very good progress, next up: tripping and starting the game

chatboxController.gd

@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+extends PanelContainer
+
+signal display_finished
+
+@export var rich_label : RichTextLabel
+var active : bool = false
+
+# Called when the node enters the scene tree for the first time.
+func _ready() -> void:
+	GameManager.show_chat_signal.connect(displayMessage)
+
+
+# Called every frame. 'delta' is the elapsed time since the previous frame.
+func _process(delta: float) -> void:
+	visible = active
+	
+	if Input.is_action_just_pressed("advance_prompt"):
+		hideMessage()
+		
+
+func hideMessage():
+	active = false
+	GameManager.change_player_movement(true)
+
+func displayMessage(message = "String"):
+	rich_label.text = message
+	active = true
+	GameManager.change_player_movement(false)