Menlo World intro

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Whe you reach the check-in, you are greeted by a tall, friendly woman. "Welcome Citizen of Menlo! I'm Sandra, one of the Keepers of Play. Are you joining us on this great day as an Infinite Tag Game Player, or as a Citizen Supporter?" [[You exclaim "I'm here to Play!" ->Name-positive]] [[You mumble "I'm Playing." ->Name-negative]] [[You state: I'm a supporter]]  {<audio src="https://smallmatters.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MENLO__wind-in-the-trees-with-birds.mov" autoplay loop></audio>}

She swipes through her BERemote pad. Then pauses a moment when she finds your name. (if: $role is "playerpositive")["Welcome $name! We're all very excited to follow your progress this season!] (else:)[ ] (if: $role is "playernegative")["Yes. I see you here $name."] (else:)[ ] "You can head left into the Players' Gathering Space. Your supporters can head to the right, into the Citizens' Stands" [[You turn toward your family]] [[You tell her you have come alone.->Loner]] {<audio src="https://smallmatters.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MENLO__wind-in-the-trees-with-birds.mov" autoplay loop></audio>}

"Isn't it exciting?" She gesture to a passage on the right. "Please head right, into the Citizens' Stands" (set:$role to "non-player") [[You head to the Citizens' Stands.]] {<audio src="https://smallmatters.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MENLO__wind-in-the-trees-with-birds.mov" autoplay loop></audio>}

(set:$social to "connected") As you look at your family, you see their beaming faces. You are greatful for their support, but you feel a deep sadness because... [[...you will miss them.]]. [[...you are worried you will disappont them.]]. {<audio src="https://smallmatters.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MENLO__wind-in-the-trees-with-birds.mov" autoplay loop></audio>}

(set:$social to "loner") (if: $role is "playerpositive")[Sandra gives you a sad smile and nods. She gently says "There will be plently of people rooting for you."] (else:)[ ] (if: $role is "playernegative")[Sandra glares at you over her reading glasses.] (else:)[ ] She waves you towards the left door before she greets the next person in line. [[You go left.]] [[You go right.]] {<audio src="https://smallmatters.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MENLO__wind-in-the-trees-with-birds.mov" autoplay loop></audio>}

You walk through the door and enter the Players' Gathering Space. A older fit man sees you, glances down to his BERemote pad, then addresses you. "Ah. Welcome $name. Did you train with the BEGreat League or the WannaBE League?" You hesistate a moment. You know from reputation that the BEGreat league has the best tech, but the WannaBE has better comeraderie. And don't they already know what league you've trained with? Shouldn't that be on your record? You decide to tell the truth... [["I train with BEGreat"->IT]] [["I train with WannaBe"->NOTIT]]

You know you are supposed to go left into the Players' area, you decide to visit the arena first. You are curious to see if you can spot this year's new technologies. Sandra notices you going the wrong way... (if: $role is "playerpositive")["$name! You should head to the.... well... I guess it won't hurt for you to pop in for a minute to see. But move along soon. You don't want to miss the Players' Gathering."] (else:)[ ] (if: $role is "playernegative")["$name! I said the LEFT!" She points to the left door.] (else:)[ ] [[You enter the Infinite Tag Arena]] [[You decide to go left into the Player's area->You go left.]]

You hug them, then take your leave. [[You go left.]] [[You go right.]] {<audio src="https://smallmatters.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MENLO__wind-in-the-trees-with-birds.mov" autoplay loop></audio>}

You say goodbye and rush away. [[You go left.]] [[You go right.]] {<audio src="https://smallmatters.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MENLO__wind-in-the-trees-with-birds.mov" autoplay loop></audio>}

Turn on your sound. [[Let's begin!->The approach]]

You are walking down the walkway towards the Infinite Tag League Arena entrance. It's a beautiful, early summer day. As you approach the check-in desk, you notice flyers stuck to lampposts. You approach and take a closer look... Large print reads "END INSIDER TAGGING", and "BLUE EDISON IS NOT IT", but before you can read more closely, the stream of arena-goers sweeps you along with the tide to the check-in desk. [[You go to the check-in desk ->Check-in]] {<audio src="https://smallmatters.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MENLO__wind-in-the-trees-with-birds.mov" autoplay loop></audio>}

Her face lights up and she gives you a huge grin. "Wonderful! What's your name?" (input-box: bind $name, "XXX=", 5) (set:$role to "playerpositive") [[You wait while she checks you in... ->Left-or-right]] {<audio src="https://smallmatters.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MENLO__wind-in-the-trees-with-birds.mov" autoplay loop></audio>}

She looks at you, puzzled. "Well this //should// be a very exciting day for you! What's your name?" (input-box: bind $name, "XXX=", 5) [[You wait while she checks you in... ->Left-or-right]] (set:$role to "playernegative") {<audio src="https://smallmatters.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MENLO__wind-in-the-trees-with-birds.mov" autoplay loop></audio>}

You go through the passage into the stands. The Infinite Tag Arena speads out before you, familiar, but still thrilling. You've been in it many times, but this year is different. This year you'll be a Player. You look around, but everything seems the same as last year. You decide to take Sandra's advice, and turn around to enter Player's Gathering Space. [[Continue...->You go left.]]

(set:$team to "it") He nods and points you to wooden double doors emblazoned with "BEGreat". [[As you approach, the doors glide open automatically.->It Room]]

(set:$team to "notit") He nods and points you to a large door marked "WannaBE". [[You push the door open.->NotIt Room]]

The door swings shut behind you. You look around and see you are in a locker room. Many of the other Players are already here chatting in a circle. Some you recognize from your local league club, but many you don't. There's an excited, but nervous energy in the air. (if: $social is "loner" and )[A few of the other players turn to look at you. Some of the ones you recognize give you a little nod.] (else:)[ ] (if: $social is "connected")[A few players turn around and shout "$name! Can you believe we're finally here?"] (else:)[ ] [[Continue...->Not It Locker Room Chat]] {<audio src="https://smallmatters.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MENLO_-locker-room.mp3" autoplay loop></audio>}

The doors whisper shut behind you. You look around and see you are in a locker room. Many of the other Players are already here, chatting in a circle. Some you recognize from your local league club, but many you don't. There's an excited, but relaxed energy in the air. (if: $social is "loner" and )[A few of the other players turn to look at you. Some of the ones you recognize give you a little nod.] (else:)[ ] (if: $social is "connected")[A few players turn around and shout "$name! Come here!"] (else:)[ ] [[Continue...->It Locker Room Chat]] {<audio src="https://smallmatters.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MENLO_-locker-room.mp3" autoplay loop></audio>}

As former tag league champion Buff Stone takes the podium, the crowd noise crescendos. When he gestures for silence. The stands quiet to a reverent hush. As he begins to speak, you are struck with the reality of your next three months. (if: $team is "it")[This is going to be the best summer of your life.] (else:)[ ] (if: $team is "notit")[You wonder how you're going make it though the summer.] (else:)[ ] (end) [[Start Again->Check-in]] {<audio src="https://smallmatters.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MENLO_fullstadium.wav" autoplay loop></audio>}

(if: $social is "loner")[In spite of your impulses, you force yourself to join the circle of conversation.] (else:)[ ] (if: $social is "connected")[You run up to the cicle and join the chatter "What do we think gang? How are we feeling?"] (else:)[ ] [[You listen.->Not It Listen]] {<audio src="https://smallmatters.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MENLO_-locker-room.mp3" autoplay loop></audio>}

You go through the passage into the stands. The Infinite Tag Arena speads out before you, familiar, but still thrilling. You've been in it many times, but every year they implement new technologies, and you're very curious to see what innovations your employer Blue Edison have integrated this year. You look up and see the familer giant screens, bright colours and Infinite Tag Challenge course. At first you don't see anything different from last year, but then you notice it... [[Continue...->Arena tech]]

...it's subtle, and if you hadn't worked on the technology yourself, you know you wouldn't have recognized it. Bolted above each passage into the Citizens' Stands is a small black box - a BEWell biometric reader. You're surprised. As far as you know, it's still in prototype and being designed for medical diagnosis. Why would it be here? [[You walk up and take a closer look.]]

You see the distinct casing that houses the sensor you've been developing for the last 3 years. You look around at the other Citizens filtering into the stands... [[Continue...->End scene supporter]]

The joyous tone shifts as one of your leaguemates, Robyne, begins to speak. "$name, how are you feeling about all this? We were just saying how it's so weird we've been training for the last 18 years - our WHOLE lives - as a League. And now all of a sudden it's each player for themselves." You're about to answer, but a player you don't know jumps in. "That's not how THEY do it." [[You ask, "What do you mean?"]] {<audio src="https://smallmatters.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MENLO_-locker-room.mp3" autoplay loop></audio>}

They lower their voice and continue. "My mom works as a research assistant in one of the labs, and she thinks there's something going on with the Its." Robyne asks, "the Its?" "Yeah.. you know... the 'BEGreats'. What an obnoxious name... who calls themselves that?... Anyway, my MOM says that..." Just then a loud voice cuts in over the speaker system. [[Continue...->Player Gathering speech]] {<audio src="https://smallmatters.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MENLO_-locker-room.mp3" autoplay loop></audio>}

A familiar voice fills the room. It takes a moment, but you recognize it as Sandra, the woman at check-in. "Welcome Players! Please make your way to the main arena for the opening ceremonies of the 95th Annual Infinite Tag League Games, brought to you by Blue Edison, Your Partner for Life(TM)" You quickly all file though the passageway leading to the Arena. (if: $team is "it")[Three dozen training staff line the wall, toothy grins in full bloom as they tap notes in their BERemote pads.] (else:)[ ] (if: $team is "notit")[The five local club trainers are lined up, smiling, and holding tight to their BERemote pads.] (else:)[ ] The brightly painted passageway opens up onto the huge field. [[Continue...->Area Arrival]]

(if: $social is "loner")[You force yourself to join the circle of conversation.] (else:)[ ] (if: $social is "connected")[You run up to the cicle and join the chatter "Hey! Everyone feeling good?"] (else:)[ ] [[You listen.->It Listen]] {<audio src="https://smallmatters.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MENLO_-locker-room.mp3" autoplay loop></audio>}

You league-mate Cinth speaks. "$name! We were saying we're feeling great overall. I mean, our training is so much better. Look at the stats over the last ten years. Our players have consistently got something like 90% of the top 20 places." Someone else jumps in, "Yeah. But I feel a bit bad for them. Have you seen thier Players' room?" [[You ask, "What do you mean?"->It Info]] {<audio src="https://smallmatters.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MENLO_-locker-room.mp3" autoplay loop></audio>}

They continue... "My uncle is one of the Arena designers. I saw some renders and it's pretty grim over there. They don't even have personal stat screens or loungers." Cinth asks, "Really? Why not?" "I guess has to do with how much sponsership they have? I dunno. But maybe that's what those protest signs on the way in were about? I wonder..." Just then a loud voice cuts in over the speaker system. [[Continue...->Player Gathering speech]] {<audio src="https://smallmatters.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MENLO_-locker-room.mp3" autoplay loop></audio>}

The sound of the crowd is deafening. Over 60,000 people are there - everyone in Menlo. All the Players gather in neat rows in the centre of the Infinite Tag League arena. (if: $social is "loner")[You watch your league-mates look into the stands and find their familes in the sea of supporters.] (else:)[ ] (if: $social is "connected")[You look into the stands and spot your family in the sea of supporters.] (else:)[ ] The Keepers of Play file onto the platform to begin the Opening Ceremonies. [[Continue...->End scene]] {<audio src="https://smallmatters.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MENLO_fullstadium.wav" autoplay loop></audio>}

... and realize that something isn't right... (End) [[Start Again->Check-in]]