C'est La Vie
by Gordon Eastman
Published by Adventure International
A Division of Scott Adams, Inc.
(C) Copyright 1983 by Scott Adams, Inc.
All Rights Reserved


C'est La Vie -- Object Of The Game

Ten, twenty and fifty dollar bills are scattered on the streets. The 
idea is for Jacques -- your electronic "counterpart" -- to gather as 
much cash as possible before time runs out. After Jacques has 
collected the bucks, deposit your cash into the bank before you get 
mugged or stopped by a tax collector. Avoid obstacles and get as 
rich as you can. With a little luck, you may become one of the 
players to post a high score!


Options

After the program loads, the title screen and a demo game will 
appear. You will have several options to consider before beginning 
play. The options listed below will not appear on your screen; just 
press the appropriate key to select.

Speed	press [1]-[5] to select speed. This option is also available 
	during play
Time	press [T] to display the playing time in months. You can 
	increase or decrease the time with the joystick.
Date	press [D] to display the starting date (month and year). 
	Change the date using the joystick as for the time. This
	option has no effect on play but helps you keep the game
	current.

Beginning The Game

After setting the above options as desired, press the joystick 
button to begin. Jacques will appear at center screen. Move him up, 
down, left or right with the joystick. A "status display" appears to 
screen right, and includes the following information.

RADAR -- shows Jacques' position in relation to his pursuers. The 
RADAR display includes representations of the five buildings that 
appear on the main screen. The positions of the buildings remain 
constant, although the maze will change with each new game. The five 
buildings are: (1) Home, (2) the hospital, (3) the bank, (4) Wall 
Street, and (5) the loan shark's establishment.

Stock Chart -- shows four weeks of stock action, with the most 
current activity appearing at the far right edge of the graph. This 
indicates when you should buy or sell. Additionally, your speed and 
the months remaining in the game are located under the stock chart.

Assets -- the cash you've gathered is listed first. Savings (the 
amount you've stored in the bank), and stocks (the number of shares 
in your possession) are listed next. The value of your shares is 
determined by the stock chart and is subject to change without 
notice.

Debts -- money owed for mortgage payments, medical bills and loans 
appear next. It is important to settle your debts as quickly as 
possible. A mortgage payment of $750 is automatically deducted from 
your savings account each month. Pay your other bills monthly or an 
interest charge will be added to each payment.

Date -- the correct date is displayed relative to the selected 
starting date.


Taking Care Of Business

During a typical game, you'll conduct business transactions in all 
of the building except "home." (Home only provides shelter from your 
pursuers.) To conduct a business transaction, walk into the 
building, press your joystick button and follow the prompt; it will 
direct you to enter a command such as BUY or SELL (at wall Street), 
DEPOSIT or WITHDRAW (from the bank), PAY YOUR BILLS (at the 
hospital), or BORROW MONEY (from the loan shark's office).

Choose from the available commands by using the joystick. After 
selecting a command you are prompted to enter the amount for the 
transaction.

The default amount is the maximum transaction value. Move the 
joystick left or right to decrease or increase the amount by 
increments of $1 (straight), $10 (diagonally back), or $100 
(diagonally forward). Press the joystick button to complete the 
transaction or [ESC] to abort the transaction.


Obstacles

Tax Collectors And Muggers -- These monetary menaces prowl the 
streets in search of victims. Unless you can help Jacques to give 
them the slip, they will pursue him relentlessly until he is caught. 
Once Jacques is caught, a tax collector will take half his cash; a 
mugger will take it all.

Walls -- Avoid these concrete monsters! Failure to do so will result 
in a trip to the hospital and a hospital bill.

Goons -- Should you borrow from your friendly neighborhood loan 
shark, he must be repaid within two months. If not a contingent of 
"goons" will be dispatched to persuade you of your folly. Be 
careful! These guys will not only relieve you of your cash, they'll 
put you into the hospital as well.


Saving A High Score

If you manage to accumulate sufficient wealth, you can record your 
score. When time is up and the final statement is displayed, the 
high-score board will appear at screen right. The high-score 
position is indicated by a single horizontal line instead of double 
horizontal lines. Enter the three characters (your initials, we 
suggest) you wish to record and press your joystick button.


Additional Controls

Finances	press [F] to display a financial statement which 
		lists your net worth (assets minus debts) and score
		(net worth divided by months played).
Pause		press [ESC] to pause game if you need a break from 
		the action. Press any key to resume play.
Sound		press [S] to toggle sound on and off.
Restart	press [R] to abort game in progress and return to 
		demo mode.


Special Options And Hints

After gathering up the last bill, you will receive a $500 bonus. 
Finishing the maze the first time allows you to start again and 
gather more money or a higher score.

If you are being pursued, stay close to the walls

A good starting speed is 3, but slow down should you experience 
problems (running into walls, and so on).

If you have the available cash, you can buy up to 999 shares of 
stock in one game. You may make a killing on Wall Street -- but 
remember to keep an eye on the stock chart, located to the right of 
your screen.

Up to $10,000 can be borrowed from the loan shark if necessary. But 
be sure to pay him back within 2 months or interest is added and his 
goons will come after you.

------
Transcribed by Jeff Lodoen
(jlodoen@mega.megamed.com)