diff --git a/packages/ludic.base/handle.ludic b/packages/ludic.base/handle.ludic
index 0195e417..5c592728 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.base/handle.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.base/handle.ludic
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ export property HandlePool {
 }
 
 # everything the pool will ever hold, made now: nothing after this allocates
+@alloc_ok("a pool made at start: its owner keeps it")
 export function hd_pool_new(name: string, cap: int) -> HandlePool {
   let p = new HandlePool
   p.name = name
diff --git a/packages/ludic.base/index.ludic b/packages/ludic.base/index.ludic
index 201eadfe..2670ff47 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.base/index.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.base/index.ludic
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import "tick.ludic"
 import "kept.ludic"
 import "handle.ludic"
 import "queue.ludic"
+import "queue_ring.ludic"
 import "text_buf.ludic"
 import "text_intern.ludic"
 import "text_ring.ludic"
diff --git a/packages/ludic.base/queue.ludic b/packages/ludic.base/queue.ludic
index f0ba09e9..6533737b 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.base/queue.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.base/queue.ludic
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ export property Queue<T> {
   tag: QueueTag = null
   none: []T = null            # what draining an empty queue hands back, never pushed to
   spare: []T = null           # the list the last drain handed out: cleared and reused by the next
+  ring: []T = null            # the facts' records, used again once no list holds them (queue_ring.ludic)
+  ring_at: int = 0
 }
 # what a queue says about itself, whatever it holds: its name and how many facts wait in it
 export property QueueTag {
@@ -26,6 +28,7 @@ export function queue_new<T>(name: string) -> Queue<T> {
   q.tag.name = name
   q.none = new []T
   q.spare = new []T
+  q.ring = new []T
   return q
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/ludic.base/queue_ring.ludic b/packages/ludic.base/queue_ring.ludic
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fba2e074
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/ludic.base/queue_ring.ludic
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+# ludic.base/queue_ring.ludic - a fact's record made again rather than new: Ludic frees nothing, and a
+# mechanic reports all day. q_rec hands out a record neither waiting in the queue nor handed out by
+# its last drain, or null when every one is: the caller makes one more and q_ring_add keeps it, so
+# the ring grows to the busiest frame and stays there. The caller sets every field it reads
+export function q_rec<T>(q: Queue<T>) -> T {
+  let n = len(q.ring)
+  for t in 0 .. n {
+    let r = q.ring[q.ring_at]
+    q.ring_at = (q.ring_at + 1) % n
+    if not q_holds(q, r) { return r }
+  }
+  return null
+}
+
+export function q_ring_add<T>(q: Queue<T>, r: T) -> void { kept_push(q.ring, r) }
+
+function q_holds<T>(q: Queue<T>, r: T) -> bool {
+  for i in 0 .. len(q.items) { if q.items[i] == r { return true } }
+  for i in 0 .. len(q.spare) { if q.spare[i] == r { return true } }
+  return false
+}
diff --git a/packages/ludic.base/tests/queue_test.ludic b/packages/ludic.base/tests/queue_test.ludic
index 224b832a..2bbb3ab4 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.base/tests/queue_test.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.base/tests/queue_test.ludic
@@ -134,6 +134,32 @@ program QueueTest {
   test "a queue holds records" () { record_case() }
   test "clear drops what is waiting" () { clear_case() }
   test "a pool's records are free once no drain holds them" () { unheld_case() }
+  function rec_of(q: Queue<Caught>) -> Caught {
+    var c = q_rec(q)
+    if c == null {
+      c = new Caught
+      q_ring_add(q, c)
+    }
+    return c
+  }
+  function ring_case() -> void {
+    let q: Queue<Caught> = queue_new("caught")
+    let a = rec_of(q)
+    q_push(q, a)
+    let b = rec_of(q)
+    expect(a != b)
+    q_push(q, b)
+    q_drain(q)
+    expect_eq(len(q.ring), 2)
+    let c = rec_of(q)
+    expect(c != a and c != b)
+    q_push(q, c)
+    q_drain(q)
+    let d = rec_of(q)
+    expect(d == a or d == b)
+    expect_eq(len(q.ring), 3)
+  }
+  test "a fact's record comes round again once no list holds it" () { ring_case() }
   test "a queue's element type is told by the queue alone" () { infer_case() }
   test "the undrained queues are named, and a drain clears the report" () { undrained_case() }
 }
diff --git a/packages/ludic.clock/verbs.ludic b/packages/ludic.clock/verbs.ludic
index fde7127c..74cc37b6 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.clock/verbs.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.clock/verbs.ludic
@@ -13,7 +13,12 @@ export function clock_set_hours(clock_st: mut ClockState, h: float) -> void {
 function ck_turn(clock_st: mut ClockState, how: int) -> void {
   clock_st.ck_day += 1
   clock_st.ck_moon = (clock_st.ck_moon + 1.0 / clock_st.ck_moon_days) % 1.0
-  let d = new DayTurned
+  var d = q_rec(clock_days(clock_st))
+  if d == null {
+    @alloc_ok("past the ring: more of these in a frame than its records, then kept in it")
+    d = new DayTurned
+    q_ring_add(clock_days(clock_st), d)
+  }
   d.day = clock_st.ck_day
   d.how = how
   q_push(clock_days(clock_st), d)
@@ -35,7 +40,10 @@ export function clock_advance(clock_st: mut ClockState, gh: float) -> void {
 
 # a new trip: day one at the start hour, the moon somewhere in its month
 export function clock_reset(clock_st: mut ClockState) -> void {
-  clock_st.ck_dice = rng_new(ClockWorld.seed())
+  if clock_st.ck_dice == null {
+    @alloc_ok("once: the clock's dice, seeded again on every new trip after")
+    clock_st.ck_dice = rng_new(ClockWorld.seed())
+  } else { rng_seed(clock_st.ck_dice, ClockWorld.seed()) }
   clock_st.ck_day = 1
   clock_st.ck_hours = clock_st.ck_start_hours
   clock_st.ck_moon = rng_span(clock_st.ck_dice, clock_st.ck_moon_lo, clock_st.ck_moon_hi) % 1.0
diff --git a/packages/ludic.crafting/verbs.ludic b/packages/ludic.crafting/verbs.ludic
index cde2bb4a..ec6cb015 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.crafting/verbs.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.crafting/verbs.ludic
@@ -51,7 +51,12 @@ export function craft_refund(i: int) -> void {
 
 function craft_fact_push(crafting_st: CraftingState, i: int, queued: bool) -> void {
   let r = CraftRecipes[i]
-  let c = new Crafted
+  var c = q_rec(craft_facts(crafting_st))
+  if c == null {
+    @alloc_ok("past the ring: more of these in a frame than its records, then kept in it")
+    c = new Crafted
+    q_ring_add(craft_facts(crafting_st), c)
+  }
   c.recipe = i
   c.item = r.out
   c.n = r.n
diff --git a/packages/ludic.effects/verbs.ludic b/packages/ludic.effects/verbs.ludic
index 8a7e6c45..292ff6b4 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.effects/verbs.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.effects/verbs.ludic
@@ -2,7 +2,12 @@
 # itself; a bonus past the cap pushes out the oldest bonus; a full ring drops the nearest end.
 function ef_end(effects_st: mut EffectsState, i: int, why: int) -> void {
   let all = ef_all(effects_st)
-  let e = new EffectEnded
+  var e = q_rec(effects_ended(effects_st))
+  if e == null {
+    @alloc_ok("past the ring: more of these in a frame than its records, then kept in it")
+    e = new EffectEnded
+    q_ring_add(effects_ended(effects_st), e)
+  }
   e.kind = all[i].kind
   e.label = all[i].label
   e.why = why
diff --git a/packages/ludic.fire/state.ludic b/packages/ludic.fire/state.ludic
index b383f157..98409b55 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.fire/state.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.fire/state.ludic
@@ -48,7 +48,12 @@ export function fire_facts(fire_st: FireState) -> Queue<FireFact> {
 }
 
 function fr_fact(fire_st: FireState, what: int) -> void {
-  let f = new FireFact
+  var f = q_rec(fire_facts(fire_st))
+  if f == null {
+    @alloc_ok("past the ring: more of these in a frame than its records, then kept in it")
+    f = new FireFact
+    q_ring_add(fire_facts(fire_st), f)
+  }
   f.what = what
   f.fuel = fire_st.fr_fuel
   q_push(fire_facts(fire_st), f)
diff --git a/packages/ludic.gear/state.ludic b/packages/ludic.gear/state.ludic
index e8046c68..0ca24918 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.gear/state.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.gear/state.ludic
@@ -27,11 +27,18 @@ function gear__offs() -> []bool {
 export function gear_facts(gear_st: GearState) -> Queue<GearFact> { return gear_st.gear__q }
 
 function gear__fact(gear_st: GearState, what: int, k: int, c: int, cost: int) -> void {
-  let f = new GearFact
+  var f = q_rec(gear_facts(gear_st))
+  if f == null {
+    @alloc_ok("past the ring: more of these in a frame than its records, then kept in it")
+    f = new GearFact
+    q_ring_add(gear_facts(gear_st), f)
+  }
   f.what = what
   f.cost = cost
   f.kind = k
   f.charge = c
+  f.level = 0
+  f.item = -1
   if k >= 0 {
     f.level = gear_st.gear__lv[k]
     f.item = GearKinds[k].item
diff --git a/packages/ludic.hints/rail.ludic b/packages/ludic.hints/rail.ludic
index bc59a176..c505b1d4 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.hints/rail.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.hints/rail.ludic
@@ -18,7 +18,12 @@ export function hints_facts(hints_st: HintsState) -> Queue<HintsFact> {
 }
 
 function hn_fact(hints_st: HintsState, what: int, card: int) -> void {
-  let f = new HintsFact
+  var f = q_rec(hints_facts(hints_st))
+  if f == null {
+    @alloc_ok("past the ring: more of these in a frame than its records, then kept in it")
+    f = new HintsFact
+    q_ring_add(hints_facts(hints_st), f)
+  }
   f.what = what
   f.card = card
   q_push(hints_facts(hints_st), f)
diff --git a/packages/ludic.inventory/verbs.ludic b/packages/ludic.inventory/verbs.ludic
index 1197be27..e98ec789 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.inventory/verbs.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.inventory/verbs.ludic
@@ -7,7 +7,10 @@ function iv_change(inventory_st: mut InventoryState, it: int, after: int) -> voi
   if len(inventory_st.iv_pool) > 0 {
     c = inventory_st.iv_pool[inventory_st.iv_at]
     inventory_st.iv_at = (inventory_st.iv_at + 1) % len(inventory_st.iv_pool)
-  } else { c = new ItemChanged }
+  } else {
+    @alloc_ok("never after inv_config: the ring is made there")
+    c = new ItemChanged
+  }
   c.item = it
   c.before = before
   c.after = after
diff --git a/packages/ludic.jobs/facts.ludic b/packages/ludic.jobs/facts.ludic
index 23f67446..628847dd 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.jobs/facts.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.jobs/facts.ludic
@@ -11,7 +11,9 @@ function jobs__fact_record(jobs_st: mut JobsState) -> JobsFact {
     jobs_st.jobs__fnext[0] += 1
     return f
   }
+  @alloc_ok("a pool miss: past the most facts held at once, then kept in the pool")
   let f = new JobsFact
+  @alloc_ok("as above")
   push(jobs_st.jobs__fpool, f)
   return f
 }
diff --git a/packages/ludic.jobs/save.ludic b/packages/ludic.jobs/save.ludic
index fedc10a3..7f7563ff 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.jobs/save.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.jobs/save.ludic
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ function jobs__reset_scope(jobs_st: mut JobsState, sc: int) -> void {
   jobs_st.jobs__primed = false
 }
 
+@alloc_ok("on a save: the jobs written out")
 function jobs__save_scope(jobs_st: JobsState, sc: int) -> Val {
   let v = Value.object()
   let js = Value.object()
diff --git a/packages/ludic.minimap/explored.ludic b/packages/ludic.minimap/explored.ludic
index e0445382..1c847c9b 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.minimap/explored.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.minimap/explored.ludic
@@ -75,6 +75,7 @@ function mm_land_count(minimap_st: mut MinimapState) -> void {
 export function minimap_land_changed(minimap_st: mut MinimapState) -> void { minimap_st.mm_land_n = 0 }
 
 # the grid as one string of 0 / 1, row by row, and back (a shorter string leaves the rest unseen)
+@alloc_ok("on a save: the explored grid written out")
 export function minimap_seen_text(minimap_st: mut MinimapState) -> string {
   mm_grid(minimap_st)
   var s = ""
diff --git a/packages/ludic.minimap/grid.ludic b/packages/ludic.minimap/grid.ludic
index 21feb013..f9af4713 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.minimap/grid.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.minimap/grid.ludic
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ export function minimap_config(minimap_st: mut MinimapState, cells: int, cell_m:
   minimap_st.mm_cell_m = Math.max(cell_m, 0.001)
   minimap_st.mm_core0 = 0
   minimap_st.mm_core_n = minimap_st.mm_cells
+  @alloc_ok("once per map configured: its explored grid")
   minimap_st.mm_seen = new []int
   for i in 0 .. minimap_st.mm_cells * minimap_st.mm_cells { push(minimap_st.mm_seen, 0) }
   minimap_st.mm_land_n = 0
diff --git a/packages/ludic.minimap/pin_edit.ludic b/packages/ludic.minimap/pin_edit.ludic
index e012faeb..dee1173d 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.minimap/pin_edit.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.minimap/pin_edit.ludic
@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@
 # and which followed, and whether the map is waiting for a place to drop the next
 export function minimap_pin_remove(minimap_st: mut MinimapState, i: int) -> void {
   if i < 0 or i >= minimap_pin_count(minimap_st) { return }
-  let rest = new []MinimapPin
-  for k in 0 .. len(minimap_st.mm_pins) { if k != i { push(rest, minimap_st.mm_pins[k]) } }
-  minimap_st.mm_pins = rest
+  let l = minimap_st.mm_pins
+  for k in i .. len(l) - 1 { l[k] = l[k + 1] }
+  List.pop(l)
   if minimap_st.mm_open == i { minimap_st.mm_open = -1 } else if minimap_st.mm_open > i { minimap_st.mm_open -= 1 }
   if minimap_st.mm_followed == i { minimap_st.mm_followed = -1 } else if minimap_st.mm_followed > i { minimap_st.mm_followed -= 1 }
 }
diff --git a/packages/ludic.minimap/pins.ludic b/packages/ludic.minimap/pins.ludic
index 0bd1b13f..03403852 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.minimap/pins.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.minimap/pins.ludic
@@ -19,7 +19,10 @@ export function minimap_config_pins(minimap_st: mut MinimapState, max: int, symb
 }
 
 export function minimap_pins_clear(minimap_st: mut MinimapState) -> void {
-  minimap_st.mm_pins = new []MinimapPin
+  if minimap_st.mm_pins == null {
+    @alloc_ok("once: the marks' list, cleared after")
+    minimap_st.mm_pins = new []MinimapPin
+  } else { List.clear(minimap_st.mm_pins) }
   minimap_st.mm_open = -1
   minimap_st.mm_followed = -1
   minimap_st.mm_last = 0
@@ -38,6 +41,7 @@ export function minimap_pin_full(minimap_st: MinimapState) -> bool { return mini
 export function minimap_pin_add(minimap_st: mut MinimapState, x: float, z: float, icon: int, label: string) -> int {
   if minimap_st.mm_pins == null { minimap_pins_clear(minimap_st) }
   if minimap_pin_full(minimap_st) { return -1 }
+  @alloc_ok("a mark put down: kept, and the map holds at most its most")
   let p = new MinimapPin
   p.x = x
   p.z = z
@@ -53,6 +57,7 @@ export function minimap_pin_add(minimap_st: mut MinimapState, x: float, z: float
 export function minimap_pin_put(minimap_st: mut MinimapState, x: float, z: float, icon: int, colour: int, day: int, label: string) -> int {
   if minimap_st.mm_pins == null { minimap_pins_clear(minimap_st) }
   if minimap_pin_full(minimap_st) { return -1 }
+  @alloc_ok("a mark put down: kept, and the map holds at most its most")
   let p = new MinimapPin
   p.x = x
   p.z = z
diff --git a/packages/ludic.minimap/view.ludic b/packages/ludic.minimap/view.ludic
index 7651a401..7fb8b010 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.minimap/view.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.minimap/view.ludic
@@ -40,8 +40,10 @@ export function minimap_wz(minimap_st: MinimapState, ry: float) -> float { retur
 
 # a round distance whose bar is no wider than a quarter of the window
 export function minimap_scale_metres(minimap_st: MinimapState) -> int {
-  let steps = [2000, 1000, 500, 250, 100, 50, 25]
-  for k in 0 .. len(steps) { if float(steps[k]) * minimap_scale(minimap_st) <= minimap_st.mm_size / 4.0 { return steps[k] } }
+  for k in 0 .. 7 {
+    let m = mm_scale_step(k)
+    if float(m) * minimap_scale(minimap_st) <= minimap_st.mm_size / 4.0 { return m }
+  }
   return 25
 }
 
@@ -68,3 +70,14 @@ export function minimap_focus(minimap_st: mut MinimapState, on_you: bool) -> voi
   minimap_recentre(minimap_st, on_you)
   if minimap_st.mm_zoom < minimap_st.mm_zoom_focus { minimap_st.mm_zoom = Math.clamp(minimap_st.mm_zoom_focus, minimap_st.mm_zoom_min, minimap_st.mm_zoom_max) }
 }
+
+# the round distances a scale bar can show, largest first
+function mm_scale_step(k: int) -> int {
+  if k == 0 { return 2000 }
+  if k == 1 { return 1000 }
+  if k == 2 { return 500 }
+  if k == 3 { return 250 }
+  if k == 4 { return 100 }
+  if k == 5 { return 50 }
+  return 25
+}
diff --git a/packages/ludic.needs/state.ludic b/packages/ludic.needs/state.ludic
index d0d4584a..86d07659 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.needs/state.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.needs/state.ludic
@@ -83,7 +83,12 @@ export function needs_facts(needs_st: NeedsState) -> Queue<NeedFact> {
 }
 
 function nd_fact(needs_st: NeedsState, what: int, need: int) -> void {
-  let f = new NeedFact
+  var f = q_rec(needs_facts(needs_st))
+  if f == null {
+    @alloc_ok("past the ring: more of these in a frame than its records, then kept in it")
+    f = new NeedFact
+    q_ring_add(needs_facts(needs_st), f)
+  }
   f.what = what
   f.need = need
   q_push(needs_facts(needs_st), f)
diff --git a/packages/ludic.net/stun.ludic b/packages/ludic.net/stun.ludic
index 4cb94dcb..4cf8016a 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.net/stun.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.net/stun.ludic
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # from outside: the router's address and the port it mapped
 
 function net__stun_send(net_st: mut NetState) -> void {
+  @alloc_ok("once: the transport's dice, seeded by its config the first time a STUN request goes")
   if net_st.net__dice == null { net_st.net__dice = rng_new(net__conf(net_st).seed) }
   if net_st.net__stun_ip == 0 {
     let c = net__conf(net_st)
diff --git a/packages/ludic.photo/roll.ludic b/packages/ludic.photo/roll.ludic
index 517a459c..e9e95d1a 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.photo/roll.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.photo/roll.ludic
@@ -64,9 +64,23 @@ export function photo_facts(photo_st: PhotoState) -> Queue<PhotoFact> {
 }
 
 function pht_fact(photo_st: PhotoState, what: int, i: int) -> PhotoFact {
-  let f = new PhotoFact
+  var f = q_rec(photo_facts(photo_st))
+  if f == null {
+    @alloc_ok("past the ring: more of these in a frame than its records, then kept in it")
+    f = new PhotoFact
+    q_ring_add(photo_facts(photo_st), f)
+  }
   f.what = what
   f.index = i
+  f.mask = 0
+  f.legend = 0
+  f.firsts = 0
+  f.grade = 0
+  f.sign = -1
+  f.stars = false
+  f.file = ""
+  f.tags = ""
+  f.v = 0
   q_push(photo_facts(photo_st), f)
   return f
 }
diff --git a/packages/ludic.session/roster.ludic b/packages/ludic.session/roster.ludic
index 2b176ad3..1bd67cbd 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.session/roster.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.session/roster.ludic
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ export function ply_join(session_st: mut SessionState, pid: int) -> int {
   if pid <= 0 { return -1 }                  # 0 is this machine's player
   for p in 1 .. PLY_MAX {
     if session_st.session__slot[p].on { continue }
+    @alloc_ok("once per player joining: their slot's record")
     let r = new PartyMember
     r.on = true
     r.pid = pid
diff --git a/packages/ludic.session/state.ludic b/packages/ludic.session/state.ludic
index cdd71ab5..59225c64 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.session/state.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.session/state.ludic
@@ -83,11 +83,21 @@ export function ses_facts(session_st: SessionState) -> Queue<SessionFact> {
 }
 
 function session__fact(session_st: SessionState, what: int, slot: int, pid: int) -> SessionFact {
-  let f = new SessionFact
+  var f = q_rec(ses_facts(session_st))
+  if f == null {
+    @alloc_ok("past the ring: more of these in a frame than its records, then kept in it")
+    f = new SessionFact
+    q_ring_add(ses_facts(session_st), f)
+  }
   f.what = what
   f.slot = slot
   f.pid = pid
   f.role = session_st.session__role
+  f.id = 0
+  f.kind = 0
+  f.param = 0
+  f.yes = false
+  f.text = ""
   q_push(ses_facts(session_st), f)
   return f
 }
diff --git a/packages/ludic.settings/store.ludic b/packages/ludic.settings/store.ludic
index fd44329c..b28f0654 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.settings/store.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.settings/store.ludic
@@ -46,7 +46,12 @@ export function settings_get_bool(settings_st: SettingsState, id: int) -> bool {
 export function settings_get_text(settings_st: SettingsState, id: int) -> string { return settings_st.sg_text[id] }
 
 function sg_changed(settings_st: SettingsState, id: int) -> void {
-  let c = new SettingChanged
+  var c = q_rec(settings_changes(settings_st))
+  if c == null {
+    @alloc_ok("past the ring: more of these in a frame than its records, then kept in it")
+    c = new SettingChanged
+    q_ring_add(settings_changes(settings_st), c)
+  }
   c.id = id
   c.key = settings_st.sg_defs[id].key
   q_push(settings_changes(settings_st), c)
diff --git a/packages/ludic.shop/trade.ludic b/packages/ludic.shop/trade.ludic
index 9f0d5b29..27a05673 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.shop/trade.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.shop/trade.ludic
@@ -27,7 +27,12 @@ export function shop_sellable(shop_st: ShopState, v: int) -> []int {
 }
 
 function shop_trade_fact(shop_st: ShopState, what: int, it: int, n: int, price: int) -> void {
-  let t = new ShopTrade
+  var t = q_rec(shop_trades(shop_st))
+  if t == null {
+    @alloc_ok("past the ring: more of these in a frame than its records, then kept in it")
+    t = new ShopTrade
+    q_ring_add(shop_trades(shop_st), t)
+  }
   t.what = what
   t.vendor = shop_st.shop_at
   t.item = it
diff --git a/packages/ludic.steps/state.ludic b/packages/ludic.steps/state.ludic
index 2de19892..e8a2fc6c 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.steps/state.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.steps/state.ludic
@@ -64,7 +64,12 @@ export function steps_facts(steps_st: StepsState) -> Queue<StepsFact> {
 }
 
 function steps__fact(steps_st: StepsState, what: int, ch: int, i: int) -> void {
-  let f = new StepsFact
+  var f = q_rec(steps_facts(steps_st))
+  if f == null {
+    @alloc_ok("past the ring: more of these in a frame than its records, then kept in it")
+    f = new StepsFact
+    q_ring_add(steps_facts(steps_st), f)
+  }
   f.what = what
   f.chapter = ch
   f.step = i
diff --git a/packages/ludic.tracks/read.ludic b/packages/ludic.tracks/read.ludic
index d039da3f..61c9f0ae 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.tracks/read.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.tracks/read.ludic
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ function tk_push(tracks_st: mut TracksState, f: TrackRead) -> void {
 export function tracks_read(tracks_st: mut TracksState, slot: int) -> void {
   if slot < 0 or tracks_st.tk_ring == null or slot >= len(tracks_st.tk_ring) { return }
   let t = tracks_st.tk_ring[slot]
-  let f = new TrackRead
+  let f = tk_rec(tracks_st)
   f.sp = t.sp
   f.source = TRACK_PRINT
   f.kind = slot / tracks_st.tk_cap
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ export function tracks_read(tracks_st: mut TracksState, slot: int) -> void {
 # a sign that is not a print (droppings, a legend's mark): the caller knows whether it is the
 # first reading of it
 export function tracks_note(tracks_st: mut TracksState, sp: int, source: int, legend: bool, yaw: float, first: bool) -> void {
-  let f = new TrackRead
+  let f = tk_rec(tracks_st)
   f.sp = sp
   f.source = source
   f.legend = legend
@@ -53,3 +53,19 @@ export function tracks_note_bearing(tracks_st: mut TracksState, yaw: float) -> v
 }
 
 export function tracks_set_read_count(tracks_st: mut TracksState, n: int) -> void { tracks_st.tk_read_n = n }
+
+# a reading's record from the queue's ring (ludic.base's q_rec), every field back to its default
+function tk_rec(tracks_st: mut TracksState) -> TrackRead {
+  var f = q_rec(tracks_reads(tracks_st))
+  if f == null {
+    @alloc_ok("past the ring: more readings in a frame than its records, then kept in it")
+    f = new TrackRead
+    q_ring_add(tracks_reads(tracks_st), f)
+  }
+  f.kind = 0
+  f.age = 0.0
+  f.fresh = 0
+  f.named = true
+  f.bearing = ""
+  return f
+}
diff --git a/packages/ludic.update/state.ludic b/packages/ludic.update/state.ludic
index e5394d84..f00be667 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.update/state.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.update/state.ludic
@@ -91,7 +91,12 @@ export function update_facts(update_st: UpdateState) -> Queue<UpdateFact> {
 }
 
 function update__fact(update_st: UpdateState, what: int) -> void {
-  let f = new UpdateFact
+  var f = q_rec(update_facts(update_st))
+  if f == null {
+    @alloc_ok("past the ring: more of these in a frame than its records, then kept in it")
+    f = new UpdateFact
+    q_ring_add(update_facts(update_st), f)
+  }
   f.what = what
   f.error = update_st.update__err
   f.target = update_st.update__target
diff --git a/packages/ludic.wallet/wallet.ludic b/packages/ludic.wallet/wallet.ludic
index fbf1c711..5f529084 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.wallet/wallet.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.wallet/wallet.ludic
@@ -19,7 +19,12 @@ export function wallet_can(wallet_st: WalletState, n: int) -> bool { return wall
 # the purse holds exactly n (a starting purse, a correction, the network's word)
 export function wallet_set(wallet_st: mut WalletState, n: int) -> void {
   if n == wallet_st.wl_money { return }
-  let c = new MoneyChanged
+  var c = q_rec(wallet_changes(wallet_st))
+  if c == null {
+    @alloc_ok("past the ring: more of these in a frame than its records, then kept in it")
+    c = new MoneyChanged
+    q_ring_add(wallet_changes(wallet_st), c)
+  }
   c.before = wallet_st.wl_money
   c.after = n
   wallet_st.wl_money = n
diff --git a/packages/ludic.weather/state.ludic b/packages/ludic.weather/state.ludic
index 9e99b11e..39d09c56 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.weather/state.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.weather/state.ludic
@@ -83,7 +83,12 @@ export function weather_facts(weather_st: WeatherState) -> Queue<WeatherFact> {
 }
 
 function wx_fact(weather_st: WeatherState, what: int, kind: int, from: int) -> void {
-  let f = new WeatherFact
+  var f = q_rec(weather_facts(weather_st))
+  if f == null {
+    @alloc_ok("past the ring: more of these in a frame than its records, then kept in it")
+    f = new WeatherFact
+    q_ring_add(weather_facts(weather_st), f)
+  }
   f.what = what
   f.kind = kind
   f.from = from