Lady Thalia and the Seraskier Sapphires

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<center>@@font-size:xx-large;Lady Thalia and the Seraskier Sapphires@@ @@font-size:x-large;A Play in Three Acts@@ [[Start|Intro - Day]] [[About]] </center>

<<set $strikes = 0>> <<if $time < 2>> <<if $libraryVisited is false>> <center>@@font-size:x-large;''Day 1 - Daytime''@@</center> You arrive at the library early, but not //too// early -- you've never known academics to hurry when it wasn't strictly necessary. Now all you need to do is make some innocent inquiries about antique manuscripts. At this time of day, the library is very empty, but there are a few people around. You do have a social engagement this afternoon, so you don't have as much time as you might wish, but you think you should be able to fit in about two conversations. <<set $libraryVisited = true>><</if>> <<if $talkStudent === false>>Someone who appears to be a [[student]] is sitting at a table strewn with books and papers. <</if>> <<if $talkLibrarian === false>>There is a [[librarian]] at a desk in the corner of the room. <</if>> <<if $talkJanitor === false>>Over by the door leading to the hallway, a [[janitor]] is sweeping.<</if>> <<else>> You glance at the clock on the wall and realize that you are, alas, out of time. Have you learned enough? [[Well, you suppose you'll find out tonight.|Day 1 - Night]] <</if>>

<center>@@font-size:x-large;''Day 0 - Daytime''@@</center> It was just your luck to be seated next to Lady Satterthwaite at this luncheon. To give credit where credit is due, Augusta Cholmondsley, Lady Satterthwaite, isn't dull, which is more than can be said for many of the people who attend these events. She is, however, given to amusing herself with petty cruelties, and she has it out for you in particular for having the temerity to move in her social circles while not having so much as //one// title. "It must be so hard for you," she is saying, "with your husband away all the time. Of course, Edmund is often away, too, but it is comforting to know that he is serving his country and not simply playing around with trains, or whatever it is //your// husband does." (Your arrangement with your husband suits both of you admirably -- your interests lie elsewhere, as do his, and you entered into the marriage on the understanding that you would lend each other a veneer of respectability while discreetly carrying on your own affairs and staying out of each other's way as much as possible. But of course, that's none of Lady Satterthwaite's business.) [['"Ah, yes, your husband. What is his post, again? Ambassador to... Denmark?"'|IntroConv1]] <<link '"Thank you; your sympathy means //so// much to me."' "IntroConv1">><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>>

<center>@@font-size:x-large;''Day 0 - Night''@@</center> Gwen always enters your house through the back door, even though it isn't strictly necessary. You are old friends, and although she doesn't move in the exalted circles that you do these days, it still wouldn't raise too many eyebrows for her to pay you a social call. But sneaking in appeals to her sense of drama, which... well, she //is// a friend from your theatre days. And you hardly have room to criticise, yourself. She follows you to the study and sits down at the desk, then leans forward, propping her elbows on it. "All right," she says. "What's the story?" You recount your conversation with Lady Satterthwaite and tell Gwen what you know about the party and the sapphires. "I see," she says. "So you just want to steal the sapphires?" <<link '"Of course I don\'t //just// want to steal the sapphires!"' "NightConv1">><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Well, that\'s a start..."'|NightConv1]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>>

<<if $libraryNight === false>> <center>@@font-size:x-large;''Day 1 - Night''@@</center> Late that night, you return to the library, entering through a first-floor window. You are dressed in your usual thievery outfit: a black shirt, black trousers, and a Venetian-style domino mask decorated with gold leaf. (Gwen has asked you many times whether the mask is really necessary, but you feel it is important to ensure your identity is concealed even if someone manages to get a look at your face. Also, it lends panache to the proceedings.) The building is dark and silent -- you don't pass anyone on your way to the main room, although it would be dangerous to assume that means there is no-one on the premises at all. <<set $libraryNight = true>><</if>> In the main room, you can see the hallway that leads to the [[door]] of the rare books room. The [[books]] that were stacked on the librarian's desk earlier are still there. <<if $key is true and $gotKey is false>> It might be a good idea to [[go down the hall]] and retrieve the key to the case before you do anything else.<</if>>

//The Post//, March 11, 1913 <center>@@font-size:x-large;''Mysterious Thief "Lady Thalia" Strikes Again''@@ @@font-size:large;''Mediaeval Manuscript Stolen from Lord and Lady Satterthwaite''@@ @@font-size:x-large;''Book Proved to Contain Obscene Drawings of Nuns''@@ </center> Those following the escapades of the thief who calls herself "Lady Thalia" may be interested to know that the criminal struck again yesterday night, on Monday, March 10. The audacious burglar, who has named herself after the Greek muse of comedy, crept into a London library and abstracted an eleventh-century illuminated manuscript loaned to that institution by Lord and Lady Satterthwaite. The thief <<if $libraryDoor === 2>>broke down<<else>>somehow unlocked<</if>> the door to the room where antique manuscripts are kept and <<if $bookCase === 2>>smashed<<else>>deftly opened<</if>> the glass case in which her target lay. <<if $slow >= 2>> She set off an alarm on her way out of the room and escaped by breaking a first-storey window -- hardly the grace we have come to expect from this mysterious phantom. <<elseif $messy >= 2>> She was seen leaving the building by guards, who had been alerted to the presence of an intruder by the wreckage left in her wake. As it was dark, guards could not provide a detailed description of the thief, and indeed initially believed it to be a rather short man, as the figure was wearing trousers. According to the guards, the figure leapt out a second-storey window and vanished without a trace. <<else>> Though the night shift arrived at about the time the theft must have taken place, the thief was completely undetected, and vanished like a phantom into the night with her spoils. <</if>> The book was left in the offices of this very paper, along with a note declaring Lady Thalia's responsibility for the crime. The note was placed in between two pages that proved to contain indecent drawings of nuns. The //Post// consulted an expert, who has confirmed that the drawings appear to be original to the manuscript and were //not// drawn by the thief. Margaret Williams, special consultant to Scotland Yard on the subject of art crimes, stated that the police were doing "everything within their power" to track down the criminal based on clues left at the scene of this latest crime. (Miss Williams may be known to many of our readers as "Melpomene", a nickname she has received due to her involvement with the "Lady Thalia" investigation, but we've heard she doesn't much care for it.) In the meantime, the manuscript has been safely returned to its owners. Lord and Lady Satterthwaite declined to comment. [[Continue|interlude1]]

<<run Config.passages.nobr = true;>> <<run Config.ui.stowBarInitially = true;>> <<run Config.history.controls = false;>> <<set $finesse = 0>> <<set $convVar = 0>> <<set $strikes = 0>> <<set $time = 0>> <<set $slow = 0>> <<set $messy = 0>> <<set $password = false>> <<set $key = false>> <<set $utilityCloset = false>> <<set $libraryDoor = 0>> <<set $bookCase = 0>> <<set $pressurePlate = 0>> <<set $libraryVisited = false>> <<set $libraryNight = false>> <<set $talkLibrarian = false>> <<set $talkStudent = false>> <<set $talkJanitor = false>> <<set $seenBooks = false>> <<set $gotKey = false>> <<set $threeBooks = false>> <<set $artPieces to [ "a stiff and uncomfortable-looking portrait of a woman in a very fancy dress", "a picture of a number of women inexplicably lying around naked in some sort of a park", "a self-portrait of an artist who looks like he takes himself extremely seriously", "an idyllic painting of a field by somebody you would bet has never worked on a farm", "a painting of a woman wearing an elaborate hat and nothing else", "one of those very avant-garde paintings where everything is made up of geometric shapes", "the fifth or sixth painting of a bridge you've seen on this tour", "a distorted view of a town that is inexplicably uncomfortable to look at", "some ridiculously self-important man on a horse", "yet another picture of a basket of fruit; you've never really understood the point of these", "a painting of some Greek god or other importuning a nymph" ]>> <<set $talkGuide = false>> <<set $talkGuard = false>> <<set $staffArea = false>> <<set $tools = false>> <<set $escapeRoute = false>> <<set $guards = false>> <<set $guards2 = false>> <<set $canister = 0>> <<set $dealGuard = 0>> <<set $escapeMethod = 0>> <<set $melAnger = 0>> <<set $museumEnd = false>> <<set $lettering = false>> <<set $characteristics = false>> <<set $carolingian = false>> <<set $tries = 0>> <<set $talkKitchen = false>> <<set $searchHouse = false>> <<set $talkLady = false>> <<set $talkMel = false>> <<set $distraction = false>> <<set $safeInfo = false>> <<set $layout = false>> <<set $findRoom = 0>> <<set $safe1 = 0>> <<set $safe2 = 0>> <<set $exitStrategy = 0>> <<set $oops to false>>

<<resetvariables>> <center>@@font-size:x-large;''Day 2 - Daytime''@@</center> The new wing of the museum officially opens tomorrow, but society gossip has told you that the museum is having a special tour today for very rich people who are thinking about making donations. You are at the level of wealth where you can get people to do you favours by giving them money, but not quite at the level where people will do you favours because you said you //might// give them money, so you are here in disguise. The tour is scheduled to take place in the morning, before the museum is properly open; the doors are unlocked, however, so you can stroll right in. When you tell the gentleman at the front desk that you are here for the tour and give your name as Lady Spottiswood, he looks down at the list and frowns. "My apologies, madam, but I don't see your name here." <<link [['"Are you sure? Could you check again?" (L)'|desk1]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $time += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"That\'s ridiculous! I wrote to say I was coming." (D)'|desk1]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $time += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Oh, no, did I forget to respond to the invitation?" (F)'|desk1]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $time += 1>><</link>>

<center>@@font-size:x-large;''Day 2 - Night''@@</center> <<resetvariables>> The first thing you need to do is plant a canister to hold the painting over by the side door through which you are planning to exit. You can't carry anything this bulky while scaling the building, but you wouldn't want the painting to be damaged in transit -- it's not the painting's fault its owner is such an unpleasant person. The side door is flanked by some very dense ornamental shrubbery behind a wrought-iron fence. You could take the time to shimmy behind the shrubs and nestle the canister safely against the building -- or you could just toss it over the fence and hope for the best. <<link [[Place the canister|museum1]]>><<set $slow += 1>><<set $canister = 0>><</link>> <<link [[Toss the canister|museum1]]>><<set $messy += 1>><<set $canister = 1>><</link>>

//The Post//, March 13, 1913 <center>@@font-size:x-large;''"Lady Thalia" Robs Museum''@@ @@font-size:large;''100-Yr-Old Portrait Stolen''@@ @@font-size:x-large;''Insulting Caricature Placed in Frame''@@ </center> Only two days after her previous outing, the thief known as "Lady Thalia" has struck again, breaking into a museum to steal a portrait given to the museum by Lord and Lady Satterthwaite. The portrait was of Lady Satterthwaite's great-great-grandmother, Amaryllis Breedlove, wife of the fifteenth Earl of Brookfield. In its frame, the thief left an insulting caricature of Lady Satterthwaite herself. <<if $escapeMethod < 2>> A canister of the sort used to store and transport large, rolled-up documents was found in the bushes outside the museum by investigators. No fingerprints were found on the object. <</if>> <<switch $dealGuard>> <<case 0>> A guard on duty that evening, who asked that his name not be printed, said that he saw and heard nothing during the time that Thalia was in the museum. <<case 1>> A guard on duty that evening, who asked that his name not be printed, said that he heard a crash at around the time that Thalia must have entered the museum. Upon investigating, he found a heavy paperweight and a small bronze statuette that had been knocked from a nearby pedestal. The thief was not in evidence. <<case 2>> A guard on duty that evening, who asked that his name not be printed, was hit on the head by the criminal. By the time he had gathered his wits about him, she was gone, and he did not see which way he went. He states that, despite the headache resulting from the nasty bruise, he looked for Thalia, but could not find her. <</switch>> The consulting art detective Margaret Williams arrived on the scene after Thalia had completed her dastardly work. <<switch $escapeMethod>> <<case 0>> Miss Williams stated that she confronted the thief, but Thalia leapt out a window and rode away on a motorcycle before Miss Williams could catch her and drag her down to the station. <<case 1>> Miss Williams stated that she confronted the thief, but Thalia, apparently possessed of almost masculine levels of strength, upended a large table to block Miss Williams's path, and fled. <<case 2>> Miss Williams stated that she confronted the thief, but Thalia, with a shockingly cavalier attitude towards priceless works of art, attempted to set fire to a stack of paintings. Miss Williams was able to save the paintings, but in the confusion, Thalia fled. <</switch>> "With the help of Scotland Yard, I will continue to work to bring this felon to justice," Miss Williams told the //Post//. <<if $messy >= 2 or $slow >= 2>> We at the Post wonder if our favourite felon might be losing her edge; this escapade seems unusually messy for the usually ghostlike burglar. Or perhaps this might be a copycat? <</if>> <<link [[Continue|interlude2.1]]>><<resetvariables>><</link>>

<center>@@font-size:x-large;''Day 3 - Daytime''@@</center> March is really a tad early for a garden party, at least in this climate. The early-spring sun shines weakly down on the guests, who mill about in their springtime finery and pretend not to notice the chill. At least it isn't raining. For once, you're in no hurry; the garden party will likely go on for several hours, which should be plenty of time to do anything you want to do. On the other hand, however, you //are// here as yourself, not under an assumed identity, which means that if anyone thinks you are behaving oddly, you'll be in considerable trouble. Thus, if any conversations start to go poorly, you're better off cutting your losses, rather than trying to salvage them as you might have before. You could look around and see who is here [[outside]]; if you can find Lady Satterthwaite, you may be able to get some useful information out of her. You could also go [[inside]] and try to get a sense of where everything is.

<center>@@font-size:x-large;''Day 3 - Night''@@</center> You return to the house that evening and enter through the back door into the kitchen. No one is in the room at this time, but you can hear people moving about in the halls. This will be tricky. There is, unfortunately, a guard in between you and the stairs. Hiding in a corner of the kitchen, you watch a little scullery maid make a cup of tea and carry it out to him. You'd be losing some time and gambling a bit on whether he even has another cup of tea, but if he does, you could drug his next one and ensure that he dozes off. There's also a radiator here; you could bang on it and it would be hard to tell where the sound was coming from, though you'd be taking the risk that he might decide to investigate the kitchen first. <<link [[Drug his tea|house1]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $slow += 1>><</link>> <<link [[Bang on the radiator|house1]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $messy += 1>><</link>>

//The Post//, March 15, 1913 <center>@@font-size:x-large;''Lady Thalia's Most Daring Crime Yet!''@@ @@font-size:large;''Mysterious Thief Steals Famous Sapphires''@@ @@font-size:x-large;''Lady Satterthwaite Very Annoyed''@@ </center> Continuing her series of crimes focused on the possessions of Lady Satterthwaite (is there perhaps bad blood between them?), Lady Thalia broke into the Satterthwaite house on Friday night and stole the Seraskier Sapphires. The sapphires were brought back from the Ottoman Empire by Lady Satterthwaite's grandfather, the sixth Lord Woodbury. <<if $findRoom === 1>>A servant of the household was found tied up in a broom closet the following morning. The servant, who asked to remain nameless, stated that Lady Thalia had interrogated him as to the location of the sapphires, visiting upon him unspeakable tortures until he talked. He seemed, however, largely unharmed when we spoke to him following his ordeal. <</if>> Lady Thalia <<if $safe1 === 1>>ransacked<<else>>stealthily searched<</if>> Lady Satterthwaite's room and <<if $safe2 === 1>>broke open<<else>>managed to unlock<</if>> the safe, all while Lady Satterthwaite slumbered unsuspectingly just yards away. <<if $exitStrategy === 0>>Though many guards were on the scene, the thief's escape went unmarked due to a poorly timed injury on the part of a kitchen maid. The incident seems to be unrelated to Lady Thalia's presence and the kitchen maid is not seriously hurt. <<elseif $exitStrategy === 1>> Though many guards were on the scene, the thief slipped away without anyone taking notice. If we here at the //Post// were guards, we would be feeling rather ashamed of ourselves right now, to tell the truth. <<else>> Lady Thalia escaped when a guard went to investigate the sound of glass shattering, which appears to have been the result of the thief throwing a pair of sewing scissors at a glass vase. <<if $dealGuard === 1>>Perhaps if the guards at the Satterthwaite house had consulted the guard who was on duty at the museum, they might have realised that this is one of Lady Thalia's commonly used tricks.<</if>> <</if>> <<if $finesse <= 28>>As followers of Lady Thalia's dramatic //oeuvre//, as it were, we find her recent crimes unusually sloppy, which is quite disappointing. We hope she will be back on form soon -- assuming this is indeed the real Lady Thalia and not a less competent impostor. <<elseif $finesse >= 34>>As followers of Lady Thalia's dramatic //oeuvre//, as it were, we are dazzled by her latest work. We cannot legally tell you that we hope to see more crimes of this calibre in the future, but, well -- we will be sure to save space for her future escapades. <</if>> The consulting detective Margaret "Melpomene" Williams was supposed to be on the scene that night, but one can only assume the thief slipped through her fingers as well. She declined to offer any comment to the //Post//. [[Continue|Outro - Part 1]]

Gwen, who has come over for tea, finishes reading the newspaper article. <<if $finesse <= 28>>"Pretty harsh, isn't it?" she says, around a mouthful of scone and jam. "Can't say I disagree, though. I would give the whole thing... $finesse points out of 43." Unfortunately, you can't disagree either; this hasn't been your best work. <<link [['"I think I let my emotions get the better of me."'|gwen2]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"I really have no excuse."'|gwen2]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I was just unlucky."'|gwen2]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<elseif $finesse >= 34>> "Rather a glowing review!" she says, brushing crumbs off the page. "I think that's a more favourable notice than your acting ever received. For my part, I'd give your performance... $finesse points out of 43." <<link [['"Oh, do shut up."'|gwen2]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><</link>> <<link '"My dear Gwen, this //is// acting."' "gwen2">><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<link [['"Perhaps crime was my true calling all along."'|gwen2]]>><<set $convVar = 5>><</link>> <<else>> "Not bad!" she says, setting her teacup down on its saucer. "Not exactly a rave, but certainly not a pan, either. I would say the whole thing is worth, oh... $finesse points out of 43." She picks up the second-to-last scone. <<link [['"I shall have to try harder next time to impress the media."'|gwen2]]>><<set $convVar = 6>><</link>> <<link [['"Who cares what they think? The point is that Lady Satterthwaite is furious."'|gwen2]]>><<set $convVar = 7>><</link>> <<link [['"A solid week\'s work, all told."'|gwen2]]>><<set $convVar = 8>><</link>> <</if>>

A week later, you return to the editorial offices of the //Post// to drop off the sapphires along with a treatise on the horrors of the sapphire industry and the shady history of these particular jewels. As you skulk up to the back door, Mel pops out of an adjoining alleyway. "Thalia," she says, "you're getting sloppy. I wouldn't have thought you'd do the same thing twice." <<link [['"But never doing the same thing twice is predictable, in its own way."'|meloutro1]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Have you been staking out this building all week?"'|meloutro1]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "//Sweden//," says Lady Satterthwaite, "but I understand it must be difficult to remember the difference if you have not had a quality education." You resist the urge to point out that the difference between being ambassador to Denmark and ambassador to Sweden is fairly academic, as neither is an important ally or a potential enemy worth keeping an eye on. <<case 1>> "Think nothing of it," she says grandly. "We ladies who are on our own must look out for each other, don't you think?" <</switch>> She takes a dainty bite of her cucumber sandwich and chews it thoughtfully. "It is only a shame," she says, after a moment, "that Edmund will not be here for the dinner party next Saturday." [['"But you host so many parties — surely he can miss one?"'|IntroConv2]] [['"I\'m sorry, I don\'t recall you mentioning this party earlier?"'|IntroConv2]]

//Lady Thalia and the Seraskier Sapphires// was created by E. Joyce and N. Cormier for Spring Thing 2021. Find E. Joyce's previous games on itch.io <a href="https://ejoyce.itch.io/">here</a>. This game's primary inspirations include the Arséne Lupin stories and the 1915 Italian silent film //Filibus//. It has been lovingly researched; much of this research was subsequently thrown out the window for reasons including plot convenience, genre convention, wanting to have female characters do things that women shouldn't historically have been doing, and things just being funnier that way. If you prefer your historical fiction to be scrupulously accurate, this is unlikely to be your cup of tea. The image of the tragedy and comedy masks is an edited version of a public domain image from OpenClipart. The cover image was composited from several public domain images from OpenClipart. <<return>>

"Oh, how silly of me!" she says, putting a hand to her forehead. "I //quite// forgot that you wouldn't know about it." She pauses, clearly waiting for you to ask for the details. <<link [['"What is the occasion? It sounds like it must be very important."'|IntroConv3]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [[Don't give her the satisfaction — she's going to tell you about it whether you like it or not, anyway.|IntroConv3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "Well," she says, "I suppose it's not an //occasion//, exactly..." She pauses again, as if expecting you to practically get down on your knees and beg for the details, but you're not going to indulge her //that// far. You take a bite of your own sandwich to give yourself an excuse not to answer immediately. <<case 1>> You take a bite of your own sandwich to give yourself an excuse not to answer immediately. The pause drags on for an uncomfortably long time; for a brief moment, Lady Satterthwaite's mouth turns down just slightly at the corners, but then she smiles again and continues. <</switch>> "My mother has decided that it is time that I should take possession of the Seraskier Sapphires. It's a lovely set of jewels that has been in my family for generations; one of my great-grandfathers -- or was it a great-great-grandfather? -- brought them back from the Ottoman Empire, you know." You've heard of them; there is a whole romantic story about finding them gleaming in the middle of a battlefield, miraculously unmarked by the carnage, which is, of course, complete fiction. You're not even sure whether they were ever owned by any Ottoman military leaders, whether of the rank of seraskier or otherwise. But they are rumoured to bring good luck and to be the source of Lady Satterthwaite's family's continued prosperity in the past century or so (during which time many of her fellow aristocrats have experienced considerably reduced circumstances). <<link [['"I see. But what has this to do with the party?"'|IntroConv4]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"They must be amazing. I would love to see them."'|IntroConv4]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "I was getting to that," she snaps, then hastily plasters the gracious smile back on her face. <<case 1>> "Yes," she says, "I don't suppose //you// would have ever seen anything like them." You don't dignify that with a response. <</switch>> "So you see," she continues, "I'm going to be wearing them for the first time at the party on Saturday, and it's going to be //quite// the event. Everyone who's anyone will be there. I must apologize again for forgetting that you wouldn't have received an invitation." (You admire the grace with which she has side-stepped the fact that she was the one who sent the invitations.) "Most of the people who will be there are old family friends," she says, "but since you seem so interested, I suppose I could make an exception." She gives you an ingratiating smile and then sips her tea, waiting for you to take the bait. <<link [['"Why, thank you! I would absolutely love to attend."'|IntroConv5]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"I shall have to check my social calendar — it is quite full at the moment."'|IntroConv5]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "Excellent!" she says, smiling with all her teeth. "I'll send you an official invitation tomorrow." <<case 1>> "Well, do let me know if you can make it," she says. "I'll send you an official invitation tomorrow." <</switch>> Then she turns and begins conversing with the lady on her right, ignoring you like a cat who has decided that the mouse it has been batting around is no longer moving enough to be interesting. The thing you really cannot stand about Lady Satterthwaite is the way that she manages to twist everything she says so that it sounds like she is doing you a favour. As if it's so terribly magnanimous of her to even speak to someone who went from middle class to noveau riche. (Well, your scandalous past as an actress probably doesn't help her impression of you, either.) It's about time, you think, that someone burst her self-important bubble, and that someone might as well be you. [[As it happens, you have more than a few relevant skills...|Intro - Night]]

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> You're a little bit offended that Gwen would think such a thing of you. Honestly, hasn't she known you long enough to realize that you would never go for so straightforward and simple a plan? It lacks the panache that people have (you hope) come to expect from the mysterious thief Lady Thalia, who has been bedeviling the upper classes, not to mention Scotland Yard, for... oh, about a year now. <<case 1>> Stealing just //one// thing would hardly be any fun at all, and wouldn't be as impressive as some of your past crimes, which would quite disappoint the public. They are all eagerly awaiting the next escapade of mysterious thief Lady Thalia, who has been bedeviling the upper classes, not to mention Scotland Yard, for about a year now, and you can't let them down. <</switch>> You've asked around a bit and learned that Lady Satterthwaite has two other heirlooms that she is making noise about showing off. The first is a mediaeval illuminated manuscript, which will soon be on display at the library. "Well, that should be easy," says Gwen. "A library is hardly going to have much security, is it?" <<link '"My, you //are// getting rather overconfident, aren\'t you?"' "NightConv2">><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"We\'ve had harder jobs, certainly, but we shouldn\'t let our guard down."'|NightConv2]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "Well, I learned it from the best," she says, grinning. "Anyway, what are we going to need for this one?" <<case 1>> "Fair enough," she says. "What will we need?" <</switch>> You have decided to scout out the location in disguise during the day, but you assure Gwen that you shouldn't need her to make you any costume pieces. You have a slightly unfashionable men's suit and a pair of glasses that should do perfectly well for pretending to be a scholar with an interest in mediaeval manuscripts. Beyond that, you won't be able to formulate a full plan until you've done your reconnaissance, but you assure Gwen that if you need any gadgets or the like, you'll let her know as soon as you can. The next item is a portrait of her great-grandmother or some such relative. It was painted by a notable artist of the period, whose name you cannot remember because, though your education was better than Lady Satterthwaite might think, it was regrettably light on art history. The painting will be on display in a newly opened wing of one of the city's art museums later this week. "Please tell me you're not going to pretend to be an art restorer again?" says Gwen. "It was so much work to make it convincing. I practically had to write you a script." <<link [['"Well, I would have studied up, but we were on such a tight time limit..."'|NightConv3]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"They probably wouldn\'t fall for it a second time anyway."'|NightConv3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "Excuses, excuses," says Gwen, waving her hand. <<case 1>> Gwen laughs. "They barely fell for it the first time," she says. "Not one of your better schemes." <</switch>> You remind her that you have a more pressing topic to discuss than your past failings. You let Gwen know that, while the specifics of this plan are also to be determined later, you will probably need some tools for removing a painting from its frame without too much damage, and you would also be much obliged if she would pick you up on her motorcycle afterwards. "Of course," she says. "No trouble at all." [[So that just leaves the sapphires.|NightConv4]]

It would be hard to steal the sapphires at the dinner party, but fortunately the invitation also included an afternoon garden-party on Friday as some kind of warm-up for the main event. You should be able to use that to prepare to steal the sapphires Friday night. As an invited guest, you don't need a disguise or an excuse to be there. However, you tell Gwen, you could use some modifications to one of your nicer dresses, to make it easier to stash things on your person. "So... you want a dress with pockets?" she says. <<link '"//Inconspicuous// pockets."' "NightConv5">><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Well, yes, but you don\'t have to make it sound so prosaic."'|NightConv5]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "Duly noted," Gwen says. "I shall make them as inconspicuous as I possibly can." <<case 1>> "I'm just trying to keep you down to earth a bit," she says. "You shouldn't get //too// carried away by the drama of it all." As if she's one to talk. <</switch>> Before she leaves, the two of you work out a plan for the timing. Since the book should require relatively little preparation, you will aim to do that one tomorrow, Monday. The museum wing's grand opening will be Thursday, so you'll have to do the painting Wednesday night. That will allow you to take Thursday off before stealing the sapphires on Friday. This being established, Gwen goes home, and you go to bed. [[You have a busy day ahead of you, after all.|Day 1 - Day]]

<<set $talkLibrarian = true>><<set $time += 1>> The librarian is an elderly woman with thick glasses and hair pulled into an untidy bun. As you approach the desk, she looks up at you and asks, "Can I help you, sir?" <<if $talkStudent === false and $talkJanitor === false>> <<include "conversationintro">> <</if>> <<link [['"Do you have any rare books here?" (L)'|librarian2]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"I heard you have a mediaeval manuscript going on display tomorrow?" (F)'|librarian2]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I need you to tell me everything you know about the Cholmondsley manuscript, and fast." (D)'|librarian2]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>>

<<set $talkStudent = true>><<set $time += 1>> Looking at the books the student has on the table, you notice that many of them are on the subject of mediaeval manuscripts. Well, there's a stroke of luck! He can probably answer a few of your questions. <<if $talkJanitor === false and $talkLibrarian === false>> <<include "conversationintro">> <</if>> <<link [['"I need to know where the rare books room is — no one in this blasted library will tell me." (D)'|student2]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'m sorry to bother you, but may I ask what you\'re studying?" (L)'|student2]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"My, you seem to be hard at work." (F)'|student2]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>>

<<set $talkJanitor = true>><<set $time += 1>> The janitor looks up from his dustpan as you approach. "Do you need something, sir?" he says, grudgingly. <<if $talkStudent === false and $talkLibrarian === false>> <<include "conversationintro">> <</if>> <<link [['"I\'m interested in the mediaeval manuscript going on display tomorrow. Do you know anything about it?" (L)'|janitor2]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Where on earth are the rare books? I can\'t seem to get anyone to tell me." (D)'|janitor2]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'m sure you know a lot about this library." (F)'|janitor2]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> The librarian furrows her brow. "Quite a few, yes. I must say, young people these days are always asking such vague questions. A waste of everyone's time, is what it is." You explain to her that you're interested in the manuscript lent to the library by the Cholmondsley family for display. "I see," she says. " <<case 1>> "Yes, an eleventh-century monastic text generously lent to us by the Cholmondsley family. <<case 2>> The librarian frowns severely. "I suppose they don't teach young people manners anymore." You apologise for your rudeness, but reiterate that you have some questions about the manuscript. "Very well," says the librarian. " <</switch>> What would you like to know about it?" <<link [['"Everything you know." (D)'|librarian3]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"What do you find most interesting about it?" (L)'|librarian3]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'d like to know more about its contents; it might be relevant to my research." (F)'|librarian3]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "I'll thank you not to take such an abrupt tone with me, young man," she snaps. "What is your interest in the manuscript, anyway?" You apologise profusely for your disrespect and explain that you are researching depictions of Saint Wilgefortis in eleventh-century manuscripts. <<case 1>> "Well, //I'm// not an expert on illuminated manuscripts, am I? Why don't you just tell me what you're looking for, so we can get on with things. I don't have all day, you know." You apologise and explain that you are researching depictions of Saint Wilgefortis in eleventh-century manuscripts. <<case 2>> "Of course," she says, " You explain that you are hoping to write a paper on depictions of Saint Wilgefortis in eleventh-century manuscripts. <</switch>> "Hmm," says the librarian. "I don't know enough about the illustrations to say for sure which saints are in there. I'd be happy to let you look at it yourself, but you would have to fill out an access request form and wait for it to be processed." <<link [['"That\'s all right. Can you recommend me any other books for my research?" (F)'|librarian4]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Can\'t you waive that requirement just this once? I\'m a very busy person and I need to see that book." (D)'|librarian4]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link '"What //do// you know about the manuscript?" (L)' "librarian4">><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>>

<<if $strikes === 3>> The librarian's mouth sets into a firm line. "If you'll excuse me," she says, after a moment, "I'm really //quite// busy at the moment." She turns away and starts shuffling stacks of paper around behind the desk. It looks like she's had enough of you -- you'll have to talk to [[someone else|Day 1 - Day]]. <<else>> <<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "Well, you'd have to submit an access request for any primary source," she says. "But for general research on the topic, there are a few titles that might be relevant." <<if $key is false>>You're not sure what good these recommendations will do you, but it can't hurt to let her give them anyway, so you acquiesce. <<else>> You remember the student mentioning a password in a book -- perhaps it will be among the ones she mentions? It's worth a try, at least. You tell her you would greatly appreciate her suggestions. <</if>> <<case 1>> The librarian pushes her glasses up her nose. "I'm sorry," she says, "but I cannot make exceptions. If you wish to see any mediaeval manuscripts in our collection, you'll have to fill out the form. I can recommend you some secondary sources, if that's of any help?" <<if $key is false>>You're not sure what good these recommendations will do you, but it can't hurt to let her give them anyway, so you acquiesce. <<else>> You remember the student mentioning a password in a book -- perhaps it will be among the ones she mentions? It's worth a try, at least. You tell her you would greatly appreciate her suggestions. <</if>> <<case 2>> "I'm sorry, I really haven't looked at it in any detail. We do have some books on mediaeval manuscripts by other scholars; perhaps one of them mentions it? I could give you the titles." <<if $key is false>>You're not sure what good these recommendations will do you, but it can't hurt to let her give them anyway, so you acquiesce. <<else>> You remember the student mentioning a password in a book -- perhaps it will be among the ones she mentions? It's worth a try, at least. You tell her you would greatly appreciate her suggestions. <</if>> <</switch>> "Let's see..." she says. "We have //Characteristics of the Illuminated Manuscripts of the Tenth and Eleventh Centuries// by John Edward Miller, //The History of the Illuminated Manuscript in England// by John William Randall, and //The Art of High Mediaeval Manuscripts in Western Europe// by John Philip Riley. I could look up more, if you would like..." You hastily assure her that that's not necessary, and ask a final question: [['"If you had to suggest just one to start with, which would you choose?"'|librarian5]] <</if>>

<<set $password = true>> "//Characteristics//--" the librarian begins, then stops herself, glancing down at the pile of books on her desk. "No, I think //The Art of High Mediaeval Manuscripts// is probably best." Well, that's certainly interesting. You thank her, and then glance around the room, considering [[what to do next|Day 1 - Day]].

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "Do I look like I know anything about any manuscripts?" he says, and goes back to sweeping. You clarify that you would mostly like to know where it's kept. The janitor points to a door off the nearby hallway. "'S locked, though," he says. "And they won't let you in without some sort of special permission." <<case 1>> The janitor points to a door off the nearby hallway. "'S locked, though," he says. "And they won't let you in without some sort of special permission." <<case 2>> "Not particularly," he says, and goes back to sweeping. You explain that you're trying to find out where the rare books are kept. The janitor points to a door off the nearby hallway. "'S locked, though," he says. "And they won't let you in without some sort of special permission." <</switch>> You ask whether he has access to it to clean. "I'm not letting you in either," he says. "It's not worth my job." <<link '"But you //could// let me in, if you wanted to?" (L)' "janitor3">><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"I understand — they must really trust you to let you have access to the room." (F)'|janitor3]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I really need to see those books today — it would just be a quick look." (D)'|janitor3]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "Yes," he says. "But I don't. The trouble I'd get in..." <<case 1>> The janitor snorts. "Not hardly. I don't think 'they' think about me much at all. But they'd notice if I started letting people in, all right." <<case 2>> "Sorry," he says, "but I really can't. If anyone saw I'd be sacked for sure." <</switch>> <<link [['"Not even just for a minute?" (L)'|janitor4]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Well, this is rather awkward. You see, I promised the Dean..." (D)'|janitor4]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link '"I\'ll tell them I made you do it." (F)' "janitor4">><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>>

<<if $strikes === 3>> "I told you," the janitor says, "I can't help you. Anyway, I've got work to do." He takes his dustpan and broom and goes out into the hallway. It seems you've failed to convince him -- you'll have to talk to [[someone else|Day 1 - Day]]. <<else>> <<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> The janitor sighs. "Oh, all right. But no longer than that. And don't expect any more favours from me." <<case 1>> You name the Dean of a prestigious university, and explain that you are doing some research at his behest and had promised him you'd look at the books today, and it will really be rather embarrassing if you don't -- not to mention that the Dean might be displeased and might express that displeasure to the library, bringing trouble for anyone who refused to help you. "All right," says the janitor. "But whatever you need to see in there, you'd better find it quickly." <<case 2>> "I'll believe that when I see it," he says. "Never known a gentleman like you to inconvenience himself for the likes of me." You assure him that you mean it, and imply that it will be no inconvenience to yourself, as you have friends in high places who will ensure you aren't banned from the library. "All right," the janitor says, at last. "But whatever you need to see in there, you'd better find it quickly." <</switch>> [[You assure him that you will not take long and won't trouble him any further afterwards.|janitor5]] <</if>>

<<set $utilityCloset = true>> The door to the rare books room has a combination lock, but the janitor instead heads to a utility closet to retrieve the master key from a lockbox -- which, the janitor explains, is closely monitored by the head janitor. "Even takes it home with him at night, he does," the janitor says. "So don't get any funny ideas." While he's retrieving the key, you notice that there is a fusebox on the wall of the utility closet; this does not seem immediately relevant to your plans, but you can never be sure what will and won't be useful. Your quick look at the rare books room doesn't tell you much other than that the manuscript you're looking for appears to be kept in a locked glass case. Well, there are several ways to deal with that. After thanking the janitor, you [[return to the library's main room|Day 1 - Day]].

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "I'm sorry," he says, "I'm, er, I'm a bit busy. You should probably ask a librarian." Since that approach was fruitless, you try a different tack and ask him about his research. "I'm writing a thesis on the art of illuminated manuscripts," he says. <<link [['"Oh, how interesting!" (F)'|student3]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"You must know where the rare books are, then." (D)'|student3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Have you had the chance to look through this library\'s collection?" (L)'|student3]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<case 1>> "I'm writing a thesis on the art of illuminated manuscripts," he says. <<link [['"Oh, how interesting!" (F)'|student3]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"You must know where the rare books are, then." (D)'|student3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Have you had the chance to look through this library\'s collection?" (L)'|student3]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<case 2>> "Er, yes," he says, "I am. Did you need something, or can I get back to it?" Since that approach was fruitless, you try a different tack and ask him about his research. "I'm writing a thesis on the art of illuminated manuscripts," he says. <<link [['"Oh, how interesting!" (F)'|student3]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"You must know where the rare books are, then." (D)'|student3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Have you had the chance to look through this library\'s collection?" (L)'|student3]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> The student's eyes light up. "Yes, it's fascinating stuff -- so glad you agree!" He launches into a rambling discussion of his research, which you, unfortunately, understand little of. This boy is clearly happy to talk about his work, but you're going to have to give him a little more direction if you want to get anything useful out of him. Eventually you find an opening to ask him about the library's manuscript collection. "Oh, yes, I've been using it," he says. "Despite the library's best efforts." <<case 1>> "Well, yes, but, er, why are you asking me?" You mention that it seems to be very complicated to access them, hoping that he doesn't notice that that's not really an answer to his question. "Oh, isn't it just!" he says. "But it's not the location that's the problem, it's the security measures." <<case 2>> "Oh, yes, I've been using it," he says. "But they certainly don't make it easy! I understand that security measures are required, but this seems a bit much, if you ask me." <</switch>> <<link [['"They really make it that hard to access a few old books?" (F)'|student4]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"That does sound trying! What do you have to do?" (L)'|student4]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Can you let me into the room?" (D)'|student4]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>>

<<if $strikes === 3>> "Look," the student says stiffly, "if you'll excuse me, I really must get back to work." You've failed to endear yourself to him, it seems -- you'll have to try talking to [[someone else|Day 1 - Day]]. <<else>> <<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "They're not just 'a few old books'!" he says, with surprising vehemence. Then he's off on a tear about their significance to the literary, artistic, and religious history of the British Isles, which is not terribly useful to you right now. Once he lets you get a word in edgewise, you ask him again about the security measures. "Oh, yes," he says. "There really aren't that many of them, but it's as if they're designed to be as irritating as possible." <<case 1>> "Well, it's not that there are that //many// things, really, but it's as if they're designed to be as irritating as possible." <<case 2>> "Oh, no," hes says, "you'd have to fill out an access request form. And let me tell you, even once you've got permission, it's not easy." <</switch>> You give him an enquiring look. "For one thing, the key to the case that the books are kept in is in the room all the way down at the end of the hall, so I have to go there, find it, and then come all the way back here. I don't know why they don't keep it in here, it's not as though there aren't lamps to hide it in." [['"Hiding it in lamps? That\'s certainly creative."'|student5]] <</if>>

<<set $key = true>> "And don't even get me started on the password you need to get into the room in the first place," the student says, really warming up to his topic. "They change it so often I can never remember what it is, and for added security the librarians don't just tell you what the password is -- oh, no, they just give you a code and make you go flipping through a book to decipher it! But I suppose it could be worse -- at least the book is kept on the librarian's desk and I don't have to go hunting through the card catalogue for it." You agree that the card catalogue would be a bridge too far. "Well, at any rate, I had better get back to my work," he says. You thank him for taking the time out of his studies, and then think about [[what to do next|Day 1 - Day]].

The door is secured by a combination lock with letters instead of numbers, which is rather whimsical. You suppose this is the kind of thing librarians find entertaining. <<if $seenBooks === false>> <<if $key === true>> You remember the student said something about a password hidden in a book that was kept on the librarian's desk. Perhaps you should take a look at those. <<else>> Perhaps the books on the librarian's desk will provide a clue? It's worth a look, at least. <</if>> <<return>> <<else>> [[Enter a password.|door2]] <<link [[Force the door.|BookRoom]]>><<set $finesse += 3>><<set $messy += 1>><<set $libraryDoor = 2>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <</if>>

There are three books sitting in a pile on the librarian's desk. You switch on your electric torch (such a useful invention!) and read the titles: //Lettering in Manuscripts of the High Middle Ages//, //Characteristics of the Illuminated Manuscripts of the Tenth and Eleventh Centuries//, and //Illuminated Manuscripts of the Carolingian Renaissance//. Next to the pile of books is a note that reads: ''4 - 16 - 3'' ''84 - 9 - 5'' ''109 - 30 - 9'' ''17 - 27 - 4'' <<set $seenBooks = true>> <<if $key === true>>This must be the encoded password -- very careless of the librarian to leave it sitting out like that, but you suppose if forgetful students are constantly asking for it, you can't really blame her. You're fairly certain that first letter refers to a page number... <</if>> <<link "Look at //Lettering//" "books2">><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link "Look at //Characteristics//" "books2">><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link "Look at //Carolingian Renaissance//" "books2">><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> [[Return|Day 1 - Night]]

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> You enter SKIP, and the lock clicks open, much to your relief. <<case 1>> You try passwords until you find one, SKIP, that works. Not bad, but this did cost you some valuable time. <<case 2>> There is a keyhole as a backup, but it's a bit of an odd type and you're not confident in your ability to pick the lock quickly. Fortunately, you did bring a pry bar, and with that you're able to get the door open in no time. You regret the damage to the door -- you prefer more elegant solutions when possible -- but sometimes expediency is key. <</switch>> The room is windowless, presumably to prevent sunlight from damaging the antique books, so you can actually turn the lights on, which is nice. The manuscripts are kept in glass cases with locks on the fronts. One of the cases is labelled "ON LOAN"; fortunately for you, there's only one book in it right now, so you don't have to spend time looking through them for the one you want. The only question is, how do you get to it? <<if $gotKey is true>><<link [[Use the key.|BookRoom2]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $finesse += 5>><<set $bookCase = 0>><</link>> <<elseif $gotKey is false and $key is true>><<link [[Go get the key.|BookRoom2]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><<set $finesse += 5>><<set $slow += 1>><<set $bookCase = 0>><</link>> <</if>> <<link [[Pick the lock.|BookRoom2]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $finesse += 3>><<set $slow += 1>><<set $bookCase = 1>><</link>> <<link [[Break the glass.|BookRoom2]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $finesse += 3>><<set $messy += 1>><<set $bookCase = 2>><</link>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> //Lettering// is a large and heavy book printed in a tiny font. You didn't know there was much at all to say about mediaeval manuscripts, much less enough to injure a small dog. <<link [[Look at page 4|Lettering]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [[Look at page 84|Lettering]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [[Look at page 109|Lettering]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<link [[Look at page 17|Lettering]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><</link>> <<case 1>> //Characteristics// is printed on stiff, high-quality paper, which gives you a paper cut while finding your page. How unfair! <<if $password === true>>This is the book the librarian almost recommended to you, but then decided against -- which suggests that there was some reason she couldn't have handed it to you, or at least put it back on the shelf. That's as good a reason as any to try this as the password first. <<set $seenBooks = true>> <</if>> <<link [[Look at page 4|Characteristics]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [[Look at page 84|Characteristics]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [[Look at page 109|Characteristics]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<link [[Look at page 17|Characteristics]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><</link>> <<case 2>> The pictures in //Carolingian Renaissance// are surprisingly interesting, and you're tempted to tuck this book into your satchel. You imagine Gwen chastising you for deviating from the plan ("Really, again? Did you learn nothing from the Crossley Street incident?") and resist the urge. <<link [[Look at page 4|Carolingian]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [[Look at page 84|Carolingian]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [[Look at page 109|Carolingian]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<link [[Look at page 17|Carolingian]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><</link>> <</switch>> <<if $characteristics === true and $lettering === true and $carolingian === true>>Really, the code produces sensible words for all three of them? That's just unfair. <<set $seenBooks = true>> <<set $threeBooks = true>><</if>> [[Return|books]]

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> You unlock the case with the spare key -- simple, elegant, and quick. <<case 1>> You pull out your set of lockpicks and get to work -- it's a bit slow, but you don't like to break things when it's not strictly necessary. After a bit of careful prodding, the case springs open. <<case 2>> Luckily, the pry bar <<if $libraryDoor === 2>>you used on the door<<else>>you brought in case of particularly recalcitrant doors<</if>> can be used for this too. ("Any tool can be multi-purpose if you try hard enough," as Gwen likes to say.) You take it out and smash the glass. You're a little disappointed in yourself for the crudeness of this approach, but it is unquestionably fast. <<case 3>> You sprint down the hall to the room where the key is kept, shine your electric torch at the light fixtures in the wall sconces until you spot it, grab it, and sprint back. You're not sure this was any faster than picking the lock would have been, but at least it's easier. <</switch>> Just as you're about to pick up the book, you notice a seam in the wood that it's lying on. There doesn't appear to be any structural reason for it, so you're fairly certain that it's a pressure plate. It would probably set off an alarm if you were to take the book without some precautions. <<if $utilityCloset is true>> <<link [[Go to the utility closet and turn off the power.|PressurePlate]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $finesse += 5>><<set $pressurePlate to 0>><</link>> <<else>> <<link [[Look for a way to turn off the power.|PressurePlate]]>><<set $slow += 1>><<set $finesse += 3>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $pressurePlate to 1>><</link>> <</if>> <<link [[Look for a book of equal size to replace it with.|PressurePlate]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $finesse += 3>><<set $messy += 1>><<set $pressurePlate to 2>><</link>>

You hurry to the room at the end of the hall and let the beam of your electric torch play over the sconces on the walls. One of the lamps appears to be smudged with inky fingerprints -- and, peering inside, you see a small key. You fish it out and [[return to the main room of the library|Day 1 - Night]]. <<set $gotKey to true>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> You remember seeing a fuse box in the utility closet earlier, which presents a fairly simple solution to this problem: if you cut the power to the room, the pressure plate likely won't trip an alarm. It's the work of a few minutes to find the closet (fortunately unlocked). The breakers are poorly labelled, so you flip them all to be on the safe side. You then head back to the rare books room, locking the door behind you to avoid casting blame on the janitor. <<case 1>> There must be a fuse box around here somewhere, so you make a thorough search of the ground floor, trying every door. Eventually you find it in a (fortunately unlocked) utility closet, which at least isn't far from the room the manuscript is in. Though you're not sure if it being quick to get back makes up for all the time you spent looking for the closet in the first place. The breakers are poorly labelled, so you flip them all to be on the safe side. You then head back to the rare books room, locking the door behind you to avoid casting blame on the janitor. <<case 2>> Turning off the power will likely take too long -- if you can just find a book of roughly equal size, you can swap them out quickly using your finely honed, catlike reflexes (if you do say so yourself). You weigh the manuscript in your hand, then go out into the main room of the library. It doesn't take you long to find a decent match. <</switch>> [[Now, all you need to do is take your spoils and get out of here before anyone sees you.|Night1Final]]

<<if $slow >= 2>> <<set $finesse -= 2>> <<if $pressurePlate !== 2>> Unfortunately, you've taken just a bit too long -- just as you're lifting the book out of the case, the power snaps back on, and you can hear an alarm going off in the distance. There must be someone here after all -- a guard or some night shift janitors or something -- who noticed the power was out. If you're lucky, they thought it was an electrical malfunction until the alarm started going off. (If you're //extremely// lucky they might think the alarm is an electrical malfunction too, but you wouldn't count on it.) You carefully scan the hallway to ensure the coast is still clear, then smash the nearest window and exit through it. The noise will alert anyone who might be nearby, but the odds of running into someone if you try to go back to your unlatched first-floor window or find some other inconspicuous way out are too high. It's not your cleanest getaway, but for the moment you're satisfied that no one is immediately on your trail. As for whether your overabundance of caution has caused you any lasting problems... [[well, you'll find out tomorrow|Day 1 - Score]]. <<elseif $pressurePlate === 2>> Unfortunately, you've taken just a bit too long -- you can hear footsteps in the hallway. Night shift janitors or something, probably. The footsteps pass the room you're in and fade, but you need to get out of here //tout en suite//. You carefully scan the hallway to ensure the coast is still clear, then smash the nearest window and exit through it. The noise will alert anyone who might be nearby, but the odds of running into someone if you try to go back to your unlatched first-floor window or find some other inconspicuous way out are too high. It's not your cleanest getaway, but for the moment you're satisfied that no one is immediately on your trail. As for whether your overabundance of caution has caused you any lasting problems... [[well, you'll find out tomorrow|Day 1 - Score]]. <</if>> <<elseif $messy >= 2>> <<set $finesse -= 2>> You grab the book and exit, heading back to the unlatched first-floor window you entered through, but as you reach the stairs, you hear shouting from the direction you've just come from. You can't make out distinct words, but clearly there are at least a few people on the premises, and they've noticed the mess you left behind you. You break into a run, but the guards (or whatever they are) aren't far behind, and they catch up with you just as you drop through the window and out of sight. There is a convenient patch of ivy on the wall, and in the dark you manage to blend into it enough that your pursuers seem to think you've disappeared completely; when they leave the window to head back downstairs in search of you, you make your way back to the ground, unseen. You just hope none of them got a good look at you as you were on your way out. Well, if your decision to take the quick and dirty option every time has caused you any lasting problems, [[you'll find out tomorrow|Day 1 - Score]]. <<else>> Manuscript in hand, you leave the room and make your way back towards your unlatched first-floor window. As you reach the stairs, you hear footsteps in the hallway you just came from. Blast -- of course there has to be a night shift! Mouthing silent curses, you pick up the pace. You hear footsteps in the distance a few more times before you get out of the building, but although your nerves are fried, you manage to escape without any truly close calls. Well, you don't think there were any, at least. [[But you'll find out for certain tomorrow|Day 1 - Score]]. <</if>>

[[Intro - Day]] [[Intro - Night]] [[Day 1 - Day]] <<link [[Night 1 with password and key|Day 1 - Night]]>> <<set $password to true>> <<set $key to true>> <</link>> <<link [[Night 1 with password and closet|Day 1 - Night]]>> <<set $password to true>> <<set $utilityCloset to true>> <</link>> <<link [[Night 1 with closet and key|Day 1 - Night]]>> <<set $utilityCloset to true>> <<set $key to true>> <</link>> <<link [[Day 2 - Day]]>><<set $finesse to 13>><</link>> <<link [[Night 2 with guard info only|Day 2 - Night]]>> <<set $guards = true>> <<set $finesse = 13>> <</link>> <<link [[Night 2 with escape route only|Day 2 - Night]]>> <<set $escapeRoute = true>> <<set $finesse = 13>> <</link>> <<link [[Night 2 with tools only|Day 2 - Night]]>> <<set $tools = true>> <<set $finesse = 13>> <</link>> <<link [[Night 2 with guard info and escape route|Day 2 - Night]]>> <<set $guards = true>> <<set $escapeRoute = true>> <<set $finesse = 13>> <</link>> <<link [[Night 2 with guard info and tools|Day 2 - Night]]>> <<set $guards = true>> <<set $tools = true>> <<set $finesse = 13>> <</link>> <<link [[Night 2 with escape route and tools|Day 2 - Night]]>> <<set $escapeRoute = true>> <<set $tools = true>> <<set $finesse = 13>> <</link>> <<link [[Night 2 with all Day 2 flags set to true|Day 2 - Night]]>> <<set $escapeRoute = true>> <<set $tools = true>> <<set $guards = true>> <<set $finesse += 13>> <</link>> [[Day 3 - Day]] <<link [[Night 3 with everything|Day 3 - Night]]>><<set $safeInfo = true>><<set $layout = true>><<set $distraction = true>><</link>> [[Night 3 with nothing|Day 3 - Night]] [[Epilogue - "you suck" version|Outro - Part 1]] <<link [[Epilogue - normal version|Outro - Part 1]]>><<set $finesse to 29>><</link>> <<link [[Epilogue - best version|Outro - Part 1]]>><<set $finesse to 34>><</link>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> The man holds up the list and makes something of a show of reading over it again. You're not sure if he's mocking you or just trying to prevent you from claiming he didn't //really// read it. "I'm sorry," he says, "but it appears that your name is not, in fact, on the list." <<link [['"That\'s ridiculous! I wrote to say I was coming." (D)'|desk1]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $time += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Oh, no, did I forget to respond to the invitation?" (F)'|desk1]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $time += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Oh dear, what to do now..." (L)'|desk1]]>><<set $time += 1>><<set $convVar = 3>><</link>> <<case 1>> You can almost see the man at the desk calculating the severity of consequences of not letting you in if you really are supposed to be on the list versus letting you in if you aren't. "If this is an oversight on the part of the museum, I deeply apologise," he says. "Did you perhaps bring your invitation?" <<link '"Can\'t you just let me in without it? I would appreciate it //so// much." (F)' "desk2">><<set $time += 1>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Oh no, I must have left it at home..." (L)'|desk2]]>><<set $time += 1>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Of course not! It wasn\'t requested that we do so." (D)'|desk2]]>><<set $time += 1>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<case 2>> "If you didn't respond, then I'm afraid I can't let you in," says the man at the desk. <<link [['"Oh dear, what to do now..." (L)'|desk1]]>><<set $time += 1>><<set $convVar = 3>><</link>> <<link [['"Perhaps my response was mislaid by a postman?" (F)'|desk2]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><<set $time += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"On second thought, I do distinctly remember sending it. There must be some mistake here." (D)'|desk1]]>><<set $time += 1>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<case 3>> "If you are not on the list, madam," the man says, "I am afraid I shall have to ask that you leave the museum." <<link '"If you could make an exception, I would be //so// grateful." (F)' "desk2">><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $time += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"This is preposterous! I certainly shan\'t be making a donation now." (D)'|desk1]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $time += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"If only I hadn\'t left my invitation at home..." (L)'|desk2]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $time += 1>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> This kind of approach is challenging; there is a fine line between seeming like a young lady of delicate emotions who will be crushed if you don't help her and overjoyed if you do, and sounding like you are propositioning someone. (Which you prefer not to do, given the choice, and in any case this gentleman doesn't seem the sort.) You are not certain whether you wound up too far over the line or if he's just not susceptible to the delicate-maiden angle either, but regardless, the man at the desk looks unimpressed. "I'm afraid I was given strict orders not to let in anyone who was not on the list," he says. <<link [['"Oh, but I was so looking forward to the exhibit! This is quite disappointing." (F)'|desk2]]>><<set $convVar = 4>><<set $time += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Well, what am I supposed to do? Go home and retrieve my invitation? The tour will be over by the time I return." (D)'|desk3]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><<set $time += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"You really can\'t make an exception?" (L)'|desk2]]>><<set $convVar = 4>><<set $time += 1>><</link>> <<case 1>> The man gives you a bit of a funny look, probably because your response would have made more sense if you actually were supposed to bring the invitation. "In any case," he says, "I'm afraid I was given strict orders not to let in anyone who was not on the list." <<link [['"Oh, but I was so looking forward to the exhibit! This is quite disappointing." (F)'|desk2]]>><<set $convVar = 4>><<set $time += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Well, what am I supposed to do? Go home and retrieve my invitation? The tour will be over by the time I return." (D)'|desk3]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><<set $time += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"You really can\'t make an exception?" (L)'|desk2]]>><<set $convVar = 4>><<set $time += 1>><</link>> <<case 2>> "Yes, madam, I do understand that," says the man, "but it would have been helpful if you had had it. As it is, I've no proof you were supposed to be on the list, which puts me in rather a difficult position." <<link [['"I\'ve done nothing wrong here, and I can\'t see why I should be kept out of the tour by someone else\'s mistake." (D)'|desk3]]>><<set $time += 1>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Oh, but I was so looking forward to the exhibit! This is quite disappointing." (F)'|desk3]]>><<set $time += 1>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"A difficult position?" (L)'|desk3]]>><<set $time += 1>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<case 3>> "Well, regardless of the reason that your response did not reach us, I'm afraid I'm under strict orders not to let in anyone who was not on the list." <<link [['"Oh, but I was so looking forward to the exhibit! This is quite disappointing." (F)'|desk2]]>><<set $convVar = 4>><<set $time += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Well, what am I supposed to do? Go home and retrieve my invitation? The tour will be over by the time I return." (D)'|desk3]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><<set $time += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"You really can\'t make an exception?" (L)'|desk2]]>><<set $convVar = 4>><<set $time += 1>><</link>> <<case 4>> "I really do apologise, madam," he says, "but you must understand this is putting me in a rather difficult position." <<link [['"I\'ve done nothing wrong here, and I can\'t see why I should be kept out of the tour by someone else\'s mistake." (D)'|desk3]]>><<set $time += 1>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Oh, but I was so looking forward to the exhibit! This is quite disappointing." (F)'|desk3]]>><<set $time += 1>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"A difficult position?" (L)'|desk3]]>><<set $time += 1>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> You put particular emphasis on the "someone else's" -- you're not saying it's the museum's fault, but you both know that's what you mean. The man sighs. "Very well, madam. I shall make a note of your name, and you may go ahead and join the tour." [[You thank him and head inside.|Gallery1]] <<case 1>> "The exhibit will be open to the public soon," the man at the desk says. "Perhaps you can come back and see it then?" <<link [['"So just because some fool forgot to put my name on the list, I\'m to be kept from a tour I was invited to join?" (D)'|desk3]]>><<set $time += 1>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<link [['"I will certainly be reconsidering my support of the museum after this." (D)'|desk3]]>><<set $time += 1>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<link [['"Very well, I shall go home and tell my husband how shabbily I\'ve been treated here." (D)'|desk3]]>><<set $time += 1>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<case 2>> "It pains me, of course, to deny one of our generous patrons, but this tour is only open to those on the list." <<link [['"So just because some fool forgot to put my name on the list, I\'m to be kept from a tour I was invited to join?" (D)'|desk3]]>><<set $time += 1>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<link [['"I will certainly be reconsidering my support of the museum after this." (D)'|desk3]]>><<set $time += 1>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<link [['"Very well, I shall go home and tell my husband how shabbily I\'ve been treated here." (D)'|desk3]]>><<set $time += 1>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<case 3>> "No, of course not," he says. "That would be quite unreasonable." He hesitates, seeming unsure what to say next; you've really put him in a bind. <<link [['"So just because some fool forgot to put my name on the list, I\'m to be kept from a tour I was invited to join?" (D)'|desk3]]>><<set $time += 1>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<link [['"I will certainly be reconsidering my support of the museum after this." (D)'|desk3]]>><<set $time += 1>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<link [['"Very well, I shall go home and tell my husband how shabbily I\'ve been treated here." (D)'|desk3]]>><<set $time += 1>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<case 4>> The man sighs. "Very well, madam. I shall make a note of your name, and you may go ahead and join the tour." [[You thank him and head inside.|Gallery1]] <</switch>>

<<set $artPiecesCopy = $artPieces.shuffle()>> You join the tour group and follow along as it moves through the museum, at last reaching the room your target is in. As the public is not allowed in this wing yet, there are some preparations that you will make during this tour or not at all. <<if $time > 4>>You lost some time trying to talk your way in, so you may not be able to complete them all.<</if>> Your plan involves scaling the outside of the building and entering through an access hatch on the roof, so you don't want to be carrying much. To this end, you have a set of tools for removing the painting from its frame, including a gadget Gwen invented that she claims will roll the canvas up with minimal damage, that you would like to [[stash in the vicinity|tools1]]. Once you have the painting in hand, you'll want an exit route without so much climbing. There was a side door visible from outside, but nothing similar is visible from inside, so the side door must be accessible from some sort of staff-only area. It will be a job to [[convince someone to let you in|escaperoute1]], but you could try. There is also a guard accompanying the tour group. If you [[strike up a conversation with him|guard1]], you may learn more about how many guards are on duty at night and where they are. The tour is currently stopped in front of <<print $artPiecesCopy.pluck()>>.

<<set $talkGuide = true>> <<set $time += 1>> Looking around the room, you notice a largeish alcove that is currently roped off. It is comparatively bare, but contains <<print $artPiecesCopy.pluck()>> and a large statue of a lumpy-looking man that you think the tools could be easily concealed behind. While the group is observing <<print $artPiecesCopy.pluck()>> and talking amongst themselves, you point out the painting to the guide and ask about it. The guide, a plainly-dressed woman of about thirty, looks a bit surprised that one of the patrons is doing something other than nodding and murmuring approvingly. She has the air of a spinsterish academic -- which you don't mean as an insult; you can appreciate a bluestocking. You've appreciated some of them quite a bit in your day. "I'm sorry," the guide says, "that area is not set up yet, so it isn't part of our tour." <<link [['"But I\'d like to see that painting closer up! I\'m very impressed by the composition and, er, use of colour?" (L)'|tools2]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"You\'ve been doing such a wonderful job explaining all of these works; I wanted to know what you had to say about that one." (F)'|tools2]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"You\'ve invited us for a tour when you aren\'t even finished setting up? I must say, I expected better." (D)'|tools2]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>>

<<set $staffArea to true>> <<set $time += 1>> The door that probably leads to the staff-only area that probably leads to the side door out of the museum has a bored-looking employee standing next to it, not in the uniform of a guard. Presumably his usual job is not, in fact, guarding, but he has been pressed into service -- perhaps they couldn't convince extra guards to come in off-schedule? You glance around at the tour group; they seem occupied enough with the art that they won't notice if you slip away. You approach the not-a-guard and tell him that you feel faint and require some fresh air. "Museum entrance is that way," he says, gesturing in the vague direction of the front door. <<link [['"Couldn\'t you just let me out the side door?" (L)'|escaperoute2]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"You can\'t possibly expect me to walk all that way while I\'m feeling lightheaded!" (D)'|escaperoute2]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [[Stumble a little, as if you're about to swoon. (F)|escaperoute2]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>>

<<set $talkGuard = true>> <<set $time += 1>> As the group strolls along towards <<print $artPiecesCopy.pluck()>>, you turn to the guard who has been following alongside the tour. <<link [['"I must say, there seem to be rather few guards here. Is that usual?" (D)'|guard2]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"How do you like being a guard here?" (L)'|guard2]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Guarding these priceless works of art must be such an exciting job!" (F)'|guard2]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $strikes = 1>><</link>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> You are, of course, just throwing out terms you vaguely remember from the time you tried to pretend to be an art critic. "Really?" says the guide, sounding sceptical. "I don't find the use of colour particularly arresting, myself, though the composition is a little more unusual..." <<link '"It would be easier for me to form a reasonable opinion if I could actually //see// the painting." (D)' "tools3">><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Oh, really? How so?" (L)'|tools3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Well, you\'re the expert and I\'m just an amateur. Perhaps we could take a closer look at it and you could explain this further?" (F)'|tools3]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<case 1>> The guide flushes. "Oh! Thank you. It //is// a rather interesting piece..." She begins explaining the context of the piece and the techniques used in it. Her obvious passion for the subject charms you, and you're tempted to actually start discussing art with her, but you have to stay focused. <<link [['"Can we take a closer look? I\'m sure I\'m missing some of the details all the way over here." (F)'|tools3]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<link '"This is all very well and good, but it\'s not terribly interesting if I can\'t //see// the painting." (D)' "tools3">><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [[Just nod along. (L)|tools3]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<case 2>> "I'm sorry, madam," the guide says in clipped tones. She's clearly not as eager to please as the gentleman you spoke to earlier, and not very good at disguising her annoyance with high-handed donors. "We, of course, try to make the experience of our generous patrons as enjoyable as possible, but sometimes limitations of time and manpower interfere." <<link [['"That\'s a shame." (L)'|tools3]]>><<set $convVar = 4>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I suppose you can\'t help it, but I\'m still quite disappointed in the state of this museum." (D)'|tools3]]>><<set $convVar = 5>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'m sorry, that was rude of me. But I really would like to see the painting." (F)'|tools3]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> <<if $strikes >= 2>> "I'm sorry," she says, "it's out of the question. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to carry on with the tour." She ushers the group along to the next painting and begins her explanation of it. You're not going to convince her of anything now; you'll just have to find somewhere along the planned tour route to discreetly drop the tools. [[The tour continues...|Gallery2]] <<else>> "It seems fairly visible from here," the guide says drily. <<link '"I meant up close." (L)' "tools3">><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'m sorry, that was rude of me -- I just meant I feel I could better appreciate your explanation of it if I could see the details." (F)'|tools3]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<link [['"You\'re splitting hairs. Are you going to let me look at it or not?" (D)'|tools3]]<<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <</if>> <<case 1>> She begins rather a detailed explanation of the finer points of the piece's composition. Under other circumstances, this might be interesting, but it isn't very useful to you right now. <<link [['"How fascinating! But I think in order to truly understand, I need a closer look at the painting." (F)'|tools3]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<link [['"I don't know why you're bothering to tell me this if I can't go over there and see for myself." (L)'|tools3]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"So are you going to let me look at it or not?" (D)'|tools3]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<case 2>> "Yes," she says, "I suppose there are some details that are lost at this distance. All right, why not?" She leads you over to the alcove and unhooks the rope to [[let you through|tools4]]. <<case 3>> <<if $strikes >= 2>> "I'm sorry," she says, "it's out of the question. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to carry on with the tour." She ushers the group along to the next painting and begins her explanation of it. You're not going to convince her of anything now; you'll just have to find somewhere along the planned tour route to discreetly drop the tools. [[The tour continues...|Gallery2]] <<else>> You nod and wait for your opening to say something, but it really seems she could go on all day if you let her. The next time she pauses for breath, you interject. <<link [['"How fascinating! But I think in order to truly understand, I need a closer look at the painting." (F)'|tools3]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<link [['"I don't know why you're bothering to tell me this if I can't go over there and see for myself." (L)'|tools3]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"So are you going to let me look at it or not?" (D)'|tools3]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <</if>> <<case 4>> <<if $strikes >= 2>> "I'm sorry," she says, "it's out of the question. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to carry on with the tour." She ushers the group along to the next painting and begins her explanation of it. You're not going to convince her of anything now; you'll just have to find somewhere along the planned tour route to discreetly drop the tools. [[The tour continues...|Gallery2]] <<else>> "Isn't it just," she says drily. <<link [['"So are you going to let me look at that painting, then?" (L)'|tools3]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I still feel that as a patron of this museum, I should be allowed to look at whichever paintings I wish." (D)'|tools3]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link '"I really would like a closer look at that painting, though — I don\'t feel I can fully appreciate it from this distance." (F)'>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <</if>> <<case 5>> <<if $strikes >= 2>> "I'm sorry," she says, "it's out of the question. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to carry on with the tour." She ushers the group along to the next painting and begins her explanation of it. You're not going to convince her of anything now; you'll just have to find somewhere along the planned tour route to discreetly drop the tools. [[The tour continues...|Gallery2]] <<else>> "I'm very sorry the tour isn't to your liking," she says, although she doesn't sound especially sorry. You aren't going to get anywhere unless you change your approach. You apologize and tell her that you got a bit overexcited because you were so looking forward to this tour. "I see," she replies, guardedly. <<link [['"So are you going to let me look at that painting, then?" (L)'|tools3]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I still feel that as a patron of this museum, I should be allowed to look at whichever paintings I wish." (D)'|tools3]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link '"I really would like a closer look at that painting, though — I don\'t feel I can fully appreciate it from this distance." (F)'>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<set $strikes = 0>> <<if $time >= 7 or $talkGuide === true and $talkGuard === true and $staffArea === true>> "And that concludes our tour," says the guide. "We do hope you have enjoyed your visit." She doesn't add "If so, please give us a hefty donation, because it's really the least you can do to compensate for this hassle," but you get the impression that she's thinking it very loudly. Your opportunity for preparations is over; now all you can do is wait for [[nightfall|Day 2 - Night]]. <<else>> The tour group is standing in front of <<print $artPiecesCopy.pluck()>>. <<if $talkGuide === false>>You could try to find a place to [[stash the tools|tools1]]. <</if>> <<if $talkGuard === false>>You could [[talk to the guard|guard1]] to find out more about the museum's security. <</if>> <<if $staffArea === false>>You could [[try to get into the staff-only area|escaperoute1]] so that you can plan out your escape route.<</if>> <</if>>

<<set $tools to true>> Once in the alcove, it is time to make your move: you pretend to trip over the statue's base, and slide your case of tools behind it as you fall. The guide offers you a hand up; you get back to your feet and laugh about how clumsy you are. The two of you [[rejoin the tour|Gallery2]].

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> The man frowns. "How did you know about the side door?" Alas, you are so accustomed to noting all the entrances and exits of a building that sometimes you forget most people don't do that. You explain that you just so happened to notice it while you were on your way in. "Unfortunately," he says, "that door leads to an area that visitors are not allowed into." <<link [['"Why not?" (L)'|escaperoute3]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"That\'s hardly a reason to make a woman who is ill walk all the way back to the entrance!" (D)'|escaperoute3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link '"I don\'t think... that I can make it that far..." (F)' "escaperoute3">><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<case 1>> "I could escort you there, if that would help," he says. <<link [['"Why can\'t we just use the side door?" (L)'|escaperoute2]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Oh, no, I couldn\'t impose on you that much -- isn\'t there a nearer door?" (D)'|escaperoute3]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><</link>> <<link [['"Even then, I don\'t think... I could make it that far..." (F)'|escaperoute3]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<case 2>> He reaches out to steady you, looking concerned. "Perhaps we should just find you somewhere to sit down?" he suggests. Maybe you overdid it a little there -- you wouldn't want him to think that you can't even make it to the side door. <<link [['"Why can\'t we just use the side door?" (L)'|escaperoute2]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Well... perhaps I could sit for just a minute... but I do need fresh air." (F)'|escaperoute3]]>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<link [['"No, no, a bit of fresh air should set me to rights easily." (D)'|escaperoute3]]>><<set $convVar = 5>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "Because it's off-limits," he says, seeming not to notice the tautology. "Here -- I'll walk you to the entrance." He offers you his arm, and you have no choice but to take it and follow him to the front door. You don't linger long outside, but this whole affair has lost you some time, and you've lost your chance to scope out your escape route. <<set $time += 1>> Ah, well. [[On with the tour.|Gallery2]] <<case 1>> The man looks down at the floor. "Sorry, ma'am," he says. "There //is// a closer door... visitors aren't supposed to use it, but I suppose I could make an exception." <<set $convVar = 0>> He opens the door the two of you are standing in front of and [[ushers you through it|escaperoute4]]. <<case 2>> <<if $strikes >= 2>> "Oh, dear," says the man. "I think you ought to sit down." You try to assure him that you'll be right as rain if you can only go outside for a minute or two, but he seems too afraid that you might collapse en route to the door. You are forced to allow him to sit you down on a bench; at this point, convincing him that you are well enough to get up //but// not well enough to get to the front door //and// definitely still in need of fresh air seems a bit too complicated. You give up the side door for a lost cause and [[return to the tour|Gallery2]]. <<else>> "Oh, dear," says the man. His eyes dart around the room, as if he is hoping to see someone better equipped to handle this situation coming to rescue him. "Er, perhaps we should just find you somewhere to sit down?" <<link [['"Well... perhaps I could sit for just a minute... but I do need fresh air." (F)'|escaperoute3]]>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<link [['"No, no, a bit of fresh air should set me to rights easily." (D)'|escaperoute3]]>><<set $convVar = 5>><</link>> <</if>> <<case 3>> "Well, yes," he says. "But visitors aren't supposed to use it." You give him the most distraught look you can muster. "Though I'm sure it can't hurt to make an exception in this case," he adds quickly. <<set $convVar = 0>> He opens the door the two of you are standing in front of and [[ushers you through it|escaperoute4]]. <<case 4>> You allow him to lead you to a bench, where you sit for a minute before declaring yourself ready to go and get that fresh air. You've wasted a little more time than you'd like, but the situation is still salvageable. <<set $time += 1>> "Do you think you can make it to the front door now?" he asks. <<link '"Well, if I absolutely //had// to, but..." (F)' "escaperoute4">><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I doubt it. Isn\'t there a closer door?" (L)'|escaperoute3]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><</link>> <<link [['"How can you even ask me that, you brute?" (D)'|escaperoute4]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<case 5>> "Do you think you can make it to the front door, though?" he asks. <<link '"Well, if I absolutely //had// to, but..." (F)' "escaperoute4">><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I doubt it. Isn\'t there a closer door?" (L)'|escaperoute3]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><</link>> <<link [['"How can you even ask me that, you brute?" (D)'|escaperoute4]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> <<set $escapeRoute to true>> He helps you down the hall and through a room that seems to house paintings that are not currently on display, then through the side door to the outside. It's a simple enough route; remembering it won't be difficult. You take in the air for a minute or two, just long enough to be believable; then you go inside and [[rejoin the tour|Gallery2]]. <<case 1>> <<if $strikes >= 2>> He completely fails to take your hint. "I'll help you," he says, "and we can take it slowly." He offers you his arm, and you have no choice but to take it and follow him to the front door. You don't linger long outside, but this whole affair has lost you some time, and you've lost your chance to scope out your escape route. <<set $time += 1>> Ah, well. [[On with the tour.|Gallery2]] <<else>> "Well, yes," he says. "But visitors aren't supposed to use it." You give him the most distraught look you can muster. "Though I'm sure it can't hurt to make an exception in this case," he adds quickly. <<set $convVar = 0>> He opens the door the two of you are standing in front of and [[ushers you through it|escaperoute4]]. <</if>> <<case 2>> He frowns. "If you're that opposed to the idea, maybe you had better stay sitting." At this point, convincing him that you are well enough to get up //but// not well enough to get to the front door //and// definitely still in need of fresh air seems a bit too complicated. You give up the side door for a lost cause and [[return to the tour|Gallery2]]. <</switch>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> The guard bristles. "Of course not!" he says. "The museum's not usually open at this time of day. Well, it isn't open //now//, really, but you know what I mean. It's not quite our regular schedule." <<link [['"Well, it seems insufficient to me." (D)'|guard3]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"So there are usually this few when the museum isn\'t open?" (L)'|guard3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"It must be dreadfully dull being here when there aren\'t any visitors around." (F)'|guard3]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<case 1>> "It's not bad!" he says. "Well, it's a paycheck, at least, if not as big of a one as I'd like sometimes. You get extra if you do the late-night shift, but you couldn't pay me enough to be alone in this big old place at night." <<link [['"Alone?" (L)'|guard3]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><</link>> <<link [['"Having only one guard on at night seems like poor security to me." (D)'|guard3]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<link [['"Really? But you seem so brave!" (F)'|guard3]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 5>><</link>> <<case 2>> "Er, yes," he says. "I suppose. I mean, it's a paycheck, if not as big of a one as I'd like sometimes. You get extra if you do the late-night shift, but you couldn't pay me enough to be alone in this big old place at night." <<link [['"Alone?" (L)'|guard3]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><</link>> <<link [['"Having only one guard on at night seems like poor security to me." (D)'|guard3]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<link [['"Really? But you seem so brave!" (F)'|guard3]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 5>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "With all due respect, madam, if all you're going to do is talk about how us guards are doing our job wrong, I don't think I want to keep talking to you." Well, you can't say fairer than that -- clearly you've made some mistakes with your approach. You don't think you'll get much more out of him; you consider what to do next as you [[continue to follow the tour|Gallery2]]. <<case 1>> "Usually even fewer," he says. "There's only one guard here at night, but some of us on the morning shift come in a few hours before opening." <<link [['"So the one guard has to walk all around the museum by himself?" (L)'|guard4]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Having only one guard on at night seems like poor security to me." (D)'|guard3]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<link [['"And here I thought you\'d come in specially for us!" (F)'|guard4]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<case 2>> "Oh, it's not so bad," he says. "At least for those of us who are here in the morning, it's only a few hours. It's the fellows who are here overnight who really have the worst of it -- no other guards to keep them company, even." <<link [['"Having only one guard on at night seems like poor security to me." (D)'|guard3]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<link [['"So the one guard has to walk all around the museum by himself?" (L)'|guard4]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"So you\'re usually here this early? And here I thought you\'d come in specially for us!" (F)'|guard4]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar= 1>><</link>> <<case 3>> "Yes, they don't really need many people on duty when all the doors are locked and there are no visitors around to keep an eye on." <<link [['"So the one guard has to walk all around the museum by himself?" (L)'|guard4]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Having only one guard on at night seems like poor security to me." (D)'|guard3]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<link [['"But isn\'t night-time the most likely time for a thief to arrive?" (F)'|guard3]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<case 4>> <<if $strikes >= 2>> "With all due respect, madam, if all you're going to do is talk about how us guards are doing our job wrong, I don't think I want to keep talking to you." Well, you can't say fairer than that -- clearly you've made some mistakes with your approach. You don't think you'll get much more out of him; you consider what to do next as you [[continue to follow the tour|Gallery2]]. <<else>> "It's good enough when all the doors are locked and there are no visitors around to keep an eye on," he says. "We didn't have a night guard on at all until that 'Lady Thalia' business last year, but everything's been quiet since we added one." This is, of course, because you haven't tried anything between then and now, but best not to mention that. <<link [['"You made a wise choice, then!" (F)'|guard4]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I still think it seems insufficient." (D)'|guard3]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<link [['"So the one guard has to walk all around the museum by himself?" (L)'|guard4]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <</if>> <<case 5>> <<if $strikes >= 2>> "It's not that I'm //afraid//," he says, testily, "it's just dull with no one around to talk to, and it's a lot of ground to cover on your own. In any case," he adds, "you're distracting me from my work, so if you'd let me get back to it..." You apologise and leave him alone; clearly you've made some mistakes with your approach. You consider what to do next as you [[continue to follow the tour|Gallery2]]. <<else>> "It's not that I'm //afraid//," he says, testily, "it's just dull with no one around to talk to, and it's a lot of ground to cover on your own. Well, I suppose that's why most of the night shift fellows don't do rounds, even though they're told to." <<link [['"That doesn\'t seem terribly secure to me." (D)'|guard3]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<link [['"So they just stay in one place?" (L)'|guard4]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><</link>> <<link [['"How lazy of them! I\'m sure you\'d be more diligent than that." (F)'|guard4]]>><<set $convVar = 4>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <</if>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> <<set $guards to true>> "Well, he's supposed to," says the guard, "but most of 'em don't. They just stay at the guard station in the main hall, up by the front door." You're not sure if this is better or worse, for your purposes; a roaming guard is unpredictable, but in a building this size, your odds of crossing paths with him are not high. Meanwhile, your current route of entry does require that you cross through the main hall, meaning that encountering a guard is a near-certainty -- but at least this way you can prepare. You thank the guard for his time and [[continue with the tour|Gallery2]]. <<case 1>> "Er, no, I'm afraid not," he says. "Anyway, I should be focusing on my work, so if you'd let me get back to it..." You apologise and leave him alone; clearly you've made some mistakes with your approach. You consider what to do next as you [[continue to follow the tour|Gallery2]]. <<case 2>> "Well, er, not //me//, exactly," he says. "I meant 'we' as in, you know, the museum generally." The conversation comes to an awkward halt, and you can't quite figure out how to bring it back around to the topic of the night shift, so you decide your time would be better spent [[thinking of what to do next|Gallery2]]. <<case 3>> <<set $guards to true>> "Well, most of them," he says. "There's a guard station in the main hall, up by the front door, and generally they don't leave it unless something seems to be happening." You're not sure if this is better or worse, for your purposes; a roaming guard is unpredictable, but in a building this size, your odds of crossing paths with him are not high. Meanwhile, your current route of entry does require that you cross through the main hall, meaning that encountering a guard is a near-certainty -- but at least this way you can prepare. You thank the guard for his time and [[continue with the tour|Gallery2]]. <<case 4>> "My fellow guards are very fine workers," he says stiffly. The conversation comes to an awkward halt, and you can't quite figure out how to salvage it, so you decide your time would be better spent [[thinking of what to do next|Gallery2]]. <</switch>>

With the canister in place, you take out your grappling hook and begin scaling the building, carrying only the caricature of Lady Satterthwaite with which you are planning to replace her ancestor's portrait. (You drew it. It's hilarious, if you do say so yourself.) You reach the roof and enter the building with no unexpected difficulty; now you simply need to get to the painting (retrieving your tools along the way), remove it from its frame, and get out of the building. Well, you //hope// that "simply" is the right word here. <<if $guards is true and $guards2 is false>> Now you have to decide what to do about getting past the guard who's going to be in the main hall. You consulted the building plans this afternoon and figured out that you could avoid him entirely, but it will require crawling through some vents. If you don't want to bother with that, you can proceed to the main hall as planned and then distract or overpower him. <<link [[Go through the vents|museum2]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $finesse += 5>><<set $dealGuard = 0>><</link>> <<link [[Go to the main hall|museum1]]>><<set $guards2 to true>><</link>> <<elseif $guards is false>> When you reach the main hall, you hit your first unexpected snag: there's a guard here, sitting in a chair. He looks half asleep, but he is positioned in such a way that you would only be able to get past without him seeing you if he were //fully// asleep. The front desk is in the middle of the room towards the front -- downstage centre, as it were. Sticking to the perimeter of the room and moving as quietly as you can, you move around until it is blocking you from the guard's view, then approach the desk. There is a paperweight on it. You could throw this as far as possible in the direction you've just come from and wait for the guard to go investigate the noise. Or, if you're in too much of a hurry for that, you could just cosh him. <<link [[Distract him|museum2]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $slow += 1>><<set $finesse += 3>><<set $dealGuard = 1>><</link>> <<link [[Overpower him|museum2]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $messy += 1>><<set $finesse += 3>><<set $dealGuard = 2>><</link>> <<else>> You approach the main room and peer in, spotting the guard on the far side of the room. He looks half asleep, but he is positioned in such a way that you would only be able to get past without him seeing you if he were //fully// asleep. The front desk is in the middle of the room towards the front -- downstage centre, as it were. Sticking to the perimeter of the room and moving as quietly as you can, you move around until it is blocking you from the guard's view, then approach the desk. There is a paperweight on it. You could throw this as far as possible in the direction you've just come from and wait for the guard to go investigate the noise. Or, if you're in too much of a hurry for that, you could just cosh him. <<link [[Distract him|museum2]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $slow += 1>><<set $finesse += 3>><<set $dealGuard = 1>><</link>> <<link [[Overpower him|museum2]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $messy += 1>><<set $finesse += 3>><<set $dealGuard = 2>><</link>> <</if>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> You don't //love// crawling through vents, but oh well, needs must. You find a convenient entry point and wriggle inside. It's a rather tight fit, but you make it to your target room without being in serious danger of getting stuck -- though it's still a relief to [[get out of there|museum3]]. <<case 1>> You fling the paperweight as hard as you can towards the side of the room that you're not currently trying to reach. Dozy as he is, it seems to take the guard a moment to register the resulting crash (you hope you haven't knocked over anything important), but eventually he gets to his feet and starts in the direction of the noise. Once he's past the desk, you hurry across the room to [[the exit|museum3]]. <<case 2>> You work your way around behind the guard. By the time he hears you and starts to turn around in his chair, he's within striking distance. (It's lucky he's sitting down; it would be awkward to try to hit someone over the head who is taller than you.) You hope that you haven't seriously injured him, but you can worry about that later. Right now, you must press on until you [[reach your target| museum3]]. <</switch>>

<<if $tools === true>> You head straight for the painting, retrieving your tools on the way. <<else>> You make a small detour to retrieve your tools, then head over to the painting. <<set $slow += 1>><</if>> You quickly and efficiently remove the portrait from its frame and use Gwen's strange gadget to roll it into a cylinder. (You hope she was right about its ability to do so without causing damage.) You then unroll your caricature and place it in the frame in the portrait's stead. Hanging the frame back up, you contemplate your exit. <<if $escapeRoute === true>>It should be simple -- through the door over there, down the hall, through that painting storage room, and out the side door, where Gwen should be waiting for you on her motorcycle. You don't want to celebrate prematurely, but this has all gone rather smoothly so far. <<else>> You didn't get to see where the side door was<<if $guards === true>> (and you quite forgot to look it up on the floorplan)<</if>>, but you're reasonably certain it's through that staff-only area, and with a bit of poking around, you should be able to find it. <</if>> The door is locked, but it's not an especially //good// lock; your lockpicks make quick work of it. You open the door and [[step through it|museum4]].

<<if $escapeRoute === true>> You remember exactly the route you took earlier, and follow it without difficulty. It's when you reach the storage room that the difficulty comes in. The first thing you notice is that the lights are on, even though the museum should be empty (but for the guard out front). Then you see a woman leaning against the door to the outside. A tall, curly-haired, and very smug-looking woman. <<else>> You have to wander a little, but eventually you reach a room that seems to house paintings that are not currently on display. From the doorway to this room, you can see the door to the outside. You can see it quite clearly, in fact, because the lights are on. Unfortunately, someone is standing in between you and it: a tall, curly-haired, and very smug-looking woman. <<set $slow += 1>> <</if>> You would recognise her anywhere: Margaret "Melpomene" Williams, Scotland Yard's pet art expert, and the woman who has made it her mission to bring you to justice. Which is a shame; you think the two of you might get along splendidly, otherwise. She clearly disagrees -- her body language makes it clear that you’re not getting out of here without a fight. You rapidly reevaluate your options. There is a window on the left wall, closer than the door; you could get out that way. That seems like the best option, if you can manage it. There is also a table in front of you; if you tipped it towards you and went back out the hall door, the obstacle should slow Melpomene down while you run for a different exit. That will be easier, but it will also leave you a little farther from your getaway driver than you like. And as a very last resort, you have a cigarette lighter (another one of those very handy new inventions) on you, as well as a piece of paper<<if $guards === true>> (in fact, it's the little map of the ventilation system that you drew yourself)<</if>>. If you lit the paper on fire and dropped it near the paintings, you know Mel would prioritize saving the art over collaring you. But before you can do any of that, [[you need to distract Mel|museum5]].

Mel has a temper, and if you can make her angry enough, that should give you the opening you need. However, you'll have to take care not to make her //too// angry, or she'll just go on the attack. Complicating the issue further, your normal Theory of Getting People to Do What You Want is designed to //avoid// making people angry, so you can't fall back on your usual approaches. "What are you doing skulking around the museum at this time of night?" she says, standing up straight. There is a pair of handcuffs on her belt -- you'll have to be careful, lest she feel tempted to use them. <<link [['"I don\'t think that\'s any of your business."'|museum6]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $time += 1>><<set $melAnger += 1>><</link>> <<link '"What are //you// doing skulking around the museum at this time of night?"' "museum6">><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $time += 1>><<set $melAnger += 2>><</link>> <<link [['"Here all by yourself? One might think you wanted to be alone with me."'|museum6]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $time += 1>><<set $melAnger += 3>><</link>>

You lunge for the window, and Mel is just slightly too slow to stop you. It's a short dash around the corner to where Gwen is waiting; with Mel hard on your heels, you forego retrieving the canister and hop into the sidecar. Gwen accelerates away, leaving Mel standing in the street. <<set $finesse += 5>> <<set $escapeMethod = 0>> <<if $messy >= 2 or $slow >= 2>><<set $finesse -= 2>><</if>> That wasn't quite how you hoped this would go, but all's well that ends well, isn't it? And you do rather enjoy winding Melpomene up. You wonder, though, how this will be [[written up in the news tomorrow|Day 2 - Score]].

<<if $time >= 5 or $melAnger <= 4 or $museumEnd === true>> At this point you have to admit that you haven't gotten the rise out of Mel that you hoped to get, and this whole thing is taking too long. You'll have to go with a backup plan. <</if>> <<set $slow += 1>> <<set $finesse += 3>> <<set $escapeMethod = 1>> <<if $messy >= 2 or $slow >= 2>><<set $finesse -= 2>><</if>> You send the table crashing to the floor and back out into the hallway. You duck into the next room over -- fortunately, it has a window you can fling yourself out of. You have to sprint a bit to get to where Gwen is waiting on her motorcycle; you spare a wistful thought for the canister that the painting was supposed to go in, but there's no time for that now. As you haul yourself into the sidecar, dishevelled and out of breath, Gwen raises an eyebrow at you. "Things didn't go quite to plan, I see." You tell her, in no uncertain terms, to shut up and get you both out of there. Goodness knows how //this// is going to be [[written up in the news tomorrow|Day 2 - Score]].

<<if $melAnger > 8>> Mel lunges at you, and all you have time to do before she reaches you is touch the lighter to the crumpled-up piece of paper and drop the paper on the floor. <<else>> You touch the lighter to the crumpled-up piece of paper and drop the paper on the floor. <</if>> <<set $messy += 1>> <<set $finesse += 3>> <<set $escapeMethod = 2>> <<if $messy >= 2 or $slow >= 2>><<set $finesse -= 2>><</if>> As you expected, Mel's attention immediately shifts to the fire. You run past her and out the door, where Gwen is indeed waiting on her motorcycle. You're not sure how much time you've bought yourself this way, but you risk grabbing the canister and sliding the painting into it -- you don't want to damage more art than is strictly necessary. Then, hopping into the motorcycle's sidecar, you instruct Gwen to get you out of here as fast as possible. Goodness knows how //this// is going to be [[written up in the news tomorrow|Day 2 - Score]].

Moving slowly so as not to draw attention to what your hands are doing, you pull the paper out of your pocket, but you can see Mel watching you closely, tensed and ready to spring. She isn't distracted enough yet.<<set $time += 1>> <<return>>

You take a cautious step towards the window, but you can see Mel watching you closely, tensed and ready to spring. She isn't distracted enough yet. <<set $time += 1>> <<return>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "Oh, I think it is," she says, smirking. You hate when she does that. <<case 1>> She opens her mouth and then shuts it again. "I was waiting for you." This implies that she knows perfectly well what you were doing here, but you don't point that out. <<case 2>> "Well, one would be wrong," she snaps. Oh, //that// touched a nerve. <</switch>> "I see you have something under your arm," she continues. "What is it?" <<link [['"Why don't you come a little closer and see for yourself?"'|museum7]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $melAnger += 3>><<set $time += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Do you really think I would tell you? I\'m not stupid, Mel."'|museum7]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $melAnger += 2>><<set $time += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Oh, go to hell!"'|museum7]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $melAnger += 1>><<set $time += 1>><</link>> <<choice [[Go for the window|notyetwindow]]>> <<choice [[Set a fire|notyetfire]]>> <<choice [[Flip the table|table]]>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> Her face goes red. "I- I most certainly will not!" she says. "That is, er -- I would be a fool to get close enough that you could injure me." <<if $melAnger <= 3>> She doesn't seem as irate as you hoped she would be by now. <<elseif $melAnger > 3 and $melAnger < 6>> She's definitely getting rather cross. <<elseif $melAnger === 6>> She's clearly fuming. You'll have to be careful not to push her too far. <</if>> <<link '"Yes, I suppose even you aren\'t //that// much of a fool."' "museum8">><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $time += 1>><<set $melAnger += 2>><</link>> <<link [['"I promise you, I have no ulterior motives. Well, not that kind."'|museum8]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $time += 1>><<set $melAnger += 3>><</link>> <<link [['"So you\'re a coward, then."'|museum8]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $time += 1>><<set $melAnger += 1>><</link>> <<case 1>> "My name," she says, "is not 'Mel'. It's Margaret -- well, 'Miss Williams' to you." <<if $melAnger <= 3>> She doesn't seem as irate as you hoped she would be by now. <<elseif $melAnger > 3 and $melAnger < 6>> She's definitely getting rather cross. <<elseif $melAnger === 6>> She's clearly fuming. You'll have to be careful not to push her too far. <</if>> <<link [['"Very well — I\'m not stupid, Miss Williams."'|museum8]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><<set $time += 1>><<set $melAnger += 2>><</link>> <<link [['"Oh? I had hoped we were on a first-name basis by now, with how much we\'ve been seeing of each other."'|museum8]]>><<set $convVar = 4>><<set $time += 1>><<set $melAnger += 3>><</link>> <<link [['"Honestly, I don\'t care what your name is."'|museum8]]>><<set $convVar = 5>><<set $time += 1>><<set $melAnger += 1>><</link>> <<case 2>> "I'm surprised to hear such language from a //lady//," she says. <<if $melAnger <= 3>> She doesn't seem as irate as you hoped she would be by now. <<elseif $melAnger > 3 and $melAnger < 6>> She's definitely getting rather cross. <<elseif $melAnger === 6>> She's clearly fuming. You'll have to be careful not to push her too far. <</if>> <<link [['"Oh, I have many surprising qualities, once you get to know me."'|museum8]]>><<set $convVar = 6>><<set $time += 1>><<set $melAnger += 3>><</link>> <<link [['"Do you think I\'m actually a lady, then? Not simply a common criminal aspiring to the title?"'|museum8]]>><<set $convVar = 7>><<set $time += 1>><<set $melAnger += 2>><</link>> <<link [['"I don\'t give a damn about what surprises you."'|museum8]]>><<set $convVar = 8>><<set $time += 1>><<set $melAnger += 1>><</link>> <</switch>> <<if $melAnger <= 5>>[[Go for the window|notyetwindow]]<<else>>[[Go for the window|window]]<</if>> <<if $melAnger <= 5>><<choice [[Set a fire|notyetfire]]>><<else>>[[Set a fire|fire]]<</if>> <<choice [[Flip the table|table]]>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "How //very// gracious of you," she snaps. <<case 1>> "I- I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about," she sputters. <<case 2>> "Rather a live coward than a dead fool," she says, which you can tell she thinks is //very// suave, but she can't keep the anger out of her voice entirely. <<case 3>> This seems to throw her a bit. "Well, regardless," she says after a moment, "I very much doubt that's your property. <<case 4>> She blushes furiously (and you do mean //furiously//). "I have no desire to be on a first-name basis with a criminal." (You are rather sceptical of this.) <<case 5>> "Ah, but I care what yours is," she says "I care very much." It's almost sweet of her. <<case 6>> Her face has gone //quite// red. "I have absolutely no intention of getting to know you," she says. <<case 7>> "Whatever your background, you //are// a criminal," she says. "Though hardly a common one." Ah, a compliment! How touching. <<case 8>> "Not much of a comeback," she says. "I think you're losing your edge." <</switch>> <<if $time >= 5>> <<include "table">> <<elseif $melAnger > 7>> <<include "fire">> <</if>> <<if $time < 5 and $melAnger <= 7>> <<link [['"Don\'t you think it\'s about time we end this farce?"'|museumend]]>><<set $melAnger += 1>><<set $museumEnd = true>><</link>> <<link [['"Really, why must we fight? I\'m sure we could be great friends, you and I."'|museumend]]>><<set $melAnger += 3>><<set $museumEnd = true>><</link>> <<link [['"It\'s honestly adorable how hard you\'re trying to keep up."'|museumend]]>><<set $melAnger += 2>><<set $museumEnd = true>><</link>> <<if $melAnger <= 5>><<choice [[Go for the window|notyetwindow]]>><<else>>[[Go for the window|window]]<</if>> <<if $melAnger <= 5>><<choice [[Set a fire|notyetfire]]>><<else>>[[Set a fire|fire]]<</if>> [[Flip the table|table]] <</if>>

<<if $melAnger > 8>> <<goto "fire">> <<else>> <<goto "table">> <</if>>

<<if visited() === 4>><<set $lettering = true>><</if>> The code is: ''4 - 16 - 3'' ''84 - 9 - 5'' ''109 - 30 - 9'' ''17 - 27 - 4'' <<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> The beginning of Page 4 reads: "... blackletter was beginning to appear in England around this time. There are a number of schools of thought regarding..." <<case 1>> The beginning of Page 84 reads: "... cram the rest of the text in. Some accounts state that scribes would..." <<case 2>> The beginning of Page 109 reads: "... end of this period, most commonly used //textualis//, a form characterised by its tall, angular letters. However, this was not as widespread as it later became. As John Michael Callender wrote in his study..." <<case 3>> The beginning of Page 17 reads: "... as I come to the end of this introduction, I must thank you for choosing to read my humble book. Those of us who lament the death of this unique art form..." <</switch>> <<link [[Return|books2]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>>

<<if visited() === 4>><<set $characteristics = true>><</if>> The code is: ''4 - 16 - 3'' ''84 - 9 - 5'' ''109 - 30 - 9'' ''17 - 27 - 4'' <<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> The beginning of Page 4 reads: "... that this work will go some little way to address the shocking lack of scholarly resources on this topic. In this volume, therefore..." . <<case 1>> The beginning of Page 84 reads: "... in southern England at this time, used not black ink but brown for its outlines. The muddy colour and shaky lines were markedly inferior to..." <<case 2>> The beginning of Page 109 reads: "... during the reign of Alfred the Great. The influence of the Carolingian style on the Winchester school of English illuminated manuscripts can be clearly seen when looking at the Benedictional of St. Æthelwold, which..." <<case 3>> The beginning of Page 17 reads: "... ... some of the finest examples of illumination in all of history, although -- alas! -- the manuscripts produced in England specifically were of uneven quality and often were simply not comparable to those of our French neighbours..." <</switch>> <<link [[Return|books2]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>>

<<if visited() === 4>><<set $carolingian = true>><</if>> The code is: ''4 - 16 - 3'' ''84 - 9 - 5'' ''109 - 30 - 9'' ''17 - 27 - 4'' <<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> The beginning of Page 4 reads: "... in the eighth and ninth centuries was a time of great artistic innovation and societal reform. One of the most notable products of this era..." <<case 1>> The beginning of page 84 reads: "... reproduction of which may be seen below. The rabbit in the image is representative of..." <<case 2>> The beginning of page 109 reads: "... one of its most stunning examples in the Evangeliary of Lothair. This volume, created in a workshop at Tours Cathedral, is over two hundred pages long, written in a sumptuous gold ink..." <<case 3>> "... the Caroline minuscule, which was part of an effort to improve literacy through the creation of a form of lettering that was easier to read. Charlemagne's wish to..." <</switch>> <<link [[Return|books2]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>>

<<set _answer = " ">> <<textbox "_answer" "">> <<button "Check">> <<if _answer is "">> /% They have not supplied an answer. %/ <<script>>UI.alert("You did not supply a password!");<</script>> <<else>> /% Remove extra white space from both ends of the answer then convert it to lowercase. %/ <<set _answer to _answer.trim().toLowerCase()>> /% Check if one of the correct answers was supplied, otherwise send them to the Start passage. %/ <<if _answer is "skip" and $tries === 0>> <<set $finesse += 5>><<set $libraryDoor = 0>><<set $convVar = 0>> <<goto "BookRoom">> <<elseif _answer is "skip" and $tries === 1>> <<set $finesse += 3>><<set $libraryDoor = 1>><<set $convVar = 1>> <<goto "BookRoom">> <<elseif _answer isnot "skip" and $tries === 0>> <<set $slow += 1>><<set $tries = 1>> <<replace '#textbox-reply'>> You try the handle, but the door is still locked. You must have got the wrong password. <</replace>> <<else>> <<replace '#textbox-reply'>> You try the handle, but the door is still locked. You must have got the wrong password. <</replace>> <</if>> <</if>> <</button>> [[Look at the books again|books]] <<link [[Give up and force the door|BookRoom]]>><<set $finesse += 3>><<set $messy += 1>><<set $libraryDoor = 2>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>>

<<set $strikes = 0>> <<if $talkLady === false>>[[Lady Satterthwaite]] is here, of course, presiding over the goings-on with a glass of lemonade or something in her hand. <</if>> <<if $talkMel === false>>Surprisingly, [[Mel]] is also here, though she looks a bit as though she'd rather not be. It's a bit risky, but you've enjoyed talking to her in your civilian identity, as it were, in the past. <</if>> <<if $searchHouse === true and $talkKitchen === true and $talkLady === true and $talkMel === true>> <<goto "partyend">> <<elseif $talkLady === true and $talkMel === true>> You can't think of anything else to do in the garden. <</if>> You could go [[inside]].

<<set $strikes = 0>> <<if $searchHouse === false>>You feel it would be a good idea to [[look around the house|search1]] and try to get a sense of where everything is. You've heard Lady Satterthwaite is keeping the sapphires somewhere in her bedroom. You also happen to know that the bedroom is usually locked, so if you could get the key, that would be nice. <</if>> <<if $talkKitchen === false>>You see a [[harried-looking young woman|kitchenmaid1]] in the kitchen, washing dishes. You wonder if perhaps she could be convinced to help cover your escape. <</if>> <<if $searchHouse === true and $talkKitchen === true and $talkLady === true and $talkMel === true>> <<goto "partyend">> <<elseif $searchHouse === true and $talkKitchen === true>> You can't think of anything else to do in the house. <</if>> You could go back [[outside]].

You think you've done all you can at this party. You make your excuses -- you //may// have implied you've caught a chill, just to make Lady S feel bad about hosting a garden party at this time of year -- and leave. You will, of course, be back [[tonight|Day 3 - Night]].

<<set $searchHouse = true>> Glancing around to make sure the coast is clear, you tread quietly up the stairs and make your way down the hall, opening doors and peering into them to see what's what. Halfway down the hall, however, you nearly run into an older man -- probably a butler -- coming out of one of the rooms. He looks you up and down with clear disapproval. "And //what//, may I ask," he says, "are you doing up here?" <<link [['"I think I dropped something up here while I was visiting Lady Satterthwaite last week." (F)'|search2]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"And what business is it of yours?" (D)'|search2]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Oh, I\'m just a bit lost..." (L)'|search2]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>>

<<set $talkKitchen = true>> No one is at their best when they're up to their elbows in dishwater, but even so, the maid is a striking woman, with high cheekbones and a Roman nose. Her olive skin seems a bit sallow, though, as if she hasn't been getting enough sun in the English winter. "Can I help you, ma'am?" she says, without looking up. <<link [['"That\'s what I\'m wondering, myself." (L)'|kitchenmaid2]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I thought you might like the company. This seems like tedious work." (F)'|kitchenmaid2]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"What do you think of Lady Satterthwaite, as an employer?" (D)'|kitchenmaid2]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "Is it important? I'm a bit busy here, as you can see," she says, waving a soapy plate in your general direction. <<link [['"Of course it\'s important!" (D)'|kitchenmaid3]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'m sorry, I just had a small question..." (L)'|kitchenmaid3]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Well, it\'s not something you would have to do right now." (F)'|kitchenmaid3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<case 1>> This surprises a laugh out of the maid. "Might like the company! You're an odd one, ma'am, and no mistake." <<link [['"Thank you! I do my best to be." (F)'|kitchenmaid3]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<link [['"So, about Lady Satterthwaite..." (L)'|kitchenmaid3]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><</link>> <<link [['"That\'s rather rude of you." (D)'|kitchenmaid3]]>><<set $convVar = 4>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<case 2>> The maid narrows her eyes. "Is this some kind of a... a trick? Did she send you to test my loyalty?" <<link [['"Of course not! What do you take me for?" (D)'|kitchenmaid3]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Is that the kind of thing she does?" (L)'|kitchenmaid3]]>><<set $convVar = 5>><</link>> <<link '"Goodness, no, I wouldn\'t do //her// a favour like that." (F)' "kitchenmaid3">><<set $convVar = 6>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> The maid presses her lips together. "I actually am quite busy right now," she says. "I'm afraid I don't think I can help you." Well, you know when you're not wanted. You'll have to find [[something else to do|inside]]. <<case 1>> "Oh?" says the maid, with a hint of a smile. "Now I'm intrigued." <<link [['"I\'d like you to do something for me later tonight..." (L)'|kitchenmaid4]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"I need you to help me give Lady Sattherthwaite what\'s coming to her." (D)'|kitchenmaid4]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Excellent! I just need you to provide a small distraction." (F)'|kitchenmaid4]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<case 2>> "Well, you're doing splendidly," she says. "So what is it that you want?" <<link [['"I\'d like you to do something for me later tonight..." (L)'|kitchenmaid4]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"I need you to help me give Lady Sattherthwaite what\'s coming to her." (D)'|kitchenmaid4]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I just need you to provide a small distraction." (F)'|kitchenmaid4]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<case 3>> The maid frowns. "What //about// Lady Satterthwaite?" <<link [['"What do you think of her?" (L)'|kitchenmaid4]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'m sure she doesn\'t appreciate you as you deserve." (F)'|kitchenmaid4]]>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<link [['"She\'s awful, and I need you to help me give her what\'s coming to her." (D)'|kitchenmaid4]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<case 4>> The maid scowls. "Don't know why I thought you'd be any different from the others," she says under her breath. Well, you know when you're not wanted. You'll have to find [[something else to do|inside]]. <<case 5>> "Well, not that I know of," says the maid, "but I wouldn't put it past her." <<link [['"So you\'re not fond of her?" (L)'|kitchenmaid4]]>><<set $convVar = 5>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'m sure she doesn\'t appreciate you as you deserve." (F)'|kitchenmaid4]]>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<link [['"She\'s awful, and I need you to help me give her what\'s coming to her." (D)'|kitchenmaid4]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<case 6>> The maid snorts. "You like her about as well as I do, I see." <<link [['"So you\'re not fond of her?" (L)'|kitchenmaid4]]>><<set $convVar = 5>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'m sure she doesn\'t appreciate you as you deserve." (F)'|kitchenmaid4]]>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<link [['"She\'s awful, and I need you to help me give her what\'s coming to her." (D)'|kitchenmaid4]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> <<if $strikes >= 2>> The maid presses her lips together. "I actually am quite busy right now," she says. "I'm afraid I don't think I can help you." Well, you know when you're not wanted. You'll have to find [[something else to do|inside]]. <<else>> The maid raises an eyebrow. "What are you implying?" You assure her it's nothing untoward. You simply need her, at a certain time later tonight, to cause a little distraction. "What sort of a distraction?" she asks. <<link [['"Any sort you like." (L)'|kitchenmaid5]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I just need a few guards to be otherwise occupied for five or ten minutes." (F)'|kitchenmaid5]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Can\'t you just think of something yourself? It\'s not hard." (D)'|kitchenmaid5]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <</if>> <<case 1>> <<if $strikes >= 2>> The maid presses her lips together. "I actually am quite busy right now," she says. "I'm afraid I don't think I can help you." Well, you know when you're not wanted. You'll have to find [[something else to do|inside]]. <<else>> The maid looks around the kitchen in alarm. "Not so //loud//!" she hisses. The other servants flitting in and out don't seem to have heard, but you admit you see her point. She sighs. "I would like to help you," she says, "but you're going to have to be a little more discreet." You explain that you are playing a prank of sorts on Lady Satterfield this evening, and you would like someone to provide a little distraction. "What sort of a distraction?" she asks. <<link [['"Any sort you like." (L)'|kitchenmaid5]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I just need a few guards to be otherwise occupied for five or ten minutes." (F)'|kitchenmaid5]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Can\'t you just think of something yourself? It\'s not hard." (D)'|kitchenmaid5]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <</if>> <<case 2>> <<if $strikes >= 2>> The maid presses her lips together. "I actually am quite busy right now," she says. "I'm afraid I don't think I can help you." Well, you know when you're not wanted. You'll have to find [[something else to do|inside]]. <<else>> "I'm not sure what I expected," she says, "but it certainly wasn't that. What sort of a distraction?" <<link [['"Any sort you like." (L)'|kitchenmaid5]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I just need a few guards to be otherwise occupied for five or ten minutes." (F)'|kitchenmaid5]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Can\'t you just think of something yourself? It\'s not hard." (D)'|kitchenmaid5]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <</if>> <<case 3>> <<if $strikes >= 2>> The maid presses her lips together. "I actually am quite busy right now," she says. "I'm afraid I don't think I can help you." Well, you know when you're not wanted. You'll have to find [[something else to do|inside]]. <<else>> <</if>> "Look," says the maid, "either come to the point or leave me alone. I really am quite busy." You apologize and explain that you are playing a prank of sorts on Lady Satterthwaite, and you just want her to provide a small distraction. "What sort of a distraction?" she asks. <<link [['"Any sort you like." (L)'|kitchenmaid5]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I just need a few guards to be otherwise occupied for five or ten minutes." (F)'|kitchenmaid5]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Can\'t you just think of something yourself? It\'s not hard." (D)'|kitchenmaid5]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<case 4>> <<if $strikes >= 2>> The maid presses her lips together. "I actually am quite busy right now," she says. "I'm afraid I don't think I can help you." Well, you know when you're not wanted. You'll have to find [[something else to do|inside]]. <<else>> "Hah!" says the maid. "You could say that. That is, it's not that I see much of her; I take my direct orders from Cook, not from her. But whenever she //does// take it into her head to come down to the kitchen, she's a terror. Whatever any of us is doing, it's all wrong, to hear her tell it." You ask the maid whether Lady Satterthwaite seems to dislike her in particular, or if she treats all the staff like this. "To dislike me in particular she'd have to remember who I was from one time to the next," says the maid. "I don't think she even knows my name." <<link [['"What is your name?" (F)'|kitchenmaid4]]>><<set $convVar = 6>><</link>> <<link [['"Right, well, I need you to help me give her what she deserves." (D)'|kitchenmaid4]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"So, I need someone to provide a small distraction..." (L)'|kitchenmaid4]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <</if>> <<case 5>> <<if $strikes >= 2>> The maid presses her lips together. "I actually am quite busy right now," she says. "I'm afraid I don't think I can help you." Well, you know when you're not wanted. You'll have to find [[something else to do|inside]]. <<else>> "I should say not," she says. "But -- look, what are you driving at? I don't have all day, you know." You apologize and explain that you are playing a prank of sorts on Lady Satterthwaite, and you just want her to provide a small distraction. "What sort of a distraction?" she asks. <<link [['"Any sort you like." (L)'|kitchenmaid5]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I just need a few guards to be otherwise occupied for five or ten minutes." (F)'|kitchenmaid5]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Can\'t you just think of something yourself? It\'s not hard." (D)'|kitchenmaid5]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <</if>> <<case 6>> "Ellen, ma'am," she says, going a little pink. "It's nice of you to ask -- that is, I'm not sure even Cook bothers to remember it half the time." You tell her your own name, Theodora, and proceed to explain that you are playing a prank of sorts on Lady Satterthwaite this evening and would like someone to provide a small distraction. "What sort of a distraction?" she asks. <<link [['"Any sort you like." (L)'|kitchenmaid5]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I just need a few guards to be otherwise occupied for five or ten minutes." (F)'|kitchenmaid5]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Can\'t you just think of something yourself? It\'s not hard." (D)'|kitchenmaid5]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<if $strikes >= 2>> "Well, if you're going to be so uselessly vague, I'm not going to do anything," she says. Well, you know when you're not wanted. Having given away this much of your plan, you hand the maid a coin and promise her another tomorrow if it's clear she hasn't told anyone about this conversation. In the meantime, you'll have to find [[something else to do|inside]]. <<else>> <<set $distraction = true>> <<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "That's not very helpful," she says reproachfully. "But all right, I'll think of something." You relate the pertinent details, hand her a coin, and promise her another once she does her part. Then you consider [[what to do next|inside]]. <<case 1>> "Hmm," she says. "Yes, I think I can do that. If I pretend to have turned my ankle or some such, I'm sure the big, strong men--" she says this part with heavy irony-- "will come running to help me." "You know," she adds after a moment, "I always did dream of a career in the theatre." You let her know that if she is ever seriously considering this career change, there are people you could introduce her to. Then you relate the pertinent details of your plan, hand her a coin and promise her another once she does her part, and consider [[what to do next|inside]]. <<case 2>> "That's not very helpful," she says reproachfully. "And you didn't have to be so //rude// about it. But all right, I'll think of something." You relate the pertinent details, hand her a coin, and promise her another once she does her part. Then you consider [[what to do next|inside]]. <</switch>> <</if>>

<<set $talkLady = true>> You approach Lady Satterthwaite, who plasters on the most obviously fake smile you've ever seen. "Theodora!" she says. "//So// glad you could come." <<link '"Thank you, Augusta. //So// kind of you to invite me." (F)' "lady2">><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I don\'t believe we are on a first-name basis." (D)'|lady2]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Ah, but what I\'m truly looking forward to is the party tomorrow." (L)'|lady2]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>>

<<set $talkMel = true>> You approach Mel, who doesn't seem particularly enthused but also doesn't make any attempt to avoid you. "Lovely weather we're having," she says, gesturing at the greyish sky. <<link [['"Well, it could be worse." (D)'|Mel2]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"What brings you to this party?" (L)'|Mel2]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I didn\'t think you were the type to attend an event like this." (F)'|Mel2]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "Right," she says, "it could be raining. Still, it's not much of a reward for a job well done -- but then, I suppose it wasn't that well done, in the end." <<link [['"What job?" (D)'|Mel3]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"A reward?" (L)'|Mel3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Well, I suppose we should count our blessings." (F)'|Mel3]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<case 1>> "Lady Satterthwaite //graciously// invited me in repayment for a favour." <<link [['"A favour?" (L)'|Mel3]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link '"She is //so// generous, isn\'t she." (F)' "Mel3">><<set $convVar = 3>><</link>> <<link [['"Not much of a reward, is it?" (D)'|Mel3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<case 2>> "I'm not," she says, "usually. Lady Satterthwaite graciously extended me an invitation, just this once, since I did her a favour." <<link [['"A favour?" (L)'|Mel3]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link '"She is //so// generous, isn\'t she." (F)' "Mel3">><<set $convVar = 3>><</link>> <<link [['"Not much of a reward, is it?" (D)'|Mel3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "It was to do with that museum theft on Wednesday. Lady S got the wind up after the business with the manuscript, and she suspected the painting might be next. She asked me to keep an eye on it. For all the good that did." She sighs. Seeing her look so despondent about it, you feel a little ashamed of yourself. <<link [['"I\'m sure you did your best." (F)'|Mel4]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Don\'t feel too bad -- that Lady Thalia is a genius of crime." (This doesn\'t exactly fit your usual approaches; you just can\'t resist.)'|Mel4]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"How did you become an... an art detective, anyway?" (L)'|Mel4]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<case 1>> "Yes -- it's not much of a one, but I suppose I don't deserve anything better, really. I didn't protect that painting, in the end." Mel looks surprisingly despondent. You feel a little ashamed of yourself. <<link [['"I\'m sure you did your best." (F)'|Mel4]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Don\'t feel too bad — that Lady Thalia is a genius of crime." (This doesn\'t exactly fit your usual approaches; you just can\'t resist.)'|Mel4]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"How did you become an... an art detective, anyway?" (L)'|Mel4]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<case 2>> Mel laughs. "I don't know about that -- if it were raining, at least I would have an excuse to leave." Then her expression turns serious. "I suppose this is fair punishment for having failed to stop Lady Thalia, though." Seeing her look so despondent about it, you feel a little ashamed of yourself. <<link [['"I\'m sure you did your best." (F)'|Mel4]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Don\'t feel too bad — that Lady Thalia is a genius of crime." (This doesn\'t exactly fit your usual approaches; you just can\'t resist.)'|Mel4]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"How did you become an... an art detective, anyway?" (L)'|Mel4]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<case 3>> "Terribly," Mel drawls. "//Unspeakably//, even." Then her expression turns serious. "I suppose this is fair punishment for having failed to stop Lady Thalia, though." Seeing her look so despondent about it, you feel a little ashamed of yourself. <<link [['"I\'m sure you did your best." (F)'|Mel4]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Don\'t feel too bad — that Lady Thalia is a genius of crime." (This doesn\'t exactly fit your usual approaches; you just can\'t resist.)'|Mel4]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"How did you become an... an art detective, anyway?" (L)'|Mel4]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "Oh, spare me the empty platitudes," Mel says. "My position with Scotland Yard is precarious enough as it is. I can't afford many more failures like this." You're overcome with the ludicrous urge to make some comforting gesture -- stroke her hair, or something. You picture yourself doing this and have to fight back hysterical laughter. Honestly, what is //wrong// with you? <<link [['"How did you become an... an art detective, anyway?" (L)'|Mel4]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'m sorry — I didn\'t realise it had such an effect on you." (F)'|Mel5]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Things will turn around eventually, I\'m sure of it." (D)'|Mel5]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<case 1>> Mel gives a sardonic laugh. "Careful," she says, "one might almost think you admired her." <<link [['"Perish the thought!" (F)'|Mel5]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<link [['"Would it be such a bad thing if I did?" (D)'|Mel5]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><</link>> <<link [['"How did you become an... an art detective, anyway?" (L)'|Mel4]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<case 2>> "My father was a painter," she says. "No one famous or influential -- just a working portraitist. When I was a child, an older gentleman commissioned a painting from my father; you might not realise it, but those things take weeks or even months of work. When the painting was finished, the man took it and left without paying. It was quite a blow to our ability to pay the bills. "The man had given a false name; my father never found out who he was. When I got older, I started looking for him myself, though I had no success either. Of course," she adds, "that's quite a different kind of art crime from most of what I investigate. But in the process of searching, I learned a few things, made a few contacts... and I became interested in the subject, as well. "I'm sorry," she says, "this probably bores you." <<link [['"Oh, no, not at all." (L)'|Mel5]]>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<link [['"On the contrary, I\'m pleased to be getting to know you better!" (F)'|Mel5]]>><<set $convVar = 5>><</link>> <<link [['"That\'s just awful, what happened to your father." (D)'|Mel5]]>><<set $convVar = 6>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "My father, you know, was a painter," she says. "My interest in art crime began when a gentleman commissioned a painting from him under a false name, and then never paid for it. It nearly ruined my father. But I wonder now -- am I just fruitlessly risking my own name and livelihood to protect the kind of people who cheated my father in the first place? "I'm sorry," she adds quickly. "That was a little heavy for a garden party." You express your sympathy on this point, coming from a family of middle-class strivers yourself. You do have fewer concerns about money now than Mel does, but neither of you will ever truly understand the mindset of those who never had those concerns in the first place. After a bit more small talk, you excuse yourself and consider [[what to do next|outside]]. <<case 1>> "Let's hope so," says Mel, "or soon I won't have a career to speak of." After a pause, she goes on. "You know, my interest in art crime began because a gentleman who was almost certainly wealthy commissioned a painting from my father under a false name, and never paid. It nearly ruined my father. But I wonder now -- am I just fruitlessly risking my own name and livelihood to protect the kind of people who cheated my father in the first place? "I'm sorry," she adds quickly. "That was a little heavy for a garden party." You express your sympathy on this point, coming from a family of middle-class strivers yourself. You do have fewer concerns about money now than Mel does, but neither of you will ever truly understand the mindset of those who never had those concerns in the first place. After a bit more small talk, you excuse yourself and consider [[what to do next|outside]]. <<case 2>> "Why do I get the impression that was less than sincere?" she says. You smile innocently. "You're not alone, of course -- I do read the papers, and I see how they talk about her. People find her audacity entertaining, and she only steals from the rich, anyway. "My father, you know, was a painter, and a man -- a gentleman, by the way he dressed, and not one who had fallen on hard times -- commissioned a painting from him under a false name and never paid. It almost ruined him. So by comparison, Lady Thalia //does// seem harmless -- aside from whatever poor sods at Scotland Yard take the blame for failing to catch her, of course. If you'll excuse my language. It's just -- I can't help suspecting that someday that poor sod will be me." You express your sympathy -- or apologise, really, but the ambiguity of "I'm sorry" works in your favour here. You really do feel rather guilty now. But Mel shakes off the gloom quickly, and the two of you engage in some small talk for a bit before you excuse yourself and consider [[what to do next|outside]]. <<case 3>> "I suppose not," she says. "As these things go. You're not alone, of course -- I do read the papers, and I see how they talk about her. People find her audacity entertaining, and she only steals from the rich, anyway. "My father, you know, was a painter, and a man -- a gentleman, by the way he dressed, and not one who had fallen on hard times -- commissioned a painting from him under a false name and never paid. It almost ruined him. So by comparison, Lady Thalia //does// seem harmless -- aside from whatever poor sods at Scotland Yard take the blame for failing to catch her, of course. If you'll excuse my language. It's just -- I can't help suspecting that someday that poor sod will be me." You express your sympathy -- or apologise, really, but the ambiguity of "I'm sorry" works in your favour here. You really do feel rather guilty now. But Mel shakes off the gloom quickly, and the two of you engage in some small talk for a bit before you excuse yourself and consider [[what to do next|outside]]. <<case 4>> She laughs. "You don't have to lie, you know," she says. You're not quite sure how to salvage that one, so you drop the subject. The two of you engage in some small talk for a bit; then you excuse yourself and consider [[what to do next|outside]]. <<case 5>> Mel gives a crooked smile. "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself," she says. You're not sure how much irony to read into that. "But you know," she says, "I feel like I know so little about //you//." Feeling that fair is fair, you talk a little bit about your own history as the child of a family of middle-class strivers, and your brief stint on the stage (a great disappointment to your parents, though at least you made it up to them by marrying well). Of course, you have to be careful what you tell her, but she's opened up to you, and you would feel bad not offering //something// in exchange. When that topic dries up, you excuse yourself and consider [[what to do next|outside]]. <<case 6>> "The way the man dressed, he almost certainly could have afforded to pay, if he wanted to," Mel adds, as if you hadn't said anything. "But I suppose the rich will never pay for what they can get for free." You express your sympathy on this point, coming from a family of middle-class strivers yourself. You do have fewer concerns about money now than Mel does, but neither of you will ever truly understand the mindset of those who never had those concerns in the first place. After a bit more small talk, you excuse yourself and consider [[what to do next|outside]]. <</switch>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> The butler peers down at you through his half-moon spectacles. "I am aware of all of the comings and goings in this household," he says, "and I don't recall you visiting." <<link [['"Are you doubting the word of one of your mistress\'s invited guests?" (D)'|search3]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Perhaps you forgot?" (L)'|search3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Oh, but I\'m quite certain I was here on Thursday last! It was raining that day, I was wearing a blue gown... don\'t you recall?" (F)'|search3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<case 1>> "In the course of my efforts to keep the household running smoothly," he says, "I try to keep party guests out of areas in which party guests are not supposed to be." <<link [['"Oh, but can\'t I have just a little look around?" (F)'|search3]]>><<set $conVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Are you suggesting I would come up here without permission?" (D)'|search3]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"What\'s up here that\'s so important?" (D)'|search3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<case 2>> "I see," he says, dryly. "Can I escort you to your destination, miss?" (You're a madam, not a miss, but you don't correct him. You'll take the compliment.) <<link [['"Oh, no, I\'m quite all right, thank you." (F)'|search3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"If you could perhaps lead me to Lady Satterthwaite's bedchamber...?' (L)"|search3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"No, it was a momentary disorientation. I can see myself the rest of the way." (D)'|search3]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "I- I do apologise, miss," he says. "But guests really are not supposed to be on this floor of the house..." <<link [['"I have permission from Lady Satterthwaite. I know what I\'m doing." (D)'|search4]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Can\'t you please make an exception just this once?" (F)'|search4]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'ll only be a minute..." (L)'|search4]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<case 1>> The butler's mouth turns down at the corners ever so slightly, which when it comes to butlers is an expression of unbelievable rage. "Miss, I //really// must ask that you go downstairs and rejoin the other guests," he says. You know it's no good trying to argue with him further. You go back downstairs and consider [[your next move|inside]]. <<case 2>> "I am, er, glad you are feeling better," he says, clearly a bit thrown. "But guests really are are not supposed to be on this floor of the house..." <<link [['"I have permission from Lady Satterthwaite. I know what I\'m doing." (D)'|search4]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Can\'t you please make an exception just this once?" (F)'|search4]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'ll only be a minute..." (L)'|search4]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<if $strikes >= 2>> The butler's mouth turns down at the corners ever so slightly, which when it comes to butlers is an expression of unbelievable rage. "Miss, I //really// must ask that you go downstairs and rejoin the other guests," he says. You know it's no good trying to argue with him further. You go back downstairs and consider [[your next move|inside]]. <<else>> <<set $layout = true>> <<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "I see," he says, dubiously. "But in that case, surely you would know the bedroom is kept locked -- unless she's given you a key?" <<link [['"Why would she give me a key?" (L)'|search5]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link '"She did, but I... I lost it. Won\'t you //please// let me in?" (F)' "search5">><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link '"She hasn\'t, but... I left some items of a //very personal nature// in there. You //must// let me retrieve them before anyone sees." (D)' "search5">><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<case 1>> "It never is 'just this once'," he says darkly. "The room is kept locked, anyway -- you must know that?" <<link [['"Locked?" (L)'|search5]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link '"She gave me a key, but I... I lost it. Won\'t you //please// let me in?" (F)' "search5">><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link '"I left some items of a //very personal nature// in there. You //must// let me retrieve them before anyone sees." (D)' "search5">><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<case 2>> "That's what they all say," he says. "I suppose she's given you a key, too?" <<link [['"Why would she give me a key?" (L)'|search5]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link '"She did, but I... I lost it. Won\'t you //please// let me in?" (F)' "search5">><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link '"She hasn\'t, but... I left some items of a //very personal nature// in there. You //must// let me retrieve them before anyone sees." (D)' "search5">><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <</switch>> <</if>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> She grits her teeth a little. You're not really close enough to call her Augusta, but since she used your Christian name before you used hers, she can't say anything about it. "I hope you will be here tomorrow night as well?" she says. <<link [['"I wouldn\'t miss it for the world!" (L)'|lady3]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"I did already RSVP, have you forgotten?" (D)'|lady3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Oh, I could hardly pass up a chance to see those sapphires!" (F)'|lady3]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<case 1>> She smiles with all her teeth. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Baker, I quite forgot." After a moment's pause, she adds, "I hope you will be attending the party tomorrow night as well?" <<link [['"I wouldn\'t miss it for the world!" (L)'|lady3]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"I did already RSVP, have you forgotten?" (D)'|lady3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Oh, I could hardly pass up a chance to see those sapphires!" (F)'|lady3]]>><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<case 2>> "As well you should! It will be a dazzling event," she says. <<link [['"That remains to be seen, wouldn't you say?" (D)'|lady3]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I can\'t wait to see the famous Seraskier Sapphires!" (F)'|lady3]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I am sure you will look just stunning in those sapphires." (L)'|lady3]]>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "I am glad to hear it!" she says. "I shan't be showing off the sapphires again any time soon, you know." <<link [['"Why not?" (F)'|lady4]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Considering... recent events, you must be nervous about their safety?" (L)'|lady4]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link '"You //would// say that, wouldn\'t you." (D)' "lady4">><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<case 1>> "If you continue to be so rude to me, I shall remove you from the invitation list," she says. Well, you've let your temper get the better of you, it seems. With a hasty excuse, you exit the conversation and look around for [[something else to do|outside]]. <<case 2>> Lady Satterthwaite frowns slightly. It's true that showing off the sapphires is the entire point of the party, but it's rather gauche not to //pretend// that's not why you're there. "Yes," she says after a moment, "I suppose //you// would find that to be the most important thing." <<if $strikes >= 2>> This conversation isn't going well, and you don't want to antagonise her further. With a hasty excuse, you exit the conversation and look around for [[something else to do|outside]]. <<else>> <<link [['"What do you mean?" (F)'|lady4]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><</link>> <<link [['"Considering... recent events, you must be nervous about their safety?" (L)'|lady4]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"You yourself said they were the reason for the party." (D)'|lady4]]>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <</if>> <<case 3>> "I'm quite certain of it," she says stiffly. <<link [['"Considering... recent events, you must be nervous about the safety of the sapphires?" (L)'|lady4]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Oh, but you can\'t know until it happens!" (F)'|lady4]]>><<set $convVar = 5>><</link>> <<link '"You //would// say that, wouldn\'t you." (D)' "lady4">><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<case 4>> She beams. "Thank you! Although, of course, the sapphires do not need //me// to enhance their beauty." <<link [['"I was thinking more that they would enhance yours." (F, in a back-handed way)'|lady4]]>><<set $convVar = 6>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Considering... recent events, you must be nervous about their safety?" (L)'|lady4]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Yes, yes, of course, they are the most perfect sapphires in history." (D)'|lady4]]>><<set $convVar = 7>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "Jewels like this are only to be worn on special occasions," she says. "I didn't have the chance to wear them to my wedding, so I'm allowing myself this opportunity to make up for it, but it may be years before the next suitable occasion comes along. Of course, I can understand why //you// wouldn't know this." This conversation isn't going well, and you don't want to antagonise her further. With a hasty excuse, you exit the conversation and look around for [[something else to do|outside]]. <<case 1>> "Oh, don't worry!" she says. "I've hired several guards to be stationed around my house at all times of day and look out for intruders, and the sapphires themselves are well hidden." <<link [['"Well hidden?" (L)'|lady5]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"I doubt that." (D)'|lady5]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $strikes += 1>><</link>> <<link '"Some guards and a hiding spot? That sounds absolutely //impenetrable//." (F, if one doesn\'t notice the sarcasm)' "lady5">><<set $strikes += 1>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<case 2>> "I'm sure I don't know what you mean," she says coldly. This conversation isn't going well, and you don't want to antagonise her further. With a hasty excuse, you exit the conversation and look around for [[something else to do|outside]]. <<case 3>> "You know very well what it means," she says. This conversation isn't going well, and you don't want to antagonise her further. With a hasty excuse, you exit the conversation and look around for [[something else to do|outside]]. <<case 4>> "I said no such thing," she says. She did, just a few days ago, but it's not as though you can prove it, so it's not worth arguing. This conversation isn't going well, and you don't want to antagonise her further. With a hasty excuse, you exit the conversation and look around for [[something else to do|outside]]. <<case 5>> "Ah," she says, "I've just remembered I have other business to attend to. I must go." Which is to say, you've really done it now, and it's unlikely you'll be able to fix it. You look around for [[something else to do|outside]]. <<case 6>> "Well," she says, "I suppose even their brilliance may not be enough to make //some// people look good, so at least I'm not in that regrettable situation." This conversation isn't going well, and you don't want to antagonise her further. With a hasty excuse, you exit the conversation and look around for [[something else to do|outside]]. <<case 7>> "Well," she says, "not the //most//, but..." Then she launches into a detailed explanation of the carats and flaws and whatnot of the sapphires relative to other similar gems. You can't be too cross; you gave her that opening. <<if $strikes = 2>>Nevertheless, you're not interested in standing here while she elaborates on the history and quality of various gems. With a hasty excuse, you exit the conversation and look around for [[something else to do|outside]]. <<else>> <<link [['"Considering... recent events, you must be nervous about their safety?"'|lady4]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <</if>> <</switch>>

<<if $strikes >= 2>> "The sapphires will be just fine," she says briskly. "//You//, on the other hand, are risking a retraction of your invitation." You don't want to antagonise her further. With a hasty excuse, you exit the conversation and look around for [[something else to do|outside]]. <<else>> <<set $safeInfo = true>> <<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "Oh, yes," she says. "Any intruders would first have to find out which room of my house they were in -- and my bedroom is at the end of the hall on the first floor, too, so it isn't the first place one would look. Then they would have to find the safe, which is hidden behind a painting, and they would have to know the code to open it. Of course," she adds, "the code is related to the painting because I have trouble remembering it otherwise. But there's no way to know that by looking at it." You agree that this indeed seems well-hidden. After a bit more small talk, you [[take your leave|outside]]. <<case 1>> "Well, it's true!" she says hotly. "Any intruders would first have to find out which room of my house they were in -- and my bedroom is at the end of the hall on the first floor, too, so it isn't the first place one would look. Then they would have to find the safe, which is hidden behind a painting, and they would have to know the code to open it. Of course," she adds, "the code is related to the painting because I have trouble remembering it otherwise. But there's no way to know that by looking at it." You agree that this indeed seems well-hidden. After a bit more small talk, you [[take your leave|outside]]. <<case 2>> She either fails to notice the sarcasm or pretends she didn't (most likely the latter). "Oh, I wouldn't say impenetrable, but there are a number of obstacles to a would-be thief. Any intruders would first have to find out which room of my house the sapphires were in -- and my bedroom is at the end of the hall on the first floor, too, so it isn't the first place one would look. Then they would have to find the safe, which is hidden behind a painting, and they would have to know the code to open it. Of course," she adds, "the code is related to the painting because I have trouble remembering it otherwise. But there's no way to know that by looking at it." You agree that this indeed seems well-hidden. After a bit more small talk, you [[take your leave|outside]]. <</switch>> <</if>>

Lady Thalia and the Seraskier Sapphires

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> You enter the bedroom, or rather the bedroom antechamber, and look around. <<case 1>> The next time a person passes by, you leap out, clap a hand over his mouth, and drag him back against the wall of the hallway. (He is larger than you, but you had the element of surprise on your side.) He seems mostly just confused by the whole situation, but he gives you directions. You leave him bound and gagged in a broom closet and follow the directions, trusting that he didn't have the presence of mind to intentionally mislead you. Indeed, in the end it turns out he did not, and you enter the bedroom. It has a sort of antechamber, separated by a sturdy door from the room where Lady Satterthwaite is presumably sleeping, which is quite a relief -- you won't have to take quite so much care not to wake her up. <<case 2>> You assume the bedroom is likely upstairs, so you head up to the first floor. You spend some time opening doors and poking your head into various rooms that aren't the room you want, but eventually you find it, or at least you think you have. The room you can see does not have a bed in it, but it does have Lady Satterthwaite's dressing table and various of her personal effects, and there is a door on the back wall that might lead to the bedroom proper. <</switch>> <<if $safeInfo === true>> Lady Satterthwaite said the safe was behind a painting; there are several paintings on the walls, but it shouldn't take you much time to <<link [[check behind each of them|bedroom2]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $finesse += 5>><<set $safe1 = 0>><</link>>. <<else>> Unfortunately, the sapphires could be anywhere in this room, and they are not likely to be out in the open. You consider how to go about your search. <<link [[Search carefully|bedroom2]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $slow += 1>><<set $messy += 1>><<set $finesse += 3>><<set $safe1 = 1>><</link>> <<link [[Ransack the room|bedroom2]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $messy += 1>><<set $finesse += 3>><<set $safe1 = 2>><</link>> <</if>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> You look behind each of the paintings. <<case 1>> You pull clothes out of Lady Satterthwaite's wardrobe and toss them on the floor. You pull drawers out of her dressing-table and overturn them. (If Gwen were here, she might accuse you of having a little too much fun, but then she's not here, is she.) Eventually you start taking the paintings off the walls. <<case 2>> Careful not to noticeably disturb anything, you go through her wardrobe, her dressing-table, and her various shelves of knick-knacks. Finding nothing in the way of hidden panels or false bottoms, you begin looking behind the paintings on the walls. <</switch>> There are three portraits of stern-looking ancestors on the walls of the room, labeled "Mabel Crenshaw, Lady Woodbury", "David Crenshaw, 7th Lord Woodbury," and "Albert Crenshaw, 6th Lord Woodbury." Behind this last, you find a little cubbyhole, in which is a safe. The safe's lock seems to take a four-digit number code. <<if $safeInfo === true>>Lady Satterthwaite did give you a bit of a hint to it, as well.<</if>> You have indulged in a bit of safe-cracking every now and then, so you could probably get this open without the code, though it might be slower. If you're feeling impatient, though, you could always just break it open. There is a copy of [[Burke's Peerage|burkes]] on the table. [[Enter code|bedroomcode]] <<link [[Crack the safe|bedroom3]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $slow += 1>><<set $finesse += 3>><</link>> <<link [[Break open the safe|bedroom3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $messy += 1>><<set $finesse += 3>><</link>>

You flip to the section for the Lords Woodbury. Their entry reads, in part: ''John Crenshaw, 5th Lord Woodbury'', //m.// Mabel Erskine and had issue (1) John Edward, //b.// 1827, //d.// 1834; (2) Albert John, //b.// 1831; (3) Mary Alice, //b.// 1836. //D.// 1859 and was //s.// by his son, ''Albert Crenshaw, 6th Lord Woodbury'', major-general, served in Ottoman Empire. //M.// Katherine Gibbs and had one son, David Albert, //b.// 1866. //D.// 1899 and was //s.// by ''David Crenshaw, 7th Lord Woodbury'', //m.// Dorothea Henry, had issue (1) Albert Edward, //b.// 1886; (2) Archibald John, //b.// 1887; (3) Augusta Marianne, //b.// 1888 (//m.// Edmund Cholmondsley, Lord Satterthwaite, 1910). That certainly is a lot of four-digit numbers. <<return>>

<<set _answer = " ">> <<textbox "_answer" "">> <<button "Check">> <<if _answer is "">> /% They have not supplied an answer. %/ <<script>>UI.alert("You did not supply a password!");<</script>> <<else>> /% Remove extra white space from both ends of the answer then convert it to lowercase. %/ <<set _answer to _answer.trim().toLowerCase()>> /% Check if one of the correct answers was supplied, otherwise send them to the Start passage. %/ <<if _answer is "1831" and $tries === 0>> <<set $finesse += 5>><<set $safe2 = 0>><<set $convVar = 0>> <<goto "bedroom3">> <<elseif _answer is "1831" and $tries === 1>> <<set $finesse += 3>><<set $safe2 = 0>><<set $convVar = 3>> <<goto "bedroom3">> <<elseif _answer isnot "1831" and $tries === 0>> <<set $slow += 1>><<set $tries = 1>> <<replace '#textbox-reply'>> You enter the code into the safe, but don't hear the telltale click of the lock opening. That can't be the right code. <</replace>> <<else>> <<replace '#textbox-reply'>> You enter the code into the safe, but don't hear the telltale click of the lock opening. That can't be the right code. <</replace>> <</if>> <</if>> <</button>> [[Look at Burke's Peerage again|burkes]] <<link [[Give up and break the safe open|bedroom3]]>><<set $finesse += 3>><<set $messy += 1>><<set $safe2 = 1>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [[Give up and try safecracking|bedroom3]]>><<set $finesse += 3>><<set $safe2 = 2>><<set $slow += 1>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> You enter "1831," the birth year of Lady Satterthwaite's grandfather who (you assume) obtained the sapphires. <<if $safeInfo === true>>She did make it rather easy to guess.<<else>>This good luck makes you rather nervous.<</if>> <<case 1>> It isn't easy to break open a safe in a way quiet enough to avoid waking a person who is probably sleeping in the next room, but the great Lady Thalia is equal to the task. <<case 2>> With your ear to the safe, you fiddle with the dials. It takes you some time to get the combination, but you do get it open, in the end. <<case 3>> It takes you several tries, but in the end you open the safe with the combination "1831," the birth year of Lady Satterthwaite's grandfather who (you assume) obtained the sapphires. <</switch>> And there they are: the sapphires, set in silver to form earrings and a necklace. Even in the wan light of your electric torch, they are dazzling; you can only imagine how much more they would sparkle in the light of day. You place them into a small bag, which you pocket, and [[begin to make your way out|escape]].

Or so you think. But when you open the door to the hall, standing right there is Mel. She leaps for you. Not knowing what else to do, you back into the bedroom, but there are no windows here -- the only way out would be to go through to the adjoining room, which would wake Lady Satterthwaite. Mel strides through the door, grinning triumphantly. "Nowhere to run now, eh? It looks like your luck has finally run out." <<link [['"You don\'t know what tricks I still have up my sleeve!"'|escape1.1]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"And if I surrender, then what?"'|escape1.1]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"If you come any closer, I\'ll, er... I\'ll stab you with these sewing scissors!"'|escape1.1]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>>

You whirl around in a panic, trying to figure out what new trick Mel is inflicting upon you -- so you're rather surprised to see her standing right where you left her, staring open-mouthed at Lord Albert's portrait and making absolutely no effort to catch you. "This... this was hers the whole time?" she says, in a tone that's half wonder and half grief. <<link [['"What are you talking about?"'|escape3]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"That portrait? Is it the one that was stolen from your father?"'|escape3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $oops = true>><</link>> <<link [[Lunge at her while she's distracted|escape3]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "Never mind," she says. "The whole story isn't important right now. It's just -- this was stolen from my family." <<case 1>> "Yes!" she says. "Funny to think the grandfather Lady Satterthwaite talks of so admiringly was //this// bastard. If you'll excuse my language." <<case 2>> In what might be the most embarrassing moment of your career to date, you lunge at her, but your feet get tangled up in a dressing gown that is lying on the floor, and you fall on your face. Mel hardly seems to notice, though -- she is still staring at the portrait. <</switch>> "They didn't even have the decency to put it on display!" Mel continues. "They stashed it back here, to look at it and laugh, and watched my family crawl in the gutter--" She stops mid-sentence and suddenly regains her composure. The anger in her eyes fades as her face slips back into its usual dour mask. (You'd never thought of it as a mask before). "I've changed my mind," she says to you. You look at her blankly for a moment. "Take the sapphires," she says. "Go. That old robber -- I would bet the sapphires weren't rightfully his, either. Take them, and throw them down a well for all I care." Well, you're not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. You take your sapphires and [[head out into the hallway|escape4]].

Despite Mel's decision to look the other way, the house is still full of guards that won't. You know there's one in the hall downstairs that you're going to have to pass on your way out. <<if $distraction === true>>If Ellen can be trusted, she'll be at the base of the stairs now, <<link [[waiting for your signal|escape5]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $exitStrategy = 0>><<set $finesse += 5>><</link>>. <<else>> You could wait until the guard's patrol route takes him as far away from you as possible in the direction of the kitchen, hide behind a curtain, and wait for him to walk past you again. Or you could go with the old standby of loudly breaking something and slipping past when he goes to investigate. <<link [[Hide and wait|escape5]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $exitStrategy = 1>><<set $slow += 1>><<set $finesse += 3>><</link>> <<link [[Break something|escape5]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $exitStrategy = 2>><<set $finesse += 3>><</link>> <</if>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> Ellen is there as promised; standing in a position where she can see you but the guard, hopefully, cannot, you wave at her. On cue, she screams. It's a rather good scream, as if she's really in pain. Maybe she does have a future in the theatre after all. The guard in the hall comes running, and two more guards come dashing in from adjacent rooms. As she spins them a yarn about twisting her ankle or whatever it is, you hurry past her into the kitchen and out the door. <<case 1>> There is a little curtained alcove in the hall that holds a table with an urn on it; there is a curtain behind the table. When the guard is all the way at the end of the hall near the kitchen, you slip behind the curtain and wait. It feels like it takes an eternity for him to pass you, but at last he does, and you scurry into the kitchen before he can reach the opposite end of the hall and turn around. <<case 2>> Falling back on an old standby, you drop the sewing scissors you're still carrying over the stair rail and onto a rather fragile-looking vase. It topples and shatters, as you'd hoped, and while the guard is investigating this, you slip past and head into the kitchen. <</switch>> <<link [[You've done it! Another successful heist.|Day 3 - Score]]>> <<if $slow >= 2 or $messy >= 2>> <<set $finesse -= 3>> <</if>> <</link>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "Makes sense, I suppose," says Gwen. "Maybe you should stick to stealing from people you don't have a personal grudge against." <<link [['"Yes, I suppose it was foolish of me."'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"I don\'t think that\'s necessary. I just need to be more careful."'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Easy for you to say. There aren\'t many potential targets that I don\'t have to put up with regularly."'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<case 1>> "Just do better next time, I suppose," she says. "Might help if you picked a target you don't have a personal grudge against." <<link [['"Yes, I suppose it was foolish of me."'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"I don\'t think that\'s necessary. I just need to be more careful."'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Easy for you to say. There aren\'t many potential targets that I don\'t have to put up with regularly."'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<case 2>> "Declaring that it's not your fault whenever something goes wrong is a nasty habit to get into," Gwen says. "Maybe you should stick to stealing from people you don't have a personal grudge against." <<link [['"Yes, I suppose it was foolish of me."'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"I don\'t think that\'s necessary. I just need to be more careful."'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Easy for you to say. There aren\'t many potential targets that I don\'t have to put up with regularly."'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<case 3>> "I'm just telling the facts as I remember them," she says. "You weren't a //bad// actress, but I don't think you'd have achieved this level of fame on the stage." You feign outrage for a moment before conceding that, yes, she's right. <<link [['"Well, here\'s to crime, then — a more lucrative career than theatre."'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><</link>> <<link [['"You never know. Maybe I\'ll go back someday."'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<link [['"This is much more fun, really."'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 5>><</link>> <<case 4>> "Touche," she says. "Still, I don't think you'd have ever achieved this level of fame on the stage." You feign outrage for a moment before conceding that, yes, she's right. <<link [['"Well, here\'s to crime, then — a more lucrative career than theatre."'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><</link>> <<link [['"You never know. Maybe I\'ll go back someday."'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<link [['"This is much more fun, really."'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 5>><</link>> <<case 5>> "Perhaps!" she says. "I don't think you'd have ever achieved this level of fame on the stage." You feign outrage for a moment before conceding that, yes, she's right. <<link [['"Well, here\'s to crime, then — a more lucrative career than theatre."'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><</link>> <<link [['"You never know. Maybe I\'ll go back someday."'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<link [['"This is much more fun, really."'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 5>><</link>> <<case 6>> "Critics! What do they know, anyway?" says Gwen, gesticulating with the scone for emphasis. "It was a good dishonest week's work." <<link [['"Lady Satterthwaite will be licking her wounds for weeks. Months, maybe."'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 6>><</link>> <<link [['"I enjoyed myself, I wasn\'t apprehended, and I didn\'t ruin my criminal reputation. I call that a success."'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 7>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'ll drink to that!"'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 8>><</link>> <<case 7>> "Annoyed," says Gwen, "the paper says she's //annoyed//." You assure Gwen that the //Post// was understating the case. "Well done, then," she says. "Here's your reward." She hands you a scone spread with cream and jam. <<link [['"Lady Satterthwaite will be licking her wounds for weeks. Months, maybe."'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 6>><</link>> <<link [['"I enjoyed myself, I wasn\'t apprehended, and I didn\'t ruin my criminal reputation. I call that a success."'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 7>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'ll drink to that!"'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 8>><</link>> <<case 8>> "Yes, I'd say we acquitted ourselves quite well," she says. She lifts her teacup in a mock toast. "To a perfectly acceptable heist!" With a chuckle, you echo the toast. <<link [['"Lady Satterthwaite will be licking her wounds for weeks. Months, maybe."'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 6>><</link>> <<link [['"I enjoyed myself, I wasn\'t apprehended, and I didn\'t ruin my criminal reputation. I call that a success."'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 7>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'ll drink to that!"'|gwen3]]>><<set $convVar = 8>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> It's agonising to wait for the man to finish his tea, but he does call to the scullery maid for another cup once he's done. The poor girl is half asleep herself; while the kettle is boiling, you have no trouble sneaking up and sprinkling a little powder into the cup. You then have to wait for her to make the tea and bring it to him, and for him to drink enough for the drug to take effect, but at last he nods off and you're able to continue. <<case 1>> You bang on the radiator with your metal pry bar (scratching the paint, but who's going to notice cosmetic damage to a radiator in a kitchen?) and watch for the guard's reaction. Fortunately, he gets up and heads towards the radiator at the other end of the hallway, and you're able to continue. <</switch>> <<if $layout === true>>You do know exactly where you're going and how to get there, which means you spend less time skulking through the halls and have less opportunity to get caught. With only a few near misses, you reach the <<link [[bedroom]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><<set $finesse += 5>><<set $findRoom = 0>><</link>>. <<else>> You have several options for figuring out where the bedroom is. You could simply wander around until you find it, though that might take a while, or you could ambush a servant and make them tell you where it is. You would have to leave the servant tied up in a closet or some such, though, to ensure they don't tell anyone what you're up to. <<link [[Waylay a servant|bedroom]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><<set $finesse += 3>><<set $messy += 1>><<set $findRoom = 1>><</link>> <<link [[Wander around |bedroom]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><<set $finesse += 3>><<set $slow += 1>><<set $findRoom = 2>><</link>> <</if>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "Well, lesson learned, right?" says Gwen. She pushes the last of the scones towards you and looks at you meaningfully. You take the hint -- some problems are best solved by copious application of sugar. <<link [['"Let\'s talk about something more fun now, shall we?"'|gwen4]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'m eager to get started on my next plan and put this into practice."'|gwen4]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I really feel like such a ninny."'|gwen4]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<case 1>> "I'll hold you to that," Gwen says. She pushes the last of the scones towards you and looks at you meaningfully. You take the hint -- some problems are best solved by copious application of sugar. <<link [['"Let\'s talk about something more fun now, shall we?"'|gwen4]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'m eager to get started on my next plan and put this into practice."'|gwen4]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I really feel like such a ninny."'|gwen4]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<case 2>> "Hmm, I suppose that does put a wrench in that plan. But be more careful about it, all right?" She pushes the last of the scones towards you and looks at you meaningfully. You take the hint -- some problems are best solved by copious application of sugar. <<link [['"Let\'s talk about something more fun now, shall we?"'|gwen4]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"I\'m eager to get started on my next plan and put this into practice."'|gwen4]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"I really feel like such a ninny."'|gwen4]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<case 3>> Gwen laughs. "Tragic, but true." To take her mind off the vicissitudes of the theatrical world, she takes another scone. <<link [['"And yet you still do it."'|gwen4]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><</link>> <<link [['"Maybe you should quit and become a full-time criminal, too."'|gwen4]]>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<link [['"Ah, but I do love the stage, still."'|gwen4]]>><<set $convVar = 5>><</link>> <<case 4>> "Honestly, I'm not sure why you'd want to," she says. "It's a load of rotten work and no respect." To take her mind off the vicissitudes of the theatrical world, she takes another scone. <<link [['"And yet you still do it."'|gwen4]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><</link>> <<link [['"Maybe you should quit and become a full-time criminal, too."'|gwen4]]>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<link [['"Ah, but I do love the stage, still."'|gwen4]]>><<set $convVar = 5>><</link>> <<case 5>> "You're not wrong," she says. "Theatre is a thankless job." To take her mind off the vicissitudes of the theatrical world, she takes another scone. <<link [['"And yet you still do it."'|gwen4]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><</link>> <<link [['"Maybe you should quit and become a full-time criminal, too."'|gwen4]]>><<set $convVar = 4>><</link>> <<link [['"Ah, but I do love the stage, still."'|gwen4]]>><<set $convVar = 5>><</link>> <<case 6>> "Yes, and she deserves every bit of it," says Gwen. You are rather touched by this show of support from Gwen, because she has never personally met Lady Satterthwaite, she has just had to listen to you complaining about all the slights you've suffered at that woman's hands. <<link '"Anyway, we shouldn\'t spend //too// much time luxuriating in our success."' "gwen4">><<set $convVar = 6>><</link>> <<link [['"So, what\'s next?"'|gwen4]]>><<set $convVar = 7>><</link>> <<link [['"I couldn\'t have done it without you."'|gwen4]]>><<set $convVar = 8>><</link>> <<case 7>> "And Lady Satterthwaite got what she deserved," says Gwen. You are rather touched by this show of support from Gwen, because she has never personally met Lady Satterthwaite, she has just had to listen to you complaining about all the slights you've suffered at that woman's hands. <<link '"Anyway, we shouldn\'t spend //too// much time luxuriating in our success."' "gwen4">><<set $convVar = 6>><</link>> <<link [['"So, what\'s next?"'|gwen4]]>><<set $convVar = 7>><</link>> <<link [['"I couldn\'t have done it without you."'|gwen4]]>><<set $convVar = 8>><</link>> <<case 8>> "Do you have anything stronger than tea?" You have to admit that you don't, at least not readily to hand. "Oh well," says Gwen. "Here's to Lady Satterthwaite getting what she deserved, nonetheless." You are rather touched by this show of support from Gwen, because she has never personally met Lady Satterthwaite, she has just had to listen to you complaining about all the slights you've suffered at that woman's hands. <<link '"Anyway, we shouldn\'t spend //too// much time luxuriating in our success."' "gwen4">><<set $convVar = 6>><</link>> <<link [['"So, what\'s next?"'|gwen4]]>><<set $convVar = 7>><</link>> <<link [['"I couldn\'t have done it without you."'|gwen4]]>><<set $convVar = 8>><</link>> <</switch>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "Oh, let's!" she says. "I've just heard a rumour that Baron Secombe has added a rare edition of Shakespeare's First Folio to his library. It's probably rubbish, but don't you want to find out?" <<case 1>> "Funny you should mention that!" she says. "I've just heard a rumour that Baron Secombe has added a rare edition of Shakespeare's First Folio to his library. It's probably rubbish, but don't you want to find out?" <<case 2>> "Everyone makes mistakes, Theo," she says. "You shouldn't dwell on it. Oh, I know what will cheer you up -- I've just heard a rumour that Baron Secombe has added a rare edition of Shakespeare's First Folio to his library. It's probably rubbish, but don't you want to find out?" <<case 3>> "Backstage, not onstage," she says. "It's different. Instead of people knowing you and not respecting you, they just have no idea you exist." You admit that this is a salient difference. "Anyway, speaking of the theatre," she says, "I've just heard a rumour that Baron Secombe has added a rare edition of Shakespeare's First Folio to his library. It's probably rubbish, but don't you want to find out?" <<case 4>> Gwen snorts. "What you are is a part-time criminal and a full-time wife," she says. "And I've no desire for that role, even in an arrangement like yours. No offence intended, of course -- you seem happy enough with it, but it's not for me." You admit that this is fair. "Anyway, speaking of the theatre," she says, "I've just heard a rumour that Baron Secombe has added a rare edition of Shakespeare's First Folio to his library. It's probably rubbish, but don't you want to find out?" <<case 5>> "That's the hell of it, isn't it?" she says. "It's a cruel mistress, but we can't tear ourselves away." You agree, with a long-suffering sigh. "Anyway, speaking of the theatre," she says, "I've just heard a rumour that Baron Secombe has added a rare edition of Shakespeare's First Folio to his library. It's probably rubbish, but don't you want to find out?" <<case 6>> "You're right," she says, "not when we could be planning our next move. I've just heard a rumour that Baron Secombe has added a rare edition of Shakespeare's First Folio to his library. It's probably rubbish, but don't you want to find out?" <<case 7>> "Glad you asked!" says Gwen. "I've just heard a rumour that Baron Secombe has added a rare edition of Shakespeare's First Folio to his library. It's probably rubbish, but don't you want to find out?" <<case 8>> "Ugh," she says, "you're getting unbearably soppy. Anyway, I've just heard a rumour that Baron Secombe has added a rare edition of Shakespeare's First Folio to his library. It's probably rubbish, but don't you want to find out?" <</switch>> Of course, you very much do. [[Continue|Outro - Part 2]]

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> Mel smiles wryly. "I suppose that's true," she says. <<case 1>> "That's none of your business," she says haughtily. <</switch>> "Anyway," she adds, "I want you to know that just because I looked the other way on the Satterthwaite case doesn't mean we're the best of friends now. Unless," she adds hopefully, "you'd like to switch sides? I think you might make a good detective.<<if $finesse <= 28>>Maybe a better detective than a thief.<</if>>" <<if $finesse <= 28>>Oh, that does sting a bit, especially coming from her. <</if>> <<link [['"Not a chance. You lot are no fun."'|meloutro2]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Well, you\'d make a terrible thief. You\'re not subtle at all. And you\'d have a hard time fitting into the vents."'|meloutro2]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"But then who would you devote your life to chasing?"'|meloutro2]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "Well, if //fun// is your highest priority, then yes, better not," she says. She sounds terribly disdainful of the concept of fun, but that's her loss. <<case 1>> Her eyes light up in sudden interest. "Oh, is that how you get around unseen? The vents?" Damnation. You gave a bit too much away there. <<case 2>> "Don't flatter yourself," she says. "I've devoted my life to art crime, not to you specifically." You point out that there would be a lot less art crime if you weren't around, but she ignores you. <</switch>> "I won't be taking you in for the Satterthwaite thefts," she says, "so I should be going now. But consider this a warning." <<link [['"I see it as more of an enticement."'|meloutro3]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"So soon? But we\'ve hardly had any time to chat at all!"'|meloutro3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Do you ever let yourself enjoy anything?"'|meloutro3]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "I have no idea what you're talking about," she says, in the tone of one who knows exactly what you are talking about but doesn't want to admit it. <<case 1>> "This isn't a social call," she says stiffly. "I've done what I came here to do." She really should loosen up a bit. It can't be healthy to be that tightly wound. <<case 2>> "I have plenty of fun," she says, crossing her arms. "Just not on the job." You feel like not having fun on the job is no way to live, but you know it's not worth arguing the point with her. <</switch>> <<if $oops === true>> "There's just one more thing I'd like to ask you," she says. "How did you know about my father?" You look at her blankly. "When I found the painting," she says, "you asked if it was the one my father painted. I've never told you anything about my father. How did you know about the painting that was stolen from him?" Oh, //bother//. You've really done it this time. <<link [['"You must be imagining things."'|meloutro4]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"I have my sources."'|meloutro4]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<else>> "Well, then," she says, shifting awkwardly from foot to foot. "I don't suppose it's appropriate for me to wish you good luck, so... may the best woman win?" <<link [['"Oh, I\'ll be winning all right."'|meloutro4]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<link [['"We shall see about that."'|meloutro4]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><</link>> <</if>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "No," she says, "I remember it quite clearly." Well, you think it's about time to do what you do best when in a tight spot -- that is, run away. <<case 1>> "I haven't told many people about that, you know," she says. Well, you think it's about time to do what you do best when in a tight spot -- that is, run away. <<case 2>> "Not if I have anything to say about it," Mel says. Well, if the two of you keep trying to be the one to get the last word, you'll be here all day, so you might as well let her have this one and get out of here. <<case 3>> "I suppose we shall," she says. This seems like a natural end to the conversation, so you might as well get out of here. <</switch>> <<if $finesse >= 34>> Just before you leave, you toss her a canister with a rolled-up painting in it -- the painting of Albert Whats-his-name that her father was cheated out of. You hear her yelling after you, "What am I supposed to do with this?!" as you flee the scene. Well, that's for her to figure out. You have other heists to plan. <<else>> Leaving Mel behind, you dart away through the night. You have plans to make -- and so, you suspect, does she. <</if>> <center>@@font-size:xxlarge;//Fin//@@</center> <center><<button "Play again">> <<run Engine.restart()>> <</button>></center>

Over the course of your work as Lady Thalia, you've developed a sort of Theory of Getting People to Do What You Want (//manipulation// is such an ugly word). Your theory is that there are three basic approaches, and most people will respond better to one than to the others. Some people respond well to attempts to be ''friendly'' (F) -- a sympathetic ear, feigning a shared interest, or even flirting. This approach is, you feel, rather self-explanatory. You consider appealing to people's sympathies by seeming emotionally or physically fragile to fall into this general category as well, though you prefer not to do this as often. Some people respond best to a ''direct'' (D) or forceful approach. Usually, this involves acting like you have authority to ask or command something; many people will then just assume that you must. Sometimes, however, this just involves going straight to the point and not trying to dress anything up. Finally, some people -- people who particularly like to talk -- are very receptive to an interlocutor ''leading'' (L) them in a specific direction. They don't need much excuse to start talking about themselves or the things they're espeically interested in; all you need to do is gently nudge them and then stand back.

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "And frankly I don't care!" Mel snaps. "I don't trust you as far as I can throw you." You have to admit that this is fair. <<case 1>> Mel gestures to the handcuffs on her belt. "Then you come with me to the station, we take off your mask, and put this farce to an end." You tell her that you suspected as much and it doesn't seem like your idea of a good time, so you won't be obliging. <<case 2>> Mel actually laughs at this, but not hard enough to break her composure. "That would be a waste of perfectly good sewing scissors. Don't you know how expensive they are?" She's not wrong. Your mother would probably roll over in her grave at such cavalier treatment of sewing scissors, and you don't think you can bring yourself to disturb her rest like that. <</switch>> You can't beat Mel in a fair fight and you both know it -- and for once, unfair options are thin on the ground. As unpleasant as it is, your only option left is to flee. <<link [[Try to bowl Mel over|escape1.2]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [[Escape through the bedroom|escape1.2]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> You launch yourself at Mel as hard as you can, hoping to knock her over long enough to get away. You both crash to the floor in a tangle of limbs, but she gets a firm hold on your ankle as you try to stand up. You trip and slam into the wall, catching yourself with your arms a split second before Mel grabs your shoulder. <<case 1>> You feint left, as if to dash around Mel, and then spring towards the door. Unfortunately, someone had the foresight to deadbolt it. You have no option left but to brace yourself before Mel grabs you by the shoulder and roughly slams you into the wall. <</switch>> Mel pins you to the wall face-first with one hand while detaching the cuffs from her belt with the other. Through your mask (thankfully still on), you can see that you've landed next to the picture of Lord Albert -- it might be the shock of the blow, but it almost looks like he's sneering at you. //This must be where Augusta gets it from//, you think in a daze. Suddenly, the pressure at your back is gone. Instinctively you leap away, overbalancing when you find out that your wrists are, in fact, [[entirely handcuff-free|escape2]].

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> <<set $layout = true>> The butler's demeanour changes instantly. You've guessed correctly, it seems: Lady Satterthwaite must have had paramours up here before, and the butler is trying to know as little about this as possible. "Very well," he says. "Here's the key -- but do make it quick." Trying to seem as scatterbrained as possible, you ask him to remind you which of the many identical doors along this hall is the bedroom. He does, and you go inside. What you enter is actually a sort of antechamber or sitting room, with a door to the actual bedroom on the back wall.<<if $talkLady === true>> There are portraits in the antechamber, and none in the actual bedroom, so the antechamber must be where the safe is. That makes things easier; you won't have to worry about getting the sapphires without waking someone who is sleeping in the same room.<</if>> After taking a look around, you exit into the hallway. Now is the time for your inconspicuous pockets (thanks, Gwen) to shine. After locking the door, you perform a little sleight of hand and exchange the real key for a fake one you brought with you in the hidden pocket of your dress. It's not identical, but it's close enough that the butler doesn't seem to notice the difference when you hand it back. You head back downstairs and contemplate [[your next move|inside]]. <<case 1>> The butler's mouth turns down at the corners ever so slightly, which when it comes to butlers is an expression of unbelievable rage. "Miss, I //really// must ask that you go downstairs and rejoin the other guests," he says. You know it's no good trying to argue with him further. You go back downstairs and consider [[your next move|inside]]. <</switch>>

In your acting days, you used to invite Gwen over the day after a premiere to look at the reviews together over tea. The two of you have carried on this tradition, in a modified form, since embarking on your life of crime. Once Gwen has read the article -- with you interjecting to tell her what the reporters missed and what was just plain wrong -- you ask her what she thought of the escapade. "Not bad," she says. "I'd give it... a $finesse out of 13." <<link [['"Out of 13? That's awfully specific."'|interlude1.1]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Why that score?"'|interlude1.1]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"What were your favourite parts?"'|interlude1.1]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>> <<if $finesse > 13>><<link [['"How did I get more than 13 points out of 13?"'|interlude1.1]]>><<set $convVar = 3>><</link>><</if>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "I have an elaborate scoring system worked out," she says, waving a biscuit in your general direction. "But I'm not telling you what it is, or you'll get too distracted worrying about the points and start making more mistakes." <<case 1>> "I'm not telling you the details of my scoring system," she says, waving a biscuit in your general direction. "You'll get too distracted worrying about the points and start making more mistakes.<<if $finesse < 13>> But I will tell you that I docked points for <<if $slow >= 2>> taking too long <<elseif $messy >= 2>> making too much mess <<elseif $libraryDoor === 2>> breaking the door down <<elseif $bookCase === 2>> smashing the case <<elseif $pressurePlate === 2>> that pressure-plate business <<else>> faffing about too much <</if>>. <</if>>" <<case 2>> <<if $libraryDoor === 0>> "It was pretty sharp of you to guess that password," <<elseif $bookCase === 0>> "I was impressed that you got the location of the key," <<elseif $pressurePlate === 0>> "It was a good thing you ended up knowing about that utility closet ahead of time," <<else>> "Honestly, I can't think of anything. Not your most scintillating performance," <</if>> she says. <<if $libraryDoor isnot 0 and $bookCase isnot 0 and $pressurePlate isnot 0>>Ouch. Well, she always has been brutally honest.<</if>> <<case 3>> "Well, I have to admit, I gave you some bonus points because I was particularly impressed. But don't let it go to your head," she says, swiping a biscuit that you were about to take. <</switch>> Gwen takes a long sip of her tea. "Anyway," she says, "are you prepared for tomorrow?" <<link [['"Yes, I\'ve got the tools and the container that you left for me yesterday."'|interlude1.2]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"More or less, but I always expect to have to improvise somewhat."'|interlude1.2]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "Excellent," she says with a grin. "Do let me know if you need anything else." <<case 1>> "And rightly so," she says. "You always were good with an ad-lib, anyway." <</switch>> <<link [['"And how are you doing lately, otherwise?"'|interlude1.3]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"How are the old gang, by the way? I haven\'t seen anyone other than you in ages."'|interlude1.3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"Are you working on anything interesting right now?"'|interlude1.3]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>>

Gwen comes over again to discuss last night's events -- you couldn't do that on the motorcycle ride home without yelling over the noise of the motor and the wind, and once you got back you were frankly too tired. She seems in a much worse humour than last time, though, and when she gets to the paragraph of the article about Mel, her frown deepens. "I can't stand that Williams woman," she says. <<link [['"Mel? But she\'s perfectly harmless! Well, mostly."'|interlude2.2]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link '"Oh, but she\'s such fun to tease!"' "interlude2.2">><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"What\'s wrong with her?"'|interlude2.2]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "'Harmless,' she says! A police detective, harmless!" Gwen gesticulates wildly with a buttered muffin. You remind her that Mel is not technically a police officer, but a special consultant on art crimes. "She still wants to arrest you," Gwen says. "I don't think there's a meaningful difference." <<case 1>> "Someday your idea of fun is going to get you locked up," Gwen says sourly, spreading butter on a muffin. <<case 2>> "What's //wrong// with her? She's a police detective, that's what's wrong with her! And an absolute stick-in-the-mud, as well," Gwen says tartly. You remind her that Mel is not technically a police officer, but a special consultant on art crimes. "She still wants to arrest you," Gwen says. "I don't think there's a meaningful difference." <</switch>> <<link [['"You\'re just jealous, aren\'t you?"'|interlude2.3]]>><<set $convVar = 0>><</link>> <<link [['"Don\'t worry, I know what I\'m doing."'|interlude2.3]]>><<set $convVar = 1>><</link>> <<link [['"She\'s not so bad once you get to know her."'|interlude2.3]]>><<set $convVar = 2>><</link>>

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> Gwen snorts. "Hardly! I was the one who ended our little affair, if you'll recall. Not you." This much is true -- she told you she was tired of your reckless, impulsive stunts. (Though clearly, since she's here now, it was just the "impulsive" part that was the problem. Your current reckless stunts are very thoroughly planned.) <<case 1>> "Don't forget," says Gwen, cutting a muffin in half with unnecessary force, "I've known you for years. If you've 'known what you're doing' for even one day in your life I'll eat my hat." This strikes you as rather unfair, but you're not going to argue when she's in a mood like this. <<case 2>> "You shouldn't //be// getting to know her!" says Gwen, cutting a muffin in half with unnecessary force. "She wants to //arrest// you! You should be running as far as you can in the opposite direction the moment you see her!" You have to admit she has a point, but that wouldn't be any fun, now, would it? <</switch>> [['"So what\'s my score this time?"'|interlude2.4]]

"$finesse out of 23," Gwen says, "cumulatively. But I'm not giving you the details this time. Figure it out on your own." You really don't know what she's so cross about -- unless she really is jealous of the attention you're paying to Mel. But you can worry about that another time; you still have one more act of the current drama to go. [[Continue|Day 3 - Day]]

<<switch $convVar>> <<case 0>> "Oh, well enough," she says. "I'm working on a show directed by-- well, I won't name names, but he directed that production of //Much Ado about Nothing// that you were in-- and he has simply terrible ideas about the set. He wants //five// platforms and //nine// real, opening-and-shutting doors, and a functional //window//..." <<case 1>> "Oh, they're fine, mostly," she says. "Dorothea's got that leading role she wanted and now she thinks she's Ellen Terry or something, the way she's been swanning around. Kit is trying to find a backer for that play he wrote, but between you and me, you'd break your jaw trying to read out the dialogue. Roger and Stephen are on the outs again, but I give it a week at most before they kiss and make up..." <<case 2>> "Well, the less said about my theatrical efforts, the better, honestly, but I //am// hard at work on a new invention for more efficiently opening vault doors, which I think we really could have used when we were breaking into Lord Heathcote's bank vault last year..." <</switch>> You chat for a while longer, reminiscing about old times and speculating on what might happen tomorrow. When she leaves, you hum to yourself as you clear away the tea things, feeling good (whether that's warranted or not) about how all this is going. [[Continue|Day 2 - Day]]

Lady Thalia and the Seraskier Sapphires
A Play in Three Acts

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