diff --git a/collects/unstable/2d/reader.rkt b/collects/unstable/2d/reader.rkt
index c56b6798a3..99ee3675be 100644
--- a/collects/unstable/2d/reader.rkt
+++ b/collects/unstable/2d/reader.rkt
@@ -7,22 +7,32 @@
          (for-syntax racket/base
                      racket/list))
 
+
+(define all-line-of-interest (make-hash))
+(define current-lines (make-parameter #f))
+(define-syntax (line-of-interest stx)
+  (with-syntax ([line (syntax-line stx)])
+    (syntax-local-lift-expression #'(hash-set! all-line-of-interest line #t))
+    #'(visited line)))
+(define (visited line) 
+  (define t (current-lines))
+  (when t
+    (hash-remove! t line)))
+
 (define rt
   (make-readtable
    #f
    #\2
    'dispatch-macro
    (λ (char port source _line _col _pos)
-     (define pport (peeking-input-port port))
-     (define dcond-count 5)
-     (define dcond (for/list ([i (in-range dcond-count)]) (read-char pport)))
+     (define next-char (peek-char port))
      (cond
-       [(equal? dcond '(#\d #\c #\o #\n #\d))
-        (define chars-read 0)
+       [(equal? next-char #\d)
+        (define chars-read 2) ;; account for the # and the 2
         (define (rc) 
           (set! chars-read (+ chars-read 1))
           (read-char port))
-        (for ([i (in-range dcond-count)]) (rc))
+        (rc) ;; get the #\d
         (define nl (rc))
         (cond
           [(equal? nl #\newline) (void)]
@@ -30,10 +40,11 @@
            (when (equal? #\newline (peek-char port))
              (rc))]
           [else
-           (raise-read-error "expected a newline to follow #2dcond"
+           (line-of-interest)
+           (raise-read-error "expected a newline to follow #2d"
                              (object-name port) 
                              _line _col _pos 
-                             6)])
+                             2)])
         (parse-2dcond port source _line _col _pos chars-read)]
        [else
         (read/recursive 
@@ -45,9 +56,11 @@
   (define current-line-number _line)
   (define current-line-start-position (+ _pos chars-read))
   (define current-line "")
-  (define table-column-breaks '())
   (define initial-space-count 0) 
+  (define initial-column-guide #f)
   (define newline-char-count 0)
+  (define table-column-breaks '())
+  (define table-column-guides '())
   
   (define current-row 0)
   (define cell-connections (make-hash))
@@ -96,70 +109,93 @@
   
   (define (process-first-line)
     (fetch-next-line)
-    (cond
-      [(eq? current-line 'terminator)
-       (readerr "expected to find a table" port)]
-      [else
-       (let loop ([pos 0])
+    (let loop ([pos 0])
+      (cond
+        [(< pos (string-length current-line))
          (cond
-           [(< pos (string-length current-line))
-            (cond
-              [(equal? #\space (string-ref current-line pos))
-               (loop (+ pos 1))]
-              [(equal? #\╔ (string-ref current-line pos))
-               (set! initial-space-count pos)]
-              [else
-               (readerr "expected the first character in the table to be ╔"
-                        pos 1)])]
+           [(equal? #\space (string-ref current-line pos))
+            (loop (+ pos 1))]
+           [(equal? #\╔ (string-ref current-line pos))
+            (set! initial-column-guide (make-a-guide pos))
+            (set! initial-space-count pos)]
            [else
-            (readerr "expected some non-whitespace characters in the first line of the table"
-                     0
-                     pos)]))
-       (set! table-column-breaks
-             (let loop ([pos (+ initial-space-count 1)]
-                        [current-column-width 0]
-                        [column 0])
-               (cond
-                 [(< pos (string-length current-line))
-                  (case (string-ref current-line pos)
-                    [(#\╦) 
-                     (add-node column 0)
-                     (cons current-column-width (loop (+ pos 1) 0 (+ column 1)))]
-                    [(#\═) (loop (+ pos 1) (+ current-column-width 1) column)]
-                    [(#\╗) 
-                     (add-node column 0)
-                     (let loop ([pos (+ pos 1)])
-                       (when (< pos (string-length current-line))
-                         (cond
-                           [(char-whitespace? (string-ref current-line pos))
-                            (loop (+ pos 1))]
-                           [else
-                            (readerr "expected only whitespace to follow ╗ (on the same line)" pos)]))
-                       (list current-column-width))])]
-                 [else 
-                  (readerr "expected ╗ to terminate the first line" pos)])))]))
+            (line-of-interest)
+            (readerr "expected the first character in the table to be ╔"
+                     pos)])]
+        [else
+         (line-of-interest)
+         (readerr "expected some non-whitespace characters in the first line of the table"
+                  0
+                  pos)]))
+    (let loop ([pos (+ initial-space-count 1)]
+               [current-column-width 0]
+               [column 0])
+      (cond
+        [(< pos (string-length current-line))
+         (case (string-ref current-line pos)
+           [(#\╦) 
+            (add-node column 0)
+            (cons current-column-width (loop (+ pos 1) 0 (+ column 1)))]
+           [(#\═) (loop (+ pos 1) (+ current-column-width 1) column)]
+           [(#\╗) 
+            (add-node column 0)
+            (let loop ([pos (+ pos 1)])
+              (when (< pos (string-length current-line))
+                (cond
+                  [(char-whitespace? (string-ref current-line pos))
+                   (loop (+ pos 1))]
+                  [else
+                   (line-of-interest)
+                   (readerr "expected only whitespace to follow ╗ (on the same line)" pos)]))
+              (list current-column-width))])]
+        [else 
+         (line-of-interest)
+         (readerr "expected ╗ to terminate the first line" pos)]))
+    (let loop ([pos (+ initial-space-count 1)]
+               [current-column-width 0]
+               [column 0]
+               [column-breaks '()]
+               [column-guides '()])
+      (cond
+        [(< pos (string-length current-line))
+         (case (string-ref current-line pos)
+           [(#\╦) 
+            (add-node column 0)
+            (loop (+ pos 1) 0 (+ column 1)
+                  (cons current-column-width column-breaks)
+                  (cons (make-a-guide pos) column-guides))]
+           [(#\═) (loop (+ pos 1) (+ current-column-width 1) column 
+                        column-breaks column-guides)]
+           [(#\╗) 
+            (add-node column 0)
+            (whitespace-to-end (+ pos 1))
+            (set! table-column-breaks (reverse (cons current-column-width column-breaks)))
+            (set! table-column-guides (reverse (cons (make-a-guide pos) column-guides)))])]
+        [else 
+         (line-of-interest)
+         (readerr "expected ╗ to terminate the first line" pos)])))
   
   (define (process-a-line current-map)
     (fetch-next-line)
-    (cond
-      [(eq? current-line 'terminator)
-       (readerr "incomplete table" port)]
-      [else
-       ;; check leading space
-       (let loop ([n 0])
-         (cond
-           [(= n initial-space-count) (void)]
-           [(and (< n (string-length current-line))
-                 (equal? #\space (string-ref current-line n)))
-            (loop (+ n 1))]
-           [else
-            (readerr "expected leading space" n)]))
-       (case (string-ref current-line initial-space-count)
-         [(#\║) (continue-line current-map)]
-         [(#\╠) (start-new-block current-map)]
-         [(#\╚) (finish-table current-map)]
-         [else (readerr/expected '(#\║ #\╠ #\╚)
-                                 initial-space-count)])]))
+    ;; check leading space
+    (let loop ([n 0])
+      (cond
+        [(= n initial-space-count) (void)]
+        [(and (< n (string-length current-line))
+              (equal? #\space (string-ref current-line n)))
+         (loop (+ n 1))]
+        [else
+         (line-of-interest)
+         (readerr "expected leading space" n)]))
+    (case (string-ref current-line initial-space-count)
+      [(#\║) (continue-line current-map)]
+      [(#\╠) (start-new-block current-map)]
+      [(#\╚) (finish-table current-map)]
+      [else 
+       (line-of-interest)
+       (readerr/expected '(#\║ #\╠ #\╚)
+                         initial-space-count
+                         #:guides (list initial-column-guide))]))
   
   (define (start-new-block previous-map)
     (set! current-row (+ current-row 1))
@@ -172,6 +208,10 @@
                ;; we're currently traversing is there (or not)
                [cell-wall-broken? #f]
                
+               ;; the srcloc of the spot that led us to the decision
+               ;; of which boolean that cell-wall-broken? should be
+               [cell-wall-guide (make-a-guide initial-space-count)]
+               
                ;; this is the result, being built up backwards
                [map '()]
                
@@ -183,12 +223,15 @@
       (cond
         [(zero? current-cell-size)
          (unless (< pos (string-length current-line))
-           (readerr "line ended too soon"))
+           (line-of-interest)
+           (readerr "line ended too soon" pos))
          (define sep (string-ref current-line pos))
          (cond
            [(and cell-wall-broken? (not (car previous-map)))
-            (when (table-char? (string-ref current-line pos))
-              (readerr "expected not to find a cell boundary character" pos))]
+            (unless (equal? sep #\╔)
+              (when (table-char? sep)
+                (line-of-interest)
+                (readerr "expected not to find a cell boundary character" pos)))]
            [else
             (define allowed-chars
               (if (null? table-column-breaks)
@@ -200,6 +243,7 @@
                         (get-one (not cell-wall-broken?) (car previous-map) #t #t))))
             (set! allowed-chars (filter values allowed-chars))
             (unless (member sep allowed-chars)
+              (line-of-interest)
               (readerr/expected allowed-chars pos))])
          (cond
            [(null? table-column-breaks) 
@@ -220,23 +264,32 @@
                   (cdr table-column-breaks)
                   (+ pos 1)
                   next-cell-wall-broken? 
+                  (make-a-guide pos)
                   (cons edge-going-down? map)
                   (cdr previous-map)
                   next-column)])]
         [else
          (unless (< pos (string-length current-line))
+           (line-of-interest)
            (readerr "line ended in the middle of a cell" pos))
          (cond
            [cell-wall-broken?
             (when (table-char? (string-ref current-line pos))
-              (readerr "expected not to find a cell boundary character" pos))]
+              (line-of-interest)
+              (readerr 
+               (format "expected not to find a cell boundary character (based on earlier ~a)"
+                       (guide-char cell-wall-guide))
+               pos
+               #:guides (list cell-wall-guide)))]
            [else
             (unless (equal? (string-ref current-line pos) #\═)
+              (line-of-interest)
               (readerr/expected '(#\═) pos))])
          (loop (- current-cell-size 1) 
                table-column-breaks 
                (+ pos 1)
                cell-wall-broken?
+               cell-wall-guide
                map
                previous-map
                current-column)])))
@@ -250,13 +303,16 @@
       (cond
         [(zero? current-cell-size)
          (unless (< pos (string-length current-line))
+           (line-of-interest)
            (readerr "line ended at the boundary of a cell, expected the edge of the cell" pos))
          (cond
            [(car map)
             (unless (equal? (string-ref current-line pos) #\║)
+              (line-of-interest)
               (readerr/expected '(#\║) pos))]
            [else
             (when (table-char? (string-ref current-line pos))
+              (line-of-interest)
               (readerr "expected not to find a cell boundary character" pos))])
          (cond
            [(null? table-column-breaks)
@@ -269,8 +325,10 @@
                   (+ column-number 1))])]
         [else
          (unless (< pos (string-length current-line))
+           (line-of-interest)
            (readerr "line ended in the middle of a cell" pos))
          (when (table-char? (string-ref current-line pos))
+           (line-of-interest)
            (readerr "expected not to find a cell boundary character" pos))
          (loop (- current-cell-size 1)
                table-column-breaks
@@ -288,6 +346,7 @@
       (cond
         [(zero? current-cell-size) 
          (unless (< pos (string-length current-line))
+           (line-of-interest)
            (readerr "line ended in the middle of a cell" pos))
          (define expected-char
            (cond
@@ -295,6 +354,7 @@
              [(car map) #\╩]
              [else #\═]))
          (unless (equal? (string-ref current-line pos) expected-char)
+           (line-of-interest)
            (readerr/expected (list expected-char) pos))
          (cond
            [(null? table-column-breaks)
@@ -306,8 +366,10 @@
                   (+ pos 1))])]
         [else
          (unless (< pos (string-length current-line))
+           (line-of-interest)
            (readerr "line ended in the middle of a cell" pos))
          (unless (equal? (string-ref current-line pos) #\═)
+           (line-of-interest)
            (readerr/expected '(#\═) pos))
          (loop (- current-cell-size 1)
                table-column-breaks
@@ -318,19 +380,41 @@
     (let loop ([pos pos])
       (when (< pos (string-length current-line))
         (unless (equal? #\space (string-ref current-line pos))
+          (line-of-interest)
           (readerr "expected only whitespace outside of the table" pos))
         (loop (+ pos 1)))))
   
-  (define (readerr/expected chars pos-in-line)
-    (readerr (format "expected ~a" (chars->desc chars))
-             pos-in-line))
   
-  (define (readerr msg pos-in-line [span 1])
-    (raise-read-error msg (object-name port)
+  (struct guide (char srcloc))
+  
+  (define (make-a-guide pos-in-line)
+    (guide (string-ref current-line pos-in-line)
+           (srcloc source current-line-number pos-in-line
+                   (+ current-line-start-position pos-in-line)
+                   1)))
+
+  (define (readerr/expected chars pos-in-line #:guides [guides '()])
+    (readerr (format "expected ~a~a~a" 
+                     (if (null? (cdr chars))
+                         ""
+                         "one of ")
+                     (chars->desc chars "or")
+                     (if (null? guides)
+                         ""
+                         (format " (based on earlier ~a)"
+                                 (chars->desc (map guide-char guides)
+                                              "and"))))
+             pos-in-line
+             #:guides guides))
+  
+  (define (readerr msg pos-in-line [span 1] #:guides [guides '()])
+    (raise-read-error msg 
+                      source
                       current-line-number
                       pos-in-line
                       (+ current-line-start-position pos-in-line)
-                      span))
+                      span
+                      #:extra-srclocs (map guide-srcloc guides)))
   
   (process-first-line)
   (let loop ([map (map (λ (x) #t) table-column-breaks)])
@@ -343,7 +427,7 @@
 
 
 ;; chars : non-empty-list-of-char -> string
-(define (chars->desc chars)
+(define (chars->desc chars sep)
   (cond
     [(null? (cdr chars))
      (format "~a" (car chars))]
@@ -351,16 +435,20 @@
      (define commas? (pair? (cddr chars)))
      (apply 
       string-append
-      "one of"
-      (let loop ([chars chars])
+      (let loop ([chars chars]
+                 [first? #t])
         (cond
           [(null? (cdr chars))
-           (list (format " or ~a" (car chars)))]
+           (list (format "~a~a ~a"
+                         (if first? "" " ")
+                         sep
+                         (car chars)))]
           [else
-           (cons (format " ~a~a" 
+           (cons (format "~a~a~a" 
+                         (if first? "" " ")
                          (car chars)
                          (if commas? "," ""))
-                 (loop (cdr chars)))])))]))
+                 (loop (cdr chars) #f))])))]))
 
 (define table-chars '(#\═ #\║ #\╔ #\╦ #\╗ #\╠ #\╬ #\╣ #\╚ #\╩ #\╝))
 (define (table-char? c) (member c table-chars))
@@ -377,16 +465,18 @@
 (module+ test
   (require rackunit)
   
-  (check-equal? (chars->desc '(#\a))
+  (define touched-lines-table (make-hash))
+  
+  (check-equal? (chars->desc '(#\a) "or")
                 "a")
-  (check-equal? (chars->desc '(#\a #\b))
-                "one of a or b")
-  (check-equal? (chars->desc '(#\a #\b #\c))
-                "one of a, b, or c")
-  (check-equal? (chars->desc '(#\a #\b #\c #\d))
-                "one of a, b, c, or d")
-  (check-equal? (chars->desc '(#\a #\b #\c #\d #\e))
-                "one of a, b, c, d, or e")
+  (check-equal? (chars->desc '(#\a #\b) "or")
+                "a or b")
+  (check-equal? (chars->desc '(#\a #\b #\c) "or")
+                "a, b, or c")
+  (check-equal? (chars->desc '(#\a #\b #\c #\d) "or")
+                "a, b, c, or d")
+  (check-equal? (chars->desc '(#\a #\b #\c #\d #\e) "or")
+                "a, b, c, d, or e")
   
   (check-equal? (read (open-input-string "#2(x)"))
                 (parameterize ([current-readtable rt])
@@ -399,41 +489,44 @@
   (check-regexp-match #rx"expected a newline"
                       (with-handlers ((exn:fail? exn-message))
                         (parameterize ([current-readtable rt])
-                          (read (open-input-string "#2dcond")))))
+                          (read (open-input-string "#2d")))))
   
-  (define (get-err-positions inputs)
-    (with-handlers ((exn:fail:read? 
+  (define (get-err-locs inputs)
+    (with-handlers ([exn:fail:read? 
                      (λ (exn)
-                       (map srcloc-position (exn:fail:read-srclocs exn)))))
+                       (for/list ([s (exn:fail:read-srclocs exn)])
+                         (struct-copy srcloc s [source #f])))])
+      (define p (open-input-string (apply string-append inputs)))
+      (port-count-lines! p)
       (parameterize ([current-readtable rt])
-        (read (open-input-string (apply string-append inputs))))
+        (read p))
       #f))
   
   (define (get-graph inputs)
     (define p (open-input-string (apply string-append inputs)))
     (port-count-lines! p)
-    ;; account for the "#2dcond" that was read from the first line
-    (parse-2dcond p "source" 1 0 1 6))
+    ;; account for the "#2d" that was read from the first line
+    (parse-2dcond p "source" 1 0 1 2))
 
   
-  (check-equal? (get-err-positions 
-                 '("#2dcond\n"
+  (check-equal? (get-err-locs 
+                 '("#2d\n"
                    "╔══╦══╗\n"
                    "║1 ║2 ║\n"
                    "╠══╬══╣\n"
                    "║4 ║3 ║\n"
                    "╚══╩══╝\n"))
                 #f)
-  (check-equal? (get-err-positions 
-                 '("#2dcond\n"
+  (check-equal? (get-err-locs 
+                 '("#2d\n"
                    "  ╔══╦══╗\n"
                    "  ║1 ║4 ║\n"
                    "  ╠══╬══╣\n"
                    "  ║2 ║3 ║\n"
                    "  ╚══╩══╝\n"))
                 #f)
-  (check-equal? (get-err-positions 
-                 '("#2dcond\n"
+  (check-equal? (get-err-locs 
+                 '("#2d\n"
                    "  ╔══╦══╦══╗\n"
                    "  ║1 ║2 ║3 ║\n"
                    "  ╠══╬══╬══╣\n"
@@ -442,8 +535,8 @@
                    "  ║7 ║8 ║9 ║\n"
                    "  ╚══╩══╩══╝\n"))
                 #f)
-  (check-equal? (get-err-positions 
-                 '("#2dcond\n"
+  (check-equal? (get-err-locs 
+                 '("#2d\n"
                    "  ╔══╦══╦══╗\n"
                    "  ║ 1║ 2║ 3║\n"
                    "  ╠══╬══╩══╣\n"
@@ -452,8 +545,8 @@
                    "  ║ 5║     ║\n"
                    "  ╚══╩═════╝\n"))
                 #f)
-  (check-equal? (get-err-positions 
-                 '("#2dcond\n"
+  (check-equal? (get-err-locs 
+                 '("#2d\n"
                    "  ╔══╦══╦══╗\n"
                    "  ║ 1║ 2║ 3║\n"
                    "  ╠══╬══╩══╣\n"
@@ -462,16 +555,16 @@
                    "  ║ 6║7    ║\n"
                    "  ╚══╩═════╝\n"))
                 #f)
-  (check-equal? (get-err-positions 
-                 '("#2dcond\n"
+  (check-equal? (get-err-locs 
+                 '("#2d\n"
                    "  ╔══╦══╦══╦══╗\n"
                    "  ║ 1║ 2║ 3║ 4║\n"
                    "  ╠══╬══╬══╩══╣\n"
                    "  ║ 4║ 5║  6  ║\n"
                    "  ╚══╩══╩═════╝\n"))
                 #f)
-  (check-equal? (get-err-positions 
-                 '("#2dcond\n"
+  (check-equal? (get-err-locs 
+                 '("#2d\n"
                    "  ╔══╦══╦══╗\n"
                    "  ║1 ║2 ║3 ║\n"
                    "  ╠══╬══╬══╣\n"
@@ -480,30 +573,31 @@
                    "  ║5 ║6 ║7 ║\n"
                    "  ╚══╩══╩══╝\n"))
                 #f)
-  (check-equal? (get-err-positions 
-                 '("#2dcond\n"
-                   "  ╔══╦══╗\n"
-                   "  ║  ║  ║\n"
-                   "  ╠══╣  ║\n"
-                   "  ║  ║  ║\n"
-                   "  ╚══╩══╝\n"))
-                '(something)) ;; that first ═ line has to go all the way across
-  (check-equal? (get-err-positions 
-                 '("#2dcond\n"
-                   "  ╔══╦══╗\n"
-                   "     ║  ║\n"
-                   "  ╠══╬══╣\n"
-                   "  ║  ║  ║\n"
-                   "  ╚══╩══╝\n"))
-                '(12 2))
-  (check-equal? (get-err-positions 
-                 '("#2dcond\n"
-                   "  ╔══╦══╗\n"
-                   "  ║ ═║  ║\n"
-                   "  ╠══╬══╣\n"
-                   "  ║  ║  ║\n"
-                   "  ╚══╩══╝\n"))
-                '(14 4))
+
+  (define lines-table (hash-copy all-line-of-interest))
+  (parameterize ([current-lines lines-table])
+    (check-equal? (get-err-locs 
+                   '("#2d\n"
+                     "  ╔══╦══╗\n"
+                     "     ║  ║\n"
+                     "  ╠══╬══╣\n"
+                     "  ║  ║  ║\n"
+                     "  ╚══╩══╝\n"))
+                  (list (srcloc #f 3 2 17 1)
+                        (srcloc #f 2 2 7 1)))
+    (check-equal? (get-err-locs 
+                   '("#2d\n"
+                     "  ╔══╦══╗\n"
+                     "  ║ ═║  ║\n"
+                     "  ╠══╬══╣\n"
+                     "  ║  ║  ║\n"
+                     "  ╚══╩══╝\n"))
+                  (list (srcloc #f 3 4 19 1)
+                        (srcloc #f 2 4 9 1))))
+  (let ([lines (hash-map lines-table (λ (x y) x))])
+    (unless (null? lines)
+      (eprintf "no test case for errors on lines: ~s\n"
+               (sort lines <))))
   
   
   (check-equal? (get-graph
@@ -543,34 +637,85 @@
                        (cons (list 1 2) (set))
                        (cons (list 2 0) (set))
                        (cons (list 2 1) (set))
-                       (cons (list 2 2) (set))))))
+                       (cons (list 2 2) (set)))))
+  
+  (check-equal? (get-graph
+                 '("  ╔══╦══╦══╦══╗\n"
+                   "  ║1 ║2 ║3 ║4 ║\n"
+                   "  ╠══╬══╩══╩══╣\n"
+                   "  ║6 ║5       ║\n"
+                   "  ╠══╣  ╔══╗  ║\n"
+                   "  ║7 ║  ║10║  ║\n"
+                   "  ╠══╣  ╚══╝  ║\n"
+                   "  ║7 ║        ║\n"
+                   "  ╚══╩════════╝\n"))
+                (make-hash
+                 (list (cons (list 0 0) (set))
+                       (cons (list 0 1) (set))
+                       (cons (list 0 2) (set))
+                       (cons (list 0 3) (set))
+                       
+                       (cons (list 1 0) (set))
+                       (cons (list 1 1) (set (list 1 2) (list 2 1)))
+                       (cons (list 1 2) (set (list 1 1) (list 1 3)))
+                       (cons (list 1 3) (set (list 1 2) (list 2 3)))
+                       
+                       (cons (list 2 0) (set))
+                       (cons (list 2 1) (set (list 1 1) (list 3 1)))
+                       (cons (list 2 2) (set))
+                       (cons (list 2 3) (set (list 1 3) (list 3 3)))
+                       
+                       (cons (list 3 0) (set))
+                       (cons (list 3 1) (set (list 2 1) (list 3 2)))
+                       (cons (list 3 2) (set (list 3 1) (list 3 3)))
+                       (cons (list 3 3) (set (list 3 2) (list 2 3))))))
+  
+  
+  #|
 
+;; need to figure out what to do
+;; with these examples
 
+  (check-equal? (get-err-positions 
+                 '("#2d\n"
+                   "  ╔══╦══╗\n"
+                   "  ║  ║  ║\n"
+                   "  ╠══╣  ║\n"
+                   "  ║  ║  ║\n"
+                   "  ╚══╩══╝\n"))
+                '(something)) ;; that first ═ line has to go all the way across
+  
+  (check-equal? (get-err-positions 
+                 '("#2d\n"
+                   "  ╔══╦══╗\n"
+                   "  ║  ║  ║\n"
+                   "  ╠══╩══╣\n"
+                   "  ║     ║\n"
+                   "  ╚═════╝\n"))
+                '(something))  ;; that first ║ line has to go all the way down
+  |#
+  
+  )
 
 #;
 (module+ main
-  (define s (string-append
-             "  ╔══╦══╦══╗\n"
-             "  ║ 1║ 2║ 3║\n"
-             "  ╠══╬══╩══╣\n"
-             "  ║ 4║     ║\n"
-             "  ╠══╣  6  ║\n"
-             "  ║ 5║     ║\n"
-             "  ╚══╩═════╝\n"))
-  #;
-  (define s (string-append
-             "  ╔══╦══╦══╗\n"
-             "  ║1 ║2 ║3 ║\n"
-             "  ╠══╬══╬══╣\n"
-             "  ║6 ║5 ║4 ║\n"
-             "  ╠══╬══╬══╣\n"
-             "  ║7 ║8 ║9 ║\n"
-             "  ╚══╩══╩══╝\n"))
+  (define s (string-append 
+             "#2d\n"
+             "  ╔══╦══╗\n"
+             "     ║  ║\n"
+             "  ╠══╬══╣\n"
+             "  ║  ║  ║\n"
+             "  ╚══╩══╝\n"))
+  
   (define p (open-input-string s))
   (port-count-lines! p)
-  ;; account for the "#2dcond" that was read from the first line
-  (parse-2dcond p "source" 1 0 1 6))
-  
+  (with-handlers ((exn:fail:read? exn:fail:read-srclocs))
+    (parameterize ([current-readtable rt])
+      (read p)))
+  ;; account for the "#2d" that was read from the first line
+  ;; (parse-2dcond p "source" 1 0 1 2)
+  )
+
 #|
 ╔══╦══╗
 ║  ║  ║