--- a/gamelib/gamescreen.py	Mon Aug 23 22:42:30 2010 +0200
+++ b/gamelib/gamescreen.py	Mon Aug 23 23:05:55 2010 +0200
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 from albow.controls import Button, Label, Widget
 from albow.layout import Column
 from albow.palette_view import PaletteView
-from albow.dialogs import Dialog
+from albow.dialogs import Dialog, wrapped_label
 from pygame import Rect
 from pygame.color import Color
 from pygame.locals import BLEND_ADD
@@ -54,7 +54,15 @@
         self.state.draw(surface)
 
     def mouse_down(self, event):
-        self.state.interact(event.pos)
+        result = self.state.interact(event.pos)
+        if result and result.message:
+            # Display the message as a modal dialog
+            msg_label = wrapped_label(result.message, 60)
+            dialog = Dialog(msg_label)
+            dialog.click_outside_response = -1
+            dialog.present()
+            # queue a redraw to show updated state
+            self.invalidate()
 
     def mouse_move(self, event):
         self.state.mouse_move(event.pos)

--- a/gamelib/scenes/cryo.py	Mon Aug 23 22:42:30 2010 +0200
+++ b/gamelib/scenes/cryo.py	Mon Aug 23 23:05:55 2010 +0200
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 import random
 
-from gamelib.state import Scene, Item, Thing
+from gamelib.state import Scene, Item, Thing, Result
 
 
 class Cryo(Scene):
@@ -45,9 +45,9 @@
         }
 
     def interact_without(self):
-        self.message("The corpse in this cryo unit has a prosthetic leg made out of titanium. You take it.")
         self.state.add_inventory_item('titanium_leg')
         self.set_data('contains_titanium_leg', False)
+        return Result("The corpse in this cryo unit has a prosthetic leg made out of titanium. You take it.")
 
     def is_interactive(self):
         return self.get_data('contains_titanium_leg')
@@ -64,14 +64,14 @@
         }
 
     def interact_with_titanium_leg(self, item):
-        self.message("You wedge the titanium leg into the chain and twist. With a satisfying *snap*, the chain breaks and the door opens.")
         self.open_door()
+        return Result("You wedge the titanium leg into the chain and twist. With a satisfying *snap*, the chain breaks and the door opens.")
 
     def interact_without(self):
-        self.message("It moves slightly and then stops. A chain on the other side is preventing it from opening completely.")
+        return Result("It moves slightly and then stops. A chain on the other side is preventing it from opening completely.")
 
     def interact_default(self, item):
-        self.message(random.choice([
+        return Result(random.choice([
                     "Sadly, this isn't that sort of game.",
                     "Your valiant efforts are foiled by the Evil Game Designer.",
                     "The door resists. Try something else, perhaps?",

--- a/gamelib/state.py	Mon Aug 23 22:42:30 2010 +0200
+++ b/gamelib/state.py	Mon Aug 23 23:05:55 2010 +0200
@@ -9,6 +9,12 @@
 
 import constants
 
+class Result(object):
+    """Result of interacting with a thing"""
+
+    def __init__(self, message=None):
+        self.message = message
+
 
 def initial_state():
     """Load the initial state."""
@@ -71,7 +77,7 @@
         self.current_scene.draw(surface)
 
     def interact(self, pos):
-        self.current_scene.interact(self.tool, pos)
+        return self.current_scene.interact(self.tool, pos)
 
     def mouse_move(self, pos):
         self.current_scene.mouse_move(self.tool, pos)
@@ -166,11 +172,18 @@
         """Interact with a particular position.
 
         Item may be an item in the list of items or None for the hand.
+
+        Returns a Result object to provide feedback to the player.
         """
         for thing in self.things.itervalues():
             if thing.rect.collidepoint(pos):
-                thing.interact(item)
-                break
+                result = thing.interact(item)
+                if result:
+                    if self._current_thing:
+                        # Also update descriptions if needed
+                        self._current_description = self._make_description(
+                                self._current_thing.get_description())
+                    return result
 
     def mouse_move(self, item, pos):
         """Call to check whether the cursor has entered / exited a thing.
@@ -227,9 +240,6 @@
         self.scene = scene
         self.state = scene.state
 
-    def message(self, msg):
-        self.state.message(msg)
-
     def get_description(self):
         return None
 
@@ -248,19 +258,19 @@
         if not self.is_interactive():
             return
         if item is None:
-            self.interact_without()
+            return self.interact_without()
         else:
             handler = getattr(self, 'interact_with_' + item.name, None)
             if handler is not None:
-                handler(item)
+                return handler(item)
             else:
-                self.interact_default(item)
+                return self.interact_default(item)
 
     def interact_without(self):
-        self.interact_default(None)
+        return self.interact_default(None)
 
     def interact_default(self, item):
-        self.message("It doesn't work.")
+        return Result("It doesn't work.")
 
     def draw(self, surface):
         if self._interact_hilight_color is not None: