Class story

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Your find yourself in the most __unfortunate__ cliche. Escape the room, get out, go home, fuck off. Unfortunately it's not that simple... you have to actually figure it out. It's like a maze! They call it an escape room but it feels like it's expanding, growing, breathing. What do you do? [[Get out]]\ [[Go home]]\ [[Fuck off]]

You look around the room frantically... Thoughts spin through your mind like an uncomftorable web clogging up any sensible thought you could have. You see a couple of different things around the room... [[A Toaster]] <img class ="fit picture" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61LDyV-mVyL._AC_SX679_.jpg" alt="toaster"> [[A Fridge]] <img class ="fit picture" src="https://mobileimages.lowes.com/product/converted/836321/836321009183.jpg?size=pdhi" alt="Fridge"> [[A Microwave]] <img class ="fit picture" src="https://images.crateandbarrel.com/is/image/Crate/HadenDrchstrMcrwvSageSSF20/$web_pdp_main_carousel_high$/200827083413/haden-silt-green-dorchester-microwave.jpg" alt="Microwave">

I wonder if it can be this simple. Try the Wizard of Od Method, "there's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home". Hm, nothing. Maybe I need a pair of ruby slippers? That's just a bit unrealistic. However, I think I can do something even better. Why don't I just look at my [[gps]] on my phone? I could also just try [[calling the police]]

Wow you're funny! Isn't profanity fun. Here, say it out loud! FUCK OFF! This is a class assignment but I can swear because it's art! Anyways, back to business. You fuck off. What does that mean? Well it can mean a whole bunch of things. Do something else, leave the room, leave the room angrily, quickly leave the room, etc. [[Leave the room]] \ [[Leave the room angrily]] \ [[Quickly leave the room]] \ [[etc.]]

Okay! See it isn't that hard. Just leave the room. [[Just leave the room]]

You try to storm out of the room and hit the door... Maybe you should be more __polite__, why don't you go back to the [[Beginning ]]

You sprint at full speed torwards the believed exit of the room. Boom! You hit the wall running! Literally. Ouch. Maybe you should try again from the [[Beginning ]]

Wow, good choice I guess. Etc. I mean, it means a whole bunch of things? Do you want me to list them out and try and make this escape room larger, or do you just want to try again. I can tell you for sure this path will __not__ win the game for you. [[What does it mean]] [[Beginning ]]

Well it could mean: [[Leave the room]] [[Exit the space]] [[Fly on out of there]]

You exit the space. Little did you know, as the average reader, that I meant space and time! Haha! You're stuck in an infite dark vaccuum. Some would call this the bad ending! Start over you scrub. <img class ="fit picture" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61mlJz797WL._AC_SL1000_.jpg" alt="space"> [[Beginning ]]

You start levitating. Cool. There is a window on the left wall that is locked. [[Try to unlock it]] [[Fly super quickly towards it]]

You fly towards the window, it doesn't seem to unlock. What did you expect an easy exit? You slowly find your way back to the ground, unfortunately your dream of flying was not forever Since your character didn't die you get to go back a couple turns! Lucky you! Or you can start over? [[Fuck off]] [[Beginning ]]

Have you ever seen a bird hit a window? <img class ="fit picture" src="https://www.bbbpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Screen-Shot-2013-11-03-at-10.28.48-AM.png" alt="splat"> Well you just lived it! You're dead, window to face is not a great combo. [[Beginning ]]

See how that worked! You see a door ahead of you. Was it always there? [[Why is there a door]] [[Open door]] [[Beginning ]]

Your hand goes towards the doorknob. Please work Please work Please work [[Turn doorknob left]] [[Turn doorknob right]]

Great question, I was wondering that myself. [[Just leave the room]]

Click it opens, confusing huh! Usually they go to the right. Funnily enough I have a door just like that at my home in Nahant. It pisses off all of my friends. [[Argue with the narrator about practibility of a doorknob that turns left]] [[Open the door]]

It doesn't work. You gotta restart because of this one mistake? Haha that sucks. , [[Beginning ]] [[Argue]]

Come on, I'm just a college kid writing a story. Just go along with it. Actually, you know what, the narrator is UNHAPPY with you. Go back to the beginning bud! [[Beginning ]]

The door finally opens, outside is a beautiful field, birds chirping, a bright sun, and a nice oak tree sitting in the middle. You wander over to the tree, excited at the prospect of fresh air after being cramped inside that space for so long. Finally, you've finished the quest, unless this is your first time playing, then you got lucky and guessed your way through it. <img class ="fit picture" src="https://image.shutterstock.com/image-vector/congrats-lettering-typography-drawn-art-600w-1041737950.jpg" alt="congrats"> Would you like to see if you're truly a winner? You can go back to the [[Beginning ]] I won't blame you if you want to try again and see if you're truly correct. But if this is farewell, farewell, good-day, and I'll see you soon!

I'm pretty displeased with the actions of our player character. It seems he/she is really trying to fight with me, the narrator, the god of this world? Haha, good luck buddy, I'll let you restart this one time if you want. Maybe you'll guess the right path this time [[Fight]] [[Beginning ]]

Time pauses. Woah, how cool. It's like the Matrix. Suddenly you feel a surge of energy, maybe the narrator is thinking "let's give the Player a weapon to try and fight me, make it some more even footing" [[Sword]] [[Spear]] [[Gun]] [[Fists]]

You lunge at the narrator with the sword. He reposts with his bare fists and counter attacks with a blow to the leftside of your ribcage. It breaks You still have some strength. With a primal yell you swing the sword above your head at the narrator. It goes right through him... Is he god? Lighting strikes you in the head, it turns out he is god. You suck and get killed though, sorry not sorry. [[Beginning ]]

A wooden stick with a sharp rock on the top? Is this really what I'm using to take on this narrator guy? Whatever You charge foward at him with all of your might He dodges and counterattacks with a punch to the right temple You dodge and try and connect the spear with his left arm It Hits! Uh-oh it goes through him? Lightning hits you Looks like you died, whatever scrub [[Beginning ]]

You pick up a gun. It's a pistol, honestly the author of this story doesn't know to much about guns. They're not necessarily the weapon of choice for the narrator. Maybe it's an anime gun! Some cool shit that shoots lazers? Anyways you pick it up, cock it back, do the thing. You aim it at the narrator. He's shocked that you'd threaten him like that! [[Pull the trigger]] [[Have mercy]]

You charge at the narrator full of gusto and confidence, you're sure you can take him out in just one good hit. He reaches out to attack back [[dodge left]] [[dodge right]]

You pull the trigger and confetti pops out. It's not a real gun? The narrator grins and says "Too bad buddy, you were close to figuring it out too" and you end up back at the [[Beginning ]]

Your hands start to sweat. Is this really it, am I about to do this? The other weapons were more fantasy oriented but this is real. Heavy. You can't do it. You look at the narrator with a pleading look. Are you going to do it? [[I don't want to do this]] [[Pull the trigger]]

"You finally get it. The whole point of this stupid story. VIOLENCE is not the answer!" The narrator says The narrator, relieved that you finally got it, leads you towards a certain door. He opens it up and says "you're free to go" [[Leave the room]] [[Question]]

Why are you letting me go? Is this just some stupid game? Are you just trying to think of another way to trick me? I've (potentially, unless you're lucky) been doing this game for so long. Is this really the exit? The narrator looks confused, "What do you mean is this the end? You've really never even had an obligation to play. It could've been, but clearly right now you've chosen the wrong answer. Go back to the [[Beginning ]]

You dodge to the left and you're met by an opened hand. He hits you in the face and you go down. The narrator stands over you, a glimmer in his eye, a smile on his face. He says "Silly player, violence was never the answer. Do you really think this is a violent game? Try again" Suddlenly and aggresively you're sent back to the [[Beginning ]]

You dodge right and you're met with the opened palm of the narrator meeting your soft cheek guiding your body to the ground with a loud thump. The narrator looks confused, it might be because this is the second time he's had to write this statement. "Violence is never the answer, try again" he says annoyed. Suddenly you're brought back to the [[Beginning ]]

<img class ="fit picture" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61LDyV-mVyL._AC_SX679_.jpg" alt="toaster"> You walk over to the toaster and check it out. Its sitting on a counter next to the other two appliances. As you inspect the toaster you notice the product number is scratched off at the bottom. You see only an A produtruding from the mangled letters and numbers. What would you like to do next? [[Turn on the toaster]] [[Get out]]

<img class ="fit picture" src="https://mobileimages.lowes.com/product/converted/836321/836321009183.jpg?size=pdhi" alt="Fridge"> You look at the fridge. There is some art on it, it's quite nice actually. One was made by Allie, the other Elizebeth, the last Dalton. Were they the children of the owner of this room? Do you want to look at the drawings? [[Yes]] [[No]]

<img class ="fit picture" src="https://images.crateandbarrel.com/is/image/Crate/HadenDrchstrMcrwvSageSSF20/$web_pdp_main_carousel_high$/200827083413/haden-silt-green-dorchester-microwave.jpg" alt="Microwave"> You look at the microwave. It's just sitting there looking normal. Maybe you should check [[the fridge]] to see if there is any food?

You turn on the toaster and suddlenly smoke starts coming out from the top of it. You feel confused because when you inspected it you didn't see anything particularly interesting in the toaster. Maybe it's just a dirt toaster? What would you like to do? Look at [[A Fridge]] Look at [[A Microwave]] [[Inspect the smoke]]

You turn over the toaster to examine the insides. Suddenly a small smoldering piece of paper falls out. As it crumbles to dust you realize the letter E is written on it. What's wrong with this toaster? Well, I guess it can't be helped. This is a mysterious room after all. With this weird information you need to focus on your task on hand. [[Get out]] However, these letters on the toaster disturb you a bit. A... E... what could that stand for? [[Alphabet Examiners]] [[Alpacas and Elephants]] [[Asymettrical Elegance]] There are the only things you can think of...

Now this is a weird one. The other two options I was able to bullshit some kind of explanation to justify my thoughts. For this one I have a whole new question to ask you, the player, I guess moreso the reader. How did someone make the alphabet. How do you define the alphabet? Is there any specific alphabet that rules them all (i.e. [[the latin alphabet]] ) Who knows? Probably an English Language student who also studied some Latin. They're bound to have a decent idea. Hey... focus! [[Get out]]

Two interesting animals. Alpacas and Elephants. Really ingenius creatures. I'm not sure how they evolved to be how they are, but they're both vile and cute at the same time. For example, look at an Alpaca. Cute as all hell right. You WANT to pet them and be nice to them. However, get to close, BOOM you have some gross spit on you. It's different with Elephants though, they are large creatures and in turn produce a lot of waste. That's what's gross, just to much maintenance if you're obligated to take care of it. That's why they should be left in the wild. Anyways this is NOT the right way to go... [[Get out]]

What a silly thing to think of. How can something that isn't blatantly symettrical be elegant? Seriously... it really doesn't make sense. For example, have you ever seen a professional artist drawing a face? The absolute talent it takes to craft a symmetrical face is truly elegant. However, it is not elegant when it is not symmetrical. Unless it's on-purpose (i.e. [[Picasso]]) With all that in mind... yeah... Elegances, it's probably not the answer. It's best we focus on the task at hand, [[Get out]]

Hello, it's me the narrator. I'm not sure how deep you've delved into this "game" of mine but I'll tell you a fun fact about myself and picasso. I actually went to his museum in Barcelona. Cool shit right. It was actually very impressive, I believe the reason his work is held in such high regard is because he consistently built upon the artform that he created. He was not just repeating one drawing his whole career, he really innovated throughout the process. Time to focus on the task though! This isn't the right route! [[Get out]]

So you decided to click on this too and go a little further into my thoughts. I'll give you a reward for your curiosity. This whole route, the thing about getting out, not the right choice. You had three choices at the [[Beginning ]] and you should choose another.

Who's do you want to look at first? [[Alex's]] [[Elizebeth's]] [[Dalton's]]

Wow you're inconsiderate... I guess you should focus on your goal, [[Get out]]

It's a beautiful painting made with watercolor. The sky is a perfect mix of different shades of blue combining into a dark night's sky. In the background a girl weeps. It seems she's lost. She wants to escape. In the corner the name changes to [[Albert]] What's happening? Should I focus on my task and just [[Get out]]

It's a bright drawing. Somehow it can be bright... it's only in black and white. But it's glaring! Once you notice it you can't unsee it. This simple portrait of a house seems as bright as the sun itself... How [[intriguing]]

Dalton, he painted a mountain in the distance. In front of it you see a beautiful winter covered town with a fresh snowfall. The sun is barely peeking over the horizon giving a warm hug to the town below. Pink, purple, it almost looks alive. Something I love about the ocean is when it's still and the sun is setting there is this wonderful image of an oil painted landscape in front of you. It's something I try and treasure everytime I go home. At this point I hate to inform you but you really should focus on your task and [[Get out]]

The woman in the background shifts into a man weeping. Something in the foreground, it's a bit blurry, shifts into an ominous hatred filled figure. It slowly starts to reach torwards Albert when suddenly the name changes again. Allie, the original name. What's going on here? [[Keep looking]] [[Get out]]

Suddenly the figure, Allie, begins to look at the ominous figure. She isn't looking with hatred, fear, or confusion really. She's just looking at it with a lonely sadness that eerily fills the figure. The Ominous being begins to shrink away. It's confusing. The girl remains weeping. The figure hides. [[Nothings changed]] [[Get out]]

Nothing has changed in the end. That's what it feels like. You keep on trying to grow with, confront, and move past your fears and anxieties. However, somethings it doesn't change. That's what it feels like, but as you watch the picture in a trance like state you realized that Allie has stopped crying. She sits up a little straighter. It changes to Alex... You should probably focus on your task: [[Get out]] Unless you would like to see the other drawings? [[Yes]] [[No]]

Why does it interest you? Is it something that you've never seen before? I feel like this isn't an uncommon phenomena. Whatever, this isn't the right route, [[Get out]]

You open up the fridge and conviently enough there is a leftover bowl of [[mac and cheese]] just sitting there. Wow! Are you really hungry though! You have a task and should probably just [[Get out]] .

You warm up the bowl of mac and cheese, it smells so delicious. Man, it must've been made super recently. How long should you put it in the microwave? [[1 Minute]] [[1.5 Minutes]] [[2 Minutes]] [[2.5 Minutes]]

You put the mac and cheese in your mouth and it's a bit cold... YOU FAIL Please find your way back to the [[Beginning ]]

Oh my, the perfect mac and cheese temperature. Wow. Perfect So, at this point you've been spendning right 5 minutes in total preparing and eating this mac and cheese. Isn't it about time you should [[Get out]]? Honestly [[Just leave the room]] It's not that hard

Ouch too hot! Go back to the [[Beginning ]]

Your tongue burns viscously. You've clearly overdone it. Go back to the [[Beginning ]]

You type in your address in the gps. Nothing happens, it looks like you have minimal cell phone data. You might be able to try [[calling the police]]

You type the ever-so-serious "9-1-1" into you're phone. The phone rings... and it rings... and it rings... [[hang up]] [[wait]]

You hang up the phone slightly irritated. You'd think the police would do a [[better]] job. That's the funny thing, nobody even picked up. I guess you're all [[alone]] in this situation.

It just keeps on ringing [[wait a bit longer]] [[hang up]]

Wow, you're persistant, it's still just ringing. [[wait until something happens]] [[hang up]]

At this point the narrator understands that you're persistant. He speaks to you saying, "Hey, there isn't a police or anything in this game, the phone is just going to keep ringing. Honestly you should hang up" [[I guess I'll wait]] [[hang up]]

"You're wasting your time" It's still ringing... Ring-ring-ring <img class ="fit picture" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQHVmCDi9GvX8Kcccj7wIOBPsmIJ2a5t-NTBA&usqp=CAU" alt="ringring"> [[Wait longer]] [[hang up]]

At this point the narrator is rather impressed that you've waited this long for something to happen. The honest reality of the situation is that the police will never pick up. Well, in real life they will, but this is just a story. A game some would call it. You must really put some effort into finding the right path to continue. I'm not sure exactly what to tell you at this point. [[hang up]] The option is there for you pretty obviously. You should hang up. [[Keep waiting]]

Since you're persistant still, I'll tell you a little bit more about myself. I really enjoy trees! They're really majestic. Honestly, they're quite possibly one of my favorite hobbies now adays. If you've ever climbed a tree professionally you'll understand how I feel. It's a unique and beautiful feeling, being up in the canopy, doing work on a tree, swinging on the rope, and looking at the horizon. We should all try to protect this feeling and feelings like it. Joy, happiness, being content, and other similar feelings. At this point you should just start over, try again on a different path, go to the [[Beginning ]]

Since this is my own narrative, I would like to expand on my personal thoughts on the police doing a "better" job. Police should be trained and educated properly. This education includes confirming that they are not biased and ignorant to the fact that different people exist. There job is not to parade around town carrying a [[weapon]] it is to protect those who are in need of it. It's [[sad]] that they aren't doing better.

I've been feeling lonely lately. It's interesting when you're so close to [[graduating]] college. You still feel like a kid, you're not ready for what's next, and you're severely underprepared to take care of yourself. Well, that's how I feel atleast. Maybe this whole escaping thing, this "room", is a [[metaphor]] for something else?

If you've been playing my story religously, you'll notice that I try to show that violence is not the answer. It never should be. I'm not saying that you should let yourself be pushed around or anything, that's not true. [[Words can be more effective than weapons]]

We all feel sad sometimes. Even if you're feeling it worse than others, you need to know that you're not [[alone]]. You never were. Someone will always be there, even if it's just a stranger. Seek out comfort!

Do you know how demoralizing it is to search for a job in the current market? The answer is extremely. I wish I had the exact metrics but I've applied to over 40 jobs that I am "qualified" for, and I haven't gotten a single one. People in the business world think it's okay to ghost every applicant they aren't interested in? I mean I guess it's okay, it's there company. But they don't think about the effect it has on the applicants. At this point I've lost track of how to [[Go home]] from here, maybe I should go back to the [[Beginning ]]?

Okay, wow, so you've gotten to this choice. At this point let me explain a bit more about my "game". It's not really a video-game, it's honestly been more of a way to escape my own head and focus on writing about how I feel. Some days I've felt violent, so I made a fight scene. Other days I've felt lonely. This whole thing is showing how I've developed over the semester. This last section, "go home", is the homecoming of myself. I am graduating soon, I'm looking for a job. This shit is hard. However, if you're feeling similar, know everyone in your age group is probably feeling similar. I know for a fact that my friends are struggling the same why I am. So why do I feel so alone? Why do I want to escape to my home so badly? Is it the ocean? The trees? Not having spend money? It's hard to figure out. This whole little game is hard to figure out. You'll know you've completed it when you see the image with a great big congrats on it! Until then, try again from the [[Beginning ]]

They carry a lot of power. They're forever. People can feel bullets and knives only physically, words can be felt both physcially and emotionally. At this point I'm going to be honest, you've reached another dead-end. There are some solutions. 1.) I can send you to a random place: [[Yes]] I'd like to go 2.) You can try again to [[Go home]]