The Short Nap

The Short Nap

A Detective Noir Text Adventure Concept, Character Biographies, Map, Room Specification & Solution

Tony Murphy

The Short Nap

Concept
Game: Setting: The Short Nap
Set during the 1940s, in the Walstoria-Asdorf hotel in an unnamed American City, The Short Nap is a slightly comic homage to Raymond Chandlers The Big Sleep. The environment runs heavily towards film-noir and the player must respond to settings, characters and objects in kind. The atmosphere of the hotel contains low lighting and big band music from a distance, news reports on the radio, perfume left hanging in the air and lipstick-stained cigarettes left smoking in lead crystal ashtrays. The Walstoria-Asdorf consists of four floors of long corridors which lead to different hotel rooms, (some of which are locked) an elevator which contains a lift operator, (who will provide some clues if asked) a guarded hotel foyer which the hero cannot get past and a laundry area with an exit he can leave by. The narrative is told from a first person perspective which will allow the story to unfold more naturally and will help prevent players from finding themselves in a cul-de-sac as the dialogue will hint towards the next goal within the game. For example:The big lug-who did great work with a blackjack, passed by the broom closet I was hiding in. whats due. With the dialogue written in this style, it becomes clear that the player must attack this target to advance. Other characters within the hotel are typically Chandleresque, the Dame, the Weasel, the Don, and the Guards and so on. All will play to their roles and their dialogue will reflect this. The back of my head kept reminding me I owed him a debt, and Im a man who repays

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Narrative: While sitting in his crummy office, Sid gets a visit from a
beautiful woman who believes her husband is having an affair with his secretary. Seeking to end her marriage, she requests that Sid tail her husband, take photos of them together and meet her later in the week to deliver the pictures. After a lengthy time following her wayward husband, Sid finally gets the shots his client needs. Sid receives a letter supposedly from his client asking him to meet in her room in the Walstoria-Asdorf hotel. With proof in hand, Sid arrives at the hotel, makes his way to her room, knocks on the door and is smartly knocked on the head from behind as the door opens. Waking up and finding himself tied to a chair, Sid notices four things; his client clearly is not there, his clients husband is but lies dead on the floor, the photos are missing, and he has an enormous headache. An oily voice behind him informs Sid that the police are on their way, having been called by concerned guests at the hotel who heard raised voices, a fight, followed by a gunshot. Sid is doubly alarmed to realise that his gun lies next to his clients husband, the thin smell of gunpowder still present in the room. The voice tells Sid Good luck in Sing-Sing Shovel, give my regards to Warden Lawes and quietly closes the door. Our hero, Sid Shovel, P.I. must escape his enemies within the hotel, find the evidence that prove his alibi for being there and solve the case of the clients murdered husband that he has now been falsely implicated in.

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The Short Nap

Character Biographies:
Sid Shovel P.I. Sid Shovel is a forty-something, chain-smoking, twicebitten world-weary graduate of the school of hard knocks. Sid has three slugs in him, one is lead and the other two are bourbon. Growing up poor and sick of life out on the panhandle, Sid answered Uncle Sams call and ran away and joined the army at an early age. Seeing service in two wars, Sid left the army and joined the police force. After a huge corruption case in which Sid indicted three fellow officers, one of whom left Sid with a bullet in his leg, Sid decided that working alone might mean that no-one can disappoint him again or betray his trust. Sids cynicism and paranoia has meant romance, while not uncommon in his life, seldom lasts. Experience has left Sid with a sardonic view of humanity and a bullet wound in his leg that still hurts when it rains.

Gloria Smithson

Gloria, Sids most recent and now missing client is 31, brunette, mysterious and very attractive, just the kind of Dame that breaks hearts and takes no blame as Sid would say. Married at 21 to Harry Smithson, the glitter fell from the wedding quickly when Gloria realised that her Accountant husband took dubious clients, stayed out late more often than not and brought home more money than an accountant in his position

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The Short Nap should earn. Gloria, long resigned to Harrys infidelity was content to let things go on as her position in society allowed her to move in the same circles as movie stars and politicians but recently things have changed as Harry is taking on more clients associated with organised crime. Late night phone calls and shouting in his office has caused Gloria to begin to fear for her life. Not content to walk away empty handed however, Gloria decides to catch her husband red-handed, thereby guaranteeing a divorce settlement that will allow her to continue to live in the style shes become accustomed to.

Harry Smithson

Harry Smithson is 33, tall, dapper, an accountant and a crook. After graduating from Harvard, Harry started out in a small firm as a clerk with a desire to move up in the business. Not content with the standard career route, Harry blackmailed one of the partners for a promotion, threatening to reveal to the Feds and the I.R.S. that the partner in question was overbilling his clients and cooking the books. Leaving the firm a few years later with a sizeable settlement cheque, Harry started his own accountancy firm, married Gloria, had many affairs and advertised for clients among those who needed a more flexible servant of the law. Eventually finding himself under investigation from the Feds for numerous infractions, Harry hinted that he may have information on his clients that might

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The Short Nap help in a few federal cases if it meant immunity from the law. After one too many of Harrys clients get picked up and sent to Sing-Sing, Harrys other clients realise where the Feds are getting their information from and take steps to see Harry put on ice.

The Don

The Don has made his way up from the criminal underworld from the very bottom. Recognised as a hard case when he began, he has since become one of the coldest, most ruthless mobsters in the states. The head of the Verdona family, The Don saw an opportunity in Harry that he could exploit and soon had Harry laundering every cent that came in from his many and nefarious criminal activities. Recently, with arrests being a bit too frequent among his goons by police and federal agents who seem a little too informed and Harrys lapses in his work, the Don has deduced that Harry is the weak link in the chain and must be got rid of.

Tony Murphy

The Short Nap

Room Specifications
Room Name: Room Description:

Room 303 (Start Point)

I'm in Room 303. The Oily Weasels just left and the cops are on the way. I'm tied to a rickety chair. I have to escape if I'm ever gonna clear my slightly disreputable name. The room is a typical hotel room, slightly cheesy for my tastes but nothing to write home to Mom about.....Oh yeah, theres a dead body here too.

Objects Present: Characters Present: Entrances & Exits:

Hotel Furniture, Rope, Body, Pool of Blood

Sid Shovel, Harry Smithson (Deceased)

South

Room 303

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Room Name: Room Description:

Third Floor Corridor (West)

I'm now in a typical hotel corridor.

It's empty.

Theres lights are every few metres but they're poor and its carpeted too so I can keep my noise down and hide in the alcoves as I search for a way out. There are hotel room doors on the left and the rest of the corridor leads to an elevator at the eastern end. The rest of the corridor is exactly like repetitive. this one so my monolouging...monoloughing....story may get a bit

Objects Present: Characters Present: Entrances & Exits:

None

Sid Shovel

North & East

Third Floor Corridor (West)

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The Short Nap

Room Name: Room Description:

Third Floor Corridor

Well, I'll be damned! Its the same as the last bit of corridor, oh except for the new room to the north...and its locked!

Objects Present: Characters Present: Entrances & Exits:

None

Sid Shovel

North (with key), West & East

Third Floor Corridor

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The Short Nap

Room Name: Room Description:

Room 302

Room 302 is almost exactly the same as the rest; I'm beginning to feel that this may become a pattern here at the Walstoria-Asdorf. its side... Theres nothing special about this room...wait, the bin is on

Objects Present:

Hotel Furniture, Bin, Crystal Ashtray, Elevator Control Lever, Matches

Characters Present: Entrances & Exits:

Sid Shovel

South

Room 302

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Room Name: Room Description:

Third Floor Corridor (East)

Well, I'll be damned! Its the same as the last bit of corridor, oh except for the new room to the north.

Objects Present: Characters Present: Entrances & Exits:

None

Sid Shovel

West, North (with key) & East

Third Floor Corridor (East)

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Room Name: Room Description:

Room 301

Its a typical hotel roo.....Shit!!!

Theres a guard

dozing in the chair!!! He's just about to wake up! I'd better move fast, theres furniture here, nothing useful, except the large, heavy ceramic lamp next to me...

Objects Present: Characters Present: Entrances & Exits:

Hotel Furniture, Diary Page 1, Room 302 Key

Sid Shovel, Dozing Guard

South

Room 301

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Room Name: Room Description:

Third Floor Elevator

The elevator...I'm never too sure about these, I don't mind using 'em, I just never know whether to tip the operator or not. Speaking of which, he isn't here. Looks pretty normal, shame its missing the control lever though. Without that lever, I'm stuck here on the third floor

Objects Present: Characters Present: Entrances & Exits:

None

Sid Shovel

West & Down

Third Floor Elevator

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Room Name: Room Description:

Second Floor Elevator

Well, thats one floor finished but it looks like I'm stuck on the second floor. The lever is jammed

and won't drop to the lower floors, I need to find another route down or fix this one.

Objects Present: Characters Present: Entrances & Exits:

None

Sid Shovel

West, Up & Down (with Operator present)

Second Floor Elevator

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Room Name: Room Description:

Second Floor Corridor (East)

Its another corridor similar to the third floor, again, the low lighting and carpeting will help me move quietly. Theres the sound of a party or event in the room to the north. The door is closed but I'd better not disturb them no matter how much I would love a belt of scotch right now.

Objects Present: Characters Present: Entrances & Exits:

None Sid Shovel West, North & East

Second Floor Corridor (East)

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Room Name: Room Description:

Room 201

(Before) Dammit!! I knew I shouldn't have just

walked in, the goons grab me and kick the old Elevator Operator out, I'm once again tied to a chair. I don't like the look on their drunken faces...

(After) Another standard hotel room, no goons

though, thats the main thing. Theres bottles and glasses everywhere but much as I'd love a belt right now, I better keep a clear head.

Objects Present: Characters Present: Entrances & Exits:

Hotel Furniture, Diary Page 2 Sid Shovel, Goons, Hal the Elevator Operator South

Room 201

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Room Name: Room Description:

Second Floor Corridor

Another normal stretch of corridor except for a four digit combination lock on the locked door to the north. I wonder whats inside thats so important that it had to be locked like this.

Objects Present: Characters Present: Entrances & Exits:

Hotel Furniture, Diary Page 2

Sid Shovel, Goons, Hal the Elevator Operator

West, North (with code) & East

Second Floor Corridor

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Room Name: Room Description:

Room 202

With the door now open, I can see what was so important that it had to be locked

up...firecrackers, great, thats just great, now I can really show them where I am. They're probably for the idiots next door. What kind of moron locks up firecrackers....hmmm....it does give me an idea though...

Objects Present: Characters Present: Entrances & Exits:

Hotel Furniture, Firecrackers

Sid Shovel

South

Room 202

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Room Name: Room Description:

Second Floor Corridor (West)

I'm at the east end of the corridor, thankfully theres no one here, theres another hotel room to the north.

Objects Present: Characters Present: Entrances & Exits:

None

Sid Shovel

North & East

Second Floor Corridor (West)

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Room Name: Room Description:

Room 203 & En-Suite Bathroom

Same old, same old. This room is a little different though, theres a small en suite bathroom with a mirror over the sink to the west.

Objects Present:

Hotel Furniture, En-Suite Bathroom, Sink, Tap, Toilet, Bath, Mirror

Characters Present: Entrances & Exits:

Sid Shovel

South & West (To En-Suite Bathroom)

Room 203

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Room Name: Room Description:

First Floor Elevator

The lift stops and I can hear sirens getting closer and as the elevator doors open I can see blue lights flashing through the far windows of the corridor. I'd better not go to the foyer, its bound to be full of cops and the cops would just love to get me on a case like this.

Objects Present: Characters Present: Entrances & Exits:

None

Sid Shovel, Hal

West, Up & Down (with Operator present)

First Floor Elevator

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Room Name: Room Description:

First Floor Corridor (East)

I'm on the First Floor, which looks just like all the other floors but at least I'm closer to getting out but I need to find more diary pages.

Objects Present: Characters Present: Entrances & Exits:

None

Sid Shovel

West, North & East

First Floor Corridor (East)

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Room Name: Room Description:

Room 101

I'm getting tired of these rooms. I must have visited all of them by now, if I see another painting of a goddamn sunset, I'm gonna put my head through it. Wait theres something different about this room but I can't put my finger on it...

Objects Present: Characters Present: Entrances & Exits:

Hotel Furniture, Rug, Diary Page 3

Sid Shovel

South

Room 101

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Room Name: Room Description:

First Floor Corridor

Somethings a little different in this corridor. Theres a laundry chute here. though. The damn things locked

Objects Present: Characters Present: Entrances & Exits:

Laundry Chute

Sid Shovel

North, South (with key), West & East

First Floor Corridor

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Room Name: Room Description:

Room 102

Room 102, same as all the other rooms, but I can hear voices next door, I should try to keep quiet.

Objects Present:

Hotel Furniture, Vanity Chest, Drawer, Ledger, Chute Key

Characters Present: Entrances & Exits:

Sid Shovel

South

Room 102

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Room Name: Room Description:

First Floor Corridor (West)

I should try not to stay here too long; the Don is in the room to the North. If he finds me, everything I've worked for will be for nothing.

Objects Present: Characters Present: Entrances & Exits:

None

Sid Shovel

North & East

First Floor Corridor (West)

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Room Name: Room Description:

Room 103

The Don is here, surrounded by his men.

I can't

escape, I can't fight my way out of this, I can't.....

Objects Present: Characters Present: Entrances & Exits:

None

Sid Shovel, The Don, Lethal Guards

No Exit (Game Over)

Room 103

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Room Name: Room Description:

Hotel Foyer

The entrance foyer is pretty big, fancy too.

Gilt

and glitz everywhere....and cops...lots of cops. Dammit! I'm not getting away this time, not enough lamps to hit them with. Theres too many bent cops on the force, God knows if anyone knows that, its me. I've never been on the best of terms since whistle-blowing on corruption back when I was a cop. I know most of these guys and they'd love nothing more than to put an extra bullet or two in me. I put my hands up; I'll get I'm probably gonna be nowhere trying to run.

found shot for resisting arrest...

Objects Present: Characters Present: Entrances & Exits:

None

Sid Shovel, The Police

No Exit (Game Over)

Hotel Foyer

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Room Name: Room Description:

Laundry Chute

I open the chute and with a little difficulty I climb inside. As I hang from my chewed fingernails, I

realise that old bones break easy and begin to wonder if this is such a good idea. The decision is taken away from me however as I hear voices coming from the west of the corridor and my brain takes the reins and lets go of the edge....I'd probably yell in fear at this point, but I'm surprised to find that I'm too afraid to. Thankfully I land in pile of bedclothes and find myself in the laundry. Theres no-one here.

Objects Present: Characters Present: Entrances & Exits:

None

Sid Shovel, The Police

No Exit (Win Game)

Laundry Chute

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Directions for Perfect Game.

This list will complete the game with a near perfect score. are not included and must be discovered during the game. There is an Easter Egg in the game which can only be accomplished in the starting room Room 303. This instant win option is in homage to Scott Adams The Incredible Hulk text adventure. To achieve this, just type bite lip while still tied to the chair. Other options and actions are available to the player while playing but these

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12) 13) 14) 15) 16) 17)

Tip chair back Step over blood East East North Take lamp Hit guard with lamp Search guard Take key Read key Examine bed Take diary page 1 Read diary page 1 South West Unlock door North Tony Murphy

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The Short Nap 18) 19) 20) 21) 22) 23) 24) 25) 26) 27) 28) 29) 30) 31) 32) 33) 34) 35) 36) 37) 38) 39) 40) 41) 42) 43) Look in bin Take lever Look in ashtray Take matches South East East Use lever Down West Listen at door Look through keyhole West West North West Turn on tap East South East Use code 0723 North Take firecrackers South West North Tony Murphy

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The Short Nap 44) 45) 46) 47) 48) 49) 50) 50) 51) 52) 53) 54) 55) 56) 57) 58) 59) 60) 61) 62) 63) 64) 65) 66) 67) 68) Light firecrackers West North Take diary page 2 Read diary page 2 South East Ask Hal about hello Ask Hal about hotel Ask Hal about the Don Ask Hal about harry Ask Hal about Gloria Ask Hal about elevator Down West North Examine rug Move rug Take diary page 3 Read diary page 3 South West Examine chute North Open vanity chest Take ledger Tony Murphy

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The Short Nap 69) 70) 71) 72) 73) 74) 75) 76) 77) 78) 79) Read ledger Open ledger Take key Read key South West Listen at door Look through keyhole East Unlock chute South

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Game Transcript
"I woke to find myself tied to a chair. Believe it or not, this isn't the first time I found myself like this, but the last time involved a showgirl from the Strip and a lot of Bourbon. This time I'm looking at my client's husband and the pool of blood his heads lying in. I think he's dead, but I'm not a doctor so who can say. 'That was some fight, shame you had to kill him' A voice from behind me, oily, weasel-like. I try to turn in my chair but I can't see the little runt. 'Good luck in Sing-Sing Shovel, give my regards to Warden Lawes' 'Wait, I didn't kill him, the last thing I remember is walking into the room then the lights went out, then my lights went out' 'Sure you killed 'im Shovel, I saw the whole thing and being a, whadyacallem, a concerned citizen, I called the cops and gave your gun to the manager along with a couple 'a c-notes and then he saw the whole thing too. You got angry with the husband, came to the hotel to have it out, got mad and shot 'im. There ain't a jury anywhere that won't believe that, 10 years for sure. Anyway Shovel, I can't stay here jawin' to the back of yer head all night, cya buddy, don't reach fer the soap' Even the moron's laugh as he leaves is greasy; it sets my teeth on edge and makes my fists itch. Well, I've been in tighter spots but not as tight as this, I gotta escape and somehow clear my name. At least the ropes aren't too tight and this chair sure seems rickety......" I'm in Room 303. The Oily Weasels just left and the cops are on the way. I'm tied to a rickety chair. I have to escape if I'm ever gonna clear my slightly disreputable name. The room is a typical hotel room, slightly cheesy for my

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tastes but nothing to write home to Mom about.....Oh yeah, theres a dead body here too. tip chair back "Whoooa! OW!!!!!" The chair breaks like it was a woodworm's graveyard. I pick my now even shabbier frame up from the floor and untie the now loose ropes. I'm free! I give the room a quick once over but I think I need to leave quickly. Harry's body has all his pockets turned out so theres no point in searching him. Room 303 The hotel room is a typical room, a bed, chairs, vanity chest; you know the kind of thing. You've seen one, you've seen them all. Except for the dead body of course. I'm free to leave the room now. There is a growing pool of blood here, maybe Harry's just a bit accident prone while shaving but its probably from the bullet hole in his head. Also here is Comfy Chair, Wastepaper Bin, Vanity Chest, Large Picture and King Size Bed. I can only move south. Theres bits of chair everywhere too As I turn to go, I notice that Harry's blood is by the door. step over blood I stepped over the blood, I dont want to leave bloody footprints everywhere! Third Floor Corridor (West) I'm now in a typical hotel corridor. It's empty. Theres lights are every few metres, but they're poor and its carpeted too so I can keep my noise down and hide in the alcoves as I search for a way out. Theres hotel room doors on the left and the rest of the corridor leads to an elevator at the eastern end. The rest of the corridor is exactly like this one so my monolouging...monoloughing....story may get a bit repetitive. north and east. I can move

east I move east.

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Third Floor Corridor Well, I'll be damned!, its the same as the last bit of corridor, oh except for the new room to the north...and its locked! I can move east and west. east I move east. Third Floor Corridor (East) Well, I'll be damned! Its the same as the last bit of corridor, oh except for the new room to the north. I can move north, east and west. north I move north. Room 301 Its a typical hotel roo.....Shit!!! theres a guard dozing in the chair!!! He's just about to wake up! I'd better move fast, theres furniture here, nothing useful, except the large, heavy ceramic lamp next to me... Also here is Large Bed, Comfy Chair, Wastepaper Bin, Vanity Chest and Large Picture. Guard is here. I can move north and south. take lamp I have a large, decorative and above all HEAVY lamp in my hands. hit guard with lamp He goes down like sack of anvils. He may have been dozing before, but now hes in for a good nights sleep...for the next couple of days! Room 301 Its a typical hotel room.....well, apart from the unconscious guard on the floor. Also here is Large Bed, Comfy Chair, Wastepaper Bin, Vanity Chest and Large Picture. Guard is here. I can move north and south.

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search guard I've found a key, theres writing on it take key I got the key. read key It says: 'Walstoria-Asdorf Room 302' examine bed Crumpled Diary Page 1 is inside Large Bed. take diary Page 1 I have a crumpled diary page, I should read what it says. read diary Page 1 "Sunday Febuary 14th

Gloria's mad again. Missed Valentine dinner due to meeting the Don. Doesn't she understand that I have to go when the Don calls. He's already unhappy about how the 1st National job went. If I don't shift this money soon, he's gonna blame me!"
This is great, it doesn't exactly clear my name but its a start, I wonder if I can find some more. south I move south. Third Floor Corridor (East) Well, I'll be damned! Its the same as the last bit of corridor, oh except for the new room to the north. I can move north, east and west.

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west I move west. Third Floor Corridor Well, I'll be damned! Its the same as the last bit of corridor, oh except for the new room to the north...and its locked! I can move east and west. unlock door I used the key to unlock the door Third Floor Corridor The key is a perfect fit and the lock opens in my hands. I can move north, east and west. I can enter Room 302 north I move north. Room 302 Room 302 is almost exactly the same as the rest, I'm beginning to feel that this may become a pattern here at the Walstoria Asdorf. Theres nothing special about this room...wait; the bin is on its side... Also here is Comfy Chair, Vanity Chest, Large Picture, King Size Bed, a Bin and Crystal Ashtray. move south. look in bin Theres a lever here take lever I have the Elevator Control Lever. I can now use the Elevator Room 302 Room 302 is almost exactly the same as the rest, I'm beginning to feel that this may become a pattern here at the Walstoria Asdorf. Theres nothing special I can only

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about this room. Also here is Comfy Chair, Vanity Chest, Large Picture, King Size Bed, a Bin and Crystal Ashtray. I can only move south. look in ashtray A classy ashtray, crystal by the look of it, personally I'm happy with my coffee cup, this would look out of place in my cramped little office. matches are inside Crystal Ashtray. take matches I have a book of matches. I don't think there's anything else here that'll help me clear my name. south I move south. Third Floor Corridor The key is a perfect fit and the lock opens in my hands. I can move north, east and west. east I move east. Third Floor Corridor (East) Well, I'll be damned! Its the same as the last bit of corridor, oh except for the new room to the north. I can move north, east and west. east I move east. Elevator (3) The elevator...I'm never too sure about these, I don't mind using 'em, I just never know whether to tip the operator or not. Speaking of which, he isn't here. Looks pretty normal, shame its missing the control lever though. Without that lever, I'm stuck here on the third floor. I can only move west. A book of

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use lever The lever fits into the slot perfectly; I can use the elevator now. Elevator (3) The lever fits perfectly; I can use the elevator to go down now. The elevator control has four slots; G, 1, 2 and 3. Its currently set to 3. I can move west and down. The lever is in the slot and can't be removed down I move down. Elevator (2) Well, thats one floor finished but it looks like I'm stuck on the second floor. The lever is jammed and won't drop to the lower floors, I need to find another route down or fix this one. I can move west and up. west I move west. Second Floor Corridor (East) Its another corridor similar to the third floor, again, the low lighting and carpeting will help me move quietly. Theres the sound of a party or event in the room to the north. The door is closed but I'd better not disturb them no matter how much I would love a belt of scotch right now. I can move north, east and west. listen at door I can hear a party or...something like it. It sounds like some goons are getting drunk...wait, they're saying something to someone else in there... I don't think he wants to be in there with them and they keep trying to get him to drink. Theres no way to help him at the moment, I'll just have to think of a brilliant plan later. Maybe I'll learn more looking through the keyhole.

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look through keyhole I can see a bunch of goons livin' it up, the Elevator Operator is with them. Every time he gets up, they push him down and hold a drink to his mush. Morons, I used to put idiots like this in jail. I'm gonna need the Operators help to get downstairs. I have to get him out somehow. west I move west. Second Floor Corridor Another normal stretch of corridor except for a four digit combination lock on the locked door to the north. I wonder whats inside thats so important that it had to be locked like this. Also here is a Combination Lock. I can move east and west. west I move west. Second Floor Corridor (West) I'm at the east end of the corridor, thankfully theres no one here, theres another hotel room to the north. I can move north and east. north I move north. Room 203 Same old, same old. This room is a little different though, theres a small en suite bathroom with a mirror over the sink to the west. move south and west. west I move west. Also here is Comfy Chair, Wastepaper Bin, Vanity Chest, Large Picture and King Size Bed. I can

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Ensuite Bathroom Its a small en-suite bathroom. Its nicely laid out, a bit too rich for my meager tastes. Theres a toilet, a bath and a mirror over a sink. Also here is Sink Tap, a Bath, a Toilet, a Mirror and Bathroom Sink. I can only move east. turn on tap The tap gushes with hot water and steam rises, revealing the message in the mirror. It says '0723'. east I move east. Room 203 Same old, same old. This room is a little different though, theres a small en suite bathroom with a mirror over the sink to the west. move south and west. south I move south. Second Floor Corridor (West) I'm at the east end of the corridor, thankfully theres no one here, theres another hotel room to the north. I can move north and east. east I move east. Second Floor Corridor Another normal stretch of corridor except for a four digit combination lock on the locked door to the north. I wonder whats inside thats so important that it had to be locked like this. Also here is a Combination Lock. I can move east and west. Also here is Comfy Chair, Wastepaper Bin, Vanity Chest, Large Picture and King Size Bed. I can

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use code 0723 The code on the bathroom works like a charm, the door opens and I can go in. Now, whats so special inside here... north I move north. Room 202 With the door now open, I can see what was so important that it had to be locked up...firecrackers, great, thats just great, now I can really show them where I am. They're probably for the idiots next door. What kind of moron locks up firecrackers....hmmm....it does give me an idea though... Also here is Comfy Chair, Wastepaper Bin, Vanity Chest, Large Picture, King Size Bed and Chinese Firecrackers. I can only move south. take firecrackers I have the firecrackers. south I move south. Second Floor Corridor Another normal stretch of corridor except for a four digit combination lock on the locked door to the north. I can go freely into this room now. Also here is a Combination Lock. I can move north, east and west. west I move west. Second Floor Corridor (West) I'm at the east end of the corridor, thankfully theres no one here, theres another hotel room to the north. I can move north and east.

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north I move north. Room 203 Same old, same old. This room is a little different though, theres a small en suite bathroom with a mirror over the sink to the west. This may be a good room for a bit of a distraction. Also here is Comfy Chair, Wastepaper Bin, Vanity Chest, Large Picture and King Size Bed. I can move south and west. light firecrackers The fuse is lit! I throw the firecrackers in the corner. here to the elevator to hide before they go off. Elevator (2) I'm back in the elevator, the firecrackers are going off like a machine gun and the goons have all run to room 203 to see what the noise was about and now the Elevator Operator is back where he should be. I should ask him some questions and find out whats going on here at the hotel. It says 'Hal' on his name badge. Maybe I should risk quickly searching the goons' room too while I can. I can move west, up and down. west I move west. Second Floor Corridor (East) The room to the north is quiet now, the goons have hightailed it to Room 203 to see what the racket was all about. I can have a quick look inside but I'd better be quick about it, they'll be back soon. I can move north, east and west. north I move north. I'd better clear out of

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Room 201 Another standard hotel room, no goons though, thats the man thing. Theres bottles and glasses everywhere but much as I'd love a belt right now, I better keep a clear head. Hmmm...it looks like theres another diary page here, one of the goons must have dropped it. only move south. take diary page 2 I take Torn diary page 2. read diary Page 2 "Monday March 8th. Also here is Comfy Chair, Wastepaper Bin, Vanity Chest, Large Picture, King Size Bed and Torn diary page 2. I can

The Feds are closing in!! I keep hearing a click when I'm using the phone and I know I'm being tailed. Theres a van outside my office and house every day. They must know something. I got to keep my cool here. The Don...he can't know about this or I'm a dead man!"
Another piece of the jigsaw is falling into place. I knew he was a rat to his wife but it appears theres more to Harry than I realised. Some detective I am. On the plus side, it does look more likely that these pages can clear my name. south I move south. Second Floor Corridor (East) The room to the north is quiet now, the goons have hightailed it to Room 203 to see what the racket was all about. I can have a quick look inside but I'd

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better be quick about it, they'll be back soon. I can move north, east and west. east I move east. Elevator (2) I'm back in the elevator, the firecrackers are going off like a machine gun and the goons have all run to room 203 to see what the noise was about and now the Elevator Operator is back where he should be. I should ask him some questions and find out whats going on here at the hotel. It says 'Hal' on his name badge. Maybe I should risk quickly searching the goons' room too while I can. Hal is here. I can move west, up and down. ask Hal about hello "Thanks there buddy, those idiots wouldn't let me out of the room. The names Hal." ask Hal about hotel "I dunno what to tell you Mac, The Don and all his boys took over the hotel a few weeks ago. Most of the other guests left or don't know he's here. He's keeping it on the downlow. Don't go near Room 103, he's in there with his boys and they don't take kindly to visitors." ask Hal about the Don "The Don, hes the kingpin of the local families, if you don't know who the Don is, you musta had yer head in a wall buddy." ask Hal about Harry "I dunno what to tell ya Mac, He came in last week and apart from wandering the hotel, I ain't heard a peep outa him. His wife visited him earlier though."

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ask Hal about Gloria "The blonde dame? she came in to Harry's room earlier and left a half hour later. I ain't seen her since." ask Hal about elevator "I been working this shaft since I was a kid back in 1890, when they first built the hotel. I see you got the lever back, those baboons took the lever and hid it on me. She's a mite temp'mental, you just have to know how to handle her, you need to jiggle it to get her to work. I can bring you to the first floor if you like, its the least I can do." down I move down. Elevator (1) The lift stops and I can hear sirens getting closer and as the elevator doors open I can see blue lights flashing through the far windows of the corridor. I'd better not go to the foyer, its bound to be full of cops and the cops would just love to get me on a case like this. I can move west, up and down. west I move west. First Floor Corridor (East) I'm on the First Floor, which looks just like all the other floors but at least I'm closer to getting out but I need to find more diary pages. I can move north, east and west. north I move north. Room 101 I'm getting tired of these rooms. I must have visited all of them by now, if I see another painting of a goddamn sunset, I'm gonna put my head through it.

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Wait, theres something different about this room but I can't put my finger on it... Also here is Comfy Chair, Wastepaper Bin, Vanity Chest, Large Picture and King Size Bed. I can only move south. examine rug A tacky rug, it would probably suit my office. move rug I moved the rug and found what looks like another page of Harry's diary. take diary page 3 I've found a third page of Harry's diary, I should read it. read diary Page 3 "Friday March 13th

This is it. I knew it would happen. I've tried to keep up but its fallen apart. Glorias' just left and I told her everything; the money laundering, the kick-backs, the bribes and the feds closing in. She knows how to keep herself safe so she's fled the country with the cash I told her about hidden under a rock near a tree where we met for our first date. I've never told anyone about that so no-one other than Gloria will find it and now no-one should find her. I know I'm going to die tonight. You don't work for the Don without recognizing the signs; everyones been real friendly and calling me 'pally', if I try to leave the hotel, someone asks me what I want or where I'm going and sends someone else to get it. The Don's responsible. He won't touch me till he's sure hes got all my books and ledgers. By now he thinks hes got them but not all of them. Theres one left. Its taped under the drawer of a
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vanity chest in room 102. This is the one he really wants and its right next door to him but if anyone finds this page, find the ledger and take it to the feds, I beg you, its the only evidence that will ensure Gloria's safety. I've torn apart my diary and hidden pages in some of the rooms of the hotel. Hopefully someone will find them and maybe piece together what happened and then I'll have my revenge on the Don. A strike to his evil heart from the grave. Its all I can hope for. Harry Smithson 13th March 1937"
The poor bastard, seems he wasn't so bad in the end, he did what he could to keep his wife safe, thats more than most mobsters would do in that situation. But, this is it! The last piece. All I need now is to get the diary from the drawer and escape! south I move south. First Floor Corridor (East) I'm on the First Floor, which looks just like all the other floors but at least I'm closer to getting out. According to Harry's diary, the ledger is in Room 102 but the Don is next door so I need to be careful. I can move north, east and west. west I move west.

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First Floor Corridor Somethings a little different in this corridor. Theres a laundry chute here. The damn things locked though. Also here is laundry chute. I can move north, east and west. north I move north. Room 102 Room 102, this is where Harry hid his ledger. I should try and find it. Also here is Comfy Chair, Wastepaper Bin, Vanity Chest, Large Picture and King Size Bed. I can only move south. examine vanity chest A standard vanity chest, it has a mirror on top and a couple of drawers. Vanity Chest is closed. open vanity chest I open the drawer to the vanity chest and reach underneath...theres a book of some kind taped underneath. take book I have Harry's ledger. I should look inside. read ledger I can read this but it doesn't make much sense to me. Guess you have to be a number-cruncher like Harry to get it. All the same, even I can tell that this is pure dynamite to the Don and his operations. Theres something stuffed in the back. open ledger Theres writing inside... and a key!

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take key I have the key that was inside the ledger, theres a parcel tag tied to it. I should read it. read key Its written in Harry's writing:

"Just in case" HS
south I move south. First Floor Corridor Somethings a little different in this corridor. Theres a laundry chute here. The damn things locked though. Also here is laundry chute. I can move north, east and west. open chute I open laundry chute. south I open the chute and with a little difficulty I climb inside. As I hang from my chewed fingernails, I realise that old bones break easy and begin to wonder if this is such a good idea. The decision is taken away from me however as I hear voices coming from the west of the corridor and my brain takes the reins and lets go of the edge....I'd probably yell in fear at this point, but I'm surprised to find that I'm too afraid to. Thankfully I land in pile of bedclothes and find myself in the laundry. Theres no-one here. I exit through the alleyway entrance and carefully make my way to my lawyers office. He's a nite owl like me so I knew he'd be there. After explaining my story and passing over the diary pages and the ledger, he

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called the feds who took me into protective custody. I've had in many days. A month has gone past since then and I'm back on penny-ante divorce and missing cat cases. I'm safe from the Don though; after being picked up for racketeering and money laundering charges, as well as murder charges for Harry, he sang like a canary to get a reduced sentence. The rest of the families didn't like that one bit and he was shanked in Sing Sing awaiting trial. They have no interest in me; it would only bring the feds sniffing around their interests so I'm safe. I got a letter this morning, no not a letter, just a note. It said "For services rendered - many thanks." GS XXX In it was a sight draft for $300. I'm glad she's ok. As I stare over the ocean, watching the sun go down from my cramped, smoke stained office, I pour another drink and wonder if maybe getting a partner might not be such a bad idea. Might need a bigger office though. After signing my

deposition, I'm led into an unlocked cell and I have the first good nights sleep

[Press any key to end]

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