OKAY HERE IT IS:
replaced the master cylinder after the brake pedal would depress too far when you held it (not when you braked hard, just when you were holding it at the stoplight). no light ever came on, that i recall.

however now something a bit different - the braking distance is further than normal, and the warning light comes on. a friend was borrowing the car when this started and he said that at first he started the car and the brakes were dead entirely, then after a while they came back but with much less force.

the level in the tank seems to indicate it's not below the minimum, however because the tank is sectioned into two areas, it's hard to tell -- the level is more towards the back end of the tank, even though the car is parked on a flat surface.

I did the thing chilton guide recommended, alternate braking reverse and forward 10-15 times, but that didn't do anything. my buddy says it's air in the line and i should do a 'simple' bleed of the system of air, starting at the rear passenger disc brake. This will take the air out of the system, and if i'm paying enough attention i will notice which bleeder has the leak which is causing the air to enter the system.

HOWEVER my chilton guide is making this seem a lot more confusing. for one thing, it doesn't have the diagram for which brakes to bleed first, only the more obscure models (1800, 140, etc); it sort of says to go right front, left rear, right rear, then (i guess) left front, but i'm not sure. secondly, it says that the rear of the car must be higher than the front. how much is 'higher?' thirdly, because the warning light is on, it says to disconnect the warning valve before doing any of this (i forgot where it said this so i'm paraphrasing/remembering).

SO...does that sound about right? anything else I should know? should I buy a bleeder wrench for this, and can you get it at checker/autozone/kragen?

THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP! you guys are great