Suppose we want to ask the player a question where they might say yes or no in response. There are two possible forms of this: the modal question where the player must pick one to proceed, and the non-modal question where they might also type other verbs.
Mr Spruce is a man in the Conservatory. Mr Spruce can be apprehensive or calm. Mr Spruce is calm. Mr Spruce can be handsome or ugly.
At 9:02 AM: say "Mr Spruce flings himself to his knees and implores you to become his lawfully wedded wife.";
now Mr Spruce is apprehensive;
Mr Spruce gives up in two minutes from now.
At the time when Mr Spruce gives up:
say "Mr Spruce sighs heavily, seeing that you don't intend to reply. 'Never mind, my dear, I'll ask later. Perhaps I should have spoken to your Papa first... yes, a gently-bred female... no wonder...'";
now Mr Spruce is calm;
Mr Spruce departs in one minute from now.
At the time when Mr Spruce departs:
if the player can see Mr Spruce, say "Mr Spruce takes his leave of you.";
otherwise say "Mr Spruce pokes his head in to say that he is leaving.";
Instead of saying yes in the presence of an ugly apprehensive Mr Spruce:
now Mr Spruce is calm;
say "Remembering what your mother said to you about the stock exchange and Dear Papa, you close your eyes and accept Mr Spruce.";
end the story saying "Alas for your maiden hopes."
Instead of saying yes in the presence of a handsome apprehensive Mr Spruce:
now Mr Spruce is calm;
say "You are silent with delight for a moment before you say yes, yes!";
end the story saying "How Genevieve Stubbs will cry!"
Instead of saying no in the presence of an ugly apprehensive Mr Spruce:
now Mr Spruce is calm;
say "Gently you inform Mr Spruce that it is impossible. He seems less deflated than you had expected.";
end the story saying "Odd, that..."
Instead of saying no in the presence of a handsome apprehensive Mr Spruce:
now Mr Spruce is calm;
say "You lower your eyes and refuse petulantly, hoping to stir him to a more ardent repetition of these same requests. But then -- alack! -- he says 'I see how it is!' in a strangled voice, and strides from the room!";