diff --git a/engines/ultima8/std/string.h b/engines/ultima8/std/string.h
index 092f9529ab9..27481b012fe 100644
--- a/engines/ultima8/std/string.h
+++ b/engines/ultima8/std/string.h
@@ -171,6 +171,22 @@ public:
 	reverse_iterator rend() {
 		return reverse_iterator(this, -1);
 	}
+
+	bool operator==(const string &x) const {
+		return !Compare(x);
+	}
+
+	bool operator==(const char *x) const {
+		return !Compare(x);
+	}
+
+	bool operator!=(const string &x) const {
+		return Compare(x) != 0;
+	}
+
+	bool operator !=(const char *x) const {
+		return Compare(x) != 0;
+	}
 };
 
 extern const char *const endl;
diff --git a/engines/ultima8/ultima8.cpp b/engines/ultima8/ultima8.cpp
index ecd26e28b33..2606210c5d4 100644
--- a/engines/ultima8/ultima8.cpp
+++ b/engines/ultima8/ultima8.cpp
@@ -1292,31 +1292,12 @@ void Ultima8Engine::handleEvent(const Common::Event &event) {
 		break;
 	}
 
-	case Common::EVENT_KEYDOWN: {
-		if (_mouse->dragging() != Mouse::DRAG_NOT) break;
+	case Common::EVENT_KEYDOWN:
+		if (_mouse->dragging() != Mouse::DRAG_NOT)
+			break;
 
-		/*
-		switch (event.kbd.keycode) {
-			case Common::KEYCODE_KP_PLUS: {
-				midi_volume+=8;
-				if (midi_volume>255) midi_volume =255;
-				pout << "Midi Volume is now: " << midi_volume << std::endl;
-				if (midi_driver) midi_driver->setGlobalVolume(midi_volume);
-			} break;
-			case Common::KEYCODE_KP_MINUS: {
-				midi_volume-=8;
-				if (midi_volume<0) midi_volume = 0;
-				pout << "Midi Volume is now: " << midi_volume << std::endl;
-				if (midi_driver) midi_driver->setGlobalVolume(midi_volume);
-			} break;
-			default:
-				break;
-		}
-		*/
+		// Any special key handling goes here
 		break;
-	}
-
-							  // any more useful events?
 
 	default:
 		break;