ELI
a conversational partner in 256b of Perl

by nom de nom/TROPE
based on a game by by Joseph Weizenbaum,
 Jeff Shrager, and Steve North

for the GAMES compos at Lovebyte 2021


Is this a game? It is a miniature version
of a program that appears on pp. 56-58 of
More BASIC Computer Games (1979). So it
must be a game!

Is this a 256b production? The rules say
"all platforms" and there is a "VM" and
interpreted language compos at Lovebyte. So
it must be!

you ok?
Men are all alike.
Men are all alike?
They're always bugging us about something or
 other.
can you be specific?
Well, my boyfriend made me come here.
Well?
He says I'm depressed much of the time.
 really depressed much of the time?
It's true. I am unhappy.
huh
I need some help, that much seems certain.
you need some help?
Perhaps I could learn to get along with my
 mother.
Perhaps you could learn to get along with
 your mother?
My mother takes care of me.
you had said: Perhaps I could learn to get
 along with my mother.
My father.
huh
You are like my father in some ways.
what about you?
You are not very aggressive but I think you
 don't want me to notice that.
huh
You don't argue with me.
what about you?
You are afraid of me.
huh
My father is afraid of everybody.
your father is afraid of everybody?
Bullies.
Bullies?