" * * * Weather: State of exigency * * , * * " VOL. V....No. 4 * * —SPRING 1986*— * INTERVERNAL EDITION Trinity: A Nuclear Time Warp Interactive fiction lets you control of all time: the world's first atomic the course of a story. Trinity™, the explosion, code-named Trinity. exciting new fantasy from Infocom, Trinity blends fantasy and realism takes this one step further. It lets you to bring you an otherworldly attempt to alter the course of history. experience somewhere between Trinity begins in London, where Alice in Wonderland and The you are a tourist determined to Twilight Zone. Although author enjoy the last day of your $599 Brian Moriarty conducted extensive vacation, despite ominous research to ensure the accuracy of rumblings from the superpowers. locations and events, at no time are But the peaceful ambience of a sum- you completely in reality. Even at mer morning quickly turns to horror the Trinity site, magical things can as air raid sirens fill the air and a happen. hydrogen bomb threatens the city As the first puzzle-oriented game with instant annihilation. to be written with Infocom's Interac- If you're clever, you'll escape tive Fiction Plus™ development through a mysterious white door into system, Trinity has more of all the a magical garden filled with curious things Infocom fans have grown to artifacts and overgrown with know and love. There are dozens of Every Trinity package includes “The Illustrated Story of the Atom gigantic toadstools. But this haunt- challenges, nearly 600 objects and Bomb,” a map of the Trinity test site, an intricately decorated sundial, ingly beautiful landscape is only the locations, and a vocabulary of over and instructions for folding an origami bird. starting point of your journey. 2100 words. Interactive Fiction Plus You've discovered a twilight world doubles the potential size of a in which every atomic explosion that program, allowing for larger, richer has ever occurred is inexplicably stories and more sophisticated user Cornerstone For $99.95 connected; and you'll need to ex- interfaces. plore every inch of it, crisscrossing To get you started, the Trinity Cornerstone™, the powerful, easy- many of the people who would time and space, before you can package includes a copy of The to-use database from Infocom, is benefit most from Cornerstone understand and control its power. Illustrated Story of the Atom Bomb. now available for only $99.95. just couldn't afford it. So we Your quest will lead you from the This historical comic book fills you Why did we lower the price on a repackaged it to cut costs and set Siberian tundra to a tropical island, in on the facts behind the fantasy, as product that's already getting a price more accessible to the from deep underground to the depths well as providing valuable clues to great reviews from users and individual user it was originally of outer space. The chilling climax the puzzles in the story. Also press? Simple. We realized that by title, author, subject, publication, takes place in the New Mexico included are an intricately deco- fa and date, desert, where you'll arrive minutes rated punch-out sundial, a detailed in For example, in the Public Rela- before the most fateful experiment Please turn to page 9 w *.*.* tions office here at Infocom, we in DEL keep a copy of every article pub- be lished about the company or our ear Somewhere out there, beyond the Greatproducts. Underground— er,These no — are Empire, a filednews paperby public a- Infocom Weds Activision exists a strange world where a gruespaper Again, this information can is bepublished. tion in We several don't largeknow filefor surecabinets. It's On February 19, 1986, Activision, responded with a (clean) limerick. The New York Times they're used calledin many different ways. For easy to learn what Time magazine Inc. announced that Infocom would The bride wore a veil made from what a york is (something like a yak, we suppose), but if example, it would be easy to find out has said about Infocom, but finding be purchased by Activision, in a five yards of nylon net, and carried as nasty as grues, we don't want to meet one. Anyway,nasty they as and how many gravesites are still avail- every review of Planetfall involves transaction valued at approximately artificial flowers. Both bride and able andtheir where lawyers they (which are located,we are quite as surehours are of at searchingleast as through file fold- $7.5 million. Mere weeks later, in a groom wore looks of bemused well asgrues) to categorize think that athem zork byand cost. a york ers.are prettySetting much up alike.an articles file on So, we're looking for a new name for * * * . If you have a dramatic affirmation of combina- surprise. This information could then be sent is rightCornerstone, out), send with it to each* * * article, listed suggestion (The New Zork Post torial spirit, Activision President After a honeymoon at Aragain to current owners, as well as to Con- by title, author, subject, publication, Infocom, Inc., 125 CambridgePark Drive, Cambridge, MA 02140. James H. Levy and Infocom Presi- Falls, the newly merged couple will gregation members who have not yet and date,The lets New us easily York Timesaccess every The winner will receive a subscription to dent Joel M. Berez were merged in a maintain their separate product reserved a gravesite. And Corner- review of Planetfall, every article by or the newspaper of his or her choice. Now that you know the moving ceremony presided over by development and marketing stone's "tickler" file can be used to a given freelance author, or even InfoRabbi Stuart W. Galleywitz. facilities in Mountain View, CA, difference, we're sure that your choiceThe will New be * York * * .Times We apologize hoping remindto the the Beth millions Shalom of people office whowhen bought articles we remember only by title or Infocommies cheered, participated and Cambridge, MA. (i.e. We'll still to expectto receive a monument * * * . Entries installation, must be receiveddate of publication. by August 15, Cornerstone 1986,to and tells in responsive readings from Hackers be the Infocom you know and love.) and sendbecome out thea secon propertyd billing, of Infocom, or Inc.us exactly (We reserve where the to right find what we (written by Steven Levy — no Queried about graphics in order a comefloral up arrangement with our own for name, a per- if wewant, think so yours it's easy are allto terrible,gons.) back but into the relation to Jim), and threw rice at the Interactive Fiction stories, or better petual-carewe'll plot. award the prize to the least badfile entrycabin etif thatand happepull it out. beaming CEOs. parsers in Little Computer People, Maybe you don't manage a Bruce took full advantage of Berez read a tone poem drawn the happy couple declined comment, Public Relations office. But Cor- Cornerstone's relational abilities from the purple prose of several but smiled enigmatically. nerstone, with each article listed Please turn to page 9 Interactive Fiction stories, and Levy PAGE 2 * * * * SPRING 1986 Fooblitzky Available at Your Corner Store Would you rather spend an great game. It reminds people of has access to an IBM PC/XT/AT ownership. evening with a serial murderer than classic board games like Clue® and (with 128K, graphics card, and pref- Bringing Fooblitzky to the posta- with a mailman? Does the mere Mastermind™. It's a challenging erably a composite monitor), or an phobics is just the beginning of a thought of licking a postage stamp strategy game with fun graphics. It's Atari XL/XE (with 48K and 810 or long, long crusade. There are still cause your mouth to dry up and your a competitive game which promotes 1050 disk drive), or an Apple II plus/ many more computer owners that tongue to swell? Do you shudder and social interaction between players. IIe/IIc (with 128K), and at least need to be united with this unique hyperventilate to the beat of Mr. It's a perfect family game, one that $39.95 of disposable income. As part game. For example, people who do Postman by the Marvelettes? Do you young and old can play together. It's of this crusade, we are now making not subscribe to * * * * might not be break out in hives or a cold sweat enjoyed by males and females alike. Fooblitzky available through retail aware of Fooblitzky. Or this might be when you're within a hundred yard It's a game that even computer-haters channels, thereby ending one of the the perfect Infocom game for the few radius of a mailbox? Will you only can love! greatest discomforts that posta- lost souls who don't care for interac- eat Kellogg's raisin bran? If you an- Having confirmed our belief in its phobics have had to suffer. With tive fiction. So please join us in our swered "yes" to one or more of the greatness, we knew we must embark Fooblitzky painlessly available at crusade. We need your help. Spread above questions, you most likely on a crusade to make Fooblitzky their local software dealer, victims of the news of Fooblitzky — suffer from postaphobia — the fear available to every man, woman, and postaphobia need no longer be because a thing of beauty is meant to of anything pertaining to the post child in the free world who owns or deprived of the joys of Fooblitzky be shared. office or mail service. In the past, victims of this crippling condition have been Eniac and Other Little Known Computer Facs unable to enjoy all the pleasures and treasures that life has to offer — This year marks the fortieth CATARAC. An early artificial by Masters and Johnson, the U.S. Air namely, Fooblitzky™. Fooblitzky, anniversary of ENIAC, the first intelligence experiment, CATARAC Force, and Paramount Pictures. No Infocom's unique graphic strategy modern-day computer. Built at the was the first computer results from this experimental game, has been available only University of Pennsylvania, ENIAC designed to "see." Its built-in camera project were ever published, but through mail order. If postaphobics was the first all-electronic digital would analyze objects in whispered rumors indicated that the attempt to purchase anything via computer. Unlike earlier computers, attempt to identify them. Unfortu- interactions between the three mail order, they are sent into a it used vacuum tubes rather than nately, the lens was prone to fog, machines were "intriguing." terrifying tailspin. Their anxiety relays in its logic circuits. causing wildly erroneous identifi- CULDESAC. The research attack is of such great proportion that ENIAC's anniversary has gotten cations. A military-sponsored pro- leading up to this computer seemed nothing short of a frontal tremendous amounts of attention gram, CATARAC was dismantled in promising, but turned out to be a lobotomy will relieve their from the computer-related press. 1967 after it identified a visiting Five dead end. condition. Therefore, they have been Ignored in all the hoopla, however, Star General as Leon Trotsky. These are just a handful of the forced to lead empty lives, devoid of are some other great machines of the BIGMAC. The first of the big electronic marvels built by the pio- the wondrous experience of late 1940s that helped usher in the computers built for practical pur- neers of the computer revolution. Fooblitzky ownership. computer age: pose, BIGMAC was designed to plan Many others have also carved their And what a wondrous experience it MAINEEAC. A powerful com- the menu at several government niche into silicon history: TARMAC, is! We asked people who were fortu- puter, but given to odd, unexplain- cafeterias. Too many programmer- LILAC, BIVOUAC, KARDIAC, nate enough to be capable of buying able errors. Here's a typical example. cooks spoiled the brew; BIGMAC BRIKABRAC, ZODIAC, Fooblitzky to express their feelings Programmer: "MAINEEAC, what is formulated meals consisting entirely HEMOFILIAC, and INSOMNIAC. about it. Here's just a sampling of the sum of 3 and 5?" MAINEEAC: of carbohydrates, and the project was Yes, in paving the way toward the their responses: "I'm going to butcher your entire eventually scrapped amidst a flurry computers of today, ENIAC was family, starting with your baby of finger-pointing. definitely an important paving It's the best multi-player game ever sister." NEKROFILIAC, NYMFOMA- stone — but let us not forget the to come around! It's fun, exciting, EENIE- MEENIE- MYNIE- NIAC, and AFRODEEZIAC. This other stones that also line that road. enjoyable, enthralling, fantastic, MOENIAC. Designed to use simple trio of computers were funded jointly and great. —Jeff, age 15 algorithms to make choices between equally good possibilities, this com- Even my wife likes this game, and puter never performed she hates my computer. —Carl, satisfactorily. Its selections always Design a Better Envelope age 26 seemed to be random, or based on Did you notice anything different twisted mouth, while baring its algorithms beyond the understanding about the envelope that this NZT lethal fangs, seems to form yet a My brother and I played this today of its programmers. Also, it was issue arrived in? Did you notice the whispered plea for sympathy, for about 2½ hours — we laughed, prone to holler "Ollie Ollie Oxen unique pen-and-ink rendering on the understanding, perhaps even love.... cried, and generally had a great Free" for no apparent reason. front of it? Truly a noteworthy objet d'art — time!! The graphics are fabulous. KADILAC. The classiest of Did you notice dramatic competi- tasteful, and yes, beautiful in its sim- Keep up the great work!! — computers, more powerful than any tion of bold black against the wash plicity, yet poetic and equally beauti- Sarah-Ann, age 41 of its contemporaries. Occupying of white? The soothing flow of the ful in its emotional complexity. fifteen floors of an office building in lines that lend, if you will, an Look, I'm talking about that dude Good family involvement game — Detroit, KADILAC could go from 0 almost musical quality? The in the lower left-hand corner. Yeah, favorite of my 11-year-old to 60 instructions in just seven hypnotic play of light glinting from that stick thing. And quit calling him daughter. —Edward, age 38 seconds, but used an extraordinary the whetted edge of the axe blade? Mr. Salty, the pretzel man! It's a amount of electricity to operate. A And ah — the face! What drama lies troll — okay?! If you think you can Basically, people's experiences smaller version of the machine, therein! Intense emotion emits from do a better job, then go ahead! with Fooblitzky confirmed what we PONTIAC, was also a disappoint- the eyes, their gaze searing the Come on — I mean it! Let's see have always believed: Fooblitzky is a ment. onlooker like fiery embers. The Please turn to page 12 SPRING 1986 * * * * PAGE 3
... the most difficult? ... the easiest? Getting to Know You 1. ______1. ______2. ______2. ______We would like to get to know you a little better. We want to know what makes you tick — your likes and dislikes, your strengths and 3. ______3. ______weaknesses, your successes and failures, your hopes and fears, your Listed below are various aspects of an Infocom interactive fiction game. By aspirations and dental hygiene habits. Therefore, we're putting together a circling the appropriate number, please indicate how important each aspect series of reader surveys that we will be running in this and future issues of is to your enjoyment of the game. * * * * . Please take the time to fill out these surveys. They will help Very Not us to create the kinds of entertainment products that you'd Important Important enjoy most, or to write stories for * * * * that you'd find the most Puzzles ...... 1 2 3 4 5 interesting, or maybe even to develop that electrical dental flosser you've been longing for. The survey results will be published in upcoming issues. Character interaction ...... 1 2 3 4 5 Exploration and mapping ...... 1 2 3 4 5 * * * * Reader Poll #1 Descriptive prose ...... 1 2 3 4 5 Name: ______Humor ...... 1 2 3 4 5 Address: ______Storyline ...... 1 2 3 4 5 City: ______State: ______Packaging ...... 1 2 3 4 5 Zip: ______Phone: (______)______Attention to detail ...... 1 2 3 4 5 Age: _____ Sex: _____ Occupation: ______Below is a list of current and potential categories of Infocom interactive Computer brand and model: ______fiction stories. Please indicate your level of interest in each. Very Not On the average, how many hours On the average, how many hours Interested Interested per month do you use your per month do you play Infocom Fantasy ...... 1 2 3 4 5 computer for entertainment? games? Science Fiction ...... 1 2 3 4 5 Check One Check One Mystery ...... 1 2 3 4 5 o 0-5 o 0-3 Tales of Adventure ...... 1 2 3 4 5 o 6-10 o 4-8 Comedy ...... 1 2 3 4 5 o 11-20 o 9-15 o 21-40 o 16-25 Romance ...... 1 2 3 4 5 o 41+ o 26+ Western ...... 1 2 3 4 5
Please list the Infocom games you have played in the order you played them Intrigue (Spy) ...... 1 2 3 4 5 and put a check mark after each title you have completed. Horror ...... 1 2 3 4 5 Title Completed? Title Completed? Historical ...... 1 2 3 4 5 1. ______11. ______Any others? ______2. ______12. ______What are your favorite non-Infocom adventure games? 3. ______13. ______1. ______4. ______14. ______2. ______5. ______15. ______3. ______6. ______16. ______Please use the space below to tell us how you think we could improve our games. Is there anything we should change or add to our games — perhaps 7. ______17. ______some aspect from one of the non-Infocom games you mentioned above? Your comments are greatly appreciated. Use 8. ______18. ______additional pages if needed. 9. ______19. ______10. ______20. ______In order, which 3 Infocom games ______were ... ______... your favorite? ... your least favorite? ______1. ______1. ______2. ______2. ______Please clip out or photocopy this form and mail to: Infocom, Inc. 3. ______3. ______* * * Reader Poll #1 125 CambridgePark Drive Cambridge, MA 02140 PAGE 4 * * * * SPRING 1986
Michael Gatto, exploration. We decided to call Los Angeles, CA AMFV advanced-level because we Mail Bag didn't think it was a good game for a Dear Infocom: first-timer. The concept of AMFV is Dear * * * , the series, and Enchanter® and more complicated than in most ™ I felt that your game A Mind Forever games. For instance, sometimes you Help, I think I'm possessed! I used to Sorcerer . When Wishbringer arived we were engaged. Spellbreaker is Voyaging was quite a disappoint- simulate a human being, other times be a nice suburban housewife, mother ment, primarily because it was much you're a computer (and when you're of three, PTA president, you know keeping us busy and is much better than a boring trip across Flathead too easy for an advanced-level game. a computer, you have specialized the type. Now, I'm an INFO- A Mind Forever Voyaging had commands unique to AMFV); you MANIAC. Ocean. By the way, 2 copies of the * * * hardly any challenge. There were travel forward in time, but only in How bad is it? All right, I'll tell you only one or two real puzzles, and the your "computer imagination." In how bad it is. The other day I was in now reach our room. Perhaps you could speak to the delivery boy. He rest of the game seemed to be de- short, we felt someone who had a computer store watching a sales- voted only to exploration. The overall already "experienced" interactive person demonstrate the new Atari only comes at night when it is very dark. (Is he a grue?) Thank you for plot, the puzzle in Part III, and the fiction would appreciate AMFV 520 ST. Big deal, you say; well, read prose were all very well done, but the more than a novice. It wasn't in- on. "Impressive machine," I giving us a chance to share our common goals (how to get past the rest of the game seemed to be some- tended to be a brain teaser like most remarked, "but what about software?" what meaningless. I fondly recall the of our other games, but rather a The salesperson hesitatingly pointed cyclops, open the egg, etc.) and having something great develop from old days of Zork and Deadline, in thought-provoking exploration of a to a small glass cabinet nearby. I which the player's brain could really sobering future world. We're glad casually walked over to the case. it all as well. Sincerely, get a workout. you enjoyed the plot and prose, any- "Oh, Infocom games, how nice," I Your rating system also seems to way. said. Just then, it caught my eye: a Scott and Darbi Henderson, Los Angeles, CA have a few serious flaws. A Mind strange new title called A Mind Forever Voyaging is only one exam- As for the "other" flaws in our Forever Voyaging™. A rush of excite- To whom it may concern: ple of this. How could you rate Zork I rating system, we admit a certain ment came over me. But alas, after to be easier than both Zork II and imprecision. Surely you recognize reading the packaging, I realized that I am an avid (rabid?) fan of your Zork III? I feel that it was by far the how subjective ratings must be. Even this new Infocom game could only be games, and have been trying hardest of the three. though you found Zork I harder than played on machines with 128K like (unsuccessfully) to get my trembling Although I was let down by A Mind Zork II or Zork III, you're in the mi- that new computer over there, and not hands on a copy of the new game Forever Voyaging, I have enjoyed nority. (That doesn't mean you're on my old klunker at home. Which Spellbreaker. This poem expresses most of your other games. I am look- "wrong" and we're "right.") The up until now, by the way, was my my frustration of not being able to get ing forward to Spellbreaker, and rating system is meant merely as a pride and joy. "I'll take it!" I shouted. one. hope that it will live up to its level. guideline. If you want to know more Out came my checkbook, and within What? No Spellbreaker? Sincerely, about a game, read the synopsis on moments I was on my way home The Zorks are great, Deadline®'s Arthur DiBianca, the back of the package. It should with my new computer and, best of neat; Chapel Hill, NC give you a pretty good idea whether all, my new Infocom game. WAIT... Planetfall's Floyd just can't be beat. You're right: A Mind Forever the game has lots of puzzles, or has There I was, all set up and ready to Infidel®'s rat pits are a pain, Voyaging has only a few puzzles, and other characters in it, or is "story- boot, when my husband walked in And Cutthroats'™ treasure is hard to most of the game is devoted to like." —Ed. the door. "Oh, look, dear," I said gain. lovingly. "I bought a new Infocom Enchanter's fun and really cool, game." He eyed the huge mass For Sorcerer I was glad to go to sitting on the kitchen table and said, Magic School. "Infocom really outdid themselves on But when I feel I can be no greater packaging this time. By the way, hon, I hear a new test — Spellbreaker! did you remember the bread?" In anticipation, my robe I don * * * * * DARK * To the software store my body's Writers Gary Brennan, Mike Dornbrook, Sincerely, drawn. Elizabeth Langosy, Dave Lebling, Steve Barbara Razzano, I search the aisles, search the walls, Meretzky, Brian Moriarty, Jonathan Ontario, CA For any hope it's in these walls. Palace, Gayle Syska With cash in hand I hope to pay Photos Suzanne Frank P.S. I was disappointed to see that Production Dave Anderson, Cynthia Curtis, your new game, Fooblitzky, isn't Only to find out (gasp!) they're out this day! Jonathan Palace available for the Atari ST. I really did Special thanks to Andrea, Barry, Brian, Chris, Craig, Dave, buy it, you know. Oh well, I guess I'll Jake M. Wark, Boston, MA Elizabeth, George, Gina, Joe, John, Ken, just have to play it on the old Linda, Mike, Nancy, Paul, Renata, klunker. Dear Infocom: Richard, Rob, Ron, Stuart, Tara, Tim, and Tom Dear Sirs [sic]: I started my quest Deciding to go north, south, east, and Just a quick note to let you know west. This issue is dedicated to our friend Phil Trabucco. that you at Infocom have among I made it past the troll with the axe, other things inspired romance. We Who tried to kill me with pretty big Zork, Enchanter, Deadline, The Witness, Starcross, Suspended, Planetfall, Infidel, and Seastalker are registered trademarks of Infocom, Inc. Trinity, Ballyhoo, Wishbringer, are newlyweds who are spending our hacks. ™ Sorcerer, Spellbreaker, Suspect, A Mind Forever Voyaging, Cutthroats, Fooblitzky, honeymoon playing Spellbreaker . I know I'm one of the few Cornerstone, Tales of Adventure, Interactive Fiction Plus, and InvisiClues are trade- This is in keeping with the fact that Who didn't get eaten by a grue. marks of Infocom, Inc. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a trademark of Douglas we were just lone Zorkers until we Despite all my pleasures Adams. Clue is a registered trademark of Parker Bros. Mastermind is a trademark of accidentally met in the G.U.E. while Invicta Plastics. I got all the treasures trying to vanquish the cyclops. And even killed the crook © 1986 Infocom, Inc., 125 CambridgePark Drive, Cambridge, MA 02140 ® After Zork I we tackled the rest of Because I bought the hint book. SPRING 1986 * * * * PAGE 5 Cartoon Contest Winners David R. Horlick Congratulations to the winners (Ferne white, unlined paper. No pencil or Campbell, Mark Cantrell, David R. colors, and please don't fold your car- Horlick, Mike Nuell, and Matt Bab- toon! All submissions become the cock) of this issue's cartoon contest! property of Infocom, Inc. Send your * * * * is proud to honor the entries to * * * Cartoons, Infocom, warped individuals whose drawings Inc., 125 CambridgePark Drive, Cam- appear on these pages. bridge, MA 02140. Include a separate Every cartoonist whose work is sheet of paper with your name and printed in * * * * receives a free address, as well as the title of the game Infocom game of his or her choice. If you'd like to win, and the computer you'd like to try winning a game, send system it should run on. us your cartoon drawn in black ink on
Ferne Campbell
Mike Nuell
Mark Cantrell
Matt Babcock PAGE 6 * * * * SPRING 1986 How I Spent My By Brian
"You want to go where?" "There's a big one down at the Lab," she eating lunch under the trees were unarmed. So I "Albuquerque." I hoped this would be easy. drawled, gesturing through the window of the stepped inside and roamed the stacks for hours. "Halfway between Los Alamos and White Sands. drug store. "Just follow the signs." Nobody questioned my presence, and I drove The National Atomic Museum is there, and I've "The Lab" is Los Alamos National Laboratory, away from Los Alamos without being shot. been talking to this professor at UNM who — " announced by a sign that stretches like a Cinema- "Great. Go." Marc Blank was never one to Scope logo along the fortified entrance. One of * * * mince words. the nation's leading centers of nuclear weapons A month later I was easing a brand new T-Bird research. The birthplace of the atomic bomb. Albuquerque's National Atomic Museum is a out of the Hertz lot at Albuquerque International The Bradbury Museum occupies a tiny corner different story. It's right in the middle of Kirtland Airport, ready to start researching my next inter- in the acres of buildings, parking lots, and barbed Air Force Base. You have to stop at a security active fiction title, Trinity. Those long, empty wire fences that comprise the Laboratory. Its shack and persuade a very young man with a roads I'd seen from the window of my jet made collection includes scale models of the very latest crewcut to issue a visitor's permit. This valuable me insist on something with cruise control. Air in nuclear warheads and guided missiles. You can document gives you the right to proceed to the conditioning isn't optional in New Mexico, espe- watch on a computer as animated neutrons blast Museum by the most direct route possible, but cially around mid-July. heavy isotopes to smithereens. The walls are with no stopping on the way. Cameras are I drove north for two hours on 25, New adorned with spectacular color photographs of forbidden outside the Museum grounds, and they Mexico's central artery. It winds between the blue fireballs and mushroom clouds, each respectfully can search you or your car if they decide they mountains and brown arroyos, past quiet Indian mounted and individually titled, like great works don't like you. I didn't bother locking the T-Bird reservations and the shopping malls of Santa Fe, of art. as I went in. to the foothills of the Jemez mountains. From I watched a teacher explain a neutron bomb A third of the exhibit space is devoted to there I began to climb west. exhibit to a group of schoolchildren. The exhibit "Energy Horizons," featuring a solar TV set and How can I describe the landscape? The colorful consists of a diagram with two circles. One circle other equally arresting wonders. The rest of the mesas, rugged hills and forests are profoundly old represents the blast radius of a conventional Museum looks a lot like its counterpart at Los and silent; there is nothing in New England to nuclear weapon; a shaded ring in the middle Alamos, except that the missiles are even bigger compare with them. I drove for miles without shows the zone of lethal radiation. The other and more numerous. One of the four H-bombs seeing another car, house, or any sign of human circle shows the relative effects of a neutron they accidentally dropped over Spain in the 1960s habitation. Just when I was certain I'd missed a bomb. The teacher did her best to point out that is on display, still wrapped in its silk parachute turn and lost myself in Colorado, a McDonald's the neutron bomb's "blast" radius is smaller, but like a naughty baby. flashed by. its "lethal" radius is proportionately much larger. After the Museum closed I took Ferenc Szasz "New in town?" The girl ringing up my post- The benefit of this innovation was not explained, and his family out to dinner. Professor Szasz cards sounded like she really wanted to know. but the kids listened politely. teaches history at the University of New Mexico, New Mexicans take small talk very seriously. It isn't clear whether visitors are allowed to visit and had just published a book about the testing of "Just visiting," I replied, the adjoining Oppenheimer Library or not. The the first atomic bomb. As we shook hands he fighting to suppress my building stands behind a high fence with signs grinned at me mischievously. "Ever had real Boston accent. "Isn't there hinting an awful fate for unauthorized Mexican food?" supposed to be a museum personnel. But the gate was open, We drove to a place in Old around here?" and the Lab employees Town, Albuquer- SPRING 1986 * * * * PAGE 7 Summer Vacation Moriarty
que's historic district near the river's edge. I White Sands takes a couple of hours. At nine All the major networks were running around ordered an obscure chicken dish, and the waiter o'clock sharp the Army opened the Stallion Gate with TV cameras, interviewing anyone who asked me if I wanted it served Mild, Medium, or on the northern boundary of the Missile Range. I looked interesting. Children combed the ground Hot. Szasz grinned again. was near the beginning of the caravan of cars that for bits of "trinitite," a green, glassy substance "Hot, please." began to snake down the paved road, into the d composed of sand that was fused in the stellar The waiter looked up from his pad. "Have you esert. Twenty miles later, I caught my first heat of the blast. A man kept running a Geiger eaten here before?" glimpse of Ground Zero. counter around the base of the obelisk, and turned I cleared my throat, determined to know the There is no crater to speak of. The bomb was up the volume so that everyone could hear the worst. "Hot." fired from the top of a hundred-foot tower, too steady tick, tick, tick. It wasn't too bad. I had to eat very slowly, and high to dig much of a hole. Instead, there's a The Army ran shuttle buses from Ground Zero convince myself that I was savoring the food shallow depression, a quarter mile across, where to a small ranch house about two miles southeast. instead of tolerating it. But I think the Professor the desert floor caved in under thousands of tons Once it was a private home, owned by the was impressed. He'd ordered his Medium. of pressure. Slap your palm hard on a piece of McDonald family, until it was appropriated styrofoam. Whack! That's what it looks like. (ahem) by the Manhattan Project for the final * * * The whole area is enclosed by a chain link assembly of the bomb. The people who felt fence. Yellow signs warn of radioactivity ten to ripped off at Ground Zero got really annoyed at The alarm in my Albuquerque hotel room went fifteen times higher than normal. I left the T-Bird the ranch, as there is nothing to see except a off at 5:00 AM on Tuesday, the 16th of July. I in the dusty parking area and joined a growing cluster of small rooms, all alike, and all com- wanted to go outside and learn what the desert air retinue of sightseers for the last, long walk across pletely empty. felt like at that time of day. The sun was still the sand. behind the mountains to the east; the sky was What monument could do justice to that fateful * * * gray and lightly overcast, much as it had been on experiment? Events and people of far less signifi- that same morning in 1945. At 5:29:45 I turned cance are commemorated by mighty pyramids My last morning in New Mexico was spent at the my eyes to the south, across the airport, and and heroic statues. Yet the simple stone obelisk at Rio Grande Zoo. Very tasteful. The shady wondered what I might have seen at that precise Ground Zero is effective in its understatement. walkways almost make you forget the heat of the instant 40 years earlier. When you look around at the vast, timeless desert surrounding city. Trinity Site is located in Jornada del Muerto, that stretches away in every direction, it's easy to I wandered slowly past the monkey houses and "the Journey of Death," a barren stretch of high imagine the hopes of all generations, past and prairie dogs, lingering at the seal pool and the yak desert that lies within the jurisdiction of White future, balanced on that spot. To visit Trinity is to pen, until I came at last to a big cage filled with Sands Missile Range. The Site is normally open stand at the fulcrum of history. cacti. A gray bird was perched inside, sleek and to the public only one day each year, the first Sat- The reaction of the crowd was mixed. Many felt fast-looking, with sharp eyes and a long tail urday in October. But in May I got a hot tip from ripped off; I think they expected a glowing, splashed with color. a White Sands official, who told me they were smoke-filled canyon, inhabited by mutated jack- "I'm gonna make you a star," I whispered. planning to open the Site for five hours on July rabbits the size of buffalo. Others, myself among The roadrunner blinked 16th to commemorate the 40th anniversary. them, just stood looking at the monument, lost in at me, and pretended not The drive from Albuquerque to thought. A few actually wept. to understand.
PAGE 8 * * * * SPRING 1986 Is Something Wrong with My Game? I have a defective disk. What do I protect your disk, use a disk mailer interpreter to correct the problem and sure that the CONFIG.SYS has the do? or sandwich your disk between card- will provide you with a replacement line which reads: device=ansi.sys. First, be sure it's defective: verify the board pieces. disk at no charge should you encoun- You may need to create a CONFIG. disk yourself. To do so, boot the ter this particular problem (refer to SYS file using the DOS EDLIN or program, and at the game prompt The status line in Cutthroats stops the previous question). COPY CON command to include a type $VERIFY. Then press the at 8:20. What's wrong? line: device=ansi.sys. (TI PRO and RETURN (or ENTER) key. The disk This is part of the game; it's a puzzle, A line of strange characters — DEC users do not have the ANSI file will spin for a moment or two, and a not a program bug. Reread page 17 arrows, brackets, and numbers — on their DOS directories.) test result will appear. If an internal of the game manual documentation appears on my status line when error or bad message appears, the for more information. using the IBM PC-DOS/MS-DOS Why am I having problems load- disk is probably defective. Send your 2.0 diskette. ing your games on my Commodore original disk only for testing and Internal Error 14 appears on my These are ASCII characters which 128 with 1571 drives? replacement to: Infocom, 125 Apple program, even though it appear if the DOS file, ANSI.SYS, Some 1571 drives, when starting up, CambridgePark Drive, Cambridge, verifies as "game correct." hasn't been loaded. Go through the default to 1571 mode instead of 1541 MA 02140. It is important to enclose Internal Error 14 is a specific prob- INSTALL program again. To load mode. A one-line BASIC command a note explaining the problem and lem to some of our Apple programs. ANSI, be sure to reboot the system found on page 5 of your 1571 any error messages you received, as Although the $VERIFY procedure (by pressing CTL, ALT, and DEL Owner's Manual will put you in 1541 well as your hardware specifications. shows the game to be correct, the simultaneously) after the installation mode: Disks outside of the 90-day warranty error code appears randomly. Our is complete. If rebooting has no OPEN 1,8,15,"U0>M0" period (or disks which you damaged investigation points to a problem in effect, be sure that the DOS file (Note that 0 = zero.) or erased) should be accompanied by the program's interpreter. We have ANSI.SYS resides on your disk (the a $5 check or money order. To since reprogrammed the Apple root directory of hard disks). Also be Why don't you provide hints? Sometimes all I need is just a small hint to get me going, but you al- Is Something Wrong with My Database? ways refer me to your InvisiClues. With 20 games now released on over When I try to enter UPDATE Update format and insert the new what report format you use. 20 different computer versions, we mode, I keep getting the message attribute into the format where you can no longer provide hints on our "Can't update file previously want it to appear. After adding the I have a derived attribute defined games. We want to be sure the viewed." Help! new attribute to the Update format, as the sum of other attributes in hotlines is accessible to those experi- You can enter (VIEW) files from the be sure to SAVE the new format as my file, but sometimes there's a encing technical problems (e.g., initial menu, or you can get them Update to save your changes. blank result. What's wrong? installing, booting, saving). We not directly from other files without hav- As a safeguard, a derived attribute only receive calls from new pur- ing to go back to the initial menu. How do I print beyond 80 columns will be left blank if any of its vari- chasers, but also from those who For example, if you issue VIEW (or set right margin)? ables is blank. For example, you may have purchased through the years CUSTOMER from initial mode, then Under REPORT FORMAT RE- have a derived attribute defined as: (including persons with pirated directly VIEW another file, then CORDS, use the MOVE FIELD and/ Derived_attrib = copies). Were we to provide a "hint" issue another VIEW CUSTOMER, or ADJUST-WIDTH commands to Attrib_1 + Attrib_2 + Attrib_3 service for 20+ games sold over the you will not be able to update the either move fields or lengthen fields Derived_attrib will only be com- past 6 years, our products would customer file since it was previously beyond the 80th position. You puted if there is a value in Attrib_1 have to be priced out of reach of the viewed. To update records, press probably need to begin moving the and Attrib_2 and Attrib_3; if any average consumer in order to cover
liquefied." contest, who have each won the Infocom game of his or her choice. “True” Tale Tellers "The catfish shot three miles The winners are: H. Goodman, New downriver in four seconds; the wave York, NY; Nina Karp, Needham, As you all know from our multi- but I started an avalanche which obliterated several towns. Around MA; Monte Mitzelfelt, Knoxville, million-dollar television campaign killed them all." hairpin loops roared the maddened TN; Richard Nathan, Los Angeles, blitz, we held a contest. (Okay, mudsucker, plowing through CA; Rhett Newman, Charlestown, maybe we only mentioned it in "I found a secret entrance. I knew sandbars, ripping down bridges. Australia; Nafiz Rahman, Norwell, passing on page 7 of the Cutthroats it was a secret entrance because of Cities flashed by like bugs on the MA; David Thornley, St. Paul, MN; manual.) We asked readers to write my quick eyes, and the sign that said highway." Robert Uyeyama, San Jose, CA; 'Secret Entrance.'" and send us "True Tales of Congratulations to the 10 winners Douglas Wellington, Glen Rock, NJ; Adventure." The writers of the best "Rain is sort of like boredom of the True Tales of Adventure and Joshua N. Winn, Deerfield, IL. 10 tales were promised a free Infocom game of their choice. We received millions, maybe billions (actually dozens) of adven- $99 Solution to Information Problems turous tall tales, all claiming to be (continued from page 1) other general information (including labels could then be printed out for "true." As we read the tales, the word membership in Beth Shalom's many invitations to a Young Singles "truth" kept coming to mind (as in designed for. organizations) for each member of Dance. It's a matchmaker's delight! "There's not one shred of truth here" You might be asking: Why do I the congregation, so it's easy to or "Doesn't anyone tell the truth need a database? Well, sometimes produce mailing labels for general or For those at the other end of life's anymore?"). Space (and credibility) you want to file the same informa- specific purposes. High holiday journey, the cemetery part of Beth considerations prevent us from tion in more than one way. That's appeals and billings and building Shalom's database tracks cemetery printing the winning tales in their when a relational database can save fund pledges and payments are sections and costs, plot owners, and entirety, but here are some excerpts: you time, effort, and a lot of recorded, using Cornerstone both to individual gravesites. Using Corner- headaches. produce mailing labels and to track stone, information is readily "Dr. Kreigschmidt had built rocket contributions. Beth Shalom's Corner- available on the owner of a given engines in one side of the planet For example, in the Public Rela- stone also maintains listings and bill- plot; when it was purchased and paid Mars so that at 12:01 a.m. on the tions office here at Infocom, we keep ing for the Book of Remembrance, a for; who is buried there and when the 12th of April, he could crash Mars a copy of every article published memorial book. burials took place; whether reserva- into earth!" about the company or our products. tions have been made for other "He grabs m' shirt an' says, 'Wanna These are filed by publication in Here's but one example of how this family members; which company hear a good frog joke?'" several large file cabinets. It's easy to wealth of information can be used. installed the monument and when; learn what Time magazine has said Since marital status is also recorded, and what types of plantings or floral "The creature fell dead in my about Infocom, but finding every Cornerstone's data arithmetic could arrangements have been ordered and foyer. I went to my study, and left review of Planetfall involves hours calculate the ages of all single paid for, and the care they need. the butler to clean up the mess." of searching through file folders. members, pulling out the names of "The monk offered me some of his Setting up an articles file on Corner- those between 21 and 30. Mailing Please turn to page 12 dry crackers and some thin chocolate stone, with each article listed by title, milk, but as a true adventurer I author, subject, publication, and stayed on a staple of gazelle jerky date, lets us easily access every InfoNews Roundup and plover eggs." review of Planetfall, every article by a given freelance author, or even Once again, Infocom won the Trinity (our two Interactive Fiction "I came out into a strange world. articles we remember only by title or Softsel/Business Week Award for Plus games) are now available on the The people have two arms, but only date of publication. Cornerstone tells Most Titles on the Softsel Hot List, Commodore 128. one head. Cows eat grass. How can I us exactly where to find what we Recreational Software. get home?" want, so it's easy to go back into the Many more titles are now available "A warrior hurled a spear at me. I file cabinet and pull it out. The Cornerstone Book, written by on the Tandy Color Computer, grabbed it and hurled it back, killing Laura Buddine and published by including Zork I, Zork II, and the chief. I rowed to the other side of In Pittsburgh, Congregation Beth Addison-Wesley, will be available in Ballyhoo. the island and climbed up a Shalom has found a very different August. It contains twenty mountain. The tribe came after me, use for Cornerstone: it keeps track of Cornerstone applications in over 250 Zork I is again available for the the Congregation members and their pages, and costs $14.95. Look for it TRS-80 Model III! 80,000 gravesite cemetery. Quite in your local computer or book store, recently, the records for the cemetery or order it from Infocom. The Two Infocom products have been Trinity alone filled an entire wall of filing Cornerstone Book contains the nominated for Software Publishing (Continued from page 1) cabinets. To give you an idea of Official Infocom Softball Team Association awards: Cornerstone for map of the Trinity site, and instruc- what Cornerstone can do with the Statistics application, as well as more Best Packaging and A Mind Forever tions for folding a paper bird. information on thousands of pieces prosaic (or even useful) items: every- Voyaging for Best New World. Trinity is Brian Moriarty's second of paper, here's how Bruce Weimer, thing from a Personnel system to a work of interactive fiction, following man of many talents in the Congre- Time and Billing system. Playboy named Zork I the best the record-breaking bestseller gation office, arranged his. computer game (February 1986). Wishbringer™. Geared to the stan- The Hitchhiker's Guide to the dard-level player, Trinity will be Bruce took full advantage of Galaxy won the Family Computing Antic magazine's "Outstanding Prod- available in June for most personal Cornerstone's relational abilities award for Best Text-Only uct Award" was won by computers with at least 128K of when setting up Beth Shalom's data- Adventure. Infocom, for the whole Interactive memory. It will carry a suggested base. He filed names, addresses, Fiction line (May 1986). retail price of $39.95. phone numbers, birth dates, and A Mind Forever Voyaging and PAGE 10 * * * * SPRING 1986 Their warm-up band is rumored to be a our Witchville reporter). ? both male and female gnus have surprise reunion of The Animals. Did you know that: horns? Gnu News Pepsi, in response to Coke's recent ? gnus obtain a shoulder height of 3 to ? Sir Isaac Gnuton discovered gravity marketing ploy, is announcing Gnu 4 feet? when an apple fell on one of his horns? Now for more gnu news. Pepsi. Copies of the secret formula ? a gnu calf can run as fast as an adult ? FDR's "Gnu Deal" was a plan to Hot off the wire: Huey Lewis and the were leaked to this reporter, and among within 24 hours of birth? employ gnus as blackjack dealers? Gnus will be giving a special concert at the ingredients will be gnu's milk (not ? the white-tailed gnu is extinct in the ? gnus from Gnufoundland prefer to the Gazebo in the Formal Garden. grue's milk as previously reported by wild? eat lobster Gnuburg?
Grand Opening Sale! CRAZY DIMWIT WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD. HE AND HIS PRICES ARE INSANE!
For the past few years I've been supplying Infocom with all the neat (Infocom) and selling direct to the public. But now I'm just crazy enough to do paraphernalia that you'd be willing to kill for (or at least sell your grand- it. Yes, my lawyers and accountants are calling me insane, and maybe that's mother for). the defense I'll use when Infocom hauls me into court; but now, for a limited Until now I wasn't crazy enough to even think of cutting out the middleman time only, while our excessive supplies last, here's what I have to sell:
T-Shirts POSTERS! BOY, DO WE HAVE POSTERS!
WISHBRINGER POSTER (Limited supply — while they last) As seen on the cover of Wishbringer, this poster shows the hands of an ex- cessively over-paid male model cupping the purple glowing Wishbringer stone. This unusual and striking piece of art is the perfect addition to any home. Imagine the imagined warmth you'll feel staring at its serene purple glow. This 22 x 26-inch masterwork is available for the demented low price of only $5.95. Buy two!
TRINITY POSTER (Limited supply — while they last) Here is a poster with a bang. This 16 x 20-inch poster is the original artwork for the "I GOT THE BABEL FISH" T-SHIRTS cover of the Trinity package. It features a sundial backlit by a nuclear explosion. Just like the one The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy author Douglas Adams This one's my favorite because I just love excessively large explosions. You could would be wearing now if we bothered to send him one. It comes in several sizes: even order the poster the same time you order the game, and enjoy them at the small (S), medium (M), large (L) and excessively large (XL). High-quality famous- same time. These posters are only $5.95 each! Be really excessive and buy three! maker brand-name silk-screened 100%-cotton black T-shirt, with the "I got the Babel fish" slogan on the front and the Infocom logo on the back. What do you think you'd INFOCOM POSTER pay for this elsewhere? 100 Zorkmids? 200 Zorkmids? Well, we're selling it for only It's the one you've seen in all the stores, complete with the slogan, "A human never 80 Zorkmids or $7.95 U.S. currency. (We're even taking a beating on the exchange stands so tall as when stooping to help a small computer." This 22 x 28-inch, full- rates for you.) Sorry, we have these in the one-headed models only. color masterpiece was originally sold by Infocom for $5.95! Now, because we have an excessively large number of these fine, art-like posters, it is available to you for the excessively low price of just $2. Buy 10,000! SPECIAL OFFER To celebrate my grand opening, I have a USE THE ENCLOSED EXCESSIVE ORDER FORM! special offer. If you purchase any game To order these crazy products, just use the enclosed order form. (I'm using the same through our mail order service, I'll include order form and fulfillment house Infocom uses so they'll never catch me! Ha ha ha! with your order a genuine original Zork I I must be crazy!) for the TRS-80 Model I in its original plastic baggie (the way we packaged software back in the good old days). THE HONEST TRUTH Absolutely a must for serious collectors Frankly, none of these products is a nationally advertised ginsu knife, but many a and fans. Offer expires when supplies warehouse worker received a nasty paper cut from the posters. We are not respon- run out. sible for typographic errors in this ad. Crazy Dimwit cannot offer rain checks for out-of-stock items; after all, this IS a while-supplies-last offer, you know. SPRING 1986 * * * * PAGE 11 The Long Awaited Answers to Puzzle Number 8 Puzzle Number 8 easily qualifies as shock. incorrect procedure. L) "Why" our hardest puzzle ever. There were Planetfall: KISS FLOYD The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Enchanter: READ THE SIGN only 28 entries, and only 4 of them E) Weird! The candle remains lit Galaxy: HIT PROSSER (before (the first sign on the Long Road) (14%) were correct. Here's the even as it disappears beneath the going to the Pub) solution: surface of the river. I) There is no high from sniffing Once you've matched the response A) You are drunk. Wishbringer: DROP THE this powder. with the number of the corresponding Zork II: DIAGNOSE (while CANDLE INTO THE RIVER Deadline: SMELL THE SUGAR game, the numerical answer is, from fermented by the Wizard) F) What a detective! "Quick! J) You twist your head to look un- A through L, in order: (2 x 14 x 16) + B) You're going to start sloshing Arrest that file drawer before der the four-poster bed but find (12 x 6 x 15) + (5 x 13 x 7) + (8 x 9 x around soon. it escapes!" nothing. 4) = 2271. The four whizzes who got Infidel: DRINK WATER (a third Seastalker: ARREST THE FILE The Witness: LOOK UNDER 2271 are: time) DRAWER (in Kemp's Office) THE BED (in Mr. Linder's C) He smiles. "Money is our most G) I'd recommend a good doctor, but bedroom) 1. Mark Jackson, important product." we need the eggs. K) You'll have to lead, you can be Hendersonville, TN Cutthroats: ASK THE TELLER Sorcerer: SIT ON THE PERCH sure of that. 2. Stephen Fan, Silver Spring, MD ABOUT THE BANK (in Belboz's Quarters) Suspect: DANCE WITH THE 3. John Carter, Richmond, VA D) You receive a painful electric H) He dodges, insisting that this is BODY (Veronica's dead body) 4. Eugene Foss, Flora, IL And the Not So Long Awaited Answers to Puzzle Number 9
Puzzle Number 9 drew the highest photocopies of the entry form. A lot 11. Bill Leininger, Bayside, NY number of entries for an * * * puzzle of people must save their issues, Prospect Heights, IL 19. John Lindgren, since Puzzle 4 from the Fall 1984 because 184 entries (44%) were 12. John Lensen, North Babylon, NY issue. There were 420 entries, of photocopied. Correct entries were Fridley, MN 20. Neil Berry, which 228 (54%) were correct. Had more likely to be photocopied than 13. David Newkirk, Akron, OH we known how popular this puzzle incorrect entries (52% versus 34%). Warrenville, IL 21. Steve Holst, would be, we never would've made it We decided to allow photocopied 14. Lawrence Nussbaum, San Francisco, CA so difficult to "grade"! We were entries because people complained Upper Montclair, NJ 22. David Buchanan, fairly flexible on spellings. Here are that they were being forced to cut up 15. Paul Dick, Oregon City, OR the correct answers: their issues. However, a small San Jose, CA 23. Harris Schiffman, number of people seem to be taking 16. Thomas Grover, Panaroma City, CA 1. Charles Foster Kane (from Citi- advantage of the new rule by sending Provo, UT 24. Gary Moore, zen Kane) (given) in large numbers of photocopied 17. Steve Spet, San Jose, CA 2. Richard (or Rick) Blaine (from entries for the spouses, children, Houston, TX 25. Leslie Ann Evans, Casablanca) second cousins, and pets. Therefore, 18. Paul Feigelman, Parma, OH 3. Wile E. Coyote (from the Warner we're adding another puzzle rule to Brothers "Roadrunner" cartoons) help limit this practice: each entry 4. Robby the Robot (from Forbid- must be mailed separately. Puzzle Mail Bag den Planet) Overall, people seem to enjoy this 5. Group Captain Lionel Mandrake puzzle quite a bit. We'll probably do Dear Sirs [sic]: Based on the popularity of Puzzle 9, (from Dr. Strangelove) a slightly harder version of the same I am pleased to find that Infocom is there will certainly be more puzzles 6. Lassie (from the TV show of the concept in a future puzzle. not perfect. In Puzzle Number 9, in the future that aren't dependent on same name) The 25 T-shirt winners were question number 2, you had the name knowledge of Infocom's interactive 7. Kong (from King Kong) randomly chosen from the 228 Louis Renaut. In fact it is actually fiction. --Ed. correct entrants. They are: Renaud who is portrayed by Claude Of the 192 wrong answers, 137 had 1. Joyce Greenfield, Rains in Casablanca. Thank you for Dear Infocom: one wrong, 33 had two wrong, 19 Lincoln, NE your time. Alas! I didn't receive my latest * * * had three wrong, and 3 had four 2. Richard Barclay, until Monday, February 24th (our wrong. Number 5 caused the most Davison, MI Dan Donahuen, mail is delivered by yak). Thus the problems; nearly a third of the 3. Mitch Turitz, Lake Havasu City, AZ tardiness of my contest entry. I hope incorrect entries (62) would've been Richmond, CA The * * * stands by its spelling. --Ed. you will accept it anyhow. correct except that they were missing 4. Jamie Lear, Sue Oppenheimer, "Lionel." Another 37 entrants erred Brooklyn, NY Dear Sirs [sic]: only by choosing another character 5. Tom Landon, Providence, RI I have enjoyed this puzzle [number from Dr. Strangelove, such as Los Angeles, CA P.S. Thanks for the change of pace. I 9] more than others I have seen in President Merkin Muffley, Bat 6. Sharon Creekmore, suspect there are many of us who the * * * , because I have not yet had Guano, or Dr. Strangelove himself. Hammond, IN would lose our jobs if we took the a chance to get ALL the Infocom Some other common mistakes: for 7. Les Silvan, time to play ALL the Infocom number 2, omitting Rick's last name. Kent, WA games, and thus am at a decided games. The * * * puzzles seem to For number 4, James Bond, Doctor 8. Tom Lankford, disadvantage in that respect. have been getting more encyclopedic Who, Flash Gordon, and Buck Severna Park, MD However, I have greatly enjoyed and less fun as the number of games Rogers. For number 7, Godzilla and 9. Sara Memmott, all the ones I have seen, both for has grown. Mighty Joe Young. Olean, NY their wit and their logic (or lack An interesting new statistic is the 10. Martha Shelton, thereof). Your mail is tardy because it's deliv- number of entries submitted on Plano, TX Anonymous Please turn to page 12 PAGE 12 * * * * SPRING 1986
* * * Puzzle Number Ten
This puzzle is a reprise of one of hostess' vocabulary. the most popular puzzles we've done, B. You already did that. It's not a Puzzle Letters * * * Puzzle Number Six. However, merry-go-round. that puzzle was based on Zork I, and C. You have two splitting head- (Continued from page 11) Knoxville, MD ered by yaks? But according to a this puzzle is based on The aches. Ah, but that's the wonder of inter- recent yak fact I saw somewhere, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. D. Congratulations. The towel is active fiction! In countless showings yaks can travel over 7000 miles in a Below are thirteen alleged re- now covered with slime. of the movie version of King Kong, single day. That seems considerably sponses from Hitchhiker's. Actually, E. The effect is decorative rather poor Kong had no choice; time after faster than the average U.S. mail only eleven of them are really in the than helpful. time he would escape from the carrier! —Ed. game; two of them are fakes. F. The bloody thing's been jammed theatre, then knock a few subway
Imposters. To win, simply write shut for months, now. cars around, then grab Ann Darrow, Puzzle Research Dept.: down the letters corresponding to the G. "We can't leave while you're in then climb the Empire State Build- two false responses. There are no trouble, Mr. President!" The situation described in question ing... However, in our hypothetical tricks; for example, the fake H. "Sorry, current course for the 7 of Puzzle Number 9 is incorrect. interactive fiction version of King responses are not simply real legendary lost planet of Mag- When Kong destroyed the subway Kong, you (as Kong) can do what- responses with one word changed. rathea can be countermanded train, he had not yet located Ann ever you want, in any order you There's another rule this month. A only by Zaphod Beeblebrox." Darrow, and so he could not be choose, because (all together, class) number of people took advantage of I. A footling effort. The shock carrying her. "what happens next is up to you!" — our new photocopy rule by sending waves of the Beast's laughter Kenneth Carter, Ed. huge numbers of photocopied entries push you back. in the same envelope, often with J. You see your environs upside- many different names but the same down and slightly distorted. address. To prevent this, the new K. The sun's light is a perfectly Envelope Design Contest rule states that all entries must be horrible shade of orange. (Continued from page 2) with your name, your address, the mailed separately. We apologize for L. The chair is very comfortable, title and computer compatibility of the inconvenience to those who with a thick plush cushion. what you can do. In fact, if you can the Infocom game you'd like to win, legitimately send in their entries M. This is one of those clever new do a better job than I — or anyone to: together. always-open always-closed else — then I'll put your design on A. The word "no" is not in our bottles. the next * * * envelope. Yeah, that's Infocom, Inc. it! I'll even give you a free Infocom 125 CambridgePark Drive story of your choice. Yeah, we'll Cambridge, MA 02140 have a contest! Attn: Cezanne ANSWER: ______So this is what you do: Come up with a design that will fit on an 8½" The best design will appear on the Name: ______x 5½" envelope, allowing enough next * * * envelope, and the artist room for an address and postage will win the Infocom game of his or Address: ______(and Infocom's return address if it's her choice. Sorry, but artwork will ______not part of your design). Draw it in not be returned. All artwork becomes black ink on a clean, unfolded sheet the property of The Frobozz Gallery T-Shirt Size (S, M, L, XL): ______of white paper. Then send it along of Art.
CONTEST RULES: 1. All entries must be submitted on this form or a photocopy of this Cornerstone Now $99.95 form. (Continued from page 9) almost everyone manages informa- 2. Entries must be received by August 15, 1986. Again, this information can be tion of some sort, whether at home 3. Limit of one entry per person. used in many different ways. For or at work. Do you ever find yourself 4. All entries must be mailed separately. example, it would be easy to find out making 6 copies of the company 5. Up to 25 prizes will be awarded. If more than 25 correct answers how many gravesites are still avail- report on snack machine vendors in are received, a drawing will be held to determine the winners. Void able and where they are located, as order to file it in 6 different places? where prohibited by law. well as to categorize them by Or looking through hundreds of 6. There is no rule 6. cost. This information could then be index cards for your 1983
sent to current owners, as well as to Phalaenopsis germination records?
Congregation members who have Or wishing that you had some way PRIZE: The coveted * * * Puzzle Winner T-Shirt not yet reserved a gravesite. And of cataloging your stamp collection
Cornerstone's "tickler" file can be as well as the names, addresses, and
used to remind the Beth Shalom of- trustworthiness of your rare stamp SEND TO: Infocom fice when to expect a monument suppliers? Or trying to figure out * * * Puzzle installation, and send out a second which of the 700 members of your 125 CambridgePark Drive billing, or order a floral arrangement Zippy the Pinhead fan club haven't Cambridge, MA 02140 for a perpetual-care plot. yet paid their dues? If any of these Maybe you don't manage a Public aggravations sound familiar, then Relations office or a cemetery. But you need Cornerstone.
P.O. Box 478 Cresskill, New Jersey 07626
Address Correction Requested