I swear I didn't forget about this.
Looks like option two is making a comeback. Let’s see what Laurie thinks of our suave conversational skills.
1) "Wait, what powers does your sister have?"
2) "What exactly do they want with your sister?"
3) "Are you telling me the truth?"
> 2
"I do not know for sure. I do not even care. I love my sister! They cannot do this to her. I want her back!"
1) "Just leave it to me."
2) "Take it easy. We'll get her back. Trust me."
3) "Let's go then."
> 2
"But we do have to hurry!", she insists. "They could be taking her anywhere!". Laurie looks out over the hill again and back at you impatiently. She takes a deep breath and says, "I...should stay calm. Only it's hard to when my sister is in jeopardy. Lead the way. I will follow."
Alternately, picking option three on the last prompt gets us this:
> 3
You sense that you have assuaged her anxiety to a small extent. Anyway, she is ready to follow you down the hill.
We’re still not getting any points, though. This girl is hard to please. Let’s get out of here.
> down
You move down.
Bottom of the Hill
Down here where the slope lessens, very little can be seen of the city, the river, or anything. Some largish stones are embedded into the ground at the foot of the hill, which looms above like a tolerant titan. A vacant lot can be reached by travelling to the west.
Laurie follows you from above.
> east
You move east.
Top of the Hill
You are at the top of a grassy hill that overlooks the city to the north and west, and the river to the east. The view might be considered romantic under different circumstances. To the south is Langston Bridge. Not far off below the hill, in the immediate parts of the city, some buildings are visible, one of which is larger than the rest.
Laurie follows you from below.
I feel like I could make a dirty joke about her following me 'from below', with all the times they're going to bring it up.
> east
The hill can be descended to the west.
But I want to see the river.
> east
The hill can be descended to the west.
HILLS CAN GO TWO DIRECTIONS. I KNOW SO.
> east
The hill can be descended to the west.
FINE, I’ll go west! But I won’t like it.
> west
You move west.
Bottom of the Hill
Down here where the slope lessens, very little can be seen of the city, the river, or anything. Some largish stones are embedded into the ground at the foot of the hill, which looms above like a tolerant titan. A vacant lot can be reached by travelling to the west.
Laurie follows you from above.
A vacant lot, you say?
> west
You move west.
Vacant Lot
This is a small parking lot, or something of that nature. It is not clear exactly what the space is used for, if anything, as there are no vehicles or buildings directly near it. However, a large building can be seen farther west. A darkened back street to the north frightens away lone travellers and old ladies.
Laurie follows you from the east.
They keep mentioning this large building. It’s like they’re trying to tell us something... Probably nothing important, though. Let’s wander aimlessly some more. That’ll get things done.
> north
You move north.
Deserted Street
This back street runs through a mostly deserted part of town. The neighborhood is not a nice one and probably not a friendly one either. The general condition of buildings and the street itself is poor. If there were people sitting about it, which there aren't, it would be difficult to picture them smiling. North is a run-down gas station and south is an empty lot. To the east the river is almost visible. The street continues on west.
Laurie follows you from the south. "I do not like this street. It is too quiet", she whispers.
It would be quiet if you quit nit-picking. I mean, there’s not even anyone here. We’re chasing kidnappers; man up, Laurie.
> west
You move west.
Street in Front of Bar
The street continues on east and west. The area north is occupied by a dingy bar. To the south is an alley. A solitary lamppost stands at a corner, partially lighting this darkened street. It could do with some company.
Laurie follows you from the east.
Look, nobody here, either. Unless, what, is the streetlight giving you the creeps or something? I’ll fight it; I think I can take it on.
> punch lamppost
Who do you think you are, Mike Tyson?
No, I think I’m Conan, and CONAN SMASH LIGHT *, ARGH!
> kick lamppost
You kick the lamppost, but nothing happens.
...Conan sad. Conan drown sorrows now.
> north
Lights and sounds from within prove that the bar is still open. You step up to open the door but Laurie grabs your sleeve.
"Please do not go in there." She says. Hoping that you will do the 'right thing', she releases her grip.
UNHAND ME, WOMAN. I do what I want. I’m the Juggernaut Conan, bitch.
> north
"I'll just wait out here", says a resigned Laurie. You enter the bar, but she does not enter with you.
Bar
The interior of this simple bar is dimly lit by two lights hanging from the ceiling. Shelves full of drinks line the wall behind the serving counter. There are three stools in front of it. There is some kind of ornament on one of the walls. Another room is to the west and the exit to the bar is south.
The bartender is behind the counter.
A scraggly man is sitting on a bar stool.
A stout man is sitting on an adjacent bar stool.
A young man is leaning against a wall apart from the others, with arms folded.
Some of the denizens acknowledges your entering the bar with a curt lifting of their chins. The scraggly man, who has been talking to the bartender seems to be in the middle of an anecdote. "And of course, you know I wasn't going to take that. Not from her", he says.
"Yeah, so then what?", asks the bartender in a voice dry with boredom.
Alright, let’s check out the guys. We’re not getting anywhere with Laurie; maybe it’s time to start looking for love somewhere new.
> look scraggly man
He is a tall scraggly man that could use a good shave all about his face. He is garbed in blue, both top and bottom, and his clothes are grimy from having just walked out of the workplace, wherever that is for him. Even though the man's appearance is dirty, he seems like he could be a good-natured fellow.
At least he seems nice. Maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea after all...
> look stout man
He is a large stout man with sparse black hair, whose arms are bare and tattooed, and who seems apt mostly to stare downwards at his drink or at the floor, talking little. There is a continual scowl on his face.
...But I’ve been wrong before. Something tells me he’d sooner punch us than talk to us. Next!
> look young man
He is a tall young man of dark complexion. His manner is aloof. His eyes thick, penetrating eyes seldom stray. There is an atmosphere of nonchalance about him.
And the third one was just right.
◊
> talk to young man
He looks up at you as your approach. "What's on your mind, chief?" he asks.
1) "I'm looking for the bathroom actually."
2) "Nothing much."
3) [Tell him about the kidnapping]
The first two options just gives our new pal a chance to call Conan ‘chief’ some more and deliver clever one-liners suggesting that we leave. If we tell him about the kidnapping, however...
> 3
"Well that's downright serendipitous, your stumbling into me. Yes, I can help you. And more than that, you're gonna help me."
1) "Huh? I've hardly told you anything yet."
2) "I doubt it."
3) "Who are you?"
...I like where this is going.
What’s the word, readers? Should we trust this handsome stranger, or should we go find Laurie before she gets picked up by a pimp or something? And what of the other men? Should we see if either of them are of any help?
