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

Text File | 1998-03-19 | 30.7 KB | 802 lines

Part 4
>e
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 either to the north, or back to the west.

>n
After an hour's walk, you arrive at an outpost along the Great
Wall of China. Built around the fifth century B.C. to protect
China from barbarian invaders, it is lined with towers at
strategic points.

Great Wall
   You are standing in an isolated outpost atop the Great Wall of
China. The massive wall continues out of sight both to the east
and the west, a supposedly impenetrable barrier between the
civilized south and the barbarous north.
   A barbarian army is gathering on the other side of the wall
preparing to test that impenetrability. Neither the outpost
sentries nor their signalling horn are anywhere to be seen. The
sentries have either been killed or, more likely, been bribed
by someone to defect to the other side.

>blow shell
You blow into the conch shell and sound a long, high note. A
few moments later you see a cloud of dust appearing on the
horizon. As you wait, the cloud draws nearer and nearer, until
you can see that it is an army of reinforcements, led by the
emperor. When they arrive, the barbarian army abandons the
effort to breach the wall and they disperse. The emperor sets a
crew of men to the task of repairing the wall, and then he
comes to you and says, "Here is my seal. It is a token of my
debt to you." He kisses you on both cheeks and rides off,
leaving behind some new guards to patrol the wall.
   [Your score has just gone up by 5.]

>s
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 either to the north, or 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 peking 452
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 452.

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

>n
Tientan Park
   China has split into three kingdoms, and this area is now
ruled by the emperors of the Northern Wei dynasty. They are
among the first in China to adopt Buddhism, and under their
patronage, the religion is fast taking hold.
   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.

>n
Marketplace
   This marketplace in the heart of the old city is crowded day
and night with merchants and housewives. There is a
ragged-looking priest here.
   The priest looks up at you and says, "Kind sir, we are hoping
to build a fine temple on this spot one day. I hope you can
find it in your heart to make a donation to our cause."

>give emerald to priest
The priest's mouth drops open at the generosity of your gift.
He thanks you profusely, bows, thanks you again, takes a long
look at you as if to fix your features in his mind, bows again,
and then finally hurries off.
   [Your score has just gone up by 5.]

>s
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 peking 800
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 800.

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

>n
Tientan Park
   China is once more united as the Tang dynasty presides over
the golden age of Buddhism. Poetry, painting, music and
literature are all in full flower, and the talk of the empire
is the fascinating and frightening new invention - fireworks.
   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.

>n
Marketplace
   This marketplace in the heart of the old city is crowded day
and night with merchants and housewives. You are standing
outside a large temple.

>e
Buddhist Temple
   You have entered the hushed and perfumed atmosphere of a
Buddhist temple. There is an enormous statue of Buddha here,
and in the statue's navel is a huge emerald. On the wall hangs
a portrait, and there is an exit in the east wall that leads to
the sanctuary. The exit back to the street is to the west.
There is a Buddhist priest here.

>e
The priest gets up to block your path, but as he does so he
gives you a startled look. He looks at the portrait, and then
at you. Then he says, "You are the reincarnation of the most
holy founder. You are welcome in our sanctuary." He bows as you
walk by, and then he follows you into the next room.

Sanctuary
   You are in the temple's sanctuary. The only exit is to the
west.
The priest says, "This is where we make the objects we use in
our celebrations. Right now, as you can see, we are creating a
mask for the celebration of the new year. Inside, it is filled
with fireworks. When you light it, smoke comes out of it's
ears, then sparks fly from it's eyes, then it shoots up into
the air like a rocket, until finally it explodes and
disappears. The crowds always love it."
   [Your score has just gone up by 10.]

>Ask priests for mask
The priest gives you the mask.
   [Your score has just gone up by 5.]

>w
Buddhist Temple
   You have entered the hushed and perfumed atmosphere of a
Buddhist temple. There is an enormous statue of Buddha here,
and in the statue's navel is a huge emerald. On the wall hangs
a portrait, and there is an exit in the east wall that leads to
the sanctuary. The exit back to the street is to the west.
The priest follows you back into the temple.

>w
Marketplace
   This marketplace in the heart of the old city is crowded day
and night with merchants and housewives. You are standing
outside a large temple.

>s
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 peking 1215
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 1215.

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

>n
Tientan Park
   Under the Sung emperors, a once-civilized society has sunken
into corruption and vice. Government officials can be bought
and sold, priests are drunk in their temples, and the houses of
ill repute are famed far and wide for the unlimited range of
'services' they provide their clients.
   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.
   A Mongol warrior comes up to you and says, "Greetings,
merchant from the west. The Great Khan cordially requests all
who pass this way to come and meet him. I trust you do not wish
to disappoint him." The man takes you by the arm and marches
you off down the Sacred Way to the east. After a short
distance, you come to the Mongol encampment. He opens the flap
of one of the tents, pushes you inside, and says, "The Khan
will be with you shortly. Please do not try to leave." His lips
part in a toothy grin, and then he disappears.

Genghis Khan's Tent
   You are in the tent of Genghis Khan. It is remarkably Spartan
for such a powerful ruler, probably because the nomadic life of
the Mongols requires that everything be maintained in a
constant state of readiness for travel. The only way out is to
the north.

>n
You stick your head outside the tent. Suddenly you hear a
whooshing noise, and you pull your head back just in time to
see the blade of an axe whistle by. The Mongol grins his toothy
grin, and then winks at you.

>wait 60
[I assume you mean 60 minutes.]
Time passes...
   You look up and see Genghis Khan enter the tent. He is a
weather-beaten man who looks as if he would be equally at home
on a throne or in a saddle. He says, "Welcome, traveller. We
have been camped here outside the gates of Cheng-du for many
months, and so I am hungry for news of the outside world."
   He settles into the saddle and toys with the gold bracelet on
his wrist. Then he continues, "We Mongols are nomadic by nature
and I don't think I will be able to keep my men here much
longer. But the city looks like it will never give in to our
siege. At sundown today we shall give up and turn our attention
to the west." He gives you a crafty look. "Unless, of course, a
Westerner like yourself could get into the city for us and open
up the gates. Then perhaps we would be content to settle here
and leave Europe alone."
Do you want to continue waiting? >y
   The Mongol leader stands up and leaves the tent.
Do you want to continue waiting? >n

>n
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. Just off
the road to the south is a field covered with tents. The road
leads either to the north, or 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.

>say tower gate
The guard takes a careful look around and sees that there are
no Mongols in sight. Then the gate creaks open and an arm
reaches out and pulls you inside.

Parade Ground
   This is a parade ground just inside Peking's main gate, which
lies to the south. To the north lies an open-air marketplace.
About twenty soldiers are standing along the walls and guarding
the gate.
   You see some soldiers here.

>n
Marketplace
   This marketplace in the heart of the old city is crowded day
and night with merchants and housewives. You are standing
outside a large temple which lies to the east and The House of
a Thousand Pleasures, which is to the west.

>w
House of One Thousand Pleasures
   You are in the parlor of the House of a Thousand Pleasures.
All the furnishings are opulent and lush, and everything around
you gives the impression that this is a place dedicated to
satisfying even the most particular tastes.
   The only exits are up and east.
   You see a madame here.
As soon as you step inside the door, the Madame comes up to
you, bows, and says, "Excuse me for asking, honorable sir, but
recently we have had so much riff-raff in Cheng-du that
regrettably we must ask all patrons to show us their money upon
entering. Would you kindly do so now?"

>Give yuan to madame
You show the 1,000 yuan note to the woman. Her eyes widen. She
plucks the note from your hand and then turns around and hits a
gong. From upstairs, girls start pouring out of rooms, chasing
their customers before them. They shepherd the hapless men down
the stairs and out of the building. Then they line themselves
up for your approval.
   The madame turns to you and says, "For 1,000 yuan you get the
house special. All twenty women are yours for the evening. They
will do whatever you wish." She looks you up and down and
continues. "However, from the shape you're in, I'd be careful
what you ask for. These girls could be the death of you."

>girls, follow me
The girls line up and prepare to follow you.

>e
Marketplace
   This marketplace in the heart of the old city is crowded day
and night with merchants and housewives. You are standing
outside a large temple which lies to the east and The House of
a Thousand Pleasures, which is to the west.
   The twenty women parade along behind you.

>s
Parade Ground
   This is a parade ground just inside Peking's main gate, which
lies to the south. To the north lies an open-air marketplace.
About twenty soldiers are standing along the walls and guarding
the gate.
   You see some soldiers here.
   The twenty women parade along behind you. The soldiers
guarding the gate start to whistle in appreciation. The girls
start to giggle. The madame asks, "I gather you have brought us
here for the pleasure of these men. Am I correct?"

>yes
"Very well," she says. She turns and gives some instructions to
the girls. They smile, and each of them picks out a soldier and
disappears into a dark corner. Soon, there are no soldiers to
be seen.

>open gate
The gate swings open. The Mongols - who were hiding just beyond
the bend in the road - come swooping in. They take the city
virtually unopposed. After the battle, Genghis Khan escorts you
outside the gate and removes his bracelet. "So much for western
soothsayers" he says. "You may keep this as a reward for your ef
forts." He disappears inside the city and the massive gate
swings shut.

   [Your score has just gone up by 30.]
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.
   Suddenly, the bracelet begins to glow. Then it disappears.

>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 1519
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 1519.

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

>n
Tientan Park
   It is 150 years since the Buddhist monk Chu Yuan-chang drove
the Mongol invaders out of China and founded the Ming dynasty.
But the current emperor, Cheng-te, has abandoned the ascetic
ways of his ancestor. He is a pleasure-seeker who likes nothing
more than to stage elaborate parades through the city for the
idle amusement of his subjects.
   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.

>n
Marketplace
   This marketplace in the heart of the old city is crowded day
and night with merchants and housewives. You are standing
outside a large temple. A large crowd has gathered here. They
appear to be waiting for some kind of procession.

>wait
Time passes...
   Suddenly a murmur goes through the crowd and a procession
sweeps through the square like some ancient Mardi Gras parade.
The emperor Cheng-Te is perched on a platform, throwing fortune
cookies into the crowd. As the procession passes out of the
square, the emperor throws one last cookie right at you, and it
lands at your feet.

>take cookie
You take the fortune cookie.

>open cookie
You open the cookie and find a fortune inside.

>read fortune
"Things would be better if you were the seventh son of a
seventh son."
   [Your score has just gone up by 1.]

>s
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 peking 1588
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 1588.

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

>n
Tientan Park
   The reclusive emperor Wan-li has brought the Ming dynasty back
to its religious roots. A new wave of asceticism and mysticism
has swept the country, and the temples are once again houses of
prayer tended by devout priests.
   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.

>n
Marketplace
   This marketplace in the heart of the old city is crowded day
and night with merchants and housewives. You are standing
outside a large temple.

>e
Buddhist Temple
   You have entered the hushed and perfumed atmosphere of a
Buddhist temple. There is an enormous statue of Buddha here,
and in the statue's navel is a huge emerald. On the wall hangs
a portrait. The exit back to the street is to the west. A
solitary priest rocks back and forth on the floor in front of
the statue. He is in some sort of trance and he is chanting the
same words to himself over and over again.

>listen
The words - unintelligible to the priest himself - are,
"Eventually you will acknowledge me as the master of the fourth
dimension - time."
   [Your score has just gone up by 1.]

>w
Marketplace
   This marketplace in the heart of the old city is crowded day
and night with merchants and housewives. You are standing
outside a large temple.

>s
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 peking 1798
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 1798.

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

>n
Tientan Park
   In the last months of Chien Lung's 63-year reign, the 88 year
old emperor has retreated to the confines of the Forbidden
City, which is now more impenetrable than ever. Access to this
city-within-a-city is completely controlled by a Byzantine
bureaucracy of eunuchs.
   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.

>n
Marketplace
   This marketplace in the heart of the old city is crowded day
and night with merchants and housewives You are standing just
south of the gate of the Forbidden City.

>n
You go a little way north until you come to the gate outside
the Forbidden City, which is guarded by an effeminate-looking
eunuch.

Tienanmen Square
   You are standing outside the Forbidden City, private domain of
the Chinese emperor. It is rumored that the 'Son of Heaven'
lives amidst fabulous wealth, but entry to the compound is
prohibited to all but the favored few. The marketplace lies
behind you to the south, and further progress to the north is
blocked by the eunuch.

>give seal to man
The guard takes the seal from you and examines it carefully.
Then his eyes widen and he disappears into the Forbidden City.
Moments later, he reappears and leads you through the gates.
You pass through a series of pavilions and courtyards until you
reach the Hall of Heavenly Peace.  Climbing the ceremonial
stairs, you find yourself standing before the dragon throne.

The emperor looks first at the seal and then at you. "My
honorable ancestor was in debt to your honorable ancestor," he
says. "It will be my privilege to repay that debt." He claps
his hands, and some servants wheel out a huge box. "This was
left here generations ago by a traveller from a distant land
and it has remained unopened since that time. I give the box
and all it contains to you."

Forbidden City
   You are in the Hall of Supreme Harmony at the center of the
Forbidden City. The ancient emperor Chien Lung sits upon a
gilded throne that rests on large carved dragons. He is
surrounded by his courtiers, eunuchs, priests, and ministers.
The only way out is to the south.
   [Your score has just gone up by 10.]

>open box
The walls of the box fall flat and reveal a smaller box inside.

>open box
The walls of the box fall flat and reveal a smaller box inside.

>open box
The walls of the box fall flat and reveal a smaller box inside.

>open box
The walls of the box fall flat and reveal a smaller box inside.

>open box
The tiny box falls open and reveals a small jade bar.

>look at bar
The bar is delicately carved with the legend "You act like you
bought your brains at a five and ten cent store." What makes
the words unusual is that they are written in modern English.
   [Your score has just gone up by 1.]

>s
Marketplace
   This marketplace in the heart of the old city is crowded day
and night with merchants and housewives You are standing just
south of the gate of the Forbidden City.

>s
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 baghdad 800
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 Baghdad, in the year 800.

>out
Secluded Cave
   You are in an abandoned cave on a hillside halfway between the
ruins of Babylon and the burgeoning metropolis of Baghdad. The
wall of the cave seems to shimmer, and the only exit lies to t
he west.

>w
Caravan Trail
   When the Arabs rode out of the desert carrying the banner of
Islam, the new religion quickly conquered all of Persia. They
built a new capital along the shores of the Tigris, and less
than two hundred years after the prophet Mohammed's death,
Baghdad has become the center of the vast Islamic empire which
stretches from Spain across all of Northern Africa to India and
western China. The ruler of this empire is Harun al-Rashid, the
legendary sultan of 1001 Arabian Nights.
   You are on a north-south road in the middle of nowhere. A
caravan has stopped here to rest, as they have done since time
immemorial. The travellers are ignoring you and their attitude
suggests that you would be well advised to do the same. Up the
hill to the east lies the entrance to a cave.

>n
Selene Gate
   You are standing outside the walls of Baghdad in front of the
massive Selene Gate. The gate is beautifully decorated with
intricate designs that pilgrims come from all over the Middle
East to see.

>n
You enter the city and wind through the streets until you come
to a bustling bazaar.

Bazaar
   Baghdad's bazaar is a riot of noise and confusion. Brightly
colored awnings spill over one another, covering stalls stuffed
with carpets, oriental silks, cooking pots, spices, figs,
knives, fruit and countless other merchandise. Merchants cry
out in a never-ending chant beseeching passersby to sample
their wares. Veiled women finger the goods, shake their heads,
and walk on. Young boys playing tag run through the crowds and
trip over the dogs, pigs, and goats that also run free.
   The wall of the sultan's palace forms the western end of the
bazaar, and a road leaves town to the south.
   A beggar sits in the shadow of the gate to the sultan's
palace, his arms outstretched in a silent plea for food.

>Give focaccia to beggar
The beggar takes the bread and gobbles it down hungrily. Then
he leaps to his feet and throws off his beggar's rags to reveal
prince's robes. "Thank you, stranger. I am the sultan Harun al
Rashid. From time to time I go among my people dressed in
disguise to learn more about them. Today since sunrise I have
sat in the bazaar and asked all passersby for nothing more than
a morsel to eat. The people of my own city could not find it in
their hearts to help me. But you, a stranger among us, have
shown us what it means to be compassionate. Therefore, I will
give you the honor of assisting me with a most perplexing
problem. Come with me."
   The sultan raps on the palace gate and a guard comes to open
it. The sultan takes you by the arm and leads you inside.

Sultan's Palace
   The sultan's palace is sumptuous beyond belief. Beautifully
woven carpets with intricate designs cushion your footsteps,
the walls are covered with brightly colored silks, and
everywhere you look there is brass and silver and gold. An or
nate staircase leads north up to the harem, the entrance to
which is guarded by an enormous eunuch. The Grand Vizier is
here, a vain man dressed in a ridiculous multi-colored costume
that he seems to think is the height of fashion.
   The vizier is wearing a bracelet.
   The Vizier pops a fig in his mouth and bows to the sultan, but
he ignores you.
   [Your score has just gone up by 10.]

>Look at Yahya's clothes
They are a garish collection of clashing colors. His turban is
red, his sash orange and his pantaloons are yellow. He is also
wearing a blue armband, green gloves, and purple slippers.
   The sultan says, "Look, Yahya, I have found a man who can help
us." He turns to you and continues. "You see, I have a rather
delicate prob..." He stops in mid-sentence. "But what am I
thinking? Where are my manners? Please take some time to make
yourself comfortable here. If you decide you wish to help me,
just nod your head or say yes. Otherwise, you are free to go."