{
(set: $baseballfantasy to false)
(set: $musicfantasy to false)
(set: $piratefantasy to false)
(set: $comedyfantasy to false)
(set: $warriorfantasy to false)
(set: $ignore to true)
(set: $fantasycount to 1)
}
Good morning. You slept through your alarm. You should really [[get ready for work->the bathroom]].
[[//Doze//->Doze]]I get it, your life is boring. But you really should get up. (link: "Something is wrong.")[(set: $ignore to false)(goto: "the bathroom")]
[[//Keep dozing.//->Keep dozing]]**The Bathroom**
Took you long enough.
{
(if: $ignore is false AND $fantasycount < 3)[I know I said something was wrong, but nothing looks amiss to you.]
(if: $ignore is false AND $fantasycount is 3)[Okay, maybe something is wrong. Your guess is as good as mine as to what though.]
(if: $fantasycount < 3)[
You see [[your toothbrush]], [[a bottle of facewash]], and [[a stick of deodorant]].
Also the mirror. But you really don't have time to examine every single one of your pores today.]
}
(if: $fantasycount is 3)[You're late. Better get in [[the car]].]Don't say I didn't warn you.
(set: $ignore to true)
[[//Get up.//->the bathroom]]**Please don't--**
(if: $comedyfantasy is false)[[[//Hold your toothbrush like a microphone and start telling a funny story.//->Comedian]]]
(if: $baseballfantasy is false)[[[//Hold your toothbrush like a baseball bat and get ready to swing.//->Baseball]]]
(if: $musicfantasy is false)[[[//Hold your toothbrush like a baton and start conducting.//->Maestro]]]**Now is not the time to--**
(if: $comedyfantasy is false)[[[//Hold the deodorant like a microphone and start telling jokes.//->Comedian]]]
(if: $piratefantasy is false)[[[//Hold the deodorant up to your eye like a spyglass and start singing a sea shanty.//->Pirate]]]**World Series** (set: $fantasycount to $fantasycount +1)
//"In case you're just tuning in, it's two outs, bottom of the 9th, 7th game in the World Series. The score is tied. Runner in scoring position, and you'll never guess who's up to bat."// (set: $baseballfantasy to true)
You taste dust and expectation. Tens of thousands of fans chant your name, but you're not listening--your eyes are glued to the pitcher as he plays with the ball in his glove. Usually his face is inscrutable, but this time you can see a hint of fear in his eyes.
He winds up. Time slows down. This is what you were born to do.
[[//Swing and drive in the winning run.//->the bathroom]]**Symphony Hall** (set: $fantasycount to $fantasycount +1)
The applause dies down. This is your favorite part--the moment of silence before the symphony. You close your eyes, take a deep breath, and picture the entire piece taking shape before you, like a marvelous musical painting. You feel the sorrow of the middle movement, the elation of the finale, and the relief of the last, quiet chord. You open your eyes and raise your baton. (set: $musicfantasy to true)
[[//Give the first downbeat of your debut performance.//->the bathroom]]**Above deck** (set: $fantasycount to $fantasycount +1)
You check your map before scanning the horizon through your spyglass. You have been hunting this treasure for months. You spot a dark patch toward the east. A gull glides by on the cool breeze. A young deckhand runs over to look down into the blue-green sea as a school of colorful fish swims by. You take a long look at your crew. After weathering countless storms and even fighting in the occasional battle, everyone looks ready for a rest. Still, your trusty first mate stands at the ready, awaiting your command. (set: $piratefantasy to true)
[[//Land ho!//->the bathroom]]**Onstage** (set: $fantasycount to $fantasycount +1)
A peal of laughter comes up from the audience. You keep a straight face, but your heart soars. You've practiced telling this story over and over in front of the mirror, in front of friends, even in your dreams. This time, though, you tell it a little differently. You seem to know just how long to pause before the punchline so that you build tension without making it awkward. You can feel the audience lean in, intrigued, unsure of what to expect next. (set: $comedyfantasy to true)
[[//Make 'em laugh.//->the bathroom]]**Great Hall** (set: $fantasycount to $fantasycount +1)
You've done it. You've slain the monster terrorizing your village. After days of searching for its lair, you found the opening and descended into its cave, dodging flame and poison and at last besting it with your longsword. Your name will live on in the legends of your people for millenia. But you couldn't have done it without the many people who gave their lives on the quest. (set: $warriorfantasy to true)
[[//A toast to our fallen warriors.//->the bathroom]]**The Car**
Okay, you know the drill. Just please concentrate on driving and //do not// get distracted.
[[//Buckle your seatbelt and prepare for take-off.//->Astronaut]]**Space Ship**
Your eyes scan over the countless dials and switches around the cockpit. If all goes well, this will be the first leg of a long journey to a part of the solar system that no human being has ever been to. You look forward to looking out the window and viewing the stars as no one ever has before.
You also look forward to the moment where you can come home, finally settle down with [[your wife]], and tell stories to your grandkids about your adventures.
There's the countdown. You adjust yourself and try to relax.
[[//5... 4... 3... 2...//->turn left]]***HONK***
You missed something. And I don't just mean the car you almost T-boned just now.
You've been daydreaming to avoid thinking about something.
(if: $ignore is false)[It's not just today. You've been doing this for days.(click-replace: "days.")[months.](click-replace: "months.")[years.](click-replace: "years.")[...how long, exactly?
[[//Try to remember.//->BEGINNING END]]
(if: $comedyfantasy is true)[[[//Crack a joke.//->JOKE END]]]
[[//Don't answer.//->PRIVATE END 1]]
]]
(else: )[Are you sure you're okay?
[[//Yes.//->okay 2]]
[[//No.//->HONEST END]]
]None of my business. [[Fair enough.->PRIVATE END 2]]Dealing with shame with humor. [[Classic.->JOKE END 2]]...No use. You've been feeling this way as long as you remember.
You can only describe it as... wrong.
It's as if you were {
(if: $baseballfantasy is true)[pinch-hitting for someone else, every second of every day... or ]
(if: $comedyfantasy is true)[performing a character, since before you even knew that was what you were doing... or ]
(if: $warriorfantasy is true)[going into battle with every interaction, getting slowly worn down by a battle you'll never win... or ]
(if: $piratefantasy is true)[desperately trying to keep afloat in a storm that you were never meant to be in... or ]
(if: $musicfantasy is true)[trying to play along to a song you've never heard, but that everyone else seems to know... or ]} floating out in space, looking down at your life from afar.
You won't figure out what it is today. You probably won't figure it out tomorrow.
But one day you will meet someone like you. Someone that feels wrong the way that you feel wrong. They will help you realize
(click-append: "realize")[ you are [[trans.->BEGINNING END 2]]]You live out the rest of your life, keeping your cards close to your chest.
[[**PRIVATE END**->Endings]]You quit your job and become a successful stand-up comic.
[[**JOKE END**->Endings]]I would tell you this is the true end of the story, but I don't think that's true.
[[**BEGINNING**->Endings]]**Cafeteria, Center for Advanced Studies, Mars Outpost**
"Can I sit here?"
You look up from your breakfast. You can't believe your eyes. It's the woman who stood up for you to your advisor earlier today.
You try to [[say yes->Bathroom Fantasy on Mars]], but nothing comes out.
She sits down anyway and immediately launches into a story about what a bizarre day she had. Apparently she'd been working on research on--well, you have no idea, honestly. It's a little over your head. Also you're distracted by her brilliant brown eyes...
[[//Just listen to her talk.//->U-turn]]**The Bathroom**
You pick up the razor and run it along your jawline. It feels right.
[[//Snap out of it.//->HONK]]**Bathroom, 45 Glenn Lane, New Houston, Mars Outpost
2 hours before the wedding**
You never get butterflies, but today you're a nervous wreck.
The counter is empty except for a [[razor]].
There is a mirror here. But you really don't have time to examine every single one of your pores today.**The Car**
You know that was your turn, right? Are you even paying attention to the road?
[[//Keep straight and head downtown. Maybe you can pick up something to eat.//->your wife]]
(if: $ignore is true)[[[//Go in the opposite direction of your workplace.//->okay]]]**The Car**
You know you could've made a U-turn there.
Or there.
Are you sure you're alright?
(if: $ignore is false)[[[//Look for a place that might have pancakes to go.//->Bathroom Fantasy on Mars]]]
(if: $ignore is true)[[[//Start driving out of town.//->okay]]]Find all the endings?
1. PRIVATE END
2. JOKE END
3. BEGINNING END
4. HONEST END
5. END
[[//Go back to the beginning and play again.//->Awake]]**The Car**
Okay, now I //know// you're deliberately ignoring me.
Are you sure you're okay?
[[//Yes.//->okay 2]]
[[//No.//->HONEST END]]You're sure?
[[//YES.//->END]]
[[//No.//->HONEST END]]Well, that's a relief. Because I think I know what's wrong. It's not bad, I promise. You'll figure it out.
In the meantime, //keep dreaming.//
[[**HONEST END**->Endings]]There's only so much I can do. It's your choice.
[[//Go to work. There's nothing else to do within 50 miles.//->END 2]]You go to work. You go home. Days pass.
{
(click-replace: "Days")[Months]
(click-replace: "Months")[Years]
}
Nothing changes.
[[**END**->Endings]]**I swear if you--**
(if: $warriorfantasy is false)[[[//Hold the bottle of facewash like a flagon of ale and make a toast.//->Warrior]]]
(if: $piratefantasy is false)[[[//Hold the bottle of facewash up to your eye like a spyglass and start singing a sea shanty.//->Pirate]]]