Up: Game 2  Up: Game 2 Outline

I am so proud...

Pooh-Bah grimaces. "No, no, no," he says, "you just failed the first test. You can't be a Tremendous Swell if you don't think like one. When somebody approaches you to shake your hand, you must act like said person does not exist. Don't give as much as a 'How-de-do.' Remember, you are now an individual of Pre-Adamite ancestral descent. You can trace your lineage back to a particular high-ranking amoeba." He holds out his hand again, and you turn your nose up. "Very good, very good," he says, in a low monotone.

After about an hour more of this kind of thing, he decides to give up. "Now," he says, "I think we might as well just go to the final examination. You'll undoubtedly fail. Listen, and follow directions." (Lyrics by W. S. Gilbert, from "The Gondoliers")

"I am a courtier grave and serious, who is about to kiss your hand. Try to combine a pose imperious with a demeanor nobly bland."

So you combine a pose imperious with a demeanor nobly bland.

"That's, if anything, TOO unbending, too agressively stiff and grand."

You try again.

"Now to the other extreme you're tending, that is so dreadfully condescending."

After some more of this, Pooh-Bah stops. "You failed," he says sharply. You don't respond. "I said, you failed. You don't have the makings of a Tremendous Swell in you." You don't respond. "You aren't talking to me?" You nod slowly. "Then you passed! You're a certified Tremendous Swell. Privileges include full access to the Imperial Palace." Pooh-Bah reaches out to shake your hand. You stand stock still. He nods, and walks off.

Now that you have access to the Palace, you can start looking for clues as to where the Mikado's son went.


Written by The Lord High Executioner (edited by phaedrus)

Back to the parent page