In the morning, thank-you notes pour in from nearly every member in attendance last night. The game was apparently a rollicking success. Farnsworth, Christopher, and you continue your investigation of Hanover's diaries and Uncle Arthur's scheme to immortalize his research. At the end, everyone is shocked not only when it is fully revealed how he achieved his monumental breakthrough, but also by how this computer game, which is embedded with powerful voice-recognition capabilities, has managed to duplicate life in the manor since your arrival. Later that afternoon, yet another puzzle leads you to the library and the discovery of your Uncle's last letter. In it, he reveals how you were chosen as "heir." And there's more, including an account of Lord Rollinsby's breakthrough in matter transference, which, in addition to Lord Hanover's genetic research, was conducted at the manor labs. Not only is teleportation risky, your uncle counsels, but you should also beware of the national security agencies from at least a dozen countries that would stop at nothing to obtain this technology or prevent others from doing so. The discovery of a teleportation controller in the virtual Manor House assures that a real one must be around somewhere. Your search for it is postponed, however, when the weather finally clears. You step out into brilliant late-afternoon sunshine and find that a sumptuous Aussie-style barbeque is underway, hosted by an unlikely twosome: former enemies Sherlock and Leon. Walking around the grounds, you encounter several manor couples: Farnsworth and Van Scoy, who announce their engagement and shyly ask to be kept on; Sherlock and Reddy, preparing to zoom away on a wild motorcycle ride; Sutherland and Stratton, off to the village on their first official date; McCabe and Simmons, likewise in a mutual swoon, dancing barefoot on the lawn. But given the news of the butler's and concierge's betrothal, it looks like you're the one who won't be lucky in love. At least this time around. Nevertheless, It seems the manor has become a kind of Camelot. Darkness envelops and a distinctly magical feeling descends. Suddenly every conversation is broken in mid-stream by the blare of trumpets and the appearance of Sutherland and Stratton in costume. The pair emcee a dazzling magic show highlighted by extraordinary special effects. Buttons fly off the doorman's coat and land in Sutherland's outstretched hand; then fly back and magically reattach themselves. Shakespeare again comes to life and waxes ecstatic on the subject of love. Hilarious impersonations of manor notables are performed. Then from the heavens, a cosmic spectacular explodes -- a holographic circus accompanied by a stirring fanfare and spectacular fireworks. At its conclusion, Lord Hanover appears, as he did on opening night, this time to bid everyone a fond farewell. He's overjoyed to see the family reunited and his life's work verified. His image fades and you are left as the new head of a devoted household, not merely one on whom fortune has brightly shown. (END ofPart Two) |