AHAHAHAHAHA I HAD MADE A MISTAKE! The $time function is working properly now and 25 moves WILL win the game. Sorry about that!
Okay, made it through to the end that time, but only by wearing psychological armor and trying my best not to talk to anyone at all, always waiting for some hidden danger to manifest itself, and having to come to grips with the character's self-hate and ghosted-over past. I guess that means I "won."
Two parts that really got me: The command "Go back where you belong," and breaking down while rubbing a cat's belly. That really stirred up a lot of feelings. So, again: Thank you for making this.