README.md

Original source downloaded from Vintage Basic

Conversion to Python by Alex Conconi, 2026.

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Python porting notes

Known BASIC bugs — fixed

• Tie tack unreachable (BASIC line 3970): The condition IF O/3<>INT(O/3) THEN 4090 is logically inverted. It checks if the tie tack has not been sold, and if so, incorrectly jumps to the "Bust" message. This makes the tie tack sale permanently unreachable even if the player still owns it. The Python port fixes this to restore the original intended experience where both assets can be sold.

Known BASIC bugs/quirks — kept faithful

• $50 buy-back materialises from nowhere (BASIC lines 3570/3640): When the player buys back a pawned item, C=C+50 adds $50 to the dealer's stack without deducting from the player. Kept as-is — it models the dealer/pawnbroker liquidating the physical item.

• Yes/No prompts accept anything (e.g. BASIC lines 3550, 3880): LEFT$(J$,1)="Y" treats every non-"Y" input as "no" with no re-prompt. The Python port normalises all yes/no prompts to a single _read_yes_no that retries on invalid input (matching the stricter "Do you wish to continue?" prompt at lines 4120–4150).