diff --git a/src/demo/boxdemo.c b/src/demo/boxdemo.c
index 9accfe9b1..abfa61937 100644
--- a/src/demo/boxdemo.c
+++ b/src/demo/boxdemo.c
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ int box_demo(struct notcurses* nc){
       ++y;
       ++x;
     }
-    if(notcurses_render(nc)){
+    if(demo_render(nc)){
       return -1;
     }
     nanosleep(&iterdelay, NULL);
diff --git a/src/demo/demo.c b/src/demo/demo.c
index d6f3a90de..382f33c7b 100644
--- a/src/demo/demo.c
+++ b/src/demo/demo.c
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@
 static const int MIN_SUPPORTED_ROWS = 24;
 static const int MIN_SUPPORTED_COLS = 80;
 
+static int democount;
+static demoresult* results;
 static atomic_bool interrupted = ATOMIC_VAR_INIT(false);
 
 static const char DEFAULT_DEMO[] = "ixemlubgswvpo";
@@ -24,6 +26,13 @@ void interrupt_demo(void){
   atomic_store(&interrupted, true);
 }
 
+const demoresult* demoresult_lookup(int idx){
+  if(idx < 0 || idx >= democount){
+    return NULL;
+  }
+  return &results[idx];
+}
+
 char* find_data(const char* datum){
   char* path = malloc(strlen(datadir) + 1 + strlen(datum) + 1);
   strcpy(path, datadir);
@@ -171,7 +180,7 @@ intro(struct notcurses* nc){
     }
     ncplane_styles_off(ncp, CELL_STYLE_BLINK); // heh FIXME replace with pulse
   }
-  if(notcurses_render(nc)){
+  if(demo_render(nc)){
     return -1;
   }
   nanosleep(&demodelay, NULL);
@@ -180,21 +189,15 @@ intro(struct notcurses* nc){
   return 0;
 }
 
-typedef struct demoresult {
-  char selector;
-  struct ncstats stats;
-  uint64_t timens;
-  bool failed;
-} demoresult;
-
 static demoresult*
 ext_demos(struct notcurses* nc, const char* demos){
   int ret = 0;
-  demoresult* results = malloc(sizeof(*results) * strlen(demos));
+  results = malloc(sizeof(*results) * strlen(demos));
   if(results == NULL){
     return NULL;
   }
   memset(results, 0, sizeof(*results) * strlen(demos));
+  democount = strlen(demos);
   struct timespec start, now;
   clock_gettime(CLOCK_MONOTONIC, &start);
   uint64_t prevns = timespec_to_ns(&start);
@@ -311,6 +314,9 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv){
   if(notcurses_mouse_enable(nc)){
     goto err;
   }
+  if(hud_create(nc) == NULL){
+    goto err;
+  }
   if(input_dispatcher(nc)){
     goto err;
   }
@@ -325,7 +331,9 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv){
   }else{
     nanosleep(&demodelay, NULL);
   }
-  demoresult* results = ext_demos(nc, demos);
+  if(ext_demos(nc, demos)){
+    goto err;
+  }
   if(results == NULL){
     goto err;
   }
diff --git a/src/demo/demo.h b/src/demo/demo.h
index f2b3f8b11..2023b5e59 100644
--- a/src/demo/demo.h
+++ b/src/demo/demo.h
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ demo_getc_blocking(ncinput* ni){
 }
 /*----------------------------- end demo input API -------------------------*/
 
+/*-------------------------------time helpers----------------------------*/
 int timespec_subtract(struct timespec *result, const struct timespec *time1,
                       struct timespec *time0);
 
@@ -98,6 +99,39 @@ timespec_mul(const struct timespec* ts, unsigned multiplier, struct timespec* pr
   product->tv_nsec = ns % GIG;
   product->tv_sec = ns / GIG;
 }
+/*-------------------------------time helpers----------------------------*/
+
+/*----------------------------------HUD----------------------------------*/
+extern struct ncplane* hud;
+struct ncplane* hud_create(struct notcurses* nc);
+int hud_destroy(struct ncplane* hud);
+
+// let the HUD know about an upcoming demo
+int hud_schedule(const char* demoname);
+
+// demos should not call notcurses_render() themselves, but instead call
+// demo_render(), which will ensure the HUD stays on the top of the z-stack.
+int demo_render(struct notcurses* nc);
+
+// grab the hud with the mouse
+int hud_grab(int y, int x);
+
+// release the hud
+int hud_release(void);
+
+typedef struct demoresult {
+  char selector;
+  struct ncstats stats;
+  uint64_t timens;
+  bool failed;
+} demoresult;
+
+// let the HUD know that a demo has completed, reporting the stats
+int hud_completion_notify(int idx, const demoresult* result);
+
+// HUD retrieves results on demand from core
+const demoresult* demoresult_lookup(int idx);
+/*----------------------------------HUD----------------------------------*/
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
diff --git a/src/demo/eagle.c b/src/demo/eagle.c
index 2060df18f..af7aa77f7 100644
--- a/src/demo/eagle.c
+++ b/src/demo/eagle.c
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ outzoomed_map(struct notcurses* nc, const char* map){
   if(ncvisual_render(ncv, 0, 0, 0, 0)){
     return NULL;
   }
-  if(notcurses_render(nc)){
+  if(demo_render(nc)){
     return NULL;
   }
   return ncv;
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ zoom_map(struct notcurses* nc, const char* map){
       ncplane_destroy(zncp);
       return NULL;
     }
-    if(notcurses_render(nc)){
+    if(demo_render(nc)){
       ncvisual_destroy(zncv);
       ncplane_destroy(zncp);
       return NULL;
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ eagles(struct notcurses* nc){
   int eaglesmoved;
   do{
     eaglesmoved = 0;
-    notcurses_render(nc);
+    demo_render(nc);
     for(size_t i = 0 ; i < sizeof(e) / sizeof(*e) ; ++i){
       if(e[i].xoff >= truex){
         continue;
diff --git a/src/demo/grid.c b/src/demo/grid.c
index f81523c6e..405589bd8 100644
--- a/src/demo/grid.c
+++ b/src/demo/grid.c
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ gridswitch_demo(struct notcurses* nc, struct ncplane *n){
   ncplane_putc(n, &lr);
 
   // render!
-  notcurses_render(nc);
+  demo_render(nc);
   release_cells(n, &ul, &uc, &ur, &cl, &cc, &cr, &ll, &lc, &lr);
   nanosleep(&demodelay, NULL);
   return ret;
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ gridinv_demo(struct notcurses* nc, struct ncplane *n){
   ncplane_putc(n, &lr);
 
   // render!
-  notcurses_render(nc);
+  demo_render(nc);
   release_cells(n, &ul, &uc, &ur, &cl, &cc, &cr, &ll, &lc, &lr);
   nanosleep(&demodelay, NULL);
   return gridswitch_demo(nc, n);
@@ -317,7 +317,7 @@ int grid_demo(struct notcurses* nc){
   ncplane_putc(n, &lr);
 
   // render!
-  notcurses_render(nc);
+  demo_render(nc);
   release_cells(n, &ul, &uc, &ur, &cl, &cc, &cr, &ll, &lc, &lr);
   nanosleep(&demodelay, NULL);
   return gridinv_demo(nc, n);
diff --git a/src/demo/hud.c b/src/demo/hud.c
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..722415610
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/demo/hud.c
@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+#include "demo.h"
+
+// we provide a heads-up display throughout the demo, detailing the demos we're
+// about to run, running, and just runned. the user can move this HUD with
+// their mouse. it should always be on the top of the z-stack.
+struct ncplane* hud = NULL;
+
+// while the HUD is grabbed by the mouse, these are set to the position where
+// the grab started. they are reset once the HUD is released.
+static int hud_grab_x = -1;
+static int hud_grab_y = -1;
+// position of the HUD *when grab started*
+static int hud_pos_x;
+static int hud_pos_y;
+
+static const int hud_rows = 5;
+static const int hud_cols = 54;
+
+static int
+hud_standard_bg(struct ncplane* n){
+  cell c = CELL_SIMPLE_INITIALIZER(' ');
+  cell_set_bg_rgb(&c, 0, 0x20, 0);
+  ncplane_set_default(n, &c);
+  cell_release(n, &c);
+  return 0;
+}
+
+static int
+hud_grabbed_bg(struct ncplane* n){
+  cell c = CELL_SIMPLE_INITIALIZER(' ');
+  cell_set_bg_rgb(&c, 0x40, 0x90, 0x40);
+  ncplane_set_default(n, &c);
+  cell_release(n, &c);
+  return 0;
+}
+
+struct ncplane* hud_create(struct notcurses* nc){
+  int dimx, dimy;
+  notcurses_term_dim_yx(nc, &dimy, &dimx);
+  //int xoffset = (dimx - hud_cols) / 2;
+  int xoffset = dimx - hud_cols;
+  //int yoffset = (dimy - hud_rows);
+  int yoffset = 0;
+  struct ncplane* n = notcurses_newplane(nc, hud_rows, hud_cols, yoffset, xoffset, NULL);
+  if(n == NULL){
+    return NULL;
+  }
+  hud_standard_bg(n);
+  return (hud = n);
+}
+
+int hud_destroy(struct ncplane* h){
+  hud = NULL;
+  return ncplane_destroy(h);
+}
+
+// mouse has been pressed on the hud. the caller is responsible for rerendering.
+int hud_grab(int y, int x){
+  int ret;
+  if(hud == NULL){
+    return -1;
+  }
+  // are we in the middle of a grab?
+  if(hud_grab_x >= 0 && hud_grab_y >= 0){
+    int delty = y - hud_grab_y;
+    int deltx = x - hud_grab_x;
+    ret = ncplane_move_yx(hud, hud_pos_y + delty, hud_pos_x + deltx);
+  }else{
+    // new grab. stash point of original grab, and location of HUD at original
+    // grab. any delta while grabbed (relative to the original grab point)
+    // will see the HUD moved by delta (relative to the original HUD location).
+    hud_grab_x = x;
+    hud_grab_y = y;
+    ncplane_yx(hud, &hud_pos_y, &hud_pos_x);
+    ret = hud_grabbed_bg(hud);
+  }
+  return ret;
+}
+
+int hud_release(void){
+  if(hud == NULL){
+    return -1;
+  }
+  hud_grab_x = -1;
+  hud_grab_y = -1;
+  return hud_standard_bg(hud);
+}
+
+int hud_completion_notify(int idx, const demoresult* result){
+  // FIXME
+  return 0;
+}
+
+// inform the HUD of an upcoming demo
+int hud_schedule(const char* demoname){
+  // FIXME
+  return 0;
+}
+
+int demo_render(struct notcurses* nc){
+  if(hud){
+    ncplane_move_top(hud);
+  }
+  return notcurses_render(nc);
+}
diff --git a/src/demo/input.c b/src/demo/input.c
index a5cce84d9..53e757cfe 100644
--- a/src/demo/input.c
+++ b/src/demo/input.c
@@ -57,6 +57,23 @@ pass_along(const ncinput* ni){
   return 0;
 }
 
+static int
+handle_mouse(struct notcurses* nc, const ncinput* ni){
+  if(ni->id != NCKEY_BUTTON1 && ni->id != NCKEY_RELEASE){
+    return 0;
+  }
+  int ret;
+  if(ni->id == NCKEY_RELEASE){
+    ret = hud_release();
+  }else{
+    ret = hud_grab(ni->y, ni->x);
+  }
+  if(ret == 0){
+    ret = demo_render(nc);
+  }
+  return ret;
+}
+
 static void *
 ultramegaok_demo(void* vnc){
   ncinput ni;
@@ -67,7 +84,7 @@ ultramegaok_demo(void* vnc){
       continue;
     }
     if(nckey_mouse_p(ni.id)){
-      // FIXME
+      handle_mouse(nc, &ni);
     }else{
       if(ni.id == 'q'){
         interrupt_demo();
diff --git a/src/demo/luigi.c b/src/demo/luigi.c
index 33f2cb0d2..f9c85d674 100644
--- a/src/demo/luigi.c
+++ b/src/demo/luigi.c
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ int luigi_demo(struct notcurses* nc){
       ncplane_move_top(lastseen);
     }
     ncplane_move_yx(lastseen, yoff, i);
-    notcurses_render(nc);
+    demo_render(nc);
     nanosleep(&stepdelay, NULL);
   }
   for(i = 0 ; i < 3 ; ++i){
diff --git a/src/demo/maxcolor.c b/src/demo/maxcolor.c
index 6e6e496aa..c25406003 100644
--- a/src/demo/maxcolor.c
+++ b/src/demo/maxcolor.c
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ int maxcolor_demo(struct notcurses* nc){
       ++x;
     }
   }
-  if(notcurses_render(nc)){
+  if(demo_render(nc)){
     return -1;
   }
   nanosleep(&demodelay, NULL);
diff --git a/src/demo/outro.c b/src/demo/outro.c
index fc83e59dc..8fc5ff066 100644
--- a/src/demo/outro.c
+++ b/src/demo/outro.c
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ static struct ncvisual* chncv;
 static int
 perframe(struct notcurses* nc, struct ncvisual* ncv __attribute__ ((unused))){
   static int three = 3; // move up one every three callbacks
-  notcurses_render(nc);
+  demo_render(nc);
   if(y < targy){
     return 0;
   }
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ outro_message(struct notcurses* nc, int* rows, int* cols){
     return NULL;
   }
   ncplane_styles_off(non, CELL_STYLE_ITALIC);
-  if(notcurses_render(nc)){
+  if(demo_render(nc)){
     return NULL;
   }
   cell_release(non, &bgcell);
diff --git a/src/demo/panelreel.c b/src/demo/panelreel.c
index cfb553ea0..d4f6fe80d 100644
--- a/src/demo/panelreel.c
+++ b/src/demo/panelreel.c
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ handle_input(struct notcurses* nc, struct panelreel* pr, int efd,
   sigemptyset(&sset);
   wchar_t key = -1;
   int pret;
-  notcurses_render(nc);
+  demo_render(nc);
   do{
     struct timespec pollspec, cur;
     clock_gettime(CLOCK_MONOTONIC, &cur);
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ handle_input(struct notcurses* nc, struct panelreel* pr, int efd,
         if(read(efd, &val, sizeof(val)) != sizeof(val)){
           fprintf(stderr, "Error reading from eventfd %d (%s)\n", efd, strerror(errno)); }else if(key < 0){
           panelreel_redraw(pr);
-          notcurses_render(nc);
+          demo_render(nc);
         }
       }
     }
@@ -381,7 +381,7 @@ int panelreel_demo(struct notcurses* nc){
     return -1;
   }
   close(efd);
-  if(notcurses_render(nc)){
+  if(demo_render(nc)){
     return -1;
   }
   return 0;
diff --git a/src/demo/sliding.c b/src/demo/sliding.c
index 795463643..065aac210 100644
--- a/src/demo/sliding.c
+++ b/src/demo/sliding.c
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ move_square(struct notcurses* nc, struct ncplane* chunk, int* holey, int* holex,
     targy += deltay;
     targx += deltax;
     ncplane_move_yx(chunk, targy, targx);
-    if(notcurses_render(nc)){
+    if(demo_render(nc)){
       return -1;
     }
     nanosleep(&movetime, NULL);
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ int sliding_puzzle_demo(struct notcurses* nc){
   if(draw_bounding_box(n, wastey, wastex, chunky, chunkx)){
     return -1;
   }
-  if(notcurses_render(nc)){
+  if(demo_render(nc)){
     goto done;
   }
   struct timespec ts = { .tv_sec = 0, .tv_nsec = 1000000000, };
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ int sliding_puzzle_demo(struct notcurses* nc){
     chunks[i0] = chunks[i1];
     ncplane_move_yx(chunks[i0], targy0, targx0);
     chunks[i1] = t;
-    if(notcurses_render(nc)){
+    if(demo_render(nc)){
       goto done;
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/demo/unicodeblocks.c b/src/demo/unicodeblocks.c
index 725d51c3e..68eb4e2b2 100644
--- a/src/demo/unicodeblocks.c
+++ b/src/demo/unicodeblocks.c
@@ -188,6 +188,9 @@ int unicodeblocks_demo(struct notcurses* nc){
     if((nn = notcurses_newplane(nc, BLOCKSIZE / CHUNKSIZE + 2, (CHUNKSIZE * 2) + 2, 3, xstart, NULL)) == NULL){
       return -1;
     }
+    if(hud){
+      ncplane_move_below_unsafe(nn, hud);
+    }
     if(draw_block(nn, blockstart)){
       return -1;
     }
diff --git a/src/demo/view.c b/src/demo/view.c
index 6063a9afb..8d38a642a 100644
--- a/src/demo/view.c
+++ b/src/demo/view.c
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ watch_for_keystroke(struct notcurses* nc, struct ncvisual* ncv __attribute__ ((u
       return 1;
     }
   }
-  return notcurses_render(nc);
+  return demo_render(nc);
 }
 
 static int
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ int view_demo(struct notcurses* nc){
     ncplane_destroy(dsplane);
     return -1;
   }
-  notcurses_render(nc);
+  demo_render(nc);
   ncplane_move_bottom(dsplane);
   nanosleep(&demodelay, NULL);
   if(ncvisual_render(ncv, 0, 0, 0, 0)){
@@ -124,10 +124,10 @@ int view_demo(struct notcurses* nc){
   }
   ncvisual_destroy(ncv);
   ncvisual_destroy(ncv2);
-  notcurses_render(nc);
+  demo_render(nc);
   nanosleep(&demodelay, NULL);
   ncplane_move_top(dsplane);
-  notcurses_render(nc);
+  demo_render(nc);
   ncplane_destroy(dsplane);
   nanosleep(&demodelay, NULL);
   struct ncplane* ncpl = legend(nc, dimy, dimx);
diff --git a/src/demo/witherworm.c b/src/demo/witherworm.c
index 8367609ed..da87d3f18 100644
--- a/src/demo/witherworm.c
+++ b/src/demo/witherworm.c
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ snake_thread(void* vnc){
         return NULL;
       }
     }
-    if(notcurses_render(nc)){
+    if(demo_render(nc)){
       return NULL;
     }
     for(int s = 0 ; s < snakecount ; ++s){
@@ -653,7 +653,7 @@ int witherworm_demo(struct notcurses* nc){
                  bytes_out, egcs_out, cols_out)){
         return -1;
       }
-      if(notcurses_render(nc)){
+      if(demo_render(nc)){
         return -1;
       }
       if(i){
diff --git a/src/demo/xray.c b/src/demo/xray.c
index 17d4d24b1..361674e1a 100644
--- a/src/demo/xray.c
+++ b/src/demo/xray.c
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ perframecb(struct notcurses* nc, struct ncvisual* ncv __attribute__ ((unused))){
     }while(xoff < dimx);
   }
   ++frameno;
-  notcurses_render(nc);
+  demo_render(nc);
   // FIXME we'll need some delay here
   return 0;
 }
diff --git a/src/poc/rgbbg.c b/src/poc/rgbbg.c
index 774568163..66e3316b0 100644
--- a/src/poc/rgbbg.c
+++ b/src/poc/rgbbg.c
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ int main(void){
   r = 0;
   g = 0x80;
   b = 0;
-  ncplane_set_fg_rgb(n, 0x80, 0x80, 0x80);
+  ncplane_set_fg_rgb(n, 0x40, 0x20, 0x40);
   for(y = 0 ; y < dimy ; ++y){
     for(x = 0 ; x < dimx ; ++x){
       if(ncplane_set_bg_rgb(n, r, g, b)){