MESSAGE 1 I dare you to type that command again. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 2 Pretty tough, are we? OK ...... You stride confidantly to the forge, pick up a hammer lying nearby, and, bending over the blazing forge, set to work. Behind you, you hear Mimas sneer. "So, he found the pieces. Big Fat Hairy Deal. If he thinks that's gonna be good enough, he's gonna get the biggest disappointment since his first beer. Hell, I've been working towards that for several millennia, and I'm one of the most experi&#%$*(@#", becoming strangely quiescent as your hammer strikes his left nostril. Sevaral hours and two arias later, you rise from the forge and plunge the white-hot sword into the trough of Artesian Spring water next to the forge. Through the steam rising around you, you can see Mimas, his eyes glaring in fury at your triumph. You hold aloft Nothung, the sword of your father (your real father, not Mimas). END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 4 You try, but the heat from the forge is just too weak for this metal, although it would rapidly melt almost anything else. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 5 As the coal is consumed by the fire, the forge becomes blazing hot, causing you to back away. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 8 As the dragon rears high above you, roaring, you step forward and stab with Nothung, striking him in the heart! Nothung bites deeply, and Fafner screams in agony, shaking the walls of the cave itself. You spring away as the great bulk falls. Slowly, in the ensuing silence, the shape of the dragon dissolves slowly into that of a large man, some eleven or twelve feet tall, mortally wounded. He looks up at you with sad eyes, then speaks. "I suppose you did this for her," he whispers. "How beautiful she was!" Then his head drops to the stone floor, and his body disappears, leaving only a pool of blood. Suddenly the cave fills with light, as what seems like thousands of dwarves scurry in with their torches, accompanied by hundreds of fluttering birds. "Thanks, pal" squeaks one of the dwarves, but in the confusion and the smoke from the torches, you can think of nothing to say. Minutes later, the place clears out, and you alone stand in the middle of an empty cave - except for the birds, who are finding lots of neat insects to munch on (dragons are not known for their hygiene). It appears that the dwarves have taken the entire treasure hoard! As you stand, somewhat abashed, you notice that the blood has dripped onto your hand, and you feel a strange tingling in your throat. Your hand burns like fire. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 9 As you drink the blood, the tingling sensation disappears. Then it occurs to you that the birds are saying something other than "chirp" and "tweet" (which they never really say anyway). In fact, they seem to be expressing interest in the little room to the north. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 10 The cockatoo smiles gently. "Just say the magic word, and I'll take you there. Which way do you think it is, stud?" Ruffle. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 11 "screeeeech squaaaaawak raaaackkk " END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 14 As you strike the match, it bursts into flames, crackling in a lively and reassuring manner. But it looks like it won't last long. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 15 The burning match emits a final sputter and goes out. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 16 Sorry, you have no matches left. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 17 As the program bursts into flames, you can see the poor chimp's eyes literally burn with pain. Screaming, he scrambles blindly away, finally reaching a tiny exit hole, and disappears. The dwarves, unmoved, continue their work. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 18 The nice voice returns. "Thank you." As you watch in relief, the desk emits a discrete "click", and the roll top rolls, revealing a typical cluttered desktop. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 19 "I'm sorry, that is incorrect. Access is denied." At that instant, a tiny 750 megawatt laser appears from a little piece of fancy scrollwork on the top of the desk, takes aim, and lets loose a whopper. Fortunately, you're a quick guy (in this dream, at least), and manage to leap out of the way! Unfortunately, Alberich is not so quick, and was leaning over your shoulder. A somewhat perplexed look overtakes his normally surly features as his molecules bid one another farewell. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 20 "I'm sorry, that is incorrect. Access is denied." At that instant, a tiny 750 megawatt laser appears from a little piece of fancy scrollwork on the top of the desk, takes aim, and lets loose a whopper. Fortunately, you're a quick guy (in this dream, at least), and manage to leap out of the way! Unfortunately, the laser is quicker. It re-aims, and fires again. "Darn", you think, as your molecules bid one another farewell. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 21 "Hello. You have activated the Security Query system. Please answer the question to access the interior of the desk. An incorrect response will unfortunately result in destruction. Thank you, and have a nice day." END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 22 The old man's eyes light up, and he gratefully takes the proffered match. You're about to offer him the box when he expertly strikes the match on the brick wall, in which an opening immediately appears. As the old man lights up his pipe, you spring through the opening. Made it! Snicker-snack! The opening closes behind you. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 23 As the ring sails out over the river, the Rhinemaidens coo with joy, and one of them (actually it was Flosshilde) leaps up to grab the ring in mid-arc, doing a quick behind-the-back pass to Woglinde at point, who fires it to Wellgunde inside to set up for one of her famous "jo mamma" dunk shots. Thus satisfied, the Rhinemaidens disappear into the clear water. You, meanwhile, are watching all of this from high on that mountain peak you saw a little while ago. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 24 As the ring sails out over the river, the Rhinemaidens coo with joy, and one of them (actually it was Flosshilde) leaps up to grab the ring in mid-arc, doing a quick behind-the-back pass to Woglinde at point, who fires it to Wellgunde inside to set up for one of her famous "jo mamma" dunk shots. Thus satisfied, the Rhinemaidens disappear into the clear water. Suddenly, the river roars and wells up, infused with the power of the Rhinegold. As you are carried away, you lungs filling up with water, you are overcome by a weird combination of wonder, regret, and extreme annoyance. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 25 You try to give the ring away, but it seems to stick to you. The $OBJECT$ giggles. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 26 Even here, in the midst of dangers such as no man has faced before, you summon the inner strength needed to eliminate fear from your soul. Your mind and purpose are now clear. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 27 You stride forward, seeming to part the flames with your very willpower. Which is, in fact, what happens. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 28 You try, but at the last second your emotions overcome you, and you back away from the wall of flame. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 29 Try as you might, you cannot clear your mind of the terror of the flames. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 30 A shimmering light seems to leap from where she lies! You back away, awe-stricken, as her beautiful, deep blue eyes slowly open from their long slumber. Slowly, shaking the sleep from her limbs, she rises. She looks at you, and comes towards you. You prepare for ..... well, think about it. Suddenly her seductive smile disappears, replaced by a look of panic. She runs to a small hand mirror, grabs it, and looks at her face. She puts her hand to her pale lips, and looks at you with hope. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 31 Brunnhilde pushes you away. "Give it a rest." END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 32 She gratefully takes the lipstick, and turns toward her mirror with a sly smile. A few minutes later, you lie on the stone bower together. Trying not to think of the cold, rough stone pressing against your back, the two of you spend a little time getting to know each other. Several hours, in fact. You rise, stretch, scratch. Smile. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 33 You try, but you cannot shake you fear. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 34 "Thank you, Sir. Ma'am. This way." The usher touches a concealed button, and the glass door opens. A Boy appears inside. "May I take your tunic, Sir? House requires checking all weapons at the door, Sir." You argue, but to no avail, and Nothung gets put up in a rack by the door. The Boy shows you through the door, and points the way back. "Just follow the hallway, Sir. Ma'am. Good day." END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 35 As you hold the coupon up, it blows out of your hand and vanishes. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 36 I'm afraid you don't have it. Do you know where it is to be found? Oh, I HOPE so! END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 37 The usher's face does not change in the least. "Sir, entrance to the Composer's study is by invitation only. If you will show me your invitation, you may enter. Otherwise, I'm afraid I must ask you to leave." You figure you could take him with two fingers, but that would make a scene. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 38 Pushing back the throne, you see the now-familiar iron staircase. You descend into the room .... END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 39 The program crisps, crackles, and burns up. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 40 I beg your pardon? An opera program? END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 41 You don't have a source of open flame. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 42 You're feeling a little strange. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 43 Your head is starting to spin a little, but you maintain your balance. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 44 You can hardly stand without becoming violently ill. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 45 Before you can, your head gives one final spin, and you feel yourself coming face to face with the Grim Reaper. You collapse on the ground; your final vision is one of a sweet face, looking down on you ... END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 46 Removing the Tarnhelm from your head, you feel much better. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 47 Brunnhilde is tapping her little foot. Looks like she's getting a little impatient. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 48 "Arrrrrghh!" Before you can do anything, Brunnhilde stomps over in a rage, looks you in the face, and gives you an extremely painful kick in the anatomical location most popular for such things. Doubling over, you feel like you're blacking out .... END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 49 A smooth female voice wafts from the desk. "The desk is already open. Is this that damn chimp again?" END_MESSAGE 49 MESSAGE 50 You give the rock a skilled, accurate toss (sidearmed), and it strikes the attacking mutant Opera Guild Volunteer right on the temple. Lightening appears at the spot where it struck her skull, and she cries out, "Toreador, your prize is love!" Not knowing just what to make of this, all you can do is watch as the mutant dissipates in a small, discrete "puff". END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 51 You attack Mimas with the sword, still smouldering from the heat of the forge despite the chilling bath. True to the warrior heritage of his race, Mimas hauls ass towards the cave exit pronto. In only a few steps (you are, after all, considerably taller), you cut him off and, before he can raise his voice to beg for mercy, you strike him down. Just as well --- you never really liked him anyway. Still, somehow, you shed a tear for this act of violence. Would that the world did not work in such cruel ways. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 52 Suddenly, you hear a piercing cry, and instinctively look upward to see two huge, black ravens circling overhead. Their mournful wails fill you with a sense of foreboding. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 53 Suddenly, you hear a piercing cry, and instinctively look upward to see two huge, black ravens circling overhead. Amazed, you find yourself able to understand their speech! "Beware the Tarnhelm!" cries one. "Ignore him, he's lying!" cries the other. "Am not!" "Am too!" "Am not!" "Liar!" "Liar!" Gradually, their speech fades in the distance. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 54 There are #VAR1# matches left. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 55 There is one match left. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 56 There are no matches left. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 57 As you insert the $NOUN$ into the hole, you feel a surge of energy! Backing away (still holding the $NOUN$), you watch as a thin stripe of blazing white light appears just below the top of the desk --- slowly, the light spills out, as the top of the desk rises. When you eyes get used to the new brightness around you, you can see that .... END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 58 As you should be able to tell from the blazing white light spilling forth from the interior of the obelisk, it's already open. And the hole no longer accepts anything, so don't try to be cute. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 59 You insert the $NOUN$ into the hole. It looks at first like it might fit, but, as you push, it fails to go in. Arrrrggggh. END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 60 You insert the $NOUN$ into the hole. It looks at first like it might fit, but, as you push, it fails to go in. Having been assaulted twice in this manner, the desk sends out an unexpected beam of potent energy, as desks are tending to do in this game. Surprised, you find yourself sailing backwards through the aforementioned wall of flames, behind which there is, unfortunately, no good landing spot .... END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 61 The usher remains unperturbed. "I'm sorry, Sir, but this occasion really is for couples only. I'm afraid I'm not authorized to allow a single gentleman to enter." END_MESSAGE MESSAGE 62 You start to, but realize that the $NOUN$ could not possibly fit in the hole. END_MESSAGE