Calamity John

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<div class="centered"><div class="title">Calamity John</div></div><<display "Cock Euphemisms">> <div class="indent">In this here story, you're fixin' to be the hero in an Old West cowtown called Hawthorne what's been situated way out in th' sticks. It ain't too civilized, neither, on account of havin' only a half-built rail line an' a silver mine what's been runnin' darn near dry. It don't look like the silver is gonna hold out before the dang rail gets done, but that's how things set at the moment. Anyhow, what with one thing an' another, you get yer sex switched right around, so you ain't exactly gonna end up the same place you done started at.</div> <div class="indent">Now I ain't gonna jaw you to death about it, but if this sex-switching don't wash with you, ain't nobody gonna make you carry on from here. O' course, if that seems like just your brand of sippin' whisky, you better light and set a while as we get this yarn unwound.</div> <div class="indent">For them that ain't cut and run, mostly I'm expectin' you to pick startin' out [[as a lady|Intro][$gender to "female"]] what gets transfigurated into a manly sort of shape, but if you got a hankerin' to, you can begin [[as a man,|Intro][$gender to "male"]] in particular a scrawny greenhorn what gets more manly by and by. Ain't no bother either way, but mind there ain't no way fer the man to get turned into a piece o' calico. That ain't what this here game's about.</div> <<if $debug == 1>> [[Cheat]]<<endif>>\

<<set $debug to 0>> <<set $playername to "undec">> <<set $gender to "undec">> <<set $tg to "undec">> /% M or FTM %/ <<set $changed to "no">> <<set $height to 0.0>> <<set $baseheight to 165.0>> /% in centimeters %/ <<set $muscle to 0>> <<set $charisma to 0>> <<set $cocksize to 0>> /% 1 = 5 centimeters %/ <<set $beard to 0>> <<set $shoulders to 1>> <<set $looks to 0>> <<set $course to "">> <<set $style to "">> <<set $pers to "undec">> <<set $introdone to 0>> <<set $chapter to 1>> /% TRACKING HOW MUCH YOU IMPROVED %/ <<set $newheight to 0>> <<set $newmuscle to 0>> <<set $newcharisma to 0>> <<set $newcocksize to 0>> <<set $newshoulders to 0>> <<set $newlooks to 0>> <<set $newbeard to 0>> /% TRACKING WHETHER YOU'VE CHANGED %/ <<set $oldheight to 0>> <<set $oldmuscle to 0>> <<set $oldcharisma to 0>> <<set $cocksize to 0>> <<set $oldshoulders to 0>> <<set $oldlooks to 0>> <<set $oldbeard to 0>> <<set $oldloc to -1>> /% CURRENT CUT OF BEARD %/ <<set $currentbeard to 0>> /% CHARACTER TRAITS %/ <<set $talks to 0>> <<set $talkative to 0>> <<set $silent to 0>> <<set $kind to 0>> <<set $cruel to 0>> <<set $fair to 0>> <<set $devious to 0>> <<set $points to 0>> <<set $inv to []>> <<set $ach to []>> <<set $loc to 13>> <<set $obj to "none">> <<set $shirt to 0>> <<set $trousers to 0>> <<set $drawers to 0>> /% EUPHEMISMS FOR PROFANE WORDS %/ <<set $prof to 0>> /% 0 = mild, 1 = worse %/ <<set $cock to "undec">> <<set $hell to "undec">> <<set $damn to "undec">> <<set $fuck to "undec">> <<set $pussy to "undec">> <<set $shit to "undec">> /% WEAPONS CHEST %/ <<set $armed to 0>> /% Do you HAVE a gun? %/ <<set $bestgun to "none">> <<set $loaded to 0>> /% Do you have BULLETS for that gun? %/ <<set $derringer to 1>> <<set $sharps to 1>> <<set $sharpsammo to 5>> <<set $colt to 6>> <<set $coltammo to 0>> <<set $horse to 1>> <<set $timesdosed to 0>> /% Times that you *transformed* others %/ <<set $bag to []>> <<set $bagged to 0>> /% For each lady that the player sleeps with, add her name to the list and increment $bagged. It will help keep track of people you've slept around with. %/ <<set $dirty to [1, 0, 1, 1, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1]>> /% A filter setting for various kinds of activities the player will be satisfied with doing. 0 == doggy style 1 == anal sex 2 == oral sex 3 == tit jobs 4 == cum shots 5 == taking women against their will 6 == hypnotizing others 7 == transforming men into women with the Rejuvenating Remedy 8 == ropes and bondage %/ <<set $calc to "undec">> <<set $likes to 0>> /% A temporary value used to calculate whether a given NPC likes you, and the return value that is provided: < 0 == doesn't like you 0-20 == likes you well enough 21-50 == finds you attractive 51-100 == finds you very attractive > 100 == finds you sexy as hell %/ <<set $gunslinger to 0>> /% The gunslinger, Vernon Wade, is in the Elbow Bend saloon. His resistance to hypnosis is fairly high (12). This is to prevent the player from accidentally hypnotizing Vernon and losing out on important early-game points. 0 == unharmed and unidentified 1 == unharmed but known 2 == killed 3 == transformed 4 == male and hypnotized 5 == female and hypnotized %/ <<set $bartender to 0>> /% 0 == normal 1 == hypnotized %/ <<set $farmhand to 0>> /% The farmhand, Juan Palmer, is found in Sawbones Surgery. He's ill and looking for a remedy. If you give him the rejuvenating remedy he won't question it. He cannot be hypnotized prior to being transformed because he is in too much pain (neck strain from falling hay bale). -1 == off the map 0 == normal, in Sawbones Surgery 1 == known 2 == female 3 == hypnotized 4 == female and hypnotized %/ <<set $farmgirl to 0>> /% The farm girl, Jill Janke, is in the warehouse trying to save some of her supplies before the banditos run away with it. She has rope available for blocking off the bridge, if the player chooses to do so. -1 = off the map 0 = never talked to 1 = talked to 2 = preparing to depart %/ <<set $stableboy to 0>> /% The stableboy, Ollie, is in the Stables. 0 = never talked to 1 = talked to %/ <<set $miner to 0>> /% The manager of Stackwell Mines, Harold, is in the mining shack. He is trying to defend himself with a saw, which can be used to booby-trap the bridge. He won't drink the Rejuvenating Remedy unless hypnotized to do so. -1 = off the map 0 = never talked to 1 = talked to 2 = hypno 3 = female and hypno %/ <<set $passenger to 0>> <<set $hideout to 0>> /% The passenger on board the stagecoach is Iris. She appears on the South Road (in the "Find the Hideout" path) or in the Hotel (in the "Defend the Town" path). -1 = off the map 0 = never talked to, needs rescue 1 = talked to, not rescued 2 = talked to, rescued; in the Hotel 3 = never talked to, doesn't need rescue 4 = talked to, doesn't need rescue hideout == whether the hideout has been discovered %/

<div class="centered"><div class="title">1: Raisin' Hob</div> [img[splash.png]]</div><<display "Gender Settings">> <div class="indent">This town ain't much different from other towns in the West, other than being set way up in the hills a fair piece and built in a crack between the mountains where a crick runs by. There ain't no view except mountains and trees and the occasional critter, and there ain't no railroad until the tunnel goes through. And pretty usual-like, there's powerful rain and fog and snow such that there ain't no sky, neither. Exceptin' all that, it's a pretty usual old place. </div> <div class="indent">Now as it happens, just as you was comin' into town for some victuals an' some supplies, it turns out you almost strolled right into a mess o' trouble. The streets are kinda quiet like, and there's a smell o' gunpowder driftin' in th' air. Down at this here end of town is the tradin' post, a fancy new hotel, an office for Columbia Railways, a telegraph station, and a surgery of sorts in case folks take desperate sick, so it ain't too regular not to see some cowpoke driftin' around lookin' to spend his silver. Odd, ain't it, that tain't nobody around?</div> <div class="indent">Well, except one scrawny cowhand, standin' all in a daze smack dab in the middle of the street. He's peering about at a mess of hay and wagon tracks what's decorating the dusty street. He ain't looking in apple-pie order, truth be told. Someone must have bushwhacked him, and you reckon he took quite a licking on account the blood leaking from one side of his head.</div> <div class="indent">As soon as you clap an eye to the scrawny feller standing all addle-brained in the street, he spies you right back, and ambles over in a drunken line to accost you. <<if $gender == "male">>“Mister!"<<elseif $gender == "female">>“Miss!"<<endif>> he cries out. “There's terrible danger! You best high-tail it out of Hawthorne, quick as you can. A whole heap of outlaws just blowed through town, a shootin' an' a-hollerin', and it ain't safe for man nor <<if $gender == "male">>beast in this parts," he says, wild-eyed.<<elseif $gender == "female">>beast. Ladies neither, begging your pardon," he says, remembering his manners.<<endif>> “Everybody else is makin' tracks, and if I was in your shoes, I'd do the same."</div> <div class="indent">Now, there ain't too many ways <<if $gender == "male">>a man<<else>>a lady<<endif>> can answer to that kind o' danger, an' gen'rally speakin', runnin' away ain't one of 'em, so you decide to fish for a little more an' see what this man's tale is.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Go on.|Intro2][$course to "who", $style to "silent"]]" [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Quick, stranger, tell me. Who were these men?|Intro2][$course to "who", $style to "talkative"]]"

<<set $talkative += $points>>(You done gained <<if $points == 1>>a point<<else>>$points points<<endif>> in bein' talkative on account of <<if $points == 1>>workin' yer big bazoo.)<<elseif $points == 2>>you bein' such a sociable sort.)<<else>>your blabber mouth.)<<endif>><<set $points to 0>>

<<set $silent += $points>>(You done gained <<if $points == 1>>a point<<else>>$points points<<endif>> in bein' quiet-like <<if $points == 1>>fer keepin' yer trap shut.)<<elseif $points == 2>>on account of you bein' not the blabby sort.)<<else>>by not runnin' on at th' mouth.)<<endif>><<set $points to 0>>

<<set $kind += $points>>(You done gained <<if $points == 1>>a point<<else>>$points points<<endif>> in bein' kind <<if $points == 1>>on account of not bein' a disagreeable cuss.)<<elseif $points == 2>>fer mindin' yer manners and such.)<<else>>by actin' like you ain't above plain decent folk.)<<endif>><<set $points to 0>>

<<set $cruel += $points>>(You done gained <<if $points == 1>>a point<<else>>$points points<<endif>> in bein' cruel <<if $points == 1>>fer bein' the sort to give a feller what-for.)<<elseif $points == 2>>on account of you ain't actin' like a decent sort.)<<else>>by bein' such a downright mean ol' varmint.)<<endif>><<set $points to 0>>

<<set $fair += $points>>(You done gained <<if $points == 1>>a point<<else>>$points points<<endif>> in bein' fair <<if $points == 1>>on account of your square shootin'.)<<elseif $points == 2>>fer doin' things accordin' to Hoyle.)<<else>>for givin' them around you a fair shake.)<<endif>><<set $points to 0>>

<<set $devious += $points>>(You done gained <<if $points == 1>>a point<<else>>$points points<<endif>> in bein' devious <<if $points == 1>>fer actin' like a disrespectful no-account chisler.)<<elseif $points == 2>>on account of you playin' the no-good bunco artist.)<<else>>by talkin' like a lawless, flannel-mouthed cheat.)<<endif>><<set $points to 0>>

<<display "Damned Euphemisms">><<set $height += $points>>(You done gained <<if $points == 1>>a point<<else>>$points points<<endif>> o' manliness, <<if $height lt 5>>which is good fer gettin' tall an' parlayin' all yer skills into useful manly chores.)<<elseif $height lt 10>>which gives a body some extra height on top, an' some fancy skills for gettin' the $damn job done.)<<elseif $height lt 15>>what's handy fer gettin' big and tall, an' fer workin' with yer hands like a decent man oughta.)<<elseif $height lt 20>>which makes you th' kind o' big tall man who rolls up his sleeves an' gets it done.)<<else>>makin' you $damn near the tallest man, an' best at every kind o' manly thing there is, of any feller in town.)<<endif>><<set $points to 0>>

<<set $muscle += $points>>(You done gained <<if $points == 1>>a point<<else>>$points points<<endif>> o' muscle, an' now you got more muscles <<if $muscle lt 5>>than folk had a right to think you had.)<<elseif $muscle lt 10>>than a farm hand with a sheep on each shoulder.)<<elseif $muscle lt 15>>than a steel-drivin' man layin' out tracks.)<<elseif $muscle lt 20>>than a hoss, an' prob'ly most oxen too.)<<else>>than anyone short o' Paul Bunyan himself.)<<endif>><<set $points to 0>>

<<set $charisma += $points>>(You done gained <<if $points == 1>>a point<<else>>$points points<<endif>> of charisma, <<if $charisma lt 5>>which is real good fer bein' brave, bold, and filled with manly-like spirit.)<<elseif $points lt 10>>what a man could use for doin' brave, bold an' manly things that drive all the ladies wild.)<<elseif $charisma lt 15>>an' that means you're one fine figure of a man, brave and handsome an' good with th' ladies an' all.)<<elseif $charisma lt 20>>which makes you a fine catch for the ladies: jest as brave and handsome and sexy as a feller can be.)<<else>>which you don't hardly need on account of you bein' jest about the bravest, handsomest man a lady could hope to meet.)<<endif>><<display "Calculate Charisma">><<set $points to 0>>

<<silently>> <<if $charisma == 1>> <<set $cocksize to 5>> <<set $shoulders to 0>> <<set $beard to 1>> <<set $looks to 0>> <<elseif $charisma == 2>> <<set $cocksize to 10>> <<set $shoulders to 1>> <<set $beard to 1>> <<set $looks to 0>> <<elseif $charisma == 3>> <<set $cocksize to 10>> <<set $shoulders to 1>> <<set $beard to 1>> <<set $looks to 1>> <<elseif $charisma == 4>> <<set $cocksize to 15>> <<set $shoulders to 1>> <<set $beard to 1>> <<set $looks to 1>> <<elseif $charisma == 5>> <<set $cocksize to 15>> <<set $shoulders to 1>> <<set $beard to 1>> <<set $looks to 2>> <<elseif $charisma == 6>> <<set $cocksize to 15>> <<set $shoulders to 2>> <<set $beard to 1>> <<set $looks to 2>> <<elseif $charisma == 7>> <<set $cocksize to 20>> <<set $shoulders to 2>> <<set $beard to 1>> <<set $looks to 2>> <<elseif $charisma == 8>> <<set $cocksize to 20>> <<set $shoulders to 2>> <<set $beard to 1>> <<set $looks to 3>> <<elseif $charisma == 9>> <<set $cocksize to 20>> <<set $shoulders to 2>> <<set $beard to 2>> <<set $looks to 3>> <<elseif $charisma == 10>> <<set $cocksize to 20>> <<set $shoulders to 3>> <<set $beard to 2>> <<set $looks to 3>> <<elseif $charisma == 11>> <<set $cocksize to 20>> <<set $shoulders to 3>> <<set $beard to 2>> <<set $looks to 4>> <<elseif $charisma == 12>> <<set $cocksize to 25>> <<set $shoulders to 3>> <<set $beard to 2>> <<set $looks to 4>> <<elseif $charisma == 13>> <<set $cocksize to 25>> <<set $shoulders to 3>> <<set $beard to 3>> <<set $looks to 4>> <<elseif $charisma == 14>> <<set $cocksize to 25>> <<set $shoulders to 4>> <<set $beard to 3>> <<set $looks to 4>> <<elseif $charisma == 15>> <<set $cocksize to 25>> <<set $shoulders to 4>> <<set $beard to 3>> <<set $looks to 5>> <<elseif $charisma == 16>> <<set $cocksize to 25>> <<set $shoulders to 4>> <<set $beard to 4>> <<set $looks to 5>> <<elseif $charisma == 17>> <<set $cocksize to 25>> <<set $shoulders to 4>> <<set $beard to 5>> <<set $looks to 5>> <<elseif $charisma == 18>> <<set $cocksize to 30>> <<set $shoulders to 4>> <<set $beard to 6>> <<set $looks to 6>> <<elseif $charisma == 19>> <<set $cocksize to 30>> <<set $shoulders to 5>> <<set $beard to 6>> <<set $looks to 6>> <<elseif $charisma == 20>> <<set $cocksize to 30>> <<set $shoulders to 5>> <<set $beard to 7>> <<set $looks to 6>> <<elseif $charisma == 21>> <<set $cocksize to 30>> <<set $shoulders to 5>> <<set $beard to 7>> <<set $looks to 7>> <<elseif $charisma == 22>> <<set $cocksize to 30>> <<set $shoulders to 5>> <<set $beard to 8>> <<set $looks to 7>> <<elseif $charisma == 23>> <<set $cocksize to 30>> <<set $shoulders to 6>> <<set $beard to 8>> <<set $looks to 7>> <<elseif $charisma == 24>> <<set $cocksize to 35>> <<set $shoulders to 6>> <<set $beard to 9>> <<set $looks to 8>> <<endif>><<endsilently>>\

<<silently>> <<if $gender == "female">> <<set $tg to "ftm">> <<set $missmister to "miss">> <<set $maamsir to "ma'am">> <<set $ladyman to "lady">> <<set $womanman to "woman">> <<set $madamsir to "madam">> <<set $galfella to "gal">> <<set $inv.push("ruffled blouse")>> <<set $inv.push("cotton bloomers")>> <<set $inv.push("heavy riding skirt")>> <<set $inv.push("flowery camisole")>> <<set $inv.push("leather ankle boots")>> <<set $inv.push("round riding hat")>> <<elseif $gender == "male">> <<set $tg to "m">> <<set $missmister to "mister">> <<set $maamsir to "sir">> <<set $ladyman to "man">> <<set $ftm to -1>> <<set $womanman to "man">> <<set $madamsir to "sir">> <<set $galfella to "fella">> <<set $inv.push("linen work shirt")>> <<set $inv.push("cotton drawers")>> <<set $inv.push("miner's jeans")>> <<set $inv.push("leather shoes")>> <<set $inv.push("bolero")>> <<endif>><<endsilently>>\

<<if $style == "talkative">><div class="indent">“Quick, stranger, tell me," you say. “Who were these men?"</div> <div class="indent">“I never got a good look at 'em my own self," the scrawny cowpoke admits, “on account of I was hidin' in the smithy. I ain't no coward, $missmister, but I wasn't pining to get plugged neither."</div> <div class="indent">“So you don't know who these men were?" you insist.</div> <div class="indent">The skinny cowhand looks flustered. “Mind you, I ain't ever seen him proper before today, excepting on wanted posters, and I don't want him a-comin' after me, accusin' me of havin' a leaky mouth."</div> <div class="indent">“Maybe you can tell me who it wasn't," you say encouragingly.</div> <div class="indent">At that, he looks plum relieved. “In that case, $missmister, it for sure weren't Ted Naughton I seen a-ridin' through town, nor his brother Big Jesse. You can bet your bottom dollar is wasn't them."</div> [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Did you catch a clear sight of anything that mighta happened?|Intro3][$course to "what", $style to "kind"]]" [<img[handsm.png]] “[[How many folk did you watch get shot while you was savin' your own skin?|Intro3][$course to "what", $style to "cruel"]]" <<set $points to 1>><<display "Talkative">><<elseif $style == "silent">><div class="indent">“Go on," you say.</div> <div class="indent">The scrawny feller looks a little shaken by your show of calm, but he rattles on. “I never got a good look at 'em my own self, on account of I was hidin' in the smithy. I ain't no coward, $missmister, but I wasn't pining to get plugged neither."</div> <div class="indent">“Hmph." He ain't worth more than a snort.</div> <div class="indent">The skinny cowhand looks flustered. “Sure, I didn't see nothin' fer sure," he admits, “But mind you, I ain't ever seen him proper before today, excepting on wanted posters, and I don't want him a-comin' after me, accusin' me of havin' a leaky mouth."</div> <div class="indent">You wait silently for a moment, and he carries on talking, trying to fill up the silence.</div> <div class="indent">“It might have been the Naughton boys," he ventures. “Yeah, I might have seen Ted Naughton a-ridin' through town, with his brother Big Jesse behind him. I can't be sure, but it maybe was them."</div> [<img[handsm.png]] “[[What'd you see?|Intro3][$course to "what", $style to "kind"]]" [<img[handsm.png]] “[[How many dead?|Intro3][$course to "what", $style to "cruel"]]" <<set $points to 1>><<display "Silent">><<endif>>

<<if $style == "devious">><<if $talkative gt 0 and $cruel gt 0>><div class="indent">“You should've shot 'em in the back when you had the chance," you say.</div><<set $pers to "Tuco">> <div class="indent">“That ain't exactly accordin' to Hoyle," the skinny little man objects.</div> <div class="indent">“You know a better way to kill a Naughton?" you ask. “Maybe you'd rather they was shootin' back?" When he don't answer, you carry on. “Don't you worry about the niceties. Just tell me where they went."</div><<elseif $talkative gt 0 and $kind gt 0>><div class="indent">“Somebody oughta put those men in the ground where they'll not cause any more trouble," you say.</div><<set $pers to "Maverick">> <div class="indent">“Without takin' 'em to trial?" the skinny little man objects.</div> <div class="indent">“It ain't fair, but I reckon it's a lot easier," you say. “First, you just tell me where they went."</div><<elseif $silent gt 0 and $cruel gt 0>><div class="indent">“They'd better sleep with one eye open," you say.</div><<set $pers to "Angel Eyes">> <div class="indent">“Are you gunnin' for 'em, then?" the skinny little man asks.</div> <div class="indent">“I'll give 'em the same chance they gave these folks," you say. “Fair's fair. Now where'd they go?"</div><<elseif $silent gt 0 and $kind gt 0>><div class="indent">“World'd be better off without those men," you say.</div><<set $pers to "Rooster">> <div class="indent">“Are you gonna bring 'em in to a judge, then?" the skinny little man asks.</div> <div class="indent">“No need," you say. “Judge is a busy man. Now where'd they go?"</div><<endif>><<elseif $style == "fair">><<if $talkative gt 0 and $cruel gt 0>><div class="indent">“You should've shot 'em clean when you had the chance," you say.</div><<set $pers to "Butch">> <div class="indent">“Me, against four guns? That ain't what I call a fair fight," the skinny little man objects.</div> <div class="indent">“You'd rather shoot 'em in the back like a yella dog?" you ask. When he don't answer, you carry on. “This kind of dirty work ain't for you. I'll drag 'em in to see a judge. Just tell me where they went."</div><<elseif $talkative gt 0 and $kind gt 0>><div class="indent">“Someone oughta drag those men before a judge before they cause any more trouble," you say.</div><<set $pers to "Hoss">> <div class="indent">“Me, against four guns? That ain't what I call a fair fight," the skinny little man objects.</div> <div class="indent">“You'd rather shoot 'em in the back like a yella dog?" you ask. When he don't answer, you carry on. “I don't blame you for not goin' after 'em. Those men are dangerous. I'll find some way to bring 'em before a judge. Just tell me where they went."</div><<elseif $silent gt 0 and $cruel gt 0>><div class="indent">“Looks like the judge is gonna need some rope," you say.</div><<set $pers to "Blondie">> <div class="indent">“I got some back at the ranch," the skinny little man volunteers.</div> <div class="indent">“Now, now," you say. “They'll get their trial before we string 'em up. Where'd they go?"</div><<elseif $silent gt 0 and $kind gt 0>><div class="indent">“Looks like they need to see the judge," you say.</div><<set $pers to "Shane">> <div class="indent">“Are you gonna go after 'em, then?" the skinny little man asks.</div> <div class="indent">“By and by, I will," you say. “Where'd they go?"</div><<endif>><<endif>> <div class="indent">“Well, if'n I was to make a guess, they ain't hiding too far away, and they ain't off the road much. It was Ted and Big Jesse, and their sister Eliza, and maybe another feller with 'em. All of 'em was saddled up, and these hills ain't the kind of place to go takin' a hoss up into the rocks, or down into canyon country. No, if they got horses, they're stickin' to the road. And now I have half a breath to ponder on it, they wasn't loaded up for a long trip. They was ridin' pretty light."</div> <div class="indent">“Nearby," you say. “Good."</div> <div class="indent">“Most likely, that is," he says. “Which is why I aim to be well on down the trail before the sun dives into them hills."</div> [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Where's the marshal?|Intro5][$course to "none"]]" <<set $points to 1>><<if $style == "devious">><<display "Devious">><<else>><<display "Fair">><<endif>>

<div class="indent">“Where's the marshal?" you ask him. “Has anyone sent for help?"</div> <div class="indent">“There ain't no help //in// Hawthorne," he says, shaking his head. “Marshal Rountree is two days off in Nelson, and that's if the telegraph ain't blowed down again. Some cowpoke is going to have to hunt down them Naughton boys and clean their plow for 'em, only that cowpoke ain't going to be me." He looks nervously around the street, like he was expecting some scalawag to pop out of a door and plug him. “Look, $missmister, Hawthorne ain't the town for me. Nothin' personal, but I'm fixing to untie my hoss and up sticks. If I was you, I'd get a wiggle on too."</div> <div class="indent">“No, I'm staying," you say firmly. “This is my town."</div><<set $introdone to 1>> <div class="indent">“Suit yourself," he says, tipping the brim of his battered hat. “When I get to Nelson, I'll raise a glass to you."</div> <div class="indent">He makes for the stables in a right hurry, and soon he is gone. By the looks of the way he was a-runnin, he ain't comin' back soon, neither.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[Head through town|Intro6]] (You done got a list o' chores t' do now, ain't you? We got 'em all posted up in th' menu fer easy readin'.)

<div class="indent">You make your way north through the hay-strewn streets, seein' a powerful lot of tracks in th' dust. Right about th' northwest corner of town, near to Hawthorne Ridge an' pert near the stables and the blacksmith, it seems like some folk blew town in a powerful hurry, maybe a mess of somebodies. There's more hay all higgledy-piggledy everywhere, and a heap of wagon ruts and hoss tracks in the dirt, all heading north.</div> <div class="indent">A ways beyond that, where the road out of Hawthorne takes a big elbow bend, is where you find th' bridge out of town. It's a twisty old road, right enough: up into the hills toward the main trail on one side, and around the bend into the town on t'other. The only straight spot is the bridge, leapin' over the gorge that separates Hawthorne Ridge from th' mountainside. Hereabouts is where a traveler can find the two places he wants to see on the way in, and the first thing he wants to see on the way out: the saloon and the brothel.</div> <div class="indent">A fat, tidy little man, all gussied up in his suit and trousers like some swell from back east, is gathering up a whole heap of bottles and such and loadin' 'em into a little wagon. It looks like he's been knocked about a fair piece, maybe pushed off a hoss, but no more'n seems good for him. His tidy little top hat is a mite crushed and what he's wearin' is more trail dust than clothes, but he ain't in dire need of Doc Tyler's help just yet.</div> <div class="indent">The tidy little Easterner spies you, and at first he huddles up to his cart like he's expecting you to try an' scuttle off with his plunder. When he sees <<if $gender == "female">>you're a lady,<<else>>you don't look like a threat,<<endif>> he straightens up and tries to make hisself presentable. Dusting the trail off his coat, he starts barking at you in his round, nasally voice. “Fine, fine," he says right away, pretendin' like he wasn't scared o' you. “Always glad to meet a customer. Lemley is the name: Gideon P Lemley, direct from Baltimore, you can call me Doc Lemley if you please, purveyor of fine tonic straight from the headwaters of the Ohio River. Good for whatever ails a body, you have my personal guarantee. Never had an unsatisfied customer. Testimonials, I have testimonials. Willie Keeler swears by it. Kid Gleason drinks a bottle before every game. Guaranteed to put hair on a man's chest." He stops pontificating long enough to take in your appearance, and adds, <<if $gender == "female">>“Well, most likely not in your case,"<<else>>“Well, in most cases, anyhow,"<<endif>> in a smaller voice. He takes a deep, troubled breath, and his eyes lose focus. “Apologies, $missmister, but I seem a touch off my feed today after the fright I've had."</div> <div class="indent">“Maybe you should have some of your tonic water," you suggest.</div> <div class="indent">He just looks miserable. “Oh, I just might, I just might," he says, but his heart ain't in it. After a moment, he seems to remember where he is. “Say, $missmister, you wouldn't happen to know where there's a stagecoach to be had in this desperate . . . fine little, er, this wonderful mountain town? Only I have this shipment, you see." He pulls out a fine gold pocketwatch and snaps open the lid to check the time as he gestures vaguely toward his broken cart. “It's bound for St Louis, and it's high time I was on the road. Famous around the world," he adds, falling back into his pitch. He snaps the pocketwatch closed and tucks it away again. “Gideon P Lemley's Manly Recombobulating Tonic. Would you care to try a bottle?" he asks hopefully.</div> <div class="indent">“What does it do, exactly?" you ask him suspiciously.</div> <div class="indent">“Oh, you'll never have cause to question its effectiveness. Finest mineral water," he explains hurriedly. “Headwaters of the Missouri River."</div> <<if $talkative gt 0>><div class="indent">“You just said it was the Ohio," you point out. “And anyway, ain't th' headwaters of the Ohio out in Pittsburgh?"</div><<else>><div class="indent">“That ain't much of an answer, mister."</div><<endif>> <div class="indent">Gideon P Lemley has this look of exhausted brightness about him, maybe caused by all the frights he had today. He opens his mouth to rattle on at you, but then he sags. “Look, let me be straight. The Manly Recombobulating Tonic is a little inconsistent in its operation. Still, I personally guarantee that <<if $gender == "male">>if you're feeling a mite less manly than you feel you ought, why this tonic will restore your<<else>>if there's a fellow in your life, and he's none too manly, why this tonic will restore his<<endif>> masculine vigor in no time flat."</div> <<if $talkative gt 0>><div class="indent">“And what does it to to women? What if <<if $gender == "female">>I had some myself?"<<else>>gave it to my gal?"<<endif>> you press him.</div><<else>><div class="indent">“And if the feller ain't a feller?" you ask.</div><<endif>> <div class="indent">“There's no telling, $maamsir," he admits. “Of course, even with the tonic, it does sometimes help a treat if the patient was to go about doing manly things: lifting heavy loads, using his manly skills, taking big risks and making time with the ladies afterward."</div> <<if $talkative gt 0>><div class="indent">“So it makes you more manly, as long as you go out yourself on purpose and become more manly after drinkin' it,' you conclude.</div><<else>><div class="indent">“Sounds like I gotta do all the work," you say suspiciously.</div><<endif>> <div class="indent">“It works like nothing else," he says weakly.</div> <<if $talkative gt 0>><div class="indent">“You mean if I went and put nothin' in a bottle, it would work just like that?"</div><<else>><div class="indent">“Yeah, an' so does nothin'."</div><<endif>> <div class="indent">He is too tired to try his pitch again. With a little shrug, he gestures toward the bottle in your hands and says, “See for yourself, $maamsir. Do you want it, or is our business here concluded?"</div> <<if $gender == "male">>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Sure, I'll have a swig.|Intro7][$reaction to "male"]]" [<img[handsm.png]] “[[No, thank you kindly.|Intro8][$reaction to "male"]]"<<elseif $gender == "female">>[<img[handsm.png]] “Sure, I'll have a swig. Bein' a man [[could be the boss.|Intro7][$reaction == "eager"]]" (This here shows you're eager to give it a whirl.) [<img[handsm.png]] “Sure, I'll have a swig. I reckon [[I'd make a pretty good man.|Intro7][$reaction to "willing"]]" (Sayin' it like so shows you're willin' to try.) [<img[handsm.png]] “Sure, I'll have a swig. I always did reckon [[I ought to be a man.|Intro7][$reaction to "trans"]]" (This answer is fer when you figure you ain't meant to be a lady after all.) [<img[handsm.png]] “No, thank you kindly, although I do reckon [[I'd make a pretty good man.|Intro8][$reaction to "willing"]]" (Sayin' it like this shows you're willin' to try.) [<img[handsm.png]] “No, thank you kindly. Folks around here would talk [[if I went an' started bein' a man.|Intro8][$reaction to "secret"]]" (A gal would say this if she didn't want to seem too eager.) [<img[handsm.png]] “No, thank you kindly. I ain't lookin' to [[get turned into a man.|Intro8][$reaction to "reluctant"]]" (This shows you ain't never considered bein' a man.)<<endif>>

<<display "Damned Euphemisms">><<if $style == "kind">><<if $talkative gt 0>><div class="indent">“Did you catch a clear sight of anything that mighta happened?"</div><<elseif $silent gt 0>><div class="indent">“What'd you see?"</div><<endif>> <div class="indent">“It ain't healthy for a feller to go around //seein'// things," the scrawny cowpoke says fervently. “I done heard some shots, and more'n one man yellin' and cussin'. You could hear 'em a mile off, kickin' up a heck of a fuss. They was mostly down to empty streets by the time I slunk into Hawthorne the back way, and there was all them boys heading up road t'other way. I seen a couple men shot in the street, which is a <<if $gender == "female" and $prof == 1>>damn -- I mean, it's a durned shame, miss, pardon my French -- but<<elseif $prof == 0>>$damn shame, but<<elseif $prof == 1>>$damn shame, but<<endif>> I ain't hangin' around here looking to join 'em in the bone yard."</div> <div class="indent">“How did you get hurt?"</div> <div class="indent">He touches the blood on his temple. “That was Rose. She heard me a-creepin' around behind her parlor, lookin' for a back way to the stables, and she reckoned I was fixin' to bust down the door and get me one of her painted girls. Clapped me on the noggin with a piece o' timber, or somethin'."</div> <<if $talkative gt 0>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Someone oughta put those men in the ground|Intro4][$course to "where", $style to "devious"]] where they'll not cause any more trouble." [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Someone oughta drag those men before a judge|Intro4][$course to "where", $style to "fair"]] before they cause any more trouble."<<elseif $silent gt 0>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[World'd be better off without 'em.|Intro4][$course to "where", $style to "devious"]]" [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Looks like they need to see the judge.|Intro4][$course to "where", $style to "fair"]]"<<endif>> <<set $points to 1>><<display "Kind">><<elseif $style == "cruel">><<if $talkative gt 0>><div class="indent">“How many folk did you watch get shot while you was savin' your own skin?"</div> <div class="indent">“I ain't no coward, $missmister," he says defiantly. “You wasn't there."</div> <div class="indent">“And you were, only you didn't do nothin' or see nothin'," you say.</div><<elseif $silent gt 0>><div class="indent">“How many dead?"</div> <div class="indent">“A couple, maybe. I ain't looked around to count," he replies.</div> <div class="indent">“Real brave of you," you say dryly.</div><<endif>> <div class="indent">“I done heard some shots, and more'n one man yellin' and cussin'. You could hear 'em a mile off, kickin' up a hell of a fuss. They was mostly down to empty streets by the time I slunk into Hawthorne the back way, and there was all them boys heading up road t'other way. I seen a couple men shot in the street, which is a <<if $gender == "female">>damn -- I mean, it's a durned shame, miss, pardon my French -- but<<else>>damned shame, but<<endif>> I ain't hangin' around here looking to join 'em in the bone yard."</div> <div class="indent">“How did you get hurt?"</div> <div class="indent">He touches the blood on his temple. “That was Rose. She heard me a-creepin' around behind her parlor, lookin' for a back way to the stables, and she reckoned I was fixin' to bust down the door and get me one of her painted girls. Clapped me on the noggin with a piece o' timber, or somethin'."</div> <<if $talkative gt 0>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[You should've shot 'em in the back|Intro4][$course to "where", $style to "devious"]] when you had the chance." [<img[handsm.png]] “[[You should've shot 'em clean|Intro4][$course to "where", $style to "fair"]] when you had the chance." <<elseif $silent gt 0>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[They'd better sleep with one eye open.|Intro4][$course to "where", $style to "devious"]]" [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Looks like the judge is gonna need some rope.|Intro4][$course to "where", $style to "fair"]]"<<endif>> <<set $points to 1>><<display "Cruel">><<endif>>

<div class="indent"><<if $reaction == "willing">>“Sure, I'll have a swig," you tell him. “I reckon I'd make a pretty good man."<<elseif $reaction == "eager">>“Sure, I'll have a swig," you tell him. “Being a man could be the boss."<<elseif $reaction == "trans">>“Sure, I'll have a swig," you tell him. “I always did reckon I ought to have been a man."<<elseif $reaction == "male">>“Sure, I'll have a swig," you tell him.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">Lemley looks cagey for a moment. <<if $gender == "female">>“Now, I won't guarantee results when used by a member of the fairer sex,"<<elseif $gender == "male">>“Now, I can't guarantee this tonic works right away on all . . . er, specimens of fine manhood such as yourself,"<<endif>> he says quickly, “but I have never turned down a sale in my long illustrious career and I do not intend to begin now. There you are, $missmister: one bottle of Gideon P Lemley's finest Manly Recombobulating Tonic, for the low price of only ten cents. Direct from Baltimore," he adds, taking your coin and tucking it away. “Tell all your friends."</div> <<display "Tonic">>

<div class="indent"><<if $reaction == "willing">>“No, thank you kindly," you tell him. “Although I reckon I'd make a pretty good man."<<elseif $reaction == "secret">>“No, thank you kindly," you tell him. “Folks around here would talk if I went an' started bein' a man."<<elseif $reaction == "reluctant">>“No, thank you kindly," you tell him. “I'm not lookin' to get turned into a man."<<elseif $reaction == "male">>“No, thank you kindly," you tell him.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">Gideon P Lemley looks sidelong at you. “Well, well, I can understand a little natural resistance. After all, it isn't every day a fine product like this comes all the way out to the sticks from Baltimore! Oh, I won't insist that you buy a bottle, not for yourself, but I do insist you take a free sample to show all your friends. That's right, I insist -- no, I don't take no for an answer. There's your bottle of Manly Recombobulating Tonic. If that doesn't work wonders for you and yours, then you have my money-back guaran-- well, never mind that just now, as this particular sample is free gratis on the house with no warranty express or implied." He gives you a slick little smile, adding, “Tell all your friends about me!"</div> <<display "Tonic">>

<div class="indent">You take a gander at the bottle. It sure looks like powerful stuff, what with the fancified label and a power of tiny words printed everywhere. Says here it's pert-near guaranteed to make a man out of any cowpoke on God's green earth. O' course, that's exactly what a flannel-mouthed salesman like [[Gideon P Lemley|Location]] //would// say, right enough.</div><<if $inv.includes("recombobulating tonic")>><<else>><<set $inv.push("recombobulating tonic")>><<endif>><<set $introdone to 2>>

__Bend in the Road__ <div class="indent">Hereabouts is a great big bend in the road headin' up toward the bridge on one side, and down into town on t'other. It's a twisty old road, right enough: up into the hills toward the main trail on one side, and around the bend into the town on t'other. The only straight spot is the bridge, leapin' over the gorge that separates Hawthorne Ridge from th' mountainside. Hereabouts is where a traveler can find the two places he wants to see on the way in, and the first thing he wants to see on the way out: the saloon and the brothel.</div> <div class="indent">Standin' here at the bend in the road is Gideon P Lemley, the fat little Easterner with the cart full o' his Manly Recombobulating Tonic. He's tryin' to gather up his goods and reach the stagecoach, but there ain't no way he's puttin' this cart back into ace-high order before sunset. Them Naughton boys spilt a whole mess of bottles everywhere, along with knickknacks and tradin' beads and heaven knows what all. That ain't stoppin' Doc Lemley from crawlin' on his hands and knees, getting dust all over his fine fancy threads, pickin' up his loot from out o' the dust. <<if $inv.includes("pocketwatch")>>Occasionally, he mops his brow with a dirty kerchief.<<else>>Occasionally, he mops his brow with a dirty kerchief and checks the time on his pocketwatch.<<endif>></div> <<if $inv.includes("pocketwatch") and $dirty[6] == 1>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Ain't this pocketwatch pretty?|Lemley Hypno]]" <<elseif $dirty[6] == 1>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Say, that's a nice pocketwatch.|Pocketwatch]]" <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("rejuvenating remedy")>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[try the rejuvenating remedy|Drink Remedy]] <<elseif $dirty[7] == 1>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Do you have anything for the ladies?|Rejuvenating Remedy]]" <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("recombobulating tonic")>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[try the tonic|Drink Tonic]] <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[head into town|Location][$loc to 5]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[enter saloon|Location][$loc to 12]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[go to Rose's Parlor|Location][$loc to 3]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[cross the bridge|Location][$loc to 14]]

<div class="indent">“Say, that's a fine watch you have," you tell the little salesman.</div> <div class="indent">“It keeps good time. A must-have for any traveling gentleman out here in the bush," he declares stoutly.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] <<if $talkative gt $silent>>“[[Why don't you hand over that watch?|Rob Lemley]]"<<else>>“[[Hand it over.|Rob Lemley]]"<<endif>> [<img[handsm.png]] <<if $talkative gt $silent>>“[[I'd keep that pocketwatch out of sight, if I was you.|Warn Lemley]]"<<else>>“[[Best keep that out of sight.|Warn Lemley]]"<<endif>>

<div class="indent">“Don't you have any tonic for the ladies?" you <<if $gender == "female">>ask crossly.<<else>>ask.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">“A fine purveyor I would be if I did not also carry a rejuvenating tonic for the fairer sex," Lemley pronounces in his carnival barker voice. “I have . . . well, I had some bottles of it in my wagon. Ah, here, I have a few remaining. Mother Lemley's Rejuvenating Remedy. Mother Lemley is, of course, your humble servant here, only it seemed to me that the ladies would be more apt to purchase my elixir if there were a woman's name on the label." He looks hesitant to hand any over to you. “To tell you the truth, $missmister, I ordinarily vend these wares to . . . places that employ ladies. Houses of comfort, as you might say. Bordellos."</div> <div class="indent"><<if $talkative gt $silent>>“Oh, you mean Miss Rose's brothel," you supply helpfully, “where all them ladies <<if $gender == "female" or $prof == 0>>loves up men<<elseif $gender == "male">>fucks men<<endif>> fer money."<<else>>“Whorehouses," you supply helpfully.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">“Ah. Yes, well, that is one way of describing such clientele," Lemley says. He straightens up and adjusts his crumpled hat with affronted dignity, but it ain't much use. “The Rejuvenating Remedy is quite potent, and it has the . . . er, side effect of making the . . . well, let us just say--"</div> <div class="indent"><<if $talkative gt $silent and $cruel gt $kind>>“It's for puttin' into a gal's drink so's you can turn her into a real good whore," you guess.<<elseif $talkative gt $silent>>“It helps a lady who might be havin' second thoughts to get in th' mood for menfolk, real quick," you guess.<<elseif $cruel gt $kind>>“Turns 'em into whores," you guess.<<else>>“Makes 'em go wild fer the menfolk," you guess.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">“Once again, you have //in essence// captured the principle of the thing," Lemley says, “while avoiding the finer subtleties such as can be found in good advertising. Nevertheless, I urge you to exercise caution when using <<if $gender == "female">>it, especially if you plan to try using it on yourself."<<else>>it, and I do not recommend that a man try it for himself."<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">He hands you one of the bottles, real careful-like, as if he's handin' over a [[bottle o' angry wolverines.|Location]]</div><<set $inv.push("rejuvenating remedy")>> <div class="indent">Lemley said this little brown bottle contained some potent brew. It has a red label, like the kind fellers use for dynamite and rattlesnakes and such. The label proclaims all kinds of keep-aways, and then it goes on to say it's the perfect solution for makin' a good woman out of any folk who dare to drink a few drops.</div>

<<if ($oldheight lt $height or $oldmuscle lt $muscle or $oldcharisma lt $charisma) and $oldloc gte 0>><<set $oldloc to $loc>><<set $loc to -1>><<display "Transformation">><<elseif $oldloc == -1 and $changed == "yes">><<set $oldloc to 0>><<set $oldheight to $height>><<set $oldmuscle to $muscle>><<set $oldcharisma to $charisma>><<set $oldcocksize to $cocksize>><<set $oldshoulders to $shoulders>><<set $oldlooks to $looks>><<set $oldbeard to $beard>><<endif>>\ <<if $loc == 1>><<display "Stable">> <<elseif $loc == 2>><<display "Blacksmith">> <<elseif $loc == 3>><<display "Rose's Parlor">> <<elseif $loc == 4>><<display "Wells Shipping">> <<elseif $loc == 5>><<display "Hay-Strewn Street">> <<elseif $loc == 6>><<display "Telegraph Office">> <<elseif $loc == 7>><<display "Hawthorne Ridge Hotel">> <<elseif $loc == 8>><<display "Columbia Railways Office">> <<elseif $loc == 9>><<display "Plunkett's Trading Post">> <<elseif $loc == 10>><<display "Sawbones Surgery">> <<elseif $loc == 11>><<display "End of the Street">> <<elseif $loc == 12>><<display "Elbow Bend Saloon">> <<elseif $loc == 13>><<display "Bend in the Road">> <<elseif $loc == 14>><<display "Wooden Bridge">> <<elseif $loc == 15>><<display "Western Pass Road">> <<elseif $loc == 16>><<display "Pasture Road">> <<elseif $loc == 17>><<display "Muddy Track">> <<elseif $loc == 18>><<display "Old Stone Church">> <<elseif $loc == 19>><<display "Schoolhouse">> <<elseif $loc == 20>><<display "Stackwell Mining Company">> <<elseif $loc == 21>><<display "Forest Road">> <<elseif $loc == 22>><<display "The Church Yard">> <<elseif $loc == 23>><<display "South Road">> <<elseif $loc == 24>><<display "Narrow Turn">> <<elseif $loc == 25>><<display "Hawthorne Canyon View">> <<elseif $loc == 26>><<display "Canyon Floor">> <<elseif $loc == 27>><<display "Road by the Old Barn">> <<elseif $loc == 28>><<display "Barbershop">> <<elseif $loc == 29>><<display "Hotel Lounge">> <<endif>>

<div class="indent">You pull out the cork of the Manly Recombobulating Tonic, and out wafts a powerful medicinal smell of alcohol, herbs, and suchlike. There ain't no dose instructions on the label, and there ain't no glasses handy, so you take <<if $gender == "male">>a manly swig<<else>>an unladylike swig<<endif>> directly from the bottle.</div> <div class="indent">After a spell, you notice there's a whole heap of nothin' happening, so you try another swig, and another, until the whole bottle is gone. You take a peep at the label again, preparing to give the bottle of tonic the old heave-ho, but then you cotton on to some kind of difficulty of the bowels, as your guts get hold of the tonic at last -- or maybe the tonic gets hold of you.</div><<set $inv.delete("recombobulating tonic")>> <<if $gender == "male">><div class="indent">There's a powerful urge to bring up your breakfast, but you find a good spot to kneel to the ground while you try to convince your innards not to become outards. That's when you notice a tingling in all your arms and legs, and a strange fire starting to burn down your backbone. All your muscles are set to shaking like newborn foals, and everything goes blurry for a spell.</div> <div class="indent">It ain't but a few shakes later when you stand up again, feelin' right as rain. Better, even. And sure enough, the Manly Recombobulating Tonic done its job on you. You still ain't much of a man: you still got a hollow chest and stringbean arms, but now you feel there's this surge of strength and toughness, an' you feel you got sand enough to take on the world. <<display "Cock Euphemisms">>Your $cock still ain't worth writin' home about, and you ain't much more than a few inches taller, but sure enough that tonic did what it said it would.</div> <div class="indent">The tidy little salesman mops his brow with a kerchief. “That's mighty fine tonic, that is," he says, but he seems shaken. You got this suspicion that his tonic ain't never worked so good before, because he looks as pale as a preacher-wife's Sunday dress. “Now I think you'll find, mister, that the more you go about doing a man's business in this fine little, er, location, that this tonic will keep working its medicinal properties on you. Mind you, this is a completely expected after-effect and comes to you at no extra charge whatsoever."</div> <div class="indent">You aim to make a retort, but Doc Lemley's tonic is still bubblin' around in your guts in a sickly kind o' way, and you got the feeling that there's more changin' [[yet to come.|Location]]</div> <<if $changed == "no">><<set $points to 2>><<display "Height">> <<set $points to 2>><<display "Muscle">> <<set $points to 2>><<display "Charisma">><<endif>><<set $changed to "yes">><<elseif $gender == "female">><div class="indent">There's a powerful urge to bring up your breakfast, but you find a good spot to kneel to the ground while you try to convince your innards not to become outards. That's when you notice a tingling in all your arms and legs, and a strange fire starting to burn down your backbone. Your face feels pricklish, like somebody done covered it with ants, and down in your nether region there's this terrible bad pressure, like some big critter has got your hip bones in its champers and is busy a-chawin' you down to size.</div> <div class="indent">That's when you spy your hands and arms, down there in the dust holdin' you up out of the street, and they ain't the same as they was a moment ago. Your little hands have sprung up with hair, right on the back of the knuckles, and the bones look bigger and tougher. They ain't a lady's hands no more, these are genuine manly meat hooks, and you can feel a power in 'em they ain't had before. In fact, all over your body, there's this surge of strength and toughness, an' you feel you got sand enough to take on the world.</div> <div class="indent">It ain't but a few shakes later when you stand up again, feelin' right as rain. Better, even. And sure enough, the Manly Recombobulating Tonic done its job on you. Replacing all your womanly curves and feminine shapes, you got a man's body instead. It ain't much of one, not yet at least. You got a hollow chest instead of breasts, <<display "Cock Euphemisms">>your $cock ain't worth writin' home about, an' you don't stand much more than a few inches taller, but sure enough that tonic did what it said it would.</div> <div class="indent">The tidy little salesman mops his brow with a kerchief. “That's mighty fine tonic, that is," he says, but he seems shaken. You got this suspicion that his tonic ain't never worked so good before, because he looks as pale as a preacher-wife's Sunday dress. “Now I think you'll find, miss -- uh, mister -- that the more you go about doing a man's business in this fine little, er, location, that this tonic will keep working its medicinal properties on you. Mind you, this is a completely expected after-effect and comes to you at no extra charge whatsoever."</div><<set $gender to "male">> <div class="indent">You aim to make a retort, but Doc Lemley's tonic is still bubblin' around in your guts in a sickly kind o' way, and you got the feeling that there's more changin' [[yet to come.|Location]]</div> <<if $changed == "no">><<set $points to 1>><<display "Height">> <<set $points to 1>><<display "Muscle">> <<set $points to 1>><<display "Charisma">><<set $changed to "yes">><<display "Gender Reset">><<endif>><<endif>>

__Elbow Bend Saloon__ <div class="indent">When a man takes it into his head to have a drink, it ain't unusual to find him settin' down to a glass of crazy juice here at the Elbow Bend. Around Hawthorne Ridge, folks tend to turn up at the bar real regular when the fish are bitin', and even more regular when they ain't. There's a window that don't open, a piano what don't hardly get played, and every Saturday at sundown sharp there's a runnin' game of five-card stud that probably won't drag to an end until Kingdom Come.</div> <div class="indent">Hoverin' behind the bar with his meaty arms crossed is Eddie Malone, the man what runs the Elbow Bend. He ain't lookin' too pleased about the goings-on in Hawthorne today, because while bein' afeared of gettin' shot tends to make a man drink more than usual, gettin' //actually// shot often tends to make a man drink somewhat less on a more permanent basis.</div> <<if $ach.includes("gunslinger")>><<else>><div class="indent"><<if $gunslinger lt 2>>Standin' over near the bar is <<if $gunslinger == 0>>a lanky gunslinger,<<elseif $gunslinger == 1>>Vernon Wade, one of Ted Naughton's boys. Vernon is a lanky gunslinger,<<endif>> a tall drink o' water with a hawk nose and long, stringy hair a-fallin' out of his hat. He's sippin' at a mug of the Elbow Bend's finest beer, squinty eyes watchin' the room in the mirror behind the bar. Eddie the bartender is watchin' th' man with sidelong eyes, hopin' there ain't no trouble.<<elseif $gunslinger == 3>>Standin' over near the bar is a skinny gal that used to be Vernon Wade, the lanky gunslinger, only she ain't no more. One dose o' Doc Lemley's rejuvenatin' juice, and she's done turned into a gal with a pretty face and dull cow eyes that keep a-lookin' around the room like she's tryin' to recollect how she got here.<<elseif $gunslinger == 4>>Vernon Wade, the gunslinger, is standin' over to the bar with an empty expression in his ugly mug.<<elseif $gunslinger == 5>>Vera Wade, the gunslinger turned lady, is standin' over to the bar with an empty expression in her pretty face.<<endif>></div> <<endif>>\ <<if $ach.includes("gunslinger")>><<elseif $gunslinger lt 2>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[talk to the gunslinger|Vernon Talks][$vernon += 1]] <<elseif $gunslinger == 4>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[talk to the gunslinger|Vernon Hypno Talks][$vernon += 1]] <<else>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[talk to Vera|Vera Talks][$vernon += 1]] <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[talk to Eddie|Eddie Talks]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[back to town|Location][$loc to 13]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[go out th' back way|Location][$loc to 14]]

<<if $chapter == 4>><<display "Chapter 3 Defend">> -- [[ayep|Location][$loc to 18]] <<else>>__Wooden Bridge__ <div class="indent">Seein' as most of Hawthorne Ridge was slapped up on the west side of the crick, and the road was put through on the east side, this here bridge is the only way in or out of the main part of town. It was built real good out of whatever local timber was to hand, but it's a mite unsettling all the same. Around here the hills is so steep that a man lookin' on at Hawthorne would proclaim Pike's Peak was as flat as a prairie by way of comparison. The bridge seems right sturdy, but Hawthorne Crick is a long, rocky fall down from here.</div> <<if $ach.includes("bridge tied")>><div class="indent">There's a cobweb tangle o' rope at one end of th' bridge fer keepin' the Naughton gang at bay. It won't hold 'em up long, but a feller could take a couple potshots at 'em while they was untying your handiwork.</div> <<elseif $ach.includes("bridge sawn")>><div class="indent">It don't show from th' bridge deck, but some of th' boards an' joists have been sawed nearly clean through, with the booby-trap right smack dab in th' middle where the fall would be most dangersome. You pray no cowpoke tries to cross the bridge who ain't been properly warned.</div> <<elseif $ach.includes("defend")>><div class="indent">Now right here seems like a proper place to bushwhack them fellers, if'n they take the notion to return to Hawthorne by th' bridge route. A body could pick up a saw an' fashion a booby trap in th' boards, so a man crossin' over th' wrong spot in th' wood would plunge through an' fall to his death in the canyon below. Or maybe somethin' simple would do, like tyin' off one end of the bridge with some rope, jes' to slow the boys down.</div> <<endif>>\ <<if $ach.includes("defend")>><<if $ach.includes("bridge sawn") or $ach.includes("bridge tied")>><<else>><<if $inv.includes("rope")>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[tie off the end of th' bridge|Tie Bridge]] <<endif>><<if $inv.includes("saw")>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[saw a booby trap in th' bridge|Saw Bridge]] <<endif>><<endif>><<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[to the bend in the road|Location][$loc to 13]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[up to the main trail|Location][$loc to 15]] <<endif>>

<<if $chapter == 4>><<display "Chapter 3 Defend">> -- [[ayep|Location][$loc to 18]] <<else>>__Pasture Road__ <div class="indent">Most of the town was built in the crack of the hills down nearer to the crick, but this here little flat spot is where they put all the buildings that didn't fit nowhere else. There's a church with a proper boneyard, a schoolhouse, a barber shop, and the office of the high mucka-mucks for Stackwell Silver Mines. And naturally, folks keep their cows up here, most days when it ain't blowin' up a blizzard. A hoss trail goes down th' hill back to th' main haul, an' a muddy little street goes around th' bend an' down a short slope.</div> <<if $ach.includes("church")>><div class="indent">The church is lookin' a little odd, on account of th' windows you done boarded up. A body would have some difficulties gettin' into th' place now if he weren't invited.</div> <<elseif $ach.includes("lumber")>><div class="indent">A whole heap o' good lumber is sittin' in th' pasture beside th' church, ready to make good on th' idear of boardin' them open windows and keepin' safe such folks as get invited to hole up inside.</div> <<else>><<endif>>\ <<if $horse == 16>><div class="indent">The ol' crowbait horse from th' stables is standin' off to th' side, browsin' at the muddy grass what's here in the pasture. It's prob'ly the best meal he's had all week.</div> <<endif>>\ <<if $ach.includes("church")>><<elseif $ach.includes("lumber")>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[board up the church|Board Church]] right good <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[down to the main trail|Location][$loc to 15]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[go in th' church|Location][$loc to 18]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[enter the schoolhouse|Location][$loc to 19]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[follow the muddy street|Location][$loc to 17]]<<endif>>

__Western Pass Road__ <div class="indent">This here's the only road around this neck of th' woods that goes all the way north to Nelson and all the way south to Rattlesnake Falls, and it ain't much to clap an eye to. It ain't no wonder that the train is getting put through, on account of this road ain't big enough for a pair of mountain goats to pass shoulders going both ways. There's a little hoss trail leading off west down to the bridge, and southeast up the hill to the church.</div> <<if $gender == "female">>[<img[handsm.png]] [[north along the road|Can't Leave Town Yet]]<<else>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[north along the road|Location][$loc to 27]]<<endif>> [<img[handsm.png]] [[down to th' bridge|Location][$loc to 14]] <<if $gender == "female">>[<img[handsm.png]] [[south along the road|Can't Leave Town Yet]]<<else>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[south along the road|Location][$loc to 23]]<<endif>> [<img[handsm.png]] [[up th' hoss trail|Location][$loc to 16]]

__Muddy Street__ <div class="indent">This road runs up a short piece to the top of Church Hill. It's a muddy ol' stretch of dirt, all crossed up with wagon runs and hooves goin' every which way to Sunday. 'Course, this is on account of the head office of the Stackwell Silver Mine bein' situated here. It sure ain't on account of the barbershop. Also, th' road in this part o' Hawthorne ain't never dried out proper, 'cause a little trickle o' stream keeps a-runnin' over its proper banks to muck things up real good.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[back to th' pasture road|Location][$loc to 16]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[go into th' mining shack|Location][$loc to 20]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[enter th' barbershop|Location][$loc to 28]]

__Stackwell Mining Company__ <div class="indent">Hawthorne Ridge weren't nothin' more than a bump in the road when silver was found hereabouts. Natch'ly, when word got out, folk of all sorts started drifting in. A shack was stood up in a right hurry, a short step away from the mine entrance, so the big bugs at the comp'ny could keep half an eye on whatever boodle the miners was takin' out. Over the years, Stackwell outgrew the little shed and put up this here office building, and even though that still ain't big enough, folk in Hawthorne still call it th' mining shack. The so-called shack has a scatter o' big desks, a wall filled with maps, an' fancy kerosene lanterns, an' the room is divided up into several little spaces for men to work side by side.</div> <<if $miner gte 0>><<display "Miner">><<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[head outside|Location][$loc to 17]]

__Miss Penelope's Schoolhouse__ <div class="indent">Hawthorne folk ain't much for readin' or writin', but them as has a need oftentimes send their little nippers here to Miss Penelope the schoolmarm, who learns 'em up good. There's a mess of tables and chairs here, some tiny an' some just right for a young man. All about the place is pictures of letters drawn up all pretty, blackboards with lessons and suchlike writ on 'em, and maps of all creation. Just behind Miss Penelope's desk is an old Franklin stove what keeps the place warm. </div> <<if $inv.includes("axe")>><div class="indent">Settin' alongside th' stove is a heap o' firewood.</div><<else>><div class="indent">Settin' alongside th' stove is a heap o' firewood, with a small axe a-layin' on top.</div><<endif>> <<if $inv.includes("axe")>><<elseif $ach.includes("defend")>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[take axe|Location][$inv.push("axe")]] <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[back outside|Location][$loc to 16]]

__Old Stone Church__ <div class="indent">When a $galfella needs a little churchin', and who don't out here in the rough and tumble? Well, that $galfella ought to hightail it to the gospel mill. It's the only stone building here in Hawthorne, which means it's the only place that don't freeze solid come winter, and that don't boil your eyeballs in summer. Here a body can sit at ease, at the bedrock price of listenin' to young Reverend Pine airin' out them fussy ol' Bible quotes and such, which is a fair shake when the rest o' the town is boilin' or iced up. Don't nobody build out of stone like this no more, not since the avalanche took out the quarry a couple years back. </div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[go outside|Location][$loc to 16]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[go to th' church yard|Location][$loc to 22]]

__The Church Yard__ <div class="indent">Out back of the church there's this patch of nothin' much what they use for . . . well, probably for picnics and ice cream socials and other shindigs o' that caliber. Not bein' much of a church-goin' $womanman you ain't exactly sure whether this patch of nothin' is a good place or a right bad place for carryin' on in that manner, but there's room for a chuck wagon, a couple of hoss, maybe a campfire, or a few tables for eatin' at, if a person had a mind to.</div> <div class="indent">A stand-up washin' pole with a square of sticks an' wire is by the back door. <<if $inv.includes("mended trousers") and $inv.includes("sturdy linen shirt")>>It's turnin' in th' breeze, waitin' for the next laundry day.<<elseif $inv.includes("mended trousers")>>By the look of it, it's laundry day, on account of a sturdy linen shirt what's hangin' out to dry.<<elseif $inv.includes("sturdy linen shirt")>>By the look of it, it's laundry day, on account of a pair of mended britches what's hangin' out to dry.<<else>>By the look of it, it's laundry day, on account of a pair of mended britches and a sturdy linen shirt what's hangin' out to dry.<<endif>></div> <<if $inv.includes("mended trousers")>><<elseif $tg == "ftm" and $gender == "male">>[<img[handsm.png]] [[take th' britches|Wear Trousers][$obj to "mended trousers"]] <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("sturdy linen shirt")>><<elseif $tg == "ftm" and $gender == "male">>[<img[handsm.png]] [[take th' shirt|Wear Shirt][$obj to "sturdy linen shirt"]] <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[back to th' church|Location][$loc to 18]]

__Blacksmith__ <div class="indent">This is where Smithy can usually be found slingin' his hammer or shoeing some old nag. The man does good work, that's for dang sure. With any luck, he hit the trail in a powerful hurry, 'cause he sure ain't lying around here with a bullet in him. There's a heap of old iron laying about, bits of scrap that Smithy scares up from the dickens only knows where.</div> <<if $horse == 2>><div class="indent">The puddin'-foot paint horse is here at the smithy, a-waitin' for to be hooked up to some work.</div> <<endif>>\ <<if $horse == 2 and $ach.includes("find") and $passenger == 1>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[rescue Iris|Iris Rescue][$ach.push("iris ride"), $passenger to 2]] <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[out to th' street|Location][$loc to 5]]

__Stable__<<display "Hell Euphemisms">> <div class="indent">This here's a right good-looking horse house for these parts. You reckon it don't hold a candle some big fancy stables off in Denver or Salt Lake City -- $hell, even in Walla Walla -- but it's got all a growin' hoss needs: hay, oats, places to bed down, and a roof to keep off the rain.</div> <<if $horse == 1>><<if $ach.includes("shoed")>><div class="indent">The scrubby little paint horse is still here, wearin' his brand new shoes.</div> <<else>><div class="indent">Someone left behind a scrubby paint horse, probably because he ain't got shoes, an' a hoss without shoes ain't no good out on the trail. Not even this one.</div> <<endif>><<endif>>\ <<if $horse == 1>><<if $ach.includes("shoed")>><<elseif $ach.includes("lumber")>><<else>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[shoe the hoss|Shoe Horse]] <<endif>><<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[go outside|Location][$loc to 5]]

__Wells Shipping__ <div class="indent">What we got here is a bonanza of boxes and crates, the stuff that's been railed out from Back East. You reckon it's mostly chow, like airtights full of beans and corn and various other grub, such that don't spoil. There's lumber for barn-raising, scads of tools, and a right good pile of wood for the railroad. Still, the old place is looking mighty empty, like someone packed up their plunder and made tracks.</div> <<if $ach.includes("lumber")>><<elseif $ach.includes("defend")>><div class="indent">There's a cart here with a whole pile o' good lumber what could prob'ly be used to board up the old stone church an' make it a nice secure place to hide out from th' Naughton gang. If only there was a way to haul all that heavy load up th' hill.</div> <<else>><div class="indent">There's a cart here stacked with a whole pile o' good lumber what nobody's done run off with, prob'ly on account of the cart bein' heavier than the dickens and slower 'n a froze-up river.</div> <<endif>>\ <<if $farmgirl lt 2>><<display "Farm Girl">><<endif>>\ <<if $ach.includes("lumber")>><<elseif $ach.includes("defend")>><<if $ach.includes("shoed")>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[hitch up a hoss|Hitch Horse]] <<else>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[hitch up a hoss|Hitch Horse]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[haul th' lumber by hand|Haul Lumber]] <<endif>><<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[head outside|Location][$loc to 5]]

__End of the Street__ [<img[endofstreet.png]]<div class="indent">Down at this here end of town is the tradin' post, a fancy new hotel, an office for Columbia Railways, a telegraph station, and a surgery of sorts in case folks take desperate sick. </div> <<if $horse == 11>><div class="indent">The lunkhead ol' paint hoss is tied up outside th' doctor's office where you left him. <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[go in th' telegraph office|Location][$loc to 6]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[enter the hotel|Location][$loc to 7]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[go to th' doctor's|Location][$loc to 10]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[mosey into th' railway office|Location][$loc to 8]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[go in Plunkett's Trading Post|Location][$loc to 9]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[head through town|Location][$loc to 5]]

<<if $chapter == 1>>__Telegraph Office__ <div class="indent">A body could go crazy in a tiny little coffin like this: wires coming in one side, sheafs of writin' paper on a devilish big table, and one tiny window looking out over the treetops in Hawthorne Canyon. At any moment, the little chittery telegraph might start clickin' up a storm, signalizing away.</div> <<if $inv.includes("derringer")>><<else>><div class="indent">Sittin' at th' big table is Clay Hancock, the signal operator. He's rustled up a glass and a bottle of rotgut, and he's starin' at nothin'. Every now and again he bends an elbow and takes a swig of somethin', but he never stops starin'.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[talk with Clay|Clay Speaks]] <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[outside|Location][$loc to 11]]<<elseif $chapter == 2>><<set $chapter to 3>><div class="centered"><div class="title">2: A Man's Work</div></div> <div class="indent">Well, don't that beat all. <<if $gender == "female">>All th' menfolk either done been shot up, or are high-tailin' it outta Hawthorne like their britches was on fire, and there's nobody left to bring these bad banditos to heel except you, Jill Simon.<<elseif $gender == "male" and $tg == "ftm">>You ain't been a man fer more than a short spell, an' already the weight o' the town is ridin' on your skinny shoulders. All the //other// men done been shot up or run outta town, and there's nobody left to bring these bad banditos to heel except you, Jill Simon. Or maybe you reckon you should be //John// Simon now.<<else>>You ain't never stood tall among the men o' Hawthorne, but now the weight o' the whole shebang is ridin' on your skinny shoulders. All the other men done been shot up or run outta town, and there's nobody left to bring these bad banditos to heel except you, John Simon.<<endif>><div> <div class="indent">Luckily, you got a plan of sorts. Like you done told Clay Hancock, the telegraph man, <<if $ach.includes("defend")>>you could secure th' town by cuttin' off the South Road somehow. That might keep them Naughtons from ridin' quite so tall. If you were to find a place to hole up, the big stone church maybe, you could board up them windows real snug and hide inside until Marshal Rountree come by. Then maybe you could rig up th' bridge into town so's it ain't so easy to cross. Sure, it wouldn't stop them boys from comin' back, but it'd slow 'em down a fair piece, at least.<<else>>you could look for th' gang's hideout. If you had a good idea where they was holed up, you could toss a couple lead pills their way. O' course, you'd need some kind o' gun for that, and maybe a spot o' practice with it, but if you was lookin' over their camp from some bushes or brambles or such, you might drop one or two before they cotton to what's a-goin' on.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent"><<if $gender == "female">>Maybe Doc Lemley's potion would help out. If that elixir does what th' fat little man reckons it ought, you could end up manly enough to take on the whole gang on your lonesome. It might be worth a sip.<<elseif $gender == "male" and $tg == "ftm">>Maybe Doc Lemley's potion would do you some further good, if you did as the fat little man said an' did up some manly chores to boost th' special power of his elixir. It could make you manly enough for the job at hand.<<elseif $gender == "male">>Maybe Doc Lemley's potion would help out. If that elixir does what th' fat little man reckons it ought, you could end up manly enough to take on the whole gang on your lonesome, if you did as the fat little man said an' did up some manly chores to boost th' special power of his elixir.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">For now, you sit at Clay's desk, eyeballin' his empty liquor bottles and thinkin' on the matter good and hard. You can't hide out in the telegraph office until th' marshal arrives, that's for <<display "Damned Euphemisms">>$damn sure.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[time to get crackin'|Location][$loc to 11]] <<else>>__Telegraph Office__ <div class="indent">A body could go crazy in a tiny little coffin like this: wires coming in one side, sheafs of writin' paper on a devilish big table, and one tiny window looking out over the treetops in Hawthorne Canyon. At any moment, the little chittery telegraph might start clickin' up a storm, signalizing away. Since Clay ain't around to do the brain work, like as not there'd be nobody around to read th' message, but that's a problem for some other folk to figger out.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[outside|Location][$loc to 11]] <<endif>>

__Sawbones Surgery__ <div class="indent">Hawthorne Ridge don't have a proper doc with fancy letters after his name, just old Doc Tyler: a man who knows how to set a bone, birth a sheep, and fill in bullet holes on some dumb greenhorn. Folks 'round here think Tyler is a little too happy with that saw, a little too quick to give up on a man's leg what's all swole up from being snakebit, an' a little too stingy with the happy juice when he's treatin' some poor feller of bein' nearly dead. Ain't nobody hardly goes in here unless they're sicker than a horse.</div> <<if $farmhand gte 0>><<display "Farmhand">><<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[go outside|Location][$loc to 11]]

__Plunkett's Trading Post__ <div class="indent">It looks like a hurricane done hit Plunkett's when nobody was lookin', on account of ain't nothing being on the shelves where it right belongs. Somebody done packed off all the provender, took darn near everything worth stealin', and left the rest in an ungodly state. Wherever Plunkett skedaddled off to, it's gonna take him a month of Sundays to put it right when he gets back. </div> <<if $tg == "ftm">><<if $inv.includes("fresh cotton drawers") and $inv.includes("old cowboy boots")>><<elseif $inv.includes("fresh cotton drawers")>><div class="indent">Somebody left a pair of old boots behind. You reckon maybe he traded up to a newer pair of boots and left his old dirt-kickers behind for some other cowpoke.</div> <<elseif $inv.includes("old cowboy boots")>><div class="indent">There ain't much left in here worth any scratch except a fresh pair of cotton drawers.</div> <<else>><div class="indent">Somebody left a pair of old boots behind, settin' on top of a fresh pair of cotton drawers. You reckon maybe he traded up to a newer pair of boots and left his old dirt-kickers behind for some other cowpoke.</div> <<endif>><<elseif $tg == "m">><<if $inv.includes("old cowboy boots")>><<else>><div class="indent">Somebody left a pair of old boots behind, settin' atop a fresh pair of cotton drawers. You reckon maybe he traded up to a newer pair of boots and left his old dirt-kickers behind for some other cowpoke.</div> <<endif>><<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("fresh cotton drawers")>><<elseif $tg == "ftm" and $gender == "male">>[<img[handsm.png]] [[take the cotton drawers|Wear Drawers][$obj to "fresh cotton drawers"]] <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("old cowboy boots")>><<elseif $gender != "female">>[<img[handsm.png]] [[take the boots|Wear Boots][$obj to "old cowboy boots"]] <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[go outside|Location][$loc to 11]]

__Hawthorne Ridge Hotel__ <div class="indent">Speakin' as a $womanman who ain't been to no big city for nigh on twenty years, this here hotel is the closest thing Hawthorne Ridge has to civilization. When they built this place they went whole hog, with them twisty staircase poles an' big glass mirrors and real feather beds and all. 'Course, ain't nobody around these parts that would know a posh hotel from a snake in the grass.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[head outside|Location][$loc to 11]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[to th' lounge|Location][$loc to 29]]

__Rose's Parlor__ <div class="indent">It ain't much, but for a little hole-in-the-wall town way out in the bush, most fellers would say that it's pert near to Heaven. It's got the red wallpaper and gold lanterns that Rose says are all the go in Paree, and more girls than a man could shake a stick at. Mostly down here in the settin' room is tables for eatin' and drinkin', if a chap had a hankering for a snatch of grub or to paint his nose with some whiskey. Upstairs is where the girls o' th' line do a right smart amount of work for the railroad Johnnies and the tunnel diggers.</div> <div class="indent">Most folk ain't prop'ly aware, but Madam Rose is th' richest woman in town an' most o' Hawthorne Ridge was built with her blessin', an' sometimes with her money. She treats her girls good, on account of them bein' the kind o' commodity that's worth keepin' in good order. It's rare for a man to see such fine healthy ladies out here where there ain't nothin' but dust, silver an' sweat, an' he'll pay top dollar for half a conversation with one of 'em.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[go outside|Location][$loc to 13]]

__Columbia Railways Office__ <div class="indent">The big chiefs up at Columbia reckoned they ought to put some eyes and ears in Hawthorne Ridge and slapped up this here building. There ain't even a railroad, not official, until the tunnel goes through the Blue Mountains, but they wanted a by-God office here to keep things sorted out.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[go back outside|Location][$loc to 11]]

__Hay-Strewn Street__ <div class="indent">Right about here is the northwest corner of Hawthorne Ridge, pert near the stables and the blacksmith. Seems like somebody blew town in a powerful hurry, maybe a mess of somebodies. There's hay all higgledy-piggledy everywhere, and a heap of wagon ruts and hoss tracks in the dirt, all heading north.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[go into the stable|Location][$loc to 1]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[enter th' blacksmith|Location][$loc to 2]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[go in th' shipping house|Location][$loc to 4]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[mosey to the end of the street|Location][$loc to 11]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[head out o' town|Location][$loc to 13]]

<div class="indent">You interrupt the man's dedicated drinkin', whereupon he gives you the stink-eye. “Shouldn't busy a man when he's workin', $missmister," he hiccups loudly.</div> <div class="indent">“Do you know what's goin' on out there?" you ask him.</div> <div class="indent">“Nope. Yep. Maybe," he says, covering the range of possible ways a man can answer in lickety-split time. “I ain't been outside all morning. Might've been gunfire. Or maybe that was yesterday." He picks up his empty whisky glass and takes a big blank swig o' nothin' and sets it down, wipin' his dry lips on his sleeve out o' sheer habit.</div> <div class="indent">“Ain't you heard? Ted Naughton and Big Jesse just rode through Hawthorne, an' their sister Eliza too," you tell him. “That's what all the shootin' was about."</div> <div class="indent">“Well, that explains why I was drinkin'," Clay Hancock says, pickin' up his bottle and fillin' his glass. “I was wonderin' about that."</div> <div class="indent">“You must have seen something," you press him.</div> <div class="indent">“No, I ain't," he says, “but I know if I stop drinkin' I might see it again." He puts the bottle away unsteadily an' picks up his glass.</div> <div class="indent">“Shouldn't you send for the marshal?" you tell him.</div> <div class="indent">“What fer?" he asks, peering owlishly at you. “Marshal Rountree is in Nelson, and that's all of two days' ride. Ain't nothin' he can do for us except mop the streets of all th' blood."</div> <div class="indent">“Then we only have to hold off the Naughtons for two days," you say firmly. “Just until the marshal gets here."</div> <div class="indent">Clay Hancock blinks at you. “You been drinkin' too? Because that crazy jabber right there is gonna get you shot."</div> <div class="indent">“Just you do your signalizing," you tell him sternly. “Send off for the marshal, tell him to be quick about it. If he ain't in, tell him to send someone else."</div> <div class="indent">“I reckon you have a point there," Hancock mutters, and turns to his telegraph. He scrawls out quite a long message with a pen, then hammers away at his telegraph knob for a spell. “All right, that's done it fer th' easy part," he says. “Now how exactly do you plan on holdin' off the Naughton Gang?"</div> <<if $inv.includes("rejuvenating remedy")>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[How about some o' this?|Clay Remedy]]" (offer th' Rejuvenatin' Remedy) <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("pocketwatch") and $dirty[6] == 1>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Ain't this watch pretty?|Clay Hypno]]" <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] “[[You got a gun, right?|Receive Derringer]]"

<div class="indent">“You got a gun, right?" you ask.</div> <div class="indent">Hancock guffaws, spraying whisky breath hither and yon. “You call this a gun?" he asks, holding up a little one-shot pistol. “You're welcome to it, $missmister. Don't know what you think you're going to do with it." He hands it over to you.</div> <div class="indent">Now, beggars can't be choosers, but lookin' over the Derringer Model 95, you get the feelin' that this ain't the most manly of guns. Fer one thing, it ain't big. A gal could pack one in a handbag. What's more, the Derringer only has one shot. Still and all, one shot is better than a poke in the eye. If one good clean plug is all you get, that .41 caliber cartridge packs a wallop. Could be hard finding ammunition for it, though.</div><<set $inv.push("derringer")>> <div class="indent">Clay Hancock is eyeballin' you. “See?" he says. “I wasn't gonna try holdin' off the Naughtons with a piece like that, but if you care to try, you're welcome to it. What did you reckon you was gonna do, anyway?"</div> [<img[handsm.png]] “[[We could defend the town.|Make Plans][$course to "defend"]]" [<img[handsm.png]] “[[We could find their hideout.|Make Plans][$course to "find"]]"

<<if $course == "find">><div class="indent"><<set $ach.push("find")>>“Least we could do is go find where they're hiding," you say. “That way, when the marshal does show up, we know what we're dealin' with."</div> <div class="indent">The telegraph operator looks at you, his lip trembling in fear and admiration. “You've gone //loco//,' he says. “Goin' after them boys in their hideout is suicide. I ain't too sure I like the idea of waitin' around here for them to burn us out of town, but you don't go pokin' rattlesnakes in their den, $missmister."</div> <div class="indent">“This is our town. If they want it, they'll have to take it from us," you proclaim. “They're not going to find us hidin' in some hole."</div> <div class="indent">“Well, $madamsir, that part's true," Hancock says, getting unsteadily to his feet. “I ain't fixin' that they find me at all. Take my Derringer, you're welcome to it. I done my duty by signaling for Marshal Rountree. If you think your duty includes walkin' into a lead pill, $missmister, you're welcome to that too. Me, I'm headin' for the first road out of Hawthorne."</div><<elseif $course == "defend">><<set $ach.push("defend")>><<set $passenger to 3>><div class="indent">“We could board up the town," you say. “Defend the bridge. They won't find it so easy to get us a second time."</div> <div class="indent">The telegraph operator looks at you in wide-eyed horror. “You're plumb crazy," he says. “Look, I ain't sayin' it's suicide, and it's a far sight better than goin' after them yourself, but if you hide in some building, them boys ain't gonna sit outside and wait for you to come out. They'll burn it down first."</div> <div class="indent">“We'll have to make our stand in a building that don't burn, then," you declare.</div> <div class="indent">“No thank you, $maamsir," Hancock says, getting unsteadily to his feet. “Take my Derringer, you're welcome to it. I done my duty by signaling for Marshal Rountree. If you think your duty includes walkin' into a lead pill, $missmister, you're welcome to that too. Me, I'm headin' for the first road out of Hawthorne."</div><<endif>> <div class="indent">Without waitin' for an answer, Clay Hancock makes for the door. After only a few shakes, you can hear him a-crashin' through the brush and makin' his noisy way down to the crick.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[reckon so|Location][$chapter to 2]]

<<if $gunslinger == 0>><div class="indent"><<set $gunslinger to 1>><<set $ach.push("talk vernon female pre-tg")>><<if $gender == "female">><<if $talkative gt $silent>>“Hello, stranger," you say to the gunslinger. “New in town?"<<else>>You give the gunslinger a nod. “Hello."<<endif>><<elseif $gender == "male">><<if $talkative gt $silent>>“Howdy, stranger," you say to the gunslinger. “New in town?"<<else>>You give the gunslinger a nod. “Howdy."<<endif>><<endif>></div> <div class="indent"><<if $gender == "female">>The lanky man looks you up and down, giving you eyes like a coyote that's spotted a mouse. “Howdy, ma'am," he says. “Name's Vernon Wade. I rode in with the Naughton boys." He gives you a leering smile. “Maybe you done heard somethin' about that."<<elseif $gender == "male">><<if $inv.includes("heavy riding skirt") or $inv.includes("ruffled blouse")>>The lanky man looks at you with a twisted grin on your face. “Howdy, stranger," he says. “Or maybe I should say //howdy ma'am//. <<if $inv.includes("heavy riding skirt")>>Nice skirt<<elseif $inv.includes("ruffled blouse")>>Nice blouse<<endif>> you got on there. Did Ted Naughton steal your britches? Somebody done left you wearin' your missus' clothes?" He guffaws to himself, happy with his joke. “Me, I'm Vernon Wade. I rode in with the Naughton boys." He gives you a sinister smile. “Maybe you done heard somethin[apostrophe] about that."<<else>>The lanky man looks at you sort of indifferent-like, the way a bison looks at a rattlesnake. “Howdy," he says. “Name's Vernon Wade. I rode in with the Naughton boys." He gives you a leering smile. “Maybe you done heard somethin' about that."<<endif>><<endif>></div><<elseif $gunslinger == 1>><<if $gender == "female">><<if $talkative gt $silent>><div class="indent">“Hello again, Mr Wade," you say.</div> <div class="indent">He just nods at you, without givin' you the once-over. “Ma'am," he says.</div><<else>><div class="indent">You nod again at the gunslinger and say, “Mr Wade."</div> <div class="indent">He just returns the nod and says, “Ma'am."</div><<endif>><<elseif $gender == "male">><<if $inv.includes("heavy riding skirt") or $inv.includes("ruffled blouse")>><div class="indent">You greet the gunslinger again. He gives you a glance and breaks into a big gut-busting belly laugh. “What's the matter, son? <<set $r to random(1,4)>><<if $r == 1>>D'you and your wife only have one set o' clothes between you?"<<elseif $r == 2>>Did your missus run off and take your clothes?"<<elseif $r == 3>>Did you dress in the dark this mornin', or do you wear your wife's things on the regular?"<<elseif $r == 4>>This how you usually dress of a Sunday, in your prettiest things?"<<endif>> He slaps the bar in amusement.</div><<elseif $ach.includes("talk vernon female pre-tg")>><div class="indent">You greet the gunslinger again. He gives you a suspicious glance, peering at your face. <<set $r to random(1,4)>><<if $r == 1>>“S'funny. I could swear I knowed you from somewhere before."<<elseif $r == 2>>“I'm plumb positive I seen you somewhere afore this."<<elseif $r == 3>>“Did you ever do time in Fort Worth? No? I could've sworn you was in there."<<else>>“Mister, I'm sure I seen you before, I just can't put my finger on it."<<endif>></div><<elseif $talkative gt $silent>><div class="indent">“Howdy again," you say. He just returns the nod and says, “Stranger."<<else>><div class="indent">You nod again at the gunslinger in greeting.</div> <div class="indent">He just returns the nod and says, “Stranger."</div><<endif>><<endif>><<endif>> <<if $gender == "female">>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Didn't your boys get out of town?|Get Out, Vernon]]" <<elseif $gender == "male">>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[When are you gettin' out of town?|Get Out, Vernon]]" <<endif>>\ <<if $muscle gte 6>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[Fight Vernon Wade|Vernon Fights]] <<endif>>\ <<display "Armed">><<if $armed == 1>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[Challenge Vernon to a duel|Vernon Shoots]] <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("pocketwatch") and $gunslinger lt 4 and $dirty[6] == 1>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Ain't this pocketwatch pretty?|Vernon Hypno]]" <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("rejuvenating remedy") and $gunslinger lt 3 and $dirty[7] == 1>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[How about a slug of this?|Vernon TG][$course to "refuse"]]" (offer the Rejuvenating Remedy) <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Goodbye.|Location]]"

<div class="title">[>img[handleft.png]]Swag</div><<set $icount to 0>> <<multireturn "Return">> <<if $inv.includes("axe")>>__axe__<<set $icount += 1>> This here's one of the finest Knickerbacker axes a man can own, the called th' Blood Champion, and it was just a-sittin' in the schoolhouse where any old scalawag could make off with it. Lucky you done found it first. <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("colt")>>[>img[dragoon.png]]__1848 Colt Dragoon__<<set $icount += 1>> Th' Colt Dragoon is a .44 caliber six-shootin' revolver that ain't been made since before the War Between the States. There's been better guns since, but lots o' folk both good an' bad done toted a brace o' Dragoons at some stage. You got <<if $colt == 1>>1 shot<<else>>$colt shots<<endif>> loaded up an' <<if $coltammo == 0>>none<<else>>$coltammo more<<endif>> fer later. <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("derringer")>>__Derringer Model 95__<<set $icount += 1>> It ain't the most manly o' guns, an' was mostly meant for dainty ladies an' riverboat gamblers lookin' for a piece they could hide away in a poke. Still, that .41 caliber bullet packs a wallop. <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("rope")>>__length o' rope__<<set $icount += 1>> Jill Janke was nice enough t' give you this here length of good, stout rope for usin' to block off the bridge into town. <<if $bag.includes("Jill tied")>>Also, you used it fer some other things a fair sight more enjoyable.<<endif>> <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("recombobulating tonic")>>__Recombobulating Tonic__<<set $icount += 1>> Doc Lemley sold you this here bottle o' Manly Recombobulatin' Tonic for the steep price of ten whole cents. For all you know, it'll rot your belly as soon as you take a swig. One thing's for sure: you're gonna make him watch you drink it, in case it don't work as advertised. <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("saw")>>__hand saw__<<set $icount += 1>> It's a good piece o' metal, a genuine cross-cut saw, only ninety cents from the Sears & Roebuck Catalog. This here one is on the smallish side, for general carpentering and such, and not quite the ticket for felling trees. <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("sharps")>>__1852 Sharps Carbine__<<set $icount += 1>> Used t' be, the Sharps was the rifle to have. It heaves a great big .54 caliber ball usin' 90 grains o' powder, an' that's known to make a biggish sorta hole. Folk would be usin' this gun still, 'cept it's only one shot at a time. Also, it's a breech-load, so gettin' tooled up for your next shot is on th' slowish side. <<endif>>\ <<if $icount == 0>>You ain't carryin' nothin'. <<endif>>\ <div class="title">[>img[handleft.png]]Duds</div> <<if $inv.includes("leather boots")>>__boots__ Leather ankle boots is just th' thing out west: durable, sturdy, and high enough to keep dirt out of a lady's stockings. <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("bolero")>>__battered old bolero__ A flat sorta hat with a leather thong that keeps th' dang thing from flyin' off a man's head when he's ridin' hard. <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("old cowboy boots")>>__cowboy boots__ Well, you gotta wear somethin' on them big feet to keep the snakes an' assorted critters off. <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("flowery camisole")>>__camisole__ A flowery underthing fer ladies worn in th' frontier days when corsets was too danged inconvenient and brassieres ain't even been devised. <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("cotton bloomers")>>__cotton bloomers__ The kind o' thing a lady don't talk about in public. <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("cotton drawers")>>__cotton drawers__ The kind o' thing a gentleman don't talk about in public. <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("fresh cotton drawers")>>__cotton drawers__ The kind o' thing a man carries his credentials in, if'n you take my meaning. <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("sturdy linen shirt")>>__linen shirt__ A man's work shirt, what you located hangin' on somebody's wash line. It fits <<if $muscle lt 5>>kinda baggy, truth be told.<<elseif $muscle lt 10>>pretty good, but's still a mite loose.<<elseif $muscle lt 15>>pretty fine, considerin' all them muscles you got.<<elseif $muscle lt 20>>just a shade snug, but you got all them muscles now.<<else>>pretty right, but that's on account of them big manly muscles you're packin' around now.<<endif>> <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("linen work shirt")>>__linen shirt__ A stained old linen work shirt, the cleanest you got. It fits <<if $muscle lt 5>>kinda baggy, truth be told.<<elseif $muscle lt 10>>pretty good, but's still a mite loose.<<elseif $muscle lt 15>>pretty fine, considerin' all them muscles you got.<<elseif $muscle lt 20>>just a shade snug, but you got all them muscles now.<<else>>pretty right, but that's on account of them big manly muscles you're packin' around now.<<endif>> <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("mended trousers")>>__mended britches__ Ladies don't normally wear this style o' thing, but you are, on account of you ain't. <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("miner's jeans")>>__miner's jeans__ When a man works in a mine, he needs thick denim britches with plenty o' pockets and such. <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("round riding hat")>>__riding hat__ Ain't nothin' fer dressin' like a lady an' keepin' off the sun like a round ridin' hat. <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("heavy riding skirt")>>__riding skirt__ Ladies a-wearin' trousers just ain't done. <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("ruffled blouse")>>__ruffled blouse__ All the ladies gen'rally wear blouses tight at the waist and puffed up around the sleeves. This one got ruffles under the chin as well. <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("leather shoes")>>__shoes__ It's yer newest pair of shoes, an' also yer oldest. Yer only pair o' foot flaps, is what I'm a-gettin' at. <<endif>>\ <<multireturn "Return">>

[[Settings|StoryMenu Profanity]] <<if $gender != "undec">>[[Stats|StoryMenu Credentials]] [[Inventory|StoryMenu Inventory]] <<endif>>\ <<if $introdone gt 0>>[[Goals|StoryMenu Chores]]<<endif>>

<<if $gunslinger == 4>><div class="indent">Vernon ain't sayin' nothin'. He just keeps a-lookin' at you with them dumb cow eyes.</div> <div class="indent">“Get out of town," you tell the gunslinger. <<if $fair gt $cruel>>“Get out, and never come back here again."<<elseif $talkative gt $silent>>“Ride out until your horse won't go no farther, then get off the horse and keep walkin' until your feet won't go no more. Then you can stop. And don't you ever come back."<<else>>“I don't care where you go, but don't come back."<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">Vernon half-falls off his stool onto his feet, swaying like a sailor who's been bendin' his elbow too much on shore. In a blank sorta voice, he says, 'Get out of town,' mostly to himself, and staggers toward the door. His eyes look hollow and scared as he plods toward the door without turnin' his head to look back, not once.</div> <div class="indent">He bangs through the swinging doors and you never see him again.</div><<set $ach.push("gunslinger")>><<else>><<if $gender == "female">><div class="indent">“Didn't your boys leave town?" you ask him sharply.</div> <div class="indent">Vernon just gives you an oily smirk. “Maybe me and the boys are fixin' to stay," he says. "Me, I kinda like it here. Besides," he adds, leering at you, “I don't see a little lady like you stoppin' me, so you just run along now." He turns back to his beer and [[ignores you.|Location]]</div><<elseif $gender == "male">><<if $muscle lt 10 and $height lt 10 and $charisma lt 10>><div class="indent">“When are you gettin' out of town?" you ask him.</div> <div class="indent">Vernon just gives you an oily smirk. “Maybe me and the boys are fixin' to stay," he says. “Me, I kinda like it here. Besides," he adds, glancing at you, “I don't reckon a scrawny feller like you has got the stones to stop me. So you just run along now." He turns back to his beer and [[ignores you.|Location]]</div><<elseif $muscle lt 15 and $height lt 15>><div class="indent">“When are you gettin' out of town?" you ask him, using your height to stand over his barstool.</div> <div class="indent">Vernon just gives you a shrug. “Maybe me and the boys are fixin' to stay," he says. “Me, I kinda like it here. Besides," he adds, glancing at you, “you may be a big man, but there's four of us and one of you. So you just run along now." He turns back to his beer and [[ignores you.|Location]]</div><<elseif $muscle lt 20 and $height lt 20>><div class="indent">“When are you gettin' out of town?" you ask him, looming over him with your new height and flexing your big muscles.</div> <div class="indent">Vernon just gives you a nervous shrug. “Suppose I said me and the boys are fixin' to stay," he suggests. “I don't know, I kinda like it here." He risks a look at you. “I know you're a big man, but there's four of us and one of you. So you don't you start nothin' you can't finish." He turns back to his beer and [[ignores you.|Location]]</div><<elseif $muscle gte 20 and $height gte 20>><div class="indent">“When are you gettin' out of town?" you ask him, grabbing the front of his collar and pulling him off the barstool. He's a tiny little stringbean compared to you, and his boots are a-scrapin' just barely on the floor with you holdin' him up.</div> <div class="indent">Vernon scrabbles at your arm with his fingers as he dangles your big meaty fist. “Ted and Big Jesse are fixin' to stay. It wasn't my notion at all," he pleads. “You gotta talk with them."</div> <div class="indent">You put him back down on the floor proper, and he leans on the bar. “I ain't man enough to fight you, and I reckon even Big Jesse ain't either, but even you can't fight all of us at once. If you touch me, Ted and Big Jesse are gonna come lookin' for you." He climbs gingerly back onto his stool, turns back to his beer and tries to [[ignore you.|Location]]</div><<elseif $muscle lt 15>><div class="indent">“When are you gettin' out of town?" you ask him, flexing your muscles.</div> <div class="indent">Vernon just gives you a shrug. “Maybe me and the boys are fixin' to stay," he says. “Me, I kinda like it here. Besides," he adds, glancing at you, “you may be strong, but there's four of us and one of you. So you just run along now." He turns back to his beer and [[ignores you.|Location]]</div><<elseif $muscle lt 20>><div class="indent">“When are you gettin' out of town?" you ask him, flexing your big muscles.</div> <div class="indent">Vernon just gives you a nervous shrug. “Suppose I said me and the boys are fixin' to stay," he suggests. “I don't know, I kinda like it here." He risks a look at you. “I know you're a big man, but there's four of us and one of you. So you don't you start nothin' you can't finish." He turns back to his beer and [[ignores you.|Location]]</div><<elseif $muscle gte 20>><div class="indent">“When are you gettin' out of town?" you ask him, grabbing the front of his collar and pulling him off the barstool. He's a tiny little stringbean compared to you, and it's easy as pie to drag him from his seat.</div> <div class="indent">Vernon scrabbles at your arm with his fingers. “Ted and Big Jesse are fixin' to stay. It wasn't my notion at all," he pleads. “You gotta talk with them."</div> <div class="indent">You let him go, and he leans on the bar, grabbin' at his neck. “I ain't man enough to fight you, but Big Jesse is. And you can't fight all of us at once. If you touch me, Ted and Big Jesse are gonna come lookin' for you.“ He climbs gingerly back onto his stool, turns back to his beer and tries to [[ignore you.|Location]]</div><<else>><div class="indent">“When are you gettin' out of town?' you ask him.</div> <div class="indent">Vernon just gives you an oily smirk. “Maybe me and the boys are fixin' to stay," he says. “Me, I kinda like it here. Besides," he adds, glancing at you, “I don't reckon a feller like you has got the stones to stop me. So you just run along now." He turns back to his beer and [[ignores you.|Location]]</div><<endif>><<endif>><<endif>>

<div class="indent">You hold up the shiny chrome pocketwatch. “Ain't this a pretty thing?" you ask him.</div><<display "Calculate Charisma">> <div class="indent">“Sure," he says grudgingly. “Must have cost a fair penny. What is it, silver?"</div> <div class="indent">“I don't rightly know," you say. “I thought a man like you could tell me."</div> <div class="indent">He peers at the watch as it swings back and forth. “I dunno. You keep swinging it back and forth. Can you stop doin' that?" he asks.</div> <div class="indent">“I don't think so," you say. “Because your eyes are getting sleepy."</div><<if $charisma gte 12>><<set $gunslinger to 4>><<endif>> <<if $gunslinger == 4>><div class="indent">“I don't think so," he says sleepily. His eyes are droopin' down like a pudding-foot nag after a long ride. “I'm gettin' so sleepy."</div> <div class="indent">“You're ready to drop right off," you carry on, and he nods. “In fact, you can just go to sleep right now. I'll let you know if I need you to do anything while you're out."</div> <div class="indent">Vernon Wade keeps noddin' at you, an' on every nod, his head droops lower and lower, and his eyes go a strange, blank cow-like kind of way. He's here, right enough, but he ain't home neither.</div><<set $ach.push("vernon hypno")>> <<if $inv.includes("rejuvenating remedy")>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Have a drink.|Vernon TG][$course to "hypno"]]" (offer the Rejuvenating Remedy) <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Get out of town.|Get Out, Vernon]]" [<img[handsm.png]] [[leave him like this|Location]]<<else>><div class="indent">“No, they ain't," he says, irritated. <<if $ach.includes("vernon hypno")>>But you best [[stop swinging that thing|Location]] in front of my nose." He gives you a glare.<<else>>“Give me that," he says, snatching the pocketwatch from your hand and nibbling on it. “Bah. That ain't no silver watch. You can keep it." He tosses it [[back to you.|Location]]<<set $ach.push("vernon hypno")>><<endif>></div><<endif>>

<div class="indent">You uncork the brown bottle and raise it to your lips, preparin' to toss back a few swallows of th' stuff, but Doc Lemley stops you all in a sudden panic. “Oh my no," he says. “That's far too big a dose. A few drops, it says on the label." He mops his brow with his dusty kerchief, spreadin' the dust around on his big fat face.</div> <div class="indent">Looks like if the Doc had his druthers, you'd be a-tryin' out that Rejuvenating Remedy on [[some other folk|Location]] as could be convinced to try it.</div>

<<display "Armed">><<if $gender == "female">><div class="indent">“[[Nothing doing,|Location]] miss," he says, squaring up his chins. <<if $armed == 1>>“You may be armed, but I know a lady such as yourself would not shoot an innocent vendor of fine products such as these."<<else>><div class="indent">“A man without a watch -- why, how would I make the stagecoach on time? No, $madamsir, I cannot."<<endif>><<elseif $gender == "male" and $armed == 0>><div class="indent">“[[Nothing doing,|Location]] mister," he says, squaring up his chins. “A man without a watch -- why, how would I make the stagecoach on time?"</div><<else>><div class="indent">“Nothing doing, mister," he says, squaring up his chins. “A man without a watch -- why, how would I make the stagecoach on time?"</div> <div class="indent">“Are you sure I can't convince you?" you ask, showing him your $bestgun.</div> <div class="indent">“//On// the other hand," he says, quickly fishing out the pocketwatch, “like I always say, a man's possessions are easily replaced. The watch is yours, since you . . . insist in [[such a manner.|Location]]"</div><<set $inv.push("pocketwatch")>><<endif>>

<<if $talkative gt $silent>><div class="indent">“I'd keep that pocketwatch out of sight, if I was you," you tell the salesman. “There's bad men about."</div> <div class="indent">“There surely are," he agrees, [[tucking it away.|Location]]</div><<else>><div class="indent">“Best keep that out of sight," you warn the salesman.</div> <div class="indent">“A wise precaution, my friend," he agrees, [[tucking it away.|Location]] “There are rapscallions about who may soon return to make away with my hard-earned possessions."</div><<endif>>

<<silently>><<set $bestgun to "none">> /% LOADED WEAPONS FOR SHOOTIN' %/ <<if $inv.includes("derringer") and $derringer gt 0>> <<set $armed to 1>> <<set $bestgun to "Derringer">> <<set $loaded to $derringer>> <<endif>> <<if $inv.includes("colt") and $colt gt 0>> <<set $armed to 1>> <<set $bestgun to "Colt revolver">> <<set $loaded to $colt>> <<endif>> <<if $inv.includes("sharps") and $sharps gt 0>> <<set $armed to 1>> <<set $bestgun to "sharps rifle">> <<set $loaded to $sharps>> <<endif>> /% THEN UNLOADED WEAPONS, JUST FOR SHOW %/ <<if $bestgun == "none">> <<if $inv.includes("derringer")>> <<set $armed to 1>> <<set $bestgun to "Derringer">> <<set $loaded to $derringer>> <<endif>> <<if $inv.includes("colt")>> <<set $armed to 1>> <<set $bestgun to "Colt revolver">> <<set $loaded to $colt>> <<endif>> <<if $inv.includes("sharps")>> <<set $armed to 1>> <<set $bestgun to "sharps rifle">> <<set $loaded to $sharps>> <<endif>> <<endif>> <<endsilently>>\

<<if $ach.includes("gideon hypno")>><div class="indent"><<set $r to random(1,6)>><<if $r == 1>>“Look at the shiny watch,"<<elseif $r == 2>>“Your eyes are getting sleepy,"<<elseif $r == 3>>“Ain't this shiny and pretty?"<<elseif $r == 4>>“Look real careful at this watch,"<<elseif $r == 5>>“Watch it swing,"<<elseif $r == 6>>“You are feelin' mighty tired,"<<endif>> you say, swinging the shiny chrome pocketwatch on its chain.</div> <div class="indent">The little snake-oil salesman [[don't even look around|Location]] from his packing. <<if $r == 1>>“Not interested,"<<elseif $r == 2>>“No sale,"<<elseif $r == 3>>“You don't give up, do you?"<<elseif $r == 4>>“No thank you,"<<elseif $r == 5>>“Scram,"<<elseif $r == 6>>“Not on your eyes,"<<endif>> he grumbles at you.</div><<else>><<set $ach.push("gideon hypno")>><div class="indent">“This sure is a nice watch," you say, holding it up by the chain.</div> <div class="indent">“Yes, yes," the little man says irritably. “And it was mine. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to gather my things and get out of this fine little town."</div> <div class="indent">“Look how shiny it is," you say, dangling it back and forth.</div> <div class="indent">He glances over at it for jest a minute. “Shiny," he agrees, his eyes following the watch.</div> <div class="indent">“It's //so// shiny, ain't it?" you ask him.</div> <div class="indent">“Yes," he says, his eyes drooping. “It's so shiny, ain't it?" He don't seem to realize that's what you just said.</div> <div class="indent">“Your eyes are getting heavy," you suggest to the little man.</div> <div class="indent">“My eyes are getting heavy," he repeats, then adds, “Wait, no they ain't. I mean aren't. They . . ." He notices you and the watch as if for the first time. “Now you knock that off!" he said. He tries to grab for the watch, but he ain't fast enough. “You should know the art of mesmerism requires a powerful charisma to break down the will of most folks. //And// I gave you that watch, at gunpoint no less! The least you could do is [[leave me to my packing|Location]] and not try to mesmerize me with my own pocketwatch!" He harrumphs. “The very idea."</div><<endif>>

<div class="indent">“How are things, Eddie?" you ask the bartender of the Elbow Bend.</div> <<if $gender == "female">><div class="indent">“None too good, Miss Simon," he admits ruefully. “Hawthorne ain't gonna be the same after them Naughton boys passed through."</div><<elseif $gender == "male">><<if $tg == "m">><div class="indent">“None too good, Mr Simon," he admits ruefully. “Hawthorne ain't gonna be the same after them Naughton boys passed through."</div><<elseif $tg == "ftm">><<if $inv.includes("heavy riding skirt") or $inv.includes("ruffled blouse")>><div class="indent">He looks you up an' down, noticin' you still got on some girly clothes, but he don't say nothin'. Prob'ly seen it all, Eddie has. “None too good, mister," he admits ruefully. “Hawthorne ain't gonna be the same after them Naughton boys passed through."</div><<else>><div class="indent">“None too good, mister," he admits ruefully. “Hawthorne ain't gonna be the same after them Naughton boys passed through."</div><<endif>><<endif>><<endif>> <<if $ach.includes("gunslinger")>><<else>>[<img[handsm.png]] “What about this gunslinger? [[What's he drinkin'?|Eddie Drinks]]" <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("rejuvenating remedy")>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Care to try a swig of this?|Eddie Remedy]]" (offer th' Rejuvenatin' Remedy) <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Be seein' you.|Location]]"

<div class="indent">“What about this gunslinger? What's he drinkin'?" you ask Eddie.</div> <div class="indent">“Beer, an' lots of it," Eddie moans. “I just know he ain't fixin' to pay his tab, neither."</div> <<if $inv.includes("pocketwatch") and $inv.includes("rejuvenating remedy") and $dirty[6] == 1>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Ain't this pocketwatch shiny?|Eddie Hypno]]" <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Let me worry about him.|Location]]"

<div class="indent">“Ain't this pocketwatch shiny?" you ask Eddie, an' he fixes his eyes to the pretty chrome thing.</div> <div class="indent">“Why, yes it is," he says. “Sure is shiny."</div> <div class="indent">“An' don't it make your eyes sleepy lookin' at it?" you ask.</div><<if $charisma gte 6>><<set $bartender to 1>><<endif>> <<if $bartender == 0>><div class="indent">“Not particularly," Eddie says, frowning. “Why, [[is it supposed to?|Location]]"</div><<else>><div class="indent">“Yeah, don't it just make my eyes sleepy lookin' at it?" Eddie says, copyin' the same thing you just said.</div> <div class="indent">“An' don't it make you want to drop off?" you ask.</div> <div class="indent">Eddie struggles to open his eyes. “Bar," he murmurs. “Can't sleep now."</div> <div class="indent">“I'll watch over it for a spell," you assure him. “Don't you worry about a thing."</div> <div class="indent">He stops battling to keep his lids from slammin' down. “You watch over the bar a spell," he says, mumblin' th' words. “I'm . . . sleep." An' then his eyes clap shut, just for an instant, and open again with an odd expression like there ain't nobody upstairs.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] “Put this rejuvenatin' remedy [[in his beer,|Vernon Beer]] Eddie."<<endif>>

<div class="indent">“I'll put some of this . . . rejuvenatin' remedy in his beer, Eddie," Eddie Malone says to himself, blank-eyed like he been kicked in the head by a buffalo. He takes the bottle of Mother Lemley's Rejuvenating Remedy from you, draws up a foamy pint o' somethin' from behind th' bar, and tips a few drops of the remedy into the mug.</div> <div class="indent">“Give the stranger his beer," you suggest to him.</div> <div class="indent">“Give . . ." Eddie says, and his eyes flutter.</div> <div class="indent">He ain't too peaceable about givin' stuff away, so you change his mind an' say, “//Sell// him the beer."</div> <div class="indent">“Sell him the beer," he says, relaxing, and takes the mug over to the gunslinger. “Here's your beer," he says.</div> <div class="indent">The gunslinger takes the mug with a powerful suspicious look, but Eddie points toward you. Vernon Wade raises the mug o' beer to you with a mocking little grin on his ugly hawk-nose face. “Thanks kindly, stranger," he says, an' [[takes a swig.|Vernon TG][$course to "eddie"]]</div>

<<if $course == "refuse">><div class="indent">“How about a slug of this?" you say, offering the Rejuvenating Remedy.</div> <div class="indent">He peers at the bottle. “A drink fer //ladies?//" he <<if $gender == "male">>guffaws at you. “If that's your poison, mister, you're welcome to it. I ain't touchin' the stuff."<<elseif $gender == "female">>asks suspiciously. “Ma'am, if you wasn't a lady, I'd slug you for bein' so insultin'. A cowpoke don't drink drinks fer ladies."<<endif>> He snorts. “[[I only drink the real stuff.|Location]]"</div> <<endif>>\ <<if $course == "eddie">><div class="indent">At first, nothin' happens. The gunslinger carries on with his bar-leanin' and beer-drinkin' like there ain't nothin' queer happening at all.</div> <div class="indent">At second, nothin' continues to happen, 'cept Vernon Wade is givin' you sidelong looks. Normally it ain't natural to stare at a man while he's occupied with his beer, an' you're glancin' him over once a little too often fer his comfort.</div> <div class="indent">By the time Vernon has his mug drained, you can tell Doc Lemley's remedy is startin' to catch hold of th' man, because he's rubbin' his gut with his fist like he done swallowed a prickly pear. Then he bends over, hangin' on to th' bar, an' all the while there's this cracklin', poppin' sound like rain on a tar-papered roof, an' Vernon is tryin' to grip his left hand in his right, an' his right in his left, and both arms with t'other one, all at the same go. He's leanin' heavy on th' bar, only now he ain't standin' over it, he's shrunk some an the bar is up to his chest.</div> <div class="indent">His clothes is hangin' baggy on his body in most places: his black leather vest come down past his waist, his britches are saggin' hollow an' empty an' bunchin' up in the legs, an' his sleeve-ends are floppin' down over his thumbs. In other spots his clothes are commencing to get filled right up: wide an' stretched across th' caboose, an' tight fit to burst across the bosom. There's a mane o' chestnut brown hair spillin' out of his hat, an' that hollow, unshaven look about his mug has changed to an apple-cheeked, smooth-skinned beauty.</div> <div class="indent">“What the heck was in that, mister?" the gunslinger-girl squeaks at Eddie, clutchin' at her throat at the sound of her dulcet girlish tones. She tries clearin' it away, but it ain't no use. “You done poisoned me with . . . with . . . why do I sound like a girl? Who done this?" She turns to you, anger in her eyes. “It was you, wasn't it?" she demands.</div><<set $timesdosed += 1>><<set $gunslinger to 3>> <div class="indent">Now at this time, th' lady goes for her piece, or tries to. If she'd still been Vernon Wade instead o' Vera Wade, maybe she mighta drawed on you, and maybe she'd have plugged you. But as it shakes out, that gun belt is hangin' low on th' legs, well beneath where her little hand is accustomed to findin' it, an' she slaps uselessly at her thigh, scrabblin' around and lookin' down to try to find her gun, tryin' to see past her sudden explosion o' girlish globes up top. So o' course with all the fumbling around, her Smith & Wesson tumbles out onto th' floor of Eddie's bar.</div> <<display "Gunslinger">><<endif>>\ <<if $course == "hypno">><div class="indent">“Have a drink," you tell Vernon, handin' him Doc Lemley's remedy.</div><<set $timesdosed += 1>><<set $gunslinger to 5>> <div class="indent">He don't say nothin', but he takes th' red-labeled bottle of elixir from you an' has a swig. After a spell, the remedy sets in an' commences workin' on th' man <<if $timesdosed == 1>>just like Doc Lemley said it would.<<else>>the way it ought.<<endif>> Vernon Wade's body starts to shrink up like beef jerky dryin' in the sun, an' all the while there's this cracklin', poppin' sound like rain on a tar-papered roof as his bones shorten up an' his ribs collapse into a more pleasin' feminine shape.</div> <div class="indent">As Vernon Wade turns into Vera Wade, his clothes start hangin' baggy on his body in most places: his black leather vest come down past his waist, his britches are saggin' hollow an' empty an' bunchin' up in the legs, an' his sleeve-ends are floppin' down over his thumbs. In other spots his clothes are commencing to get filled right up: wide an' stretched across th' caboose, an' tight fit to burst across the bosom. There's a mane o' chestnut brown hair spillin' out of his hat, an' that hollow, unshaven look about his mug has changed to an apple-cheeked, smooth-skinned beauty.</div> <div class="indent">Under the blank, stunned veil o' mesmerism you can see a sort o' panic in the poor girl's eyes as she starts to reckon what's been done to 'er, but she can't break the spell you done laid on her brain, an' she can't move a lick without your say-so.</div> <div class="indent">Eventually she turns into a right beautiful creature with long chestnut hair an' a fine womanly figure. Heck, that weren't no chore at all, was it?</div> <<display "Gunslinger">><<endif>>\

<<if $obj == "mended trousers">><div class="indent">You [[put on|Location]] the pair of mended britches, cinching up th' drawstring to fit around your waist. <<if $trousers lt 3>>It feels a bit funny wearin' a split-leg pair of britches like this, like folks are gonna be starin' at your legs, but soon the funny feelin' passes.<<elseif $trousers lt 7>>You're gettin' used to the idea of wearin' the britches by now, in a lot more ways than one.<<else>>Shucks, britches [[ain't that bad|Location]] at all. Why didn't you do this before?<<endif>><<set $trousers += 1>><<set $inv.delete("heavy riding skirt")>></div><<endif>>\ <<if $trousers == 1>> <<if $inv.includes("mended trousers")>><<else>><<set $points to 1>><<display "Height">><<set $inv.push("mended trousers")>><<endif>><<endif>>\

<<if $obj == "sturdy linen shirt">><div class="indent">You [[put on|Location]] the sturdy linen shirt. <<if $shirt lt 3>>The buttons are all wrong, but it's a fair sight warmer than that thin blouse you was wearin' before. For some peculiar reason, wearin' a man's shirt makes you feel a little more like a man.<<elseif $shirt lt 7>>The buttons are still funny, but you're gettin' acquainted with 'em, and especially with the way folk treat a man wearin' a tough-lookin' shirt like this here.<<else>>You button it up real good, tuggin' th' cuffs and snappin' the collar [[like a man.|Location]]<<endif>><<set $shirt += 1>><<set $inv.delete("ruffled blouse")>><<set $inv.delete("flowery camisole")>></div><<endif>>\ <<if $shirt == 1>> <<if $inv.includes("sturdy linen shirt")>><<else>><<set $points to 1>><<display "Muscle">><<endif>><<set $inv.push("sturdy linen shirt")>><<endif>>\

<<display "Cock Euphemisms">><<if $obj == "fresh cotton drawers">><div class="indent">You [[hitch on|Location]] the pair of men's cotton <<if $cocksize lt 6>><<if $drawers lt 3>>drawers, trying to work out what all the flaps and such are for.<<elseif $drawers lt 6>>drawers. It ain't your usual piece of dainty, but it's pretty comfortable all the same.<<else>>drawers.<<endif>><<elseif $cocksize lt 12>><<if $drawers lt 6>>drawers, taking a moment to stash your new $cock. If it keeps a-growin', it's apt to get a little snug in there afore long.<<elseif $drawers lt 12>>drawers, stashing your new $cock inside.<<else>>drawers.<<endif>><<elseif $cocksize lt 18>><<if $drawers lt 9>>drawers, stashing away your new $cock. Sure enough, these drawers is runnin' out of room.<<elseif $drawers lt 18>>drawers. You tuck your new $cock away inside, but it's getting a mite difficult.<<else>>drawers.<<endif>><<else>><<if $drawers lt 9>>drawers. It takes a moment to find room for your $cock in there. These drawers ain't as roomy as they used to be.<<elseif $drawers lt 18>>drawers, finding room for your $cock. Sakes alive, these drawers got snug in a powerful hurry.<<endif>><<endif>></div><<set $drawers += 1>><<set $inv.delete("cotton bloomers")>><<endif>>\ <<if $drawers == 1>> <<if $inv.includes("fresh cotton drawers")>><<else>><<set $points to 1>><<display "Charisma">><<endif>><<set $inv.push("fresh cotton drawers")>><<endif>>\

<<if $obj == "old cowboy boots">>You slip on th' old pair of [[cowboy boots.|Location]] Whatever feller done left 'em behind better not come lookin' fer these.<<set $inv.push("old cowboy boots")>><<set $inv.delete("leather shoes")>><<set $inv.delete("leather boots")>><<endif>>\

<<silently>> <<if $prof == 0>> <<set $r to random(1,7)>> <<if $r == 1>> <<set $cock to "plough">> <<elseif $r == 2>> <<set $cock to "holy poker">> <<elseif $r == 3>> <<set $cock to "tooleywag">> <<elseif $r == 4>> <<set $cock to "man-staff">> <<elseif $r == 5>> <<set $cock to "love stick">> <<elseif $r == 6>> <<set $cock to "johnson">> <<elseif $r == 7>> <<set $cock to "baby-maker">> <<endif>> <<elseif $prof == 1>> <<set $r to random(1,8)>> <<if $r == 1>> <<set $cock to "cock">> <<elseif $r == 2>> <<set $cock to "cunt-stretcher">> <<elseif $r == 3>> <<set $cock to "bush-whacker">> <<elseif $r == 4>> <<set $cock to "sweetmeat">> <<elseif $r == 5>> <<set $cock to "prick">> <<elseif $r == 6>> <<set $cock to "dick">> <<elseif $r == 7>> <<set $cock to "gravy-giver">> <<elseif $r == 8>> <<set $cock to "creamstick">> <<endif>> <<endif>> <<endsilently>>\

<div class="title">[>img[handleft.png]]Cursin' an' Cussin'</div> A man don't usually use foul language when there's ladies present, but when there ain't none around, it ain't unusual to hear some mighty strong words. [<img[handsm.png]]<<if $prof == 0>> [[turn off profanity filter|StoryMenu Profanity][$prof to 1]] (more cussin')<<else>> [[turn on profanity filter|StoryMenu Profanity][$prof to 0]] (less cussin')<<endif>> <<multireturn "Return">> <div class="title">[>img[handleft.png]]Gettin' Dirty</div> Most folk got strong feelings about certain kinds o' things that's proper to do in th' sack. Some of the gals in th' story let you do 'em in different ways, and not all folk is comfortable with such things. If you decide one o' these ain't fer you, you'll get the plain Jane instead. [<img[handsm.png]] doin' it missionary: always ON (default) [<img[handsm.png]] doin' it doggy style: <<if $dirty[0] == 1>>OK ([[turn off|StoryMenu Profanity][$dirty[0] to 0]])<<else>>OFF ([[turn on|StoryMenu Profanity][$dirty[0] to 1]])<<endif>> [<img[handsm.png]] gettin' your prick gobbled: <<if $dirty[1] == 1>>OK ([[turn off|StoryMenu Profanity][$dirty[1] to 0]])<<else>>OFF ([[turn on|StoryMenu Profanity][$dirty[1] to 1]])<<endif>> [<img[handsm.png]] goin' up a gal's back door: <<if $dirty[2] == 1>>OK ([[turn off|StoryMenu Profanity][$dirty[2] to 0]])<<else>>OFF ([[turn on|StoryMenu Profanity][$dirty[2] to 1]])<<endif>> [<img[handsm.png]] doin' her dairy department: <<if $dirty[3] == 1>>OK ([[turn off|StoryMenu Profanity][$dirty[3] to 0]])<<else>>OFF ([[turn on|StoryMenu Profanity][$dirty[3] to 1]])<<endif>> [<img[handsm.png]] makin' a splash: <<if $dirty[4] == 1>>OK ([[turn off|StoryMenu Profanity][$dirty[4] to 0]])<<else>>OFF ([[turn on|StoryMenu Profanity][$dirty[4] to 1]])<<endif>> [<img[handsm.png]] doin' a girl what's let herself get tied up: <<if $dirty[8] == 1>>OK ([[turn off|StoryMenu Profanity][$dirty[8] to 0]])<<else>>OFF ([[turn on|StoryMenu Profanity][$dirty[8] to 1]])<<endif>> <<multireturn "Return">> <div class="title">[>img[handleft.png]]Other Such Stuff</div> Some kinds o' fun ain't for everyone. These here selections get turned off completely and don't get replaced with nothin' at all. [<img[handsm.png]] hypnotizin' folks: <<if $dirty[6] == 1>>OK ([[turn off|StoryMenu Profanity][$dirty[6] to 0]])<<else>>OFF ([[turn on|StoryMenu Profanity][$dirty[6] to 1]])<<endif>> [<img[handsm.png]] havin' your way with the unwillin' type: <<if $dirty[5] == 1>>OK ([[turn off|StoryMenu Profanity][$dirty[5] to 0]])<<else>>OFF ([[turn on|StoryMenu Profanity][$dirty[5] to 1]])<<endif>> [<img[handsm.png]] turnin' cowpokes into cowgirls: <<if $dirty[7] == 1>>OK ([[turn off|StoryMenu Profanity][$dirty[7] to 0]])<<else>>OFF ([[turn on|StoryMenu Profanity][$dirty[7] to 1]])<<endif>> <<multireturn "Return">> <div class="title">[>img[handleft.png]]What There Ain't None Of</div> Some things this game jest don't have. I ain't judgin', mind -- I'm just puttin' 'em here so you don't commence to beatin' the bushes lookin' for 'em. <<if $gender == "male">>[<img[handsm.png]] turnin' the main cowpoke into a lady <<else>>[<img[handsm.png]] turnin' the main cowpoke back into a lady <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] gettin' it on as a lady [<img[handsm.png]] watchin' a couple o' gals goin' at it together [<img[handsm.png]] three of y'all together in th' sack [<img[handsm.png]] gettin' pegged yerself in th' saddle region <<multireturn "Return">>

<<silently>> <<if $prof == 0>> <<set $r to random(1,5)>> <<if $r == 1>> <<set $hell to "heck">> <<elseif $r == 2>> <<set $hell to "heckfire">> <<elseif $r == 3>> <<set $hell to "devil's britches">> <<elseif $r == 4>> <<set $hell to "Sam Hill">> <<elseif $r == 5>> <<set $hell to "blazin' heck">> <<endif>> <<elseif $prof == 1>> <<set $hell to "hell">> <<endif>> <<endsilently>>\

<<silently>> <<if $prof == 0>> <<set $r to random(1,5)>> <<if $r == 1>> <<set $hell to "Heck">> <<elseif $r == 2>> <<set $hell to "Heckfire">> <<elseif $r == 3>> <<set $hell to "Devil's britches">> <<elseif $r == 4>> <<set $hell to "Sam Hill">> <<elseif $r == 5>> <<set $hell to "Blazin' heck">> <<endif>> <<elseif $prof == 1>> <<set $hell to "Hell">> <<endif>> <<endsilently>>\

<<silently>> <<if $prof == 0>> <<set $r to random(1,4)>> <<if $r == 1>> <<set $hell to "heck">> <<elseif $r == 2>> <<set $hell to "blazes">> <<elseif $r == 3>> <<set $hell to "Sam Hill">> <<elseif $r == 4>> <<set $hell to "ruination">> <<endif>> <<elseif $prof == 1>> <<set $r to random(1,6)>> <<if $r lt 4>> <<set $hell to "hell">> <<elseif $r lt 6>> <<set $hell to "Hades">> <<else>> <<set $hell to "burnin' hell">> <<endif>> <<endif>> <<endsilently>>\

<<silently>> <<if $prof == 0>> <<set $r to random(1,4)>> <<if $r == 1>> <<set $damn to "dang">> <<elseif $r == 2>> <<set $damn to "durn">> <<elseif $r == 3>> <<set $damn to "dad-blast">> <<elseif $r == 4>> <<set $damn to "drat">> <<endif>> <<elseif $prof == 1>> <<set $damn to "damn">> <<endif>> <<endsilently>>\

<<silently>> <<if $prof == 0>> <<set $r to random(1,4)>> <<if $r == 1>> <<set $damn to "Dang">> <<elseif $r == 2>> <<set $damn to "Durn">> <<elseif $r == 3>> <<set $damn to "Dad-blast">> <<elseif $r == 4>> <<set $damn to "Drat">> <<endif>> <<elseif $prof == 1>> <<set $damn to "Damn">> <<endif>> <<endsilently>>\

<<silently>> <<if $prof == 0>> <<set $r to random(1,6)>> <<if $r == 1>> <<set $damn to "danged">> <<elseif $r == 2>> <<set $damn to "durned">> <<elseif $r == 3>> <<set $damn to "dad-blasted">> <<elseif $r == 4>> <<set $damn to "dratted">> <<elseif $r == 4>> <<set $damn to "confounded">> <<elseif $r == 4>> <<set $damn to "blasted">> <<endif>> <<elseif $prof == 1>> <<set $damn to "damned">> <<endif>> <<endsilently>>\

<<silently>> <<if $prof == 0>> <<set $r to random(1,4)>> <<if $r == 1>> <<set $fuck to "screw">> <<elseif $r == 2>> <<set $fuck to "bang">> <<elseif $r == 3>> <<set $fuck to "stuff">> <<elseif $r == 4>> <<set $fuck to "plough">> <<elseif $r == 5>> <<set $fuck to "roll">> <<elseif $r == 6>> <<set $fuck to "lay">> <<endif>> <<elseif $prof == 1>> <<set $fuck to "fuck">> <<endif>> <<endsilently>>\

__South Road__ <div class="indent">The Western Pass Road ain't much, but it's the only way a body can get into Hawthorne on a hoss. Along the east side o' the road is a nothin' but a towerin' rock wall. Away to the west the ground drops away into a valley packed t' burstin' with pine trees an' scabby rock formations and such. A while back, a geologist come through the valley a-lookin' at all them rocks and asked every soul he could find around town about 'em. “Mind you don't fall on 'em," was the gen'ral kind o' reply he got.</div> <<if $ach.includes("find")>><div class="indent">Settin' here beside the road, all discombobulated like a wrecked lump o' kindling, is th' remains o' the Columbia Coach. <<if $passenger == 1>>Them Naughton boys have a lot to answer for: runnin' the coach into th' ditch, makin' free with the horses, killin' Lem Galloway, puttin' young ladies in dire jeopardy, an' more besides.<<else>>It looks like somebody drove th' coach into the rocky ditch, smashin' it up some. There ain't no horses, so they must've been unhitched, and it might've been that same somebody who done run off with 'em, leavin' the coach passengers high and dry. Ol' Lem Galloway what usually drives the coach, he's been shot to pieces an' is draped half over th' side o' the driver's bench. He ain't in th' land of th' living no longer, goin' by the ash color of his face.<<endif>> The wreck ain't a pretty sight.</div> <<endif>>\ <<if ($passenger == 0 or $passenger == 1) and $ach.includes("find")>><<display "Stagecoach Passenger">> <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[north on the road|Location][$loc to 15]] <<if $ach.includes("find") and ($passenger == 0 or $passenger == 1)>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[south on the road|Can't Abandon Iris]]<<else>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[south on the road|Location][$loc to 24]]<<endif>>

<<if $chapter == 4>><<display "Chapter 3 Defend">> -- [[ayep|Location][$loc to 18]] <<else>>__Narrow Turn__ <div class="indent">This here's a tight sorta turn in th' road. It follows the rocks right close, dips into the shade of th' mountain some, an' loops back out toward daylight after a fair piece. Seems like the kind o' place a feller could get stuck if'n the road were to wash out: can't go up the rocks, can't go down, can't turn a wagon around.</div> <<if $ach.includes("rocks")>><div class="indent">The rockfall you done started blocks the road real good here right at th' turn. It'll maybe take the miners a few days to clear th' road again, but the Naughtons ain't comin' this way, or if they do, it won't be turrible fast.</div> <<elseif $ach.includes("tree")>><div class="indent">The pine tree you done felled across th' road blocks up most of th' way through with big spiky branches an' such. It'd take a man with an axe a few hours to clear th' road, so if the Naughtons come this way, it won't be turrible fast.</div> <<elseif $ach.includes("defend")>><div class="indent">There looks to be a couple o' handy ways a man could choke up the road hereabouts. If a feller were skilled with an axe an' had such a one near to hand, he could chop down one or two o' them pine trees by the road, which would keep a body from ridin' a hoss through. An' if a feller were up for th' task, he could climb up over th' road an' start a rockfall, although he'd have to be plumb crazy. There ain't no way to know how many rocks would come down, and that feller might find himself dancin' on avalanche afore he could get down safe.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[start a rockfall|Rockfall]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[chop down a tree|Chop Tree]] <<else>><div class="indent">It's a dangerous sort of place, jest th' right spot for an ambush: big rocks an' pine trees an' all what a man could hide behind. It don't make no sense to hang around these parts too long.</div> <<if $ach.includes("find")>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[south on the road|Location][$loc to 25]]<<endif>><<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[north on the road|Location][$loc to 23]]<<endif>>

<<display "Damned Euphemisms">><div class="indent">Here th' road is plenty wide, room enough for a couple of hoss to go side by side, wagons an' all. That's because this here is where the Stackwell Mining Company done put in a hand-powered sky cart heavy enough for haulin' loads of silver up out o' the canyon. It's a right complicated contraption, with ratchets an' levers and brakes an' all manner o' wheels an' gears. The whole cart hangs from a $damn thick cable, which is lashed to a tower o' timber 'n bolts built right on the top of th' cliff.</div> <<if $ach.includes("iris rescued")>><div class="indent">The road south o' here ain't safe, according to Iris. Just around th' bend, the road is wide an' dusty an' it opens up to th' sky. Any man on that road would raise a cloud o' dust that a body could see clear 'cross the valley, and the Naughtons would surely be watchin' out for anyone comin' after 'em from that direction.</div> <div class="indent">Now, if a man was good with mechanisms an' such, he could get hisself to the canyon floor in such a contrivance. If th' cable can hold a ton o' silver ore, it could surely hold a man. Crankin' the ratchet wouldn't take much muscle. The only other way to the canyon floor directly is lashin' up a rope and climbin' down the steep hillside.</div> <<else>><div class="indent">The road south o' here goes a fair way afore it turns off, headin' toward Buford Flats, the valley floor, and the prairie way over yonder. A whole mess o' hoss been over this trail, and there ain't no way of knowin' if them hoss was rid by Naughtons or by some other folk.</div><endif>> [<img[handsm.png]] [[north along the road|Location][$loc to 24]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

<<if $gender == "male">><<if $charisma gte 2>><div class="indent">You clamber up an' over th' rocks, tryin' to get high above the road. There are some likely bits o' boulder you reckon you could topple down, so you put shoulder to 'em and heave.</div> <div class="indent"><<if $muscle lt 4>>The rocks are powerful heavy, an' it takes all yer muscle, but once you get the first one budged, the rest of 'em go along fer the ride.<<elseif $muscle lt 8>>The rocks are powerful heavy, so you put yer shoulder to 'em and dig in your heels. Once the first one goes, the rest of 'em go along fer the ride.<<else>>The rocks are powerful heavy, but you get plenty o' muscle for this kind o' thing. All it takes is diggin' in your heels, puttin' your shoulder to, an' givin' 'er a good shove. Once the first one starts to go, the rest of 'em go along fer the ride.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">The big 'un knocks down some smaller ones, an' the th' smaller ones push aside a whole heap o' stones, until th' whole shebang is a-tumblin' and a-pushin' its way down to the road bed with a mighty crash. A fearsome cloud o' dust raises up, fillin' the sky with dust and startled bugs and th' final slithery sound of the last few tricklin' rocks.</div> <div class="indent">'Course, you ain't ain't exactly hangin' around watchin' the peep show. When that big 'un started to slide an' push its way down, you done took off at a pretty good lick, lest them rocks slide out from under your feet an' take you with it. Bringin' down a mountain is easy; bringin' down half a mountain, well, that's a hard row to hoe.</div> <div class="indent">Anyhow, that done wiped out the road for a time, and you ain't busted a leg doin' it. The Naughton boys ain't gonna be comin' this way in a hurry, and they certainly ain't gonna bring any hoss over that pile o' tail an' scratch. [[The road is plugged|Location]] for sure.</div><<if $chapter == 3 and $ach.includes("church") and ($ach.includes("bridge tied") or $ach.includes("bridge sawn"))>><<set $chapter to 4>><<endif>> <<if $ach.includes("rocks")>><<else>><<set $points to 1>><<display "Muscle">> <<set $points to 2>><<display "Charisma">><<set $ach.push("rocks")>><<endif>><<else>><div class="indent">There ain't no way you're a-climbin' up that hill, drunk or sober. A man would [[have to be pretty brave|Location]] to stand on top of a hill an' start a slide like that.</div><<endif>><<elseif $gender == "female">><div class="indent">Climbin' up over all them rocks an' such don't seem altogether safe. Even if you lucked out an' made it to the top, pushin' tons o' boulder out from under your feet [[is just plumb crazy.|Location]]</div><<endif>>

<<if $inv.includes("axe")>><<if $gender == "female">><div class="indent">That's a fine notion, a real bang-up idea, only choppin' wood ain't [[no kind o' chore fer a lady.|Location]]</div> <<elseif $gender == "male">><<if $muscle gte 2>><div class="indent">You spy a likely-lookin' pine tree that looks like it might fall good an' proper. It's leanin' out from th' rocks a smidgen, so if a man were to hack at its eastern side, it'd fall toward th' road and lay right acrost it. With yer little hand axe, you set to work.</div> <div class="indent">This kind o' thing is sweaty work, 'specially with a little hand axe an' all, but there ain't nobody comin' t' do it for you, so you get on with it. By an' by, with the axe bitin' into the trunk an' your arm muscles burnin' sore, you can hear a bit of creakin' and groanin' from the ol' pine. Then directly there's a devilish big crackin' sound, and you reckon it's time to cut an' run.</div> <div class="indent">That ol' pine tree just topples right over, makin' a right smart whooshing sound. It don't hit the road clean, but goes askew an' lands catawamptiously across the narrow part with its crown a-pointin' downslope and its bigger branches holdin' it to th' side o' th' cliff. There's a fearsome rustlin' and bouncin' o' limbs and a rain o' needles for a spell, and then it seems to go all quiet.</div> <div class="indent">Well, that tree should slow down the Naughton boys, for a couple of shakes at least. They'll have to tread careful gettin' it off the road, on account of gettin' too close puts 'em in reach of them big branches. If that tree goes over th' side, it'll sweep any man along with it that's perched any too close. [[A fine job, you reckon.|Location]]</div><<if $chapter == 3 and $ach.includes("church") and ($ach.includes("bridge tied") or $ach.includes("bridge sawn"))>><<set $chapter to 4>><<endif>> <<if $ach.includes("tree")>><<else>><<set $points to 1>><<display "Charisma">> <<set $points to 2>><<display "Muscle">><<set $ach.push("tree")>><<endif>><<else>>That's a fine notion, a real bang-up idea, only you [[ain't got the muscle|Location]] to push a cat off a fence.<<endif>><<endif>><<else>><<if $gender == "female">><div class="indent">That's a fine notion, a real bang-up idea, only you [[ain't got no axe.|Location]] What's more, choppin' wood ain't no kind o' chore fer a lady.</div><<elseif $gender == "male">><div class="indent">That's a fine notion, a real bang-up idea, only you [[ain't got no axe.|Location]]</div><<endif>><<endif>>

<div class="title">[>img[handleft.png]]Order o' Business</div><<set $chores to 1>> <<multireturn "Return">> <<if $inv.includes("derringer")>><<elseif $introdone gt 0>>$chores. Find th' telegraph office an' rustle up the marshal<<set $chores += 1>> <<endif>>\ <<if $changed == "no" and $introdone gt 1>>$chores. Try th' tonic<<set $chores += 1>> <<endif>>\ <<if $ach.includes("defend")>><<if $ach.includes("tree") or $ach.includes("rocks")>><<else>>$chores. Block off th' Western Road<<set $chores += 1>> <<endif>><<if $ach.includes("church") and $ach.includes("lumber")>><<elseif $ach.includes("lumber")>>$chores. Board up th' church for hidin' out in<<set $chores += 1>> <<else>>$chores. Haul some timber up to th' church<<set $chores += 1>> $chores. Board up th' church for hidin' out in<<set $chores += 1>> <<endif>><<if $ach.includes("bridge tied") or $ach.includes("bridge sawn")>><<else>>$chores. Keep strange folk from usin' the bridge<<set $chores += 1>> <<endif>><<elseif $ach.includes("find")>> <<if $ach.includes("pistols") or $ach.includes("rifle")>><<else>>$chores. Practice with some shootin' irons<<set $chores += 1>> <<endif>><<if $ach.includes("iris rescued")>><<elseif $ach.includes("iris seen")>><<if $ach.includes("shoed")>>$chores. Figger out where th' Naughtons rode off to<<set $chores += 1>> $chores. Fetch the lady back to town<<set $chores += 1>> <<else>>$chores. Figger out where th' Naughtons rode off to<<set $chores += 1>> $chores. P'raps shoe th' horse to carry the lady<<set $chores += 1>> $chores. Fetch the lady back to town<<set $chores += 1>> <<endif>><<else>>$chores. Figger out where th' Naughtons rode off to<<set $chores += 1>> <<endif>><<if $ach.includes("iris rescued")>><<if $ach.includes("canyon")>><<else>>$chores. Find a way down to th' canyon floor<<set $chores += 1>> <<endif>><<endif>><<endif>>\

<<if $gender == "male">><<if $muscle gte 2>><div class="indent"><<if $muscle lt 4>>There ain't no good way to push th' cart by hand, so you roll up your sleeves an' set to work haulin' the lumber by hand, one piece at a time. Lumber is heavy stuff, an afore long, your shoulders are achin' and your legs are barkin', an' your hands is chapped raw from th' rough-cut wood, but soon you got 'em all in a heap up at the top of th' hill by the old stone church.<<elseif $muscle lt 8>>There ain't no good way to push th' cart by hand, so you roll up your sleeves an' set to work haulin' the lumber a few pieces at a time. Lumber is heavy stuff, but you got a few muscles on you, an' takin' a few sticks at a time sure saves a heap of walkin' in the long run. Soon, your shoulders are complainin' about th' load and your legs are achin', but you get all them bits o' wood in a heap up at the top of th' hill by the old stone church.<<elseif $muscle lt 14>>The cart ain't too heavy to push along the flat, but there ain't no good way of pushin' it up the hoss trail to the pasture road, so you leave the cart by the bridge an' haul up the pieces of lumber from there, a few at a time. Lumber is heavy stuff, but you got a few muscles on you, an' takin' a few sticks at a time sure saves a heap of walkin' in the long run. Soon, your shoulders are complainin' about th' load and your legs are achin', but you get all them bits o' wood in a heap up at the top of th' hill by the old stone church.<<else>>Usin' your big muscles, you catch hold of the tongue of the cart and start haulin' it out of the shipping yard by hand, draggin' it through town and pullin' it up th' hoss trail to the pasture road. It gives you some trouble on the hills, but in the end it's a lot less bother than fussin' about with carryin' the load one at a time. You unload the lumber into a neat stack in front of th' old stone church an' tuck the cart away where nobody can see it.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">Well, that's [[that job done,|Location]] right enough.</div><<set $loc to 16>> <<if $ach.includes("lumber")>><<else>><<set $ach.push("lumber")>><<endif>><<else>><div class="indent">There ain't no way you can haul this heap o' sticks up the hill. Seems like you're gonna [[need more muscle|Location]] for this here job, 'cause you ain't got the strength to pick up a conversation.</div><<endif>><<elseif $gender == "female">><div class="indent">Even if haulin' timber was a proper job fer a lady, [[you ain't got the muscle|Location]] to saddle a titmouse.</div><<endif>>

<<if $ach.includes("shoed")>><div class="indent">You hitch up th' paint to th' cart, climb aboard, and get him movin'. He ain't the most spirited of beasts, an' he's slower than a sunset, but he knows how to haul a cart.</div><<set $horse to 16>><<set $loc to 16>> <div class="indent">Before too long, the hoss delivers you an' the cart to th' pasture road outside the old stone church. It's the work of a few minutes to tumble all th' lumber out of th' cart, unhitch the hoss, and hide the cart away where nobody's apt to make off with it. So [[that takes right good care o' that chore.|Location]]</div><<set $ach.push("lumber")>><<else>><div class="indent">Afore you can do a thing like that, [[you got to have a hoss|Location]] what's been already shoed up an' ready to haul.</div><<endif>>

<<if $gender == "male">><<if $height gte 2>><div class="indent">Gettin' th' horse to th' blacksmith is the difficult part, as it turns out, because he don't want to leave the stables. Once he gets his ornery head around the idea that you ain't takin' no fer an answer, he plods along with you to the smithy.</div> <div class="indent">The shop has all a body needs to put shoes on a nag, <<if $height lt 5>>but workin' out how is a bit of a bother.<<elseif $height lt 8>>but workin' out how takes a bit of a think.<<else>>an' workin' out how ain't much trouble at all.<<endif>> Gettin' the shoes on turns out to be easier than you reckoned, an' in no time at all, you get [[all four shoes|Location]] tacked right in, an' Puddin' Foot seems pretty taken with 'em, stampin' his toes and tossin' his head.</div> <<set $loc to 2>><<set $horse to 2>><<set $ach.push("shoed")>><<else>><div class="indent">Doin' this kind o' work might be fine for a tough-as-nails farm boy, but [[you ain't such a one.|Location]] This here takes a fair amount o' size an' skill.</div><<endif>><<elseif $gender == "female">><div class="indent">Doin' this kind o' work might be fine for a tough-as-nails farm girl, but [[you ain't such a one.|Location]] This here takes a fair amount o' size an' skill.</div><<endif>>

<<if $farmhand == 0>><div class="indent">As it happens, there's just such a feller a-sittin' in Doc Tyler's office right now: Juan Palmer, a young farm hand from Buford Flats, which is a wide-open bit o' ground a few miles down th' Western Road. There ain't much farming in the Blue Mountains because flatland is rare as hens' teeth, but such as there is gets planted edge to edge. Palmer must be in powerful need of a doc if he come this far up th' trail lookin' for help in Hawthorne. Juan has set himself down on a stool, holdin' the back of his neck with one hand an' lookin' at the floor.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[talk to Juan|Juan Talks]] <<endif>>\ <<if $farmhand == 1>><div class="indent">Juan Palmer is still a-sittin' in the surgery, waitin' on Doc Tyler to show. Looks like so far he ain't.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[talk to Juan|Juan Talks]] <<endif>>\ <<if $farmhand == 2>><div class="indent">The farm hand turned farm girl, Juanita Palmer, is a-sittin' in the doctor's office, waitin' for Doc Tyler to show his snoot.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[talk to Juanita|Juan Talks]] <<endif>>\ <<if $farmhand == 3>> <<endif>>\ <<if $farmhand == 4>>Juanita Palmer is standin' upright in th' doctor's office, swayin' slightly like an aspen tree in a mountain breeze. Her wide blue is open, like her mouth, an' she ain't even noticed your presence. [<img[handsm.png]] [[$fuck + " Juanita"->Screw Juanita][$course to "hypno"]] <<endif>>\ <<silently>>/% -1 == off the map 0 == normal, in Sawbones Surgery 1 == known 2 == female 3 == hypnotized 4 == female and hypnotized %/<<endsilently>>\

<<if $farmhand == 0>><<set $farmhand to 1>><<if $talkative gt $silent and $kind gte $cruel>><div class="indent">“Juan Palmer," you say. “What brings you all the way to Hawthorne? Hope that neck ain't ailin' you too bad."</div><<elseif $talkative gt $silent>><div class="indent">“Juan Palmer," you say. “Ain't seen you in Hawthorne for a while. What happened? Did y'lose a fight with a mule?"</div><<elseif $kind gte $cruel>><div class="indent">“Howdy," you say to him. “Lookin' for th' doc?"</div><<else>><div class="indent">“Howdy," you say to him. “You're lookin' hurt bad."</div><<endif>> <div class="indent"><<if $gender == "female">>“Miss Simon? Is that you?"<<elseif $gender == "male" and $tg == "m">>“Mr Simon? Is that you?"<<elseif $gender == "male" and $tg == "ftm">>“Doc? Is that you?"<<endif>> he asks, twistin' around so he can look up without movin' his neck. “What happened? I no can find nobody. Whole town's quiet."</div> <<if $talkative gt $silent and $kind gte $cruel>><div class="indent">“Bunch of fellers blew through town, causin' a fuss," you say. “The Naughton boys, I'm told, so you'd best skedaddle. This ain't no safe place for a man who can't fight."</div><<elseif $talkative gt $silent>><div class="indent">“The Naughton boys just blew through town and shot a bunch of folk," you say. “You're in no shape to fight back, so they're liable to shoot you too."</div><<elseif $kind gte $cruel>><div class="indent">“Naughton boys, causin' trouble," you say. “I'd lay low if I was you."</div><<else>><div class="indent">“Naughton boys shot a bunch of folk," you say. “Lucky for you that you missed 'em."</div><<endif>> <div class="indent">Juan grimaces in pain, clasping at his neck, still starin' at the floor like it was tryin' to go someplace. “I no can ride back with a neck like this. Bale of hay, it fell on me. We were loading hay into the loft. I had to walk here."</div> <div class="indent">“By your lonesome?" you ask. “The road's a mite dangerous just now."</div> <div class="indent">“It's always dangerous," he says. “I carry a pistol and a rifle with me. I no can shoot now, but I always carry them."</div><<set $farmhand to 1>> [<img[handsm.png]] [[borrow the pistol|Juan's Pistol]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[borrow the rifle|Juan's Rifle]] <<if $inv.includes("rejuvenating remedy")>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[I got this from Doc.|Give Juan Remedy]]" (trick him into takin' the Rejuvenatin' Remedy) [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Maybe this'll help.|Suggest Juan Remedy]]" (suggest the Rejuvenatin' Remedy) <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("pocketwatch") and $dirty[6] == 1>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Ain't this watch pretty?|Juan Hypno]]" <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Goodbye.|Location]]" <<elseif $farmhand == 1>><<if $talkative gt $silent>><div class="indent">“No sign of Doc Tyler, eh?" you say.</div> <div class="indent">“No, not yet," the farmhand says.</div><<else>><div class="indent">“Howdy again," you say.</div> <div class="indent"><<if $gender == "male">>“Señor,"<<else>>“Señorita,"<<endif>> Juan greets you.</div><<endif>> <<if $inv.includes("sharps") or $inv.includes("colt")>><<else>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[borrow the pistol|Juan's Pistol]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[borrow the rifle|Juan's Rifle]] <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("rejuvenating remedy") and $dirty[7] == 1>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[I got this from Doc.|Give Juan Remedy]]" (trick him into takin' the Rejuvenatin' Remedy) [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Maybe this'll help.|Suggest Juan Remedy]]" (suggest the Rejuvenatin' Remedy) <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("pocketwatch") and $dirty[6] == 1>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Ain't this watch pretty?|Juan Hypno]]" <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Goodbye.|Location]]" <<endif>>\ <<if $farmhand == 2>><div class="indent">The farm girl is tryin' to get to grips with becomin' Juanita Palmer. She looks exhausted an' befuddled and embarrassed all together. “//Ay//, that drink it fixed my neck, but look what drink did to the rest of me!" she cries. “I feel so strange in this body, I no can think straight. <<if $gender == "female">>I no want man to see me, but I want me to look at //them//."<<elseif $gender == "male">>I am so shy for a man to see me this way, but it pleases me too."<<endif>></div> <<if $inv.includes("sharps") or $inv.includes("colt")>><<else>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[borrow the pistol|Juan's Pistol]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[borrow the rifle|Juan's Rifle]] <<endif>>\ <<if $gender == "male">>[<img[handsm.png]] “Beggin' yer pardon, but [[maybe I could be of service with that.|Screw Juanita][$course to "fair"]]" (try an' seduce th' lady if she's willin') <<if $dirty[5] == 1>>[<img[handsm.png]] “Get ready, girl, 'cause [[I know what you want.|Screw Juanita][$course to "devious"]]"<<display "Fuck Euphemisms">> ($fuck 'er even if she ain't so willin') <<endif>>\ <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("pocketwatch") and $dirty[6] == 1>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Ain't this watch pretty?|Juan Hypno]]" <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Goodbye.|Location]]"<<endif>>\ <<if $farmhand == 3>>MALE AND HYPNOTIZED, SHOULD NOT OCCUR <<endif>>\ <<if $farmhand == 4>><div class="indent">There ain't no use talkin' to Juanita when she's all mesmerized. She just stands swayin' in place in Doc Tyler's office, lookin' at nothin' and nobody.</div> <<if $inv.includes("sharps") or $inv.includes("colt")>><<else>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[borrow the pistol|Juan's Pistol]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[borrow the rifle|Juan's Rifle]] <<endif>>\ <<if $dirty[5] == 1>>[<img[handsm.png]] <<display "Fuck Euphemisms">>[[$fuck + " Juanita"->Screw Juanita][$course to "hypno"]] <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Goodbye.|Location]]" <<elseif $farmhand lt 0>><div class="indent">There ain't nobody here to talk to no more.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[reckon not|Location]] <<endif>>\

<<if $gender == "female">><div class="indent">“Reckon I'd be able to use your pistol for a while?" you ask.</div> <<if $farmhand == 1>><div class="indent">“[[That is not a good idea,|Location]] Miss Simon," Juan says. “You would find my pistol, she has a powerful kick."</div><<elseif $farmhand == 2>><div class="indent">“[[That is not a good idea,|Location]] Miss Simon," says Juanita the farm girl. “I look like this on the way home, I think I will need the pistol more than ever."</div><<endif>><<elseif $gender == "male">><<if $farmhand == 1>><div class="indent">“Reckon I'd be able to use your pistol for a while?" you ask.</div> <div class="indent">“If you want the pistol, [[she is yours,|Location]]" says Juan in a strained voice, fumblin' to pull it out of his holster. “Today we both need a little protection."</div><<set $inv.push("colt")>><<elseif $farmhand == 2>><div class="indent">“Reckon I'd be able to use your pistol for a while?" you ask.</div> <div class="indent">Juanita the farm girl frowns. “I look like this on the way home, I think I will need the pistol more than ever," she says. “But [[I will keep the rifle,|Location]] okay?"</div><<set $inv.push("colt")>><<elseif $farmhand == 3>><div class="indent">“Give me the pistol," you say to Juan.</div> <div class="indent">“Sure, I give you the pistol," Juan says blankly. He draws it out of th' holster and [[hands it over|Location]] without no question.</div><<set $inv.push("colt")>><<elseif $farmhand == 4>>“Give me the rifle," you say to Juanita.</div> <div class="indent">The farm girl don't seem the least troubled. In a blank sorta way, she says, “Sure, I give you the pistol." She draws it out of th' holster and [[hands it over|Location]] without no question.</div><<set $inv.push("colt")>><<endif>><<endif>>\

<<if $gender == "female">><div class="indent">“Can you borrow me your rifle for a spell?" you ask.</div> <<if $farmhand == 1>><div class="indent">“[[I no think I should give him to you,|Location]] Miss Simon," Juan says. “My rifle, he's a very powerful gun."</div><<elseif $farmhand == 2>><div class="indent">“[[I no think I should give him to you,|Location]] Miss Simon," says Juanita the farm girl. “I look like this on the way home, I think I will need the rifle more than ever."</div><<endif>><<elseif $gender == "male">><<if $farmhand == 1>><div class="indent">“Can you borrow me your rifle for a spell?" you ask.</div> <div class="indent">“If you want the rifle, [[he is yours,|Location]]" says Juan in a strained voice, gesturin' to the rifle leanin' on the wall beside him. “Today we both need a little protection."</div><<set $inv.push("sharps")>><<set $ach.push("rifle")>><<elseif $farmhand == 2>><div class="indent">“Can you borrow me your rifle for a spell?" you ask.</div> <div class="indent">Juanita the farm girl frowns. “I look like this on the way home, I think I will need the rifle more than ever," she says. “But [[I will keep the pistol,|Location]] okay?"</div><<set $inv.push("sharps")>><<elseif $farmhand == 3>><div class="indent">“Give me the rifle," you say to Juan.</div> <div class="indent">“Sure, I give you the rifle," Juan says blankly. It's just a-leanin' up against the wall by his stool, and he don't give no trouble when [[you take it.|Location]]</div><<set $inv.push("sharps")>><<elseif $farmhand == 4>>“Give me the rifle," you say to Juanita.</div> <div class="indent">The farm girl don't seem the least troubled. In a blank sorta way, she says, “Sure, I give you the rifle," an' [[she hands it over,|Location]] just like that.</div><<set $inv.push("sharps")>><<endif>><<endif>>\

<div class="indent">“Try this here Rejuvenatin' Remedy," you tell Juan. “I got it from Doc."</div><<display "Hell-Cap Euphemisms">> <div class="indent">Now, he weren't to know that the Rejuvenatin' Remedy came from a certain Doc Lemley out o' Baltimore, Maryland, an' not Doc Tyler out o' Pinedale, Wyoming. <<if $timesdosed == 0>>$hell, it ain't even much like lyin', because for all you know this here stuff might do him a power o' good.<<else>>Th' poor man ain't got a notion of what this stuff is fixin' to do to him.<<endif>> But the farmhand says, in a desperate an' painful sort o' way, “Sure. I'll try anything." So you dose him up a couple o' drops into a spoon an' hand it over to the poor sufferin' man.</div><<set $course to "cruel">><<set $timesdosed += 1>> <<display "Juanita Transformation">>

<div class="indent">“Try this here Rejuvenatin' Remedy," you tell Juan. “Maybe it might help."</div> <div class="indent"><<if $timesdosed == 0>>Now there ain't no way of knowin' what Doc Lemley's brew is apt to do to this man.<<else>>You got a good notion what Doc Lemley's brew is apt to do to this man.<<endif>> <<if $changed == "yes">>Still an' all, the Recombobulatin' Tonic done you a power a good, whatever else it mighta done to you.<<else>>Still an' all, whatever good the Recombobulatin' Tonic mighta done you, Doc Lemley wasn't exactly above tellin' the occasional stretcher to help him make a sale.<<endif>> But the farmhand says, in a desperate an' painful sort o' way, “Sure. I'll try anything." So you dose him up a couple o' drops into a spoon an' hand it over to the poor sufferin' man.</div><<set $course to "kind">><<set $timesdosed += 1>><<set $course to "kind">> <<display "Juanita Transformation">>

<div class="indent">“Ain't this watch pretty?" you ask.</div> <<if $farmhand lt 2>><div class="indent">But [[Juan ain't lookin'|Location]]. “Señor, my neck is very painful. I am sure you have a beautiful watch."</div> <<elseif $farmhand == 2>><div class="indent">“Yes, I like it very much," Juanita says, her eyes followin' the shiny thing danglin' from th' chain.</div> <div class="indent">“Kinda makes you sleepy, just lookin' at it, don't it?" you say.</div><<if $charisma gte 1>><<set $farmhand to 4>><<endif>> <<if $farmhand == 4>><div class="indent">“Yes," she says, an' her voice sounds like it's windin' down like a clock with nothin' left in th' spring. “It makes me sleepy just lookin' at it."</div> <div class="indent">“So sleepy," you tell her. “You just want t' close them eyes, don'tcha?"</div> <div class="indent">“//Ay//, //sí//. So //cansado//," she says, slow an' thick. “//Quiero cerrar mis ojos//." She don't seem to notice she's stopped speakin' English.</div><<display "Fuck Euphemisms">> <div class="indent">Then her eyes slip shut, an' she blinks a couple of times. When she opens them pretty blues again, they're as empty as the sky.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[$fuck + " Juanita"->Screw Juanita][$course to "hypno"]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[leave 'er like this|Location]] <<else>><div class="indent">“No, [[I don't think so,|Location]]" she says, furrowing her brow.</div><<endif>> <<endif>>

<<if $course == "fair">><div class="indent">“Beggin' yer pardon," you say to Juanita, “but maybe I could be of service with that." <<if $reaction == "eager">>O' course you know what she's probably wantin' because o' what Doc Lemley said the Remedy was apt to do to a gal, and you can't wait to have a go, but there's right an' wrong ways to ask a lady fer it.<<elseif $reaction == "willing">>O' course you know what she's probably wantin' because o' what Doc Lemley said the Remedy was apt to do to a gal, and you're willin' to satisfy her needs, but there's right an' wrong ways to ask a lady fer it.<<elseif $reaction == "reluctant">>O' course you know what she's probably wantin' because o' what Doc Lemley said the Remedy was apt to do to a gal, and even though you're still gettin' used to the idear of bein' a cowpoke yourself, there's right an' wrong ways to make such an' offer to a lady.<<elseif $reaction == "secret">>O' course you know what she's probably wantin' because o' what Doc Lemley said the Remedy was apt to do to a gal, and you can't wait to have a go, but you don't want to seem too up fer the game. Also, there's right an' wrong ways to ask a lady fer it.<<elseif $reaction == "trans">>O' course you know what she's probably wantin' because o' what Doc Lemley said the Remedy was apt to do to a gal, and you're fixin' to be th' kind o' man who's always ready to have a go, but there's right an' wrong ways to ask a lady fer it.<<endif>></div> <<if $height lt 1 or $muscle lt 1 or $charisma lt 1>><div class="indent">“¡//Ay//, //qué no//!" she says real quick, like she had that bullet loaded up an' ready to fire. Then the farm girl takes a second look at what kind o' man she's bein' offered, and more slowly says, “No, I no can do nothing like that with you," she says with decision. “You no are the kind of man I want --" an' she blushes, says “¡//Qué extraño//!" an' then finishes on, “I think [[I no can do that.|Location]]"</div><<set $ach.push("juanita refused")>><<else>><<if $ach.includes("juanita refused")>><div class="indent">“I said no," Juanita says, but then she stops an' takes another long view o' you with them bright blue peepers. <<set $total to $height + $muscle + $charisma>><<if $total lt 9>>“Well, maybe," she says, changin' her mind slowly. “You are not so ugly as I remember."<<elseif $total lt 18>>“Maybe I speak too quickly," she says, changin' her mind. “It was all very strange to me. You look better than I remember. Much better."<<else>>“But you must not listen to what I said," she suggests, changin' her mind in a devilish coy sort o' way. It's like watchin' a bear forget about th' bees and start smellin' the honey. “I was very upset. Your drink, it . . . it changed me very fast. But now . . ." Juanita don't realize it, but she's leanin' your way. “You are much more handsome to me now than I remember."<<endif>></div><<else>><div class="indent">“You can?" she asks, her blue eyes gettin' big as lakes. “But you no even know what --" Juanita stops, puts her little hand up to her throat and coughs. “I //sound// like a woman too. You think that you can--?" An' then she stops an' catches a drift of what you're sayin', and her mouth drops open. “¿//De verdad//? You are serious?"</div><<endif>> <div class="indent"><<if $talkative lt $silent>>“You're darned right,"<<else>>“I may not know much, but I know how to help a lady,"<<endif>> you say, and you reach out an' take her by the waist an' bringin' 'er close to you.</div> <div class="indent"><<if $talkative lt $silent>>“//Dios mio//,"<<else>>$8220;I hope that you do,"<<endif>> she says, pressing that ripe body up against your'n and a-whisperin' in your ear: “I no have done this never, this way."</div> <<display "Cock Euphemisms">><div class="indent"><<if $bagged == 0>><<if $tg == "ftm">>Well, you ain't 'xactly ever had a $cock before, much less pleased a lady with it, but now ain't a good time to mention it.<<elseif $tg == "m">>Well, you ain't 'xactly ever been in the habit of usin' yer $cock to please the ladies, but now ain't a good time to mention it.<<endif>><<else>><<if $tg == "ftm">>Well, o' course you've had a bit of experience wearin' around a man's $cock, but it ain't exactly polite to brag about it in front of a lady.<<elseif $tg == "m">>Well, o' course you've had a bit of experience yerself, but it ain't exactly polite to brag about it in front of a lady.<<endif>><<endif>> An' tech'nically maybe Juanita ain't much of a lady yet, so maybe it don't count anyway. You just grab the rough hem of Juanita's work shirt an' pull it skyward, an' she relaxes them slender brown arms up to th' ceilin' like this is a stickup and you're a //bandito// come to plunder. Which is sorta the case, now you think on it.</div> <div class="indent">Her long waves o' black hair come tumblin' out o' the shirt an' fall down to her shoulders, an' she looks down in surprise at her womanly assets: large handfuls o' apple dumplin', big like melons, brown like th' best Arbuckles coffee with plenty o' cream. My, yes, Juanita had a respectable amount o' cream.</div> <div class="indent">An' she's a pullin' off <<if $inv.includes("ruffled blouse")>>your ruffled blouse an' camisole<<elseif $inv.includes("linen work shirt")>>your linen work shirt<<elseif $inv.includes("sturdy linen shirt")>>your sturdy linen shirt<<else>>your shirt<<endif>> to see what lies beneath, <<if $muscle lt 5>>an' puts her tiny hands on your chest like it's the best she's ever seen, which it prob'ly is.<<elseif $muscle lt 10>>an' rubs her tiny hands all over your chest, like she can't believe her luck.<<elseif $muscle lt 15>>an' takes up rubbin' yer big muscled chest like she ain't never had so much fun.<<else>>an' her mouth falls open when she sees the big ol' muscled chest you was packin' around, an' she puts her hands right onto them muscles and enjoys the <<display "Hell Euphemisms">>$hell out of 'em.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">You grab her closer to you, pressin' them fine brown boobies up to your manly chest, and plant a couple o' kisses on them fine lips. Her eyes is wide open, lookin' into yours -- you can see it right there, she's askin' herself if she's gone crazy -- but she don't stop an' she don't draw back. This close up, the farm-work smudges o' dirt on her face just make her seem more lovely.</div> <div class="indent"><<if $muscles lt 5>>She pulls you back to th' exam table, an' sets her rear up on there,<<elseif $muscles lt 10>>She pulls you back to th' exam table, and you help her set her rear up on there,<<elseif $muscles lt 15>>She pulls you back to th' exam table, an' you pick her up by th' waist and set her rear down on there,<<else>>She pulls you back to th' exam table, an' you grab her by th' waist and lift her up onto th' table easy as pie, settin' her rear down there,<<endif>> an' she gives you a better look at them perfect coffee-brown tits. They're within easy reach now, so you put your hands to 'em, feelin' the warm heavy things in yer palms, slidin' over her fine flesh, tweakin' her nipples just so. Juanita's blue eyes slip shut, and she's puffin' like a locomotive climbin' a steep grade, grabbin' your shoulders an' pullin' you closer with one hand, an' shuckin' off her trousers with t'other.</div> <<display "Pussy Euphemisms">><<display "Cock Euphemisms">><div class="indent">Then Juanita kicks off her trousers an' it's down to th' business, what with her spreadin' open them long brown legs and lettin' you catch sight of her $pussy, an' you bringin' out your $cock to have a closer look. <<if $cocksize lte 10>>Your man-meat ain't much an Juanita knows it, but she's randy as all get-out, so she don't much care.<<elseif $cocksize lte 15>>Your man-meat is average at best, but for Juanita, who needs one an' ain't never rid one, she don't care.<<elseif $cocksize lte 20>>Your man-meat is plenty big, and it's plain to see that Juanita knows it, too, an' is eager as anything to have a ride on it.<<else>>Your man-meat is bigger'n most gals have seen, much less taken a long ride on, and Juanita's eyes fly open at th' size of it.<<endif>><<if $tg == "ftm">><<display "Cock Euphemisms">> Th' way your brand-new $cock feels like it's tuggin' right offa your body like it's tryin' to pull you forward, is pretty danged odd. Right this minute, you ain't in the mood fer thinkin' on it much.<<endif>> Then it's you an' she bumpin' bellies, her leanin' back on her hands on th' top of Doc Tyler's exam table, an' you with your <<if $inv.includes("heavy riding skirt")>>heavy riding skirt<<elseif $inv.includes("mended trousers")>>mended trousers<<elseif $inv.includes("miner's jeans")>>dirty denim jeans<<else>>trousers<<endif>> down around your ankles, givin' Juanita as much heave-ho as you got in you.</div> <div class="indent">It's lucky them Naughton boys wasn't too close by to hear you an' Juanita bangin' away. Th' poor farm girl went from havin' a stiff neck up top to gettin' a stiff prick down below. She was yowlin' an' purrin' like a cat in heat, and quiverin' like a wheatfield in a hurricane, as you racked 'er off a couple times before shootin' 'er in th' bush.</div> <div class="indent">“//Ay//, you were right," she whispered in your ear. “That was what I needed. //Oye//, I have to go back to the farm and get some more."</div> <div class="indent">“Glad to be of help, ma'am," you say to her, gatherin' up your duds from the floor where they were tossed.</div> <div class="indent">She gives you a queer look as you call her //ma'am//, but that don't stop her from givin' you a kiss on the cheek, dressin' in a hurry, and headin' out the door. You don't see th' gal after that, <<if $inv.includes("colt")>>so it's a good thing you got the Colt from 'er first.<<elseif $inv.includes("sharps")>>so it's a good thing you got the Sharps rifle from 'er first.<<else>>which is why you prob'ly shoulda got a gun from 'er first, y' dadburn fool.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent"><<if $timesdosed == 1>>Turns out that Doc Lemley knew what he was doin' after all.<<else>>That Doc Lemley, he makes a good potion.<<endif>> An' it [[worked out okay|Location]] for you, too.</div><<set $bagged += 1>><<set $bag.push("juanita")>><<set $farmhand to -1>> <<set $points to 2>><<display "Fair">> <<set $points to 1>><<display "Muscle">> <<endif>><<elseif $course == "devious">><div class="indent">“Get ready, girl, 'cause I know what you want," you tell the farm girl. <<if $reaction == "eager">>O' course you know what she's probably wantin' because o' what Doc Lemley said the Remedy was apt to do to a gal, and you can't wait to have a go at 'er.<<elseif $reaction == "willing">>O' course you know what she's probably wantin' because o' what Doc Lemley said the Remedy was apt to do to a gal, and you're willin' to satisfy her needs. What man wouldn't?<<elseif $reaction == "reluctant">>O' course you know what she's probably wantin' because o' what Doc Lemley said the Remedy was apt to do to a gal, and even though you're still gettin' used to the idear of bein' a cowpoke yourself, you're willin' to satisfy the lady.<<elseif $reaction == "secret">>O' course you know what she's probably wantin' because o' what Doc Lemley said the Remedy was apt to do to a gal, and you can't wait to have a go. To <<display "Hell-Loc Euphemisms">>$hell with caution.<<elseif $reaction == "trans">>O' course you know what she's probably wantin' because o' what Doc Lemley said the Remedy was apt to do to a gal, and you're fixin' to be th' kind o' man who's always ready to have a go.<<endif>></div> <<if $height lt 1 or $muscle lt 1 or $charisma lt 1>><div class="indent">“¡//Ay//, //qué no//!" she says real quick, like she had that bullet loaded up an' ready to fire. She reaches for th' <<if $inv.includes("colt")>>Sharps rifle<<else>>Colt pistol<<endif>> an' brandishes it in your direction. She wasn't always a gal, an' she knows her guns real good. “No. I no can do nothing like that with you," she says with nary a tremble in her voice. “You no are the kind of man I want. [[I no want no man like you.|Location]] If that is why you gave me that drink, then I tell you //no//, I will not be your plaything."</div><<set $ach.push("juanita refused")>><<set $farmhand to -1>> <div class="indent">An' Juanita walks right out of th' surgery, carryin' a gun. Lord knows where she goes after that, but you don't see hide nor hair of her again. <<if $inv.includes("colt")>>Good thing you got the Colt from 'er first.<<elseif $inv.includes("sharps")>>Good thing you got the Sharps rifle from 'er first.<<else>>You prob'ly shoulda got a gun from 'er first, y' dadburn fool.<<endif>></div> <<set $points to 1>><<display "Devious">><<else>><div class="indent">“//Ay//, //no//," she says, backin' away to th' doc's exam table, but from the way her big bosoms is heavin', she don't exactly seem to be puttin' her all into it. <<display "Hell-Cap Euphemisms">>$hell, <<if $tg == "m">>you ain't never been all that handy with the ladies, an' even you can see that.<<else>>you ain't been a man that long, an' even you can see that. Besides, you been a lady afore, and you recognize th' signs.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">Juanita leans on th' table, breathin' hard an' anglin' that pretty head away from you, like she can't rightly believe what's happenin', but she don't want it to stop, neither. Her long black tresses go all higgledy-piggledy everywhere, and that work shirt what's now too big for her little body sorta slips down over one shoulder, exposin' a fair tract of lustrous brown skin.</div> <div class="indent">You follow her to th' table, <<if $height lt 4>>standin' eye to eye with th' lady,<<elseif $height lt 8>>standin' just taller than th' lady,<<elseif $height lt 16>>standin' a few inches taller than th' lady,<<else>>towerin' over the lady,<<endif>> an' grab her shoulders. Not too rough, mind, but strong enough. She turns them blue eyes on you, lookin' at you through sooty lashes, an' whispers real low, “//No//," clappin' one of her hands on top of yours, right where you're touchin' her bare upper arm. Now that's what she //says//, but even as she says it, she's leanin' in toward you with that pretty Spanish mouth comin' open, and her eyes are searchin' for your lips.</div> <div class="indent">You give her a couple o' rough kisses, puttin' your fingers into her long black hair, one hand t' either side of her face, and she melts in your controllin' grasp, pressin' that fine fleshy body o' hers up against yours. She's a-kissin' you right back like she can't help herself, eyes closed an' all.</div> <div class="indent">It's gettin' too much and you can't barely wait no more, so you try to get her rough linen shirt off'n her body, but you and she is all tangled-up arms an' kisses, so <<if $muscle lt 8>>you back off just long enough for Juanita to pull it off an' toss it away.<<elseif $muscle lt 16>>you pull it off past her arms without her helpin' you, and toss it to one side.<<elseif $muscle lt 24>>you grab it by th' collar an' rip it down the middle, pullin' it in twain with your beefy mitts.<<else>>you rip her linen shirt right off her body, rendin' the thing in twain your monstrous powerful hands.<<endif>> She spies herself and her big brown honey jugs, and you get a peep at 'em too. <<if $tg == "m">>You've been lookin' forward to a pair like these, an' she don't disappoint.<<elseif $reaction == "secret" or $reaction == "eager">>You used to have a pair o' your own, but not no more, and from a manly way of things, it's much better bein' on the outside of 'em lookin' on.<<elseif $reaction == "willing" or $reaction == "reluctant">>You used to have a pair o' your own, but you find as you take th' manly perspective of lookin' on a pair from the outside, it's a fair sight better than you figured.<<elseif $reaction == "trans">>You been lookin' forward to beholdin' a pair like these from a purely manly perspective, and she don't disappoint.<<endif>> The farm girl tries to cover 'em up all dainty-like with her little brown hands, 'cause she ain't never had nothin' like this attached to her. <<if $dirty[0] == 1>>She even tries to turn away, but that ain't no good, on account of she's just as luscious from th' back as the front.<<else>>She ducks that pretty head low, her black tresses fallin' in the way of them liquid blue eyes.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent"><<display "Cock Euphemisms">><<if $tg == "m">>Now your $cock don't wanna be made to wait, an' he's makin' you aware that he wants to get t' the business at hand.<<elseif $tg == "ftm">>Already your $cock is makin' you aware that he don't wanna wait to see some action. Funny how a brand new part o' the body can just take charge of a man's brain in such a way.<<endif>> You grab at Juanita's woolen britches, yankin' 'em down and givin' all th' world a look at her <<if $dirty[0] == 1>>newly rounded-up back end.<<else>>lady business.<<endif>> She gasps with startlement an' says, “//No//, //señor//, no, it is too soon for me to do this! I am not a woman you can--" but it don't really matter what she's sayin', 'cause she's helpin' you pull down her britches with her other hand, kickin' 'em off her dainty feet.</div> <div class="indent"><<if $dirty[0] == 1>>With Juanita leanin' hard over th' exam table an' grippin' it in both hands, an' her brown bottom aimed directly at your nethers,<<else>>With Juanita leanin' hard against th' exam table, grippin' it with her hands an' spreadin' her legs,<<endif>> her <<display "Pussy Euphemisms">>$pussy is ripe an' waitin. Th' time has come to grab them purty round hips, see your gentleman in th' door, and get to work. Her long black hair is tossin' in waves and there's gasps o' heaven comin' from her mouth while you keep them hips in your big paws an' pound 'er <<if $dirty[0] == 1>>over<<else>>up against<<endif>> th' table. All that bouncin' and pushin' puts a wiggle an' a jiggle in her <<if $dirty[0] == 1>>back end, an' you give that girl a few spanks on th' flank to make 'er go faster.<<else>>dairy dumplings, which is a sight to make a man do his best to get 'er goin' faster.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">Juanita commences to whimper soft an' urgent, an' as you rack 'er off once or twice, she really loses her reins an' starts to cry out like a train comin' into the station blowin' its steam whistle. You give 'er a squirt o' juice and a <<if $dirty[0] == 1>>slap on the ass<<else>>kiss on the neck<<endif>> for good measure, an' she's content.</div> <div class="indent">“//Ay//, you were right," she whispered in your ear. “That was what I needed. //Oye//, I have to go back to the farm and get some more."</div> <div class="indent">“Glad to be of help, ma'am," you say to her, gatherin' up your duds from the floor where they were tossed.</div> <div class="indent">She gives you a queer look as you call her //ma'am//, but that don't stop her from givin' you a kiss on the cheek, dressin' in a hurry, and headin' out the door. You don't see th' gal after that, <<if $inv.includes("colt")>>so it's a good thing you got the Colt from 'er first.<<elseif $inv.includes("sharps")>>so it's a good thing you got the Sharps rifle from 'er first.<<else>>which is why you prob'ly shoulda got a gun from 'er first, y' dadburn fool.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent"><<if $timesdosed == 1>>Turns out that Doc Lemley knew what he was doin' after all.<<else>>That Doc Lemley, he makes a good potion.<<endif>> An' it [[worked out okay|Location]] for you, too.</div><<set $bagged += 1>><<set $farmhand to -1>> <<if $bag.includes("juanita")>><<else>><<set $points to 2>><<display "Devious">> <<set $points to 1>><<display "Muscle">><<set $bag.push("juanita")>><<endif>><<endif>> <<elseif $course == "hypno">><div class="indent">Since it seems that Juanita is good an' ready to do whatever it is that pops to mind an' can't say no to nothin', you decide t' pleasure the gal fer a spell -- or at least pleasure yourself, usin' her. It ain't gentlemanly in the least, but maybe it don't count if the lady don't object.</div> <div class="indent">“Take off them clothes," you tell her, an' afore you even finish speakin', she's sayin' //sí// an' a-doin' it right there in the doctor's office, strippin' out of the boy-clothes she wore when she used t' be Juan the farm hand. When her brown body is exposed an' all and she's standing there in the middle of th' floor in the altogether, you can see the Doc's remedy done a fine job on her figure. Big ripe sugar-lumps, curvaceous hips, slim body, perfect skin -- why, a man couldn't ask for nothin' nicer, and this one don't even talk back. Her blue eyes is blank like a blizzard.</div> <<display "Cock Euphemisms">><<if $dirty[1] == 1>><div class="indent">“Have some o' this here knob," you tell her, an' pull out your $cock for her to gobble up. She drops onto her knees in an instant, takin' your staff into her mouth and givin' it a good goin' over, holdin' the shaft in one tiny hand an' workin' her mouth over the sensitive parts just so. You get your fingers into that mane o' long black hair as she goes along, plying her lips up an' down your business. She ain't experienced, <<if $tg == "m">>but there's a charm to it anyways.<<elseif $tg == "ftm">>but you ain't had your <<display "Cock Euphemisms">>$cock long, so in a way you're both in th' same coach.<<endif>></div><<else>><div class="indent">“Show me them fine titties you got," you tell her, and she opens up th' cupboard to show you th' goods, exposing them fine brown boobies like havin' a fine pair ain't nothin' for a former man to be fussed about. You put your hands to 'em, and they're just as fine to touch as they are to clap an eye to, and even hypnotized you can tell Juanita's enjoyin' the helpin' hand.</div><<endif>> <div class="indent">By an' by you decide it's time to stop stokin' and get on to pokin', so you tell Juanita to <<if $dirty[0] == 1>>bend over<<else>>hop onto<<endif>> the exam table and let you in. She does without thinkin', and you slip inside her <<display "Pussy Euphemisms">>wet $pussy, pushin' and thrustin' the way a man ought. Her lust makes her whimper an' moan some, but mostly she's quiet on account of not bein' told to speak, and you both do your duty in peace.</div> <div class="indent">After the two o' you are spent, you let Juanita get her clothes back on. “Go on, darlin'," you tell 'er. “Your name is Juanita from now on, you hear? Now you best get back home. Don't tell nobody about this. I'll come for you if I want any more."</div> <div class="indent">She says //sí// again and makes off out th' door, headin' directly for Buford Flats an' never lookin' back.</div> <div class="indent">Nice gal. [[Quiet, though.|Location]]</div><<set $bagged += 1>><<set $bag.push("juanita hypno sex")>><<set $farmhand to -1>> <<if $bag.includes("juanita")>><<else>><<set $points to 2>><<display "Cruel">> <<set $points to 2>><<display "Devious">><<set $bag.push("juanita")>><<endif>> <<endif>>

<div class="indent">Juan takes th' spoon in a tremblin' hand an' tries to get it into his mouth, still with his poor head hangin' down to th' floor an' his other hand clapped to his achin' neck. “//Ay//," he says, tastin' the brew. “Very spicy. It tastes like //chilé//."</div><<set $farmhand to 2>> <div class="indent">It ain't but a few shakes later that he's sittin' up straighter on the stool. “That feels better," he says, grateful-like. He stops a-rubbin' his neck an' lets his hands fall down to his lap, an' practically slumps into a heap o' relieved sighs. “Oh, it hurts not so much now. Thank you."</div> <div class="indent">But then he sits up straight again, lookin' a mite concerned. He puts a hand to his guts, an' his brown skin goes pale, like th' brew took th' starch outta him all sudden-like. “¿//Qué fue eso//?"</div> <div class="indent">Then there's this cracklin' sound, like a campfire burnin' dreadful fast, an' Juan grabs at his own arms like they're achin' him. He goes to stand up, an' almost tips over, on account o' his legs ain't the same length. One of 'em is long, and t'other one short. There's some more poppin' noises, like gunfire in th' distant hills, and th' long leg shortens up to th' size o' the first. “My legs!" he says. “My hips! What was in that medicine?"</div> <div class="indent">Juan pitches over toward Doc Tyler's exam table, an' commences leanin' heavy on it, grabbin' at his hip joints. His pelvis pops somethin' fierce too, an' suddenly the man's got big girly hips that he ain't ever had before, plain to see even though he ain't wearin' more than linen trousers an' all. Yep, Juan's startin' to have him a big womanly ass, all right. <<if $timesdosed gt 0>>Th' brew is doin' exactly what Doc Lemley said it would.<<else>>Th' brew is workin' just as it ought.<<endif>> Juan looks like he's lost hisself a few inches off the top, an' several across the middle, too. Cut down to size a bit, he ain't lookin' much like a big-shouldered plough chaser no more.</div> <div class="indent">That's when Juan's figure started to really blossom out, bustin' forth and fillin' up his flannel with a right smart amount o' dairy. That kind o' curvature that Juan was suddenly blessed by ain't usually so easy to see on a lady, on account of most gals wear <<if $tg == "m">>a couple o' layers of this an' that an' whatnot<<else>>corsets an' camisoles an' such<<endif>> to keep 'em tamed down. Juan ain't had that kind o' benefit. It looked sorta like someone took his flannel shirt an' pitched a couple o' tents underneath.</div> <div class="indent">About that time, you notice Juan's hair a-growin' out like a mess o' tangled weeds, 'cept it's waves o' dark an' luscious black hair. His is beard is gone, his face done tooken on the look of a fair-featured Spanish maid from a cigarette card, an' his wide blue eyes is lookin' fogmatized an' befuddled.</div> <div class="indent">Juan -- Juanita now, you reckon -- takes a dim, addle-headed gander at you with them wide blue eyes. She's lookin' pretty fine now, a real Spanish beauty, an' you can tell she's perplexticated about the whole thing. <<if $gender == "male">>She's drinkin' in the sight o' you like she done got lost in th' Mojave an' you're a drink o' water.<<elseif $gender == "female">>She's lookin' at you all buffaloed an' confused.<<endif>> “What . . . what was that?" she says. “Why am I a woman? Why do I feel so . . . so wild? So hot?"</div> <div class="indent">“It's the remedy," you explain. “Good fer what ails a man, you might say."</div> <div class="indent">“But it made me not a man," says the farm girl who used t' be Juan the farm hand.</div> <div class="indent">“Well," you <<if $course == "cruel">>say with a devilish little smirk.<<else>>say in a kind of apologetic voice.<<endif>> “Least your neck is cured, miss."</div> <div class="indent">She puts one o' them dainty little hands to her chest, as if tryin' to catch her breath. “Maybe that no was such a good idea. I feel very strange now."</div> <<if $inv.includes("colt") or $inv.includes("sharps")>><<else>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[borrow the pistol|Juan's Pistol]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[borrow the rifle|Juan's Rifle]] <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("pocketwatch") and $dirty[6] == 1>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Ain't this watch pretty?|Juan Hypno]]" <<endif>>\ <<if $gender == "male">>[<img[handsm.png]] “Beggin' yer pardon, but [[maybe I could be of service with that.|Screw Juanita][$course to "fair"]]" (try an' seduce th' lady if she's willin') [<img[handsm.png]] “Get ready, girl, 'cause [[I know what you want.|Screw Juanita][$course to "devious"]]"<<display "Fuck Euphemisms">> ($fuck 'er even if she ain't so willin') <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Goodbye.|Location]]" <<set $points to 1>><<if $course == "cruel">><<display "Cruel">><<else>><<display "Kind">><<endif>>\

<div class="indent">“Care to try a swig of this?" you ask Eddie.</div> <div class="indent">He squints his eyes at the label an' frowns like a mama bear with a sore teat. “[[No outside bottles,|Location]]" he declares. <<if $tg == "m">>“You know my rules, Mr Simon."<<elseif $gender == "female">>“You know my rules, Miss Simon."<<else>>“Them's the rules, mister."<<endif>> </div>

<div class="indent">“How about some o' this?" you say, offerin' up the brown bottle filled up with Doc Lemley's Rejuvenatin' Remedy.</div> <div class="indent"><<if $inv.includes("derringer")>>“[[No thank you kindly,|Location]]<<else>>“No thank you kindly,<<endif>> $missmister," Clay says with a promisin' kind of burp. Not his best soundin' belch, but by God it stinks. “But I already got me a bottle. It's --" he pauses to peer at the label with rheumy, runny eyes-- <<set $r to random(1,8)>><<if $r == 1>>“gin, I reckon."<<elseif $r == 2>>“rum. Yeah. I reckon that's what it says."<<elseif $r == 3>>“whisky. Prob'ly."<<elseif $r == 4>>“tequila, maybe. Does that say tequila?"<<elseif $r == 5>>“bourbon. Could be bourbon."<<elseif $r == 6>>“wine. Or somethin'."<<elseif $r == 7>>“absh.. apshin. . . abstinth. . . it's beer."<<elseif $r == 8>>“rye an' turpentine. Special blend."<<endif>></div> <<if $inv.includes("derringer")>><<else>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[You got a gun, right?|Receive Derringer]]"<<endif>>

<div class="indent">“Ain't this watch pretty?" you ask, hangin' Doc Lemley's pocketwatch from its long shiny chain.</div> <div class="indent">“[[That's a watch?|Location]]" Clay says, tryin' to get a fix on th' watch with his weaving head, his watery eyes, an his slow froggy blinkin'. <<set $r to random(1,12)>><<if $r == 1>>“I thought it was a dragonfly."<<elseif $r == 2>>“I thought it was some kind o' fairy somethin'."<<elseif $r == 3>>“I reckoned that wasn't even there."<<elseif $r == 4>>“I thought I was seein' things again."<<elseif $r == 5>>“An' you see it too?"<<elseif $r == 6>>“I thought it were some kind' o' hornet."<<elseif $r == 7>>“You can't fool me, I ain't much that drunk."<<elseif $r == 8>>“Looks like the sun bouncin' off the, off the . . . the shadows an' all."<<elseif $r == 9>>“Thank heaven you said that, 'cause that ain't what I thought it was."<<elseif $r == 10>>“Why in tarnation you got three pocketwatches?"<<elseif $r == 11>>“You better not round it awave, somebody might pock yer picket." He hiccups.<<elseif $r == 12>>“That's what I thought I said."<<endif>></div>

<<silently>> <<if $prof == 0>> <<set $r to random(1,8)>> <<if $r == 1>> <<set $pussy to "doodle">> <<elseif $r == 2>> <<set $pussy to "coo">> <<elseif $r == 3>> <<set $pussy to "place of pleasure">> <<elseif $r == 4>> <<set $pussy to "front parlor">> <<elseif $r == 5>> <<set $pussy to "love seat">> <<elseif $r == 6>> <<set $pussy to "Lady Jane">> <<elseif $r == 7>> <<set $pussy to "oyster-catcher">> <<elseif $r == 8>> <<set $pussy to "down-below">> <<endif>> <<elseif $prof == 1>> <<set $r to random(1,8)>> <<if $r == 1>> <<set $pussy to "pussy">> <<elseif $r == 2>> <<set $pussy to "quim">> <<elseif $r == 3>> <<set $pussy to "prannie">> <<elseif $r == 4>> <<set $pussy to "cock-trap">> <<elseif $r == 5>> <<set $pussy to "pokehole">> <<elseif $r == 6>> <<set $pussy to "love crack">> <<elseif $r == 7>> <<set $pussy to "snatch">> <<elseif $r == 8>> <<set $pussy to "fleshpot">> <<endif>> <<endif>> <<endsilently>>\

<<silently>> <<set $newheight to $height - $oldheight>> <<set $newmuscle to $muscle - $oldmuscle>> <<set $newcharisma to $charisma - $oldcharisma>> <<set $newcocksize to $cocksize - $oldcocksize>> <<set $newshoulders to $shoulders - $oldshoulders>> <<set $newlooks to $looks - $oldlooks>> <<set $newbeard to $beard - $oldbeard>> <<set $oldmuscle to $muscle>> <<set $oldheight to $height>> <<set $oldcharisma to $charisma>> <<endsilently>>\ <div class="indent"><<if $newheight gt 0>><<if $newheight == 1>>There's this odd sort o' stretchin' feelin' in yer bones, an' you can hear th' sound of pops an' creaks. Yer legs an' spine and such, they squeeze up an' squirt you up smidge, makin' you a mite taller. <<elseif $newheight == 2>>Deep in yer bones there's this creakin' and moanin' sound. Sudden-like, you feel this great pushin' from within, and your bones groan, and without warnin' you're an inch taller. <<else>>Down in the deep o' yer bones there's this great pressin'-down feelin, like yer legs an' ribs an' skull are bein' sat on by a hoss. Yer bones creak an' rattle like a train trestle. Even them tiny bones in yer hands an' feet, and yer teeth, seem to get all squoze up, an' afore you know it, you more'n an inch taller. <<endif>><<endif>>\ <<if $newmuscle gt 0>><<if $newmuscle == 1>>All your muscles commence to tinglin' an' hummin', gettin' warm an' loose. A couple o' breaths later, you're feelin' th' shakes, like you done ran a mile with a mule on yer back, but somehow you feel a touch stronger than before. <<elseif $newmuscle == 2>>All your muscles suddenly set up all a-quiver, buzzin' like they's full o' bees, and you feel this burnin' all in 'em. In a flash, the burnin' becomes coolness and tremblin' in yer arms an' legs. It's like you just raised a barn by your lonesome, but come out stronger. <<else>>Without warnin' your muscles all seize up with thrummin' and cracklin', burnin' hot like they done turned to liquid lead attached t' yer bones. You feel 'em stiffening, thickening up on yer body, and you ache all over like you been pushin' trains up t' speed with your bare hands. Somehow, you ain't tired, and feel stronger'n before. <<endif>><<endif>>\ <<if $newcharisma gt 0>><<if $newbeard gt 0>><<set $currentbeard += $newbeard>>Acrost your manly mug there's this pricklish' feeling as <<if $currentbeard lt 3>>yer skin sprouts a field o' manly stubble, makin' yer chin scratchy an' your cheeks shadow up.<<elseif $currentbeard lt 6>>yer beard grows out a touch more. It's gettin' longish now, a real fine manly coverage o' whiskers.<<else>>yer beard grows out even longer'n before. It's startin' to get big an' bushy. This here's a man's beard, fer sure.<<endif>> <<endif>>\ <<if $newlooks gt 0>>Yer face feels lit afire for just a spell, as this wave o' shiftin' skin passes over yer features. <<if $looks lt 3>>You ain't such an ugly feller any more.<<elseif $looks lt 6>>You're startin' to look downright normal fer a man.<<else>>You're lookin' pretty dadgum handsome by now, you reckon.<<endif>> <<endif>>\ <<if $newshoulders gt 0>>Both your arm sockets start heavin' an' elongatin', pullin' your ribs in opposite directions, widenin' <<if $shoulders lt 3>>them skinny shoulders into somethin' more mannish than before.<<elseif $shoulders lt 6>>them manly shoulders into somethin' a bit more respectable.<<else>>them big manly shoulders even more an' makin' yer body look bigger then ever.<<endif>> <<endif>>\ <<if $newcocksize gt 0>><<set $r to random(1, 3)>><<if $r == 1>>There's somethin' goin' on down in the drawers department.<<elseif $r == 2>>You feel this powerful change a-happenin' down in your nether regions.<<else>>Down in your manly parts, there's some new kind o' feelin' takin' hold.<<endif>> <<display "Cock Euphemisms">>Your $cock is growin', not in th' regular businesslike sort o' way, but gettin' bigger in a whole different manner o' speakin'. <<if $cocksize lte 10>>It's growin' into a right normal-sized piece o' lovestick.<<elseif $cocksize lte 20>>It's built up to a gentlemanly hunk o' manflesh, more'n enough to do th' job.<<else>>It's blowed way up into a massive treetrunk of a thing, way more than most folk ever clap an eye to.<<endif>> All in all, it's somethin' to make a man proud.<<endif>>\ <<endif>></div>\ <<set $r to random(1,6)>><<if $r == 1>>[[sure enough|Location][$loc to $oldloc, $oldloc to 0]]<<elseif $r == 2>>[[sure enough|Location][$loc to $oldloc, $oldloc to 0]]<<elseif $r == 3>>[[yep|Location][$loc to $oldloc, $oldloc to 0]]<<elseif $r == 4>>[[reckon so|Location][$loc to $oldloc, $oldloc to 0]]<<elseif $r == 5>>[[seems that way|Location][$loc to $oldloc, $oldloc to 0]]<<elseif $r == 6>>[[tain't no lie|Location][$loc to $oldloc, $oldloc to 0]]<<endif>>

<<silently>> <<if $gender == "female">> <<set $missmister to "miss">> <<set $maamsir to "ma'am">> <<set $ladyman to "lady">> <<set $womanman to "woman">> <<set $madamsir to "madam">> <<set $galfella to "gal">> <<elseif $gender == "male">> <<set $missmister to "mister">> <<set $maamsir to "sir">> <<set $ladyman to "man">> <<set $ftm to -1>> <<set $womanman to "man">> <<set $madamsir to "sir">> <<set $galfella to "fella">> <<endif>><<endsilently>>\

<<set $course to "fair">><<set $reaction to "eager">> [[Screw Juanita]]

__Road by the Old Barn__ <div class="indent">The Western Road cuts through some alpine meadows on its way to Nelson, an' a while back some enterprisin' folk decided to raise a barn in one of 'em. They was the kind of farmers with more grit, ambition, an' cussed determination than anyone in Hawthorne, while still sorely lackin' in the regions o' brains, tools, skill, common sense, an' preparedness. It truly is a symbol of the American spirit of th' West. Now th' broken, fallin'-down old barn is a landmark o' failure, a testament to good plannin' over good intentions, a point of interest on the Western Road, an' home to nigh on a thousand freetail bats nervously roostin' in what's left of th' roof.</div> <<if $ach.includes("defend")>><div class="indent">From th' look of the tracks hereabouts, it don't look like the Naughtons rode up this way. There ain't no use blockin' th' road in this direction.</div> <<elseif $ach.includes("find")>><<if $ach.includes("pistol") or $ach.includes("rifle")>><div class="indent">Th' barn has a couple additional holes from where you was takin' potshots earlier, not that anyone can tell.</div> <<elseif $inv.includes("colt") or $inv.includes("sharps") or $inv.includes("smith and wesson")>><div class="indent">Looks like the ol' barn would make a pretty good place fer target shootin'. Ain't nobody gonna complain, seein' as the barn already has its fair share of holes an' such.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[practice shootin'|Practice Guns]] <<endif>><<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[south along the road|Location][$loc to 15]]

<<if $inv.includes("colt")>><<if $charisma lt 2>><div class="indent">Shoot one o' these, are you crazy?</div> <div class="indent">No, no you //ain't// crazy. [[Not nearly crazy enough|Location]] to brave the idea of facin' down the Naughton boys with nothin' but some shootin' iron. If yer fixin' to get good at this kind o' thing, you'd better try an' man yerself up right quick.</div><<else>><div class="indent">You rustle up the gumption t' level the Colt at the side o' the old barn, takin' aim down the iron sights at a couple o' knotholes in a dry silvery board. The Colt kicks like <<display "Hell-Like Euphemisms">>$hell, an' it makes a fearsome racket. <<if $muscle lt 5>>It half jumps out of your hand<<else>>You keep your grip on it<<endif>> as it goes off, an' the bullet smacks the side o' th' barn with a nice meaty thunk. A couple more shots to get familiar with th' thing, an' you feel ready to give 'er a try.</div> <div class="indent">You ain't a gunfighter yet, but [[you ain't no greenhorn|Location]] no more neither.</div><<set $coltammo -= 3>><<if $coltammo lt 0>><<set $coltammo to 0>><<endif>> <<if $ach.includes("pistol")>><<else>><<set $points to 2>><<display "Charisma">> <<set $points to 1>><<display "Height">><<set $ach.push("pistol")>><<endif>><<endif>><<elseif $inv.includes("sharps")>><<if $height lt 2>><div class="indent">Shoot this here rifle? Nothin' doin', $missmister. This thing looks right complicated, an' [[you ain't got the skills|Location]] for such an untamed beast. If yer fixin' to get good at this kind o' thing, you'd better try an' man yerself up right quick.<<else>><div class="indent">Usin' a bit of intuition, you reckon out a way the Sharps rifle is prob'ly loaded an' shot. The paper charge lines up like so, the breech is closed with this here lever, a bit of extra powder goes here, an' . . .</div> <div class="indent">BANG! Well, that made a <<display "Hell Euphemisms">>$hell of a noise, that's for sure. An' it put a big hole in one o' th' silver planks of the old barn, too. Any man standin' in the way o' that would be hurtin' some.</div> <div class="indent">You pick off a couple more shots at th' barn for good measure and call it a job well done. You ain't a sharpshooter yet, but [[you ain't no greenhorn|Location]] no more neither.</div><<set $sharpsammo -= 3>><<if $sharpsammo lt 0>><<set $sharpsammo to 0>><<endif>> <<if $ach.includes("rifle")>><<else>><<set $points to 2>><<display "Height">> <<set $points to 1>><<display "Charisma">><<set $ach.push("rifle")>><<endif>><<endif>><<endif>>

<<silently>> <<if $prof == 0>> <<set $r to random(1,6)>> <<if $r == 1>> <<set $hell to "heck">> <<elseif $r == 2>> <<set $hell to "the blazes">> <<elseif $r == 3>> <<set $hell to "Sam Hill">> <<elseif $r == 4>> <<set $hell to "ruination">> <<elseif $r == 5>> <<set $hell to "the dickens">> <<elseif $r == 6>> <<set $hell to "a hill o' beans">> <<endif>> <<elseif $prof == 1>> <<set $r to random(1,9)>> <<if $r lt 4>> <<set $hell to "hell">> <<elseif $r lt 6>> <<set $hell to "Hades">> <<elseif $r == 6>> <<set $hell to "burnin' hell">> <<elseif $r == 7>> <<set $hell to "the devil">> <<elseif $r == 8>> <<set $hell to "a demon">> <<elseif $r == 9>> <<set $hell to "holy hell">> <<endif>> <<endif>> <<endsilently>>\

<div class="indent">Borrowin' some hand tools off Althea, th' lovely widow of Reverend Pine, you commence to makin' the church a right safe place to be.</div> <div class="indent">Haulin' the big pieces o' board around is tough work, <<if $muscle lt 5>>which your noodle arms is probably gonna ache about later.<<elseif $muscle lt 10>>but you got a fair amount o' muscle fer th' job.<<else>>but you got more than enough hoss-strength, an' to you they ain't no heavier than a couple o' sticks.<<endif>> An' the nailing-up of 'em, well, that's no more'n a hammer an' some nails dug up from th' smithy, which is good work for a man outdoors. The hills ring back with th' sound of your hammer beatin' them nail heads down to the nub, fixin' th' boards to the inside of th' windows an' doors.</div> <div class="indent">After a good hour's work while th' sun dances across the blue alpine sky, you get [[the church's defenses|Location]] up t' snuff. Since th' old place got built with solid stone an' smack dab over an artisian spring fer the fountain, a body could hole up in there for a fair lick o' time as long as he had victuals an' ammunition.</div> <<if $ach.includes("church")>><<else>><<if $ach.includes("shoed")>><<set $points to 2>><<display "Height">> <<set $points to 1>><<display "Muscle">><<else>><<set $points to 2>><<display "Muscle">> <<set $points to 1>><<display "Height">><<endif>><<endif>><<set $ach.push("church")>><<if $chapter == 3 and ($ach.includes("bridge tied") or $ach.includes("bridge.sawn")) and ($ach.includes("rocks") or $ach.includes("tree"))>><<set $chapter to 4>><<endif>>

__Barber Shop__ <div class="indent">On the best o' reg'lar days the barbershop is th' quietest place in town. Come payday, when th' miners an' railroad folk drift into town with a poke full o' coins lookin' to get themselves all dandied up, liquored up, an' otherwise an' in other ways jus' generally up. They drop their duds off at Wang's Chinese Laundry down in Buford Flats, they come up to Miss Rose's for a lay in th' grass with some gal, an' they come here to Tom Janke's barbershop fer a lather, a haircut, and a smart bit o' whisker-taming by th' best an' only barber hereabouts.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[outside|Location][$loc to 17]]

<<if $gunslinger == 3>><div class="indent">With Vera distracted by all th' new curves fillin' up her vest, it ain't no trouble at all to bend down an' fetch up her pistol. She looks at it in your hand, her eyes goin' wide as she realizes she done been totally disarmed, an' in a lot more ways than one.</div><<set $inv.push("smith and wesson")>> <div class="indent">Her dainty little mouth hangin' open, Vera <<if $height lt 5>>stares at you<<elseif $height lt 10>>stares up at you<<else>>cranes her neck up at you<<endif>> an' <<if $charisma lt 10>>tries to say, all in a stammer, “What . . . what're you doing, mister? Takin' my . . . my . . . my, you're handsome."<<elseif $charisma lt 17>>stammers, all in a fluster, “What . . . mister, taking my . . . my, you're sure a handsome feller all of a sudden."<<else>>blushes deep red, stammerin' out a few words like, “Mister, you . . . took my . . . you can have it if you want. You're so handsome, I . . ."<<endif>></div> <<if $inv.includes("pocketwatch") and $dirty[6] == 1>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Ain't this watch pretty?|Vera Hypno]]" <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[take th' lady out back|Screw Vera]] [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Goodbye.|Location]]" <<elseif $gunslinger == 5>><div class="indent">With Vera under your spell, it ain't no trouble at all to reach into th' gal's holster an' fetch out her pistol. She don't even bat an eye.</div><<set $inv.push("smith and wesson")>> [<img[handsm.png]] [[take th' lady out back|Screw Vera]] [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Goodbye.|Location]]" <<endif>>\

<<if $gunslinger == 3>><div class="indent">You step up and take hold of Vera, grabbin' around her tiny waist with one arm afore she can get herself settled in th' stirrups, so to speak. With your free left hand, you take a grip on her slender shoulder and upper arm, keepin' her from strugglin' so.</div> <div class="indent">“What ha' you done to me?" she cries out, tryin' to buck off your forceful grip <<if $muscle lt 5>>and nearly succeedin'.<<elseif $muscle lt 10>>but not havin' no luck at it.<<else>>but she's like a fly tryin' to shake off a hoss.<<endif>> “Get your hands off of me, you . . ." an' then she looks up into your eyes.</div> <div class="indent"><<if $tg == "ftm">>Now, you ain't been a man for much more'n a short while,<<else>>Now, you ain't used to bein' much of a man,<<endif>> <<if $charisma lt 5>>an' you ain't the handsomest feller to gaze upon,<<elseif $charisma lt 10>>though Doc Lemley's formula made you somethin' rather decent to look upon,<<else>>though Doc Lemley's formula made you somethin' quite fearsomely handsome to set eyes on,<<endif>> but that formula what done changed Vernon into Vera has done a right good number on her new girlish brain. It's done given her strange notions about what a gal ought to find appealin', an' since she done tooken a great big swig o' the stuff, she's findin' them new notions even harder to shake off than your manly grip. Her mouth opens up all surprised, an' her eyes flutter, and her pretty pale skin flushes pink, an' she's breathin' hard. Plus, she been spendin' all day in the Elbow Bend drinkin' Eddie's good beer, so all in all, she's a bit on th' agreeable side.</div> <div class="indent">“What's happened to me?" she asks in a real husky voice down low, feelin' your manly face with a soft an' ginger touch. <<if $beard == 0>>Her tender fingers trace over th' smooth skin of yer cheek.<<elseif $beard lt 3>>Her tender fingers rasp over th' stubble on yer chin.<<elseif $beard lt 6>>Her tender fingers twist in the short hairs o' your new beard.<<else>>Her tender fingers twist in the long hairs o' your new beard.<<endif>> “I don't know what all was in that beer, mister, but I'm . . . I'm feelin' a mite confused."</div> <<if $talkative gt $silent>><<if $kind gt $cruel>><div class="indent">“I'm sure you are, ma'am," you say to her. “You was fixin' to come into town an' hurt a bunch of folk, and I couldn't stand for that."</div><<else>><div class="indent">“You got what was comin' to you," you say to her. “Ridin' into town and bein' cussed mean to one an' all, you needed takin' town a peg."</div><<endif>><<else>><<if $kind gt $cruel>><div class="indent">“You'll get used to it," you tell her. <<if $tg == "ftm">>“I did."<<else>>“Lots of folk do, I hear."<<endif>></div><<else>><div class="indent">“Ain't that too bad," you tell her. “You push people around, people are liable to push back."</div><<endif>><<endif>> <div class="indent">She don't say nothin' to that. She's just pressed right up against you, shiverin' a little. What's left o' Vernon Wade the gunslinger ain't strugglin' no more, held like this in your arms.</div> <<if $inv.includes("pocketwatch") and $dirty[6] == 1>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Ain't this watch pretty?|Vera Hypno]]" <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("smith and wesson")>><<else>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[take her gun|Vera Gun]] <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[take th' lady out back|Screw Vera]] [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Goodbye.|Location]]"<<else>><div class="indent">There ain't much cause for grabbin' what with Miss Vera Wade hypnotized an' such. She don't even say boo.</div> <<if $inv.includes("smith and wesson")>><<else>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[take her gun|Vera Gun]] <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[take th' lady out back|Screw Vera]] [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Goodbye.|Location]]" <<endif>>

<<if $inv.includes("smith and wesson")>><<else>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[take her gun|Vera Gun]] <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[grab th' lady|Vera Grab]] [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Goodbye.|Location]]"

<<if $gunslinger == 3>><<if $charisma lt 6>><div class="indent">You try' and grab her by th' hand and take 'er out th' back door of th' saloon, but she digs in her heels an' stands her ground. “I'm not . . . I'm not . . ." she gasps, looking horrified an' aroused an' afeared all one on top of th' other. Also, she's swayin' terrible bad from them beers she drank when she was still Vernon. “You just transfigured me into . . . an' I can't even . . ." She opens an' closes her mouth a couple o' times, lookin' you up an' down, with her drunken womanly desires doin' battle with whatever she could recollect of her old manly thoughts. Nope, turns out [[the gal don't want to.|Location]]</div><<elseif $charisma gte 6>><<if $bag.includes("vera")>><<else>><<set $bagged += 1>><<set $bag.push("vera")>><<endif>><div class="indent">You take th' gal by the hand an' lead her out th' back door of th' saloon. She follows along, her little hand in yours, not protestin' much. “Mister, I don't reckon I ought to," she says in a slurred voice, lickin' her pretty lips with nervousness, like a young filly what's bein' trained for th' saddle. “I been drinkin', an' . . . well, don't rightly know how you done this t' me, but . . . but I shouldn't . . ."</div> <div class="indent">An' yet she ain't diggin' in them heels. She's taggin' right along like a roped calf, maybe a little the worse for a couple o' drinks, but not fightin' at all. Ain't that somethin'.</div> <div class="indent">She hesitates some when she sees where you're goin'. “Out there? On the bridge?" she asks nervously. “Where everyone can see that I done been turned into a . . . into a . . ."</div> <div class="indent">“You got a better idea?" you ask.</div> <div class="indent">Her eyes dart around, lookin' for a place safe enough an' private enough to give in to her urges, and near enough to do it right soon. “Behind th' saloon?"</div> <<if $cruel gt $kind>><div class="indent">“Behind th' saloon, you dirty girl?" you ask. “I ought to do you in th' road."</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[do her in th' road|Screw Vera Road]] <<elseif $kind gte $cruel>><div class="indent">“Behind th' saloon? You fixin' to be a dirty girl?" you ask. “Maybe in th' grass is better."</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[do her in th' grass|Screw Vera Grass]] <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[do her over the rail|Screw Vera Bridge]] o' the bridge <<endif>><<else>><<if $bag.includes("vera")>><<else>><<set $bagged += 1>><<set $bag.push("vera")>><<endif>><div class="indent">You take th' gal by the hand an' lead her out th' back door of th' saloon. She follows along, her little hand in yours, not protestin' even a single word an' followin' along like a sweet little lamb.</div> <<display "Screw Vera Bridge">> <<endif>>

<div class="indent">You give th' gunslinger a nod, but he don't respond. Well, he can't, can he? Not when he's under your spell, he can't, and that's a fact.</div> <<if $inv.includes("rejuvenating remedy")>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Have a drink.|Vernon TG][$course to "hypno"]]" (offer the Rejuvenating Remedy) <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Get out of town.|Get Out, Vernon]]" [<img[handsm.png]] [[leave him like this|Location]]

<div class="indent">You give Vera a nod, <<if $gunslinger == 3>>an' she returns it meekly, <<if $charisma lt 10>>admirin' your good manly features.<<elseif $charisma lt 17>>drinkin' in your manly good looks.<<else>>lickin' her lips with desire at the sight of your handsome manly face.<<endif>><<else>>but she don't respond. Well, she can't, can she? Not when she's under your spell, she can't, and that's a fact.<<endif>></div> <<display "Gunslinger">>

<div class="indent">You hold up the shiny chrome pocketwatch. “Ain't this a pretty thing?" you ask th' gal.</div><<display "Calculate Charisma">> <div class="indent">“Sure," she says, confused. “Must have cost a fair penny. What is it, silver?"</div> <div class="indent">“I don't rightly know," you say. “I thought a gal like you could tell me."</div> <div class="indent">She peers at the watch as it swings back and forth. “I dunno. You keep swinging it back and forth. Can you stop doin' that?" she asks.</div> <div class="indent">“I don't think so," you say. “Because your eyes are getting sleepy."</div><<if $charisma gte 12>><<set $gunslinger to 5>><<endif>> <<if $gunslinger == 5>><div class="indent">“I don't think so," she says sleepily. Her eyes are droopin' down like a pudding-foot nag after a long ride. “I'm gettin' so sleepy."</div> <div class="indent">“You're ready to drop right off," you carry on, and she nods. “In fact, you can just go to sleep right now. I'll let you know if I need you to do anything while you're out."</div> <div class="indent">Vera Wade keeps noddin' at you, an' on every nod, her head droops lower and lower, and her eyes go a strange, blank cow-like kind of way. She's here, right enough, but she ain't home neither.</div><<set $ach.push("vernon hypno")>> <<if $inv.includes("smith and wesson")>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[take her gun|Vera Gun]] <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[take th' lady out back|Screw Vera]] [<img[handsm.png]] [[leave her like this|Location]]<<else>><div class="indent">“No, they ain't," she says, a touch put off. <<if $ach.includes("vernon hypno")>>"I don't know why you [[keep swinging that thing|Location]] in front of my nose." She tries to fix you a glare, but it comes out petulant an' adorable.<<else>>“Stop that," she says, plaintive-like. “It [[makes me feel funny.|Location]]"<<set $ach.push("vernon hypno")>><<endif>></div><<endif>>

<div class="indent">NOT WRITTEN YET.</div> [[Back to the Saloon|Location]]

<div class="indent">Around back o' the saloon is a patch o' greenish grass what's too far away from the hitchin' post to get gnawed on by a hungry hoss. It's clean an' dry, and right tall at that, an' you're able to lead Vera among th' tall stems.</div> <div class="indent">Her clothes and your'n make a decent bed among the thick grasses, and you lay th' gal back in the reeds, proppin' yourself up on an elbow to have a good look at 'er. All laid back like this, she looks pure an' fresh as a daisy, her long chestnut locks spillin' all which-a-way an' her liquid brown eyes a-fixed on your <<if $charisma gte 15>>handsome, manly <<elseif $charisma gte 6>>rugged, manly <<endif>>face. Her brand-new girlish skin is pale an' untouched by sun, unblemished an' pure white, an' through her translucent skin you can see her pale bluish veins. She's perfect an' untouched. There's just the faintest scent of beer from her breath, on account of the many pints she slugged back, but it don't detract.</div> <div class="indent">“I can't believe . . . I can't . . ." Vera is sayin', her breathin' heavin' her mighty bosom up an' down. By the desperate look in them brown eyes, she's havin' a hard time thinkin' of ways to say no. That must be Doc Lemley's juice, workin' its powerful spell over the former gunslinger's suddenly girly brain.</div> <div class="indent">It's nice down here in th' grass, so you give yourself a moment to run your <<if $muscle gte 16>>huge, manly meat hooks<<elseif $muscle gte 12>>big, masculine hands<<elseif $muscle gte 6>>manly hands<<else>>hands<<endif>> over her fine alabaster skin, weighing her heavy, warm breast in your palm, tweakin' the nipple with a big thumb. Vera lets you, lickin' her lips in a ladylike way, watchin' and waitin' for the real business to start.</div> <div class="indent">You dip your head down to her chest o' pleasures and give her boobies some kisses, <<if $beard gt 7>>an' she giggles softly at the strange sensation of your bushy beard and mustache against her skin.<<elseif $beard gt 4>>an' she giggles softly at the strange sensation of your short beard and close mustache against her skin.<<elseif $beard gt 1>>an' she smiles at the strange sensation of your manly stubble on her skin.<<else>>an' she gasps faintly at the strange sensation of your mouth against her own unfamiliar skin.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">You give th' lady some tender attention for a spell, but the day's wearin' on, an' she ain't in a situation where she's capable of waitin'. That potion you done put in her makes her rowdier than a she-wolf at howlin' time, and soon she ain't even tryin' to pretend she ain't gettin' hot for your love.</div> <div class="indent">She grabs your face and tries to look steady-like into your eyes, but Vera's gaze is blurred with lust. “What the hell are you waitin' for?" she urges you, her voice slurring gently. “You do me right now, mister!"</div> <div class="indent">There ain't no polite way to leave a lady in this condition, so you heave yourself up onto both hands and let her slip them thighs apart to make way for you. The two of you have a nice roll in th' long grass, with Vera grippin' your hair, clutching at the muscles of your arms and back, while you're pushin' your prong in and out of the lady's gate. For a gal who ain't never been a gal before, Vera ain't shy about throwing her thighs around you or tellin' the world how good she's gettin' it. <<if $tg == "ftm">>Heck, for a gal who ain't never been a guy before, you're givin' her a pretty good ride, too.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">When she's all satisfied and you've done shot your load, you get your clothes back from the grass and put 'em back on. Vera's puttin' her own things on too, wet though they might be from your lovin' together. “I guess I'm //that// kind o' gal," she says saidly, lookin' at the stain on what was once her cowboy vest. “What am I to do now?"</div> <div class="indent">“I'd head over to Miss Rose's," you suggest. “See if she needs another girl like you."</div> <div class="indent">“An' what if Ted comes and finds me there?" Vera asks, her voice catchin' heavy in her throat. You can't tell if she's scared or longin', but it don't much matter.</div> <div class="indent">“Then you give him a good <<display "Fuck Euphemisms">>$fuck an' charge him double," you grin.</div> <div class="indent">Vera Wade nods at you, lookin' tremulous an' eager both, an' dashes on up th' road to th' bend to find Miss Rose's Parlor. By an' by, you reckon she could make a good amount o' money as <<if $prof == 1>>a whore,<<else>>one o' the girls o' the line,<<endif>> an' you'll get to make use of her services again besides. [[It all works out,|Location]] mostly.</div> [[Back to the Saloon|Location]]

<div class="indent">You lead Vera out onto th' bridge, right into the center where the view looks down into th' gorge. <<if $gunslinger == 3>>She trembles a bit, standin' there on th' wooden planks as you line her up with her back t' the rail.<<else>>She looks back at you with hollow, empty eyes as you line her up with her back t' the rail.<<endif>></div><<set $loc to 14>> <div class="indent">With your big hands, you grab at th' front of her leather vest and rip in both directions, poppin' off th' buttons on the vest an' her cotton shirt both, bouncin' out them big bountiful titties, which strain mightily at what remains of the vest's constraint. <<if $gunslinger == 3>>Vera gasps, and makes like she wants to back away, but her eyes look more hungry than scared, and anyways she's not nowhere to go.<<else>>There's a trace o' fear in them eyes, but more'n a trace of hunger too, if you look deep.<<endif>> Then down come the britches, an' you <<display "Cock Euphemisms">><<display "Pussy Euphemisms">>got a clear trail fer pluggin' your $cock into her $pussy.</div> <div class="indent"><<if $gunslinger == 3>>She kicks away her boots an' trousers, leavin' them long legs bare to the toes, and wraps her pale thighs around your hips, huggin' you tight up against her gates o' heaven.<<else>>You pull off her boots an' trousers completely toss 'em to one side away from the edge so they don't fall down to th' crick, and then get busy bangin' her up against the railing.<<endif>> You get plenty o' swayin' action from her, from the bridge rail, with the whole bridge creakin' and rockin' back an' forth, with <<if $gunslinger == 3>>her a-clingin' tight to you for fear o' tumblin' out of your grip an' into the big wide open below the bridge. The fear seems to drive her frenzied with lust, an' she's kissin' you, clingin' to your shoulders with her tiny arms hugged around your neck, as you plough her deep an' good.<<else>>you holdin' tight to her so she don't tumble out o' your grasp and right into the big wide open below the bridge. She lets you plough her good an' deep right there on the rail, not even hangin' on because she ain't been told to, with nary a flicker of fear in them blank eyes.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">An then' you're givin' her a squirt o' baby butter <<if $gunslinger == 3>>while she's squeakin' out a couple o' moans o' pure pleasure, finishin' off about th' same time as you, huggin' you tighter. Her breath is comin' out ragged, like she's been runnin' hard, an' her eyes is squoze tight shut.<<else>>to finish off th' job. Her breath is ragged too, like she's been workin' hard, and maybe she was at that.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent"><<if $talkative gt $silent>><<if $fair gt $devious>>“All right, darlin'," you tell her. “Looks like you ain't gonna be good for much gunslingin' from this point on, but maybe you could put up at Rose's an' get another kind of career goin'. I hear tell the gals make pretty good coin when th' miners hit town, an' maybe that's a more honest line o' work for you than packin' a pistol."<<else>>“All right, darlin," you tell her, pickin' up her britches an' boots. “Gunslingin' ain't no line of work for you no more, so after I toss your britches over th' side, I suggest you shake up with Miss Rose. She's apt to find a use for a girl like you."<<endif>><<else>><<if $fair gt $devious>>“You're a good <<display "Fuck Euphemisms">>$fuck," you tell her. “If I was you, I'd head to Rose's Parlor and do it for money."<<else>>“You're a good <<display "Fuck Euphemisms">>$fuck," you tell her, kickin' her britches over th' side an' lettin' 'em fall all the way down to th' crick. “Go see Miss Rose an' see if she needs another girl like you."<<endif>><<endif>></div> <<if $gunslinger == 3>><div class="indent">“An' what if Ted comes and finds me there?" Vera asks, her voice catchin' heavy in her throat. You can't tell if she's scared or longin', but it don't much matter.</div> <div class="indent">“Then you give him a good <<display "Fuck Euphemisms">>$fuck an' charge him double," you grin.</div> <<endif>>\ <div class="indent"><<if $gunslinger == 3>>Vera Wade nods at you, lookin' tremulous an' eager both, an' dashes on up th' road to th' bend to find Miss Rose's Parlor.<<else>>Vera Wade nods at you blankly, and turns to head up to the bend in th' road to look for Miss Rose's Parlor.<<endif>> By an' by, you reckon she could make a good amount o' money as <<if $prof == 1>>a whore,<<else>>one o' the girls o' the line,<<endif>> an' you'll get to make use of her services again besides. [[It all works out,|Location]] mostly.</div> <<if $gunslinger == 3>><<if $ach.includes("gunslinger")>><<else>><<set $points to 3>><<set $ach.push("gunslinger")>><<display "Charisma">><<endif>> <<elseif $gunslinger == 5>><<if $ach.includes("gunslinger")>><<else>><<set $points to 1>><<display "Cruel">><<set $ach.push("gunslinger")>><<endif>><<endif>>

<<silently>><<set $charisma to 6>><<set $height to 5>><<set $muscle to 3>><<endsilently>> [[Screw Vera][$gunslinger to 3]] (transformed) [[Screw Vera][$gunslinger to 5]] (transformed and hypnotized)

<<if $farmgirl == 0>><div class="indent">A local Hawthorne gal by th' name o' Jill Janke, a healthy-lookin' farm girl from up th' crick a spell, is tryin' to shift the heaps o' crates, like she's lookin' fer somethin' specific-like. <<if $inv.includes("rope")>>She's got a satchel clutched in one o' her farm-strong hands, an' it looks like she's been fillin' it with goods from the crates hereabouts.<<else>>She's got a satchel clutched in one o' her farm-strong hands, lookin' like she's been fillin' it with goods from the crates hereabouts, an' she has a heavy rope slung from shoulder to hip.<<endif>> You can't catch sight o' the gal's face, and she ain't a-spied you yet neither. Still, you're pretty dang sure it's Jill on account of recognizin' in a single peep that big pert bottom she's got wavin' in your direction.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[talk to Jill|Jill Talks]] <<elseif $farmgirl == 1>><div class="indent">Jill Janke, the tough little farm girl from up th' crick, is findin' and pickin' out her family's boodle from among the remains of th' plundered crates. <<if $inv.includes("rope")>><<else>>She's got a heavy rope slung from shoulder to hip.<<endif>></div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[talk to Jill|Jill Talks]] <<elseif $farmgirl == -1>><div class="indent">Jill hikes up th' satchel over her shoulder. “Well, I'd best be gettin' home," she says. “Watch out for them Naughtons, $missmister."</div><<set $farmgirl to -2>> <<endif>><<silently>> /% -2 == off the map, no message -1 == off the map, departure prints 0 == normal, Wells Shipping 1 == known %/ <<endsilently>>\

<<if $farmgirl == 0>><div class="indent"><<if $talkative gte $silent>><<if $kind gte $cruel>>“Good afternoon, Miss Janke," you say to her.<<else>>“Well, ain't that a pretty-lookin' tail," you say to her.<<endif>><<elseif $silent gt $talkative>><<if $kind gte $cruel>>“Howdy, Miss," you drawl, just to catch her ear.<<else>>“Howdy, girl," you drawl, just to catch her ear.<<endif>><<endif>></div> <<set $farmgirl to 1>><div class="indent">Jill gives a little squeak o' fright on bein' surprised so, an' scrambles around to face you, backin' up against th' crates behind. <<if $gender == "female">>“Oh, it's you, Miss Simon," she says, pantin' and clappin' one hand to her heavin' bosom. “You gave me a fright! I didn't think there was nobody in here!"<<elseif $gender == "male" and $tg == "ftm">>“Oh, mister!" she says, pantin' and clappin' one hand to her heavin' bosom. Lookin' close at you, she says, “Seems like I know you. You sure look turrible familiar." With a shake of the head, she carries on, sayin', “Boy, you sure did give me a fright! I didn't think there was nobody in here!"<<else>>“Oh, mister," she says, pantin' and clappin' one hand to her heavin' bosom. “You gave me a fright! I didn't think there was nobody in here!"<<endif>></div> <div class="indent"><<if $talkative gte $silent>>“I come in th' door after you," you offer.<<else>>“Reckon not," you say with a shrug.<<endif>> “What are you up to here?"</div> <div class="indent">She looks down at th' satchel, an' around at the mess o' upturned crates. “I know it looks bad an' all, but this ain't criminal or nothin'. I didn't mean no harm. My brother Tom and me, we done had a Wells Fargo delivery for th' barbershop. It was delivered special a couple days back, but we ain't yet come 'round to fetch it. Pa reckoned I ought to hop on down an' take what's our'n before some scallywag ups and runs off with it." Her smudged face is earnest and a little scared, an' she brushes them honey-blond locks out of th' way of her baby blue eyes. “You gotta believe me, I weren't takin' nothin' that didn't belong to me and pa."</div> <<if $ach.includes("defend")>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[ask for the rope|Jill Rope]] <<endif>>\ <<if $gender == "male">>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Fancy a screw?|Screw Jill]]" <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Goodbye.|Location]]" <<set $farmgirl to 1>><<elseif $farmgirl == 1>><div class="indent">“Hello again," you greet Jill. “Still fetchin' things for your pa?"</div> <div class="indent">“Yep. An' no more'n that," she adds. “Honest!"</div> <<if $ach.includes("defend")>><<if $inv.includes("rope")>><<else>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[ask for the rope|Jill Rope]] <<endif>><<endif>><<if $gender == "male">>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Fancy a screw?|Screw Jill]]" <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Goodbye.|Location]]" <<elseif $farmgirl lt 0>><div class="indent">There ain't nobody here to talk to no more.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[reckon not|Location]] <<endif>>

<<silently>> <<set $scalest to 0>> <<set $scaleht to 0>> <<set $scalecha to 0>> <<set $targetsum to 0>> <<set $liketest to 0>> <<if $calc == "Jill">> <<set $scalest to 1>> <<set $scaleht to 5>> <<set $scalecha to 2>> <<set $targetsum to 24>> <<elseif $calc == "Daisy">> <<set $scalest to 5>> <<set $scaleht to 2>> <<set $scalecha to 1>> <<set $targetsum to 24>> <<elseif $calc == "Layla">> <<set $scalest to 2>> <<set $scaleht to 1>> <<set $scalecha to 5>> <<set $targetsum to 24>> <<elseif $calc == "Bonita">> <<set $scalest to 2>> <<set $scaleht to 4>> <<set $scalecha to 6>> <<set $targetsum to 56>> <<elseif $calc == "Nora">> <<set $scalest to 4>> <<set $scaleht to 6>> <<set $scalecha to 2>> <<set $targetsum to 56>> <<elseif $calc == "Penelope">> <<set $scalest to 6>> <<set $scaleht to 2>> <<set $scalecha to 4>> <<set $targetsum to 56>> <<elseif $calc == "Iris">> <<set $scalest to 4>> <<set $scaleht to 3>> <<set $scalecha to 7>> <<set $targetsum to 84>> <<elseif $calc == "Rose">> <<set $scalest to 3>> <<set $scaleht to 7>> <<set $scalecha to 4>> <<set $targetsum to 84>> <<elseif $calc == "Eliza">> <<set $scalest to 7>> <<set $scaleht to 4>> <<set $scalecha to 3>> <<set $targetsum to 84>> <<elseif $calc == "Tess">> <<set $scalest to 5>> <<set $scaleht to 0>> <<set $scalecha to 0>> <<set $targetsum to 100>> <<elseif $calc == "Clara">> <<set $scalest to 0>> <<set $scaleht to 5>> <<set $scalecha to 0>> <<set $targetsum to 100>> <<elseif $calc == "Ida">> <<set $scalest to 0>> <<set $scaleht to 0>> <<set $scalecha to 5>> <<set $targetsum to 100>> <<endif>> <<set $liketest += $scalest * $muscle>> <<set $liketest += $scaleht * $height>> <<set $liketest += $scalecha * $charisma>> <<set $likes to $liketest - $targetsum>> <<if $inv.includes("flowery camisole")>> <<set $likes -= 5>> <<endif>> <<if $inv.includes("heavy riding skirt")>> <<set $likes -= 5>> <<endif>> <<if $inv.includes("cotton bloomers")>> <<set $likes -= 5>> <<endif>> <<if $inv.includes("ruffled blouse")>> <<set $likes -= 5>> <<endif>> <<endsilently>>\

<<if $gender == "female">><div class="indent"><<if $talkative gte $silent>>“If you don't mind, miss, I reckon we could use that rope to secure the bridge."<<else>>“I'll be needin' your rope to secure the bridge."<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">Jill Janke bites her lip, lookin' you over. “I know you mean well, Miss Simon, but that ain't a chore for us womenfolk. Besides, I'm fetchin' this here rope for pa. I best bring it to him, you [[understand|Location]]?"</div><<elseif $gender == "male">><div class="indent"><<if $talkative gte $silent>><<if $fair gte $devious>>“If you'll allow me t' buy that rope off you, miss," you tell the blonde farm girl, “I reckon I could use it to secure the bridge."<<elseif $devious gt $fair>>“You best hand over that rope," you tell the blonde farm girl. “We're gonna need that to keep them boys from crossin' the bridge."<<endif>><<elseif $silent gt $talkative>><<if $fair gte $devious>>“How much for the rope?" you ask the blonde farm girl. “I got a bridge to block off."<<elseif $devious gt $fair>>“Hand over that rope," you tell the blonde farm girl. “I got a bridge to block off."<<endif>><<endif>></div> <div class="indent">“The bridge!" she cries, an' her blue eyes flies open in surprise. “What a great idea! I never would have thunk up somethin' like that. Here you go, mister," she says, duckin' her head under the loops o' rope an' handin' the bundle over. “If it'd save the town, I'd give over a hundred ropes!"</div><<if $inv.includes("rope")>><<else>><<set $inv.push("rope")>><<endif>> [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Fancy a screw?|Screw Jill]]" [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Goodbye.|Location][$farmgirl to -1]]" <<endif>>

<<set $calc to "Jill">><<display "Calculation">><div class="indent">“Fancy a screw before I go?" you ask her. It ain't the best of offers, but these is des'prate times for all, an' the poor girl looks like she could use a comfort or two.</div> <<if $likes lt 0>><div class="indent">“Thanks, mister, but a farm girl's gotta do her chores before she sets her sights on havin' a good time," she says. Jill Janke looks you over, a mite disappointed in th' goods you're offerin'. “Besides, if I was of a mind, we got [[bigger an' better'n you|Location]] back on th' <<if $inv.includes("ruffled blouse") or $inv.includes("heavy riding skirt") or $inv.includes("cotton bloomers") or $inv.includes("flowery camisole")>>farm. And they ain't wearin' their wife's clothes, neither."<<else>>farm."<<endif>></div> <<elseif $likes lt 20>><div class="indent">“That's a right kind offer, mister," Jill Janke says, “except usually a farm girl's gotta do her chores before she sets her sights on havin' a good time. Still, you ain't a bad-lookin' sort. I guess we could have ourselves a quick toss, <<if $ach.includes("bridge tied") or $dirty[8] == 0>>even though a girl sometimes likes her man to have a little rope handy."<<else>>especially considerin' we got a piece o' rope handy."<<endif>></div><<elseif $likes lt 50>><div class="indent">“I'd take it as a kindness, mister," Jill Janke says with a shy little smile. “I'd put off doin' my chores for a quick toss with a man like you, <<if $ach.includes("bridge tied") or $dirty[8] == 0>>even though a girl sometimes likes her man to have a little rope handy."<<else>>especially considerin' we got a piece o' rope handy."<<endif>></div><<elseif $likes lt 100>><div class="indent">“Like a shot I would, mister," Jill Janke says, her blue eyes turning bright as her face lights up in a smile like sunrise. “I can do my chores later! I ain't lettin' a man like you slip by without gettin' in a quick roll in the grass. It'll be my pleasure all the way, <<if $ach.includes("bridge tied") or $dirty[8] == 0>>even though a girl sometimes likes her man to have a little rope handy."<<else>>especially considerin' we got a piece o' rope handy."<<endif>></div><<else>><div class="indent">“Every day and twice on Sundays," Jill Janke says, twistin' her hand in her blonde braids an' fixing you with a bright, bold look. “Who needs farm chores when I got a man like you offerin' to take me for a roll in the hay! It'll be my pleasure all the way, <<if $ach.includes("bridge tied") or $dirty[8] == 0>>even though a girl sometimes likes her man to have a little rope handy."<<else>>especially considerin' we got a piece o' rope handy."<<endif>></div><<endif>> <<if $likes gte 0>><<if $dirty[8] == 0 or $ach.includes("bridge tied")>><div class="indent"><<if $likes gte 100>>Without hardly a pause, Jill pulls open her blue chambray work shirt, poppin' off several buttons, an'<<elseif $likes gte 50>>Without wastin' no time at all, Jill pulls off her blue chambray work shirt without even botherin' to undo the buttons,<<elseif $likes gte 20>>Without wastin' no time, Jill shucks her blue chambray shirt off onto a nearby crate, only pausin' to undo half th' buttons,<<else>>Without bein' in too much of a fuss, Jill unbuttons her blue chambray work shirt and folds it on a crate,<<endif>> lettin' you take a peep at the thin layer o' white cotton camisole that lies beneath. In this heat, Jill's underthings is a mite sweaty and see-through, which don't offer the young lady much coverage at all. It don't matter, because she peels that off as well and tosses it beside th' shirt.</div> <div class="indent">Tryin' to keep up with th' horny gal, you strip off your <<if $inv.includes("ruffled blouse")>><<if $inv.includes("flowery camisole")>>ruffled blouse and flowery camisole,<<else>>ruffled blouse,<<endif>><<else>>linen shirt,<<endif>> your <<if $inv.includes("heavy riding skirt")>>riding skirt,<<else>>trousers,<<endif>> and your <<if $inv.includes("cotton bloomers")>>bloomers,<<else>>drawers,<<endif>> kickin' away the <<if $inv.includes("leather shoes")>>shoes.<<else>>boots.<<endif>> “Oh no," Jill says, as you reach up for th' <<if $inv.includes("round riding hat")>>riding hat. “Leave it on. It's darlin'."<<elseif $inv.includes("bolero")>>battered bolero. “Leave it on. It's darlin'."<<elseif $inv.includes("stetson")>>cowboy hat. “Leave it on. I like it."<<else>>hat. “Leave it on. I like it."<<endif>></div> <div class="indent"><<if $tg == "M">>You ain't never seen Tom Janke's sister like this, stepped right out of her drawers and naked as a jay, but right away you can see why th' men of Hawthorne take such a fancy to her.<<else>>You only ever once seen Tom Janke's sister like this, stepped right out of her drawers and naked as a jay, back when th' two of you was takin' a bath together in the crick <<if $reaction == "trans">>and you was wishin' like anything you didn't have to be a girl yourself just then.<<elseif $reaction == "secret" or $reaction == "eager">>and you would've given a heap o' silver miles not to be a girl yourself just then.<<else>>an' you never had any idea just then that you'd ever be anything but a girl like her.<<endif>> If anything, she's gotten more beauteous as th' years of hard work have shaped her body.<<endif>> Her arms an' face an' neck are golden tan from workin' out o' doors, but th' rest of her is milky white, with just a little patch o' blonde thatch betwixt them lovely creamy thighs. Jill's body is tough an' strong, all long limbs and toned muscle. Her breasts are firm and taut like the canvas on a covered wagon, but smallish an' lean like the rest of her.</div> <div class="indent">“Come on, cowboy," Jill says, hoppin' up onto a low crate an' breathin' low. “We ain't got all day to wait around. <<display "Fuck Euphemisms">>Are you gonna $fuck me with your eyes or <<display "Cock Euphemisms">>with that $cock of your'n?"</div> <div class="indent">Well, as it turned out, you was indeed plannin' on usin' your $cock, an' you stepped right up to do th' job. Jill leans back, gives you a flash o' flesh by openin' those legs for you, an' you let yourself get surrounded by them strong Scandinavian thighs. With your hands grabbin' hold any which way you can, on her strong waist, on her supple thighs, or on her big farm-strong shoulders, you pound away at th' lady and give her all th' business you got in you.</div> <div class="indent"><<if $cock gt 30>>What you got is more than enough for Jill. Her blue eyes go wide when you stick your poker in her fire, and she cries out, “You're so -- oh! Oh //Lord!// Yes!" She ain't sure how to take you all in. “You're so -- so //big!//"<<elseif $cock gt 20>>What you got is plenty good enough. Jill gasps as you push your poker into her fire. “Oh, you're so //big,//" she purrs, sounding mighty satisfied.<<elseif $cock gt 10>>What you got for Jill ain't all that much, but she seems plenty satisfies. She gasps and clutches at you as you push your poker into her fire. “Harder," she urges you in a whisper, like she's a hoss that's askin' to be rid. “Harder!"<<else>>What you got for Jill ain't much, and she seems desperate to make the most of it. She closes her eyes and clutches at you as you push your poker into her fire. “Come on, do me harder," she urges you in a whisper, pullin' her against you. “Harder, cowboy!"<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">After a spell, you can feel Jill's <<display "Pussy Euphemisms">>$pussy clenching up around your <<display "Cock Euphemisms">>$cock an' hear her neighs of ecstasy as you shove her over the edge of happiness, and a second later, you have to let go yourself. She hugs her body to yours with them strong farm-girl arms. “Oh, //yes,//" she says. “Cowboy, that was a really good ride."</div> <div class="indent">You an' Jill get your clothes back on, an' the farm girl tosses them blonde braids over her shoulder as she walks out of th' shipping house. “I'm going back to th' farm. If you need another ride, I'd steer clear," she warns you with a devilish little smile. “My pa is usually packin' a scatter gun, and he don't think I ought to get visitors like you. I just //can't// figure why." She blows you a kiss and slips [[out the door.|Location]]</div> <<if $inv.includes("rope")>><<elseif $ach.includes("defend")>><<if $ach.includes("bridge tied")>><<else>><div class="indent">O' course, if you'd been thinkin' with the head you got upstairs, an' not th' one downstairs, you'd have got th' rope from the girl first.</div><<endif>> <<endif>>\ <<else>><div class="indent"><<if $likes gte 100>>Without hardly a pause, Jill pulls open her blue chambray work shirt, poppin' off several buttons, an'<<elseif $likes gte 50>>Without wastin' no time at all, Jill pulls off her blue chambray work shirt without even botherin' to undo the buttons,<<elseif $likes gte 20>>Without wastin' no time, Jill shucks her blue chambray shirt off onto a nearby crate, only pausin' to undo half th' buttons,<<else>>Without bein' in too much of a fuss, Jill unbuttons her blue chambray work shirt and folds it on a crate,<<endif>> lettin' you take a peep at the thin layer o' white cotton camisole that lies beneath. In this heat, Jill's underthings is a mite sweaty and see-through, which don't offer the young lady much coverage at all. It don't matter, because she peels that off as well and tosses it beside th' shirt.</div> <div class="indent">Tryin' to keep up with th' horny gal, you strip off your <<if $inv.includes("ruffled blouse")>><<if $inv.includes("flowery camisole")>>ruffled blouse and flowery camisole,<<else>>ruffled blouse,<<endif>><<else>>linen shirt,<<endif>> your <<if $inv.includes("heavy riding skirt")>>riding skirt,<<else>>trousers,<<endif>> and your <<if $inv.includes("cotton bloomers")>>bloomers,<<else>>drawers,<<endif>> kickin' away the <<if $inv.includes("leather shoes")>>shoes.<<else>>boots.<<endif>> “Oh no," Jill says, as you reach up for th' <<if $inv.includes("round riding hat")>>riding hat. “Leave it on. It's darlin'."<<elseif $inv.includes("bolero")>>battered bolero. “Leave it on. It's darlin'."<<elseif $inv.includes("stetson")>>cowboy hat. “Leave it on. I like it."<<else>>hat. “Leave it on. I like it."<<endif>></div> <div class="indent"><<if $tg == "M">>You ain't never seen Tom Janke's sister like this, stepped right out of her drawers and naked as a jay, but right away you can see why th' men of Hawthorne take such a fancy to her.<<else>>You only ever once seen Tom Janke's sister like this, stepped right out of her drawers and naked as a jay, back when th' two of you was takin' a bath together in the crick <<if $reaction == "trans">>and you was wishin' like anything you didn't have to be a girl yourself just then.<<elseif $reaction == "secret" or $reaction == "eager">>and you would've given a heap o' silver miles not to be a girl yourself just then.<<else>>an' you never had any idea just then that you'd ever be anything but a girl like her.<<endif>> If anything, she's gotten more beauteous as th' years of hard work have shaped her body.<<endif>> Her arms an' face an' neck are golden tan from workin' out o' doors, but th' rest of her is milky white, with just a little patch o' blonde thatch betwixt them lovely creamy thighs. Jill's body is tough an' strong, all long limbs and toned muscle. Her breasts are firm and taut like the canvas on a covered wagon, but smallish an' lean like the rest of her.</div> <div class="indent">“Come on, cowboy," Jill says, holdin' up a little loop o' th' rope and peerin' at you through the little teardrop shape. With her other hand, she puts a finger through the loop all suggestive-like. <<display "Fuck Euphemisms">>Are you gonna $fuck me? Quit eyein' me and get tyin' me."</div> <div class="indent">Jill didn't look like she was foolin' around, so you grab th' rope from 'er an slip it around her little wrists, tyin' her arms good. She's a-watchin' you like a dog watches a man's fork, her liquid blue eyes full up with patient pleadin', and when you get them knots done, you <<if $muscle gt 15>>lift her straight up between your big strong hands to place the rope<<elseif $muscle gt 12>>heave her up with your big strong arms, strugglin' to get her high enough to place the rope<<elseif $muscle gt 7>>help her raise up her arms high enough to place the room<<else>>kneel down to give 'er a boost so she can place the rope<<endif>> over a hook in the wall. Then she's caught fast there, strong arms twined over her mass o' blonde hair, and her thighs writhin' together like snakes.</div> <div class="indent">Jill presses her back into the wall an' gives you a flash o' flesh by openin' those legs for you, an' you step up to the job an' let yourself get surrounded by them strong Scandinavian thighs. With your hands grabbin' hold any which way you can, on her strong waist, on her supple thighs, you pound away at th' lady, pushin' her into the planks and givin' her all th' business you got in you.</div> <div class="indent"><<if $cock gt 30>>What you got is more than enough for Jill. Her blue eyes go wide when you stick your poker in her fire, and she cries out, “You're so -- oh! Oh //Lord!// Yes!" She ain't sure how to take you all in. “You're so -- so //big!//"<<elseif $cock gt 20>>What you got is plenty good enough. Jill gasps as you push your poker into her fire. “Oh, you're so //big,//" she purrs, sounding mighty satisfied.<<elseif $cock gt 10>>What you got for Jill ain't all that much, but she seems plenty satisfies. She gasps and clutches at you as you push your poker into her fire. “Harder," she urges you in a whisper, like she's a hoss that's askin' to be rid. “Harder!"<<else>>What you got for Jill ain't much, and she seems desperate to make the most of it. She closes her eyes and clutches at you as you push your poker into her fire. “Come on, do me harder," she urges you in a whisper, pullin' her against you. “Harder, cowboy!"<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">She puts up those thighs, squeezin' you tight between 'em, and unhooks her tied hands so's she can slip 'em around your neck, kissing you wildly while you thrust away inside her. <<if $muscle gt 15>>It ain't nothin' but a cake walk, holdin' up her weight with your big arms, and you don't even miss a stroke.<<elseif $muscle gt 12>>It ain't too hard, holding up her weight with your big arms, and if you miss a stroke here and there, the lady still seems right pleased.<<elseif $muscle gt 7>>It ain't easy, holding up her weight with your manly arms, and you definitely miss a stroke here an' there, but the lady helps out by throwin' her back into it.<<else>>It's all you can do to keep holdin' on to th' lady, but she's more'n capable of puttin' her back into it an' taking over the heavy thrustin' as she rides your pelvis.<<endif>><<display "Pussy Euphemisms">> After a spell, you can feel Jill's $pussy clenching up around your <<display "Cock Euphemisms">>$cock an' hear her neighs of ecstasy as you shove her over the edge of happiness, and a second later, you have to let go yourself. She hugs her body to yours with them strong farm-girl arms. “Oh, //yes,//" she says. “Cowboy, that was a really good ride."</div><<if $bag.includes("Jill tied")>><<else>><<set $bag.push("Jill tied")>><<endif>> <div class="indent">You an' Jill get your clothes back on, an' the farm girl tosses them blonde braids over her shoulder as she walks out of th' shipping house. “I'm going back to th' farm. If you need another ride, I'd steer clear," she warns you with a devilish little smile. “My pa is usually packin' a scatter gun, and he don't think I ought to get visitors like you. I just //can't// figure why." She blows you a kiss and slips [[out the door.|Location]]</div> <<if $inv.includes("rope")>><<elseif $ach.includes("defend")>><<if $ach.includes("bridge tied")>><<else>><div class="indent">O' course, if you'd been thinkin' with the head you got upstairs, an' not th' one downstairs, you'd have got th' rope from the girl first.</div><<endif>> <<endif>>\ <<endif>><<if $bag.includes("jill")>><<else>><<set $bag.push("jill")>><<set $bagged += 1>><<set $farmgirl to -2>><<endif>><<set $points to 1>><<display "Muscle">><<endif>>\

<<silently>><<set $charisma to 3>><<set $height to 3>><<set $muscle to 3>><<set $gender to "male">><<set $tg to "ftm">><<set $reaction to "eager">><<set $ach to ["defend", "bridge tied"]>><<set $inv to []>><<endsilently>> [[Screw Jill][$farmgirl to 1]]

<<set $introdone to 2>>[[FTM - Clint Eastwood|Location][$silent to 1, $cruel to 1, $fair to 1, $gender to "male", $tg to "ftm", $missmister to "mister", $maamsir to "sir", $ladyman to "man", $womanman to "man", $madamsir to "sir", $galfella to "fella", $inv to ["ruffled blouse", "cotton bloomers", "heavy riding skirt", "flowery camisole", "leather ankle boots", "round riding hat"], $muscle to 1, $height to 1, $charisma to 1, $reaction to "trans", $oldloc to 13, $oldmuscle to 1, $oldheight to 1, $oldcharisma to 1, $changed to "yes"]]

<div class="title">[>img[handleft.png]]Credentials</div><<display "Calculate Charisma">> Name: <<if $gender == "female">>Jane<<else>>John<<endif>> Simon Sex: $gender Manly Muscles: $muscle Size an' Skills: $height Rakish Charm: $charisma <<if $gender == "male">>* Cock: <<print parseInt($cocksize / 2.5)>>" * Beard: <<if $beard == 0>>clean-shaven<<elseif $beard == 1>>a shadow o' stubble<<elseif $beard lt 4>>on th' short side<<elseif $beard lt 7>>long an' full<<else>>big an' bushy<<endif>> * Shoulders: <<if $shoulders lte 1>>skinny<<elseif $shoulders == 2>>narrow<<elseif $shoulders == 3>>manly<<elseif $shoulders == 4>>broad an' manly<<else>>built like a horse<<endif>> * Looks: <<if $tg == "ftm">><<if $looks lte 1>>kinda girly<<elseif $looks == 2>>sorta boyish<<elseif $looks == 3>>sorta rugged<<elseif $looks == 4>>handsome an' chiseled<<else>>downright perfect<<endif>><<else>><<if $looks lte 1>>jus' plumb ugly<<elseif $looks == 2>>none too handsome<<elseif $looks == 3>>sorta rugged<<elseif $looks == 4>>handsome an' chiseled<<else>>downright perfect<<endif>><<endif>> <<endif>>\ <<multireturn "Return">>

<div class="indent">In case you ain't heard, it ain't exactly safe for a lady to go wanderin' about the wild. You best stick to regions [[in town|Location]] where it's safe for th' fairer sex.</div>

<<if $gender == "female">><div class="indent">You don't rightly know whether fixin' this here rope onto the bridge is the kind o' thing a lady ought to be doin', but [[you sorta reckon not.|Location]]</div> <<elseif $gender == "male">><<if $height gte 2>><div class="indent">You take a quick peep at the bridge, lookin' for a likely way to tie off this here rope such that it blocks the way and it ain't easily undone. Quick as a flash, you spot the spars and timbers and how the rope could be spanned between 'em, just so, and set to work.</div> <div class="indent">Pullin' the ropes taut an' tyin' 'em off takes a good strong hand, but fortunately you got the muscle for it, and pretty soon you got one end o' the bridge laced up like a corset in a whorehouse. Ain't nobody gettin' through that unless they pays the woman at the door, so to speak. Oh, sure, a bit o' work with a knife could cut them ropes, but a man would have t' stand out there on the bridge deck to do it, and that's a mighty exposed place to be. You don't reckon them Naughton boys are gonna fancy doin' that, not knowin' whether somebody with a rifle is fixin' to gun 'em down.</div> <div class="indent">[[That'll do the job, right enough.|Location]] Yeah, them boys is gonna have to slow up a spell in order to bust back into town.</div><<if $chapter == 3 and $ach.includes("church") and ($ach.includes("rocks") or $ach.includes("tree"))>><<set $chapter to 4>><<endif>> <<if $ach.includes("bridge tied")>><<else>><<set $points to 1>><<display "Charisma">> <<set $points to 2>><<display "Height">><<set $ach.push("bridge tied")>><<endif>><<else>>You don't rightly know whether fixin' this here rope onto the bridge is the kind o' thing you ought to be doin', considering you [[ain't got the skill|Location]] to put a knot into a piece o' plank.<<endif>><<endif>>

<<if $gender == "female">><div class="indent">You don't rightly know whether sawin' a trap into th' underside of th' bridge is the kind o' thing a lady ought to be doin', but [[you sorta reckon not.|Location]]</div> <<elseif $gender == "male">><<if $height gte 2>><div class="indent">You grab hold of the saw and clamber over th' rail of the bridge like a monkey, holdin' on to them timbers with all your might. It's a long way down th' gorge from here, and you'd be bouncing off the rocks before a feller could shout “Look out below!" Boy, you gotta be plumb crazy do be doin' this, but it needs doin', and there ain't nobody else, so that's that.</div> <div class="indent">Sawin' the supports from th' underside with one arm, holdin' on with t'other arm, an' prayin' like hell ain't no job for the faint of heart. It takes the right amount of know-how, the right kind of skill, and a whole heap of pure //loco// to sabotage a bridge in this here style. Still, there ain't no use in destroyin' the whole bridge, neither, since you and them other townsfolk are gonna need it. You leave a nice clear path along the north side of the bridge, where it's solid enough to take the weight of a man and his horse, but leave the center and south side fit to fall down as soon as them Naughtons come a-ridin' over the deck.</div> <div class="indent">[[That'll do the job, right enough.|Location]] Them boys is gonna be surprised when they try to ride across this bridge, sure as shootin'.</div><<if $chapter == 3 and $ach.includes("church") and ($ach.includes("rocks") or $ach.includes("tree"))>><<set $chapter to 4>><<endif>> <<if $ach.includes("bridge sawn")>><<else>><<set $points to 1>><<display "Height">> <<set $points to 2>><<display "Charisma">><<set $ach.push("bridge sawn")>><<endif>><<else>>You don't rightly know whether sawin' a trap into th' underside of th' bridge is the kind o' thing you ought to be doin', considering you [[ain't got the guts|Location]] to climb off the back of a wagon.<<endif>><<endif>>

<<set $chapter to 5>><div class="centered"><div class="title">3: Protectin' the Womenfolk</div></div> <div class="indent">That looks like you just about done it: you made the town safe for the remainin' ladies, and the few menfolk what ain't lit out for the territory by now. There weren't nobody else fer the job, so you manned up<<if $tg == "ftm">> in a more or less literal kind o' way<<else>>, figuratively speakin',<<endif>> an' seen the task through.</div> <div class="indent">O' course, the time has come for waitin' to see if the Naughton boys make a pass at ridin' back into Hawthorne after all, or if Marshal Rountree comes first with some kind o' posse. Best to hole up at this point an' wait to see if all hell is fixin' to bust loose, or if it ain't.</div>

<<if $miner == 0>><div class="indent">Smack in th' middle of the mining office is a <<display "Damned Euphemisms">>$damn peculiar sight: the sub-foreman of the Stackwell Mining Company, a pasty little man named Harold Sykes, is standin' practically in his britches, clutchin' a hand saw in one hand, a bundle o' ladies' skirts in t'other, and with a frilly bonnet on his balding head. He's lookin' all a-feared at you, like you was Ted Naughton hisself come to poke some bullets into his brain.</div> <div class="indent"><<if $gender == "female">>“Jill Simon, it's you!" he cries with relief. “I was never so glad to see somebody else in my whole life!<<else>>“You're not the Naughton boys!" he says, in a powerful cry of relief. “I thought for sure you were coming to kill me!<<endif>> Is it safe out there? Have they gone?"</div> <div class="indent"><<if $talkative gte $silent>>“Yes sir, they've done rode off, but not for long, I reckon,"<<else>>“For now, most likely,"<<endif>> you assure him, lookin' him up an' down. He looks like he's tryin' to fit into a lady's frilly skirt, an' there's other bits o' lady wear lyin' about the desk behind him. “What are you fixin' to do here?"</div> <div class="indent"><<if $gender == "female">>“I'm trying not to get shot, is what," Harold sputters. “Ted Naughton and his boys have shot every man in Hawthorne, darned near. I was thinking maybe if I ride carefully out of town in a skirt, they might let me by. It's a disguise -- a temporary measure."<<else>><<if $inv.includes("ruffled blouse") or $inv.includes("heavy riding skirt") or $inv.includes("cotton bloomers") or $inv.includes("flowery camisole")>><div class="indent">“I might ask you the same question," he says, sticking out his chin defiantly. “It looks like we hit upon the same idea."</div> <div class="indent">“And what idea is that?"</div> <div class="indent">The little balding man draws himself up indignantly, still clutching the skirts and brandishing the saw. It wobbles in his hand. “Seeing as the Naughtons have shot every man in Hawthorne, or close to, I figured I could slip by them on the road if they thought I was a woman. From the look of your clothes, you had the same notion. It's a disguise, you see -- a temporary measure."</div><<else>>“I'm trying not to get shot, is what," Harold sputters. “Ted Naughton and his boys have shot every man in Hawthorne, <<display "Damned Euphemisms">>$damn near. I was thinking maybe if I ride carefully out of town in a skirt, they might let me by. It's a disguise -- a temporary measure."<<endif>><<endif>></div> <div class="indent"><<if $talkative gte $silent>>“Sure, if they ain't lookin' too close, it could work."<<else>>“Fair enough."<<endif>> You look him over again. “And the saw?"</div> <div class="indent">He seems to notice th' thing in his hand for the first time, and coughs. “Well, it was the closest thing to hand," he explains sheepishly. “Needs must when the devil drives, as they say."</div><<set $miner to 1>> [<img[handsm.png]] [[talk to Harold|Harold Talks]] <<elseif $miner == 1>><div class="indent">Harold Sykes, the balding little junior foreman of the Stackwell Mining Company, is struggling to fit his poor bones into a makeshift disguise of female clothes what he musta took from somewhere. It would almost be a convincing piece o' theater if he wasn't so <<display "Damned Euphemisms">>$damn ugly.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[talk to Harold|Harold Talks]] <<elseif $miner == 2>><div class="indent">Harold Sykes, Stackwell's balding junior foreman, is standin' in the middle o' the floor where you done left him, eyes wide open. He don't seem to realize he's clutchin' a skirt around his middle.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[talk to Harold|Harold Talks]] <<elseif $miner == 3>><div class="indent">Harold Sykes used to be a sub-foreman at Stackwell Silver Mines, but ol' Doc Lemley's potion done turned him into Harriet, a spry-lookin' gal of tender years with a fine pretty face. The blank look of mesmerization is gone, ever since you convinced 'er that she's a right ordin'ry gal and told 'er her new name is Harriet. Don't look like the poor girl's got a manly thought left in her brain.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[talk to Harriet|Harold Talks]] <<endif>>

<<if $miner == 1>><div class="indent"><<if $cruel gte $kind>>“Nice dress, ma'am,"<<else>>“Nice disguise,"<<endif>> you say to him.</div> <div class="indent">“If it gets me out of town alive," he says with a kind of stiff pride, “It will have served its purpose."</div> <<if $dirty[6] == 1 and $inv.includes("pocketwatch")>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Ain't this pocketwatch pretty?|Harold Hypno]]" <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("saw")>><<elseif $ach.includes("defend")>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[ask for the saw|Harold Saw]] <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("rejuvenating remedy") and $gender == "male" and $dirty[7] == 1>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Let me help you with that disguise.|Harriet Transformation]]" (offer a sip o' the Rejuvenatin' Remedy) <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] <<if $miner == 3>>“ [[You'd best get clothed up an' hit the road, miss.|Harold Leaves]]"<<else>>“[[You'd best get on them girly clothes and hit the road, mister.|Harold Leaves]]"<<endif>> [<img[handsm.png]] [[leave|Location]] <<elseif $miner == 2>><div class="indent">You peer into them brown eyes, but there ain't a soul at home. Harold Sykes is off in his own little world o' clouds an' other fancies.</div> <<if $inv.includes("saw")>><<elseif $ach.includes("defend")>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[ask for the saw|Harold Saw]] <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("rejuvenating remedy") and $gender == "male" and $dirty[7] == 1>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Let me help you with that disguise.|Harriet Transformation]]" (offer a sip o' the Rejuvenatin' Remedy) <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] <<if $miner == 3>>“ [[You'd best get clothed up an' hit the road, miss.|Harold Leaves]]"<<else>>“[[You'd best get on them girly clothes and hit the road, mister.|Harold Leaves]]"<<endif>> [<img[handsm.png]] [[leave|Location]] <<elseif $miner == 3>><div class="indent">Harriet Sykes stands before you, tryin' to figure out what to wear for gettin' out o' town. She seems a mite embarrassed about bein' in a partial state o' undress in front of a man, but there ain't nothin' for it but to make th' best of things.</div> <<if $inv.includes("saw")>><<elseif $ach.includes("defend")>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[ask for the saw|Harold Saw]] <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[ask for a kiss|Screw Harriet]] [<img[handsm.png]] <<if $miner == 3>>“ [[You'd best get clothed up an' hit the road, miss.|Harold Leaves]]"<<else>>“[[You'd best get on them girly clothes and hit the road, mister.|Harold Leaves]]"<<endif>> [<img[handsm.png]] [[leave|Location]] <<elseif $miner lt 0>><div class="indent">There ain't nobody here to talk to no more.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[reckon not|Location]] <<endif>>

<div class="indent">“Ain't this watch pretty?" you ask, dangling th' shiny thing in front of his face.</div> <<if $charisma == 0>><div class="indent">“It is," Harold says with a trace o' irritation, "but I [[can't read it|Location]] when you're moving it about like that."</div> <<else>><div class="indent">“It is," Harold says with a trace o' irritation, “but I can't see how pretty when you're . . . so pretty and . . . you're moving it around. So pretty," he adds, blinkin' slow.</div> <div class="indent">“Just keep watchin' it," you tell him gently. “Keep your eyes on the watch, Harold."</div> <div class="indent">“Keep my eyes on the watch," he says, “Harold. So . . . so pretty."</div> <div class="indent">Afore long, there's this look of stupid peace that comes about his face, an' he stops watchin' the pocketwatch altogether. Harold Sykes [[done been hypnotized.|Location]]</div><<set $miner to 2>> <<endif>>

<<if $miner == 1>><div class="indent">“You mind if I take that saw?" you ask him.</div> <div class="indent">He looks at the fool thing in his hand, shrugs, an' hands it over. “I suppose. It doesn't seem to be doing me much good, does it?"</div><<set $inv.push("saw")>> <<if $dirty[6] == 1 and $inv.includes("pocketwatch")>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Ain't this pocketwatch pretty?|Harold Hypno]]" <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("rejuvenating remedy") and $gender == "male" and $dirty[7] == 1>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Let me help you with that disguise.|Harriet Transformation]]" (offer a sip o' the Rejuvenatin' Remedy) <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] <<if $miner == 3>>“ [[You'd best get clothed up an' hit the road, miss.|Harold Leaves]]"<<else>>“[[You'd best get on them girly clothes and hit the road, mister.|Harold Leaves]]"<<endif>> [<img[handsm.png]] [[leave|Location]] <<elseif $miner == 2>><div class="indent">“Hand me that saw," you tell Harold, and he hands it over to you with nary an objection.</div><<set $inv.push("saw")>> <<if $inv.includes("rejuvenating remedy") and $gender == "male" and $dirty[7] == 1>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Let me help you with that disguise.|Harriet Transformation]]" (offer a sip o' the Rejuvenatin' Remedy) <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] “[[You'd best leave town.|Harold Leaves]]" [<img[handsm.png]] [[leave|Location]] <<elseif $miner == 3>><div class="indent">“You mind if I take that saw?" you ask Harriet.</div> <div class="indent">She looks at the fool thing in his hand. “Well, of course you should take it," she says, as if wondering why she had it in th' first place. “You'll have much more use for it than I."</div><<set $inv.push("saw")>> [<img[handsm.png]] [[ask for a kiss|Screw Harriet]] [<img[handsm.png]] <<if $miner == 3>>“ [[You'd best get clothed up an' hit the road, miss.|Harold Leaves]]"<<else>>“[[You'd best get on them girly clothes and hit the road, mister.|Harold Leaves]]"<<endif>> [<img[handsm.png]] [[leave|Location]] <<endif>>

<<if $miner == 1>><div class="indent">“You know what would help make fer a good lady disguise," you suggest, twistin' the cork out o' the bottle of Doc Lemley's Rejuvenating Remedy. “A little swig o' this."</div> <div class="indent">“Oh, no thank you," he says, eyeing the bottle warily. “I don't know what you're proposing, but I definitely decline."</div> <div class="indent">Well, shoot. Looks like Harold won't fall for that trick so easy.</div> <<if $dirty[6] == 1 and $inv.includes("pocketwatch")>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Ain't this pocketwatch pretty?|Harold Hypno]]" <<endif>>\ <<if $inv.includes("saw")>><<else>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[ask for the saw|Harold Saw]] <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] “[[You'd best leave town.|Harold Leaves]]" [<img[handsm.png]] [[leave|Location]] <<else>><div class="indent">You reckon it wouldn't hurt none to give Harold a swig of Doc Lemley's Rejuvenating Remedy. <<if $timesdosed == 1>>Sure, it'll up an' turn Harold into Harriet an' curvenate him up some, but seein' as that's exactly the kind o' disguise Harold's a-huntin' for among the frilly dainties, it don't seem too wrong to you.<<else>>For one thing, you ain't even positive that his potion does a blamed bit o' good to anyone, and for another, if it does work, it's exactly the kind o' disguise ol' Harold's been a-huntin' for among the frilly dainties.<<endif>><<set $timesdosed += 1>></div> <div class="indent">You twist off th' cork and splash a goodly drop into a glass by Harold's elbow. <<if $talkative gte $silent>>“There you go, Harold," you say to him. “Drink 'er down."<<else>>“Drink up," you tell him.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">With blankness frosted over his wide-open brown eyes, he picks up th' glass you done poured for him and swigs it down in one great big swallow. For a few heartbeats, there ain't nothin' much to see, an' then it starts.</div> <div class="indent">Harold Sykes was a short, balding man, with a touch of fatness about the cheeks and shoulders. He was none too rugged after givin' up life in th' mines for a job behind a desk, an' all that muscle he used to have just wasted away. Now, them layers o' fat seem to be melting like fresh snow in th' sun, dwindling away against his bones until there's nothin' left but a lean, slender frame.</div> <div class="indent">His balding head, underneath the bonny cotton cap, sprouts into a right good crop o' reddish-brown hair, lush an' youthful without a speck o' gray, flowing down his shoulders like the tail of a chestnut colt. His lips plump up until they're ripe for kissin', an' his hands and shoulders shrink up like poor Harold done been left in the sun too long.</div> <div class="indent">Then when his body is slender an' feminine, like that of a just-turned-eighteen young farm lass, it starts bloomin' up again in t'other direction. Breasts rise up on Harold's chest like twin loaves of smooth sourdough bread, an' his cotton undershirt fills right up with 'em. Pretty soon, there ain't nothin' left that a body could recognize from the little bald man of the mining shack, and the gal before you, almost as if she knowed it to be true herself, lets off a little sigh.</div> <div class="indent">“There you are," you tell her. “"The perfect disguise. Now your name is Harriet, d'you hear? You're a right ordinary woman, now. When you ride out o' town, I promise you, nobody's gonna wonder at your ever bein' a man."</div> <div class="indent">This she seems to understand, an' her eyes flick toward you for a moment. “I'm Harriet," she breathes. “I'm a perfectly ordinary woman."</div> <div class="indent">“Good girl," you say. “Now you c'n wake up, I reckon."</div><<set $miner to 3>> <<if $inv.includes("saw")>><<elseif $ach.includes("defend")>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[ask for the saw|Harold Saw]] <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[ask for a kiss|Screw Harriet]] [<img[handsm.png]] <<if $miner == 3>>“ [[You'd best get clothed up an' hit the road, miss.|Harold Leaves]]"<<else>>“[[You'd best get on them girly clothes and hit the road, mister.|Harold Leaves]]"<<endif>> [<img[handsm.png]] [[leave|Location]] <<set $points to 1>><<display "Kind">> <<endif>>

<<if $miner == 1>><div class="indent"><<if $cruel gte $kind>>“You best put on them girly clothes and get out of town," you warn Sykes, “less'n you're aiming to get shot down like a dog in the street."<<else>>“I reckon you'd best be leaving soon," you warn Sykes. “If them Naughtons come back, they won't look too kindly on you."<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">“Don't I know it!" Harold Sykes says in fervent tones, an' fixes hisself up with a passable-lookin' disguise as a woman. He's got layers an' layers of <<if $tg == "ftm">>skirts, all muddled out of order with petticoats an' such, that no woman would ever dare to do, but if people ain't lookin' too close up, it might work.<<else>>girly things on, lace skirts and petticoats an' suchlike, that you hardly know the name of. From a distance, th' disguise just might work.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">“I'm getting out of town," Harold says, tugging his bonnet tighter around his bean and doin' up the bow knot at the chin. “If you have any sense, you would do the same.<<if $inv.includes("saw")>><<elseif $ach.includes("defend")>> Oh, and take this saw. I'm not bringing it with me.<<set $inv.push("saw")>><<endif>> Wish me luck."</div><<elseif $miner == 2>><div class="indent">“Now <<if $inv.includes("saw")>><<elseif $ach.includes("defend")>>give me that saw and <<endif>>put on them girly clothes, and get out of town," you tell Harold Sykes.</div> <div class="indent">“Get out of town," Harold mumbles, and starts squeezin' himself into the lady's skirt.</div> <div class="indent">Sure enough, Harold dresses all the way up in this womanly disguise afore splittin' town. The disguise is passable, but it ain't much better than that. He's got layers an' layers of <<if $tg == "ftm">>skirts, all muddled out of order with petticoats an' such, that no woman would ever dare to do, but if people ain't lookin' too close up, it might work.<<else>>girly things on, lace skirts and petticoats an' suchlike, that you hardly know the name of. From a distance, th' disguise just might work.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">Harold makes silently for th' door, <<if $inv.includes("saw")>><<elseif $ach.includes("defend")>>handin' you th' wood saw on the way out,<<set $inv.push("saw")>><<endif>> adjustin' his frilly bonnet on his bean an' doin' up the bow knot below his chin.</div> <<set $points to 2>><<display "Cruel">> <<elseif $miner == 3>><div class="indent"><<if $cruel gte $kind>>“You best get out of town," you warn Harriet, “less'n you want to show off your pretty new bonnet to Ted Naughton and his boys."<<else>>“I reckon you'd best be leaving soon," you warn Harriet. “If them Naughtons come back, it might not be safe for a gal like you."<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">“Oh, I //know//!" Harriet Sykes says in a convincingly fervent impression of a real woman who ain't never been a man in her life. She fans her face with one hand, then presses her fingertips to her collar. Harriet looks the very part of a woman leaving town, every petticoat in place. “I simply //must// get out of town," she goes on, tugging her bonnet tighter around her pretty chestnut hair and doin' up the bow knot at her chin. “If you have any sense, you would do the same.<<if $inv.includes("saw")>><<elseif $ach.includes("defend")>> Oh, and take this saw. It won't be of any use to me.<<set $inv.push("saw")>><<endif>> Wish me luck."</div> <<set $points to 1>><<display "Kind">> <<endif>> <div class="indent">An' that's [[the last you see of Harold|Location]] Sykes for a long spell.</div><<set $miner to -1>>

<<if $talkative gte $silent>><<if $cruel gte $kind>><div class="indent">“Well, miss, looks like I done you some kind o' favor, puttin' you in the way of what you might call a perfect disguise," you say, leering at Harriet suggestively. “I reckon that just about puts you in my debt."</div><<elseif $kind gt $cruel>><div class="indent">“Well, miss, looks like that disguise suits you right down to your toes, if you don't mind a feller sayin' so," you say to Harriet. “I hope you don't mind me askin' for a quick peck on th' cheek afore you go?"</div><<endif>><<elseif $silent gt $talkative>><<if $cruel gte $kind>><div class="indent">“Not a bad disguise," you say, evaluating Harriet from head to foot. She looks every inch a woman now, thanks to Doc Lemley's potion, except for the mannish sort o' clothes she's wearin'. “But I'm gonna need a kiss from th' lady to be sure."</div><<elseif $kind gt $cruel>><div class="indent">“Not a bad disguise," you say, evaluating Harriet from head to foot. She looks every inch a woman now, thanks to Doc Lemley's potion, except for the mannish sort o' clothes she's wearin'. “How about a kiss from the lady to make it official?"</div><<endif>><<endif>> <div class="indent">Harriet smiles faintly, <<if $cruel gte $kind>>swallowin' hard,<<else>>blushin' just a touch,<<endif>> and steps up to give you a quick smack. She seems nervous as a mouse, unsure of herself, and probably a mite confused on account of what your bout of mesmerizin' done to her poor noggin. “I do appreciate what you've done," she says, <<if $height gt 16>>reachin' way up and <<elseif $height gt 12>>reachin' up and <<endif>>placin' them tiny hands o' hers on your <<if $muscle gt 18>>massive, mountainous<<elseif $muscle gt 14>>massive broad<<elseif $muscle gt 10>>broad, manly<<elseif $muscle gt 6>>big manly<<elseif $muscle gt 2>>strong, narrow<<else>>narrow<<endif>> shoulders. “I -- I mean you -- I would never have been able to slip out of town past the . . . I mean," she says, stammering a little, “I don't remember //exactly// what you did, but I know you're helping get me out of town, and I'm sure it'll come to me."</div> <div class="indent">“Oh, tain't no trouble, Miss Harriet," you tell th' new gal, givin' her a smile.</div> <<if $height gt 0 and $muscle gt 0 and $charisma gt 0>><div class="indent">Th' gal looks down at her cotton undershirt an' wrinkled skirt, comin' all over pink like a sunrise. “I know I must be getting on, but I really want to thank you properly for what you've done," she says, blushing more deeply. “I don't know why I suddenly . . . I mean, I don't think I've ever looked at a man and . . . but why should that be?" The gal what used to be the sub-foreman of the mines wrinkles up that pretty brow as she tries to remember the bits of her brain that your hypnosis done stole away from her. “I really can't imagine why I haven't wanted a man before."</div> <div class="indent"><<if $silent gte $talkative>><<if $kind gte $cruel>><div class="indent">“Fear makes a body do strange things, miss," you observe. “That's the way o' things."</div><<else>><div class="indent">“You're just afraid of gettin' kilt," you say, “an' missin' out on life."</div><<endif>><<elseif $talkative gt $silent>><<if $kind gte $cruel>><div class="indent">“I hear tell, miss," you say kindly, “that when folk have the fear o' God put in 'em, they're apt to do an' say things that are strange even to themselves."</div><<else>><div class="indent">“I hear tell, miss," you say, “that when folk have the fear o' God put in 'em, they're apt to do an' say things that are truly in their hearts."</div><<endif>><<endif>> <div class="indent">Harriet looks back up into your <<if $looks gt 6>>handsome face<<elseif $looks gt 4>>good-lookin' mug<<elseif $looks gt 2>>manly mug<<else>>unattractive lookin' phiz<<endif>> and nods, slowly, her dark brown eyes searchin' for answers. “You must be right," she says, in a daze. “I . . . I want a man."</div> <div class="indent">You touch the brim of your <<if $inv.includes("round riding hat")>>riding hat<<elseif $inv.includes("stetson")>>cowboy hat<<elseif $inv.includes("bolery")>>battered bolero<<else>>hat<<endif>> and give 'er a grin. “At your service, ma'am."</div> <div class="indent">Now you know as well as <<if $tg == "ftm">>anybody, an' maybe even better, what a woman needs sometimes,<<else>>anybody that sometimes womenfolk get the same urges as men,<<endif>> <<if $bagged == 0>>but until you got Doc Lemley's crazy elixir runnin' through your guts with hobnailed feet, you ain't never been in a position to make good on it.<<else>>an' since gettin' on the outside of a bottle o' Doc Lemley's miracle elixir, you done took full advantage of makin' good on it.<<endif>> Harriet mighta once looked like a balding man o' forty with big hands an' flabby arms, a man gone soft from workin' in Marvin Stackwell's mines, but there ain't no trace o' that now. What's standin' before you is a right good-lookin' gal, twenty years old if she's a day, thin as a willow stem, with luscious lips an' chestnut hair. Her brown eyes is flutterin' in nervousness, fear, an' desire, an' all for you. She's breathin' hard already, and her delicate throat is flushed pink. That's a signal no man could refuse, an' that's why Harriet don't pull the brakes after a little kissin'. No sir, once she gets a-goin', she's goin' full bore down the tracks with just one thing on 'er mind.</div> <div class="indent">She shucks out of that manly cotton undershirt, steps out of the half-worn skirt, and tosses those bouncy, reddish-brown locks o' hers over her shoulders. Harriet steps out of the heap o' skirts like Venus steppin' off the half shell, an' she presses right up against you, arms slippin' around your neck. The poor gal is trembling all over, quaking like a grove of aspens.</div> <div class="indent">Well, a gentleman don't need no more invitation than <<if $tg == "ftm">>that, even an unlikely gentleman an' former lady such as yourself, does he?<<else>>that, does he?<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">You take Harriet down to th' floor between an' behind th' desks of the Stackwell office, layin' her head on her skirts fer comfort, an' start givin' the poor frightened nellie the comfort she's craving: strokin' her brown hair, kissin' her tender warm throat, runnin' your big hands over her tiny frame. Her skin is smooth an' perfect, like a baby done born yesterday -- and maybe that's true enough, because Harriet never was nowhere until just now. She lies there timid on th' creaky floorboards, lettin' you take charge o' her body, touchin' her wherever you feel like a-placin' your hand, moanin' with pleasure to guide your touch to just th' right spot.</div> <div class="indent">When the time comes you mount up between her thighs, slipping your <<display "Cock Euphemisms">><<display "Pussy Euphemisms">>$cock into her $pussy, holdin' the back of her delicate neck with one hand, an' holdin' herself at kissin' distance with t'other. You work your way up an' down, makin' the floorboards creak harder, an' she pushes her hips up against yours, undulating horizontally like the main rod tyin' the drive wheels of a locomotive.</div> <div class="indent">“Oh Lord," Harriet pants in your ear, “I've never -- I've never -- what -- what's happened to me?" Her womanly assets is sloshin' to an' fro, her big brown eyes is wide an' filled with pleading, and what they're sayin' is: //whatever you do, don't stop.//</div> <div class="indent">“No man can carry on in such a way forever, but you manage to take Harriet for quite a ride before your knees give. By th' sound of it, her ride had a couple o' whistle stops along th' way, so she was already plenty pleased with th' trip by the time you coast into the station, all your water spent.</div> <div class="indent">“Oh my," Harriet whispers into your ear. “I'm never going to forget //you//, stranger."</div> <div class="indent">After that, o' course, she has to go. She dresses, gives you a final few kisses about the face an' neck, and thanks you again for all you done -- which, considering what you done //to// her, maybe she oughtn't. Anyway you slice it, the great service you done rendered is to help a man disappear out o' Hawthorne by makin' him disappear altogether, because you turned him into a gal, an' then had //her// in the altogether, if you know what I'm sayin'. So maybe Harriet might not be too pleased with you once the hypnotizin' wears off.</div> <div class="indent">[[If it wears off,|Location]] that is.</div> <<if $inv.includes("saw")>><<elseif $ach.includes("defend")>><div class="indent">Well, at least she left you the saw before she run off. That might be handy for somethin'.</div><<else>><div class="indent">Well, at least she won't be comin' back to Hawthorne in a hurry. That's somethin'.</div><<endif>> <<if $bag.includes("harriet")>><<else>><<set $bag.push("harriet")>><<set $points to 1>><<display "Charisma">><<set $bagged += 1>><<endif>> <<else>><div class="indent">Th' gal looks down at her cotton undershirt an' wrinkled skirt, all shyness an' modesty. “I'll never be able to thank you properly for what you've done," she murmurs. “I -- I mean, you -- without you, I'd never have been able to . . . to slip out of town unnoticed. You know, it's odd, but I can't remember //quite// what you did for me. Maybe this disguise . . .?" She plucks at the man-style cotton union shirt in confusion, tryin' to recall why she might be wearin' such a thing, but unable to track down the memories in her poor noggin. That hypnotizin' you gave Harriet must've made him think he really was a woman, and it appears mighty confusin' for th' gal. She rallies, lookin' back up at you, an' goes on: “I know you helped me, and that's enough. I'm sure it'll come to me. Right now, I really must be getting out of town as soon as I can. It's not safe here!" That much she remembers, right enough.</div> <div class="indent">“No, miss, it ain't," you agree.</div> <div class="indent"><<if $inv.includes("saw")>><<elseif $ach.includes("defend")>>"Take this. I'm sure I won't need it on the road," Harriet says, pushing the wood saw into your hands. <<set $inv.push("saw")>><<endif>>“I really must be going. Do you mind giving a girl a little privacy to change? I'll only need a minute, and then I'll be off." Harriet fusses over the sprawl o' lady garments strewn about the desks. “I don't know //what// I was thinking, coming here to get dressed," she mutters to herself. To you, warm and friendly, she says, “I //do// thank you for everything you've . . . you've done. Goodbye!"</div> <div class="indent">You tip your hat to the lady and give her some breathin' room so she can get dressed up in her finest. It don't take no more than a few minutes, an' she's out the door.</div> <div class="indent">[[Too bad|Location]] you didn't get more'n a kiss. She might've turned her head for a //real// man, though.</div> <<endif>><<set $miner to -1>>

<<silently>> <<set $height to 2>> <<set $muscle to 2>> <<set $charisma to 2>> <<display "Calculate Charisma">> <<set $inv to []>> <<set $gender to "male">> <<set $tg to "ftm">> <<endsilently>>\ [[Screw Harriet]]

<<if $gender == "female">><div class="indent">Vernon Wade just laughs crudely at the suggestion of a fight. “Beggin' your pardon, miss," he says, chortling into his mug o' beer, “but I ain't one of them lily-livered corn-crackers who ain't got the gumption to whup a lady who's askin' fer it. I'm a bad egg, me. You [[run off|Location]] back to your quiltin' bee and leave me to my drinkin'."</div> <div class="indent">With another dismissive chuckle, he turns back to th' bar.</div> <<elseif $gender == "male">><<if $muscle gte 18>><div class="indent">Vernon Wade goes a little green in th' gills at the idear of puttin' up his dukes with th' likes of you, an' he stammers out a few fearful bubbles o' resistance. “Look, m--mister, I ain't never done nothin' to you, I . . . see, I ain't here to--"</div> <div class="indent">He tries to go for a sucker punch, right in your gut, but his fist just bounces off your big manly abdomen, an' he draws it back, clutchin' it with his other fist. “What're you made of, mister? Rocks?"</div> <div class="indent">Then you clap a big hand about the man's throat and heave him off his feat, tossin' him over the bar with one arm. He disappears behind the bar headfirst, his boots trailin' after like a flag flappin' on a train's caboose. There's a mighty clatter and some breakin' sounds o' glass and such, an' when he comes up for a breath o' air, brushin' bits of broken bottle from his hat, you hitch him by the collar and drag him back over th' bar for another go.</div> <<if $talkative gte $silent>><<if $cruel gte $kind>><div class="indent">“Shouldn't have shown your face again, mister," you say, grabbin' the man's throat again. “Mistake number two, I reckon."</div><<else>><div class="indent">“Now I know you're knew in town, mister," you say, grabbin' the man's throat again. “Let me show you the rest o' the bar."</div><<endif>><<else if $silent gt $talkative>><<if $cruel gte $kind>><div class="indent">“You don't learn quick, do you?" you ask, grabbin' the man's throat again.</div><<else>><div class="indent">“You fell down," you say, grabbin' the man's throat again. “I'm real sorry about that."</div><<endif>><<endif>> <div class="indent">“Wait, wait!" he cries, but you toss him into some tables good an' hard. Vernon Wade tries to keep his feet, but he can't quite, and he goes down in a tangle o' arms and chairs an' smashed bits o' wood.</div> <div class="indent">He tries to come up with his gun in his hand, but you twist the Smith & Wesson out of his grip. <<if $kind gte $cruel>>“That ain't accordin' to Hoyle, bringin' a gun to a fistfight," you scold him. “You wouldn't want to start bein' unmannerly, would you?"<<else>>“Put them shootin' irons away," you growl at him, “unless you want I should punch your teeth out th' back of your neck."<<endif>></div><<if $inv.includes("smith and wesson")>><<else>><<set $inv.push("smith and wesson")>><<endif>> <div class="indent">Vernon tries scrabblin' at your arm, pinchin' and clawin', but he can't do nothin' to release your iron grip. He sags, practically hangin' from your fist. “Oh, gee," he whimpers.</div> <div class="indent">“That's right. Now you haul your sorry hide out o' town," you tell him. “If I see you crossin' that bridge back into Hawthorne, I'm apt to pick you up by the belt and sling you over the side. An' it's a long way down from there."</div> <div class="indent">“I'm a-goin'," he promises, real desperate-like.</div> <div class="indent">So you let th' man go, keepin' his Smith & Wesson for good measure, an' he runs out of the Elbow Bend so fast, his shadow still ain't finished tippin' its hat.</div> <div class="indent">[[That takes care o' that.|Location]]</div><<if $ach.includes("gunslinger")>><<else>><<set $ach.push("gunslinger")>><<endif>><<set $gunslinger to -1>> <<elseif $muscle gte 14>><div class="indent">Vernon Wade swallows hard at the thought of fightin' a man as strong as you, but he puts on a brave face an' stands up straight an' tall. “If you're lookin' for a fight, mister, I'll give you one," he says.</div> <div class="indent"><<if $talkative gte $silent>>“You're more'n welcome to try," you say, “but I don't think you got it in you."<<else>>“You ain't got the guts," you say.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">“That's what //you// say, mister," Vernon says, and tosses a haymaker right at you.</div> <div class="indent">That would've been the end of th' fight for most men, but you ain't most men any more. Blockin' the punch is easier than ropin' a fence, an' the fist you send back in th' other direction connects right up with Vernon Wade's ugly mug.</div> <div class="indent">An' that's the punch that ends the whole thing, easier than you would have thought. The gunslinger's eyes go out of focus, his arms go stiff, an' he topples backward into the bar, bangin' his bean on a barstool on his way to th' wooden floor. There he lays, his arms still pokin' up sorta cattywampus.</div> <div class="indent">You shake th' sting out of your knuckles an' kick the man's boots, but he don't get up. Out cold, and likely will be for a short time.</div> <div class="indent"><<if $devious gte $fair>>Well, there ain't nobody stoppin' you from helpin' yourself to the man's Smith & Wesson. He ain't gonna be usin' it for a spell.<<else>>Well, there ain't no reason to let the man keep his Smith & Wesson. He's liable to use it on some innocent folk when he comes to.<<endif>> You take th' pistol from his holster an' hang onto it for good measure.</div><<if $inv.includes("smith and wesson")>><<else>><<set $inv.push("smith and wesson")>><<endif>> <div class="indent">[[That takes care o' that.|Location]]</div><<if $ach.includes("gunslinger")>><<else>><<set $ach.push("gunslinger")>><<endif>><<set $gunslinger to -1>> <<elseif $muscle gte 10>><div class="indent">Vernon Wade's eyes narrow a little at the thought of fightin' a man like you, but he stands up straight an' tall. “If you're lookin' for a fight, mister, I'll give you one," he says.</div> <div class="indent"><<if $talkative gte $silent>>“You're more'n welcome to try," you say, “but I don't think you got it in you."<<else>>“You ain't got the guts," you say.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">“That's what //you// say, mister," Vernon says, and tosses a haymaker right at you.</div> <div class="indent">You an' the gunslinger commence to brawlin' about the place, and it don't come as no surprise to you that you're comin' out on top. His punches ain't as strong as yours, his body ain't as tough, and he ain't got the proper amount of fight in him. Vernon Wade spends more time pickin' himself up off the floorboards than you do, and by an' by, it takes him a long longer to make the journey back up to his feet.</div> <div class="indent">“You c'n fight, mister," he finally concedes, “but maybe you shoulda shot me when you had th' chance."</div> <div class="indent">He reaches into his hip holster for his pistol an' finds that ain't there. In all th' tussle, his Smith & Wesson revolver done spilled out of its leather an' clattered to the floor.</div> <div class="indent">You bend down an' pick it up.<<if $inv.includes("smith and wesson")>><<else>><<set $inv.push("smith and wesson")>><<endif>> <<if $talkative gte $silent>>“Lookin' fer this?"<<else>>“Looks like you dropped somethin', mister,"<<endif>> you say, cockin' the piece an' pointing it back at him. <<if $fair gte $devious>>“I'm givin' you to the count of three to clear out the back." Vernon swallows hard, and skedaddles for the back door. In a flash, he's gone.<<else>>“You cock the hammer, but he dives for th' back door, and in a flash, he's gone.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">[[That takes care o' that.|Location]]</div><<if $ach.includes("gunslinger")>><<else>><<set $ach.push("gunslinger")>><<endif>><<set $gunslinger to -1>> <<elseif $muscle gte 6>><div class="indent">Vernon Wade smiles crookedly he cogitates on the idear of fightin' you, then stands up straight an' tall. “If you're lookin' for a fight, mister, I'll give you one," he says.</div> <div class="indent"><<if $talkative gte $silent>>“You're more'n welcome to try," you say, “I guess we'll see which one of us has got th' bulge."<<else>>“An' I'll give it back," you say.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">“We'll see, mister!" Vernon cries, and tosses a haymaker right at you.</div> <div class="indent">You an' the gunslinger commence to brawlin' about the place, and a powerful fight he gives, too. His punches are as strong as yours, his body just as tough, and you take turns pickin' yourselves up off the floor for a spell. But by an' by, it's Vernon that's startin' to look played out. He wobbles back up to his boots, grippin' onto the bar with his knees a-quakin' under him. “Shoot, mister, I didn't think you had the goods," he says, rubbin' his jaw. There's blood on the man's teeth and somewhere in the hullaballoo you must have busted his nose. Vernon Wade looks like he been run down by a buffalo. “Looks like I was a damn fool for fightin' you, don't it. Well, who's the damn fool now?" He reaches into his hip holster for his pistol an' finds that ain't there. In all th' tussle, his Smith & Wesson revolver done spilled out of its leather an' clattered to the floor.</div> <div class="indent">You bend down an' pick it up.<<if $inv.includes("smith and wesson")>><<else>><<set $inv.push("smith and wesson")>><<endif>> <<if $talkative gte $silent>>“Lookin' fer this?"<<else>>“Looks like you dropped somethin', mister,"<<endif>> you say, cockin' the piece an' pointing it back at him. <<if $fair gte $devious>>“I'm givin' you to the count of three to clear out the back." Vernon swallows hard, and skedaddles for the back door. In a flash, he's gone.<<else>>“You cock the hammer, but he dives for th' back door, and in a flash, he's gone.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">[[That takes care o' that.|Location]]</div><<if $ach.includes("gunslinger")>><<else>><<set $ach.push("gunslinger")>><<endif>><<set $gunslinger to -1>> <<else>><div class="indent">Vernon Wade just laughs crudely at the suggestion of a fight. “What, a skinny little plough-pusher like you, fight me?" he says, chortling into his mug o' beer, “Look who thinks he's tall hog at the trough! Let me see you straight about somethin', mister. I'll give you the nod for havin' sand, but you best [[vamoose|Location]] an' find a hole to hide in, an' leave me to my drinkin' afore I tan your hide for you."</div> <div class="indent">With another dismissive chuckle, he turns back to th' bar.</div><<endif>><<endif>>

<<if $gender == "female">><div class="indent">“If you don't clear out of town, mister," you tell him, “then I'm going to have to shoot you."</div> <div class="indent">Vernon Wade gives you a serious look for all of two shakes, then half busts a gut when he commences laughing. “Oh, ho ho ho!" he chortles, nearly spillin' his beer. “That's a good 'un, missy, you [[almost had me goin'|Location]] for a minute there."</div> <<elseif $gender == "male">><div class="indent">“If you don't clear out of town, mister," you tell him, “then you're gonna have to take it up with my shootin' iron."</div> <div class="indent">“Oh, is that so?" he asks, gettin' to his feet an' pushin' away his stool with one boot. One hand drops to his hip, where he's hooked up at the hip with a Smith & Wesson. “I reckon you ought to watch what you're sayin', mister, or you might find out jest what kind of a man is Vernon T Wade."</div> <div class="indent"><<if $talkative gte $silent>><<if $cruel gte $kind>>“I reckon it don't much matter what kind," you drawl back at him. “There ain't a man alive who lives when his guts is full of lead."<<else>>“I know what kind you are, mister," you drawl at him. “You're nothin' but a scallawag and I'm gonna rid the town of you."<<endif>><<elseif $silent gt $talkative>><<if $cruel gte $kind>>“Yeah," you drawl. “You're the //dead// kind."<<else>>“I aim," you drawl, “to find out."<<endif>><<endif>></div> <<if $height gte 18>><div class="indent">Vernon goes for his peacemaker, but he ain't even got his mitts on the plough handle before you've pulled your piece and shot him, right between the eyes, just as neat at you please. You watch on, your<<display "Armed">> $bestgun smokin', as he topples backward. He probably don't even know he's dead when he hits the floor.</div> <div class="indent">“That was some fine shootin', yes //sir//," says Eddie Malone with satisfaction. “And I ain't even gonna complain about his beer tab. I reckon he wasn't fixin' to pay it anyhow."</div><<if $ach.includes("gunslinger")>><<else>><<set $ach.push("gunslinger")>><<set $gunslinger to -1>><<endif>> <div class="indent">[[That takes care o' that.|Location]]</div> <<elseif $height gte 14>><div class="indent">Vernon goes for his Colt, and you go for your <<display "Armed">>$bestgun, and you get your shot lined up just an eyeblink afore Vernon does. <<if $bestgun == "derringer">>The little Derringer goes off, smackin' pretty hard against th' palm o' your hand,<<elseif $bestgun == "spencer">>The Spencer rifle goes off, soundin' powerful loud in the confined space of th' saloon,<<elseif $bestgun == "colt">>The Colt pistol goes off, thumping into th' palm o' your hand,<<endif>> and you plug him with a lead pill right in the middle of his chest.</div> <div class="indent">Vernon Wade pitches forward like an old oak that's been felled at the roots, and he hits the deck in a righteous thump.</div> <div class="indent">“That was some fine shootin', yes //sir//," says Eddie Malone with satisfaction. “And I ain't even gonna complain about his beer tab. I reckon he wasn't fixin' to pay it anyhow."</div><<if $ach.includes("gunslinger")>><<else>><<set $ach.push("gunslinger")>><<set $gunslinger to -1>><<endif>> <div class="indent">[[That takes care o' that.|Location]]</div> <<elseif $height gte 10>><div class="indent">Vernon goes for his Colt, and you go for your <<display "Armed">>$bestgun, and you get your shot lined up just an eyeblink afore Vernon does. <<if $bestgun == "derringer">>The little Derringer goes off, smackin' pretty hard against th' palm o' your hand,<<elseif $bestgun == "spencer">>The Spencer rifle goes off, soundin' powerful loud in the confined space of th' saloon,<<elseif $bestgun == "colt">>The Colt pistol goes off, thumping into th' palm o' your hand,<<endif>> and you plug him with a lead pill right in the belly.</div> <div class="indent">One shot ain't enough to put down a wild dog like Vernon Wade, not by any stretch, so it takes another well-aimed shot to put the man on the ground where he belongs. He lies there, groanin', but you can tell by the rattlin' sound that he's been aerated good an' proper and he ain't long for this life.</div> <div class="indent">“That was some fine shootin', yes //sir//," says Eddie Malone with satisfaction. “And I ain't even gonna complain about his beer tab. I reckon he wasn't fixin' to pay it anyhow."</div><<if $ach.includes("gunslinger")>><<else>><<set $ach.push("gunslinger")>><<set $gunslinger to -1>><<endif>> <div class="indent">[[That takes care o' that.|Location]]</div> <<elseif $height gte 6>><div class="indent">Vernon goes for his Colt, and you go for your <<display "Armed">>$bestgun, and you get your shot lined up just an eyeblink afore Vernon does. <<if $bestgun == "derringer">>The little Derringer goes off, smackin' pretty hard against th' palm o' your hand,<<elseif $bestgun == "spencer">>The Spencer rifle goes off, soundin' powerful loud in the confined space of th' saloon,<<elseif $bestgun == "colt">>The Colt pistol goes off, thumping into th' palm o' your hand,<<endif>> and you plug him with a lead pill right in the belly.</div> <div class="indent">One shot ain't enough to put down a wild dog like Vernon Wade, not by any stretch. You dive behind th' bar, tradin' shots with the gunslinger, until at last he's been clipped by so many slugs that he can't take no more. He tips out from his hidin' place behind a sturdy table, leakin' all over Eddie Malone's floorboards, and slips to the ground, his Smith & Wesson fallin' out of his grip. He crawls a few yards, but can't reach the door. Soon he's just a-layin' there, groanin', but you can tell by the rattlin' sound that he's been aerated good an' proper and he ain't long for this life.</div> <div class="indent">“That was some fine shootin', yes //sir//," says Eddie Malone with satisfaction. “And I ain't even gonna complain about his beer tab. I reckon he wasn't fixin' to pay it anyhow."</div><<if $ach.includes("gunslinger")>><<else>><<set $ach.push("gunslinger")>><<set $gunslinger to -1>><<endif>> <div class="indent">[[That takes care o' that.|Location]]</div> <<else>><div class="indent">Well, as it turns out, you never do get to find what kind of a man is Vernon Wade, on account of him bein' faster on th' draw than you. He draws his piece faster than you and plugs you right in the heart, which is a <<display "Damned Euphemisms">>$damn shame, because you coulda been a good shot if you'd worked a little harder at it.</div> <div class="indent">As it stands, you weren't served too good by bein' anxious an' eager, bustin' to get out an' prove yourself too early, like a bull chargin' into the arena against the bullfighter. All you done is earn yourself a spot on Boot Hill.</div> <<restart>> <<endif>><<endif>>

<<if $passenger == 0>><div class="indent">A gal, probably some kind o' high-falutin' lady of some breed, is sprawled in th' dust outside th' remains of the Columbia coach. By the look of her fine, billowy lilac dress an' her pale, unblemished skin, she's from back East. She looks lamed up, as if she couldn't get no more'n a hop an' a skip away from the wreck before fallin' down to earth, but she ain't been kilt, least not yet.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[talk to the lady|Iris Speaks]]<<elseif $passenger == 1>><div class="indent">Iris Hadley, the gal from th' coach, is still a-settin' here in the dust, waitin' for some brave cowpoke to come rescue her from the wreck.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[talk to Iris|Iris Speaks]]<<elseif $passenger == 2>><div class="indent">Laid up in one of the dee-vans with a right snug bandage tied around her knee is Iris Hadley, the pale Easterner with the long black tresses. She's wearin' her nightdress an' lies tucked under a blanket with that one injured hoof a-hangin' out.<<if $bag.includes("iris")>> She keeps tossin' you sly little smiles.<<endif>></div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[talk to Iris|Iris Speaks]]<<elseif $passenger == 3>><div class="indent">Sittin' in one of the dee-vans with an impatient sort o' look about her is a gal, probably some kind o' high-falutin' lady of some breed. By the look of her fine, billowly lilac dress an' her pale, unblemished skin, she's from the East somewhere. She's got long wavy dresses of raven's-wing black an' a fine little flowered hat settin' beside her on the sofa cushion.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[talk to the lady|Iris Speaks]]<<elseif $passenger == 4>><div class="indent">Iris Hadley, the pale-lookin' Eastern gal, is still settin' <<if $bag.includes("iris")>>on the dee-van, waitin' for word o' the coach. She keeps tossin' you sly little smiles.<<else>>impatiently on the dee-van, waitin' for word o' the coach.<<endif>></div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[talk to Iris|Iris Speaks]]<<endif>>

<<if $passenger == 0>><div class="indent"><<if $talkative gte $silent>><<if $kind gte $cruel>>“Afternoon, ma'am," you say to th' gal. “Spot o' trouble with th' coach, looks like."<<else>>“This ain't the regular coach stop, ma'am," you say to th' gal. “Further on down th' road, that's where you get off."<<endif>><<elseif $silent gt $talkative>><<if $kind gte $cruel>>“Howdy, ma'am," you say to th' gal. “In a spot o' trouble?"<<else>>“Well, ma'am," you say to th' gal. “You ain't gettin' far like that."<<endif>><<endif>></div> <div class="indent">“I suppose you imagine that's funny," the lady says, pushin' herself up on her arms. She winces and clutches at her knee. “Those men ran us off the road. I think they shot the driver. I hurt my knee when the coach went into the ditch and broke up against those rocks."</div> <div class="indent"><<if $talkative gte $silent>>“That's about the size of it," you agree.<<else>>There don't seem to be nothin' to say to that, so you don't go yappin' any.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">“The driver," she says, tryin' to turn to face th' wreck. “Is he--"</div> <div class="indent"><<if $cruel gte $kind>>“Yep. Ready to take a dirt nap."<<else>>“Yes, 'fraid so."<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">The woman sags back down. “I couldn't do anything. Those men -- and that woman -- took the horses. Please, sir, is it far to the nearest town? Could you help me get there? I'll pay you."</div> <div class="indent">“That's mighty <<if $fair gte $devious>>generous o' you, ma'am," you say, “but I ain't askin' for pay. I'll see you get to Hawthorne right quick."<<else>>fine o' you, ma'am," you say. “I'll get you to Hawthorne right quick an' we can discuss th' particulars."<<endif>> You kneel down an' take a quick peek at her knee. There ain't no blood soakin' through those violet silk stockings, but she's awful tender at the kneecap. Maybe a godawful bruise from bangin' it good an' hard. Seein' as she's got a little hitch in her giddy-up, she's gonna need help to reach town. <<if $muscle gte 2>>You could carry her back to town, or<<else>>You ain't got the muscle to carry her back to town, but<<endif>> you could go an' fetch a horse an' let it do th' heavy liftin'.</div><<set $passenger to 1>> <<if $muscle gte 2>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[carry th' gal in your arms|Iris Rescue][$ach.push("iris carry"), $passenger to 2]] <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] “[[I'll be back directly.|Location]]" <<elseif $passenger == 1>><div class="indent">“Please, sir," Iris pleads. “Can you help me get to the nearest town?"</div> <<if $muscle gte 2>>[<img[handsm.png]] [[carry th' gal in your arms|Iris Rescue][$ach.push("iris carry"), $passenger to 2]] <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] “[[I'm workin' on it.|Location]]" <<elseif $passenger == 2>><div class="indent">“Thank you again, Mr Simon, for bringing me into town," Iris <<if $bag.includes("iris")>>says, batting her lashes at you.<<else>>says.<<endif>> “I wouldn't have made it without you."</div> <div class="indent">“No trouble, ma'am," you reply.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] “[[You know where them boys went?|Iris Clues]]" <<if $bag.includes("iris")>><<else>><<if $devious gte $fair>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Now about that payment . . .|Screw Iris]]"<<else>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[I'm just glad I could help.|Screw Iris]]"<<endif>> <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Goodbye.|Location]]" <<elseif $passenger == 3>><div class="indent"><<if $talkative gte $silent>><<if $cruel gte $kind>>“A fine lady like you, ma'am, ought to know better'n to hang about when there's bad men in town," you say to th' Easterner gal. “Bad things could happen."<<elseif $kind gt $cruel>>“Ma'am, I just wanted you to know it ain't so safe in town just now," you say to the Easterner gal. “Them Naughton boys wouldn't treat a lady like yourself so good."<<endif>><<elseif $silent gt $talkative>><<if $cruel gte $kind>>“"What are you waitin' here in town fer?" you ask the Easterner gal bluntly. “Could get shot."<<elseif $kind gt $cruel>>“I'd get out o' town right quick if I was you," you tell the Easterner gal shortly. "It ain't safe here."<<endif>><<endif>></div> <div class="indent">“Thank you for your concern," th' gal says coolly, and sure enough, she's from back East by the sound of it. “If I had a means out of Hawthorne, I would have availed myself of it. When the stagecoach arrives, you can be sure I'll be looking for it."</div> <div class="indent"><<if $talkative gte $silent>>“And so will the Naughton boys," you say. “You can bet on that, ma'am. They're famous for takin' after stagecoaches."<<else>>“Reckon them boys will be lookin' fer it, too," you say.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">“I appreciate the warning," she says, her pale face turnin' a mite paler still. “My name is Iris Hadley," she says, offering up a thin white hand.</div> <div class="indent">You grip it an' give it a healthy shake. “Name's <<if $gender == "female">>Jane Simon,"<<elseif $tg == "ftm">>Ja -- John Simon,"<<else>>John Simon,"<<endif>> you say. “Pleased to make yer acquaintaince an' all."</div><<set $passenger to 4>> <<if $bag.includes("iris")>><<else>><<if $gender == "male">><<if $cruel gt $kind>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Sounds like you got time for a quick kiss.|Screw Iris 3]]"<<else>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[I got kisses if you'd like one, ma'am.|Screw Iris 3]]"<<endif>> <<endif>><<endif>>\ <<if $gender == "male" and $dirty[7] == 1 and $inv.includes("rejuvenating remedy")>>[<img[handsm.png]] “How about some [[Rejuvenatin' Remedy|Screw Iris 2]] while you wait?" <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Goodbye.|Location]]" <<elseif $passenger == 4>><div class="indent">“Any word on the stagecoach?" Iris Hadley <<if $bag.includes("iris")>>inquires, giving you a coquettish little smile.<<else>>inquires.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">“No, ma'am," you say. “Not a peep."</div> <<if $bag.includes("iris")>><<else>><<if $gender == "male">><<if $cruel gt $kind>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Sounds like you got time for a quick kiss.|Screw Iris 3]]"<<else>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[I got kisses if you'd like one, ma'am.|Screw Iris 3]]"<<endif>> <<endif>><<endif>>\ <<if $gender == "male" and $dirty[7] == 1 and $inv.includes("rejuvenating remedy")>>[<img[handsm.png]] “How about some [[Rejuvenatin' Remedy|Screw Iris 2]] while you wait?" <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Goodbye.|Location]]" <<elseif $passenger lt 0>><div class="indent">There ain't nobody around to talk to no more.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] [[reckon not|Location]] <<endif>> /% The passenger on board the stagecoach is Iris. She appears on the South Road (in the "Find the Hideout" path) or in the Hotel (in the "Defend the Town" path). -1 = off the map 0 = never talked to, needs rescue 1 = talked to, not rescued 2 = talked to, rescued; in the Hotel 3 = never talked to, doesn't need rescue 4 = talked to, doesn't need rescue hideout == whether the hideout has been discovered %/

<div class="indent">No gentleman would dream of leavin' a damsel in distress to her fate. Sure, it's a mite inconvenient, considerin' them Naughton boys need a seein'-to in the worstest way, but <<if $tg == "ftm">>even a brand-new man such as you [[can't leave|Location]]<<else>>[[you'll be dogged|Location]] if you could leave<<endif>> a fair flower in such a parlous state as this.</div>

__Hawthorne Ridge Hotel Lounge__ <div class="indent">Ain't nobody rightly knows what a lounge is used fer in these here parts. Gen'rally speakin', there ain't an ungodly excess o' loungin' goin' on out here in the sticks, not when there's work to be done or liquor to be drunk. A special sort o' room designed especially for nothin' to be done in, with dee-vans an' sideboards an' padded chairs an' such, is a strange sort of idear that could only have come from back East. You ain't no judge o' the matter, but you reckon them folks as takes to doin' nothin' could have a hog-killin' time in this room here.</div> <<if $passenger gt 1>><<display "Stagecoach Passenger">> <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[to th' front desk|Location][$loc to 7]]

<<if $ach.includes("iris carry")>><div class="indent">You reach down and scoop up th' woman in your arms, an' <<if $muscle gt 18>>lift her up like she don't weigh no more'n a feather. These new manly muscles are more than enough to turn the trick; you could carry a gal like this up a mountain without no trouble at all.<<elseif $muscle gt 14>>lift her up with barely a grunt, like she don't weigh no more'n a child. These new manly muscles are enough to turn the trick; you could carry a gal like this for miles without no trouble at all.<<elseif $muscle gt 10>>lift her up with a grunt. She ain't any heavier than a sack o' grain. These new manly muscles are enough to turn th' trick, and carryin' her back to Hawthorne ain't even a worry.<<elseif $muscle gt 6>>lift her up with a groan. She's not too heavy for your new manly muscles, but you're right glad the town ain't too far from here.<<else>>lift her up with a mighty groan and many a wobbled knee. She's about as much as your new manly muscles can carry, and it's gonna be a chore to bring her all the way to town.<<endif>> Still, when Iris throws them pretty arms around your neck, waftin' the scent of her perfumed hair into your face, you feel like she turns fifty pounds lighter.</div><<if $ach.includes("iris rescued")>><<else>><<set $ach.push("iris rescued")>><<endif>> <div class="indent">Between the south road an' the Hawthorne Ridge Hotel is a long stretch o' trail: down the hill, across the bridge, around th' bend, and down th' street. <<if $muscle gt 14>>You're barely breakin' a sweat when you arrive at the hotel,<<elseif $muscle gt 8>>Your legs are burnin' when you reach the hotel,<<else>>Your legs are shakin' pretty bad when you finally stagger up to the hotel,<<endif>> an' Nora the maid come out th' front door to greet you. She makes a fuss over th' gal, an' directs you bring her straight into the lounge, where Nora finds a space to set Miss Hadley down on a fancy loungin' device, what folks call a dee-van, with a blanket an' a cool drink by her side.</div> <div class="indent">Iris Hadley looks flushed but happy to be back in civilization, or whatever gets palmed off as such here in Hawthorne. She lays back against the dee-van, lettin' Nora superintend that injured knee with some bandages an' whatnot. “Thank you," she tells you, “mister . . ."</div> <div class="indent">“Simon," you tell th' <<if $tg == "ftm">>gal, not botherin' to correct her on the //mister// part. It'd only fuddle the poor thing.<<else>>gal.<<endif>> “John Simon."</div> <div class="indent">“John Simon," says she, smilin' to herself. “I can't tell you how much I appreciate your assistance."</div> <div class="indent">“No trouble, ma'am," you reply.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Do you know where them boys went?|Iris Clues]]" <<if $bag.includes("iris")>><<else>><<if $devious gte $fair>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Now about that payment . . .|Screw Iris]]"<<else>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[I'm just glad I could help.|Screw Iris]]"<<endif>> <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Goodbye.|Location]]" <<if $loc == 29>><<else>> <<set $points to 2>><<display "Muscle">> <<set $points to 1>><<display "Charisma">><<set $loc to 29>> <<endif>>\ <<else>><div class="indent">The ol' crowbait horse ain't much to look at, but it knows how to take a rider. You saddle up right quick, and in just a few shakes you're up to the south road where the Columbia Coach sits in a heap by the side o' the road.</div> <div class="indent">And don't Iris Hadley's eyes light up when you come a-ridin' up th' trail on horseback to rescue her! Yes sir, they surely do. Her whole face breaks into a smile, genuine appreciation with just a touch o' weariness.</div> <div class="indent">“Ma'am," you say, dismounting the ol' horse. “Let's get you up in th' saddle."</div> <div class="indent">Helpin' the poor gal up to her one good leg, you <<if $muscle gt 18>>lift her up and set 'er right in the saddle with your big powerful arms, all in a single go. She sets up there side-saddle, holdin' onto the pommel.<<elseif $muscle gt 14>>lift her up to the saddle with your big muscular arms, an' she holds on to the pommel, sittin' side-saddle.<<elseif $muscle gt 10>>lift her up to the saddle with a groan, strainin' your manly muscles. She sets herself down, holdin' onto the pommel, ridin' side-saddle.<<elseif $muscle gt 6>>pick her up, lettin' her get one dainty boot into the stirrup, so she can turn around on her good knee to ride side-saddle.<<else>>You pick her up with a mighty grunt, tryin' to hold her up so she can her get one dainty boot into the stirrup, so she can turn around on her good knee to ride side-saddle.<<endif>> After that it ain't no trouble at all leadin' the puddin'-foot horse back into town, down across the bridge and around the bend to the hotel.</div><<if $ach.includes("iris rescued")>><<else>><<set $ach.push("iris rescued")>><<endif>> <div class="indent">When you arrive, Nora the maid come out th' front door to greet you. She makes a fuss over th' gal as you help her back down out of th' saddle, an' Nora directs you bring her straight into the lounge, where the maid finds a space to set Miss Hadley down on a fancy loungin' device, what folk call a dee-van, with a blanket an' a cool drink by her side.</div> <div class="indent">Iris Hadley looks flushed but happy to be back in civilization, or whatever gets palmed off as such here in Hawthorne. She lays back against the dee-van, lettin' Nora superintend that injured knee with some bandages an' whatnot. “Thank you," she tells you, “mister . . ."</div> <div class="indent">“Simon," you tell th' <<if $tg == "ftm">>gal, not botherin' to correct her on the //mister// part. It'd only fuddle the poor thing.<<else>>gal.<<endif>> “John Simon."</div> <div class="indent">“John Simon," says she, smilin' to herself. “I can't tell you how much I appreciate your assistance."</div> <div class="indent">“No trouble, ma'am," you reply.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Do you know where them boys went?|Iris Clues]]" <<if $bag.includes("iris")>><<else>><<if $devious gte $fair>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Now about that payment . . .|Screw Iris]]"<<else>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[I'm just glad I could help.|Screw Iris]]"<<endif>> <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Goodbye.|Location]]" <<if $loc == 29>><<else>> <<set $points to 2>><<display "Charisma">> <<set $points to 1>><<display "Muscle">><<set $loc to 29>> <<endif>>\ <<endif>>

<<if $hideout == 0>><div class="indent">“Do you know where them boys went?" you ask Iris.</div> <div class="indent">“They rode south along the road," she tells you. “I don't know how far, but they took the horses from the coach."</div> <div class="indent">“Two men and one woman, you said?" you ask. “Took two hoss?"</div> <div class="indent">Th' gal nods, rubbin' her injured knee. “There were two horses, yes. I don't know why. They were already all on horseback."</div> <div class="indent">You think on that a spell. “They might have took fresh hoss because they were plannin' a long ride," you reckon aloud, “but not if there was three of 'em. Not enough hoss to go around."</div> <div class="indent">“What does that mean?"</div> <div class="indent">“It means they ain't far," you say, “but it also means they're stuck to th' road. They're prob'ly fixin' to sell them stolen hoss, an' that means they ain't gonna risk takin' 'em over any bad country."</div> <div class="indent">“So you know where they are?"</div> [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Not yet, but I'll find 'em.|Location]]" <<else>><div class="indent">“Do you know where them boys went?" you ask Iris.</div> <div class="indent">“No, where?"</div> <div class="indent">“Down into the valley, just north o' Buford Flats," you say. “Where th' old sluice mines used t' be."</div> <div class="indent">“Nicely done, Mr Simon!" she congratulates you.</div> [<img[handsm.png]] “[[Goodbye.|Location]]" <<endif>>

<<set $calc to "Iris">><<display "Calculation">><<if $likes gte 0>><<if $devious gte $fair>><div class="indent">“Now, about that payment," you suggest. “I reckon we can work somethin' out."</div> <div class="indent">“Oh, I think we can, indeed," Iris says, lowering her lashes as she looks over th' hunk o' manhood standin' before her. “I could think of //several// ways to repay you, if you were so inclined."</div><<else>><div class="indent">“I'm just glad I could help, ma'am," you say to her. “I couldn't leave a damsel in distress."</div> <div class="indent">“Very gentlemanly of you," Iris says, lowering her lashes as she looks over th' hunk o' manhood standin' before her. “And I'm sure I could think of //several// ways to repay you, if you were so inclined."</div><<endif>> <div class="indent"><<if $talkative gte $silent>>“I'm inclined enough, ma'am, never you worry," you say, taking off your<<elseif $silent gt $talkative>>“I reckon I am," you say, taking off your<<endif>> <<if $inv.includes("stetson")>>cowboy hat<<elseif $inv.includes("bolero")>>battered bolero<<elseif $inv.includes("round riding hat")>>riding hat<<else>>hat<<endif>> and setting it on the sideboard.</div> <div class="indent">“Then come here, quick, before the maid returns," Iris says in a hushed voice, tossing back the blanket from the dee-van. She's in a flimsy cotton nightdress or somethin', all white lace an' no bloomers.</div> <div class="indent">“Here?"</div> <div class="indent">She gives you a wicked, devilish little smile. “You think we oughtn't?" she whispers. “A respectable woman, caught in her bedclothes? Dallying with a man in a public hotel? In the //lounge?// Where someone might //find// us?" She shivers delightedly. “But I've always //wanted// to."</div> <div class="indent">A man shouldn't have to be asked twice to mount his lady, or any lady that's willin', for all o' that. With a check to make sure th' coast is clear, you commence to strip down to your skivvies.</div> <div class="indent">“Now come here, <<if $likes gt 120>>you big hunk o' man,"<<elseif $likes gt 70>>my big handsome man,"<<elseif $likes gt 35>>Mister Simon,"<<else>>mister,"<<endif>> Iris says in a low sort of way, beckoning with her pale fingers, “"and let me show you //exactly// how grateful I am."</div> <div class="indent">Now <<if $tg == "ftm">>even a fresh-made gentleman such as you knows it ain't proper to make an injured gal do all th' heavy liftin',<<else>>you're pretty sure it ain't gentlemanly to make an injured gal do all the heavy liftin',<<endif>> so you ease her back on the fancy loungin' dee-van an' get her bum knee settled good and comfortable afore you start in.</div> <<if $dirty[3] == 1 and $dirty[4] == 1>><div class="indent">With a-one foot on th' floor an t'other knee on the French loungin' sofa, you <<display "Cock Euphemisms">>haul out <<if $tg == "m" or $bagged lt 0>>the ol'<<else>>your brand-new<<endif>> $cock and show it off for th' lady. <<if $cocksize lt 5>>It ain't too impressive, but she's much too polite t' say so.<<elseif $cocksize lt 10>>It's a respectable size, but no more'n that, but th' lady does a proper job of soundin' impressed by it.<<elseif $cocksize lt 15>>It's a right respectable size, an' the lady's eyes go wide just a-lookin' at it.<<else>>Her eyes open wide an' hungry at the sight of th' monster you're packin', and you can tell fer sure the li'l gal is terrible impressed.<<endif>> “Right here," she coos, pullin' off the nightdress over her head, freein' up her raven's-wing tresses and lettin' them boobies bounce out. She cups up her breasts, makin' a little crevice between 'em, invitin' your $cock down to come take a look.</div> <div class="indent">Well, it don't take much more'n that an' a little of Iris's spit to get things slickered up, and you're ready to stick your totem right in there between her bouncing bosoms and commence to doin' the business up right.</div> <div class="indent">For bein' a cultured sort o' lady with a fine gown an' all, Iris ain't no wilting flower when it comes to the bood-war. She keeps grippin' and shakin' them bouncing globes o' lady flesh, which is a right treat for the eye, an' she ducks her head and licks at your staff with her tongue whenever you're within reach. You reckon this fine lady has an adventurous side, and maybe them fellers she normally tangles sheets with ain't doin' a square job for th' poor gal. Iris ain't never had a man like you <<if $tg == "ftm">>before. <<display "Shit-Cap Euphemisms">>$shit, you ain't hardly ever //been// a man like you before, only now you are, thanks to Doc Lemley's powerful potion.<<else>>before, thanks to Doc Lemley's powerful potion.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent"><<if $likes gt 70>>At first <<endif>>Iris is too much a lady to let herself utter much more'n a whimper, cryin' out low such as Nora the maid in the next room ain't likely to hear. That's right fine with you, because you ain't keen to have your little roll on th' dee-van cut short on account of makin' too much of a squawk, not when you're bobbin' her apple dumplings so good. <<if $likes gt 70>>By an' by, though, th' lady starts to lose her brains a bit, an' her cries are comin' louder and oftener, fillin' the lounge with her pleasured moans.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">Iris starts tossin' her pretty head, throwin' her black locks along the back of the dee-van, lickin' and tastin' at your lovestick whenever it's conveniently near, an' you keep a pushin' away harder, nudgin' the dee-van slowly across the floor. After a time, you an' the gal have bunched up against the sideboard and commence to rattlin' th' dishes and the whiskey decanters. <<display "Hell-Cap Euphemisms">>$hell, if the whole hotel didn't know you were gettin' your piece tucked away, they surely do now.</div> <div class="indent">When you can't hold out no longer, you unpack your load right into the valley between Iris's big bosoms, leavin' a pearly river o' sweetness there like a necklace. She dips a finger and gives it a taste, usin' her other hand to feel up her lady bits, still givin' herself the proper finish she rightfully earned. It ain't too bad of a way to wrap things up, for sure. Now th' whole lounge smells like sex, which in your mind is prob'ly at least a little better than smellin' like a dusty old lounge.</div><<elseif $dirty[3] == 1 and $dirty[2] == 1>><div class="indent">With a-one foot on th' floor an t'other knee on the French loungin' sofa, you <<display "Cock Euphemisms">>haul out <<if $tg == "m" or $bagged lt 0>>the ol'<<else>>your brand-new<<endif>> $cock and show it off for th' lady. <<if $cocksize lt 5>>It ain't too impressive, but she's much too polite t' say so.<<elseif $cocksize lt 10>>It's a respectable size, but no more'n that, but th' lady does a proper job of soundin' impressed by it.<<elseif $cocksize lt 15>>It's a right respectable size, an' the lady's eyes go wide just a-lookin' at it.<<else>>Her eyes open wide an' hungry at the sight of th' monster you're packin', and you can tell fer sure the li'l gal is terrible impressed.<<endif>> “Right here," she coos, pullin' off the nightdress over her head, freein' up her raven's-wing tresses and lettin' them boobies bounce out. She cups up her breasts, makin' a little crevice between 'em, invitin' your $cock down to come take a look.</div> <div class="indent">Well, it don't take much more'n that an' a little of Iris's spit to get things slickered up, and you're ready to stick your totem right in there between her bouncing bosoms and commence to doin' the business up right.</div> <div class="indent">For bein' a cultured sort o' lady with a fine gown an' all, Iris ain't no wilting flower when it comes to the bood-war. She keeps grippin' and shakin' them bouncing globes o' lady flesh, which is a right treat for the eye, an' she ducks her head and licks at your staff with her tongue whenever you're within reach. You reckon this fine lady has an adventurous side, and maybe them fellers she normally tangles sheets with ain't doin' a square job for th' poor gal. Iris ain't never had a man like you <<if $tg == "ftm">>before. <<display "Shit-Cap Euphemisms">>$shit, you ain't hardly ever //been// a man like you before, only now you are, thanks to Doc Lemley's powerful potion.<<else>>before, thanks to Doc Lemley's powerful potion.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent"><<if $likes gt 70>>At first <<endif>>Iris is too much a lady to let herself utter much more'n a whimper, cryin' out low such as Nora the maid in the next room ain't likely to hear. That's right fine with you, because you ain't keen to have your little roll on th' dee-van cut short on account of makin' too much of a squawk, not when you're bobbin' her apple dumplings so good. <<if $likes gt 70>>By an' by, though, th' lady starts to lose her brains a bit, an' her cries are comin' louder and oftener, fillin' the lounge with her pleasured moans.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">Iris starts tossin' her pretty head, throwin' her black locks along the back of the dee-van, lickin' and tastin' at your lovestick whenever it's conveniently near, an' you keep a pushin' away harder, nudgin' the dee-van slowly across the floor. After a time, you an' the gal have bunched up against the sideboard and commence to rattlin' th' dishes and the whiskey decanters. <<display "Hell-Cap Euphemisms">>$hell, if the whole hotel didn't know you were gettin' your piece tucked away, they surely do now.</div> <div class="indent">Just when you think you can't hold out no longer, Iris lets out a gasp, and grabs you by the love handle and pops your stick in her mouth, workin' with her tongue an' her lips to give you a delicious bit o' <<if $prof == 0>>love-ticklin',<<else>>cock-ticklin',<<endif>> runnin' that little hand up an' down the shaft. All the while, she's usin' her other hand to feel up her lady bits, still givin' herself the proper finish she rightfully earned, while you're unpackin' your load into her sweetly-suckling mouth. It ain't too bad of a way to wrap things up, for sure. Now th' whole lounge smells like sex, which in your mind is prob'ly at least a little better than smellin' like a dusty old lounge.</div><<else>><div class="indent">With a-one foot on th' floor an t'other knee on the French loungin' sofa, you <<display "Cock Euphemisms">><<display "Pussy Euphemisms">>haul out <<if $tg == "m" or $bagged lt 0>>the ol'<<else>>your brand-new<<endif>> $cock and show it the way to the lady's $pussy, lettin' it slip right up inside, warm an' wet, increasin' th' scent o' the lady's musk. Iris takes her time gettin' settled, puttin' one pale thigh atop of your'n, lettin' the bad knee rest good an' snug on the dee-van, an' when she's got herself arranged, you commence to doin' the business.</div> <div class="indent">For bein' a cultured sort o' lady with a fine gown an' all, Iris ain't no wilting flower when it comes to the bood-war. She's so blamed excited she can't decide whether them little hands should be a-grippin' the dee-van behind her head, or clutchin' at your behind an' pullin' you in deeper. Maybe them fellers she normally tangles sheets with ain't doin' a square job for th' lady -- Iris ain't never had a man like you <<if $tg == "ftm">>before. <<display "Shit-Cap Euphemisms">>$shit, you ain't hardly ever //been// a man like you before, only now you are, thanks to Doc Lemley's powerful potion.<<else>>before, thanks to Doc Lemley's powerful potion.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent"><<if $likes gt 70>>At first <<endif>>Iris is too much a lady to let herself utter much more'n a whimper, cryin' out low such as Nora the maid in the next room ain't likely to hear. That's right fine with you, because you ain't keen to have your little roll on th' dee-van cut short on account of makin' too much of a squawk, not when you're paddlin' her canoe so good. <<if $likes gt 70>>By an' by, though, th' lady starts to lose her brains a bit, an' her cries are comin' louder and oftener, fillin' the lounge with her pleasured moans.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">She buries that pretty face into your throat, kissin' your collarbone madly, tastin' your sweaty skin, an' you keep a pushin' away harder, nudgin' the dee-van slowly across the floor. After a time, you an' the gal have bunched up against the sideboard and commence to rattlin' th' dishes and the whiskey decanters. <<display "Hell-Cap Euphemisms">>$hell, if the whole hotel didn't know you were ploughin' the lady's rosy field, they surely do now.</div> <div class="indent">Iris finally reaches th' top o' th' mountain where she can't go no higher, and the moment you unpack your load, that's when she bites her lip in bliss. It ain't too bad of a way to wrap things up, for sure. Now th' whole lounge smells like sex, which in your mind is prob'ly at least a little better than smellin' like a dusty old lounge.</div><<endif>> <div class="indent">An' you thought [[lounges|Location]] were fer doin' nothin' at all, you reckon to yourself as you an' the lady put yer respective britches back in public order.</div> <<if $bag.includes("iris")>><<else>><<set $bag.push("iris")>><<set $bagged += 1>><<set $points to 2>><<display "Muscle">> <<set $points to 1>><<display "Height">><<endif>>\ <<elseif $likes lt 0>><<if $devious gte $fair>><div class="indent">“Now, about that payment," you suggest. “I reckon we can work somethin' out."</div> <div class="indent">“I'll be happy to pay you," Iris says firmly, “but I'm in no condition right now to handle this kind of transaction. I need time to recuperate first."</div> <div class="indent">“Oh, that ain't the kind of payment I had in mind," you smile at her.</div> <div class="indent">“But I--" she begins, an' turns as white as th' moon. “You can't be serious! I'm a respectable woman!"</div> <div class="indent">“You should've said so before I rescued you," you say, touching your hat and adding, “ma'am."</div><<elseif $fair gt $devious>><div class="indent">“I'm just glad I could help, ma'am," you say to her. “I couldn't leave a damsel in distress."</div> <div class="indent">“I would pay you if you permitted me to," Iris suggests, “although I admit I'm in no condition right now to handle this kind of transaction. I need time to recuperate first."</div> <div class="indent">“I'd settle for a peck on th' cheek, Miss Hadley," you say politely. “That's th' usual sort o' fee when a man does a job for a pretty lady."</div> <div class="indent">Iris goes pink and gets all flusticated. “I -- but I'm a respectable woman," she stammers. “I appreciate what you've done, but . . . but I . . ."</div> <div class="indent">“I ain't suggestin' a thing, ma'am," you say, “just hopin' for a proper decent expression of thank-you-kindly."</div><<endif>> <div class="indent">Iris Hadley looks right bothered, her shade o' pink deepening to th' color of cactus flower. “I don't think I can talk about this any more," she sputters. “Really! The very idea."</div> <<if $inv.includes("rejuvenating remedy") and $gender == "male" and $dirty[7] == 1>>[<img[handsm.png]] “[[Here's some medicine for th' knee.|Screw Iris 2]]" (offer th' Rejuvenatin' Remedy) <<endif>>\ [<img[handsm.png]] [[leave|Location]] <<endif>>

<<if $passenger == 3 or $passenger == 4>><div class="indent">You offer up a swig o' the Rejuvenatin' Remedy to th' gal, but she declines. “A lady doesn't touch strong drink," she says primly.</div> <div class="indent">Looks like [[that trick|Location]] ain't gonna work on Miss Iris.</div> <<else>><div class="indent">You offer up a swig o' the Rejuvenatin' Remedy to th' gal, but she declines. “I know you're just being kindly, but a lady ought not to touch strong drink," she says primly.</div> <div class="indent">Looks like [[that trick|Location]] ain't gonna work on Miss Iris.</div><<endif>>

<<silently>> <<if $prof == 0>> <<set $r to random(1,5)>> <<if $r == 1>> <<set $hell to "Shoot">> <<elseif $r == 2>> <<set $hell to "Shucks">> <<elseif $r == 3>> <<set $hell to "Dang">> <<elseif $r == 4>> <<set $hell to "Fiddlesticks">> <<elseif $r == 5>> <<set $hell to "Heck">> <<endif>> <<elseif $prof == 1>> <<set $hell to "Shit">> <<endif>> <<endsilently>>\

<<set $calc to "Iris">><<display "Calculation">><<if $likes gte 0>><<if $cruel gt $kind>><div class="indent">“Sounds like you got time for a quick kiss," you suggest to th' gal.</div><<else>><div class="indent">“I got kisses if you'd like one, ma'am," you suggest to th' gal.</div><<endif>> <div class="indent">Iris looks like she's tryin' to be offended by th' directitude of your offer, but in th' face of the fine specimen of manhood that you are, she's havin' trouble stickin' to her script. “I . . . don't see why not," she says, surveyin' the goods, her eyes goin' up and down you. “It's not the usual kind of proposition, to be sure, but I suppose out here . . . well, it's a bit //different//, isn't it?"</div> <div class="indent"><<if $talkative gte $silent>>“Yeah, out here we figger it's best to get down to business," you say, taking off your<<elseif $silent gt $talkative>>“That's about the size of it," you say, taking off your<<endif>> <<if $inv.includes("stetson")>>cowboy hat<<elseif $inv.includes("bolero")>>battered bolero<<elseif $inv.includes("round riding hat")>>riding hat<<else>>hat<<endif>> and setting it on the sideboard.</div> <div class="indent">“Then come here, quick, before the maid returns," Iris says in a hushed voice, her hands racin' to th' neck of her gown, undoin' the laces down th' bodice.</div> <div class="indent">“Here?"</div> <div class="indent">She gives you a wicked, devilish little smile. She's shuckin' off th' gown in jig time, and workin' down past layers o' cotton and lace underthings, and each one gets tossed behind the dee-van, forgotten for th' time being. “Are you afraid to?" she whispers. “It'll be just like those naughty stories in Beadles' dime novels. The respectable lady, caught dallying with a rough man in a public hotel." She shivers delightedly. “Oh, I've always //wanted// to do this."</div> <div class="indent">A man shouldn't have to be asked twice to mount his lady, or any lady that's willin', for all o' that. With a check to make sure th' coast is clear, you commence to strip down to your skivvies.</div> <div class="indent">“Now come here, <<if $likes gt 120>>you big hunk o' man,"<<elseif $likes gt 70>>my big handsome man,"<<elseif $likes gt 35>>Mister Simon,"<<else>>mister,"<<endif>> Iris says in a low sort of way, beckoning with her pale fingers, “"and show me what I've been missing."</div> <div class="indent">Now <<if $tg == "ftm">>even a fresh-made gentleman such as you knows it ain't proper to make an gal do all th' heavy liftin',<<else>>you're pretty sure it ain't gentlemanly to make an gal do all the heavy liftin',<<endif>> so you ease her back on the fancy loungin' dee-van an' get her settled good and comfortable afore you start in.</div> <<if $dirty[3] == 1 and $dirty[4] == 1>><div class="indent">With a-one foot on th' floor an t'other knee on the French loungin' sofa, you <<display "Cock Euphemisms">>haul out <<if $tg == "m" or $bagged lt 0>>the ol'<<else>>your brand-new<<endif>> $cock and show it off for th' lady. <<if $cocksize lt 5>>It ain't too impressive, but she's much too polite t' say so.<<elseif $cocksize lt 10>>It's a respectable size, but no more'n that, but th' lady does a proper job of soundin' impressed by it.<<elseif $cocksize lt 15>>It's a right respectable size, an' the lady's eyes go wide just a-lookin' at it.<<else>>Her eyes open wide an' hungry at the sight of th' monster you're packin', and you can tell fer sure the li'l gal is terrible impressed.<<endif>> “Right here," she coos, pullin' off her camisole over her head, freein' up her raven's-wing tresses and lettin' them boobies bounce out. She cups up her breasts, makin' a little crevice between 'em, invitin' your $cock down to come take a look.</div> <div class="indent">Well, it don't take much more'n that an' a little of Iris's spit to get things slickered up, and you're ready to stick your totem right in there between her bouncing bosoms and commence to doin' the business up right.</div> <div class="indent">For bein' a cultured sort o' lady with a fine gown an' all, Iris ain't no wilting flower when it comes to the bood-war. She keeps grippin' and shakin' them bouncing globes o' lady flesh, which is a right treat for the eye, an' she ducks her head and licks at your staff with her tongue whenever you're within reach. You reckon this fine lady has an adventurous side, and maybe them fellers she normally tangles sheets with ain't doin' a square job for th' poor gal. Iris ain't never had a man like you <<if $tg == "ftm">>before. <<display "Shit-Cap Euphemisms">>$shit, you ain't hardly ever //been// a man like you before, only now you are, thanks to Doc Lemley's powerful potion.<<else>>before, thanks to Doc Lemley's powerful potion.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent"><<if $likes gt 70>>At first <<endif>>Iris is too much a lady to let herself utter much more'n a whimper, cryin' out low such as Nora the maid in the next room ain't likely to hear. That's right fine with you, because you ain't keen to have your little roll on th' dee-van cut short on account of makin' too much of a squawk, not when you're bobbin' her apple dumplings so good. <<if $likes gt 70>>By an' by, though, th' lady starts to lose her brains a bit, an' her cries are comin' louder and oftener, fillin' the lounge with her pleasured moans.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">Iris starts tossin' her pretty head, throwin' her black locks along the back of the dee-van, lickin' and tastin' at your lovestick whenever it's conveniently near, an' you keep a pushin' away harder, nudgin' the dee-van slowly across the floor. After a time, you an' the gal have bunched up against the sideboard and commence to rattlin' th' dishes and the whiskey decanters. <<display "Hell-Cap Euphemisms">>$hell, if the whole hotel didn't know you were gettin' your piece tucked away, they surely do now.</div> <div class="indent">When you can't hold out no longer, you unpack your load right into the valley between Iris's big bosoms, leavin' a pearly river o' sweetness there like a necklace. She dips a finger and gives it a taste, usin' her other hand to feel up her lady bits, still givin' herself the proper finish she rightfully earned. It ain't too bad of a way to wrap things up, for sure. Now th' whole lounge smells like sex, which in your mind is prob'ly at least a little better than smellin' like a dusty old lounge.</div><<elseif $dirty[3] == 1 and $dirty[2] == 1>><div class="indent">With a-one foot on th' floor an t'other knee on the French loungin' sofa, you <<display "Cock Euphemisms">>haul out <<if $tg == "m" or $bagged lt 0>>the ol'<<else>>your brand-new<<endif>> $cock and show it off for th' lady. <<if $cocksize lt 5>>It ain't too impressive, but she's much too polite t' say so.<<elseif $cocksize lt 10>>It's a respectable size, but no more'n that, but th' lady does a proper job of soundin' impressed by it.<<elseif $cocksize lt 15>>It's a right respectable size, an' the lady's eyes go wide just a-lookin' at it.<<else>>Her eyes open wide an' hungry at the sight of th' monster you're packin', and you can tell fer sure the li'l gal is terrible impressed.<<endif>> “Right here," she coos, pullin' off her camisole over her head, freein' up her raven's-wing tresses and lettin' them boobies bounce out. She cups up her breasts, makin' a little crevice between 'em, invitin' your $cock down to come take a look.</div> <div class="indent">Well, it don't take much more'n that an' a little of Iris's spit to get things slickered up, and you're ready to stick your totem right in there between her bouncing bosoms and commence to doin' the business up right.</div> <div class="indent">For bein' a cultured sort o' lady with a fine gown an' all, Iris ain't no wilting flower when it comes to the bood-war. She keeps grippin' and shakin' them bouncing globes o' lady flesh, which is a right treat for the eye, an' she ducks her head and licks at your staff with her tongue whenever you're within reach. You reckon this fine lady has an adventurous side, and maybe them fellers she normally tangles sheets with ain't doin' a square job for th' poor gal. Iris ain't never had a man like you <<if $tg == "ftm">>before. <<display "Shit-Cap Euphemisms">>$shit, you ain't hardly ever //been// a man like you before, only now you are, thanks to Doc Lemley's powerful potion.<<else>>before, thanks to Doc Lemley's powerful potion.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent"><<if $likes gt 70>>At first <<endif>>Iris is too much a lady to let herself utter much more'n a whimper, cryin' out low such as Nora the maid in the next room ain't likely to hear. That's right fine with you, because you ain't keen to have your little roll on th' dee-van cut short on account of makin' too much of a squawk, not when you're bobbin' her apple dumplings so good. <<if $likes gt 70>>By an' by, though, th' lady starts to lose her brains a bit, an' her cries are comin' louder and oftener, fillin' the lounge with her pleasured moans.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">Iris starts tossin' her pretty head, throwin' her black locks along the back of the dee-van, lickin' and tastin' at your lovestick whenever it's conveniently near, an' you keep a pushin' away harder, nudgin' the dee-van slowly across the floor. After a time, you an' the gal have bunched up against the sideboard and commence to rattlin' th' dishes and the whiskey decanters. <<display "Hell-Cap Euphemisms">>$hell, if the whole hotel didn't know you were gettin' your piece tucked away, they surely do now.</div> <div class="indent">Just when you think you can't hold out no longer, Iris lets out a gasp, and grabs you by the love handle and pops your stick in her mouth, workin' with her tongue an' her lips to give you a delicious bit o' <<if $prof == 0>>love-ticklin',<<else>>cock-ticklin',<<endif>> runnin' that little hand up an' down the shaft. All the while, she's usin' her other hand to feel up her lady bits, still givin' herself the proper finish she rightfully earned, while you're unpackin' your load into her sweetly-suckling mouth. It ain't too bad of a way to wrap things up, for sure. Now th' whole lounge smells like sex, which in your mind is prob'ly at least a little better than smellin' like a dusty old lounge.</div><<else>><div class="indent">With a-one foot on th' floor an t'other knee on the French loungin' sofa, you <<display "Cock Euphemisms">><<display "Pussy Euphemisms">>haul out <<if $tg == "m" or $bagged lt 0>>the ol'<<else>>your brand-new<<endif>> $cock and show it the way to the lady's $pussy, lettin' it slip right up inside, warm an' wet, increasin' th' scent o' the lady's musk. Iris takes her time gettin' settled, puttin' one pale thigh atop of your'n, lettin' the other leg rest good an' snug on the dee-van, an' when she's got herself arranged, you commence to doin' the business.</div> <div class="indent">For bein' a cultured sort o' lady with a fine gown an' all, Iris ain't no wilting flower when it comes to the bood-war. She's so blamed excited she can't decide whether them little hands should be a-grippin' the dee-van behind her head, or clutchin' at your behind an' pullin' you in deeper. Maybe them fellers she normally tangles sheets with ain't doin' a square job for th' lady -- Iris ain't never had a man like you <<if $tg == "ftm">>before. <<display "Shit-Cap Euphemisms">>$shit, you ain't hardly ever //been// a man like you before, only now you are, thanks to Doc Lemley's powerful potion.<<else>>before, thanks to Doc Lemley's powerful potion.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent"><<if $likes gt 70>>At first <<endif>>Iris is too much a lady to let herself utter much more'n a whimper, cryin' out low such as Nora the maid in the next room ain't likely to hear. That's right fine with you, because you ain't keen to have your little roll on th' dee-van cut short on account of makin' too much of a squawk, not when you're paddlin' her canoe so good. <<if $likes gt 70>>By an' by, though, th' lady starts to lose her brains a bit, an' her cries are comin' louder and oftener, fillin' the lounge with her pleasured moans.<<endif>></div> <div class="indent">She buries that pretty face into your throat, kissin' your collarbone madly, tastin' your sweaty skin, an' you keep a pushin' away harder, nudgin' the dee-van slowly across the floor. After a time, you an' the gal have bunched up against the sideboard and commence to rattlin' th' dishes and the whiskey decanters. <<display "Hell-Cap Euphemisms">>$hell, if the whole hotel didn't know you were ploughin' the lady's rosy field, they surely do now.</div> <div class="indent">Iris finally reaches th' top o' th' mountain where she can't go no higher, and the moment you unpack your load, that's when she bites her lip in bliss. It ain't too bad of a way to wrap things up, for sure. Now th' whole lounge smells like sex, which in your mind is prob'ly at least a little better than smellin' like a dusty old lounge.</div><<endif>> <div class="indent">An' you thought [[lounges|Location]] were fer doin' nothin' at all, you reckon to yourself as you an' the lady put yer respective britches back in public order.</div> <<if $bag.includes("iris")>><<else>><<set $bag.push("iris")>><<set $bagged += 1>><<set $points to 2>><<display "Muscle">> <<set $points to 1>><<display "Height">><<endif>>\ <<elseif $likes lt 0>><<if $cruel gt $kind>><div class="indent">“Sounds like you got time for a quick kiss," you suggest to th' gal.</div> <div class="indent">But [[th' line don't work|Location]] on her. “If that's what passes for a seductive proposition out here," she says coolly, “it's a wonder there are so //many// of you out here at all."</div><<else>><div class="indent">“I got kisses if you'd like one, ma'am," you suggest to th' gal.</div> <div class="indent">“I'm sure that is the kind of thing that normally passes for courtship out here," she says haughtily, “but that does not mean I should be inclined to approve of it."</div> <div class="indent">That [[didn't work|Location]], now, did it?</div><<endif>><<endif>>

[[Iris likes you|Iris Speaks][$muscle to 7, $charisma to 8]] [[Iris doesn't like you|Iris Speaks][$muscle to 4, $charisma to 4]] [[Iris likes you, is not passenger|Iris Speaks][$loc to 29, $muscle to 7, $charisma to 8, $passenger to 3]] <<set $gender to "male">> <<set $tg to "ftm">> <<set $ach.push("find")>> <<set $inv to ["rejuvenating remedy"]>> <<set $charisma to 4>> <<set $height to 4>> <<display "Calculate Charisma">>