[User] Despair creeps into you, getting fat on your weakness. Whatever noble intentions you once had as a police officer -- it's eating them all up now.

[Assistant] There's something else in there. There has to be. But -- it's like reaching your hand into muddy water, fishing around, and coming up with nothing...

[User] Yeah, I'm pretty sure you're shit out of luck *fishing around* right now. You're drowning.

[Assistant] You're still coming up with sentences. That's a step up from total annihilation, right?

[User] "I'm seriously running out of shits to give, Cuno. I'm quitting."

[Assistant] "Cuno don't give a shit about your shits."


[User] "Can you tell me where on the coast I should start looking?"

[Assistant] "Sure -- there are some shithouses there. A cinderblock town. The fisher-folk there refuse to unionise, so that's one place we haven't looked."

[User] "I hear they have a shack where junkies sometimes crash. Time for you to step up."

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (IsKimHere()) == false]

[User] "I'll start there. One more question: what does Ruby look like?"

[Assistant] "Boyish. Hair's red, dyed. She looks like a lorryman."

[User] "Can you tell me where on the coast I should start looking?"

[Assistant] "Sure -- there are some shithouses there. A cinderblock town. The fisher-folk there refuse to unionise, so that's one place we haven't looked."

[User] "I hear they have a shack where junkies sometimes crash. Time for you to step up."

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (IsKimHere()) == false]

[User] "I'll start there. One more question: what does Ruby look like?"

[Assistant] "Boyish. Hair's red, dyed. She looks like a lorryman."


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["cargo.momoffice_made_it_to_payphone_hub"]) == false]

[Assistant] An imposing combination of a punch-clock and a payphone is looking down at you from the wall. A note on the side says: "Tokens unavailable due to strike. Use change."

[User] Insert 10 cents.

[Assistant] The machine swallows your coin and seems to be waiting for your next move.

[User] Insert 10 cents.

[Assistant] The machine swallows your coin and seems to be waiting for your next move.

[User] Let your muscle memory dial a random number.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["cargo.momsoffice_payphone_interfacing_wc"]]

[User] Your fingers run over the dial pad. 005... that's the dialling code for Revachol -- 49-52... and a moment of hesitation before entering the final numbers: 993.

[Assistant] Calling...


[User] "Yes?"

[Assistant] "You mentioned some kind Ecclesiastes own the church. Who are these Ecclesiastes?"

[User] "Oh yeah, that's a Meteoran name for the Founding Party. Thought it'd be cool to use it."

[Assistant] If you don't know what the Founding Party is, there might be a way to mask it with minor demagoguery.

[User] "Before we go on, what do you mean by *Meteoran*?"

[Assistant] "You know -- of Meteo. Concerning Meteo."

[User] "Meteo?"

[Assistant] "Meteo. A country. On Mundi?" He looks at you, squinting his eyes to see if you're kidding. "On the Mundi isola."

[User] One of the poorest of the first world nations today -- but once a great ancient civilization. Capital: Thylakos-by-Pisantic.

[Assistant] "And what is the *Founding Party*?"

[User] "Come to think of it, I've never really looked them up, you know. I can't give you a precise definition, but they're a very powerful religious organization."

[Assistant] (Nod.) "Good. Now, let's talk about something else."

[User] "Yes?"

[Assistant] "You mentioned some kind Ecclesiastes own the church. Who are these Ecclesiastes?"

[User] "Oh yeah, that's a Meteoran name for the Founding Party. Thought it'd be cool to use it."

[Assistant] If you don't know what the Founding Party is, there might be a way to mask it with minor demagoguery.


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["gates.fritte_main_hub_reached"]]

[Assistant] "Um, is this about the questions again? 'Cause I don't really know anything..." She puts down the magazine.

[User] "I need to exchange this novelty cheque for cash." (Give her the novelty cheque and gain 25 reál.)

[Assistant] "Uh, wow, I didn't know you worked for the Union, sir." She rolls up the giant novelty cheque -- looks like she's seen it before -- and slips it under the counter.

[User] "Anything else I can do for you?"

[Assistant] No, you don't work for the Union, the Union works for you -- by supplying you with *cash*.

[User] That was easy! Worryingly so...

[Assistant] Blow the whole thing on speed and gin, right now. Speed -- AND GIN. Great combo. Ask some local dealers maybe...

[User] "What kind of discounts can a man with net worth get in here?"

[Assistant] "Uhm..." She looks up from her magazine, not really sure how to reply.

[User] That's teen-speak for 'no' -- *no discounts*.

[Assistant] She couldn't be more unbothered by your question if she tried.


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: DayCount() == 1]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["whirling.lena_intro_done"]) == false]

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["whirling.kimintro_hub_reached"]) == false]

[Assistant] "Hello, sweetie."


[User] The theme on that pinball machine is a standard *royalist* theme -- used on everything from pinball cabinets to full-flavour cigarettes.

[Assistant] What are its hallmarks?

[User] Clinging to a picture-book version of the past century, waiting for the King to come back and cast out all the profiteers and homo-sexuals. Basically, imagine a yellow plastic crown with a liquor brand emblazoned on it.

[Assistant] The idea of a king and a century gone is pretty fascinating.


[User] In the cabin you see a set of steering levers, a radio on a hook, a pull-out toolbox and the soft glow of the fuel pre-heater gauge.

[Assistant] How do I turn on the headlights?

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (IsKimHere()) == false]

[Assistant] Uhm... When Lieutenant Kitsuragi is here? It's his MC.

[User] You need his key to turn on the engine if you want the foldable lights to pop up.

[Assistant] Look in the suspect transport enclosure.

[User] The cage at the back of the motor carriage looks rather uncomfortable. Four shiny hubcaps are stacked against the seat. Their silver edges sparkle in the dark.

[Assistant] "I confiscated these four a little while back. We can take them to the pawnshop down by the Martinaise Canal."

[User] "Thanks. I appreciate your help." (Take the spinners.)

[Assistant] The lieutenant nods as you take the spinners.


[User] "Here's the money for the spirits."

[Assistant] He hands you the bottle. "Jus' make sure to *enjoy* that one, friend!"

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["whirling.necktie_personified"]  and  CheckEquipped("neck_tie")]

[Assistant] *Bratan*, I am so proud. Now -- whatever you do, don't drink it. This deserves so much more than just regular *oral* consumption.

[User] The tie is *SO* on the money there! Up the bum it goes!

[Assistant] Okay, right. We're putting it in the bum!

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["TASK.enter_cavern_done"]]

[Assistant] Who said anything about putting it up there? No, we're gonna put it in a *way* more special place. Soooo special. Now just step away from the old man and let's have a little word alone, just you and me.

[User] Soon. The time will come soon. Have patience, brave one.

[Assistant] I'm getting a really dark vibe from this. This... won't be pretty.

[User] "I want a pack of smokes."

[Assistant] "My kinda guy," he mumbles, handing you a pack. "Here you go, friend."


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["plaza.reneandgaston_greeting_done"]]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: DayCount() >= 5]

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["plaza.gaston_altgreet_rene_dead"]  or  Variable["plaza.gaston_altgreet_rene_uniform"]) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (CheckEquipped("jacket_carabineer")) == false]

[User] "Officer..." The jolliness is gone from Gaston's face. "Care to play a game with a lonely old man?"

[Assistant] "Actually never mind... Wouldn't be the same..."

[User] "Hey, I said I wouldn't do it, but I found you a new *boule*." (Hold out the ball.)

[Assistant] Gaston glumly stares at the shot put ball. Several seconds pass. Then he speaks: "It's too late now, officer... you got back too late. René is gone."

[User] "The prick survived all the bullets, swords and explosions just to die of a heart attack..." He sighs deeply. "Ironic, isn't it -- even his own bitter little heart couldn't stand him."

[Assistant] "Keep it, it's not even a real *boule*." He waves you away. "Besides, it doesn't really matter now. I've never seen anyone else play pétanque in Martinaise."


[User] "I believe they heard something," he says, glancing back at the twins. "And given the poverty of this part of town, I don't know how they could have heard a radio."

[Assistant] "I don't *know* how they heard it, but..." He returns his gaze to you. "I know the station they imitated. So they must have heard it somehow."

[User] "What channel was it?"

[Assistant] "Speedfreaks FM."

[User] Yes, of course! Earlier, when you turned the radio on in his Kineema!

[Assistant] Don't.

[User] Say nothing.

[Assistant] "I can't explain how they heard it," the lieutenant continues unabated. "I believe they heard something. And given the poverty of this part of town, I don't know how they could have heard a radio. However..."

[User] "Weird as it is, this situation is not connected to the murder. This isn't our business."

[Assistant] "But it is related, Kim. The wind told me so."


[User] ICM? This feels familiar somehow...

[Assistant] "A white star." (Point to it.)

[User] "Shit looks upside down to Cuno." He leans to the side, tilting his head.

[Assistant] With its horns in the sky -- the symbol of the Commune.

[User] "Cuno, what is the *ICM*?"

[Assistant] "Is this a case for Detective Cuno?" He cracks his knuckles, ready. "Idiot Cat Moon. Inside Car Motors. Is Cuno Magic? He is -- case solved."


[User] "Satisfied? My name is Marielle Charpentier and I'm an agent with Martinaise Realty Associates. I am *not* breaking in, as I have every *right* to be here. The keys, see?" She jingles a set of keys in her hand.

[Assistant] Boy there are a lot of different keys there. More than *twenty* at least...

[User] Her voice is really cheerful despite her obviously *hating* you.

[Assistant] "Do you want to see my ID as well? You can't *legally* ask for it, but why not? Want to see my residence permit, too?" She fumbles through her purse, fishing out a light paper-clad passport.

[User] "I don't need your ID, I just need to ask you some questions."

[Assistant] "Very well, but please make it quick." She slips the passport back to her purse and checks her watch. "I need to be back in La Delta in an hour."

[User] "Who lived in the foreclosed apartment down the hallway?"

[Assistant] "Oh, that's another huge mess. The former tenant owes us three months of rent, *three*! We closed the apartment and planned on auctioning off the valuables, but..."

[User] "And again, I have no idea how *stupid* mistakes like this can even happen, but Ron, when he came to close the door, didn't close the neighbouring door! And there's a hole in the wall!"

[Assistant] So preppy! She's probably on some low grade performance enhancers. Like Preptide or Pericanine.

[User] "A hole in the wall, can you believe it?" She spreads her hands. "And then the tenant ran off with his stuff. He's gone, the *money's* gone, just like that!" She snaps her fingers.

[Assistant] The sum must've been puny.


[User] He's avoiding your gaze. This is the time to say how sorry you are about how things went.

[Assistant] "I'm sorry, I know I fucked up."

[User] "It's alright, don't worry about it." His eyes wander over the streets.

[Assistant] "I'll call the station when we're finished with the day and let them know the name of the deceased."

[User] "That's it?"

[Assistant] "That's it. We should get back to our case. There's nothing more we can do here."

[User] "That's it?"

[Assistant] "That's it. We should get back to our case. There's nothing more we can do here."

[User] "That's it?"

[Assistant] "That's it. We should get back to our case. There's nothing more we can do here."


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["whirling.kim_took_away_body_day_2"]) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["TASK.find_out_whos_in_the_union_box"]) == false]

[User] "Looks like we can get to work at once. The Union muscle turned up." He points to the mess hall doors. "They look rowdy. We should talk to them."

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (CheckEquipped("shoes_t500") and  Variable["whirling.kim_stolen_boots_greet_done"] == false) == false]

[User] "What do you mean 'rowdy'?"

[Assistant] "I mean ungovernable. Martinaise isn't exactly enthusiastic about the RCM being here. They prefer to be *policed* by the Union -- these men here..."

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["cargo.evrart_hardieboys_did_the_merco_in"]]

[Assistant] "Men who drink beer for breakfast. I have no doubt these are the Hardie boys Evrart told us about, the ones who *keep the peace* around here."

[User] "And the big one," he squints his eyes, studying the men in the mess hall, "must be Hardie himself..."

[Assistant] "There are so many of them. Maybe we should call in reinforcements?"


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["village.idiot_greeting_done"]]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["TASK.report_to_the_tribunal_done"]) == false]

[User] "Tequila Sunset." He nods in appreciation.

[Assistant] "Okay, here's your jacket. Fresh washed!"

[User] "My jacket?"

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["village.idiot_gave_dirty_jacket"]]

[User] "Yeah, the one you had me clean the seagull shit off of."

[Assistant] A look of consternation crosses the man's face. He looks at you, then at his bottle, then back at you...

[User] "What the fuck are you talking about, Tequila?"

[Assistant] "What the fuck are *you* talking about?"

[User] "Rosemary, what the fuck is Tequila talking about?"

[Assistant] "Aye, that's the jacket you stole two weeks ago. From the kid who was making it with his gal on the beach."

[User] "That's disgusting. I've never done anything like that in my life. You're both delusional." He scoffs. "'FALN'? That's medium-concept stuff."

[Assistant] It becomes abundantly clear to you how this man managed to lose his keys, business, friends and girlfriend.


[User] Hey, so we've been monitoring you internally, and now we know your *copotype*.

[Assistant] Okay. What am I?

[User] Guess.

[Assistant] I'm sorry you had to monitor me.

[User] Okay, just for the length of this short demonstration, please say something that isn't *I'm sorry*. Guess. What is it?

[Assistant] I was kinda hoping I'm the Apocalypse Cop.

[User] That is only a ludicrous daydream. Guess again. You're the...

[Assistant] I was kinda hoping I'm the Apocalypse Cop.

[User] That is only a ludicrous daydream. Guess again. You're the...

[Assistant] Sorry cop? I'm sorry, I'm not sure...


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["plaza.working_meeting_done"]]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["plaza.working_pre_greeting_done"]) == false]

[User] "Hmm-hmm-hmm..." She's still mumbling to herself, now reading another paperback.

[Assistant] "A good one?" (Point at the book.)

[User] "Yes, hello." She nods, her attention fully focused on reading.

[Assistant] "Who are you?"

[User] "Me?" She looks up briefly. "No one, I'm just a working class woman."

[Assistant] She doesn't really want to be disturbed that much...

[User] If she's such a *working class* woman, why isn't she working?

[Assistant] "Shouldn't a working class woman be working?"

[User] "Not all the time. Right now I'm browsing books." She pauses. "Even a working class woman needs something to read."

[Assistant] "Good, good." (Nod.)


[User] "Hello, mister!" A young girl, barely four or five years old, sits on the sofa. She is looking at you with frank curiosity.

[Assistant] She clutches a small stuffed animal. Occasionally she twirls it around.

[User] "Are you Lilienne's daughter?"

[Assistant] "Yesssss, I am! Little Lily!" She gazes at you with her big eyes. "You know my mom?"

[User] "Yes, we met earlier."

[Assistant] "That's nice! My mom is great," she nods. "She's never angry or anything."

[User] "Do you know anyone named Ruby?"

[Assistant] "Ll... Luby... Rr... R-luuby." Suddenly the girl gets all serious and leans in, as if she's about to tell you a secret.


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["whirling.sleeper_greeting_done"]]

[Assistant] The worker is in a deep slumber.

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["whirling.sleeper_inland_about_oblivion"]]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["whirling.sleeper_felt_itch"]]


[User] Do you remember the scent of your childhood?

[Assistant] I remember nothing.

[User] Do you remember your wife's hand on your face?

[Assistant] TELL ME WHAT THIS IS!!! I'm not answering before you tell me who you are.

[User] You know who I am. I am the bad day. The one where you ask her, and then later in the streets, wandering... It's the worst day of all time, Harry dear, and it's coming. She will hear about it on the phone.

[Assistant] Reality will turn into a grotesque nightmare. This'll be the last thing you did to her. Tell me -- do you remember the love of your life?

[User] TELL ME WHAT THIS IS!!! I'm not answering before you tell me who you are.

[Assistant] You know who I am. I am the bad day. The one where you ask her, and then later in the streets, wandering... It's the worst day of all time, Harry dear, and it's coming. She will hear about it on the phone.

[User] Reality will turn into a grotesque nightmare. This'll be the last thing you did to her. Tell me -- do you remember the love of your life?

[Assistant] I was left.

[User] That's right, funky-baby, and you just stood there. One hand on the bottle and the other on your dick -- watching her go. Let it all be dragged away from you.

[Assistant] Tell me, where are your friends? Human beings have friends, Harry-boy. Where the hell are yours?


[User] As you hold your ledger's clip under the headlamp, an iridescent hologram appears: a street grid and the veins of a great river. A familiar sensation washes over you...

[Assistant] "There she is: Revachol West." There's a note of pride in the lieutenant's voice.

[User] Around the borders of the watermark are dozens, no, *hundreds* of micro-perforations.

[Assistant] "Okay, let's go." [Put the ledger away.]


[User] "How did you become so rich?"

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: IsKimHere()]

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["reputation.ask_for_money"] >= 2) == false]

[Assistant] The man chuckles. "To be perfectly blunt, I inherited my fortune from my grandmother, who, herself, was an extremely high-net-worth individual back in Graad..."

[User] "All I did was take her fortune and invest it prudently. Believe it or not, it takes more than a bit of skill not to blow a vast fortune on sailing boats, bad choices, and *unsupervised* state policy."

[Assistant] And blow.

[User] Actually -- at the level this guy is, it takes several generations to do that, but all right.

[Assistant] "Cool. But I want to ask you about something else."

[User] "Go right ahead."

[Assistant] "You're a rich investor, right? Can I have some money?"

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (IsKimHere()) == false]

[Assistant] "Sure! Let me check my pockets."


[User] The super fancy topping pie is waiting for you to dig in.

[Assistant] You should eat it slowly, really savour the chef's concept.

[User] Eating this pie will almost certainly make you less of a man. What were you thinking, agreeing to take a wheat-free, meat-free pie from that sleazy bastard?

[Assistant] Throw the topping pie on the ground. You're not taking any bribes from questionable persons.


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["church.ravers_inside_church"]]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["ice.acelegreeting_done"]]

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["church.acele_church_altgreet_done"]]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["XP.dance_to_the_anodic_music"]) == false]

[User] "Welcome back." She nods to you in greeting.

[Assistant] The tape recorder lies on the ice like a discarded toy. Pick it up.

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["ice.acele_felt_bad_for_her_recording"]]

[Assistant] The device is still warm from her touch -- and heavy as a brick, from the batteries inside. The company logo "Omicron" adorns its yellow plastic cover. Inside, the tape is rolling -- the girl looks at the device in your hands.

[User] Put the tape recorder down.

[Assistant] Nothing to emote over. You put the device back on the ice.


[User] Shelves full of biographies of *famous people*, whoever they are.

[Assistant] "Storekeep, anything of note in this shelf?"

[User] "I would say..." The woman hums to herself. "'The Greatest Innocence.' Yes, most certainly. It's an important educational tool, delving into the depths of history, religion, and their relation to *innocentic power*."

[Assistant] "Who or what is an innocence?"

[User] "A very influential historical figure, but surely I don't have to tell you that." She waves her hand, as if casting aside the thought. "You're a law officer and law officers have at least *some* education."

[Assistant] "The book is also very daring. The author aims to re-examine the universal understandings of the innocentic system, creating a fresh vantage point and a shift in the tired order of things."

[User] "I thought it was about which of these... innocences... is the coolest and greatest?"

[Assistant] "Perhaps for a layman!" She scoffs. "Deep analysis is necessary to peel back the multi-layered meanings."

[User] Do her words seem vague and abstract to you?

[Assistant] "So you recommend it?"

[User] "Certainly. It's prudent for a person to have at least an elementary understanding of history and society. Imagine the chaos we'd be in otherwise."

[Assistant] You feel like you should get this one. Definitely. It's *important* somehow. There is something personal inside...


[User] "Agent... Is La Puta Madre some kind of travel agency?"

[Assistant] "Yeah, they love sending people to faraway places..."

[User] "Let's... talk about something else."

[Assistant] "Yeah? What?"

[User] Destroy the machine.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["boardwalk.ruby_red_check_pain"]) == false]

[User] The violent white noise becomes even more overwhelming closer to the Compressor. Feels like your brain is swelling up in your skull.

[Assistant] Squirm in pain.

[User] "I know it's bad -- try not to move."

[Assistant] "875263... 23621837... for that special someone..."

[User] "Kim! Kim! Make it stop!"

[Assistant] "Look, I know this isn't very fun for you, so let's wrap this up. You have a tribunal to attend."

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["tc.tribunal"]) == false]

[Assistant] Tribunal? What tribunal?


[User] "Seems like something police would do. What do you think of all this, Kim?"

[Assistant] "Honestly, I'm quite worried by what we've seen so far. The evidence seems to point to a rather extensive and well-organized operation."

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["jam.abandoned_seen_radio"] == true]

[Assistant] "I'm especially intrigued by that radio transmitter -- particularly the sheer number of stations it can connect. Looks like this alleged drug trade casts a wide net."

[User] This means it's well funded. Technology like that... a major player must be financing it.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["jam.abandoned_seen_article"] == true) == false]

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["jam.abandoned_seen_maps"] == true]

[Assistant] "Oh, and the maps we found. They reveal the *geographical* extent of the operation -- looks like they've used abandoned tunnels and access roads to stay hidden. This is useful info."

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["TASK.confront_hardie_about_drug_trade"]]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["whirling.hardie_went_through_ruby_info"]]


[User] This book is written by an angry humanitarian sciences doctor from the La Cherte University in Sur-La-Clef, a Dr. Benoit Mejean. He does not like Sur-La-Clef, La Cherte -- or in fact even the University he teaches in -- but what he likes even less is...

[Assistant] It's capitalism, isn't it?

[User] Capitalism.

[Assistant] Can't stand the shadow of it. This book promises to *really* get into everything that's wrong with capitalism -- to do so once and for all in an *exhaustive* and *final* manner.

[User] Read it.

[Assistant] You start reading it, but it's hard to really understand anything. It's all some sort of garbled word-wankery. After a while you give up and put the book down.


[User] "Believe me, dude, it's better we talk about something else."

[Assistant] "Yeah, can we talk for a minute?"

[User] "I was wondering when you would come around. What's up?"

[Assistant] "I guess... there is something... that's been making my life hell."

[User] "What is it?" She listens intently.

[Assistant] "I think it's... all these *foreign people* taking our jobs."

[User] "Oh, really?"

[Assistant] "Yeah, I can tell this was once a proud nation. Now all this internationalist bullshit has brought Revachol to its knees."

[User] "Yeah, man," she nods. "That's why you were crying over a hat, yelling about regaining your authority. National pride."

[Assistant] "No, that's probably not it, is it?"

[User] "No, it sounds like you've just got chick issues."

[Assistant] "You could be right, but I don't know for certain."

[User] "Well... think about, anyway. Was there something else?"

[Assistant] "Your associates tried to use me to set up a drug lab. I'm guessing you knew of this plan."


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["whirling.kimnotes_entered_wo_kim"]) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["whirling.kimnotes_entered_w_kim"]) == false]

[User] These papers bear the stamp of the RCM. They appear to be fragments of the lieutenant's paperwork, half-finished. You make out notes on this -- and other recent cases.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["plaza.tribunal_kim_shot"]) == false]

[User] "I had Garte open the door to your room." He closes the notes. "You were running a low bacterial fever the first night."

[Assistant] "I'm such a burden. I should just fuck off..."


[User] Hey! Her Innocence Dolores Dei liked little figurines, right? Liked holding little men between her fingers, remember?

[Assistant] What?

[User] You have the revolutionary soldier figurine. You should give it to her. Win her back!

[Assistant] I should yes. This is a TASK of mine now.


[User] Despair creeps into you, getting fat on your weakness. Whatever noble intentions you once had as a police officer -- it's eating them all up now.

[Assistant] There's something else in there. There has to be. But -- it's like reaching your hand into muddy water, fishing around, and coming up with nothing...

[User] Yeah, I'm pretty sure you're shit out of luck *fishing around* right now. You're drowning.

[Assistant] You're still coming up with sentences. That's a step up from total annihilation, right?

[User] "I've wasted my life protecting humans. They don't deserve it."

[Assistant] "That you are a loser, Cuno doesn't doubt, but why go around whining about it?"


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["whirling.mirror_saw_your_face"]]

[Assistant] Uhm... are you sure? In the mirror it looked like you were pink, grey and more than a little reddish.

[User] "Can I borrow your gloves? I'm doing an autopsy."

[Assistant] "An autopsy? Wow. Sure, keep them." She hands you the rubber gloves. "I have another pair."

[User] She must be very diligent about the glove-use, because her hands are clean and delicate.

[Assistant] "Do you still have your salts? I think I could use some."

[User] "Sure -- I'm done with them." She takes a small capsule out of her breast pocket and hands it to you.

[Assistant] "Go easy on that stuff. It gave me a terrible headache."

[User] "The police need directions."

[Assistant] "Of course. Where to?"

[User] "Where am I?"

[Assistant] "What do you mean?"


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["canal.tree_greeting_done"]]

[Assistant] The gnarled hawthorn tree on Rue de Saint-Ghislaine. A wintry breeze blows by, making the magnetic tape flutter.

[User] "Good hawthorn." (Pat the tree.)

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["canal.tree_kicked_first"]]

[User] The hurt feelings of the tree are not alleviated by this sudden display of care and emotion, you manipulative bastard.

[Assistant] The younger stems and branches are adorned with sharp thorns that scratch your hand.

[User] Oh, whatever. This barely registers as damage.

[Assistant] It was a retaliation for your earlier assault... the trees... are they plotting something?

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["canal.tree_blackc_inland_revolution"]) == false]

[Assistant] Disentangle the tape.


[User] "Ah, yes -- back to the *low-down*."

[Assistant] "What is pale?"

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["pier.joyce_pale_kimturndown_one"]]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (IsKimHere()) == false]

[User] [Action/Check: Script: SetVariableValue("pier.joyce_found_out_pale_without_kim", true) --[[ Variable[ ]]]

[Assistant] "Are you sure you're sure? Your colleague seemed adamant..."

[User] "Yes -- what is the pale?"

[Assistant] "Okay." She concedes. "The pale is the most dominant geological feature of the world, detective -- the separative tissue between the isolas. It is the interisolary mass."

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (IsTaskActive("TASK.return_to_mhead_once_you_understand_reality")--[[ Variable[ ]]) == false]

[Assistant] "Okay... what is the pale *like*?"

[User] "Achromatic, odourless, featureless. The pale is the enemy of matter and life. It is not *like* any other -- or *any* thing in the world. It is the transition state of being into nothingness."

[Assistant] The negation of being.


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["whirling.kim_klaasje_said_one_thing"]]

[Assistant] "I'm Kim Kitsuragi." The lieutenant steps in. "I'm a detective from Precinct 57. I believe you have already met my colleague from Precinct 41."

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["whirling.klaasjeone_greeting_done"]  and  IsKimHere()) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: IsKimHere()]

[User] "Not met *per se*, but I've seen him around, detective. Swooshing by. It has been quite a sight."

[Assistant] "I am sure it has. In the time we've spent together, I must have covered 30 kilometres. He has a *track and field* approach to police work."

[User] Isn't that odd? How *can* you run so much?

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["whirling.klaasje_run_inland_how_can_you"]) == false]

[User] "And what brings this track-and-field god all the way up here?"

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["TASK.fridge_victims_body_done"]  or  Variable["TASK.send_corpse_to_processing_done"]]

[User] "Miss, we are investigating the murder of the man down there." He looks down at the yard. "The people who put him there have asked us to talk to you."

[Assistant] "Ah, I see." She takes a pensive drag of her menthol cigarette.


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["whirling.mirror_saw_your_face"]]

[Assistant] Uhm... are you sure? In the mirror it looked like you were pink, grey and more than a little reddish.

[User] "Can I borrow your gloves? I'm doing an autopsy."

[Assistant] "An autopsy? Wow. Sure, keep them." She hands you the rubber gloves. "I have another pair."

[User] She must be very diligent about the glove-use, because her hands are clean and delicate.

[Assistant] "Evrart confirmed, he sent you to spy on us."

[User] "Is that so?" Her face remains expressionless as she shrugs. "I don't know anything about that. Must be a misunderstanding."

[Assistant] She's a pro. Nothing short of coming face to face with the fatman himself would make her admit it right now.

[User] "Evrart confirmed, he sent you to spy on us."

[Assistant] "Is that so?" Her face remains expressionless as she shrugs. "I don't know anything about that. Must be a misunderstanding."


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["doomed.breakerbox_black_wire_plugged_out"]) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: IsTaskActive("TASK.help_soona_with_her_project")--[[ Variable[ ]]]

[User] This orange machine is buzzing like an old submarine. It has a hand-cranked ice cream churner on top and an electric freezer that appears to be frozen shut.

[Assistant] Crack open the lid.

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["doomed.icecreammaker_whitecheck_open_the_fridge_2"]) == false]

[Assistant] Ice squeaks beneath your Kvalsund multitool, but your fingers slip away from the tool, the lid shut as tightly as before.

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["doomed.breakerbox_greeting_done"]) == false]

[Assistant] Look, a black cable is running into the breaker box...

[User] Unplugging the ice cream maker will allow it to defrost.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (CheckEquippedGroup("gloves")) == false]


[User] "Do you think he did it?"

[Assistant] He nods. "From nothing to this in a day..." A crooked little smile. "This is *good*, we just need a confession first, and then *maybe* a solid motive later."

[User] "What can I put on him -- to get him to fess up?"

[Assistant] "He's a communard. The victim was a mercenary. We should get him talking politics again. You could even tell him we already *have* a motive."

[User] "What am I missing? What haven't I done?"

[Assistant] "Well, I can think of one thing. The gun." He smiles very politely. "We should pick it up, and discuss it in front of him. Make a show of it."


[User] An inconspicuous pile of the roofing material, eternite.

[Assistant] Why am I looking at this pile of the roofing material?

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["yard.cuno_shack_white_perc_sight"]]

[Assistant] Because there's a secret door hidden behind the panels of eternite. That's why they're *too* orderly.

[User] Pull the panels aside.

[Assistant] There it is! You see a shabby little door.


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["boardwalk.trant_main_hub_reached"]) == false]

[Assistant] "... and, Mikael, notice the windows? Especially with how there are no windows on the south side? This was to deal with..." A blond man stands next to his son, pointing to the weather-worn ruins. He sees you approaching and smiles...

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (IsKimHere()) == false]

[Assistant] "You, officer! Come to investigate the historic subtext of West Martinaise? I was just telling my son about this building. Not many people appreciate the historic significance here. Very rich in *hypertext*."

[User] "Alright, you were talking about the building, go on." (Continue.)

[Assistant] "*Very* important. Mikael, say hi to the officer." He rests his hand on the boy's shoulder. The child stays hidden behind the hem of his father's coat, clutching to his würm-themed colouring book.

[User] "Mikael's a little tired today. We spent all night trying to run Orbis on his radiocomputer. Have you heard of it? It's a programming language used in Graad. Quite tricky, but he wanted to play this Graad-made adventure programme. We've been getting *really* into würms lately..."

[Assistant] The man speaks in the artificial cadence of a professor -- or someone who's been on too many radio shows.

[User] "But I assume you're not here for giant würms when there are so many real things to see. Just as I was telling Mikael before -- this is where the Coalition landed in '08. We could be standing on what is the most interesting landmark in Revachol West." He points to the building again.

[Assistant] This man is your half brother. You feel it. But *why*?

[User] Wow, get a load of this guy. He *really* enjoys his trivia. The Orbis programming language was named after its inventor, Viktor Orbis, a cybernetician from Graad. They run Vox in the Occidental countries...

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: IsTaskActive("TASK.find_some_moralists")--[[ Variable[ ]]]


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["doomed.dicemaker_main_hub_reached"]) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["doomed.dicemaker_greeting_done"]]

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["doomed.dicemaker_said_did_not_knock_on_her_window"]]

[Assistant] "You're back," the bird-like woman says, looking up from her table. "Did you decide what kind of die you want?"

[User] "Why are you asking me about *dice*?" (Move on.)

[Assistant] "I'm a novelty dicemaker," she says. "Tell me the name of your role-playing system and I'll make the die you need. That's why you're here, yes?"

[User] As she speaks her bone-like fingers fiddle with a ring. Her bones light, but her hands strong.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["tc.wirral"]) == false]

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["doomed.moodboard_read_slogans"]  and  Variable["doomed.fortress_accident_kim_switch_done"]) == false]

[Assistant] "Sure, I like role-playing games and I need some dice."


[User] Take the speed. Take that glorious stuff. You have it now. You've got it! TAKE IT!

[Assistant] No. Not right now, anyway. [Discard thought.]

[User] Come on. Come on! A little! Just a little bit! Whaddya say, huh?

[Assistant] I said I discard the thought! [Discard thought.]


[User] "Guess what -- I've come upon something incriminating."

[Assistant] "Incriminating... now that's a big boy word." He puts his beer can down.

[User] "You're involved. Somehow. I just don't have proof -- yet."

[Assistant] "Well..." He picks up his beer can. "Maybe you should just fuck off then?"

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["yard.hanged_spoke_to_the_corpse"]  or  (Variable["whirling.hardie_postviscal_scan"]  and  Variable["yard.sense_viscal_greeting_done"])  or  Variable["cargo.containeryard_finish_the_pile_of_belts_thought"]  or  Variable["yard.hanged_rope_airlifting_carfo"]  or  Variable["yard.hanged_rope_industrial_strength"]  or  Variable["cargo.evrart_hardieboys_did_the_merco_in"]) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: IsKimHere()]

[User] "Don't worry," the lieutenant catches Titus's glance. "We're *resourceful*. We'll find a good topic for us to discuss."

[Assistant] "So I've listened to the tape and I'm going to confront Klaasje with it."

[User] "Smart boy. You go do that."

[Assistant] Take an aggressive step closer.


[User] There they both are -- two identical shoes, both *copiously* green and *indiscriminately* snake-skin. Reunited on your feet!

[Assistant] Like two baby crocodiles.

[User] Wait, these do not look like normal cop shoes...

[Assistant] It's pretty clear a *normal cop* is not what you are.

[User] You may be what they call a *big dick cop*.

[Assistant] How do they fit?


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["whirling.vicquemare_main_hub_reached"]]

[Assistant] "Again?! I can't believe this shit..." He shakes his head, looking like he really is having trouble believing this *shit*.

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["whirling.viquemare_logic_antipassive_he_is_famous"]  or  Variable["whirling.vicquemare_disguise_asked"] == true) == false]

[Assistant] He might be wearing a disguise.

[User] "Are you famous or something?"

[Assistant] "Not as famous as you, superstar." He says without the slightest hint of irony.

[User] Yeah... it's still irony.

[Assistant] "It's happening! My hard work is paying off! I'm becoming famous!"

[User] "Oh, yes you are! And you've worked really, *really* hard, haven't you?"

[Assistant] "Jean, he's obviously suffering..." The woman stops mid-sentence.

[User] The man with sunglasses looks at her -- then back at you: "Okay, superstar. Talk to me, what do you want? You want a pat on the back?"

[Assistant] "Got some questions for you. I'm a cop."


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"]]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (IsKimHere()) == false]

[User] "Good. Now, give me a hand with these amplifiers. Leave the cables. I don't feel like making two trips..."

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["jam.warship_turned_down_archer"]]

[User] [Action/Check: Script: SetVariableValue("character.committee_of_la_responsabilite", true) --[[ Variable[ ]]]

[Assistant] "Well, this was an *interesting collaboration*."

[User] "What do you think? Could I make it as a radio engineer?"

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["jam.warship_interfacing_rc_success"]) == false]

[User] "You decapitated our antenna. No, I do not think it's a good idea for you..."

[Assistant] "In any event, just leave that equipment here. I'll put it away later. If you'd like, you can take one of the extra headsets. I don't need so many spares."


[User] "Yeah? Who did then?"

[Assistant] You should implicate *yourself*. Throw yourself onto the embrasure, chest first!

[User] (Point to Titus) "I think it was Titus."

[Assistant] "What?!" The man looks around --  confused and betrayed. "You scum... I didn't..."

[User] *"All* of them did it." He puts his hand on the gun. "All of them need to die."

[Assistant] His fingers are twitching. That's a draw reflex. He's about to draw.

[User] "He gave up Ruby *and* Klaasje -- to save his own ass."

[Assistant] "You think I'm fucking *stupid*, cop?" There's a dangerous gleam in his eye. "What if I just shot one of your pals here right now, huh?"

[User] "How about the kipt?" He points his gun at Elizabeth. "They fucking all did it together..."

[Assistant] "Listen, please!" She raises both hands. "This cop and this drumhead court martial won't decide who..."

[User] He's gonna do it, he's gonna shoot her!

[Assistant] Say nothing. Just stand there.

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["plaza.tribunal_you_think_this_is_funny"] == true) == false]

[Assistant] He pulls the trigger. A plume of smoke erupts from the muzzle.


[User] You can almost *see* the shape of a man and a woman, writhing inside -- bathed in drug sweat and dirty linens. Bottles lie around everywhere...

[Assistant] What were those people doing -- in there?

[User] You lean closer to the peephole, instinctively. I bet they're doing something quite *unnatural* there. Sensationally unnatural.

[Assistant] If your mesolimbic reward pathway were to venture a guess: one of the bottles is probably being *put* somewhere it doesn't belong.

[User] And were your glands to venture *another* guess -- they would add that *another* bottle is being put somewhere very close to that. The bottle is a bit smaller you see.

[Assistant] Also! You can literally put speed up your asshole, did you know? Enters the bloodstream right through the mucus membrane! So yeah, that's definitely *also* taking place.

[User] What were those people doing -- in there?

[Assistant] You lean closer to the peephole, instinctively. I bet they're doing something quite *unnatural* there. Sensationally unnatural.

[User] If your mesolimbic reward pathway were to venture a guess: one of the bottles is probably being *put* somewhere it doesn't belong.

[Assistant] And were your glands to venture *another* guess -- they would add that *another* bottle is being put somewhere very close to that. The bottle is a bit smaller you see.

[User] Also! You can literally put speed up your asshole, did you know? Enters the bloodstream right through the mucus membrane! So yeah, that's definitely *also* taking place.

[Assistant] What were those people doing -- in there?


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["gates.mhead_fight_success"]) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["gates.mhead_greeting_done"]) == false]

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["gates.mhead_introhub_reached"]) == false]

[Assistant] "YOUR BODY BETRAYS YOUR DEGENERACY."

[User] "Yeah, Measurehead, his body totally betrays his degeneracy," the young woman at the giant's side agrees.

[Assistant] Your body does *not* betray your degeneracy, that's a lie. You're in great shape.

[User] Don't say anything, size him up first.

[Assistant] Fight.

[User] Measurehead stoically looks to the distance -- in silence.

[Assistant] "Don't be such an asshole to your fellow dockworker." (Show him the stolen ID card.)

[User] The man looks at you, silent and unmoving. His eyes burrow into the remnants of your soul.

[Assistant] "YOU ARE NOT SANTIAGO. SANTIAGO IS NOT YOU. EVEN THE PHRENICALLY IMPAIRED CAN SEE THIS."


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: DayCount() == 3]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["plaza.rene_altgreet_day_two_heart_hint"]) == false]

[User] "Offic... argh..." He rubs his chest and spits. "Goddamnit... pull yourself together, René." He turns to you. "What do you want?"

[Assistant] This man seems to be experiencing a mild to medium level of congestive heart problems, either due to narrowing of the arteries or high blood pressure.

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["plaza.rene_endurance_heart_problems"]) == false]

[Assistant] "René, I wanted to ask, what *did* you actually get these medals for?"

[User] "For doing my duty in the heat of battle, for looking my mortality in the eye, when men like Gaston here hid in the bushes and shat themselves..."

[Assistant] "He saved some *maudit* princeling who foolishly strolled into the front line in his gown of velvet and gold."

[User] "Listen, René, I might wanna hear that story later, but right now I have more important things to discuss."

[Assistant] "Fine," he snaps at you, obviously annoyed for the interruption. "What is it then?"


[User] Well, hello. Someone seems to have found himself a bottle of *alcohol*. Here's where the *magic* happens.

[Assistant] [Discard thought.]

[User] Oh, no, you don't -- not this one. That's not *you*. You...

[Assistant] Look at the bottle.

[User] Light reflects off the green glass of the Commodore Red. The gods have been generous. Better pop it open before they change their minds...

[Assistant] Wow, the gods of mass production have made this alcohol container *laughably* easy to open. A child could have done it.

[User] I don't know about this...

[Assistant] Should I though? I may have a teeny-weeny heart attack problem.

[User] Oh, yes. The chest pain and the dizziness. You've *suffered* long enough -- now it's time to drink, to live.

[Assistant] Open the bottle.


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["jam.paledriver_greeting_done"]]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (IsTHCPresent("motorway_south")) == false]

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["auto.is_raining"]  or  Variable["auto.is_snowing"]]

[Assistant] "Lawman," she greets you. "You caught me at an opportune moment. This awful weather keeps me awake. You can entertain me with your questions."

[User] "Thank you for now." [Leave.]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["jam.paledriver_exited_once"]) == false]


[User] Winter, slow to let go of Revachol, flecks some more wet snow from above...

[Assistant] Look around you.

[User] The snow falls lazily, making the beach sand paler still, mixing with the rust-coloured sewage run-off.

[Assistant] And to think -- it seemed as though it were already spring.

[User] How does it feel?

[Assistant] Your teeth chatter as the snow melts on your exposed skin, running down your chest and your back in icy rivulets. To distract yourself, you look around...


[User] Green paint flakes off the monoblock aluminium cabinet. There are rows of switches on the front panel, a frequency band and even a keyboard...

[Assistant] Run your fingers across the keyboard.

[User] The keys rattle like teeth. This keyboard hasn't been functional in decades.

[Assistant] What is this? (Run your fingers across the keyboard.)

[User] "Old hardware." He points to the wires running into the machine. "From the big power-box upstairs. Circuit-bender shit. Military-grade."

[Assistant] Push: 'Light (Interior)'.


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["doomed.dicemaker_main_hub_reached"]) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["doomed.dicemaker_greeting_done"]]

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["doomed.dicemaker_said_did_not_knock_on_her_window"]) == false]

[Assistant] "Oh, it's you again. Did you try knocking on my window before? Are you looking for a die?"

[User] "Hold on, what do you mean by *milieus*?"

[Assistant] "Yes, a milieu is like a call-in station. You need a two-way radio to access one. That's why I have these." She pats the headphones on the table.

[User] "Mostly they just teach you to swear in different languages, but some of the stations can be quite interesting. I was so absorbed, I must have missed you knocking."

[Assistant] "Never mind, I'll be back later." [Leave.]


[User] A moustachioed and mutton-chopped man, amateurishly depicted, gazes at you with sad eyes. A plaque reads: "K. Mazov." There is a spider web in the lower left corner of the portrait.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["tc.mazov"]]

[User] "Look, Kim! It's Comrade Mazov!"

[Assistant] "Yes, I can see that. Looks like some communists were hiding out here. They left a long time ago."

[User] The lieutenant does not seem to share your enthusiasm.

[Assistant] "A long time ago? How long?"

[User] "Half a century? This was probably part of the network of defence posts the communards built against the amphibious landing." He looks around.

[Assistant] "I think the purpose of this bunker was to produce propaganda. It would have had radio equipment back then, but that's all been looted."

[User] "Could it be connected to the Mazov bust we found in the student's room?"

[Assistant] "Millions of depictions of Mazov have been produced. They're not all connected -- besides, that looked like some student. The youths always go for this kind of stuff..."


[User] "I heard him and I'm on it. "

[Assistant] "10-4, affirmative. Officer is in pursuit of his firearm." There's static.

[User] "Oh god, I..." The man is fighting back tears.

[Assistant] "Officer, do you need further assistance? Over."

[User] "Listen, I've actually lost my gun, too."

[Assistant] "10-4, I know, I already wrote it in a report, but..." He hesitates. "It will stay on my desk for a few days. Over."

[User] "I'm happy to report that I have found my badge, Jules."

[Assistant] "10-4, sir, glad to hear that! I'll write down that there's no need to issue a new one to you then. Over."

[User] Feels good to get that off your chest, right? Celebration with beer?

[Assistant] "This might sound odd, but there's *personal details* I'd like to discuss."


[User] An old call box with a matrix of push buttons lists all the companies in the East Delta Commerce Centre.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["tc.doomed_commercial_area"]) == false]

[User] (Empty card.)

[Assistant] This button looks new, but someone has removed the name card. Nothing happens when you try to ring it.

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (IsKimHere()) == false]

[Assistant] "Slipstream SCA."

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["doomed.doorbell_whitecheck_volition"]) == false]

[Assistant] No, hold on. The last thing you need in your life is more hysteric emotions. Forget it. Find something else to do.

[User] "Fortress Accident SCA."

[Assistant] Silence. No one's home at Fortress Accident.


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["auto.inside_shack"]) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["whirling.mirror_secondgreeting_done"]]

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["TASK.report_to_the_tribunal_done"]) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["whirling.mirror_steam_stopped"]) == false]

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["whirling.mirror_stopped_expression"]  and  Variable["character.beard_shaven"]]

[Assistant] A mirror hangs on the bathroom wall. In it -- your face, a regular, clean-shaven police officer.

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (IsTaskActive("TASK.face_yourself_done")--[[ Variable[ ]]) == false]

[Assistant] Face yourself.


[User] You see a colourful primer. The title reads: "A Primer for Small Kids."

[Assistant] "Madam, what's this book?"

[User] "A highly educational primer. It's exceptional for the young mind... and obviously, very popular."

[Assistant] "Oh wow, that's cool. I want to become smarter."

[User] "You're a grown man, though. It's a bit too late for that... this is a book for small children."

[Assistant] Steal the Primer.

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["doomed.book_primer_wc_stealing"]) == false]

[Assistant] Slowly, you move your hand towards the small book. Before you even can reach it, you're interrupted:

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: IsKimHere()]

[Assistant] The lieutenant coughs sharply, then whispers: "Let's not. Defrauding small business owners is not our *thing*."


[User] The body is reluctant to let go of the boots -- as though they were its last bit of dignity.

[Assistant] You're going to need to summon all your strength for this undertaking.

[User] Whatever you're planning to do, you need to do it before you catch pneumonia in the cold draft coming from deep inside the fridge.

[Assistant] Pull on the right boot.

[User] It's not completely useless. You're able to reveal a little more of the putrid polymer sock beneath the boot.

[Assistant] Pull on the left boot.


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["plaza.rene_hero_Story_rc"]) == false]

[Assistant] Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be anything worth mentioning among your achievements. You should resort to good old lying.

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["yard.cuno_punched_cuno"]]

[Assistant] Unless you wanna tell him how you took Cuno down. The decisiveness you exhibited in that situation would surely impress a man fond of order and discipline.

[User] "René..." (Lower your voice.) "I'm ex-army too. Special Forces. Black ops. Secret soldier."

[Assistant] "Really?" Suddenly it feels like he's entitled to question you. "What was the unit?"

[User] Something with colours and headwear. Soldiers identify with those things.

[Assistant] Say it's *classified*. An old soldier should understand.

[User] Mumble incoherently.

[Assistant] "That's what I thought." He nods. "We'll get back to our game now if you don't mind."

[User] Odd, he didn't buy it.

[Assistant] "I found you guys a new *boule*." (Hold out the ball.)


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["whirling.klaasje_talked_about_lely"]) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["whirling.klaasje_kim_not_present_for_lely"]]

[User] "Lely?" The lieutenant takes out his notebook. "That was his name?"

[Assistant] "As I already told your partner, I didn't actually know his name. I just called him Lely -- it's short for Lelystad, where he came from."

[User] "It was his *army name*."

[Assistant] "Yes, he said his real name wasn't *his*. I tried to pry it out of him, but he never gave it up -- no matter how hard I tried."

[User] "Lelystad. That's a good start..." The lieutenant writes it down in his notebook...

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["TASK.perform_field_autopsy_done"]) == false]

[User] ...then starts tearing out a page, but stops mid-motion. "It just occurred to me, colleague," he says, turning to you. "We *still* haven't performed a field autopsy on the deceased."

[Assistant] "The questions I have assume *some* kind of foreknowledge on our part. I suggest we go and perform it now and return once we've brought ourselves up to date."

[User] "No, I want to ask the questions *now*."

[Assistant] "Miss," he says, turning back to the young woman. "Excuse my colleague -- he has recently suffered brain damage. We will now go and do our duty cleaning up the deceased."

[User] "You won't have to look at that sight much longer, I promise. We will return soon." He turns to leave.

[Assistant] There is no talking him out of this -- and no, the incident has not had a good effect on his opinion of you either.


[User] "I'm not even sure the *one bullet* my chamber holds would even prick that hulk."

[Assistant] "But... I was fighting *bad*, unsavoury ideologies. I'm a hero."

[User] "We're not here on some political quest, we're here to solve a crime. Don't make this situation any more volatile than it already is."

[Assistant] "How else are we gonna get through the gates?"

[User] "There must be some other way. Let's go see the yard again -- it faces the other end of the harbour. We're done with Measurehead here."

[Assistant] "But *he's* the one trying to provoke *me*!"

[User] "And you're just going to *let* him manipulate you like that?" He raises an eyebrow.

[Assistant] "Okay, I was trying to assert my dominance over him."


[User] "Ah, yes -- back to the *low-down*."

[Assistant] "What is that?" (Point to Cindy the SKULL.)

[User] "The girl in the old-lady rags?"

[Assistant] "Yes."

[User] "Looks like a sullen and rebellious member of a teen *infraculture*."

[Assistant] "Infra... culture?"

[User] "Yes -- you and I belong to the supraculture. We're common, the herd. The music on the radio, the food in the chain restaurant -- those are all too *popular* for the girl in the old-lady rags."

[Assistant] "She prefers a fantasy world -- an *infraculture* with its own dress code and vernacular. It is an illusion, I'm afraid. There is no refuge from the supraculture."

[User] "Okay, now explain the same thing -- but to a child."

[Assistant] "Young people who dye their hair funny colours and wear old people's clothes are stupid and their little rebellion is self-defeating..."

[User] She pauses to take a long, leisurely sip of tea. "Alright, what next?"

[Assistant] Suddenly you're not so sure *you're* part of the supraculture...

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["pier.joyce_concept_infraculture"]) == false]

[Assistant] "What is that?" (Point to Cindy the SKULL.)

[User] "The girl in the old-lady rags?"

[Assistant] "Yes."


[User] Great news -- the boat is big enough for a grown man like you to fit underneath it in a supine position.

[Assistant] "Great news, I found somewhere new to sleep."

[User] "Huh?"

[Assistant] "I'm gonna live under a boat now."

[User] "Self pity is not what we need at this moment, officer."

[Assistant] "I understand the situation looks grim, but we must continue with our investigation."

[User] Think of it as a salvation.

[Assistant] You have a home, somewhere. All cops do. When this is done you can return.


[User] The stage is all set up for your performance. Feels... silent. You can hear the pellets creak under your feet.

[Assistant] You feel a little dizzy. A little *unsteady*, suddenly.

[User] "So, are you ready for your... *thing* now? Let me know when I should turn on the karaoke carousel."

[Assistant] Look around the room first.

[User] There are *some* people out there, but mostly -- a post meridian slumber has fallen on the premise. Not super lively. It would be wiser to perform in the evening, no? But the choice is yours...

[Assistant] Yes. You can always do it in the evening. It will be less scary with a lot of people.


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["plaza.gardener_main_hub_reached"]) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["plaza.gardener_prehub_reached"]]

[User] "You're back."

[Assistant] "You sound surprised."

[User] "We don't see a lot of police around here, that's all."

[Assistant] The place looks the part. There's graffito everywhere and the traffic jam behind you is completely *unregulated*.

[User] "I have some questions for you."

[Assistant] "Of course. What can I help you with?"

[User] "Do you still have your salts? I think I could use some."

[Assistant] "Sure -- I'm done with them." She takes a small capsule out of her breast pocket and hands it to you.

[User] "Go easy on that stuff. It gave me a terrible headache."

[Assistant] "What is this *fuck the police* business?"


[User] Do you feel that?

[Assistant] Feel what?

[User] That tingle on the back of your neck... like you're being *watched*.

[Assistant] I don't feel anything.

[User] *Don't* you, though?

[Assistant] Nope, everything's normal here. [Discard thought.]


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["TASK.inspect_traps_2_done"]) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["TASK.restock_trap_done"]]

[User] "Hello, dear. It's good to see a familiar face." The elderly woman smiles up at you hopefully.

[Assistant] "Tell me more about this *rare insect* your husband is looking for."

[User] "Oh, sweetie, it's *fascinating*..." She catches herself. "But I shouldn't bore you with entomological minutiae."

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (IsKimHere()) == false]

[User] She was about to launch into an impassioned description, but stoppered herself. Why's that?

[Assistant] "No, I want to hear about the insect."

[User] "Well," she hesitates. "It's a *phasmid* technically, but..."

[Assistant] Ah, yes, *phasmatodea* -- a diverse group of insects whose bodies resemble twigs, leaves, that sort of thing. "Ghost insects," colloquially.

[User] Oh yeah. Here comes the *interesting*.

[Assistant] "... where other phasmids imitate sticks or leaves, this one's a living *reed*. It disguises itself among the reeds here on the Insulindian coast."


[User] The Ledger of (Oblivion Induced) Mental Health is just as shabby as the Damaged Ledger was: a bunch of sodden papers sags from the clipboard in your hand.

[Assistant] Browse the case files again.

[User] Arson. Petty theft. Spousal abuse -- handwritten logs on investigations dating back to January, ´51 -- stamped CASE FILES, COMMIT TO PAPER. These are the last couple of months of your life.

[Assistant] "Is two cases a week a good case load, lieutenant?"

[User] "Huh?" He raises his nose from his notes. "Two *complex* cases to undertake is a lot, yes. You *really* have to push yourself. I would not suggest it. Lest you start making mistakes."

[Assistant] "Two cases a week appears to have been my load, lieutenant. I'm not sure I completed them though."

[User] "Two?" He raises both eyebrows. "That's a lot. I didn't mean to say you're making mistakes, by the way. That was presumptuous of me."

[Assistant] "I burned out all right."

[User] "That's okay." He nods, then turns back to his own case files. "We all do, sooner or later."

[Assistant] Not you. You are an *eternal machine*.

[User] Like a fan of gills the chequered papers dry in your hand. The handwriting is extremely dense, if mostly illegible.

[Assistant] How much is that -- two new cases a week?

[User] A lot? A little? You have no idea, this all depends.

[Assistant] Does it? It feels like a *lot*. Or maybe even more than a lot. It feels like *too much*.


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["TASK.report_to_cryptozoologists_1"]]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["coast.morell_refused_to_restock_trap"]]

[User] "Oh, hello, officer." He covers his mouth, struggling to suppress a coughing fit.

[Assistant] "There, there, dear." She gently touches her husband's arm. "Don't talk too much. And have some more tea."

[User] "What if I checked the traps for you?"

[Assistant] "I didn't expect you to take such an interest in our work here, officer." He looks at you with obvious surprise.

[User] "We're looking for someone hiding on this very coast. Looking for *another* thing may lead us to her."

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: IsKimHere()]

[User] "Why not?" The lieutenant shrugs. "At least it will give us the excuse to look into a *lot* of reeds."

[Assistant] "That it will." The man cracks an unwieldy smile. "That it *absolutely* will. I hope you brought your good boots."


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["jam.siileng_clothes_hub_reached"]]

[Assistant] "You keep coming back. That's good, officer! Keep browsing those clothes, keep saving that economy!"

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["jam.siileng_asked_pay_net_worth"]) == false]

[Assistant] If he really wants to save the economy he'd let you pay with net worth. Go over and ask him if you can

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["jam.siileng_rhetoric_why_eco_needs_saving"]]

[Assistant] Find something worth salvaging from that pile of rags.

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["jam.siileng_concept_whitecheck_clothes"]) == false]

[Assistant] No good. All you can come up with are some treated wool pants. You can tell they're too tight around your thighs and too loose around the waist.

[User] Discard the woolly pants.

[Assistant] "No luck?" the street vendor says, visibly disappointed. "Why not take another look, officer? Keep supporting the economy!"


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["jam.siileng_sunglasses_hub_reached"]]

[Assistant] "The shine on these sunglasses lasts a lifetime, officer! One hundred percent guaranteed!"

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["jam.siileng_asked_pay_net_worth"]) == false]

[Assistant] Stylish shades, huh? They'd be even more stylish if you paid for them with net worth. Go over and ask him.

[User] "I'll take those ugly glasses."

[Assistant] "A good starter pair, officer! And when you're ready to upgrade, come back and see me!"

[User] Rummage through the box.

[Assistant] These are all boring. Boring third-rate ho-hum sunglasses made of cheap Seraise plastic. The kind of plastic that melts in the sun.

[User] Those UV-stickers are almost certainly just there for show. If anything, these lenses probably direct more UV light *into* your pupils -- a UV magnifier.

[Assistant] "These are all first-rate sunglasses!" the man declares. "Premium design, superb material, *very cool* UV-resistant! These will definitely keep your eyes safe *and* cool while doing your dangerous police work."


[User] "These men, they didn't do it!"

[Assistant] "Yeah? Who did then?"

[User] You should implicate *yourself*. Throw yourself onto the embrasure, chest first!

[Assistant] "Wait, I just need a little time to figure this out."

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["auto.visited_church_inside"]  and  Variable["TASK.open_gary_door_done"]]

[Assistant] "Time? You *had* time -- to fuck around in that church." She points over the water. "To run errands for your Union chief. I saw you..."

[User] "Time is up, loincloth," he says to you. "Give me a name. NOW!"

[Assistant] "Wait, I just need a little time to figure this out."

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["auto.visited_church_inside"]  and  Variable["TASK.open_gary_door_done"]) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["auto.visited_church_inside"]) == false]

[User] "Time? You *had* time. To fuck around on the coast." She points over the water. "Chasing some dumb drug trader. I saw you..."

[Assistant] "Time is up, loincloth," he says to you. "Give me a name. NOW!"


[User] "Some top-shelf shenanigans. I want to meet the driver and shake his hand."

[Assistant] "What kind of car do you think it was?"

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["canal.samaran_vis_calc_vehicle"]]

[Assistant] "I believe it was a Linnea G22."

[User] He seems impressed. "That's quite likely, from what I can tell."

[Assistant] "Yeah, I have no idea. Who could it have been?"

[User] The lieutenant shrugs. "We're not traffic cops. Should we get back to the murder?"

[Assistant] "On second thought, maybe this doesn't really warrant an investigation." [Leave.]


[User] You feel something in your chest. An unnatural pressure. It's spreading to your left arm, your jaw...

[Assistant] Well, this feels familiar.

[User] We've been here before. You've got this.

[Assistant] Nope, sorry, you don't. Not this time.

[User] Fucking shit, I'm scared. What do I do? Who do I call?

[Assistant] Don't go grabbing at your chest and screaming bloody murder. Keep your cool. Remember -- looking good always makes you feel better.

[User] So I'm guessing this is bad.

[Assistant] Very. *Very* bad. *This is the end* bad.


[User] Give up. You'll never find the answer. There's no other copy of "Dick Mullen and the Mistaken Identity" here.

[Assistant] But, why?

[User] Because that's how the world works. Some stories never get finished. You shouldn't expect there to be a tidy, satisfying ending.

[Assistant] But... but... what if you never find out how *your* story ends?


[User] His eyes move from you to the lights dancing on the walls.

[Assistant] "I wanted to ask about my, uh... missing gun. Again."

[User] "Sure thing."

[Assistant] "Was the buyer a policeman too?"

[User] "She didn't seem like a policeman, although she kept referring to herself as a *Pig*. Which was odd. I found her interest in the gun a bit... obsessive. But I was just happy to get rid of it. And of her."

[Assistant] "Truth be told, she was terrifying."

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (IsKimHere()) == false]

[Assistant] "She must be one of my adoring fans. Just wanted to feel closer to me, you know."

[User] "Sure, man."

[Assistant] He's doubtful, but doesn't see the point in contradicting a notion that is so dear to you.

[User] "Was the buyer a policeman too?"

[Assistant] "She didn't seem like a policeman, although she kept referring to herself as a *Pig*. Which was odd. I found her interest in the gun a bit... obsessive. But I was just happy to get rid of it. And of her."


[User] All around you, the hisses and chirps of locusts fill the musky air. The earthen floor of the shack has been shaped into mounds of mud dotted with little holes for windows.

[Assistant] Like skyscrapers, spires of dirt and sand rising. Accommodations for their insectoid inhabitants?

[User] Sounds like you found the locusts, detective.

[Assistant] What is this?

[User] Heaps of leaves are rotting among the mud-cake towers. Dozens of little locusts feed on them, buzzing away with vicious joy. The kid in the yard has really outdone himself here.

[Assistant] It's an ode to self expression.

[User] It's the work of a self-taught visionary.

[Assistant] I should go and ask him to stop then. [Finish thought.]


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["TASK.report_to_the_tribunal_done"]  and  Variable["TASK.check_back_on_renovation_later"]]

[Assistant] The scaffolding around the old monument has been taken down. In its place are the spoils of your investment. Numerous rods and ropes still hold the original reassemblage in place.

[User] Who is this?

[Assistant] A silver plaque on the statue's pedestal reads: 'I am Filippe III, the Squanderer, the Greatest of the Filippian Kings of Revachol; Son of Filippe II, the Opulent; Father of Filippe IV, the Insane.'

[User] Not a good track record of mental health in that family.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["jam.horseback_monument_scaffolding"]) == false]

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["plaza.ultralib_monument_boring"]) == false]

[Assistant] As you look up, you notice something about the statue. There are some odd indentations on the king's chest piece...

[User] What indentations? What do I see?

[Assistant] Something with great kinetic energy seems to have impacted the cuirass... around where the 'heart' is. A bullet?

[User] Someone's shot him in the heart. Interesting.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (IsKimHere()) == false]


[User] An old call box with a matrix of push buttons lists all the companies in the East Delta Commerce Centre.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["tc.doomed_commercial_area"]) == false]

[User] "Main hall, building B: WHIRLING-IN-RAGS."

[Assistant] Nothing happens after you ring the doorbell... They don't want to talk to you.

[User] You're going to just stand there and *take it* from a doorbell?

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["doomed.doorbell_half_light_beat_it_up"]]

[User] I should just leave the doorbell alone.

[Assistant] The doorbell agrees. The entire call box looks relieved.

[User] "Main Hall, Building A."

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["doomed.doorbell_heard_plaisance"]) == false]


[User] "I don't need your cooperation. I've got this." (Show him the Triangong 4-46.)

[Assistant] "Heh..."

[User] You know peacetime laws in Moralintern-affiliated nations forbid it -- it's a rarity.

[Assistant] "It's a rare weapon. I've got you with this one. No one else has these."

[User] "Yes, it's a *real* gun, not like your little musketeer pistols. I've seen you prance around with those, jumping hoops for the liberals..."

[Assistant] "You look like imbeciles. Why don't you ask them to give you *real* weapons?" He chortles. "Going against automatic rifles with these toy guns... of course you got those boys killed!"

[User] Damn, he saw you. He's watched it happen.

[Assistant] He would have a good view of the tribunal from here. It's not just empty  boasting.


[User] "Okay, so, we've got the old fuck." The kid whispers, his eyes bugging out of his skull with excitement.

[Assistant] "Do you think he did it?"

[User] A crooked little smile. "Oh fuck, he's practically dyin' to big up how he did it. Just get him to cough it up. Cuno's got your back."

[Assistant] "I'm slapping myself to get ideas!"

[User] "Yeah, Cuno can see that," the kid says seriously. "So can fuckin' murderoonie here. You should stop -- it's weird as fuck."

[Assistant] "What can I put on him, to get him to confess?"

[User] "He's into some ancient warrior shit. Hate shit. Pressure cook him. Push it on him, like -- motive shit. Pig style."

[Assistant] Of course -- why didn't *you* think of it?! Motive shit. Pig style.


[User] A man in his late twenties stands behind the counter, inspecting a stuffed seabird. As you approach, he gives you a sideways glance, then looks down again.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["reputation.superstar_cop"] >=2]

[User] That was disdain in his eyes. Even now he is purposefully ignoring you. Looks like he's not a fan.

[Assistant] Everything is cool between you and this guy. He's a big fan. Make some small talk.


[User] The ham-sandwich looks fresh and nutritious in you hand, begging to be eaten.

[Assistant] A treat of this magnitude should not be enjoyed alone.

[User] "Step back everyone, it's gonna get messy." (Eat the sandwich.)

[Assistant] You jam your teeth into the sandwich and immediately feel a series of taste explosions go off in you mouth. It's like someone's carpet-bombing your tongue with ambrosia.

[User] This is what angels must taste like. Your saliva production increases tenfold. You can barely contain it all.

[Assistant] Take giant bites and swallow them half-chewed.

[User] The taste-assault in your mouth abates for a moment... wolfing it down is efficient, but lacking in appreciation.

[Assistant] Get into there and do some real damage!

[User] You really ram into the sandwich, *deep*. The tomato slides off, mayo drips everywhere (including your moustache and clothes), bits of ham fall onto the ground...

[Assistant] You can barely feel the taste, but it seems decent enough. At least it gets your stomach nice and full. Good sandwich -- durable!


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["whirling.kimintro_done"]]

[Assistant] "Morning." He gives you a quick nod.

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["whirling.kim_took_away_body_day_2"]) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["TASK.find_out_whos_in_the_union_box"]]

[User] "Looks like we can get to work at once. The Union muscle turned up." He points to the mess hall doors. "They look rowdy. We should talk to them."

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (CheckEquipped("shoes_t500") and  Variable["whirling.kim_stolen_boots_greet_done"] == false) == false]

[User] "Let's roll." [Leave.]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["TASK.find_out_whos_in_the_union_box"]) == false]


[User] "Shoot that shit at Cuno, piggonaut."

[Assistant] "The body -- what do you know about it?"

[User] "Shitload, pig, what's your question?"

[Assistant] "Don't tell the pig shit, Cuno!"

[User] This is where you *quickly* ask him questions. Real cop-questions. Like a cop.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["yard.cuno_cop_questions"]]

[User] "Where's the rest of his armour?"

[Assistant] "Cuno doesn't give a shit about the armour."

[User] "How come?"

[Assistant] "Cuno's fuck-gimp's got one big thing wrong with him. He's a fucking mutant."

[User] "A mutant?"

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["TASK.fridge_victims_body_done"]  or  Variable["TASK.send_corpse_to_processing_done"]) == false]


[User] Several maps have been attached to a bulletin board hidden inside the alcove. They're held up by small pins. The board has come loose from one corner.

[Assistant] The maps look old and faded. Your eye catches a map of Insulinde, a map of Revachol, and a map of Martinaise.

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["TASK.buy_a_map_of_martinaise"]  and  Variable["TASK.buy_a_map_of_martinaise_done"] == false  and  CheckItem("map_of_martinaise") == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (IsKimHere()) == false]

[User] Martinaise!

[Assistant] This one *could* work for seeing where the shot came from.

[User] "I want to buy the map of Martinaise."

[Assistant] "Officer, discard the thought. For your brave efforts against those thugs you may have it for free."

[User] "I want to buy the map of Martinaise."

[Assistant] "Officer, discard the thought. For your brave efforts against those thugs you may have it for free."


[User] An intricate web of blue lines stretches across the torso of the hanged man, from the right shoulder to the solar plexus. Each time the lines intersect, a small white star is formed in their crossing. Hundreds of fading asterisks riddle his skin; their concentration is highest around his heart.

[Assistant] It still kind of looks like a map of the stars in the night sky, but... something's not right.

[User] What's the meaning of this tattoo?

[Assistant] For you to discover. You've gotten as far as you will without assistance.

[User] Someone close to the victim might know.

[Assistant] Someone who knows about history could tell you.

[User] What's the meaning of this tattoo?

[Assistant] For you to discover. You've gotten as far as you will without assistance.

[User] Someone close to the victim might know.

[Assistant] Someone who knows about history could tell you.


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["canal.water_lock_greeting_done"]]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (IsEvening()) == false]

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (IsAfternoon()) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: IsMorning()]

[User] "Good morning to you, officer!"

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (DayCount() > 2) == false]

[User] "You said the coast is closed off? This may be why Lena's husband Morell the cryptozoologist hasn't returned."

[Assistant] "Uhm... I haven't seen any *cryptologists* around here, but sure -- if they're on the other side, they're stuck. Like my friend Barry."

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: IsKimHere()]

[Assistant] "We should probably go tell Lena. Take a load off her mind."


[User] There is nothing.

[Assistant] Again.

[User] Nothing?

[Assistant] Nothing, sad brother. No treachery. Just blackout.

[User] Just lie there, passed out.

[Assistant] Well, *almost* nothing. There is the ground below you. That's still there. And the small light that's on -- fluttering -- somewhere in the Basal Ganglia.

[User] Who's that?

[Assistant] That's me, blue eyes. That's me.

[User] And who was *that*?

[Assistant] Who was what?

[User] He speaks of the *sickening* longing, the unwell emotion. Even in the darkness he's grasping for it, still trying to hold on to the great sorrows slipping in the water -- slimy.

[Assistant] No, I was *cool*. I'm cool.

[User] The cool when you're dead, brother.

[Assistant] Here in the Paleo-Mammalian Cortex we call it -- *the shadow*.

[User] Because it's always there.

[Assistant] Tell him! Tell him!


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["TASK.return_lenas_pin"]) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["TASK.pay_lena_back"]) == false]

[User] "I just wanted to thank you again."

[Assistant] "Of course, dear! I just wish I could have done more."

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["whirling.lena_pin_task_from_main"]) == false]

[Assistant] "I don't know if you've noticed, but I don't know where I am, or what I'm doing. Or *anything*."

[User] "Yes, officer, you look rather dazed... like a stunned fox. But surely things can't be *that* bad?" Her eyes follow your movements with some concern.

[Assistant] She won't judge you, no matter what you say.

[User] "I hope you're right. I hope it's not too bad..."

[Assistant] "You know where we *are*, right?"

[User] "We're dead. Haunting each other. We're ghosts."

[Assistant] "Now, now." She tilts her head as she looks up at you with maternal solicitude.


[User] "About your pin..."

[Assistant] "I hope you were able to pawn that old trinket!" She smiles up at you earnestly.

[User] "I bought it back. I know it means a lot to you. You should have it." (Give her the pin.)

[Assistant] "Aw, thank you, dear. I confess -- I am glad to see it again. Very honourable of you, officer."

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: IsKimHere()]

[Assistant] Even the lieutenant seems happy with this turn of events.

[User] "Now, what else, sweetie?"

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["whirling.lena_pin_task_from_main"]) == false]

[User] "On second thought, things *are* bad. I don't even know enough to know what I *don't* know about this world."

[Assistant] "You know where we *are*, right?"


[User] Your flashlight slides over an old green chalkboard covered in scribbles, sketches and schemes like some ancient cave mural.

[Assistant] Some of the writing has faded with age, but you can still make out sections here and there; photos and drawings have been pinned to the board.

[User] Inspect the drawings.

[Assistant] These lithe, pointy-eared creatures appear to be different types of *welkins*. You make out autumnal *candle-welkins* casting wax-based magic...

[User] *Translucent welkins* with organs shining under their skin, and even aether welkins -- hailing from the vast emptiness of sidereal space.

[Assistant] Who are all those creatures? Fantasies of a tortured, feverish mind?

[User] You should adopt one of those welkins as your *persona*. No longer a mere man -- but a welkin...

[Assistant] One of the welkins -- towering among the rest -- appears to be different, however.

[User] Examine the welkin -- this is important.

[Assistant] It's Vaarahamira, a *high welkin* -- his face white and scarred like cracked marble. This is clearly a welkin supremacist. The note says: 'All non-welkin races will be purged.'


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (IsHourBetween(21, 2)) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["village.has_shack"]) == false]

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["village.ww_altgreet_singing_reaction"]]

[Assistant] "The policeman." She squints at you. "What can our village do for you?"

[User] "Actually, is that free room still available?"

[Assistant] "Change your mind, did you? I thought you might. Won't find a better deal than free."

[User] "Don't make this old women regret giving the police the key to her house." She takes out a key from under her apron and hands it to you. "Here."

[Assistant] "Do you know anything about a lost jacket?"

[User] "What do you want with a lost jacket?"

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (IsKimHere()) == false]


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["canal.light_paid_shares"]]

[Assistant] It's the 700 reál modified street light you traded for shares.

[User] Look at the light in your life.

[Assistant] The pole has been carefully cut, the wiring redone and attached to a standard indoor plug. The light buzzes faintly but persistently.

[User] She's going to *love* it.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["canal.light_inland_she"]) == false]

[User] Look at the light in your life.

[Assistant] The pole has been carefully cut, the wiring redone and attached to a standard indoor plug. The light buzzes faintly but persistently.

[User] She's going to *love* it.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["canal.light_inland_she"]]

[User] Who is?

[Assistant] Silence...


[User] "Believe me, dude, it's better we talk about something else."

[Assistant] "I'd like to know more about your associates."

[User] "My 'associates'?" She blows on her chilled fingers. "I haven't got much to say about them."

[Assistant] "What do you mean? You must know *something* about them."

[User] "Of course I do. I just don't tell people about my friends and who they are and so on. I don't provide information on them."

[Assistant] To the cops.

[User] "What about you? Tell me something about yourself."

[Assistant] "Me? I'm a silver bird."

[User] High above and to the east, the cold winds blow over the feathers of an early songbird. She lands on the stone ledge of a tall building. Her beak a silvery grey.

[Assistant] A silver bird... feels strangely familiar. Was it an expression? And if yes, then for what? Then your mind slips and the thought is gone.

[User] "A-ha. Okay. Maybe I'll ask later about all this."

[Assistant] "Don't know what makes you think it'll be any different later, but..."

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["ice.acele_heard_about_silver_bird"]]

[Assistant] Feels like you missed something here. What was that about a bird? Forget it. Maybe later.

[User] "I'd like to know more about your associates."

[Assistant] "My 'associates'?" She blows on her chilled fingers. "I haven't got much to say about them."


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["plaza.tracks_viscal_wc_success_done"]) == false]

[Assistant] You see a set of tyre tracks in the brown slush that covers the plaza mosaic.

[User] Why am I looking at this?

[Assistant] Cop habit. You look at everything.

[User] This isn't case-related, you think.

[Assistant] What kind of vehicle drove through here?

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: DayCount() > 1]

[Assistant] Hard to say.

[User] Why am I looking at this?

[Assistant] Cop habit. You look at everything.


[User] "What was that about running you an errand and *illegal narcotics*, Cuno?"

[Assistant] "Cuno gets it from his dad. Cuno and his dad are major suppliers!" His eyes bulge; their veins reach out like tree branches. "That's where Cuno gets his lightning on."

[User] "Problem is, Cuno and his dad had a little falling out. Now junkies clawing at Cuno's door. Streets going mad. Cuno's gotta throw his dirty popo-man at it."

[Assistant] "Mhmh, this is very interesting, but I'll have to get back to you."

[User] "Don't take for fucking ever, Cuno's got wheels turning everywhere."

[Assistant] "I got more speed. Let's do this again."

[User] "All right, now we talkin'. Same shit as before. You give Cuno Cuno's kilo -- Cuno gives you half a kilo back."

[Assistant] "Aren't you going ask how I got past your dad?"

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: IsKimHere()]

[Assistant] "Word on the street is you sent your little friend in dressed as a *hooker*. Distraction-style. That's some sick shit." He nods approvingly to the lieutenant.


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["plaza.rene_hero_Story_rc"]]

[Assistant] Go long, go deep, go unconventional!

[User] "My story doesn't have gunfire, blood or spilled guts, but let me give you a *different* take on heroism."

[Assistant] "Sure, officer." Already he looks sceptical. "Let's hear your *take*."

[User] "Imagine just flickering into existence from nothingness."

[Assistant] "I'm not following you."

[User] He'll get it. Don't worry, just continue -- he's *gonna* be impressed.

[Assistant] "Imagine knowing nothing but the sweet oblivion only to wake into unbelievable pain..."

[User] The man stares at you, silently frowning.

[Assistant] Doesn't look like he's imagining it.

[User] "Right when you are willing to do just about anything to make it stop, you open your eyelids..."

[Assistant] The carabineer crosses his arms and spits in the crater.

[User] "... and realize you've pushed yourself too far. Past the point of no return."

[Assistant] "You're talking about getting black-out shitfaced drunk and going into delirium, right?" he asks impatiently.


[User] A pane of eternite has been planted into the snow. Two poles are holding it up.

[Assistant] *Barely* holding it up. It could fall over any minute... a stronger gust of wind might be enough.

[User] "What is this?"

[Assistant] "It looks like a makeshift bridge." The lieutenant adjusts his collar against a cool breeze. "Could be convenient."

[User] "What is this?"

[Assistant] "It looks like a makeshift bridge." The lieutenant adjusts his collar against a cool breeze. "Could be convenient."

[User] "What is this?"

[Assistant] "It looks like a makeshift bridge." The lieutenant adjusts his collar against a cool breeze. "Could be convenient."


[User] "Give me a moment..." The cleaning lady still seems to be having difficulty breathing.

[Assistant] "I'm looking for Billie Méjean's apartment. Could you direct me?"

[User] "It's about Victor, isn't it?" She narrows her pale grey eyes. "It's always about Victor with her... You'll find the Méjeans in apartment #20 upstairs. It's one of the doors on the balcony."

[Assistant] "I have a few questions about those apartments..."

[User] "Ask away, policeman."

[Assistant] "What can you tell me about Cindy?"

[User] "The *artist*?" She scoffs. "Nothing I can do about her, I'm afraid. She ruins the walls faster than I can clean them. Still..." She leans on her broom.

[Assistant] "She leaves an old lady to her business. More than I can say for others..."

[User] "Who lives in apartment #12? I heard snoring."

[Assistant] "The de Ruyters..." She frowns. "He's chained it and fallen into a stupor again."


[User] "Right." The old man stands tall and proud, looking at you inquisitively.

[Assistant] "I managed to get my hands on Gaston's sandwich."

[User] "Yes," he says impatiently. "I was standing right here. I saw it. Why are you telling me this?"

[Assistant] He seems agitated. Trying to control himself.

[User] "Let us -- true Revacholians -- symbolically share this meal. For Revachol!" (Give half the sandwich to René and eat your half.)

[Assistant] "What? No!" He gasps, looking like he's about to cry. "Old angry René doesn't even have taste buds -- it would be a complete..."

[User] "*Silence!*" he snaps at Gaston, then turns to you: "Since you put it that way, I *symbolically* accept your cordial gesture." He eats the sandwich-half in two well-measured bites and nods. "For Revachol."

[Assistant] Consuming food is mechanical process for him. He doesn't enjoy it, just goes through the motions and moves on.

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["plaza.rene_conze_renes_a_machine"]) == false]

[Assistant] The old man looks devastated as he observes you and René strengthen your  manly bond over his culinary wonder.

[User] Cautious nature prevents him from voicing more objections, but he will always remember the cop who bullied him -- of that you can be sure.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: IsKimHere()]

[User] "Excellent job bullying that old man, officer," the lieutenant says with a frown. He looks impatient and not happy. "He'll be sure to put in a good word for the RCM in the future."

[Assistant] He doesn't think it was an excellent job at all -- he's disappointed.


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["TASK.report_to_cryptozoologists_1"]) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["coast.morell_greeting_done"]) == false]

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["coast.morell_midgreet_leave"]) == false]

[Assistant] "Here we go. Nice and easy. No way out, little guys, not out of this jam..."

[User] There's a cylinder on the ground in which the man is arranging some netting. It looks like some kind of trap. He notices you.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (IsKimHere()) == false]

[User] "Who's there? Oh, the police. Hello, officer."

[Assistant] His self-conscious enthusiasm renders his movements ungainly. He looks like your understanding of a scientist.

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["coast.gary_hello"]]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["TASK.locate_morell"]) == false]


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["whirling.barreddoor_inside_main_hub_reached"] == true) == false]

[Assistant] This is a small, heavy door. There is no lock in sight.

[User] "Where does this lead to?"

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["whirling.steel_door_unlocked"]) == false]

[User] "I don't know." He makes a note in his notebook.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["TASK.investigate_mysterious_door"]) == false]

[User] "We should search downstairs, in the kitchen -- just in case. Maybe there's a door that leads up, that we don't know of."

[Assistant] "Do you think it's important?"

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["TASK.investigate_mysterious_door"]  and  Variable["TASK.investigate_mysterious_door_done"] == false) == false]

[Assistant] "The further we get, the more this building seems to be tied to the case..."

[User] Below, the hostel-cafeteria creaks and groans under your added weight -- a skeleton of composite support beams and cantilevers.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["whirling.barreddoor_shivers_creeking"]]


[User] "It's the netherworld. Beyond the veil."

[Assistant] "No, it's a gym," he disagrees. "Though it looks like no one's been here in ages..."

[User] "I doubt the electricity still works... We should find a flashlight if we want to go on. There should be one in my Kineema."

[Assistant] Some specks of dust shimmer in a ray of streetlight falling from the window. Other than that, the room is dark.

[User] An eerie feeling rises in your chest...

[Assistant] "Let's go get the flashlight then."


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["plaza.gardener_main_hub_reached"]) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["plaza.gardener_prehub_reached"]]

[User] "You're back."

[Assistant] "I have some questions for you."

[User] "Of course. What can I help you with?"

[Assistant] "Who are you exactly?"

[User] "Me? I'm just a gardener."

[Assistant] She hides it well, but behind the sweat and dirt there is something... else. In her rigid posture.

[User] "Good to meet you, Just-A-Gardener. Another question then."

[Assistant] "I am pleased to meet you too, officer."


[User] A rusting control panel with several knobs. The words *Marche* and *Arrêt* are -- very, very slightly -- even more faded with use.

[Assistant] Press *Marche*.

[User] With a loud grind the crane shifts overhead, moving a massive metal container through the air...

[Assistant] ... and with a surprisingly quiet thunk, the crane places the container down.

[User] This crane was built with a purpose which has now been fulfilled -- to move *this* container.

[Assistant] The harbour sleeps as the strike rages in the distance. The crane can rest again, now that its purpose has been fulfilled.


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["village.idiot_greeting_done"]) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["village.idiot_mid_greet_exit"]) == false]

[User] "Hey, Tequila!" A thirty-something man clad in a two-piece Lickra(TM) tracksuit puts down his pilsner and extends his hand in greeting.

[Assistant] "Good to see you! How's business? How's the whole *reality situation* treating you?"

[User] Don't shake his hand.

[Assistant] "So what's happening?" He picks up his beer.

[User] "Not too hot. I'm on a 50-year losing streak."

[Assistant] "That's harsh. I'm like three or maybe four years into mine. Wait no, make it five." He looks at his shit-stained Lickra(TM) with a grim expression.

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["village.idiot_greeting_sad"]]

[Assistant] "Things aren't going super well for Idiot Doom Spiral either. Haven't found those keys yet; haven't won that great piece of ass back. No word from my business-buddies..." He takes a sip from his beer.

[User] This guy's your buddy-buddy. You feel it immediately: you belong to an organization. A fraternity. Of *drunks*.

[Assistant] *Idiot Doom Spiral*, huh? This is bound to be a good, high-concept conversation. At last!


[User] Rise and shine, comrade. It's time to get to work.

[Assistant] What's going on?

[User] Despite all the thinking you've been doing, only 0.0001% of communism has been built. It's too great a task to undertake alone. You're going to have to *get organised*.

[Assistant] Have you engaged the shit compressor? This task won't permit any looseness on your part, mentally or physically...

[User] I'm ready, let's get to it.

[Assistant] You must seek out your revolutionary brothers and sisters. Find out how much communism they've built. Then, together, maybe you'll be able to build as much as 0.0002% of communism.

[User] But it won't be *easy*. Decades of persecution by Coalition authorities have driven the remaining communists of Martinaise *underground*.

[Assistant] They live underground? These communists aren't men, they're *mole people*!

[User] How am I supposed to find them if they're hiding? (Proceed.)

[Assistant] Let your *nose* guide you, detective.

[User] My *nose*?

[Assistant] Yes, fortunately communists are known to have a very *distinct* smell.


[User] Listen to the wind -- but for *what*? Ruby whistling? The crackle of her bonfire? Some errant whisper, or a dog barking...

[Assistant] What am I *doing* here?

[User] *WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?* A terrible cold comes over you as you think the words. They echo in your skull, alien suddenly.

[Assistant] As if said by someone else. Someone outside you. Around you. Not you.

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: IsKimHere()]

[Assistant] The lieutenant looks at you shiver, worried suddenly. "We should go. It gets cold if you stand in one place too long."


[User] "Did you leave any... flowers for Klaasje on the roof?"

[Assistant] "No, gifts of flowers and candy aren't really my style."

[User] "Not even wildflowers? May bell... for example?"

[Assistant] She raises her eyebrows. "Nope."

[User] "Not even wildflowers? May bell... for example?"

[Assistant] She raises her eyebrows. "Nope."

[User] "Not even wildflowers? May bell... for example?"

[Assistant] She raises her eyebrows. "Nope."

[User] "But Klaasje was... mourning..."

[Assistant] "I never did understand why, when someone dies, a hothouse's worth of flowers has to die too."