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TAG-BASED STYLING:
https://twinery.org/forum/discussion/3172/changing-css-in-a-single-passage-in-sugarcube-2-and-missing-text-style
AUDIO MACROS:
http://www.motoslave.net/sugarcube/2/docs/macros.html#macrocat-audio
IMAGES AS LINKS:
http://twinery.org/forum/discussion/2855/an-image-can-be-a-button{
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}<a data-passage="game_title">WE ALL DIE IN THE END.</a>
<<cacheaudio "birth" "./horse_corpse_media/horace_is_born_compressed.wav">>
<<cacheaudio "desert" "./horse_corpse_media/desert_journey_compressed.wav">>
<<cacheaudio "ocean" "./horse_corpse_media/when_the_ship_sinks_compressed.wav">>
<<cacheaudio "desert2" "./horse_corpse_media/desert_journey_ii_compressed.wav">>
<<cacheaudio "town" "./horse_corpse_media/town_compressed.wav">>
<<cacheaudio "showdown" "./horse_corpse_media/showdown_compressed.wav">>
<<cacheaudio "you_win" "./horse_corpse_media/flouride_is_poison_compressed.wav">><a data-passage="birth_2"><img src="./horse_corpse_media/birth_chapter_title.gif" width=60%/></a>
<<audio "birth" volume 0.75 loop play>>YOU ARE BORN IN AN OUTHOUSE.
YOU ROLL AROUND IN PISS AND SHIT BLINKING, FOR THE FIRST TIME, AT THE BEAUTY OF THE WORLD.
WHAT IS YOUR FIRST ACTION?
<a data-passage = "birth_3">YOU CRAWL OUT OF THE MUCK AND PUSH OPEN THE OUTHOUSE DOOR.</a><br/>
<a data-passage = "death_birth">YOU ROLL OVER AND END THE STORY EARLY.</a><br/>
<<click "YOU SIT THERE AND CRY.">><<replace "#output">><br/>YOU CRY A LITTLE, BUT NOW YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ELSE.<</replace>><</click>><span id="output"></span>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/outhouse.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU DIE BEFORE YOU REALLY HAVE A CHANCE TO DO ANYTHING.
THE WORLD IS AGAINST YOU, IT SEEMS, BUT HAVE NO FEAR! YOU WILL FIND THE WAY.
<a data-passage = "birth_1">RESTART CHAPTER?</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/rip.gif" width=15% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU PUSH OPEN THE DOOR. THE BIRDS ARE CHIRPING.
<<click "YOU SMELL THE FRESH AIR.">><<replace "#output">><br/>THE AIR OUT HERE SMELLS MUCH BETTER AND YOU REJOICE KNOWING NOT EVERYTHING IN THIS LIFE SMELLS LIKE THE OUTHOUSE.<</replace>><</click>><span id="output"></span>
<a data-passage="birth_4">YOU LOOK AROUND IN WONDER.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/outhouse.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/><a data-passage="birth_1"><img src="./horse_corpse_media/title.gif" width=60%/></a>YOU ARE STANDING, WITH YOUR FLIMSY NEWBORN FEET, ON THE OUTHOUSE STEPS. IT'S SUMMER, AND A GENTLE BREEZE TICKLES YOUR TOES.
YOU SEE A DIRT PATH IN FRONT OF YOU LEADING INTO SOME TALL GRASS,
A PUTRID SWAMP TO YOUR LEFT,
AND A TALL OAK TREE TO YOUR RIGHT.
THERE ARE NO OTHER PEOPLE AROUND, IT SEEMS.
<a data-passage="birth_path_0">YOU SLOWLY CRAWL DOWN THE DIRT PATH.</a>
<a data-passage="birth_swamp_0">YOU INVESTIGATE THE GROSS SWAMP.</a>
<a data-passage="birth_tree_0">YOU CLIMB THE TREE.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/outhouse.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU CRAWL DOWN THE MUDDY PATH, DIRTYING YOUR YOUNG HANDS SIGNIFICANTLY. OTHERWISE, THOUGH, THE PATH IS VERY PLEASANT. TALL GRASS GROWS ALONG THE SIDES.
AHEAD, YOU SEE A CLEARING - LYING IN THE CENTER IS A HEAP OF SOMETHING WITH FLIES BUZZING ALL OVER IT.
<a data-passage = "birth_4">YOU TURN AROUND AND GO BACK TO THE OUTHOUSE.</a><br/>
<a data-passage = "birth_path_1">YOU CRAWL TOWARDS THE CLEARING AND INVESTIGATE THE PILE.</a><br/>
<<click "YOU EAT THE GRASS.">><<replace "#output">><br/>THE GRASS IS TOUGH AND CHEWY BUT NO MATCH FOR YOUR STRONG YOUNG TEETH.<</replace>><</click>><span id="output"></span>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/outhouse.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU APPROACH THE FESTERING SWAMP.
IT SMELLS BAD LIKE THE OUTHOUSE, BUT YOU ARE STRANGELY ATTRACTED TO IT.
SUDDENLY, AS YOU APPROACH THE EDGE OF THE SWAMP, THE WATER IN THE CENTER BEGINS TO CHURN AND FROTH.
<a data-passage = "birth_swamp_1">YOU PEER INTO THE DARK, BUBBLING MASS, WHICH SOUNDS LIKE A HOT TUB WITH THE BUBBLES TURNED ON HIGH AND SMELLS LIKE BAD LASAGNA.</a>
<a data-passage = "death_birth">YOU JUMP IN THE FETID SWAMP.</a>
<a data-passage = "birth_4">YOU TURN AROUND AND LEAVE.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/outhouse.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU CLIMB THE TREE. DESPITE HAVING BEEN BORN 5 SECONDS AGO, YOU ARE QUITE STRONG AND AGILE, AND YOU MANAGE TO CLIMB ABOUT HALFWAY UP RATHER QUICKLY, WHERE YOU STAND IN A FLAT, COMFORTABLE NOOK - THE SUN DAPPLES THE BRANCHES THROUGH THE GREEN LEAVES THAT SURROUND YOU.
YOU ALSO SEE, TO YOUR RIGHT, A BUZZING OBLONG BALL HANGING FROM A BRANCH.
<a data-passage="birth_4">YOU CAREFULLY CLIMB BACK DOWN.</a>
<a data-passage="birth_tree_bees">YOU INQUISITIVELY LUNGE FOR THE BUZZING BALL.</a>
<<click "YOU TAKE A NAP IN THE SUN-DAPPLED NOOK.">><<replace "#output">><br/>YOU NAP FOR A COUPLE HOURS AND WAKE UP FEELING JUST FINE.<</replace>><</click>><span id="output"></span>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/outhouse.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>A SWARM OF A MILLION BEES COMES OUT OF THE HIVE YOU JUST KNOCKED AROUND AND ARE FLYING STRAIGHT TOWARDS YOU.
<a data-passage="birth_tree_fall">YOU QUICKLY JUMP DOWN OUT OF THE TREE - IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE A VERY FAR FALL.</a>
<a data-passage="birth_tree_sting">YOUR FIRST FIGHT! YOU SWING YOUR FIST AT THE SWARM OF BEES AS THEY BEGIN TO STING YOU.</a>
<a data-passage="birth_tree_1">YOU CLIMB HIGHER INTO THE TREE.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/outhouse.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU ARE AT THE TOP OF THE TREE WHERE THE BRANCHES ARE THIN. YOU DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME TO LOOK AROUND BECAUSE OF ALL THE BEES CHASING YOU.
<a data-passage="birth_tree_sting">YOU CLIMB BACK DOWN AND TAKE YOUR CHANCES FIGHTING THE BEES.</a>
<a data-passage="birth_tree_2">YOU FIND A BRANCH THAT LOOKS SUPPLE AND PUT YOUR FULL WEIGHT ONTO IT, ATTEMPTING TO LOWER YOURSELF BACK ONTO THE GROUND AS IT BENDS WITH YOU.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/outhouse.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>THE BRANCH BENDS IN A BEAUTIFUL ARC PAST THE BEES (WHO ARE VERY IMPRESSED) AND YOU LAND, WITH YOUR FLIMSY NEWBORN FEET, ON THE OUTHOUSE STEPS.
ONCE YOU GET YOUR BEARINGS, YOU SEE A DIRT PATH IN FRONT OF YOU LEADING INTO SOME TALL GRASS,
A PUTRID SWAMP TO YOUR LEFT,
AND A TALL OAK TREE TO YOUR RIGHT.
THERE ARE STILL NO OTHER PEOPLE AROUND.
<a data-passage="birth_path_0">YOU SLOWLY CRAWL DOWN THE DIRT PATH.</a>
<a data-passage="birth_swamp_0">YOU INVESTIGATE THE GROSS SWAMP.</a>
<a data-passage="birth_tree_0">YOU CLIMB THE TREE.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/outhouse.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>THE SWIRLING MASS FORMS INTO A HUMANOID HEAD, DRIPPING WITH SWAMP MUCK, WHICH BLOWS MORE MUCK OUT OF ITS NOSTRILS BEFORE SPEAKING IN A VOICE THAT SOUNDS LIKE A TOILET FLUSHING:
"Answer my swamp riddle and I will spare your life."
YOU ARE PETRIFIED BY FEAR AND UNABLE TO MOVE.
<a data-passage = "birth_swamp_2">YOU HEAR THIS MUCK OUT.</a>
<a data-passage = "death_birth">YOU STOP YOUR OWN HEART THROUGH SHEER WILLPOWER.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/outhouse.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU DECIDE TO TRY AND ANSWER THE SWAMP RIDDLE.
"What," ASKS THE SWAMP HEAD, "Are the four main types of wetlands?"
<a data-passage = "birth_swamp_false">YOU ANSWER "Marsh, Bog, Desert, and Outhouse."</a>
<a data-passage = "birth_swamp_false">YOU ANSWER "Bog, Fen, Muck, and Fog."</a>
<a data-passage = "birth_swamp_true">YOU ANSWER "Marsh, Swamp, Bog, and Fen."</a>
<a data-passage = "birth_swamp_false">YOU ANSWER "Cumulus, Stratus, Cumulonimbus, and Cirrus, haha!"</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/outhouse.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU CRAWL INTO THE CLEARING AND UP TO WHAT YOU NOW REALIZE IS A <<click "HUMAN BODY.">><<replace "#output">> A CORPSE.<</replace>><</click>><span id="output"></span>
IT'S THE BODY OF A HUMAN MAN. YOUR YOUNG MIND IS REELING. HE IS WEARING A TWEED SUIT WITH A WHITE SHIRT, SOAKED IN BLOOD.
LOOKING CLOSER, YOU SEE A NAMETAG PINNED TO THE SHIRT.
<a data-passage = "birth_path_2">YOU READ THE NAMETAG.</a>
<a data-passage = "birth_path_0">YOU GO BACK THE WAY YOU CAME.</a>
<<click "YOU PUT ON THE MAN'S CLOTHES.">><<replace "#output_1">><br/>THEY ARE TOO BIG FOR YOU - THEY FALL OFF.<</replace>><</click>><span id="output_1"></span>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/outhouse.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU'RE VERY YOUNG BUT YOU'VE GOT READING DOWN PRETTY WELL BY NOW.
THE NAMETAG ISN'T A WORD YOU RECOGNIZE, THOUGH.
IT SAYS "Horace".
ALTHOUGH YOU ARE BUT A CHILD, THE NAMETAG SPARKS A REALIZATION IN YOU: THINGS NEED CATEGORIES, DESCRIPTIONS, LABELS, IN ORDER TO BE UNDERSTOOD.
IT'S TIME TO CHOOSE A NAME, CHILD.
WHO ARE YOU?
<a data-passage = "birth_path_3">YOU DECIDE TO CHOOSE A NAME.</a>
<a data-passage = "birth_path_0">YOU IGNORE THE SPARKS OF INTELLIGENCE IN YOUR BRAIN AND GO BACK.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/outhouse.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>THE SWAMP HEAD QUIVERS A LITTLE.
"Correct." IT SAYS, AND DISINTEGRATES BACK INTO SWAMP GOO. YOU WONDER, BRIEFLY, IF YOUR MEMORY WAS DECEIVED AND NONE OF THAT REALLY HAPPENED AT ALL.
<a data-passage = "birth_4">YOU WALK BACK UP TO THE OUTHOUSE.</a>
<a data-passage = "death_birth">YOU JUMP INTO THE SWAMP.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/outhouse.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>THE HEAD SHAKES AND GURGLES. IT'S LAUGHING.
"Wrong!" IT BOOMS, IN A VOICE LIKE 100 CLOGGED GARBAGE DISPOSALS.
<a data-passage = "death_birth">BEFORE YOU HAVE A MOMENT TO THINK, A BIG SWAMP HAND LUNGES OUT OF THE GRIMY WATER AND PULLS YOU INTO THE DEPTHS.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/outhouse.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU PONDER WHAT YOU'VE LEARNED AND COME UP WITH A FEW OPTIONS.
<a data-passage = "birth_wrong_name">YOU DECIDE ON "Swamp Tree."</a>
<a data-passage = "birth_wrong_name">YOU PICK "Grass Baby."</a>
<a data-passage = "birth_wrong_name">"Outhouse Horace" SOUNDS GOOD.</a>
<a data-passage = "birth_correct_name">YOU CALL YOURSELF "Horace Corpse."</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/outhouse.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU LOUDLY PROCLAIM YOUR NEW NAME.
AS SOON AS YOU DO, THE CORPSE NEAR YOU TWITCHES AND JERKS BACK TO LIFE. IT LUNGES FOR YOU AND STRANGLES YOU. AS THE LIFE LEAVES YOUR BODY, THE CORPSE WHISPERS IN YOUR EAR:
<a data-passage = "death_birth">"You should have picked a better name."</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/outhouse.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU LOUDLY PROCLAIM YOUR NEW NAME.
"Horace Corpse."
IT FILLS YOU WITH POWER. FACING SO MANY UNKNOWNS IN THIS WORLD, AT LEAST YOU NOW KNOW YOURSELF.
"Horace Corpse."
<a data-passage = "birth_end_chapter">"Horace Corpse."</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/outhouse.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/><a data-passage="desert_0"><img src="./horse_corpse_media/end_of_chapter_title.gif" width=60%/></a>
<<audio "birth" pause>>
<<audio "birth" stop>>
<<audio "desert" stop>><a data-passage="desert_1"><img src="./horse_corpse_media/desert_chapter_title.gif" width=60%/></a>
<<audio "desert" volume 0.75 loop play>>THE BARREN DESERT HAS STOLEN YOUR LIFE AWAY, BUT NOT FOR LONG.
THE SANDS OF TIME ARE ALWAYS IN MOTION, AND YOUR JOURNEY HAS JUST BEGUN.
<a data-passage = "desert_0">RESTART CHAPTER?</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/rip.gif" width=15% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>FOLLOWING THE DIRT PATH, YOU MAKE YOUR WAY INTO THE HOT DESERT.
THE SAND IS SMOOTH AND THE SKY IS BLUE, SAVE FOR A FEW WISPY CLOUDS.
TO YOUR LEFT, YOU SEE A ROAD WITH A BENCH AND A SIGNPOST ADJACENT TO IT - A BUS STOP. THE PATH CONTINUES ON IN FRONT OF YOU, AND TO YOUR RIGHT THE LONE AND LEVEL SANDS STRETCH FAR AWAY.
<a data-passage = "bus_stop_0">YOU INVESTIGATE THE BUS STOP.</a>
<a data-passage = "desert_2">YOU CONTINUE ON DOWN THE PATH.</a>
<a data-passage = "death_desert">YOU SUCCUMB TO THE HEAT OF THE DRY DESERT.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/cactus.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU TRUDGE THROUGH THE SOFT, HOT SAND TOWARDS THE BUS STOP. AS YOU APPROACH, A BUS ROARS BY, NOT EVEN SLOWING DOWN. MAYBE YOU WEREN'T CLOSE ENOUGH FOR THE DRIVER TO THINK YOU WERE TRYING TO CATCH THE BUS.
YOU ARE NOW STANDING NEXT TO THE BENCH, BESIDE THE ROAD.
<a data-passage = "bus_stop_1">YOU READ THE SCHEDULE.</a>
<a data-passage = "desert_1">YOU WALK BACK TO THE PATH.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/cactus.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU CONTINUE ON DOWN THE SANDY DESERT TRAIL. AN EAGLE CIRCLES OFF IN THE DISTANCE.
AS YOU PLOD ALONG, YOU HEAR SOME SCUTTLING IN FRONT OF YOU - YOU LOOK UP AND SEE THREE GARGANTUAN SAND SPIDERS SHUFFLING TOWARDS YOU!
THEY STOP IN FRONT OF YOU AND THE ONE IN THE MIDDLE RASPS:
"Hey give us all your money."
<a data-passage = "spider_death_0">YOU ATTEMPT TO EXLPAIN THAT YOU WERE ONLY RECENTLY BORN AND YOU DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY.</a>
<a data-passage = "spider_death_1">YOU FLEE THE SPIDERS.</a>
<a data-passage = "spider_fight">YOU SWING YOUR FISTS AT THE BIG HAIRY SPIDERS.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/cactus.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU READ THE SCHEDULE.
IT'S GRIMY AND FADED, BUT YOU CAN MAKE OUT SOME TEXT, <<click "IF YOU SQUINT.">><<replace "#output_1">><br/>IT SAYS "Two free buses run through this desert every day! Wait here to be sure our drivers stop for you."<</replace>><</click>><span id="output_1"></span>
<a data-passage = "bus_stop_2">YOU WAIT PATIENTLY FOR A BUS.</a>
<a data-passage = "bus_stop_death">YOU STAND IN THE ROAD.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/cactus.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>THE DESERT IS QUIET AS YOU APPROACH THE MEDIAN.
ALL OF A SUDDEN, A BUS LURCHES OVER THE HILL BEHIND YOU AND TEARS FORWARDS. THE DRIVER IS DUTIFULLY LOOKING OUT FOR WAITING PASSENGERS, AND DOESN'T SEE YOU STANDING THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.
<a data-passage = "death_desert">YOU, HORACE, ARE FLATTENED BY THE BUS.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/cactus.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU WAIT FOR A BUS. IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE ONE IS COMING.
YOU LEAN BACK ON THE HOT BENCH.
STILL NOTHING.
<a data-passage = "bus_stop_3">YOU KEEP WAITING.</a>
<a data-passage = "bus_stop_death">YOU STAND IN THE ROAD AND LOOK AROUND.</a>
<a data-passage = "desert_1">YOU GET UP AND GO BACK TO THE PATH.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/cactus.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>THE HOT DESERT MAKES YOU THIRSTY BUT YOU HAVE NOTHING TO DRINK.
THE ROAD SHIMMERS IN THE HEAT. YOU SEE MOTION DOWN THE ROAD OUT OF THE CORNER OF YOUR EYE BUT IT'S JUST AN ILLUSION.
<a data-passage = "bus_stop_2">YOU KEEP WAITING.</a>
<a data-passage = "bus_stop_death">YOU STAND IN THE ROAD AND LOOK AROUND.</a>
<a data-passage = "desert_1">YOU GET UP AND GO BACK TO THE PATH.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/cactus.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>"I don't have anything - I was just born," YOU SAY.
<a data-passage = "death_desert">THE SPIDERS DON'T REALLY CARE. THEY LUNGE AT YOU AND DEVOUR YOU ALIVE.</a>
IF ONLY YOU HAD A GUN.
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/cactus.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU ATTEMPT TO FLEE TOWARDS THE ROAD BUT THE SWEAT FROM YOUR HEAD RUNS INTO YOUR EYES AND YOU BECOME CONFUSED.
<a data-passage = "death_desert">THE SPIDERS QUICKLY OVERTAKE YOU AND DEVOUR YOU ALIVE WHILE YOU BAKE ON THE HOT SAND.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/cactus.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU BALL UP YOUR FINGERS AND TOSS THEM AT THE THREE SPIDERS.
TAKEN ABACK, THE SPIDERS DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. YOU SQUISH THE MIDDLE ONE INTO THE SAND. IT MAKES A SOFT SQUELCHING SOUND.
THE SPIDER ON THE LEFT, WHO WASN'T REALLY THAT CRAZY ABOUT MUGGING YOU IN THE FIRST PLACE, RUNS AWAY AND DECIDES TO CHANGE ITS LIFESTYLE.
THE SPIDER ON THE RIGHT JUMPS AT YOU.
<a data-passage = "spider_fight_conclusion">YOU PULL YOUR FIST BACK AND SWAT THAT JUMPING SPIDER.</a>
<a data-passage = "death_desert">YOU COWER AS THE SPIDER JUMPS ON YOU AND EATS YOU UP.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/cactus.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>THE SPIDERS ARE TOTALLY CONQUERED. YOU DECIDE THAT, SOMETIMES, FIGHTING IS THE BEST ANSWER TO THE MANY TESTS LIFE PUSHES AT YOU.
HOWEVER, YOU ARE VERY THIRSTY AND TIRED FROM FIGHTING, BUT THERE ISN'T MUCH IN SIGHT.
YOU SEE A CACTUS TO YOUR LEFT, THE PATH CONTINUING IN FRONT OF YOU, AND NOTHING BUT SAND TO YOUR RIGHT.
<<click "YOU TRY TO EXTRACT SOME WATER FROM THE CACTUS TO YOUR LEFT.">><<replace "#output_1">><br/>YOU HURT YOUR HAND ON THE NEEDLES AND YOU DON'T GET ANY WATER.<</replace>><</click>><span id="output_1"></span>
<a data-passage = "spider_death_3">YOU TAKE A NAP ON THE SAND.</a>
<a data-passage = "desert_3">YOU CONTINUE ON THE PATH, DESPITE YOUR FATIGUE.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/cactus.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/><a data-passage = "death_desert">A TOTALLY DIFFERENT GROUP OF SPIDERS, NOT EVEN THE SAME SPECIES REALLY, SHOW UP AND DEVOUR YOU AS YOU LAY ON THE SAND.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/cactus.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU CONTINUE ON THE PATH UNTIL YOU CAN'T WALK ANYMORE.
YOU COLLAPSE ONTO THE SAND AND LONG FOR DEATH - FOR THE SUN TO COOK YOU AND THE SPIDERS TO USE YOUR BONES AS TOOTHPICKS.
AS YOU PLEAD FOR THIS WHOLE JOURNEY TO BE OVER, AN EAGLE SWOOPS OUT OF THE SKY, LETS OUT AN EARSPLITTING SHRIEK, AND SNATCHES YOU IN ITS TALONS.
<a data-passage = "desert_end_chapter">YOU ACCEPT YOUR MISERABLE FATE AND MOAN A LITTLE.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/cactus.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/><a data-passage="ocean_0"><img src="./horse_corpse_media/end_of_chapter_title.gif" width=60%/></a>
<<audio "desert" stop>>
<<audio "ocean" stop>>THE FALL WAS FARTHER THAN YOU THOUGHT.
<a data-passage = "death_birth">YOU CLUMSILY TUMBLE TO THE GROUND AND DIE.</a>
THE BEES STING YOUR CORPSE.
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/outhouse.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/><a data-passage = "death_birth">YOU MANAGE TO HIT A COUPLE OF THE BEES WITH YOUR FIST BUT HUNDREDS MORE STING YOU ALL OVER YOUR FLESHY BODY. YOU ARE QUICKLY OVERPOWERED AND REGRET DISTRUBING THESE BEES IN THE EARLY MOMENTS OF YOUR SHORT LIFE.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/outhouse.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/><a data-passage="ocean_1"><img src="./horse_corpse_media/ocean_chapter_title.gif" width=60%/></a>
<<audio "ocean" volume 0.75 loop play>>THE CRUEL SEA HAS WASHED YOU TO A BITTER END, BUT NOT TO WORRY. THERE IS MUCH TREASURE TO FIND IN THE SWIRLING DEPTHS.
THE WATER IS FICKLE BUT ALWAYS FAIR.
<a data-passage = "ocean_0">RESTART CHAPTER?</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/rip.gif" width=15% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>HAVING PASSED OUT SOME TIME AGO, YOU WAKE UP AS THE EAGLE SHRIEKS AGAIN. YOU ARE CIRCLING OVER A LARGE BODY OF WATER, AND THE EAGLE IS FIGHTING SOME BEES THAT ARE TRYING TO STING ITS EYES.
THE EAGLE DROPS YOU INTO THE WATER.
YOU SINK TO THE BOTTOM AND LAY ON A CORAL REEF. THE WATER AROUND YOU IS COOL AND MANY DIFFERENTLY COLORED FISH SWIM PAST.
<a data-passage = "ocean_pressure_death">YOU SWIM UP TO THE SURFACE AS FAST AS YOU CAN.</a>
<<click "YOU DRINK SOME OF THE OCEAN WATER.">><<replace "#output_1">><br/>THE WATER IS BRINY AND BAD. YOU SPIT IT OUT INSTINCTIVELY.<</replace>><</click>><span id="output_1"></span>
<a data-passage = "ocean_2">YOU EXPLORE THE REEF A LITTLE.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/crab.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>
YOU SWIM UP TO THE SURFACE VERY FAST. AT FIRST EVERYTHING SEEMS FINE BUT SUDDENLY YOU FEEL A TREMENDOUS PRESSURE INSIDE YOUR HEAD. YOU SLOW DOWN BUT IT'S TOO LATE.
<a data-passage = "death_ocean">YOUR HEAD EXPLODES UNDERWATER.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/crab.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>AS YOU EXPLORE THE MANY COLORED CORALS AND CREVASSES, YOU HEAR A WHIRRING, BUBBLING SOUND MOVING TOWARDS YOU FROM BEHIND.
YOU TURN AROUND AND SEE A CRAB PILOTING A VEHICLE MADE OUT OF THOSE SMALL ELECTRIC HAND-FANS AND HALF OF A TAKEOUT BOX.
THE CRAB WAVES HIS CLAW AT YOU.
<a data-passage = "ocean_3">YOU WAVE BACK IN GREETING.</a>
<a data-passage = "ocean_death_by_crab">YOU SWING YOUR FISTS AT THE CRAB CAR.</a>
<a data-passage = "ocean_fall">YOU RUN AWAY.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/crab.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU WAVE BACK TO THE CRAB, WHO SLOWS AND STOPS HIS VEHICLE.
IN A VOICE THAT SOUNDS WISE AND SEASONED, THE CRAB SAYS:
"You look lost, my friend. Can I help you find something?"
<a data-passage = "ocean_4">YOU SAY "Thank you, sir - I am in need of water."</a>
<a data-passage = "ocean_4">YOU SAY "Hello and well met - I am very hungry."</a>
<a data-passage = "ocean_4">YOU SAY "What a pleasure it is to meet you - I am searching for a purpose in this life."</a>
<a data-passage = "ocean_starve_death">YOU SAY "No thanks I'm fine."</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/crab.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU ATTACK THE CRAB.
QUICKER THAN LIGHTNING IN WATER THE CRAB, WHO WAS ONLY TRYING TO SAY HELLO, SNAPS HIS CLAW AT YOU.
<a data-passage = "death_ocean">YOUR BODY IS SEVERED IN HALF AND YOUR TORSO FLOATS AWAY FROM YOUR LEGS BEFORE YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/crab.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU SLOWLY RUN AWAY UNDER THE WATER. AS YOU TRY TO ESCAPE, THE CRAB FOLLOWS BEHIND.
YOU LOOK OVER YOUR SHOULDER, BUT AS YOU DO, YOU LOSE YOUR BALANCE AND FALL.
<a data-passage = "death_ocean">YOUR HEAD SPLITS OPEN ON THE SHARP CORALS.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/crab.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>THE CRAB SHRUGS AND DRIVES OFF. YOU EXPLORE THE REEF FURTHER BUT QUICKLY SUCCUMB TO THIRST, STARVATION, AND A GENERAL SORT OF EXISTENTIAL DESPERATION.
<a data-passage = "death_ocean">YOU DIE CURLED UP ON THE OCEAN FLOOR.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/crab.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>THE CRAB WAVES ITS CLAWS A LITTLE AND SAYS:
"Well, I think we have just what you need! Follow me."
YOUR GUIDE TURNS HIS SMALL CAR AND DRIVES SLOWLY ON. YOU FOLLOW THE CRAB THROUGH THE REEF, AND AFTER ABOUT FIVE MINUTES OF WALKING YOU COME TO SOME SORT OF CRAB VILLAGE THAT APPEARS TO BE MOSTLY BUILT OUT OF GARBAGE.
SEVERAL CRABS EMERGE FROM THE STYROFOAM AND PAPER HOUSES AND WAVE AS YOU ENTER THE TOWN. YOU AND YOUR GUIDE PROCEED TOWARDS THE BIGGEST BUILDING, LOCATED IN THE CENTER OF THE TOWN.
<a data-passage = "ocean_5">YOU FOLLOW THE CRAB AS HE BECKONS YOU INSIDE.</a>
<a data-passage = "ocean_pressure_death">YOU DECIDE TO TAKE YOUR CHANCES AND ASCEND RAPIDLY TO THE SURFACE.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/crab.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU ARE INSIDE THE CRAB'S HOME.
BASED ON THE LAVISH DECOR AND PORTRAITS ON THE WALLS YOU GUESS THAT HE IS SOME KIND OF SOCIAL LEADER.
THE HOUSE IS A LITTLE SMALL FOR YOU BUT NOT TOO BAD - YOU JUST HAVE TO STOOP SLIGHTLY AS YOU MOVE AROUND.
YOUR HOST DISEMBARKS WHILE OTHER CRABS BRING YOU FRESH WATER AND SEAWEED SNACKS.
"We will provide you with nourishment and teach you the way of the crab - you are welcome to stay here as long as you like. Just be sure not to freeload - do a few basic tasks for our community and all will be well," SAYS YOUR HOST.
<<click "YOU RESPECTFULLY THANK YOUR GRACIOUS HOST.">><<replace "#output_1">><br/>YOU SAY "Thanks."<</replace>><</click>><span id="output_1"></span>
<a data-passage = "ocean_6">YOU FLOP DOWN ON THE COUCH AND EAT GOLDFISH CRACKERS OUT OF THE BAG.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/crab.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/><a data-passage="town_1"><img src="./horse_corpse_media/town_chapter_title.gif" width=60%/></a>
<<audio "town" volume 0.75 loop play>>AS THE SUN SETS, YOU STAND AT THE TOWN GATES.
TWO GUARDS STAND ON EITHER SIDE OF THE GATE. YOU NOTICE THEY HAVE VERY LONG, UNSIGHTLY TOENAILS.
"Who are you?" ASKS THE GUARD ON THE LEFT.
<a data-passage = "town_guards_death">YOU TRY TO GRAB THE GUARDS WITH YOUR PINCERS.</a>
<a data-passage = "town_2">YOU SAY "I'm Horace Corpse."</a>
<<click "YOU SAY NOTHING.">><<replace "#output_1">><br/>THE GUARD ON THE RIGHT YELLS "Well, say something!"<</replace>><</click>><span id="output_1"></span>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/toenail.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>THE GRIND OF TOWN LIFE HAS WORN YOU TO NOTHING, BUT DO NOT GIVE UP HOPE.
WHAT IS A TOWN? WHAT IS A HORSE? WHAT IS A CORPSE?
<a data-passage = "town_0">RESTART CHAPTER?</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/rip.gif" width=15% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/><a data-passage="desert_2_1"><img src="./horse_corpse_media/desert_2_chapter_title.gif" width=60%/></a>
<<audio "desert2" volume 0.75 loop play>>YOU PULL YOURSELF UP OUT OF THE SURF AND FIND YOU ARE AT THE SHORE OF ANOTHER DESERT.
THERE IS NO PATH TO SPEAK OF BUT YOU DO SEE SOME KIND OF SHIMMERING OFF IN THE DISTANCE. THERE IS ALSO A TALL DUNE NEARBY.
<a data-passage = "desert_2_mirage">YOU MARCH TOWARDS THE SHIMMER IN THE DISTANCE.</a>
<a data-passage = "desert_2_2">YOU CLIMB THE TALL DUNE TO GET A BETTER LOOK AROUND.</a>
<<click "YOU YELL IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIND OTHER SENTIENT LIFE.">><<replace "#output_1">><br/>YOUR VOICE ECHOES EMPTILY AROUND THE DUNES BEFORE FADING INTO THE DUST OF THE PAST.<</replace>><</click>><span id="output_1"></span>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/spider.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOUR SOUL HAS EVAPORATED SKYWARDS LIKE WATER ON THE HOT SAND.
THIS OLD DESERT HOLDS MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE, IF YOU ONLY LOOK.
<a data-passage = "desert_2_0">RESTART CHAPTER?</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/rip.gif" width=15% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOUR LIFE WAS STOLEN JUST MOMENTS BEFORE TRIUMPH.
NEVER HAS A SOUL LEPT INTO THE VOID WITHOUT SOME REGRET; WITHOUT SOME ERROR; WITHOUT SOME LOST CAUSE - BUT NEVER HAS A SOUL BEEN SHACKLED BY ANY OTHER BONDS THAN THESE.
<a data-passage = "showdown_0">RESTART CHAPTER?</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/rip.gif" width=15% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/><a data-passage="showdown_1"><img src="./horse_corpse_media/showdown_chapter_title.gif" width=60%/></a>
<<audio "showdown" volume 0.75 loop play>>AS THE CROWD AT THE CENTER OF TOWN DISPERSES, YOU REALIZE THAT YOUR CLAW IS THE ONLY WEAPON YOU HAVE TO USE IN YOUR DUEL AGAINST THE SHERIFF.
WHILE YOU PONDER YOUR OPTIONS, THE TOWN SMITHEE ASKS YOU TO HOLD HER GUN WHILE SHE TIES HER SHOE.
<a data-passage = "gun_death_0">YOU STEAL THE GUN AND RUN AWAY.</a>
<a data-passage = "showdown_2">YOU RETURN THE GUN ONCE SHE'S FINISHED TYING HER SHOE AND GO BACK TO YOUR SHACK.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/sheriff.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU WIN!<<silently>>
<<set $score to random(100)>>
<<set $modifier to random (4000)>>
<<if $modifier gt 3800>>
<<set $score += $modifier>>
<</if>>
<</silently>>
YOUR FINAL SCORE WAS <<print $score>>.
<a data-passage = "credits">HORSE CORPSE OPERA AND MORE.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/grave.gif" width=15% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>Original story & concept by Kip Hathaway.
Built, designed, and written by Noah Gunther.
Score by Noah Gunther, Regan Martin, and Aidan Sponheim.
Built with Sugarcube on Twine engine.
Copyright Noah Gunther 2016 All Rights Reserved.
<a href = "https://soundcloud.com/noahgunther/sets/horse-corpse-a-tale-of-two-corpses-ost">HORSE CORPSE: A TALE OF TWO CORPSES ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK.</a>
<a data-passage = "start_0">PLAY AGAIN.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/grave.gif" width=15% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/><a data-passage="you_win_1"><img src="./horse_corpse_media/end_title.gif" width=60%/></a>
<<audio "you_win" volume 0.75 loop play>>THE NEXT DAY, YOU ARE AWOKEN BY THE OLD CRAB.
"Today," HE SAYS, "your training begins."
TAKING YOU OUTSIDE, HE TEACHES YOU HOW TO USE YOUR HAND AS A CLAW, RATHER THAN THE FIST YOU'RE USED TO FIGHTING WITH.
"This is the way of the crab. It is much more deadly than regular fist-based fighting. Use it wisely."
YOU HAVE LEARNED THE WAY OF THE CRAB!
YOU ARE NOW LEVEL 2!
THE OLD CRAB ASKS, "Now would you please mow my seaweed lawn? It's growing rather long."
<a data-passage = "ocean_mower_death">YOU THANK HIM AND BEGIN MOWING THE LAWN.</a>
<a data-passage = "ocean_7">YOU SAY "In a minute," AND GO BACK INSIDE.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/crab.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU GO BACK INSIDE, SLEEP, AND EAT SOME MORE OF THE CRAB SNACKS.
THE OLD CRAB SEEMS A LITTLE PERTURBED. THE NEXT DAY, HE ASKS YOU TO CLEAN HIS CRAB CAR.
<a data-passage = "ocean_car_death">YOU SAY "Right away! Sorry I haven't been pulling my weight recently," AND BEGIN CLEANING THE CAR.</a>
<a data-passage = "ocean_8">YOU SAY "Right away!" BUT INSTEAD YOU GO TO THE UNDERWATER SKATE PARK AND DO SHELL FLIPS WITH THE CRAB KIDS.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/crab.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU START THE MOWER, WHICH IS MADE OUT OF OLD CAR PARTS AND A FAN. HOWEVER, YOU'RE UNUSED TO SUCH MACHINERY AND VEGITATION, AND THE MOWER GETS STUCK IN THE THICK SEAWEED.
<a data-passage = "death_ocean">YOU FLIP IT OVER AND PEER INSIDE TO ATTEMPT TO START IT AGAIN. AS YOU POKE YOUR HEAD AROUND THE BLADES, THE MOWER REVVS AND SLICES YOU TO PIECES.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/crab.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU BEGIN CLEANING THE CRAB CAR. AS YOU WIPE DOWN THE HAND FANS, YOU NOTICE AN ELECTICAL PROBLEM - ONE OF THE BATTERIES MIGHT BE RUNNING LOW.
<a data-passage = "death_ocean">AS YOU UNCOVER THE BATTERY PACK AND ATTEMPT TO REMOVE IT, THE CIRCUIT IS EXPOSED TO THE WATER, ELECTROCUTING YOU IMMEDIATELY.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/crab.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>THE OLD CRAB NOTICES YOU SNEAKING OUT AND DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING, BUT YOU CAN TELL HE'S HOLDING BACK PURE RAGE.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE BACK AT HOME FROM THE SKATE PARK, HE CONFRONTS YOU IN THE DOORWAY.
"This is you last chance," HE SAYS. "I fed you, sheltered you, and taught you the way of the crab. Please just do your dishes that have piled up in the sink."
<a data-passage = "ocean_plate_death">YOU SWALLOW YOUR PRIDE AND AGREE TO DO THE DISHES.</a>
<a data-passage = "ocean_9">YOU SAY "Fine," BUT INSTEAD YOU DRINK MILK STRAIGHT FROM THE JUG AND FALL ASLEEP ON THE COUCH.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/crab.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU START DOING THE DISHES BUT IN YOUR SELF-PITYING STATE YOU ACCIDENTIALLY DROP ONE, AND IT BREAKS.
<a data-passage = "death_ocean">AS YOU BEND DOWN TO PICK UP THE PIECES, ONE OF THEM SLICES YOUR HAND. YOU BLEED AND DIE IN THE OLD CRAB'S KITCHEN.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/crab.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU ARE AWOKEN FROM YOUR NAP BY A MOB OF ANGRY CRABS.
"This is it!" ONE OF THEM YELLS. "You are no longer welcome here!"
THEY SNAP THEIR CLAWS AT YOU, BACKING YOU TOWARDS THE DOOR.
<<click "YOU APOLOGIZE PROFUSELY AND BEG FORGIVENESS.">><<replace "#output_1">><br/>YOUR GURGLED APOLOGIES FALL ON DEAF, ENRAGED, CRUSTACEAN EARS.<</replace>><</click>><span id="output_1"></span>
<a data-passage = "ocean_end_chapter">YOU FLEE THE VILLAGE, FOLLOWED BY A MOB OF ANGRY CRABS, TOWARDS THE NEARBY SHORE.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/crab.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/><a data-passage="desert_2_0"><img src="./horse_corpse_media/end_of_chapter_title.gif" width=60%/></a>
<<audio "ocean" stop>>
<<audio "desert2" stop>>YOU SHUFFLE TOWARDS THE SHIMMER. IT'S MUCH CLOSER THAN YOU EXPECTED - YOU ARE APPROACHING A SMALL, CLEAR POND WITH A PALM TREE GROWING ON ITS BANK.
<a data-passage = "desert_2_1.5">YOU TURN AROUND AND GO BACK THE WAY YOU CAME.</a>
<a data-passage = "desert_2_mirage_death">YOU JUMP IN THE SPARKLING WATER AND CLEAN YOURSELF OFF.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/spider.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU CLIMB THE HILL. FROM HERE, YOU CAN SEE THE SHIMMER YOU SAW IN THE DISTANCE IS ACTUALLY SOME KIND OF BIG SAND MOUTH MONSTER HIDING UNDER A SHIMMERING ILLUSION.
YOU CAN ALSO SEE, TO THE NORTH, A SMALL BUT INVITING TOWN.
<a data-passage = "desert_2_3">YOU CLIMB DOWN AND HEAD TOWARDS THE TOWN.</a>
<a data-passage = "desert_2_mirage">YOU SHUFFLE OFF THE DUNE AND WALK TO THE MIRAGE MONSTER.</a>
<a data-passage = "desert_2_ants">YOU BURY YOURSELF IN THE SAND AND POUR HONEY ON YOUR HEAD.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/spider.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU ARE STANDING AT THE SHORE OF THE DESERT.
THERE IS NO PATH TO SPEAK OF BUT YOU DO SEE SOME KIND OF SHIMMERING OFF IN THE DISTANCE. THERE IS ALSO A TALL DUNE NEARBY.
<a data-passage = "desert_2_mirage">YOU MARCH TOWARDS THE SHIMMER IN THE DISTANCE.</a>
<a data-passage = "desert_2_2">YOU CLIMB THE TALL DUNE TO GET A BETTER LOOK AROUND.</a>
<<click "YOU YELL IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIND OTHER SENTIENT LIFE.">><<replace "#output_1">><br/>YOUR VOICE ECHOES EMPTILY AROUND THE DUNES BEFORE FADING INTO THE DUST OF THE PAST.<</replace>><</click>><span id="output_1"></span>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/spider.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>AS YOU JUMP INTO THE WATER IN PERFECT DIVE FORM, THE BEAUTIFUL OASIS SHIMMERS AND VANISHES.
IT'S REPLACED BY THE MAW OF A GIANT, TOOTHED BEAST, OTHERWISE BURIED IN THE SAND.
YOU DIVE, IN A STUNNING 10-POINT ARC, INTO THE MOUTH OF THIS SAND BEAST.
<a data-passage = "death_desert_2">YOU ARE CHEWED UP AND DIGESTED.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/spider.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU BURY YOURSELF IN THE SAND A POUR SOME HONEY YOU HAD IN YOUR POCKET ON YOUR HEAD.
IT'S KIND OF RELAXING AND COOL UNTIL SOME ANTS SEE YOU AND CRAWL UP TO EAT THE HONEY.
YOU ARE HELPLESS AND IMMOBILE AS <a data-passage = "death_desert_2">THE ANTS EAT YOUR SWEET HEAD.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/spider.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU WALK TOWARDS THE TOWN. THE SUN IS GETTING LOWER IN THE SKY.
AS YOU WALK PAST A BLOOMING SUCCULENT BUSH, FIVE BIG DESERT SPIDERS HOP OUT AT YOU.
"What's up here's a copy of our demo tape," THEY HISS.
<a data-passage = "desert_2_spider_death">YOU PUNCH THE SPIDERS WITH YOUR ORDINARY FIST.</a>
<a data-passage = "desert_2_4">YOU SHAPE YOUR HAND INTO THE CLAW AND PINCH AT THE SPIDERS.</a>
<a data-passage = "desert_2_spider_death_2">YOU RUN AWAY AS FAST AS YOU CAN.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/spider.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU SWING YOUR REGULAR SOFT FIST AT THE SPIDERS, WHO DODGE PRETTY EASILY.
<a data-passage = "death_desert_2">YOU PULL BACK FOR ANOTHER SWING BUT THE SPIDERS ARE ALREADY ALL OVER YOU. THEY BITE YOU WITH THEIR TOXIC FANGS AND LEAVE YOU TO DIE OF POISON IN THE HOT DESERT.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/spider.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU RUN AWAY FROM THE SPIDERS, WHO ARE CONFUSED AND HURT BY YOUR ACTIONS.
THEY HAVE SIX MORE LEGS THAN YOU (EACH) AND THEY CHASE YOU DOWN EFFORTLESSLY.
<a data-passage = "death_desert_2">THE FIVE SPIDERS JUMP ON YOU AND DEVOUR YOU, LEAVING YOUR GLEAMING SKELETON TO BE PICKED CLEAN BY THE BUZZARDS.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/spider.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>REMEMBERING YOUR TRAINING, YOU SHAPE YOUR HAND INTO THE CLAW AND SLICE AT THE 5 SPIDERS.
THEY ARE ALL SIMULTANEOUSLY CUT IN HALF.
YOU DEFEATED THE 5 SPIDERS.
YOU ARE NOW LEVEL 3!
<a data-passage = "desert_2_5">YOU KEEP WALKING TOWARDS TOWN.</a>
<a data-passage = "desert_poison">YOU EAT THE DEAD SPIDERS.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/spider.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU EAT THE SPIDERS AND KEEP WALKING.
FOR A FEW MINUTES YOU FEEL FINE, BUT OUT OF NOWHERE A SEARING PAIN ENTERS YOUR GUT AS THE SPIDERS ARE DIGESTED.
<a data-passage = "death_desert_2">YOU DIE OF POISON CURLED UP IN THE HOT SAND - WRITHING, THEN TWITCHING, THEN STILL.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/spider.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU APPROACH THE TOWN. THE SUN IS SINKING IN THE AFTERNOON SKY.
<a data-passage = "desert_2_end_chapter">YOU, HORACE, DIRTY AND HOT, MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE TOWN GATES.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/spider.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/><a data-passage="town_0"><img src="./horse_corpse_media/end_of_chapter_title.gif" width=60%/></a>
<<audio "desert2" stop>>
<<audio "town" stop>>YOU GET ONE OF THE GUARDS IN A GOOD CRAB-PINCH BUT THE OTHER ONE PULLS OUT A GUN AND SHOOTS YOU DEAD.
<a data-passage = "death_town">YOUR CORPSE DECOMPOSES OUTSIDE THE TOWN GATES.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/toenail.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>THE GUARDS ASK:
"Well Mr. Corpse, what are you good at?"
<a data-passage = "town_3">YOU SAY "Snipping."</a>
<a data-passage = "town_3">YOU SAY "Clipping."</a>
<a data-passage = "town_3">YOU SAY "Slicing."</a>
<<click 'YOU SAY "Fighting."'>><<replace "#output_1">><br/>THE GUARDS LAUGH AND SAY "We're all good at fighting, Horace. What's your specialty?"<</replace>><</click>><span id="output_1"></span>
<a data-passage = "town_guards_death">YOU ATTACK THE GUARDS WITH YOUR CLAW-HAND.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/toenail.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>THE GUARDS SEEM IMPRESSED, OR MAYBE A LITTLE AMUSED. YOU CAN'T REALLY TELL.
THEY SAY "Well Horace, I think we can find a place for you here."
THE GUARDS EACH PULL ON A ROPE NEXT TO THEM AND SWING OPEN THE BIG WOODEN GATE TO THE TOWN.
<a data-passage = "town_4">YOU ENTER THE TOWN.</a>
<a data-passage = "town_guards_death">YOU DECIDE THE GUARDS LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE SNICKERING AT YOU AND YOU ATTACK THEM.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/toenail.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>THE GUARDS LEAD YOU PAST NICER AND NICER HOUSES.
NOBODY SEEMS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGING YOU AS YOU WALK PAST.
AS YOU PASS THEM, A FEW HORSES IN A STABLE SEEM INTERESTED IN ALL THE OCEAN SALT STUCK TO YOU.
JUST PAST THE STABLES, YOU STOP AND THE GUARDS POINT TO A SMALL, ROTTEN SHACK.
"This is your new home," SAYS THE GUARD NEAREST THE SHACK.
<a data-passage = "town_horses">YOU WALK OVER TO THE HORSES AND FEED THEM THE OCEAN SALT STUCK TO YOUR CLOTHES.</a>
<a data-passage = "town_5">YOU ENTER YOUR NEW HOME.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/toenail.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>IF ONLY YOU HAD HAD A GUN.
HORACE WAS BURIED IN AN UNMARKED GRAVE OUTSIDE OF TOWN.
<a data-passage = "you_win_2">AFTER A FEW YEARS, THE GRAVE WAS FORGOTTEN, AND AN OUTHOUSE WAS CONSTRUCTED OVER THE SITE OF HORACE'S GRAVE.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/grave.gif" width=15% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU APPROACH THE HORSES AND THEY CRANE THEIR NECKS OUT OF THE STABLES TO LICK THE SALT FROM YOUR CLOTHES.
THERE ARE FOUR HORSES - TWO ARE BROWN, ONE IS BLACK, AND ONE IS WHITE WITH BROWN SPOTS.
AS THEY LICK YOU, THEY BEGIN TO WHISPER, FIRST SOFTLY, THEN LOUDER:
"Don't trust the sheriff."
"Don't trust the sheriff."
"You can't trust the sheriff."
"Not the sheriff, or his horse."
YOU SEE A SILVER HORSE IN A SEPARATE PART OF THE STABLE. IT'S STARING AT YOU.
<a data-passage = "town_silver_horse_death">YOU APPROACH THE BRILLIANT, SILVER HORSE AND OFFER YOUR SALTY CLOTHES.</a>
<a data-passage = "town_5">YOU LEAVE THE STABLE AND ENTER YOUR SHACK HOME.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/toenail.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU ENTER YOU SHACK.
IT'S SMALL, DAMP, AND PARTIALLY ROTTED. WEEDS ARE GROWING ON THE FLOOR.
YOU SLEEP FOR A WHILE ON A DIRT BED WITH WEEDS FOR A PILLOW. WHEN YOU WAKE UP YOU FEEL INVIGORATED AND READY TO FACE THE CHALLENGES AHEAD.
<a data-passage = "town_business_0">YOU DECIDE TO OPEN A BUSINESS IN ORDER TO BUY A NICER LIVING SITUATION.</a>
<a data-passage = "town_mayor_0">YOU DECIDE TO RUN FOR MAYOR.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/toenail.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU APPROACH THE SILVER HORSE. AS YOU APPROACH, YOU CAN SEE THAT IT'S WEARING A SHINY GOLD STAR-SHAPED BADGE.
THE BADGE SAYS "Sheriff's Horse."
AS IF IN A TRANCE, YOU OFFER THE HORSE THE OCEAN SALT STUCK TO YOUR CLOTHES.
THIS MAGNIFICENT SILVER HORSE LOOKS AT YOU, BLOWS A LITTLE AIR OUT OF ITS NOSE, OPENS ITS MOUTH, AND BEGINS TO EAT YOU. YOU ARE NO MATCH FOR ITS STRONG TEETH.
<a data-passage = "death_town">THE HORSE EATS YOU ENTIRELY, LEAVING NOTHING BEHIND EXCEPT FOR A HAND MAKING THE SHAPE OF A CLAW.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/toenail.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU FIND A PIECE OF CARDBOARD AND SCRAWL "HORACE FOR MAYOR" ON IT. IT'S NOT THE BEST BUT UNTIL YOU CAN GET A CAMPAIGN OFFICE IT WILL DO.
YOU LEAVE YOUR SHACK AND START PARADING AROUND.
NOBODY IS REALLY PAYING YOU ANY ATTENTION. THEY SEEM PUT OFF BY YOUR DIRTY CLOTHES AND CARDBOARD SIGN. ALL OF THEM SPORT LENGTHY TOENAILS.
THE HORSES WHINNY AS YOU WALK PAST. AT LEAST THEY SUPPORT YOU.
AS YOU'RE ABOUT TO GIVE UP, A TALL MAN IN A BLACK HAT WEARING A SHINY GOLD BADGE PINNED TO HIS JACKET APPROACHES YOU.
THE BADGE SAYS "Sheriff."
<a data-passage = "sheriff_death">YOU ATTACK THE SHERIFF WITH YOUR MEAN OLD CLAW.</a>
<a data-passage = "sheriff_laugh">YOU STAND THERE AND WAIT FOR THE SHERIFF TO SPEAK.</a>
<<click "YOU RUN AWAY.">><<replace "#output_1">><br/>YOU TRIP OVER YOUR OWN FEET, FALL, AND STAND UP AGAIN IN PRETTY MUCH THE SAME PLACE YOU WERE STANDING BEFORE.<</replace>><</click>><span id="output_1"></span>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/toenail.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>QUICK AS FROG CATCHING A FLY, THE SHERIFF PULLS HIS GUN OUT OF ITS HOLSTER AND SHOOTS YOU DEAD.
HE KICKS A LITTLE DIRT ON YOUR CORPSE, LAUGHS, AND WALKS INTO THE SALOON.
<a data-passage = "death_town">YOUR BODY IS STOLEN BY A MAD SCIENTIST THAT NIGHT WHO FAILS TO REANIMATE YOU IN SUBSEQUENT EXPERIMENTS.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/toenail.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>THE SHERIFF LAUGHS AT YOUR SIGN AND SPITS ON THE GROUND.
HE SAYS "I'm the only mayor we need," IN A VOICE GRITTIER THAN THE SAND. "Maybe you should consider a starting a business."
QUICK AS A DOG CATCHING A BONE, THE SHERIFF DRAWS HIS PISTOL AND SHOOTS AT YOUR SHOULDER. YOU WEREN'T HIT, BUT THE "HORACE FOR MAYOR" SIGN AROUND YOUR NECK FALLS OFF. HE SHOT THROUGH THE STRING HOLDING IT UP.
HE TURNS AND WALKS AWAY. AS YOU WATCH, HE GRINS, LOOKS LEFT, AND SHOOTS ONE OF THE HORSES IN THE STABLE.
ONE OF YOUR ONLY SUPPORTERS.
<a data-passage = "sheriff_death">YOU CHARGE THIS STRING BEAN AND CLAW HIM AS HARD AS YOU CAN.</a>
<a data-passage = "town_6">YOU DECIDE TO TAKE HIS ADVICE AND START A BUSINESS.</a>
<a data-passage = "death_town">YOUR HEART STOPS FROM INTIMIDATION.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/toenail.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>AFTER THINKING FOR A WHILE, YOU DECIDE THAT YOUR ONLY REAL SKILL IS USING YOUR CLAW TO CUT THROUGH THINGS.
YOU REMEMBER ALL OF THE PEOPLE WITH LONG TOENAILS IN TOWN, AND DECIDE YOU SHOULD OFFER TO CLIP PEOPLE'S TOENAILS, FOR NOW. MAYBE YOU CAN MOVE ON TO FINGERNAILS OR EVEN HAIR, EVENTUALLY.
YOU PUT A SIGN OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR THAT SAYS "TOENAIL CLIPPING - $1."
THE SHERIFF WALKS BY JUST AFTER YOU PUT THE SIGN OUT. HE KICKS THE SIGN, BENDING THE CARDBOARD, AND SAYS:
"If you ever start to think you're a hotshot around here, remember that to me you're no more than one of those claws at the mall that picks up stuffed animals."
HE WALKS OFF. SINCE ALL THE TOWNSPEOPLE HAVE NEVER REALLY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CLIP THEIR TOENAILS BEFORE, A LOT OF THEM START COMING IN FOR A TRIM.
YOU MAKE $22! BUSINESS IS GOOD!
YOU ARE NOW LEVEL 4!
<a data-passage = "town_7">YOU STAY OPEN.</a>
<a data-passage = "town_buy_house">YOU GO TO THE BANK AND ASK TO BUY A HOUSE WITH YOUR EARNINGS.</a>
<<click "YOU REMINISCE ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE OCEAN.">><<replace "#output_1">><br/>A SINGLE, SALTY TEAR FALLS FROM YOUR RIGHT EYE.<</replace>><</click>><span id="output_1"></span>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/toenail.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU PARADE TO THE BANK WITH YOUR $22 AND ASK FOR A LOAN ON A NICE, LAVISH HOUSE.
THE BANK TELLER LAUGHS AT YOU. SO DO THE OTHER BANK CUSTOMERS.
<a data-passage = "town_7">YOU HANG YOUR HEAD AND GO BACK TO WORK.</a>
<a data-passage = "town_bank_death">YOU TRY TO ROB THE BANK WITH YOUR THREATENING CLAW.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/toenail.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU PULL OUT YOUR CLAW AND THREATEN THE TELLER.
THE TELLER LOOKS FRIGHTENED AND PULLS THE BIG METAL VAULT OPEN.
YOU GREEDILY MOVE TOWARDS THE VAULT, ONLY TO FIND THIS WAS SOME KIND OF TRAP VAULT AND AN ANGRY BROWN BEAR WEARING A TELLER'S VEST IS INSIDE IT.
<a data-passage = "death_town">THE BEAR TEARS YOU APART AND THEN APPROVES SOME LOANS FOR THE NEXT PEOPLE IN LINE.
LATER A BANK JANITOR COMES BY AND CLEANS UP YOUR REMAINS.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/toenail.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU KEEP CUTTING TOENAILS. BUSINESS IS GOOD FOR A WHILE, AND EVENTUALLY YOU BUY A REAL BED.
HOWEVER, AS FAST AS BUSINESS PICKED UP, IT STOPS. WHILE YOU WAIT FOR CUSTOMERS, YOU OBSERVE A BIG COMMOTION ON THE STREET OUTSIDE.
<a data-passage = "town_8">YOU INVESTIGATE WHAT'S HAPPENING OUTSIDE.</a>
<<click "YOU STAY OPEN AND WAIT FOR CUSTOMERS.">><<replace "#output_1">><br/>NOBODY SHOWS UP. THE EXCITEMENT OUTSIDE INCREASES.<</replace>><</click>><span id="output_1"></span>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/toenail.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU FLIP THE SIGN ON YOUR SHACK TO "CLOSED" AND FOLLOW THE CROWD, WHO ARE MOVING TOWARDS THE CENTER OF TOWN.
STANDING ON A PLATFORM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MASSES IS THE SHERIFF. HE IS HOLDING SOMETHING METAL ALOFT.
"My latest invention: toenail clippers!" HE SHOUTS. "Only $5! Only $5 to cut your toenails, exactly how you want them, at home, forever! Get your $5 toenail clippers!"
ALL THE TOWNSPEOPLE ARE EAGERLY BUYING THE CLIPPERS AND CUTTING THEIR TOENAILS IN THE STREET.
<a data-passage = "town_9">YOU STARE IN DISBELIEF.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/toenail.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU CAN'T BELIEVE YOUR EYES, BUT THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING. THE SHERIFF HAS STOLEN YOUR ONE SOURCE OF LIVELIHOOD.
<a data-passage = "town_10">YOU CHALLENGE THE SHERIFF TO A DUEL.</a>
<<click "YOU KEEP STARING IN DISBELIEF.">><<replace "#output_1">><br/>YOU GET JOSTLED AROUND A LITTLE BY THE CROWD, WHICH IS STILL GROWING. THERE MUST BE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HERE BY NOW.<</replace>><</click>><span id="output_1"></span>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/toenail.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>AS YOU PONDER WHAT SORT OF BUSINESS TO START, YOU SEE A TALL FIGURE WEARING A BLACK HAT STANDING OUTSIDE YOUR SHACK.
HE HAS A SHINY GOLD BADGE PINNED TO HIS VEST.
THE BADGE READS "Sheriff."
THE HORSES IN THE STABLE WHINNY IN FEAR. IT SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE TRYING TO WARN YOU ABOUT SOMETHING.
"Hello," HE SAYS. "Who let you in my town?"
<a data-passage = "sheriff_death">YOU ATTACK THIS SHIFTY COWBOY WITH YOUR STRONG CLAW-HAND.</a>
<a data-passage = "town_sheriff_intimidate">YOU TELL HIM THE GUARDS LET YOU IN FOR YOUR USEFUL TALENTS.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/toenail.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>BEFORE YOU CAN RESPOND, THE SHERIFF WHIPS OUT HIS PISTOL AND SHOOTS YOUR WEED PILLOW A COUPLE TIMES. THE WEEDS LEFT WHERE THE PILE ONCE STOOD SPELL THE WORD "DEAD."
"That's the kind of meat you'll be if you ever cross me," SAYS THE SHERIFF.
THE HORSES IN THE STABLE ARE WHINNYING LOUDER.
THE SHERIFF TURNS, SPITS ON THE GROUND, AND WALKS AWAY. AS HE PASSES THE STABLES, HE LOOKS AT THE HORSES, WHO ARE STILL WHINNYING AT HIM, AND SHOOTS ONE OF THEM DEAD.
<a data-passage = "sheriff_death">YOU ATTACK THIS MURDEROUS SON-OF-A-GUN WITH YOUR BRUTAL, POWERFUL CLAW.</a>
<a data-passage = "town_6">YOU KEEP THINKING ABOUT WHAT KIND OF BUSINESS TO OPEN.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/toenail.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU YELL AT THE TOP OF YOUR LUNGS:
<a data-passage = "town_11">"Sheriff! You dirty rotten snake! I challenge you to a duel!"</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/toenail.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>A HUSH FALLS OVER THE CROWD, RADIATING FROM WHERE YOU STAND. PEOPLE ARE STARING AT YOU, MID-CLIP.
THE SHERIFF LOOKS AT YOU, ADJUSTS HIS HAT, AND GRINS.
"Well," HE SAYS, "If it's a duel you want, it's a duel you get. Sunset. Tomorrow. The sands east of town. When the bell tolls for the fourth time, we draw."
<a data-passage = "town_end_chapter">PREPARE YOURSELF. THE BELL TOLLS TOMORROW AT DUSK.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/toenail.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/><a data-passage="showdown_0"><img src="./horse_corpse_media/end_of_chapter_title.gif" width=60%/></a>
<<audio "town" stop>>
<<audio "showdown" stop>>AS YOU RUN, THE SMITHEE YELLING AFTER YOU, AN ANGEL FLOATS DOWN OUT OF THE CLOUDS IN FRONT OF YOU.
"Give up the gun, Horace," SAYS THE ANGEL IN A VOICE LIKE A CHERRY-WOOD VIOLIN. "Return it to its owner and everything will be alright."
<a data-passage = "gun_death_0.5">YOU KEEP RUNNING.</a>
<a data-passage = "showdown_2">YOU STOP, RETURN THE GUN, AND WALK HOME WITH YOUR HEAD HUNG LOW.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/sheriff.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU RETURN TO YOUR SHACK, STILL WEAPON-LESS.
WHILE YOU'RE THERE, THE TOWN BARBER DROPS BY.
"I need to go out of town for a couple of days, Horace," HE SAYS. "I know we've only just met but would you mind looking after my rifle while I'm away?"
<a data-passage = "rifle_borrow_0">YOU AGREE TO TAKE CARE OF THE BARBER'S RIFLE.</a>
<a data-passage = "showdown_3">YOU KINDLY REFUSE, EXPLAINING THAT YOU HAVE A LOT ON YOUR MIND AT THE MOMENT.</a>
<<click 'YOU ASK THE BARBER FOR A HAIRCUT.'>><<replace "#output_1">><br/>THE BARBER SEEMS A LITTLE OFF-PUT, MAYBE BECAUSE YOU RESPONDED TO HIS QUESTION WITH A REQUEST OF YOUR OWN. STILL, HE WHIPS OUT HIS CLIPPERS AND GIVES YOU A SLEEK, FIGHT-READY TRIM.<</replace>><</click>><span id="output_1"></span>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/sheriff.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>THE ANGEL SWOOPS TOWARDS YOU, TEARS THE GUN OUT OF YOUR HANDS, AND SHOOTS YOU WITH IT.
YOU DIE IN THE STREET AND THE SHERIFF SAYS "Looks like someone saved me a bullet."
<a data-passage = "death_showdown">THE SHERIFF'S HORSE EATS YOU.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/sheriff.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>
YOU AGREE TO WATCH OVER THE BARBER'S RIFLE.
AS IT LEANS ON THE WALL, YOU REALIZE YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO USE IT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THE SHERIFF - BUT YOU'VE NEVER FIRED A GUN BEFORE.
<a data-passage = "rifle_death">YOU PICK UP THE RIFLE AND FIRE A PRACTICE SHOT.</a>
<a data-passage = "rifle_broken">YOU PICK UP THE RIFLE AND CAREFULLY INSPECT IT TO SEE HOW IT WORKS.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/sheriff.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU PLACE YOUR FINGER AGAINST THE TRIGGER OF THE OLD RIFLE.
WITHOUT MUCH PRESSURE AT ALL, IT FIRES, WITH A LOUD BANG, TOWARDS THE CEILING OF YOUR SHACK.
<a data-passage = "death_showdown">SURPRISED, YOU STAND THERE STUNNED, RIFLE IN HAND, AS THE CEILING OF THE ROTTING SHACK COLLAPSES AND YOU'RE CRUSHED UNDER SEVERAL SUPPORT BEAMS.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/sheriff.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU INSPECT THE RIFLE, BUT AS YOU TURN IT OVER, SEVERAL PIECES FALL OUT OF THE FIRING MECHANISM.
<a data-passage = "rifle_death">YOU ATTEMPT TO FIRE THE RIFLE.</a>
<a data-passage = "showdown_3">YOU GIVE UP ON THIS BROKEN RIFLE AND CONTINUE TO PONDER YOUR IMPENDING DUEL.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/sheriff.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>WEAPONLESS, SITTING IN YOUR SHACK, YOU DRIFT IN AND OUT OF SLEEP, DREAMING OF YOUR TRIUMPH OVER THE TOWN SHERIFF.
YOU WAKE UP IN THE LATE AFTERNOON, MERE HOURS BEFORE THE SCHEDULED TIME OF THE DUEL.
<a data-passage = "gun_search">YOU DESPERATELY SEARCH THROUGHOUT TOWN FOR A GUN.</a>
<a data-passage = "showdown_4">YOU MENTALLY PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE FIGHT AND PRACTICE THE WAY OF THE CRAB.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/sheriff.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU RUN THROUGH THE TOWN, SEARCHING FOR A GUN TO BUY OR STEAL, BUT ALL THE STORES ARE LOCKED AND HAVE REALLY THICK GLASS THAT EVEN YOUR CLAW CAN'T BREAK.
<a data-passage = "showdown_4">IN THE END, THERE'S NOTHING FOR YOU TO DO BUT RETURN HOME, BREATHLESS.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/sheriff.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>ALONE, IN YOUR DIRTY SHACK, YOU PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE DUEL, EXECUTING ALL THE CRAB-CLAW MANEUVERS YOU KNOW.
AS THE TIME COMES, YOU LEAVE YOUR SHACK AND WALK SLOWLY THROUGH TOWN,
PAST THE GATES,
AND EAST, WHERE A CROWD HAS GATHERED.
ALL IS QUIET, EXCEPT FOR A FEW PEOPLE CLIPPING THEIR TOENAILS.
<a data-passage = "showdown_5">YOU STEP INTO THE CENTER OF THE CROWD, WHERE A CLEARING FORMS. ACROSS FROM YOU STANDS THE SHERIFF, HAT PULLED DOWN LOW.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/sheriff.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>THE BELL BEGINS TO TOLL.
A FEW BIRDS FLY AWAY FROM TOWN.
<a data-passage = "showdown_6">"Where's your gun, son?" ASKS THE SHERIFF IN HIS GRAVELY GROWL.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/sheriff.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>YOU STEP FORWARD. THE SHERIFF GRINS AT YOU.
THE BELL TOLLS A SECOND TIME.
<a data-passage = "showdown_7">IN YOUR MOST POWERFUL VOICE, YOU SAY:</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/sheriff.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>"Fight me like a crab."
<a data-passage = "showdown_8">THE BELL TOLLS A THIRD TIME.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/sheriff.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>AS THE BELL TOLLS FOR THE FOURTH TIME, THE SHERIFF DRAWS HIS PISTOL.
SIMULTANEOUSLY, YOU PULL YOUR HAND, IN THE SHAPE OF A CLAW, FROM YOUR POCKET.
<a data-passage = "showdown_9">AFTER A SPLIT SECOND PAUSE, DURING WHICH ALL YOU CAN HEAR IS THE RINGING BELL AND ALL YOU CAN FEEL IS THE WAY OF THE CRAB PULSING THROUGH YOUR LIMBS, YOU LUNGE FOR HIM.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/sheriff.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/>AS YOU LUNGE, THE SHERIFF, TRACKING YOUR MOTION WITH HIS PISTOL, SQUEEZES THE TRIGGER.
A BANG ERUPTS FROM THE CENTER OF THE CROWD AND ECHOES THROUGH THE DESERT.
<a data-passage = "showdown_end_chapter">YOU, HORACE, LIE DEAD ON THE COLD EVENING SAND AS THE BELL TOLLS OVER AND OVER AGAIN.</a>
<img src= "./horse_corpse_media/sheriff.gif" width=16% style="position:fixed; right:50px; bottom:0;"/><a data-passage="you_win_0"><img src="./horse_corpse_media/end_of_chapter_title.gif" width=60%/></a>
<<audio "showdown" stop>>
<<audio "you_win" stop>><a data-passage="game_title">WE ALL DIE IN THE END.</a>
<<audio "you_win" stop>>