Interactive Narrative

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<img src="images/logo.png" style="display:block; margin:0 auto; width:600px;"> [[Play|hm]]

<img src="images/morning.png" style="display:block; margin:0 auto; width:600px;"> <<typewrite>> 8:00 AM. It's one of those happy days when you wake up to an alarm you forgot to turn off — and realize you have absolutely nothing to do. It's Sunday! No work, no worries, just endless freedom ahead. With a blissful sigh, Nostril flops back into bed, feeling like the luckiest elephant alive. But, as always on lazy days, the more you want to drift off, the harder it gets. Especially when something exciting pokes you from underneath — an unfinished SLUGGER STEVE comic book, wedged under his fat, clumsy trunk. <</typewrite>> [[Good morning]]

<<set $fortune = 10>> <<set $papers = 0>> <<set $ranwithmoney = false>> <<set $didbuy = false>> <<set $didnotbuy = false>>

[[image]] "NPC" stands for Non-Player Character — it's a term from video games that refers to characters not controlled by the player, but by the game's programming. They usually provide background, quests, or dialogue to help flesh out the world. [[What does it mean if you were called NPC?]]

<<typewrite>> However sad it could be, it’s time to say goodbye to the city! Not today, thankfully. Tomorrow. Unable to walk after a hike, Nostril slides towards his desk. Upon it, a board with a bunch of pictures is hung on the wall — it’s a bucket list. <</typewrite>> [[Look at the bucket list]]

<img src="images/nostril_characterdesign.png" width="1000"> <<typewrite>> Look at him. So photogenic. Anyways… What is this place? You didn't visit the National Museum of Ivory?! Nostril, how could you?.. <</typewrite>>

<img src="images/comic.png" style="display:block; margin:0 auto; width:600px;"> <<typewrite>> Oh no. There’s no way Slugger Steve just reminded him of that terror. Nostril glances at the calendar on the wall — the rent payment date is indeed approaching. Tomorrow. <</typewrite>> [[Check the funds]]

<<set $fortune = 10>> <<typewrite>> Nostril nervously checks everywhere. What he found is just... 10 bucks. Only now does he realize how messy his dwelling is. Maybe there’s a chance to find even more money buried somewhere in that huge chunk of spam mail he hasn't cleaned out since Monday. <</typewrite>> [[Dive into the mess]]

<div style="position: absolute; top: 20px; left: 50px;"> Nostril's fortune: $fortune bucks </div> <<typewrite>> Alright... Let's see what we've got here... <</typewrite>> [[A random pile of paper]] [[A random pile of paper]] [[A random pile of paper]]

<div style="position: absolute; top: 20px; left: 50px;"> Nostril's fortune: $fortune bucks </div> <<if $papers == 0>> <img src="images/shawarma.png" style="display:block; margin:0 auto; width:600px;"> <<typewrite>> Oh... Another shawarma discount. Of course. Nostril is an actor of sorts. A recent college graduate, he’s currently interning as a Shawarma Man for a local diner. He's very much committed to the role — except he's actually a vegetarian. One would think after half a year they'd remember that fact about him, instead of sending these promotions every once in a while... <</typewrite>> <<set $papers += 1>> [[Search more|Dive into the mess]] <<elseif $papers == 1>> <img src="images/hike.png" style="display:block; margin:0 auto; width:600px;"> <<typewrite>> Oh, they actually mailed the picture from yesterday's hike?! And they picked THIS? There were better ones! <</typewrite>> <<set $papers += 1>> [[Search more|Dive into the mess]] <<elseif $papers >= 2>> <img src="images/casting.png" style="display:block; margin:0 auto; width:600px;"> <<typewrite>> Nostril's excitement is beyond imagination. This is his chance to become a true actor, become famous, pay his rent and... all this by playing his beloved character? Is he still dreaming? 10 AM? He needs to hurry! <</typewrite>> <<set $papers += 1>> [[Get ready to go!]] <</if>>

<div style="position: absolute; top: 20px; left: 50px;"> Nostril's fortune: $fortune bucks </div> <<typewrite>> The cap is on, the money is in the pocket. At the doorstep, almost tripping over a week-old banana peel, Nostril contemplates: what's the best way to go? <</typewrite>> [[Go by bus]] [[Go on foot]] [[Go by taxi]]

<div style="position: absolute; top: 20px; left: 50px;"> Nostril's fortune: $fortune bucks </div> <<typewrite>> A little nasty for an up-and-coming Hollywood star, but... well... let's treasure these precious down-to-earth moments. <</typewrite>> [[Head towards the bus stop]]

<div style="position: absolute; top: 20px; left: 50px;"> Nostril's fortune: $fortune bucks </div> <<typewrite>> It seems like Nostril’s legs are a little traumatized and ready for retirement after yesterday’s hike. He can barely walk a mile today. <</typewrite>> [[Go by taxi]] [[Go by bus]]

<div style="position: absolute; top: 20px; left: 50px;"> Nostril's fortune: $fortune bucks </div> <<typewrite>> The taxi would cost at least 20 bucks! I mean... Nostril is a Hollywood star in the making, but that's a little out of the current budget, don't you think? <</typewrite>> [[Go by bus]] [[Go on foot]]

<div style="position: absolute; top: 20px; left: 50px;"> Nostril's fortune: $fortune bucks </div> <<typewrite>> Nostril is at the Squid Row bus stop. He's so excited for his audition that he doesn't pay attention to the soaring plastic bags or the scattered tortoiseshells and other kinds of marine shells around him. <</typewrite>> [[Wait a bit more]]

<div style="position: absolute; top: 20px; left: 50px;"> Nostril's fortune: $fortune bucks </div> <img src="images/turtle.png" style="display:block; margin:0 auto; width:600px;"> <<typewrite>> A teenage turtle dressed like a failed rapper approaches Nostril. He pokes him playfully with a wrist clutching a crumpled piece of paper. <span class="fingerpaint-font">Yo dude... listen, could you grab something from that eucalyptus store real quick?</span> <</typewrite>> <img src="images/note.png" style="display:block; margin:0 auto; width:600px;"> <<typewrite>> <span class="fingerpaint-font">Swear to God, it’s mad cheap — you can keep the change. C'mon, help me out.</span> He flashes a $100 bill in his hand. <span class="fingerpaint-font">*</span> Daffodil extract is a heavy hallucinogen legally prohibited for teenage turtles, often causing prolonged effects that can lead to madness and rabies-like symptoms. <</typewrite>> [[Help out the teen addict]] [[Politely pass]] [[Take the money and run away]]

<<set $fortune = +100>> <<set $ranwithmoney = true>> <div style="position: absolute; top: 20px; left: 50px;"> Nostril's fortune: $fortune bucks </div> <<typewrite>> <span class="fingerpaint-font">Man, what the hell?! Yo, come back, you dusty lil trunk! Screw you, dude!</span> <</typewrite>> [[Keep running|RUN AWAY]]

<<set $fortune = 100>> <<set $didbuy = true>> <div style="position: absolute; top: 20px; left: 50px;"> Nostril's fortune: $fortune bucks </div> <<typewrite>> Nostril buys the cheapest pack of ground daffodil from the eucalyptus store not to cause the teen turtle too much harm. It cost him only 10 bucks. <span class="fingerpaint-font">Yooo, this IS ma man, appreciate it!</span> The teen turtle tries the drug on the sly. Nostril stands aside, pretending he has nothing to do with it. He can finally pay his rent and will soon get famous! All he has to do now is get on the freaking bus. <</typewrite>> [[Keep waiting for the bus]]

<div style="position: absolute; top: 20px; left: 50px;"> Nostril's fortune: $fortune bucks </div> <img src="images/turtle.png" style="display:block; margin:0 auto; width:600px;"> <<typewrite>> <span class="fingerpaint-font">Bro, please! I’ll double you up, no cap. Look, see it?</span> The turtle flashes a $200 bill in his hand. <</typewrite>> [[Help out the teen addict|Help out the addict]] [[Politely pass and walk away]] [[Take the money and run away|Run with $200]]

<div style="position: absolute; top: 20px; left: 50px;"> Nostril's fortune: $fortune bucks </div> <<typewrite>> Nostril feels that something is going off. The turtle takes an enormous breath. Coughs violently. He’s shaking. Desperately trying to find something to lean on. Then he starts squeaking. Making absolutely wild, broken sounds no living thing should ever make. Nostril does his best not to look. <div style="font-size: 120%;"> He fails. </div> <div style="font-size: 150%;"> His eyes meet the turtle’s. Bloodshot. Wide like apples. Terrifyingly unblinking. </div> <div style="font-size: 150%;"> He moves </div> <div style="font-size: 200%;"> towards </div> <div style="font-size: 300%;"> Nostril. </div> <</typewrite>> <<timed 28s>> [[RUN AWAY]] <</timed>>

<div style="position: absolute; top: 20px; left: 50px;"> Nostril's fortune: $fortune bucks </div> <<typewrite>> Nostril ran about half a mile... more or less. His legs are completely shot, thanks to yesterday’s hike. He can't move at all, lying on the dirty curb, panting and struggling to catch a solid breath. <</typewrite>> [[Keep breathing]]

<<set $ranwithmoney = true>> <<set $fortune = +200>> <div style="position: absolute; top: 20px; left: 50px;"> Nostril's fortune: $fortune bucks </div> <<typewrite>> <span class="fingerpaint-font">Man, what the hell?! Yo, come back, you dusty lil trunk! Screw you, dude!</span> <</typewrite>> [[Keep running|RUN AWAY]]

<div style="position: absolute; top: 20px; left: 50px;"> Nostril's fortune: $fortune bucks </div> <img src="images/mice.png" style="display:block; margin:0 auto; width:600px;"> <<typewrite>> A little mouse with a crutch approaches Nostril’s half-alive head as he still lies on the ground. The mouse pulls out his tiny hand toward Nostril’s face, trembling slightly. <span class="fingerpaint-font">Please, sir... Help our family, my wife and our kids barely have anything to eat. It is so hard to catch anyone's attention, we are neglected in a bustling city like this... Anything you can spare, we'd be so grateful. Please...</span> Nostril sees a female mouse and a little mouse kid standing beside her. They look exhausted, hopeless, and starving. <</typewrite>> [[Ignore the downtrodden mouse family]] [[Show mercy and give mice some money]]

<<typewrite>> As Nostril tries to sit up on the curb to give the mice some money, he notices two more mouse children right next to his pocket. All his money is gone in their hands. <</typewrite>> <img src="images/porsche.png" style="display:block; margin:0 auto; width:600px;"> <<typewrite>> Nostril doesn’t even have time to get outraged before he sees all the mice pile into a Hot Wheels Porsche, speeding off with everything he had. The once-miserable mouse now laughs at him as he and his bratty crew drive away. Of course... They were just a bunch of the million great-grandchildren of Mickey Mouse, scattered across the city and shamelessly raiding his fortune. How could Nostril have fallen for that?.. <</typewrite>> <<set $fortune = 0>> Nostril's fortune: $fortune bucks [[Process what just happened]]

<<typewrite>> Nostril turns his head, trying to ignore the mice. But instead — oh no... He spots two more mouse children right next to his pocket. All his money is already in their tiny hands. <</typewrite>> <img src="images/porsche.png" style="display:block; margin:0 auto; width:600px;"> <<typewrite>> Nostril doesn’t even have time to get outraged before he sees all the mice pile into a Hot Wheels Bugatti, speeding off with everything he had. The once-miserable mouse now laughs at him as he and his bratty crew drive away. Of course... they were just a bunch of the million great-grandchildren of Mickey Mouse, scattered across the city and shamelessly raiding his fortune. <</typewrite>> <<set $fortune = 0>> Nostril's fortune: $fortune bucks [[Process what just happened]]

<div style="position: absolute; top: 20px; left: 50px;"> Nostril's fortune: $fortune bucks </div> <<typewrite>> Nostril sits on the curb, his eye nervously twitching. He's now completely broke, with only the drugged-up turtle's note in his pocket... The casting call flyer slaps directly into his face. However dumbfounded he might be, Nostril realizes something. All this happened because he’s destined to get rich and famous soon. Right?! Going to the audition isn't a choice anymore — it's the only hope Nostril has left. Oh, and look at that. The bus is finally approaching! <</typewrite>> [[Get on the bus]]

<img src="images/caa.png" style="display:block; margin:0 auto; width:600px;"> <<typewrite>> Here it is... The Creative Animals Agency. Nostril tugs his T-shirt down to cover his belly — not that it helps much, the ten-year-old hand-me-down is about to fall apart any second. But Nostril is ready to shine. <</typewrite>> [[Enter the audition room]]

<img src="images/eating.png" style="display:block; margin:0 auto; width:600px;"> <<typewrite>> At the top of the long conference table sits producer Trent Shelling, shamelessly stuffing his wrinkled face with a pack of Skittles. The casting director Dylan Crockenberg sits beside him, closing his eyes to shield from the flying candies. <span class="fingerpaint-font">Hello, please come in. Are you here for the Slugger Steve adaptation casting?</span> <</typewrite>> [[Sit and tell them you came to audition for Slugger Steve role]]

<<typewrite>> Trent Shelling chokes on his candies: <span class="fingerpaint-font">DYLAN! I thought we discussed that I don't want elephant for the leading role!</span> Dylan nods in agreement. He tells Nostril that the flyer is, unfortunately, outdated. The producer jumps in: <span class="fingerpaint-font">Listen to me. Nobody cares about elephants. The world wants capybaras. Capybaras are cute. Capybaras are beloved. The world wants a capybara Slugger Steve. I want a capybara Steve, and Dylan wants a capybara Steve. Am I right?</span> Dylan keeps nodding neurotically — ten nods per second. Shelling shoves his phone into Nostril’s face, showing a funny video of a capybara hula dancing in a bathtub. <span class="fingerpaint-font">Look! They're so cute! THEY ARE CUTE, RIGHT? Ok Dylan, how do I stop this?</span> <</typewrite>> [[But please... Hear me! You don't know! I am the biggest fan...]] [[Leave the room before you get slobbered Skittles thrown into your face]]

<<typewrite>> Trent Shelling is about to burst in yelling, but Dylan Crockenberg interrupts him: <span class="fingerpaint-font">We are still in search of some supporting characters. Maybe, you would like to try for some? I mean, it's not Slugger Steve...</span> <</typewrite>> [[Tell them you only want to play Slugger Steve and head towards the exit]] [[Stay to hear the available roles]]

<<typewrite>> Nostril, completely destroyed, is about to walk towards the exit. Dylan Crockenberg quietly asks him: <span class="fingerpaint-font">We are still in search of Maybe, you would like to try for some side characters? I mean, it's not Slugger Steve...</span> <</typewrite>> [[Tell them you only want to play Slugger Steve and head towards the exit]] [[Stay to hear the available roles]]

<<typewrite>> Dylan, stunned by Nostril's stubbornnes, watches him walk away. As he is about to leave, he notices a framed photograph behind Dylan's head — it shows Trent Shelling with his teenage son. Wait. Is it?.. <</typewrite>> <<timed 9s>> <img src="images/frame.png" style="display:block; margin:0 auto; width:600px;"> <</timed>> <<timed 10s>> <<typewrite>> No way. Is that the teen turtle he encountered at the bus stop?.. He can't be wrong. It's him! Hm... What would the press say when they find out Trent Shelling's son is doing illegal drugs? <</typewrite>> <</timed>> [[Ask about the photograph|Interrupt and ask about the photograph]] [[Leave the CAA|END SHAWARMA AND POSTER]]

<<typewrite>> Nostril, a bit frustrated, listens to Dylan while the producer struggles to swallow the massive amount of Skittles in his mouth. <span class="fingerpaint-font">Lovely! Sooo... we're kind of still looking for actors to play Piglecio and Kee-Wee in episode two...</span> As Nostril listens, he notices a framed photograph behind Dylan's head — it shows Trent Shelling with his teenage son. Wait. Is it?.. <</typewrite>> <<timed 9s>> <img src="images/frame.png" style="display:block; margin:0 auto; width:600px;"> <</timed>> <<timed 10s>> <<typewrite>> No way. Is that the teen turtle he encountered at the bus stop?.. He can't be wrong. It's him! Hm... What would the press say when they find out Trent Shelling's son is doing illegal drugs? <</typewrite>> <</timed>> [[Interrupt and ask about the photograph]] [[Leave the CAA|END SHAWARMA AND POSTER]]

<<typewrite>> Nostril asks Trent Shelling if the teenage on the photograph is his son. The nasty producer replies: <span class="fingerpaint-font">Yes. My older one. Jimmy, my pride... Why are you still here? Take your candy and leave the room. NOW! </span> <</typewrite>> [[Tell that you saw his son at the bus stop trying to buy daffodils|Told that saw]] [[Show him the paper and ask if he recognizes the handwriting|Showing the paper]] [[Leave the CAA|END SHAWARMA AND POSTER]]

<<set $didnotbuy = true>> <div style="position: absolute; top: 20px; left: 50px;"> Nostril's fortune: $fortune bucks </div> <<typewrite>> Nostril walks away from the stubborn teenage turtle, but he seems to still be. He is aggressively heading towards him. Nostril is getting scared. <</typewrite>> [[RUN towards the next bus stop|RUN AWAY]] [[Take the money and help the teen addict|Help out the addict]]

<<set $fortune = 200>> <<set $didnotbuy = false>> <<set $didbuy = true>> <div style="position: absolute; top: 20px; left: 50px;"> Nostril's fortune: $fortune bucks </div> <<typewrite>> Nostril buys the cheapest pack of ground daffodil from the eucalyptus store not to cause the teen turtle too much harm. It cost him only 10 bucks. <span class="fingerpaint-font">Yooo, this IS ma man, appreciate it!</span> The teen turtle tries the drug on the sly. Nostril stands aside, pretending he has nothing to do with it. He can finally pay his rent and will soon get famous! All he has to do now is get on the freaking bus. <</typewrite>> [[Keep waiting for the bus]]

<span class="fade-in"> Nostril gives up and leaves the CAA. Well, maybe he’s destined for something better. But for now, he continues to work as a shawarma guy and receive the monthly discount coupons from the diner’s menu (they better paid for his rent). They recently hung a huge billboard with the series poster right in front of the diner, and Slugger Steve — played by some random capybara — is now brazenly staring at Nostril from above while he continues to give away flyers for shawarma, trying to pay rent for at least one more month. <img src="images/lose.png" style="display:block; margin:0 auto; width:600px;"> [[Play again|hm]] </span>

<<typewrite>> Nostril hands the paper to the producer. Shelling stares at it for a long moment, his mouth hanging open, his tongue streaked with rainbow colors from the insane amount of candy he just devoured. Dylan Crockenberg leans in, looking invested. Shelling finally pulls himself together and eerily whispers to Nostril: <span class="fingerpaint-font">Tell me what happened.</span> <</typewrite>> <<if $ranwithmoney>> [[Tell him that you didn't buy it and just walked away|END LIE]] [[Tell the truth that you ran with his son's money|END JAIL]] <<elseif $didbuy>> [[Lie that you refused to buy and walked away|END LIE]] [[Tell the truth that you bought it for him|END JAIL]] <<elseif $didnotbuy>> [[Tell the truth that you refused to buy and walked away|END ROLE]] <</if>>

<span class="fade-in"> The blatant truth didn’t work out this time. The case went public, and Nostril — alongside the producer’s son — was thrown in prison for illegal transactions. Over time, Nostril lost his mind and started behaving as if he were Slugger Steve — crawling around like a slug and eating exclusively unwashed grass. Which isn’t that terrible, really — at least he’s not some stupid shawarma guy anymore. And hey, no rent to pay... right?.. <img src="images/prison.png" style="display:block; margin:0 auto; width:600px;"> [[Play again|hm]] </span>

<span class="fade-in"> Nostril told the truth and Trent Shelling, in order to conceal the case, gave him the part of Slugger Steve immediately. However, the case went public anyway because of the cameras on the street, and the producer's son got imprisoned for illegal drug use. In the meantime, Nostril is now on the billboards around the city. The public loved his fat trunk on the screen and the show was prolonged for five more seasons immediately. The shawarma place where he used to work is now selling customized vegetarian shawarmas with Slugger Steve, played by Nostril, printed on the wrapper. <img src="images/win.png" style="display:block; margin:0 auto; width:600px;"> [[Play again|hm]] </span>

<span class="fade-in"> Nostril told a lie, and Trent Shelling, still processing the shock of his son’s behavior, gave him the cherished role of Slugger Steve immediately. But the bliss didn’t last long. Shelling’s son eventually came clean to his father, and after a quick camera check, both the nasty teenager and Nostril were thrown in prison for illegal transactions. Over time, Nostril lost his mind and started behaving as if he is Slugger Steve — crawling around like a slug and eating exclusively unwashed grass. Which isn’t that terrible, really — at least he’s not some stupid shawarma guy anymore. And hey, no rent to pay... right?.. <img src="images/prison.png" style="display:block; margin:0 auto; width:600px;"> [[Play again|hm]] </span>

<<typewrite>> <span class="fingerpaint-font">What?! You're talking nonsense. One more word and your fatty little trunk is sued for defamation. Better get OUT of here!</span> <</typewrite>> [[Show him the paper and ask if he recognizes the handwriting|Showing the paper]] [[Leave the CAA|END SHAWARMA AND POSTER]]