diff --git a/interpret.rkt b/interpret.rkt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3a83d3b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/interpret.rkt
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+#lang racket/gui
+(provide interpret)
+
+; expects all strings to be uppercase
+(define (interpret command)
+  (if (or (string=? command "TYPE HERE...") (string=? command ""))
+      "You need to type something in the box."
+      (let* ([tokens (string-split command)]
+             [verb (first tokens)]
+             [args (rest tokens)])
+        (case verb
+          [else (~a "I don't understand the verb " verb)]))))
+
diff --git a/main.rkt b/main.rkt
index a150a52..dad7d7b 100644
--- a/main.rkt
+++ b/main.rkt
@@ -9,14 +9,17 @@
 #lang racket/gui
 (require racket/gui/easy
          racket/gui/easy/operator)
+(require "interpret.rkt")
 
 (define mono (send the-font-list find-or-create-font 12 'modern 'normal 'normal))
-(define/obs @log   "Test field\n")
+(define/obs @log   "You awake in a dark room.\n")
 (define/obs @input "Type here...")
 
 (define (text-entered event content)
   (when (eqv? event 'return)
-    (:= @log (~a (obs-peek @log) content "\n"))))
+    (:= @input "")
+    (let ([input (string-upcase content)])
+      (:= @log (~a (obs-peek @log) "> " input "\n" (interpret input) "\n")))))
 
 (render
  (window
diff --git a/structs.rkt b/structs.rkt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9bbca62
--- /dev/null
+++ b/structs.rkt
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+#lang racket/gui
+(provide (all-defined-out))
+
+(struct item (name size))
+(struct equipment item (type))
+(struct weapon equipment (damage))
+(struct armor equipment (resistance))
+
+(struct entity (name species equipment inventory))
+