Start of a transcript of
GATOR-ON, Friend to Wetlands!
A work of interactive fiction
by Dave Horlick
Release 1 / Serial number 090830 / Inform v6.30 Library 6/11 S
Standard interpreter 1.0 (1F) / Library serial number 040227
>take inventory
You are carrying a shiny key, a corn chips bag (which is closed) and a homing
beacon.
The tram moves along south for a while, then southeast, then south.
Shark Valley East Loop Road (in the tram)
This paved blacktop road was constructed to connect the visitor center to the
observation tower. The road runs north and south. Wetlands extend to the west
and to the east.
You are sitting onboard a tour tram.
The tour guide welcomes everybody to Shark Valley, and then spends several
minutes trying to explain why there aren't any sharks.
>look at beacon
An arrow is visible inside the translucent globe, pointing southwest.
The tram moves along south for a while, then southwest for a while.
Shark Valley East Loop Road (in the tram)
This paved blacktop road was constructed to connect the visitor center to the
observation tower. The road runs northeast and southeast. Wetlands extend to the
west.
You are sitting onboard a tour tram.
>wait
Time passes.
The tram moves along southeast, then southwest, then south for a while.
Shark Valley East Loop Road (in the tram)
This paved blacktop road was constructed to connect the visitor center to the
observation tower. The road runs north and southeast. Wetlands extend to the
west and to the east.
You are sitting onboard a tour tram.
>get out
You get out of the tram.
Shark Valley East Loop Road
You can see a tram here.
The tram departs to the southeast.
>look at beacon
An arrow is visible inside the translucent globe, pointing southwest.
>sw
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
You can see the loop road to the west.
>[ THERE are no other Everglades in the world.
-- Marjory Stoneman Douglas]
sw
Shark Valley West Loop Road
This paved blacktop road was constructed to connect the visitor center to the
observation tower. The road runs north and south. Wetlands extend to the west
and to the east.
You can see a tram here.
The tram departs to the north.
>look at beacon
An arrow is visible inside the translucent globe, pointing southwest.
>sw
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
>sw
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
>look at beacon
An arrow is visible inside the translucent globe, pointing south.
>s
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
A hatch on the ground is barely visible through the periphyton.
You can also see a transmitter here.
[Your score has just gone up by one point.]
>take all
transmitter: Taken.
hatch: That's fixed in place.
>unlock hatch with key
Just as you are about to unlock the hatch, you are startled by a crow flying
right at you! In your surprise, you fumble away the key. By the time you have
regained your composure, the crow has already snatched up the key and flown away
to the north!
>e
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
>open bag
You open the corn chips bag, revealing some corn chips.
>take chips
Taken.
>drop them
Dropped.
>ne
Shark Valley West Loop Road
This paved blacktop road was constructed to connect the visitor center to the
observation tower. The road runs north and south. Wetlands extend to the west
and to the east.
>n
Shark Valley West Loop Road
This paved blacktop road was constructed to connect the visitor center to the
observation tower. The road runs north and south. Wetlands extend to the west
and to the east.
>n
Shark Valley West Loop Road
>n
Shark Valley West Loop Road
This paved blacktop road was constructed to connect the visitor center to the
observation tower. The road runs north and south. Wetlands extend to the west
and to the east.
>n
Shark Valley West Loop Road
This paved blacktop road was constructed to connect the visitor center to the
observation tower. The road runs north and south. Wetlands extend to the west
and to the east.
>n
Shark Valley West Loop Road
This paved blacktop road was constructed to connect the visitor center to the
observation tower. The road runs north and south. Wetlands extend to the west
and to the east.
>n
Shark Valley West Loop Road
This paved blacktop road was constructed to connect the visitor center to the
observation tower. The road runs north and south. Wetlands extend to the west
and to the east.
>n
Shark Valley West Loop Road
This paved blacktop road was constructed to connect the visitor center to the
observation tower. The road runs north and south. Wetlands extend to the west
and to the east.
>n
Shark Valley West Loop Road
This paved blacktop road was constructed to connect the visitor center to the
observation tower. The road runs north and south. Wetlands extend to the west
and to the east.
>n
Shark Valley West Loop Road
This paved blacktop road was constructed to connect the visitor center to the
observation tower. The road runs north and south. Wetlands extend to the west
and to the east.
>n
Shark Valley West Loop Road
This paved blacktop road was constructed to connect the visitor center to the
observation tower. The road runs north and south. Wetlands extend to the west
and to the east.
>n
Shark Valley West Loop Road
This paved blacktop road was constructed to connect the visitor center to the
observation tower. The road runs north and south. Wetlands extend to the west
and to the east.
The tram arrives.
>get on tram
You get into the tram.
The tram moves along north for a while, then northwest, then northeast.
Shark Valley West Loop Road (in the tram)
This paved blacktop road was constructed to connect the visitor center to the
observation tower. The road runs north and southwest. Wetlands extend to the
west.
You are sitting onboard a tour tram.
The tour guide misdentifies a Double-crested Cormorant.
>wait
Time passes.
The tram moves along north for a while.
Shark Valley West Loop Road (in the tram)
This paved blacktop road was constructed to connect the visitor center to the
observation tower. The road runs northeast and south. Wetlands extend to the
west.
You are sitting onboard a tour tram.
>wait
Time passes.
The tram comes to a gentle stop near the Visitor Center, to the south. Most of
the passengers get off and then others get on.
Shark Valley East Loop Road, Near Visitor Center (in the tram)
The loop road passes the visitor center here, south, and continues along to the
southwest and southeast. There is a parking lot to the west.
You are sitting onboard a tour tram.
>get out
You get out of the tram.
Shark Valley East Loop Road, Near Visitor Center
You can see a tram here.
The tram departs to the southeast.
>s
Visitor Center
The Visitor Center is really just an outside pavillion with an overhanging roof,
for short public presentations.
A crow searches the grass for discarded snacks.
The crow suddenly flies directly at a child, causing her to drop her snack,
which the crow flies off with.
[Your score has just gone up by one point.]
>put transmitter in bag
You put the transmitter into the corn chips bag.
>wait
Time passes.
>wait
Time passes.
A crow swoops down from the sky.
>give bag to crow
The crow grabs the corn chips bag and promptly flies off with it.
>look at beacon
An arrow is visible inside the translucent globe, pointing northeast.
>ne
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
You can see the loop road to the west.
>ne
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
>look at beacon
An arrow is visible inside the translucent globe, pointing east.
>e
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
>e
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
The corn chips bag has been torn open.
You can also see a shiny key here.
>take all
shiny key: Taken.
corn chips bag: Taken.
>sw
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
>sw
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
You can see the loop road to the west.
>sw
Forest
This is an area of dense vegetation and short hardwood trees.
>sw
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
You can see the loop road to the west.
>sw
Shark Valley West Loop Road
This paved blacktop road was constructed to connect the visitor center to the
observation tower. The road runs north and south. Wetlands extend to the west.
>sw
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
>s
Shark Valley West Loop Road
This paved blacktop road was constructed to connect the visitor center to the
observation tower. The road runs northeast and southeast. Wetlands extend to the
west.
>s
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
>s
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
>s
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
>s
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
>s
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
>s
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
>s
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
>s
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
>s
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
>s
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
>s
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
>s
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
>s
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
>s
Wetlands
>s
Wetlands
What commonly gets called a "swamp" is actually the most extraordinary ecosystem
on the planet. Water and grass extend as far you can see, filled with an
incredible variety of birds and fish and turtles and (of course!) alligators.
>s
Wetlands
You can see some corn chips here.
>take all
corn chips: Taken.
>w
Wetlands
A hatch on the ground is barely visible through the periphyton.
>unlock hatch with key
You unlock the hatch.
>open hatch
You open the hatch.
>d
Submerged Chamber
Uneven cinderblock walls struggle against the constant press of wet earth,
supplemented by a sump pump whose hum you can hear nearby. A smooth, steep chute
has been cut into the limestone floor.
[Your score has just gone up by one point.]
>d
You slide down the chute for several minutes.
Limestone Cavern
A giant cavern has been cut into the limestone.
You can see a large button and a giant fuchsia-colored robotic alligator here.
>get in robot
You get into the giant fuchsia-colored robotic alligator.
In the giant fuchsia-colored robotic alligator you can see a fuchsia-colored
helmet.
>close robot
You close the giant fuchsia-colored robotic alligator.
>wear helmet
(first taking the fuchsia-colored helmet)
After you put on the helmet, you fall into something like sleep.
Limestone Cavern (as giant fuchsia-colored robotic alligator)
A giant cavern has been cut into the limestone.
You can see a large button here.
>who am i?
You are a giant robotic alligator.
>diagnose
You are a perfectly healthy giant robotic alligator.
>score
You have so far scored 3 out of a possible 5, in 79 turns, earning you the rank
of Composter.
>press button
Your massive snout easily pushes the large button. Almost immediately, a passage
appears in the north wall and the cavern fills with water.
>n
You swim north. You feel a pressure change as the airlock closes behind you.
Florida Bay (as giant fuchsia-colored robotic alligator)
The bay bursts forth from a hundred estuaries against the backdrop of a pure
blue sky. The clouds appear to be perched almost directly atop the water.
[Your score has just gone up by one point.]
>n
There's important work left undone here.
Four specks of color appear in the distance.
>look at specks
They appear to be getting closer.
>wait
Time passes.
The four specks of color are now close enough to see that they are the four
other giant robotic alligators!
The orange-colored one is piloted by Dipole, a noted chemist and manufacturer of
drink containers that grow into topiary animals when discarded.
The caramel-colored one is piloted by Petal, a young woman who lived in a tree
for a year to prevent it from being cut down (for a year).
The lime-colored one is piloted by Osceoleta, the brilliant (and beautiful!)
Seminole engineer who designed the robot alligator fleet.
And finally the lemon-colored alligator is piloted by Jasmine, a fifth-grader
who wrote a moving essay on the importance of water conservation.
>look at Dipole
He appears to be asleep. His hands are stained from the use of laboratory dyes.
A more gutural, lower-pitched version of what you would otherwise recognize as
Osceoleta's voice comes on the radio. Gator-Osceoleta explains all about how the
Pyth-nor Consortium (consisting of reactionary sugar growers, building
developers, feathered hat makers, and extremist elements of the United States
Chamber of Commerce) intends to destroy Gator-on before it can begin its mission
closing destructive canals, stopping illegal use of damaging fertilizers, and
thwarting poachers.
>look at Petal
She appears to be asleep and has very long hair.
The robotic gators begin to undergo transformations! The caramel-colored and
lime-colored gators become giant arms (albeit arms with gaping alligator maws.)
The lemon-colored one and your own become similarly-arrayed bipedal legs.
The orange-colored gator changes most of all. Its own arms and legs swivel
around to reveal zigzag ports. Its alligator head rolls back to reveal a human-
like robot head.
Your robotic gator and much of the bay are surrounded by a rainbow of light with
no evident purpose or origin.
The other gators then paddle towards the orange-colored gator and take turns
biting down onto one of its newly-revealed ports.
>bite port
You bite down on the zigzag port. Gator-on is assembled! You fall into something
resembling an even deeper sleep.
Florida Bay (as Gator-on)
The bay bursts forth from a hundred estuaries against the backdrop of a pure
blue sky. The clouds appear to be perched almost directly atop the water.
All of a sudden, you are knocked into the bay by something very large, very
fast, and metallic. A glance upward confirms your apprehensions... Pyth-nor.
Before you know it, the thing has already started to wrap itself around you.
>diagnose
You are currently having the life crushed out of you by a giant robotic python.
>wake up
You awake as if from a deep sleep, and are once again a giant robotic alligator.
Florida Bay (in Gator-on) (as giant fuchsia-colored robotic alligator)
The bay bursts forth from a hundred estuaries against the backdrop of a pure
blue sky. The clouds appear to be perched almost directly atop the water.
In Gator-on you can see Pyth-nor, a giant lemon-colored robotic alligator, a
giant caramel-colored robotic alligator, a giant orange-colored robotic
alligator and a giant lime-colored robotic alligator.
>unbite
(Gator-on)
You release your jaws. The other Gator-on Force members see what you are playing
at and release their jaws, too. The center of gravity of the robot alligators
shifts and you are all free of Pyth-nor's death grip!
Gator-on begins to reassemble, prompting Pyth-nor to roar with anger.
>bite
(the giant orange-colored robotic alligator)
You bite down on the zigzag port. Gator-on is assembled! You fall into something
resembling an even deeper sleep.
Florida Bay (as Gator-on)
The bay bursts forth from a hundred estuaries against the backdrop of a pure
blue sky. The clouds appear to be perched almost directly atop the water.
You can see Pyth-nor here.
>attack Pyth-nor
You pound Pyth-nor down into the bay. It recoils as though in pain.
Pyth-nor lunges at you, but you are able to evade it.
>again
You pound Pyth-nor down into the bay. It recoils as though in pain.
>again
You pound Pyth-nor down into the bay. It recoils as though in pain.
You are seized with the pronounced inclination to form a crackling mace.
>form Crackling Mace
You bring your steel fists together and draw them slowly apart, producing a
bright beam of light.
You are now carrying the Crackling Mace.
>swing it
The air around the mace is seriously ionized.
The Crackling Mace hums with power in your hands.
>swing mace at Pyth-nor
You deliver Pyth-nor a decisive blow with the Crackling Mace! Its bulk casts
eerie shadows as it grinds to a gradual halt. The Sun is setting over Florida
Bay, but not on the future of the Florida Everglades. Or on its new champion.
*** You have won ***
In that game you scored 5 out of a possible 5, in 97 turns, earning you the rank
of Friend to Wetlands.
Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, UNDO your last move or QUIT?
> quit
