around the back is a sort of plastic hatch cover.
human
You examine the fireplace
gpt
The fireplace has an artificial gas log in it, and a mantel above.
human
You look at log
gpt
The gas log is gray. Its bark is wrinkled in an unconvincing way.
human
You look at the buttons
gpt
The main buttons of interest are the red button marked ON and the blue button marked CHAN.
human
You examine table
gpt
The coffee table is made of dark wood. On the coffee table are a yellow book and a remote control.
human
Examine book
gpt
The book is a thick paperback with a yellow cover. It's entitled Spell-Casting for Dummies.
human
You take remote
gpt
You pick up the remote control.
human
You open the remote
gpt
Opening the remote control reveals an AA battery.
human
You read the book
gpt
(first taking the yellow book)
As you open the book, a piece of paper falls out and flutters to the floor.
human
You take the battery
gpt
You pick up the AA battery.
human
You put the battery in the flashlight
gpt
You put the battery in the flashlight and close it.
human
You take the paper
gpt
You pick up the piece of paper.
human
You take all
gpt
framed photo: You pick up the framed photo.
wide-screen TV: The wide-screen TV is too heavy.
couch: The couch is too heavy.
coffee table: The coffee table is too heavy.
human
You examine couch
gpt
The couch, which is easily long enough for you to lie on, is set facing the wide-screen TV. It's covered in a rather depressing shade of brown leather, which has become more than a little shiny in some places, and scuffed in others.
human
You turn on the tv
gpt
It looks like you have to use the remote to do that.
human
You open the flashlight
gpt
Opening the small flashlight reveals an AA battery.
human
You close flashlight
gpt
Closed.
human
You get the paper
gpt
You are already carrying the piece of paper.
human
You examine paper
gpt
On the piece of paper someone has written, in block capitals with a stubby pencil, the phrase "THE MIND POWER OF GLAMOROUS HAIR CLUSTERS." Below this is another phrase, which oddly enough is total gibberish: "JAH ZQSU WDYHF DI OKGZDFDPX AGQF TKPXJHFX."
human
You look at the green wig
gpt
The green wig is a mass of greasy green ringlets. Attached to the elastic band at the back is a little hand-lettered cardboard tag, which reads: TGPXH XKHHW.
human
You check what you're carrying
gpt
You are carrying a small flashlight (providing light), a glass (full of water), a butter knife, four wigs (one green, one auburn, one blond, and one black), a brush, a musical score, an ocarina, a remote control, a yellow book, a piece of paper, and a framed photo.
human
You read the book
gpt
There's an index at the back of the book, where you might be able to look up specific topics if any interest you. Ignoring the index for the moment, you flip through the book at random, and encounter a recipe for a love potion, the principle ingredients of which seem to be onions and vacuum cleaner lint.
human
You look up toads
gpt
(in the yellow book)
The yellow book doesn't seem to have much to say on that subject -- nothing you can find in the index, at any rate.
human
You read the index
gpt
There's an index at the back of the book, where you might be able to look up specific topics if any interest you. Ignoring the index for the moment, you flip through the book at random, and encounter a numbingly complex description of Polynesian astrology, complete with pages of smudgy diagrams.
human
You look up wig
gpt
(in the yellow book)
You thumb through the index. There's nothing under "wigs," but purely by chance you spot an entry for "garments, magical, uses of." This section of the book proves to be devoted almost entirely to full-page, exotically lighted photos of pointed black hats with wide brims -- but a short paragraph reveals that the working of a spell usually requires both the wearing of a magically enhanced garment and the performance of some other action, such as shooting off firecrackers or plucking the feathers from a recently deceased chicken.
human
You look up the sleep
gpt
(in the yellow book)
You thumb through the index and find a listing for "sleep, inducing." On the indicated page, the book explains that to put someone to sleep, you need to be wearing a magically prepared garment or head-covering and chant a brief incantation while wielding the Sign of the Scarlet Fish. Unfortunately, the incantation is written in an alphabet you've never seen before, although it may be in the same script as the writing on the hairbrush. It looks rather like Arabic, but with a lot more squiggles.
human
You look up wheeled vehicles
gpt
(in the yellow book)
You thumb through the index and after hunting for a bit, find a listing for "vehicles, wheeled, causing to swerve." The indicated page seems to have been torn out, however.
human
You look up rain
gpt
(in the yellow book)
You thumb through the index and find a listing for "rain, summoning." On that page, the book explains that rain can be induced to fall by wearing a garment or head-covering imbued with the proper power while pouring water on the ground and holding a bamboo stick. The spell for adding this power to an ordinary garment is quite intimidatingly complex, sad to say, and requires several ingredients that you not only don't have but have never even heard of.
human
You look up locking
gpt
(in the yellow book)
You thumb through the index and find a listing for "locks, magical." On that page is printed the following verse:

To free the lock that I was glad
To conjure up when rightly clad.
human
You look at the blond wig
gpt
The hair of the blond wig sticks straight out, as if it's made of clumps of straw. Attached to the elastic band at the back is a little hand-lettered cardboard tag, which reads: XPZZDS FGQS.
human
You check what you're carrying
gpt
You are carrying a small flashlight (providing light), a glass (full of water), a butter knife, four wigs (one green, one auburn, one blond, and one black), a brush, a musical score, an ocarina, a remote control, a yellow book, a piece of paper, and a framed photo.
human
You look at the auburn wig
gpt
The auburn wig is short and balloon-shaped. Attached to the elastic band at the back is a little hand-lettered cardboard tag, which reads: ZGBH YAHHKHU EHAQTKHX XYHFEH.
human
You examine the green
gpt
The green wig is a mass of greasy green ringlets. Attached to the elastic band at the back is a little hand-lettered cardboard tag, which reads: TGPXH XKHHW.
human
You examine black
gpt
The black wig is very long, and the curls are tangled. Attached to the elastic band at the back is a little hand-lettered cardboard tag, which reads: ZGOQTGK KDTBQSO.
human
Play score
gpt
The score is far too complex for you to cope with -- hemisemidemiquavers by the bushel!
human
You play ocarina
gpt
You tootle a few sour notes on the ocarina. The front door vibrates for a moment in a dull, heavy way, as if it's becoming darker and more massive.
human
Go downwards
gpt
You can't go that way. Obvious exits lead north, to the kitchen; south, back to the sitting room; west; and up, to the landing.
human
Go down
gpt
The cellar is dim and dismal. A flight of stairs leads up. Near the foot of the stairs a slim chain dangles from the ceiling. Off to one side squats a heavy piece of machinery, and a plank shelf has been built into the opposite wall.

A battered old wheelchair slumps in one corner.
human
You pull the chain
gpt
You pull the chain, and the cellar is illuminated by a bare lightbulb mounted on a rafter at the upper end of the chain.
human
You look at the chari
gpt
(x chair)

It may still be functional, but it has clearly seen better days, and has hardly been treated with tender loving care. Part of the fabric is torn, and several spots of rust are appearing, not least on the brake lever.

You recall your mother telling you how poor Mr. Pepper was found dead at the foot of the cellar stairs following a tragic accident involving his wheelchair. After your various encounters with his widow, you find yourself wondering just how accidental his accident actually was.
human
You look at the chair
gpt
It may still be functional, but it has clearly seen better days, and has hardly been treated with tender loving care. Part of the fabric is torn, and several spots of rust are appearing, not least on the brake lever.
human
You examine the lever
gpt
It's just a short lever with a worn rubber grip at the end. The exposed metal part is beginning to look a bit rusty. Apparently the brake is on. It looks as if something may be jamming the lever from underneath, but you can't quite see what's back there without looking behind the lever.
human
You look behind the lever
gpt
Behind the brake lever is a bunch of keys. It looks like they must have fallen there from the owner's pocket.
human
You get the keys
gpt
The keys seem to be stuck behind the lever; you'll need something to move them with, something thin enough to fit behind the lever but sturdy enough to dislodge the keys.
human
You get the keys with the knife
gpt
You poke the knife behind the brake lever, and manage to dislodge the bunch of keys, which promptly falls onto the ground.
human
You take the keys
gpt
(first standing up)
You pick up the bunch of keys.
human
You look at the shelf
gpt
The shelf is built high against one wall. On the shelf is a glass jar (which contains a small metallic object).
human
You look at the jar
gpt
The glass jar seems to have been used at one time to hold paint. The interior surface is splattered with flecks of white, and a few dribbles have flowed down the outside and dried. The jar is quite dusty on the outside. It contains a small metallic object.
human
You get jar
gpt
(first getting off of the wheelchair)
You can't reach the glass jar because the shelf is too high.
human
You pull the lever
gpt
You pull the brake lever to its stop.
human
You remove the brake
gpt
(from the wheelchair)
You can't have that; it's part of the wheelchair.
human
You pull the lever
gpt
The innards of the machine are concealed by a metal housing. On one side is a large vertically mounted wheel, around both sides of which a sturdy cable runs up through the ceiling. Not far from the cable a black-coated wire dangles down from the ceiling. The lower end of the wire swings free not far from a screw that protrudes from the top of the machine. Mounted in the north wall just behind the machine is a small metal door.

You pull the brake lever to its stop.
human
You stand on the wheelchair
gpt
The wheelchair starts to roll away as soon as you try to stand on it.
human
You get the jar
gpt
You pick up the glass jar.
human
You examine JR
gpt
(x jar)

The glass jar seems to have been used at one time to hold paint. The interior surface is splattered with flecks of white, and a few dribbles have flowed down the outside and dried. The jar is quite dusty on the outside. It contains a small metallic object.
human
You open the jar
gpt
The lid seems to be stuck.
human
You open lid with the knife
gpt
The jar's lid proves too stubborn for that to work.
human
You take the jar
gpt
You are already carrying the glass jar.
human
You drop jar
gpt
Saved.

The jar plummets to the floor and breaks.
human
You look around
gpt
Cellar (standing on the wheelchair)
The cellar is dim and dismal. A flight of stairs leads up. Near the foot of the stairs a slim chain dangles from the ceiling. Off to one side squats a heavy piece of machinery, and a plank shelf has been built into the opposite wall.

The old wheelchair is resting just by the shelf.

You see a glass jar (broken) (which contains a small metallic object) here.
human
You get the jar
gpt
(first getting off of the wheelchair)
You pick up the glass jar.
human
You take the object
gpt
You pick up the small metallic object.
human
You examine object
gpt
It's an antique gold brooch, roughly round and about an inch and a half in diameter.
human
You examine the machine
gpt
The innards of the machine are concealed by a metal housing. On one side is a large vertically mounted wheel, around both sides of which a sturdy cable runs up through the ceiling. Not far from the cable a black-coated wire dangles down from the ceiling. The lower end of the wire swings free not far from a screw that protrudes from the top of the machine. Mounted in the north wall just behind the machine is a small metal door.
human
You examine the door
gpt
It's a small, gray, metal door set into the north wall. A thick cable runs up from the door to the ceiling. It's closed.
human
You open the door
gpt
Opening the metal door reveals a small box containing a large red switch.
human
You pull the wire
gpt
Touching the wire gives you a severe shock, so you let go of it at once.
human
You hit switch
gpt
Which switch do you mean, the large red switch, or the small flashlight?
human
Red switch
gpt
(the large red switch)
You cannot attack that.
human
You press the red
gpt
Which red do you mean, the red button, or the large red switch?
human
You pull the wire
gpt
You grip the end of the wire between two fingers and give it a little tug. It seems to be securely attached to something up in the ceiling, but this end is dangling loose -- not the usual situation, with electrical wires.
human
You look at the screw
gpt
The screw protrudes from the top plate of the machine housing.
human
Turn wheel
gpt
It proves to be too stiff to turn by hand.
human
Screw
gpt
What do you want to screw?
human
You examine the red button
gpt
The red button says "ON" in large square letters.
human
Inventory
gpt
Please select a file in which to save the current position >
Saved.

You are carrying a small flashlight, a glass (full of water), a butter knife, three wigs (one green, one auburn, and one blond), a brush, a musical score, an ocarina, a remote control, a yellow book, a piece of paper, a framed photo, a bunch of keys, a glass jar (broken), and a gold brooch. You're wearing a black wig.
human
Go upwards
gpt
The kitchen is small, and equipped with the usual appliances, including a cupboard, a sink, a stove, and a refrigerator, though most of the space is taken up by the unusually bulky wooden table standing in the middle of the room. The back door leads north, while to the south is an open doorway. A flight of stairs on the west side of the room leads down, roughly opposite the window in the east wall.

The fridge contains a large wedge of blue cheese and a stale loaf of bread.

There's an overpowering smell of over-ripe cheese.
human
You go north
gpt
(first unlocking the back door, then opening it)

The back porch is a plain wooden structure, with no railing or decoration. It looks as if it was tacked onto the house as an afterthought. It's several feet above the ground, with a ramp leading up to one side. The back door leading into the house is just to the south.

Mrs. Dogwood is working in the garden next door.
human
You examine the ramp
gpt
The ramp ascends smoothly from the ground to the porch.
human
You give the brooch to Dogwood
gpt
Mrs. Dogwood doesn't appear to hear you. Perhaps if you were closer to her....
human
Go north
gpt
The back yard is in a dreadful state. Except for a few sorry weeds, nothing grows here. Someone has dug holes of various sizes, leaving mounds of dirt and gravel everywhere. A concrete birdbath stands in the center of the yard. The back porch of the house lies directly to the south.

The driveway is off to the southeast, past the corner of the garage. The garage itself stands directly to the east.

Mrs. Dogwood is working in the garden next door.
human
You give the brooch to Dogwood
gpt
"Hello again," you say.

"Hi there, youngster," she replies.

"Do you recognize this brooch, by any chance, Mrs. Dogwood?" you ask.

"Yes! That's it! It's mine! I thought it was gone forever. Thank you so much for finding it for me." She takes the brooch and pins it to her jacket.
human
You ask about the ocarina
gpt
"My, but you're inquisitive!" she exclaims. "Just a regular little chatterbox."
human
You ask Dogwood about the spells
gpt
"You don't believe in magic, do you?" you ask.

She titters. "Magic? You mean like spells and witchcraft and such muck? Certainly not! I'm a sensible modern woman. All the same, one hears tales...."
human
You ask Dogwood about the music
gpt
"I hardly know what to say!" she declares.
human
You ask about the wigs
gpt
"Can you tell me anything about Mrs. Pepper's wigs?" you ask.

"Hideous, aren't they?" Mrs. Dogwood responds promptly. "I don't know why she's so fond of them, or where she buys them, but I daresay there's no accounting for taste."
human
You ask about writing on the brush
gpt
"Well..." she begins, then shakes her head, "No, I don't have time to explain all that now."
human
You ask about the mozart
gpt
"To tell you the truth," she begins, and then goes off into a rambling explanation you lose the thread of somewhere in the middle of the third sentence.
human
You give the ocarina to Dogwood
gpt
You show the ocarina to Mrs. Dogwood, and her face wrinkles in a disgusted frown. "That awful thing? I've heard Mrs. Pepper tootling on it, though I don't think she could carry a tune in a basket. She only plays it inside the house, thank goodness -- and I fancy the noise comes from upstairs."
human
You ask Dogwood to play the ocarina
gpt
You suspect that trying to boss Mrs. Dogwood around may not be the best way to secure her friendly co-operation.
human
Given the brush to dogwood
gpt
(give brush to dogwood)

"I'm afraid I'm not all that interested in that right now, dear," she replies, with a quick glance at the brush.
human
You wear the green wig
gpt
Okay, you're now wearing the green wig.

"My goodness," Mrs. Dogwood exclaims. "What's that on your head? It looks just like one of Mrs. Pepper's awful wigs. It looks rather silly on you, I must say, but I suppose young people's sense of what's fashionable or trendy is not quite the same as mine."
human
You look up the sleep
gpt
(in the yellow book)
You thumb through the index and find a listing for "sleep, inducing." On the indicated page, the book explains that to put someone to sleep, you need to be wearing a magically prepared garment or head-covering and chant a brief incantation while wielding the Sign of the Scarlet Fish. Unfortunately, the incantation is written in an alphabet you've never seen before, although it may be in the same script as the writing on the hairbrush. It looks rather like Arabic, but with a lot more squiggles.
human
You give the book to Dogwood
gpt
The word "sdzzpx" is not necessary in this story.

"I'm afraid I'm not all that interested in that right now, dear," she replies, with a quick glance at the yellow book.
human
Go south
gpt
Mrs. Dogwood returns to her gardening.

The back porch is a plain wooden structure, with no railing or decoration. It looks as if it was tacked onto the house as an afterthought. It's several feet above the ground, with a ramp leading up to one side. The back door leading into the house is just to the south.

Mrs. Dogwood is working in the garden next door.
human
You wear the black wig
gpt
(first taking off the green wig)
Okay, you're now wearing the black wig.
human
You press the button
gpt
(the black button)
You push the black button, but nothing happens.
human
Go upwards
gpt
You can't go that way. Obvious exits lead north, to the back porch; south, back to the hall; east, to the section of driveway beside the house; and down, to the cellar.
human
You play ocarina
gpt
You tootle a few sour notes on the ocarina. The bedroom door shimmers pleasantly for a moment, as if a rainbow of light is passing across it.
human
You open the door
gpt
(the bedroom door)
Opened.
human
Go south
gpt
This boxy room is mostly unfurnished. Its most interesting feature is a large pot or planter -- the sort of thing you'd expect to see a potted palm growing in. In this pot, however, is a small brownish-green person.

The door is to the north, and there's a window in the opposite wall.

A pamphlet is lying on the floor.
human
You read the pamphlet
gpt
(first taking the pamphlet)
You flip through the pamphlet. A lot of it is both boring and unlikely, but you manage to pick up one or two tidbits of information that might somehow be useful. First, the odd-looking little man in the pot is undoubtedly a garden elf, and not a pixie, leprechaun, or hobbit. The illustrations, though crudely drawn, make that pretty clear. Second, garden elves are reputed to be a type of plant, not an animal at all, though they look like little people. In the wild they're quite mobile: They can pop up out of the soil, duck down, and pop up again a hundred yards away in the blink of an eye -- but they can never venture more than a step or two away from the soil, as they have roots, not feet.
human
You examine the window
gpt
The window is narrow, consisting of a single pane of glass in a wooden frame. Curtains hang beside it. It's closed.
human
You pull the curtains
gpt
You pull the curtains closed, thereby shutting out much of the light.
human
You open the window
gpt
(first opening the curtains)
Opened.
human
You look at the window
gpt
The window is narrow, consisting of a single pane of glass in a wooden frame. Curtains hang beside it. It's open.
human
You look through the window
gpt
The window affords a view over the front yard and the busy street beyond.
human
You talk to the garden elf
gpt
"Hi there!" you say.

In reply, the elf makes soft croaking, choking noises. With an effort, he finally manages to force out a few intelligible words: "Water -- thirsty. Need water...."
human
Inventory
gpt
You are carrying a small flashlight, a glass (full of water), a butter knife, three wigs (one green, one auburn, and one blond), a brush, a musical score, an ocarina, a remote control, a yellow book, a piece of paper, a framed photo, a bunch of keys, a glass jar (broken), and a pamphlet. You're wearing a black wig.
human
You pour the water on the elf
gpt
When you lean over the pot and start to tip the glass of tap water into it, the elf writhes and convulses as if an electrical current were shooting through him. "Nooooo!" he cries in a quivering little voice. "Nasty chemicals! Nooo, please. Need nice fresh water, not nasty chemical water." He falls back, sobbing.
human
You go to the north
gpt
The elf looks at you regretfully.

The landing runs north-south past a steel door to the west. A staircase leads down to the floor below, and there's a black button low on the west wall. Immediately to the south the bedroom door is open.
human
You go north
gpt
This small, square room is furnished in a plain, unattractive style. Opposite the bed stands a dressing table, on which is a row of styrofoam heads. The way out is to the south, and there's a bathroom to the east.
human
Empty glass
gpt
Emptying the glass here would only make a mess.
human
Drink water
gpt
You drink all the water in the glass; it tastes stale, flat, and rather bitter.
human
You fill the glass
gpt
(from the faucet)
(first turning on the faucet, then putting the glass under it)
You hold the glass under the faucet until it fills up with water.
human
Go south
gpt
You can't go that way. The only obvious exit leads west, back to the back bedroom.
human
You go south
gpt
The landing runs north-south past a steel door to the west. A staircase leads down to the floor below, and there's a black button low on the west wall. Immediately to the south the bedroom door is open.
human
Go south
gpt
This boxy room is mostly unfurnished. Its most interesting feature is a large pot or planter -- the sort of thing you'd expect to see a potted palm growing in. In this pot, however, is a small brownish-green person.

The door is to the north, and there's a window in the opposite wall.
human
Go south
gpt
You could easily break an ankle jumping out the window.
human
You pour the water
gpt
Emptying the glass here would only make a mess.
human
You give the water to the elf
gpt
"Hi there!" you say.

When you lean over the pot and start to tip the glass of tap water into it, the elf writhes and convulses as if an electrical current were shooting through him. "Nooooo!" he cries in a quivering little voice. "Nasty chemicals! Nooo, please. Need nice fresh water, not nasty chemical water." He falls back, sobbing.
human
You wear the green wig
gpt
(first taking off the black wig)
Okay, you're now wearing the green wig.
human
You wear blond
gpt
(first taking off the green wig)
Okay, you're now wearing the blond wig.
human
You look up rain
gpt
(in the yellow book)
You thumb through the index and find a listing for "rain, summoning." On that page, the book explains that rain can be induced to fall by wearing a garment or head-covering imbued with the proper power while pouring water on the ground and holding a bamboo stick. The spell for adding this power to an ordinary garment is quite intimidatingly complex, sad to say, and requires several ingredients that you not only don't have but have never even heard of.
human
Inventory
gpt
You are carrying a small flashlight, a glass (full of water), a butter knife, three wigs (one green, one auburn, and one black), a brush, a musical score, an ocarina, a remote control, a yellow book, a piece of paper, a framed photo, a bunch of keys, a glass jar (broken), and a pamphlet. You're wearing a blond wig.
human
You ask the elf about the bamboo
gpt
In reply, the elf makes soft croaking, choking noises. With an effort, he finally manages to force out a few intelligible words: "Water -- thirsty. Need water...."
human
You take the elf
gpt
His legs seem to be firmly rooted in the soil in the pot.
human
You drop all
gpt
small flashlight: You set down the small flashlight.
glass: You put the glass down carefully.
butter knife: You set down the butter knife.
green wig: You set down the green wig.
auburn wig: You set down the auburn wig.

blond wig:
(first taking off the blond wig)
You set down the blond wig.

black wig: You set down the black wig.
brush: You set down the brush.
musical score: You set down the musical score.
ocarina: You set down the ocarina.
remote control: You set down the remote control.
yellow book: You set down the yellow book.
piece of paper: You set down the piece of paper.
framed photo: You set down the framed photo.
bunch of keys: You set down the bunch of keys.
glass jar: You set down the glass jar.
pamphlet: You set down the pamphlet.
human
You get the pot
gpt
You pick up the heavy pot.
human
You get the keys
gpt
You find that it's impossible to carry anything else while holding the heavy pot.

The elf looks at you regretfully.
human
Go north
gpt
The pot is far too heavy for you to carry any distance.
human
You drop the elf
gpt
You set down the heavy pot.
human
You look at the curtains
gpt
The curtains are made of some thin material printed in a predominantly blue chintzy pattern. They're open.
human
You close the curtains
gpt
You pull the curtains closed, thereby shutting out much of the light.
human
You examine the curtains
gpt
The curtains are made of some thin material printed in a predominantly blue chintzy pattern. They're closed.
human
Look around
gpt
This boxy room is mostly unfurnished. Its most interesting feature is a large pot or planter -- the sort of thing you'd expect to see a potted palm growing in. In this pot, however, is a small brownish-green person.

The door is to the north, and there's a window in the opposite wall.
human
You look at the pot
gpt
The fat brown pot looks to be made of earthenware. It's full of dirt, and a small, wrinkled, brownish-green person is lying curled up in it.
human
Go north
gpt
The landing runs north-south past a steel door to the west. A staircase leads down to the floor below, and there's a black button low on the west wall. Immediately to the south the bedroom door is open.
human
Go north
gpt
The back porch is a plain wooden structure, with no railing or decoration. It looks as if it was tacked onto the house as an afterthought. It's several feet above the ground, with a ramp leading up to one side. The back door leading into the house is just to the south.

Mrs. Dogwood is working in the garden next door.
human
You look at the garden
gpt
Over the fence you can see that the garden next door is very well tended. Growing in one corner is a spectacular patch of bamboo shoots.

Mrs. Dogwood is working in the garden next door.
human
You get skateboard
gpt
Your skateboard is too far away.
human
You get shoot
gpt
The patch of bamboo shoots is too far away.

(get short)

You have better things to do than mess with your hair right now.
human
You ask Dogwood about the bamboo
gpt
"Hello again," you say.

"Hi there, youngster," she replies.

"That's a very impressive patch of bamboo you have there, Mrs. Dogwood," you say.

"Oh, you like my bamboo," she replies. "I'm quite proud of it. It's not as easy to grow in this climate as you might suppose."
human
You get shoot
gpt
(get short)

You have better things to do than mess with your hair right now.
human
You ask Dogwood about the bamboo
gpt
"That's a very impressive patch of bamboo you have there, Mrs. Dogwood," you say.

"Oh, you like my bamboo," she replies. "I'm quite proud of it. It's not as easy to grow in this climate as you might suppose."
human
You ask Dogwood for the bamboo
gpt
"That's a very impressive patch of bamboo you have there, Mrs. Dogwood," you say. "I've always thought it would be fun to have a walking cane made of bamboo. I don't suppose there's any chance you could cut off one of the pieces for me? You'd hardly miss it!"

"Oh, you like my bamboo," she replies. "I'm quite proud of it. Normally I dislike cutting it, but..." She pauses.

"One good turn deserves another!" she adds with a grin. "Now that you've returned my brooch, I'd be happy to cut you a piece of bamboo!"

She crosses her garden and returns a few moments later bearing a stick of bamboo, which she hands to you over the fence. "Well, I believe I've done enough gardening for this afternoon," she finishes. "I'm going to go inside now and phone Gladys to tell her all about how a nice young person found my brooch and returned it to me." With that, she strips off her gardening gloves and trots off toward her back door.
human
You pour the water on the ground
gpt
The word "gloves" is not necessary in this story.

You pour all the water from the glass onto the ground.
human
You pour the water
gpt
You pour all the water from the glass onto the ground. Within moments after the water splashes onto the ground, a very small but dense gray cloud gathers over your head. The brief rumble of thunder sounds more like the rattling of a sheet of tin in a cheap theatrical production than like real thunder -- but all the same, the cloud dumps a downpour of rain onto the ground for about ten seconds before dissipating as abruptly as it gathered. As the day is warm, the water on the ground swiftly evaporates in tendrils of steam. A good bit of water has fallen into the birdbath, however -- so much that it's in no danger of evaporating. The birdbath is now full of fresh rainwater.
human
You fill the glass with the water
gpt
You fill the glass with fresh rainwater from the birdbath.
human
You fill the glass
gpt
(from the birdbath)
The glass is already full.
human
Drink glass
gpt
You drink all the water in the glass; it tastes nice and fresh.
human
You fill the glass
gpt
(from the birdbath)
You dip the glass in the birdbath and fill it with fresh rainwater.
human
Go south
gpt
The back porch is a plain wooden structure, with no railing or decoration. It looks as if it was tacked onto the house as an afterthought. It's several feet above the ground, with a ramp leading up to one side. The back door leading into the house is just to the south.
human
You give the water
gpt
(to the elf)
"Hi there!" you say.

As the fresh rainwater trickles into the soil of the pot, the elf begins to uncurl and stretch. No longer a shriveled ball cowering in the pot, he stands up straight, his eyes bright. "Ahh ... ahh! You don't know how wonderful that feels! I think maybe I won't die today after all. I'd hug you if I could, but --" He bends his knees as if trying to lift his feet free of the soil in the pot. "-- I've been rather planted, you see. I'm an elf, by the way, in case you hadn't guessed."
human
You talk to the elf
gpt
You already have the elf's attention.

(You could ask him about himself, Mrs. Pepper, your skateboard, or the pot, or tell him about your skateboard. You could also ask or tell him about various other things that might occur to you.)
human
You ask the elf about the skateboard
gpt
"Can you tell me how I might be able to get my skateboard out from under the porch?" you ask. "I think the space under there is just too small for me to crawl in."

"If you could get me downstairs and outdoors, I could certainly retrieve it for you," the elf replies. "I did notice that beneath the porch is only bare soil, not pavement, so I could go there. But how you'll be able to get me downstairs I don't know. This pot looks awfully heavy!"
human
You ask elf for the page
gpt
"Could you give me...?" you begin.

"I doubt it," the elf replies, before you can even complete your request. "My powers are very limited, you see."
human
You give the brush to the elf
gpt
"I don't have any use for that, I'm afraid," the elf says. "Thank you for showing it to me, though."
human
You look up swerve
gpt
(in the yellow book)
You thumb through the index and after hunting for a bit, find a listing for "vehicles, wheeled, causing to swerve." The indicated page seems to have been torn out, however.
human
You ask about the car
gpt
"I'm not much of a conversationalist," he admits. "You've stumped me ... if you'll forgive the term."
human
You ask the elf about the black button
gpt
"That's not something I know very much about," he responds. "I'm very sorry."
human
You ask the elf about the machine
gpt
"You humans must lead such interesting lives," the elf says. "You're just bursting with questions and comments!"
human
You ask the elf about the bamboo
gpt
"Have you noticed the beautiful bamboo plant growing in the neighbor's yard?" you ask.

"Oh, yes," the elf replies. "From time to time I've seen humans using bamboo sticks for magical purposes, but I really don't know anything about how that might work. Perhaps you could look it up in the Encyclopedia Enchantica, if you can find a copy."
human
You take soil
gpt
You can't have that; it's part of the heavy pot.
human
You put the elf in the glass
gpt
(first trying to take the elf)
His legs seem to be firmly rooted in the soil in the pot.
human
You put the soil in the glass
gpt
You can't put that anywhere; it's part of the heavy pot.
human
You drop all
gpt
small flashlight: You set down the small flashlight.
glass: You put the glass down carefully.
butter knife: You set down the butter knife.
green wig: You set down the green wig.
auburn wig: You set down the auburn wig.

blond wig:
(first taking off the blond wig)
You set down the blond wig.

black wig: You set down the black wig.
brush: You set down the brush.
musical score: You set down the musical score.
ocarina: You set down the ocarina.
remote control: You set down the remote control.
yellow book: You set down the yellow book.
piece of paper: You set down the piece of paper.
framed photo: You set down the framed photo.
glass jar: You set down the glass jar.
pamphlet: You set down the pamphlet.
bunch of keys: You set down the bunch of keys.
bamboo stick: You set down the bamboo stick.
human
You take the pot
gpt
You pick up the heavy pot.
human
You drop the pot
gpt
You set down the heavy pot.
human
You take all
gpt
small flashlight: You pick up the small flashlight.
glass: You pick up the glass.
butter knife: You pick up the butter knife.
green wig: You pick up the green wig.
auburn wig: You pick up the auburn wig.
blond wig: You pick up the blond wig.
black wig: You pick up the black wig.
brush: You pick up the brush.
musical score: You pick up the musical score.
ocarina: You pick up the ocarina.
remote control: You pick up the remote control.
yellow book: You pick up the yellow book.
piece of paper: You pick up the piece of paper.
framed photo: You pick up the framed photo.
glass jar: You pick up the glass jar.
pamphlet: You pick up the pamphlet.
bunch of keys: You pick up the bunch of keys.
bamboo stick: You pick up the bamboo stick.

heavy pot: To pick up the pot, you'll need both hands free.
human
You find the screwdriver
gpt
(in the yellow book)
The yellow book doesn't seem to have much to say on that subject -- nothing you can find in the index, at any rate.
human
You play ocarina
gpt
You tootle a few sour notes on the ocarina. The bedroom door slams shut.
human
You look
gpt
The landing runs north-south past a steel door to the west. A staircase leads down to the floor below, and there's a black button low on the west wall. Immediately to the south the bedroom door is closed.
human
Go downward
gpt
The cellar is dim and dismal. A flight of stairs leads up. Near the foot of the stairs a slim chain dangles from the ceiling. Off to one side squats a heavy piece of machinery, and a plank shelf has been built into the opposite wall.

The old wheelchair is resting just by the shelf.
human
You examine the machine
gpt
The innards of the machine are concealed by a metal housing. On one side is a large vertically mounted wheel, around both sides of which a sturdy cable runs up through the ceiling. Not far from the cable a black-coated wire dangles down from the ceiling. The lower end of the wire swings free not far from a screw that protrudes from the top of the machine. Mounted in the north wall just behind the machine is a small metal door.
human
You look at the screw
gpt
The screw protrudes from the top plate of the machine housing.
human
You examine the wire
gpt
The wire dangles down from the ceiling. It's covered with black insulating material, except for an inch or so at the lower end, which has the gleam of bare metal.
human
You examine photo
gpt
The photo is of Mrs. Pepper and a man you've never seen. She is standing with her hand on his shoulder; he is sitting in a wheelchair, gazing up at her with an expression that's hard to read -- something between fondness and brave dread. She's grimacing at the camera, showing her teeth in a way that was probably meant to be a smile.
human
You go south
gpt
This boxy little room is furnished in a fussy, old-fashioned style. The one modern touch is a wide-screen TV, with a couch facing it. A low coffee table sits in front of the couch, and a fireplace is set in another wall. There's a door to the south, and the open doorway to the hall is on the north.
human
You open the flashlight
gpt
Opening the small flashlight reveals an AA battery.
human
You put the battery in the remote
gpt
(first taking the AA battery from the small flashlight)
Done.
human
You turn on the tv
gpt
It looks like you have to use the remote to do that.
human
You turn on the tv
gpt
It's already on.
human
Change channel
gpt
The display on the TV changes to show an episode of the long-running sitcom "Fiends," about a flat-sharing coven of witches.

The word "change" is not necessary in this story.
human
You search the couch
gpt
Searching your settee at home can frequently prove rewarding, since there's often the odd dime or quarter or lost bunch of keys fallen behind the cushions, but Mrs. Pepper's couch proves obstinately devoid of such interesting finds.
human
You look
gpt
This boxy little room is furnished in a fussy, old-fashioned style. The one modern touch is a wide-screen TV, with a couch facing it. A low coffee table sits in front of the couch, and a fireplace is set in another wall. There's a door to the south, and the open doorway to the hall is on the north.
human
You examine the mantel
gpt
The mantel is a shelf about four feet long, which runs along the wall above the fireplace.
human
You pull mantel
gpt
It's firmly fixed in place.
human
Inventory
gpt
You are carrying a small flashlight, a glass, a butter knife, three wigs (one green, one auburn, and one blond), a brush, a musical score, an ocarina, a remote control, a yellow book, a piece of paper, a framed photo, a glass jar (broken), a pamphlet, a bunch of keys, and a bamboo stick. You're wearing a black wig. The remote control contains an AA battery.
human
You describe your surroundings
gpt
This boxy little room is furnished in a fussy, old-fashioned style. The one modern touch is a wide-screen TV, with a couch facing it. A low coffee table sits in front of the couch, and a fireplace is set in another wall. There's a door to the south, and the open doorway to the hall is on the north.
human
You go to the south
gpt
(first unlocking the front door, then trying to open it)
The front door won't budge; it resists your attempts to open it with almost supernatural determination.
human
You wear the black
gpt
You're already wearing it.
human
You play okarina
gpt
(play ocarina)

You tootle a few sour notes on the ocarina. The front door shimmers pleasantly for a moment, as if a rainbow of light is passing across it.
human
You go to the south
gpt
(first opening the front door)

The front door lies immediately to the north; the front yard is to the south. There's a doorbell button just by the front door.
human
Go east
gpt
You can't go that way. Obvious exits lead north, back to the sitting room; and south, to the front yard.
human
You go south
gpt
The front yard is mostly bare dirt and burned-out brown lawn, except for a few hardy weeds. A paved walkway crosses it, leading from the sidewalk on the south up to the front porch on the north. The driveway runs past the yard on the east side, and a tall fence guards what must be the neighbors' yard on the west. Growing next to the walkway is a scraggly, half-dead tree.
human
You examine weeds
gpt
The weeds look parched and withered.
human
You pull the weeds
gpt
You've never had any time for weeds.
human
Go north
gpt
Mrs. Pepper's house lies directly to the west; the drive continues to the south, and a gravel path leads around the house to the northwest. Standing directly to the north is a detached garage.

You see a trash can and a trash can lid here.
human
You go to the north
gpt
(first trying to open the garage door)
It seems to have been shut for so long that the most recent layer of paint has sealed it up.
human
You cut the door with the knife
gpt
The butter knife doesn't have much of an edge to it. You'd probably have a hard time cutting butter with it, let alone the garage door.
human
You play okarina
gpt
(play ocarina)

You tootle a few sour notes on the ocarina. You hear something slam shut nearby. The window slams shut. The garage door vibrates for a moment in a dull, heavy way, as if it's becoming darker and more massive.
human
You play okarina
gpt
(play ocarina)

You tootle a few sour notes on the ocarina. The garage door and the windowboth shimmer pleasantly for a moment, as if a rainbow of light is passing across them.
human
You examine the garage
gpt
The single-car garage is built of weathered planks, which are painted an unlikely shade of avocado green.
human
You go northwest
gpt
The back yard is in a dreadful state. Except for a few sorry weeds, nothing grows here. Someone has dug holes of various sizes, leaving mounds of dirt and gravel everywhere. A concrete birdbath stands in the center of the yard. The back porch of the house lies directly to the south.

The driveway is off to the southeast, past the corner of the garage. The garage itself stands directly to the east.
human
You look at the garage
gpt
The garage is pretty much just a wooden shed. It's painted green, and there's a plain wooden door on this side.
human
You examine the holes
gpt
Which holes do you mean, the excavations, or the ocarina?
human
You open door
gpt
(first unlocking the garage door)
Opened.
human
You go east
gpt
The interior of the garage smells dank and musty. A little sunlight leaks in through cracks and knotholes, and a pile of clutter occupies one corner. A workbench runs along the wall.

A long-handled rake leans against the wall.

On the workbench is a toolbox.
human
You look at the clutter
gpt
The pile of clutter in the corner seems to consist mostly of discarded cardboard cartons, which are covered with dust and cobwebs.
human
You get the spider
gpt
(get side)

You can't take that.
human
You get the toolbox
gpt
You pick up the toolbox.
human
You open it
gpt
Opening the toolbox reveals a screwdriver.
human
You look around
gpt
The interior of the garage smells dank and musty. A little sunlight leaks in through cracks and knotholes, and a pile of clutter occupies one corner. A workbench runs along the wall.

A long-handled rake leans against the wall.
human
You examine workbench
gpt
The workbench is built along one wall of the garage. It's rather stained and nicked, as if someone used it at one time, but now it's entirely bare of tools.
human
You get the rake
gpt
You pick up the rake.
human
You examine the wall
gpt
(the north wall)
You see nothing unusual about it.
human
You examine the garage door
gpt
(the garage side door)
It's an ordinary door. It's open.
human
You get the screwd
gpt
You pick up the screwdriver.
human
You attach the wire
gpt
What do you want to attach it to?
human
To screw
gpt
It appears you'll need both hands. Trying to hold anything other than the screwdriver while doing that is just too awkward.
human
You drop all except the screwdriver
gpt
small flashlight: You set down the small flashlight.
glass: You put the glass down carefully.
butter knife: You set down the butter knife.
green wig: You set down the green wig.
auburn wig: You set down the auburn wig.
blond wig: You set down the blond wig.

black wig:
(first taking off the black wig)
You set down the black wig.

brush: You set down the brush.
musical score: You set down the musical score.
ocarina: You set down the ocarina.
remote control: You set down the remote control.
yellow book: You set down the yellow book.
piece of paper: You set down the piece of paper.
framed photo: You set down the framed photo.
glass jar: You set down the glass jar.
pamphlet: You set down the pamphlet.
bunch of keys: You set down the bunch of keys.
bamboo stick: You set down the bamboo stick.
toolbox: You set down the toolbox.
rake: You set down the rake.
human
You attach the wire to the screw
gpt
Using the screwdriver, you attach the bare metal end of the wire to the screw on the top of the machine.
human
You examine machine
gpt
The innards of the machine are concealed by a metal housing. On one side is a large vertically mounted wheel, around both sides of which a sturdy cable runs up through the ceiling. Not far from the cable a black-coated wire dangles down from the ceiling. The wire is attached to a screw on the top of the machine. Mounted in the north wall just behind the machine is a small metal door.
human
You press the switch
gpt
(the large red switch)
A low humming sound starts coming from the machinery.
human
Go down
gpt
The cellar is dim and dismal. A flight of stairs leads up. Near the foot of the stairs a slim chain dangles from the ceiling. Off to one side squats a heavy piece of machinery, and a plank shelf has been built into the opposite wall.
human
You get all
gpt
The old wheelchair is resting just by the shelf.

You see a small flashlight, a glass, a butter knife, four wigs (one green, one auburn, one blond, and one black), a brush, a musical score, an ocarina, a remote control, a yellow book, a piece of paper, a framed photo, a glass jar (broken), a pamphlet, a bunch of keys, a bamboo stick, a toolbox, and a rake here. The remote control contains an AA battery.

wheelchair: The old wheelchair would be far too awkward to carry. small flashlight: You pick up the small flashlight.
glass: You pick up the glass.
butter knife: You pick up the butter knife.
green wig: You pick up the green wig.
auburn wig: You pick up the auburn wig.
blond wig: You pick up the blond wig.
black wig: You pick up the black wig.
brush: You pick up the brush.
musical score: You pick up the musical score.
ocarina: You pick up the ocarina.
remote control: You pick up the remote control.
yellow book: You pick up the yellow book.
piece of paper: You pick up the piece of paper.
framed photo: You pick up the framed photo.
glass jar: You pick up the glass jar.
pamphlet: You pick up the pamphlet.
bunch of keys: You pick up the bunch of keys.
bamboo stick: You pick up the bamboo stick.
toolbox: You pick up the toolbox.
rake: You pick up the rake.
human
You play the okarna
gpt
(play ocarina)

You tootle a few sour notes on the ocarina. The toolbox slams shut.
human
You play okarina
gpt
(play ocarina)

You tootle a few sour notes on the ocarina. The toolbox shimmers pleasantly for a moment, as if a rainbow of light is passing across it.
human
You play okarina
gpt
(play ocarina)

You tootle a few sour notes on the ocarina. The small metal box slams shut. The toolbox vibrates for a moment in a dull, heavy way, as if it's becoming darker and more massive.
human
You play okarina
gpt
(play ocarina)

You tootle a few sour notes on the ocarina. The small metal door and the toolboxboth shimmer pleasantly for a moment, as if a rainbow of light is passing across them.
human
You look at the wheel
gpt
You push the red button, but nothing happens.

The wheel is mounted vertically on the side of the machine. A thick metal cable loops around it, extending upward through the ceiling.
human
Examine box
gpt
Which box do you mean, the small metal door, or the toolbox?
human
You pull the switch
gpt
(the large red switch)
The machinery falls silent.
human
You pull the switch
gpt
(the large red switch)
A low humming sound starts coming from the machinery.
human
You feel the machine
gpt
It feels pretty solid.
human
You use the rake
gpt
I don't recognize the command USE, because it's a bit too vague; please be more specific about what you want to do.
human
You examine the holes
gpt
Which holes do you mean, the excavations, or the ocarina?
human
Excavation
gpt
Holes of various sizes have been dug across the lawn, seemingly at random, as if some demented fortune-seeker were desperately seeking buried treasure. The more prosaic explanation, given the state of the back yard, is that the holes are due to energetic but incompetent gardening efforts.
human
Go south
gpt
The kitchen is small, and equipped with the usual appliances, including a cupboard, a sink, a stove, and a refrigerator, though most of the space is taken up by the unusually bulky wooden table standing in the middle of the room. The back door leads north, while to the south is an open doorway. A flight of stairs on the west side of the
human
Go south
gpt
room leads down, roughly opposite the window in the east wall.

The fridge contains a large wedge of blue cheese and a stale loaf of bread.

There's an overpowering smell of over-ripe cheese.

This hall is little more than a narrow passage connecting the rooms to north and south. On the east side a flight of stairs leads up to the floor above, and there's an opening to the west, with a black button next to it at waist height.
human
You go south
gpt
This boxy little room is furnished in a fussy, old-fashioned style. The one modern touch is a wide-screen TV, with a couch facing it. A low coffee table sits in front of the couch, and a fireplace is set in another wall. There's a door to the south, and the open doorway to the hall is on the north.
human
Go south
gpt
The front door lies immediately to the north; the front yard is to the south. There's a doorbell button just by the front door.
human
You go south
gpt
The front yard is mostly bare dirt and burned-out brown lawn, except for a few hardy weeds. A paved walkway crosses it, leading from the sidewalk on the south up to the front porch on the north. The driveway runs past the yard on the east side, and a tall fence guards what must be the neighbors' yard on the west. Growing next to the walkway is a scraggly, half-dead tree.
human
You look at the tree
gpt
A few green leaves cling to the crooked branches of the tree, but really it looks more dead than alive. Mrs. Pepper calls it her orange tree -- in fact, one of your more memorable run-ins with her occurred when she accused you of stealing oranges from the tree. But in truth you've never seen an orange growing on the tree. The idea that it's an orange tree is purely a theory, as far as you're concerned.
human
You throw the rake at the the nutter
gpt
(throw rake at the outer)

The rake falls to the lawn well short of the at the end of the driveway.
human
You get the rake
gpt
You pick up the rake.
human
You examine the fence
gpt
The fence is tall, and made of solid vertical boards. Once they were painted white, but by now they're gray and a bit water-stained.
human
Go east
gpt
The driveway continues northward along the side of the house, and leads south out to sidewalk and beyond it the street. On the east the driveway is bordered by a high fence, and Mrs. Pepper's front yard lies to the west.
human
You go to the west
gpt
(first trying to stand on the trash can)
You can't stand on the can after removing the lid.
human
You look at the fence
gpt
The fence to the north is tall and solid. The fence to the west is somewhat lower, allowing you to look over it into the adjoining yard, where a neighbor is at work in her garden.
human
You get the skateboard with the rake
gpt
By groping with the rake under the porch, you manage to drag your skateboard close enough to get your hands on it -- and then you pick it up. Success!
human
You examine the skateboard
gpt
The flame decals are starting to peel off, but that's because you've spent so many happy hours zipping around town on your skateboard.
human
Go upwards
gpt
You can't go that way. Obvious exits lead north, back to the back porch; south, to the hall; east, to the section of driveway beside the house; and down, to the cellar.
human
You go south
gpt
This hall is little more than a narrow passage connecting the rooms to north and south. On the east side a flight of stairs leads up to the floor above, and there's an opening to the west, with a black button next to it at waist height.
human
Go upwards
gpt
The landing runs north-south past a steel door to the west. A staircase leads down to the floor below, and there's a black button low on the west wall. Immediately to the south the bedroom door is open.
human
Go south
gpt
This boxy room is mostly unfurnished. Its most interesting feature is a large pot or planter -- the sort of thing you'd expect to see a potted palm growing in. In this pot, however, is a small brownish-green person.

The door is to the north, and there's a window in the opposite wall.
human
You drop all
gpt
screwdriver: You set down the screwdriver.
small flashlight: You set down the small flashlight.
glass: You put the glass down carefully.
butter knife: You set down the butter knife.
green wig: You set down the green wig.
auburn wig: You set down the auburn wig.
blond wig: You set down the blond wig.

black wig:
(first taking off the black wig)
You set down the black wig.

brush: You set down the brush.
musical score: You set down the musical score.
ocarina: You set down the ocarina.
remote control: You set down the remote control.
yellow book: You set down the yellow book.
piece of paper: You set down the piece of paper.
framed photo: You set down the framed photo.
glass jar: You set down the glass jar.
pamphlet: You set down the pamphlet.
bunch of keys: You set down the bunch of keys.
bamboo stick: You set down the bamboo stick.
toolbox: You set down the toolbox.
rake: You set down the rake.
your skateboard: You set down your skateboard.
human
You put the pot on the skateboard
gpt
Done.
human
Go downward
gpt
room leads down, roughly opposite the window in the east wall.

The fridge contains a large wedge of blue cheese and a stale loaf of bread.

There's an overpowering smell of over-ripe cheese.

The cellar is dim and dismal. A flight of stairs leads up. Near the foot of the stairs a slim chain dangles from the ceiling. Off to one side squats a heavy piece of machinery, and a plank shelf has been built into the opposite wall.

The old wheelchair is resting just by the shelf.
human
You get the machine
gpt
It looks impossible to move the machinery and unwise to try.
human
Go up
gpt
The landing runs north-south past a steel door to the west. A staircase leads down to the floor below, and there's a black button low on the west wall. Immediately to the south the bedroom door is open.

Your skateboard is lying on the floor.

The elf is standing in the pot that's on your skateboard.
human
You press the button
gpt
There's a short hum and then the steel door slides open.
human
You press the button
gpt
The steel door slides shut; a few moments later there is a brief humming noise, accompanied by a momentary sensation of lightness.
Then the steel door slides open.
human
You look around
gpt
The back yard is in a dreadful state. Except for a few sorry weeds, nothing grows here. Someone has dug holes of various sizes, leaving mounds of dirt and gravel everywhere. A concrete birdbath stands in the center of the yard. The back porch of the house lies directly to the south.

The driveway is off to the southeast, past the corner of the garage. The garage itself stands directly to the east.

Your skateboard is lying on the floor in the back porch.

On your skateboard is a heavy pot.

The elf is waiting for you to follow him to the southeast.
human
Go south
gpt
"No! No! Not that way!" the elf stops you, his voice strangely compelling, "We must go that way!" He nods towards the section of driveway beside the house.
human
You go to the southeast
gpt
The elf leads the way to the side of the house.

Mrs. Pepper's house lies directly to the west; the drive continues to the south, and a gravel path leads around the house to the northwest. Standing directly to the north is a detached garage.

You see a trash can and a trash can lid here.

The elf beckons you to follow him south along the driveway.
human
You go south
gpt
The elf strides ahead of you into the drive.

The driveway continues northward along the side of the house, and leads south out to sidewalk and beyond it the street. On the east the driveway is bordered by a high fence, and Mrs. Pepper's front yard lies to the west.

The elf nods towards the front yard, indicating that you are to follow him westwards.
human
Go west
gpt
The elf accompanies you into the front yard.

The front yard is mostly bare dirt and burned-out brown lawn, except for a few hardy weeds. A paved walkway crosses it, leading from the sidewalk on the south up to the front porch on the north. The driveway runs past the yard on the east side, and a tall fence guards what must be the neighbors' yard on the west. Growing next to the walkway is a scraggly, half-dead tree.

The elf stops in the middle of the front yard and nods towards the tree. "Do you see that poor bedraggled orange tree there? It hasn't borne fruit in years, and may never again, unless someone else buys this house and nurtures it back to health. But it's not quite dead, no indeed. Watch closely now."

He gestures at the nearest branch with his long, slim, gnarled fingers. As you watch, a single bud bursts forth at the end of the branch. At first no more than a tiny green nub, it swells rapidly.
In a few seconds a plump, ripe orange is hanging from the branch.

"Go ahead," says the elf. "Pick the orange and enjoy it. It's yours. Oh," he adds, handing you your skateboard, "you nearly forgot this." Before you can stammer your thanks -- before you can blurt out the dozen questions jostling in your head about what it's like being an elf, and where he came from, and whether you'll ever see him again -- the elf has somehow folded himself inward, like a fast-motion film of a growing plant when the film is run backwards. He shrinks and runs downward into the soil, and he's gone.
human
Go east
gpt
The driveway continues northward along the side of the house, and leads south out to sidewalk and beyond it the street. On the east the driveway is bordered by a high fence, and Mrs. Pepper's front yard lies to the west.
human
Go south
gpt
You're at the outer end of Mrs. Pepper's driveway, which extends to the north alongside her house. Before the house is a square of sadly neglected lawn. The sidewalk runs east and west from here, and the street is to the south.
human
You look at what you're carrying with you
gpt
You are carrying your skateboard.
human
You go east
gpt
This stretch of sidewalk runs more or less east-west between the busy street to the south and a tall, water-stained fence to the north.
Just a few yards further west the fence ends where Mrs. Pepper's driveway thrusts into the roadway.
human
You go to the south
gpt
There's too much traffic for you to consider crossing the street.
human
Go west
gpt
After taking a hurried detour to put Mrs. Pepper's possessions back where you found them, lock her house and garage, and toss the keys under the back porch, you head home, happy as can be: Not only did you meet an elf and save him from certain death, but you got your skateboard back too.
human
You pick the orange
gpt
The orange tree is not something you can pick. Possibly you meant to type 'pick up'.
human
You get orange
gpt
The orange tree is too far away.
human
You get orange
gpt
You pick the orange.
human
You eat it
gpt
You peel the orange carefully, remove a section, and bite into it. Quite possibly it's the best-tasting orange you've ever had in your life!
human
You throw the orange
gpt
(at Mrs. Pepper's house)
The orange hits Mrs. Pepper's house without any obvious effect, and falls to the lawn.
human
Go west
gpt
After taking a hurried detour to put Mrs. Pepper's possessions back where you found them, lock her house and garage, and toss the keys under the back porch, you head home, happy as can be: Not only did you meet an elf and save him from certain death, but you got your skateboard back too.
human
You check your inventory
gpt
You are carrying a small flashlight, a glass, a butter knife, three wigs (one green, one auburn, and one blond), a brush, a musical score, an ocarina, a remote control, a yellow book, a piece of paper, a framed photo, a glass jar (broken), a pamphlet, a bunch of keys, and a bamboo stick. You're wearing a black wig.
human
Go east
gpt
(first unlocking the garage door, then opening it)

The interior of the garage smells dank and musty. A little sunlight leaks in through cracks and knotholes, and a pile of clutter occupies one corner. A workbench runs along the wall.

A long-handled rake leans against the wall.

On the workbench is a toolbox.
human
You open the toolbox
gpt
The word "debris" is not necessary in this story.

Opening the toolbox reveals a screwdriver.
human
Examine box
gpt
The toolbox is made of metal, and has a hinged lid. Except for a few dents and dribbles of paint, it appears to be in good condition. It's open, and contains a screwdriver.
human
You take the screwdriver
gpt
You pick up the screwdriver.
human
You examine the workbench
gpt
The workbench is built along one wall of the garage. It's rather stained and nicked, as if someone used it at one time, but now it's mostly bare of tools. On the workbench is a toolbox.
human
You get the rake
gpt
You pick up the rake.
human
You take the rake
gpt
You are already carrying the rake.
human
You look at the rake
gpt
This is the long-handled rake that Mrs. Pepper tried to claw you with. Its long metal tines are filthy.
human
You look under the porch
gpt
Deep in the shadows beneath the porch, you spy your skateboard!
human
You get the skateboard with the rake
gpt
By groping with the rake under the porch, you manage to drag your skateboard close enough to get your hands on it -- and then you pick it up. Success!
human
You examine the skateboard
gpt
The flame decals are starting to peel off, but that's because you've spent so many happy hours zipping around town on your skateboard.
human
Go south
gpt
The back porch is a plain wooden structure, with no railing or decoration. It looks as if it was tacked onto the house as an afterthought. It's several feet above the ground, with a ramp leading up to one side. The back door leading into the house is just to the south.
human
You turn the screw with the screwdriver
gpt
You give the screw a little twist with the screwdriver.
human
You remove the screw
gpt
(from the machinery)
You can't have that; it's part of the machinery.
human
You examine the door
gpt
It's a small metal box, recessed into the wall behind a small gray door, and containing a large red switch. A thick cable runs up from the box to the ceiling. It's open.
human
You look at the switch
gpt
Which switch do you mean, the large red switch, or the small flashlight?
human
Large red switch
gpt
(the large red switch)
It's a large red switch, mounted on the wall in a gray box, and currently in the 'down (off)' position.
human
You open the metal door
gpt
The small metal box is already open.
human
You look at the cable
gpt
(the braided metal cable)
The thick braided metal cable loops around the wheel on the side of the machine. From both sides of the wheel, it extends upward through small holes in the ceiling.
human
You enter the metal door
gpt
(the ocarina)
The plastic ocarina is about the shape and color of a potato. There are a few holes across the top, and a sort of mouthpiece at one side for blowing into.

You're not an ant!
human
You touch the wire
gpt
The wire fails to shock you. Evidently the switch on the wall is the circuit breaker.
human
You drop all
gpt
small flashlight: You set down the small flashlight.
glass: You put the glass down carefully.
butter knife: You set down the butter knife.
green wig: You set down the green wig.
auburn wig: You set down the auburn wig.
blond wig: You set down the blond wig.

black wig:
(first taking off the black wig)
You set down the black wig.

brush: You set down the brush.
musical score: You set down the musical score.
ocarina: You set down the ocarina.
remote control: You set down the remote control.
yellow book: You set down the yellow book.
piece of paper: You set down the piece of paper.
framed photo: You set down the framed photo.
glass jar: You set down the glass jar.
pamphlet: You set down the pamphlet.
bunch of keys: You set down the bunch of keys.
bamboo stick: You set down the bamboo stick.
screwdriver: You set down the screwdriver.
rake: You set down the rake.
human
You attach the wire to the screw
gpt
your skateboard: You set down your skateboard.

To do that, you'll need a screwdriver.
human
You take the screwdriver
gpt
You pick up the screwdriver.
human
You attach the wire to the screw
gpt
Using the screwdriver, you attach the bare metal end of the wire to the screw on the top of the machine.
human
You take all
gpt
wheelchair: The old wheelchair would be far too awkward to carry. small flashlight: You pick up the small flashlight.
glass: You pick up the glass.
butter knife: You pick up the butter knife.
green wig: You pick up the green wig.
auburn wig: You pick up the auburn wig.
blond wig: You pick up the blond wig.
black wig: You pick up the black wig.
brush: You pick up the brush.
musical score: You pick up the musical score.
ocarina: You pick up the ocarina.
remote control: You pick up the remote control.
yellow book: You pick up the yellow book.
piece of paper: You pick up the piece of paper.
framed photo: You pick up the framed photo.
glass jar: You pick up the glass jar.
pamphlet: You pick up the pamphlet.
bunch of keys: You pick up the bunch of keys.
bamboo stick: You pick up the bamboo stick.
rake: You pick up the rake.
your skateboard: You pick up your skateboard.
human
You turn on the red switch
gpt
A low humming sound starts coming from the machinery.
human
You examine machine
gpt
The innards of the machine are concealed by a metal housing. On one side is a large vertically mounted wheel, around both sides of which a sturdy cable runs up through the ceiling. Not far from the cable a black-coated wire dangles down from the ceiling. The wire is attached to a screw on the top of the machine. Mounted in the north wall just behind the machine is a small metal door.
human
You open the door
gpt
The small metal box is already open.
human
You get in the door
gpt
(the bedroom door)
You can't board that.
human
You enter the elevator
gpt
This chamber is not much larger than a closet. The way out is to the east, next to a waist-height black button.
human
You go to the west
gpt
(first trying to open the steel door)
The steel door seems to be locked.
human
Go upwards
gpt
You can't go that way. Obvious exits lead north, to the back bedroom; south, to the front bedroom; west; and down, back to the hall.
human
Go west
gpt
This chamber is not much larger than a closet. The way out is to the east, next to a waist-height black button.
human
You press the button
gpt
(the black button)
The steel door slides shut; a few moments later there is a brief humming noise, accompanied by a momentary sensation of lightness.
Then the steel door slides open.
human
You ask the elf about the skateboard
gpt
With some pride, you tell the elf how you got your skateboard out from under the porch using the rake. "I'm very happy for you," he says, not sounding particularly happy. "I've seen young humans racing down the walk on skateboards, and it does look like fun. But I've never been on one myself, nor am ever likely to be, since I have roots in place of feet."
human
You ask the elf about the elevator
gpt
"Did you know there's an elevator in this house?" you ask the elf.

"What's an elevator?" he replies. "I'm a creature of the Great Outdoors, you'll understand. I know very little about what's inside houses."

"It's ... well, it's a little room that goes up and down," you explain.

"You mean, like a bird?"

"Well, no," you admit. "An elevator isn't really very much like a bird. It's more like ... oh, never mind."
human
You ask the elf about the elf
gpt
"I don't know very much about ... little people," you venture. "Are you by any chance an elf?"

"Why, that I am. A good guess. Not a very important elf, though, just a common garden elf. My name is Turlix." He bows.
human
You ask the elf about yourself
gpt
"That's not something I know very much about," he responds. "I'm very sorry."
human
You ask Turlix about the mr pepper
gpt
"I'm not much of a conversationalist," he admits. "You've stumped me ... if you'll forgive the term."
human
You ask the elf about the mr pepper
gpt
"You humans must lead such interesting lives," the elf says. "You're just bursting with questions and comments!"
human
You ask the elf about the elves
gpt
"Do all garden elves live in pots in houses?" you ask. "I mean, I wouldn't have guessed."

"Oh, no," he says, shaking his head sadly. "I'm being held captive by that awful woman. It was my own fault," he says, looking chagrined. "Her garden is such a disaster, so dreadful and dismal and abysmal. Day after day I would see her out there raking, and nothing to rake but rocks! Finally, one day it was too much for me. I popped up and told her in no uncertain terms what a shameful mess she'd made of it.

"She asked for my help. Demanded it, truth be told. I told her, there's not much I can do with a garden so decrepit. I can encourage a seed to sprout, or perhaps coax a tree to bring forth a few extra blossoms, but fill a garden of gravel with flowers and vegetables? It would take a hundred elves a hundred days to do it.

"She listened to me, nodding all the while. I thought she understood. But then she did -- something, I'm not sure what, except that I think it was a magic spell that came from the absurd thing she was wearing on her head. I felt myself getting sleepy, and when I awoke I was up here in this room, in this pot, completely cut off from the soil of the Earth.

"And then she told me if I wouldn't promise to make her garden grow, she would never let me go! I told her it was beyond my poor powers, but she didn't want to believe me. Lately she's begun tormenting me by not watering me. As if that would convince me to promise something I can't possibly achieve. We elves know better than to make promises we can't keep. If you hadn't come along, I'm sure I would have dried up and blown away before another day had gone by."
human
You check your inventory
gpt
You are carrying a screwdriver, a small flashlight, a glass, a butter knife, four wigs (one green, one auburn, one blond, and one black), a brush, a musical score, an ocarina, a remote control, a yellow book, a piece of paper, a framed photo, a glass jar (broken), a pamphlet, a bunch of keys, a bamboo stick, a rake, and your skateboard.
human
You ask him about the pot
gpt
"Are you comfortable in that pot?" you ask the elf.

"Oh, it's not too bad," he replies. "It will be months before I'm root-bound, and if I can't escape from here before then I'm sure I'll be dead."
human
Look around
gpt
This boxy room is mostly unfurnished. Its most interesting feature is a large pot or planter -- the sort of thing you'd expect to see a potted palm growing in. In this pot, however, is a small brownish-green person.

The door is to the north, and there's a window in the opposite wall.
human
You look at the cupboard
gpt
It's seen better days, but it still appears functional. It's open.
human
You examine the cheese
gpt
The cheese is runny in some spots and dried and crusty in other spots, all at the same time. Its odor is remarkable: If it gets much riper, it'll probably come when you call it. Phewww! It smells horrible.
human
You take the cheese
gpt
You'd rather leave it where it is.
human
You open the fridge
gpt
The fridge is already open.
human
You look in fridge
gpt
The fridge contains a stale loaf of bread and a large wedge of blue cheese.
human
You look
gpt
The kitchen is small, and equipped with the usual appliances, including a cupboard, a sink, a stove, and a refrigerator, though most of the space is taken up by the unusually bulky wooden table standing in the middle of the room. The back door leads north, while to the south is an open doorway. A flight of stairs on the west side of the room leads down, roughly opposite the window in the east wall.

The fridge contains a stale loaf of bread and a large wedge of blue cheese.

There's an overpowering smell of over-ripe cheese.
human
You examine birdbath
gpt
The gray concrete birdbath is thick and ugly. Its basin is brimming with fresh rain water.
human
You fill the glass with the water
gpt
You fill the glass with fresh rainwater from the birdbath.
human
Go upwards
gpt
You can't go that way. Obvious exits lead north, to the back bedroom; south, to the front bedroom; west, to the small compartment; and down, back to the hall.
human
You pour the water on the elf
gpt
"Oh, I don't need any more water," the elf assures you. "I'm fine now, thanks to your very kind help!"
human
You ask the elf about the native soil
gpt
"Where do you usually live?" you ask the elf. "Or grow, or whatever it is you do?"

"Almost anywhere there's a bit of soil," he replies. "Even if it's gravelly or parched, I don't mind too much."
human
You look at the pot
gpt
The fat brown pot looks to be made of earthenware. It's full of dirt, and a small, wrinkled, brownish-green person is standing in it.
human
You take the dirt
gpt
You can't have that; it's part of the heavy pot.
human
You dig elf
gpt
What do you want to dig in him with?
human
You look at what you're carrying with you
gpt
You are carrying a screwdriver, a small flashlight, a glass (full of water), a butter knife, four wigs (one green, one auburn, one blond, and one black), a brush, a musical score, an ocarina, a remote control, a yellow book, a piece of paper, a framed photo, a glass jar (broken), a pamphlet, a bunch of keys, a bamboo stick, a rake, and your skateboard.
human
Go downwards
gpt
You can't go that way. Obvious exits lead north, to the kitchen; south, to the sitting room; west, to the small compartment; and up, back to the landing.
human
Go west
gpt
This chamber is not much larger than a closet. The way out is to the east, next to a waist-height black button.
human
You get the wheelchair
gpt
The old wheelchair would be far too awkward to carry.
human
You pull the wheelchair east
gpt
Something is stopping the wheelchair from moving -- probably the brake.
human
You look at the brake
gpt
It's just a short lever with a worn rubber grip at the end. The exposed metal part is beginning to look a bit rusty. Apparently the brake is on.
human
You pull the lever
gpt
You pull the brake lever to its stop.
human
You examine the brake
gpt
It's just a short lever with a worn rubber grip at the end. The exposed metal part is beginning to look a bit rusty. Apparently the brake is off.
human
You pull the wheelchair east
gpt
You can't go that way. The only obvious exit leads up, back to the kitchen.
human
You pull the wheelchair u.
gpt
You can hardly push the wheelchair up the stairs.
human
You drop the skateboard
gpt
You set down your skateboard.
human
You put the pot on the skateboard
gpt
(first trying to take the heavy pot)
To pick up the pot, you'll need both hands free.
human
You drop all
gpt
screwdriver: You set down the screwdriver.
small flashlight: You set down the small flashlight.
glass: You put the glass down carefully.
butter knife: You set down the butter knife.
green wig: You set down the green wig.
auburn wig: You set down the auburn wig.
blond wig: You set down the blond wig.
black wig: You set down the black wig.
brush: You set down the brush.
musical score: You set down the musical score.
ocarina: You set down the ocarina.
remote control: You set down the remote control.
yellow book: You set down the yellow book.
piece of paper: You set down the piece of paper.
framed photo: You set down the framed photo.
glass jar: You set down the glass jar.
pamphlet: You set down the pamphlet.
bunch of keys: You set down the bunch of keys.
bamboo stick: You set down the bamboo stick.
rake: You set down the rake.
human
You put the pot on the skateboard
gpt
(first taking the heavy pot)
Done.
human
You go to the southeast
gpt
The elf leads the way to the side of the house.

Mrs. Pepper's house lies directly to the west; the drive continues to the south, and a gravel path leads around the house to the northwest. Standing directly to the north is a detached garage.

You see a trash can and a trash can lid here.

The elf beckons you to follow him south along the driveway.
human
You go south
gpt
The elf strides ahead of you into the drive.

The driveway continues northward along the side of the house, and leads south out to sidewalk and beyond it the street. On the east the driveway is bordered by a high fence, and Mrs. Pepper's front yard lies to the west.

The elf nods towards the front yard, indicating that you are to follow him westwards.
human
Go west
gpt
The elf accompanies you into the front yard.

The front yard is mostly bare dirt and burned-out brown lawn, except for a few hardy weeds. A paved walkway crosses it, leading from the sidewalk on the south up to the front porch on the north. The driveway runs past the yard on the east side, and a tall fence guards what must be the neighbors' yard on the west. Growing next to the walkway is a scraggly, half-dead tree.

The elf stops in the middle of the front yard and nods towards the tree. "Do you see that poor bedraggled orange tree there? It hasn't borne fruit in years, and may never again, unless someone else buys this house and nurtures it back to health. But it's not quite dead, no indeed. Watch closely now."

He gestures at the nearest branch with his long, slim, gnarled fingers. As you watch, a single bud bursts forth at the end of the branch. At first no more than a tiny green nub, it swells rapidly.
In a few seconds a plump, ripe orange is hanging from the branch.

"Go ahead," says the elf. "Pick the orange and enjoy it. It's yours. Oh," he adds, handing you your skateboard, "you nearly forgot this." Before you can stammer your thanks -- before you can blurt out the dozen questions jostling in your head about what it's like being an elf, and where he came from, and whether you'll ever see him again -- the elf has somehow folded himself inward, like a fast-motion film of a growing plant when the film is run backwards. He shrinks and runs downward into the soil, and he's gone.
human
You look at what you're carrying with you
gpt
You are carrying your skateboard.
human
You get orange
gpt
You pick the orange.
human
You eat the orange
gpt
You peel the orange carefully, remove a section, and bite into it. Quite possibly it's the best-tasting orange you've ever had in your life!
human
You examine the orange
gpt
The orange is round and juicy.
human
You eat the orange
gpt
You finish off the last of the orange, lick your fingers, and toss the peel away. Yum!
human
Go south
gpt
To the north, across a sadly dried-up and decrepit yard, stands Mrs. Pepper's house. You can also go east or west along the sidewalk. The busy street is to the south. A telephone pole plastered with the scraps of old posters stands here.
human
Go west
gpt
After taking a hurried detour to put Mrs. Pepper's possessions back where you found them, lock her house and garage, and toss the keys under the back porch, you head home, happy as can be: Not only did you meet an elf and save him from certain death, but you got your skateboard back too.