  
ClubFloyd Transcript:
The idea behind ClubFloyd is that each
week at a pre-arranged time, a group of
people meet online to cooperatively play
a game of interactive fiction.
ANOTHER WARNING! A lot (most!) of the transcripts contained on this site are, shall we say, family-friendly. This one is mostly family-friendly, but includes some language, drug use, and, um, desecration of the dead. Just so we're clear. |
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ToyShop & Floyditorium
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#ClubFloyd Discussion
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| PerrySimm | (It was a gorgeous afternoon in August, just a few weeks before you started high school. You were out in the pool in your backyard with Summer Okamura. She swam up next to your pool float.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: You know, if we lived on Titan we would be swimming in liquid methane right now. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You lifted your sunglasses and replied...) | ||
| PerrySimm | Probably wouldn't be as nice. | ||
| PerrySimm | Which one is Titan? | Karona exclaims, "Hi, David!" | |
| DavidW says, "hi Karona" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Last two lines are the choices, I take it?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yep" | ||
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "Hi!" | ||
| Plover runs out of the room, with a smile on his face. | Jacqueline says, "Hi, DW. @recap the channel 50 or so to see what's up." | |
| DavidW asks, "We're playing Known Unknowns, and you're Floyd today?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yes" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "And you arrived just in time to see the first bit of text." | ||
| DavidW says, "ok." | ||
| Karona exclaims, "Great speed reading, DW!" | ||
| Plover arrives, ready to play with the toys. | DavidW says, "I need to wake up in a hurry. So so tired." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Personally, I'd go with 'Probably wouldn't be as nice'" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "So, I'd vote first one." | ||
| DavidW asks, "Where was the game text?" | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "In the room. Perry." | ||
| DavidW says, "First is fine." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, to keep things moving, should I just select once two people agree on an option?" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm guessing that wouldn't be quite as nice. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Well it would be minus 180 degrees for one thing. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ah. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: And very poisonous. Although if we actually lived on Titan we probably would have evolved to drink methane. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Or at least swim in it. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Mm-hmm. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She swam over the edge of the pool.) | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | Knight_Otu says, "May work." | |
| PerrySimm | (You rummaged around in the fridge.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What do you want to drink? We're out of liquid methane. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Diet Coke? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You grabbed one out of the fridge and handed it to her.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Tell me more about Titan. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: What do you want to know? | ||
| PerrySimm | Who discovered it? | ||
| PerrySimm | How long's a year there? | ||
| PerrySimm | How big is it? | ||
| PerrySimm | Why are you so interested in it? | Karona says, "That sounds good to me, Jacqueline." | |
| DavidW says, "hm. I like all these options." | ||
| DavidW asks, "First again?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay. Once someone seconds a suggestion it shall be the choice." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I'd like the fourth option." | ||
| DavidW says, "I'll change my vote to fourth then." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "(Though with any luck, we'll get all of them?)" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: So why are you so interested in Titan anyway? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: I don't know, I was just thinking about it today for some reason. You know it's the only place in the solar system with surface liquid? Besides Earth obviously. That makes it kind of special. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm amazed you can remember all this planet stuff. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Haven't you ever memorized the details of something you really like? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Maybe. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She put her pop down and got up from the stool.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Come on, let's go up and watch a movie. | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | Karona says, "I like the second." | |
| Plover runs out of the room, with a smile on his face. | ||
| PerrySimm | (It was nice and cool up in your room. The lights were off, the blinds were down, and the ceiling fan was running. The two of you laid next to each other on your bed, drifting in and out of consciousness. Every time your eyes fluttered open for a few seconds hers would be closed. She looked peaceful. At one point you traced a little pattern on her arm — five criss-crossing lines. She giggled lightly and opened her eyes.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: What is that? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: A star. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: A star? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah, you know. Because of space. You love space. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: I love planets. There's a difference. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Planets are in space. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Everything is in space. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Exactly. It makes sense. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She smiled for a second. Then her face dropped a bit.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: ...Hey. Are you mad Allen isn't here? | ||
| PerrySimm | Why would I be mad? | ||
| PerrySimm | If I wanted him here I'd have invited him. | ||
| PerrySimm | Best friends take precedence. | Jacqueline says, "Sadly it doesn't copy the bullets for the choices, but it's the last three lines." | |
| DavidW asks, "First again?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Karona says, "I like the third." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What? No. Why would I be mad? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: I mean... (She looked down.) I know you like hanging out with him and everything. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Sure, but I like hanging out with you more. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: ...Yeah? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah. Of course. (Your voice got quiet.) ...You're... | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: ...I'm...? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ..... | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | (You followed her as she hurried down the stairs.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Yeah. No. I uh... I promised my mom I'd clean a bunch of things. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh... uh. Okay... | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Things in my house. Today. So uh I really have to go now so I can do that. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Wait, you don't have to go! I mean, we don't have to— | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: I— Sorry Nadia. Bye. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay. Uh... | ||
| PerrySimm | (She ran out the front door.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Bye. | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | Known Unknowns | ||
| PerrySimm | episode one: the to-do list | ||
| PerrySimm | ------ | ||
| PerrySimm | Newspaper Office — After School | ||
| PerrySimm | Tuesday, 6 September 2016 | ||
| PerrySimm | (Middle Canada College, three years later. You're standing in front of your desk at the school newspaper office.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: We good to go? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Ready whenever you are, boss. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay. Then as Editor-in-Chief of the Middleman I hereby convene the first staff meeting of Volume 103. Let's start with the roll call. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You open up your agenda.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Nadia Nazari. Here. (You put a checkmark next to your name.) Kaz Kaczmarek? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Here. (They put up their hand.) | ||
| PerrySimm | (You make another check and then set down your pen.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...I feel like that used to take a lot longer. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (looking around the empty room) I guess that's what happens when 90% of the staff graduates all at once. | ||
| PerrySimm | We'll have to do a recruiting drive. | ||
| PerrySimm | Shoot. | ||
| PerrySimm | What happened to Ash? | DavidW says, "Second choice." | |
| Jacqueline asks, "Shoot?" | ||
| Karona says, "AFK" | ||
| DavidW says, "oh,no" | ||
| Karona disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again. | Jacqueline asks, "Or What happened to Ash?" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Boom boom?" | ||
| DavidW says, "Third choice." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay. I agree." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What happened to Ash? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Ashley Bridges? I think she was saying she's super busy with sports this year and can't come out. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Wasn't there like that one Grade 9 kid? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Grade 10 now. But he stopped coming in at the end of the year. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What was his name again? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (uncertainly) Jo...sh? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ugh. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Hey, it's not that bad. You know how to write, I know InDesign. What else do we need? | ||
| PerrySimm | Photographers. | ||
| PerrySimm | Reporters. | ||
| PerrySimm | Copy Editors. | ||
| PerrySimm | Cartoonists. | ||
| PerrySimm | A Graphics Team. | ||
| PerrySimm | Distribution. | ||
| PerrySimm | Someone to work the photocopier. | DavidW says, "I read that as two choices not three." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Photographers is the first choice." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'd say Distribution." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "But really any of them." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I'd have said reporters, but sure." | ||
| DavidW says, "yeah, we need all." | ||
| Jacqueline says, having once run her high school newspaper. | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "(And yeah, all of them, really.)" | ||
| Jacqueline asks (of DW), "Reporters or distribution?" | ||
| DavidW says, "reporters, I guess" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: More reporters, for one thing. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Oh come on. You don't need the help. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Traditionally the editor edits things that other people write for her. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: So you get to take things in a bold new untraditional direction! | ||
| PerrySimm | (You sigh. They pat you on the shoulder.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Relax, okay? You're going to make a great Editor-in-Chief. The best one ever, probably. | ||
| PerrySimm | Doubt it. | ||
| PerrySimm | Maybe... | Knight_Otu says, "Maybe..." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Would it be helpful if I put a break in between the text and the choices? I can try that next time. But it's the last two lines this time." | ||
| DavidW says, "The choices look the same to me." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Heh. Yeah, sort of." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'll second Maybe." | ||
| DavidW says, "Both express doubt." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You look up at the wall above the editor's desk, where a portrait of the paper's founder Osgoode Terauley hangs.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Maybe... But I've got a looong way to go before they immortalize me in an oil painting. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Hey, if an oil painting will make you feel better I know this Chinese website that'll do 'em for cheap. | ||
| PerrySimm | (There's a knock on the door. You turn and see Kaz's twin sister Anja standing in the doorway.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Oh, hey. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Hey Kaz. (She looks around.) ...I thought you said you had that newspaper thing tonight. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | This is the newspaper thing. | ||
| PerrySimm | You here to sign up? | Jacqueline asks, "Does that make it more clear?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Also, line between... yeah, that helps." | ||
| DavidW says, "first choice" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Agreed." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: This is the newspaper thing. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: ...Wow, Nazari. Some turnout. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You glare at her.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: (to Kaz) You ready to go or what? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Uh... Better go without me. I think it's going to be a late night. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Fine, then I'm taking the car. (She holds out her hand.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: ...Shit, the keys are in my locker. Hold on. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Kaz runs out the door.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Hustle, Kaczmarek! | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | ||
| PerrySimm | So... | Jacqueline says, "(Yes, your choices are '...' or 'So...'" | |
| Jacqueline says, ")" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "CHOOSE CAREFULLY" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I already don't like Anja." | ||
| DavidW says, "Second choice" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: So... | ||
| PerrySimm | (She stares at you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: How's, uh— | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Hey just so you know? I'm keeping my eye on you this year. So don't pull any shit. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh... excuse me? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: You heard me. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | What kind of shit? | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't need you "keeping an eye" on me. | ||
| PerrySimm | Could we not fight? | Jacqueline says, "I concur on the already-not-liking-Anja thing." | |
| Jacqueline says, "I like 'Could we not fight?'" | ||
| DavidW says, "That'd be my last choice." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah, I second that one." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "Huh" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Are you strongly opposed?" | ||
| DavidW says, "Not enough to veto it. Go ahead." | ||
| Jacqueline wonders if DW wants to fight. | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Look, Anja. I don't want to fight. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: (shrugging) Fine. If you can behave yourself around Summer then we won't have a problem. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Wait, Summer's back? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Against everyone's better judgment, yes. And if you start any more shit with her there's going to be trouble. Understand? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I— | ||
| PerrySimm | (Kaz jogs back in and dangles their car keys in front of Anja.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Voila. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Thanks. (She grabs them.) Have a fun time with your newspaper. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She gives you a pointed look and then leaves.) | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Newspaper Office — Night | ||
| PerrySimm | (Six hours later.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (stretching) Alright. I'm calling it. I think we're in a good enough position for the rest of the week. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Awesome. (They shut their laptop and start rummaging through their bag.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Sorry about the overtime. I'm sure press night'll get shorter once we recruit some more staffers. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: It's cool dude. Late night at the paper means late night in an empty building, which means... (They pull a small plastic tube out of their bag and pop it open.) I get to smoke some marijuana! And you get to sit and watch me smoke marijuana. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Kaz slides their rolling chair over to the window and cracks it open a bit. You lay down on the floor as they slip a joint out of the tube and light it.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | I can't believe you're already getting high. | ||
| PerrySimm | Why does your sister hate me? | ||
| PerrySimm | We've got a lot of work ahead of us. | DavidW asks, "hm. What genders are everyone, including us?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "We are presumably female, so are Anja and Summer." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I think we id as female, Kaz is they, and yeah, Anja and Summer also female." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Kaz apparently is nonbinary in some fashion." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah." | ||
| DavidW asks, "girls call each other 'dude', then?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "In this universe." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So, I am fine with any of these choices and will let you all pick." | ||
| DavidW asks, "=> Why does your sister hate me?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey so... what's up with Anja? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Lots. (They take a hit.) You'll have to be more specific. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I mean why does she have it in for me? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (shrugging) Dunno. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't either. | ||
| PerrySimm | She's never said? | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm getting sick of it. | DavidW asks, "=> She's never said?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Second that." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: She's never said? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I hate to break it to you but you don't really come up in conversation. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You don't think it's slightly weird that your sister never brings up the fact that she hates your best friend? | ||
| PerrySimm | (They shrug.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: It's not like we're automatically friends with each other's friends. Like I never talk to Summer Okamura and that's not really a big deal. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Anja still hangs out with Summer? | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm getting sick of it. | DavidW asks, "=> Anja still hangs out with Summer?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "=> Anja still hangs out..." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Right." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I didn't realize Anja and Summer still hung out. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Oh yeah, totally. They've been buds for like... years now. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Is it true she's back at MMC this year? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yeah, I saw her earlier today. Wonder what made her transfer... | ||
| PerrySimm | (You stare up at the ceiling.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: You hung out with her a lot back in middle school, right? What happened there? | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | We had a falling out. | ||
| PerrySimm | We grew apart. | ||
| PerrySimm | She stopped talking to me. | DavidW says, "=> She stopped talking to me." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: She just kind of stopped talking to me. She wouldn't answer my texts or my emails or talk to me in the hall. And then she changed schools and uh there you go. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Do you have any idea why? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh, well... It's... complicated. | ||
| PerrySimm | (A huge bang rings out from the hallway. Kaz tumbles backwards onto the floor as you jolt your head back up.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (hushed) Shit! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: What was that? | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Construction? | ||
| PerrySimm | Security? | ||
| PerrySimm | A teacher? | ||
| PerrySimm | The building settling? | ||
| PerrySimm | Who cares? Let's go. | DavidW says, "=> Who cares? Let's go." | |
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "Run away!" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Does it matter? Whatever it is it's not going to be a fan of you smoking up. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You hear another loud noise from out in the hall.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Right. Okay. (They toss the joint out the window.) Let's get out of here. | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | DavidW says, "Robot uprising, I bet." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Oh dear. The next bit has in-line choices. I will type them in like choices have been appearing to make it clearer." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Anja, with the axe, in the school hallways." | ||
| PerrySimm | 2nd Floor — Night | ||
| PerrySimm | You step out of the office and quietly shut the door behind you. Another loud bang sounds out from the closed library to the east. | ||
| PerrySimm | Wisps of purple smoke spill out into the darkened hallway from under the boarded up entrance to the old North Wing. | ||
| PerrySimm | A stairwell leads down to the main floor. | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaz looks around anxiously. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Office | ||
| PerrySimm | North Wing | ||
| PerrySimm | Stairwell | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaz | Jacqueline says, "There" | |
| Jacqueline asks, "Let's check out Kaz?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (hushed) Okay, what's the plan? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Honestly our best bet is probably going down to the front door. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: The front door? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Well it's better than going out a window! | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | 2nd Floor — Night | ||
| PerrySimm | You step out of the office and quietly shut the door behind you. Another loud bang sounds out from the closed library to the east. | ||
| PerrySimm | Wisps of purple smoke spill out into the darkened hallway from under the boarded up entrance to the old North Wing. | ||
| PerrySimm | A stairwell leads down to the main floor. | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaz looks around anxiously. | DavidW says, "I'd guess if we choose Kaz, they did the picking instead. I'd pick the North Wing." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "They have a point." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Hm. So, if we like their point: stairwell?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Looks like you choose, KO" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I am curious about the north wing." | ||
| DavidW says, "The adventurer in me says boarded up room with smoke. Normal me agrees with getting the heck outta there." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay. North wing it is." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You walk up to the boarded up archway and try to see through one of the cracks in the construction hoarding.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (in an anxious whisper) Na! What are you doing? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Trying to see where this smoke is coming from. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: In case you've forgotten that's exactly the kind of question we're trying to avoid right now. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | The school might be burning down. | ||
| PerrySimm | You aren't curious? | ||
| PerrySimm | Okay, okay. | Jacqueline says, "I am enjoying this." | |
| DavidW asks, "=> You aren't curious?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You aren't at all curious about this weird purple substance? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Escape now, investigative journalism later. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They tug on your blazer.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Fine. | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | 2nd Floor — Night | ||
| PerrySimm | Wisps of purple smoke spill out into the darkened hallway from under the boarded up entrance to the old North Wing. | ||
| PerrySimm | The newspaper office lies to the west, and the locked library lies to the east. | ||
| PerrySimm | A stairwell leads down to the main floor. | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaz looks around anxiously. | Jacqueline exclaims, "Purple?!" | |
| DavidW says, "Yes, it's always been purple." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Purple, yes." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Oh, I'd missed that." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Anyway, office or stairwell?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Someone's summoning demons there, surely." | ||
| DavidW says, "Stairwell. We came from the office." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Well, we could go back into the office." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "But yeah, stairwell." | ||
| PerrySimm | Lockers — Night | ||
| PerrySimm | You and Kaz run down to the first floor. | ||
| PerrySimm | Purple smoke drifts down from upstairs and past the rows of lockers along the hall, seemingly drawn towards the foyer at the front of the school to the southeast. | ||
| PerrySimm | To the east is the Great Hall. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Upstairs | ||
| PerrySimm | Foyer | ||
| PerrySimm | Great Hall | DavidW says, "=> Foyer" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | Foyer — Night | ||
| PerrySimm | The mist thickens as you make your way to the front of the school. By the time you reach the foyer you can barely see a few feet in front of your face. | ||
| PerrySimm | You stick your hand out and try to stumble towards the main entrance. | ||
| PerrySimm | Suddenly, a raccoon with blank white eyes is standing in front of you, blocking your path. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | (Our only choice: 'racoon') | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | DavidW asks, "Rocky Raccoon?" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "... racoon?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Oh dear. Now there are emoji." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Let me do my best." | ||
| PerrySimm | (THE RACCOON STARES AT YOU WITH ITS EMPTY WHITE EYES AND TIME SEEMS TO SLOW TO ONE QUARTER SPEED. IT OPENS ITS MOUTH AND SCREECHES AT YOU AND YOU HEAR THE SCREECH AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS.) | DavidW says, "You can use :this: sort of code for emoji." | |
| PerrySimm | RACCOON: Scream emoji Scream emoji No Good emoji | Jacqueline says, "It actually copied and pasted that." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Nice." | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Question Mark emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | Fearful Face emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | Trash emoji Panda emoji | Jacqueline says, "And those emoji are our choices." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I was about to ask." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Hooray for a game that is both filled with emoji and yet accessible." | ||
| DavidW asks, "We speak raccooneese?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I guess we do." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I like option 3" | ||
| DavidW says, "=> Question Mark emoji" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Aw" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Which, KO?" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Are the racoons from Titan, and Summer taught us their language?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Number 1, I'd say." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I don't believe there are racoons on Titan." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Question Mark emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | RACCOON: SOS emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Question Mark emoji Question Mark emoji Question Mark emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | RACCOON: SOS emoji Boy emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hand Pointing Right emoji Boy emoji Question Mark emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | RACCOON: Boy emoji Skull emoji Boy emoji Skull emoji Scream emoji | Knight_Otu says, "In our universe." | |
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Raised Hand With Fingers Splayed emoji Mute Volume emoji OK emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | Ghost emoji Question Mark emoji | Knight_Otu asks, "Man, Kaz, what was in that joint?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "hahaha" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So, um, 'Ghost?'" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ghost emoji Question Mark emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | RACCOON: No emoji Trash emoji Panda emoji Two Exclamation Marks emoji Anger Symbol emoji Anger Symbol emoji Anger Symbol emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Exclamation Mark emoji Sweat Drops emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | RACCOON: Anger Symbol emoji No Good emoji No Good emoji Skull emoji Skull emoji French Flag emoji Scream emoji Coffin emoji Scream emoji Gun emoji Bullseye emoji Coffin emoji Coffin emoji No Good emoji French Flag emoji No Good emoji French Flag emoji Skull emoji French Flag emoji Skull emoji Boy emoji Skull emoji Skull emoji Boy emoji Skull emoji Skull emoji Skull emoji Skull emoji Skull emoji Skull emoji Scream emoji Two Exclamation Marks emoji Gun emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | DavidW says, "'what's wrong' 'danger!' 'what danger?' 'boy!' 'which boy?' 'skull boy!'" | |
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | (...and then time snaps forward again, and you and Kaz are screaming and running out of the school. You come to a stop on the front lawn and slump down against a tree as you try to catch your breath.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Holy shit. Hoooly shit. | ||
| PerrySimm | What was that? | ||
| PerrySimm | Are you okay? | ||
| PerrySimm | Should we call animal control? | Jacqueline says, "Oops. Forgot the line." | |
| DavidW says, "I missed what we picked." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "There are three choices." | ||
| DavidW says, "What happened." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "There was no pick. When it says Next ➤ I just click it." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Anyway, no more emoji (for now)" | ||
| DavidW says, "no before that. I haven't gotten to there yet." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Oh. Still translating emoji, you mean?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I am mostly confused about why there are French Flags in there." | ||
| DavidW asks, "French Revolution, maybe?" | ||
| Roger says, "international sign of surrender" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I thought that was a white flag." | ||
| DavidW says, "Roger was making a joke." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Personally, I'm not going to interpret this any further than 'some shit has gone down' and we are the newspaper, so that is of interest to us." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So I like the choice 'What was that?'" | ||
| DavidW says, "I bet Kaz didn't see any raccoon at all." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I concur." | ||
| DavidW says, "agreed" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "With the choice, and David." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh... what was that? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: What was that? That was a GHOST, that's what that was! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Alright, calm down. There has to be an explanation. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They look at you expectantly.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Well I don't have the explanation! I'm just saying there is one. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Here's an explanation for you: IT WAS A GHOST. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | We were seeing things. | ||
| PerrySimm | It was just a raccoon. | ||
| PerrySimm | Ghosts aren't real. | Jacqueline says, "This game is multi-faceted." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "First, Teen drama. Suddenly, survival horror." | ||
| DavidW says, "I will not agree with the ghost choice." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Next step, turn-based strategy :p?" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "It was just a racoon?" | ||
| DavidW says, "sure" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "'It was just a racoon' (that spoke in emoji)" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Look we don't know if it was a ghost. It could have just been a normal raccoon. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Normal?! You think that's what normal raccoons look like?? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm not a raccoon anatomy expert! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: No. Pupils. Na. Did you see a pupil? | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Pupils act weird sometimes. | ||
| PerrySimm | Maybe it was just blind. | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't know what I saw. | DavidW says, "I didn't notice any pupils." | |
| Jacqueline says, "=> I don't know what I saw." | ||
| DavidW says, "oh, empty white eyes, it said earlier." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "It said blank white eyes." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Right." | ||
| DavidW says, "=> Maybe it was just blind." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "And I'd agree with David on the choice." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Maybe it was just blind! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yeah right! It was looking right at us! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No, it had its face pointed at us. It wasn't necessarily looking. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: You're splitting hairs. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: And you're... clumping hairs together! | ||
| PerrySimm | (They get up and start pacing around.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Okay. Okay okay okay. We have to do something about this. | Knight_Otu says, "Blinded by your joint, surely." | |
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Like what? | ||
| PerrySimm | No we don't. | DavidW asks, "=> Like what?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Like what? | ||
| PerrySimm | (They stop and snap their fingers.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Like journalism, that's what! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: We're going to do a story about this! We're going to blow this whole ghost raccoon thing wide open! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You're high. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yes. And, in addition to that, I'm having a great idea. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You scoff.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Think about it. Our school is haunted by evil spirits and we have an exclusive on the story. It'll break huge! More readers, more prestige, more volunteers! Its win-win-win. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Oh yeah, very prestigious. | ||
| PerrySimm | You think people would read it? | ||
| PerrySimm | This isn't a tabloid. | ||
| PerrySimm | We still don't know if it was real! | Knight_Otu says, "I don't think we can put that into thje papers." | |
| DavidW says, "=> This isn't a tabloid." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Agreed" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I agree." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: So what, we run a tabloid now? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: No of course not. Tabloids are way more focussed on celebrities and politics. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Kaz. The Middleman is a hundred-and-three-year-old publication! We can't just... turn into a rag! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Look, I get it. It's not what they would have done back in Osgoode Terauley's day. But back in Osgoode Terauley's day we wouldn't have even been working for the paper, because we wouldn't have been allowed in the school, because they didn't even let you on campus if you weren't a white Anglican boy! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I think they also allowed Methodists. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: It's a hundred years later. We have to update our approach for the 21st century! | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | ...Fine. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm not a ghost hunter. | Knight_Otu says, "And suddenly, the Ghostbusters theme plays in my head." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Time check: we have been playing one hour. I'm willing to go an hour more." | ||
| DavidW says, "=> I'm not a ghost hunter." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I know we can't finish this today. But we'll have played enough to let us know whether or not to vote for it, I'm guessing." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm not a— a ghost hunter, Kaz. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't know where to start. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: What are you talking about? You're the best reporter at this paper! If anyone can do this it's you. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm the only reporter at this paper. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: That's a technicality. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You sigh.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Okay. We will investigate, and if there is some real evidence that something is going on, then I will consider publishing a story. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: That sounds like an unambiguous yes to me! | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | Parking Lot — Before School | ||
| PerrySimm | Wednesday, 7 September 2016 | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (undoing your seatbelt) Thanks for the ride. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Tell me, are you ever going to get your own driver's license? | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | I have you to drive me. | ||
| PerrySimm | We live in Toronto. | ||
| PerrySimm | Why, you getting sick of me? | Jacqueline says, "AHA" | |
| DavidW says, "=> We live in Toronto." | ||
| Jacqueline exclaims, "It was a Quebecois racoon!" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'm fine with 'we live in Toronto', sure" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I can agree with that." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey, we live in Toronto. If I really need to I can just take the TTC anywhere. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Oh, does this mean you're going to start taking the streetcar to school? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Now why would I do that when I have my wonderful boyfriend to drive me? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Ah. I see how it is. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The two of you get out of the car and start walking towards the school.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | What do you have first today? | ||
| PerrySimm | You ever experienced anything unusual around here? | ||
| PerrySimm | Did you know Summer was back? | ||
| Ellison arrives, ready to play with the toys. | Jacqueline says, "Oh right. Summer. Her." | |
| DavidW asks, "=> You ever experienced anything unusual around here?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey, random question. Have you ever experienced anything... strange around here? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Strange like how? | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Something unexplained. | ||
| PerrySimm | Something involving raccoons. | ||
| PerrySimm | Something involving ghosts. | DavidW says, "=> Something unexplained." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I don't know, something... unexplained, maybe? Something that didn't make sense? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: There's a lot that goes on here that I don't get, but mostly that's just because I suck at reading social cues. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You are completely inept, and that's what I love about you. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: ...Wait, is it actually? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You chuckle.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: See, this is a perfect example of me not getting things. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You kiss him on the cheek.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Don't worry about it. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The two of you get up to the front steps.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Hey, I've got to go and change. Gym first period. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oof. I'm already second-hand exhausted on your behalf. (You wave goodbye.) See you at lunch. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He waves and runs ahead.) | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | (You walk into the school and head to your locker, looking around for any signs at all of last night's weirdness. But as far as you can tell the school looks completely normal. People groggily wander through the halls, getting ready for first period. When you get to your locker you see your classmate Annette Dupont standing at the one right next to yours.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh, hey Annette. (You open your combination lock.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Nadia. Hey! Are we locker neighbours now? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Guess so. Did they move you? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Oh yeah. I was deep in the North Wing last year, but of course now they're renovating so... (She sighs longingly.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Sounds like you miss it already. | ||
| PerrySimm | I didn't see you here yesterday. | ||
| PerrySimm | How was your break? | DavidW says, "=> Sounds like you miss it already." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So, um..." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Um?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I have not been telling you about the images." | ||
| DavidW asks, "Is everyone naked?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "But you all should possibly know that Annette is wearing a witch hat." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'll still choose 'sounds like you miss it already'" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Sounds like you really miss the place. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Ugh, it was so awesome in there! All crumbly and dirty and full of spiders. I don't see why they had to replace everything. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (nodding) That is definitely your aesthetic. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Right? I mean the asbestos and the mold not so much but otherwise it was a total dream. (She sighs again.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Too bad. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Yeah. Oh, but speaking of my aesthetic! (She points at her hat.) Check it out. New hat. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | Knight_Otu says, "Pfft. But yeah, let's keep that." | |
| PerrySimm | Nice. | ||
| PerrySimm | I've never understood how you're allowed to wear that at school. | DavidW asks, "Do we have choices?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Yes. Last two lines." | ||
| DavidW says, "oh. I need to mute #books." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah. I have everything else but this channel muted for that reason." | ||
| DavidW says, "Second choice, please." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So, 'Nice' or 'I've never understood how you're allowed to wear that at school'" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Second?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Second." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You know, I've never understood how you're allowed to wear those at school. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Religious headgear, school colours, modest construction. Used a bit of mind control juice to seal the deal. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You flash her an unimpressed expression.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Just a bit!! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh hey, actually. I was hoping I could ask you some witch-related questions. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Well, you came to the right person. I'm nothing if not witch-related. What's up? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I was just wondering, have you ever— | ||
| PerrySimm | (The first period bell rings.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh shoot. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Damn, I've got to run. (She shuts her locker.) Let's pick this up later, okay? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Sounds good. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She waves and runs off.) | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | History Class — Morning | ||
| PerrySimm | (You make your way to your first period history class and sit down. A couple of minutes later, Olivia Kwon slams her books down on the desk next to you and then jumps over them to get in the chair.) | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: What's up, bud? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh, hey Olivia Kwon. How was your summer? | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: It was fine, eh! Fuckin' fine-and-a-half. Took up rollerblading. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No kidding? | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Mighty Ducks, dude! Keeping my game up. Can't always get out to a rink. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Wow. How'd that go? | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: (with a huge grin) I ate shit every day of the week! It's fuckin' hard as hell. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | I figured you'd be a natural. | ||
| PerrySimm | You going to keep it up? | DavidW says, "I don't speak whatever Olivia is using for English." | |
| Jacqueline says, "I thought she was speaking Candian" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Aren't you Canadian?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "(Just kidding. I know you are.)" | ||
| DavidW says, "I honestly don't understand what she's saying here." | ||
| Roger says, "She started rollerblading but wasn't any good at it" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "She took up rollerblading because she can't ice skate in the summer, but it's hard and she falls a lot." | ||
| DavidW says, "Second choice? I don't much care which." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'm cool with that choice" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I'd also go with second." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You going to keep it up? | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Nah, dude. Strictly ice from here on. Bummer I have to wait all the way until winter term though. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: There's always lacrosse. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Buddy! (She laughs and shakes her head.) | ||
| PerrySimm | (Your history teacher, Mr. Sherbourne, enters the class and shuts the door.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Alright everyone. Books out, phones away. You know the drill. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The class two-thirds complies as Mr. Sherbourne goes and sits on top of his desk.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Okay! This is Canadian History. And for those of you who haven't read your schedules, I am Mr. Sherbourne. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He stands back up.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: ...But I don't want you to think of me as "Mr. Sherbourne". You can call me Marc. (He goes over and writes "MARC" on the whiteboard.) That's Marc with a C. (He underlines the C.) Now, this course-- | ||
| PerrySimm | (The door creaks open. You look over.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | !!! | Jacqueline exclaims, "Yes, our only choice is !!!" | |
| DavidW says, "Summer. Gotta be." | ||
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "Ghoooost!" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "haha" | ||
| DavidW says, "And an iguana on her head." | ||
| PerrySimm | (Summer Okamura sheepishly steps through the door. You shoot up in your seat.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Looks like we got a straggler on our hands! | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: (mumbling) Sorry sir. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She goes and sits down in the nearest open seat, on the opposite side of the room from you. Sherbourne laughs.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: You missed the first few minutes, but there's definitely no calling me "sir" in this class. (He underlines the C again.) Now, where were we...? | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | ||
| PerrySimm | Summer! | ||
| Ellison has had his fill of playing for now, and goes back to the Lounge. | Jacqueline says, "... seems more appropriate given we're in class" | |
| DavidW says, "yes" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Anja'd like if we'd ..., though." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "But yes." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You stare at her. After a few seconds she looks up and you manage to catch her eye. You wave. She quickly looks back down at her notebook. You awkwardly lower your hand.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: ...Look, I know history might seem "old" and "stuffy" to you kids. I get it! It's not the most "on fleek" subject ever. But I'm going to try and show you how important our country's story truly is. And I bet by the end of the course you might just find it more "relatable" than any facebook meme. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He sits back down on his desk.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Now. Let me tell you all about a "sick dude" by the name of Sir Wilfrid Laurier... | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | Jacqueline rolls her eyes at Marc. | |
| PerrySimm | Great Hall — Lunch | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (putting a slice of pizza upside down on top of a second slice of pizza) So, did you talk to her? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I couldn't! As soon as the bell rang she was gone. Haven't seen her since. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: She's got to be around somewhere. Don't think she's the type to leave at lunch. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Your classmate Miles Golden sits down next to the two of you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: Who are we talking about? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (mouth full of pizza) Smhmr Mhmhurra. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Miles looks at you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Summer Okamura. She transferred back this year and I haven't even talked to her yet. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: Oh. Well, she definitely didn't go home. We just spoke a few minutes ago. | DavidW says, "oh dear. Marcky Mark needs to grow up." | |
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | What'd she say? | ||
| PerrySimm | Where was this? | ||
| PerrySimm | I've got to go. | Jacqueline asks, "=> What'd she say?" | |
| DavidW asks, "=> What'd she say?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You did? What'd she say? | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: She said "Hi." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: And what'd you say? | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: I said "How's it going." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: How was it going? | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: Fine. Wait, did you mean for her or for me? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: For her. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: Yeah, fine. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | What about for you? | ||
| PerrySimm | Where was this? | ||
| PerrySimm | I've got to go. | Jacqueline says, "We need to get over it." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Just sayin'" | ||
| DavidW says, "A song plays in the background: 'I kissed a girl, and I liked it'" | ||
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "But our girl-crush!" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "We should have a girl-crush on someone who wants us to have a girl-crush on them." | ||
| DavidW says, "yeah. If Summer isn't interested, leave her alone." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah, we really should." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I mean, I will admit that I had hard-to-forget-not-reciprocated crushes in high school. I get it. I'm just giving her advice with that excellent old-fart 20/20 hindsight I have." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, => I've got to go?" | ||
| DavidW says, "sure" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Okay." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay. Then I'm going to go track her down. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You stand.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Mmhh, mmhh! (They swallow a big bite.) Don't forget. We have to start our investigation. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Got it. Find Summer, ask ghost questions. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: Ghost questions? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: There's got to be somebody out there who can tell us about haunted raccoons. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: ...What kind of investigation is this? | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | We're investigating the unexplained. | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaz will explain. | DavidW says, "argh" | |
| DavidW says, "Track Annette down, you mean!" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Right." | ||
| DavidW says, "Ask Annette some witchy questions. Summer just got here." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Kaz will explain. We have to fixate on our unhealthy obsession." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Something tells me that even if we all agree to make choices that leave Summer alone, we will not actually leave Summer alone." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay, Kaz will explain." | ||
| DavidW says, "yeah. Unfortunately." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Kaz will explain. Ideally in a way that doesn't make us sound completely crazy. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: No promises. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You give Kaz a friendly wink and walk off.) | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | Great Hall — Lunch | ||
| PerrySimm | Since there's no cafeteria at Middle Canada College, the central Great Hall serves as something of a lunch hub. The tables are all packed with students, and those that can't fit have either camped out on the floor or found some other place on campus to eat. | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaz continues wolfing down unsettling pizza combinations while Miles watches. | ||
| PerrySimm | On the other side of the hall, Anja eats lunch with Aubrey Shepway. | ||
| PerrySimm | A large staircase leads up to the second floor here. Your locker is down a hall to the west and the front of the school is to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Anja | ||
| PerrySimm | Second Flood | ||
| PerrySimm | (Second FlooR) | ||
| PerrySimm | Locker | ||
| PerrySimm | Front of School | Knight_Otu asks, "Aw, we can't flood the school?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Flood is not a choice, sorry." | ||
| DavidW says, "Everyone do the 'wave'." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Personally, I think the two pieces of pizza combined like a sandwich is kind of brilliant." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Locker? Maybe we get our witchy friend instead then." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay." | ||
| DavidW asks, "Someone has pizza?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Miles did, yeah." | ||
| DavidW says, "=> Locker, ys." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Only in the game." | ||
| PerrySimm | Lockers — Lunch | ||
| PerrySimm | With the North Wing closed for repairs, the cramped hallways in the (relatively) newer part of the building have been pressed into service as makeshift locker rooms. You and the other Roxton House girls seem to have all been dumped here on the west side of the school. | ||
| PerrySimm | A stairwell leads up to the second floor here. The Great Hall lies to the east and the front of the school is off to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Second Floor | ||
| PerrySimm | Great Hall | ||
| PerrySimm | Front of school | DavidW asks, "Second Floor, I guess?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "I was thinking that too" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Maybe it's still spooky up there" | ||
| PerrySimm | 2nd Floor — Lunch | ||
| PerrySimm | The main second floor hallway feels unusually cramped this year, what with the north wing being closed for repairs. There's no sign of the strange purple smoke which was spewing out from the boarded up entryway last night. | ||
| PerrySimm | Olivia Kwon leans against the wall, eating a bag of chips. | ||
| PerrySimm | Your office (currently just a regular classroom) is closed and empty to the west. The library is to the east. Stairways at either end of the hallway lead down to the Great Hall and to the corridor with your locker in it. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Olivia Kwon | ||
| PerrySimm | office | ||
| PerrySimm | library | ||
| PerrySimm | Great Hall | ||
| PerrySimm | your locker | DavidW says, "Olivia, please." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Sure." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey Olivia Kwon. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Hey bud, how's it treatin' ya? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: How's... what treating me? | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Right! (She laughs and punches you in the shoulder.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | You ever seen a ghost around here? | ||
| PerrySimm | Have you seen Summer? | ||
| PerrySimm | Want to work for the paper? | Jacqueline says, "I will not let this person write for the paper." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Or edit." | ||
| DavidW says, "oh well" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Why not just call here Olivia?" | ||
| DavidW asks, "=> Can I have some of your chips?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Her, I mean." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Now I want chips." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "brb" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Back. maga is getting the chips. He is a nice boy." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So... let's ask if she's seen a ghost." | ||
| DavidW says, "Also, we're going to look bad regardless, so ask about ghosts." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: This is going to sound a bit out there, but... have you ever seen a ghost around here? | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Don't think so, bud. Not unless you count that time Ethan came in with a sheet on his head. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Oh yeah. What was the deal with that? | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Who can say? Dude's a weird kid. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Have you seen Summer? | ||
| PerrySimm | Want to work for the paper? | ||
| PerrySimm | I'll see you around. | DavidW says, "ask about Summer. (sigh)" | |
| Jacqueline says, "We... do need people to work at the paper, regardless of what I said earlier." | ||
| DavidW says, "yes." | ||
| Jacqueline asks (of DW), "You reall want to ask about Summer?" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Maybe she can be a photographer?" | ||
| DavidW says, "*I* don't want to, no." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to KO), "That's what I was thinking." | ||
| DavidW says, "Olivia might also do distribution on rollerblades." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "She would do that badly." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "KO, you pick." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Well, let's try recruiting her." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey, I'm trying to recruit some more people to write for the Middleman. You interested? | ||
| PerrySimm | (She laughs.) | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Not really much of a writer myself. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | You'd make a good sports writer. | ||
| PerrySimm | There are lots of other jobs. | ||
| PerrySimm | We've got free pizza. | Jacqueline says, "Oh. Hm. Sports writing, maybe." | |
| Jacqueline says, "That I could see." | ||
| DavidW says, "sure" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Also, why are we not enticing her with the free doobies?" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I actually bet you'd be a pretty good sports writer. You definitely use some... descriptive language. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Buddy! Just 'cause I can play 'em doesn't mean I can write 'em. Sorry. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Alright, alright. Just thought I'd ask. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Have you seen Summer? | ||
| PerrySimm | I'll see you around. | DavidW says, "drat. Can't ask about other jobs for her now." | |
| Jacqueline says, "I say we see her around." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah, unfortunate." | ||
| DavidW says, "yeah" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Also, yeah." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Let us not spread to the planet that we are goo-goo over Summer" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey, I gotta go but I'll see you around. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: For sure. Have a good one. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Later, Olivia Kwon. | DavidW says, "I just know that Summer will join the paper without knowing we're on it already." | |
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | 2nd Floor — Lunch | ||
| PerrySimm | The main second floor hallway feels unusually cramped this year, what with the north wing being closed for repairs. There's no sign of the strange purple smoke which was spewing out from the boarded up entryway last night. | ||
| PerrySimm | Olivia Kwon leans against the wall, eating a bag of chips. | ||
| PerrySimm | Your office (currently just a regular classroom) is closed and empty to the west. The library is to the east. Stairways at either end of the hallway lead down to the Great Hall and to the corridor with your locker in it. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | office | ||
| PerrySimm | library | ||
| PerrySimm | Great Hall | ||
| PerrySimm | your locker | DavidW says, "office" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "mmkay" | ||
| PerrySimm | Newspaper Office — Lunch | ||
| PerrySimm | At some point in its long history, the Middleman office was reserved full-time for newspaper staff. Now during the day it's used as just another regular classroom. | ||
| PerrySimm | The editor's desk — your desk — is pushed up against the wall right now to make way for the rows of desks and chairs. A fancy portrait of the newspaper's founder, Osgoode Terauley, hangs on the wall above. | ||
| PerrySimm | Mr. Sherbourne, one of your teachers, stands at the chalkboard, erasing some leftover material from last period. | ||
| PerrySimm | The second floor hallway is back out to the east. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Mr Sherbourne | ||
| PerrySimm | second flood hallway | Jacqueline says, "Should we talk to Marc? He's so cool." | |
| DavidW asks, "Oh, Marc, do you want to help us find ghost raccoons?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Well, if we're here already..." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "Oh I do hope we end up asking him that." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh! I didn't realize there was anyone in here. | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: It's quite alright. Can I help you? | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | DavidW says, "Let's recruit Marcky." | |
| PerrySimm | Just looking for someone. | ||
| PerrySimm | Just checking the office. | ||
| PerrySimm | Sorry, wrong room. | Jacqueline asks, "Just checking?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "No teachers allowed, it seems." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah, checking." | ||
| DavidW says, "yeah" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh, sorry sir. I was just— | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: (holding up a hand) Mr. Sherbourne. Or Marc. I know, I look like an (finger quotes) "old man" but I'm still a bit too young to be a "sir." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Mr. Sherbourne. I was just checking the office for something. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He looks around and snaps.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Ah, yes. The newspaper office. Of course. You must work for the Middleman. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm the Editor. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He whistles.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Big job. Congratulations. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh. Thanks. | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: You know, I was friends with a bunch of the newspaper kids when I went here. They worked hard. (He smirks.) When they weren't partying, that is. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm still adjusting to it. | ||
| PerrySimm | You went here? | ||
| PerrySimm | You haven't seen my friend Summer, have you? | Jacqueline asks, "You went here?" | |
| DavidW says, "yeah" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| DavidW says, "Marc might give us keys to someplace." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Wait, you went to MCC? | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Oh yes. I know I must look ancient to you, but it's only been six or seven years since I was walking around in that same get-up. (He points at you with a bit of chalk.) ...Well, minus the skirt that is. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I don't suppose you've heard any ghost stories about this place? | ||
| PerrySimm | (He gives you a quizzical look.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Like, old legends? Supernatural sightings? That kind of thing. | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Sorry. I don't know anything about ghosts, I'm afraid. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh. Right, of course. Sorry for bothering you. I'll get out of your hair now. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You start to leave. He points at you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: ...Hey, you were in my class this morning, right? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: History, yeah. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He chuckles.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Well I'm a history teacher, so that figures. You're... Don't tell me... Natalie? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Nadia. | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Ah, shit. (He snaps and laughs.) Whoops! Sorry about the language. I can be a real "urban dictionary" sometimes. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh-huh. | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Don't tell Headmaster Lodge I swore in front of you, alright? (He holds up his hand and does a stage whisper) He's a real hard-ass. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Your secret is safe with me, sir. ...er, Mister. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He winks at you and goes back to what he was doing.) | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | Jacqueline says, "That's long, so I'll give it a sec." | |
| Jacqueline says, "hahaha" | ||
| DavidW says, "I really wish he'd drop the coolcat hip lingo bit." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Marc never started adulting, has he?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I may use that line about being an urban dictionary." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'm uncool enough that that could work." | ||
| DavidW says (to KO), "He's trying to be 'relatable'." | ||
| PerrySimm | Newspaper Office — Lunch | ||
| PerrySimm | At some point in its long history, the Middleman office was reserved full-time for newspaper staff. Now during the day it's used as just another regular classroom. | ||
| PerrySimm | The editor's desk — your desk — is pushed up against the wall right now to make way for the rows of desks and chairs. A fancy portrait of the newspaper's founder, Osgoode Terauley, hangs on the wall above. | ||
| PerrySimm | Mr. Sherbourne stands at the chalkboard, erasing some leftover material from last period. | ||
| PerrySimm | The second floor hallway is back out to the east. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | Knight_Otu says, "That never works, though." | |
| DavidW says, "Library next, I think." | ||
| PerrySimm | Second floor hallway | Jacqueline says, "Only once choice, so I'm taking it" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | 2nd Floor — Lunch | ||
| PerrySimm | The main second floor hallway feels unusually cramped this year, what with the north wing being closed for repairs. There's no sign of the strange purple smoke which was spewing out from the boarded up entryway last night. | ||
| PerrySimm | Olivia Kwon leans against the wall, eating a bag of chips. | ||
| PerrySimm | Your office (currently just a regular classroom) is closed and empty to the west. The library is to the east. Stairways at either end of the hallway lead down to the Great Hall and to the corridor with your locker in it. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | office | ||
| PerrySimm | library | DavidW says, "Look up school legends in earlier editions of the paper." | |
| PerrySimm | Great Hall | ||
| PerrySimm | locker | Jacqueline says, "So, library." | |
| PerrySimm | Library — Lunch | ||
| PerrySimm | Whatever was making noise in here last night doesn't seem to have done any damage. The only thing that's at all abnormal is the cluster of empty shelves in the middle of the room. | ||
| PerrySimm | A Grade 11 redhead you've never met bustles anxiously behind the desk. | ||
| PerrySimm | Allen sits at an empty desk, thumbing through his phone. | ||
| PerrySimm | The second floor hallway is back out the doors to the west. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Grade 11 redhead | ||
| PerrySimm | Allen | DavidW says, "BOYFRIEND!" | |
| PerrySimm | Second floor hallway | Jacqueline asks, "So... Allen?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| DavidW says, "And recruit him." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You sneak up behind Allen and give him a quick kiss him on the ear.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Oh no, I've been stealth kissed! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ha ha! That's right. The deadliest kind. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You jump up and sit on his table.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Did you see her yet? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Who? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Summer! She's back! | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Summer? Summer Summer? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I know! | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Who changes schools in grade 12? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Summer Okamura, apparently. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Wow... Well, I haven't seen her. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You swing your legs off the side of the table.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Are you going to talk to her when you see her? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: (scratching his head) I honestly don't even know what I'd say. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | You could say hi. | ||
| PerrySimm | You could ask how she's been. | ||
| PerrySimm | You could ask if she forgives me yet. | Jacqueline says, "damn, woman" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "You could tell her I love her more than you." | ||
| Jacqueline chuckles. | ||
| DavidW asks, "I wonder what our crime was. Did we break a 'no tongues' rule?" | ||
| Roger says, "Or you could tell her I love her more than she" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I think we broke the 'don't crush on your best friend' rule" | ||
| Allen asks, "what?" | ||
| Jacqueline asks (of Allen), "?" | ||
| DavidW says (to Allen), "There's an NPC named Allen in this game." | ||
| Allen says, "I saw my name" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "You are not our in-game boyfriend." | ||
| Allen says, "oh. That makes more sense. Was struggling to get the context" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'm always surprised that people not playing with us don't mute this channel." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So, um, => you could say hi" | ||
| Allen says, "I occasionally watch it to see if something interesting is being played" | ||
| DavidW says, "sure" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Doesn't have to be complicated. You could just say "Hi." | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Right. Just ask what's up? Pretend like she hasn't been freezing us out for years? You really think that'd work? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Maybe not. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You sigh loudly.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: She was in class this morning. I tried to talk to her but she pretended like she couldn't see me. Then she ran out of there once the bell rang and I haven't seen her since. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Honestly? That's probably for the best. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Ugh. I just mean, there's a lot of bad blood there, right? Maybe it's better if you don't dredge all that up. | Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | |
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | It was years ago. | ||
| PerrySimm | I guess. | ||
| PerrySimm | I just want to make up. | Knight_Otu says, "I just want to make out, you mean." | |
| Jacqueline says, "hee" | ||
| Roger says, "She's probably a ghost" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Maybe." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "While I do not think the PC's hear will be in this, I vote for => I guess" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "heart, that is" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| DavidW says, "sure" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (making a :/ face) I guess. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Just try not to get too obsessed with Summer right now, okay? If she wants back into your life she can tell you so herself. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah, yeah. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You get up from the table.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm going to go interview people. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm going to go get ready for class. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm going to go. | Jacqueline asks, "Interviews?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| DavidW says, "yes" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm going to go interview some more people. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Yeah? What about? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's... a long story. And also it may not even be a story so, uh, yeah. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Okay...? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'll tell you later. Once I have more concrete information. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: If you say so. Have fun being an interviewer, I guess? | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | Library — Lunch | ||
| PerrySimm | Whatever was making noise in here last night doesn't seem to have done any damage. The only thing that's at all abnormal is the cluster of empty shelves in the middle of the room. | ||
| PerrySimm | A Grade 11 redhead you've never met bustles anxiously behind the desk. | ||
| PerrySimm | Allen sits at an empty desk, thumbing through his phone. | ||
| PerrySimm | The second floor hallway is back out the doors to the west. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Grade 11 redhead | DavidW says, "I'm a little disappointed we're not researching the library's materials." | |
| PerrySimm | Second FLoor hallway | Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | |
| Jacqueline asks, "Grade 11 redhead, maybe?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "We could research *that*" | ||
| PerrySimm | (You walk up to the check-out desk. The frazzled Grade 11 behind the counter has a look of minor terror on her face as she moves books back and forth between various giant piles.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Um, hi. | ||
| PerrySimm | GRADE 11: Oh! Hi! Do you want books? Because there's a book situation right now and we can get you books but — oh god. (She shoves one of the piles to stop it from falling over.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No, no books. I just wanted to talk. I'm Nadia Nazari, I edit the Middleman. | ||
| PerrySimm | GRADE 11: Bridget Leaside. Hi. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She sticks out her right hand, which is full of a book. After a second and a half she realizes and sticks her left hand out instead. You shake it.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Busy day? | ||
| PerrySimm | Anything unusual happen here lately? | DavidW asks, "=> Busy day?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Busy day today? | ||
| PerrySimm | BRIDGET: (speaking extremely quickly) Um normally this job is really easy and quiet because people don't really come in here that much and no one reads books anymore unless they have to for class which is why I took it for my community service hours but for some reason today— oh god. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Today...? | ||
| PerrySimm | BRIDGET: Books. Everywhere. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She slams one of the books on the counter for emphasis, causing one of the piles behind her to topple over.) | ||
| PerrySimm | BRIDGET: Aaaaaaa! | ||
| PerrySimm | (She disappears under the counter and starts grabbing books off the floor.) | ||
| PerrySimm | BRIDGET: I come in early to unlock the Library on Tuesdays and Wednesdays because Ms. Jameson's not in those days and normally when that happens it's just an empty library. But today three whole shelving units just had all their books out and on the floor. In a pile. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She pops her head back up and brushes her hair out of her face.) | ||
| PerrySimm | BRIDGET: Not three shelves. Three units. Like hundreds of books probably and I have to sort them all and I don't know how to sort them and oh god please don't kill me. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm not going to kill you. | ||
| PerrySimm | Which books? | ||
| PerrySimm | What do you think happened? | ||
| PerrySimm | Anything else weird around here? | ||
| PerrySimm | Do you need help? | Knight_Otu exclaims, "Silence in the library!" | |
| DavidW asks, "=> What do you think happened?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| Karona arrives, full of funk, but no fun. | Jacqueline exclaims, "All those books... we've got a poltergoost!" | |
| Jacqueline says, "<cue Young Ones theme>" | ||
| DavidW says, "maybe!" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What do you think happened? | ||
| PerrySimm | BRIDGET: I mean... (She scratches her head with a book.) No way to know for sure. But someone must have just knocked them over last night. That's the only thing I can think of. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hmm. | ||
| PerrySimm | BRIDGET: ...I mean it was either that or a wild animal and I really really really really hope there aren't wild animals in here now. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay. Well if you get any idea of who it was, will you come tell me? My office is just down the hall. I mean it's a classroom during the day but after school it's an office. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She leans over the desk a bit and looks around.) | ||
| PerrySimm | BRIDGET: (conspiratorially) ...Are you doing detective work? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Journalism actually. | ||
| PerrySimm | BRIDGET: My g— uh, my really good friend is a detective.* She could probably help you. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She hands you a business card. You read it.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: "Teen Detective." | ||
| PerrySimm | BRIDGET: She was the one who rescued all those cats from that weird illegal cat cafe? She's really great. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh-huh. | ||
| PerrySimm | BRIDGET: And smart, and confident, and funny... | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: We don't really have room for private investigators in the budget, but thanks for the tip. (You slip the card into your blazer pocket.) | ||
| PerrySimm | BRIDGET: You're welcome. I, uh... have to get back to this. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No prob. Nice meeting you. | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | Roger says, "I'm not going to kill you... yet." | |
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | FOOTNOTE: * See BIRDLAND for all the exciting details! | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Library — Lunch | ||
| PerrySimm | Whatever was making noise in here last night doesn't seem to have done any damage. The only thing that's at all abnormal is the cluster of empty shelves in the middle of the room. | ||
| PerrySimm | Bridget tends to her book piles, looking more and more stressed with every moment. | ||
| PerrySimm | Allen sits at an empty desk, thumbing through his phone. | ||
| PerrySimm | The second floor hallway is back out the doors to the west. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | DavidW says, "drat, I wanted to talk to her more and actually help out." | |
| PerrySimm | Second Floor Hallway | Jacqueline says, "We have only once choice, so..." | |
| PerrySimm | 2nd Floor — Lunch | ||
| PerrySimm | The main second floor hallway feels unusually cramped this year, what with the north wing being closed for repairs. There's no sign of the strange purple smoke which was spewing out from the boarded up entryway last night. | ||
| PerrySimm | Miles sits on a bench by the window, staring down at the soccer field. | ||
| PerrySimm | Your office (currently just a regular classroom) is closed and empty to the west. The library is to the east. Stairways at either end of the hallway lead down to the Great Hall and to the corridor with your locker in it. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Miles | ||
| PerrySimm | office | ||
| PerrySimm | library | ||
| PerrySimm | Great Hall | ||
| PerrySimm | your locker | DavidW says, "Hey, Miles" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Miles?" | ||
| PerrySimm | (You wave hi at Miles. He nods.) | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: So, has anyone told you that ghosts exist yet? | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | Knight_Otu says, "Seems the only real option." | |
| DavidW asks, "=> When are you going metric?" | ||
| PerrySimm | Nope. | ||
| PerrySimm | The investigation is still ongoing. | ||
| PerrySimm | Are you gloating? | DavidW says, "=> Nope." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So, we're coming up on two hours, but I can keep going a bit if you all would like. I was kind of hoping we'd at least finish a chapter..." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No one. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: Well that stands to reason. They don't, see. So no one would. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yes, I get it Miles. You know everything. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: What is going on with this anyway? You and Kaz are super into this paranormal junk now? When did this happen? | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | I saw something. | ||
| PerrySimm | There have been reports. | DavidW says, "=> I saw something." | |
| Jacqueline asks, "Hm. Do we admit we saw a ghost racoon?" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "We haven't finished a chapter?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "DW thinks we do." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to KO), "Nope, still in the same chapter." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Whew." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to KO), "You choose. DW thinks we say we saw something, I'm trying to make us look sane." | ||
| DavidW says, "yeah, let's get sent to the sanitorium and admit our delusions." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Well, we're crazy after all." | ||
| Jacqueline exclaims, "Okay!" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Let's just admit it." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay, before I tell you this? You can't do that thing you normally do. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: You'll have to be more specific. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: There. The thing you're doing right now. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Miles shrugs. You sigh.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I saw something. I don't know what it was. But it didn't look non-supernatural, let's put it that way. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: Interesting. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Go ahead, tell me I'm stupid and crazy. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: Well, no. You're clearly not either of those things so something else must be going on. Describe what you saw. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Purple smoke and a weird raccoon. | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't even know. | Jacqueline says, "=> Purple smoke and a weird raccoon." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Let's go whole hog on the revealing." | ||
| DavidW says, "=> purple smoke and a weird raccoon" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Maybe he'll help us figure it out." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "There must be some logical explanation, like a grump old man with a projector who's trying to keep us out of that wing because he's distilling corn liquor down that hall and he'd have gotten away with it, too, were it not for us crazy kids." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It was late at night. I saw the school fill up with weird purple smoke. It started getting hard to see or to navigate. Then there was a raccoon, in the halls. It screeched at me, and it sounded... I don't even know how it sounded but it sounded weird. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: Sounds to me like there are lots of explanations that don't involve ghosts. Maybe that smoke was some kind of weird gas leak that disoriented you. Maybe that raccoon was just a regular raccoon that got in here and it seemed weirder than normal because it was in an unfamiliar context. But also... maybe you were just seeing things? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You open your mouth to say something.) | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: I'm not saying you're crazy! Just that your eyes might have been playing tricks. You said it happened at night? Why were you at school so late? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'd been working on the paper. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: For how many hours? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I... don't remember... | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: And had you eaten dinner? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Does candy count as dinner? | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: No. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | It felt really real though. | ||
| PerrySimm | Okay I see your point. | Knight_Otu says, ">Also Kaz was smoking." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So, um, => It felt really real though." | ||
| DavidW says, "=> It felt really real though." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It fell really real though. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: Hallucinations tend to do that. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hmmph. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: I can't tell you whether or not something happened because I wasn't there. But I can tell you that you're not going to figure this out by listening to ghost stories. You need to actually investigate the real world. Look for evidence. Be a journalist! That's what you do, right? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Right. Okay. Thanks Miles. | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | 2nd Floor — Lunch | ||
| PerrySimm | The main second floor hallway feels unusually cramped this year, what with the north wing being closed for repairs. There's no sign of the strange purple smoke which was spewing out from the boarded up entryway last night. | ||
| PerrySimm | Miles sits on a bench by the window, staring down at the soccer field. | ||
| PerrySimm | Your office (currently just a regular classroom) is closed and empty to the west. The library is to the east. Stairways at either end of the hallway lead down to the Great Hall and to the corridor with your locker in it. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | office | ||
| PerrySimm | library | ||
| PerrySimm | Great Hall | ||
| PerrySimm | locker | Jacqueline asks, "...locker?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "So far we've successfully avoided Summer." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Shhhh. Do not speak her name" | ||
| DavidW asks, "Can we talk to Bridget again? Find out *which* books were dumped?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Not sure there'll be anything new, but sure." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I doubt it, but sure" | ||
| PerrySimm | Library — Lunch | ||
| PerrySimm | Whatever was making noise in here last night doesn't seem to have done any damage. The only thing that's at all abnormal is the cluster of empty shelves in the middle of the room. | ||
| PerrySimm | Bridget tends to her book piles, looking more and more stressed with every moment. | ||
| PerrySimm | Allen sits at an empty desk, thumbing through his phone. | ||
| PerrySimm | The second floor hallway is back out the doors to the west. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Second floor hallway | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | 2nd Floor — Lunch | ||
| PerrySimm | As you walk down the hall, Jayden Finch waves you down and runs over to talk to you. | Knight_Otu asks, "I think Bridget got de-optioned?" | |
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Jayden Finch | DavidW asks, "Who's this bird?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Yep. We have Jayden Finch as an option (our only one... why don't I just click on that)" | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "heh" | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Nadia! Hey! | ||
| PerrySimm | (He puts his hand on your upper arm.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Jayden. Hiiiii. How's it (you shrug yourself out from him) going? | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Good, good. Hey did you get my texts? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hmm? Oh! | DavidW says, "Jay. Findh." | |
| PerrySimm | ----- | Knight_Otu says, "Well, then, let's tweet." | |
| PerrySimm | Yeah. | ||
| PerrySimm | Sorry. | ||
| PerrySimm | Must not have come through. | Jacqueline asks, "Must not have come through?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Aw, snap." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I hope he has a not-reciprocated crush on us. That'll show us." | ||
| DavidW says, "=> Try sending them without dic pix, honey." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Oh, we're *his* [name deleted]." | ||
| Jacqueline exclaims, "Timing!!" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "When we're all done mocking..." | ||
| Karona groans. | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah, Must not have come through." | ||
| DavidW says, "=> Must not have come through." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh, uh, no. No. I guess they didn't come through. | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Oh, weird. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah. (You click your phone screen on.) No, definitely. Nothing here. When'd you send them? | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Last night. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Nope. Didn't get any texts last night. But I'm on Wind so you know how it is. Lot of dropped calls, that sort of thing. | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Oh. Well, that's okay. Wasn't urgent. I was just wondering what your schedule is this year. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Let me check. | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't know off the top of my head. | ||
| PerrySimm | Why do you ask? | DavidW says, "Wind, eh? They changed their brand name already." | |
| Jacqueline asks, "=> Why do you ask?" | ||
| DavidW says, "sure" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Is Wind an actually carrier? I was thinking that was made up for the story. heh" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Why do you ask? | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Heh. I was just curious. You know. We might have something together. Could be fun hanging out in class. Something like that. | DavidW says, "I was on Wind before." | |
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Gotcha. Let me check. | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't know off the top of my head. | Jacqueline says, "Danger Will Robinson" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I don't know off the top of my head." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You know what? I'm just totally blanking right now. Ha. I'm so forgetful sometimes. You know me! | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Oh, you should totally check then. Lunch is almost over. Did you put it in your agenda? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Yes. Yes I did. Good call, Jayden. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He winks at you. You get your agenda out.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay let's see... I've got French next... | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: No way! Core French? With Rouillé? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh. Yeah. Do—? | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Awesome! We're in the same class! | ||
| PerrySimm | (He holds up his hand for a high five. You lightly slap it.) | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: We get to be French buddies. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh. Great. | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Why don't we sit next to each other? It'll be fun. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Su-ure... Yeah.... If that works out. Sure. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The bell rings.) | DavidW says, "Remember when my service was always choked in the second halves of every month. That was Wind." | |
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Alright, cool! I've got to run to my locker. Save me a seat, eh. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | I'll try. | ||
| PerrySimm | Will do. | Jacqueline says (to DW), "Ah. Yeah, that was terrible." | |
| Jacqueline says, "I'll try." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Also, we lack self-awareness when it comes to our own actions." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh. Yeah. I'll try. Ha ha. You never know... with desks. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Jayden laughs loudly.) | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Totally. See you in class! | ||
| PerrySimm | (He walks away. You give him a thumbs up.) | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | French Class — Afternoon | ||
| PerrySimm | (You get to class and take a seat in the far corner of the room. Anja stands in the aisle just ahead of you, chatting with someone else in the class. You look around anxiously as nearly every seat except for the one right next to you gets filled. It's still empty when Jayden finally steps through the door.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (under your breath) Crap. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Without thinking, you reach over, grab Anja by the blazer, and pull her down into the seat next to you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Hey—!? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Sorry. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: The hell's wrong with you? | ||
| PerrySimm | (She starts to stand. You tighten your grip.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (hushed) I just need this seat to be filled right now. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Anja follows your gaze over to where Jayden is standing. She sighs and sits back down, theatrically rolling her eyes. You exhale.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Hiding from a boy? Seriously? What are you, twelve? | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm not hiding. | ||
| PerrySimm | I just don't want him to get the wrong idea. | ||
| PerrySimm | Thank you. | Jacqueline says, "Aw, snap. Anja." | |
| DavidW says, "Wonderful. We prefer Anja's wrath over Jayden's lust." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So it would seem." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "=> I just don't want him to get the wrong idea." | ||
| DavidW says, "Too late." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "But yeah, too late." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "=> I just don't want him to think I'm single when I am with Summer (she just doesn't KNOW it et)" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "er, yet. Darn." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I just don't want him to get the wrong idea. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Jayden spots you and frowns. You give him a what-are-you-gonna-do shrug.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Ha. If an empty chair gives him the wrong idea, good luck giving him the right one. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: He's not— | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Whatever. I don't care. But the next time you want to involve me in your drama, try to at least do it without assaulting me. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's not drama. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: You're right. Drama would be much less boring. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Dre Rouillé enters the class and everyone quiets down.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: Bonjour, class. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She writes "BASE DE FRANÇAIS" in big letters on the blackboard and underlines it a few times.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: Okay. Je m'appelle Docteure Rouillé. You may not call me Madame Rouillé because that is not my name. I am a Docteure, so I am Docteure Rouillé. Got it? | ||
| PerrySimm | (Murmurs and nods from the class.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: Super. Now who can tell me what I wrote on the board? | DavidW says, "We're with Allen regardless." | |
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | I can. | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | Jacqueline says (to DW), "Who? Allen? Allen who? La la la I can't hear you over my thoughts about Summer." | |
| DavidW asks, "so 'Basic French'? Maybe?" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Basics of French?" | ||
| DavidW says (to Jacqueline), "You know some French." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah, that's basically it. Want to answer the question? We don't know what Na will say." | ||
| DavidW says, "=> I can." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You raise your hand. Docteure Rouillé points at you and snaps.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: You are? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Nadia Nazari. | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: Okay Nadia. Go ahead. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: The... base of French? | ||
| PerrySimm | (Rouillé sighs. Anja gives a little derisive snort.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: Non, non. It says "Core French". And this is the level of French you are in. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She starts pacing around the room) | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: You are here because you cannot speak French. You are very bad at it. Now some of you are saying to yourselves, "I am not that bad at French." This is false. You are worse even than you imagine you are. Others perhaps are thinking, "Well. Docteure Rouillé is one to talk, since her English is so bad." In fact, my English is much much better than your French. There is simply no comparison... | DavidW says, "She'll call on us regardless if we pick ... instead." | |
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | Jacqueline says, "Well, clearly I'm bad at it too." | |
| PerrySimm | (Twenty minutes later.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: ...A language of the poets and the philosophers. A language that is simply insulted by your speaking of it. You will not be speaking Français out loud in this class, as you do not know how to do this with the respect this language deserves... | ||
| PerrySimm | (You drop your pen on the ground and it rolls over towards Anja's foot. As you bend over to pick it up, Anja sighs loudly and scoots her chair a couple of inches away from you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Seriously? | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm not contagious. | ||
| PerrySimm | Harder than that to get away from me. | Knight_Otu says, "Man." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Dang" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "=> Srsly?" | ||
| DavidW asks, "What sort of cooties do we have, anyway?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Bisexual ones." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Oh. That." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Can I get a second for 'srsly'?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| DavidW says, "second" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Seriously? | ||
| PerrySimm | (She doesn't look at you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Is this how it's going to be all year? | ||
| PerrySimm | Just suck it up for today. | ||
| PerrySimm | ...Okay then. | Jacqueline says, "High road: => ...Okay then" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| DavidW says, "sure" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (under your breath) Okay then... | ||
| PerrySimm | (Dr. Rouillé stands up and claps twice.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: Okay class. The desks you are sitting at now, these are your desks. You will sit at these desks for the whole year and you will not trade the desks. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Murmurs from the class.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: Yes, yes, okay. You are trapped in the desk and it is very awful for you. But if I let you move the desk then you will spend the whole year saying to me, "Oh, Docteure Rouillé. So and so stole my desk." "Oh, Docteure Rouillé. This boy won't let me sit next to that boy." "Oh, Docteure Rouillé. I do not like the way my neighbour sharpens her pencil so I need to swap." This way, it is easier. For me. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You turn back to Anja.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh... whoops? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: (shaking her head) Unbelievable. | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: Okay! Maintenant, the conjugation! | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | (The class finishes. You walk out of the room and see Summer just down the hall, taking some things out of her locker.) | ||
| PerrySimm | Summer! | Jacqueline says, "Oh dear." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Damnit." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You run over to Summer's locker and tap her on the shoulder. She whips around, looking a bit taken aback.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Summer! Oh my god. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Oh. Hi. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You're back. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She looks around.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I mean... you switched schools in the middle of Grade 9 so— | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: I remember. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I didn't expect to see you here again, that's all. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Oh. Well, you did. I'm back. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Silence.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | What brings you back? | ||
| PerrySimm | We should hang out. | ||
| PerrySimm | Come out to the paper. | ||
| PerrySimm | Can we talk? | Jacqueline asks, "What brings her back?" | |
| DavidW says, "sure" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Suuuree." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: So what brings you back? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: My parents. University applications. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: I wanted to stay in public school. But... you know. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | We should hang out. | ||
| PerrySimm | Come out to the paper. | ||
| PerrySimm | Can we talk? | ||
| PerrySimm | How was public school? | Jacqueline says, "How was public school? (Anything to keep us from making it weird...)" | |
| DavidW asks, "=> How was public school?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Public school, huh? How was that? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Good. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She turns to Anja, who's watching from a few feet away.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: So— | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Listen, I have to go. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh. Yeah, of course. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Bye. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She walks away.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay. ...Bye. | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | Lockers — Before School | ||
| PerrySimm | Thursday, 8 September 2016 | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: ...So it went well is what you're saying. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (opening your combination lock) She won't even give me the time of day. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Told you. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | She'll come around. | ||
| PerrySimm | Don't gloat. | DavidW says, "Neither option is that good." | |
| Jacqueline asks, "Remind me: was Allen the third wheel who was not present in the first scene?" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Can we go neiithre?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Er, neither." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "And yes, that's him." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "We can not go neither." | ||
| DavidW says, "=> Buy me ice cream. Stat." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Don't gloat?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay" | ||
| DavidW says, "yeah" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Don't gloat, babe. No one likes a sore— (You open your locker and bits of glittery confetti fall out.) ...glitter? | ||
| PerrySimm | (Allen scrunches up his face and looks in your locker. You reach in and pull out a confetti-covered golden envelope which seems to have been slid into the top slot. You open it up, revealing a fancy embossed card.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (reading) Dear Ms. Nadia Nazari, you are hereby and officially notified of this most cordial invitation to a party, soirée, and general get-together at the home of one Christopher "Kip" Kipling III, who would humbly request to enjoy the pleasure of your company, and the company of your Plus One — (You poke Allen.) — at his Annual Official Back-to-School Rager on Saturday. Sincerely, Christopher "Kip" Kipling III. Directions on back. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You flip the card over.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Somebody really needs to tell Kipling about Facebook invites. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | I think it's charming. | ||
| PerrySimm | You're my plus one. | Jacqueline asks, "Do we think it's charming?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Personally, I despise surprise glitter." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, ">Why won't summer send my such a card?" | ||
| DavidW says, "=> You're my plus one." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| Karona exclaims, "LOL!" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Plus one! (You jab him with the invitation.) You're my plus one! | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Erhhh.... (He scratches his neck.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Plus ooooooone!! Allennnn!!! | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: I'll think about it. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay, but think correctly. (You shoo him off.) | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | (You slip the envelope into your bag and then rummage around your locker for a while. After a minute or so you pull out your French textbook and shut the door.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: (from above) Party, huh? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Gah! | ||
| PerrySimm | (You jump backwards and look up. Annette's sitting on top her locker, dangling her feet over the edge.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Sounds fun! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Were you up there the whole time?? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: In physical form, yes. But my spirit was in the astral plane. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Right. (You close your combination lock.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Hey, what was that thing you wanted to ask me yesterday? The witch question or whatever? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh yeah... | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Does anything supernatural ever happen around here? | ||
| PerrySimm | I wanted to know about ghosts. | Knight_Otu asks, "Supernatural?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Sure" | ||
| DavidW says, "yeah" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I was just curious: Is there much supernatural activity around here, would you say? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: At Middle Canada College? Oh sure, tons. It's awesome. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Tons? Really? | ||
| PerrySimm | Is the school haunted? | ||
| PerrySimm | Anything that involves purple smoke? | DavidW says, "=> purple smoke" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Anything that might involve weird purple smoke? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Purple smoke? Well, it's a common spell by-product. Among other things. You could also probably just like buy a fog machine that spits out purple smoke if you really wanted to. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay but assuming it's magic and it's not a fog machine. What type of spells are we talking here? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Gosh, let's see... Not even sure where to start. There's future vision, jealousy annulment, jealously amplification, bird rejuvenation — certain types of bird rejuvenation anyway — animal hypnosis, conjuring psychic imprints of the dead... | ||
| PerrySimm | (You snap your fingers.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: That one. Psychic dead imprints. What's that all about? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Well it's like this. When you go through life you leave a little trail of yourself. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You look behind you. She smirks.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: A spiritual trail. The imprint of your energy. Think of it like leaving tire tracks in the mud, except the tires are your soul. And just like with non-soul tires, when you go over the same place over and over again the imprint gets deeper. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Wait, what's the mud in this metaphor? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Your life. You're standing in it. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She hops down off the locker.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Think of it. You walk the same hallways over and over again, right? And on a fixed schedule. This class for first period, that class for that one. Whenever you repeat yourself like that you're making a mark on the fabric of existence. (She holds her arms out, and does a little quarter turn.) There are psychic imprints of past lives all around us right now. That's basically what a ghost is. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Can they see us? | ||
| PerrySimm | Do they ever manifest? | Knight_Otu asks, "Do they ever manifest?" | |
| DavidW asks, "=> Do they ever manifest?" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Do they ever manifest in the real world? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Wellll... that's less common than people think. And less spectacular too. The influence of all that energy makes itself felt but it's like... air pressure. It's diffuse, and you can't really pull out any one individual aspect of it. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: So you can't see them, in other words. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Well, yeah. (She points at the hallway.) You can't. It takes magic to actually get any kind of genuine apparition going. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: But you're saying with the right spell someone could make one of these... psychic imprints appear? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Definitely. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Could they stick it inside of something? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: You mean like an urn or an old chest of drawers or something? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Or like a raccoon. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Oh. Um. No. That's not— (She looks up.) Well... | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Human ghosts can't really go into animals, is the thing. There's just technical reasons. Like let's say you die next to a bird and your spirit leaves the prison of your body. It doesn't just go into the bird, right? | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't know, does it? | ||
| PerrySimm | Okay... | ||
| PerrySimm | Did the bird kill you? | Jacqueline says, "heh" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Okay?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Sure" | ||
| DavidW says, "First one. Admit our ignorance of this" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I have already clicked, sorry" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (very uncertainly) Okay... | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: You said that very uncertainly. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I mean I believe you. I just don't really know, um, soul rules. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: They're not rules. They're just principles that operate in supernature. The only way the soul would go into a tiny vessel like a bird would be if someone forced it in. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: How do you force a soul to do something? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Well I mean, magic. Duh. But... | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: But? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: It's just... this particular spell is a tad... intense. (She fiddles with the brim of her hat.) How do I put this? You need remains. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Remains. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Human remains. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Eugh. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Bones, specifically. | DavidW says, "C'est la vie." | |
| PerrySimm | Where do you get bones? | ||
| PerrySimm | Whose bones? | ||
| PerrySimm | Why do the remains have to be human? | Jacqueline asks, "Third one?" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Whose bones will probably tell us that they need the specific person?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Oh, true" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'm down for that." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Whose bones are we talking about exactly? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Yes, well. That's the problem. See, you can't use the bones associated with the soul in question. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Why not? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: You know how you can't tickle yourself? It's kind of like that, except with magic. So you have to find other bones to do the spell with. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Meaning... | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Meaning there may be — may be — a minor, mostly academic debate about whether it is acceptable to steal bones from a, uh, graveyard. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You're joking. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: It's very fringe! Not representative of witchcraft in general! | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | What could there possibly be to debate? | ||
| PerrySimm | Who would think that's okay? | ||
| PerrySimm | And that's the only way to do it? | Knight_Otu says, "Huh." | |
| Jacqueline asks, "Third one?" | ||
| DavidW asks, "=> Who would think that's okay?" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "KO?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Second." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Who would ever think it's okay to steal bones from a graveyard? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: I know. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: That's self-evidently awful. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: I know! Look, Reformed Coven doesn't do it, Wiccans don't do it, Urban Forest Witches don't do it, regular Forest Witches don't do it. No one does it! ...With the exception of some extreme elements on the internet. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Like on tumblr? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Like... on facebook. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (slightly revolted) Oh god. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The bell rings.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay. I want to follow up on this later. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Sure. What do you have now? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: French. Avec la Docteure. You? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Functions — the weirdest named class of them all. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Cool. Enjoy functioning. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Au revoir. | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | French Class — Morning | ||
| PerrySimm | (You idly draw a star pattern in your notebook, tracing the five intersecting lines over and over again. Anja looks down at the sketch. You quickly flip the page over.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...You know staring at me isn't going to make me disappear right? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I'm not staring. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yes. You are. And it's creeping me out, so stop. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Whatever. | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: Okay class. I have been informed that there is a requirement for students to speak French while taking this course. This is against my better judgement, because you cannot speak French well at all, but I am forced to do this by the government. Therefore, I am assigning you this new task. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She claps once.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: You will compose a conversation, in French, between two persons, using the vocabulary words you have learned. This will of course be a disaster. None of you are able to speak at even the level of a small child. It will be simply an insult to me and to this fine language. You will now take the last minutes of class to decide a partner. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Up ahead of you, Jayden perks up and turns to look at you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Oh crap. | DavidW asks, "Just one choice, eh?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "I do like Rouille." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah, just the one. I'll click it now that we're caught up." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Get a clue, Nadja." | ||
| DavidW says, "Docteure Rouille." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (mumbling) ...oh crap. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Jayden basically leaps up from his desk and jogs over to yours. Anja shoots you a quick glance.) | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: So, want to partner up? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ah. Well— | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Sorry Jayden. She's taken. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I am? | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: She is? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Yes. See I'm a huge bitch with no friends and nobody loves me so I begged Nadia to take me as a partner and she said yes. Probably out of pity. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Jayden looks at you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh. Uh. That's right. I mean I wouldn't frame it in exactly those terms but... | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: I see. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Sorry. I totally would have— | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Pfft. Nah! It's cool. It's super totally cool. Absolutely. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: (looking at her phone) I guess you better go find someone else. | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: ...Right. Later, Nadia. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | See you. | ||
| Karona says, "I need to go. Later, lovelies." | ||
| Karona disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again. | Knight_Otu exclaims, "Later!" | |
| DavidW asks, "ok, why did Anja do that?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Wow. That was almost human of her." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "Dunno." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "But now that we're caught up I will again click our one choice" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "We'll find out, I'm sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You wave bye. He walks away.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: You're welcome. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (slumping down) Ughhh. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I can't even begin to tell you how much you owe me. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm sorry about that. It's just that Jayden's... | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Completely in love with you. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (rubbing your forehead) Yes. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: And annoying. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I mean... | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: He's nice to you because he wants to sleep with you. That's annoying. It annoys me anyway. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | So what, he should be mean to me? | ||
| PerrySimm | He'll get the hint eventually. | ||
| PerrySimm | Why do you care? | ||
| PerrySimm | I guess it is a bit annoying. | Jacqueline says, "AHA" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Now we OWE her" | ||
| DavidW says, "Yes. We do." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Why do you care?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Why do you care anyway? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Why do you care why I care? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Why do you care why I care why— uh... why you... | ||
| PerrySimm | (She smirks and shakes her head as the bell rings.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Okay. (She holds out her hand.) Give me your phone. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Okay... | ||
| PerrySimm | Uh? | ||
| PerrySimm | Is this a trick? | DavidW says, "=> Okay..." | |
| Jacqueline says, "How about NOPE" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "How about a big ol' NOPE" | ||
| DavidW says, "She'll do something awful, but hopefully not too awful." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "..KO?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I'll say Okay." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Sigh. Okay." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: O...kay...? (You timidly extend the phone out to her.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: (rolling her eyes) Contact info, Nazari. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Right. Yeah. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She grabs it out of your hand and taps a few things.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: There. (She hands it back.) We'll set something up in a few days. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: We will? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: We will. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She gets up and leaves the room.) | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | Parking Lot — After School | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...So now not only do I have to sit next to her — which believe me was bad enough already — I have to actually work with her on a project outside of school. Which is going to be hell, obviously. Like if this is how she's being in public, can you imagine how she'll be when there are no witnesses? We're going to need to meet in like the middle of Eaton Centre food court just so she doesn't find an opportunity to kill me. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Nadia. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: And I am still no closer to figuring out why she hates me or why she doesn't want Summer to talk to me, and I asked Kaz and of course they have no idea. So now Summer hates me and won't tell me anything and Anja hates me and won't tell me anything and no one else knows anything so they couldn't tell me anything even if they wanted! And meanwhile I just have to sit around being miserable. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Nadia. Slow down. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm plenty slow! You speed up. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: You're spiraling here. You need to stop before you get completely obsessed with Anja. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm not obsessed. | ||
| PerrySimm | This is a big deal! | Knight_Otu says, ">I'm not obsessed with Anja." | |
| Jacqueline says, "I would say that, but I think Anja would say 'This is a big deal!'" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Then again, we've been trying to level her out." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay, I'll click it." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh my god, could you stop being dramatic? I'm not obsessed with her. I'm upset I have to work with her. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: You were on this all last night too. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah, because she was being super mean to me in class. Which she still is, by the way. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: She's always been mean to you. Why are you surprised now? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm not! But it still sucks. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: And why did you agree to work with her anyway if she makes you so miserable? | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | DavidW says, "I need to visit the bathroom. If there's any option to get Marc drunk, pick it." | |
| PerrySimm | I didn't know what else to do. | ||
| PerrySimm | It was her or Jayden. | ||
| PerrySimm | I wanted to get on her good side. | ||
| PerrySimm | Why are you getting on my case? | Jacqueline says, "By the way, I think in 20 minutes I'm going to call it. That'll have been 3 hours." | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Huh, already close to three hours?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Time sure flies." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "We have enough to vote. I would be open to shelving this a week, trying to play American Angst next week (before the Xyzzy deadline), then picking this back up for a multi-week thing. I'm enjoying it but might not make the time for it otherwise." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'm thinking we shouldn't bring up Jayden." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "But maybe we should." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Maybe. I'm tempted to vote for it." | ||
| DavidW says, "back" | ||
| DavidW says, "=> her or Jayden" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Then let's." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Sorry, had to step away. Back." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It was that or work with Jayden. Would you have preferred that? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Jayden's harmless. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (mumbling) Easy for you to say. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: ...Should I worry about Jayden? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What? Ugh, no, of course not. Just— forget it. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You start walking a bit faster.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: What is with you right now? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Nothing. You're getting grumpy and I am not in the mood. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He laughs.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: I think you might be a bit grumpy yourself there. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Allen stops at his car. You keep walking past it.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Hey, come on. Where are you going? | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Home. | ||
| PerrySimm | Away. | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | Jacqueline says, "AWAY" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure, he's getting grumpy." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I would also appreciate the option to stomp our foot." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Away. From here. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Nadia, come on. You're just going to walk off by yourself? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You keep walking.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: ...Let me at least give you a ride home! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (over your shoulder) I'll survive! | ||
| PerrySimm | (He throws up his hands.) | Knight_Otu exclaims, "Tantrum!" | |
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Yellow Creek — After School | ||
| PerrySimm | (You stop for breath on the stairs leading up out of the Vale of Avoca.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ugh, I forgot how many ravines there are on this stupid walk. | ||
| PerrySimm | (All of a sudden, you hear a rustling and groaning from the bushes below. You look over the side of the stairs and see a familiar figure down in the mud at the bottom of the ditch.) | DavidW says, "weird" | |
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Summer? | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (calling down) Summer? Is that you?? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: ...Yes! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You okay?? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: I'm covered in mud! | ||
| PerrySimm | (You carefully make your way down into the ravine.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What happened? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: I fell into a ditch. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Clearly. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You help pull her up.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: I was standing up there. (She points up to where you'd just been walking.) I was leaning against a tree for some reason. I don't remember the reason. Then I, uh, fell. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | How did you manage that? | ||
| PerrySimm | Did you hit your head? | Knight_Otu asks, "Did you hit your head?" | |
| DavidW says, "yesh" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay" | ||
| DavidW says, "er yeah" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Are you okay? Did you hit your head? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: No, just my body. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Is your body okay? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: That's a vague question. (She tries to wipe her hands off on her jeans but they just come up as muddy as before.) ...No less okay than normal I guess. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Good. Come on. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You reach out to give her your hand as you climb back up the hill but she doesn't grab it. You awkwardly pull it back and climb up next to her without saying anything. After a short while you reach the top of the stairs.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Thanks for getting me. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Of course. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She looks down at the ground.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: I'm sorry for running away. Yesterday. At school, I mean. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | It's okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | I wish things weren't so awkward. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm not going to jump you. | Knight_Otu says, "I hope we didn't push her." | |
| Roger says, "bad news, Summer: you're dead" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "=> I wish things weren't so awkward?" | ||
| DavidW says, "=> I wish things weren't so awkward." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I really wish things weren't so awkward between us. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: That'd be nice. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She kicks at the ground.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey, do you want to come back to my house and clean up? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: I'm okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You sure? It's pretty close. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: I remember where you live. 344 Bridgefield Avenue. M4Z 1R6. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You could borrow a hoodie. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: I think I'm just going to go home instead. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Silence.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: ...My home's the other way. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | I remember. | ||
| PerrySimm | Okay, well... | DavidW says, "=> Okay, well" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay. Well... I'll see you around then. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Okay. Um, bye. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She runs off.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Bye. | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | Jacqueline says, "STILL NOT THE END OF THE CHAPTER, BTW" | |
| PerrySimm | Library — After School | ||
| PerrySimm | Friday, 9 September 2016 | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (hushed) Hurry up! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: One more second, one more second... | ||
| PerrySimm | (They peer anxiously around the corner of the shelving unit.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: There. (You step down off the stool.) Now we're covered in here and out in the hall. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (squinting up at the top shelf) I can't believe you know how to set up a spy cam. Should I be worried? | Knight_Otu says, "Wow." | |
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Very. | ||
| PerrySimm | It's a legitimate technique. | Jacqueline says, "It's legit" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yes, you should be worried, Kaz." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "But I guess we can claim it's legit." | ||
| DavidW asks, "We're gonna learn that the library is the hot smoochin' makeout spot because no one ever comes in here, right?" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh don't make it sound so pervy. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Impossible. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You step back a few steps and survey your work.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's a legitimate investigative technique. Now if something else happens in here we'll have hard evidence. No late night stake-outs required. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Aw, but I love our late night stake-outs. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: We've never even done one. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I know, but I would have loved them. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You smile.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay, let's go back to the office and get them recording. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The two of you walk back down the hall.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Hey, you never told me what happened with Allen. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: We made up. It's fine. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Seriously? | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | He was being stupid. | ||
| PerrySimm | I was being stupid. | ||
| PerrySimm | We were both being stupid. | DavidW says, "=> I was being stupid." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "That would be the honest option." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Sure" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah, it was fine. I realized that night I was being kind of stupid and oversensitive. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: It didn't sound like you were being oversensitive. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: That's not how it works though. No one ever feels like they're being oversensitive. Anyway, we talked and we were sorry and we hugged each other and now it's fine. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Eh, I think you let him off easy. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Maybe. (You shrug.) But sometimes that's just what you do in a relationship. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Your phone buzzes.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: That him? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You look down.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No. It's your sister. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Really? What's she want? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Let me see. | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | DavidW says, "Time to practice your 'French'." | |
| Jacqueline says, "This is now a smart phone text window. I'm going to type it like the rest of the conversation's been all game. One sec." | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Hey. We need to decide when we're working on this French thing. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What's up? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Weekend? | ||
| PerrySimm | Monday? | ||
| PerrySimm | Whenever. | Jacqueline says, "=> NEVER" | |
| DavidW says, "=> Whenever" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I can do whenever | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Very helpful | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Monday night? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Works for me. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Somewhere outside of school. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I don't really want to stay in this building any longer than necessary. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | DavidW says, "Eaton's" | |
| PerrySimm | A coffee shop? | ||
| PerrySimm | The library? | ||
| PerrySimm | Someone's house? | Knight_Otu asks, "Coffee shop?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Sure" | ||
| DavidW says, "okay" | ||
| DavidW says, "The library has a coffee shop too." | ||
| Roger says, "This is like a walking simulator without any walking" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Do you want to go over to the Aroma? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: On Spadina? You can never get a table there. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: If it's full we can go to that Second Cup up the street. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: ew no. That one barista guy completely creeps me out. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Tim Hortons? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I'm going to pretend you didn't say that. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Fine, no coffee. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Why don't you just come over to my house? | DavidW asks, "What's wrong with Timmy's, Anja?" | |
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Hello? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I'd rather not. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Why not? | ||
| PerrySimm | It won't be that bad. | ||
| PerrySimm | We have to go somewhere. | DavidW says, "All of Toronto to pick from." | |
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "I'm going to pretend you didn't just ask that." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "We have to go somewhere?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "We could just do it by text" | ||
| DavidW asks (of Jacqueline), "You don't like Tim Hortons either?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'm not too into Timmy's, no." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Then again, I do occasionally go to Zippy's, because it is so close and open 24 hours. It is the Timmy's of Hawaii." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "We have to go somewhere. Just realized that was suggested." | ||
| DavidW asks, "Is it the same Zippy from the comics? Pointy cone-head clown guy?" | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "No. :)" | ||
| Roger says, "You can get a box of 20 spambits" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: We have to go somewhere. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Do you have a better idea? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I guess not. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: okay then | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Fine | DavidW says (to Roger), "I saw a video about making spam fries yesterday." | |
| PerrySimm | ANJA: But I want you to know this is against my better judgement. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: yeah no got it. | Knight_Otu says, "Now where's my spam filter :p" | |
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | (You click your phone off and sit down at the Editor's desk.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Well? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...I don't know how it happened, but she's coming to my house. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Huh. Does this mean you're done fighting? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I think we're probably just going to fight in a new location. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Kaz turns on a computer.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: She'll come around soon. Trust. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh-huh. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I mean, you're great! What's not to love about you? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You stare at Kaz.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: ...What? What'd I say? Did I say something dumb? | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | I have to tell you something. | ||
| PerrySimm | Can I ask you something? | DavidW says, "Anyway, I now need to find okonomiyaki sauce." | |
| DavidW says, "=> tell" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey, uh... I have something to tell you. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Sure, what's up? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Can you lock the door first? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Seriously? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Just humour me, okay? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: ...You're the boss. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They go over, lock the door, and start rummaging through their bag.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No, don't lock the door and get high! Just lock the door. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Sorry, sorry. Force of habit. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They sit back down in their chair and wheel over to you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: So... | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | Knight_Otu asks, "We broke up, didn't we?" | |
| PerrySimm | This is complicated. | ||
| PerrySimm | I've got something to confess. | DavidW says, "=> confess" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| Roger says, "I've lost the thread" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "mmkay" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I've got something to confess. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Is it a murder? Are we going to have to go on the lam? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No, it's nothing like that. It's just something I did a while ago. Something non-criminal. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Hmm. That's less exciting but go ahead. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: How much do you know about me and Allen and Summer exactly? And all the stuff that happened. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I know that the three of you were like best friends forever back in middle school but that's about it. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay well a more accurate way of saying that might be that me and Summer were best friends and Allen was also there. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Ah. | DavidW says, "This is starting to get somewhere." | |
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Don't get me wrong, he was okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | Summer and I had a connection. | Jacqueline says, "I don't think we had the connection we think we had." | |
| Roger says, "as usual with Wind" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "haha" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I don't think I want to enable her with the connection bit, but it's probably the story bit that explains a lot." | ||
| DavidW says, "Perhaps we're Summer's analog in Dimension X." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "'he was okay'?" | ||
| DavidW says, "I just hope this conversation actually explains something." | ||
| DavidW says, "sure" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Like don't get me wrong we both liked hanging around with Allen. He was fine. But me and Summer were closer. Way closer. We hung out with him every week, sure, but there was a while there where Summer and I were hanging out every day. Or every other day at least. I mean it varied, but every three days would have been an anomaly. I guess I'd have to go back and check my old schedule to be certain but— | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Stay on target. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh. Uh, right. Anyway. I'd go over to her house, or she'd go over to my house, or we'd both just go walking around together. And if we weren't together we'd be texting or chatting or like sometimes we'd even call each other. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (confused) On the telephone? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I mean, you know me. I'm very comfortable doing things on my own. But with Summer, when she wasn't around there'd be this feeling... | ||
| PerrySimm | (You clear your throat.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Anyway. One afternoon she came over to swim and after spending all day in the pool we decided to take a nap. And we were lying... um... in the same bed... very close to each other... | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: ...Is this story going where I think it's going? | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Where do you think it's going? | ||
| PerrySimm | ...Maybe halfway there. | ||
| PerrySimm | Shut up and listen. | Roger says, "awwww yeah" | |
| DavidW says, "=> Shut up and listen." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I concur." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "And I say that to both Kaz and Roger" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Look just let me finish, okay? It was— we had a moment. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: A moment moment? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I mean, you know, we were kids. Nothing happened. We never actually... kissed. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Okay... | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...But we were like five seconds away from extremely kissing. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: So like— | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: So like I definitely went for it. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Whoa. And? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Have you seen her panic face? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: With the like—? (They open their eyes really wide.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah. She did that. And then she got up and said she had to go home. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Kaz sucks in air through their teeth.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: She practically ran out of there. Like she seemed really, really afraid. That was the last time we ever hung out as friends. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Wait. That's how you left it? You never tried to talk to her again? | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | I sent Allen. | ||
| PerrySimm | I got nowhere. | ||
| PerrySimm | I was too afraid. | Jacqueline says, "I feel like this next bit shouldn't be a choice." | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Too afraid?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay." | ||
| DavidW asks, "I guess?" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I mean, of course I tried at first. But eventually I just got too scared. There was so much going on there. Just with me and her and... You know, what if she told people? Or what if she freaked out even more than she already had? So I stopped leaving messages and I stopped trying to talk to her in the halls. My last ditch was to send Allen. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: And this was before you two were dating? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah. We were all friends, you know? I figured he might be able to get through to her at least. But Summer told him she never wanted to see me again. Like full stop. And then he sided with me and that was that. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Kaz shakes their head.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | I think that's why Anja hates me. | ||
| PerrySimm | That's the source of all the drama. | ||
| PerrySimm | And Summer's still avoiding me now. | Jacqueline asks, "Source of drama?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| DavidW says, "mmhm" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Anyway, that's the source of all this drama. Me and Summer and your sister and everything. And I don't know what to do about it. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Wait, Anja? What does she have to do with this? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Anja started hating me right when all this happened, and that's also right when Summer and her became friends. Which suggests to me that Summer told Anja what happened and she tried to take it out on me as some kind of weird revenge. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Pfft. No way. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Think about, why else would she be so intent of keeping me away from her? She thinks I'm going to try and hit on her again. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: No way in hell, Na. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: But— | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Look, you need to trust me on this, okay? If Anja even knows — which I doubt by the way, because I didn't know and I know you way better than she does — if she knows, she absolutely would not hate you for it. She is not that kind of person. Really. Really really. There's no way she cares about you being gay. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm not "gay" exactly. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm not gay. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They raise their eyebrows.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm not! Not exactly. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Right. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm just, you know, a little bisexual. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: "A little"? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Okay, fine. A lot. Completely. I'm canonically bisexual, is that what you wanted to hear? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: YEP. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Kaz jumps on you and gives you an excessively tight hug.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What is this? Why are you doing this thing with your body? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Because I'm your frieeeeend! And you're queeeeeeeer!! | ||
| PerrySimm | (You exhale and pat them on the shoulder.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yes. Thank you Kaz. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They get down off you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: So... does anyone else know? Have you told Allen? | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Of course not. | ||
| PerrySimm | I will eventually. | Knight_Otu says, "I'm suuure she will eventually." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Suuuure she will" | ||
| DavidW says, "I'm startled that 'Of course I have' isn't an option." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "True" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Of course Allen knows he's just the rebound." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, which?" | ||
| DavidW says, "The second, I think" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "It's ten past the third hour by the way." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah, I know." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "maga started the robot vaccuum." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah, second." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So I'm kind of trapped." | ||
| DavidW says, "At least we got to a major reveal." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "And I keep thinking we're near the end of a chapter." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "Yeah." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So unless you all need to go I thought I'd stay until the vaccuum is done." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I will... Eventually... | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Just not right now. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Exactly. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You rub your forehead) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: There's no rule that says you have to, you know. | Knight_Otu says, "I mean, this surely sounds like chapter end material." | |
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | I feel bad lying to him. | ||
| PerrySimm | He gets jealous. | ||
| PerrySimm | I guess... | Jacqueline says (to KO), "I thought that previously, but yes." | |
| DavidW says, "=> I feel bad lying to him." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yes." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: He's my boyfriend though! I'm not supposed to lie to him. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Okay buddy. Rule number 1? Being in the closet is not the same as lying. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's lying by omission. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Na, stop being logical for a second and start being smart. The only person who has any say over the timing of your coming out is you. And no one is entitled to anything more than you want to give them. I don't care if he's the pope of boyfriends, you don't owe him a damn thing. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Where it does get a bit complicated is with Summer. Are you saying you want to be with her instead? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No, that's the thing! I had a crush on her when I was thirteen. We're entirely different people now. I'm sure even if we had ever dated we would have broken up in like a month anyway. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You sigh.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I don't want to give up Allen. But maybe I do wish it had all gone differently. And I want my friend back. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: You know what? This is a lot. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No kidding. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: You need to organize your thoughts somehow. A gameplan. (They snap their fingers and point excitedly at your agenda.) A list! | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Good idea. | ||
| PerrySimm | You think? | Jacqueline asks, "You think?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I would believe Nadja here if she hadn't been so obsessed." | ||
| DavidW asks, "=> You think?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "And sure." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to KO), "Exactly" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You think? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Absolutely! You're like the queen of lists, and this is a perfectly listable situation. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They grab your notebook off the editor's desk and shove it in your hands.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...You know what? You're right. Let's do it. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You click your pen.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay, so. The to-do list for the 2016-2017 school year: 1) Publish newspaper — that's a weekly one. 2) Do a major recruiting drive. 3) Conceal sexual orientation from boyfriend— | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Or tell him! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Let's stick with "conceal" for now. 4) Resolve lingering gay angst with ex-best friend. 5) Improve relationship with current best friend's sister. 6) Keep grades up and get into university. And... 7) Either prove or disprove the existence of ghosts, both generally and in the specific context of Middle Canada College. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You put your pen down.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...That's doable, right? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: For you? Totally. In fact, you can get started this weekend. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Huh? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Kipling's party, dude. Summer's going to be there. Perfect opportunity to talk to her. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | How do you know? | ||
| PerrySimm | She doesn't want to talk. | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't know... | DavidW asks, "=> How do you know?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: How do you know? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Because everyone's going to be there, dumbass. Didn't you get the invite? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yes... | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Well so did everyone. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm not sure I want to do this in front of a huge audience. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yeah but Kipling's house is massive! We can totally find a secluded place for you two to declare your love for each other. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | We don't love each other. | ||
| PerrySimm | I have a boyfriend. | ||
| PerrySimm | Is this going to be a thing now? | Jacqueline says, "I like all of those to varying degrees." | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Third?" | ||
| Roger says, "time to make up a listbian" | ||
| DavidW says, "I'm hoping Kip's house is the gayest place on Earth." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "snrk" | ||
| PerrySimm | \YOU: Please tell me that you trying to hook me up with girls isn't going to be a thing now? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I can't do that, Na. Because it will absolutely be a thing. So get used to it. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You groan.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Come on! Aren't you glad you told me? Don't you already feel lighter? Happier? More excited about the future? | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | ...Yeah. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah... Yeah, I guess I do. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Exactly! | ||
| PerrySimm | (They scoot their chair a bit closer to you and grab your hand.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: You realize you're my stereotypical gay best friend now, right? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I thought you were my gay best friend. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Hey, we can argue about who the gay one in this relationship is later. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They give you a friendly pat on the knee.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: ...But it's totally you. | ||
| PerrySimm | Next � | ||
| PerrySimm | ============= | ||
| PerrySimm | ============= | ||
| PerrySimm | Next Time (maybe) | ||
| PerrySimm | Nadia goes to Kipling's party. | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaz fails to play it even a little cool. | ||
| PerrySimm | Lingering gay angst lingers unabated. | ||
| PerrySimm | A hipster gets punched in the face. | ||
| PerrySimm | and | ||
| PerrySimm | It's a real gong show over there in general. | ||
| PerrySimm | Main Menu ➤ | Jacqueline says, "END CHAPTER" | |
| *** Session 2 *** | ||
| PerrySimm | June 2013 | ||
| PerrySimm | (It was the grade 8 end-of-year dance, two months before that day by the pool three years ago. You and Summer stepped uncertainly through the gym doors.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Remind me why we're here again? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Because I wanted to go and I asked a bunch of times if we could go and you finally gave in. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hmm. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She poked you in the arm.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: And you're secretly excited too. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Maaaaybe... | ||
| PerrySimm | More like secretly terrified. | ||
| PerrySimm | You have a way of getting me out to parties. | Knight_Otu says, "Good, it tells us when this in relation to the event." | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Are we secretly terrified?" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, is this before we Pushed Summer Away?" | ||
| DavidW says, "I don't know what we are." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yes. It's written kind of awkwardly, but this is before the kiss." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Then I suppose we might be secretly terrified." | ||
| DavidW says, "I suppose." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Shall I pick that, then?" | ||
| DavidW says, "Sure, but I bet it's not that much of a secret." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Secretly terrified is more like it. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She gave you a wink.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: I'll stick with you. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: urrrghhh... | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: It won't be that bad, okay? Dancing is fun, Nadia. Trust me. | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | (Half an hour later. You and Summer leaned against the wall on the girls' side of the gym, staring back at the boys' side. Summer bopped her head back and forth a bit to the music.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...You were saying something about dancing being fun? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Okay, this could be better. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You sighed heavily and looked up at the ceiling.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Uh, Nadia? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Allen's coming this way. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Your eyes widened.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | What do I do? | ||
| PerrySimm | You don't think he wants to dance, do you? | ||
| PerrySimm | How close is he? | DavidW says, "oh noes. boy cooties!" | |
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "Worse, future rebound cooties!" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Indeed" | ||
| DavidW says, "> tell Allen I'm going to Yemen" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "heh" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'm good with any of these choices." | ||
| DavidW says, "ok" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "So, second?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Sure" | ||
| DavidW says, "mmhm" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh god. You don't think he wants to dance, do you? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: What? How should I know? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Aaaa. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Allen stood in front of you and cleared his throat.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Allen. Hi. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Hi Nadia. I... um. I was wondering, uh... I... | ||
| PerrySimm | (You looked at him.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: (faintly mumbling) I just, you know... I figured... I don't know... We're good friends and stuff and like it's cool if you don't want to, but, uh... (He scratched the back of his neck.) Maybe it'd be fun if the two of us... | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Are you saying you want to dance? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Yeah. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You nodded.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay. Come on. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Summer looked a bit surprised as you led Allen towards the middle of the gym.) | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | (You and Allen shuffled around with each other during the slow dance.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Um. Thanks. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (whispering) I don't think you're supposed to thank me in the middle of the dance. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Oh. Whoops. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The slow song came to an end and a loud fast one came on. You stopped dancing kind of awkwardly.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Okay. Now thanks. | Lionheart says, "How do you tell Floyd to pick from a dialog choice" | |
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Did you enjoy that? | ||
| PerrySimm | That was nice. | ||
| PerrySimm | See you. | Jacqueline says, "It's not Floyd." | |
| Jacqueline says, "It's me." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "This is a Twine game." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'm copying & pasting as Perry." | ||
| Lionheart says, "OIC" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So, one sounds creepy" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Three sounds rude" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Do we say that it was nice?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "But I'm not sure we liked it." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "It does." | ||
| DavidW says, "I think I'd pick the first option." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Huh" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Well, since it wasn't Summer..." | ||
| DavidW says, "Maybe Allen doesn't really want to dance." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Well, we do end up dating this person." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure, let's go with one." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay" | ||
| DavidW says, "Maybe Allen would rather get some cookies and soda and just chat." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Did you... enjoy that? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Yeah. A lot. (He looked down.) ...Did you? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Yeah. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Cool. I did too. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I know. You already said. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Heh. Right. Yeah. Sorry. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You smiled.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: I'll uh... (He pointed back to the boys' side.) I'll see you later. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You waved goodbye. He walked away.) | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | (A few minutes later Summer came up to you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: So what's up? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Huh? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: (yelling over the music) What's up?? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (also yelling) What do you mean?? | ||
| PerrySimm | (Summer pointed over to Allen, who was now back on the other side of the dancefloor.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh!! It's not— ...I was trying to prove something to myself!! | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: And?? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You glanced over at him.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Results inconclusive!! | ||
| PerrySimm | (She nodded.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Do you want to jump around and dance really badly to this super loud and annoying music?? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yes!! Yes I do!! | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | Lionheart says, "Well, as far as I'm concerned, I don't have any future knowledge of Allen, so I'd feel fine aout 1." | |
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Known Unknowns | ||
| PerrySimm | episode two: change of plans | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Allen's House - 8:30pm | ||
| PerrySimm | Saturday, 10 September 2016 | ||
| PerrySimm | (Three years later.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Well? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: You look awesome, Nadia. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You plop down on the couch next to him.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Last chance. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: I'm just... really not feeling it tonight. There's going to be so many people. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Come on. | ||
| PerrySimm | Including me. | ||
| PerrySimm | We can find quiet spots. | DavidW says, "quiet spots" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I kind of want to say Summer should have seen it coming after Nadia's exitement here..." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "But then, we have the advantage of future knowledge." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure, quiet spots." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: We don't have to socialize all night. If it gets too busy we can just find somewhere quiet to hang out. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: At Kip's house? Really? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's a big house. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: And it's going to be full of people. Seriously, go have a good time. I'll be fine. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The doorbell rings multiple times. You shoot Allen a confused look. When he goes to open the door, Kaz is standing outside.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Hey Allen. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Hey. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (at the top of their lungs) HI ALLEN'S PARENTS. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN'S PARENTS: (distant yelling) | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | You're not normally this punctual. | ||
| PerrySimm | Ready to go? | Jacqueline asks, "Punctual comment?" | |
| DavidW asks, "Remind me who Kaz is?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Our friend who is on the news paper with us." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "They are our nonbinary friend/coworker." | ||
| Lionheart says, "Oh. I have no context for these names" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "It's fine, LH. You'll pick it up from context or when we answer DW's questions it will make sense." | ||
| DavidW says, "I was wondering if Kaz was dating Allen as well." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "(Kidding, you can ask questions too)" | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "Nope." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I am going to comment on punctuality, unless there are objections." | ||
| DavidW says, "go ahead" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Wow Kaz. We weren't expecting you to be so... on time. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Long story. I'll explain in the car. (They punch Allen in the shoulder.) Later dude. BYE ALLEN'S PARENTS!! | ||
| PerrySimm | (You give Allen a quick peck on the cheek and head out the door with Kaz.) | ||
| PerrySimm | Wait, have you been smoking? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yeah... about that... | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ugh! Kaaaz! You said you were going to drive! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Look it's not my fault! | ||
| PerrySimm | (You stare at them.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Okay fine, it is my fault. Kind of. I slept in and I forgot what day it was and then by the time I realized we had the party tonight I was already high. So. Yeah. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: So, wait. How did you...? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You look over to the car and see Anja checking her phone in the driver's seat.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | What's she doing here? | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm going to kill you. | DavidW says, "kill" | |
| Lionheart asks, "And who's this now?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah, I'm thinking kill." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Anja is Kaz's sister who kind of hates the protagonist." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Anja is our arch enemy" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure, kill." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "And yeah, Kaz's sister." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I am going to kill you. (You get in the car.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Hey, Kaz's begging and pleading is the only reason you have a ride to this thing. I'd show them a little more gratitude if I were you. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (mumbling) I could have taken the bus. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Wow, you're welcome. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You fold your arms and look out the window.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Hey, lighten up, Na. We're going to a party! | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Whatever. | ||
| PerrySimm | Sorry. Allen's being annoying. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm having second thoughts. | ||
| PerrySimm | You're right. | DavidW says, "I think Anja is more of a frenemy." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "She is friends with Summer, who we have a unhealthy crush on." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "Hm, possibly." | ||
| Lionheart says, "Well, don't let it ruin our evening. You're right, Kaz." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Hm. Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You're right. I should try and enjoy myself. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: That's my girl. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | I wish Allen was coming though. | ||
| PerrySimm | Nice vest. | ||
| PerrySimm | Are we picking up Summer? | DavidW says, "Nice vest." | |
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "Ixnay on the Ummersay!" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure, vest." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Vest is safe." | ||
| DavidW says, "yes, avoid the Ummersay." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Sweet vest by the way. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Oh dude it's amazing. I have so many pockets right now I don't even know what to do with them. (They look at you over the back of their seat.) Here, ask to borrow two dollars. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What? No. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: No come on, do it. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I don't need two dollars. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Just pretend like you need two dollars okay? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay. (You clear your throat.) Can I borrow two dollars? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Why sure, Nadia. Let me just reach into my... (They stick their hand in their upper-left vest pocket and after a half second of fumbling pull out a toonie.) ...TOONIE POCKET. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They triumphantly plonk the coin down into your hand.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...How many toonies do you have in there? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Just three. Well actually two now I guess. ...Can I have that one back? | ||
| PerrySimm | (Anja rolls her eyes.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: You two are weird. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She reaches over and turns on the radio.) | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | Lionheart asks, "Are we keeping it from Anja or something?" | |
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Front Yard - 9pm | ||
| PerrySimm | (Anja pulls into Kipling's extremely large driveway.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Here we are. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The three of you get out. You and Anja start walking towards the house. Kaz lags behind a bit.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Coming? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Uh yeah. In a second. I just have to, shall we say, smoke some marijuana. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Yeah, yeah. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You and Anja step into the Foyer.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | This place is huge. | ||
| PerrySimm | Where's Kipling? | ||
| PerrySimm | Okay well... | Knight_Otu says, "It's a very sore topic with Anja." | |
| DavidW says, "Anja will be on our case if we express interest in Summer, at least in the future." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Huge?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| DavidW asks, "Didn't we already say it was huge earlier in the chat with Allen?" | ||
| Lionheart says, "I'd ask after the host, but anything's Ok" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Host is fine." | ||
| DavidW says, "I'd also like to meet Kip." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'm just thinking back to how I was at that age when I went to a rich person's house" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I doubt Anja and Kaz know where he is though." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Where is Kipling anyway? He normally greets you right at the door. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Hmm, thats odd. I wonder— | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: (from behind you) My dudes! | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Ah, there we go. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He slides in between you and Anja, putting his arms around your necks.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: I am oh so glad you fine ladies could come to this most humble of abodes! What say we get you two beveraged up and chilled down? | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | What's up, Kipling? | ||
| PerrySimm | I could go for a drink. | ||
| PerrySimm | No beverages tonight. | DavidW asks, "The escalating chair on the staircase?" | |
| PerrySimm | Isn't it "chilled out"? | Knight_Otu says, "I'd say no beverages." | |
| Jacqueline says, "MORAL DECISIONS" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Truly, our life is an after-school special." | ||
| DavidW says, "oh dear. I don't wanna be in an after-school special." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Although I am super curious what happens if we get a drink, I am willing to agree to play it safe." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Though our reputation may suffer." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "We've asked people about ghosts." | ||
| DavidW says, "I'd pick "What's up, Kipling?"" | ||
| Lionheart says, "[ Kipling will remember that. ]" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Do we have much of a reputation left?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "That is an excellent point. Our reputation is already tanked." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah, I like the first choice, too, DW" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "It's neutral." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "It's cool." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "It may not lead to drunkeness." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure, that's fine, too." | ||
| Lionheart asks, "Conversation trees and reputation management too?" | ||
| Jacqueline says (to Lh), "Generally, when I get two votes for a thing that's enough for me to pick it. Just FYI." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey Kipling. How's it going? | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Most excellently, as you can see! | ||
| PerrySimm | (He starts steering the two of you towards the kitchen.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Naddy, I feel like it has been an age since I got you out to the crib. Where have you been keeping yourself? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I've, you know, been around. | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Well might I say, it is quite fortuitious that you chose to be around here on this fine evening. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Anja slips out from under Kipling's arm.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: How about I let you two catch up? | ||
| PerrySimm | (Kipling makes a little finger gun.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Later, A.K. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She disappears into the crowd.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Now, how about those drinks? | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Lead the way. | ||
| PerrySimm | Actually... | DavidW says, "Lead the way." | |
| Jacqueline asks, "I thought we weren't drinking?" | ||
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "But that's the way to the drink!" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Also, Kipling is abnoxious." | ||
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "And drink is EEBBUULLL!" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "obnoxious, even" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah, he is." | ||
| DavidW says, "Look, if we're gonna get to see Kip's secret project, I think it's wise to have a drink first to get on his good side." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "And I don't think I trust him." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "hrm" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I mean, I'm down with seeing the game go sideways. But looks like we need more votes to decide." | ||
| DavidW says, "Like, obviously he has a plan to block the sun with a giant umbrella or something." | ||
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "He's a mind flayer?!" | ||
| DavidW says, "I dunno!" | ||
| Jacqueline thinks to herself, 'Where are you all getting this?' | ||
| Lionheart says, "Sideways" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So, drink it is." | ||
| Lionheart exclaims, "Up the drama@!" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Lead the way. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The two of you weave through the party and into the kitchen.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: You and Miss K buried the old hatchet I see! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What makes you say that? | ||
| PerrySimm | (He sits you down on a little kitchen stool and hops over the counter.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: I consider myself something of an observer, as well you know. And right now I'm observing that you and Anja can occupy the same room without trying to kill each other. This can only be described as an improvement. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Don't read too much into it. | ||
| PerrySimm | Clearly not that much of an improvement. | ||
| PerrySimm | We could use an observer at the paper. | ||
| PerrySimm | What have you got back there? | Knight_Otu averts his eyes. | |
| DavidW says, "Choice games keep wanting me to project into them, so I try." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I don't want to recruit this guy for the paper." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "hahaha BUT WE NEED PEOPLE" | ||
| DavidW says, "'Don't read too much into it.'" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "(I totally agree I do not want him at the paper)" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Don't read too much into it. She's still making it very clear that she hates my guts. | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: I wouldn't worry about it. Takes time to patch things up, know what I mean? | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | I guess. | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't even know what we're patching up. | Knight_Otu says, "Right now it's an enemy of my enemy situation after all." | |
| DavidW says, "The second one." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Weird thing is I don't know what we're even patching up! It's like she just started hating me for no reason. | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Hey, it happens. Sometimes you get into a fight with someone and you don't even remember how it started. Aha, here we go! | ||
| PerrySimm | (He pulls out a bright pink bottle.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What is that? | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Bacardi Breezer. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Isn't that the thing where they found all the broken glass floating in it? | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: You're thinking of Smirnoff Ice. And all the bad ones got recalled anyway. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He pours you a cup.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Glad to know you're on top of this. | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Safe party's a happy party. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You clink plastic cups.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: (looking over your shoulder) Oh shoot, my boy Josh is at the door! You'll be alright in here while I attend to my multitudinous duties? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You wave him off. He runs back out to the foyer.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Josh! My absolute man! | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | Kitchen – 9pm | ||
| PerrySimm | Kipling's kitchen is famously well-stocked, and tonight pretty much every surface is overflowing with party supplies. Beer, wine, liquor, pop, snack bowls, fancy homemade hors-d'oeuvre trays. He's even got some of those fun little party horns out. The boy has gone all out. | ||
| PerrySimm | Annette is up on her tip-toes, rifling through some cabinets. | ||
| PerrySimm | A pair of enormous french doors to the west open up onto the back terrace. The dining room is to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Annette | ||
| PerrySimm | back terrace | ||
| PerrySimm | dining room | Jacqueline says, "Sorry, must use the facilities. brb" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "I think Annette is new?" | ||
| DavidW says, "oh, I oughta do that also" | ||
| Lionheart says, "I love the way 'my multitudinous duties' rolls off his tongue in my imagination" | ||
| Lionheart asks, "Annette is a little sister, I'm guessing?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Back" | ||
| DavidW says, "back" | ||
| Jacqueline says (to LH), "Yeah, that's a decent guess." | ||
| Jacqueline exclaims, "Let's find out!" | ||
| Jacqueline exclaims, "Let's look at her!" | ||
| Lionheart says, "Agreed" | ||
| DavidW says, "I think we saw Annette earlier, but I forget." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You walk up and peer into Annette's travel cauldron.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey Annette. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Mmmh. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Whatcha brewin'? | ||
| PerrySimm | Whatcha lookin' for? | ||
| PerrySimm | Having fun? | Jacqueline says, "You're right." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Oh, her." | ||
| DavidW says, "ah, the witch." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Annette is our witchy friend. Yeah" | ||
| DavidW says, "Sage, I bet." | ||
| Lionheart says, "Oh. This game has witches with travel cauldrons for spellcasting on the go." | ||
| DavidW says, "You burn sage for dealing with ghosts, I think." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Anyone who physcially carries around a travel cauldron deserves to be asked what she's brewin'" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Whatcha brewin'? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Just your standard party potion. ...Jeez, how does Kip not even have dried houndstongue? (She sighs.) Whatever. Guess I'll have to improvise. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She grabs some vanilla extract and some hot sauce and dumps it into her cauldron. Then she grabs a big handful of leaves from inside her hat and tosses them in. The concoction briefly glows turquoise.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Is it supposed to be doing that? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Oh absolutely. (She takes a bent twig out of her bag and starts stirring.) Anything in the cyan range is what you're looking for. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She dips her pinky in and takes a taste. She thinks for a sec and then grabs a two-litre of root beer off the table and pours a bunch in.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: That oughta do it. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She dips a red solo cup into the cauldron.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Is that safe? | ||
| PerrySimm | Is that alcoholic? | Jacqueline says, "By the way, Annette's witch hat is heavily decorated for the party." | |
| Jacqueline says, "I feel slightly bad that you all don't get to see the characters." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "It does add to the feel." | ||
| DavidW says, "well, we can replay later, I suppose, when you give us the all clear." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I had actually taken a look at the game because I was curious about the portraits." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "heh" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Turns out they are clickable, if you weren't aware." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I was NOT aware." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Cool" | ||
| DavidW says, "Asking 'is that safe' might be rude. I'd ask if it's alcoholic." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah, let's ask that." | ||
| Lionheart says, "Mm, well, I was thinking of looking up the website for ch 1 after this anyway, maybe I'll replay ch 2 too and see what I missed" | ||
| Lionheart asks, "Anyway, any booze in there?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "ok" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Is it... is that alcoholic or...? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Welllll... it's definitely alcoholesque, let's put it that way. Want some? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Err... no, I think I'll pass on the weird smoking mystery liquid. Thanks though. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Hey, your loss. (She takes a sip.) Hoo! Gaaaah. (She coughs and a little puff of smoke comes out of her mouth.) That's the... something. | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Kitchen – 9pm | ||
| PerrySimm | Kipling's kitchen is famously well-stocked, and tonight pretty much every surface is overflowing with party supplies. Beer, wine, liquor, pop, snack bowls, fancy homemade hors-d'oeuvre trays. He's even got some of those fun little party horns out. The boy has gone all out. | ||
| PerrySimm | Annette starts packing up her potion brewing gear. | ||
| PerrySimm | A pair of enormous french doors to the west open up onto the back terrace. The dining room is to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Back terrace | ||
| PerrySimm | Dining room | Knight_Otu asks, "Terrace?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Sure" | ||
| PerrySimm | Back Terrace – 9pm | ||
| PerrySimm | Kipling's back patio was always incredibly swanky, but it seems to have gotten even more impressive since the last time you saw it. A pretty sizeable tiki bar has been installed off to one side. | ||
| PerrySimm | The drama kids are out back leaning against some hedges. | ||
| PerrySimm | You can go back inside either through the kitchen to the east or the central living room to the south. The pool lies through a large open pathway to the west. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | drama kids | ||
| PerrySimm | kitchen | ||
| PerrySimm | central living room | ||
| PerrySimm | pool | Knight_Otu asks, "Do we need more drama?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "This is like every John Hughes film." | ||
| Lionheart exclaims, "Drama!" | ||
| Jacqueline says (to KO), "hahaha SURE" | ||
| PerrySimm | (You walk up to the drama kids.) | ||
| PerrySimm | TALL DRAMA: Well well. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey dramas. | ||
| PerrySimm | COOL DRAMA: If it isn't Nadia Nazari. What brings you to our lair? | ||
| PerrySimm | BALD DRAMA: (looking around) Is it really a "lair" when it's outdoors? | ||
| PerrySimm | HIPPIE DRAMA: Typical prescriptivist propaganda. | ||
| PerrySimm | BALD DRAMA: Just saying. | ||
| PerrySimm | CORSET DRAMA: (shoving him away) Ignore this dweeb, Nadia. | ||
| PerrySimm | COOL DRAMA: Yes. Ignore him. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She blows a vape cloud in your face. You cough a little.) | ||
| PerrySimm | COOL DRAMA: So. (She points at you.) Here. Why. What gives. | DavidW says, "I want to see if Mr Coolcat is at the pool." | |
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Just making the rounds. | ||
| PerrySimm | I need a reason? | DavidW says, "Just making the rounds." | |
| Knight_Otu says, ">Just looking for my future wive." | ||
| Jacqueline asks (of DW), "Are you ... into Mr Coolcat?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Rounds, yeah." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay" | ||
| Lionheart says, "Heh, I like how they're called the names they'd have in the ending credit crawl." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Just making the rounds. Seeing how everyone is. | ||
| PerrySimm | HIPPIE DRAMA: Hmm... Nope, don't buy it. | ||
| PerrySimm | TALL DRAMA: (climbing on a hedge) Bet she's doing a story. | ||
| PerrySimm | HIPPIE DRAMA: Of course! An expose! | ||
| PerrySimm | COOL DRAMA: That's exposé. And what do you have to exposé anyway? | ||
| PerrySimm | TALL DRAMA: I think he's highly exposable. | ||
| PerrySimm | COOL DRAMA: (rolling her eyes) Well that much is obvious. | ||
| PerrySimm | BALD DRAMA: Should have expected as much from Newspaper Nadia. (He points at you.) That's your nickname you know. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Since when? | ||
| PerrySimm | No it's not. | ||
| PerrySimm | Fitting, I suppose. | DavidW says, "The teacher? No. But if he's in a swimsuit or less, I want a peek." | |
| Roger says, "Bald Drama because really Cancer Drama is a bit too on the nose" | ||
| Jacqueline says (to Roger), "yikes" | ||
| Lionheart exclaims, "Deny!" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Deny?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I think that sounds whiney." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "er, whiny" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "But I mean, if people want..." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "... people? hello?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure. I'd go for the third, personally." | ||
| Lionheart says, "Is that something Nadia would whine about? I heard that dialogue choice in a bitchier way." | ||
| DavidW says, "I'm not following your discussion." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I like the third one too." | ||
| Lionheart says, "Sure, that's fine" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Sorry, lh. Two votes." | ||
| DavidW says, "I'd pick 'Since when?' myself." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Fitting, I suppose. | ||
| PerrySimm | CORSET DRAMA: Needs more alliteration. | ||
| PerrySimm | HIPPIE DRAMA: Nadia Nazari The Newspaper... uh... | ||
| PerrySimm | BALD DRAMA: Neditor? | ||
| PerrySimm | CORSET DRAMA: Newsperson. | ||
| PerrySimm | TALL DRAMA: I would have said "Nabob". | ||
| PerrySimm | HIPPIE DRAMA: Calling a hot girl instant coffee. Cold. | ||
| PerrySimm | CORSET DRAMA: Ugh! (She kicks him in the arm.) | ||
| PerrySimm | HIPPIE DRAMA: Why??? Ow!! | ||
| PerrySimm | COOL DRAMA: Don't call her "a hot girl" like she's not even here. God. | ||
| PerrySimm | HIPPIE DRAMA: Of course she's here! How would I know she was hot if I couldn't see her? | ||
| PerrySimm | BALD DRAMA: (holding up a finger) Her picture is in the newspaper. | ||
| PerrySimm | TALL DRAMA: Wait, go back. Are you saying the coffee is cold, or...? | ||
| PerrySimm | Good chat. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Cool, well. Good talk. | ||
| PerrySimm | COOL DRAMA: One sec. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She taps something out on her phone and then shows you the screen. It says: "come find me if you want to make out behind the gazebo Clinking Beer Mugs emoji Nail Polish emoji ") | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (extremely blushing) Um. Uh... | ||
| PerrySimm | COOL DRAMA: Any time. I'm literally always bored. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You cough.) | ||
| PerrySimm | CORSET DRAMA: (in a fake whisper) What do you think they're talking about? | ||
| PerrySimm | BALD DRAMA: Girl stuff. You wouldn't get it. | ||
| PerrySimm | CORSET DRAMA: Fucker. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She shoves him into a bush.) | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Back Terrace – 9pm | ||
| PerrySimm | Kipling's back patio was always incredibly swanky, but it seems to have gotten even more impressive since the last time you saw it. A pretty sizeable tiki bar has been installed off to one side. | ||
| PerrySimm | The dramas are out back leaning against some hedges. | ||
| PerrySimm | You can go back inside either through the kitchen to the east or the central living room to the south. The pool lies through a large open pathway to the west. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | kitchen | ||
| PerrySimm | central living room | ||
| PerrySimm | pool | Lionheart says, "I don't care that much, I'm just picking what seemed most likely to stir up conflict or drama." | |
| DavidW says, "pool, please." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | Pool Room – 9pm | ||
| PerrySimm | Parties at Kipling's house usually involve liberal use of the indoor/outdoor pool. This early on though the retractable floor cover is closed and the room is empty. | ||
| PerrySimm | The entire north end of the room open up onto the spacious back terrace. The rest of the house is back to the east. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | back terrace | ||
| PerrySimm | rest of the house | DavidW says, "Darn. No nearly naked men back here." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I wonder how many people know that Nadia is bisexual." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Possibly just Kaz and Summer and perhaps Kaz's sister" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "But who knows." | ||
| DavidW says, "This era has smartphones? All of them." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I think Anja is a given." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Well, our boyfriend seems unaware." | ||
| DavidW says, "And Nadia herself doesn't know." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "She does now." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Well, I think she does." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah" | ||
| DavidW says, "We'll see." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, um, rest of house?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "She admitted as much to Kaz." | ||
| PerrySimm | Downstairs – 9pm | ||
| PerrySimm | Kipling's foyer opens up onto a massive two-story living room area. A giant banner which reads "CHRISTOPHER 'KIP' KIPLING III PRESENTS THE ANNUAL BACK-TO-SCHOOL RAGER" hangs above the fireplace in the centre of the room. | ||
| PerrySimm | Miles mills about by the front door. | ||
| PerrySimm | Hallways lead east to the dining room and west to the pool room. The terrace lies through a set of archways at the north end of the room. The front door is to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Miles | ||
| PerrySimm | dining room | ||
| PerrySimm | pool room | ||
| PerrySimm | terrace | ||
| PerrySimm | front door | DavidW says, "Maybe we can find the Docteure somewhere in here too." | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Miles was the guy who told us we may have seen something, but were halluzinating, right?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Earlier, when you said Mr Coolcat, I thought you were referring to Kip" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Shall we investigate the Miles?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| DavidW says (to Jacqueline), "No, the teacher with the hip lingo fetish." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah, I now realize." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey buddy. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: Oh hey. How's it going? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (shrugging) You know. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: Cryptic, but okay. Who all's here? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh... Allen stayed home but aside from that... (You turn and look at the huge mass of people in the house.) Everyone? | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: Okay. I guess I'll go say hi to "everyone" then. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He walks off.) | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | DavidW says, "I've forgotten who Miles is." | |
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Downstairs – 9pm | ||
| PerrySimm | Kipling's foyer opens up onto a massive two-story living room area. A giant banner which reads "CHRISTOPHER 'KIP' KIPLING III PRESENTS THE ANNUAL BACK-TO-SCHOOL RAGER" hangs above the fireplace in the centre of the room. | ||
| PerrySimm | Hallways lead east to the dining room and west to the pool room. The terrace lies through a set of archways at the north end of the room. The front door is to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | dining room | ||
| PerrySimm | pool room | ||
| PerrySimm | terrace | ||
| PerrySimm | front door | Knight_Otu says, "That was a quick talk." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Yes" | ||
| DavidW says, "yeah, gee." | ||
| DavidW says, "Maybe we have a 'slut' post-it note on our back." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Aw" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Darn drama kids." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Dining room? Or front door?" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "I guess dining room?" | ||
| DavidW says, "yes please" | ||
| PerrySimm | Dining Room – 9pm | ||
| PerrySimm | The dining room is something of a shrine to yachtsmanship. Nautical-themed knick-knacks fill up the breakfronts and glass display cabinets that line the room. Sitting at the place of pride behind the head of the table is a scale model of Kipling's dad's boat, the Exceptional Ability. Right now the real thing is probably halfway around the world somewhere. | ||
| PerrySimm | The kitchen lies to the north, and the rest of the first floor is back to the west. A grand staircase leads up to the second floor. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | kitchen | ||
| PerrySimm | rest of the first floor | ||
| PerrySimm | second floor | Jacqueline says, "It has been 9pm for a very long time." | |
| DavidW asks, "You noticed that?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I am sometimes observant like that." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "So Kipling and his brother are home alone? I guess that explains things." | ||
| DavidW says, "Some games like to use the clock time as a gating mechanism." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yes" | ||
| DavidW says, "We need to do something significant to trigger a clock advance." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "I'm ... guessing ... upstairs?" | ||
| DavidW says, "yese" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I think we got all of the first floor, yes." | ||
| PerrySimm | Upstairs – 9pm | ||
| PerrySimm | You pass Olivia on your way up the stairs. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | DavidW says, "Maybe we'll catch some people in bed together." | |
| PerrySimm | ONE CHOICE: Olivia | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Nadia! | ||
| PerrySimm | (You turn to her. She holds up her beer.) | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Whooo! | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Hey. | ||
| PerrySimm | Whoo! | DavidW says, "Hey." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Hey" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hi Olivia Kwon. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She throws up her arms into a victory pose and a bit of beer sloshes out onto her sleeve.) | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: WHOOOOOO!!!!! | ||
| PerrySimm | (She keeps walking downstairs) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Bye Olivia Kwon. | Knight_Otu says, "Olivia is the ice skater(?) with the heavy accent." | |
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | Jacqueline exclaims (at KO), "I can CLICK on here and find out!" | |
| Jacqueline exclaims, "I'm gonna do that!" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "And for some reason we keep calling her her full name." | ||
| Lionheart says, "I was about to ask" | ||
| PerrySimm | Clicking on Olivia's portrait... | ||
| PerrySimm | Relationship: Buddy | ||
| PerrySimm | Born: 20 February 1999 | ||
| PerrySimm | London, Ontario | ||
| PerrySimm | Gender: F | ||
| PerrySimm | House: Shaw | ||
| PerrySimm | Position: Enforcer | ||
| PerrySimm | Nationality: Canadian (Extremely) | ||
| PerrySimm | Oh, Olivia Kwon. How can anyone not love this girl? She's like the textbook definition of "rough and tumble". Her ability to completely obliterate her fellow skaters has helped the MCC Girls' Hockey Team win the Southern Ontario Independent School Championships three years running. (Admittedly, not the fiercest competition in the world.) | Jacqueline says, "Also, she is wearing a ballcap that says MEMES on it right now." | |
| Jacqueline says, "I think we should click on more portraits." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "That was useful." | ||
| DavidW says, "Sounds like you should, yes." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Shall I click on *our* portrait?" | ||
| DavidW says, "oh, sure." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | Clicking on Nadia's portrait... | ||
| PerrySimm | Relationship: Self | ||
| PerrySimm | Born: 27 August 1999 | ||
| PerrySimm | Richmond Hill, Ontario | ||
| PerrySimm | Gender: F | ||
| PerrySimm | House: Roxton | ||
| PerrySimm | Reporting Style: Plucky | ||
| PerrySimm | Family Business: Nazari Eyewear Solutions | ||
| PerrySimm | That's me! I'm the Editor-in-Chief of the Middleman, Middle Canada College's 103-year-old student newspaper. Unfortunately for me, the entire staff graduated last year, meaning my best buddy Kaz and I have to run the entire thing by ourselves. And as if that wasn't enough to deal with, I have to find a way to reconnect with my estranged friend Summer, who's come back to MCC after a three-year absence. Also, I'm bisexual and my boyfriend has no idea and I still don't know if I'm going to tell him or not. Also also, Kaz's twin sister Anja completely hates me. Also also also, I think I saw a ghost??? I've got a lot going on this year is what I'm saying. | DavidW says, "oh, ok, she *does* know she's bi." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "You don't have to reconnect with Summer, Nadia." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Evidently she does know, and Allen does not." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to Nadia), "I agree with KO. You do not necessarily need to reconnect." | ||
| DavidW says, "I'm waiting for Allen to find out he's gay and it'll all be just fine." | ||
| Roger says, "well he does enjoy ballroom dancing" | ||
| DavidW says, "'You broke up with me! But I was going to break up with you!' 'Too late!'" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Anyway. At any time I can tell you the bio of anyone we've met. They don't have to be in the scene." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Are you all curious for other bios? Or wait until we encounter those people?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I think I'm good for now." | ||
| DavidW says, "I'm curious to hear Kip's." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Right, that guy. Sure." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I do think you're into Kip. Sure." | ||
| DavidW says, "If he's an evil genius mastermind with a cute clone, I wanna know about it." | ||
| PerrySimm | Christopher Kipling III: | ||
| PerrySimm | Relationship: Host | ||
| PerrySimm | Born: 21 November 1999 | ||
| PerrySimm | Toronto, Ontario | ||
| PerrySimm | Gender: M | ||
| PerrySimm | House: Shaw | ||
| PerrySimm | Hospitality: Legendary | ||
| PerrySimm | Square Footage: 21,000 (!) | ||
| PerrySimm | Kip's parents live on a yacht ten months out of the year, which should give you a pretty clear picture of his entire situation. I don't think there's anyone at MCC who doesn't love this guy, and not just because he throws the most amazing parties ever. He's also charming and friendly and generous and pretty much just everything you could ask for in a human being. | Jacqueline says, "It's weird that we know everyone's birthday." | |
| Jacqueline exclaims, "21,000?!" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "A reporter has to know these things." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to KO), "I suppose." | ||
| DavidW says, "If this was an anime story, the hair colours would be explicitly mentioned." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "(Meaning, we totally break into databases.)" | ||
| Lionheart asks, "Can we see Annette's profile?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | Annette Dupont | ||
| PerrySimm | Relationship: Locker Neighbour | ||
| PerrySimm | Born: 28 January 1999 | ||
| PerrySimm | Winnipeg, Manitoba | ||
| PerrySimm | Gender: F | ||
| PerrySimm | House: Roxton | ||
| PerrySimm | Orientation: Asexual | ||
| PerrySimm | Hat Game: On Point | ||
| PerrySimm | You know how teen movies always have those stereotypical archetypes? Like the jock, the cheerleader, the goth? Well Annette's the witch. Specifically she's a member of the Reformed Coven of Canada, the world's largest mainstream witchcraft denomination. She's a bit of a keener on that front too, which makes her the go-to information source for all matters supernatural. | Jacqueline says, "I (do not) like how it only lists orientation if it's not-straight" | |
| Lionheart asks, "'keener'? Is that Canadian slang?" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Help us, DW. What is a keener?" | ||
| Roger asks, "I guess so?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Help us, Roger." | ||
| Roger says, "It means someone who is keen on things." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Huh" | ||
| DavidW says, "Keener just means you're keen to learn stuff." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I have never ever heard that. Interesting." | ||
| DavidW says, "Like Hermoine Granger." | ||
| Lionheart says, "Aha, 'keener, Canadian informal a person who is extremely eager, zealous, or enthusiastic" | ||
| Roger says, "yeah all that" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "You Canucks." | ||
| PerrySimm | Upstairs – 9pm | ||
| PerrySimm | For a place with only one full-time inhabitant, Kipling's house sure does have a whole lot of bedrooms. You count seven on top of the Master Suite, which looks more like an exhibit in the Museum of Bedrooms than it does an actual lived-in space. | ||
| PerrySimm | An interior balcony at the back of the home theatre area looks down over the main living room, which is rapidly filling up with people. | ||
| PerrySimm | Jayden has staked out a little space for himself on the giant sectional. He waves you over when he sees you enter the room. | ||
| PerrySimm | A staircase leads back down to the main floor. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Jayden | ||
| PerrySimm | main floor | DavidW says, "sure, talk to Jayden." | |
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Hey, Nadia! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh. Hey. Jayden. | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Didn't know you were coming tonight. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah well. Figured I could use a bit of fun. | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Aw, you should have texted. We could have TTC'd up here together. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I actually got a ride from Kaz and Anja. | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Oh, sure. Of course. | DavidW says, "Dibs on the rotating circular bed if we find one." | |
| PerrySimm | ----- | Knight_Otu says, "Okay, I'm sure we met Jayden before, but I'm blanking on who he is." | |
| PerrySimm | Did it take long to get here? | ||
| PerrySimm | Some house, huh? | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | ||
| PerrySimm | I've got to go. | ||
| PerrySimm | ;Okay, Jayden Finch: | ||
| PerrySimm | Relationship: Erhhh... | ||
| PerrySimm | Born: 8 July 1999 | ||
| PerrySimm | Toronto, Ontario | ||
| PerrySimm | Gender: M | ||
| PerrySimm | House: Crawford | ||
| PerrySimm | Determination: High | ||
| PerrySimm | Chill: None | ||
| PerrySimm | Look, Jayden's not that bad of a guy. He just really, really has a hard time getting certain messages. Like the "I have absolutely zero interest in dating you" message, for example. I think if he cooled his jets he'd be a lot easier to hang around. Unfortunately his jets seem to be getting less and less cool with every passing day. | Knight_Otu says, "Ohh right." | |
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Did it take long to get here? | ||
| PerrySimm | Some house, huh? | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | ||
| PerrySimm | I've got to go. | Knight_Otu says, "The guy with a crush on us." | |
| DavidW says, "I forgot." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Oh right. I'd forgotten about him entirely." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Perhaps we wanted to forget..." | ||
| Lionheart asks, "TTC'd?" | ||
| Roger says, "local transit" | ||
| Lionheart asks, "(googling) Toronto Transit Commission? So, taken the bus?" | ||
| DavidW says, "The bus and subway system in Toronto." | ||
| Jacqueline says, ";Yeah" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Do we make small talk to be nice, or does that just encourage him?" | ||
| DavidW says, "Everyone TTC's in T.O." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I think just us existing might encourage him" | ||
| Lionheart says, "Let's be cool and aloof. ..." | ||
| Jacqueline sighs. | ||
| DavidW says, "I don't think we can win, but I'd ask about the house just the same." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Hm. Sure." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Well, okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Kip's house, eh? | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Yeah, it's pretty big. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah. | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: You been here before? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You nod.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Bunch of times. You? | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Like twice. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ah. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | ||
| PerrySimm | I've got to go. | DavidW says, "Now we can go." | |
| Lionheart -| ... | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "gotta go. yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey, uh. I've got to go, uh... (You point your thumb at the rest of the party.) But I'll see you around? | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Sure. Of course. | ||
| PerrySimm | (As you walk away from Jayden you feel your phone buzz. You check it and see that Kaz has sent you a snap, which you open up.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (off-screen) Nadia! You have to come and try this dip right now! It's— What kind of dip is it? | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: (off-screen) Artichoke. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The camera whips around to show Kaz's face. Kipling waves over their shoulder.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: NADIA I LOVE ARTICHOKES NOW!!!!! | ||
| PerrySimm | (The video ends.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Guess I should find that dip then... | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Upstairs – 9pm | ||
| PerrySimm | For a place with only one full-time inhabitant, Kipling's house sure does have a whole lot of bedrooms. You count seven on top of the Master Suite, which looks more like an exhibit in the Museum of Bedrooms than it does an actual lived-in space. | ||
| PerrySimm | An interior balcony at the back of the home theatre area looks down over the main living room, which is rapidly filling up with people. | ||
| PerrySimm | A staircase leads back down to the main floor. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | main floor is your only choice.... | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Dining Room – 9pm | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaz runs over and grabs your arm as soon as you come downstairs. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: There you are! Say any sentence. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You open your mouth to say something and Kaz immediately shoves a cracker with dip on it into your mouth.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (chewing) Artichoke? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Amazing, right? | ||
| PerrySimm | Amazing. | ||
| PerrySimm | You're big on this dip. | Jacqueline says, "Sorry. Those last two lines are choices." | |
| Jacqueline says, "I vote for amazing" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You swallow.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Amazing. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Kipling made this stuff. Like in a kitchen and everything. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Well he has to cook for himself. I guess he's pretty good at it now. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The two of you wander into the main living room.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Jeez. Never thought of it that way. (They shake their head.) If I had to cook for myself I'd probably just eat Pizza Pockets all day. Or chips. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Neither of those are cooking. | ||
| PerrySimm | Not even Kraft Dinner? | ||
| PerrySimm | Maybe Kip could teach you. | ||
| PerrySimm | You bake all the time. | Knight_Otu asks, "They bake all the time?" | |
| Jacqueline asks, "Not even Kraft?" | ||
| Roger says, "getting baked all the time isn't quite the same thing" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Oh, or yeah, I'm interested in whether or not Kaz bakes." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "OH WAIT" | ||
| DavidW says, "'Kraft Dinner' is the Canadian name for Kraft Mac 'n' Cheese." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "She doesn't mean that. She means toking." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Anyway, still..." | ||
| PerrySimm | ;YOU: You bake stuff all the time. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yes, but that's for a very specific purpose. Doesn't really make for a good dinner. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Right. Frozen pizza blobs on the other hand... | ||
| PerrySimm | (They stick their tongue out. Just then, you happen to glance across the room and notice Summer coming in through the front door.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh my god. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: What is it? More dip? | ||
| PerrySimm | (They turn to look.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Don't—! (You grab their face and turn it back towards you.) Summer just walked in. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: ...carrying dip? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You look over Kaz's shoulder, still holding their head firmly in place.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | What do I do? | ||
| PerrySimm | This was a bad idea. | ||
| PerrySimm | I can't hear what she's saying. | DavidW says, "Good grief." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Well, it *was* a bad idea." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I mean, I gotta say, I do love dip. I can appreciate the enthusiasm." | ||
| Roger says, "heyyy easy with the face-grabbing there, chestburster" | ||
| DavidW says, "I can't stand this 'Summer arrives, time for me to spazz' dynamic." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "This was a bad idea, then?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "It really is an unhealthy obsession." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Agreed. But I had those when I was Nadia's age." | ||
| DavidW says, "Perhaps ask 'What do I do?' in the hopes we get a good option." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I now feel bad for the people I crushed on too obviously." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So, I say bad idea, DW likes asking for advice." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to DW), "Maaayyybee. But Kaz is way too enthusiastic about us being bisexual." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "They might tell us to talk to her." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "KO, Lh, R?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I'll stand with bad idea." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ugh... this was a bad idea. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: What was a bad idea? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Coming here! The whole plan! How the heck am I going to work up the courage to hash out this enormous impossible situation when Summer won't even talk to me for more than three seconds??? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Look, just stay cool. Stay cool, Nadia. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You watch as Summer walks off into another room.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Stay cool. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Right. Are you cool? | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | I am cool. | ||
| PerrySimm | I am extremely not cool. | DavidW says, "extremely not" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Not cool." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I am extremely not cool right now. (You point to their cup.) What's in there? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Uh, beer...? (They look into it.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Just beer? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yeah? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Nothing weird? You didn't put... hash in it or anything? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Hash? No. What? Where is this going? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: And it's not poison? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I mean, it's Lakeport. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Good enough. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You snatch the cup and chug it down.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (eyes wide) Holy shit. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Alcohol's supposed to make you confident, right? (You wipe your mouth on your sleeve and hand the empty cup back to them.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Among other things. Jeez, dude. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm going to go look for her. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Okay! Just... don't overdo it on the confidence. | ||
| PerrySimm | Next ➤ | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Downstairs – 10pm | ||
| PerrySimm | The mansion has filled out really fast. There's got to be almost a hundred people now on this floor alone, and you can see plenty more on the landing which looks out over the living room. | ||
| PerrySimm | Miles sits on a recliner reading a giant hardcover. | ||
| PerrySimm | Hallways lead east to the dining room and west to the pool room. The terrace lies through a set of archways at the north end of the room. The front door is to the south. | Jacqueline exclaims, "10PM!" | |
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Miles | ||
| PerrySimm | dining room | ||
| PerrySimm | pool room | ||
| PerrySimm | terrace | ||
| PerrySimm | front door | Jacqueline says, "The front door is looking more attractive." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Miles, I'd say." | ||
| DavidW says, "Maybe that's where Anja is." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Or front door, sure." | ||
| DavidW says, "sure, front door" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'll bet it won't let us leave, but lemme try." | ||
| PerrySimm | Front Yard – 10pm | ||
| PerrySimm | You peek your head out of the front door. More and more people are filtering through the front gates. No one you recognize though — Kipling must have sent invitations out to half the high schools in town. | ||
| PerrySimm | The mansion lies to the north. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Downstairs – 10pm | ||
| PerrySimm | The mansion has filled out really fast. There's got to be almost a hundred people now on this floor alone, and you can see plenty more on the landing which looks out over the living room. | ||
| PerrySimm | A large inviting couch sits empty near the middle of the room. | ||
| PerrySimm | Miles sits on a recliner reading a giant hardcover. | ||
| PerrySimm | Hallways lead east to the dining room and west to the pool room. The terrace lies through a set of archways at the north end of the room. The front door is to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | large inviting couch | ||
| PerrySimm | Miles | ||
| PerrySimm | dining room | ||
| PerrySimm | pool room | ||
| PerrySimm | terrace | DavidW says, "I wonder if Allen will be a late arrival." | |
| PerrySimm | front door | Lionheart says, "Well, the couch looks so inviting, it'd be a shame to turn it down" | |
| Jacqueline asks, "Did someone want Miles?" | ||
| DavidW says, "couch" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure, couch." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You plop yourself down on the couch and watch as people wander through the party.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: So I told him "I'm not Wiccan, I'm a member of the Reformed Coven of Canada. Those are two different things." and HE was like (holding up hands) "Uhhh whatever." and I was like "Dude. Come on." | ||
| PerrySimm | AUBREY: And he's the one coming to you for a love potion. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: RIGHT?? It's like — You know? I'm not your... your... your magic... uh... you know— | Knight_Otu says, "I said Miles earlier, but he didn't say much the first time." | |
| PerrySimm | AUBREY: No, totally. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: You're not supposed to like it. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Dude, what are you talking about? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: You're not! It's garbage food. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Poutine is not garbage, bud! It's amazing! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Exactly! It's amazing and it's terrible. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: I can't even look at you right now. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (increasingly loud) We agree on this! | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | (Kipling jumps down onto the couch next to you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Zedster! How does it hang? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Good, good. | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Do you need anything? Spring roll? Samosa? Soft pretzel? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh, uh— | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Something to quench the thirst, perhaps? Sparkling water? I imported some LaCroix from the States for this very occasion. Got apricot and pamplemousse. I'm told it's a revelation. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | I suppose if it's a revelation... | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm good, thanks. | ||
| PerrySimm | Have you seen Summer around? | Knight_Otu asks, ">You're pushy, aren't you?" | |
| DavidW asks, "> Is it LaCroy or LaCrocx?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "LaCroy" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "It's good." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I don't know if I'd import it, but it's good." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, revelation?" | ||
| DavidW says, "I vant zee pamplemousse, see vouz play." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Well, if it's a revelation, how can I refuse? | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: That's the adventurous spirit! | ||
| PerrySimm | (He heads off to the kitchen, and as he leaves you see Summer walking in with a group of people. They station themselves not too far from where you're sitting.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Downstairs – 10pm | ||
| PerrySimm | The mansion has filled out really fast. There's got to be almost a hundred people now on this floor alone, and you can see plenty more on the landing which looks out over the living room. | ||
| PerrySimm | Summer stands in a big ring of people you don't recognize at the centre of the room. | ||
| PerrySimm | Miles sits on a recliner reading a giant hardcover. | ||
| PerrySimm | Hallways lead east to the dining room and west to the pool room. The terrace lies through a set of archways at the north end of the room. The front door is to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Summer | ||
| PerrySimm | Miles | ||
| PerrySimm | dining room | ||
| PerrySimm | pool room | ||
| PerrySimm | terrace | ||
| PerrySimm | front door | Knight_Otu says, "Not Summer." | |
| Jacqueline says, "heh" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "BUT THE SIDEWAYSNESS OF IT ALL" | ||
| DavidW says, "I guess we can chat to Miles now, then." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Sure. Miles it is." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey Miles. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: (not looking up) Mmm. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | DavidW asks, "Then we get pamplemousse and squirrel, ja?" | |
| PerrySimm | Did you see where Summer went? | ||
| PerrySimm | Reading at a party? | ||
| PerrySimm | Having fun? | Jacqueline asks, "Do we want Miles' bio?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | Miles Golden: | ||
| PerrySimm | Relationship: Buddy | ||
| PerrySimm | Born: 6 August 1999 | ||
| PerrySimm | Toronto, Ontario | ||
| PerrySimm | Gender: M | ||
| PerrySimm | House: Roxton | ||
| PerrySimm | Intellect: Annoyingly Large | ||
| PerrySimm | People Skills: Nearly Adequate | ||
| PerrySimm | Miles is a pretty okay dude. He and Kaz share a deep love of graphic design and literally no other personality traits or interests whatsoever. Somehow though they're still pretty good friends. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Did you see where Summer went? | ||
| PerrySimm | Reading at a party? | ||
| PerrySimm | Having fun? | Knight_Otu asks, "Reading?" | |
| DavidW says, "sure." | ||
| DavidW says, "I've known readers at parties before, though." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Reading at a party? | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: Mm-hmm. Piketty. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: That like a kind of pasta? | ||
| PerrySimm | (Miles looks up.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...That was a joke. I don't know who Piketty is but I'm guessing they're probably a human. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: He's an economist. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Silence.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...I'll leave you to it then. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: Sure. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Downstairs – 10pm | ||
| PerrySimm | The mansion has filled out really fast. There's got to be almost a hundred people now on this floor alone, and you can see plenty more on the landing which looks out over the living room. | ||
| PerrySimm | Summer stands in a big ring of people you don't recognize at the centre of the room. | ||
| PerrySimm | Miles sits on a recliner reading his book. | ||
| PerrySimm | Hallways lead east to the dining room and west to the pool room. The terrace lies through a set of archways at the north end of the room. The front door is to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Summer | ||
| PerrySimm | dining room | ||
| PerrySimm | pool room | ||
| PerrySimm | terrace | ||
| PerrySimm | front door | Knight_Otu asks, "Terrace? Away from obsession?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Sure" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Let's at least try" | ||
| PerrySimm | Back Terrace – 10pm | ||
| PerrySimm | A crowd of people has gathered to watch an impromptu shinny game being played on the tennis courts out back. The puck is a crumpled up beer can, and people are using whatever long objects they can find as hockey sticks. You're pretty sure one of the goalies is using a pool net. | ||
| PerrySimm | Meanwhile, some poor Grade 10 girl is already throwing up into a topiary. | ||
| PerrySimm | You can go back inside either through the kitchen to the east or the central living room to the south. The pool lies through a large open pathway to the west. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | kitchen | ||
| PerrySimm | central living room | ||
| PerrySimm | pool | DavidW says, "kitchen." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Okay" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | Kitchen – 10pm | ||
| PerrySimm | Kipling's parents went in for the full "his-and-hers kitchen" treatment, which is not something you would have thought was a thing before you met actual real life mansion people. The enormous space is effectively a double kitchen, with two huge islands in the centre of the room and matching pairs of basically everything. | ||
| PerrySimm | Anja and Kaz are having a playful argument over a bowl of chips. | ||
| PerrySimm | A pair of enormous french doors to the west open up onto the back terrace. The dining room is to the south. | DavidW says, "Let's find our LaCroy" | |
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Anja and Kaz | ||
| PerrySimm | back terrace | ||
| PerrySimm | dining room | Jacqueline asks, "A&K?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Anja and Kaz." | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: No. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Come on. (They toss a chip in the air and catch it in their mouth.) Don't tell me you've lost it. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I didn't forget how to throw snack food at your face. I just don't see the point. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Sounds like you're afraid of being revealed as a has-been. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Has-been at what? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Chip game! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Chip game? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: One person throws a potato chip and then the other one tries to catch it in their mouth. We played it all the time when we were kids. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: And right now! Chip game! | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | DavidW says, "sure. It'll all end in tears." | |
| PerrySimm | Who's better at it? | ||
| PerrySimm | Wait, are you trying to throw or to catch? | ||
| PerrySimm | Can I play? | Jacqueline says, "I want none of these." | |
| DavidW asks, "Who's better at it?" | ||
| Lionheart says, "Let's play" | ||
| Lionheart says, "Relaaax, it's a paaaarty" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "heh" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "And here I wanted throw or catch." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I have dignity, even at parties." | ||
| DavidW says, "I don't want Anja dumping artichoke dip on my head." | ||
| DavidW says, "Although it's inevitable *someone* will be wearing it." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So, I guess I have to vote, unless Rog speaks up" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Can I play seems wildly out of place, so let's choose that." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Can I play? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: A rookie! We've never had that before. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Technically we had two rookies the very first time and then never again. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Alright. (They point a few feet in front of them.) Stand here. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You stand there.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Open your mouth. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Aaaaah. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: It's not the doctor's office, Na. Just open your mouth silently. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh. Right. (You open your mouth silently.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: You got your chip catching strategy ready? | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm going to keep my eye on the prize. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm going to dive for it. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm going to operate on instinct. | ||
| PerrySimm | No. Any pointers? | Jacqueline says, "I can't really believe that, with Summer floating around somewhere, the game is allowing us this distraction." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Dive for it, hit our head, forget Summer." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "hahaha" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "And yeah, I am surprised we get the options." | ||
| DavidW says, "Sounds like a plan." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Hm. Okay then." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Then again, maybe we're still frightened." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm just going to dive for it. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Aggressive. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I can get feisty when the situation calls for it. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Anja raises an eyebrow.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Okay, ready? Here we... go! | ||
| PerrySimm | (They toss a chip up in the air. You leap forward but totally overshoot and end up just slamming into Kaz. The bowl gets knocked up into the air and the chips go flying everywhere.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Um... oops? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I mean... that's gotta be worth some style points at least. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Anja laughs and shakes her head.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Kitchen – 10pm | ||
| PerrySimm | Kipling's parents went in for the full "his-and-hers kitchen" treatment, which is not something you would have thought was a thing before you met actual real life mansion people. The enormous space is effectively a double kitchen, with two huge islands in the centre of the room and matching pairs of basically everything. | ||
| PerrySimm | Anja makes herself another drink as Kaz tries to clean the spilled chips off the floor. | ||
| PerrySimm | A pair of enormous french doors to the west open up onto the back terrace. The dining room is to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | back terrace | ||
| PerrySimm | dining room | Knight_Otu says, "Well, almost." | |
| DavidW asks, "back terrace? Are the drama llamas out there still?" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Back terrace, then pool?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I don't think they were." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Terrace. Got it." | ||
| PerrySimm | Back Terrace – 10pm | ||
| PerrySimm | A crowd of people has gathered to watch an impromptu shinny game being played on the tennis courts out back. The puck is a crumpled up beer can, and people are using whatever long objects they can find as hockey sticks. You're pretty sure one of the goalies is using a pool net. | ||
| PerrySimm | Meanwhile, some poor Grade 10 girl is already throwing up into a topiary. | ||
| PerrySimm | You can go back inside either through the kitchen to the east or the central living room to the south. The pool lies through a large open pathway to the west. | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | kitchen | ||
| PerrySimm | central living room | ||
| PerrySimm | pool | DavidW says, "pool, please." | |
| Jacqueline asks, "Is our plan to just avoid her for as long as possible until the game forces us into a confrontation?" | ||
| DavidW says, "YES" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yes." | ||
| PerrySimm | Pool Room – 10pm | ||
| PerrySimm | A bunch of plastic pool toys and floats are piled up against the wall in preparation for the pool opening. | ||
| PerrySimm | The pool gradually fills up with water. People periodically poke their heads in the door to see if it's ready yet. | ||
| PerrySimm | The entire north end of the room open up onto the spacious back terrace. The rest of the house is back to the east. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | back terrace | ||
| PerrySimm | rest of the house | DavidW says, "rest of the house, I suppose." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess rest of the house." | ||
| PerrySimm | Downstairs – 10pm | ||
| PerrySimm | The mansion has filled out really fast. There's got to be almost a hundred people now on this floor alone, and you can see plenty more on the landing which looks out over the living room. | ||
| PerrySimm | Summer stands in a big ring of people you don't recognize at the centre of the room. | ||
| PerrySimm | Miles sits on a recliner reading his book. | ||
| PerrySimm | Hallways lead east to the dining room and west to the pool room. The terrace lies through a set of archways at the north end of the room. The front door is to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER | ||
| PerrySimm | dining room | ||
| PerrySimm | pool room | ||
| PerrySimm | terrace | ||
| PerrySimm | front door | Jacqueline says, "This is it, I think, peeps/" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "I think dining room remains unexplored?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "hahaha" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "okay" | ||
| DavidW says, "yes, dining room" | ||
| PerrySimm | Dining Room – 10pm | ||
| PerrySimm | The dining room is dominated by a giant wooden 24-person dining room table. A Grade 10 guy and girl giggle excessively as they chase each other around it. | ||
| PerrySimm | The dramas are all squished up together in one of the enormous bay windows. | ||
| PerrySimm | The kitchen lies to the north, and the rest of the first floor is back to the west. A grand staircase leads up to the second floor. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | kitchen | ||
| PerrySimm | rest of the first floor | ||
| PerrySimm | second floor | DavidW says, "...second floor" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "There's the dramas." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "And yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | Upstairs – 10pm | ||
| PerrySimm | There's a bit more breathing room up here, possibly because some guy has planted himself by the stairs and is now playing his original guitar compositions for anyone who will listen. As you pass by you hear him sing about how beautiful things symbolize true love or something. | ||
| PerrySimm | A bunch of people are clustered around the door to one of the bedrooms. | ||
| PerrySimm | A staircase leads back down to the main floor. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | DavidW asks, "Where's Oblivia Kwon?" | |
| PerrySimm | bunch of people | ||
| PerrySimm | main fllor | ||
| PerrySimm | main floor, even | Knight_Otu says, "Around somewhere, surely." | |
| DavidW says, "Bunch o' people" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | (You peek your head into the brightly-lit bedroom. Some guy and some girl you don't know are making out above the covers. Olivia, Blake, and Ethan watch in silence.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | What's going on in here? | ||
| PerrySimm | How long have they been at it? | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | Knight_Otu says, "Well there she is." | |
| DavidW asks, "How long ...?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: How long have they been at it? | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Half hour at least. | ||
| PerrySimm | BLAKE: (checking his phone) Twenty-eight minutes. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Is she okay? | ||
| PerrySimm | And you're all just watching? | Jacqueline asks, "Just watching??" | |
| Lionheart asks, "Watching?" | ||
| DavidW says, "oh gods. I hope it's with consent." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Well, we could ask that instead.'" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "That's what the first question would be, I'm sure." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay, let's ask that." | ||
| Lionheart asks, "timing? scoring? waiting to be tagged in?" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: She's... okay, right? | ||
| PerrySimm | (The girl on the bed shoots you a thumbs up.) | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Seems fine. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...okay then. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You slowly back out of the room.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ----- | ||
| PerrySimm | Upstairs – 10pm | ||
| PerrySimm | There's a bit more breathing room up here, possibly because some guy has planted himself by the stairs and is now playing his original guitar compositions for anyone who will listen. As you pass by you hear him sing about how snowstorms taste like lust or something. | ||
| PerrySimm | A staircase leads back down to the main floor. | DavidW says, "whew" | |
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | One choice: Main floor | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Dining Room – 10pm | ||
| PerrySimm | The dining room is dominated by a giant wooden 24-person dining room table. A Grade 10 guy and girl giggle excessively as they chase each other around it. | ||
| PerrySimm | The dramas are all squished up together in one of the enormous bay windows. | ||
| PerrySimm | The kitchen lies to the north, and the rest of the first floor is back to the west. A grand staircase leads up to the second floor. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | kitchen | ||
| PerrySimm | rest of the first floor | ||
| PerrySimm | second floor | Roger says, "Is he okay? No one cares." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I think *now* we're out of options." | ||
| DavidW says, "Hopefully we'll give Summer the option of yes or no." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to Roger), "I can't even bring myself to laugh at that." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, rest of the first floor, then?" | ||
| DavidW says, "yeah" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| DavidW says, "sigh" | ||
| DavidW says, "Poor Summer." | ||
| PerrySimm | Downstairs – 10pm | ||
| PerrySimm | The mansion has filled out really fast. There's got to be almost a hundred people now on this floor alone, and you can see plenty more on the landing which looks out over the living room. | ||
| PerrySimm | Summer stands in a big ring of people you don't recognize at the centre of the room. | ||
| PerrySimm | Miles sits on a recliner reading his book. | ||
| PerrySimm | Hallways lead east to the dining room and west to the pool room. The terrace lies through a set of archways at the north end of the room. The front door is to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Summer | ||
| PerrySimm | dining room | ||
| PerrySimm | pool room | ||
| PerrySimm | terrace | ||
| PerrySimm | front door | Jacqueline says, "I vote Summer" | |
| DavidW says, "yeah." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I vote running away." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Let's just get the drama over with so it'll be 11 o'clock and we can have a pool scene." | ||
| DavidW says, "I hope we're not a complete ass." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to KO), "Think we've failed to figure that one out." | ||
| DavidW asks (of Jacqueline), "there's DEFINITELY a pool scene, right?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sadly, yes." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "Well, the pool is filling up now." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Er, to Jacq." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So I'm thinking yes." | ||
| DavidW says, "The pool is a Chekov's gun." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Let's try not to drown anyone." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "Yeah" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So is Summer." | ||
| Lionheart exclaims, "Now's the time, Summer's in a big group of people for maximum awkwardness!" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'm a-gonna do it." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You find an opening in the circle and sidle your way in. Summer is just a few people over to your left. You take a sip of your drink and try to look like you're following the conversation.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SOME GUY: Well that's the thing about private schools. They're all a bunch of fascists running those things. You know? Dirty business. | ||
| PerrySimm | SOME GIRL: (shaking her head) I don't know, I just think it's really fucked up. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Mmm. | ||
| PerrySimm | SOME GIRL: You should have stayed at Moore Park. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Yeah, maybe... | ||
| PerrySimm | (You try to catch Summer's eye, but she doesn't look in your direction. After a few seconds you pull back from the conversation.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (under your breath) Darn it. Come on, Nadia. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You take another drink, and when you lower your cup you see a boy your age in a Middle Canada College uniform standing on a coffee table.) | Knight_Otu eeeps | |
| DavidW asks, "Hello, Summer's support network. Can we cut in?" | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | One choice: uh... | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh... | ||
| PerrySimm | (He smoothly steps down off the coffee table and glides towards the back door.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Hello? | ||
| PerrySimm | (As he passes you notice that his uniform is slightly different than the standard, although you can't quite place how.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey. Can you hear me? Hello? | ||
| PerrySimm | (The boy keeps walking out in silence. No one else seems to notice. You follow him into the backyard.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey I want to talk to you, can you just — can you stop? | ||
| PerrySimm | (No response. The two of you get further and further out from the house.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Just stop for one second! Stop. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | One choice: Stop! | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | Knight_Otu exclaims, "Ghooost!" | |
| DavidW says, "G-g-g-ghoooost!" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Oh poop. It's emoji time again." | ||
| Lionheart exclaims, "Zoinks!" | ||
| DavidW says, "Jinkies!" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Raised Hand emoji !! | ||
| PerrySimm | (TIME SEEMS TO SLOW DOWN TO ONE QUARTER SPEED OUT IN THE BACKYARD WHERE YOU AND THE BOY ARE ALONE. THE BOY TURNS AROUND AND YOU LOOK INTO HIS EMPTY WHITE EYES AND HE OPENS HIS MOUTH AND THIS IS WHAT COMES OUT.) | ||
| PerrySimm | HIM: Question Mark emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Waving Hand emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | HIM: Waving Hand emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Do you understand me? | ||
| PerrySimm | Are you a ghost? | ||
| PerrySimm | Who are you? | DavidW asks, "Who are you?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| DavidW says, "Let's not deny the obvious." | ||
| Lionheart says, "..." | ||
| DavidW asks, "Does ghost boy have a clickable portrait?" | ||
| PerrySimm | ;No. | Jacqueline says, "Oops. No." | |
| Jacqueline asks, "So ... who are you, then?" | ||
| Lionheart exclaims, "Well, a reporter would ask the 5 W's. So, "Who are you?". Interview the specter!" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Who are you? | ||
| PerrySimm | (THE BOY LOOKS DOWN AT HIS HANDS AND BACK UP AT YOU.) | ||
| PerrySimm | HIM: Boy emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Right, you're a boy. | ||
| PerrySimm | HIM: Check Mark emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Do you know... which boy? | ||
| PerrySimm | HIM: Slightly Sad Face emoji Question Mark emoji Question Mark emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay that sounds like a no. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | You look so familiar. | ||
| PerrySimm | Are you a ghost? | Knight_Otu says, "Damn, knowing when he was born would be helpful." | |
| PerrySimm | Why are you talking to me? | Jacqueline asks, "Familiar?" | |
| Lionheart says, "("Because you followed me saying Hey! Stop!")" | ||
| Jacqueline says (to Lh), "hahaha. Truth." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to LH), "Yeah." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I want to say he looks familiar, please." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I'm not sure why he would be familiar,but sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You look so familiar. Where have I seen you before? | ||
| PerrySimm | HIM: Newspaper emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You were in the news? | ||
| PerrySimm | HIM: Hand Pointing Right emoji Newspaper emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Do you remember anything? Why are you here? What happened? | ||
| PerrySimm | HIM: French Flag emoji Gun emoji Skull emoji Gun emoji Bullseye emoji Skull emoji Coffin emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: French. Gun. Death. You... died in France? You got shot by someone from Quebec? What? | ||
| PerrySimm | HIM: French Flag emoji French Flag emoji French Flag emoji French Flag emoji French Flag emoji Gun emoji Gun emoji Gun emoji Gun emoji Gun emoji Gun emoji Skull emoji Skull emoji Skull emoji Skull emoji Skull emoji Skull emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No, I get that. I just... | ||
| PerrySimm | HIM: Gun emoji Scream emoji Coffin emoji Scream emoji Skull emoji Scream emoji Gun emoji Gun emoji Scream emoji Scream emoji Scream emoji | DavidW says, "yes, familair" | |
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Just calm down, okay? | ||
| PerrySimm | I need more information. | ||
| PerrySimm | What do you want from me? | Lionheart says, "It's the emoji version of a foreigner who doesn't speak the language speaking SLOWLY AND LOUDLY" | |
| Jacqueline says, "hee" | ||
| DavidW says, "We need to learn more French." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "I need more info?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Or ghostese." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah, let's go for info." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I think it is rude to tell someone who has been murdered to chill out about their murder." | ||
| DavidW says, "okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I don't— You have to give me information! I still don't understand! | ||
| PerrySimm | HIM: No Good emoji No Good emoji Anger Symbol emoji X Mark emoji X Mark emoji Scream emoji Scream emoji Gun emoji French Flag emoji Gun emoji No emoji Scream emoji Skull emoji Skull emoji Coffin emoji Skull emoji Boy emoji Ghost emoji Anger Symbol emoji Scream emoji Scream emoji No emoji Scream emoji No emoji Two Exclamation Marks emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | (HE OPENS HIS MOUTH WIDER AND HIS BLANK WHITE EYES WIDER AND HE SCREAMS AND HE SCREAMS AND YOU SCREAM AND YOU SHIELD YOUR EYES AND EVERYTHING IS PURPLE AND THEN...) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | (You stumble back towards the house in a bit of a daze. Jayden intercepts you on the back terrace.) | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Whoa, you alright? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Huh? | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: I mean. You look, uh... | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | ...sick? | ||
| PerrySimm | ...drunk? | ||
| PerrySimm | ...like I've seen a ghost? | ||
| PerrySimm | Don't worry about it. | DavidW says, "DRAT" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Don't worry?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Again with the purple." | ||
| Lionheart asks, "What purple?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay, yeah. Don't worry." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Right, the purple smoke." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Somone tell Lh about the ghost racoon and the purple smoke" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm fine. Don't worry about it. | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: You sure? | ||
| PerrySimm | (He puts his hand on your shoulder.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm good. (You take a few steps back.) Seriously. | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Okay, I just— | ||
| PerrySimm | (You push past him.) | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Right. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Back Terrace – 11pm | ||
| PerrySimm | A couple of guys have dropped a keg on the back patio and are now trying to work out how exactly to do a keg stand. A ring of Grade 11s watch them intently, occasionally breaking into uncoordinated chanting about kegs and keggers and keg stands. | ||
| PerrySimm | You can go back inside either through the kitchen to the east or the central living room to the south. The pool lies through a large open pathway to the west. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | kitchen | ||
| PerrySimm | central living room | ||
| PerrySimm | pool | Jacqueline exclaims, "It's 11!" | |
| DavidW says, "11pm" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "In the first chapter, before the meeting with the ghost racoon, there was purple smoke coming from a school wing that is under repair." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Those Grade 11s are keeners for keggers" | ||
| Roger says, "there ya go" | ||
| Jacqueline bows. | ||
| Jacqueline says, "It's good to learn something new each and every day." | ||
| Roger says, "what a keener" | ||
| Jacqueline beams. | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, pool?" | ||
| DavidW says, "I guess you're a keggermeister now." | ||
| Lionheart says, "Oh. Purple haze making you see spirits. Hmm." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Pool, sure." | ||
| DavidW says, "POOL" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I now have Jimmi Hendrix in my head. Thanks, Lh." | ||
| PerrySimm | Pool Room – 11pm | ||
| PerrySimm | There is total chaos in the pool. A bunch of boys in varying states of undress have jumped in and are splashing each other like crazy. Kaz stands at the edge, looking down and shaking their head. | ||
| PerrySimm | Kipling keeps an eye on everything from his lifeguard chair. | ||
| PerrySimm | The entire north end of the room open up onto the spacious back terrace. The rest of the house is back to the east. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaz | ||
| PerrySimm | Kipling | ||
| PerrySimm | back terrace | ||
| PerrySimm | rest of the house | DavidW says, "FINALLY, undressed boys." | |
| Jacqueline says, "...That... sounded very wrong." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Let's talk to Kaz?" | ||
| DavidW says, "heh. sorry." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "heh" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Sure. Kaz" | ||
| DavidW says, "Kaz is fine." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You walk up to Kaz. Some dude you don't know runs past you in his underwear and jumps into the pool.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Sausage fest, huh? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (nodding) Major. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Blake, fully dressed, swims up to the side of the pool.) | ||
| PerrySimm | BLAKE: Kaz, get in here! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Not a chance. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He tries to grab their legs. They jump back from the ledge.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Whoa, buddy! This is a new vest. | ||
| PerrySimm | BLAKE: So take it off! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Fuck off, Blake. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He splashes a bit of water at their feet.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Gah! Fuck off, Blake! | ||
| PerrySimm | (Blake splashes a little harder. Kaz runs backwards out of the room, laughing and shrieking.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Hey hey hey! No running by the pool, amigos. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You walk over to Kipling's makeshift lifeguard chair.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Boys will be boys. | ||
| PerrySimm | You sure this is safe? | Jacqueline says, "I have no preference." | |
| DavidW says, "yes, either." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Tomorrows newspaper - seven drowned in drunk pool party." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "eeagh" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay, now I have a preference." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Let's ask if it's safe." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| DavidW says, "Like, I don't remember the party invite mentioning swimsuits." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You sure it's safe to the have pool open with all these drunk people around? | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: (not taking his eyes off the pool) As you can see, the sitch is most closely monitored. Plus I'm keeping the levels a bit shallower than normal. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You can control the water level? | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Height of Belgian engineering, Nadine. (He blows into his whistle.) Hey! Cool it on the roughhousing, boyos! I mean it. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: They're in good hands, I guess. | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: For certain. My dude Josh is taking the next shift and he's Bronze Cross. In fact if you're looking to have someone fix you up a plate of hors-d'oeuvres, I'm off in five. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm fine. | ||
| PerrySimm | Is it really "hors-d'oeuvres" at this point? | Jacqueline asks, "The sitch. Is that just Kipling, or is that another Canadianism?" | |
| DavidW says, "I haven't heard it, but it's obviously short for situation." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Right" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I don't think it's a Canadianism." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "It's also kind of obnoxious." | ||
| DavidW says, "It might be a Kiplingism." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I've come across it elsewhere." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "But then, that's my entire take on Kip." | ||
| Lionheart says, "Kim Possible used to say "What's the sitch?"" | ||
| DavidW says, "oh. I've barely seen any Kim Possible." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So... do we want to dull down our alcohol with food?" | ||
| DavidW says, "Food good." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Can you really call them "hors-d'oeuvres" at this time of night? | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Don't constrain yourself with labels, N-bomb. They're small and they're delicious. What else is there to worry about? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You stare admiringly at Kipling for a second.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You're a wise man, Kip. | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: When it comes to food? Yes indeed I am. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Pool Room – 11pm | ||
| PerrySimm | There is total chaos in the pool. A bunch of boys in varying states of undress have jumped in and are splashing each other like crazy. Kipling sits in the lifeguard chair, keeping a close eye on the proceedings. | ||
| PerrySimm | The entire north end of the room open up onto the spacious back terrace. The rest of the house is back to the east. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | back terrace | ||
| PerrySimm | rest of the house | DavidW asks, "terrace?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | Back Terrace – 11pm | ||
| PerrySimm | A couple of guys have dropped a keg on the back patio and are now trying to work out how exactly to do a keg stand. A ring of Grade 11s watch them intently, occasionally breaking into uncoordinated chanting about kegs and keggers and keg stands. | ||
| PerrySimm | You can go back inside either through the kitchen to the east or the central living room to the south. The pool lies through a large open pathway to the west. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | kitchen | Knight_Otu says, "I protest the "admiringly."" | |
| PerrySimm | central living room | ||
| PerrySimm | pool | DavidW says, "oh right, we've seen this." | |
| DavidW says, "kitchen, then." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Kitchen?" | ||
| PerrySimm | Kitchen – 11pm | ||
| PerrySimm | A bunch of perfect fresh-baked cookies are cooling out on the counter. You stare at them in awe, wondering when the hell Kipling had the time to bake cookies tonight. | ||
| PerrySimm | A drunk guy keeps turning on the ice maker and laughs uproariously as ice piles up on the floor. | ||
| PerrySimm | A pair of enormous french doors to the west open up onto the back terrace. The dining room is to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | back terrace | ||
| PerrySimm | dining room | DavidW says, "dining room" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Wow. Drunk jerk." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | Dining Room – 11pm | ||
| PerrySimm | The guitar guy has moved downstairs and for some reason he has a friggin' tambourine now. He shakes it arrhythmically while making a sound that's halfway between a hum and a moan. The overall effect can only be described as "very not good." | ||
| PerrySimm | Mason Davenport and some other dudes are having a heated game of beer pong. Miles looks on from the sidelines. | Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | |
| PerrySimm | The kitchen lies to the north, and the rest of the first floor is back to the west. A grand staircase leads up to the second floor. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Miles | ||
| PerrySimm | kitchen | ||
| PerrySimm | rest of the first floor | ||
| PerrySimm | second floor | DavidW says, "At midnight, the accordions and bagpipes come out." | |
| Jacqueline exclaims, "Bring on the witching hour!" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "We haven't spoken to Miles since the ghost, right?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "We already had the ghost hour." | ||
| DavidW asks, "What's the sitch on the witch?" | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "She likes to watch twitch." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "We haven't." | ||
| DavidW says, "Twitch is watchable." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay. Miles." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You sidle up to Miles and nod your head at the table.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You seem less than impressed with this particular spectacle. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: In the same way that one is "less than impressed" with a car wreck, yeah. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ah. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The two of you watch in silence as Mason misses another shot.) | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: ...It's a very inefficient system they've got going. They all want to drink beer, and they all know they want to drink beer, so why are they competing to make each other drink beer? Isn't that actually worse than getting to drink the beer yourself? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | You're missing the point. | ||
| PerrySimm | Don't ask me. | ||
| PerrySimm | I take it you're not itching to try it. | Knight_Otu says, "Not that he's very talkative today" | |
| DavidW says, "Poor Miles." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Miles, fwiw, has a stereotypically nerdy appearance." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Complete with over-sized spectacles." | ||
| DavidW says, "'You're missing the point.'" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You're missing the point. Deliberately, I suspect. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's just a silly game with silly rules that mainly result in everyone getting drunker all at once. It's fun. For some people. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Mason lands a trick shot in his opponent's beer cup. He turns to Ethan and gives him a massive bear hug, basically picking him off the ground.) | ||
| PerrySimm | MASON: Duuuuude!! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...See? Male bonding. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: On behalf of males everywhere, I think I can safely say I have bonded more than enough. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You laugh.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh Miles. You're a real Party Popper emoji No Good emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: ...Wait, what? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Huh? | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: What did you just say? I'm a what? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I said you're a real party pooper. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: ...Did you? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Didn't I? | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: I— hmm. (He shakes his head.) Never mind. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Dining Room – 11pm | ||
| PerrySimm | The guitar guy has moved downstairs and for some reason he has a friggin' tambourine now. He shakes it arrhythmically while making a sound that's halfway between a hum and a moan. The overall effect can only be described as "very not good." | ||
| PerrySimm | Mason Davenport and some other dudes are having a heated game of beer pong. | ||
| PerrySimm | The kitchen lies to the north, and the rest of the first floor is back to the west. A grand staircase leads up to the second floor. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | kitchen | ||
| PerrySimm | rest of the first floor | ||
| PerrySimm | second floor | DavidW says, "ooo-oooooooo-oooOOOOOOooo" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Uh oh, we#re speaking ghostese" | ||
| DavidW says, "We're crossing o-ver." | ||
| Jacqueline exclaims, "Carole Ann! Stay away from the beer pong!" | ||
| DavidW says, "I know who Edith Ann is." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Carole Ann was the little girl in the Poltergeist movies." | ||
| DavidW says, "oh" | ||
| DavidW says, "Second floor, please." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "yeah" | ||
| PerrySimm | Upstairs – 11pm | ||
| PerrySimm | The surplus bedrooms are looking a bit less excessive now. A good number of them have been claimed. The Master Bedroom has been taken over by the dramas, who — at least for the moment — seem to be using it for purely wholesome purposes. | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaz and Miles sit next to each other on a couch, chatting. | ||
| PerrySimm | A staircase leads back down to the main floor. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaz & Miles | ||
| PerrySimm | main floor | DavidW says, "oh, I was wondering if Kaz and Miles might get together." | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Okay, so this is now the orgy floor?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Let's talk to them." | ||
| DavidW says (to KO), "Yes." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You walk over to the couch. Kaz's eyes light up.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Nadia! What a coincidence. Me and Miles were just talking about how lovely and perfect you are. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: We were talking about fonts. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (cheerfully) Shut up, Miles! | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Having fun, Kaz? | ||
| PerrySimm | Fonts are cool. | ||
| PerrySimm | Don't let me interrupt. | Knight_Otu asks, "Fonts are cool?" | |
| DavidW says, "Fonts are cool." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Fonts are super cool." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh, cool. Fonts are cool. I like fonts. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: Oh? What's your favourite? I'm something of a Caslon man myself. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (rolling their eyes) We get it. You read the New Yorker. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh... I guess like Times New Roman. ...But Calibri's pretty good too? | ||
| PerrySimm | (Kaz and Miles stare at you. You scratch the back of your head. After a few seconds Kaz bursts out laughing.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Nice one, Na! You're such a joker! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (backing away slowly) Yep! That's what I am alright... | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Upstairs – 11pm | ||
| PerrySimm | The surplus bedrooms are looking a bit less excessive now. A good number of them have been claimed. The Master Bedroom has been taken over by the dramas, who — at least for the moment — seem to be using it for purely wholesome purposes. | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaz and Miles continue their in-depth font conversation on the couch. | ||
| PerrySimm | A staircase leads back down to the main floor. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | main floor | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Dining Room – 11pm | ||
| PerrySimm | The guitar guy has moved downstairs and for some reason he has a friggin' tambourine now. He shakes it arrhythmically while making a sound that's halfway between a hum and a moan. The overall effect can only be described as "very not good." | ||
| PerrySimm | Mason Davenport and some other dudes are having a heated game of beer pong. | ||
| PerrySimm | The kitchen lies to the north, and the rest of the first floor is back to the west. A grand staircase leads up to the second floor. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | DavidW says, "Reminds me, yesterday I saw a guy in a black t-shirt with 'Be Bold' in white Helvetica." | |
| PerrySimm | kitchen | ||
| PerrySimm | rest of the first floor | ||
| PerrySimm | second floor | DavidW says, "It was the least bold tee I've ever seen." | |
| Jacqueline says, "heh" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "We did kitchen... so... first floor?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | ar | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | Jacqueline asks, "Wait, what?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Let me try that again." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Ar? Pirate?" | ||
| PerrySimm | Downstairs – 11pm | ||
| PerrySimm | You pass Olivia in the hall as she's heading for the front door. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What's goin' on, Olivia Kwon? | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Nadia! Tibor's gonna go hack a couple darts out front. You wanna come with? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh, uh, I don't smoke. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Well shit neither do I but I bet Teebs can put 'em back for the three of us. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Sure, I could use the fresh air. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm looking for Summer, actually. | Jacqueline exclaims, "!" | |
| Jacqueline asks, "These are our choices??" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Pot or obsession?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeesh." | ||
| DavidW says, "yuck" | ||
| Jacqueline exclaims, "Brendan!!!" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Well, we are tipsy. There's that." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "I suppose we can say we're looking then don't look?" | ||
| DavidW says, "well, pick one. I don't care which." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I think it would be better to smoke pot than obsess, but possibly we'll obsess after we smoke, and... that could be very bad" | ||
| Jacqueline says (to KO), "I don't think it works that way" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "True." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Let's go for a spliff." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Yeah. Yeah, okay. Sure. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Beauty. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The two of you walk out to the front driveway, where Anja and Ashley are out drinking. You find Tibor leaning against a low wall, and plant yourselves next to him on top of it as he lights up a ciagrette. Out of the corner of your eye you notice Anja periodically glaring in your direction.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | How's it going, Tibor? | ||
| PerrySimm | Enjoying the party, Olivia? | Jacqueline says, "I thought 'beauty' was, like, out of style in Eastern Canada by 2000" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Hey, Anja, it was either this or hunting Summer." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "So give us a break." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Oh, cool. It's not pot." | ||
| DavidW says, "I have no idea what the lingo is like in Eastern Canada." | ||
| DavidW says, "Say hi to Tibor." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I had a friend in the early aughts from BC who would say 'beauty!' and I picked it up and then my step-father, who lives in Ontario, remarked on how quaint it was." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey Tibor. How you doing? | ||
| PerrySimm | TIBOR: Mmm. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Glad to hear it. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Ashley gets up and moves to head back inside. Anja smiles tightly and waves her off. Ashley glances at you, then pats Anja on the shoulder and walks off towards the house.) | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Hey. (She hits you lightly in the arm.) Anja's been givin' you the eye all night. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: The evil eye maybe. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Oh is that what she's doing? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | She's mad about something. | ||
| PerrySimm | I can handle her. | ||
| PerrySimm | You don't think so? | ||
| Tigrita arrives, full of neither funk nor fun. | Jacqueline asks, "Oh, is that it?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Wait, I mean... 'You don't think so?'" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| DavidW says, "I'd opt for 'She's mad about something.'" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Sorry, DW. Out-voted" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You don't think so? | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Could be, I guess. I don't know. Don't really follow any of that locker room drama. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Trust me. She pretty much hates me. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: For real? Since when? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You shrug.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's been like this for ages. Honestly, you think she'd tire out after a while. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Nah, that girl's unstoppable. I tell you. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (sighing) Unfortunately for me. | ||
| PerrySimm | (A car pulls up in the driveway blaring '90s pop music. Three dudes that look a good ten years older than you hop out.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ---Uh, who are these guys?--- | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh... who are these guys? | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Good damn question. (She sticks two fingers in her mouth and whistles at them.) Private party, boys! | ||
| PerrySimm | (The dudes ignore her and start walking towards the house.) | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: (jumping down off the wall.) Hey! You hear me or what? | ||
| PerrySimm | DUDE #1: We were invited. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Bullshit you were.--- | ||
| PerrySimm | Who invited you? | ||
| PerrySimm | What are you doing here? | ||
| PerrySimm | Easy, Olivia. | ||
| Tigrita disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again. | DavidW says, "'Who invited you?'" | |
| Jacqueline says, "oops. Put the --- on the wrong line." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Who invited them?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Who invited you exactly? | ||
| PerrySimm | DUDE #2: (loudly and sharply) None of your business. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Olivia scoffs.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay uh if you knew someone here you'd probably just tell us. | ||
| PerrySimm | DUDE #3: Hey, it's cool. We're friends of the host, alright? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Why don't we just text him and see? (You get out your phone.) | ||
| PerrySimm | DUDE #2: You do that. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He tries to walk past you but Olivia jumps in front of him.) | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Look boys, this is a high school party. These boys seem high school to you, Teebs? | ||
| PerrySimm | (Tibor tosses his cigarette down and stamps it out.) | ||
| PerrySimm | TIBOR: (walking over) Nope. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Facial hair like that. That's an old-ass-hipster look if I've ever seen one. | ||
| PerrySimm | TIBOR: Pushin' thirty I'd bet. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Anja walks up behind you, grabs your arm, and quietly tugs you away from the confrontation.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Hey—!? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey—!? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: (quietly) Hang back, Nazari. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Christ, I got a teacher that looks younger than yous and I wouldn't let him within a block of this place. | ||
| PerrySimm | TIBOR: Got your grave plot all picked out already, boys? | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Fuckin' ancient. (She nods at Dude #1.) Buddy here probably got a Facebook account for fun. | ||
| PerrySimm | TIBOR: Clickbait clicker. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Upworthy reader. | ||
| PerrySimm | TIBOR: Yelp reviewer. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Buzzfeed employee. | ||
| PerrySimm | TIBOR: Shouldn't you Bon Iver looking motherfuckers be in Parkdale opening a handmade yo-yo shop right about now? | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Guarantee these dudes never once set foot in a mall unironically. | ||
| PerrySimm | TIBOR: "Where's the Eaton Centre?" | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: "What's a Wal-Mart?" | ||
| PerrySimm | TIBOR: (pointing at Dude #3) Look at the handlebar on that one. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: What. Died. On your face. My dude. | ||
| PerrySimm | TIBOR: Only '90s kids will remember the specific fucking fraggle rock that ate shit on your upper lip. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Hey bud, the eighteen hundreds called and they told you to go get fucked. | ||
| PerrySimm | DUDE #2: Okay, you know what? (He shoves Olivia back a bit.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Whoa! | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm getting Kipling. | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | ||
| Tigrita arrives, full of fun, but no funk. | DavidW says, "'I'm getting Kipling'" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm going to get Kip. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Anja grabs your arm.) | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Oh, buddy wants a little shovesky eh? | ||
| PerrySimm | (She shoves him back. Tibor spits on the ground.) | ||
| PerrySimm | TIBOR: Hey she's half your goddamn age, pissant. Fuck kinda creature are you? | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Fuckin' tweaked out millennial shitbag. That's what he is. | ||
| PerrySimm | DUDE #1: Come on, dude. Chill. | ||
| PerrySimm | DUDE #2: Nah I am DONE with this fucking psychotic lesbian! (He gets up in her face and shoves her again.) Get out my god damn way! Or else! | ||
| PerrySimm | (Olivia shoots a quick look back at Anja, who gives her a tiny nod.) | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Well, when you put it that way. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She socks him right in the face.) | ||
| PerrySimm | DUDE #2: (reeling backwards) AUGH!! FUCK! | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Yeah! That's right! Who else? | ||
| PerrySimm | DUDE #2: Crazy bitch! | ||
| PerrySimm | (He steps forward, but Dude #3 grabs his arm.) | ||
| PerrySimm | TIBOR: Had your fun, boys? | ||
| PerrySimm | DUDE #3: Come on, man. Let's just go. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: That's right, handlebar. Bike the fuck on out of here. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They run off and get in their car.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Holy shit. | ||
| PerrySimm | That was amazing. | ||
| PerrySimm | Are you okay? | Tigrita exclaims, "holy shit indeed!" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Holy shit, yeah." | ||
| DavidW says, "I second Tigrita" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Holy shit. I cannot believe you just did that. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Tibor gives Olivia a light punch in the shoulder.) | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: (laughing) ...my hand really fucking hurts you guys. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Come on, let's get you some ice. | DavidW says, "or third it" | |
| PerrySimm | (The two of them head back in. Tibor lights up another cigarette.)--- | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Front Yard – 11pm | ||
| PerrySimm | The front yard buzzes with activity as the party spills out onto the porch. | ||
| PerrySimm | Tibor keeps smoking out front. | ||
| PerrySimm | The mansion lies to the north. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Tibor | ||
| PerrySimm | mansion | Knight_Otu asks, "Tibor?" | |
| DavidW asks, "Tibor?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "ok" | ||
| PerrySimm | (You walk up to Tibor. He nods.) | ||
| PerrySimm | TIBOR: Showed those fuckers. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...She do this often? | ||
| PerrySimm | (Tibor shrugs.) | ||
| PerrySimm | TIBOR: You know. Girl does as she does. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | She could have been hurt. | ||
| PerrySimm | Are you not freaked out? | DavidW says, "I'm guessing they take self-defense or something." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Probably." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Are you not freaked out?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| DavidW says, "ok" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You not freaked out, dude? | ||
| PerrySimm | TIBOR: Mmm. (He blows out some smoke.) Scared shitless. Can't you tell? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You stare at him for a second. He doesn't move.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh-huh... | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Front Yard – 11pm | ||
| PerrySimm | The front yard buzzes with activity as the party spills out onto the porch. | ||
| PerrySimm | Tibor keeps smoking out front. | ||
| PerrySimm | The mansion lies to the north. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Downstairs – 11pm | ||
| PerrySimm | The house is completely packed at this point. As far you can tell pretty much all the Grade 11s and 12s from MCC are here, as well as a small sampling of the cooler Grade 10s. Thanks to Kipling's staggeringly huge social network though, at least half the people here are kids you've never met from other schools. | ||
| PerrySimm | Annette mingles in a big crowd of people. | ||
| PerrySimm | Hallways lead east to the dining room and west to the pool room. The terrace lies through a set of archways at the north end of the room. The front door is to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Annette | ||
| PerrySimm | dining room | ||
| PerrySimm | pool room | ||
| PerrySimm | terrace | ||
| PerrySimm | front door | Knight_Otu exclaims, "Annette!" | |
| DavidW says, "Mousekeeter!" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Let's tell her ghost stories." | ||
| DavidW says, "Let's!" | ||
| PerrySimm | (You walk up to Annette. She jumps up, a little more enthusiastically than normal.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Nadia! Hey! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: How's it going? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Good, good. (She takes a sip of her drink.) Hey, where's Allen? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | Lionheart says, "Oh, yeah, she might have interesting things to say about emoji boy" | |
| PerrySimm | He's being weird. | ||
| PerrySimm | Under the weather. | ||
| PerrySimm | We're not attached at the hip. | DavidW says, "'He's being weird'" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "sure" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ugh, he's being weird tonight. Didn't want to come. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: What the hell else is he doing? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I don't know. He said it's too noisy? | ||
| PerrySimm | (She very theatrically rolls her eyes.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | It's fine. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm getting tired of it. | Jacqueline says, "Oho." | |
| Jacqueline says, "This seems a meaningful choice" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I mean, I don't blame him" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I wouldn't want to be at this party, either" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I do feel this game has made even the less meaningful choices seem meaningful." | ||
| Lionheart asks (of Jacq), "And miss these primo hors d'oeuvres?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "True" | ||
| DavidW asks (of Lionheart), "Is that we're calling them?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Well, we'd have missed out on the holy shit in the front yard" | ||
| DavidW asks, "So are we picking.. tired of it?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I am opposed." | ||
| Lionheart says, "I'm up for ratcheting drama" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Deciding vote?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay, so that means 'tired of it?'" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Well, Nadia might be, but I'd say fine." | ||
| Lionheart says, "Aye" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm getting kind of tired of it, honestly. He just like never wants to do anything. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Nothing at all? What do you guys do with each other? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I don't know... hang out? We just, you know... | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Stay inside all the time. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You shrug.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Do you think he's depressed? Or just boring? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't know. | ||
| PerrySimm | He's not boring. | Knight_Otu says, "Well, that's a choice." | |
| DavidW says, "He's not boring." | ||
| Lionheart says, "Not boring" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: He's not boring, okay? He's nice. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: "Nice" is the most boring adjective in the English language. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You don't know him like I do. He's sweet, really. It's just, he's a bit... you know... | ||
| PerrySimm | (She sighs and gets in a little closer.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Piece of friendly advice? You need to move on from the middle school boyfriend. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | He's fine. | ||
| PerrySimm | You're one to give dating advice. | ||
| PerrySimm | We didn't start dating until Grade 9. | Knight_Otu says, "Either we don't know our boyfriend well, or indirectly call him depressed." | |
| DavidW says, "Grade 9" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "second?" | ||
| Lionheart says, "9." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Technically we didn't start dating until Grade 9. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: High school, middle school, whatever. Point is it's been like four years. Four years, Nadia! (She points at you with her beer cup.) That's like a quarter of your life! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Three years. And it's actually closer to 17%. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: He's going across the country for university anyway, right? Might as well break it off now and enjoy yourself in Toronto. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I am enjoying myself. | ||
| PerrySimm | We're not going to break up. | ||
| PerrySimm | He hasn't gotten in yet. | Knight_Otu says, ">I am enjoying hunting after Summer." | |
| Lionheart says, "Not too drunk to bust out percentages." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Well, I expected drama, but not this drama." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to Lh), "ha" | ||
| DavidW says, "O" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| DavidW says, "I'm surprised she doesn't want to break up with him." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Well, I think the first option is a bold-faced lie" | ||
| DavidW says, "true" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "He hasn't gotten in yet is probably the most factual option" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Well, she's saying that. She may still be in some kind of denial." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to Jacq), "Sure." | ||
| Jacqueline asks (of KO), "As much as she's gushed to Kaz about Summer?" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's September, Annette. He hasn't even gotten in yet. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: But he will, because he's smart and boring. And then what? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I'll figure it out. | ||
| PerrySimm | We'll make it work. | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't know. | ||
| PerrySimm | Okay, enough. | Jacqueline says, "I like, 'okay, enough'" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| Lionheart says, "Agreed." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay, cool it already. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She stumbles a bit and pats you on the shoulder.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: You know what? If you love Allen then more power to you! Date him and have his little Allen babies. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Thank you, Annette. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: But! (She gives you a little shove.) If you don't love him, that's also fine too. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She gives you a pointed look then disappears into the crowd.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Downstairs – 11pm | ||
| PerrySimm | The house is completely packed at this point. As far you can tell pretty much all the Grade 11s and 12s from MCC are here, as well as a small sampling of the cooler Grade 10s. Thanks to Kipling's staggeringly huge social network though, at least half the people here are kids you've never met from other schools. | ||
| PerrySimm | Your hand idly drifts to your phone as you think about texting Allen. | ||
| PerrySimm | Hallways lead east to the dining room and west to the pool room. The terrace lies through a set of archways at the north end of the room. The front door is to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | texting Allen | ||
| PerrySimm | dining room | ||
| PerrySimm | pool room | ||
| PerrySimm | terrace | ||
| PerrySimm | front door | Knight_Otu says, "Well, Annette seems to know." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Quite possibly, yes." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Let's not text Allen." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "So, are we texting... okay." | ||
| Lionheart says, "Might need another drink before texting Allen" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "heh" | ||
| DavidW asks, "Something purple?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Agreed. But a night of sleep would be better, Lh" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "purple? where?" | ||
| Tigrita missed the invisible comedy pentagon. | DavidW says, "The drink before texting Allen. A purple drink." | |
| Jacqueline says, "oh" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Is there a "I'm breaking up with you to go chase Summer" emoji?" | ||
| DavidW says, "Then we can text entirely in EMOJIS!" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I mean, I'm guessing we will eventually have no choice but to text him" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Probably." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Should we just get it out of the way?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "It was what I was going to suggest." | ||
| Jacqueline sighs. "Okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You sit down on a couch and get your phone out.) | DavidW says, "My mind is completely in the gutter thinking about what the pool action might be like by now." | |
| PerrySimm | N: hey | ||
| PerrySimm | N: you still up? | Knight_Otu says, "Skinny-dipping, surely." | |
| PerrySimm | A: I'm here. What's wrong? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Nothing | ||
| PerrySimm | I wish you were here tonight | DavidW | Just thinking of you, sweetie. | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Wish you were here" | ||
| Lionheart says, "WYWH" | ||
| DavidW says, "sure" | ||
| PerrySimm | N: I just wish you were here tonight. Slightly Sad Face emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | A: Seriously? | ||
| PerrySimm | N: What? | ||
| PerrySimm | A: You said it was okay if I didn't go. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | It is okay | ||
| PerrySimm | Would have been nice if you'd been here. | DavidW says, "It is okay" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "I'm not sure I understand Allan's logic here - your girlfriend isn't allowed to miss you?" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So now he's getting pissed that we said he didn't have to go but are being (falsely) thoughtful and saying we miss him and not actually implying that it wasn't okay for him to not be here?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So I say let's not press the issue and just say 'it is okay'" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "*Allen" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| DavidW says, "It's a wonder anyone talks to anyone else with this much misunderstood communication." | ||
| PerrySimm | N: it is | ||
| PerrySimm | N: I just miss you, that's all | ||
| PerrySimm | A: Sorry. | ||
| PerrySimm | N: I'm not telling you to be sorry. | ||
| PerrySimm | N: You don't have to apologize. | ||
| PerrySimm | A: I really don't understand what you want me to say right now. | ||
| PerrySimm | [END TEXTING SCENE] | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ugh. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You get up and start pacing around the house as you type.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Can we talk? | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm not trying to start a fight. | ||
| PerrySimm | Sorry. | Lionheart says, "Geez, Allan." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Okay, now I am sick of his shit." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Can we talk?" | ||
| DavidW says, "yeah" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I'm not sure this is a talk to have over the phone." | ||
| PerrySimm | [BACK TO TEXTING] | ||
| PerrySimm | N: Can we talk for a bit? | ||
| PerrySimm | N: On the phone I mean. | ||
| PerrySimm | A: Can we do it tomorrow? | ||
| PerrySimm | N: Yeah, fine. | ||
| PerrySimm | A: I don't want to have a big long thing when we're both tired. | ||
| PerrySimm | A: Just try and enjoy the party. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I'll try. | ||
| PerrySimm | Okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | Whatever. | ||
| PerrySimm | Love you. | Knight_Otu asks, "Love you?" | |
| Jacqueline asks, "ugh, really?" | ||
| Lionheart says, "Not feeling it" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah, me neither." | ||
| DavidW says, "'Okay.'" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I could get behind 'okay'" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I shall click on that." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You round the corner as you're typing and run into Anja, spilling a bit of your drink on her shirt.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Careful! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Shoot! Oh god, sorry. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: (looking down) Ugh, damn it. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Let me get that. | ||
| PerrySimm | Are you okay? | ||
| PerrySimm | Sorry. | DavidW says, "He's gonna pay for 'big long thing' though." | |
| Jacqueline avoids making a poorly-written joke. | ||
| Jacqueline asks, ">Are you okay?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Are you okay? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I am. My shirt is not. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Sorry. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Yes. You said that already. Do you mind? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh, uh— | ||
| PerrySimm | (She shoves her way past you and heads to the kitchen.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Dining Room – 12am | ||
| PerrySimm | Sunday, 11 September 2016 | ||
| PerrySimm | It seems all the chairs have been pulled out from the table and piled in a pyramid on the other side of the room. You're not really sure why, but it's kind of a nice looking addition in its own way. Impractical, but nice. | ||
| PerrySimm | Annette frantically crawls around under the table. | ||
| PerrySimm | The kitchen lies to the north, and the rest of the first floor is back to the west. A grand staircase leads up to the second floor. | DavidW says, "YOU: Love ya!" | |
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Annette | ||
| PerrySimm | kitchen | ||
| PerrySimm | rest of the first floor | ||
| PerrySimm | second floor | Jacqueline says, "MIDNIGHT" | |
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "Ghost hour!" | ||
| DavidW says, "Annette's lost her contact lens, I guess." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Wait, we already hadf that" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Let's see?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, ">Annette" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "As long as she doesn't get on our case again." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "That was so an hour ago" | ||
| Lionheart says, "I was leaning toward kitchen and trying to make it up to Anja somehow but OK" | ||
| PerrySimm | (You crouch down.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Annette? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Nadia!! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Why are you under the table? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: My phone! I can't find my phooone!! Nadiaaa!!! | ||
| PerrySimm | (She clumsily crawls towards you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Why would it be under the table? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: I don't knoooow! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Were you under there at all tonight? | ||
| PerrySimm | (She reaches you and grabs your shirt.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Noo! Nadia!! | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Where did you last have it? | ||
| PerrySimm | Have you looked anywhere else? | ||
| PerrySimm | Did you try calling it? | Jacqueline says, ">3" | |
| DavidW says, "Goodness. Invasion of personal space, Annette." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I think Annette is not entirely lucd, fwiw" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Lucid, event" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "EVEN" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, ">It's just a phone. With all your personal data on it." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to KO), "We would be smacked, and we would deserve the smacking" | ||
| Lionheart says, "Last have it seems good, but calling it would be productive too" | ||
| DavidW says, "Call it. 'here boy! here phony!'" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Try calling it?" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Can we try calling it? (You get out your phone.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: It's on silent! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You sure? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: It's always on silent. I don't want it interrupting my rituals. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Right. Okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Ugh! And now it's gone! I'm so stupid!! | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | It'll be okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | Why don't I help you look? | ||
| PerrySimm | You're not stupid. | DavidW says, "help look" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Help looking." | ||
| Jacqueline says, ">not stup-- okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: How about I help you find it, okay? I'm really good at finding stuff. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Oh my god. Nadia. You are so GOOD!! | ||
| PerrySimm | (She goes in and clumsily hugs you. You stand completely still and gently pat her on the shoulder.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay. Let's start looking. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: (mumbling) Where do we... do that. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Let's look in the kitchen. | ||
| PerrySimm | Let's look in the living room. | ||
| PerrySimm | Let's look by the pool. | ||
| PerrySimm | Let's look out back. | ||
| PerrySimm | Let's look out front. | DavidW says, "I bet a ghost took it." | |
| Jacqueline says, "I bet DW wants to search the pool" | ||
| DavidW says, "No, out back first." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "heh" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "You did that just to spite me, didn't you??" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "okay" | ||
| DavidW says, "nope" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Let's go out back. You were out there with Jayden earlier, remember? Maybe you left your phone outside. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Yeah... okay... | ||
| PerrySimm | (The two of you go outside. Annette immediately lies down on a deck chair as soon as you get out there. You crouch down and start looking.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Hey. (She points up at the sky.) See that? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You look up.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: The sky? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: No. IN the sky. (She points up more forcefully.) There. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...I can't really see where you're pointing from over here. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She sighs.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Vega. It's really bright. You can't see many stars in the city but that's one of them. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Pretty sure your phone is down here. | ||
| PerrySimm | You and Summer should start an astronomy club. | DavidW says, "club" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Lionheart says, "Heh. I'd like to hear how she responds to astronomy" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You and Summer should start an astronomy club. She loves this space stuff. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Pfft. Astronomy. Taking pictures of stars and writing them down in a book or whatever. The only real star thing is astrology. Our fortunes and destinies written in the stars. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She pulls her hat down over her face.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: (muffled) I was FATED to lose my phone, Nadia. It was written in the stars a billion years ago. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (getting up) I don't think it's out here. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: ...We're never going to find it, are we? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Kipling might have found it somewhere. | ||
| PerrySimm | Can you use magic to find it? | ||
| PerrySimm | You can always get a new one. | Jacqueline says, ">MAGIC" | |
| Lionheart says, "Yeah, let's use magic." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You can use magic, right? So could you— | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Oh my god! I can use magic! Nadia! You're a genius! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Well... | ||
| PerrySimm | (She grabs your arm.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Hey. You know what I love about you? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: (very intensely) You're a genius. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She sits cross-legged on the floor and starts rummaging through her satchel.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Back Terrace – 12am | ||
| PerrySimm | The sizeable fountain in the middle of the terrace, lit by colourful LEDs, glimmers gently in the night. Its beauty is only compromised by Mason and Ethan standing ankle-deep in it, throwing a basketball back and forth like it's a baseball. | ||
| PerrySimm | Olivia is sprawled out on a lawn chair with an ice pack on her wrist. | ||
| PerrySimm | Annette sits on the ground, digging through her satchel. | Knight_Otu says, "I don't think we can rely on Kipling." | |
| PerrySimm | You can go back inside either through the kitchen to the east or the central living room to the south. The pool lies through a large open pathway to the west. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Olivia | ||
| PerrySimm | kitchen | ||
| PerrySimm | central living room | ||
| PerrySimm | pool | DavidW says, "Hope she uses sympathetic magic." | |
| Lionheart asks, "How's Olivia doing?" | ||
| DavidW says, "Yes, Olivia next." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "As long as it's not pathetic magic." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah, Olivia" | ||
| PerrySimm | (You sit down on the chair next to Olivia's.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's the conquering hero. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She raises a fist without getting up or opening her eyes. The melted ice bag slips off her hand and plops down on the grass.) | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: (sleepy voice) whooo... | ||
| PerrySimm | (You lean back in your chair and watch the party go by.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | ASHLEY: Okay but seriously. Did you see the latest Passiondale?? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: God, do not even get me started. Like what does Trey even think he's doing? | ||
| PerrySimm | ASHLEY: Right????? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: He really just needs to back the fuck off already. | ||
| PerrySimm | ASHLEY: I said that the MOMENT they introduced him. Didn't I say that? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: (nodding) You did say it. | ||
| PerrySimm | ASHLEY: If it keeps going like this I will start a podcast. I swear to god. I am not even kidding. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | DavidW says, "Then we can watch the Boys of Summer." | |
| PerrySimm | (You see Bridget, the Grade 11 from the Library, running into the backyard with some other girl you're pretty sure doesn't go to MCC.) | ||
| PerrySimm | BRIDGET: Bell! Bell, come on. | ||
| PerrySimm | BELL: You come on. (She runs both her hands through Bridget's hair.) You're the oncomer. | ||
| PerrySimm | BRIDGET: (in a panicked whisper) Can we just get away from all these Grade 12s please? | ||
| PerrySimm | BELL: Pfft. Pfft!! Who are they? We're the cool ones. We're the cool... sexy... cool ones. | ||
| PerrySimm | BRIDGET: Oh my god. (She drags the other girl away from the house.) | ||
| PerrySimm | BELL: Hey. (She plants her feet.) Hey. I've got a mystery for YOU to solve. It's called The Case of the Extremely Kissable Girlfriend. (She grabs Bridget's shirt and lowers her voice to a very loud whisper.) Spoiler alert: the solution is KISSING. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She cackles and runs off towards the back of the property.) | ||
| PerrySimm | BRIDGET: ...This night was a mistake on so many levels. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She runs after her.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | (Annette points up at Summer from down on the ground.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: You should go up and do the dancing! I can't because I'm too... (She mumbles and gestures at herself.) But YOU should. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Eh, dancing's a lot of fun but I'm not super in the mood lately. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: What? Hey. No. Always be in the mood. Okay? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Okay... | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Promise me! | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | (You turn back to Olivia.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Think I'm going to head back in. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: (loud snoring noises) | ||
| PerrySimm | (You smile and get back up off the lawn chair.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Back Terrace – 12am | ||
| PerrySimm | The sizeable fountain in the middle of the terrace, lit by colourful LEDs, glimmers gently in the night. Its beauty is only compromised by Mason and Ethan standing ankle-deep in it, throwing a basketball back and forth like it's a baseball. | ||
| PerrySimm | Olivia is sprawled out on a lawn chair. | ||
| PerrySimm | Annette sits on the ground, digging through her satchel. | ||
| PerrySimm | You can go back inside either through the kitchen to the east or the central living room to the south. The pool lies through a large open pathway to the west. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | kitchen | ||
| PerrySimm | central living room | ||
| PerrySimm | pool | Knight_Otu exclaims, "Halp!" | |
| DavidW says, "that was text dump." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yes" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "It was a few pages" | ||
| DavidW says, "Pool next." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'm still reading it." | ||
| PerrySimm | Pool Room – 12am | ||
| PerrySimm | It's much less rowdy in here now. The pool's emptied out a bit, and the people in there are mostly just floating around and talking. Amy and Aubrey — who seem to have had the foresight to bring their own swimsuits — are bapping each other with pool noodles in the shallow end. | ||
| PerrySimm | The water looks inviting and warm. Probably nice to stick a hand in. | ||
| PerrySimm | The entire north end of the room open up onto the spacious back terrace. The rest of the house is back to the east. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | water | ||
| PerrySimm | back terrace | Knight_Otu asks, "So after drowing in text we'll drown in water?" | |
| PerrySimm | rest of the house | Jacqueline says, "hee" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "drowning, even" | ||
| DavidW says, "Maybe Annette's phone is in there." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "That would suck, but yes, possibly" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Maybe it's waterproof?" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, ">water?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| DavidW says, "Or in the toaster, because someone stoned thought it was a pop tart." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to KO), "hahaha hahaha hahaha sure" | ||
| PerrySimm | (You crouch down and stick your hand in the pool — it's perfectly warm. You grin.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Belgian engineering. | ||
| PerrySimm | (When you look up, you see Summer staring at you from the other side of the room. You smile and wave. She gives you a little wave back and then walks back out to the main room.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | Knight_Otu exclaims (at You), "never know!" | |
| PerrySimm | Pool Room – 12am | ||
| PerrySimm | It's much less rowdy in here now. The pool's emptied out a bit, and the people in there are mostly just floating around and talking. Amy and Aubrey have stopped their pool noodle fight and are now just chilling in the shallow end. | ||
| PerrySimm | The entire north end of the room open up onto the spacious back terrace. The rest of the house is back to the east. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | back terrace | ||
| PerrySimm | rest of the house | Knight_Otu says, "Oops." | |
| DavidW says, "rest of house" | ||
| Lionheart says, "Maybe the ghost took it and is emoji texting other sprits in their native language" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Heh." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "yay" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "So, yeah, rest of house." | ||
| PerrySimm | Downstairs – 12am | ||
| PerrySimm | The giant banner has fallen down from the ceiling, and Cool Drama has wrapped herself up in it and proclaimed herself "Queen of Party Island". | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaz scans the crowd excitedly. | ||
| PerrySimm | Hallways lead east to the dining room and west to the pool room. The terrace lies through a set of archways at the north end of the room. The front door is to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaz | ||
| PerrySimm | dining room | ||
| PerrySimm | pool room | ||
| PerrySimm | terrace | ||
| PerrySimm | front door | Knight_Otu says, "Kaz." | |
| DavidW says, "sure" | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Nadia! Back-up plan. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Kaz, seriously... | ||
| PerrySimm | (They grab your face and point it at a crowd of people.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: What do you think of that girl over there? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ponytail? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: No, beside Ponytail. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh, Yellow Dress. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yeah! What do you think? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Not my type. | ||
| PerrySimm | Fine, I guess. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm not playing. | Jacqueline asks, "Not playing?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Lionheart says, "I like 'not my type'." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Did we ever look at Kaz's bio?" | ||
| DavidW says, "whatever" | ||
| DavidW says, "I don't think we did, no." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "We should." | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaz Kaczmarek | ||
| PerrySimm | Relationship: Best Friend | ||
| PerrySimm | Born: 31 March 1999 | ||
| PerrySimm | Toronto, Ontario | ||
| PerrySimm | Gender: X | ||
| PerrySimm | House: Montrose | ||
| PerrySimm | Interests: Weed | ||
| PerrySimm | Job: Senior Layout Editor | ||
| PerrySimm | Gosh, how do you even sum up someone like Kaz? "Loveable goofball pothead genderqueer graphic design genius" is a start, but I feel like that doesn't even cover the half of it. We never really hung out before they came out to everyone in Grade 10, but by total coincidence we both started working at the paper that same week and we've been basically inseparable ever since. I kind of love them more than anyone else in the entire world?? | Jacqueline says, "DO NOT DATE KAZ" | |
| Jacqueline says, "YOU HAVE ALREADY RUINED ONE FRIENDSHIP" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Except.. maybe." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So... >not my type?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "ZOMG" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I am so sorry." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "There is a JOURNAL menu." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Either's fine, except the second." | ||
| Roger says, "lay it on us, driver" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "We have been keeping a journal." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "We made an entry about Allen at midnight." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "And there are about half a dozen entries." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Shall I give them to you in chronological order?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay." | ||
| PerrySimm | Tuesday, 6 September 2016 | ||
| PerrySimm | Night: Wrapped up first issue after literally hours of work. Kaz "celebrated". As we were leaving, we had a strange encounter in the halls. Not going to commit all details to writing in case someone finds this and thinks I've lost my senses, but it involved purple smoke coming out of the North Wing and a weird raccoon. Kaz has convinced me we need to investigate. | ||
| PerrySimm | After School: First Editorial meeting was as empty as expected. Fortunately I've got Kaz, and the two of us can at least scrape something together for this week. Anja says Summer's back at MCC this year. Wonder if she'll talk to me finally. | ||
| PerrySimm | Morning: First day of Grade 12. Started new notebook (obviously). No big surprises so far. Looking forward to first newspaper as editor. Less looking forward to the fact that no one will be there. | Jacqueline says, "I will post, read, post, read... so it doesn't go as quickly." | |
| PerrySimm | --- | Jacqueline says, "This would have aided Lh out earlier." | |
| DavidW says, "I'm starting to get wobbly." | ||
| PerrySimm | Wednesday, 7 September 2016 | ||
| PerrySimm | Afternoon: Literally grabbed Anja in class and forced her into the seat next to me so I didn't have to sit with Jayden. God knows what I was thinking. Now I'm stuck to her all year and she is clearly NOT happy about it. So much for getting on her good side. Then after class I FINALLY managed to talk to Summer, but she basically just blew me off. | ||
| PerrySimm | Lunch: Went around and interviewed a bunch of people. No one seems to know anything about ghosts. Told Allen about Summer and honestly he was kind of a jerk about it. Then, Jayden ambushed me on the way to class and tried to claim seat next to me in French class. A worrying development. | ||
| PerrySimm | Morning: Summer is in my history class!! I tried to get her attention while Sherbourne was rambling but she just looked away. In other words, she's still avoiding me. Sigh. Maybe I'll see her at lunch. | ||
| PerrySimm | Before School: Had a nice ride in with Allen. Found out I'm next to Annette's locker this year. (She was in the North Wing before they closed it for construction.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | Lionheart says, "Yay, recaps" | |
| PerrySimm | Thursday, 8 September 2016 | ||
| PerrySimm | After School: Okay, Allen was officially being a total jerk about Anja situation, so I ditched him and walked home alone. On the way I ran into Summer. Which is to say I saw her at the bottom of a muddy ditch. I pulled her out. Things were still awkward but she was grateful. Operation Make My Ex Best Friend Hate Me A Little Bit Less is moving forward... | ||
| PerrySimm | Morning: I have no idea what compelled her to do it, but Anja completely saved my butt today. The Docteure gave us a group assignment and she stepped in so I wouldn't have to partner with Jayden. Only problem is now we have to work together, and that is going to be somewhat less than pleasant. | ||
| PerrySimm | Before School: Allen was practically gloating when I told him how my talk with Summer went. Almost feels like he's rooting for us to not get along sometimes. Got an invitation to Kipling's party on Saturday, which should be a lot of fun. Also, had an... unsettling ghost talk with Annette. According to her there are "psychic imprints of past lives" all over the school, and someone with the right spell could totally summon them into an animal form. Only thing is they'd basically need to steal human bones from a graveyard to pull it off. Yuck. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | Jacqueline says, "Hm. Some of this would have been useful even for those of us who played the first chapter." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Like, I didn't realize how fed up we already were with Allen a few days ago." | ||
| PerrySimm | Friday, 9 September 2016 | ||
| PerrySimm | After School: I came out to Kaz!! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!! They were so supportive and nice and understanding and I feel like a million times better, oh my god. I told them everything. About me, about Summer, about Allen. In fact, they've taken it upon themself to get Summer and I back on speaking terms again. Step 1: Kipling's Party tomorrow... | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | DavidW says, "I have to lie down. be back soon, I hope." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Mmkay. We could probably stop after the journal, but I suspect that we're nearly at the end of Chapter 2 and next week I won't be able to go for as long as we are going today" | ||
| PerrySimm | Saturday, 10 September 2016 | ||
| PerrySimm | Late Night: My first attempt to talk to Summer was derailed by another weird vision. This time I saw some weird blond kid. He looked around my age and he was wearing an MCC uniform. He's not anyone from my class but I swear to god he looks so familiar. Where have I seen him before? | ||
| PerrySimm | Night: Allen decided to stay home from the party, because of course. I guess it's good in a way. Gives me more opportunities to talk to Summer alone. If I can work up the courage, that is. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Sunday, 11 September 2016 | ||
| PerrySimm | Midnight: Texted Allen and it basically immediately turned into a big fight. Can we even talk anymore without getting into some weird thing about Summer or Anja? Why is he getting so freaked out about everything this year? Whatever's going on, it's getting really old really fast. I think I need to get into investigation mode here. (Oh and also I managed to spill a drink on Anja and completely piss her off again. Good going, me.) | Knight_Otu says, "I'm not sure how far we're into this chapter, but yeah, it is getting late for me." | |
| PerrySimm | --- | Jacqueline says, "Let's call it, then. Because then next week, a shorter week, we just finish this chapter." | |
| *** Session 3 *** | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Nadia! Back-up plan. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Kaz, seriously... | ||
| PerrySimm | (They grab your face and point it at a crowd of people.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: What do you think of that girl over there? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ponytail? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: No, beside Ponytail. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh, Yellow Dress. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yeah! What do you think? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Not my type. | ||
| PerrySimm | Fine, I guess. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm not playing. | Knight_Otu says, "Right, that point." | |
| Jacqueline arrives, full of fun and funk. | Jacqueline says, "So, we ended at this choice, after reading all that'd been written in the journal." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Oops, be right back." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to KO), "Let's hope the ghosts don't get you." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I am still pro >I'M NOT PLAYING" | ||
| Jacqueline listens to the crickets. | ||
| DavidW says, "I wouldn't mind Fine, I guess." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Hm. Roger, break the tie?" | ||
| Roger says, "uhh" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I would fold and go with your choice, DW, except I don't think we should be using any humans to distract ourselves while we're in this weird depressed anxious obsessed mode" | ||
| Roger says, "I'm with DW" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "OF COURSE YOU ARE." | ||
| Jacqueline exclaims, "Let the drama commence!" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Emoji Returning" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: She's fine, I guess. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Like fiiine or fine? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Fine. Who is she? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I don't know. Some girl! You should ask her out. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Aren't we getting ahead of ourselves? | ||
| PerrySimm | Pass. | Jacqueline asks, "Aren't we getting ahead of ourselves?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Jacqueline says, ">CALM DOWN, KAZ" | ||
| DavidW says, "yeah. We're still dating Allen, after all." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, ">She's not Summer." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Aren't we kind of skipping a step here? | ||
| PerrySimm | (They look back and forth between you and Yellow Dress a few times, then shrug.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (angry whisper) We don't know if she's into girls! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Oh pssshht, don't worry about that. I'm sure she is. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Based on what, exactly? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Statistics! Duh. Most people are queer. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What? No they're not. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: ...Aren't they? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No! Most people are straight! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Mmm, that doesn't sound right to me. Pretty sure most people I know are queer. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Like who? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (counting on their fingers) Well there's you, there's me, there's... uh... | ||
| PerrySimm | (You sigh exasperatedly.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I'm just saying, you'll never know if you don't go for it. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | "Go for it"? | ||
| PerrySimm | Then I guess I'll never know. | ||
| PerrySimm | Even if I wanted to... | Knight_Otu says, "Kaz, you are way overeager." | |
| Jacqueline says, ">Even if I wanted to..." | ||
| Roger says, "I can believe this is set in an alternate universe where ghosts speak in emoji and most people are queer" | ||
| Jacqueline says (to Roger), "Fair" | ||
| Roger says, "GO FOR IT" | ||
| DavidW says, "Even if I wanted to" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yea, even if I wanted" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Sorry, Rog." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Even if I wanted to... Even if. I don't know the first thing about hitting on girls. Or anyone else for that matter. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I bet you know more than you think. How'd you land Allen? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: We were friends for six years and then he kissed me. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Hmm. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Just forget it. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Come on, you need to take advantage of your status as a one-woman gay-straight alliance! It could be fun! | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I have a boyfriend. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm not just going to assume. | ||
| PerrySimm | You do it if it's so fun. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm new at this. | ||
| PerrySimm | Can we just stop this conversation? | Roger says, "even I'm up for stopping" | |
| Jacqueline says, ">I have a bf" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I have a boyfriend. For now." | ||
| DavidW says, "You do it if it's so fun" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Oh, okay, yeah." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I mean, I'm up for stopping" | ||
| Roger says, "diverse club today" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "But I would also tell Kaz to go for it." | ||
| DavidW asks, "yeah, who is Kaz dating?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "No one, I don't think" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I'm not sure they are dating anyone." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "At least not as far as we know." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Except here's my worry:" | ||
| Roger asks, "Kaz isn't the asexual one?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "That we will say, 'if it's so fun, you do it,' and they go over and say 'hey my friend thinks you're cute'" | ||
| DavidW says, "I don't remember if Kaz is ace or not." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Kaz is nonbinary." | ||
| Roger exclaims, "null is nonbinary!" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "I think Annette is asexual?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "No, that's Annette that's ace" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Right" | ||
| Roger says, "alright fine" | ||
| DavidW says, "We can have two aces." | ||
| Roger says, "and by fine I mean fiiiiine" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Point well-made, DW" | ||
| DavidW says, "But lets look for two queens." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure, but if they do identify as something." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, I've lost track. Can we start over on votes for this choice?" | ||
| Roger says, "my vote is stop" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I like stop too" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I think I change my vote to stop." | ||
| DavidW says, "My vote is you do it if it's so fun" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Look can we just stop this conversation please? Either someone's going to hear us or I'm just going to die. Or both. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Okay, okay. I get it. I'll stop. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Thank you. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: But just so you know I support you and I love you and all I want is for you to reach your true potential and soar through the air like the beautiful Nadia bird that you are. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (smiling) I can't tell if you're too high right now or not high enough. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: No such thing as high enough, buddy. Which reminds me... | ||
| PerrySimm | (They pull a little tupperware container out of their bag.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What is this? What are you doing? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Whipped up some special baklava for the festivities. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | You know how to make baklava? | ||
| PerrySimm | You can put pot in baklava? | Jacqueline asks, ">You know how to make baklava?" | |
| DavidW says, "sure" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I thought baklava was tricky. All the layers and stuff." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Wait, you made baklava? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Sure. What, you've never made baklava? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No! Of course I haven't! Racist! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (mouth full) It's easy. (They swallow.) Kind of easy, anyway. I'll make you some next time you're over. | Knight_Otu secretly looks up Baklava | |
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | No drugs. | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't even like baklava. | Jacqueline says, ">No drugs" | |
| DavidW says, "Everyone likes baklava. Choose 'no drugs'." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah, just alcohol." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Alcohol is a drug... oh, I see what you did there." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "And normal smokes." | ||
| DavidW says, "(Unless one dislikes sweets, which can happen.)" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I actually don't like baklava IRL, to be honest." | ||
| DavidW says, "huh" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So, um, I'm choosing >No drugs based on two votes." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: We talked about this. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I mean a regular batch. Relax. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hmmph. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: ...Unless you really want to try some of the other stuff in a safe and supportive environment with your best friend in the whole world?? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You're incorrigible. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Thank you. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | (As you walk away from Kaz, Kipling comes up to you and hands you a glowy bracelet.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Hey Nazarina! Just FYI, but the dance party is on upstairs and it is bumpin'. You should get up there and get your bod a-shakin'! You see me? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Thanks Kip! I'll check it out. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He goes off to spread the word elsewhere.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Downstairs – 12am | ||
| PerrySimm | The Queen of Party Island perches regally atop her leather throne, issuing edicts and waving around an imaginary sceptre. | ||
| PerrySimm | Hallways lead east to the dining room and west to the pool room. The terrace lies through a set of archways at the north end of the room. The front door is to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | dining room | ||
| PerrySimm | pool room | ||
| PerrySimm | terrace | ||
| PerrySimm | front door | Knight_Otu asks, "Queen of Party Island?" | |
| DavidW says, "okay, we found one queen." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "hahaha" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Part of me wants to go to the party to (likely) advance the plot, but sometimes it's useful to see what all is happening elsewhere." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Does her Majesty have a portrait?" | ||
| Jacqueline says (to KO), "Sadly, no" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "And yeah, if we have the freedom, explore." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to Jacw), "Aw." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Nor, oddly enough, does she even have a choice." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, pool?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| DavidW says, "okay" | ||
| Roger says, "keep reading that as Pantry Island" | ||
| PerrySimm | Pool Room – 12am | ||
| PerrySimm | It's much less rowdy in here now. The pool's emptied out a bit, and the people in there are mostly just floating around and talking. Amy and Aubrey — still in the shallow end — have somehow secured a whole plate of canapés and are munching away happily. | ||
| PerrySimm | The entire north end of the room open up onto the spacious back terrace. The rest of the house is back to the east. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | back terrace | ||
| PerrySimm | rest of the house | Jacqueline says, "I am slightly worried that upstairs it'll be Panty Island" | |
| Jacqueline asks, ">back terrace?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I suppose the terrace." | ||
| PerrySimm | Back Terrace – 12am | ||
| PerrySimm | The sizeable fountain in the middle of the terrace, lit by colourful LEDs, glimmers gently in the night. Its beauty is only compromised by Mason and Ethan standing ankle-deep in it, throwing a basketball back and forth like it's a baseball. | ||
| PerrySimm | Olivia is sprawled out on a lawn chair. | ||
| PerrySimm | Annette sits on the ground, digging through her satchel. | ||
| PerrySimm | You can go back inside either through the kitchen to the east or the central living room to the south. The pool lies through a large open pathway to the west. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | kitchen | ||
| PerrySimm | central living room | ||
| PerrySimm | pool | Knight_Otu says, "I wanted to avoid saying Panty Island." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Well, until just now, you did avoid saying it." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "But then you failed and said it." | ||
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "You said it first!" | ||
| Roger says, "everyone's got a big pile of laundry underwear upstairs" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "If I jumped in the pool with my clothes on, would you do it too, KO?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Odd that Olivia and Annette aren't options there." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "There's no pool here. :p" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "But that means they are not upstairs, so there's that." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I think they're still here from the last time we were here." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I was worried Olivia would be at the (I'm going to upgrade it) Panty Party." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, ">Kitchen?" | ||
| DavidW says, "sure" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I mean, last time we were upstairs, several of the bedrooms were said to be occupied." | ||
| PerrySimm | Kitchen – 12am | ||
| PerrySimm | A Grade 11 kid is sitting cross-legged on top one of the kitchen islands pouring cereal and milk into his mouth simultaneously while his buddies film him on their phones. | ||
| PerrySimm | Anja stands over the sink, cursing under her breath as she tries to get the stain out of her shirt. | ||
| PerrySimm | A pair of enormous french doors to the west open up onto the back terrace. The dining room is to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Anja | ||
| PerrySimm | back terrace | ||
| PerrySimm | dining room | Knight_Otu says, "Right, we spilled something on Anja by accident." | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "So, Anja?" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, ">Anja then?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah" | ||
| PerrySimm | (You walk over to the sink.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Is it coming out? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: More or less. (She dabs at her shirt with a dish towel.) Now I just have to walk around with a wet shirt for the rest of the night. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I just want to say again, for the record, I totally didn't mean to and I'm very sorry. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She sighs in frustration and tosses the dish towel onto the counter.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: What the hell is going on, Nadia? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm apologizing. | ||
| PerrySimm | What do you mean? | Jacqueline says, ">Clueless to your implication, I am apologizing." | |
| DavidW says, "yes" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I'm apologizing. Just to get you in a better mood when I chase Summer, but still." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm apologizing. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Yes, no. I get it. You spilled your drink. It was an accident. You are more sorry than you have been in your entire life. Words cannot fucking express. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | DavidW says, "We can hardly tell her that the author has it in for her." | |
| PerrySimm | Seriously? | ||
| PerrySimm | I can't even say sorry? | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm just trying to be nice. | Jacqueline says, ">Just trying to be nice so that you will be less inclined to kill me" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I don't expect any option to improve Anja's mood, though." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Well, no. That's true." | ||
| DavidW says, "I'd pick 'Seriously?'" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "She has permanent (and I hate this term, but it's apt here) BRF." | ||
| Jacqueline says, ">Seriously seems to pick a fight." | ||
| DavidW asks, "Back Room Furniture?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Sorry, RBF" | ||
| DavidW asks, "Rich Brocade Furniture?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "hahaha. Yes. Yes, that is it." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I hate saying it: Resting Bitch Face" | ||
| DavidW says, "oh." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "But her icon is the poster-child example of same." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "From now on, though, I'm going to swap that out for Rich Brocade Furniture" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "'Dang, that woman has some serious Rich Brocade Furniture going on, IYKWIM'" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Anyway, we had two votes for just trying to be nice." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm just trying to be nice. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Fine. But why are you trying to be nice to me? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | You're my best friend's sister. | ||
| PerrySimm | We have to work together. | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't want you to hate me. | ||
| PerrySimm | Good question. | Jacqueline says, "I like any of these, honestly." | |
| DavidW says, "'I don't want you to hate me.'" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I'm partial to the middle two." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay. >I don't want you to hate me" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I just... don't want you to hate me. Is that too much to ask? | ||
| PerrySimm | (Anja puts down the dish towel and stares right at you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Yes. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You stare back for a few seconds, then throw up your hands and walk off.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | Jacqueline says, "harsh" | |
| PerrySimm | Kitchen – 12am | ||
| PerrySimm | A Grade 11 kid is sitting cross-legged on top one of the kitchen islands pouring cereal and milk into his mouth simultaneously while his buddies film him on their phones. | ||
| PerrySimm | Anja glares at you. | ||
| PerrySimm | A pair of enormous french doors to the west open up onto the back terrace. The dining room is to the south. | Knight_Otu says, "Ouch." | |
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | back terrace | ||
| PerrySimm | dining room | Jacqueline says, ">Leave Anja the hell alone" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "We still have that French assignment together." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I know. Yikes." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "But that's not until at least tomorrow or Monday" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Dining room?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| DavidW says, "And I guess we can go after Summer now, since it no longer matters what Anja thinks about it." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "hahahahahahahahahahah no" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "It was not Anja that was holding us back." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "It was us holding us back." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "It was the fact that Summer is not into us and is uncomfortable around us and we shouldn't obsess over her." | ||
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "But but true first love!" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I am glad that you all are not helping me make decisions about my real love life." | ||
| DavidW asks, "So the current plan is to avoid both Anja and Summer, eh?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Well, as much as it can be a plan." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Oh! I was confusing Summer and Olivia a second ago." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Dang. That means Summer likely *is* at the Panty Party." | ||
| DavidW asks, "What if Allen is there too?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I no longer want to go upstairs to advance the plot." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I am more scared of upstairs than I am of racoon ghosts." | ||
| DavidW asks, "What if Allen is kissing Summer?" | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "Honestly, I don't think we're all that into Allen." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I think we need to come to terms with that." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Childhood. Is. Over. Things. Have. Changed." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "But Allen's... er,um... nice?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Huh. I apologize. Maybe we SHOULD have gone for Yellow Dress, if only to forget about everyone." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "My bad." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Anyway, >dining room." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Eh, I don't think we'd be very good for her right now." | ||
| PerrySimm | Dining Room – 12am | ||
| PerrySimm | It seems all the chairs have been pulled out from the table and piled in a pyramid on the other side of the room. You're not really sure why, but it's kind of a nice looking addition in its own way. Impractical, but nice. | ||
| PerrySimm | The kitchen lies to the north, and the rest of the first floor is back to the west. A grand staircase leads up to the second floor. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | kitchen | ||
| PerrySimm | rest of first floor | ||
| PerrySimm | second floor | Knight_Otu asks, "I fear we were everywhere on the first dloor?" | |
| DavidW asks, "Do we know where Kip is?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I am looking at the grand staircase leading up to the second floor, and it's stretched out / wavering in my vision, as if in a horror film." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "*floor, even." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I think Kip is upstairs, since he is nowhere we've been on the first floor." | ||
| DavidW says, "If you wanted wavering vision, you ought to have had the potted baklava." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "heh" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Kip is in that space where unneeded NPCs vanish to between story events." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Hee. Yes" | ||
| DavidW says, "Where all the best cookies are." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So... upstairs we go?" | ||
| DavidW says, "The Green Room." | ||
| DavidW says, "yes, go up." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "Heh. That is a good name for that room. I always code it as The Void" | ||
| PerrySimm | Upstairs – 12am | ||
| PerrySimm | A dance party is currently raging on the top floor of the mansion. The lights are down low and Top 40 hits are blasting from the surround speakers. | ||
| PerrySimm | A staircase leads back down to the main floor. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | dance party | ||
| PerrySimm | main floor | Jacqueline says, ">Dance Party" | |
| DavidW says, "dance" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Well, we probably have to." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You lean up against the side of the wall and bump your head awkwardly to the music. You look around and see a few people from your class, but mostly it's unfamiliar faces. You look up at the ceiling.) | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Hey! | ||
| PerrySimm | (You turn to your left. Jayden somehow got right up next to you without you noticing.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh! Hey!! | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: (inaudible) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What?? | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: (leaning in close) This is bullshit! | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | What do you mean? | ||
| PerrySimm | Oh. | ||
| PerrySimm | It's a bit much. | DavidW says, "'What do you mean?'" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Sure" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "I forget, does Kip have neighbors?" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What's bullshit? | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: This! This whole party! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh!! | ||
| PerrySimm | (You look around) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I don't know... It's not that bad! | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Huh??? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I said it's not—!! Sorry, it's hard to have a conversation in here!! | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Do you want to go outside?? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | OUR ONLY CHOICE: If you want. (Thanks, Brendan.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Um!! Yeah, if you want!! | ||
| PerrySimm | (You walk downstairs and out the front door. The house looks pretty empty at this point. Most people are either upstairs or have already left. The two of you lean against the low wall by the driveway.) | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: ...You cold? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hmm? | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: You're rubbing your shoulders. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You look down.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh. ...Uh, no. Not really. I mean it's not too bad out. | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Right. No. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You clasp your hands.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...So. Not a fan of dancing? | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: I just don't see the appeal. It just feels kind of dumb. You know what I mean? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Some people like it. | ||
| PerrySimm | You sound like Allen right now. | ||
| PerrySimm | Never been great at it myself. | DavidW says, "'Some people like it.'" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey, some people think it's a lot of fun. You get to jump up and down to some really obnoxious music and then look all stupid. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He laughs and shakes his head.) | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Not really my scene. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No, I guess not. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | So why are you here? | ||
| PerrySimm | I should probably go back in. | DavidW says, "It helps burn off the alcohol calories." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I think we know why he's here." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Because we are." | ||
| DavidW says, "Jayden wants to kiss us." | ||
| Jacqueline says, ">Why are you here? Or do we want to avoid this conversation where he answers, 'Because of you, Nadia. It's always been you.'" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Back in less than 30 seconds" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Either might send a "I'm not interested" signal. Or he might ignore those signals." | ||
| DavidW says, "I'd risk a 'So why are you here?'" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I mean, we sure ignored Summer's signals." | ||
| Knight_Otu says (to DW), "Yeah, I guess." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay. So, why are you here..." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: So like... what are you doing here tonight anyway? | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: What do you mean? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Well like. Kaz was the one who dragged me here. But what's here for you? Clearly it's not the dancing. | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Well... I mean. You're here. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Thanks, my platonic friend. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm not worth going to a party for. | ||
| PerrySimm | That's sweet. | ||
| PerrySimm | ...I think I'm going to head back in. | Jacqueline says, "hahaha" | |
| Jacqueline says, "THANK YOU MY PLATONIC FRIEND" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "harsh" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I am not that person, but god that's tempting" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Well, we knew the answer, but now we also know the "rebuttals"." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "You know, Jayden is not uncute." | ||
| PerrySimm | Jayden Finch: | ||
| PerrySimm | Relationship: Erhhh... | ||
| PerrySimm | Born: 8 July 1999 | ||
| PerrySimm | Toronto, Ontario | ||
| PerrySimm | Gender: M | ||
| PerrySimm | House: Crawford | ||
| PerrySimm | Determination: High | ||
| PerrySimm | Chill: None | ||
| PerrySimm | Look, Jayden's not that bad of a guy. He just really, really has a hard time getting certain messages. Like the "I have absolutely zero interest in dating you" message, for example. I think if he cooled his jets he'd be a lot easier to hang around. Unfortunately his jets seem to be getting less and less cool with every passing day. | Jacqueline says, "Anyway, gonna let someone else pick. Back in 30 seconds again (getting a drink)" | |
| DavidW says, "Maybe we *should* do the platonic friend option." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I honestly think either the first or the last." | ||
| DavidW says, "He probably won't know what 'platonic' means, though." | ||
| Roger says, "I like Plato" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Let's do platonic." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "We need to have this conversation, not avoid it, though I don't think this is the nicest way to start it." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ha! Thanks, friend. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You punch him in the shoulder. He smiles at you silently.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Anyway... It's probably time to head back in, huh? I'm sure lots of people are wondering where we got to. | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Aw, come on. Stay out for a bit. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He puts his hand on your thigh and squeezes it lightly.) | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: It's such a nice night... | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I think you've got the wrong idea. | ||
| PerrySimm | nope nope nopenopenope | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | Knight_Otu exclaims, "You left out the platonic, Nadia!" | |
| Jacqueline says, "YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SQUEEZE MY THIGH" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I vote for all the nopes" | ||
| DavidW says, "sure" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Nope it out." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You jump up to your feet.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh... no. | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: I— | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Look, Jayden. I'm not really interested in you in that way. Or in any way. (You bite your bottom lip.) Do you understand? | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: ...Right. No. Of course you're not... | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm going to go inside now. | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: (sighing) I'm sorry. That was stupid. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah. (You scratch your wrist.) I think maybe you should go home for the night. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He nods, not making eye contact.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Or just, maybe... avoid... me. | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Sure. Um, see you on Monday? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You walk away without replying.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | (You bump into Anja as you walk back towards the house.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Well. Look at you getting all cozy. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Shut up. | ||
| PerrySimm | Fuck off. | ||
| PerrySimm | Go away. | DavidW says, "'Fuck off'" | |
| Jacqueline says, "I'm down." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Fuck off. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I thought he wasn't your type. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: He's not. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Whatever you say. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I blew him off. | ||
| PerrySimm | None of your business. | ||
| PerrySimm | Just don't tell Allen. | Jacqueline says, ">I blew him off" | |
| DavidW says, "That can be twisted." | ||
| Roger says, "I blew him. OFF" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Anja might want to misunderstand the first." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Thank you, Roger. It's good to know you're still playing." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Well, the other two imply that we're guilty in some way." | ||
| Roger says, "wait" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Which we are not." | ||
| Roger says, "if we tell her not to tell Allen" | ||
| Roger says, "then she will" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "True." | ||
| Roger says, "then Allen breaks up with us" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "True" | ||
| Roger says, "all problems solved" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah, the first is the honest one." | ||
| DavidW says, "Who cares if she tells Allen or not." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "And then there are rumors that we are into Jayden." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I am not okay with that." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I like the first one as being honest and non-evasive" | ||
| Roger says, "FINE just blow him then" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: For your information I'm not interested, and I told him to go away and stop talking to me. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Hah. Of course you did. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | What does that mean? | ||
| PerrySimm | What is your problem with me? | ||
| PerrySimm | Just don't tell Allen. | Jacqueline asks, "What is your problem, Anja??" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "What is your problem?" | ||
| DavidW asks, "Where is the 'punch that cow in the face' option?" | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "heh" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: God, what is your problem with me? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Don't play dumb, Nazari. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm not. | ||
| PerrySimm | Whatever. | Jacqueline says, "I'm not." | |
| DavidW says, "yeah" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I'm not." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm not playing dumb. I seriously don't get it. What did I ever do to you? | ||
| PerrySimm | (She sighs.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: You know, there are times when I find your obliviousness a little endearing. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She walks past you, brushing her hand across your shoulder.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: But right now I'm just bored. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ... | ||
| PerrySimm | (She goes back inside.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Front Yard – 1am | ||
| PerrySimm | From out here the party still sounds like it's going strong, but you can see more and more people filtering out of the house and getting into cabs and ubers. Jayden seems to have left now, thankfully. | ||
| PerrySimm | The mansion lies to the north. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | (Only option is going inside) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | The living room has more or less emptied out now. A small group of Grade 10s huddle around the fireplace, laughing hysterically. | ||
| PerrySimm | Olivia Kwon is fast asleep on a giant beanbag chair. | ||
| PerrySimm | There are a bunch of empty seats here now. You consider sitting down for a bit and texting Allen. | ||
| PerrySimm | Hallways lead east to the dining room and west to the pool room. The terrace lies through a set of archways at the north end of the room. The front door is to the south. | Knight_Otu says, "The old "You know what you did."" | |
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | texting Allen | ||
| PerrySimm | dining room | ||
| PerrySimm | pool room | DavidW says, "See, I'd leave the party at this point." | |
| PerrySimm | terrace | ||
| PerrySimm | front door | Jacqueline says (to DW), "Yeah, me too" | |
| Roger says, "text Allen 'covfefe' then turn off phone" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Unfortunately, leaving doesn't seem to be an option." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Also, Anja brushed her hand on our shoulder. Maybe SHE is into us." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "(Kidding)" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "(Probably)" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I... wouldn't cross that option out just yet." | ||
| DavidW asks, "Do we like hate sex?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I don't want to text Allen, but I suspect we may have to." | ||
| DavidW says, "It's 1 am." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Well, it looks like we can explore first." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "I don't think we've progressed beyond 'kissing people who are our friend'" | ||
| DavidW says, "Allen might be asleep." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Oh, so it is 1am" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Maybe we just explore" | ||
| DavidW says, "sure" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Also, if we text-walk again, who knows whose shirt we'll ruin this time." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to Roger), "DM me your cell number. I can use it to alert you when we're playing Jackbox, and because now I want to randomly text you COVFEFE at 1am." | ||
| DavidW says, "I hope we find a ghost this time." | ||
| PerrySimm | Dining Room – 1am | ||
| PerrySimm | The lights have been turned way down low in here, perhaps to accomodate Mason, who is passed out on top of the table. Kipling delicately picks up bottles and cleans up some of the mess around him. | ||
| PerrySimm | The kitchen lies to the north, and the rest of the first floor is back to the west. A grand staircase leads up to the second floor. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Kipling | ||
| PerrySimm | kitchen | ||
| PerrySimm | rest of the first floor | ||
| PerrySimm | second floor | DavidW says, "Kip" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Seems like a successful evening, Kip. | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: It was you fine peeps that did it. I merely provided the locale. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Not many people would provide the locale. | ||
| PerrySimm | You're being modest. | DavidW says, "modest" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Modest" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You're being modest, man. You're like the best host in history. | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: I am most extremely flattered by the kindnesses, Miss N. But that's an honour for someone else. I'm just a man with a dwelling suitable for a bit of shenanigans. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You gesture around the room.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Come on, Kip. You did a little more than just having a house. | ||
| PerrySimm | KIP: (grinning) Very well. Compliment accepted. | Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | |
| PerrySimm | (He stacks a bunch of cups up together.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ---\ | ||
| PerrySimm | Do you need to clean up right now? | ||
| PerrySimm | You ever get lonely here by yourself? | Jacqueline says, "I'm good with either." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "He probably gets lonely." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Or he gets company." | ||
| DavidW says, "These are weird options." | ||
| DavidW says, "Where's 'Do you need help cleaning up?'" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "It's right there." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Want to click that?" | ||
| DavidW says, "That's not the option." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "That doesn't look like offering help." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "OH" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I read it wrong." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah, dang." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Of the two, let's ask if he gets lonely." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "More like, stop cleaning,talk to me." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "And sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...You ever get lonely up in this big mansion by yourself? | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Well now. It gets a little quiet for my tastes, sure. But that's the whole point of a party. Fill the old castle with friendly voices. Surround oneself with love and affection and whatnot. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (sighing) Yeah... | ||
| PerrySimm | (He pauses.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: I sense distress in your voice, my sister. Did you have a subpar evening? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | ground. | ||
| PerrySimm | I can't get Summer to talk to me. | ||
| PerrySimm | I can't get Anja to like me. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm fighting with Allen like every day. | ||
| PerrySimm | I just had a run in with Jayden. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm having ghost raccoon hallucinaions. | ||
| PerrySimm | ...It's fine. Don't worry. | ||
| PerrySimm | First option was cut off: I'm running my newspaper into the ground. | DavidW says, "> all of the above" | |
| Knight_Otu says, ">All of the above." | ||
| DavidW says, "jinx!" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "hee" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Wow, now that I see these options, our life really does suck." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Jayden?" | ||
| DavidW says, "Start with Anja, I think." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I'm not sure we get more than one option." | ||
| DavidW says, "I hope we do." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Even though we just received unwanted touching from Jayden?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah, I hope we do as well, but we may not." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess Anja or Jayden." | ||
| DavidW says, "well, pick Jayden if you want. I think Anja is the more important issue." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I think you (or Roger) need to break a tie here." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "(That was to KO)" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "And so far, unless we were exploring, we mostly only had one chance to ask things." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess we go with Anja." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Anja hates me. She really profoundly dislikes me, and every time I think I'm making progress with her it just blows up again. I just want her to like me. And I know it's stupid but it just bugs me so much and I don't know why. | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Aha. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ugh! (You pound your fists into your lap.) I feel so dumb! | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Hey, hey, amigo. You're not dumb. You just don't enjoy being disliked. That's normal. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Gah, I just don't know what's going on with me right now. I don't normally get this... invested, you know? | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Hmm. If I might be so bold as to make a minor observation? It seems like you're really upset at yourself for reacting emotionally to this circumstance. But that's no crime of the century. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hmm. | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: If you're upset, be upset. But don't be upset about being upset. Feelings are there to be felt, you dig? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah... yeah. (You nod and give a little half smile.) You're right. Thanks Kip. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He bows.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Your sounding board as always, Naz. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Dining Room – 1am | ||
| PerrySimm | The lights have been turned way down low in here, perhaps to accomodate Mason, who is passed out on top of the table. | ||
| PerrySimm | Kipling walks around doing some light cleaning work. | ||
| PerrySimm | The kitchen lies to the north, and the rest of the first floor is back to the west. A grand staircase leads up to the second floor. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | kitchen | ||
| PerrySimm | rest of the first floor | ||
| PerrySimm | second floor | DavidW says, "DAMN. We did only get the one topic." | |
| Roger says, "sorry my focus is in and out of here" | ||
| DavidW says, "That's crazy." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to Roger), "It's cool. I know you only pipe up when you can make a dirty joke." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "We love you anyway." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "We told ya." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Now, I *could* see if the back button works." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "But that seems wrong." | ||
| DavidW says, "I know. I didn't want to believe it." | ||
| Jacqueline pats DW on the shoulder. | ||
| DavidW says, "Like, we have so much on our plate and we can't deal with it." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Kitchen?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sometimes we really should get the option to talk more." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | Kitchen – 1am | ||
| PerrySimm | The kitchen is a bit of a disaster zone right now. The floor is practically carpeted with empty cups and bottles, and the cupboards have been ransacked of anything that could serve as snack food. Also somebody spiled dried pasta everywhere for some reason. | ||
| PerrySimm | Blake licks the salt out of an empty bowl of chips. | ||
| PerrySimm | A pair of enormous french doors to the west open up onto the back terrace. The dining room is to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Blake | ||
| PerrySimm | back terrace | ||
| PerrySimm | dining room | DavidW asks, "Who's Blake?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah, let's choose Blake." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "But I feel most iof the time, it feels more natural than getting every option." | ||
| DavidW asks, "Is Blake a puppy?" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ugh. Gross, man. | ||
| PerrySimm | BLAKE: What?? No one else was gonna! | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Kitchen – 1am | ||
| PerrySimm | The kitchen is a bit of a disaster zone right now. The floor is practically carpeted with empty cups and bottles, and the cupboards have been ransacked of anything that could serve as snack food. Also somebody spiled dried pasta everywhere for some reason. | ||
| PerrySimm | Blake licks the salt out of an empty bowl of chips. | ||
| PerrySimm | A pair of enormous french doors to the west open up onto the back terrace. The dining room is to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | back terrace | Knight_Otu asks, "I don't think I remember Blake?" | |
| PerrySimm | dining room | Jacqueline says, "He does not even merit a portrait." | |
| Jacqueline shrugs. | ||
| DavidW says, "yeah, I don't know who Blake is." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "The game has a ton of characters." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah. It's almost like a high school or something." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Haw." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, out back?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | Back Terrace – 1am | ||
| PerrySimm | The big patio lights have been switched off and the whole terrace is now lit only by tiki torches and paper lanterns. Most of the furniture has been claimed by couples making out with each other. | ||
| PerrySimm | Further out in the backyard, Kaz is lying on the grass and staring up at the night sky. | ||
| PerrySimm | You can go back inside either through the kitchen to the east or the central living room to the south. The pool lies through a large open pathway to the west. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaz | ||
| PerrySimm | kitchen | ||
| PerrySimm | central living room | ||
| PerrySimm | pool | Jacqueline says, "(Kaz, of course.)" | |
| Jacqueline says, "(Right??)" | ||
| DavidW says, "yes" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You sit down on the grass next to Kaz.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ugh. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Hey dude. How's your night of gay drama going? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh my god, could you be any louder? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I know that was a rhetorical question but I could actually be like ten times louder. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | DavidW says, "Maybe NOW you'll try the baklava." | |
| PerrySimm | Someone's going to hear. | ||
| PerrySimm | Still haven't talked to Summer. | ||
| PerrySimm | Heterosexual drama got in the way. | Jacqueline says, "Option 3" | |
| DavidW says, "agreed" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Some heterosexual drama got in the way. Jayden finally made his move. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Oh christ. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: He did his like gross thing again where he just touches people? I've told you about the thing. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (nodding) You've told me about the thing. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah. Only this time it was my leg. And then he was telling me how great and wonderful I was and oh why don't I stay out a bit longer and blegh. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Ugh, I'm sorry. (They tap you with their foot.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: God it was so awkward. The whole time I was mentally willing him to stop. But he just... kept on going. I had to literally like stand up and tell him to leave. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You flop backwards onto the ground.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Anyway. He took the rejection okay, I guess. But man... | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: ...Not your night, huh babe? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You shake your head.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Are he and I the same? | ||
| PerrySimm | Maybe this isn't going to work. | ||
| PerrySimm | Why is everything so complicated? | DavidW says, "1st one" | |
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "Finally!" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "heh. Okay." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah, first." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Kaz. Am I him? Am I Summer's Jayden? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: What? No. Come on. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Seriously. Am I just the clueless person who can't take a hint? She already rejected me once. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: You are not even close to the same as Jayden. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay, but do you actually mean that, or are you saying that because it's me? Think about it. She's been back at school a week and we've had zero contact. That's not an accident. She's avoiding me. Why am I chasing her? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Look, I might be a little too high right now to explain exactly WHY you're not Jayden, but you're not Jayden. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Maybe I should give up on Summer. | ||
| PerrySimm | Why is everything so complicated? | Roger says, "A newspaper editor's main job is explaining to writers the difference between him and I" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Option 1" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yes." | ||
| DavidW says, "agree" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Maybe I should just give up on trying to reconnect with Summer. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: No way. I want to see you check mark that to-do list item, not cross it off. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...You're actually supposed to cross it off either way. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (sitting up) Uh... dude? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I guess actually there's a bunch of different methods but I'd only ever use— | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Nadia. Summer just walked out onto the terrace. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: She's just by herself. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You sit upright.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Has she seen me? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I don't think so. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Should I talk to her? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yes! Obviously! | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | What if she runs away again? | ||
| PerrySimm | What do I even say? | ||
| PerrySimm | ...Okay. Here goes. | DavidW says, "noooo" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Here goes." | ||
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "Sooo clooose!" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I am hoping we will now be reasonable, after experiencing Summer's position for ourselves." | ||
| DavidW says, "oh. There's that." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I mean, I don't know what to say, but I'm not asking Kaz for that advice." | ||
| DavidW says, "ok, try to talk to her." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Okay..." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Shoot. Okay. Here goes. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | (You run over and tap Summer's shoulder. She turns around.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Summer! Hey! | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Oh. Um. Hi, Nadia... | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I've been trying to find you all night. | ||
| PerrySimm | How are you? | ||
| PerrySimm | This party, huh? | ||
| PerrySimm | I'd like us to start talking again. | Jacqueline says, "4th" | |
| DavidW says, "ok" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Ehh.. sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Look, I really want to us to be on speaking terms again. We don't have to be best friends right away but— | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: (rubbing her arms) I don't know, Nadia. What would we even talk about? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Just normal friend stuff. | ||
| PerrySimm | What do you want to talk about? | ||
| PerrySimm | We could catch up. | ||
| PerrySimm | Clear the air. | Jacqueline says, "4th" | |
| DavidW says, "agreed" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I want to talk about what happened between us. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She sighs.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's been so long, Summer. Can we please just, you know, clear the air? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I think you've made yourself perfectly clear. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You whip around. Anja's right behind you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Excuse me— | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: (to Summer) Is she bothering you? | ||
| PerrySimm | (Summer shakes her head.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay. Lay off, Anja. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: No. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She stands between you and Summer and crosses her arms.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Do you mind? | ||
| PerrySimm | We were just talking. | ||
| PerrySimm | Stop trying to turn her against me. | Jacqueline says, "Hrm." | |
| Jacqueline asks, "WHERE IS KAZ???" | ||
| Jacqueline exclaims, "YO, KAZ!" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "3?" | ||
| DavidW says, "yeah, where is Kaz" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "2 or 3." | ||
| DavidW says, "2" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "I guess 2?" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: God. Relax, okay? We were just having a conversation. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: No, you were trying to have a conversation. She doesn't want to talk to you. So leave her alone. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I want to hear her say it. | ||
| PerrySimm | Don't I get a say in this? | ||
| PerrySimm | If this is about the gay stuff... | Jacqueline says, "1" | |
| DavidW says, "1" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yes." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: If that's really what she thinks then she can say so herself. I want to hear it from her, not from you. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: God, how much trauma do you have to inflict before you're satisfied? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Summer, do you want me to stop talking to you? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: I... I'm... (She grabs Anja's arm.) Let's just go, okay? I don't want to fight. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: There you go! Feel free to fuck off now. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Do you have to be so rude? | ||
| PerrySimm | Why are you such a bitch? | ||
| PerrySimm | This isn't fair to Summer. | DavidW says, "bitch" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "sure." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Huh. I see that as playing into Anja's game. I'd say 1. Are you all set on 2?" | ||
| DavidW says, "I normally don't play choice games." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I'm really fine either way, but Anja is getting on my nerves." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to KO), "Well, sure. But, y'know, high road and all that." | ||
| DavidW says, "High road hasn't helped much." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I think Anja torched the high road." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Gosh" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay then" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: God, Anja. Why are you such a bitch to me? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Oh I'm a bitch am I? | ||
| PerrySimm | (Summer tugs on Anja's sleeve.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Anja, come on... | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: You think you're so much better than me. Why, because you're polite? Because you smile more? Well I may be mean, but at least I'm not cruel! At least I don't abandon my friends when they need me the most. (She gets up in your face.) You want to call me a bitch? Fine! I'm a bitch. But I'd rather be a bitch than a completely awful person. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I... I don't... | ||
| PerrySimm | (You look over to Summer. She avoids meeting your eyes.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Oh, what? You going to try and tell me she deserved it? It was all her fault? You going to try that to my face? What, Nadia?! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It wasn't... (You step back a bit.) It wasn't anyone's fault. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She shakes her head.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Unbelievable. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She turns and storms off. Summer lingers for a second and then runs after her.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | (You just stand there in silence. A few seconds later, Kaz walks up beside you and claps their hand on your shoulder.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Well, buddy. Looks like we get to ride the bus tonight after all. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Next Time (possibly) | ||
| PerrySimm | Nadia gets to the bottom of things. | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaz tries out some new techniques. | ||
| PerrySimm | Studying with Anja does not go super great. | ||
| PerrySimm | The graveyard guy is personally hurt by your comments. | ||
| PerrySimm | and | ||
| PerrySimm | It's more or less just a really bad week overall. | Knight_Otu exclaims, "Chapter end achieved!" | |
| Jacqueline says, "SNAP" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Okay, so next chapter next week?" | ||
| DavidW says, "I guess. I hate that Anja STILL HASN'T EXPLAINED WHAT THE ISSUE IS." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "If everyone's okay with it, sure." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "This chapter ending confused me more." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Like, what could have been Summer's fault?" | ||
| Jacqueline asks (of DW), "Can we keep playing this, please?" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Anja apparently thinks we didn't try to talk to Summer?" | ||
| Jacqueline says (to KO), "I'm super not sure." | ||
| DavidW says (to Jacqueline), "Fine. I'm more interested in the emoji ghosts than this stupid angst nonsense without ending." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Well, we have been promised more emoji ghosts." | ||
| *** Session 4 *** | ||
| PerrySimm | September 2013 | ||
| PerrySimm | (Three years ago. A month after you and Summer stopped talking. You were running down the hall with your arms full of books when your journal slid off the top of the pile. You looked down at and groaned.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Darn it! | ||
| PerrySimm | (Before you could go to get it, Anja came up from behind you and crouched down to pick it up.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Relax. I got it. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh gosh. Sorry! | ||
| PerrySimm | (You took the journal back. Anja raised an eyebrow.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: "Sorry?" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: And thank you. But also sorry. I am just completely scattered right now. I don't normally drop notebooks on the ground and make other people pick them up. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She laughed.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Well I didn't have a gun to my head. (She swept her braid over her shoulder.) I'm Anja by the way. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Nadia. Hi. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You gave her an awkward arms-full-of-books mini-wave.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Nice to meet you, Nadia. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | You're new here. | ||
| PerrySimm | You're one of the twins, right? | ||
| PerrySimm | Thanks again. | Jacqueline says, "I care not." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Who is that and what did Anja do to her? :p" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "hee" | ||
| DavidW asks, "This seems to be our first meeting with Anja?" | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "Yeah. I am slightly interested in this twin thing." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah, it is. She gets worse later." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Didn't realize/remember she's a twin." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Twins, sure." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Shall we choose that one?" | ||
| DavidW says, "Anja's twins with uh... I forget the cast each week." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Kaz." | ||
| DavidW says, "right, Kaz." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I thought she was Kaz's elder sibling." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Huh" | ||
| DavidW says, "No, twins." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I guess I thought that just because she's such a jerk." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Now I am implying that older siblings are jerks. I'll shut up now." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I'm not sure that they were called twins, but they appear to be in the same year." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Well, let's pick that one anyway." | ||
| DavidW says, "They have been called twins before this." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Must have forgotten that." | ||
| DavidW says, "Well, it was almost a month ago." | ||
| Jacqueline exclaims, "I'm going to pick it!" | ||
| DavidW says, "so ahead!" | ||
| Jacqueline exclaims, "No one is stopping me!" | ||
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "Dooo itt!" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh! You're one of the twins, aren't you? ...Oh god, is that rude? Was I rude just now? Sorry. Oh god. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She smirked.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: It's fine. Actually I'm trying to find my other half right now but I'm completely lost. Do you have any idea where the auditorium is? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh, it's just– | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: And before you say "It's just off the foyer" like the last two people did, you should know I already went to the foyer and there was definitely no auditorium there. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You mean the one just over there? (You nodded your head down the hall.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Uh, yes. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ahh, okay. Wrong foyer. You want the one in the North Wing. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: ...There are two foyers? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yep. And also a third thing that used to be a foyer that's sometimes still called the "Old Foyer." | ||
| PerrySimm | (Anja pinched the bridge of her nose.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Most people just call it the Stoop though. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: This school. Christ. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You know what, why don't I just show you myself? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | (You guided her through the North Wing.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: So. What had you so rattled anyway? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hmm? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: You said before you were "scattered." I get the sense you're normally not that. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ha. No. Definitely not. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: So what is it then? Anything you want to talk about? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's just a lot of crappy stuff. You don't want to hear it. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: You sure? I do enjoy the occasional tale of woe. Plus I'm an excellent listener. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | There's a lot of backstory. | ||
| PerrySimm | It's a personal thing. | ||
| Plover runs out of the room, with a smile on his face. | Knight_Otu says, "It's personal, I guess? Either, really." | |
| Plover arrives, ready to play with the toys. | Jacqueline says, "Sure: 'It is a personal thing, person I just met'" | |
| DavidW says, "okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Thanks but... it's kind of a personal thing. Sorry. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: You know you're apologizing an awful lot for someone who's doing me a favour. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I, uh, get that way sometimes. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Well it's quite unnecessary. But it's also charming so I'll let you off the hook. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You got to the doors of the auditorium.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay. Here we are. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Perfect. (She opened the door.) Thank you for the tour, Nadia. It's nice to know at least some people around here are tolerable. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: There's a few of us anyway. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She smiled at you and walked into the auditorium.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | (Allen was waiting for you when you got back to your locker.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Hey. Where were you? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Tour guide duty. Hold these? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You dumped the stack of books in his hand and opened up your locker.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: I uh... I talked to Summer. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You did? | ||
| PerrySimm | (He nodded.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | What'd she say? | ||
| PerrySimm | Good news or bad news? | DavidW says, "What'd she say" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: So, um. How'd it go? What'd she say? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Um. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Does she forgive me for– uh, whatever it is I did? Is she going to talk to me again? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Well– | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You told her I was really sorry, right? Did she accept the apology or– | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Uh... (He scratched the back of his neck.) Maybe I can walk you home and we can talk about it on the way. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Oh. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Yeah. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You looked down at the ground.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (quietly) ...Okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | KNOWN UNKNOWNS | ||
| PerrySimm | episode three: a busy week | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | History Class — Late Afternoon | ||
| PerrySimm | Monday, 12 September 2016 | ||
| PerrySimm | (Three years later. You sit in history class, listening to Mr. Sherbourne lecture as he paces around the room.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: ...See, the Conscription Crisis was a little like "The Dress." You all remember that classic meme, right? Only instead of being a dress it was a war, and the different "colour schemes" were different points of view on the nature of Canada's relationship with Britain. French Canadians saw it one way, and English Canadians saw something else. And just like on Twitter, the "discourse" got pret-ty heated... | ||
| PerrySimm | (You stare across at Summer. She looks down at her notes, deliberately avoiding eye contact as much as possible. After a few seconds Olivia Kwon jostles you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Bud. Do you have any fuckin' idea what this guy is on about? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | Knight_Otu says, "I have a silly theory." | |
| PerrySimm | Huh? | ||
| PerrySimm | Not really. | ||
| PerrySimm | Kind of. | DavidW says, "That's a BIZARRE analogy." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Oh god, the dress." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah. Oh god, yeah. The dress." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, ">Tell teacher he's fired for invoking the dress." | ||
| DavidW says, "'The English said 'Laurel', but the French heard 'Yanny'.' Good grief." | ||
| Roger says, "The dress was already 18 months ago? Sigh." | ||
| Jacqueline) Mr. Sherbourne says, "Hey, hey, kids. I am a hep cat." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "HAHAHA YOU WIN" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, um, >Kind of. ?" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "So, not really?" | ||
| DavidW says, "yeah, 'Kind of'" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Or that." | ||
| Plover runs out of the room, with a smile on his face. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Kind of? He's basically saying that people in Quebec didn't want to be drafted to fight in a British war. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Oh. Well shit, who would? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: English Canadians from a hundred years ago apparently. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: (shaking her head) Fuckin' amateurs. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You look over at Summer again.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah... | ||
| PerrySimm | (The bell rings.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Okay, we'll pick back up in 1917 on Wednesday! Have a good one. | ||
| PerrySimm | (People start getting up. Summer rushes out of the room as quick as possible. You grab your binder and start to walk after her.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Oh. Nadia, could you stay behind a second? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You walk up to the front of the class.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | One choice: Is something wrong? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Is something wrong, Mr. Sherbourne? | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: You looked distracted in class today. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh. Sorry. I, uh, guess I was a little. | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: I was looking at you during the lecture and I thought to myself... (He leans against the corner of his desk.) "That face when something is troubling me." Am I right? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Um. Well... | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: I just want you to know, I look out for all my students. Okay? You can talk to me! Even if it's something where you think: "Oh, those other teachers aren't 'woke' enough to get it." | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Uh, thanks? | ||
| PerrySimm | It won't happen again. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm okay. | DavidW says, "He's so painful to listen to." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Points for trying, but more points off for language, teach." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Will it happen again? Probably." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I am sharing our AAAAAHHHH with maga and he's all, "Yeah, I tested this. I've already had these moments you're experiencing."" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay. >It won't happen again." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "(Even though that is clearly a lie)" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It won't happen again, sir. I'm sorry. | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: No need to be sorry. You're not in trouble! (He laughs and stands back up.) And please, for the last time, I'm not a "sir"! It's Marc. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Right. Okay, well. I should, uh... | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Go, go. Enjoy your afternoon. I'm sure you've got snapchats to send and livestreams to watch. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Yep. You got it. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You smile, shrug, and walk backwards out of the door.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Lockers – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | (You slump down against your locker and let out a long sigh.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay. To-do sub-list for the week of September 12th. One, complete French project with Anja. Two, have an extremely unpleasant conversation with my boyfriend. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Three, continue ghost investigation. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Distant three, Kaz. One and two demand a lot of attention. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Really? French homework takes priority over ghosts? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Today, yes. Our presentation is tomorrow and we put it off until the very last minute. So now I have to spend the night working with Anja, and god knows how that's going to go. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: ...I'm gonna guess not well. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | How mad is she? | ||
| PerrySimm | What was I thinking inviting her to my house? | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm getting nowhere with her. | Knight_Otu asks, "What *was* she thinking, anyway?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: God, what was I thinking inviting her to my house? How am I supposed to work with her after she tore me to shreds at the party? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (looking past you) I think we might be about to find out. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You look over your shoulder. Anja is striding down the hall toward you, looking pissed.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh boy. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You step out towards her.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Hey, I know you're mad... | ||
| PerrySimm | So, about this French project... | ||
| PerrySimm | Listen, we need to talk... | Knight_Otu says, "Except that all attempts for neutral grounds failed." | |
| Jacqueline says, "So, about this French project..." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: So– | ||
| PerrySimm | (Without so much as looking at you, Anja whips a crumpled up piece of paper at the side of your head.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (rubbing your head) Seriously? | ||
| PerrySimm | (She walks off down the hall. You grab the paper off the ground and uncrumple it.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: "Dear Nadia, I have so little desire to speak with you that I did our entire French project myself. Learn these lines by tomorrow and do not contact me with revisions, or for any other reason. Sincerely, Anja Kaczmarek." (You sigh and shove the paper into your bag.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: On the plus side, that's item number one out of the way. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You sigh and sling your backpack over your shoulder.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah, terrific. Now I'm free to spend the night having that awful boyfriend conversation. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Jeez. Is talking to Allen really that bad? | DavidW says, "I imagine whatever we pick, Anja will push override." | |
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | We haven't talked at all since the party. | ||
| PerrySimm | It's not going to go well. I can feel it. | ||
| PerrySimm | He absolutely hates talking about Summer. | Jacqueline says, "I see this as a win." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "At least no one is in danger of getting murdered." | ||
| Roger says, "I already hate talking to her and I've only known her for three weeks" | ||
| Jacqueline asks (of Roger), "Who? Nadia or Anja?" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Or both?" | ||
| DavidW says, "I'd go with 'It's not going to go well. I can feel it.'" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ugh, it's going to turn into a big fight this time. I just know it. It's like... All that stuff Anja was saying at the party? About how I was such an awful person to Summer and all that... I don't know, there's clearly more to that situation than I thought there was. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: And if my sister won't talk to you about it and Summer won't talk to you about it... | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Exactly. The only person I can talk to is Allen. And this is like his least favourite subject of conversation. It's going to be a total mess. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Mmm. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Like, you ever have one of those conversations where you KNOW it's not going to go well but also you have to have it sooner or later and meanwhile the anticipation is just like killing you? | ||
| PerrySimm | (They blink.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: You could say that. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Right. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I don't know. If you know it's going to be a fight you might as well just get it over with. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ugh. I guess... (You close your locker.) I'm gonna go look for him now. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Good luck. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Lockers – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | Now that the North Wing's closed for repairs and all the lockers are jammed in here, the halls get completely gridlocked at the end of the day. Everyone gets squeezed jostled around as they all try to grab their stuff all at once. | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaz wanders off towards their own locker. | ||
| PerrySimm | The Great Hall lies to the east and the front of the school is off to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Great Hall | ||
| PerrySimm | front of the school | Knight_Otu asks, "Front of school?" | |
| DavidW says, "It's odd that Anja has apparently never vented to her sibling about Nadia." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay, front of school." | ||
| PerrySimm | Foyer – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | You can tell there was a fundraiser here on the weekend, because they've brought out the placard with the CGI rendering of the renovated North Wing. It looks basically the same as the old North Wing except there's a weird glass box sticking out the side of it. | ||
| PerrySimm | You pass Jayden on your way through the foyer. | ||
| PerrySimm | The main hallway leads north from here to the Great Hall, while a smaller corridor branches northwest towards your locker. The front steps are just outside. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Jayden | Knight_Otu says, "A bit, yeah." | |
| PerrySimm | Great Hall | ||
| PerrySimm | your locker | ||
| PerrySimm | front steps | Knight_Otu says, "Not Jayden." | |
| DavidW says, "I don't think we want to talk to Jayden." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Hm. Okay." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Were this a puzzle game you'd look at everything." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "But I get it." | ||
| DavidW says (to Jacqueline), "Of course." | ||
| DavidW says, "Puzzle games don't hurt me." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Well, they hurt me, but that's why I play them _with you_" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, front steps?" | ||
| DavidW says, "Well, you can be me in this one, and I'll be you then." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "I think our best bet to find Allen would be the front steps?" | ||
| PerrySimm | Front Steps – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | A steady stream of students flows out of the front of the school, some still in their uniforms, others changed into casual wear or gym clothes. | ||
| PerrySimm | Annette sits on one of the picnic tables out front with her eyes closed, lightly humming under her breath. | ||
| PerrySimm | Kipling sits on the steps, staring off at nothing. | ||
| PerrySimm | The field and the parking lot are off to the west. The school entrance is back north and the front gates lead off campus to the south if you want to walk home by yourself. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Annette | ||
| PerrySimm | Kipling | ||
| PerrySimm | field | ||
| PerrySimm | parking lot | ||
| PerrySimm | school entrance | ||
| PerrySimm | front gates | DavidW says, "okay, we can talk to these people." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Annette, we can talk to." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Can we have a crush on Annette instead?" | ||
| PerrySimm | (You walk up to Annette, sitting cross-legged on top of the table with her eyes closed. She seems deep in mediation. You hesitate.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Hey Nadia! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh sorry. Didn't mean to disturb you when you're uh... doing your thing. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She opens her eyes.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Oh, I was just contemplating the future. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | DavidW says (to Jacqueline), "That would be cool." | |
| PerrySimm | What about it were you contemplating? | ||
| PerrySimm | You can predict the future? | ||
| PerrySimm | You and me both. | Knight_Otu says, "Annette might mind." | |
| Jacqueline says, "3" | ||
| DavidW says, "sure" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You and me both. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She smirks.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: What's on your mind? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | The entire state of my life. | ||
| PerrySimm | The newspaper. | Jacqueline says, "`" | |
| Jacqueline says, "er... 1" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| DavidW says, "mmhm" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Just... the state of my whole life, really. There's a lot going on. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: You know what you need? Clarity. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Clearly. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: I can read your future. If you want. It won't be like super super detailed but it might help... | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'd rather not. | DavidW says, "Yes, do it!" | |
| Jacqueline says, "YES" | ||
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "Yeah!" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You know what? Sure. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Perfect. Left hand, please. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You sit down next to her and stick your hand out. She reaches into her satchel and pulls out some kind of glittery powder.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Try not to inhale this very much. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She sprinkles it on your hand then closes her own left hand over it.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Now I'm going to ask you a series of questions and you need to answer them truthfully and quickly. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Okay... | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: You have to answer truthfully. No matter how embarrassing or weird or random the question sounds. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ........okay... | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Ready? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I guess. | ||
| PerrySimm | On second thought... | Jacqueline says, "READY" | |
| DavidW says, "READY" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I guess. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Great! First name? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Nadia. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Occupation? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Student slash Newspaper Editor. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Star sign? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oncorhynchus. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: The salmon! Know what it represents? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Determination. | ||
| PerrySimm | Homecoming. | ||
| PerrySimm | Doomed romance. | ||
| PerrySimm | Saltwater/freshwater. | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't believe in all that stuff. | Knight_Otu says, "That's... a new one." | |
| Jacqueline says, "S/F" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| DavidW says, "Homecoming" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "(Although all of these responses are excellent)" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Kind of a saltwater/freshwater thing? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: You consider yourself adaptable then? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: In a manner of speaking. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Next question. Ice cream or frozen yogurt? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Ice cream. | ||
| PerrySimm | Frozen yogurt. | ||
| PerrySimm | ...Seriously? | Jacqueline says, "IC" | |
| DavidW says, "Frozen yogurt" | ||
| Jacqueline exclaims, "!" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Ice cream for me." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "YAY" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ice cream, obviously. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: No half-measures for you then? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Well... | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: (pressing ahead) Do you fear drowning? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Yes. | ||
| PerrySimm | No. | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't know. | ||
| PerrySimm | I didn't until just now. | DavidW says, "No" | |
| Jacqueline says, "N" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Not really. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Same. It'd be awesome, right? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Er... | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Do you believe in life after death? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | Knight_Otu says, ";Okay" | |
| PerrySimm | I don't think so. | ||
| PerrySimm | Not at all. | ||
| PerrySimm | Lately I've been more convinced. | ||
| PerrySimm | Do you? | Jacqueline says, "hahaha" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "3?" | ||
| DavidW says, "Not at all" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Oh dear. Um..." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Can we do >Do you?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Oh wait" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I read that wrong." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Is that a honest answer?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Hahaha. I thought the question was 'Do you think it would be awesome to drown?'" | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "Sorry, gotta go with KO again. We've seen two ghosts." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Now that would be a question." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm starting to think it might be more likely than I thought... | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: (nodding) Is it cannibalism to eat a mermaid steak? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What? Where did that come from? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Rapid fire, Nadia! Is it cannibalism? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Yes. | ||
| PerrySimm | No. | ||
| PerrySimm | Which half? | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't think I could eat a mermaid steak. | Jacqueline asks, "Which half?" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Jeez, what *is* in our furure?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'm telling you, I vote for crushing on Annette." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "*future." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I guess that depends if it comes from the human half or the fish half. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Actually? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Er... Yes...? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: But it's the same person either way. They're more than just half one thing and half another. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Same person, different meat. | ||
| PerrySimm | I guess it is cannibalism. | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | Jacqueline says, "1" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess it is.." | ||
| DavidW says, "ugh" | ||
| Jacqueline exclaims, "DW gets to pick!" | ||
| DavidW says, "It's more like cannibalism than not." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Alright. You've convinced me. I guess it is cannibalism. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Ha! Interesting. Aren't hypotheticals fun? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Yes? Are we still doing magic? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Always. Now picture this: You're walking along the side of the highway. It's a hot day, and there's no sidewalk or anything. Just dirt and gravel. The sun's beating down. You're thirsty – haven't had a drink in hours. Can you picture that thirst? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Yes. | ||
| PerrySimm | No. | ||
| PerrySimm | How many hours? | DavidW says, "Yes. Been there. Done that." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Yes" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yes. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Really envision it. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I am! | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Okay. So you're feeling that thirst, right? A real need for water just getting right into your whole situation. And then all of a sudden a lemonade truck swerves off the road, barrelling right towards you. What do you do? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | Knight_Otu says, "Well then." | |
| PerrySimm | Lemonade truck? | ||
| PerrySimm | Jump out of the way. | ||
| PerrySimm | Flag the driver down and ask for some lemonade. | ||
| PerrySimm | ...Am I supposed to drink the truck? | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't know. | Jacqueline says, "2 or 3" | |
| DavidW says, "Jump out of the way" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Jump out of the way." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I jump out of the way. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: You think you're faster than a truck? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm moving laterally. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Still. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You asked me what I would do! | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Within reason. Do you reject the terms of reality? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Is this reality? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Excellent question. What was the last nightmare that woke you from sleep? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | My teeth were falling out. | ||
| PerrySimm | My face was melting. | ||
| PerrySimm | Someone was strangling me. | ||
| PerrySimm | I fell off a cliff. | Knight_Otu says, "Can't drink when you're dead." | |
| DavidW says, "Fell off a cliff" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I feel off a cliff. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Eesh. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It was a big cliff. A very big cliff. Really it was more like falling out of a plane once it got started. And normally it's the fall that wakes you up but this time I saw the ground coming for a verrryy long time. And what finally did it was I wanted to call my parents and say I was sorry for falling off a cliff and that I loved them, but I reached into my pocket and my phone was gone. And then I woke up. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Wow. I feel like that says something. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah, "stay away from cliffs." | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Okay. Home stretch. Overall, would you describe yourself as satisfied? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I guess. | ||
| PerrySimm | Things could be better. | ||
| PerrySimm | That's complicated. | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't even know. | Knight_Otu says, "I don't even know." | |
| DavidW says, "I don't even know." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Gosh, I don't even know. It's like... how do I decide when I'm satisfied, you know? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: You don't have to decide. You just... are. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: If you're satisfied you know you're satisfied. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Then I guess I'm not. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Hmm. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: But– No. I'm not not. I'm just– | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Let's try drilling down a bit. Do you consider yourself professionally satisfied? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Not really, but... | ||
| PerrySimm | I guess. | DavidW says, "Not really" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Not really? But I'm in high school so– | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Intellectually satisfied? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Sure. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Creatively satisfied? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Emotionally satisfied? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Somewhat. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Romantically satisfied? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Whoa! | ||
| PerrySimm | (You clap your free hand to your mouth and your eyes go wide.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: I knew it. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | It's complicated, okay? | ||
| PerrySimm | Don't tell Allen. | ||
| PerrySimm | Was this all just a way of extracting gossip? | ||
| PerrySimm | I didn't mean it. | Roger says, "who, me, without a job? Of course not" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "It is complicated, but is that what we say?" | ||
| DavidW says, "Sure. It's the Facebook thing to do." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Look, it's not that simple, okay? It's complicated. It's like– ugh. Can we just move on please? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Sure. That was the last question anyway. Time to get your results. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She closes her eyes.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Hmmmmm... | ||
| PerrySimm | (You lean in.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: ...You're going to have a busy week! | ||
| PerrySimm | (She lets go of your hand.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...That's it? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Yep. (She wipes her hands with a small embroidered rag.) If I'd had entrails to read I could have gone into more details. But apparently it's "too disruptive to the learning environment" to bring dead animal parts to school. (She rolls her eyes.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Which week? | ||
| PerrySimm | Busy how? | ||
| PerrySimm | How can you tell? | DavidW asks, "Busy how?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: But like... busy how? What does that mean? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Not sure exactly. But definitely busy. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hmm. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Odds are it'll involve something we talked about this just now. So if you're going to be on the lookout for something, I'd say make it that. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...A busy week. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: (smiling widely) Batten down the hatches. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Front Steps – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | A steady stream of students flows out of the front of the school, some still in their uniforms, others changed into casual wear or gym clothes. | ||
| PerrySimm | Annette sits on one of the picnic tables out front with her eyes closed, lightly humming under her breath. | ||
| PerrySimm | Kipling sits on the steps, staring off at nothing. | ||
| PerrySimm | The field and the parking lot are off to the west. The school entrance is back north and the front gates lead off campus to the south if you want to walk home by yourself. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Kipling | ||
| PerrySimm | field | ||
| PerrySimm | parking lot | ||
| PerrySimm | school entrance | ||
| PerrySimm | front gates | DavidW says, "That... went less well than I hoped." | |
| DavidW says, "That was a lot of smoke and mirrors for essentially no new info." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Which is often what telling the future does." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Anyway, Kipling?" | ||
| DavidW says, "Not necessarily" | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "Oh, I realize." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Meh." | ||
| DavidW says, "But sure, Kipling next." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I like divination for making me see alternative thoughts/perspectives I haven't considered. And we got none of that." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey. | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Nadiarama. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He keeps staring straight ahead. You sit down next to him.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You seem down, Kip. What's up? | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Just waiting for my driver to come pick me up. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He sighs.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: ...And, if I'm being honest, I'm having a touch of post-party depression. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I didn't know that was a thing. | ||
| PerrySimm | Figured you'd be revelling in your triumph. | ||
| PerrySimm | That sucks. | DavidW says, "Okay, yes, I found out you pervs would eat mermaids." | |
| Jacqueline asks, "What?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I mean. I'd eat a human if the situation necessitated it." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "We needed more context." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Some people would harvest them for their valuable bones." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, um, 3?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| DavidW says, "sure" | ||
| Jacqueline tries to move on from having been called a 'perv' for situationally-appropriate cannibalism. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: That sucks. | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Majorly. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You got something you can do to fix it? | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Nah, I'm most afraid it just happens. I put so much effort into the party and then once it's done... (He sighs and pulls a plastic bag out of his inside blazer pocket.) Trail mix? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Yes please. | ||
| PerrySimm | No thanks. | Jacqueline says, "1" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yes please. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You grab some trail mix out of the bag and nibble on it quietly.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: ...Well, I just feel a little empty is all. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | There are more parties ahead. | ||
| PerrySimm | People will remember that one for a while. | ||
| PerrySimm | Sorry to hear that. | Jacqueline asks, "Any of those. But I guess 2?" | |
| DavidW says, "okay" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey, that party may be gone but it's not forgotten. People are going to be talking about it for a long time. | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: ...You think? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Trust me. I heard a bunch of people talking about it in Writer's Craft earlier. The word "legendary" was being tossed around. | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Well, that's decent of them I guess... | ||
| PerrySimm | (You pat him on the shoulder.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Your hospitality transcends time and space, Kip. | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: (half smiling) Perhaps it does. Thanks Nadine. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Front Steps – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | A steady stream of students flows out of the front of the school, some still in their uniforms, others changed into casual wear or gym clothes. | ||
| PerrySimm | Annette sits on one of the picnic tables out front with her eyes closed, lightly humming under her breath. | ||
| PerrySimm | Kipling sits on the steps, staring off at nothing. | ||
| PerrySimm | The field and the parking lot are off to the west. The school entrance is back north and the front gates lead off campus to the south if you want to walk home by yourself. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | field | ||
| PerrySimm | parking lot | ||
| PerrySimm | school entrance | ||
| PerrySimm | front gates | Jacqueline says, ">parking" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Let's get this Allen thing over with." | ||
| PerrySimm | Parking Lot – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | The gravel parking lot on the west side of campus feels weirdly unfinished compared to the rest of the landscaping. Any student is technically allowed to use part that isn't reserved for staff, but it's small enough that only a handful of cars can actually fit. | ||
| PerrySimm | Allen, of course, usually gets here early enough to snag one of the spots. And right now he's leaning against his car, idly scrolling through his phone. | ||
| PerrySimm | The lot looks out onto the field, where a game of field hockey is currently going on. The front of the school is back to the east. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | leaning against his car | ||
| PerrySimm | field | ||
| PerrySimm | front of the school | Knight_Otu says, "Let's lean against his car." | |
| DavidW says, "lean" | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Hey. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Ready? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Yep. | ||
| PerrySimm | Think I'm going to walk. | Jacqueline says, "ooooh" | |
| Jacqueline says, "snap" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "No "Can we talk"?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "NOPE" | ||
| DavidW says, "yeah, I thought we were gonna talk." | ||
| Roger says, "we obviously cannot" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "But if we say yep then we get a car ride, so we could talk in the car" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So want to say yep?" | ||
| DavidW says, "And then get hit by a lemonade truck." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "OH NOES" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Hopefully, since that's what I'll vote for." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I thought we get hit by the lemonade truck if we walk." | ||
| DavidW says, "Lets get a ride." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Er, the Yep, not the truck" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yep. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The two of you get into the car. Allen pulls out of the parking lot.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: ... | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ... | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: So... | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hmm? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: You, uh... have a good day? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Mm. | ||
| PerrySimm | Eh. | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | Jacqueline says, "One sec. Cat fight." | |
| DavidW says, "'Eh'" | ||
| Roger says, "as a Canadian I concur" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Man, maybe they'd have at least argued if we wanted to walk." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "ha" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Eh. (You shrug.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: ...That a no then? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I guess. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ... | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Everything okay? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Fine. | ||
| PerrySimm | Why? | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | Jacqueline says, "We are trying to argue, in our own cowardly way." | |
| Jacqueline says, "..." | ||
| Roger says, "It's Fine! Fine I say. FINE" | ||
| DavidW asks, "oh, that ellipsis is an option?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yup" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Although Roger is right: fine generally means wtfdoyouthinknothingisfine" | ||
| DavidW says, "Talking by NOT talking. So instagram." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "You are as woke as Marc" | ||
| Roger says, "no I mean everything is fine" | ||
| DavidW says, "hey, hang with me, you get all the tea." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess either fine or why. Nadia wanted a talk, we should make her talk." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Fine. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: You sure? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah. No. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You force a smile.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: ...Okay. Just... you know. Just checking. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You nod. After a few minutes of silence Allen pulls up to your house.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: So uh... see you tomorrow? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (unbuckling) Yep. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You get out of the car.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | Roger says, "we haff vays of makink you talk" | |
| PerrySimm | French Class — Morning | ||
| PerrySimm | Tuesday, 13 September 2016 | ||
| PerrySimm | (The next day. You sit watching as your classmates give their French presentations.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: Okay. Merci, Ethan and Kyle. That was even more miserable than I was anticipating. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They high five each other.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: Maintenant, the final group: Nadia and Anja. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You get up and stand facing each other in front of the class.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Ready? | ||
| PerrySimm | This better be good. | ||
| PerrySimm | "Bonjour madame..." | Roger says, "we do not have any way of making you talk" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Clearly" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "3" | ||
| DavidW says, "er, she's docteure, not madame!" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Should we start with bonjour?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "No, I think we're role-playing with Anja" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah" | ||
| DavidW says, "oh, very well." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You clear your throat and read from the paper.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Bonjour Madame. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Bonjour. Comment ça va? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ça va mal. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Quel est le problème? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Je suis perdu. Ou est la boulangerie? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Pourquoi tu ne peux pas trouver la boulangerie? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Parce que je suis stupide. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You look up and give a "Seriously?" look. She doesn't react.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Ah, oui? Tu es trop stupide pour trouver la boulangerie? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (rolling your eyes) Oui. C'est vrai. Je m'appelle Nadia et je suis beaucoup stupide. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Désolé. Je ne peux pas aider tu avec cette problème. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: À bientôt. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You put your paper down. Rouillé stares at you. The whole room is silent for a good ten seconds.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: Tell me. How do you think that went? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | Knight_Otu says, "(Just wait, that's Anja's line.)" | |
| PerrySimm | Okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | Not great. | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | Knight_Otu asks, "Not great?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "hahaha" | ||
| DavidW asks, "Did Anja force Nadia so say she herself is stupid?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I am pro-ellipses this time." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I think so." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "Yes." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "One second:" | ||
| DavidW asks, "What's the translation of all that?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Hello, Madam" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Hello, how are you?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Bad" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "What's the problem?" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "I'm lost. Where is the store?" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Why can't you find the store?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Because I am stupid" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Ah, yes? You are too stupid to find the store?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yes. It's true. My name is Nadia and I am really stupid." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Oh, that's too bad. I can't help you with that problem." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "See you later" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "There. That's the exchange. Anja is a terrible person." | ||
| DavidW says, "Well, what fun." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "And I am pro ..." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Maybe my "No one is getting murdered" was premature." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Because really, there are no words." | ||
| DavidW says, "Go with 'okay'." | ||
| Jacqueline exclaims, "!" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I'd still go with not great." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "It... well, I mean, our French was technically proficient, but that was not okay" | ||
| Roger says, "Whatevs" | ||
| DavidW says, "I don't know if the teacher cares about the content." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "If I must choose between you, I will go with not great." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (glaring at Anja) Not great. | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: Great? No. (She shakes her head.) Not great at all. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She stands up.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: This last presentation confirms what I already knew to begin with. Girls, return to your seats. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You hurry back to your desk.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: It was a mistake to permit any of you to speak French at all. The crimes you have made against the greatest language in human history are too large for me to think of. Every single one of your presentations was a unique and horrible insult. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You stare down at your desk.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: Alors, you have a new assignment. In the same groups, you will write a letter of apology to the French language, expressing your shame and regret at having so degraded it. Now sit in silence until the bell rings. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The entire class sits silently for four minutes. Rouillé stares at you all the whole time. Then the bell rings and everyone files out.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Okay, same as before. I do the work, you just show up on the day. Alright? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Because that worked so well last time? | ||
| PerrySimm | This doesn't have to be miserable. | ||
| PerrySimm | Whatever. | Jacqueline says, "hahaha" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Man, this prof." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Docteure... I have no words." | ||
| Roger says, "There are people with this attitude about French definitely" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, um... 2?" | ||
| DavidW says, "1" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure, 1." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh yeah, because that worked so well today. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: It would have been fine if you'd delivered your lines properly. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh please. You didn't use like half of the required vocabulary. And your– | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Whatever. You do it then. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: That's not what I meant. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She shrugs and walks off.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Newspaper Office – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | (You lie face down on the editor's desk, groaning.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: So I take it the whole study-buddy thing with Anja didn't go so well. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It was a disaster, Kaz. Rouillé literally obliterated us. Like the wrath of god. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I'm not surprised. You know she shot a kid, eh? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Just snapped one day. Shot him dead. (They make a finger gun and point it at you.) Bang. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Kaz. (You lift your head off the desk and rub your face.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: It's true! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's obviously not. Where did you hear that? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I don't know! It's like, lore. School lore. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: If she had murdered a child she wouldn't still be a teacher. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: That's why she has to teach at private school, duh. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | We have to do it all over again too. | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't know how much more Anja I can take. | ||
| PerrySimm | Osgoode Terauley would have sorted this out by now. | Jacqueline says, "1" | |
| DavidW says, "2" | ||
| DavidW asks, "Also, who the heck is Osgoode Terauley?" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "2. 1 is not quite what's happening, is it?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Dunno" | ||
| DavidW asks, "Is there a footnote on that name?" | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "There is not." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay, I'll pick 2" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I don't know how much more Anja time I can take. Do you know how hard it is to perform academically when you have a six foot tall Swedo-Polish Amazon staring daggers at you? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Oh come on, that's not fair. We're 5'11" and three quarters. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You stare up at the portrait of the newspaper's founder Osgoode Terauley opposite your desk and let out a long sigh.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I am a failure in every part of my life. Osgoode would have a fit if he saw who was running his paper today. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Okay. You need to stop living a hundred years in the past. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They grab a chair and drag it over to the wall.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: A hundred and three. What are you doing? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Taking this damn painting down. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What? No! That's been up there since– | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Since forever! Exactly. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They grab the painting and start grunting.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: At least let me help you! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Never!! (They yank it off the wall.) Gyaaa-aaah! | ||
| PerrySimm | (They fall over backwards and the painting lands on top of them. You jump out of your chair and run over.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (moaning) ...Okay, you can help now... | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Are you okay?? (You move the painting and help them up.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (rubbing their arm.) I'm fine. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: That was very stupid. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I just hate it when you beat yourself up like that, you know? You're like way better than some random old dead guy. Who cares if he founded a newspaper? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (sighing) Maybe... | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: You know what? You need a break. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I suppose I could use a bit of air. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: And I know just the place to get some. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Outside? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yes. But more specifically... | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Behind the North Wing – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Tada! | ||
| PerrySimm | (They throw their bag onto the ground and pull a cardboard box out of it.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay. Why are we all the way back here and what's in the box? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I have two words that'll answer both of those questions. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They tear open the box and pull out a plastic walkie-talkie looking thing.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Ghost. Detector. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Where did you get that? | ||
| PerrySimm | Those things are fake. | Jacqueline says, "There's your answer." | |
| DavidW says, "thanks" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Kaz, you got scammed, surely." | ||
| DavidW asks, "> Can you play Pokemon Go on that?" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, 1?" | ||
| DavidW says, "Sure" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Okay." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Where did you get a ghost detector? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Amazon. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Seriously? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yeah, where else? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I kind of just assumed Amazon was only for, you know, real things. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: This is real. (They knock on the plastic.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I mean things that really work. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: It does! Look. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They flip a switch and the thing starts beeping and booping.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Is it going to make that noise the whole time? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (grinning) I know, right? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Why come here to use it? | ||
| PerrySimm | You know we actually have work to do. | Jacqueline asks, "1?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure. Let's indulge them." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay even if we assume this thing actually works. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Which it totally does. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Why come all the way out here to use it? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Duh. What's the most haunted part of the school? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...You're asking me that like it's a normal thing to know the answer to. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: The north wing! (They gesture to the building behind them.) The creepy abandoned hundred-year-old building. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hundred and thirty. And it's under renovation, not abandoned. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Temporarily abandoned then. Point is, it's where I'd want hang out if I was a ghost. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They walk over to one of the ground floor windows, take a quick look to see if anyone is coming, and then push against the bottom of the window. The whole thing slides up.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't think this is a great idea. | ||
| PerrySimm | How many times have you snuck in here? | ||
| PerrySimm | I can't believe it isn't locked. | DavidW says, "How many times" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Sure" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "How many times have you smoked purple pot?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "heh" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "+ a here." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: How many times have you snuck into this place, exactly? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Into? This'd be the first. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They hop in the window and hold out their hand.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Come on. It's ghost investigation time. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Science Lab – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | The Science Lab has only been empty since June, but it has the vibe of somewhere that's been abandoned for years. The desks are coated in dust and most of the equipment has either been stripped out or covered with plastic tarps. The cabinets still seem full of stuff though. | ||
| PerrySimm | The word "SILENCE" is up on the chalkboard, probably left over from the last round of exams. | ||
| PerrySimm | The only door leads out to the first floor hallway. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | cabinets | ||
| PerrySimm | first floor hallway | DavidW says, "The IF part of me wants cabinets, but in a game like this, I don't know." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "We probably want to leave as few traces as possible..." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I had both of those thoughts, yeah." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, which?" | ||
| DavidW says, "I guess we skip the cabinets." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Hallway, I'd say." | ||
| PerrySimm | Hallway – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | The first floor hallway feels weirdly truncated since the hallway back to the South Wing is blocked off with construction hoarding. Doors lead off to the computer lab and the science lab, and the hallway continues east to the Stoop. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | computer lab | ||
| PerrySimm | science lab | ||
| PerrySimm | stoop | DavidW shrugs. "computer lab?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You try the handle.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Comp lab's locked. (You peer through the window.) Looks like they moved all the computers out too. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Can you even call it a "comp lab" if there's no computers in there? Isn't it just a "lab"? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Probably just a "room" if we're being technical. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Hallway – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | The first floor hallway feels weirdly truncated since the hallway back to the South Wing is blocked off with construction hoarding. Doors lead off to the computer lab and the science lab, and the hallway continues east to the Stoop. | DavidW says, "Maybe our beep-booper can chat with the blip-blippers." | |
| PerrySimm | science lab | ||
| PerrySimm | stoop | Knight_Otu says, "I guess we stoop it." | |
| DavidW says, "Or not." | ||
| DavidW says, "Stoop to conquer" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Stooooop" | ||
| PerrySimm | The Stoop – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | You round the corner and run into the drama kids. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Gah! | ||
| PerrySimm | BALD DRAMA: Boo! Ha ha. | ||
| PerrySimm | TALL DRAMA: (nodding) Good one. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh my god! You guys scared me. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Kaz rounds the corner.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Oh shit! What's good, dramas? | ||
| PerrySimm | CORSET DRAMA: Hey dude. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She gives Kaz a fistbump.) | Knight_Otu says, "Ohai there." | |
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | What are you doing here? | ||
| PerrySimm | How did you get in? | Jacqueline says, "1" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What are you all doing here? | ||
| PerrySimm | TALL DRAMA: Hanging. | ||
| PerrySimm | COOL DRAMA: Chilling. | ||
| PerrySimm | HIPPIE DRAMA: We came in through the backstage door. | ||
| PerrySimm | TALL DRAMA: Hey, quit revealing our secrets. | ||
| PerrySimm | HIPPIE DRAMA: It's pretty cool. It's like our own special clubhouse. | ||
| PerrySimm | TALL DRAMA: You have got to stop calling it that. | ||
| PerrySimm | BALD DRAMA: We can do whatever we want! | ||
| PerrySimm | CORSET DRAMA: Some of us can. You definitely cannot. | ||
| PerrySimm | BALD DRAMA: You mean because I'm unable to or because you won't let me? | ||
| PerrySimm | COOL DRAMA: Yes. | ||
| PerrySimm | TALL DRAMA: I think the real question is... what are you two doing here? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Investigating. | ||
| PerrySimm | Also chilling. | ||
| PerrySimm | Taking a break. | ||
| PerrySimm | Nothing. | ||
| PerrySimm | I can't say. | Jacqueline asks, "3?" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, ">You guys seen any purple pot around?" | ||
| DavidW says, "I guess 3 is technically true." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Hm, I'd say 1, but 3 is closer to it." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Just taking a break from the whole newspaper thing. | ||
| PerrySimm | CORSET DRAMA: Oh. Really? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Yes? Why? | ||
| PerrySimm | CORSET DRAMA: You never really struck me as the relaxation type. (She shrugs.) No offence. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | None taken. | ||
| PerrySimm | There's a lot you don't know about me. | Jacqueline says, "(1 would have made them ask questions I did not want to answer, KO)" | |
| Jacqueline says, "This time I like 1 thought" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "True." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "er, though" | ||
| DavidW says, "None taken" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "And yeah." | ||
| Roger says, "I'm not taking relaxation tips from someone in a back brace" | ||
| Jacqueline asks (of R), "?" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: None taken. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (nodding) She's still learning the ropes. | ||
| PerrySimm | HIPPIE DRAMA: Oh yeah? You want to hear my tip for relaxing? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Is it drugs? Because I tried that and she's not biting. | ||
| PerrySimm | HIPPIE DRAMA: Oh. Well then I have absolutely no ideas. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...I'll figure it out. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | The Stoop – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | This is where the original entrance to Middle Canada College was, though several rounds of additions and extensions have stranded the space around as far from the outside as you can physically get. The titular stoop was actually on the building's exterior at one point and still has a very weathered outdoorsy look. | ||
| PerrySimm | The drama kids are lounging around and chatting with each other. | ||
| PerrySimm | The small gym is through an archway to the east and the hallway to the science lab is back west. A second hallway gradually slopes up from here to the first-and-a-half floor. Stairs lead down to the old basement locker rooms. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | small gym | ||
| PerrySimm | hallway to the science lab | ||
| PerrySimm | first-and-a-half floor | ||
| PerrySimm | basement locker rooms | Knight_Otu asks, "gym first?" | |
| Jacqueline shrugs. "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | Small Gym – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | Last you heard, the small gym is due to be converted into a "Smart Knowledge Centre", whatever the hell that is. It's sad. You never much cared for phys ed, but you've got a soft spot for this weird little old-timey relic. The bad lighting and the unmarked floor always reminded you of that one heritage minute with James Naismith and the peach baskets. | ||
| PerrySimm | This would normally be the easiest way to get over to the auditorium, but the eastern door is blocked off by a bunch of construction stuff. | ||
| PerrySimm | The other door leads back west to the Stoop. A staircase on the south side of the room takes you down basement locker rooms and up to the first-and-a-half floor. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | unmarked floor | ||
| PerrySimm | construction stff | ||
| PerrySimm | (construction stUff) | ||
| PerrySimm | stoop | ||
| PerrySimm | basement locker rooms | ||
| PerrySimm | first-and-a-half floor | DavidW says, "Those are weird options." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Let's check out the construction stuff." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Maybe we can move it" | ||
| DavidW says, "Unmarked floor" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'm down with checking out the floor, too, yeah" | ||
| PerrySimm | (You slide your shoe along the floor. It squeaks in classic gym fashion.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey, remember the beep test? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: God! The beep test. Who was the sadistic child torturer that invented that one? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I think I got through four beeps before I wanted to pass out. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I managed like half a beep, tops. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Anja crushed it, as I recall. | ||
| PerrySimm | You know Allen still does gym? | Jacqueline says, "Anja" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Beep test?" | ||
| DavidW asks, "What's a beep test?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Hoping we find out" | ||
| DavidW says, "Sure, talk about Anja." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess Anja, ten." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "*then." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I seem to remember Anja mopping the floor with the rest of us. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: What can I say? She got all the athlete genes. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You both got the exact same genes. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yeah, but she got them better. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Small Gym – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | Last you heard, the small gym is due to be converted into a "Smart Knowledge Centre", whatever the hell that is. It's sad. You never much cared for phys ed, but you've got a soft spot for this weird little old-timey relic. The bad lighting and the unmarked floor always reminded you of that one heritage minute with James Naismith and the peach baskets. | ||
| PerrySimm | This would normally be the easiest way to get over to the auditorium, but the eastern door is blocked off by a bunch of construction stuff. | ||
| PerrySimm | The other door leads back west to the Stoop. A staircase on the south side of the room takes you down basement locker rooms and up to the first-and-a-half floor. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | construction stuff | ||
| PerrySimm | stoop | ||
| PerrySimm | basement locker rooms | ||
| PerrySimm | first-and-a-half floor | DavidW says, "okay, stuff next." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You tilt your head and look at the pile of construction equipment in front of the door.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Darn it. How are we supposed to get through here? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Hang on. Let me see if I have super strength. (They push against the pile.) Hnngg! Hngggggg!! | ||
| PerrySimm | (They step back and exhale.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Nah. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Let me try. | DavidW says, "Maybe we'll find a screwdriver like in a normal IF game." | |
| PerrySimm | Guess we have to go around. | Jacqueline asks, "Um, 1? Just for kicks?" | |
| DavidW says, "So much for not leaving traces." | ||
| DavidW says, "go ahead" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Oh." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Well, yeah. There's that." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "We could try going around, if that's the concern (a valid concern, I might add)" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Right. Around it is, I guess." | ||
| DavidW says, "I wouldn't move it right away." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Guess we have to go the long way if we want to get to the auditorium. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: You mean up through the art room and stuff? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Mm-hmm. ...Wait, do we want to go to the auditorium? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yeah dude! They've got the memorial wall in there. That's got to be like ghost central. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You think a ghost's going to want to hang around an old wooden board with their name and date of death on it? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I mean, yeah. What else have they got going on? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | DavidW says, "I think the basement lockers is where the ghosts are." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "But I was tempted to second Nadia trying." | ||
| PerrySimm | Small Gym – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | Last you heard, the small gym is due to be converted into a "Smart Knowledge Centre", whatever the hell that is. It's sad. You never much cared for phys ed, but you've got a soft spot for this weird little old-timey relic. The bad lighting and the unmarked floor always reminded you of that one heritage minute with James Naismith and the peach baskets. | ||
| PerrySimm | This would normally be the easiest way to get over to the auditorium, but the eastern door is blocked off by a bunch of construction stuff. | ||
| PerrySimm | The other door leads back west to the Stoop. A staircase on the south side of the room takes you down basement locker rooms and up to the first-and-a-half floor. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | stoop | ||
| PerrySimm | basement locker rooms | ||
| PerrySimm | first-and-a-half floor | Knight_Otu says, "I guess basement lockers." | |
| DavidW says, "please" | ||
| PerrySimm | (You walk downstairs and step into the darkened change room.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Guh. (You wave your hand in front of your nose.) How is it possible this place smells worse when no one's been in it for months? | ||
| PerrySimm | (Kaz flicks the light on. A bunch of floor tiles have been pulled up, revealing huge patches of mold.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Euuughhh!! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Welp, this definitely confirms my strong dislike of the Girls' Locker Room. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Locker Rooms – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | The old basement locker rooms are in an even worse state than you remember. A huge hole has been knocked out of the central dividing wall. | ||
| PerrySimm | Exposed mold and mildew patches are everywhere, especially in the torn-up showers. You hold your blazer over your nose and mouth to mask the smell. | ||
| PerrySimm | The main exit takes you back up to the Stoop and a small stairwell in the hallway outside leads up to the small gym. | ||
| PerrySimm | A door labelled "STAFF ONLY! NO ENTRY" is tucked away in the southeast corner. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | huge hole | ||
| PerrySimm | showers | ||
| PerrySimm | stoop | ||
| PerrySimm | small gym | ||
| PerrySimm | door | Roger says, "look, it's a huge hole, but enough about Anja" | |
| DavidW says, "I wanna check the showers." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "We are going to die sooner because of the choice you all made" | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "Okay" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sowwy." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Look, they took out the showers. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Huh. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Why on earth did they have them here anyway? No one ever used them. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Has anyone has ever used any high school shower anywhere? I know it must be a thing somewhere, but... | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | DavidW says, "It's taken weeks to get to this part." | |
| PerrySimm | Maybe back in the day? | ||
| PerrySimm | Maybe down in States? | ||
| PerrySimm | I want to meet that person. | Knight_Otu asks, "Down in States maybe?" | |
| DavidW says, "whichever" | ||
| Jacqueline shrugs. "Sure" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I don't know. Maybe it's an American thing? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: That'd be a real cultural low, even for them. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm just glad it doesn't happen here. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They stare up at where the shower heads used to be.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: ...Too bad for you though. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Huh? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I just mean. If people had showered here, you coulda like... you know... (They waggle their eyebrows.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ugh, I wouldn't just creep on people in the locker room! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: What? Why not? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | It's totally rude and not cool. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm not sex-obsessed. | ||
| PerrySimm | You would? | Jacqueline says, "Ugh" | |
| Jacqueline says, "1" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh, because it'd be super rude? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Aw, well if you're going to bring reality into this, sure. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's not about reality. I don't creep on people in my fantasies either. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: ...I mean, I'm hearing you say the words but I'm not sure I comprehend the sentence. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You smirk.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Sorry pervo, not everyone's as pervy as you. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Well that hardly seems fair. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Locker Rooms – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | The old basement locker rooms are in an even worse state than you remember. A huge hole has been knocked out of the central dividing wall. | ||
| PerrySimm | Exposed mold and mildew patches are everywhere, especially in the torn-up showers. You hold your blazer over your nose and mouth to mask the smell. | ||
| PerrySimm | The main exit takes you back up to the Stoop and a small stairwell in the hallway outside leads up to the small gym. | ||
| PerrySimm | A door labelled "STAFF ONLY! NO ENTRY" is tucked away in the southeast corner. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | stoop | ||
| PerrySimm | small gym | ||
| PerrySimm | door | ||
| PerrySimm | huge hole | Knight_Otu asks, "Hole I guess?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "yeah" | ||
| DavidW says, "mmhm" | ||
| PerrySimm | (You step through the hole into the boys' side of the locker room. Kaz follows you over.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Hmm. As visual metaphors go this one is pretty on the nose. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I always wondered what the boys' side looked like. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Looks a lot like the girls' side. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (nodding) Only backwards. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: And with more crude vandalism. (They walk over to a locker with some writing scratched on it.) "Balls And Dick". And then an arrow pointing up for some reason. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah, that could have used an edit pass. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Locker Rooms – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | The old basement locker rooms are in an even worse state than you remember. A huge hole has been knocked out of the central dividing wall. | ||
| PerrySimm | Exposed mold and mildew patches are everywhere, especially in the torn-up showers. You hold your blazer over your nose and mouth to mask the smell. | ||
| PerrySimm | The main exit takes you back up to the Stoop and a small stairwell in the hallway outside leads up to the small gym. | ||
| PerrySimm | A door labelled "STAFF ONLY! NO ENTRY" is tucked away in the southeast corner. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | stoop | ||
| PerrySimm | small gym | ||
| PerrySimm | door | Jacqueline says, "door" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Door ought to be locked, but let's see." | ||
| DavidW says, "ok. Bet it's locked." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You wander over to the door. Kaz walks up next to you and tries the handle. It's unlocked.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Alright! Always wanted to see what was back here. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Whoa, whoa, hold on. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: What? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Nothing. Never mind. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They look at the door then turn back to you with a big stupid grin on their face.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: You were instinctively obeying the sign, weren't you? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Pfft. No. What? It's just a sign. Don't be... uh... | ||
| PerrySimm | (They laugh and push the door open.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Tunnel – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | You used to hear rumours of tunnels under the school but they were a lot more impressive in your imagination. This one is cramped and wet, with a bunch of rusty junk stacked up at one end. | ||
| PerrySimm | Doors lead to the locker room and the boiler room. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | rusty junk | ||
| PerrySimm | locker room | ||
| PerrySimm | boiler room | DavidW says, "Maybe the screwdriver's in the rusty junk." | |
| Jacqueline says, "sure" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I guess they used this hallway for storing broken down generators and lawn mowers and stuff? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Damn. I was hoping for some super cool secret tunnel or something. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I think it's just a regular tunnel. (You prod the junk with your feet.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: ...Wait, is that a trap door in the ceiling? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You look up.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Whoa. Yeah. I think it is. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Okay I take it back, this is the best tunnel ever. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hmm... We'd need a ladder to actually reach it though. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Why don't we just climb up on this unstable pile of rickety old crap? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No, Kaz. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Boooo! No fun! | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Tunnel – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | You used to hear rumours of tunnels under the school but they were a lot more impressive in your imagination. This one is cramped and wet, with a bunch of rusty junk stacked up at one end. | ||
| PerrySimm | Doors lead to the locker room and the boiler room. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | locker room | ||
| PerrySimm | boiler room | Jacqueline asks, "Boiler room?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure" | ||
| DavidW says, "mmhm" | ||
| PerrySimm | Boiler Room – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | The boiler room is weirdly clean for a room this deep in the basement of an empty school building. The place is mostly empty aside from a stack of old magazines and a ladder stashed behind the boiler. | ||
| PerrySimm | The only door leads back out into the tunnel you just came from. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | stack of old magazines | ||
| PerrySimm | ladder | ||
| PerrySimm | tunnel | DavidW says, "Magazines." | |
| Jacqueline says, "I have ladder-excitement, but yeah, magazines." | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Na, look! (They hold up a magazine.) Super old porn! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ugh. Seriously? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yeah, see for yourself. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They toss the magazine at you. You jump out of the way.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Eww! | ||
| PerrySimm | (They rifle through the pile) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: 1995! This porn is old enough to buy porn. | DavidW says, "Get an education." | |
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I can't believe you're touching those. | ||
| PerrySimm | How many are there? | ||
| PerrySimm | Why would you have these at school? | Jacqueline says, "1" | |
| Jacqueline says, "or 3" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "or even 2" | ||
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "15!" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Oh wait, not an option." | ||
| DavidW says, "So this is why there's a keep-out sign." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "ew" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I guess." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I'd go 2 or 3, I guess." | ||
| DavidW says, "2" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: How many are there? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Like fifty? Someone had a collection. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They pick another one out of the pile.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Ha. This one's just called BUTT. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: God, that's a terrible name. You wouldn't even be able to trademark it. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They flip open the centrefold.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Truth in advertising though. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Boiler Room – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | The boiler room is weirdly clean for a room this deep in the basement of an empty school building. The place is mostly empty aside from the stack of old porn magazines and a ladder stashed behind the boiler. | ||
| PerrySimm | The only door leads back out into the tunnel you just came from. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | ladder | ||
| PerrySimm | tunnel | Jacqueline exclaims, "LADDER!" | |
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "Ladder!" | ||
| Jacqueline exclaims, "WANT!" | ||
| DavidW says, "Of course ladder" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Aha. Knew there had to be a ladder somewhere back here. Help me get it out into the hall. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The two of you take the ladder out into the tunnel and lean it against the wall. You climb up and push against the trap door. It gives a little.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I think it opens! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Nice! Any idea where it leads? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Outside, maybe? | ||
| PerrySimm | I've never seen any trap doors up there. | ||
| PerrySimm | Only one way to find out. | Knight_Otu says, "Only one way." | |
| DavidW says, "Stage trap door, maybe." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Only one way to find out... | ||
| PerrySimm | (You pop the door open and clamber up through the floor, then turn around to help pull Kaz up.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (standing) Holy shit, we're in the tuck shop. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You get up and look around.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh my god. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Dude! This rules! Secret tunnel! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: We are the best trespassers in the friggin' business! | ||
| PerrySimm | (The two of you high five.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Tuck Shop – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | You can tell MCC predates vending machines because it has a room specifically for students to buy junk food in. Okay, you can also get rulers and notebooks and stuff, but really the junk food has always been the main attraction. The shelves are mostly empty now, save for a solitary package of cookies. | ||
| PerrySimm | The only door leads north to the foyer. The hidden trap door you opened up is behind the counter. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | package of cookies | ||
| PerrySimm | foyer | ||
| PerrySimm | hidden trap door | Knight_Otu asks, "Stale cookies?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Um. Sure." | ||
| DavidW asks, "Do cookies get stale?" | ||
| PerrySimm | (You prod the package of cookies) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Still soft. How on earth...? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (shaking their head) Always knew there was something unnatural about those things. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Tuck Shop – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | You can tell MCC predates vending machines because it has a room specifically for students to buy junk food in. Okay, you can also get rulers and notebooks and stuff, but really the junk food has always been the main attraction. The shelves are mostly empty now, save for a solitary package of cookies. | ||
| PerrySimm | The only door leads north to the foyer. The hidden trap door you opened up is behind the counter. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | foyer | ||
| PerrySimm | hidden trap door | Roger says, ">restock shelves with vintage porn" | |
| Jacqueline asks, "Foyer may get us to the auditorium?" | ||
| DavidW says, "yes" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "We can try." | ||
| PerrySimm | North Wing Foyer – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | All the furniture in the room has been shoved off to the side to make room for some giant tarps. You can't really tell what the tarps are going to be for, but with the way they've been given all that space they seem pretty important. | ||
| PerrySimm | You see what looks like a small folded up note under a pile of the chairs. | ||
| PerrySimm | The auditorium doors are to the east, opposite the blocked-off path to the small gym. A small door at the northeast end of the foyer leads backstage, and a nearby staircase takes you up to the second floor. The tuck shop is to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | small folded up note | ||
| PerrySimm | auditorium | ||
| PerrySimm | backstage | ||
| PerrySimm | second floor | ||
| PerrySimm | tuck shop | Knight_Otu asks, "If we're leaving traces anyway, note?" | |
| DavidW says, "I hope that note isn't announcing a surprise birthday party." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Huh. I think someone left a note lying around. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Ooh! Let me see. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You hand it over. They open it up.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: ...Wow. I didn't think people actually did this. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hmm? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: It says "Dear Sylvie, do you want to go to the grad dance with me?" And there are boxes for Yes and No. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Which one did she pick? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Neither. (They hold up the paper.) She drew a house on fire. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Harsh. | ||
| PerrySimm | Unambiguous. | Jacqueline says, "Harsh" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Harshly unambiguous." | ||
| Roger asks, "Is that unambiguous?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "It is harshly unambiguous, yeah." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "She basically told them to die in a fire." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "But we must choose. We must choose." | ||
| DavidW says, "Some choices are false choices. I suspect these are the same choice." | ||
| Roger says, "maybe it means yeah we're gonna get on like a house on fire" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Until we get weighed on the karmameter." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to Roger), "ha" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, should I just pick one of the two things that are likely the same?" | ||
| DavidW says, "I'd pick Harsh" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yikes. Harsh. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I think you mean "amazing." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Well yes, also that. I'd hate to be on the receiving end of it though. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: You should probably stay away from Sylvie then. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They fold the paper up and slip in their pocket.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | North Wing Foyer – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | All the furniture in the room has been shoved off to the side to make room for some giant tarps. You can't really tell what the tarps are going to be for, but with the way they've been given all that space they seem pretty important. | ||
| PerrySimm | The auditorium doors are to the east, opposite the blocked-off path to the small gym. A small door at the northeast end of the foyer leads backstage, and a nearby staircase takes you up to the second floor. The tuck shop is to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | auditorium | ||
| PerrySimm | backstage | ||
| PerrySimm | second floor | ||
| PerrySimm | tuck shop | DavidW says, "Sylvie's mother said..." | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Auditorium?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeeeees" | ||
| PerrySimm | Auditorium – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | The auditorium is the most recent part of the north wing, built around twenty-five years ago after the old auditorium caught on fire during a Junior School production of Twelfth Night. The back of the room is dominated by the old wooden memorial wall, which was salvaged from the wreckage and remounted in here. You can still see a bit of fire damage along the right side. | ||
| PerrySimm | The stage is covered in a fine layer of dust. | ||
| PerrySimm | The big double doors in the back lead out to the foyer. The backstage area is just beyond the curtain. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | memorial wall | ||
| PerrySimm | stage | ||
| PerrySimm | foyer | ||
| PerrySimm | backstage area | Jacqueline says, "memorial" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yep." | ||
| DavidW says, "yes" | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: The memorial wall. This fucking thing. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Your arch-nemesis. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: You ever get sent here for a uniform violation? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Once, in Grade 9. I was so distracted by the Summer situation that I managed to put on the wrong socks. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: You rebel. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I was never much of a rule breaker. | ||
| PerrySimm | I think you were there. | ||
| PerrySimm | Definitely not going to beat your record. | Jacqueline says, "1 or 3" | |
| DavidW says, "Being in this building is rule breaking." | ||
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "The wrong socks. You monster!" | ||
| DavidW says, "3" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah well. I don't think I could ever beat your record. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: God, those fuckers made me copy this thing out so many goddamn times. Think I could probably do the First World War kids off by heart still. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You look up at the First World War section and run your finger along one of the names.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...There he is. Osgoode Terauley. He was sixteen when he founded the newspaper and by nineteen he was dead at the Somme. Think of all he accomplished in such a short life... | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Dying with your face down in the mud isn't an accomplishment, Na. It's a tragedy. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Not saying it's what I want for myself... | ||
| PerrySimm | He got more done than I did. | DavidW says, "got more done." | |
| Jacqueline asks, "Dark, much, Nadia?" | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "Sure" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: He got more done than I ever have. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yet. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They shake their head.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I just can't believe they're still updating this thing. So morbid. Last one was only in 2010. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh right. That guy who died. I'd forgotten all about that. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Did you know him? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No, not at all. I was only in Grade 6. He must have been... five years ahead of me? At least. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You take a few steps down the stairs.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | They had a service for him in here. | ||
| PerrySimm | They never told us how he died. | Knight_Otu asks, "Nadia's a worshipping personality, isn't she?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So is that the ghost we saw?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "It must be." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Probably." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, 2?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| Roger asks (of KO), "a what?" | ||
| DavidW says, "sure" | ||
| DavidW says, "I don't know what a worshipping personality is either." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: They never told us how he died, eh? I mean his actual classmates knew, I'm sure. But they never told us Junior Schoolers. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: What do you think it was? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Suicide maybe? Overdose? I feel like they probably would have told us if it was something like a car accident. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Wait, his name was Alain Sherbourne? | ||
| PerrySimm | (They tap the wall. You turn around.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Spelled the same? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yeah. French first name too. Think he's related? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Mr. Sherbourne did go here. And not too long ago. I wonder... | ||
| PerrySimm | (All of a sudden, you hear a skittering noise from behind you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh... did you hear that? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Sounded like a skittering noise from behind us. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You hear it again. You whip around and see a raccoon with plain white eyes sitting on the stage in the centre of the auditorium, staring up at you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Jesus! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Is that... the raccoon from last week? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Maybe. (You start walking towards it.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Uh... what are you doing? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Getting a closer look. I don't think it wants to attack us. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Every raccoon wants to attack us. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I'll be careful. | ||
| PerrySimm | Just stay calm. | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't think this is an ordinary raccoon. | DavidW says, "3" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "What I mean is she tends to put certain people on a pedestal more than they probably deserve. Summer, Kip, Osgoode..." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Hello raccoon friend." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "3." | ||
| DavidW says, "I kinda feel sorry for Kip." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I don't think is an ordinary– | ||
| PerrySimm | (THE UNIVERSE GOES PURPLE AND TIME SLOWS TO A CRAWL.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...raccoon. | ||
| PerrySimm | (STANDING IN FRONT OF THE RACCOON IS A BOY AND THE BOY IS THE BOY YOU SAW AT THE PARTY AND HIS EYES ARE WHITE LIKE THE EYES OF THE RACCOON WHICH ARE ALSO WHITE.) | ||
| PerrySimm | HIM: Waving Hand emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Hi.--- | ||
| PerrySimm | Please don't yell at me this time. | ||
| PerrySimm | I want to help you but I don't know how. | ||
| PerrySimm | Is that your raccoon? | ||
| PerrySimm | Is someone forcing you to appear here? | Knight_Otu says, "I guess a bit." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Sorry, forgot to hit return. Please don't yell at me is the first of the choices" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "2" | ||
| DavidW says, "I want to help you.." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure. That or 4." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I want to help you, okay? I just... don't know how. | ||
| PerrySimm | HIM: SOS emoji Skull emoji No Good emoji Skull emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I know it's scary. Being... dead. | ||
| PerrySimm | HIM: Fearful Face emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I mean... I guess I don't know. Not exactly. But I want to. I just need help. You need to give me some way to— | ||
| PerrySimm | HIM: Skull emoji Coffin emoji French Flag emoji Gun emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No, I know all that. France. Death... | ||
| PerrySimm | HIM: Skull emoji Skull emoji Skull emoji Skull emoji Skull emoji Gun emoji Gun emoji Gun emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: That can't be all you are, though. You had a life before you died, right? Who were you then? | ||
| PerrySimm | HIM: Newspaper emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Newspaper? | ||
| PerrySimm | HIM: Newspaper emoji Newspaper emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Newspaper. Newspaper. What does that– | ||
| PerrySimm | (WHILE YOU ARE SEEING THE FACE OF THE BOY YOU RECOGNIZE THE FACE AND YOUR BRAIN REALIZES THAT THE FACE ON THE BOY IS THE SAME AS THE FACE ON THE PAINTING OF OSGOODE TERAULEY WHICH YOU CAN REMEMBER WITH YOUR BRAIN. YOU TAKE A STEP IN A DIRECTION WHICH IS EITHER BACKWARDS OR EVERY DIRECTION AT THE SAME TIME.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | (The purpleness dissipates and time snaps back to normal.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Newspaper emoji !! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: What? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Newspaper! Oh shit, oh shit... | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Are you okay dude? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's Osgoode Terauley! That's why I recognized him! The ghost we've been hunting is the guy who founded our newspaper! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Uh... (They look around.) What? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: The ghost! (You point down at the now empty stage.) Did you not see that? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: The raccoon? I mean I saw it, but it just scampered off. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No, not the raccoon! The boy! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Like a human boy? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yes! The raccoon came out, and then it did the same purple time slowing thing as before, and then– | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Time slowing?! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...okay I'm starting to think you and I might not have had identical initial experiences here. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Nadia, what the hell are you talking about? Are you saying you've seen something besides a creepy raccoon? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I mean, it was a raccoon the first time. | ||
| PerrySimm | ...It didn't communicate with you? | Knight_Otu says, "Huh." | |
| Jacqueline says, "I wonder if Osgoode is the racoon." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "2?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Either way we're crazy. Sure." | ||
| DavidW says, "yeah, 2, it didn't communicate" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: So... it never tried to communicate with you? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Communicate?! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah. With like... psychic non-verbal concepts? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: HOW DID YOU NOT TELL ME THIS UNTIL JUST NOW?!?! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I THOUGHT THAT'S WHY YOU WERE SO FREAKED OUT! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Jesus Christ!! We– | ||
| PerrySimm | (You hear something slam in the distance. You and Kaz look at each other and then run behind a row of chairs in the back of the room. A hooded figure enters, carrying something glistening.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | (The figure puts their equipment down on the stage. You hear rummaging and heavy breathing. You and Kaz try peeking out.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (whispering) Can you see anything? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (whispering) No. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You take out your phone and start filming the figure as they move their equipment around. Then you hear a match being struck, and a plume of purple smoke erupts on the stage. There's a loud sustained hiss as the auditorium starts filling with fog. You and Kaz cover your mouths with your blazers.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (whispering a bit louder) We need to move! | ||
| PerrySimm | (Kaz nods. The two of you sneak out of the back of the room.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | Jacqueline says, "There are no choices, but there is a shadowy silhouette we can click on before I hit NEXT" | |
| DavidW says, "That's probably one of the witches." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Might it be Marc?" | ||
| DavidW says, "For a deserted building, it's got lots of occupants." | ||
| DavidW asks, "Who's Marc?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "The woke teacher." | ||
| PerrySimm | ;Sorry, couldn't helped it, clicked on the silhouette. | ||
| PerrySimm | Oops | Jacqueline says, "Sorry, couldn't helped it, clicked on the silhouette." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Mr. Sherbourne" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I have learned a great deal from its bio." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I cannot wait to share this info with you all." | ||
| PerrySimm | Hooded Figure | ||
| PerrySimm | ????????????????? | Jacqueline says, "(That is all)" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Hah." | ||
| PerrySimm | Lockers — After School | ||
| PerrySimm | Wednesday, 14 September 2016 | ||
| PerrySimm | (The next day. You're putting on your backpack and closing your locker when Kaz runs down the hall.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Na! You were right. (They hold up their phone.) I checked the cameras we installed in the hallway on Friday, and we totally got a shot of cloak person! | ||
| PerrySimm | (You take a look. It's a still frame of the cloaked figure entering the North Wing through the closed off second-floor hallway.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Damn. Still didn't get their face. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: No. But we got a clear shot of the thing they were holding. (They tap the screen.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...What is it? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I don't know, a thing? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's like a bowl, or a pot. (You squint.) And it's got weird markings and stuff on it. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: How do we find out what it is? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | We should ask Annette. | ||
| PerrySimm | We should look online. | Knight_Otu says, "I was about to ask why spoiler info would be in a clickable mystery portrait." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Annette." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "yep" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Unless..." | ||
| DavidW says, "Unless the hooded figure is also Annette." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Unless it.... YEAH" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Hmm." | ||
| Jacqueline is no longer sure who to trust. | ||
| DavidW) Jacqueline wonders if Kaz and Anja have been seen at the same time. | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess if we had the snapshot in front of us, we could judge from the approximate size." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Let's trust Annette." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "We might also indirectly endanger her this way..." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Oh." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Bah" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Like, she decides to investigate, or knows more than she'll tell, and confront them..." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "But online research, eh, I'm not sure I'd trust it as well." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Exactly" | ||
| DavidW says, "Or it might not be online at all." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess Annette is our best bet either way." | ||
| DavidW says, "I think we have to risk it." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "As long as we don't wake up as a sacrifice..." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: We should ask Annette. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Ask me what? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Gah! Were you there the whole time? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Nope I just appeared a few seconds ago. What's up? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Any idea what this is? (They hand over the phone.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: (squinting) ...A guy in a robe? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Can you tell what he's holding? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Oh! That's a bone pot! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: A what. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: It's like a – what do you call it – an accoutrement. You put it on an altar during service. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | What's it for? | ||
| PerrySimm | Do you have one? | Jacqueline says, "CONVENIENT" | |
| DavidW asks, "HOW IS ANNETTE THERE?" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Or maybe ... coven-ient?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Is it story convenience, or is she the person, or... omg conven-ient." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "It's the next day or so." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "What's it for?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I think you all are right that it's Woke Marc" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What's it... do? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Nothing. It's decoration. Apparently they used to burn bones in them, for like bone magic? But that was centuries ago. No one does bone magic anymore. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: So then why the hell does this person have one? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Dunno. Who are they? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: That's what we're trying to figure out. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Wait. Bone magic? Like the stuff you were telling me about the other day? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: You mean like controlling ghosts and putting them in animals and stuff? Ye-es... | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hmm. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: ...Nadia, you're not getting involved with this kind of stuff, right? This is some very not good magic we're talking about. And it can be really dangerous. If you don't have the proper training– | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: (walking up) What can be really dangerous? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Nothing. (You click the phone off and hand it back to Kaz.) What's up? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: I was going to drive you home. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh sure. Uh... | ||
| PerrySimm | (You glance back at Kaz quickly. They pat you on the shoulder.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Yeah, sure. Okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | DavidW says, "Oh, I totally missed the 'next day' transition." | |
| PerrySimm | Allen's Car – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: ...Nadia, what's wrong? Are you okay? You've been acting weird for days. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I don't know. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He sighs and pulls over the car.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: I think we need to talk. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He gets out of the car, walks around the back, and sits on the trunk. You follow him and sit next to him.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Are you still upset about me not going to the party? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No. ...Maybe? I don't know. I don't think so. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Oh. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Silence.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: ...Is there something else then? | Knight_Otu says, "He's probably just trying to get his brother back, really." | |
| PerrySimm | --- | DavidW says, "SLOWER" | |
| PerrySimm | I've been thinking a lot about Summer. | ||
| PerrySimm | I feel really mixed up. | ||
| PerrySimm | There's some stuff we need to talk about. | ||
| PerrySimm | I need you to answer some questions for me. | DavidW says, "I haven't read the last page or two." | |
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "It's just a scroll." | ||
| DavidW says, "okay. Geez, that's a whirlwind of transitions." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah" | ||
| DavidW says, "I'm still exploring in the building, dammit. I didn't get a screwdriver!" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Sorry" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Your screwdriver is in another abandoned castle" | ||
| DavidW asks, "And now we zoomed THROUGH Annette into Allen?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yup" | ||
| DavidW says, "[expletive]" | ||
| Roger says, "aww man I could go for a screwdriver. But no orange juice." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Don't blame me, I just copy & paste." | ||
| DavidW says, "3 or 4." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I'd say stuff we need to talk about." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "I hate every one of these options, but, um... 3?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: There's some stuff we need to talk about. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: ...Like what? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Like... Summer. And what happened. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Okay... | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I was talking to Anja at the party, and it turned into this fight, and– | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Anja. Of course. I should have known that was what this was about. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | She mentioned you specifically. | ||
| PerrySimm | Could you at least let me finish? | ||
| PerrySimm | What do you mean? | Jacqueline says, "2" | |
| DavidW says, "2" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You could at least let me finish. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Do I need to? We've had this conversation a hundred times already. Anja did this, Anja did that, Anja's so mean. Anja, Anja, Anja. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Anja wasn't even the point. | ||
| PerrySimm | Do you not even care what the fight was about? | ||
| PerrySimm | I can't even mention her now? | Jacqueline says, "2" | |
| DavidW says, "2" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Do you not even care what this fight was about? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Seems like they're always about nothing. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Well in this case it was about us. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Then it's not even any of her business. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: She made it sound like we did something to Summer, Allen. Beyond just having a fight. You were mentioned by name. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: What would she know about that? She wasn't even around. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Possibly a lot. | ||
| PerrySimm | What do you remember about the fight? | Jacqueline says, "2" | |
| DavidW says, "2" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Look, just... what do you remember about that fight? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: What do I remember? I– lots of things. I remember you being upset. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Was there anything specific that happened? Any relevant details that might explain what she's talking about? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: I don't know what you want me to say. She just... said she didn't want to see you again. Told you to stop calling. Whatever she thought you did– | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay but that's what I'm getting at. Did she say what she thought I did? Did you explain I didn't do anything wrong? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: I don't know. She just said it and then left. Where is this coming from? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm trying to get closure. | ||
| PerrySimm | This isn't adding up. | ||
| PerrySimm | Why are you acting so weird? | DavidW says, "2" | |
| Jacqueline says, "ok" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Things just aren't adding up for me. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Adding up? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: This is what I don't get! Don't you feel like you're missing something here? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: I think you might just be reading too much into things. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No no no, this is not in my head. This version of events where Summer cuts me off, it just doesn't fit. Not with the way everyone's acting this year. Like I don't know what it is that I don't know, but I know that I don't know something. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: I, uh... | ||
| PerrySimm | (He trails off. You stare at him.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Allen, is there something you're not telling me? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: What? What wouldn't I be telling you? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I don't know. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: If you don't know then why are you asking? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You're dodging the question. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: I– | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Allen. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He looks away.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh my god. There is something isn't there? What the heck happened? What have you been leaving out? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Okay. Look. Don't get mad, okay? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I can't promise that. | ||
| PerrySimm | Just tell me! | DavidW says, "1" | |
| Jacqueline says, "1" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Allen, what did you do?" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I can't promise that. If there's something to get mad about I'm going to get mad. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He sighs.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Look. I don't know how to say this, but Summer... kind of had more on her mind than just friendship. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: More...? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: She liked you. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You blink.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: She liked me? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Yes. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Liked me liked me? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Yes. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: And she told you? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: (nodding) She wanted me to find out if you felt the same way. ...And I told her you didn't. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Then why did she tell me not to talk to her? | ||
| PerrySimm | What exactly did you say to her? | ||
| PerrySimm | Why didn't you tell me? | Jacqueline says, "O M G" | |
| Jacqueline says, "O M F G" | ||
| Jacqueline says, ">KILL ALLEN" | ||
| DavidW says, "2" | ||
| Roger says, "Allen you vagblocker" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Okay, that's not quite my silly theory." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to Roger), "dude" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What do you mean? What exactly did you say to her? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: I don't know! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What do you mean you don't know? Tell me what you said! | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: I... I said you two needed a break, okay? I said she should probably stay away. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You stare straight ahead.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: It was just supposed to be for a while! I didn't want her to– | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Did you tell her it was just supposed to be for a while? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Maybe not... in those words... exactly... | ||
| PerrySimm | (You shake your head.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: This whole time. You let me believe she was the one who wanted us to stop talking. But it was your idea, not hers. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He doesn't reply.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: And let me guess, you let her think I wanted her gone. That's what happened, isn't it? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Look, just– Let me explain. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | How could you? | ||
| PerrySimm | You just lied to her? | ||
| PerrySimm | I can't listen to you right now. | ||
| PerrySimm | You bastard. | DavidW says, "1 or 2" | |
| Jacqueline says, "I like 4, but I'll go for 1" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: How could you do that? Why would you do that? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: It was for your own good. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You don't think I can I decide what's for my own good? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: She was obsessed with you! She didn't just want to be your normal friend anymore. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Don't talk about her like that. | ||
| PerrySimm | What is it with you and calling people "obsessed"? | ||
| PerrySimm | So? | DavidW says, "I want an explanation more than the desire to call him names." | |
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "Fair. I'm just really mad." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "*She* was obsessed. What were we, then?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I am also fine with any of these responses." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I now feel horrible for confusing our obsession with star cross'd lovers of fate" | ||
| DavidW says, "2 or 3" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I mean, we still acted quite obsessed." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "2 then" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You're always using that word, "obsessed". What is it with you? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: If you'd heard what she said– | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | You didn't give me the chance. | ||
| PerrySimm | It's normal for people to like each other. | ||
| PerrySimm | This is just about you being insecure. | Jacqueline says, "1 or 2" | |
| DavidW says, "yeah 1 or 2" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "1, I'd say." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You didn't give me the chance to hear what she said! You just decided my answer for me! And then lied about it! | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Are you saying your answer would have been different? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You didn't know! That's the point! You never asked! | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Well fine then! I'm asking now! If Summer had come up to you asked you out, what would you have said? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | Roger says, "so you see, Mary Sue, your problem isn't that people dislike you. Your problem is that too many people like you too much. Your life is hard." | |
| PerrySimm | Yes. | ||
| PerrySimm | It was a long time ago. | ||
| PerrySimm | Not your business. | ||
| PerrySimm | Does it matter? | Jacqueline says, "1" | |
| DavidW says, "1" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Yes. I would have said yes. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Well. That's just great. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Silence.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...I don't know what you want me to say, Allen. It's the truth. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Well I'd like you to say that you're not gay and not in love with Summer, but clearly that's not going to happen. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm bisexual. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm dating you. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm not in love with her. | DavidW says, "1" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "1." | ||
| Roger says, "I'm not gay but I'll learn." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm not gay. I'm bi. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Is there a difference? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I can think of one pretty big one! | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Whatever! You like girls! You don't think you should have told me that? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Maybe I would have... | ||
| PerrySimm | It doesn't matter. | ||
| PerrySimm | Would it have changed things? | ||
| PerrySimm | I never claimed to be straight. | Jacqueline says, "4" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Sure, I guess. Or 3?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I think we already know the answer to 3" | ||
| Jacqueline asks (of DW/Rog), "?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I suppose we do." | ||
| DavidW says, "4" | ||
| Roger says, "sure, 4" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I never said I was straight. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: (scoffing) Oh please, Nadia. You're really going to try that? You can't get off on a technicality here. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey! I don't need to "get off" anything. I didn't do anything wrong! | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: You lied to me! You were lying the entire time we were together! | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Why does it matter that I like girls? | ||
| PerrySimm | You're going to talk to me about lying? | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm not going to apologize. | Jacqueline asks, "Um, where is the option where we make clear we never lied to him?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "But I guess 2" | ||
| DavidW says, "2" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You're going to talk to me about lying?! You told the biggest, most involved, most horrible lie of anyone I have ever known! | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Okay fine. I made a mistake. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: A mistake! | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: But at least I was honest about my feelings. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh, you want honesty? Fine. I honestly don't want to talk to you anymore. So goodbye. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Nadia, wait. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: For what, Allen? You already proved you'll come up with the worst lies imaginable to stop me from leaving, so what could you possibly say right now that I'd actually believe? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: ...I love you. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I bet. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You walk away.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Your Room – Evening | ||
| PerrySimm | (You run into your bedroom, slamming the door behind you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Damn it! | ||
| PerrySimm | (You wipe some tears away, take out your phone, and dial Summer's number. The phone rings.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (pacing around) Come on... | ||
| PerrySimm | (Her voicemail message starts playing.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Of course, idiot. Why would she start answering now? | ||
| PerrySimm | (BEEP.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Summer. Hey. Um. It's Nadia. Nadia Nazari? ...You probably already knew that. You know what my voice sounds like. Listen... uh. Can you call me back? It's really really really important. I have some things to say to you that I can't really say over the phone. I mean, I can say them over the phone just not to your voicemail. Or I guess I could. But it's uh really better if we just– | ||
| PerrySimm | (BEEP.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...talk. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You flop down on your bed and scroll through your contacts to get to Kaz. But right before them on the list is Anja. You tap through to your message history with her, fingers hovering over the screen.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | You were right. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm sorry. | ||
| PerrySimm | We need to talk. | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | DavidW says, "3" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | TEXTING SCREEN | ||
| PerrySimm | Anja Kaczmarek | ||
| PerrySimm | N: | ||
| PerrySimm | N: We need to talk, okay? In person. | ||
| PerrySimm | N: I know you hate me but it's important. | ||
| PerrySimm | A: ??? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | (You stare at the phone, trying to think of what to say next. Eventually you just sigh and put the phone down.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Whatever. What's the difference? | ||
| PerrySimm | (Your phone buzzes. You pick it up. It's Allen calling. You reject the call, power off the phone, and chuck it across the room. Then you plant your face in your pillow and shut your eyes...) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Front Gates — Before School | ||
| PerrySimm | Thursday, 15 September 2016 | ||
| PerrySimm | (The next morning. You walk onto campus with only a couple of minutes left before homeroom. You pause in front of the steps to catch your breath. Olivia Kwon comes up next to you and gives you a little punch on the arm.) | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Girl. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She holds up her hand for a high five. You slap it. Then she puts up her other hand and you give her a high ten.) | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: You're a fuckin' beast, buddy. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She pulls you into a tight hug.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh??? | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: You got this, bud. You're a warrior. Fucking crush this shit. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Thanks? | ||
| PerrySimm | (She gives you a few more pats on the back. Then the first bell rings and she releases you from the hug.) | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Tellin' ya, bud! Beauty! | ||
| PerrySimm | (She runs ahead into the school. You look around in confusion.) | ||
| PerrySimm | Front Steps – After School | ||
| PerrySimm | A bunch of Grade 10 girls are sitting together on the front steps, clustered around a box of timbits. | ||
| PerrySimm | The school entrance is to the north and the parking lot is off to the west. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | school entrance | ||
| PerrySimm | parking lot | DavidW says, "Uh oh" | |
| DavidW asks, "What lie has Allen told THIS time?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Anyway, >SCHOOL ENTRANCE" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Err, yeah." | ||
| DavidW says, "yeah" | ||
| PerrySimm | Foyer – Before School | ||
| PerrySimm | Jayden stares daggers at you as you walk through the front door. | ||
| PerrySimm | The main hallway leads north from here to the Great Hall, while a smaller corridor branches northwest towards your locker. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Jayden | ||
| PerrySimm | Great Hall | ||
| PerrySimm | your locker | Jacqueline says, ">SCREW JAYDEN, WALK TO LOCKER" | |
| DavidW says, "Look at those daggers. Something's DEFINITELY happened." | ||
| Roger says, "timbits are a small pastry otherwise known as a donut-hole" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Let's not screw Jayden." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Heh" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Just ignore him." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "That is what I meant." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, locker?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I know." | ||
| DavidW asks, "If we talk to Jayden, we might get a clue what happened?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "And yes, locker." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to DW), "Bleh. I guess." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "That's not a bad point." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Do we really want to talk to him?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "No, but it would reveal info" | ||
| DavidW says, "No, we want to talk to Summer and Anja." | ||
| DavidW says, "But we have this drama instead to wade through." | ||
| DavidW asks, "Is this what normal people's lives are like?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "All right. I'm going to agree with DW and talk to J." | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: (huffy) You know, you could have just told me. You didn't have to do the whole routine. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What? | ||
| PerrySimm | (He keeps walking down the hall.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: The heck's your problem, man? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Foyer – Before School | ||
| PerrySimm | Jayden walks off towards his homeroom. | ||
| PerrySimm | The main hallway leads north from here to the Great Hall, while a smaller corridor branches northwest towards your locker. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Great Hall | ||
| PerrySimm | your locker | DavidW says, "AAARGH OF COURSE HE DOESN'T TELL US" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "So he told everyone we're gay." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'm guessing Allen told everyone we're a lesbian." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Timing" | ||
| DavidW says, "That's the most likely explanation." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, ">locker?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | Lockers – Before School | ||
| PerrySimm | The halls are pretty much empty at this point. You let out a huge sigh as you reach your locker and start fumbling with your lock. | ||
| PerrySimm | Annette rummages through her things next to you. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | DavidW says, "People are into denial of bisexuality." | |
| PerrySimm | fumbling with your lock | ||
| PerrySimm | Annette | Knight_Otu asks, "Talk to Annette?" | |
| PerrySimm | YOU: Morning. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Damn. You work fast, eh? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm sorry? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Dumping Allen. Knew you just needed a little push in the right direction. And hey, now you get to have some actual fun this year. Good work. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh...? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Anyway. I gotta bolt, but we should definitely talk more about this in spare. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She closes her locker and runs off.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | (You go back to opening your locker. Kaz sprints up to you at full speed.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Nadia! Christ! Are you okay? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Kaz, wh– | ||
| PerrySimm | (They grab your arm and start dragging you down the hall) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: We need to have an emergency staff meeting right now. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: But homeroom– | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Homeroom can wait until after the emergency staff meeting. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (looking around) Uh...? | ||
| PerrySimm | (They open a door and shove you inside.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | What's going on? | ||
| PerrySimm | Why are we in a supply closet? | DavidW says, "I wonder if we can tell Anja we're bi and how much Allen lied in French." | |
| Roger says, "bonjour kaz" | ||
| Roger says, "ou est la bibliotech" | ||
| DavidW says, "The rumour mill in this school is effing strong." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Well, it's Canada. They don't have very many people there." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, ">WHAT'S GOING ON?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess we ask what's going on even though we're reasonably sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Kaz, what's going on? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I didn't tell anyone, I swear to god. Not even Anja, okay? So you can't hate me. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Kaz. What's going on? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Did you not get my texts? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What? No. God, I guess my phone's been off all night. Here– | ||
| PerrySimm | (You reach for your phone. Kaz puts their hand over yours.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Don't. Okay, listen. People are uh... saying some stuff. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Stuff? | ||
| PerrySimm | About me? | DavidW says, "1" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure. Not sure it matters though" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What kind of stuff? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Okay, uh, Allen has been telling people you broke up with him? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I did. Yesterday. Oh my god, Kaz you have no idea– | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: He's telling everyone the reason you broke up with him was you were in love with someone else. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Wait, what? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yeah, Mason says that Allen told him that you said that you wanted to have permission to cheat on him with someone else and he said no but you said he had to otherwise you were going to dump him and he said he wouldn't do it so you said fine it's over and left. I mean that's what Mason says that he said that you said. But Mason told Kyle who told Ethan and all those guys, and Blake was the one who told me, but by the time it got to him it had already been through Olivia and all the lacrosse girls, who of course told Anja. And basically now it's everywhere. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You stare ahead.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: ...Na, he's saying the person you're in love with is a girl. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You stumble back against a shelf and knock over some drain cleaner.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Whoa, whoa... | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Hold on. | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't understand. | ||
| PerrySimm | What do I do? | Knight_Otu says, "Allen. You utter bastard." | |
| Roger says, "so, yeah, basically true" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Um, 1" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| DavidW says, "We can't even kill Allen or he'll haunt us from the afterlife." | ||
| DavidW says, "1. Hold on." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hold on. Just hold on. There's a lot going on right now. Um. (You sit down on the floor and grab your chest.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Nadia? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: My chest hurts. My chest hurts a lot. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Shit. Nadia, look at me. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: My chest doesn't normally hurt this much. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I think you're having a panic attack. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No I'm pretty sure my heart's exploding. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Nadia. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Also my breathing's not working? The air goes in and then stops going in. It's like fifty percent in. Forty percent. What do you call that? Go on WebMD and look up "thirty percent breathing" and then see how long it is before I die. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: You're hyperventilating. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No that's too much air. "Hyper." Means too much. I'm hypoventilating. Look on WebMD for that. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: We need to get you outside. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Outside sounds good. | ||
| PerrySimm | Outside sounds bad. | Roger says, "okay I wasn't expecting to die, but I approve" | |
| Jacqueline says, "heh" | ||
| DavidW says, "There's no screwdrivers in Heaven! Don't die, Nadia!" | ||
| Roger says, "Let's come out of the closet" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "snrk" | ||
| DavidW says, "oh gawd" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Outside good." | ||
| DavidW says, "What if the game makes that joke." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "hrm. okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Outside. Good thinking. Lots of air out there. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (lifting you to your feet) Okay, up we get. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: If I die can you delete my browser history and break my phone with a hammer? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: You're not going to die. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Everyone's going to die Kaz. Especially me, right now. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They lead you out of the building, texting furiously as they go.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Wait, we can't leave before we tell the office. Who's going to tell the office? I have to put my initials in the book. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: We'll call them. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (confused) On the telephone? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: God damn it, where is she? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Who? | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm not really used to skipping school. | Jacqueline asks, "Who?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Who? (Anja probs)" | ||
| DavidW asks, "Why would Kaz call Anja?" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Who? | ||
| PerrySimm | (Anja comes out of the front door.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Oh, thank god! Just... sit here and make sure she doesn't explode. I'm going to get the car and take her home. Also I'm taking the car. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They start to leave.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Kaz! (She dangles the keys.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Right! Good looking out! | ||
| PerrySimm | (Kaz snatches the keys and runs off. You and Anja sit there in silence.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | This is miserable. | ||
| PerrySimm | You must be enjoying this. | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | DavidW says, "Ellipsis" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Agree" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You sit staring at the ground.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: For what it's worth I'm sorry this is happening to you. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No you're not. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I am. You don't deserve this. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Yes I do. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm surprised you think so. | DavidW says, "2" | |
| Jacqueline says, "yeah" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm surprised to hear you of all people say that. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: (rolling her eyes) I'm not a monster, Nadia. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She sighs.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Look, I've been... mad at you. But I don't hate you, okay? I don't want to see you suffer. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | You were mad about Summer. | ||
| PerrySimm | Kind of feels like you hate me. | DavidW says, "1" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: So this whole time you were mad about what happened with Summer. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She raises an eyebrow.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Well yes, of course. What else? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I didn't know. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: This is what confuses me, Nadia. You are clearly a very smart and observant person. What the hell did you think was happening? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You sigh.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No, like, I didn't know Summer had feelings for me. I just heard everything that happened yesterday. That's why we Allen and I broke up. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Wait– | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Allen told me that Summer told him that she never wanted to see me again. Then he went and told her that I told him that I never wanted to see her again. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Anja stares forward in silence.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...All because he wanted to go out with me himself basically. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: That scumbag. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I... yeah. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I'm going to kill him. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Don't, please. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Suggestion noted. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Wait, why am I defending him? | ||
| PerrySimm | I can't believe he told everyone. | ||
| PerrySimm | What am I going to do? | DavidW says, "2" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Hrm. Okay" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Okay." | ||
| DavidW says, "or 3" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I can't believe he told everyone. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: What a bastard. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Now everyone knows, and they're going to say things, and they're going to talk about me, and it's going to spread around even further and– | ||
| PerrySimm | (Your eyes widen and you sit up a bit.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh god, my parents. They're going to disown me. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: They aren't going to disown you. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You don't understand. They're not– If they find out– | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: They aren't going to find out. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Everyone at school knows. The teachers are going to know. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: The teachers have better things to worry about than gossip. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: But what if the school calls my parents? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Why would they ever do that? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I– | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Nadia. The only thing the school wants out of your parents is that Nazari Eyewear Solutions money. They're not going to do anything that might freak anyone out. They have no incentive to. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (breathing heavily) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Your life is not over. Alright? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | (You nod.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Seriously. I'd tell you if it was. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You look out towards the parking lot and see Ethan running towards the school, Tim Hortons coffee in hand. As soon as he comes near you he gets a big stupid grin on his face and opens his mouth.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: If I hear one word out of you I will seriously punch your balls off. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He closes his mouth and hurries into the building.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Thank you. | ||
| PerrySimm | That wasn't necessary. | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaz always said you were overprotective. | DavidW says, "1 or 3" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Who's Ethan again?" | ||
| DavidW says, "He was at the party talking to Mason." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I am so happy that we have Anja in our corner now." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "1" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Thank you. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: My pleasure. I hate that kid. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You chuckle and smile a little.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey, uh... | ||
| PerrySimm | (She looks over at you. You make eye contact for the first time in a while.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Can I ask you a question? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: (shrugging) If you want. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Are you...? | ||
| PerrySimm | Are you and Summer...? | ||
| PerrySimm | ...Never mind. | Jacqueline says, "Let's do it. 2" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Are you and Summer?" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Are you Summer's... uh...? Are you and her...? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Are she and I...? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Um. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: ...Dating? Is that it? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's just, the way you are with her... | ||
| PerrySimm | (She stares at you for a second.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: We're not dating. I'm her friend and I want what's best for her. No other explanation necessary I think. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You nod.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I am gay though, if that's what you were actually asking. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I guess I was. | ||
| PerrySimm | Not really. | ||
| PerrySimm | Oh. | Jacqueline says, "2" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| DavidW says, "ok" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It, uh, wasn't. Not really. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Okay. Never mind then. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: But, you know, thanks for telling me anyway. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: You're... welcome? I guess? It's not much to thank me for, honestly. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah, well. Still. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Kaz pulls up in the car.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: (helping you up.) Listen. I don't hug people. But if I was a hugging person I'd hug you right now. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: That's okay. I also don't hug people. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Good to know. | ||
| PerrySimm | (No one moves for a few seconds. Then she lightly pats you on the shoulder.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...See you around. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You get in the car.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Your Room – Midday | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Aaaaand done. (They shut your laptop and turn around in their chair.) Okay, I blocked everyone online for you. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You mean you made my accounts private? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Hmm. That probably would have been faster. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You flop backwards on your bed.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm such a frigging idiot. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: You're not. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I was wrong about literally everyone and everything. I didn't have a single thing right. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: You weren't wrong about me. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I was wrong about you being wrong about your sister, who it turns out I was catastrophically wrong about. (You rub your face.) I can't believe I thought she was a homophobe. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yeah, sorry. If you had been wrong for any other reason I would have told you but– | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No. I get it. Believe me. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Your phone buzzes on the bed next to you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Think that's a good notification or a bad one? | ||
| PerrySimm | I wish people would stop trying to talk to me. | Jacqueline says, "I say 2 all the time in real life." | |
| DavidW asks, "I wonder if that's the parents?" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Is there such a thing as a good notification, really?" | ||
| Jacqueline says (to KO), "No" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "2?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "sure." | ||
| DavidW says, "either" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ugh. (You pick your phone up off the bed.) You know, it'd be nice if no one ever tried to contact me ever again until the end of time... | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Okay, you know what? You need to stop paying attention to this... (They grab your phone out of your hand.) ...and START paying attention to THIS. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They hand you your laptop.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: My computer? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yeah, log in for me again? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You type in your password.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Okay, now give it back? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You cautiously hand it over. They type some stuff.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Okay. (They clear their throat.) START paying attention to THIS. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They hand over your laptop again. This time there's a document open that just says "GHOSTS" in bold 72pt text.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | You want me to think about death? | ||
| PerrySimm | I am not in the mood for ghosts. | ||
| PerrySimm | ...Sure. Why not. | Roger says, "Sure why not" | |
| DavidW says, "agreed" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Really?" | ||
| Roger says, "yes" | ||
| DavidW says, "Find that skull!" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah, Kaz, she thinks she's going to die, so make her think about the arrangements for the afterlife." | ||
| DavidW says, "(CLUE: It's in the bone pot!)" | ||
| Jacqueline | [LINK] | ||
| Roger says, "We're supposed to be learning to trust Kaz right" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "...okay" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Well, sure, 3." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Sure. Why not? I could use the distraction. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: That's my girl. (They pat you on the leg.) Okay, so let's review: In the past two weeks you've had three supernatural visions, all of which seem to suggest that the spirit of deceased student newspaper founder Osgoode Terauley is trapped in a raccoon's body. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Or that I'm delusional. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Okay, but let's assume you're not. We know from Annette that there's totally a magic spell that could force a human ghost into an animal's body, but it's a weird spell. And to do it you have to burn human bones. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Specifically someone else's bones. Not yours and not the ghost's. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Right. So on Tuesday we saw a mysterious hooded figure enter the abandoned north wing, carrying what we now know is a ritual device for burning bones. They used it, and a weird purple smoke filled the auditorium. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Just like the smoke we saw last week when the ghost appeared for the first time. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: In other words, the mystery person is probably responsible for the ghost being summoned. Which means we need to track them down. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Except we have no idea what they look like. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: No, but we know they have human bones. And those aren't easy to get. We track down the source of the bones, we find our culprit. Easy. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | And how exactly are we going to do that? | ||
| PerrySimm | So we look for reports of missing skeletons? | DavidW says, "2" | |
| Roger says, "see, Kaz knows the score" | ||
| Roger says, "they've got it going on" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, ">So where's the nearest graveyard?" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: So... what, we look for news stories about missing skeletons? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Nah, that's the slow way. We're going to do things the fast way. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They get out their phone.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Wait, what are you doing? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I'm calling Mount Pleasant. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: The cemetery? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (dialing) What else, the road? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | DavidW says, ">Jinkies, Scooby" | |
| PerrySimm | Don't. | ||
| PerrySimm | What are you going to ask them? | ||
| PerrySimm | We can't just call random cemeteries. | Roger asks, "What doesn't your science department have a whole skeleton?" | |
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "That's just plaster!" | ||
| Roger says, "Maybe in your shitty non-private school" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I think they're usually plastic cast these days." | ||
| DavidW says, "There's an author that has a skeleton in France. I'm blanking on his name." | ||
| DavidW says, "David Sedaris." | ||
| Jacqueline says, ">WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO ASK THEM" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Who doesn't have a skeleton?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "And yeah, 2." | ||
| DavidW says (to KO), "Besides his own." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Do you even know what you're going to ask them? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Probably. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Kaz. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They shush you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Hello? Hi. I'm calling about your bones? ... Uh-huh. ... Yeah. Your bones. Do you still have all of them? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You smack your forehead.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: ... All of them. Like 100%. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They get up and start pacing.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: What? Of course not! ... For your information, I am the senior layout editor at a major publication. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (reaching for the phone) Give me–! | ||
| PerrySimm | (They swat your hand away.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I can't reveal that information. ... Attorney-client privilege, duh. ... Well fine! Then I don't want you calling here again either! | ||
| PerrySimm | (They hang up the phone.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Okay well now we know the Mount Pleasant people are hiding something. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: How about I handle the next one? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Your Room – Afternoon | ||
| PerrySimm | (Several hours and graveyards later. You're on the phone with St. John's Norway Cemetery in the Beaches.) | ||
| PerrySimm | GRAVEYARD LADY: Oh my no. Nothing so exciting ever happens around here. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You're sure? No complaints from relatives? Graves being disturbed when you weren't planning it? Weird trespassers? Clerical mix-ups? | ||
| PerrySimm | (She chuckles.) | ||
| PerrySimm | GRAVEYARD LADY: You've got quite the imagination, dear. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hmm. | ||
| PerrySimm | GRAVEYARD LADY: You young people imagine death as this big exciting scary thing, but really it's quite a peaceful experience. I'm rather looking forward to it. Why, I sleep in a coffin every night. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Sorry, what? | Knight_Otu says, "Spoilsport. :p" | |
| PerrySimm | GRAVEYARD LADY: Oh yes, every night for the last seventeen years. You can't ask for a better sleep. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Isn't it cramped? | ||
| PerrySimm | With the door closed? | ||
| PerrySimm | Aren't you afraid of being buried alive? | ||
| PerrySimm | Is it really better than a bed? | ||
| PerrySimm | Why? | DavidW says, "WHY" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, ".... why?" | ||
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "Oh! Vampire!" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "hahaha" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What...? Why? How did you even— | ||
| PerrySimm | GRAVEYARD LADY: Oh, you spend enough time around coffins you're bound to get curious. I took one sleep and that was enough to convince me. Burned my bed the next morning. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: After one sleep? | ||
| PerrySimm | GRAVEYARD LADY: You really should come down and try it. I've got some lovely coffins that would be perfect for a bright young lady like you. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Nooooooope. | ||
| PerrySimm | Boy, look at the time. | DavidW says, "boy, look at the time" | |
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "Look at the time!" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Aw. And here I thought Nadia was adventurous." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Boy, look at the time. I've really got to... go... But um. Thank you? | ||
| PerrySimm | GRAVEYARD LADY: Any time, dear. And just remember, there's a always a coffin here with your name on it! | ||
| PerrySimm | (You hang up the phone and rub your face.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Well? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Let's just say that's a no from them too. How many is cemeteries is that now? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Um... most. The only one in the city we haven't called is Pine Hills over in Scarborough. Want to take it? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Sure. Might as well... | ||
| PerrySimm | (You dial the number. A guy answers.) | ||
| PerrySimm | GRAVEYARD GUY: Pine Hills Cemetery. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hi there. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm doing a school project on cemeteries... | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm writing a news article about cemeteries. | ||
| PerrySimm | Can I speak to a manager please? | Knight_Otu says, "There adventurous, and there's sleeping in a coffin." | |
| Jacqueline says, "2" | ||
| DavidW says, "yesh" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Roger says, "It'd be okay if you didn't close the lid" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Unless THIS IS THE GUY" | ||
| DavidW says, "It might be!" | ||
| Roger says, "But then you're just sleeping in a real big crib" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I KNOW, RIGHT" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Ask for the manager?" | ||
| DavidW says, "no, 2" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "OR MAYBE THE MANAGER IS IN ON IT" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay, I'll stop overthinking and click the second one." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm writing a news story about local cemeteries, and I was wondering– | ||
| PerrySimm | GRAVEYARD GUY: A news story? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yes. I– | ||
| PerrySimm | GRAVEYARD GUY: You sound a little young to be a journalist. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's a student newspaper. Can I ask my question or...? | ||
| PerrySimm | GRAVEYARD GUY: (sighing) Yes, fine. Go ahead. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Thank you so much. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Can you tell me about the history of Pine Hills? | ||
| PerrySimm | Have you had instances of bones going missing recently? | ||
| PerrySimm | What's it like running a cemetery? | Knight_Otu says, "It's a conspiracy, and we're the only ones not invited." | |
| DavidW says, "2" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "2? Straight to the punch?" | ||
| DavidW says, "yes. It's almost 5pm" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I was just wondering if there had been any incidents of missing or stolen bones at your cemetery recently? | ||
| PerrySimm | GRAVEYARD GUY: ... | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Say... in the last few months? | ||
| PerrySimm | GRAVEYARD GUY: ...Why would you ask me that? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What? | Knight_Otu says, "Kicking in the door right away? Sure then." | |
| PerrySimm | GRAVEYARD GUY: You think I just lose corpses all the time, is that it? You think I'm terrible at my job? Is that how little faith you have in me? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | It's not personal. | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't even know you. | ||
| PerrySimm | ...Sorry? | Jacqueline says, "Bing bing bing" | |
| Jacqueline says, "It's always in the last cemetery you look" | ||
| DavidW says, "3" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Sure" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Sorry? I didn't mean– | ||
| PerrySimm | GRAVEYARD GUY: This job isn't easy, you know. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I didn't say it was. | ||
| PerrySimm | GRAVEYARD GUY: You know who came in here today? My ex-fiancée. She was burying her mother. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh. I'm sorry. | ||
| PerrySimm | GRAVEYARD GUY: It was at my own cemetery. And did I even get a courtesy call? No! | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm sure she had a lot to worry about. | ||
| PerrySimm | Why would you have needed a courtesy call? | DavidW says, "either" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "A lot to worry about?" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Well, I don't know... I'm sure she had a lot to worry about... | ||
| PerrySimm | GRAVEYARD GUY: Oh sure, she had a lot to worry about. It's always everyone but me. Why should anyone care about the lowly cemetery worker? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey man, this woman lost her mom. Maybe a bit of compassion is in order? | ||
| PerrySimm | GRAVEYARD GUY: I lost my ex-mother-in-law! Doesn't that mean anything anymore?! | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Ex-future-mother-in-law. | ||
| PerrySimm | Hey, I didn't plan it. | ||
| PerrySimm | It's not all about you. | Jacqueline says, "This is kind of surreal" | |
| DavidW says, "This is an effed up convo" | ||
| Roger exclaims, "So you did lose a corpse!" | ||
| DavidW says, "3" | ||
| Roger says, "This is the least fucked-up conversation so far today" | ||
| Jacqueline says (to Roger), "snrk" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey, not everything is about you. Have you considered that maybe she didn't want to see her ex on the saddest day of her life? | ||
| PerrySimm | GRAVEYARD GUY: Oh, sure, take her side. Typical. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Excuse me? | ||
| PerrySimm | GRAVEYARD GUY: You know, you women are all the same! You've never worked at a graveyard a day in your life! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey! Just because you bury bodies in the ground all day doesn't give you the right to be a total dick! | ||
| PerrySimm | GRAVEYARD GUY: God, the gravedigger buries the bodies! I manage him! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Well then I feel sorry for that guy!! | ||
| PerrySimm | (You hang up the phone.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay that was fun but I think I'm officially done with the telephone forever now. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Your throw your phone down on the bed. It immediately starts ringing. Kaz looks over at the screen.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Oh shit!! It's Summer! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (sitting up) What? | ||
| PerrySimm | (They grab the phone and toss it to you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What do I do?! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Answer it! Answer it! | ||
| PerrySimm | (You pick up.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hello? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Hey. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Hey. | Jacqueline says, "You all let me know if you want to break here." | |
| DavidW says, "> btw, Summer, don't bury your mother at Pine Hills." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "ACTUALLY" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I suppose it is late." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Check this out:" | ||
| PerrySimm | Next Time (potentially) | ||
| PerrySimm | Nadia mends some fences. | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaz climbs over some fences. | ||
| PerrySimm | Anja recalibrates. | ||
| PerrySimm | A creepy jerk sustains multiple face injuries. | ||
| PerrySimm | and | ||
| PerrySimm | All remaining mysteries are solved in accordance with traditional narrative structure. | Jacqueline says, "That is indeed the end of the chapter" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Oh." | ||
| Roger says, "yay stop" | ||
| DavidW says, "woot" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Well that's convenient." | ||
| DavidW says, "I'm dry roasting in this heat." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Did we tarry that much on chapter 2?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "No. Ch 2 was just really long" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Anyway, hooray." | ||
| *** Session 5 *** | ||
| PerrySimm | November 2013 | ||
| PerrySimm | (Three years ago. The day after mid-term break, three months after you and Summer stopped talking. You walked into the North Wing holding Allen's hand.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: You really think we should tell her? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I don't think we have a choice. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: But she'll just find out, right? By seeing us. Why do we have to tell her? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | We owe it to her. | ||
| PerrySimm | She'll be happy. | ||
| PerrySimm | Why shouldn't we? | Jacqueline says, "Interesting" | |
| Jacqueline asks, "The signs were there all along. What kind of a journalist ARE we?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "3" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "The obligatory flashback." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "3, yes." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Why shouldn't we? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: She made it really clear she didn't want to talk to us. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Don't be so nervous. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: I'm not. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Your hand is sweating. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: I just... I think it's a mistake, that's all. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You held his hand a bit tighter.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It'll be okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | (You walked up to Summer's locker. It was completely empty, with no lock on the door. You opened the door a crack.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What's going on? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: I dunno. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Oh gosh, you don't think she dropped out, do you? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Summer? Come on. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay, but what if she transferred? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Maybe she just moved lockers. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You looked around. Anja was at her own locker down the hall, scowling at you. She slammed the door and stormed off to class.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: I'm sure she's around. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | You're probably right. | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't think she is. | Jacqueline says, "2" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Hm. Either work" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Rog?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "It's weird. Roj is the only way to shorten that and still have it pronounce the same." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Anyway, choosing 2." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...I don't think she is, Allen. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Oh. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You slowly closed her locker.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Well, hey. It probably wasn't a good idea to talk to her this morning, anyway. ...Right? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ... | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Known Unknowns | ||
| PerrySimm | episode four: forbidden magic | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Anja's Car — Before School | ||
| PerrySimm | Monday, 19 September 2016 | ||
| PerrySimm | (Three years later. You're sitting in the backseat of Anja's parked car, waiting for Kaz to come out of a coffee shop. The car is silent except for the sound of squeaking windshield wipers. You lightly drum your fingers on the seat beside you. Anja looks up at you in the rear view mirror.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: How's it going back there? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Fine. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Mm. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Thanks for being nice. | ||
| PerrySimm | Thanks for the ride. | Knight_Otu says, "2, I'd say." | |
| Jacqueline says, "yeah" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "1 might be seen as passive-aggressive." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Thanks for driving me to school. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Of course. What else was I going to do? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I could have walked. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: For twenty minutes in the pouring rain? Yes, I suppose you could have. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm just saying, I appreciate it. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Well, you're welcome. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Silence.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: You know, it's funny? Last time I gave you a ride you weren't exactly thrilled at the prospect. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | A lot's changed. | ||
| PerrySimm | Sorry about that. | Jacqueline says, "I'm good with either, but leaning toward 2" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sorry, sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah, uh. Sorry about my attitude that night. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I'm just kidding. It's fine. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I don't really have a good excuse or anything. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I get it. (She shrugs.) More or less. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: If we had a do-over I'd be much more appreciative. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Uh-huh. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Get you a thank you card, maybe? | ||
| PerrySimm | (She chuckles and shakes her head.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Kaz has been in there a while, huh? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Getting Kaz to school on time is more art than science. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Mm. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She turns around in her seat.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: So, hey. Are you okay? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Am I okay? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Just, with your unplanned four-day vacation and everything... | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Were you worried about me? | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm fine. | ||
| PerrySimm | That's a complicated question. | Knight_Otu asks, "Complicated question?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "yeah" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: That is a very complicated question. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Yeah. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Everything in my social life just exploded all at once. The guy I thought I trusted turns out to have been completely screwing me over. The people I thought hated me either don't hate me anymore or never hated me in the first place. And now I'm out to the entire school and I can't even begin to decide what kind of criteria I would need to use to decide how I feel about that. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Mm. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...So yeah. It's a lot. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I get that. Anyway. My offer to talk about everything still stands. If you're feeling up to it, I mean. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Thanks. I probably will at some point. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: The sooner the better, eh? We've seen what not talking gets us. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Kaz jumps back into the car and triumphantly brandishes a pair of breakfast sandwiches.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Ha ha! Mission accomplished. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh, Kaz, no. I told you I didn't want one. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (between alternating bites of both sandwiches) Whuh? | ||
| PerrySimm | (Anja starts the car up.) | Knight_Otu exclaims, "More for them!" | |
| PerrySimm | Front Steps — Before School | ||
| PerrySimm | (You and Kaz are running in from the parking lot. You slow down and stop as you get to the front of the school. Kaz turns around.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Come on, dude! You're going to get drenched. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...I don't think I can do this, Kaz. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: You absolutely can. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I should have stayed home another day. Or week. Or year... | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: You had to come back sooner or later. Today is the day.--- | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Everybody knows. | ||
| PerrySimm | Allen is in there. | ||
| PerrySimm | Summer is in there. | ||
| PerrySimm | I just want to hide in a ditch. | Knight_Otu says, "I don't want to hide in a ditch, but Nadia probably does." | |
| Jacqueline says, "yeah" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I would like to crawl into a hole and never show my face to anyone ever again. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I promise you it's not going to be as bad as you think. Everyone's on your side. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay but what if I just crawled into a hole anyway? | ||
| PerrySimm | (They take your hands.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Look at me. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: ...You're looking at the ground right now. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh-huh. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Na. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You look up.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: You're going to go in there, you're going to realize that all your friends still like you, you're going to say a quick hello to Summer and acknowledge that you two are on speaking terms again, and then you are going to go to your locker like always. Can you handle that? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: If I say yes, will you know that I'm lying? | ||
| PerrySimm | (They rub your shoulder.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Text me if you need, okay? I'll be sending you supportive emojis all day. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Thanks, buddy. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They run ahead into school.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Front Steps — Before School | ||
| PerrySimm | You quickly duck under the awning as the rain picks up. Those caught outside shield themselves with whatever they have handy as they dash towards the entrance. | ||
| PerrySimm | Olivia and Tibor are shooting the breeze at the top of the wheelchair ramp. | ||
| PerrySimm | The school entrance is to the north and the front gates lead off campus to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Olivia and Tibor | ||
| PerrySimm | school entrance | ||
| PerrySimm | front gates | Knight_Otu exclaims, "Emojis? Only ghosts do that, Kaz!" | |
| Jacqueline says, "hee" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "So yeah, Olivia and Tibor." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So, um, do we engage socially with anyone or just -- okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: ...Just the perfect amount of umami there, bud. | ||
| PerrySimm | TIBOR: Mm. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Tellin' ya. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey Olivia Kwon. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Hey! Welcome back, girl. | ||
| PerrySimm | TIBOR: Yo. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Teebs and I was just talking sushi restaurants. You got a fave? | Knight_Otu says, "Olivia already cheered us on." | |
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Sushi Deluxe. | ||
| PerrySimm | Sushi Go. | ||
| PerrySimm | Sushi King. | ||
| PerrySimm | The other Sushi King. | ||
| PerrySimm | Eat!Sushi. | ||
| PerrySimm | Japan House. | ||
| PerrySimm | The basement one. | Jacqueline asks, "Isn't Sushi Go a game?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I still don't get why we call her by her full name." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Maybe she likes that." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Maybe. Still weird, though." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Anyway, Sushi King?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay, Oliver Frank, I shall select Sushi King." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I like Sushi King down on Bloor. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: King of sushi, that guy. No question. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: They do this "King Bento" thing? Which like, two people can share one and feel full. They're amazing. | ||
| PerrySimm | TIBOR: I could go for two of those right now. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Fuckin' animal! You just ate breakfast. | ||
| PerrySimm | TIBOR: Breakfast sucks. Bring on dinner. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She laughs. You smile.) | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: So hey, how you holding up there? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm... okay. I think. Took a mental health day. | ||
| PerrySimm | TIBOR: Mmm. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Technically I guess I took two mental health days... | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Can't have enough mental health dude. Shit's important. That's why they's got hashtags about it. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Hopefully everyone's cool about it. | ||
| PerrySimm | I think I'm handling myself okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | Not thrilled to be in the same building as Allen. | Knight_Otu exclaims, "Hey!" | |
| Jacqueline chuckles. | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "2?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure, let's." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I don't know, I think I'm handling it okay? | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Fuckin' warrior princess there, bud. Hundo percent. | ||
| PerrySimm | TIBOR: (nodding) "Nadia: Warrior Princess" man. You should make that your brand. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: My brand? | ||
| PerrySimm | TIBOR: Yeah! Walking around all Xena cosplay and whatnot. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: (punching him in the arm) Dipshit. | ||
| PerrySimm | TIBOR: I'm just saying!! | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Think that's a uniform violation. | ||
| PerrySimm | Think I'll stick with my current brand. | Jacqueline says, "1" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "But do we have a brand?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Exactly." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Think that'd be a uniform violation. Among other things. | ||
| PerrySimm | TIBOR: Warrior queens don't care about dress codes. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Princesses. | ||
| PerrySimm | TIBOR: Them either. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Front Steps — Before School | ||
| PerrySimm | The rain is still beating down fast and heavy. | ||
| PerrySimm | Olivia and Tibor are shooting the breeze at the top of the wheelchair ramp. | ||
| PerrySimm | The school entrance is to the north and the front gates lead off campus to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | school entrance | ||
| PerrySimm | front gates | Roger says, "Were these kids even alive for Xena" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "At least for the obligatory reruns." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Prolly not, but I think it is part of cult now." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "1" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | Foyer — Before School | ||
| PerrySimm | The tacky brown decor looks especially fitting in this stormy weather. Miles sits on a particularly ugly chair, slowly making his way through his giant economics book. | ||
| PerrySimm | The main hallway leads north from here to the Great Hall, while a smaller corridor branches northwest towards your locker. | ||
| PerrySimm | Soaking wet students run in through the front door to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Miles | ||
| PerrySimm | Great Hall | ||
| PerrySimm | your locker | ||
| PerrySimm | front door | Jacqueline says, "I like this dynamic." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Like, we are given the choice to avoid everyone." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "And if we do, we'll wonder whether or not they are supportive or mocking us or what." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "When likely they're all supportive." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Except if we don't engage we won't know." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Except Allen and Jayden." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Basically, the game is not *forcing* the interaction on us." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "And that makes it more realistic." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to KO), "True. But we don't care about their opinions anyway." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Let's see if Miles thinks we have cooties now." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "heh. Okay" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "True." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh, hey Miles. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: Hello. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hi. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: Did you want something? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No, just saying hi. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: Ah, that's fine then. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You tap your foot.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Sooo... did you... hear what happened? | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: Um, I don't think so? What happened? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm bisexual. | ||
| PerrySimm | I dumped Allen. | ||
| PerrySimm | My universe imploded. | Jacqueline says, "I would just walk away." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Ah, Miles is excluded from the gossip circles." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "But anyway, 2 or 3" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Prolly 2" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess. Not 1, though." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Right" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I dumped Allen. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: That's your boyfriend, right? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I mean not since I dumped him. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: What happened? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Um, he'd been lying and manipulating me for the last two and a half years. | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: (nodding) Pretty good reason to break up with someone. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Oh, and then he outed me. | ||
| PerrySimm | How did you not hear about this? | Jacqueline says, "2" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Let's go 2." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It was kind of a public breakup. How did you not hear about it? | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: Oh, probably because I have absolutely zero interest in anything that sounds even remotely like this. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Huh. Is it weird that I find that kind of reassuring? | ||
| PerrySimm | MILES: Eh, take what you can get. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Foyer — Before School | ||
| PerrySimm | The tacky brown decor looks especially fitting in this stormy weather. Miles sits on a particularly ugly chair, slowly making his way through his giant economics book. | ||
| PerrySimm | Your phone buzzes in your pocket | ||
| PerrySimm | The main hallway leads north from here to the Great Hall, while a smaller corridor branches northwest towards your locker. | ||
| PerrySimm | Soaking wet students run in through the front door to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | buzzes in your pocket | ||
| PerrySimm | Great Hall | ||
| PerrySimm | your locker | ||
| PerrySimm | front door | Jacqueline says, "Oh dear. Our phone." | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Do we buzzkill our phone?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Dunno." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I guess we probably don't." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I guess we ... look at it." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Who knows who it is." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "We will. If we look at it." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Well, if we're lucky, it's the first package of Kaz's emojis." | ||
| Jacqueline exclaims, "Right!" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "(Prediction: we won't be lucky.)" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I WAS WRONG" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "If we're unlucky, it's a teamup of Allen and Jayden." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "HOORAY" | ||
| PerrySimm | [Switch to texting conversation with Kaz Kaczmarek] | ||
| PerrySimm | K: Revolving Hearts emoji Revolving Hearts emoji Spouting Whale emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Foyer — Before School | ||
| PerrySimm | The tacky brown decor looks especially fitting in this stormy weather. Miles sits on a particularly ugly chair, slowly making his way through his giant economics book. | ||
| PerrySimm | The main hallway leads north from here to the Great Hall, while a smaller corridor branches northwest towards your locker. | ||
| PerrySimm | Soaking wet students run in through the front door to the south.Foyer — Before School | ||
| PerrySimm | The tacky brown decor looks especially fitting in this stormy weather. Miles sits on a particularly ugly chair, slowly making his way through his giant economics book. | ||
| PerrySimm | The main hallway leads north from here to the Great Hall, while a smaller corridor branches northwest towards your locker. | ||
| PerrySimm | Soaking wet students run in through the front door to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Sorry!) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Great Happ | ||
| PerrySimm | Great ... Hall | ||
| PerrySimm | your locker | ||
| PerrySimm | front door | Jacqueline says, "Maybe I'm not fully awake yet." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "It happens." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I'd say locker." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | Lockers — Before School | ||
| PerrySimm | With the rain beating down outside, the over-capacity locker hallway is even busier than normal. You gently work your way through the crowd, trying to avoid catching anyone's eye. | ||
| PerrySimm | The dramas are all clustered up in front of the side exit. | ||
| PerrySimm | A stairwell leads up to the second floor here. The Great Hall lies to the east and the front of the school is off to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | dramas | ||
| PerrySimm | Great Hall | ||
| PerrySimm | front of the school | Jacqueline says, "Dramas" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Don't we have enough dramas already? :p" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hi Dramas. | ||
| PerrySimm | COOL DRAMA: Actually I think the "drama" this week is you. | ||
| PerrySimm | BALD DRAMA: Ooh, clever! | ||
| PerrySimm | COOL DRAMA: I decline to accept that compliment. | ||
| PerrySimm | CORSET DRAMA: Yeah, you wouldn't know clever if it walked in wearing a nametag. | ||
| PerrySimm | BALD DRAMA: Yes I would. I kick ass at reading nametags. I'm an amazing reader. | ||
| PerrySimm | TALL DRAMA: I will give you this loonie right now if you can quote me a single line from any book. | Knight_Otu says, "But sure." | |
| PerrySimm | BALD DRAMA: Hey, I never said I was an amazing rememberer. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Glad this is entertaining for you. | ||
| PerrySimm | Is everyone at this school talking about me? | ||
| PerrySimm | ...Okay well bye? | Jacqueline asks, "1?" | |
| Jacqueline asks, "Or 3?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "1." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm glad my misery is so entertaining for you. | ||
| PerrySimm | HIPPIE DRAMA: Hey, sorry if we sound a bit blasé about all this. It's just that we've been there and done that. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Been where and done what? | ||
| PerrySimm | COOL DRAMA: Wouldn't you like to know? | ||
| PerrySimm | BALD DRAMA: Gay drama, that's what. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Wait, is there a sixth one of you I don't know about? | ||
| PerrySimm | TALL DRAMA: See when I came out it caused a major fracture in our friend group. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Fractured? You guys? | ||
| PerrySimm | You're gay? | Jacqueline says, "1" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Nadia, one of them hit on you." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "... I don't remember the being hit upon bit." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Remind me?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "During the party, one of the dramas made an explicit offer." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "That was so a week ago." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Wait, no. TWO WEEKS AGO." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Two weeks." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "But I believe you." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No way. You guys, fractured? | ||
| PerrySimm | COOL DRAMA: It was chaos. | ||
| PerrySimm | TALL DRAMA: See, certain unnamed female members of our friend group were passionately in love with me. | ||
| PerrySimm | CORSET DRAMA: Fuck off. | ||
| PerrySimm | BALD DRAMA: I'd say "pathetically" in love. | ||
| PerrySimm | CORSET DRAMA: You fuck off even more. | ||
| PerrySimm | BALD DRAMA: "Embarrassingly." | ||
| PerrySimm | HIPPIE DRAMA: Point is, we got over the drama. I'm sure your girlfriend will too. Or whatever. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Isn't drama your whole thing? | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't have a girlfriend. | Jacqueline says, "Hrm" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I'd say 1." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I thought drama was your whole thing. | ||
| PerrySimm | BALD DRAMA: Damn, that joke's even cleverer the second time! | ||
| PerrySimm | HIPPIE DRAMA: Life goes on, as you can see. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Lockers — Before School | ||
| PerrySimm | With the rain beating down outside, the over-capacity locker hallway is even busier than normal. You gently work your way through the crowd, trying to avoid catching anyone's eye. | ||
| PerrySimm | The dramas are all clustered up in front of the side exit. | ||
| PerrySimm | A stairwell leads up to the second floor here. The Great Hall lies to the east and the front of the school is off to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Great Hall | ||
| PerrySimm | front of the school | Jacqueline says, "Great Hall, I'd say." | |
| Knight_Otu |(She taps something out on her phone and then shows you the screen. It says: "come find me if you want to make out behind the gazebo Clinking Beer Mugs emoji Nail Polish emoji ") | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah. Great Hall." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Whoa. Is she cute? Just kidding. We were in a 'relationship' way back then." | ||
| PerrySimm | Great Hall — Before School | ||
| PerrySimm | The rain continues to pick up in intensity, battering against the large bay windows and putting a damper on the atmosphere inside. Summer sits at a table by herself, doodling in a notebook. | ||
| PerrySimm | Jayden awkwardly waves at you from across the room. | ||
| PerrySimm | A large staircase leads up to the second floor here. Your locker is down a hall to the west and the front of the school is to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Summer | ||
| PerrySimm | Jayden | ||
| PerrySimm | locker | ||
| PerrySimm | front of the school | Knight_Otu says, "You're the one with access to the portraits." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Not Jayden." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Wow. Jayden waved at us." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I don't think the dramas get a picture. I forgot to look." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Ah." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "One sec" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "These characters get a bio/image:" | ||
| Jacqueline | Nadia | ||
| Jacqueline | Kaz | ||
| Jacqueline | Anja | ||
| Jacqueline | Summer | ||
| Jacqueline | Allen | ||
| Jacqueline | Annette | ||
| Jacqueline | Miles | ||
| Jacqueline | Olivia | ||
| Jacqueline | Jayden | ||
| Jacqueline | Kipling | ||
| Jacqueline | Sherbourne | ||
| Jacqueline | Rouillé | ||
| Jacqueline says, "That is all." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So, no Jayden at all." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Well then, let's forget the drama." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "I meant: So, no Jayden at all?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "No Jayden at all." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "What about Summer?" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Suuurrree...? Maybe?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I don't think we can handle this conversation, but LET'S" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Um. Hi. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: You're back. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah. Couldn't stay away forever. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: That makes two of us, I guess. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You nod.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: So. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | So... | ||
| PerrySimm | Thanks for calling last week. | ||
| PerrySimm | It's okay if you're still uncomfortable. | Knight_Otu asks, "3?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "3" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey, um. It's okay if you're still uncomfortable. And everything. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Oh. No. I mean— | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I know we talked on the phone for a while, but, obviously, it's— well. I just get it. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Actually, I was kind of thinking the opposite. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Yeah. Like, if we're talking on the phone then we can also be talking in real life. You know? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Good idea. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Thanks. (She scratches her forearm.) The rain's supposed to stop later. Do you want to like, walk home after school? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | It's been forever. | ||
| PerrySimm | You sure? | Jacqueline says, "wowsa" | |
| Jacqueline says, "1" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Just be cool, N. Be cool." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "2? It's noncomm... or that." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "You cool with 1?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I was totes wrong about us handling this conversation. Hooray." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Or I guess 2 might be enthusiastic. But sure, 1 is fine." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: As a friendship thing. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I like friendship things. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Cool. I'll meet you out front? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Sounds good. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Great. See you then. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She grabs her notebook and walks upstairs to her homeroom.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Great Hall — Before School | ||
| PerrySimm | The rain continues to pick up in intensity, battering against the large bay windows and putting a damper on the atmosphere inside. | ||
| PerrySimm | Jayden awkwardly waves at you from across the room. | ||
| PerrySimm | A large staircase leads up to the second floor here. Your locker is down a hall to the west and the front of the school is to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN!! <j/k> | ||
| PerrySimm | locker | ||
| PerrySimm | front of the school | Jacqueline says, "We want to avoid Jayden (though really, are we that person?) and we've done locker... but it's the beginning of the school day so I'm not sure why we'd do 'front of the school'" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Um, front of school should get us back to where we started, and we came from the locker, so..." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "...so..." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I think we may have to talk to Jayden. :(" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Jayden. | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Nadia, hi. Do you have a minute? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Like a minute, yes. | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Okay, well. I just wanted you to know, I did some soul-searching while you were gone... | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Okay..... | ||
| PerrySimm | Can we talk about this later? | ||
| PerrySimm | Let's just forget everything. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm still not interested. | Jacqueline says, "okay....." | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "As in, the option?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "1" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess, sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay......? | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: I was... uncharitable. Towards you. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: "Uncharitable." | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: When I heard about you being a lesbian I was upset, and that was unfortunate. I do hope we can preserve our friendship. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm not a lesbian. | ||
| PerrySimm | "Friendship" might be too strong a word. | ||
| PerrySimm | Let's just forget everything. | ||
| PerrySimm | What right did you have to be "upset"? | Jacqueline says, "oof" | |
| Jacqueline says, "3 is the closest there is to the highroad." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I... certainly don't 1. Sure, 3." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "But 1 feels appropriate, 2 seems bitchy, and 4 seems..." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay 3" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "*don't want" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You know what, let me just stop you there. We really don't need to dwell on any of this. | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: We don't? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Let's just put everything behind us and be two people who politely go to the same school. Okay? | ||
| PerrySimm | (He sighs.) | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Sure. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's not personal. Just... yeah. Sorry. | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Right. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Anyway, I gotta go. | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Me too. Have a good day. See you in French tomorrow, I guess? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: See you. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Great Hall — Before School | ||
| PerrySimm | The rain continues to pick up in intensity, battering against the large bay windows and putting a damper on the atmosphere inside. | ||
| PerrySimm | Jayden thumbs through his phone and pretends not to look at you. | ||
| PerrySimm | A large staircase leads up to the second floor here. Your locker is down a hall to the west and the front of the school is to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | locker | ||
| PerrySimm | front of the school | Knight_Otu says, "1 might get his hopes up unneccesarily." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Well, yeah, but it's also the truth." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, I guess we go back to our locker?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess." | ||
| PerrySimm | Lockers — Before School | ||
| PerrySimm | With the rain beating down outside, the over-capacity locker hallway is even busier than normal. You gently work your way through the crowd, trying to avoid catching anyone's eye. | ||
| PerrySimm | The dramas are all clustered up in front of the side exit. | ||
| PerrySimm | Annette stands in front of your locker, mumbling something to herself. | ||
| PerrySimm | A stairwell leads up to the second floor here. The Great Hall lies to the east and the front of the school is off to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Annette | ||
| PerrySimm | Great Hall | ||
| PerrySimm | front of the school | Jacqueline exclaims, "Annette!" | |
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "Annette!" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Jinx." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "hee" | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Oh, Nadia! Fancy running into you here. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...At my locker? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: I wanted to give you something. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She rummages around in her satchel and pulls out a pamphlet. You take it from her.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: "Say 'No!' To Forbidden Bone Magic." Annette— | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Cheesy, I'll admit. But you need to read this. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Where did you get this? | ||
| PerrySimm | I am not saying "Yes" to forbidden bone magic. | Jacqueline says, "Either" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "2?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I have not been saying "Yes" to any kind of magic, forbidden or otherwise. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: (sighing) It's obvious that something is going on. You and Kaz have constantly been asking about ghosts and bone magic, you've been going off every Tuesday to god knows where... | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: We write the newspaper on Tuesdays. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: The point is I'm concerned about you, and not just because any curse you trigger on yourself could easily spread to me via physical proximity. We're locker neighbours. We have a special bond. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You flip the pamphlet open and scan the section headings.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | 1. Magic is not a substitute for grief counselling. | ||
| PerrySimm | 2. It is impossible to bring the dead back to life. | ||
| PerrySimm | 3. Stealing bones is profoundly disrespectful and illegal. | ||
| PerrySimm | 4. Bone magic by-products are hazardous to your health. | Jacqueline asks, "2?" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "So we decided last week that Marc(?) was the one who likely needs the pamphlet?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "And yes,2." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I think so, yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (reading) It is impossible to bring the dead back to life. The apparitions summoned by bone magic are psychic echoes of past life — the aggregate patterns of everyday behaviour made temporarily manifest. They are not alive, they cannot speak words the living person never spoke, and they cannot truly recognize or communicate with you. Many have pursued bone magic in the hopes of bringing a deceased loved one back to this physical plane, but no spell can ever accomplish that. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Whatever you're going through, there are better ways to cope. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm not "going through" anything. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Uh... | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay, yes. Fine. I'm going through several things. But nothing that could be solved by bone-burning rituals. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: We've got a coven meeting on Tuesday. Why don't you come in? It's all very welcoming and we've got loaner hats at the door. You could talk to the pastor about all this. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: That's seriously not— | ||
| PerrySimm | (She holds up her hands.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: She's very nice, and she's not going to like try and convert you anything. I just think she might be able to steer you away from some darker magic stuff. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm just investigating. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm not going over to the dark side. | Knight_Otu asks, "1?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm just investigating this stuff, alright? I'm not performing it. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: That's how it starts. But magic can escalate quickly. First you're reading spellbooks, then you're trying a little incantation, then before you know it — BAM! (She snaps her fingers. A little bit of glittery dust poofs out.) You're communing with demons and doing blood rituals. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The bell rings. You sigh and slip the pamphlet into your jacket.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Alright, alright. You win. I'll read it after school, okay? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Good. Pamphlet reading is the first step to recovery. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | History Class — Morning | ||
| PerrySimm | (Mr. Sherbourne sits on his desk, watching the video that he's projecting on the whiteboard. He pauses it.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Okay. Now wait, wait. You need to watch what this guy does with the skateboard. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He presses the play button again. Olivia leans over and whispers to you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Yo I'm not crazy, right? None of this is actual history stuff? Dude's just been showing us vines all class? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Technically he's been showing us vine compilations on youtube, but yes. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Fuckin' what is this guy? | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Ha! (He slaps his knee.) Classic "fail"! | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I think he's literally the worst teacher. | ||
| PerrySimm | This is actually more boring than normal. | ||
| Plover arrives, ready to play with the toys. | Knight_Otu says, "Man this teacher." | |
| Jacqueline says, "He is not a teacher." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, ">Subtly drop pamphlet on desk." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "He is... Marc. He is a hep cat." | ||
| Plover asks, "Whatare we playing?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "He's not...? Oh." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "This is the final chapter of Known Unknowns, plover." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Known Unknowns." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So, I'm good with either. 1 is fine." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I think he's literally the worst teacher I've ever had. Just in terms of his ability to teach me things, he's completely failing. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: I swear to god I know less about the First World War than I did when I started. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The video comes to an end.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Phew, that was the best one yet. Any requests? How about something with baby animals? | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: I'm gonna fuckin' say something. (She shoots her hand up.) Yo, Mr. S! | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Marc. | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Sure. What are we doin' right now? What's going on here? | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Ha. I guess you could say this is a bit of an "untraditional" lesson, huh? | ||
| PerrySimm | (She shrugs.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Here's the thing. I know you kids are real overworked these days and I figured you could use a bit of a break from all this "school stuff". You've got a lot on your plates. Academically, socially. Some of you more than others. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He makes eye contact with you. You do a small double-take.) | ||
| PerrySimm | OLIVIA: Riiiight. Can I at least use my phone, then? | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Ha. No.\ | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Front Gates — After School | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ready? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Yep. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You set off down the road. The two of you walk in silence for a while.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh! Hold on. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You pull a Big Turk bar out of your backpack and hand it over. She takes it and stares at it.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Oh wow. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | That's your favourite, right? | ||
| PerrySimm | Apology candy. | ||
| PerrySimm | I hope you still like them. | Roger says, "Hey baby I heard you'd like a Big Turk inside you" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Ugh" | ||
| Roger says, "Today has not been my best work" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "2?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "There goes the clean transcript." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "2 or 3, sure." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "It was already not clean. Roger has been here several of these sessions." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Apology candy. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Big Turk. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Your favourite. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: (nodding) You remembered. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I also considered a Mars bar because you love planets, but this seemed more appropriate. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She opens up the top.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Look, I know one apology candy isn't enough for years of being the worst person ever. So I was thinking this one candy bar could represent like a promise to buy you apology candy whenever you wanted it? For a certain amount of time anyway. Four years would probably be fair but I'd be open to longer if you wanted. Ten years maybe. Or forever. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: I don't know what I'd do with forever candy. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Eat it? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: I guess. Want some? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | It's for you. | ||
| PerrySimm | I never had a taste for it. | Jacqueline asks (of Canadians), "So, is that a real candy bar?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Now that I think about it, I called the second floor during the party the orgy floor." | ||
| Roger says, "yeah it has coconut in it I think" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I can't believe we said forever." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "So I guess it's what we call "Bounty" over here." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'm glad that didn't freak Summer out." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'm good with either option here." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I'd say 1." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No thanks. It wouldn't be right for me to eat some of your apology candy. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She takes a bite and chews silently.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Is it okay? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: It's nice. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I really am sorry. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: You don't have to keep saying sorry. I'm not looking for sorries. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I can't help it. | ||
| PerrySimm | I wish I could undo everything. | Jacqueline says, ">Okay" | |
| Jacqueline says, "or >Cool" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Too bad, Nadia, this is no parser game." | ||
| Jacqueline grumbles. | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "I guess 2?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I just wish I could undo everything. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: There's nothing to undo. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Are you kidding? Of course there is. I could have reached out to you at the very least. I could have thought about things critically for a second and realized you'd never treat me like that. I could have swallowed my fear instead of letting it dictate how I treated you. There's so many things! | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: I could have done all that too. We could have done the same things. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Maybe. I feel like I was worse though. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Maybe. A little. But it's not a competition. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah... | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | (Fifteen minutes later. You and Summer cross over Yellow Creek and start climbing up out of the Vale of Avoca. She stumbles over her shoes in front of you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Careful! (You grab her arm.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: I'm fine. I'm okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (letting go) I got worried you were going to fall into the ravine again. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Huh? Oh— right. I forgot about that. I forgot that happened in front of you. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Eleven days ago. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She shakes her head.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: God, so much has changed so quickly. I'm still having trouble keeping track of it. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah, no kidding. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Three months ago I was at public school. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I can't imagine going somewhere else. | ||
| PerrySimm | What was it like there? | ||
| PerrySimm | Did you switch because of me? | ||
| Plover concentrates, and disappears. | Jacqueline says, "2" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What was it like over at Moore Park Collegiate anyway? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Uh, different. Way different. Tons of people, for one thing. Everyone in normal clothes... | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: That must have been an adjustment. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: It was. But I kind of liked it over there. I kind of got into my own thing, you know? ...I had a girlfriend even. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh wow. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She smiles shyly and brushes her hair back.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I had no idea. | ||
| PerrySimm | Who was she? | ||
| PerrySimm | That makes me glad to hear. | Jacqueline asks, "2 or 3?" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "3?" | ||
| Roger says, "then she died (I hope)" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "hahaha ... AW" | ||
| Roger says, "I need these story threads to converge" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "snrk" | ||
| Plover arrives, full of fun, but no funk. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Well, um. That makes me glad to hear? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Yeah? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Just... I guess I'm kind of relieved I didn't completely destroy your entire life, you know. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Me too. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She takes a bite of her candy bar.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: God, sorry. That's a dumb thing for me to say, isn't it? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: I'm not sure. I kind of don't know what the best thing to say is. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Neither do I. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: I feel like I have to learn to talk to you all over again. Is that weird? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Only a little. | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't think so. | ||
| PerrySimm | It's weird for both of us. | Jacqueline says, "3" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I think it's weird for both of us. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: You remember how we used to just talk forever and it was totally easy? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah. You used to talk about science stuff for hours and make it interesting. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: It is interesting. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh-huh. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You get to the top of Yellow Creek.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: We should talk more often. For practice. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey, we've got all year to get back into form. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Newspaper Office — After School | ||
| PerrySimm | Tuesday, 20 September 2016 | ||
| PerrySimm | (The next day. You and Kaz are alone in the newspaper office. Kaz stares intently into their monitor as you watch the door with your head in your hands.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Hey, do you want me to make the "FUCK YOU ALLEN" ad a quarter page or a half page? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: For the last time, we're not putting a half-page rant against my ex-boyfriend in there. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (nodding) Quarter then. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You check the time on your phone and sigh.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Guess the recruitment ads in last week's issue didn't work. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Well look at it this way. If no one shows up, we can spend the time we would have spent on orientation on something else. Like, say, more ghost investigating? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I'd forgotten all about the ghost thing. | ||
| PerrySimm | Not sure I can handle more investigating. | ||
| PerrySimm | I think the investigation is dead. | ||
| PerrySimm | Or we could spend that time on the paper. | Jacqueline says, "Actually, Roger and orgies aside, the language alone probably merits a warning on the transcript." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Maybe. It's your call, of course." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I wonder if she means #3 as a pun" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "4?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Or we could spend that time actually making the newspaper. Unless you want to keep working stupid late hours every week that is. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: In the long run it's just going to be more late nights if we don't get this ghost thing off the ground. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: There's no story there, Kaz. We're at a dead end. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: How are we at a dead end?? We saw someone sneak into the North Wing late at night to burn human bones for the purposes of ghost summoning! That's a major scoop! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: And we have nothing at all to back it up. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: We have the perpetrator. We track them down and we're golden. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | We can't just confront this person. | ||
| PerrySimm | We're out of leads to investigate. | ||
| PerrySimm | We can't tie anything to anything. | ||
| Plover runs out of the room, with a smile on his face. | Knight_Otu says, "1." | |
| Jacqueline says, "yeah" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Look, we can't physically confront this random person! All we can do is investigate from the sidelines, and that's obviously going nowhere. We had one idea for a lead and it was a bust — we couldn't find a single instance of missing bones and we called every graveyard in the city! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: All the ones that had phone numbers anyway. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Wait, there were graveyards without phone numbers? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: A bunch of them yeah. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Like what? | ||
| PerrySimm | (They pull up a list of cemeteries and start scrolling through it.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Like, uh... "Christie's Methodist Cemetery." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Never heard of it. Where is it? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I'm assuming it's on Christie? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You look it up online.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No, it's up in Scarborough. (You zoom in on the map.) ...Wait, is it in the middle of a parking lot? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Oh that can't be right. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Seriously, look. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They roll their chair up next to you and look over your shoulder.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Holy shit. That's Bridlewood Mall. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: See? It's literally right in the parking lot! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: This is wild! Look, there's a goddamn Price Chopper. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Who takes care of this? | ||
| PerrySimm | Why would you build a mall here? | ||
| PerrySimm | You said there were more of these? | Jacqueline asks, "3?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: And you said there were more of these? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: A bunch, yeah. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: So what, there are just abandoned cemeteries all over the city? Just hanging around with no one in charge of them? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I guess so? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: That's so weird. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: ...Wait. So then who's responsible for the bones? No one? Is there anyone guarding them or making sure they aren't stolen? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't know. | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't think so. | ||
| PerrySimm | Are they all like this? | Knight_Otu says, "Either, really." | |
| Jacqueline says, "2 or 3. I like a 3" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "3, then." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Are they all the same as this one? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Well they're all in different places and stuff, but I think they're all abandoned. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Damn, okay. We need to check them all out. Let's get a list together of every graveyard we overlooked. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Got it. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: If someone is stealing bones, it could be from one of these places. We just need to figure out which one... | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaz's Extremely Accurate And Exhaustive List Of Unmaintained Cemeteries in the City of Toronto | ||
| PerrySimm | Christie's Methodist Cemetery — 2900 Warden Avenue. Bridlewood Mall parking lot. | ||
| PerrySimm | Cummer Burial Grounds — 5337 Yonge Street. a.k.a. Willowdale Methodist Cemetery. Unregistered. | ||
| PerrySimm | Lakeshore Asylum Cemetery — 231 Evans Avenue. Next to the Gardiner Expressway in an industrial zone. | ||
| PerrySimm | Richview Memorial Cemetery — Eglinton Avenue West. No street number. Out near Pearson Airport. | ||
| PerrySimm | York Mills Baptist Church Cemetery — 104 York Mills Road. Tiny plot in a residential neighbourhood. | Jacqueline says, "Now I really wish DW was here." | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "So that's five options to investigate?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Oh, yeah. They're each clickable." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "I'm trying to figure out... like, is there info here that would help lead us to the correct one?" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "The closest one?" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "The most WWIest one?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I think we can drop the airport one at least." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "I'd say the closest is the most likely, but which is the closest?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah, dunno." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "I guess we just go through them in... REVERSE ORDER?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Well, if we get multiple guesses, that would work." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Whoa. This one's weird. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yeah it's just like... where a house should be on York Mills Road. Only it's a cemetery. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | How would you even get in there? | ||
| PerrySimm | It's literally surrounded by houses. | ||
| PerrySimm | York Mills is a busy street. | ||
| PerrySimm | Barely any bodies. | Jacqueline says, "Actually, I'm regretting this." | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "3?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: York Mills is a pretty busy street. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I mean, there are trees blocking the graves. You can barely tell it's there on street view. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay, but it's not just cars speeding by. It's people. This is a residential neighbourhood. They'd hear the digging, you know? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yeah, you're right. This can't be it. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaz's Extremely Accurate And Exhaustive List Of Unmaintained Cemeteries in the City of Toronto | ||
| PerrySimm | Christie's Methodist Cemetery — 2900 Warden Avenue. Bridlewood Mall parking lot. | ||
| PerrySimm | Cummer Burial Grounds — 5337 Yonge Street. a.k.a. Willowdale Methodist Cemetery. Unregistered. | ||
| PerrySimm | Lakeshore Asylum Cemetery — 231 Evans Avenue. Next to the Gardiner Expressway in an industrial zone. | ||
| PerrySimm | Richview Memorial Cemetery — Eglinton Avenue West. No street number. Out near Pearson Airport. | ||
| PerrySimm | York Mills Baptist Church Cemetery — 104 York Mills Road. Tiny plot in a residential neighbourhood. | ||
| PerrySimm | (York Mills is now crossed out) | Knight_Otu says, "Yet it stt...oh." | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "We can probably cross out Christie's similarly?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Well, let's try it." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Alright, let's dig a bit deeper on the parking lot one. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Okay, so. Christie's Methodist. Parking lot of Bridlewood Mall. Finch and Warden. Opened 1849, closed 1950. Forty-seven burials. What do we think? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hmm... | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | The mall probably has a security guard. | ||
| PerrySimm | Warden's a busy street. | ||
| PerrySimm | How long has it been like this? | ||
| PerrySimm | How big is it? | Knight_Otu asks, "1?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Sure" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Or 2. Again." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay well, if I was trying to get bones this wouldn't be my first choice. The mall probably has a security guard for one thing. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Guarding the stores, sure. But this is pretty far from the entrance. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hmm. I guess it probably wouldn't be on the patrol route. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: And like there are trees and stuff in the way. I bet you wouldn't even be able to see into it at night. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Warden's a busy street. | ||
| PerrySimm | So it's like a park. | ||
| PerrySimm | But as soon as the sun comes up... | Jacqueline asks, "2?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "1, then. Busy street." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's right on Warden. That's a busy street. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Suburbs at night get pretty dead, dude. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah but not that dead. There's giant apartment towers right across the street. People probably coming and going at all hours. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yeah, you're right. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Way too high profile. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They nod and open up another tab.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Cummer Burial Grounds — 5337 Yonge Street. a.k.a. Willowdale Methodist Cemetery. Unregistered. | ||
| PerrySimm | Lakeshore Asylum Cemetery — 231 Evans Avenue. Next to the Gardiner Expressway in an industrial zone. | ||
| PerrySimm | Richview Memorial Cemetery — Eglinton Avenue West. No street number. Out near Pearson Airport. | Jacqueline says, "I'm going to pick Cummer" | |
| Jacqueline asks, "You cool?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Pffffffffftttt!!! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh, grow up. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (giggling) It's literally spelled CUMMER! With a U. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay no this one is on Yonge Street. Surrounded by condos. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (wiping away a tear) Seriously, it's like the least appropriate name imaginable. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: There's a grocery store, a church, that 24-hour Korean place.... No way you could dig a body up there without being seen. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Do you think we're putting too much emphasis on not being seen? What if this person is doing a hiding in plain sight kinda thing? Some kind of ingenious disguise? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | Knight_Otu says, "That might be it." | |
| PerrySimm | What disguise could possibly cover digging up a body? | ||
| PerrySimm | The fewer eyes on them, the better. | Knight_Otu asks, "Or not. 1?" | |
| Jacqueline asks, "1?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "yeah" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay but what possible disguise could you have to make grave robbing seem normal? Like we're not talking about a... burglar pretending to be a chef or whatever. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: A chef? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Or whatever! There's no like alternate explanation for why you'd be there. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: What about a gravedigger? That's a good disguise. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: They put bodies in, not take them out. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Oh yeah... | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Wherever the mysterious person got their bones, they can't have done it where they would have been seen. We need somewhere completely isolated. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Lakeshore Asylum Cemetery — 231 Evans Avenue. Next to the Gardiner Expressway in an industrial zone. | ||
| PerrySimm | Richview Memorial Cemetery — Eglinton Avenue West. No street number. Out near Pearson Airport. | Jacqueline says, "See, out near the airport is looking more likely." | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Is our mystery graverobber really going out to the airport?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "But let's do Lakeshore first." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: "Asylum". That's never a word you want to hear. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Closed in 1979. I guess this is where they put the bodies? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: How many bodies could they have had? It was a mental hospital, not a... deathly disease hospital. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Enough to fill a graveyard, apparently. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: So nobody's been looking after this place since the '70s? The government just abandoned it? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You click around a bit.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Wait, no look. It totally is being maintained. See? There's like a volunteer website thing. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Better than nothing I guess. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: If it's being cared for, it's probably safe from grave robbers. Let's try somewhere else. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Richview Memorial Cemetery — Eglinton Avenue West. No street number. Out near Pearson Airport. | Knight_Otu says, "Huh." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Yup" | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Jeez, this one's pretty out of the way. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Looks like it's out by Highway 427? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Looks like it's in Highway 427. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh my god, you're right. It's in the middle of an interchange! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: How in the hell...? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | This is the least peaceful cemetery I've ever seen. | ||
| PerrySimm | How long has it been abandoned? | ||
| PerrySimm | How did a graveyard end up surrounded by highways? | ||
| PerrySimm | Do you think there's anyone in charge of it? | Knight_Otu says, ""Don't mind me, just driving some bones for leisure"" | |
| Jacqueline says, "I'm good with any of these probing questions." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "3, I guess." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: How does a graveyard end up surrounded by highways? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Kind of efficient when you think about it. Not like you're going to use the land for anything else. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You figure there'd be some respect for the dead though. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I think the respect is that they didn't bulldoze it. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hmm. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Anyway, it's been abandoned for years at this point. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | How long? | ||
| PerrySimm | Does the province run it? | Jacqueline says, "1" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: How long? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I mean, decades at least. ...Looks like there's a caretaker though. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay, well— | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: No, wait. There was a caretaker. But he died like ten years ago. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: And now there's nobody looking after it? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Doesn't look like it. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: In other words, it's a totally unguarded cemetery in the middle of nowhere that no one knows about. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Dude. I think this is the place. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I think you're right. | ||
| PerrySimm | Worth investigating at least. | ||
| PerrySimm | Let's say it is. What next? | Knight_Otu says, "3. Let's plan first, die later." | |
| Jacqueline says, "heh. okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay. Let's say you're right. Let's say it is the source of the bones. What then? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: We investigate, right? We drive out there? It's not that far. We could go after school tomorrow. This could be the break. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You stare at the screen.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: We've got our lead, Na. Now we need to follow it. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Alright. Let's do it. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | French Class — Mid-Afternoon | ||
| PerrySimm | Wednesday, 21 September 2016 | ||
| PerrySimm | (The next day. Your entire French class stares straight ahead in total silence, waiting for the bell to ring. Docteure Rouillé sits with her arms folded across her desk, staring back at her students.) | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: (raising his hand) Docteure Rouillé? | ||
| PerrySimm | (She doesn't respond. Your phone buzzes on the table.) | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: ...Bonjour? | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: (sigh) What is it, Monsieur Finch? | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Are we ever going to talk again? | ||
| PerrySimm | (Your phone buzzes again. Anja clears her throat.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: Non. You have already proven that your speaking is a total disrespect to the French language. | ||
| PerrySimm | JAYDEN: Oh. ...Can we at least read French, then? Rather than doing literally nothing? | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: If you read French, you may begin to speak it. I cannot take such a risk. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Your phone buzzes a third time. Anja clears her throat louder. You look over at her and she points at your phone. You grab it and check it under the table.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | Knight_Otu says, "Not much of a plan." | |
| PerrySimm | (Text conversation with Anja Kaczmarek) | ||
| PerrySimm | A: hey | ||
| PerrySimm | A: Nadia | ||
| PerrySimm | A: I am writing you a third text message so your phone buzzes again | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Hey. | ||
| PerrySimm | Sorry. | Knight_Otu asks, "WHAT IS WITH THESE TEACHERS!?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "One sec - catching up" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay, hahaha wow." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Brendan was clearly traumatized by a French teacher at some point." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I can relate." | ||
| Roger says, "If they were good they'd be working at a real school" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Fortunately, I made peace with all of them." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "And the one that I thought was the meanest of them all is now my friend." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, um, hey?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | N: Hey! | ||
| PerrySimm | N: hi | ||
| PerrySimm | N: I'm here | ||
| PerrySimm | A: Took you long enough. | ||
| PerrySimm | A: So what's this I hear about you and kaz stealing my car this evening? | ||
| PerrySimm | N: uh | ||
| PerrySimm | A: Some kind of "top secret mission" | ||
| PerrySimm | N: Ohhh. That. Yeah. | ||
| PerrySimm | N: We're just going somewhere. | Knight_Otu says, "Right, none of these two has a car." | |
| PerrySimm | A: ...how specific. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | It's a journalism thing. | ||
| PerrySimm | It's personal. | ||
| PerrySimm | It's complicated. | ||
| PerrySimm | Don't you share the car? | Jacqueline says, "1" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "1?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah" | ||
| PerrySimm | N: It's a Middleman thing. | ||
| PerrySimm | A: right. | ||
| PerrySimm | N: journalism stuff. I'm sure you'd find it boring. | ||
| PerrySimm | A: I thought school journalism was mostly confined to the school | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | We go where the story is. | Knight_Otu exclaims, "Run, Nadia, she got you!" | |
| PerrySimm | We go where the story is. | Jacqueline says, "Wait." | |
| Jacqueline says, "The choices are different. Let me try that again." | ||
| PerrySimm | We go where the story is. | Knight_Otu says, "Ah." | |
| PerrySimm | It is about the school. | Jacqueline asks, "2?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I was thinking We go where the story is was the only option." | ||
| Jacqueline says, ">Also, it is dangerous and we probably shouldn't be doing it." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Heh." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I like 'it's about the school'" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I can go with 2, though I prefer 1." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Oh. I'm not deeply opposed to 1." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I shall pick 1" | ||
| PerrySimm | N: We go wherever the story is | ||
| PerrySimm | N: This time the story's off campus. | ||
| PerrySimm | A: Intriguing | ||
| PerrySimm | A: Mysterious | ||
| PerrySimm | A: Tell me more. | ||
| PerrySimm | N: You'll have to wait for the issue! Winking Face emoji Newspaper emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | (The bell rings.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: You may leave. Remember, your apologies to the French language are due on Monday. Any group which does well enough at this basic task, I will consider reinstating your speaking privileges. D'accord? Bon. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You and Anja gather your books and walk out of class together.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: So, what are you doing on Friday? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Why do you ask? | ||
| PerrySimm | Nothing. | Knight_Otu exclaims, "A: No one reads that!" | |
| Jacqueline asks, "Nothing?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh! I, uh... nothing. Nothing going on. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She raises an eyebrow.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I sense some hesitation. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Sorry, I was never really free on Fridays before because I was always hanging out with Allen. So reflexively I almost said I was busy, but I'm not actually busy at all. And I would very much like to, do, uh, whatever it is you were about to ask me about? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I was going to say you should come over that night so we can work on our French project. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: That. Yes. I'd like to do that. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She smiles.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Perfect. Friday it is. Enjoy your secret mission. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Cemetery Gate — After School | ||
| PerrySimm | (That evening. Kaz pulls their car onto a tiny gravel path between the two lanes of Highway 427.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Okay, let's go. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Kaz walks towards the gate. You get out and look around.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Is this really it? | ||
| PerrySimm | This is so shady. | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't like this... | Jacqueline says, "I don't think it's Kaz's car" | |
| Jacqueline says, "I think it's their sister's car." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Just sayin'" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "So do I." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "1?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Is this it? This can't be it. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I think it's it. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It looks like a maintenance road. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The two of you walk up to the closed gate. Kaz crouches down and squints at it.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Hmm... | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Guess it makes sense that they'd fence it off. They probably don't want troublemakers running around. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: There's no "they" anymore. It's an abandoned cemetery. This is like anti-trespassing. Now come on. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Kaz grabs onto the fence and stars hoisting themself up.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Kaz. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I'm going to jump over. Give me a boost. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm not climbing a fence. | ||
| PerrySimm | Wait. | ||
| PerrySimm | ...Fine. | Knight_Otu says, "I think it still qualifies as trespassing." | |
| Jacqueline says, "This just gets worse and worse." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "1 or 2?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Not to project too much Jacq into this, but 1. Except this isn't about Jacq, it's Nadia, so... 2." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Kaz. Wait. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (scrambling) You can't stop me, Na! I'm getting us past that fence whatever the cost! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No, I mean wait until you try the normal way. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You push on the gate. It glides open.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: ...Oh. (They slide back down.) Well, my way would have worked too. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Driveway — Late Afternoon | ||
| PerrySimm | The access road for Richview Memorial Cemetery seems to be doing double duty as a parking lot for heavy machinery. | ||
| PerrySimm | The gravel path curves around and stops by a second, smaller fence which hems in the tiny graveyard. The inner gate is closed, but there are no signs indicating when or if it is ever open. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | heavy machinery | ||
| PerrySimm | inner gate | Knight_Otu says, "Oh." | |
| Jacqueline says, "either" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Part of me wants to chek the machinery, but again, traces..." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Let's do it." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Though I guess we touched the gate already." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I don't think this game plays so deep with consequences." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You and Kaz walk over to the heavy machinery parked outside the inner fence.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What do you think it's for? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: It's— You know. It's for doing... heavy duty... construction... stuff. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You knock on the side of it.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: ...I think it might be a road surfacer? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | What are you basing that on? | ||
| PerrySimm | Feels a bit disrespectful. | ||
| PerrySimm | See if they left the keys inside. | Knight_Otu says, "We can't be sure until the end." | |
| Jacqueline says, "True. I'm a rebel." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Or until we're arrested." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "1?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "1: judgy, 2: srsly?, 3: THAT ESCALATED QUICKLY" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Sure. 1." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What on earth are you basing that on? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Look at it. It's next to a road and it's got a big thing. It could totally surface. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hm. It does have a big thing. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yeah, definitely a surfacer. Probably. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Driveway — Late Afternoon | ||
| PerrySimm | The access road for Richview Memorial Cemetery seems to be doing double duty as a parking lot for heavy machinery. | ||
| PerrySimm | The gravel path curves around and stops by a second, smaller fence which hems in the tiny graveyard. The inner gate is closed, but there are no signs indicating when or if it is ever open. | ||
| PerrySimm | A plane flies low overhead on its way to Pearson Airport. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | inner gate | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | (You walk up to the second gate and pull on it. It doesn't open. Kaz rubs their hands together in excitement.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Alright! This time— | ||
| PerrySimm | (You slip your hand through the chain link and pull up a small latch. The door swings open.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Aw, man. What's even the point of sneaking into somewhere with a fence if you don't get to climb it? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I promise you can climb it on the way out. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Richview Cemetery — After School | ||
| PerrySimm | You and Kaz step through the gate and take in the unusual scenery. | ||
| PerrySimm | Even though the sun hasn't fully set yet, the giant floodlight at the edge of the graveyard is already on full blast, illuminating the cars that speed down Highway 427 . | ||
| PerrySimm | The graveyard itself is a flat and featureless square of grass. A lone tree stands among the hundred or so graves that are scattered around the tiny cemetery. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | floodlight | ||
| PerrySimm | Highway 427 | ||
| PerrySimm | lone tree | ||
| PerrySimm | graves | Knight_Otu says, ">Enter floodlight, alert polic." | |
| Roger says, "I like trees" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "*police" | ||
| Roger says, "more than the bat signal" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Trees or graves." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure, tree." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Sure, tree." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You walk up to the lone tree in the centre of the graveyard and put your hand on the bark.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: How strange. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: One tree all by itself, eh? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | It's kind of pretty. | ||
| PerrySimm | It's kind of sad. | ||
| PerrySimm | It's like a grave. | Knight_Otu says, "Either, really." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah, I have no strong feelings." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's like a grave, isn't it? It's a tree grave. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Like a grave for a tree or a grave that is a tree? Or both? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Well it certainly wouldn't be both. Like a tree wouldn't use a tree as a gravestone. That'd be like a person using a person as a gravestone. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: That would be an incredible power move for a billionaire though. Like, "Oh I'm dead and here's the guy I hired to stand where my body is, forever." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Literally just a guy holding a sign? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yeah, exactly. In a suit, and it's a nice classy sign. Maybe they like update the little message on it every once in a while. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Can you imagine the shift change? The one guy solemnly hands off the sign to the other. Maybe there's like a salute? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Okay but what if instead of being super solemn the night shift guy was like one of those sign twirler dudes you see out on the street? And he's like tossing it around and doing loop-de-loops and shit? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (laughing) Well that guy'd get fired obviously! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: By who???? His boss is dead! | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Richview Cemetery — After School | ||
| PerrySimm | Even though the sun hasn't fully set yet, the giant floodlight at the edge of the graveyard is already on full blast, illuminating the cars that speed down Highway 427 . | ||
| PerrySimm | The graveyard itself is a flat and featureless square of grass. A lone tree stands among the hundred or so graves that are scattered around the tiny cemetery. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | floodlight | ||
| PerrySimm | Hwy 427 | ||
| PerrySimm | graves | Jacqueline exclaims, "graves!" | |
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "braiiins!" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I guess we should start examining this place for clues? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: You got it, boss. (They glance around and scratch their head.) Uh, what are we looking for? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't know. | ||
| PerrySimm | Maybe something on the graves? | ||
| PerrySimm | Some kind of physical evidence. | ||
| PerrySimm | Anything. | Jacqueline asks, "3 or 4?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, ">Open graves, Kaz." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Aie. No." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "4 or I guess." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Anything. Anything at all. If it's noteworthy, just shout it out. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I can do that. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You start checking out some of the graves. Kaz splits off and looks in the row next to you. The two of you walk in silence for a minute or so.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You said "anything", right? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah. Did you find something? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yeah. This guy's name is "Jack Dixon." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Could we at least try respecting the dead while we're here? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I mean I'll try but I just found a person named "Garbutt" so no promises. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You trip over a chunk of earth.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Damn it. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You look down. The plot you're standing over doesn't have any grass growing on it. You look at the death date: 1862.) | Knight_Otu exclaims, "As in, look for open graves!" | |
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh... Kaz? | ||
| PerrySimm | (They run over.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: What? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Is this recently disturbed? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Oh shit. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It is, isn't it? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: ...Wow. Jeez. Okay. Um. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: This grave is a hundred and fifty years old and someone just dug it up. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I'm going to be honest, I'm not quite sure what to do here? I didn't really plan this far ahead. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You run your fingers through the dirt and start breathing faster.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Na? What do we do? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | Roger says, "steal some bones of your own" | |
| Roger says, "for uhhh magic stuff" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, ready for the choices?" | ||
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "I told you guys to plan!" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "heh" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "We're not going to like the choices, are we?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Oh, I think they're great." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "You may not agree, though." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Get ready for it..." | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | Jacqueline says, "THERE" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Pfft." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "hee" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I am partial to the second set of ellipses." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "But I could be pursuaded to pick a different set." | ||
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "But that's clearly the wrong one!" | ||
| Jacqueline exclaims, "Which one then?!" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Let's be wrong and choose 2." | ||
| Jacqueline exclaims, "OKAY!" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ... | ||
| PerrySimm | (You grab a fistful of soil.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: ...Nadia? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (wavering) I, uh... | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: What's happening? Are you okay? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You stand up. The dirt slips out of your hand.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Did you just have another ghost vision? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No. I— My chest feels tight again. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Oh god. Okay. (They grab your arm.) Breathe. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm trying to breathe but it feels weird. It feels weird when I breathe. It doesn't— | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I think you're hyperventilating again. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You pull away and start pacing.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't know what's wrong with me. | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't know what to do. | Jacqueline says, "Now I'm just frowning." | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "I guess 2?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Sure" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I don't know what to do! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: You don't have to do anything, okay? Let's just get back to the car. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (tears welling up) I don't know what to do about any of it! Everything got all confused all at once and I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing, or why, or, or... | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I know. Come on. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They reach out and grab your hand again.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaczmarek Residence — Evening | ||
| PerrySimm | (You sit on a couch and sniffle as Kaz rubs your back. Anja pinches the bridge of her nose) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: God damn it. You got her high, didn't you? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: What? No! | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Don't say "no" like it's a thing you wouldn't do! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Just because I would doesn't mean I did! | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Well what were you doing for two hours if you weren't out smoking up? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I can't tell you that. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: (crossing her arms) Uh-huh. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Don't worry about me. | ||
| PerrySimm | We were in a graveyard. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm not high. | Jacqueline says, "I'm inclined to tell the truth." | |
| Jacqueline says, "As in 2." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Should we come clean?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Like, Anja is our friend now" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: We were in a graveyard. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Okay, that is not disproving my theory. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Look, can you just help me get her calm so I can drop her off at home without her parents freaking? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Me? What do you want me to do? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I don't know, you calmed her down last time! What'd you do then? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | She told me my life wasn't over. | ||
| PerrySimm | She came out of the closet. | ||
| PerrySimm | She was nice to me. | Jacqueline says, "Hm" | |
| Jacqueline says, "1 or 2 or 3" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I think she did 1." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: She told me my life wasn't over. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: See? You're a natural. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Anja sighs.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Fine. Let's at least splash some water on your face so it doesn't look like you've been crying. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | Knight_Otu says, "I mean, she did all three, but I think that was it." | |
| PerrySimm | (You nod and walk with her into the kitchen. She leans against the counter as you wash your face.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: A graveyard, eh? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's an extremely long story. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Uh-huh. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's not that I don't want to tell you, it's just— | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Hey, whatever. (She holds up her hands.) I'm not going to push. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Thanks. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: But. If it's giving you panic attacks that's probably not a good sign. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Just one panic attack so far. | ||
| PerrySimm | No. I guess it's not. | Jacqueline asks, "2?" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "2?" | ||
| Jacqueline exclaims, "2!" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...No. I guess it's not. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I wouldn't leave it unchecked, that's all. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You dry your face off.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: How do I look? | ||
| PerrySimm | (She walks closer and takes a good look at your face.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Better. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You're both silent for a moment.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Um, Kaz and I think that someone has been stealing human bones and performing some kind of weird ritual with them in the North Wing late at night. We think they might be trying to summon a ghost, or create some kind of weird hallucinogenic smoke, or both. But whatever they're doing, they don't want anyone to know. We've seen them enter the school late at night when they thought everyone had gone home. We just came from the cemetery where we think they've been getting their bones. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Anja raises an eyebrow. Kaz walks into the kitchen checking their phone.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Alright, Cinderella. Time to turn you back into a pumpkin. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You turn and wave to Anja as you walk out of the room.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh, see you tomorrow. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Right... | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Great Hall — After School | ||
| PerrySimm | Thursday, 22 September 2016 | ||
| PerrySimm | (You and Kaz are sitting at a table with an empty sign-up sheet on it, watching as people file by on their way out of school. A handwritten banner reading "THE MIDDLEMAN: CANADA'S OLDEST CONTINUALLY-PUBLISHED STUDENT NEWSPAPER" is pinned to the wall behind you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Come join the paper!! Work with two very friendly and cool people who support you and think you're great!! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (head in hands) Mrhhhhhh... | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Na, you're kind of bringing down the energy here. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Mhhh. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They rub your back.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I have no energy. | ||
| PerrySimm | This is pointless. | ||
| PerrySimm | They didn't even let us do this at lunch. | Knight_Otu says, "That's a pretty specific record." | |
| Jacqueline says, "1" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I have no energy, Kaz. I am a total energy void. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Did you get any sleep last night? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Does lying in bed and worrying count? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: You're going to fry your brain at this rate. You need to actually rest. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You put your head down on the table.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: ...I didn't mean right now. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (incoherent groan) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Would you feel better if I got you some chips to take solace in? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...All Dressed please. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They pat you on the head and head over to the vending machine. A few seconds later your phone buzzes.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | [Text Conversation with Anja Kaczmarek] | ||
| PerrySimm | A: hey | ||
| PerrySimm | N: Hi! | ||
| PerrySimm | A: you left yet? | ||
| PerrySimm | N: Not yet. Running a newspaper recruitment thing with Kaz. | ||
| PerrySimm | A: Ah okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | A: How's that going? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Not great. | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't know yet. | Knight_Otu says, "Not great." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah" | ||
| PerrySimm | N: Not great. | ||
| PerrySimm | N: No signups so far. | ||
| PerrySimm | A: Slightly Sad Face emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | N: Plus I'm still feeling like a complete trash fire after last night. Skull emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | A: Want to sneak off? I'm out watching the field hockey practice. | ||
| PerrySimm | A: Could use some company | ||
| PerrySimm | A: If you want | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | Can't. | Jacqueline says, "Weird" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess I'd be for it, but we just sent her sibling for snacks." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Not far, but we sent them." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "And if we leave Kaz, can we be sure they won't turn the recruitment drive into a smoking bar?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "heh" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah, I'm pro-can't." | ||
| PerrySimm | N: | Knight_Otu says, "Yeah, let's be responsible for one." | |
| PerrySimm | N: Wish I could. | ||
| PerrySimm | N: Can't abandon Kaz though. | ||
| PerrySimm | A: Oh come on Kaz will be fine. | ||
| PerrySimm | A: they LOVE sitting | ||
| PerrySimm | N: Hmmmmm. You're not wrong. | ||
| PerrySimm | A: I'm never wrong. | ||
| PerrySimm | A: Mostly never. | ||
| PerrySimm | N: Alright, fine you win. Be right over. | ||
| PerrySimm | A: Glowing Star emoji | Jacqueline says, "Well, that didn't go as expected." | |
| PerrySimm | (Kaz returns and throws a bag of All Dressed chips on the table.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Dinner is served. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You are the best person in the world. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You open the bag and munch on a chip.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: So, uh... can I ask for one more favour? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Chips and a second thing? Getting greedy! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Can you run the table for a while? Anja asked me to come say hi, and I figured that'd be a nice thing to do? Because she's been so nice to me lately, and, you know, I figure, right, it's probably a good move to be friends with my best friend's twin sister, and— | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: It's fine. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Wait, seriously? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yeah, dude. I've got a ton more slogans I want to try out here anyway. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Awesome. Thank you. (You stand up.) Wait, should I be worried about these slogans? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Only if you hate really effective recruitment techniques! | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Great Hall — After School | ||
| PerrySimm | One reason the sign-up drive might be going slow is that the entire Great Hall has basically been vacated after the end of school. Only small clusters of students remain, most waiting either for an extra-curricular activity or for an after-school detention. | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaz drums on the recruitment table with their hands. | ||
| PerrySimm | Your locker is down a hall to the west and the front of the school is to the south. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | locker | ||
| PerrySimm | front of the school | Knight_Otu says, "Translation - we should be worried about the slogans." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Yes" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "So, locker first, or directly to the front?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Sure. locker then front" | ||
| PerrySimm | Lockers — After School | ||
| PerrySimm | Sherbourne is walking down the hall towards the front office. He flags you down as you pass by. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Sherbourne | ||
| PerrySimm | (aka Marc) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Nadia! Hi. How are you doing? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Um. I'm okay... | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Listen. I heard some of the... issues you've been having. The rumours going around school and all that. I just wanted to see how you were holding up under the circumstances. | Knight_Otu exclaims, "He's on to us!" | |
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | You heard that? | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't really want to talk about this. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm completely fine. | ||
| PerrySimm | I was actually just going | Jacqueline says, "3 or 4 or >FUCK OFF, MARC" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "4, I'd say." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Actually, sir, I was just on my way to meet somebody and I should really be going. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He holds up his hands.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Hey, it's after school! You're free! Don't let me keep you. But if you ever want to talk my door is always open. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh, yeah. Great. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He makes the finger gun gesture at you and walks away.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Man. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Lockers — After School | ||
| PerrySimm | School's been out for a good twenty minutes already, so the intense rush hour crowds have already dwindled down to basically nothing. | ||
| PerrySimm | One of the last people around is Kipling, who's pacing back and forth across the hall. | ||
| PerrySimm | The Great Hall lies to the east and the front of the school is off to the south. The side door at the end of the hall is propped open, providing a shortcut out to the field. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Kipling | ||
| PerrySimm | Great Hall | ||
| PerrySimm | front of the school | ||
| PerrySimm | field | ||
| Doug arrives, full of funk, but no fun. | Knight_Otu asks, "Do we want to talk to Kip?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Kipling, yeah" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You look deep in thought. | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Aha! Just the woman I wanted to see! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: How've you been, Kip? | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Busy. I've been hard at work planning my next big party, and I think I've made a breakthrough. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ooh, spill! | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: It's a new tradition. The October 1st Party. We kick off Thanksgiving-slash-Halloween month in style. Rustic, fall colours, the smell of pine, a pile of freshly-chopped wood by the old hearth, pumpkin spiced hors d'oeuvres. I'm thinking maybe I rig it up so there are maple leaves falling from the ceiling all night. We suggest the coming of the holidays but keep our powder dry. The guests smell turkey but there's no turkey being served. A tasteful skull on the mantelpiece gives off the faintest hint of death without descending into full-on spookiness. It'll be an affair to remember. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Sounds amazing. | ||
| PerrySimm | How are you going to create a Turkey smell? | ||
| PerrySimm | You're not talking about a real skull, are you? | ||
| PerrySimm | So what do you need me for? | Knight_Otu asks, "3?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "haha" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "That's a bit on the nose." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "But sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...You're not talking about a real skull, are you? | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Oh no, strictly a facsimile! What would make you think I have a real human skull at my disposal? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Don't ask. | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Well, regardless. I came to ask for your services. I want to purchase some ad space in your most fine publication. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You sure, Kip? Circulation's down. | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: It's the paper of record, Lady N. I will not accept substitutions. Now how many words do I get? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Depends. We talking eighth-page? Quarter? | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Full page. Top placement. Can I take over the cover? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No, but I can give you page 3. Or the back. | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Excellent. I'll take them both. I'm picturing calligraphy — lavish but tasteful. Sparkling gold ink if you can get it. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: We definitely cannot. | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: The prose will have to sparkle, then. I'll get someone working on the copy toute suite. (He takes out a huge wad of cash and starts counting out hundred dollar bills in his palm.) Now, how many thousand dollars is this going to cost? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You stop his hand.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You know what? Let me send you an invoice. Friend prices. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He winks and slips the cash back into his blazer.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KIPLING: Magnificent. This'll be legendary, mi amigo! | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Lockers — After School | ||
| PerrySimm | School's been out for a good twenty minutes already, so the intense rush hour crowds have already dwindled down to basically nothing. | ||
| PerrySimm | Kipling feverishly taps some notes into his phone. | ||
| PerrySimm | The Great Hall lies to the east and the front of the school is off to the south. The side door at the end of the hall is propped open, providing a shortcut out to the field. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Great Hall | ||
| PerrySimm | front of the school | ||
| PerrySimm | field | Knight_Otu says, "Well, we got something for the paper." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Field?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Pity money" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Sure. Field." | ||
| PerrySimm | Field — Before School | ||
| PerrySimm | The girls' field hockey team is out running drills on the old football field. At least, you think they're drills. Visually speaking you don't really know the difference between a practice and an actual game, so it could kind of be either. | ||
| PerrySimm | Summer stands checking her phone on the path to the parking lot. | ||
| PerrySimm | Anja sits on a bench by the sidelines, watching the practice. | ||
| PerrySimm | The front of the school lies back to the east and the side door is propped open at the north end of the field. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Summer | ||
| PerrySimm | Anja | ||
| PerrySimm | front of the school | ||
| PerrySimm | side door | Jacqueline says, "AHA" | |
| Jacqueline says, "So, um, I feel like we can't just walk past Summer" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Secret girlfriend choice, obviously." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Possibly, yeah." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure, let's talk." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey Summer. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Hey! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Heading home? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Yeah, just about to leave. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Want to come say hi to Anja? | ||
| PerrySimm | You walk home every night, right? | ||
| PerrySimm | See you tomorrow. | Jacqueline says, "1" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey, I was just going to go hang out with Anja over there. Want to come say hi? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Oh! (She chuckles lightly and brushes her hair out of her face.) No, that's okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You sure? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Yeah, I was just over there talking to her actually. You go ahead. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay. Uh, I'll see you tomorrow then. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Yeah. See you. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She waves and walks off campus.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Field — Before School | ||
| PerrySimm | The girls' field hockey team is out running drills on the old football field. At least, you think they're drills. Visually speaking you don't really know the difference between a practice and an actual game, so it could kind of be either. | ||
| PerrySimm | Anja sits on a bench by the sidelines, watching the practice. | ||
| PerrySimm | The front of the school lies back to the east and the side door is propped open at the north end of the field. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Anja | ||
| PerrySimm | front of the school | ||
| PerrySimm | side door | Knight_Otu says, "And Anja, now." | |
| Jacqueline says, "okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Hey. Have a seat. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You sit down on the bench, half in the sun and half in the shade. A nice little autumn wind blows across your face.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Mm. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Nice afternoon, eh? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah. This is a good little spot. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Secret best place on campus. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The two of you sit and watch the team in silence for a bit.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Do you sit out here for like every practice? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Basically. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Why? You're not on the team. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Yeah but my friends are and I like to support 'em. Plus it's fun to watch. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Why aren't you on the team anyway? | ||
| PerrySimm | I am impressed by your sportiness. | ||
| PerrySimm | That's pretty nice of you. | Knight_Otu asks, "1?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "sure" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Why aren't you on the team, anyway? I feel like you'd be super good at it. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Possibly. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Definitely. You're like a super jock. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: (laughing) That's right. I've got superpowers and everything. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You playfully shrug.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Anyway. I'm more of a lacrosse person. It's way more fun. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I guess I'll have to watch some games when the season starts. | ||
| PerrySimm | (There's a whistle on the field and the play breaks up. Aubrey and Amy start jogging towards you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Will they think it's weird I'm here? | ||
| PerrySimm | Should I leave you with your friends? | Jacqueline shrugs. | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Hm, no real preference." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Then 2?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess we can go for it." | ||
| Roger says, "lacrosse is a real sport in Canada but I'm not sure if there's actually girls teams" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh. Um. Should I go? I should probably go, right? Leave you with your friends? I wouldn't want to— | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: What? No. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You look around anxiously.) | ||
| PerrySimm | AUBREY: Oh my god! Nadia! Hello! | ||
| PerrySimm | (She runs up and gives you a hug. You take a step backwards in shock.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh—! | ||
| PerrySimm | AUBREY: (releasing you) Oh my god, I am so sorry. I am such a sweaty mess. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Amy waves hello.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: You know Aubrey and Amy, right? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Kind of? | ||
| PerrySimm | Yeah. Hey. | Jacqueline says, "1" | |
| Jacqueline says, "er, no" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "2" | ||
| Jacqueline exclaims, "2!" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Get ready for some gripping teen small talk." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah. Hey. | ||
| PerrySimm | AMY: What's up. | ||
| PerrySimm | AUBREY: It is so nice to see you! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh! That's— Wow, okay. Thanks. | ||
| PerrySimm | AMY: You enjoying the game? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Totally. | ||
| PerrySimm | Isn't this just a practice? | ||
| PerrySimm | I haven't been watching. | Knight_Otu asks, "2, maybe?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "So, I was thinking maybe Anja was into us, but now I think this may be a setup." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Both seem plausible." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'm good with 2. It is clueless and maybe needed to upset our potential suitor." | ||
| Plover arrives, ready to play with the toys. | Jacqueline says, "We are on the rebound. It is too soon for smoochies." | |
| PerrySimm | YOU: Wait, is it a game? (You look at Anja.) I thought it was just a practice. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: It is. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh god, is it rude to say "just" a practice? I'm sure you're working super hard. | ||
| PerrySimm | AMY: It's really just a figure of speech. | ||
| PerrySimm | AUBREY: Oh my god. Nadia. We have got to talk about your situation. I have so many opinions? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh. Well— | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: God, Aubrey. She's been dealing with this shit for a whole week. I'm sure she doesn't want to keep talking about it over and over. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh... It's fine. Really. | ||
| PerrySimm | AUBREY: Okay, good. Because I have to say. That guy you were dating? Who — no offense — I do not know his name. He is such an ass. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Amy laughs.) | ||
| PerrySimm | AUBREY: He is, though! | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | He really is. | ||
| PerrySimm | Thanks. | ||
| Plover runs out of the room, with a smile on his face. | Knight_Otu says, "He really is." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Hm. I was going to suggest the more tasteful thank you, but okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah. He really is. | ||
| PerrySimm | AMY: Want me to paint a skull on his locker? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh... | ||
| PerrySimm | AUBREY: Oh my god you totally should. (She puts her hand on your shoulder.) She's a-ma-zing at it. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: At painting skulls? | ||
| PerrySimm | AUBREY: So good. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Mm-hmm. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Wow. I had no idea. | ||
| PerrySimm | AMY: I'm not that good. | ||
| PerrySimm | AUBREY: She is going to be like a famous skull artist. | ||
| PerrySimm | AMY: Okay. Stop. | ||
| PerrySimm | AUBREY: Amy, I'm sorry? And I love you? But you will absolutely be a famous skull artist. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I'd like to see them sometime. | ||
| PerrySimm | I appreciate the gesture. | Knight_Otu says, "We should introduce her to Kip." | |
| Jacqueline asks, "I don't like 2 at all, so 1?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "There are suddenly lots of skulls everywhere." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'd like to see them sometime. | ||
| PerrySimm | AMY: The skulls? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah. | ||
| PerrySimm | AMY: On a locker or on paper? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Either. | ||
| PerrySimm | AUBREY: Both. Then you can tape the paper one over the locker one, so when he pulls the first skull down there's a second, even meaner skull underneath. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Amy laughs.) | ||
| PerrySimm | AMY: God, you have such a hate-on for this guy. | ||
| PerrySimm | AUBREY: Okay, actually? I am extremely mad at him, on Nadia's behalf, and on Anja's behalf, and also because of my personal opinion. | ||
| PerrySimm | AMY: Ever since Anja told her, she has not shut up about it. | ||
| PerrySimm | AUBREY: Like, what he did is hugely rude, first off? But also, very stupid of him. Because I'm sorry but you are beautiful and he is not. | ||
| PerrySimm | AMY: For real. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | That's putting it a little strongly. | ||
| PerrySimm | That's nice of you to say. | ||
| PerrySimm | Evidently he doesn't think so. | Knight_Otu says, "As long as they don't go into our heads.... wait..." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "1." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Oh?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I was thinking 2" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Except." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Hm, I can read 1 a couple of different ways, so sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Well, I don't know if I'd go that far... | ||
| PerrySimm | AUBREY: Oh my god. Do not even try and deflect like that. You are absolutely very hot. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh, uh— | ||
| PerrySimm | AUBREY: Anja. Wouldn't you say Nadia is very attractive? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I literally cannot believe you. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Amy grins. Aubrey shrugs and drinks from her water bottle.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (coughing) Anyway. I should probably... | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Right. Yeah. (She gets up.) | ||
| PerrySimm | AMY: (looking over her shoulder) We should probably get back to practice too. | ||
| PerrySimm | AUBREY: Oh, you're right! Goodbye you two! | ||
| PerrySimm | (Amy and Aubrey run back to the field.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | This was fun. | ||
| PerrySimm | See you tomorrow. | ||
| Plover arrives, ready to play with the toys. | Knight_Otu says, "See you tomorrow, I'd say." | |
| PerrySimm | YOU: See you tomorrow? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Absolutely. French project. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh, right, yeah! I almost forgot. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Good thing I reminded you. You might have stood me up by mistake. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ha. I probably would have remembered once I was already a few hours late and then gone into full panic mode about it. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Well I'm sure I would have forgiven you. But now we get to save ourselves the trouble and have a nice productive evening of French homework instead. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Great. It's— er, sounds like a plan. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: (smiling) Sounds like it. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaczmarek Residence — Evening | ||
| PerrySimm | Friday, 23 September 2016 | ||
| PerrySimm | (The next night. You take a deep breath and knock on the front door. Anja opens it.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hi. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Hello. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (from upstairs) NADIAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!! | ||
| PerrySimm | (They bound down the stairs, shove Anja out of the way, and give you a big hug, slowly pulling you across the threshold.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: ...Come in, won't you? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Aaaaaa. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I love you and please stop hugging me. | ||
| PerrySimm | Excited to see me? | ||
| PerrySimm | It's so weird that you're both here. | ||
| Plover has had his fill of playing for now, and goes back to the Lounge. | Roger says, "It's nice how teen girls compliment each other's bodies" | |
| Jacqueline says, "1" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to Roger), "I guess boys don't>" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "?" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Kaz, I love you dearly and also please stop hugging me. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (releasing you) Sorry! Just had to show my appreciation. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Noted. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They give you a wink.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Alright. I'm going to Burger Zone with Miles. You two are under strict orders not to kill each other while I'm gone. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Yes, yes... | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I'm serious! Burger Zone is my favourite zone and I don't want it tainted with memories of a double homicide. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You don't even like the burgers at Burger Zone. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Well duh. Everyone knows you go to Burger Zone for the chicken strips. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Anja puts her hand over her heart.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: As god is my witness, we will not murder each other in your absence. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What she said. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I'm holding you to that! Love love! | ||
| PerrySimm | (You wave goodbye. They leave and shut the front door. Anja nods towards the kitchen.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Ready to go to work? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Let's do it. | ||
| PerrySimm | If we must. | Jacqueline says, "2" | |
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "Let's kill each other now!" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I actually would have said 1." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Let's do it. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The two of you walk into the kitchen. Anja sits down at the kitchen island and flips open her laptop. You take a seat on the other side.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: So, an apology to the French language. Sounds pretty straightforward. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You think? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Oh yeah. We talk about how much we suck at French, how much we've let everyone down, we beg for mercy, we promise to do better. It's just— Hmm. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Well, she didn't specify: is this supposed to be in French or in English? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | French? | ||
| PerrySimm | English? | ||
| PerrySimm | Both? | Jacqueline asks, "So, we are not supposed to speak French. But if we don't, will French understand the apology?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess the Docteure will hate in either way." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "True" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So..." | ||
| Roger says, "French" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Gotta be French, right? Isn't that the whole point of the class? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: You would think, yes. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Your phone rings. It's your dad.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Shoot, sorry. One sec. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You stand up and answer the phone.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hi. ... I'm at Anja's. We just sat down to work. (You start pacing.) ... I don't really know. Could be— ... No, of course we're not "hanging out in her room." | ||
| PerrySimm | (Anja raises an eyebrow.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yes, Dad. Yes, Dad. The lights are on. ... Well no, not literally all of them. It isn't even dark out. ... Well when it gets dark— | ||
| PerrySimm | (You sigh in exasperation and go flip a light switch. A brighter overhead light comes on.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Happy now? ... (You hold the phone up to the switch and click it on and off again.) How about now? ... Okay. ... Yes, we will. Don't worry. ... (You lower your voice a bit.) Love you too. Bye. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You hang up.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Wow. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Dad is serious about eyesight. | ||
| PerrySimm | Sorry about that. | ||
| PerrySimm | Anywaaaaaaaaaaaaay. | Jacqueline says, "Dang." | |
| Jacqueline says, "2" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "So, daddy knows." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure, 2" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ugh, sorry about that. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Hey, don't worry about it. Now can I turn these lights back down or will that alert the Nazari Eyewear Solutions spy drones? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You groan and pinch the bridge of your nose.) | ||
| PerrySimm | (An hour later. The front door opens behind you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Is Kaz back already? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: At this hour? No, more likely... | ||
| PerrySimm | (Anja's mom marches into the room, still taking on her cellphone.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh. Hi Ms. Andersen. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Anja's mom waves at you and puts her bag down on the kitchen counter.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA'S MOM: Well obviously I'm concerned, Tad. I'm not an idiot. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She points at you and Anja and mouths the word "pizza." Anja gives her a thumbs up.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA'S MOM: Uh-huh. ...Right. (She puts a couple of twenties on the table.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: (quietly) Thanks mom. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA'S MOM: Of course that's what I said. I just said that I said that. No, Tad— | ||
| PerrySimm | (She walks over and kisses Anja on the top of the head. Anja squirms away a little bit.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA'S MOM: (walking upstairs) Well Christ, it's the middle of the night in Qatar. What do you expect them to say? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You look over your shoulder and then back at Anja.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Think she noticed I was with the other twin? | ||
| PerrySimm | Do we have to use that money for pizza? | ||
| PerrySimm | Pizza time??? | Jacqueline says, "3" | |
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "Pizza!" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Pizza time? Is it pizza time? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Oh my god you sound so excited. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: How could I not be? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Alright, what fla— | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (slamming your fist on the table) Barbecue Chicken! Barbecue Chicken!! | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Oh god. That's right. Kaz told me about this once but I didn't believe it. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Name one better flavour than Barbecue Chicken. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I don't know, all of them? I usually get a Veggie Deluxe. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I am not budging on this. | ||
| PerrySimm | Fine. Veggie Deluxe. | ||
| PerrySimm | Let's go half and half. | Jacqueline says, "3" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Can I get a write in for Diavolo?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "But yeah, 3." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "For... what?" | ||
| Roger says, "The traditional place to get a pizza in Canada is at a Boston Pizza for some reason" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Spicy pizza." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "(Also, I have to go soon. 15 min more, max)" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Got it." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Fine. We'll compromise. Your pizza on one half, and my superior pizza on the other. And because I'm such a good person I'll even let you trade me for one of my precious slices. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: (smirking) Wow. How generous of you. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm telling you. One slice and you'll be converted for life. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | (Two hours later. Anja picks a chicken piece off a cold slice of pizza.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Barbecue Chicken... actually delicious. Who would have thought? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Me. I would have. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She chuckles. You stop typing.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Alright, I think I'm done my pass. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You turn the computer around to let her read.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: This is... good. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: At least I think it is. I don't really read French that well. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I mean, same? But it feels at least somewhat closer to right than normal. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Works for me. (She pushes out from the table and picks up the laptop.) Let's print it out and call it a night. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Make sure you print duplicates. | ||
| PerrySimm | That went by fast. | ||
| PerrySimm | Yay for teamwork. | Knight_Otu asks, "teamwork?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "sure" | ||
| PerrySimm | (The two of you walk upstairs.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Teamwork! Yay for teamwork! | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Ha. Yay for teamwork. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She leads you into her room and places her laptop down on the bed. You look around.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: We should, like, um, collaborate more often. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Hey, we'll probably be stuck together on a bunch more French projects if nothing else. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She hits a button and then walks over to the printer on her desk. You casually glance at her desktop.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey, what's this video here? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Hmm? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: "Passiondale.S10.E03.WEBRip.1080p"? You watch this show? You torrent this show? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: What's your point? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I never knew you liked this show. | ||
| PerrySimm | Why don't you just stream it? | ||
| PerrySimm | It just doesn't seem like your thing. | Knight_Otu asks, "No idea. 2?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Sure" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I don't understand... why don't you just stream this? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Well it's not going to be on Canadian Netflix for another six months so obviously that's unacceptable. And the Dailymotion uploads tend to have around 5% speed-up on the already low-quality audio, which I know some people say they can't hear the difference but trust me — you can hear it. And don't get me started on that weird washed out distortion stuff they have to pull on YouTube. This is just the best way. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You try to stifle a laugh.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Oh, what's so damn funny? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I don't know! Sorry. It's like... it's just a surprising side of you, that's all. Anja the Passiondale fangirl. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Hmmph. Well, you should try it sometime. You might actually enjoy it. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (looking back at the screen) How about now? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Excuse me? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Can we watch one? I want to watch one. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Uh... | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | You said I'd like it! | ||
| PerrySimm | You've already downloaded it. | ||
| PerrySimm | Please?? | Jacqueline says, "..." | |
| Jacqueline says, "..." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "..." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "...and, just for good measure..." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "..." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "2? I have no real clue here. Apart from Anja apparently pirating." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "heh" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You've already downloaded it, right? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Yes, but— | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You were going to watch it eventually! What's the difference if I'm here? | ||
| PerrySimm | (She pinches the bridge of her nose.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Alright, look. This is a weekly ritual I get a great deal of enjoyment out of it. If you can behave and be quiet— | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I love behaving! It's my favourite thing! | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: ...Fine. You win. Let's watch it. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yes!! | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: (pointing at you) Don't make me regret this. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm going to go get snacks. Do you have potato chips? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: ...We just ate an entire pizza. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'll get a small bowl. You get everything set up here. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You run out of the door.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | (You run down, get a bag of chips out of the cupboard, and start pouring them into a small bowl.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (muttering) Okay, Nadia. Calm down. Keep it together. Juuuust putting some potato chips in a bowl. Totally normal activity, nothing to be extremely nervous about for some reason. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You inspect the bowl, think for a second, and then take a single chip off the top and put it back in the bag.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | (You walk upstairs and creak the door open. Anja adjusts her braid and sits up slightly straighter as you enter. The only light in the room is coming off of the laptop screen.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Told you I'd get a small bowl. | ||
| PerrySimm | Ready to watch? | ||
| PerrySimm | It's dark in here. | ||
| PerrySimm | Where should I sit? | Jacqueline says, "Oh dear, Nadia. Not a good idea." | |
| Roger says, "best idea" | ||
| Jacqueline exclaims, "What?!" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "It is not the best idea." | ||
| Roger says, "what I always eat pizza in the dark" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "That's how you alienated Summer, remember?" | ||
| Roger says, "just trying to leave Jacq on a good cliffhanger" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "It does feel like we're approaching a cliffhanger, except... isn't this the last chapter?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I feel like we're nowhere near closure." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess a cliffhanger will be neccessary for next week." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "If you're going to leave soonish." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "True" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, let's just get to the cliffhanger. 3 or 4?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I'd probably say 3 for a bit more light and less..., I dunno." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Whoa. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Problem? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's just uh, dark in here. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Well we're not going to watch with a bright overhead light on. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She pats the bed next to her. You sit down.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: It's an event, Nadia. Soak it in. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She reaches forward in and presses play.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | EXT. PASSIONDALE HIGH - DAY | ||
| PerrySimm | SLOANE barks orders into a megaphone as a couple of SOPHOMORES clumsily hang up a "HOMECOMING WEEK" banner above the school entrance. Around them, people move fall-themed decorations into place. | ||
| PerrySimm | SLOANE | ||
| PerrySimm | Higher! Okay, a little to the left... little more... Perfect! | ||
| PerrySimm | She steps back and surveys her work. POPPY walks up with a clipboard, diligently taking notes. | ||
| PerrySimm | POPPY | ||
| PerrySimm | Gosh, I am so glad you're running the Homecoming Committee now. | ||
| PerrySimm | SLOANE | ||
| PerrySimm | Me too. Now that I'm finally student council president, I can organize a truly legendary Homecoming. This is going to be one for the history books. | ||
| PerrySimm | A beat. Poppy smiles and nods. | ||
| PerrySimm | SLOANE | ||
| PerrySimm | ...Well? What are you waiting for? Go get the history books! We have to start updating them now. | ||
| PerrySimm | POPPY | ||
| PerrySimm | Right! Ha ha. Of course, Sloane. Anything you say! | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Wow, what is her deal? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Poppy? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Maybe? Which one is she? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: The one in the sweater. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah, her. What's her deal? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Well she's always been Sloane's lapdog. Sloane's the mean one who was yelling? But also since the boathouse episode it sort of seems like she might actually be gay. So there's a lot going on there. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I didn't know this show had queer characters. | ||
| PerrySimm | What happened in the boathouse? | ||
| PerrySimm | I think I'm rooting for her. | Knight_Otu says, "Okay." | |
| Jacqueline asks, "2?" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "I'd have thought 1 as least disruptive, but sure?" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Wait, really?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I ... see, 1 is one of those things you say when you're new to the concept of other people knowing a thing about you and you're calling it out." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "That's how it feels to me, anyway." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I mean, yeah." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Oh, you want to press that conversation button intentionally." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "But if we're not supposed to ruin Anja's evening?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I mean, if that's the intent, I'm down." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Oh. Hrm. Yeah." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Boathouse would require a more lengthy explanation, I guess, 1 would be a "of course, silly" I think." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So, um, okay." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "And 3 seems rather premature." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "yes" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I had no idea this show had queer characters. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I will have you know that Passiondale is very progressive and diverse. Back in season 4 they showed the first interracial same-sex high school kiss on network television. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Wow. Any bisexuals? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Technically Kayley was I guess? She was a cheerleader. She's off the show now though. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Technically. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Yeah. I mean, they didn't really make it a plot point or anything, but she had a boyfriend one season and then she hooked up with Morgan the year after that. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Did she ever actually say the word "bisexual"? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Uh... she might have referred to herself as "open-minded"? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh-huh. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | ||
| PerrySimm | SLOANE | ||
| PerrySimm | (smugly) | ||
| PerrySimm | Nothing can stop me now. | ||
| PerrySimm | Sloane walks into the school. We pull back to see that TY has been watching her from behind a bush. Dramatic music swells as we move into... | ||
| PerrySimm | OPENING CREDITS | ||
| PerrySimm | If you believe in me | ||
| PerrySimm | Then I can believe in you | ||
| PerrySimm | As long as we just believe | ||
| PerrySimm | There's nothing that we can't do | ||
| PerrySimm | Oh, whatever the weather | ||
| PerrySimm | We'll surely find a way | ||
| PerrySimm | You and me together | ||
| PerrySimm | I know | ||
| PerrySimm | I know it'll be okay | ||
| PerrySimm | INT. CAFETERIA - DAY | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | OPENING CREDITS | ||
| PerrySimm | I know it'll be okay | Knight_Otu asks, "Wait, are those last two lines the options?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "yes" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I think we're going to bother Anja no matter what." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I... really don't know what to choose there." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "And also I need to go and feel like we should have paused before getting into this show." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Can we leave it here in this awkward spot?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Oh, probably." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I think we can." | ||
| *** Session 6 *** | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | ||
| PerrySimm | SLOANE | ||
| PerrySimm | (smugly) | ||
| PerrySimm | Nothing can stop me now. | ||
| PerrySimm | Sloane walks into the school. We pull back to see that TY has been watching her from behind a bush. Dramatic music swells as we move into... | ||
| PerrySimm | OPENING CREDITS | ||
| PerrySimm | If you believe in me | ||
| PerrySimm | Then I can believe in you | ||
| PerrySimm | As long as we just believe | ||
| PerrySimm | There's nothing that we can't do | ||
| PerrySimm | Oh, whatever the weather | ||
| PerrySimm | We'll surely find a way | ||
| PerrySimm | You and me together | ||
| PerrySimm | I know | ||
| PerrySimm | I know it'll be okay | ||
| PerrySimm | INT. CAFETERIA - DAY | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | ||
| PerrySimm | ---- | DavidW says, "Also, we learned that Anja was into girls, so it's not that surprising this development would eventually happen." | |
| PerrySimm | OPENING CREDITS | ||
| PerrySimm | I know it'll be okay | Jacqueline says, "Hrm. I guess." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Thanks for ruining my morning, DW. I was hoping for a head explosion with, like, stars and fireworks and only tiny bits of grey matter." | ||
| DavidW says, "ehn, sorry." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, opening credits?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Head explode emoji" | ||
| Jacqueline says (to KO), "Right. That." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess we can choose that." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh my god, look at all those people. How do you keep them all straight in your head? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: It's not that many. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's so many! Look how long this credit sequence is! (You squint at the screen) Wait, is that actor actually named "Lincoln Washington"? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Eh, they're Americans. It's what they do. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay. Okay, so wait. Is this the same show that Drake was on? The one where the dog ate the heart? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: You're joking, right? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Um, yes? | ||
| PerrySimm | Um, no? | Knight_Otu says, "I'm really not sure what effect either choice would have." | |
| Jacqueline says, "I think it's just conversation." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Also, we are interrupting the heck out of this show, which Anja kind of asked us not to do, but... whatever." | ||
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "Right. Bad Nadia!" | ||
| DavidW asks, "oh yeah, what happened with squirrel and ghost or whatever?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Well, we figured out which cemetery it is, we think." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "I think last week was when we checked the graveyard?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah" | ||
| DavidW says, "I remember when we phoned all the cemeteries." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "These weeks are starting to blur together a bit." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, are we joking about the dog eating the heart, or not?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Kaz found a few more." | ||
| DavidW says, "This is like, week five of this game." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yep" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "We have done similar things with, say, Savoir Faire." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I thought I counted six weeks." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I am not counting." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess we can be joking." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'm beginning to think that I am the only one enjoying this." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'm okay wtih us joking, sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yes. Kidding. That's what I was doing alright. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: ...Drake was on Degrassi, Nadia. And the completely different show where the dog ate the heart is One Tree Hill. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I know that. I totally know that. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Mm-hmm. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I know all the cool facts. I'm very in touch with everything that's going on here. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She chuckles and shakes her head.) | Knight_Otu says, "4 chapters, and this is the second chapter where we play a second week." | |
| PerrySimm | ... | ||
| PerrySimm | IGGY | ||
| PerrySimm | ...What exactly did I just witness? | ||
| PerrySimm | DJ | ||
| PerrySimm | Uh, a homeposal, obviously? Where have you been? | ||
| PerrySimm | IGGY | ||
| PerrySimm | What the heck's a "homeposal"? | ||
| PerrySimm | COLE | ||
| PerrySimm | Exactly what it sounds like — a promposal but for Homecoming. | ||
| PerrySimm | IGGY | ||
| PerrySimm | Sounds idiotic. | ||
| PerrySimm | PETRA | ||
| PerrySimm | (heavy sigh) | ||
| PerrySimm | Sounds beautiful. I wish someone would homepose to me. | ||
| PerrySimm | DJ | ||
| PerrySimm | Did you forget? We're freshmen, and freshmen don't get promposals. | ||
| PerrySimm | IGGY | ||
| PerrySimm | And even some of us did, you would not be among them. | ||
| PerrySimm | PETRA | ||
| PerrySimm | Shut your flaps, dinguses. I'm going to get a homeposal if it kills me. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | homeposal | ||
| PerrySimm | Homecoming | ||
| PerrySimm | Sounds beautiful | ||
| PerrySimm | We're freshmen | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm going to get a homeposal if it kills me. | Knight_Otu says, "Yikes." | |
| DavidW says, "I don't remember Canadians doing this." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "If it ... kills me?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I hope there is a murder so that this show will be interesting" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Promposal? Homeposal? Man." | ||
| Karona asks, "Are we essentially choosing death if we pick that one?" | ||
| Jacqueline asks (of Karona), "That was my hope. Can I pick that one to see?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I think it's lines our interruption will focus on." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "(I am sure the TV show will not die, sadly)" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yes." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So, I guess in that case..." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess kills me." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "...oh, okay." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: So wait, she's never heard of a... "homeposal" before this scene, and now she desperately wants one? That doesn't make any sense. Is she even seeing anyone? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Don't think so. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: So who is she planning on going with? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I don't know. Isn't the whole point that it's supposed to be a surprise? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I mean the timing of it maybe, but you're at least supposed to know the person's identity. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Oh, whatever. I can't keep track of all this straight person stuff. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Dating isn't straight person stuff! | ||
| PerrySimm | Would you ever want to be homeposed to? | Knight_Otu says, "Can we push skip? :p" | |
| Jacqueline says, "heh" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So, um, 1." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I realized I've been moving on 2 votes still, even though we have more people." | ||
| DavidW says, "Sorry, my eyes are glazing over. 1 is fine." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I think in the interest of keeping this puppy moving I will stick with the first choice to get a second vote" | ||
| PerrySimm | (You laugh.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: What? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Dating isn't "straight person stuff!" I did it for years. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Fine. But you have to admit that weird tacky proposals are. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ha. Maybe a little. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You go back to watching the show. A minute or two later, Anja turns away from the screen to face you directly.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Hey, can I ask you a question? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Okay... | ||
| PerrySimm | Is this a bad question? | DavidW says, "1" | |
| Jacqueline says, "okay" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay..... | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: It's not a bad question, if that's what you're wondering. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I was going to ask but then I decided against it. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: How did you actually realize you were bi? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | That is a very long story. | ||
| PerrySimm | Back in Grade 6... | ||
| PerrySimm | Define "realize." | ||
| PerrySimm | You mean as opposed to being gay? | DavidW says, "4" | |
| Jacqueline says, "huh." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I was going to say 3, but okay, 4" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You mean as opposed to being gay. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Or straight. Either way. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hmm. You know how on TV sometimes you'll get people who say they "don't like labels"? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Yeah? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Well I like labels. Labels are great. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She chuckles lightly.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: They are! They help you organize things and understand things. Labeled things have context. And up until a few years ago I didn't have that for myself. And it was really stressing me out, you know? Was I gay, was I straight? Neither word felt right. But then one day in Grade 10 — I don't even remember why this happened — I just... randomly started thinking about the word "bisexual". | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Randomly. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I honestly don't know what prompted it. But as soon as it entered my head, I just knew that it fit. If I was bisexual then it wasn't weird that I liked people regardless of gender, it was normal. I had my label. And after that, everything about me just made sense. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Okay, that's... actually really cool. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | What about you? | ||
| PerrySimm | Oh god, I've been talking way too much. | Jacqueline says, "1" | |
| Karona sings out of key, the fish jumps out of the jug and slaps her in the face, and she shuffles home looking ashamed. | DavidW says, "yes 1" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "2 is true. Do we want it?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "haha. NO" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Apparently not." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to KO), "Meanie" | ||
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "Anja didn't want interruptions!" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I mean, I will if a second person wants it." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "That's the rule this session. Two votes and a thing happens." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Next person to speak up makes the decision" | ||
| Roger says, "1" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What about you? How'd you figure out you were a lesbian? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I'm not sure there was a particular moment. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: So you just always sorta knew? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: More or less. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I see. Uh. So does that mean you've like...? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You trail off. She raises an eyebrow.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Um. I guess what I'm asking is, have you ever— How many times have you kissed a girl before? In the past? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: ... | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Just... you know. Rough estimate even? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: (sigh) Once. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: It's embarrassing, alright? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I mean that's one time more than me so... | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: That's not the same. You kissed Allen like hundreds of times. | Knight_Otu exclaims, "Darnit. Overruled!" | |
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Kissing a boy is less impressive. | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't have the exact figures on that. | DavidW says, "2" | |
| Jacqueline says, "I believe our character lacks sufficient data to say 1" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Nadia, I thought you kissed Summer?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I think she moved in for the kiss but did not succeed" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Wait, no." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I think you're right" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Weird" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Anyway" | ||
| DavidW says, "Kissing a boy means you can be impressed with WHISKER BURN." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I don't have the exact figures on that. It might actually be closer to a thousand? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Oh for god's sake. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I guess it depends on how you define a kiss? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: See? This is what I'm saying. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Can you tell me about it? | ||
| PerrySimm | We don't have to talk about it. | ||
| PerrySimm | Don't be embarrassed! | Knight_Otu asks, "2?" | |
| DavidW says, "2" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: We don't have to talk about it. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: (sighing) No, no. It's fine. Whatever. I'll tell you. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You clap your hands excitedly.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: You're not allowed to laugh. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I won't! I promise. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: It was truth or dare at Lindsay Cassano's sleepover. I was 12. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You bite your bottom lip and pull your shirt up over your nose.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: What are you doing? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (muffled) I promised not to laugh. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: God damn it. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: snrrrk. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I legitimately hate you. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Your first kiss was at a slumber party? | ||
| PerrySimm | Sorry! Sorry! | Jacqueline says, "2" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm sorry! I'm sorry! It's just very adorable. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Gah, never mind. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No! Wait wait wait wait wait. It's out of my system. See? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You point to your face.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Hmmph. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Seriously. I'm sorry. I want to hear about it. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She sighs and leans back in the bed.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I mean, it's not like a big huge story or whatever. It was a totally normal game of truth or dare. It came around to me, I picked dare, and then Lindsay pointed at this other girl, Grace, who was sitting right next to me and dared me to kiss her. So I did. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Just like that? | ||
| PerrySimm | I can't believe you picked dare. | ||
| PerrySimm | Did you like Grace? | ||
| PerrySimm | Grace went along with it? | Knight_Otu asks, "Eh. 4?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: And Grace went along with it? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: It was truth or dare. You had to go along with it. Those were the rules. (She shakes her head.) Honestly, the only person in danger of refusing was me. I was scared out of my mind. Exhilarated too, don't get me wrong. But the prospect of actually kissing a girl had like barely registered on my subconscious before this point and now it was becoming completely, terrifyingly real. I was this close to just bolting. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I bet. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: But I went for it. I did it. I kissed her. For ten seconds, that was the dare. And as soon as it was over... she laughed. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Oh. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: And like, we all laughed. Silly game, right? Big joke. But deep down I was feeling different in a way I hadn't before. I had been up on the edge of this... cliff for a second there. And they hadn't. They weren't nervous, they weren't excited. They were just giggly. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | WAIT, NO. MORE WORDS BEFORE CHOICES! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Man. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I know, some first kiss, huh? | DavidW says, "My eyes really are hurting. I've probably been awake too long." | |
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Honestly? I dreamed about stuff like that. | ||
| PerrySimm | That must have been tough. | ||
| PerrySimm | You deserve better than that. | Jacqueline asks, "1?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "1 or 2." | ||
| Jacqueline asks (of DW), "Did you not sleep last night?" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay, seriously though? The thing you're describing is literally something I used to daydream about. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Well, don't feel too left out. It's just pathetic. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...I don't think it's pathetic. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She shrugs her shoulders a little. You place your hand on her arm.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I don't. I think it's sweet. And I'm sorry that your first kiss made you feel more alone when it should have made you feel closer to somebody instead. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She smiles a little, still not meeting your gaze.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: ...Sweet, huh? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You squeeze her arm. She looks into your eyes. You nod.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You slowly start leaning in towards her. You pause just before your faces meet, feeling the heat of her breath on your lips, then move in and give her a short, gentle kiss. She reaches over and interlaces her fingers with yours. You pull back.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: (softly) I feel pretty close to someone right now. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You brush her face with her hand. She kisses you again as she closes the laptop with her foot. The whole room goes dark.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Anja's Bedroom — Late Morning | ||
| PerrySimm | Saturday, 24 September 2016 | ||
| PerrySimm | (You awake the next morning to the sound of Kaz knocking at the bedroom door.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Hey, I lost my toothbrush! Have you seen it? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: (squinting) Mwuh...? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I know I've never brushed my teeth in your room but— (They open the door.) Gaaaaaahhh!! | ||
| PerrySimm | (You scream and dart under the covers. Kaz runs back out, slams the door and starts banging on the wall.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: (groggy) I don't think it's in here. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: God damn it! Already?! You guys hated each other like a week ago!!! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (muffled by sheets) ...Sorry! | ||
| PerrySimm | (They stomp down the stairs. Anja stretches) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Mmph. You alright down there? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Are they going to be upset? | ||
| PerrySimm | I think I'm just going to hide forever. | ||
| PerrySimm | I'm not quite sure why I just did that. | DavidW says, "The days are so hot, the nights are the only time I can get anything done." | |
| Karona arrives, ready to play with the toys. | DavidW says, "3" | |
| Jacqueline says, "okay" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You climb back out of the sheets.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm not quite sure why I did that. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I was going to say, we are fully clothed right now. Not really that much to hide. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Instinctual panic, I guess. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She flops her arm over you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: God, I can't believe we got found out immediately. It hasn't even been 12 hours. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Eh, it's not like either of us are capable of keeping secrets from Kaz. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No I guess not. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She rubs her face.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Mmph. Alright. Need a lift home? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Five more minutes. | ||
| PerrySimm | Breakfast first? | ||
| PerrySimm | Kicking me out already? | DavidW says, "3" | |
| Jacqueline says, "heh. Yeah" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Kicking me out already, eh? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Yeah, god. Get the hell out of here, why don't you. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Alright. (You give her a peck on the cheek and force yourself out of the bed.) I accept my banishment. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Lockers — Before School | ||
| PerrySimm | Monday, 26 September 2016 | ||
| PerrySimm | (You hum faintly to yourself as you open your locker.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: You're awfully chipper for a Monday. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hmm? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: I had to down an entire thing of vivacity powder just to drag myself out the front door. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Just my normal chipperness. | ||
| PerrySimm | Keeping a positive attitude. | ||
| PerrySimm | Things are looking up. | ||
| PerrySimm | Don't mind me. | Knight_Otu asks, "4?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Sure" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Ha. Don't mind me. Just... doing my stuff. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: That's a weird thing to say, but okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Anja comes up and leans against the locker next to yours) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Hi. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey! | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Ready for the highest-stakes French class of your life? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Just need to grab some stuff first. Save me a seat? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Ha ha. See you inside. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: See you. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You watch her walk down the hall to class. Annette looks back and forth between you and her and then clears her throat.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: That's certainly an upgrade. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't know what you mean. | ||
| PerrySimm | You could say that. | DavidW says, "Sorry. I'm gonna have to go rest my eyes." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Good bye, old man." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Take care." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "(Just kidding, DW. Sleep well.)" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, 2?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Well, sure." | ||
| DavidW says, "thanks. Don't know if I'll sleep, though. Just need to close the eyes." | ||
| DavidW goes home. | ||
| DavidW has disconnected. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (sighing) You could say that. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She closes her locker and points at you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANNETTE: Details. After class. Or I'm magicking them out of you. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You raise your hands over your head.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | French Class — Morning | ||
| PerrySimm | (You sit next to Anja in French class, watching the rest of your glass give their presentations.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: (sighing) Merci, Ethan and Kyle. Once again, your incompetence has exceeded my every expectation. | ||
| PerrySimm | (They fist bump each other.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: Next, Nadia and Anja. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The two of you stand before the class, then turn to Docteure Rouillé and silently hand her the paper. She accepts it with a quizzical look and begins reading.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: I count seven mistakes on this document. Your French is, I would say, not quite passable. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | ||
| PerrySimm | Sorry. | Knight_Otu says, "Ah, the Docteure." | |
| Jacqueline says, "That's actually a compliment." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "'not quite passable'" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'm counting this as a win and not apologizing." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "True. She's usually more..." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah. More terrible." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You don't respond.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: However. If a small child were to submit this document, they would not be held back in school automatically. This represents an improvement. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Anja lightly bumps your shoulder.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ROUILLÉ: Very well. You have passed this assignment, if only slightly. Félicitations. My faith is restored a very small amount. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She waves the two of you back to your desks. You hurry back, high-fiving each other on the way.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | Knight_Otu says, "Something like that." | |
| Jacqueline says, "hahahaha" | ||
| Jacqueline exclaims, "This is a huge compliment!" | ||
| PerrySimm | (Twenty minutes later. You and Anja walk out of French class.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Wow. I think that's the least disappointed the Docteur has ever been in me. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Clearly we complement each other pretty well. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | Knight_Otu exclaims, "Pft!" | |
| PerrySimm | Aren't you glad I made you sit next to me? | ||
| PerrySimm | We should complement each other again. | Jacqueline says, "2? Ugh. No." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Too thick." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "1" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Why do my bad pun senses tingle?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah, 1." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "If you make me choose 2 I will have to go take a shower afterward." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Okay, yay. 1" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Aren't you glad I physically forced you to sit next to me this year? | ||
| PerrySimm | (She laughs and gives your arm a little squeeze.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Very. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You turn the corner to find Allen is standing in front of your locker. Anja looks at him and then back at you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Come on. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She tugs on your blazer. You put your hand on her shoulder.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Stay right there, okay? | ||
| PerrySimm | (She exhales and nods. You walk over to Allen.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You're blocking my locker. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: I didn't realize you and her were on speaking terms. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | What do you want? | ||
| PerrySimm | Still can't drop it, huh? | Jacqueline says, "1" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What do you want? | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Just, uh... I don't know. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You look at him, waiting for him to say something else. He doesn't.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Well. I'm going to go then. | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: Hey. Um. (He scratches his neck.) Do you... hate me? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Yes. | ||
| PerrySimm | Sometimes. | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't know. | ||
| PerrySimm | Not completely. | ||
| PerrySimm | My feelings aren't your business. | Jacqueline says, "Hrm" | |
| Knight_Otu says, ">Why would I hate you, you only outed me to the whole school and painted a wrong picture of me." | ||
| Karona sings out of key, the fish jumps out of the jug and slaps her in the face, and she shuffles home looking ashamed. | Jacqueline asks, "So, is that a ... yes?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I guess it could be." | ||
| Roger says, "I'll vote yes" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Golly. Okay." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yes. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He nods.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: I guess I deserve that. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah. You do. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The two of you stare at each other in silence. His jaw tightens a little.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ALLEN: ...Okay. Bye. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He walks away.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | (You let out a loooong breath as Anja comes up next to you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: How'd that go? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...I do not even know anymore. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Newspaper Office — Evening | ||
| PerrySimm | Tuesday, 27 September 2016 | ||
| PerrySimm | (The next night. You and Kaz type away silently, while Anja slowly spins around in a rotating chair.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: You guys just do this all night, huh? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You laugh.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah. What'd you expect? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I don't know. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You can't write a newspaper without writing the actual newspaper. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I'm just amazed they let you stay this late by yourselves. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | It's been this way for decades. | ||
| PerrySimm | We're very trustworthy. | ||
| PerrySimm | We don't normally go this late. | ||
| PerrySimm | You bored? | Roger says, "okay bye <defenestration>" | |
| Jacqueline says, "hee" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "1" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Also, it's exactly how it was when I ran the high school paper" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "2 and 3 are clearly lies. :p" | ||
| Jacqueline says (to KO), "True" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I remember some months where I was dropping the paper off at the press at, like, 4am." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's been this way for decades. Since the paper started, probably. I'm sure you could never get away with setting it up this way now, but it's the status quo. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: You can basically get away with anything at this school as long as you call it "tradition." | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: What about your parents though? Like our mom obviously doesn't care what Kaz or I do, but I thought yours were like... strict? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | They're not strict exactly. | ||
| PerrySimm | It's good on a university application. | ||
| PerrySimm | My dad appreciates hard work. | Jacqueline says, "2" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: "Editor-in-Chief of Canada's oldest student newspaper" looks pretty good on a university application. Kind of an easy sell actually. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Huh. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: If anything, the more hours I work the better it looks. Dedication and industriousness and all that stuff. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She nods and spins around in her chair again.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Sooooo... I've been thinking. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay... | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I've been going over what you've told me about the ghost thing, and I think you should tell someone. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Boo! Bad idea! | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Okay but shut up for a second because I'm actually serious. (She counts out on her fingers.) You've seen an intruder to the school, you have them captured on film, you have evidence to suggest they're doing weird bone rituals, and you've uncovered a potentially robbed grave. This is starting to get above your pay grade. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I don't have a pay grade. | ||
| PerrySimm | We saw the intruder while intruding. | ||
| PerrySimm | That footage doesn't show anything. | ||
| PerrySimm | The evidence is completely circumstantial. | ||
| PerrySimm | We don't know for sure the grave is robbed. | ||
| PerrySimm | No one will believe a ghost story. | Jacqueline asks, "2?" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Anja is right though, Nadia." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yeah, she's probably right." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "2 is the closest to a true objection, sure." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Anyway, which -- okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: We saw the intruder while we were also intruding. If we told anyone what actually happened we'd get in major trouble. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Are you kidding? You have a massive reservoir of goodwill built up with the administration. Have you ever been in trouble once at this school? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...I got a detention in Grade 8 one time. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: And anyway, that's all secondary compared to your health. Kaz tells me you're having visions? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Do they. (You glare at Kaz.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Well, you are! Sorry. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You sigh.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Between that, and the panic attacks, and the late nights, and the stress... I don't know. I'm worried. I think you need to take this whole thing off your plate. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | It's sweet that you're worried. | ||
| PerrySimm | The panic attacks aren't related. | Jacqueline says, "..." | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Where's the you're right option, darnit." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I know." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "So, um, which one? I'll go with whatever you pick" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Denial, ot deflection? I guess denial, 2." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I don't think the panic attacks are related to the ghost thing. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Maybe not directly, but it can't helping. Didn't the last one literally happen when you were investigating the graveyard? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...There might have been another one since then. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: What? When? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Guys. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (sighing) Saturday night. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Saturday?! Why didn't you tell me? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I didn't want you to think it was your fault. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Nadia. Of course I wouldn't have. I could have helped. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It was okay... | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Guys. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You and Anja turn to Kaz. They have the security cam feed called up on their monitor.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: The bone-burner's back. They just went into the North Wing. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: What? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You run to the office door and peek out just in time to see the door to the North Wing close. You step back inside) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: They're totally there. What do we do? | ||
| PerrySimm | (The three of you look at each other.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: We could call the cops on them right now. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Or get them on film. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Or we could do both. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Anja and Kaz look at you uncertainly.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I mean, I think we've actually got this person right where we want them. Last time we were taken completely by surprise, but this time we know exactly where they're going and what they're doing. We can go in stealthily, get the right vantage point, film them and their activities as much as possible, and then go out before they're finished and call 911. The cops will have all the evidence they need to deal with this person, and we'll have a solid enough story to go to print with. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Kaz turns to Anja and shrugs.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: It's not a bad plan, sis. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: ...Alright. But we dial 9 and 1 on our phones before setting foot in there, we stick together no matter what, and we bail at the first sign of trouble. Deal? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Deal. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Kaz grins widely.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Alright! Let's go hunt that ghost! | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | North Wing — Evening | ||
| PerrySimm | (The three of you make your way through the North Wing. Anja puts her phone away.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Okay, I just texted Summer. I'm going to check in every ten minutes, and if she doesn't hear from me in fifteen she's going to call the police. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: That's... a very smart plan, actually. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: I'm not taking any chances. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You reach the auditorium. Pulses of purple light and thin wisps of mist escape from under the doors.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Looks like they're already here. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Alright. I'm going to open the door and we'll slip in. Ready? | Jacqueline says, "I'll pause here, since it's still cut scene..." | |
| PerrySimm | (You nod and put a finger to your lips. Kaz gives you a thumbs up and slowly pulls open the door. The three of you slip through and quickly crouch down behind some chairs. You hold up your phone and start filming the hooded figure as they perform their ritual on stage) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: (whispering) See anything? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (whispering) Barely. I need a better vantage point. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You slip out into the aisle and try to quietly make your way over to the side of the stage. As you get closer you see that there's a whole bunch of raccoons on the stage, eyes a ghostly white, seemingly entranced by the purple glow of the figure's ornate cauldron. You hear the figure chant in a familiar voice.) | ||
| PerrySimm | FIGURE: I'm here, Alain. Speak to me. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You slip a bit closer and watch the figure add a fine white powder to their cauldron. Then, out of nowhere, they stop what they're doing and whip around to look straight at you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | (As the person on stage turns to face you, you realize it's Mr. Sherbourne. You quickly dart behind a nearby pillar and take out your phone. There's no signal.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: (laughing) Alright, Nadia. Come on out. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (whispering) Crap. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You step out from behind the pillar.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: And Kaz, I know you're in here too! | ||
| PerrySimm | (Kaz slowly stands up with their hands raised from behind the chair. Anja stays out of sight.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Now come on. You two know you aren't supposed to be in here. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Neither are you. | ||
| PerrySimm | We were just leaving. | ||
| PerrySimm | Our bad. | Knight_Otu says, "As we suspected. Marc." | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "1?" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Sure. Also, he has a portrait, wearing a black hood, with racoon stripes painted over his eyes. Want me to click it?" | ||
| Roger says, "surely" | ||
| Knight_Otu exclaims, "DO IT!" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Actually, sadly, it just goes to his normal, not-wearing-a-cowl-with-racoon-eyes bio" | ||
| PerrySimm | qYOU: Um, neither are you. | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: I'm a teacher, Nadia. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I didn't realize creepy satanic rituals were on the curriculum. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He laughs.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: You are a riot. Why don't you two come down here for a second? | ||
| PerrySimm | (You and Kaz look at each other and then walk down towards the stage. Anja doesn't budge from her hiding space.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Now before I let you go, I need you to tell me exactly what you were doing back here. | Knight_Otu exclaims, "Awww man!" | |
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | We were investigating some strange noises. | ||
| PerrySimm | We were investigating the source of the smoke. | ||
| PerrySimm | We were investigating strange raccoon behaviour. | ||
| PerrySimm | We were keeping tabs on the construction. | ||
| PerrySimm | We saw you breaking in. | ||
| PerrySimm | You tell us what you're doing first. | ||
| PerrySimm | We don't have to tell you anything. | Jacqueline says, "2 or 5 or 6 or 7" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "2, though that may spook him into thinking the firemen are on their way?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Well, the police will be on their way before long" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "But we don't want him to think that, do we?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I mean, in real life 15+ minutes in a situation like this is forever, but..." | ||
| Jacqueline says (to KO), "No. We don't." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, in that case, one of the last two?" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "I thought the first two would be less likely to make him think that?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Oh" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "huh" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Make him think we were just looking for a scxoop?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I will click whatever you say next" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "2, I guess still." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: We've been working late on the paper and we keep seeing smoke coming out of the North Wing. We were worried it was a fire or some kind of gas leak or something. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Yeah. We were just making sure the school didn't burn down, dude. So like, relax. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He looks back and forth between you and Kaz then laughs and shakes his head.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: You know what? Can I be "real" for a second? I'm proud of you kids. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Alright— | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Really, I am! You saw something out of place in your school and you investigated. You took on a civic duty. That's not something a lot of students would do. And I think that is worthy of some extra credit. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Um. What? | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: What do you say we call this an independent study credit and give you an A. It'll look great on your university applications. (He winks.) And what the heck, I'll throw in an A in history too. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Are you trying to bribe us? | ||
| PerrySimm | ...What's the catch? | ||
| PerrySimm | What if we say no? | ||
| PerrySimm | I think we're going to go... | Jacqueline asks, "Wow. Marc. Srsly?" | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "I... um... huh?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "1." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Are you trying to bribe us? | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Hey, hey, hey. "Chillax." Who said anything about a bribe? All I'm saying is that I prefer to encourage your academic development rather than "snitch" on you, even if you were abusing your newspaper privileges to trespass in a dangerous construction zone. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Dude, you are trespassing too! You'd be in just as much shit as us. | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: The whole staff has keys to the North Wing, Kaz. I just came in to retrieve some personal effects from the old teacher's lounge. A small lapse of judgement on my part, I'll admit, but it's a good thing I was here to catch you two before you hurt yourselves. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Hurt ourselves? | ||
| PerrySimm | Personal effects like bones? | ||
| PerrySimm | You summoned the wrong ghost. | Jacqueline says, "3" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You summoned the wrong ghost, Mr. Sherbourne. | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Excuse me? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: The ghost that's trapped in the raccoon. It's the kid who founded the Middleman back in 1913. Somehow I doubt that's who you were trying to summon. | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Wait. Are you saying you've actually spoken with this apparition? | ||
| PerrySimm | (Out of the corner of your eye you see Anja silently shimmying around the edge of the room. She catches your eye and makes the "stretch it out" hand gesture.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Not... exactly. Not with words. But I've, um, communicated with the raccoon he's trapped inside. I think. | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Interesting. (He shrugs.) Well, I'm sorry to get all "well actually" on you, but the spell doesn't quite work the way you think it does. The smoke puts the caster into a liminal state where they can see reflections of the spirit realm in living creatures. No one has been trapped or summoned anywhere. If you're seeing the founder of your newspaper, it's not because he's here. It's because your own fixations have drawn you to his memory. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: So... who are you trying to talk to, then? | ||
| PerrySimm | (His face darkens.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Frankly, that's none of your business. And I think this conversation is over. If you're not going to cooperate then I'm going to call your parents and tell them about your very serious violation of school policy. Stay there while I pack up my things. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He starts turning around. Anja freezes in place behind him.) | ||
| PerrySimm | (You jump forward.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Mr. Sherbourne! Wait. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He stops and turns back to face you. Anja exhales. You reach into the inner pocket of your jacket and pull out Annette's pamphlet.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I have something for you to read. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You hold it out for him. He takes it out of your hands.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: "Say 'No!' To Forbidden Bone Magic." | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | You need to talk to someone. | ||
| PerrySimm | You can't bring the dead back to life. | ||
| PerrySimm | You have to move on. | Knight_Otu says, "1 is probably what he needs." | |
| Jacqueline says, "Okay" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I don't know what exactly you're doing here, but if this is about your grief you can't just deal with it alone like this. You need to actually talk through it. | ||
| PerrySimm | (He flips the pamphlet over in his hands.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Like, okay. I had a friend once who I was very very close with. And we both went through some huge difficulties at the same time. It wasn't the same as someone dying, obviously, but it was still really hard. And rather than talk to each other about it we withdrew and we tried to figure stuff out on our own. And that just made things so much more miserable for us. Sometimes you need to actually, you know, open up to people. Talk your problems out. | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Get a therapist, is that it? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ... | ||
| PerrySimm | (He smiles.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: You know what the most annoying thing about teaching teenagers is? You're smart — you're very smart — but you don't realize the limits of your smartness. You think you have an answer for everything. Well, you don't. That's why you're still in school. And when you're in your early-to-mid 20s like me you'll start to understand how the world really works. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You try to avoid looking at Anja as she crouches down and slowly reaches for one of the raccoons.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: You're a sharp writer, Nadia. So I'm not surprised you can churn out some lines that sound good on the surface like that. But believe me, it's very clear you don't know what you're talking about. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | I know grave robbing is a dick move. | ||
| PerrySimm | I know you're in serious trouble. | ||
| PerrySimm | I know panic when I see it. | ||
| PerrySimm | I know you should turn around. | ||
| PerrySimm | You're right. | Knight_Otu says, "Well, surely not 4." | |
| Jacqueline says, "I so want to choose 4" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Who's the meanie now?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "..." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sowwy." | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "1?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "I'm actually serious, but okay, 1." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I know grave robbing is a dick move. | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Ha! You know what? Yeah. It probably is. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Anja gingerly picks up the raccoon.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: (whispering) Sorry... | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: But I don't regret it. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I get the sense you're about to. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Sherbourne scrunches his face in confusion as Anja winds up behind him.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: HEY, FUCKER! | ||
| PerrySimm | (He whips around. Anja tosses the raccoon at his head.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: GhaahaaAAAAAAH!!!! | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: (grabbing your hand) Let's go!!! | ||
| PerrySimm | (The three of you run out of the room. Sherbourne flails around and knocks over his ritual equipment, causing a huge plume of purple smoke to fill the room.) | ||
| PerrySimm | (You burst into the foyer and find it already thick with purple mist. You cover your mouth with your blazer and start looking around for an exit.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: God damn it! (She smacks her phone) Why isn't this fucking thing working?! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Interference from the mystery smoke?? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: "Interference from the mystery smoke" is not a real thing!! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Well then why isn't your phone working?!?! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Guys! Let's just find an exit! | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | ???? — Night | ||
| PerrySimm | You run down the hall, trying to orient yourself in the thick purple fog. But it's impossible to make out where you're going or where you came from. | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaz and Anja stumble along beside you. | ||
| PerrySimm | Hallways lead to the west and south. | ||
| PerrySimm | west | ||
| PerrySimm | south | Knight_Otu says, "Unexpected compass directions." | |
| Jacqueline says, "I know." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Is there a way that we should be able to intuit the right direction?" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Like, based on what wing this is?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Or is it just a 50/50" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "It's the north wing I think?" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "So, W?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "You are not going to believe this shit." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Uh oh." | ||
| PerrySimm | ???? — Night | ||
| PerrySimm | You are quickly becoming disoriented. Halls and doorways don't seem to be in their usual places. | ||
| PerrySimm | Exits are to the north, north by east, north-northeast, northeast by north, northeast, northeast by east, east-northeast, east by north, east, east by south, east-southeast, southeast by east, southeast, southeast by south, south-southeast, south by east, south, south by west, south-southwest, southwest by south, southwest, southwest by west, west-southwest, west by south, west, west by north, west-northwest, northwest by west, northwest, northwest by north, north-northwest, and north by west. | Knight_Otu says, "..." | |
| Roger says, "woo" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Are... are they all?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yes" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Yes, they are all choices." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Maan." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Though I am guessing it doesn't matter what we click." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Want me to just click one?" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Randomly?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure. Roll a d20 if you have one." | ||
| Jacqueline closes her eyes and clicks somewhere in the vicinity. | ||
| PerrySimm | ???? — Night | ||
| PerrySimm | You flail around for some kind of familiar landmark but nothing here looks the same as it normally does. | ||
| PerrySimm | Kaz trips over their own shoes. | ||
| PerrySimm | A sloping hallway leads off to the east. East of that hallway, an even more sloping hallway leads even further east. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | sloping hallway | ||
| PerrySimm | even more sloping hallway | Jacqueline says, "Sloping sounds safer than 'even more sloping'" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "I think that was a load-bearing Sherbourne." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure, sloping." | ||
| PerrySimm | ???? — Night | ||
| PerrySimm | You catch glimpses of ghostly figures in your peripheral vision, slipping in and out of the thick purple smoke. | ||
| PerrySimm | Hallways lead west and north. There are closed doors to the east and southeast. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | west | ||
| PerrySimm | north | ||
| PerrySimm | east | ||
| PerrySimm | southeast | Jacqueline exclaims, "SE!" | |
| Jacqueline says, "I have no idea why I'm using an exclamation point" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "Doors, game, or front doors?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Hell, the doors could go back into the auditorium" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Doors could be bad." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Or they could mean freedom" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "SUCH EXCITEMENT" | ||
| Roger says, "se" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "I'm not trusting any door that doesn't say front." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You try the door.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Damn it, locked! | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Just keep trying! One of them's bound to work. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | ???? — Night | ||
| PerrySimm | You hear loud crashing noises from somewhere far in the distance. | ||
| PerrySimm | Anja crashes into you from behind, knocking you over. You pick yourself up off the ground. | ||
| PerrySimm | Foggy passages branch off from here, leading southeast and west. A closed door lies behind a pile of furniture. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | southeast | ||
| PerrySimm | west | ||
| PerrySimm | closed door | Jacqueline says, "This feels like the moment not long before the conclusion of the Scooby Doo episode." | |
| Knight_Otu asks, "Are you saying we should run through doors and exit from completely different ones?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Um, sure." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Then let's try the door." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "The closed door?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "(I mean, theuy'" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "(I mean, they're all closed, but...)" | ||
| Knight_Otu asks, "It's the only door that's an option, isn't it?" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Not sure, but I am clicking it" | ||
| PerrySimm | (You try to open the door.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: This one's locked too! What the hell? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: It wasn't like this last week, was it? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: No. Something's going on. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: God, where the hell even are we? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I don't know. This smoke is completely disorienting me. | ||
| PerrySimm | ???? — Night | ||
| PerrySimm | The mist coalesces into unusual forms in front of you — a raccoon, a young boy in a military uniform, a corpse face down in the mud. You blink and the images disappear. | ||
| PerrySimm | Hallways lead west and north. There are closed doors to the east and southeast. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | west | ||
| PerrySimm | north | ||
| PerrySimm | east | ||
| PerrySimm | southeast | Jacqueline says, "e" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "east." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You pull on the door as hard as you can.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: NNNngh! | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Do we even know where that goes? I am completely lost! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I know it's where Sherbourne isn't! That's kind of all I care about right now! | ||
| PerrySimm | The smoke is starting to sting your eyes. You try to wave it out of your face but that only seems to make it come in thicker. | ||
| PerrySimm | Through the fog you can make out a closed window. | ||
| PerrySimm | The corridor you're in stretches on for miles ahead of you and even more miles behind you. Various closed doors line the hallway on either side. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | window | ||
| PerrySimm | ahead of you | ||
| PerrySimm | behind you | ||
| PerrySimm | Various closed doors | Jacqueline says, "I like a window" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | (You snap your fingers.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: The window! We can get some fresh air in here and figure out where we are. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Got it. Stand back. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She picks up a garbage can.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Anja, wait. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Whoa whoa whoa whoa! | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Graaah! | ||
| PerrySimm | (She throws it through one of the windows. The purple fog immediately starts pouring out as fresh air rushes in.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ....None of the windows in the North Wing lock. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Oh. Whoops. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You look around. You're in the old art room on the second floor.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Shit, we're like as far as you can get from the door. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | We can climb out onto the roof here. | ||
| PerrySimm | There's an emergency exit by the clock tower. | Jacqueline says, "roof sounds ill-advised" | |
| Knight_Otu says, "Yeah." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: The front door maybe. But there's an emergency exit down the hall. | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Where does that take us? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I think onto a staircase? Which probably goes down to a lower part of the roof. Once we're out there we'll be able to find a way down. I think. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Kaz and Anja look at each other uncertainly.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's our best shot. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: (nodding) Let's do it. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The three of you run off down the hall.) | ||
| PerrySimm | Front Steps — Evening | ||
| PerrySimm | (You make your way around the edge of the school, carefully hopping down from roof to roof, until you're on the awning above the front steps. Kaz looks down.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Alright, I think we can make it down from here. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Are you sure it's safe? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Totally. Watch. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Wait— | ||
| PerrySimm | (Kaz hops down into a hedge next to the front steps. They stumble out of it and dust themself off.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | Are you okay?! | ||
| PerrySimm | Do you see Sherbourne? | Knight_Otu says, "1." | |
| Jacqueline says, "yeah" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Kaz! Are you okay? | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: It's totally fine, dude. Nothing to worry ab— | ||
| PerrySimm | (Out of nowhere, Sherbourne exits the school, face scratched up and bleeding. He reaches out and grabs Kaz before they can run away.) | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: HEY!!! (She leaps down off the roof.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Let them go! | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: (backing up) Whoa whoa whoa! Let's all just calm down and talk about this, alright?! Just talk! No one needs to do anything they're going to regret! | ||
| PerrySimm | (Suddenly, a police car pulls into the front driveway, sirens blaring. Sherbourne abruptly lets go of Kaz, almost shoving them away, and waves down the police car. A couple of cops step out and he starts walking towards them.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Officers! Thank god you're here. I was just trying to prevent these vulnerable teens from committing self-harm. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (climbing down) That's a lie! | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: He was chasing us through the goddamn school because we saw his weird bone ritual!! | ||
| PerrySimm | OFFICER #1: Alright. (She puts a hand on her holster and points at Sherbourne.) Stay where you are and show me your hands. | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: (still walking forward) They were on the roof of the school! It's a good thing I was here to find them. They might have jumped. | ||
| PerrySimm | OFFICER #1: Sir, please don't move forward again. | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: Hey, Officer, I totally get it. You see— | ||
| PerrySimm | (She pepper-sprays him.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: AAAhhhaAaahaAAAhaAAAA!! | ||
| PerrySimm | OFFICER #1: (casually handcuffing Sherbourne) I'm arresting you for forcible confinement. It is my duty to inform you that you have the right to retain and instruct counsel in private without delay. Do you understand? | ||
| PerrySimm | SHERBOURNE: (sustained moaning) | ||
| PerrySimm | OFFICER #1: Sir, I understand the pepper spray makes it tough to focus but it'll really make my job a lot easier if you try to pay attention. (She leads him back towards her patrol car.) You may call any lawyer you want. There is a 24-hour telephone service... | ||
| PerrySimm | (The other officer crosses his arms and shakes his head.) | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | What's going to happen to him? | ||
| PerrySimm | Holy shit. | ||
| PerrySimm | ... | Jacqueline says, "All of these are appropriate choices" | |
| Jacqueline asks (of KO), "You still here?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "They are." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sorry, got called away for a bit." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "There you are." | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "Which one would you like me to pick?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "1 I guess." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: What's going to happen to him? | ||
| PerrySimm | OFFICER #2: Oh, we're going to put him in our car and then drive it to a jail with the big blinking lights on. It's pretty cool, actually. You want to take a video with your phone? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Uh, no. that's okay. | ||
| PerrySimm | OFFICER #2: Suit yourselves. (He hitches up his belt.) You kids have a nice night, eh? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Um... do you not want us to give statements? | ||
| PerrySimm | (The officer stares blankly at you for a second, then snaps his fingers) | ||
| PerrySimm | OFFICER #2: Right! Yeah. Statements. (He fumbles around for his notebook.) And I guess we should call your parents, too, huh? | ||
| PerrySimm | ANJA: Probably. | ||
| PerrySimm | OFFICER #2: Jeez, I gotta make some kind of to-do list... (He flips open his notebook and clicks his pen.) Okay, let's go frommmmm.... tallest to shortest. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Kaz and Anja look at each other.) | ||
| PerrySimm | (You walk a few feet away from Kaz and Anja and pace back and forth as they give their statements. You look up and see a raccoon with empty white eyes making its way out of the school. It stops in front of you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Are you... Osgoode Terauley? | ||
| PerrySimm | (The raccoon stands up on its hind legs. It stares at you. You stare at it.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Um. I don't know if you know that I'm the one editing your newspaper now, but I am. So thank you for starting that. And sorry that I'm running it into the ground. And sorry that you died in the First World War. And sorry that you're a raccoon now. Unless you like being a raccoon. In which case, uh, congratulations. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The raccoon stares at you for another second and then scampers off.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Waving Hand emoji | ||
| PerrySimm | (Summer walks up beside you.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Hi. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Hey. You're here. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Yeah. I, uh, kinda panicked and called the cops before the fifteen minutes were up. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Good call. | ||
| PerrySimm | (She nods.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: So... What happened, exactly? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Um. A lot. Among other things I think the ghost of the kid who founded my newspaper is trapped in a raccoon now. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Trapped? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Or maybe he wants to be there. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Mmm. That makes sense. It's probably pretty good to be in a raccoon body in Toronto. Lots of trash to eat. No predators. People throw you funerals. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: (smiling) I think once the funeral happens the ghost is back out of the raccoon body again. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Oh yeah. Well the trash thing anyway. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You hang back and watch as Anja gives an extremely animated statement.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Uh. By the way... I kind of, uh, hooked up with Anja on the weekend. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: I know. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: You do? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: She asked if she could. I told her to go for it. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: God, I keep forgetting you two are friends. | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: I mean, at this point I think we're all friends with each other. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Heh. I guess so. We should probably start acting like it, huh? | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: Yeah. | ||
| PerrySimm | (Silence. She stares at you for a second then leans in and gives you a quick peck on the cheek.) | ||
| PerrySimm | SUMMER: I'm glad we're friends. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You bump her with your shoulder.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Me too. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | Knight_Otu asks, "Cue the ending I guess?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Actually, no. I'm just catching up before the transition." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "But yeah, I think we're close." | ||
| PerrySimm | 2nd Floor — After School | ||
| PerrySimm | Tuesday, 4 October 2016 | ||
| PerrySimm | (One week later. You and Kaz are walking to the newspaper office for press night. Kaz angrily thumbs through their phone.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Ugh! I don't know what's worse, the fact that Toronto Sun got our scoop or the fact that they couldn't come up with a better nickname than "Creep-o Bone Teach". | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I guess in retrospect it was a bit optimistic to think that the administration would have actually let us publish an article about a faculty member desecrating corpses and threatening students. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: It was our story, man! All that work and we just get censored. | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | There's always more stories. | ||
| PerrySimm | That's an accomplishment in itself. | ||
| PerrySimm | It was still worth it. | Knight_Otu asks, "Also, who trained the adults in this city?" | |
| Jacqueline says, "Well, it's Canada." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "2" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| Jacqueline says, "(And I'm just kidding. I like Canada.)" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "(And Canadians. I'm related to some of them, so I have to like them.)" | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: It's kind of an accomplishment in its own right, when you think about it. First censored issue in 103 years. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: I suppose I can take some comfort in our legendary delinquency... | ||
| PerrySimm | (You and Kaz round the corner. There's a huge crowd of people waiting outside the office.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: The hell...? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Can we help you? | ||
| PerrySimm | (A Grade 9 boy steps out of the crowd.) | ||
| PerrySimm | GRADE 9: Um, hey. Are you the ones who make the cool illegal newspaper? | ||
| PerrySimm | --- | ||
| PerrySimm | It's not illegal exactly. | ||
| PerrySimm | Yep, that's us. | Knight_Otu says, "HAHAHAHA" | |
| Jacqueline says, "heh" | ||
| Jacqueline asks, "1?" | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "Sure." | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...It's not illegal exactly. We just had one banned issue. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: It is definitely cool though. | ||
| PerrySimm | GRADE 9: Oh. (He nods.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Would you... like to come inside and read it? | ||
| PerrySimm | GRADE 9: (eyes wide) You have a copy?? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Well it's just a PDF file, so yes. | ||
| PerrySimm | GRADE 9: Oh my god. That'd be amazing. | ||
| PerrySimm | (The other students murmur in agreement as you let them into the office. Kaz turns on a computer.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Right this way, kids! | ||
| PerrySimm | (The Grade 9 looks around in amazement.) | ||
| PerrySimm | GRADE 9: This is so cool. I wish I could do something like this. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You and Kaz look at each other.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Funny you should mention that... | ||
| PerrySimm | (Within half an hour, you have the new staffers settled in and working on assignments. Kaz slides their chair over to your desk.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Dude, this rules! We need to get censored every week! | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay, we can't get censored every week. That'd be the same as not putting out the paper at all. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Oh yeah. Well regardless, this is great. We've basically got a full staff now. We can probably get this issue done in like an hour. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Yeah, wow. I guess I'm in charge of like fifteen people now. (You freeze in place.) ...Oh god. | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: What? | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I'm in charge of like fifteen people now. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You grip the edge of your notebook tightly and stare off into the middle distance.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Na? You alright? (They wave their hand in front of your face) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: I don't know. Maybe? It's just I started thinking like, oh man I've got to manage all these people now and find them jobs they like and give them assignments and edit their submissions and learn their names and track their progress and answer their questions and order them pizza... | ||
| PerrySimm | (They rub your shoulder.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: Deep breaths, buddy. You got a whole new thing going on here. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You take some slow, deep breaths.) | ||
| PerrySimm | KAZ: It'll be great. Best thing ever, probably. You just have to figure out what to do and then do it. | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: ...Right. | ||
| PerrySimm | (You exhale then flip to an empty page in your notebook.) | ||
| PerrySimm | YOU: Okay, step one: New to-do list. | ||
| PerrySimm | . | ||
| PerrySimm | . | ||
| PerrySimm | ... FIN ... | Knight_Otu exclaims, "Woo!" | |
| Jacqueline exclaims, "Woohoo!" | ||
| Jacqueline says, "Thanks for sticking with me through all of that.I enjoyed it." | ||
| Knight_Otu says, "It's a nice game. It has its rough edges, though." | ||
