Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors
Game Script

Version 0.27
Copyright 2011, NorseFTX
All rights reserved

Email: [email protected]

All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their
respective trademark and copyright holders.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
!!!
WARNING: SPOILERS
Please be aware that this guide, as it will contain the full game script, will
contain SPOILERS!  Proceed at your own discretion.
!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

VERSION 0.27:
Note this is a work in progress.
Completed sections:
1) Path 4->7->6 (Knife Ending)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How to use this guide:

Throughout this guide, you will find 'bookmarks' enclosed in braces {}, which
mark sections of the storyline that are meant to be accessible using the "Find"
(Ctrl+F) function. You may encounter text such as: (To "a01b", replacing
quotations with braces {}). To easily jump to the corresponding section in the
FAQ, Ctrl+F and enter the text enclosed with quotation marks, replacing the
quotation marks with braces (e.x. { a01b }, removing spaces).

LEGEND:

NAME: Spoken dialogue from person with NAME
Narrated text on bottom screen
* Narrated text on top screen

<<CHOICE MENU>>

<Choice 1> - "bookmark1"
<Choice 2> - "bookmark2"
<Choice 3> - "bookmark3"

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TEXT DUMP INFO:
(approx 2.30MB worth of text in 78 files, with about 21,610 strings)

Table of Contents:

I. INTRODUCTION {a01b}
 a. 3rd Class Cabin Escape {a01}
  i. Apartment Flashback {a01d}
 b. D Deck Hallway {a01e}
II. MEETING: CENTRAL STAIRCASE {m10a}
 a. 2nd Class Cabin Escape, [DOOR 4] {a11}
  i. Confronting a Childhood Friend {a11d.a}
  ii. The Curse of the Egyptian Mummy {a11d.b}
  iii. 4-Leaf Clover and Etymology of [Nonary] {a11d.c}
  iv. Sheldrake on [Morphogenetic Fields] {a11d.d}
 b. After Escaping the 2nd Class Cabin, Door [4] {a12b}
 c. Kitchen Escape, [DOOR 4] {a12}
  i. Prediction of the Sinking Titanic {a12d.a}
  ii. [Ice-9] and crystallization of glycerin {a12d.c}
 d. After Escaping the Kitchen {a12e}
III. Meeting in the Hospital Room {m20a}
 a. Operating Room Escape, [DOOR 7] {a21}
  i. [All-Ice] {a21d.a}
  ii. Locke's Socks and the Ship of Theseus {a21d.b}
 b. After Escaping Operating Room {a21e}
IV. Reconvening in the Hospital Room {m30a}
 a. Choosing Door [6] {b31b}
  i. Steam Engine Room Escape, [DOOR 6] {b31}
  ii. After Escaping the Engine Room {b32b}
  iii. Cargo Room Escape, [DOOR 6] {b32}
  iv. After Escaping the Cargo Room {bed1}
V. ENDINGS
 a. Knife Ending (Ending 5) - {bbad}
VI. Appendix
 a. Version History {VIa}
 b. Disclaimer {IVb}
 c. Acknowledgments {VIc}

GAME SCRIPT:

===============
{a01b} File #02
INTRODUCTION
===============

This game is fiction.

All names, characters, and incidents 
portrayed in this production are fictitious.


[Movie Sequence: Bomb explodes on ship]

A loud noise startled Junpei awake, and his eyes snapped open.
As they adjusted to the light, he realized that he didn't recognize his
surroundings.

Junpei: Ow!

With a "crack", Junpei's head connected with something metal.
He rolled over and threw out his hand to steady himself, but he found himself
groping at empty air.
His balance lost, and his still-fuzzy mind struggling to understand what was
going on, Junpei tumbled down to the cold, grey floor.

Junpei: OOOOOOWWWCHGODDAMNIT! Gah! What the hell!?

Junpei glared around the room, still trying to determine where he'd woken up.
The fall had shaken the last cobwebs of sleep from his mind, and finally he
understood where he'd fallen from.
It was a bed. A 3-level bunk bed, in fact. Junpei had fallen, apparently, from
the topmost bunk.
His shoulder hurt, his knee hurt, his hip hurt... His entire body hurt.
He could feel a bump forming on his forehead, where he'd slammed it against the
low ceiling.
He wondered if that bump was the reason he felt his vision wavering a bit, but
that seemed unlikely.
At first, he thought the tremor that ran through his legs was just another
effect of his rude awakening, but as he looked around, he realized it was
real... The whole room was shaking.
Was it an earthquake, he wondered. It didn't seem likely. It was shaking far
too quickly for an earthquake.
Then again, Junpei had no idea what it was, if not an earthquake.
He tried to tell himself it was important.
Junpei rubbed the growing bump on his head and gingerly climbed to his feet.
His balance regained, he finally took his first good look around the room...
...And muttered to himself.

Junpei: Where...
Junpei: ...Am I...?

His pain momentarily forgotten in the face of the confusion of his
circumstances, Junpei looked around the room once again.
Minutes passed while Junpei struggled to get his bearings.
Then, as suddenly as they had begun, the tremors ceased.
A cold silence fell over the room.
From somewhere far away, Junpei could hear the sound of metal squeaking.
He felt his stomach tighten. There were a thousand things the sound could have
been, but none of the things he could think of were good.
In an attempt to distract himself, Junpei looked around the room once more.
There was a stove that looked more antique than functional.
The 3-level bunk bed had mattresses that were so thin that they were little
more than blankets.
On the other side of the room was an identical bed, and set in the wall between
the beds was a slightly dirty iron door.
The first thing Junpei noticed about the door was the number roughly emblazoned
across it.
On the surface of the door, in red paint, someone had written...
---[5]---

Junpei: [5]...?
Junpei: What's this [5] mean...

Suspicious, and still utterly confused, Junpei approached the door, slowly.
Standing, at last, in front of the door, Junpei grabbed hold of the L-shaped
handle. A push yielded no movement, and a pull the same result.
A few more tries cemented the truth in Junpei's mind: it wouldn't open. It
didn't matter how much he pushed and shoved. The handle wouldn't budge.
Next to the door was an odd-looking device that reminded Junpei of a card
reader.
It didn't take a genius to figure out that the odd-looking device was keeping
the door shut.
Junpei knocked, hard, on the door.

Junpei: Hey! Hello? Is anyone there!?
Junpei: Open the door!

There was no response.
Junpei threw his left fist into the door--
--and stopped.

Junpei: What the hell is this...

He wasn't really sure what else to say.
On his left wrist was a bracelet of a sort he'd never seen before.
In the center was a large LCD display.
It looked like nothing else so much as a watch, but it clearly wasn't that.
After all, it showed only a single number.

Junpei: (5)...
Junpei: That's...that's the same as the door...

True, the numbers were the same, but he had no idea what that might mean.
All he knew was that it was strange, and new, and he wanted it off.
Junpei flipped his hand over, as if to remove a watch, but...
The other side of the bracelet was solid: no buckle, no clasp, nothing.
He sighed, and flipped the thing back over. There were a number of rivets
around the rim of the face. Perhaps...
He pushed them, but nothing happened.
On a watch, they might be dials for adjusting date or time, but on this
bracelet they did nothing.
Junpei was at a loss. What was he going to do?
Growing more desperate, he began to tug at it.
However...

Junpei: Urrrrng!
Junpei: Damn! Ugh! It's no good... Damn thing won't come off!

A steel ring ran from the face, around Junpei's wrist, and back in to the face.
He wouldn't be pulling the bracelet off any time in the near future.

Junpei: What the hell is the deal with this thing?!

Frustration and desperation were beginning to mix as the reality of the
situation began to dawn fully on Junpei.
So much was happening, and none of it made sense. Junpei felt as though he were
about to explode.

Junpei: Where am I!?
Junpei: And why the hell am I here!?
Junpei: Why! Why!?
Junpei: What the hell happened to me!?

It was at that moment that he noticed the window.
The window was round, rimmed in riveted brass, like a window from an early 20th
century ship.

Junpei: What...? Wait... Am I in a ship?

Junpei walked slowly toward the window.
He could see nothing beyond it but thick, impenetrable darkness.
Junpei squinted, trying to see something...anything...
It was at that moment--

Junpei: What the--!? ...You gotta be kidding me!
Junpei: Wh-What the hell is going on here?!

A crack split the glass of the window, and for a moment Junpei stared at it.
Then the window burst, and water began to pour into the room.

Junpei: WHAT THE HELL! GODDAMN IT!

Junpei yelled, and spun around.
His feet slipping on the water already coming through the window, he ran for
the door.

Junpei: Hey! Anyone! Is anyone there!?
Junpei: C'mon, if you're there, say something!

There was no reply.
As Junpei screamed, and pounded on the door, the water began to rise.
It was now ankle-deep on the floor, and rising quickly toward his knees.
Things were not looking good for Junpei. Not good at all.
He needed to find a way out--and quickly!
Junpei ran a hand across his forehead, brushing the sweat out of his eyes, and
looked around the room.

===============SEEK A WAY OUT!===============
::3rd class cabin::
=============================================
{a01} File #01
-Apartment Flashback - "a01d"
( To skip to next story segment, search for "a01e" replacing quotations with
braces {} )
=============================================

[Operations during an escape]
During an escape, you can move to different parts of the room by touching the
bottom screen.
Since many areas require very exact selection, we recommend you use the stylus.

[Searching during an escape]
During an escape, you can touch the background to search anywhere in the room.
Areas you can investigate will be highlighted yellow the moment you touch them.
Depending on the nature of the location you touch, you might find an item or a
hint.
Begin searching by touching places on the bottom screen.

[How to move]
Touch the [Triangle Icon] on the bottom screen.
Doing so will change the viewing angle of the room, and move you to different
locations.
You can do the same thing by pressing left, right, and down on the +Control
Pad.

[Bird's-eye view]
If you want to know where you are, touch X on the [Camera Icon] on the bottom
screen.
This will show you where you are, and what direction you're facing.

[Saving during an escape]
Pressing START will allow you to save.
If you want to quit, we recommend pressing START.

[Purpose of the escape]
The purpose of each escape is to get out of the room.
How you do that depends on the room.
You'll need to search all throughout the room to discover what you'll need to
do to get out.
Search for hints and items that may help you find a way out.

MAP:
[#] Screen #
<#> Screen # that you start on
Screens to the left and right can be reached by arrow.

<1>[2][3]

{Screen 1, Flowing water}

<Examine Pipe, 1>
* It's a pipe.
Junpei: I know! I'll crawl into the pipe and find a way out!
* ...
* ...
* There's nobody here to make fun of my lame jokes... Man, this sucks.
<Examine Pipe, 2+>
* That pipe's not very big. There's no way I could fit into it, even if it does
lead out of here.

<Examine Water, 1>
* Water just keeps pouring through the window.
* It's like a waterfall.
* I don't think shoving something into the window is gonna stop the water.
In other words, if I don't wanna die, I need to find a way out of this room.
* I have to figure this out!
<Examine Water, 2+>
* Doesn't look like that water's going to stop any time soon. I have to find a
way out!
<Examine Water after unlocking door, 1+>
* Doesn't look like the water's going to stop any time soon.

<Examine Table, 1>
* That's a table. Water is pouring onto it, like a little waterfall.
* I don't see anything useful there.
<Examine Table, 2+>
* That's a table. Water is pouring onto it, like a little waterfall.

<Examine Chairs, 1>
* There's a pair of simple chairs next to the table.
* The water's already up to the chair!
<Examine Chairs, 2+>
* That's totally a chair. What am I thinking?! I don't have time to sit down
and relax!

{Zoom into Sink}

<Examine Bulletin Board, before taking note, 1+>
* A bulletin board.  Looks like someone put a note on it.
<Examine Bulletin Board, after taking note, 1+>
* A bulletin board. There's nothing on it.

<Examine Note on Bulletin Board>
[About items]
During an escape, investigating certain parts of the room will allow you to
obtain items.
Once you've obtained an item, you'll be able to go to the item screen.
Touching L[item] on the top left will take you to the item screen.
While on the item screen, you will be able to investigate, hold,
and combine items that you've found.
If you want to investigate an item you've found, touch the icon for that item
in the item screen
and then touch [Search]R in the top right corner of the bottom screen.

<Examine Sink, 1>
* Doesn't seem like there's anything hidden on the sink.
* This is the only drain in this room...
<Examine Sink, 2+>
* This sink is a piece of junk. Well, I won't be draining any water here, I
guess.

<Examine Shelf, before taking picture, 1+>
* There's a [picture frame] sitting on top of the shelf.

<Examine Shelf, after taking picture, 1+>
* There's nothing on top of the shelf.

<Examine Towel, 1+>
* There's a towel next to the sink.

<Examine Bed, 1>
* This is the middle bunk.
<Examine Bed, 2+>
* A middle bunk. Sweet.

<Examine Bed Pole, 1>
* This is, as far as I can tell, a pole that is attached to the bed.
<Examine Bed Pole, 2+>
* This pole is part of the bed.

{Screen 2, Kettle and Bunk Bed}

<Examine Top Bunk, 1>
* There's a pipe at the other end of the bed. There's nothing up top.
<Examine Top Bunk, 2+>
* There are some pipes down at the other end of the bed.

<Examine Middle Bunk, 1>
* I can keep looking �til the cows come home. All I'm gonna find up here is
that pillow.
Junpei: Damnit! Isn't there anything else I can use!?
<Examine Middle Bunk, 2+>
* Here we are at the middle bunk. There's nothing useful here.

<Examine Bottom Bunk, 1+>
* There's a [blue briefcase] on top of the bed.

<Examine Ladder, 1>
* I can't see the bottom of the ladder!
* Oh man, the water's already up to the bottom of the bed!
* I've gotta hurry this up!
<Examine Ladder, 2>
* This is the ladder that goes up to the top bunk.
<Examine Ladder, 3>
* So, ladder, we meet again.
<Examine Ladder, 4>
* Once again, I gaze upon this stately ladder.
Junpei: "Ladder? I don't even know her!"
* Most. Original. Joke. Ever.
<Examine Ladder, 5>
* As I gaze into the ladder, the ladder gazes into me.
Junpei: "Hey, so did you hear what that shopkeeper said after his ladder got
stolen?"
Junpei: "No, what'd he say?"
Junpei: "Further steps will be taken."
* ...And that's why I have no friends.
<Examine Ladder, 6>
* The ladder watches me. I sense that it finds me...wanting.
Junpei: "So this friend of mine fell all the way down a 15-foot ladder."
Junpei: "Wow, that's pretty bad. How's he doing?"
Junpei: "Oh, he's all right, but he's feeling pretty rung out by the whole
experience."
* I should be writing these down... They're comedy gold!
<Examine Ladder, 7>
* I think the ladder is following me.
Junpei: "Trying to keep up with all the latest stiles has me all rung out..."
Junpei: "Well, if it's a choice between being a step for someone else, and
being a real social climber, I'll take the ladder!"
Junpei: "What do you call a secondary ladder covered in people?"
Junpei: "A full B-ladder!"
* Okay, I need to stop doing these before I hurt myself...
* Beside, this is no time to be making jokes!
* I need to get out of here, now!
<Examine Ladder, 8+>
* A ladder. It appears to have something to do with the bed.

{Zoom into Closet}

<Examine Hangers, 1+>
* There are some hangers on the pole.

<Examine Closet, 1>
* It's a closet.
<Examine Closet, 2+>
* A closet. Nothing much here.

<Examine Closet Shelf, 1+>
*  There's a [red briefcase] on top of the shelf.

<Examine Curtains, 1+>
* The curtain is already open.

{Zoom into Red Briefcase}

<Examine Red Briefcase, 1>
* There's a lock on this briefcase. It won't budge.
* Let's see if there's anything in the keyhole...
<Examine Red Briefcase after examining blue, 1>
* This's just like the blue briefcase.
* Yup, there's a lock on this one too, and it's not opening.�


<Examine Red Briefcase, front closeup without key, 1+>
* I don't think I'm gonna be able to open this thing. I need to find a key
first.
<Examine Red Briefcase, front closeup with blue key in inventory, 1+>
*  A red briefcase. ...Aaaand it's locked.
<Examine Red Briefcase, front closeup with red key in inventory, 1+>
* All right, key acquired. Sure hope I can open that thing now...
<Examine Red Briefcase, front closeup without red kay after unlocking blue
briefcase, 1>
* Yup, this one's locked too, just like the blue briefcase.

<Examine Red Briefcase Keyhole without key, 1+>
* There's a small keyhole right next to the dial.
<Examine Red Briefcase Keyhole with blue key equipped, 1>
Junpei: Huh? Hm, I guess this is the wrong key.
* It looks like it's the right size, but I can't get it into the hole.
<Examine Red Briefcase Keyhole with blue key equipped, 2+>
* Well, if the blue key doesn't work...�

<Examine Red Briefcase Keyhole with red key in inventory, not equipped, 1+>
* All right, this is the keyhole for the red briefcase. If I just stick the key
in here...
<Examine Red Briefcase Keyhole with red key equipped, 1>
* All right, let's stick that red key in there... It's not opening.
* In fact... It's not doing anything at all.
* ...Well, all right, I take that back. I guess I can move the dial now.
* So, it looks like I'm gonna have to put in the right numbers and then turn
the key. I do that, this thing should pop right open.
* Let's give it a shot.
Operation Instructions
Touching the dial will cause it to move to the next number.
Enter 4 numbers this way, and then touch the key.
If the numbers are correct, it will unlock.
<Examine Red Briefcase Keyhole with red key in, no cluse found, 1>
* Well, it looks like random numbers won't open it. Surprise, surprise.
Operation Instructions
Touching the dial will cause it to move to the next number.
Enter 4 numbers this way, and then touch the key.
If the numbers are correct, it will unlock.
<Examine Red Briefcase Keyhole with red key in, no clues found, 2+>
* Once I've got the right number, all I've gotta do is turn the key and it'll
pop right open.
Operation Instructions
Touching the dial will cause it to move to the next number.
Enter 4 numbers this way, and then touch the key.
If the numbers are correct, it will unlock.

<Examine Red Briefcase Dial, 1>
* The number on the dial is [0101].
* I guess I'm going to need a key before I can put in any numbers.
<Examine Red Briefcase Dial, 2+>
* I guess I'm going to need a key before I can put in any numbers.
<Examine Red Briefcase Dial, after opening blue briefcase, 1>
* The number on the dial is [0101].
* Does this one use the same trick as the blue briefcase?�
<Examine Red Briefcase Dial with red key equipped, 1>
* I guess I'm probably gonna need a key for this lock before I can put in any
numbers.
<Examine Red Briefcase Dial, after failing to open once, 1>
Junpei: All right, let's give this another shot!
Operation Instructions
Touching the dial will cause it to move to the next number.
Enter 4 numbers this way, and then touch the key.
If the numbers are correct, it will unlock.
<Examine Red Briefcase Dial, after failing to open twice, 1+>
Junpei: All right, one more time!
Operation Instructions
Touching the dial will cause it to move to the next number.
Enter 4 numbers this way, and then touch the key.
If the numbers are correct, it will unlock.

<Go "Back" from Red Briefcase without opening, no clues found, 1>
Junpei: ...It's not opening! What am I gonna do?!
* I'm just standing around, and the water's still rising.�
* There's no point to just guessing randomly...
* I need to find some sort of hint!
<Go "Back" from Red Briefcase without opening, no clues found, 2>
* Just guessing isn't going to get me anywhere. I need to find a hint, a clue,
anything!
<Go "Back" from Red Briefcase without opening, no clues found, 3+>
* I need to look for hints. Just guessing is going to get me nowhere fast.
<Go "Back" from Red Briefcase without opening, 1>
Junpei: Damnit! It's not opening!
* I wonder if anything I've got might have a hint...
* I think it should open if I put in the right numbers and turn the key.
<Go "Back" from Red Briefcase without opening, 3rd time; nothing happens on
2nd>
* A red briefcase... Red...Maybe...
* Wait... What about that note on the bulletin board?
* There were a couple of symbols on it that were red...
* Someone drew those symbols on the back of the picture, along with some
numbers.
* Could those symbols have something to do with the code I need to get this
briefcase open?
<Go "Back" from Red Briefcase without opening, 4+>
* It's not opening. I got a feeling the numbers on the back of that picture are
the key to this, somehow...
* If I put in the right numbers and turn the key, then it should open.

<Unlock Red Briefcase>
Junpei: Yes! I unlocked it!

<Open Red Briefcase>
* It's opening...

<Examine Open Red Briefcase, before taking cards, 1+>
* There's a stack of [red key cards] in the briefcase.
<Examine Open Red Briefcase, after taking cards, 1+>
* There's nothing left in the briefcase.

{Zoom into Stove}

<Examine Stove, 1+>
* It's an old stove.�

<Examine Stove Door, 1>
* This is the door to the stove.
* Well, it opens easily enough. Sure wish the door to get out of here was that
easy to open...

<Examine Inside of stove, 1>
* Well, that solves the mystery of whether or not this stove has been used
before...
* What's this... It looks red...
<Examine Inside of stove, after taking screwdriver, 1+>
* This is totally a stove. Nothing inside, though.

<Examine Kettle, 1>
* Well, let's see if there's anything in here...  Huh. Looks like there is...
<Examine Kettle after finding red key, 2>
* A...key?
* Yup, that's a key all right. A little blue one.
<Examine Kettle before finding red key, 1>
* A...key?
* Yeah, there's a little blue key in the bottom of this pot. Odd.
<Examine Kettle, after taking key, 1+>
* Nothing in here.

<Examine Pot lid after opening, 1+>
* I'm looking at a pot lid.

<Examine Stovetop, 1+>
* There's an old pot on top of the stove.

<Examine Middle bunk, 1>
* This is the middle bunk of the bunk bed.
<Examine Middle bunk, 2+>
* So, this is what a middle bunk looks like, huh...

{Zoom into Blue Briefcase}

<Examine Blue Briefcase, 1>
* Doesn't matter what I do, this thing won't budge. Guess it's locked.
<Examine Blue Briefcase, examined red first, 1>
* Doesn't matter what I do, this thing won't budge. Guess it's locked.
* Is this one just like the red briefcase?
<Examine Blue Briefcase, placed blue key in but not open, 1+>
* The briefcase won't open. I need to put in the right security code...
<Examine Blue Briefcase without blue key, 1>
Junpei: No dice... It's locked tight.�
* Let's see if there's anything in the keyhole...

<Examine Blue Briefcase front closeup with blue key equipped, 1>
* I hope this blue key works...�
<Examine Blue Briefcase front closeup with red key equipped, 1+>
* A blue briefcase. It's locked. I can't get it open.
<Examine Blue Briefcase front closeup without any keys, 1+>
* Doesn't look like I'm gonna be able to force it open. I should probably start
looking for a key.
<Examine Blue Briefcase front closeup after opening red briefcase, 1+>
* Well, it looks like it's the same as the red briefcase.�

<Examine Blue Briefcase, key hole, 1+>
* There's a lock with a keyhole on the blue briefcase.
<Examine Blue Briefcase, key hole, with red key equipped, 1>
* It looks like the key is the right size, but I can't get it into the keyhole.
* Guess that means I need to find a different key, about this size...
<Examine Blue Briefcase, key hole, with red key equipped, 2+>
* If the red key doesn't work, then...
<Examine Blue Briefcase, key hole, after placing red key in red briefcase, 1>
* It's a small keyhole.�
* If I want to open the briefcase, I need to fill it up with a key.
<Examine Blue Briefcase, key hole, after placing red key in red briefcase, 2+>
* It's a pretty small keyhole. I need to find the key that goes to it.�

<Examine Blue Briefcase, key hole, have blue key but not equipped, 1+>
* There's a [keyhole] on the [blue] briefcase.
<Examine Blue Briefcase, key hole, with blue key, 1>
* All right, let's see what happens if I put this blue key in the keyhole...
* ...Aaaaand nothing.
* I guess I'm gonna need some sort of code for the dial.
[Minigames]
During an escape, your investigation may trigger one of several minigames.
All operations for the minigames are done by touching the bottom screen.
Some minigames will require you to manipulate something, while others will
only require you to apply the right object or touch the right thing.
Operation Instructions
Touching the dial will cause it to move to the next number.
Enter 4 numbers this way, and then touch the key.
If the numbers are correct, it will unlock.
<Examine Blue Briefcase, key hole, wtih blue key and no clues, 1>
* Okay, I've put the key in. Now I just need to enter the right numbers, and...
Operation Instructions
Touching the dial will cause it to move to the next number.
Enter 4 numbers this way, and then touch the key.
If the numbers are correct, it will unlock.

<Go "Back" from Blue Briefcase without opening without clues, 1>
Junpei: Damnit! Open, you stupid thing!
* I don't think it's gonna open if I whack it on the wall a couple times. Might
make me feel better...
* Not gonna help, though.
* All right Junpei, don't freak out. Keep it cool, and look around for some
more clues.
<Go "Back" from Blue Briefcase without opening without clues, 2>
* I could sit here putting in random numbers all day... I think it's going to
be faster to just look for clues.
* If I can just get the right numbers and turn this key... This thing should
pop open.
<Go "Back" from Blue Briefcase without opening without clues, 3+>
* It's gonna be faster for me to look for clues. Plugging in random numbers is
just gonna get me nowhere fast.
* I just have to find the right number and turn the key. Then that briefcase
should open.�
<Go "Back" from Blue Briefcase without opening with at least one paper clue, 1>
* It's not opening...
* Do I have anything that might give me some kind of hint?
* If I put in the right numbers and turn the key, then it should open.
<Go "Back" from Blue Briefcase without opening with at least one paper clue,
3rd time; nothing on 2nd>
Junpei: Blue briefcase... Blue... Blue...
* Have I got anything blue...?
* Well, there was that note with the red and blue symbols...
* Maybe the blue symbols are some kind of hint?
* Oh yeah... There's something written on the back of the photo of that ship,
isn't there?
<Go "Back" from Blue Briefcase without opening with at least one paper clue,
4+>
* It's not opening... Maybe those numbers on the back of the picture have
something to do with this...
* If I put in the right numbers and turn the key, then it should open.

<Examine Blue Briefcase, Dial, 1+>
* Looks like I've gotta put the key into the keyhole in order to enter a
number.
<Examine Blue Briefcase, Dial, with red key equipped, 1+>
* The number on the dial is [0101]. I guess I need to put the key in the
keyhole before I can enter any numbers on the dial.
<Examine Blue Briefcase, Dial, after opening red briefcase, 1+>
* The number on the dial is [0101]. This one's probably just like the red
briefcase.

<Examine Blue Briefcase, Dial, after failed attempt, 1>
* I guess I'm going to have to find the right 4 numbers...
Junpei: All right, let's give this another try!
Operation Instructions
Touching the dial will cause it to move to the next number.
Enter 4 numbers this way, and then touch the key.
If the numbers are correct, it will unlock.
<Examine Blue Briefcase, Dial, after failed attempt, 2>
Junpei: Time to give this another shot!
Operation Instructions
Touching the dial will cause it to move to the next number.
Enter 4 numbers this way, and then touch the key.
If the numbers are correct, it will unlock.

<Unlock Blue Briefcase>
* All right, let's see if these numbers work... A turn of the key, and...hey,
looks like it's working!
Junpei: Yes! All right, let's open it up!

<Open Blue Briefcase>
Junpei: Yes! It opened!
* Looks like there's something in here...
* What is this...? A file...?

<Examine Open Blue Briefcase, before taking file, 1+>
* It looks like there's something in this briefcase... Is this some kind of
file?
<Examine Open Blue Briefcase, after taking file, 1+>
* Doesn't look like there's anything else in the briefcase.

<Examine File in Blue Briefcase>
[File screen]
If you find any documents or notes during an escape, the information on them
will be available from the file screen.
To open the file screen, touch [file]R in the top right of the bottom screen.
Once at the file screen, select files by touching them,
or by pressing up and down on the +Control Pad.
If you touch [Search]R, the contents of the file you selected will be displayed
on the upper screen.
* All right, let's see what's in this file...
* Hm... "[Digital root]"...
* Let's see here...
* Compute a [digital root] with the following steps:
* First, add all the numbers in question to one another.
* If you end up with something greater than a single-digit number, add the
digits to one another.
* (For instance, if you have a double-digit number, add the number in the [tens
place] to the number in the [ones place].)
* Keep adding digits in this manner until you have a single digit answer.
* That final single digit is your [digital root].
* EX: The [digital root] of (678) would be...
* 6 + 7 + 8 = 21 -> 2 + 1 = [3]
* Therefore, the [digital root] of (678) is [3].
* EX: The [digital root] of (1234) would be...
* 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 = 10 -> 1 + 0 = [1]
* Therefore, the [digital root] of (1234) is [1].
Junpei: I see...
Junpei: So I just keep adding numbers until I get a single digit number.
* ...Oh. Looks like there's something on the back of this thing...
* A notebook, a pen, a calculator...
* ...And a stack of [key cards]. Huh.
New material has been added to the file screen.
[Calculator]
The calculator screen can be used during an escape, or during a novel sequence.
During an escape, you can access it by pressing the Y. This will open the
calculator screen.
To operate the calculator, touch the bottom screen.
When using the calculator, the numbers on top are your calculations, and the
numbers on the bottom are your answer.
The calculator can also calculate a [digital root], which will be important to
the progression of the story.

{Screen 3, View of [5] Door and both beds}

<Examine Left Top Bunk, 1>
* Man, this is a pretty poor excuse for a bed.
* There's barely any space between the bed and the ceiling. I don't think I'd
even have enough space to turn over.
* I'd bet money this was for poorer passengers, or maybe the ship's crew.
Junpei: I've gotta die someday, but I sure as hell don't want it to be here!
<Examine Left Top Bunk, 2+>
* The top bunk of the left bed, I see.

<Examine Left Middle Bunk, 1>
* I've got it! If I pull off these sheets and shove them into the window, maybe
that'll stop the water!
* All right window, let's see how you like this.
* Shoot... That's not gonna happen. There's way too much water coming through
there...
* No way these sheets are going to be enough to plug up that window.
* I guess there's only one way I'm going to live through this...
* ...And that's by getting the hell out of this room! After all, there's not
really anything else I can do.
<Examine Left Middle Bunk, 2+>
* Here's the middle bunk for the bed on the left.

<Examine Ladder, 1>
* There's a ladder that goes from the floor to the ceiling so that you can get
into all 3 bunks.
* Well, worst case scenario, I can just climb up there! ...Yeah right. Like
that's gonna work.
<Examine Ladder, 2+>
* This ladder goes up to the top bunk.

<Examine Right Top Bunk, 1>
* All I can see from down here is the underside of the top bunk.
* It's pretty high up there.
<Examine Right Top Bunk, 2+>
* So, this is the top bunk of the right bed.

<Examine Right Middle Bunk, 1>
* Hmm... Well, I can reach this bunk. Might as well look through it.
* Huh...
Junpei: Damn. Nothing here...
<Examine Right Middle Bunk, 2+>
* The middle bunk is within my reach. ...Nothing useful on it, though.

<Examine Light, 1>
* Well, looks like we've got a light here. ...And electricity.
<Examine Light, 2+>
* There's light filling the room. Guess the electricity is working.

{Zoom into Right Bottom Bunk}

<Examine Bed, 1>
* I can't bring myself to call this a bed. It feels like a board with a sheet
on it.
* It's pretty flat.
<Examine Bed, 2>
* That doesn't look very comfortable.
<Examine Bed, 3>
* It's got light blue and white stripes. Kinda reminds me of the Argentinian
soccer team.
<Examine Bed, 4+>
* This is a bed. No doubt about it.

<Examine Pillow, before taking memo, 1+>
* There's a piece of paper under the pillow...

<Examine Pillow, after taking memo, 1+>
* There's nothing else under the pillow.

{Zoom into Mirror}

<Examine Mirror, 1>
( go to a01d, )
<Examine Mirror, 2+>
* There's nothing left on the mirror.

<Examine Bed, 1+>
* The middle bunk. There's a thin mattress on it.

<Examine Pipe, 1+>
* This pipe supports the bed.

{Zoom into [5] door}

<Examine [5] Door, 1>
Junpei: [5]... [5], huh...
* What does that mean?
<Examine [5] Door, 2+>
* Somebody's painted a big, red [5] on the door.

<Examine Card Reader after unlocking, 1>
* This lock is unlocked. Awesome.

{Zoom into Card Reader}

<Examine [5] Door, 1+>
* The only door in and out of this room is right next to the weird device.

<Examine Card Reader, without cards, 1>
* I guess that's a lever, huh.
* Maybe if I pull it...!
* ...Well, it looks like pulling on the lever just makes a weird noise. Great.
* The light's still red, and the display hasn't changed.
Junpei: Damnit! Why the hell isn't this thing opening?!
<Examine Card Reader, without cards, 2>
* The groove on the side of this thing looks like it's made to have a key card
swiped through it or something like that.
* Maybe if I can find a card, I can unlock this thing.
<Examine Card Reader, without cards, 3+>
* It's a mysterious device with a lever on it. It's got what looks like a card
reader on the side, but it's the weirdest card reader I've ever seen.
<Examine Card Reader, with cards in inventory, not equipped, 1>
* There's a sort of little slot on the side of this thing.
* Hmm... It looks like it's about the same width as those cards I found
earlier.
* Maybe I can slide them through here?
<Examine Card Reader, with cards in inventory, not equipped, 2+>
* Maybe I can use those cards I found earlier with this thing...
<Examine Card Reader, with any cards equipped, have not swiped any other cards,
no others in inventory, 1>
* These cards with numbers on them... I'm pretty sure this is where I'm
supposed to use them.
Junpei: All right, let's slide this card and see if it works.
* Aaaaaand...
Junpei: Huh...? It's not working? Why!? Damnit!
* Do I need some other cards to get this to work?!
* Shit, I need to find more cards, now!
<Examine Card Reader with one set of cards after attempting to swipe them,
cards are unequipped, 1>
* What am I doing wrong? Do I have the wrong cards?
<Examine Card Reader with one set of cards after attempting to swipe them,
cards are unequipped, 2+>
* Doesn't look like I've got enough cards to unlock the door.��
<Examine Card Reader, with any cards equipped, have not swiped any other cards
but have others in inventory, 1>
* These cards with numbers on them... I'm pretty sure this is where I'm
supposed to use them.
Junpei: All right, let's slide this card and see if it works.
* Aaaaaand...
Junpei: Huh...? It's not working? Why!? Damnit!
* No...no, that's right! I still have cards I haven't used!
<Examine Card Reader, with blue cards equipped, have not swiped red cards, 2+>
* Damn. No matter how many times I try this, it won't do squat with just blue
cards.
* If I'm gonna make this work, I need some different cards.
<Examine Card Reader, with red cards equipped, have not swiped blue cards, 1+>
* Shoot. I can't get it to do anything with just these red cards.
* I think I'm gonna need some other colors if I'm gonna get anything out of
this thing.
<Examine Card Reader, without cards equipped, but have already swiped one set,
other set in inventory, 1+>
* It looks like just one color of card isn't going to do the trick.
* Maybe if I use some of the other cards...
<Examine Card Reader, with red cards equipped, have swiped blue cards, 1>
Junpei: Damnit! Not again!
* There aren't any more cards in here...
* I've only got one other hint...
Junpei: Of course! The files!
* That file said something about a "[digital root]"...
Junpei: A digital root... The digital root huh...
* What am I supposed to do with--
* There's a [5] on that door.
Junpei: Do I have to get a [digital root] of [5]?
* I'm not really sure about this...
* Ah, whatever. It's worth a shot.
Junpei: Let's see if this works...
Junpei: I'll just slide the cards that give me the [digital root] of [5]
through the reader.
Operating Instructions
Touch 3 cards to select them.
The digital root of the selected cards will be displayed on the top screen.
Touching "reset" will de-select all currently selected cards.
After you've selected 3 cards, touch the device.
<Examine Card Reader with cards equipped, having swiped both cards and failed
to open once, 1>
* If I can get the [digital root] of 3 of these cards to equal [5]...
Operating Instructions
Touch 3 cards to select them.
The digital root of the selected cards will be displayed on the top screen.
Touching "reset" will de-select all currently selected cards.
After you've selected 3 cards, touch the device.
<Examine Card Reader with cards equipped, having swiped both cards and failed
to open, 2+>
* I need to get a [digital root] of [5], then pull that lever.
* I do that, and it should unlock...
Operating Instructions
Touch 3 cards to select them.
The digital root of the selected cards will be displayed on the top screen.
Touching "reset" will de-select all currently selected cards.
After you've selected 3 cards, touch the device.
<Examine Card Reader after Solving Card Reader, 1+>
* I don't need to screw around with that thing anymore! I need to get out of
this room, fast!

<Go "Back" from Card Reader without unlocking, 1-2>
Junpei: Ugh...! It's not working...
* All right... I just need to pick the cards that have the [digital root] of
[5].
* Then I show them to this thing, and the lock should open...
* Now, to get a [digital root]...
* I have to keep adding the numbers together until I've got a single digit.
* So let's say I've got (678)...
* (6 + 7 + 8) = 21. Then add 2 and 1, and my [digital root] is [3].
* Or how about (823)...
* (8 + 2 + 3) = 13. I add 1 and 3, and my [digital root] is [4].
Junpei: So which numbers do I need to make a [digital root] of [5]...?
<Go "Back" from Card Reader without unlocking, 3>
Junpei: Damnit! It's still not working!
* Which 3 cards make the [digital root][5]!?
* The[digital root] for (763) is...
* 7 + 6 + 3 = 16 -> 1 + 6 = [7]
* The[digital root] for (762) is...
* 7 + 6 + 2 = 15 -> 1 + 5 = [6]
Junpei: So, if I want the [digital root]to be[5]...
<Go "Back" from Card Reader without unlocking, 4+>
* The[digital root] for (763) is...
* 7 + 6 + 3 = 16 -> 1 + 6 = [7]
* The[digital root] for (762) is...
* 7 + 6 + 2 = 15 -> 1 + 5 = [6]
Junpei: So, if I want the [digital root]to be[5]...
* Once I get the [digital root][5], all I've gotta do is pull that lever...

<Solve Card Reader>
* All right, I think this is gonna work... There we go! That's a new noise!
* Huh... Did it just unlock!?
* Well, that light was red, and now it's blue. No doubt about it...
* There's nothing keeping me in here now! Time to go!


{ITEMS}
???�?
<Search note from bulletin board, 1+>
* The note's got ?? in red and ?? in blue.
<Search note from bulletin board, after failing to open Red Briefcase 3+ times,
1>
* This note says ?? in red and ?? in blue.
* Huh... Is there a reason it's folded like a mountain?
<Search note from bulletin board, after failing to open Red Briefcase 3+ times,
2>
* It's got ?? in red on the left side, and ?? in blue on the right side.
* The part of the arrow on left side of the fold is red, and the right half is
blue.
* The symbols and the arrow are only red on the left side. Why is that?
<Search note from bulletin board, after failing to open Red Briefcase 3+ times,
3>
* I need 4 numbers for the red briefcase's security code...
* But there are only 2 red numbers on that note...
* If I had something where the left side was red, then I would have 4 red
symbols... That might give me the answer. {Author's note: I think this is a
typo--it should be where the right side was red, since this note already has
red symbols on the left side.}
<Search note from bulletin board, after failing to open Red Briefcase 3+ times,
4+>
* The note's got ?? in red on the left side and ?? in blue on the right side.
<Search note from bulletin board, after opening Red Briefcase, 1>
* This note says ?? in red and ?? in blue.
* I don't think I'm gonna need this again.�

<Search picture frame, 1>
* An old picture frame. There's a picture of a ship in it.
* There's [screws] keeping the back of the picture frame on.
<Search picture frame, with screwdriver in inventory, 1>
* An old picture frame. There's a picture of a ship in it.
* There's [screws] keeping the back on.
<Search picture frame, 2+>
* There's [screws] keeping the back of the picture frame on.

<Search screwdriver, 1>
* A normal [screwdriver].
* Doesn't seem to be anything special about it.
<Search screwdriver, with picture frame in inventory, 2+>
* Maybe I can use the [screwdriver] to get these [screws] off.

<Combine picture frame + screwdriver>
* Well, the screwdriver got those screws off easily enough... And here's the
picture.

<Search picture of an old cruise liner, 1>
* 1?, 2?, 3?, 4?, 5?
* 6?, 7?, 8?, 9?, 0�
* So someone wrote a bunch of numbers and symbols on the back of the picture,
huh.
<Search picture of an old cruise liner, 2>
* There are a bunch of numbers and symbols written on the back of this photo...
* 1?, 2?, 3?, 4?, 5?
* 6?, 7?, 8?, 9?, 0�
* 1 through 5 are empty, and 6 through 9, as well as 0, are colored in.
* Maybe this has something to do with the relationship between the symbols and
the numbers.
<Search picture of an old cruise liner, 3+>
* 1?, 2?, 3?, 4?, 5?
* 6?, 7?, 8?, 9?, 0�
<Search picture of an old cruise liner after obtaining both red and blue key
cards, 1+>
* It's totally a picture of a ship. An old cruise liner, by the looks of it.

<Search small key (blue), 1>
* This key's pretty small... Definitely not for a door.
* What's it for, then?
* This key's blue... Is it supposed to open something else blue?
<Search small key (blue), 2+>
* A small [blue key]. Maybe it's supposed to open something blue?

<Search memo from bed, 1>
* The note's got �? in blue and ?? in red.
* There's an arrow that goes all the way across the paper. It's red under the
red symbols and blue under the blue ones.
<Search memo from bed, 2+>
* The note's got �? in blue and ?? in red.
<Search memo from bed, after failing to open red/blue briefcase 3+ times, 1>
* The note's got �? in blue and ?? in red.
* Why are there different colors?
* Why not just pick one color and use that?
<Search memo from bed, after failing to open red/blue briefcase 3+ times, 2>
* The left side has �? in blue, and ?? in red on the right side.
* Blue and red... Why did they use two different colors?
* Maybe the colors means this refers to two different things. Does that mean
these are two separate hints?
<Search memo from bed, after failing to open blue briefcase 3+ times, 3+>
* The note has �? on the left side in blue and ?? on the right side in red.
<Search memo from bed, after failing to open red briefcase 3+ times, 3+>
* The left side has �? in blue, and ?? in red on the right side.
<Search memo from bed, after opening blue briefcase, 1+>
* The note's got �? in blue and ?? in red.
* I don't think I'll need this any more.

<Search small key (red), 1>
* A small [red key].
<Search small key (red), 2+>
* A small [red key]... Maybe I'm supposed to use it to open something red?

<Search stack of blue key cards, 1>
* Looks like some [key cards].
* There's a number written on each card.
* (6) (7) (8)...
* Does that mean something...?
<Search stack of blue key cards, 2+>
* [Key cards] with the numbers 6 through 8 on them.

<Search stack of red key cards, 1>
* These look like [key cards].
* There's a number on each one...
* (1) (2) (3)...
<Search stack of red key cards, 2+>
* [Key cards] with the numbers 1 through 3 on them.

<After leaving Items screen, first time>
[Investigate with an item]
Touching an item while on the item screen will select that item.
While an item is selected, touching L[Back] will return you to the room
investigation screen.
If you look down at the bottom left corner of the bottom screen, you should see
the icon.
This shows that you are holding the item.
If you hold an item while investigating the room, you may trigger a reaction.
Investigate suspicious areas with different items to see if anything happens.
Pressing up on the +Control Pad will select another item for you to hold.

<After leaving Items screen with screwdriver before finding picture frame>
*  A screwdriver, huh... Wonder why that's here...


<After leaving Items screen, with screwdriver and picture frame>
[Combining items]
If you take 2 items you've found and combine them,
they may turn into something else.
To do this, select an item on the item screen and
touch X[Combine] on the top part of the bottom screen.
Then, select the second item and touch X[Combining].
If the 2 items can be combined, you will receive a new item.
If they cannot be combined, nothing will happen.

<After leaving Items screen upon picking up small key (red)>
(To "a01d", replacing quotations with braces {} )


====================
{a01d} File #03
::3rd class cabin::
-in front of mirror, after retrieving red key-

Junpei grabbed the key and shoved it into his pocket.
He intended to leave immediately, but... Something stopped him.
His reflection stared back at him from the mirror, but he had scarcely
recognized himself.

Junpei: What's up with my face...

His confusion was well-justified.
His face was drawn and pale, and the dark circles under his eyes made him look
as though he was nearly dead.

Junpei: Man... What the hell happened to me?
Junpei: How did I end up here...?

Even as he said it, something in his mind opened, and a memory bobbed to the
surface.
It was the last thing Junpei remembered before waking up in the strange room.
It was past midnight when he came home.
Junpei shuffled up the stairs, and opened the door to apartment 201.
Inside was his apartment. A small, one-bedroom affair, that ran him about $630
a month.
He moved into it when he entered college, and so far he'd been there for 3
years and 7 months.
He stepped inside and turned on the lights.
The fluorescent lights on the ceiling blinked and flickered slowly to life, as
if waking from a deep slumber.
Their cold light illuminated the landscape he'd come home to so many times
before... Everything was as he'd left it.
The magazines piled up in the corner. The text books collecting dust. The CD
cases covering the floor. The jeans and t-shirt he'd worn the day before, then
tossed onto the floor.
There was one thing that didn't belong, however.
There was a breeze. Breaths of cold night air wafted into his apartment,
carrying the smells of autumn with them.
The white curtain framing his window swayed gently in the wind.
Huh. That's weird... Did I leave that open...?
Junpei walked toward the window, trying to remember if he'd closed it or not
before he left.
One of the panes was hanging open. He stuck his head out, and looked around.
Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
Junpei shrugged. He must have just left it open earlier.
He closed the window.
Then it happened.
Junpei turned, and found himself face to mask with a man dressed all in black.
The man wore a deep hood, and a bulky gas mask--his face was entirely hidden.
Junpei tried to scream, but all he could manage was a strangled croak.
He tried to step toward the man, but his legs could no longer support his
weight.
Junpei collapsed to the floor--a crumpled heap of limbs, like a discarded
puppet.
Too late, he noticed the white smoke that was quickly filling his apartment.
A small object, shaped distressingly like a grenade, sat on the floor in front
of his face, hissing. The white smoke poured out of it at an incredible rate.
The smoke had grown so thick that the details of Junpei's apartment began to
fade into the white haze.
He could feel his mind begin to fade as well, a white haze that was not the
smoke creeping into the edges of his vision.

???: Consider this a privilege. You have been chosen.

A rasping voice wormed its way out of the gas mask.
It was cold and harsh, and distorted in some way Junpei couldn't put his finger
on.

???: You are going to participate in a game.
???: The [Nonary Game].
???: It is a game...where you will put your life on the line.

That was the last thing Junpei remembered.
The white smoke overpowered him, the masked man faded from his vision, and he
felt his consciousness fall away into the white mist.

Junpei: That's right! That guy with the gas mask!
Junpei: That son of a bitch must have taken me here!

As to who the man was, or might have been, Junpei had no idea.
Indeed, he wasn't even sure that his assailant had been a man.
The voice had been cold and mechanical--likely passed through a
voice-changer--and the body had been covered in a thick cloak.
Who was the man in the mask?
"You have been chosen." Junpei remembered that much, but...
What it might mean... That was beyond him.
Junpei had no idea where he was, or why he was there.
There was only one thing from his memory that seemed important...

???: You are going to participate in a game.
???: The [Nonary Game].
???: It is a game...where you will put your life on the line.

Junpei: The Nonary Game, huh...
Junpei: What the hell is a Nonary Game!? Goddamnit!

With a yell, Junpei drove his fist into the mirror.

(Return to investigation)

===========================================
===========================================
{a01e} File #04
::D Deck Hallway::
-After escaping the first room-
===========================================

Accompanied by a wall of angry water, Junpei shot out of the room and into the
opposing wall.
Gasping to catch his breath, he looked around. He was in a narrow hallway.
The water that had followed him out of the room was rapidly pouring out of the
door. It flowed quickly down the hallway, and slammed into the foot of the
short flight of stairs.
Just 5 steps in fact.
And at the top of this short staircase...

Junpei: A door! Another door!

Junpei leapt up the stairs, straight for the door.
The door burst open, and Junpei exploded out of it, only to freeze in his
tracks.
What other possible response could there have been to what he saw?

Junpei: Wha...what the hell...?

His voice trailed off, and all he could do was stare.
A polished floor stretched out before him, ornate staircases rising up from the
edges, each one of them equidistant from the others.
The stairs and pillars were solid wood, and Art Nouveau embellishments and
decorations covered the walls and pillars.
It looked like nothing so much as the entrance to a luxurious mansion from the
early 1900s.
Junpei couldn't help but wonder...
Was he really in a ship?
The water quickly filling the hallway behind him suggested that yes, he was.
As he looked, a fresh wave rolled out of the room he'd been in, gathering speed
as it moved toward the stairs.

Junpei: Yeah, that's what I thought...
Junpei: This is totally a bo--
Junpei: Wait, what the hell?!
Junpei: A wave?!
Junpei: Sh-Shit! I gotta get outta here!

Junpei spun around, his wet shoes squeaking in protest on the polished floor,
and ran toward the tremendous staircase in front of him.
[C Deck]
[B Deck]
As he ran, he glanced quickly at the plates mounted on the wall, denoting the
decks of the ship.
He took the stairs 2 at a time, not entirely sure where he would find himself.
Just as he began to wonder where, in fact, the stairs did lead...
Junpei saw another person out of the corner of his eye.
He stopped short, nearly tripping over the next stair, and looked. It wasn't
just 1 person he'd seen...
On the landing to the left of the stairs, there were 4 people staring at him...
And on the right side, 3 more.
All told, there were 7 of them.
It looked as though they had been on their way down the stairs.
They'd stopped short when they saw Junpei, their eyes wide.
He'd done the same of course, and now they stood there staring at one another.
Junpei didn't move, one foot placed awkwardly on the next step, in the middle
of a stride.
Who were these people?
This entire interaction lasted only a matter of seconds.
The woman spoke to Junpei, and time began to move again.

???: I guess there's another one of us now.

The woman was dressed, Junpei thought, rather like a [dancer].
Her clothes covered very little, and her prodigious jewelry little more.

Dancer: Hey! You! Come on! Hurry!

With no further ceremony, she ran, straight past Junpei and toward the doors
behind him.
The sudden proximity of a woman with such striking assets left Junpei
momentarily stunned...
...But the others wasted no time, and quickly followed the strange woman.
The first to pass Junpei was a young man with [silver hair].
He threw a quick glance in Junpei's direction as he ran, muttering...

Silver: Hmph. One of us, huh...?

Following him was an older man, his face calm and without fear.
Soft wrinkles sprouted from his eyes, and he came close enough as he passed for
Junpei to see wisps of grey in his hair. His composure and shock of hair struck
Junpei as rather like that of an elderly [lion].

Lion: Going up won't do you any good! There are 2 doors, but neither of them
will open!

The next to speak was a girl with [pink hair] and a high voice.

Pink hair: Come on! Aren't you coming? You gotta hurry!

Her small hand was wrapped around the wrist of another man...
His eyes were closed, almost as though he were sleeping.
His features were graceful, almost serene... And he was dressed rather
elegantly for someone his age.
Something about his posture seemed very refined, and Junpei couldn't help
feeling he was noble and dignified, somehow.
He'd certainly never seen one, but this man seemed like what Junpei had always
imagined a [prince] would be like.

Prince: That's 9 of us, then.
Prince: All of the cards are in hand.

What does "All of the cards are in hand" mean, he wondered.
Junpei opened his mouth to ask what the other man had meant, but the girl with
pink hair rushed past him, and they were gone.
He turned just in time to see 2 more people running toward him.
One of them had hair like a [bird's nest], and looked as though a stiff breeze
might topple him...
...And the other was a veritable [mountain] of a man.
The scrawny one said nothing, and scuttled past Junpei as though he were
running from something...

Mountain: Hey! What the hell're you just standing there for!?
Mountain: Didn't you hear him?!
Junpei: ...
Mountain: The doors on A Deck are no good!
Mountain: We gotta check the doors on B Deck!
Mountain: Got it!? Now go!

Before he had a chance to respond, the man laid a massive hand on Junpei's
shoulder.
With no more effort than Junpei would have used to brush aside a fly, the man
shoved him out of the way.

Junpei: Whoa...!

Thrown off-balance by the man and recent events, it took Junpei a few steps to
get his bearings.
He finally regained his balance and looked up, at what the other 7 had been
running toward.
There were 2 pairs of large iron doors set into the wall in front of him.
They looked quite sturdy, and each had handles jutting from them.
Written across the surface of each door in red paint was a number.
The door on the right had a [4].
And the door on the left had a [5].

Silver: They're the same...

The guy Junpei had decided to call Silver was mumbling to himself.

Silver: The room I woke up in had a number on the door, just like that.
Lion: You too, eh.

With an arched eyebrow, the lion looked over at Silver.

Lion: My cell was the same. A number upon the door.
Lion: I opened it, ran down the hallway outside, and found myself in the rather
grand room full of stairs, as, I suspect, did the rest of you.

It was as though the floodgates had been opened--they all began to talk at
once.
"Me too." "I did too." "Yeah, a door with a number on it."
It soon became clear that each one of them had awoken in a room with a locked
door, and solved a puzzle to escape. They'd all ended up in the same room...
Almost as though they'd been guided there...

Dancer: Yes, we all saw the same thing! That's not important! We need to hurry!
Silver: Ya think I don't know that, lady!?

Before the dancer had time to finish--
Silver was already running.
He grabbed hold of the door labeled [5] and pulled.
However...

Silver: Fuck! It's not opening! This damn thing won't even budge!
Mountain: Move. You're in the way.

The mountain grabbed Silver's shoulder and tossed him aside.
His path cleared, he took a few steps back, then threw himself at the door.
Once...
Twice... 3 times... 4 times...
The door shook as his body slammed into it, but showed no signs of breaking or
opening.
The mountain threw himself at the door again.
Junpei turned toward door [4].
Next to the door, on the wall, was a small box.
It looked just like the one that he'd seen in his room, next to that door.
If it was the same, then...this door was likely locked as well...
Still, he had to check.
Junpei grabbed a handle and threw all of his weight onto it.

Junpei: RRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHH!
Junpei: Gah...!

It was locked as tight as the door next to it, as he'd suspected.

Junpei: Damnit!

Junpei punched the door. It did not respond.
Were these the only doors, he wondered.
He'd barely finished the thought when the C Deck plate he'd passed on his way
up sprang, unbidden, to his mind.
His body moved before he had time to think.
Junpei turned, and ran back toward the stairs.
He had scarcely taken a step, when--
At the top of the stairs, next to an ornate clock embedded in the wall, he saw
a person.
It was a girl. She looked to be the same age as Junpei.
He froze, unable to look away from her face.
He wasn't confounded by her beauty, or something equally silly...
No, there was another reason he couldn't take his eyes off the girl.
Junpei had seen her somewhere before.
He couldn't quite remember where, but he knew... He knew he'd met her before.
The girl, too, stared at Junpei, similarly stunned.
Her response suggested she'd seen him before as well.

???: ...
Junpei: ...

Without saying a word, Junpei walked slowly toward her.
She didn't move. It was almost as though she was held in place by some sort of
magic spell.
As Junpei stepped onto her landing, the spell broke.
No sooner had he set his foot down, than the whole ship shook a second time.

???: Aah!

The quake caught the girl unprepared, and she fell--
Moving on instinct, Junpei leapt to catch her...
Or so he thought.
Her face was far closer than it should have been; mere inches from his own.
He was flat on his back, and she had landed squarely on top of him. The girl
seemed as confused as he did, and her face suggested she still hadn't fully
recovered from seeing him.
For a moment that seemed to stretch for a very long time, they stared at one
another.
The ship stopped shaking. Everything was quiet.
Water could be heard from the bottom of the ship, lapping faintly at walls and
ceilings, but eventually that faded as well.
The silence was complete, a thick, muffling blanket...
At last, the girl opened her mouth.

???: Oh my gosh... Is that you, Jumpy!?

Jumpy... Jumpy...
Her words echoed through Junpei's head, and suddenly, his memory returned.

Junpei: A-Akane!?

Why hadn't he realized it before?!
The girl was [Akane Kurashiki].
She and Junpei had been friends in childhood--they'd gone to elementary school
together for 6 years.
But...what was she doing on the ship?!
Her soft eyes were only inches away from his own... He could feel the warmth of
her face...
Feelings he'd thought long-forgotten began to work their way to the surface...
He could feel his face heating up.
At that moment...
A speaker crackled to life, and a cold, eerie voice filled the room.

???: Welcome aboard.
???: I welcome you all, from the bottom of my heart, to this, my vessel.

With the voice's invasion, the spell between Junpei and Akane was broken, and
all hints of burgeoning romance instantly forgotten.
They hurriedly untangled themselves from one another, and struggled to their
feet.
Their 7 companions had heard the voice as well, and many of their faces had
gone pale.
They looked around frantically, desperate to locate the source of the voice.
At last they found it... A speaker set in the ceiling.

???: I am [Zero]... The captain of this ship.
Zero: I am also the person who invited you here.

The voice was harsh, obscured occasionally by the crackle of static...
...But Junpei recognized it. How could he have forgotten it?
It was the same voice he had heard from the man in the gas mask.

Silver: Hey! Asshole! What the hell is this?! C'mon out here! I wanna get a
look at you!
Lion: What do you mean to do to us?!
Zero: I mean to have you participate in a game.
Zero: Some of you, I know, are familiar with this game.
Zero: The [Nonary Game]. It is a game...where you will put your life on the
line.
Dancer: Nonary Game...?
Mountain: What the hell's that?!

The voice continued, implacable.

Zero: The rules of the [Nonary Game] can be found upon your persons.
Zero: They are simple rules. Read them.
Dancer: Nonary Game...?
Silver: Hey... There's something in my pocket... Check this out.

Silver reached into his pocket, and pulled out a small slip of paper.
The rest of them reached into their own pockets, and pulled out similar slips
of paper.
Junpei followed suit, and dug into the pocket of his pants.
He felt the tell-tale crumple of paper, slightly damp from his earlier ordeal.

Junpei: Hey, I got one too!
Lion: Then it would seem Zero has seen fit to grace us each with a letter.
Lion: Would you mind terribly reading it to us, young man?

His request had been delivered to Junpei who, after a short moment of surprise,
did as he'd been asked.

Junpei: On this ship, you will find a handful of doors emblazoned with numbers.
Junpei: We will call them the [numbered doors].
Junpei: The doors in front of you are a pair of the same.
Junpei: The key to opening these numbered doors are the [numbered bracelets]
that each of you possess.
Junpei: Should you total the numbers on your [numbered bracelets]...
Junpei: ...and find that the [digital root] of that number is equal to the
number of that door, the door will open.
Junpei: Only those who have opened the door may pass through.
Junpei: There are, however, limits.
Junpei: Only [3-5] people can pass through one numbered door.
Junpei: All those who enter must leave, and all who enter must contribute.

[Bracelet], Junpei figured, had to mean the bulky thing on his wrist.
He glanced around. It looked like everyone else had one as well, and had come
to much the same conclusion.

Junpei: The purpose of the game is simple.
Junpei: Leave this ship alive.
Junpei: It is hidden, but an exit can be found.
Junpei: Seek a way out... Seek a door that carries a [9].

Junpei had reached the end of the letter. There was a long moment of silence,
and then the speaker crackled to life once more.

Zero: There is one last thing I must tell you.
Zero: As you have no doubt surmised, this ship has begun to sink.
Zero: On April 14th, 1912...the famous ocean liner Titanic crashed into an
iceberg.
Zero: After remaining afloat for 2 hours and 40 minutes, it sank beneath the
waters of the North Atlantic.
Zero: I will give you more time.
Zero: [9 hours]. That is the time you will be given to make your escape.

The voice finished, and the speaker went silent.
The sound of a bell tolling echoed through the hall.
It came from the dance hall adjacent to the stairwell.
It took those assembled on the stairs mere moments to trace the sound to an
antique clock embedded in the wall.
7...8...9...
The sound of the 9th bell faded away. The 10th never came.
That meant the time was 9 o'clock. Most likely 9 o'clock in the evening.
When Junpei had peered out the window of his cell, he'd seen nothing but
blackness.
It had to be nighttime.
If that was the case, then they would need to escape by [6 AM] the following
day...

Zero: Now, it is time. Let our game begin.
Zero: I wish you all the best of luck.

The speaker went silent, and did not speak again.
Silver yelled at the speaker with language coarse enough to embarrass a sailor,
but the rest of Junpei's companions were silent, deep in thought.
Junpei, too, was consumed by his thoughts.
There was a great deal he didn't understand.
Who was Zero...?
What was the Nonary Game? Why had he chosen to make them part of it?
Was he a criminal who took delight in playing with his victims? Or did he have
some other purpose?
And why had Junpei been chosen as part of this insane game?
Why had any of them been chosen?
But one question was foremost on his mind...
Akane.
They hadn't seen one another since elementary school.
Why had she appeared now?
Coincidence...? No. That seemed impossible. There had to be a reason.
He didn't know what it might be, but... There had to be a reason.

Lion: Very well!

The lion's voice seemed oddly loud in the silence.

Lion: Standing around here won't do us any good. Best we get moving, don't you
think?
Junpei: ...Get moving?
Akane: Are you planning to open the numbered doors?
Dancer: H-Hey! Wait!
Dancer: Don't tell me you're actually going to do what this...this Zero says?!
Lion: No, no, that's not what I mean.

The lion shook his head, mildly annoyed.

Lion: I'm saying, let's find another way.
Lion: After all, we haven't really examined this place yet.
Dancer: We...what...?

...
...

==========================================
==========================================
{m10a} File #66
:In front of the 4 and 5 doors:
-After investigations-
==========================================

Their separate investigations finished, all 9 people returned to where they'd
left one another.
The result of all their work was...nothing.
They were completely sealed in.
Their hard work had not gone completely to waste, however.
They had learned a number of things as they'd scoured the parts of the ship
they could reach.
It seemed that they were confined to decks A through C.
C Deck was as far down as they would be able to go, however.
The reason being...
That D Deck was completely submerged.
Strangely, however, the water had risen no higher than D Deck.
The flow seemed to have been stopped somehow, as evidenced by the surface of
the water on D Deck, which was as smooth as glass.
The prince knelt down and gently drew his hand across it.

Prince: Perhaps this Zero fellow has used some sort of remote control to seal a
watertight door lower down...
Prince: He said that our time limit was 9 hours.
Prince: In other words, this water won't rise for 9 hours.
Mountain: Then you're sayin' we won't sink 'til then?
Prince: Well, that may be a little too optimistic. No point to wishful
thinking.

There were 3 metal doors on C Deck.
A single door stood off to the side, with 2 more on the wall facing the central
staircase.
None of them had numbers, or verification devices.
They were, however, locked like the other doors.
No matter how much they pushed and shoved, the doors refused to move. The
mountain and the lion threw themselves against them a few times, but to no
avail.
The door in the back had a keyhole.
Just above it was a strange mark in the shape of a circle surrounding a dot.
There were 2 other doors on C Deck as well, but it was clear they were
elevators, as each had a button next to it with an upside-down triangle.
They tried pushing the button.
No response. Apparently there was no power running to the elevators.
To the left of the elevator doors was a card reader.
The card reader also had a strange mark on it.
It looked like a lower-case "h" with a dash drawn across the upper stem of the
"h".
Junpei stared at it for a while.

Akane: This is the symbol of [Saturn].
Akane: It's an astrological symbol.
Junpei: Then...the mark on the other door...
Akane: I think that was the [Sun symbol].

They had seen the same symbols on A Deck.
There was a door on either side of the stairs.
The one on the left had a keyhole with a similar symbol engraved on it.

Akane: This is an [Earth symbol].
Akane: The horizontal line symbolizes the equator and the vertical one
represents the Prime Meridian.

Junpei looked up at the ceiling.
There was a great circle cut in it, perhaps for a skylight or a glass dome, but
it had been filled with a gargantuan metal plate.
The metal looked very solid. Anything short of an explosive charge was unlikely
to damage it.
There were several windows along both sides of the ship--or at least there had
been. They, too, were covered with metal plates.
In other words...

Junpei: We're trapped. All the exits go nowhere...

Junpei was not happy.
The girl with pink hair spoke up.

Pink hair: Well, I'm sure they go somewhere. We just can't open them.

Then the mountain spoke.

Mountain: You don't know that. For all we know, they just open into walls, or
take us in circles.

The prince did not agree.

Prince: No, I'm sure they go somewhere. Otherwise, what point would there be?
Prince: And we can open them. Well, 2 of them, at least.
Junpei: You mean the numbered doors...

All eyes turned toward the doors with numbers on them.
The atmosphere in the room grew tense.

Dancer: H-Hey... Wait a minute.
Dancer: I think I said this earlier, but I don't think we should do that.

The dancer moved in front of the doors, as if to block them.

Dancer: We'd have to be crazy to open these doors.
Dancer: If we do that, we're doing exactly what Zero wants us to do.

Suddenly, everyone began to speak at once.
"I agree!" "I don't! That's a terrible idea!" "We should keep going." "We
should stay here!" "We don't have any other way to open any of these doors."
"We should just wait. Someone's bound to come find us!" "We don't have time for
that!" "In 8 and a half hours, this ship is going to sink!"
The clamor of voices made it next to impossible to determine who was saying
what.
Their arguments grew more and more intense, until people were shouting and
screaming at one another.
Junpei had remained silent, but at last he could take no more.

Junpei: Hey! Shut up!

They fell silent, and all eyes turned to Junpei.
He felt each stare burning into him, but he refused to flinch.

Junpei: Before we try and decide where we're going to go, there's something
else we oughta do.
Pink hair: What's that?
Junpei: We need to exchange information.
Junpei: We don't know anything about each other.
Junpei: I want to know who you guys are...
Junpei: Who you are, where you came from, why you ended up here...
Junpei: Don't tell me you aren't curious too...?

They were silent.
Some of them looked the other way, or bit their lip, or crossed their arms and
stared at the ceiling.
But one of them spoke up. It was Akane.

Akane: I agree. I think Jumpy is right.
Mountain: Jumpy...?
Akane: Oh! I'm sorry. I'm talking about him... I just call him Jumpy. His name
is Junpei...

She pointed toward Junpei.

Akane: We're childhood friends. We went to the same elementary school...
Mountain: Wait! Stop!
Mountain: Don't tell us stuff we didn't ask you about!
Mountain: Zero's probably watchin' us right now.
Mountain: What're you gonna do if he's listenin' in?!
Akane: Would...that be bad...?
Mountain: Hell yeah it would!
Mountain: We don't know how much that bastard knows about us.
Mountain: Maybe he just picked a bunch'a random people to kidnap.
Mountain: If that is the case, then it'd be dangerous for us to let him know
too much.
Mountain: If Zero knows who we are, he could go after our families.
Mountain: Maybe he'd tell us he had 'em to get us to do stuff, you know?
Akane: But...we still need to know what our names are...
Akane: It's going to be hard to talk to each other if we don't have names.
Mountain: All right, then why don't we have code names?

To him, apparently, it seemed like the obvious solution.

Akane: Code names?
Mountain: Yeah, we'll each pick somethin'.
Mountain: Like... I'll be [Seven].
Junpei: Seven? Why are you Seven?

It seemed a fair question.
The mountain stuck out his left arm.

Mountain: 'Cause this bracelet number says (7).
Silver: Oh, I get it. Yeah, that's a good idea.

He smirked.

Silver: All right, I'm gonna be [Santa].
Silver: Any of you chumps know Japanese? No? Well, "san" means "3". So I'll be
Santa. You know like Santa Claus. Fits don'tcha think?
Lion: Then your bracelet number...
Silver: Yeah, it's got a (3) on it. Good job, grandpa.

Just like the mountain had done, Silver thrust out his left hand.
Sure enough, the face of his bracelet read (3).

Lion: Very well then. I'll go next, shall I?
Lion: My bracelet number is (1).
Lion: Given that, I think [Ace] seems appropriate.
Dancer: I'll be [Lotus], then. As I'm sure you all know, it has 8 petals.
Dancer: Which means, of course, that my bracelet number is...
Dancer: (8).
Prince: I would appreciate it if you would call me [Snake].
Prince: My bracelet number is (2).
Prince: Since Ace has chosen cards, then I choose dice--"snake-eyes", clearly.
Which is particularly relevant, given that I am blind.

Blind? Really?
He'd kept his eyes closed during their entire ordeal, which had suggested
something strange, but to hear it said so casually... It was something of a
surprise.
Everyone seemed a little nervous at the prince's proclamation, but no one
seemed to know how to react to it.
There was one person, however, who didn't seem to be surprised in the least.
The girl with pink hair.

Pink hair: I want to be [Clover].
Pink hair: You know, like a 4-leaf clover... Good luck, right?

Looking almost bored, she held out her left hand.
The face of her bracelet showed the number (4).
They'd come around to Junpei.
He held out his bracelet...

Junpei: All right, my number's (5), so my code name is gonna be--
Dancer: Why have one? It's not like there's any point to it now.

The dancer cut him off in mid-sentence.

Dancer: I mean... We all know your name already. You're Junpei.
Junpei: O-Oh...

They all nodded.
Akane stepped forward, nervously.

Akane: Then you should all call me by my name too.
Akane: Because...I mean... It doesn't seem...
Mountain: It doesn't seem fair to "Jumpy"?
Silver: You're thinking it's not cool for you to hide your name after you told
us his?
Akane: ...

Akane fidgeted awkwardly.
Junpei decided he had to do something.

Junpei: What's your bracelet number?
Akane: It's (6)...

She hesitated for a moment, then held out her left hand.
As she'd claimed, the bracelet's face showed a (6).
Junpei looked at it for a moment and thought.

Junpei: All right then... Why don't we call you [June]?
Lion: June?
Junpei: Yeah, you know... It's the 6th month of the year.
Junpei: So you're [June].
Akane: Jumpy...

Akane kneaded her hands and looked up at Junpei, uncertain.
He smiled back at her, reassuringly.

Junpei: Are you good with that?

She thought about it for a few more minutes, then seemed to come to a decision
and gave Junpei a small nod.
Their names decided, Junpei ran over them quickly in his head.
(1) was [Ace].
(2) was [Snake].
(3) was [Santa].
(4) was [Clover].
(5) was [Junpei's] number.
Akane was (6), and Junpei had given her the code name of [June].
(7) was [Seven].
And (8) was [Lotus].
That meant that 8 of them, including Junpei, had revealed their bracelet
numbers.
But there was still 1 person left...
He was the man with glasses and hair like a bird's nest.
He hadn't said anything since they'd met on the stairs, and he didn't look like
the sort of person who was inclined to conversation.
His skin was pale, his breathing was heavy, and he was soaked with nervous
sweat.
His behavior seemed very suspicious, or perhaps simply emotionally unstable. It
was difficult to tell.
Whatever the case, it seemed clear that he had only a fingertip's-worth of a
grip on his sanity.
The girl with pink hair, [Clover], walked up to him, slowly.
She put her hands on her hips and eyed him suspiciously.

Clover: What number are you?

He didn't answer.
His bloodshot eyes twitched from person to person, and his breath came in hot
pants.

Clover: Hey, I'm talking to you...

The man licked his dry lips with a shaking tongue and spoke with a voice like
old paper.

???: I-I-Isn't it o-obvious?
???: There are 9 people here.
???: A-A-A-And you know who numbers 1 through 8 are.
???: I'm th-the only one left.
Clover: So you're (9)?
???: Y-Y-Y-Yeah.

He extended a trembling arm.
The bracelet did indeed say (9).
Clover looked at it contemptuously.

Clover: What's your code name?
???: C-C-C-Code...n-name?
Clover: What do you want us to call you? We all made up names. You should too.
???: I-I-I-I-I d-don't need one.
Clover: Why not?
???: B-B-B-Because I'm n-n-not going to stay here. ...With y-you.

He took a shuddering breath and exhaled.
Clover looked at him with something very like disgust.

Clover: You've got some sorta plan?
???: I-I do.
Clover: Yeah? What's that?
???: Y-Y-Y-You sure you w-want to know?
Clover: Yeah...?
???: A-All right. Let me sh-show you.
???: I-I-I-I'm going to do this!
Clover: Aaaaiiiii!

By the time they realized what he was doing, it was too late to stop him.
The man's body moved like a snake's. In the blink of an eye, he had slid around
behind her, and wrapped his arm around her waist.

Santa: Hey, what the hell do you think you're doing!?

Silver--[Santa] leapt forward, toward Clover and the 9th Man.
He was halfway there, when--

???: S-Stay back!

Suddenly the man's hand dove into his pocket.
It came back out with a knife. A pocketknife.
He held it to Clover's pale, quivering neck.

???: I-I-If you g-get any closer--!
???: I-I'll cut her open!

Santa skidded to a halt. He snarled at the scrawny man with the knife and
gritted his teeth.

???: Y-Yes, that's right...

The man's smile was neither friendly nor reassuring. Sweat poured down his
neck, soaking the collar of his shirt.

Snake: Clover...are you all right?

The prince--[Snake's] voice sounded oddly concerned.

Clover: Y-Yeah... I'm fine...

Her voice shook, making her words even less convincing.

Junpei: What the hell are you trying to do?!
???: I-I told you...
???: This is my plan...
Seven: What're you gonna do to her, you sick son of a bitch?
???: D-Don't worry... I-I'm not going to d-do anything to her...
???: If she just does what I t-tell her to, I'll let her go.

He started to move backward, slowly, keeping his grip on Clover.
Keeping their distance, Junpei and the others followed.
Eventually, the man reached the wall.
He gave a start as his back touched it, then glanced around quickly and spoke.

???: V-V-Verify...
Clover: Huh?
???: The left. Look on your left. D-Do you see the device on the wall?
???: P-Place your hand on the scanner panel, the round part.
Clover: What if I don't?

The man's nostrils flared and he looked like he was about to choke.

???: A-A-A-Are you an idiot?! W-W-What do you think?!
???: I c-c-could slit your throat right now!
???: I'll kill you if I have to.
???: A-All I need is your bracelet.
Clover: ...
???: Just do it! D-Do it now!

He pressed the knife against Clover's neck, hard.
Slowly, she stretched her left hand out toward the device.
Her back was to it, and she had to feel around for a moment before she found
the circular panel.
It made a cold, electronic noise, and on the display above her hand, an
asterisk appeared.
So that's how it works, Junpei thought to himself.
By placing one's palm on what the 9th Man had called the "scanner panel", the
user's bracelet number would be entered into the device.

Zero: "Should you total the numbers on your [numbered bracelets]..."
Zero: "...and find that the [digital root] of that number is equal to the
number of that door, the door will open."

Junpei shifted his eyes to the door itself.
The number on it was [5].
The 9th Man seemed to know a little more about the device's operation than he
should.
How had he known exactly what to do?

???: Good... Good, you're done.
???: N-N-Next...

His blood-shot eyes crept from person to person until finally...
They stopped on the lion--[Ace].

???: You, right? You're the one with the number (1) bracelet, right?
Ace: Yes. I am. So?
???: Th-Then y-you're next...
???: Just verify your number like this little b-brat did.
Ace: ...
???: What are you doing?! D-Do it!
???: D-Don't you care what h-happens to her?!
Ace: O-Okay, okay. Just calm down...

Ace held up his hands, palms out.
The 9th Man jerked his chin toward the device.
Slowly, cautiously, Ace moved toward the device.
After what seemed like an agonizing eternity, he reached it.

???: Now... Verify.

Ace nodded and placed his hand on the scanner panel.
The device beeped again, and a 2nd asterisk appeared.
Now the device had Clover and Ace's numbers. (4) and (1).
4 + 1 = 5
The same as the number written on the door.
But it wouldn't open just yet...

Zero: "Only [3-5] people can pass through one numbered door."

The door needed at least 1 more person.
Who would that be?

???: G-G-G-Get back...

His voice shook, but the knife he held to Clover's throat made his words a
command.
Ace took 2, then 3, steps back.

???: No! Farther! More than that! Go all the way back!

Slowly, Ace did what he was told.
The 9th Man's lips curled into a cruel, twisted smile.
That was when Junpei understood his plan.
Clover's (4) and Ace's (1)... Added to the 9th Man's (9)...
4 + 1 + 9 = 14 -> 1 + 4 = [5]
In other words...

???: Hehe... Hehehe...
???: Ehehehehehehehehe!
???: Th-Th-Thank God you were all so c-cooperative!
???: Now I can get out of this n-nightmare!

He pressed his own hand against the scanner panel.
A 3rd asterisk appeared on the screen.
He dropped his hand to the lever on the side of the device and pulled.
The door opened with a heavy, metallic groan.
He let go of Clover.

Junpei: Wait!

Junpei leapt toward the 9th Man, but he wasn't fast enough.
The man shoved Clover...

Clover: Aaah!

...And hopped through the door.

???: O-O-Okay, have a good one, guys.
???: I'm going off ahead now. Well then...
???: Goodbye...

He raised his hand and waved, a twisted smirk on his face.
Then he was gone. The door ground shut with a dull clang of metal on metal.

Snake: Clover! Are you all right!?

Snake ran to Clover's side as she lay on the floor.

Clover: Y-Yeah, I'm fine.

She climbed unsteadily to her feet, and once there, leaned heavily on Snake's
shoulder for support.
Junpei ran to the door.
The others followed him.
Several pairs of hands grabbed hold of the handles and pulled.
They grunted and strained, but...

Junpei: Shit! It won't budge!

That was when [Lotus], the dancer, spoke. Her voice was quiet.

Lotus: Do you hear something...?
Junpei: Like...what?
Lotus: Like some sort of...beeping...

Junpei pressed his ear against the cold metal of the door.
The others did the same.

June: You're right... I can hear it too.
Santa: What is it?

Then they heard something else.
It was the 9th Man.

???: Shit! Why isn't it stopping?! Goddamnit!
???: Y-Y-You l-lied!

Lied...?

???: Th-Th-This wasn't supposed to happen!
???: This is wrong!
???: This is wrong!

His voice shook with fear.
Safe on the outside, they stepped back from the door and looked at one another.

Ace: What is happening in there...?
???: O-O-O-Open the door! Please! I'm begging you!
???: Help me! Please, get me out of here! Get me out of here!

Junpei grabbed hold of the device.
He slammed his hand on the scanner panel.
Nothing happened.
Why didn't it register him?! He looked at the display where the asterisks had
shown up. It said "ENGAGED".

???: A-Ah... Oh my God, oh my God, there's no time left...!
???: Listen! I was lied to! He lied to me! He put me in here!
???: It was him! He killed me! It was him!
???: A...Aahh... Aaahhhh...
???: Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaght--!

...
...
The explosion rocked the room.
Instinctively, they ducked, then stood up slowly when they realized there was
no danger.
No one spoke.
Silence filled the room.
In that silence, the electronic tone that echoed across the room sounded as
loud as a gunshot.
All eyes turned toward it.
It had come from the device mounted next to the door.
The display changed from [ENGAGED] to [VACANT].

Seven: Let's see if we can open it...

[Seven]--the mountain--swallowed hard.
Junpei nodded and placed his hand on the scanner panel.
A red asterisk appeared on the LCD panel.
The device had registered Junpei's bracelet number: (5).
His was not enough, however. At least 2 more people were needed.
Junpei asked...

* <<Which pair?>>

<Ace and Lotus (1 + 8)> - to {m10a1a}
<Snake and Seven (2 + 7)> - to {m10a1b}
<Santa and June (3 + 6)> - to {m10a1c}

{m10a1a}
<Ace and Lotus (1 + 8)>

Junpei: Ace, Lotus... You think you could give me a hand here?

The pun was a little too on-the-nose, but the mood was still grim.
Both Ace and Lotus lifted their left hands silently.
He verified, and she followed suit.
5 + 1 + 8 = 14 -> 1 + 4 = [5]
They'd fulfilled the conditions.
If they were to pull the lever on the side...

(To "m10a1z", replace quotations with braces)

{m10a1b}
<Snake and Seven (2 + 7)>

Junpei: Snake, Seven... You think you could give me a hand here?

The pun was a little too on-the-nose, but the mood was still grim.
Both Snake and Seven lifted their left hands silently.
Slowly, each of them placed their hand on the scanner panel.
5 + 2 + 7 = 14 -> 1 + 4 = [5]
They'd fulfilled the conditions.
If they were to pull the lever on the side...

(To "m10a1z", replace quotations with braces)

{m10a1c}
<Santa and June (3 + 6)>

Junpei: Santa and...uh...June... You think you could give me a hand here?

The pun was a little too on-the-nose, but the mood was still grim.
Both Santa and June lifted their left hands silently.
He verified, and she followed suit.
5 + 3 + 6 = 14 -> 1 + 4 = [5]
They'd fulfilled the conditions.
If they were to pull the lever on the side...

(To "m10a1z", replace quotations with braces)

{m10a1z}

Junpei: Are you guys ready? I'm gonna open it.

Junpei grabbed the lever and looked back over his shoulder.
They stiffened and nodded.
Junpei nodded back, and set his mouth in a grim line.
Then he slowly...
lowered...
the lever...
There was a metallic groan, and the door slide open.
A breath of air drifted out of it, carrying a stench that nearly made them gag.
Junpei grimaced and put a hand over his mouth.

Lotus: Oh my God...
Ace: Good God...

Lotus and Ace shuddered.
Seven grunted.

Seven: Whoa... That's...pretty bad...

Even Santa's voice shook.

Santa: He...he blew up...

It appeared that Santa was right.
The hallway on the other side of the door was splattered with chunks of torn
flesh and dark, red blood.

June: Aaaaaiiiii!

The shriek echoed across the room.
It had come from June.
Then her strength left her and she dropped--
As Junpei turned to catch her, the door groaned shut.
She crumpled to the floor.

Junpei: June! You okay?!

Junpei dropped to his knees and put his arm around her shoulders.
That was when he noticed...
Her whole body was feverish. She was radiating intense heat...

Junpei: What the hell?! Where'd this fever come from?
June: ...

June didn't answer.
Her face looked like wax, and her whole body began to shake.
All right, let's just rest for a minute, okay? You think you can walk?
She nodded weakly.
Junpei lifted June to her feet, and guided her to a nearby chair.

Junpei: Here we go...

As gently as he could, he set her down in it.

Junpei: How are you feeling? Are you all right?

She nodded, and as she did, a single, huge tear rolled down the side of her
face.

June: Why... Why did this happen...

Her voice cracked, broken by misery and grief and choked by sobs.

June: Why did this happen...

Junpei spun around.

Junpei: Do any of you know what the fuck is going on here?!
Junpei: Who's Zero?! What's this "Nonary Game"!?  C'mon! Anybody? Anything?!
Junpei: What the hell is going on?! What are we doing here?!

No one spoke.
Ace, Snake, Santa, Clover, Seven, and Lotus...
They simply stood there, 7 pairs of downcast eyes and 7 grim lines for mouths.

June: ...

June's body shook with silent sobs.
They slowed, as the minutes ticked by, and eventually they stopped.
Then suddenly, in the cold, heavy silence that had enveloped them like a thick
fog, a bell began to ring. The clock in the central hall.
7...8...9...10 times...
And then, on the 10th ring, it stopped. The sound of the bell faded away into
silence.

Ace: It's 10 o'clock, then.

Ace said what each one of them had been thinking.

Seven: That means it's been an hour since Zero's little announcement.

Seven's deep voice echoed across the room.

Santa: Fuck! I've had enough of this crap!

Santa leapt to his feet, his fists clenched.

Santa: How long are we gonna pussyfoot around like this?!
Santa: We've only got 8 hours until this time limit Zero was going on about is
up!
Santa: Let's get goin' already! Go! Go!

Santa's outburst fell on deaf ears. No one seemed to agree with him.
They stared back at him, their eyes blank and their faces tired.
Finally, Lotus spoke.

Lotus: No. I refuse. I'm not going to end up like him.
Santa: ...Him? You mean the 9th Man?
Lotus: Of course. Who else?

In his mind's eye, Junpei saw the corpse again.
The dark, reddish-black pool of blood... The scattered pieces of flesh...
Organs strewn across the floor like the blossoming of a grotesque flower...
The explosion that had torn through his body had been powerful.
The 9th Man's neck had been twisted at an odd angle.
Junpei suspected the detonation had thrown him against the wall.
Half of his face was crushed, and the other half was covered in blood.
Most of his abdomen had been emptied, either by the explosion, or by gravity.
He had landed on his back, and stark white ribs jutted up out of his chest,
like the legs of some sort of macabre crab.
Junpei felt something flip in his stomach.

Santa: I think he just...screwed up.

Eyebrows went up, and Santa continued.

Santa: He probably set off some sorta trap, and that killed him.
Santa: I'm not gonna screw up like that! I'm gettin' outta here alive!
Snake: Hehe...hehe... Ahahahahahahaha!

Whatever Snake was laughing at, Santa did not find particularly humorous.

Santa: What's so goddamn funny!?
Snake: Oh, my apologies... You were just... So very confident! I couldn't help
myself.
Santa: What the fuck!?
Snake: I think you've mistaken the situation.
Santa: Huh?
Snake: The 9th Man's death. It had nothing to do with a trap. Or at least not
the sort of trap you imagine it did.
Santa: Then...?
Snake: He broke one of Zero's rules. That was why he died. Quite simple if you
think about it.
Santa: ...?
Snake: You still don't...? All right. How about you take a moment, and think
back to what Zero said.
Snake: Specifically, what did he say about the number of people?
Santa: He said "Only [3-5] people can pass through one numbered door."
...Right?
Snake: And after that...? You've forgotten the relevant part.
Snake: What did Zero say?
Santa: ...?

Santa furrowed his brow in thought.
Junpei thought back...

* <<Zero said...>>

<...that only 2 people could go through.> - to {m10a2a}
<...that everyone who verified had to go.> - to {m10a2b}
<...more than 6 people can go through.> - to {m10a2c}

{m10a2a}
<...that only 2 people could go through.>

...That only 2 people could go through. Or something like that.
...
No... Wait, that was wrong.
It was on the tip of Junpei's tongue when Lotus beat him to the punch.

Lotus: "All those who enter must leave, and all who enter must contribute."
That's what the letter said.
Lotus: In other words, no less than 3, and no more than 5. 
Snake: Exactly.

Snake inclined his head toward Lotus.

(To "m10a2z", replace quotations with braces)

{m10a2b}
<...that everyone who verified had to go.>

Junpei: "All those who enter must leave, and all who enter must contribute."
...Right?
Junpei: I think it was something like that...
Junpei: Whatever it was, it means that groups of less than 3 or more than 5
can't go through.
Snake: That is correct. A gold star for you, Junpei.

Snake inclined his head toward Junpei.

(To "m10a2z", replace quotations with braces)

{m10a2c}
<...more than 6 people can go through.>

It was something about how more than 6 people could pass through...
...
No... Wait, that was wrong.
It was on the tip of Junpei's tongue when Lotus beat him to the punch.

Lotus: "All those who enter must leave, and all who enter must contribute."
That's what the letter said.
Lotus: In other words, no less than 3, and no more than 5. 
Snake: Exactly.

Snake inclined his head toward Lotus.

(To "m10a2z", replace quotations with braces)

{m10a2z}

Snake: The 9th Man, however, broke that rule.
Snake: He tried to pass through a numbered door by himself.
Snake: That was why he was executed.
Seven: Then Zero's watchin' us from somewhere...
Seven: Makin' sure we don't break any rules...
Snake: Oh, I'm not so sure of that.
Seven: Why not?
Snake: Because this execution system is entirely automatic. You didn't notice?
Snake: There's no need for him to monitor us.
Seven: Wadda you mean?

Snake looked at Seven with what could only be described as pity and sighed.

Snake: Very well. I see it must be me who tells you.
Snake: I've waited long enough, I suppose.
Snake: I had hoped Zero might spare me the trouble, but...
Snake: That seems increasingly unlikely.

He couldn't see them, of course, but perhaps Snake sensed the confused eyes
upon him.
When Ace spoke, he gave words to everyone else's thoughts.

Ace: Do you know something?!
Snake: Well, I know a great many things, but... Yes.
Ace: What is it you know?!
Snake: Here.

Snake removed a card from the pocket of his jacket.
With a flourish, he presented it to Ace, who took a close look at it and spoke.

Ace: Come on, now. What's the point of giving me this?
Santa: Gimme that.

Santa snatched the card from Ace, but his expression of disgust quickly turned
to one of confusion.

Santa: Huh? The hell is this...

Seven tugged it out of Santa's hands.

Seven: Heh. I see...

The card went from Seven to Lotus, from Lotus to June, and finally to Junpei.
He looked at it, and understood.

Junpei: This is braille.

Braille. The written language of the blind.
The card was covered with small, embossed bumps.
Junpei could recognize it, but he certainly couldn't read it.

Junpei: Sorry guys, I can't read this.

Junpei handed the card back to Snake, who nodded at him with a small smirk.

Lotus: Okay, that was fun. What's so important about that card?
Snake: I found it in my pocket.
Snake: I can only assume it is a message from Zero.
Ace: F-From Zero?
Santa: A message?!
June: W-What does it say?!

Suddenly, everyone was crowding around Snake, desperate to hear what the
message said.
Santa especially looked as if he were about to grab hold of Snake and shake the
answers from him.
Snake raised his hand.

Snake: Calm down now. No need to panic.
Snake: You don't need to force me, I'll read it.

Junpei swallowed hard and waited for him to start.
He was not the only one.
Presently, Snake began to read, his voice calm.
His fingers glided over the tiny bumps as he spoke.

Snake: "Bracelet number (2)..."
Snake: "Since you are not blessed with sight"
Snake: "I shall bless you--and only you--with information."
Snake: "I shall tell you of the function of the RED, of the DEAD, and of the
bracelet."

The [RED] is the Recognition Device.
It will verify your number.
Beside every numbered door, you will find a RED.
The [DEAD] is the Deactivation Device.
It does exactly what it says.
Once you have passed through the numbered door, you must use the DEAD to stop
the [detonator] in your bracelet.
But perhaps you are wondering... What does this detonator detonate? I am afraid
this may be something of a surprise.
I have placed a [small bomb] inside of you, and the people whom you are about
to meet.
You swallowed it while you were unconscious.
I have no doubt that by the time you read this note, the bomb will have passed
your stomach and found its way to your small intestine.
In other words, you will be unable to regurgitate it. I suggest you do not try.
As I mentioned before, the bracelet on your left hand contains a detonator.
Think of it as a remote fuse, or [timer], for the bomb in your body.
There is only 1 condition which will cause it to detonate.
That condition is that you enter a numbered door.
Once you have done so, the timer will activate, no matter who you may be.
You will have [81 seconds].
If, after that time, the detonator has not been deactivated, it will send a
signal to the bomb in your body, instructing it to explode.
In order to deactivate the detonator, [every person who verified their number
at the RED] must also verify their numbers at the DEAD.
Once all numbers have been verified by the DEAD, you need only pull the lever
at its side, and the countdown will cease.
Anyone who does not verify their number at the RED will find themselves unable
to verify their number at the DEAD.
That is to say, if you should pass through a numbered door without first
verifying your number at the RED, in 81 seconds you will be dead.
You must also keep in mind that the numbered doors will close automatically
after [9 seconds] have passed.
So long as the door is open, the DEAD will not function. You would do well to
remember this.
Lastly, let us discuss [how to remove the bracelets].
There are only 2 ways to do so.
One: You escape from this ship.
Two: Your heart rate reaches zero.
In other words, once the bracelet is taken outside the confines of the ship, or
detects that its wearer's heartbeat has fallen to zero, it will shut down
automatically.
There is no other way to remove your bracelet.
If you attempt to force it off, or disable the detonator, the bomb within you
will immediately explode.

Snake: "This is all the information which I can impart to you."
Snake: "How you choose to use it is for you to decide."
Snake: "If used wisely, you can eliminate those who might be a danger to you.
For a time, you would be able to control your fate."
Snake: "I wish you the best of luck."

Snake finished reading, and carefully returned the card to his pocket.
The message had been lengthy, but its meaning was clear.
[Only those who verified their numbers at the RED could pass through the
numbered doors].
Teams could not increase or decrease their numbers.
The [REDs], [DEADs], and [bracelets] enforced the rules. They were judge, jury,
and executioner.
In defiance of Zero's suggestions, both Santa and Seven put fingers down their
throats and began to gag.
The rest stiffened. Some touched their stomachs--some simply stared at their
bracelets.
Junpei gingerly touched his stomach.
There was a bomb inside his body. The thought of it made him queasy.
His stomach felt oddly hollow, and his legs were weak.
Why had Zero designed such a ludicrous game?
Junpei looked over at the others.

Junpei: All right, I'm gonna ask one more time.
Junpei: Do any of you know anything about Zero?

They were all silent, each person waiting to hear what the others would say.
Finally, Santa spoke.

Santa: Actually, I...I saw him. I saw Zero when I got grabbed.
Santa: I didn't see his face, though...
Santa: Son of a bitch was wearing some kinda gas mask.

...

Santa: ...What the hell? C'mon guys, gimme something...
Santa: You know, like...surprise or something.

Instead, it was Santa who looked surprised.
There was a moment of silence, and then everyone spoke at once.
"Yeah, I saw him too!" "Me too!" "He was wearing a gas mask..."
As stories were sorted out, the truth became clear:
All of their stories were the same.
They had been abducted at home, at midnight.
The person claiming to be Zero had worn a mask.
There had been white smoke, and then each person had passed out.
When they awoke, they had found themselves on D Deck, in a room with a 3-level
bunk bed.
Only Seven's story seemed to lack the detail of the others.

Seven: Oh... Me...?
Seven: Yeah, well, mine was just like the rest'a yours...

That was all he had said.
It had occurred to Junpei at the time that it sounded somewhat strange, but he
didn't press the issue.
He hadn't done so, because there was something that struck him as even
stranger.
That was the mystery of the relationship between Snake and Clover.
For some reason, they had been abducted from the same room, and woken up in the
same room.
Junpei looked at them, thoughtfully.

Junpei: So what's the deal with the 2 of you, anyway?

It was Clover that answered.
Clearly, she felt she had nothing to hide.

Clover: We're siblings.
Junpei: Siblings!?
Clover: Uh...yes?
Clover: Snake is my older brother, obviously. That means I'm his little sister.
Clover: That really so hard to understand?

Junpei was taken aback.
The others seemed just as surprised.

Snake: She is correct, of course.

He laid his hand on Clover's shoulder.

Snake: Are you...surprised?
Seven: Well, yeah, but...
Snake: Why? There are other people here with connections to one another.
Snake: Those 2, for instance...

Snake pointed at Junpei and June.

June: Oh, you mean between Jumpy and me...?
Ace: Ah, yes. You did say you were childhood friends, didn't you.
Lotus: You went to school together?
June: Y-Yeah...

June glanced at Junpei, uncomfortable with the sudden attention.
Junpei felt somewhat nervous as well, and tried to scratch his head as casually
as possible.

Santa: Hey... You think maybe we could figure out who Zero is this way?
Seven: Yeah, you're right.
Seven: You connect the dots between the victims, and that leads you to the
perp. Textbook stuff.
Lotus: Junpei, June, does any of this ring a bell?
Junpei: Ring a bell...
June: Ring a bell...?

They looked at one another.
And like it was staged, they both tilted their neck at the same time.

Lotus: Well, perhaps you went to school with the son of a multi-millionaire...
June: A millionaire...?
Junpei: Son...?
Lotus: Well, someone bought this boat, and set up all of...this.
Lotus: Whoever Zero is, they must be incredibly rich.
Ace: Well, we can't be sure of that.
Ace: To me, this seems as though it's the work of an organization, not an
individual.
Ace: Zero is most likely simply the representative of a larger group.
Seven: What sort of organization?
Ace: It could be a number of things. An army, perhaps, or a research group.
Ace: Perhaps this is all some sort of psychological experiment.
Santa: If it is, then it's a pretty fucked up experiment!
Santa: I mean, c'mon! A guy's dead!

The word "dead" hung in the air, heavy and ominous.
The room went quiet again.

Santa: I dunno who the hell this Zero asshole is, but I know for sure he's
gotta be pretty fucked up in the head to do all this.
Santa: If this was all 1 guy, then he's got some serious issues.

Even with the spectre of death hanging over them, their discussions continued
for some time.
In the end, however, they learned nothing.
By the time they finished, 1.5 of their 9 hours were gone.
All they had to show for it was impatience.

Santa: Man... Look we only got 7.5 hours left, okay?
Santa: You really sure you want to just sit around?

No one was willing to argue this time.

Ace: Very well then. There's only one way for us to proceed.
Seven: Sure not gonna be fun running around knowin' we gotta jump when Zero
says "Jump".
Clover: Well, it's stupid to just sit around here doing nothing.
Lotus: Thanks to Snake's card, at least we have some idea of how this all
works.
Snake: Correct. And so long as we follow the rules, we should...ah...we will
most likely be all right.
June: But...
Junpei: But...what?
June: Who's going to go in which door?

June looked toward the numbered doors.

Junpei: Oh yeah... That's right. We can't have any more than 5 people in one
door.
Junpei: All 8 of us can't go in the same door...
Ace: Then it would seem we will have to split up.
Lotus: W-Wait!

Lotus looked terrified.

Lotus: I'm telling you now, there is no way in hell that I'm going into door
[5]!
Ace: Come now, don't be selfish--
Lotus: Call me whatever the hell you want, I'm not going in there!
Lotus: If I'm going to have to walk through all that blood, then I'd rather
stay here!
Ace: *Sigh* And we were doing so well...

Ace shook his head sadly.

Santa: Sorry, but I ain't goin' in there either. Someone else can go into door
[5].
Ace: Oh, Santa not you too...
Santa: Hey man, I just bought these shoes.
Santa: If you think I'm getting some creepy dude's blood all over 'em, you got
another think comin'.

That was the last straw.

Junpei: What the hell, man?!
Junpei: Weren't you the one who kept saying we should get going!?
Santa: Yeah? So?
Santa: Doesn't mean I wanted to go into door [5].
Ace: Oh God...

There was an awkward silence.
Finally Seven spoke.

Seven: Fine. I'll go into door [5].
Seven: I can't go in there alone, though.
Seven: Anyone else willing to come with me?

There was another long silence.
This time Snake was the one to break it.

Snake: I'll go.
Clover: W-What?!
Snake: Don't worry. You'll be fine.
Snake: We may part now, but I'm certain we'll meet again later.
Clover: How do you know that?!
Snake: Because I do.
Clover: That's not an answer!
Clover: If you're going, I'm going too! I'm going into door [5]!
Snake: What am I going to do with you...
Ace: There's nothing you have to do.

Ace stepped forward.

Ace: If I join you, the problem is solved, correct?
Ace: Seven is (7) and Snake is (2).
Ace: And if you add Clover's (4) and my (1), the digital root will be [5].

7 + 2 + 4 + 1 = 14 -> 1 + 4 = [5]

Clover: Oh! It works perfectly!
Clover: The 4 of us can go into door [5]--
Seven: Wait.
Seven: What about the other 4? What's their digital root gonna be?

Junpei did a quick mental calculation.
Lotus, Santa, June, and Junpei remained.
Their bracelet numbers were (8), (3), (6), and (5).

* <<(8365) ...What would their digital root be?>>

<[2]> - to {m10a3a}
<[3]> - to {m10a3b}
<[4]> - to {m10a3c}
<[5]> - to {m10a3d}

{m10a3a}
<[2]>

[2]-- It would be 2.
That meant there was no way they could pass through door [4]...
...
Wait... No, that wasn't right...
No, something didn't seem right.
Junpei ran the numbers again.
8 + 3 + 6 + 5 = 22 -> 2 + 2 = [4]

(To "m10a3z", replace quotations with braces)

{m10a3b}
<[3]>

[3]-- It would be 3.
That meant there was no way they could pass through door [4]...
...
Wait... No, that wasn't right...
No, something didn't seem right.
Junpei ran the numbers again.
8 + 3 + 6 + 5 = 22 -> 2 + 2 = [4]

(To "m10a3z", replace quotations with braces)

{m10a3c}
<[4]>

8 + 3 + 6 + 5 = 22 -> 2 + 2 = [4]

(To "m10a3z", replace quotations with braces)

{m10a3d}
<[5]>

[5]-- It would be 5.
That meant there was no way they could pass through door [4]...
...
Wait... No, that wasn't right...
No, something didn't seem right.
Junpei ran the numbers again.
8 + 3 + 6 + 5 = 22 -> 2 + 2 = [4]

(To "m10a3z", replace quotations with braces)

{m10a3z}

He repeated what he'd determined.

Junpei: It's [4].
Junpei: Add up our 4 bracelet numbers, and the digital root is [4].
June: Then we can go into door [4].
Santa: Yeah. Huh, that worked out well.

Junpei ran over the team assignments in his head one more time.
4 people would go into door [5]:
Seven, Snake, Clover, and Ace.
4 people would go into door [4]:
Lotus, Santa, June, and Junpei.
Junpei had to ask himself if the teams were what he really wanted.
Beyond door [5] was what remained of the 9th Man.
He never wanted to see that...thing again, but... Something in him said it
would be unwise not to examine the corpse even a little closer.
Of course, if he went through door [5], he wouldn't be going with Lotus and
Santa.
True, it would be possible for him to bring June with him through door [5], but
that would mean she would have to see the horrific carnage that waited there.
Junpei didn't want that.
Junpei was torn.
Should he stay silent, and go through door [4]?
Or should he stop them all, and insist on door [5]?
As he turned his options over and over in his mind Ace spoke up.

Ace: All right then...
Ace: It seems we've reached a conclusion. Shall we go?

He began to walk toward door [5]...
Clover and Snake followed, with Seven a short distance behind.
Junpei...

* <<Which door do you want to go through?>>

<...decided that door [4] would be fine.> - "a11b"
<...decided that it had to be door [5].> - "b11b"

==========================================
==========================================
DOOR 4
{a11b} File #06
-Entering Door 4-
==========================================

...decided that door [4] would be fine.
He would go through door [4] with Lotus, Santa, and June.
Why had Junpei even considered doing otherwise?
He would be there for June... For Akane Kurashiki.
That seemed good. He felt it was the right choice to make.
He made no shows of affection, but Junpei saw her as something more than just a
friend from his childhood.
He watched the other 4 walk toward their door...
Ace, Snake, Clover, and Seven...
Junpei said nothing as they left.
Before long, they had reached door [5].
They talked to one another for a few seconds, saying things Junpei couldn't
hear, and then laid their hands, one by one, on the scanner panel of the RED.
Ace grabbed the lever.
His face tight with determination, he turned over his shoulder to look at
Junpei and his companions.

Ace: Goodbye.
Lotus: ...Be careful.

As Ace pulled the lever, the door swung open; the mouth of a great, hungry
beast.
Beyond the door, Junpei knew, lay the sad remains of the [9th Man]... It did
not surprise him that Ace, Clover, and Seven hesitated. The body was not a
pleasant thing.
Snake, had no such problems, as his blindness made him immune to the horror. He
stepped through the door, his feet making a wet "splack" in the pool of blood.

Snake: Do you intend to kill me?
Snake: I assume you haven't forgotten the door only remains open for 9 seconds,
have you?

Snake had not even bothered to turn around, but the other 3 steeled themselves,
and stepped through the door.
Door [5] swung shut, closing with the heavy finality of metal upon metal.
Junpei and his companions scrambled to the door.
They pressed their ears to it, in an attempt to hear what might be taking place
on the other side.

Junpei: It's beeping...
Lotus: It's just like before...
Santa: Probably the sound of the detonator on the bracelet...
June: Do you think they're...okay?

June's face showed her concern more plainly than her words ever could.
Almost as though in response to her question, a voice rang out from the other
side of the door.
It was Seven.

Seven: Hey! There it is!
Seven: That's gotta be that DEAD thing!
Seven: Come on! Get over here! We gotta authenticate!

The beeping stopped.
The sighs of relief were audible even through the heavy door.

Seven: Phew... Looks like it stopped.

Junpei and his companions leaned away from the door, and breathed a collective
sigh of relief of their own.

Junpei: Hey, guys! Are you doing all right over there?!

They'd heard Seven's voice, but it wouldn't hurt to be sure.

Clover: Yup! We're fine!

Despite the recent danger, Clover's voice was as bubbly as ever.

Clover: Oh, hey, I'm gonna tell you about this whole DEAD thing, okay?!
Clover: The DEAD is just like the RED, but the color's different.
Clover: You know how the RED was red? Well, the DEAD is blue!
Clover: Other than that, it's just like the RED. Authenticating is the same
too!
Junpei: Awesome! Thanks! That helps a lot.
Ace: Well, we should probably move on now.
Ace: You be careful out there.
Junpei: Roger that.

Junpei and the others left door [5] and headed toward door [4].
They stood in front of the RED and placed each of their hands upon it.
4 asterisks appeared on the screen.
Junpei grabbed the lever and turned around.

Junpei: You guys ready...?
Santa: Yeah...
Lotus: Sure...
June: Let's go...

None of them looked particularly optimistic, but their faces were set.
Junpei nodded to them, and turned back toward the RED.

Junpei: All right, let's go!

With strength and determination, he pulled the lever.

Santa: Run!

The 4 of them leapt through the door together.
The moment they had passed through it, each heard a cold, electronic sound
coming from their left wrist.
In the center of each bracelet, a red skull appeared, and began to flash.
The detonator's countdown had begun!
In the long moment that each of them spent staring at their wrists...
...The numbered door behind them closed, the sound of metal on metal
reverberating down the hallway.
There was no way back now.
They were committed. If they could not find the device to deactivate their
detonators...

Santa: Hey! Where the hell is the DEAD!?
Lotus: How would I know!?
Santa: Don't gimme that crap! Start looking!
Lotus: I already am!

They began to run, eyes looking frantically for the device that was the key to
their salvation.
The hallway they found themselves running down was a long one--easily 300 feet
in length.
On the right side of it stood a series of wooden doors, all nearly identical.
If they had taken time to think, they would likely have discerned that the
doors lead to cabins.

Junpei: Don't tell me the DEAD is in one of those rooms...
June: Oh no! How many rooms do you think there are?!

Junpei was too frightened to count properly, but at his best guess there were 7
or 8 of them.

Junpei: Ahhhh fuck!

There wasn't time to count them to be sure.
Junpei ran to the nearest door.
He grabbed the knob and shook it, hard.
It wouldn't open.
It didn't feel locked... More like someone had hammered an iron plate over the
other side of the door.
Junpei turned around to find another door, and saw that his companions had
already run to doors of their own. They did not seem to be having any more
success than he had.
Their own words confirmed his fears.

Santa: Shit! This one's no good.
Lotus: Same here!
June: It's not moving!

June was the last to speak up.
As Junpei looked in her direction, his eye caught something he hadn't noticed
before...
A small, red light.
It flashed at him, dimly, from the end of the hallway.

Junpei: That's it! Over there!

Even as he yelled, he ran.
He grabbed Santa, Lotus, and June, and pulled them toward the light.
Santa called out to them as he ran.

Santa: Hey! How many more seconds do we have!?
Lotus: How would I know!?
June: Our time limit is 81 seconds!
Santa: I know that, goddamnit!
Santa: I'm askin' you how many seconds we have left!

In all likelihood, Junpei figured, nearly a minute had already passed, since
the door had closed behind them.
If that was true...
Urgency foremost in all of their minds, they arrived at the end of the hallway.
The DEAD sat on the left wall, blinking almost tauntingly at them.

Junpei: Hurry!

Junpei grabbed hold of the machine, his hands slick with sweat, and shaking.
He slammed his hand against the scanner panel.
The other 3 quickly followed suit.
With a grunt, Santa yanked the lever downward.

Santa: *Pant* *Pant* *Pant*
Lotus: *Pant*... *Pant*... *Pant*...
June: *Pant*... *Pant*... *Pant*...
Junpei: Phew... Looks like it's stopped.

His hands beginning to steady, Junpei wiped away some of the sweat that had
beaded on his forehead.
As they caught their breath, the 4 companions began to look around.
At the end of the hallway lay a heavy-looking set of double doors.
Set into the walls of the hallway on either side of the larger door were 2
smaller ones.
They all needed inspecting, but Junpei began with the largest of the 3--the
double-doors.
How many times had he come across similar doors, with similar results, he
wondered.
Or perhaps, he corrected himself, more a lack of results...
Whatever the reason, the door remained firm and unyielding, and refused to
allow Junpei, or anyone else, passage.
Near the handle was a small keyhole.
Above the keyhole was a small symbol, engraved in the brass.

Junpei: Male...?

He wasn't quite sure what to make of it. And stared at it for a moment in
confusion.
It was June that corrected him.

June: No, that's not the symbol for "male". That's probably the symbol of
[Mars].
June: Well, technically, they are the same symbol...
June: But I saw a number of similar symbols near the main stairway.
June: The symbols of the solar system...

The Sun...
Saturn...
The Earth...

June: At least, that's what I'm assuming.
Junpei: So this isn't the man symbol, it's a symbol for [Mars]?
June: I think so, yes.

While Junpei and June talked, Santa had disappeared.
They turned to find him some distance down the hallway--he had gone to check
the other doors.
Eventually he reached the last of them and jogged back.
It took him only a moment to catch his breath again.

Santa: Here's the deal. None of the other doors open.
June: Then that must mean...
Lotus: We only have 2 more doors.

Lotus examined the doors on either side of the larger double-door.
Each one had a metal plate attached to it.
Junpei figured they were probably room numbers.
The door on the left read [B92].
And the door on the right proclaimed that it lead to [B93].

Junpei: All right. Let's open 'em.
Santa: Yeah.

Junpei put his hand on the door knob for the door that said [Room 92].
Santa moved to the door to [Room 93].
They'd made it through the numbered door alive.
There was nothing more to be afraid of.
Junpei and Santa looked at each other and nodded.

Junpei: 1...2...3!

In unison, they pushed against their respective doors.
...And promptly found themselves in a new room.
June followed Junpei as he threw open his door.
They turned around, and saw that the door on the other side was open as well.
Through the door was another person, his mouth agape.
It was Santa.

Santa: Hey...uh... It opened.
Junpei: Yeah... It did...

Junpei and Santa looked at each other.
They had not expected the doors to yield so easily.
Lotus's calm voice broke into their thoughts.

Lotus: Maybe this is all part of Zero's plan?
Lotus: I can't say I enjoy being treated like someone's puppet.

As she headed for Room 93, Lotus continued.

Lotus: Well, now we have these 2 rooms. I'm sure there's something in there
that will help us get out of here.
Lotus: Let's find it.
Lotus: Santa and I will search this room.
Lotus: Junpei and June, search the other one.
Junpei: All right.
June: Okay!

===============SEEK A WAY OUT!===============
::2nd class cabin::
=============================================
{a11} File #05
Plot points within this section:
-Confronting a Childhood Friend: "a11d.a"
-The Curse of the Egyptian Mummy: "a11d.b"
-4-Leaf Clover and Etymology of [Nonary]: "a11d.c"
-Sheldrake on [Morphogenetic Fields]: "a11d.d"
( To skip to a story segment, search for "a11d.#" replacing quotations with
braces {} )
( Next story segment is "a12b" )
=============================================

MAP:
[#]: Screen #
<#>: Screen # that you start on
|, =, /, \ : Room Connections
v: Returns to the previous room
Screens to the left and right can be reached by arrow.

   Left Room       Right Room
[9]=[A] [C]=[B] [5]=[6] [4]=[3]
  \  v   v  /     \  v   v  / 
    [8]=[7]===[D]===<1>=[2]

{Screen 1, Right Room Entrance}

<Examine Door without finding map, 1>
June: Jumpy, where are you going?
Junpei: Um, I was thinking of going over to Lotus's room...
June: Do you think maybe you could look around here a little more before you
go?
June: There's a lot for me to do here all by myself...
<Examine Door without finding map, 2>
June: So you think you could help me look around a little more before you go?
<Examine Door without finding map, 3>
June: Could you help me look around a little more before you go?
<Examine Door without finding map + matches, 4+>
June: Jumpy, wait.
June: Did you look at the area around the bed?
<Examine Door, found map, 1>
June: Jumpy, where are you going?
Junpei: Um, I was thinking of going over to Lotus's room...
June: Why...?
Junpei: What do you mean "why"? I'm just gonna go check up on them.
Junpei: Is there something wrong with that?
June: Well, no...
June: Come back soon!
Junpei: Sure thing.
Junpei: I'll leave the rest to you.
June: Sure. Leave it to me.
* All right, off to the other room...
<Examine Door, found map, 2>
* The exit.
* Lotus and Santa are in the room on the other side.
Junpei: I'm gonna go check up on them...

<Examine Vase, 1>
June: That vase looks expensive!
June: I wonder how much we could get for it...
Junpei: Are you gonna steal it?!
June: Hehehe...
<Examine Vase, 2>
* Looks like a valuable vase. Empty though.
* It looks like there's a room to the [right of the vase]...

<Examine Picture Closeup, 1>
June: This is kind of a weird-looking picture. Do you think it's an abstract
painting or something?
June: It looks kind of like...a demon...with an elephant-like nose...
June: ...Sucking on a human being's brain...
* Where the hell did that come from?
* What's her brain made of...
* Can't say I'd mind finding out a little more about what goes on in there...
<Examine Picture Closeup, 2>
* It's a kinda weird-looking picture. It's some sort of weird black and white
design.
* Looks like there's a room [on the right side of this picture].
<Examine Picture Closeup, 3+>
* An odd-looking picture with black and white pattern. Looks like there's a
room on [the right side of the picture]...
<Examine Picture Closeup after checking incomplete picture in left room, 1>
Junpei: I get it... Yes...yes...
June: What are you mumbling about? Did you figure something out?
Junpei: Oh, nothing. Don't worry about it.
<Examine Picture Closeup after failing picture puzzle in left room, 1>
* I get it...
* If I can make this one look like the one in the other room...
<Examine Picture Cloesup after failing picture puzzle in left room, 2+>
* * If I can make this one look like the one in the other room...

{Screen 2, Right Room Lounge, 1}

<Examine Sofa, 1>
Junpei: Ahhh.
June: Jumpy, what are you doing?!
June: We don't have the time to be relaxing on a sofa!
<Examine Sofa, 2>
* It's a sofa.
* Maybe I shouldn't sit on it. June'll get mad again...
<Examine Sofa, 3>
* A sofa.
<Examine Sofa, 4>
* A mi-re-do.
* Oh no...my mistake. It's a so-fa.
<Examine Sofa, 5+>
* A sofa. The color is a soothing light blue.

<Examine Display Case, 1>
Junpei: It's a display case.
Junpei: But there's nothing being displayed. How sad...
June: Looks like the drawers are empty, too.
<Examine Display Case, 2+>
* There's nothing in the display case. The drawers are empty too.
<Examine Display Case, after examining left room display case, 1>
Junpei: This display case isn't like the one in the other room.
June: The other room? You mean the one where Santa is?
Junpei: Yeah. There are a whole bunch of plates and stuff in the display case
over there.
Junpei: But in this one...nothin'.
June: It doesn't look like there's anything hidden here.
June: I don't think we really need to worry about it.
<Examine Display Case, after examining left room display case, 2+>
* There's nothing in the display case. The drawers are empty too.

<Examine Table, matches are still on, 1>
Junpei: It's a table made of wood.
June: Hey... There's something here.
Junpei: Looks like a box of matches.
<Examine Table, matches are still on, 2+>
* A round wooden table. There are matches on it.

<Examine Matches, 1>
* Matches...

{Screen 3, Right Room Bedroom, Facing Bed}

<Examine Picture Frame, 1>
Junpei: This isn't a painting. Is it a...map?
June: It looks like a map of the ship's interior.
Junpei: Oh! This is a great find!
Junpei: I think it'll be really useful... Let's take it with us!
It is now possible to use the map screen.
[Map Screen]
The map screen can only be viewed during the story sections.
It is entirely different in function from the bird's-eye view mode.
While on the map screen, you can examine a map of the ship's floor plan, which
you will acquire over the course of the story.
Touch down[menu] to open the menu.
If you touch X[map] while in the [menu], you will be taken to the map screen.
While there, you can scroll around the floor plan with the +Control Pad or the
stylus.
Touching the green parts of the floor plan will allow you to see the bird's-eye
view for that room.
(To "a11d.b", replacing quotations with braces {} )
<Examine Picture Frame, 2+>
* There's nothing left in the frame.

<Examine Light, 1>
June: It's light.
Junpei: Even if it's heavy?
June: That's light!
<Examine Light, 2+>
* It's a light. Thanks to it, we can see.

<Examine Cupboard, 1>
June: A wooden cupboard. There are cups inside, surprising no one.
<Examine Cupboard, 2+>
* A wooden cupboard. There's nothing useful in there.

<Examine Water Bottle, 1>
June: It's a bottle with water in it.
June: This is a bedroom...
June: They probably have it here 'cause your throat always feels dry when you
wake up, you know?
Junpei: My throat's dry, but I think that's 'cause I'm a little nervous right
now.
June: Well, we did run a lot, so we're kinda sweaty.
June: Hey Jumpy, did you want to take a shower together?
Junpei: Whoa!
June: *Giggle* Just kidding.
* Too late to take it back... My brain's already working out the picture.
* My throat was dry already... This sure isn't helping.
<Examine Water Bottle, 2+>
* It's a bottle with some water in it. I doubt it'll be that useful.

<Examine Bed Blankets, 1>
* It's a light blue blanket with some designs on it.
* Someone's made the bed, or at least never un-made it.
* There's only bedsheets under the blanket. Nothing exciting.
<Examine Bed Blankets, 2>
* A blanket.
<Examine Bed Blankets, 3>
Junpei: Should we take another look at this blanket?
June: No, I think we've covered it pretty well.
* Looks like that one was lame enough to get her to blush a little.
<Examine Bed Blankets, 4+>
* A blanket.
* It's so well made that it for sure won't fly off.

<Examine Pillows, 1>
Junpei: Look, there's 2 pillows right next to each other.
Junpei: Guess it's a double...
Junpei: Huh? What's up? You're turning red...
* Oh man... Is her fever back?
Junpei: Hey, are you all right?
Junpei: Do you need to lay down for a minute?
June: I-I'm fine!
June: I think it's still a little early for that...
Junpei: Huh...?
Junpei: Hey, seriously...are you really okay?
<Examine Pillows, 2+>
* There are 2 pillows next to each other.

<Examine Bed Frame, 1>
June: A bed frame.
June: Now we don't have to worry about falling off.
June: I...toss and turn when I sleep...
* She's blushing again... What the hell is she thinking about?
<Examine Bed Frame, 2+>
* A bed frame.

{Screen 4, Right Room Bedroom, Facing Dresser}

<Examine Light, 1+>
* It's a light. Thanks to it, we can see.

<Examine Chair, 1+>
* The chair that goes with the dresser. There's nothing particularly
interesting about it.

<Examine Mirror, 1>
June: This is the mirror for the dresser.
* ...And now she's playing with her hair. Does she even realize she's doing
that?
Junpei: Hey. We don't have time for that.
Junpei: C'mon, it's not like there's anyone here you need to impress.
June: Yes there is.
Junpei: Who...?
June: ...
Junpei: What? Why are you so quiet all of a sudden?
June: Ugh! Forget it, Jumpy!
<Examine Mirror, 2+>
* A well-polished mirror.

<Examine Dresser, 1>
June: It's a dresser.
June: There's nothing on top...
<Examine Dresser, 2+>
* A dresser. There's nothing on top.
<Examine Drawer, after taking key 1>
* There's nothing inside.

{Screen 5, Right Room Bathroom, Facing Wall}

<Examine Back Wall, 1>
June: That's the bathroom wall.
June: There are square tiles all over it.
<Examine Back Wall, 2+>
* The wall's covered with square tiles. They've all got geometric shapes on
them.
<Examine Back Wall, after looking through curtain hole in left room bathroom,
1>
* In the bathroom in Lotus's room...
* I saw a particular tile when I looked through the hole in the shower curtain.
* Maybe if I look in the same place over here...
Junpei: All right...now where was it...
Junpei: [5th one from the top, 3rd one from the right]...
June: What are you mumbling about, Jumpy?
Junpei: Oh, sorry...
Junpei: Uh, could you be quiet for a minute? I don't wanna forget this...
June: ...?
<Examine Back Wall, after looking through curatin hole in left room bathroom,
2>
Junpei: Okay, so the tile [5th one from the top and 3rd one from the right]
is...
<Examine Back Wall, after taking 5,3 tile, 1>
* A wall, covered in tiles.
* The tile 5th down from the top and 3rd in from the right has been torn off.

<Examine 5,3 tile after curtain hole, 1>
Junpei: Here it is!
* ...Yes, this one's loose!
* I think I can get under this with my nails, and...yes!
<Examine 5,3 tile before curtain hole, 1>
* Let's see if there's anything--
* Huh? This one's a little loose...
Junpei: Hmmm...
* I think I can get under this with my nails, and...yes!

<Examine Shower head, 1+>
* It's just a shower head. There's nothing special about it.

<Examine Soap Holder, 1>
* There's a little blue platform protruding from the shower wall next to the
knobs. It's for putting soap on. I used a shower once, so I know.
<Examine Soap Holder, 2+>
* A soap holder.

<Examine Shower Knobs, 1>
June: That's the shower knob.
June: Let's see if anything happens when we turn it...
June: ...No water's coming out...
<Examine Shower Knobs, 2+>
* It's a shower knob. There's no water coming out of the shower.

<Examine Curtain, Open, 1>
June: Jumpy, do you think there might be something on the shower curtain?
Junpei: Hm? Uh...well...maybe...?
June: You wanna try closing it?
<Examine Curtain, Closed, 1>
June: There doesn't seem to be anything here...
Junpei: Yeah, you're right... Let's put it back.

{Screen 6, Right Room Bathroom, Facing Door}

<Examine Shower Head, 1>
June: It's a shower head.
June: It feels dry, too. That probably means no one has used it in a long time.
<Examine Shower Head, 2+>
* A dry shower head.

<Examine Toilet, 1>
Junpei: Now let's check the toilet...
June: There's nothing there. The tank's empty, too.
June: There isn't even any water in it.
<Examine Toilet, 2+>
* A toilet. It's completely dry.

<Examine Toilet Paper, 1>
June: A collection of full and partially-depleted rolls of toilet paper.
Someone was well-prepared...
June: There's nothing too suspicious about it.
<Examine Toilet Paper, 2+>
* A collection of full and partially-depleted rolls of toilet paper. Someone
was well-prepared...

<Examine Curtain, Open, 1>
Junpei: Shower curtains, huh...
June: Let's try closing it.
<Examine Curtain, Closed, 1>
* Now I can see the full expanse of the shower curtain, in all its waterproof
glory.
Junpei: There's nothing...
June: ...suspicious.
June: It's just a normal old shower curtain.
* A narrow shower...
* And I'm standing in it with June...
Junpei: ...
June: ...
* This is awkward.
* Time to open the curtain!

<Examine Door, 1>
Junpei: Uh...yeah. Why don't we go back to the living room?
June: Okay. Let's go back.

{Screen 7, Left Room Entrance}

<Examine Vase, 1>
* Looks like a valuable vase. Empty though.
* There seems to be a room on the [left side of the vase].
<Examine Vase, 2+>
* There's a room to the [left of the vase]...

<Examine Picture Frame, no tiles in inventory, 1>
Santa: Hey, there's a square tile in this frame.
Santa: I think I saw a tile like that somewhere else...
<Examine Picture Frame, no tiles in inventory, 2+>
* There's a square tile in the frame.
* Those empty areas seem kinda suspicious...
<Examine Picture Frame, 1 tile in inventory, 1>
Santa: Hey Junpei, that tile you've got...
Santa: You think maybe you're supposed to put it in one of those empty spaces?
Santa: I mean, the pattern does look kinda the same, doesn't it?
Lotus: He's right... I think so too.
Lotus: But if that is the case, you're going to need to collect all 3 tiles,
right?
Lotus: Don't you think we should collect all of them before you start putting
them in?
<Examine Picture Frame, 1-2 tiles in inventory, 1+>
* If I'm gonna fill the empty spaces on that frame, then I need 3 tiles.
* I'll come back here after I've found all of 'em.
<Examine Picture Frame, 3 tiles in inventory, 1>
* There's a tile in the frame.
* So I guess I'm supposed to put tiles in the empty spaces...
Junpei: All right! I'm gonna give it a shot!
<Examine Picture Frame, tiles unsolved in frame, 1>
Lotus: Junpei, you screwed this up the last time...
Lotus: Could you please do it right?
Junpei: O-Of course! Just leave it to me!
* This one's probably supposed to look just like the picture in the other room.
* So if I can just make it look like that one...
Junpei: All right! I'm gonna give it a shot!
<Examine Picture Frame, tiles unsolved in frame, 2>
Junpei: Let's do this...again!

<Go "Back" without solving Picture Puzzle, 1>
Junpei: Damn! It's wrong!
Santa: Damnit Junpei, why're you screwin' around?!
Santa: Is it really that hard?
Junpei: ...
<Go "Back" without solving Picture Puzzle, 2>
Junpei: Argh! Wrong again! Damnit!
Lotus: Junpei...
Lotus: Maybe there's another picture that we could use a reference?
Lotus: If we could find something like that, it'd be much easier to figure out
this pattern.
<Go "Back" without solving Picture Puzzle, 3>
Junpei: *Sigh* I messed up again...
* Oh, wait... Yeah, there's a picture like this in June's room.

<Solve Picture Puzzle, 1>
Junpei: Yes! I did it!
* There. Picture, complete!
* Aaaand there goes the frame.
Lotus: Wh-What's this?
Santa: Wadda you mean "what's this"? Pretty obvious, isn't it?
Santa: It's a hole in the wall. Like a hidden safe or something, you know?
Santa: Anyway, let's take a look. I think there's something inside.

<Examine Space behind Picture, 1>
* We already got the key. There's nothing else here.

<Examine Picture Frame under space, 1>
* Well, who would've thought this was behind that frame...

<Examine Door, 1>
Santa: What's up? You're going back already?
Junpei: Well, I can't just leave June there by herself.
Santa: Hmph. What, you think you're her knight or her protector or something?
Santa: You're creepin' me out.
Santa: Whatever, man. I'm going.
<Examine Door, 2>
Lotus: Junpei...
Lotus: If you miss her so much, you don't have to keep coming back here.
Junpei: Psssh. No, that's not what this is.
Junpei: I'm just being, like, a bridge between the 2 rooms...
Lotus: Uh huh. You just keep telling yourself that.
Lotus: Now get out of here and go help June.
<Examine Door, 3>
* The exit.
* June's room is on the other side of the hallway.
Junpei: Maybe I'll go back.
<Examine Door with Mars key, 1>
Santa: All right! Let's go to the hallway!
Santa: I'll go get June. You guys head to the door!
Lotus: Okay.
Junpei: Roger that.

<Screen 8, Left Room Lounge}

<Examine Sofa, 1>
Santa: Hey, check this out. This's a pretty nice sofa.
Lotus: I know. It's a shame I can't take it back with me.
<Examine Sofa, 2>
Santa: Huh...?
Lotus: What's the matter, Santa? Why are you examining the sofa?
Santa: Oh, it's nothing. Don't worry about it.
<Examine Sofa, 3+>
* This sofa looks pretty expensive.

<Examine Table, before taking candle, 1>
Lotus: A round, wooden table.
Lotus: Wow... This is very nice wood.
Santa: So? Big deal. There's something on top of it.
<Examine Table, before taking candle, 2>
* It's a round, wooden table. There's something on top of it.

<Examine Candle, 1>
Lotus: A candle with a candlestick. This might come in handy...

<Examine Display Case, no key, 1>
Santa: Well, this is a display case. Check it out, these plates and shit look
really expensive.
Santa: You wanna take a look?

<Examine Display Case mid-left and bottom-left plates, 1+>
* There are a number of expensive-looking plates in here.

<Examine Display Case top-right and bottom-mid vase, 1+>
* That vase looks pretty expensive.

<Examine Display Case top-mid pot, 1+>
* There are some pieces of expensive-looking ceramic and porcelain in here.

<Examine Display Case top-left, mid-left and bottom-left art piece, 1+>
* There are a couple of pieces of art in here. Can't say if they're very good
or not...

<Examine Display Case middle tile, no key, 1>
Junpei: That's a pretty weird-looking design.
Lotus: It looks like a Holstein pattern.
<Examine Display Case middle tile, no key, 2+>
* There's a tile with a black and white pattern on it sitting in the display
case.

<Examine Display Case door handle, no key, 1>
* Come on you stupid thing! Open!
Santa: It's locked?
Santa: Yeah, looks that way.
Lotus: Then we need to find the key that opens it.
<Examine Display Case door handle, no key, 2+>
* The glass door is locked up tight. It won't open.
<Examine Display Case door handle, dresser key equipped, 1>
Junpei: Damn. Guess this's the wrong key.
Santa: Well, that means there's gotta be another one somewhere around here.
Santa: Otherwise we aren't gonna be able to open this thing.
<Examine Display Case door handle, dresser key equipped, 2+>
* It's locked. I don't think I can open it.
* This key's probably for something else...

<Examine Display Case door handle, candlestick key equipped, 1>
* Let's see if this candlestick key will do anything...
Junpei: Yes! It opened!
Santa: All right, pull that shit open!
<Examine Display Case door handle, after opened, 1+>
* This is the keyhole for the cupboard. It's already been unlocked.

<Examine Display Case door, no key, 1>
Santa: Shit! It's not opening...
Santa: All right, you grab that side of the table, and I'll get the other...
Let's smash this bitch open!
Lotus: I don't think that's going to work. That looks like tempered glass.
Lotus: I don't think throwing a table at it is going to break it.
<Examine Display Case door, no key, 2>
* This is the door for the display case.
* Lotus says it's tempered glass. I guess that means it's hard to break.
<Examine Display Case door, no key, 3+>
* There's a glass door on the display case. It won't open.
<Examine Display Case door, candlestick key in inventory, 1>
* There's a glass door on the display case. It's locked tight. I can't get it
open.
* A key... A key huh...
* Oh yeah...
<Examine Display Case door, candlestick key in inventory, 2+>
* There's a glass door on the display case. It's locked tight. I can't get it
open.
* A key... A key huh...
<Examine Display Case door, opened, 1+>
* We already opened the glass door.

<Attempt to Enter Bedroom before taking candle/matches, 1>
Lotus: The room in the back is dark.
Santa: Aren't there any lights?
Junpei: Huh? This is a light switch, right?
* Sweet, I could use some light--
* Shoot. No dice.
Santa: You think the bulbs're burned out?
Lotus: Either that, or the electricity to this room was deliberately shut off.
Santa: I don't really give a crap why it doesn't work. It doesn't work, and we
can't do shit about it.
Santa: It's way too dark in here to see anything.
Lotus: We're going to need some light...
<Attempt to Enter Bedroom with candle and matches uncombined, 1>
Santa: Hey, Junpei. That room's pretty dark.
Santa: Don't you have something that'll give us some light?
Junpei: Something that'll give us some light...
<Attempt to Enter Bedroom with candle and matches uncombined, 2+>
* The room over there is really dark. I need to find something that'll give us
some light.
<Attempt to Enter Bedroom, lit candle in inventory but unequipped, 1>
Lotus: Junpei, I don't mean to pry, but...
Lotus: You lit that candle so we could check that room over there, right?
Lotus: I mean, it is dark, you know.
Junpei: Uh...y-yeah...? So?
Lotus: Well, you need to take it with you then, otherwise there's not really
much point to lighting it.
<Attempt to Enter Bedroom, lit candle in inventory but unequipped, 2+>
* That room's dark. I should probably bring the lit candle with me if I wanna
go in.
<Attempt to Enter Bedroom with lit candle, 1>
Junpei: Awesome. With the light from the candle, maybe we can take a look
around over there.
Junpei: But...it gets so hot when I hold it...
Junpei: I wanna put it down...
Lotus: Well, why don't you set it on top of the dresser?
Lotus: It's flat there. At least it won't fall over.
Junpei: Oh, yeah... Good idea.
Santa: Hey. It got pretty bright.
Lotus: Now we can look around a little.

{Screen 9, Left Room Bedroom, facing bed}

<Examine Bed, no lights, 1+>
* I can barely make out the bed in the darkness.
* Sleep would be nice... But it would probably cost me my life.
<Examine Bed, with lit candle, curtain still on bed, 1>
Santa: Hey, Junpei, there's something on top of the blanket.
Junpei: ...?
<Examine Bed, with lit candle, curtain still on bed, 2+>
* There's something sitting on top of the blanket. Whatever it is is all folded
up.
<Examine Bed, with lit candle, curtain taken, 1>
* Anything under the blanket...? Nope. Nothing suspicious here.
<Examine Bed, with lit candle, curtain taken, 2>
* Anything under the blanket...?
* A girl with burning red eyes stares back at me.
Junpei: Gah!
* Ah, I'm just messin' with ya. There's nothing there.
<Examine Bed, with lit candle, curtain taken, 3+>
* Anything under the blanket...?
* Nope, still nothing suspicious. No ghosts, or girls either.

<Go back from bed after taking curtain>
Junpei: Huh? Hey, what the hell?! It just got dark all of a sudden...
Lotus: Maybe the candle got blown out?
Lotus: We should go see.

<Examine Bed Pillows, with lit candle, 1>
Lotus: 2 pillows in a pile...oh.
Santa: ...
Junpei: ...
Lotus: A pile 'o pillows...
Santa: Is that supposed to be some kinda joke?!
Lotus: H-Hey, calm down...
<Examine Bed Pillows, with lit candle, 2+>
* There are 2 pillows. Must be a double bed.

<Examine Light, no lights, 1+>
* It's too dark.
<Examine Light, with lit candle, 1>
Santa: It's a light. What'd you expect?
Santa: Can't really tell if it's burned out or not, though.
Lotus: That doesn't matter anymore.
Lotus: The light from the candle should let us search the room.
<Examine Light, with lit candle, 2+>
* This light is as cold and quiet as death itself.

<Examine Water Bottle, no lights, 1+>
* It's too dark to see anything inside...
<Examine Water Bottle, with lit candle, 1+>
* A bottle full of water. I don't think we're gonna need this for anything.

<Examine Cupboard, no lights, 1+>
* It's too dark to search for anything.
<Examine Cupboard, with lit candle, 1>
Santa: Hey, Junpei! It's a cupboard! There's a freakin' cupboard in here!
Junpei: ...Are you all right?
Santa: Oh, don't gimme that! C'mon! A cupboard in a bedroom can only mean
there's a safe in here!
* Really...?
Santa: Damn. There's nothing in here...
Santa: Got me all worked up for nuthin'...
<Examine Cupboard, with lit candle, 2+>
* A cupboard. There's nothing inside.

<Examine Picture Frame, no lights, 1+>
* It's too dark to see.
<Examine Picture Frame, with lit candle, 1>
* There's a picture of an old cruise ship.
* Is it... The Titanic?
<Examine Picture Frame, with lit candle, 2+>
* There's a picture of a cruise ship on the wall. Nothing behind it, though.


{Screen A, Left Room Bedroom, facing dresser}

<Attempt to leave bedroom, no candle/matches in inventory, 1>
Lotus: It doesn't look like this light can turn on...
Santa: Maybe we'll get lucky and find something else that can light this place
up...
<Attempt to leave bedroom, no candle/matches in inventory, 2+>
* If we're gonna look around this room, we need light.
* I need to find something that can give us that.
<Attempt to leave bedroom with lit candle on dresser, 1>
Lotus: Hey, where are you going, Junpei?
Junpei: I'm gonna go check out the next room...
Santa: This candle is burning pretty damn fast.
Santa: We don't have any time to waste, guys. This thing's gonna burn out in no
time.
Lotus: Then we should look around this room now, before the candle goes out.
Lotus: We can examine the rest of the room later.
<Attempt to leave bedroom with lit candle on dresser, 2>
* If that candle burns out, we won't be able to look around this room any more.
* I better make sure I get a good look at this place before I'm out of time.
<Attempt to leave bedroom with lit candle on dresser, 3+>
* I need to go over this place with a fine-tooth comb before that damn candle
burns out.

<Examine Light, no lights, 1>
Junpei: Is that a light? Kinda hard to tell in the dark... Hmm, I wonder if
this is what they call "irony"...
Lotus: To figure out if this is a light...we need a light.
Lotus: Talk about a Catch-22.
Lotus: Kind of says something about life, though, don't you think?
Junpei: ...
<Examine Light, no lights, 2+>
* There's something in here that looks like a light, but it's too dark to tell.
<Examine Light, with lit candle, 1>
Santa: It's a light, man. Can't you figure that out on your own? Hard to tell
if it's burned out or not.
Santa: Course, now that we have the candle...
Santa: I guess it doesn't really matter that much any more.
<Examine Light, with lit candle, 2+>
* This light is as cold and quiet as death itself.

<Examine Chair, no lights, 1>
Lotus: Oh, a chair for the dresser.
Lotus: I'm feeling a little tired. I think I'll just sit down here for a
minute.
Lotus: Aaaaaaahhh...
Santa: Heh. You sound like an old lady.
Lotus: Why you little son of a-! I'm gonna kick your ass!
<Examine Chair, no lights, 2+>
* The chair that goes with the dresser.
<Examine Chair, with lit candle, 1>
Lotus: It's a chair for the dresser.
<Examine Chair, with lit candle, 2+>
* The chair that goes with the dresser.
There's nothing particularly interesting about it.

<Examine Mirror, no lights, 1>
Lotus: This is the mirror for the dresser.
Santa: Damn straight. Nothin' weird about it, though.
<Examine Mirror, no lights, 2>
Lotus: Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?
Lotus: "That would of course be Lotus."
Lotus: Ohohohoho!
Santa: Crazy old bat...
Santa: Guess the stress was just too much for her...
Lotus: Did you say something!?
Santa: Nope, nothing...
<Examine Mirror, no lights, 3>
* The mirror on the dresser. It doesn't respond when I talk to it. Very rude
for a mirror.
<Examine Mirror, no lights, 4+>
* The mirror on the dresser. There's nothing suspicious about it.

<Examine Dresser, no lights, no dresser key, 1>
Lotus: A dresser...
Santa: There's nothing on top of it...
<Examine Dresser, no lights, no dresser key, 2+>
* There's a dresser. There isn't anything on it.
<Examine Dresser, with lit candle, 1+>
* There's a lit candle sitting on top of the dresser.
<Examine Dresser, with burnt out candle, 1>
* There's a candlestick covered in melted wax on top of the dresser.
Junpei: Hey... What's this...
Junpei: The top of the candlestick looks kinda weird...
Lotus: You're right... It's all bumpy.
<Examine Dresser, after taking burnt out candle, 1>
* There's nothing on top of the dresser.

<Examine Drawer, no lights, no dresser key, 1>
Lotus: This drawer is locked.
Lotus: We need a key to open it...
<Examine Drawer, no lights, no dresser key, 2+>
* The dresser drawer. It's locked and can't be opened.
<Examine Drawer, with dresser key unequipped, 1>
* The dresser drawer. It's locked.
<Examine Drawer, with dresser key unequipped, 2>
* The dresser drawer. It's locked.
* If I want to open this...
<Examine Drawer, with dresser key unequipped, 3+>
* The dresser drawer. It's locked.
* Yeah, I think I've got...
<Examine Drawer, with dresser key equipped, 1>
* Let's see if this...yes!
Junpei: Yes! It worked!
<Examine Drawer, open, tile is in drawer, 1+>
* There's a thing with a black and white pattern on it in this drawer.
<Examine Drawer, open, tile is taken, 1>
* There was a tile inside this drawer. Nothing else besides the tile, though.

<Examine lit candle from distance, 1+>
* The candle's lighting up the room...for now.
<Examine lit candle up close, 1>
Lotus: The candle is burning fast.
Lotus: Its beauty melts my heart, but...
Lotus: This isn't the time to be enjoying the soft glow of a candle, I suppose.
Lotus: We'd better make a detailed investigation of the room before it goes
out.
<Examine lit candle up close, 2>
* The candle's flame is flickering, as candle flames often do.

{Screen B, Left Room Bathroom, facing wall}

<Examine Back Wall, 1>
Lotus: This is the bathroom wall.
Lotus: The whole wall is covered in these square tiles.
<Examine Back Wall, 2+>
* It's a wall, covered in small, square tiles. They've all got geometric shapes
on them.
<Examine Back Wall after having looked through curtain hole, 1>
* All right, looking through this hole, I can see...
* ...A white tile, [5th from the top and 3rd from the right].
* Let's have a closer look, shall we? ...Hm. Nothing strange here...
* ...Nope. The thing's not budging.
Junpei: Hmm... Well, then that means...
<Examine Back Wall after having looked through curtain hole, 2>
* A tiled wall. They are ordinary, everyday tiles.
* Then that means...what?
<Examine Back Wall after having looked through curtain hole, 3>
* A tiled wall. They are ordinary, everyday tiles.
* Oh yeah...there's another bathroom...
<Examine Back Wall after having looked through curtain hole, 4+>
* A tiled wall. They are ordinary, everyday tiles.
* Maybe there's something in the bathroom June's in...
<Examine Back Wall after taking tile without looking through curtain hole, 1+>

* The whole wall is covered in tiles. No weird-looking tiles in this room.

<Examine Shower Head, 1>
Santa: Whoa, look! Junpei! There's a mushroom growing out of the wall!
Junpei: Um...that's a shower head...
<Examine Shower Head, 2+>
* A shower head. It's dry, and it doesn't look like it's been used in a while.

<Examine Soap Holder, 1>
Junpei: This thing's a little shelf for putting soap on.
<Examine Soap Holder, 2+>
* A shelf you put soap on. Nothing that special about it.

<Examine Shower Knob, 1>
Lotus: That's the shower knob.
Lotus; I tried turning it, but no water comes out.
<Examine Shower Knob, 2+>
* The shower knob. Doesn't matter how far you twist it, no water comes out.

<Examine Shower Curtain, open, 1>
Junpei: Let's try spreading the curtains...
<Examine Shower Curtain, closed, 1>
* Might as well put it back.
<Examine Shower Curtain hole, 1>
* There's a hole in the curtain.
* If I look at it from a ways back...
* ...I can see a single tile.
* All right, from here I can see what tile it is...
* Looks like it's...
* ...[5th from the top and 3rd from the right].
<Examine Shower Curtain hole, 2>
* The tile [5th from the top and 3rd from the right]...
<Examine Shower Curtain hole, 3>
* I can see a tile throug the hole. {Author's Note: There's a typo! Hur hur.}
* It's a white tile [5th from the top and 3rd from the right].
<Examine Shower Curtain hole after retrieving bathroom tile, 1+>
* Sadly, there are no hot women on the other side of the hole.
* As such, there's no point to looking through it... So I won't.

{Screen C, Left Room Bathroom, facing door}

<Examine Ceiling, no shower curtain in inventory, 1>
Junpei: This room doesn't have a shower curtain.
Santa: This room?
Junpei: Well, um...
Junpei: There were shower curtains... In the bathroom that June was checking
out.
Santa: But you're saying this bathroom doesn't have any.
Junpei: Yeah, that's right.
Santa: Hmm... There's probably a reason why.
<Examine Ceiling, no shower curtain in inventory, 2+>
* There's a curtain rod running along the ceiling.
* No curtains, though.
<Examine Ceiling, with shower curtain in inventory, 1>
Lotus: There's a curtain rod on the ceiling.
Junpei: Yeah, there is.
<Examine Ceiling, with shower curtain in inventory, 2>
Lotus: There's a curtain rod on the ceiling!
Junpei: Wh-Why does that make you angry?
<Examine Ceiling, with shower curtain in inventory, 3>
Lotus: The ceiling! There's a curtain rod on it!
Junpei: Okay, okay, I get it.
Lotus: Then hurry up and move! Come on! Get going!
Junpei: ...
<Examine Ceiling, with shower curtain in inventory, 4+>
* There's a curtain rod running across the ceiling. That means...
<Examine Ceiling, shower curtain equipped, 1>
* There's a curtain rod running along the ceiling.
Junpei: Let's put that shower curtain on those hooks.
<Examine Ceiling, shower curtain hug up, 1>
* There's a shower curtain hanging from the bar on the ceiling.

<Examine Shower Curtain, open, 1>
Junpei: Let's try spreading the curtains...
<Examine Shower Curtain, closed, 1>
Santa: Wow... That's a pretty obvious peephole.
Santa: Somebody's really dedicated.
Junpei: Well, with a hole this big, you gotta wonder if maybe they wanted to be
caught.
Santa: So, you're saying maybe the one getting spied on was into that shit?
Junpei: Maybe they were into, like, those home invasion fantasies...
Santa: "Home invasion"? Interesting... I see...
Lotus: You 2 are real idiots, you know that?
Santa: ...
Junpei: ...

<Examine Toilet, 1>
Santa: Is there anything in the toilet? Guess not.
Santa: The tank's empty too.
<Examine Toilet, 2+>
* A toilet. There's nothing suspicious about it.

<Examine Toilet Paper, 1>
Lotus: Some toilet paper. We've got 2 rolls, I guess.
<Examine Toilet Paper, 2+>
* There are 2 rolls of toilet paper. One for business, and one for fun.

{Screen D, Hallway between rooms; only accessible with Mars key}

<Examine left door, 1>
June: H-Hey, Jumpy! Where are you going!?
Junpei: Oh, uh... I was gonna go get you...
June: I know, Santa told me.
June: Come on. Let's go!
<Examine left door, 2+>
* There's nothing left in this room. I wanna get out of here, and back into the
hallway.

<Examine right door, 1>
Lotus: We don't have any reason to go back there, Junpei.
Lotus: Come on!
<Examine right door, 2+>
* There's nothing left in this room. I wanna get out of here, and back into the
hallway.

<Examine central door without Mars key equipped, 1+>
* There's a Mars symbol engraved on the keyhole.
<Examine central door with Mars key equipped, 1>
Junpei: Yes! It unlocked!
Lotus: Good job, Junpei!
Santa: Good, now we can get going.
Santa: C'mon, what're you guys standing around for?! Let's get outta here!
<Examine central door once unlocked, 1>
June: Come on Jumpy, let's go!
Junpei: All right. Let's go!

(To "a12b", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{ITEMS}
???�?

<Search candle, no matches, in Left Room, 1>
Lotus: It's a candle, Junpei. It's on an iron candlestick.
Santa: That's a pretty big candle.
Santa: If we light it, it'll probably get really bright.
<Search candle, no matches, in Right Room, 1>
June: This is a candle on a candlestick.
June: It's a pretty big one. If we light it, it should burn really bright.
<Search candle, no matches, in either room 2+>
* A candle on a candlestick.
* If we light this, it'll give us some, uh, light.

<Search dresser key in right room, 1>
June: A key... Do you think it's the key to the dresser?
<Search dresser key in right room, 2+>
* It's a key we found in the dresser.
* Maybe I can use it on another, similar dresser?
<Search dresser key in left room, 1>
Lotus: Junpei. Did you find this key in the other room?
Junpei: Yeah.
Santa: Then maybe that means...
<Search dresser key in left room, 2+>
* It's a small key I found in a dresser.
* I found it in the other room, but maybe...

<Search matches in right room, 1>
June: It's a box of matches. There are matches inside, obviously.
<Search matches in right room, 2>
Junpei: Hey, do you think we could burn down that door at the end of the
hallway with these matches?
June: ...
June: ...
Junpei: Not gonna work, huh...
June: Yeah...
<Search matches in right room, 3+>
* They're matches. I could probably light something small on fire with them.
<Search matches in left room, 1>
Lotus: They're matches.
Lotus: They won't be enough to set fire to anything very big.
Junpei: How about that door at the end of the hallway?
Lotus: No. Are you an idiot?
Santa: Well, maybe there's a way...
Santa: We might be able to use Junpei's clothes to build a bigger fire...
Junpei: U-Um... No.
<Search matches in left room, 2+>
* They're matches. I could probably light something small on fire with them.

<Combine candle and matches>
Junpei: I know.
Junpei: If I use these matches to light the candle...

<Search lit candle in left room, 1>
Santa: So, you lit the candle.
Lotus: I'm sure it'll be a light in dark places, when all other lights go out.
<Search lit candle in left room, 2>
* A lit candle. I can feel the heat it's putting out...
* Actually it's...pretty hot... I'd kinda like to set it down...
<Search lit candle in left room, 3+>
* A lit candle. It's hot, and I don't want to hold it any more.
<Search lit candle in right room, 1>
June: Jumpy, you lit the candle.
Junpei: Yeah. You want me to light your heart on fire?
June: ...
Junpei: ...
June: Jumpy... Don't quit your day job, okay?
<Search lit candle in right room, 2+>
* A lit candle. Should give us some light.

<Search curtain in left room, 1>
Santa: A curtain, huh.
Santa: Well, it's got all these metal rings, probably so you could hang it from
something, you know?
Lotus: Yes, but it doesn't look like a normal curtain.
Lotus: The way it feels... I think it's probably waterproof.
Lotus: Which would make this a shower curtain.
Junpei: A shower curtain, huh...
<Search curtain in left room, 2>
Santa: It's a folded-up shower curtain.
Santa: Damn, that thing's big, if you open it up.
Lotus: Oh, there's a hole... Like a bug ate through it, or something.
Santa: Oh you're right. Think maybe it was a peeping tom?
* I'll bet Lotus would sure make the perv hurt.
Lotus: If I catch him, you won't hear a peep out of the jerk--I'll knock him
into tom-morrow.
Santa: That's tom much.
<Search curtain in left room, 3>
* It's a shower curtain.
* The jury's still out on whether or not it was the work of a pervert, but
there's a hole in it.
<Search curtain in left room, 4+>
* It's a shower curtain. There's a hole in it.
<Search curtain in right room, 1>
June: Is that a shower curtain? It looks like it's probably waterproof.
June: There are some metal rings along this edge, probably so you can hang it
off a pole with some hooks on it.
Junpei: This thing's pretty big...
June: Huh? Hey...
June: Look, Jumpy. There's hole in the curtain, like a bug chewed through it or
something.
<Search curtain in right room, 2>
* It's a shower curtain. It has a hole in it.

<Search plate [from dresser] in left room, 1>
Lotus: That's a strange design... Is it ceramic?
Lotus: It doesn't look like there are any puzzles in it...
<Search plate [from dresser] in right room, 1>
June: It looks like some kind of tile. Probably ceramic, by the feel of it.
June: The way the design on it cuts off is kind of weird, though... I think
maybe it's supposed to match up with other plates.
<Search plate [from dresser] in either room, 2+>
* A tile with a black and white pattern on it.

<Search plate [from bathroom] in right room, 1>
June: Who would have thought this would be hidden in the bathroom, huh?
June: You did a good job finding it.
Junpei: ...
June: So one side has a design like the rest of the bathroom tiles...
June: ...And the other side has the black and white design.
June: I think I've seen that pattern somewhere before...
<Search plate [from bathroom] in right room, 2+>
* This is the tile I pulled off the bathroom wall. It looks like one of the
bathroom titles on one side, and has that black and white pattern on the other
side. {Author's Note: Another typo! "Titles". Oh ho ho. XP}
<Search plate [from bathroom] in left room, 1>
Lotus: Junpei. Where did you find this?
Junpei: It was on the wall in the other bathroom.
Santa: Heh. Good job.
Lotus: I get it... One side has the same pattern as the rest of the bathroom
tiles...
Santa: Yeah, and the other side has that black and white pattern.
<Search plate [from pathroom] in left room, 2+>
* This is the tile I took from the bathroom wall. The side that doesn't match
the other tiles has that black and white pattern on it.

<Search plate [from display case] in left room, 1>
Lotus: Hey, don't you think the pattern on that tile looks like something?
Santa: Yeah... I think I saw it somewhere...
<Search plate [from display case] in left room, 2>
Lotus: Maybe we need to put that tile in the frame...
Santa: Maybe...
<Search plate [from display case] in left room, 3+>
* It's a tile with a black and white pattern on it. I think I'm supposed to
insert it somewhere.
<Search plate [from display case] in right room, 1>
June: It's a black and white tile...
June: Hmm... I...I think I've seen that pattern somewhere before...
<Search plate [from display case] in right room, 2>
* A tile with a black and white pattern on it.
<Search plate [from display case] in right room, 3>

<Search candlestick key in left room, 1>
Lotus: The part of the candlestick where the candle goes looks like a key.
Santa: A key, huh...
Santa: I think I ran into a lock I couldn't open earlier...
<Search candlestick key in left room, 2+>
* Part of the candlestick is a key, apparently. Guess I'd better try and find
the lock it goes to.
<Search candlestick key in right room, 1>
June: The tip of that candlestick looks like a key, doesn't it?
June: I wonder if you might be able to use it somewhere...
June: I don't see any keyholes around here that would fit it, though.
<Search candlestick key in right room, 2+>
* It appears that part of the candlestick is a key.
* No keyhole that'll fit it in this room, though.

<Search Mars key, 1>
Santa: Whoa! This is one of those Mars symbols!
Lotus: The door at the end of the hallway!
Lotus: It has the same symbol engraved on the keyhole!
Santa: Then...that's gotta mean...
Lotus: Yes! We can use this key to get through that door!
<Search Mars key, 2+>
* A key with a Mars symbol on it.
* We should be able to use this to open the door at the end of the hallway.
<Search Mars key while standing in final hallway, 1>
Santa: Yeah, that's the key with the Mars symbol on it.
Santa: You know what that means, right?
Santa: We used that thing to open the door, and now we're out here.
Lotus: That key will open this door!
Lotus: Come on! What are you waiting for?!
<Search Mars key while standing in final hallway, 2+>
* It's a key with a Mars symbol on it.
* This should open the door at the end of the hallway.

<After leaving items screen upon picking up matches>
(To "a11d.a", replacing quotations with braces {} )

<After leaving items screen upon picking up plate [from display case]>
(To "a11d.c", replacing quotations with braces {} )

<After leaving items screen upon picking up Mars key>
(To "a11d.d", replacing quotations with braces {} )

==========================
{a11d.a} File #07
::2nd class cabin::
-In right room bedroom, after retrieving matches-

Junpei looked down blankly at what he was holding, then up at June.

Junpei: Oh, yeah... How's your fever? You feeling better now?
June: Yes. I'm feeling fine.

June certainly looked fine.
Junpei held his hand on her forehead for a few seconds...
It seemed her fever really had gone down.

June: Are you...worried about me?

<Yeah, I guess I am.> - {a11d.a1a}
<Hey, c'mon, it's not like that.> - {a11d.a1b}

{a11d.a1a}
<Yeah, I guess I am.>

Junpei: Yeah, I guess I am.
June: *Giggle*

June blushed and giggled.

(To "a11d.a1z", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{a11d.a1b}
<Hey, c'mon, it's not like that.>

Junpei: Hey, c'mon, it's not like that.

Junpei did his best to act as though he didn't care. His best wasn't very good.

June: I guess you haven't changed at all, Jumpy.

She giggled.

(To "a11d.a1z", continued below )

{a11d.a1z}

June: By the way...Jumpy...?
Junpei: Hm?
June: How did you end up here?
Junpei: What do you mean? I told you earlier, didn't I?
June: There was a man with a gas mask when you got home at night.
June: You inhaled some white smoke and passed out.
June: When you woke up, you were on D Deck...
Junpei: Yeah, that's it.
June: But is that really the truth?
Junpei: ...What?!
June: Jumpy, are you hiding something from me?
Junpei: No! Why would I!?
June: Well, if you think about it, this is awfully suspicious.
June: I mean, why would 2 childhood friends bump into each other in a place
like this...?
Junpei: Hey, I could ask you the same thing!
Junpei: Are you hiding something?
June: What would I hide...?
Junpei: Well, I dunno. Anything. I mean, you're hiding it. How would I know?
June: You mean, like...the number of men I've dated?

Junpei's heart stumbled over itself.

June: Do you want to know?

He had to admit, he was a little curious.

June: Don't worry.

She smiled at him.

June: Only 18...

!?

June: ...Times 0.
June: Yeah... I guess I just haven't met Mr. Right yet...

June looked a little embarrassed, and scratched the back of her head in a
desperate attempt to seem nonchalant.
Junpei coughed quietly in much the same way.

June: Anyway, I'm not hiding anything.
June: Just like you, Jumpy.
June: When I woke up, I was on D Deck...
Junpei: Well, you do have a point.
Junpei: I mean, why did Zero pick us? We haven't seen each other since
elementary school.

June nodded, and for a few moments she had the faraway look of someone in deep
thought.

June: "Look for what connects the victims. That will lead you to the culprit."
June: Do you remember Seven saying something like that?
Junpei: Yeah, I do. So?
June: Well, that's what I'm saying.
June: I think this must all have something to do with a classmate of ours...
Junpei: You got any ideas who it might be?
June: No, nothing...
Junpei: Oh...
June: Well, if it had something to do with school, then it could be one of our
teachers, or maybe the principal...
Junpei: Or the janitor or the lunch lady?
June: No... I can barely remember any of them...
Junpei: Yeah, I know...

...
...
Junpei went back to searching feeling unpleasant and confused.
Elementary school... Elementary school...
Was there anything strange that had happened in elementary school?
As he searched the room, he continued to wrack his brain.

(Return to investigation)

==========================
{a11d.b} File #07
::2nd class cabin::
-In right room bedroom, after retrieving map of ship-

Junpei took one last look at the map, then folded it up and slid it back into
his pocket.
June looked up as he closed it.

June: This ship is bigger than I thought.
Junpei: Yeah, it's probably about 900 feet long.
June: Must be one of those fancy cruise ships.
Junpei: Course, it doesn't really look like a cruise ship.
Junpei: Everything in here is really retro. Even if it's some sorta style
choice, there's just too much.
June: Do you remember what Zero said?
Zero: On April 14th, 1912...the famous ocean liner Titanic crashed into an
iceberg.
Zero: After remaining afloat for 2 hours and 40 minutes, it sank beneath the
waters of the North Atlantic.
June: Do you think maybe this boat and the Titanic have something to do with
each other?
Junpei: Hmmm... That's a good point.
Junpei: I doubt he would've mentioned it if there wasn't a reason...

Junpei took a moment to look around the room.

Junpei: Do you think this boat is...

<A replica of the Titanic?> - {a11d.b1a}
<The actual Titanic?> - {a11d.b1b}

{a11d.b1a}
<A replica of the Titanic?>

Junpei: A replica of the Titanic? 
June: A replica...?
Junpei: Yeah. You know, like a copy of the actual boat.
June: Who on Earth would make something like that?
Junpei: Fans. Crazy Titanic fans.
June: No way! Do you even know how much money that would take?
Junpei: No idea.
Junpei: But all they've gotta do is break even, you know?
June: Break even...?
Junpei: Yeah. They could use it as a cruise ship.
Junpei: "Climb aboard a piece of history! Sail 'round the world in the
resurrected Titanic!"
Junpei: Hell, with marketing like that, they'd probably have more customers
than they'd know what to do with.
June: Do you really think people would want to ride on a ship with such an
ominous past?
June: It's the site of the worst accident in history...
June: Over 1500 people died... I wouldn't be surprised if you'd get cursed just
for going.
Junpei: A curse, huh...

June: Jumpy, do you believe in that sort of thing? You know...curses and stuff?

<I do.> - {a11d.b1c}
<No, they're a load of crap.> - {a11d.b1d}

{a11d.b1b}
<The actual Titanic?>

Junpei: The actual Titanic?
June: The actual...Titanic?
June: You mean it, like, slipped through time and ended up here?
June: Before the ship sunk on April 14, 1912...
Junpei: ...
June: ...
Junpei: Huh...? What the hell are you smoking?
June: Huh? Did I get it wrong?

Junpei grinned and shook his head.

Junpei: No, no, that's not... I mean, come on... "Slipped through time"?
Seriously...
Junpei: I was talking about the controversy surrounding the Titanic.
June: Controversy? What do you mean?
Junpei: Haven't you heard of it? It's pretty famous, you know.
Junpei: The Titanic has a sister ship that was essentially identical.
Junpei: It was called the Olympic.
June: Oh! Yes, I have heard of that!
June: If I remember correctly, the Olympic was a ship that had a lot of
problems.
June: And the company that owned it didn't know how to get rid of it, right?
June: So they made the Olympic up to look just like the brand-new Titanic.
June: ...And then, they sunk it, on purpose.
Junpei: That's right. They also took out a huge insurance policy on it, before
it set sail.
June: That would mean that the real Titanic never sank.
Junpei: Yeah. The ships got swapped.
Junpei: The real Titanic was renamed the Olympic in secret, and was used as a
passenger ship for more than 20 years.
June: Hey... wait a minute.
June: Wouldn't that mean it retired in 1935?
Junpei: Huh? Well yeah, I guess sometime around then, yeah.
June: Well...what happened to it after that?
Junpei: I heard it was dismantled.
June: Dismantled... Then it doesn't matter, does it?
June: Whichever boat the real Titanic was, it doesn't exist any more...
June: It was either retired and dismantled, or sunk in the Atlantic by the
[curse].
June: But then that would mean that this ship is--
Junpei: Wait! What did you just say!?
June: ...Huh?
Junpei: Sank in the Atlantic because of what?
June: The...curse...
Junpei: What do you mean, a curse?
June: A curse is a curse.
June: This one is the curse of the Egyptian mummy.

Junpei couldn't understand how June had maintained a straight face to say that.

June: Supposedly the Titanic carried the mummy of the Priestess Amon-Ra...
June: ...Which was stolen from a pyramid.
June: And they say that the mummy had a history...
June: Everyone involved with it died mysterious deaths...
June: Come on, I'm sure you've heard of it before...
June: "Those who open the coffin will be forever cursed"... Haven't you ever
heard that one?
Junpei: So you're saying the Titanic sunk because of that curse...?
June: That's right!

June's eyes had lit up with excitement, like a child with a new toy.

Junpei: Hmph. That's stupid. I don't buy it.
June: It's true!
Junpei: How can you be so sure...?
June: That mummy wasn't just a normal mummy.
June: It was really mysterious...totally unbelievable...
Junpei: What is so unbelievable about it?

( To "a11d.b1z", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{a11d.b1c}
<I do.>

Junpei: Yeah, well, I guess so. To a certain extent.

Junpei scratched his temple.

Junpei: What about you...?
Junpei: Nah, I guess that's kind of a dumb question.
June: Yes, I do believe in curses.
June: In fact, I think it was a curse that sunk the Titanic.
Junpei: What?
June: A curse sank the Titanic.
June: The curse of the Egyptian mummy.

Junpei couldn't understand how June had maintained a straight face to say that.

June: Supposedly the Titanic carried the mummy of the Priestess Amon-Ra...
June: ...Which was stolen from a pyramid.
June: And they say that the mummy had a history...
June: Everyone involved with it died mysterious deaths...
June: Come on, I'm sure you've heard of it before...
June: "Those who open the coffin will be forever cursed"... Haven't you ever
heard that one?
Junpei: So you're saying the Titanic sunk because of that curse...?
June: That's right!

June's eyes had lit up with excitement, like a child with a new toy.

June: That mummy, the priestess...
June: Supposedly, she was...special.
Junpei: ...What do you mean?

( To "a11d.b1z", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{a11d.b1d}
<No, they're a load of crap.>

Junpei: Sorry, but I can't really say I believe in that kind of stuff.

Tact was not one of Junpei's many better qualities.

Junpei: What about you...?
Junpei: Nah, I guess that's kind of a dumb question.
June: Yes, I do believe in curses.
June: In fact, I think it was a curse that sunk the Titanic.
Junpei: What?
June: A curse sank the Titanic.
June: The curse of the Egyptian mummy.

Junpei couldn't understand how June had maintained a straight face to say that.

June: Supposedly the Titanic carried the mummy of the Priestess Amon-Ra...
June: ...Which was stolen from a pyramid.
June: And they say that the mummy had a history...
June: Everyone involved with it died mysterious deaths...
June: Come on, I'm sure you've heard of it before...
June: "Those who open the coffin will be forever cursed"... Haven't you ever
heard that one?
Junpei: So you're saying the Titanic sunk because of that curse...?
June: That's right!

June's eyes had lit up with excitement, like a child with a new toy.

Junpei: Hmph. That's stupid. I don't buy it.
June: It's true!
Junpei: How can you be so sure...?
June: That mummy wasn't just a normal mummy.
June: It was really mysterious...totally unbelievable...
Junpei: What is so unbelievable about it?

( To "a11d.b1z", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{a11d.b1z}

June: Well, supposedly, she was really pretty.
Junpei: Pretty?
June: Yes.
Junpei: But...she was a mummy.
June: That's right.
June: She wasn't all shriveled up or rotten or anything.
June: She looked just like she was alive.
Junpei: Ohhh. I get it. It's that thing... I don't remember the name... Where
your body turns into some kind of wax?
Junpei: If a dead body is put in the right sort of environment...
Junpei: The fat in it turns into something kinda like candle wax, right? And--
June: Yes, saponification. But that's not what it was.
Junpei: Huh?
June: That's not it. She wasn't wax.
Junpei: Then what is it?
June: They say...that she was frozen.
Junpei: What...? Frozen?
June: That's right. The whole body was frozen solid...
June: You know how a human body is more than 60 percent water?
June: Well, all of that water was frozen.
June: The story says that from the time of its discovery, all the way through
to when it got put on the Titanic...
June: And even though it was carried through the desert...
June: ...Her body never melted.

June and Junpei talked a little more, and then went back to their
investigation.
But even as they did, his mind went back to what she'd told him.
Ice that wouldn't melt, even in the desert... Could such a thing really exist?
No, even if it did, it wouldn't really be "ice" anymore, would it?
The more he thought about it, the more his head hurt.
Like he'd eaten his ice cream too fast...

(Return to investigation)

==========================
{a11d.c} File #07
::2nd class cabin::
-In left room bedroom, after retrieving plate from display case-

Santa: Hey, Junpei, you got a minute?

Santa had shown up out of nowhere, and gave Junpei no small start.

Santa: Here, take this.

Santa pulled something out of his pocket.
It looked like a bookmark.
It had a [4-leaf clover] in it.

Junpei: What is this...?
Santa: I found it in-between some of the cushions on the sofa.
Santa: Pretty sure it ain't gonna be any help to us, but I figured we might as
well hang onto it anyway.
Junpei: Then why don't you hold onto it?

Santa gave him a wry smile.

Santa: You know what I hate most in the world?
Santa: I got 4 things:
Santa: Hope, Faith, Love, and Luck.
Junpei: "Hope", "Faith", "Love", and "Luck"...?
Santa: Damn straight.
Junpei: And you...hate these things?
Santa: Yeah, you got a problem with that?
Junpei: Uh, not really, but...

Junpei tried to figure out how best to phrase what he wanted to say.

Junpei: What does a bookmark have to do with any of that?

Santa scratched the back of his ear, and looked awkward.

Santa: Well, see, each leaf on the 4-leaf clover has a meaning to it, okay?
Santa: And that meaning is pretty much those 4 words.
Santa: It's like...a flower language.
Santa: Well, I guess it's not a flower is it? So a leaf language, I guess.
Yeah, you could call 'em leaf words.
Junpei: Leaf words...

Junpei looked at the bookmark.
Hope, Faith, Love, and Luck...

Santa: So...yeah. I want you to take it, okay?
Santa: Just touchin' it gives me the creeps.
Santa: Take the damn thing, all right!?

Santa pretended to shiver with disgust and shoved the bookmark into Junpei's
confused hands.
Junpei...

<<What do you want to do?>>

<Take it.> - {a11d.c1a}
<Don't take it.> - {a11d.c1b}

{a11d.c1a}
<Take it.>

...Decided to take it. After all, why shouldn't he?

Junpei: All right, sure, I'll take it.

He shoved the thing into his pocket, and gave Santa a last, confused look.

(To "a11d.c1g", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{a11d.c1b}
<Don't take it.>

Junpei: Thanks, but no thanks.
Junpei: It's kinda weird to be getting presents from another dude, you know?

Santa's eyebrows went up. Apparently, he hadn't thought of that.

Santa: Well...hm. I guess you do have a point.
Santa: I won't force it on ya...
Santa: ...Sure you don't want it?

<I don't want it.> - {a11d.c1e}
<Actually, I'll take it.> - {a11d.c1f}

{a11d.c1e}
<I don't want it.>

Junpei: Yeah, I don't want it.
Junpei: Why don't you give it to Lotus?
Santa: Ahh. Good idea. Will do.

Santa turned and headed off to the other room.

Santa: Hey, you old bag!
Santa: I just found the perfect thing for a woman in her 40s!

He walked into the next room, waving the bookmark...
Junpei turned back to his work...
...And heard a faint sound from the other room... The sound of bones breaking.

Junpei: ...
Junpei: I'm just gonna pretend I didn't hear that...

Junpei returned to his search with renewed vigor.

(Return to investigation)

{a11d.c1f}
<Actually, I'll take it.>

If Santa wanted him to have it that much, Junpei couldn't see any harm in
taking it.

Junpei: Actually...I...I guess I'll take it.
Santa: Geez. Just make up your mind, all right?

Before Junpei could change his mind again...

Santa: Here.

Santa shoved the bookmark into his hand.
He took it, clumsily, and stuffed it into the inside pocket of his vest.

(To "a11d.c1g", continued below)

{a11d.c1g}

Santa: Phew. Man, I feel a lot better now.
Santa: That thing was a real pain, you know?
Junpei: Do you really hate those 4 words that much?
Santa: Yeah, well, they can all betray you, you know?
Santa: Hope, Faith, Love... even your destiny...

What had happened to Santa, Junpei wondered. How had he become such a bitter
person?
For a moment, they looked at each other.

Santa: Well, that's not my only reason.
Junpei: What?
Santa: That's not the only reason I hate the 4-leaf clover.
Santa: I just can't bring myself to like the number (4).
Junpei: What, worried about the Four Horsemen?
Santa: Nah. C'mon man, that's just silly.
Santa: Maybe back in the Dark Ages that kinda crap scared people, but this is
the 21st century, and I'm a 21st century guy.
Junpei: Then why do you hate (4) so much?
Santa: 'Cause it's a half-ass number.
Santa: Not the best or the worst. That's why.
Junpei: ...What.
Santa: (9) is a way better number.
Santa: So what if it's last place, right? Least it's not some lameass middle
number.

Santa's explanation made no sense. Junpei was even more confused than before.

Santa: You play?
Junpei: Play? 

<You mean like...gambling?> - {a11d.c1c}
<What, you mean like play the stock market?> - {a11d.c1d}

{a11d.c1d}
<What, you mean like play the stock market?>

Junpei: You mean, like, the stock market?
Santa: Nah, that's not what I mean. Why the hell would you think that?
Santa: I mean, yeah, I do stocks too, but...

This last statement, more or less thrown away by Santa, caught Junpei very much
by surprise.

Junpei: You!? A stockbroker?!
Santa: Yeah. Got a problem with that?
Junpei: No, you just...don't look like the type.

What Junpei didn't say, of course, was that he didn't think Santa looked smart
enough to be a stockbroker.

Santa: Man, that stuff's just like gambling, you know?
Santa: All you gotta do is bet on the winning horse.
Santa: Nothing that hard about it.
Junpei: You sure sound pretty confident.
Junpei: So...are you betting on winning horses?
Santa: Course I am.
Santa: You remember a couple years back when the stock for Cradle
Pharmaceuticals shot through the roof?
Santa: Stacked a few bills over that, if I do say so myself.
Junpei: Uh huh...

"Uh huh" was all Junpei could think of.
He'd never even heard of [Cradle Pharmaceutical]...
Fortunately, he was saved quickly from further embarrassment.

Lotus: Hey! How long are you going to stand around wasting time?!
Lotus: Stop screwing around!

The voice screaming at them from the other room was unmistakably Lotus's.
Junpei and Santa looked at each other.

Santa: ...The lady has spoken.

Santa sighed.

Santa: We'd better get back to work before we really piss her off.
Santa: I don't want her beating me up.

And with that, Santa walked off, slowly...

Junpei: Hey, wait! We weren't done!

He started after Santa, intended to catch him, but...

Lotus: ...

Lotus appeared from the next room, blocking his path.
Her posture suggested she was not about to let him pass.
There was nothing for it. He had lost.

Junpei: Okay, okay. I'll get back to work, damnit.

Her glare suggested any other choice would not have ended pleasantly for him.
Junpei mumbled to himself under his breath, and went back to his search.

(Return to investigation)

{a11d.c1c}
<You mean like...gambling?>

Junpei: You mean like...gambling?
Santa: Uh, yeah. Of course. What else would I mean?
Junpei: ...
Santa: In baccarat, the best possible hand totals (9). They call it "Le
Grande".
Santa: But the lowest, most worthless cards, the 0s, they call "monkey".
Junpei: Just like the guy in charge of this game, huh?
Junpei: Zero's a monkey...

Santa blinked, utterly stunned.
Then he began to laugh.

Santa: Ahahahahahahahahaha! Ha...! Oh man, you're totally right!
Santa: The guy who trapped us in here sure is one hell of a monkey...

That was when Lotus spoke up.

Lotus: You know, if you think about it, the Nonary Game is really a lot like
baccarat.

Apparently, she'd been listening.

Lotus: Of course, it doesn't use any of that stupid [digital root] junk.
Lotus: You just drop the tens digit, and that's it.
Lotus: Still, it does have the same idea of your final number needing to be a
single digit.
Santa: Oh... Yeah, I guess you got a point.
Lotus: And in both games, whoever has (9) wins.
Junpei: The person who makes (9)...wins?
Lotus: Did you forget already? Don't you remember what Zero said?
Junpei: The exit is hidden, but it is there.
Junpei: Seek the exit... Seek the door that carries a [9]. 
Junpei: So, if we wanna get off this boat...
Junpei: ...We have to make a team whose numbers have the digital root of 9...
Santa: And only the people in that team are going to make it out alive...
Lotus: Of course!
Lotus: That's why it's called the [Nonary Game].
Junpei: What...?
Santa: Huh?
Lotus: You don't know?
Lotus: [Nonary] means something derived from 9, or Base-9.
Lotus: It's derived from the Latin prefix "nona", which means 9.
Lotus: While we're at it, the prefix for 1 is "uni". You know, like the
unicorn--the horse with 1 horn.
Lotus: 2 is "bi"...like binary. Binary means composed of 2 parts.
Lotus: 3 is "tri". I'm sure you've heard that one plenty. Like trio, triple,
and triangle... You get the idea.
Lotus: After that you have quart, quinti, sext, septim, and so on.
Lotus: And of course the prefix for 8 is "octo", like octopus.
Lotus: It's called that because it has 8 legs. Get it?
Junpei: I see...
Junpei: So then "nona" means (9).

Lotus nodded.

Lotus: So, how many of us are trapped on this ship?
Santa: That'd be 9.
Lotus: And what are the bracelet numbers we have?
Junpei: They go from 1 to 9.
Lotus: And our time limit? How many hours did we have?
Santa: Zero said 9 hours...
Lotus: And finally...to get out of this ship?
Junpei: We need to find the door with a [9] that's hidden somewhere in the
ship.
Santa: By making a team with the digital root of 9...

Lotus nodded again.

Lotus: And there you have it.
Lotus: The number (9) is everywhere in this game.
Lotus: He's got a real theme of (9)s for this whole thing.
Lotus: No wonder it's called the [Nonary Game].

...
...
Somewhere far away, Junpei heard the creak of stressed metal.
It sounded almost like Zero laughing at them...
...Or the sad, desperate scream of a pig headed to the slaughterhouse.

(Return to investigation)

==========================
{a11d.d} File #07
::2nd class cabin::
-In left room entrance, after finding Mars key-

Junpei messed around a bit with the key he had, and looked blankly at the
picture that slid down.

Santa: What's the deal with this picture anyway...

Santa had only been mumbling to himself, but it drew Lotus's attention.
She looked at the picture, and paused.

Lotus: I...I think I've seen this picture before.
Junpei: Where?
Lotus: In a book.
Lotus: There's a British biochemist named [Sheldrake]. He has a rather
interesting theory.
Lotus: I saw this picture in his book.
Junpei: What's this interesting theory?
Lotus: [Morphogenetic field], which relies on the theory of [morphic
resonance]...
Santa: Man, I can't deal with this. Just listening to you talk about it is
giving me a headache.

Santa put his hands on his head, as though he were in great pain.
Lotus merely arched an eyebrow in his direction and continued.

Lotus: It's not a difficult concept to grasp.
Lotus: In essence, he states that the "shapes of living organisms and their
behavioral patterns are transmitted through a field not visible to the eye"...
Santa: Uh, what part of that isn't difficult, exactly?

Lotus did not look pleased.

Lotus: All right, how about this...
Lotus: Theory of the Telepathic Mechanism.
Santa: Telepathy?
Lotus: Yes, telepathy.
Lotus: Well, perhaps not exactly telepathy, but... It is close enough, for a
simple approximation.

Santa suddenly burst into laughter.

Santa: HAHAHAAHA! Are you serious!? Telepathy?
Santa: Who do you think we are? Kids from the 70s?
Santa: I can't believe someone would actually do serious research on something
like that.
Lotus: Yes, I agree.

Lotus's response was surprisingly curt. Junpei had expected at least some
conflict.

Lotus: I read the book, but I can hardly say I understood it.
Lotus: I'm in no position to defend or condemn anything it said.
Lotus: It was probably just someone latching on to a statistical out-lier from
some study and turning it into a ridiculous theory.
Lotus: There's no scientific merit to any of it, I'm sure.
Lotus: But even so... I...
Junpei: ...
Santa: ...
Lotus: Anyway, I saw a picture like that one in his book.

Lotus indicated the picture they'd all been looking at.
After a moment she walked up to the strange picture, examined it, and then
spoke.

Lotus: Hey... What do you think this picture looks like?

Santa answered first.

Santa: Wadda ya mean? Isn't it just, like...abstract, or something like that?
Santa: It's just black and white scribbles. There's no meaning there. That's
it.
Lotus: What about you, Junpei? Does it look like anything to you?
Junpei: Hmm... I guess it looks like...

<A man's face.> - {a11d.d1a}
<Butterfly.> - {a11d.d1b}
<A koi.> - {a11d.d1c}
<A dog.> - {a11d.d1d}
<A small boat floating in a lake.> - {a11d.d1e}
<Funyarinpa.> - {a11d.d1f}

{a11d.d1b}
<Butterfly.>

Junpei: It's Butterfly.
Junpei: Cho "Butterfly" Yusofa.
Junpei: This is the head, and this is the nose and the mouth...
Lotus: W-Wait, what!?
Lotus: What's a Cho Yusofa?
Junpei: What?! You mean you...you don't know? He's a former pro wrestler, and a
huge movie star!
Junpei: He was just in this movie called "Man-Bag"! Oh man, it was so sweet...
Junpei: He was all like "Nom nom nom", throwing the bag around like a big
mouth...
Junpei: ...And then, like, guns and gadgets and stuff would fly out of it...
Junpei: Damn, just thinking about it gives me chills.

Several seconds of silence passed, as Lotus stared at Junpei.

Lotus: You're just screwing with me, aren't you, Junpei?
Junpei: ...
Lotus: Forget it. I'm just gonna tell you.
Lotus: This is a dog.
Lotus: See? Like this...

Lotus pointed out parts of the picture, and eventually a dog took shape in
them.
It looked as though she had a point.
It was a dog.
Santa also nodded in agreement.

(To "a11d.d1z", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{a11d.d1c}
<A koi.>

Junpei: A koi?
Junpei: See, here's the head and the tail...
Junpei: And this here's the hands and the feet back here...
Junpei: Looks like he's got some wings on his back, too.

Junpei pointed to what he was talking about.
After 3 seconds of silence, Lotus looked at Junpei.

Lotus: I...really don't think that's how a koi looks.
Junpei: ...
Lotus: Junpei, are you just screwing around?
Junpei: ...
Lotus: Forget it. I'm just gonna tell you.
Lotus: This is a dog.
Lotus: See? Like this...

Lotus pointed out parts of the picture, and eventually a dog took shape in
them.
It looked as though she had a point.
It was a dog.
Santa also nodded in agreement.

(To "a11d.d1z", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{a11d.d1d}
<A dog.>

Junpei: Maybe a dog?
Junpei: See, you've got the head here, and these are the front paws... And
these are the back paws.

Junpei traced the black contours.

Junpei: See?
Santa: Ahh...I see it...
Santa: I guess you've got a point...

Santa despite his constant aloofness, was clearly impressed.
Junpei glanced over at Lotus.
She looked stunned.

Lotus: How did you know? You're right.
Lotus: I didn't think you would have been able to guess that.

For a brief moment, Junpei felt a swell of pride.

(To "a11d.d1z", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{a11d.d1e}
<A small boat floating in a lake.>

Junpei: A small boat floating in a lake?
Junpei: That's the front of the boat, and there are the oars sticking out...

Junpei pointed to what he was talking about.

Lotus: Nope. That's wrong.

Lotus smiled triumphantly.

Lotus: This is a dog.
Lotus: See? Like this...

Lotus pointed out parts of the picture, and eventually a dog took shape in
them.
It looked as though she had a point.
It was a dog.
Santa also nodded in agreement.

(To "a11d.d1z", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{a11d.d1f}
<Funyarinpa.>

Junpei: A funyarinpa?
Junpei: See...? I mean this totally looks like one... Here, and here...

Junpei indicated parts of the picture that looked exactly like the other parts.
After 3 seconds of silence, Lotus looked at Junpei.

Lotus: What the hell is a funyarinpa?
Junpei: What do you mean "what the hell is a funyarinpa"? You mean...you don't
know?!
Lotus: How the hell would I know!?
Junpei: How could you not know?!
Junpei: That's...that's practically blasphemous.
Junpei: Say you're sorry! Apologize to the funyarinpa! Goodness, you are such a
rude woman.

Another 3 seconds of awkward silence went by.
Lotus opened her mouth as she shook.

Lotus: Junpei, are you just screwing around?
Junpei: ...
Lotus: Forget it. I'm just gonna tell you.
Lotus: This is a dog.
Lotus: See...like this.

Lotus pointed out parts of the picture, and eventually a dog took shape in
them.
It looked as though she had a point.
It was a dog.
Santa also nodded in agreement.

(To "a11d.d1z", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{a11d.d1a}
<A man's face.>

Junpei: A man's face?
Junpei: This is the head, and this is the nose and the mouth...

Junpei pointed to what he was talking about.

Lotus: Nope. That's wrong.

Lotus smiled triumphantly.

Lotus: It's a "dog".
Lotus: See? Like this...

Lotus pointed out parts of the picture, and eventually a dog took shape in
them.
It looked as though she had a point.
It was a dog.
Santa also nodded in agreement.

(To "a11d.d1z", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{a11d.d1z}

Junpei: So?
Junpei: Now we know what it's a picture of, but... I don't see how that helps
us.

Lotus nodded, and began to speak.

Lotus: A TV show from Great Britain did an experiment once.
Lotus: They took 2 similar pictures.
Lotus: Both of them were difficult to identify, initially...
Lotus: But once you'd figured out the answer, you couldn't see it as anything
else.
Lotus: The first picture was a woman wearing a hat.
Lotus: The other one... Well, to make it easier...
Lotus: ...Let's just say it was this picture of a dog.
Lotus: So. Their experiment...

First, they sent the pictures to other parts of the world where British radio
and television didn't reach.
To Ireland, the U.S., Africa, Europe, etc...
Then, in each country, they gathered a number of test subjects. All in all,
there were roughly 1,000 people.
Those 1,000 people were shown the 2 pictures, and asked "What does this picture
look like to you?"
The results, in and of themselves, were not terribly interesting...
[9.2%%] of the people saw the lady in the lady picture.
[3.9%%] saw the dog in the dog picture.
Then, 2 days later... They broadcast a new show.
During the 30 minute show, they broadcast the dog picture, and its solution.
The audience was estimated to be 200,000 people.
After the broadcast, it could be assumed that the number of people who knew the
solution to the dog picture now totalled over 200,000 people.
After another 2 days had passed, they gathered a number of research subjects
from areas where British TV and radio did not exist.
This time, they were only able to find a sample of roughly 850 people.
Naturally, none of them were people who had participated in the 1st test.
They were, however, given the same test, and the same 2 pictures.
The results...were shocking.
[10%%] of the people saw the lady in the lady picture.
The previous test had yielded a [9.2%%] success rate--the change was not
statistically significant.
The dog picture, however, produced a very different result.
The percentage of people able to successfully find the dog grew from [3.9%%] to
[6.8%%]. A very significant increase.

Lotus: So, do you understand? Do you realize the significance of this
experiment?
Lotus: There was no way the second group could have seen the picture.
Lotus: They lived far away from Britain, and couldn't have seen the picture.
Lotus: But even so, it was only the success rate for the dog picture that went
up.
Lotus: Why? How did that happen? What does it mean?

Lotus looked back and forth, from Junpei to Santa and back again.
Normally calm and collected, she looked now as though she were very nearly
possessed, and there was something manic about her manner.
Santa took an involuntary step backward.
Junpei didn't budge, and stared straight back into Lotus's eyes...

Junpei: Does this have something to do with that "field" or whatever it was
that you were talking about earlier?
Junpei: ..."A field not visible to the eye"...
Junpei: So if more people know the answer...
Junpei: ...Then that information will pass through the field...
Lotus: ...
Junpei: ...
Lotus: ...
Junpei: ...
Lotus: Pssyyyych!

Her manner suddenly shifted, and Lotus smiled broadly at Junpei and Santa.
She waved her hand dismissively, doing her best to laugh the whole
confrontation off.

Lotus: Oh, I was just kidding. You really shouldn't take me seriously.
Lotus: Well, I mean, the things I just told you about are true. They really did
happen.
Lotus: But the results of that experiment really aren't anything to go by. They
could have easily falsified them.
Lotus: In the end, I'm sure they were just in it for the ratings. They are a TV
station, after all.

At last, it seemed that Santa had gained control of his composure.

Santa: R-Riiiight! Man, I gotta admit, you had me there for a minute!
Santa: I, uh, really thought you were serious...
Lotus: *Giggle* Of course not!
Lotus: Like I told you before, I'm sure it's all just pseudoscience.
Santa: O-Oh, okay, right! Ha ha ha hahahaha!

Santa and Lotus laughed, and gave one another jovial claps on the shoulder.
Junpei, however, didn't feel so much like laughing.
Something felt...wrong...unclear...
...

Lotus: All right, enough nonsense.
Lotus: We've got the key. Let's get out of here.
Santa: Word.

Lotus and Santa walked away from the picture.
...But Junpei stayed, staring at the picture of the dog.
"A field not visible to the naked eye"...
[Morphogenetic field]...
The more he thought about it, the more his head hurt.

(Return to investigation)

===========================================
===========================================
{a12b} File #09
:In a wide hallway:
-After completing first escape from the 2nd class cabin-
===========================================

They stepped through the door to find themselves in a wide hallway.
Junpei, June, Lotus, and Santa stopped for a moment, and looked at their
surroundings.
A short distance away, a metal grate extended across the width of the hallway.
They took hold and shook, but it refused to move.
Nearby was a pair of elevators.
It took only a few button presses to determine that the elevators would not
respond to their efforts.
They could only assume the elevators were not powered.
There was only one door left.

Junpei: Well, looks like we don't have any choice.
Santa: Yeah.
June: Sure does.
Lotus: Well then, let's open it.

Junpei grabbed hold of the knob, and quietly pushed the door open.
He entered, slowly, trying to take in as much of his surroundings as he could.
The others followed shortly.

Santa: Oh... So it's a kitchen...

Santa did not look pleased.

June: What were you expecting?
Santa: Isn't it obvious?
Santa: The exit. I was hoping this would be the way out of here.
Junpei: Heh. You really think it'd be that easy?
Santa: Yeah, yeah, I know. Still...

As they talked, Lotus headed deeper into the room.
...Until at last she stood in front of a door.

Lotus: If we can just get through this door, we should come out on the other
side of that grate we saw earlier.
Junpei: But...don't we need a key for that...?
Junpei: ...Sorry. I guess that wasn't very constructive...

Neither Junpei nor Lotus looked terribly happy.
Junpei dug the ship map from his pocket, and spread it out in front of him.
As he did...

Lotus: H-Hey!
Santa: What's that?!
Junpei: Huh? Oh, yeah, I guess I forgot to tell you.
Junpei: I found this a little while ago.
Junpei: It's a map of the B Deck--

Before Junpei could finish, Lotus snatched the map away from him.
She ran her finger across it, muttering to herself.

Lotus: I knew it. See? Look.

Junpei did as he was told.
Santa and June moved over to look at the map as well.

Lotus: See? We came in here. If we go out there, then we'll be on the other
side of the grate.

With her finger Lotus traced a path on the map.
She was right.
Satisfied that she had been correct, Lotus folded the map and handed it back to
Junpei.
He took it, and slid the valuable piece of paper back into his pocket.

June: There's a card reader on the right side of the door.
Santa: Then that means the [key card] is somewhere in here, right? [&&& make
sure speaker is correct]
Lotus: That seems the most likely.
Junpei: All right, we know what we need to do then.
Junpei: Let's get moving! First off, I say we split up and look for clues. 
June: Okay!

===============SEEK A WAY OUT!===============
::Kitchen::
=============================================
{a12} File #16
Plot points within this section:
-Prediction of the Sinking Titanic: "a12d.a"
-[Ice-9] and crystallization of glycerin: "a12d.c"
( To skip to next story segment, search for "a12e" replacing quotations with
braces {} )
=============================================

MAP:
[#]: Screen #
<#>: Screen # that you start on
|, =, /, \ : Room Connections
v: Returns to the previous room
Screens to the left and right can be reached by arrow.

Freezer   Pantry  Grill
     [6]=[8][5]   [7]
        \   /    /   \
   <1> = [2] = [3] = [4] -> (to 1)
         Main Room
 

{Screen 1, Plate Counter}

<Examine Square Plates, 1>
Junpei: Those 9 plates look pretty expensive.
Lotus: They're plates for appetizers. Remember, appetizers usually come on
square plates.
Junpei: Okay, okay. Well excuuuuuuse me, princess.
<Examine Square Plates, 2+>
* Appetizer plates. There are 9 of them, in total.
<Examine Square Plates after voucher talk, 1+>
* There are 9 plates for appetizers. 9 is 9 even in hexadecimal and decimal.
<Examine Square Plates after unlocking iron oven, 1+>
* This pile is all square plates.

<Examine 2nd to left Plates, 1>
Junpei: 1, 2, 3... There's 10 of 'em.
Junpei: If you flip these over, they look like hats. The middle is super deep
for a plate...
Lotus: They're soup plates. They're made that way so that the soup doesn't
spill.
Lotus: If we ever get out of here, you should treat yourself to a nice dinner
out.
Junpei: What makes you think a poor college student has the money to do
something like that?
<Examine 2nd to left Plates, 2+>
* A deep soup bowl. There's 10 of 'em in a stack here.
<Examine 2nd to left Plates after voucher talk, 1+>
* There are 10 soup plates. 10 is A in hexadecimal.
<Examine 2nd to left Plates after unlocking iron oven, 1+>
* These plates are for soup.

<Examine 2nd to right Plates, 1>
Lotus: I think there are 15 of these plates.
Lotus: I'm assuming they're for seafood...
Junpei: How the hell can you tell that?
Junpei: They look just like any other plate from the 99-cent store...
Lotus: If you ever take a lady out to dinner, you're going to embarrass
yourself. I feel sorry for June.
Junpei: Wh...wh...wh...why the hell are you bringing up June!?
Lotus: The lady doth protest too much, methinks. You are not terribly subtle.
<Examine 2nd to right Plates, 2+>
* A round plate for seafood. There are 15 of them, in a pile.
<Examine 2nd to right Plates after voucher talk, 1+>
* There are 15 of these seafood plates. It says "F" on the voucher.
<Examine 2nd to right Plates after unlocking iron oven, 1+>
* There isn't a whole lot to say about these plates.

<Examine Rightmost Plates, 1>
Junpei: There's a bunch of little wavy ridges on this plate.
Lotus: Those plates are for serving meat. Ugh. You really are ignorant, aren't
you?
Junpei: C'mon, it's not like I need to know this crap... Geez...
<Examine Rightmost Plates, 2+>
* Plates for meat. There's 16 of 'em.
<Examine Rightmost Plates after voucher talk, 1+>
* There are 16 meat plates. 16 is written as 10 in hexadecimal. That is nuts.
<Examine Rightmost Plates after unlocking iron oven, 1+>
* Out of the 4 types of plates here, this one is the most abundant.

<Examine Any Plate after having examined all 4 plates at least once, triggers
voucher talk, 1>
* There's a voucher at the end of the counter.
Junpei: This voucher doesn't match the number of plates on the table...
Lotus: It says "Appetizer 9, Meat dish 10, Soup A, Seafood dish F" on the
voucher.
Lotus: And the plates on the table are... "9 Appetizer, 16 Meat, 10 Soup, 15
Seafood".
Lotus: Maybe they're using [hexadecimal] here.
Junpei: And hexadecimal is...?
Lotus: It's a number system that goes 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F, 10, 11...
Lotus: You're familiar with base-10, right? That's the "normal" system of
numbers.
Lotus: The base-10 equivalents for hexadecimal numbers would go like this:
Lotus: A = 10, B = 11, C = 12, D = 13, E = 14, F = 15...
Lotus: ...And 10 = 16
Lotus: The 10 becomes 16 in base-10.
Lotus: I know it sounds strange, but you can think of it as just 6 letters
added on to the normal number system after 9.
* A = 10, B = 11, C = 12, D = 13, E = 14, F = 15, 10 = 16, and so on...
* I think I get it...

<Examine Voucher before examining plates, 1+>
* A voucher. It says...
* "Appetizer 9, Meat dish 10, Soup A, Seafood dish F"
<Examine Voucher after voucher talk, 1>
Lotus: Hexadecimal... I wonder if it's some kind of hint.
Junpei: Yeah, maybe.
Lotus: Junpei, do you remember what I told you about hexadecimal code earlier?
Junpei: Yeah, course I do.
Lotus: All right then, here's a little quiz for you.
Lotus: What would 9 + F be in base-10?
Junpei: Well, F = 15, so it'd be 9 + 15, which would be 24...right?
Lotus: That's right. Good job, you're a fast learner.
<Examine Voucher after voucher talk, 2>
* A = 10, B = 11, C = 12, D = 13, E = 14, and F = 15.
* Then once you hit 16, it's 10, so 10 = 16.
* ...8 9 A B C D E F 10 11...
* That's how you count in hexadecimal.
<Examine Voucher after voucher talk, 3+>
* A = 10, B = 11, C = 12, D = 13, E = 14, F = 15, and 10 = 16.
<Examine Voucher after retrieving Saturn key card, 1+> &&& Possibly after
unlocking iron oven?
* It's a voucher.

<Examine Partition, 1+>
* A partition. There's nothing special about it.

<Examine Serving Table under plates, 1>
Lotus: This looks like a serving table.
Lotus: I would imagine food is put here after it's prepared so that the waiters
and waitresses can take it out to the customers.
Lotus: But... Something doesn't seem right here.
Lotus: Why are there so many plates?
<Examine Serving Table under plates, 2+>
* A serving table. There's a voucher sitting on it, along with 4 different
types of plates.

<Examine Lights, 1+>
* There's a light hanging from the ceiling.

<Examine Utensils/Ladles in back, 1>
Junpei: It's kinda far away... I can't really tell, but...is that a ladle?
Santa: I don't really think a ladle is going to be very useful.
<Examine Utensils/Ladles in back, 2>
* Just an ordinary ladle. No reason to hang onto it.
<Examine Utensils/Ladles in back, 3>
* Ladle, Ladle, Ladle, I made you out of clay...
* Oh wait...
* This is sad... I can't even remember a simple children's song...
<Examine Utensils/Ladles in back, 4+>
* Just an ordinary ladle. Remember, Junpei, ladle, not dreidel...

<Examine Countertop in back, 1>
Santa: A countertop.
Santa: We've got a rolling pin and...a colander. Nothing useful, in other
words.
<Examine Countertop in back, 2+>
* A well-kept countertop. Doesn't seem to be anything useful on it, though.

<Examine Left Iron Door, 1>
Santa: That's the exit. There's a big old iron plate over the door.
Junpei: I don't think we can open it.
<Examine Left Iron Door, 2+>
* There's an iron plate over the exit. I don't think we can open it while it's
like that.

<Examine Right Iron Door, 1>
Lotus: Hey, Santa. Could you open that door, please?
Santa: What the hell?! There's no way I could open that thing!
Santa: Guess you're gettin' to that age where your eyes start to go, huh?
Lotus: You'd better watch your mouth, boy, or someone won't live long enough to
see that door opened.
* This has got the 2 of them on edge.
* We gotta get out of here, and fast...
<Examine Right Iron Door, 2+>
* There's an iron plate over the door. There's no way it'll open.

<Examine Tanks, 1>
* It's a tank with a pipe coming out of it. Nothing really that special about
it.
<Examine Tanks, 2>
Junpei: Hey, is that a boiler over there?
Santa: Who knows.
Junpei: The pipe goes up into the ceiling.
Junpei: Maybe, just maybe, we could climb into that pipe, and get out of there.
Santa: Idiot. How the hell are you supposed to get into a pipe that size?
* Well, at least he kind of got my joke. That makes me kinda happy.
<Examine Tanks, 3+>
* A tank with a pipe coming out of it. There's nothing special about it.

{Screen 2, Facing Storage and Freezer Doors}

<Examine Teapot, 1>
Junpei: Wow. This pot looks like it's made out of silver.
June: I bet drinking tea from this pot would be really yummy.
* Spending a day off with June, drinking tea... Could such a day ever happen
for me?
June: Jumpy?
Junpei: Oh, nothing.
Junpei: We don't really need hot water, so we should be moving on.
<Examine Teapot, 2+>
* There's a silver pot here.

<Examine Table, 1>
June: This table looks really old-fashioned.
Junpei: Probably means this is an old boat.
<Examine Table, 2+>
* This table is old enough to be an antique. It probably is an antique.

<Examine Partition, 1>
Junpei: It's a partition that splits the room.
Junpei: On the right side of the wall...
June: It's one of those swinging doors. You see them a lot in-between kitchens
and dining areas in restaurants.
June: Without this door, you'd need to run all the way around the partition to
get to the other side.
Junpei: That'd really be a pain in the ass, huh? Well, I guess it's not really
important, but still...
<Examine Partition, 2+>
* A partition. On the right side of the wall, there's a swinging door.

<Examine Light, 1> (Note: It's pretty hard to touch this; you need to be just a
bit to the left of "File")
June: Wow Jumpy, you can reach really high.
Junpei: Heh. Yeah. I can jump pretty high.
Junpei: Here we go!
<Examine Light, 2+>
* This light is pretty high up. It's hard to get to.

<Examine Bulletin Board, 1>
Santa: It's a note.
Santa: It's got a bunch of stuff written on it, but it doesn't look like a code
or anything like that.
<Examine Bulletin Board, 2>
Junpei: Looks like a bunch of instructions for using the cooking utensils...
Junpei: Nothing really suspicious about that.
<Examine Bulletin Board, 3+>
* There's a note here, but it doesn't look like it's very important.

<Examine Left Door, 1+>
* A door. There's a bolt keeping us from opening it.
<Examine Left Door after escaping from freezer, 1>
Santa: Hey Junpei, where do you think you're goin'?
Junpei: Oh, I was just thinking I'd check and see if we missed anything in the
freezer.
Santa: Why would we have missed anything?
Santa: We searched that whole damn place. We put our lives on the line, man.
June: Yeah...yeah, I guess you're right.
June: I don't need to go back there.
<Examine Left Door after escaping from freezer, 2>
* We've looked around in the freezer enough already.
* We can't afford to get in that kinda trouble again. Probably better if we
don't go back in there.
<Examine Left Door after escaping from freezer, 3>
* We already searched that damn freezer top to bottom. I should go somewhere
else.

<Examine Left Door Handle, 1>
Santa: Well, I can move the doorknob.
Junpei: Then I'll bet all we need to do is get this bolt off.
<Examine Left Door Handle, 2+>
* The doorknob works. That damn bolt is the problem...

<Examine Left Door Bolt, 1>
Lotus: It's a bolt. And it's really rusty.
Lotus: Will this even open...?
Junpei: We won't know 'til we try! Let's give it a shot.
* All right, let's see if you're gonna come out...
Junpei: Damn... No dice.
<Examine Left Door Bolt, 2>
June: A rusted bolt...
June: This door won't open until we can do something about this bolt.
Lotus: Maybe if we had some kind of lubricant...
<Examine Left Door Bolt, 3+>
* The bolt is rusted in place. It won't move.
* I don't think I can get it out unless I have some kind of lubricant.
<Examine Left Door Bolt with Oil, 1>
* This bolt is rusted in place. It won't budge.
Junpei: Of course! Maybe if I put some oil on it...
Santa: H-Hey!
Junpei: Just a little bit of oil, and... Come on! Come on, you little son of a
bitch!
* Whoa! ...Ha! Yes! Got you, you little bastard!
June: You did it, Jumpy! You're so smart!
<Examine Left Door Bolt after opened, 1>
* The bolt is off! It's all oily and gross, though...

<Examine Right Door after acquiring Saturn key card, 1+>
* The door to the pantry. I don't need anything else from there.

{Screen 3, Facing Sink and Grill}

<Examine Partition, 1+>
* It's a partition that splits the room. Nothing suspicious about that.

<Examine Left Trash Can, 1>
Junpei: A trashcan. There's nothing inside of it.
Santa: Well, better than being full of rotten food, I suppose.
<Examine Left Trash Can, 2+>
* A big bucket made of tin. There's nothing inside.

<Examine Right Trash Can, 1>
Santa: Damnit, there's nothing in here.
Lotus: Hey Santa, digging through the trash really suits you.
Santa: What the hell did you say?!
Santa: Listen lady, I did you a favor! I knew you'd just piss and moan, so I
did it for you!
Lotus: Oh my. I don't recall asking you to do anything...
Santa: Rrrrggh... I oughta throttle you...
Lotus: Ex-squeeze me.
* ...
* Does...does it feel colder in here?
<Examine Right Trash Can, 2+>
* A big bucket made of tin. There's nothing inside.

<Examine Countertop, 1>
Junpei: Oh, a countertop.
Santa: There's a rolling pin and colander here. Nothing useful.
<Examine Countertop, 2+>
* A rolling pin and colander. Nothing useful.

<Examine Lights, 1>
Santa: They're lights, buddy. Nothin' weird about that.
<Examine Lights, 2+>
* Lights to...light up the room. They're doing a good job.

<Examine Left Counter, 1+>
* Maybe this table is for preparing food... There are plates everywhere.

<Examine Sink, 1>
Santa: A sink. It's still got water in it.
Santa: There're a couple'a plates in there, but I don't think they're gonna
help us much.
<Examine Sink, 2+>
Junpei: It's a sink with water in it. There're a couple of plates in the water.

<Examine Dish Rack (left of grill), 1>
Lotus: Wow, what a nice dish rack. I'd love to have that in my kitchen.
Junpei: Why don't you take it back with you?
Lotus: Are you offering to carry it for me?
Junpei: Why don't you ask Seven?
Lotus: You're kidding.
Lotus: You don't honestly think I'd let a beast like that into my home, do you?
<Examine Dish Rack (left of grill), 2+>
* A dish rack. It's filled with plates and cups.

{Screen 7, Grill}

<Examine Grilltop, 1>
Junpei: All right, it's going... Do you think this was all part of Zero's plan?
Santa: Probably. Kinda hard to believe there's a chef on board somewhere.
<Examine Grilltop, 2>
* It's a grill.
* There're some coals down here. They're bright red.
<Examine Grilltop, 3+>
* A grill ready to grill.
<Examine Grilltop, after returning from freezer without pork equipped, 1>
June: Jumpy...
June: You could probably heat stuff up on there now, you know.
Junpei: ...Huh?
<Examine Grilltop, after returning from freezer without pork equipped, 2+>
* The grill's all fired up now.
* I might be able to defrost frozen stuff on it.
<Examine Grilltop, with frozen pork equipped, 1>
* Guess I'll put this meat on the grill.
Lotus: Hey, what are you doing!?
Lotus: What are you going to do if the paper burns!?
Santa: C'mon, it'll be fine. I mean, it's not like it's gonna burn right away,
right?
Santa: We just gotta keep an eye on it, and the paper'll be fine.
* Well, they can argue all they want.
* I'm gonna keep an eye on this pork...
Junpei: Cool, looks like it's about time. I'm gonna try taking the paper out.
June: Jumpy, be careful.
* Sweet of her to care, but I know what I'm--
Junpei: OUCH!
June: See...? I told you.
Santa: Hey, what the hell are you doing? Hurry up and take the paper out--
Junpei: It's not coming out.
Junpei: This thing's frozen stiff. I can't get it out.
Lotus: So are we going to have to cut the meat?
Junpei: Yeah, looks that way.
<Examine Grilltop with pork on top or pork, 1> &&& CHECK dialogue with no knife
or rusty knife
Santa: It looks like we'll have to cut into that meat to get that piece of
paper.
Santa: Hey, Junpei, I thought you had something you could cut meat with, didn't
you?
<Examine Grilltop with pork on top or pork, 2+>
* We're gonna have to cut into that meat to get the piece of paper.
* Have I got anything that can do that?
<Examine Grilltop with pork on top or pork, with knife equipped, 1>
Junpei: All right, I'm gonna use this knife I sharpened...
Junpei: Yes! I cut the pork!
Santa: Awesome, Junpei. Now we can cut out the paper.
<Examine Grilltop with pork on top, after retrieving paper, 1+>
* Look at that pork, roasting on the grill... Man, that looks good.
<Examine Pork on grill, after retrieving paper, 1+>
* Man, this pork smells good...
Junpei: Mmmmmm...

<Examine Drawer, 1>
Junpei: I wonder what this drawer is...
Lotus: You see the metal grate on top of the grill?
Lotus: They make it like that so that the fat and juices can drip off of the
meat while it cooks.
<Examine Drawer, 2+>
* The drawer seems to be stuck. It won't open.

<Examine Area under drawer, 1>
Junpei: It looks like the area under the plate opens up...
Lotus: No, you can't.
Lotus: I already checked. It's sealed shut.
Lotus: I think that's where the coal goes...
<Examine Area under drawer, 2+>
* This is apparently the area where you put the coal. It's sealed shut. We
can't get it open.

{Screen 4, Facing Safe}

<Examine Pot and Pan, 1>
Junpei: All we've got here is a pot and frying pan... Oh, and a pressure
cooker.
Junpei: Well, I guess we could use some of those as weapons...
Santa: What kind of an idiot are you? You're gonna run around holding that
thing while you're looking for the DEAD?
Junpei: Hey man, it was just a joke. Why so serious?
<Examine Pot and Pan, 2>
* A frying pan and 2 kinds of pots.
<Examine Pot and Pan, 3>
Junpei: Did you see that action movie that came out last week?
Santa: Nah, I heard it was critically panned.
Junpei: I dunno, it's pretty enjoyable with a little pot.
<Examine Pot and Pan, 4+>
* A frying pan and 2 kinds of pots.

<Examine Partition, 1>
Lotus: It's only a partition. There's nothing else worth noting here.
<Examine Partition, 2+>
* It's a partition that splits the room.

<Examine Seasoning Bottles, 1+>
* There are some bottles of seasoning in here.

<Examine Counter under pans, 1>
Lotus: There's a pot on top of the stove.
Lotus: If there are some ingredients around here, I could cook something up for
us...
Junpei: Lotus, you can actually cook?
Lotus: Who the hell do you think I am?
Lotus: You'd better believe I know how to boil hot water and put in my instant
noodles!
Junpei: ...
Lotus: And...and...I can boil eggs too!
Junpei: ...
<Examine Counter under pans, 2+>
* There're 2 pots and a pan on top of the stove.

<Examine Lights, 1>
Lotus: Oh, lights. It's nice to have something finally go our way.
<Examine Lights, 2+>
* There are a bunch of lights, um, lighting up the room.

<Examine Left Door, 1>
Santa: This is the door we came in through.
Santa: It's not locked, so we could go back out, but...
Junpei: What's the point, right?
Junpei: All that's out there is an iron gate and a dead-end hallway.
Santa: Yup.
Santa: Might as well be locked, for all the good going back out there'd do.
<Examine Left Door, 2+>
* The door we came in through. It's not locked, but it'd be pointless to go
back out.

<Examine Right Door or handle, 1>
Junpei: Damnit! Didn't work.
Lotus: It doesn't matter how many times you try it.
Lotus: This door isn't going to open until we've solved all the puzzles in this
room.
Lotus: I'm sure this is all just part of Zero's plan.
Lotus: I just can't imagine what his motives could be...
<Examine Right Door or handle, 2+>
* The door is locked. It won't open.
<Examine Right Door after acquiring Saturn key card, without unlocking door, 1>
Lotus: Junpei.
* She's pointing at the card reader...
* Yeah, yeah, I get it.
<Examine Right Door after acquiring Saturn key card, without unlocking door,
2+>
* This door is locked. If I want to unlock it...
<Examine Right Door or handle after unlocking door, 1>
Junpei: Yes! Let's go!

(To "a12e", replacing quotations with braces )

<Examine Right Door Handle after acquiring Saturn key card, without unlocking
door, 1>
June: Um... Jumpy....
June: I don't think you can leave until you've unlocked the door...
<Examine Right Door Handle after acquiring Saturn key card, without unlocking
door, 2+>
* I can fiddle with this knob until the cows come home...
* It's not gonna do me much good unless I unlock the door!

<Examine Right Card reader, 1>
Santa: It's a card reader.
Santa: Since the light's red, I figure it's probably still locked.
Santa: The key card for it's gotta be around here somewhere.
Santa: We just gotta find it.
<Examine Right Card reader, 2+>
* A card reader. The light is red.
<Examine Right Card reader, after acquiring Saturn key card, unequipped, 1>
Santa: Junpei what the hell are you doin'!?
Santa: Just hurry up and do it!
Junpei: ...Huh?
Santa: Oh for the love of-- Seriously?! You don't know what I'm talking about!?
Junpei: O-Of course...I do... Duh!
<Examine Right Card reader, after acquiring Saturn key card, unequipped, 2+>
* The card reader's light is red. It's still locked.
* If I want to unlock it...
<Examine Right Card reader, with Saturn key card equipped, 1>
Junpei: Yes! I think it's unlocked now!
June: You did it, Jumpy!
June: Let's get out of here!
<Examine Right Card reader, after unlocking, 1>
* A card reader. The light is green.


<Examine Iron oven, 1>
Santa: An iron oven. Looks pretty heavy-duty.
June: It's probably industrial quality. I bet you could cook anything with
this.
Junpei: Anyway, let's have a look inside...
Junpei: Damn...I knew it. It's locked.
<Examine Iron oven, 2+>
* This is the oven door. It's locked. Of course.
<Examine Iron oven after unlocking, 1>
Junpei: Yeah! The door opened!
June: Good job, Jumpy!
<Examine Iron oven after taking card, 1>
Lotus: It doesn't seem hot at all.
Santa: Man, if the card got burned here, I'm never gonna forgive Zero.
<Examine Iron oven after taking card, 2+>
* The inner walls of the oven. They feel cool, like old metal.

<Examine Keypad Display, 1+>
* This is the display area above the buttons.
<Examine Keypad Display after unlocking oven, 1+>
* The password input device. Don't need to screw with this piece of junk
anymore!

<Examine Keypad Buttons after acquiring pork note, 1> &&& Need dialogue before
note!
Lotus: This is probably what you're supposed to use to enter the password.
Lotus: Maybe if we put in the right number it'll open the oven door.
Lotus: Junpei, maybe the note you found earlier...
Junpei: Yeah. I know.
Lotus: Do you know how to enter those numbers?
Lotus: I think [E] is for enter and [C] is for clearing.
Junpei: So basically, when I'm ready to submit my answer, I press [E].
Junpei: So if I screw up, I just press [C], right?
* Lotus nodded.
Junpei: All right, let's give it a shot!
<Examine Keypad Buttons after acquiring pork note, 2+>
* So if I want to enter my answer, I press [E], and if I screw up and need to
start over, I should press [C], right?
Junpei: Let's try this again!
<Examine Keypad Buttons after unlocking oven, 1>
Santa: Hey man. We don't need to mess with that anymore.
<Examine Keypad Buttons after unlocking oven, 2+>
* These buttons are for entering numbers.

<Examine Keypad after retrieving Saturn key card, 1+>
* The password input device. Don't need to screw with this piece of junk
anymore!

<Go "Back" from oven keypad after pressing [E] without entering correct code,
1>
Junpei: Huh? This is weird...
Santa: Hey... You're just punchin' in random numbers, aren't you?
Lotus: Maybe if you just enter it like it said in the hint...
Junpei: Aaaaaah shut up! Just shut up!
<Go "Back" from oven keypad after pressing [E] without entering correct code,
2> &&& Check whether voucher talk is required
June: Remember, the paper we found in the pork said...
June: "C + 10 + F"
June: There aren't any letters on the input device, though.
June: What does that mean...?
Junpei: Maybe "C + 10 + F" is a hexidecimal number?
Junpei: If we convert it to base-10...
<Go "Back" from oven keypad after pressing [E] without entering correct code,
3>
June: So you convert "C + 10 + F" to base-10, right?
Junpei: Well, if you look at the voucher, and the number of plates, then F =
15.
June: Then what about 10?
June: I don't think 10 is 10 from base-10.
Junpei: Well, then that would mean that 10 is actually a 1 and a 0 in
hexidecimal.
June: Yes. Then that means...
Junpei: 1 and 0 in hexadecimal is actually 16 in base-10.
June: Then what about C?
Junpei: C is... Well... A is 10 and B is 11 so...
June: F = 15 and 10 = 16
June: All we need to do is figure out what C is, and we'll have it in the bag.
<Go "Back" from oven keypad after pressing [E] without entering correct code,
4+>
June: Jumpy, figure it out already!
June: F = 15, right!? 10 is 16!
June: Do you know what 15 + 16 is!?
Junpei: Y-Yes... Of...course I do.
June: Then we already know what F + 10 is, right?!
June: Just add C to it!
Junpei: A = 10, B = 11...what's C?!
<Enter correct code into keypade, 1>
* Sounds like metal is falling...
* Well, I guess that went well.


{Screen 5, Storage Room}

<Examine Left Shelf, 1+>
* This shelf has a white cloth on it.
<Examine Left Shelf with cloth removed, 1>
June: There's so much stuff in here.
June: A whole lot of cans...
Junpei: This is probably a pantry.
<Examine Left Shelf with cloth removed, 2+>
* There are cans lining every shelf in here.
* Wooden box on the second row, though.

<Examine Wooden Box before removing knife, 1+>
* There's a knife in this box.
<Examine Wooden Box after removing knife, 1+>
* There's nothing inside.

<Examine Rusty Knife, 1>
(To "a12d.a", replacing quotations with braces {} )

<Examine Rightmost Shelf, 1>
Junpei: There's milk in here...
June: Milk in an iron barrel.
June: Judging by the rust...it's probably really old.
Junpei: Maybe we shouldn't open it up.
Junpei: I don't think it'd be a pretty sight.
<Examine Rightmost Shelf, 2+>
* There's a big barrel of milk behind the cloth.

<Examine Light, 1+>
* The light for the pantry.

<Examine Any Cheese besides center one, 1>
* There are a number of cheeses lined up on the shelf.
June: This is gouda cheese. The most famous Dutch cheese.
June: If you don't cut open the casing, it usually won't go bad.
June: ...So you can store it at room temperature for quite a while.
Junpei: So we can eat this?
June: Most likely.
* Uh, I'm not hungry. At all.
* I guess it's hard to get hungry in a situation like this.
<Examine either of bottom-most cheeses, 1>
June: J-Jumpy... You're searching with such tenacity.
June: I don't think you have to search down there...
Junpei: I just want to be sure.
<Examine center cheese, 1>
Junpei: Hey... There's something behind the cheese.
June: You're right.
June: Why don't we move some of the cheese.
* All right guys, time to move it. June and I need to look behind you...
<Examine center cheese, 1>
<Examine Any Cheese, 2+>
* There's cheese on this shelf. Sweet.

{Screen 6, Freezer room, facing freezer}

<Upon entering room, 1>
( To "a12d.b", replacing quotations with braces {} )

<Examine Frozen Pork, 1>
Santa: This thing's frozen solid. This pork?
Junpei: Yeah, seems like it.
Santa: What's this thing? It looked like a tag or something...

<Examine Right Rack before taking meat, 1>
June: There's some frozen meat up there.
June: Looks like pork...
Junpei: ...Huh? What's this? It looks like a...tag or something...
<Examine Right Rack after taking meat, 1>
Junpei: Everything's frozen in here.
June: It doesn't look like there's anything else interesting.
<Examine Right Rack after taking meat, 2+>
* The shelves are covered with frozen food. Nothing special about that.

<Examine Trapdoor, 1>
June: There's so much stuff in here...
June: Why don't we take some of it out, Jumpy.
<Examine Trapdoor, 2+>
* A storange area built into the floor, like a small cellar. There are a couple
bottles in here. {Author's Note: Hahah, "storange". }
<Examine Trapdoor, 1>

{Screen 8, Freezer room, facing door}

<Examine Pipes on right, 1>
June: There's water dripping from this pipe.
Junpei: Hmmm...
Junpei: It looks like when the pipe burst the water hit the doorknob and froze
it in place.
* This water actually seems almost...warm...
<Examine Pipes on right, 2+>
* There's warm water flowing from the pipe.

<Examine Pipes on left, 1+>
* It's a thin pipe.

<Examine Cover on left, 1>
June: This thing is covering something.
Junpei: It's frozen solid. I can't flip it over.
<Examine Cover on left, 2+>
* A cover. It's frozen in place. I can't get it off.

<Examine Door after finding dry ice, 1> &&& CHECK dialogue before dry ice!
Santa: Hey, Junpei...
Santa: Didn't you find some dry ice earlier?
Junpei: Yeah?
Santa: There's warm water coming out of that pipe...
Santa: Warm water and dry ice...
Santa: What do you think would happen if we put that stuff in a sealed
container together?
<Examine Door after finding dry ice, 2>
* That ice keeps the doorknob from moving... I can't open the door as long as
it's there.
* Maybe if I put some of the dry ice into a sealed container with some of that
warm water...
<Examine Door after building water bottle bomb, 1>
(To "a12d.d" replacing quotations with braces {} )

<Examine Door Handle, 1>
* There's ice surrounding the doorknob.


{ITEMS}
???�?

<Search rusty knife in pantry, 1>
June: We're really in trouble...
June: I know I'm just repeating myself, but this is really a "Futility" moment.
June: That blade is so rusty...
Junpei: Yeah, I know. We can't cut a damn thing with a knife like this.
June: If we're going to cut anything, we probably have to sharpen the knife.
<Search rusty knife in pantry, 2+>
* If I can sharpen this knife, I should be able to cut stuff with it.
<Search rusty knife in main room, 1>
Santa: Man, I think there's more rust on this knife than metal.
Lotus: I doubt you'll be able to cut anything as long as it's like that.
Lotus: If you want to cut anything, you'll need to sharpen it.
<Search rusty knife in main room, 2+>
* I need to sharpen this knife if I want to cut anything.
<Search rusty knife in freezer, 1>
June: Wh-What's wrong Jumpy!?
June: Why did you just pull out a knife?!
Junpei: Oh, I was just thinking I might be able to use it to open the door...
Santa: C'mon man, all you're gonna do is break your knife.
Santa: Is the cold in here startin' to mess with your head?
<Search rusty knife in freezer, 2+>
* I guess this rusty knife is pretty useless at the moment.

<Search bottle of oil in pantry, 1>
June: Oh look, cooking oil.
June: You could probably use this to make something slippery.
<Search bottle of oil in pantry, 2+> &&& Check if this is after inspecting lock
* A bottle of oil, originally intended for cooking. It also might be useful for
lubrication.
<Search bottle of oil in main room, 1>
Santa: The bottle's old, but we might be able to use the oil inside for
something.
Santa: Maybe we could put it on the old hag's face. Might help moisturize a
little; get rid of some of those wrinkles.
Lotus: How about we put it on your face and then light it on fire?
<Search bottle of oil in main room, 2+>
* A bottle of oil for cooking.
* We could probably use it to make stuff slippery too, though.

<Search whetstone in main room, 1>
Santa: A whetstone? What're you planning to do with that?
Santa: Aw shit, don't tell me you're gonna try and smash open the card
reader...
Lotus: Are you an idiot?!
Lotus: If you do that, then we'll never get out of here!
Santa: Oh... Yeah, I guess that would be bad, huh...
Lotus: This whetstone's only gonna be useful if I need to sharpen something.
<Search whetstone in pantry, 1>
June: A whetstone! Where did you find that!?
June: Good job, Jumpy! I'm sure it'll be really useful!
Junpei: How is it going to be useful...?
June: You could use it to sharpen a knife or something!
Junpei: Sharpen a knife, huh?
<Search whetstone in either pantry or main room, 2+> &&& Check if this is after
picking up knife
* A whetstone. I could probably use it to sharpen a knife...
<Search whetstone in freezer, 1>
Santa: Hey, what're you lookin' for, Junpei?
Junpei: Oh. Um, I was just wondering if I could sharpen this one something...
Santa: Why the hell are you doing that? We don't have time for this crap.
June: Let's try and find a way out of here first.
<Search whetstone in freezer, 2+>
* Well, this whetstone would be perfect if I needed to sharpen something, but I
don't, so...

<Search knife in freezer, 1>
Junpei: Hey, guys, take a look THIS!
Junpei: Tadaaa! THE  KNIFE!
Santa: ...
June: ...
Santa: Well, I guess the cold finally got to him.
Junpei: Eeeehehehehehehehe...
June: Jumpy, you're scaring me...
<Search knife in freezer, 2+>
* It's a knife. Haven't got any use for it right now. Might as well hang onto
it, though.
<Search knife in main room, 1>
Lotus: So, I guess you managed to sharpen the knife, Junpei?
Santa: Who're you gonna stab with that?
Junpei: No one!
Lotus: Hmmm. You could probably cut something soft with that...
<Search knife in pantry, 1>
June: Wow... It's so shiny.
June: Did you sharpen it, Jumpy?
Junpei: Yup.
June: Now we can use it to cut something soft...
<Search knife in pantry or main room, 2+>
* This knife is nice and sharp again. I could probably cut something soft with
it.

<Search chunk of pork in freezer, 1>
June: Jumpy, is there a slip of paper in that meat?
Junpei: I think there's something written on here, but I can't read it like
this...
Junpei: If we try and pull it out, it'll probably rip...
Santa: You need to defrost that.
Santa: Don't think we're gonna be doing that in this room.
<Search chunk of pork in main room, 1>
Lotus: That is a frozen piece of pork.
Lotus: Hey...what's that? It looks like there's a piece of paper inside it...
June: If you try to pull it out, it might tear.
June: Maybe you can melt it if you put it on something warm.
Lotus: Something warm? Something....warm...
Lotus: Oh yeah... Didn't someone burn themselves on something earlier?
<Search chunk of pork in pantry, 1>
June: Jumpy, is there a slip of paper in that meat?
Junpei: I think there's something written on here, but I can't read it like
this...
Junpei: If we try and pull it out, it'll probably rip...
June: Then we need to find a way to melt it.
<Search chunk of pork in any room, 2+>
* It's a chunk of pork with paper inside of it.
* We should be able to take it out once it's been defrosted.

<Search frozen chicken, 1>
June: It's really hard. It's frozen stiff.
Junpei: Hey, June, can you say that again?
June: ...Eh?
Junpei: Say it again.
June: It's...really hard.
Junpei: Again.
June: It's...really hard.
Junpei: Th... Thanks.
Santa: Somethin' wrong Junpei? Your face is bright red.
Junpei: N-Nothing. I'm fine.
June: If it's that hard, you can probably use it as a hammer.
Junpei: Yeah, good point. Maybe we can use it to break something.
<Search frozen chicken, 2>
June: Jumpy... It's...really hard. It's like a hammer.
* Maybe we can use this to crush something.
<Search frozen chicken, 3>
June: Jumpy, your chunk of meat... It's rock solid.
* Maybe we can use this to crush something.
<Search frozen chicken, 4>
June: Jumpy... It's...really hard. It's like a hammer.
June: Nom nom...
Junpei: Don't eat it!
* Maybe we can use this to crush something.
<Search frozen chicken, 5+>
* It's chicken. Might as well be a rock though, for how hard it's frozen.

<Search dry ice, 1>
June: Dry ice...?
Santa: Can't you make that stuff cause an explosion if you seal it in something
that's airtight?
Junpei: Explode...?
Santa: Yeah, didn't you do that in school? You should never underestimate the
power of expanding gas.
<Search dry ice, 2+>
* Dry ice.
* We might be able to cause an explosion if we put it in something airtight and
make it melt.

<Search dry ice (crumbled), 1>
June: Wow, you crushed it up really good. You should be able to get it into
anything you want now.
Santa: Can't you make that stuff cause an explosion if you seal it in something
that's airtight?
<Search dry ice (crumbled), 2+>
* The dry ice is all broken up into pieces.
* We might be able to cause an explosion if we put it in something airtight and
make it melt.

<Search water bottle, 1>
Santa: A water bottle...
June: Yes, it is...
<Search water bottle, 2+>
* It's an empty water bottle. The neck is pretty small. I don't think I could
fit anything very big in there.

<Search sturdy rope, 1>
June: It's...a rope.
Santa: Well, we could use it to attach something to something else, I suppose.
<Search sturdy rope, 2+>
* A sturdy rope. I could probably tie things together with this.

<Search water bottle with dry ice in it, 1>
June: So you put the dry ice in the water bottle, Jumpy?
June: If it explodes, it could probably blast away the ice on the door.
Santa: So...how are we gonna get it to stay against the doorknob?
<Search water bottle with dry ice in it, 2>
* A water bottle with dry ice in it.
* A little water in there will make it explode.
* If I can attach it to the doorknob, then it should blow the ice off the door.
<Search water bottle with dry ice in it, 3+>
* A water bottle with dry ice in it.
* I need to attach it to the doorknob somehow...

<Search water bottle bomb, 1>
Santa: Hey, why don't we use that rope to tie that bottle onto the doorknob.
Santa: We just have to put some water in it and then if we can give it a good
whack with something--
Santa: KABOOM!
Santa: It'll explode, and break the ice off the door.
June: Then what are we waiting for!?
June: I can't take this cold any longer!
<Search water bottle bomb, 2>
* A water bottle bomb.
* All I gotta do is put a little water in it, and give a good whack.
* The pressure of the gas inside should make it explode.
<Search water bottle bomb, 3+>
* A water bottle bomb. Time to set it...

<Search pork note in main room, 1>
Lotus: "C + 10 + F"... Do you think it's some kind of code?
Santa: Damnit! They're just screwing around!
Lotus: Junpei, do you know what C and F stands for?
Junpei: You think maybe it means "Corporate Finance"?
Lotus: ...
Junpei: I thought it was "Clever and Funny".
Lotus: ...
<Search pork note in pantry, 1>
June: "C + 10 + F"... Do you think it's some kind of code?
Junpei: Hmm...
<Search pork note in any room, 2+>
* It says "C + 10 + F" on the note.

<Search Saturn key card, 1>
Santa: This looks like a lower case "h", but the line next to it is throwing me
off.
June: This is the symbol for [Saturn].
June: Remember? There was an elevator next to the main staircase...
June: Wasn't there a mark like this on the card reader next to it?
Santa: Oh yeah. I remember that.
Santa: I guess that means that card ain't gonna help us get out of this room,
then.
June: I'm not sure...
June: Why don't we try it out?
<Search Saturn key card, 2>
* A Saturn key card.
* I saw the same symbol on a card reader next to the elevator by the main
staircase.
* This card might be useful here too, though.
* Can't hurt to give it a shot.
<Search Saturn key card, 3+>
* A Saturn key card. Let's try it on the card reader near the exit.

<Combine whetstone and rusty knife>
* Maybe I'll use the whetstone to sharpen the knife...
* The blade of the knife is getting sharper by the second.
* I should be able to cut something pretty good with this.

<Combine dry ice and frozen chicken>
* All right. The dry ice is all in pieces now.

<Combine water bottle and dry ice (crumbled)>
* I'm gonna put these pieces of dry ice into the water bottle...

<Combine water bottle with dry ice in it and sturdy rope>
* ...And let's just tie a rope on here...

<Upon leaving inventory after picking up dry ice>
(To "a12d.c", replacing quotations with braces {} )

==========================
{a12d.a} File #10
::Kitchen::
-In pantry, after examining rusty knife-

Junpei: A rusty knife...
Junpei: I don't think we'll be able to use it while it's like this...

The knife seemed important, Junpei thought, but it wasn't going to be much use
the way it was.

June: It's futile.
Junpei: Futile...?
June: You know... A waste, useless, pointless...
Junpei: Oh...
Junpei: Um... Any particular reason you wanted to bring that up?
June: Oh, no reason, really...
June: I was just thinking about Futility...

She wasn't making much sense...
Junpei tried rephrasing his question.

Junpei: Why were you thinking about Futility?

At last, she answered.

June: Well, it has something to do with the Titanic.
Junpei: The Titanic?
June: Yep.
June: Have you ever heard the story that the sinking of the Titanic was
predicted?

<Yes, I have.> - {a12d.a1a}
<No, I haven't.> - {a12d.a2a}

{a12d.a2a}
<No, I haven't.>

Junpei: No, I haven't... What is it?
June: In 1892, 14 years before the Titanic sank...
June: A novel was published.
June: It was called Futility.
June: It was written by an American novelist named Morgan Robertson.
June: The story was about a big cruise ship colliding with an iceberg and
sinking.
June: Of course, if that was the only similarity, there wouldn't be any reason
to mention it...
June: It wasn't though...
June: The name of the ship, its nationality, course, departure time...
June: ...Size, displacement, maximum speed, number of passengers and crew, the
number of lifeboats...
June: Even the location of the accident itself, and the cause, and the location
of the damage...
June: Everything matches the Titanic almost exactly.
June: It was almost as if he'd seen the whole thing happen.
June: ...But this book was written 14 years before the Titanic sank.
Junpei: ...
June: But that's not all.
June: It wasn't just "Futility" that predicted the sinking of the Titanic.

(To "a12d.a1z", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{a12d.a1a}
<Yes, I have.>

Junpei: Ooooooh yeah. I know what you're talking about.
Junpei: There was a novel that had a bunch of stuff in it that described the
sinking of the Titanic before it actually sank.
June: Yeah, that's the one.
June: The title of the novel is Futility.
June: It was written 14 years before the Titanic sank.
June: But--
Junpei: I know, I know.
Junpei: I mean, I didn't know the name of the book, but...
Junpei: The story was the same, right? It was just like what happened on the
Titanic?
June: Yeah...
Junpei: Well...I heard it was all a hoax.
June: ...A hoax?
Junpei: I heard that the stuff that matched up to the Titanic so well was
actually added after it sank.
Junpei: Apparently, the only thing that was the same originally was that a boat
ran into an iceberg and sank.
June: But...the novel was published in 1898, 14 years before the accident...
Junpei: Like I said, that was the first print of the book.
Junpei: 14 years later, the author heard about what happened to the Titanic.
Junpei: He figured that was his chance, you know?
Junpei: He just went back and changed some stuff in his novel...
Junpei: ...So that it matched the Titanic exactly.

Surprised by Junpei's response, June seemed rather taken aback.

June: R-Really?
Junpei: Really...
Junpei: There's no such thing as premonitions or any of that stuff.

For a moment, June looked very unhappy, more so than Junpei thought was normal
for such a discussion.
...But it lasted only a moment.
With no apparent reason, she suddenly looked up at him, alarmed.

June: But! But, but!
June: That wasn't the only book that predicted the Titanic sinking!
Junpei: ...It wasn't?
June: Yep!

(To "a12d.a1z", continued below )

{a12d.a1z}

June: There were 2 other, similar stories written by a man named William Thomas
Stead.
June: Both of them before the accident...
June: One in 1886, and one in 1892.
June: Stead wrote 2 stories that had striking similarities to the Titanic
disaster.
June: In one, 2 ships collided, and many of the passengers died because there
weren't enough lifeboats. In the other, a ship collided with an iceberg, and
sank.
Junpei: Hmm... I dunno. I mean, I'll give you that it seems a little weird,
but...
Junpei: I'm pretty sure it wasn't too uncommon for ships to hit icebergs back
in the day, or even other ships.
June: Right. I knew you'd say that.
Junpei: ?
June: But...what if Stead had some sort of special powers...?
June: To be more specific, what if he had the ability to do automatic
writing...?
Junpei: What? Automatic writing? Wait, are you...
Junpei: Are you talking about that thing where someone says they're possessed
by a spirit...
Junpei: And then they write a bunch of stuff without knowing what they're
writing?
June: Yes.
Junpei: What do you mean "yes"... That stuff's a load of bull!
Junpei: Okay, so let's say--hypothetically--that automatic writing isn't a
total load.
Junpei: These guys still couldn't have predicted the sinking of the Titanic.
Junpei: When this Stead dude wrote his thing...
Junpei: Nobody had died on the Titanic yet.
Junpei: So if automatic writing is about being possessed by spirits of dead
people...
Junpei: Who the hell possessed him so he could write that stuff?
June: That's not it.
Junpei: What's not it?
June: Stead wasn't possessed by a spirit.
June: He was doing the possessing.
Junpei: ...
Junpei: ...
Junpei: What are you smoking?!
June: William Thomas Stead was a passenger on the Titanic.
June: He just wrote down what he saw with his own eyes.
June: ...20 years before it happened...

...
...
He decided it was probably best to say nothing.
What June was saying was insane and utterly absurd. If he tried to take what
she was saying seriously, he'd go mad.
Junpei smiled uncomfortably.

Junpei: Well...uh... Why don't we talk about this some other time...okay?
June: Huh...? But...

Her voice trailed off, and she glanced at the floor, troubled.
*Tap* *Tap*
Junpei tapped June gently on the shoulder and awkwardly reached around her to
pick up the knife from the box.

(Return to investigation)

==========================
{a12d.b} File #10
::Kitchen::
-In pantry, freezer room upon entry-

As Junpei walked into the room, a blast of cold air washed over him.
Almost instinctively, he folded his arms tight across his chest, doing what he
could to conserve body heat.

Junpei: Brr... It's cold in here!
Junpei: What is this place...
Santa: Are you blind?
Santa: It's a freezer.

Santa's teeth had already begun to chatter.
Hardly surprising...
The freezer was far too cold for someone dressed as he was.
Lotus, however, was in an even worse situation.

Lotus: Oh, no way! That's way too cold for me.
Lotus: I'll freeze solid in seconds.
Lotus: Sorry, but I'm afraid I'll have to pass on this one. I'm going to leave
the rest to you.

And with that, she ran out of the room.
As Lotus left, June came in.

June: Whoa... It's really cold in here...

White puffs of steam hovered in front of their faces as they talked.
June had already started to shiver.

Junpei: Hey, you don't need to be in here.
Junpei: You had a fever just a little bit ago. You should stay outside. We got
this.
June: No, I'm fine.
June: My fever's gone now.
Junpei: But--

Junpei had scarcely opened his mouth...
...When the thunderous sound of metal upon metal rang out from behind them.
In unison, they spun around, to find that the door they had only recently come
through...
...Was closed.

Junpei: !
June: !
Santa: !

Junpei rushed to the door.
Desperately, he grabbed hold of the doorknob--

Junpei: Ow!

It was cold--beyond cold. Merely touching it was painful.
The doorknob had been frozen solid.
They quickly deduced that the pipe next to the door had ruptured.
Water released by the rupture had hit the door and frozen instantly.
Santa shoved Junpei aside and pounded against the door.

Santa: Hey! Lotus! You're out there, right? Open the door!

She wasted no time in responding.

Lotus: What do you want?  What's going on?
Santa: The door won't open!
Santa: Try opening it from that side. Please!
Lotus: Ugh, fine.
Lotus: If you say so. Hold on...

Soon, they could hear Lotus on the other side of the door...

Lotus: Nggrrr... Arrrrrgh! NNNNNNNNNNNNRRGH!

Then the grunting ceased, and they could hear light panting, as if from
exertion.

Lotus: It's no use. It won't budge.
Lotus: You've got more people in there. You figure it out.
Santa: ...
June: ...
Junpei: ...
Santa: ...Goddamnit.

Santa was shaking like a newborn deer.
June was hugging herself and was shivering violently.
Even Junpei, with the heaviest clothes of any of them, was clearly feeling the
cold.
With every breath they took, they could feel the cold working its way deeper
and deeper into their bodies.

Junpei: A-A-Anyway... L-Let's f-find a way out...
Junpei: If we don't get moving, w-we're gonna be permanent residents!
June: T-T-Two heads a-a-are better than n-none.
June: I-I'm sure we'll figure something out...
Santa: Y-Y-Y-Yeah. Y-You're right.
Santa: L-Let's just take a good l-look around this room, okay?
Junpei: R-Right!

They pushed in close to one another, and began to search.

(Back to investigation)

==========================
{a12d.c} File #10
::Kitchen::
-In freezer, after picking up dry ice-

Junpei picked up the dry ice with his sleeves so as to avoid burning himself.

Santa: Dry ice is just frozen carbon dioxide, right?
Junpei: Yeah, it is.
Santa: I wonder how warm it has to get for it to turn back into gas again...
Junpei: Hell if I know. How's that gonna help us, anyway?
Santa: Oh, well, I figured we might be able to use it to get out of here.

They were about to move on when June spoke up.

June: Carbon dioxide's sublimation point is -109 degrees.
June: Any warmer than that, and it'll turn into gas. Any lower, and it becomes
a solid.

Junpei looked at her, dumbfounded.

Junpei: How do you know that?
June: Tee-hee. Despite my looks, I'm the Qleen...bleh. Ahem...the Queen of
random knowledge.
Junpei: Looks bad to mess up when you're showing off.
June: Argle mouf *Mumble* *Mumble*
Junpei: Oh, you're so cold your mouth's going numb?
June: Yef. Wats wite.
Junpei: ...You're just doing that on purpose, aren't you?

June giggled, and did her best to hide her guilt. At least she was still
feeling good enough to joke around, Junpei told himself.

Santa: C'mon guys... Don't you think that's kinda weird?
Santa: I wonder why it doesn't turn into a liquid first...

Santa was now shivering at an astounding rate, but his curiosity seemed
unaffected.
Junpei, however, was not in a mood to discuss science.

<He wanted out of the freezer, now.> - {a12d.c1a}
<It did strike Junpei as rather odd.> - {a12d.c1b}

{a12d.c1a}
<He wanted out of the freezer, now.>

His patience was wearing thin.

Junpei: How the hell would I know!? And how the hell is that gonna help us get
out of here?!
Junpei: We don't have time for this crap--
June: Actually...

Junpei stopped mid-sentence, surprised by June's interjection.

June: Under enough pressure, carbon dioxide will turn into a liquid.
Junpei: This isn't really a good time for a chat about science!
June: But...I was wondering the same thing...
Junpei: Wondering what!?
June: Wondering why carbon dioxide doesn't turn into a liquid unless it's under
pressure.
Santa: Right? It just seems weird...
Santa: Water's a liquid between 32 degrees and 212 degrees...
Santa: So why isn't that the case for carbon dioxide?
Santa: H20 and C02 are pretty similar.
Junpei: No, they're not! They're totally different substances!
Junpei: Look, guys, if we keep this up we're just gonna freeze to death!
Junpei: You good with that? You wanna die talking about sublimation and gases?!
'Cause I sure as hell don't!

He fixed both of them with a glare.

Junpei: Now let's get back to work.
Junpei: Assuming you don't want to end up like a pair of ice sculptures.

Junpei turned around, the problem dealt with.
...Or so he thought.

June: There's a kind of ice that doesn't turn into liquid when it goes above 32
degrees.

?

June: I...heard about it...
June: Its melting point is 96 degrees.
Santa: Its melting point is 96 degrees?
Santa: You mean there's water that freezes at 96 degrees?
June: Yeah. Well, you could also look at it as ice that won't melt until it's
96 degrees...
* "Water that freezes at 96 degrees?"
* "Ice that won't melt until it's 96 degrees?"

<That's interesting.> - {a12d.c2a}
<It doesn't matter.> - {a12d.c2b}

{a12d.c1b}
<It did strike Junpei as rather odd.>

It did seem rather odd to Junpei, and he couldn't help but think about it.
June answered.

June: But it can turn into a liquid.
June: Carbon dioxide turns to liquid if you put it under high enough pressure.
June: But at 1 atmosphere, normal air pressure...
Santa: It won't turn into a liquid, right?
June: That's right. Instead of melting, it'll do what's called "sublimating",
and change immediately from a solid state to a gaseous one.
Santa: See, that is weird.
Santa: Water's a liquid between 32 degrees and 212 degrees...
Santa: So why isn't that the case for carbon dioxide?

June replied, with an answer that stunned both of them.

June: There's a kind of ice that doesn't turn into liquid when it goes above 32
degrees.
Junpei: ?
Santa: ?

June: I...heard about it...
June: Its melting point is 96 degrees.
Junpei: Ice with a melting point of 96 degrees?
Santa: You mean there's water that freezes at 96 degrees?
June: Yeah. Well, you could also look at it as ice that won't melt until it's
96 degrees...

Water that freezes at 96 degrees?
Ice that won't melt until it's 96 degrees?
Junpei was cold as hell, but this was too interesting to ignore.
He did his best to warm up by rubbing his arms and stamping his feet, then put
the question to June.

(To "a12d.c1c", continued below )

{a12d.c1c}

Junpei: So what's this ice with a melting point of 96 degrees called?
June: I heard it's called [ice-9].
Santa: [Ice-9]...?
June: Originally, [ice-9] was a made-up substance invented by a science-fiction
author.
June: ...But recently, scientists have discovered that such a substance
actually exists.
Junpei: Wait. Hold up.
Junpei: So is this thing called [ice-9]? Or is it water?
June: Like I said, if the ice is over 96 degrees it'll be liquid, if it's under
that, it'll solidify.
June: So you could think of it as a polymorph of H2O.
June: Here, think of it like diamonds and graphite...
June: They're both made of carbon, right?
June: But depending on the structure of the crystallization, the hardness and
structure are completely different.
Junpei: So you're saying normal water and this ice-9 are like that...
June: Yep.

She wasn't finished.

June: Have you heard the story about the crystallization of glycerin?
June: For 150 years after the discovery of glycerin, people cooled it, warmed
it, and did all sorts of things to it...
June: But whatever they did, it never crystallized.
June: However, one day in 1920...

Some glycerin that was en route to England by ship was discovered to have
crystallized during the trip.
Naturally, scientists worldwide wanted to research this new, crystallized form
of glycerin, and began asking for samples of the seed.
A seed is, of course, a sample of the original crystallized substance.
With a seed crystal, further crystallization of glycerin would be a simple
matter.
However... Something very strange happened.
Not only did the glycerin encouraged by seed crystals begin to crystallize,
nearby samples did as well.
It didn't end there.
After that day, all glycerin in the world began to crystallize naturally when
cooled to less than 64 degrees.
Before that day, no matter how glycerin was cooled, it refused to crystallize.
But once the crystallization had begun...

June: It was almost like... How do I put it...
June: It was almost like all the glycerin in the world was communicating.
June: Communicating in some way that we can't sense...

Junpei...

<...Was honestly impressed.> - {a12d.c3a}
<...Was kind of annoyed.> - {a12d.c3b}


{a12d.c2a}
<That's interesting.>

Now that...that was difficult to ignore.
Junpei had to ask.

(To "a12d.c1c", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{a12d.c3b}
<...Was kind of annoyed.>

...Was kind of annoyed.
June was nice, but he'd had enough of her ridiculous stories.
So all of a sudden a substance began to crystallize without a seed crystal?
That seemed unlikely... No, impossible.
In fact, it was utterly ridiculous.
Even so, Junpei couldn't help but ask...

(To "a12d.c3c", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{a12d.c3a}
<...Was honestly impressed.>

...Was honestly impressed.
It was, in fact, a pretty interesting story.

Junpei: Wow... That's pretty interesting. But...uh...

(To "a12d.c3c", continued below )

{a12d.c3c}

Junpei: What does that have to do with ice-9?

To his surprise, it was Santa, and not June, who answered.

Santa: What she's saying is that it's a lot like ice-9. What happened, I mean.
Junpei: A lot like...? That would be bad.
Junpei: If water everywhere started freezing at 96 degrees...
Junpei: ...Man...
Santa: It'd be the end of the world.

Junpei felt that Santa might not be treating the idea of the end of the world
with the proper concern.

Santa: At any rate, we're not gonna have to worry about the end of the world
unless we can get out of here pretty damn quick.

He was right.
Junpei shivered.

Santa: All right guys, I think that's enough of that. I didn't think we'd get
quite this far off-topic...
Santa: I mean, I know I'm kinda at fault here, but we can't be screwing around
any more.
Santa: Seriously...
Santa: I might go by the name Santa right now, but I didn't grow up in Iceland.
Santa: I freakin' hate the cold.
Santa: So, let's get crackin' all right? We gotta find a way out of here.

Santa stomped off, clearly doing his best to pretend the cold wasn't affecting
him.
Selfish, isn't he, thought Junpei to himself.
Still, Santa was right, and it was high time they got back to their search.
The story of [ice-9] had him interested, but there'd be time to think about
that once they'd gotten out of the freezer.
Junpei looked at June, nodded, and resumed his search of the room.

(Return to investigation)

{a12d.c2b}
<It doesn't matter.>

It was strange, but... No, Junpei told himself, it didn't matter.
Their first concern needed to be leaving the freezer, or none of them would be
around to ponder scientific quandaries for very long.
He did his best to pretend he'd heard nothing, and resumed his investigation of
the room.

(Return to investigation)

==========================
{a12d.d} File #10
::Kitchen::
-In freezer, after preparing the water bottle bomb and inspecting the door-

Warm water dripped from the ruptured pipe near the door.
Junpei pulled out the water bottle filled with dry ice, let a good amount of
water fall in, and then quickly sealed it up tight.
The [make-shift bomb] complete, he tied it to the doorknob as quickly as he
could manage in the cold.

Junpei: All right, that's set.
Junpei: So...uh...what do we do now?
Santa: We just need to give it a little, uh, tap.
Santa: The bottle's already about to pop.
Santa: If we just throw a rock or something at it, it'll go off all on its own.
Junpei: A small rock? A small rock...

Junpei looked down at the floor...
Scattered across it were pieces of dry ice left over from the larger chunk he'd
crushed earlier.

Junpei: All right, this oughta do the trick.

He pulled his sleeve down over his hand to keep from getting burned, and
grabbed the chunk of dry ice.
It was a pretty good size... About as big as a pool ball.
He figured it would be just about the right size.

Junpei: All right guys, stand back. Actually, we should probably hide
somewhere.

Both Santa and June looked at him with new concern.

Santa: Where, exactly, do you expect us to hide, genius?
June: There isn't really anywhere big enough...

...
...

Junpei: Yeah, there is!
Junpei: Look! Right here! We can hide in there!

Junpei pulled open the door to the small cellar.

Junpei: Come on! Get inside, quick!

Santa and June nodded and jumped down, into the hole.
Junpei quickly followed.
In his hand, he could feel the chill of the frozen carbon dioxide, even through
his sleeve.
He tightened his grip, took aim, and prepared to throw.

Junpei: All right, here it goes!
Junpei: 3!
Junpei: 4!
Junpei: 5!
June: You're counting the wrong way!
Junpei: Oops!
Santa: That is a really sad excuse for a joke, man...
Junpei: Sorry, dude.
Junpei: All right, for real this time. You guys ready?
June: Yes! Whenever you're ready!
Santa: Just throw the damn thing...
Junpei: All right, here I go!
Junpei: 3!
Junpei: 2!
Junpei: 1!

Junpei threw the chunk of dry ice as hard as he could.
With the same motion, he ducked down into the cellar with Santa and June, just
as--
...
...
Junpei leapt up out of the cellar and ran to the door.

June: Jumpy! The ice on the door! Is it gone?!
Junpei: Yeah! It's gone!
Santa: The blast must've shattered it!
Junpei: Yes! All right, let's see if it opens!

Junpei grabbed the knob and pushed, with all his might.
The door gave way easily, and all 3 of them tumbled out of the freezer at once.

June: Hooray! We're out!

June, relieved, collapsed onto the floor.

Santa: Move!

Santa shoved past Junpei and ran straight to the grill, which he immediately
grabbed.

Santa: Ow! Goddamnit! Hot hot hot hot hot! Fuck!

He proceeded to kick the grill in a futile but amusing fit of rage.
But...where was Lotus?
It took Junpei only a moment to find her... She was sitting on the counter,
idly scratching her chest.

Lotus: *Yawn* Welcome back. I was starting to get tired of waiting for you
guys.

With a great yawn, Lotus lowered herself off of the counter.
Junpei clenched his teeth and walked toward her.

Junpei: What...were you doing...?
Lotus: What do you mean, what was I doing? I was waiting.
Junpei: We were gonna die!
Lotus: Oh yeah?
Lotus: But you didn't, so everything worked out all right, didn't it?
Junpei: What the hell...
Lotus: Just kidding! It might not look like it, but I was really worried.
Junpei: Don't gimme that crap!
Lotus: I'm telling the truth! I mean, if you died, then I'd be in trouble too.
Lotus: If you died, then I'd be stuck here, and I'd die too. See?
Junpei: ...
Lotus: I did all I could.
Lotus: I even looked around to see if there was anything I could use to pry
open the door.
Lotus: But I couldn't find anything.
Lotus: ...So all I could do was wait.
Lotus: I mean...what else did you want me to do? Call the cops?

It was true that there wasn't much she could have done, but something about her
tone...
Junpei gritted his teeth.

Junpei: Fine.
Junpei: But there's one thing I have to ask you.
Lotus: What's that?
Junpei: You didn't close the door...did you?
Lotus: Wh-What?! You think I closed the door on you?
Lotus: Why would I do something like that?! It closed on its own!
Lotus: I told you before, if you die, then I die too!

She was right, and Junpei knew it. Without them, she'd be in very serious
trouble.
It seemed that an accident was the only explanation for the door's closure.
If Lotus had really wanted to kill them, all she would have had to do was bar
the door from the outside...
And she hadn't. Well, she hadn't done anything.
The most she was guilty of was laziness, or negligence, not attempted murder.
Junpei swallowed his anger, and did his best to apologize.

Junpei: Well. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I doubted you.
Lotus: Hmm? Oh. Yes, well, that's all right. As long as you understand.

Lotus looked away and twirled her hair between her fingertips.
His vengeance against the grill complete, Santa swaggered back toward Junpei
and Lotus.

Santa: Hey! No more screwin' around you 2!
Santa: Break time's over.
Santa: Especially for you, lady. You've just been sitting on that fat ass of
yours while we were freezing to death.
Lotus: How rude! I was plenty busy!
Santa: Yeah, yeah, how about you put all that energy into something besides
bitching. Let's go!

(Return to investigation) &&& CHECK dialogue changes if you don't get the
frozen pork yourself.  Apparently Santa gets it for you.  &&& CHECK dialogue
changes when you say you believe in curses, since there's a text dump string,
"But Jumpy, you said you believe in curses..."


===========================================
===========================================
{a12e} File #11
:In a hallway:
-After completing escape from Kitchen-
===========================================

They stepped out of the kitchen and into a hallway that looked rather familiar.
A metal grate stretched from wall to wall.
Beyond it were 2 elevators and the entrance to the kitchen.
They had entered the kitchen from one door and come out the other.
That meant their map of the ship's interior was accurate.
They laid the map out in front of them, and began to discuss their next step.
There were 4 possible routes.
A, B, C and D...
First, A and B...
A and B both seemed to connect to an L-shaped room.
However, the 2 doors that lead to the room...
...Were both locked, and could not be opened.
Next was route C...

Junpei: This goes all the way to the main staircase.
Santa: That means it's door [5]. One of the numbered doors...
June: Then do you think we would meet up with the other 4 after this
hallway...?
Lotus: No, I don't think we will.
June: Why not?
Lotus: Look. There, by the stairs. See how the gate is opened?
Lotus: When we went into the kitchen, it was closed...
Lotus: But it's open now... What do you think that means?
Junpei: They opened it...
Lotus: Most likely.
Santa: Then if we take route C, we're going backwards.
June: That would be pointless.
Junpei: Then that means...

All 4 looked at the map.
They all looked at the staircase, its lazy curve leading down, deeper into the
ship.

Lotus: Route D, then.
Santa: D it is.
June: Yep, route D.
Junpei: Then we're set.

They jogged down the stairs, until they reached the [C Deck].
Just to be sure, they kept going, to check the deck beneath...

Junpei: Yeah, just like I thought. Deck D is totally underwater.
June: Just like the bottom of the central staircase...

The water gazed back at them, its smooth surface like a great mirror.
As ominous as it was, Junpei took at least some comfort from the fact that the
level hadn't gone up much since the last time he'd seen it.
They turned back to C Deck.
It didn't take them long to find the 2 elevators in front of the stairs.
They looked identical to the elevators on the top floor, with one exception...
These elevators had a card reader on the wall between them.
On the card reader was a strange mark...

Junpei: Hey, look, it's Lotus's symbol.
Lotus: Huh?
Junpei: See, it's the woman symbol with a thorn on it. That seems like--
Junpei: Ouch! Ouch ouch ouch ouch!

Lotus had taken hold of Junpei's hair.
She began to shake him violently, and he thought he heard a low growl coming
from her throat.
Such violence... Junpei began to wonder if she was not the Devil itself...
With an uncomfortable smile, June spoke up.

June: This is a [Mercury symbol].
June: The thorn symbolizes the wings on Hermes's staff.
Santa: Hermes, herpes, whatever.
Santa: If we can't get this thing to work, these elevators aren't going
anywhere.
Lotus: In other words, we need a [key card] with the [Mercury symbol] on it.
Santa: Probably.

They gave up on the elevator and returned to the stairs.
A hallway stretched out to the left.
A great many doors lined both sides of the hallway.
They weren't sure how many, but certainly enough to be discouraging.

Santa: Damnit. If we try and search all these, the sun's gonna go down before
we've done half of 'em.
June: I think the sun already set...
Junpei: I have a feeling this ship is the only thing that's going to be going
down any time soon.
Santa: That's even worse!
Lotus: Well, we can come back to this hallway later.
Lotus: Let's check the hallway on the other side, shall we?

Frustration and fear building, they walked back to the stairs.
To their right was a small hallway.
Quickly, they headed into it...
It was approximately the same size as the alcove in front of the stairs.
The hallway led toward the stern, and at its end was a set of double doors.

Lotus: Let's open it.

Junpei nodded, and grabbed the one closest to him.
He gave it a small tug and felt it move.
It was unlocked.
Thrilled to have found an unlocked door, he threw it open.
Junpei didn't know what to make of what he saw.
He simply stood, unable to speak.
The others simply stared, open-mouthed.
After a few long moments, Santa managed to speak.

Santa: Wha...what the hell is this...

A massive room stretched out in front of them--more a cavern than a room.
Its vastness was oppressive, and it bore down on the 4 companions.
It was not empty, however. The entire room was filled with lines upon lines of
beds.
They were simple things, little more than pipe and thin mattresses.

June: Is...is this a hospital?

He had at last been able to put a name to the harsh scent that pervaded the
room...
The room swam with the harsh, biting smell of antiseptic.
In the center of the room were shelves stacked with medicine, and a number of
medical devices the function of which Junpei did not know.
More importantly, however, on the back wall of the room were 4 doors.
3 of them were emblazoned with large single-digit numbers made with thick, red
paint.
The door on the left was labeled [3].
The second door from the left had no number, but the third had been given a
[7].
...And the right-most door had an [8].
There could be no doubt--they were [numbered doors].
It did strike Junpei as strange, however, that the door between [3] and [7]
should be blank.
What, he wondered, could it mean...

Junpei: Let's take a look at the doors.
Lotus: Yes, that sounds like a good plan.

Junpei headed toward the doors, weaving his way between the beds.
He started with door [3], on the left, and moved to the right until he reached
door [8].

June: It's no use...
Lotus: Well, of course.
Lotus: If it was that easy to open these doors, what would be the point of the
Nonary Game?
Lotus: We have to activate the RED, or the numbered doors won't...
Lotus: ...Wait a minute...
Junpei: What's wrong?  &&& CHECK SPEAKER
Lotus: Look. The display on the RED... There's nothing on it...
Santa: Huh?
Lotus: Don't you remember? The RED at the central staircase?
Lotus: If no one was inside, it said [VACANT]...
Junpei: Oh yeah... You're right...
Lotus: But this one...
June: There's nothing on it.
Lotus: Right?
Santa: I wonder if it's broken?
Junpei: Only one way to find out.

...
...
...
...
It didn't respond.
All 4 took turns placing their hands over the RED, but it refused to respond.
They pulled at the lever, and still it did nothing.
As they soon discovered, it wasn't only the RED for door [8] that was behaving
strangely...
The RED on door [7] also refused to respond...And door [3] was similarly
silent... None of them would respond.
What did it mean?

Santa: Haha. I knew it. They're broken.
Santa: Zero sure sucks at maintenance.
Lotus: No... That's impossible.
Lotus: You really think Zero, who prepared all of this...
Lotus: ...Would make such a stupid, simple mistake?
Santa: Maybe, but that doesn't explain why this thing ain't workin'.

It was at that moment that they heard a voice from behind them.

Snake: I believe the bottom of the device has been removed.

They spun around to see--

Junpei: Snake!

...But it was more than just Snake.
Ace, Clover, and Seven quickly filed into the room as well.
Although they were glad to see one another, it wasn't terribly surprising that
they had.
If it had been the other party who'd opened the gate in front of the kitchen,
it wasn't unreasonable that they'd bump into one another eventually.
The rest of Snake's team, however, did look rather surprised.

Clover: How...?
Seven: How did you guys...
Ace: How did you end up here?

...
...
After a moment of silence and surprise, everyone suddenly began to talk,
desperate to exchange information.
They talked about the rooms they'd been through, and how they'd ended up in the
same place.
Of course, none of it was very useful information, but that hardly mattered.
They were happy to simply see one another again.
Although the level of cheer varied greatly from person to person, each one of
them was wearing some manner of smile.
Almost as though they had already forgotten about the death of the 9th Man...
No, thought Junpei, perhaps that wasn't it.
Perhaps thoughts of his death were what drove them to smile at one another.
Not in a morbid or hateful way, no. The 9th Man had died... But they were still
alive, and that was something to be happy about.
A sort of simple, uncomplicated joy, Junpei thought, the joy of being alive.
Still alive...
He felt sorry for the 9th Man, but more than anything Junpei was just happy to
be alive.

Ace: ...There you have it. Our half of the story.

His part finished, Ace fell silent.
For a moment, Junpei was silent, in thought. Then he spoke.

Junpei: Okay, lemme see if I've got all this straight...
Junpei: When you guys got here, the bases for the REDs were already gone.
June: And you looked all over this room, but you couldn't find anything.
Santa: So you figured...
Santa: ...That there might be something in the hallway with all the doors.
Lotus: So you went and had a look?
Seven: Yeah.
Junpei: And while you were looking around, you heard voices?
Clover: Uh-huh.
June: So you followed the voices and came back here.
Snake: Indeed. And that was how we found you.

Junpei examined the 3 REDs again, just in case.
On the bottom of each was a long, thin gap.
It looked like a slot for...something. Probably something electronic.

June: Well...this isn't good...
June: If the RED is inactive... We can't keep going...
Junpei: Well, what about that hallway over there?
Junpei: Isn't there anywhere else we can go?
Ace: No, there isn't.
Ace: There are plenty more hospital rooms, but nothing else.
Lotus: Hospital rooms? That's what's behind all those doors?
Ace: Yes. There are a number of individual rooms, in addition to this large
one.
Clover: There was a door at the end of the hallway, but it was locked.
Snake: There was an astrological symbol engraved near the keyhole, however.
Snake: I was able to get a good, ah, feel of it. I believe it was the [symbol
of Jupiter].
Santa: Not again... Those goddamn things are everywhere...
June: I wonder what they all mean?

For a moment, everyone was silent, deep in thought.

Junpei: While we're asking what things mean... What's the deal with this room?
Junpei: I mean... I thought this was a cruise ship, but I can't imagine a
cruise ship would have a hospital like this...

Of all people it was Seven who answered, and with calm confidence.

Seven: Well, I figure it's probably a hospital ship.
Seven: Chances are, it's the [Gigantic].
Junpei: The Gigantic...?

Junpei looked confused.
So did everyone else.

Lotus: What is this "Gigantic"...?

Seven knit his brows for a moment, then began to explain.

Seven: The Gigantic...

He explained that she had been a sister ship to the Titanic, built in the early
20th century.
The Titanic had 2 sister ships, who were identical to one another in nearly
every aspect. The Gigantic was said to be 1 of them.
She was initially intended to be a passenger liner, like the Titanic, but soon
after the ship was launched the First World War began, and she was pressed into
duty by the British navy as a hospital ship.
Some time later, the Gigantic was damaged by a German mine in the Aegean Sea.
She managed to run aground after the incident, and consequently was not sunk.
What, then, happened to the Gigantic after her fateful encounter in the Aegean
Sea?
One theory ran that a man named [Lord Gordain] purchased her.
Lord Gordain, it seemed, had been one of the few survivors of the Titanic
tragedy, and that trauma had turned him into an obsessive collector of all
things related to the Titanic.
As his obsession deepened, he began to desire the Titanic itself.
That, of course, was impossible--the Titanic lay at the bottom of the Atlantic
Ocean.
The Gigantic, however, had not suffered such a dire fate, and as she was
identical to her sister ship, she caught Lord Gordain's eye.

Junpei: So, you're saying this [Lord Gordain] bought this ship...?
Seven: Yeah. At least I think I am.
Santa: That's impossible! No way we're in some boat that's almost 100 years
old!
Lotus: Pipe down. Just pay attention.
Lotus: ...What, that's it? Well, have you got any proof?
Seven: Proof?
Lotus: Proof that this ship is really the Gigantic.
Seven: Well, uh...
Seven: This ship's got stuff that's like the Titanic and a hospital ship. So I
just figured--
Lotus: Oh for goodness... Don't tell me that's your only reason?
Seven: N-No, I've got more...
Lotus: Like...?
Seven: Well, uh, I mean...

Seven looked around desperately, doing anything to avoid meeting Lotus's
piercing stare.
He scratched his head for a moment, then gave up.
Finally, he opened his mouth.

Seven: I dunno...

Lotus sighed and shook her head...

Lotus: I guess your memory isn't back yet, is it?
Seven: Yeah... Sorry about that...
Junpei: Hey hey hey hey! Wait a minute! "Memory isn't back"!?

Junpei was, he felt, legitimately shocked by what seemed to be new, and very
important, information.
Everyone else, however, seemed unimpressed.
In fact, they all looked at Junpei as though he had said something very
strange.
He decided to revise his attitude for the next question.

Junpei: Wait... Was I the only one...that didn't know?

Everyone nodded.

Junpei: Why!?
Seven: Oh...yeah, I guess I didn't tell you, huh...
Seven: I told the rest of 'em before we ran into you on the stairs.
Seven: I told 'em I couldn't remember a damn thing from before I woke up.
Junpei: ...What?

Then, almost as if to save Junpei from further embarrassment...
...A bell began to ring from far away.
It sounded as though it was the clock at the main stairway.
Junpei counted each chime, carefully.
10... 11... 12.

June: It's midnight...
Clover: Then we've still got 6 hours left, right?
Seven: We don't have any time to screw around.
Seven: Let's get going. We gotta find the missing parts for the REDs.
Lotus: What do you mean "find"? How on Earth do you propose we do that?
Seven: We've looked everywhere in this room.
Seven: That only leaves one place to look.
Lotus: One...?
Seven: Well, I guess that's not really right...
Junpei: ?
Lotus: W-Wait!
Lotus: Don't tell me you mean we need to search all of the other rooms?!
Seven: Don't freak out. We already searched 4 of them.
Lotus: 4 rooms...
Seven: We just have to split up the rest between the 8 of us.
Seven: If each person does 6 rooms, that'll be 48 rooms, right?
Lotus: So there are 48 rooms left?

Her earlier experiences had apparently not encouraged Lotus to trust Seven.
Seven scratched his head awkwardly.

Seven: I dunno.
Lotus: ...

After a little more discussion, they split up, and headed toward the rooms to
begin searching them.
Junpei was chosen to search the rooms on the starboard side, moving from fore
to aft...
They also determined when they would return to report their findings: The next
time the clock sounded the time. When it did, they would meet back in the large
central room full of beds.
If, during their search, any one of them were to locate the missing components,
they were to yell for the others.
If this strategy failed, they'd return to discuss their options later.
The details decided, they left to begin searching.
Out into the hallway they went, each to the rooms they'd been assigned.
However...
...
...

(To "m20a", replacing quotations with braces {} )

==========================================
==========================================
DOOR 5
{b11b} File #31
-Entering Door 5-
==========================================

Junpei: Hey, wait!

Junpei's cry echoed across the room.
The 4 people walking toward the door stopped... And turned back toward him.

Junpei: I want to go through door [5] too.

The words were scarcely out of his mouth when June spoke up.

June: What!? What are you saying, Jumpy?!
June: If you're going through that door, then I'm going with you!

He turned around to look at her.

Junpei: No, you can't. I can't take you with me.
June: Wh-Why...?
Junpei: We're...well, you know what's in there, don't you? Are you sure you
want to see that?
June: ...

June opened her mouth, as if to say something...
...But instead closed it again, and looked at the floor.
Junpei felt an ache in his chest at her clear distress, but...
The choice was not his to make. There was nothing else he could do.
Junpei turned away from June, doing his best to silence his turbulent emotions.

Junpei: Please. Let me go into door [5]. 

Seven scratched his head and looked at the young man.

Seven: Man... Now we're right back where we started, you know that?
Snake: Junpei's bracelet number is (5), right?
Snake: If we are going to add Junpei, then...
Snake: We must subtract (5) from the rest of us.

Snake turned to Ace...

Snake: Ace... Please, take good care of Clover.
Ace: Oh...all right. That's...that's fine.

1 + 4 = 5

Clover: Don't go away!
Snake: You need to listen to me, Clover.
Snake: Go to door [4] with the others.
Clover: No!
Snake: Don't be so selfish!

Snake's tone was harsh.
Tears welled up in Clover's eyes. She bit her lip, and did her best to fight
them off.
Snake's expression softened, and he put his arms around Clover.
He held her close, and whispered into her ear.

Snake: You'll be fine... Just relax...

It looked as though he whispered 2 or 3 more words, but whatever they were,
Junpei didn't hear them.
He couldn't help but wonder what the other man had said.
Snake pulled back from his sister, his eyes kind and inquiring.

Clover: Okay... I understand...

Her voice was barely audible from where Junpei stood.
...
Before long, new teams were assembled.
Those going to door [5]:
Seven, Snake, and Junpei.
7 + 2 + 5 = 14 -> 1 + 4 = 5 
Those going to door [4]:
Lotus, Santa, June, Ace, and Clover.
8 + 3 + 6 + 1 + 4 = 22 -> 2 + 2 = 4
Seven, Snake, and Junpei scanned their numbered bracelets in quick succession.
The screen of the RED showed 3 asterisks.

Junpei: All right then, let's go.

Junpei glanced around one last time, his hand resting on the lever of the RED.

June: Okay... Please be careful...

Concern was written plainly across her face.
Junpei looked her in the eye and gave what he hoped was a reassuring nod.
He pulled the lever.
With the sharp "clack" of a lock releasing, the door swung open.
Ahead of them, in the small hallway, were the pitiful remains of the 9th Man.
For a moment, Junpei froze. Try as he might, his eyes would not leave the
corpse, and his feet would not leave the floor.
Seven, too, seemed paralyzed.
Snake, on the other hand, seemed unconcerned.  He walked calmly down the bloody
hallway, and only stopped when he realized his companions were not following.

Snake: Do you intend to kill me? I assume you haven't forgotten the door only
remains open for 9 seconds, have you?

He hadn't even bothered to turn around--his head was, at most, slightly cocked
toward one shoulder.
Junpei and Seven looked at one another, nodded, and threw themselves through
the door.
As they did, a cold tone sounded from the left wrists of all 3 men.
Seven and Junpei looked down at their bracelets. On both of them, and on
Snake's, a red skull had flickered to life.
The detonator had begun its countdown!
They had scarcely processed this information when--
With a metallic slam, the numbered door behind them swung shut.
Unless they could find the device that would deactivate the detonators on their
wrists...
They would not be leaving the hallway.

Seven: Hey! Where's the DEAD!?

The fear and urgency in Seven's face reflected what all 3 of them felt.
Junpei spun around, searching desperately for the DEAD.
He found it easily enough. It was on the wall, next to the closed door labeled
[5].

Junpei: Found it! Right here!

As he yelled, he struck the scanner with his hand.
The other 2 scrambled to follow suit.
As soon as they finished, Snake threw the lever down.

Junpei: ...
Snake: ...
Seven: ...
Junpei: Phew... Well, it looks like it's stopped.

As he spoke, Junpei wiped the sweat from his forehead with a trembling hand.

Seven: Goddamn thing's gonna give me a heart attack...

A muscle stood out in Seven's neck, and the corners of his mouth were
twitching.

June: Jumpy, are you all right?!
Clover: Are you guys okay?!

They could hear anxious voices, muffled but distinct, from the other side of
the door.

Junpei: Yeah, we're fine!
Snake: The detonators have been deactivated!

They heard relieved sighs, and even through the door the 3 men could feel the
tension disperse.

Seven: All right, we're moving on! Be careful, okay?
Lotus: Okay!
Santa: Sure thing!

...
They heard footsteps moving away, and before long they were alone again.
Junpei looked around.
The hallway hit a dead end 20 or 30 feet from where they stood.
A thick, iron wall blocked their way. Try as they might to force it, the wall
refused to move.
To the left, however, was a wooden door that looked positively inviting by
comparison.
In the middle of it was a plaque that read [1st Class].

Seven: A 1st class cabin, huh...
Junpei: Well, it seems like it.
Snake: Let's have a look then, shall we?

Without hesitation, Snake opened the door and stepped inside.
Seven followed closely behind him.
Junpei moved to follow them as well, but...
He stopped, just short of the threshold, and looked back, not knowing why.
Lying in the small hallway was a man's body--or at least, what was left of it.
He'd tried hard to avoid looking at the grisly scene, but it just wouldn't...
leave... his mind.
What had once been a man's internal organs now looked like so much vomit... As
though something had chewed up and spit out the better part of his torso. It
was hideous, but worse still, it was cruel.
It was hard to believe the thing on the floor had once been human... The black
pool of thick blood... The lumps of glistening flesh spread across floor... The
awkward, twisted tangle of shredded intestines... The head, wrenched to some
grotesque, unnatural position...
The man's glasses lay next to his head. The lenses were cracked, and the frame
bent and distorted.
And next to the glasses lay a bracelet, the number 9 still displayed on its
face.
"Lastly, let us discuss [how to remove the bracelets]. There are only 2 ways to
do so."
"One: You escape from this ship."
"Two: Your heart rate reaches zero."
"In other words, once the bracelet is taken outside the confines of the ship,
or detects that its wearer's heartbeat has fallen to zero, it will shut down
automatically."

Junpei: Hrg!

Suddenly, Junpei felt his stomach convulse, and a knot of muscle gripped his
throat.
He clapped his hands over his mouth, and ran to the 1st class cabin.
The atmosphere changed immediately. The room was gorgeous, and despite the
apparent age of the ship, none the worse for wear.
He looked around. Seven and Snake were nowhere to be seen.
There were 2 doors on the right side of the room.
He opened the one on his right, and went through.
On the other side of the door was a short hallway.
He jogged down the hallway, opened the door at the other end, and peeked
through.
There they were, to his right, busy examining something.
He stepped through the door and walked toward them.

Junpei: What's up...?
Seven: Check this out... We found this thing here on the door.
Junpei: The red light's on... Does that mean it's locked?
Snake: So I would assume.
Junpei: Is there any other way out?
Seven: We looked around a little. Other than this door, we didn't find
anything.
Junpei: So you're telling me that unless we can open this door...
Snake: Yes. We won't be going anywhere.

Junpei stepped away from the door, and looked around the room.
The room they were in looked like a bedroom.
He figured the room he'd originally entered was the living room, or whatever
passed for one on a ship.

Seven: All right, let's find a way to open this door.
Seven: C'mon, guys!

===============SEEK A WAY OUT!===============
::1st class cabin::
=============================================
{b11} File #31
Plot points within this section:
-DESCRIPTION: "b11d.&&&"
( To skip to a story segment, search for "a11d.#" replacing quotations with
braces {} )
( Next story segment: "b12b&&&"
=============================================

(IN PROGRESS)

===========================================
===========================================
{m20a} File #67
:Outside hospital room:
-After investigating each room for the missing RED device components-
===========================================

From far away, Junpei heard the bell ring.
It did so only once--it was 1 a.m.
He jogged through the entrance of the large hospital room to find 6 of the
others already there.
Ace, Santa, Clover, June, Seven, and Lotus.
They had gathered in front of door number [8].
Or perhaps, to be accurate, they had gathered in front of the RED next to door
number [8].
Had one of them found the missing piece?

Junpei: What happened, guys?!

It was June who answered him.

June: Jumpy, look!

She was pointing at the RED.
He pushed through the others until he stood in front of it.
Immediately, he knew what she had meant.
The display on the front of the RED read "VACANT".
Junpei sighed.

Junpei: C'mon guys, who was it?
Junpei: I thought we're supposed to yell if we found it.
June: Well...

Junpei wondered why she was hesitating.
The others looked as confused as June, but kept their mouths shut.

Junpei: What the hell? What is up with you guys?

They all knew something he didn't and Junpei wasn't about to leave things that
way.
Finally, Lotus frowned and spoke.

Lotus: Well, that's the thing... We don't know.
Junpei: You don't know?
Lotus: When I got back, it was already like this.
Lotus: There was no one else here...
Lotus: That means I was the 1st one back, but...
Lotus: The missing parts were already back in the RED.

Junpei looked at the bottom of the RED again, just to make sure.
The slot that had been open on the bottom was now covered with metal.
Clearly, whatever had been missing had been returned.

Junpei: What about the other 2...?
Lotus: They're the same.

Junpei quickly examined the other 2 boxes.
Satisfied that they were also repaired, but still very confused, he returned to
the others.

Junpei: All right, I just wanna be sure here.
Junpei: Nobody has any idea what the hell happened here, right?

Ace and June nodded silently.
Seven raised his hands as if to say "not me", and Santa just shrugged.
Only Clover lowered her head and did nothing.

Junpei: Huh? ...Wait a minute...

That was when he noticed...

Junpei: Where's Snake?

Junpei swept his eyes across the room a second time, but Snake was nowhere to
be seen.

Junpei: Does that mean that he found them...?
Ace: I've no idea. There's nothing to suggest it, but nothing to suggest he
didn't either.
Lotus: I don't suppose we'll know until we can ask him in person.
Seven: Well, whatever he did or didn't do, he's pretty damn late. What the hell
is he up to?
June: Maybe he's lost...
Santa: Yeah, well, that seems likely. Dude can't see. I don't know how he gets
around in the first place...

Clover raised her head.

Clover: No, that's impossible!

Suddenly, she was shouting.

Clover: Yeah, my brother's blind, but he's got really great hearing! He can get
around as well as anyone who can see!
Clover: So he...he couldn't get lost... That's impossible...

Clover had started to shake, and the knuckles of her hands had gone white.
She spun around, but before she did Junpei noticed tears welling up in her
eyes.

Clover: I'm gonna go look for him!

The words were barely out of her mouth when she began to run.

Junpei: Hey! Hold on, Clover! Wait!

Junpei cried out to her, but he was too slow.
She kept going, and before anyone else could react, she was gone.

Junpei: Damnit... What should we do now?
Lotus: Well, the RED is working now...
June: No, we're not leaving 2 people behind! We should go look for them!
Seven: Aw man, this ain't good...
Santa: Oh, yes, what an excellent idea! We just wasted a bunch of time looking
for some piece of electronic junk, now let's waste some more by looking for a
couple of idiots!
Ace: Then remain here, if you feel you must, but there's no time.
Ace: We've only 5 hours left.

Junpei and the others nodded to one another, and took off at a run.
...
...
In front of the stairs that led to B Deck, they decided to split up.
They quickly assigned search areas, and went their separate ways.
Soon only 2 of them were left.
Those 2 were Junpei and June, who had been a few steps behind the others.

Junpei: All right, we should go too!
June: Yes! Let's go!
June: But...where should we start?
Junpei: Let's see...

<The casino (B Deck)> - "m20a.a0"
<The 1st class cabin (B Deck)> - "m20a.b0"
<The hallway with all the rooms (C Deck)> - "m20a.c0"
<Back to the large hospital room (C Deck)> - "m20a.d0"

{m20a.a0}
<The casino (B Deck)>

Junpei: How about the casino on B Deck?
June: Okay, sounds good.

They took off up the stairs at a run.

(To "m20a.a", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{m20a.b0}
<The 1st class cabin (B Deck)>

Junpei: What about the 1st class cabin on B Deck?
June: All right! Sounds good.

They took off up the stairs at a run.

(To "m20a.b", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{m20a.c0}
<The hallway with all the rooms (C Deck)>

Junpei: We should go check out that hallway with all the rooms.
June: Okay, let's go, Jumpy!

They turned, and ran down the hallway to their left.

(To "m20a.c", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{m20a.d0}
<Back to the large hospital room (C Deck)>

Junpei: Let's go back to the large hospital room.
June: Huh? Why would we go back?
Junpei: Well, I mean, we might have just missed him, you know? Maybe he really
was just late.
June: Oh... I hadn't thought of that... Okay, let's go.

They turned, and ran down the hallway to their right.

(To "m20a.d", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{m20a.a}

Before they knew it, they were there.
So was Lotus.
She was leaning against the wall, examining her nails.

Junpei: Hey, what do you think you're doing?

She glanced up at him, unimpressed.

Lotus: Isn't it obvious? I'm looking for Snake.
Junpei: I'm just not seeing it...
Lotus: Really? Maybe you need to look harder.

Junpei didn't think that was the problem.

Lotus: Oh, by the way... 
Lotus: I've got a proposal for you 2... Care to hear it?

<Listen to what she has to say.> - "m20a.a1"
<Refuse and leave.> - "m20a.a2"

{m20a.a1}
<Listen to what she has to say.>

Junpei: What is it?
Lotus: Well, I don't like to beat around the bush, so I'll get right to it.
Lotus: Why don't we team up?
Junpei: Team up?
Lotus: Yeah. What, you need me to explain it to you?
Lotus: I'm saying, why don't we go through a numbered door?
June: Even if we wanted to, that's impossible.
Lotus: Why?
June: Jumpy's bracelet number is 5, mine is 6, and yours is 8.
June: Our digital root would be (1).

5 + 6 + 8 = 19
-> 1 + 9 = 10
-> 1 + 0 = 1
June: But there's no number [1] door in the large hospital room.
June: The only doors there are [3], [7], and [8]...
Lotus: Then we add another person.
June: Huh?
Junpei: Who?
Lotus: What, isn't that easy? Seven.

She was right. If they added Seven...
5 + 6 + 8 + 7 = 26 -> 2 + 6 = 8
Then the 4 of them could go through the number [8] door.
But...

Junpei: Whoa, hold on a sec.
Junpei: What about the other 4?
Lotus: Why don't you add them up?

That was simple enough...
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 = 10 -> 1 + 0 = 1

Junpei: The digital root for those 4 would be (1).
Lotus: That's right.
Junpei: And you...know the number [1] door isn't in the big hospital room,
right?
Lotus: Of course I know that.
June: No! Are...are you saying you'd leave them behind?
Lotus: Of course not. What kind of a woman do you think I am?
Lotus: Once we get off the ship, we could come back and rescue them, couldn't
we?
Lotus: Then we wouldn't really be leaving them behind...
June: Don't try to lie to us. I don't think you'd do anything of the sort.
Lotus: Really? Why do you think that?
June: You remember, don't you? We have less than 5 hours left.
June: Even if we managed to escape...
June: There's no way we could come back to rescue them in less than 5 hours!
Lotus: Well, you never know until you try.
Junpei: No, no... You're not thinking this through.
Junpei: Even if we brought Seven with us, we wouldn't be able to get off the
ship.
Junpei: The 4 of us couldn't open door [9].
Zero: It is hidden, but an exit can be found.
Zero: Seek a way out... Seek a door that carries a [9]. 
June: Yeah... Yeah, that's right.
June: The digital root for us 4 will be (8), so we'd have to add Ace to make
(9)...
Lotus: Right.
Junpei: Unless we bring Ace too, we'll be stuck.

Lotus scratched the back of her ear.

Lotus: Oh. Hmmm... Well, that's unfortunate.

She didn't sound particularly bothered by what Junpei said.
...Nor did she seem particularly surprised.
...

June: Well, let's try and find another way, okay? A way to get out of here with
all 8 of us.
Lotus: That's impossible. Are you being serious?
Lotus: You do know that only 5 people, at most, can go through 1 of the
numbered doors, right?
Lotus: The number [9] isn't going to be an exception to that rule. Regardless,
at least 3 people will get left behind.
June: ...
Junpei: You're right... That is true...

The moment he said it, Junpei felt a chill run down his spine.
It was true.
How Lotus could remain cavalier about so terrifying a prospect was beyond him.
When they found the number [9], they would have to choose which 3 of them would
die.
Lotus's forehead furrowed.

Lotus: Do you think I could have a moment alone?
Lotus: There are some things I need to think about.

...
...
Junpei and June turned, and began walking away from Lotus.
Talking to her had left them feeling ill.
Junpei's heart felt heavy, and his steps sluggish.
But, he told himself, pessimism would get them nowhere.
So he forced himself to smile, and turned to June.

Junpei: Let's just focus on finding Snake for now, okay?
June: Yes...you're right.
June: We can think about those other things later...

Junpei nodded.

Junpei: All right, where should we go next?

<The 1st class cabin (B Deck)> - "m20a.ab1"; if visited already - "m20a.ab2"
<The hallway with all the rooms (C Deck)> - "m20a.ac1"; if visited already -
"m20a.ac2"
<Back to the large hospital room (C Deck)> - "m20a.ad1"; if visited already -
"m20a.ad2"

{m20a.ab1}
<The 1st class cabin (B Deck)>

Junpei: Let's go take a look at the 1st class cabin. It's really close...

They turned around, and took off down the hallway to their left.

(To "m20a.b", replacing quotations with braces "} )

{m20a.b}
<The 1st class cabin (B Deck)>

Outside of the 1st class cabin, they found Clover. She was standing in front of
the wall.
She was staring at a meaningless point on the wall, her eyes blank.

* <<What should Junpei do?>>

<Talk to her.> - "m20a.b1}
<Leave her alone.> - "m20a.b2}

{m20a.b1}
<Talk to her.>

Junpei: Are you all right?

He did his best to sound friendly, but Clover didn't respond.

Junpei: Look, I know you're really worried, but...um...

He could think of no words to say that didn't sound hollow and fake.
Junpei hesitated.
Clover was so consumed by worry and fear that Junpei feared it would crush her.
Her actions didn't surprise him--she had suddenly lost her brother, who she
seemed to have been very close to.

Clover: ...lone...

Her voice was thin, and barely audible.

Clover: ...lone...
Junpei: ...?
Clover: ...lone...
June: ...?
Clover: I said leave me alone!

Suddenly she was screaming.

Clover: You're so annoying! Just go away and leave me alone! Just looking at
you guys is pissing me off!
Clover: Go away, okay?! Just go...somewhere else! Stop bothering me!

Junpei was taken aback.
Such anger and hate...
June's eyes had gone wide with surprise as well.

Clover: Why are you still here!? Didn't you hear me?!
Junpei: ...
June: ...
Clover: Fine! Forget it. If you aren't gonna leave, then I'll just--
Junpei: All right. Let's go, June.
June: Y-Yeah...

They turned, and left Clover.
As they did, Junpei glanced back over his shoulder to see Clover wiping tears
from her face.
Clover had driven home the misery of their situation, but Junpei told himself
that getting depressed would get him nowhere but depressed.
For Clover's sake, they had to find Snake, and fast.
He did his best to push away the misery and depression, and forced a smile.

Junpei: So, where do you think we should go next?

<The casino (B Deck)> - "m20a.ba1"; if visited already - "m20a.ba2"
<The hallway with all the rooms (C Deck)> - "m20a.bc1"; if visited already -
"m20a.bc2"
<Back to the large hospital room (C Deck)> - "m20a.bd1"; if visited already -
"m20a.bd2"

{m20a.ba2}
<The casino (B Deck)>

Junpei: How about the casino?
June: Let's go take a look.

They turned, and headed off down the hallway to their right at a jog.
...
There was no one there.
They had no choice--Junpei and June turned around, and headed to a different
location.

<The 1st class cabin (B Deck)> - "m20a.ab1"; if visited already - "m20a.ab2"
<The hallway with all the rooms (C Deck)> - "m20a.ac1"; if visited already -
"m20a.ac2"
<Back to the large hospital room (C Deck)> - "m20a.ad1"; if visited already -
"m20a.ad2"

{m20a.ab2}
<The 1st class cabin (B Deck)>

Junpei: Let's go take a look at the 1st class cabin. It's really close...

They turned around, and took off down the hallway to their left.
...
No one was there.
Junpei figured they might have more luck somewhere else.
But where?

<The casino (B Deck)> - "m20a.ba1"; if visited already - "m20a.ba2"
<The hallway with all the rooms (C Deck)> - "m20a.bc1"; if visited already -
"m20a.bc2"
<Back to the large hospital room (C Deck)> - "m20a.bd1"; if visited already -
"m20a.bd2"

{m20a.c}
<The hallway with all the rooms (C Deck)>

Ahead of them, farther down the hallway, they spotted Ace.

Ace: Hey! Snake! Where are you?!
Ace: Answer me if you're there!

Junpei paused.

<<What did he want to do?>>

<Run to Ace.> - "m20a.c1"
<Let Ace handle it.> - "m20a.c2"

{m20a.c1}
<Run to Ace.>

With June in tow, Junpei jogged up to Ace.
Hearing their footsteps, he turned to greet them.

Ace: Ah, hello there.
Ace: Snake is... Well, that's obvious, isn't it?
Ace: I assume you haven't found him yet either?

Junpei nodded.

June: I really wonder where he could have gone.
Ace: Well, wherever he's disappeared to, we must find him as quickly as we can,
for Clover's sake.
June: Right.

June's face looked kinda enraptured.

Junpei: By the way... Do you think Clover and Snake are really siblings?
Ace: Ah... Why would you say that?

"Why would you say that?"
The question seemed somehow...odd to Junpei.

Junpei: Why? Well, it's obvious, isn't it?
Junpei: They don't look alike at all.

Ace looked at him for a moment, and then spoke.

Ace: Yes, you know, now that you mention it, they don't.

"Now that you mention it"...?

Ace: Still, there are a great many siblings who do not look like one another.
Ace: It certainly isn't rare.

Junpei wasn't sure why, or even if he was seeing what he thought he was, but he
could have sworn that Ace's face tightened as he spoke.

Ace: At any rate, we really must find Snake as soon as possible.
Ace: The clock is ticking. We really can't afford to waste any time.
Junpei: ...
Ace: Very well, let's get back to the search, shall we?
Ace: You can leave this area to me.
June: All right.
June: Let's go, Jumpy.

At June's urging, they left.
They found themselves back at the stairs, but Junpei's mind was in turmoil.
There was so much to think about, but... No, it would have to be put aside for
now.
As Ace had said, finding Snake was their top priority.
Junpei did his best to clear his mind.
All right... Where should we go next...

<The casino (B Deck)> - "m20a.ca1"; if visited already - "m20a.ca2"
<The 1st class cabin (B Deck)> - "m20a.ca1"; if visited already - "m20a.ca2"
<Back to the large hospital room (C Deck)> - "m20a.cd1"; if visited already -
"m20a.cd2"

{m20a.d}
<Back to the large hospital room (C Deck)> 

On their way to the large hospital room Junpei and June noticed Santa, standing
next to the number [3] door.
Junpei paused.

<<What should Junpei do?>>

<Talk to him.> - "m20a.d1"
<Walk away without saying anything.> - "m20a.d2"

{m20a.d1}
<Talk to him.>

Junpei and June walked up to Santa.

Junpei: What are you doing?
Santa: What, you can't tell? I'm checking out the RED.
June: Why, is there something bothering you?
Santa: What, it's not bothering you?
June: ...Huh?
Santa: This... The guts of this RED.
Santa: Why wouldn't you wonder who the hell put it back in here?
June: Y-Yeah, that's true.
June: Well, I'm curious too, but...
Santa: Who do you think did it?

Santa's eyes narrowed as he looked at June.
She shook her head.

June: I don't know.
Santa: Well, what about you, Junpei? Who do you think fixed this thing for us?

<Snake> - "m20a.d3"
<Lotus> - "m20a.d4"
<Zero> - "m20a.d5"
<Someone other than the 8 of them.> - "m20a.d6"

{m20a.d3}
<Snake>

Junpei: Well, it seems like it would have to be Snake, wouldn't it?
Junpei: Maybe he got back here before any of us.
Junpei: He found the parts somewhere, put 'em back, and then went through one
of the numbered doors...
Santa: No, that's not possible.
Santa: You have to authenticate with at least 3 people, or the RED won't open
the door.
Santa: There's no way a single person could get through there by themselves.
Junpei: Y-Yeah... Uh, I guess you're right...

It was a stupid mistake, and Junpei knew it.
How had he made such a foolish miscalculation? And how had Santa noticed it so
quickly?
Perhaps he just wasn't as clever as he used to be...
Junpei shook his head sadly.

(To "m20a.d9", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{m20a.d9}

Junpei: So, in other words...
Junpei: One of us is the person who fixed the RED.

Santa grinned.

Santa: Bingo. We have a winner.
Junpei: But if that's true, then the person who did it doesn't want the rest of
us to know they fixed the RED.
Santa: Yeah. 
Junpei: But...why?
Santa: No idea. Maybe if they come clean on that, it means we'd find out
something else, something bad.
Junpei: Something bad?
Santa: Dunno. But whatever it is, it's gotta be worth hiding.
Junpei: Hm...
Santa: Of course...
Santa: It could have something to do with Snake's disappearance.
Junpei: You think maybe they did something to Snake?
Santa: It's not out of the question.

Junpei stared at Santa.
There was something about him that made Junpei wary...
At first, he'd assumed the other man wasn't terribly clever, but Junpei was
beginning to think he would need to re-evaluate that assessment.
When Santa spoke again, his voice was quiet.

Santa: Look, if you trust anybody in this game, you're gonna lose.
Santa: You've gotta be careful.
Santa: The person you trust the most could turn out to be the one who stabs you
in the back.

With that depressing suggestion, he turned and quietly walked away.
Junpei and June looked at one another and smiled awkwardly.
...
...

<<Where would they go next?>>

<The casino (B Deck)> - "m20a.da1"; if visited already - "m20a.da2"
<The 1st class cabin (B Deck)> - "m20a.db1"; if visited already - "m20a.db2"
<The hallway with all the rooms (C Deck)> - "m20a.dc1"; if visited already -
"m20a.dc2"
<Finish searching.> - "m20a.e"

{m20a.ac1}
<The hallway with all the rooms (C Deck)>

Junpei: Let's got back downstairs and check out that hallway with all the
doors. {Author's Note: Yes, let's got back.}

They took off at a run, down the stairs.

(To "m20a.c", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{m20a.ca2}
<The casino (B Deck)>

Junpei: Let's take a look around the casino.
June: Okay. Let's go.

They turned, and headed toward B Deck.
...
There was no one there.
They had no choice--Junpei and June turned around, and headed to a different
location.

<The 1st class cabin (B Deck)> - "m20a.ab1"; if visited already - "m20a.ab2"
<The hallway with all the rooms (C Deck)> - "m20a.ac1"; if visited already -
"m20a.ac2"
<Back to the large hospital room (C Deck)> - "m20a.ad1"; if visited already -
"m20a.ad2"

{m20a.ac2}
<The hallway with all the rooms (C Deck)>

Junpei: Let's got back downstairs and check out that hallway with all the
doors. {Author's Note: Yes, let's got back.}

They took off at a run, down the stairs.
...
There was no sign of anyone.
Snake, of course, was nowhere to be found.
They would have to look somewhere else.
But where?

<The casino (B Deck)> - "m20a.ca1"; if visited already - "m20a.ca2"
<The 1st class cabin (B Deck)> - "m20a.cb1"; if visited already - "m20a.cb2"
<Back to the large hospital room (C Deck)> - "m20a.cd1"; if visited already -
"m20a.cd2"

{m20a.cb2}
<The 1st class cabin (B Deck)>

Junpei: Let's go check out the 1st class cabin.
June: Okay. I'm coming with you.

They turned, and headed toward B Deck.
...
No one was there.
Junpei figured they might have more luck somewhere else.
But where?

<The casino (B Deck)> - "m20a.ba1"; if visited already - "m20a.ba2"
<The hallway with all the rooms (C Deck)> - "m20a.bc1"; if visited already -
"m20a.bc2"
<Back to the large hospital room (C Deck)> - "m20a.bd1"; if visited already -
"m20a.bd2"

{m20a.bc2}
<The hallway with all the rooms (C Deck)>

Junpei: Hey, why don't we go back to C Deck?
Junpei: We can take a look at that hallway with all the rooms.
June: Okay. Let's get going, then.

Together, they ran down the stairs.
...
There was no sign of anyone.
Snake, of course, was nowhere to be found.
They would have to look somewhere else.
But where?

<The casino (B Deck)> - "m20a.ca1"; if visited already - "m20a.ca2"
<The 1st class cabin (B Deck)> - "m20a.cb1"; if visited already - "m20a.cb2"
<Back to the large hospital room (C Deck)> - "m20a.cd1"; if visited already -
"m20a.cd2"

{m20a.cd1}
<Back to the large hospital room (C Deck)> 

Junpei: Why don't we go back to the big hospital room?
June: Okay. Let's go then.

They turned, and headed back toward the large hospital room.

(To "m20a.d", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{m20a.da2}
<The casino (B Deck)>

Junpei: Let's go take a look around the casino.
June: Okay.

They quickened their pace and headed for B Deck.
...
There was no one there.
They had no choice--Junpei and June turned around, and headed to a different
location.

<The 1st class cabin (B Deck)> - "m20a.ab1"; if visited already - "m20a.ab2"
<The hallway with all the rooms (C Deck)> - "m20a.ac1"; if visited already -
"m20a.ac2"
<Back to the large hospital room (C Deck)> - "m20a.ad1"; if visited already -
"m20a.ad2"

{m20a.ad2}
<Back to the large hospital room (C Deck)> 

Junpei: Hey, why don't we go back to the big hospital room?
June: Sure. Let's go.

They took off at a run, down the stairs.
...
There was no one to be seen.
What next...

<The casino (B Deck)> - "m20a.da1"; if visited already - "m20a.da2"
<The 1st class cabin (B Deck)> - "m20a.db1"; if visited already - "m20a.db2"
<The hallway with all the rooms (C Deck)> - "m20a.dc1"; if visited already -
"m20a.dc2"
<Finish searching.> - "m20a.e"

{m20a.db2}
<The 1st class cabin (B Deck)>

Junpei: Why don't we go check out the 1st class cabin?
June: All right. Let's go.

They quickened their pace and headed for B Deck.
...
There was no one there.
Junpei figured they might have more luck somewhere else.
But where?

<The casino (B Deck)> - "m20a.ba1"; if visited already - "m20a.ba2"
<The hallway with all the rooms (C Deck)> - "m20a.bc1"; if visited already -
"m20a.bc2"
<Back to the large hospital room (C Deck)> - "m20a.bd1"; if visited already -
"m20a.bd2"

{m20a.bd2}
<Back to the large hospital room (C Deck)> 

Junpei: Let's head back to the large hospital room.
June: All right. That's probably the best idea.

Together, they ran down the stairs.
...
There was no one to be seen.
What next...

<The casino (B Deck)> - "m20a.da1"; if visited already - "m20a.da2"
<The 1st class cabin (B Deck)> - "m20a.db1"; if visited already - "m20a.db2"
<The hallway with all the rooms (C Deck)> - "m20a.dc1"; if visited already -
"m20a.dc2"
<Finish searching.> - "m20a.e"

{m20a.dc2}
<The hallway with all the rooms (C Deck)>

Junpei: Let's go have a look at the hall with all the rooms.
June: I'll go wherever you do. Let's go.

They quickened their pace and headed for the bow.
...
There was no sign of anyone.
Snake, of course, was nowhere to be found.
They would have to look somewhere else.
But where?

<The casino (B Deck)> - "m20a.ca1"; if visited already - "m20a.ca2"
<The 1st class cabin (B Deck)> - "m20a.cb1"; if visited already - "m20a.cb2"
<Back to the large hospital room (C Deck)> - "m20a.cd1"; if visited already -
"m20a.cd2"

{m20a.d2}
<Walk away without saying anything.>

Junpei turned around and walked away from Santa.
There was nothing he'd learn from talking to him anyway.
Junpei took June and left the large hospital room.

<<Where would they go next?>>

<The casino (B Deck)> - "m20a.da1"; if visited already - "m20a.da2"
<The 1st class cabin (B Deck)> - "m20a.db1"; if visited already - "m20a.db2"
<The hallway with all the rooms (C Deck)> - "m20a.dc1"; if visited already -
"m20a.dc2"
<Finish searching.> - "m20a.e"

{m20a.da1}
<The casino (B Deck)>

Junpei: Let's go take a look around the casino.
June: Okay.

They quickened their pace and headed for B Deck.

(To "m20a.a", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{m20a.a2}
<Refuse and leave.>

Junpei: No, that's all right. Let's go, June.

Junpei tugged June's arm, and lead her quickly back toward the stairs.

June: Was that okay? You don't think we should have listened to her?
Junpei: No, I've got a pretty good idea what her "proposal" would've been.
Junpei: We should be looking for Snake.
June: ...
Junpei: Well, where should we go next...

<The 1st class cabin (B Deck)> - "m20a.ab1"; if visited already - "m20a.ab2"
<The hallway with all the rooms (C Deck)> - "m20a.ac1"; if visited already -
"m20a.ac2"
<Back to the large hospital room (C Deck)> - "m20a.ad1"; if visited already -
"m20a.ad2"

{m20a.db1}
<The 1st class cabin (B Deck)>

Junpei: Why don't we go check out the 1st class cabin?
June: All right. Let's go.

They quickened their pace and headed for B Deck.

(To "m20a.b", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{m20a.b2}
<Leave her alone.>

Something told Junpei that Clover probably wasn't in much of a mood to talk.
He leaned over and whispered quietly to June.

Junpei: Maybe we should leave her alone...
June: Yes... I think you're right...

They turned, and walked quietly down the stairs.
Clover had driven home the misery of their situation, but Junpei told himself
that getting depressed would get him nowhere but depressed.
For Clover's sake, they had to find Snake, and fast.
He did his best to push away the misery and depression, and forced a smile.

Junpei: So, where do you think we should go next?

<The casino (B Deck)> - "m20a.ba1"; if visited already - "m20a.ba2"
<The hallway with all the rooms (C Deck)> - "m20a.bc1"; if visited already -
"m20a.bc2"
<Back to the large hospital room (C Deck)> - "m20a.bd1"; if visited already -
"m20a.bd2"

{m20a.bc1}
<The hallway with all the rooms (C Deck)>

Junpei: Hey, why don't we go back to C Deck?
Junpei: We can take a look at that hallway with all the rooms.
June: Okay. Let's get going, then.

Together, they ran down the stairs.

(To "m20a.c", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{m20a.c2}
<Let Ace handle it.>

Junpei: Why don't we just leave this area to Ace. We can go somewhere else.
June: I don't mind...
June: But...where?
Junpei: Well...let's see...

<The casino (B Deck)> - "m20a.ca1"; if visited already - "m20a.ca2"
<The 1st class cabin (B Deck)> - "m20a.cb1"; if visited already - "m20a.cb2"
<Back to the large hospital room (C Deck)> - "m20a.cd1"; if visited already -
"m20a.cd2"

{m20a.cd2}
<Back to the large hospital room (C Deck)> 

Junpei: Why don't we go back to the big hospital room?
June: Okay. Let's go then.

They turned, and headed back toward the large hospital room.
...
There was no one to be seen.
What next...

<The casino (B Deck)> - "m20a.da1"; if visited already - "m20a.da2"
<The 1st class cabin (B Deck)> - "m20a.db1"; if visited already - "m20a.db2"
<The hallway with all the rooms (C Deck)> - "m20a.dc1"; if visited already -
"m20a.dc2"
<Finish searching.> - "m20a.e"

{m20a.ba1}
<The casino (B Deck)>

Junpei: How about the casino?
June: Let's go take a look.

They turned, and headed off down the hallway to their right at a jog.

(To "m20a.a", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{m20a.ad1}
<Back to the large hospital room (C Deck)> 

Junpei: Hey, why don't we go back to the big hospital room?
June: Sure. Let's go.

They took off at a run, down the stairs.

(To "m20a.d", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{m20a.d4}
<Lotus>

Junpei: You think maybe it was Lotus? They say the 1st person at the scene is
the most suspicious...
Santa: Hm... Yeah, that's possible.
Santa: You don't have anything else to suggest she did it, though. You might as
well just suspect everybody.

Junpei furrowed his brow.

(To "m20a.d9", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{m20a.dc1}
<The hallway with all the rooms (C Deck)>

Junpei: Let's go have a look at the hall with all the rooms.
June: I'll go wherever you do. Let's go.

They quickened their pace and headed for the bow.

(To "m20a.c", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{m20a.cb1}
<The 1st class cabin (B Deck)>

Junpei: Let's go check out the 1st class cabin.
June: Okay. I'm coming with you.

They turned, and headed toward B Deck.

(To "m20a.b", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{m20a.bd1}
<Back to the large hospital room (C Deck)> 

Junpei: Let's head back to the large hospital room.
June: All right. That's probably the best idea.

Together, they ran down the stairs.

(To "m20a.d", replacing quotations with braces {} )


{m20a.d5}
<Zero>

Junpei: I think it was probably Zero.
Santa: Why?
Junpei: Isn't that obvious? He's the guy who set this whole thing up.
Santa: You don't think that should mean the opposite? Seems to me like that
means he didn't do it.
Santa: I mean, who do you think took that stuff out in the 1st place?
Junpei: Probably Zero.
Santa: Yeah, exactly.
Santa: Then why the hell would he put them back in, after he'd taken them out
himself?
Santa: It just doesn't make sense.
Santa: Why do all that work?
Junpei: ...
Santa: ...
Junpei: Yeah... I guess that makes sense.
Santa: So what happened then? Who put that stuff back in the REDs?

Junpei furrowed his brow.

(To "m20a.d9", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{m20a.ca1}
<The casino (B Deck)>

Junpei: Let's take a look around the casino.
June: Okay. Let's go.

They turned, and headed toward B Deck.

(To "m20a.a", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{m20a.d6}
<Someone other than the 8 of them.>

Junpei: Maybe there's someone else on this ship with us.
Santa: You mean someone hiding here?
Junpei: Yeah. Well, I mean, it's just an idea.
Santa: And you're saying this mystery person fixed the REDs?
Junpei: Yeah.
Santa: Why?
Junpei: That's... Um... I don't know.

Santa shoved his hands into his pockets and cracked his knuckles.

Santa: Seems unlikely.
Junpei: Why?
Santa: I dunno, just a feeling. Hard to believe Zero'd bring in a secret 10th
player.
Santa: I mean, the name of the game is "The Nonary Game", for Christ's sake.
Santa: You know what "nonary" means, right? It means "9".
Junpei: No, that's not what I meant.
Junpei: I mean more like someone who's been living here for a long time.
Junpei: Or someone who...like...stayed here...
Santa: Seriously? That's even more ridiculous.
Santa: Why do you think Zero would leave them alone?

Junpei furrowed his brow.

(To "m20a.d9", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{m20d.e}
<Finish searching.>

They looked everywhere they could think of, but Snake was nowhere to be found.
...
...
Lotus looked around at 6 frustrated faces and spoke.

Lotus: We can't keep looking for Snake. Wherever he is, it's not here. We need
to get moving.

Junpei couldn't disagree with what she was saying.
Snake seemed to have completely disappeared.
There was no point to wasting any more time.
The others seemed to be having similar thoughts, but they stayed silent.
Finally, Seven spoke.

Seven: We don't got a choice... Lotus is right.
Seven: We're not gonna find Snake.
Seven: There's a problem, though.
Seven: We've gotta figure out who's gonna go through which door.
Lotus: Yes. I have a proposal.

She walked back and forth across the floor, her heels clicking against the
wood.
Finally, she stopped.

Lotus: Why don't we decide on 1 person to sacrifice?
Santa: Sacrifice?!
Lotus: Well, perhaps that's a bit of a harsh word, but yes.
Lotus: You've all figured it out by now, haven't you? We can't all make it
through those doors.
Lotus: If we split into 2 teams, of 4 and 3 people respectively, then 3 people
will be left behind.
Lotus: If we split into 2 teams, of 5 and 2 people respectively, then 2 people
will be left behind.
Lotus: But, if we split into 2 groups of 3, and leave 1 person out, then only 1
person will be left behind.
* <<Leaving behind 3 people with 2 teams of 4 and 3...>>

<Not sure.> - "m20a.f1"
<She was right.> - "m20a.f2"

{m20a.f1}
<Not sure.>

Junpei wasn't quite sure that was true.

Junpei: Wait a minute.
Lotus: ?
Junpei: 2 people get left behind if we split into 5 and 2.
Junpei: And 1 person is left behind if we split into 3, 3, and 1.
Junpei: I got that part. You can't go through the numbered doors with any less
than 3 people.
Junpei: But if we split into 4 and 3, then why do 3 people have to be left
behind?
Lotus: Just run the numbers.
Lotus: Let's say we go through door [7] with (1456).
Lotus: Who's left over?
Junpei: That would be (378).
Lotus: What's the digital root for that?
Junpei: (3 + 7 + 8 = 18), so add (1) and (8)...(9).
Lotus: Exactly.  But door [9] isn't here, right?
Lotus: That means (378) won't be going anywhere.
Lotus: That was just an example, of course.
Lotus: There are a lot of different combinations, but the result will always be
the same.
Lotus: It doesn't matter which 4 it is--the 3 that are left over can't go
through any of the doors.
Lotus: Go ahead and calculate it, if you have the time. You'll see.
Junpei: ...
Lotus: Anyway, that's how it is.
Lotus: Now, if we can get back to my proposal...
Lotus: We only have to sacrifice 1 person if we split into 3, 3, and 1.

(To "m20a.f3", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{m20a.f2}
<She was right.>

It wasn't pleasant, but she was right.
There wasn't any way that the numbers worked out... If one group was 4, the
other group would always have a digital root that didn't match a door.

(To "m20a.f3", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{m20a.f3}

When Seven spoke, his voice was strained.

Seven: Then... You're saying we gotta decide who's gonna stay behind?
Lotus: Yes, we do.
Lotus: Given our circumstances, it's logically and morally the best solution.
Lotus: If the other 6 are to survive, then 1 person has to sacrifice
themselves.
June: No! That's too cruel!
Lotus: What's so cruel about it?!
June: To...to just sacrifice someone like that...
Lotus: Then what's your plan?!
Lotus: Maybe we should sacrifice 2 people, instead of just 1!
June: That's not what I meant!
June: We shouldn't sacrifice anyone!
Lotus: I told you, that's impossible!
Lotus: Wake up!
Santa: Whoa, whoa, calm down you 2.

Santa stepped between Lotus and June.

Santa: Look, what Lotus is trying to say is that you should aim to bring the
greatest amount of happiness to the greatest amount of people, right?
Lotus: Exactly. That's how democracy works.
Lotus: And for that reason, I think the only fair way to decide who'll be
sacrificed is through a vote.
Lotus: What do you think?
June: No, that's terrible.
Lotus: I'm not asking you! Shut up!
Lotus: What about you, Santa?
Santa: Me? Well...I agree, I guess.
Lotus: All right, that's 1 vote for. Counting mine, that's 2.
Lotus: Seven?
Seven: I can't say I agree with you, but...
Seven: We don't exactly have a choice.
Seven: If we don't do somethin', we're all gonna die.
Lotus: Glad to see you get it.
Lotus: If I can get 1 more vote, then it's decided.
Lotus: What about you, Clover?

Clover had moved away from the group, and was sitting on one of the beds.
Her whole body drooped. Junpei didn't know if she'd even heard Lotus's
proposal.
Lotus walked over to Clover, and gently laid a hand on her shoulder.

Lotus: Your brother has to be behind 1 of the numbered doors.
Lotus: We searched everywhere, but we didn't find him. Doesn't that mean he has
to have gone through 1 of them somehow?

Clover slowly lifted her face.

Lotus: Let's go look for him together, okay?
Lotus: If we sacrifice 1 person, then we can go look for him.
Lotus: You...agree with me, right?

Clover nodded once.

Lotus: *Giggle* The motion carries.

Lotus spun around, and walked toward Junpei.

Lotus: Now, let's start a vote to--
Ace: That won't be necessary.

Ace had barely spoken for Lotus's entire speech, and everyone jumped a little.
6 pairs of eyes turned to look at him.
He didn't seem to notice, or even care.

Ace: I will stay. That should solve our problem, yes?
Santa: !
Clover: !
Seven: !
Junpei: !
June: A-Ace! What are you saying?!
June: No, you can't do that! That won't solve anything!

June's voice shook, and she looked around desperately for someone to agree with
her.
Ace simply looked at her.

Ace: June, I'm afraid you may have misunderstood me.
Ace: I said I would stay, but I never said I would sacrifice myself.
June: ...Huh?
Ace: I trust you, each and every one of you. I believe you'll come back for me.
Seven: Whoa whoa whoa, there's optimistic and then there's just nuts.
Seven: Those doors only go 1 way--you go in, you don't come out.
Seven: If we go through 'em--
Ace: You won't be able to return, correct?
Seven: Yeah.
Ace: True, but that will not be the case once you've escaped from the ship.
Seven: What...?
Ace: Please, I beg you, once you've escaped, come back and rescue me.
Ace: Ideally within the time limit Zero has given us...
Junpei: No, that's ridiculous! There's no way we could get back in time!

Finally, Junpei could hold his tongue no longer.

Junpei: We've only got 5 hours left.
Junpei: We don't even know where the hell we are.
Junpei: How on Earth are we gonna find someone to come and rescue you?!
Ace: Then perhaps you would prefer to stay, instead of me?
Ace: Or perhaps you would be willing to leave June behind?

Ace's voice was dignified, and without a hint of cruelty or malice. 
Junpei had no rebuttal.

Ace: You see? There's no other choice.
Ace: Then I see we've come to our conclusion.
Ace: Go on. Don't worry yourselves about me.
Ace: Go, quickly!

Junpei stood frozen by indecision, unable to move.
June bit her lip so hard that Junpei feared she would break the skin.
Santa stood against a wall, calm and aloof.
Seven tore his beanie from his head, and turned it over anxiously in his hands.
Only Clover stared at Ace, with an expression Junpei was unable to decipher.
Lotus's attitude, however, was different from the others.

Lotus: Good. Let's accept his kind offer, then.

She smiled, her eyes bright.
Ace answered with a smile of his own.

Ace: Good. I think this is the best for me.
Ace: Perhaps I'll be able to take a nap.
Ace: Perhaps it's my age, but I get tired so easily these days.

As he spoke, Ace lowered himself down to the floor next to one of the beds.
From somewhere deep in the ship, Junpei suddenly heard the screeching of metal
on metal.
It was almost as if the ship were screaming.
Would it really hold until their time limit was up?
Already, D Deck was flooded...
In the sudden silence, the only sound was the sad metal wail of the ship.
Unsurprisingly, it was Lotus who spoke first.

Lotus: Well, what are you waiting for?
Lotus: We're wasting time. Why don't we hurry it up?

As if a spell had been broken, the others all began to talk at once.

Seven: You're right. We should get goin'. That's all we can do right now.
June: Seven...
Santa: Seriously. Honestly, I was getting kinda sick of listening to you guys
talk.
June: You too, Santa...?
Clover: I...I have to find my brother...
June: W-Wait! All of you! Let's just calm down and think about this!
June: There has to be a way to get everyone out! There has to be!
June: R-Right, Jumpy?! Say something!
Junpei: Y-Yeah, let's think... There's...gotta be another way...

His words sounded hollow and fake...

June: Fine! Forget about it! I'll figure it out on my own!

She spun around, and ran toward Ace.
He had slumped down next to the bed when June grabbed his arm and pulled.

June: C'mon, Ace, please stand up! You can't give up yet!
June: We just have to sit down together and think about this! We'll figure out
a way that we can all get out of here!

Then it happened.
Ace fell forward.
He slumped over onto the wooden floor, his body folded in half like a boxer out
cold.

June: Ace!

June cried out and dropped to her knees beside him.
She put her arm around his neck and did her best to lift him up.

June: What happened, Ace?! Say something!

She shook him, frantically.
His eyes fluttered open.

Ace: I'm all right...

His voice was weak, and slightly slurred.

June: How are you...fine?
Ace: This...

He held out his left arm, and slowly opened his hand...
In it was a syringe, and a small vial.
The vial was empty.
It had only recently been emptied--a few drops clung to the sides.
There was a label taped to the side of the container...
It read [Soporil-Beta].
"Soporil...Beta"...?
Junpei had no idea what it meant, or what kind of medicine it might be.

June: Did...did you use this?!
Ace: Yes... It's just...anesthetic... I'll be...fine...
June: Anesthetic?
Ace: I found it...earlier...
Ace: While we were searching the...hospital rooms...
Ace: I thought it might be useful...later...
Ace: Ha... I didn't think I'd be...using it on...myself...
June: Why did you do this...?
Ace: Didn't I...tell you? I'd like to take a...nap...
Ace: I really am...very tired...

Junpei knew that wasn't why he'd done it.
Ace had injected himself with anesthetic to forestall Junpei and June's
attempts to bring him along.
If he couldn't move, there was nothing they could do.
He'd injected himself so that they would be forced to leave him behind.

June: Ace...
Ace: Hm...? Is there something you want to...say?
Ace: I'd just like to sleep...a little... Could you...keep it down...?
June: No! Don't, Ace! Don't fall asleep!
Ace: Ah...you feel...warm...
Ace: So...comfortable...
Ace: I think I'll have...a nice...dream...

Ace's eyelids drooped further and further...
Almost as though he were...dying...

June: Ace! Ace!

She shook his shoulder, again and again...
But this time, he didn't respond.
Only the gentle rising and falling of his chest told them he was alive.
Junpei was relieved to see he was, in fact, still breathing.
He lifted Ace up off the floor, and laid him on the bed he'd been leaning
against.
When Junpei turned around, Lotus gave him a look of pity.

Lotus: Well, we really don't have a choice now.
Lotus: We can't let his sacrifice go to waste.
Lotus: ...Right?

She wasn't feeling any remorse, Junpei was sure of that.
Still, he held no grounds upon which to oppose her.
It felt wrong, but he had to agree.
Then suddenly, Santa spoke.

Santa: Yeah, but we're not done choosing yet, are we?
Lotus: Huh? What do you mean?
Santa: Well, we haven't decided who's going in what door.
Lotus: Ah, yes. Yes, that's true.
Santa: Well, enough of this screwin' around. Let's decide.
Santa: You 1st Lotus. Which door do you want?
Lotus: I...um...I want door number [8].
Lotus: It's the same number as my bracelet number.
Santa: Got it. You're [8].
Santa: You're next, Seven. Which one do you want?
Seven: I'll take [7]. I can't get along with that old lady.
Lotus: What?! What did you just say!?

Her face distorted by rage, Lotus took a step toward Seven.
He threw up his hands, and made a face like a child caught with his hand in the
cookie jar.

Lotus: Ugh! You're going to get it next time!

She shot him a glare that would have melted steel, then turned and stalked off.

Santa: All right, who's next...

Santa's gaze moved across the 3 people left.
Finally, they stopped on Junpei.

Santa: Junpei, which door do you want?

At last...
Junpei's mind was already made up.

<Door [3]> - "m20a.f4"
<Door [7]> - "a21b.a1"
<Door [8]> - "&&&.a1"

{m20a.f4}
<Door [3]>

Junpei: I want to go through door number [3].
Santa: No. You can't.
Santa: Huh? Why?
Santa: Because it's impossible.
Santa: If we split ourselves into 3 and 3, then we give up on going through
door [3].
Junpei: Why...?
Santa: The bracelet numbers for the 6 of us are (345678).
Santa: There are 2 combinations that can go through door [3] with 3 people:
(345) or (678).
Santa: That's it.
Santa: Of course, 2 teams can't go through the same door.
Junpei: I see... That means 1 team would get left behind.
Santa: That's right.
Junpei: That doesn't happen if we go through door [7] or [8]?
Santa: No, they're fine. We've got 3 options.

Santa began to explain.
 --Plan A-- 
Go through door [7] with (358), and
go through door [8] with (467).
 --Plan B-- 
Go through door [7] with (457), and
go through door [8] with (368).
 --Plan C-- 
Go through door [7] with (367), and
go through door [8] with (458).

Santa: Those are the only 3 options. That's it.
Santa: At least, if we want to get all 6 of us out of here.

That was when Junpei realized...
Plan A divides into 2 teams:
(358) and (467).
Plan B divides into 2 teams:
(457) and (368).
Plan C divides into 2 teams:
(367) and (458).
There was one thing they all had in common...
In every single combination, (5) and (6) were never on the same team.
In other words, if all 6 people were to move forward, [Junpei and June would be
separated].
June and Junpei had been friends when they were kids. He trusted her more than
anyone else on the ship.
If he chose [7] or [8] he'd be taken away from her.
Was that something he was prepared to do...?
...

Santa: Anyway, that's the deal, so think it over.
Santa: You've got 2 choices: [7] or [8].
Santa: You can't choose [3].
Santa: If you choose [3], you're gonna be leaving 3 people behind to die.
Santa: So, what're you gonna do?
Santa: [7] or [8]. Time to choose.

Junpei thought hard.

* <<After thinking it over his conclusion was...>>

<Door [7]> - "a21b.a2"
<Door [8]> - "&&&.a2"
<Take the risk and choose door [3].> - "&&&.a1"

{a21b.a2} File #13
<Door [7]>

Junpei: Okay, okay.  Fine...
Junpei: I'll go with door [7].
Santa: Okay... So, [7].
Junpei: Yeah.
Santa: All right then, that means June's gotta go through [8].
June: ...Huh? Why?

June's face was blank and confused.
Santa muttered to himself and turned to Junpei.

Santa: Junpei, you figured it out, right? Can you explain it to her?

Junpei chose his words carefully.
...
When Junpei finally finished, June looked as though she was about to cry.

(To "a21b.a", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{a21b.a1}
<Door [7]>

Junpei: I...
Junpei: I think... I'm gonna go with door [7].
Santa: Okay. [7] it is.
Junpei: Yeah.
Santa: All right then, that means June's gotta go through [8].
June: What?! Why?!
Junpei: What...?

Santa grimaced, and muttered angrily to himself, but finally began to explain.

Santa: If the 6 of us are gonna keep going without leaving anyone behind...
Santa: ...There're only 3 ways we can do it.

 --Plan A--
Go through [7] with (358), and 
go through [8] with (467).
 --Plan B--
Go through [7] with (457), and
go through [8] with (368).
 --Plan C--
Go through [7] with (367), and
go through [8] with (458).

Santa: ...And that's it. Those are our only options.
Santa: In other words, 3 & 4 and 7 & 8 can never go through the same doors.
Santa: You get it now?

As Santa finished, June looked over at Junpei, tears welling up at the corners
of her eyes.

(To "a21b.a", continued below)

{a21b.a}

June: Oh no...
June: You're saying we aren't going to see each other again for a long time...

Junpei felt just as June did. He wanted to be at her side through whatever
trials they were preparing to face.
But he knew if they were to survive, he had to swallow his feelings.
In order for the 6 of them to move forward, he and June had to be separated.
He looked at June. He was scared to lose her, but... He swallowed, steeled his
resolve, and did his best to smile.

Junpei: Hey, c'mon, you're making it sound like we're never gonna see each
other again.
Junpei: We gotta split up, but only for a while.
Junpei: This is just like when we went into the [4] and [5] doors, remember?
Junpei: We got split up then too, but we all met back up.
Junpei: I'll bet [7] and [8] are just like that.
June: You mean they're connected somewhere?
Junpei: Yeah... Probably...
June: ...Probably?

She didn't sound very hopeful.
It was Seven that interjected.

Seven: I'm sure they're gonna connect somewhere.
June: Why...? What makes you think so?
Seven: If they don't connect...
Seven: Neither team can get through door [9].
Seven: In other words, the game would end right here.
Seven: Zero's been on top of his shit so far.
Seven: I don't think he'd blow it now.
Seven: I'm damn sure that son of a bitch wants to have his fun as long as
possible.
Seven: He's not gonna end this game until we get through the [9] door.

June said nothing.
The tears were gone, but her eyes were still sad as they looked at Junpei.
He met them, and with what reassurance he could manage, laid his hand gently on
her shoulder.

Junpei: Everything's gonna be fine. We're gonna see each other again. I
promise.

June bit her lip and gave him an almost imperceptable nod.

June: Yes... Promise...?

Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Santa's voice shattered the moment.

Santa: *Yawn* ...You guys are done, right?

He stretched and continued.

Santa: Anyway, that's pretty much it.
Santa: Clover and I will both go into separate groups.
Santa: I figure I'll take [8], and Clover can take [7].
Santa: Any problems with that, Clover?

Clover looked away, and was silent for a moment.

Clover: Whatever...

It was more of a dismissal than an agreement, but Santa didn't seem to care.

Santa: All right, we're ready to go then.
Santa: Let's move!

At Santa's command, the group split, and headed for their respective doors.
Clover, Seven, and Junpei walked toward door [7]...
Santa, Lotus, and June headed for door [8].
For a long moment, they stood in front of the door.
Seven took a deep breath.

Seven: You guys ready?
Junpei: Yeah...
Clover: Yes...
Seven: Okay. Let's go.

The door had opened. A narrow hallway stretched out before them.
Seven and Clover leapt through the door.
The moment they did, their bracelets beeped.
The detonators in the bracelets had been activated.
Junpei stepped forward to follow them...
But as he was about to step over the threshold, he stopped.
He looked to his right... Toward door [8]...
June stood there, a mirror image of Junpei.
She turned and looked toward him.
Their eyes met. They nodded.
Their farewell took almost 1.5 seconds.
Then someone took hold of Junpei's arms, and hauled him bodily through the
door.
He heard the sound of the numbered door slam shut behind him.
His bracelet gave a cold, electronic beep.

Seven: Only 81 seconds left!
Seven: No time to waste, guys! Let's get movin'!

Seven lead the way down the hallway.
Junpei and Clover followed him, as fast as they could.
After what seemed like far more than 81 seconds, they reached the end of the
hall.
To the left of a wooden door they found the DEAD.
There was no time to rest, or catch their breath.
All 3 slammed their hands, in quick succession, over the scanner panel on the
DEAD.

Seven: *Pant* *Pant* *Pant*...
Clover: *Pant*... *Pant*... *Pant*...
Junpei: *Pant*... *Pant*... *Pant*...

Still trying to catch his breath, Seven leaned heavily against the wall.

Seven: It...stopped...  It stopped...
Seven: Haha...Haha...HAHAHAHHAHAHA...

His smile seemed forced, and a little crooked.

Seven: This is the 2nd time we've gone through one of these numbered doors,
but...
Seven: *Phew* You never really get used to it...

He stood up straight, no longer out of breath, and wiped some of the sweat from
his head and neck.
Clover smirked at him.

Clover: I would'a thought a guy your size would have bigger balls than that.
Seven: What!? What the hell did you just say!? Say it again. I dare you!
Clover: YOU HAVE NO--
Seven: Y-You little--... You wanna die?
Clover: I'd like to see you try!
Seven: You fucking brat... All right, let's go!
Junpei: Hey, hey, calm down guys. This isn't the time for...uh...this.
Junpei: It's not gonna do us any good.
Seven: Hmph.
Clover: Ugh.
Junpei: Gosh...

Junpei sighed...
Sometimes, he wondered if the doors and the puzzles were really the greatest
challenge they faced...

Junpei: Wait here for a minute, all right? I'm gonna go see if there're any
other doors.

They didn't respond, but Junpei wasn't in the mood for a conversation anyway.
First, he examined the inner part of the numbered door. It was, of course, shut
tight.
On the left was a single short hallway that terminated almost immediately at a
thick iron wall. Junpei doubted the wall could be moved.
At last, he gave up, and returned to Seven, who was tapping lightly on the
wooden door.

Seven: This door's the only option we've got, right?
Junpei: Yeah, looks like it.

There was a metal plaque bolted above the door.
It read [Operating Room].
If it was to be believed, the room on the other side of the door was an
[operating room].
Something about it made Junpei feel...nervous...

Seven: Well, there's no point to standin' around.
Seven: Might as well go in and see what's waitin' for us.

Seven grabbed the brass knob, and slowly opened the door.
The creak of the hinge sounded like the groan of an old woman.
A chill snaked its way down Junpei's spine.
Quickly, he gathered what courage he could, and took the first step into the
room.
Seven followed, with Clover right behind him.
Part of the room just past the door was obscured by a screen.
Clover's curiosity got the better of her, and she darted past Junpei to peer
around the screen.

Clover: Eyyyyyyyaaaaagh!

Her scream nearly blew out Junpei's eardrums.
He and Seven ran toward Clover, to see what had frightened her.
They rounded the screen, and the cause of her outburst was immediately clear...

Seven: Wh-What the hell is this?!
Junpei: Is...is this a corpse!?

It was something that looked...kind of like a human, lying across some sort of
bed.
...No, not a bed. An operating table.
The table sat on a rusty steel lift, and a cluster of bright operating lights
shown down on it from the ceiling.
Slowly, they approached.
As they got closer to the body, it became clear that it wasn't a body at all.

Junpei: What the hell... That's just a huge doll or something...
Clover: A...d-doll...?

Clover did not look terribly comforted.
Slowly, she approached the operating table and looked, as intently as possible,
from as far away as possible, at the thing.

Clover: *Phew*

Junpei could see her relax.

Clover: You're right... It's only a doll...
Clover: Man, it really scared me...

She heaved a great sigh of relief, and wiped a few drops of sweat from her
forehead.
Seven smirked.

Seven: Heh... Well, I guess it would'a been weird if you actually had any
balls.
Clover: Shut it! Don't you start with me, fatty!
Seven: Oh, what's this? You want a piece of me, short stuff?
Clover: Yeah, bring it on, you whale!
Junpei: Hey, guys...not again, okay...? Seriously, knock it off.
Seven: Hrm.
Clover: Hmph.

Junpei sighed, and shook his head.

Junpei: Anyway, it looks like he's got something the 2 of you could stand to
have a little more of...
Junpei: ...I'm talking about a heart.
Seven: Huh? Oh, this? You mean on his chest?
Junpei: Yeah.

It was set a little higher than normal for a human body, but from the shape of
the organ, there could be no doubt that it was a heart.

Clover: Why would there be a heart in a doll...?
Junpei: I don't think it's a doll.
Clover: You think maybe it's, like, a medical mannequin or something?
Seven: Or maybe it's got more...personal uses...?

Seven's grin was more than a little perverted.
Clover glared at him.

Junpei: Anyway... How about we take a look around this place? Let's go!
Clover: Okay...
Seven: Sure thing.

===============SEEK A WAY OUT!===============
::Operating room::
=============================================
{a21} File #12
Plot points within this section:
-[All-Ice]: "a21d.a"
-Locke's Socks and the Ship of Theseus: "a21d.b"
( To skip to a story segment, search for "a21.#" replacing quotations with
braces {} )
( Next story segment is "a21.e" )
=============================================

MAP:
[#]: Screen #
<#>: Screen # that you start on
|, =, /, \ : Room Connections
v: Returns to the previous room
Screens to the left and right can be reached by arrow.

                  Beaker
                    [B]  
                   /   \
                  [9]=[A]
                   |
                  [8]   [C]
                   |     |
                  [7]   [6]
                    \   /
         <1>=[2]=[3]=[4]=[5] -> (to 1)
                                      

{Screen 1, Operating Table, John}

<Examine Operating Table, 1>
Clover: An operating table...
Clover: Do you think old operating tables looked like this?
Junpei: I have no idea...
<Examine Operating Table, 2+>
* It's an old operating table. The medical mannequin is lying on it.

<Examine Operating Table Scale, 1>
Clover: Hey... I wonder what this thing is...
Clover: It says kg on the display...
Seven: You think maybe it's a scale?
<Examine Operating Table Scale, 2>
Seven: Huh? There's some sorta lid on this thing...
Clover: Why don't you try opening it?
Seven: Can't. There's no handle.
Seven: I can't get under it with my nails either...
<Examine Operating Table Scale, 3+>
* There's something that looks like it could be a scale next to the operating
table.
* It has something that looks like a lid on the front of it.
<Examine Operating Table Scale after solving puzzle, 1>
Junpei: Huh? The lid on the scale...
Junpei: Hey, it opened!
Junpei: Oh...I get it! It must've opened because we matched John's weight to
what's on the chart!
<Examine Operating Table Scale after opening before taking key, 1+>
* There's something in the part that's sticking out.
<Examine Operating Table Scale after opening after taking key, 1+>
* There's nothing left on the scale.

<Examine Mannequin, 1>
Clover: These dolls are really kinda creepy, you know...
Seven: Hey, it says something here...
Junpei: "John"...?
Clover: You think that's this doll's name?
Junpei: Maybe?
Clover: This thing is creepy...
Seven: I wonder why it's on the bed...
<Examine Mannequin after examining Lucy, 1>
Clover: This doll over here looks like a woman.
Seven: You mean Lucy?
Clover: Yeah.
Junpei: Hey, this thing says something too...
Junpei: It says..."John".
Seven: Miss Lucy over here has only got a head and a left arm.
Seven: Looks like John's still got all his parts, though.
Seven: What the hell's goin' on here...
<Examine Mannequin, 2+>
* A creepy medical mannequin is lying on the bed.
* Apparently, his name is "John".
<Examine Mannequin after solving puzzle, 1>
Seven: Hey, Junpei, look at the scale!
<Examine Mannequin after solving puzzle, 2+>
* John can't talk. There's something suspicious about the scale...
<Examine Mannequin after taking Jupiter key, 1>
Clover: Do you think John is still John...even if parts of his body are
switched?
Junpei: Uh... What the hell are you talking about?
Clover: Oh, nothing. Don't worry about it.
<Examine Mannequin after taking Jupiter key, 2>
* John looks like he might know the answer, but he's not telling.
<Examine Mannequin after taking Jupiter key, 3+>
* Goodbye, John. See you around...

<Examine Cloth, 1+>
* A white cloth.

{Screen 2, Measuring Tool Table and Lucy Mannequin}

<Examine Measuring Tool Table before taking forceps, 1>
Clover: They use these for surgery, right?
Clover: Let's see... Syringes...cups...a plate...
Clover: There's a sort of scissor-ish thingy...
<Examine Measuring Tool Table before taking forceps, 1>
* There are a bunch of surgical tools on the table. One of them looks kind of
like a pair of scissors.
<Examine Measuring Tool Table after taking forceps, 1+>
* A bunch of surgical tools.
<Examine Measuring Tool Table from distance after taking forceps, 1>
* That's a lot of tools.
<Examine Measuring Tool Table from distance after taking forceps, 2+>
* A bunch of surgical tools. None of them look very useful.
<Examine Measuring Tool Table from distance after retrieving Jupiter key, 1>
Seven: Hey, Junpei! What are you doing? Let's go!
<Examine Measuring Tool Table from distance after retrieving Jupiter key, 2+>
* That's a lot of tools.

<Examine Heater, 1>
Seven: What's this thing? It's got these short iron legs...
Clover: Maybe it's a heater...?
Junpei: There's nothing inside it.
<Examine Heater, 2+>
* Looks like it's probably a heater. There's nothing in it.

<Examine Pipes, 1>
Clover: There's a pipe going outside.
<Examine Pipes, 2>
Clover: There's a pipe going outside.
Junpei: Hey, I know! Let's go through that pipe and escape!
Clover: Are you nuts? What the hell is wrong with you?
Clover: Junpei, are you flexible like an octopus or something?
<Examine Pipes, 3>
* There's a pipe going outside.
* Since we're not octopi, we can't go through that.
<Examine Pipes, 4+>
* There's a pipe going outside.

<Examine Operating Table, 1>
Seven: This bed doesn't look very comfortable.
<Examine Operating Table, 2+>
* An old, hard bed.

<Examine Operating Table Scale, 1>
* There's some kinda device attached to the bed.
* It says kg on the panel...
Junpei: Is this...a scale?
<Examine Operating Table Scale, 2+>
* There's something that appears to be a scale attached to the bed.
<Examine Operating Table Scale after solving puzzle, 1+>
* A scale. The display now shows 53.2 kg.

<Examine Mannequin, Incomplete, 1>
Clover: Another...medical mannequin...?
Seven: From the looks of it, this one's a chick.
Clover: She has a name too...
Junpei: "Lucy"...
Seven: Poor thing...
Seven: Looks like Miss Lucy only has a head and a left arm.
Clover: Maybe we're supposed to gather all her parts?
<Examine Mannequin, Incomplete, 2+>
* Lucy's head and left arm are sitting on the bed.
* Maybe something will happen if we gather all of her body parts.
<Examine Mannequin, after gathering all parts, 1>
Junpei: Okay... So we've collected the 6 parts of the medical mannequin...
Junpei: So you think these, uh...parts here go to this...um...
Clover: Oh, you mean Lucy?
Clover: That's her name, I think.
Clover: See, it says "Lucy" right here.
Junpei: Oh, yeah. Right.
Seven: That table over there says "John".
Junpei: Hmm...
Junpei: Well, it doesn't look like John is missing any of his parts...
Junpei: ...So the one's we've got must be for Lucy. Right? {Author's Note:
Extra apostrophe after "one" is probably a typo}
Clover: Yeah.
Seven: Seems like it.
Junpei: Well, I say we give Lucy her parts back.
Junpei: Any objections?
Clover: Nope.
Seven: Agreed.
Junpei: All right, let's get started.
Junpei: COMBINE!
<Examine Mannequin, Complete, 1>
Clover: Hey... Nothing happened.
Seven: That's odd...
Junpei: Maybe it's the wrong weight?
Clover: Weight?
Junpei: Yeah, well, you know how there's a scale on the side of the bed?
Junpei: Maybe...
Junpei: We need to get the scale to a specific number.
Seven: ...How're we gonna do that?
Junpei: I think we're supposed to swap her body parts with John's.
Clover: Oh...
Junpei: Let's give it a shot.
[Operating Instructions]
The screen below displays 2 medical mannequins.
You can switch their body parts by touching the part you want to switch out,
and then the part you want to switch in.
<Examine Mannequin, after solving puzzle, 1+>
* Lucy is lying quietly on the bed.

<Solve Mannequin Puzzle, 1>
Seven: Hey Junpei, I just heard something!
Seven: It came from John's operating table!
Seven: We better check it out.

<Go "Back" from Mannequin without reaching correct weight, 1>
Junpei: No dice. I think if we knew the weight of each part, we could figure it
out...
<Go "Back" from Mannequin without reaching correct weight, 2>
Clover: Junpei, are you looking at that medical record? You gotta use your
hints, or you're never gonna figure it out.
Junpei: You're right. Maybe I oughta take a look at that thing...
<Go "Back" from Mannequin without reaching correct weight, 3>
Clover: This says Lucy weighs [51] kg, right?
Clover: If you add up everything on her medical record, it's only [21].
Clover: [51 - 21 = 30]. So then that means the head and arms are 30 kg.
Junpei: The head and arms are 30kg, huh...
<Go "Back" from Mannequin without reaching correct weight, 4>
Clover: On Lucy's medical record it says [53.2] kg, but the head and left arm
don't move, right?
Clover: [53.2 - 30 = 23.2]. That's how much the rest of her body weighs.
Clover: So basically, we need to make Lucy's weight equal to [23.2] kg.
Junpei: Right, we need to get Lucy's parts to weigh [23.2] kg. All we've gotta
do is a little calculation...
<Go "Back" from Mannequin without reaching correct weight, 5+>
* To make Lucy's weight 53.2 kg, we need to make the rest of her parts total up
to [23.2] kg!

{Screen 3, Table and Medicine Shelf}

<Examine Table, 1>
Clover: Maybe you're suppose to heat something like that gauze to kill the
bacteria?
Clover: There's a boiling thingy over there.
Junpei: There's nothing on the lid or in the drawers...
<Examine Table, 2+>
* A thing for boiling tools to sterilize them. There's nothing in the drawer.

<Examine Medicine Lower Shelf, 1>
Clover: The drawer is empty.
Junpei: Yeah, nothing there.
<Examine Medicine Lower Shelf, 2+>
* There's nothing on the lower shelf.

<Examine Medicine Middle Shelf, 1+>
* There's a lot of different kinds of medication. It's hard to tell them apart.

<Examine Medicine Upper Shelf, 1>
* There are a whole bunch of bottles on the shelves. They all look like
medicine.
* They've got labels, but they're all big, medical words that I don't
understand.
<Examine Medicine Upper Shelf, 2>
Clover: That's a lotta medicine.
Seven: I wonder if one'a these is a laxative...
* Yeah, it sounds kinda gross, but...
* I'm pretty sure every one of us has had the same idea.
* If we had some laxatives...maybe we could crap out the bombs Zero put in us.
* Unfortunately...
Seven: Damnit...
Seven: I don't know what medicine does what here...
<Examine Medicine Upper Shelf, 3>
* The shelves are packed with bottles of medicine I can't identify.

{Screen 5, Anatomical Model and Scalpel Table}

<Examine Screen, 1>
Seven: Just a wooden partition.
Seven: Nothin' special about it.
<Examine Screen, 2+>
* A simple wooden partition. It separates the hallway from the operating room.

<Examine Scalpel Table before taking scalpel, 1>
Clover: That's a lotta surgery stuff.
Seven: There're some scalpels, a few pairs of forceps, and a couple'a
syringes...
Seven: All of it's too rusty to be useful, though.
Clover: Hey, there's a scalpel here that looks new!
<Examine Scalpel Table before taking scalpel, 2+>
* Most of these tools are too rusty to be worth anything...
* But it looks like there's a scalpel that might still be usable.
<Examine Scalpel Table from distance after taking scalpel, 1>
Seven: A table with a scalpel and forceps.
Seven: They're all rusty, though. Don't think they'll be real useful.
<Examine Scalpel Table from distance after taking scalpel, 2+>
* There's a scalpel and a pair of forceps on the table.
* They're rusty, though. I don't think they'd be very useful.

<Examine Internal Organ, 1+>
* An internal organ--specifically, a lung.

<Examine Anatomical Model, 1>
Junpei: A medical mannequin with its guts showing.
Clover: Ew... Gross.
Seven: Hey Junpei. There's a slit in this thing's chest.
Junpei: Yeah, sure is.
Seven: There's somethin' in there... Maybe we can get it out.
Seven: *Grunt*
Seven: Damnit! Stinkin' thing won't budge.
Seven: It's stuck.
Clover: Well, I guess you can't use force on this one, then.
Clover: We need something small that can fit into that little hole...
<Examine Anatomical Model, 2+>
* You can see this thing's internal organs.
* If we had something that could fit into those cracks, maybe we could take out
some of the internal organs.
<Examine Anatomical Model from distance after taking organ, 1+> &&& Need to
examine closeup after taking organ.
* The chest of the medical mannequin. An organ is missing.

{Screen 6, Entrance and Door to Chemical Room}

<Examine Right Door, 1>
Clover: Junpei, where are you going?
Seven: That's the door we came through.
Clover: The only thing out there is the numbered door...
Seven: I'm pretty sure I don't need to tell you that the numbered door is a
one-way deal. So...
Junpei: You're saying... There's no point to going back there, huh.
* ...Aaaand they're nodding. Awesome.
<Examine Right Door, 2>
* The entrance to the operating room. It isn't locked, but there's no reason to
go back.
* I need to figure out how we're going to get out of here.
<Examine Right Door, 3+>
* The entrance to the operating room. It isn't locked, but there's no reason to
go back.
<Examine Right Door after finding Jupiter key, 1>
* The entrance to the operating room. It isn't locked, but there's no reason to
go back.
* The only thing back there is a numbered door.
<Examine Right Door after finding Jupiter key, 2+>
* The door we came in through. This isn't the door that needs to be opened...

<Examine Left Door without key, 1>
Seven: Looks like it's locked.
Junpei: Guess we're gonna need a key for this one.
<Examine Left Door without key, 2+>
* This door is locked tight. I wonder if there's a key around here somewhere...
<Examine Left Door with key in inventory, 1>
* It's locked.
<Examine Left Door with key in inventory, 1>
* It's locked. But...
<Examine Left Door with organ key equipped, 1>
Junpei: Awesome! It's unlocked.

<Examine Left Door Nameplate, 1>
Seven: It's a chemical closet...
<Examine Left Door Nameplate, 2>
* Beyond this door is a chemical closet.

{Screen C, Chemical Room}

<Examine Table, 1>
* A rectangular table. I wonder... Did people mix medicine on this thing?
<Examine Table, 2+>
* There's a rectangular table in the center of the room.

<Examine Bottom Left Shelf, 1>
Clover: Hey, Junpei. You think there are any slugs on this ship?
Junpei: Huh...?
Clover: Well, if there are, I was thinking we could put salt on them.
* What's she pointing at...
* The label states [NaCl]...
Junpei: Salt, huh...
Clover: Do you think Seven will shrivel up if we put it on him?
Seven: Hey. You say something?
<Examine Bottom Left Shelf, 2>
* There's a bottle of salt on the shelf. The label says [NaCl].
<Examine Bottom Left Shelf, 3>
Seven: [NaCl]...
Seven: Na is sodium and Cl is chloride.
Clover: So salt is made up of...
Clover: 1 sodium atom and 1 chloride atom.
<Examine Bottom Left Shelf, 4+>
* There's a bottle of salt on the shelf.
* Salt is made up of 1 sodium atom and 1 chloride atom.

<Examine Top Left Shelf, 1>
Clover: Junpei, there's a bottle of iron powder on the shelf.
Junpei: How do you know it's iron?
Clover: The label says [Fe].
Clover: [Fe] stands for iron, right?
<Examine Top Left Shelf, 2>
* There's a bottle of iron powder on the shelf. It says [Fe] on the bottle.
<Examine Top Left Shelf, 3>
Clover: Iron is [Fe]... It's a molecule with only one atom.
<Examine Top Left Shelf, 4+>
* There's a bottle of iron powder on the shelf.
* Iron is [Fe]... Even with only 1 atom, it's still a molecule.

<Examine Top Middle Shelf, 1>
Clover: Hm? Something stinks...
Junpei: Is it coming from this bottle? It says [NH3].
Seven: Well, that of course stinks. It's ammonia.
<Examine Top Middle Shelf, 2>
* There's a bottle of ammonia on the shelf. It says [NH3] on the label.
<Examine Top Middle Shelf, 3>
Seven: [NH3]...
Seven: N is nitrogen, and H is hydrogen.
Clover: So, in other words, ammonia is made of...
Clover: 1 nitrogen atom and 3 hydrogen atoms.
<Examine Top Middle Shelf, 4+>
* There's a bottle of ammonia on the shelf.
* Ammonia is composed of 1 nitrogen atom and 3 hydrogen atoms.

<Examine Bottom Middle Shelf, 1>
Seven: Ohhhh good stuff! Let's go for a drink.
Junpei: What are you talking about...?
Seven: I'm talking about that bottle.
Seven: It says [C2H5OH], right?
Junpei: It's ethanol...
Seven: That's right. It's also known as ethyl alcohol. It's pretty much what
booze is made of.
Junpei: So... you're gonna drink it?
Seven: ...
Junpei: ...
Seven: Nah. I won't.
Seven: It might say that's what it is on the label, but there could be anything
in there.
<Examine Bottom Middle Shelf, 2>
* There's a bottle of ethanol on the shelf. The label says [C2H5OH].
<Examine Bottom Middle Shelf, 3>
Seven: [C2H5OH]...
Seven: C is carbon,  H is hydrogen and O is oxygen.
Clover: So basically, ethanol is made of 2 carbon atoms...
Clover: 6 hydrogen atoms, and 1 oxygen atom.
<Examine Bottom Middle Shelf, 4+>
* There's a bottle of ethanol on the shelf.
* Ethanol is made of 2 Cs, 6 Hs...and 1 O.

<Examine Top Right Shelf, 1>
Seven: Hey, Junpei! There's dihydrogen monoxide on the shelf!
Junpei: Why don't you just say "water"...
<Examine Top Right Shelf, 2>
* There's a bottle of water on the shelf. The label says [H20].
<Examine Top Right Shelf, 3>
Seven: [H20]...
Seven: H must mean "hot", and O probably stands for "orphans"...
Seven: So [H20] must be made of 2 hot orphans...
Clover: Seven...
Clover: Is your head...okay?
<Examine Top Right Shelf, 4+>
* There's a bottle of water on the shelf.
* The water molecule is made up of 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom.

<Examine Bottom Right Shelf, 1>
Junpei: What's this...
Seven: Looks like a can with a spray nozzle.
Seven: It says [CO2].
Junpei: So it's a can filled with carbon dioxide.
<Examine Bottom Right Shelf, 2>
* There's a canister of carbon dioxide on the shelf. The label says [CO2].
<Examine Bottom Right Shelf, 3>
Seven: [CO2]...
Seven: C is for carbon, and O is oxygen.
Clover: So carbon dioxide is made up of...
Clover: 1 carbon atom and 2 oxygen atoms.
<Examine Bottom Right Shelf, 4+>
* There's a canister of carbon dioxide on the shelf.
* The CO2 molecule is made up of 1 carbon atom and 2 oxygen atoms.

<Examine Any Shelf after taking red and blue locker items, purple locker is
still locked &&& (Is this true?), 1>
Clover: Junpei, are you looking for the purple liquid?
Junpei: Well, I found a red liquid and a blue liquid, so there's gotta be a
purple one around here somewhere...
<Examine Any Shelf after taking red and blue locker items, purple locker is
still locked &&& (Is this true?), 2>
Clover: Junpei, there isn't any purple liquid anywhere.
Junpei: Naw, we're just not looking hard enough. Let's keep looking, okay?
<Examine Any Shelf after taking red and blue locker items, purple locker is
still locked &&& (Is this true?), 3>
Clover: Hey Junpei, I was thinkin'...
Clover: Don'tcha think you could just...like...make a purple liquid?
Junpei: Make it?
Clover: Yeah, you know, you could mix 'em. The red and blue.
Clover: Just...put 'em both in a bottle or something.
Junpei: That's it!
<Examine Any Shelf after taking red and blue locker items, purple locker is
still locked &&& (Is this true?), 4+>
* If there's no purple liquid then I'll just have to make it.
* If I mix the red and blue liquids in a beaker, then...

<Examine Safe, 1>
Seven: This thing won't open... Is it locked?
Clover: You probably need to put in a passcode.
Clover: I mean geez. They've even got a keypad on there. How much more obvious
can you get?
* I can only enter 3 numbers.
* [E] is for enter and [C] is clear.
* Once you input the number, press [E]. If you mess up, press [C].
Junpei: Let's give it a shot.
<Examine Safe, 2>
* A locked box. Looks like you have to punch in a passcode on the keypad if you
want to open it.
* I can only enter 3 numbers.
* [E] is for enter and [C] is clear.
* Once you input the number, press [E]. If you mess up, press [C].
Junpei: Let's give it a shot.
<Examine Safe, 3>
* The box is locked.
* Looks like you have to enter a passcode on the keypad to open it.
* I can only enter 3 numbers.
* [E] is for enter and [C] is clear.
* Once you input the number, press [E]. If you mess up, press [C].
Junpei: Let's give it a shot.
<Examine Safe, 4+>
* I can only enter 3 numbers.
* [E] is for enter and [C] is clear.
* Once you input the number, press [E]. If you mess up, press [C].
Junpei: Let's give it a shot.
<Examine Safe once open, without taking everything, 1+>
* There's something in the box...
<Examine Safe once open, empty, 1+>
* An empty box. There's nothing left inside.

<Examine Note, 1>
* There's a note on top of the table...
* Iron=1 Salt=2 Water=3 Carbon dioxide=? Ammonia=? Ethanol=?
Clover: What do you think this is a hint for?
Junpei: Maybe it's got something to do with this box...?
<Examine Note, 2>
* Iron=1 Salt=2 Water=3 Carbon dioxide=? Ammonia=? Ethanol=?
Seven: Well, look at the first line... Maybe ? represents a number.
<Examine Note, 3+>
* Iron=1 Salt=2 Water=3 Carbon dioxide=? Ammonia=? Ethanol=?
* I wonder what numbers go after carbon dioxide, ammonia, and ethanol...?
<Examine Note after unlocking, 1+>
* A note with a hint on it. Don't need you any more!

<Examine keypad after unlocking, 1+>
* A numeric input device. Don't need to use it any more.

<Attempt to leave Chemical Room after retrieving 2 bottles>
(To "a21d.a", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{Screen 7, Entrance to Preparation Room}

<Examine Door without key, 1>
Junpei: It's locked.
Clover: We can probably find the key if we just look some more. Let's look
somewhere else.
<Examine Door without key, 2+>
* This door is locked tight. We aren't getting in without a key.
<Examine Door with key in inventory, 1>
* It's locked.
<Examine Door with key in inventory, 2+>
* It's locked. But...
<Examine Door with organ key equipped, 1>
Junpei: Cool, it's unlocked.

<Examine Door Nameplate, 1>
Clover: It says preparation room...
<Examine Door Nameplate, 2>
* Apparently this is the preparation room.

{Screen 8, Hallway}

<Examine Hooks, 1+>
* I think you hang your coat here. There's a bunch of hooks.

<Examine Light, 1+>
* There's a lightbulb illuminating the room.

{Screen 9, File Cabinet, Beaker, and Door View}

<Examine Bench, 1>
Clover: Aaaahhh...
Seven: What the hell're you doin'?!
Seven: Don't you want to get out of here!?
Clover: But I'm tiiirreeed.
<Examine Bench, 2+>
* There's a long chair in the corner of the room.

<Examine Cabinet, 1+>
* A cabinet with a drawer in it.

<Examine Drawer, 1>
* Let's see if...huh. A piece of paper...
Junpei: What's this...?
Junpei: Is this some kind of medical record?
<Examine Drawer before taking record, 1>
* There's a medical record in the drawer.
<Examine Drawer after taking record, 1>
* There's nothing left in the drawer.

<Examine Light Switch by door, 1>
Seven: What's this... A light switch?
Seven: Hmm... Doesn't seem to be working.
<Examine Light Switch by door, 2+>
* Looks like a light switch, but it ain't working.

<Examine Door, 1>
Junpei: It's locked. It won't even budge.
Clover: Do you think this is the exit...?
<Examine Door, 2+>
* It's locked. It won't open.

<Examine Door Keyhole, 1>
Junpei: There's a symbol engraved over the keyhole.
Clover: Hey... This is a [Jupiter symbol].
Seven: Hey wasn't this Jupiter symbol engraved by the keyhole on the other
door?
Junpei: Other door?
Clover: The door at the end of the hallway with all those rooms.
Seven: You think maybe this door and that door use the same key?
Clover: Maybe?
<Examine Door Keyhole, 2+>
* The door's key hole. There's a [Jupiter symbol] engraved here.
<Examine Door Keyhole with Jupiter key equipped, 1>
(To "a21d.b", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{Screen A, Lockers and Sink}

<Examine Sink, 1>
Seven: A sink.
Seven: The doctors and nurses probably washed their hands here before an
operation.
Seven: Nothing suspicious here.
<Examine Sink, 2+>
* A sink. Doesn't look suspicious.

<Examine Left Locker, 1>
Clover: Hmm... It won't open.
Clover: It looks like it's locked.
Clover: There's a red plate on it. Do you think that means something?
<Examine Left Locker, 2+>
* A locker with a red plate on it. It's locked and it
won't open.
<Examine Left Locker, after unlocking blue but before unlocking red, 1+>
* A locker with a red plate on it. It's locked.
<Examine Left Locker after unlocking, before taking leg, 1+>
* A locker with a red plate on it. There's something inside.
<Examine Left Locker after unlocking, before taking leg, 1+>
* A locker with a red plate on it. There's nothing left inside.

<Examine Middle Locker, 1>
Seven: Damn... It's not opening.
Seven: Locked, of course.
Seven: The blue plate on here seems a little suspicious, though...
<Examine Middle Locker, 2+>
* A locker with a blue plate on it. It's locked and it won't open.
<Examine Middle Locker, after unlocking red but before unlocking blue, 1+>
* A locker with a blue plate on it. It's locked.
<Examine Middle Locker after unlocking, before taking leg, 1+>
* A locker with a blue plate on it. There's something inside.
<Examine Middle Locker after unlocking, after taking leg, 1+>
* A locker with a blue plate on it. There's nothing left inside.

<Examine Right Locker, 1>
Junpei: Damn! It's not opening.
Junpei: It won't even budge.
Junpei: It's got this purple plate on it too...
<Examine Right Locker, 2>
* A locker with a purple plate on it. It's locked.
<Examine Right Locker after unlocking, before taking stomach, 1+>
* A locker with a purple plate on it. There's something inside.
<Examine Right Locker after unlocking, after taking stomach, 1+>
* A locker with a purple plate on it. There's nothing left inside.

{Screen B, Beaker Apparatus}

<Examine Beaker, 1>
Clover: I found a beaker.
<Examine Beaker, 2>
* It's an empty beaker.
<Examine Beaker with lights on, beaker is empty, 1>
Junpei: There's a ray of light going through the beaker...
Clover: ...And it's hitting the thing on the right.
<Examine Beaker with lights on, beaker is empty, 2+>
* There's a ray of white light passing through the beaker.
<Examine Beaker with lights off, blue liquid, 1+>
* A beaker with blue liquid in it. 
<Examine Beaker with lights off, red liquid, 1+>
* A beaker with red liquid in it.
<Examine Beaker with lights off, purple liquid,1+>
* A beaker with purple liquid inside of it.
<Examine Beaker with lights on/off, red liquid, blue liquid equipped, before
unlocking red or blue, 1>
Junpei: Let's put in the blue liquid next.
Junpei: I'll put the red liquid back in the bottle...
<Examine Beaker with lights on/off, blue liquid, red liquid equipped, before
unlocking red or blue, 1>
Junpei: Let's put in the red liquid next.
Junpei: That means the blue liquid is going back in the bottle for now...
<Examine Beaker with lights on, red liquid, 1+>
* A beaker with red liquid in it. It makes the light that passes through it
red.
<Examine Beaker with lights on, blue liquid, 1+>
* A beaker with blue liquid in it. It makes the light that passes through it
blue.
<Examine Beaker with lights on, purple liquid,1+>
* A beaker with purple liquid in it. The light passing through it is making it
shine.

<Examine Color Lens, 1+>
* There are 4 different lights, each one a different color: white, red, blue,
and purple.
* Does this thing react to something, and then the lights light up?
<Examine Color Lens, White light on, 1>
Clover: The white light on the top is glowing.
Junpei: Yeah, but the red, blue, and purple ones still aren't lit.
<Examine Color Lens, White light on, 2+>
* Only the white light on the top is lit.
* The red, blue, and purple ones are still dark.
<Examine Color Lens, lights off, any liquid in beaker, 1+>
* The lights on the device aren't moving.
<Examine Color Lens, lights on, red liquid in beaker, 1+>
* The red light is on.
<Examine Color Lens, lights on, blue liquid in beaker, 1+>
* The blue light is on.
<Examine Color Lens, lights on, purple liquid in beaker, 1+>
* The purple light is on.

<Examine Light, red liquid in beaker, 1>
Clover: Hey! It turned red!
Seven: Forget about that... Didn't you hear that just now?
<Examine Light, blue liquid in beaker, 1>
Seven: Hey, the blue light turned on.
Clover: And I heard a noise. It sounded like something unlocking.
<Examine Light, purple liquid in beaker, 1>
Seven: I get it...
Seven: You combined the red liquid and the blue liquid to make a purple one.
Clover: The purple light turned on.
Clover: Right when I did, I heard a noise. Wadda ya think it was? {Author's
Note: This should probably be "Right when it did,..." XP}
Seven: That noise came form somewhere close by. Something in this room must've
changed.
Junpei: All right, let's go take a look.
<Examine Light, purple liquid in beaker, after purple liquid discussion in
chemical room, 1>
Seven: I get it...
Seven: You combined the red liquid and the blue liquid to make a purple one.
Clover: Good job, Junpei!
Clover: The purple light came on, and I heard it unlock!
Clover: I'm sure it's unlocked! The locker with the purple plate has gotta be
unlocked!
Junpei: All right, let's see what happened.


{ITEMS}
???�?

<Search fake chest, 1>
Clover: Ewwwwwww that's gross.
Seven: This's the chest... It's a woman's chest...
Seven: The heart's gone, but it's pretty hot.
Clover: If that kinda thing turns you on, Seven, you're a real creepo.
<Search fake chest, 2+>
* The chest of a medical mannequin. There's a hole in the left side of the
chest.

<Search Kocher forceps, 1>
Clover: Are those...scissors? They look kinda funny.
Seven: No, that's probably a pair of Kocher forceps.
Seven: Surgeons use 'em during operations. They can hold blood vessels shut,
and keep tissue outta the way.
Seven: We can use it to pull stuff outta small holes, or something like that.
<Search Kocher forceps, 2+>
* Kocher forceps. They can fit into small holes and...stuff.

<Search fake organ, 1>
Clover: So we took the organ thingy out of the chest thingy...
Seven: It's a lung, not an "organ thingy".
Clover: Huh? This part here, on the back... It's all rubbery...
Seven: You're right.
* So? It's a fake organ, of course it'd be--wait, what's Seven grabbing it for?
Seven: Hey, it feels like there's something in here.
Clover: You think we can cut through the rubber part?
<Search fake organ, 2>
* The organ we took out of the chest.
* Part of the back of it is a little rubbery. It feels like there's something
inside it.
* If we can cut the thing open, we should be able to get whatever's in there.
<Search fake organ, 3>
* An organ from the medical mannequin. There's something inside it.
* If we cut open the rubbery part, we should be able to pull out whatever's in
there.

<Search scalpel, 1>
Seven: A scalpel that's not rusty...
Junpei: Seems like it was put here for a reason, huh?
Clover: You think it's telling us to cut something?
Junpei: Yeah, I do.
<Search scalpel, 2>
Clover: That's a scalpel.
Seven: You could probably cut somethin' soft with it.
<Search scalpel, 3>
Clover: That's a scalpel.
Junpei: What about Seven?
Clover: He looks more like a scalper.
Seven: You guys are jerks.
Clover: ...
Junpei: ...
<Search scalpel, 4>
* A sharp scalpel. I can probably cut things with this, just not anything
that's too tough.

<Search organ key, 1>
Clover: There's a key in this organ...
Seven: Found a key in an internal organ...
<Search organ key, 2>
* A key we found in one of the mannequin's internal organs.

<Search fake heart, 1>
Clover: A heart. This thing is super creepy...
Seven: This ain't good for the heart.
<Search fake heart, 2+>
* The heart of a medical mannequin.

<Search fake right arm, 1>
Clover: It's the right arm of the body... It's kinda creepy...
<Search fake right arm, 2>
* The right arm of a medical mannequin.

<Search blue liquid, 1>
Clover: It looks like there's something inside that bottle.
Seven: Why don't you try pouring some out into the cap?
* Can't see any reason why not...
Clover: What's that? It's bright blue. Do you think it's...alien blood?
Seven: *Sigh*
Seven: Where the hell did that come from?
Clover: Then what do you think it is, Seven?
Seven: I dunno... Some sorta special bath soap?
Clover: Ugh. What a boring guess...
<Search blue liquid, 2+>
* A bottle with blue liquid in it.

<Search red liquid, 1>
Clover: It looks like there's something inside that bottle.
Seven: Why don't you try pouring some out into the cap?
* Can't see any reason why not...
Clover: What's that? It's bright red. Do you think it's...blood?
Seven: No, blood's thicker than that.
Clover: Then what is it?
Seven: Beats me...
<Search red liquid, 2+>
* It's a bottle full of red liquid.

<Search empty bottle (red), 1>
Clover: That bottle had red liquid in it.
Junpei: Yeah, well, it's empty now.
<Search empty bottle (red), 2+>
* A bottle that used to have red liquid in it.

<Search empty bottle (blue), 1>
Seven: That bottle used to have blue liquid in it.
Seven: But now it's empty...
<Search empty bottle (blue), 2+>
* A bottle that used to have blue liquid in it.

<Search purple liquid, 1>
Clover: That bottle has purple liquid in it.
<Search purple liquid, 2>
* A bottle with purple liquid in it.
<Search purple liquid, 3>
* A bottle with people liquid in it.
* W-Wait, what?!
* What would "people liquid" even--oh...oh! It wouldn't even be this
color--aah! Why am I even thinking about that?!
* The liquid in the bottle is purple! Purple!
<Search purple liquid, 4+>
* A bottle with purple liquid in it.

<Search empty bottle (Kurashiki), 1>
Clover: That's the bottle that had the purple liquid in it.
Junpei: There's nothing in there anymore, though.
<Search empty bottle (Kurashiki), 2>
* A bottle that had purple liquid in it once.
<Search empty bottle (Kurashiki), 3>
* A bottle for storing people liquid.
* Aah! No! No!
* What the hell am I saying!? What kind of pervert am I!?
* It's purple! It's just a purple liquid!
<Search empty bottle (Kurashiki), 4+>
* A bottle with a purple-colored liquid in it!

<Search fake stomach, 1>
Clover: This is a really big nose.
Seven: That's no nose... It's a stomach!
Clover: Oh... A stomach.
<Search fake stomach, 2>
Clover: *Tap* *Tap* *Tap* *Tap* *Tap* *Tap*
Seven: Hey, that ain't a drum, kid!
<Search fake stomach, 3+>
* The stomach of a medical mannequin.

<Search fake left leg, 1>
Clover: This is the left foot of the mannequin.
Clover: Do you think I'm better?
Junpei: Uh...what?
Clover: Do you think my legs are skinnier?
<Search fake left leg, 2+>
* The left foot of a medical mannequin.

<Search fake right leg, 1>
Seven: The right foot of the medical mannequin.
Seven: I guess it's a woman's foot but damn... Doesn't look hot at all...
Clover: Have you got a thing for feet, Seven?
Seven: N-No! Th-That's crazy...
Clover: You're sure actin' kinda shady...
<Search fake right leg, 2+>
* The right foot of a medical mannequin.

<Search Jupiter key, 1>
Seven: Hey!
Seven: The symbol engraved in that key... Isn't it the Jupiter symbol!?
Seven: Then...that means--!
<Search Jupiter key, 2>
* A key with the Jupiter symbol on it. I'm pretty sure I've seen this symbol
before...

<Combine fake organ and scalpel>
Junpei: Let's try cutting this organ with a scalpel.


==========================
{a21d.a} File #14
::Operating room::
-In chemical room, after retrieving 2 colored liquid bottles-

(If you had [Ice-9] talk, to "a21d.a1" replacing quotations with braces {} )
(If no [Ice-9] talk, to "a21d.a2" replacing quotations with braces {} )

{a21d.a1}
([Ice-9] talk was done)

Clover: You think we should go back?
Junpei: Yeah, I think that's probably best.

Clover nodded, and left.
Junpei was about to follow her when he realized that Seven wasn't following
suit.

Junpei: Hey, Seven, what's up?
Seven: Oh...well...

He looked up at Junpei distractedly, and then back down at the brown bottle he
held cupped in his large hands.

Junpei: What's that?

In response, Seven tossed the bottle gently to Junpei.
He caught it, and twisted it around to read the label.

Junpei: Ethylenediamine tartrate?
Seven: EDT--It's tartaric ethylenediamine.
Junpei: What kind of medicine is that?
Seven: It's not medicine. I think it's an industrial-strength detergent.
Junpei: Why would they have something like that here?
Seven: Well, probably to clean stuff up.
Junpei: Clean what up?
Seven: Fuck if I know. Still...
Seven: It looks like it's cleaned my brain up.

Junpei looked up from the bottle.

Junpei: You remember something?

Seven nodded, slowly, and spoke.

Seven: Well, I remember a story about EDT.
Seven: It happened about 50 years ago.
Seven: There was this factory, somewhere in America, making big old EDT
crystals.
Seven: They were makin' it to sell as industrial-strength cleaner, like I told
you before.
Seven: But...

A year after the factory started up...
Somethin' strange started happening with the crystals they were building.
Water molecules started attaching themselves to the EDT crystals. This made 'em
into a sort of mutation of the original crystals, called a "hydrate".
Once the crystal turns into a hydrate, though, it's useless as a cleaner. The
factory had to just dump the crystals--as a hydrate, they were useless.
But it didn't end there.
After that day, the same thing started happening in EDT factories everywhere,
even ones nowhere near that first American factory.
They'd been making crystals the same way, with the same materials and the same
equipment and environment. But now, all of a sudden, every single crystal they
formed turned into a hydrate.
In fact, ever since that day, no factory anywhere has been able to make a pure
EDT crystal.
Even in EDT research done years before, they'd never gotten a hydrate.
But after it happened at the first factory, it just...spread...

Seven: It was like... Man, how do you say it...
Junpei: "Like the molecules were communicating with one another."
Junpei: "Transmitting information in a way humans couldn't perceive..."
Junpei: "This phenomena spread throughout the world." ...Right?

Junpei looked up at Seven with half a smirk.
Seven stared at him, dumbfounded.

Seven: Yeah, that's... That's it, exactly.
Seven: But...how did you know?
Junpei: I heard another story kinda like that one.
Seven: When?
Junpei: In the freezer.
Seven: What? The freezer?

Junpei told Seven the story he'd heard from June in the freezer in the kitchen.
How one day, glycerin began to crystallize...
...And the story of ice that wouldn't melt at room temperature.
When Junpei was done, Seven looked thoughtful, and absent-mindedly rubbed the
scar on his chin.

Seven: Ice that doesn't melt at room temperature, huh...
Junpei: That sounds familiar?
Seven: Yeah, hold up... I feel like I can remember something... It's...right
there...

Seven squinted.
His eyes stared off into space, as if he were trying desperately to focus on
something far away.

Junpei: Do you...

<...Know something about it?> - "a21d.a1a"
<...Know about ice-9?> - "a21d.a1b"

{a21d.a1a}
<...Know something about it?>

Junpei: ...Know something about it?
Seven: I told you, I think I do! Just hold on...

Seven thought hard, and mumbled to himself.
After a few minutes, he gave up.

Seven: Arg! Damnit!
Seven: Why'd you have to ask me some dumbass question?!
Seven: I totally lost my train of thought!
Junpei: ...
Junpei: ...
Junpei: S-Sorry, man...

But before Seven got the chance to reproach him further--
Clover's voice pierced the air.

Clover: Hey! What are you 2 doing over there?!
Clover: Stop wasting time and get over here!
Seven: Okay, okay, we're coming.
Clover: Ugh!

Seven looked at Junpei...

Seven: Ah well. Look, if I remember anything, I'll let you know, all right?
Seven: Right now, we need to get the hell outta this room though, okay?

With that, he turned and left.
Junpei, his mind still occupied with the story Seven had told him, slowly
followed.

(Return to investigation)

{a21d.a1b}
<...Know about ice-9?>

Junpei: Do you know about ice-9?
Seven: Ice-9...?
Seven: Ice-9... Ice-9...
Seven: Ice... Ice... Ice...

Suddenly, Seven's eyes shot open.

Seven: That's it! I remember now! That woman! She's on this boat!
Junpei: That woman...?
Seven: Alice!
Junpei: Who's Alice?
Seven: Come on! The woman who won't melt at room temperature!
Junpei: ?

It became clear to Seven that Junpei had no idea what he was talking about.
He ran his hand across his face and took a deep breath.

Seven: You know how the Titanic sank on April 15th, 1912, right?
Junpei: Yeah. More than 1500 people died. Worst maritime accident in history.
Junpei: What about it?
Seven: Did you hear about the boat that was sent to collect the dead bodies?
Junpei: Uh, I think that was the RMS Carpathia, right?
Junpei: It was a cruise liner, just like the Titanic.
Seven: No. That was the ship that picked up the survivors.
Seven: The ship that collected the dead bodies was the CS Mackay-Bennett.
Seven: The Mackay-Bennet showed up on April 17th, 2 days after the accident...
Seven: It set out from Halifax, a port in Canada...
Seven: ...And recovered 306 bodies.
Seven: The Atlantic that far north was really cold. It would have to be, for
there to be icebergs and stuff.
Seven: Anyway, the bodies they pulled out of the water were frozen solid.
Junpei: This isn't a very nice story. ...So, what happened next?
Seven: Well, they say the Mackay-Bennet recovered something more than just dead
bodies.
Seven: There were various bits of stuff floating around in the water--things
the drowned had carried with them, or stuff dislodged as the ship sank.
Seven: One of the things they found was a coffin.
Junpei: A coffin?
Seven: Yeah. A wooden one.

The craftsman who'd made it must have been pretty skilled.
It wasn't just a wooden coffin--it was all wood. There were no nails, or
reinforcements and there were no gaps in the wood anywhere. It was airtight.
The crew got pretty curious about what might be inside it, and opened it up.
They had to get a wedge and hammer it open, it was so well-made.
Inside...
...They found a woman. Or, I guess you should say, they found the dead body of
a woman.
Her hair was thick and black, and her skin was deep brown and didn't show any
signs of age or decomposition.
They say that she looked gorgeous, like a goddess.
She was obviously dead, but everyone who looked at her said she just looked
like she was sleeping.
Her skin was so lifelike, she looked like she might wake up any minute.
She didn't though.
Like the rest of the bodies they found, she was frozen solid.
Eventually, the Mackay-Bennet finished the search and returned to Halifax.
The 306 bodies were unloaded, and taken ashore. However, it was warm enough
that they began to melt.
They say that the stink was horrible.
But there was 1 body that didn't thaw...

Junpei: The girl in the coffin.
Seven: That's right.

Everybody thought for sure that she'd melt and start to rot like the rest of
'em eventually.
But weeks passed, and nothing happened.
Then a month had passed, and another, and it was summer, and she was still
frozen solid.
After a while, people started to say she was some sort of miracle.
Rumors about the girl started to spread, and people came to visit Halifax from
all over.
After a while, people started to call her "All-ice"...
...Alice.

Seven: Course, those rumors didn't last long.
Junpei: Why?
Seven: Well, she up and disappeared. One day, Alice was there, the next day,
she wasn't.
Seven: They say someone snuck into where they were keeping her and stole the
body.
Seven: With the body gone, the rumors followed pretty quickly.
Seven: And after a while, no one remembered her.
Seven: You might be able to find something about her if you could find a
newspaper from back then, but that's about it.
Junpei: Wait... You just said that she was on this boat...
Seven: Yeah, I did. Alice has got to be somewhere on this ship.
Junpei: Now why the hell would you say something like that?
Seven: 'Cause I know.
Junpei: And just what is it you know?
Seven: What happened to Alice after she was stolen.

Junpei gulped.

Junpei: All right, tell me. What happened to Alice...?

Seven nodded, slowly, and took on the look of a man recalling something long
buried.

Seven: Well, around that time, the word was that there was a thriving black
market in New York.
Seven: I mean, I'm sure there still is, but this was special. All millionaires,
from all over the world.
Seven: I've heard that Alice went up for auction there.
Seven: The person who won the auction was... [Lord Dashiell Gordain].
Seven: You've heard that name before, right?
Junpei: Sir Gordain...
Junpei: Isn't he the guy who bought the Gigantic? The Titanic's sister ship.
Seven: Yeah, that's him. Although I guess he hadn't done that yet...
Junpei: What do you mean?
Seven: Gordain bought Alice in 1912.
Seven: Then, 4 years later in 1916, he bought the Gigantic...
Seven: And he hid Alice somewhere on the Gigantic.
Seven: But nobody knows where.
Seven: He died in 1931.
Seven: And apparently, he died without ever telling anyone where Alice was
hidden.
Seven: However...
Junpei: However...what?
Seven: Well, he did have one close friend, who asked him...
Seven: "Where is Alice...?"
Seven: And he said...
Seven: "Alice sleeps in a small chamber past the forest of knowledge, beneath
the navel of the Gigantic."
Junpei: What the hell is that? Some kind of riddle?
Seven: Your guess is as good as mine.

Seven threw his hands up in defeat.

Seven: So that's it. Whatever you think, I believe it.
Seven: She's hidden somewhere on the Gigantic. In other words, she's hidden
somewhere on this ship.
Junpei: Hmm...

Before Junpei could dispute Seven's rather bizarre claim--
They heard Clover's voice from the door.
She did not sound pleased.

Clover: Hey! What are you 2 doing over there?!
Clover: Stop wasting time and get over here!
Seven: Okay, okay, we're coming.
Clover: Ugh!

Seven looked at Junpei...

Seven: Yeah, so, anyway, that's the story.
Seven: It might be useful someday. Don't forget it.

With that cryptic remark, he turned and left the room.
Junpei was left behind to ponder what he'd just heard.
He tried to remember what June had told him earlier...

June: That mummy wasn't just a normal mummy.
June: They say...that she was frozen.
June: The story says that from the time of its discovery, all the way through
to when it got put on the Titanic...
June: And even though it was carried through the desert...
June: ...Her body never melted.

Was that Egyptian priestess Alice?
Had the water in her body become ice-9?
...
...

Junpei: No, that's nuts.
Junpei: There's no way somebody like that could exist.

Junpei shook his head, trying desperately to clear it, and followed Seven to
the operating room where Clover was waiting.

(Return to investigation)

{a21d.a2}
([Ice-9] talk was not done)
&&&

==========================
{a21d.b} File #14
::Operating room::
-In preparation room, after finding Jupiter key and attempting to unlock door-

(If you took the 4-Leaf Clover Bookmark, to "a21d.b1" replacing quotations with
braces {} )
(If you didn't take the 4-Leaf Clover Bookmark, to "a21d.b2" replacing
quotations with braces {} )

{a21d.b1}
(If you have the 4-Leaf Clover Bookmark)

Seven: Hey, hold on.

Junpei stopped, about to put the key into the doorknob.

Junpei: What's up?
Seven: Where's Clover?
Junpei: Huh?

Junpei turned around. Clover was nowhere to be seen.

Junpei: Goddamnit. Where the hell did she go?
Junpei: Arg. Okay, just hold on a minute. I'll go get her.
Seven: Sure thing.

Junpei left Seven at the door, and headed back to the operating room.
He found her, standing next to the operating table.
She was staring at the mannequin.

Junpei: Hey, Clover, what's wrong? C'mon, let's get outta here.
Clover: ...

She didn't respond.
If she hadn't been standing up and breathing, Junpei might have thought she was
dead.

Junpei: What're you doing?
Junpei: Did you want to come back here and say good-bye to John?

It wasn't the best joke, but it was something. An attempt to lighten the mood.
Clover didn't laugh.
She stood stock-still, and said nothing.

Junpei: Hey, Clover, can you hear me?

Perhaps it was something he'd said, or perhaps it was...something else.
Suddenly, her mouth opened, and she whispered in a dry, dead voice...

Clover: My brother...might be dead...
Junpei: ...
Clover: ...
Junpei: Huh...?
Clover: That's why we couldn't find him.
Clover: If he's dead...
Clover: ...I'm going to be next.

Suddenly the operating room felt very, very cold.

Junpei: Wh-What are you talking about?
Junpei: What's wrong with you?

He gave her a small shake, but she still didn't respond.
The silence grew heavier.
Junpei...

* <<What do you want to do...?>>

<...Told Clover they needed to leave.> - "a21d.b1a"
<...Gave her the 4-leaf clover.> - "a21d.b1b"

{a21d.b1a}
<...Told Clover they needed to leave.>

Junpei: Let's just get out of here.
Junpei: We've got the key, let's use it. That cool with you?

Clover nodded, almost imperceptibly.
Still, Junpei was glad to see she was at least somewhat responsive.
He put his hand on her shoulder, and guided her to the preparation room.
As they arrived at the door, she suddenly stopped.

Clover: I'm sorry...

What was this? Why was she apologizing? Junpei wasn't sure what to make of her.
Was she emotionally unstable because her brother had gone missing?

Clover: I'm really sorry...
Clover: Just forget everything I told you, okay?
Clover: Don't worry about it... Really, I mean it...

How could anyone pretend not to hear something like that?
But something told him this wasn't the time to press the issue.
Junpei gave her the warmest, kindest smile he could manage.

Junpei: All right.
Clover: Thank you.

Her smile was weak. It was almost painful to watch.

Seven: Damn. What the hell took you guys so long?

Seven looked up as they walked into the room, clearly irritated.

Seven: You playin' doctor in there or something?
Junpei: Maybe. Jealous?

Seven avoided answering the question.
They stood in front of the door.
Junpei took out the Jupiter key.

Junpei: All right, I'm gonna open it now. Is that cool?
Seven: You don't need to keep asking. Just do it, all right?
Junpei: Heh. Fine then.

He slid the key into the keyhole, and turned it.
He felt it unlock.
The door opened with a soft, melancholy creak.
Beyond it lay a simple, white hallway.
There was no fanfare or confetti.
Obviously, there was no one there to applaud them.
They simply walked through the door. That was it.

Junpei: All right, let's get going.
Seven: Hey man, what's up with you?
Seven: You're so serious, you know?
Seven: Can't you sound more happy? You know? Get a little excited?
Junpei: ...
Seven: ...
Junpei: Not really.

Junpei turned away from Seven, and took his first step down the simple, white
hallway.
"My brother...might be dead..."
"...I'm going to be next."
Clover had told him only a few minutes before that her brother was probably
dead, and she was likely to follow him.
How could he pretend to be happy after hearing something like that?

(To "a12e"&&& replacing quotations with braces {} )

{a21d.b1b}
<...Gave her the 4-leaf clover.>

Junpei: Oh, yeah...

He didn't know why, but suddenly, Junpei remembered something he'd been given
earlier.
He reached into his pocket, and dug it out.
A 4-leaf clover...
Santa had given it to him in the 2nd class room.
He held it out to Clover.

Junpei: Did you know that each leaf on the 4-leaf clover means something?
Junpei: Hope, faith, love, and luck.
Junpei: Take it. Use it as a good luck charm.

He pressed the 4-leaf clover into her hand.

Junpei: Listen to me, Clover.
Junpei: No matter what happens, you can never lose hope.
Junpei: You have to remember what's most important, and that's to have faith,
and to have love.
Junpei: If you can remember all of those, that'll bring you good luck.
Clover: ...
Junpei: Snake--I mean, your brother--... He's not dead.
Junpei: He's alive, somewhere. I'm sure of it. You've just gotta believe in
that...

Clover stared at the 4-leaf clover in her hand.
He could see tears start to form at the corners of her eyes.

Clover: Thank you...

Her voice was tiny and broken, and as she spoke, she started to cry.
She tried to hide her tears by looking at the floor, but it did little good.
She wiped away tears with the baggy arms of her jacket, but more quickly took
their place.
No matter how she tried, she couldn't stop crying.
Her tears made small wet circles on the floor.

Clover: Thank you...

She said it again.
Then she looked up at Junpei, and seemed to choke down the last of her grief.
She did her best to smile.
Junpei wiped an errant tear from her cheek with his thumb, and gave her the
best smile he could manage.

Junpei: Now come on. Seven's waiting for us at the exit.

But still, she didn't move.

Clover: Wait. Before we go, there's one thing I want to ask you.
Junpei: What's that...?
Clover: What do you think when you hear the word "experiment"?

For a moment, his mind froze.
Then he came back to his senses, and realized the word meant nothing to him,
aside from the dictionary definition.

Junpei: Uhh... What?
Clover: Oh... Huh...
Clover: I guess it was just a coincidence, then...
Clover: I mean, that you knew about the 4-leaf clover...
Junpei: Uh... Look, I'm sorry, I don't want to be a jerk, but... You are making
less than no sense right now.
Clover: Oh no no no! It's nothing. Just forget about it.
Junpei: Oh don't give me that. You really think I could just drop this?
Junpei: What is this "experiment" you were talking about?

Clover looked away.
The 4-leaf clover was still in her hand.
She stared at it for a long moment and then, finally, spoke.

Clover: You...promise you won't tell anyone?
Junpei: Cross my heart.
Clover: Really?
Junpei: Really.
Clover: I can...trust you, right?
Junpei: Of course you can.

Clover slipped the 4-leaf clover into her pocket.
Her eyes still red from crying, she looked up at Junpei.

Clover: Okay then. I'll tell you.
Clover: I'll tell you what happened on this ship, 9 years ago...
Junpei: Wait Wait wait wait wait! On this ship!?
Clover: Yeah. This ship.

He was entirely lost.
He had 1000 questions, but... It was probably best, he thought, to save them
until Clover had finished.

Clover: It was an experiment, to test some sort of psychic thing.
Clover: Something about...
Clover: Communicating through these fields that you can't see.
Junpei: ...Fields that you can't see...?

He'd heard something like this before...
Clover nodded.

Clover: Like, think about this...

She pointed at the operating table.
On top of it was a somewhat mis-matched medical mannequin whose parts had been
swapped with another mannequin.

Clover: This is John, right?
Clover: But...is he really John?

All Junpei could think was "She has finally completely lost it."

Clover: Isn't this like Locke's socks?
Clover: Or the Ship of Theseus...?

Junpei grew even more confused.
He'd never heard of either of those things, although they...sounded smart...

Clover: You don't know? You haven't heard of those paradoxes?

Junpei shook his head.
Clover laughed.

Clover: Okay, well pay attention then. This is how Locke's socks works.
Clover: Let's say I've got a pair of socks. They're my favorite socks.
Clover: One of them gets a hole in it.
Clover: What would you do if that was your sock, Junpei?

<Patch it up.> - "a21d.b1c"
<Throw it away.> - "a21d.b1d"

{a21d.b1c}
<Patch it up.>

Junpei: Well, I guess I'd patch it up.
Junpei: Get some cloth and close up the hole.

(To "a21d.b1f", continued below)

{a21d.b1f}

Clover: But what if another hole opens?
Junpei: I'd add another patch, I suppose.
Clover: What if another hole opened after that?
Junpei: Um... Another patch, I guess?
Clover: Well, let's say you just keep adding new patches...
Clover: Until eventually, the original cloth of the sock is totally gone.
Clover: Once you get to that point...
Clover: Can you really say they're the same socks you started with?
Junpei: H-Hmmm... That's...uh...that's tough...

Junpei crossed his arms.

Junpei: So... That's the Locke's socks thing?
Clover: Yeah. The Ship of Theseus is a lot like it.

The Ship of Theseus... If you keep fixing the damaged parts of a ship,
eventually it ends up with none of the parts it started with.
Can you really say that ship is the Ship of Theseus that you started with?
And what if you took all the old parts from the first ship, and build another
one, somewhere else?
Then which ship is the real Ship of Theseus?
The one you repaired? Or the one you built with all the original parts?

Junpei: Hmm...

It was an interesting question.
Clover could see Junpei was intrigued.

Clover: Hey. Do you think it's the same?
Junpei: What's the same?
Clover: These guys. Is this John? Or is it Lucy now?

Junpei looked at the operating table again.
A mannequin full of body parts from a different body...
Clover had been right. It was just like Locke's socks and the Ship of Theseus.
The part of the body that holds a person's identity is the head. Of course, for
many hundreds of years, conventional wisdom had held that a man's identity
resided in his heart, or any of a number of internal organs.
John's head and heart were both his...
But apart from that, and a single arm, the rest of his body had once been
Lucy's.
Was that mannequin really John?

Clover: We're just like these mannequins.

She looked at Junpei again.

Clover: Think about it.
Clover: The cells in our body change every day. Old ones die, and new ones are
born.
Clover: Maybe part of my arm is made of stuff from a fish I ate once.
Clover: Or maybe part of your right side is made from a cow you ate.
Clover: If you take it a little further...
Clover: Those cows and fishes are made from something else too, right?
Clover: That's how we're all connected.
Clover: Through fields that can't be seen with the naked eye...

The silence was broken by Seven.

Seven: Hey! What the hell is taking you 2 so long?!

Seven's head appeared in the doorway.
He was not happy.

Seven: How long are you gonna make me wait?!
Seven: We don't have time to screw around!

Junpei and Clover looked at each other.
Clover looked at Junpei as if to say there was more she wanted to tell him.
She shook her head.
Whatever she had to tell him, she didn't want to tell him in front of Seven.
Seven seemed to catch on...

Seven: Oh? What were you 2 doing? Was this some sorta secret meeting?
Clover: No. It wasn't.
Clover: We were just...
Seven: Just...?
Clover: Playing... With the mannequins.
Seven: Huh?
Clover: Let's go, Junpei.

Moving a little bit too fast to be entirely innocent, Clover headed toward the
exit.
Seven stared after her, then turned to Junpei with an amused expression.

Seven: Playing with mannequins, huh...
Seven: Didn't know you were into that kinda thing, Junpei...
Junpei: ...
Seven: ...
Junpei: You're a dick.

Junpei dashed past him, and traced Clover's path out the door.
With a short laugh, Seven followed.
They stood, looking at the door.

Junpei took out the Jupiter key.

Junpei: All right, I'm gonna open it now. Is that cool?
Seven: You don't need to keep asking. Just do it, all right?
Junpei: Heh. Fine then.

He slid the key into the keyhole, and turned it.
He felt it unlock.
The door opened with a soft, melancholy creak.
Beyond it lay a simple, white hallway.
There was no fanfare or confetti.
Obviously, there was no one there to applaud them.
They simply walked through the door. That was it.

Junpei: All right, let's get going.
Seven: Hey man, what's up with you?
Seven: You're so serious, you know?
Seven: Can't you sound more happy? You know? Get a little excited?
Junpei: ...
Seven: ...
Junpei: Not really.

Junpei turned away from Seven, and took his first step down the simple, white
hallway.
"My brother...might be dead..."
"...I'm going to be next."
Clover had told him only a few minutes before that her brother was probably
dead, and she was likely to follow him.
How could he pretend to be happy after hearing something like that?

(To "a12e" replacing quotations with braces {} )

{a21d.b1d}
<Throw it away.>

Junpei: Well...I'd pitch it, I guess.
Clover: But it's your favorite pair of socks.
Junpei: C'mon, who loves their socks that much?
Clover: It doesn't matter! Just suppose you do love them that much!
Junpei: Uh...
Junpei: Well, I guess then I'd patch it.

(To "a12d.b1e", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{a21d.b2}
(If you do not have the 4-Leaf Clover Bookmark)
&&&

===========================================
===========================================
{a21e} File #15
:C Deck hallway:
-After completing escape from the operating room-
===========================================

They left the operating room.
The hallway took them around several corners, and past several doors, but they
were all locked.
Until, at last...
The final door was hidden in a corner of the hall.
Junpei grabbed the handle.
As he made to push it open, a voice stopped him.
The voice came from behind him, and belonged to neither Seven nor Clover.

June: Jumpy!

He spun around.
He saw someone running toward him, from the other end of the hallway.
There were 3 people coming toward Junpei and his companions. Santa, Lotus...and
June!
They pulled up short in front of Junpei, breathing hard.

Santa: Whoa! What the hell is this?!
Lotus: What are you doing here?!
Junpei: What...? But...we didn't...

Before he could finish, Clover spoke.

Clover: Hey, guys... Could you come take a look at this?

She was standing near the end of a small hallway that branched off to the
right.
The rest of them ran over to her, curious as to what she'd found.
There was something on the wall at the end of the hallway...

Junpei: A map of the ship's interior...

It said [C Deck] in the upper left corner.
It was, they assumed, a map to the floor they were on.
Door [7] and... Door [8]... The map confirmed what they already knew: Both
doors eventually led to the hallway where they had found themselves.
In fact...

Seven: Yeah, isn't that what I said?
Seven: We aren't gonna be split up permanently 'til we find door [9].
Seven: We might get separated for a little while, but we'll see each other
again.
Seven: Otherwise, we won't be able to open door [9].
Seven: That's how the Nonary Game works.

Junpei looked at the map of the ship's interior again.
As he looked more closely, his surprise and excitement gave way to weariness.
One by one, the others saw what he'd seen.
They moved, as one, for the door.
He pulled the [map of the ship's interior] off of the wall, put it in his
pocket, and followed the others.
The 6 of them stood in front of the door, arrayed in a semi-circle.
Santa stepped forward.
He took hold of the door and spoke, without looking back at the other 5.

Santa: Ready...? I'm gonna open it.

Slowly, all 5 nodded their silent assent.
With a deep breath, Santa threw open the door.
They poured through the doorway, and into the room.
Even without looking around, each one of them knew where they were.
They were just where the map had said they would be...
The same room they'd been in not so very long ago...
The tremendous central hospital room, with empty beds from wall to wall.
...
...
(To "m30a", replacing quotations with braces {} )

===========================================
===========================================
{m30a} File #68
:Big hospital room:
-After completing escape from [7] or [8]-
===========================================

(If completed escape from door [7], to "m30a.7", replacing quotations with
braces {} )
(If completed escape from door [8], to "m30a.8", replacing quotations with
braces {} )
(If completed escape from door [3], to "m30a.3", replacing quotations with
braces {} ) &&&

{m30a.8}
(Returning from door [8])
&&&

{m30a.3}
(Returning from door [3])
&&&

{m30a.7}
(Returning from door [7])

Ace: I see. I believe I understand what you're saying...
Ace: The 6 of you split into 2 teams, and went through doors [7] and [8].
Ace: You solved the puzzles in the [operating room] and the [laboratory] and
then met one another in the hallway after opening your respective locked doors.

He looked like anyone might, after only just waking up, but it seemed that his
brain was working as well as ever.
He had managed to grasp, summarize, and understand each team's report.

Ace: At any rate... I feel a bit silly for my little show of altruism.
Ace: "I'm sure you'll be back for me."
Ace: I did hope you would come back, but I confess I didn't think you'd be back
so soon.

Ace shook his head with a rueful smile.

Seven: Well, we saw each other again, and we ain't dead, so I say that's good
enough.

Seven smiled.

Seven: Anyway, I say we get outta this creepy old place.
Seven: We found the key we need.
Lotus: The key?
Seven: Ain't that what I just said? I'm talkin' about the [Jupiter key]. We
found it in the operating room.
Seven: Right, Junpei?

Junpei nodded.

Lotus: Ah, the solar system keys.
Lotus: Actually, we found one in the laboratory too.
Lotus: Here...the [Earth key].

Lotus dug out a still-warm key with an Earth symbol on it.

Lotus: I might lose it. It's probably better if you hold on to it. That way it
won't be my fault if it gets lost.

And with that, she pressed it into Junpei's hand. He felt slightly less than
honored.
As a group, they now had 3 keys that had not been used:
- The [Jupiter key], which had been found in the operating room. {If you did
Door [7]}
- The [Jupiter key], which Seven had just handed to Junpei. {If you did Door
[8]}
- The [Saturn key card], which had been found in the kitchen. {If you did Door
[4]}
- The [Saturn key card], which Lotus had just handed to Junpei. {If you did
Door [5] and [8]}
- The [Earth key], which Lotus had just handed to Junpei. {If you did Door [7]}
- The [Earth key], which had been found in the laboratory. {If you did Door
[8]}
- The [Saturn key card], which Lotus had also just handed to Junpei. {If you
did Door [5] and [7]}

Junpei tucked the new keys into his pocket.
June spoke up.

June: The [Jupiter key] is supposed to be for the door at the end of that long,
straight hallway, right?
Seven: Yeah.
Seven: If the map's right, then it connects to the central staircase.
Seven: Then next to the stairs--
Clover: Wait.

They were the first words anyone had heard out of Clover in quite some time.
Her face suggested they weren't going to be very happy words.

Clover: What about door [3]?
Seven: Look... You saw the map, right?
Seven: It's the same as [7] and [8]. It'd just lead us back to the big hospital
room.
Seven: There's no point to seeing what's on the other side of that door.
Clover: There is a point. At least there is for me...

There were tears in her eyes, but she glared at Seven as hard as she could,
just the same.
She looked very much like a frightened puppy.
There wasn't a man alive who could have resisted those eyes.
Seven looked everywhere in the room except at Clover, and muttered and coughed
apologies under his breath.

Seven: Yeah, you're right, I'm sorry...
Seven: Snake might be on the other side of door [3]...

Clover nodded once.
The next person to speak was Ace.

Ace: Very well. I'll be coming with you, then.
Ace: I've had a nice, long rest. I think it's time I was up and about again.
Ace: So, Seven... You'll help me, won't you?
Seven: Huh...? Me?

Junpei did the calculations, quickly, in his head.
4 + 1 + 7 = 12 -> 1 + 2 = 3
It looked like Seven was doing them too. At last, he gave up.

Seven: Damn. Well, I guess that's how it's gotta be...
Seven: So I'm goin' with you, huh?
Ace: Yes, you are.
Seven: All right, let's get moving...

And so it was decided that Clover, Ace, and Seven would discover what lay
beyond door [3].

Seven: Okay, we're headin' out.
Lotus: Be careful.
Seven: Whoa. Didn't think I'd be hearin' that from you, Lotus.
Lotus: Don't let it go to your head. I'd be in trouble if the 3 of you bought
it.
Lotus: The rest of us can't open the [9] door.
Seven: Aaaah. The truth comes out.

Seven nodded, as if this answer made much more sense, and pulled the lever on
the RED.

Ace: Okay! Let's go!

The door opened, and Ace, Clover, and Seven jumped through it.
6... 7... 8...
After exactly 9 seconds, the door closed noisily.

Lotus: All right. We should get moving too.
Junpei: Huh?
June: Get moving?
Santa: Where are we going?

Everyone except Lotus seemed rather confused.

Lotus: Well, it would be a waste of time to just sit around, wouldn't it?
Lotus: Let me explain...

...
...

June: I get it. We're gonna see if we can get anywhere interesting with the
[Jupiter key].
Lotus: Yes. If we're lucky, we might find Snake.

They were at the end of the hallway lined by individual hospital rooms.
The Jupiter symbol was engraved on the keyhole.

Lotus: All right, Junpei. Open it, if you please.
Junpei: Yeah, on it.

Junpei pulled the [Jupiter key] out of his pocket and slid it into the keyhole.
He twisted.
With a nice, sharp click, he felt the door unlock.

Junpei: All right. Ready, guys?

Junpei's companions nodded.
He nodded back, then slowly and quietly opened the door.
Inside was exactly what he expected to see, from the map of the ship's
interior.
They were in a tremendous hall, almost like a ballroom, with a massive central
staircase.

Santa: Great, back to the beginning. You sure this is a good idea?
Junpei: What do you mean...?
Santa: Well, we already searched every inch of this room, didn't we?
Santa: I'm asking you if there's any reason we came back here.

<Of course there's a reason.> - "m30a.a1"
<No idea.> - "m30a.a2"

{m30a.a1}
<Of course there's a reason.>

Junpei: Of course there's a reason.
Junpei: Man, sometimes I can't tell if you're smart or just lucky...
Santa: ...Huh?
Junpei: This.

Junpei pulled 2 things out of his pockets.
The [Saturn key card]...
...And the [Earth key].
Santa cocked his head to one side, like an inquisitive bird, and looked at
them.
After several long moments, during which it became apparent that Santa had no
idea what the cards meant, June took pity on him.

June: Don't you remember, Santa?

(To "m30a.a3", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{m30a.a2}
<No idea.>

Junpei: You know, that's a good question...

Junpei looked off into the distance, thoughtfully.
Lotus sighed and shook her head.

Lotus: I can't believe this... You guys followed me here, but you don't even
know why?
Junpei: ...
Santa: ...
Lotus: Junpei, you've got the solar system keys, don't you?

He did. He pulled them out.
The [Saturn key card]...
...And the [Earth key].
Junpei didn't see what they had to do with anything, though.
Both he and Santa were completely lost.
Fortunately, June took pity on them.

June: Don't you remember the elevator?

(To "m30a.a3", continued below)

{m30a.a3}

June: On C Deck, where we are now, there was a big elevator behind the stairs,
remember?
June: And next to the elevator, there was a card reader with the Saturn symbol
on it.
June: And on A Deck, on the door to the left...
June: There was a keyhole with the Earth symbol on it. ...I think.
June: So, the 2 keys that Jumpy has--
Santa: Should let us use the elevator and the door on A Deck... Huh.
June: Yes. That's right.

June smiled, pleased with herself.
So did Santa.

Santa: All right, I got it. Let's get started, then.
Santa: Wadda you say we split into 2 teams?

Santa: Lotus and I will search the [Earth] one, so you 2 can search [Saturn],
all right?
Junpei: Sounds good.

Junpei handed the [Earth key] to Santa.
They decided that their initial search should be brief--only 10 minutes.
They'd meet back near the staircase once they were done.
Junpei and June headed for the elevators.
Sure enough, there was a card reader bolted to the wall next to the left
elevator.
He lined up the [Saturn key card] and swiped it through the reader.
A light on the upper left corner blinked to life.

Junpei: Great. Looks like it's working now.
June: All right, now how do I call the elevator...

There was a single button to the right of the elevator door.
On the button was the upside-down triangle--the universal symbol for "down".
There didn't appear to be an "up" button.
Junpei pushed it. He didn't have much of a choice.

June: It...It opened! Look, Jumpy!

June's voice was excited, but Junpei could hear a tinge of anxiety.

Junpei: Sweet, it opened. Let's get going.

He grinned at June, and stepped toward the open door.
As he was about to set foot in it, he felt a hand on his arm.

June: W-W-W-Wait...
Junpei: What...?
June: I-I-I-I'm not really...uh... I just... Oh gosh...

Junpei was at something of a loss. What could she possibly be so frightened of?

* <<June was probably afraid of...>>

<Being locked up alone with a boy.> - "m30a.b1"
<They could only go down.> - "m30a.b2"

{m30a.b1}
<Being locked up alone with a boy.>

After a little thought, Junpei decided that she had to be nervous about being
locked up in such a small space alone with a boy.
In a way, it was kinda cute. Very...demure, you could say, he thought.
Still, even though it wasn't exactly roomy in the elevator, they weren't going
to be pressed up against one another. At least, they didn't have to be--
Still, it was making her nervous. Junpei couldn't help but think how innocent
she was...

Junpei: C'mon, let's go.

Again, he stepped toward the elevator--
And again, he felt himself restrained.

June: I said wait a minute!
Junpei: Why?!
June: Aren't you afraid, Jumpy?
Junpei: Afraid of what?!
June: Well, I've never...you know...

She'd never been in an elevator with a man alone before?
Even so, she still seemed awfully alarmed...

June: I might...get wet.

Wh-What?!

June: Down there... I'd get soaking wet...
Junpei: W-Well, I mean, of course you would, that's the way it works.
Junpei: I mean, I've never heard of anyone getting soaking
wet...somewhere...else...
June: That's...that's true...
Junpei: ...
June: You...don't mind?
Junpei: Mind what?
June: Getting...wet...
Junpei: W-Well, I dunno, I think I'd probably... You know...like it.
June: Gosh, Jumpy! You're so brave!
Junpei: ...Really? I mean, I kinda think any guy would do the same thing, you
know?
Junpei: What happens, happens, right? If you get the chance, you've just gotta
go for it. That's what a man's supposed to do, I guess.
June: Y-You're so cool, Jumpy! I really admire you!
Junpei: Uh, that...doesn't really seem like the sort of thing you oughta admire
someone for...
June: I'm...I'm really scared...
Junpei: Y-Yeah... I mean, like you said, you've never...done it...before...
June: Yes...
June: So I don't think I'll be able to last very long, and then it'll
be...over...
Junpei: ...O-Over...?
June: Yes. I'll go to heaven...
Junpei: ...Heaven...?
June: It feels kind of like you're floating in space, and your mind gets all
fuzzy, like when you pass out...
June: At least, that's what I've heard from people who have experienced it...
Junpei: A-Ah, yes, I've heard that too.
Junpei: Although I don't think the same thing happens to guys.
June: ...What?
Junpei: ...Huh?
June: But, it would happen to men too, wouldn't it? It would happen to anyone.
June: Once it gets into your body, the same thing happens to everyone.
Junpei: ...Well...I mean... Usually it doesn't...go inside...the man... I mean,
generally...
June: Yes, it does.
June: Well, eventually it will. It's not like you really have a choice... Your
body will force you to swallow some of it, eventually...
Junpei: Wh-What are you trying to do to me...?
June: Nothing... I'm not going to do anything to you.
June: I'm just saying that that's what happens. It's a psychological reaction
to what you're experiencing...

Was...was that really how it happened? It occurred to Junpei that perhaps that
was how it worked...
Perhaps he'd been mistaken all these years. Had he misunderstood life so
gravely?
The thought terrified him.
June seemed to be entirely oblivious to Junpei's mounting confusion and terror.

June: I know most men probably have larger lungs, but...
June: Even then, I don't think you could hold your breath for 20, or even 10,
minutes.
June: Eventually, you'd have to breathe, and then the water would get into your
lungs...
June: Once that happens, your body won't be able to get oxygen anymore, and
you'll start to feel that floaty feeling as you pass out...
Junpei: ...
June: ...
Junpei: ...
June: ...
Junpei: Ha ha... Ha ha ha ha... Ahahahahahaha!

Finally, Junpei understood.
He understood what June was trying to say, and why she was so scared.

Junpei: Yeah, you're right, you wouldn't last very long.
June: See?

She was afraid that the only elevator button pointed down.

(To "m30a.b3", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{m30a.b2}
<They could only go down.>

She was afraid because the only elevator button pointed down.

(To "m30a.b3", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{m30a.b3}

That meant, of course, that the elevator couldn't go any higher than the floor
they were on.
As he thought about it, Junpei realized he hadn't seen elevators on the A or B
decks near the central staircase.
All of which meant that the elevator could only convey them to the lower decks.
And the floor below the one they were on--D Deck--should be completely
submerged.
That meant...

Junpei: Hey, wait a minute.
Junpei: This elevator came up from somewhere under us, right?
June: Um, well... Yes, I guess it did.
June: It didn't open right away, after you pressed the button.
June: There was a motor noise, like it was moving, and then it opened.
Junpei: Yeah, exactly.
June: Yes...
Junpei: So take a look inside.

Junpei jerked his head toward the interior of the elevator.

Junpei: It's not wet at all, is it? The walls and even the floor are totally
dry.
June: Oh... You're right, they are...

She looked around the elevator, slightly embarrassed.

Junpei: Well, let's test it.
June: Test it?
Junpei: Yeah. Watch this.

Junpei put one foot in the elevator and bent around the corner of the door
until he could see the floor buttons.
There were only 2: E and C.
He pushed the E button and jumped out of the elevator.
The door slid shut, and they heard the grinding of the motor as the elevator
car moved down.
A few moments later, they heard the sound of the elevator door grinding open
several floors below.
Junpei nodded to June, and pressed the elevator button again.
A few moments later, the elevator returned.
The door slid open, and just as Junpei had expected, there was no water to be
found.

Junpei: See?

Junpei couldn't resist puffing out his chest, just a little bit.
June, however, still looked confused.

June: What does that mean?
June: How can the E Deck be safe if the D Deck is full of water?
Junpei: Well, here's what I think...
Junpei: The elevator shaft and E Deck must be water-tight, and separated from
wherever the ship's been punctured.
Junpei: Here, let me show you...

He pulled out his notebook and pen, and sketched out a rough illustration.

June: I see... So is that why the ship hasn't sunk?
June: The shape of the inside keeps it from all filling with water?
Junpei: Yeah, I think that's what's going on.

Junpei continued talking as he closed the notebook and slipped it back into his
pocket.

Junpei: So I'm gonna go down and check it out. You stay here, all right?
June: Um...but...
Junpei: C'mon, just do it, all right?

He gave June's shoulder a reassuring squeeze, then hopped onto the elevator.
He pushed the E button, and the door began to close...
June looked worried, her eyes darting back and forth as if she was trying to
make a decision, when suddenly--

June: I-I'm coming with you!
Junpei: Huh?!

At the last possible moment, June dashed forward, turning sideways just in time
to slip through the gap between the closing doors.
Junpei jammed his finger against the "Open" button--
But it was too late.
The door had shut, he and June were in the elevator, and it was headed down, to
E Deck.
He was so surprised by June that he didn't even have time to think about what
awaited him on the E Deck.
The elevator stopped, and the door slid open.
They stepped off, onto the floor outside the elevator. Nothing seemed
especially unusual.
No fish going about their fishy business, or jellyfish floating lazily through
the water.
There was, however, a blowfish. ...Or at least something that looked very much
like one.
June's cheeks were puffed out, and her mouth a tiny, intense frown.

June: Mmmm...
Junpei: Oh, knock it off. It's just like I thought... This part hasn't flooded.
Junpei: Come on, just look around! There's no water here!

June looked around nervously, then...

June: Haah--!

...Exhaled.

June: You're right... It's not flooded at all.
Junpei: See?
June: But there's a whole lot of water...
Junpei: Yeah, right on top of us.
June: What's going to happen if the ceiling breaks?

Junpei thought about that for a moment.

(If you answered <Being locked up alone with a boy.>)

Junpei: Well... We'd probably get really wet...up there.
June: ...Huh?

(Continued at "m30a.b6")

(If you answered <They could only go down.>)

Junpei: We'd probably die.
June: O-Oh no... D-Don't be so casual about something like that...

(Continued at "m30a.b6")

{m30a.b6}

Junpei: At any rate, we should probably go back as soon as we can, once we're
done looking around down here.
Junpei: Lotus and Santa might already be back.
June: Okay. Good idea.

Junpei glanced around the room they'd found themselves in.
The first thing he noticed was a set of thick iron bars.
They ran the length of the room, separating the left elevator from the right
one.

Junpei: Well, we can't go over there.
June: Right.

Then perhaps...
In the corner of the room that housed the elevators, Junpei found an opening.
He walked up to it and stuck his head around the corner.
A long, straight hallway stretched out in front of him.

June: That door at the end of the hallway... There's something written on it.
Junpei: Yeah. Let's go have a look.

Junpei and June set off down the hallway at a brisk clip, somewhere between a
run and a jog.
Before long, they found themselves in front of the door.
On it was a number written in bright red paint...[6].

Junpei: I knew it...
June: This is a numbered door!

And indeed, there was a RED bolted to the wall right next to the door.
Of course, with only 2 people, there wasn't much they could do with it.

Junpei: All right, let's head back.
June: Yes!

Junpei and June turned, and headed back to C Deck.
On their way back, Junpei noticed a map on the wall.
As it turned out, it was a burnt [map of the ship's interior] for E Deck.
...
...

Junpei: Huh... So you guys found door [1]...

They'd met back up with Santa and Lotus, who had explained what they'd found.
Apparently, there was another numbered door on A Deck, just like the one on E
Deck, beyond the door that the Earth key opened.
According to Santa and Lotus, there was a [1] on the door.
All told, they had discovered 2 new doors: The [6] door and the [1] door.

Lotus: It is interesting that E Deck wasn't flooded...

Lotus was quiet for a moment, lost in thought.

Junpei: Well, we don't really know if all of E Deck is safe.
Junpei: We only checked the area around the elevator.
Lotus: Even so. It's still very interesting...
Santa: You said the [6] door was there, right?
June: Yes.
Santa: Then that means Zero planned all this out, even the sinking.
Santa: That would have meant some pretty serious remodeling of the ship's
interior.
Lotus: It's pretty mindblowing, when you think about it.
June: Yeah. I wonder how long it took... I can't even imagine how much it
must've cost...
Santa: It would've been a ton, that's for sure.
Junpei: Well, that does go along with what Ace was saying.
Junpei: The most reasonable explanation would be that this was done by some
organization with access to a whole lot of cash.
Lotus: Yes, it does make sense...

That thought made them all go quiet for a moment.
June bit her lip while Lotus sighed softly to herself and Santa cracked a stiff
neck and stared off into the distance at nothing.

June: Um... I don't think it's a very good idea to stay here.

June looked up at Junpei with large, pleading eyes.

Junpei: Yeah, you're right. Ace and his team might be back already.
Lotus: Well, June, Junpei, and I should be able to open door [1].
Santa: Huh? You guys leaving me behind?

8 + 6 + 5 = 19
-> 1 + 9 = 10
-> 1 + 0 = 1

Lotus: Just kidding.
Lotus: All right. Let's go.

Lotus's words were all the impetus they needed. Back to the large hospital room
they went.
The moment they stepped inside, a tremendous voice echoed across the room.

Seven: Hey! Where the hell did you guys go?!

It was Seven.
Ace was right behind him, and Clover was behind Ace, although she seemed to be
hanging back.
It looked as though there was something...strange about them.
Seven had the look of a man who'd seen a ghost. Ace was just as pale, and
Clover looked as though she was only moments from passing out entirely.
For a long moment, they simply stood there, looking at one another.
Junpei looked around nervously, waiting for someone else to speak. No one did.
He looked at Seven.

Junpei: What...happened?
Seven: What the hell kind of a question is that?!

Seven was trying very hard to be angry, but something had shaken him, hard.
His shoulders were trembling, and his voice was strained.

Seven: Snake was... Snake is... 

Seven couldn't finish.
He just looked away, his face twisted by... Junpei wasn't sure what.
Instead, Ace spoke.
He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and spoke.

Ace: Snake is...dead.
Ace: He died...just as the 9th Man did.
Junpei: !

It was as if all the air had suddenly been sucked out of the room.
Junpei felt his heartbeat quicken, and he realized he was having trouble
breathing.
He could feel cold sweat beading on his forehead and neck.
June, Santa, and Lotus looked the way he felt.
All 3 were frozen in place, their faces white.

June: Oh my God... That's not true, is it...?
Junpei: ...
Lotus: We should make sure!
Junpei: Y-Yeah, right, we should...

They nodded to one another, and headed for the number [3] door--

Seven: Wait! Not that way.

They stopped short, and turned to look at Seven.
He was pointing at the [door with no number]...

Seven: I stuck a screwdriver in there, to keep the door from closing all the
way.
Seven: It's not locked, so you can go in that way.
Junpei: Where is...where is he?
Seven: The [shower room], on the left side of the hallway.
Seven: I put a broom in there too, to keep the door open.
Santa: We can get in without going through the numbered door, right?
Seven: Yeah, that's right.

Their new destination clear, Junpei and his companions headed for the [door
with no number].
Once in the hallway, it was easy to spot the metal door on the left wall.
It hadn't been open when they'd been through before...
But now, just as Seven had said, there was a broom stuck between the door and
the frame, keeping it open.
They looked at it for a moment, then stepped inside.

Lotus: Ugh... It smells horrible...

Lotus wrinkled her nose and covered her mouth in disgust.
Even Santa pinched his nose shut...

Santa: Yeah, this is pretty awful... I feel like I'm gonna puke.

It was just as bad as they said--perhaps worse.
A hideous smell filled the air, so thick they could almost taste it.
It was sour, and smelled of fish, feces, and burnt meat...
It worked its way through Junpei's nose and down his throat, to pound against
the entrance to his stomach.
He put his hands over his mouth, and struggled to keep what little was in his
stomach where it belonged.
They didn't have to wonder where the body was.
There was blood everywhere, a few arms of the splatter reaching toward them as
they walked in through the door.
All one had to do was follow the many radial arms to their source...
The body itself was hidden behind a divider.

Junpei: June, you should stay here.
June: But...
Junpei: Please, just do me a favor, okay? All right?

He didn't give her a chance to say no. He put his hand on her shoulder, as if
to shove her into the ground like a tentpole, turned, and walked toward the end
of the divider.
It felt like it took an eternity for him to get there.
Santa and Lotus followed, timid and nervous as a pair of children.
Eventually, they reached the divider.
They looked at one another and nodded, slowly.
Junpei put his hands on the divider and peered around the corner.
For a moment, he forgot to breathe.
He felt his heart collapse in his chest like an empty cigarette carton, and
time froze.
He knew in that instant that he would take the image before him to the grave.
What was left of the body sat in a sea of blood.
Chunks of flesh, torn from the body, sat in the blood like tiny islands in a
great, red sea.
A vast, ragged hole had been torn in the torso, and what remained of his
intestines spilled out of it like fresh spaghetti.
Smaller chunks of meat had splattered against the wall, and become stuck there
as they dried.
Globules of yellowish fat had left trails like tiny slugs as gravity pulled
them down the wall, even as they dried to it.

Santa: Just like Ace said...

Santa's voice was strained. Junpei suspected he was holding down some vomit of
his own.

Santa: Just like the 9th Man.
Santa: The detonator in his bracelet set off the bomb in his gut.

It looked as though the explosion had been quite powerful.
His legs were both bent in an odd, unnatural way, and his left arm had split
open, exposing the painfully white bone of his ulna.
His bracelet lay next to him.
It seemed to have hit the wall hard enough to have shattered the display, which
lay on the ground in pieces.
Half of his head had simply collapsed.
The blood coating almost made it look like raw pizza dough covered in tomato
sauce.
His clothes, too, were covered in blood.
The burgundy tie, the white shirt, the jacket with the yellow piping, and the
gray slacks...
They were all familiar to Junpei.

Lotus: No mistake about that. It's Snake...

Lotus's voice was unnaturally deep and strained, and Junpei heard it catch in
her throat.
...
...
The squeal of tortured metal made Junpei's teeth curl.
It sounded like the noise a ghost would make. No matter how many times he heard
it, he never got used to it.
Every time, it put him on edge.
It didn't help that there was a girl nearby who looked far more like a ghost
than a living human should.
It was Clover.
She sat on the edge of the bed, her head drooping listlessly onto her chest.
Her eyes were blank, and stared across the room at nothing. Her breathing was
slow and mechanical.
Aside from the rise and fall of her chest, she didn't move.
Junpei felt as if even a nudge might cause her to shatter into a thousand
pieces.

Seven: Snake was probably murdered.
Seven: Chances are he was killed the same way the 9th Man was.

Seven lowered his voice, likely in an effort to keep Clover from hearing what
he had to say.
There were 4 other people in the room with Junpei and Seven.
Ace, Santa, June, and Lotus.
Seven looked at each one of them in turn, and continued.

Seven: It's pretty straightforward. Not that hard to figure out how they did
it.
Seven: First, the killers got Snake to authenticate on the RED to open door
[3].
Seven: Then they shoved him into it, alone...
Seven: ...And waited 9 seconds for the door to shut.
Seven: Once that door shut, it was over for Snake, but he didn't give up.
Seven: He probably knew it wouldn't do him any good, but he probably ran into
the shower room looking for the DEAD.
Seven: It was a small chance, but it wasn't like he had anything to lose.
Seven: Unfortunately, it didn't work.
Seven: The detonator's only deactivated if everybody who authenticated when
they went in uses the DEAD.
Seven: And then 81 seconds after he was shoved in...
Seven: That happened.
Junpei: I see... So that's what you meant by killers, huh.
Junpei: You need at least 3 people to open one of the numbered doors, including
Snake.
Junpei: It wouldn't open for Snake and a single killer.
Seven: Exactly.
Seven: That means we're looking at multiple perps here.

Junpei crossed his arms and grunted.

Junpei: Well, just in case, I wanna make sure.
Junpei: Let's say you're right... When do you think Snake was killed?
Seven: When we all split up to look for the parts for the REDs... I think.
Seven: Right after that was when we noticed he was gone.
Junpei: Then that means none of us have alibis.
Junpei: We were all off searching the rooms we'd been assigned, looking for
those parts...
Seven: Yeah... That means anybody could be a killer.
June: W-Wait a minute! What are you talking about?!

June seemed shocked.

June: How can you say 1 of us is a killer so casually?!
Seven: Well, not just 1 of us. If I'm right, then at least 2 of us are
murderers.
Ace: Why don't you calm down a bit, Seven...
Ace: What are you going to gain by being so suspicious? That's what Zero wants,
you know.
Seven: What...Zero wants?
Ace: Exactly. This game was set up by Zero, wasn't it?
Ace: Any game has a winner and loser.
Ace: Whoever makes it through door [9] is a winner, and those who don't are the
losers.
Ace: Zero is trying to make us fight against one another for that victory.
June: Then you're saying that Zero is trying to split us up by making us fight
each other?
Ace: Yes.
Ace: That is why we can't let ourselves fall prey to suspicion.
Ace: We have to trust one another, and form a strong bond of friendship.
Ace: Otherwise, we'll end up ensnared by Zero's manipulations.
Lotus: Then, does that mean that...the person who killed Snake...
Ace: Yes. Almost certainly Zero himself.
Ace: If there's anyone we should doubt, it should be Zero.
Ace: He masterminded this game, and kidnapped all of us.
Ace: Doesn't it seem reasonable that he would have killed Snake as well?

Junpei hadn't really considered that.
If Zero had killed Snake, then Zero was on the ship with them.

* <<Was Zero still on the ship with them...?>>

<Junpei wasn't sure.> - "m30a.c1"
<Of course.> - "m30a.c2"

{m30a.c1}
<Junpei wasn't sure.>

He wasn't sure.

Junpei: Hey, I'm just wondering about 1 thing...
Ace: And what's that?
Junpei: How can you be so sure that Zero's on this ship?

Ace's eyebrows shot up.

Ace: Really, Junpei? I confess, I'm a little disappointed. Usually you're
rather sharp.
Ace: Isn't it obvious?
Junpei: Obvious? How so?
Ace: "This ship."
Junpei: ...Huh?
Ace: Zero said "this ship" several times when he addressed us.

"I am Zero... The captain of this ship."
"The purpose of the game is simple... Leave this ship alive."
"As you have no doubt surmised, this ship has begun to sink."

Ace: If he weren't here, he wouldn't say "this ship", would he?
Ace: He'd be saying something like "that ship" or "the ship".
Junpei: Oh... Yeah, I guess that makes sense.

Ace's explanation made perfect sense. Junpei felt a little foolish that he
hadn't seen it himself.
Still, he was left with a question, and it was one of no small importance.

Junpei: If Zero's on the ship...where is he?

Suddenly, everyone went very quiet.
The silence was cold and clammy, and Junpei could feel it crawling across his
back and around his throat.
Again, he heard the ghosting moaning noise.
And moments later, a person who looked more ghost than human appeared.
It was Clover.
She looked at the floor as she spoke, and her voice was a cold monotone.

Clover: I think...
Clover: I think Zero is...one of us...
* ?!

Every human body in the room froze. The only sound was the muffled rustling of
breath.
Eyes darted from face to face. One of those faces was the face of their jailer.
...But who?
Junpei...

* <<Said...>>

<"Hmm... Well, that's possible."> - "m30a.d1"
<"That's crazy!"> - "m30a.d2"

{m30a.c2}
<Of course.>

Of course he was. That was obvious.
Zero was somewhere on the ship, but...
Junpei had no idea where.
Junpei mumbled to himself, lost in thought.

Junpei: ...Where could Zero be hiding...?

Suddenly, everyone went very quiet.
The silence was cold and clammy, and Junpei could feel it crawling across his
back and around his throat.
Again, he heard the ghosting moaning noise.
And moments later, a person who looked more ghost than human appeared.
It was Clover.
She looked at the floor as she spoke, and her voice was a cold monotone.

Clover: I think...
Clover: I think Zero is...one of us...
* ?!

Every human body in the room froze. The only sound was the muffled rustling of
breath.
Eyes darted from face to face. One of those faces was the face of their jailer.
...But who?
Junpei...

* <<Said...>>

<"Hmm... Well, that's possible."> - "m30a.d1"
<"That's crazy!"> - "m30a.d2"

{m30a.d1}
<"Hmm... Well, that's possible.">

Junpei: Hmm... Well, that's possible.
June: ...Huh?
Junpei: Like Clover said, Zero might be one of us.
June: W-What are you saying, Jumpy?!
June: Didn't you hear what Ace said?!
Ace: Exactly. I said we shouldn't suspect one another for no reason--
Junpei: No reason? I've got a great reason.
Santa: And what's that?
Junpei: The bracelets.

He held out his left arm.

Junpei: Why are the bombs in our bodies connected to the [bracelets]?
Junpei: You're all thinking Zero's hiding somewhere, watching us, right?
Junpei: If he's doing that, then he could just detonate the bombs by remote
control if someone did something they weren't supposed to.
Junpei: It would be a lot more precise, and a lot easier. But...
Junpei: If that's the case, then why is the bomb set off by the detonator in
the bracelet?
Santa: Huh... You got a point.
Junpei: I'm not done. Try applying the same ideas to the Nonary Game.
Junpei: All of the puzzles here run all by themselves.
Junpei: In other words, Zero doesn't have to be controlling them for the game
to move forward.
Junpei: Why's that? Why would Zero bother to do something like that?

Junpei let the question hang in the air, and looked at the others.
It was Santa who answered.

Santa: So let's say you and Clover are right. Zero's one of us.
Santa: If that's the case, then it'd be really hard for him to keep track of
all of us, or control anything remotely.
Santa: That's why all the puzzles run by themselves.
Santa: ...That's what you're getting at, right?
Junpei: Yeah.

Junpei nodded.

Junpei: Seven, when we were talking earlier...
Junpei: You said any one of us could be Snake's killer, right?
Seven: Yeah, something like that.
Junpei: All right then, I've got a question for you, Ace.
Junpei: You said something like "Zero must be the one who killed Snake", right?
Ace: Yes, something like that. I can't think of any other explanation.
Junpei: So what do we get if we combine those?
Junpei: They fit together pretty well, I think. Something like this...
Junpei: (Whoever killed Snake) = (Zero) = (one of us)
Junpei: Seven and Ace's theories aren't mutually exclusive. They actually
complement each other pretty well.
Junpei: At least they do if Zero is one of us.

No one spoke.
Their faces were grim, but Junpei wasn't sure if they believed him or not.
Finally, Lotus spoke up.

Lotus: What were his motives?
Junpei: His motives?
Lotus: Yes. Isn't that pretty important?
Lotus: Why would Zero want to hide as one of us?
Junpei: Oh... Well, that's because...um...

Junpei choked.
He hadn't thought of that, and he had to be honest with himself... He had no
idea.

Junpei: I...don't know...

Lotus sighed.

Lotus: Well, so much for making a persuasive argument, Junpei.
Ace: In other words, you had only circumstantial evidence.
Seven: I don't really think that's enough to go on, you know...?

Junpei was painfully aware of their eyes on him, and their disapproval.
He tried to find something else--anything else--to look at.
Just when he felt he could bear it no longer--
They heard a bell begin to ring. It was the clock at the central staircase.

Santa: 3 in the morning...
Lotus: That means we have 3 hours left...
Ace: Then we need to move, now.
Ace: Seven, Clover, Junpei... 
Ace: I know how you feel, but you do understand that, right now, it's important
we trust one another, don't you?

Junpei couldn't bring himself to respond.
He swallowed the words he wanted to say, and sighed.
Seven and Clover remained silent.
Their eyes were looking at something somewhere else, very far away.

(To "m30a.e", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{m30a.d2}
<"That's crazy!">

Junpei: That's crazy!
Junpei: Isn't this ship going to sink in a few hours?
Junpei: If Zero was here with us, he'd be putting himself in danger!
Junpei: Why the hell would he do something like that?!
Junpei: There's no motive!

Clover looked up at Junpei, and her face fell.

Clover: You...don't believe me...
Junpei: ...

Her eyes were so pitiful...
The moment Junpei's met them, he felt his heart tighten.
He didn't think what he said was wrong...
...But perhaps the way he'd said it had been. He'd been too insensitive.
Clover had just lost her brother.
His death would have been bad enough, but she'd also seen the blasted wreck of
his body.
Junpei barely knew him, and the sight had been enough to make him sick. What
Clover had felt...he couldn't begin to imagine.
Junpei barely knew him, and the sight had been enough to make him sick. What
Clover had felt...he couldn't begin to imagine.
She felt everyone was against her. The least Junpei could have done was try to
understand what she was feeling.
He felt ashamed of what he'd said.
Perhaps, he thought, I should apologize.
But before that apology could begin--

Ace: Clover, I understand what you're feeling. You don't feel that you can
trust any of us.

Ace had beaten Junpei to the punch.
As he spoke to Clover, his face was calm and friendly.

Ace: But you have to understand...
Ace: The more we distrust one another, the further we fall into our true foe's
trap.
Ace: Zero was the one who did those horrible things to your brother.
Ace: Do you want to let yourself be manipulated by someone who would do such a
horrible thing?

Clover didn't answer. She didn't even look at Ace.
The whole time, her eyes were on Junpei.
He could feel Clover's eyes boring into him.
They were the color of a deep winter lake. Junpei saw no suspicion in
them...only sadness.
Then, in that horrible silence--

They heard a bell begin to ring. It was the clock at the central staircase.

Santa: 3 in the morning...
Lotus: That means we have 3 hours left...
Ace: Then we need to move, now.
Ace: Seven, Clover...
Ace: I know how you feel, but you do understand that, right now, it's important
we trust one another, don't you?

Seven and Clover remained silent.
Their eyes were looking at something somewhere else, very far away.

(To "m30a.e", replacing quotations with braces {} )

{m30a.e}

Ace: We must go! We have very little time left!

Ace's words put their feet to moving.
They all knew where they were going.
Their next destination...was [Mercury].
It sat, bolted to the wall near the stairs that led to the casino and the
kitchen, between the 2 elevators.
The Mercury card reader.
Junpei stood in front of it with the [Mercury key card]...
Seven had given him the card.

Seven: I found it when we were checking out the shower room.

At least, that's what he'd said.
Junpei slid the card through the reader.
The light on the reader turned green and made a tiny, electronic noise.
Now, they were ready.
Junpei and June had been chosen as the investigators.
The reasoning being that they had been to E Deck before, and no one else had.
As before, Junpei sent the elevator ahead, to make sure the floor they were
heading to wasn't flooded.
As before, the elevator returned as dry as when it had left.
Once it had been checked for water, Junpei and June stepped into the elevator.
There were only 2 floor buttons they could push...
The "C" and "Bottom" buttons.
The rest were destroyed or did nothing when pushed.
Junpei hit the "Bottom" button.
The door closed. Slowly, they began to move downward.
Some time later, Junpei and June stepped off the elevator and onto the [Bottom
Deck].
They stepped off, and saw that the hallway to their right ended somewhere
between 20 and 25 feet from them.
The hallway in front of them was a dead end...
But not a regular dead end.

June: This is a numbered door... 
Junpei: This is the 8th one we've found...

There were 2 numbered doors on B Deck, near the central staircase.
They were doors [4] and [5].
There were 3 more numbered doors in the large hospital room...
Doors [3], [7], and [8].
Junpei and June had found another door on E Deck and Lotus and Santa had found
a 7th on A Deck.
There was a [6] on the door on E Deck... And a [1] on the door on A Deck.
[4], [5], [3], [7], [8], [6], [1]...
And now, door [2] stood in front of Junpei.
There was only one thing it meant.

June: Do you think...the next door we find...
Junpei: Yeah, I think so.
Junpei: The next one's gonna be door [9].

Despite himself, Junpei felt excited.
There was something about that excitement that frightened him as well.
He did his best to put it from his mind, and headed back to C Deck with June.
...
...

Junpei: All right, let's open these up.

The pieces of paper they'd folded up lay on the ground next to Junpei's legs.
There were 7 of them, all told. They were written on paper pulled from Junpei's
notebook, and each one bore a codename and a door.
Why had they decided to vote that way?
They'd decided it wasn't fair to simply ask everyone at once--that would allow
people to force others to go through certain doors.
Well, that wasn't the only reason. Junpei had proposed the voting system...
...And he had a plan.
It wasn't a plan he wanted anyone catching wind of, however, so he did his best
to act calm as he began to open and read the pieces of paper.
The 1st one read...

Junpei: Ace requests door [1].
Ace: Yes, I do. Would you like me to explain why?
Junpei: No, we don't have the time for that. Sorry. Let's keep going...

He opened the second one.

Junpei: Next is Santa. He wants door [6].
Santa: Yeah, that's what I wrote.

Junpei continued with the 3rd, 4th, and 5th pieces of paper.

Junpei: Clover wants [1]... Lotus wants [2]...and Seven also wants [2].
Lotus: Eh!? W-W-Wait a minute!
Lotus: There's no way I'm going anywhere with the Elephant Man!
Junpei: No. There'd be no point to the voting if we let people change their
choices because of stuff like that.
Lotus: But--!
Seven: Just give it up, Lotus.
Seven: It's not like I wanna hang out with some exhibitionist grandma.
Lotus: I'm not an exhibitionist! I'm wearing clothes!
Seven: Barely.
Lotus: So?! Last I checked, that's not a crime!
Seven: Maybe, but what about common decency?
Seven: Nobody wants to hafta look at a chick who looks like a half-naked
raisin...
Lotus: RrrrrrrrRRRRGH! I'm going to kill you!

Lotus's hair flared out like the mane of an angry lion, and she roared with a
voice that shook the walls.
With some difficulty, Ace managed to restrain her.

Ace: Junpei! Read the rest!
Junpei: U-Uh...right...

Junpei tore his eyes away and looked down at the 6th piece of paper.
He opened it.

Junpei: June wants door [6]...
June: Yes. I don't really have a reason, I just felt like it.

All of the papers, save Junpei's, had been read.
He did some quick calculations in his head.
People who requested door [1] = Ace + Clover.
(This was the door on [A Deck], near the central staircase.)
People who requested door [2] = Seven + Lotus.
(This was the door on the [Bottom Deck] and could be reached by taking the
elevator to the bottom of the ship.)
People who requested door [6] = Santa + June.
(This was the door on [E Deck] and could be reached by taking the elevator near
the central staircase down.)
It took him less than a second to run the numbers. He opened the 7th piece of
paper and spoke.

Junpei: Okay, the last one is mine.
Junpei: I want to go through...

<Door [1]> - "a31b"
<Door [2]> - "c31b"
<Door [6]> - "b31b"


===========================================
===========================================
{b31b} File #43
:C Deck hallway:
-Door [6] Selected-
===========================================

Junpei: I want to go through...door [6].

Junpei flipped open the piece of paper.
It read "Junpei -- Door [6]".
Of course it did. He'd written it, after all.

June: That's a problem...

June spoke barely above a whisper, but they all knew what she'd said.

June: None of these teams will be able to go through the doors they want.
Ace: Clover and I chose door [1].
Seven: Lotus and I chose door [2].
Ace: That's not enough people to open a numbered door, however.
Seven: The digital root's don't match up either. {Author's Note: There probably
doesn't need to be an apostrophe on "roots"}
Santa: We've got similar problems.
Santa: June, Junpei and I want to go through door [6].
Santa: But our digital root is 5. &&& Check line placement
Santa: If we're gonna open that door, we need a (1).
Lotus: Damn... What are we going to do now?
Junpei: What are we going to do...

Junpei crossed his arms, and did his best to put his thoughts in order. The
others followed suit, but with little result.
Eventually Clover broke the silence.

Clover: Why don't Seven and Lotus go through door [1]...? With me.

Her face was cold and flat, as was her voice, but her logic was sound.
Seven and Lotus looked at each other.
7 + 8 + 4 = 19
-> 1 + 9 = 10 -> 1 + 0 = 1
The first problem resolved, Ace spoke up.

Ace: What about...me?
Clover: Isn't that obvious?
Clover: Wasn't one of the teams just complaining that they didn't have a (1)?
Ace: You mean... I should join Santa's team?

Clover nodded, her face still cold and emotionless.
Her attitude and posture could not have been more different than the energetic
girl of only a few hours before.
No one seemed ready to contradict her.
Her response was understandable, given the horrible situation in which she had
found herself, but even so...

Ace: I understand... I will go through door [6], then.
Ace: If we do as Clover has suggested, we can all pass through a numbered door.
Ace: No one will be left behind.
Ace: This seems to be the most reasonable solution.

3 + 6 + 5 + 1 = 15 -> 1 + 5 = 6

Junpei: Seven? Lotus? What do you guys think?
Seven: I don't have a problem with it.
Lotus: Me either...
Junpei: All right then, we're good to go.

...
...
At last, Junpei and the other 6 had managed to separate themselves into 2
teams.
Clover, Seven, and Lotus headed to [A Deck], where door [1] was, near the main
staircase.
Junpei, June, Ace, and Santa, however, took the elevator to [E Deck]...
The ride to [E Deck] was a silent one.

Santa: All right, let's go.

Santa's words jolted them to action, and they stepped out of the elevator, into
a long, straight hallway.
Before long, they arrived in front of door [6].
One by one, they put their palms over the RED.
With a soft electronic noise, it authenticated each of them.
The door opened...
And all at once, the 4 of them leapt through it.
Fortunately, the DEAD was located easily enough.
This one had been placed quite close to the door they'd entered through.
They gathered around it quickly, and hurriedly placed their palms on it for
authentication one by one.

Junpei: ...
June: ...
Ace: ...
Santa: ...
Junpei: It stopped...
June: Yes... It stopped...

The countdown had ceased, but Junpei's heart was still pounding in his chest,
like a frantic, thunderous drum.
It felt as though it might shake itself up and out of his throat.
He'd been through the doors 3 times before, but repetition had not dulled the
experience.
He was not anxious to find it dulled, however.
He hoped to be free of the ridiculous game long before that happened.

Junpei: All right, let's go!

With that attempt at good humor, Junpei took a deep breath, and began to walk.
He jogged down the stairs at the end of the hallway, and found himself staring
at a large door.
It was a heavy thing, made of iron, and more than a little threatening.
He took hold of the bar that served as its doorknob, and shoved it down.
The room beyond stopped him in his tracks.
It was gargantuan, and made entirely of metal--none of the accents of wood or
tile he'd seen in the rest of the ship. This room was purely functional, but
utterly tremendous.

Santa: Whoa, what the hell is this...

Santa got out a few words, before awe stole the rest of them.
The rest were too stunned to offer anything more than gasps.
It was easily the largest room they'd seen, and yet it was somehow closed, and
oppressive. The ceiling was at least 2 stories high, if not significantly more.
It was easily several hundred feet across, and appeared to stretch the entire
width of the ship.
In the center of that gargantuan room stood a massive, rounded building. Even
from a distance, the sheer bulk of it was...oppressive. Junpei could feel the
room, the building, even the air, pressing down on him.
Junpei and the others were standing on scaffolding that criss-crossed the whole
area. The proper term was "catwalk", Junpei thought, although that didn't seem
particularly important. 

Junpei: All right, let's head downstairs.

Nearby was a long iron staircase that made its way, eventually, to the floor
beneath them.
They moved around toward the opposite side of the massive building, following
the catwalk.
They hadn't said much as they walked, but as they approached the building, Ace
suddenly spoke up.

Ace: This looks to be the steam engine room.
Junpei: The steam engine room...?
Ace: Yes. The thing that looks like a cross-section of a mushroom is the
boiler.
Ace: Do you see the 3 round doors near the bottom?
Ace: Coal is put into those, and burned, which heats the water, producing
steam.
Ace: The same thing that drives a steam engine. This one is simply
somewhat...larger.
Junpei: I see...

Even if Ace was right, the boiler was boiling nothing as they approached it.
The entire room was as silent as the grave.
Suddenly--
Junpei heard a noise behind him.
He turned, just in time to see June collapse to her knees.

Junpei: Hey! What's wrong?! Are you all right?

He dashed toward her, and wrapped his arm around her shoulders to steady her.
It was then that he noticed...

Junpei: You... You're really warm!
Junpei: Is your fever coming back?!
June: Yes... Yes, it...probably is...
June: But... I'm fine... Please, don't...worry about me.
June: I just need to rest... And I'll be fine...

Her voice was weak, and forced, and it said a great deal more than her words
did.
Junpei carried her to the nearest wall, and propped her up against it.
She let her head fall back against the wall, as if she no longer had the
strength to support it, and drew a ragged breath.
Her eyes were empty, as if she was having trouble focusing them, and even
speaking seemed difficult for her.
Junpei felt his hand ball itself into a fist, and clench tight, his knuckles
whitening. He had to find a way out, and quickly!
He turned, and looked at Ace and Santa in turn.
They might not have shared the depth of his emotion, but they certainly shared
his concern.
He didn't need words to express the urgency of their situation.

Junpei: All right, let's get started.
Junpei: Hang in there, June... I'm gonna get you out of here real soon.

She managed a small nod before leaning back to rest her head on the wall.

===============SEEK A WAY OUT!===============
::Steam engine room::
=============================================
{b31} File #42
Plot points within this section:
-The Rat Maze: "b31d.b&&&" (Does not exist yet, 4-7-6 does not unlock this
dialogue.)
-Black and White Santa: "b32b.&&&"
( To skip to a story segment, search for "b32b.#" replacing quotations with
braces {} )
( Next story segment is "b32b" )
=============================================

MAP:
[#]: Screen #
<#>: Screen # that you start on
|, =, /, \ : Room Connections
v: Returns to the previous room
Screens to the left and right can be reached by arrow.

            [H]=[I] [K]=[J]
             |       v /
            [G]=[E]=[F]
               / ^ /
            [7]=[6]  [A]
             v[L]^    |
            [8]^[5]  [9]
               \ |    |
        [2]=<1>=[3]=/[4]
         |\\\ ///|  /
        [B] [C] [D]

*Screen [3] can go to [4] either by pressing right arrow key or tapping on the
area to the left of the staircase.
*Both Screen [2] and [3] can access the boiler gears [B], [C], and [D], and
Screen [4] can access boiler gear [D].
*You can access screen [E] from [6], but returning back from [E] goes to [7].
*You can access screen [L] (the control switch) from both screen [8] and [5].

{Screen 1, Facing Conveyer Belt}

<Examine Tunnel, 1+>
* A tunnel. It goes all the way across the ship.

<Examine Conveyer Belt, 1>
Ace: I'd say this is probably here to move coal from place to place.
Ace: It probably comes from over there...
Ace: ...And then the belt carries it down the tunnel and out here.
Junpei: So, if the conveyor belt was moving...
Ace: Yes, the coal would almost certainly come out here.
<Examine Conveyer Belt, 2+>
* Looks like a conveyor belt. It's not conveying anything right now.
<Examine Conveyer Belt after lowering box before taking control panel, 1+>
* Looks like a conveyor belt made for carrying coal. And over on the right...
<Examine Conveyer Belt after lowering box after taking control panel, 1+>
* Looks like it's a conveyor belt made for moving coal around... For conveying
it, you might say...
<Examine Conveyer Belt with coal on, 1>
Junpei: There's a whole lot of coal on the conveyor belt.
Ace: Ah, so the conveyor belt carries all the coal from the right side...
<Examine Conveyer Belt with coal on, 2+>
* There's a whole lot of coal on the conveyor belt.
<Examine Conveyer Belt after taking coal box, 1>
Ace: Junpei, do you really think you should be paying so much attention to the
conveyor belt?
<Examine Conveyer Belt after taking coal box, 2+>
* There's a whole lot of coal moving along the conveyor belt.

<Examine Pillar, 1+>
* This pillar goes up toward the ceiling.

<Examine Light Button, 1>
Santa: Look at that button... It's glowing orange, right?
Santa: That's gotta mean something...
* I guess pressing it is the best way to find out if it does anything, Santa.
Santa: Hm... Nothing.
<Examine Light Button, 2+>
* This button is glowing orange. Nothing happens when I press it.
<Examine Light Button after activating control panel, 1+>
* The light in the button isn't on anymore. I don't need to press it.

<Examine Square Compartment, empty, 1>
Santa: It's a square...hole. Nothing in here.
Ace: Ah, look at the back wall there.
Ace: I can see 3 small slots... Terminals for some sort of connector, perhaps?
Santa: You mean you think we're supposed to plug something in here?
Ace: Perhaps.
<Examine Square Compartment, empty, 2+>
* There's a square hole on the side of the tunnel. There are 3 slots here. They
look like connection terminals for something.
<Examine Square Compartment with control panel in inventory, unequipped, 1>
Ace: Junpei, this hole here...
Ace: Don't you think that panel you just found would fit in it?
<Examine Square Compartment with control panel in inventory, unequipped, 2+>
* There's a square hole on the side of the tunnel. There are 3 slots here. They
look like connection terminals for something.
<Examine Square Compartment with control panel equipped, 1>
Junpei: Maybe this hole...is where the control panel goes...
* Well, there's only one way to find out... In you go!
Santa: Dude, you did it. Everything looks all right...
Junpei: Okay, but... What do we do now?
Ace: Why don't you press the button next to it?
Junpei: The orange one?
Ace: Yes.
Junpei: All right, I'll do that.
Junpei: Pushing!
* Sweet! All sorts of lights are lighting up on this thing!
* And...oh! Yes, I think I just heard something turn on!
Junpei: Oh!? What's that!? What happened!?
Santa: Junpei, look! The conveyor belt's moving!
Junpei: The conveyor belt..?
* ...Well, I guess it's done moving now.
* There's still a bunch of coal on the belt, though...
* It looks like a bunch of it got dumped off the end of the belt into that
wooden box where we found the control panel.
Junpei: Coal... Coal, huh...

<Examine Box after lowering from above before taking control panel, 1+>
* A wooden box. Let's see what's inside...
<Examine Box after lowering from above after taking control panel, 1+>
* This box is empty.
* Of course, I could always put something in it...

<Examine Control Panel, 1+>
* This is the control panel for the conveyor belt. It's covered in lights.

<Examine Coal on Conveyer Belt, 1>
* Since the belt started moving, it's transported quite a bit of coal.
* It all drops off the left end of the belt, right into the wooden box.
<Examine Coal on Conveyer Belt, 2+>
* There's a lot of coal on the conveyor belt. Consequently, there's a lot of
coal in the box, too...
<Examine Coal on Conveyer Belt after taking coal box, 1+>
* It's coal. It's shiny and black and...coal-like.

<Examine Winch Hook, 1+>
* A winch, rope, and hook. The wooden box is right underneath.
<Examine Winch Hook after taking coal box, 1+>
* A winch, rope, and hook. There's nothing hanging off it any more.

{Screen 2, Boiler}

<Examine Entire Furnace, 1>
Junpei: Man, this thing is huge.
Junpei: I guess a ship this big needs something like that to power it.
Ace: True, but I doubt a single boiler of this size could actually move a ship
like this at any reasonable speed.
Ace: You'd need at least 3--no, 4, of these.
Junpei: Huh, I guess you know a lot about boats, huh?
Ace: Well, not really. It's just common sense, you know?
<Examine Entire Furnace, 2+>
* This is the massive furnace for this boiler.
* There is a door built into it near the bottom, where you can put coal in.

<Examine Fuel Doors, 1>
Ace: I believe this opening is for fueling the furnace.
Ace: If we were to put some coal in here, and ignite it...
Junpei: Then the steam engine might start working?
Ace: It's certainly possible.
<Examine Fuel Doors, 2+>
* An opening for fueling the furnace.
<Examine Fuel Doors with coal box unequipped, 1>
Santa: I think you put fuel into the furnace through that hole.
Santa: Hey, Junpei, why don't you put some of that coal we found in there?
Santa: If we can get it to light, maybe something cool'll happen, you know?
<Examine Fuel Doors with coal box unequipped, 2+>
* It's a hole. I think it's for putting fuel into the furnace.
<Examine Fuel Doors with coal box equipped, 1>
* There's a hole that'll let us put coal into the furnace.
* Maybe, if we can get some coal in there, and set it on fire...
Junpei: Okay, let's do it.
* All right, that's the last of it... No coal left in the wooden box.
* And...nothing. Great.
* Well, I guess I should have expected that. Why would just throwing coal into
a cold furnace do anything?
* Ah well, a man can dream...
Ace: Junpei, explain it to me again.
Ace: You're planning to stoke the furnace with coal...
Ace: ...Which will heat the water stored up there, and make steam...
Ace: ...Which will then drive something else.
Ace: Am I correct?
Santa: In other words, you wanna generate enough pressure with the steam to
power the turbine...
Santa: ...And drive the steam engine, right?
Junpei: Y-Yeah, I guess that's the...uh...gist of it.
Ace: Hmm. Well, in that case, this isn't enough coal.
Santa: This furnace is enormous.
Santa: So we're gonna need a whole hell of a lot more coal than this.
Ace: Very well then, if the 3 of us work together, then we should manage to
fill it much faster.
June: I...I want to help, too...
* Man, I totally didn't even see her walk up...
Junpei: Are...are you feeling up to that?
June: Y-Yes...
Junpei: ...Yeah right. You look like you're one stiff breeze away from falling
over, June.
Junpei: I think you'd better rest some more, all right?
June: But...I--!
Junpei: No arguing! You need your rest! So you just stay there. We'll handle
this.
June: ...
Junpei: ...
June: Okay... I understand...
* ...
* All right... Time for some manly work!
* Let's get this coal into those furnaces!
* ...Man, this is a lot of work...
Ace: All right, I think this should be sufficient.
Santa: All right, now we just gotta light it.
Santa: Junpei, hand me your matches.
Junpei: What makes you think I have matches?!
Santa: I see...
Santa: Then how're we gonna light it?
Ace: Perhaps there's a device nearby that will allow us to remotely ignite the
coal.
Ace: Let's take a look, shall we?
Junpei: Some sort of ignition device, huh...s
<Examine Fuel Doors after putting in coal, 1>
* Well, we put a bunch of coal into the furnace.
* If we can get it to light...
<Examine Fuel Doors after putting in coal, 2+>
* Well, we put a bunch of coal into the furnace.
* Now I just need to figure out how to light it.
<Examine Fuel Doors after turning on furnace, 1>
Junpei: Hot!
Santa: What kind of an idiot are you?
Santa: It's a hellish inferno in there. Of course it's going to be hot.
Junpei: ...
<Examine Fuel Doors after turning on furnace, 2+>
* The coal behind that door is burning hotter than the fires of hell. I
probably shouldn't open it.

<Examine Area around Fuel Doors, 1+>
* This is the bottom of the massive boiler.

<Examine Tunnel Left of Furnace, 1>
Junpei: There are a number of these little windows along the inside of this
thing.
Santa: I think you're supposed to put coal in through these, but...
Santa: ...They're welded shut. I don't think we can get these open.
<Examine Tunnel Left of Furnace, 2+>
* The conveyor belt comes out of a sort of arch-shaped tunnel.

<Examine Catwalk, 1+>
* Stairs stretch from the catwalk to the boiler.

{Screen 3, Facing Boiler Gears and Staircase}

<Examine Fuel Doors, 1+>
* This is where the coal goes. ...Or would go, if all 3 of these things hadn't
rusted shut.

<Examine Entire Furnace, 1>
* This is the huge oven for this boiler. There are 3 open areas in it.
* Each of the open areas has a gear in it.
<Examine Entire Furnace, 2+>
* This is the huge oven for this boiler. There's a big gear in each of the 3
open areas.
<Examine Entire Furnace after turning gears, 1+>
* This is the huge oven for this boiler. There's a big gear built into part of
it.

<Examine Catwalk, 1+>
* Stairs to the upper floor. They're connected to the boiler.

<Examine Boxes, 1>
Junpei: There're a bunch of wooden boxes over here by the wall.
Santa: I already looked through those. There's nothing there.
<Examine Boxes, 2+>
* A number of wooden boxes piled up under the stairs. There's nothing in them.

<Examine Barrel, 1>
Junpei: There's a barrel under the stairs. Sweet.
Ace: Unfortunately, it's empty.
<Examine Barrel, 2>
* There is a barrel under the stairs.
<Examine Barrel, 3>
* A barrel...
<Examine Barrel, 4>
Santa: We should get Seven to throw the barrel from the top of the stairs.
Santa: It'd be just like that old game, remember?
Ace: Ah, yes, with the gorilla who threw barrels...
Ace: And you tried to jump over the barrels, and make your way to the top...
<Examine Barrel, 5+>
* There's a barrel under the stairs. It's empty.

{Screen 4, Facing Sandbags and Staircase}

<Examine Sandbags, 1>
Santa: Look, Ace!
Santa: It's some kind of snowman secret meeting!
Ace: Those are just bags full of sand.
Ace: You use them as a counterweight when you're lifting something with a pully
system.
Santa: Man, you're too serious...
<Examine Sandbags, 2+>
* There are a number of cloth bags over here. There's nothing but sand in them.

<Examine Pillars, 1>
Junpei: There was a pillar like this on the other side.
Santa: Yeah, you're right...
<Examine Pillars, 2+>
* There are 2 pillars that reach up toward the ceiling.

<Examine Wooden Boxes, 1>
Santa: There's a pair of wooden boxes here.
Santa: There's...nothing in them.
<Examine Wooden Boxes, 1>
* There's a pair of boxes here. 

{Screen 5, Facing Control Switches going up}

<Examine Top Door, 1+>
* This is the door we came through when we entered the steam engine room.

<Examine lower Iron Door, 1+>
* I can see an iron gate. It looks pretty sturdy.

<Examine Catwalk, 1+>
* The back side of the catwalk and the pipe.

{Screen 6, Catwalk, North Side, facing doors A and B}

<Examine Door A, 1>
* One of the doors on the furnace. There's an [A] on it.
* There's a circular wheel in the center of the door.
Junpei: All right, let's give that sucker a twist...
* Well, it's noisy, but it opens.
* ...And it's totally pitch-black in there...
Junpei: We should...um...go in here...
Santa: All right.
Ace: Let's go.
Junpei: This...looks just like the door we went into...
Santa: Uh...where are we...?
Ace: We must be on the other side, yes?
Santa: Which would put us...directly above the conveyor belt.
Ace: At any rate, we should keep moving. There's a great deal we've yet to
investigate.

<Examine Door B from distance, 1+>
* One of the doors on the furnace. There's a [B] on it.

<Examine Boxes, 1+>
* There's a bunch of stuff in our way.

<Examine Catwalk, 1>
* There are several catwalks spidering across the walls of the room.
<Examine Catwalk, 2>
Junpei: The catwalk.
<Examine Catwalk, 3>
Junpei: The catwalk.
Santa: Hey Junpei, I think that catwalk there is like the ones you see up in
the tops of theaters, you know?
Santa: Like, for adjusting the lighting and stuff.
Junpei: Yeah, I know.
Junpei: But...what do you call it?
Santa: Uh, well, how about a tigerwalk?
Santa: It's...uh...wider than a catwalk...
Junpei: ...
<Examine Catwalk, 4>
* A catwalk even a cat might fall off of... Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a
little.
* Anyway, I think I'll still call it a catwalk, for now.
<Examine Catwalk, 5+>
* There are several catwalks spidering across the walls of the room.

<Examine Furnace, 1>
* The furnace for the massive boiler.
* I feel like I'm in a building built for another building.
<Examine Furnace, 2+>
* The furnace for the massive boiler.

{Screen 7, Catwalk, North Side, facing door C}

<Examine Furnace, 1+>
* This is the furnace for the enormous boiler.

<Examine Catwalk, 1>
Ace: There's a catwalk over there.
Junpei: Yeah, if by "catwalk" you mean, "narrow strip of metal"...
Ace: Junpei, are you brave enough to cross that?
Ace: If you were to fall, you do realize that broken bones would be the least
of your problems...
Junpei: ...
<Examine Catwalk, 2+>
* There are several catwalks spidering across the walls of the room.

<Examine Supports, 1>
Santa: I think that's part of the ship's structure.
Santa: They're like ribs that support the hull.
<Examine Supports, 2+>
* This supports and braces the side of the ship. It's not a ladder.

<Examine Door C, 1+>
* One of the doors on the furnace. There's a [C] on it.

{Screen 8, Facing Control Switches going down}

<Examine Boxes, 1+>
* There's a box here. It's full of glowing embers.

<Examine Supports, 1+>
* One of the great metal ribs of the ship.

{Screen 9, Facing Exit Door from distance}

<Examine Stairs on opposite side, 1>
Santa: Oh man, Junpei, I can't believe I missed something so important!
Junpei: What's so important?
Santa: Look at those stairs... Look at them carefully!
Santa: That gap! That height! That angle! It's perfect!
Junpei: Perfect? Perfect for what...?
Santa: Whatever, just bring Clover here, right now!
Santa: Tell her she needs to walk up and down these stairs!
Junpei: Huh?
* Clover's not here... What the hell is he talking about?
<Examine Stairs on opposite side, 2+>
* I don't really get it, but apparently these stairs are perfect
for...something.

<Examine Catwalk, 1+>
* The catwalk on the upper floor. There's a staircase that reaches out from the
catwalk to the boiler.

<Examine Wooden Boxes, 1+>
* There are a number of wooden boxes piled up at the bottom of the stairs.
They're all empty.

{Screen A, Exit Door closeup}

<Examine Door, 1>
* There's a thick, iron door blocking our way.
Junpei: You think this is...
Ace: Yes. It looks like the exit.
Santa: Looks like this door slides up into the ceiling.
<Examine Door, 2+>
* This thick, iron door blocks our way out. It's probably the exit.

<Examine Pedestal, 1>
Junpei: What is this...
Ace: Given its placement...
Ace: This must unlock the door to the left.
Santa: There's a weird indentation on the top of this thing.
Santa: You think that means you have to insert something here?
Ace: Yes, I would imagine so.
<Examine Pedestal, 2+>
* It looks like this thing unlocks the door.
* There's a depression here that looks like it's the outline of 3 circles laid
on top of each other in a triangle.
<Examine Pedestal with 3 discs, 1>
* It looks like this thing unlocks the door.
* There's a depression here that looks like it's the outline of 3 circles laid
on top of each other in a triangle.
Junpei: Maybe... Maybe if we put those 3 discs we found into this thing...
* Well, there's only one way to find out. Let's stick 'em in...
Junpei: Huh...? That's odd... Nothing's happening.
Santa: Maybe you're...I dunno...putting them in the wrong places?
Ace: Perhaps you have them facing the wrong directions?
Ace: Perhaps you should rotate the discs to make some of the lines connect to
one another?
Junpei: Hmm... Well, no harm in trying.
Instructions for operation:
When the disc is touched, it will rotate a certain amount.
When the white arrow is touched, the discs are switched.
Please note when the discs are switched, the angles for the discs are reset.
<Examine Pedestal with 3 discs after failing to solve puzzle, 1+>
Junpei: All right, let's give it another try!

<Go "Back" from Pedestal after failing to solve puzzle, 2> (Nothing happens
first time)
Junpei: Ugh... I didn't think this would be so hard...
Junpei: I don't know where each disc is supposed to go...
Junpei: If I could just figure that out the rest of this would be cake.
Ace: Junpei...
Ace: Do you remember what positions these discs were in when you found them?
Ace: If we know that, it might help us figure out where each disc is supposed
to go.
Junpei: Where each disc was when I found it...
* If I look at the 3 gears again, I might remember...
<Go "Back" from Pedestal after failing to solve puzzle, 3>
Junpei: Man, this is tough...
Santa: Hey, Junpei, why don't you go have another look at where you found the
discs?
Santa: You remember... The indentations on the gears...
Santa: You might find some clues you missed out on, you know?
<Go "Back" from Pedestal after failing to solve puzzle, 4+>
Junpei: No... I just don't get it at all...
* Santa said I might find some clues on the gears, but...

<Solve Pedestal Puzzle, 1>
* The red lines on these discs...
* I think maybe I can make a star polygon with these...!
(To "b32b", replacing quotations with braces {} )

<Examine Handrail, 1+>
* The hand rail.

{Screen B, Golden Boiler Gear}

<Examine Back Wall, 1+>
* The conveyor belt runs into a sort of arched tunnel.

<Examine Back Door, 1>
Ace: It looks like there's a door over here, in this tunnel...
Ace: The belt over there must deliver the coal, which is then picked up and
thrown into this door...
Ace: The door appears to be welded shut, however.
<Examine Back Door, 2+>
* There's a small door on the side of the tunnel. It's welded shut, and won't
open.
(Note that each of both golden and bronze boiler gear screens share the same
back door)

<Examine Rusty Gear, 1+>
* This gear is rusty, but it looks like it's still pretty sturdy.

<Examine Golden Gear, 1>
Ace: A golden gear...
Junpei: It doesn't look like it was always golden like this.
Ace: Well then, I imagine it was prepared especially for this game.
<Examine Golden Gear, 2+>
* A huge golden gear. I have a feeling it's important.

<Examine Golden Gear closeup, 1>
* The golden gear. If we turn it 180 degrees...
* ...The section of it that was hidden under the floor comes into view.
<Examine Golden Gear closeup, 2+>
* A golden gear. There's something in the indentation on this part of it...
<Examine Golden Gear closeup after removing disc, 1+>
* The golden gear. There's nothing in the indentation.

<Examine Golden Gear indentation, 1>
Ace: There's a a strange indentation here... It looks like a triangle made from
3 overlapping circles. {Author's Note: There are two "a"s in a row here.}
Ace: There's a golden disc in the bottom left corner...
<Examine Golden Gear indentation, 2+>
* The gold disc is in the indentation.
<Examine Golden Gear indentation after removing disc, 1>
Ace: Junpei, the gold disc we found...
Ace: Do you remember where it was when we found it?
Junpei: Um... I think it was on the bottom left.
Junpei: Why?
Ace: Oh, I was just thinking...
<Examine Golden Gear indentation after removing disc, 2+>
* I'm pretty sure the gold disc was on the bottom left when we found it.

{Screen C, Bronze Boiler Gear}

<Examine Back Wall, 1+>
* The conveyor belt runs into a sort of arched tunnel.

<Examine Back Door, 1>
Ace: It looks like there's a door over here, in this tunnel...
Ace: The belt over there must deliver the coal, which is then picked up and
thrown into this door...
Ace: The door appears to be welded shut, however.
<Examine Back Door, 2+>
* There's a small door in the side of this tunnel. It's welded shut, and won't
open.
(Note that each of both golden and bronze boiler gear screens share the same
back door)

<Examine Rusty Gear, 1+>
* This gear is rusty, but it looks like it's still pretty sturdy.

<Examine Bronze Gear, 1+>
* A huge, bronze gear. This has to be important...

<Examine Bronze Gear closeup, 1>
* The bronze gear. If we turn it 180 degrees...
* ...The section of it that was hidden under the floor comes into view.
<Examine Bronze Gear closeup, 2+>
* The bronze gear. There's something in the dent...
<Examine Bronze Gear closeup after removing disc, 1+>
* It's a bronze gear. There's nothing in the indentation anymore.

<Examine Bronze Gear indentation, 1>
June: There's a weird indentation that looks like 3 circles put together...
June: It looks like a calotte model of...ah...
Junpei: What...?
Junpei: Hey, are you all right?!
June: Yes... I'm...um...fine...
* Aaaand now she can't stand...
Junpei: See? I told you. Now get some rest, all right?
June: Yes... I'm sorry...
<Examine Bronze Gear indentation, 2+>
* The bronze disc is in the indentation.
<Examine Bronze Gear indentation after removing disc, 1+>
* The indentation where I found the bronze disc in the bottom right.
* There's nothing here anymore.

{Screen D, Silver Boiler Gear}

<Examine Back Wall, 1+>
* The conveyor belt runs into a sort of arched tunnel.

<Examine Rusty Gear, 1+>
* This gear is rusty, but it looks like it's still pretty sturdy.

<Examine Silver Gear, 1>
Junpei: It's a silver gear...
Santa: Do you think it's made of pure silver?
Junpei: No way. Silver's way too soft to use for a gear.
Junpei: It's gotta be a steel or iron gear that's been coated with silver.
Santa: Ugh... Shouldn't have called it a silver gear then.
Junpei: Shouldn't have got your hopes up. Were you thinking you'd haul this
thing back?
Santa: Nah, but I think Seven could probably carry it, don't you?
Junpei: ...
<Examine Silver Gear, 2+>
* A huge silver gear. I've got a feeling it's important.

<Examine Silver Gear closeup, 1>
* The silver gear. If we turn it 180 degrees...
* ...The section of it that was hidden under the floor comes into view.
<Examine Silver Gear closeup, 2+>
* A silver gear. There's something in the indentation on this part of it...
<Examine Silver Gear closeup after removing disc, 1+>
* The silver gear. There's nothing in the indentation anymore.

<Examine Silver Gear indentation, 1>
Santa: There's some kinda weird indentation on this thing.
Santa: Like a...triangle made out of 3 circles...
Santa: There's a silver disc in the top of it...
<Examine Silver Gear indentation, 2+>
* The silver disc is in the indentation.
<Examine Silver Gear indentation after removing disc, 1>
Santa: Hey, Junpei, you remember that silver disc?
Santa: Do you remember where it was when we found it?
Junpei: Uh... I think it was...on the top?
Junpei: Why?
Santa: Oh, nothing, just thinking...
<Examine Silver Gear indentation after removing disc, 2+>
* I'm pretty sure we found the silver disc in the top slot of the weird
indentation.

{Screen E Catwalk, South Side, facing door A}

<Examine Stairs, 1+>
* Stairs stretch from the catwalk to the boiler.

<Examine Boiler, 1>
* The furnace for the enormous boiler. It says [A] on this door.

{Screen F Catwalk, South Side, facing door C}

<Examine Boxes, 1+>
* There are a whole bunch of boxes in my way. I can't get through.

<Examine Catwalk, 1+>
* The catwalk.
* I can see some scaffolding on the wall over there.

<Examine Supports, 1+>
* This supports and braces the side of the ship.
* We might be right above where June's resting.

<Examine Furnace, 1+>
* The furnace for the enormous boiler. It says [C] on this door.

{Screen G Catwalk, South Side, facing door B}

<Examine Pipe, 1>
Santa: Well, anyway, looks like that's the pipe.
Santa: Looks like the bottom connects to the conveyor belt housing.
Ace: Then coal must come out of this pipe, onto the conveyor belt.
Ace: In other words, there must be a great deal of coal in that pipe.
<Examine Pipe, 2+>
* A pipe the goes to the conveyor belt. {Author's Note: the first "the" should
probably be a "that". =P}

<Examine Catwalk, 1>
Junpei: The catwalk.
<Examine Catwalk, 2>
Junpei: The catwalk.
<Examine Catwalk, 3>
Junpei: It's the catwalk, meow.
Santa: You want me to push you off her, Junpei?
Junpei: No way, meow.
Santa: You jackass...
<Examine Catwalk, 4+>
* The catwalk.

<Examine Boxes, 1>
Ace: There are a number of boxes on the catwalk.
Junpei: I don't think we can go over there.
<Examine Boxes, 2+>
* There are a whole bunch of boxes in the way.

{Screen H Catwalk, Northwest Side, facing door B}

<Examine Furnace, 1+>
* A huge furnace for a bigger boiler. There are 3 doors in it.

<Examine Boxes, 1>
Junpei: The stairs back down should be on the other side of these boxes.
Ace: You have an excellent memory. Use that to draw a map inside your head.
Ace: That way, you won't get lost.
<Examine Boxes, 2+>
* Those damn boxes are getting in my way. I can't get through here.

<Examine Catwalk, 1+>
* The catwalk.

<Examine Door A, 1+>
* One of the doors on the furnace. There's an [A] on it.

<Examine Door B, 1+>
* One of the doors on the furnace. There's an [C] on it.

{Screen I Catwalk, Northwest Side, facing pulley}

<Examine Catwalk, 1+>
* The catwalk.

<Examine Boxes, 1+>
* There are a whole bunch of boxes blocking the way here.

<Examine Supports, 1>
* This supports and braces the side of the ship. It's not a ladder.
<Examine Supports, 2>
* This supports and braces the side of the ship. It's not the rail for the
train.
<Examine Supports, 3>
* This supports and braces the side of the ship. It's not a centipede.
* No, it couldn't possibly be a centipede. That's just too ridiculous.
<Examine Supports, 4+>
* It's an iron beam the runs along the hull of the ship, supporting it.
<Examine Supports on winch closeup, 1+>
* This supports and braces the side of the ship. It's not a ladder.

<Examine Winch before examining eastern winch, 1>
Ace: That's a hand-operated winch.
Ace: It's a simple machine, used to lift things up and down.
Ace: You simply turn the wheel to pull up the rope.
Santa: Junpei, why don't you...turn the wheel?
Junpei: The wheel...?
<Examine Winch before examining eastern winch, 2+>
* A hand-operated winch. Maybe I should try turning the wheel...
<Examine Winch after eastern winch, 1>
Santa: This winch looks like the other one we saw earlier.
Ace: Although this one has a wheel on it...
<Examine Winch after eastern winch, 2+>
* A hand-operated winch. The wheel is attached to it.
<Examine Winch after removing wheel, 1>
* A hand-operated winch. The wheel it once had is now in my hand.
* Let's see if I can get it back on...
* There's a couple of posts on the back of it that look like they fit into
holes on the winch...
Junpei: Damn, no good. These little shafts are too small for this big hole...
Junpei: It's like throwing a hot dog down a hallway, to be honest.
Ace: If that's the case, then...
Santa: That wheel wasn't originally part of this winch...
Junpei: Then that means...
<Examine Winch after removing wheel, 2+>
* A hand-operated winch. I've got the wheel from it in my hand.

<Examine Wheel, 1>
Junpei: All right, let's give this wheel a spin!
Junpei: Wh-What? That's weird...
* Gah! Ahhhh shit...

{Screen J Catwalk, Northeast Side, facing pulley without wheel}

<Examine Catwalk, 1+>
* There is a wooden box hanging beneath the catwalk.

<Examine Supports, 1+>
* One of the great metal ribs of the ship.
* I think June's resting right underneath it...
<Examine Supports on winch closeup, 1>
* One of the great metal ribs of the ship.
* I think June's resting right underneath it...
* Well, to be exact, she's really kind of to the left, not straight below it...
* Uh, I guess that's not really an important detail right now.
* Anyway, we should be directly above the corner of the conveyor belt here.
<Examine Supports on winch closeup, 2+>
* One of the great metal ribs of the ship.
* The edge of the conveyor belt should be just below it.

<Examine Hanging box, 1+>
* There's a wooden box on the end of the rope hanging from the winch.
* It looks like there's something in the box...

<Examine Boxes, 1+>
* This damn pile of boxes is blocking my way.

<Examine Winch, 1>
Santa: It looks like a hand-operated winch...
Santa: But it doesn't look like there's any way to...uh...operate it.
Ace: That means the wheel isn't attached.
<Examine Winch, 2+>
* The hand-operated winch. I don't see a wheel to operate it with, though.
<Examine Winch with wheel equipped, 1>
* The hand-operated winch. Um... There's no wheel to turn.
* Oh yeah... 
* I've got the wheel I pulled off the other winch, don't I?
Junpei: Let's see if it fits...
Junpei: Sweet, it's a perfect fit. Like they were made for each other.
Junpei: Not shaky at all... Good, I should be able to turn this now.
Ace: Good work, Junpei.
Ace: We should be able to haul up the wooden box now.
Ace: You see? The wooden box... It's under the catwalk...Can you see it?
Ace: It's hanging from the rope on the winch, isn't it?
Ace: It looks like there's some sort of...device in the box.
Ace: I'm...not sure what it is.
Ace: At any rate, you might as well turn that wheel now.
Ace: I'm counting on you.
<Examine Winch with wheel on, before turning, 1>
* The hand-operated winch. All right, we've got a wheel on there, let's see if
I can turn it.
<Examine Winch with wheel on, after turning, 1+>
* The hand-operated winch. There's a wheel on it.

<Examine Wheel, 1>
Junpei: All right, I'll turn the wheel.
Junpei: Huh... What's this?
Ace: What happened?
Junpei: This wheel only turns to the left.
Ace: It only turns to the left?
Santa: That means we can't reel up that rope.
Junpei: Yeah... We can only let the rope down.
Ace: Interesting... I don't think that will be a problem.
Ace: We will simply need to go downstairs after letting the wooden box down.
Ace: I will be counting on you, Junpei.
Junpei: Sure thing. No sweat.
* ...
* ...
(To "b31d.a", replacing quotations with braces {} )
<Examine Wheel, 2+>
* I don't think I need to turn the wheel any more.

{Screen K Catwalk, North Side, facing door C}

<Examine Furnace, 1+>
* The furnace for the enormous boiler. It says [C] on this door.

<Examine Catwalk, 1+>
* The catwalk.

{Screen L, Switch Panel}

<Examine Leftmost Slider, 1>
* This slider is down.
* Well, let's see if I can get this thing to go anywhere...
Junpei: Ugh! ...Man! No dice. This thing isn't going anywhere.
<Examine Leftmost Slider, 2+>
* This slider is locked in place. It won't move.

<Examine Second to left Slider, 1>
* This slider is down.
* Looks like Santa wants to give this one a shot...
Santa: Urgh! Damnit... Nothing... This thing won't budge.
<Examine Second to left Slider, 2+>
* This slider is locked in place. It won't move.

<Examine Second to right Slider, 1>
* This slider is down.
* I guess Ace feels like giving it a try...
Ace: Hmm... Nothing. It won't move at all.
<Examine Second to right Slider, 2+>
* This slider is locked in place. It won't move.

<Examine Rightmost Slider, 1>
Junpei: The three sliders on the left are down, but this one is up.
Ace: There are a number of lines engraved in these...
Ace: I suspect we are meant to do something rather specific with them.
Santa: Junpei, why don't you move that slider down?
* Well, there's no harm in trying, I suppose...
Ace: Nothing... Hm...
Santa: Nothing happened.
Ace: Maybe it needs to be...prepared, somehow.
Santa: You're saying if we did...something, somewhere else, it'd respond
somehow?
Ace: Yes, I suppose that's one way of putting it...
<Examine Rightmost Slider, 2+>
* Nothing happens when I move the slider down.
<Examine Rightmost Slider after loading coal, 1>
Junpei: Is this...
Santa: I think it might be...
Ace: It probably is.
Ace: I think this is how we might ignite the furnace.
Santa: That means that if we move that thing down...
Junpei: All right, let's do it!
* Here we go!
Santa: Hey Junpei, Ace, look at this!
Santa: There's big gears turning under the boiler here!
Junpei: ...?
Junpei: The gears...
Ace: They're spinning...
Santa: What the hell are you guys waiting for!?
Santa: Let's start looking!
<Examine Rightmost Slider after loading coal, 2+>
* I don't need to move the slider.

<Examine Bottom Lights, 1>
Ace: These 2 columns are different from the others...
Ace: The lights are red.
<Examine Bottom Lights, 2+>
* There are a whole bunch of lights here. Most of them are yellow, except for 2
columns on the right.
<Examine Bottom Lights after replacing control panel, 1>
Santa: Huh... I wonder why these lights are like this...
Santa: When I went by earlier, I think the 2 columns on the right were lit up
red.
Ace: You're right...
Ace: But it seems they're all yellow now.
Ace: I would imagine that indicates something is ready to activate, wouldn't
you?
<Examine Bottom Lights after loading coal, 2+>
* All of the lights are lit with a soft yellow light.
<Examine Bottom Lights after rotating gears, 1+>
* All of the lights are yellow.

<Examine Bottom Lights after replacing control panel, 1>

{ITEMS}
???�?

<Search Wheel, 1+>
* It's a wheel that seems to be part of the winch.
* There are some pegs on the back that look like they go into the holes on the
winch.

<Search control panel for something, 1>
* Some kind of machine... Maybe a control panel?
<Search control panel for something, 2>
Santa: It looks like some kinda control panel. It's got 3 terminals on the
back.
<Search control panel for something, 3+>
* Some sort of control panel, apparently. Interesting that it has 3 terminals
on the back...

<Search box filled with the coal, 1>
Santa: A wooden box full of coal.
Santa: Guess there's really only one thing we can do with this stuff...
<Search box filled with the coal, 2+>
* It's a wooden box full of coal.
* There's really only one thing to do with coal.

<Search gold disc, 1>
Ace: The gold disc. It has a number of lines engraved on it.
Ace: I can make out 3 colors here... Red, blue, and...black.
Ace: Hmm... I wonder what they mean...
<Search gold disc, 2+>
* The gold disc. There are a bunch of lines carved into it.

<Search bronze disc, 1+>
* The bronze disc. It has a bunch of lines on it, in 3 different colors: red,
blue, and black.

<Search silver disc, 1>
Santa: The silver disc.
Santa: It has a bunch of lines on it, but the red ones really stand out, right?
Junpei: The red ones, huh...
<Search silver disc, 2+>
* The silver disc. The red lines are especially noticeable.

<Leave Items screen after picking up Wheel, 1>
Santa: Good job, genius. You broke it.
Junpei: I didn't break it! It broke all by itself!

==========================
{b31d.a} File #44
::Steam engine room::
-On Catwalk, after turning winch wheel to lower box-

Ace: I believe the box has reached the floor.
Junpei: Yeah.

He stuck his head out over the side of the catwalk, and looked down.
The box that had only recently hung just below the catwalk now sat on the
floor.
It had come to rest near the end of the tunnel that covered the conveyor belt.
Near where June had collapsed...
Junpei could see her, still leaning against the wall as if she barely had the
strength to sit up.
Even from so far away, it was not difficult to see that she had not improved.
He almost thought he could see heat rising from her body...

Ace: She doesn't seem to be improving.

Ace's expression was inscrutable, but he'd said what they had all been
thinking.

Junpei: Well, of course not. She's not gonna just get better right away, you
know? It'll take time.

He tried desperately to convince himself that what he'd said was true.

Ace: What could be causing this, I wonder. Illness, perhaps?
Santa: Nah, it's gotta be exhaustion.

Santa's response was confident and certain.

Santa: She gets dropped into some weird-ass ship...
Santa: ...Forced to play some messed-up game...
Santa: If you think about it, it's a lot weirder that we aren't freakin' out
just like her, you know?
Ace: So you're saying we're...abnormal?
Santa: Yeah.
Santa: We're just running around this room, solvin' all these puzzles like it's
just business as usual.
Santa: How the hell could you call that "normal"?
Santa: We're just guinea pigs.

Santa snorted in disgust.

Junpei: A guinea pig... You mean like a lab rat...
Junpei: You mean we're being used for some sort of experiment?
Junpei: Is that what you're saying?
Santa: Dunno.
Santa: But...it does seem like a possibility, you know?

They stood there for a few more minutes, no one speaking, until Santa turned,
and walked away from the winch.
Junpei and Ace followed him.

(Return to investigation)

==========================
{b32b} File #46
::Steam engine room::
-After unlocking exit-

Junpei: Yes! The door's open!

Given the circumstances, Junpei's happiness was certainly understandable.
Ace seemed to share his excitement.

Ace: All right, Junpei. Why don't you go get June now?
Ace: Santa and I will keep an eye on this door.

Santa snorted.

Santa: Why do we need to do that?
Santa: Even if it shuts, we know how to solve the puzzle now. We could just
open it again.
Ace: Well... I suppose that's true...
Ace: Shall all 3 of us go and collect June, then?
Santa: Nah, I'm cool. I'll let Junpei handle it.

He still seemed irritated by something, however, and sat down on the stairs
petulantly.

Ace: So you are only interested in being contrary...?

Ace sighed, with the air of a long-suffering parent.

Junpei: All right, I'll go get June. I'll be right back.

He gave a quick nod to Ace and Santa, and dashed off down the stairs.
Before long, he was back on the 1st floor, next to the conveyor belt, and June.
As he drew closer, she stood up, slowly.

Junpei: Are you okay...?

He did his best to sound calm and nonchalant, but there was no hiding the
genuine concern in his voice.

June: Yes. I'm fine now. I'm sorry I made you worry.

June blushed.
He wasn't sure if she was embarrassed, or still feverish.
Just to make sure, he reached out and put his hand against her forehead.

Junpei: ...Good. You're feeling a lot better.

She was feeling far less warm than she had earlier, but still wasn't down to
what seemed normal to him.

Junpei: Are you sure you're all right?

He had to be sure.
June gave him a look.

June: Oh, you're such a warrior, Jumpy.
June: Oops! I-I mean...worrier...

June giggled.

Junpei: ...

He wasn't sure if she'd just made a joke or not, but... Seeing her smile again
made Junpei feel at ease. If she was well enough to smile and laugh, then she
really was feeling much better.
He gave her a friendly poke on the forehead.

Junpei: Let's go.
June: Go where...?
Junpei: Oh, right. I didn't tell you...
Junpei: We got the exit open, so--
June: Great! Let's go!

June clasped her hands and nodded urgently.

&&& Is this an event that varies?  This dialogue appears at the following: 4,
7, 6.

As they walked back toward the exit, Junpei noticed Santa, sitting on the
stairs.
He was, however, holding something in his right hand, and staring at it with a
strange expression.
Junpei and June slowed down, and finally stopped in front of him.

Junpei: What are you looking at?

Santa answered without looking up, his voice quiet.

Santa: It's a photo. It's my sister.
June: Sister? Santa, you've got a sister?

Santa simply nodded.

Santa: Yeah... Kid was as cute as a button...

June cocked her head, confused.

June: She was only about an inch tall, then?

Santa glared at her.

June: A-Ah... Sorry...
June: I-I guess an inch is a little large for a button... Probably more
like...a half-inch?
Junpei: ...
Santa: ...

Santa didn't smile, or laugh.
He simply turned back to his picture, and spoke.

Santa: I was her Santa Claus.

This sudden revelation took Junpei by surprise. He had no idea what Santa
meant.
He glanced at June, who shook her head. She didn't know either.

Santa: Have you ever heard the story of the 2 Santa Clauses?
Santa: It goes that a long time ago, there were 2 Santas...
Santa: One of 'em wore white, and the other one wore black.
Santa: The white Santa gave presents to good kids.
Santa: And the black Santa played tricks on bad kids.
Santa: They went on like that for a while, but eventually the black Santa's
tricks started to get worse and worse.
Santa: Pretty soon, the white Santa couldn't stand it anymore...
Santa: And he stabbed the black Santa to death.
Santa: When he stabbed the other Santa, the white Santa got blood all over his
clothes.
Santa: And that's why, these days, his clothes are red.
Santa: You could say that red is all that's left of the black Santa.

Junpei was silent. He could think of nothing to say.
June was staring at Santa, sadness plain on her face.
He continued.

Santa: I wonder...which Santa I am.
Santa: The white Santa or the black Santa... 
Junpei: ...
June: ...
Junpei: ...
June: ...
Santa: All right. Let's go.

Santa stood up suddenly, his downcast demeanor gone.
He shoved the picture back in his pocket, and headed back up the stairs, taking
them 2 at a time.
Junpei and June looked at one another.
There was nothing they could think of to say...

&&& (I Believe this is the end of the variable area.)

Santa: Hey, what're you 2 doing?! Let's get moving! C'mon!

Santa's voice echoed across the room from above them.
They nodded, and followed him quickly up the stairs.
Ace was waiting for them at the top.
He was leaning against the handrail. He looked very tired.
The door had shut, but it wasn't cause for concern.
Junpei quickly solved the disc puzzle a second time, and the door opened once
again.
In single-file, they walked through...
After walking for nearly 15 feet, they found themselves in front of a metal
door.
It opened easily enough, and they passed through it as well.
A new room stretched out before them...

Junpei: Is this a...warehouse?
Ace: No, I believe this is the cargo room. This must be where they store all of
this vessel's freight.
June: There are wooden crates everywhere... I wonder how old they are...

Junpei, Ace, and June had stopped unconsciously, pausing to take in their new
surroundings.
Santa's voice broke through their momentary trance.

Santa: Well, we probably oughta start with finding the exit, right?
Santa: Let's get going!
(To "b32", replacing quotations with braces {} )

===============SEEK A WAY OUT!===============
::Cargo room::
=============================================
{b32} File #45
Plot points within this section:
-Ace & Prosopagnosia: "b32d.a"
( To skip to a story segment, search for "b32b.#" replacing quotations with
braces {} )
( Next story segment is "bed1" )
=============================================

MAP:
[#]: Screen #
<#>: Screen # that you start on
|, =, /, \ : Room Connections
v: Returns to the previous room
Screens to the left and right can be reached by arrow.

            [D]         [C]
             |           |
            [7]         [5]->(to 4)
             |           |
            [6] (to 5)<-[4]->(to 3)
             |           |
            <1>===[2]===[3]->(to 1)
             |    / \    |
            [8] [9] [A] [B]

*8, 9, and B are closeups of boxes on the screen.
*A contains a closeup of the blue boxes.

{Screen 1, Facing Gate from Distance}

<Examine Lower Right Boxes, 1+>
* A box. There's nothing inside.

<Examine Left Boxes, 1>
Ace: These crates are quite large. They seem to be tied to one another with
sturdy straps.
<Examine Left Boxes, 2+>
* The 3 crates are tied to one another with several straps.

{Screen 2, Facing Entrance Door and Blue Boxes}

<Examine Rightmost Door, 1+>
* This door leads to the steam engine room.

<Examine Light, 1+>
* The lights are shining with bright, white light.

<Examine Pipes, 1+>
* A number of pipes stretch out toward the ceiling, behind the boxes.

<Examine Mid-right boxes, 1>
Ace: We've searched all the boxes. There's nothing in them.
<Examine Mid-right boxes, 2+>
* There's nothing in the boxes.

<Examine Barrels, 1>
Ace: There is some sort of liquid in these barrels.
Ace: I'm not sure what it is, however.
<Examine Barrels, 2+>
* There are a number of barrels full of some unidentified liquid near the wall.

<Examine White bag, before finding any cards, 1>
Junpei: There are a bunch of bags here... I wonder what's in 'em...
<Examine White bag, after taking card, 1+>
* There's nothing in the bag anymore.

{Screen 3, On Ground Facing Staircase}

<Examine Any White bag, before finding any cards, 1>
Junpei: There are a bunch of bags here... I wonder what's in 'em...

<Examine Large Crate, 1>
Ace: There's nothing in these crates.
<Examine Large Crate, 2+>
* 3 wooden crates.

<Examine Barrels, 1>
Ace: I don't know what's in these barrels.
Ace: Judging by their weight, perhaps a liquid of some sort...
<Examine Barrels, 2+>
* There are 4 barrels next to the wooden crates.

<Examine Light, 1+>
* The lights are shining with bright, white light.

{Screen 4, Looking up to Facing Staircase}

<Examine Staircase, 1>
Junpei: These stairs... They go up 3 stories...
Santa: What are you waiting for Junpei? Whatever. I'm going.

<Examine Door, 1>
Santa: This is the only door here, 'cept for the one we just came in through.
Junpei: Then this is the exit.
Santa: No shit, Sherlock.
Santa: Course it's locked... 
Junpei: Is it an electronic lock?
Santa: No, just a keyhole, right under the doorknob.
Junpei: So to open this door, we've gotta find the key that fits that keyhole.
Santa: Yeah.
<Examine Door, 2+>
* This door has to be the exit. There's a small keyhole under the doorknob.
<Examine Door with rusty key in inventory, 1>
* Let's just put this key in here, and--yes! Sounds like that did it!
June: Yay! Looks like it's open, Jumpy!
Ace: I see. This key should open this door...
Santa: Hey, what're you waiting for?! Let's go!
<Examine Door after unlocked, 1>
Junpei: Yes! It's opening!
(To "bed1" replacing quotations with braces {} )

<Examine Scaffold, 1+>
* The scaffolding that supports the staircase.

{Screen 5, By Control Panel}

<Examine Scaffold, 1+>
* The scaffolding that supports the staircase.

<Examine Window, 1+>
* There's a metal panel over the outside of the window.

<Examine Handrail, 1+>
* A handrail that surrounds the platform with the control panel on it.

<Examine Entire Control Panel, 1+>
* It's some sort of boxy device.
<Examine Entire Control Panel after solving pushmaster, 1+>
* I don't need to use that thing anymore.

<Examine Top Control Panel, 1>
Junpei: The monitor's off.
Santa: I've got a green switch here, and a red one, and some kind of lever...
Santa: None of them seem to do anything, though.
Junpei: Maybe the power's off?
Santa: Yeah, maybe.
Santa: There's a single green light on the bottom, though...
Junpei: That means...
<Examine Top Control Panel, 2+>
* Some kind of control panel. Looks like it's not powered right now.
* There is a green light on the bottom, though...
<Examine Top Control Panel after solving 9-pin, 1>
Junpei: A green button, a red button, and a lever. I wonder what these do...
Santa: I think this might help...
* What...what the hell is this? Where did he find this?
Junpei: What is that? Where'd you find it?
Santa: I found it when you were messing around with the pin holes.
Santa: It looks like instructions for this thing.
Santa: According to what it says here...
Santa: This thing's a remote control for...that.
Junpei: That?
Santa: Yeah, that.
* What's he pointing--oh...
Santa: That machine over there. Apparently, it's called the Pushmaster 5000...
Junpei: ...Are you serious...?
Junpei: Whatever... So what are we supposed to do with the Pushmaster 5000?
Santa: You see the coffin over on top of the crates?
Junpei: Yeah...
Santa: Don't you wanna know what the deal is with it?
Junpei: I do.
Santa: You wanna check it out?
Junpei: Yeah.
Santa: All right, how do you think we're gonna get there.
Junpei: Well...
Junpei: Well, there were some crates on the right side of the fence that
someone piled up like stairs...
Junpei: Maybe if we make a path to the coffin from there...
Santa: How would we do that?
Junpei: Line up...the crates...I guess?
Santa: Yeah, that sounds about right.
Santa: I guess this is just another of Zero's puzzles...
Junpei: Yeah...
Santa: Anyway, let's give it a shot.
Santa: Oh... Looks like the Pushmaster 5000 runs off a battery.
Santa: So to keep it from using up its energy too fast...
Santa: ...It's been programmed so that it'll only start moving once its path
has been completely programmed in.
Junpei: All right. I'll keep that in mind.

<Examine Top Control Panel Monitor after solving 9-pin, 1+>
* The monitor shows a top-down view of the area where we can move the machine.
* Once I want to send my orders to the Pushmaster 5000, I just pull the
lever...
<Examine Top Control Panel Monitor after solving pushmaster, 1+>
* We don't need to mess with this thing anymore.

<Examine Top Control Panel Green Button after solving 9-pin, 1+>
* This is the reset button. It allows me to start over again.
* Once I want to activate the program, I just pull the lever...
<Examine Top Control Panel Green Button after solving pushmaster, 1+>
* We don't need to mess with this thing anymore.

<Examine Top Control Panel Red Button after solving 9-pin, 1+>
* This is the return button. It allows me to quit command.
* Once I want to activate the program, I just pull the lever...
<Examine Top Control Panel Red Button after solving pushmaster, 1+>
* We don't need to mess with this thing anymore.

<Examine Top Control Panel Lever after solving 9-pin, 1>
Junpei: All right, let's give this a try.
Santa: Sure thing. Just keep in mind that there is a limit on the battery, all
right?
Santa: The battery dies after 50 moves. At least, that's what it says in the
manual...
Junpei: 50 moves, huh...
Santa: Also, keep in mind that the Pushmaster 5000 can't move the heavy metal
crates, okay?
Junpei: Got it.
Instructions for operation:
When a square adjacent to the Pushmaster 5000 is touched, the Pushmaster 5000
will move to that square.
If there is a crate in the way, the Pushmaster 5000 will push up to a single
crate.
Move the crates appropriately and efficiently, and fill the yellow areas.
<Examine Top Control Panel Lever without solving pushmaster puzzle, 1>
Instructions for operation:
When a square adjacent to the Pushmaster 5000 is touched, the Pushmaster 5000
will move to that square.
If there is a crate in the way, the Pushmaster 5000 will push up to a single
crate.
Move the crates appropriately and efficiently, and fill the yellow areas.
<Examine Top Control Panel Lever without solving pushmaster puzzle, 6+> (No
dialogue 2~5th times)
Junpei: So basically, what Santa's saying is...
Junpei: Move around the field and make a cross with the crates.
Junpei: ...And fill the 2nd spot from the top 1st... I think.
Junpei: All right, let's give this another shot!
<Examine Top Control Panel Lever after solving pushmaster, 1+>
* We don't need to mess with this thing anymore.

<Go "Back" from pushmaster without solving, 2>
Junpei: The name makes me think it can only push stuff...
Junpei: Maybe it can only push 1 box at a time because it just doesn't have
enough power for more...?
Santa: Hey, did you notice that the number of moves you can make just went up?
Junpei: Really?!
* Maybe it says something about this in the manual...
* "When beginning operation, it will take some time before the Pushmaster 5000
is fully charged."
Junpei: In other words, it doesn't start out with a fully charged battery.
Santa: You got 51 moves last time, so you should get 52 this time.
<Go "Back" from pushmaster without solving, 3>
Santa: Junpei, you gotta stop being so stingy with your moves.
Junpei: H-Huh? What are you...?
Santa: You've got enough power to get around the whole field at least 3 times.
Santa: If it gives you that many moves, then you're probably going to have to
use quite a few of them, you know?
Junpei: ...?
<Go "Back" from pushmaster without solving, 4>
Santa: Hey... If you go around the field once, you end up moving the crates
into a sort of cross shape, right?
Junpei: "Sort of" being the operative part of that sentence...
Santa: Yeah, true... I was just thinking... Moving those crates into a cross
might help us get them where we need to get them.
Junpei: Uh, okay... What do we do after we've done that?
Santa: I'm not sure what we should do after making a cross with 'em...
<Go "Back" from pushmaster without solving, 5>
Santa: So I was thinking about what we should do after we've got the crates
into a cross.
Junpei: You come up with something?
Santa: Yeah, you know the 4 squares on the right that we're trying to get the
crates into? I think we need to fill the 2nd one from the top 1st.
Junpei: ...And then?
Santa: Hey, cut me some slack! I'm still tryin' to figure that part out, okay?
* Sombody's getting touchy... Whatever. I think I can get the rest on my own.
{Author's note: Looks like sombody's missin' an "E".}
* All right, he said I need to get the 2nd one from the top filled 1st...
<Go "Back" from pushmaster without solving, 6>
Santa: Junpei, you know what I mean by filling the 2nd square from the top,
right?
Santa: Just put a crate on the yellow square next to the 2nd, and move it a
bit.
Santa: That's the only way you can get one into the 2nd square, you know?
Junpei: Y-Yeah...
<Go "Back" from pushmaster without solving, 12> (No dialogue 7~11th times)
Junpei: Huh...? It looks like it won't let me make any more than 60 moves...
Junpei: I thought it was giving me 1 more move every trial...
Santa: Well, it was just charging up the battery, so the battery's probably
fully charged now.
Santa: It looks like the battery's limit is 60 moves.
Santa: You'll just have to make do, I guess.

<Solve pushmaster puzzle>
Junpei: Okay, I'm done putting in the program!
Junpei: What do I do next?
Santa: Just be quiet and watch. See? It's moving already.
* Awesome! The Pushmaster 5000 did just what I told it to, and lined up all the
crates.
Junpei: Great, now we can reach the coffin.
Junpei: We just need to climb those crates over by the fence...

<Examine Bottom Control Panel Right Shutter, 1>
Junpei: This looks like it's covering something.
Santa: It looks like some kind of little shutter. Maybe it'll open if we
do...something.
Junpei: What's gonna come out of it if it does open?
Santa: Yeah, like I'd know that...
<Examine Bottom Control Panel Right Shutter, 2+>
* It's a little shutter that looks like it's a cover for something.
* I have a feeling it'll open up.
<Examine Bottom Control Panel Right Shutter after solving 6-pin puzzle, 1>
Junpei: Okay, so we've got 9 holes...
Junpei: And there's an F up above them.
Santa: I don't know what the F means, but I do know one thing...
Junpei: What's that?
Santa: This time, there're 9 holes. So we need to insert 9 pins.
Junpei: Man, that's boring.
Santa: Well, why don't you just try it, all right?
<Examine Bottom Control Panel Right Shutter after failing to solve 9-pin, 1>
Santa: You think maybe this F means (15)...?
Junpei: (15)...?
Santa: Yeah, (15) in base-10 is F in hex, right?
Junpei: You're right! Yeah, that's gotta be it!
Junpei: All right, let's give it one more shot!
<Examine Bottom Control Panel Right Shutter after failing to solve 9-pin, 2>
* Seems like the letter F up there means (15).
Junpei: All right, let's give it one more shot!
<Examine Bottom Control Panel Right Shutter after failing to solve 9-pin, 3+>
* Seems like the letter F up there means (15).
* In other words, every line of 3 pins...
* ...Needs to add up to (15).
Junpei: All right, let's give it one more shot!
<Examine Bottom Control Panel Right Shutter after solving 9-pin, 1+>
* All the lights are lit. There's nothing for me to do here now.

<Examine Bottom Control Panel Bottom holes, 1>
Santa: Well, there're 6 holes here.
Santa: They look like jacks for a headphone cable...
Junpei: Jacks, huh...
Junpei: Then maybe if we put something in them...
Santa: Yeah, something might happen.
<Examine Bottom Control Panel Bottom holes, 2+>
* There are 6 holes here. It looks like I could probably insert some kind of
pin in them.
* If we do that, then maybe something might happen.
<Examine Bottom Control Panel Bottom holes, with 9 pins in inventory, 1>
Junpei: There are 6 holes here... And it looks like the pins I just found would
be a perfect fit for them.
Santa: The ones you found in the 9 boxes, right? Well, why don't you try it?
* All right, let's see what happens...
* I think (2), (4), and (6) should go here on the top part... And (3), (5), and
(7) on the bottom part.
Junpei: Well... Some of them lit up...
Santa: Yeah, (3) and (6). I wonder if there's some kinda rule that determines
which lights go on...
Junpei: Well, I put the (2), (4), and (6) pins on the top part, and the (3),
(5), and (7) pins on the bottom...
Santa: Hm... You think... You think maybe it's the the digital root?
Junpei: The digital root...?
Santa: 2 + 4 + 6 = 12. The digital root of 12 is (3)... Therefore, light (3)
turns on.
Santa: 3 + 5 + 7 = 15. The digital root of 15 is (6)... Therefore, light (6)
turns on.
Santa: Makes sense, right?
Junpei: I see... 
Junpei: The lights that match the digital root of the pins inserted on the top
and lower parts will light up.
Junpei: So that's how it works...
Santa: Well, there's one other thing I'd like to check.
* Well, if he wants to try, he's certainly welcome to.
* So... He'd put the (1), (2), and (3) pins on the top, and the (6), (7), and
(8) pins on the bottom.
* ...Oh...
Junpei: They turned off...
Santa: 6 + 7 + 8 = 21. The digital root of 21 is (3)... Therefore light (3)
turns off.
Santa: 1 + 2 + 3 = 6. The digital root of 6 is (6)... Therefore, light (6)
turns off.
Junpei: Ooooh... I get it now.
Junpei: If the digital root for the pins you insert is the same as the number
on the lights that are lit...
Junpei: ...Those lights turn off.
Santa: Yeah, looks like that's the trick.
Santa: All right, now we know how it works. You wanna give it a try?
Junpei: Wait... You mean you know what we're supposed to do with these lights?
Santa: Well, no, but I figure we could try and see if we can turn them all on,
you know?
Santa: I figure something's gotta happen if we can manage that...
Junpei: Turn on the lights, huh...
* Okay Junpei, let's make sure we know how this works, all right?
* Pick one of the 6 holes. Then pick one of the pins in your hand, and insert
it into the hole.
* Keep it up until all 6 of the holes are filled.
* Once all the holes are filled, the lights with the numbers that correspond to
the digital roots of the pins in the upper and lower parts will turn on.
* However, if a digital root corresponds to a light that is already on, that
light will be turned off.
* The goal is to turn all the lights on.
Junpei: All right, let's do it!
<Examine Bottom Control Panel Bottom holes, unsolved, 1+>
* Okay Junpei, let's make sure we know how this works, all right?
* Pick one of the 6 holes. Then pick one of the pins in your hand, and insert
it into the hole.
* Keep it up until all 6 of the holes are filled.
* Once all the holes are filled, the lights with the numbers that correspond to
the digital roots of the pins in the upper and lower parts will turn on.
* However, if a digital root corresponds to a light that is already on, that
light will be turned off.
* The goal is to turn all the lights on.
Junpei: All right, let's do it!
<Examine Bottom Control Panel Bottom holes, solved, 1+>
* Probably don't really need to mess with that.

<Examine Bottom Control Panel Upper Lights, 1+>
* There are several lights here, with numbers from (1) to (9). Only the light
with a (9) on it is lit.
<Examine Bottom Control Panel Upper Lights after solving 6-pin puzzle, 1+>
* All of the numbered lights are lit.

<Solve 6-pin puzzle>
* All the lights are on, and the shutter's opened up...
Junpei: Hey, does that mean...
Santa: Yeah, we gotta do it again.
Junpei: Man, and I thought I was doin' so well...

<Solve 9-pin puzzle>
* There we go! All pins inserted, all lights lit!
Junpei: We did it. The power's on now.
Santa: It looks like there's electricity going to the monitor on top now.
Santa: All right, let's see if we can activate the device on the top.

{Screen 6, Electric Gate Closeup}

<Examine Crates closest to front, 1>
June: There are 3 crates here, stacked up like stairs.
Santa: If we climb up there, I think we can get over the fence.
Santa: Junpei, think you could go take a look at that?
Junpei: Sorry, but no thanks.
Santa: Why...?
Junpei: I've...uh...got a bad feeling about it...
Santa: Pussy...
Santa: Okay. Fine. I'll go.
June: Please be careful, Santa.
Santa: Yeah... But, just in case...
* Wait... What's he going to do with that screw...?
* I don't see what throwing a screw at a fence is--
* Holy shit!
June: !
Santa: !
Junpei: !
June: This... Oh man...
Junpei: There's...electricity running through that fence...
Santa: ...Looks like it...
June: Then we can't get to the other side...
Santa: Well, we could jump off those crates, but we wouldn't be able to get
back.
Junpei: Hmm...
<Examine Crates closest to front, 2>
Junpei: I think we can get over the fence by jumping on those crates...
June: Wh-What are you saying, Jumpy?!
June: There's a huge electrical current flowing through that fence!
June: If you do that, you won't be able to get back!
Junpei: Well, if I can move some of those crates over there...
June: Are you even sure you can move them?!
June: What if they weigh too much?! Then what are you going to do!?
Junpei: Oh...yeah. Hmm. Hadn't thought of that...
<Examine Crates closest to front, 3+>
* There are 3 crates here, piled up like a set of stairs. It'd be easy enough
to climb to the top of them, but after that...

<Examine Fence before finding out it's electrified, 1>
June: This is the only area with a fence around it.
Santa: Junpei, think you could go take a look at that?
Junpei: Sorry, but no thanks.
Santa: Why...?
Junpei: I've...uh...got a bad feeling about it...
Santa: Pussy...
Santa: Okay. Fine. I'll go.
June: Please be careful, Santa.
Santa: Yeah... But, just in case...
* Wait... What's he going to do with that screw...?
* I don't see what throwing a screw at a fence is--
* Holy shit!
June: !
Santa: !
Junpei: !
June: This... Oh man...
Junpei: There's...electricity running through that fence...
Santa: ...Looks like it...
June: Then we can't get to the other side...
Santa: Well, we could jump off those crates, but we wouldn't be able to get
back.
Junpei: Hmm...
<Examine Fence, after finding out it's electrified, 1+>
* There's a tall fence surrounding part of the cargo room.
* Apparently there's a high-voltage current running through the fence.

<Examine Crates past Fence, 1>
June: I wonder what's inside all these crates...
<Examine Crates past Fence, 2+>
* There are a bunch of wooden crates on the inside of the fence.

<Examine Lined up Crates after solving pushmaster, 1+>
* There are crates lined up in front of the coffin.

<Examine Coffin, 1>
June: Jumpy, look at that crate over there... There's something on it, isn't
there?
Junpei: Yeah... Looks like...
Junpei: A coffin...
June: A c-coffin?!
Junpei: Yeah, seems kinda weird to find a coffin here, right?
June: As if it's telling us search here...
<Examine Coffin, 2+>
* There's a coffin on the other side of the fence.
<Examine Coffin after solving pushmaster, 1>
June: I think we can get to the coffin.
Junpei: Yeah, I think you're right.
<Examine Coffin after solving pushmaster, 2+>
* Time to head over to the coffin.

{Screen 7, Past Fence, Coffin View}

<Examine Fence, 1+>
* A fence.

<Examine Gate, 1+>
* This gate must be where they move cargo in and out.
* Right now it's shut tight with a metal plate.

<Examine Pipe, 1+>
* It's a thin pipe.

<Examine Crate, 1+>
* There's a coffin sitting on the crate over there.

{Screen 8, White Bag Closeup in front of fence}

<Examine Any White bag, before finding any cards, 1>
Junpei: There are a bunch of bags here... I wonder what's in 'em...
<Examine Any White bag, after taking card, 1+>
* There's nothing in the bag anymore.

<Examine Fence through top White Bag closeup, 1+>
* I can see some metal boxes on the other side of the fence.

<Examine Crates through top White Bag closeup, 1>
Ace: These crates are a little smaller than the others.
Junpei: They look like they're the children of the other crates.
Ace: Junpei, that sounds like some sort of fairy tale.
Junpei: Really?
Junpei: I dunno man... You ever think about how crates would reproduce?
Junpei: Doesn't sound like a fairy tale to me...
<Examine Crates through top White Bag closeup, 2+>
* The crate triplets.

{Screen 9, Closeup of Box in Back with two cards}

<Examine any card before finding any other cards, 1>
Ace: Did you find something, Junpei?
Junpei: It's a card. It has a head-shot on it...
Ace: A...head-shot...?
Junpei: Yeah...

<Examine Box Lid, 1+>
* It's the lid for the crate.

<Examine Box before taking cards, 1+>
* There's something inside this crate.
<Examine Box after taking cards, 1+>
* There's nothing in here.

{Screen A, Closeup of Blue Boxes}

<Examine Barrels, 1>
* There are a bunch of barrels surrounding the 9 boxes.

<Examine Blue boxes without any cards, 1>
Junpei: It's locked. I guess we need a key to open it, huh?
Ace: All of the boxes have numbers on them.
Ace: What if we need a different key for each--oh...?
* Ace bent down and picked up something that had been sitting next to the box.
Ace: Junpei, take a look at this.
Junpei: It's a picture... No, wait...is that a card?
<Examine Blue boxes with at least one card found from a white bag, 1>
Junpei: It's locked. We need the key.
Ace: All the boxes have numbers on them. Do they-oh...?
* Ace bent down and picked up something that had been sitting next to the box.
Ace: Junpei, take a look at this.
Junpei: Cards...
<Examine Blue boxes after receiving Lotus's card, 1~8 cards, 1>
Junpei: There are some numbered boxes, and cards with pictures of all of us...
June: Does that mean we need to collect the cards we don't have?
<Examine Blue boxes after receiving Lotus's card 1~8 cards, 2+>
* In order to open the crates, I'm going to need all 9 cards.
<Examine Blue boxes with all cards, 1>
(Go to "b32d.a" replacing quotations with braces {} )
<Examine Blue boxes once empty, 1+>
* There's nothing in the boxes.

{Screen B, Closeup of small box}

<Examine Bottom half of box before opening lid, 1+>
* A small box with a lid on it.
<Examine Bottom half of box after opening lid, before taking card, 1+>
* There's a card in this box.
<Examine Bottom half of box after opening lid, after taking card, 1+>
* There's no card in this box.

<Examine card before finding any other cards, 1>
Ace: Did you find something, Junpei?
Junpei: It's a card. It has a head-shot on it...
Ace: A...head-shot...?
Junpei: Yeah...

{Screen C, Overlooking Pushmaster 5000 boxes}

<Examine Pushmaster 5000, 1+>
* I can see the machine. The spinning light on top of its head looks kinda
cute.
<Examine Pushmaster 5000 after solving pushmaster puzzle, 1+>
* Its work finished, the machine is silent.

<Examine Metal Boxes, 1+>
* A heavy-looking metal box.

<Examine 4 Crates, 1+>
* There are 4 crates, lined up at equal intervals.
<Examine 4 Crates after solving pushmaster puzzle, 1+>
* There are a bunch of crates lined up in the back.
* If we go across those, we might be able to reach the coffin.

<Examine Stacked Crates under coffin, 1+>
* There are a whole bunch of identical crates in a pile here.

<Examine Coffin, 1+>
* There's something that looks like a coffin sitting on top of the pile of
crates.

{Screen D, Coffin Closeup}

<Examine Fence, 1+>
* There sure are a lot of crates on the other side of the fence.

<Examine Crate, 1+>
* There's a crate underneath the coffin.

<Examine Coffin, 1>
(To "b32d.b", replacing quotations with braces {} )
<Examine Coffin after obtaining rusty key, 1>
* There's a revolver in this coffin.
* What was this thing for...
June: Jumpy...
Junpei: I know, I'll be there in just a minute.
<Examine Coffin after obtaining rusty key, 2+>
* Now's not the time to be thinking about the coffin. I need to focus on
getting out of here.

{ITEMS}
???�?

<Search card with a head-shot [Ace], 1>
Junpei: It's Ace's card. You look like some kind of European lord...
Ace: Oh, my head-shot...
Junpei: You wanna see it? It's actually a pretty good picture.
Ace: No, I don't need to see it.
Ace: In fact, we really ought to get back to our search.
<Search card with a head-shot [Ace], 2+>
* It's the card with Ace's face on it.

<Search card with a head-shot [Snake], 1>
Junpei: Snake...
Ace: Is that Snake's card?
Junpei: Yeah, you wanna see it?
Ace: No, that's fine.
<Search card with a head-shot [Snake], 2+>
* This card has Snake's face on it.

<Search card with a head-shot [Santa], 1>
Santa: Man, the guy on this card is one good-looking son-of-a-bitch! Way more
class than that other chump...
Junpei: Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!
Santa: Huh? What's your problem? Didn't say I meant you, did I?
Junpei: Shit...
<Search card with a head-shot [Santa], 2+>
* A card with Santa's face on it.

<Search card with a head-shot [Clover], 1>
Junpei: This is Clover's card.
Junpei: You know, looking at this photo... She's kinda cute, isn't she?
June: ...
Junpei: Huh? What's up?
June: Oh, nothing. Nothing at all.
* Why does her smile make me feel cold?
<Search card with a head-shot [Clover], 2+>
* A card with Clover's picture on it.

<Search card with a head-shot [Junpei], 1>
Junpei: Not cool, man... You took this picture without my permission.
June: It looks pretty cool, though. You look really handsome in this picture...
Santa: Hey, knock it off, lovebirds.
June: Wh-Wh-What?!
June: We're not a couple! Not at all! Not in any way!
Junpei: ...
<Search card with a head-shot [Junpei], 2>
* There's a pretty cool-looking dude on this card. I can't take my eyes off it.
<Search card with a head-shot [Junpei], 3>
* There's a pretty cool-looking dude on this card. I feel...enraptured...
<Search card with a head-shot [Junpei], 4>
* There's a pretty cool-looking dude on this card. I just wanna rub my face on
it.
<Search card with a head-shot [Junpei], 5>
* There's a pretty cool-looking dude on this card. I wanna eat it.
<Search card with a head-shot [Junpei], 6>
* There's a pretty cool-looking dude on this card. It belongs in a shrine.
<Search card with a head-shot [Junpei], 7>
* There's a pretty cool-looking dude on this card. It belongs in a museum!
<Search card with a head-shot [Junpei], 8>
* There's a pretty cool-looking dude on this card. I bet I could get quite a
bit for this online...
<Search card with a head-shot [Junpei], 9>
* There's a pretty cool-looking dude on this card. I feel kind of
unfulfilled...
<Search card with a head-shot [Junpei], 10+>
Junpei: Umm... My picture...

<Search card with a head-shot [June], 1>
Junpei: This must be...
June: Oh no! Don't look at it!
June: I'm not cute at all and I'm not photogenic, and I don't look sexy
either...
June: Next to Clover, my skin looks gross...
June: And I'm not sexy like Lotus...
Junpei: ...
June: I know guys go for women who look like Lotus...
June: But! But, but!
June: I'm trying too! I'm doing the best I can!
June: So please, don't call me a board, or a trash can, or a cutting board--
Junpei: W-Wait a minute... I haven't said anything like that... Have I?
June: ...
<Search card with a head-shot [June], 2+>
* This card has a picture of June on it.
<Search card with a head-shot [June], 1>

<Search card with a head-shot [Seven], 1>
Santa: This is Seven's card...
Santa: If this is supposed to be a trading card, it's not a very good one...
<Search card with a head-shot [Seven], 2>
Santa: He looks like some kinda criminal.
Junpei: It looks like one of those photos you see on the bulletin board at a
police station.
<Search card with a head-shot [Seven], 3+>
* This card has a picture of Seven on it.

<Search card with a head-shot [Lotus], 1>
Junpei: There's a picture of Lotus on this card.
Santa: Man, her hair is ridiculous. It's like...clay, or something...
Junpei: Says the pot to the kettle...
<Search card with a head-shot [Lotus], 2+>
* This card has Lotus's picture on it.

<Search card with a head-shot [9th Man], 1>
Junpei: This guy... This card has the 9th Man on it.
* He is the first victim of this Nonary Game.
* Actually, come to think of it, he was acting pretty weird.
* I wonder what his deal was...
<Search card with a head-shot [9th Man], 2+>
* This card has the 9th Man's picture on it.

<Search 9 pins, 1+>
* These look like the kinda pins you use for sewing.
* There are 9 of them, in total, and they have numbers on them that run from
(1) to (9).

<Search rusty key, 1+>
* A rusty key. Maybe I can use this...

<Leave Items Screen after picking up a card from a white bag; card must be
first card received>
Ace: What's that?
Junpei: It's a card. It has a head-shot on it...
Ace: A head-shot...?
Junpei: Yeah. I'm...not really sure what purpose this could possibly serve.

==========================
{b32d.a} File #47
::Cargo room::
-In front of blue boxes, after collecting 9 picture cards-

&&& This is from path 4-7-6

They had finally collected all 9 picture cards.
All that remained was to insert the cards into the slots at the front of each
box.
Junpei stared at the cards in his hands.
Ace peered over his shoulder at them.

Ace: You know which card goes in which box, yes?

Junpei gave him a look.

Junpei: Uh...yeah. Of course I do. It's really obvious.
Junpei: You just match our numbers to the numbers on the boxes.
Junpei: So for instance, the card with the [picture of Ace] on it goes into
[box 1]...
Junpei: ...The card with the [picture of Snake] on it goes into [box 2]...and
so on.
Ace: A-Ah, I see...

Junpei thought he might have imagined it, but he could have sworn Ace
stiffened.

Ace: I'll leave the rest to you.

He quickly turned, and walked away.
Strange, Junpei thought...

Junpei: Oh well. Whatever...

Doing his best to clear his mind for the task at hand, he turned back toward
the boxes.
It was time to solve the puzzle of the 9 boxes!
9 cards with pictures...and 9 boxes.
Junpei stared at them for a moment, and then began.
Ace's card went into box number 1... Then Snake's went into box number 2.
Then Santa's card into box number 3, Clover's card into box number 4, Junpei's
card into box number 5, June's card into box number 6, Seven's card into box
number 7, Lotus's card into box number 8...
And finally, the 9th Man's card went into box number 9. As soon as he'd
inserted all of the cards--
...All 9 box lids popped open at once.
He peered inside.
In each box was a single [pin].
They looked a little like sewing pins, but much thicker.
Junpei collected them all quickly, and shoved them into his pocket.

(Return to investigation)

==========================
{b32d.b} File #47
::Cargo room::
-In front of coffin-

They walked slowly past the row of crates, until they came to the coffin.
They stopped and nodded to one another, and Junpei put his hand on the lid of
the coffin...

Santa: M-M-M-Mummy!
Junpei: ...
June: ...
Ace: ...
Santa: Just kidding.

He smirked heartily at his own joke.
Junpei grumbled and shook his head.

Santa: Whatever. Just open it.

Junpei resisted the urge to remind Santa that he would have had it open a long
time ago if Santa hadn't interrupted, and quickly threw off the lid of the
coffin.
They peered inside.
Contrary to what they'd expected, the inside of the coffin was quite large.
It was mostly empty, but not completely so.
Laying on the bottom was a rusty key...
And next to the key...

June: It's a g-gun...
Santa: Yeah... A revolver.
Ace: It looks pretty old...
June: I wonder if this is a...replica...?

Junpei reached down slowly and cautiously picked up the revolver.
In his hand, it felt...heavy.
He checked the cylinder. There were 6 bullets.
He'd never seen a real gun, or even a real bullet, before. He couldn't tell if
these were real or not.
The barrel was rifled, and nothing seemed to be blocking it.
As Ace had said, the gun was a very old one.
However, it appeared to have been well maintained. If it was a real gun, Junpei
thought it would most likely function perfectly.
If it was real...
Holding the gun made Junpei feel...unpleasant. Carefully, he placed it back in
the coffin.

Santa: You're not gonna take it?
Junpei: Of course not. All something like this is gonna do is cause more
trouble.
Junpei: It's a powerful weapon that gives one person a huge advantage...
Junpei: Something like that would be way too dangerous to have around. We're in
enough danger already.
Santa: Yeah, I suppose you're right.
June: Maybe...
June: Maybe Zero put this gun here, hoping that something like that might
happen...
June: In other words, maybe he put it here to make us fight each other...
Ace: In that case, we should most certainly leave it here. I, for one, have no
desire to let Zero control me.

The others nodded. They had no desire to be under Zero's control either.

Santa: Okay, we've got that figured out, but you aren't gonna leave that key in
there, are you?
Junpei: Yeah, yeah. Course I'm not...

Junpei picked up the [rusty key], and slid the top of the coffin back into
place, the gun back where they had found it.

(Return to investigation)

===========================================
===========================================
{bed1} File #49
:E Deck hallway:
-After completing escape from [6] Cargo Room-
===========================================

The hallway that left the cargo room headed straight toward the stern.
Junpei and the other 3 proceeded down it, silently.
Some distance along it, a large room opened up on the left-hand side.
It looked...familiar.
An iron grate covered each of the elevators.
Junpei and his companions drew to a stop, and began to discuss what their next
move should be.

Ace: We've seen this elevator before.
June: We got off the one on the left just a little while ago.
Santa: Then we went through the number [6] door, and that took us to the engine
room...
Ace: Yes, and after that we passed through the cargo room... 
June: And now we're back here...
Santa: In other words, we made a loop. We're back where we started.

Junpei approached the elevator.
Gently, he pushed the triangular button on the wall next to it.
A moment passed...
...
...
The elevator door opened... And shut.
Pushing the button had apparently restored power to the elevator.
The elevator was now functional.

Ace: What do we do? Should we return to C Deck?
Junpei: No, this hallway keeps going.
Junpei: Even if we do end up going back, I think we should see what's down
there first.
Santa: I agree. Let's go.

Their decision made, Junpei and his companions left the elevators behind, and
continued down the hallway.
Some time later...
Santa, who had been walking several paces in front of the rest, suddenly
stopped.
Set in the wall in front of him was a door.
So far as Junpei could see, there was no other way to proceed.
It was the door, or nothing.

Junpei: All right. Let's open it.

Junpei took a deep breath, readied himself, then grabbed the doorknob and
pulled the door open.
He paused for a moment, then stepped through, into the room.
...And there he saw the number that had hung over their heads since they'd
woken up.
--[9]--
Like the numbers on every other door, this one, too, was a rough shape made of
red paint.
Its door was set into the back wall of the room.
Junpei leapt toward it with a sudden burst of hopeful energy.
It was a large double door--heavy, and full of solemn importance.
He grabbed hold of the door handle and shook. Nothing, but he hadn't expected
it to open.
The RED sat on the wall, next to the door.
Its screen read [VACANT]...
Finally, they'd found it.
Junpei felt himself overwhelmed by a torrent of emotion. At last, they'd found
the exit, but cold gripped his heart, and he knew all too well why.
As he stood, frozen, unsure of what to think or feel--

June: J-Jumpy! Look! Behind you!

He spun around.
...And couldn't believe what he saw.
...It was a door, with the number [9] written across it...
...Was there...
...A second door...?

Junpei: Why...

Junpei's voice was barely audible, even to himself.
He stumbled toward the second door, as if somehow compelled.
It was a small single door.
It sat in the starboard corner of the room, on the same wall as the door they'd
entered from, but in the opposite corner.
--[9]--
There was no mistaking it. A RED sat on the wall next to this door as well.
Junpei shook the door handle pointlessly, and muttered to himself.

Junpei: Why... Why the hell are there 2 doors?

It was Santa who answered.

Santa: There were always 2 doors.
Santa: Just think about it...
Santa: Zero never said "There is only one door with 9 on it".
Junpei: It is hidden, but an exit can be found.
Junpei: Seek a way out... Seek a door that carries a [9]. 
Santa: Of course, we just assumed that there was only 1.
Santa: After all, why would there be more than 1? 
Junpei: Oh man...

Geez...
Junpei was stunned. Zero's trick had taken him completely by surprise.
There were 2 doors. That meant that all 9 people who had met at the central
staircase could escape, and leave no one behind.
Now the reason for the bracelet numbers being [1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9] was clear...
Divided in 2, the digital root for both teams would be (9).
For instance, [1278] and [34569]... The digital root for both teams would be
(9).
Or [2349] and [15678]... The digital root would be also (9).
There were many other workable combinations, but they all ended the same way:
with a digital root of (9).
What did that mean? The answer was quite simple.
From the very beginning, the Nonary Game was designed to save all 9 people.
Zero hadn't been lying. Zero had never said "there is only one door".
But anyone who'd found themselves in the game would have assumed that was the
case. Fights would have broken out.
One team would likely betray or deceive the other. Someone might be hurt.
Someone might get killed.
But eventually, they would reach the room Junpei now found himself in, and
realize the pointlessness of whatever violence they'd visited upon each other.
There were 2 doors. No need to kill each other.
They'd understand, and be appalled, overwhelmed with guilt at what they'd done.
Perhaps...perhaps that was the purpose of the game... That was how the Nonary
Game was meant to be played...
Fortunately, they hadn't started to fight one another, at least not yet.
But if one misstep was made, if the wrong mistakes happened, the stakes would
rise and the noose would tighten.
The thought of it sent a chill down his spine.

Santa: So... What are we going to do, Junpei?

A voice broke through Junpei's frantic thoughts. Santa's voice.
It brought Junpei back to his senses. No use worrying about the future. He
needed to figure out what they were going to do next.
There were 4 people in the room.
Ace, Santa, Junpei, and June...
Their bracelet numbers were...
(1-3-5-6)...
The digital root would be...(6).
In other words, the 4 of them couldn't open a door with the number [9].
But...what if there were only 3?
Could door [9] be opened with 3 of them...?
It took him no time at all to determine the answer.
There was only one combination of 3 people that would give a digital root of
(9).
1 + 3 + 5 = 9
That would mean...

Junpei: No! We gotta go back!

That wasn't a possibilty he was willing to consider.
Santa and Ace agreed.

Santa: Yup.
Ace: I agree. We cannot leave June behind.

Junpei let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

June: A-Are you sure...?
June: I...I don't mind...staying...

June's body betrayed her true feelings.
Her eyes were wet with the beginnings of tears, and her legs shook.

Santa: It's okay. There's no way we'd leave you behind.

Santa had said what Junpei had known the moment he realized which 3 people
could go through the door.

Junpei: Besides, I'd rather drown at the bottom of the ocean than escape with
this sausage-fest.
Junpei: Maybe I'll get to go to Atlanta.
Ace: Ah... Are you sure you don't mean...Atlantis?
Junpei: ...
Junpei: Oh...right...
Junpei: Ha ha ha ha... Hahahahahahaha!

Perhaps it was the sudden reassurance that no one wanted to leave June behind,
but Junpei laughed harder than he had in some time.
Santa and Ace smiled.

June: You guys...

June blinked tears from her eyes and bit her lip. She didn't seem to know what
else to say.

Ace: Very well. Best we head back to C Deck then. We should be able to take
the elevator we passed earlier.
Ace: Perhaps Clover, Seven, and Lotus will have returned from door [1].

Even as Ace spoke, they knew finding the others wouldn't improve the situation.
There was no way they could be split into teams that could both go through the
doors.
Ace knew it. They all knew it.
But there was nothing else they could do.
They would find the other 3, and search for another solution.

Ace: All right. Let's go.

Ace looked at all 3 of them, then turned and headed through the door.
Santa and June followed.
Junpei started toward the door, then stopped.
He'd been too busy with other concerns to notice the room itself.
It didn't seem terribly important now, but...what exactly was it?
Junpei looked around the room, for the first time noticing the things that
weren't doors with 9 on them.
A red carpet ran between 2 columns of wooden benches that ran the length of the
room.
The carpet began at the large set of double doors, and ran toward the bow,
toward...
Junpei wasn't sure.
Was it...an altar, perhaps? There was a small, rectangular alcove at the end of
the carpet, and inside the alcove was a raised platform.
Resting on top of the platform was a coffin.
A coffin. A coffin...
What on Earth was a coffin doing in a place like that?
But before Junpei had time to answer that question--

Santa: Hey, Junpei! The hell are you doing?! Let's move!

Santa's voice echoed in from the hall outside.

Junpei: Right! Okay! I'll be right there.

Junpei turned on his heel and left the quiet, somber room.
...
...

(Continued in "bed2", replacing quotations with braces {} )

===========================================
===========================================
{bed2} File #50
:C Deck central staircase:
-Returning to the elevator back to C Deck-
===========================================

They took the elevator up to C Deck.
Once there, they headed back toward the main hall, and the central staircase.
It didn't take them long.
Junpei found Seven and Lotus waiting for them.
They didn't look happy.

Seven: We've got a problem.
Lotus: Clover is gone!

Junpei and his 3 companions looked at one another.
He turned back to Seven and Lotus.

Junpei: What do you mean...gone?

Santa, Ace, and June had their own questions to ask.

Santa: When?!
June: Why?!
Ace: You 2 went into door [1] with Clover, didn't you?

Seven and Lotus responded as best they could.

Seven: Yeah, we went through the door together.
Lotus: But Clover barely spoke to us...
Seven: She just did her own thing the whole time.
Junpei: ...
Lotus: There were 4 rooms on the other side of door [1]...
Seven: She wouldn't let us into the 4th room.
Lotus: She just said "I'll take care of this one..."
Seven: ...And shut the door.
Lotus: She must have blocked it with something on the other side.
June: ...
Seven: We waited for a while, but Clover didn't come out.
Lotus: We called for her, but she didn't answer...
Seven: So I kicked down the door, and we went into the room.
Lotus: But...
Ace: ...
Seven: It was empty.
Lotus: Clover wasn't there.
Seven: There was a door on the other wall...
Lotus: ...And it was open.
Santa: ...
Seven: We figure she opened the door and left by herself.
Lotus: We ran after her, of course, but...
Seven: Well, obviously we didn't find her. You've figured that much out.
Lotus: Clover's gone.

Junpei thought for a moment.

Junpei: When did this happen?
Seven: We got here just before you.
Lotus: You certainly have excellent timing.
June: So you haven't searched anywhere other than near the staircase?
Seven: No, we haven't.

Finally, Ace spoke.
His voice had an edge of resolve and concern.

Ace: Very well then. We'd best separate and look for Clover.
Ace: We haven't much time left. Let's begin!

There were quick nods all around, and the 6 remaining players spread out.
...
...

&&& (If you took doors 5, 8, and 6, go to &&&)
(If you took any other set of doors) - "bbad"

===========================================
===========================================
{bbad} File #48
:large hospital room:
-Knife Ending-
===========================================

Junpei and June ran into the central hospital room and looked around.

Junpei: She's not here...
June: No, she isn't...

They searched a little longer, but with no luck.
They couldn't find Clover.
Finally, they gave up, and left the central hospital room.
Slowly, they made their way back to the hallway.
At last, they reached the stairs, and Junpei spoke.

Junpei: All right. I'm thinking we should probably split up.
Junpei: I'll head back to the stairs, and take the elevator down to E Deck.
Junpei: June, you can take the stairs up to B Deck.
June: All right. That sounds good.
June: But...um...
Junpei: ...What?
June: Could you stop calling me by that code name when we're alone...?
Junpei: Huh? Oh...s-sure, right... I'll, um, I'll do that.

There was a reason Junpei persisted in calling her "June" even when they were
alone.
...Although, perhaps not the best reason.
He was embarrassed to call her by the nickname he'd used when they were
children... Kanny...
9 years ago, it came naturally--after all, they were children.
But now that they were adults, it felt...strange.
Regardless of what he might hope for, to call a woman he wasn't dating by such
a childish nickname felt...odd to him.
Of course, to call her "Ms. Kurashiki" would be even more awkward, and simply
"Kurashiki" would seem a little brusque.
And although he couldn't put his finger on why, it felt somewhat forward to
call her "Akane" when they hadn't seen one another for so long.
In short, it was simply easier for him to call her "June", and leave it at
that.

June: All right, I'm going then.
Junpei: Yeah. Be careful...Kanny.

June--or perhaps more appropriately Kanny--blushed and smiled.
You be careful too, Jumpy.

Junpei: Yeah. Got it. ...Take care.

Junpei looked after her for a moment as she ran up the stairs, then turned
around and took off for the hallway.
Tragedy always strikes when one least expects it.
But to wait for a man to stand before striking him down seems almost crueler
than dealing the fatal blow while he lies on the ground.
A light in a dark place, June's smile had given him hope--both for escape, and
possibly...for something else.
It was that hope that raised his spirits just enough that they might soon be
fully dashed.
He opened the elevator door, and there she was.
A woman sat, slouched against the wall. Lotus.
Junpei felt his blood turn to ice.
Her body was limp, and her skin, smooth and pale as always...
...Was covered in bright red blood.
Junpei felt his chest constrict. He couldn't breathe, and his legs began to
shake.
A slow, cold drop of sweat trickled down his back.
He felt his stomach somersault.
Junpei's mind went blank--all his thoughts replaced with endless, hissing
white.
Driven by little more than instinct, he began to walk toward Lotus, slowly.
Each slow movement of his stiff limbs brought him closer to her corpse.
Finally, he stood next to her. Robotically, he bent down, and put his hand
against her neck.
There was no pulse. No rise and fall of breathing.
She was slightly warm. Something, somewhere in Junpei's shaken mind, told him
that meant she had been killed recently.
Yes, Junpei thought, his mind slowly returning, she had been killed. Someone
had killed her.
There was a deep cut on the left side of her chest.
Blood still oozed from it, although clearly her heart had stopped beating some
time ago.
The weapon had been a knife, then? Perhaps she had been stabbed in the heart,
once. She would have died immediately.
He took little comfort from knowing she must have suffered very little.
Only then did Junpei notice...
Lotus's [bracelet] was gone.
"Lastly, let us discuss [how to remove the bracelets]. There are only 2 ways to
do so."
"One: You escape from this ship."
"Two: Your heart rate reaches zero."
"In other words, once the bracelet is taken outside the confines of the ship,
or detects that its wearer's heartbeat has fallen to zero, it will shut down
automatically."
Was that why the killer had ended Lotus's life?
So that they might have the number (8) bracelet ?
If that was true, then the killer was whoever wanted the number (8) bracelet.
Or perhaps more accurately, the person who would gain the most by obtaining
bracelet number (8).
Who is that...? Who would benefit the most from the number (8) bracelet?
The thought had only just entered Junpei's mind when--
He heard a noise. A sound like a sharp knife cutting through wet meat.
It struck him as strange that the noise came from inside his own body.
A moment later, the pain hit him.
It wasn't merely pain--there was heat, extreme heat, as well. He felt as though
molten iron had been splashed against the side of his body.
Finally, his brain made the connection--he had been stabbed. But where...?
His body was quickly going numb. He couldn't tell where the knife had met his
flesh.
Given the circumstances, however, he had most likely been stabbed in the back.
Whoever had killed Lotus had now done the same to Junpei as well.

Junpei: Uuughhh... 

His voice was little more than a weak groan.
With what little strength he had left, Junpei turned his body, trying to catch
a glimpse of his attacker--
But as he did, the knife dug itself in deeper, twisting viciously.

Junpei: Eeeyaagh! *Pant* Ugghh....

He collapsed to the floor--a puppet with its strings cut.
His arms and legs lay where they fell, oddly twisted and awkwardly positioned.
Junpei's body was entirely numb. He could feel the blood leaking out of him,
but nothing would move.
Nothing, save his eyes.
As he lay on the floor, his life ebbing away, Junpei finally saw his attacker.
2 tiny images of the killer, reflected in his eyes.
With that recognition came...nothing. He felt no emotions--not anger, not
sadness, not regret.
The paralysis that had claimed his body had reached his mind. 
His killer glanced down at his body...
Then, without a word, climbed into the elevator and was gone.
His eyesight began to fade. The world grew blurry, and began to dissolve into
an empty, white fog.
The fog crept into the edges of his mind and worked inexorably inward.
...
Soon, it swallowed up the last that remained of Junpei's mind, and his
consciousness left him.
There was nothing more.
Into utter emptiness, he fell--Into Zero. Whatever Junpei had been was gone.

BAD END

You have reached one ending.
This game has multiple endings.
In order to experience all the endings, you need to save now.
Once you've saved, you can restart the game, with information you've acquired
in this playthrough saved.
Once you begin the game again, you can skip through text you've already seen.
Simply press "right" on the +Control Pad to fast-forward through lines you've
already read.
Once you reach lines you haven't seen, or new choices, it will automatically
stop.�SC0

Memory of Escape has been added on the title screen.
Memory of Escape enables you to play the stages you have completed.
It is recommended to save after this in order to unlock Memory of Escape.

(END GAME, RETURN TO BEGINNING "a01b")

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
VI. APPENDIX
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
{VIa}
a. Version History
================

Jan/9/2011 - Version 0.27: Knife Ending and Doors 4, 7, and 6 script completed.

{VIb}
b. Disclaimer
================

Copyright 2011, NorseFTX
All rights reserved.

Need to plod through this stuff as always, so here goes.
All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their
respective trademark and copyright holders.

The following site has my permission to post this:
-www.gamefaqs.com

This guide may not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal,
private use.  If you would like to host this guide on your website or otherwise
distribute it publicly, please contact me by e-mail ([email protected]). Use
of this guide on any website or as part of any public display without my
permission is strictly prohibited, and a violation of copyright.
The latest version of this guide can always be found on GameFAQs.

{VIc}
c. Acknowledgments
==================

If you find anything I'm missing in this script or have any suggestions in
formatting, please feel free to contact me!  Questions and comments are
welcome.
Email: [email protected]

A big thank you to GameFAQs for providing a place to host this guide!
Also, a huge thanks to Treeki, the author of Nitro Explorer, from which I was
able to generate a text dump of the game.