MESSAGE 1
I dare you to type that command again.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 2
Pretty tough, are we? OK ......

You stride confidantly to the forge, pick up a hammer lying 
nearby, and, bending over the blazing forge, set to work. Behind 
you, you hear Mimas sneer. "So, he found the pieces. Big Fat 
Hairy Deal. If he thinks that's gonna be good enough, he's gonna 
get the biggest disappointment since his first beer. Hell, I've 
been working towards that for several millennia, and I'm one of 
the most experi&#%$*(@#", becoming strangely quiescent as your 
hammer strikes his left nostril. 

Sevaral hours and two arias later, you rise from the forge and 
plunge the white-hot sword into the trough of Artesian Spring 
water next to the forge. Through the steam rising around you, you 
can see Mimas, his eyes glaring in fury at your triumph. You hold 
aloft Nothung, the sword of your father (your real father, not 
Mimas).

END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 4
You try, but the heat from the forge is just too weak for this 
metal, although it would rapidly melt almost anything else.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 5
As the coal is consumed by the fire, the forge becomes blazing 
hot, causing you to back away.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 8
As the dragon rears high above you, roaring, you step forward and 
stab with Nothung, striking him in the heart! Nothung bites 
deeply, and Fafner screams in agony, shaking the walls of the 
cave itself. You spring away as the great bulk falls. Slowly, in 
the ensuing silence, the shape of the dragon dissolves slowly 
into that of a large man, some eleven or twelve feet tall, 
mortally wounded. He looks up at you with sad eyes, then speaks. 
"I suppose you did this for her," he whispers. "How beautiful she 
was!" Then his head drops to the stone floor, and his body 
disappears, leaving only a pool of blood.

Suddenly the cave fills with light, as what seems like thousands 
of dwarves scurry in with their torches, accompanied by hundreds 
of fluttering birds. "Thanks, pal" squeaks one of the dwarves, 
but in the confusion and the smoke from the torches, you can 
think of nothing to say. Minutes later, the place clears out, and 
you alone stand in the middle of an empty cave - except for the 
birds, who are finding lots of neat insects to munch on (dragons 
are not known for their hygiene). It appears that the dwarves 
have taken the entire treasure hoard!



As you stand, somewhat abashed, you notice that the blood has 
dripped onto your hand, and you feel a strange tingling in your 
throat. Your hand burns like fire.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 9
As you drink the blood, the tingling sensation disappears. Then 
it occurs to you that the birds are saying something other than 
"chirp" and "tweet" (which they never really say anyway). In 
fact, they seem to be expressing interest in the little room to 
the north.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 10
The cockatoo smiles gently. "Just say the magic word, and I'll 
take you there. Which way do you think it is, stud?" Ruffle.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 11
"screeeeech squaaaaawak raaaackkk <plop>"
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 14
As you strike the match, it bursts into flames, crackling in a 
lively and reassuring manner. But it looks like it won't last 
long. 
END_MESSAGE 
  
MESSAGE 15
The burning match emits a final sputter and goes out.

END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 16
Sorry, you have no matches left.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 17

As the program bursts into flames, you can see the poor chimp's 
eyes literally burn with pain. Screaming, he scrambles blindly 
away, finally reaching a tiny exit hole, and disappears. The 
dwarves, unmoved, continue their work.

END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 18

The nice voice returns. "Thank you." As you watch in relief, the 
desk emits a discrete "click", and the roll top rolls, revealing 
a typical cluttered desktop.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 19

"I'm sorry, that is incorrect. Access is denied."

At that instant, a tiny 750 megawatt laser appears from a little 
piece of fancy scrollwork on the top of the desk, takes aim, and 
lets loose a whopper.

Fortunately, you're a quick guy (in this dream, at least), and 
manage to leap out of the way!

Unfortunately, Alberich is not so quick, and was leaning over 
your shoulder. A somewhat perplexed look overtakes his normally 
surly features as his molecules bid one another farewell. 

END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 20

"I'm sorry, that is incorrect. Access is denied."

At that instant, a tiny 750 megawatt laser appears from a little 
piece of fancy scrollwork on the top of the desk, takes aim, and 
lets loose a whopper.

Fortunately, you're a quick guy (in this dream, at least), and 
manage to leap out of the way!

Unfortunately, the laser is quicker. It re-aims, and fires again. 
"Darn", you think, as your molecules bid one another farewell. 

END_MESSAGE 

MESSAGE 21

"Hello. You have activated the Security Query system. Please 
answer the question to access the interior of the desk. An 
incorrect response will unfortunately result in destruction. 
Thank you, and have a nice day."

END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 22

The old man's eyes light up, and he gratefully takes the 
proffered match. You're about to offer him the box when he 
expertly strikes the match on the brick wall, in which an opening 
immediately appears. As the old man lights up his pipe, you 
spring through the opening. Made it! Snicker-snack! The opening 
closes behind you. 

END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 23

As the ring sails out over the river, the Rhinemaidens coo with 
joy, and one of them (actually it was Flosshilde) leaps up to 
grab the ring in mid-arc, doing a quick behind-the-back pass to 
Woglinde at point, who fires it to Wellgunde inside to set up for 
one of her famous "jo mamma" dunk shots. Thus satisfied, the 
Rhinemaidens disappear into the clear water.

You, meanwhile, are watching all of this from high on that 
mountain peak you saw a little while ago.

END_MESSAGE 

MESSAGE 24

As the ring sails out over the river, the Rhinemaidens coo with 
joy, and one of them (actually it was Flosshilde) leaps up to 
grab the ring in mid-arc, doing a quick behind-the-back pass to 
Woglinde at point, who fires it to Wellgunde inside to set up for 
one of her famous "jo mamma" dunk shots. Thus satisfied, the 
Rhinemaidens disappear into the clear water.

Suddenly, the river roars and wells up, infused with the power of 
the Rhinegold. As you are carried away, you lungs filling up with 
water, you are overcome by a weird combination of wonder, regret, 
and extreme annoyance. 

END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 25
You try to give the ring away, but it seems to stick to you. The 
$OBJECT$ giggles.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 26
Even here, in the midst of dangers such as no man has faced 
before, you summon the inner strength needed to eliminate fear 
from your soul. Your mind and purpose are now clear.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 27
You stride forward, seeming to part the flames with your very 
willpower. Which is, in fact, what happens.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 28
You try, but at the last second your emotions overcome you, and 
you back away from the wall of flame.

END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 29
Try as you might, you cannot clear your mind of the terror of the 
flames.

END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 30
A shimmering light seems to leap from where she lies! You back 
away, awe-stricken, as her beautiful, deep blue eyes slowly open 
from their long slumber. Slowly, shaking the sleep from her 
limbs, she rises. She looks at you, and comes towards you. You 
prepare for ..... well, think about it.

Suddenly her seductive smile disappears, replaced by a look of 
panic. She runs to a small hand mirror, grabs it, and looks at 
her face. She puts her hand to her pale lips, and looks at you 
with hope.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 31
Brunnhilde pushes you away. "Give it a rest."
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 32
She gratefully takes the lipstick, and turns toward her mirror 
with a sly smile. A few minutes later, you lie on the stone bower 
together. Trying not to think of the cold, rough stone pressing 
against your back, the two of you spend a little time getting to 
know each other. Several hours, in fact. 

You rise, stretch, scratch. Smile.

END_MESSAGE 

MESSAGE 33
You try, but you cannot shake you fear.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 34

"Thank you, Sir. Ma'am. This way." The usher touches a concealed 
button, and the glass door opens. A Boy appears inside. "May I 
take your tunic, Sir? House requires checking all weapons at the 
door, Sir." You argue, but to no avail, and Nothung gets put up 
in a rack by the door. 

The Boy shows you through the door, and points the way back. 
"Just follow the hallway, Sir. Ma'am. Good day."

END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 35
As you hold the coupon up, it blows out of your hand and 
vanishes.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 36
I'm afraid you don't have it. Do you know where it is to be 
found? Oh, I HOPE so!
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 37
The usher's face does not change in the least. "Sir, entrance to 
the Composer's study is by invitation only. If you will show me 
your invitation, you may enter. Otherwise, I'm afraid I must ask 
you to leave." You figure you could take him with two fingers, 
but that would make a scene.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 38
Pushing back the throne, you see the now-familiar iron staircase.
You descend into the room ....

END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 39
The program crisps, crackles, and burns up.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 40
I beg your pardon? An opera program?
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 41
You don't have a source of open flame.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 42
You're feeling a little strange.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 43
Your head is starting to spin a little, but you maintain your 
balance.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 44
You can hardly stand without becoming violently ill.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 45
Before you can, your head gives one final spin, and you feel 
yourself coming face to face with the Grim Reaper. You collapse 
on the ground; your final vision is one of a sweet face, looking 
down on you ... 
END_MESSAGE 

MESSAGE 46
Removing the Tarnhelm from your head, you feel much better.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 47
Brunnhilde is tapping her little foot. Looks like she's getting a 
little impatient.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 48
"Arrrrrghh!" Before you can do anything, Brunnhilde stomps over 
in a rage, looks you in the face, and gives you an extremely 
painful kick in the anatomical location most popular for such 
things. Doubling over, you feel like you're blacking out ....
END_MESSAGE 

MESSAGE 49
A smooth female voice wafts from the desk. "The desk is already 
open. Is this that damn chimp again?"
END_MESSAGE 49

MESSAGE 50
You give the rock a skilled, accurate toss (sidearmed), and it 
strikes the attacking mutant Opera Guild Volunteer right on the 
temple. Lightening appears at the spot where it struck her skull, 
and she cries out, "Toreador, your prize is love!" Not knowing 
just what to make of this, all you can do is watch as the mutant 
dissipates in a small, discrete "puff".
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 51
You attack Mimas with the sword, still smouldering from the heat 
of the forge despite the chilling bath. True to the warrior 
heritage of his race, Mimas hauls ass towards the cave exit 
pronto. In only a few steps (you are, after all, considerably 
taller), you cut him off and, before he can raise his voice to 
beg for mercy, you strike him down. Just as well --- you never 
really liked him anyway.

Still, somehow, you shed a tear for this act of violence. Would 
that the world did not work in such cruel ways.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 52
Suddenly, you hear a piercing cry, and instinctively look upward 
to see two huge, black ravens circling overhead. Their mournful 
wails fill you with a sense of foreboding. 
END_MESSAGE 

MESSAGE 53
Suddenly, you hear a piercing cry, and instinctively look upward 
to see two huge, black ravens circling overhead. Amazed, you find 
yourself able to understand their speech! 

"Beware the Tarnhelm!" cries one.
"Ignore him, he's lying!" cries the other.
"Am not!"
"Am too!"
"Am not!"
"Liar!"
"Liar!"

Gradually, their speech fades in the distance.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 54
There are #VAR1# matches left.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 55
There is one match left.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 56
There are no matches left.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 57
As you insert the $NOUN$ into the hole, you feel a surge of 
energy! Backing away (still holding the $NOUN$), you watch as a 
thin stripe of blazing white light appears just below the top of 
the desk --- slowly, the light spills out, as the top of the desk 
rises. When you eyes get used to the new brightness around you, 
you can see that ....

END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 58
As you should be able to tell from the blazing white light 
spilling forth from the interior of the obelisk, it's already 
open. And the hole no longer accepts anything, so don't try to be 
cute. 
END_MESSAGE 

MESSAGE 59
You insert the $NOUN$ into the hole. It looks at first like it 
might fit, but, as you push, it fails to go in. Arrrrggggh.

END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 60
You insert the $NOUN$ into the hole. It looks at first like it 
might fit, but, as you push, it fails to go in.

Having been assaulted twice in this manner, the desk sends out an 
unexpected beam of potent energy, as desks are tending to do in 
this game. Surprised, you find yourself sailing backwards through 
the aforementioned wall of flames, behind which there is, 
unfortunately, no good landing spot .... 

END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 61
The usher remains unperturbed. "I'm sorry, Sir, but this 
occasion really is for couples only. I'm afraid I'm not 
authorized to allow a single gentleman to enter."
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 62
You start to, but realize that the $NOUN$ could not possibly fit 
in the hole.
END_MESSAGE

