Open the Dark Door

Though the woman pleads, you pass uneasily by her. There are rules in the fun house, you think, and though you may not yet understand them, you assume the woman is there for a reason and it doesn't involve you.

You step through the dark door into an impossibly dark room. There's no telling the size or shape of things, but the echo from each of your cautious footsteps makes the place sound huge.

There is a sudden peal of laughter to your left and the "cavern" is dimly illuminated with cool, purple light. Moving slowly in that direction, you can just make out in the dusky light the figure of a man, sitting on the cavern floor, his ankles and wrists locked into heavy wooden stocks in front of him. The man is naked, perhaps slightly older and more well-muscled than yourself. He has dark brown eyes and hair. Something moves just behind him, slithering almost.

"Please help," the young man blurts. With serpentine quickness, a dark impish face appears above his shoulder.

"Blech!" The creature scoffs. "You know I can't stand begging!" Just as quickly, several spider-like appendages dart forward, the dexterous digits at their ends dancing expertly over the struggling man's ribs. The man screams with laughter, desperately trying to protect his **** skin from the monster's relentless tickling.

You notice the light in the cavern, which had slowly dimmed somewhat, increases in brightness the longer and louder the man laughs. As the cavern brightens, you become aware of a massive chasm, several feet to your right. A single glassy path juts out over the chasm, its other end swallowed up by the pervasive darkness.

The tickle attack stops and the man, panting, hangs his head hopelessly.

"If you haven't guessed," says the imp, "you'll need to cross the chasm to continue the game. But only agonized, ticklish laughter lights up this dismal place. Just say the word, and my little friend and I will light the way."

The dark creature smiles evilly from the shadows. The man looks to you pleadingly, but makes no sound.

"But be careful!" The imp cautions, "my pet is extremely ticklish, and prone to losing consciousness, now and again. We'd hate to see you stranded out there in the darkness ..."