Crack It!/Crack It!.iso/CONTENT/TIMEQ/TQWA.TXT

Text File | 1998-03-19 | 36KB | 935 lines

                *** TIME QUEST - THE FULL SCRIPT ***

>Look at Drexler
Drexler is a tough-skinned, weatherbeaten army veteran.

>Examine briefing papers
[The papers are the ones that came in your game package.]
   Suddenly one of the walls begins to shimmer and Vettenmyer
himself steps out of nowhere.
   He leans over the astonished general's desk and laughs in his
face. "Surprised to see me, SIR? Didn't think I'd build my own
interkron, did you, SIR?" The pitch of his voice starts to rise
as he becomes more and more agitated.
   "Well listen up, pal. You and your entire civilization are
about to be wiped off the face of the planet." He jerks a thumb
towards you and laughs. "And if you think Junior here can catch
me, you might as well kiss your universe goodbye - he's not
even a full key-member of the Corps."
   Vettenmyer presses a button on a bracelet that looks like a
slimmer version of the transponder Drexler gave you. A black
rectangle suddenly appears in midair. The renegade says, "The cl
ock is ticking, gentlemen." He glances back at you and says,
"See you around, kid." Then he steps through the rectangle and
disappears.

>Ask about key
"That information is given only to full members of the Temporal
Corps. You will be briefed upon the completion of your
mission."
   The general stares you in the eye. "I want you to nail that
bastard, Private. Go anywhere. Do anything. But get him."
   He turns away, but then looks back at you. "One more thing."
He fumbles in his pocket and then gives you a small yellow
pill. "Time jumps are pretty dramatic affairs, but the novelty
wears off in a hurry. When you get tired of the fireworks, take
this pill and you'll hardly notice a thing. That'll be all,
Private. Dismissed."

>w
You snap off a salute, turn smartly on your heel, and leave the
room. Quickly crossing the hall, you enter another office.

Vettenmyer's quarters
   The room is stark and military. The only item of furniture is
a standard-issue desk that has a single drawer. Only a slight
shimmering in the far wall betrays the presence of the
interkron. The exit to the hall is to the east.

>open drawer
You open the drawer and discover a card.

>take card
You take the card from the drawer.
   [Your score has just gone up by 5. NOTE: You can activate and
deactivate score-change notification using the NOTIFY command.]

>in
You press the button on the wristlet and the shimmering melts
away to reveal a black rectangle that hovers in midair. You
step through the hole in space and find yourself inside the
interkron.

Interkron
   The interkron is a cramped space full of dials and switches.
Directly in front of you is an empty slot with a red light next
to it. The display screen is taken up by a world map, and there
are ten years highlighted next to it. Under the keyboard, a
technician has scrawled on a piece of tape, "To go to a new
timeplace, type 'timeset,' followed by the name of the city and
the year that you want to go to. Eg. Timeset Rome 44."
   [Your score has just gone up by 10.]

>put card in slot
You slide the card into the slot. The light changes color to
green.

>ts rome 1361
                *** CODES - YOU'LL ENCOUNTER THEM EVERY TIME YOU'LL
                    WTITE "TS" AFTER YOU LEAVE THE GAME ***
   The interkron starts to hum, but then a warning message
appears on the display screen:
   Interkron operational error: Location Code = 119. Please
consult your Interkron Trouble-shooting Guide to verify the
malfunctioning unit.

AFFECTED SYSTEM >video display

   Nature of malfunction: Color code = red. Please consult your
Interkron Trouble-shooting Guide to verify the type of di
fficulty.

MALFUNCTION CLASSIFICATION >memory

   Recommended Repair Level = high level interface. Please
consult your Interkron Trouble-shooting Guide and enter the
correct repair procedure number.

REPAIR PROCEDURE NUMBER >87
"Repair complete. Commencing time jump..."
   You hear a low humming that slowly crescendos into a
full-fledged roar. The interkron begins to shake and you become
disoriented. You fall to the floor and pass out...
   When you awaken and struggle to your feet, you realize that
you have travelled to Rome, in the year 1361 B.C.

>out
Field
   You are in a picturesque valley at the foot of a gently
sloping Etruscan hillside. It is a pastoral scene, with trees
dotting the seven hills that surround you, and a small stream
burbling past your feet. The only sign of man is a barely
perceptible path that leads to the south.
   You notice a slight shimmer to the air here.

>s
Academy
   You are in a small peaceful meadow that seems like the kind of
place people go just to sit and think. Set to one side is a
comfortable-looking log. An old man is sitting quietly on the
log.
   As soon as he sees you, the old man smiles and says,
"Welcome." He gestures to a spot next to him on the log, and
says, "Won't you sit with me and discuss the philosophical
issues of the day?"

>sit
You sit down on the log. The old man looks delighted that you
have joined him. He says, "Here at the academy we search for
the truth. Those around us believe that the fate of man is
determined by the gods, and that they can learn this fate by
examining the organs of sacrificial animals for differences in
size, shape, color, and markings. We are not so sure and
perhaps - in time - we shall learn more."

>Ask about academy
"As long as there is at least one student each generation, the
academy will remain open. For remember, it is only by passing
on what he has learned that a man transcends his own death."

>Ask about bench
"Good idea. Perhaps I'll get one."

>Ask about cloak
"It is a symbol of academic learning. Those of us who wear it
are dedicated to acquiring knowledge and passing it down to new
generations."

>Ask about god
"Some believe God exists. Some don't. It appears to be a matter
of faith, rather than of reason."

>Ask about himself
"I am just an old philosopher."

>Ask about issues
"I'm glad you could spare the time to sit and chat. People seem
to be in such a hurry these days."

>Ask about key
"Whatever knowledge the key unlocks, endeavor to use it
wisely."

>Ask about log
"It is a good place to sit, to think, to teach, to listen, and
to learn."

>Ask about me
"Obviously, you are a man of action who has had many
adventures. Even you, however, may one day find it within you
to lead a more contemplative life."

>Ask about religion
"I think religion is a question of what one believes, rather
than what one can prove. And I think that each man believes
what he must, that he believes what he fears the least, that he
believes that which will allow him to sleep at night.
   I also think religion has been the cause of so much bloodshed
through history that one can only hope it has provided
sufficient consolation to the faithful to atone for its own
sins."

>Ask about socrates
"I am sorry, but I know of no such man."

>Ask about time
"Time will ultimately defeat each of us, for each of us must
die. But together, mankind can defeat time. Each of us can
study and learn, and each of us can pass on that learning. If
we do so, perhaps mankind will eventually learn to control time
itself. Otherwise, we are nothing."

>Ask about time travel
"Obviously such a thing is not possible."

>stand
You stand up.

>n
Field
   You are in a picturesque valley at the foot of a gently
sloping Etruscan hillside. It is a pastoral scene, with trees
dotting the seven hills that surround you, and a small stream
burbling past your feet. The only sign of man is a barely
perceptible path that leads to the south.
   You notice a slight shimmer to the air here.

>in
You press the button on the wristlet and the shimmering melts
away to reveal a black rectangle that hovers in midair. You
step through the hole in space and find yourself inside the
interkron.

Interkron
   The interkron is a cramped space full of dials and switches.
Directly in front of you is a slot with a key card in it and a
green light next to it. The display screen is taken up by a
world map, and there are ten years highlighted next to it.
Under the keyboard, a technician has scrawled on a piece of t
ape, "To go to a new timeplace, type 'timeset,' followed by the
name of the city and the year that you want to go to. Eg.
Timeset Rome 44."

>ts rome 44
You hear a low humming that slowly crescendos into a
full-fledged roar. The interkron begins to shake and you become
disoriented. You fall to the floor and pass out...
   When you awaken and struggle to your feet, you realize that
you have travelled to Rome, in the year 44 B.C.

>out
Cloaca Maxima
   You step out into a murky underground cavern. When your eyes
adjust to the gloom you realize you are in the newly-built
Cloaca Maxima, the great underground sewer of Rome. Uninviting
tunnels lead off in many directions, but a welcome ray of light
filters down from an opening overhead. The air near one wall is
shimmering.

>up
Street
   Rome in Caesar's day is an exciting, vibrant city of one
million inhabitants who have crowded in from all over the
Mediterranean.  The streets reverberate with the racket of
iron-rimmed carriage wheels scraping over paving stones and con
versations shouted in Latin, Greek and harsh-sounding barbarian
tongues.  The same breezes that waft yeasty aromas from
neighborhood bakeries carry also the smells of sweat and
garbage.
   This noisy street runs southeast towards the Circus Maximus.
There is a passageway between the buildings that leads south.
Below your feet is an opening.

>se
Circus Maximus
   You are standing outside the infamous Circus Maximus, site of
gladiatorial combats, chariot races, and spectacular wild beast
shows featuring the slaughter of thousands of exotic animals,
all for the idle amusement of Rome's unemployed masses. Before
you is the stone arcade of the amphitheater, and within you see
two gates. The northeast gate is marked "Gladiators," the
southeast gate is labeled "Spectators." Between the gates is a
sign.
   A street leads off to the northwest.

>read sign
The sign says:

   February 15
   Today:     Chariot Races -- 1:00-3:00
   Tomorrow:  Gladiators vs Lions
   Free admission

>se
Grandstand
   You are in a grandstand high above the floor of the arena. The
figures below are so small it is almost impossible to discern
what they are doing. The only exit is to the northwest.

>wait
Time passes...
   A man walks down a nearby aisle shouting, "Focaccia! Getcher
focaccia here! Can't enjoy the races without yer focaccia!"

>take focaccia
You take the focaccia from the focaccia man.
   [Your score has just gone up by 5.]

>nw
Circus Maximus
   You are standing outside the infamous Circus Maximus, site of
gladiatorial combats, chariot races, and spectacular wild beast
shows featuring the slaughter of thousands of exotic animals,
all for the idle amusement of Rome's unemployed masses. Before
you is the stone arcade of the amphitheater, and within you see
two gates. The northeast gate is marked "Gladiators," the
southeast gate is labeled "Spectators." Between the gates is a
sign.
   A street leads off to the northwest.

>ne
Gladitorium
   You are in a dank room hidden deep below the stands of the
amphitheater. The stale, sweaty odor is unmistakably that of an
ancient, well-used locker room.
   You are standing in front of a small dressing niche whose only
adornment is a shelf with a small clothes peg. Exits lie to the
southeast and southwest.
   On the shelf you see a jar.

>take jar
You take the jar from the shelf.
   [Your score has just gone up by 5.]
   After a few moments, a tall man with a red face comes in and
stands on a bench. "Right, lads," he says. "You know the drill.
The races are every half hour, and the early ones are just for
the crowd's amusement. The last race is the one that counts.
The winner of that one gets to meet the big C and ask for one
favor. After that comes the parade of lions for the big gala
tomorrow. By the way, if anyone needs a chariot and doesn't
mind getting his hands dirty, there's a broken one just inside
the arena. Look lively now, and let's be careful out there."

>take peg
You take the peg from the shelf.
   [Your score has just gone up by 5.]

>se
Arena
   Your heart quickens as you walk out onto the floor of the
arena. Grandstands filled with drunken Romans rise steeply all
around, and the noise pouring out of them is deafening. At the
far end of the stadium you can just make out the imperial box
where Caesar is holding court with Calpurnia and Cleopatra.
   The only exit is to the northwest.
   There is a chariot here that leans crazily to one side. The
chariot's wheel is lying on the ground nearby.

>push wheel
You roll the wheel around the arena for a while, but you stop
when the crowd starts jeering at you.

>put wheel on axle
You push the wheel onto the axle.

>put peg in hole
You jam the peg into the hole, wedging it in until the bottom
sticks out on one side of the axle and the top sticks out on
the other.

>put oil on axle
You pour the oil on the axle.

>climb in chariot
You climb into the chariot.

>wait
Time passes...
   A cheer goes up from the crowd. A pair of hostlers come and
harness some horses to your chariot, chatting with each other
while they work.
   "So did they catch the guy?"
   "No. Publius chased him, but he got away."
   "But why would anyone put on a laurel wreath and then take a
whip to a lion?"
   "Search me. But lemme tell ya - that's one mad cat, and if he
ever meets the guy who did it, I'm betting on the lion." The
man gives the harness a final tug and slaps one of the horses
on the rump. The chariot glides forward to the starting line,
and as soon as it is there, the starter drops his flag and the
race begins.
The chariots make a tremendous din as they leap forward and you
find yourself in a heart-thumping race for the finish line. You
race the length of the stadium, your well-oiled chariot giving
you a decided advantage over the rest of the pack. You win the
race by a comfortable margin, winning you the adulation of the
crowd. The horses trot back to the starting line. A host says,
"Congratulations I hope you do as well in the last race."

>wait 60
[I assume you mean 60 minutes.]
Time passes...
   A cheer goes up from the crowd. A pair of hostlers come and
harness some horses to your chariot. The chariot glides forward
to the starting line, and as soon as it is there, the starter
drops his flag and the race begins.
The chariots make a tremendous din as they leap forward and you
find yourself in a heart-thumping race for the finish line. You
race the length of the stadium, your well-oiled chariot giving
you a decided advantage over the rest of the pack. You win the
race by a comfortable margin, winning you the adulation of the
crowd. The horses trot back to the starting line. A host says,
"Congratulations I hope you do as well in the last race."
Do you want to continue waiting? >y
   A cheer goes up from the crowd. A pair of hostlers come and
harness some horses to your chariot. The chariot glides forward
to the starting line, and as soon as it is there, the starter
drops his flag and the race begins.
The chariots make a tremendous din as they leap forward and you
find yourself in a heart-thumping race for the finish line. You
race the length of the stadium, your well-oiled chariot giving
you a decided advantage over the rest of the pack. You win the
race by a comfortable margin, winning you the adulation of the
crowd. The horses trot back to the starting line. A host says,
"Congratulations I hope you do as well in the last race."
Do you want to continue waiting? >n

>wait 60
[I assume you mean 60 minutes.]
Time passes...
   A cheer goes up from the crowd. A pair of hostlers come and
harness some horses to your chariot. The chariot glides forward
to the starting line, and as soon as it is there, the starter
drops his flag and the race begins.
The chariots make a tremendous din as they leap forward and you
find yourself in a heart-thumping race for the finish line. You
race the length of the stadium, your well-oiled chariot giving
you a decided advantage over the rest of the pack. You win the
race by a comfortable margin, winning you the adulation of the
crowd. The horses trot back to the starting line. A host says,
"Congratulations I hope you do as well in the last race."
Do you want to continue waiting? >y
   A cheer goes up from the crowd. A pair of hostlers come and
harness some horses to your chariot. The chariot glides forward
to the starting line, and as soon as it is there, the starter
drops his flag and the race begins.
   The chariots leap forward. The noise of the crowd is drowned
out by the thunder of the hooves and the crash of equipment as
the chariots slam into each other while careening headlong down
the first straightaway...
   As you head into the first turn you find yourself sandwiched
between two larger chariots who are battling for position along
the inside. Just before you get crushed between them, you pull
back on the reins and let them go by...
   Coming out of the turn, you maneuver to the outside. You're a
little behind the other chariots, but the ground here is firmer
and you quickly make up the difference...
   Heading into the second turn you make a bold move to the
inside, cutting off another charioteer who loses control of his
horses and flips over. The crowd goes wild and starts cheering
you on...
   Coming out of the turn, you are in the lead! As you thunder
down the final straightaway, another chariot pulls up even with
you. Horses straining, hooves thundering, the two of you rocket
towards the finish line...
   Slowly, inexorably, you begin to pull ahead of the other
chariot. The other charioteer screams at his horses, but to no
avail. When the two of you cross the finish line, you are ahead
by half a length! The race is over - and you are the victor!
   The crowd spills out of the arena and hoists you onto their
shoulders. They carry you over to the Imperial Box.

Imperial Box
   You are in a sumptuously furnished box with Julius Caesar,
ruler of the vast and mighty Roman Empire. In an astounding act
of rudeness, he has placed his mistress, Cleopatra, on his
right and Calpurnia, his wife, on his left.
   As you enter the box, Caesar's Praetorian bodyguard draws his
sword and looks at you menacingly, as if to warn you against
trying to attack anyone. The dictator is wearing a laurel
wreath and he is toying with a gold bracelet on his wrist. At
the moment, he is chatting with Cleopatra.
   [Your score has just gone up by 20.]
Do you want to continue waiting? >y
   You hear a fanfare from the arena. The parade of lions has
begun. You notice that one of the handlers is having a very
difficult time restraining his lion.
Do you want to continue waiting? >n

>ask for wreath
The guard nudges you and says, "Don't speak until you're spoken
to."
   Caesar turns his attention to you and says, "Congratulations!
You rode well and, if it is within my power, I shall grant you
one request. What would you like to ask me for?"

>ask for wreath
Nearby onlookers gasp at your effrontery, but Caesar holds up
his hand to silence them. "I said I would honor any request,
and so I shall." He takes off the wreath and places it on your
head.
   [Your score has just gone up by 5.]

>wait
Time passes...
   The agitated lion breaks away from its handler and races
towards the imperial box. The guard drops his sword in panic
and flees. The ladies mouths fall open and they are paralyzed
with fear. Caesar doesn't move a muscle. He eyeballs the lion
as if he was trying to stare him down.

>take sword
You take the sword.
   [Your score has just gone up by 5.]
   The lion continues to charge at you. He leaps into the air,
going for the throat.

>kill lion
[with the sword]
You drive the point of the sword into the lion's exposed
throat. The sword imbeds itself into bone and gristle, killing
the lion in midair. The lion's momentum carries him into you
and rips the sword out of your hand, but you quickly leap to
your feet, unharmed. The crowd roars its approval.
   Caesar wraps his arms around you and says, "You have saved my
life! I must reward you, but you have already claimed the most
valuable thing I could ever give you. Nevertheless, in addition
I give you this bracelet as thanks."
   While he is speaking, Cleopatra leans over, gives you a
lingering kiss and whispers in your ear, "If you can arrange
it, I would like to meet you later and give you proper thanks."
Before she can continue, however, the spectators crowd around
you and carry you out of the stadium in triumph.
   [Your score has just gone up by 30.]

Circus Maximus
   You are standing outside the infamous Circus Maximus, site of
gladiatorial combats, chariot races, and spectacular wild beast
shows featuring the slaughter of thousands of exotic animals,
all for the idle amusement of Rome's unemployed masses. Before
you is the stone arcade of the amphitheater, and within you see
two gates. The northeast gate is marked "Gladiators," the
southeast gate is labeled "Spectators." Both gates are closed.
Between the gates is a sign.
   A street leads off to the northwest.

>look at wristlet
The wristlet has a single button on it.
   Suddenly, the bracelet begins to glow. Then it disappears.

>nw
Street
   This noisy street runs southeast towards the Circus Maximus.
There is a passageway between the buildings that leads south.
Below your feet is an opening.

>s
Academy
   You are in a small park nestled in the heart of the city. It
is unusually peaceful here, a rare island of tranquility that
is sheltered from the noise and bustle of the busy metropolis.
Set to one side is a comfortable-looking bench. An old man is
sitting quietly on the bench.
   As soon as he sees you, the old man smiles and says,
"Welcome." He gestures to a spot next to him on the bench, and
says, "Won't you sit with me and discuss the philosophical
issues of the day?"

>sit
You sit down on the bench. The old man looks delighted that you
have joined him. He says, "Here at the academy we search for
the truth. Those around us follow Epicurus in his belief that
pleasure is the very essence of a happy life and that the gods
have far more important things to do than trouble themselves
with the concerns of mortals. We are not so sure and perhaps -
in time - we shall learn more."

>Ask about academy
"As long as there is at least one student each generation, the
academy will remain open. For remember, it is only by passing
on what he has learned that a man transcends his own death."

>Ask about aristotle
"He undoubtedly was brilliant, but it's hard to tell because
his writing is so incredibly boring."

>Ask about bench
"It is a good place to sit, to think, to teach, to listen, and
to learn."

>Ask about caesar
"He has grasped too much power. I fear his end is near."

>Ask about cleopatra
"She is a wily woman who has more than one way of getting what
she wants."

>Ask about cloak
"It is a symbol of academic learning. Those of us who wear it
are dedicated to acquiring knowledge and passing it down to new
generations."

>Ask about epicurus
"He believed that serenity was based on pleasure - which he
defined as the absence of pain. Those who practice debauchery
and gluttony in his name are perverting his gentle philosophy."

>Ask about god
"Some believe God exists. Some don't. It appears to be a matter
of faith, rather than of reason."

>Ask about himself
"I am just an old philosopher."

>Ask about issues
"I'm glad you could spare the time to sit and chat. People seem
to be in such a hurry these days."

>Ask about key
"Whatever knowledge the key unlocks, endeavor to use it
wisely."

>Ask about log
He gives you an odd look. "There hasn't been a log here for a
thousand years."

>Ask about me
"Obviously, you are a man of action who has had many
adventures. Even you, however, may one day find it within you
to lead a more contemplative life."

>Ask about plato
"Plato is the man who once wrote, 'The unexamined life is not
worth living.' He is the undisputed master. All of philosophy
is little more than a footnote to his works."

>Ask about pope innocent
Pope Innocent III is too far away to talk to.

>Ask about religion
"I think religion is a question of what one believes, rather
than what one can prove. And I think that each man believes
what he must, that he believes what he fears the least, that he
believes that which will allow him to sleep at night.
   I also think religion has been the cause of so much bloodshed
through history that one can only hope it has provided
sufficient consolation to the faithful to atone for its own
sins."

>Ask about socrates
"He once taught, 'There is only one good, knowledge, and one
evil, ignorance.' For this he was judged too dangerous to live
by the citizens of Athens."

>Ask about time
"Time will ultimately defeat each of us, for each of us must
die. But together, mankind can defeat time. Each of us can
study and learn, and each of us can pass on that learning. If
we do so, perhaps mankind will eventually learn to control time
itself. Otherwise, we are nothing."

>Ask about time travel
"Obviously such a thing is not possible."

>stand
You stand up.

>n
Street
   This noisy street runs southeast towards the Circus Maximus.
There is a passageway between the buildings that leads south.
Below your feet is an opening.

>in
Cloaca Maxima
   You climb down into a murky underground cavern. When your eyes
adjust to the gloom you realize you are in the newly-built
Cloaca Maxima, the great underground sewer of Rome. Uninviting
tunnels lead off in many directions, but a welcome ray of light
filters down from an opening overhead. The air near one wall is
shimmering.

>in
You press the button on the wristlet and the shimmering melts
away to reveal a black rectangle that hovers in midair. You
step through the hole in space and find yourself inside the
interkron.

Interkron
   The interkron is a cramped space full of dials and switches.
Directly in front of you is a slot with a key card in it and a
green light next to it. The display screen is taken up by a
world map, and there are ten years highlighted next to it.
Under the keyboard, a technician has scrawled on a piece of t
ape, "To go to a new timeplace, type 'timeset,' followed by the
name of the city and the year that you want to go to. Eg.
Timeset Rome 44."

>ts peking 1361
You hear a low humming that slowly crescendos into a
full-fledged roar. The interkron begins to shake and you become
disoriented. You fall to the floor and pass out...
   When you awaken and struggle to your feet, you realize that
you have travelled to Peking, in the year 1361 B.C.

>out
Shrine
   You are in a small roadside shrine just outside the gates of
Peking. The wall here seems to shimmer.

>out
Tientan Park
   While many other parts of the world are still mired in the
stone age, an advanced civilization has already flourished in
China for over 400 years. The Shang emperors are vicious in
war, but gentle in peace, and the introspective, nonactivist
philosophy that forms the core of later Eastern thought has
already taken root here.
   An imperial funeral winds out of the gates of the city. The
Shang emperors command fierce loyalty from their subjects, and
upon their deaths, many members of the imperial household
choose to be buried alive with their dead leader to accompany
him to his next life. The mourners are slowly walking down the
road to the east.
   You are standing in a small park just south of Peking's main
gate and just north of a roadside shrine. The road leads off to
the east.

>e
Sacred Way
   You are standing on the Sacred Way, just outside a cave which
is the traditional burial ground of the Shang emperors. The
mourners are filing inside. An official waits outside, ready to
knock the struts out from under a huge boulder that hangs over
the entrance to the cave. The road leads back to the west.
   The official looks at you and says, "You may join the mourners
if you wish. No living person has ever emerged, although legend
says that the secret of escape is written on the tablets
within."

>e
Nervously, you step into the cave. You hear a shouted command,
and moments later the boulder crashes into place behind you.

Burial Cave
   You are inside a cave that is the traditional burying place of
the Shang emperors. The south wall of the cave is dominated by
a large statue of hammered bronze. It has terrifying eyes, a
gaping hole for its mouth, three arms on each side, and a big
emerald in its belly button. Below the statue are four tablets,
and in front of it is a bench.
   Despite the presence of the monstrous statue, the room has a
hushed, contemplative atmosphere that somehow seems very
peaceful.
   One of the mourners picks up a basin from its ceremonial
stand, fills it with poison and takes a drink from it. He
passes it to the man next to him and then keels over - dead.
The basin works its deadly way halfway around the room to where
you are standing. The woman to your right passes you the basin.
The man to your left awaits it eagerly.
   [Your score has just gone up by 10.]

>pass basin
You pass on the basin. One by one, all the remaining mourners
drink out of it, until there is no poison left. After the last
person drinks, he places the basin on its ceremonial stand, and
then he keels over and dies. A stillness falls over the room.

>sit
You sit on the bench and you notice that the emerald in the
statue's belly begins to glow.

>meditate
   You sink into a state of deep meditation. The outside world
fades from your consciousness, you become completely still, and
time ceases to mean anything to you...
   Suddenly your peaceful condition is shattered by the sound of
water gushing out of a hidden pipe into the basin. Moments
later, it is filled and the gurgling stops.
   [Your score has just gone up by 20.]

>look at stone
It's a huge rock that probably weighs several tons.

>Look at the first tablet
   There are ways but the Way is uncharted;
   There are names but not nature in words:
   Nameless indeed is the source of creation
   But things have a mother and she has a name.

   The secret waits for the insight
   Of eyes unclouded by longing
   Those who are bound by desire
   See only the outward container

   These two come paired but distinct
   By their names.
   Of all things profound,
   Say that their pairing is deepest,
   The gate to the root of the world.

>Look at the second tablet
   Thirty spokes will converge
   In the hub of a wheel;
   But the use of the cart
   Will depend on the part
   Of the hub that is void.

   With a wall all around
   A clay bowl is molded;
   But the use of the bowl
   Will depend on the part
   Of the bowl that is void.

   Cut out windows and doors
   In the house as you build;
   But the use of the house
   Will depend on the space
   In the walls that is void.

   So advantage is had
   From whatever is there;
   But usefulness rises
   From whatever is not.

>Look at the third tablet
   The softest of stuff in the world
   Penetrates quickly the hardest;
   Insubstantial, it enters
   Where no room is.

   By this I know the benefit
   Of something done by quiet being;
   In all the world but few can know
   Accomplishment apart from work,
   Instruction when no words are used.

>Look at the fourth tablet
   The world may be known
   Without leaving the house;
   The Way may be seen
   Apart from the windows.
   The further you go,
   The less you will know.

   Accordingly, the Wise Man
   Knows without going,
   Sees without seeing,
   Does without doing.

>Look at the statue's mouth
The grotesque lips outline a dark, mysterious hole.

>stand
You stand up and the emerald stops glowing.

>take basin
You take the basin from the stand.

>pour water in statue's mouth
You pour the water into the statue's mouth. From far away you
hear a rumbling sound. Then suddenly the emerald pops out of
the statue's belly and the statue swings away from the wall,
revealing a hidden exit. In your surprise, you drop the basin,
which falls to the ground and smashes.
   [Your score has just gone up by 20.]

>take emerald
You take the emerald.
   [Your score has just gone up by 5.]

>s
You crawl through the opening and find yourself in a dark
smooth tunnel that slopes downward through the solid rock. The
statue swings shut behind you, and suddenly you hear the sound
of rushing water coming from above you. Seconds later, you are
engulfed by a wave that comes surging through the tunnel. It
picks you up as if you were a toy and propels you headlong
through the tunnel. After what seems like an eternity, you are
flushed out onto a steep hillside. You tumble down the hill,
and find yourself once again standing outside the entrance to
the cave.
Sacred Way
   You are standing on the Sacred Way, just outside a cave which
is the traditional burial ground of the Shang emperors. There
is a huge boulder blocking the entrance to the cave. The road
leads back to the west.

>w
Tientan Park
   You are standing in a small park just south of Peking's main
gate and just north of a roadside shrine. The road leads off to
the east.

>s
Shrine
   You are in a small roadside shrine just outside the gates of
Peking. The wall here seems to shimmer.

>in
You press the button on the wristlet and the shimmering melts
away to reveal a black rectangle that hovers in midair. You
step through the hole in space and find yourself inside the
interkron.

Interkron
   The interkron is a cramped space full of dials and switches.
Directly in front of you is a slot with a key card in it and a
green light next to it. The display screen is taken up by a
world map, and there are ten years highlighted next to it.
Under the keyboard, a technician has scrawled on a piece of t
ape, "To go to a new timeplace, type 'timeset,' followed by the
name of the city and the year that you want to go to. Eg.
Timeset Rome 44."

>ts dover 1361
You hear a low humming that slowly crescendos into a
full-fledged roar. The interkron begins to shake and you become
disoriented. You fall to the floor and pass out...
   When you awaken and struggle to your feet, you realize that
you have travelled to Dover, in the year 1361 B.C.

>out
Shed
   You are in a small woodshed next to a tavern in Dover,
England. There is a telltale shimmering in the air here, and an
exit to the southeast.

>se
Lawn
   The late bronze age in Britain is a peaceful time. The ships
that cross the Channel come in peace, seeking trade - not war.
The island's wealth is in the hands of a few powerful
chieftains, and its sacred knowledge is guarded by the secr
etive druids, builders of Stonehenge.
   You are standing on a lawn just to the south of a small hut
that commands a stunning view of the English Channel. A rickety
shed leans against the building's west wall. The great chalk
cliff comes right up to the south edge of the lawn, and a
narrow path winds down the otherwise sheer face of the cliff. A
dirt track leads off to the west.

>w
You walk along the road, which soon enters a forest and then
winds its way up a ridge to join the ancient trackway across
the Downs that will one day be known as the Pilgrim's Way.
Night falls, and after several hours of walking along in the
moonlight, you come to a great circle of stones in the middle
of the Salisbury Plain.

Stonehenge
   You are standing next to the sighting stone outside the great
circle known as Stonehenge. A road leads off across the plain
to the east.