Appendix D – “Captain Fate” story¶
aptain Fate is our third and final game; it’s a little longer and more complex than its predecessors. See Captain Fate: take 1, Captain Fate: take 2, Captain Fate: take 3 and Captain Fate: the final cut.
Transcript of play¶
Impersonating mild mannered John Covarth, assistant help boy at an insignificant
drugstore, you suddenly STOP when your acute hearing deciphers a stray radio
call from the POLICE. There's some MADMAN attacking the population in Granary
Park! You must change into your Captain FATE costume fast...!
Captain Fate
A simple Inform example
by Roger Firth and Sonja Kesserich.
Release 3 / Serial number 040804 / Inform v6.30 Library 6/11 SD
On the street
On one side -- which your HEIGHTENED sense of direction indicates is NORTH --
there's an open cafe now serving lunch. To the south, you can see a phone booth.
>EXAMINE ME
In your secret identity's outfit, you manage most efficaciously to look like a
two-cent loser, a good-for-nothing wimp.
>INVENTORY
You are carrying:
your clothes (being worn)
your costume
>X COSTUME
STATE OF THE ART manufacture, from chemically reinforced 100% COTTON-lastic(tm).
>REMOVE CLOTHES
In the middle of the street? That would be a PUBLIC SCANDAL, to say nothing of
revealing your secret identity.
>X BOOTH
It's one of the old picturesque models, a red cabin with room for one caller.
>ENTER IT
With implausible celerity, you dive inside the phone booth.
>REMOVE CLOTHES
Lacking Superman's super-speed, you realise that it would be awkward to change
in plain view of the passing pedestrians.
>OUT
You get out of the phone booth.
On the street
On one side -- which your HEIGHTENED sense of direction indicates is NORTH --
there's an open cafe now serving lunch. To the south, you can see a phone booth.
>X CAFE
The town's favourite for a quick snack, Benny's cafe has a 50's ROCKETSHIP look.
>ENTER CAFE
With an impressive mixture of hurry and nonchalance you step into the open cafe.
Inside Benny's cafe
Benny's offers the FINEST selection of pastries and sandwiches. Customers clog
the counter, where Benny himself manages to serve, cook and charge without
missing a step. At the north side of the cafe you can see a red door connecting
with the toilet.
>OPEN DOOR
It seems to be locked.
>X IT
A red door with the unequivocal black man-woman silhouettes marking the entrance
to hygienic facilities. There is a scribbled note stuck on its surface.
>READ THE NOTE
You apply your ENHANCED ULTRAFREQUENCY vision to the note and squint in
concentration, giving up only when you see the borders of the note begin to
blacken under the incredible intensity of your burning stare. You reflect once
more how helpful it would've been if you'd ever learnt to read.
A kind old lady passes by and explains: "You have to ask Benny for the key, at
the counter."
You turn quickly and begin, "Oh, I KNOW that, but..."
"My pleasure, son," says the lady, as she exits the cafe.
>X BENNY
A deceptively FAT man of uncanny agility, Benny entertains his customers
crushing coconuts against his forehead when the mood strikes him.
>ASK BENNY FOR THE KEY
"Toilet is only fer customers," he grumbles, looking pointedly at a menu board
behind him.
>X MENU
The menu board lists Benny's food and drinks, along with their prices. Too bad
you've never learnt how to read, but luckily there is a picture of a big
cup of coffee among the incomprehensible writing.
>BENNY,GIVE ME A COFFEE
With two gracious steps, Benny places his world-famous Cappuccino in front of
you.
>BENNY,GIVE ME THE KEY
Benny tosses the key to the rest rooms on the counter, where you grab it with a
dextrous and precise movement of your HYPER-AGILE hand.
>UNLOCK DOOR WITH KEY
You unlock the door to the toilet and open it.
>N
Unisex toilet
A surprisingly CLEAN square room covered with glazed-ceramic tiles, featuring
little more than a lavatory and a light switch. The only exit is south, through
the door and into the cafe.
[Your score has just gone up by one point.]
>SWITCH ON LIGHT
You turn on the light in the toilet.
>CLOSE DOOR
You close the door to the cafe.
>LOCK DOOR WITH KEY
You lock the door to the cafe.
>X LAVATORY
The latest user CIVILLY flushed it after use, but failed to pick up the VALUABLE
coin that fell from his pants.
>TAKE COIN
You crouch into the SLEEPING DRAGON position and deftly, with PARAMOUNT STEALTH,
you pocket the lost coin.
[Your score has just gone up by one point.]
>REMOVE CLOTHES
You quickly remove your street clothes and bundle them up together into an INFRA
MINUSCULE pack ready for easy transportation. Then you unfold your
INVULNERABLE-COTTON costume and turn into Captain FATE, defender of free will,
adversary of tyranny!
>UNLOCK DOOR WITH KEY
You unlock the door to the cafe and open it.
>S
Inside Benny's cafe
Benny's offers the FINEST selection of pastries and sandwiches. Customers clog
the counter, where Benny himself manages to serve, cook and charge without
missing a step. At the north side of the cafe you can see a red door connecting
with the toilet.
On the counter is a cup of coffee.
Nearby customers glance at your costume with open curiosity.
"Didn't know there was a circus in town," comments one customer to another.
"Seems like the clowns have the day off."
>DRINK COFFEE
You pick up the cup and swallow a mouthful. Benny's WORLDWIDE REPUTATION is well
deserved. Just as you finish, Benny takes away the empty cup. "That will be one
quidbuck, sir."
>PAY COIN TO BENNY
With marvellous ILLUSIONIST gestures, you produce the coin from the depths of
your BULLET-PROOF costume as if it had dropped on the counter from Benny's ear!
People around you clap politely. Benny takes the coin and gives it a SUSPICIOUS
bite. "Thank you, sir. Come back anytime," he says.
"These fashion designers don't know what to do to show off," snorts a fat
gentleman, looking your way. Those within earshot try to conceal their smiles.
>PUT KEY ON COUNTER
Benny nods as you ADMIRABLY return his key.
"Must be carnival again," says a man to his wife, who giggles, stealing a peek
at you. "Time sure flies."
>S
You step onto the sidewalk, where the passing pedestrians recognise the rainbow
EXTRAVAGANZA of Captain FATE's costume and cry your name in awe as you JUMP with
sensational momentum into the BLUE morning skies!
*** You fly away to SAVE the DAY ***
In that game you scored 2 out of a possible 2, in 32 turns.
Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game or QUIT?
> QUIT
Game source code¶
!% -SD
!============================================================================
Constant Story "Captain Fate";
Constant Headline
"^A simple Inform example
^by Roger Firth and Sonja Kesserich.^";
!Release 1; Serial "020428"; ! IBG first edition (public beta)
!Release 2; Serial "020827"; ! IBG second edition
Release 3; Serial "040804"; ! for keeping track of public releases
Constant MANUAL_PRONOUNS;
Constant MAX_SCORE 2;
Constant OBJECT_SCORE 1;
Constant ROOM_SCORE 1;
Replace MakeMatch; ! required by pname.h
Replace Identical;
Replace NounDomain;
Replace TryGivenObject;
Include "Parser";
Include "pname"; ! pname.h is from the Archive
Object LibraryMessages ! must be defined between Parser and VerbLib
with before [;
Buy: "Petty commerce interests you only on COUNTED occasions.";
Dig: "Your keen senses detect NOTHING underground worth your
immediate attention.";
Pray: "You won't need to bother almighty DIVINITIES to save
the day.";
Sing: "Alas! That is not one of your many superpowers.";
Sleep: "A hero is ALWAYS on the watch.";
Sorry: "Captain FATE prefers ACTION over apologies.";
Strong: "An unlikely vocabulary for a HERO like you.";
Swim: "You quickly turn all your ATTENTION towards locating a
suitable place to EXERCISE your superior strokes,
but alas! you find none.";
Miscellany:
if (lm_n == 19)
if (clothes has worn)
"In your secret identity's outfit, you manage most
efficaciously to look like a two-cent loser, a
good-for-nothing wimp.";
else
"Now that you are wearing your costume, you project
the image of power UNBOUND, of ballooned,
multicoloured MUSCLE, of DASHING yet MODEST chic.";
if (lm_n == 38)
"That's not a verb you need to SUCCESSFULLY save the day.";
if (lm_n == 39)
"That's not something you need to refer to in order to
SAVE the day.";
];
Include "VerbLib";
!============================================================================
! Object classes
Class Room
with description "UNDER CONSTRUCTION",
has light;
Class Appliance
with before [;
Take,Pull,Push,PushDir:
"Even though your SCULPTED adamantine muscles are up to the task,
you don't favour property damage.";
],
has scenery;
!============================================================================
! The game objects
Room street "On the street"
with name 'city' 'buildings' 'skyscrapers' 'shops' 'apartments' 'cars',
description [;
if (player in booth)
"From this VANTAGE point, you are rewarded with a broad view
of the sidewalk and the entrance to Benny's cafe.";
else
"On one side -- which your HEIGHTENED sense of direction
indicates is NORTH -- there's an open cafe now serving
lunch. To the south, you can see a phone booth.";
],
before [;
Go:
if (player in booth && noun == n_obj) <<Exit booth>>;
],
n_to [; <<Enter outside_of_cafe>>; ],
s_to [; <<Enter booth>>; ],
in_to "But which way?",
cant_go
"No time now for exploring! You'll move much faster in your
Captain FATE costume.";
Object "pedestrians" street
with name 'passing' 'people' 'pedestrians',
description
"They're just PEOPLE going about their daily HONEST business.",
before [;
Examine:
return false;
default:
"The passing pedestrians are of NO concern to you.";
],
has animate pluralname scenery;
Appliance booth "phone booth" street
with name 'old' 'red' 'picturesque' 'phone' 'booth' 'cabin'
'telephone' 'box',
description
"It's one of the old picturesque models, a red cabin with room
for one caller.",
before [;
Open:
"The booth is already open.";
Close:
"There's no way to close this booth.";
],
after [;
Enter:
"With implausible celerity, you dive inside the phone booth.";
],
has enterable container open;
Appliance "sidewalk" street
with name 'sidewalk' 'pavement' 'street',
article "the",
description
"You make a quick surveillance of the sidewalk and discover much
to your surprise that it looks JUST like any other sidewalk in
the CITY!";
Appliance outside_of_cafe "Benny's cafe" street
with name 'benny^s' 'cafe' 'entrance',
description
"The town's favourite for a quick snack, Benny's cafe has a 50's
ROCKETSHIP look.",
before [;
Enter:
print "With an impressive mixture of hurry and nonchalance you
step into the open cafe.^";
PlayerTo(cafe);
return true;
],
has enterable proper;
!----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Room cafe "Inside Benny's cafe"
with description
"Benny's offers the FINEST selection of pastries and sandwiches.
Customers clog the counter, where Benny himself manages to
serve, cook and charge without missing a step. At the north side
of the cafe you can see a red door connecting with the toilet.",
before [;
Go: ! The player is about to depart. Is he making for the street?
if (noun ~= s_obj) return false;
if (benny.coffee_not_paid == true ||
benny.key_not_returned == true) {
print "Just as you are stepping into the street, the big hand
of Benny falls on your shoulder.";
if (benny.coffee_not_paid == true &&
benny.key_not_returned == true)
"^^~Hey! You've got my key and haven't paid for the
coffee. Do I look like a chump?~ You apologise as only a
HERO knows how to do and return inside.";
if (benny.coffee_not_paid == true)
"^^~Just waidda minute here, Mister,~ he says.
~Sneaking out without paying, are you?~ You quickly
mumble an excuse and go back into the cafe. Benny
returns to his chores with a mistrusting eye.";
if (benny.key_not_returned == true)
"^^~Just where you think you're going with the toilet
key?~ he says. ~You a thief?~ As Benny forces you back
into the cafe, you quickly assure him that it was only
a STUPEFYING mistake.";
}
if (costume has worn) {
deadflag = 5; ! you win!
"You step onto the sidewalk, where the passing pedestrians
recognise the rainbow EXTRAVAGANZA of Captain FATE's costume
and cry your name in awe as you JUMP with sensational
momentum into the BLUE morning skies!";
}
],
first_time_out false, ! Captain Fate's first appearance?
after [;
Go: ! The player has just arrived. Did he come from the toilet?
if (noun ~= s_obj) return false;
if (costume has worn && self.first_time_out == false) {
self.first_time_out = true;
StartDaemon(customers);
}
],
s_to street,
n_to toilet_door;
Appliance counter "counter" cafe
with name 'counter' 'bar',
article "the",
description
"The counter is made of an astonishing ALLOY of metals,
STAIN-PROOF, SPILL-RESISTANT and VERY EASY to clean. Customers
enjoy their snacks with UTTER tranquillity, safe in the notion
that the counter can take it all.",
before [;
Receive:
<<Give noun benny>>;
],
has supporter;
Object food "Benny's snacks" cafe
with name 'food' 'pastry' 'pastries' 'sandwich' 'sandwiches' 'snack'
'snacks' 'doughnut',
before [; "There is no time for FOOD right now."; ],
has scenery proper;
Object menu "menu" cafe
with name 'informative' 'menu' 'board' 'picture' 'writing',
description
"The menu board lists Benny's food and drinks, along with their
prices. Too bad you've never learnt how to read, but luckily
there is a picture of a big cup of coffee among the
incomprehensible writing.",
before [;
Take:
"The board is mounted on the wall behind Benny. Besides, it's
useless WRITING.";
],
has scenery;
Object customers "customers" cafe
with name 'customers' 'people' 'customer' 'men' 'women',
description [;
if (costume has worn)
"Most seem to be concentrating on their food, but some do
look at you quite blatantly. Must be the MIND-BEFUDDLING
colours of your costume.";
else
"A group of HELPLESS and UNSUSPECTING mortals, the kind
Captain FATE swore to DEFEND the day his parents choked on a
DEVIOUS slice of RASPBERRY PIE.";
],
life [;
Ask,Tell,Answer:
if (costume has worn)
"People seem to MISTRUST the look of your FABULOUS costume.";
else
"As John Covarth, you attract LESS interest than Benny's
food.";
Kiss:
"There's no telling what sorts of MUTANT bacteria these
STRANGERS may be carrying around.";
Attack:
"Mindless massacre of civilians is the qualification for
VILLAINS. You are SUPPOSED to protect the likes of these
people.";
],
orders [;
"These people don't appear to be of the cooperative sort.";
],
number_of_comments 0, ! for counting the customer comments
daemon [;
if (location ~= cafe) return;
if (self.number_of_comments == 0) {
self.number_of_comments = 1;
print "^Nearby customers glance at your costume with open
curiosity.^";
}
if (random(2) == 1) { ! do this 50% of the time
self.number_of_comments = self.number_of_comments + 1;
switch (self.number_of_comments) {
2: "^~Didn't know there was a circus in town,~ comments one
customer to another. ~Seems like the clowns have the
day off.~";
3: "^~These fashion designers don't know what to do to show
off,~ snorts a fat gentleman, looking your way. Those
within earshot try to conceal their smiles.";
4: "^~Must be carnival again,~ says a man to his wife, who
giggles, stealing a peek at you. ~Time sure flies.~";
5: "^~Bad thing about big towns~, comments someone to his
table companion, ~is you get the damnedest bugs coming
out from toilets.~";
6: "^~I sure WISH I could go to work in my pyjamas,~ says a
girl in an office suit to some colleagues. ~It looks SO
comfortable.~";
default: StopDaemon(self);
}
}
],
has scenery animate pluralname;
Object benny "Benny" cafe
with name 'benny',
description
"A deceptively FAT man of uncanny agility, Benny entertains his
customers crushing coconuts against his forehead when the mood
strikes him.",
coffee_asked_for false, ! has player asked for a coffee?
coffee_not_paid false, ! is Benny waiting to be paid?
key_not_returned false, ! is Benny waiting for the key?
life [;
Give:
switch (noun) {
clothes:
"You NEED your unpretentious John Covarth clothes.";
costume:
"You NEED your stupendous ACID-PROTECTIVE suit.";
toilet_key:
self.key_not_returned = false;
move toilet_key to benny;
"Benny nods as you ADMIRABLY return his key.";
coin:
remove coin;
self.coffee_not_paid = false;
print "With marvellous ILLUSIONIST gestures, you produce the
coin from the depths of your ";
if (costume has worn) print "BULLET-PROOF costume";
else print "ordinary street clothes";
" as if it had dropped on the counter from Benny's ear!
People around you clap politely. Benny takes the coin
and gives it a SUSPICIOUS bite. ~Thank you, sir. Come
back anytime,~ he says.";
}
Attack:
if (costume has worn) {
deadflag = 4;
print "Before the horror-stricken eyes of the surrounding
people, you MAGNIFICENTLY jump OVER the counter and
attack Benny with REMARKABLE, albeit NOT sufficient,
speed. Benny receives you with a TREACHEROUS upper-cut
that sends your GRANITE JAW flying through the cafe.^^
~These guys in pyjamas think they can bully innocent
folk,~ snorts Benny, as the EERIE hands of DARKNESS
engulf your vision and you lose consciousness.";
}
else
"That would be an unlikely act for MEEK John Covarth.";
Kiss:
"This is no time for MINDLESS infatuation.";
Ask,Tell,Answer:
"Benny is too busy for idle chit-chat.";
],
orders [; ! handles ASK BENNY FOR X and BENNY, GIVE ME XXX
Give:
if (second ~= player or nothing) "Benny looks at you strangely.";
switch (noun) {
toilet_key:
if (toilet_key in player) "But you DO have the key already.";
if (self.coffee_asked_for == true)
if (toilet_key in self) {
move toilet_key to player;
self.key_not_returned = true;
"Benny tosses the key to the rest rooms on the
counter, where you grab it with a dextrous and
precise movement of your HYPER-AGILE hand.";
}
else
"~Last place I saw that key, it was in YOUR
possession,~ grumbles Benny. ~Be sure to return it
before you leave.~";
else
"~Toilet is only fer customers,~ he grumbles, looking
pointedly at a menu board behind him.";
coffee:
if (self.coffee_asked_for == true)
"One coffee should be enough.";
move coffee to counter;
self.coffee_asked_for = self.coffee_not_paid = true;
"With two gracious steps, Benny places his world-famous
Cappuccino in front of you.";
food:
"Food will take too much time, and you must change NOW.";
menu:
"With only the smallest sigh, Benny nods towards the menu
on the wall behind him.";
default:
"~I don't think that's on the menu, sir.~";
}
],
has scenery animate male proper transparent;
Object coffee "cup of coffee" benny
with name 'cup' 'of' 'coffee' 'steaming' 'cappuccino'
'cappucino' 'capuccino' 'capucino',
description [;
if (self in benny)
"The picture on the menu board SURE looks good.";
else
"It smells delicious.";
],
before [;
Take,Drink,Taste:
if (self in benny) "You should ask Benny for one first.";
else {
move self to benny;
print "You pick up the cup and swallow a mouthful. Benny's
WORLDWIDE REPUTATION is well deserved. Just as you
finish, Benny takes away the empty cup.";
if (benny.coffee_not_paid == true)
" ~That will be one quidbuck, sir.~";
else
"";
}
Buy:
if (coin in player) <<Give coin benny>>;
else "You have no money.";
Smell:
"If your HYPERACTIVE pituitary glands are to be trusted,
it's Colombian.";
];
Object outside_of_toilet "toilet" cafe
with name 'toilet' 'bath' 'rest' 'room' 'bathroom' 'restroom',
before [;
Enter:
if (toilet_door has open) {
PlayerTo(toilet);
return true;
}
else
"Your SUPERB deductive mind detects that the DOOR is
CLOSED.";
Examine:
if (toilet_door has open)
"A brilliant thought flashes through your SUPERLATIVE
brain: detailed examination of the toilet would be
EXTREMELY facilitated if you entered it.";
else
"With a TREMENDOUS effort of will, you summon your
unfathomable ASTRAL VISION and project it FORWARD towards
the closed door... until you remember that it's
Dr Mystere who's the one with mystic powers.";
Open:
<<Open toilet_door>>;
Close:
<<Close toilet_door>>;
Take,Push,Pull:
"That would be PART of the building.";
],
has scenery openable enterable;
Object toilet_door
with pname '.x' 'red' '.x' 'toilet' 'door',
short_name [;
if (location == cafe) print "door to the toilet";
else print "door to the cafe";
return true;
],
description [;
if (location == cafe)
"A red door with the unequivocal black man-woman silhouettes
marking the entrance to hygienic facilities. There is a
scribbled note stuck on its surface.";
else
"A red door with no OUTSTANDING features.";
],
found_in cafe toilet,
before [ ks;
Open:
if (self hasnt locked || toilet_key notin player) return false;
ks = keep_silent; keep_silent = true;
<Unlock self toilet_key>; keep_silent = ks;
return true;
Lock:
if (self hasnt open) return false;
print "(first closing ", (the) self, ")^";
ks = keep_silent; keep_silent = true;
<Close self>; keep_silent = ks;
return false;
],
after [ ks;
Unlock:
if (self has locked) return false;
print "You unlock ", (the) self, " and open it.^";
ks = keep_silent; keep_silent = true;
<Open self>; keep_silent = ks;
return true;
Open:
give toilet light;
Close:
give toilet ~light;
],
door_dir [;
if (location == cafe) return n_to;
else return s_to;
],
door_to [;
if (location == cafe) return toilet;
else return cafe;
],
with_key toilet_key,
has scenery door openable lockable locked;
Object toilet_key "toilet key" benny
with pname '.x' 'toilet' 'key',
article "the",
invent [;
if (clothes has worn) print "the CRUCIAL key";
else print "the used and IRRELEVANT key";
return true;
],
description
"Your SUPRA PERCEPTIVE senses detect nothing of consequence
about the toilet key.",
before [;
if (self in benny)
"You SCAN your surroundings with ENHANCED AWARENESS,
but fail to detect any key.";
Drop:
"Benny is trusting you to look after that key.";
];
Object "scribbled note" cafe
with name 'scribbled' 'note',
description [;
if (self.read_once == false) {
self.read_once = true;
"You apply your ENHANCED ULTRAFREQUENCY vision to the note
and squint in concentration, giving up only when you see the
borders of the note begin to blacken under the incredible
intensity of your burning stare. You reflect once more how
helpful it would've been if you'd ever learnt to read.
^^A kind old lady passes by and explains:
~You have to ask Benny for the key, at the counter.~^^
You turn quickly and begin, ~Oh, I KNOW that, but...~^^
~My pleasure, son,~ says the lady, as she exits the cafe.";
}
else
"The scorched undecipherable note holds no SECRETS from
you NOW! Ha!";
],
read_once false, ! has the player read the note once?
before [;
Take:
"No reason to start collecting UNDECIPHERABLE notes.";
],
has scenery;
!----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Room toilet "Unisex toilet"
with description
"A surprisingly CLEAN square room covered with glazed-ceramic
tiles, featuring little more than a lavatory and a light switch.
The only exit is south, through the door and into the cafe.",
s_to toilet_door,
has ~light scored;
Appliance light_switch "light switch" toilet
with name 'light' 'switch',
description
"A notorious ACHIEVEMENT of technological SCIENCE, elegant yet
EASY to use.",
before [;
Push:
if (self has on) <<SwitchOff self>>;
else <<SwitchOn self>>;
],
after [;
SwitchOn:
give self light;
"You turn on the light in the toilet.";
SwitchOff:
give self ~light;
"You turn off the light in the toilet.";
],
has switchable ~on;
Appliance lavatory "lavatory" toilet
with name 'lavatory' 'wc' 'toilet' 'loo' 'bowl' 'can' 'john' 'bog',
before [;
Examine,Search,LookUnder:
if (coin in self) {
move coin to parent(self);
"The latest user CIVILLY flushed it after use, but failed to
pick up the VALUABLE coin that fell from his pants.";
}
Receive:
"While any other MORTALS might unwittingly throw just about
ANYTHING into ", (the) self, ", you remember the WISE teachings
of your mentor, Duke ELEGANT, about elderly plumbing and rising
waters.";
];
Object coin "valuable coin" lavatory
with name 'valuable' 'coin' 'silver' 'quidbuck',
description "It's a genuine SILVER QUIDBUCK.",
before [;
Drop:
if (self notin player) return false;
"Such a valuable coin? Har, har! This must be a demonstration of
your ULTRA-FLIPPANT jesting!";
],
after [;
Take:
"You crouch into the SLEEPING DRAGON position and deftly, with
PARAMOUNT STEALTH, you pocket the lost coin.";
],
has scored;
!============================================================================
! The player's possessions
Object clothes "your clothes"
with name 'ordinary' 'street' 'clothes' 'clothing',
description
"Perfectly ORDINARY-LOOKING street clothes for a NOBODY like
John Covarth.",
before [;
Wear:
if (self has worn)
"You are already dressed as John Covarth.";
else
"The town NEEDS the power of Captain FATE, not the anonymity
of John Covarth.";
Change,Disrobe:
if (self hasnt worn)
"Your KEEN eye detects that you're no longer wearing them.";
switch (location) {
street:
if (player in booth)
"Lacking Superman's super-speed, you realise that it
would be awkward to change in plain view of the passing
pedestrians.";
else
"In the middle of the street? That would be a PUBLIC
SCANDAL, to say nothing of revealing your secret
identity.";
cafe:
"Benny allows no monkey business in his establishment.";
toilet:
if (toilet_door has open)
"The door to the bar stands OPEN at tens of curious eyes.
You'd be forced to arrest yourself for LEWD conduct.";
print "You quickly remove your street clothes and bundle them
up together into an INFRA MINUSCULE pack ready for easy
transportation. ";
if (toilet_door has locked) {
give clothes ~worn; give costume worn;
"Then you unfold your INVULNERABLE-COTTON costume and
turn into Captain FATE, defender of free will, adversary
of tyranny!";
}
else {
deadflag = 3;
"Just as you are slipping into Captain FATE's costume,
the door opens and a young woman enters. She looks at
you and starts screaming, ~RAPIST! NAKED RAPIST IN THE
TOILET!!!~^^
Everybody in the cafe quickly comes to the rescue, only
to find you ridiculously jumping on one leg while trying
to get dressed. Their laughter brings a QUICK END to
your crime-fighting career!";
}
thedark:
"Last time you changed in the dark, you wore the suit inside
out!";
default: ! this _should_ never happen...
"There must be better places to change your clothes!";
}
],
has clothing proper pluralname;
Object costume "your costume"
with name 'captain' 'captain^s' 'fate' 'fate^s' 'costume' 'suit',
description
"STATE OF THE ART manufacture, from chemically reinforced 100%
COTTON-lastic(tm).",
before [;
Wear:
if (self has worn)
"You are already dressed as Captain FATE.";
else
"First you'd have to take off your commonplace unassuming
John Covarth INCOGNITO street clothes.";
Change,Disrobe:
if (self has worn)
"You need to wear your costume to FIGHT crime!";
else
"But you're not yet wearing it!";
Drop:
"Your UNIQUE Captain FATE multi-coloured costume? The most
coveted clothing ITEM in the whole city? Certainly NOT!";
],
has clothing proper;
!============================================================================
! Entry point routines
[ Initialise;
#Ifdef DEBUG; pname_verify(); #Endif; ! suggested by pname.h
location = street;
move costume to player;
move clothes to player; give clothes worn;
lookmode = 2;
"^^Impersonating mild mannered John Covarth, assistant help boy at an
insignificant drugstore, you suddenly STOP when your acute hearing
deciphers a stray radio call from the POLICE. There's some MADMAN
attacking the population in Granary Park! You must change into your
Captain FATE costume fast...!^^";
];
[ DeathMessage;
if (deadflag == 3) print "Your secret identity has been revealed";
if (deadflag == 4) print "You have been SHAMEFULLY defeated";
if (deadflag == 5) print "You fly away to SAVE the DAY";
];
[ InScope person item;
if (person == player && location == thedark && real_location == toilet) {
PlaceInScope(light_switch);
PlaceInScope(toilet_door);
}
if (person == player && location == thedark)
objectloop (item in parent(player))
if (item has moved) PlaceInScope(item);
return false;
];
!============================================================================
! Standard and extended grammar
Include "Grammar";
[ ChangeSub;
if (noun has pluralname) print "They're";
else print "That's";
" not something you must change to save the day.";
];
Verb 'change' 'exchange' 'swap' 'swop'
* noun -> Change;
Extend 'ask'
* creature 'for' topic -> AskFor;
!============================================================================
Compile-as-you-go¶
“Captain Fate” suffers from the same difficulty as “William Tell”: if you type the code sequentially as you read through the guide, the game won’t compile until you reach the end of Chapter 13. To compile and test as you go, add these stubs to the end of the game file when you reach the end of Chapter 10:
! ================================================================
! TEMPORARY DEFINITIONS NEEDED TO COMPILE AT THE END OF CHAPTER 10
Room cafe;
Object clothes;
Replace those stubs with these at the end of Chapter 11:
! ================================================================
! TEMPORARY DEFINITIONS NEEDED TO COMPILE AT THE END OF CHAPTER 11
Room toilet;
Object clothes;
Object costume;
and with these at the end of Chapter 12:
! ================================================================
! TEMPORARY DEFINITIONS NEEDED TO COMPILE AT THE END OF CHAPTER 12
Room toilet;
Object clothes;
Object costume;
Object coin;
Object coffee;
Object food;
Object menu;
At the end of Chapter 13 the game is complete, so you can delete the temporary stubs.