Generic Automaton (#192):
----
The Generic Automaton is an easy-to-program robot which responds to simple
 commands.  It can have multiple MOODS, each one of which has a different
 description and set of RESPONSES.  Commands trigger an announced response and
 can also trigger a TRANSITION to another mood. For example, a trivial robot
 might be made as follows:

   @create #192 named robot
   @describe robot as "A crash-test dummy."
   @setresponse robot with hug,kiss: %vs the %t.  It smiles.
   @setresponse robot with hit,kick: %vs the %t.  It frowns.

The pattern %v will be substituted with the verb name, and %vs will be
 substituted with the third-person form of the verb.  So, if Calkins types
 "kiss robot" or "hit robot", we will see:

   Calkins kisses the robot.  It smiles.
   Calkins hits the robot.  It smiles.

This trivial automaton has only one mood (called "initial"), but things don't
 really get interesting until multiple moods are created.  Moods and
 transitions between moods form a sort of MENTAL LANDSCAPE or personality
 which other players can explore, somewhat like rooms and exits.  To make a
 new mood (or switch to an existing mood), use @setmood.  For example, we can
 make our trivial robot slightly more interesting:

   @setmood robot to initial
   @transition robot with hit,kick:angry
   @setmood robot to angry
   @describe robot as "A very angry test dummy."
   @setresponse robot with hug,kiss: %vs the %t.  It relaxes.
   @transition robot with hug,kiss:initial
   @setresponse robot with hit,kick: %vs the %t.  It %vs %n!

Now kicking the robot will make it mad, and when it's mad it will react more
 violently to being kicked again.  Kissing or hugging it will calm it down
 (transition to initial mood).  If an automaton is left alone in a room, it
 automatically returns to the "initial" mood, if it has one.

To design an automaton think of what moods or states it should have. Pick a
 set of basic commands to trigger responses and mood transitions. Draw a
 TRANSITION DIAGRAM!  Complex automatons have over a dozen moods and are
 impossible to design without making a diagram. Here is the diagram of a
 three-mood stray dog:

               +-------<---------------<---------------+
               |                                       |
  feed +---+   V        +-->--+        +---+           |
   pet |   |   |        | pet |        |   | kick      |
       \   V   |        \     V   pet  \   V           |
       HAPPY---+        INITIAL<---<---ANGRY------>----+
       |   ^            |     |        ^   ^     feed
       |   |   feed     |     |  kick  |   |
       |   +---<-----<--+     +--->----+   |
       +------->------->------->------->---+
                       kick

Besides setting responses and transitions, you can use @rminputs to erase a
 response and @actions  to review the programming of a given mood.
 @rmmoods will erase whole moods, and @cpmood will copy the responses and
 transisions of another mood to the current mood (sometimes a convenient
 starting point for a mood that is similar).  Once the basic logic of an
 automaton is finished, @alias can be used to beef up the number of verbs the
 robot will respond to:

   @alias robot with slug,punch,slap=hit

Aliases apply to all moods, but are overridden by any set responses in any
 particular mood. Useful tip: if you are using @notedit, beware that the
 automaton will return to its "initial" mood when you depart to the note
 editor.  So it is a good idea to be carrying the robot while you are
 programming it.

You see an old wooden box with a broken lid.
Contents:
Generic Scorpion Player Class (#153)
Generic Post-Apocalypse Room (#110)
Generic Automaton (#192)
Generic Boomerang Thing (#261)
Generic Secured Post-Apocalypse Room (#262)
Generic Room with Stacking (#563)
Generic Wandering Automaton (#502)
Generic Auditorium (#562)
Generic Room with Seats (#955)
Generic Scripted Object (#826)
Generic Transparent Exit (#1053)
Generic Moon-phased Wearable (#859)
Generic Performance Room (#1998)
Generic Lycanthropic Thespian PC (#1223)
Generic Room with Surfaces (#2061)
Generic Costume (#1226)
Generic Litter (#834)
Generic Listening Automaton (#790)
Generic Black Lotus Room (#2918)

You are in a narrow dark alley way between two brick buildings. The ground is littered with trash, old newspapers, empty cans, bricks set up as a fireplace with an arrangement of pipes over it. Beside it is an army messpan, inside filled with dirty snow and ice. At the east end of the alley is a fence, behind you is the street.