Division by zero

<img src="science/1.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> Five years of feverish work are about to culminate in the final experiment that will challenge our knowledge of chemistry and physics forever. This night will be recorded in history. My name will be written along those of the greatest scientists that ever lived. But before I can put the testing machine in motion, it needs a little readjustment. [[Let's calculate the new parameters | calculate]]

<img src="science/2.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> "Ok, so, I need to find the new values of gamma, delta and beta, given these changes. ... Integrate this, now take the second derivative of that thing there, now we can combine the partial results of this other part, and what we get is the parameter beta. Oh! but this cancels that, so we get beta equals zero! ... And here, gamma is divided by beta. And if beta equals zero, then gamma must be..." [[division by zero|zero]]

<img src="science/3.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> Suddenly, I am in a bedroom. Nicely painted in vivid colors. A cozy place to rest indeed. A bed, a little desk with a candle. A living humanoid trilobite staring at me. Some pink curtains with a flower motive. There is a urinal next to the bed, and this detail reminds me of my grandmother. "Welcome, sir! It seems that you divided by zero!" says the trilobite. My grandmother had exactly the same urinal! Same green color. I wonder if it smells the same too. "Sir? Are you alright?" continues the talking trilobite. I am embarrassed to remember how I got to know the smell of my green grandmother's urinal. There's such a thing as too much curiosity. [[ wait, a talking trilobite? | trilobite ]]

<img src="science/4.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> "Wh-wh-what?" is all I can muster. "Ah! you can talk! Welcome to my bedroom, sir. This is the place where all scientists who divide by zero get magically transported to. To be honest, sometimes the unexpected visits can get a bit annoying, specially at night when I am sleeping. The traffic gets unusually high during the exams period." I am left speechless. I can't make sense of the situation. [[continue|trilobite2]]

<img src="science/5.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> "Sir, I can understand your confusion. Let me introduce myself. My name is Laura Trilo, the trilobite. This place where we find ourselves is called the Magical Land of Magic. A rather magical country indeed. I can observe that you are a human, and as such you will be surprised to discover that all inhabitants of this land are what you would call anthropomorphic animals." All I can ask is [["Is this a dream?"|dreamquestion]] [["Is this a joke someone is playing on me?"|jokequestion]] [["Is this a urinal?"|urinalquestion]]

<img src="science/6.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> "Of course it is!" answers the Trilobite. "But not a normal dream. This is a magical dream!" "Magical?" I wonder "Yes, because it's a dream that you can't wake up from." "What? Like a prison?" "More like a paradox. A place that can't exist yet exists. Like a division by zero. Which by the way is what brought you here on the first place." "This doesn't make any sense" I say in confusion. "Oh, don't worry about that. Nothing makes sense here. Such is the nature of paradoxes." Not very reassuring. [["Is there any way out?" | exitExplanation]]

<img src="science/6.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> "I am afraid this is not a joke. I am indeed a trilobite, and the fact that I am able to talk and reason like a human should not surprise you. It might seem paradoxical to you, but precisely that is the reason why you are here." I am confused: "I beg your pardon?" "Yes, ", proceeds Laura, " you have been brought here through the power of paradoxes. Your division by zero is an impossible operation, so it can only make sense that as a result you are brought to a place that is equally impossible. A magical land with talking animals". I've had enough. [["How do I get out of here?" | exitExplanation]]

<img src="science/8.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> "Ah! You have a very good eye! The Urinator-3030 is one of my most precious possessions. Only the most recent advances in urine collection technology have made this miracle possible. Portable, clean, silent, and, specially, round. It comes in five different colors to choose from, and can be paid in very comfortable installments. I got mine green, but I must confess that I was torn between this one and the purple one when I was in the shop. Purchasing an Urinator-3030 has definitely been one of the best decisions in my life". The trilobite is sounding like a sales person now. "Ok, " - I interrupt - " I've had enough of this". [[ "How do I get back home?" | exitExplanation]]

<img src="science/9.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> The trilobite stops talking for a moment. Pondering something. Then proceeds: "There is a way out. You see, I have had so many visits by scientists over the years, that with the accumulated knowledge of these visitors, we have built a machine. A rather interesting artifact indeed, which is powered completely by science. No magic is necessary for it to work! To be honest, I still find it hard to believe that it works, but it does!" "And this machine will take me back home?" I ask "Yes! It's as simple as pulling a lever! There is a little problem, though." "I knew it! There is always a 'little problem'. What is it?" "No battery. It just ran out of electricity." "Oh! But that's simple, you just buy a new battery, right?" "I wish it was that simple. You see, we are in the Magical Land of Magic. We don't have no batteries here. So far I could get batteries from visiting scientists, but now I am afraid you're stuck here." [["What if I built a battery?"|buildBattery]]

<img src="science/10.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> "I don't think you can do that, there is no technology in this land. Besides my machine, which was built with materials brought from your reality." - explains the concerned trilobite. "Do you have copper in your magic land?" - you ask "Well, yes, our money is made of copper." - the trilobite is puzzled. "And zinc, do you know about the existence of zinc?" "Haha, coincidentally there is a zinc mine just outside of this town. Why?" "Aha! And potatoes? Do you eat potatoes?" "Well, not myself, but as a matter of fact some of my neighbors do. Still, I don't quite get what does any of that have to do with your problem." "It's simple. I will build the battery for your machine. I only need zinc, copper and a potato." "Really? Isn't this exciting?" - the trilobite seems quite interested. - "Sadly I cannot provide you with any of the materials myself, but at least it should be easy for you to find them in this town." [[ start the quest ]]

<img src="science/11.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> I am about to leave the bedroom when the trilobite stops me. "Wait! It is dangerous to go alone. Take this." Hands me a pair of bunny ears. "The townspeople are not used to see human beings around. You will avoid trouble if you are a rabbit. These will be your disguise." [[ now for real, start the quest | realstartquest]] (set: $haspotato to false) (set: $haszinc to false) (set: $hascopper to false)

<img src="science/12.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> (if: $haspotato is false or $haszinc is false or $hascopper is false)[It's simple.] (if: $haspotato is false)[Potatoes are food. And where do you get food? A restaurant! I only need to find one in this town.] (if: $haszinc is false)[From here I can see the nearby mountain. The trilobite told me that they have a mine where they extract zinc. I bet the mine is in that mountain.] (if: $hascopper is false)[And for getting copper coins... I don't know how they feel about beggars in here, but if I can find some simple job, that will do it. Then, I can melt the coins at some local smith.] (if: $haspotato is false)[ [[ Visit the restaurant | restaurant ]] ] (if: $haszinc is false)[ [[ Head to the mine | mine ]] ] (if: $hascopper is false)[ [[ Get a job | work ]] ] (if: $haspotato is true and $haszinc is true and $hascopper is true)[ Now that I have the necessary elements, I can finally build the battery. [[ Build it|readyBattery]] ]

<img src="science/13.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> Down the street I find an old house with a big sign: "Ye olde patatt eatery". Surely "patatt" stands for potato, right? As I enter, the place is luxuriously decorated. Spacious and clean, satin curtains on the walls, and rococó style furniture. Only a few tables with comfortable chairs, expensive looking plates and cutlery, and the wine glasses would not look out of place in the palace of a king. Rows of potato-shaped trophies decorate the walls: the place has definitely been the local champion for many years. I wonder if the reason is because it's probably the only restaurant in town. Behind the counter, a frog is cleaning a glass. A boar with a little mustache, the elegant maître, welcomes me to the place. "Bonjour, monsieur rabbit. Table for one?" [[ "Do you have potatoes in here?" | askPotas ]] [[ "Yes, I am on my own" | askTable ]]

<img src="science/i.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> As I start climbing the mountain, I find an entrance to the mine. Right in front of the mine, there is a giant moth, dressed in a business suit, guarding the entrance. "Hello." - I salute the guardian. No answer. "Excuse me. I need some zinc. Don't you happen to have zinc in this mine?" No answer. "Maybe I could go and have a look?" "NONE SHALL PASS." [["But it will only be one second!"|introRiddle]]

What kind of jobs could someone find in a place called "Magical Land of Magic?". As I walk down the street ruminating, I find myself in front of an unmistakable circus tent. Brightly colored, clown music coming from the inside. "Show for the whole family! Starting when the sun sets!" indicates a big sign. A mustached walrus dressed like a sailorman is pulling a small carriage containing all sorts of colored toys, probably equipment to be used in tonight's show. "Excuse me, sir. Are you by any chance looking for personnel to join your circus? I can do anything you need me to do, for just a few copper coins". The walrus stares at me. "Well, Mr. Rabbit. To be honest we could do with a little bit of help. We used to have a little dance number between acts, for keeping the public entertained. The whole of our ballet troupe, however, left last week to start a new career as brain surgeons. All five of them. Are you a good dancer?" "I was born to dance!" - I respond, with enthusiasm. "Great! Please talk with our manager in the small tent in the back." "Excellent!" [[Go to get the job as ballerina|job offers]]

<img src="science/14.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> "Oui. This is our specialité." - says the boar with a smile. - "Si vous plaite, take a seat." I sit in one of the luxurious tables, and the maître hands me a menu. [[I take a look | menu]]

<img src="science/14.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> "Avec plaisir." The boar leads me to a lavish table, where I sit comfortably. "I will bring you the carte." The boar brings me a menu. [[I eagerly open it | menu]]

<img src="science/2a.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> [[what is going on?|appear]]

<img src="science/15.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> Mashed potatoes with crême aux raisins. Potato soup avec croutons. Boiled potatoes. Fried potatoes. Potato filet with side potatoes. Oven roasted potatoes. Boiled potatoes with potato fries and potato sauce. Potato soup with potato croutons. Side fries with potato filet. Puree. Roasted potatoes with boiled potatoes and mashed potatoes. Mashed fried crushed boiled roasted potatoes with side mashed fried puree. Potato with potato, potato, potato and spam. Potato, potato, fried potatoes, fried potato soup. Potato with potato, potato and roasted potato. Roasted potato, spam, potato, potato, potato, potato, potato, potato, potato, potato, potato, potato, potato, potato. [[ "Don't you just have a raw potato that I could take with me?" | askraw]]

<img src="science/16.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> "Pardon?" - the boar is puzzled. "Yes, I would like to have a raw potato." "Sacrebleu! Excuse my language, monsieur, but that is disgusting! We only serve cooked potatoes in this establishment". [[ "But I need a raw potato." | askraw]] [[ "Maybe I can talk with the cook and see if I can get a deal"| deal]] [[ "Could you make an exception for this time?" | askraw]]

<img src="science/a.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> "Monsieur, I am le cook. It is with me that you have to talk. I am the owner, cook and maitre of this establishment. The frog is only doing an internship." "Alright. Please do not feel insulted. But I really need to get a raw potato from you." The boar cannot decide if he is surprised or angry about the request. After pondering for a while, he invites me to follow him to the kitchen. He agrees to sell me a raw potato. [[to the kitchen|kitchen]]

<img src="science/b.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> The kitchen is as clean and sumptuous as the rest of the restaurant. However, there is a pile of dirty dishes in the kitchen sink. Apparently this boar is too busy to find the time to wash them. Leaning on one of the walls, several bags of potatoes are piled up. "I can sell you one of those bags for 3 gold coins." At this moment I realize that I do not have money on me. What should I do? [[ Threaten him | threat]] [[ Seduce him | seduce]] [[ Ask for a job, pay the potatoes with the salary | job]]

<img src="science/g.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> I decide to try an aggressive strategy. "Mister, I have observed that this establishment is not all that clean." "Excuse me?" - The boar can't believe it "Yes. I didn't tell you, but I am a sanitary inspector. It is very clear at this point that I will have to close this restaurant. It is a danger for public health." "You have to be kidding me!" "Or, maybe, we could get an agreement between gentlemen." "Oh, no, no, please monsieur Rabbit. This restaurant is my life! How can we solve this situation?" - the boar is visibly affected. "Mmmm... maybe if you gave me a raw potato, I could decide that after all it's not that dirty. What do you think?". "Ok, ok. I will give you the best potato from my restaurant. You will be pleased with it." Success!!! [[go back to the trilobite bedroom| realstartquest]] (set: $haspotato to true)

<img src="science/h.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> There's times where you have to show your sexy side. "You know, mister boar, that those fangs are very sexy?" "Excusez moi?" "Yes. Since the first moment I entered this restaurant, I couldn't stop looking at you. You are a very sexy boar." "Surely you can't be serious." "I am serious, and don't call me Shirley." "I am sorry, Monsieur Rabbit, but I think that there is a misunderstanding. I do not wish you to think that I am racist. I respect rabbits, and hares, and all the animals. But I am not attracted to them. Not one bit." The seduction strategy is not working. Time to try something else. [[ Threaten him | threat]] [[ Ask for a job | job]]

<img src="science/c.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> "I am sorry, but don't have that money with me right now." - I start explaining - "The truth is that I am in desperate need for a job. I am wondering if you would like to hire me." "Excusez moi, but I am not le hiring." - replies the boar. - "If you have the gold I am asking you can have your potato bag. If not, please leave my establishment now." "But what about those dishes?" - I inquire - "It seems that you are in need of a dishwasher, and your intern does not seem to be doing that." "I am not looking forward to hire anyone. Now, if you excuse me, I would really like you to leave." [[ I get kicked out of the restaurant | outside]]

<img src="science/d.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> As I am leaving the restaurant, something gets my attention. It's a piece of cardboard. White, like paper, sticking out of a garbage bin, in the street. This gives me an idea. I grab it, and I start writing on it, with a pen I always carry in my pocket. Now I have a sign. [[ I go back to the restaurant| retryRestaurant]]

<img src="science/e.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> The boar is surprised to see me back. "Monsieur rabbit! Did I not ask you to leave?" "Look at what I found outside, stuck to the wall of your restaurant. It's a sign. What does it say?" The boar looks at the sign. "Le dish washing personnel wanted" - the boar reads. "Exactly. It seems that you were looking for new employees after all." The boar is perplexed. - "How could I forget it? It's clear that I wrote this sign myself. No one else could have written it." "Exactly!" "Bien, then you are hired. Go to the kitchen and wash those dishes! The salary is 3 golden coins per day." [[ Wash the dishes | washingDishes]]

<img src="science/f.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> I spend a good two hours washing dishes. I put the best of my effort, I want the boar to be happy after all. Two hours later, the dishes are clean. "Mister boar?" "Oui?" "I am done. Don't you have more dishes to wash?" "Non, c'est tout. It is already le time to close. You did a good job. I guess you want your salary now, right?" "Thank you, but, I don't need the coins." "Pardon? You are a very bizarre rabbit. You don't want to be paid?" "I do, but I will consider myself paid if you give me a raw potato." "Really? Only a raw potato?" "That will make it." "Alright. A raw potato it is, then. Here." The boar hands me a potato. With this trophy, I am ready to go back. [[ return to the bedroom| realstartquest]] (set: $haspotato to true)

As I return to the trilobite's home for my final work, the whole town is waiting for me outside. The human tamer lion is there. And the boar and the frog intern from the restaurant. The sailor walrus and the albino zebra magician. The pirate beaver, and the lazy platypus. Everyone! The angry turtle steps ahead of the group and talks to me. "Laura, the trilobite, explained us the truth. You are not a rabbit. You are a human." I am speechless. Should I run away? "We want to tell you that we have learned the lesson. We should not be scared of humans. Maybe animals and humans can live together and in peace." "Oui!" - says the boar from behind. - "May this be le beginning of a long friendship!" "Hooray!" - chant all the animals at the same time. - "Hooray!". A tear is falling down my cheek. This is an emotional moment. [[Let's build the battery!|finishBattery]]

<img src="science/j.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> "ANYONE WHO WANTS TO CROSS HAS TO SOLVE THE RIDDLE OF THE GUARDIAN." "Fair enough. What is the riddle?" "LISTEN TO THE RIDDLE, OH TRAVELER. ONLY A CORRECT ANSWER WILL GRANT YOU PASS". "Yes, yes, I get it. The riddle, please?" "FOR THE ANSWER OF THE RIDDLE IS THE ONLY KEY TO THE MINE." "Oh, come on!" "MANY HAVE TRIED BEFORE. BUT ONLY THE ONE WHO PROVIDES THE ANSWER WILL GET INSIDE." "You've got to be kidding me!" "FOR THE RIDDLE IS THE CHALLENGE THAT IS BESTOWED UPON YOU." "..." "ARE YOU READY? I AM ABOUT TO ANNOUNCE THE RIDDLE." [["I hope it is true."|presentRiddleFirst]] (set: $riddles to 0)

"WHAT IS THE ROUND THING IN MY GRANDMOTHER'S BEDROOM?" [["The letter O!"|A1]] [["The mirror on the wall"|A2]] [["The Urinator-3030!"|A3]]

<img src="science/o.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> I slowly descend into the darkness. The mine is a labyrinth of galleries, corridors, subterranean rivers, and all kinds of tunnels. This complex structure must have been built many generations ago, using some dark art that has been lost upon aeons. The frightening silence is occasionally broken by even more frightening noises, whose nature is hard to imagine. They might well be the rattling of little creatures hiding behind the rocks. Maybe rats. Maybe there is a colony of bats, blind, living down here, in the darkness. I can almost feel a presence in the air. An evil ancient spirit, trapped under the rocks of this mountain. My rational mind insists that it's only my imagination. Underground, the atmospheric pressure feels stronger. Irrationally, I start to expect some form of ghost. Maybe ancient miners died, working in this place, and their spirit is lurking behind the shadows. My eyes cannot see anymore in this darkness. I am left to rely on my sense of touch. My hands are the only guide I have, as I am following the wall on my left. Hoping that I will not kick some salient rock by accident and fall down on my face. For moments, I think I can see a gloomy blue light in front of me. Then I realize that I am only hallucinating it. This evil presence is even stronger as I reach lower depths. [[deeper]]

(if: $riddles is 7)[ <img src="science/n.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> "CORRECT. YOU SHALL PASS NOW." [[get inside the mine|enterMine]]] (else:)[ (display:"presentRiddle") ]

(set: $riddles to $riddles | 1) (unless: $riddles is 7)[ <img src="science/l-m.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> "VERY CLEVER. BUT WRONG! TRY AGAIN."] (display:"evalAnswer")

(set: $riddles to $riddles | 2) (unless: $riddles is 7)[ <img src="science/l-m.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> "NO. THE MIRROR IS RECTANGULAR."] (display:"evalAnswer")

(set: $riddles to $riddles | 4) (unless: $riddles is 7)[ <img src="science/l-m.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> "I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT THING IS."] (display:"evalAnswer")

As I knock the heavy wooden door of the small fragile tent behind the main tent, the sailor walrus emerges from the inside. "How did you do that?" - I am definitely surprised. "Oh, yes, the dancer. Here is a pink tutu for you. Your act starts at 17:00. Pay is 5 copper coins." "Are you the same walrus I just met a second ago?" "Yes." "But... how?" "How what?" "How did you get here before I arrived?" "You were walking very slowly." [["..."|horseintro]]

"It's simple. I have this trick where I pull a rabbit from a hat. But I don't have a rabbit. And you happen to be one. You are just perfect for the role! Wouldn't you be interested?" I start considering the possibility. After all, as a scientist, I am a terrible dancer. I told the walrus that I could dance just to get the job. But, to be honest, coming out of a hat seems easier. As I am thinking about this, the zebra asks the walrus: "Where is Robert? I haven't seen him in the whole day." "Robert is sick today. He ate some tofu for dinner yesterday, and now he's got an indigestion." - explains the walrus. "That stupid lion should watch his diet more carefully." - responds Albert - "The last week was broccoli, and the week before, lettuce. He's a lion! Listen, boss, I think he is becoming suicidal. All this vegetable eating is going to kill him." "Human tamer can be a very stressful job. Those beasts are very dangerous. Robert is a very brave lion: taming humans is not for the faint of heart." - Observes the walrus. Then, they both turn to me. "What?" - I ask, as they are looking at me. "Are you good with humans?" - Asks the walrus sailor. [[Take the job as ballerina|ballerina]] [[Take the job as assistant to the magician|magician]] [[Take the job as human tamer|tamer]]

That night, I give the performance of my life. (display: "full tent") The public laughs with the clown act. They admire the amazing trapeze ants. They sit in silent fascination watching the magical tricks of the albino zebra. And in between the acts, it's me. In my pink tutu and my bunny ears. They might not be paying much attention, distracted in the knowledge that my presence there is only some filling. But I am creating Art, with capital A. I am pouring my soul in this performance. I am putting in all that I have. I stand naked, figuratively speaking, in front of them. The spirit of the great MJ is flowing through me. I give them... The Moonwalk. [[continue|after the dance]]

The sun sets and the show starts. We start with a small clown number, followed by the Amazing Ants at the trapeze. Ours is the third act. (display: "full tent") There is only a small problem. I am supposed to hide inside a top hat. The zebra will say some magic words and I come out of it. As simple as that. However, the hat is the size of a single one of my feet. There is no way I can fit in. As we've discussed before the show, the zebra assures me that it will be ok. And here I am now, in front of all the public, with one foot inside a top-hat, pretending to be invisible. The zebra is talking to them. "As you can see, here I have an empty hat". Silence and expectation. Are they seriously not seeing me? Did the zebra make me literally invisible through some real magic? I feel ridiculous. "And now, I say the magic word: [[LAPIFORS!|jump out of the hat]]"

After a brief talk with the lion, I learn the basics about human taming. There are basically three rules: * do not get them wet * do not expose them to bright light * do not feed them past midnight The big show starts right at sunset. (display: "full tent") After the magic act of the zebra, it is my turn to enter the big cage. I am carrying a whip. In the center, there is a hoop on fire. They will have to jump through. The humans are cornered in a side of the cage. They look scared. Surrounded by all those animals looking at them. Two humans are dressed like medical doctors, on a white coat, with stethoscopes hanging from their necks. There are five school teachers, and three firemen with fireproof vests and their characteristic firemen hats. A janitor carrying a mop and a bucket. "Pssst!" - I try to whisper at them - "Don't worry, it will be alright. I am one of you." They look at me puzzled. "Hello? Can you understand me?" No answer. "English, do you speak it?" From outside the cage, the walrus cautions me: "Be careful, these fierce beasts are very aggressive! Don't get too close!". [[Use the whip|whipitgood]]

Later that night, when the show is over, I receive a few copper coins as payment. "I must confess," - says the walrus - "that I have never seen anything like that. Where did you learn those moves?" "It's a family tradition." - I lie. I am afraid that trying to explain it would get me in trouble. With my salary of the day in my hands, I am ready to go back to the Trilobite's. [[continue quest| realstartquest]] (set: $hascopper to true)

The tent is packed full. All sorts of animals have arrived from everywhere. Little bear cubs eating their popcorn. Toucans wearing their most elegant plumage. A small loris delighted with the pink balloon her mother bought her. Elephants, dingos, rattlesnakes, a family of tuna fish.

And I jump out of the hat: "TADA!" The public starts applauding, euphoric, laughing, entertained, amazed. They loved the trick! We both bow respectfully. Some throw us roses. A great performance. The show must go on. The clowns return for an encore. The walrus announces that, sadly, the human taming number is postponed for tonight, but will be back tomorrow. The cherry on top of the cake is the last act: the "clam cannonball". Using a giant cannon, they shoot a clam up in the sky. It flies and flies, and when it starts falling, it deploys a parachute and lands safely a few meters outside of the tent. [[end of the show|get paid for the magic]]

The crack of the whip against the floor startles them and sets them in motion. The public is in a tense silence. The humans start walking around the cage, in circles, avoiding me and my terrifying whip. Another crack of the whip! The humans look very scared. Finally, one of the firemen seems to understand. He starts running towards the center of the cage. He jumps. And, hop! He's done it, through the ring of fire. One more crack. The other humans follow. One after another, they jump through the hoop. The public erupts in a big applause. This human tamer is very good! Look how obedient are these savage rabid beasts! [[End of the show|done taming]]

After tonight's show, I go back to the lion's tent. "I should stop trying the vegetarian diet. I am a lion, after all" - he admits. "But do you feel better now?" - I ask. "I am starving! I could have some rabbit for dinner." - responds with a wink - "Don't worry, it's a joke. I am not eating you. I will have some fried human arms. Just a little snack." With the earned copper coins in my pocket, I am ready to go back and continue my adventure. [[return to the Trilobite| realstartquest]] (set: $hascopper to true)

Both the zebra and the walrus thank me for my assistance. It has been a great night. I get paid a few copper coins, as promised. "See you tomorrow!" - says the albino zebra. "Good night!" - I respond. [[go back to the Trilobite's| realstartquest]] (set: $hascopper to true)

<img src="science/q.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> (set: $mineloop to $mineloop | 1)(if: $mineloop is 7)[(set: $minevisit to $minevisit+1)] In a well lit room, surrounded by piles of paper, there is a turtle, wearing a business suit and a pair of glasses, sitting behind a desk with a huge typewriter. The turtle is typing frenetically. She ignores you. "Excuse me?" No answer. The turtle is very concentrated. "I would like to get some zinc. I was told I could find it in this mine". "You should never trust rabbits." - is the only answer. No luck. [[try on the door 402|platypus]] [[try exploring the tunnel|beaver]] (if: $minevisit > 3)[[[Divide by 0|exitMine]]]

(set: $mineloop to $mineloop | 2)(if: $mineloop is 7)[(set: $minevisit to $minevisit+1)] The room you find behind door 402 looks like an office. There is a desk, and a chair, and sitting, or rather lying on the chair, a big fat platypus. She is wearing a business suit, and seems to be snoozing under the huge fan. "Hello? May I get some help?" The platypus opens an eye. "What is it now? What do you want, rabbit?" "I would like to find some zinc." "Do you have the document AZZR/23?" - asks the platypus. "I am sorry, I don't." "Ask Ms. Sullivan. Without an AZZR/23 I can't do anything." Bad luck. [[Try on room 403|turtle]] [[Walk down the tunnel|beaver]] (if: $minevisit > 3)[[[Divide by 0|exitMine]]]

(set: $mineloop to $mineloop | 4)(if: $mineloop is 7)[(set: $minevisit to $minevisit+1)] Down the tunnel I find a well lit room. The door says "401. K. Justin". The room behind looks like an office. Someone has piled furniture on top of the desk: chairs, archivers, even an old typewriter. "Hello? Is anyone here?" - I ask. A head emerges from within the pile. It's a beaver. "Arrrr! I am a pirate!" "I beg your pardon?" "This is my pirate fort. Are you friend or foe?" "I am sorry. I am only looking for some zinc. May I get some help from you?" "I am too busy rrright now. Ms. O'hara will provide you with the zinc." [[Knock the door on room 403|turtle]] [[Try on the door 402|platypus]] (if: $minevisit > 3)[[[Divide by 0|exitMine]]]

"HAHAHA" - at this moment a white horse arrives - "Gotcha, boss!" "Yes, very funny, Albert." - says the walrus with resignation. - "Albert is our resident magician. He puts you in boxes and stabs you, but of course the swords are fake and everything is all right." - he clarifies to you - "Abert, you've hidden my hat again. Where is it now?" "I made it disappeared with my magic!" - laughs the horse. "Sure. With your fondness for practical jokes you should work with the clowns, instead of pretending that you can do magic." "Who is this rabbit?" - Asks Albert. "I am the new ballerina, Mr. Horse". - I respond "I am not a horse. I am an albino zebra. Please show some respect." "Oh, I am very sorry, Mr. Zebra. My bad." - I apologize. "You know what? I am looking for an assistant. And you happen to be a rabbit. Would you like to help with my act?" [[What is the act about?|magician explanation]]

<img src="science/p.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> I start to think that I was too optimistic, thinking that I could just go into the mine and fetch some stupid zinc. I did not know what I was getting into. This could be dangerous. What if there is an accident? What if the entrance gets sealed behind me, and I am trapped inside this darkness forever? Should I head back to the town? But I have already made it so far. I can't go back now. Now I can see a light. An artificial, incandescent light. At the end of the tunnel. There seems to be some sort of door. Without decorations, except a little black sign in the center, with white letters. It says "403. M. Sullivan". As I am looking at the door and the light that is coming from behind it, I notice a second door to my right. "402. O. O'hara". Another choice. For a moment, I ponder... [[Take the first door: 403|turtle]] [[Take the second door: 402|platypus]] [[Continue down the main tunnel|beaver]] (set: $mineloop to 0) (set: $minevisit to 0)

(set: $haszinc to true) In exasperation, without results, I take a piece of paper from my pocket and I write a number. And then a line under that number. And then a big, round, sweet zero under the line. Equals to... PLOF! I am back at the trilobite's room. "Any luck?" "I went to the mine" - I answer - "But I couldn't get the damn zinc. Those curmudgeons would not pay any attention to me." "Don't worry about that." - Answers Laura gently. - "While you were away, I went to the grocery store and bought some zinc for you." "At the grocery?" "Yes. Don't groceries sell zinc in your reality?" [[ I have the zinc!| realstartquest]]

I sit down by the table. I take out the potato. The animals are surrounding me. The room is packed, but everyone is in silence, expecting. I take a copper coin from my pocket. And the piece of zinc that the trilobite got from the grocery store. I have everything that I need. It's only a matter of inserting the metals in the potato and connecting them with a piece of cable. I feel dizzy. I can't breathe well. Maybe there's too many people in this room. My sight gets blurry. The room is spinning around me. What is going on? The faces of the animals appear distorted. I am tripping. [[Then, I pass out.|wakeup]]

I open my eyes again. I am laying on the floor, in my laboratory, back home. Familiar faces surround me. My friends are there. My assistant. "Are you ok?" "What?" - I am confused. "You passed away. Are you alright?" "Oh! What happened?" "It seems that you have been working too hard lately. Stress, lack of sleep... have you been eating properly? You should take a vacation! We were very worried for you." - these nice words come from one of the post-doc researchers. The next moments, I am feeling better. So, was it all a hallucination after all? I was starting to like those animals. My friends are going back to their occupations, not before making me promise that I will go home and take a few days of rest. [[Leave the laboratory|ending]]

I have changed my clothes. Said everyone goodbye. I am wondering why was it called "The Magical Land of Magic". I never saw any magic in there. As I pass next to my desk, I take a look at the formula I was working on, before passing out. There is a mistake in the calculations. This side of the equation should be an addition, not a subtraction. So... beta is not zero, beta is three. And we can put this back to the gamma equation. So, the final result is that... gamma is equal to... 3030. Curious. THE END.

#Division by zero //Berlin Mini Game Jam (LNdW16), June 2016// art: (link-repeat:"Marthe Rosenow")[(gotoURL:"https://www.instagram.com/marthe_rosenow/")] text: (link-repeat:"Christiaan Janssen")[(gotoURL:"http://chrisjangames.wordpress.com/")] [[START|Scientific night]] //( Note: scroll down when you don't see text under a picture )//

<img src="science/k.jpg" width="1135" height="800" /> (display:"presentRiddle")