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Out on the edge of town looms the Cunningham Cigarette factory. Your father ran it with an iron fist for forty-eight years, until last week, when he finally dropped down dead. Now the townspeople want to turn it into a community centre or a maternity hospital or a dog orphanage or something. [[Well, we'll see about that.|Or are you going to make them realise that they don't want it so badly, after all?]]

That factory is yours, by every law of God and nature! Are you going to let those parasites take it from you now, just because the bitter old devil cut you out of his will for what you said about his third wife's lasagne back in '91?

It's almost too easy to start the rumours flying. You're dealing with simpletons here, after all. A few mysterious groans and emanations of smoke from within the factory walls, and overnight it's common knowledge that your father's ghost is haunting the place. [[Unfortunately, your brilliant scheme has already attracted outside interest.]]

A bunch of meddling kids are on their way to investigate the factory. If they want a ghost, you'll give them a ghost, alright. You've got one day to get the place nice and ready for your guests. [[You explore the factory.]] [[You head into town.]]\ \ <<set $inv = ["- Cigarette case"]>>\ <<set $elevators = "none">>

//''THE CUNNINGHAM CIGARETTE FACTORY''// "Crumbling"? Bah. All it needs is a lick of paint. [[You explore the reception area.]] [[You explore the assembly line.]] [[You explore the elevators.]] [[You explore the store rooms.]] [[You explore your father's office.]] [[You head into town.]]

//''LITTLE CUNNING''// This town would be nothing without Cunningham Cigarettes. It's pretty damn close to nothing even now, but you may be able to pick up some useful supplies. [[You visit the convenience store.]] [[You visit the diner.]] [[You visit the pet store.]] [[You head back to the factory.|You explore the factory.]]

//''RECEPTION AREA''// At the front of the building is a shallow room where workers and visitors could check in and out. There's a [[life-size portrait of your father]] on the wall behind the desk. When the kids arrive, <<if $plan>>you'll leap out from behind the desk, disguised as your father's ghost, and give them the fright of their lives!<<else>>this will be their most obvious point of entry. <<if $hasmoustache>>[[Maybe you could find some way to frighten them off here before they get any further.]]<<else>>Maybe you could find some way to stop them here before they get any further.<<endif>><<endif>> [[You explore another part of the factory.|You explore the factory.]] [[You head into town.]]<<if $plan>> [[You hide behind the desk and wait for the kids to arrive.]]<<endif>>

//''ASSEMBLY LINE''// It was shut down within minutes of your father's death and hasn't reopened since. The machinery sits idle, thousands of cigarettes abandoned at every stage of completion. One worker was apparently in such a hurry to go home that he [[left the lid of the tar dispenser unscrewed]]. <<if $trappedline>>\ You've cunningly trapped this area with <<if $line eq "treats">>some dog treats<<endif>><<if $line eq "tar">>a bucket of tar<<endif>><<if $line eq "box">>an ingenious box-and-stick device<<endif>>.\ <<else>>\ <<if $plan>>\ <<if $hastar or $hasboxtrap or $hastreats>>[[It might be a good idea to lay a trap here, in case the kids aren't scared off by your ambush in reception.|trapline]]\ <<else>>It might be a good idea to lay a trap here, in case the kids aren't scared off by your ambush in reception.\ <<endif>>\ <<else>>\ <<if $hastar or $hasboxtrap or $hastreats>>[[It might be a good idea to lay a trap here and head the kids off before they get any further.|trapline]]\ <<else>>It might be a good idea to lay a trap here and head the kids off before they get any further.\ <<endif>>\ <<endif>>\ <<endif>> [[You explore another part of the factory.|You explore the factory.]] [[You head into town.]]

//''ELEVATORS''// Big, noisy tin cans. Perfectly safe, though, probably. <<if $trappedlift>>\ ...Or they were, until you cunningly trapped them with <<if $lift eq "treats">>some dog treats<<endif>><<if $lift eq "tar">>a bucket of tar<<endif>><<if $lift eq "box">>an ingenious box-and-stick device<<endif>>!\ <<else>>\ <<if $hastar or $hasboxtrap or $hastreats>>\ [[... Unless you were to tamper with them in some way, that is.|traplift]]\ <<else>>\ ... Unless you were to tamper with them in some way, that is.\ <<endif>><<endif>> [[You explore another part of the factory.|You explore the factory.]] [[You head into town.]]

//''STORE ROOMS''// Upstairs are the big, windowless rooms where <<if $hascrate>>crates<<else>>[[crates]]<<endif>> of finished cigarettes are waiting to be shipped out. The poor little things might be waiting forever, if you don't manage to take back control of this place. <<if $trappedstore>>\ You've cunningly trapped this area with <<if $store eq "treats">>some dog treats<<endif>><<if $store eq "tar">>a bucket of tar<<endif>><<if $store eq "box">>an ingenious box-and-stick device<<endif>>.\ <<else>>\ <<if $hasboxtrap or $hastar or $hastreats>>\ [[Hopefully the kids won't make it this far into the factory, but maybe you could set up a trap here, just in case.|trapstore]]\ <<else>>\ Hopefully the kids won't make it this far into the factory, but maybe you could set up a trap here, just in case.\ <<endif>>\ <<endif>> [[You explore another part of the factory.|You explore the factory.]] [[You head into town.]]

//''MR. CUNNINGHAM'S OFFICE''// The old man's desk is just as he left it when he keeled over beside it and died. The paperwork stacked in his out tray, the filters packed in his ashtray. Across from the desk is a CCTV monitor<<if not $hassculpture>> and mounted on the back wall is a [[three-foot wooden sculpture of a Cunningham Cigarette]]<<endif>>. [[You explore another part of the factory.|You explore the factory.]] [[You head into town.]]<<if not $plan>> [[You sit down and wait for the kids to arrive.]]<<endif>>

<<set $inv = ["- Dagger", "- Shield", "- Potion"] >> <<if $inv.length is 0>>You're not carrying anything. <<else>> You're carrying: <<print $inv.join("\n")>> <<endif>> \ <<link "Height">>\ <<toggleclass "#text" "hide">>\ <</link>> <span id="text" class="hide"><<if $inv.length is 0>>You're not carrying anything.\ <<else>>\ You're carrying: <<print $inv.join("\n")>> <<endif>></span>\ \ \ <<set $inv.push("- Pasta")>> <<if $inv.length is 0>>You're not carrying anything. <<else>> You're carrying: <<print $inv.join("\n")>> <<endif>> \ <div style="background-color:pink;padding:25px;border-radius:25px;"><<link "INVENTORY">><<toggleclass "#inventory" "hide">><</link>> <span id="inventory" class="hide"><<if $inv.length is 0>>You're not carrying anything.\ <<else>>\ <<print $inv.join("\n")>>\ <<endif>></span></div>

<div id="invcase"><<link "INVENTORY">><<toggleclass "#inventory" "hide">><</link>> <span id="inventory" class="hide"><<if $inv.length is 1>>You're not carrying anything but the trusty cigarette case your father gave you for your thirteenth birthday.\ <<else>>\ <<print $inv.join("\n")>>\ <<endif>></span></div>

//''RECEPTION AREA''// His yellowed moustache glares down at you. It's a good likeness, if somewhat stiff. The painted smoke coiled about his head has more life in it. You can't bring yourself to hate the old devil, even after he cut you out of his will for what you said about his third wife's lasagne back in '81. One thing's for damn sure: you're not going to let those parasites get their grubby hands on his factory. [[You turn your back to the painting.|You explore the reception area.]]

//''CONVENIENCE STORE''// The clerk does a double-take when you walk in. In fairness to the poor idiot, you do bear a striking resemblance to your late father. [[You browse the magazines.]] [[You browse the soft drinks.]] [[You browse the miscellaneous tat.]] [[You leave the store.|You head into town.]]

//''PET STORE''// You brace yourself for that pet store smell, but thankfully your olfactory faculties are not what they once were. [[You browse the toys.]] [[You browse the pet food.]] [[You browse the fish tanks.]] [[You leave the store.|You head into town.]]

//''THE DINER''// Look at the patrons of this place, munching away as if there were no tomorrow. Even the air tastes like heart attacks. [[You order a milkshake.]] [[You order a burger.]] [[You put a song on the jukebox.]] [[You leave the diner.|You head into town.]]

//''ASSEMBLY LINE''// Gallons of delicious tar, <<if $hasmilkshake>>[[here for the taking by anyone with a suitable vessel]]<<else>>here for the taking by anyone with a suitable vessel<<endif>>. The surface shows you your reflection in monochrome. [[You turn your back to the tar dispenser.|You explore the assembly line.]]

//''CONVENIENCE STORE''// Who the hell buys all this stuff? Birthday candles, temporary tattoos, <<if $hasmoustache>>novelty fake moustaches<<else>>[[novelty fake moustaches]]<<endif>>... all totally useless. [[You browse the magazines.]] [[You browse the soft drinks.]] [[You leave the store.|You head into town.]]

//''CONVENIENCE STORE''// None of them seem interesting or useful. Your father's death made the cover of //Tobacco Tycoon Weekly.// Hmm. [[You browse the soft drinks.]] [[You browse the miscellaneous tat.]] [[You leave the store.|You head into town.]]

//''CONVENIENCE STORE''// Since when have there been so many different brands? They're all full of sugar. You wrinkle your nose in disgust. [[You browse the magazines.]] [[You browse the miscellaneous tat.]] [[You leave the store.|You head into town.]]

//''CONVENIENCE STORE''// Actually, that one looks a lot like your father's moustache. It could come in very handy if you mean to convince everyone that his ghost is still roaming the earth. Better pocket it while the clerk is distracted.<<set $inv.push("- False moustache")>><<set $hasmoustache = true>> [[You browse the magazines.]] [[You browse the soft drinks.]] [[You leave the store.|You head into town.]]

//''THE DINER''// <<if $hasmilkshake>>You hand over your empty bucket and it comes back filled to the brim with another milkshake. Before you know it, you're chasing the last drops with your straw. God, it's so thick! How do they get it so thick?<<else>><<if $tooktar>>The waitress shakes her head and says there's a problem with her nozzle. You roll your eyes.<<else>>The waitress brings you a gigantic bucket full of thick chocolate milkshake. It reminds you of tar. Before you can stop yourself, you've slurped up the whole thing, leaving only the empty bucket.<<set $hasmilkshake = true>><<set $inv.push("- Empty bucket")>><<endif>><<endif>> [[You order a burger.]] [[You put a song on the jukebox.]] [[You leave the diner.|You head into town.]]

//''THE DINER''// <<if $hasburger>>The waitress apologises with a wink and says she's waiting on a delivery of meat. You can sort of see what she's getting at, but you're not going to indulge her.<<else>>The waitress brings you a cheeseburger wrapped in a greasy napkin. It's stacked so high that you couldn't get your jaws around it even if you wanted to.<<set $hasburger = true>><<set $inv.push("- Cheeseburger")>><<endif>><<if $hascrate and $haspost>><<set $hasboxtrap = true>><<endif>> [[You order a milkshake.]] [[You put a song on the jukebox.]] [[You leave the diner.|You head into town.]]<<set $hadburger = true>>

//''THE DINER''// The only song you know is 'Loco in Acapulco' by Four Tops, which they don't have on the jukebox here. [[You order a milkshake.]] [[You order a burger.]] [[You leave the diner.|You head into town.]]

//''ASSEMBLY LINE''// You collect some tar in your empty milkshake bucket. Yes, this will definitely help you stop those nosy kids! And if not, it's just nice to have around.<<set $inv.push("- Bucket of tar")>><<set $inv.delete("- Empty bucket")>><<set $hasmilkshake = false>><<set $tooktar = true>><<set $hastar = true>> [[You turn your back to the tar dispenser.|You explore the assembly line.]]

//''RECEPTION AREA''// <<if $plan>>It's the perfect plan. You'll jump out from beneath the portrait, disguised as your father's ghost, and give them all the fright of their lives.<<else>>Wait! If you hide behind the reception desk, you can lurk there until they spot the portrait of your father – and then jump out, wearing the false moustache, and give them the fright of their lives! If that doesn't send them running back to their ridiculous van, nothing will!<<set $plan = true>><<endif>> [[You're a genius!|You explore the reception area.]]

//''STORE ROOMS''// One crate stands empty and discarded in a corner. Perhaps it could come handy?<<set $hascrate = true>><<set $inv.push("- Wooden crate")>><<if $haspost and $hasburger>><<set $hasboxtrap = true>><<endif>> [[No harm in lugging it around for the rest of the day, just in case.|You explore the store rooms.]]

//''MR. CUNNINGHAM'S OFFICE''// With that gold logo of two interlocking Cs at the base. Looking at it makes you choke up a little. But its value could be practical, as well as sentimental. [[You take the sculpture down off the wall.]] [[You leave the sculpture where it is.|You explore your father's office.]]

//''MR. CUNNINGHAM'S OFFICE''// You carefully take it down and tuck it under your arm. You're going to use it for the noble purpose of frightening hippies. Father would understand.<<set $hassculpture = true>><<set $inv.push("- Giant cigarette")>> [[You turn away from the empty wall bracket.|You explore your father's office.]]

//''PET STORE''// The store is well-stocked with balls, frisbees, squeaky rubber bones and the like.<<if $tookpost eq false>> In the corner is one of those [[scratching posts]] for cats to sharpen their nasty little claws on.<<endif>> [[You browse the pet food.]] [[You browse the fish tanks.]] [[You leave the store.|You head into town.]]

//''PET STORE''// Nothing catches your eye<<if $tooktreats eq false>> except a [[large box of dog treats]]<<endif>>. [[You browse the toys.]] [[You browse the fish tanks.]] [[You leave the store.|You head into town.]]

//''PET STORE''// The fish stare at you with cold, accusing eyes. [[You browse the toys.]] [[You browse the pet food.]] [[You leave the store.|You head into town.]]

//''PET STORE''// Could it come in handy? Sure. Maybe. Probably not. Still, you've spent long enough contemplating it that you //have// to buy it now.<<set $haspost = true>><<set $tookpost = true>><<set $inv.push("- Scratching post")>><<if $hascrate and $hasburger>><<set $hasboxtrap = true>><<endif>> [[You browse the pet food.]] [[You browse the fish tanks.]] [[You leave the store.|You head into town.]]

//''PET STORE''// You happen to know that those meddling kids will be bringing their dog with them. These should help to get it out of the way.<<set $hastreats = true>><<set $tooktreats = true>><<set $inv.push("- Dog treats")>> [[You browse the toys.]] [[You browse the fish tanks.]] [[You leave the store.|You head into town.]]

//''ASSEMBLY LINE''// <<if $hasboxtrap>>\ [[You set up a box-and-stick trap.|linebox]] <<endif>>\ \ <<if $hastar>>\ [[You set up a trap using the bucket of tar.|linetar]] <<endif>>\ \ <<if $hastreats>>\ [[You set up a trap using the dog treats.|linetreats]] <<endif>>\ [[You leave the assembly line and consider your other options.|You explore the factory.]]

//''STORE ROOMS''// <<if $hasboxtrap>>\ [[You set up a box-and-stick trap.|storebox]] <<endif>>\ \ <<if $hastar>>\ [[You set up a trap using the bucket of tar.|storetar]] <<endif>>\ \ <<if $hastreats>>\ [[You set up a trap using the dog treats.|storetreats]] <<endif>>\ [[You leave the store rooms and consider your other options.|You explore the factory.]]

//''ELEVATORS''// <<if $hasboxtrap>>\ [[You set up a box-and-stick trap.|liftbox]] <<endif>>\ \ <<if $hastar>>\ [[You set up a trap using the bucket of tar.|lifttar]] <<endif>>\ \ <<if $hastreats>>\ [[You set up a trap using the dog treats.|lifttreats]] <<endif>>\ [[You leave the elevators and consider your other options.|You explore the factory.]]

//''ELEVATORS''// The tar smears nicely on the floors and buttons. Things are going to get sticky for those unsuspecting sleuths!\ <<set $inv.delete("- Bucket of tar")>>\ <<set $hastar = false>>\ <<set $lift = "tar">><<set $trappedlift = true>> [[That'll teach them to poke around in other people's creepy old factories!|You explore the factory.]]

//''ELEVATORS''// Using the scratching post, you prop the crate up just outside the elevators, then bait it with the cheeseburger. From what you've seen in cartoons, this is pretty much foolproof.\ <<set $inv.delete("- Scratching post")>><<set $inv.delete("- Wooden crate")>><<set $inv.delete("- Cheeseburger")>>\ <<set $hasboxtrap = false>><<set $haspost = false>><<set $hasburger = false>><<set $hascrate = false>>\ <<set $lift = "box">><<set $trappedlift = true>> [[That'll teach them to poke around in other people's creepy old factories!|You explore the factory.]]

//''ELEVATORS''// You scatter the treats in a path leading sharply away from the elevators, down a dead-end side-corridor.\ <<set $inv.delete("- Dog treats")>>\ <<set $hastreats = false>>\ <<set $lift = "treats">><<set $trappedlift = true>> [[That'll teach them to poke around in other people's creepy old factories!|You explore the factory.]]

//''ASSEMBLY LINE''// Using the scratching post, you prop the crate up in a corner, then bait it with the cheeseburger. From what you've seen in cartoons, this is pretty much foolproof.\ <<set $inv.delete("- Scratching post")>><<set $inv.delete("- Wooden crate")>><<set $inv.delete("- Cheeseburger")>>\ <<set $hasboxtrap = false>><<set $haspost = false>><<set $hasburger = false>><<set $hascrate = false>>\ <<set $line = "box">><<set $trappedline = true>> [[That'll teach them to poke around in other people's creepy old factories!|You explore the factory.]]

//''ASSEMBLY LINE''// The tar glugs out nicely, forming a big puddle just inside the door. Things are going to get sticky for those unsuspecting sleuths!\ <<set $inv.delete("- Bucket of tar")>>\ <<set $hastar = false>>\ <<set $line = "tar">><<set $trappedline = true>> [[That'll teach them to poke around in other people's creepy old factories!|You explore the factory.]]

//''ASSEMBLY LINE''// You scatter the treats in a path leading directly up to the open mouth of the tar dispenser.\ <<set $inv.delete("- Dog treats")>>\ <<set $hastreats = false>>\ <<set $line = "treats">><<set $trappedline = true>> [[That'll teach them to poke around in other people's creepy old factories!|You explore the factory.]]

This chair probably used to be comfortable, but all the stuffing's come out of it now. [[You turn on the CCTV monitor and settle in.]]

You press the false moustache to your top lip. You can see your reflection in the glass of the picture frame, perfectly matching the painting underneath. [[You crouch down behind the desk and await your guests.]]

//''STORE ROOMS''// You prop the crate up using the scratching post, then bait it with the cheeseburger. From what you've seen in cartoons, this is pretty much foolproof.\ <<set $inv.delete("- Scratching post")>><<set $inv.delete("- Wooden crate")>><<set $inv.delete("- Cheeseburger")>>\ <<set $hasboxtrap = false>><<set $haspost = false>><<set $hasburger = false>><<set $hascrate = false>>\ <<set $store = "box">><<set $trappedstore = true>> [[That'll teach them to poke around in other people's creepy old factories!|You explore the factory.]]

//''STORE ROOMS''// You balance the bucket over the door to one of the store rooms. Things are going to get sticky for those unsuspecting sleuths!\ <<set $inv.delete("- Bucket of tar")>>\ <<set $hastar = false>>\ <<set $store = "tar">><<set $trappedstore = true>> [[That'll teach them to poke around in other people's creepy old factories!|You explore the factory.]]

//''STORE ROOMS''// You scatter the treats in a snaking path in and out of the store rooms, stopping abruptly at a dead end.\ <<set $inv.delete("- Dog treats")>>\ <<set $hastreats = false>>\ <<set $store = "treats">><<set $trappedstore = true>> [[That'll teach them to poke around in other people's creepy old factories!|You explore the factory.]]

<<if $hadburger>><<if $hasburger>>Good thing you held onto that cheeseburger. It's not half bad, once you pick out enough of the fillings to make it biteable.<<else>>It's getting late, and your grumbling stomach starts to wish you'd held onto that cheeseburger.<<endif>><<else>>It's getting late, and you wish you had something to eat.<<endif>> More than an hour goes by before you hear the sound of a van pulling up outside. [[Someone is opening the front doors.]]

"Jeez! Why would a ghost wanna hang out in a place like this?" "That must be Mr Cunningham in the picture over there." [[Their footsteps move across the entrance hall, followed by the clicking of the dog's claws. You curl your hands into fists.]]

<<if $hadburger>><<if $hasburger>>Good thing you held onto that cheeseburger. It's not half bad, once you pick out enough of the fillings to make it biteable.<<else>>It's getting late, and your grumbling stomach starts to wish you'd held onto that cheeseburger.<<endif>><<else>>It's getting late, and you wish you had something to eat.<<endif>> More than an hour goes by before you see movement on the screen. [[A van is pulling up beside the front door.]]

Four kids – two girls, two boys – plus the dog. They let themselves into the entrance hall with a brazenness to make you bristle. One of the girls seems to be studying the painting of your father through her thick-framed glasses. [[They soon find their way to the assembly line...]]

"Wow, he was pretty scary even in life, huh? M... maybe we should get out of here..." [["MAYBE YOU SHOULD!"]]\

You leap up from behind the desk, <<if $hassculpture>>brandishing the giant cigarette sculpture over your head<<else>>waving your arms over your head in a ghostly fashion<<endif>>. The kids scream, and the nearest one topples backwards in alarm. Her spectacles go flying. [[You crush them underfoot as you jump down from the desk.]]

Instead of fleeing back into the parking lot, the other three kids and the dog go sprinting deeper into the factory. [[You follow them towards the assembly line, leaving the girl scrabbling for the remains of her glasses.]]\ <<set $velma = false>>

<<if $trappedline>>\ <<if $line eq "tar">>The leader of the group, a strapping blond, charges straight into the puddle of tar you left by the entrance. He slides across the floor, his arms pinwheeling comically, before colliding headfirst with the automatic roller and unleashing a shower of cigarette papers upon himself.<<set $fred = false>>\ <<endif>>\ <<if $line eq "treats">>The dog completely ignores the treats you left here, but one of the remaining kids – the skinny boy – forgets his fear long enough to pick them up. He follows the trail to the open mouth of the tar dispenser. Before he can realise his own mistake, he's plunged feet-first into the sticky black sludge.<<set $shaggy = false>>\ <<endif>>\ <<if $line eq "box">>The dog takes the bait you left here, making a beeline for the cheeseburger even as it whimpers in fear. Its tail whips the scratching post away, bringing the crate crashing down to imprison it.<<set $scooby = false>>\ <<endif>> The others hardly notice <<if $line eq "box">>its howls<<else>>his cries<<endif>> for help. They're too busy fleeing for their lives. <<else>>If the factory was still operational, one of the interlopers would become humorously entangled in the machinery at this point. Sadly, they all make it through unscathed, even managing to run safely past the open mouth of the tar dispenser in their panic.\ <<endif>> [[You follow them to the elevators...]]

<<if $trappedlift>>\ <<if $lift eq "tar">>The leader of the group, a strapping blond, staggers to a halt in front of the elevators and slams the call button. He yelps when he realises it's covered in tar and his hand is stuck. He's still struggling to get free as the others skid past him, straight into the elevator, and the doors slam shut. The elevator springs into life, rattling them away towards the upper levels of the factory.<<set $fred = false>>\ <<endif>>\ <<if $lift eq "treats">>There's an elevator waiting. The interlopers pile into it as fast as they can, only realising at the moment the doors slam shut that one of their number has gone missing. The skinny boy has peeled off from the group, led astray by the trail of dog treats, and it's too late for him to catch up as his friends are rattled away towards the upper levels of the factory.<<set $shaggy = false>>\ <<endif>>\ <<if $lift eq "box">>There's an elevator waiting. The interlopers pile into it as fast as they can, but their dog swerves away at the last minute, tempted by the cheeseburger you left here. Its tail whips the scratching post away, bringing the crate crashing down to imprison it. It howls, but its human friends are already being rattled away towards the upper levels of the factory.<<set $scooby = false>>\ <<endif>> <<else>>There's an elevator waiting. The interlopers pile into it as fast as they can, the doors slam shut, and moments later they're being rattled away towards the upper levels of the factory.\ <<endif>> [[You dive into the second elevator and follow them up...]]

When you climb out of the elevator, you're just in time to see your targets scattering into the store rooms, running back and forth across the corridor in blind panic.<<if $trappedstore>> <<if $store eq "tar">>The leader of the group, a strapping blond, is the first to disturb the bucket of tar. It comes crashing down when he opens the wrong door, turning his white sweater black. He slumps down, blinded and dazed in the doorway, as the <<if $trappedline and $trappedlift>>last survivor flees<<else>>survivors flee<<endif>> before you.<<set $fred = false>>\ <<endif>>\ <<if $store eq "treats">>The skinny boy is quickly led astray by the dog treats you scattered here. He's so keen to scoop them all up that he runs headfirst into a wall and slumps down in a daze while the <<if $trappedline and $trappedlift>>last survivor flees<<else>>survivors flee<<endif>> before you.<<set $shaggy = false>>\ <<endif>>\ <<if $store eq "box">>The dog is tempted by the cheeseburger you left here, and dashes straight into the trap. Its tail whips away the scratching post, bringing the crate down to imprison it. More crates follow, their unsteady stacks disturbed by the pandemonium, until loose cigarettes are flooding the corridor. The <<if $trappedline and $trappedlift>>last survivor wades<<else>>survivors wade<<endif>> onwards, mere inches out of your reach.<<set $scooby = false>>\ <<endif>><<endif>> <<if $trappedline and $trappedlift and $trappedstore>>[[You chase her down every corridor in the building...|You chase them down every corridor in the building...]]<<else>>[[You chase them down every corridor in the building...]]<<endif>>

Until at last <<if $fred or $shaggy or $scooby>>they dive<<else>>she dives<<endif>> into your father's office. [[You give an angered, ghostly roar and follow.]]

<<if $shaggy or $fred or $scooby>>Seeing that there's nowhere left for them to run, the remaining intruders turn to face you as you loom in the doorway. One of them, a redheaded girl in a purple skirt, jabs an accusing finger under your nose.<<else>>Seeing that there's nowhere left for her to run, the girl – a redhead in a purple skirt – turns to face you as you loom in the doorway.<<endif>> "You're no ghost," she declares, her voice wavering only a little. "Ghosts don't exist." [["OH YES WE DO! I'M THE GHOST OF MR CUNNINGHAM! WOO-OOH!"]]

"//Mr// Cunningham?" The redhead raises an eyebrow. "What's your first name?" "Uh..." <<if $hassculpture>>[[Fortunately, at that moment, you remember you're still brandishing the giant cigarette sculpture.]]<<else>><<if $fred or $shaggy or $velma>>[[You're saved from thinking up a response by a tremendous blow to the top of your head.]]<<else>>[[You're saved from thinking up a response by a sudden pain in your calf.|You're saved from thinking up a response by a tremendous blow to the top of your head.]]<<endif>><<endif>>

<<if $fred or $shaggy or $velma>>\ You crumple to the floor. \ <<if $fred>>The leader of the group, a strapping blond,<<else>>\ <<if $shaggy>>The remaining boy – a skinny, scruffy creature –<<else>>\ <<if $velma>>The bespectacled girl<<else>>\ The redhead\ <<endif>><<endif>><<endif>> \ stands over you, wielding the sculpture that was formerly mounted on the wall.\ <<else>>\ The dog has its teeth in you. While you struggle to shake it off, <<if $fred>>the leader of the group, a strapping blond,<<else>><<if $shaggy>>the remaining boy – a skinny, scruffy creature –<<else>><<if $velma>>the bespectacled girl<<else>>the redhead<<endif>><<endif>><<endif>> \ grabs the sculpture off the wall and swings it at your head.\ \ <<endif>> "Take that!" [[You shout in anger as you find yourself pinned to the floor.]]

You swing it towards her head. \ <<if $fred>>\ At the last second, the leader of the gang – a strapping blond – grabs your arm and brings the sculpture smashing into your skull instead.\ <<else>>\ <<if $shaggy>>\ At the last second, the remaining boy – a skinny, scruffy creature – grabs your arm and brings the sculpture smashing into your skull instead.\ <<else>>\ <<if $scooby>>\ At the last second, the dog jumps to her defence, tearing the sculpture from your hand and throwing you to the floor.\ <<else>>\ She dodges around you and stumbles back out into the corridor, unscathed but terrified. <<endif>><<endif>><<endif>> <<if $fred or $shaggy or $scooby>>[[You shout in anger as you find yourself pinned to the floor.]]<<else>>[[You raise your arms towards her in the spookiest gesture you can muster.]]<<endif>>

"Now, let's see who's really been haunting this place!" [[It's no use struggling, but you struggle anyway as the false moustache is ripped from your face.]]

"I AM THE GHOST OF MR CUNNINGHAM, AND IF YOU EVER SET FOOT IN MY FACTORY AGAIN, MY VENGEANCE WILL BE SWIFT AND TERRIBLE!" [[Judging by her hasty retreat, it's safe to assume she gets the message.]]

You turn on the CCTV monitor and watch as she retraces her steps through the factory, rescuing her friends from their various predicaments and helping them back down to the parking lot. [[Eventually, they all pile back into their terrible van, and it pulls away.]]

"Aha! Mr Cunningham Jr! Just as we thought!" You glare. "How do you know it's me? We've never even met before." "There was a photo of you in the //Tobacco Tycoon Weekly// article about your father's death," the redhead crows. "It also mentioned how you didn't stand to inherit anything. So of course you had a motive to keep people out of the factory." [["This place is mine by right! Those superstitious townspeople can get their own factory!"]]

"You may have fooled them, Mr Cunningham Jr, but you couldn't fool us! Well, they'll all find out the truth soon enough. <<if $trappedline or $trappedlift or $trappedstore>>And you'll be haunting a jail cell for the tricks you played on us!<<else>>And you'll be run out of town, you fraudulent phantasm!<<endif>>" [[CURSES!]]

And then you're alone in the factory. //Your factory.// [[It wasn't easy, but you did what you had to do.]]

As you place the sculpture carefully back in its bracket on the wall, you can't help but feel as if... as if there were someone else in the room with you. [[You turn.]]

The office is empty. For a moment, you think you can see a wisp of smoke dissolving into the air. Then it's hard to say if you saw anything at all. //[[Don't mention it. Rest, now.]]//

<<set $won = true>>[[But there's no such thing as ghosts.|If it hadn't been for those meddling kids...]]

<div style="text-align:center;"><<if not $won>>You almost got away with it. [[You'll best those meddling kids next time...|start over]] <<endif>><span style="font-family:Spicy Rice;font-size:400%;color:purple;text-shadow:3px 3px 0px black;">//ZOINKS!//</span> by <a href="http://lizziesmyth.com/twine" target="_blank">elizabeth smyth</a> for ectocomp 2018<<if $won>> [[start over]]<<endif>></div>

<<set $won = false>><<goto "If it hadn't been for those meddling kids...">>

<<if $trappedline>>\ <<if $line eq "tar">>The leader of the group, a strapping blond, marches straight into the puddle of tar you left by the entrance. He slides across the floor, his arms pinwheeling comically, before colliding headfirst with the automatic roller and unleashing a shower of cigarette papers upon himself.\ <<endif>>\ <<if $line eq "treats">>The dog completely ignores the treats you left here, but one of the remaining kids – the skinny boy – stops to pick them up. He follows the trail to the open mouth of the tar dispenser. Before he can realise his own mistake, he's plunged feet-first into the sticky black sludge.\ <<endif>>\ <<if $line eq "box">>The dog takes the bait you left here, making a beeline for the cheeseburger. Its tail whips the scratching post away, bringing the crate crashing down to imprison it.\ <<endif>> It takes the others a few minutes to rescue <<if $line eq "box">>it<<else>>him<<endif>>. They've been slowed down a little, but it's not enough! <<else>>If the factory was still operational, one of the interlopers would become humorously entangled in the machinery at this point. Sadly, they all make it through unscathed, even managing to stroll safely past the open mouth of the tar dispenser.\ <<endif>> [[You switch cameras as they proceed to the elevators...]]

<<if $trappedlift>>\ <<if $lift eq "tar">>The leader of the group, a strapping blond, staggers to a halt in front of the elevators and slams the call button. He yelps when he realises it's covered in tar and his hand is stuck. Infuriatingly, his friends take the time to pull him free before piling into the elevator together. It springs into life, rattling them away towards the upper levels of the factory.\ <<endif>>\ <<if $lift eq "treats">>There's an elevator waiting. The interlopers pile into it, only realising at the moment the doors slam shut that one of their number has gone missing. The skinny boy has peeled off from the group, led astray by the trail of dog treats, and it's too late for him to catch up as his friends are rattled away towards the upper levels of the factory.<<set $shaggy = false>>\ <<endif>>\ <<if $lift eq "box">>There's an elevator waiting. The interlopers pile into it, but their dog swerves away at the last minute, tempted by the cheeseburger you left here. Its tail whips the scratching post away, bringing the crate crashing down to imprison it. It howls, but its human friends are already being rattled away towards the upper levels of the factory.<<set $scooby = false>>\ <<endif>> <<else>>There's an elevator waiting. The interlopers pile into it, the doors slam shut, and moments later they're being rattled away towards the upper levels of the factory.\ <<endif>> [[After a minute, they're deposited among the store rooms...]]

<<if $trappedstore>>\ <<if $store eq "tar">>The leader of the group, a strapping blond, is the first to disturb the bucket of tar. It comes crashing down when he opens the wrong door, turning his white sweater black. He slumps down, blinded and dazed in the doorway, while his friends unwittingly press on without him.<<set $fred = false>>\ <<endif>>\ <<if $store eq "treats">>The skinny boy is quickly led astray by the dog treats you scattered here. He's so keen to scoop them all up that he runs headfirst into a wall and slumps down in a daze while his friends unwittingly press on without him.<<set $shaggy = false>>\ <<endif>>\ <<if $store eq "box">>The dog is tempted by the cheeseburger you left here, and dashes straight into the trap. Its tail whips away the scratching post, bringing the crate down to imprison it. More crates follow, their unsteady stacks disturbed by the pandemonium, until loose cigarettes are flooding the corridor. The others wade onwards.<<set $scooby = false>>\ <<endif>>\ <<else>>\ Labyrinthine though the store rooms are, the kids manage to stick together and keep their heads as they press deeper into the factory.\ <<endif>> [[Until you hear their footsteps approaching down the corridor...]]

They burst in on you triumphantly. One of the girls, a redhead in a purple skirt, jabs her finger under your nose. "Mr Cunningham Jr! We had a feeling you might be at the bottom of this." [["You kids are trespassing on my property!"]]

"It's //not// your property yet. And it never will be! The townspeople will never hand this place over to the likes of you, not once we expose how you tried to trick them all." <<if $hassculpture>>[[You surge to your feet in a rage, brandishing the sculpture.|office]]<<else>>[[You surge to your feet in a rage, only to be knocked back down again by a blow to the head.|office]]<<endif>>

<<if $hassculpture>>But you find yourself outnumbered and overpowered. <<if $fred>>The blond boy<<else>><<if $shaggy>>The scruffy boy<<else>><<if $velma>>The bespectacled girl<<else>>The redhead<<endif>><<endif>><<endif>> yanks the sculpture from your hands and uses it to pin you to your father's chair.<<else>><<if $fred>>The blond boy<<else>><<if $shaggy>>The scruffy boy<<else>><<if $velma>>The bespectacled girl<<else>>The redhead<<endif>><<endif>><<endif>> has taken the sculpture down from the wall and is now using it to pin you to your father's chair.<<endif>> "You're not going anywhere! <<if $trappedline or $trappedlift or $trappedstore>>You'll soon be haunting a jail cell for the tricks you played on us!<<else>>You'll have to answer for your schemes, you fraudulent phantasm!<<endif>>" [[CURSES!]]