BEATLE QUEST (Text) v1.00.22
NABU CP/M Release
==================================

WHAT THIS IS

This is a CP/M port of "Beatle Quest", a text adventure originally
written in 1985 by Garry Marsh for Number 9 Software, running on the
ZX Spectrum. This version has been rebuilt to run on the NABU PC under
CP/M, faithfully following the original game's own data and puzzles.

The original cassette manual is included alongside this file - it has
the full story setup and background, so give that a read too.


HOW TO START

Copy BQ.COM and BQ.ADV to the same CP/M drive/directory, then simply
type:

    BQ

and press ENTER. No other arguments are needed - BQ.COM automatically
loads BQ.ADV.


NARROW-COLUMN DISPLAYS

If your screen or terminal shows fewer than 80 columns, use one of
these instead of BQ.COM - same game, just word-wrapped narrower:

    BQ40.COM  - for 40-column screens (e.g. a stock NABU in its
                native display mode, rather than a wider CP/M
                terminal): type BQ40
    BQ36.COM  - for 36-column screens (e.g. a Coleco Adam): type BQ36

Everything else (commands, saving/loading, scoring) works identically
across BQ.COM, BQ40.COM, and BQ36.COM; only the line width differs.


HOW TO PLAY

Type simple two-word instructions in the form VERB NOUN, for example:

    EXAMINE TELEPHONE
    TAKE SPOON
    UNSCREW MOUTHPIECE
    GIVE BINOCULARS

Some commands only need a verb on its own, such as LOOK, INVENTORY,
or a direction.

Movement:
    N, S, E, W, U, D, NE, NW, SE, SW, IN, OUT
    (or GO <direction>, e.g. GO NORTH)

Other useful commands:
    LOOK              - redescribe where you are
    GET <item>        - pick something up
    DROP <item>       - put something down
    INVENTORY         - list what you're carrying/wearing
    SCORE             - show your current score
    HELP              - show a short command reminder
    SAVE <name>       - save your game
    LOAD <name>       - restore a previously saved game
    QUIT              - end the session and show your final score


SAVING AND LOADING

Type SAVE followed by a name of your choosing (up to 8 letters), e.g.:

    SAVE MYGAME

This writes your progress to MYGAME.SAV. To pick up where you left
off, type:

    LOAD MYGAME

If you just type SAVE or LOAD with no name, the game uses a default
save slot for you automatically - so both bare SAVE/LOAD and named
SAVE/LOAD work.

Remember whatever name you used, the same way the original 1985
manual asked you to!


CARRYING THINGS

You can only carry a limited number of items at once, just like the
original 1985 game. If you try to pick something up and the game
tells you "You can't carry anymore.", you'll need to DROP something
first to make room.


SCORING

Typing SCORE at any time shows your current progress out of 1000.
Collecting items of interest, solving puzzles, and eventually
bringing everything back to where you started will earn you your
final score when you QUIT.


CREDITS

Beatle Quest (c) 1985 Garry Marsh, Number 9 Software.
Lyrics referenced throughout (c) Lennon-McCartney, George Harrison,
Northern Songs Ltd. Licenced by Rocksoft Ltd.

This NABU CP/M port and runtime by Intangybles.

Enjoy!