This is off the top of *my* head, but isn't there a simpler way? How about
this:
showVerb:deepverb
doAction='Show'
ioAction(toPrep)='ShowTo'
;
modify thing
verDoShowTo(actor,io)={}
;
directshowobj:item
verDoShow(actor)={}
doShow(actor)={[whatever you want to happen here]}
;
My understanding is that TADS would respond to "Show [thing]" for most
items by demanding an indirect object, since there would be no
verDoShow(actor) defined; but for the one object in question, "show" or
"show to" would work.
Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, please.
Neil