         // var args
         args.unshift(name);
         callEZCode.apply(this, args);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Throw an error if we're not connected.
+     */
+    protected function checkIsConnected () :void
+    {
+        if (!isConnected()) {
+            throw new IllegalOperationError("The game is not connected " +
+                "to The Whirled, please check isConnected(). If false, your " +
+                "game is being viewed standalone and should adjust.");
+        }
     }
 
     /**

            } catch (err :Error) {
                trace("Unable to call ez code: " + err);
            }
        }
    }


     */
    public function get (propName :String, index :int = -1) :Object
    {
        checkIsConnected();

        var value :Object = _gameData[propName];
        if (index >= 0) {
