I hate it when people look over your shoulder and ask pesky questions while you're trying to play a computer game. That's why I was incredibly pleased when I found out about this secret ending to Riven: The Sequel to MYST
Here's how to do it... it requires that you have the trap book, and also that a second person be present, watching you play.
(Player) ::clicks innocently around the area, exploring::
(Watcher) ::Enters Room:: Hey, what are you playing?
(Player) RIVEN: The Sequel to MYST.
(Watcher) Oh... what's that? ::points to screen::
(Player) Nothing.
(Watcher) Come on, turn around.
(Player) ::Turns around:: See, it's nothing.
(Watcher) There's a lever there.
(Player) That's not a lever, it's an axe handle.
(Watcher) Try pulling it anyways.
(Player) I did. It doesn't do anything.
(Watcher) Oh, come on, you sure?
(Player) ::Ignores watcher, continues exploring::
(Watcher) Where the hell are you?
(Player) It's a forest.
(Watcher) This is one messed up forest.
(Player) Oh ::Nods, rolls eyes::
A few minutes later...
(Watcher) ::Points to screen again:: That's a submarine.
(Player) uh huh....
(Watcher) I bet you have to slide that lever across to make it move and pull
the lever to turn it.
(Player) No, actually, it's the other way around.
(Watcher) Oh.
(Player) ::In talking to Watcher, has absentmindedly turned the wrong way, and
does a 180° turn::
(Watcher) Why'd you just turn around?
(Player) Because I went the wrong way.
(Watcher) Where are you trying to go?
(Player) To that cage. ::Submarine stops at a switchpoint::
(Watcher) You went the wrong way again.
(Player) No, this is just a stop on the way to the cage.
(Watcher) ::Comprehends this last remark for about a minute, finally gets
it:: You know, I didn't like MYST.
(Player) ::Has zoned watcher out by now::
(Watcher) You know, it really bothered me that you couldn't die. Even if you
really screwed up, you were still alive, just trapped. And was I actually
supposed to beleive that that guy's two sons weren't evil. (Another couple
minutes of unfounded MYST: The Prequel to RIVEN slander)
(Player) Hey, look at this book I have ::hands the trap book given to him by
Atrus to Watcher::
(Watcher) Oh cool! ::puts hand on gateway image, then screams in horror as he
is sucked into a prison for eternity::
(Atrus (on screen)) ::Materializes:: You fool! That book was intended for
Gehn! You have allayed my apprehensions! ::Takes book, looks inside:: Oh,
wait... is that [Insert Watcher's name here]?
(Player) Yep.
(Atrus) ::Gives Player the thumbs-up, apologizes for Catherine's
handwriting, and dematerializes::