Gnu in the Zoo — 19 of 30

Section 2 - Lakeside

The Lakeside is a room. "The pathway on which you stand is bounded by low stone walls as it runs over a weir. The weir separates the pond to the northeast from the lake that expands away, at a lower level, to the southwest. The path runs north, following the river that feeds the pond, and south to a wide paved area. You can see another path running west which would have remained inconspicuous had some fool not seen fit to stick a sign in the middle of it." It is south of the Riverside.

The grit path is in the Lakeside.

The stone walls are objects in the Lakeside. "Some effort has gone into making these walls aesthetic as well as functional. The design incorporates numerous small holes, perhaps to allow the human juveniles to look − but not fall − through. They still smell remarkably clean." They are scenery. Understand "holes" as the stone walls.

The weir is an object in the Lakeside. "You can’t get a clear view of the weir from here." It is scenery.

The pond is an object in the Lakeside. "It’s about the right size to house, say, representatives of three duck species, though none are in evidence at this time of [if Night-Time is happening]night[otherwise]the morning[end if]." It is scenery.

The lake is backdrop. "The lake stretches serenely away into the distance, making gentle lapping sounds." It is in the Lakeside.

The river is in the Lakeside.

The no-entry sign is an object in the Lakeside. "You can’t read the sign, of course, but it has a sort of formality about it that would encourage visitors to go elsewhere for entertainment." It is scenery.

The park bench is a supporter. "A park bench has been positioned nearby to provide any occupants with an excellent view of the lake[if Tabby the Cat is on the park bench]. The zoo’s cat, Tabby, lies asleep on it, quietly snoring[end if]." The description of the park bench is "It’s a plain, slatted wooden bench, about as long as you are, facing towards the lake. It smells like it was recently varnished." It is in the Lakeside.

Tabby the Cat is a female animal with description "Tabby by name, tabby by nature." She is on the park bench. She is undescribed and asleep.

Tabby the Gnu is a female gnu with description "She’s a gnu. Agnother gnu. The only one alive who’s known to mew."

Instead of waking Tabby the Cat, try touching Tabby the Cat.

Instead of touching Tabby the Cat:

remove Tabby the Cat from play;

now Tabby the Gnu is in the Lakeside;

increase the time of day by five minutes;

say "You nudge the cat with your nose, but immediately spring back with a stinging snout. Tabby is standing, hissing at you, hackles raised and back arched. A blue glow surrounds her as she starts to grow; soon she is forced off the bench onto the path. Her fur becomes coarser and darker. With a sickening tearing sound, horns force their way out of her head, and hooves burst from her paws.[paragraph break]Scant moments later, the glow fades. Tabby the Cat is no more and Tabby the Gnu stands in her place."

After going north from the Lakeside:

say "You make your way off the weir, past the pond, and north along the river.";

increase the time of day by five minutes;

continue the action.

After going west from the Lakeside:

say "You carefully pick your way past the sign, mentally tutting to yourself as you do so, and follow a gravel path bordered by hedges.";

increase the time of day by five minutes;

continue the action.

After going south from the Lakeside:

increase the time of day by two minutes;

continue the action.

Instead of going nowhere in the Lakeside when the noun is inside:

try going east.