Conversation 469: WHIRLING / LENA INTRO

There's a broken pinball machine in the corner. A woman in a wheelchair is attempting to revive it. Talking to her will give you a short introduction to the world you're in.

How to use this page:

This is a listing of every "entry" in a given game conversation as scraped from the game files. Entries often contain written dialogue, as well as conditional logic governing their appearance to the player. They also link to other entries, sometimes automatically and sometimes through player action. This page is best used to search for a specific word or phrase, as following the links in this format can be difficult. For an experience that better accommodates the branching structure of these conversations, see the corresponding interactive page.

Column definitions:
  • ID: a numerical index for the entry within this conversation.
  • Character: the character speaking or acting.
  • Dialogue: prose containing spoken dialogue and other description.
  • Conditions: logical checks governing this entry appearing or occurring.
  • Links: entries that might follow this one, depending on conditions and player choice. Most links are internal to this conversation, external links to other conversations are marked with the format (conversation ID, entry ID).
<
ID Character Dialogue Conditions Links
0 None
  • 1
1 None
  • 361
2 Suggestion She is appraising you scientifically, the way she would an exceptional zoological specimen. It's not *like that*.
  • 191
3 None
  • 5
  • 7
  • 177
  • 9
  • 6
  • 8
  • 261
  • 4
4 You "I've gotta get going now." [Leave.]
  • 504
5 You "You seem to be in a chair."
  • 12
6 You "Are you okay? I am very sorry I crashed into you earlier. I don't know what got into me." Variable["whirling.garte_vanishment_failed"] == true
  • 29
7 You "How'd you like to roll with me?"
  • 27
8 You "Sweetie needs money. Do sweeties get money?" Variable["TASK.pay_for_the_damages"] == true and Variable["TASK.pay_for_the_damages_done"] == false and Variable["whirling.lena_yor_a_sweetie_trigger"] == true and Variable["whirling.lena_beg_success"] == false
  • 10
9 You "I don't know if you've noticed, but I don't know where I am, or what I'm doing. Or *anything*." Variable["whirling.lena_tell_bad_done"] == false
  • 97
10 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife Her expression becomes very serious. "Oh sweetie. I heard your conversation with the manager about your... financial troubles. When do you get your next pay check?"
  • 112
11 Physical Instrument You've got guns of steel and a chiselled jaw (somewhere under the bloated alcohol layer). Maybe she'd like to sponsor you?
  • 108
12 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "Yes, dear, I am a paraplegic."
  • 14
13 You "What did you do, then?"
  • 51
14 Encyclopedia A paraplegic is someone with limited or no ability to use the lower half of their body. Paraplegia is caused by spinal cord injuries -- like falling from a great height, or a grenade explosion!
  • 24
15 You "What is a paraplegic?" Variable["whirling.lena_intro_encyc_paraplegic"] == false
  • 20
16 You "I'm sorry, it was rude of me to mention the wheelchair. Let's move on." (Proceed.)
  • 17
17 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "That's quite alright. I'm used to people asking questions. I know they're thinking about it anyway."
  • 18
18 Empathy There is no bitterness in her voice. She accepted the curiosity her condition inspires a long time ago.
  • 25
19 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "No, dear, I'm not quite *that* old, although I was injured in the line of duty."
  • 22
  • 21
  • 142
20 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "It means I can't use my legs. I was in an accident some years back, injured *in the line of duty* as they say."
  • 147
  • 22
  • 21
21 You "Were you a... tightrope walker?"
  • 50
22 You "Were you a... mountaineer?"
  • 23
23 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "Nothing so glamorous, dear, though when I was young, I dreamt of planting the Revacholian flag on some figurative peak."
  • 13
24 None
  • 15
  • 220
  • 49
  • 16
  • 64
25 None
  • 3
26 None
  • 24
27 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife Her eyes light up. "Whatever do you mean?"
  • 80
28 You "Roll us some cigarettes. I'm jonesing for a smoke." Variable["TASK.find_smokes"] == true
  • 81
29 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "Oh, I'm perfectly alright! I'm more worried about you. What was that?"
  • 151
  • 152
  • 204
30 You "The 'Whirling-in-Rags' cafeteria? It was on my keys."
  • 34
31 You "We're in Revachol." Variable["whirling.mirror_expression_source_located"] == true or Variable["tc.that_in_revachol"] == true
  • 36
32 You "A war zone. At the edge of the world."
  • 37
33 You "I don't really know... some seedy hotel?"
  • 39
34 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "That's right, and where is the Whirling-in-Rags cafeteria itself located?"
  • 123
  • 122
  • 121
  • 124
  • 376
35 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife She flashes you a worried look. "We're in the City of *Revachol*, dear."
  • 154
36 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "That's right! In a hostel called the Whirling-in-Rags, to be precise."
  • 154
37 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "It does still look like that in some parts of the city, doesn't it..."
  • 38
38 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "We are in a hostel called the Whirling-in-Rags, dear. And the Whirling itself is in the city of Revachol."
  • 154
39 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "A seaside hostel called the Whirling-in-Rags, to be precise. And the Whirling itself is in Revachol."
  • 154
40 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife There's a pause as she studies your expression. You must look quite lost. "Speaking of history -- you know what *year* it is, yes?"
  • 41
41 None
  • 208
42 Conceptualization That tape you picked up said '43. You seem to be a hip modern man who listens to hip modern records, so it must be '43.
  • 211
43 You "It's totally '43." Variable["whirling.lena_concept_43"] == true
  • 115
44 You "It's the spring of '51." Variable["tc.date_fifty_one"] == true
  • 311
45 You "All I know is: we are approaching the *end times*."
  • 116
46 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "I can tell that this is taxing for you, so I'll just ask *one* more question. What regime are we living under? What mode of government?"
  • 47
47 None
  • 139
  • 386
  • 48
  • 171
  • 169
  • 201
  • 379
48 You "I'd *like* to think it's the dictatorship of the proletariat, but something tells me it's not."
  • 141
49 You "Could I become a paraplegic?" Variable["whirling.lena_intro_encyc_paraplegic"] == false
  • 54
50 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "Nothing so extravagant, dear, though what young girl doesn't dream of soaring over a crowd?"
  • 13
51 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "I was a training and development manager at a rapidly expanding mail-order shoe company."
  • 52
52 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "You'd think it would be a safe job. But I had to be everywhere -- and, well, once I happened to be under some faulty scaffolding."
  • 53
53 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "I was lucky. This was almost twenty years ago, and I was compensated exceptionally well. One can only dream of such pay-offs nowadays." She runs her hands over the chrome wheels of her chair.
  • 26
54 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "I hope not, although the work you are doing for all of us *is* quite dangerous." Her eyes glimmer with admiration as she looks up at you.
  • 55
55 Authority Towering over her in your insignia, you make her feel safe.
  • 63
56 You (Nod grimly.) "Someone *has* to do it."
  • 57
57 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "But not you. You're volunteering. So thank you, sweetie."
  • 468
58 You "Maybe it wouldn't be so bad, hanging out in a chair, playing pinball..."
  • 59
59 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife She taps on the greasy glass of the pinball machine. "Actually, this machine is broken."
  • 60
60 None
  • 24
61 You "I'm not sure I should be in this line of work."
  • 62
62 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "You're a man at the peak of your physical and intellectual powers. You will find another calling yet, I'm certain of it!"
  • 60
63 None
  • 56
  • 58
  • 61
64 You "Thanks for clearing that up for me. Let's move on." (Proceed.)
  • 207
65 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "Sequence killers, oh my..." She sounds impressed. "But I think you already have a partner, sweetie."
  • 70
66 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife
  • 67
  • 68
67 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife IsKimHere()
  • 65
68 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife (IsKimHere()) == false
  • 71
69 You "I want you to be my wheel-chaired partner in fighting crime, helping people, catching *sequence killers*."
  • 66
70 Kim Kitsuragi "A partner who needs you to get back to helping the people of Martinaise."
  • 149
  • 76
  • 148
71 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife Her face flushes with excitement, but she instantly recomposes herself. "I wouldn't be of much use to you, sweetie."
  • 73
  • 74
72 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "Thank you, but..." She looks out the window wistfully. "Martinaise isn't the most wheelchair-accessible place, you see. I'd slow you down."
  • 459
73 You "Why? Three heads are better than two."
  • 72
74 You "You're probably right."
  • 75
75 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife She looks out the window wistfully. "I really would like to help out, but I don't want to slow you down. If it weren't for all the stairs and potholes in Martinaise, I'd join you for sure!"
  • 79
76 You "I know, I know. But there are also *side mysteries*. Sequence killers and forays into the para-natural."
  • 133
77 You "You're no fun, Lieutenant Killjoy."
  • 134
78 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "Now, gentlemen, no need to squabble." She turns to you. "I wouldn't be of much use to you anyway, sweetie."
  • 73
  • 74
79 None
  • 3
80 None
  • 69
  • 28
  • 372
81 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "Oh, no-no-no, I haven't smoked in years..."
  • 82
  • 83
  • 84
82 You "Does that mean you don't have tobacco? Or rolling paper? Or any cigarettes at all?"
  • 85
83 You "Why don't you smoke? It's great!"
  • 87
84 You "Good for you. Smoking is a stupid habit. Maybe I should quit too."
  • 181
85 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife She shakes her head slowly.
  • 86
86 Electrochemistry Wait! Maybe she knows where you can get cigarettes. Delicious toasty cigarettes stuffed to the tip with *love*. You should find out.
  • 92
87 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife She looks embarrassed. "Cigarettes are a luxury, sweetie. Besides, I have to mind my health."
  • 86
88 Electrochemistry What are you talking about? Smoking is one of the last remaining pleasures in this world. Trust me, there's not much out there for you.
  • 182
89 You "Can you tell me where to get cigarettes?" Variable["whirling.lena_electro_ask_cigs"] == true
  • 95
90 You "I thought you were cool, with your wheels and all."
  • 93
91 You "It's probably for the best. I don't really need a cigarette right this minute." Variable["whirling.lena_volition_cigs"] == true
  • 94
92 Volition You would do well to follow her example. Smoking is the reason you feel like a rag. It's painful for you to even ask these questions.
  • 89
  • 90
  • 91
93 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife She shrugs, looking down. "An old woman in a wheelchair just doesn't look good holding a cigarette. Though I'm sure it lends *you* a roguish charm, sweetie."
  • 241
94 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "I'm glad to hear you say it! Smoking can do some real damage to your respiratory system. But I think you already knew that."
  • 241
95 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "You should really ask someone younger and more mobile, sweetie."
  • 222
96 None
  • 3
97 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife Her eyes follow your movements with some concern. "Yes, officer, you look rather dazed... like a stunned fox. But surely things can't be *that* bad?"
  • 189
98 You "I was hoping you could be my *sponsor*." Variable["whirling.lena_concept_sponsor"] == true
  • 436
99 You "What is a pay check? I haven't seen any pay checks..."
  • 101
100 You "It isn't easy for me to ask this of anyone, but I am at the end of my rope. Any money you have could help me."
  • 111
101 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife
  • 102
  • 103
102 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife IsKimHere()
  • 104
103 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife (IsKimHere()) == false
  • 206
104 Kim Kitsuragi "You must be joking." He pauses, reflecting. "Although our pay does sometimes feel like a joke."
  • 206
105 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife
  • 106
  • 107
106 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife IsKimHere()
  • 110
107 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife (IsKimHere()) == false
  • 219
108 None
  • 98
  • 99
  • 212
  • 113
109 None
  • 108
110 Kim Kitsuragi "Officer." He leans in so that only you can hear, but his tone is forceful. "Get a hold of yourself, please."
  • 219
111 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "Sweetie, I only have a few cents on me. But..." She unfastens a gold commemorative pin from her left jacket pocket and drops it into your palm. "I could give you this to pawn, just to tide you over."
  • 451
112 Empathy If she could, this woman would feed and clothe you and every other sad, lost person on this earth.
  • 11
113 You "Right. Let's change the subject."
  • 439
114 You "It's a bad year in my late forties, or fifties? I don't even know how *old* I am." IsTHCFixed("age_bracket") == false
  • 117
115 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "Oh no, dear! It's the early spring of '51."
  • 155
116 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "Perhaps, dear, perhaps. But for now it's just the spring of '51."
  • 156
117 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "There, there. The year is '51, and spring has only just started. I'm sure there are better days ahead."
  • 157
118 Shivers Outside, the melting snow seeps into the cracks in the walls and the cobblestone streets. All the way down into the sewers... Above ground, the first May bells blossom. You can feel it. A great cold. Then the shiver passes.
  • 46
119 You "We're dead. Haunting each other. We're ghosts."
  • 120
120 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "Now, now." She tilts her head as she looks up at you with maternal solicitude.
  • 125
121 You "The edge of civilization."
  • 35
122 You "On something called *the urban coast*." Variable["whirling.encyc_coast_dockworkers"] == true
  • 128
123 You "In... Revachol?" Variable["whirling.mirror_expression_source_located"] == true or Variable["tc.that_in_revachol"] == true
  • 129
124 You "In hell. We're all in hell."
  • 35
125 Lena, the Cryptozoologist's wife "We are alive -- in a hostel called the Whirling-in-Rags. And the Whirling itself is in the city of Revachol."
  • 154
126 You "Honestly, I don't know diddly-squat about Revachol. What kind of place is this?"
  • 136
127 You "All I know is that Revachol used to be really cool in the Thirties." Variable["whirling.mirror_expression_source_located"] == true
  • 135