Cobbled Road

It is night. Dim gas lanterns light the street.

To the east is the cobbler's shop. In the upper window are two bright candles.

The ocean breeze chills your neck.

> that's the signal!

You had better get moving.

> run to the door

You burst into the cobbler's shop. The young woman behind the counter starts. “Sir? Is everything alright?”

Cobbler's Shop

It is night. The room is lit well with several lamps.

A few tools are hanging on the wall. Piles of shoes and unsorted papers have collected in every corner.

The west door out is closed.

> ask about cobbler

(to the girl)

“He's upstairs. You must be Stevens. May I take your coat?”

> climb stairs

You leave the woman at the counter and track dirt up the stairs.

Cobbler's Shop---Upper Corridor

Three doors and a stairway down.

> knock on the doors

You proceed down the hall, knocking on each door in turn. From the second, an old voice echoes.


Cobbled Road

It is night. Dim gas lanterns light the street.

To the south is the cobbler's shop. There are candles in the upper window.

> wait

A man flies in from the west, as if on the breeze. He hurries into the cobbler's shop.

> south

In Front of Cobbler's Shop

It is dim out here, but inside the shop it is bright.

The door is painted with the name of the cobbler: Andrews.

There are houses and shops to the west.

> use key

(on the cobbler's shop door)

You insert the key.

> enter door

You open the door and enter a warm room.

Study

It is night outside, but there is a fire in the hearth.

A table with a lamp is strewn with papers and tools.

The door out is shut.

> remove mask

Done.

> take knife

(from the table)

Taken.

There is a sharp knock at the door.

> say come

The doorknob turns.


The Lost Clown---Basement

There are many lamps here.

You are below ground. Beams support the building above.

Patrons are dancing and conversing. The club is busy tonight.

Julia waits for your answer.

> say i think stevens wore the green one

Julia laughs. “Why do I even bring you! That was Bartholomew.”

> i

You are wearing a bat mask.

In your pockets are a handful of candies and a sprig of wolfsbane.

> offer candy to julia

She accepts with mild delight.

> wait

Julia unwraps the candy.

> look for john

You don't see John.

Julia pops the candy into her mouth.


Deck of the Red Pear

It is sunset. The deckhand is lighting the lanterns.

You hear cries and moans from the hold.

The captain stands at the helm with a hand on the wheel.

> ask captain about julia

The captain merely glances at you.

> ask about jonathan

The captain leans forward. “Boy, have you been having those dreams of yours again?”

> i

Your cutlass is fastened to your belt.

You have three gold pieces in your pocket.

> down

Hold of the Red Pear

It is dimly lit, and the lantern swings.

The ship's doctor is treating a wounded man.

The wounded man cries loudly.

> x man

His leg was severely damaged at the knee. The doctor amputated it recently, and has since bandaged the affected limb.

The doctor stands.

> ask doctor about man

She shakes her head. “He probably won't make it, even if we fly to port.”

> up

Deck of the Red Pear

It is twilight. The ship's lanterns cast a dim glow over the deck and the ocean below.

The doctor emerges from the hold.

The doctor secretively hands you a taffy. “It will get your spirits up, Bart.”

> say thanks

The doctor waves as she goes below deck.

> unwrap taffy

Done.

> eat it

You savor the taffy.


Study

It is night outside, but there is a fire in the hearth.

A table with a lamp is strewn with papers and tools.

The door to the hall is open and a man lies in the frame.

> clean knife

(on your apron)

You wipe the knife clean on your apron.

> drop knife

Dropped.

> search body

The man has bled out.

He was carrying a red mask, a candy, a metal flask, and seven gold coins.

> wear mask

(taking it first)

Done.

> take his coat

It is covered in blood, John.

> clean it

Clean the coat with what?


The Lost Clown---Basement

There are many lamps here.

You are below ground. Beams support the building above.

Patrons are conversing. It is getting late.

Julia looks impatient.

> look for john

You don't see John.

Julia pulls on your sleeve. “Can we go? Don't you have the early shift tomorrow?”

> give candy to julia

“I've had enough, thanks.”

> i

You are carrying a bat mask.

In your pockets are a candy and a sprig of wolfsbane.

> leave

Julia remarks negatively on your sense of time.

Outside The Lost Clown

It is night. The alley is dark.

The club entrance is a plainly labelled door at the end of the alley.

Julia stands next to you.

> kiss julia

She trembles. “And here I thought you were beginning to dislike me.”

A man in a dark coat enters the alley.


Outside Your Home

It is night. The lantern at your door glows invitingly.

The door to your house is south.

On the other side of the street, an old woman feeds a dog.

> go in

(your home)

You arrive home at last. It's always stuffy. Maybe you should open some windows occasionally.

Your Home

It is night outside. The room is lit by a lantern on a table.

Your bed is unmade but looks very inviting.

An easel against the far wall is covered in cloth.

> put mask on table

(removing it first)

Done.

> i

Your cutlass is fastened to your belt.

You have four gold pieces in your pocket.

> sleep

You slump into bed.

.
She turns her head away,
 just for a moment   as if looking for something

but what, isn't apparent.  

Then she looks back at me, asking:
What do I do for you ?
                                 seeking an answer to a different question,


the one she does not ask.
In return I respond with a quiet answer:


You make me happy.

This, in lieu of the real answer:
Everything; all things.

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