Time and again, I find I want to check if the player is not doing something. As far as I can tell, you can’t say “unless doing this” for categories of behavior.
Examining something is acting touchless.
Looking is acting touchless.
Waiting is acting touchless.
Before acting touchless, now touchless-flag is true.
After doing something: now touchless-flag is false; continue the action.
Instead of doing something when touchless-flag is false, say "You can't do that."
There is a room.
So far, this is the most straightforward way of doing it that I can tell. It’s insufficient for my needs. Does anyone here have a better way?