diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 1c3dddf..4277e86 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ cfgrammar = "0.9"
 lrpar = "0.9"
 lrlex = "0.9"
 structopt = "0.3"
+snafu = "0.6.6"
 
-#snafu = "0.6.6"
 #lazy_static = "1.4.0"
 #regex = "1.3.7"
 #derivative = "2.1.1"
diff --git a/runtime/src/obj/attrs.rs b/runtime/src/obj/attrs.rs
index e14cd8a..c04051a 100644
--- a/runtime/src/obj/attrs.rs
+++ b/runtime/src/obj/attrs.rs
@@ -1,14 +1,31 @@
-use crate::{obj::{Obj, ObjRef, sym::Sym}};
-use std::collections::BTreeMap;
+use crate::obj::{ObjRef, sym::Sym};
+use shredder::{Gc, Scan};
+use std::{collections::BTreeMap, ops::{Deref, DerefMut}};
 
 pub type Attrs = BTreeMap<Sym, ObjRef>;
+pub type VtableAttrs = Gc<Attrs>;
 
-impl Obj for Attrs {
-    fn attrs(&self) -> &Attrs {
-        self
-    }
+#[derive(Scan, Debug, Clone, Default)]
+pub struct Vtable {
+    attrs: VtableAttrs,
+}
 
-    fn attrs_mut(&mut self) -> Option<&mut Attrs> {
-        Some(self)
+impl Vtable {
+    pub fn new(attrs: Attrs) -> Self {
+        Self { attrs: Gc::new(attrs), }
+    }
+}
+
+impl Deref for Vtable {
+    type Target = VtableAttrs;
+
+    fn deref(&self) -> &Self::Target {
+        &self.attrs
+    }
+}
+
+impl DerefMut for Vtable {
+    fn deref_mut(&mut self) -> &mut Self::Target {
+        &mut self.attrs
     }
 }
diff --git a/runtime/src/obj/fun.rs b/runtime/src/obj/fun.rs
index 381c71e..051caae 100644
--- a/runtime/src/obj/fun.rs
+++ b/runtime/src/obj/fun.rs
@@ -3,11 +3,38 @@ use once_cell::sync::Lazy;
 use shredder::{GcSafeWrapper, Scan};
 use std::fmt::{Debug, Formatter, self};
 
+#[derive(Debug, Scan)]
+pub struct Method {
+    vtable: Vtable,
+    attrs: Attrs,
+}
+
+impl Method {
+    pub fn new(this: ObjRef, func: ObjRef) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            vtable: Default::default(),
+            attrs: attrs! {
+                SELF_MEMBER_NAME.sym => this,
+                FUNC_MEMBER_NAME.sym => func,
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl_obj!(Method);
+
+pub static CALL_METHOD_WRAPPER_FUN: Lazy<ObjRef<NativeFun>> = Lazy::new(|| {
+    NativeFun::new_obj(Box::new(|_vm, _fun, _args| {
+        todo!("__call__ function")
+    }))
+});
+
 //
 // struct UserFun
 //
 #[derive(Scan)]
 pub struct UserFun {
+    vtable: Vtable,
     attrs: Attrs,
     // Safe because Vec<Inst> doesn't need to be scanned
     #[shredder(unsafe_skip)]
@@ -27,7 +54,7 @@ impl UserFun {
     }
 }
 
-impl_obj!(UserFun, attrs);
+impl_obj!(UserFun);
 
 impl Debug for UserFun {
     fn fmt(&self, fmt: &mut Formatter) -> fmt::Result {
@@ -43,11 +70,14 @@ impl Debug for UserFun {
 // struct NativeFun
 //
 
+pub type NativeFunPtr = Box<dyn Fn(&mut Vm, ObjRef, Vec<ObjRef>) + Send + Sync>;
+
 #[derive(Scan)]
 pub struct NativeFun {
-    #[shredder(skip)]
-    fun: GcSafeWrapper<Box<dyn Fn(&mut Vm) + Send + Sync>>,
+    vtable: Vtable,
     attrs: Attrs,
+    #[shredder(skip)]
+    fun: GcSafeWrapper<NativeFunPtr>,
 }
 
 //
@@ -55,23 +85,13 @@ pub struct NativeFun {
 //
 
 impl NativeFun {
-    pub fn new(fun: Box<dyn Fn(&mut Vm) + Send + Sync>) -> ObjRef<Self> {
-        let obj_ref = ObjRef::new(Self {
-            fun: GcSafeWrapper::new(fun),
+    pub fn new_obj(fun: NativeFunPtr) -> ObjRef<Self> {
+        ObjRef::new(Self {
+            // TODO : vtable for NativeFun
+            vtable: Default::default(),
             attrs: Default::default(),
-        });
-
-        {
-            write_obj!(let obj = obj_ref);
-            obj.set_attr(*CALL_MEMBER_SYM, obj_ref.clone());
-            obj.set_attr(*GET_ATTR_MEMBER_SYM, GET_ATTR_MEMBER_FUN.clone());
-        }
-
-        obj_ref
-    }
-
-    pub fn call(&self, vm: &mut Vm) {
-        (self.fun)(vm)
+            fun: GcSafeWrapper::new(fun),
+        })
     }
 }
 
@@ -88,7 +108,7 @@ impl Debug for NativeFun {
     }
 }
 
-impl_obj!(NativeFun, attrs);
+impl_obj!(NativeFun);
 
 //
 // Native function defs
@@ -98,10 +118,8 @@ impl_obj!(NativeFun, attrs);
 // __get_attr__ *should* always bypass the __access__ function and get an attribute directly
 
 pub static GET_ATTR_MEMBER_FUN: Lazy<ObjRef<NativeFun>> = Lazy::new(|| {
-    NativeFun::new(Box::new(|_vm| {
+    NativeFun::new_obj(Box::new(|_vm, _fun, _args| {
         /*
-         * TODO - need SymObj or something like that, which can be used as an ObjRef - since that's
-         * all we'll have access to at runtime anyway
         let sym_ref = vm.pop();
         let obj_ref = vm.pop();
         obj_ref.access()
diff --git a/runtime/src/obj/int.rs b/runtime/src/obj/int.rs
index c4fbb44..a6ffbf5 100644
--- a/runtime/src/obj/int.rs
+++ b/runtime/src/obj/int.rs
@@ -1,24 +1,24 @@
-use crate::obj::{names::*, prelude::*};
+use crate::obj::prelude::*;
 use shredder::Scan;
 
+pub type IntRef = ObjRef<Int>;
+
 #[derive(Debug, Scan)]
 pub struct Int {
     value: i64,
+    vtable: Vtable,
     attrs: Attrs,
 }
 
 impl Int {
-    pub fn new(value: i64) -> ObjRef<Self> {
+    pub fn new_obj(value: i64) -> ObjRef<Self> {
+        // TODO : vtable for Int
         let obj_ref = ObjRef::new(Self {
             value,
+            vtable: Default::default(),
             attrs: Default::default(),
         });
 
-        {
-            write_obj!(let obj = obj_ref);
-            obj.set_attr(*GET_ATTR_MEMBER_SYM, GET_ATTR_MEMBER_FUN.clone());
-        }
-
         obj_ref
     }
 
@@ -27,4 +27,4 @@ impl Int {
     }
 }
 
-impl_obj!(Int, attrs);
+impl_obj_readonly!(Int);
diff --git a/runtime/src/obj/macros.rs b/runtime/src/obj/macros.rs
index 2466aa9..d6634b3 100644
--- a/runtime/src/obj/macros.rs
+++ b/runtime/src/obj/macros.rs
@@ -1,17 +1,48 @@
 /// Implements `Obj` for a given type and using the given member for attributes.
 #[macro_export]
 macro_rules! impl_obj {
-    ($ty:ty, $attrs:ident) => {
+    ($ty:ty, $vtable:ident, $attrs:ident) => {
         impl $crate::obj::Obj for $ty {
-            fn attrs(&self) -> &Attrs {
+            fn vtable(&self) -> &$crate::obj::attrs::Vtable {
+                &self.$vtable
+            }
+
+            fn attrs(&self) -> &$crate::obj::attrs::Attrs {
                 &self.$attrs
             }
 
-            fn attrs_mut(&mut self) -> Option<&mut Attrs> {
+            fn attrs_mut(&mut self) -> Option<&mut $crate::obj::attrs::Attrs> {
                 Some(&mut self.$attrs)
             }
         }
     };
+
+    ($ty:ty) => {
+        impl_obj!($ty, vtable, attrs);
+    }
+}
+
+#[macro_export]
+macro_rules! impl_obj_readonly {
+    ($ty:ty, $vtable:ident, $attrs:ident) => {
+        impl $crate::obj::Obj for $ty {
+            fn vtable(&self) -> &$crate::obj::attrs::Vtable {
+                &self.$vtable
+            }
+
+            fn attrs(&self) -> &$crate::obj::attrs::Attrs {
+                &self.$attrs
+            }
+
+            fn attrs_mut(&mut self) -> Option<&mut $crate::obj::attrs::Attrs> {
+                None
+            }
+        }
+    };
+
+    ($ty:ty) => {
+        impl_obj_readonly!($ty, vtable, attrs);
+    };
 }
 
 /// Locks a `ObjRef` type for reading.
@@ -43,3 +74,14 @@ macro_rules! attrs {
         maplit::btreemap! { }
     }}
 }
+
+#[macro_export]
+macro_rules! vtable {
+    ($($key:expr => $value:expr),+ $(,)?) => {{
+        $crate::obj::attrs::Vtable::new(maplit::btreemap! { $($key => ($value as _) ),+ })
+    }};
+
+    () => {{
+        $crate::obj::attrs::Vtable::new(maplit::btreemap! { })
+    }}
+}
diff --git a/runtime/src/obj/mod.rs b/runtime/src/obj/mod.rs
index f01c7e6..a4c53d6 100644
--- a/runtime/src/obj/mod.rs
+++ b/runtime/src/obj/mod.rs
@@ -8,8 +8,9 @@ pub mod intern;
 pub mod names;
 pub mod str;
 pub mod sym;
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod test;
 pub mod ty;
-#[cfg(test)] mod test;
 
 pub mod prelude {
     pub use crate::obj::{attrs::*, fun::*, int::*, intern::*, str::*, sym::*, ty::*, Obj, ObjRef};
@@ -17,8 +18,8 @@ pub mod prelude {
 
 use shredder::{Gc, Scan};
 use std::{
-    ops::{Deref, DerefMut, CoerceUnsized},
     marker::Unsize,
+    ops::{CoerceUnsized, Deref, DerefMut},
     sync::RwLock,
 };
 
@@ -30,11 +31,18 @@ use sym::Sym;
 //
 
 pub trait Obj: Scan + std::fmt::Debug {
+    fn vtable(&self) -> &Vtable;
     fn attrs(&self) -> &Attrs;
     fn attrs_mut(&mut self) -> Option<&mut Attrs>;
 
-    fn get_attr(&self, sym: &Sym) -> Option<&ObjRef> {
-        self.attrs().get(&sym)
+    fn get_attr(&self, sym: &Sym) -> Option<ObjRef> {
+        self.attrs()
+            .get(&sym)
+            .cloned()
+            .or_else(|| {
+                let vtable = self.vtable().get();
+                vtable.get(&sym).cloned()
+            })
     }
 
     fn set_attr(&mut self, sym: Sym, value: ObjRef) -> Option<ObjRef> {
@@ -47,13 +55,21 @@ pub trait Obj: Scan + std::fmt::Debug {
 //
 
 #[derive(Debug, Scan)]
-pub struct ObjRef<T: Obj + ?Sized + Send + Sync = (dyn Obj + Send + Sync + 'static)> {
+pub struct ObjRef<T = (dyn Obj + Send + Sync + 'static)>
+where
+    T: Obj + ?Sized + Send + Sync,
+{
     gc: Gc<RwLock<T>>,
 }
 
-impl<T: Obj + ?Sized + Send + Sync> Clone for ObjRef<T> {
+impl<T> Clone for ObjRef<T>
+where
+    T: Obj + ?Sized + Send + Sync,
+{
     fn clone(&self) -> Self {
-        ObjRef { gc: self.gc.clone() }
+        ObjRef {
+            gc: self.gc.clone(),
+        }
     }
 }
 
@@ -61,7 +77,10 @@ impl<T: Obj + ?Sized + Send + Sync> Clone for ObjRef<T> {
 // impl ObjRef
 //
 
-impl<T: Obj + ?Sized + Send + Sync> ObjRef<T> {
+impl<T> ObjRef<T>
+where
+    T: Obj + ?Sized + Send + Sync,
+{
     /// Check object reference equality.
     pub fn ref_eq(&self, other: &Self) -> bool {
         let lhs: &RwLock<T> = &*self.gc.get();
@@ -70,7 +89,10 @@ impl<T: Obj + ?Sized + Send + Sync> ObjRef<T> {
     }
 }
 
-impl<T: Obj + Send + Sync + 'static> ObjRef<T> {
+impl<T> ObjRef<T>
+where
+    T: Obj + Send + Sync + 'static,
+{
     pub fn new(obj: T) -> Self {
         ObjRef {
             gc: Gc::new(RwLock::new(obj)),
diff --git a/runtime/src/obj/names.rs b/runtime/src/obj/names.rs
index 6135453..5cc0680 100644
--- a/runtime/src/obj/names.rs
+++ b/runtime/src/obj/names.rs
@@ -1,33 +1,49 @@
-use crate::obj::sym::{Sym, global_sym};
+use crate::obj::sym::{Sym, SymRef, global_sym, global_sym_ref};
 use once_cell::sync::Lazy;
 
 macro_rules! name {
-    ($name:ident, $sym_name:ident, $text:expr $(,)?) => {
-        pub const $name: &str = $text;
-        pub static $sym_name: Lazy<Sym> = Lazy::new(|| global_sym($name.to_string()));
+    ($name:ident, $text:expr $(,)?) => {
+        pub static $name: Lazy<NameInfo> = Lazy::new(|| {
+            let name = $text;
+            let sym = global_sym(name.to_string());
+            NameInfo { name, sym, }
+        });
+    }
+}
+
+pub struct NameInfo {
+    pub name: &'static str,
+    pub sym: Sym,
+}
+
+impl NameInfo {
+    pub fn sym_ref(&self) -> SymRef {
+        global_sym_ref(self.name.to_string())
     }
 }
 
 //
 // Types
 //
-name!(INT_TY_NAME, INT_TY_SYM, "Int");
-name!(TY_TY_NAME, TY_TY_SYM, "Type");
-name!(SYM_TY_NAME, SYM_TY_SYM, "Sym");
+name!(INT_NAME, "Int");
+name!(TY_NAME, "Type");
+name!(SYM_NAME, "Sym");
 
 //
 // Members
 //
-name!(TY_MEMBER_NAME, TY_MEMBER_SYM, "__type__");
-name!(CALL_MEMBER_NAME, CALL_MEMBER_SYM, "__call__");
-name!(NAME_MEMBER_NAME, NAME_MEMBER_SYM, "__name__");
-name!(GET_ATTR_MEMBER_NAME, GET_ATTR_MEMBER_SYM, "__get_attr__");
-name!(SET_ATTR_MEMBER_NAME, SET_ATTR_MEMBER_SYM, "__set_attr__");
+name!(TY_MEMBER_NAME, "__type__");
+name!(CALL_MEMBER_NAME, "__call__");
+name!(NAME_MEMBER_NAME, "__name__");
+name!(GET_ATTR_MEMBER_NAME, "__get_attr__");
+name!(SET_ATTR_MEMBER_NAME, "__set_attr__");
+name!(SELF_MEMBER_NAME, "__self__");
+name!(FUNC_MEMBER_NAME, "__func__");
 
 //
 // Predefined VM-aware symbols
 //
-name!(LOCAL_NAME, LOCAL_SYM, "__local__");
+name!(SCOPE_NAME, "__scope__");
 
 //
 // Builtin functions
@@ -39,17 +55,17 @@ name!(LOCAL_NAME, LOCAL_SYM, "__local__");
 //
 // Builtin constants
 //
-name!(TRUE_NAME, TRUE_SYM, "true");
-name!(FALSE_NAME, FALSE_SYM, "false");
-name!(NIL_NAME, NIL_SYM, "nil");
+name!(TRUE_NAME, "true");
+name!(FALSE_NAME, "false");
+name!(NIL_NAME, "nil");
 
 // Operator function names
-name!(EQ_EQ_OP_NAME, EQ_EQ_OP_SYM, "__eq__");
-name!(LT_OP_NAME, LT_OP_SYM, "__lt__");
-name!(GT_OP_NAME, GT_OP_SYM, "__gt__");
-name!(LT_EQ_OP_NAME, LT_EQ_OP_SYM, "__le__");
-name!(GT_EQ_OP_NAME, GT_EQ_OP_SYM, "__ge__");
-name!(PLUS_OP_NAME, PLUS_OP_SYM, "__add__");
-name!(MINUS_OP_NAME, MINUS_OP_SYM, "__sub__");
-name!(TIMES_OP_NAME, TIMES_OP_SYM, "__mul__");
-name!(DIV_OP_NAME, DIV_OP_SYM, "__div__");
+name!(EQ_EQ_OP_NAME, "__eq__");
+name!(LT_OP_NAME, "__lt__");
+name!(GT_OP_NAME, "__gt__");
+name!(LT_EQ_OP_NAME, "__le__");
+name!(GT_EQ_OP_NAME, "__ge__");
+name!(PLUS_OP_NAME, "__add__");
+name!(MINUS_OP_NAME, "__sub__");
+name!(TIMES_OP_NAME, "__mul__");
+name!(DIV_OP_NAME, "__div__");
diff --git a/runtime/src/obj/str.rs b/runtime/src/obj/str.rs
index c61c462..9270e2a 100644
--- a/runtime/src/obj/str.rs
+++ b/runtime/src/obj/str.rs
@@ -1,11 +1,27 @@
 use crate::obj::prelude::*;
 use shredder::Scan;
 
+pub type StrRef = ObjRef<Str>;
+
 #[derive(Debug, Scan)]
 pub struct Str {
-    value: String,
+    vtable: Vtable,
     attrs: Attrs,
+    value: String,
 }
 
-impl_obj!(Str, attrs);
+impl Str {
+    pub fn new_obj(value: String) -> StrRef {
+        StrRef::new(Str {
+            vtable: Default::default(),
+            attrs: Default::default(),
+            value,
+        })
+    }
 
+    pub fn value(&self) -> &String {
+        &self.value
+    }
+}
+
+impl_obj_readonly!(Str);
diff --git a/runtime/src/obj/sym.rs b/runtime/src/obj/sym.rs
index f95fcb5..ca79c0b 100644
--- a/runtime/src/obj/sym.rs
+++ b/runtime/src/obj/sym.rs
@@ -1,26 +1,37 @@
-use crate::obj::{prelude::*, intern::Interner, names::*};
+use crate::obj::{intern::Interner, names::*, prelude::*};
 use once_cell::sync::Lazy;
 use shredder::Scan;
-use std::sync::Mutex;
+use std::{collections::BTreeMap, sync::Mutex};
 
 //
 // struct Sym
 //
 
+pub type SymRef = ObjRef<Sym>;
+
 /// A literal name or symbol.
 #[derive(Scan, Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, PartialOrd, Ord, Hash)]
 pub struct Sym(usize);
 
 impl Sym {
-    pub fn new(sym: usize) -> Self {
-        Sym(sym)
-    }
-
+    /// Gets the index of this symbol.
     pub fn index(&self) -> usize {
         self.0
     }
 
-    pub fn new_obj(sym: impl Into<Sym>) -> ObjRef<Sym> {
+    /// Creates a new symbol.
+    ///
+    /// Generally, new symbols should be created through the `global_sym` function - take care
+    /// while using this function.
+    pub(super) fn new(sym: usize) -> Self {
+        Sym(sym)
+    }
+
+    /// Creates a new symbol object.
+    ///
+    /// Generally, new symbol objects should be created through the `global_sym_ref` function -
+    /// take care while using this function.
+    pub(super) fn new_obj(sym: impl Into<Sym>) -> SymRef {
         ObjRef::new(sym.into())
     }
 }
@@ -32,63 +43,75 @@ impl From<usize> for Sym {
 }
 
 impl Obj for Sym {
+    fn vtable(&self) -> &Vtable {
+        &SYM_VTABLE
+    }
+
     fn attrs(&self) -> &Attrs {
         &SYM_ATTRS
     }
 
-    fn attrs_mut(&mut self) -> Option<&mut Attrs> { None }
+    fn attrs_mut(&mut self) -> Option<&mut Attrs> {
+        None
+    }
+}
+
+impl<T> std::ops::Index<Sym> for Vec<T> {
+    type Output = T;
+
+    fn index(&self, sym: Sym) -> &Self::Output {
+        &self[sym.index()]
+    }
 }
 
 //
-// Symbol Ty object
+// Sym Ty object
 //
 
-pub static NIL_OBJ: Lazy<ObjRef<Sym>> = Lazy::new(|| Sym::new_obj(*NIL_SYM));
+pub static SYM_TY: Lazy<ObjRef<Ty>> = Lazy::new(|| Ty::new_obj(SYM_NAME.sym_ref()));
 
-pub static TRUE_OBJ: Lazy<ObjRef<Sym>> = Lazy::new(|| Sym::new_obj(*TRUE_SYM));
-
-pub static FALSE_OBJ: Lazy<ObjRef<Sym>> = Lazy::new(|| Sym::new_obj(*FALSE_SYM));
-
-pub static SYM_TY: Lazy<ObjRef<Ty>> = Lazy::new(|| Ty::new(SYM_TY_SYM_OBJ.clone()));
-
-/// The Sym type's name object (as a symbol).
-pub static SYM_TY_SYM_OBJ: Lazy<ObjRef<Sym>> = Lazy::new(|| Sym::new_obj(*SYM_TY_SYM));
-
-pub static SYM_ATTRS: Lazy<Attrs> = Lazy::new(|| attrs! {
-    *TY_MEMBER_SYM => SYM_TY.clone(),
-    *NAME_MEMBER_SYM => SYM_TY_SYM_OBJ.clone(),
-});
+/// Symbols have no attributes. This is mostly because it's a pain to do cyclic references at this
+/// point.
+pub static SYM_ATTRS: Lazy<Attrs> = Lazy::new(|| attrs! {});
+pub static SYM_VTABLE: Lazy<Vtable> = Lazy::new(|| vtable! {});
 
 //
-// global symbols table
+// global interned symbol obj table
 //
+pub(crate) static SYM_REFS: Lazy<Mutex<BTreeMap<Sym, SymRef>>> =
+    Lazy::new(|| Mutex::new(Default::default()));
 
-pub(crate) static SYMBOLS: Lazy<Mutex<SymTable>> = Lazy::new(|| {
-    Mutex::new(SymTable::default())
-});
-
-/*
-pub(crate) fn global_name_lookup(sym: Sym) -> Option<Arc<String>> {
-    let table = SYMBOLS.lock()
-        .unwrap();
-    table.lookup(sym)
+/// Access or insert a globally interned symbol object.
+///
+/// If the given symbol name doesn't have a corresponding object, it will be created.
+pub fn global_sym_ref(s: String) -> SymRef {
+    let sym = global_sym(s);
+    let mut refs = SYM_REFS.lock().unwrap();
+    if let Some(obj) = refs.get(&sym) {
+        obj.clone()
+    } else {
+        let sym_ref = Sym::new_obj(sym);
+        refs.insert(sym, sym_ref.clone());
+        sym_ref
+    }
 }
 
-pub(crate) fn global_sym_lookup(s: String) -> Option<Sym> {
-    let table = SYMBOLS.lock()
-        .unwrap();
-    table.lookup_sym(s)
-}
-*/
+//
+// global interned symbol table
+//
 
-pub(crate) fn global_sym(s: String) -> Sym {
-    let mut table = SYMBOLS.lock()
-        .unwrap();
+pub(crate) static SYMS: Lazy<Mutex<SymTable>> = Lazy::new(|| Mutex::new(SymTable::default()));
+
+/// Access or insert a globally interned symbol.
+///
+/// If the given symbol doesn't exist, it will be created.
+pub fn global_sym(s: String) -> Sym {
+    let mut table = SYMS.lock().unwrap();
     table.insert(s)
 }
 
 //
-// SymTable
+// SymTable interner types
 //
 
 pub type SymTable = Interner<String>;
diff --git a/runtime/src/obj/test.rs b/runtime/src/obj/test.rs
index 0608c9a..316dee4 100644
--- a/runtime/src/obj/test.rs
+++ b/runtime/src/obj/test.rs
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ fn test_sym_plumbing() {
     run_with_gc_cleanup(|| {
         assert_eq!(number_of_tracked_allocations(), start + 0);
 
-        let nil = NIL_OBJ.clone();
+        let nil = NIL_NAME.sym_ref();
 
         // nil sym obj
         assert_eq!(number_of_tracked_allocations(), start + 1);
@@ -23,41 +23,32 @@ fn test_sym_plumbing() {
         {
             read_obj!(let nil_obj = nil);
             let sym: Sym = **nil_obj;
-            assert_eq!(*NIL_SYM, sym);
+            assert_eq!(NIL_NAME.sym, sym);
             assert_eq!(number_of_tracked_allocations(), start + 1);
 
-            // nil_obj.attrs will initialize:
-            //  - SYM_ATTRS (not an object)
-            //      + SYM_TY
-            //          + SYM_TY_SYM_OBJ
-            //              - SYM_TY_SYM (not an object)
-            //          + TY_MEMBER_SYM
-            //          + TY_TY
-            //  - SYM_TY_SYM_OBJ (already initialized)
             nil_obj.attrs();
-            let ty_sym_obj = SYM_TY_SYM_OBJ.clone();
-            assert_eq!(number_of_tracked_allocations(), start + 5);
+            let ty_sym_obj = SYM_NAME.sym_ref();
+            assert_eq!(number_of_tracked_allocations(), start + 2);
         }
 
-        let on = TRUE_OBJ.clone();
+        let on = TRUE_NAME.sym_ref();
         // true sym obj, sym ty obj shouldn't be duplicated
-        assert_eq!(number_of_tracked_allocations(), start + 6);
+        assert_eq!(number_of_tracked_allocations(), start + 3);
 
-        let off = FALSE_OBJ.clone();
+        let off = FALSE_NAME.sym_ref();
         // false sym obj, sym ty obj shouldn't be duplicated
-        assert_eq!(number_of_tracked_allocations(), start + 7);
+        assert_eq!(number_of_tracked_allocations(), start + 4);
     });
     // these are *static* values, so there will always remain at least one reference.
-    assert_eq!(number_of_tracked_allocations(), start + 7);
-    // TODO ^ prove the above
+    assert_eq!(number_of_tracked_allocations(), start + 4);
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn test_dyn_obj_ref_eq() {
     #[derive(Default, Debug, Scan)]
-    struct FooObj { attrs: Attrs }
+    struct FooObj { vtable: Attrs, attrs: Attrs }
 
-    impl_obj!(FooObj, attrs);
+    impl_obj!(FooObj, vtable, attrs);
 
     let _guard = TEST_LOCK.lock().unwrap();
     let start = number_of_tracked_allocations(); // need 'start' because of static allocations
diff --git a/runtime/src/obj/ty.rs b/runtime/src/obj/ty.rs
index a93361a..224e604 100644
--- a/runtime/src/obj/ty.rs
+++ b/runtime/src/obj/ty.rs
@@ -4,40 +4,31 @@ use shredder::Scan;
 
 #[derive(Scan, Debug)]
 pub struct Ty {
+    vtable: Vtable,
     attrs: Attrs,
 }
 
 impl Ty {
-    pub fn new(name: ObjRef) -> ObjRef<Self> {
+    pub fn new_obj(name: ObjRef) -> ObjRef<Self> {
         // Ty objects have these attributes:
         // __ty__   - always the Type type
         // __name__ - this type's name as a symbol
         ObjRef::new(Ty {
-            attrs: attrs! {
-                *TY_MEMBER_SYM => TY_TY.clone(),
-                *NAME_MEMBER_SYM => name.clone(),
-            }
+            vtable: vtable! {
+                TY_MEMBER_NAME.sym => TY_TY.clone(),
+                NAME_MEMBER_NAME.sym => name.clone(),
+            },
+            attrs: Default::default(),
         })
     }
 }
 
-pub static TY_TY_SYM_OBJ: Lazy<ObjRef<Sym>> = Lazy::new(|| {
-    Sym::new_obj(*TY_TY_SYM)
-});
-
 pub static TY_TY: Lazy<ObjRef<Ty>> = Lazy::new(|| {
-    let ty = ObjRef::new(Ty {
-        attrs: attrs! {
-            *NAME_MEMBER_SYM => TY_TY_SYM_OBJ.clone(),
-        }
-    });
-
-    // add self-reference
-    {
-        write_obj!(let ty_obj = ty);
-        ty_obj.set_attr(*TY_MEMBER_SYM, ty.clone());
-    }
-    ty
+    // TODO : vtable for Ty
+    ObjRef::new(Ty {
+        vtable: Default::default(),
+        attrs: Default::default(),
+    })
 });
 
-impl_obj!(Ty, attrs);
+impl_obj!(Ty);
diff --git a/runtime/src/vm/consts.rs b/runtime/src/vm/consts.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bfc7c88
--- /dev/null
+++ b/runtime/src/vm/consts.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+use crate::obj::prelude::*;
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, PartialOrd, Ord, Hash)]
+pub struct ConstHandle(usize);
+
+impl ConstHandle {
+    pub fn index(&self) -> usize {
+        self.0
+    }
+
+    pub fn new(handle: usize) -> Self {
+        ConstHandle(handle)
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Default)]
+pub struct ConstPool {
+    pool: Vec<ObjRef>,
+}
+
+impl ConstPool {
+    pub fn new() -> Self {
+        Default::default()
+    }
+
+    pub fn push(&mut self, value: ObjRef) -> ConstHandle {
+        let hdl = ConstHandle::new(self.pool.len());
+        self.pool.push(value);
+        hdl
+    }
+
+    pub fn get(&self, hdl: ConstHandle) -> &ObjRef {
+        self.pool.get(hdl.index()).unwrap()
+    }
+
+    pub fn len(&self) -> usize {
+        self.pool.len()
+    }
+}
+
+impl std::ops::Index<ConstHandle> for ConstPool {
+    type Output = ObjRef;
+
+    fn index(&self, hdl: ConstHandle) -> &Self::Output {
+        self.get(hdl)
+    }
+}
diff --git a/runtime/src/vm/inst.rs b/runtime/src/vm/inst.rs
index 1015f12..2041938 100644
--- a/runtime/src/vm/inst.rs
+++ b/runtime/src/vm/inst.rs
@@ -1,27 +1,33 @@
-use crate::obj::prelude::*;
+use crate::{obj::prelude::*, vm::consts::ConstHandle};
 
 #[derive(Debug, PartialEq)]
 pub enum Inst {
     /// Push a literal symbol object to the stack.
     PushSym(Sym),
 
+    /// Push a const value reference to the stack.
+    PushConst(ConstHandle),
+
+    /// Looks up and pushes a local value.
+    PushLocal(Sym),
+
     /// Pop a value from the stack, possibly into a local symbol.
     Pop(Option<Sym>),
 
     /// Pops a symbol value and an object reference.
     ///
     /// This will get an attr from the object reference pointed to by the symbol.
-    ///
-    /// If the object reference is `:__local__`, this instruction will push a local value.
-    GetAttr,
+    GetAttr(Sym),
 
-    /// Pops an object reference, a symbol value, and another object reference.
+    /// A target reference and a source reference from the stack.
     ///
-    /// This will set an attr of the second object ref to the first object ref, with the symbol
-    /// value name.
+    /// The target reference will have the given symbol attribute assigned to the source.
     ///
-    /// If the given value is `:__local__`, this instruction will set a local value.
-    SetAttr,
+    /// In code, it would look like this:
+    ///
+    ///     target.symbol = source
+    ///
+    SetAttr(Sym),
 
     /// Jump to a given address in the current function unconditionally.
     Jump(usize),
@@ -31,11 +37,75 @@ pub enum Inst {
     /// The condition flag may be set by an internal function.
     JumpTrue(usize),
 
-    /// Pops the top item off of the stack, followed by the number of arguments supplied, and
-    /// attempts to run the `__call__` attribute of the object.
+    /// Calls a function with the supplied number of arguments.
+    ///
+    /// The stack, from bottom to top, should contain the function followed by the arguments.
+    ///
+    /// After the function has returned, the VM will have popped the arguments and function
+    /// pointer, and the return value will be on top of the stack.
     Call(usize),
 
+    /// Indexes a value, e.g. a list or a dict.
+    ///
+    /// The stack, from bottom to top, should have the expression being indexed, and then the
+    /// indexed value.
+    Index,
+
     /// Pops the top value from the stack, and returns from the function, using the popped value as
     /// a return value.
     Return,
+
+    /// Replaces the top stack value with its negation applied.
+    UnNeg,
+
+    /// Replaces the top stack value with its absolute value applied.
+    UnPos,
+
+    /// Pops the top two items off of the stack, and applies the binary addition operator to them,
+    /// pushing the result to the stack.
+    BinPlus,
+
+    /// Pops the top two items off of the stack, and applies the binary subtraction operator to
+    /// them, pushing the result to the stack.
+    BinMinus,
+
+    /// Pops the top two items off of the stack, and applies the binary multiplication operator to
+    /// them, pushing the result to the stack.
+    BinMul,
+
+    /// Pops the top two items off of the stack, and applies the binary division operator to them,
+    /// pushing the result to the stack.
+    BinDiv,
+
+    /// Pops the top two items off of the stack, and applies the boolean equality operator to them,
+    /// pushing the result to the stack.
+    BinEq,
+
+    /// Pops the top two items off of the stack, and applies the boolean inequality operator to
+    /// them, pushing the result to the stack.
+    BinNeq,
+
+    /// Pops the top two items off of the stack, and applies the boolean less-than operator to
+    /// them, pushing the result to the stack.
+    BinLt,
+
+    /// Pops the top two items off of the stack, and applies the binary less-than or equals
+    /// operator to them, pushing the result to the stack.
+    BinLe,
+
+    /// Pops the top two items off of the stack, and applies the boolean greater-than operator to
+    /// them, pushing the result to the stack.
+    BinGt,
+
+    /// Pops the top two items off of the stack, and applies the binary greater-than or equals
+    /// operator to them, pushing the result to the stack.
+    BinGe,
+
+    /// Pops the top two items off of the stack, and applies the boolean and operator to them,
+    /// pushing the result to the stack.
+    BinAnd,
+
+    /// Pops the top two items off of the stack, and applies the boolean or operator to them,
+    /// pushing the result to the stack.
+    BinOr,
 }
diff --git a/runtime/src/vm/mod.rs b/runtime/src/vm/mod.rs
index 7567f8a..0ecc3ad 100644
--- a/runtime/src/vm/mod.rs
+++ b/runtime/src/vm/mod.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 mod frame;
 pub mod inst;
+pub mod consts;
 
 use crate::obj::prelude::*;
 
diff --git a/src/compile/error.rs b/src/compile/error.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..04fd678
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/compile/error.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+use snafu::Snafu;
+
+#[derive(Debug, Snafu)]
+pub enum Error {
+    #[snafu(display("invalid assignment target"))]
+    InvalidLhs,
+
+    #[snafu(display("invalid object attribute"))]
+    InvalidAttr,
+}
+
+pub type Result<T, E = Error> = std::result::Result<T, E>;
diff --git a/src/compile/mod.rs b/src/compile/mod.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..08ec7aa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/compile/mod.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+pub mod thunk;
+pub mod error;
+
+use runtime::{obj::prelude::*, vm::consts::*};
+use std::collections::HashMap;
+
+pub struct Compile<'t> {
+    text: &'t str,
+    const_data: ConstData,
+}
+
+impl<'t> Compile<'t> {
+    pub fn new(text: &'t str) -> Self {
+        Compile { text, const_data: Default::default() }
+    }
+
+    pub fn text(&self) -> &'t str {
+        self.text
+    }
+
+    pub fn const_data(&self) -> &ConstData {
+        &self.const_data
+    }
+
+    pub fn const_data_mut(&mut self) -> &mut ConstData {
+        &mut self.const_data
+    }
+
+    /// Gets or inserts a static int reference.
+    pub fn const_int(&mut self, int: i64) -> (ConstHandle, IntRef) {
+        self.const_data_mut()
+            .const_int(int)
+    }
+
+    /// Gets or inserts a static string reference.
+    pub fn const_str(&mut self, s: impl AsRef<str>) -> (ConstHandle, StrRef) {
+        self.const_data_mut()
+            .const_str(s)
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Default)]
+pub struct ConstData {
+    ints: HashMap<i64, (ConstHandle, IntRef)>,
+    strs: HashMap<String, (ConstHandle, StrRef)>,
+    const_pool: ConstPool,
+}
+
+impl ConstData {
+    /// Gets or inserts a static int reference.
+    pub fn const_int(&mut self, int: i64) -> (ConstHandle, IntRef) {
+        if let Some(pair) = self.ints.get(&int) {
+            pair.clone()
+        } else {
+            let obj = Int::new_obj(int);
+            let hdl = self.const_pool.push(obj.clone());
+            self.ints.insert(int, (hdl, obj.clone()));
+            (hdl, obj)
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Gets or inserts a static string reference.
+    pub fn const_str(&mut self, s: impl AsRef<str>) -> (ConstHandle, StrRef) {
+        let s = s.as_ref();
+        if let Some(pair) = self.strs.get(s) {
+            pair.clone()
+        } else {
+            let obj = Str::new_obj(s.to_string());
+            let hdl = self.const_pool.push(obj.clone());
+            self.strs.insert(s.to_string(), (hdl, obj.clone()));
+            (hdl, obj)
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/compile/thunk.rs b/src/compile/thunk.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2866320
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/compile/thunk.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,228 @@
+use crate::{
+    compile::{error::*, Compile},
+    syn::{ast::*, visit::*},
+};
+use runtime::{obj::prelude::*, vm::inst::*};
+use std::mem;
+
+pub enum Thunk {
+    Body(Vec<Inst>),
+    List(Vec<Thunk>),
+    Branch {
+        thunk_true: Box<Thunk>,
+        thunk_false: Box<Thunk>,
+    },
+    Nop,
+}
+
+impl Thunk {
+    pub fn push(&mut self, append: impl Into<Inst>) {
+        self.push_thunk(Thunk::Body(vec![append.into()]))
+    }
+
+    pub fn push_thunk(&mut self, append: impl Into<Thunk>) {
+        let append = append.into();
+        let inner = mem::replace(self, Thunk::Nop);
+
+        *self = match (inner, append) {
+            // X + Nop = X
+            (lhs, Thunk::Nop) => lhs,
+            (Thunk::Nop, rhs) => rhs,
+
+            // Body + Body = Body
+            (Thunk::Body(mut lhs), Thunk::Body(rhs)) => {
+                lhs.extend(rhs);
+                Thunk::Body(lhs)
+            }
+            // List + List = List
+            (Thunk::List(mut lhs), Thunk::List(rhs)) => {
+                lhs.extend(rhs);
+                Thunk::List(lhs)
+            }
+            // List + X = List
+            (Thunk::List(mut lhs), rhs) => {
+                lhs.push(rhs);
+                Thunk::List(lhs)
+            }
+            // X + List = List
+            (lhs, Thunk::List(mut rhs)) => {
+                rhs.insert(0, lhs);
+                Thunk::List(rhs)
+            }
+            // X + X = List
+            (lhs, rhs) => Thunk::List(vec![lhs, rhs]),
+        };
+    }
+}
+
+impl From<Inst> for Thunk {
+    fn from(other: Inst) -> Self {
+        Self::from(vec![other])
+    }
+}
+
+impl From<Vec<Inst>> for Thunk {
+    fn from(other: Vec<Inst>) -> Self {
+        Thunk::Body(other)
+    }
+}
+
+impl From<Vec<Thunk>> for Thunk {
+    fn from(other: Vec<Thunk>) -> Self {
+        Thunk::List(other)
+    }
+}
+
+pub struct CompileBody<'c, 't> {
+    compile: &'c mut Compile<'t>,
+}
+
+impl<'c, 't> CompileBody<'c, 't> {
+    pub fn new(compile: &'c mut Compile<'t>) -> Self {
+        CompileBody { compile }
+    }
+
+    pub fn compile(&mut self, body: &'c Body) -> Result<Thunk> {
+        self.visit_body(body)
+    }
+}
+
+impl Visit for CompileBody<'_, '_> {
+    type Out = Result<Thunk>;
+
+    fn visit_body(&mut self, body: &Body) -> Self::Out {
+        let mut thunk = Thunk::Nop;
+
+        for stmt in body.body.iter() {
+            thunk.push_thunk(stmt.accept(self)?);
+        }
+
+        Ok(thunk)
+    }
+
+    fn visit_stmt(&mut self, stmt: &Stmt) -> Self::Out {
+        DefaultAccept::default_accept(stmt, self)
+    }
+
+    fn visit_assign_stmt(&mut self, assign: &AssignStmt) -> Self::Out {
+        // - push rhs
+        // - push lhs (which handles the assignment)
+        let mut thunk = self.visit_expr(&assign.rhs)?;
+        thunk.push_thunk(self.visit_lhs_expr(&assign.lhs)?);
+        Ok(thunk)
+    }
+
+    fn visit_lhs_expr(&mut self, lhs_expr: &LhsExpr) -> Self::Out {
+        // Do different things depending on the LHS
+        let mut thunk;
+        match &lhs_expr {
+            LhsExpr::SetAttr(expr) => {
+                // - push lhs expression (without accessor)
+                // - setattr (access)  NOTE : rhs should already be on stack
+                thunk = self.visit_expr(&expr.expr)?;
+                let attr = global_sym(expr.access.to_string());
+                thunk.push(Inst::SetAttr(attr));
+            }
+            LhsExpr::Local(local) => {
+                let local = global_sym(local.to_string());
+                thunk = Inst::Pop(Some(local)).into();
+            }
+        }
+        Ok(thunk)
+    }
+
+    fn visit_expr(&mut self, expr: &Expr) -> Self::Out {
+        DefaultAccept::default_accept(expr, self)
+    }
+
+    fn visit_bin_expr(&mut self, expr: &BinExpr) -> Self::Out {
+        // - push lhs
+        // - push rhs
+        // - call operator's function
+        let mut thunk = self.visit_expr(&expr.lhs)?;
+        thunk.push_thunk(self.visit_expr(&expr.rhs)?);
+        let inst = match expr.op {
+            BinOp::Plus => Inst::BinPlus,
+            BinOp::Minus => Inst::BinMinus,
+            BinOp::Times => Inst::BinMul,
+            BinOp::Div => Inst::BinDiv,
+            BinOp::Eq => Inst::BinEq,
+            BinOp::Neq => Inst::BinNeq,
+            BinOp::Lt => Inst::BinLt,
+            BinOp::Le => Inst::BinLe,
+            BinOp::Gt => Inst::BinGt,
+            BinOp::Ge => Inst::BinGe,
+            BinOp::And => Inst::BinAnd,
+            BinOp::Or => Inst::BinOr,
+        };
+
+        thunk.push(inst);
+        Ok(thunk)
+    }
+
+    fn visit_un_expr(&mut self, expr: &UnExpr) -> Self::Out {
+        // - push expr
+        // - call operator's function
+        let mut thunk = self.visit_expr(&expr.expr)?;
+        match expr.op {
+            UnOp::Plus => thunk.push(Inst::UnPos),
+            UnOp::Minus => thunk.push(Inst::UnNeg),
+        }
+        Ok(thunk)
+    }
+
+    fn visit_call_expr(&mut self, expr: &CallExpr) -> Self::Out {
+        // - push expr
+        // - push args in order
+        // - call function
+        let mut thunk = self.visit_expr(&expr.expr)?;
+        for arg in expr.args.iter() {
+            thunk.push_thunk(self.visit_expr(&arg)?);
+        }
+        Ok(thunk)
+    }
+
+    fn visit_index_expr(&mut self, expr: &IndexExpr) -> Self::Out {
+        // - eval expr
+        // - eval index
+        // - index
+        let mut thunk = self.visit_expr(&expr.expr)?;
+        thunk.push_thunk(self.visit_expr(&expr.index)?);
+        thunk.push(Inst::Index);
+        Ok(thunk)
+    }
+
+    fn visit_access_expr(&mut self, expr: &AccessExpr) -> Self::Out {
+        // - eval expr
+        // - getattr (expr.access)
+        let mut thunk = self.visit_expr(&expr.expr)?;
+        thunk.push_thunk(Thunk::Body(vec![
+                Inst::GetAttr(global_sym(expr.access.to_string())),
+        ]));
+        Ok(thunk)
+    }
+
+    fn visit_atom(&mut self, atom: &Atom) -> Self::Out {
+        let thunk = match atom {
+            Atom::Ident(ident) => {
+                // get local
+                Inst::PushLocal(global_sym(ident.to_string())).into()
+            }
+            Atom::Sym(sym) => {
+                // push symbol
+                Inst::PushSym(global_sym(sym.clone())).into()
+            }
+            Atom::Num(num) => {
+                // push const
+                let (hdl, _) = self.compile.const_int(*num);
+                Inst::PushConst(hdl).into()
+            }
+            Atom::String(s) => {
+                // push const
+                let (hdl, _) = self.compile.const_str(s);
+                Inst::PushConst(hdl).into()
+            }
+        };
+        Ok(thunk)
+    }
+}