diff --git a/test/test-process-input b/test/test-process-input
index 85ec811..936f1fb 100755
--- a/test/test-process-input
+++ b/test/test-process-input
@@ -30,11 +30,11 @@ process-input "foo bar" 2>/dev/null <<< "" && {
 scene_opendoor="opendoor"
 doorspeak="Yo. I'm a door."
 
-multiactions="
-        MSG foo
+multiactions="MSG foo
         WAIT
-        GO somewhereelse
-"
+        GO somewhereelse"
+
+kickinmsg="MSG Doesn't look like it's going to budge"
 
 testscene="
 TYPE input
@@ -47,6 +47,8 @@ OBJECT door
         UNKNOWNCMD foo
     ACTION multi
         $multiactions
+    ACTION kick in
+        $kickinmsg
 
 OBJECT foo
     ACTION bar
@@ -64,11 +66,6 @@ tryinput()
     process-input "$1" <<< "$testscene"
 }
 
-# ensure it doesn't accept too many words
-process-input "foo bar baz" 2>/dev/null <<< "data" && {
-    simplefail "Shouldn't allow more words than can be interpreted"
-}
-
 # should allow actions on known objects
 assert-equal "$( tryinput "open door" )" "GO $scene_opendoor" || {
     fail "Should be able to perform known actions on known objects"
@@ -85,7 +82,7 @@ assert-equal "$( tryinput "fondle door" )" "" || {
 }
 
 # all commands associated with an action should be returned (left trimmed)
-expected=$( sed 's/ \+//' <<< "$multiactions" )
+expected=$( sed 's/^ \+//' <<< "$multiactions" )
 assert-equal "$( tryinput "multi door" )" "$expected" || {
     fail "All commands for a multi-line action should be returned"
 }
@@ -113,3 +110,8 @@ assert-equal "$( tryinput "tickle" )" "MSG Please elaborate." || {
     fail "Naming an unknown object should prompt user to elaborate"
 }
 
+# multi-word actions should be supported
+assert-equal "$( tryinput "kick in door" )" "$kickinmsg" || {
+    fail "Multi-word actions should be supported"
+}
+
diff --git a/util/process-input b/util/process-input
index ef28e78..df69efd 100755
--- a/util/process-input
+++ b/util/process-input
@@ -22,10 +22,10 @@
 
 words="$1"
 max_words=2
-data=$( cat - )
+scene=$( cat - )
 
 # scene data should be provided via stdin
-[ "$data" ] || {
+[ "$scene" ] || {
     echo "No scene data provided" >&2
     exit 1
 }
@@ -33,19 +33,15 @@ data=$( cat - )
 # our processing method depends heavily on the word count
 count=$( grep -o '\w\+' <<< "$words" | wc -l )
 
-# no use in allowing more words than we're able to interpret
-if [ $count -gt $max_words ]; then
-    echo "Too many words" >&2
-    exit 2
-fi
-
-action=$( cut -d' ' -f1 <<< "$words" )
-object=$( cut -s -d' ' -f2 <<< "$words" )
+# the action is every word except the last, and the object being acted upon is
+# the final word
+action=$( sed 's/^\(.\+\) .\+$/\1/' <<< "$words" )
+object=$( grep -o '[^ ]\+$' <<< "$words" )
 
 # if only one word was given, then we need to ask what to do
 if [ "$count" -eq 1 ]; then
     # is it a known object?
-    grep -q "$action" <<< "$scene" && {
+    grep -q "^OBJECT $action" <<< "$scene" && {
         echo "MSG What about $action?"
         exit 2
     }
@@ -55,11 +51,10 @@ if [ "$count" -eq 1 ]; then
     exit 2
 fi
 
-
 # check for am action on a known object and output the associated commands, left
 # trimmed
 awk "
-    /OBJECT $object/ {
+    /^OBJECT $object$/ {
         found = 1
         getline
     }
@@ -77,6 +72,6 @@ awk "
             }
         }
     }
-    " <<< "$data" \
+    " <<< "$scene" \
     | sed 's/^[ \t]\+//'