May 14, 2006 (Late Evening)
Let's make a list: shed, garden, backyard, game room, taxidermy room, guest quarters, master bedroom, wardrobe, nursery, kitchen, front porch, servants' quarters, parlor, cellar, surveillance room. I'm going to take notes as I go…
Shed: Dig key out of bucket of viscous water, cringe, dry arm on rag found on floor, think to myself that this is going well.
Garden: Key is in hole in tree. Climb tree, precariously balance on branch, grab key, jump out of tree, double over and try to catch breath, move on.
Backyard: Key is hanging on a hook drilled into brick wall at least eight feet out of reach. Remove with long pointy stick, catch, shove in pocket, keep moving. Grounds done.
Game Room: No keys (sad face)
Taxidermy Room: Pluck key out of taxidermy lion cub's mouth. Be glad to leave taxidermy room hopefully for good (but don't count on it).
Guest Quarters: Also no keys (sadder face)
Master Bedroom: Key is under the cat under the bed. Ugh. Mutter angrily, throw shoe at cat, crawl under bed, grab key, grab shoe, make a run for next room. Realize later that the third floor is now inaccessible.
Wardrobe: Wardrobe is on third floor with master bedroom. Third floor is done. That's one less room to look at.
Nursery: See wardrobe.
Kitchen: Find padlock, corkscrew, and skateboard, but no key. Continue to mutter angrily and move on.
Front Porch: Floor completed.
Servant's Quarters: Find key sitting obviously visible on nightstand. Grab, shove in pocket, keep running.
Parlor: Already completed floor. Wonder how well this is actually going.
Cellar: So THAT'S what's behind the wall!
Surveillance Room: No keys left to find.
Here goes nothing!