Merry Christmas

A large water droplet lands on your face, and you are jolted awake. You begin to raise your head off of the cold sharp rock you were using as a pillow. //Where am I?// [[&bullet; Get up and look around]] [[&bullet; Go back to sleep, it's probably just a dream]]

You close your eyes, and repeat to yourself that this is only a dream. //Any minute I'll wake up in my cozy bed.// But you can't seem to fall back asleep. [[&bullet; Get up and look around]]

You slide off the large banana leaf that you were using as a blanket, and stand up. You find yourself at the mouth of a dark cave. A vast thick forest lies in front of you. //This must be a dream.// [[&bullet; Explore the rest of the cave.]] [[&bullet; Leave the cave and step into the forest.]]

(if: $hasLightSource is 0)[You tread further into the cave, but it's pitch black. You were always afraid of the dark. There's no way you can go any further without a light source. //If I find a light source, I can travel further into the cave.// [[&bullet; Walk back to the mouth of the cave.]] ] (if: $hasLightSource is 1)[]

You exit the cave, and walk into the green forest. About 50 feet to the north, you spot an enormous turtle standing on its hind legs. //It's asleep.// Towering over the tallest cedar trees in the forest, this creature probably doesn't want to be bothered. [[&bullet; Cautiously walk up to the turtle, and poke its pinky toe with a stick.]] [[&bullet; Attempt to sneak past the turtle, and continue deeper into the forest.]]

You slowly walk back to where you woke up at the mouth of the cave. [[&bullet; Explore the rest of the cave.]] [[&bullet; Leave the cave and step into the forest.]]

As you quietly tip-toe past the turtle, you suddenly trip over your untied shoelaces. //CRASHHH!// You stumble onto your knees, and let out an audible sigh. The turtle groggily awakens, blinks twice, and says.. "You okay, bud?" **What do you want to say to the turtle?** [[&bullet; "You can talk?!"]] [[&bullet; "Are you going to eat me?"]]

You quietly walk up the turtle's enormous foot. You pick up a nearby stick and start repeatedly poking the pinky toe of the large creature. The turtle groggily awakens, blinks twice, and says.. "What's up, bud?" **What do you want to say to the turtle?** [[&bullet; "You can talk?!"]] [[&bullet; "Are you going to eat me?"]]

"Of course I can. I learned how to speak when I was in my eighties. It's quite a useful skill you know." responded the tall turtle. [[&bullet; "Eighties?.."->Turtle start]]

"Well I'm not very hungry right now, but maybe a bit later?" responded the turtle. [[&bullet; "Please don't eat me.."->Turtle start]]

"Nevermind that. It was quite rude of you to wake me in such a way as that. You could have simply poked my pinky toe with a stick. That's quite a bit more polite than throwing yourself on the floor of my home." the turtle said. [[&bullet; "I'm sorry mm-mister turtle monster. I'm just trying to figure out how I can wake up from this dream."]]

"Stuck in a dream, eh? Quite a doosie. I can help you - take this." The skyscraper-sized turtle began to slowly bend down, the sound of his creaking knees shook the earth. He held out his scaly, dark green hand, and plopped a bright yellow ball-shaped object onto the ground. [[&bullet; Pick up the yellow ball.]] [[&bullet; Hesitate.]]

You walk towards the yellow ball and reach out your hand. The turtle immediately stomps his foot, blocking the ball from your arm's reach. "Woah, woah, woah. Quite curious you are. Yeah, don't touch it, you'll die instantly." quickly said the turtle. [[&bullet; "How is it supposed to help me if I can't even touch it?"]] [[&bullet; "I could have just died?!"]]

You stand there, hesitating. This ball could be dangerous; it's better to be safe than sorry. "Smart kid. Sometimes brains are more important than courage. You can go ahead and pick it up. It won't harm you." explained the turtle. [[&bullet; Pick up and examine the yellow ball.]] [[&bullet; Leave the ball alone.]]

"I'm just messing with you. You can touch the ball. Go ahead, pick it up." the turtle chuckled. [[&bullet; Pick up and examine the yellow ball.]] [[&bullet; Leave the ball alone.]]

"Nah, I'm just messing with you. Go ahead, pick it up." the turtle chuckled. [[&bullet; Pick up and examine the yellow ball.]] [[&bullet; Leave the ball alone.]]

You reach down and pick up the bright yellow ball. It's squishy, and a little moist. There seems to be something written on it. [[&bullet; Examine the mysterious writing on the ball.]] [[&bullet; This thing is gross. Throw the yellow ball as far as you can.]]

You just stand there. Staring at the ball. Your eyes begin to water from neglecting to blink. "Are you.. okay? Please pick up the ball. It won't hurt you." the turtle said impatiently. [[&bullet; Pick up and examine the yellow ball.]] [[&bullet; Leave the ball alone.]]

You slowly rotate the small ball, and notice a tiny piece of red licorice stuck to the side of the ball. //It's in the shape of the number// **$firstnum** . [[&bullet; "Just a $firstnum? How is this useless number supposed to help me?"->Question firstnum]]

You cock your right arm back, preparing to launch this revolting sphere as far as your arm will let you. Gripping it tightly, you shoot your arm forward and release your grip on the ball. But it doesn't leave your hand. //This thing is too sticky for its own good.// [[&bullet; Examine the mysterious writing on the ball.]]

"Chant them? Don't be ridiculous... //In the dark musty cave where you first arrived, Lies the one true answer that you must derive. With a whittled old branch in one hand, Draw the magic three digits into the land.// ..and //then// a door will appear." recited the wise turtle. [[&bullet; Nod your head in understanding of the turtle's crazy poem.]] [[&bullet; Shake your head in confusion.]]

You nod your head even though you aren't really sure what the turtle's weird poem meant. You just want this conversation to end. "Great! Now that you have the first digit, you only need two more. The next one is right over there." exclaimed the excited turtle as he pointed one of his fat fingers at a vending machine about 5 feet away. [[&bullet; Curiously walk over to the oddly-placed vending machine.]]

Relieved that the next number is so close by, you waltz over to the vending machine. You peer through its cloudy glass, and notice there is only one type of candy inside: //$candy//. //$candy! My absolute favorite! But how will it help me discover the next digit?// [[&bullet; Randomly press the buttons on the vending machine.->Button mash]] [[&bullet; Stick your hand through the slot on the bottom of the machine to check for any loose candy.->Hand through slot]] [[&bullet; Kick the vending machine as hard as you can.->Kick machine]]

You make a fist with your hand and start smashing the buttons randomly. The machine violently beeps with every smash. Nothing else really happens. [[&bullet; Stick your hand through the slot on the bottom of the machine to check for any loose candy.->Hand through slot]] [[&bullet; Kick the vending machine as hard as you can.->Kick machine]]

Confused, you shake your head at the turtle. It didn't really make any sense. "It's alright, you'll figure it out! Now that you have the first digit, you only need two more. The next one is right over there." exclaimed the excited turtle as he pointed one of his fat fingers at a vending machine about 5 feet away. [[&bullet; Curiously walk over to the oddly-placed vending machine.]]

You kneel down and stick your entire arm into the candy slot at the bottom of the machine. It's a little cold in there. [[&bullet; Feel around inside the candy compartment for any loose candy.->Check for candy]] [[&bullet; Remove your hand out of the vending machine.->Retreat hand]]

You take a few steps back to get a running start. The ground is a little muddy, so it probably won't make a difference. You charge forward, running at full speed, and stick your left leg out to kick the machine right in the middle of the glass. *CRASHHH!* Your leg makes contact with the glass, and you tumble to the ground. The vending machine barely budged, and now your leg really hurts. Nice. [[&bullet; Randomly press the buttons on the vending machine.->Button mash]] [[&bullet; Stick your hand through the slot on the bottom of the machine to check for any loose candy.->Hand through slot]]

You attempt to retreat your hand out of the machine, but the tiny one-way door of the compartment is pushing down on your arm. //My arm is stuck.// Suddenly, small coins begin to shoot out of the coin-return slot of the machine. Each of the $coincount coins hit you in your leg. It stings a tiny bit. //CLICK// The compartment door loosens and you safely remove your arm from the possessed vending machine. [[&bullet; Insert your arm back into the vending machine.->Insert arm]] [[&bullet; Inspect the $coincount coins lying in the grass.->Inspect coins]]

You check every inch of the candy compartment, but unfortunately, it's empty. [[&bullet; Remove your hand out of the vending machine.->Retreat hand]]

You begin to insert you arm back inside the terrifying vending machine. //This probably isn't a good idea..// You decide against this terrible choice, and retreat your arm once more. [[&bullet; Inspect the $coincount coins lying in the grass.->Inspect coins]]

Excited about your newfound wealth, you sit down cross-legged in the damp grass and pick up each coin. //$coinphrase I'm rich!// [[&bullet; Insert the coins back into the vending machine to buy yourself $candy.->Insert coins again]] [[&bullet; Further inspect the coins.->Further inspect coins]]

Salivating at the sight of $candy. You insert all $coincount coins into the vending machine, press the buttons //B7//, and wait. The machine blurts out four angry beeps, and shoots out all the coins even faster than before. However, this time you're ready. You catch each coin, //proudly//. $candy shoots out of the slot. //Free $candy, nice.// [[&bullet; Further inspect the coins.->Further inspect coins]]

You pull out your trusty magnifying glass, and inspect each coin closely. //I should note down what types of coins they are: **$secondnum**.// //The **sum** of these $coincount coins must be the answer to what the next digit is!// You take a mental note of the newly found digit, and decide what you should do next. [[&bullet; Walk back over to the turtle.->Walk to turtle]] [[&bullet; Walk back to the cave you started your journey in.->Walk to cave_]]

You pick up the spikiest stick you could find on the grassy ground, and you start jabbing the turtle's pinky toe like there's no tomorrow. He snores even louder. It's not very effective. [[&bullet; Look around his "house."->Check house]]

You take a look around the turtle's so-called "house." There are no walls or doors; however, you do notice a pile of dirty laundry on the ground, a microwave, an unmade bed, and a bedside table. You realize that you still need a light source to explore deeper in the cave. [[&bullet; Inspect the dirty laundry.->Inspect laundry]] [[&bullet; Inspect the microwave.->Inspect microwave]] [[&bullet; Inspect the bedside table.->Inspect table]] [[&bullet; Inspect the unmade bed.->Inspect bed]]

You walk over to the pile of dirty laundry lying on the ground. You notice a pair of white underpants that look like they could fit a small skyscraper. The clothes smell a little bad. [[&bullet; Inspect the microwave.->Inspect microwave]] [[&bullet; Inspect the unmade bed.->Inspect bed]] [[&bullet; Inspect the bedside table.->Inspect table]]

A tiny black microwave lies on a patch of dirt just a few steps away. //Maybe I can use the lightbulb inside it to illuminate the cave.// You walk over to it and notice that the door was left open. The bulb has burned out. [[&bullet; Inspect the unmade bed.->Inspect bed]] [[&bullet; Inspect the bedside table.->Inspect table]] [[&bullet; Inspect the dirty laundry.->Inspect laundry]]

You walk over to the normal-sized unmade bed. You begin to wonder how on earth the gigantic turtle could fit in it. One of his big toes is twice the size of the bed. There's really nothing out of the ordinary in the bed. [[&bullet; Inspect the bedside table.->Inspect table]] [[&bullet; Inspect the dirty laundry.->Inspect laundry]] [[&bullet; Inspect the microwave.->Inspect microwave]]

You notice a short bedside table that is propped right next to the turtle's average-sized bed. A ray of hope beams from the top of the table. //A lamp.// A small lamp with no lampshade sits atop the bedside table. //I'm sure the turtle won't mind if I just borrow this real quick.// You grab the warm lamp and hide it under your jacket. [[&bullet; Unplug the lamp.->Unplug lamp]] [[&bullet; Leave the lamp plugged in, and walk back to the dark cave.->Walk to cave]]

You bend down to unplug the cord, but the cord seems to be fed through a hole in the ground. You keep pulling and pulling, but the cord is seemingly infinitely long. [[&bullet; Leave the lamp plugged in, and walk back to the dark cave.->Walk to cave]]

You walk back to the cave where you first woke up. You're suprised at the length of the cord, but you're not complaining. You reach the mouth of the cave, and take a step inside. //It's even darker than before.// [[&bullet; Remove the lamp from under your jacket.->Use lamp]] [[&bullet; Yell into the darkness.->Yell]]

You take one last look at the vending machine you just conquered, and walk towards the enormous turtle. //He fell back asleep.// The turtle's loud snoring rumbles the earth and shakes the trees. It doesn't look like he is going to wake up anytime soon. [[&bullet; Poke the turtle in the pinky toe with a stick.->Poke turtle]] [[&bullet; Look around his "house."->Check house]]

You decide to walk back to the cave that you originally woke up in. However, you remember that it was engulfed in darkness. // I still need to find a light source in order to explore deeper in the cave.// [[&bullet; Walk back over to the turtle.->Walk to turtle]]

You lift up your jacket, and remove the lamp from under it. The darkness immediately disappears, and the cave is illuminated a warm yellow tone. You look around the newly lit cave... //It's empty.// The entire cavern is desolate. No monsters, no bats. The only thing you notice is a single stick that is lodged straight into the ground near the back of the cave. [[&bullet; Look for clues about the last digit.->Look for clues]] [[&bullet; Pull the stick out of the ground.->Pull stick]]

You take a deep breath of the cold, musty air, take one step forward, open your mouth, and yell as loud as you can. A deafening echo rings back at you. //I don't know what I expected.// [[&bullet; Remove the lamp from under your jacket.->Use lamp]]

You walk all around the empty cave, frantically searching for any hint that could lead to the third and final digit. However, the only object in this cave is the single stick that is stuck into the ground. [[&bullet; Pull the stick out of the ground.->Pull stick]]

You walk over to the lone stick, and yank it out of the ground. You suddenly remember the turtle's odd poem: //In the dark musty cave where you first arrived, Lies the one true answer that you must derive. With a whittled old branch in one hand, Draw the magic three digits into the land.// //I use the stick to draw the 3 numbers! The first number is **$firstnum**, the second is the sum of **$secondnum**, but what's the third?// [[&bullet; Search harder for a clue to the third number.->Search again]]

You pace up and down in the cave, making sure you don't miss anything that could yield the answer. There is nothing. //There is absolutely nothing in this cave. Nada, zip, zilch.// [[&bullet; Search harder for a clue to the third number.->Search again]] [[&bullet; The last number is 0.->Correct answer]] [[&bullet; The last number is 1.->Wrong answer]] [[&bullet; The last number is 2.->Wrong answer]] [[&bullet; The last number is 3.->Wrong answer]] [[&bullet; The last number is 4.->Wrong answer]] [[&bullet; The last number is 5.->Wrong answer]] [[&bullet; The last number is 6.->Wrong answer]] [[&bullet; The last number is 7.->Wrong answer]] [[&bullet; The last number is 8.->Wrong answer]] [[&bullet; The last number is 9.->Wrong answer]]

//There's absolutely nothing in this cave, so the last number must be **$thirdnum**!// With the stick in hand, you draw the 3 numbers into the dirt. //POP!// You hear a loud popping sound as a wooden door appears out of thin air in front of you. [[Open the door.->Open door]]

With the stick in hand, you hold your breath, and draw the 3 digits into the dirt. //Nothing happens.// [[&bullet; Search harder for a clue to the third number.->Search again]] [[&bullet; The last number is 0->Correct answer]] [[&bullet; The last number is 1->Wrong answer]] [[&bullet; The last number is 2->Wrong answer]] [[&bullet; The last number is 3->Wrong answer]] [[&bullet; The last number is 4->Wrong answer]] [[&bullet; The last number is 5->Wrong answer]] [[&bullet; The last number is 6->Wrong answer]] [[&bullet; The last number is 7->Wrong answer]] [[&bullet; The last number is 8->Wrong answer]] [[&bullet; The last number is 9->Wrong answer]]

What is your name? [[&bullet; Silas->Silas]] [[&bullet; Olive->Olive]]

Click "Start journey" when you're ready. [[&bullet; Start journey.->Beginnings]] (set:$name to "silas") (set:$candy to "Peanut M&Ms") (set:$coincount to "5") (set:$coinphrase to "One.. two.. three.. four... five. There are five coins.") (set:$firstnum to "7") (set:$secondnum to "1 nickel, and 4 pennies") (set:$thirdnum to "0")

Click "Start journey" when you're ready. [[&bullet; Start journey.->Beginnings]] (set:$name to "olive") (set:$candy to "Bubblegum") (set:$coincount to "4") (set:$coinphrase to "One.. two.. three... four. There are four coins.") (set:$firstnum to "2") (set:$secondnum to "1 nickel, and 3 pennies") (set:$thirdnum to "0")

"Well that first number you have there is quite crucial if you want to escape this dream," the proud turtle explained. "*Three* numbers in total are needed to wake you up. All three numbers are *different* than the last, and the order you find them in is *important*," the turtle carefully explained. [[&bullet; "Why numbers? Am I supposed to chant them and a magic door will mysteriously appear?"]]

You slowly walk over to the mysterious door. Resting your hand on the cold doorknob, you turn it. You take one last look behind you. Faraway, outside the cave, you see the gigantic turtle who helped you throughout your journey. [[Exit through the door.->End]]

You swing open the door, and walk through it. You immediately jolt awake in the comfort of your warm bed. //Thanks, Mr. Turtle.//