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<<set $savenum to 0>> <<set $savetitle to "My Save">>

Nailed to the Counter A game by Alexis Corona, Esther Shin, and Paige Biggs for EECS 290 Gameplay: This is a text adventure game in the form of an interactive story. The player will be able to choose how the story progresses. Some choices will lead to death, but the player can try again. All images are from free use sources such as pixy.org The font is free use, too, made by Dustin Norlander [[Start]]

You are an outlaw in the Old West named Outlaw. After successfully carrying out a robbery of a casino train with your crew, you were captured by a ranger named Ranger. On your way to territory jail, you and Ranger get caught in a blizzard and are forced to take shelter in a small town. Ranger gives you a shove towards the sheriff's office, and you reluctantly move forward. "Inside. We're waiting out the blizzard in here." The frost clings to his beard as he talks. "Don't try to fight - dead or alive, your worth to me is the same. It'll be in your best interest to be helpful." You respond by ... [[Saying nothing]] [[Cursing at him under your breath]]

He opens the door and shoves you in. Sheriff sits inside, drinking something that looks like pitch but smells like coffee. "I'm a territory ranger. Toss me the keys," Ranger orders to the sheriff, reaching under his coat to flash a badge. "I'm locking her up until this storm blows over." "Yessir, uh, sir." The sheriff yanks open his desk drawer and begins fumbling around for a pair of keys, before remembering they're in his pocket. He tosses them over, and Ranger locks you in. [[Sit]]

You curse at him and spit on his shoes. It feels good, but his disinterest only annoys you more. He opens the door and shoves you inside. You twist your hands against the ropes. Sheriff sits inside, drinking something that looks like pitch but smells like coffee. "I'm a territory ranger. Toss me the keys," Ranger orders to the sheriff, reaching under his coat to flash a badge. "I'm locking her up until this storm blows over." "Yessir, uh, sir." The sheriff yanks open his desk drawer and begins fumbling around for a pair of keys, before remembering they're in his pocket. He tosses them over, and Ranger locks you in. [[Sit]]

Sheriff breaks the uncomfortable silence. "What's, uh... where're you two headed?" Ranger has already begun pulling a chair into the far corner of the room. His bones crack as he sits down. "Territory jail." "Oh." Sheriff looks at Ranger for a moment, and then to you. [[Shoot him a glare]] [[Look down at your boots]]

You give him a glare of utter contempt. You even manage to flip him off with your bound hands. Sheriff sputters with offense, and Ranger chuckles as he fills his pipe with Sheriff's tobacco. "You take after your father, you know that Outlaw? You could be a little more grateful. I've let you live, after all." "You two, uh... you two know eachother?" [["He fought my dad."]] [[Say nothing|Say nothing 2]]

"Hm...". Sheriff strokes his chin as Ranger fills his pipe with Sheriff's tobacco. "You take after your father, you know that Outlaw? You could be a little more grateful. I've let you live, after all." "You two, uh... you two know eachother?" [["He fought my dad."]] [[Say nothing|Say nothing 2]]

"He fought my dad," you say, shifting your glare to Ranger. He just shrugs and lights his pipe. "Fought and killed. I regret it, but he got what he deserved. Bandit was a scoundrel, just like you. He killed my son during one of his bank heists." "You're the one that got Bandit?" Sheriff asks Ranger before looking to you. "That means you're Bandit's kid!" You shift your glare back to Sheriff, and he turns his attention back to his drink to avoid your gaze. The sheriff takes a noisy slurp. From the way he recoils, it looks like he burnt his tongue. You turn your attention back to Ranger. [["Why do you regret killing him?"]]

"Indeed." Ranger says, holding his pipe in his teeth. "Killed her dad, Bandit." You glare daggers at Ranger, and he notices. "I regret it, but he got what he deserved. Not my fault he refused to be brought in. Bandit was a scoundrel, just like you. He killed my son during one of his bank heists." "You're the one that got Bandit?" Sheriff asks Ranger before looking to you. "That means you're Bandit's kid!" You shift your glare back to Sheriff, and he turns his attention back to his drink to avoid your gaze. The sheriff takes a noisy slurp of his drink. From the way he recoils, it looks like he burnt his tongue. You turn your attention back to Ranger. [["Why do you regret killing him?"]]

Ranger raises his eyebrows, surprised that you asked. "I think it's better to bring people back for a fair trial. Anyone with half a brain can dispense their own frontier justice out here. Plus, I would've liked to ask him a few questions." Sheriff pipes in. "Like what?" "No one ever found the diamonds he stole, so I'd probably ask him where he stashed his loot. And I would've liked to ask him more about his crew. Their identities and such. But I tracked him down to his fort hidden away in the mountains, and he refused to leave without a fight. It was me or him." [["Is that why you haven't shot me?"]]

"Is that why you haven't shot me?" "Yes. One of the reasons, anyway. Look kid, I don't think anybody is irredeemable. You've done some crap, but if you help me out, I can help you. Put in a good word for you for your trial, explain that you were helpful. Might only give you a few dozen years." He pauses to puff his pipe. "I'm not going to force you, but it's in your best interest to tell me what I want. The bounty says you and your crew performed an armed robbery of a 'luxury casino-train'." By his tone, you can tell he seems annoyed by the concept. "You cleared out the train's own supply of gold, and you stole the passenger's valuables from storage. You didn't have anything but your gun and some supplies on you when I found you, so I want you to tell me where your crew is, and where you stashed the valuables." [[Consider the facts]]

You mull over the facts. Ranger has captured you to claim your bounty, and intends to take you to the territory jail for what will presumably be a rather quick and decisive trial. You are incredibly and obviously guilty, after all. However, he says he will attempt to use his influence to get you a marginally lighter sentence if you cooperate with him and answer his questions. You're not stupid enough to disagree. [["Alright. Fine."]]

You let Ranger stew for a couple of minutes. "Alright. Fine. What do you want to know?" Ranger savors his pipe for moment, thinking. "Start from the top. How'd your plan start." [["My crew and I boarded the train as passengers."]] [["The classic: We rode up on horseback and jumped on."]]

"My crew and I board the train as passengers. Easier to move around without attracting attention." Ranger scratches his beard. "Thought out, at the very least." You can't tell if that's sarcasm or not. "We carried most of our equipment with us as luggage. Our crew was spread out throughout the train. We were about halfway between the next station when we began executing our plan." [["I gave out the signal to my group, and started moving towards the back of the train, to where passenger storage and the vault were."]] [["I gave out the signal to my group, and we all drew guns, taking the guards by surprise."]] [["A timed bomb went off. One of my crew had set it up at the front of the train, in the dining car. Not enough to derail the train, but enough for a suitable distraction."]]

"The classic: We rode up on horseback and jumped on. Standard stuff, nothing your old self would be able to manage." Ranger scratches his beard, unperturbed. "Very flashy." You can't tell if that's sarcasm or not. "I should hope so. What's a heist without a little fun? From there, ..." [["I advanced up the train to hold against the guards. I initiated a shootout to keep the guards from reaching the back of the train."]] [["I sent my crew up ahead to secure the back car while I started passing lockboxes from passenger storage to members of my crew still on horseback."]]

"I gave out the signal to my group, and started moving toward the back of the train, towards passenger storage and the vault. Covertly, of course. The staff didn't know anything was wrong, and let me into storage to retrieve my clutch." "Inside the clutch, I had packed ... " [["An explosive."]] [["A gun."]]

"Gunshots and screams rang out across the train as the shootout ensued. We were able to quiet the passengers and staff pretty easily though. Didn't harm anybody but the guards." Ranger's pipe twists. He's grimacing underneath his beard. You try to suppress a smirk. "Next, I ... " [["I headed up to the locomotive to stop the train while my crew kept the hostages under control."]] [["I headed down to the back of the train to crack the vault, while my crew keeps the hostages under control."]]

"A timed explosion went off. Set it up at the front of the train, in the dining car. Not enough to derail the train, but enough chaos for a suitable distraction." Ranger's pipe twists. He's grimacing underneath his beard. You try to suppress a smirk. "Guards were rushing to the front, trying to see what was going on. Passengers were hurt or rushing back to get away from the explosion. I hid among them and headed towards the back of the train, to passenger storage. Of course when I got there, a guard was blocking the vault." [["I pretended to be hysterical. I succeeded in pulling the guard ahead, sending him to the front of the train to help the wounded."]] [["The door was closed behind me, so I just walked up and socked him in the face. Snatched his keys, too."]] [["I shot him. Not my fault the dumbass wouldn't get out of my way."]]

"There was an explosive inside, of course. Rather than exit back towards the front of the train, I walked back to the vault. There were, as anticipated, two guards ready to stop me. But, the explosive blew them to pieces, along with the vault door. Easy peasy." Ranger's pipe twists. He's grimacing underneath his beard. You try to suppress a smirk. "My crew took the explosion as a signal to take out the remaining guards. Meanwhile, I loaded up with as much gold as I could carry and dove off the train." "... Right." Ranger mumbles. "What? I didn't abandon my crew. They come back to pick me up eventually, ... after robbing everyone else. Apparently, they made it pretty clean. See, we're not too bad. Besides the, uh, the explosion. Gotta have some fun!" Ranger moves on quickly. "And where did you go after?" [["Back to camp. To celebrate, of course!"]]

"There was a gun inside, of course. I walked back to the vault, and I fired on the guards immediately. When my crew heard the gunshots, they did the same. Gunshots rang out across the train. Screams, too, but we were able to quiet the passengers and staff pretty easily. Didn't harm anybody but the guards ... and a few staff." Ranger's pipe twists. He's grimacing underneath his beard. You try to suppress a smirk. [["I headed up to the locomotive to stop the train while my crew kept the hostages under control."]] [["I headed down to the back of the train to crack the vault, while my crew keeps the hostages under control."]]

"I headed up to the locomotive to stop the train while my crew kept the hostages under control. Not calm, per se, but... you know, compliant. Everything was going perfectly according to plan. I walked up and kicked down the door, but the conductor was waiting for me with a fist into the face." Ranger's eyebrows raise. "I don't know what he was thinking. Crew of gun-toting outlaws take over his train, and he's gonna one-man-army his way through everyone? Idiot. Regardless, we got into a scuffle. Throwing each other around, exchanging blows ... but time was running out, so ... " [["I just shot him in the gut."]] [["I quickly got the fight over with, of course. Knocked him out real good."]]

"I headed down to the back of the train to crack the vault. My crew was keeping the hostages under control. Not calm, per se, but... you know, compliant. Sheriff is stirring some sugar into his coffee. He's attempting to look like he's not listening in. "At this point, my crew was taking people's stuff at gunpoint. Jewelry, money, you know the drill. Breaking open passenger storage, too. But I headed back to the vault, cuz that's where the real money is." "... Right." Ranger mumbles. [["I picked up a set of bloody keys from the nearest corpse and got to unlocking. Nothing to it."]] [["I blew open the vault with a stick of dynamite. Nothing to it."]]

"I just shot him in the gut. He looked down and put a hand to himself, and so I shot again. Stepped over the body, and pulled the brakes." Sheriff is stirring some sugar into his coffee. He's attempting to look like he's not listening in. "At this point, my crew was taking people's stuff at gunpoint. Jewelry, money, you know the drill. Breaking open passenger storage, too. I headed back to the vault though. That's where the real money is." "... Right." Ranger mumbles. [["I picked up a set of bloody keys from the nearest corpse and got to unlocking. Nothing to it."]] [["I blew open the vault with a stick of dynamite. Nothing to it."]]

"I won the fight, of course. Knocked him out with a pistol whip to the dome. Stepped over the body and pulled the brakes." Sheriff is stirring some sugar into his coffee. He's attempting to look like he's not listening in. "At this point, my crew was taking people's stuff at gunpoint. Jewelry, money, you know the drill. Breaking open passenger storage, too. I headed back to the vault though. After all, that's where the real money is." "... Right." Ranger mumbles. [["I picked up a set of bloody keys from the nearest corpse and got to unlocking. Nothing to it."]] [["I blew open the vault with a stick of dynamite. Nothing to it."]]

"I picked up a set of bloody keys from the nearest corpse and got to unlocking. Nothing to it. Door swung open like a smooth fall breeze, and we loaded up with as much gold we could carry." "And where did you go after?" Ranger asked. [["Back to camp. To celebrate, of course!"]]

"I blew open the vault with a stick of dynamite. Nothing to it. Nearly blew up my eardrums in the process, but hey, hazard of the job. We loaded up with as much gold we could carry and escaped." "And where did you go after?" [["Back to camp. To celebrate, of course!"]]

"Back to camp. To celebrate, of course! A successful robbery is hard to do, especially with no deaths." "From - from your story, it sounds like there were a couple deaths..." Sheriff chimes in. "No deaths in the crew, I mean. Other people don't count. We were gonna split the gold equally, give everyone a fair share." "When I found you, you were alone," Ranger reminds you. "That I was. A equal division seemed nice for everyone else, but I did most of the work, you know? I deserve a larger part than the rest of those idiots. " "You betrayed 'em?" Sheriff raises his eyebrows. Ranger lets his stoic demeaner slip and finally sounds interested. "How'd you do it?" [["I killed 'em. Obviously."]] [["Just stole the loot and rode off while everyone else was hammered."]]

"I pretended to be hysterical. I succeeded in pulling the guard ahead, sending him to the front of the train to help the wounded. He was thoroughly convinced, and it was easy picking the keys from his belt as he went." Sheriff is stirring some sugar into his coffee. He's attempting to look like he's not listening in. [["From here, I just separated the train car. Easy."]] [["I got to work unlocking the door while my crew robbed what they could from storage."]]

"The door was closed behind me, so I just walked up and socked him in the face. Snatched his keys, too, and dumped his body off the train." Sheriff is stirring some sugar into his coffee. He's attempting to look like he's not listening in. [["From here, I just separated the train car. Easy."]] [["I got to work unlocking the door while my crew robbed what they could from storage."]]

"I shoot him. Not my fault the dumbass wouldn't get out of my way. I snatched his keys, and pushed his body into the traincar behind me." Sheriff is stirring some sugar into his coffee. He's attempting to look like he's not listening in. [["From here, I just separated the train car. Easy."]] [["I got to work unlocking the door while my crew robbed what they could from storage."]]

"From here, I just separated the back train car by myself. Easy. I rode it out, and watched the rest of the train roll off into the distance. While my crew cleaned out the train, I stayed away from the action and shoved gold bars in burlap sacks." "... Right." Ranger mumbles. They come back to pick me up eventually, ... after robbing everyone else. Apparently, they made it pretty clean. See, we're not too bad. Besides the, uh, the explosion. Gotta have some fun!" Ranger moves on quickly. "And where did you go after?" [["Back to camp. To celebrate, of course!"]]

"I got to work unlocking the door while my crew robbed what they could from storage. Quickly, while everyone was distracted. Then, once we had everything, we jumped off the train." "While it was still moving?" "It wasn't moving very fast, but yes." "And where did you go after?" [["Back to camp. To celebrate, of course!"]]

"I advanced up the train to hold against the guards. I initiated a shootout to keep the guards from reaching the back of the train. They were firing at me, but my crew and I fired back. The most important thing was to do is prevent them from reaching us while we cracked open the vault; if they did, things would get messy. And you know me, don't like me no mess. Pain in the ass, they are." [["I threw a bundle of explosives up ahead."]] [["I shoved over some furniture and started setting up a barricade."]] [["I helped my crew lay down some suppressing fire. Told them to shoot anyone coming towards us."]]

"I sent my crew up ahead to secure the back car while I started passing lockboxes from passenger storage to members of my crew still on horseback. They were popping 'em open and seeing if there was anything valuable. Gunshots were still ringing out up ahead, and so I rushed up there to support my crew. Not to brag, but I'm kind of the best aim we got." Ranger rolled his eyes. "Don't be like that, people gotta be proud of what they're good at. For example, you're good at being a pain in my ass. But anyways, back to the story, don't wanna piss of your highness." [["With my help, we easily laid down enough fire to send them retreating back."]] [["I threw a bundle of explosives up ahead."]]

"I threw a bundle of explosives up ahead. Ah, now that was a great noise, making the whole train shake." Ranger's pipe twists. He's grimacing underneath his beard. You try to suppress a smirk. "It was enough to seperate the train. The rest of the train with the passengers and guards kept on rolling ahead while my crew and I slowed down to a stop in the back car. My crew was already celebrating as I headed to the vault. What a hassle that was, let me tell you. Stepping over corpses we had accumulated, that's a lot more difficult than it sounds." You laugh as Ranger tenses and glares at you. "Now now, don't get your panties in a twist. Next, ... " [["I blew open the vault with a stick of dynamite. Nothing to it."]] [["I picked up a set of bloody keys from the nearest corpse and got to unlocking. Nothing to it."]]

"I shoved over some furniture and started setting up a barricade. It gave us enough time to clear out the passenger storage and head back to the vault." Ranger's pipe twists. He's grimacing underneath his beard. You try to suppress a smirk. My crew was already celebrating as I headed back to the vault. What a hassle that was, let me tell you. Stepping over corpses we had accumulated, that's a lot more difficult than it sounds." You laugh as Ranger tenses and glares at you. "Now now, don't get your panties in a twist. Next, ... " [["I blew open the vault with a stick of dynamite. Nothing to it."]] [["I picked up a set of bloody keys from the nearest corpse and got to unlocking. Nothing to it."]]

"I helped my crew lay down some suppressing fire. Told them to shoot anyone coming towards us. It gave us enough time to clear out the passenger storage and head back to the vault." Ranger's pipe twists. He's grimacing underneath his beard. You try to suppress a smirk. My crew was already celebrating as I headed back to the vault. What a hassle that was, let me tell you. Stepping over corpses we had accumulated, that's a lot more difficult than it sounds." You laugh as Ranger tenses and glares at you. "Now now, don't get your panties in a twist. Next, ... " [["I blew open the vault with a stick of dynamite. Nothing to it."]] [["I picked up a set of bloody keys from the nearest corpse and got to unlocking. Nothing to it."]]

"With my help, we easily laid down enough fire to send them retreating back. It gave us enough time to clear out the passenger storage and head back to the vault." Ranger's pipe twists. He's grimacing underneath his beard. You try to suppress a smirk. My crew was already celebrating as I headed back to the vault. What a hassle that was, let me tell you. Stepping over corpses we had accumulated, that's a lot more difficult than it sounds." You laugh as Ranger tenses and glares at you. "Now now, don't get your panties in a twist. Next, ... " [["I blew open the vault with a stick of dynamite. Nothing to it."]] [["I picked up a set of bloody keys from the nearest corpse and got to unlocking. Nothing to it."]]

"I killed 'em. Obviously." "How?" [["Strung up our camp with dynamite and lit it on my way out."]] [["Poisoned the stew and the moonshine."]]

"Just stole the loot and rode off while everyone else was hammered. Sure, they might've come after me once they realized what had happened, but they had no idea where I'd be going. And I would've been successful too, if it hadn't been for your sorry ass." "Ain't my fault I'm good at my job. Where did you go from there?" [["I rode west, into the desert."]] [["I went north, into the forest."]] [["I went east, into the mountains."]]

"After I had packed plenty of gold on my horse, I strung up our camp with dynamite and lit it on my way out. Now that was a pretty sight." "Right ... and where did you go from there?" [["I rode west, into the desert."]] [["I went north, into the forest."]] [["I went east, into the mountains."]]

"Poisoned the stew and the moonshine. Have to say, feel a bit bad putting it in the moonshine; didn't want to ruin such a good batch." Ranger huffed and said, "Yeah, cuz that's what's wrong with your story." You roll your eyes and continue, "Gotta do what you gotta do. The poison took a while, but they were as good as dead. I left before then, of course. Rode out on 'an errand' and came back to a camp full of corpses." "Right ... and where did you go from there?" [["I rode west, into the desert."]] [["I went north, into the forest."]] [["I went east, into the mountains."]]

"I rode west, into the desert. Nowhere else to ride but into the sunset." By now, Ranger's done chewing on his pipe, and has emptied it out in the corner of Sheriff's office. The sheriff seems too intimidated to mind. "I assume that wasn't just for kicks?" "Of course not. I was headed to..." [["An old town, long abandoned: Blasted Creek."]] [["An old, forgotten graveyard."]]

"I went north, into the forest. Harder to track me there." By now, Ranger's done chewing on his pipe, and has emptied it out in the corner of Sheriff's office. The sheriff seems too intimidated to mind. "I presume that wasn't your only reason." "Of course not. I was headed to ..." [["An old, abandoned cabin, tucked away in the woods."]] [["An old watering hole, not on any map."]]

"I went east, into the mountains. Makes it harder for people to follow me there." By now, Ranger's done chewing on his pipe, and has emptied it out in the corner of Sheriff's office. The sheriff seems too intimidated to mind. "I presume that wasn't your only reason." "Of course not. I was headed to ..." [["An abandoned gold mine halfway up the mountain."]] [["An ancient grotto at the foot of the mountain. "]]

"An old town, long abandoned: Blasted Creek. Only things there are ghosts of old men with regrets. I rode up into the town, hitched my horse to a tipped fence-post, and walked into a half-collapsed saloon. From there, I wait." Sheriff is leaning in, listening attentively. He looks to Ranger for a moment, before deciding he can't stew in anticipation any longer and butting in. "For who?" [["Bandit."]]

"An old, forgotten graveyard. The undertaker already packed up left, and half the graves have been swept up in the wind. Real messed up place, but it's where I waited." Sheriff is leaning in, listening attentively. He looks to Ranger for a moment, before deciding he can't stew in anticipation any longer and butting in. "For who?" [["Bandit."]]

"An old, abandoned cabin, tucked away in the woods. Believe it or not, my family and I used to live there. Not such a great place now, what with the broken windows and the leaky roof. But still, I settled in and waited." Sheriff is leaning in, listening attentively. He looks to Ranger for a moment, before deciding he can't stew in anticipation any longer and butting in. "For who?" [["Bandit."]]

"An abandoned gold mine halfway up the mountain. I wasn't half foolish enough to head inside, so I hitched my horse and made camp in the old place. And waited." Sheriff is leaning in, listening attentively. He looks to Ranger for a moment, before deciding he can't stew in anticipation any longer and butting in. "For who?" [["Bandit."]]

"An old watering hole. You won't find it on any map. It was getting colder, so I made camp, and waited." Sheriff is leaning in, listening attentively. He looks to Ranger for a moment, before deciding he can't stew in anticipation any longer and butting in. "For who?" [["Bandit."]]

"Bandit. My old man. Still alive, after all this time." Ranger stiffens. "Why, you didn't think you actually killed him, did you? He's tougher than that. Older, of course. Still bald, won't stop wearing that big, wide hat. Had to get a new one after your last interaction with him." Ranger's eye twitches. Seems like he's judging your story. "He was already grinning when he saw me - he may have a cold heart, but come on, I'm his one and only kid. Pops and I met up so I could pass off the gold. After things blew over, our plan was to head down south and retire in luxury." Sheriff seems oblivious to Ranger's gathering rage and presses on, asking "So he has the gold?" "Yup. Carried it off to his old base," you explain with a smirk. "He's probably hiding it there now." "You're lying," Ranger accuses as he gets in your face. His voice has fallen to a deep growl, and his brow is furrowed. "I buried him in the mountains." "Apparently, not quite deep enough. He's survived worse before and since. You're not as good a shot as you think ... Ranger." You taunt him more, "He's still got better aim than you." [["Fair's fair, right?"]]

"An ancient grotto at the foot of the mountain. Due to the season, it was pretty wet and dank. But I ain't no princess, so I settled into the stone floor and was content to wait." Sheriff is leaning in, listening attentively. He looks to Ranger for a moment, before deciding he can't stew in anticipation any longer and butting in. "For who?" [["Bandit."]]

"Fair's fair, right? I told you my story and my conspirators. Once this blizzard lets up, you'll put a good word in for me with the judge?" Ranger's chair hits the wall as he stands and starts silently checking supplies. He's already counting shotgun shells. "I'm leaving. Sheriff, I'm ordering you as a territory ranger to keep this person under arrest until another ranger or I return to take her to prison." Sheriff begins protesting "But I can't ... we don't really ..." "Then hang her if you must. You heard her admission of guilt; she deserves it more than most. I'm going out to deal with Bandit, blizzard or not." Your voice rises up in protest, but Ranger has already made up his mind. He swings open the door and closes it behind him. Sheriff goes to the window to watch him march off. After a few moments, he turns to you with a grin. "Nice job." [["You're a great actor yourself."]]

"Hey, it wasn't just me. You're a great actor yourself." Sheriff can't stop grinning as he unlocks your cell. "I always preferred cons like this over robberies." He helps cut your gloved hands free from the binds. You give him a celebratory clap on the back. "My crew still in town?" "Yup! Waiting at the saloon with all our gold, just like you told 'em to. That lie about betrayin' them all? Absolutely inspired, Outlaw! Ranger won't be suspecting a thing!" You grin as Sheriff gushes over your success. "Ah, it was nothing. I'm only surprised that gullible old coot bought the nonsense about Pops still being alive! Glad we didn't have to fall to Plan B: shoot him as we're leaving town." "So what now?" [["We group up, wait for a bit, then follow him."]]

"We group up, wait for a bit, then follow him. He'll lead us right to Bandit's old fortress, and once we're there we can claim all of Bandit's old loot. Ranger might be the only person left alive who knows where it is, but he was too stupid to figure out where Pops hid his diamonds." Sheriff nods. "Sounds good! Let's head out!" When you kick open the door, cheers ring out. It's your crew, drinking and celebrating. Somebody hands you a pistol. Someone else hoists you up onto a table to give a speech. [[Give your speech]]

You give the best damn speech anyone has ever heard. By the time you've finished, your whole gang is pumped up. You are too, because success here means you're going to have more gold and precious diamonds than you'll ever know what to do with. But for you, success here also means you'll be getting revenge, which is just as sweet. Your crew raids the general supply store. From here, the plan is simple. [Recap] Ranger is marching into the mountains to your dad's old base because you've convinced him Bandit is still alive. He isn't, but you told that lie so Ranger could lead you and your crew right to Bandit's stash of diamonds. Only Ranger knows where the old base is, but only you know where the diamonds are hidden. You and your crew have waited long enough to not be seen by Ranger if you follow him. The blizzard has let up, and under the moonlit sky you can see Ranger's tracks clear as day. [[Ride after Ranger]]

You ride off, your gang behind you. You're not stopping till you reach the fortress. Ranger likely isn't either. [[Go up the mountain]]

The further you go up the mountain, the more the treeline thins. Eventually, the tracks reach a cliff face and disappear. You dismount and check the rock. It looks like Ranger used climbing gear to climb up. Seeing this, you crew begins rooting through their bags. They only picked up a few sets from the general store. You don't have enough for everyone, not to mention you're going have to abandon the horses. You curse. [[You climb up quickly, taking only a few people with you and sending the rest back to the town.]]

You divy up the climbing gear among the most useful members of the group. You tell the rest to head back to town with Sheriff. If they can find more climbing gear, come back. If they can't, wait there. You and your new, much smaller crew get climbing. At the top of the cliff, you double check supplies and amunition. You're still good to go. You watch as your crew at the bottom quickly rides back torward town. You hope they can make it back in time to be useful. [[Meanwhile, you've got a trail to follow.]]

Ranger's tracks continue up into the mountain. He isn't making any stops. As you march ahead, you suddenly hear a noise. Something's moving. Your crew tense up and hide against the cliff. [[You do as well. Maybe whoever it is hasn't heard you yet, and you can avoid confrontation ... or get to a better position.]] [[You jump out, gun pointed. Maybe you can take whoever it is by surprise.]]

You and your gang make yourselves very quiet and small against the snowy cliff face as you hear someone rooting around ahead of you. After a few minutes of listening, you get the feeling it's an animal. Something big. When you hear claws scape on ice, you know it's a bear. Unfortunately, your crew doesn't have any big-game hunting equipment ... but maybe you could take out a bear anyway? How hard could bear hunting be? You also have some TNT in your bag. You could light it, blasting the bear and the surrounding area to smithereens. [[Blast the bear with TNT]] [[Ambush the bear with shotguns and pistols]] [[Wait]]

As you jump out from around the corner, pistol aimed, you very quickly realize where the noise is coming from. A grizzly bear towers above you, standing on its back legs. You don't think your pistol will do much to it; it wasn't exactly made for big game hunting. Meanwhile, this bear could kill you easily. From the way it's poised, it looks just about ready to. [[Fire anyway]] [[Just run like hell]]

You pull the trigger and send a bullet aimed right at the bear's throat. However, it's very much not dead; a fact punctuated by the claw that comes ripping torwards you. In addition to cutting a wide gash on your side, you're also thrown off the side of the cliff. [[Catch yourself]]

You turn to dash away, and the bear cuts a gash on your side. You crawl away from the bear as best as you can. You hear the bear approaching you but gunshots ring out before it reaches you. The bear roars and starts moving the other way. You can only imagine what happens as your crew screams and the gunshots stop. You're alone, but you're alive. You staunch the bleeding as best you can while moving. [[Press on]]

You slowly and quietly pull out a stick of dynamite from your bag. Your crew look at you like you're crazy and frantically signal you to stop. You ignore them as you light the fuse and toss it ahead. After a moment, there's an explosion. Bear problem solved. After a few more moments, there's a distant rumble up the mountain. Avalanche problem created. [[Run!]]

You and your gang turn the corner, guns at the ready. As you pull the trigger, your first thought is "Wow, that bear is waaaaaay bigger than I thought it would be." Your second thought is "Oh, sh*t!" as a claw comes ripping torwards you. In addition to cutting a wide gash on your side, you're also thrown off the side of the cliff. [[Catch yourself]]

Maybe the bear will just ... go away? You can cross your fingers and hope. It's a long time of staying quiet. A very, very long time. Eventually, you stop hearing movement. You take a very tentative and careful glance around the corner. The bear has fallen asleep. You turn to your crew and put a finger to your lips, motioning for them to be silent. [[Sneak ahead]]

You hands grasp desperately at the rock to try and save yourself. You barely manage to save yourself. Sadly, you think you've got a broken rib ... As you cling to the cliff face, you hear more gunshots and screams above you. A splatter of blood falls on you from above, and you barely manage to dodge the falling corpse of your comrade. Eventually, though, everything goes quiet. [[Climb back up]] [[Climb back down]]

Gritting your teeth, you push through the pain. If you climb back down now, Ranger, your treasure, and sweet revenge gets away. This whole plan would've been for nothing. You climb up as best you can, and rest on the cliff face away from the bear. You're alone, and very, very hurt. You staunch the bleeding as best you can. [[Press on]]

Too wounded to continue your search for Ranger, you're forced to climb back down the mountain ... Maybe you'll get another shot, but you should try to save yourself before your treasure... Your stumble through the forest, but you eventually pass out into the snow. Next time you wake, the rest of your crew has has come back and saved you. It's been a few days, and Ranger's tracks have been covered. Things aren't all bad. You still have all your gold. Enough to fund your next robbery. Maybe even another attempt to catch Ranger. As far as endings go ... at least you're still alive. ENDING #1: STILL ALIVE [[Maybe, though, things could've gone differently?|Ride after Ranger]]

You're still losing blood as you march up the mountain. Clouds begin to obstruct your view of the sky as you walk. It gets darker and colder, and you can't help but feel like you're being watched... You do have a torch in your supplies. It would let you keep an eye out for danger easier ... on the other hand, it might give away your position to Ranger. [[Light a torch]] [[Don't light the torch]]

You turn and book it, running away from the avalanche as it rolls towards you. You can't help but cry out as you watch Ranger's footprints get buried. In one fell swoop, you've ruined your entire mission, and gotten you and your team buried under snow. As you lose consciousness, you can't help but wonder what you could've done differently. Not throwing TNT on a snowy cliff face would be a start. ENDING #2: AVALANCHE [[Maybe, though, things could've gone differently?|Ride after Ranger]]

You and your crew sneak past the bear and keep following Ranger's tracks. Clouds begin to obstruct your view of the sky as you walk. It gets darker and a little colder. Soon, one of your crew starts looking for torches. Another reminds her that they can't give off any light, or Ranger will see them. [[Light a torch with her.]] [[Insist on using the starlight, even as it dims.]]

You and her light torches. After all, without light, you could step right into danger. Plus, Ranger will know something's up anyway when he gets there and Bandit is still dead. Unfortunately, as you march ahead, you start to get the feeling that something is watching you. A branch snaps and you whip your head around, but you don't see anything. Your party starts to pull out guns. There are more sounds all around you. Are you being ambushed? You don't see anyone. [[Fire a few warning shots into the air]] [[Stay quiet. Maybe it's just an animal watching, and you can wait it out]]

You are fully capable of using starlight to find your way. Ranger can't know you're sneaking up on him. Your eyes adjust to the dim light easily enough. Up ahead, you see there's a rope bridge, swinging in the cold night air. You can barely make out the other side, and you can't make out the bottom. Seems to be a chasm. The bridge doesn't look safe... but Ranger's tracks lead up to it. Looks like he took it. [[Cross]] [[Look for another way across]]

It's better to be safe. After all, without light, you could step right into danger. Plus, Ranger will know something's up anyway when he gets there and Bandit is still dead. Unfortunately, as you continue, the feeling that you're being watched only gets worse. A branch snaps and you whip your head around, but you don't see anything. You start to reach for your gun, when you hear another noise behind you. Claws tear into your back and you stumble forward into the snow. Your torch continues to burn as you desperately fight off a pack of wolves. Maybe lighting the torch was a bad idea ... ENDING #3: EATEN BY WOLVES [[Maybe, though, things could've gone differently?|Ride after Ranger]]

You are fully capable of using starlight to find your way. Ranger can't know you're sneaking up on him. Besides, you survived one bear. Luck is one your side. Your eyes adjust to the dim light easily, and in plenty of time to see what lies ahead of you. There's a rope bridge, swinging in the cold night air. You can barely make out the other side, and you can't make out the bottom. Seems to be a chasm. The bridge doesn't look safe... but Ranger's tracks lead up to it. Looks like he took it. [[You'll take it, too|Cross]] [[Look around for another way]]

You give the area a few glances. There honestly isn't much around. A large tree hangs over the ravine. Judging by its size, you could probably knock it over with a well placed blast of dynamite. Of course, that might be just as precarious as the rickety rope bridge ... [[Use the tree]] [[Cross the rope bridge|Cross]]

As you and your group turn your guns to the air and fire some shots off, the forest around you rustles. Whatever was watching you is gone. You and your crew press on, cool as can be. With torches lighting the way ahead of you. There's a rope bridge, swinging in the cold night air. You can barely make out the other side, and you can't make out the bottom. Seems like a chasm. The bridge doesn't look safe... but Ranger's tracks lead up to it. Looks like he took it. [[Cross]] [[Look for another way across]]

Your plan very quickly falls apart though, when a wolf jumps out from the shadows, pouncing on one of your crew. As you turn to fire on it, you hear motion behind you, and a pair of fangs sink into your side. You can't help but drop your torch as you put a few bullets into the wolf ripping at your flank. As your crew begins to scream out in pain, you decide your best bet is to leave as quickly as possible. [[Book it]]

You run off into the darkness, following Ranger's barely-visible trail. Your eyes adjust to the dim light, and it seems like there are no wolves following you. Seeing what lies ahead, you know that if you haven't lost 'em yet, you're about to. There's a rope bridge, swinging in the cold night air. You can barely make out the other side, and you can't make out the bottom. Seems to be a chasm. The bridge doesn't look safe... but Ranger's tracks lead up to it. Looks like he took it. [[You'll take it, too|Cross]] [[Look around for another way]]

You tell yourself that crossing the rope bridge seems like a good bet, while watching it swing in the night wind. "It looks perfectly safe", you lie to yourself as you take the first few steps. It's slow going. Halfway across, you start to hear something snap! Ranger must've sabotaged the bridge in case he was being followed! Of course, knowing that doesn't help you now. ENDING #4: FALL TO YOUR DEATH [[Maybe, though, things could've gone differently?|Ride after Ranger]]

You give the area a few glances. There honestly isn't that much here. A large tree hangs over the ravine. Judging by its size, you could probably knock it over with a well placed blast of dynamite. Of course, that might be just as precarious as the rickety rope bridge... [[Knock down the tree]] [[Cross the rope bridge|Cross]]

Your crew stands back as you use a well-placed stick of dynamite to knock down the tree. It falls and perfectly straddles the ravine, safe for crossing. However, a distant rumble of the mountain behind you warns that there might've been some unintended consequences. You and your crew begin dashing across the tree bridge as fast as you can without slipping. You barely make it. Right as your pulling the last member from the tree, an avalanche slams into it and snaps it in half. Looks like you can't go back that way. If Ranger didn't know you were coming yet, he probably knows for sure by now. On the plus side, these boot prints look fresh. [[You and your gang are getting close]]

The snow has begun to let up again, and you see Bandit's fortress in the distance illuminated by moonlight. It looks crusty as hell. The years have not been kind to it. Half of it looks like it's been reduced to rubble in the ensuing rain and blizzards. But what looks ugly on the outside can be beautiful on the inside. Buried underneath that old, dilapidated piece of crap is a stash of diamonds; enough to let every member of your crew retire in total luxury. Only one man stands in your way. [[Ranger|Ranger+Crew]]

You managed to get here with your crew intact, small as it is. That means you've got an advantage of numbers over him. Ranger knows you're coming. He's prepared. He's cunning. And, despite your insults earlier, he's a good shot. But you've got him out-gunned, and even if he doesn't know it now, he's about to. [[Announce your presence with guns at the ready. He values his life; he'll come out if you offer to spare him]]

You're hurt. Your side is still bleeding, and you're down a few bullets and some TNT. And, most importantly, you're alone. Ranger, meanwhile, knows your coming. He's prepared. He's cunning. And, despite your insults earlier, he's a good shot. If it was anyone else, you'd already count yourself dead. But who are you kidding, you're Outlaw. You're the meanest criminal around. This old coot ain't got nothing on you. In fact, you're surprised you haven't beaten him yet. The only thing you need before heading in there is a plan, and you can only think of one. [[Sneak into the base from the forest]]

You march up, making no effort to conceal yourself. Your crew follows suit. "Ranger. I know you're in there." Silence. "Toss your shotgun out the window. Your revolver too. Come out with your hands up, and we'll spare your life. Tie you up and drop you off back at town." Still nothing. "We've got you outgunned, old man. If you value your life, you've got no other option." A few more moments pass. Eventually, you see him appear in one of the ground-floor windows. He does as you say, carefully tossing out his weapons before leaving with his hands raised. If his scowl could kill, you'd be as dead as he's about to be. [[Shoot him]]

Under the cover of night, you creep around into the forest and start making your way toward your father's old base. You climb into the base through a half-collapsed window. The whole place is spooky and completely silent. You don't dare make a noise ... You begin to slink through the old keep, listening for any noises and looking through keyholes. Soon, you see something that stops you in your tracks. Peeking underneath the doorframe with your head on the ground, you see a pair of dark, black boots. Unmistakably Ranger's. He looks to be facing away from you, towards the window. [[Break down the busted door and tackle him!]] [[Toss a load of dynamite in and slam the door.]]

You bend low and practically tackle the door, aiming to knock it over on top of the old bastard. Unfortunately, the door doesn't hit anything and you fall forward on top of a pair of empty boots. In the corner of the room you see Ranger, barefoot. He has a gun trained on you. "Fancy meeting you here." [["Spare me the smug pleasantries."]]

You light a bundle of dynamite, and get ready to swing the door open. As you do, you can already hear him running. Seems like he heard the fuse. Regardless, you throw in the dynamite, and spot him dashing through the door on the other side of the room. A bullet whizzes past your ear before you shut the door. The fortress shakes. If he wasn't aware of your presence yet, he certainly is now. [[A shootout]]

"Spare me the smug pleasantries," you groan. Listening to this pain in the ass speak is somehow worse than getting shot. You hate this old man. "As you wish. You're going to tell me why you followed me here, and how. Otherwise, I'm going to shoot you." "Bite me." He pulls back the hammer of his pistol. You flinch. [[Say nothing]] [[Explain]]

There's a gunshot, and then silence. ENDING #5: SHOT BY RANGER [[Maybe, though, things could've gone differently?|Ride after Ranger]]

You retell the entire story, starting from him leaving the sheriff's office. He listens attentively, without any interruptions. When you finish your story, it takes him a few moments to make up his mind, but eventually he speaks out. "Take me to the diamonds then. Bandit's stash." [[Start walking]]

You begin leading Ranger through the old fortress. His gun stays trained on your back the entire time. Eventually, you reach a small building that has collapsed under the weight of the snow. "This is where Bandit said it would be. Under all ... that." Ranger pokes you with the gun. "Get digging, then." [[Dig]]

With your gloved hands, you dig through the snow and rubble. It's terrible work, but if you stop, you know Ranger will just shoot you. Through frostbiting conditions, you work. Eventually, you can see the floorboards. Underneath them, you find what you came here for. [[Your father's satchel]]

"Here it is." By now, your fingers have are almost frozen. But you feel confident, especially when you see what's inside. Ranger still doesn't move. His hand is steady. "Show me." You reach into the bag, and toss a diamond the size of your fist at Ranger's feet. It lands softly in the snow. As he looks down at it, you begin to lift the bag up and out of the rubble. Ranger's distracted, and doesn't notice until it's too late. Diamonds weren't the only thing your father stashed away; your old man also packed up plenty of other treasures. Artwork, deeds, and, lucky for you, an old shotgun. The bullets rip through the burlap bag and into Ranger, who stumbles back. You dive as his bullets collide with the house behind you. A few more well-placed shotgun blasts later, and he's dead. [[You've killed him.]]

Ranger's body lies in the snow. You walk over and pick up the diamond at his feet, wiping a speck of blood from it. As you do, you can't help but grin. You're bleeding, you've got a few broken ribs, and your fingers are probably frostbit, but you and your whole gang are now richer than any outlaw has ever been. And you took down the legendary Ranger to boot, so you're already more famous than Bandit ever was. For now, all that's left to do is warm yourself by the fire and wait for your crew. You take the satchell in with you and begin counting up your reward. At the very bottom, buried underneath layers of diamond and shotgun shells, you find a little box. Engraved on the top are the words "For Outlaw." Oh, cool. Bandit left you a gift. [[Wait, it's locked.]]

More bullets slam into the wall behind you as you run, and you return fire. Ranger's a good shot, but even wounded as you are you're still faster than he is. However, you're quickly running out of bullets. Knowing his supply, Ranger will outlast you. Looks like you have no choice. [[Surrender]]

You scream out, "Stop shootin' you idiot!" You toss out your gun and walk into the open with your hands raised. Ranger steps out, too. His gun is trained on your head. "Nice shooting, kid." [["Spare me the smug pleasantries."]]

Your crew look at you a little surprised as his body slumps over into the snow. Easy. Now, for what you came here for ... You and your crew march into the fortress and start moving rubble. It isn't long before you're able to reach the floorboards and start tearing them apart. You find it almost immediately. Your father's satchel, filled to the brim with diamonds as big as a man's fist. Other treasures lie beneath the floorboards too. Deeds, weapons, pieces of art ... you and your whole gang are richer than any outlaw has ever been. And you took down the legendary Ranger to boot, so you're already more famous than Bandit ever was. For now, all that's left to do is warm yourself by the fire and wait for everyone else to arrive. In the meantime, and your small gang does a little celebrating while you take the satchell and begin counting up your reward. ... At the very bottom, buried underneath layers of diamond and shotgun shells, you find a little box. Engraved on the top are the words "For my baby." Oh, cool. Dad left you a gift. [[Wait, it's locked.]]

There's a little note and a four letter combination lock on the front. "To my dearest child. If you're reading this, I'm dead and you're not. Good job. Inside this case is a special gift. I wanted to make sure only you would be able to open it. The answer is to our favorite riddle. What animal always eats the thing that bugs them? [[Horse|Wrong]] [[Bear|Wrong]] [[Dogs|Wrong]] [[Frog]] [[Cows|Wrong]] [[Mans|Wrong]] [[Guns|Wrong]] [[Goat|Wrong]] [[Lamb|Wrong]] [[Lion|Wrong]]

Nope. Nothing. [[Try again|Wait, it's locked.]]

This was always your dad's favorite joke. It's really stupid, though. The case swings open with a satisfying click. Inside is a little note: "Thanks for playing our game! This was made by Esther, Paige, and Alexis! We worked very hard on it, and we hope you like it! [["Click here to be taken back to the start!"|Intro]]