Beyond the stardust and tinsel, let's play Ballyhoo!

Hello, and welcome to Let's Play Ballyhoo! Although Infocom called this a "mystery," it's really more of a standard adventure with the goal of solving a mystery, rather than a dialogue-driven story like their other mysteries. It's also a lot more feelie-driven than most of the other games, so here's a link to said feelies. As you probably know, I'm not good at explaining stories, so let the show begin!

As you trudge along in the wake of the outflowing crowd, you thumb through your memories of this evening. Your experience of the circus, with its ballyhooed promises of wonderment and its ultimate disappointment, has been to sink your teeth into a candy apple whose fruit is rotten.

Never mind the outrageous prices, the Mt. Everest vantage point, the communistically long lines, the audience more savage than the lion act. And it wasn't the shabbiness of the performances themselves that's got you soured on Spangleland. No, instead it's that the circus is a reminder of your own secret irrational desire to steal the spotlight, to defy death, and to bask in the thunder of applause.

In the Wings
The big top can be entered to the north and exited to the south. To the northeast, the grandstand begins its precipitous rise.


So, we haven't found a mystery yet, but we can explore the circus lot and maybe see if it's more exciting backstage. Of course, this isn't exactly Ringling Brothers - heck, it's barely Rinkum Dinky's Bargain Circus* - so there probably won't be much to see. But where to go from here?

Inventory:
$12.81

Score:
0 out of a possible 200, in 1 turn.

a=In the Wings (you are here)

* - If anyone gets this reference, I will be very impressed.

How is the entrance to the north and the exit to the south? Are you in the big top or aren't you?

Regardless, go north.

New user here - I followed along with Stationfall and made an account to join in on this one. I vaguely remember playing a bit of Ballyhoo years ago, but didn't make it far.

With no specific recollection of what happens either way, it looks like we're leaving the circus, so maybe go back in to the north to check out the circus area?

Can we go northeast into the grandstands, or is that just non-traversable scenery?

My favorite Infocom game was one where you used puns, spoonerisms and other wordplay to solve puzzles (I may be conflating a couple of different ones in my mind). That's where I learned what "lox" were.

Let's check out that grandstand if possible. Otherwise head north.

Agree with climb bandstand.

Lox as in smoked salmon? Just curious because I would treat it as singular, not plural, and wondering if there's another kind I'm missing out on.

Yeah, apologies for the typo. The solution to that particular puzzle was just to type the word "lox" to transform several "locks" into a pile of "lox". Only puzzle I needed to use the hint system for, since I had never seen the word "lox" before.

Lox is a funny word. Lox lox lox lox

Wow Ballyhoo! I haven't played it so I really don't know anything this time.
I wonder what kind of "mystery" we are facing...
Let's go north first.

Welcome! I've joined this forum just like you several months ago.
I'm glad there still are some people with Infocom and text adventure

That remind me of a funny way to access the secret level of Commander Keen episode 4 (although it isn't text adventure.) There are a bunch of inchworms at the lowest part of a certain level, actually twelve of them. If you gather all twelve of them at the same place...Voila! 'twelve inches make a foot', they change to a foot and you can ride on the foot to the secret level

As is typical of first posts, a lot of suggestions as to where to go. Most common is to head north, so let's do that. First, though...

>ne
Climbing up into the deserted and littered grandstands produces a disorienting sense of deja vu. You make a headachy descent down the steps.


Looks like it's not quite inaccessible, but nothing to do here. So now to head north for real!

>n
Performance Ring
This is the arena's oval-shaped performance ring which is occupied by a sagging, rectangular safety net. A rope ladder dangles to within a foot of the ground.

Just west lies the entrance to a large, round cage that completely encircles the second of the two rings. To the south the big top's vaulted wing leads out into the open air. The arena's rickety grandstands rise steeply north and east.

Shall we check out the cage, climb the ladder, or see what's outside the tent?

Inventory:
$12.81

Score:
0 out of a possible 200, in 2 turns.

Unexplored exits:
South from In the Wings.
West from Performance Ring.
Up from Performance Ring.

a=In the Wings (you are here)
b=Performance Ring [up to...?]
X=grandstands [currently inaccessible]

By the way, I hope this doesn't turn anyone away, but this isn't the game with the lox thing. Sorry.

Examine everything as always then try to climb the ladder.

By the way, who are we in this adventure? Why we are here? Have we come here just to see the circus, or we have come here on some mission? I don't get it yet...

Examine the net. Is it supposed to be sagging, or has it been sabotaged? Perhaps that is part of the mystery?

And then, agree with trying to climb the ladder.

A lot to do today, so let's do it. First of all, though...

To answer your question, the PC just came to see the circus, but is lingering on the grounds after the performance for reasons that aren't really clear, but that I think involve his disappointment with said circus in general, as was sort of hinted at in the intro. Anyway, let's check out the tent, starting with the net.

>examine net
You can see nothing special on the safety net.


Apparently, the sagginess isn't significant - but that shouldn't be too surprising, seeing as this is a pretty crappy circus, despite what the brochure said. Let's look at some other stuff, then - starting with the tent itself.

>examine tent
Soiled by endless miles of travel and heavily patched in places, the wide blue-and-white stripes nevertheless rise up to meet at the top of the towering center pole.

>examine ladder
You see nothing special about the ladder.

>examine cage
You see nothing extraordinary about the lions' den.


Lions' den? Sounds dangerous, which means that by IF law, we'll probably have to go there at some point. But first, let's see what's up the ladder.

>u
You grasp the ladder firmly and climb up ...

Platform
You're standing on a small, unstable platform which is suspended high above the arena floor by guy wires converging on it from all directions. A rope ladder dangles from the platform and the tightrope stretches east to the opposite platform.


Tightrope? Sounds like fun. Shall we try walking the tightrope, or check out some more of the grounds?


Inventory:
$12.81

Score:
0 out of a possible 200, in 8 turns.

Unexplored exits:
South from In the Wings.
West from Performance Ring.
East from Platform.

a=In the Wings
b=Performance Ring (rope ladder, lions' den) [up to Platform]
X=grandstands [currently inaccessible]

a=Platform (you are here)

Walk that tightrope!

I had a feeling someone would say that. So let's do it!

>e
You are standing, perched precariously high above the arena floor, a couple of baby steps across the tightrope.

>e
You take a couple of tentative steps across the wire ...

>e
You take a couple of tentative steps across the wire, reaching the halfway point ...

>e
You take a couple of tentative steps across the wire ...

>e
A quiver shoots through your leading foot, stopping you dead on the wire.
You find yourself leaning almost imperceptibly to the north.


That's not a good sign...but since when have we even taken not-good signs as a sign to give up?

>e
You're too unstable.
You're still out of balance, just a hair now, to the north.

>e
Your trailing foot begins to quake, stopping you dead on the wire.
You're still out of balance, quite noticeably now, to the north.

>e
Your trailing foot begins to quake, stopping you dead on the wire.
You're really fighting it now, the high wire starts acting like a jump rope.
Flailing away to regain some balance, you nearly slip a disk right before you plummet ...













... deeply into the safety net, which heaves you high into the air ... then catches you back down.


Good thing there was a net. But it looks like we won't be getting across that tightrope so easily. Where to from here?


Inventory:
$12.81

Score:
0 out of a possible 200, in 16 turns.

Puzzles:
Getting across the tightrope.

Unexplored exits:
South from In the Wings.
West from Performance Ring.
East from Platform.

a=In the Wings
b=Performance Ring (rope ladder, lions' den; you are here) [up to Platform]
X=grandstands [currently inaccessible]

a=Platform
b=Walking a Tightrope

Go into the lions' den. Alternately, find some raw meat and then go into the lions' den while carrying it.

I'm going to guess that we're not done with the tightrope just yet. Real tightrope walkers often use long poles to help keep balanced. Maybe let's keep an eye out for something that could be used like that elsewhere in the game.

But for now - yeah, into the cage!

Looks like it's unanimous, so let's head into the lions' den!

>stand
You climb out of the safety net with a bounce in your step.

>w
The cage door is closed.

>open door
The cage door is locked.


Or not. Looks like we'll have to wait on that. But let's at least check out the remaining exit.

>s
In the Wings

>s
You emerge into the warm night air of summer.

Connection
This area of matted-down crabgrass lies between the vaulted big top entrance to the north and the enticements of the midway to the east, where a sagging banner hangs crookedly above a turnstile. There is a drinking fountain near the side wall of the tent. You can enter the night to the west and south.

The last of the crowd just now trickles eastward through the turnstile.

A midget decked out in a Russian general's uniform is standing before the drinking fountain.


Looks like a lot of stuff to do here, but what to do first?


Inventory:
$12.81

Score:
0 out of a possible 200, in 16 turns.

Puzzles:
Getting across the tightrope.
Unlocking the cage door.

Unexplored exits:
West from Performance Ring.
East from Platform.
East from Connection.
South from Connection.
West from Connection.

a=In the Wings
b=Performance Ring (rope ladder, lions' den; you are here) [up to Platform]
c=Connection (midget, water fountain, turnstile, banner; you are here)
X=grandstands [currently inaccessible]

a=Platform
b=Walking a Tightrope

Look at the banner, use the water fountain, and talk to the midget.

> PET MIDGET

> SAY "HELLO, STALIN"

I don't see what to expect in this circus yet, so I don't know what to do.
I'm with other people, let's try to talk the midget.

Although I'll be doing everything here, the majority of votes seem to want me to talk to the midget, so let's do that!

>talk to midget
Unable to comprehend what you're saying, he shrugs his shoulders.


Guess he doesn't speak English. However, the feelies do seem to slightly imply this. But maybe...

>pet midget
Fiddling with Comrade Thumb has no desirable effect.

The little general gets up on his tiptoes in front of the drinking fountain.


Oh, well. Now to try the other stuff suggested.

>examine banner

"TO SIDESHOWS"

Attempting to do a pull-up, Comrade Thumb manages to sprawl himself onto the drinking fountain.

>use fountain
[I don't know the word "use."]


Well, if that doesn't work, then maybe...

>drink water
Comrade Thumb slurps his fill of water. He then plops down, gives you a quick salute, and waddles off into the darkness.


That was weird. But at least we helped the little guy out, so there's that.

Apparently, they interpreted my request to "drink water" as a request to operate the fountain, which in turn was somehow interpreted as a request to help Comrade Thumb. I'm not complaining, though.

Anyway, where to now?


Inventory:
$12.81

Score:
0 out of a possible 200, in 16 turns.

Puzzles:
Getting across the tightrope.
Unlocking the cage door.

Unexplored exits:
West from Performance Ring.
East from Platform.
East from Connection.
South from Connection.
West from Connection.

a=In the Wings
b=Performance Ring (rope ladder, lions' den; you are here) [up to Platform]
c=Connection (water fountain, turnstile, banner; you are here)
X=grandstands [currently inaccessible]

a=Platform
b=Walking a Tightrope

West and south both appear to take you out of the circus? I don't know that we want to do that just yet, so go east?

East seems like a good choice, so let's check it out.

>e
The turnstile won't budge.


Looks like we won't be going that way just yet. So, south or west?


Inventory:
$12.81

Score:
0 out of a possible 200, in 25 turns.

Puzzles:
Getting across the tightrope.
Unlocking the cage door.
Getting past the turnstile.

Unexplored exits:
West from Performance Ring.
East from Platform.
East from Connection.
South from Connection.
West from Connection.

a=In the Wings
b=Performance Ring (rope ladder, lions' den; you are here) [up to Platform]
c=Connection (midget, water fountain, turnstile, banner; you are here)
X=grandstands [currently inaccessible]

a=Platform
b=Walking a Tightrope

Argh, the turnstile has no doubt been rigged by a lurking grue. Okay then, uh, west. Or south. I see no reason to favor one over the other. I vote west.

Sounds good to me!

>w
Beside the Big Top
You're standing next to the big top, which is gently flapping in the warm breeze.

A cheap plastic clown mask, having been carelessly dropped here, is lying face-up on the ground.

About waist-high, a barred passage for wild animals extends several yards out from the big top.


Looks like we've found an item!

>examine mask
You see nothing interesting about the clown mask.

Of course, since this is an adventure game...

>take mask
Taken.

Unfortunately, this is a dead end, so next time, we'll see what's south of the Connection. See you then!


Inventory:
A clown mask
$12.81

Score:
0 out of a possible 200, in 28 turns.

Puzzles:
Getting across the tightrope.
Unlocking the cage door.
Getting past the turnstile.

Unexplored exits:
West from Performance Ring.
East from Platform.
East from Connection.
South from Connection.

a=In the Wings
b=Performance Ring (rope ladder, lions' den; you are here) [up to Platform]
c=Connection (water fountain, turnstile, banner)
d=Beside the Big Top (you are here)
X=grandstands [currently inaccessible]

a=Platform
b=Walking a Tightrope

A bit belatedly: It said you were leaning northward as you lost your balance on the tightrope. Can you 'lean south' or something to try and regain your balance?

Wear the clown mask and rob a bank!

OK but seriously: Wear the clown mask and talk to the midget again.

Only one way to find out!

>lean south
Overly cautious, you don't put enough of yourself in that direction.


Guess not. Anyway, as stated last time, today we'll find out what's south of the Connection. First, though, there's not really much point to having a mask if you don't wear it. So...

>wear mask
You put on the clown mask.

>e.s.
Connection

Near White Wagon
You are standing on a gentle upslope of the grassy field, next to a rather imposing trailer whose door is closed to the east. In dark panorama, the field continues north and west -- and south, where a large banner has been erected.

Part of a narrow pole is sticking out from under the wagon.


Looks like quite a bit to do here, but let's look around first.

>read banner

"THIS WAY TO THE EGRESS"

>examine trailer
The familiar logo for "The Travelling Circus That Time Forgot, Inc." is emblazoned across the long side of the white wagon. The closed office door is at the east.

>examine pole
You see nothing special about the fiberglass pole.


It doesn't look like it's nailed down, though, so...yoink!

>take pole
Taken.


Where to from here? Shall we try to get into the white wagon, see what lies to the west, or confront the egress?

Inventory:
A fiberglass pole
A clown mask (being worn)
$12.81

Score:
0 out of a possible 200, in 35 turns.

Puzzles:
Getting across the tightrope.
Unlocking the cage door.
Getting past the turnstile.

Unexplored exits:
West from Performance Ring.
East from Platform.
East from Connection.
East from Near White Wagon.
South from Near White Wagon.
West from Near White Wagon.

a=In the Wings
b=Performance Ring (rope ladder, lions' den; you are here) [up to Platform]
c=Connection (water fountain, turnstile, banner)
d=Beside the Big Top
e=Near White Wagon (you are here)
X=grandstands [currently inaccessible]

a=Platform
b=Walking a Tightrope

Aha! A pole!

Use it for balance to cross the tightrope!