diff --git a/main.s b/main.s
index dfd1dd9..ecc41f6 100644
--- a/main.s
+++ b/main.s
@@ -160,7 +160,8 @@ over_text .byte "OVER",0
 forever
     jmp forever
 
-init_once jsr init_damage
+init_once jsr init_vars
+    jsr init_damage
     jsr init_screen_once
     jsr init_actors_once
     rts
diff --git a/platform-apple2.s b/platform-apple2.s
index d4793f9..d17bce1 100644
--- a/platform-apple2.s
+++ b/platform-apple2.s
@@ -187,6 +187,18 @@ mazerow lda textrows_l,y
     rts
 
 
+; clear text page 2 where most of the variables are stored
+init_vars ldx #0
+    txa
+?1  sta $800,x
+    sta $900,x
+    sta $a00,x
+    sta $b00,x
+    dex
+    bne ?1
+    rts
+
+
 ; initialize screen to draw to page 1 (displays page 2)
 init_screen_once nop
     lda #0
diff --git a/vars.s b/vars.s
index b939489..126a029 100644
--- a/vars.s
+++ b/vars.s
@@ -2,12 +2,12 @@
 
 actor_col .ds MAX_ACTORS  ; #  current tile column
 actor_x .ds MAX_ACTORS  ; pixel position (calculated from col & xpixel)
-actor_row .ds MAX_ACTORS  ; #  current tile row
-actor_y .ds MAX_ACTORS  ; pixel position (calculated from row & ypixel)
 actor_xpixel .ds MAX_ACTORS  ; #  current pixel offset in col
 actor_xfrac .ds MAX_ACTORS  ; #  current fractional pixel
 actor_xspeed_l .ds MAX_ACTORS  ; #  current speed (affects fractional)
 actor_xspeed_h .ds MAX_ACTORS  ; #  current speed (affects pixel)
+actor_row .ds MAX_ACTORS  ; #  current tile row
+actor_y .ds MAX_ACTORS  ; pixel position (calculated from row & ypixel)
 actor_ypixel .ds MAX_ACTORS  ; #  current pixel offset in row
 actor_yfrac .ds MAX_ACTORS  ; #  current fractional pixel
 actor_yspeed_l .ds MAX_ACTORS  ; #  current speed (affects fractional)