The next bell carries Alan back toward the Westcott dormitory. The messenger boy and the older schoolboy have gone, while the librarian remains behind at his desk and the Headmaster stays in Abbott's House.
Near the dormitory entrance, Peter Hogg waits with his books pressed against his chest. His mousy hair is untidy, and several task slips protrude from one pocket.
Peter Hogg
Turing, I have been sent to Abbey House, then the dayroom, then back to the senior prefect. Each boy gave me a different instruction.
Peter lowers his voice as footsteps sound from the stair. O'Hanlon is expected to inspect the younger boys shortly, and unfinished preparations will be noticed.
Peter Hogg
I could not finish my work, and I cannot prove which order came first. Do you know a lawful way to make them state it clearly?
Peter Hogg
If I complain, they will call it cheek. If I say nothing, the fault will be mine.
Peter watches Alan anxiously, waiting for an answer rather than presuming one. From the corridor comes the measured tread of Geoffrey O'Hanlon approaching the dormitory.
“I tell Hogg to give me half the task slips; I will say that those are tasks that I have failed to complete. Then we will both be punished together, if O'Hanlon decides to punish us.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
Alan Turing
Give me half the slips. I will say those are tasks I failed to complete, and if O'Hanlon punishes us, we shall be punished together.
Peter hesitates, then separates the slips with careful fingers. He hands half to Alan, keeping the remainder pressed beneath his books as O'Hanlon's measured tread reaches the dormitory entrance.
Peter Hogg
You would take responsibility for orders you were never given? They may punish you for it as well.
Alan accepts the slips. Peter’s anxious expression eases slightly, though both boys now stand before the approaching housemaster with their papers arranged as though each has failed to finish assigned duties.
Geoffrey O'Hanlon
Hogg, Turing, why are you standing here with unfinished work? Put the slips on the table and explain yourselves plainly.
Peter Hogg
Sir, these are my orders, and these are Turing’s. We have failed to complete them. The instructions conflicted, and we could not establish which came first.
O'Hanlon studies the divided slips, then looks from Peter to Alan. The proposed shared responsibility is now visible, awaiting the housemaster’s judgment.
✓ Quest Accepted
Resolve the conflicting task orders
+ New Item Acquired
Task slips
✓ Quest Accepted
Explain why Alan’s name appears among the task slips
“Can you determine which task order was issued first?”
YES (Likely, rolled 37)
O'Hanlon lifts each slip from the table and compares the handwriting, timestamps, and destinations. The orders bear distinct sequences rather than a single coordinated instruction.
Geoffrey O'Hanlon
Hogg’s Abbey House instruction was issued first. The dayroom order followed, and the return to the senior prefect came last.
Peter’s shoulders drop as the uncertainty becomes a documented sequence. Alan’s divided slips now show that the conflicting errands were not issued simultaneously.
Geoffrey O'Hanlon
You were not at fault for failing to complete all three, Hogg. The later orders made completion of the earlier one impossible within the time allowed.
Peter Hogg
Thank you, sir. I thought the first instruction had been lost beneath the others.
O'Hanlon turns to Alan’s half of the slips, recognizing that the arrangement is deliberately shared. His expression hardens, though not with the conclusion of guilt.
Geoffrey O'Hanlon
Turing, your account is not yet accurate. You did not receive these tasks. Explain why your name appears among them.
− Scene Quest Removed
Resolve the conflicting task orders
“I will explain that I accepted half the slips to share Peter's responsibility.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +0)
Alan Turing
Sir, I accepted half the slips so Peter would not bear responsibility for orders that conflicted. I thought we should share the consequence.
O'Hanlon studies Alan in silence, then places the slips into two orderly piles. The dormitory stair creaks behind them, but no one enters.
Geoffrey O'Hanlon
That was generous, Turing, but it was not truthful. You cannot accept blame for an instruction you were never given.
Peter Hogg
He meant to help me, sir. I did not ask him to take the slips, but I was afraid the confusion would be counted against me.
O'Hanlon taps the first pile against the table until its edges align. His manner remains stern, though the evidence has removed the immediate question of Peter's fault.
Geoffrey O'Hanlon
Hogg will answer for his own conduct, and you will answer for yours. In this case, neither of you will be punished for failing an impossible sequence of orders.
Geoffrey O'Hanlon
Return these slips to their issuers and require the instructions to be clarified. Next time, report the conflict before altering the record, however well meant your intention.
Quest Complete
Explain why Alan’s name appears among the task slips