(text-style:"blurrier")[(text-style:"wavy-strike","subscript")["Well, I can have you sign it now then. The expirement is to study hows humans react under duress, and whether human trust is more powerful than human fear. This is an amazing research opportunity and you could earn quuite a sum of money. Plus, by taking part in this study, you're helping us study the human mind, and we could all benefit so much as a society from things like that. From what I remember from my meeting with Dante, he had told me you two we're a bit underpaid at the moment, especially with the wedding planning. So you have nothing to lose by taking part. However, it would be in bad faith to not at least warn you that this experiement isn't exactly always... safe. There are risks of course, as there would be with any kind of experiment, social or otherwise. I know you're likely dead set on this, since you've clearly done your homework to find your fiance, but it's something we felt the need to let you know."]]
{(Set: $IntroCollarDeath to false)
(Set: $DeathPoints to 0)}
[["I don't care, I'll sign it." ->Awaken]]{(set: $glasses to false)
(set: $dirty to false)
(set: $Intro to false)
(set: $DanteIntro to false)
(set: $MarieIntro to false)
(set: $WhitChrisIntro to false)
(set: $KimIntro to false)
(set: $IntroPoints to 0)
(set: $JacketKnowledge to false)
(set: $JacketKnowledgeII to false)
(set: $DanteFriendship to 0)
(set: $DanteWhat to false)
(set: $DanteWhere to false)
(set: $WhitFriendship to 0)
(set: $ChrisFriendship to 0)
(set: $WhitChrisWhere to false)
(set: $WhitChrisWhat to false)
(set: $Calmness to false)
(set: $KimCalmness to false)
(set: $DanteMarie to false)
(set: $DanteMarieII to false)
(set:$MarieIntro to false)
(set:$Relation to false)
(set:$Kids to false)
(set:$Family to false)
(set: $FamilyInfo to 0)
(set:$Paulette to false)
(set:$PaulW to false)
(set:$Jane to false)
(set:$MarieFriendship to 0)
(set:$Teacher to false)
(set: $WeddingRingIntro to false)
(Set: $MarieTeacher to false)
(set: $MarieWhat to false)
(set: $MarieWhere to false)
(set: $DanteIrritated to false)
(set: $Filler1 to false)
(set: $KimFriendship to 0)
(set: $KimWhere to false)
(set: $KimWhat to false)
(Set: $Jason to false)
(Set: $Boys to false)
(Set: $Delaware to false)
(Set: $CancelDante to false)
(Set: $CancelKim to false)
(Set: $Hero to false)
(Set: $Coward to false)
(Set: $Fiance to false)
(set: $Age to false)
(set: $RandomManBlood to false)
(set: $Chap1Morning1 to true)
(set: $BloodyClothes1 to false)
(set: $BloodyFace1 to false)
(set: $EXP to 0)
(set: $Chap1Morn1 to false)
(set: $LHEXP to false)
(set: $SCHEXP to false)
(set: $People to 6)
(set: $Ending to false)
(set: $ExitEXP to false)
(set: $KEXP to false)
(set: $Hunger to True)
(set: $Apartment to false)
(set: $DHEXP to false)
(set: $GREXP to false)
(set: $LEXP to false)
(set: $LLEXP to false)
(set:$LibraryLED to false)
(set: $Bandages to false)
(set: $ChrisHealed to false)
(set: $RomanceMarker to 0)
(set: $DanteSmile to false)
(set: $LREXP to false)
(set: $SoccerFan to False)
(set: $GolfFan to False)
(set: $NotAFan to False)
(set: $Chap1Noon1 to true)
(set: $WhitRequest to false)
(set: $WhitSuspicion to 0)
(set:$ChrisConfidant to false)
(set: $DebatePoints to 0)
(set: $Contribution to False)
(set: $Background to False)
(set:$DanteVote to false)
(set: $Hygiene to False)
(set:$FreshClothes to false)
(Set:$FianceMemory1 to False)
(set: $Chapter2Start to false)
(set: $Chap2MarieLock to false)
(set: $WhittVote to false)
(set: $FianceMissing to false)
(set: $BestEnding to false)
(set: $MonsterEnding to false)
(set: $MercyEnding to false)
(set: $SoleSurvivor to false)
(set: $GoodbyeMyLoveA to false)
(set: $GoodbyeMyLoveB to false)
(set: $GoodbyeMyLoveC to false)
(set: $GoodbyeMyLoveD to false)
(set: $TrueEnding to false)
(set: $Revitalized to false)
(set: $ReligionCue to false)
(set:$Hesitate to false)
(set: $KimFear to false)
(set: $Convo1 to false)
(set: $Convo2 to false)
(set: $Convo3 to false)
(set: $Convo4 to false)
(set: $Convo5 to false)
(set: $Convo6 to false)
(set: $Convo7 to false)
(set: $Convo8 to false)
}
(if: $IntroCollarDeath is false) [(text-style:"blurrier")[Your eyes shoot open, and you're slicked with sweat. Your mattress creaks underneath you. The world is a light green. Your favorite color.
You stand wearily up from the bed, your vision blurred.
Something is wrong.]
(text-colour:lime)[Where are my glasses?]
(text-style:"blurrier")[Besides that, you can't seem to remember your name. In fact, you can't remember most things about yourself right now except for your occupation, but your name escaping you is your biggest concern right now.]
(text-colour:lime)[I should really find my glasses.]
(text-style:"blurrier")[You should look around the room. But where should you check first?]
[[Check the mirror -> Mirror]]
[[Check the door ->Door]]
[[Check your nightstand -> Rules]]
[[Check your desk -> Desk]]
]
(else-if: $IntroCollarDeath is true) [(text-style:"blurrier")[Your eyes shoot open, and you're slicked with sweat. You seem to have had the most vivid nightmare... what the hell was that? Your mattress creaks underneath you. The world is a light green. Your favorite color.
You stand wearily up from the bed, your vision still a bit blurry.
Something is wrong.]
(text-colour:lime)[Where are my glasses?]
(text-style:"blurrier")[Besides that, you can't seem to remember your name. In fact, you can't remember most things about yourself right now, but your name escaping you is your biggest concern right now.]
(text-colour:lime)[I should really find my glasses.]
(text-style:"blurrier")[You should look around the room. But where should you check first?]
[[Check the mirror -> Mirror]]
[[Check the door ->Door]]
[[Check your nightstand -> Rules]]
[[Check your desk -> Desk]]
]
(if: $glasses is true and $dirty is false) [Truth be told, you've looked better. You seem to still be in your work clothes: Dark blue slacks, white long-sleeved collared shirt, red tie... and around your neck, some sort of metal collar. You raise your hand to it, and the metal is cool to the touch. What the hell is this? As you take your hand away, you notice a long scar running across your palm.
Your suit jacket is missing. You paid good money for that. At the least, your hair is still combed over neatly. Nice.
[[Try and remove the collar]]
[[<< Back -> Room]]
]
(else-if: $glasses is true and $dirty is true) [
(text-style:"blur")[Truth be told, you've looked better. You seem to still be in your work clothes: Dark blue slacks, white long-sleeved collared shirt, red tie... and around your neck, some sort of metal collar. You raise your hand to it, and the metal is cool to the touch. What the hell is this?
Your suit jacket is missing. You paid good money for that. At the least, your hair is still combed over neatly. Nice.
Your glasses are dirty]
[[Try and remove the collar]]
[[<< Back -> Room]]]
(else:) [
(text-style:"blurrier")[You can't see yourself. You need to find your glasses. Something cool and metallic is around your neck.]
[[<< Back -> Room]]]
(if: $glasses is true and $dirty is false)[
(set: $dirty to true)
The door is locked from the outside, so it seems. There's no handle on this side.
You try to push hard against the door to open it in, but you just
(text-style:"blurrier")[knock your glasses off in your effort. Putting them]
(text-style:"blur")[back on, it seems you've made your glasses dirty.]
]
(else-if: $glasses is true and $dirty is true)[
(text-style:"blur")[The door is locked from the outside, so it seems. There's no handle on this side.
You don't try and push against it again. Not yet, at least.
Your glasses are dirty.]
]
(else:)[
(text-style:"blurrier")[The door is locked from the outside, so it seems. There's no handle on this side. You don't need glasses to know that.]
]
[[<< Back -> Room]](if: $glasses is true and $dirty is false) [On your nightstand sits a piece of paper.
(text-colour:black)[(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0.5,#80e619,1,#ffffff))[(text-style:"emboss")[Your name is Paul Richardson.]]]
A bit anticlimactic. On further inspection though, there seems to be more writing on the back.
[[Put the paper back on the nightstand -> Room]]
[[Turn the paper around ->Instructions]]
]
(else-if: $glasses is true and $dirty is true)[
(text-style:"blur")[On your nightstand sits a piece of paper.
(text-style:"emboss")[Your name is Paul Richardson.]
A bit anticlimactic. On further inspection though, there seems to be more writing on the back.
[[Put the paper back on the nightstand -> Room]]
[[Turn the paper around ->Instructions]]
Your glasses are dirty.]
]
(else:) [
(text-style:"blurrier")[There's a piece of paper on this nightstand, but you can't read it. You need to find your glasses.]]
[[<< Back -> Room]](if: $glasses is true and $dirty is false) [There isn't anything on this desk besides a glasses cloth. Your glasses aren't dirty though so you don't need to clean them right now.
[[<< Back -> Room]]]
(else-if: $glasses is true and $dirty is true)
+ (text-style:"blur")[There isn't anything on this desk besides a glasses cloth.
Clean your glasses?
[[Clean them -> Clean]]
[[Not now -> Postpone]]
Your glasses are dirty]
(else:) [
(set: $glasses to true) [Seems you've found your glasses. Now you can start looking around this room proper.]
[[<< Back -> Room]]](if: $glasses is true and $dirty is false)[
The room is light green on all sides. It's your favorite shade of green, but it's too much. The entire room, floors to walls, was lime green. You're struggling to remember things about yourself right now. You've got a real sick feeling. You need to get out of here.
(track: 'ExplorationB', 'loop', true)
(track: 'ExplorationB', 'playwhenpossible')
]
(else-if: $glasses is true and $dirty is true)[
(text-style:"blur")[The room is light green on all sides. It's your favorite shade of green, but it's too much. The entire room, floors to walls, was lime green. You're struggling to remember things about yourself right now. You've got a real sick feeling. You need to get out of here.
Your glasses are dirty.]
]
(else:)[
(text-style:"blurrier")[The room is a fuzzy light green. You can make out shapes and objects but not having your glasses is putting strain on your eyes and hurting your head.]
]
[[Check the mirror -> Mirror]]
[[Check the door ->Door]]
[[Check your nightstand -> Rules]]
[[Check your desk -> Desk]](if: $glasses is true and $dirty is false) [This side of the paper has some more information on it, it seems, though someting tells you that it's not for (text-colour:lime)[you], but (text-style:"shadow","expand")+ (text-style:"buoy")[someone else].
(text-colour:black)[(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0.5,#e61919,1,#ffffff))[-Your days will be split into three segments: Morning, Afternoon and Evening. You will have free time during these periods and will be free to roam as you choose. But use your time wisely. Your time is not infinite.
-Each time period will allot you two actions. Some actions you take throughout the day will take up time. An action that takes up time will be denoted with an asterisk, either one or two. Actions denoted with one asterisk will take up one action, leaving you time for another action afterwards. Actions denoted with two asterisks will take up the entire time slot and will put you into the next one upon it's completion. Choose wisely what you will do in the short time you have.
-You will often be rewarded for investigating as much as possible and getting as many details as possible. However, use discernment. If your gut tells you that pushing something or someone too much may not be the best option, it's in your benefit to refrain.
(if: $IntroCollarDeath is true) [-It is unwise to try and remove your collar.]
-It's wise to remember that while (text-colour:lime)[you] are Paul, (text-style:"shadow","buoy")[(text-colour:white)[you]] are not. It's wise and almost always beneficial to trust (text-colour:lime)[your] gut and make choices that (text-colour:lime)[you] align with.
-This document will change when new things are revealed. Come back to your room and check this paper often.
]]
[["I have no idea what most of this means." -> RoomII]]
]
(else-if: $glasses is true and $dirty is true)
+ (text-style:"blur")[You should definitely clean your glasses before trying to read something like this.
Your glasses are dirty
[[<< Back -> Room]]
]
(set: $dirty to false) [Your glasses are clean.]
[[<< Back -> Room]](text-style:"blur")[You can clean them some other time.]
[[<< Back -> Room]]The room is light green on all sides. It's your favorite shade of green, but it's too much frankly. You should get out of here.
You swear you just heard a soft click coming from the door.
[[Check the mirror -> MirrorII]]
[[Check the door ->DoorII]]
[[Check your nightstand -> RulesII]]
[[Check your desk -> DeskII]]Truth be told, you've looked better. You seem to still be in your work clothes: Dark blue slacks, white long-sleeved collared shirt, red tie... and around your neck, some sort of metal collar. You raise your hand to it, and the metal is cool to the touch. What the hell is this? As you take your hand away, you notice a long scar running across your palm.
Your suit jacket is missing. You paid good money for that. At the least, your hair is still combed over neatly. Nice.
[[Try and remove the collar-> Try and remove the collar II]]
[[<< Back -> RoomII]]
You think you heard a click from the door, but you're not sure. Try and open the door?
[[I want to look around a bit more first -> RoomII]]
[[Try and open the door ->Blinding]]You've already read over everything on this paper. Do you want to read it again?
[[Why not? ->Instructions]]
[[I'll pass -> RoomII]] There isn't anything on this desk besides a glasses cloth. Your glasses aren't dirty though so you don't need to clean them right now.
[[<< Back -> RoomII]]You press your hands to the door and begin to push. To your surprise, the door starts to push it's way open. You step and and you [[see->Introductions I]]...
(track: 'ExplorationB', 'fadeout')
(if: $Intro is false) [
You step out of your room and look around the room you're in now. It's large, like a school cafeteria. Cracked concrete lines the floor and [[grass]] sprouts from the cracks of the floor. Looking up, you see five other people in various parts of the room. The air gives off an energy that all the talking's been done without you. When you enter, everyone turns to look at you. Te first thingy ou notice is that they are all wearing th same collar as you. What on earth is happening here? Perhaps you should introducing [[yourself]] to the people.
[[Young man in orange varsity jacket standing in the Northwestern Corner-> Dante]]
[[Woman in cardigan and skirt standing in the corner to your right-> Marie]]
[[Young girl standing near the Western Wall-> Kimmy]]
[[Man in golf attire and Young man in soccer goalie attire standing near the Eastern Wall-> WhittakerAndChris]]
]
(else-if:$IntroPoints is 1)[
There are still people here to get acquianted with. ''It's never bad to go back and check in with people you've already spoken to.'' It's also never a bad thing to check in on [[yourself]] to see if you've remembered anything new while talking to these people.
(if: $DanteIntro is true)[
[[Dante-> Dante]] ]
(else:)[ [[Young man in orange varsity jacket standing in the Northwestern Corner-> Dante]] ]
(if: $MarieIntro is true)[ [[Marie-> Marie]] ]
(else:)[ [[Woman in cardigan and skirt standing in the corner to your right-> Marie]] ]
(if: $KimIntro is true)[ [[Kimmy-> Kimmy]] ]
(else:)[ [[Young girl standing near the Western Wall-> Kimmy]] ]
(if: $WhitChrisIntro is true)[ [[Whittaker and Chris-> WhittakerAndChris]] ]
(else:)[ [[Man in golf attire and young man in soccer goalie attire standing near the Eastern Wall-> WhittakerAndChris]]
]
]
(else-if:$IntroPoints is 2)[
There are still people here to get acquianted with. ''It's never bad to go back and check in with people you've already spoken to.'' It's also never a bad thing to check in on [[yourself]] to see if you've remembered anything new while talking to these people.
(if: $DanteIntro is true)[
[[Dante-> Dante]] ]
(else:)[ [[Young man in orange varsity jacket standing in the Northwestern Corner-> Dante]] ]
(if: $MarieIntro is true)[ [[Marie-> Marie]] ]
(else:)[ [[Woman in cardigan and skirt standing in the corner to your right-> Marie]] ]
(if: $KimIntro is true)[ [[Kimmy-> Kimmy]] ]
(else:)[ [[Young girl standing near the Western Wall-> Kimmy]] ]
(if: $WhitChrisIntro is true)[ [[Whittaker and Chris-> WhittakerAndChris]] ]
(else:)[ [[Man in golf attire and young man in soccer goalie attire standing near the Eastern Wall-> WhittakerAndChris]]
]
]
(else-if:$IntroPoints is 3)[
There are still people here to get acquianted with. ''It's never bad to go back and check in with people you've already spoken to.'' It's also never a bad thing to check in on [[yourself]] to see if you've remembered anything new while talking to these people.
(if: $DanteIntro is true)[
[[Dante-> Dante]] ]
(else:)[ [[Young man in orange varsity jacket standing in the Northwestern Corner-> Dante]] ]
(if: $MarieIntro is true)[ [[Marie-> Marie]] ]
(else:)[ [[Woman in cardigan and skirt standing in the corner to your right-> Marie]] ]
(if: $KimIntro is true)[ [[Kimmy-> Kimmy]] ]
(else:)[ [[Young girl standing near the Western Wall-> Kimmy]] ]
(if: $WhitChrisIntro is true)[ [[Whittaker and Chris-> WhittakerAndChris]] ]
(else:)[ [[Man in golf attire and young man in soccer goalie attire standing near the Eastern Wall-> WhittakerAndChris]]
]
]
(else-if: $IntroPoints is 4) [
You've introduced yourself to everyone at this point. ''Doesn't hurt to check back in with any of them, you might learn something new.'' It's also never a bad thing to check in on [[yourself]] to see if you've remembered anything new while talking to these people.
(if: $DanteIntro is true)[
[[Dante-> Dante]] ]
(else:)[ [[Young man in orange varsity jacket standing in the Northwestern Corner-> Dante]] ]
(if: $MarieIntro is true)[ [[Marie-> Marie]] ]
(else:)[ [[Woman in cardigan and skirt standing in the corner to your right-> Marie]] ]
(if: $KimIntro is true)[ [[Kimmy-> Kimmy]] ]
(else:)[ [[Young girl standing near the Western Wall-> Kimmy]] ]
(if: $WhitChrisIntro is true)[ [[Whittaker and Chris-> WhittakerAndChris]] ]
(else:)[ [[Man in golf attire and young man in soccer goalie attire standing near the Eastern Wall-> WhittakerAndChris]] ]
[[I think I've gathered everything I want to for now. ->What should I do now?]]
]
(track: 'BeautifulLie', 'loop', true)
(track: 'BeautifulLie', 'playwhenpossible')Looking closer at the grass, you grow more perplexed. There doesn't appear to be any soil beneath the ground. Artificial grass, then? Why?
[[<< Back->Introductions I]]You try and recall everything about yourself that you can.
Your name is Paul Richardson (evidently). You work finance for a law firm. You drive a.... You can't seem to remember that. Were your parents alive? You didn't remember. Did you have siblings? Yes. A sister. Or maybe a brother? Definitely older. Or... younger?
(if: $Age is true) [You are 25 years old.]
(if: $Delaware is true)[ You currently live in Delaware. You aren't sure where you were raised.]
(if: $Fiance is true) [At some point, you were engaged. You don't remember anything about your fiance other than the fact that they are no longer your fiance.]
(if: $SoccerFan is True) [You don't care for soccer all that much. You aren't exactly sure why you said you did.]
(if: $GolfFan is true) [You are a big golf fan.]
(if: $NotAFan is true) [You're not really a fan of sports. You like some of them, but calling yourself a fan seems a bit much right now.]
[[ This isn't getting me anywhere.->Introductions I]](if: $DanteIntro is true and $DanteFriendship < 2) [
Dante looks at you as you walk back over and frowns, raising a brow. He crosses his arms, letting his hand rest against his [[orange varsity jacket->orange varsity jacket II]].
(text-colour:orange)[
"Do you need something or...?"
]
His sharp eyes seem to pierce you. You take this as your sign to go do something else.
[["Nothing. Sorry."->Introductions I]]
[["Where are we?" -> DanteWhere]]
[["What the hell's going on here?" -> DanteWhat]]
(if:$JacketKnowledge is true) [[["Nice jacket. I love Hershey Park"-> Jacket]]]
(if:$MarieIntro is true) [[["Do you know Marie? I saw you watching us." -> Watching]]]]
(else-if: $DanteIntro is true and $DanteFriendship is 4) [Dante looks at you as you walk back over and shoots you a small smirk.
(text-colour:orange)["Welcome back, stranger. Sorry, but I ain't got much to tell you right now. Go introduce yourself to the others if you haven't."]
His smile is warm, and it evokes a smile out of you. Seems you've got a friend.
[["Heard. Thanks."->Introductions I]]
[["Where are we?" -> DanteWhere]]
[["What the hell's going on here?" -> DanteWhat]]
(if:$JacketKnowledge is true) [[["Nice jacket. I love Hershey Park"-> Jacket]]]
(if:$MarieIntro is true) [[["Do you know Marie? I saw you watching us." -> Watching]]]
]
(else-if: $DanteIntro is false and $CancelDante is false) [ You decide to approach the young man standing in the Northwest corner of the room. He dons an [[orange varsity jacket]], black jeans with stars stitched onto them and wears a seemingly [[permanent frown]]. He has a small scar across his right eyebrow. When he notices your approach, he pushes himself off the wall and crosses his arm, sizing you up.
(set:$DanteFriendship to 1)
(text-colour:orange)["Seems you're finally up. We were waitin' on you, y'know? I'm Dante. Good to meet you, I guess."]
You introduce yourself, and the young man just nods at you. He makes you a bit nervous, and even though you're older than him, his energy domineers yours. Good lord.
[["Where are we?" -> DanteWhere]]
[["What the hell's going on here?" -> DanteWhat]]
(if:$JacketKnowledge is true) [[["Nice jacket. I love Hershey Park"-> Jacket]]]
(if:$MarieIntro is true) [[["Do you know Marie? I saw you watching us." -> Watching]]]
[["See you around."->Introductions I]]
(Set: $DanteIntro to true)
(Set: $IntroPoints to $IntroPoints+1)
(Set: $Intro to true)
]
(else-if: $DanteIntro is false and $CancelDante is true) [ You decide to approach the young man standing in the Northwest corner of the room. He dons an [[orange varsity jacket]], black jeans with stars stitched onto them and wears a seemingly [[permanent frown]]. When he notices your approach, he pushes himself off the wall and crosses his arm, sizing you up.
(text-colour:orange)["Seems you're finally up. We were waitin' on you, y'know? I'm Dante. Good to meet you, I guess."]
You introduce yourself, and the young man just nods at you.
[["Where are we?" -> DanteWhere]]
[["What the hell's going on here?" -> DanteWhat]]
(if:$JacketKnowledge is true) [[["Nice jacket. I love Hershey Park"-> Jacket]]]
(if:$MarieIntro is true) [[["Do you know Marie? I saw you watching us." -> Watching]]]
[["See you around."->Introductions I]]
(Set: $DanteIntro to true)
(Set: $Intro to true)
]
(if: $MarieIntro is false)[
You decide to walk over to the middle aged woman standing in the corner near your room. She's tall, wiry and has bags under her eyes. She dons a blue cardigan that she wears over a striped white and blue shirt and a [[long black pencil skirt.]] A [[lanyard]] hangs from her neck.
When you approach her, she shrinks a bit, her brown eyes rapidly darting over your form.
[["My name is Paul. What's your name?"]]
[[Quietly extend your hand for a handshake]]]
(else-if:$MarieIntro is true and $MarieFriendship is 0 and $DanteIntro is false) [ Marie looks at you as you walk back over, hugging herself and angling her body away from you. You feel someone's gaze on you and turn around to see the young man in the orange varsity jacket staring at you, cautiously. Maybe you should go talk to him.
(set: $DanteMarie to true)
[["Any clue what's going on here?"-> MarieWhat]]
[["Happen to know where we are? -> MarieWhere]]
(if: $Teacher is true) [[You're a teacher? That's neat. -> Teacher]]
[["I'll be seeing you."->Introductions I]]]
(else-if:$MarieIntro is true and $MarieFriendship is 0 and $DanteIntro is true) [ Marie looks at you as you walk back over, hugging herself and angling her body away from you. You feel someone's gaze on you and turn around to see Dante staring at you, cautiously. Maybe you should go talk to him.
(set: $DanteMarie to true)
[["Any clue what's going on here?"-> MarieWhat]]
[["Happen to know where we are? -> MarieWhere]]
(if: $Teacher is true) [[You're a teacher? That's neat. -> Teacher]]
[["I'll be seeing you."->Introductions I]]]
(else-if:$MarieIntro is true and $MarieFriendship is 1 and $DanteIntro is false) [ Marie looks at you as you walk back over, smiling lightly at you, a little less guarded than before. Her [[lanyard]] dangles in the middle of her chest. You feel someone's gaze on you and turn around to see the young man in the orange varsity jacket staring at you, cautiously. Maybe you should go talk to him.
(set: $DanteMarie to true)
[["Any clue what's going on here?"-> MarieWhat]]
[["Happen to know where we are? -> MarieWhere]]
(if: $Teacher is true) [[You're a teacher? That's neat. -> Teacher]]
[["I'll be seeing you."->Introductions I]]]
(else-if:$MarieIntro is true and $MarieFriendship is 1 and $DanteIntro is true) [Marie looks at you as you walk back over, smiling lightly at you, a little less guarded than before. Her [[lanyard]] dangles in the middle of her chest. You feel someone's gaze on you and turn around to see Dante staring at you, cautiously. Maybe you should go talk to him.
(set: $DanteMarie to true)
[["Any clue what's going on here?"-> MarieWhat]]
[["Happen to know where we are? -> MarieWhere]]
(if: $Teacher is true) [[You're a teacher? That's neat. -> Teacher]]
[["I'll be seeing you."->Introductions I]]]
(else-if:$MarieIntro is true and $MarieFriendship is 3 and $DanteIntro is false) [ Marie looks at you as you walk back over, smiling warmly at you, seemingly at ease. Her [[lanyard]] dangles in the middle of her chest. You feel someone's gaze on you and turn around to see the young man in the orange varsity jacket staring at you, cautiously. Maybe you should go talk to him.
(set: $DanteMarie to true)
[["Any clue what's going on here?"-> MarieWhat]]
[["Happen to know where we are? -> MarieWhere]]
(if: $Teacher is true) [[You're a teacher? That's neat. -> Teacher]]
[["I'll be seeing you."->Introductions I]]]
(else-if:$MarieIntro is true and $MarieFriendship is 3 and $DanteIntro is true) [Marie looks at you as you walk back over, smiling warmly at you, seemingly at ease. Her [[lanyard]] dangles in the middle of her chest. You feel someone's gaze on you and turn around to see Dante staring at you, cautiously. Maybe you should go talk to him.
(set: $DanteMarie to true)
[["Any clue what's going on here?"-> MarieWhat]]
[["Happen to know where we are? -> MarieWhere]]
(if: $Teacher is true) [[You're a teacher? That's neat. -> Teacher]]
[["I'll be seeing you."->Introductions I]]]
(if: $KimIntro is false) [You decide to approach the young girl on the west wall. As soon as she sees you coming towards her, she rushes at you, her eyes gleaming with exuberance.
(text-colour:purple)["Hi! I haven't met you yet! Did you just wake up? I woke up not too long ago too! Isn't that so cool? We're alike in that way! How cool! My name is Kim! I go by Kimmy! I'm 12! Call me me Kimmy! WHat's your name? Oh, I bet it's something cool like Jeremy or Steve of Joseph. You look like a Joseph. hey, why ar eyou is business clothes? Are you a business man? Shouldn't you have a briefcase? Why don't you have a briefcase?"
]
Wow.
You tell Kim your name and she frowns.
(text-colour:purple)["Paul isn't as cool as Joseph... but it's still pretty cool!DOubt I'll remember it though."]
Seems she's run out of fuel for the moment, so this is probably your chance to ask a question.
{(set: $KimIntro to true)
(set: $KimFriendship to 2)
(set: $Intro to true)
(Set: $IntroPoints to $IntroPoints+1)}
[[Do you happen to know where we are? -> KimWhere]]
[[You wouldn't happen to know what's going on here, would you? -> KimWhat]]
[["You're pretty chipper despite... everything, kiddo."-> KimCalmness]]
(if: $Jason is true) [[[Oh, I wanna talk boys. Wanna talk about Jason?"->Boys]]]
[["I'll see you around, Kimmy."->Introductions I]]
]
(else-if: $KimIntro is true and $Jason is false) [Kim sees you approaching again and rushes over to you.
(text-colour:purple)["Hi, Joseph! Wait, that's not your name, that's just the cool one I made up for you. Your name is... uh... Pull!"]
You tell her your name is Paul.
(text-colour:purple)["Oh, Paul-Schmaul. Who cares? What do you wanna talk about? I like talking about boys but something tells me you don't want to talk about boys, huh?"
]
You definitely don't want to talk about boys, so you should change the topic, now.
[[Do you happen to know where we are? -> KimWhere]]
[[You wouldn't happen to know what's going on here, would you? -> KimWhat]]\
[["You're pretty chipper despite... everything, kiddo."-> KimCalmness]]
(if: $Jason is true) [[[Oh, I wanna talk boys. Wanna talk about Jason?"->Boys]]]
[["I'll see you around, Kimmy."->Introductions I]]
]
(else-if: $KimIntro is true and $Jason is true and $KimFriendship is 2) [Kim sees you approaching again and rushes over to you.
(text-colour:purple)["Hi, Joseph! Wait, that's not your name, that's just the cool one I made up for you. Your name is... uh... Pull!"]
You tell her your name is Paul.
(text-colour:purple)["Oh, Paul-Schmaul. Who cares? What do you wanna talk about? I like talking about boys but something tells me you don't want to talk about boys, huh?"
]
You aren't exactly opposed to talking boys with Kimmy, but there's other things you'd like to know.
[[Do you happen to know where we are? -> KimWhere]]
[[You wouldn't happen to know what's going on here, would you? -> KimWhat]]
[["You're pretty chipper despite... everything, kiddo."-> KimCalmness]]
(if: $Jason is true) [[[Oh, I wanna talk boys. Wanna talk about Jason?"->Boys]]]
[["I'll see you around, Kimmy."->Introductions I]]]
(else-if: $KimIntro is true and $Jason is true and $KimFriendship is 6) [Kim sees you approaching again and rushes over to you, grinning.
(text-colour:purple)["Paul! Hi! What do you wanna talk about?"]
She remembers your name, it seems.
[[Do you happen to know where we are? -> KimWhere]]
[[You wouldn't happen to know what's going on here, would you? -> KimWhat]]
[["You're pretty chipper despite... everything, kiddo."-> KimCalmness]]
[[Wanna talk about Jason again?"->Boys]]
[["I'll see you around, Kimmy."->Introductions I]]](if: $WhitChrisIntro is true and $WhitFriendship is 5) [Whittaker smiles, his white teeth flashing, as you walk over to him and Chris.
(text-colour:red)["Well, howdy, bub. Good seein' you. Happy to chat with you, but I ain't got nothin' new for you. If you want new stuff, you're gonna have to talk to someone else"]
Chris doesn't address you.
[["See ya, man."->Introductions I]]
[["Any idea where we are?" -> WhitChrisWhere]]
[["Any clue what's going on?" -> WhitChrisWhat]]
(if: $WhitFriendship is 5 or $ChrisFriendship is 5) [ [["Are you two related?"]]]
[["You two seem awfully calm." -> Calmness]]
]
(else-if: $WhitChrisIntro is true and $ChrisFriendship is 5) [Chris chuckles as you walk over, waving you over.
(text-colour:yellow)["Well, if it isn't my new best friend. Good to see you. I don't have anything worthwhile to tell you, but it's good being around a likemind."]
Whittaker just smiles at you, hands on his hips.
[["See ya, man."->Introductions I]]
[["Any idea where we are?" -> WhitChrisWhere]]
[["Any clue what's going on?" -> WhitChrisWhat]]
(if: $WhitFriendship is 5 or $ChrisFriendship is 5) [ [["Are you two related?"]]]
[["You two seem awfully calm." -> Calmness]]
]
(else-if: $WhitChrisIntro is false)[
You decide to approach the two men on the rightmost wall, who are engaed in animated conversation.
(text-colour:red)["Well, son, I have to disagree. I think golf is the clear winner."]
(text-colour:yellow)["In what world? In what world is golf better than soccer. Maybe for old guys."]
The older man laughs heartily, so heartily you can feel it rattling in your ribs. He turns and sees you walking over and waves you over.
(text-colour:red)["Ah-ha! An objective third party. Come, come! Be our tiebreaker vote."]
(text-colour:yellow)["Oh brother."] The younger one groans, but he's grinning.
(text-colour:red)["We're having a debate, you see. Golf,"] he runs his hand down himself, gesturing to his gold attire. (text-colour:red)["Or Soccer."] He gestures to the yonger man, donning a goalie jeresy. (text-colour:red)["Which do you think is the better?"]
[["Oh, I love golf."->I guess I prefer golf.]]
[["Soccer's better, I guess."->Soccer's better, I guess.]]
[["I'm not into sports."->I'm not into sports.]]
(set: $Intro to true)
]
(else-if: $WhitChrisIntro is true and $WhitFriendship is 0 and $ChrisFriendship is 0)
[
The two men look at you as you walk back over and nod at you kindly, but go back to their conversation. Seems they don't want to be bothered right now.
[[Return to your spot by your room.->Introductions I]]
[["Any idea where we are?" -> WhitChrisWhere]]
[["Any clue what's going on?" -> WhitChrisWhat]]
(if: $WhitFriendship is 5 or $ChrisFriendship is 5) [ [["Are you two related?"]]]
[["You two seem awfully calm." -> Calmness]]
]
(set: $Intro to false)
(set: $DanteIntro to false)
(set: $MarieIntro to false)
(set: $WhitChrisIntro to false)
(set: $KimIntro to false)
(set: $IntroPoints to 0)
(set: $JacketKnowledge to false)
(set: $JacketKnowledgeII to false)
(set: $DanteFriendship to 0)
(set: $DanteWhat to false)
(set: $DanteWhere to false)
(set: $WhitFriendship to 0)
(set: $ChrisFriendship to 0)
(set: $WhitChrisWhere to false)
(set: $WhitChrisWhat to false)
(set: $Calmness to false)
(set: $KimCalmness to false)
(set: $DanteMarie to false)
(set: $DanteMarieII to false)
(set:$MarieIntro to false)
(set:$MarieFriendship to 0)
(set:$Teacher to false)
(set: $WeddingRingIntro to false)
(Set: $MarieTeacher to false)
(set: $MarieWhat to false)
(set: $MarieWhere to false)
(Set: $CancelDante to false)
[[see->Introductions I]]...You know this because you used to go there with your ex-fiance back when you two were just dating. You bought them that same jacket, and jokingly complained you were now out of $80.
(set: $JacketKnowledge to true)
(Set: $DanteIntro to False)
(set: $Fiance to true)
[[Brings back memories, huh?-> Dante]](if: $DanteFriendship < 2 and $DanteWhere is false) [Dante shrugs.
(text-colour:orange)["Couldn't tell you, man. Woke up here same as you. Been standin' here waiting for you to wake up, and now you're here and nothing has changed."]
Dante scoffs and leans back against the wall.
(text-colour:orange)["Just peachy."]
(set: $DanteWhere to true)
[["Peachy indeed."-> DanteII]]
]
(else-if: $DanteFriendship is 4 and $DanteWhere is false) [Dante shrugs.
(text-colour:orange)["Couldn't tell you, man. Woke up here same as you, couldn't even remember my name at first. Been standin' here waiting for you to wake up, and now you're here and nothing has changed."]
Dante leans against the wall and exhales sharply before grinning dryly at you.
(text-colour:orange)["Just peachy, don't you think?"]
[["Peachy indeed."-> DanteII]]
(set: $DanteWhere to true)
]
(else-if: $DanteFriendship < 2 and $DanteWhere is true) [Dante frowns at you.
(text-colour:orange)["Ain't I just tell you I don't know? Lay off."]
[["My bad."-> DanteII]]
]
(else-if: $DanteFriendship is 4 and $DanteWhere is true) [Dante raises a brow but smirks at you.
(text-colour:orange)["Swore I just said I didn't know. Leave it be, I'm sure we'll get answers eventually."]
[["Shoot, I hope so."-> DanteII]]
]
(if: $DanteFriendship < 2 and $DanteWhat is false and $WhitChrisIntro is false) [Dante shakes his head and rolls his eyes at you.
(text-colour:orange)["You think I know? Not shit is clear right now. I talked to everyone else here, but other than those two-"] He points to the two men on the opposite end of the room who are chatting away. (text-colour:orange)["- no one is really in the mood to talk."]
He hitches his thumb over his shoulder at the TV hanging on the wall behind him.(text-colour:orange)[ "I'm standing by this TV so if something does change, I'll be right here. So far though? Nothing. Same with the damn door right here. I've been trying to open it every so often, damn thing won't budge."
]
(set: $DanteWhat to true)
[["Well, that blows."-> DanteII]]
]
(else-if: $DanteFriendship < 2 and $DanteWhat is false and $WhitChrisIntro is true) [Dante shakes his head and rolls his eyes at you.
(text-colour:orange)["You think I know? Not shit is clear right now. I talked to everyone else here, but other than those two-"] He points to Whittaker and Chris, still chatting away.(text-colour:orange)[ "- no one is really in the mood to talk."]
He hitches his thumb over his shoulder at the TV hanging on the wall behind him. (text-colour:orange)["I'm standing by this TV so if something does change, I'll be right here. So far though? Nothing. Same with the damn door right here. I've been trying to open it every so often, damn thing won't budge."
]
(set: $DanteWhat to true)
[["Well, that blows."-> DanteII]]
]
(else-if: $DanteFriendship < 2 and $DanteWhat is true) [Dante frowns at you.
(text-colour:orange)["Already told you I ain't got a clue. Stop askin' me stuff I don't know."]
[["My bad."-> DanteII]]
]
(else-if: $DanteFriendship is 4 and $DanteWhat is false and $WhitChrisIntro is true) [Dante shakes his head and sighs.
(text-colour:orange)["No clue. Nothing is clear right now. I talked to everyone else here, but other than those two-"] He points to Whittaker and Chris, still chatting away. (text-colour:orange)["- no one is really in the mood to talk. Well, no one except you, it seems."
]
He hitches his thumb over his shoulder at the TV hanging on the wall behind him. (text-colour:orange)["I'm standing by this TV so if something does change, I'll be right here. So far though? Nothing. Same with the damn door right here. I've been trying to open it every so often, damn thing won't budge."
]
(set: $DanteWhat to true)
[["Well, that blows."-> DanteII]]
]
(else-if: $DanteFriendship is 4 and $DanteWhat is false and $WhitChrisIntro is false) [Dante shakes his head and rolls his eyes at you.
(text-colour:orange)["No clue. Nothing is clear right now. I talked to everyone else here, but other than those two-"] He points to the two men on the opposite end of the room who are chatting away. (text-colour:orange)["- no one is really in the mood to talk. Well, no one except you, it seems."]
He hitches his thumb over his shoulder at the TV hanging on the wall behind him. (text-colour:orange)["I'm standing by this TV so if something does change, I'll be right here. So far though? Nothing. Same with the damn door right here. I've been trying to open it every so often, damn thing won't budge."
]
(set: $DanteWhat to true)
[["Well, that blows."-> DanteII]]
]
(else-if: $DanteFriendship is 4 and $DanteWhat is true) [Dante sighs.
(text-colour:orange)["Like I said, man, I don't have a clue. No use stressing over it now. Not till we have something to stress about. Trust, something changes, you'll be the first to know."]
[["I appreciate that."-> DanteII]]
]
(If: $JacketKnowledgeII is false and $DanteFriendship is 1 and $DanteIrritated is false) [Dante blinks at you before giving you a small grin.
(text-colour:orange)["Man of taste. That's cool. I like that."]
You tell him that the jacket looks really nice on him and his grin widens.
(text-colour:orange)["Buttering me up now, huh? Fine, I'll bite, but only cause you're the only company I got as of now. You ain't lookin' so bad yourself. What're you, a lawyer or something?"]
You tell Dante you work finance for a law firm and he chuckles.
(text-colour:orange)["Seems my intuition is still spot on. Or close enough."]
Dante seems to ease up a bit, less wary of you.
Nice, Paul.
{(set: $DanteFriendship to 4)
(set: $JacketKnowledgeII to true)}
[["You flatter me."-> DanteII]]
]
(else-if: $DanteFriendship is 4) [Dante smirks and raises a brow at you.
(text-colour:orange)["You've already said that, pal. Flattery only gets you so far with me, and I ain't complimentin' you again... But thanks."]
[["Was worth a shot."-> DanteII]]]
(else-if: $DanteFriendship is 0 and $JacketKnowledgeII is false) [Dante just quirks a brow at you, seemingly unmoved by the compliment.
(text-colour:orange)["Thanks."]He says, flatly
(set: $JacketKnowledgeII to true)
[["...Anytime"-> DanteII]]]
(else-if: $DanteFriendship is 0 and $JacketKnowledgeII is false) [Dante just quirks a brow at you, seemingly unmoved by the compliment.
(text-colour:orange)["Thanks."]He says, flatly
(set: $JacketKnowledgeII to true)
[["...Anytime"-> DanteII]]]
(else-if: $DanteFriendship is 0 and $JacketKnowledgeII is true) [Dante just purses his lips and raises his brows at you. Seems like a compliment isn't going to make him less upset at you. Probably best to leave him be for now.
[[Return to your spot by your room.->Introductions I]]]
(else-if: $JacketKnowledge is true and $DanteFriendship is 0 and $DanteIrritated is true and $Filler1 is false) [Dante just quirks a brow at you, seemingly unmoved by the compliment.
(text-colour:orange)["Thanks."]He says, flatly. Seems like you've irritated him.
(set: $JacketKnowledgeII to true)
(set: $Filler1 to true)
[["...Anytime"-> DanteII]]]
(else-if: $JacketKnowledge is true and $DanteFriendship is 0 and $DanteIrritated is true) [Dante just quirks a brow at you, seemingly unmoved by the compliment.
(text-colour:orange)["Thanks."]He says, flatly. Seems like you've irritated him.
(set: $JacketKnowledgeII to true)
(set: $Filler1 to true)
[["...Anytime"-> DanteII]]]
(else-if: $Filler1 is true) [Dante just purses his lips and raises his brows at you. Seems like a repeated compliment isn't going to make him less upset at you. Probably best to leave him be for now.
[[Return to your spot by your room.->Introductions I]]]
(if: $DanteFriendship < 2) [Dante stares at you blanky, seemingly waiting for you to keep talking.
[["Where are we?" -> DanteWhere]]
[["What the hell's going on here?" -> DanteWhat]]
(if:$JacketKnowledge is true) [[["Nice jacket. I love Hershey Park"-> Jacket]]]
(if:$MarieIntro is true) [[["Do you know Marie? I saw you watching us." -> Watching]]]
[["See you around."->Introductions I]]
]
(else-if: $DanteFriendship is 4) [Dante gives you a small smile, his body a bit less tense than before. He seems willing to talk.
[["Where are we?" -> DanteWhere]]
[["What the hell's going on here?" -> DanteWhat]]
(if:$JacketKnowledge is true) [[["Nice jacket. I love Hershey Park"-> Jacket]]]
(if:$MarieIntro is true) [[["Do you know Marie? I saw you watching us." -> Watching]]]
[["See you around."->Introductions I]]
]You've never seen pants like these before. They seemed to be black jeans, but they've grayed from wear.
(Set: $DanteIntro to False)
(Set: $CancelDante to true)
[[Focus, Paul.-> Dante]]His frown makes him look a lot older. If you had to fathom a guess, you'd say he's maybe 22 or 23, but with the frown he dons now, he could easily pass for someone around your age.
(Set: $DanteIntro to False)
(Set: $CancelDante to true)
[[Poor guy...-> Dante]]The younger man barks out a singular(text-colour:yellow)[ "Ha!"] and slaps you hard on the back. (text-colour:yellow)["And here I was thinking you were just some old guy too but you... yeah, me and you, we're gonna be real good."]
The older man chuckles, and scratches the back of his neck. (text-colour:red)["Well... Maybe I'm getting up there in years."]
The younger man walks over to you and prompts your for a fist bump. "(text-colour:yellow)[My name is Chris. Good to meet you. This guy,"] he points to the older man. (text-colour:yellow)["is named James."]
(text-colour:red)["I go by Whittaker. Good to meet you."]
You tell them your name.
(text-colour:red)["Paul. Nice name."] Whittaker says, eyeing you over.
Chris cracks his knuckles and shakes his head.
(text-colour:yellow)["Some bullshit we've woken up to, huh?"]
{(set: $WhitChrisIntro to true)
(Set: $IntroPoints to $IntroPoints+1)
(set: $ChrisFriendship to 5)
(set: $SoccerFan to true)}
[["Any idea where we are?" -> WhitChrisWhere]]
[["Any clue what's going on?" -> WhitChrisWhat]]
(if: $WhitFriendship is 5 or $ChrisFriendship is 5) [ [["Are you two related?"]]]
[["You two seem awfully calm." -> Calmness]]
[["See you two around."->Introductions I]]
The older man laughs and claps his hands.
(text-colour:red)[
"Ha! A fellow golf enthusiast! Now here's a man who knows what he's talking about." He says, clapping you on the shoulder. "]
The younger man shakes his head. (text-colour:yellow)["Figures. Two old guys liking old guy stuff."]
You don't feel like arguing that you're only 25.
The older man chuckles again before turning to you and extending his hand and grabbing yours in a firm handshake.
(text-colour:red)["My name's James Whittaker. My friends just call me Whittaker though, so you, my fine friend, can just call me Whittaker."] He hikes his free hand over his shoulder. (text-colour:red)["This young man here is Chris."
]
Chris just nods, his arms crossed. You tell Whittaker your name and he smiles at you.
(text-colour:red)["Paul... that's a nice name you got there, friend."]
Whittaker releases your hand and whistles, looking around the room you're in.
(text-colour:red)["Quite the situation we've found ourselves in, huh?"]
{(set: $WhitChrisIntro to true)
(Set: $IntroPoints to $IntroPoints+1)
(set: $WhitFriendship to 5)
(set: $Age to true)
(set: $GolfFan to true)}
[["Any idea where we are?" -> WhitChrisWhere]]
[["Any clue what's going on?" -> WhitChrisWhat]]
(if: $WhitFriendship is 5 or $ChrisFriendship is 5) [ [["Are you two related?"]]]
[["You two seem awfully calm." -> Calmness]]
[["See you two around."->Introductions I]]
The older man gives a chuckle and shakes his head.
(text-colour:red)["Shoot. Well, sorry to bother you with that then. Was worth a shot."] You can see in his eyes that he's a bit disheartened by your lack of engagement. Still, he puts his hand out and take yours in a firm handshake. (text-colour:red)["I'm James Whittaker, but I just go by Whittaker."] He hikes his thumb over his shoulder to the younger man. (text-colour:red)["This here is-"]
(text-colour:yellow)["I can introduce myself."] The younger man cuts in. (text-colour:yellow)["I'm Chris."
]
You tell the two your name.
(text-colour:red)["Paul. Nice name."] Whittaker whistles low, looking you over before looking around. (text-colour:red)["Quite a situation we're in, huh?"
]
{(set: $WhitChrisIntro to true)
(Set: $IntroPoints to $IntroPoints+1)
(set: $NotAFan to true)}
[["Any idea where we are?" -> WhitChrisWhere]]
[["Any clue what's going on?" -> WhitChrisWhat]]
[["You two seem awfully calm." -> Calmness]]
[["See you two around."->Introductions I]](if: $ChrisFriendship is 0 and $WhitFriendship is 0 and $DanteIntro is false and $WhitChrisWhere is false)[Whittaker shakes his head.
(text-colour:red)["Couldn't tell you a damn thing, friend."]
(text-colour:yellow)["There's a door on the far end of the room, by the guy over there."] Chris points at a young man in an orange varsity jacket on the opposite end of the room.
(text-colour:yellow)["But he's been trying it every few minutes, it's not budging."]
(text-colour:red)["Can't go exploring nothing at this rate. Might as well hunker down 'til we can."]
[["Might as well." -> WhittakerAndChrisII]]
]
(else-if: $ChrisFriendship is 0 and $WhitFriendship is 0 and $DanteIntro is true and $WhitChrisWhere is false)[
Whittaker shakes his head.
(text-colour:red)["Couldn't tell you a damn thing, friend."]
(text-colour:yellow)["There's a door on the far end of the room, by the guy over there."] Chris points at Dante on the opposite end of the room. (text-colour:yellow)["But he's been trying it every few minutes, it's not budging."]
(text-colour:red)["Can't go exploring nothing at this rate. Might as well hunker down 'til we can."]
[["Might as well." -> WhittakerAndChrisII]]
]
(else-if: $ChrisFriendship is 0 and $WhitFriendship is 0 and $WhitChrisWhere is true)[The two men exchange glances before Whittaker chuckles, nervously.
(text-colour:red)["Like we said, boss. Don't know nothing that can help you right now. Take a load off for a bit till we know more."]
[["Right. Sorry." -> WhittakerAndChrisII]]
]
(else-if: $WhitFriendship is 5 and $WhitChrisWhere is false and $DanteIntro is false)[Whittaker shakes his head.
(text-colour:red)[
"Don't know much more than you, friend. Woke up here same as you. And we ain't been able to leave the room, either. There's a door by the colored fella(mouseover-replace:"colored fella")[colored fella, and by that I mean he's the most colorful person here, what with the bright orange jacket and all,] over there."] Whittaker points towards the young man in an orange varsity jacket. (text-colour:red)[ "He's tried opening it every now and then. Ain't budging. Seems like all we can do is hunker down and wait."
]
He grins at you.
[[Smile back -> WhittakerAndChrisII]]
]
(else-if: $WhitFriendship is 5 and $WhitChrisWhere is false and $DanteIntro is true)[Whittaker shakes his head.
(text-colour:red)[
"Don't know much more than you, friend. Woke up here same as you. And we ain't been able to leave the room, either. There's a door by the colored fella (mouseover-replace:"colored fella")[colored fella, and by that I mean he's the most colorful person here, what with the bright orange jacket and all,] over there."] Whittaker points towards Dante on the opposite end of the room. (text-colour:red)["He's tried opening it every now and then. Ain't budging. Seems like all we can do is hunker down and wait."
]
He grins at you.
[[Smile back -> WhittakerAndChrisII]]
]
(else-if: $WhitFriendship is 5 and $WhitChrisWhere is true)[
Whittaker shakes his head again, and grins at you.
(text-colour:red)[
"Ease up, bub. No use rattling your skull about things we don't know."
]
His smile never falters.
[[Smile back -> WhittakerAndChrisII]]
]
(else-if: $ChrisFriendship is 5 and $WhitChrisWhere is false and $DanteIntro is false)[Chris clicks his tongue.
(text-colour:yellow)[
"Nah. We all woke up awhile ago, just like you. Shoot, couldn't even remember my name when I woke up. Plus, there's no way out of this room right now."
]
Chris points across the room, where a young man in an orange varsity jacket stands near a titanium metal door.
(text-colour:yellow)[
"He's been standing there since we got here, and he tries to open it every now and then. No dice."] He sighs and shrugs. (text-colour:yellow)["Nothing to do for now. Might as well just drop it."]
[["Yeah." -> WhittakerAndChrisII]]
]
(else-if: $ChrisFriendship is 5 and $WhitChrisWhere is false and $DanteIntro is true)[Chris clicks his tongue.
(text-colour:yellow)[
"Nah. We all woke up awhile ago, just like you. Shoot, couldn't even remember my name when I woke up. Plus, there's no way out of this room right now."
]
Chris points across the room, where Dante stands near a titanium metal door.
(text-colour:yellow)[
"He's been standing there since we got here, and he tries to open it every now and then. No dice."] He sighs and shrugs. (text-colour:yellow)["Nothing to do for now. Might as well just drop it."]
[["Yeah." -> WhittakerAndChrisII]]
]
(else-if: $ChrisFriendship is 5 and $WhitChrisWhere is true)[
Chris laughs at you.
(text-colour:yellow)[
"Shoot, maybe you got amnesia worse than the rest of us. Told you, dude, none of us know anything. Take it easy for a bit."
]
[["Right, right." -> WhittakerAndChrisII]]
]
(set: $WhitChrisWhere to true)
(if:$ChrisFriendship is 0 and $WhitFriendship is 0 and $KimIntro is false and $WhitChrisWhat is false)[ Chris purses his lips.
(text-colour:yellow)["Mm-mm. Not a clue."]
(text-colour:red)["Not so much as a hint. Strange that they got a kiddo wrapped up in this." ]Whittaker says, nodding his head towards the young girl standing on the opposite end of the room. (text-colour:red)["That's the one thing putting me off about this. She can't be no older than 13. Bout the age of my girl." ]
[["Yeah... that is strange." -> WhittakerAndChrisII]]
]
(else-if:$ChrisFriendship is 0 and $WhitFriendship is 0 and $KimIntro is true and $WhitChrisWhat is false)[ Chris purses his lips.
(text-colour:yellow)["Mm-mm. Not a clue."]
(text-colour:red)["Not so much as a hint. Strange that they got a kiddo wrapped up in this."] Whittaker says, nodding his head towards Kim (text-colour:red)["That's the one thing putting me off about this. She can't be no older than 13. Bout the age of my girl." ]
[["Yeah... that is strange." -> WhittakerAndChrisII]]
]
(else-if:$ChrisFriendship is 0 and $WhitFriendship is 0 and $WhitChrisWhat is True)[ Whittaker just shakes his head.
(text-colour:red)["Still don't know nothing, Paul. I'm sure we'll figure things out soon."]
Chris scoffs in the background.
[["Right. Sorry." -> WhittakerAndChrisII]] ]
(else-if: $WhitFriendship is 5 and $WhitChrisWhat is false and $KimIntro is False and $FamilyInfo <3) [ Whittaker sighs and puts his hands on his hips.
(text-colour:red)["Don't know anything, really. Hate not knowing things. Just know I woke up here. Couldn't remember my name when I woke up, had to get it from a piece of paper on my nightstand."]
Whittaker scratches the back of his neck and turns towards the young girl standing on the other end of the room.
(text-colour:red)["I'm concerned about why a kiddo like that would be here though. She's probably my daughters age, 'round 12 or 13. That's only thing that worries me here."
]
He turns to you.
(text-colour:red)["Best do our due dilligence and watch our for her if we can."]
[["I agree."-> WhittakerAndChrisII]] ]
(else-if: $WhitFriendship is 5 and $WhitChrisWhat is false and $KimIntro is False and $FamilyInfo is 3) [ Whittaker sighs and puts his hands on his hips.
(text-colour:red)["Don't know anything, really. Hate not knowing things. Just know I woke up here. Couldn't remember my name when I woke up, had to get it from a piece of paper on my nightstand."]
Whittaker scratches the back of his neck and turns towards the young girl standing on the other end of the room.
(text-colour:red)["I'm concerned about why a kiddo like that would be here though. She's probably Jane's age, 'round 12 or 13. That's only thing that worries me here."]
He turns to you.
(text-colour:red)["Best do our due dilligence and watch our for her if we can."]
[["I agree."-> WhittakerAndChrisII]] ]
(else-if: $WhitFriendship is 5 and $WhitChrisWhat is false and $KimIntro is True and $FamilyInfo <3) [ Whittaker sighs and puts his hands on his hips.
(text-colour:red)["Don't know anything, really. Hate not knowing things. Just know I woke up here. Couldn't remember my name when I woke up, had to get it from a piece of paper on my nightstand."]
Whittaker scratches the back of his neck and turns towards Kim on the other end of the room.
(text-colour:red)["I'm concerned about why a kiddo like that would be here though. She's probably my daughters age, 'round 12 or 13. That's only thing that worries me here."]
He turns to you.
(text-colour:red)["Best do our due dilligence and watch our for her if we can."]
[["I agree."-> WhittakerAndChrisII]] ]
(else-if: $WhitFriendship is 5 and $WhitChrisWhat is false and $KimIntro is True and $FamilyInfo is 3) [ Whittaker sighs and puts his hands on his hips.
(text-colour:red)["Don't know anything, really. Hate not knowing things. Just know I woke up here. Couldn't remember my name when I woke up, had to get it from a piece of paper on my nightstand."]
Whittaker scratches the back of his neck and turns towards Kim on the other end of the room.
(text-colour:red)["I'm concerned about why a kiddo like that would be here though. She's probably Jane's age, 'round 12 or 13. That's only thing that worries me here."]
He turns to you.
(text-colour:red)["Best do our due dilligence and watch our for her if we can."]
[["I agree."-> WhittakerAndChrisII]] ]
(else-if: $WhitFriendship is 5 and $WhitChrisWhat is true ) [ Whittaker sighs, scratching the back of his neck.
(text-colour:red)["Figure we'll figure stuff out in a little while. Can't do much for right now, so it seems."]
[["I suppose your right." -> WhittakerAndChrisII]] ]
(else-if: $ChrisFriendship is 5 and $WhitChrisWhat is false and $KimIntro is false) [ Chris shakes his head.
(text-colour:yellow)["No dice, man. We all woke up not that long ago haven't gotten, like, any indication what could be going on. Whittaker's been worried bout why the hell that kid over there is here." ]Chris points to the young girl on the opposite end of the room.
(text-colour:yellow)["I think she's his daughter's age and that's why he's so pent up about it. Still, we ain't babysitters. Not my kid, not my problem."]
[["Well, I... suppose that's true." -> WhittakerAndChrisII]] ]
(else-if: $ChrisFriendship is 5 and $WhitChrisWhat is false and $KimIntro is true) [ Chris shakes his head.
(text-colour:yellow)["No dice, man. We all woke up not that long ago haven't gotten, like, any indication what could be going on. Whittaker's been worried bout why the hell that kid over there is here."] Chris points to Kim on the opposite end of the room.
(text-colour:yellow)["I think she's his daughter's age and that's why he's so pent up about it. Still, we ain't babysitters. Not my kid, not my problem."]
[["Well, I... suppose that's true." -> WhittakerAndChrisII]] ]
(else-if: $ChrisFriendship is 5 and $WhitChrisWhere is true ) [ Chris rolls his eyes at you.
(text-colour:yellow)["Trust me man, when I find something out, you'll be the fist to know."]
[["I appreciate that." -> WhittakerAndChrisII]] ]
(Set: $WhitChrisWhat to true)
(if:$ChrisFriendship is 5 and $Relation is false) [ Chris looks at you blanky before whooping out a laugh.
(text-colour:yellow)["No fuckin' way! You think this dude's my dad? He's old enough to be my dad's dad!"]
(text-colour:red)["I'm only 42, son."] Whittaker says, smiling tensely.
(text-colour:yellow)["No."] Chris says to you. (text-colour:yellow)["Not related. Just noticed he was wearing sports clothes and came to talk. No one else here is the talking type besides old boy here. And you too, buddy boy."]
[["Thanks... buddy boy." -> WhittakerAndChrisII]]
]
(else-if:$ChrisFriendship is 5 and $Relation is true) [Chris chuckles and rolls his eyes.
(text-colour:yellow)["Sheesh, dude, ease off it. We're not related at all. He's just good conversation."]
(text-colour:red)["Well, thank you, Chris."]
(text-colour:yellow)["Yeah, yeah."]
[["Heard." -> WhittakerAndChrisII]] ]
(else-if:$WhitFriendship is 5 and $Relation is false) [ Whittaker chuckles deeply before shaking his head.
"(text-colour:red)[Oh, no. No, he's not mine. Got two of my own back home, 'bout half his age. I think he saw me in sports clothes and figured I'd be good conversation."]
(text-colour:yellow)["You're not bad."]
(text-colour:red)["Well, shoot. Nicest thing you've said to me since we've met."
]
(text-colour:yellow)["Shut it."]
Whittaker grins at Chris and turns back to you. (text-colour:red)["If you wanna see my kids, just ask again, yeah?"]
[["Will do." -> WhittakerAndChrisII]]
]
(else-if:$WhitFriendship is 5 and $Relation is true) [Whittaker smiles at you.
(text-colour:red)["Wanna see my kiddos?]
[["I'd love to." -> Kids]]
[["Maybe some other time." -> WhittakerAndChrisII]] ]
(set: $Relation to true)(if:$ChrisFriendship is 0 and $WhitFriendship is 0 and $Calmness is false)[ The two men look at each other and chuckle.
(text-colour:red)["We ain't got any reason not be calm right now."]
(text-colour:yellow)["I agree. Until there's actually a reason to freak, I'm not gonna freak.]"
(text-colour:red)["And amen to that. Take it easy, Paul. "
]
[["...Right" -> WhittakerAndChrisII]]
]
(else-if:$ChrisFriendship is 0 and $WhitFriendship is 0 and $Calmness is True)[
(text-colour:red)["No better way to be right now. You should try it, friend."]
[["I'll consider it." -> WhittakerAndChrisII]] ]
(else-if: $WhitFriendship is 5 and $Calmness is false) [ Whittaker smiles easily at you, his teeth glinting.
(text-colour:red)["Don't know any other way to be, friend. Sure, we don't know how we got here, and that ain't great, but if we all lose our heads, we'll be runnin' rounds like chickens. It's in our best interest to take it easy for now."]
[[Smile at him -> WhittakerAndChrisII]] ]
(else-if: $WhitFriendship is 5 and $Calmness is true ) [ Whittaker grins at you and chuckles.
(text-colour:red)["I suppose it's just part of my southern charm."
]
[[Smile at him -> WhittakerAndChrisII]] ]
(else-if: $ChrisFriendship is 5 and $Calmness is false ) [ Chris exhales sharply through his nose and grins.
(text-colour:yellow)["Well, yeah. Why wouldn't I be? I mean, sucks we don't know how we got here, but shit, I've ended up in far sketchier places with no memory of how I got there. Compared to those, this is like a luxury hotel."]
[["What a life you lead." -> WhittakerAndChrisII]] ]
(else-if: $ChrisFriendship is 5 and $Calmness is true ) [ Chris laughs.
(text-colour:yellow)["I once wook up on a senator'sroof after getting blackout drunk with my frat last year. This is nothing."]
[["Oh wow." -> WhittakerAndChrisII]] ]
(Set: $Calmness to true)
(if: $ChrisFriendship is 0 and $WhitFriendship is 0) [Both men look at you, seemingly waiting for you to keep speaking.]
(else-if: $ChrisFriendship is 5) [Both men look at you, seemingly waiting for you to keep speaking. Chris stands next to you, grinning.]
(else-if: $WhitFriendship is 5) [Both men look at you, seemingly waiting for you to keep speaking. Whittaker stands next to you, smiling at you.]
[["Any idea where we are?" -> WhitChrisWhere]]
[["Any clue what's going on?" -> WhitChrisWhat]]
(if: $WhitFriendship is 5 or $ChrisFriendship is 5) [ [["Are you two related?"]]]
[["You two seem awfully calm." -> Calmness]]
[["See you two around."->Introductions I]]
(if: $DanteFriendship is 4 and $DanteMarieII is false)[Dante blinks at you before shaking his head.
(text-colour:orange)["No. I don't know her. But between us, there's three grown white men in this room, a white child, and then me and Marie, the only two black people here. If we don't have each other, I can't say I know you guys will. Not saying about you, obviously. Let's just leave that there. I'd appreciate you not askin' me about that again. And don't tell anyone I said that."]
(set: $DanteMarieII to true)
[["I understand."-> DanteII]]]
(else-if: $DanteFriendship is 4 and $DanteMarieII is true)[Dante blinks at you and frowns.
(text-colour:orange)["Already told you no." ]He doesn't say anything else. You feel like you've made him upset.
(set: $DanteFriendship to 0)
[["Sorry."-> DanteII]]]
(else-if: $DanteFriendship < 2 and $DanteMarieII is false)[Dante blinks at you before shaking his head.
(text-colour:orange)["No. I don't know her. But there's two of us,"] He taps the back of his hand, his brown skin only slightly darker than Marie.(text-colour:orange)[ ", and four of you all." ]He taps his palm. (text-colour:orange)["Work the rest out yourself."]
(set: $DanteMarieII to true)
[["...I understand."-> DanteII]]]
(else-if: $DanteFriendship < 2 and $DanteMarieII is true)[Dante's frown deepens. He doesn't dignify your repeated question with a response. You should probably back off him.
(set: $DanteFriendship to 0)
(Set: $DanteIrritated to true)
[[Return to your spot by your room.->Introductions I]]]
(if: $FamilyInfo <3)[Whittaker grins, fishing a gold locket from underneath the collar of his shirt. He opens it. On one side is a [[woman]] and a [[young girl]]. On the other side, a [[young boy]].
[["Appreciate you showing me this." -> WhittakerAndChrisII]]]
(else-if:$FamilyInfo is 3)[Whittaker grins, fishing a gold locket grom underneath the collar of his shirt. He opens it. On one side is a [[woman]] and a [[young girl]]. On the other side, a [[young boy]].
He seems extremely content that you've asked him about his entire family.
[["Appreciate you showing me this." -> WhittakerAndChrisII]]
](if: $Paulette is false) [The woman has long blonde hair and sparkling green eyes. She's gorgeous.
(text-colour:red)["My Paulette. We've been married for 20 years! Married young, real young. She's my everything. "]
Whittaker's smile softens. (text-colour:red)["She's been sick lately. Real sick. But my Paulette's strong. She'll bounce back. I know she will."]
(if: $FamilyInfo < 3)[
(Set: $FamilyInfo to $FamilyInfo + 1)
]
(Set: $Paulette to true)
[["I'm sure she will, Whittaker." -> Kids]]
]
(else-if: $Paulette is true) [Whittaker's wife, Paulette. The woman has long blonde hair and sparkling green eyes. She's gorgeous, and apparently sick. Whittaker is staring lovingly at the photo.
[[<< Back -> Kids]]
](if: $Jane is false) [The girl has long blond hair. Seems she got that from her mother.
(text-colour:red)["Whew. This is my daughter, Jane. Named after me, and boy does she take after me. She's my wild child. More energy than I know what to do with sometimes."]
Whittaker chuckles before looking at you. (text-colour:red)["She'll outpace me in golf one day. Just 10 and already's got a great shot."]
(if: $FamilyInfo < 3)[
(Set: $FamilyInfo to $FamilyInfo + 1)
]
(Set: $Jane to true)
[["Kid must have a great swing." -> Kids]]
]
(else-if: $Jane is true) [Whittaker's daughter, Jane. The girl has long blond hair. Seems she got that from her mother. Whittaker suspects she'll overtake him in golf soon. That'd be a sight to see.
[[<< Back -> Kids]]
]
(if: $PaulW is false) [The boy has dark brownish blond hair, much like his father.
(text-colour:red)["My son! Ah, he takes after his mother. He's my sweet kid. We named him after his mama. His name's Paul."]
Whittaker grins at you.(text-colour:red)[ "Told you you had a nice name."
]
(if: $FamilyInfo < 3)[
(Set: $FamilyInfo to $FamilyInfo + 1)
]
(Set: $PaulW to true)
[["Kid's got a great name." -> Kids]]
]
(else-if: $PaulW is true) [Whittaker's son, Paul. The boy has dark brownish blond hair, much like his father. He's got a good name.
[[<< Back -> Kids]]
]
At least, you think it's a pencil skirt. Your ex-fiance had given you a run down of all different skirt types a long time ago due to their profession as a costume designer. You couldn't remember what they told you if your life depended on it. You couldn't remember anything about your ex-fiance either.
{(Set: $Fiance to true)}
[[<< Back-> Marie]](if: $MarieFriendship < 1 and $MarieIntro is false) [ The woman is currently angling her body away from you, obscuring whatever is on the lanyard.
[[<< Back-> Marie]]
]
(if: $MarieFriendship < 1 and $MarieIntro is true) [ Marie is currently angling her body away from you, obscuring whatever is on the lanyard.
[[<< Back-> Marie]]
]
(if: $MarieFriendship > 0) [ Marie's lanyard reads:
Marie Hatfield
Little Run Elementary School Faculty
(set: $Teacher to true)
[[<< Back-> MarieII]]
]She eyes your hand suspiciously. Or maybe even fearfully.
[["My name is Paul. What's your name?"]]
[[Wait for her to make a move]]The woman stares at your hand for a good few seconds before she relaxes, just a hair, and takes your hand, squeezing lightly.
You introduce yourself softly.
(text-colour:magenta)["It's.... It's nice to meet you."] She says. (text-colour:magenta)["My name is Marie."]
You tell Marie it's nice to meet her.
(set: $MarieIntro to true)
(Set: $MarieFriendship to $MarieFriendship+1)
(Set: $IntroPoints to $IntroPoints+1)
(Set:$Intro to true)
[["Any clue what's going on here?"-> MarieWhat]]
[["Happen to know where we are? -> MarieWhere]]
(if: $Teacher is true) [[You're a teacher? That's neat. -> Teacher]]
[["I'll be seeing you."->Introductions I]]The woman seems to shrink at that, but meets your eyes from over her shoulder. She hugs herself and looks at you over the frames of her glasses.
(text-colour:magenta)["I-I'm Marie."]
You tell Marie it's nice to meet her.
(set: $MarieIntro to true)
(Set: $IntroPoints to $IntroPoints+1)
(Set:$Intro to true)
[["Any clue what's going on here?"-> MarieWhat]]
[["Happen to know where we are? -> MarieWhere]]
(if: $Teacher is true) [[You're a teacher? That's neat. -> Teacher]]
[["I'll be seeing you."->Introductions I]](if: $MarieFriendship is 0 and $MarieWhat is false)[ Marie shakes her head.
(text-colour:magenta)["No, I-I don't know anything. Nothing."
]
Seems she won't say anything more.
[["T-That's alright." -> MarieII]]]
(else-if: $MarieFriendship is 1 and $MarieWhat is false)[ Marie shakes her head.
(text-colour:magenta)["No. I don't know anything. I got out here last, after the other 4. Nothing's happened though. I hope we find out s-some more information soon."
]
[["I'm sure we will." -> MarieII]]]
(else-if: $MarieFriendship is 3 and $MarieWhat is false)[ Marie shakes her head.
(text-colour:magenta)["No, I don't know anything. I was the last person out here, after the other 4. No one's come to talk to me but you. Thanks for that. Still, there's surely something going on. I couldn't even remember my own name when I woke up. God, I hope we get some answers soon."]
[["I'd like some answers too." -> MarieII]]]
(else-if: $MarieFriendship is 0 and $MarieWhat is true)[ Marie shrinks.
(text-colour:magenta)["I-I promise I don't know anything."
]
[["S-Sorry." -> MarieII]]]
(else-if: $MarieFriendship is 1 and $MarieWhat is true)[ Marie furrows her brow and frowns thinly.
(text-colour:magenta)["I-I said I don't know anything. I promise I'm not lying to you."]
[["No, no, I believe you." -> MarieII]]]
(else-if: $MarieFriendship is 3 and $MarieWhat is true)[ Marie quirks a brow at you.
(text-colour:magenta)["Like I said, I don't know anything. If I learn something though, I'll tell you."]
[["Thanks, Marie." -> MarieII]]]
(set: $MarieWhat to true)(if: $MarieTeacher is false) [Marie looks down at her lanyard and smiles.
(text-colour:magenta)["N-Nice attention to detail. Yes, I teach at an elementary school in West Virginia. It's a... school for children with special needs."]
You ask Marie if she likes her job and she beams.
(text-colour:magenta)["I love it. Nothing more fufilling in the world."] She seems to ease, no longer tense. (text-colour:magenta)["Thank you for asking."]
(Set: $MarieFriendship to $MarieFriendship+2)
(Set: $MarieTeacher to true)
[["Sure. I was curious." -> MarieII]]]
(else-if: $MarieTeacher is true)[ Marie smiles at you patiently.
(text-colour:magenta)["As I said. I am. Nothing I'd rather do."]
[["That's really cool." -> MarieII]]]
(if: $MarieFriendship is 0 and $DanteIntro is true)[ Marie looks at you with eyes like that of a scared deer, waiting to see whether you intend to keep asking her questions, or if you'll leave her alone.
You catch Dante watching you. Maybe you should go talk to him.
(Set: $DanteMarie to true)
[["Any clue what's going on here?"-> MarieWhat]]
[["Happen to know where we are? -> MarieWhere]]
(if: $Teacher is true) [[You're a teacher? That's neat. -> Teacher]]
[["I'll be seeing you."->Introductions I]]]
(else-if: $MarieFriendship is 1 and $DanteIntro is true)[ Marie looks at you, fiddling with her [[wedding ring]], but offers you a small smile. Her [[lanyard]] hangs in front of her shirt.
You catch Dante watching you. Maybe you should go talk to him.
(Set: $DanteMarie to true)
[["Any clue what's going on here?"-> MarieWhat]]
[["Happen to know where we are? -> MarieWhere]]
(if: $Teacher is true) [[You're a teacher? That's neat. -> Teacher]]
[["I'll be seeing you."->Introductions I]]]
(else-if: $MarieFriendship is 3 and $DanteIntro is true)[ Marie looks at you, smiling, waiting for you to ask her something else.
You catch Dante watching you. Maybe you should go talk to him.
(Set: $DanteMarie to true)
[["Any clue what's going on here?"-> MarieWhat]]
[["Happen to know where we are? -> MarieWhere]]
(if: $Teacher is true) [[You're a teacher? That's neat. -> Teacher]]
[["I'll be seeing you."->Introductions I]]]
(if: $MarieFriendship is 0 and $DanteIntro is false)[ Marie looks at you with eyes like that of a scared deer, waiting to see whether you intend to keep asking her questions, or if you'll leave her alone.
You catch the young man in the orange varsity jacket watching you. Maybe you should go talk to him.
(Set: $DanteMarie to true)
[["Any clue what's going on here?"-> MarieWhat]]
[["Happen to know where we are? -> MarieWhere]]
(if: $Teacher is true) [[You're a teacher? That's neat. -> Teacher]]
[["I'll be seeing you."->Introductions I]]]
(else-if: $MarieFriendship is 1 and $DanteIntro is false)[ Marie looks at you, fiddling with her [[wedding ring]], but offers you a small smile. Her [[lanyard]] hangs in front of her shirt.
You catch the young man in the orange varsity jacket watching you. Maybe you should go talk to him.
(Set: $DanteMarie to true)
[["Any clue what's going on here?"-> MarieWhat]]
[["Happen to know where we are? -> MarieWhere]]
(if: $Teacher is true) [[You're a teacher? That's neat. -> Teacher]]
[["I'll be seeing you."->Introductions I]]]
(else-if: $MarieFriendship is 3 and $DanteIntro is false)[ Marie looks at you, smiling, waiting for you to ask her something else.
You catch the young man in the orange varsity jacket watching you. Maybe you should go talk to him.
(Set: $DanteMarie to true)
[["Any clue what's going on here?"-> MarieWhat]]
[["Happen to know where we are? -> MarieWhere]]
(if: $Teacher is true) [[You're a teacher? That's neat. -> Teacher]]
[["I'll be seeing you."->Introductions I]]]
(if: $IntroPoints is <4) [The wedding ring seems to be a copper color. On further inspection, it seems the ring is actually made of copper. You've never seen a copper wedding before.
(Set: $WeddingRingIntro to true)
[[<< Back -> MarieII]]]
(else-if: $IntroPoints is 4) [The wedding ring seems to be a copper color. On further inspection, it seems the ring is actually made of copper. You've never seen a copper wedding before.
(Set: $WeddingRingIntro to true)
[[<< Back ->"What the hell...?"]]]
(if: $MarieFriendship is 0 and $MarieWhere is false)[ Marie shakes her head quickly..
(text-colour:magenta)["I've got no clue w-where we are. There's grass coming out the floor. This wh-whole place is weird."]
[["I agree." -> MarieII]]]
(else-if: $MarieFriendship is 1 and $MarieWhere is false)[ Marie shakes her head.
(text-colour:magenta)["Not a clue. I don't know how we got here either. But this place is strange. There's grass sprouting from the floor. Real strange."]
[["Yeah, strange indeed." -> MarieII]]]
(else-if: $MarieFriendship is 3 and $MarieWhere is false)[ Marie shakes her head.
(text-colour:magenta)["No, I've got no clue. And this building is weird. Have you ever seen grass growing through a buildings floor like this? It's artifical, I think. I wonder what's beyond the door on the west side of the room. It won't open."]
[["I hope we learn soon." -> MarieII]]]
(else-if: $MarieFriendship is 0 and $MarieWhere is true)[ Marie shrinks.
(text-colour:magenta)["I-I told you everything I know"]
[["S-Sorry." -> MarieII]]]
(else-if: $MarieFriendship is 1 and $MarieWhaere is true)[ Marie shakes her head.
(text-colour:magenta)["As I mentioned, I-I've got no clue where we are."]
[["Yeah... makes sense." -> MarieII]]]
(else-if: $MarieFriendship is 3 and $MarieWhere is true)[ Marie hums in response to your repeated question.
(text-colour:magenta)["I hope we get answers to that soon. I've got... a bad feeling."]
[["Heard that." -> MarieII]]]
(set: $MarieWhere to true)Looking closer at the grass, you grow more perplexed. There doesn't appear to be any soil beneath the ground. Artificial grass, then? Why?
[[<< Back-> MarieWhere]]Under further examination, the varsity jacket isn't for an actual sports team, but rather seems to be a Reece's themed jacket from [[Hershey park in Pennsylvannia]].
(Set: $DanteIntro to False)
(Set: $CancelDante to true)
[[Interesting...-> Dante]]Under further examination, the varsity jacket isn't for an actual sports team, but rather seems to be a Reece's themed jacket from [[Hershey park in Pennsylvannia->Hershey park in PennsylvanniaII]].
(Set: $CancelDante to true)
[[Interesting...-> Dante]]You know this because you used to go there with your ex-fiance back when you two were just dating. They had to talk you out of buying this same jacket.
(set: $Fiance to true)
(set: $JacketKnowledge to true)
(Set: $CancelDante to true)
[[Brings back memories, huh?-> Dante]]The TV crackles with static. Everyone rushes over to it.
(if: $WhitFriendship > $DanteFriendship and $MarieFriendship and $ChrisFriendship and $KimFriendship) [Whittaker stands next to you, nudging you in the ribs with a grin before turning his attention to the screen. When he turns to the screen, his grin drops a tad.
]
(else-if: $KimFriendship > $DanteFriendship and $MarieFriendship and $ChrisFriendship and $WhitFriendship) [Kim slinks over next to you, standing just a tad to close, her usual smile a bit dampened. She seems a tad nervous. You give her a gentle pat on the shoulder.
]
(else-if: $ChrisFriendship > $DanteFriendship and $MarieFriendship and $KimFriendship and $WhitFriendship) [Chris bumbles over to you and slings an arm around your shoulder, nearly knocking you off balance, as he turns to face the screen. His face, though, is tense.
]
(else-if: $DanteFriendship > $ChrisFriendship and $MarieFriendship and $KimFriendship and $WhitFriendship) [You walk over to Dante, who's near the TV. He regards you and then nods, coming to stand over near you. He looks back to the screen with anticipation.
]
(else-if: $MarieFriendship > $ChrisFriendship and $DanteFriendship and $KimFriendship and $WhitFriendship) [Marie quietly slips next to you, so quietly that when you see her, you startle a hair. She gives a small nod and a quiet "Sorry" before turning to the screen, fiddling with her [[wedding ring]].
]
[[Watch what's on the sceen -> Explanation]](if: $KimWhere is false and $Delaware is false) [Kimmy shakes her head rapidly before crossing her arms and pouting.
(text-colour:purple)["Nope, I have no clue. I've never seen a building quite like this before, to be honest. Think it's a hospital? Or maybe a school? Ooh, maybe it's a mall! I love going to mall! Me and my friends [[Brianna->That's Nice]] go to the [[mall->That's Nice]] after school every thursday. There's this cute guy there named [[Jason]] that I think is just so [[super totally awesome->That's Nice]] and cute, but you don't look like you wanna talk boys and I'm respectful so I so totally won't! I like going to the mall. Are there malls where you're from? Hey, [[where ARE you from?]] Well, anyways, so [[this place->That's Nice]] is kinda like a mall. Maybe. I mean, we haven't been able to leave [[this room->That's Nice]] or whatever, but I think there's like totally a [[bunch of other places->That's Nice]] outside the door... if the door would open. I mean it won't though, so we're hanging out in here!"]
(set:$KimWhere to true)
[["That's...Nice, honey."-> KimmyII"]]]
(else-if: $KimWhere is false and $Delaware is true) [Kimmy shakes her head rapidly before crossing her arms and pouting.
(text-colour:purple)["Nope, I have no clue. I've never seen a building quite like this before, to be honest. Think it's a hospital? Or maybe a school? Ooh, maybe it's a mall! I love going to mall! Me and my friends [[Brianna->That's Nice]] go to the [[mall->That's Nice]] after school every thursday. There's this cute guy there named [[Jason]] that I think is just so [[super totally awesome->That's Nice]] and cute, but you don't look like you wanna talk boys and I'm respectful so I so totally won't! I like going to the mall. Are there malls in Dela... Dela... Delawherever? Well, anyways, so [[this place->That's Nice]] is kinda like a mall. Maybe. I mean, we haven't been able to leave [[this room->That's Nice]] or whatever, but I think there's like totally a [[bunch of other places->That's Nice]] outside the door... if the door would open. I mean it won't though, so we're hanging out in here!"]
(set:$KimWhere to true)
[["That's...Nice, honey."-> KimmyII"]]]
(else-if: $KimWhere is true and $Delaware is false) [Kimmy shakes her head rapidly before crossing her arms and pouting.
(text-colour:purple)["Nope, I have no clue. I've never seen a building quite like this before, to be honest. Think it's a hospital? Or maybe a a school? Ooh, maybe it's a mall! I love going to mall! Me and my friends [[Brianna->That's Nice]] go to the [[mall->That's Nice]] after school every thursday. There's this cute guy there named [[Jason]] that I think is just so [[super totally awesome->That's Nice]] and cute, but you don't look like you wanna talk boys and I'm respectful so I so totally won't! I like going to the mall. Are there malls where you're from? Hey, [[where ARE you from?]] Well, anyways, so [[this place->That's Nice]] is kinda like a mall. Maybe. I mean, we haven't been able to leave [[this room->That's Nice]] or whatever, but I think there's like totally a [[bunch of other places->That's Nice]] outside the door... if the door would open. I mean it won't though, so we're hanging out in here!"]
You have no idea how the hell she managed to recite that entire thing verbatim to you again. You're almost impressed.
(set:$KimWhere to true)
[["That's...Nice, honey."-> KimmyII"]]]
(else-if: $KimWhere is true and $Delaware is true) [Kimmy shakes her head rapidly before crossing her arms and pouting.
(text-colour:purple)["Nope, I have no clue. I've never seen a building quite like this before, to be honest. Think it's a hospital? Or maybe a a school? Ooh, maybe it's a mall! I love going to mall! Me and my friends [[Brianna->That's Nice]] go to the [[mall->That's Nice]] after school every thursday. There's this cute guy there named [[Jason]] that I think is just so [[super totally awesome->That's Nice]] and cute, but you don't look like you wanna talk boys and I'm respectful so I so totally won't! I like going to the mall. Are there malls in Dela... Dela... Delawherever? Well, anyways, so [[this place->That's Nice]] is kinda like a mall. Maybe. I mean, we haven't been able to leave [[this room->That's Nice]] or whatever, but I think there's like totally a [[bunch of other places->That's Nice]] outside the door... if the door would open. I mean it won't though, so we're hanging out in here!"
]
You have no idea how the hell she managed to recite that entire thing verbatim to you again. You're almost impressed.
(set:$KimWhere to true)
[["That's...Nice, honey."-> KimmyII"]]]
(if:$KimWhat is false) [Kim scratches her chin and looks up and to her right.
(text-colour:purple)["No sir, I can't say I know anything that's happening here. Wana hear something really funny, I couldn't even remember my name when I first woke up. I wonder why that was, I mean it's literally my name. And then I came out here, everyone else was out here except for the other lady here. She's cool. It's cool having another girl here! It would suck if it was only adult boys here. no offense. Or offense I guess, take it how you want to. I don't know, I think boys are so sensitive, I mean they get mad over everything and then say girls are too emotional. I think that's dumb. Don't you think that's dumb?"]
(Set: $KimWhat to true)
[["Yes, it's certainly.. dumb."-> KimmyII"]]]
(else-if:$KimWhat is true) [Kim scratches her chin and looks up and to her right.
(text-colour:purple)["No sir, I can't say I know anything that's happening here. Wana hear something really funny, I couldn't even remember my name when I first woke up. I wonder why that was, I mean it's literally my name. And then I came out here, everyone else was out here except for the other lady here. She's cool. It's cool having another girl here! It would suck if it was only adult boys here. no offense. Or offense I guess, take it how you want to. I don't know, I think boys are so sensitive, I mean they get mad over everything and then say girls are too emotional. I think that's dumb. Don't you think that's dumb?"]
You have no idea how the hell she managed to recite that entire thing verbatim to you again. You're almost impressed.
[["Yes, it's certainly.. dumb."-> KimmyII"]]](if:$Boys is false) [ Kimmy blinks at you before grinning, almost suspicious that you're messing with her.
(text-colour:purple)["Really. YOU wanna talk boys?" ]
[["Yeah, I probably wouldn't make a good boy talk partner."-> KimmyII"]]
[["Oh, lay it on me, sister. I //so// wanna talk boys."-> BOYS]]
]
(if:$Boys is true) [ Kimmy grins at you.
(text-colour:purple)[
"Are you sure you wanna hear about Jason again? I mean, I love talking about him, but are you sure?" ]
[["Fair point, kiddo."-> KimmyII"]]
[["I'm happy to listen to it again."-> BOYS]]
]You try to ask about this, but Kimmy is going a mile a minute. There's no way you can get a word in right now.
(set: $KimIntro to true)
(Set: $KimWhere to false)
(set: $KimWhat to false)
[[Wow... -> KimWhere]]You try to ask about this, but Kimmy is going a mile a minute. There's no way you can get a word in right now.
Still, it might be worth bringing this name up to her later.
(Set: $Jason to True)
(set: $KimIntro to true)
(Set: $KimWhere to false)
(set: $KimWhat to false)
[[Jason, huh...? -> KimWhere]](if:$KimFriendship is 2) [Kim seems like she's just about to go on another tangent. If you've got a question, now is your time to ask.
[[Do you happen to know where we are? -> KimWhere]]
[[You wouldn't happen to know what's going on here, would you? -> KimWhat]]
[["You're pretty chipper despite... everything, kiddo."-> KimCalmness]]
(if: $Jason is true) [[[Oh, I wanna talk boys. Wanna talk about Jason?"->Boys]]]
[["I'll see you around, Kimmy."->Introductions I]]
]
(else-if:$KimFriendship is 6) [Kim smiles at you, eager for you to ask her something. She still sees like she's an instant from bouncing off the walls, but she's listening to you now.
[[Do you happen to know where we are? -> KimWhere]]
[[You wouldn't happen to know what's going on here, would you? -> KimWhat]]
[["You're pretty chipper despite... everything, kiddo."-> KimCalmness]]
(if: $Jason is true) [[[Wanna talk about Jason again?"->Boys]]]
[["I'll see you around, Kimmy."->Introductions I]]
](if: $KimFriendship is 2) [(text-colour:purple)["Okay so basically, I met Jason at the mall. He works there and he's like 17, which is so cool. He doesn't like me, he tells me I'm too young for him, but I don't know why that matters, cause duh I'm younger than you, I was born later. But so anyways, he works at the Hot Topic in the mall I go to with Brianna. He works at the Hot Topic there. Do you know what a Hot Topic is? You might be too old to know what a [[Hot Topic]] is. He has like this super cool green hair and a green mustache, and piercings. Nose piercings and ear piecings, it's so cool. Sometimes he gives us free pins for our bags because we're... shoot, what's the word he said to his friend..? Oh, he said we were pathetic. I don't know what that word means, but it must mean [[stinkin' awesome!]] This one time, we saw him in the food court while we were getting ice cream once and waved at him and he came over and said we had to leave him because it was starting go get "excessive". I started to feel bad but then Brianna said he was playing hard to get and she was so right! She also said he used the wrong word cause he clearly didn't actually mean excessive but he ACTUALLY meant obsessive. In the good way of course! Anyways, we still visit him all the time. Sometimes, he even hides in the break room because he's so scared to see us and fall in love with us! I think that's funny, cause I was in love with someone, and like, I so totally am, I would never hide from them! The whole point of love is to be... I don't know, out there! You know what I'm saying? Like, if you love someone, and I do, and I know he does to, [[wouldn't he WANT to see me?]] I don't understand boys sometimes. But even then, Brianna think he so totally likes me and I so totally think he does too and when I think about it, why wouldn't he? I think we're gonna get married in the future. I don't ever wanna have kids or anything, but we're gonna live in a mega mansion with 4 dogs, 3 cats, and 7 birds! I love birds, they're my favorite animals and Jason's favorite animals are cats. I know that cause he wears cat pins on his Hot Topic shirt, which I think is so cool. Hot Topic has some really cool shirts, by the way. They have some for this band I listen to called Pierce the Veil. I love Pierce The Veil, they're so cool. They're kinda like this other band I listen to called My Chemical Romance. You probably don't know them, they're kinda underground. But anyways, yeah, he likes cats. And Everyone loves dogs, so obviously we'd have to have dogs, y'know? It's like an american staple, or something like that."]
(set: $Boys to true)
(Set: $KimFriendship to 6)
]
(else-if: $KimFriendship is 6) [(text-colour:purple)["Okay so basically, I met Jason at the mall. He works there and he's like 17, which is so cool. He doesn't like me, he tells me I'm too young for him, but I don't know why that matters, cause duh I'm younger than you, I was born later. But so anyways, he works at the Hot Topic in the mall I go to with Brianna. He works at the Hot Topic there. Do you know what a Hot Topic is? You might be too old to know what a [[Hot Topic]] is. He has like this super cool green hair and a green mustache, and piercings. Nose piercings and ear piecings, it's so cool. Sometimes he gives us free pins for our bags because we're... shoot, what's the word he said to his friend..? Oh, he said we were pathetic. I don't know what that word means, but it must mean [[stinkin' awesome!]] This one time, we saw him in the food court while we were getting ice cream once and waved at him and he came over and said we had to leave him because it was starting go get "excessive". I started to feel bad but then Brianna said he was playing hard to get and she was so right! She also said he used the wrong word cause he clearly didn't actually mean excessive but he ACTUALLY meant obsessive. In the good way of course! Anyways, we still visit him all the time. Sometimes, he even hides in the break room because he's so scared to see us and fall in love with us! I think that's funny, cause I was in love with someone, and like, I so totally am, I would never hide from them! The whole point of love is to be... I don't know, out there! You know what I'm saying? Like, if you love someone, and I do, and I know he does to, [[wouldn't he WANT to see me?]] I don't understand boys sometimes. But even then, Brianna think he so totally likes me and I so totally think he does too and when I think about it, why wouldn't he? I think we're gonna get married in the future. I don't ever wanna have kids or anything, but we're gonna live in a mega mansion with 4 dogs, 3 cats, and 7 birds! I love birds, they're my favorite animals and Jason's favorite animals are cats. I know that cause he wears cat pins on his Hot Topic shirt, which I think is so cool. Hot Topic has some really cool shirts, by the way. They have some for this band I listen to called Pierce the Veil. I love Pierce The Veil, they're so cool. They're kinda like this other band I listen to called My Chemical Romance. You probably don't know them, they're kinda underground. But anyways, yeah, he likes cats. And Everyone loves dogs, so obviously we'd have to have dogs, y'know? It's like an american staple, or something like that."]
You've got no idea how she just recited that entire thing verbatim. You're almost impressed.
]
[["You...go, girl!" (???)-> KimmyII"]]
You have the urge to tell Kimmy that you're only 25, and that Hot Topics are older than you are, but there's no way you could get that out during this tsunami of information from Kim.
(set: $KimFriendship to 2)
(set: $Age to true)
[[<< Accept the fact that you're ancient to this kid-> BOYS]]...
Yeah, you don't have the heart to tell her what that means. Or the space, cause she's talking a mile a minute.
(set: $KimFriendship to 2)
[[Smile and nod, Paul. Just smile and nod.-> BOYS]]
Well, yes. Yes, he would. You don't have the heart to tell that, though.
(set: $KimFriendship to 2)
[[Smile and nod, Paul. Just smile and nod.-> BOYS]]You tell Kimmy you're from Delaware (You just remembered this yourself).
(text-colour:purple)["Dela... where? Never heard of that. Is that a country?"]
You tell her it's a state.
(text-colour:purple)["A state? Really? Huh. Well, okay!"]
{(set: $Delaware to true)
(set: $KimIntro to true)
(Set: $KimWhere to false)
(set: $KimWhat to false)}
[[<< Back -> KimWhere]]The screen crackles on and displays nothing but a field of flowers.
<img src="https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/Flowers.jpg" style="width: 400px; height: auto; display: block; margin: 0 auto;">
A woman's voice, robotic, almost certainly an AI voice to speech, begins to speak as tranquil music plays in the background.
"Hello. Now that all participants are awake and acquainted, we can begin.
Perhaps there are questions you have. They will not be answered. Not directly. What will be answered is the context of your circumstances. You six will spend your time in this facility we have built for this scenario. You may traverse the facility to your leisure without restriction. There are many amenties in place in this building to aid in your comfort. Such ameneties include a laundry room, a game room, a fully furnished kitchen, and more.
At 9pm each night, a meeting will be held in Library. Failure to attend the meeting will result in termination of the offending party. In each meeting, you will be alloted a short amount of time for discussion before everyone will vote for one person of their choosing present at the meeting. At the end of this voting period, the person with the most votes will be terminated. In the event of a tie, a second vote will be held. If a tie occurs a second time, both tied parties will be terminated. These votes will be held every night at 9pm until only 2 people remain, at which point, the final round will commence to determine the last person to be terminated, at which poin, the surviving participant is deemed the winner.
Rules have been posted in the kitchen. There are two types of rules- Vile and Not-So-Vile rules. Failure to adhere to a Vile rule will result in immediate termination. Repeated infractions of Not-So-Vile rules will result in immediate termination, but single Not-So-Vile infractions will not result in termination.
It's clear that some of you are likely confused as to what the term "terminate" means. As such, a demonstration has prepared."
[[What's that sound behind me?->Hatch]]
(track: 'TVStatic', 'stop')
(track: 'MemoryImage', 'loop', true)
(track: 'MemoryImage', 'playwhenpossible')
You wheel around and see that a large concrete slab on the floor has fhinged like a trapdoor. Mechanical whirring can be heard from the hole. The music from the TV screen blares on calmy behind you.
(if: $WhitFriendship > $DanteFriendship and $MarieFriendship and $ChrisFriendship and $KimFriendship) [Whittaker looks at you, his eyebrows tense before you two see something begin to emerge from the hole.
]
(else-if: $KimFriendship > $DanteFriendship and $MarieFriendship and $ChrisFriendship and $WhitFriendship) [Kim clings to your arm as you two see something begin to emerge from the hole.
]
(else-if: $ChrisFriendship > $DanteFriendship and $MarieFriendship and $KimFriendship and $WhitFriendship) [Chris ' arm around you tenses as you two see something begin to emerge from the hole.
]
(else-if: $DanteFriendship > $ChrisFriendship and $MarieFriendship and $KimFriendship and $WhitFriendship) [Dante shifts, nervously, as you two see something begin to emerge from the hole.
]
(else-if: $MarieFriendship > $ChrisFriendship and $DanteFriendship and $KimFriendship and $WhitFriendship) [Marie flinches at the sudden sound and eyes the hole, afraid, as you two see something behin to emerge.
]
[[What is that...?"]]The object emerges from the hole, and it's not an object at all. No. No, it's a person. A man, shirtless, a potato sack over his head. He sits in a chair that been raised through the hole by a metal pole. His hands are bound behind the chair and he thrashes wildly. Most noticeably, he is adorned in the same metal collar shackling you and your cohorts.
(if: $WhitFriendship > $DanteFriendship and $MarieFriendship and $ChrisFriendship and $KimFriendship) [Whittaker stands straight up, his face tense.
(text-colour:red)["What... the hell is this...?"]
]
(else-if: $KimFriendship > $DanteFriendship and $MarieFriendship and $ChrisFriendship and $WhitFriendship) [Kim lets out a gasp and buries her head into your arm. She trembles, frightened.
]
(else-if: $ChrisFriendship > $DanteFriendship and $MarieFriendship and $KimFriendship and $WhitFriendship) [Chris quickly retracts his arm from your shoulder, his eyes wide.
(text-colour:yellow)["What the fuck...?"]
]
(else-if: $DanteFriendship > $ChrisFriendship and $MarieFriendship and $KimFriendship and $WhitFriendship) [Dante's eyes widen silently and he goes still.
(text-colour:orange)["What's... What's happening?"]
]
(else-if: $MarieFriendship > $ChrisFriendship and $DanteFriendship and $KimFriendship and $WhitFriendship) [Marie lets out a small gasp, bringing her hands to her mouth.
(text-colour:magenta)[
"Oh! Who is that?"]
]
[[Who is that man?]](text-style:"buoy")["HELP ME! GOD, HELP ME OUT OF HERE! PLEASE!"] The man cries out suddenly, thrashing madly.
Your heart thuds so hard, you feel breathless. What the hell is going on?
The small red bulb on the front of the collar blinks red [[once]].(text-style:"shudder")["PLEASE! SOMEONE!"] The man shouts again.
The small red bulb on the front of the collar blinks red [[twice]].(if: $WhitFriendship > $DanteFriendship and $MarieFriendship and $ChrisFriendship and $KimFriendship) [Whittaker looks to you, a bead of sweat on his forehead.
(text-colour:red)["Shoot, we gotta help him!"]
]
(else-if: $KimFriendship > $DanteFriendship and $MarieFriendship and $ChrisFriendship and $WhitFriendship) [Kim clutches your hand tighter.
(text-colour:purple)["G-Go help him!"]
]
(else-if: $ChrisFriendship > $DanteFriendship and $MarieFriendship and $KimFriendship and $WhitFriendship) [Chris takes a step forward and thn shoots you a sharp look.
(text-colour:yellow)["Fuck are you standing around for!? We gotta help him!"]
]
(else-if: $DanteFriendship > $ChrisFriendship and $MarieFriendship and $KimFriendship and $WhitFriendship) [Dante doesn't move an inch, seeming suspicious of the man. He sees you take a step forward and puts a hand out to stop you.
(text-colour:orange)["Something's wrong..."]
]
(else-if: $MarieFriendship > $ChrisFriendship and $DanteFriendship and $KimFriendship and $WhitFriendship) [Marie gives you a frightened look before looking back at the man.
(text-colour:magenta)["S-Should we go help?"]
]
[[Go and help the man]]
[[Stay put]]You surge forward, striding towards the man. Chris and Whittaker follow behind you. Kim goes and hugs Marie, who watches you nervously. Dante doesn't move with you, in fact, he takes a step backwards.
As you get closer to the man, the beeping gets fast and the red light blinks more rapidly. The man thrashes more wildly.
(text-style:"rumble")["NO! GOD NO!"]
{(set: $WhitFriendship to $WhitFriendship+2)
(if:$ChrisFriendship is 5)[(set: $ChrisFriendship to 7)]
(else-if: $ChrisFriendship is 0)[(Set: $ChrisFriendship to 3)]
(set: $Hero to true)}
[[What is he so afraid of?]]Something in your gut stirs. Something bad is about to happen.
Whittaker and Chris shoot your a pointed look as they begin to walk towards the man. Kim moves to Marie and Dante takes a step back, seemingly worried. As Chris and Whittaker get closer to the man, the beeping gets fast and the red light blinks more rapidly. The man thrashes more wildly.
(text-style:"rumble")["NO! GOD NO!"]
(if: $WhitFriendship is 0 and $ChrisFriendship is 0)[
(set: $Coward to true)]
(else-if: $WhitFriendship is 5 and $ChrisFriendship is 0)[
(set: $WhitFriendship to 2)
(set: $Coward to true)]
(else-if: $WhitFriendship is 0 and $ChrisFriendship is 5)[
(set: $ChrisFriendship to 2)
(set: $Coward to true)]
(else-if: $WhitFriendship is 9 and $ChrisFriendship is 0)[
(set: $WhitFriendship to 5)
(set: $Coward to true)]
[[Something is terribly wrong]]Before you can take another step forward closer to the man, a loud bang fills the room, and you feel a shockwave hit your body. It throws you off balance and you feel wetness(text-colour:red)[ (text-style:"blur")[all over your face, the wetness coating your glasses.]]
(if: $WhitFriendship > $DanteFriendship and $MarieFriendship and $ChrisFriendship and $KimFriendship) [(text-colour:red)[(text-style:"blur")[Whittaker is at your back as you start to fall over, catching you before the impact can send you to the ground. Your ears and ringing. You feel Whittaker's grip on you tighten as he looks towards where the man was.]]
]
(else-if: $KimFriendship > $DanteFriendship and $MarieFriendship and $ChrisFriendship and $WhitFriendship) [(text-colour:red)[(text-style:"blur")[The shockwave knocks you to the ground. Your ears and ringing. You take a minute and regroup yourself and look towards the man was.]
]
]
(else-if: $ChrisFriendship > $DanteFriendship and $MarieFriendship and $KimFriendship and $WhitFriendship) [(text-colour:red)[(text-style:"blur")[Chris is at your back as you start to fall over, catching you before the impact can send you to the ground. However, the blast is so strong it sends you both to the ground. Your ears and ringing. You take a moment and sit up and look to Chris. Chris is also sitting up, staring in shock at where the man was.]]
]
(else-if: $DanteFriendship > $ChrisFriendship and $MarieFriendship and $KimFriendship and $WhitFriendship) [(text-colour:red)[(text-style:"blur")[The shockwave knocks you to the ground. Your ears and ringing. You take a minute and regroup yourself and look towards the man was.]
]
]
(else-if: $MarieFriendship > $ChrisFriendship and $DanteFriendship and $KimFriendship and $WhitFriendship) [(text-colour:red)[(text-style:"blur")[The shockwave knocks you to the ground. Your ears and ringing. You take a minute and regroup yourself and look towards the man was.]
]
]
(text-colour:red)[(text-style:"blur")[Your glasses are... dirty?]]
[[What the hell was that?]]
(track: 'MemoryImage', 'stop')
(track: 'Death', 'playwhenpossible')
(set: $RandomManBlood to true)
(set: $BloodyClothes1 to true)
(set: $BloodyFace1 to true)
(text-colour:red)[(text-style:"blur")[Your heart stops.
The man sits slumped in the chair. He bleeds profusely from the neck, his foot twitching just barely. The collar had been blown off his neck, a piece of it landing near you. The collar seems to have blown up around the man's neck. Blood gushes (click-append: "gushes")[
and gushes](click-append: "and gushes")[
and gushes out the wound.](click-append: "and gushes out the wound.")[
His blood coats your glasses and your shirt. You feel like you're going to be sick. You're going to be sick.](click-append: "You're going to be sick.")[
[[There's blood all over you.->"What... on earth is..."]]]]]
(track: 'BodyDiscovery', 'playwhenpossible')(text-colour:red)[(text-style:"blur")[The TV chimes suddenly and the music stops. You can barely muster the energy to turn to look at it.
That AI woman's voice comes through again, but your head is swimming.
"It should be clear now what is meant by termination. But to clarify- whoever recieves the most votes during the 9pm meeting will have their neck collar exploded, killing them near instantly. It is up to you six who leaves this place alive and who dies. The first vote begins tonight.
Every choice you make could sign your death warrant. Live wisely. [[Any minute here could be your last]]."]]
(track: 'Chime', 'playwhenpossible')(text-style:"bold","expand","buoy")[Misanthropist's Anonymous]
(track: 'Swoon', 'playwhenpossible')
[[Continue on to Chapter 1]]
Before Whittaker and Chris can take another step towards the man, a loud boom echoes through the room. You can feel the shockwave even from this far away. Chris and Whittaker get knocked down to the floor, and flecks of red splatter on and near them.
(if: $WhitFriendship > $DanteFriendship and $MarieFriendship and $ChrisFriendship and $KimFriendship) [You rush over to Whittaker to help him up. He takes your hand and first, but when he looks past you, at where the man was, he freezes on the ground.
]
(else-if: $KimFriendship > $DanteFriendship and $MarieFriendship and $ChrisFriendship and $WhitFriendship) [Kim buries her face into Marie's stomach. But as she peeks out fromt he older woman, her eyes widen to an absurd amount. He takes your hand and first, but when he looks past you, at where the man was, he freezes on the ground
]
(else-if: $ChrisFriendship > $DanteFriendship and $MarieFriendship and $KimFriendship and $WhitFriendship) [You rush over to Chris to help him up. He takes your hand and first, but when he looks past you, at where the man was, he freezes on the ground.
]
(else-if: $DanteFriendship > $ChrisFriendship and $MarieFriendship and $KimFriendship and $WhitFriendship) [You turn to look at Dante. He's looking past you, where the man was, his eyes brows knitted so tightly, they damn near touch.
]
(else-if: $MarieFriendship > $ChrisFriendship and $DanteFriendship and $KimFriendship and $WhitFriendship) [Marie gasps, looking to where the man was. One hand does it's best to shield Kim from whatever sight Marie is witnessing. The other hand grips the collar around Marie's neck.
]
[[What are they looking at?]]
(track: 'MemoryImage', 'stop')
(track: 'Death', 'playwhenpossible')Your heart stops.
The man sits slumped in the chair. He bleeds profusely from the neck, his foot twitching just barely. The collar had been blown off his neck, a piece of it landing near you. The collar seems to have blown up around the man's neck. Blood gushes (click-append: "gushes")[
and gushes](click-append: "and gushes")[
and gushes out the wound.](click-append: "and gushes out the wound.")[
[[You feel like you're going to be sick.-> What on earth]]]
(track: 'BodyDiscovery', 'playwhenpossible')The TV chimes suddenly and the music stops. You can barely muster the energy to turn to look at it.
That AI woman's voice comes through again, but your head is swimming.
"It should be clear now what is meant by termination. But to clarify- whoever recieves the most votes during the 9pm meeting will have their neck collar exploded, killing them near instantly. It is up to you six who leaves this place alive and who dies. The first vote begins tonight.
Every choice you make could sign your death warrant. Live wisely. [[Any minute here could be your last]]."
(track: 'Chime', 'playwhenpossible')(if: $dirty is false) [You try to stick your fingers inbetween your neck and the collar, but the collar is so close to the skin that you can't. You grab the collar and start trying to wrench it off your neck.
The (text-colour:red)[red] light on your collar flashes once and beeps.
[[You should probably cut it out. -> Room]]
[[Keep pulling]]
]
(else-if: $dirty is true) [(text-style:"blur")[You try to stick your fingers inbetween your neck and the collar, but the collar is so close to the skin that you can't. You grab the collar and start trying to wrench it off your neck.
The (text-colour:red)[red] light on your collar flashes once and beeps.
Your glasses are dirty
]
[[You should probably cut it out. -> Room]]
[[Keep pulling]]
](if: $dirty is false) [You decide to keep tugging at your collar. It seems to loosen just a hair at one of it's edges.
The (text-colour:red)[red] light on your collar flashes once again and beeps even louder.
[[You should REALLY probably cut it out. -> Room]]
[[Keep on pulling]]
]
(else-if: $dirty is true) [(text-style:"blur")[You decide to keep tugging at your collar. It seems to loosen just a hair at one of it's edges.
The (text-colour:red)[red] light on your collar flashes once again and beeps even louder.
Your glasses are dirty
]
[[You should REALLY probably cut it out. -> Room]]
[[Keep on pulling]]
](if:$dirty is false) [You give another rough tug of the collar. The collar seems to almost loosen some more.
Suddenly the (text-colour:red)[red] light begins to beep rapidly and loudly.
[[What's that sound...?]]
]
(if:$dirty is true) [(text-style:"blur")[You give another rough tug of the collar. The collar seems to almost loosen some more.
Suddenly the (text-colour:red)[red] light begins to beep rapidly and loudly.
Your glasses are dirty]
[[What's that sound...?]]
](if: $dirty is false) [Before you can finish that thought, you feel a searing warmness from your neck. Something (text-colour:red)[(text-style:"blur")[sticky and red splats up to your glasses.
Now you're cold. Really cold as you collapse to the ground. Your blood pools around you, ](text-style:"blurrier")[gushing from your neck, where your collar had just exploded.
You last maybe another 4 seconds before the world turns to nothing.]
]]
(if: $dirty is true) [ (text-style:"blur")[Before you can finish that thought, you feel a searing warmness from your neck. Something](text-style:"blurrier")+ (text-colour:red) [ sticky and red splats up to your glasses.
Now you're cold. Really cold as you collapse to the ground. Your blood pools around you, gushing from your neck, where your collar had just exploded.
You last maybe another 4 seconds before the world turns to nothing.]]
[[... ->Awaken]]
(set:$IntroCollarDeath to true)
(set: $DeathPoints to $DeathPoints+1)
(track: 'ExplorationB', 'stop')
(track: 'Death', 'playwhenpossible')You try to stick your fingers inbetween your neck and the collar, but the collar is so close to the skin that you can't. You grab the collar and start trying to wrench it off your neck.
The (text-colour:red)[red] light on your collar flashes once and beeps.
[[You should probably cut it out. -> RoomII]]
[[Keep pulling-> Keep Pulling II]]You decide to keep tugging at your collar. It seems to loosen just a hair at one of it's edges.
The (text-colour:red)[red] light on your collar flashes once again and beeps even louder.
[[You should REALLY probably cut it out. -> RoomII]]
[[Keep on pulling]]MemoryImage: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/Claude%20Larson%20-%20Memory%20Image.mp3
BeautifulLie: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/New%20Danganronpa%20V3%20O.S.T.%20White%20-%2012.%20Beautiful%20Lie%20(Full).mp3
ExplorationB: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/%5BYTTD%20-%20OST%5D%2006%20-%20Exploration%20B.mp3
TVStatic: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/TV%20STATIC%20(4K%2060FPS).mp3
BodyDiscovery:https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/New%20Danganronpa%20V3%20O.S.T.%20White%20-%2013.%20Body%20Discovery%20A.mp3
DespairSearching: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/New%20Danganronpa%20V3%20O.S.T.%20White%20-%2017.%20Despair%20Searching.mp3
BeautifulDead: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/Beautiful%20Dead.mp3
Death: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/Blood%20Splatter%20Sound%20Effect.mp3
Chime: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/Ring%20Doorbell%20Sound.mp3
Swoon: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/Undertale%20-%20Exit%20sound%20effect.mp3
MarieTheme: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/Girl%20Next%20Door.mp3
DanteTheme: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/Lost%20Girl.mp3
DanteRebuke: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/20.%20Raise%20Up%20Your%20Bat%20(DELTARUNE%20Chapter%203%2B4%20Soundtrack)%20-%20Toby%20Fox.mp3
KimTheme: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/OMORI%20OST%20-%20002%20WHITE%20SPACE.mp3
WhittTheme: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/Spamton.mp3
ChrisTheme:https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/Dialtone.mp3
Requiem: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/Requiem%20-%20Devil%20Survivor%202.mp3
Debate: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/%5BYTTD%20-%20OST%5D%2010%20-%20Majority%20Rules.mp3
Truth: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/Apollo%20Justice_%20Ace%20Attorney_%20Soundtrack%20-%20Recollection%20~%20Forgotten%20Legend.mp3
DarkTruth: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/64.%20Dark%20Place%20(DELTARUNE%20Chapter%203%2B4%20Soundtrack)%20-%20Toby%20Fox.mp3
Tension: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/Deltarune%20OST%20-%20Gallery%20(Extended).mp3
Aftermath: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/New%20Danganronpa%20V3%20O.S.T.%20White%20-%2038.%20Moon%20on%20the%20Water.mp3
MarieThemeII: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/31.%20Ferris%20Wheel%20(DELTARUNE%20Chapter%202%20Soundtrack)%20-%20Toby%20Fox.mp3
Day: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/Day%20Theme.mp3
Night: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/Night%20Theme.mp3
Fiance: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/012.%20Home%20(UNDERTALE%20Soundtrack)%20-%20Toby%20Fox.mp3
Hunt: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/Undertale%20-%20Anticipation%20(Post-Genocide).mp3
GoodbyeMarie: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/46.%20The%20distance%20between%20two%20(DELTARUNE%20Chapter%203%2B4%20Soundtrack)%20-%20Toby%20Fox.mp3
Finale: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/UNDERTALE%20OST%20_%20small%20shock%20(%20genocide%20).mp3
Shot: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/Gunshot%20Sound%20Effect%20(Loud%20and%20Short).mp3
FinaleBad: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/Intro.mp3
FinaleGood: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/%5BYTTD%20-%20OST%5D%2023%20-%20Clown's%20Song.mp3
ForeverPresent: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/Forever.mp3
ForeverFlashback: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/Forever%20(1).mp3
Realize: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/Grand%20Finale%20-%20Devil%20Survivor%202.mp3
Puzzle: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/Apollo%20Justice_%20Ace%20Attorney_%20Soundtrack%20-%20Trance%20Logic.mp3
Breakthrough: https://file.garden/aPfMJosL7CGaPI-m/Apollo%20Justice_%20Ace%20Attorney_%20Soundtrack%20-%20Tell%20the%20Truth%202007.mp3As you land back in your place near your room, contemplating what to do next, the TV near Dante crackles to life. Dante startles away from it due to it's sheer volume before shouting (text-colour:orange)["Hey! Something is going on over here!"]
[["What the hell...?"]]
(if: $FamilyInfo is 3) [ (set: $WhitFriendship to 9)]
(track: 'BeautifulLie', 'fadeout')
<audio src ="https://files.catbox.moe/konk6r.mp3" autoplay>
(track: 'TVStatic', 'playwhenpossible')(if:$KimCalmness is false) [Kim seems to sober, just a bit before smiling softly.
(text-colour:purple)["I don't have any reason to be afraid. My mom and dad always say that God is always watching over me. So why should we be scared? He's watching over all of us, really."]
Well. That was probably the last response you were expecting.
(Set: $KimCalmness to true)
[["Yeah, I'm... sure he is."-> KimmyII"]]]
(else-if:$KimCalmness is true) [Kim just grins, looking her age.
(text-colour:purple)["No reason to be afraid, not for me. I'm sure someone's just got a surprise for us."]
...
[["Yeah... I'm sure."-> KimmyII"]]]''Chapter 1''(click-append: "Chapter 1")[<br><br> [[Welcome to Death's Door.->Chap1Intro]]](if: $RandomManBlood is false) [You've returned to your room to take a moment to gather yourself. (click-append:"yourself.")[ <br><br>What the hell was going on? Voting? Termination?](click-append:"Termination?")[ <br><br> Thinking about that last words makes you feel a bit lightheaded.](click-append:"lightheaded.")[ <br><br> You shake your head and get a grip, remembering what was said. Dante had suggested everyone take to investigating, to trying to find a way out. Whittaker dissented and then said pretty much the same thing, just in different words.](click-append:"words.")[ <br><br> Investigate... but investigate what? You've hardly been around the building. Well... maybe that's what this time is for. It's currently 9 AM. You've got some time until the afternoon. You should make it count.
[[Let's get to it. ->Chapter1Room]]
]]
(else-if: $RandomManBlood is true)+ (text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[You've returned to your room to take a moment to gather yourself. (click-append:"yourself.")[ <br><br>What the hell was going on? Voting? Termination?](click-append:"Termination?")[ <br><br>Thinking about that last words makes you feel a bit lightheaded.](click-append:"lightheaded.")[ <br><br> You shake your head and get a grip, remembering what was said. Dante had suggested everyone take to investigating, to trying to find a way out. Whittaker dissented and then said pretty much the same thing, just in different words.](click-append:"words.")[ <br><br> Investigate... but investigate what? You've hardly been around the building. Well... maybe that's what this time is for. It's currently 9 AM. You've got some time until the afternoon. You should make it count.
[[Let's get to it. ->Chapter1Room]]
]
(text-style:"blur")+(text-colour:red)[<br><br>You're currently covered in blood.]
]
(set: $Chap1Morn1 to true)
(if:$Chap1Morn1 is true)[
(if:$RandomManBlood is false) [Your room is the same lime green as it was when you woke up. In your rush earlier this morning, looks like you had completely glossed over certain areas of your room that might be worth investigating before going out to investigate the rest of the building before taking time to [[yourself->YourselfII]].]
(else-if:$RandomManBlood is true)[ (text-style:"blur")+(text-colour:red)[Your room is the same lime green as it was when you woke up. In your rush earlier this morning, looks like you had completely glossed over certain areas of your room that might be worth investigating before going out to investigate the rest of the building.
Your glasses have blood on them.]]
(if:$BloodyClothes1 is true)[(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[Your clothes are splattered in the man's blood.]]
(if:$BloodyFace1 is true)[(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[Your face and hands are splattered in the man's blood.]]
[[Check the mirror -> MirrorChapI]]
[[Check the door ->DoorChapI]]
[[Check your nightstand -> RulesChap1]]
[[Check your desk -> DeskChap1]]
[[Check the bathroom->BathroomChap1]]
[[Check the closet->ClosetChap1]]
(if: $EXP is 0)[(track: 'BeautifulDead', 'loop', true)
(track: 'BeautifulDead', 'playwhenpossible')]
]
(if:$Chap1Morn1 is true)[
(if:$Coward is true)[ You look at yourself in the mirror. You look strung out, and why wouldn't you? You most certainly are. Still, you've been worse.
When you look yourself in the eyes, your met with the eyes of a coward. You didn't even attempt to help that man. Does that make you feel good? Does it make you feel anything?
[[...That's enough of that.->Chapter1Room]]
[[Try and remove your collar->CollarFear]]
]
(if:$Hero is true and $RandomManBlood is false)[ You look at yourself in the mirror. You look strung out, and why wouldn't you? You most certainly are. Still, you've been worse.(if:$BloodyFace1 is true or $BloodyClothes1 is true)[And that's factoring in the blood all over you right now.]
When you look yourself in the eyes, your met with the eyes of a regretful man. You weren't fast enough to save that man. But could you even have done so? You have no idea. But you tried. You tried.
[[...That's has to be enough for now that.->Chapter1Room]]
[[Try and remove your collar->CollarFear]]
]
(if:$Hero is true and $RandomManBlood is true)[
(text-style:"blur")+(text-colour:red)[You look at yourself in the mirror. You look strung out, and why wouldn't you? You most certainly are. Still, you've been worse.(if:$BloodyFace1 is true or $BloodyClothes1 is true) [ And that's factoring in the blood all over you right now.]
When you look yourself in the eyes, your met with the eyes of a regretful man. You weren't fast enough to save that man. But could you even have done so? You have no idea. But you tried. You tried.
]
[[...That's has to be enough for now that.->Chapter1Room]]
[[Try and remove your collar->CollarFear]]
]](if:$Chap1Morn1 is true)[
(if: $RandomManBlood is false and $BloodyClothes1 is false and $BloodyFace1 is false) [
You approach the door.
[["Time to get this thing started."->Atrium1]]
[[There's still thing's I want to look at here.->Chapter1Room]]
]
(else-if: $RandomManBlood is false and $BloodyClothes1 is false and $BloodyFace1 is true) [
You walk towards the door but you can see your reflection in the titanium door. You can't leave just yet, you've got blood all over your face and your hands.
[["Yeah, I should... handle that first."->Chapter1Room]]
]
(else-if: $RandomManBlood is false and $BloodyClothes1 is true and $BloodyFace1 is true) [
You walk towards the door but you can see your reflection in the titanium door. You can't leave just yet, you've got blood all over your face and your hands. Plus, your clothes are still soaked with the blood that splattered on you.
[["Yeah, I should... handle that first."->Chapter1Room]]
]
(else-if: $RandomManBlood is true and $BloodyClothes1 is true and $BloodyFace1 is true) [
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[You walk towards the door but you can see your reflection in the titanium door. You can't leave just yet, you've got blood all over your face and your hands. On top of that, you can hardly see through your glasses, what with the blood smeared on them. Plus, your clothes are still soaked with the blood that splattered on you.
]
[["Yeah, I should... handle that first."->Chapter1Room]]
]
(else-if: $RandomManBlood is true and $BloodyClothes1 is false and $BloodyFace1 is true) [
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[You walk towards the door but you can see your reflection in the titanium door. You can't leave just yet, you've got blood all over your face and your hands. On top of that, you can hardly see through your glasses, what with the blood smeared on them.
]
[["Yeah, I should... handle that first."->Chapter1Room]]
]
(else-if: $RandomManBlood is true and $BloodyClothes1 is true and $BloodyFace1 is false) [
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[You walk towards the door but you can see your reflection in the titanium door. You can't leave just yet. You can hardly see through your glasses, what with the blood smeared on them. Plus, your clothes are still soaked with the blood that splattered on you.
]
[["Yeah, I should... handle that first."->Chapter1Room]]
]
(else-if: $RandomManBlood is false and $BloodyClothes1 is true and $BloodyFace1 is false) [
You walk towards the door but you can see your reflection in the titanium door. You can't leave just yet, your clothes are still soaked with the blood that splattered on you.
[["Yeah, I should... handle that first."->Chapter1Room]]
]
(else-if: $RandomManBlood is true and $BloodyClothes1 is false and $BloodyFace1 is false) [
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[You walk towards the door but you can see your reflection in the titanium door. You can't leave just yet, you can hardly see through your glasses, what with the blood smeared on them. ]
[["Yeah, I should... handle that first."->Chapter1Room]]
]](if:$Chap1Morn1 is true)[
(if: $RandomManBlood is false) [The rule sheet sits on your nightstand. Do you want to read it?
[[Why not? ->InstructionsChap1]]
[[I'll pass ->Chapter1Room]]
]
(else-if: $RandomManBlood is true) [(text-style:"blur")+(text-colour:red)[The rule sheet sits on your nightstand. Do you want to read it?]
[[Why not? ->InstructionsChap1]]
[[I'll pass ->Chapter1Room]]
]](if:$Chap1Morn1 is true)[
(if: $RandomManBlood is true) [
(text-style:"blur")+(text-colour:red)[The blood of the random man you watched be killed via his collar smears on your glasses.
You tell yourself you don't mind so much because at least you tried tro help him, but the thought brings you little solace.
Cleaning your glasses will more of this man from the earth.
Clean your glasses?]
[[Clean them -> CleanChap1]]
[[Not now->Chapter1Room]]]
(else-if: $RandomManBlood is false) [
Your glasses aren't dirty at the moment.
However, you notice now that this desk has drawers on it.
Investigate your desk?
[[Investigate -> DeskInvestigateChap1]]
[[I've got more important things to look at right now. ->Chapter1Room]]]
]
(if:$Chap1Morn1 is true)[
{(set:$RandomManBlood to false)}
You wipe the man's blood from your lenses, trying to also wipe him from your mind.
Your glasses are clean.
[["Rest in piece, man."->Chapter1Room]]](if:$Chap1Morn1 is true)[
You open the desk drawers one by one and search through them, but it yields nothing. You get the feeling that eventually, you'll find something, but now for now, there's nothing to do.
[[Close the drawer ->Chapter1Room]]](if:$Chap1Morn1 is true)[
(if: $RandomManBlood is false and $BloodyFace1 is false)[
Walking into the bathroom, you see a shower, a toilet and a sink (Which noticeably is missing a mirror.
It's small. It reminds you of your home. You have to physically pull yourself out of your nostalgia.
[["Time and place, Paul."->Chapter1Room]]
]
(else-if: $RandomManBlood is true and $BloodyFace1 is false)[
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[Walking into the bathroom, you see a shower, a toilet and a sink (Which noticeably is missing a mirror.
It's small. It reminds you of your home. You have to physically pull yourself out of your nostalgia.]
[["Time and place, Paul."->Chapter1Room]]
]
(else-if: $RandomManBlood is true and $BloodyFace1 is true)[
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[Walking into the bathroom, you see a shower, a toilet and a sink (Which noticeably is missing a mirror.
It's small. It reminds you of your home. You have to physically pull yourself out of your nostalgia. This would probably be a good time to clean yourself off.
Wash your face and hands?
]
[[God, yes.->WashUp1]]
[[Not right now.->Chapter1Room]]
]
(else-if: $RandomManBlood is false and $BloodyFace1 is true)[
Walking into the bathroom, you see a shower, a toilet and a sink (Which noticeably is missing a mirror.
It's small. It reminds you of your home. You have to physically pull yourself out of your nostalgia. This would probably be a good time to clean yourself off.
Wash your face and hands?
[[God, yes.->WashUp1]]
[[Not right now.->Chapter1Room]]
]](if:$Chap1Morn1 is true)[
(if: $RandomManBlood is false and $BloodyClothes1 is false)[ The closets seems to have dozens of variants of the same outfit you're in right now; Myriad white shirts, myriad dark blue slacks, myriad red ties.
How the hell did these people replicate your outfit this exactly?
[["So fucking weird..."->Chapter1Room]]
]
(else-if: $RandomManBlood is true and $BloodyClothes1 is false)[
(text-style:"blur")+(text-colour:red)[The closets seems to have dozens of variants of the same outfit you're in right now; Myriad white shirts, myriad dark blue slacks, myriad red ties.
How the hell did these people replicate your outfit this exactly?]
[["So fucking weird..."->Chapter1Room]]
]
(else-if: $RandomManBlood is true and $BloodyClothes1 is true)[
(text-style:"blur")+(text-colour:red)[The closets seems to have dozens of variants of the same outfit you're in right now; Myriad white shirts, myriad dark blue slacks, myriad red ties.
How the hell did these people replicate your outfit this exactly?
Regardless, you should probably change out of these clothes. It's not in your best interest to be walking around coated in blood right now.
Change your clothes?]
[[Change clothes->ClothesChange1]]
[[Not right now.->Chapter1Room]]
]
(else-if: $RandomManBlood is false and $BloodyClothes1 is true)[
The closets seems to have dozens of variants of the same outfit you're in right now; Myriad white shirts, myriad dark blue slacks, myriad red ties.
How the hell did these people replicate your outfit this exactly?
Regardless, you should probably change out of these clothes. It's not in your best interest to be walking around coated in blood right now.
Change your clothes?
[[Change clothes->ClothesChange1]]
[[Not right now.->Chapter1Room]]
]](if:$Chap1Morn1 is true)[
(if: $RandomManBlood is false)[(text-colour:black)[(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0.5,#e61919,1,#ffffff))[-Your days will be split into three segments: Morning, Afternoon and Evening. You will have free time during these periods and will be free to roam as you choose. But use your time wisely. Your time is not infinite.
-Each time period will allot you two actions. Some actions you take throughout the day will take up time. An action that takes up time will be denoted with an asterisk, either one or two. Actions denoted with one asterisk will take up one action, leaving you time for another action afterwards. Actions denoted with two asterisks will take up the entire time slot and will put you into the next one upon it's completion. Choose wisely what you will do in the short time you have.
-You will often be rewarded for investigating as much as possible and getting as many details as possible. However, use discernment. If your gut tells you that pushing something or someone too much may not be the best option, it's in your benefit to refrain.
-The bonds you forge with the people you are trapped here with are tantamount to your survival.
(if: $IntroCollarDeath is true) [-It is unwise to try and remove your collar.]
-It's wise to remember that while (text-colour:lime)[you] are Paul, (text-style:"shadow","buoy")[(text-colour:white)[you]] are not. It's wise and almost always beneficial to trust (text-colour:lime)[your] gut and make choices that (text-colour:lime)[you] align with.
-This document will change when new things are revealed. Come back to your room and check this paper often.
]]
[["Still ain't got a clue what to make of this." ->Chapter1Room]]
]
(else-if: $RandomManBlood is true)[
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[You probably shouldn't read this right now with the blood on your glasses. It'll hurt your head.]
[["Great. That's just great."->Chapter1Room]]
]]
(if:$Chap1Morn1 is true)[
(if:$RandomManBlood is false)[
You strip out of your outfit and put on a new outfit,
You feel much better.
{(set: $BloodyClothes1 to false)}
[["Glad to be out of those sticky clothes."->Chapter1Room]]
]
(if:$RandomManBlood is true)[
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[ You strip out of your outfit and put on a new outfit,
You feel much better.]
{(set: $BloodyClothes1 to false)}
[["Glad to be out of those sticky clothes."->Chapter1Room]]
]](if:$Chap1Morn1 is true)[
(if: $RandomManBlood is false)[
You run your hands under the water and scrub the blood out from under your nails. Then, you splash your face with water, scrubbing more of the remnants of that poor man off of you.
You take a deep breath to calm down. It doesn't work.
{(set:$BloodyFace1 to false)}
[["This whole thing is so fucked."->Chapter1Room]]
]
(else-if: $RandomManBlood is true)[
(text-colour:red)+(text-style:"blur")[You run your hands under the water and scrub the blood out from under your nails. Then, you splash your face with water, scrubbing more of the remnants of that poor man off of you.
You take a deep breath to calm down. It doesn't work.]
{(set:$BloodyFace1 to false)}
[["This whole thing is so fucked."->Chapter1Room]]
]](if:$Chap1Morn1 is true)[
(if: $RandomManBlood is false)[You start to reach for your collar, but you immediately are reminded of the sight of the man, bleeding profusely from the neck. You can't help but instictively clutch your own neck in your hand.
[["I...I can't..."->Chapter1Room]]
]
(else-if: $RandomManBlood is true)[
(text-style:"blur")+(text-colour:red)[You start to reach for your collar, but you immediately are reminded of the sight of the man, bleeding profusely from the neck. You can't help but instictively clutch your own neck in your hand.]
[["I...I can't..."->Chapter1Room]]
]]{(set:$Chap1Morn1 to true)
(set:$People to 6)
(set:$LHEXP to false)
(set:$SCHEXP to false)
(set: $Ending to False)
(set: $ExitEXP to false)
(set: $KEXP to false)
(set: $DHEXP to false)
(set: $GREXP to false)
(set: $LEXP to false)
(set: $Hunger to True)
(set: $Apartment to false)
(set: $ChrisFriendship to 7)
(set: $DanteFriendship to 4)
(set: $MarieFriendship to 3)
(set: $KimFriendship to 6)
(set: $RandomManBlood to false)
(set:$LibraryLED to false)
(set: $Bandages to false)
(set: $ChrisHealed to false)
(set: $RomanceMarker to 1)
(set: $DanteSmile to false)
(set: $LREXP to false)
(set: $LLEXP to false)
(set: $Fiance to true)
(set:$EXP to 0)
(set: $Chap1Noon1 to false)
(set: $WhittRequest to false)
(set: $WhittFriendship to 5)
(set: $WhitSuspicion to false)
(set: $WeddingRingIntro to true)
(set:$ChrisConfidant to false)
(set: $DebatePoints to 0)}
[["Time to get this thing started."->Noon1]](if:$Chap1Morn1 is true)[
This seems to be an Atrium. All of the bedrooms seem to exit into this room.
The dead man still lays slumped on the ground.
You shudder.
[[Enter Long Hallway->LongHallway]]
[[Go to Dante's Room]]
[[Go to Kim's Room]]
[[Go to Whittaker's Rom]]
[[Go to Chris' Room]]
[[Go to Marie's Room]]
[[Return to your room->Chapter1Room]]
(track: 'BeautifulDead', 'fadeout')
(track: 'DespairSearching', 'loop')
(track: 'DespairSearching', 'playwhenpossible')
]
(else-if: $Chap2Morn is true)[
You enter the atrium. The man who died here earlier is long gone now. There is no one here at the moment.
[[Enter Long Hallway->LongHallway]]
[[Go to Dante's Room]]
[[Go to Kim's Room]]
[[Go to Whittaker's Rom]]
[[Go to Chris' Room]]
[[Go to Marie's Room]]
[[Return to your room-> Chapter2Room]]
(track: 'MarieThemeII', 'fadeout')
(track: 'Day', 'loop')
(track: 'Day', 'playwhenpossible')
](if:$Chap1Morn1 is true and $LHEXP is false)[{(Set:$EXP to $EXP+1)}
You enter the long hallway. It stretches really far. Windows stretch across the length of it.
Chris stands near the windows, looking them over, his arms crossed.
[[Enter Semi-Circle Hallway->SemiCircleHallway]]
[[Talk with Chris]]
[[Return to the Atrium->Atrium1]]
{(set: $LHEXP to true)}
]
(else-if:$Chap1Morn1 is true and $LHEXP is true)[
You enter the long hallway. It stretches really far. Windows stretch across the length of it.
Chris stands near the windows, looking them over, his arms crossed.(if:$ChrisHealed is true)[His bandaged hand catches the light from the LED display].
[[Enter Semi-Circle Hallway->SemiCircleHallway]]
[[Talk with Chris]]
[[Return to the Atrium->Atrium1]]
(track: 'DespairSearching', 'loop')
(track: 'DespairSearching', 'playwhenpossible')
]
(else-if: $Chap2Morn is true)[You enter the long hallway.
[[Enter Semi-Circle Hallway->SemiCircleHallway]]
[[Return to the Atrium->Atrium1]]
] (if:$Chap1Morn1 is true)[
Dante's room, as evidenced by the name "Dante" seemingly lasered into the door. He's not here. You heard him talking with Marie, but have no idea where they ended up.
[[<< Return->Atrium1]]
]
(else-if: $Chap2Morn is true)[Dante's room, as evidenced by the name "Dante" seemingly lasered into the door. He doesn't appear to be in. (if: $DanteVote is false)[ You had hoped to check on him after last night. Shoot. ](else:)[Maybe that's for the best. You doubt he's in the mood to see you right now.]
[[Return to the Atrium->Atrium1]]](if:$Chap1Morn1 is true)[
Kim's room, as evidenced by the name "Kim" seemingly lasered into the door. She's not here. You heard her say she was going to investigate with Whittaker.
[[<< Return->Atrium1]]
]
(else-if: $Chap2Morn is true)[Kim's room, as evidenced by the name "Kim" seemingly lasered into the door. She isn't here right now. You had wanted to check up on her after last night night.
Wherever she is, you hope she's alright.
[[Return to the Atrium->Atrium1]]
](if:$Chap1Morn1 is true)[
Whittaker's room, as evidenced by the name "Whittaker" seemingly lasered into the door. He's not here. You heard him say he was going to investigate with Kim.
[[<< Return->Atrium1]]
]
(else-if: $Chap2Morn is true)[Whittaker's room, as evidenced by the name "Whittaker" seemingly lasered into the door. He's not here, and frankly, you don't really want to see him right now.
[[Return to the Atrium->Atrium1]]](if:$Chap1Morn1 is true)[
Chris' room, as evidenced by the name "Chris" seemingly lasered into the door. He's not here. You aren't sure where he winded up.
[[<< Return->Atrium1]]
]
(else-if: $Chap2Morn is true)[Chris' room, as evidenced by the name "Chris" seemingly lasered into the door.
...
You don't want to be here right now.
[[Return to the Atrium->Atrium1]]
](if:$Chap1Morn1 is true)[
Marie's room, as evidenced by the name "Marie" seemingly lasered into the door. She's not here. You heard her talking with Dante, but have no idea where they ended up.
[[<< Return->Atrium1]]
]
(else-if: $Chap2Morn is true and $Chap2MarieLock is false)[Marie's room, as evidenced by the name "Marie" seemingly lasered into the door. You knock on the door. After a few seconds, she opens it.
(text-colour:magenta)["Paul. Hello. Did you need something else?"]
[["No, sorry."->Atrium1]]
[["I wanted to thank you for what you said."]]
]
(else-if: $Chap2Morn is true and $Chap2MarieLock is true)[Marie's room, as evidenced by the name "Marie" seemingly lasered into the door. You've already gave her your thanks, and your stomach rumbles. it's probably in yout best interest to leave her alone right now and get something to eat.
[[Return to the Atrium->Atrium1]]
](if:$Chap1Morn1 is true and $SCHEXP is false)[{(Set:$EXP to $EXP+1)}
You enter a hallway that's shaped like a semi circle. Doors speckle either side of the walls, and each door is labeled with it's name.
There is no one here.
[[Go to Large Titanium Door->Exit]]
[[Enter Kitchen->Kitchen]]
[[Enter Laundry Room->LaundryRoom]]
[[Enter Library->Library]]
[[Enter Game Room->GameRoom]]
[[Return to the Long Hallway->LongHallway]]
{(set: $SCHEXP to true)}
]
(else-if:$Chap1Morn1 is true and $SCHEXP is true)[
You enter a hallway that's shaped like a semi circle. Doors speckle either side of the walls, and each door is labeled with it's name.
No one seems to be in this hallway.
[[Go to Large Titanium Door->Exit]]
[[Enter Kitchen->Kitchen]]
[[Enter Laundry Room->LaundryRoom]]
[[Enter Library->Library]]
[[Enter Game Room->GameRoom]]
[[Return to the Long Hallway->LongHallway]]
]
(else-if: $Chap2Morn is true)[You enter the Semi-Circle Hallway.
[[Go to Large Titanium Door->Exit]]
[[Enter Kitchen->Kitchen]]
[[Enter Laundry Room->LaundryRoom]]
[[Enter Library->Library]]
[[Enter Game Room->GameRoom]]
[[Return to the Long Hallway->LongHallway]]
](if: $ChrisHealed is false)[
(if:$ChrisFriendship is 7) [You walk over to Chris and ask him how the investigation is going. He turns to you and smiles wide.
(text-colour:yellow)["Hey there, friend."]
He claps you on the shoulder.
(text-colour:yellow)["Glad you're okay. Hey, I hope you know we did the best we could to save that guy."] He turns and looks back towards the Atrium before turning to you. You can see now that he looks extremely distressed, he's just masking it really well.
(text-colour:yellow)["I thought maybe we could escape through these windows. I punched the shit out of em."]
He produces his knuckles and they're red and seem raw. Holy shit.(text-colour:yellow)[ "Turns out this is just a screens. Probably a projection or somethin'."
]
He winces a bit and then chuckles. (text-colour:yellow)["I'll let you know if I find anything. If you happen to find some bandages, let me know, man."
]
You clap him back on the shoulder and [[wish him well->LongHallway]].
{(if: $Bandages is true)[["Actually, I have some bandages for you, friend."->Bandages]]}
{(Set: $BandageRequest to true)}
]
(else-if:$ChrisFriendship is 2) [You walk over to Chris and ask him how the investigation is going. He turns to you and nods at you
(text-colour:yellow)["Hey man."]
Despite him being friendly with you when you two first met, he seems a bit cautious of you now. You ask him if he's alright and he just sucks his teeth.
(text-colour:yellow)["Yeah, I'm fine. I just... well, I had thought you would've... y'know... tried to help that guy out there."] He turns towards the atrium. (text-colour:yellow)["You didn't move though. I know you got your reasons, I'm sure. It's just... something I've gotta factor when deciding where to put my trust right now."] He looks you over again before turning back to the window.
(text-colour:yellow)["I thought maybe we could escape through these windows. I punched the shit out of em."]
He produces his knuckles and they're red and seem raw. Holy shit. (text-colour:yellow)["Turns out this is just a screens. Probably a projection or somethin'."
]
He winces a bit and sighs. (text-colour:yellow)["I'll let you know if I find anything."]
You nod at him and [[wish him well->LongHallway]].
{(if: $Bandages is true)[["Actually, I have some bandages for you."->Bandages]]}
{(Set: $BandageRequest to true)}
]
(else-if:$ChrisFriendship is 3) [You walk over to Chris and ask him how the investigation is going. He turns to you and grins at you.
(text-colour:yellow)["Well, hey there, Mr. Hero. It's good to see you cleaned up."]
He claps you on the shoulder.
(text-colour:yellow)["Y'know, to tell you the truth, I was iffy on you after we met, you were a bit... odd. But seeing you run with me and Whitt to try and save that guy? Yeah. You're alright in my book."]
You tell him thank you, even though you don't know what the hel he means by odd. You ask him about the windows and he just chuckles to himself.
(text-colour:yellow)["I thought maybe we could escape through these windows. I punched the shit out of em."]
He produces his knuckles and they're red and seem raw. Holy shit. (text-colour:yellow)["Turns out this is just a screens. Probably a projection or somethin'."]
He winces a bit but just grins. (text-colour:yellow)["I'll let you know if I figure anything out. In the meantime though, if you happen to come across some bandages or something, let me know."] He says that last part as a joke, but his eye twitches just a bit. Seems like he's really hurting.
You nod at him and [[wish him well->LongHallway]].
{(if: $Bandages is true)[["Actually, I have some bandages for you, friend."->Bandages]]}
{(Set: $BandageRequest to true)}
]
(else-if:$ChrisFriendship is 0) [You walk over to Chris and ask him how the investigation is going. He turns to you and just raises his brow.
(text-colour:yellow)["It's going."]
He looks at you with a small frown but doesn't say anything.
(text-colour:yellow)["These windows seem like an easy way out. Hey, you could probably break 'em if you swung on them, don't you think?"]
You consider the optics of that but something about the way Chris suggested it makes you nervous, and you decline.
(text-colour:yellow)["Hmph. Well, it was worth a shot. I thought maybe we could escape through these windows. I punched the shit out of em."]
He produces his knuckles and they're red and seem raw. Holy shit. "(text-colour:yellow)[Turns out this is just a screens. Probably a projection or somethin'."]
He winces a bit and scoffs, shaking his head. (text-colour:yellow)["And here I was trying to play a little joke on you. Y'know, you are really no fun. Boring AND a scaredy-cat. Thrilling combination."
]
You stare at him before scoffing yourself and [[turning to leave->LongHallway]].
{(Set: $BandageRequest to true)}
{(if: $Bandages is true)[["Actually, I have some bandages for you."->Bandages]]}
]
]
(if: $ChrisHealed is true)[
Chris flexes his hands in the bandage, seemingly not paying attention to you anymore. Might be best to leave him be for now.
[[<< Return to Long Hallway->LongHallway]]
](If: $Chap1Morn1 is true and $Ending is false) [ The large titanium door looms on the left end of this semi-circle hallway. It looks a lot like the doors to your room. Above the door, an LED sign blinks:
(text-style:"bold","double-underline","smear","blink")+(text-colour:red)["LOCKED. $People REMAIN."]
Seems the door is locked. You give it a shove and it doesn't budge at all.
{(If:$Chap1Morn1 is true)[No way the people who kidnapped you or whatever are serious about this whole... killing thing. They can't be. You shake your head rapidly, scraping the thoughts out your brain.]}
[["No use fussing over this right now, I guess."->SemiCircleHallway]]
(If: $ExitEXP is false)[(Set:$EXP to $EXP+1)]
(set: $ExitEXP to true)
(track: 'DespairSearching', 'loop')
(track: 'DespairSearching', 'playwhenpossible')
]
(else-if: $Chap2Morn is true)[The large titanium door looms on the left end of this semi-circle hallway. It looks a lot like the doors to your room. Above the door, an LED sign blinks:
(text-style:"bold","double-underline","smear","blink")+(text-colour:red)["LOCKED. $People REMAIN."]
Seems the door is locked. You don't even bother to shove it this time. The number's gone down. This is sick. So goddamn sick.
[[Return to Semi-Circle Hallway->SemiCircleHallway]]]
(else-if: $BestEnding is true)[You all approach the exit door. The LED sign above it no longer displays anything.
(text-colour:orange)["This is it. Moment of truth."]
Dante grabs hold of the door and pushes it. It starts to open.
(text-colour:orange)["I can't open it on my own. Help me!"]
Without thinking, you rush over, all four of you pushing the door with all your might. Suddenly, you tumble to the ground, landing face first ingrass.
And when you open it, there it is: The vast expanse of the wilderness. Real trees, real grass, the real sun, real wind. (click-replace: 'The vast expanse of the wilderness. Real trees, real grass, the real sun, real wind.')[[[Freedom.->End]]]
]
(else-if: $MonsterEnding is true)[You approach the exit door. The LED sign above it no longer displays anything.
You stare blankly at it.
Without thinking, you begin to push on it. It's hard to open for one person and it takes you a long time but finally, you manage to open it just enough to slide out.
And when you slide out, there it is: The vast expanse of the wilderness. Real trees, real grass, the real sun, real wind. (click-replace: 'The vast expanse of the wilderness. Real trees, real grass, the real sun, real wind.')[[[What you soiled your hands with the blood of a child for.->End]]]
]
(else-if: $MercyEnding is true)[You approach the exit door. The LED sign above it no longer displays anything.
You look at the door, trying to figure out how to open it by yourself.
You begin to push on it. It's hard to open for one personlet alone someone as small as yourself. You put your back to the door and push with all your might, as hard as you can. The door begins to budge ever so slightly. You push and push and push until your whole body hurts until suddenly, you fly backwards, tumbling through the door and onto the grass behind you.
You stand up and brush yourself off, looking around you, and there it is: The vast expanse of the wilderness. Real trees, real grass, the real sun, real wind. (click-replace: 'The vast expanse of the wilderness. Real trees, real grass, the real sun, real wind.')[[[Home.->End]]]
]
(else-if: $TrueEnding is true)[You approach the exit door. The LED sign above it no longer displays anything.
(text-colour:orange)["This is it. Moment of truth."]
Dante grabs hold of the door and pushes it. It starts to open.
(text-colour:orange)["I can't open it on my own. Help me!"]
Without thinking, you and Kim rush over, pushing the door with all your might. Suddenly, you tumble to the ground, landing right on top of Dante. You regain your senses and roll of him before lending your hand to help him up.
When you both look up, there it is: The vast expanse of the wilderness. Real trees, real grass, the real sun, real wind. (click-replace: 'The vast expanse of the wilderness. Real trees, real grass, the real sun, real wind.')[[[The light from the sun.->End]]]
]
(else-if: $FaithEnding is true)[You approach the exit door. The LED sign above it no longer displays anything.
(text-colour:orange)["This is it. Moment of truth."]
Dante grabs hold of the door and pushes it. It starts to open.
(text-colour:orange)["I can't open it on my own. Help me!"]
Without thinking, you and Kim rush over, pushing the door with all your might. Suddenly, you tumble to the ground, landing right on top of Dante. You regain your senses and roll of him before lending your hand to help him up.
When you both look up, there it is: The vast expanse of the wilderness. Real trees, real grass, the real sun, real wind. (click-replace: 'The vast expanse of the wilderness. Real trees, real grass, the real sun, real wind.')[[[The reward for your faith in your peers.->End]]]
]
(else-if: $GoodbyeMyLoveA is true)[You approach the exit door. The LED sign above it no longer displays anything.
You stare blankly at it.
Without thinking, you begin to push on it. It's hard to open for one person and it takes you a long time but finally, you manage to open it just enough to slide out.
And when you slide out, tumbling to the ground, there it is: The vast expanse of the wilderness. Real trees, real grass, the real sun, real wind. (click-replace: 'The vast expanse of the wilderness. Real trees, real grass, the real sun, real wind.')[[[The freedom Dante forfeited to you.->End]]]
]
(else-if: $GoodbyeMyLoveB is true)[You approach the exit door. The LED sign above it no longer displays anything.
You stare blankly at it.
Without thinking, you begin to push on it. It's hard to open for one person and it takes you a long time but finally, you manage to open it just enough to slide out.
And when you slide out, tumbling to the ground, there it is: The vast expanse of the wilderness. Real trees, real grass, the real sun, real wind. (click-replace: 'The vast expanse of the wilderness. Real trees, real grass, the real sun, real wind.')[[[The freedom Paul gave his life for you to have.->End]]]
]
(else-if: $GoodbyeMyLoveC is true)[You approach the exit door. The LED sign above it no longer displays anything.
You stare blankly at it.
Without thinking, you begin to push on it. It's hard to open for one person and it takes you a long time but finally, you manage to open it just enough to slide out.
And when you slide out, tumbling to the ground, there it is: The vast expanse of the wilderness. Real trees, real grass, the real sun, real wind. (click-replace: 'The vast expanse of the wilderness. Real trees, real grass, the real sun, real wind.')[[[The freedom Dante gave his life for you to have.->End]]]
]
(else-if: $GoodbyeMyLoveD is true)[You approach the exit door. The LED sign above it no longer displays anything.
You stare blankly at it.
Without thinking, you begin to push on it. It's hard to open for one person and it takes you a long time but finally, you manage to open it just enough to slide out.
And when you slide out, tumbling to the ground, there it is: The vast expanse of the wilderness. Real trees, real grass, the real sun, real wind. (click-replace: 'The vast expanse of the wilderness. Real trees, real grass, the real sun, real wind.')[[[The freedom Paul forfeited to you.->End]]]
](if:$Chap1Morn1 is true and $KEXP is false)[{(Set:$EXP to $EXP+1)}
You enter the kitchen, It seems well furnished. White tiles line the floor, speckled witha singular black tile every now and then.
There is no one here. {(if:$Hunger is true)[It might do you some good to eat. You didn't realize you were hungry, what with everything going on.]}
[[Check the fridge->Fridge]]
[[Examine Drawers->KitDrawers]]
[[Enter Dining Hall->Dining Hall]]
[[Read the Ruleboard->RuleBoard]]
[[Return to the Semi-Circle Hallway->SemiCircleHallway]]
{(set: $KEXP to true)}
]
(else-if:$Chap1Morn1 is true and $KEXP is true)[
You enter the kitchen, It seems well furnished. White tiles line the floor, speckled witha singular black tile every now and then.
There is no one here. {(if:$Hunger is true)[It might do you some good to eat]}
[[Check the fridge->Fridge]]
[[Examine Drawers->KitDrawers]]
[[Enter Dining Hall->Dining Hall]]
[[Read the Ruleboard->RuleBoard]]
[[Return to the Semi-Circle Hallway->SemiCircleHallway]]
(track: 'DespairSearching', 'loop')
(track: 'DespairSearching', 'playwhenpossible')
]
(else-if: $Chap2Morn is true)[You enter the kitchen to eat something and find Dante standing in there, eyeing the rule board intently.
(if: $DanteVote is true)[[["Hey, Dante... uh... interesting rule board...?"->DanteVoteNoon]]] *
(if: $DanteVote is false)[[["Dante... hey man. I was worried about you."->DanteTrustNoon]]] *
[[Come back in a bit->SemiCircleHallway]]](if:$Chap1Morn1 is true and $LREXP is false)[{(Set:$EXP to $EXP+1)}
You enter the Laundry Room and find Kim sitting a top a washing machine, swinging her feet. When she sees you, she stops swinging her feet and cowers, just a hair.
(text-colour:purple)["Are you here to investigate too?"] She asks, and it's clear she's nervous out her mind. Why wouldn't she be? You can sense she's sombered due to the fact she isn't currently bombarding you with questions right now.
[[Talk to Kim]]
[[Enter Storage Closet]]
[[Return to Semi-Circle Hallway->SemiCircleHallway]]
{(set: $LREXP to true)}
]
(else-if:$Chap1Morn1 is true and $LREXP is true)[
You enter the Laundry Room and find Kim sitting a top a washing machine, swinging her feet. When she sees you, she stops swinging her feet and cowers, just a hair.
(text-colour:purple)["Are you here to investigate too?"] She asks, and it's clear she's nervous out her mind. Why wouldn't she be? You can sense she's sombered due to the fact she isn't currently bombarding you with questions right now.
[[Talk to Kim]]
[[Enter Storage Closet]]
[[Return to Semi-Circle Hallway->SemiCircleHallway]]
(track: 'DespairSearching', 'loop')
(track: 'DespairSearching', 'playwhenpossible')
]
(else-if: $Chap2Morn is true)[You enter the Laundry Room.
[[Enter Storage Closet]]
[[Return to Semi-Circle Hallway->SemiCircleHallway]]
](if:$Chap1Morn1 is true and $LEXP is false)[{(Set:$EXP to $EXP+1)}
You enter the main area of the the library to find Dante and Marie conversing against a shelf. They both seem a tad tense. Why wouldn't they be? When they see you walking in, (if:$DanteFriendship > 3)[Dante waves at you with a slight grin.](else:)[Dante just acknowledges you with a small nod.] Marie (if:$MarieFriendship is 3)[waves to you, seeming to relax just a bit before turning back and continuing her conversation with Dante.](else:)[looks at you cautiously before turning back and continuing her conversation with Dante.] Whatever they're talking about seems to be a bit pritavte, and you don't feel inclined to interrupt them. This place is massive. (If: $BandageRequest is true)[Something tells you that if there were bandages anywhere, they might be in here. You don't know why you feel that way.]
The library is massive, with shelves stretching deep into the back. You can't see the end of this room, so it seems.(If: $BandageRequest is true) [ Though, after talking with Chris, you wonder if the back half of this library is just an LED projection, like the windows in the hallway.]
[[Explore the Library]]
[[Return to the Semi-Circle Hallway->SemiCircleHallway]]
{(set: $LEXP to true)}
]
(else-if:$Chap1Morn1 is true and $LEXP is true)[
You enter the main area of the library to find Dante and Marie conversing against a shelf. They both seem a tad tense. Why wouldn't they be? When they see you walking in, (if:$DanteFriendship is 4)[Dante waves you over with a slight grin.](else:)[Dante just acknowledges you with a small nod.] Marie (if:$MarieFriendship is 3)[waves to you, seeming to relax just a bit before turning back and continuing her conversation with Dante.](else:)[looks at you cautiously before turning back and continuing her conversation with Dante.] Whatever they're talking about seems to be a bit pritavte, and you don't feel inclined to interrupt them. (If: $BandageRequest is true)[Something tells you that if there were bandages anywhere, they might be in here. You don't know why you feel that way.]
The library is massive, with shelves stretching deep into the back. You can't see the end of this room, so it seems.(If: $BandageRequest is true) [ Though, after talking with Chris, you wonder if the back half of this library is just an LED projection, like the windows in the hallway.]
[[Explore the Library]]
[[Return to the Semi-Circle Hallway->SemiCircleHallway]]
(track: 'DespairSearching', 'loop')
(track: 'DespairSearching', 'playwhenpossible')
]
(else-if: $Chap2Morn is true)[You start to enter the library, but before you can step in, fear grips your body, You don't know if Chris is still there or not. You don't want to find out.
[[Return to Semi-Circle Hallway->SemiCircleHallway]]](if:$Chap1Morn1 is true and $GREXP is false)[{(Set:$EXP to $EXP+1)}
You enter the game room to see... well, it's a game room. There seems to be a TV with some kind of game console you've never seen before. There's also a foosball table, a table tennis table, cornhole, and myriad boardgames lined up on the shelf.
There is no one here, and you aren't really in the mood to play games right now.
[[Return to the Semi-Circle Hallway->SemiCircleHallway]]
{(set: $GREXP to true)}
]
(else-if:$Chap1Morn1 is true and $GREXP is true)[
You enter the game room to see... well, it's a game room. There seems to be a TV with some kind of game console you've never seen before. There's also a foosball table, a table tennis table, cornhole, and myriad boardgames lined up on the shelf.
There is no one here, and you aren't really in the mood to play games right now.
[[Return to the Semi-Circle Hallway->SemiCircleHallway]]
(track: 'DespairSearching', 'loop')
(track: 'DespairSearching', 'playwhenpossible')
]
(else-if: $Chap2Morn is true)[You enter the game room and are surprised to see Whittaker and Kim talking in there. Whittaker is squatting down to Kim's eye level with a hand on her shoulder. When they notice you, they both stop talking and move deeper into the game room so you can't hear them. You don't understand why Kim would be siding with Whittaker after last night but it's clear you aren't welcome here right now.
(set: $WhitSuspicion to $WhitSuspicion+1)
[[Return to Semi-Circle Hallway->SemiCircleHallway]]
]The fridge is lined with food. Yogurts, premade sandwhiches, fruits, chips, juices, the whole boatload.
(if:$Hunger is true)[ Checking in with yourself, despite the current situation, you are pretty hungry.
Wanna eat?
[[I would never turn down free food.]]
]
(if:$Hunger is false)[ Checking in with yourself, despite the copious amount of food present to you, you aren't hungry. It doesn't benefit you to eat right now.
[["I'll see you next time, fridge."->Kitchen]]
](if:$Chap1Morn1 is true)[ You rifle through the various cabinets and drawers of the kitchen. You find plates, knives, cups, silverware, pots, pans, everything a well furbished kitchen needs. It's certainely a lot nicer than your own kitchen. You think a bit harder and remember you live alone currenly in a small apartment. No, not alone... you own a cat. Someone had given it to you but you can't remember who. What kind of cat was it... You can't remember. But at the least, you're starting to piece just a bit more about yourself.
{(set: $Apartment to true)}
[[Can't believe I'm missing a cat I just remembered I have.->Kitchen]]
](if:$Chap1Morn1 is true and $DHEXP is false)[{(Set:$EXP to $EXP+1)}
Going deeper into the kitchen, you come across a dining hall. There is no one here right now. There's myriad of long dining tables, considering there's only six of you. Still it gives you an uneasy feeling because it begs the question...
[["...How many other people have been in this place?"->Kitchen]]
{(set: $DHEXP to true)}
]
(else-if:$Chap1Morn1 is true and $DHEXP is true)[
Going deeper into the kitchen, you come across a dining hall. There is no one here right now. There's myriad of long dining tables, considering there's only six of you. Still it gives you an uneasy feeling because it begs the question...
[["...How many other people have been in this place?"->Kitchen]]
]You try and recall everything about yourself that you can.
Your name is Paul Richardson (evidently). You work finance for a law firm. You drive a.... You can't seem to remember that. Were your parents alive? You didn't remember. Did you have siblings? Yes. A sister. Or maybe a brother? Definitely older. Or... younger?
(if: $Age is true) [You are 25 years old.]
(if: $Delaware is true)[ You currently live in Delaware. You aren't sure where you were raised.]
(if: $Fiance is true) [At some point, you were engaged. You don't remember anything about your fiance other than the fact that they are no longer your fiance.]
(if: $Apartment is true) [You live alone in a small apartment. You own a cat.]
(if: $SoccerFan is True) [You don't care for soccer all that much. You aren't exactly sure why you said you did.]
(if: $GolfFan is true) [You are a big golf fan.]
(if: $NotAFan is true) [You're not really a fan of sports. You like some of them, but calling yourself a fan seems a bit much right now.]
[[ Lord, I hope I remember more.->Chapter1Room]]You rifle through the fridge until you find (either:"a mighty gorgeous turkey sandwhich", "a yogurt bowl topped with granola and raisins", "a bowl of fruit"). You eat it and sigh in contentment, giving your stomach a pat. You feel content.
(set: $Hunger to false)
[["That hit the spot."->Kitchen]](if: $Chap1Morn1 is true)[
(if: $Bandages is true)[You've already landscaped the entire library. Your time is better spent elsewhere right now, you reckon.
[[<< Return to the front of the Library->Library]]
]
(if: $LibraryLED is true and $Bandages is false)[You walk the expanse of the library again, tracing your hand along the LED wall as you walk around. Even if it's not exactly infinite, the library is still huge. While walking around , you spot a roll of bandages while in the medical section. These might be useful later, so you pick them up.
{(set: $Bandages to true)}
[[<< Return to the front of the Library->Library]]
]
(if: $LibraryLED is false)[You walk the expanse of the Library. This room is so huge you could've gotten lost. You realize quickly though you've got a good sense of direction.
While you're heading to the back of the library, you suddenly bump straight into some kind of walk and get knocked down, (text-style:"blurrier")[your glasses falling off. You can't see at all at scramble around for your glasses.]
(if:$DanteFriendship is > 3)[
(text-colour:orange)["Easy there, friend."] (text-style:"blurrier")[You hear Dante's voice in front of you and can lightly make out the orange of his jacket. Dante seems to be cleaning your glasses, as you hear him exhale onto them and can hear the squeak of a shirt against the lenses before he puts your glasses] back on you as you sit on the floor. You blink twice and your vision has returned.
(text-colour:green)["You're a saint, you know that?"] You tell him and he grins at you before turning towards the expanse of the back half of the library.
(text-colour:orange)["You gotta be careful, friend. This back half isn't real. Seems to be a screen of some kind."] Dante seems to knock the air, but you can hear the thud of where his knuckle raps against the screen.
Dante kneels down and takes your hand in his and hoists you up. (text-colour:orange)["You feelin' okay?"]
(text-colour:green)["As well as I can for a guy who just smacked face first into a screen."]
That gets a [[smile]] out of Dante. (text-colour:orange)["Always walk with a hand out in front of you, man. Wouldn't want you getting a concussion or something."]
You smile back at him. [["Aye, Aye, Captain."->Library]]
{(set:$LibraryLED to true)
(if: $LLEXP is false)[(Set:$EXP to $EXP+1)(set:$LLEXP to true)]}
]
(else-if:$MarieFriendship is 3 and $MarieFriendship > $DanteFriendship)[
(text-colour:magenta)["Oh dear, are you alright?"] (text-style:"blurrier")[You recognize Marie's voice as she takes your hand and helps you to your feet. ](text-colour:magenta)["Just... one second... let me find your glasses."]
(text-style:"blurrier")[After a few seconds of hearing Marie scramble, she hands back your glasses to you.] (text-style:"blur")[You put them on and blink. They're smudged from the fall.]
(text-colour:magenta)["Here. You can use my cleaner."] (text-style:"blur")[She says, handing you her Glasses cleaning cloth. You take your glasses back off and] clean them before putting them back on and looking back towards the far end of the library.
(text-colour:green)["I swear I just knocked into something."]
(text-colour:magenta)["Oh yes. Dante found that this whole section of the library isn't...uh... real. It's an LED screen apparently. You can tap it."]
You opt to kick forward with the tip of your shoe and sure enough, your feet connect with a solid wall.
(text-colour:magenta)["I'm going to return to Dante, since we were talking, but do be careful."] She gives you one last small smile before turning and walking back to the front of the library. You can't help but grin a bit to yourself.
[["What a strange woman..."->Library]]
{
(set:$MarieFriendship to $MarieFriendship+2)
(set:$LibraryLED to true)
(if: $LLEXP is false)[(Set:$EXP to $EXP+1)(set:$LLEXP to true)]}
]
(else-if: $DanteFriendship < 4 and $MarieFriendship < 3)[
You barely manage to find your glasses on the floor and put them back on. They're smudged from falling off and you have to clean them. Once they're clean, you look ahead again.
(text-colour:green)["What the hell did I just run into?"] You think aloud. You reach your hand out and walk forward, your brows raising as your hand makes contact with some kindof wall. (If:$BandageRequest is true)[ Seems like this is exactly like the windows you saw with Chris](else:)[It appears to be some kind of wall, like an LED screen just mimicking the appearance of an infinite library.] It's probably good to keep this in mind in the future so that you don't hurt yourself on something.
{(set:$LibraryLED to true)
(if: $LLEXP is false)[(Set:$EXP to $EXP+1)(set:$LLEXP to true)]}
[["Would've been nice to know that earlier, for fucks sake."->Library]]
]
]
]
Dante looks a lot younger when he isn't frowning all the time. Looking him over now that he's a bit closer to you, you realize that when he smiles, his right eye crinkles up more than his left, and one eyebrow always raises slightly higher than-
Your thoughts are interrupted by Dante chuckling.
(text-colour:orange)["Hey, you're zoning out man. Focus."] He grins at you.
[["Right... S-Sorry."->Explore the Library]]
{(if: $DanteSmile is false)[
(set:$DanteFriendship to $DanteFriendship+2)
(set: $RomanceMarker to $RomanceMarker+1)
(set:$LibraryLED to false)
(Set:$DanteSmile to true)]}
You pull the roll of bandages out of your pocket, and hand them over to Chris.
(text-colour:green)["I found these in the Library. They're all yours."]
(if:$ChrisFriendship is 7) [
Chris beams at you and takes the bandages, handily.
(text-colour:yellow)["Fuck yes, dude! This is why you're the best, man. I knew you were cool as soon as you said you liked soccer."]
Chris bandages his hand and seems to visibly relax. "Me and you man, we're making it out of this shit, one way or another."
{(set: $ChrisFriendship to 11)
(set: $ChrisHealed to true)}
[["I sure hope so, man."->Talk with Chris]]
]
(else-if:$ChrisFriendship is 2) [Chris looks at you cautiously before nodding slowly and smiling just a hair.
(text-colour:yellow)["Thanks, man. This is... yeah. Thank you."]
Chris bandages his hand and seems to visibly relax. "Maybe you ain't so bad. Guess we'll see."
{(set: $ChrisFriendship to 4)
(set: $ChrisHealed to true)}
[["No problem, man."->Talk with Chris]]
]
(else-if:$ChrisFriendship is 3) [
Chris grins at you and snatches the bandaids from you.
(text-colour:yellow)["Aww, hell yeah, man. You're a lifesaver. Literally this time, I guess."] He chuckles.
Chris bandages his hand and seems to visibly relax. He smiles at you. (text-colour:yellow)["You just keep on surprising me, Paul."]
{(set: $ChrisFriendship to 6)
(set: $ChrisHealed to true)}
[["What can I say, I try."->Talk with Chris]]
]
(else-if:$ChrisFriendship is 0) [
Chris blinks at you, clearly suspicious before slowly taking the bandages from you.
(text-colour:yellow)["Uh... thanks... I guess."] He says lamely as he bandages his hand and seems to visibly relax. He just stares at you but purses his lips and nod. (text-colour:yellow)["'Preciate it."]
{(set: $ChrisFriendship to 1)
(set: $ChrisHealed to true)}
[["Sure thing."->Talk with Chris]]
]You decide to ask Kim what she's doing in the laundry room. She looks around from side to side, as if worried someone would hear her.
(if: $KimFriendship is 2)[Kim turns to look you in the eyes and shakes her head.
(text-colour:purple)["Sorry. Can't talk about it. It's a secret. Super important stuff, Joseph."]
You remind her your name is Paul.
She doesn't respond.
[["Alright, well... have fun."->LaundryRoom]]
]
(else-if: $KimFriendship is 6)[Kim turns to look you in the eyes and then looks side again
(text-colour:purple)["I'm not supposed to tell you but... I will, so long as you pinky swear not to tell."]
She extends her pinky to you and you take it, immediately.
She looks around again before whispering to you, (text-colour:purple)["Me and Whittaker are investigating. Trying to find a way out of here. But don't tell him I told you."]
(text-colour:green)["Wouldn't dream of it, kiddo."] You say. She nods at you before scampering back over to the washing mahcine.
[["Alright, well... have fun."->LaundryRoom]]
](If: $Chap1Morn1 is true)[
(if: $EXP < 9)[
As you approach the storage room in the back of the Laundry Room, Kimmy suddenly hops off the washing machine and stands in front of the door.
(text-colour:purple)["You can't go in there yet!"]
(text-colour:green)["Why not?"]
(text-colour:purple)["You just can't! Go explore some more or something, okay?"]
Seems Kim isn't budging. Perhaps you should come back after exploring everywhere you can. You recall there are some places you haven't gone yet. (if:$LEXP is true and $LLEXP is false)[ Even though you've explored the library, you feel there's more to explore there.](if: $KEXP is true and $DHEXP is false)[ Even though you've explored the kitchen, you feel there's a room connected to it that you haven't checked yet.]
[["Sure. I'll swing by later."->LaundryRoom]]
]
(if: $EXP is 9)[
As you approach the storage room in the back of the Laundry Room, Kimmy suddenly hops off the washing machine and stands in front of the door.
(text-colour:purple)["You can't go in there yet!"]
(text-colour:green)["Why not?"]
(text-colour:purple)["You just can't! Go explore some more or something, okay?"]
As you're about to turn and leave, the storage room creaks open and out walks Whittaker, a grin on his face.
(text-colour:red)["At ease, Kimmy girl. Paul's fine. I've done checked out everything I want to."]
(text-colour:purple)["Oh... okay."]
(text-colour:red)["Say, why don't you go find Chris? He should be in that there long hallway out that way." ]Whittaker points to the door. (text-colour:red)["I wanna have some grownup talk with Paul."]
Kim looks from Whittaker to you before nodding. (text-colour:purple)["Yeah, okay. Buh-Bye." ]And with that, she's gone. Whittaker sighs an exhale before turning to you.
(text-colour:red)["Real kind, that one. Anyways, c'mere. Something I wanna show you."]
(text-colour:green)["In the storage closet?"]
Whittaker chuckles. (text-colour:red)["You were gonna head in there anyways, weren't you?"]
You blink and then smile just a hair. "[[Touche]]"**
(track: 'DespairSearching', 'fadeout')
]
]
(else-if: $Chap2Morn is true)[You have no reason to enter the storage closet, so you opt not to.
[[Return to Laundry Room->LaundryRoom]]]You follow Whittaker into the Storage Closet.
(text-colour:red)["Close the door, would you?"]
You oblige and the roomis pitch black.
Whittaker pulls down the cord for the lightbulb and the dim luminescent light glows between you two.
(text-colour:green)["So why did you want me in here? Why did Kim say I couldn't come in?"]
Whittaker chuckles. (text-colour:red)["I was investigatin' a hunch I had. You noticed any cameras round this place?"]
You furrow your brow. (text-colour:green)["No, I wasn't really looking for them."]
(text-colour:red)["Yeah, Neither was I till I seen 'em in the game room. Made me wonder if there's any place without cameras in here. So I recruited Kim to help me look, and what do you know, this closet is the only place in this building with no cameras. Makes it a perfect spot for colludin'."]
(text-colour:green)["Is that what we're doing right now? Colluding?"]
(text-colour:red)["Not yet. But maybe soon. Just thought it would be good to bring to your knowledge. This whole situation is fucked up. Just watched a man die for God's sake."] Whittaker rubs his forehead with his hands.(text-colour:red)[ "But I've got a plan to get us outta here. That I do."]
(text-colour:green)["Really?"]
(text-colour:red)["Sure do."] He opens his mouth to continue speaking but then slowly closes it, seemingly reconsidering whether he should fill you in or not.
(if: $WhitFriendship >8) [
He purses his lips before meeting your eyes and giving you a small smile.
(text-colour:red)["I like you, Paul. You've shown time and time again that you're a dependable guy."]
(text-colour:green)["Well, shoot, thank you, Whittaker."]
(text-colour:red)["I say that to make it clear that I'm going to clue you in to what I'm doin', and you ain't to repeat it to a soul, not even Kim, you understand me?"]
(text-colour:green)["Sure thing, Whitt. I understand."]
Whittaker clicks his tongue before nodding.
(text-colour:red)["I'm lookin' for a way to get these collars off us."]
(text-colour:green)["You're joking."] You say before you can stop yourself.
(text-colour:red)["Ain't."] He shoots back. (text-colour:red)["I was there, Paul, I saw what the collars did. But if we can get 'em off, there's nothin' to worry about."]
(text-colour:green)["How the hell do you plan to do that?"]
(text-colour:red)["I'm an electrician, Paul, I know my way around electronics."]
He fishes into his pocket and produces a collar.
(text-colour:red)["Snagged this off the poor fellow before we went back to our rooms. I think I could definitely deactivate the bomb element to it."]
You stare at him and blink. (text-colour:green)["Not that I don't apprectaie you telling me this but why are you telling me this?"]
(text-colour:red)["Well, I could use your help, Paul. I need to collect some materials to work. If I go searching for them on my own, I'll get found out pretty quickly. But if I've got you and Kimmy on it? I could make this thing work."]
Whittaker seems to see your hesitation and gives you a small grin. (text-colour:red)["Ain't committing you to nothing. I... can't even guarentee my plan'll work but it's something. For now, I don't think there's anything I need you to. When there is, I'll let you know so you don't need to do any searching right now, okay?"]
(text-colour:green)["Alright. I appreciate you trusting me with this, Whittaker."]
(text-colour:red)["You make it easy, bub. Now let's get out of here. Don't want no one getting the wrong idea."]
(text-colour:green)["Agreed."] You assent as you both step out the closet. The morning is ending, and you decide to reset yourself [[ back at the Atrium.->Noon1]]
{(set: $Chap1Morn1 to false)
(set: $Chap1Noon1 to true)
(set: $WhitRequest to true)
(set: $WhitFriendship to $WhitFriendship+2)}
]
(else-if: $WhitFriendship <6)[
Whittaker looks at you before clikcing his tongue, grinning as he turns his face to the side.
(text-colour:red)["We can just leave it at that. I got a plan and I've got it handled."]
(text-colour:green)["Well, sure, but what is the plan?"]
(text-colour:red)["Look,"] Whittaker says, turning to you with a tight smile. (text-colour:red)["You seem to be a pretty fine man, I don't doubt that but... well, that don't mean I trust you. Not yet anyways."]
(text-colour:green)["...I see."]
(text-colour:red)["Don't take it personally. This is just an odd situation we find ourselves in. Don't worry. I'm gonna get this handled, you hear?"]
(text-colour:green)["I hear."]
(text-colour:red)["Good. Now let's get outta here. I'm sure you've got things to attend to. As do I."]
You both step out the closet. The morning is ending, and you decide to reset yourself [[ back at the Atrium->Noon1]]
{(set: $Chap1Morn1 to false)
(set: $Chap1Noon1 to true)}
]
(track: 'WhittTheme', 'loop', true)
(track: 'WhittTheme', 'playwhenpossible')(text-colour:black)[The rules are plated on a large, vertical sign.]
(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0.5,#197fe6,1,#ffffff)))(text-colour:black)[-Lights out is at 10PM sharp. You are to be inside your assigned rooms by thta time. Failure to do so will result in termination.
-The Vote will take place in the Library at 9PM. Failure to arrive promptly will result in termination.
-Physical violence between participants is strictly forbidden and will result in termination for the offending party. It is not against the rules to defend yourself.
-Trying to remove your collar is strictly forbidden and will result in termination after three back to back attempts
-It is strictly prohibited to be in another participant's room come lights out. However, there is no restriction on being in another participants room during your free hours, provided the room owener has given you permission.
-During The Vote, there will be a 10 minute time period for you to plead your cases. After that time has passed, every person will vote for the person they want terminated. Failure to vote will result in termination of the offending party as well as the person with the most votes.
-In the events of a tie, a second vote will be cast for the tied individuals. Should the tie remain after the second voting round, all tied party members will be terminated.
-In the event that everyone recieves the same amount of votes, all participants will be dispatched. ]
[[<< Back->Kitchen]]
It's noon now. You arrive back the atrium alone (Whittaker said he was going to go "make love to the food in the fridge") and begin to walk back into your room when Marie, who had seemingly been standing waiting for you scurries over to you.
(text-colour:magenta)["Hi, Paul."] She says, her arms crossed. Her constitution seems to have strengthened from when you first met her, which you find odd considering the circumstances. (if:$MarieFriendship <3)[Still, she won't meet your eyes, opting to stare at the floor by your feet.](else:)[She meets your eyes, though it's clear she's struggling to maintain your eye contact.]
(text-colour:green)["Hey there, Marie.] (if:$MarieFriendship <3)[(text-colour:green)[Do you need something?"]](else:)[(text-colour:green)[Its good seeing you again."]
Marie smiles at you. (text-colour:magenta)["Yes, you too, Paul."]
(text-colour:green)["What's going on?"]]
(text-colour:magenta)["Well... Dante and I were actually wondering if we could talk to you right now? He's waiting in the game room."]
(text-colour:green)["Dante wants to talk, huh?"] You say to yourself. (if:$DanteFriendship <4)[(text-colour:green)["That's interesting. Didn't think the guy liked me much."]
(text-colour:magenta)["Oh, I'm sure that's not true."] Marie says quickly. (text-colour:magenta)["A-and it's nothing bad. We're just hoping to chat, I hope."]] (Else:)[(text-colour:green)["Sure. If Dante wants to talk, I'm there."] (if:$RomanceMarker is 1)[Something about Dante wanting to talk to you, specifically, makes your stomach tight for some reason, but you ignore it.]
(text-colour:magenta)["Good, I'm glad. I'm sure he'll be glad too. So, w-will you come now?"]
]
[["Sure, we can go now."->MarieEvent1]]**
(if:$DanteFriendship <4)[[["Sorry, I can't right now."->Rejection1]]
]
(track: 'WhittTheme', 'fadeout')As you and Marie walk down the long hallway, you decide to strike up conversation.
(text-colour:green)["So... you and Dante sure have been spending a lot of time together. What do you guys talk about?"]
(text-colour:magenta)["Yes, I suppose we have been speaking most of the morning. We've talked about a great many things. He's a real smart young man."]
(text-colour:green)["Anything in particular you guys talk about? I don't mean to pry but you guys were talking in the library from a good long while. I'm curious."]
(text-colour:magenta)["Well... most of it was about how to... uhm... proceede here, what with us being black and all."]
(text-colour:green)["Didn't think that would matter much right now."
]
(text-colour:magenta)["Neither did I, really. But like I said, Dante's v-very smart for someone so young. And he's right. It's important we stick together. Especially after what we witnessed happen to that... to that..."]
She seems to lose her nerve, her face tight.
(text-colour:magenta)["It's nice to know someone has my back in all this...this mess."]
(if: $DanteFriendship <4)[(text-colour:green)["Huh... didn't know he was... kinda cool, I guess."]](else:)[(text-colour:green)["I'm sure it is. He does seem pretty reliable, I suppose. Even considering the attitude."]]
(text-colour:magenta)["I know he seems prickly and all... but he really is a sweet kid."]
(if: $DanteFriendship <4)[(text-colour:green)["If you're saying it, I'll believe you. Guess I'd like to see that side of him."]
(text-colour:magenta)["I'm sure he'll warm to you eventually."]](else:)[(text-colour:green)["You don't gotta tell me, I've seen it myself."] You say with a grin.
(text-colour:magenta)["He's just cautious is all. Can you blame him? What we saw earlier was just... horrific."]
]
You hum in agreement. You two continue to walk in awkward silence and you decide to broach conversation.
[["How are you doing... all things considered?"]]
(if:$WeddingRingIntro is true)[[["How, uh... How long you been married?"->How long have you been married]]]
(track: 'MarieTheme', 'loop', true)
(track: 'MarieTheme', 'playwhenpossible')You start to deny Marie's request, but when you think about it, you really don't have anywhere better to be right now.
You sigh and purse your lips.
[["Sure, we can go now."->MarieEvent1]]**Marie blinks at you (if:$MarieFriendship <3)[and sighs.](else:)[and offers a small smile.]
(text-colour:magenta)["I've been better. Clearly. I... I can't stop thinking of that man. That poor man. I... well, I wish there was more we can do. And then there's this vote tonight. I find myself afraid beyond my wits."]
(text-colour:green)["That's natural. To be scared, I mean."]
(text-colour:magenta)["I know, thank you, Paul. I just wish there was more can do. Dante's got a plan coming together. He figures Whittaker has his own too. He wanted to get you in the loop."]
(text-colour:green)["Huh. Well. Whatever it is, I'm sure it'll be good."] You say as you two arrive at the [[Game Room]].You enter the Game room and find Dante sitting on one of the foosball tables. He regards you with a nod and Marie (if:$MarieFriendship <6)[goes and stands over near him.](else:)[gets comfortable on the wall next to you.]
(text-colour:orange)["You came."] Dante says, scratching the back of his neck. (if:$DanteFriendship <4)[(text-colour:orange)["Didn't figure you would."]
(text-colour:green)["Didn't figure you'd call me."]
(text-colour:orange)["Well I wouldn't have, ideally but... desperate times, I guess."]
(text-colour:green)["What do you need?"]](else:)[He smiles at you. (text-colour:orange)["Figured you would."]
(text-colour:green)["You called, I came. It's uh...good to have friends in times like this... whatever the hell this is."]
Dante just grins at you.]
(text-colour:orange)["I know you're probably wondering why I called you, and I won't waste your time, so l'll keep it brief. If these people who kidnapped us really intend to make us go through with this voting bullshit... well, I don't wanna die. Neither does Marie."]
(text-colour:magenta)["No, I do not."]
(text-colour:orange)["I figure you don't wanna die either so-"]
(text-colour:green)["So you wanna team up?"]
(if:$DanteFriendship <4)[(text-colour:orange)["If you'd let me finish."] Dante says, frowning.](else:)[(text-colour:orange)["Read my mind, Paul."] Dante says, grinning.]
(text-colour:magenta)["T-there's only six of us here."] Marie chimes in. (text-colour:magenta)["Having three people together evens our odds. I-it at least makes sure we won't die immediately in a vote."]
(text-colour:green)["You guys really think they're going to make us do the whole vote to the death thing?"]
(text-colour:orange)["I'd rather not show up and have it be serious and not have a plan. Imean we just watched a man get killed not that long ago. I don't need anymore proof than that right now."]
You consider it. Teaming up sure would be safe, (if:$DanteFriendship <4)[but you're unsure if teaming up with Dante is exactly the way to go, not yet.](else:)[and you trust Dante. Well, as much as you can trust a guy you just met in a situation like this.] Dante sees your consideration and raises his hands in faux surrender.
(text-colour:orange)["You don't need to make a choice now or anything. There's still time before tonight. I just wanted to at least try and broach it with you."]
(text-colour:green)["But why me? Why not... I don't know, why not Kim?"]
(if:$DanteFriendship <4)[(text-colour:orange)["Kim's a child. I don't... want to add more to her plate than she's got already."]](else:)[(text-colour:orange)["Well, Kim's a child. I don't... want to add more to her plate than she's got already. More than that though... well, I trust you enough. Don't know you super well, but in a situation like this, you've gotta take risks. I'm choosing to put that trust in you."]]
You nod at him. (text-colour:green)["Yeah. That makes sense."]
(text-colour:orange)["That's all I had for you. You two are both free to go back to what you were doing."] He nods to Marie and Marie nods back at him.
(text-colour:magenta)["Goodbye,] (if:$MarieFriendship <6)[(text-colour:magenta)[Dante."]](else:)[(text-colour:magenta)[Paul."]] And with that, she scurries out the room, leaving you and Dante alone. When you tunr back to him, he's got his arms crossed and his back to you. He seems tense.
[[Leave him be->Evening1]]
(if:$DanteFriendship > 0)[[["Wanna talk some more, Dante?"->"Wanna talk some more, Dante?"]]]
(track: 'MarieTheme', 'fadeout')You decide to leave Dante alone for now. After leaving the game room, you spend the rest of your afternoon in the library, looking for a way out. You find nothing, obviously, but you caught up on some reading. As you exit the library, you encounter Kim, who's standing alone outside the kitchen. She's fiddling with her fingers. You decide to go over to her.
(text-colour:green)["Hey, kiddo. How's it hanging?"]
Kim startles at your voice (if:$KimFriendship is 2)[and won't meet your gaze.](else:)[but seems to relax a hair upon realizing it's you.]
(text-colour:purple)["Hi,] (if:$KimFriendship is 2)[(text-colour:purple)[Joseph.]](else:)[(text-colour:purple)[Paul.]] (text-colour:purple)[I'm alright."]
Clearly she isn't, and you'd feel like your mother didn't raise you right if you didn't ask her about it.
(track: 'DanteTheme', 'fadeout')
[["Talk to me, Kiddo. What's going on?"]] *Kim is silent for a moment before fidgetting nervously.
(text-colour:purple)["Well, I'm just... Well, so, my parents always told me that God is watching over us. Always. He is, isn't he?"]
(text-colour:green)["Uh... sure. Yeah."]
(text-colour:purple)["Right? So then, why is this happening? I... I don't understand it."]
You purse your lips. You're not at all equipped to deal with this. But still, you gotta try.
(text-colour:green)["Well... uh... Y'know, God works in mysterious ways sometimes. We don't always... uh... understand the ways he works in."]
(text-colour:purple)["That's what my mom always says. I'm trying to get that. I just don't know why God would put us here..."]
(text-colour:green)["Me neither. But... everything happens for a reason, y'know? So there's gotta be a reason for this two."]
Your mouth feels dry as you espouse nonsense you don't believe in. But Kim seems to ease a bit.
(text-colour:purple)["Yeah... yeah, you're right, I guess. Thank you,] (if:$KimFriendship is 2)[(text-colour:purple)[Joseph."]
(text-colour:green)["My name's Paul."]
(text-colour:purple)["Right. Sorry. Yeah, I'll remember that this time!"] She says, seemingly a bit more chipper, despite the worry in her eyes.](else:)[(text-colour:purple)[Paul."]
(text-colour:green)["Anytime, kiddo."]
Kim seems to be a bit better, though it's clear she's still nervous.]
(text-colour:purple)["Well, I've gotta go. Whittaker wanted to talk to me a bit before tonight."]
[["Alright, Kim. I'll see you tonight."->Evening2]]
(if:$KimFriendship is 6)[[["You've been spending a bunch of time with Whittaker. Everything okay there?->Spending time with Whittaker]]]
(track: 'KimTheme', 'loop', true)
(track: 'KimTheme', 'playwhenpossible')
You spend a good chunk of your remaining time in your room, trying to decompress. It doesn't work. You opt to leave you room and head to the library early, but when you step out your door, you're quickly bombarded with hands on your shoulder.
[["What the-"]]
(track: 'KimTheme', 'fadeout')You take a step towards Dante as you ask him that.
(text-colour:orange)["I'm all good."] He says, not turning to you. (text-colour:orange)["Really though, get back to what you were doing."]
[[Leave him be->Evening1]]
[["Talk to me, friend."]]You walk over to Dante and put a hand on his shoulder. He sighs and turns to you and his face is tight.
(text-colour:orange)["Well, I'm... as well as I can be. All things considered. What the hell is going on, man? How the hell did we end up in a situation like this. It's bullshit."]
(text-colour:green)["Ain't that the truth. I mean be honest with me, do you really think they're serious? About all of this?"]
(text-colour:orange)["I don't know. I... it's too bizarre to believe but I mean that... that man died. Like actually fucking died. I thought maybe it was a stunt or something, but they left the body there. Whittaker and I checked it, and it was real and he was dead."]
Dante grips his collar.
(text-colour:orange)["I don't wanna end up like that, and I'm certainly not going to let Marie end up like that. Or you." Dante shakes his head and sighs. "As much as I can, anyways."]
(if: $DanteFriendship is 1)[(set: $DanteFriendship to 4)]
[["You and Marie sure get along well. I'm glad she's got someone on her side."]]
[["I don't want you to die either, Dante.]]
(track: 'DanteTheme', 'loop', true)
(track: 'DanteTheme', 'playwhenpossible')(if: $RomanceMarker is 0)[
Dante seems a bit caught off guard by your words but grins at you.
(text-colour:orange)["Well...thanks, Paul. Real kind of you."]
(text-colour:green)["Sure. We're friends, man, we've gotta have each other's backs, yeah?"]
(text-colour:orange)["...Yeah."]
You guys stand in comfortable silence for a bit.
(text-colour:orange)[ "I appreciate you, Paul. Checking on me. Really. But I want some time to myself, if that's alright."]
[["Sure thing, friend. I'll see you tonight."->Evening1]]
]
(else-if: $RomanceMarker is 1)[
Dante seems a bit caught off guard by your words but grins at you.
(text-colour:orange)["Well...thanks, Paul. Real kind of you."]
(text-colour:green)["Sure. We're friends, man, we've gotta have each other's backs, yeah?"]
(text-colour:orange)["...Yeah."]
You guys stand in comfortable silence for a bit. Something about the way he's smiling at you makes you flush. Jesus, get a grip, Paul.
(text-colour:orange)[ "I appreciate you, Paul. Checking on me. Really. But I want some time to myself, if that's alright. I've gotta get my mind off what the hell is going on right now."]
[["Sure thing, friend. I'll see you tonight."->Evening1]]
[["We can get our mind of things together. You play foosball?"->DanteTime]]
](text-colour:orange)["Yeah, Marie's great. Shy and all but I've spent all day with her pretty much, so she'll actually... y'know, talk to me now."]
(text-colour:green)["Shoot, I hope I get to that point with her at some point."]
(text-colour:orange)["Just be easy with her. She's skittish."] Dante teases and you grin at him. His expression sombers and he gives you a warm smile.(text-colour:orange)[ "I appreciate you, Paul. Checking on me. Really. But I want some time to myself, if that's alright."]
[["Sure thing, friend. I'll see you tonight."->Evening1]]Dante opens his mouth to protest but you're already walking over to the foosball table.
(text-colour:green)["C'mon... won't kill you to lighten up a bit, bud."]
Dante blinks at you before breaking out into a sheepish grin. (text-colour:orange)["Y'know, if we weren't at risk of dying, you'd irritate the shit out of me."]
(text-colour:green)["Well, god bless for the situation that you're loosening up a hair, huh?"]
(text-colour:orange)["Shut your mouth."] He says, but there's no venom to it. (text-colour:orange)["I rock at foosball."]
(text-colour:green)["You're gonna get your shit beat. You could still back out. I'm sure there's places that could still be investigated."]
(text-colour:orange)["I've investigated every area I can. Haven't found a way out. You're... probably right to say I need to unwind. Though, this game is gonna raise my blood pressure something fierce."]
(text-colour:green)["Better get to raising then, huh?"]
Dante smirks before going to the other end of the foosball table.
[["Bring it on."->Evening1Alt]]
(set: $RomanceMarker to $RomanceMarker+1)
(set:$DanteFriendship to $DanteFriendship+2)
You get your ass absolutely whooped by Dante in foosball. He smiles at you as you leave. You feel warm inside. Or, you would if you weren't in a life or death situation. After leaving the game room, you spend the rest of your afternoon in the library, looking for a way out. You find nothing, obviously, but you caught up on some reading. As you exit the library, you encounter Kim, who's standing alone outside the kitchen. She's fiddling with her fingers. You decide to go over to her.
(text-colour:green)["Hey, kiddo. How's it hanging?"]
Kim startles at your voice (if:$KimFriendship is 2)[and won't meet your gaze.](else:)[but seems to relax a hair upon realizing it's you.]
(text-colour:purple)["Hi,] (if:$KimFriendship is 2)[(text-colour:purple)[Joseph.]](else:)[(text-colour:purple)[Paul.]] (text-colour:purple)[I'm alright."]
Clearly she isn't, and you'd feel like your mother didn't raise you right if you didn't ask her about it.
(track: 'DanteTheme', 'fadeout')
[["Talk to me, Kiddo. What's going on?"]] *Kim blinks at you and frowns.
(text-colour:purple)["Yeah, I know that. But Whittaker is nice. And he lets me help him. So he is as nice as he seems. But maybe I don't know that about you, Paul."]
She turns and walks away from you quickly.
(set: $KimFriendship to 2)
[["Well, shoot."->Evening2]]Kim blinks at you.
(text-colour:purple)["You think Whittaker is a... test?"]
(text-colour:green)["Well, maybe not. But y'know... uh... This whole thing seems to be a test, right? And sometimes God puts people in our lives to test us too. I'm not saying he's a bad guy, but make sure he isn't trying to... y'know, lead you astray."]
Kim seems to take that in and then nods at you.
(text-colour:purple)["Yeah.. okay."]
(text-colour:green)["You can still hang out with him and stuff, obviously. Just be aware."]
(text-colour:purple)["Right... be aware... I can be aware. Thanks, Paul."]
Kim waves at you and then turns, scampering off.
(set: $WhitSuspicion to $WhitSuspicion+1) (set: $ReligionCue to true)
[[Something about that situation just rubs me wrong...->Evening2]]Marie blinks at you before fiddling with her wedding ring, smiling sheepishly to herself.
(text-colour:magenta)["Oh, y-you noticed. My, uhm... well, my husband passed away recently. Fairly recently. I remembered that through talking with Dante, I-I can't fathom how I possible could've forgotten."]
(text-colour:green)["Oh, man. That's... that's awful, Marie, I'm sorry."]
(text-colour:magenta)["It's... alright. Honestly, I don't remember anything about him."]
(if: $Fiance is false)["Well, that's still a shame. I mean, remembering someone you cared about died."
(text-colour:magenta)[ "Thank you for your condolences. To address your question though, I was married for... for 17 years, I believe. Or somewhere around that time."]] (else:)[(text-colour:green)["It's funny... I used to be engaged, and I can't remember anything about the person other than the fact that I'm not engaged anymore. It's strange, huh?"]
(text-colour:magenta)["Truly, it is!"] she replies, a bit more enthusiastic. (text-colour:magenta)["I remember having love for my husband, but I don't remember what about him I loved."]
(set: $MarieFriendship to $MarieFriendship+3)
(text-colour:green)[ "Yes, exactly!"]
(text-colour:magenta)["My, it's good to know someone t least can somewhat understand what I'm going through. But to address your question though, I was married for... for 17 years, I believe. Or somewhere around that time."]]
(text-colour:green)[ "Damn, 17 years? That's incredible."]
(text-colour:magenta)["I suppose so. I just wish I could remember him more. But... uh... we should get going." ]Marie finishes as you both arrive at the [[Game Room]].Kimn smiles at you.
(text-colour:purple)["Yes. He's very smart, and he's got big plans, that's what he tells me."]
(text-colour:green)["Yeah, so I've heard. Just be careful."]
(text-colour:purple)["Be careful? Of what? Whittaker isn't bad."]
(text-colour:green)["No, of course he isn't but..."]
You should choose your words carefully here.
[["Not everyone is as nice as they seem to be."]]
[["God tests us is various ways, remember?]]Before you can speak, Whittaker takes a step forward and meets your eyes, his eyes wide, and his smile tense.
(text-colour:red)["It's important for us to know whether or not we can trust you Paul. Trust's hard to come by here and we're offering you ours. It'd be a shame to deny us that, don't you understand? I don't know if this offer will still be on the table after tonight. You get what I'm saying, yeah?"]
The threat is clear.
(text-colour:red)["But we can trust you, can't we?"]
You swallow thickly.
[["Sure. Yeah."]]Whittaker smiles wide and takes your hand.
(text-colour:red)["Attaboy. Good to have you. Ain't that right, Kim?"]
(text-colour:purple)["Yes!"]
(text-colour:red)["Let's get moving to the library then. Don't wanna be late."]
Whittaker shoots you a smile before walking out the atrium, Kim following close behind.
Chris stays leaning against the wall, his expression tight.
(if: $ChrisFriendship <5)[He looks to you and opens his mouth, as iff to speak, but then just sighs and shakes his head, leaving the room.
You should head to the [[Library->Vote1]]](else:)[He looks at you and seems to pondr speaiking before pushing himself off the wall and walking over to you."
(text-colour:yellow)["Paul... mind if we talk real quick?"]
[["Sure thing, man."]]]
(track: 'WhittTheme', 'fadeout')Chris looks around, as if to see if anyone is listening before sighing.
(text-colour:yellow)["I don't know what Whittaker is on, but I think voting Dante out is horseshit."]
(if:$DanteFriendship <4)[(text-colour:green)["Really? Why's that?"]](Else:)[(text-colour:green)["I agree."] You say, a bit too fast.]
(text-colour:yellow)["It just doesn't make sense. I may not like the guy too much, but he's smart. It would make way more sense to keep him around because he's useful."]
(text-colour:green)["I agree. So then why would Whittaker want to kill him off."]
Chris scratches his chin and purses his lips. (text-colour:yellow)["I have an idea, but man, I don't even wanna go there."]
(text-colour:green)["Well, what do you think then?"]
Chris goes silent for a bit and then shakes his head. (text-colour:yellow)["Well, I have a plan for this meeting. Just... have my back, will you?"]
(text-colour:green)["...Okay?"]
(text-colour:yellow)["You don't gotta understand it now. Just have my back. Please, man."]
(text-colour:green)["Okay, Chris. I hear you."]
(text-colour:yellow)["Thank you. Let's get going."]
(set:$ChrisConfidant to true)
You two walk side by side to the [[Library->Vote1]].
(track: 'ChrisTheme', 'loop', true)
(track: 'ChrisTheme', 'playwhenpossible')You enter the Library and stand near the door. In the middle of the Library, it seems sides have formed. Dante and Marie stand on the western side. Kim and Whittaker stand on the eastern side. (if:$ChrisConfidant is false)[Chris stands on the west side as well, but not near Kim or Whittaker.] (else:)[Chris stands at your side near the door.] There's a large table near the center with what looks like small tablets or Iphones. On the back, they say "Voting Console" You walk to the center and grab one, before pocketing it.
(text-colour:red)["Seems everyone is here."]
(text-colour:orange)["Seems it."]
(text-colour:red)["Come now, son, no need for the hostility."]
(text-colour:orange)["I'm not being hostile. But the fact is one of us will be dead in 10 minutes."]
(text-colour:red)["Right you are, son."] Whittaker says before turning to look at you. He waves you (if: $ChrisConfidant is true)[and Chris] over. You move up, standing inbetween the two factions that seem to have formed.
(text-colour:red)["We'll, let's not waste time, yeah? Let's start] [[discussing]](text-colour:red)[."]
(track: 'ChrisTheme', 'fadeout')(if:$DebatePoints is 0)[
{(track: 'Debate', 'loop', true)
(track: 'Debate', 'playwhenpossible')}
(text-colour:magenta)["W-What do we discuss first?"]
(text-colour:red)["Well, there are two things that come to mind for me."] Whittaker says, cracking his knuckles. (text-colour:red)["First is background, or what you've got waitin' back home for you. Second is what you've contributed to the group. Think that's fair, yeah?"
]
He turn to you with a smile. (text-colour:red)["Paul. Why don't you get us started."]
You purse your lips. All eyes are on you.
[["I guess... let's talk about background."]]
[["We can talk about contributions, I guess."]]]
(else-if:$DebatePoints is 1)[Coversation on the previous topic has died down, meaning you should move to the other one.
(If:$Background is false)[[["I guess... let's talk about background."->"I guess... let's talk about background."]]]
(if:$Contribution is false)[[["We can talk about contributions, I guess."->"We can talk about contributions, I guess."]]]
]
(else-if:$DebatePoints is 2)[Whittaker clicks his teeth.
(text-colour:red)["Y'know, I was going to let it go, but I just seem to be unable to. Dante, you msut've found something while explorin'. Why hide it from us?"]
(text-colour:orange)["I've already explained that."]
(text-colour:red)["Well sure, but there must be something. Even if you don't want to tell me cause you think I'm giving you shit, if it's something that'd help the group, you should tell us. Clearly you care about Marie, yeah?] (if:$DanteFriendship >4)[(text-colour:red)[And Paul?]] (text-colour:red)[If not for me, then do it for them."]
Dante looks to Marie. (if:$DanteFriendship >4)[Then to you.] He sighs, (text-colour:orange)["Fine. You want to know so bad, I'll tell you."]
Dante steps to the [[middle->TheTruth]].
(track: 'Debate', 'fadeout')
](text-colour:red)["Paul! Just the man I wanted to see!"] Whittaker says, grinning at you as he pulls you over to the corner of the atrium, where Kim and Chris stand. Chris has his arms crossed and his face is tense.
(text-colour:green)["What's... uh... what's all this?"]
(text-colour:red)["Just a little last minute strategy meeting, is all."]
(text-colour:green)["Can't say I follow."]
(if:$WhittRequest is false)[(text-colour:red)["Well, I didn't tell you this earlier, just cause I like to keep some things to myself, but you see, times've changed. I came up with a plan, you see. Can't talk about it here,"] He points up to the camera in the corner of the room. "But I've got one."](else:)[(text-colour:red)["You remember that plan I had told you earlier today, yeah?"]
(text-colour:green)["Sure I do."]
(text-colour:red)["Well, we've made some progress."]]
(text-colour:green)["Really?"]
(text-colour:red)["Had Kim and Chris working on it. Hard workers, they are. Got a lot of it done. Only problem is there's no way I can have it done before 9 tonight. It'll take me at least till tomorrow night, if not longer."]
(text-colour:green)["Okay...?"]
(text-colour:red)["So we gotta strategize how to vote tonight."]
(text-colour:purple)["If Whittaker makes it through tonight, then we can-"]
(text-colour:red)[
"Hush, Kim. Don't wanna give it away."] Whittaker points at the camera.
(text-colour:purple)["Right. Right. Sorry."
]
(text-colour:red)["No harm done."] He turns directly to you. (text-colour:red)["We've all talked it over. We already got three votes, which would at least tie a vote, but having 4? Yeah, that would help incredibly."]
(text-colour:green)["Who is it that you plan to vote for exactly?"]
Chris clicks his tongue, leaning against the wall.
(text-colour:red)["Well... it was between that Dante boy or Marie."]
(if: $DanteFriendship >5 or $MarieFriendship > 3)[Your chest tightens.
(text-colour:green)["Dante... or Marie, huh? Why... why those two?"]](else:)[(text-colour:green)["Dante or Marie? Why those two?"]]
(text-colour:red)["Well, them's the only ones not a part of our group. Plus, seems they've been teaming. It'd be bad to lose the majority. We talked it over before you got here and decided that we're gonna vote for Dante."]
(If:$DanteFriendship >5)[Your heart racks in your chest. Dante? Why?](else:)[You just purse your lips.]
(text-colour:red)["We can count on you, yeah? You're good people, and it'd be helpful to have good people around to help me solve this thing."]
(text-colour:purple)["Yeah, you'll help us, right Paul?"]
You stare at them, your brows tense.
[["Sure. Yeah."]]
(if: $DanteFriendship >5)[[["No."->No]]]
(track: 'WhittTheme', 'loop', true)
(track: 'WhittTheme', 'playwhenpossible')(text-colour:red)["Sure, that sounds swell. I think it goes without saying I've contributed a great bunch."]
(text-colour:orange)["Doesn't go without saying for all of us so say it."]
(text-colour:red)["My, you are worked up, huh? Well, I can't say it here, not out loud, but ask these three,"] Whittaker gestures to you, Kim and Chris. (text-colour:red)["They'll tell you I've got things handled."]
(text-colour:purple)["It's true! Whittaker found something super secret that I can't say, but it'll help us."]
(text-colour:yellow)["Yeah. That's true."]
(text-colour:purple)["Plus, he's got a plan to help all of us. He just needs time."]
(text-colour:yellow)["That's true too."]
(text-colour:red)["Any doubt left in your mind?"]
(text-colour:orange)["Loads. None that'll help now, so it seems."]
Whittaker turns to Chris. (text-colour:red)["All three of us found some pretty neat stuff. Kim was with me all day, found a lot of things."]
(text-colour:purple)["I did?"] Kim asks. Whittaker shoots her a look. (text-colour:purple)["Of course I did."]
(text-colour:yellow)["I found out that the windows in the hallway are just LED screens. Not real."]
(text-colour:red)["That covers my faction of friends."] He turns to you. (text-colour:red)["Speaking of friends- Paul. Surely you] [[found something]] (text-colour:red)[too, yeah?"](text-colour:red)["I like the sound of that. I'll start."]
Whittaker steps into the middle of the Library.
(text-colour:red)["Back home, I got two kids and a wife waiting on me. I bring in the money, so without me, they're shit outta luck. Plus, my wife is sick. Real sick. I think that alone is reason enough for me to be able to survive."
]
(text-colour:orange)["Your wife is sick? That's... convenient."]
(if:$Paulette is true)[(text-colour:red)["Well, shoot, if you don't believe me, ask Paul. Told him the same thing before we even knew what was goin' on.]
Dante turns to you and you nod.
(text-colour:green)["It's true. Before that man died this morning, I asked Whittaker about his family and he told me the same thing. He wouldn't have known to lie at that point."]
Dante blinks at you but nods.
(text-colour:red)["Glad that was cleared up. So... who's up] [[next]](text-colour:red)[?"]](else:)[Whittaker shrugs. (text-colour:red)["Don't know what to tell you, kid. Believe it or don't, it makes no different to me."]
Dante stares at him but says nothing else.
(text-colour:red)["So... who's up] [[next]](text-colour:red)[?"]](text-colour:purple)["Ooh, I'll go. Um... back home, my mom and my dad are waiting for me. I have school on monday, so they're definitely going to want me back for that." She looks up at Whittaker. "Is that good?"]
(text-colour:red)["Perfect, sweetheart. Any comments?"] Whittaker directs that last part directly at Dante. No one [[speaks]].(text-colour:magenta)["For me, I'm a teacher. I teach... special education. I live with my sister, who is dependent on me financially."]
(text-colour:red)["Your sister disabled?"]
Marie's face tenses.
(text-colour:orange)["She doesn't have to answer that."]
(text-colour:red)["It's a warranted question."]
(text-colour:orange)["It's personal, is what is is."] Dante snaps back. He turns to Marie. (text-colour:orange)["You don't have to answer that."]
(text-colour:magenta)["She is."] Marie nods. (text-colour:magenta)["It's why I became interested in teaching."
]
(text-colour:red)["Well. That's as good a reason as any, Miss."] He turns to Dante. (text-colour:red)["Pretty eager to prevent her from talking about herself."]
(text-colour:orange)["Because you're prying for personal infor-"]
(text-colour:red)["If I had to wager,"] Whittaker interrupts.(text-colour:red)[ "I'd say it's because you don't want her to seem more sympathetic than you. Am I right?"]
Dante stares at Whittaker and clicks his tongue. (text-colour:orange)["I'm not going to dignify that with a response."]
Whittaker smirks. (text-colour:red)["Telling."]
(text-colour:purple)["Yeah. Telling."]
(text-colour:red)["Say, why don't you tell us about yourself, Dante? I'd love to hear it."]
(text-colour:purple)["I would too!"]
All eyes turn to [[Dante]].Dante scoffs and crosses his arms.
(text-colour:orange)["I ain't got nothing to say. I'm not gonna flaunt my past as reason to be alive."]
(text-colour:red)["Well, if you don't, you'll probably get voted for, son."]
(text-colour:orange)["Hey, who put you in charge, Whittaker? Why are you the one running this thing?"
]
(text-colour:red)["Woah now. No need to get agressive. I'm not running it on my own. Paul's co-facilitating, isn't he?"] Whittaker throws a grin at you.
(text-colour:magenta)["That's quite enough, Whittaker."] Marie says like a teacher would to stop kids from picking on one another. (text-colour:magenta)["He doesn't want to speak, he doesn't need to. It doesn't say anything about him."]
(text-colour:red)["Oh, I think it says plenty, Miss Marie. Means he's keeping things from us. But I'll let it go. Chris, why don't you go?"]
Chris frowns but steps to the [[center]].(text-colour:yellow)["I don't have a sob story or anything. I'm a student. Made the varsity team for soccer. Got a girlfriend, got a good mom and pop. Not much to say."]
(text-colour:red)["Well, it's more than some of us have said."]
In your periphery, you see Dante bristle, and Marie puts a hand on his shoulder.
Chris also seems to stare at Whittaker before returning to his spot (if:$ChrisConfidant is true)[next to you.](else:)[near the wall.]
(text-colour:red)["Well, that just leaves you, Paul. Come step forward and tell us 'bout] [[yourself->YourselfIII]](text-colour:red)[."]You step to the middle of the library and put your hands on your hips.
(text-colour:green)["Uh... well, honestly speaking, I can't remember much of my past. It's all muddied. Uh..."
]
You rack your brain, trying to remember anything about yourself.
(If: $Delaware is true)[(text-colour:green)["I was born in raised in Delaware.]](else:)[(text-colour:green)["I... can't seem to remember where I'm from, honestly.]](if:$Fiance is true)[(text-colour:green)[ I used to be engaged. I'm... not anymore.]](else:)[(text-colour:green)[ I think I might be engaged?]](If:$Apartment is true)[(text-colour:green)[ Oh, and I live with my cat in an apartment."]](else:)[(text-colour:green)[ And... I think I live on my own."]]
Whittaker blinks at you. (if: $Delaware is true and $Fiance is true and $Apartment is true)[(text-colour:red)["Y'know, your memory may be spotty, but that was a pretty cohesive account. I'm sure that works for now. You'll have plenty of time to remember things after this vote."]](else:)[(text-colour:red)["Well, that is a... unique jumble of things, friend. It's fine though, the effort matters. You'll have plenty of time to remember things after this vote."]]
For a moment, Whittaker implying you'll survive this vote brings you a moment's piece. (if: $DanteFriendship >4)[You're quickly unsettled again though thinking about how Whittaker was pressing Dante.]
(set: $Background to true) (Set: $DebatePoints to $DebatePoints+1)
(text-colour:red)["Well, that seems to be the end of that conversation, yeah? Let's] [[move on->discussing]](text-colour:red)[."](set: $ChrisFriendship to 3)
(set: $Fiance to False)
(Set: $Delaware to false)
(set: $Apartment to false)
(Set: $Paulette to false)
(set: $ChrisConfidant to true)
(set: $DebatePoints to 0)
(set: $Contribution to False)
(Set: $Background to false)
(set:$DanteFriendship to 6)
(set:$DanteVote to false)
[[Test->Vote1]]
"Don't know much more than you, friend. Woke up here same as you. And we ain't been able to leave the room, either. There's a door by the colored fella(mouseover-replace:"colored fella")[colored fella, and by that I mean he's the most colorful person here, what with the bright orange jacket and all,] over there."] Whittaker points towards the young man in an orange varsity jacket. (text-colour:red)[ "He's tried opening it every now and then. Ain't budging. Seems like all we can do is hunker down and wait."]You step to the middle and chuckle nervously. Now that you think of it, no. There wasn't anything you really found by yourself. Everything you had found was already found and explained by someone else.
(if: $DanteFriendship >4)[(text-colour:orange)["Paul found out that the back of the library is an LED screen, like the windows."] Dante says suddenly, catching you off guard. You whip your head around and look at him. Marie does the same. (text-colour:orange)["It's useful information to know. Means the building we're in isn't as large as we thought."]
You're about to deny this, but Dante shoots you a look and you don't negate it.
(text-colour:red)["Well shoot, that's neat, Paul!]
(text-colour:green)["Yeah... yeah it is."]
(text-colour:red)["So Marie? How about][[ you?]](text-colour:red)["]
](else:)[You're about to announce that you didn't find anything substantial until you remember the dining hall.
(text-colour:green)["Well... it's not much but in the dining hall. When I was checking it out, I realized there were a lot more chairs in there around the table than there are people in here right now. Got me thinking that maybe we aren't the first people to be in here."]
(text-colour:red)["That's damn good info, Paul. Well done."]
(text-colour:green)["Thanks, Whittaker."]
He smiles at you before turning to Dante and Marie.
(text-colour:red)["So Marie? How about][[ you?]](text-colour:red)["]
](if: $DanteFriendship < 5)[Before Marie can speak, Dante steps forward.
(text-colour:orange)["Marie found out that the back of the library is an LED screen, like the windows."] Dante says suddenly. Marie turns her head to look at him. You swear you can hear her say (text-colour:magenta)[(text-style:"subscript","condense")["That was you"]] but it's too quiet to make out. (text-colour:orange)["It's useful information to know. Means the building we're in isn't as large as we thought."
]
(text-colour:red)["Well shoot, that's neat, Marie! Well done!"]
She doesn't respond, just looking at Dante.
(text-colour:red)["Which leaves you, Dante. What did you] [[find]](text-colour:red)[?""]
]
(else-if: $DanteFriendship > 5)[Before Marie can speak, Dante steps forward.
(text-colour:orange)["Marie went into the dining hall earlier, and she saw a bunch of chairs in there. Way too many chairs for us 6, and when she saw that, she realized that there's a chance we aren't the only people to have been in the building. Maybe there were a bunch of people in our same situation." ]
Marie turns her head to look at him. You swear you can hear her say (text-colour:magenta)[(text-style:"subscript","condense")["That was you"]] but it's too quiet to make out.
(text-colour:red)["That's damn good info, Marie. Well done."]
She doesn't respond, just looking at Dante.
(text-colour:red)["Which leaves you, Dante. What did you] [[find]](text-colour:red)[?""]
]Dante just crosses his arms and stares down Whittaker.
(text-colour:orange)["I think this is a stupid way to determine whether someone lives or dies, man. I'm not taking part in this."]
(text-colour:magenta)["Dante..."] Marie says lowly, but he shakes his head.
(text-colour:orange)["I won't. I don't have anything to share."]
(text-colour:red)["Don't have anything to share or didn't find anything?"]
(text-colour:magenta)["I assure you, Dante found many things."] Marie says, scrambling. (text-colour:magenta)["Tell them, Dante."]
(text-colour:orange)["I won't. This is horseshit, and you know it."]
(text-colour:magenta)["Maybe I do, but for now, we should go along with-"]
(text-colour:orange)["I said no, Marie. Lay off."]
Marie frowns but obliges. Whittaker just grins.
(text-colour:red)["Welll... y'ain't making a convincing case for yourself, son."]
(text-colour:yellow)["Drop it, Whittaker."] Chris warns from the wall and Whittaker puts up his hands in faux surrender.
(text-colour:red)["Alright, alright. My apologies, Dante."]
(set: $Contribution to true) (Set: $DebatePoints to $DebatePoints+1)
Dante doesn't respond to that. Whittaker shrugs and looks at you, seeming signaling you to [[move on->discussing]].(text-colour:orange)["I was with] (If: $DanteFriendship >4)[(text-colour:orange)[Marie]](else:)[(text-colour:orange)[Paul]] (text-colour:orange)[when we entered the dining hall, found the chairs and the tables and all of that. It was really strange. I mean why would a dining hall meant for 6 people need 29 chairs. So I started racking my brain about it. On top of that, some of the stuff we got told right before that man... before he died, was strange to me. I mean, we were called "participants" by the rule board in the kitchen. That's such odd phrasing, right? Participant? So then I started racking my brain, trying to remember anything. The person on the TV also said that this place was built just for this scenario. And that's when it hit me. The cameras, the rules, the wording, it all started making sense.
We're being studied. This whole thing is a study. It's why we're being monitored so closely and given such strict rules. We're all being watched and studied And maybe... maybe we chose to be here. I can't remember but... I feel like we must've signed up to be here."]
When Dante says that, your head begins to [[pound]].
(track: 'Truth', 'loop', true)
(track: 'Truth', 'fadein')(text-style:"blurrier")[(text-style:"wavy-strike")["Well, I can have you sign it now then. The expirement is to study hows humans react under duress, and whether human trust is more powerful than human fear. This is an amazing research opportunity and you could earn quuite a sum of money. Plus, by taking part in this study, you're helping us study the human mind, and we could all benefit so much as a society from things like that. From what I remember from my meeting with Dante, he had told me you two we're a bit underpaid at the moment, especially with the wedding planning. So you have nothing to lose by taking part. However, it would be in bad faith to not at least warn you that this experiement isn't exactly always... safe. There are risks of course, as there would be with any kind of experiment, social or otherwise. I know you're likely dead set on this, since you've clearly done your homework to find your fiance, but it's something we felt the need to let you know."]]
[["I don't care, I'll sign it." ->TruthII]]Sign it... sign what? What did you sign? What was that memory you just had?
Before you can delve deeper into that, Whittaker just scoffs.
(text-colour:red)["So you had a theory? That's all you've done?"]
(text-colour:magenta)["N-Now hold on, I think it's-"]
(text-colour:red)["No, sorry, Miss Marie, but I mean, come on, people. Your contribution to us is a theory? ][[Really?]](text-colour:red)["]
(track: 'Truth', 'fadeout')(text-colour:red)["Come on, this is ridiculous. We signed up to be here? Are you serious?"]
(text-colour:orange)["It's a theory."]
(text-colour:red)["A theory... lord help us."] Whittaker runs a hand through his hair and blows out sharply. (text-colour:red)["And how is your... theory... going to help get us out of here?"]
(text-colour:orange)["In the same way Chris realizing that the windows are LEDs does. It doesn't, but it's information which, clearly, we do not have."]
(text-colour:red)["Knowing the windows ain't real does help us. Let's us know we are truly trapped here and that who ever kept us here is trying to mislead us."]
(text-colour:orange)["And that does what for us right now?"]
(text-colour:red)["My, you are just combative today! You always like this or just like this now?"]
Dante furrows hiw brow. (text-colour:orange)["Excuse me?"]
(text-colour:red)["I mean you won't tell us anything about yourself, you ain't contributing anything to the group, I mean shoot, I had to pull that theory out of you. It makes me think..."] He trails off.
(text-colour:purple)["Think what?"] Kim asks, enthralled by the drama.
(text-colour:red)["Makes me think Dante is working with whoever kidnapped us."]
That perks he room up. Even Chris is more attentive now.
(text-colour:orange)["What?"]
(text-colour:red)["I mean, not giving us your background, and then conviently giving us a theory? One that makes us think we wanted to be here? Seems like a last ditch from someone who knows what's going on."]
Marie looks at Dante, her brows tense. Dante just grits his teeth.
(text-colour:red)["Cat got your tongue, Dante? If that even is your real name."]
It's clear to you that Whittaker is reaching, trying to sow distrust in Dante to validate voting for him. Things will get bad if this keeps up. Still, admittedly, you can't deny the fact that Dante being an inside man would be convienent, both for him, and for whoever did this. An inside man... You're unsure of what to do.
[[Let Whittaker continue]]
[[Defend Dante]]
(track: 'WhittTheme', 'loop', true)
(track: 'WhittTheme', 'fadein')You decide to bite your tongue, and let Whittaker continue. You want to hear his own theory.
(text-colour:magenta)["That's enough." ]Marie says, defiantly. It's the loudest you've ever heard her. (text-colour:magenta)["I mean honestly, this badgering is getting ridiculous. Dante is not a spy or anything like that."]
(text-colour:red)["Well, we don't-"]
(text-colour:magenta)["Be quiet."] She snaps, and Whittaker shrinks a bit. (text-colour:magenta)["You're badgering Dante for presenting a theory, but when the thoery about the dining hall was brought up, you said nothing! You don't care about theories, you're just badgering him. Knock it off!"]
(text-colour:red)["I'm just looking at all avenues."]
(text-colour:magenta)["Well, you've looked. And I'm disappointed by some people in this room for not saying anything in lieu of this."] Marie looks directly at you.
{(if:$MarieFriendship > 1)[(Set:$MarieFriendship to 1)](else:)[(Set: $MarieFriendship to 0)]
(if:$DanteFriendship > 1)[(Set:$DaneFriendship to 1)](else:)[(Set: $DanteFriendship to 0) ]
(Set: $RomanceMarker to 0)}
You shrink a bit in your skin.
(text-colour:red)["So what now then? Doesn't change the fact that we've gotta vote someone, and I think Dante is out best ][[bet]](text-colour:red)[."](text-colour:green)["Alright, that's enough."] You say, stepping forward. (text-colour:green)["Leave the guy alone, Whittaker."]
Whittaker raises a brow, looking surprised. (text-colour:red)["Oh, C'mon, Paul. A theory isn't going to help-"]
(text-colour:magenta)["Oh, stop it."] Marie snaps, and Whittaker looks over to her, now genuinely surprised. (text-colour:magenta)["You're badgering Dante for presenting a theory, but when the thoery about the dining hall was brought up, you said nothing! You don't care about theories, you're just badgering him. Knock it off!"]
(text-colour:green)["I agree, we ALL don't much of anything. But he's trying, just like all of us. Singling him out doesn't help anyone."]
Whittaker frowns. (text-colour:red)["I'm just looking at all avenues."]
(text-colour:magenta)["Well, you've looked. It shouldn't have taken two of us to get you to knock it off."] Marie looks directly at you with a nod of acknowledgement.
{(set:$MarieFriendship to $MarieFriendship+2) (set: $DanteFriendship to $DanteFriendship+3)(Set: $RomanceMarker to $RomanceMarker+1)}
(text-colour:red)["So what now then? Doesn't change the fact that we've gotta vote someone, and I think Dante is out best ][[bet]](text-colour:red)[."](text-colour:yellow)["I've got something to say."] Chris says, stepping forward to a hair. (text-colour:yellow)["We've spent this whole time going back and forth, but we haven't really said anything about who we should vote. We're running out of time."]
(text-colour:red)["Well, I think we know who to vote-"]
(text-colour:yellow)["No, YOU know who to vote. I don't know what kinda vendetta you have against Dante, or maybe I do, and I just won't say it but there's no reason to vote Dante out. He's smart enough and he's put work in."]
(text-colour:red)["Then we're at square zero, son."]
(text-colour:yellow)["No, we aren't. There is someone to vote for, someone that would raise our chance of getting out of here."]
(text-colour:red)["Well, who is it, son?"]
(text-colour:yellow)["It's obvious, isn't it?"] Chris says before pointing directly at the person. (mouseover-replace:"the person.")[[[Kim->Kim]].]
(track: 'WhittTheme', 'fadeout')
What?
(text-colour:purple)["Me?"] Kim says, suddenly shaking a bit. (text-colour:purple)["Why me!? What did I do?"]
(text-colour:red)["Chris, you're talkin' nonsense, son."
]
(text-colour:yellow)["No, I'm not. Think about it, Whittaker."]
(text-colour:red)["I have! This is nonsense, Chris. Cut it out so we can focus."]
(text-colour:yellow)["Everyone here is capable of finding things on there own. They don't need to be ordered around. Kim hasn't found anything on her own."]
(text-colour:magenta)["S-She's a child!"]
(text-colour:yellow)["That doesn't matter right now! We're all gonna die if we don't actually do something."]
(text-colour:purple)["I-I've been helping!"]
(text-colour:yellow)["Yeah, maybe you have, but we can't just order you around forever."] He turns to Whittaker. (text-colour:yellow)["Whittaker, your plan has no chance of getting done unless we all put effort into it. If we kill Dante, we lose someone with a good head on his shoulders, even if you can't admit."]
Whittaker considers this before speaking lowly. (text-colour:red)["Kim's been a mighty fine help."]
(text-colour:purple)["I have been! I've been helping!"] She's on the verge of tears now.
(text-colour:magenta)["Chris, that's enough."]
(text-colour:yellow)["Oh, cut the altruistic bullshit!"] He shouts. (text-colour:yellow)["This is life or fucking death, guys! We need all hands on deck, or someone else is gonna die tomorrow. We could end this thing before tomorrow night and maybe even go home."]
Whittaker seems to take this in. (text-colour:red)["... You really think that Dante will help us in a way Kim can't."]
(text-colour:yellow)["I'm sure he will. You want to get this thing done? We need all hands doing something, we can't have her following you around."]
(text-colour:purple)["I-I can help! I can!]
(text-colour:yellow)["We're running out of time. We need to figure this out now. Whittaker?"]
Whittaker is silent. Then he sighs. (text-colour:red)["I'm sorry, kiddo."] He walks away from Kim and over to Chris.
(text-colour:purple)["No!"]
(text-colour:yellow)["Paul?"]
You don't respond. You can't. They're... they're making a good point. Still, it feels wrong. Before you can say anything, Chris skips over you. "Marie?"
(text-colour:magenta)["I... I don't know."] She says, looking down.
(text-colour:yellow)["Dante? How about you, huh? This has to be better than you dying, yeah?"]
Dante's arms are crossed, looking at the floor, his brow [[tense]].
(track: 'Tension', 'loop', true)
(track: 'Tension', 'fadein')(text-colour:yellow)["Dante. What's your answer man, we're almost out of time."]
Dante clicks his [[tongue]].
(track: 'Tension', 'fadeout')(text-colour:orange)["You wanna know what I think?"] Dante says, looking up. His brow is tense.(text-colour:orange)[ "I think both you and Whittaker are some of the biggest goddamn cowards I've ever met."]
(text-colour:yellow)["What?"]
(text-colour:red)["Beg pardon?"]
(text-colour:orange)["Scapegoating me and a goddamn kid to save your own skins. It's sad. You're both sad."]
(text-colour:yellow)["I'm trying to save your skin, man-"]
(text-colour:orange)["No, you're trying to save your own. Talking about being useful... contributions, sick wife, who cares? Who are we to decide who gets to live or die over that bullshit?"]
(text-colour:yellow)["Do you have a better way then?"]
(text-colour:orange)["Of course I don't, this is a shit situation all around. And when it was me, I didn't give a damn. But Kim? The goddamn kid?"]
(text-colour:yellow)["What do you care? She was just ready to vote your ass out!"]
(text-colour:orange)["And who's fault is that?"] He says, staring daggers at Whittaker. (text-colour:orange)["You're taking advantage of her and you know it."]
(text-colour:red)["I'm doing no such thing."]
(text-colour:orange)["This is shameful. All of you. Letting two grown men gang up on a kid. We were just talking about our backgrounds and shit, does her background suddenly not warrant her to live? I recall Whittaker saying just the opposite earlier."]
(text-colour:red)["It's... it's complicated."]
(text-colour:orange)["It's not. You've both got your heads up your own asses."]
(text-colour:yellow)["What the fuck is your problem?"] Chris says, stepping up to Dante and puffing his chest. (text-colour:yellow)["You were about to be splattered all across this library, and now you're fighting me? Are you serious?"]
(text-colour:orange)["I don't wanna live a life that I got because you guys ganged up ona kid." ]Dante says, jabbing his finger into Chris' chest. (text-colour:orange)["That's low. So fucking low."]
(text-colour:yellow)["So what do you suggest we do, huh? Someone's gotta die tonight."]
(text-colour:orange)["And why not you, huh?"]
A moment of silence.
(text-colour:yellow)["W-What?"]
(text-colour:orange)["I mean you wanna talk about usefulness, what the hell else did you find besides that window, huh?"]
(text-colour:yellow)["I-"]
(text-colour:orange)["We've gone on and on about backgrounds and contributions, isn't that right, Whittaker? What about Chris, huh?"]
(text-colour:red)["Now that's too much."]
(text-colour:orange)["Oh, but voting for the kid, isn't?"]
(text-colour:yellow)["Fuck you man, I was trying to help you!"]
(text-colour:orange)["I didn't ask you to do that. You're both cowards. I think..."] He pauses, weighing his option. (text-colour:orange)["Fuck it. I'm voting for Chris."]
(text-colour:yellow)["Fuck, man!"]
(text-colour:orange)["Marie." ]Dante sasys firmly, and she flinches a bit. (text-colour:orange)["I'm not gonna force you to do anything. But are you really okay letting these two kill a kid to save your own skin?"]
Marie is quiet for a bit, before touching her lanyard.
(text-colour:magenta)["I... I'm a teacher. It's... it's my job to protect people weaker than me."]
(text-colour:yellow)["You're not a fucking teacher here!"]
(text-colour:magenta)["Maybe not... but I could never go back to teaching if I did this."] She says before striding next to Dante. (text-colour:magenta)["I'm.... I'm sorry, Chris."]
(text-colour:yellow)["No! Fuck!"]
(text-colour:orange)["Kim, don't let these two bully you. You want ot live, don't you? Go back to school and see your mom and dad?"]
(text-colour:purple)["I... I..."] She blubbers.
(text-colour:orange)["You've gotta make a choice, Kim. Don't let these two make it for you."]
(text-colour:yellow)["Fuck! Fuck you! Whittaker, we gotta vote for him!"]
(text-colour:red)["That was my goddamn plan from the beginning."]
(if: $ChrisConfidant is true)[(text-colour:yellow)["Paul! Paul, rememeber when I said you had to have my back? This is what I meant. Help me, man!"]](else:)[Whittaker turns to you.
(text-colour:red)["Paul, you joined our team not too long ago. Make good on it now and help your buddies out."]]
You freeze.
(if: $DanteFriendship > 4)[(text-colour:orange)["Paul."] Dante says. He looks at you, clearly stressed out, and his eyes plead with you: Have my back.](else:)[(text-colour:orange)["Paul, you've got a choice to make, man. Don't let them bully you into making a choice you'll regret. If they kill me, Kim and Marie will be next. You gonna let that happen?"]]
You open your mouth to speak, but then, you hear an oh so familiar [[chime]].
(track: 'DanteRebuke', 'loop', true)
(track: 'DanteRebuke', 'fadein')From the edge of the Library, where the LED wall lies, the screen changes from the library backing to red text.
(text-style:"bold","double-underline","smear","blink")+(text-colour:red)["TIME FOR CONVERSATION HAS ENDED. PROCEED WITH THE VOTE."]
(text-style:"shudder")[The phone in your pocket vibrates.] You pull it out and look at the [[screen]].
(track: 'DanteRebuke', 'fadeout')
(track: 'Chime', 'playwhenpossible')Please cast your vote.
[[Dante->DanteVote]]
[[Marie->MarieVote]]
[[Whittaker->WhittakerVote]]
[[Chris->ChrisVote]]
[[Kim->KimVote]]Confirm Vote for Dante?
[[Confirm->Results1Alt]]
[[Go back->screen]]You have no reaosn to vote for Marie. It would be a waste of a vote right now.
[[So then...->screen]]You have no reaosn to vote for Whittaker, as irritating as he may be. It would be a waste of a vote right now.
[[So then...->screen]]Confirm Vote for Chris?
[[Confirm->Results1]]
[[Go back->screen]]The arguments made against Kim were convincing, sure but... You just can't vote out a child for being "useless". You can't.
[[So then...->screen]]The lights in the library dim down (if:$DanteVote is true)[again]. Complete silence shrouds the the Library.
[[Then...->Results]](set:$DanteVote to true)
The lights in the library slowly dim until it's pitch black. Then...
Two spotlights shine down, encoating Dante and Chris. The lights on the LED shine again.
(text-style:"bold","double-underline","smear","blink")+(text-colour:red)["TIED VOTED BETWEEN DANTE AND CHRIS. PROCEED WITH SECOND ROUND."]
(text-colour:yellow)["Paul! Thank you!"] Chris shouts. (text-colour:yellow)["Help me convince someone, please!"]
(text-colour:orange)["Paul..."] Dante says, his face tight. (If: $DanteFriendship > 4)[Dante looks at you with so much disappointment that it's palpable. ](else:)[Dante just frowns at you and shakes his head.] He turns back to Chris but says nothing.
(text-colour:yellow)["Kim! Look, I'm sorry, okay? I was scared! But you gotta vote for Dante, okay?"]
(text-colour:orange)["Don't listen to him, Kim. Vote who you want too."]
(text-colour:yellow)["Damn it! If we don't break this die, we're both gonna die, man! We don't both have to die?"]
Dante doesn't speak, just staring Chris down.
(text-colour:red)["Kimmy girl, listen to me. You-"]
(text-style:"shudder")[Your phones vibrates again.] Round two of voting had [[begun->Vote1Round2]].
{(set: $DanteFriendship to 0)(Set: $RomanceMarker to 0)(Set: $MarieFriendship to 0)}Please cast your vote.
[[Dante->DanteVote1]]
[[Chris->ChrisVoteII]]
...
As much as you want to back Chris...
You just can't convince yourself to. You don't know why. It's like you won't let yourself.
[[So then...->Vote1Round2]]Then the familiar smell of iron and that bloodcurdling noise of a collar exploding and blood gushing to the floor. Your chest tightens.
The lights slowly rise to reveal a dead body laying on the floor, bleeding profusely. (mouseover-replace:"a dead body ")[[[Chris' dead body ->Trial1Aftermath]]]
(set: $People to 5)
(track: 'Death', 'playwhenpossible')(text-colour:red)["Christ almighty..."] Whittaker says, stunned. Chris' blood coats Whittaker's shirt and face. He sinks down to one knee and puts a hand on Chris' back. (text-colour:red)["Christ... almighty..."]
Kim rushes over to Marie and buries her head in the older womans skirt. Marie looks as though she may vomit.
Dante stares down at Chris, his face tight, His expression is unreadable.
The LED on the library screen reads:
(text-style:"bold","double-underline","smear","blink")+(text-colour:red)["VOTE COMPLETE. RETURN TO YOUR ROOMS BY 10PM"]
Your vision is blurring and your having a hard time standing up straight. God... Chris was dead... really dead. And you voted for that. Good lord.
Marie and Dante help usher Kim out the library. As he passes, Dante (if:$DanteVote is true)[frowns deeply at you before turning his head sharply away form you.](else:)[gives you a weary yet thankful smile and stops for a moment, putting his hand on your shoulder.
(text-colour:orange)["Thank you, Paul."]
With that, he follows after Marie.
]
You should probably go [[back to your room]]. [[Whittaker]] hasn't moved.
(track: 'Aftermath', 'loop', true)
(track: 'Aftermath', 'fadein')You return to your room and stand in the middle of the flor.
Chris was dead. Really, truly dead. You had never assumed this thing was fake, never. But now... now you knew for sure it was real.
Your head is pounding. As is your heart. Would you die like that too?
You would, wouldn't you? (click-replace: "You would, wouldn't you?")[No, you wouldn't. (click-replace: "No, you wouldn't.")[Yes, you would.(click-replace: "Yes, you would.")[No, you wouldn't.]]]
Your mind is racing, you can't think.
This was hell. And you just stepped through the [[door]].You approach Whittaker, Chris' body lays bleeding and Whittaker's hand is coated red. You put a hand on his shoulder.
(set: $WhittakerFriendship to 0)
(text-colour:green)["I'm sorry, man."]
(if:$DanteVote is true)[(text-colour:red)["You voted for Dante intially, and then you changed... why would you do that?"]
You frown to yourself. You should choose your words carefully.
[["I don't know.]]
[["I didn't want two people to die.]]
[["I trust Dante.]]
]
(else-if: $DanteVote is false and $ChrisConfidant is true)[(text-colour:red)["He was your friend... he trusted you... and you didn't even hesitate to kill him. Real upstanding, Paul." ]Whittaker says, never looking up at you. He shrugs your hand off. You should leave him be and go [[back to your room]].]
(else-if: $DanteVote is false and $ChrisConfidant is false)[Whittaker doesn't even regard you before shrugging your hand off. You should leave him be and go [[back to your room]].](text-colour:red)["Killed a man and you don't even know why."] Whittaker scoffs. He shrugs your hand off his shoulder. You should leave him be and go [[back to your room]].Whittaker doesn't respond at first so you keep going.
(text-colour:green)["Chris was right, we need as many hands as possible. If I voted for Chris again, we would've lost two people. I... I did what I thought was right."]
Whittakerseems to take this and just nods. He doesn't look at you. He doesn't push you away either. You stay with him for a minute before giing his shoulder a squeeze and deciding to head [[back to your room]].(text-colour:red)["And you didn't trust Chris?"] He asks sharply, still not looking at you.
You can't respond to that. Whittaker shrugs your hand off him. You should leave him be and go [[back to your room]].(text-style:"bold","expand","buoy")[Chapter 1: Complete]
(track: 'Aftermath', 'fadeout')
(track: 'Swoon', 'playwhenpossible')
[[Continue on to Chapter 2]]
''Chapter 2''(click-append: "Chapter 2")[<br><br> [[Prisoner's Dilemma.->Chap2Intro]]]
... (click-append:"...")[ <br><br>You've been awake, staring at your ceiling for what you assume is the better part of 4 hours now.](click-append:"now.")[ <br><br> Morning had come and gone and it was near noon now . You couldn't will yourself out of bed if you tried. Not after last night.](click-append:"night.")[ <br><br> All you can see is Chris in your mind. Bleeding. Still bleeding. Had his body been removed from the library? Or was he still there, laying there alone? Either way, he was dead. Because of you.](click-append:"you.")[ <br><br> Nothing matters now. It doesn't matter. But before you can ruminate further, there's a knock at your door.](click-append:"door.")[(text-colour:magenta)["Paul? It's Marie. I'm here to check on you."]
You stare at the door. Maybe if you're quiet long enough she'll go away.]
(click-append:"away.")[ <br><br><br><br><br><br>Silence. Seems she's gone.]
(click-append:"gone.")[<br><br><br><br>(text-colour:magenta)["Paul? I know you're there. I-I'm worried. Can you say something please?"]
Nevermind.
(text-colour:green)["I'm fine, Marie. Thanks."]
(text-colour:magenta)["I'd like to come in."]
(text-colour:green)["Marie, that's not neccesary-"]
(text-colour:magenta)["I would like to come in!"]
Seems she's not giving.] (click-append:"giving.")[<br><br>(text-colour:green)["... Fine. Alright. Just... let me get myself together."]
(text-colour:magenta)["I'll be out here!"]
(set: $Chap2Morn to true)
[[Great.-> Chapter2Room]]]Confirm Vote for Chris?
[[Confirm->Results1]]
[[Go back->Vote1Round2]](if: $Chapter2Start is false)[You get out of bed. You had put your glasses on earlier this morning when you had tried to get out of bed. Your head hurts. Right now, you want nothing to do with [[yourself-> YourselfIII]].
(if:$Hygiene is false)[You need to brush your teeth and shower before you let Marie in.]
(if: $FreshClothes is false)[You need to change into fresh clothes before you let Marie in.]
[[Check the mirror -> MirrorChap2]]
[[Check the door ->DoorChap2]]
[[Check your nightstand -> RulesChap2]]
[[Check your desk -> DeskChap2]]
[[Check the bathroom->BathroomChap2]]
[[Check the closet->ClosetChap2]]
(track: 'Day', 'loop', true)
(track: 'Day', 'playwhenpossible')]
(else-if: $Chapter2Start is true)[You've returned to your room. You should really go and get something to eat so you don't starve[[yourself-> YourselfIII]].
(if:$Hygiene is false)[You need to brush your teeth and shower before you let Marie in.]
(if: $FreshClothes is false)[You need to change into fresh clothes before you let Marie in.]
[[Check the mirror -> MirrorChap2]]
[[Leave your Room ->Atrium1]]
[[Check your nightstand -> RulesChap2]]
[[Check your desk -> DeskChap2]]
[[Check the bathroom->BathroomChap2]]
[[Check the closet->ClosetChap2]]
(track: 'Day', 'loop', true)
(track: 'Day', 'playwhenpossible')]You walk over to the mirror and look at yourself. Your hair (if:$Hygiene is true)[is wet and slicked down.](else:)[is disheveled from sleep.] (if: $Hygiene is True and $FreshClothes is false)[You're standing near stark naked in front of the mirror. You should really get dressed.](else:)[You're in the same damn outfit you're always in. It's the only one you have.] Chris stands behind you. (mouseover-replace:"Chris stands")[No one is]You whip around with a startled gasp. You feel like you're losing your goddamn mind.
[["..."-> Chapter2Room]]You walk over to your door.
(If: $Hygiene is false and $FreshClothes is false)[You stop yourself. You can't let Marie in like this. You haven't showered or anything, and you're in yesterdays clothes that reek of sweat.
[["... I should handle things first."-> Chapter2Room]]
]
(else-if: $Hygiene is true and $FreshClothes is false)[You stop yourself. You're currenly standing in nothing but a towel around your waist. You need to at least put clothes on. C'mon Paul.
[["... I definitely need to handle things first."-> Chapter2Room]]
]
(else-if: $Hygiene is true and $FreshClothes is true)[You've freshened up but you still feel dirty inside. You don't even really want to talk to Marie rit now.
[["Maybe she'll leave if I don't open the door."-> Chapter2Room]]
[["Shouldn't keep the lady waiting."->Noon1Event]] *
]
(text-colour:black)[(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0.5,#e61919,1,#ffffff))[-Your days will be split into three segments: Morning, Afternoon and Evening. You will have free time during these periods and will be free to roam as you choose. But use your time wisely. Your time is not infinite.
-Each time period will allot you two actions. Some actions you take throughout the day will take up time. An action that takes up time will be denoted with an asterisk, either one or two. Actions denoted with one asterisk will take up one action, leaving you time for another action afterwards. Actions denoted with two asterisks will take up the entire time slot and will put you into the next one upon it's completion. Choose wisely what you will do in the short time you have.
-You will often be rewarded for investigating as much as possible and getting as many details as possible. However, use discernment. If your gut tells you that pushing something or someone too much may not be the best option, it's in your benefit to refrain.
-The bonds you forge with the people you are trapped here with are tantamount to your survival.
(if: $IntroCollarDeath is true) [-It is unwise to try and remove your collar.]
-It's wise to remember that while (text-colour:lime)[you] are Paul, (text-style:"shadow","buoy")[(text-colour:white)[you]] are not. It's wise and almost always beneficial to trust (text-colour:lime)[your] gut and make choices that (text-colour:lime)[you] align with.
-This document will change when new things are revealed. Come back to your room and check this paper often.
]]
[["Who cares about this right now." -> Chapter2Room]]
Your glasses aren't dirty at the moment.
Investigate your desk drawers?
[[Investigate -> DeskInvestigateChap2]]
[[I've got more important things to look at right now. -> Chapter2Room]]You enter your bathroom.
(If: $Hygiene is false)[You strip out of yesterday's clothes and shower. You like your shower water scalding. You don't stay long though, hopping out and wrapping a towel around your waist as you brush your teeth.
(set: $Hygiene to true)
[["Nice and minty..."-> Chapter2Room]]
]
(Else-if: $Hygiene is true)[You've already showered and brushed your teeth. There's nothing to do in here right now.
(set: $Hygiene to true)
[["..."-> Chapter2Room]]
]The closet is filled with multiple copies of your same outfit.
(If: $Hygiene is true and $FreshClothes is false)[You slip the towel off from around your hips and change into some fresh clothes. You sigh. At the least, it feels nice to be clean.
{(set: $FreshClothes to true)}]
(Else-if: $Hygiene is false and $FreshClothes is false)[You start to grab for the clothes but then stop. There's no point in changing into new clothes if you haven't showered.]
(Else-if: $Hygiene is true and $FreshClothes is true)[You've already changed so there's no reason to change again.]
[["..."-> Chapter2Room]](if: $FianceMemory1 is false)[Inside your desk drawer, you don't expect to find anything, so you're surprised to see a small picture frame. You remove it and stare at it. It's a photo of you at a lake. There's a hand on your shoulder, but the photo is ripped off at their wrist so you can't see the person.
Your headache burns so hard that you can't [[see]].
](else-if: $FianceMemory1 is true)[You aren't in the mood to deal with that memory again right now. Thinking of your Fiance right now, whoever they may be, will only distract you.
[[I've got more important things to look at right now. -> Chapter2Room]]]You sigh and open the door for Marie. (text-colour:green)["Hi, Marie."]
(text-colour:magenta)["Hi, Paul."] Marie holds two cups of coffee. (text-colour:magenta)["Can I come in?"]
(text-colour:green)["Marie, I appreciate this, but really, I'm-"]
(text-colour:magenta)["Can I come in?"] She aks again.
You sigh and move out the way, giving her acess to your room.
(text-colour:magenta)["Brought you some cofee. There's a decent amount of cream in sugar in there. Hope that's how you take it."]
(text-colour:green)["I'm more of a black coffee guy, but thank you." ]You take the cup from Marie and sit down on your bed. Marie sits at your desk.
(text-colour:magenta)["How are you feeling?"]
You don't know how to tell Marie that you feel tired.(click-replace:"tired.")[scared.](click-replace:"scared.")[angry.](click-replace:"angry.")[guilty.](click-replace:"guilty.")[confused.](click-replace:"confused.")[grateful.](click-replace:"grateful.")[shocked.](click-replace:"shocked.")[relieved.](click-replace:"relieved.")[like you don't know how you feel.
[["I'm fine enough."]]]
(track: 'Day', 'fadeout')You try and recall everything about yourself that you can.
Your name is Paul Richardson (evidently). You work finance for a law firm. You drive a.... You can't seem to remember that. Were your parents alive? You didn't remember. Did you have siblings? Yes. A sister. Or maybe a brother? Definitely older. Or... younger?
(if: $Age is true) [You are 25 years old.]
(if: $Delaware is true)[ You currently live in Delaware. You aren't sure where you were raised.]
(if: $Fiance is true) [At some point, you were engaged. You don't remember much anything about your fiance other than the fact that they are no longer your fiance. (If: $FianceMemory1 is true)[You apparently met them by a lake, and you proped at that same lake three years later.]]
(if: $Apartment is true) [You live alone in a small apartment. You own a cat.]
(if: $SoccerFan is True) [You don't care for soccer all that much. You aren't exactly sure why you said you did.]
(if: $GolfFan is true) [You are a big golf fan.]
(if: $NotAFan is true) [You're not really a fan of sports. You like some of them, but calling yourself a fan seems a bit much right now.]
(if: $Hygiene is true)[You like your showers scalding hot.]
[[ ...-> Chapter2Room]][[...]]
(track: 'Day', 'fadeout')(text-colour:#ffe8cc)["Did you forget to pack plates?"]
(text-colour:green)["Oh, shoot, I did! My bad,] (text-style:"wavy-strike","subscript","blurrier","condense")[Dante](text-colour:green)[." ]
(text-colour:#ffe8cc)["Gosh, you're always forgetting something."]
(text-colour:green)["But isn't that why you love me?"]
(text-colour:#ffe8cc)["Don't push it."]
(text-colour:green)["... So this is nice. Too long since we've had a real date." ]
(text-colour:#ffe8cc)["I know, I know. Life's been... so busy for both of us lately, y'know?"]
(text-colour:green)["I know. I'm sorry, this job is-"]
(text-colour:#ffe8cc)["You don't have to apologize, Paul. I get it. This job is huge for you."]
(text-colour:green)["It is. God, it is. It's all I've ever wanted,] (text-style:"wavy-strike","subscript","blurrier","condense")[Dante], (text-colour:green)[it's all I've ever wanted."]
(text-colour:#ffe8cc)["And you're getting it. And I'm proud of you for that, you know I am."]
(text-colour:green)["I know you are... and thank you for being so patient with me and all of this... all this pandemonium."
]
(text-colour:#ffe8cc)["Ain't easy getting a new job, I get it, don't worry." ]
(text-colour:green)["Trust me, it'll be worth it. The money I'll get from this is gonna be stellar."]
(text-colour:#ffe8cc)["Ha! Stellar, huh? Well, I can drink to that."
]
(text-colour:green)["...Are you happy,] (text-style:"wavy-strike","subscript","blurrier","condense")[Devin] (text-colour:green)[?"]
(text-colour:#ffe8cc)["Why are you asking me that, Paul?" ]
(text-colour:green)["I don't know. I just... I just want to make sure."]
(text-colour:#ffe8cc)["... I'm happy, Paul. I would tell you if I wasn't." ]
(text-colour:green)["Okay. Because, you could always-" ]
(text-colour:#ffe8cc)["Paul."]
(text-colour:green)["Yeah?"]
(text-colour:#ffe8cc)["You're doing it again. The rambling."]
(text-colour:green)["...I'm sorry." ]
(text-colour:#ffe8cc)["I love you, Paul. We're going to get through this. Together. Been doing for three years already, nothing we can't handle, alright?" ]
(text-colour:green)["...Thank you,] (text-style:"wavy-strike","subscript","blurrier","condense")[Dante](text-colour:green)[."]
(text-colour:#ffe8cc)["... I love that you still bring me here." ]
(text-colour:green)["Well, it's the lake we first met by. Seemed timely."
]
(text-colour:#ffe8cc)["Timely?"]
(text-colour:green)["Yeah because... well..." ]
(text-colour:#ffe8cc)["Oh my god, you're not-"]
(text-colour:green)["](text-style:"wavy-strike","subscript","blurrier","condense")[Dante Moore](text-colour:green)[, would you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?"]
(text-colour:#ffe8cc)["Christ... oh my god, yes! Yes!"]
[["Yes!"]]
(Set:$FianceMemory1 to true)
(Set:$Fiance to true)
(track: 'Fiance', 'loop', true)
(track: 'Fiance', 'fadein')You clutch your head and groan. What the hell was that memory? Whas that your fiance? Ex-Fiance? You didn't know. Your head is throbbing. That's enough of that. You throw the photo back in the desk and slam the desk shut.
[["I don't have time for this-> Chapter2Room]]
(track: 'Fiance', 'fadeout')(set: $Hygiene to false)
(set: $FreshClothes to false)
(set: $Fiance to true)
(set:$Chap2Morn to true)
(set: $Chap2MarieLock to false)
(set: $DanteVote to false)
(set: $People to 5)
[[Go->Atrium1]](text-colour:magenta)["Fine enough? You don't look fine enough."]
(text-colour:green)["It's been a rough night, Marie, can you blame me?"]
(text-colour:magenta)["No need to get upset with me, Paul."]
You sigh. (text-colour:green)[ "You're right. I'm sorry. It's just a lot."]
(text-colour:magenta)["I'm sure. But you're not going through it alone. We're all feeling it."]
(text-colour:green)["Not like me though."]
(text-colour:magenta)["...Well, what about Dante? Dante started the movement to vote for Chris. Now the boy's dead. You don't think feels some way about it?"]
(text-colour:green)["Well-"]
(text-colour:magenta)["Or how a bout Kim? She's 12 and she voted to kill a man, too. She doesn't understand?"]
(text-colour:green)["...You've made your point."]
(text-colour:magenta)["We're all in this, Paul.] [[All of us]](text-colour:magenta)[."]Marie puts her coffe mug down on her desk and turns to you, leaning forward a bit.
(text-colour:magenta)["I'll tell you something. When I was young, I got arrested for fighting."]
(text-colour:green)["No way."]
(text-colour:magenta)["Dead serious. I was always so... angry as a kid. All the time. You wouldn't be able to tell that now though, would you?"]
(text-colour:green)["Hell no. When we met, you were practically shaking in your boots."]
(text-colour:magenta)["Yes, I'm... I've tempered a lot since then and mellowed out."]
(text-colour:green)["I mean, I appreciate you saying that, but what does that have to do with now?"]
(text-colour:magenta)["You may think you can tell what everyone is going through by looking at them, but you have no way of knowing that, Paul. I voted to kill that boy too. I have to live with that for the rest of my life. But could you tell it was eating me up when I walked in?"]
(text-colour:green)["...No, I suppose not."]
(text-colour:magenta)["I'm still angry. All the time, I am. This situation infuriates me. But being angry with each other, and shutting each other out is the last thing we need to do right now. You've been in your room all morning, feeling sorry for yourself and it isn't helping anyone."]
(text-colour:green)["...I just... I can't help feeling bad about it.] (if:$DanteVote is true)[(text-colour:green)[ I voted for Dante and then backed down. Now he hates me and Chris is still dead.]](else:)[(text-colour:green)[I didn't even hesitate to vote for him.]](text-colour:green)[ It's all I can think about Marie. And now, any of us could be next. It could be or you and-"]
(text-colour:magenta)["And you think barricading yourself in your room will incline people not to vote for you?'']
(text-colour:green)["..."]
(text-colour:magenta)["At the end of the day, if this thing plays out, only one of us will survive. Give yourself an equal chance to fight."]
(text-colour:green)["... Thanks, Marie."]
(text-colour:magenta)["Anytime, Paul. We have to fight. If we give in, we're giving these people what they want."]
(text-colour:green)["Right. Yes."]
(text-colour:magenta)["Get yourself something to eat, Paul. You'll need your energy."]
(text-colour:green)["Right. Thank you, Marie."]
(text-colour:magenta)["Of course, hon. I brought you a book from the library. If you insist on staying in your room all day, at least challenge your brain."]
Marie stands and nods at you with a smile before grabbing her coffe mug and leaving your room.
You sit on your bed for a bit. Marie really spoke like a teacher, and you can't help but feel babied. Despite that though... you do feel a tad better. Your stomach grumbles. You're starving. You should go to the kitchen to get something to eat.
[["Can't stay in here forever."->Atrium1]]
(set: $Chapter2Start to true)
(set: $Chap1Morn1 to false)
(track: 'MarieThemeII', 'loop', true)
(track: 'MarieThemeII', 'playwhenpossible')
Marie smiles at you.
(text-colour:magenta)["It's really no problem, Paul. But I appreciate your saying so."]
You bid Marie farewell and close her door. You feel a bit more at ease.
[[Return to the Atrium->Atrium1]]
(set: $MarieFriendship to $MarieFriendship+2)
(set: $Chap2MarieLock to true)Dante turns to you with a tight lipped frown. He doesn't speak.
(text-colour:green)["Okay... you're still mad, I get it."]
"Why'd you vote for me." He asks quickly, before you can retreat from the conversation.
(text-colour:green)["Dante, I don't know-"]
(text-colour:orange)["You do know. I wanna know."] Dante takes a moment to collect himself. (if: $ChrisConfidant is true and $DanteFriendship is 1)[(text-colour:orange)["I get that he was your friend, I do, but you were my friend too, weren't you?]](else-if: $ChrisConfidant is true and $DanteFriendship is 0)["I get he was your friend, and you and I don't know each other, but still... I wanna know why.](else-if: $ChrisConfidant is false and $DanteFriendship is 1)["We were close, weren't we? Or at least, close enough/ You hardly even knew the guy and you voted for me.](else-if: $DanteFriendship is 0 and $ChrisConfidant is false)["I mean,you didn't really know either of us, so I want to know what swayed you to his side over mine.] I just don't understand it."
You stand silent for a moment, ashamed. (text-colour:green)["I... I don't know, Dante. Okay? I don't know. ](If: $ChrisConfidant is true)[(text-colour:green)[I liked him. He and I were close.]](else:)[(text-colour:green)[I know we werne't that close but I just... I don't know. I felt compelled to side with him.]] (text-colour:green)[Can you at least try and understand that?"]
(text-colour:orange)["No. No, I can't."] He shakes his heard and turns way from you.
(text-colour:green)["C'mon, Dante, I'm sorry-"]
(text-colour:orange)["No, you're only sorry because you balked and now I'm still alive and you have to deal with that."]
(text-colour:green)["That's not fair."]
(text-colour:orange)["None of this is, Paul. Now leave me be. I'm busy."]
Dante turns back to the Rule board. Seems the talking is done.
You grab some food from the fridge and decide to spend the rest of your afternoon in you [[room->Chap2Evening1]].
(track: 'Day', 'fadeout')Dante turns to you and smiles at you. (text-colour:orange)["Oh. Hey there, Paul."]
(text-colour:green)["Good to see you're faring better than I am."]
He smiles thinly at you and turns back to the Rule Board, studying it.
(text-colour:green)["How... Well, how are you feeling?"]
(text-colour:orange)["About as well as I can, all things considered."] He says, not turning to you.
(text-colour:green)["Yeah, that tracks."]
Silence.
(text-colour:green)["You seem uh... busy."]
(text-colour:orange)["I am, yeah. I'm working something out."]
(text-colour:green)["Cool... cool."]
He doesn't seem to want to talk at the moment. It may be in your best interest to [[get your food and leave him be->Chap2Evening1]]
(if: $DanteFriendship > 4)[Still, maybe it wouldn't hurt to [[stick around.]]]
(track: 'Day', 'fadeout')After returning from the kitchen, you decide to go return to your room for a spell, feeling (if:$DanteVote is true)[worse](else:)[better] than you did this morning. You tidy yourself up some more, combing your hair the way you like it before laying on your bed and cracking open the book Marie brought you. It's a cheesy romance novel entitled "My Best Friend's Cousin's Dad is Dating my Mom" and depsite how much you want to hate the book, it is surprisingly well written.
As you're just about to get to the point in the book when the protagonist, Lilah, is about to confront her best friend's cousin's dad about dating her mom, there's a knock on your door.
(text-colour:magenta)["Paul? It's Marie!"]
(text-colour:green)["Marie?"] You say to yourself before pushing yourself off your bed and opening the door.
(text-colour:magenta)["Paul, I'm glad you're awake. We need you in the kitchen."]
(text-colour:green)["The kitchen? Wait- we?"]
(text-colour:magenta)["Dante. He has a plan and wants us all there stat. The next vote is in an hour so we don't have time to waste."]
(text-colour:green)["An hour!? It's 8PM already?"]
(text-colour:magenta)["Well, 8:15 now, i had to round up Whittaker and Kim first."]
(text-colour:green)["Shit, they're there too? How'd you get them to agree to come?"]
(text-colour:magenta)["I've got my ways. Now, come on."]
You pat yourself down and follow Marie down the [[long hallway]].You grab some food from the fridge and decide to stand next to Dante. You read over the [[Rule Board->RBII]].
(text-colour:orange)["You don't gotta stay, man."]
(text-colour:green)["I know.] (if:$RomanceMarker is 2)[(text-colour:green)[Wanted to though."]](else:)[ (text-colour:green)[I don't have anything better to do, though. Might as well hang out with a friend."]]
Dante turns to you and gives you a nod, smiling to himself.
(text-colour:orange)["Alright then."]
You two stand in silence.
(text-colour:green)["So... what is it that you're studying?"]
(text-colour:orange)["You'll think it's stupid."]
(text-colour:green)["I won't."]
(text-colour:orange)["Or you'll think I'm lookin' too deep into it."]
(text-colour:green)["I won't."]
Dante goes quiet for a moment.
(text-colour:orange)["There's just... there's sometthing I've been looking at. A wording discrepency that's been bothering me?"]
(text-colour:green)["A... wording discrepency?"]
(text-colour:orange)["Look at the rule board. There's two words that are being used interchangebly in there. Synonyms. Why would that happen?"]
(text-colour:green)["I can't say I follow."]
(text-colour:orange)["The people running this have been very organized so far, and everything they've said to us has been with a specific reason. So that must mean the use of a different word has a different meaning."] He turns back to the sign and scratches his chin
You turn to look at the [[rule board->RBPuzzle]], hoping to find what he's talking about.(text-colour:black)[The rules are plated on a large, vertical sign.]
(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0.5,#197fe6,1,#ffffff)))(text-colour:black)[-Lights out is at 10PM sharp. You are to be inside your assigned rooms by thta time. Failure to do so will result in termination.
-The Vote will take place in the Library at 9PM. Failure to arrive promptly will result in termination.
-Physical violence between participants is strictly forbidden and will result in termination for the offending party. It is not against the rules to defend yourself.
-Trying to remove your collar is strictly forbidden and will result in termination after three back to back attempts
-It is strictly prohibited to be in another participant's room come lights out. However, there is no restriction on being in another participants room during your free hours, provided the room owener has given you permission.
-During The Vote, there will be a 10 minute time period for you to plead your cases. After that time has passed, every person will vote for the person they want terminated. Failure to vote will result in termination of the offending party as well as the person with the most votes.
-In the events of a tie, a second vote will be cast for the tied individuals. Should the tie remain after the second voting round, all tied party members will be terminated.
-In the event that everyone recieves the same amount of votes, all participants will be dispatched. ]
[[<< Back->stick around.]](text-colour:black)[The rules are plated on a large, vertical sign.]
(enchant:?passage,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0.5,#197fe6,1,#ffffff)))(text-colour:black)[-Lights out is at 10PM sharp. You are to be inside your assigned rooms by thta time. Failure to do so will result in termination.
-[[The Vote]] will take place in the Library at 9PM. Failure to arrive promptly will result in [[termination]].
-Physical violence between participants is strictly forbidden and will result in [[termination]] for the offending party. It is not against the rules to defend yourself.
-Trying to remove your collar is strictly forbidden and will result in [[termination]] after three back to back attempts
-It is strictly [[prohibited]] to be in another participant's room come lights out. However, there is no [[restriction]] on being in another participants room during your free hours, provided the room owener has given you permission.
-During The Vote, there will be a 10 minute time period for you to [[plead your cases]]. After that time has passed, every person will vote for the person they want terminated. Failure to vote will result in termination of the offending party as well as the person with the most votes.
-In the events of a tie, a second vote will be cast for the tied individuals. Should the tie remain after the second voting round, all tied party members will be [[terminated->termination]].
-In the event that everyone recieves the same amount of votes, all participants will be [[dispatched]]. ]
(track: 'Puzzle', 'loop', true)
(track: 'Puzzle', 'playwhenpossible')You point out the word, but Dante just shakes his head, continuing to stare hard at the lower half of the ruleboard. You consider what he said... two words that are synonyms that are being used interchangeably.
[["I wonder..."->RBPuzzle]]You point out the word, but Dante just shakes his head, continuing to stare hard at the lower half of the ruleboard. You consider what he said... two words that are synonyms that are being used interchangeably.
[["I wonder..."->RBPuzzle]]You point out the word, but Dante just shakes his head, continuing to stare hard at the lower half of the ruleboard. You consider what he said... two words that are synonyms that are being used interchangeably.
[["I wonder..."->RBPuzzle]]You point out the word, but Dante just shakes his head, continuing to stare hard at the lower half of the ruleboard. You consider what he said... two words that are synonyms that are being used interchangeably.
[["I wonder..."->RBPuzzle]]You frown as you look at the line again.
-In the event that everyone recieves the same amount of votes, all participants will be dispatched.
(text-colour:green)["Dispatched?"]
(text-colour:orange)["Yeah... that's the one."]
(text-colour:green)["What does dispatched mean? Why would they use that word when we got a very... in depth demonstration o nwhat termination means?"]
(text-colour:orange)["Exactly what I'm thinking. Maybe I'm looking too far into it but..." ]
Dante scratches his chin before walking away from the rule board and leaning against the counter.
(text-colour:orange)["Man. I'm gonna take it easy for a bit. I appreciate you humorin' me, Paul. If you see it too, I must be onto something."]
You're about to respond, but something about that phrase gives you pause.
[["Where have I heard that before...?"->Where have I heard that before...?"]]
(track: 'Puzzle', 'fadeout')You point out the word, but Dante just shakes his head, continuing to stare hard at the lower half of the ruleboard. You consider what he said... two words that are synonyms that are being used interchangeably.
[["I wonder..."->RBPuzzle]](text-style:"blurrier")+(text-colour:blue)["Any idea of what to make of this, Paul?"]
(text-style:"blurrier")+(text-colour:green)["Not a clue... but it's an odd distinction, don't you think?"]
(text-style:"blurrier")+(text-colour:blue)["I do. I thought I was going crazy but if you see it too, I must be onto something."]
[["What... memory is this...?"]](text-colour:orange)["Hey, you alright, man?"] You hear Dante ask, snapping you out... whatever that was. You feel a bit lightheaded and can feel yourself stumbling, (if: $DanteFriendship > 4)[but Dante steadies you with a hand on the forearm.](else:)[but you manage to catch yourself before falling over.]
(text-colour:orange)["Shit man, you alright?"]
(text-colour:green)["Yeah, fine. I just... I had a weird ass memory. Deja vu, or something."]
Dante frowns. (text-colour:orange)["You too?"]
(text-colour:green)["Wait, huh?"]
(text-colour:orange)["I've been having crazy cases of Deja vu since I've been here. I feel like I'm remembering things I shouldn't be."]
(text-colour:green)["Yeah, me too. When I went to exple the library yesterday, I had this feeling that there would be bandages in there.] (If:$Bandages is true)[(text-colour:green)[Sure enough, in the medical section, there they were.]](else:)[(text-colour:green)[Don't know if they were actually there, though. Didn't check."]
(text-colour:orange)["There... were bandages in the library. In the medical section."]]
You frown. How the hell did you know they'd be there?
(text-colour:green)["What was it for you?"]
(text-colour:orange)["Well, by now, I'm sure you know about-"] Dante stops suddenly, looking up to the camera in the corner of the library. (text-colour:orange)["The laundry room."] He says, nodding.
The storage room. right.
(text-colour:green)["Yeah, I'm aware. Whittaker showed me."]
(text-colour:orange)["Right. Marie overheard that conversation between you and him. When she came to tell me about it, somehow I... I already knew about it."]
(text-colour:green)["Really?"]
(text-colour:orange)["Yeah... and with Marie, she told me that before that man died in the Atrium, she already felt a really bad energy about the library."]
(text-colour:green)["That's not-"]
(text-colour:orange)["Marie wouldn't lie, man."]
You and Dante stand, staring at each other for a bit.
(text-colour:orange)["I'll... I'll keep puzzling this."]
(text-colour:green)["You do that."]
Dante turns back to the Rule Board and begins to mull it over [[again]].
(track: 'Truth', 'loop', true)
(track: 'Truth', 'fadein')You walk back over to Dante.
(text-colour:green)["Hey, let's talk a spell."]
(text-colour:orange)["Sorry, Paul, I'm a bit-"]
(text-colour:green)["Dante. Take a breather. You're gonna run yourself into the ground."]
Dante purses his lips but sighs and follows you over to the fridge. You pull out a pre-made sandwhich and give him a half.
(text-colour:orange)["...'Preciate it."]
(text-colour:green)["No worries."]
You both chew in silence for a bit.
(text-colour:green)["How are you holding up? Like actually?"]
Dante opens his mouth to speak (to lie, rather), but stops himself before sighing.
(text-colour:orange)["I really just can't believe this is... real."]
(text-colour:green)["I know, man. I know."]
(text-colour:orange)["Two people are dead. Actually dead. We didn't know the firts guy, but Chris... I mean he was one of us, even if I didn't care much for him."]
(text-colour:green)["Yeah..."]
(text-colour:orange)["And now he's dead. Cause of me."]
(text-colour:green)["Dante, it's not-"]
(text-colour:orange)["No, it is. It is. I started the vote against him. I was angry and we were out of time. And now the guys dead."]
(text-colour:green)["You didn't have a choice, Dante. This whole situation is bad, we're all making bac choices. I voted to kill him too."]
(text-colour:orange)["Yeah, I know. But look at you. You were in your room moping for half the day."]
(text-colour:green)["Well, that's-"]
(text-colour:orange)["I'm messin' with you. Teasing."]
He goes quiet.
(text-colour:orange)["Just can't shake it. The guilt, I mean. And we're gonna have to do this three more times."]
Dante looks extremely depressed.
[[Stand silently with him]]
[[Nudge him in the ribs]]
(if: $RomanceMarker >1)[[[Put a hand on his shoulder->Put a hand on his shoulder]]]
(track: 'DanteTheme', 'loop', true)
(track: 'DanteTheme', 'fadein')You stand next to him quietly.
He sighs. (text-colour:orange)["I just wish there was a way that all of could-"
]
He stops. His head jerks to the Rule Board and suddenly, he rushes over to it.
(text-colour:orange)["I got it... that's it, I got it."]
(text-colour:green)["Got what?"]
The clock in the kitchen strikes 8 O'clock. You haden't realized you'd been in your room so long this morning.
(text-colour:orange)["Paul, I need a favor."]
(text-colour:green)["Sure."]
(text-colour:orange)["Round up the others and tell them to meet here. Now! We don't have much time."]
(text-colour:green)["Alright, but what's-"]
(text-colour:orange)["Paul! I promise I will explain everything to you, I will. but we don't have time. Please, go grab them."]
(text-colour:green)["Alright, alright."] You say before jogging out the kitchen to [[round everyone up.]]
(track: 'DanteTheme', 'fadeout')You give him a light nudge in the ribs.
"Chin up, friend. We'll figure this out."
He frowns at you but nods. (text-colour:orange)[ "I sure hope so. I just wish there was a way that all of could-"I just wish there was a way that all of could-"
]
He stops. His head jerks to the Rule Board and suddenly, he rushes over to it.
(text-colour:orange)["I got it... that's it, I got it."]
(text-colour:green)["Got what?"]
The clock in the kitchen strikes 8 O'clock. You haden't realized you'd been in your room so long this morning.
(text-colour:orange)["Paul, I need a favor."]
(text-colour:green)["Sure."]
(text-colour:orange)["Round up the others and tell them to meet here. Now! We don't have much time."]
(text-colour:green)["Alright, but what's-"]
(text-colour:orange)["Paul! I promise I will explain everything to you, I will. but we don't have time. Please, go grab them."]
(text-colour:green)["Alright, alright."] You say before jogging out the kitchen to [[round everyone up.]]
(set: $RomanceMarker to $RomanceMarker+2)
(track: 'DanteTheme', 'fadeout')
You put your hand gently on his shoulder and give him a light squeeze. He looks at your hand for a moment before putting his own hand over yours and squeezing back. Your face burns.
He sighs. (text-colour:orange)["I just wish there was a way that all of could-"
]
He stops. His head jerks to the Rule Board and suddenly, he rushes over to it.
(text-colour:orange)["I got it... that's it, I got it."]
(text-colour:green)["Got what?"]
The clock in the kitchen strikes 8 O'clock. You haden't realized you'd been in your room so long this morning.
(text-colour:orange)["Paul, I need a favor."]
(text-colour:green)["Sure."]
(text-colour:orange)["Round up the others and tell them to meet here. Now! We don't have much time."]
(text-colour:green)["Alright, but what's-"]
(text-colour:orange)["Paul! I promise I will explain everything to you, I will. but we don't have time. Please, go grab them."]
(text-colour:green)["Alright, alright."] You say before jogging out the kitchen to [[round everyone up.]]
(set: $RomanceMarker to $RomanceMarker+2)
(track: 'DanteTheme', 'fadeout')[[...->Transition]]By the time you manage to round everyone up, it's been about 20 minutes (Kim and Whittaker had been talking in the back of the game room and it took you forever to find them.
(text-colour:red)["This had better be good."]
(text-colour:orange)["Good to see you too, Whittaker."] Dante says, rolling his eyes. (text-colour:orange)["Paul and I found something. At least, I think."]
(text-colour:red)["Another one of your theories. How great."]
(text-colour:orange)["Yeah, it will be if I can get us out of here. How's your plan going, huh? Any headway?"]
Whittaker frowns but says nothing.
(text-colour:orange)["Look, all I want is to survive this thing. And I don't want anyone else to die. I think we can all agree on that, right?"]
(text-colour:magenta)["What did you find, Dante?"]
Dante walks over the Rule Board and gives the dispatch line a [[tap]].(text-colour:orange)["I've been puzzling this board all day. Something about it was bothering me and I couldn't put my finger on what it what.](If: $DanteVote is false)[ (text-colour:orange)[Paul and]] (text-colour:orange)[I figured it out this morning. This is the section that was bothering me."]
He points to the last line of the rule board.
-In the event that everyone recieves the same amount of votes, all participants will be dispatched.
(text-colour:orange)["Something about the wording of it bothered me. Distpatched. I couldn't figure out why it bothered me](If: $DanteVote is false)[ (text-colour:orange)[until Paul and I were talking just now.]](Else:)[ (text-colour:orange)[until just now.]](text-colour:orange)["]
(text-colour:red)["What are you going on about? Clearly it just means they're gonna boom our damn collars."]
(text-colour:orange)["But if that's the case, why use the word 'dispatch'? The word 'terminated' is used explicitly everywhere else."]
(text-colour:magenta)["Not to mention,"] Marie cuts in, quietly. (text-colour:magenta)["We had an entire demonstration of what 'termination' meant."]
(text-colour:orange)["Exactly. So why use 'dispatch' here? It must mean something different than 'termination', I'm sure it does."]
(text-colour:red)["So let's say it does."] Whittaker says, running a hand through his hair. (text-colour:red)["What would it mean?"]
Dante turns to the board, his brow [[tense->TenseII]].
(track: 'Puzzle', 'loop', true)
(track: 'Puzzle', 'playwhenpossible')As you walk with Marie, she turns to you.
(text-colour:magenta)["How are you feeling now?"]
You mull that over.(text-colour:green)[ "I've been] (if:$DanteVote is true)[(text-colour:green)[better."]](else:)[(text-colour:green)[worse."]]
(text-colour:magenta)["Well, at least you got out of that stuffy room."]
(text-colour:green)["Yeah, I did. Hey, I appreciate you coming to check on me, Marie. That, uh... really helped."]
(text-colour:magenta)["Of course, Paul."]
(text-colour:green)["...If I can ask... why did you come?] (if:$DanteVote is true)[(text-colour:green)[I mean, I voted for Dante. I can't imagine you like me much right now.]
(text-colour:magenta)["You're certainely right there, I don't. But what does me being mad at you help? We're all this bad situation together? I'd rather be productive."]
(text-colour:green)["...Thanks, Marie."]
(text-colour:magenta)["Sure, Paul."]](else-if: $DanteVote is false and $MarieFriendship <4)[(text-colour:green)[I mean, I'm glad you did, but you and I aren't exactly... close."
]
(text-colour:magenta)["What does closeness matter when it comes to being there for one another? Especially in a time like this?"]
(text-colour:green)["I guess that's true. Yeah. Thanks, Marie."]
(text-colour:magenta)["Of course, Paul."]](else-if: $DanteVote is false and $MarieFriendship >4)[(text-colour:green)[I mean, I'm glad you did, but-"]
(text-colour:magenta)["That's a foolish question, Paul. I came because we're friends. Well, as close to friends as we can be in this situation."]
That takes you back a bit.
(text-colour:green)["Thanks, Marie."] Is all you can manage.
(text-colour:magenta)["Any time, Paul."]]
You two walk further down the hallway.
(text-colour:green)["I'm, uh... still a bit surprised by how close you and Dante have gotten in such a short time. And in a situation like this, no less."]
Marie smiles a bit to herself. (text-colour:magenta)["Well... I see a lot my younger self in him."]
(text-colour:green)["Oh? How so?"]
(text-colour:magenta)["Black. Smart. Angry. That combination is a rough one, especially for a young man like him. He's got a really good head on his shoulders. A good heart too."]
(text-colour:green)["Yeah... he does."]
(text-colour:magenta)["He's pushing himself much too hard right now though. He fells guilty over Chris, as I'm sure we all do. but he started that push to vote for Chris. It's eating him up."]
(text-colour:green)["..."]
(text-colour:magenta)["But he's invigorated too. Whatever this plan is, e's not confident it'll work, but he's confident in us to try. Isn't that amazing?"]
(text-colour:green)["Yeah... yeah, it is."]
(text-colour:magenta)["All we can do is try, really."]
(if: $DanteVote is true)[(text-colour:green)["All we can do is try."] You parrot, but when you say, your head starts to pound.
[["What... is this memory...?"]]](else:)[(text-colour:green)["All we can do is try."] You parrot, as you two reach the [[kitchen]]]
(track: 'MarieThemeII', 'loop', true)
(track: 'MarieThemeII', 'playwhenpossible')You and Marie enter the kitchen.
(text-colour:magenta)["Got him."]
(text-colour:orange)["Thank you, Marie. That's everyone."]
(text-colour:red)["This had better be good."]
(text-colour:orange)["Good to see you too, Whittaker."] Dante says, rolling his eyes. (text-colour:orange)["Paul and I found something. At least, I think."]
(text-colour:red)["Another one of your theories. How great."]
(text-colour:orange)["Yeah, it will be if I can get us out of here. How's your plan going, huh? Any headway?"]
Whittaker frowns but says nothing.
(text-colour:orange)["Look, all I want is to survive this thing. And I don't want anyone else to die. I think we can all agree on that, right?"]
(text-colour:magenta)["What did you find, Dante?"]
Dante walks over the Rule Board and gives the dispatch line a [[tap]].
(track: 'MarieThemeII', 'fadeout')(text-style:"blurrier")+(text-colour:blue)["Well, we can't just sit on our asses and do nothing, Paul. We need to do something."]
(text-style:"blurrier")+(text-colour:green)["Yeah... yeah, you're right. Something... something's gotta change. But how?"]
(text-style:"blurrier")+(text-colour:blue)["I don't know, man. All we can do is try, really."]
(text-style:"blurrier")+(text-colour:green)["All we can do is try."]
[["What the hell... is this...?"]]
(track: 'MarieThemeII', 'fadeout')(text-colour:magenta)["Paul."] Marie says sternly, putting a hand on your shoulder. (text-colour:magenta)["Are you alright?"]
(text-colour:green)["Yeah." You respond, snapping out your fervor. "Yeah, I'm fine just... weird ass memory. Deja vu or something."]
(text-colour:magenta)["Deja vu... are you experiencing it too?"]
(text-colour:green)["Me too...? Are you?"]
(text-colour:magenta)["Yes... and not just me, Dante too."]
(text-colour:green)["Really?"]
(text-colour:magenta)["Yes. I told this to Dante but when we were in the Atrium, before the.... before that man died, I already felt a deep foreboding about the library. It was odd, I shouldn't have even know there was a library in this building, let alone had a bad feeling about it."]
(text-colour:green)["No way."]
(text-colour:magenta)["And Dante already had knowledge about the..." ]She pauses, loooking at the camera in the hallway. (text-colour:magenta)["...Knew about the laundry room."] She says with a nod.
The storage room without cameras.
(text-colour:green)["He knew?"]
(text-colour:magenta)["Yes. I had overheard your conversation with Whittaker and went to tell Dante about it, but somehow, he already knew about it."]
(text-colour:green)["He could've gone before us-"]
(text-colour:magenta)["No, that's not the case. Dante told me flatly he had never been to the laundry room. Even if he had, Kim and Whittaker were safeguarding it. He shouldn't have known."]
(text-colour:green)["That's so weird... For me, I had a deep feeling that there would be bandages in the Library. ](If: $Bandages is true)[(text-colour:green)[Sure as hell, the bandages were there, in the medical section."]](else:)[(text-colour:green)[I'm not sure if there were any in there though, I... I didn't check."]
(text-colour:magenta)["Yes, there were bandages in the medical section, Dante and I had seen them."]]
You frown. How could you have known that?
(text-colour:magenta)["Something rather strange is happening."] Marie mutters to herself, but before you can press into it anymore, you two arrive at the [[kitchen]].
(track: 'Truth', 'loop', true)
(track: 'Truth', 'fadein')You suddenly feel very tired.
It might be wise to [[retire to your room->Chap2Evening1]] for the time being. Though, truth be told, you are curious about Dante. You could [[ask him how he's handling the events of last night]], but that runs the risk of bothering him.
(track: 'Truth', 'fadeout')Dante wheels around and kneads his hands.
(text-colour:orange)["Well, if I'm right... this could be our way to freedom.] (click-replace:"our way to freedom.")[[[a way for us all to survive and get out of here->way out]](text-colour:orange)[.]](text-colour:orange)["]
(track: 'Puzzle', 'fadeout')(text-colour:magenta)["What?"]
(text-colour:red)["Way out?"]
(text-colour:purple)["Really?"]
You look at Dante. (If: $DanteVote is true)[He kneads his hands and nods.](else:)[He looks at you and smiles nervoulsy before nodding to the group.]
(text-colour:orange)["Yeah... I'm almost postive that if 'termination' is terminology for being killed, 'dispatched' is terminology for being released from here."]
(text-colour:red)["Why the hell would they even give us that option?"]
(text-colour:orange)["I still believe we're being studied. That's why we're here, I believe that. If that is the case, it makes perfect sense then."]
(text-colour:red)["Talk plain, son."]
(text-colour:orange)["I'm saying that if we all vote for one another, and we all recieve the same amount of votes, one vote each, we can bypass the need for the rest of the votes. If we all tie, there isn't a need for another vote."]
Your headache sears to [[life]].
(track: 'Breakthrough', 'loop', true)
(track: 'Breakthrough', 'playwhenpossible')(text-style:"blurrier")+(text-colour:cyan)["I don't get it... what are you saying?"]
(text-style:"blurrier")+(text-colour:blue)["What I'm saying is that if we all tie, there won't need to be another vote."]
(text-style:"blurrier")+(text-colour:green)["You really think so, Aaron?"]
(text-style:"blurrier")+(text-colour:blue)["It's not much, but it's something."]
[["Another... goddamn memory."]]
As you snap back to attention, you see that Marie and Kim are also clutching their heads. Could they have had a flashback like you?
(text-colour:red)["So you're sayin',"] Whittaker starts, seeming unaffected by the headache that plauged you. (text-colour:red)["That if we all tie, they'll let us go. That's what you're sayin'?"]
(text-colour:orange)["Yeah. That's what I'm sayin'."]
(text-colour:red)["Well son... I think that's just stupid."]
(text-colour:magenta)["Whittaker-"]
(text-colour:red)["I'm serious. We just watched two young men die yesterday. Now you're saying we tie on purpose? Need I remind you of this rule?"]
Whittaker walks over to the ruleboard, staring down at Dante as he jams his finger under one of the rules:
-In the events of a tie, a second vote will be cast for the tied individuals. Should the tie remain after the second voting round, all tied party members will be terminated.
(text-colour:red)["If we all tie, then we'd have to vote again. And if we all tie after that, we get terminated. Says it clear right here."]
(text-colour:orange)["If that was the case, there'd be no need for the dispatching rule. The meanings are different. And like I said, we're being studied. This is a classic prisoner's dilemma."]
(text-colour:red)["What? What the hell are you talking about?"]
(text-colour:orange)["A prisoner's dilemma. You don't know what that is?"]
(text-colour:red)["Clearly, I don't."]
(text-colour:purple)["I-I don't either."]
(text-colour:magenta)["I don't know myself..."]
Dante sighs, exasperated, turning to you. "(text-colour:orange)[Paul, do you know? If no one here understands, I'll explain it."
]
[["I don't got a clue. Could you explain it?"]]
[["I know what it is, no need to explain it."]]He sighs but nods.
(text-colour:orange)["The prisoner's dilemma is like a... social theory or something like that. Basically, two prisoners are locked in jail, and cannot speak to each other. A prison guard goes up to one of them, let's call him prisoner A and tells him that if he snitches on Prisoner B, he will go free. If he doesn't he will stay in jail. However, he asks prisoner B the same thing, thus creating the dilemma.
If Prisoner A snitches, and Prisoner B does not, prisoner B goes to jail for 15 years.
If they both snith, they both go to jail for 15 years
If prisoner A stays silent but Prisoner B snitches, Prisoner A will go to jail for 15 years."]
(text-colour:red)["And if they both stay quiet?"]
(text-colour:orange)["They both only go to jail for a few months. That's the best outcome. The dilemma comes from the fact that you don't know if you can trust your fellow man. If you don't snitch, your putting your life in the hands of a stranger, which means that even though both stying quiet is the ideal scenario, it's almost always guarenteed for someone to snitch because it serves them best."]
(text-colour:red)["And you're saying that's like this?"]
(text-colour:orange)["Yeah... yeah I believe it] [[is]](text-colour:orange)[."]Dante nodsat you before turning to the rest of the group.
(text-colour:orange)["All you need to understand is that the point of the prisoners dilemma is that in a situation where you can stay silent for a risk of a better reward, or snitch on someone to avoid the risk of ebing snitched on, most people will always pick to snitch because leaving your fate in someone else's hand is inherently counter intuitive."]
(text-colour:red)["And you're saying that's like this?"]
(text-colour:orange)["Yeah... yeah I believe it] [[is]](text-colour:orange)[."](text-colour:orange)["To get out of here, we all need to have one vote, which means we all ened to vote for someone different. There's no way that could happen organically, we'd have to collude for that to happen. But then, it become easy to sabotage someone, and that's why it wouldn't work with a large group. But a small group like this? We could get it done now."]
(text-colour:red)["What exactly is it your askin' us to do?"]
(text-colour:orange)["I've come up with a system to ensure we all vote for each other. Here's the idea:]
(text-colour:red)[Whittaker,] (text-colour:orange)[you'll vote for me.]
(text-colour:orange)[I'll vote for] (text-colour:green)[Paul.]
(text-colour:green)[Paul] (text-colour:orange)[will vote for] (text-colour:purple)[Kim.]
(text-colour:purple)[Kim] (text-colour:orange)[will vote for] (text-colour:magenta)[Marie.]
(text-colour:magenta)[Marie] (text-colour:orange)[will vote for] (text-colour:red)[Whittaker.]
(text-colour:orange)[That way, everyone receives one vote."]
(text-colour:red)["And if your plan is wrong? If we just get into a tie deadlock?"]
(text-colour:orange)["Then vote for me. I can accept being wrong if I am. But I won't be."]
(text-colour:red)["And how do I know this isn't just some plot to kill me? Or Kimmy?"]
(text-colour:orange)["I don't like you, Whittaker, that's true. But I don't want you to die. And surely don't want Marie] (if: $DanteFriendship >4)[(text-colour:orange)[or Paul]] (text-colour:orange)[to die either. So if it helps, I'm ending this for Marie. Killing you doesn't help me."]
Whittaker stays silent, looking at the ground. The time is 8:50.
(text-colour:orange)["That's all I wanted to say. I can go over this plan again during the vote, but I need you all on this."]
(text-colour:green)["I'm on it."]
(text-colour:magenta)["I am too."]
(text-colour:purple)["Me too, me too!"]
(text-colour:red)["...Sure. Yeah."]
(text-colour:orange)["Good... okay, good! I'll... I'll see you all in the library!"]
Whittaker and Kim exit the Kitchen, leaving you, Marie and Dante.
(if: $WhitRequest is true and $DanteFriendship >7 and $KimFriendship is 6)[Dante watches Whittaker leave.
(text-colour:green)["Hey, Paul?"]
(text-colour:orange)["What's up?"]
(text-colour:green)["...Can I ask a favor?"]
(text-colour:orange)["Uh, sure. What's going on?"]
(text-colour:green)["I get the feeling Whittaker isn't fully on board with the plan. I know you two aren't close now... but you guys were pretty close, yeah? And you're close with Kim too."]
(text-colour:orange)["I... sure, I guess."]
(text-colour:green)["Maybe you should go and talk to him? Get the lay of the land maybe?"]
(text-colour:orange)["Uh..."]
(text-colour:green)["You don't have to. Just thought I should mention it. Anyways, let's get to the] [[library->Vote2]](text-colour:green)[."]
You stand for a moment, watching Dante and Marie. You could go the library.m Or you could [[go after Whittaker and Kim]].](else:)[Dante watches Kim and Whittaker leave. He looks like he wants to say something but chooses to remain quiet.
(text-colour:green)["Well... let's not waste time. Let's get to the] [[library->Vote2]](text-colour:green)[."]]You arrive to the library and the room is already tense. (If:$WhittVote is false)[Whittaker and Kim arrive right at 8:59.]
No one talks for a while but Dante claps his hands and takes a deep breath.
(text-colour:orange)["We've got this, right? We've got this."]
(text-colour:green)["Relax, Dante. We're good."]
(text-colour:magenta)["Yes, we've got this figured out."]
(text-colour:orange)["Okay... then we just kill time."]
And you do just that. Waiting for the time to tick down. Whittaker paces the floor so much you think he's going to burhn a hole through the rug.
When one minute remains to discuss, Dante exhales again.
(text-colour:orange)["Do we need a rundown of the plan, or do we got it?"] Dante looks to you.
[["A rundown would be nice."]]
[["I've got it. Don't worry."->Decision2]]
(track: 'Breakthrough', 'fadeout')You decide to check in on Whittaker. He wasn't your friend at the moment, but this plan depended on Whittaker's cooperation, so it's in everyone's interest.
You search around, unable to find him. Time is running short and it's nearing 9pm. As you're about to give up the search, you walk past the game room and hear low chatter. You walk p to the door, but stop upon hearing the conversation.
(text-colour:magenta)["B-But Dante said-"]
(text-colour:red)["I know what he said, hon. I know. But... it's suspicious. Just a bit."]
(text-colour:magenta)["So then, we should... w-we should vote for him!"]
(text-colour:red)["No! No, girl, we should... we gotta follow the plan, you hear? We follow it."]
(text-colour:magenta)["But why?"]
(text-colour:red)["Well... I have a feeling that Dante is plotting something... and I'm willing to wage money that he's gonna vote for that Marie woman, then pin it on me. I'm sure of it."]
(text-colour:magenta)["No... no, he wouldn't!"]
(text-colour:red)["I can't say for sure... I just feel it. But for now, we follow the rules, you hear? Nothing you need to do at all. Let Dante show his hand, and when he does, we vote him out the next round."]
(text-colour:magenta)["Okay. Yeah, I can do that. Stick to the plan."]
(text-colour:red)["Yes ma'am. Now go to the library. Straight there. Don't be late."]
(text-colour:magenta)["Okay!"]
And with that, Kim runs out the game room and down the hall opposite of you. How she didn't see you, you had no clue. You're about to walk in to talk to Whittaker but you hear him mumbling.
(text-colour:red)["Can't let him... I can't die in here."] And suddenly, he's also striding down the hallway after Kim. He's laser focused on the end of the hallway and he doesn't even see you. That's twice now.
You stand in the hallway, trying to piece together what Whittaker had said. Dante voting for Marie? That would never happen. So then why would Whittaker tell Kim that? You've got a bad feeling. But you don't have time for that. It's 8:58 and you need to get back to the [[library->Vote2]] as soon as possible.
(set: $WhittVote to true)
(track: 'Breakthrough', 'fadeout')Dante nods.
"Sure thing. Here's the plan.
(text-colour:red)[Whittaker,] (text-colour:orange)[you'll vote for me.]
(text-colour:orange)[I'll vote for] (text-colour:green)[Paul.]
(text-colour:green)[Paul] (text-colour:orange)[will vote for] (text-colour:purple)[Kim.]
(text-colour:purple)[Kim] (text-colour:orange)[will vote for] (text-colour:magenta)[Marie.]
(text-colour:magenta)[Marie] (text-colour:orange)[will vote for] (text-colour:red)[Whittaker.]
Understood?"
[["I've gotcha."->Decision2]]From the edge of the Library, where the LED wall lies, the screen changes from the library backing to red text.
(text-style:"bold","double-underline","smear","blink")+(text-colour:red)["TIME FOR CONVERSATION HAS ENDED. PROCEED WITH THE VOTE."]
(text-style:"shudder")[The phone in your pocket vibrates.] You pull it out and look at the [[screen->VotingTime2]].
(track: 'Chime', 'playwhenpossible')Please cast your vote.
[[Dante->DanteVoteII]]
[[Marie->MarieVoteII]]
[[Whittaker->WhittakerVoteII]]
[[Kim->KimVoteII]]This isn't the plan. You're supposed to vote for Kim.
[[Stick to the plan Paul->VotingTime2]]This isn't the plan. You're supposed to vote for Kim.
[[Stick to the plan Paul->VotingTime2]](if:$WhittVote is false)[...
You can't help but feel a bit off put by Whittaker right now, but you have no reason to vote for him. That's not the plan. You're supposed to vote for Kim.
[[...Stick to the plan Paul->VotingTime2]]](else:)[...
You've had a bad feeling about Whittaker since you overheard him talking to Kim. Dante voting for Marie? He'd never do that. Never. So Whittaler saying that must mean he's planning something...
If you're right, and Whittaker did stray from the plan and vote for someone else, then by voting for him, you'll force a tie and can expose that.
However, if you;re wrong, and Whittaker was just venting his frustrations, Whittaker will die and the plan will be ruined.
(text-colour:red)[(text-style:"shudder")[Think wisely about this.]]
Confirm Vote for Whittaker?
[[Confirm->Results2Alt]]
[[Go back->VotingTime2]]]Confirm Vote for Kim?
[[Confirm->Results2]]
[[Go back->VotingTime2]]The lights in the library dim down again. Complete silence shrouds the the Library.
[[Then...->ResultsII]]The lights in the library slowly dim until it's pitch black. Then...(click-append:"Then...")[
Two spotlights shine down, encoating Marie and Whittaker. The lights on the LED shine again.
(text-style:"bold","double-underline","smear","blink")+(text-colour:red)["TIED VOTED BETWEEN MARIE AND WHITTAKER. PROCEED WITH SECOND ROUND."]]
[["Shit... I was right...!]](text-colour:orange)["What the... what the hell is going on!?"]
(text-colour:magenta)["Me!? W-What's happening?"]
(text-colour:red)["Shit...!"]
(text-colour:green)["I knew it... I goddamn knew it, Whittaker, you snake!"]
(text-colour:orange)["What's going on, Paul!?"]
(text-colour:green)["Whittaker! He voted for Marie and was gonna pin it on you!"]
(text-colour:red)["T-That's not-"]
(text-colour:orange)["Then how the hell did Marie and you tie? You would've both needed 2 votes!"]
(text-colour:red)["I... I don't..."]
(text-colour:orange)["Damn it, Whittaker! If you had just stuck to the plan-"]
(text-colour:red)["You voted for me, Paul? You serious?"]
(text-colour:green)["I knew you were scheming something, Whittaker. I didn't wanna be right, I didn't! But... but I was goddamn right!"]
(text-colour:red)["Paul... you done-"]
(text-colour:purple)["Whittaker? What's happening? Why are they saying you voted for Marie?"]
(text-colour:red)["Kimmy, I-"]
(text-colour:purple)["You said we were sticking to the plan. S-So why...?"]
["Kim, I..."]
(text-colour:orange)["Marie.... We're gonna get you out of this. Paul... You know what we gotta do, right?"]
(text-colour:green)["I know... Damn it!"]
(text-style:"shudder")[Your phones vibrates again.] Round two of voting had [[begun->Vote2Round2]].Please cast your vote.
[[Marie->MarieGoodEnd]]
[[Whittaker->WhittakerGoodEnd]]
No. You can't vote Marie after what just happened. You can't.
[["There's only one person to vote for."->Vote2Round2]]Confirm Vote for Whittaker?
[[Confirm->GoodEndLock]]
[[Go back->Vote2Round2]]]The lights in the library dim down again. Complete silence shrouds the the Library.
[[Then...->ResultsIIAlt]]Then the familiar smell of iron and that bloodcurdling noise of a collar exploding and blood gushing to the floor. Your chest tightens.
The lights slowly rise to reveal a dead body laying on the floor, bleeding profusely. (mouseover-replace:"a dead body ")[[[Whittaker's dead body ->Trial2AftermathAlt]]]
(set: $People to 4)
(track: 'Death', 'playwhenpossible')The four of you stand in silence.
(text-colour:orange)["Damn it... what the hell? What the fuck!?"]
(text-colour:magenta)["Dante, you have to-"]
(text-colour:orange)["No! I won't relax, damn it! We could've... fuck, we could've all gotten out of here! Why did he... Why would...?"]
(text-colour:green)["I don't know. I... I don't know."]
(text-colour:purple)["...What's happening? Why did... Why did Whittaker die? We stuck to the plan."]
No one can answer that.
(text-colour:magenta)["Paul... thank you. You... saved my life."]
(text-colour:green)["It's nothing, Marie."]
(text-colour:magenta)["It's more than nothing. Much more. I... thank you."]
You look down to Whittaker's body. Damn it... why did it have to end like this?
Your thoughts are interrupted by your eye catching the blinking screen.
(text-style:"bold","double-underline","smear","blink")+(text-colour:red)["VOTE COMPLETE. A REWARD HAS BEEN BESTOWED TO YOU ALL IN THE GAME ROOM. HEAD THERE QUICKLY."]
(text-colour:orange)["A reward? What the hell does that mean?"]
(text-colour:magenta)["Let's find out, huh?"] Marie says. She walks over to Kim, stepping over Whittaker with a grimace and takes her hand. Kim takes lnog look at Whittaker before following Marie out the room.
You and Dante share a look before following after [[them->RevealALT]].You trudge to the Game Room, your head racking. Marie was dead... and the game was on again. Goddamn it... Goddamn!
(if: $WhittVote is true)[Is this what Whittaker meant by he can't die? And that Dante would vote for Marie?](else:)[Why was this happening? Dante would never vote for Marie, so it had to be Whittaker. But then why?] Damn it, nothing made any sense.
When you enter the game room, Whittaker and Kim are sitting on the couch, watching something on the Tv.
As you step closer, you notice VHS tapes on the floor. On them are numbers. Games 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 remain in a pile by the TV
[[Sit down and watch]]
(track: 'Requiem', 'fadeout')Then the familiar smell of iron and that bloodcurdling noise of a collar exploding and blood gushing to the floor. Your chest tightens. Someone... someone died? Why? The plan should've worked? But if it didn't then... then who...?
The lights slowly rise to reveal a dead body laying on the floor, bleeding profusely. (mouseover-replace:"a dead body ")[[[Marie's dead body ->Trial2Aftermath]]]
(set: $People to 4)
(track: 'Death', 'playwhenpossible')The room buzzes with tension.
(text-colour:orange)["Marie...?"] Dante mutters, staggering over to her body, which lays on the floor. Her eyes are wide, her classes craced. (text-colour:orange)["Marie... get up! Marie!"]
(text-colour:green)["What the... what the fuck...?"]
(text-colour:purple)["Miss Marie!?"]
(text-colour:red)["Christ almighty... it's just like I thought... This whole thing was just a plan to pick us off."
]
(text-colour:green)["What?"]
(text-colour:red)["Isn't it just like I said, Kim?"]
(text-colour:purple)["It is... oh, it is!"]
(text-colour:red)["Just as I predicted. This whole thing was just a set up for Dante to kill one of us... to pick us off."]
Dante doesn't respond. He tentatively puts a hand on Marie before tenderly scopping her limp form into his arms. Her blood pools on him. He looks utterly destroyed.
(text-colour:red)["This is what they do, Kim, you see!? They lie and decieve. I told you he would!"]
(text-colour:purple)["I can't believe it... Miss Marie...!"]
(text-colour:red)["You done signed your death warrant, son. I... I can't believe you."]
Dante doesn't respond, still beghouled, holding Marie tightly to him.
The LED Library screen blinks to life.
(text-style:"bold","double-underline","smear","blink")+(text-colour:red)["VOTE COMPLETE. A REWARD HAS BEEN BESTOWED TO YOU ALL IN THE GAME ROOM. HEAD THERE QUICKLY."]
(text-colour:red)["A reward, huh? It's worth checking out then. Kimmy, let's get a move on."]
Kim nods wordlessly and follows Whittaker out the room to the [[game room->Reveal]]. [[Dante->Grief]] doesn't move.
(track: 'Requiem', 'loop', true)
(track: 'Requiem', 'playwhenpossible')You walk over to Dante and kneel down to him.
(text-colour:green)["Dante... we gotta move,] (if: $RomanceMarker >3)[(text-colour:green)[bub."]](else:)[(text-colour:green)[friend."]]
Dante doesnt look up at you, still looking at Marie, who lays slumped in his arms. He doesn't speak.
(text-colour:green)["Dante..."]
He doesn't budge. It doesn look like he's going to move any time soon.
[["I'll be in the game room, okay? Meet me there."->Reveal]]
You and Dante arrive in the Game Room and Marie and Kim sit on the couch, looking through a bundle of VHS tapes that Marie holds.
(text-colour:magenta)["I don't know what to make of this."] Marie hands over the tapes over to Dante. Dante looks through the tapes, but when he gets to tape 5, he stops, and grimaces.
(text-colour:orange)["I've got a bad feeling about this one."]
Marie takes it from him and puts it into the VHS player and the four of you sit on the couch to [[watch]].On the screen, you see Dante, recorded on various cameras in this building. One of him in the laundry room. One in the kitchen. He wears the same outfit but the people he speaks too are completely different. Noticeably, he dowes not have the scar over his eyebrow.
What's going on? Who are these people? And why is Dante here. As you watch, you can hear some of the conversations he's had.
(text-colour:orange)["If we don't vote for him, we die. We can't die, not here."
"We'll be fine. We will, okay?"
"This whole game is horseshit. You know it, and I do."]
You sit and watch whaty seems to be a supercut of Dante in a situation exactly like the one you're in. Votes, deaths, and through it all, Dante was there. Come tp the final vote between three people, it's clear Dante has allied himself with a man names James. He is visibly reminiscent of you, but he's much taller and much more muscled than you or Dante.
(text-colour:orange)["We've gotta do this, James. You can trust me."]
(text-colour:grey)["Yeah... yeah, alright. Final two, yeah?"]
(text-colour:orange)["Final two."]
The two fist bump. When James leaves the room however, Dante frowns to himself.
Come that nights vote, it's clear it's 2V1 with Dante and James against the other man, Malcolm.
Yet, when Dante walks into his corner and votes, the camera catches who he votes for- his friend. His ally. James. And when the vote is done, James lie's dead, leaving Dante and Malcolm as the final two.
(text-colour:green)["What is this?"]
(text-colour:red)["Seems I was right... Dante's been here before."]
(text-colour:green)["This is a video of... him doing this before? Does that mean that..."] You turn to the stack of VHS tapes on the ground and remember the conversation you had about Deja Vu. Knowing things about this building that you shouldn't. And it all makes sense.
(text-colour:green)["We've all... been through this before?"]
(text-colour:red)["Tape 4 had Chris on it. Must be true then..."] Whittaker says, his voice shaking, before turning his attention back to the [[screen->DanteReveal]].
Back on the screen, Dante and Malcom sit in the dining room. On the table between them sits a kitchen knife. There's no audio for this section, but it's clear the two are listening to something. They look down at the knife, then at each other and then begin to argue.
Suddenly, Malcom jumps across the table, grabbing the knife and slashing at Dante. Dante manages to reel back quick enough that the blade only catches his eyebrow. It sends him tumbling to the floor though.
Malcolm jumps on Dante and tries to bury the knife into his neck, but Malcolm is smaller than Dante is and Dante easily fling the man off, sneding the knife clattering the ground. Malcolm has the wind knocked out of him, and before he can recover, Dante grabs the knife and is on top of Malcolm, stabbing him repeatedly, over and over and over, splattering blood all over himself. After 15 seconds of that, he staggers to his feet, dropping the knife to the floor. HE closes his eyes and takes a deep breath before staring at the dining room camera. Then the footage ends.
(text-colour:red)["My god... he's a damn psycho..."]
A shift from behind you makes you turn around.
And there Dante stands, face tense, covered in Marie's blood, looking a whole lot like he did on that screen.
The room goes quiet.
[[...->Chapter2End]](text-style:"bold","expand","buoy")[Chapter 2: Complete]
(track: 'Aftermath', 'fadeout')
(track: 'Swoon', 'playwhenpossible')
[[Continue on to Chapter 3]]
(set:$Chap2Morn to false)''Chapter 3''(click-append: "Chapter 3")[<br><br> [[Hall of Champions.->Chap3Intro]]]... (click-append:"...")[ <br><br>Before you could watch the rest of the tapes, the curfew had snuck up on you all like lightning.](click-append:"lightning.")[ <br><br> At the least though, you were able to preview the rest of the tapes. As you suspected, each of the 6 games featured someone from this game, including yourself.](click-append:"yourself.")[ <br><br> You have no memories of that game, you have no memories of being here. Even after seeing that brief clip of yourself on the screen, you don't remember anything.](click-append:"anything.")[ <br><br> Still... you have to know what's going on. The Dante you know wouldn't murder a man like that...](click-append:" that...")[ Would he?](click-append:"he?")[ <br><br> Either way,you've decided to go the Game Room as soon as your door opens at 9Am.](click-append:"9Am.")[ <br><br> When 9AM arrives, you rush to the [[Game Room->GR3]].]On the screen, you see Dante, recorded on various cameras in this building. One of him in the laundry room. One in the kitchen. He wears the same outfit but the people he speaks too are completely different. Noticeably, he dowes not have the scar over his eyebrow.
What's going on? Who are these people? And why is Dante here. As you watch, you can hear some of the conversations he's had.
(text-colour:orange)["If we don't vote for him, we die. We can't die, not here."
"We'll be fine. We will, okay?"
"This whole game is horseshit. You know it, and I do."]
You sit and watch whaty seems to be a supercut of Dante in a situation exactly like the one you're in. Votes, deaths, and through it all, Dante was there. Come tp the final vote between three people, it's clear Dante has allied himself with a man names James. He is visibly reminiscent of you, but he's much taller and much more muscled than you or Dante.
(text-colour:orange)["We've gotta do this, James. You can trust me."]
(text-colour:grey)["Yeah... yeah, alright. Final two, yeah?"]
(text-colour:orange)["Final two."]
The two fist bump. When James leaves the room however, Dante frowns to himself.
Come that nights vote, it's clear it's 2V1 with Dante and James against the other man, Malcolm.
Yet, when Dante walks into his corner and votes, the camera catches who he votes for- his friend. His ally. James. And when the vote is done, James lie's dead, leaving Dante and Malcolm as the final two.
(text-colour:green)["What is this?"]
(text-colour:magenta)["I don't understand... how is Dante... what IS this?"]
(text-colour:green)["This is a video of... him doing this before? Does that mean that..."] You turn to the stack of VHS tapes on the ground and remember the conversation you had about Deja Vu. Knowing things about this building that you shouldn't. And it all makes sense.
(text-colour:green)["We've all... been through this before?"]
(text-colour:red)["I... you think the other VHS tapes is us?"] Marie asks, her voice shaking, before turning her attention back to the [[screen->DanteRevealII]].
Back on the screen, Dante and Malcom sit in the dining room. On the table between them sits a kitchen knife. There's no audio for this section, but it's clear the two are listening to something. They look down at the knife, then at each other and then begin to argue.
Suddenly, Malcom jumps across the table, grabbing the knife and slashing at Dante. Dante manages to reel back quick enough that the blade only catches his eyebrow. It sends him tumbling to the floor though.
Malcolm jumps on Dante and tries to bury the knife into his neck, but Malcolm is smaller than Dante is and Dante easily fling the man off, sneding the knife clattering the ground. Malcolm has the wind knocked out of him, and before he can recover, Dante grabs the knife and is on top of Malcolm, stabbing him repeatedly, over and over and over, splattering blood all over himself. After 15 seconds of that, he staggers to his feet, dropping the knife to the floor. HE closes his eyes and takes a deep breath before staring at the dining room camera. Then the footage ends.
(text-colour:magenta)["This... this can't be real..."]
Everyone on the couch turns to look at Dante.
Dante sits, staring at the now blank screen. He brings his hand slowly to the scar on his eyebrow.
The room goes quiet.
[[...->Chapter2EndALT]](text-style:"bold","expand","buoy")[Chapter 2: Complete]
(track: 'Aftermath', 'fadeout')
(track: 'Swoon', 'playwhenpossible')
[[Continue on to Chapter 3->Chap3ALT]]
(set:$Chap2Morn to false)''Chapter 3''(click-append: "Chapter 3")[<br><br> [[Freedom Fighters->3IntroAlt]]]... (click-append:"...")[ <br><br>Before you could watch the rest of the tapes, the curfew had snuck up on you all like lightning.](click-append:"lightning.")[ <br><br> At the least though, you were able to preview the rest of the tapes. As you suspected, each of the 6 games featured someone from this game, including yourself.](click-append:"yourself.")[ <br><br> You have no memories of that game, you have no memories of being here. Even after seeing that brief clip of yourself on the screen, you don't remember anything.](click-append:"anything.")[ <br><br> Still... you have to know what's going on. The Dante you know wouldn't murder a man like that...](click-append:" that...")[ Would he?](click-append:"he?")[ <br><br> Either way,the four of you decided to meet in the Game Room as soon as your doors opens at 9Am.](click-append:"9Am.")[ <br><br> When 9AM arrives, you rush to the [[Game Room->GR3Alt]].]
(set: $BestEnding to true)When you arrive in the Game Room, you're startled to see Whittaker already there.
(text-colour:green)["Whittaker... morning. What're you doing he-"] You start, but your eyes drop to Whittaker's arms, where he's bundled the VHS taoes in his arms.
(text-colour:red)["Morning, Paul. I'm goin' ahead and getting rid of these."]
(text-colour:green)["What? Why?"]
(text-colour:red)["Well, they don't serve us none. We've gotten all the information from them that matters. We've all been in these game things, and from the fact we're still alive, all of us must have won. Dante won by betraying his ally and then murdering a man in cold blood. What else do we need to know?"]
(text-colour:green)["I mean, I think it'd be good to keep them around. Watching them could give us more information. Maybe we'll find out more about who we are?"]
(text-colour:red)["I don't think there's any reason for that. Clearly, these tapes are here to distract us. I'm doing us a favor by getting rid of them."]
(text-colour:green)["Whittaker, I-"]
(text-colour:red)["I'm getting rid of them, Paul. Enough said."] Whittaker says before pushing past you. However, he stops before exiting the room. He sighs and pushes a VHS into your hands before leaving. Looking down at it, it reads Game 6. You take one last look at Whittaker before sitting on the cough, and slipping the Game 6 VHS into the player. The screen crackles to [[life->Game6]]. **Marie sits on the couch, waiting for you.
(text-colour:magenta)["Paul. Good morning."]
(text-colour:green)["Morning, Marie. Couldn't sleep?"]
(text-colour:magenta)["After last night? Hardly."]
Kim and Dante trickle in together.
(text-colour:orange)["Morning, folks." ]
(text-colour:green)["Morning, Dante."]
He plops down on the couch next to you. Kim sits next to Marie.
(text-colour:magenta)["Kim, you don't have to watch these."]
(text-colour:purple)["I want to."]
Marie nods.
(text-colour:orange)["Alright. Then let's get too] [[it]](text-colour:orange)[."]Game six consisted of 20 people. Amonst those 20, there you stood, in the same outfit you were in now. As you watched, your role in this group as clear- you had none. You wouldn't talk to anyone. You kept your head down, stayed in your room, and kpt quiet. Through this, you made it through the first 11 votes with no one so much as much as suggesting voting you.
When 9 people remained however, an older woman suggested voting you out, calling you squirrely and saying you didn't contribute anything. The tides were about to turn against you, but then two people, who you figured to be a couple due to their interactions on the camera, came to your defense.
(text-colour:blue)["Leave the guy alone. He's scared, just like we are!"]
(text-colour:cyan)["What, we vote the guy out because he's scared? That's bullshit."]
In the end, you weren't voted out, and you watch yourself become friends with the couple, who were named Aaron and Yvette. You three for a team and together make it down to the final 5. At the final five, you watch yourself be approached by the older woman from before, named Helen, and her teammate, a short, stocky man named Burr.
As they talk, it's clear theyre trying to convince you to vote Aaron out. You reject them intially, stating that you and Aaron have come to the conclusion that if everyone recieves the same amount of votes, everyone can leave, but Helen and Burr reject this idea, saying it's a plot. Helen and Burr argue that if you don't vote for Aaron, then when Helen and Burr are gone, the couple would vote Paul out. At least this way, you had a chance. They leave you before you can make a decision.
When the vote begins, you stand near the couple. You look nervous. When the vote comes and the lights come back on, Aaron lies dead in the library, leaving you, Yvette, Burr and Helen as the final four.
The following day, you stay in your room, racked with guilt, but are snapped out of it when Yvette comes. She cusses you out and tells you to get yourself together and help her. And you agree. Come that night's vote, the first vote is a tie between Yvette and Helen. Come the second tiebreaker, both Helen and Yvette lie dead, leaving you and Burr as the final 2.
Come the final day, after being in this building for 3 weeks, you and Burr sit in the kitchen. In between you two sits a kitchen knife. There's no audio for this section. The two of you seem to be listening to something on the overhead speaker. You both stare at each other for a few seconds before Burr suddenly lunges for the knife, You guys fight over it but you lose the scuffle, slicing your hand in the process.
You look down at your hand and trace the scar on your hand.
You look back to the TV, and see yourself running away from Burr, your hand trailing blood through the hallway. As he's running, Burr slips on some of your blood, and winds up stabbing himself fatally. You lock yourself in your room. The footage captures you locking yourself in your bathroom, rocking back and forth. This goes on for 20 minutes, which you figure is the time it took for Burr to expire before the tape cuts suddenly. Looking at the clock, you've been here for a little over three hours. It's about half past noon.
You take a moment to yourself, beofre debating that to do. Ultimately though, you conclude that you should check in with Dante. After last night, he was a wreck, and you haven't heard from in all morning. You decide to go to [[Dante's room]].You get to the Atrium and knock on Dante's door.
No response.
(text-colour:green)["Dante? It's Paul. I want to see how you're doing."]
(if: $DanteFriendship > 9)[Silence.
You sigh and turn around, about to leave, when you hear the door click open. You turn around and there stands Dante. He still wears yesterday's clothes, Marie's blood coating his clothes. He looks as though he hasn't slept.
(text-colour:green)["Woah... Dante, hey. You don't look so good."]
(text-colour:orange)["...Yeah, I don't feel so good either."]
(text-colour:green)["Can't blame you... Can I come in? I'm worried about you."]
Dante stands still for a moment before nodding and retreating back into the room, leaving the door open. You follow in after [[him]].](else:)[Silence.
You sigh and return to your [[room]] . ]You enter Dante's room and sit on his bed as he sits on a chair. He tells you he's not doing well and can't stop thinking of Marie. You do your best to console him but he's not entirely her, it seems. On top of that, he pulls out a paper from his desk. It's a packet of of some kind. Almost all of the text is redacted, but at the bottom page is Dante's signature.
Your head throbs a bit when you see the contract but no memory comes to you. Dante posits he's positive now he signed up to be here, and in conjuction with the video he saw of his game, he must have wanted to be here, and maybe he truly is working with the people who are running this thing.
[["That... may be true..."]]
[["There's no way you're with them."]]
(track: 'GoodbyeMarie', 'loop', true)
(track: 'GoodbyeMarie', 'playwhenpossible')You return to your room, racked with worry. As you sit on your bed, you notice that desk drawer is slightly ajar. You stand up and walk over to it and see a piece of paper inside. When you pull out the paper, it appears to be a missing poster.
HAVE YOU SEEN ME?
The picture has been redacted, and the name has been redacted too. The date of birth has all been redacted except for the birth year, 2002. At the bottom of the page reads:
Any information about [REDACTED]'s whereabouts should be directed to Paul Richardson at this number: [REDACTED].
Upon reading your own name, your head sears.
[["Not this again..."]](text-colour:green)["Please, I know he was here. This was one of the last places he was seen before he wentg missing. You people have to know something. Please."]
(text-colour:#ffec99)["I'm sorry, Mr. Richardson. If we could help, we absolutely would, but we don't know anything about Mr-"]
(text-colour:green)["Bullshit! Don't lie to me! I know you know where he is. I know you do."]
(text-colour:#ffec99)["Mr. Richardson, if you don't calm down-"]
(text-colour:#0b7285)["Now, now. What's all this fuss?"]
(text-colour:#ffec99)["Mr]. (text-style:"wavy-strike","subscript","blurrier","condense")[Dupont](text-colour:#ffec99)[, this man is Paul Richardson. He's looking for his fiance, a Mr. ](text-style:"wavy-strike","subscript","blurrier","condense")[Dante Moore]."
(text-colour:#0b7285)["Mr. ](text-style:"wavy-strike","subscript","blurrier","condense")[Moore](text-colour:#0b7285)[?"]
(text-colour:green)["My fiance. Everything I've found points that he was here. Where is he?"]
(text-colour:#ffec99)["Mr.] (text-style:"wavy-strike","subscript","blurrier","condense")[Dupont](text-colour:#ffec99)[, I suggest we just call the police and have him barred-"]
(text-colour:#0b7285)["Now, now. There's no need for that. I'm intrigued. Paul, yes? Walk with me a spell."]
(text-colour:green)["...Fine."]
(text-colour:#0b7285)["...So... talk to me about your woes."]
(text-colour:green)["My woes? My goddamn fiance is missing. We were supposed to get married next month and now he's gone."]
(text-colour:#0b7285)["And you believe he's here?"]
(text-colour:green)["I know he was here at least a day before he disappeared. I just... I need something. It's not like] (text-style:"wavy-strike","subscript","blurrier","condense")[Dante](text-colour:green)[ to up and disappear like this."]
(text-colour:#0b7285)["Well... you'd be right. Yes, we do know where he is."]
(text-colour:green)["...What?"]
(text-colour:#0b7285)["He's presently taking part in an experiment we're runnign here. He signed up for it himself, I assure you."]
(text-colour:green)["He's... so then he's here?"]
(text-colour:#0b7285)["No, not here in this building. But you're right to say he was hear. You must be dedicated to him to-"]
(text-colour:green)["Where the fuck is he?"]
(text-colour:#0b7285)["My, my, there's no reason to get violent, Mr. Richardson."]
(text-colour:green)["Shut your goddamn mouth. Where is he?"]
(text-colour:#0b7285)["As I said, he's willingly taking part in a experiment we're running. I cannot take you to him right now... however-"]
(text-colour:green)["However?"]
"(text-colour:#0b7285)[You could take part of the experemint too, in your own right. You might just see him."]
(text-colour:green)["Are you... serious?"]
(text-colour:#0b7285)["I sure am. You'll just have to sign a-"]
(text-colour:green)["I'll sign it."]
(text-colour:#0b7285)["Well, I can have you sign it now then. The expirement is to study hows humans react under duress, and whether human trust is more powerful than human fear. This is an amazing research opportunity and you could earn quuite a sum of money. Plus, by taking part in this study, you're helping us study the human mind, and we could all benefit so much as a society from things like that. From what I remember from my meeting with Dante, he had told me you two we're a bit underpaid at the moment, especially with the wedding planning. So you have nothing to lose by taking part. However, it would be in bad faith to not at least warn you that this experiement isn't exactly always... safe. There are risks of course, as there would be with any kind of experiment, social or otherwise. I know you're likely dead set on this, since you've clearly done your homework to find your fiance, but it's something we felt the need to let you know."]
(set: $FianceMissing to true)
[["I don't care, I'll sign it." ->Reason]]Your head sears. It was clear now that you had signed up to be here, in hopes of finding your fiance. But now, you can't remember anything about them. Nothing at all.
You rack your brain a bit and start to recall just a few things about your fiance. He was killer at foosball, he liked Cats, and (if:$Apartment is true)[the cat you recall living with was actually his.](else:)[his cat lived in your apartment.] Yet despite all these menial details, you can't remember anything about him. What did he look like? What did he sound like? You couldn't remember. You decide to spent. the entire rest of the afternoon trying to piece together anything you [[can]].Dante just nods and sighs. He asks if you've checked your desk to see what new item you got. You tell him that you haven't. The two of you leave Dante's room to check your own. Upon entering your room, you notice that desk drawer is slightly ajar. You stand up and walk over to it and see a piece of paper inside. When you pull out the paper, it appears to be a missing poster.
HAVE YOU SEEN ME?
The picture has been redacted, and the name has been redacted too. The date of birth has all been redacted except for the birth year, 2002. At the bottom of the page reads:
Any information about [REDACTED]'s whereabouts should be directed to Paul Richardson at this number: [REDACTED].
Upon reading your own name, your head sears.
[["Not this again..."->FlashbackAlt]]
(track: 'GoodbyeMarie', 'fadeout')As you tell him that, you find yourself reaching out to take his hand, and he lets you. You're unsure as to why, but something about feels right and your stomach tightens. You tell Dante he should clean himself up and that you'll wait for him to do so. Dante nods at you and disappears into his bathroom with a change of clothes. He emerges 15 minutes looking a bit better. He asks if you've checked your desk to see what new item you got. You tell him that you haven't. The two of you leave Dante's room to check your own. Upon entering your room, you notice that desk drawer is slightly ajar. You stand up and walk over to it and see a piece of paper inside. When you pull out the paper, it appears to be a missing poster.
HAVE YOU SEEN ME?
The picture has been redacted, and the name has been redacted too. The date of birth has all been redacted except for the birth year, 2002. At the bottom of the page reads:
Any information about [REDACTED]'s whereabouts should be directed to Paul Richardson at this number: [REDACTED].
Upon reading your own name, your head sears.
{(set: $Revitalized to true) (set: $DanteFriendship to $DanteFriendship+2) (set: $RomanceMarker to $RomanceMarker+1)}
[["Not this again..."->FlashbackAlt]]
(track: 'GoodbyeMarie', 'fadeout')(text-colour:green)["Please, I know he was here. This was one of the last places he was seen before he wentg missing. You people have to know something. Please."]
(text-colour:#ffec99)["I'm sorry, Mr. Richardson. If we could help, we absolutely would, but we don't know anything about Mr-"]
(text-colour:green)["Bullshit! Don't lie to me! I know you know where he is. I know you do."]
(text-colour:#ffec99)["Mr. Richardson, if you don't calm down-"]
(text-colour:#0b7285)["Now, now. What's all this fuss?"]
(text-colour:#ffec99)["Mr]. (text-style:"wavy-strike","subscript","blurrier","condense")[Dupont](text-colour:#ffec99)[, this man is Paul Richardson. He's looking for his fiance, a Mr. ](text-style:"wavy-strike","subscript","blurrier","condense")[Dante Moore]."
(text-colour:#0b7285)["Mr. ](text-style:"wavy-strike","subscript","blurrier","condense")[Moore](text-colour:#0b7285)[?"]
(text-colour:green)["My fiance. Everything I've found points that he was here. Where is he?"]
(text-colour:#ffec99)["Mr.] (text-style:"wavy-strike","subscript","blurrier","condense")[Dupont](text-colour:#ffec99)[, I suggest we just call the police and have him barred-"]
(text-colour:#0b7285)["Now, now. There's no need for that. I'm intrigued. Paul, yes? Walk with me a spell."]
(text-colour:green)["...Fine."]
(text-colour:#0b7285)["...So... talk to me about your woes."]
(text-colour:green)["My woes? My goddamn fiance is missing. We were supposed to get married next month and now he's gone."]
(text-colour:#0b7285)["And you believe he's here?"]
(text-colour:green)["I know he was here at least a day before he disappeared. I just... I need something. It's not like] (text-style:"wavy-strike","subscript","blurrier","condense")[Dante](text-colour:green)[ to up and disappear like this."]
(text-colour:#0b7285)["Well... you'd be right. Yes, we do know where he is."]
(text-colour:green)["...What?"]
(text-colour:#0b7285)["He's presently taking part in an experiment we're runnign here. He signed up for it himself, I assure you."]
(text-colour:green)["He's... so then he's here?"]
(text-colour:#0b7285)["No, not here in this building. But you're right to say he was hear. You must be dedicated to him to-"]
(text-colour:green)["Where the fuck is he?"]
(text-colour:#0b7285)["My, my, there's no reason to get violent, Mr. Richardson."]
(text-colour:green)["Shut your goddamn mouth. Where is he?"]
(text-colour:#0b7285)["As I said, he's willingly taking part in a experiment we're running. I cannot take you to him right now... however-"]
(text-colour:green)["However?"]
"(text-colour:#0b7285)[You could take part of the experemint too, in your own right. You might just see him."]
(text-colour:green)["Are you... serious?"]
(text-colour:#0b7285)["I sure am. You'll just have to sign a-"]
(text-colour:green)["I'll sign it."]
(text-colour:#0b7285)["Well, I can have you sign it now then. The expirement is to study hows humans react under duress, and whether human trust is more powerful than human fear. This is an amazing research opportunity and you could earn quuite a sum of money. Plus, by taking part in this study, you're helping us study the human mind, and we could all benefit so much as a society from things like that. From what I remember from my meeting with Dante, he had told me you two we're a bit underpaid at the moment, especially with the wedding planning. So you have nothing to lose by taking part. However, it would be in bad faith to not at least warn you that this experiement isn't exactly always... safe. There are risks of course, as there would be with any kind of experiment, social or otherwise. I know you're likely dead set on this, since you've clearly done your homework to find your fiance, but it's something we felt the need to let you know."]
(set: $FianceMissing to true)
[["I don't care, I'll sign it." ->ReasonALT]]You snap back to reality and your hand is searing.
Dante asks if you're okay, and you relay to him that you think you wanted to be here too, saying that your fiance was in here and that's why you agreed to take part in this whole thing.
You start to recall just a few things about your fiance. He was killer at foosball, he liked Cats, and (if:$Apartment is true)[the cat you recall living with was actually his.](else:)[his cat lived in your apartment.] Yet despite all these menial details, you can't remember anything about him. What did he look like? What did he sound like? You couldn't remember. You and Dante mull it over for a bit but you can't remember anything so you ask Dante to give you some space and he agrees, thanking you for checking on him, before leaving. You decide to spend the entire rest of the afternoon trying to piece together anything you [[can]].You spend the rest of the rest of the afternoon and the first hald of the night alone, racking your brain. It's excruciating and you head pounds, but you're getting somewhere.
You remember that you and your fiance had gotten into disagreements about money before he disappeared, as your new job wasn't paying you as they promised they would. Your fiance liked ice cream, but only strawberry. You can remember that he was going to grad school, but you can't remember for what or where. And still, you cannot put a face or a name to him. You know that he was your ex-fiance, but only in the fact that he had disappeared. The wedding was never called off. You remember that he spent a lot of time on the invites.
What you realize though, foremost, is you love him deeply. Even if you can't remember him, you remember how much you love him, so much so that it makes you feel sick. You needed to get out of here to find him.
When you snap out your haze, it's nearly 9pm. YOu decide to head to the library a bit early, to clear your head before this [[vote]].
You arrive at the library, and Kim and Whitter are already there, standing in the corner. Whittaker regards you with (if: $WhittRequest is true)[a nod](else:)[a shake of the head and an eye roll] before you take your place on the opposite side as them.
Time ticks on and there's no sign of Dante anywhere. You start to get antsy. Come 8:59, Dante walks into the library. (if: $Revitalized is true)[He still doesn't look great, but he looks much than before. Still, his expression is one of defeat, so different than the one he wore during the first vote.](else:)[He is clad yesterday's clothes, Marie's blood still splattered on him, and he looks worse for wear.]
(text-colour:red)["Well. Here we are. I take it there's nothing to talk about between us then?"]
(text-colour:green)["No, there's not."]
(text-colour:red)["Shame. You could still join us, Paul. Still room for-"]
(text-colour:green)["I said there's nothing to talk about."]
(text-colour:red)["Suit yourself."]
You step over to Dante.
(text-colour:green)["How do you feel?"]
(if: $Revitalized is true)[(text-colour:orange)["I'm doing as well I can. We're here, that's what matters."]
(text-colour:green)["Couldn't have said it better myself. What's the plan?"]
(text-colour:orange)["Vote Whittaker."]
(text-colour:green)["Speakin' my language."]
Dante stares at you for a bit.
(text-colour:green)["What's up?"]
(text-colour:orange)["Nothing, you just... Something's differen't about you. You're a little more gung-ho."]
(text-colour:green)["Ever since I remembered why I'm here, I've resolved. I can't just be milquetoast about this anymore. it's serious now."]
(text-colour:orange)["It wasn't before?"]
(text-colour:green)["You know what I mean."] You say, and can't help but grin.
(text-colour:orange)["So what now then?"]
(text-colour:green)["We bide our time. It seems like the talking is done."]
(text-colour:orange)["Alrighty then. Let's ][[bide our time->bide your time]](text-colour:orange)[."]
(set: $KimDistrust to 5)](else:)[(text-colour:orange)["I'm here... that's all I can say."]
(text-colour:green)["Alright. Well, we've gotta have a plan of action."]
(text-colour:orange)["Sure."]
(text-colour:green)["I say we both vote Whittaker. We could probably convice Kim to go with your intial plan if Whittaker is gone."]
(text-colour:orange)["Sure."]
You sigh. Dante seems unwilling to speak at the moment, so you decide the best course of action is to [[bide your time]] until the vote.
(set: $KimDistrust to 7)
]You and Dante (if: $Revitalized is true)[make idle chatter](else:)[stand silently] on your side of the library. Kim and Whittaker are making easy conversation on their side. Whittaker catches you looking and flashes you a smile.
Something about it irks you.
Before long, that familiar flashing arrives.
(text-style:"bold","double-underline","smear","blink")+(text-colour:red)["TIME FOR CONVERSATION HAS ENDED. PROCEED WITH THE VOTE."]
(text-style:"shudder")[The phone in your pocket vibrates.] You pull it out and look at the [[screen->VotingTime3]].Please cast your vote.
[[Dante->DanteVoteIII]]
[[Whittaker->WhittakerVoteIII]]
[[Kim->KimVoteIII]]That's a waste vote.
[["There's only one right option."->VotingTime3]]Confirm Vote for Whittaker?
[[Confirm->Results3]]
[[Go back->VotingTime3]]That's a waste vote.
[["There's only one right option."->VotingTime3]]The lights in the library slowly dim until it's pitch black. Then...(click-append:"Then...")[
Two spotlights shine down, encoating Marie and Whittaker. The lights on the LED shine again.
(text-style:"bold","double-underline","smear","blink")+(text-colour:red)["TIED VOTED BETWEEN DANTE AND WHITTAKER. PROCEED WITH SECOND ROUND."]
[["Figures."]]
]The lights spotlights linger on Dante and Whittaker. Your only chance to save Whittaker is to sway Kim. You only have a few seconds. How should you go about this?
(text-colour:green)["Kim, it's not too late to switch your vote."]
(text-colour:purple)["Why would I switch? Dante is a murderer! Whittaker says we'll be next if we don't stop him!"]
You scratch your chin.
[["Maybe he is a murderer, but we all are."]]
[["Dante isn't a murderer."]]Kim squints.
(text-colour:purple)["Huh? W-What do you mean?"]
(text-colour:green)["The final game for this is a battle to the death to determine the winner. Dante did what he had to survive. I did the same in mine."]
(text-colour:purple)["You watched yours?"]
(text-colour:green)["I did. And at the end, it was me and another man, and clearly, I'm still here. We likely all had to kill someone to survive. It doesn't make us murderers. We survived."]
Kim thinks about that for a moment. (text-colour:purple)["I... Suppose so."]
(text-colour:red)["Oh, nonsense. You can't prove that none. You've only watched yours and Dante's. From what it sounds like, you're both killers."]
(text-colour:green)["Maybe, but aren't you trying to vote Dante off to save your own skin?"]
(text-colour:red)["That's different."]
(text-colour:green)["It's not. Kim, Dante isn't a bad guy."]
"H-How do you know that?"
(set: $KimDistrust to $KimDistrust-1)
[["I just do."]]
(if: $DanteFriendship >6)[[["I've spent a lot of time getting to know him."->"I've spent a lot of time getting to know him."]]](text-colour:purple)["He is! We all watched it!"]
(if: $Revitalized is false)["Not to mention he looks like one, what with all that blood spalttered on him."](else:)["You can't deny facts, Paul."]
(text-colour:green)["Clearly, he was under duress. In a situation like this? I can't blame him."]
(text-colour:red)["That just sounds like you may be a murderer too."]
Damn it. Seems that fell flat.
You sigh. (text-colour:green)["Kim, Dante isn't a bad guy."]
(text-colour:purple)["H-How do you know that?"]
[["I just do."]]
(if: $DanteFriendship >6)[[["I've spent a lot of time getting to know him."->"I've spent a lot of time getting to know him."]]](text-colour:red)["That's not really proving anything about him though."]
(text-colour:green)["I just... I just know, okay?"]
(text-colour:red)["You just know... based on what, huh? Pretty lousy evidence."]
(text-colour:purple)["Yeah!"]
Shoot. Seems that didn't work.
You ponder to yourself. You won't get anywhere with this right now. You need a different approach.
[["Kim, what if this was you? Wouldn't you want someone on your side?"]]
(if: $KimFriendship is 6)[[["...What would Jason think?"->"...What would Jason think?"]]](text-colour:red)["So? What does that prove?"]
(text-colour:green)["So I know this Dante isn't the same Dante we saw in that video. Clearly, we've all had our memories messed with. This Dante, our Dante isn't like that one. Kim, Dante saved your life in that first vote. Would a murderer do that?"]
(text-colour:purple)["I... guess not."]
(text-colour:red)["Don't switch the subject."] Whittaker says loudly.
You ponder to yourself. You won't get anywhere with this right now. You need a different approach.
(set: $KimDistrust to $KimDistrust-1)
[["Kim, what if this was you? Wouldn't you want someone on your side?"]]
(if: $KimFriendship is 6)[[["...What would Jason think?"->"...What would Jason think?"]]](text-colour:purple)["It would never be me because I'd never kill someone!"]
(text-colour:red)["Precisely. Use your head, Paul."]
Damn it, that didn't work.
You realize you're almost out of time to convice Kim. You've got one last thing you can say before the second vote, so you have to make it count.
[["If you vote Dante off, I'll kill you, Kim."]]
(if: $WhittSuspicion is 2)[[["Whittaker is using you, Kim."->"Whittaker is using you, Kim."]]]
(if: $ReligionCue is true and $KimFriendship is 6)[[["Think about Marie up in heaven."->"Think about Marie up in heaven."]]]
[["Whittaker, haven't you taken this too far?"]]Kim pauses at that.
(text-colour:purple)["...Huh?"]
(text-colour:green)["I mean, if Jason saw you being mean to someone just because you thought he did something? That's not cool. Plus, he works at a hot topic. Hot topic employees love blood and guts and stuff don't they?"]
(text-colour:purple)["...Yeah... Yeah they do."]
(text-colour:red)["Who the hell is Jason?"]
(text-colour:green)["See, Whittaker doesn't even know who he is. Why would you want to side with someone who doesn't know anything about you?"
]
Kim shifts uncomfortably.
(text-colour:red)["Kim, I know lot's about you. Don't let Paul talk you into siding with a murderer."]
Kim nods to Whittaker, but in her face, she seems conflicted.
You realize you're almost out of time to convice Kim. You've got one last thing you can say before the second vote, so you have to make it count.
(set: $KimDistrust to $KimDistrust-3)
[["If you vote Dante off, I'll kill you, Kim."]]
(if: $WhittSuspicion is 2)[[["Whittaker is using you, Kim."->"Whittaker is using you, Kim."]]]
(if: $ReligionCue is true and $KimFriendship is 6)[[["Think about Marie up in heaven."->"Think about Marie up in heaven."]]]
[["Whittaker, haven't you taken this too far?"]]The whole library tenses.
(text-colour:purple)["What?"]
(text-colour:green)["If you vote Dante off, Whittaker and Dante will both die and it'll just be me and you. The final game is likely the same as we saw in Dante's video. A fight to the death. And if it comes to that, I promise you, I won't go easy on you, you hear?"]
Kim shrinks in fear.
(text-colour:red)["Don't let him scare you, Kim. H'es just trying to scare you."]
You were. And clearly, it was working.
(text-colour:purple)["I... I don't..."]
(text-colour:red)["Damn it, Kim, focus!"]
(text-colour:green)["Kim... you think I'm lying? Look me in my eyes."]
Kim does and sees your steel behind it. She begins to shake.
(set: $KimDistrust to 0)(set: $KimFear to true)
(text-style:"shudder")[Your phones vibrates again.] You hope you've done enough. That's all you can do now.
(if: $DanteFriendship >6)[(text-colour:orange)["Paul."] Dante says and you turn to him. (text-colour:orange)["No matter what happens here, don't let this game make you something you're not."]
You look at him confused but nod.
(text-colour:green)["Alright."](set:$Hesitate to true)]
Round two of voting had [[begun->Vote3Round2]].
Kim pauses.
(text-colour:purple)["Huh?"]
(text-colour:red)["Now that is just-"]
(text-colour:green)["All the secret meetings, all the whispering away from everyone else. He's getting you alone so you don't have any other friends besides him."]
(text-colour:purple)["B-But Whittaker is my friend."]
(text-colour:green)["He's not, Kim, he's just using you."]
(text-colour:red)["That's a lie, Kim, and you know it is."]
Kim nods at Whittaker, but it's clear her faith is shaken, just a tad.
(set: $KimDistrust to $KimDistrust-3)
(text-style:"shudder")[Your phones vibrates again.] You hope you've done enough. That's all you can do now.
(if: $DanteFriendship >6)[(text-colour:orange)["Paul."] Dante says and you turn to him. (text-colour:orange)["No matter what happens here, don't let this game make you something you're not."]
You look at him confused but nod.
(text-colour:green)["Alright."](set:$Hesitate to true)]
Round two of voting had [[begun->Vote3Round2]].
(text-colour:red)["Not far enough, clearly. You could still join us, y'know. You don't gotta side with-"]
(text-colour:green)["Forget it."] You curse.
(text-style:"shudder")[Your phones vibrates again.] You hope you've done enough. That's all you can do now.
(if: $DanteFriendship >6)[(text-colour:orange)["Paul."] Dante says and you turn to him. (text-colour:orange)["No matter what happens here, don't let this game make you something you're not."]
You look at him confused but nod.
(text-colour:green)["Alright."](set:$Hesitate to true)]
Round two of voting had [[begun->Vote3Round2]].
Please cast your vote.
[[Dante->DanteRefuse]]
[[Whittaker->Vote3Confirmation]]That's a waste vote.
[["There's only one right option."->Vote3Round2]]Confirm Vote for Whittaker?
[[Confirm->Vote3Results]]
[[Go back->Vote3Round2]]The lights in the library dim down again. Complete silence shrouds the the Library.
[[Then...->ResultsIII]]Then the familiar smell of iron and that bloodcurdling noise of a collar exploding and blood gushing to the floor. Your chest tightens. Lord, all you could do was pray Dante wasn't on the ground.
(if:$KimDistrust <1)[
The lights slowly rise to reveal a dead body laying on the floor, bleeding profusely. (mouseover-replace:"a dead body ")[[[Whittaker's dead body ->Trial3Aftermath]]]
(set: $People to 3)
(track: 'Death', 'playwhenpossible')
](else:)[The lights slowly rise to reveal a dead body laying on the floor, bleeding profusely. (mouseover-replace:"a dead body ")[[[Whittaker and Dante's dead bodies ->Trial3AftermathALT]]]
(set: $People to 2)
(track: 'Death', 'playwhenpossible')]You look over to where Dante was standing before and nearly collapse upon seeing him still standing.
(text-colour:green)["Dante... oh thank god, you're okay."]
(text-colour:orange)["Yeah I-I am... thank you, Paul."]
(text-colour:green)["I'm glad... christ, I'm glad."]
(text-colour:orange)["Seriously... thank you, Paul."]
You two look over to Kim. (if: $KimFear is true)[She is shaking madly, and when you meet her eyes, she runs out of the room, terrified.
(text-colour:orange)["This... this is bad, Paul."]
(text-colour:green)["Why?"]
(text-colour:orange)["You scared the wits out of her. There's nothing we can say that will make her trust us now. We can't... there's no way to get her to agree to our plan any more."]
Shit.
You and Dante meet each other's eyes and it's clear what that means. (click-replace: ' what that means.')[ that you might've blown your only shot and more than one person getting out of here alive.]
[["Shit..."]]
](else-if: $KimFear is false)[She's looking down at Whittaker's body, distraught. When she sees you looking, she cowards away from you.
(text-colour:orange)["Hey... Kim, it's okay." ]Dante says, getting on a knee. (text-colour:orange)["Come here."]
Kim hesitates before slowly walking over.
(text-colour:orange)["Brave thing you did, you know that?"]
(text-colour:purple)["I don't feel brave."]
(text-colour:orange)["I know you don't. But I'm alive because of you. And now? Now we've all got a chance to get out of here. If you'll trust us." ]
He extends his hand to her. She looks at it, then looks at you. You give her a tired smile. She looks back to Dante.
Then she shakes his hand.
"[[Welcome aboard, kiddo."]]
]
You can't believe your eyes. Dante lies on the ground, eyes barely open, blood pouring from his neck. Your heart pounds in your chest. You had failed to convice Kim. You look over to her and she stands over Whittaker, looking fearfully at you.
The final two.
Your thoughts are interrupted by your eye catching the blinking screen.
(text-style:"bold","double-underline","smear","blink")+(text-colour:red)["CONGRATULATIONS ON MAKING IT TO THE FINAL TWO. THE FINAL GAME BEGINS AT NOON TOMORROW. RETURN TO YOUR ROOMS IMMEDIATELY. THERE IS A REWARD FOR YOU IN YOUR DESK."]
When you turn back to face Kim, she's already scampered out the door. You follow suit, mind blank as you trudge to your [[room->Chap3Finale]].
You arrive back to your room and slowly open you desk.
Inside sits a card. It's ornately decorated in green and orange. Your favorite shade of green too. You furrow your brow and slowly grab the card, turning it over.
Your somach drops when you look at the print on the cover which reads something you just cannot believe. (click-replace:'something you just cannot believe.')[YOU ARE INVITED TO PAUL AND DANTE'S WEDDING!
(set: $FianceTruth to true)
[["No way... no fucking way..."->Chapter3AltEnd]]
]
(text-style:"bold","expand","buoy")[Chapter 3: Complete]
(track: 'Aftermath', 'fadeout')
(track: 'Swoon', 'playwhenpossible')
[[Continue on to Chapter 4->Chap4ALT]](text-style:"bold","expand","buoy")[Chapter 3: Complete]
(track: 'Aftermath', 'fadeout')
(track: 'Swoon', 'playwhenpossible')
[[Continue on to Chapter 4->Chap4]](text-style:"bold","expand","buoy")[Chapter 3: Complete]
(track: 'Aftermath', 'fadeout')
(track: 'Swoon', 'playwhenpossible')
[[Continue on to Chapter 4->Chap4True]]''Chapter 4''(click-append: "Chapter 4")[<br><br> [[David and Goliath->4IntroAlt]]]''Chapter 4''(click-append: "Chapter 4")[<br><br> [[The Collusion Delusion->4Intro]]]''Chapter 4''(click-append: "Chapter 4")[<br><br> [[The Three Musketeers Find The Light->4TrueIntro]]]... (click-append:"...")[ You've been up since last nights revelation.](click-append:"revelation.")[ <br><br> Dante was your fiance, the person you signed up to be a part of this game to find. And now he was gone. Now it was just you and Kim.](click-append:"Kim.")[ <br><br> No matter what happens today, this game will reach it's conclusion in an hour...](click-append:"hour...")[ <br><br>Just one hour and you could be dead.](click-append:"dead.")[<br><br>No...](click-append:"No...")[<br><br> No matter what, you had to win.](click-append:"win.")[ <br><br> For [[Dante->Finale1]].]
... (click-append:"...")[ <br><br> Morning comes and goes as you and your trio begin discussion.](click-append:"discussion.")[ <br><br> The plan is clear; You would all vote for each other and make it out together.](click-append:"together.")[ <br><br> At least, that's the plan. It all comes down to Kim, and while Dante seems to trust her wholeheartedly, you aren't so sure.](click-append:"sure.")[ <br><br>... More than that, when you woke up this morning, something had shifted.](click-append:"shifted.")[ You felt an odd, unexplained affinity to Dante, one that you couldn't name.](click-append:"name.")[ <br><br> But one that you may have been close to naming.](click-append:"naming.")[ <br><br> You decide to spend your afternoon talking with Dante, hoping to piece together whatever is going [[on]].]The four of you sit on the couch, and watch thetapes. They confirm what you had initially thought- everyone who had taken part of this game had been in one previously, in which they had one. mari etook part of Game 1, making her the first winner of this. Chris was the second winner, that Whittaker, then Kim, then Dante, and then lastly, yourself. By the time you finish watching all the tapes all the way through, it's nerly time for the vote.
(text-colour:purple)["How... How do we vote this time?"]
(text-colour:orange)["The same as the last. We stick to the plan. All of us. Agreed?"]
Everyone hums in agreement.
(text-colour:orange)["Okay. Then here's the plan.
I'll vote for] (text-colour:purple)[Kim.]
(text-colour:purple)[Kim] (text-colour:orange)[will vote for] (text-colour:magenta)[Marie.]
(text-colour:magenta)[Marie] (text-colour:orange)[will vote for] (text-colour:green)[Paul.]
(text-colour:green)[Paul] (text-colour:orange)[will vote for me.
Understood?"]
(text-colour:green)["Got it."]
(text-colour:orange)["Well then... let's get moving to the library."]
And with that, the 4 of you walk towards the library, for what you pray is the [[final vote]].
You all enter the library together. When the ten minutes begin, you all make idle chatter with each other. At one minute until the vote, Dante clears his throat.
(text-colour:orange)["Do we need a rundown of the plan, or do we got it?"] Dante looks to you.
[["A rundown would be nice."->RundownII]]
[["I've got it. Don't worry."->Vote3Alt]](text-colour:orange)["Sure thing. Here's the plan.
"Okay. Then here's the plan.
I'll vote for] (text-colour:purple)[Kim.]
(text-colour:purple)[Kim] (text-colour:orange)[will vote for] (text-colour:magenta)[Marie.]
(text-colour:magenta)[Marie] (text-colour:orange)[will vote for] (text-colour:green)[Paul.]
(text-colour:green)[Paul] (text-colour:orange)[will vote for me.
Understood?"]
[["I get it."->Vote3Alt]](text-style:"bold","double-underline","smear","blink")+(text-colour:red)["TIME FOR CONVERSATION HAS ENDED. PROCEED WITH THE VOTE."]
(text-style:"shudder")[The phone in your pocket vibrates.] You pull it out and look at the [[screen->VotingTime3Alt]].Please cast your vote.
[[Dante->DanteVoteIIIAlt]]
[[Marie->MarieVoteIIIAlt]]
[[Kim->KimVoteIIIAlt]]That's a waste vote.
[["There's only one right option."->VotingTime3Alt]]That's a waste vote.
[["There's only one right option."->VotingTime3Alt]]Confirm Vote for Whittaker?
[[Confirm->Vote3ResultsAlt]]
[[Go back->VotingTime3Alt]]The lights in the library dim down again. Complete silence shrouds the the Library.
[[Then...->ResultsIIIAlt]]The lights stay off. Then flash back on. The LED on the back of the library wall has turned off, now just pitch black.
(text-colour:magenta)["Did we... did we do it?"]
(text-colour:orange)["I don't know."]
(text-colour:green)["But there's no tiebreaker vote. This is good, right?"]
(text-colour:orange)["...Let's check the door, yeah?"]
(set:$BestEnding to true)
(text-colour:green)["Right."] You agree before you all making your way to the [[Exit]].
(track: 'FinaleGood', 'loop', true)
(track: 'FinaleGood', 'playwhenpossible')(text-style:"bold","expand","buoy")[Misanthropist's Anonymous: End
(if: $BestEnding is true)[<br>Ending 1- Minimal Damage, Maximum Freedom](else-if: $MonsterEnding is true)[<br>Ending 2- Hands, Soiled](else-if: $MercyEnding is true)[<br>Ending 3- Home at last](else-if: $TrueEnding is true)[<br>Ending 3- True Ending](else-if: $FaithEnding is true)[<br>Ending 4- Faith Withstanding](else-if: $GoodbyeMyLoveA is true)[<br>Ending 5- Goodbye, My Love (A)](else-if: $GoodbyeMyLoveB is true)[<br>Ending 5- Goodbye, My Love (B)](else-if: $GoodbyeMyLoveC is true)[<br>Ending 5- Goodbye, My Love (C)](else-if: $GoodbyeMyLoveD is true)[<br>Ending 5- Goodbye, My Love (D)]]
(track: 'Swoon', 'playwhenpossible')
[[See your stats->Stats]](if: $Age is true) [You are 25 years old.](else:)[You did not find out Paul's age.]
(if: $Delaware is true)[ You currently live in Delaware. You aren't sure where you were raised.](else:)[You did not find out what state Paul lives in.]
(if: $Fiance is true) [At some point, you were engaged. You don't remember much anything about your fiance other than the fact that they are no longer your fiance. (If: $FianceMemory1 is true)[You apparently met them by a lake, and you proped at that same lake three years later.]](else-if:$Fiance is false and $FianceMemory1 is false)[You did not find out about Paul's Fiance and you didn't find out where and how they met.](else-if: $Fiance is true and $FianceMemory1 is false) [At some point, you were engaged. You don't remember much anything about your fiance other than the fact that they are no longer your fiance. However, you did not find out where and how Paul met his Fiance.]
(if: $Apartment is true) [You live alone in a small apartment. You own a cat.](else:)[You did not find out where Paul lives and with who.]
(if:$MonsterEnding is true)[Paul survived his ordeal, but at the heavy cost of killing Kim.](else-if: $GoodbyeMyLoveB is true)[Dante survived his ordeal after his fiance opted to kill himself so Dante could escape](else-if: $MercyEnding is true)[Remembering his late fiance's words, Paul chose to sacrifice himself so that Kim could live.](else-if: $BestEnding is true)[Paul survived his ordeal and managed to save the most amount of people possible.](else-if: $TrueEnding is true or $FaithEnding is true)[Paul survived his ordeal with Dante and Kim in tow.](else-if: $GoodbyeMyLoveA is true)[Paul survived his ordeal, choosing to accept Dante's request that Paul be the one to survive.](else-if: $GoodbyeMyLoveC is true)[Paul survived his ordeal after his fiance opted to kill himself so Paul could escape.](else-if: $GoodbyeMyLoveD is true)[Dante survived his ordeal, choosing to accept Paul's request that Dante be the one to survive.]
(if: $FianceTruth is true)[You uncovered the identity of Paul's Fiance, (if:$Love is true)[and the two of them shared an intimate moment.](else-if: $Learn is true)[and the two of them spent time catching up.] (else-if: $KimFear is true)[but the two didn't have time to catch up before the final game.](else-if: $MonsterEnding is true)[but Dante was already dead when it was revealed.]](else:)[You failed to discover the identity of Paul's Fiance.]
(set: $KimFriendship to 6)
(set: $DanteFriendship to 11)
(set: $Revitalized to true)
(set: $KimFear to false)
[[Go->vote]]As you sit up in your bed, you hear that familiar voice over the loud speaker.
"The final game begins now. Please make your way to the dining room immediately."
You sit on your bed a while longer before exhaling.
(text-colour:green)["Now or never."] You say as you make your way to the [[dining hall]].Kim sits in the dining hall. Wheny ou enter, she tenses, and looks at you out the corner of her eye. On the table in front of her is a pistol. This is different than the videos you watched. In those two, the weapon was a kitchen knife. This seems a lot more definite.
You take a seat across from her, your eyes steely. Overhead, the speaker blares, but it's not the voice your used to. The AI voice has been replaced by that of a man that you recognize as the voice of the man who had you sign the contract to be here.
"Congratulations on making it to the final round. The task is simple- This game will end when only one of you remains alive. Win this by your own hand. Survive this by your own hand. Best of luck."
You look at Kim and she meets your eye. You look down at the gun, and then back at Kim.
You both have the same thought.
In an instant, you reach for the gun and at the same time, Kim darts out the room. You fire off a shot, and it embeds itself into the wall.
[[Find her, Paul.]]
You enter the Kitchen.
Kim isn't here.
[[Find her, Paul.->SemiCircleHallwayFinale]]
(track: 'Hunt', 'loop', true)
(track: 'Hunt', 'playwhenpossible')The Semi-Circle Hallway.
Kim isn't here.
[[Go to Large Titanium Door->ExitFinale]]
[[Enter Kitchen->Find her, Paul.]]
[[Enter Laundry Room->LaundryRoomFinale]]
[[Enter Library->LibraryFinale]]
[[Enter Game Room->GameRoomFinale]]
[[Return to the Long Hallway->LongHallwayFinale]]You go to the exit door
Kim isn't here.
[[Find her, Paul.->SemiCircleHallwayFinale]]You enter the Laundry Room
Kim isn't here.
[[Enter Storage Closet->FinalStandoff]]
[[Find her, Paul.->SemiCircleHallwayFinale]]You enter the Library.
Kim isn't here.
[[Find her, Paul.->SemiCircleHallwayFinale]]You enter the Game room.
Kim isn't here.
[[Find her, Paul.->SemiCircleHallwayFinale]]You enter the Long Hallway
Kim isn't here.
[[Enter Semi Circle Hallway->SemiCircleHallwayFinale]]
[[Enter Atrium]]You open the storage closet, and there's Kim, cowering in the corner.
She raises her hands to shield her face but says nothing. Your stomach burns.
You aim the gun towards her and breathe heavy. It's now or never.
[[Kill Kim->MonsterEnding]]
(if: $Hesitate is true)[[[Remember Dante's last words->Remember Dante's last words]]]You enter the Atrium.
Kim isn't here. All the doors to the bedrooms have been locked, meaning she can't have gone inside. There's no reason to be here.
[[Find her, Paul.->LongHallwayFinale]]
...(click-replace:'...')[..](click-replace:'..')[[[.->MonsterEnding2]]]
(track: 'Hunt', 'stop')
(track: 'Shot', 'playwhenpossible')...(click-replace:'...')[..](click-replace:'..')[[[.->MercyEnding2]]]
(track: 'Hunt', 'stop')
(track: 'Shot', 'playwhenpossible')(text-colour:green)[You] stand outside the storage room, gun smoking. Your hand shakes a hair before you vomit onto the floor and collapse to your knees pulling the door shut quickly. You can't bare to look at what you did.
God... what did you do?
Your rumination is interrupted as your collar suddenly pops off, clattering to the ground with a loud thud.
This was it, right? The game was over now? You pull yourself to your feet ad slowly begin to trudge to the [[Exit]].
(set: $MonsterEnding to true)
(track: 'FinaleBad', 'loop', true)
(track: 'FinaleBad', 'playwhenpossible')(text-colour:purple)[You] open your eyes and realize that you haven't been shot. No, you're not hurt at all. You stand up from the storage closet and walk to it's door and see Paul lying on the floor, unmoving, blood pooling by your feet.
(text-colour:purple)["Paul..."] You whisper to yourself.
Suddenly, your collar pops off, hitting the ground with a loud clatter.
(text-colour:purple)["Is... is that it...?"]
You step over Paul, accidentally stepping in some blood as you begin to slowly walk towards the [[Exit]].
(set: $MercyEnding to true)
(track: 'FinaleGood', 'loop', true)
(track: 'FinaleGood', 'playwhenpossible')... (click-append:"...")[ <br><br> Morning comes and you hardly slept.](click-append:"slept.")[ <br><br> There were only three of you now. After today, this game or whatever this thing is would be over and someone would go home. ](click-append:"home.")[ <br><br> Home... would it be you?](click-append:"you?")[ <br><br>Dante?](click-append:"Dante?")[ <br><br> Kim?](click-append:"Kim?")[ <br><br>It could be any of you.](click-append:"you.")[ <br><br> Though realistically? You had a good feeling who wasn't going [[home]].]You head to Dante's room, and he let's you in with a smile, asking what you want to talk about. You tell him you feel as though you know him from before this, like maybe you might have a memory of him.
Dante says he has no recollection of you and that you must be confused.
You two talk some more, but you can't shake this nagging in your head. It's driving you mad. Eventually, you two have spent the whole afternoon talking, and now more than ever are you sure that you know Dante somehow. But you keep that in your head.
As you two talk into the mid evening, the conversation peters out. Dante reveals that one of the items he recieved for surviving two tie votes was a casette player that played his favorite song. He says that if you're taking your leave, he's going to listen to the tape. He bids you a good afternoon.
[[Kill time until the vote.]]
(if: $DanteFriendship >7 and $RomanceMarker >3)[[[Offer to join him->Offer to join him]]]You go back to your room and decide to take a nap. Best nap ever. When you wake up, you still have some time and decide to read the book Marie had left for you.
Marie...
You manage to finish the book and decide to go see Dante before the vote. You knock and he let's you in again.
You tell him you wanted to talk before the vote, but you two quickly get sidetracked talking about other [[things->talking]].The music starts out and you immediately feel a pang of nostalgia hit your stomach hard. You ask Dante if he knows this song, and he says that is his favorite song, though he has no memory of listening to it. He just knows it's his favorite.
Your head pounds when you hear it. What is this feeling? What is this song?
You clutch your head and Dante asks if you're okay. Your mind feels like it's tearing apart.
[["I know this song... it's...]]
(track: 'ForeverPresent', 'loop', true)
(track: 'ForeverPresent', 'playwhenpossible')(text-colour:green)["This is a nice song... I like it."]
(text-colour:#fff4e6)["Glad you do. it's my favorite song, yknow?"]
(text-colour:green)["Really? No songs from this decade so it for you?"]
(text-colour:#fff4e6)["Oh, shut up, Paul."]
(text-colour:green)["I'm messing. Still, I like it. It's a really nice song,] (text-style:"wavy-strike","subscript","blurrier","condense")[Dante](text-colour:green)[."]
(text-colour:#fff4e6)["I'm glad you like it. I was thinkin'... uh... when we get married that we could... y'know..."]
(text-colour:green)["Oh... Oh you want this to be our first dance song?"]
(text-colour:#fff4e6)["It was just an idea. We don't have to-"]
(text-colour:green)["No, I like the song,] (text-style:"wavy-strike","subscript","blurrier","condense")[Dante](text-colour:green)[. Don't even worry."]
(text-colour:#fff4e6)["I'm glad."]
(text-colour:green)["..."]
(text-colour:#ffd8a8)["..."]
(text-colour:green)["Want to dance, then?"]
(text-colour:#ffd8a8)["Now?"]
(text-colour:green)["You're not doing anything better, are you?"]
(text-colour:#ffd8a8)["...No, I suppose not."]
(text-colour:green)["C'mon, dance with me."]
(text-colour:#ffd8a8)["Alright, alright, okay."]
(text-colour:green)["..."]
(text-colour:#ffa94d)["..."]
(text-colour:green)["..."]
(text-colour:#ffa94d)["I love you, Paul."]
(text-colour:green)["Woah, where's this coming from,] (text-style:"wavy-strike","subscript","blur","condense")[Dante](text-colour:green)[?"]
(text-colour:orange)["Aint' coming from anywhere . I just... wanted to let you know."]
(text-colour:green)["Well... I love you too,] [[Dante->FianceReveal]](text-colour:green)[."]
(track: 'ForeverPresent', 'fadeout')
(track: 'ForeverFlashback', 'loop', true)
(track: 'ForeverFlashback', 'playwhenpossible')(text-colour:orange)["Paul? You okay?"]
Dante snaps you back to reality. All you can do is just look at him. Your fiance... your fiance is Dante. It all comes back to you at once. How could you have forgotten?
(text-colour:orange)["Paul? You're lookin' at me kinda funny..."]
You just stare at him.
(text-colour:green)["Dante... you don't rememeber me?"]
He tells you he doesn't know what you're talking about and you tell him that he is your fiance. He thinks you're joking at first, but when you insist on it, he stops.
(text-colour:orange)["I'm not your Fiance, Paul."]
(set: $FianceTruth to true)
You double down, and begin to tell him things about himself. You ask him about his jacket and tell him to expalin to you how he got it. He says someone bought it for him in Hersehy and you push forward and force him to think who got it for him. He says he can't remember and you push him again. He furrows his brow before saying it was his Fiance. He says he has no clue how he forgot he was engaged, and then clutches his head, doubling over in pain. You put a hand on his back and beg him to remember you.
(text-colour:green)["We... we got engaged at-"]
(text-colour:orange)["-at the river by the city park... right?"]
Dante looks up at you and you can see it right in his eyes- he remembers [[you]].
(track: 'ForeverFlashback', 'fadeout')(text-colour:green)["Yeah... yeah, we did!"]
(text-colour:orange)["And you had... you had gotten a new job, right?"]
(text-colour:green)["Yeah... yeah. I-... Dante.... you remember me, now?"]
(text-colour:orange)["...Can't imagine how I'd ever forgotten. I... can't believe we'd forgotten-"]
You don't let him finish his sentence before you scoop him into a hug, grabbing him fast and holding him tight.
(text-colour:green)["Christ... god, I never stopped... never stopped looking for you. You've gotta know that."]
(text-colour:orange)["I know, I know, I mean you're... you're here now. You signed up for this shit for me?"]
(text-colour:green)["Of course I did. I mean I didn't know the whole- yknow death game thing but even if I did I would've. I mean, you know I loved-"]
(text-colour:green)["Squid Games."]
(text-colour:orange)["Squid Games."]
You both laugh and you peel back to look at him.
(text-colour:green)["I can't believe I found you... Christ, you're here."]
(text-colour:orange)["I'm here? Man, YOU'RE here."]
Dante stares at you for a bit.
(if: $DanteFriendship <8)[(text-colour:orange)["Man... we kinda weren't that close here, huh?"]
(text-colour:green)["No, I... I guess we weren't. Brainwashing and all, y'know?"]
(text-colour:orange)["Yeah."]
You two sit in comfortable silence before spending the rest of the afternoon into the early night [[talking]].](else-if: $DanteFriendship >8 and $RomanceMarker < 3)[(text-colour:orange)["...Even when you didn't remember me, you were still really nice to me. How cool is that?"]
(text-colour:green)["Guess something in me knew it was you, huh?"]
Dante grins and punches your arm.
You two sit in comfortable silence before spending the rest of the afternoon into the early night [[talking]].](else-if: $DanteFriendship >8 and $RomanceMarker > 3)[(text-colour:orange)["...Even when you didn't remember me, you still loved me. I guess I could kinda tell. I was making moves on you too."]
(text-colour:green)["Guess my... heart knew it was you even if my head didn't."]
(text-colour:orange)["..."]
(text-colour:green)["..."]
You two stare at each other for a moment. Dante presses a hand to your cheek. The rest is [[history]].]
(track: 'Realize', 'loop', true)
(track: 'Realize', 'playwhenpossible')You don't even realize how long you've been talking until Kim knocks on your door.
(set: $Learn to true)
(text-colour:purple)["Dante? Can I come in?"]
(text-colour:orange)["Kim! Yeah, I'll open the door!"] Dante gives your hand a squeeze before opening the door and letting Kim in.
(text-colour:purple)["Oh. Hi, Paul."]
(text-colour:green)["Hey, Kimmy."]
Kimmy joins you two sitting on the floor.
(text-colour:purple)["The vote is soon. I wanted to know what the plan was... if that's okay."]
(text-colour:orange)["Sure, that's okay. So here's my plan:
I'll vote for] (text-colour:purple)[Kim.]
(text-colour:purple)[Kim] (text-colour:orange)[will vote for] (text-colour:green)[Paul.]
(text-colour:green)[Paul] (text-colour:orange)[will vote for me."]
(text-colour:green)["Makes sense to me."]
(text-colour:purple)["Me too... do we think think this will work?"]
(text-colour:orange)["I don't know... but we have to try, yeah? We have to."]
(text-colour:purple)["Yeah... yeah."]
The three of you talk for a bit until it's just about time for the vote, and you all head to the [[library->Vote4]].
(track: 'Realize', 'fadeout')... (click-append:'...')[
(set: $Love to true)
You blink awake after hearing a loud noise. It seem you've fallen asleep. You sit up and groan, your body sore. Dante lays snoring next to you.
Man...
You hear that loud noise again. A knock.
(text-colour:purple)["Dante? Can I come in?"]
Kim. Ah, shit.
(text-colour:green)["Kim, yeah, I-I'll come open the door, just give me a second.]
(text-colour:purple)["Paul? Is that you?"]
(text-colour:green)["Yeah, Dante and I were just talking, just give us a sec, yeah?"] You stammer as you hop out of the bed and pull your pants back on.
(text-colour:purple)["Oh. Okay!"]
You shake Dante gently.
(text-colour:green)["Dante. Dante, wake up."]
Dante grumbles and blinks awake.
(text-colour:orange)["W-what's going on?"]
(text-colour:green)["Kim's outside. Get dressed."]
(text-colour:orange)["Ah, shit."] He says, immediately shooting up and dressing himself.
After a few minutes, Dante opens the door.
(text-colour:orange)["Hey, Kimmy."]
(text-colour:purple)["Hi, Dante. Can I come in?"]
(text-colour:orange)["Course, Kim."]
Kimmy walks in and you three sit on the floor.
(text-colour:purple)["The vote is soon. I wanted to know what the plan was... if that's okay."]
(text-colour:orange)["Sure, that's okay. So here's my plan:
I'll vote for] (text-colour:purple)[Kim.]
(text-colour:purple)[Kim] (text-colour:orange)[will vote for] (text-colour:green)[Paul.]
(text-colour:green)[Paul] (text-colour:orange)[will vote for me."]
(text-colour:green)["Makes sense to me."]
(text-colour:purple)["Me too... do we think think this will work?"]
(text-colour:orange)["I don't know... but we have to try, yeah? We have to."]
(text-colour:purple)["Yeah... yeah."]
The three of you talk for a bit until it's just about time for the vote, and you all head to the [[library->Vote4]].]
(track: 'Realize', 'fadeout')The three of you walk into the library right as the clock strikes nine. You guys stand jittery, talking amongst yourselves. When the time to vote comes, Dante nods.
(text-colour:orange)["Let's go over the plan one more time.
I'll vote for] (text-colour:purple)[Kim.]
(text-colour:purple)[Kim] (text-colour:orange)[will vote for] (text-colour:green)[Paul.]
(text-colour:green)[Paul] (text-colour:orange)[will vote for me."]
(text-colour:green)["Understood, bub."]
(text-colour:purple)["Got it."]
(text-style:"shudder")[The phone in your pocket vibrates.] You pull it out and look at the [[screen->VotingTime4]].Please cast your vote.
[[Dante->DanteVoteIV]]
[[Kim->KimVoteIV]]Confirm Vote for Dante?
[[Confirm->Vote4Results]]
[[Go back->VotingTime4]]Stick to the plan, Paul.
[["Stickin' to the plan."->VotingTime4]]The lights stay off. Then flash back on. The LED on the back of the library wall has turned off, now just pitch black.
(text-colour:purple)["Did we... did we do it?"]
(text-colour:orange)["I don't know."]
(text-colour:green)["But there's no tiebreaker vote. This is good, right?"]
(text-colour:orange)["...Let's check the door, yeah?"]
(set:$TrueEnding to true)
(text-colour:green)["Right."] You agree before you all making your way to the [[Exit]].
(track: 'FinaleGood', 'loop', true)
(track: 'FinaleGood', 'playwhenpossible')You and Dante had agreed to meet up around 2PM to discuss strategy for this next voted. While you wait, you read the book Marie had left for you...
Marie...
You feel a lump in your throat but push it down as you read your book.
Eventually, you head over to Dante's room to lock this strategy [[down]].You arrive to Dante's room and he lets you in. He looks strung out. You guys sit in silence for a moment ebfore he tells you he tried talking to Kim and that Kim won't speak to him at all, and that you can't negotiate with her. Dante presents two options: Either vote Kim out to ensure one of them survives, or guess who Kim will vote and attempt to make an equal vote, at risk of either of you dying if the plangoes wrong. You rack your brain.
[["I think we... we have to vote Kim."]]
(if: $KimFriendship is 6)[[["I want to risk it. I think Kim will vote for me."->"I want to risk it. I think Kim will vote for me."]]]Dant nods solemly and sighs.
(text-colour:orange)["I guess that's... the only way."]
You nod.
(text-colour:green)["I guess it is."]
(text-colour:orange)["Still, I want to try to talk to her before we vote. She's scared but... bt maybe we can convince her."]
(text-colour:green)["Yeah... I sure we hope we can."]
You two stand in silence for a bit.
(text-colour:orange)["Well, that's it then. I'll see you tonight."]
(text-colour:green)["Yeah... see you tonight."] You say before slowly showing yourself out the room.
You stand there for a bit before leaning against Dante's door and sighing. This was just awful. Just awful. Still, there's nothing else to do right now but [[Kill time until the vote.->KillTimeII]]You decide to spend the rest of your time in the game room. A pack of card catches your interest and you decide to have a go at solitaire. You recall your fiance always loved solitaire, so you opt to give it a try.
It's boring as hell. but you can't deny you're good at it. You play solitaire for the better part of the night before opting to try and play foosball by yourself. You dick off until right before 9.
As you leave the game room, you run into Dante.
(text-colour:orange)["Paul. In the game room with Kim?"]
(text-colour:green)["Nah, by myself."]
(text-colour:orange)["...You were playing with yourself?"]
(text-colour:green)["Okay, that's enough."]
He grins at you before you two walk into the library (if:$FaithEnding is true)[[[together.->shoulder]]](else:)[[[together.->Chap4Reveal]]]Dante looks at you and then nods. You two sit together with your backs against his bed as he hands you and earbud and clikcs play on the [[casette player->CasetteII]].The music starts out and you immediately feel a pang of nostalgia hit your stomach hard. You ask Dante if he knows this song, and he says that is his favorite song, though he has no memory of listening to it. He just knows it's his favorite.
Your head pounds when you hear it. What is this feeling? What is this song?
You clutch your head and Dante asks if you're okay. Your mind feels like it's tearing apart.
[["I know this song... it's...->Flashback2]]
(track: 'ForeverPresent', 'loop', true)
(track: 'ForeverPresent', 'playwhenpossible')(text-colour:green)["This is a nice song... I like it."]
(text-colour:#fff4e6)["Glad you do. it's my favorite song, yknow?"]
(text-colour:green)["Really? No songs from this decade so it for you?"]
(text-colour:#fff4e6)["Oh, shut up, Paul."]
(text-colour:green)["I'm messing. Still, I like it. It's a really nice song,] (text-style:"wavy-strike","subscript","blurrier","condense")[Dante](text-colour:green)[."]
(text-colour:#fff4e6)["I'm glad you like it. I was thinkin'... uh... when we get married that we could... y'know..."]
(text-colour:green)["Oh... Oh you want this to be our first dance song?"]
(text-colour:#fff4e6)["It was just an idea. We don't have to-"]
(text-colour:green)["No, I like the song,] (text-style:"wavy-strike","subscript","blurrier","condense")[Dante](text-colour:green)[. Don't even worry."]
(text-colour:#fff4e6)["I'm glad."]
(text-colour:green)["..."]
(text-colour:#ffd8a8)["..."]
(text-colour:green)["Want to dance, then?"]
(text-colour:#ffd8a8)["Now?"]
(text-colour:green)["You're not doing anything better, are you?"]
(text-colour:#ffd8a8)["...No, I suppose not."]
(text-colour:green)["C'mon, dance with me."]
(text-colour:#ffd8a8)["Alright, alright, okay."]
(text-colour:green)["..."]
(text-colour:#ffa94d)["..."]
(text-colour:green)["..."]
(text-colour:#ffa94d)["I love you, Paul."]
(text-colour:green)["Woah, where's this coming from,] (text-style:"wavy-strike","subscript","blur","condense")[Dante](text-colour:green)[?"]
(text-colour:orange)["Aint' coming from anywhere . I just... wanted to let you know."]
(text-colour:green)["Well... I love you too,] [[Dante->FianceReveal2]](text-colour:green)[."]
(track: 'ForeverPresent', 'fadeout')
(track: 'ForeverFlashback', 'loop', true)
(track: 'ForeverFlashback', 'playwhenpossible')(text-colour:orange)["Paul? You okay?"]
Dante snaps you back to reality. All you can do is just look at him. Your fiance... your fiance is Dante. It all comes back to you at once. How could you have forgotten?
(text-colour:orange)["Paul? You're lookin' at me kinda funny..."]
You just stare at him.
(text-colour:green)["Dante... you don't rememeber me?"]
He tells you he doesn't know what you're talking about and you tell him that he is your fiance. He thinks you're joking at first, but when you insist on it, he stops.
(text-colour:orange)["I'm not your Fiance, Paul."]
(set: $FianceTruth to true)
You double down, and begin to tell him things about himself. You ask him about his jacket and tell him to expalin to you how he got it. He says someone bought it for him in Hersehy and you push forward and force him to think who got it for him. He says he can't remember and you push him again. He furrows his brow before saying it was his Fiance. He says he has no clue how he forgot he was engaged, and then clutches his head, doubling over in pain. You put a hand on his back and beg him to remember you.
(text-colour:green)["We... we got engaged at-"]
(text-colour:orange)["-at the river by the city park... right?"]
Dante looks up at you and you can see it right in his eyes- he remembers [[you->you2]].
(track: 'ForeverFlashback', 'fadeout')(text-colour:green)["Yeah... yeah, we did!"]
(text-colour:orange)["And you had... you had gotten a new job, right?"]
(text-colour:green)["Yeah... yeah. I-... Dante.... you remember me, now?"]
(text-colour:orange)["...Can't imagine how I'd ever forgotten. I... can't believe we'd forgotten-"]
You don't let him finish his sentence before you scoop him into a hug, grabbing him fast and holding him tight.
(text-colour:green)["Christ... god, I never stopped... never stopped looking for you. You've gotta know that."]
(text-colour:orange)["I know, I know, I mean you're... you're here now. You signed up for this shit for me?"]
(text-colour:green)["Of course I did. I mean I didn't know the whole- yknow death game thing but even if I did I would've. I mean, you know I loved-"]
(text-colour:green)["Squid Games."]
(text-colour:orange)["Squid Games."]
You both laugh and you peel back to look at him.
(text-colour:green)["I can't believe I found you... Christ, you're here."]
(text-colour:orange)["I'm here? Man, YOU'RE here."]
Dante stares at you for a bit.
(if: $DanteFriendship <8)[(text-colour:orange)["Man... we kinda weren't that close here, huh?"]
(text-colour:green)["No, I... I guess we weren't. Brainwashing and all, y'know?"]
(text-colour:orange)["Yeah."]
You two sit in comfortable silence before spending the rest of the afternoon into the early night [[talking->talking2]].](else-if: $DanteFriendship >8 and $RomanceMarker < 3)[(text-colour:orange)["...Even when you didn't remember me, you were still really nice to me. How cool is that?"]
(text-colour:green)["Guess something in me knew it was you, huh?"]
Dante grins and punches your arm.
You two sit in comfortable silence before spending the rest of the afternoon into the early night [[talking->talking2]].](else-if: $DanteFriendship >8 and $RomanceMarker > 3)[(text-colour:orange)["...Even when you didn't remember me, you still loved me. I guess I could kinda tell. I was making moves on you too."]
(text-colour:green)["Guess my... heart knew it was you even if my head didn't."]
(text-colour:orange)["..."]
(text-colour:green)["..."]
You two stare at each other for a moment. Dante presses a hand to your cheek. The rest is [[history->history2]].]
(track: 'Realize', 'loop', true)
(track: 'Realize', 'playwhenpossible')You two spend the rest of the day just talking to each other, catching up.
(set: $Learn to true)
Before you realize it, it's already close to 9PM.
(text-colour:green)["Shoot, time really flies."]
(text-colour:orange)["We should get going, yeah?"]
(text-colour:green)["We should."]
The two of you leave the room just as Kim exits hers. She sees you and freezes before running into the library.
(text-colour:orange)["She's really spooked."]
(text-colour:green)["Yeah... I kinda blew it."]
(text-colour:orange)["It's fine. I have faith in your plane, Paul."]
(text-colour:green)["...Thanks, Dante."]
The two of you walk into the Library, shoulder to [[shoulder]].... (click-append:'...')[
(set: $Love to true)
You blink awake, your vision bleary.
It seems you've fallen asleep. You sit up and groan, your body sore. Dante lays snoring next to you.
Man...
You adjust your glasses and look at the clock and see it's 8:53.
"Shit!" You exclaim, shooting out the bed."Dante! Hey, get up?"
You gently shake him away. "Wake up!"
Dante groans and turns towards you. "What? What's happening?"
"It's 7 minutes will the vote!" You say, pulling your pants on.
"Shit!" Dante exclaims, mirroring you, hopping out of bed himself. You both get dressed quickly and rush to Library, walking in shoulder to [[shoulder]].
]You two arrive to the library and see Kim cowering in the corner. You both decide to give her her space and make small talk on the other side of the library.
Ten minutes pass, and you look over to Kim. She looks terrified. Terrified of YOU.
(text-style:"shudder")[Your phones vibrates.] You hope to everything that you're right about [[this->VotingTime4Alt]].Please cast your vote.
[[Dante->DanteVoteIVAlt]]
[[Kim->KimVoteIVAlt]]Stick to the plan, Paul. Don't let nerves get to you.
[["Stickin' to the plan."->VotingTime4Alt]]Confirm Vote for Dante?
[[Confirm->Vote4ResultsAlt]]
[[Go back->VotingTime4Alt]]The lights stay off. Then flash back on. The LED on the back of the library wall has turned off, now just pitch black.
(text-colour:purple)["What's happening? Why are the lights on?"]
(text-colour:orange)["I don't know... Paul... you think it worked?"]
(text-colour:green)["I'm not sure... but there's no tiebreaker vote. This is good, right?"]
(text-colour:purple)["I don't understand, what do you mean did it work?"]
Dante ignores Kim's question. (text-colour:orange)["...Let's check the door, yeah?"]
(set:$FaithEnding to true)
(text-colour:green)["Right."] You agree before you all making your way to the [[Exit]].
(track: 'FinaleGood', 'loop', true)
(track: 'FinaleGood', 'playwhenpossible')You and Dante enter the library and wait for Kim to arrive. When 9PM arrives, Kim still hasn't arrive.
(text-colour:orange)["Where' is Kim?"] Dante asks. The clock hits 9:01, and suddenly the Library's LED begins to blink.
(text-style:"bold","double-underline","smear","blink")+(text-colour:red)["CONGRATULATIONS ON MAKING IT TO THE FINAL TWO. THE FINAL GAME BEGINS AT NOON TOMORROW. RETURN TO YOUR ROOMS IMMEDIATELY. THERE IS A REWARD FOR YOU IN YOUR DESK."]
(text-colour:green)["Final two? What does-"]
(text-colour:orange)["Oh shit..."] Dante says under his breath before darting out the Library.
(text-colour:green)["Dante, hold on!"] You shout, chasing after [[him->KimReveal]].You chase Dante through the hallways, following him to the Atrium. He stands in front of Kim's door.
(text-colour:orange)["Please, let me be wrong."] he says quietly. You stand right behidn his shoulder and watch as he pushes the door open, revealing...(click-append:'revealing...')[Kim, laying on the floor in a pool of her own blood, her collar having exploded.
(text-colour:orange)["No... no!"] Dante exclaims, rushing into the room and squatting besides her. He clutches at his head. (text-colour:orange)["Damn it!"]
You walk up beside him and your eyes land on Kim's frame. Small. Lifeless. Cold now.
You gag a bit and stumble backwards.
Keep it together, Paul.
You manage to stagger into your own bedroom and collapse infront of the sick, vomitting into the toilet. Dante is at your back quickly, putting a hand on your shoulder.
You stand up shortly after, washing your mouth out as you stagger out your bedroom. You stop as you enter the middle of the room.
(text-colour:orange)["What's wrong?"]
(text-colour:green)["Something's changed."] You say and then you spot it: (click-append:'spot it:')[ Your desk, slightly ajar.
(text-colour:green)["My desk is open."]
(text-colour:orange)["Could you have-"]
(text-colour:green)["No, I couldn't have. I know I didn't."]
You walk over to it, Dante at your side.
Peering inside, you see a card. It's ornately decorated in green and orange. Your favorite shade of green too. You furrow your brow and slowly grab the card, turning it over.
Your stomach drops when you look at the print on the cover of the card.Dante blanches.
(text-colour:orange)["That's... not possible." ]
The front of the car reads something you just cannot believe. (click-replace:'something you just cannot believe.')["YOU ARE INVITED TO PAUL AND DANTE'S WEDDING!"
(set: $FianceTruth to true)
[["No way... no fucking way..."->Chapter4AltEnd]]
]
]
(track: 'BodyDiscovery', 'playwhenpossible')]
(text-style:"bold","expand","buoy")[Chapter 4: Complete]
(track: 'Aftermath', 'fadeout')
(track: 'Swoon', 'playwhenpossible')
[[Continue on to Chapter 5->Chap5]]''Chapter 5''(click-append: "Chapter 5")[<br><br> [[Lover's Quarrel ->5Intro]]]... (click-append:"...")[ <br><br> You and Dante barely had time to process the information befoe you were both instructed to return to your room.](click-append:"room.")[ <br><br> Dante was your fiance... the fiance you came to this game to look for. It seemed unreal.](click-append:"unreal.")[ <br><br> And now, in 20 minutes, the final game would commence. Only one of you would go home.](click-append:"home.")[ <br><br>It felt surreal. you still didn't have all your memories back, but you remember Dante. How he loved you and how you loved him.](click-append:"him.")[ <br><br> You didn't get a wink of sleep at all last night, and the finale will commence soon.](click-append:"soon.")[ <br><br>At the very least...](click-append:"least...")[ <br><br> You found your [[fiance.]]]You exit your room at 9Am on the dot. Dante exits at the same time. You both locl eyes before meeting in the middle of the Atrium and clasping hands. You don't speak to each other, can't really, as you guys walk quietly to the [[Dining Room]].You two enter the Dining Hall and look at the table. You had expected a kitchen knife, like in the videos you had watched. Instead, you see a pistol on the table.
Dante's grip on your hand tightens. He takes a breath as you two unclasp hands and make your way to the table. You two grab hands again and rest your hands on the table. Overhead, the speaker blares, but it's not the voice your used to. The AI voice has been replaced by that of a man that you recognize as the voice of the man who had you sign the contract to be here.
"Congratulations on making it to the final round. And congratulations on finding each other again. The task is simple- This game will end when only one of you remains alive. Win this by your own hand. Survive this by your own hand. Best of luck."
Dante looks you in your eyes, You meet his. It's clear neither of you will make the first move.
(text-colour:orange)["I'm not going to fight you over this, Paul. I think we should... have a conversation."]
(text-colour:green)["I'd expect nothing else."]
You both give each other's hand a squeeze. This was the [[final conversation]].
(set: $DanteDecision to 0)
(set: $Conversation to 0)(if: $Conversation <8)[(text-colour:orange)["Let's talk, Paul."]](else-if: $Conversation is 8)[Dante seems all talked out. Seems... time for conversation is over.]
(if: $Convo2 is false)[[["I'm so happy to see you again. I thought you were gone."->"I'm so happy to see you again. I thought you were gone."]]]
(if: $Convo3 is false)[[["I love you so much, Dante."->"I love you so much, Dante."]]]
(if: $Convo1 is false)[[["It's a shame... about Kim."->"It's a shame... about Kim."]]]
(if: $Convo5 is false)[[["I never stopped looking for you, you know that?"->"I never stopped looking for you, you know that?"]]]
(if: $Convo6 is false)[[["You're still just as handsome as always."->"You're still just as handsome as always."]]]
(if: $Convo4 is false)[[["I'm sorry for blowing it for us."->"I'm sorry for blowing it for us."]]]
(if: $Convo8 is false)[[["Why did you sign up to be here?"->"Why did you sign up to be here?"]]]
(if: $Convo7 is false and $JacketKnowledge is true)[ [["Still got the jacket I got you, I see."]]]
(if: $Conversation > 2)[ [["...I'm ready to end this game."]]]
(track: 'Finale', 'loop', true)
(track: 'Finale', 'playwhenpossible')(text-colour:orange)["I am too, Paul. Though I guess we've been seing a whole lot of each other, huh?"]
(text-colour:green)["I can't believe we forgot about it. Forgot about all of us."]
(text-colour:orange)["Forced amnesia, huh? It's insane, man."]
(text-colour:green)["It is. Such a shit situation but... I'm glad you're here with me."]
(text-colour:orange)["I'm glad you're here too, Paul."]
(set: $Convo2 to true)
[[...->final conversation]]
(set: $DanteDecision to $DanteDecision+3)
(set: $Conversation to $Conversation+1)(text-colour:orange)["Don't say that right now. Don't."]
(text-colour:green)["I have to. I may not be able to-"]
You can't finish that thought. You swallow thickly and bring Dante's knuckles up to your face and kiss his knuckles.
(text-colour:green)["I love you, Dante."]
Dante takes a shaky breath in before kissing your knuckles in turn.
(text-colour:orange)["I love you too, Paul."]
(set: $Convo3 to true)
[[...->final conversation]]
(set: $DanteDecision to $DanteDecision+7)
(set: $Conversation to $Conversation+1)Dante nods.
(text-colour:orange)["It's a shame about all of us. Kim, and Marie, and Chris, and hell, even Whittaker. We didn't deserve this."]
You nod, squeezing Dante's hand.
(set: $Convo1 to true)
[[...->final conversation]]
(set: $Conversation to $Conversation+1)(text-colour:orange)["Clearly not. You wouldn't be sitting here otherwise."]
That gets a chuckle from both you.
(text-colour:green)["I never stopped. Never."]
(text-colour:orange)["I know. And I love you for that."]
Dante smiles softly at you before sighing. He opens his mouth as if to speak again, but he stops himself.
[[...->final conversation]]
(set: $Convo5 to true)
(set: $DanteDecision to $DanteDecision+4)
(set: $Conversation to $Conversation+1)(text-colour:orange)["Oh, cut it out. Time and place."] Dante says firmly, but there's no bite, and he's doing his best not to smile.
(text-colour:green)["I mean it. Don't look like you've been in a death game at all."]
(text-colour:orange)["Well... you've always been a looker yourself, Paul."]
(text-colour:green)["Don't I know it."]
You both laugh at that. When you stop, he just smiles at you softly.
[[...->final conversation]]
(set: $Convo6 to true)
(set: $DanteDecision to $DanteDecision+5)
(set: $Conversation to $Conversation+1)(text-colour:orange)["What do you mean? You didn't-"]
(text-colour:green)["I did. If I had caught on to Whittaker's plan, a-and if I hadn't scared Kim then we wouldn't-"]
(text-colour:orange)["Stop, Paul. This isn't your fault, okay? It's not. It's their fault."] Dante stares into the camera. as he runs his thumb over your knuckes. (text-colour:orange)["This isn't on you at all, okay?" ]
You nod at him but say nothing.
[[...->final conversation]]
(set: $Convo4 to true)
(set: $DanteDecision to $DanteDecision+1)
(set: $Conversation to $Conversation+1)Dante goes quiet for a bit.
(text-colour:orange)["They offered me a lot of money, And we needed it, Paul. I thought it would just be a normal research study, I-I didn't know-"]
(text-colour:green)["Hey, hey, relax. I'm not upset, I'm not. I was just curious."]
(text-colour:orange)["I didn't know it'd be like this. I didn't know you'd come."]
"Are you serious? There's nowhere on earth you could go that I wouldn't follow."(text-colour:green)[
]
He looks at you, his lip trembling, but he steels himself and averts his gaze.
[[...->final conversation]]
(set: $Convo8 to true)
(set: $DanteDecision to $DanteDecision+5)
(set: $Conversation to $Conversation+1)(set: $Convo1 to false)
(set: $Convo2 to false)
(set: $Convo3 to false)
(set: $Convo4 to false)
(set: $Convo5 to false)
(set: $Convo6 to false)
(set: $Convo7 to false)
(set: $Convo8 to false)
(set: $JacketKnowledge to true)
(set: $DanteDecision to 0)
(set: $Conversation to 0)
[[final conversation]] (text-colour:orange)["Always have. It's my favorite. Guess it's my staple now, huh?"]
(text-colour:green)["Commented on it to you and didn't even realize I'm the one who bought it for you."]
(text-colour:orange)["Funny, huh? Guess we both knew something was up, huh?"]
(text-colour:green)["Our hearts found each other through amnesia."] You joke and Dante laughs. A real one.
God, you love him.
[[...->final conversation]]
(set: $Convo7 to true)
(set: $DanteDecision to $DanteDecision+7)
(set: $Conversation to $Conversation+1)Dante nods.
(text-colour:orange)["Me too."]
You both look at the gun.
(text-colour:orange)["Paul... I want it to be you."]
(text-colour:green)["What?"]
(text-colour:orange)["I want you to live. To get out of here. The only reason you're here-"]
(text-colour:green)["Stop it."]
(text-colour:orange)["-is because you were looking for me."]
(text-colour:green)["Stop it, Dante."]
(text-colour:orange)["I love you, Paul. I love you so much. So you have to live, okay? Please."]
(text-colour:green)["You can't ask that of me. That's... that's just cruel."]
(text-colour:orange)["I know. I know. But one of us has to win this thing, and get out of here."]
You look down at the gun, then back to Dante. You take a shuddering breath.
[[Take the gun]]
[[Force the gun into Dante's hand]]
(track: 'Finale', 'fadeout')You pick up the gun, feeling the weight of it in your hand.
(text-colour:orange)["I'm ready, Paul."] Dante says. He takes a breath and meets your eyes. (text-colour:orange)["I'm glad it's you."]
You look at him, then to the gun.
(text-colour:green)["I love you, Dante."]
(text-colour:orange)["I know. I love you too."]
(text-colour:green)["...Close your eyes, Dante."]
Dante takes one last look at you, and then nods, closing his eyes.
You raise the gun, and think hard one last time for one last decision.
[[Shoot Dante]]
(if: $DanteFriendship > 10 and $RomanceMarker > 3)[[[Shoot Yourself->Shoot Yourself]]]You take the gun, feeling it's weight in your hand. Then, you force it into Dante's hands.
(text-colour:orange)["What're you-"]
(text-colour:green)["I'm not shooting you, Dante. I'm not touching the gun."]
(text-colour:orange)["Paul, I don't-"]
(text-colour:green)["Dante, I've been nothing but giving to you since we've been together."] You smile sadly at him. (text-colour:green)["Let me be selfish just this once. Please. You worked your ass off to survive that first game, and you've worked your ass off to survive now. I want it to be you. You need to win this."]
Dante looks at you, stunned, before looking down at the gun.
(text-colour:green)["I'm glad it's you, Dante."] You say, giving him a nod before taking a deep breath and closing your eyes.
You hear Dante exhale , and then hear the hammer click.
(text-colour:orange)["I love you, Paul."]
(text-colour:green)["I know you do. I love you too."]
You're glad, in the end, that Dante will make it home. That's all you wanted.
(if: $DanteDecision >18)[[[...->RouteC]]](else:)[[[...->RouteD]]]
...(click-replace:'...')[..](click-replace:'..')[[[.->RouteA]]]
(track: 'Shot', 'playwhenpossible')
...(click-replace:'...')[..](click-replace:'..')[[[.->RouteB]]]
(track: 'Shot', 'playwhenpossible')
...(click-replace:'...')[..](click-replace:'..')[[[.->RouteCII]]]
(track: 'Shot', 'playwhenpossible')
...(click-replace:'...')[..](click-replace:'..')[[[.->RouteDII]]]
(track: 'Shot', 'playwhenpossible')(text-colour:green)[You] tremble, the gun smoking in your hand. Dante's head is tilted back, blood streaming down his face.
You gag, before vomitting onto the floor. Then again. Suddenly, your collar pops off, clattering to the floor with a clank. You stagger to your feet. It was over now, right?
You walk over to Dante, and embrace his body, his blood pooling onto your shirt. You collapse to your knees, bringing him down with you, and hold him for a while, just muttering (text-colour:green)["Sorry... I'm so sorry..."] to yourself.
(set: $GoodbyeMyLoveA to true)
Hours go by this way until you're all cried out. When you are, you set him down gently, you slowly rise to your feet and begin to stagger to the [[Exit]].
(track: 'FinaleBad', 'loop', true)
(track: 'FinaleBad', 'playwhenpossible')(text-colour:orange)[You] open your eyes. Open them? You look across the table, and immediately shoot to your feet.
(text-colour:orange)["Oh no... no... no!"] You exclaim as your eyes land on Paul, sprawled across the floor, a pool of blood forming under him. The gun has clattered to the floor, far away from his grip.
You drop to your knees and crawl over to him, hoisting him into your lap, expecting him to curl into you as he usually does. He lies limp in your arms. You heave, and then look to the kitchen camera.
(text-colour:orange)["Are you fucking satisfied!?"]
As if in response, your collar pops off, landing on Paul with a thud.
(set: $GoodbyeMyLoveB to true)
You stay on the kitchen floor for hours, crying, telling Paul you're sorry. When you're all cried out, you stagger to your feet and begin to shuffle to the [[Exit]].
(track: 'FinaleBad', 'loop', true)
(track: 'FinaleBad', 'playwhenpossible')(text-colour:green)[You] open your eyes. Open them? You look across the table, and immediately shoot to your feet.
(text-colour:green)["Oh God... no, this isn't-!"] You exclaim as your eyes land on Dante, sprawled across the floor, a pool of blood forming under him. The gun has clattered to the floor, far away from his grip.
You drop to your knees and crawl over to him, hoisting him into your lap, expecting him to curl into you the way you usually do to him. He lies limp in your arms. You heave, and then look to the kitchen camera.
(text-colour:green)["Is this... is this what you wanted? Huh!?"]
As if in response, your collar pops off, landing on Dante with a thud.
(set: $GoodbyeMyLoveC to true)
You stay on the kitchen floor for hours, crying, telling Dante you're sorry. When you're all cried out, you stagger to your feet and begin to shuffle to the [[Exit]].
(track: 'FinaleBad', 'loop', true)
(track: 'FinaleBad', 'playwhenpossible')(text-colour:orange)[You] tremble, the gun smoking in your hand. Paul's head is tilted back, blood streaming down his face.
You gag, before vomitting onto the floor. Then again. Suddenly, your collar pops off, clattering to the floor with a clank. You stagger to your feet. It was over now, right?
You walk over to Paul, and embrace his body, his blood pooling onto your shirt. You collapse to your knees, bringing him down with you, and hold him for a while, just muttering (text-colour:orange)["Sorry... I'm so sorry..." ]to yourself.
(set: $GoodbyeMyLoveD to true)
Hours go by this way until you're all cried out. When you are, you set him down gently, you slowly rise to your feet and begin to stagger to the [[Exit]].
(track: 'FinaleBad', 'loop', true)
(track: 'FinaleBad', 'playwhenpossible')Kim stills at that.
(text-colour:purple)["What?"]
(text-colour:green)["Well, Marie is up in heaven right now. With God. Don't you think she'd be upset if Dante died too? She might have a few words with God."]
(text-colour:purple)["Oh... oh I don't-"]
(text-colour:red)["That's nonsense. Paul, cut it out! Kimmy, no one is having a word with God."]
(text-colour:purple)["But... but Marie could be... she could be talking with Him about me..."]
(text-colour:red)["She's not! That's ridiculous!"]
Kim goes quiet and looks skyward.
(text-colour:red)["Damn it, Kim, focus!"]
(text-colour:green)["Kim... Marie cared about you, you know that she did. Think about her."]
(set: $KimDistrust to 0)
(text-style:"shudder")[Your phones vibrates again.] You hope you've done enough. That's all you can do now.
(if: $DanteFriendship >6)[(text-colour:orange)["Paul."] Dante says and you turn to him. (text-colour:orange)["No matter what happens here, don't let this game make you something you're not."]
You look at him confused but nod.
(text-colour:green)["Alright."](set:$Hesitate to true)]
Round two of voting had [[begun->Vote3Round2]].
Dante looks at you and then nods. You two sit together with your backs against his bed as he hands you and earbud and clikcs play on the [[casette player]].You hesitate, as Dante's ;ast words echo in your head.
(text-colour:orange)["Paul. No matter what happens here, don't let this game make you something you're not."]
Is this what he meant? Killing Kim just to survive? Is this what he meant by this game making you something you're not?
...
Your hand shakes and your resolve wavers just a hair. This game has to end, right here, right now. There's no putting it off any longer. So you do the only thing that feels right.
[[Kill Kim->MonsterEnding]]
[[Kill Yourself->MercyEnding]]
(track: 'Hunt', 'fadeout')Dante furrows his brow and asks if you're sure. You tell him no, but say that you have to at least try. Dante looks at you and then says that if you're wrong, Dante will die. You nod.
(text-colour:green)["Do you trust me?"]
Dante blinks at you.
(if: $DanteFriendship <8)[(text-colour:orange)["I don't exactly feel confident in this plan, Paul."]
You nod.
(text-colour:green)["Alright. Then I guess that only leaves...] [[the other option.->"I think we... we have to vote Kim."]](text-colour:green)["]](else:)[(text-colour:orange)["I don't exactly feel confident in this plan, Paul."]
You nod.
(text-colour:orange)["But... I trust you. So if you think this is best, I'll go with it.]
"...I appreciate that, Dante."
(text-colour:orange)["Sure. So it's set then.
I'll vote for] Kim
Kim(text-colour:orange)[ will vote for] you
You'll (text-colour:orange)[vote for me."]
"I'm on board."
(text-colour:orange)["Okay. Well then... I'm gonna kill some time."]
Dante reveals that one of the items he recieved for surviving two tie votes was a casette player that played his favorite song. He says that if you're taking your leave, he's going to listen to the tape. He bids you a good afternoon.
(set:$FaithEnding to true)
[[Kill time until the vote.->KillTimeII]]
(if: $DanteFriendship >7 and $RomanceMarker >3)[[[Offer to join him->JoinHimII]]]](set: $DanteFriendship to 11)
(set: $RomanceMarker to 4)
[[you]]