The Beast of Torrack Moor
An interactive fiction by Linda Wright (2007) - the Inform 7 source text
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C D Slime is a man. Understand "editor" as Slime. "Your editor is here, moaning as usual." Slime is in the editor's office. The description is "A grouch!".
The default answer of C D Slime is "He grunts, but says nothing.";
[ The editor comes in to grumble at you right at the start ]
After looking in your office for the first time:
move Slime to your office;
say "The editor wanders in, scowls at you and says: 'About time you got a decent story! Y'know, an exclusive, a great headline, fantastic pictures - something that would sell papers! Not all this waffle about WIs, Scouts and the like!' Snorting, he stands by the desk and growls as normal. You sigh, having heard the same thing every morning for the past year, but having no idea what to do about it. After all, nothing interesting ever happens..."
[ Eventually, he gets fed up and goes to his office...]
At 9:28 AM:
if the location is your office,
say "Grumbling, C. D. Slime enters his office and slams the door.";
if the location is the editor's office,
say "Grumbling, C. D. Slime enters and slams the door behind him.";
now Slime is in the editor's office.
Instead of informing Slime about the beast:
if the letter is carried,
try giving the letter to Slime;
otherwise
continue the action.
Instead of informing Slime about the letter:
if the letter is carried,
try giving the letter to Slime;
otherwise
continue the action.
Giving the letter to Slime is suggesting the story.
Showing the letter to Slime is suggesting the story.
Instead of suggesting the story:
say "Grabbing the letter, the editor reads it then, eyes sparkling, grunts 'That's more like it! Could make a great headline, that! Better see this Myrtle woman, find out all you can - must be someone who's seen it! Better still, go to the Moor and track it down - get a photo or two - stay overnight if necessary - I'm sure you'll have a great time!'[paragraph break]You start to protest, but before you manage to utter more than 'But...' Mr Slime says, 'Oh, I suppose you need money, eh?' and fetches the petty cash tin, from which he produces a fiver. Thrusting said note into your hand, he barks 'Well go on then...get going!'.[paragraph break]Shaken by your boss's generosity you immediately stuff the fiver in your pocket before he changes his mind, then wonder what to do next...";
remove the letter from play;
move the fiver to the pocket;
record "pitching the story" as achieved.
Instead of requesting slime for the camera:
say "Booming 'OK! I know the photographer's off sick, but I'm sure you'll manage... borrow a camera if necessary!', he scowls at you as though you're an imbecile, making you feel determined to manage - somehow!".