diff --git a/cmd/signup/main.go b/cmd/signup/main.go
index 40e7679..84aeb50 100644
--- a/cmd/signup/main.go
+++ b/cmd/signup/main.go
@@ -112,6 +112,7 @@ func cli(s *streams) error {
 		Description string
 		InBuff      io.ReadWriter
 		InLength    int
+		Host        *character
 	}
 
 	scenes := map[string]*scene{
@@ -132,6 +133,7 @@ func cli(s *streams) error {
 					just say it out loud. as many times as you need. to get it right.
 					when you're ready to move on, [-:-:b]/nod[-:-:-]
 			`),
+			Host:   newCharacter("wire guy", "a lil homonculus made of discarded computer cables"),
 			InBuff: bytes.NewBuffer([]byte{}),
 		},
 		"nodded": {
@@ -154,6 +156,7 @@ func cli(s *streams) error {
 					against a tree.
 			`),
 			InBuff: bytes.NewBuffer([]byte{}),
+			Host:   newCharacter("the shrike", "a little grey bird. it has a pretty song."),
 		},
 		"leaned": {
 			Description: heredoc.Doc(`
@@ -171,6 +174,7 @@ func cli(s *streams) error {
 					around in this void.
 			`),
 			InBuff: bytes.NewBuffer([]byte{}),
+			Host:   newCharacter("the vcr", "a black and grey VCR from 1991"),
 		},
 		"spun": {
 			Description: heredoc.Doc(`
@@ -193,6 +197,7 @@ func cli(s *streams) error {
 					store. just [-:-:b]/open[-:-:-] the door.
 			`),
 			InBuff: bytes.NewBuffer([]byte{}),
+			Host:   newCharacter("the mop", "a greying mop with a wooden handle."),
 		},
 		"done": {
 			Description: heredoc.Doc(`
@@ -220,7 +225,7 @@ func cli(s *streams) error {
 			}
 			switch strings.TrimPrefix(trimmed, "/") {
 			case "quit":
-				os.Exit(0)
+				app.Stop()
 			case "look":
 				fmt.Fprintln(msgScroll, "")
 				fmt.Fprintln(msgScroll, scenes[currentScene].Description)
@@ -229,28 +234,44 @@ func cli(s *streams) error {
 				if currentScene != "start" {
 					return
 				}
-				if scenes[currentScene].InLength > 0 {
-					currentScene = "nodded"
-					sceneTransition(scenes[currentScene].Description)
-				} else {
-					// say sorry, ask for input
+				if scenes[currentScene].InLength == 0 {
+					fmt.Fprintln(msgScroll,
+						scenes[currentScene].Host.Say("i'm sorry, before going further could you share an email with me?"))
+					return
 				}
+				currentScene = "nodded"
+				sceneTransition(scenes[currentScene].Description)
 			case "lean":
 				if currentScene != "nodded" {
 					return
 				}
+				if scenes[currentScene].InLength == 0 {
+					fmt.Fprintln(msgScroll,
+						scenes[currentScene].Host.Say("phweeturpff"))
+					return
+				}
 				currentScene = "leaned"
 				sceneTransition(scenes[currentScene].Description)
 			case "spin":
 				if currentScene != "leaned" {
 					return
 				}
+				if scenes[currentScene].InLength == 0 {
+					fmt.Fprintln(msgScroll,
+						scenes[currentScene].Host.Say("hmm did you say something?"))
+					return
+				}
 				currentScene = "spun"
 				sceneTransition(scenes[currentScene].Description)
 			case "open":
 				if currentScene != "spun" {
 					return
 				}
+				if scenes[currentScene].InLength == 0 {
+					fmt.Fprintln(msgScroll,
+						scenes[currentScene].Host.Say("just the one last thing please"))
+					return
+				}
 				currentScene = "done"
 				sceneTransition(scenes[currentScene].Description)
 			}