[User] Convince Titus he is being manipulated.

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

[User] Convince *Titus?* he's being manipulated? You should know by now -- Titus Hardie will never falter.

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

[User] But you know someone who *might*.

[Assistant] One of his boys will.

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["XP.keep_your_eye_on_the_powerful_guy_minus1_rhet_wc_pressure_cooker"]]

[Assistant] Fat Angus. The powerful guy. Mr. All Muscle. The time has come -- put him in the pressure cooker.

[User] Just remember it's about more than Klaasje. It's about these men and Martinaise: their district, their *responsibility*.

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

[User] Good. I like this. This guy is learning.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["XP.keep_your_eye_on_the_powerful_guy_minus1_rhet_wc_pressure_cooker"]]


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["coast.payphone_interfacing_white_succeeded"]) == false]

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

[User] There's still some unused change in there -- the machine waits for a number to be dialled.

[Assistant] Put 10 cents in and dial a random number: 005-11-11-313.

[User] Calling...

[Assistant] "I'm tired..." A man answers, fast this time. His voice is hoarse from cigarettes. You hear typing in the background.

[User] Sounds like he hasn't talked to anyone in quite a while.

[Assistant] "I'm tired too."

[User] "If I could go just one month without writing. No, two months... I could regenerate my brain. Fucking liberalism..."

[Assistant] The man disappears with a sigh.

[User] You do not hear the customary disconnect tone, just silence in the handset -- the machine is still waiting for you to dial a number.

[Assistant] Seems like it did not have time to swallow the coin. This sometimes happens.


[User] Stop. Just up ahead: danger.

[Assistant] You are prepared. Don't put away your friend. Your weapon. It is glowing in your hand, ready to serve.

[User] Raindrops slip down the oily fabric of the tail end of your necktie-turned-fuse.

[Assistant] I'm ready to do this.


[User] "Show me the soles of your boots."

[Assistant] "Now what do you want with an old woman's boots, *xerife*?"

[User] "Nothing, I guess. Let's talk about something else."

[Assistant] The woman sways her wrinkled shell back and forth, a strange grin across her face.

[User] "You seem like a woman who knows a thing or two about drugs."

[Assistant] "What do I need drugs for, lawman? What I see, what I *feel*, the Great Adversary... no drugs can compare."

[User] "The... Adversary?"

[Assistant] "Yes. There is a *protagonista*..." She gestures to the intersection. "And an *adversário*. I am on the side of the Adversary. There's no coming back from that haul."

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["tc.pale"]]

[Assistant] The pale. Sounds like *the* drug to me.

[User] "Okay. Let me ask you something else, then."

[Assistant] The woman sways her wrinkled shell back and forth, a strange grin across her face.


[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")) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["whirling.necktie_personified"] == false  or  Variable["TASK.report_to_the_tribunal_done"] == true]

[User] Son, you will NOT kill yourself with this. Not today. So we're going to store this as a SELLABLE item. Go sell it at the pawnshop for a profit.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["village.rosemary_selling_instruction_got"]) == false]

[User] If you drink this, then you will die. That's a fact. And that's why we're going to save you from yourself and store this as a SELLABLE item. Go sell it at the pawnshop for a profit.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["village.rosemary_selling_instruction_got"]) == false]

[User] Harry... we're just going to store this one as a sellable item, okay? We're not going to let you kill yourself by drinking it. That's just not an option. Sell it at the pawnshop for profit.

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


[User] Look at the table of contents.

[Assistant] The first few pages give an overview of the capital and workforce, while the rest of it seems to be a production schedule.

[User] Skim through the production schedule, whatever it is.

[Assistant] The production schedule depicts their glorious descent into bankruptcy.

[User] Right, what happened?

[Assistant] It was impossible not to fail. The project was too large and no amount of money could satiate the ever-expanding ambitions of the development team.

[User] They tried to make a 4,000,000 reál game with 400,000 in their bank account.

[Assistant] They thought they could bridge the gap with pure willpower and imagination.

[User] They couldn't.

[Assistant] Oh, so they were done in by their own ambition.

[User] No. Even then success remained within an ever-narrowing margin of possibility that, despite everything, never entirely disappeared...

[Assistant] That is, until they discovered the Valley of the Heads.

[User] That sounds bad.

[Assistant] No, it was good. Too good.

[User] At the eleventh hour, the lead designer, Zsiemsk-born Sulisław Zawisza, decided that what 'Wirrâl Untethered' needed was a secret mystical location at the extreme edge of the map...

[Assistant] This place was to be the *Valley of the Heads* -- where the heads of all the *headless* constructs could be found. The player would have been able to choose a head for their headless party member, and each head would been voiced on-air by a professional actor.

[User] How many heads were there?

[Assistant] So many. At last count there were approximately 10,000 heads for 10,000 headless men, all of which could be endlessly recombined.


[User] Put 10 cents in and dial a random number: 005-99-77-313.

[Assistant] Calling...

[User] Calling...

[Assistant] Calling...

[User] Still calling...

[Assistant] *Still* calling...

[User] "Stop calling me, man!" Someone picks up. The voice on the other end is slightly hysterical.

[Assistant] "I'll get you your money, alright? I just need 'til tonight. Let me work."

[User] "You seem to be in some sort of trouble. Maybe I can help you, I'm a police officer."

[Assistant] The phone gets hanged up fast as lightning, all you hear is a little shuffle of nylon as the hand moves on the other end.

[User] Disconnect tone.

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

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["coast.payphone_kim_said_stop"]]

[Assistant] "Are we about *done* with this now?" The lieutenant has taken a few steps back.


[User] "That did not go..."

[Assistant] "*Well*? No, it didn't."

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

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

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

[Assistant] "What about Billie and her kids?"

[User] "There's not much we can do for them anymore, I'm afraid."

[Assistant] They have to. It's not your place to live their lives.

[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["doomed.seen_furnace"]) == false]

[Assistant] A thick layer of coal dust covers the furnace, colouring it pitch-black.

[User] Looks like this furnace has a face and it's a face of agony.

[Assistant] Kick it with your foot.

[User] A hollow ring echoes through the furnace. Your toe hurts.

[Assistant] Yell "Hello!" into the furnace.

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

[Assistant] Something *breaks loose* in you. A mighty bellow echoes throughout the chimney's depths. The chatter of tiny voices above suddenly cease. Then...

[User] "Hello?" you hear a woman's voice answer.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["tc.doomed_commercial_area"]  or  Variable["plaza.annette_heard_of_doomed"]]

[User] You've awakened the entity!

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


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["plaza.serial_number_2"]) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["plaza.serial_number_1"]) == false]

[User] "Sure, officer. What's the number? And the make of the armour, if you know it?"

[Assistant] "X54156745678222. The make and model of the armour is Fairweather T-500 / VE."

[User] "Are you sure that's the right number? Doesn't sound like a serial."

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["plaza.kineema_69_joke"]]

[User] There's a slightly weary, condescending note in her voice. She doesn't trust your professionalism following your rather tasteless come-ons.

[Assistant] "You're right. I meant to say E50.100.1000. Sorry for the confusion."

[User] "No problem, officer. Just glad we got it straightened out. I'll contact the ICP database immediately. Call back tomorrow. Hopefully they'll have dug up something useful to your investigation by then."

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


[User] The motor carriage looks very sad sitting all alone in the ice.

[Assistant] A carriage in the sea? Where did this come from?

[User] "My guess is it started its journey from the plaza, where it backed through the fence."

[Assistant] "Let's investigate, Kim."


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

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["gates.mhead_greeting_done"]]

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (IsTHCPresent("advanced_race_theory")) == false]

[Assistant] "YOUR RACE DESCENT HAS ONLY *WORSENED* SINCE I LAST SAW YOU -- YOU HAVE REALLY LET YOURSELF GO."

[User] "Why are you not with the Hardie boys?"

[Assistant] "I AM NOT THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE -- I AM THE LAST." He looks toward the coast, defiantly. "IN ADDITION, THESE SO-CALLED *HARDIE BOYS* ARE AN EFFEMINATE CLIQUE OF BODYBUILDERS. THEIR COMPANY IS SPIRITUALLY DEGRADING."

[User] You pick up on something artificial in his tone, like he's putting on an *act*. This is unlike him. He is usually more himself.

[Assistant] "There's more to it. What have you got against them?"

[User] "FINE. THEY HAVE RECENTLY FALLEN UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A POSSIBLY SEXUALLY PERVERTED FEMALE VAGRANT AND A NARCOTICS PEDDLER. IT'S SHAMEFUL."

[Assistant] "Who do you mean?"

[User] "FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF, ENDOMORPHIC BLOB."

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


[User] It's colder outside than you were expecting. You see the lieutenant, standing there, a small cloud of white escaping from his mouth...

[Assistant] He turns to you, but says nothing.

[User] He's waiting to see what you do. For god's sake say you fucked up, please.

[Assistant] "Hey, Kim."

[User] "Detective," he says, his voice level as a tabletop.

[Assistant] There won't be any preamble chit-chat this time. Get to the point.

[User] "I think I fucked up back there..."

[Assistant] "You *think*?"

[User] "What's your problem?"

[Assistant] "What's *my* problem?" he says, his voice rising with indignation...

[User] "You're a real piece of work, detective, you know that?"

[Assistant] He is your half-brother and you're driving him away. For what?

[User] "I don't see why you're getting all bent out of shape over a *word*."

[Assistant] The lieutenant sighs. "Maybe it really *isn't* your fault. You might just be an irretrievable human catastrophe..."


[User] "Someone tried to exorcise *the curse* using technology?"

[Assistant] "No, that's not it. *I* think..." The lieutenant takes a step back, steepling his hands.

[User] Like he's ready to lay out a fine theory, crafted together like a puzzle box.

[Assistant] "It looks like one of those popular pen-and-paper role-playing games -- only these people were trying to *automate* it. Make it work on *radiocomputers*."

[User] "And by 'these people' I mean people in Soona's radio game company -- Fortress Accident."

[Assistant] Utter madness, he thinks -- as a compliment.

[User] "Wow." (Conclude.)

[Assistant] "Indeed. It's ambitious. And *untethered* from reality, but..." The lieutenant tilts his head, thinking.

[User] "The world is cold and lonely. This would keep it company. Let's *finish* it."

[Assistant] A half-smile breaks out on his face. "It's too late for that, I'm afraid," he says, looking around the derelict room. The pipes howl and a rat crosses the floor.


[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] Will this book turn me into a commie?

[Assistant] Yes, it will make you a little more communist. Not a lot. It won't *unmake* whatever else you are but you will also become a tad bit more communist, yes.

[User] Good. Here -- almost in the end, limping and bleeding -- is a good time to get into some communism.

[Assistant] Then you've found the right book. The more communist books you read the more communist your brain becomes. That's how communism works.

[User] Will this book turn me into a commie?

[Assistant] Yes, it will make you a little more communist. Not a lot. It won't *unmake* whatever else you are but you will also become a tad bit more communist, yes.


[User] Okay, so the speedfreaks want to start a club for dance music. That much checks out. Youths like music. You feel as though you might have liked music more when you were young too... but you digress.

[Assistant] Mmmhm. And then there's the narcomania.

[User] The gist of it is: They want to turn the church into a club, but a suspicious element has overtaken the building. It's very important to understand what the *gist* of things is -- always consult the gist before making up your mind. This is going well.

[Assistant] Of course, not everything is 100% clear here but when is it ever? Congratulations, kids. Your story *sort of* checks out.

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

[Assistant] All in all, you really can't tell what that mean programmer grandma was talking about.

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

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

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

[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] [Action/Check: Condition: IsHourBetween(21, 2)]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["village.ww_greeting_done"]) == false]

[User] The woman next to a bucket of clothes hums an odd melody. Her eyes are closed.

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

[User] "Welcome to the fishing village." She opens her eyes. "Please lean in closer. I have cataracts."

[Assistant] Then how does she know you're here?

[User] "Uh, what if I don't want to?"

[Assistant] "Tut, tut. Don't be shy now. It's going to be alright."

[User] "If you can't see, then how did you know I was here?"

[Assistant] "I still have a golden ear. Come-come." She beckons you toward her.

[User] "Uh, what if I don't want to?"

[Assistant] "Tut, tut. Don't be shy now. It's going to be alright."

[User] "If you can't see, then how did you know I was here?"

[Assistant] "I still have a golden ear. Come-come." She beckons you toward her.


[User] "No idea, Kim... but my head hurts... my head hurts *bad*."

[Assistant] "You didn't *have* to ram the door down, you know..." He looks around. "No one's been here for 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] "What if there's a *reason* why no one's been here for ages..."


[User] "Is it... here?" (Look around.)

[Assistant] "No, detective, we're safe." She points to the sea. "It begins there, 6,000 kilometres to the north, and even more to the south, east, and west. You are in the middle of the isola."

[User] As your gaze instinctively turns north, a small black pit opens up in your stomach.

[Assistant] "And... (point north) ...there?"

[User] "An uproar of matter, darling, *rising* into the pale. Rolling. Evaporating even, a great vision. The area of transition between the world and the pale is called *porch collapse*."

[Assistant] "Imagine a grey coronal mist, cold vapour, marked by spores of an opportunistic microorganism -- a mould that's adapted to grow at the edge of the unrest. It's..."

[User] She closes her eyes and breathes out heavily: "... the most *disco* thing you will ever see."

[Assistant] You hear your pulse rise, the air feels caustic and cold suddenly.

[User] "What is *entroponetic*?"

[Assistant] "*Entroponetics*," she corrects, "is the scientific study of the pale. Or a recent iteration of it, by way of Graad. The study of the pale reaches back 6,000 years -- the Perikarnassians called it the Western Plain."

[User] They had not travelled the entire circumference of the Perikarnassian super-isola. It was not merely in the West -- it was everywhere. Even then; surrounding them...

[Assistant] "Did they... cross it? The Western Plain?"

[User] "There *are* signs of pretermodern crossings. Successful navigation of the pale relies not just on technical know-how, but intensive psychological preparation. Some of these tactics have been known for thousands of years."

[Assistant] "What has entroponetics changed then?"

[User] "Nothing. We remain powerless before the pale. The only real advance in pale transit is the speed with which an aerostatic craft can pierce it. Less exposure leads to less... *effects* later."

[Assistant] "Aerostatic craft?"


[User] "What?!" The old man's eyes fill with sudden, unexpected terror at the words: "But you said I would be taken to the..."

[Assistant] This terror is the sum of all the uncontrollable movements and mood swings he's been exhibiting.

[User] The wind picks up. The silence on the water is broken all around you, little shivers of waves appear. The lieutenant continues, like an incantation...

[Assistant] "Your Wayfarer rights have been suspended. Information provided to the officers on the scene will be used against you by the prosecution. You will be given legal counsel within one week, and must face court in 44 days -- do you understand?"

[Assistant] "Do you understand?"

[User] "But..."

[Assistant] "Kim, he's afraid..."

[User] "No, I don't want to! I have to stay here." He looks at the reeds, eyes submerged in growing terror.

[Assistant] He is a brave man -- why is he unravelling?


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

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

[User] What if I told you there's a *mirror* on your bathroom wall, upstairs? You *may* want to take a look.

[Assistant] "The body is down."

[User] "Down...?" The gardener straightens her back. "Do you mean the body is finally gone?"

[Assistant] Absolutely gone.

[User] "It's gone from the *tree*."

[Assistant] "Oh... right." She scratches her cheek. "But not from the yard. I understand."

[User] "Can you tell me when you've taken him away then. Because I'm sort of waiting for *that*."

[Assistant] Yeah, keep her in the *loop*. It's strangely enjoyable to report back on the minute progress you've made. Even to strangers.

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

[Assistant] No! Do *not* report back to this random civilian about anything.


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

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

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["village.netpicker_greeting_done"]) == false]

[Assistant] "Aye, officer." A woman in a rain coat stands on the quay, considering an overturned boat. A sword in a scabbard hangs from her hip.

[User] Factory balanced... bakelite and stainless steel.

[Assistant] "Anything I can help you with?"

[User] "As always, I am... the Lawbringer."

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

[User] "You've graduated to *Lawbringer* now?"

[Assistant] "Men with authority have their quirks. Comes with never being second-guessed about anything..." She waves you off.


[User] "I'm more interested in *why* you're so fixated on this idea in the first place."

[Assistant] "I think I just need a break from our main case for a bit."

[User] "I certainly understand the impulse, but this is our job, detective. Our whole *raison d'être*. At some point, we'll need to return to it."

[Assistant] [Leave.]


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

[Assistant] Look at the bottle.

[User] The light reflects off this bottle of sweet, sweet liquor -- a gift from above. The gods have been generous. 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] Open the bottle.


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

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

[User] This green FALN A-Z 'Contemporain' is parked in the shadow of the ruins looming overhead. It's seen better days.

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

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

[Assistant] This is the one the man pointed to. His friend's lorry.

[User] How am I going to get this open?

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

[User] With a key -- or a tool. Like, say, a prybar.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: CheckItem("prybar")  or  CheckItem("kvalsund_multitool")]


[User] Wow, so someone's been a little... *boring*?

[Assistant] What?

[User] Yes, my *standard* liege. Someone's seen all sorts of wild ideas pop off and thought -- 'I'll take the *boring* one. The regular, please. The brown.'

[Assistant] What is this? Picking on me for not being *crazy* enough? That's the LEAST of my concerns.

[User] No need to be defensive. The regularity, the brownness, the *cut-and-dry* have their appeal -- a very *standard* appeal.

[Assistant] I like brown.

[User] Of course you do. And maybe some black shoes or a pristine white shirt to go with that. It's official: My lord's *copotype* is Regular Cop. I'll let everyone know. I'll send out a telefax.

[Assistant] Wait, wait -- this will be my *copotype* now?

[User] Yes, the type of cop you are, sire. Think of it as a caste, a *class*, even. A nation of Regular Law Officials that you belong to. It comes, of course, with the *usual* benefits.

[Assistant] Why not. Send out the telefax then. I'm not ashamed. (Opt in.)


[User] "It's supposed to become, like, a club. For *anodic dance music*. Like that new style of synthesizer stuff they play at The Paliseum."

[Assistant] "Except that... yeah." She looks at the old wooden church up on the poles. As a mean wind comes bellowing in, the six-story structure lets out a doleful shriek.

[User] The floorboards are twisting and the shooting beams are slowly cracking like bones. Far east of the golden Delta, beyond the industrial port, there is a black patch of unlit coast with the smallest creatures on the ice...

[Assistant] There will never be a club for anodic music here.

[User] Not in a million years.

[Assistant] "So you want to turn the church into a club?"

[User] "I know." She nods towards the sloping mass of wood on the coast, then shivers. "It's not my idea. Andre and the boys found the place. It was supposed to be deserted, but now they can't even take it..."

[Assistant] "Hey... don't get me wrong. But you're a *cop*, right..."


[User] Look at that lucky boozer there, the heaviest drinker on the planet! Look at his liquor-abusing excuse of a face -- those swollen bug-eyes, that muttering mouth.

[Assistant] I wonder how many litres of sheer alcohol has he consumed today? I bet you'd like a sip of that. Give it a real taste of your manly mouth.

[User] Wait... what is happening?

[Assistant] That old rummy here brings back some good memories. Remember how great that piss in your pants used to feel? Warm and cosy, just the way you like it. Time to get yourself another drink and soak those pants for *good*!

[User] You betcha! I was born to drink. A new day, a new bottle!

[Assistant] Yeah, wildo, time to get a drinking problem so massive that even stars collapse around it. Become an alcoholic!


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

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["church.andre_church_altgreet_done"]]

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["ice.andre_composure_done"]) == false]

[Assistant] "Oh, hey, man! It's good to see you." He dances over to you in an inexplicably soft-core manner. It's embarrassing.

[User] "Now's not a great time to dance, is it?"

[Assistant] "No, detective. It is not." The lieutenant looks toward the church door. "We really should get to the Whirling-in-Rags. Now."

[User] "What's the deal with Egg Head? I want to talk to him."

[Assistant] "He's a quiet man, mostly communicates through music... and by being a master of ceremonies."

[User] "Oh, that makes sense. Another question then."

[Assistant] "Yes?"


[User] "I did and I'm sorry." She doesn't appear surprised. "For what it's worth... which isn't much."

[Assistant] "This is why I didn't go into the tent." The lieutenant looks at the ocean, squinting his eyes. "Typical delinquency."

[User] "You don't get to choose your posse, they choose you. Mine are idiots, but they're mine. I tried to talk Andre out of it, I even tried not to lie to you..."

[Assistant] Indeed. She merely tried to omit the truth instead.

[User] "I don't care, I'm *loco*. I just wanted you to know that I know about the plan."

[Assistant] "Okay, but I still regret it. I should have been able to control them. And I will in the future. I promise."

[User] "May I ask, what did you tell them?"

[Assistant] "Once I cracked their play I didn't really care. I'm not an arbiter. You're someone else's problem."


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"]) == false]

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

[User] "About time. You grab that amp. Forget the cables. Need to leave some evidence of our antenna to inspire future generations..."

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

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

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

[User] "Alright, cop-man. We've held up more than our share of this collaboration. I hope you *recognise* how much the hardcore underground came through for you."

[Assistant] "If you want to show your appreciation, we could still use your help. Egg is the one to talk to."

[User] "HARD CORE! MUTUAL AID!"

[Assistant] "I've got my own case to worry about, but if I have time, I'll be back."

[User] "Sure, I've heard that before..."

[Assistant] "I'll put this tech away later. Think there's an extra can set, in case you want to grab a *souvenir* or something. Don't think anyone will miss it."


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

[Assistant] The boomboxes on the shelf look well-loved and well-travelled. Chipped, dented, they stare at you with the unblinking eyes of their tape reels.

[User] Stand on the tips of your toes to see more...

[Assistant] One especially catches your eye. Deep gold and amber plastic with a big old handle on top. A classic boombox that says: "STEREO 8 approved."

[User] This is you. Gold and orange. A sunset suite.

[Assistant] Just make sure it works before you buy it.

[User] "Thanks for the discount, man. Here's the money for the boombox."

[Assistant] "And here you are. Quality sound reproduction on the go. It'll play anything. Wherever. Turn *any* tape into a conversation of sounds and shapes."


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

[Assistant] "What was the RCM again?"

[User] "Nothing more nor less than the de facto law enforcement body of post-revolutionary Revachol, detective."

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

[User] "Yes," the lieutenant steps in to make a gesture encompassing you both: "*We* are the Revachol Citizens Militia."

[Assistant] He's being sarcastic.

[User] "You said *de facto*?"

[Assistant] "Yes. That means: not de jure. The RCM acts in what is poetically called the *twilight of international law*; both at the behest of the Coalition Government -- and to its chagrin."

[User] "What do you mean?"

[Assistant] "The RCM's responsibilities are defined by the Emergency, Wayfarer, and Aliments Acts -- three pieces of legislation keeping the city in a -- let's be honest -- laissez-faire stasis to the benefit of foreign capital."

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

[Assistant] "All three are good to know," the lieutenant looks up from his notes, "when we're out *policing*."

[User] "So I'm basically a lackey of capital?"

[Assistant] "There's nothing *basic* about your role, detective. It's true that the RCM keeps everything the way our seemingly *permanent* provisional rulers like it..." She leans in.


[User] That isn't *just* a five-pointed star -- it's an inverted white pentagram cradled in a wreath of antlers. The iconography of communism, in other words.

[Assistant] Inspect the symbol closer.

[User] The star-and-antlers was developed in the sixth decade of the last century and quickly adopted by Mazov and the communards during the Revolution...

[Assistant] Even today, half a century after, the star-and-antlers retains the ability to evoke hope, disappointment, and fear in equal measure.

[User] What does it evoke in me? [Finish thought.]

[Assistant] You see noble aims but also mountains upon mountains of corpses. They should've taken a more *measured* approach. Also, you're really smart.


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

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["plaza.gaston_told_about_peoples_sandwich"]  and  Variable["plaza.gaston_fascist_sandwhich"]  and  (Variable["plaza.gaston_altgreet_rene_dead"]  or  Variable["plaza.rene_know_dead"])) == false]

[User] A man so principled about his sandwich calls for a principled approach. Time to get political.

[Assistant] I'm not so sure about this...

[User] Too late. Daddy's already fighting the bad fight. Make it stick.

[Assistant] "Back to police-mode." (Smile and nod.) "I have some questions, Gaston."

[User] "Alright." The jolly man smiles. "Let's hear them, officer."

[Assistant] "I want to go over few more things about René, if that's okay?"

[User] "Yes?" he looks up. "What about, René?"

[Assistant] "I offer my sincere condolences." (Conclude.)


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

[Assistant] "Let's bag him. Take him away." (Let the lieutenant take the body away without further examination.)

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["XP.discover_the_bullet"]) == false]

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

[User] "If you think so, officer." He nods. "I am not going to object."

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

[User] He unrolls the plastic. "I need a little help for carrying him to the holding pen of my Kineema. I'll take it from there."

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["TASK.get_the_boots_off_the_hanged_mans_feet"]  and  Variable["TASK.get_the_boots_off_the_hanged_mans_feet_done"] == false]

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

[Assistant] There go those beautiful enamel boots. May they rest in Processing...


[User] This is the door to your room.

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

[User] "Good night, lieutenant."

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

[User] "Just a moment. We should talk about our progress on the investigation. Let's go out to the balcony."

[Assistant] "Alright, let's go."

[User] The air outside is brisk, the lieutenant is silent for a moment. He listens to the traffic hum, then...

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

[User] "Where shall we begin? We should talk about the investigation first and foremost, but I also remember you wanting to discuss the RCM?" He lights a cigarette.

[Assistant] "Thank you for this." [Leave.]


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

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

[User] You *really* need to take a look at that mirror upstairs.

[Assistant] "I've investigated the body. Shouldn't be long till we get it down."

[User] "Oh. Okay." She doesn't quite know what to say. "Thanks for keeping me in the know, sir."

[Assistant] "I have to run." [Leave.]


[User] The window stands broken in its frame. Cold wind blows in.

[Assistant] Assess the damage.

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

[Assistant] What do you mean *assess the damage*? How would you do that? What are you even trying to do?


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

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

[User] "Yo, man. What's on your mind?" He drops a bolt into his toolbox.

[Assistant] "Could you use your *sine-sense* to help me contact a Coalition warship?"

[User] "Trying to get aligned with the Big Bad, are you?" He gnaws a screw thoughtfully. "Those are some serious frequencies you want to mess with..."

[Assistant] "Come on, Noid. I think we owe him."

[User] "Acele's right. He's one of us now."

[Assistant] "Yeah, alright. But if you're going to sync up with *them*, you're gonna need a serious wave-generator of your own. You understand what I'm saying?"

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

[Assistant] "Not really, no."

[User] "MEGA-LOW FREQUENCY! Waves so long the ionosphere can't hold them!"

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


[User] "Petty-bourgeois law..." He snorts and spits. "This is all you care about, right? The only thing in the world for you types..."

[Assistant] A drop of blood in the saliva...

[User] Tear into him again. Pile it on him.

[Assistant] That's right. Pile it all on him now. Three should do it, maybe four...

[User] "There were May bells behind the victim's window." (Show him the dried flower.)

[Assistant] "Damn May bells..." He looks at the blossoming field behind you. "The whole island is turning white with them..."

[User] He seems tender suddenly, nostalgic even. A strange mood swing.

[Assistant] "So many this year too. The spring is coming, no... it's already here. Wash the filth away..."

[User] "A young woman called Klaasje -- ring any bells? Flowers like these were behind her window." (Continue.)

[Assistant] "*Klaasje*..."

[User] He repeats the name with care. As if it were at risk of breaking.

[Assistant] He knows her -- but hadn't heard the name.


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

[Assistant] A man is sleeping at the table, wearing mud-caked boots and rolled down overalls. The back of his shirt reads "WILD PINES", encircled by a logo with a tree.

[User] He looks one with the table. It would take quite some effort to wake him up.

[Assistant] A colourful piece of plastic is dangling from his carabiner... hmm. Makes your fingers itch.

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

[Assistant] "Lieutenant, who is this?"

[User] "No idea. Looks like he works for Wild Pines, the logistics company who owns and operates the harbour."

[Assistant] "But why is he sleeping during the day?"

[User] "Possibly because there's a strike going on in the harbour. There's not much to do -- aside from drinking and sleeping."

[Assistant] Steal the dockworker's ID.

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

[Assistant] Your fingers find their way into the shackle, flicking open its spring-loaded gate. The metal loop holds the plastic ID, and a leather-bound pocketbook...


[User] A stone like any other, lying in a whorl of sleet and mud. Maybe there's something under it?

[Assistant] Turn it over.

[User] There's a key beneath it, rusty from the dirt.

[Assistant] Looks like it could belong to the building's front door.


[User] A small cabinet on the wall is filled with various medicine bottles, nasal sprays and blister packs. They all bear the Saint-Batiste Pharmaceutics logo.

[Assistant] Their logo is the bloodless rose -- pure white, untouched by harm.

[User] "Uhm, just ask me if you need anything from Saint-Batiste. We don't stock prescription meds, but we do have nosaphed, drouamine, magnesium and hypnogamma."

[Assistant] "I'll take some Hypnogamma."

[User] "Mkay, here. I hope Saint-Batiste makes you feel better or something."

[Assistant] "I'll take some Hypnogamma."

[User] "Mkay, here. I hope Saint-Batiste makes you feel better or something."

[Assistant] "What do those products do?"


[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] "Tell me, what exactly have you been doing in your greenhouse -- in *March*?"

[User] "Well uh..." She points to her wheelbarrow, surprised at the question. "This might be the last snow we get. At least I hope so..."

[Assistant] "Snow has nutrients in it -- helps everything green up in the spring. At least that's what my grandma always told me." She smiles shyly.

[User] Yes, think about the cute grandma, not the weird snow.

[Assistant] "The grandma is a bit too much."

[User] "A bit much? What are you talking about? That's what my grandma told me, okay?"

[Assistant] She feels interrogated now. It's hard to say if she's lying.


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

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

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

[Assistant] "It's raining again..." The young woman resting by the wheelbarrow sighs.

[User] "It was clear just an hour ago..."

[Assistant] "I've investigated the body. Shouldn't be long till we get it down."

[User] "Oh. Okay." She doesn't quite know what to say. "Thanks for keeping me in the know, sir."

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

[User] "Excuse me?" She doesn't understand.

[Assistant] She's uncomfortable. Maybe you should drop this line of questioning.

[User] "Never mind."

[Assistant] She shifts in her seat awkwardly.


[User] "Of course, let us dispatch with the formalities, you call me Evrart, I call you Harry!"

[Assistant] "Fine by me."

[User] "So Harry, what can I help you with today?"

[Assistant] "A few more questions about the harbour."

[User] "I'm always happy to educate and entertain you, my friend." He takes a sip from his coffee. "So, what's on your mind?"

[Assistant] "How many of you guys are there in the Union?"

[User] "2,372," he replies like a whip. "Plus yours truly, of course."

[Assistant] 2,373 is a sizeable contingent for a labour organization in Revachol.

[User] And they're all well motivated. At least the ones you've seen.

[Assistant] "How are you going to fund your new independent harbour?"


[User] "This... *reality*?" She pulls her hood closer around her neck.

[Assistant] Yes, reality is your side-case.

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

[Assistant] The aim is to gain a deeper understanding.

[User] "I got so drunk I forgot literally everything."

[Assistant] *"What?"* She chortles, nearly spilling her tea.

[User] "I went on a three-day bender and now need you to explain the world to me."

[Assistant] "Such an acute encephalopathy... just doesn't seem possible." She puts her beverage down and stares at you. "Surely you're joking..."

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

[Assistant] She's trying to see whether you're bluffing -- it's easy not to fidget. You're *not*.

[User] This person is not easily disoriented, but you've done it.

[Assistant] "No. You're not joking at all, are you?" She sighs. "Well, ask away, officer -- I'll help however I can."


[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 photos.

[Assistant] The photo collage depicts barren, icy landscapes wrapped in perpetual night. You see permafrost and glacial landforms, dead trees groaning under the snow.

[User] Entire oceans have been frozen from shore to shore. There are pictures of settlements on dried up riverbeds, abandoned in a storm. Animal corpses in the dark, carcasses and bones.

[Assistant] You see primitive oil rigs built into glaciers -- by *boreal dweorg* -- yurts under the snow, great mammoth-like beasts of burden...

[User] Albeit dark and cold, this vision also feels cosy in its own way. Like eggnog, or morphine! A much needed respite from our own world.

[Assistant] A pinned postcard reads: 'The heat death scenario -- a desperate fight for geothermal energy engulfs the world as Wirrâl becomes untethered from its sun, drifting through the Universe.'

[User] Inspect the notes.

[Assistant] The handwriting is only partly legible, but you can still make out three slogans: 'Call in, tune out!', 'WIRRÂL UNTETHERED', and 'Heat death of the Universe'...

[User] The full text reads: 'Heat death of the Universe is the new black'. Another note says: 'The biggest advancement in role-playing systems since the Thirties'.

[Assistant] Outside, a cold wind wraps the building in its bosom. Snowflakes in the wind. An old woman passes what the locals call the Doomed Commercial Area. She tries hard not to look at the bookstore windows. It's *unwise*.


[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"]) == false]

[Assistant] Because it's nice and orderly. Well laid pallet. Easy on the eyes.

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

[Assistant] It reveals no secrets at this time.

[User] What is this?

[Assistant] It's nothing. Someone just left some roofing material slanted against an old shack.

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

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


[User] A plaster cast bust depicts a middle-aged man with impressive sideburns. The name on the plinth reads 'Kras Mazov'.

[Assistant] Kras Mazov (nom de guerre), was an economist and theoretical historian. He was a leading figure on the Graad side of the Turn-of-the-Century Revolution, where he headed the Eleven Day Government. Mazov is considered the father of scientific communism (Mazovian thought or Mazovianism).

[User] "Father Mazov, the hero of the working class!" (Salute the statue.)

[Assistant] A warm feeling fills you as you look into Mazov's marble eyes. The hallway behind the door is empty; no one else heard your courageous salute.

[User] Who is Kras Mazov?

[Assistant] Situated between a poster of a white star and a photo of revolutionaries posing with their guns... This can't be a coincidence. There can be only one explanation.

[User] Kras Mazov is a *communard*.

[Assistant] Yes, Kras Mazov (nom de guerre), was an economist and theoretical historian. He was a leading figure on the Graad side of the Turn-of-the-Century Revolution, where he headed the Eleven Day Government. Mazov is considered the father of scientific communism (Mazovian thought or Mazovianism).


[User] You made the right call there. It feels good. Pure.

[Assistant] About what?

[User] I'm talking about your zero tolerance policy toward *the mania of Narco*! You're in the *right* there. Powerful stance. Would you like to take it up a notch? Would you like to become an anti-narcomania zealot?

[Assistant] Okay, but don't I have to stop, like, taking pyrholidon first?

[User] That's *not* a problem. At all. The more drugs you do, the more zealous you can be in combating them. Drugs give you the *vigour* to fight drugs.

[Assistant] And not only that!

[User] You're right. I can't think of any objections.

[Assistant] Of course not. You've always been anti-narco militant material. You kept *her* off a *dark* course with that interjection! Are you ready to *save lives*?

[User] "I'm ready to start saving lives." (Opt in.)

[Assistant] "That's good to hear." The lieutenant acknowledges your strange mumbling. He does not have any narcotics visibly on him as he says it. Good.


[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"]) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["auto.visited_church_inside"]]

[User] "Time? You *had* time -- to fuck around in that church!" She points over the water. "Chase some dumb drug trader. I saw you..."

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

[User] "It was someone *else* -- someone who's not here now."

[Assistant] "How fucking *convenient*..." He gives you a drunken stare -- then puts his hand on the gun.

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

[Assistant] "Actually, they *are* here." (Point to the enemy) "It was one of you."

[User] "One of *us*? You saying we..." There's a dangerous gleam in his eye. "What if I just shot one of your pals here right now, huh?"

[Assistant] "How about the kipt?" He points his gun at Elizabeth. "Go ahead, tell me we fucking killed our own colonel one more time..."


[User] "Hey, Sylvie, it's the police again."

[Assistant] "Oh, great." She doesn't sound thrilled. "What else do you need, detective?"

[User] "Have you seen my badge?"

[Assistant] "Yes, I know who you are. You're a police officer... *the law*."

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

[Assistant] Yeah, I think she got it. Good job!

[User] "Wait, how did you first learn I'm a police officer?"

[Assistant] "You told me back in the Whirling... you told *everybody*. And showed us your badge... I don't need to hear about it anymore."

[User] "My badge is missing. Have you seen it anywhere?"

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["whirling.kim_badge_lie"] == true  and  IsKimHere()) == false]

[User] "Oh... no, I haven't, sorry."

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (CheckItem("jacket_rcm")) == false]


[User] This old green chalkboard is 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] This looks like an *enormous improvement* on the classic Wirrâl setting. Much more *advanced*. Light years ahead.

[User] If they put this much effort into making welkin cooler, imagine what they did with the dweorg and the humans?

[Assistant] You should adopt one of those welkins as your *persona*. No longer a mere man -- but a welkin...

[User] One of the welkins -- towering among the rest -- appears to be different, however.

[Assistant] Examine the welkin -- this is important.


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

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

[User] "Went native on the chief, huh?" He nods in approval. "Those ballerina antics were reckless. Should have just punched him in the throat again."

[Assistant] Wrong. You did the right thing with Measurehead. The ballerina antics won you the fight.

[User] He pauses, then abruptly changes the subject: "Let's talk about our right to work."

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["gates.scableader_greeting_done"]]

[User] "I think you may be able to help me decipher some tattoos." (Take out the picture.)

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (CheckItem("instant_photo_tattoos")) == false]

[User] "Don't think so," he grunts.

[Assistant] Suddenly this feels like a really, *really* bad idea.


[User] "Okay, let's do this." (Climb the monument.)

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

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

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["auto.is_raining"] == true  or  Variable["auto.is_snowing"] == true) == false]

[User] The cold metal chills your bare hands. Some part of your brain tells you something is missing...

[Assistant] Chalk powder. Absorbs moisture and keeps your grip firm.

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

[Assistant] ... and before you know it, you're safely perched atop the monument.

[User] "That was pretty bad. I hope nobody saw it."

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


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

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

[User] "Welcome to the roof." The young woman has a cigarette in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.

[Assistant] Her hair is still slick from the shower.

[User] Below her silvery jumpsuit -- an athletic young body. Built long and lean...

[Assistant] ...then toned over several years of self-defence training. You can sense it in the sharp pointing of her elbows.

[User] "I'm sorry for the mess down there. The cleaning lady hasn't come by in *days*. I'm beginning to wonder if she ever will..."

[Assistant] "Nice view you've got here."

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

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

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

[Assistant] "Nice? I don't know about that, officer..." She looks north, toward the yard.


[User] A moment passes. The lieutenant glances at the sports watch on his wrist.

[Assistant] "I have big news, Kim." (Tell Kim about how you no longer obsess over your sexuality.)

[User] "Okay."

[Assistant] "I have managed to stop obsessing about my sexuality."

[User] "Great. Imagine all the time you'll have for work now -- matter of fact, we should get back to it right now."

[Assistant] Nod.

[User] He turns his attention elsewhere.

[Assistant] "Just one thing though..."

[User] "What?"

[Assistant] "Nothing, let's go." [Leave.]


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

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

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

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

[User] Seeing you approach, the bruised man clenches his fists.

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

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["plaza.tribunal_spiritbomb_succeeded"]  or  Variable["plaza.tribunal_shot_kortenaer_success"]]

[Assistant] "Oh, it's you... Didn't think we'd see you walking any time soon." He looks to the man sitting behind him. "Alain, look, it's the killer cop."

[User] "Uh... what?" He looks up, his eyes full of confusion, as if he'd just woken from a deep sleep.

[Assistant] He's very, *very* drunk.


[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] Don't.

[Assistant] "Wasn't your radio tuned into Speedfreaks FM?"

[User] "You must be mistaken," the lieutenant says in a calm, measured tone. "Anyway."

[Assistant] A calculated response. To say *why the hell did you snoop on my radio?* would be reasonable -- but it would confirm he likes the station. Instead, he dismisses it. He must be embarrassed by his affection for Speedfreaks FM.

[User] "I can't explain how they heard it," he says, ignoring your comment. "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..."

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


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["boardwalk.trant_main_hub_reached"]]

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

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

[Assistant] "Hello again!" He nods to you, smiling.

[User] "I want to hear about the Feld building again..."

[Assistant] "Sure, what's on your mind?"

[User] "What did the revolutionaries do with those advanced tape computers?"

[Assistant] "They used them for military communications," he says, while his son looks up, idly chewing on the corner of his würm-themed colouring book. "But also to write and send out press releases. The most notorious example being Le Décret de Mars."

[User] "What was that?"

[Assistant] "What's the March decree? I mean the radio transmission sent out to news agencies and world governments by the newly-created Commune of Revachol on the 7th of March in the year '02."

[User] A short-lived legislative foundation for a short-lived utopia.

[Assistant] "It's a beautiful piece of text, actually. A singer-songwriter I know -- Charette -- called it a love poem to Revachol on her political concept album 'Bons baisers d'Insulinde'. You should read it. Every local library in Revachol stocks a copy of the decree."


[User] "Titus says he's got a tape where the deceased discusses committing rape. Tell me about it."

[Assistant] "You haven't listened to it?" She blows a column of smoke in the air. "You sure you don't want to hear it before questioning me?"

[User] "I have no time for tapes. There's a murderer on the loose!"

[Assistant] "Of course, officer. No time to lose." She taps her cigarette as she nods. "I'm guessing he tried to give you the Doorgunner Megamix, yeah?"

[User] "They've got him saying he'd like to rape and kill. Do Revachol *Soldier of the Apocalypse*-style. It really upset the boys." Ash falls from her cigarette as she shrugs. "I never said he was a good man -- only that he wasn't bad to me."

[Assistant] "You like this kind of stuff?"

[User] "We're all scraping up any happiness we can find, officer. Going around with our little scouring sticks -- you, your first love, Mr. Soldier of the Apocalypse here..."

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

[User] "Did he tell you he had actually *done* any of those things? Here in Martinaise, I mean."

[Assistant] "No. We were too busy laying waste to our own nervous systems to direct any of the *fury* outward. He seemed..." She pauses. "He seemed happy, I guess. At ease. As much as a man like him could be."

[User] There is a small measure of pride in her about this. That she could comfort and quell the rage in such a being.

[Assistant] "That's about it, I think. It's not a very long tape." She takes another drag of her cigarette.

[User] "Can you say any more about what's on the tape?"

[Assistant] "The tape? Hm..." She searches her memory. Slowly, she starts smiling a strange smile.

[User] A memory surfaces in her damaged neocortex -- it's not entirely unpleasant.

[Assistant] "I think he said *whore* a lot... He said this wasn't Revachol. He said it was a fucking village with village elephants and that he was gonna do us all *Co Hoi-style*."


[User] Stop. Just up ahead: danger.

[Assistant] You are prepared. Don't put away your friend. Your weapon.

[User] Snowflakes speck the barrels of your Villiers 9mm pistol.

[Assistant] For God's sake -- find some bullets before you go any further. An unloaded gun won't do you any good!


[User] Face yourself.

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

[User] What was *that*? Did you just *flinch* before your own reflection?

[Assistant] It was just a reflex!

[User] The problem is obvious: You simply can't hack it. You're a failure. It's all *too much* for you.

[Assistant] But I was trying so hard! I was making progress!

[User] It wasn't enough. You simply don't have what it *takes*...

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

[User] Look at yourself: You go about with this mopey look on your face like a dog who's been beaten with an old stick.

[Assistant] Hey! It took a minor neurological *miracle* to get your face to this point!

[User] You've let your guard down. Now the combined armies of Pain and Shit are streaming through your gates, pillaging your stores, carrying off your wömen...

[Assistant] No, not the stores...

[User] Oh yes, they're all *wiped out*. Your bushels of grain, your salted meats, your hogsheads brimming with bitter ale. All gone. Your fields have been put to the torch, your great-hall is a ravaged husk. You are bereft.

[Assistant] And that doesn't even *begin* to cover what's happened to your wömen...

[User] Goddamnit...

[Assistant] Oh yes, they're all gone. Carried off by foreign invaders because you failed to uphold your most ancient and noble vöws. The worst part is they might even *prefer* it this way...


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["seafort.phasmid_main_hub_reached"]]

[Assistant] Hissing and clicking, the arthropod extends its mandible-like antennae to greet you again. You're right below it, looking up at the colossal chitin of its white limbs. Its small eyes look at nothing in particular.

[User] Tell me -- what are you doing?

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["seafort.phasmid_wc_what_are_ya_doin"]) == false]

[User] Nothing. Its simple eyes give off no flicker of light, no one is home. The twitches of its limbs are insect-like, unknowable, perhaps without substance even.

[Assistant] I want there to be more.

[User] Mute, the insect foams from its mouthparts, tilting the plates of its fused together head. From left to right, without reason.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["seafort.phasmid_wc_failure_counter"] >= 1) == false]

[User] In its marrow -- a combination of complex biomolecules. Hormones, amino acids, lipids.

[Assistant] What more is there in any of us? You think, as the sight of the insect fades and pain shoots up your right foot and into your abdomen, darkening your view... when it returns the insect twitches, feeling the blood on you...

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["seafort.sense_hearing_pain_flash"]]

[Assistant] The sight of the insect pulses with pain, as a streak of fire tries to shoot up your leg. You swallow it. Unmoved. Not now. There's blood dripping... warm.  The creature must feel it too, it twitches.


[User] "Oh hey, mister! I knew you'd be back to talk with old Leo here, yes I did, yes I did. It's like Lady Leriche said when she opened a bath house in the basement of my apartment building: *They can only get so far before they're aching to get back*. And lot of folks really did keep coming back..."

[Assistant] "I had some questions for you, if that's not too much trouble?"

[User] "No trouble at all, mister. No trouble at all. It's like that old saying goes -- *wisdom withers if not shared* -- and old Leo is always up for sharing."

[Assistant] "Where is everyone? The harbour is empty."

[User] "Oh, most of the guys are down at the gates, keeping the scabs from coming in..." He leans in with a confidential look...

[Assistant] "We're on a *strike* -- the whole union is! You don't have to work when you're on strike. Ha -- we haven't worked for two months now."


[User] "This?" She breathes on her freezing fingers. "It's a portable recording device. It's for field recording. Low quality, but still."

[Assistant] "And the wires?"

[User] "Actually just one wire, I picked on it till the braiding came loose. The wire leads to a contact microphone."

[Assistant] "What's a 'contact microphone'?"

[User] "A contact mic records sounds from inside things. Like this ice."

[Assistant] Your mangled brain would like you to know there is a boxer called Contact Mike.

[User] Yeah? Any news on my own name?

[Assistant] Nope.

[User] You're welcome.

[Assistant] "How does that thing work?"


[User] There's really no point in manipulating anyone. You're chummy. Just go on and ask!

[Assistant] "Hey, Lena, I'd really like to hear about some of those juicy *cryptids* you've studied. Could you tell me about a couple?"

[User] "Oh, I'd be delighted!"

[Assistant] "What's the biggest cryptid?"

[User] "I thought we'd agreed on just one cryptid, sweetie."

[Assistant] "But, but... this is so much more *interesting* than my real job."

[User] "Your work must get quite frustrating. Well, okay, just one or two more..." She smiles mischievously.

[Assistant] "The biggest cryptid is of course -- the Giant of Koko Nur. It's huge."


[User] A weathered brown door. The number reads '20'.

[Assistant] Something smells good -- soupe à l'oignon?

[User] This is the door, you already know it's the right door. This is going to be *so hard*.

[Assistant] Get yourself together. It's just police work.

[User] Don't knock, just leave. You don't need this. You don't need to *sad it up*.

[Assistant] [Leave.]


[User] [Action/Check: Condition: IsHourBetween(21, 2)]

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

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["village.ww_altgreet_nighttime"]) == false]

[Assistant] The old woman still sits in her chair, continuing with her chores. As she does so, she quietly hums to herself.

[User] The buzz of electric lights blends together with the slow rumble of ocean waves at night.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["village.ww_ency_blackcheck_ask_about_song"]) == false]

[User] There's a gap where the name of that song should be. You should ask her about it, right now!

[Assistant] Don't bother her. [Leave.]


[User] "I've done the ballistics." (Point to the tower.) "The shot came from this island."

[Assistant] "I saw you poking around there, looking for evidence. You're damn diligent when it comes to dead *fasces*." A jitter passes him: "Did you like the view?"

[User] "You had direct visibility. There are embrasures in the concrete, *specifically* meant for a topfaller to use. And you had a long range rifle in your possession." The lieutenant softens his voice:

[Assistant] "You've been here a long time, Mr. Dros -- too long. You clearly need medical aid..."

[User] "I'm ready to die," the man interrupts him, then coughs: "I've done my part."

[Assistant] He's practically admitting to it: dead *fasces* -- for *fascist* -- done his *part*.

[User] He's practically admitting to it. Just one thing -- the rifle does not have a scope.

[Assistant] "You said *fasces*? You're admitting you killed him?"


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

[Assistant] "I got 3.20 for it. Here's the money."

[User] "Oh, that's very thoughtful of you. Are you sure you don't need the money? Okay, then. Thank you."

[Assistant] She really would have rather had the pin back, but she doesn't want to make you feel bad.

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

[Assistant] "Are you okay? I am very sorry I crashed into you earlier. I don't know what got into me."

[User] "Oh, I'm perfectly alright! I'm more worried about you. What was that?"

[Assistant] "It was like my body had a will of its own. I was running, my torso turned, my hands made this lewd gesture... I'm sorry you had to witness it."

[User] "Don't beat yourself up over it too much, dear. People do strange things when the old fight-or-flight kicks in. I'm just glad you weren't injured."

[Assistant] "On second thought, things *are* bad. I don't even know enough to know what I *don't* know about this world."

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

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


[User] You see rows of toy soldiers guarding the rest of the trinkets displayed on the table: some on horseback, others in rags, others yet in bright blue uniforms. All are stern and unyielding in their duty.

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

[User] Win 'her' back?

[Assistant] Yes! Buy something nice! A figurine.

[User] This sounds... off. You shouldn't trust this guy.

[Assistant] Step away from the table. [Leave.]


[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) == false]

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

[User] She nods. "Always good to be informed of your surroundings."

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["tc.turn_off_tutorial_node"]  or  Variable["character.interactable_tutorial_seen"]) == false]

[User] You've acquired an interactable item. Investigate this item further by going to the INTERACT tab in your INVENTORY.

[Assistant] Steal it instead.

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

[Assistant] You peek at the storekeep, waiting for her to be distracted. When she's not looking, you deftly rip the map off the bulletin board and pocket it.


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

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["gates.manana_altgreet_posttribunal"]]

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

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

[User] "Olá, wandering man." He looks at you with soft and hazy eyes. "How can I help you?"

[Assistant] "I'm looking for assistance with a *dead body* situation."

[User] "Body still hangin' in the tree?" He rubs his chin as if pondering his core beliefs. "Aye, that's a rough pickle... can't help you with that, sorry."

[Assistant] "I'm not really an admirer of dead bodies. Might be someone else from the Union can render assistance..." He shrugs.

[User] What's the matter with this wimp? Is he obstructing *justice*?!

[Assistant] "Stop being a wimp, you need to help me out right *now*!"

[User] "No need to get aggressive." He takes a swig from his flask. "I'm really not the one to ask."

[Assistant] "Why not? I need to get through the gate to the harbour. You need to let me in!"


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

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

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

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["auto.is_raining"]]

[User] "Stuck in the rain in a traffic jam, man. What's on your mind?"

[Assistant] "I met the lady driver, on my investigation -- she's called Ruby."

[User] "Okay..." He seems a little apprehensive.

[Assistant] Is it... *wise* to share information about the case like this, sire?

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

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


[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] Let your muscle memory dial a random number.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["cargo.momsoffice_payphone_interfacing_wc"]) == false]

[User] It's unclear whether you actually have muscle memory. Right now your finger is just drawing vaguely occult patterns in the air.

[Assistant] Useful patterns?

[User] Undoubtedly, no.

[Assistant] I might try this again later.

[User] Sure, why not. Muscle memory is a tricky thing.

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


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

[Assistant] "I'm interested in that 'Greatest Innocence' book."

[User] "A true cultural touchstone." She nods. "Enjoy the read."

[Assistant] You've acquired an interactable item. Investigate this item further by going to the INTERACT tab in your INVENTORY.

[User] Look through the display of books.

[Assistant] Browsing through all the books with all their names makes your head spin. None of these seem important or relevant. It's all just vapid egoism!

[User] Suddenly, a particularly odd title catches your eye. It reads: "High Speed Love: the Tragic True Love Story of Jacob Irw and Alfie Deletraz" by one Cecilia Averbrook.

[Assistant] What's it about?

[User] "High Speed Love" chronicles the romance between two of the finest TipTop Tournée racers in history. One of them is the madcap driver Jacob Irw. His blond mane graces the cover.

[Assistant] Next to Irw's life story, you see a slim biography of an Occidental rock star called "The Antistar". He's famous for shooting morphine into one of his eyeballs, and cocaine into the other!


[User] Morell's trap stands empty, just like the boathouses around it. The wind ruffles your sweaty hair.

[Assistant] Release the locusts into the empty trap.

[User] The locusts, dazed from being transported, slowly begin to acclimate to their new surroundings.

[Assistant] They're not really going to get the chance to get comfortable here.

[User] "Good. Now that's done. When do you think we will return to our impending apocalypse of a murder investigation?"

[Assistant] He stops you. "Don't answer that. It was a rhetorical question."

[User] He doesn't want to, but if there is one more cryptozoological run-around, he *must* force the investigation back on track. This better be it...

[Assistant] [Leave.]


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

[Assistant] "Fortress Accident SCA."

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

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

[User] "ARTEMITEP's Boxing for Young Athletes & Gym."

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

[User] Congratulations, you've destroyed Artemitep's Boxing Club's doorbell. It's not working anymore.

[Assistant] "Emma's Fashion Atelier."


[User] The ageing alcoholic is still there, breathing... The air in the room is stale.

[Assistant] "Maybe we should help him somehow?"

[User] "What is there to do? We could turn him on his side, so he doesn't choke on his own vomit. But he's already on his side..."

[Assistant] "Excellent form."

[User] "We could take him to Remedie or Saint Batiste, but he doesn't have money for medical services. The Almshouse would turn him down..."

[Assistant] "They don't do charity for people who're trying to kill themselves. Besides, he'll be dead in a few..." The lieutenant stops, listening to him.

[User] ... years? Months? Weeks?

[Assistant] The pile of blankets grunts miserably.

[User] (Whisper.) "I took your amphetamine, old man."

[Assistant] Silence... Only heat emanates from the sleeping body.


[User] Well, now you've done it. Let's see if you can talk your way out of this one.

[Assistant] "I was just trying to convey that I understood his grievances and wasn't judging him for having them."

[User] The lieutenant narrows his gaze. "So you *don't* find his views... say, *unbefitting of a police officer*?"

[Assistant] Okay... feels like this is going to be a *discussion* now.

[User] "Maybe he's got a point."

[Assistant] "And what point would that be?"

[User] "Well, *actually*..."

[Assistant] Wait a second. Are you sure you want to go there? Even if you succeed, you're going to fail.

[User] "Stop right there. I know what you're going to say. Don't. Also -- these attitudes are quite common in Martinaise. So I expect this to happen again. And again."

[Assistant] "I've had this conversation enough times in my life. From now on, I'm going to stay out of it. How you choose to respond is your business." He concludes: "Now -- let's get back to the task at hand."


[User] "I think you may be able to help me decipher some tattoos." (Take out the picture.)

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (CheckItem("instant_photo_tattoos")) == false]

[User] "Don't think so," he grunts.

[Assistant] Suddenly this feels like a really, *really* bad idea.

[User] "It was on your colonel." (Give him the photo.)

[Assistant] Wordless, he takes the photo and looks at it. Grey eyes dart back and forth on the glossy surface -- his face is unmoving.

[User] Hard as a stone. But beneath it...

[Assistant] You see dead flesh -- in colourful rivers of Polychrome -- melting skin and hair.

[User] After a while, he cranes his head side-to-side and sighs: "Fucking loincloths really did him in."

[Assistant] "Can you tell me what the tattoo means?"

[User] "What it *means*...." He points to one tiny star in the web of lines, away from the man's heart, almost on his stomach.

[Assistant] In what must have been Semenine.

[User] "I can tell you what this one means. Only one." He squints at it. It's so small. "You wanna hear what happened here?"

[Assistant] "Yes."

[User] "Our colonel is *deep* in the bush here. Deep in the fucking bush, in Banaital, '41... Monsoon season. He's on a reconnaissance mission."

[Assistant] Banaital is one of the inhabited islands of the Semenese archipelago, near the pale. Covered in  jungle. It was the anchor point for the Semenese nationalists -- in the proxy war held on the islanders' territory.


[User] "So, the death notification..." the lieutenant says as soon as you've left the apartment.

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

[User] "That did not go..."

[Assistant] "*Well*? No, it didn't."

[User] "There's nothing to discuss, let's move on." [Leave.]

[Assistant] "Well, I'll call the station when we're done with the day and inform them about the identity of the deceased."


[User] Dolores Dei -- the innocence of humanism, internationalism, and the welfare state -- turns around to face you. She has an airship bag in her hand. She seems to be in a hurry.

[Assistant] Okay, don't say you need to 'talk' right away. Melt the ice first -- this way you're *already* talking.

[User] Off to advise the queen of Shest, most likely. This is the holy suzerain of Mundi and Insulinde -- *definitely* not your wife -- you need to talk to her! Think of the historical knowledge you could glean!

[Assistant] You may not be able to take this. Not this time. Not anymore.

[User] "Go. Good bye." [Leave.]

[Assistant] ...is what you want to say. But you don't. Hammers clang in the distance. Children laugh...

[User] God damn it, everything was fine already...

[Assistant] The light from the video rental casts shadows on the ground. She turns her face and it's illuminated by it. Red and cyan...

[User] I can't help you. I am totally useless. Everything I've said is lies. I want the exact same bad things you want. To stand here, like a pillar of salt, saying...

[Assistant] "Where are you going?"


[User] A shift in temperature. The air chills around you. Dust settles on the stony floor.

[Assistant] Rub your sides for warmth.

[User] A former architect stands before a slice of window, a room plan in her hand. A cold wave has made the air in the building stand still and frozen, with temperatures falling down to -20°C.

[Assistant] The plan...

[User] ... faint pencil lines on paper depict the same place, but a missing eastern wall connects the room with the neighbouring apartment. Ideas for arranging the furniture have been jotted down.

[Assistant] Her face...

[User] ...is red from the cold. She's breathing on her fingers clasping the plan. Traces of sadness are visible in her expression.

[Assistant] Her face...

[User] ...is red from the cold. She's breathing on her fingers clasping the plan. Traces of sadness are visible in her expression.

[Assistant] Look around yourself...


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

[Assistant] "You look like shit." Your ruffled face reflects in the man's sunglasses.

[User] "And I don't mean that as a metaphor."

[Assistant] You can't leave it like that -- spin it on its head. ENGAGE CAPS LOCK.

[User] No, you don't -- you look like a young god.

[Assistant] "I know, it's intentional."

[User] "Like undercover?" The woman in the RCM uniform interjects.

[Assistant] "Well, as far as disguises go, this is one of the best I've seen... I mean, I could swear you're an actual bum!"

[User] "C'mon, Jean..." The woman next to him sighs. "It looks like it's been a rough week on him."

[Assistant] "It's not just this week." He scans you from head to toe. "What do you want?"

[User] There's something about this guy that *matches* with a face in your head. A similar, but different face.

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

[User] The suit, the sunglasses, the haircut... he's *famous*. That's how you know his face.

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


[User] The spread pattern of these bullet holes makes your chest ache. Your breath grows heavier.

[Assistant] More old bullet holes, at least half a century. A different era altogether.

[User] "Kim, look... more bullet holes. Someone has been shot here."

[Assistant] The lieutenant inspects the wall, then nods. "Another set of old bullet holes from the Revolution."

[User] "Man, how many people got shot during that Revolution?"

[Assistant] "Plenty."


[User] "Okay."

[Assistant] "What do you think of the crab-man?"

[User] "Oh, the crab-man." She shudders. "Still gives me the creeps, the way he moves... But he doesn't actually come down that much, just climbs around the rafters."

[Assistant] "I just try to stay away from the crab-man, but he talks to Noid. They seem to have some 'thing' going on."

[User] "Thanks. About the others..."

[Assistant] "Who do you want to know about?"

[User] "What's the deal with Egg Head?"

[Assistant] "What do you mean?"

[User] "What does he think he's doing when he yells all that stuff?"

[Assistant] "Oh, that... he's the party boy."

[User] "What's a party boy?"

[Assistant] "Anodic music doesn't really do vocals in the traditional sense. Vocals are thought of as *rock*. That's to say they're a bit *backward*. No offence if you like rock music, though. Rock music is cool by me."


[User] A colourful display of cigarettes and alcohol bottles lines the shop wall, inviting you closer.

[Assistant] The bottles wink at you in the light. The smokes too glitter in their wrapping. It's like looking into a kind of heaven. Your knees are weak...

[User] There, in that dark green glass, a world of ruby, all in vain! The great flowing river of warmth: Wine-alcohol. Beer-alcohol. Love-alcohol.

[Assistant] "This is *not* a good place for a recovering addict."

[User] "Um... Guess not, no." She looks at the wall of goods behind her, then adjusts her hat.

[Assistant] Good thing you're an *unrecovering* alcoholic then!

[User] "I'm obliged to inform you that both alcohol and cigarettes damage your health. But I guess you already know that."

[Assistant] Don't ask, don't look, don't do *anything* here. Just go away. Get back to work.

[User] "Give me Potent Pilsner beer."

[Assistant] "Here you go, mister."


[User] The library card is folded into two and still slightly wet to the touch. The front side reads: "Central Jamrock Public Library Card. Issued to Billie Méjean, expires July '53."

[Assistant] Billie is a unisex name. Could be the deceased *or* his family member?

[User] Look at the backside.

[Assistant] "If lost, please return the card to the library. Dial 005-02-55-211 or visit us at Meroe Street 78, Jamrock. Business hours: 09.00 to 18.00."

[User] [Put it away.]

[Assistant] "Good, we've examined the library card -- that should be enough for our colleagues. Now we can call the station from my Kineema and hand over the case."


[User] "Yes?"

[Assistant] "About my bill for tonight..."

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

[Assistant] "Got the 20 reál?"

[User] "So, uh... you sure you can't swing me a free bed?"

[Assistant] His eyes flash with fury. "You want a free place to sleep? Fine."

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["yard.trash_physinst_bent_staples"]) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: CheckItem("key_trash_container")]

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

[Assistant] "You already have the key to your new room. I gave it to you earlier -- to unlock the trash container, remember?"


[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]

[User] He won't even *acknowledge* the stolen boots you're wearing. For him, they don't exist. You'll have to bring it up yourself, later -- *if* you dare.

[Assistant] "Are these the men Garte told us about yesterday?"

[User] "I completely forgot." He looks at his notes. "Sorry, I had a rough night's sleep. It's them, by the looks of it -- loud and nasty, just like the manager said."

[Assistant] "One loose thread less to worry about -- and one big problem to replace it." He crosses something out.

[User] "Are these the men Garte told us about yesterday?"

[Assistant] "I completely forgot." He looks at his notes. "Sorry, I had a rough night's sleep. It's them, by the looks of it -- loud and nasty, just like the manager said."


[User] What is that awful smell?

[Assistant] Isn't it just the rotting fish?

[User] No, it's much worse than that.

[Assistant] Oh no...

[User] You've never smelled anything this bad before. It's pungent, but with a faintly cloying sweetness like cheap perfume on Death itself.

[Assistant] Something cold wakes in the pit of your stomach: fear.


[User] "That's just it! This isn't like him at all. He always plans his expeditions so carefully..."

[Assistant] A cold breeze hisses through dense thickets of reeds.... Something sweet in it, somnolent. A damp chill goes down your spine. When you look around, you're still in the Whirling-in-Rags.

[User] “But you have more important things to worry about.” She glances out the window toward the bay.

[Assistant] More important than a missing *expedition?* I don't know... expeditions often lead to something interesting.

[User] "I ran into your husband on the coast."

[Assistant] "Goodness! How is he? Did he say why he hasn't returned yet?" The old woman clasps her hands together over her blanket.

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["coast.morell_greeting_done"]) == false]

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["coast.morell_kim_there_no_task_greet"]  and  IsKimHere()]

[User] "He's fine, ma'am. He couldn't get back earlier because the water lock on the canal was broken. He should be back soon."

[Assistant] "I hope so! He's going to catch a cold, staying out there for so long..."

[User] "But I am so relieved to hear that he's okay. Thank you for putting an old woman's heart at ease, if even a little."

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: (Variable["TASK.report_to_cryptozoologists_1"]) == false]

[User] You haven't, however. There are dangers out there, our ageing bodies fail... her heart won't rest until Morell is safely back with her.

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["tc.cryptozoology"]  and  Variable["whirling.lena_white_check_cryptids"] == false]


[User] The dented yellow mailbox greets you with it's graffito and bullet holes in the front.

[Assistant] Drop the white envelope into the mailbox.

[User] You drop the white envelope in the darkness. It lands with a soft thud on what sounds like a couple of letters.

[Assistant] About a week's worth of mail has collected in there. They'll empty this very soon.

[User] Probably did the right thing. You can't trust that slug Evrart -- you *know* he's going to play you somehow.

[Assistant] "Alright, let's go back to Evrart." The lieutenant turns towards the industrial harbour. "If we don't mention anything to him, he won't know before it's too late."


[User] A moment passes. The lieutenant glances at the sports watch on his wrist.

[Assistant] "Lieutenant, I have a confession to make. *I* am the murderer."

[User] The lieutenant appears unfazed. "And what has led you to this conclusion?"

[Assistant] "I just feel this sense of doom, like an awful thing has happened."

[User] "That is a common side effect of overindulgence. It will pass."

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

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

[Assistant] "So you're saying I didn't kill him?"

[User] "I find that highly unlikely. It's not unusual for detectives to feel complicit in the crime until the perpetrator is apprehended. Especially when the investigation is dragging. So let's get back to it, shall we?"

[Assistant] "Tell me about the case."


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

[Assistant] [Action/Check: Condition: Variable["whirling.replaced_viscal_read_before_tribunal"]  and  Variable["TASK.report_to_the_tribunal_done"]]

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

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

[User] [Action/Check: Condition: (CheckItem("map_of_martinaise")) == false]

[Assistant] You see the same two neon lit shapes -- a man and a woman. Only now a red thread bisects the room, pointing from the antenna outside, to the cupboard on the wall.

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

[Assistant] "This is ballistics. She's left a trajectory for us..." The lieutenant tests the thread with his finger. Drawn taut, it rebounds instantly.


[User] Psst, hear that?

[Assistant] Everything gets so quiet when it snows.

[User] No, not the snow -- the ominous hum of a *preposterously affluent individual*... It seems to be coming from above us.

[Assistant] You hear dock water quietly lapping against seaweed-slimed concrete, but definitely no ominous hums.

[User] I don't see anyone. Are you sure?

[Assistant] Yes, I'm sure. *Someone* here has assets stacked away in OFCs. Look up.

[User] OFCs or Offshore Financial Centres -- that's another word for tax havens. EPIS has adopted the OFFNET approach into their frameworks for addressing OFCs, but it's still a problem.

[Assistant] Wait, OFCs?

[User] Tax havens, OFCs, Sinks, Conduits, *heavens*... Get with the terms, hustler-boy. Now look up!

[Assistant] (Look up.)

[User] See that massive container there, held up by that humongous crane? That's it! We need to get that box of treasures down. Try using that control panel over there.

[Assistant] Hold up a minute... why should a preposterously affluent individual be hiding themselves in a container?

[User] No problemo, boss-man. On my way to lower that crane... [Leave.]

[Assistant] Great *work* ethic, friend. No one should be scared to get their hands dirty on the road to brilliant *success*.


[User] You see a heavy steel door with a prominent dimple lock. It's painted blue.

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

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

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

[User] It could be connected to the barred door upstairs.

[Assistant] "I wonder where this door leads."

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

[Assistant] "So do I." The lieutenant touches the lock. "It's locked -- and sturdy. The paint job looks old. From *before* the cafeteria."

[User] "We're not getting past it without a key. We should ask the bartender..." He corrects himself. "The cafeteria manager."

[Assistant] Touch the door.


[User] The scruffy-haired little boy kicks a stone while the other watches him do it.

[Assistant] "You must be Lilienne's twins."

[User] This one doesn't say anything, kicking the concrete with his worn-out sneaker.

[Assistant] "Lily's our mom," explains the other one, tongue still lolling out of his mouth.


[User] The spread pattern of these bullet holes makes your chest ache. Your breath grows heavier.

[Assistant] Another set of awfully old bullet holes.

[User] "What's with all these bullet holes? I've seen a lot of them around."

[Assistant] The lieutenant looks at the wall. "Remnants from the Revolution. These are over half a century old."

[User] "Is there something we should do about these?"

[Assistant] "No, we're not constructors and renovators. And these bullet holes do not warrant an investigation."

[User] "Okay. But what can you tell me about the Revolution?"

[Assistant] "Not much. I don't have a *fresh perspective* on it. Should we go?"


[User] A phone book lies open on the table, covering a stack of utility bills. Right next to it, in plain sight, sits a small bottle of amphetamine, conveniently equipped with a straw.

[Assistant] You could slip the bottle right into your pocket -- the lieutenant wouldn't even notice...

[User] Take the speed from the table.

[Assistant] You pocket the bottle as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

[User] Don't wait, celebrate! Blast that shit right here! Take inventory of it once this boring table shit is done!

[Assistant] Blast it before you face the beast, de Ruyter. You're going to need the encouragement.


[User] He eyes you sceptically. "All right -- what cryptids, precisely? I usually discuss these things with *specialists*, so I don't know what..."

[Assistant] *...we would have to discuss?* he wants to say, but decides against it since you've offered to help.

[User] You need to ask him about specific cryptids -- cryptids you've heard about from Lena, or his friend Gary. He won't *just* talk.

[Assistant] "Which cryptid did you *almost* catch? You said before, that you almost caught one."

[User] "They're not people, really -- some argue that they're not even animals, as they seem to have evolved directly from trees." He says it in a self-explanatory, every day manner.

[Assistant] "They're very, very thin, almost flat, in fact, and can camouflage themselves easily, wrapping themselves around trees and blending in with the tree bark. In that way, they're not too dissimilar from the phasmid we are looking for here."

[User] "How did you almost catch a willow person?"

[Assistant] "Gary and I painted an entire grove's worth of trees in slow-drying paint. It was a bright lavender colour. I was hoping one of the willow people would get paint on it and not be able to camouflage itself."

[User] "After waiting in hiding for hours, I saw a figure slip from one of the trees, a lavender shadow dashing through the grove..."

[Assistant] "And then?"


[User] "I wanna talk about the hanging again."

[Assistant] "Again? Someone ask the guy for an autograph -- you cops are his biggest fans."

[User] A burst of laughter in the room; the little guy is the loudest. "Good one, Titus!" he fawns.

[Assistant] "Who called the shots that night?"

[User] "Are you deaf? There will be no singling anyone out. You can't arrest *a* Hardie boy without arresting *all* Hardie boys."

[Assistant] "Do you think you could do that? Do you think you could arrest them all?" A shadow of a smirk passes her lips, as she tilts her head.

[User] A trick question. Don't let her lead the conversation.

[Assistant] Titus. Keep addressing him. He *wants* everyone to know he's in charge.

[User] (Address Titus.) "No, but seriously -- who calls the shots around here?"

[Assistant] "Who do you fucking think does?" He sounds more amused than angry.

[User] He's so sure it's him -- but it's not that simple. There's someone above him (or beside him?) sharing the leadership. Hard to say who...

[Assistant] (Point at the harbour.) "Evrart Claire runs the Union. You answer to him, right?"

[User] "You keep him the fuck out of this." He leans toward you. "We have *autonomy*. It's all on us. Evrart runs the Union -- *I* run the Hardie boys."

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

[User] You stepped on some big toes there. Tried to take out a satellite. That's not how it's going to go. They'd rather rot in jail than implicate Mr. Claire in this mess.

[Assistant] When the shit starts spinning it will *not* land on Mr. Claire -- that's the deal here. The fixer will ignore the notion completely, focusing on Titus' culpability.


[User] "Give me a moment..." The cleaning lady still seems to be having difficulty breathing.

[Assistant] "Do you know anything about a *secret meeting* that's happening tonight?"

[User] "What?" She frowns. "No. Nobody tells me anything."

[Assistant] Would she understand if they did?

[User] "How about any unusual activity taking place after hours? Say after 22.00?"

[Assistant] "If it ain't my business I keep my nose out of it..." She shakes her head and mutters to herself.

[User] "Think we'd all be better off if people kept their noses to themselves."

[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] "Looks old. What's it still doing here?"

[Assistant] "After..." He thinks. "Forty four years? That's not nearly enough time to hide what happened here, officer."

[User] "One of these barrels was still leaking fuel, as you saw. The city is full of things like this. Old bullets, guns, fuel..."

[Assistant] "Looks old. What's it still doing here?"

[User] "After..." He thinks. "Forty four years? That's not nearly enough time to hide what happened here, officer."

[Assistant] "One of these barrels was still leaking fuel, as you saw. The city is full of things like this. Old bullets, guns, fuel..."


[User] As you hold your ledger's clip under the headlamp, a shimmering iridescent pattern appears. One you've definitely seen before...

[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.]