The Hollywood Murders
An Interactive Mystery

Shareware Version

This text/graphics adventure puts you into the shoes of a hardboiled 1950's
private eye. You are about to begin a case that will either bring you a
nice fat paycheck, or death.

To begin the game, first enter CD [Directory], where [Directory] is the
location of the game files. Type the command 'HM' and hit Enter. The game
will then begin.

You may also start from Windows by simply clicking on the HM icon.

The game will load graphic screens periodically throughout the game.
To switch back to text mode press the Space Bar.

This game has a reasonably flexible parser and should accept short sentences
in the Verb-Noun format. Adjectives, pronouns and prepositions are also
allowed. If a certain command doesn't work, try experimenting.  You may use
normal english sentences, such as:

 Take the gun and the bullets.
 Open the desk drawer and look inside it.
 Take everything.

When interacting with characters in the game, there are a number of
specific commands you may use. To speak with a character, you may:

Talk to <character>
Ask <character> about <object>

You may also give or show objects to characters. The correct syntax for
these commands would be:

Give <object> to <character>
Show <object> to <character>

These are just a couple of examples, but it will give you the right idea
for interacting with people in the game. Again, if something doesn't seem
to work, (and you think it should), try experimenting with different commands.

To travel about, use the directional commands, N, S, E, W, Up and Down.
You may need to use objects to travel in certain situations. The Inventory
command will show all the items currently in your possession.

In order to save your current game position, use the Save command. Restore will
load your saved games. To exit a game, simply use the quit command.

Other useful commands and shortcuts are:
Graphics <on/off>  : will turn the graphics in the game on or off.
Noises <on/off>    : will turn the sound effects on or off.

(Default for both is on)

X <object> :Examine object
L : Look (will repeat room description)
I : Inventory (will display current player inventory)

It may be useful to save your position in the game while playing, (in case
you get killed or stuck). I tried to make the puzzles easy enough
for beginning players, but if you are stuck, simply try to use common sense
and logic. Hope you have fun.

So long as all the program files in this game are left intact, this game
may be freely distributed and included on CD-ROMS and online sites.

Shareware Information
---------------------
You may order by Credit Card, Cash, Check or Money order. 

To order the registered version of this game, which includes many
additional graphics, sound effects and the complete storyline, please
send $15 (U.S. funds) to:

Laser Point 
Hollywood Murders Registration 
P.O. Box 2378 
Watsonville, CA 95077 

California residents please remember to include 8.25% sales tax.

Toll Free Ordering: Visa or MasterCard orders may be placed by calling
Laser Point at (800) 894-6758

Electronic Mail Registration: You may register via electronic mail 
by sending the following information to: orders@laserpoint.com 
 
- Name of Product, Visa or MasterCard Account Number, Card Type (Visa 
  or MasterCard), Card Expiration Date, Name of Card Holder. 
 
Compuserve customers may register through the Compuserve Shareware 
Registry. Go SWERG and register product 11665. 


Design...  Michael Zerbo
Graphics...Christopher and Michael Zerbo
Sound Software...  John Ball
Graphics Software...  Mark Stehr
Special thanks to...  Thomas Nilsson
		      Goran Forslund
                      Bob Newell
                      Christopher Zerbo


(C) 1996 M. Zerbo