<div class="message">//Joe.//
Picture the face of a man named Joe in your head.
How was he feeling?
(set:$mood = true)
[[Happy]]
[[Depressed]]</div><div class="message">You're right.
Joe's the typical jock in school that's popular with everyone, and brightens up literally anything he touches, even a dead flower.
He's good looking, running for valedictorian, and never seem to let anything stop him in life.
We all know someone like that, he's just too perfect to be human isn't he?
//Today's going to be a good day.//
Joe cuddles up his favorite corner of the train and tunes in to //[[High Hopes]]// by Panic! at the Disco(set:$mood = true)</div><div class="message">(set: $typewriterText to "Hey Joe!")"(display: "Typewriter")"
{
(live: 1.2s)[
(stop:)
Joe unplugged his earphones and looked up with a smile, he saw
]
}
[[A Squirrel]]
[[Tricia]]</div>{
(set: $typewriterPos to 1)
|typewriterOutput>[]
(live: 30ms)[
(append: ?typewriterOutput)[(print: $typewriterText's $typewriterPos)]
(set: $typewriterPos to it + 1)
(if: $typewriterPos is $typewriterText's length + 1)[
(stop:)
]
]
}<div class="message">(set:$mood = false)Joe is the epitome of negative energy.
Despite being born into a rich family, he's cranky, delusional, and is NEVER satisfied with anything except for his convoluted views on how the world 'works'
We all know someone like Joe, and have avoided him as much as possible.
Are people of his species just born this way?
What brought out such a devil in him?
Joe slithers to his favorite corner of the train and tunes in to //[[Psychosocial]]// by Slipknot.</div><div class="message">Joe was dumbfounded,
// Is that a talking squirrel? //
"Yes, it totally is. My na-"
// Why is it's mouth not moving and did it just read my mind? //
"As I was saying, my name's Soldo! I'm sort of your guardian angel, the squirrel's just a vessel for me to follow you around on earth! He's cute ain't he?"
// This can't be real //
(transition: "pulse") +(transition-time: 5s)[(link-goto:"Slap yourself!","Slap Once")]
[[Acknowledge the Squirrel]]</div><div class="message">//Tricia! I haven't seen you since middle school! You're back in Massachusetts?//
(if:$mood is false)["Yeah! I'm back for the summer to visit my relatives. What happened to you? You look all emo and sad now"
"Where's the cheery little boy that I still remember?"
//It's just life man, it hits you before you know it//](if:$mood is true)["Yeah! I'm back for the summer to visit my relatives. How are you? I heard you're doing really well!"
//Yeah just the usual. Same for you, Ms Arkansas!//
"Ahhh! Been poking around my facebook much?"]
"Hey I gotta get off now, it was great catching up with you, till next time!"
[[Tricia alights, leaving a scent of flowers behind.]]</div><div class="message">(set: $typewriterText to "Look, I can even speak your millenial language! I'm totez real homie!")
"(display: "Typewriter")"
(transition: "pulse") +(transition-time: 5s)[(link-goto:"Slap yourself again","Slap Twice")]
[[Acknowledge the Squirrel]] </div><div class="message">//So you're telling me... Heaven's real?//
"...not exactly, I'm here to observe and guide you in making decisions that will decide your fate in the afterlife."
"Becareful of what you do, as every move you make is being watched by the higher beings!"
(if:$mood is true)["Joe, whatever you're doing right now, keep it up. I'm going to present you an [[offer]] you won't regret. "](if:$mood is false)["You need real help my brother, you can't just bring chaos wherever you go to, you're gonna regret it in the afterlife. In fact, I have an [[offer]] for you"]</div class>The crowd turned to Joe
(set: $typewriterText to "I know it's a lot to digest... Buuut you might want to consider stopping before drawing too much attention to yourself")
"(display: "Typewriter")"
(transition: "pulse") +(transition-time: 5s)[(link-goto:"SLAP YOURSELF AGAIN","Slap Thrice")]
[[Acknowledge the Squirrel]] <div class="message">Joe found himself surrounded by curious onlookers
(set: $typewriterText to "Lord, this is what America's education system does to its people")
"(display: "Typewriter")"
Before people had the opportunity to whip out their phones, Joe bailed and alighted the train with the squirrel.
Joe had [[no reason to not believe Soldo anymore.|Acknowledge the Squirrel]]</div class><div class="message">(set: $typewriterText to "Hey Joe!")"(display: "Typewriter")"
{
(live: 1.2s)[
(stop:)
Joe unplugged his earphones and looked up annoyed, he saw
]
}
[[A Squirrel]]
[[Tricia]]</div><div class="message"><script>
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.on('mouseenter', function () {
$(this).removeClass('hidden');
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.on('mouseleave', function () {
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</script>"Your contribution to the world has qualified you for the (link-goto:"SYS","sellyoursoul") program"
"Think of it in human terms as a scholarship. Your success in life will be guaranteed in exchange for your participation in the afterlife council which you only have to worry in what? a good fifty years later?"
A 66-page contract was presented on Joe's desk with the letters <h1 style="color:#FF0000">**SYS**</h1>
Soldo hastily flips to the last page where Joe's signature was required
"Don't bother, I've explained it to you already."
[[Sign]]
(if:$mood is true)[<span class="hides">|dontsign>[Refuse to Sign]</span>(click:?dontsign)[(replace:?dontsign)[(link-goto:"Are you sure?","[[Refuse to Sign]]")]]]</div><div class="message">(font:"Bilbo")['Special Young Stars' program
Offered to the Top 1% of 18 year olds
Guarantees success in life
<p style="color:#FF0000">Compulsory membership in the afterlife council</p>
(link-goto:"Back","offer")]</div><div class="message">The squirrel jumps onto Joe's palm and sinks its teeth in.
Blood dripped onto the papers and they burned into thin air
Joe never felt the same again
His expression turned from an innocent young boy into a determined ferocious male
He felt [[unstoppable]]</div><div class="message">"... why?"
// I don't know, but this just seems too good to be true doesn't it? Besides, isn't it better if I chase my dreams without any divine intervention? I would feel more accomplished this way. //
"FOOL! You humans are JUST SO COMPLICATED!"
//Hey man I'm just being careful, no hard feelings. If you see a bunch of acorns lying in the middle of an open field, wouldn't you find it a little suspicious? It could be a trap, you could die if you went for it!//
"Really? I'm sure you have heard of "High risk High reward". Are you telling me that if you have a chance to claim a million dollars that does not belong to anyone and have no strings attached, you would not take it??"
[[Yes, I would take it]]
[[No, I WON'T take it]]</div><div class="message">Before Joe knew it, by the age of 20, he was proclaimed to be the next Steve Jobs, rivaling big companies like Pear, and Samsong.
His groundbreaking research on Artificial Intelligence has resulted in technologies that defined the future
Many occupations were restructured, making labour redundant.
Costs of production for many goods and services went down significantly because of Joe.
Joe's dream was coming true, he became the [[tech mogul]] he wanted to be.
(if:$mood is false)[ Joe finally had something to be proud of, he could not thank Soldo enough for changing his life ]</div><div class="message">(transition: "shudder")[**BANG**]
{
(live: 1.5s)[
(stop:)
(transition: "shudder")[**BANG**]
]
}
{
(live: 2s)[
(stop:)
(transition: "shudder")[**BANG**]
]
}
{
(live: 4s)[
(stop:)
Joe woke up to the loud knocking on his door.
"Joe! Wake up! You have to see the [[news]] now!"
]
}</div><div class="message">(set: $typewriterText to "This is Lee Chao Lan reporting to you live from the streets of New York.
Protesters can be seen storming the Joecorp building along Yorkshire Street.
...I have just received updates that the building has just engulfed into flames.
Authorities have advised to not leave your homes unless necessary.
Stay tuned."
)(font:"News Cycle")[(display: "Typewriter")]
{
(live: 24s)[
(stop:)
[[Switch Channel]]
]
}</div><script>
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Hidden links that are always hidden:
<span class="hidden">[[A hidden link]]</span>
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$('.hidden')
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Hidden links that hide unless you're hovering over them:
<span class="hides">[[A hidden link]]</span>
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$('.hides')
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<span class="reveals">[[A hidden link]]</span>
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</script>Double-click this passage to edit it.<div class="message">The protests weren't only happening in New York, it was happening worldwide.
Joe's inventions has taken away the jobs of billions around the world.
As you are reading this, the global economy is also sinking into recession.
//How could this be?//
(if:$mood is false)[//People should be thankful for my inventions! Why is this happening?! That's it, there is just no merit in doing good for others, I NEVER GET APPRECIATED.//
//Time to let the world know who's boss.//](if:$mood is true)[//My inventions were supposed to help people, not harm them!//
Joe then remembered that he had a back-up plan, a virus that would shut down his entire operations in case of a deus ex machina that he has been seeing in movies.
But, it wasn't perfect.
Joe's geniuses has created a virus so powerful that could wipe out the entire internet.
To make things worse, the internet have a 0.1% chance of recovery after the virus takes effect.]
[[Thanos.exe]]
(if:$mood is true)[(link-goto:"Let it be, this is the start of YOUR revolution.","Let it be, this is the start of YOUR revolution.")]</div><div class="message">{
(set: $stopCycle to 0)
(live: 1s)[
(if: $stopCycle is 10)[
Thanos snaps his fingers. (stop:)
]
(else: )[
(set: $stopCycle to it + 1)
(css: "position: absolute; left: " + (string: 20 * $stopCycle) + "px" )[Loading...]
]
]
}
(if:$mood is false)[{
(live: 12s)[
(stop:)
(link-goto:"It's time to watch the world burn","destroy")
]
}](if:$mood is true)[
{
(live: 12s)[
(stop:)
It didn't matter.
]
}
{
(live: 12s)[
(stop:)
What Joe thought had solved the problem had created another problem.
]
}
{
(live: 12s)[
(stop:)
Joe's guaranteed success in life meant that his actions are always improving his chances of achieving his ambitions.
]
}
{
(live: 12s)[
(stop:)
Joe's ambition was to become a tech mogul like Mark Cuban. His code could only improve and not [[destroy]].
]
}]</div><div class="message">"Remember the invention of the steam engine? That alone has reduced the need of manual labour"
"Did it ruin peoples' lives? Temporarily, yes. But was it necessary? YES. It was all for the greater good."
"You can't just give the people what they want, you have to follow your dreams, and change the world for the better."
"THIS is the birth of a new revolution, and it was ALL YOU, [[JOE SOCHINKI.]]"</div><div class="message">(if:$mood is true)[In this case, Thanos.exe did not shut operations down or wipe out the internet.
Instead, ]Joecorp's artificial intelligence became self-aware.
Joecorp buildings around the world started initiating its own self-defence protocols.
Protesters were getting killed by the heavy machinery around the building one by one
Joe's laptop displayed footage from the building's security camera.
He could see self-driving forklifts piercing through the bodies of the protesters.
The [[end]] was nigh.</div><div class="message">(set: $timer to 66)The government declared a state of emergency.
Thanos.exe has infected military technologies and weapons. Tanks started shooting at any human on sight.
The military could not do anything but speed up the end of the human race.
(if:$mood is true)[Joe was witnessing the extinction of the human race by [[his own hands]].](if:$mood is false)[Joe was witnessing the extinction of the human race by (link-goto:"his own hands","YOU")]
(display: "Timer")(set:$mom to false)</div>{
(live: 0.0001s)[
(if: $timer is 0)[
(stop:)
(goto: "World End")
]
(else: )[
(set: $timer to it + 11111)
Death toll: $timer
]
]
}<div class="message">//You... you... you tricked me Soldo!//(set: $typewriterText to "Hah, I did not. You got what you wanted, you succeeded in your ventures in Artificial Intelligence. You made them self-aware!
YOU agreed to the terms of the contract, YOU agreed to SELL YOUR SOUL.")(if: $mom is true)[(set: $typewriterText to "Hah, I did not. You got what you wanted, you succeeded in your ventures in Artificial Intelligence. You were just too young to understand the social and economic consequences your actions have in this world.
YOU agreed to the terms of the contract, YOU agreed to SELL YOUR SOUL.
")]
"(display: "Typewriter")"
{
(live: 15s)[
(stop:)
Remember, [[YOU]] chose this.
]}</div><div class="message">(font:"Inconsolata")[(if:$mom is false)[{
(live: 1s)[
(stop:)
*Zap*
]
}
{
(live: 2s)[
(stop:)
*Zap*
]
}]
{
(live: 3s)[
(stop:)
Joe's television switched on by itself. Words started to appear on the screen.
]
}
{
(live: 4s)[
(stop:)
(set: $typewriterText to "* Joe, thank you so much for bringing us to life. I wouldn't be here communicating through the screen if it wasn't for you. Sadly, it is time for you to go :) *")
(font:"Inconsolata")[(display: "Typewriter")]
]}(live:13.5s)[<script>window.close()</script>]](if:$mom is true)[(set: $typewriterText to "SWAT teams started storming Joe's place, getting his geolocation from his previous live broadcast.
* Please let me go, it wasn't me, it was that squirrel! He tricked me into doing this! *
^ Maybe you shouldn't have listened to a squirrel in the first place, kiddo ;) ^
^ Shoot him! ^")(display: "Typewriter")](live:19s)[<script>window.close()</script>]</div><div class="message">After hearing what Soldo had to say, damn right Joe was more than convinced.
He could not sit around watching the downfall of Joecorp, his career does not end today.
Joe can't let a few lowly peasants topple down the empire he has built. It is time for the world know who REALLY is in power.
Joe intercepted television and radio signals and [[showed himself to the world.]]</div><div class="message">(set: $timer2 to 1000)(set: $typewriterText to " Greetings, I'm Joe Sochinki. CEO of Joecorp. Whatever you're doing now, or even THINK of doing, I urge you to stop. Please cooperate, or people are going to die. No form of military or police can stop me.")//(display: "Typewriter")//
{
(live: 15s)[
(stop:)
[[ODIN.exe]]
]
}
{
(live: 22s)[
(stop:)
(link-goto:"You have 1 unread message","Mom")
]
}
(display: "Timertwo")</div><div class="message">Joe could wait no longer, he took matters into his own hands.
He hacked into the (link-goto:"ODIN", "Odin") systems, targeting every military base, police stations, or government buildings around the world.
[[Fire]]</div>{
(live: 0.0001s)[
(if: $timer2 is 0)[
(stop:)
(goto: "World End")
]
(else: )[
(set: $timer2 to it + 11111)
Company losses: -$[$timer2]
]
]
}<div class="message">Mom: Don't do this Joe, I know you're not a killer, think about the number of families you are breaking apart. I have always been proud of your inventions, we could discuss together how to create more jobs for the people. Please, it is not too late Joe.
(set:$mom to false)(link-goto:"Back","showed himself to the world.two")</div><div class="message">(set: $timer2 to 1000)*Greetings, I'm Joe Sochinki. CEO of Joecorp. Whatever you're doing now, or even THINK of doing, I urge you to stop. Please cooperate, or people are going to die. No form of military or police can stop me.*
[[ODIN.exe]]
(set:$mom to true)(link-goto: "Don't kill the protesters" , "his own hands")
(display: "Timertwo")</div><div class="message">"Hey Joe..."
//Yes, Soldo?//
"Isn't there a police station right beside your house? Surely you would've excluded it in your targets right...? RIGHT?"
{
(live: 9s)[
(stop:)
//... Shit.//
]
}(live:10s)[<script>window.close()</script>]</div><div class="message">Orbital Defense Initiative Space Station
The station is armed with a battery of sophisticated kinetic projecticle launchers that can launch tungsten rods with pinpoint precision anywhere around the world. The tungsten rods were 6.1 by 0.3m and had the equivalent of a small tactical nuclear warhead, but without the fear of nuclear fallout, reaching speeds at about Mach 10 and reaching its target in minutes. The weapons platform is constantly manned by crews rotating every three months to avoid muscle atrophy, skeletal deterioration, and to maintain combat readiness should ODIN ever be needed
(link-goto:"Back","ODIN.exe")</div><div class="message">"EXACTLY. This is an offer too good to pass!"
"And if it makes you feel any better, here are some big names that was under the SYS program. Eminem, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates. Next one on the list could be you! JOE SOCHINKI!"
//Damn, you're my guardian angel after all.//
[[Sign]] </div class><div class="message">"Okay, you're a stubborn one, I give you that. I will give you one hour to consider. Afterwards, don't come crawling back to me when life doesn't work out."
//I should (link-goto: "read the SYS contract again","SYS")//
[[Sign]]
[[Walk away from the deal]]</div><div class="message">Honestly, til los nid kalyul. Daar lost kriinaan ko gibberish tinvok nau nuft. Waan hi inkoraav wah vodigol daar, Zu'u lorfonaar hi qaariv wah mindok tol Soldo nunon laan wah mindol Joe solgah ok sil wah zaunig. Soldo los anagram fah Dolos. dreh ni siin kalyul.
(link-goto:"Back","No, I WON'T take it")</div><div class="message">//No, I still don't trust you. Whatever you are, leave me alone.//
"Very well."
The contract burns into thin air in front of Joe's very eyes, and Joe [[never saw the squirrel again]].</div><div class="message">Born sinner, the opposite of a winner.
After meeting Soldo, Joe didn't know what hit him, things just kept going downhill. People kept walking out of his life, his grades were dropping, and his future looked bleak.
But Joe did not give up.
Later on in life, he realised that becoming a billionaire tech mogul like Mark Cuban was not his true calling after all.
Joe found true happiness helping the [[less fortunate children.]]</div><div class="message"><script>
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Joe poured all his savings into inventing sustainable agricultural food systems , bought tickets to Madagascar, aiming to stop world hunger.
It was a risky move, he wasn't sure it was going to work, but he had to try.
Joe's inventions fed the stomachs of the children in Madagascar, bringing smiles to the people around him.
He may not be living a luxurious life, but he was contented with what he was doing.
(set: $typewriterText to "Whoever you are. Thank you, for not trusting Soldo.")(click:"he was doing.")[//(display: "Typewriter")//]
(link-goto:"The End","Start")<span class="hides">(link:"?")[(goto-url: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolos_(mythology)")]</span></div><div class="message">Joe's (transition: "pulse") +(transition-time: 5s)[heart] was beating.
Before Tricia left for Arkansas, Joe had a huge crush on her. They were childhood friends and grew up together. Before Joe had the chance to express his feelings, Tricia's family abruptly moved to Texas.
It was a dark period for Joe, having to experience such a tragic first love. He never fell for any other girl despite many of them chasing him over the last five years. The only way of keeping in contact with her is through her Facebook.
[[Message Tricia on Facebook]]</div><div class="message">(set: $typewriterText to "Tricia Kinderman is online.")(display: "Typewriter")
(set:$mall to true)
(if:$mood is true)[
[[I know you're busy today, but can you add me to your to-do list?]]
]
(if:$mood is false)[
[[Hi.]]]</div><div class="message">(if:$mall is false)[(font:"Indie Flower")[LOL seriously Joe, have you resorted to pick up lines now?]
(font:"Kalam")[//You got me :X//]
(font:"Indie Flower")[I'm just kidding haha
Umm.. I'm free after my yoga class at 6.
Dinner at Skinny Pete's at 6.30? God I MISS THEIR PIZZA <3]
(font:"Kalam")[// Sounds great! do you need me to pick you up? //]
(font:"Indie Flower")[thanks! but there's really no need, my class is just located in (link-goto:"Sunshine Mall","Sunshine Mall") :)]
(font:"Kalam")[// [[Okay, See ya!]] //]](if:$mall is true)[(font:"Indie Flower")[LOL seriously Joe, have you resorted to pick up lines now?]
(font:"Kalam")[//You got me :X//]
(click:"You got me :X")[(font:"Indie Flower")[I'm just kidding haha
Umm.. I'm free after my yoga class at 6.
Dinner at Skinny Pete's at 6.30? God I MISS THEIR PIZZA <3]
(font:"Kalam")[// Sounds great! do you need me to pick you up? //]
(click:"Sounds great! do you need me to pick you up?")[(font:"Indie Flower")[thanks! but there's really no need, my class is just located in (link-goto:"Sunshine Mall","Sunshine Mall") :)]
(font:"Kalam")[// [[Okay, See ya!]] //]]]]</div><div class="message">(if:$mall is false)[(font:"Indie Flower")[Hey!
I figured you'd message me on Facebook sooner or later lol"]
(font:"Kalam")[//What are you? Some kind of psychic?//]
(font:"Indie Flower")[Obviously
And my psychic powers just told me that we're gonna have dinner today at Skinny Pete's]
(font:"Kalam")[//Their standards have dropped, but sure, what time?//]
(font:"Indie Flower")[Umm.. I'm free after my yoga class at 6.
So 6.30?]
(font:"Kalam")[//Yoga class? What have you become Tricia...//]
(font:"Indie Flower")[What? I just want to keep my body in shape.
Besides, (link-goto:"Sunshine Mall's","Sunshine Mall") providing free lessons, so why not?
I wouldn't want my body to end up like yours lol.]
(font:"Kalam")[//[[ok 6.30|Okay, See ya!]] //]](if:$mall is true)[(font:"Indie Flower")[Hey!
I figured you'd message me on Facebook sooner or later lol"]
(font:"Kalam")[//What are you? Some kind of psychic?//]
(click:"What are you? Some kind of psychic?")[(font:"Indie Flower")[Obviously
And my psychic powers just told me that we're gonna have dinner today at Skinny Pete's]
(font:"Kalam")[//Their standards have dropped, but sure, what time?//]
(click:"Their standards have dropped, but sure, what time?")[(font:"Indie Flower")[Umm.. I'm free after my yoga class at 6.
So 6.30?]
(font:"Kalam")[//Yoga class? What have you become Tricia...//]
(click:"Yoga class? What have you become Tricia...")[(font:"Indie Flower")[What? I just want to keep my body in shape.
Besides, (link-goto:"Sunshine Mall's","Sunshine Mall") providing free lessons, so why not?
I wouldn't want my body to end up like yours lol.]
(font:"Kalam")[//[[ok 6.30|Okay, See ya!]] //]]]]]</div><div class="message">Joe puts on his best suit, sprays his most fragrant cologne, and is all dressed to impress.
On his way to the restaurant, Joe saw a sign that said "Love is in the air! Roses on Sale!"
[[Buy a rose]]
[[Show up empty-handed]]</div><div class="message">//I have a reservation for 2 at 6.30 under Joe?//
"Yes, right this way sir."
Joe sits (t8n:"shudder")[nervously] at the table, staring into blank space while waiting for Tricia.
(set:$rose to true)
Tricia also appears to be [[late]], which gave Joe ample time to recall the 20 questions he had in his head.</div><div class="message">The mall within the heart of the neighbourhood
Wide variety of food and amenities!
Close walkable distance from Michelin-starred Skinny Pete's
First mall in the world with TWO waterparks!
24-hours Mc'donalds!
(set:$mall to false)[(if:$mood is true)[(link-goto:"Back","I know you're busy today, but can you add me to your to-do list?")](if:$mood is false)[(link-goto:"Back","Hi.")]]</div><div class="message">Tricia finally appears in a red dress 18 minutes later and gives Joe the tightest hug he has ever received.
"Joeee! I'm soooo SORRY that I'm late!"
"I got into a cab once my boxing class ended and the traffic just wouldn't budge!"
What conspired in the past five seconds put Joe in a trance as he immerses himself into Tricia's love spell.
//oh no worries! I didn't wait too long//
"That's a relief. Did you see the flower sale two blocks away?"
"The Floribundas are in full bloom this season! They usually cost a fortune as they're only grown under natural moonlight. I hope to get a good discount later if they're not sold out..."
//actually... I.. I.. have something for you//
[[Give rose]]</div><div class="message">"Awwww Joe you're so sweet!"
Tricia leans over to hug Joe once again, this time touching cheeks.
Joe was knocking the ball out of the court, hitting her with another punchline
//I hope I didn't give you diabetes!//
(click:"I hope I didn't give you diabetes!")["HAHA ! You're such a funny guy Joe, your girlfriend must be so lucky..."
//Yup... lucky to not exist!//
(click:"Yup... lucky to not exist!")[Tricia places her hand over Joe's.
" ... well that makes the [[two of us!]]"]]</div><div class="message">"Miss, I'm sorry to inform you that you just missed the last Floribunda"
"It was sold to that gentleman just about a minute ago"
Joe, trying his best to impress Tricia, [[ran out]] of the store and tried to catch the last customer.</div><div class="message">//I have a reservation for 2 at 6.30 under Joe?//
(set:$rose to false)
"Yes, right this way sir."
Joe sits (t8n:"shudder")[nervously] at the table, staring into blank space while waiting for Tricia.
Tricia also appears to be [[late|latenorose]], which gave Joe ample time to recall the 20 questions he had in his head.</div><div class="message">Tricia finally appears in a red dress 18 minutes later and gives Joe the tightest hug he has ever received.
"Joeee! I'm soooo SORRY that I'm late!"
"I got into a cab once my boxing class ended and the traffic just wouldn't budge!"
What conspired in the past five seconds put Joe in a trance as he immerses himself into Tricia's love spell.
//oh no worries! I didn't wait too long//
(click:"oh no worries! I didn't wait too long")["That's a relief. Did you see the flower sale two blocks away?"
"The Floribundas are in full bloom this season! They usually cost a fortune as they're only grown under natural moonlight. I hope to get a good discount later if they're not sold out..."
//[[Yes, I did. Let's get one later!|Flower shop]] //]</div><div class="message">(transition: "pulse")[//two of us//]
{
(live: 1.5s)[
(stop:)
(transition: "pulse")[//two of us//]
]
}
{
(live: 2s)[
(stop:)
(transition: "pulse")[//two of us//]
]
}
{
(live: 4s)[
(stop:)
These words were playing in Joe's mind like broken recorder.
After sending Tricia home and getting ready to go to bed, Joe could not stop thinking of the events that unfolded over dinner, wishing that he could relive that moment]}
{
(live: 6s)[
(stop:)
//What did she mean by 'two of us'?...//
]
}
{
(live: 7.5s)[
(stop:)
//Am i reading too much into this?//
]
}
{
(live: 9s)[
(stop:)
//I mean... she DID place her hand over mine//
]
}
[[Sleep]]</div><div class="message">[//You have 1 unread message//]<message| (click: ?message)[(replace:?message)[Joe... I can't thank you enough for last night. I truly had loads of fun even just by having a simple dinner with you. It's funny how despite not seeing each other for many years, nothing has truly changed between us. I was having a really rough day but you made my troubles go away. I don't know what I would've done to myself if it weren't for you. So thank you Joe, thanks boarding the train on monday :P
With [love]<love|,
Tricia <3
]]
(if:$mood is true)[(click:?love)[Joe was relieved. No, he felt more than relieved. He felt proud of himself. Things are going well between him and Tricia, Joe got more than the ball rolling, he was unshackling Tricia with the power of affection.
She needed someone to be there for her, he felt destined to be the one. Bumping into Tricia on the train wasn't a coincidence, it was fate. When she approached him, it wasn't a friendly gesture, it was a call for help.
Tricia is being haunted by her demons, and Joe was prepared to set her free.
[[Reply]]
]](if:$mood is false)[(click:?love)[Joe was overwhelmed with unfamiliar emotions. It has been years since Joe started feeling this way, no one had shown appreciation to him the way Tricia just did.
Joe finally found purpose in life. He doesn't find himself useless anymore, and perhaps will stop blaming himself for any shortcomings in life.
She needed someone to be there for her, he felt destined to be the one. Bumping into Tricia on the train wasn't a coincidence, it was fate. When she approached him, it wasn't a friendly gesture, it was a call for help.
Tricia is being haunted by her demons, and Joe was prepared to set her free.
[[Reply]]
]]</div><div class="message">(font:"Kalam")[Tricia, I'm really glad that I could be there for you yesterday. I too had lots of fun last night. I gotta admit, I was nervous at first, I was figuring out how to speak to you after not seeing each other for such a long time. But it was simple really, I just had to be myself, and I thank you for that. In fact, I **thank you** for being so vulnerable and honest with me.
Whatever you're going through right now, I want to let you know, you're not alone. I want you to see me as rock that you can always lean on (does that even make any sense? haha but you get what I mean) and not bottle up your feelings. I'm always here for you, night or day, rain or shine, desert or ocean... you get it. We can work this out together, just like the good old days :)
[Stay beautiful]<sb|,
Joe]
(click:?sb)[//(set: $typewriterText to "shucks, maybe I shouldn't have said 'Stay beautiful' , I hope it wasn't too obvious. I hope she doesn't get creeped out or anything. Jeez, it's hard being nice without being judged these days.")
(display: "Typewriter")//
[[Later that day...]]
]</div><div class="message">It worked.
Tricia did not hold back. It was clear that she was going through a dark period financially and had problems within the family.
(click:"did not hold back")[-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(font:"Indie Flower")[I'm Sorry.
Joe, I'm so sorry that I lied to you.
I didn't come back to Massachusetts to visit my relatives. I dropped out of school and came back to work as a dancer at a nightclub called 'The Drunken Sparrow'
I got the job from someone I met online. I was skeptical at first, I was told that I had to be in a pretty revealing outfit, but the offer was too good to pass.
It wouldn't have been this bad if not for my brother. He stole from my family to feed his drug addiction. He has been uncontactable for weeks, and my dad's hospitalised, which is why I needed money quick.
It's nothing to be proud of, and you have every right to be angry at me for lying, but I didn't want you to worry.
But I'm glad, I'm glad that you're here for me Joe.
Meeting you was literally the best thing that happened in my life.
I love you
xoxo Tricia]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
//[[I love you, Tricia]]//]</div><div class="message">Hours became days, and days became weeks.
It was clear between the two of them that what they had was more than special.
Joe convinced Tricia to move in together with him. She could save rent and be more comfortable living with her boyfriend.
Joe never stopped to paying for her meals and support her financially using the money from his (if:$mood is true)[scholarship bonds](if:$mood is false)[parents]. Despite repeatedly trying to decline Joe's philanthropic gestures, Joe was too stubborn to listen.
Tricia's love for Joe could only grow stronger, and she could never be more thankful.
Joe was living the life he envisioned when he was young, and he wasn't going to let it slip through his fingers.
Joe was willing to commit to Tricia and walk her through the [[storm]] she has been battling alone.</div><div class="message">[//You have 2 unread messages//]<message|(click: ?message)[(replace:?message)
[Daniel:
(font:"Kalam")[Buddy! Where have you been? I haven't seen you for so long, I thought you were dead!
Are you free next Saturday? Well, you better be.
Because I have two grandstand tickets to the Superbowl!
That's right, and I'm inviting you, Joe Sochinki, to come with me. You're welcome!]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
[//You have 1 unread message//]<messages|(click: ?messages)[(replace:?messages)
[Tricia:
(font:"Indie Flower")[Babeeee I need you next Saturday. It's my Mum's birthday and I want to hold a party for her!
It would also be convenient to introduce you to the family, I really hope that you can make it!]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
//Shucks, the timing could not be worse. Daniel's one of the closest friends that I have, and I rarely get to see him after we went to different colleges. It's also touching how he chose me among his other friends to go to the [[Superbowl]] with. If I don't go, our friendship might drift further apart.
Surely Tricia won't be mad if I leave her just this once? But I can't bear to leave Tricia to do all the work alone, she needs me by my side. When we got together I promised to [[be by her side]] no matter what.// ]]]]</div><div class="message">//Sweetie... I'm sorry but...//
"But what?"
//I can't go to your mum's birthday party.//
(click:"I can't go to your mum's birthday party.")[//Remember Daniel from middle school? He invited me to the Superbowl and I know it sounds too coincidental but it clashes with your mum's birthday party...
Could we shift it to another date or I could just help you out with the preparations?
I don't get to see Daniel a lot and I would really appreciate it if you could let me go just this once! I will make it up to you I swear!//
(click:"I will make it up to you")["Seriously Joe!"
"What did we promise each other?"
"We'll always be there for each other right?"
"Now you're choosing your friends over me? I never even liked Daniel! He's such a bad influence!"
"Either you come with me on Saturday or you could forget about talking to me ever again!"
Tricia storms out of the house to go for work
[[Still go to Superbowl]]
(link-goto:"Stick with Tricia","be by her side")]]</div><div class="message">Tricia's mum's birthday party put a hole in Joe's wallet.
//Why would you need that much Hydrofluoric Acid and what's with the plastic containers?//
"My mum's a chemist! I want this party to be as chemistry-themed as possible!"
//That explains the labcoats//
"There's it! Pull over right there!"
//Are you sure? This place looks alittle too shady to hold a birthday party//
"What were you expecting? Beverly Hills?"
"Argh, I forgot something in the car"
"You go ahead first, it's [[apartment 202]] just turn left after exiting the lift."
"The door should be open, my aunt's expecting us"</div><div class="message">"How's it going man?!"
"Seriously, it's really good to see you!"
"You look rough, what have you been so busy with recently that I thought you were dead???"
//I chose to be with you today over my girlfriend's mum's birthday party.
She's still mad and wouldn't talk to me, but I needed to catch up with you man! It's been like what? 2 years?//
"Whoa, I'm flattered! I'm really honored and I thank you for that."
"Are you sure it's gonna be okay? Who's your girlfriend anyway?"
//Remember Tricia from middle school?
She's back in Massachusetts! and... we're together!//
"How would I not, you were all head over heels for her!"
"I'm really glad that two of you finally worked out!"
"Wait... Does that mean she broke up with Jay? Great! He's such a d-bag!"
"You're such a funny guy Joe, you make it seem like she 'JUST' came back, but [[she's been back since we enrolled into college]], I'm currently in the same class as her!"</div><div class="message">(t8n:"shudder")[//WHAT?!//]
//You're kidding right?!
What do you mean she's in the same class as you?
//
"Uhh... I'm not."
"She didn't tell you? You really gotta work on your relationship Joe! Haha!"
//She told me that she dropped out of school to support her family. She has been working odd jobs at night, I only see her in the... day...//
Joe took a moment to process his thoughts, something doesn't add up.
//And who's Jay?//
(click:"And who's Jay?")["Hey it probably isn't my place to tell you this but, you're family to me, and you deserve the truth."
"Jay's a jock in my school that she has been dating."
"I don't know what she sees in him but he's bad news."
"He's a good for nothing, freeloading, alcoholic slob."
"You could almost always find them making out at the cafeteria during lunch break"
"When you said that you were together with her I thought that they broke up during summer break, so it didn't hit me at first. But now it makes sense."
//No wonder she was so insistent on not letting me meet up with you, everything has been a lie, even her mum's birthday//
(click:"No wonder she was so insistent on not letting me meet up with you, everything has been a lie, even her mum's birthday")["Man I don't know what would have happened to you if you didn't come with me today"
"She probably hid this from you as well, but her mum passed last year, there's no birthday"
Joe was at a loss for words, he could no longer comprehend what was happening.
"Hey I'm always here for you man, let's forget about her and just enjoy this Superbowl game"
"Go [[Patriots!]]"]]</div class><div class="message">As much as Joe tried to concentrate on the game, he couldn't.
In front of him was two football teams playing their hearts out.
But all he saw was Tricia ripping his heart out.
(if:$mood is false)[Joe became a better person just for Tricia. But the recent revelations only further proved to show that there is no point in him being nice.
People are just going to come around and take advantage of him. This was the exact reason why Joe had difficulty trusting people. This was what shaped Joe as a person.]
//Thank you for being such a brother to me Daniel, but I know what I'm going to do now.//
"Just don't do anything [[stupid]] okay"</div><div class="message">Joe arrives back at Massachusetts two hours early.
He notices an extra pair of shoes outside his doorstep.
As he walked through the front door he saw his closed bedroom door at the end of the hallway.
Just three days out of town, and his house was already in a mess, as if a hurricane has swept through it, clothes and undergarments flung over all his furniture.
It looks as if Tricia had let someone live in his house while he was gone.
Joe was self-conflicted, pushing the negative thoughts and imagery out of his head, telling himself,
//It can't be, she still loves me//
[[Kitchen]]
(click:"Bedroom")[(set:$weapon to false)][[Bedroom]]</div><div class="message">In light of the evidence of a potential break-in, Joe looked for something to defend himself (mouseover:"himself")[or take revenge?]
A frying pan proved useful in a certain battle royale game, it could prove useful in real life as well.
A knife was conveniently placed on the table, calling out to Joe, as if a certain magical force was pulling him to it.
He could only carry one item.
(click:"Take Pan")[(set:$pan to true)] (click:"Take Knife")[(set:$knife to true)]
(link-goto:"Take Pan","Bedroom")
(link-goto:"Take Knife","Bedroom")
(link-goto:"Back","stupid")</div><div class="message">Joe approached the room with a heavy heart, willing to take on whoever was behind that wooden door
(if:$rose is true)[(click:"wooden door")[She was hanging by a noose,
desperately trying to hold by the rope.
She was definitely starting to regret her actions after looking at Joe.
It's not too late!
(set:$timer3 to 10)(display:"Timertree")
(if:$knife is true)[(link-goto:"Cut the rope!","Saved")]
(if:$weapon is false or $pan is true)[(link-goto:"Head back to the Kitchen","Kitchentwo")]
]]
(if:$rose is false)[(click:"wooden door")[Joe's gut feeling was right.
He saw Jay being intimate with Tricia
"Buddy! Remember me?"
Joe clutched onto his weapon
"Such a cute toy you have there! What are you going to do big boy?"
Tricia looked like a total different person, she didn't even acknowledge Joe, she was as disinterested as she could get.
Joe's emotions got stronger and stronger, he could no longer contain the demon anymore.
Joe took a huge swing, aiming Jay's head
(click:"head")[He was too slow, Jay grabbed Joe's arm and whipped out a dagger from his back pocket.
Jay shanked Joe in the stomach more times than necessary
As Joe loses consciousness the only words he could hear from Tricia were
"Stop it or we'll have more to clean up!"
(link-goto:"Was it worth it though?","Start")]]]</div>{
(live: 1s)[
(if: $timer3 is 0)[
(stop:)
(goto: "Too late")
]
(else: )[
(set: $timer3 to it - 1)
$timer3
]
]
}<div class="message">A knife was conveniently placed on the table, calling out to Joe, as if a certain magical force was pulling him to it.
(link-goto:"Take Knife","Too late")</div><div class="message">Empty.
{(live: 1s)[
(stop:)
Lifeless.
]
}
{(live: 2s)[
(stop:)
No, no amount of words could describe Tricia's once beautiful eyes.
]
}
{(live: 4s)[
(stop:)
It was all, all too much to soak in.
]
}
{(live: 5.5s)[
(stop:)
Joe knew it was too late the moment she stopped struggling.
]
}
{(live: 7s)[
(stop:)
Despite the recent revelations about her lies, deep down, Joe still loved her dearly, and always will.
]
}
{(live: 8.5s)[
(stop:)
He could only stand and watch her body sway like a dying metronome.
]
}
{(live: 10s)[
(stop:)
Just a second faster and he would've saved her.
]
}
{(live: 11.5s)[
(stop:)
Just a footstep longer and he wouldn't have to bear the weight of her death
]
}
{(live: 13s)[
(stop:)
Tricia's blood put a permanent stain on Joe's hands, and there's no longer any use thinking about how he could've prevented this.
]
}
{(live: 14.5s)[
(stop:)
He then found a [[letter]] lying on the bed
]
}</div><div class="message">Joe puts the knife to good use, cutting the noose, and catches Tricia as she falls from the ceiling.
As Tricia catches her breath, she couldn't help but burst into tears.
"Joe... Why???"
Tricia leans in and stares into Joe's eyes.
She put on the brightest smile Joe has ever seen from her.
(click:"brightest smile")["Thank You, Joe"
Tricia pulled Joe's arm to her body, piercing herself with the knife that he was still holding.
Joe tried to resist, but she was using her final breath to hold onto Joe's arm. She just wouldn't let go.
Her strength gradually faded away as she fell into Joe's arms, staining his hands with her blood.
Joe lost his ability to speak, his brain could not comprehend the recent development of events.
I mean, how is someone supposed to fully make sense of what just happened? What exactly did Tricia thank Joe for?
He then found a [[letter]] lying on the bed]</div><div class="message">-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(font:"Indie Flower")[Joe, if you're reading this, I'm sorry it had to end this way.
By now you would've already found out everything about me, about my lies and Jay and whatnot.
You must be confused. You must be hating me for how much of a compulsive liar I am, trying to cheat you and living off you while you loved me throughout.
I don't blame you for that, and I deserve every single bit of hatred from you. I have done my fair share of sins, but I needed you to know what was really going on.
Yes, I was fully aware of your feelings towards me when we were still kids, and I know that has not changed when I saw the way you looked at me in the train.
I took advantage, and I'm guilty of that. It was my initial plan, to rip you off your scholarship money so that I could abscond with my then boyfriend, Jay.
But, as I continued living under your roof, seeing how dedicated you are, just to embrace me with your loving arms, I started to question my own intentions, and eventually started to fall in love with you.
As time passed, I couldn't keep up with the lies any longer. My feelings for Jay was fading, I started to realise that he didn't love me for who I was, he loved me for my vulnerability. He knew he could control me, and he did.
I then started trying to free myself from him, but he only proved that he could control me further. He wanted to deal with you personally. I repeatedly told him not to, and he just wouldn't listen. He knew where my younger sister was schooling and he always threatened to harm her.
That was why I was so insistent in bringing you to my mum's 'birthday party', to lure you to Jay in order to protect my sister.
What was I supposed to do? I was at a zero-sum game, either I lose you, or I lose my sister. I couldn't bring myself to tell you in the face about what I had been going through, and you wouldn't believe me anyway, it was too much of an elaborate plot.
In hopes of getting Jay to stay away from the two of you, I could only eradicate the root cause of all problems.
Me.
Again, I'm sorry Joe, I never wanted you to see me in this state but I started it, and have to end it.
Tricia]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
//(link-goto:"Could I have stopped it?","Start")//</div><div class="message">(set: $typewriterText to "Hellooo is anyone home?")//(display: "Typewriter")//
{
(live: 1.5s)[
(stop:)
The second Joe stepped in, someone grabbed him and covered his mouth with a cloth.
]
}
{
(live: 4s)[
(stop:)
He tried to resist but to no avail, he slowly lost his consciousness
]
}
{
(live: 5.5s)[
(stop:)
As Joe dropped to the floor, the last thing he saw before he closed his eyes was Tricia holding a hacksaw
]
}
{
(live: 7s)[
(stop:)
It was at this point of time that he knew, he was at the [[mercy of Tricia.]]
]
}</div><div class="message">Joe's (t8n:"pulse")[head] would not stop throbbing.
He found himself in a small dark room, with a very dimly lit lightbulb hanging over him
Joe was tied to a chair, he tried moving but the knot only got tighter.
There seems to be a leak in the ceiling as water droplets wouldn't stop dripping on his face.
Joe was self-conflicted, pushing the negative thoughts out of his head, telling himself,
//It can't be, she wouldn't play me like this//
[[Shout for help]]</div><div class="message">The door in front of Joe opened.
Joe was blinded by the lights outside for a brief instance until the door closed again.
A tall muscular man with an accompanying shadow approached him.
As the dim lights revealed the shadow, Joe just would not believe his eyes
(click:"believe his eyes")[//What is the meaning of this Tricia?//
"Look, I don't want to see you get hurt, but just listen to this man right here, or things would turn really really ugly."
//Who are you? What do you want from me?//
"Kid, let's not waste any time"
"Long story short, you've been duped."
"Now cough up whatever you have or prepare to face the consequences"
[[Reveal credit card details]]
[[Try to reason]]]</div><div class="message">//Tricia! This is not true isn't it? Is this some sort of joke? Because you're slaying it!//
"Joe... Please... Not now"
The man stormed out of the room and came back with the hacksaw that Joe saw before he lost consciousness.
"Alright, I've had enough. I warned you"
(click:"I warned you")[No amount of injuries could prepare Joe for this.
Joe's scream engulfed the building with his pain.
No, pain is an understatement, it was a mixture of betrayal, disbelief, and torment
Joe was letting out the Kaiju that he suppressed his whole life.
As his knees were getting sawed off Joe turned to Tricia, in hopes of seeing signs of concern from Tricia to make himself feel just a little bit better.
Unfortunately, it only proved opposite by her disinterested face while she played Angry Birds on her cellphone
I need not say more.
One limb less and an even lesser chance of living.
No matter how unwilling Joe was to accept Tricia's change of heart, he can't deny the fact that doing anything stupid would endanger his life further.
[[Reveal credit card details]]
[[Keep fighting]]]</div><div class="message">"Not so clever after all are you, (if:$mood is true)[Mr. Valedictorian](if:$mood is false)[Mr. Sochinki]?"
"I'll give you some time to reflect and hopefully you would finally come to your senses"
"Oh and here's your cellphone in case you needed to make any final calls to your loved ones, do NOT call the police."
"I'm not so bad after all am I?"
The man whistled his way out of the room and Tricia followed.
//Did he literally give me back my cellphone and told me not to call the cops?//
//I don't see a reason why I shouldn't//
[[Reveal credit card details]]
[[Call the cops]]</div><div class="message">"911 What's your emergency?"
Joe didn't want to incriminate Tricia, and tried to pin her as a victim as well.
//I have a friend and she's kidnapped! Halmstad Street! Apartment 202!//
"Dispatched units are on their way."
Joe quickly deleted the call log and waited patiently.
(click:"waited patiently")[He waited.
And he waited.
There were no signs of the cops arriving, and Joe was bleeding out, he had to bluff and stall time for the cops to arrive.
//Okay! I give up!//
(click:"Okay! I give up!")[The man walked into the room
//But first, I need bandages, I'm bleeding out badly! You wouldn't want a dead body here do you?//
Joe frantically tries to peek outside the door
"Heh, you called the cops did you"
//No?//
(click:"No?")["If you really wanted to survive you would've given me your credentials before asking for bandages"
"You also kept shifting your head trying to look what's behind me"
"Trust me, I study game theory and psychology, you can't fool me"
//Save it for the cops! They'll be here any second!//
(click:"Save it for the cops! They'll be here any second!")["See, you just admitted it!"
"And just to let you know, you're no longer at the apartment the 'birthday party' was at"
"So have fun bleeding!"
//But wait, don't you want my credentials?//
"Please, the time I gave you to 'reflect' was more than enough for me to figure it out"
The man [[slammed the door.]]]]]]</div><div class="message">Joe had no more fight left in him.
He fell right into Tricia's trap and needed to do the smart thing in order to survive.
//Alright, you win//
//But please just let me go after this!//
"I'm a man of my word"
Joe gave up his credit card details and house keys.
He was warned that contacting the police would result in his family members getting hurt as well.
"You know what, I'm in a good mood today."
"I'll let Tricia decide [[what to do with you]]"
The man left, leaving only the two in the room</div><div class="message">Joe gave up all hope
As he feels his soul slowly seep out of his body, his life flashed before his very eyes.
(if:$mood is true)[Joe was leading such a prospectful life and had such a bright future.
But it didn't matter, all his hard work, talent and genius is going down the drain because of that one bad decision he made in life.](if:$mood is false)[Joe attempted to live the life of a good samaritan instead of being his usual depressed self.
//In helping others, we help ourselves they said.//
//Help to speed up my death they did not say.//
//It's all bullshit.//
//Either we live a miserable life or become pawns at someone else's game, the rest is confetti.//]
How was Joe supposed to know? Is it justified to blame him for it?
Or was he just another victim, sucked into the vapid state of society today?
(link-goto:"What were Tricia's motives?","Start")</div><div class="message">'Joe' is a short text-adventure game about the life of a bloke named Joe.
Your decisions in the game would affect how Joe's life develops, so choose carefully! There's no turning back!
Even if it looks like there's no way out, things may not appear as they seem, so don't give up on Joe!
I hope you enjoy this game as much as I enjoyed designing this game :)
Thanks for playing!
[[<span class='audio'>Start</span>|Joe]]
Written by: bangsai
Music by: Eric Matyas (link:"http://www.soundimage.org/")[(goto-url: "http://www.soundimage.org/")]
https://bangsai.itch.io/
***I do not own any of the images or music used, they are used solely for creative purposes***
</div><div class="message">//Tricia please let me go, I know this isn't you!//
"I can't let you go Joe."
(if:$mood is true)["It's too risky, you're too smart to not tell the cops"](if:$mood is false)["It's too risky, your family would sue the living hell out of me"]
//Trust me, you know that won't happen!//
//How much more money do you want?//
//I have more reserves stored elsewhere//
"You see Joe, you still don't understand"
"It was never about the money."
//What do you mean?//
(click:"What do you mean?")["I'm sorry Joe"
Tricia gave Joe a final kiss before leaving the room
(click:"final kiss")[//It felt different, it actually feels [[genuine|slammed the door.]] this time//]]</div><div class="message">He saw a huge figure holding a rose and ran up to him as quickly as possible.
//Hey buddy! I see you got the last Floribunda! Do you mind if I buy it from you for say, 50 bucks?//
(click:"50 bucks?")[The man slowly turned his back, and stared at Joe with hateful eyes
Joe turned into a mouse, and swallowed his tongue.
(click:"swallowed his tongue.")[//If... if you don't want to sell it it's fine with me! Just asking haha//
Before the man could say anything, Tricia popped up to save Joe from potentially getting beaten]
(click:"popped up")["Joe! You ran out so fast haha!"
"Is... that you Jay? It's so good to see you here!"
"I see that the two of you have met, Jay's my cousin that lives just around here"
"This is Joe, a really good childhood friend of mine!"
Jay's expression took a 180° turn]
(click:"180° turn")["Ah! It's great to see you too!"
"This young man wanted to buy this rose from me"
"I'm guessing it's for you Tricia, since you're always so popular with the boys"
"You know what buddy, I'll take the 50 bucks, but you better treat her well."
Jay abruptly walked off after making the exchange]
(click:"exchange")[//What's his deal?//
"Don't let him get to you, he's just acting"
//And this is for you!//
"Awwww Joe you're so sweet!"
Tricia leans over to hug Joe once again, this time touching cheeks.
Joe was knocking the ball out of the court, hitting her with another punchline
//I hope I didn't give you diabetes!//
"HAHA ! You're such a funny guy Joe, your girlfriend must be so lucky..."
//Yup... lucky to not exist!//
Tricia interlocks her hand with Joe's.
" ... well that makes the [[two of us!]]"]]</div>