                         INSTRUCTIONS AND HINTS FOR PLAYING
                            MURDER AT THE FOLKESTONE INN


     This instruction sheet cannot be accessed again once you begin playing
Murder at the Folkestone Inn.  Although the instructions are not very
complicated, you may want to use a DOS command to print this file out.  From
whatever drive you are playing this game, enter the following command at the
DOS prompt:  TYPE VITA.INS > PRN
     You could also jot a couple of notes and be just fine.

     The object of this "game" is to get to the end of the story.  There are
no dragons to slay, no galaxies to conquer, no magic rings to recover.  There
is simply a plot, and your job is to move it along.  There are only a few 
things to remember to help you do this successfully.
 
     1.  I have included many hints, both broad and subtle, to help you move
         from place to place.  Typing the word HELP at the "What Now?" prompt
         will access these hints.

     2.  Speaking of the "What Now?" prompt; that is your cue to do something,
         and that something is usually one of two things.  If you want or need
         to move your character to another place, type in the direction she
         should go.  Your options are: North, South, East, West, Up, Down, SW,
         SE, NW, NE (you may use the first letter of any direction instead of
         typing the whole word).  Occasionally a special word or action is
         needed to get your character to the next scene.  In such a case use 
         the HELP feature and your own ingenuity to move your character along.

     3.  In addition to moving your character from place to place you must 
         direct her to perform certain actions.  For instance, if she comes
         upon an object lying on the ground you would type in EXAMINE OBJECT.
         This will bring up a description of the object which may direct you
         to further action.  After you EXAMINE an object you may want to PICK
         UP OBJECT for possible use later in the game, or READ OBJECT for 
         further hints and information.  Other actions you can take are: TURN,
         PUSH, PULL, OPEN, THROW, HIT, KILL, TAKE, GET, LOCK, UNLOCK, TOUCH,
         EAT, DRINK.
         There is no penalty for trying out any of these verbs in any given 
         situation.  If they are inappropriate, you will get some silly message
         saying so.  Nor is there any penalty for trying a verb not listed 
         above.  In fact, some situations call for it.  Again, use the HELP
         feature and some cleverness.

     4.  If you want or have to leave the game before you have finished it, 
         enter the SAVE command at the "What Now?" prompt and then enter a 
         file name for your saved game.  When you want to return to the game
         enter the RESTORE command at the first "What Now?" prompt.

     5.  To stop playing the game simply type in the word QUIT at the "What 
         Now?" prompt.

     This game is being distributed as shareware.  You are free to share the 
game with others, but please don't sell it to anyone.  If anyone would like
to share their comments I can be contacted at the address below:

                          Anne Laughlin
                          1422 W. Rascher
                          Chicago, IL  60640
                          (312) 878-7682
