You are in a plain, square room. There's a small window at the top of one wall, but the room is lit by fluorescent ceiling lights.
There is a blue mattress on the floor, a small toilet and sink at the side of the room, and a closed |door>[door] with a button next to it.
(click: ?door)[You try the door but it is locked shut. You could give it a |kickdoor>[kick].] (click: ?kickdoor)[You give the door a kick. It doesn't seem to mind.]
(click: "toilet")[You don't really need to use it right now. ]
(click: "sink")[You wash your face. It's quite refreshing. ]
(click: "mattress")[The mattress is made of plain blue plastic. You could maybe |kick>[kick it], lie down, or |lift>[lift it up]. ](click: ?kick)[You kick the mattress. It doesn't seem to mind. ](click: "lie down")[You rest for a few moments. ](click: ?lift)[(unless: $inv contains "a photo")[There is a |photo>[photo] underneath the mattress. ](else:)[(click: ?lift)[There's nothing there.]]]
(click: ?photo)[You take the photograph. Check your inventory to examine it.(set: $inv to $inv + (a: "a photo"))]
(click: 'button')[You press the button. A voice speaks over an intercom "What is your name?" (if: $readWill)[You can reply, you remember your name after seeing it on the will. ](else:)[You struggle to think, but you don't remember your name. That's odd. ]]
(click: 'reply')["Pete Beat" you state. You hear a click and the door opens. You may [[leave->Anteroom]] the room. ]<img src="https://petebeatstory-dev.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/Cover.png" width="600px">
<h2>Pete Beat - Nothing Is Perfect</h2>
Nothing Is Perfect
At least, no tale that I'll tell.
I'll be your sorrow,
For nothing ends well.
Tip: don't use your browser's back button.
Tip: The game saves at the start of each day/night.
[[Start->Cell]]
(if: (saved-games:) contains "Slot A")[Continue(click: "Continue")[(load-game: "Slot A")]]
[[Credits]]
(link: "Buy the album")[(open-url: 'https://petebeat.bandcamp.com/album/nothing-is-perfect')]
(link: "Join the mailing list")[(open-url: 'http://eepurl.com/bJIu9b')]
(set: $inv to (a: ))
(set: $afterReminisce to 'Cell')
(set: $afterBasement to 'Corridor 1')
(set: $letterBurned to false)
(set: $readWill to false)
(set: $gotBlade to false)
(set: $gotYeatsBook to false)
(set: $metAgentZeta to false)
(set: $temperature to "21")
(set: $isComplete to false)
(set: $agentsIntroduced to (a: ))
(set: $isTired to false)
(set: $isNight to false)
<!-- (link: "Dev")[(set: $inv += (a: "the Janglin talisman"))(go-to: "Exit")] -->(unless: $inv's length > 0)[You're not carrying anything.]
(else:)[You're carrying the following items:]
(for: each _item, ...$inv)[* _item]
(click: "a photo")[(display: "a photo")]
(click: "a will")[(display: "a will")]
(click: "talisman")[(display: "talisman")]
(click: "a piece of paper")[(display: "a piece of paper")]
(click: "a safety razor")[(display: "a safety razor")]
(click: "some scissors")[(display: "some scissors")]
(click: "a blade")[(display: "a blade")]
(link-goto: "Go back", (history:)'s last)(unless: (passage:)'s tags contains "nofooter")[
(if: $isTired)[You are feeling quite tired.](if: $isNight)[
You hear a low humming noise through the building.]
Check your [[inventory->Inventory]].
]<img width="600px" src="https://petebeatstory-dev.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/Colour+side.png">
The photograph is a picture of your uncle. It reminds you of what happened yesterday. You start to (link: "reminisce")[(set: $afterReminisce to (history:)'s last)(go-to: 'Living Room')].
(click: 'uncle')[He was your favourite uncle, although you saw him rarely in recent years.]
(click: 'rarely')[He was fairly mysterious. What job did he do? You never really knew.]<img src="https://petebeatstory-dev.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/Home.png" width="600px">
You think back to yesterday.
You are in your living room in the afternoon. It's quiet and the sun is streaming in through the window.
Your guitar is sitting on one of the chairs. There's a document file on the table, next to it sits a hot cup of tea.
(click: 'document file')[(unless: $letterBurned)[The file contains [[a letter->a letter]]. ](unless: $inv contains 'a will')[The file contains a will.](if: $letterBurned and $inv contains 'a will')[The file is empty. ]]
(click: "a will")[(set: $inv = $inv + (a: "a will"))You take the will.]
(click: "guitar")[You strum a few chords. This is what you love doing, really, but for now it's just a dream.]
(click: "tea")[You sip the tea, but it's too hot to drink right now.]
[[Go back->$afterReminisce]]Dear Pete
If you are reading this, it probably means that I am dead. I have arranged for this letter, and my will, to be delivered to you in this event.
This also means that I am no longer here to guide you, or protect you. I can't say too much in case this letter is discovered, but I will at least tell you a little.
For most of my life I have been involved in the military, which has kept me away from my loved ones. You may hear about the project I have been working on in the coming weeks, and it may be closer to home than you think.
You have many friends, but be careful who you trust. Go with your gut, and don't say too much.
Yours faithfully
Your uncle
Les
PS after reading this letter, please (link-reveal: 'burn it')[(set: $letterBurned to true)(go-to: 'Living Room')].(set: $readWill to true)
*Last Will and Testament of Les Silvers
To my dear nephew Pete Beat, I leave my entire estate.
To what friends I have, I leave this duty: protect Pete and serve what has been our higher purpose.
Signed
Les Silvers, being of sound mind.*
(unless: $inv contains "the Will talisman")[You notice the Will talisman stuck to the bottom of the will. You take it; it is now in your inventory. (set: $inv += (a: "the Will talisman"))]Double-click this passage to edit it.You are in a room with a window, a sofa, and a couple of tables. It is daytime outside.
A solidly built man sits on the sofa, (if: $agentsIntroduced contains "Agent Delta")[it is Agent Delta.](else:)[he introduces himself as "Agent Delta".(set: $agentsIntroduced += (a: "Agent Delta"))]
(unless: $inv contains "the Janglin talisman")[(click: "Agent Delta")["What is this place?" you ask.
"This place?" Agent Delta replies, laughing. "This is nowhere, the forgotten place. It's been under your nose for years. But you didn't notice until yesterday."
(click: "yesterday")[You think back... |what>[what] happened yesterday? It seems foggy, you can't recall.]
(click: ?what)["How did I get here?" you enquire.
He says with a smile "The same way everyone else got here: you know too much. People with insight into the project... aren't allowed out."
You notice a book, and a small silver cross on the table. There is also a glass of what looks like water.]
(click: "water")[You're very thirsty. You pick up the water. Is it safe?
"Go ahead," says Agent Delta. You wonder whether to drink.
(click: "drink")[You drink the water. You don't feel any ill effects]]
(click: "book")[It's a book about the history of Newcastle upon Tyne.]
(click: "silver cross")[You go to touch the silver cross, but Agent Delta jumps up, shouting "No!" He pins you against the wall.
Should you punch him, apologize or stare him down?
(click: "punch him")[You punch him, he doesn't seem to mind. He is impervious to your attack.]
(click: "apologize")[You try to apologize, he just gets angrier.]
(click: "stare him down")[You stare him down for seconds, then minutes.
Suddenly fear appears in his eye. "You're strong," he exclaims. "They said you were strong, but not like this. Wow..."
He sits down, sighing "My nerves are Janglin."]
(click: "Janglin")[He gives you the Janglin talisman. Check your inventory. (set: $inv += (a: "the Janglin talisman"))]]]]
(else:)[(click: "Agent Delta")["I'm going to preach a sermon about you Pete." says Agent Delta. "You're strong. Very strong!"]]
To the [[north->Cell after leaving]] is the small holding room.
To the [[south->Corridor 1]] is a corridor.You're back in the small room you arrived in. The blue mattress is still there, but it holds no more secrets.
You can leave the room to the [[south->Anteroom]].<img src="https://petebeatstory-dev.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/Corridor.png" width="600px">
You're in the main corridor of some sort of research facility.
A door to the [[north->Anteroom]] leads back to the anteroom you came from. There is a door to the south marked '[[Basement]]'. To the east and west are several doors. One is marked '[[Lounge->Lounge]]', another '[[Dining Area->Dining Area]]', another '[[Room 1->Room 1]]'. There are several other unmarked doors.
(if: $inv contains "the Janglin talisman" and $inv contains "the She Loves Me False talisman" and $inv contains "the Capitalism Must Die talisman")[(set: $isTired to true)]A talisman is a special object which can be exchanged for true knowledge at the machine in the basement of the research facility.You're in the basement of the (unless: $isComplete)[research facility](else:)[hospital]. It is dimly lit by a red light from above. (if: $isComplete)[You see a lightswitch and turn it on, illuminating the room.]
(unless: $isComplete)[There's an array of shelves containing scientific and medical equipment.](else:)[You see the room is filled with laundry supplies.]
A strange looking machine stands in the corner.
[[Go back->$afterBasement]] upstairs.
(click: "strange looking machine")[\
(unless: $isComplete)[The machine has a few controls - a speed setting, a volume setting, and some others you don't understand. It has a slot for talismans.]\
(else:)[It's a washing machine. It has a slot for washing powder, into which someone has inserted several strange objects - buttons, coins, badges and so on.]
(if: $inv contains "the You Never Know talisman")[[[Insert the You Never Know talisman->The You Never Know talisman]] (if: $isComplete)[(A metal keyring with the Territorial Army logo)]]
(if: $inv contains "the Janglin talisman")[[[Insert the Janglin talisman->The Janglin talisman]] (if: $isComplete)[(A badge with The Doors on it)]]
(if: $inv contains "the Capitalism Must Die talisman")[[[Insert the Capitalism Must Die talisman->The Capitalism Must Die talisman]] (if: $isComplete)[(The toy from a chocolate egg)]]
(if: $inv contains "the For a Reason talisman")[[[Insert the For a Reason talisman->The For a Reason talisman]] (if: $isComplete)[(A silver cigarette lighter)]]
(if: $inv contains "the She Loves Me False talisman")[[[Insert the She Loves Me False talisman->The She Loves Me False talisman]] (if: $isComplete)[(A plectrum with a heart symbol on it)]]
(if: $inv contains "the My Dear Sir talisman")[[[Insert the My Dear Sir talisman->The My Dear Sir talisman]] (if: $isComplete)[(A 10p coin)]]
(if: $inv contains "the Nothing talisman")[[[Insert the Nothing talisman->The Nothing talisman]] (if: $isComplete)[(A button from an item of clothing)]]
(if: $inv contains "the Falling talisman")[[[Insert the Falling talisman->The Falling talisman]] (if: $isComplete)[(A USB pen drive)]]
(if: $inv contains "the Will talisman")[[[Insert the Will talisman->The Will talisman]] (if: $isComplete)[(A Beach Boys sticker)]]
(if: $inv contains "the If You Want To Scream talisman")[[[Insert the If You Want To Scream talisman->The If You Want To Scream talisman]] (if: $isComplete)[(A cheap metal ring)]]
(if: $inv contains "the England's Rose talisman")[[[Insert the England's Rose talisman->The England's Rose talisman]] (if: $isComplete)[(The lid from a fancy pen)]]
(if: $inv contains "the Nothing Is Perfect talisman")[[[Insert the Nothing Is Perfect talisman->The Nothing Is Perfect talisman]] (if: $isComplete)[(An odd looking piece of plastic)]]
]
<img src="https://petebeatstory-dev.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/LoungeDay.png" width="600px">
You are in a spacious, pleasantly decorated lounge. There are two double sofas, coffee tables, and television mounted on the wall. Large windows let daylight into the room. There is a bookcase full of books.
Through the window you can see a sculpture in the garden outside.
A slender man sits who introduces himself as "Agent Thi" sits on one of the sofas. He looks fairly sad, like he is close to tears.
(click: "television")[You would feel bad about turning on the television when Agent Thi is so upset.]
(unless: $inv contains "the She Loves Me False talisman")[(click: "Agent Thi")["Are you OK?" you ask Agent Thi.
"I am in love." he states simply.
|good>["Isn't that a good thing?"] you ask. He looks visibly distressed.
(click: ?good)["I love every woman," he says, "but they don't love me. We have some amazing things here, but it doesn't fill the void."]
(click: "they don't love me")["I Love Her True, She Loves Me False." he says.]
(click: "She Loves Me False")[He gives you a talisman.(set: $inv += (a: "the She Loves Me False talisman"))]
(click: "amazing things")[Agent Thi looks around to check we're not being observed. "They have a time machine in this building," he says "and I've been here since 1833. We don't grow old here."]]]
(else:)[(click: "Agent Thi")[Agent Thi stays silent.]]
(click: "bookcase")[There are many books, but you don't feel inclined to look through them at the moment.]
(click: "sculpture")[You reflect on the left and right hands in the sculpture. (click: "left")[The left hand is sensitive, and can bring understanding. ](click: "right")[The right hand is strong and powerful, and can defeat evil.]]
[[Go back->Corridor 1]] to the corridor.<img src="https://petebeatstory-dev.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/DiningArea.png" width="600px">
You're in a dining area, with several tables arranged throughout the room. There doesn't seem to be anywhere to get food, it must be brought in from outside.
A dishevelled man sits at one of the chairs, he introduces himself as Agent Upsilon.
A door to the [[west->Corridor 1]] leads back to the corridor.
(unless: $inv contains "a piece of paper")[(click: "Agent Upsilon")["How come you're in here?" you ask Agent Upsilon.
"We know too much," he replies, "in fact, I knew your uncle."
(click: "too much")["Everyone says you know too much in here." you say. Agent Upsilon doesn't answer, his eyes glaze over, and he seems to drift away.]
(click: "uncle")[You're intrigued. "|how>[How] do you know my uncle?"]
(click: ?how)["I knew him back when he lived by the river," says Agent Upsilon, "it was better then, before this government fucked things up."]
(click: "better then")["We had everything we needed back then." he says, "Now they've locked us up in here... contained us, neutralized us."]
(click: "government")["Back when we started, " he says "the people in charge were good men, they wanted freedom for the world. This current bunch are cowboys. They're watching us, making sure we don't talk."]
(click: "watching us")["Of course they're watching us." says the Agent. "In fact they're listening right now."
He looks over his shoulder, then gives you a piece of paper without saying anything more.(set: $inv += (a: "a piece of paper"))]]]
(else:)[(click: "Agent Upsilon")[(if: $inv contains "the Capitalism Must Die talisman")["Capitalism Must Die!" shouts Agent Upsilon.](else:)["Any luck?" asks Agent Upsilon. (if: $inv contains "a blade")[
"I got this blade." you tell him.
(click: "this blade")[You give him the blade. He thanks you, then says "Capitalism Must Die!" (click: "Capitalism Must Die")[He gives you a talisman.(set: $inv += (a: "the Capitalism Must Die talisman"))(set: $inv -= (a: "a blade"))]]]
(else:)[(if: $inv contains "a safety razor")["I got this safety razor." you tell him.(click: "safety razor")[
"That's no good," he says, "I need the exposed blade."]](else:)["Not yet," you tell him.
He looks worried.]]]]]<img src="https://petebeatstory-dev.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/BedroomDay.png" width="600px">
You are in a bedroom. Most of the room is taken up by the |bed>[bed]. In the corner is a cabinet. Daylight shines through the window.
(click: "cabinet")[You look in the cabinet... you see a toothbrush, (unless: $inv contains "a safety razor")[a safety razor, ](unless: $inv contains "some scissors")[some scissors, ]some deodorant, and some soap.
(click: "a safety razor")[You take the razor.(set: $inv += (a: "a safety razor"))]
(click: "some scissors")[You take the scissors.(set: $inv += (a: "some scissors"))]
(click: "toothbrush")[You don't really need to brush your teeth at the moment.]
(click: "some soap")[No need, you're smelling fresh and looking good already.]]
(click: ?bed)[It's a single bed with plain white covers. You could |sit>[sit] on the bed, or try to sleep.
(click: ?sit)[You sit on the bed for a while.]
(click: "sleep")[(if: $isTired)[(t8n-depart: "dissolve")(go-to: "End of Day 1")](else:)[You try to sleep, but you're not tired and it's too bright.]]]
The door to the [[east->Corridor 1]] leads back to the corridor.You see a small, crumpled piece of paper with two words written on it: "razor blade"A disposable, plastic safety razor. It has several blades inside.
(click: "blades")[
(if: $gotBlade)[You have already extracted one of the blades. ]
(else:)[(if: $inv contains "some scissors")[You could maybe use the scissors to extract one of the blades. (click: "use the scissors")[You use the scissors and extract a blade.(set: $gotBlade to true)(set: $inv += (a: 'a blade'))]]
(else:)[You don't really have anything to get the blade with.]]]A set of nail clippers with rounded edges.A sharp blade, which you extracted from the safety razor.*The end of your first day...*
You drift off to sleep.
You sleep uneasily, and have strange dreams.
Something tells you to wake up.
(click: "wake up")[You can't wake up. You [[struggle more->Room 1 Night 1]].]
(set: $isTired to false)
(set: $isNight to true)
(set: $afterBasement to "Corridor 1 Night 1")
(save-game: "Slot A")<img src="https://petebeatstory-dev.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/BedroomNight.png" width="600px">
You are in Room 1. It is now night time.
Most of the room is taken up by the |bed>[bed].
(click: ?bed)[It's a single bed with plain white covers. You could try to sleep. \
(click: "sleep")[(if: $isTired)[(t8n-depart: "dissolve")(go-to: "Start of Day 2")](else:)[You try to sleep, but you're too alert.]]]
There is some light coming from the door to the [[east->Corridor 1 Night 1]] which leads to the corridor.<img src="https://petebeatstory-dev.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/Corridor.png" width="600px">
You're in the main corridor of the research facility.
A door to the [[north->Anteroom Night 1]] leads to the anteroom you first came from. There is a door to the [[Basement]]. To the east and west are several doors, leading to the [[Lounge->Lounge Night 1]], [[Dining Area->Dining Area Night 1]], and [[Room 1->Room 1 Night 1]].
(if: $inv contains "the For a Reason talisman" and $inv contains "the If You Want To Scream talisman")[(set: $isTired to true)]Double-click this passage to edit it.Congratulations, you have found a talisman!
See the knowledge which it unlocks here. This will open in a new tab.
(click: 'here')[(open-url: 'https://petebeat.net/sq-nip-the-will-2xcoiuh/')]
[[Go back->Basement]] You are in a room with a window, a sofa, and a couple of tables. It is nighttime outside. There's a book on the table.
Agent Pi is sitting on the sofa.
(unless: $inv contains "the If You Want To Scream talisman")[(click: "Agent Pi")["I've lost my book." says Agent Pi. You notice the |book>[book] on the table. (if: $inv contains "a book of W.B. Yeats poetry")[You also have a |yeats>[book] in your inventory.]
(click: ?book)[You give him the book from the table, but he refuses it. "That's not my book!" he says. You consider asking him more.
(click: "asking him")[
He starts to recite some words:
*I went out to the hazel wood,
Because a fire was in my head,
And cut and peeled a hazel wand,
And hooked a berry to a thread;
And when white moths were on the wing,
And moth-like stars were flickering out,
I dropped the berry in a stream
And caught a little silver trout.*]]
(click: ?yeats)[You give him the book of W.B. Yeats poetry.
A big smile comes to his face. "Thank you so much!" he exclaims. "Here, take this talisman."
(click: "talisman")[He gives you the If You Want To Scream talisman.(set: $inv += (a: "the If You Want To Scream talisman"))(set: $inv -= (a: "a book of W.B. Yeats poetry"))]]
]]
(else:)[(click: "Agent Pi")["Thank you again!" says Agent Pi. "I've heard a lot about you over the last few days, and I can see the rumours are justified. Stick to your principles."]
]
To the north is the small holding room. (click: "north")[The door is locked though.]
To the [[south->Corridor 1 Night 1]] is a corridor.You're in the lounge. It is night time - a standing lamp illuminates the room. You can't see anything outside. There is a bookcase full of books. There is a television on the wall.
[[Go back->Corridor 1 Night 1]]
(click: "television")[You turn on the TV, but there isn't anything worth watching on, just endless reruns of Top Gear. You turn it off again.]
(click: "bookcase")[There are books by |bk1>[Shakespeare], |bk2>[Charles Dickens], |bk3>[Charlotte Brontë], |bk4>[Emily Brontë], |bk5>[William Blake], |bk6>[Joseph Heller], |bk7>[Samuel Beckett], |bk8>[Keats], |bk9>[Oscar Wilde], |bk10>[Jill Paton Walsh], |bk11>[J.R.R. Tolkien], |bk12>[Isaac Asimov], |bk13>[David Mitchell], (unless: $gotYeatsBook)[|bk14>[W.B. Yeats], ]|bk15>[Fyodor Dostoevsky], |bk16>[P.G. Wodehouse], |bk17>[James Joyce], |bk18>[Alan Moore], |bk19>[Agatha Christie], and |bk20>[Enid Blyton].
(click: ?bk14)[You pick the book up.(set: $inv += (a: 'a book of W.B. Yeats poetry'))(set: $gotYeatsBook to true)]
(click: ?bk1)[You have no need for a book. ]\
(click: ?bk2)[You have no need for a book. ]\
(click: ?bk3)[You have no need for a book. ]\
(click: ?bk4)[You have no need for a book. ]\
(click: ?bk5)[You have no need for a book. ]\
(click: ?bk6)[You have no need for a book. ]\
(click: ?bk7)[You have no need for a book. ]\
(click: ?bk8)[You have no need for a book. ]\
(click: ?bk9)[You have no need for a book. ]\
(click: ?bk10)[You have no need for a book. ]\
(click: ?bk11)[You have no need for a book. ]\
(click: ?bk12)[You have no need for a book. ]\
(click: ?bk13)[You have no need for a book. ]\
(click: ?bk15)[You have no need for a book. ]\
(click: ?bk16)[You have no need for a book. ]\
(click: ?bk17)[You have no need for a book. ]\
(click: ?bk18)[You have no need for a book. ]\
(click: ?bk19)[You have no need for a book. ]\
(click: ?bk20)[You have no need for a book.]]<img src="https://petebeatstory-dev.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/DiningArea.png" width="600px">
You're in the dining area. Someone has left [[a newspaper]] on one of the tables.
Agent Beta sits at one of the tables, eating some toast.
(unless: $inv contains "the For a Reason talisman")[(click: "Agent Beta")[You talk to Agent Beta. He tells you this is the first thing he has eated in over 7 days. "Why haven't you eaten?" you ask.
"Hunger strike." he states.
"Strike over what?" you ask.
(click: "over what")["For a Reason, dear boy." he says.]
(click: "For a Reason")[He gives you a talisman.(set: $inv += (a: 'the For a Reason talisman'))]]]
(else:)[(click: "Agent Beta")["But why were you on hunger strike?" you ask again.
"The people running this place, they don't care about us." he says, thoughtfully, "They have no idea what it's like to have the abilities we have. They're thousands of miles away. Something needs to change."
(click: "abilities")["What abilities?" you ask.
He laughs. "Haha, you haven't even realised yet?"
(click: "realised")["Listen in the silence." he says. "Listen to the voices. They aren't just your imagination. Listen to the hum you can hear."
(click: "hum")[Agent Beta says "The hum is the time machine. It blocks out the voices. But tomorrow, listen out, you may hear things you didn't expect to hear."]]]
(click: "Something")[He says "Some people say that *you* are the something that will change things."
(click: "change things")["Yes, change things. Do what you can. Stick to your principles. Remember who your friends are.]]]]
A door to the [[west->Corridor 1 Night 1]] leads back to the corridor.**THE EVENING CHRONICLE**
**RUMOURS GROW ABOUT DARK PROJECT**
Rumours are circulating wildly on the internet about a secret project that has been going on since the last years of World War II. Speculation is growing that this project has close links to the North East of England, although the command seems to be based in the USA.
A whistleblower who first brough the idea to light has not been seen in several weeks. Concern is growing amongst some circles that he has come to harm, although others think he may be in hiding.
The UK and USA governments both deny the existence of such a project, saying "We are not going to dignify this idle speculation with a response."
[[Go back->Dining Area Night 1]] *The start of your second day...*
You get back to sleep.
Time passes, you dream.
You can feel the warmth and light of the sun, although your eyes are still closed.
You try to wake up. \
\
(click: "wake up")[You struggle to [[open your eyes->Room 1 Day 2]]. ]
(set: $isTired to false)
(set: $isNight to false)
(set: $afterBasement to "Corridor 1 Day 2")
(save-game: "Slot A")<img src="https://petebeatstory-dev.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/BedroomDay.png" width="600px">
You are in a bedroom. Most of the room is taken up by the |bed>[bed]. In the corner is a cabinet. Daylight shines through the window.
(click: ?bed)[It's a single bed with plain white covers. You could try to sleep. \
(click: "sleep")[(if: $isTired)[(t8n-depart: "dissolve")(go-to: "End of Day 2")](else:)[You try to sleep, but you're not tired yet.]]]
The door to the [[east->Corridor 1 Day 2]] leads to the corridor.<img src="https://petebeatstory-dev.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/Corridor.png" width="600px">
You're in the main corridor of the research facility.
A door to the north leads to the anteroom you first came from. There is a door to the [[Basement]]. To the east and west are several doors, one to the [[Lounge->Lounge Day 2]], another to the [[Dining Area->Dining Area Day 2]], another to [[Room 1->Room 1 Day 2]].
(click: "north")[The north door is currently locked.]
You notice a thermostat on the wall which you hadn't spotted before.
(click: "thermostat")[
Do you want to change the temperature? |yes>[Yes] or no.
(click: ?yes)[\
The thermometer reads in degrees Celsius: (dropdown: bind $temperature, ...(altered: _item via (str: (_item / 2)), ...(range: 20, 90)))]
]
(if: $inv contains "the Falling talisman" and $inv contains "the You Never Know talisman")[(set: $isTired to true)]<img src="https://petebeatstory-dev.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/LoungeDay.png" width="600px">
You are in a spacious, pleasantly decorated lounge. There are two double sofas, coffee tables, and television mounted on the wall. Large windows let daylight into the room. There is a large bookcase full of books.
Through the window you can see a sculpture in the garden outside.
(click: "bookcase")[The bookcase contains a lot of interesting books. You notice one on thermodynamics. (click: "thermodynamics")[The book talks about the Kelvin scale and absolute zero. (click: "absolute zero")[Absolute zero is the lowest limit of the thermodynamic temperature scale.] (click: "Kelvin scale")[Kelvins are converted to degrees Celsius by subtracting 273.15.]]]
(click: "television")[You turn the television on. Agent Zeta comes in and watches a news program. On the TV some reporters are discussing widespread internet speculation about a secret government project. They are keen to stress there is no evidence.(set: $metAgentZeta to true)]
(unless: $inv contains "the You Never Know talisman")[(click: "Agent Zeta")[
"I think *someone* is going to be famous." she says, talking about the TV program.
"Who?" you ask.
"Well, they don't know yet," she says, "but people around here... they know it's close."
(click: "famous")[You think of your dreams of being a successful musician. But who would want to be famous?]
(click: "people around here")["Why do people around here know more?" you ask.
"This whole project that they're speculating about. It has its roots around here."]
(click: "it's close")["What is close?" you ask.
Agent Zeta looks at you quizically. "You really don't know?" she enquires.
(click: "don't know")["No," you say, "but people have been telling me strange things. Is it about someone in here?"
(click: "someone in here")["You Never Know." she says.
(click: "You Never Know")[Agent Zeta gives you the You Never Know talisman.(set: $inv += (a: "the You Never Know talisman"))]]]]]]\
(else:)[(click: "Agent Zeta")[You can't help but notice that Agent Zeta is stunningly beautiful, one of the most radiant and vital people you have ever seen.]]
The corridor lies to the [[west->Corridor 1 Day 2]].<img src="https://petebeatstory-dev.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/DiningArea.png" width="600px">
You're in a dining area, with several tables arranged throughout the room.
A stocky man, Agent Rho, sits at one of the tables, reading a newspaper.
(set: $tempInt to (num: $temperature))
(if: $inv contains "the Falling talisman")[(click: "Agent Rho")["Good luck to you kid." says Agent Rho.]]
(else-if: $tempInt is not 22.5)[
(click: "Agent Rho")[
(if: $tempInt > 22.5)["I'm too |hotcold>[hot] to talk." says Agent Rho.]
(else:)["I'm too |hotcold>[cold] to talk." says Agent Rho.]
(click: ?hotcold)["I like a refreshing 295.65 degrees, me." he says.]
]]
(else:)[
(click: "Agent Rho")["Hi," you say, "what are you reading?"
"Just a newspaper," he says, laughing "I'm trying to keep my mind off Agent Zeta.
(click: "newspaper")["Anything interesting in the paper?" you ask.
"More speculation. A lot of people are really putting their hopes in this *person* they're all talking about."(click: "person")[
"Like he, or she, is going to change the world."]]
(click: "Agent Zeta")[(if: $metAgentZeta)["She's fairly stunning." you say.
"You are not wrong there," he smiles, "did you get a talisman from her?"](else:)["I haven't met her yet." you say.]
(click: "talisman")[(if: $inv contains "the You Never Know talisman")["Yes" you say.
"Are you falling for her too?" he asks. You wonder whether to answer |yes>[yes] or |no>[no].
(click: ?yes)["Yes." you say. Agent Rho laughs loudly. He says "here's another one for your collection." He hands you the Falling talisman.(set: $inv += (a: "the Falling talisman"))]
(click: ?no)["No." you say. Then you reconsider.]]
(else:)["No", you say. "Oh well." says Agent Rho.]
]]]
]
The door to the [[west->Corridor 1 Day 2]] leads back to the corridor.*The end of your second day...*
You sleep well.
But eventually, the humming noise starts to wake you up.
You think about [[opening your eyes->Room 1 Night 2]].
(set: $isTired to false)
(set: $isNight to true)
(set: $afterBasement to "Corridor 1 Night 2")
(save-game: "Slot A")<img src="https://petebeatstory-dev.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/BedroomNight.png" width="600px">
You are in Room 1. It is now night time.
Most of the room is taken up by the |bed>[bed].
(click: ?bed)[It's a single bed with plain white covers. You could try to sleep. \
(click: "sleep")[(if: $isTired)[(t8n-depart: "dissolve")(go-to: "Start of Day 3")](else:)[You try to sleep, but you're too alert.]]]
There is some light coming from the door to the [[east->Corridor 1 Night 2]] which leads to the corridor.<img src="https://petebeatstory-dev.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/Corridor.png" width="600px">
You're in the main corridor of the research facility.
A door to the [[north->Anteroom Night 2]] leads to the anteroom you first came from. There is a door to the [[basement->Basement]]. To the east and west are several doors. One to the [[Lounge->Lounge Night 2]], another to the [[Dining Area->Dining Area Night 2]], another to [[Room 1->Room 1 Night 2]].
(if: $inv contains "the England's Rose talisman" and $inv contains "the Nothing talisman")[(set: $isTired to true)]You are in a room with a window, a sofa, and a couple of tables. It is nighttime outside. There are two books on the table and a couple of CDs.
\
(click: 'CDs')[
There's a Johnny Cash greatest hits compilation, and a collection of pan-pipe chillout music.]\
(click: 'books')[
There's *Knowledge of Angels* by Jill Paton Walsh, and *The Life of Pi* by Yann Martel.]
Agent Rho, who you recognize from yesterday in the dining area, sits on the sofa, beaming cheerfully.
(unless: $inv contains "the England's Rose talisman")[(click: "Agent Rho")[You wonder whether to ask him about how he got here, or about Agent Zeta, who has been playing on your mind.
(click: "how he got here")["I'm the curator of this strange museum" he answers. "People come, people go. Centuries come, centuries go."
(click: "centuries")["I thought this place had only been here since WWII?" you question.
"Oh yes, that's when it was built," he replies, "but when you have a time machine, that doesn't really matter."
(click: "time machine")["You won't have seen it yet. You need all 12 talismans (or is that talismen?) before they let you into the time machine."]]]]
(click: "Agent Zeta")["That was her last day here, you know, but she said you seemed like a canny bloke." says Agent Rho. You are disappointed.
(click: "disappointed")["Oh no!" you exclaim.
Rho laughs. "Haha, she is truly England's Rose."
(click: "England's Rose")[Agent Rho gives you the England's Rose talisman.(set: $inv += (a: "the England's Rose talisman"))]]]]
(else:)[(click: "Agent Rho")["You've got quite a collection of talismania!" Rho says. "Remember, get all 12 and you will be free to leave, or use the time machine, and go to any point in history."]]
The door [[south->Corridor 1 Night 2]] leads to the main corridor.You're in the lounge. It is night time - a standing lamp illuminates the room. You can't see anything outside. There is a bookcase full of books. There is a television on the wall.
Agent Alpha is lying on one of the sofas. You sit down on the other one.
(click: "television")["Fuck me," you think to yourself, "can't I see a television without turning it on?"]
(unless: $inv contains "the Nothing talisman")[(click: "Agent Alpha")["Hey." he says. "How are you getting on in here?"
"Not too bad." you respond.
"Do you want some advice?" he asks. |yes>[Yes] or |no>[no]?
(click: ?no)["No, I'm good thanks." you say. But you doubt yourself.]
(click: ?yes)["Here's my advice:" Agent Alpha says "don't trust anyone in here. You think you've got friends? You're dead wrong. Trust no-one. Trust nothing.
(click: "no-one")["Really?" you ask, "Some of the agents in here seem friendly."
"Oh, they're friendly," he replies, "but they're all broken to some degree. That's why they're |inhere>[in here]."
(click: ?inhere)["Is that why I'm in here?" you ask.
"You," he says thoughtfully, "are a special case. In fact, you might be the only person ever to walk out of here."]]
(click: "nothing")["Is there nothing I can rely on?" you wonder.
"Rely on **yourself**." says Agent Alpha. "Yourself, and |nothing>[**nothing else**].
(click: ?nothing)[Agent Alpha gives you the Nothing talisman.(set: $inv += (a: "the Nothing talisman"))]]]]]
(else:)[(click: "Agent Alpha")["Remember," he says, "trust no-one, trust **nothing**.]]
The door [[west->Corridor 1 Night 2]] leads back to the corridor.<img src="https://petebeatstory-dev.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/DiningArea.png" width="600px">
You're in the dining area. Someone has left [[a newspaper->a newspaper 2]] on one of the tables.
Agent Kappa is sitting at a different table. She is writing in a book.
(click: "Agent Kappa")["Hi," she says, "can't you sleep?"
(click: "sleep")["No," you reply, "It's the humming noise that keeps waking me up."
"That's just the heating pipes." says Agent Kappa.
(click: "heating pipes")["No," you answer, "that's the time machine."
"Who told you that?" she asks.
"Several people have told me." you say. You wonder what she is |writing>[writing] in her book. (click: ?writing)["I'm just writing reports." she says.]
(click: "Several people")["They shouldn't have told you that," she says, "so don't be |talking>[talking] about it."
(click: ?talking)["What if I do?" you ask.
"Well," she says, "who would believe you?"
She is right, they would write you off as mad if you tried to tell anyone about this place.
(click: "tell anyone")["What if I brought them back here?" you enquire.
"Do you even know how to get here? This place is very carefully designed. You wouldn't find what you were looking for." she replies.
]]]]]]
The door [[west->Corridor 1 Night 2]] leads back to the corridor.**THE EVENING CHRONICLE**
**QUESTIONS ASKED IN US CONGRESS ABOUT GATESHEAD**
Questions were raised in the US Congress last night about the secret project which has been consuming the internet. Information said to originate from the original whistleblower suggests that the North East of England, and specifically Gateshead, is a key part of the project.
Worldwide interest in our region is certainly at its peak. Will this be a good thing?
Local council officials, and the UK government, insist that the speculation is just based on no evidence. However the Prime Minister was spotted arriving for a late night meeting with local council officials, adding fuel to the fire of speculation.
[[Go back->Dining Area Night 2]] *The start of your third day...*
You sleep easily, through the rest of the night.
You wake up, feeling refreshed, and [[open your eyes->Room 1 Day 3]].
(set: $isTired to false)
(set: $isNight to false)
(set: $afterBasement to "Corridor 1 Day 3")
(save-game: "Slot A")<img src="https://petebeatstory-dev.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/BedroomDay.png" width="600px">
You are in a bedroom. Most of the room is taken up by the |bed>[bed]. In the corner is a cabinet. Daylight shines through the window.
(click: ?bed)[It's a single bed with plain white covers. You could try to sleep. \
(click: "sleep")[(if: $isTired)[(t8n-depart: "dissolve")(go-to: "End of Day 2")](else:)[You try to sleep, but you're not tired yet.]]]
The door to the [[east->Corridor 1 Day 3]] leads to the corridor.<img src="https://petebeatstory-dev.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/Corridor.png" width="600px">
You're in the main corridor of the research facility.
You can go back to [[Room 1->Room 1 Day 3]], or to the [[Basement]], or into the [[Lounge->Lounge Day 3]], but you notice an open door which has so far been locked. The door reads '[[Interview Room->Interview Room]]'.
(if: $inv contains "the My Dear Sir talisman" and $inv contains "the Nothing Is Perfect talisman")[
You have all 12 talismen. You can now leave the facility - the door marked [[exit->Exit]] is open.
]<img src="https://petebeatstory-dev.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/InterviewRoom.png" width="600px">
(unless: $inv contains "the Nothing Is Perfect talisman")[You're in an interview room. Agent Iota closes the door behind you, then sits behind the desk.
"How are you?" he smiles. You consider your response.
(click: "consider")[Hmm, are you happy, sad, anxious, or exhilerated. You suppose you're a bit of each...
(click: "happy")["Yeah I'm pretty happy," you say, "considering I don't know why I'm in here. No one will give me a straight answer to anything."
(click: "straight answer")["Hmm, yes," he says, "but I think the problem lies more with you."
You don't understand what he means by this.]]
(click: "sad")["I'm a bit sad," you say, "I haven't seen my friends and family in several days."
"No," replies agent Iota, "we haven't felt it was... appropriate... but you're close to getting out of here."
(click: "getting out")["Some people have said I can't leave unless I get 12 talismen."
He smiles, "don't believe everything that people in here tell you. They have their own problems to deal with."]]
(click: "anxious")["I'm feeling slightly anxious," you say, "it feels like I'm being built up to something that I'm not prepared for."
"What are you expecting to happen?" asks Agent Iota.
(click: "expecting")["I'm being prepared for some secret project."
"What is this |project>[project] that you speak of?" he asks.
(click: ?project)["Everyone is talking about it." you say "the newspapers, the television, the agents in here."
"You are experiencing a higher level of insight than most people ever achieve." he replies.]]]
(click: "exhilerated")["I'm exhilerated!" you say.
"Hmm, yes," says Agent Iota, "we probably need to give you something to calm down. You need your wits about you.]]
(more:)[
You pause, and think for a moment.
Then |say>[you continue]: (click: ?say)["I don't know what to do. I can't stay here, I can't leave."
"No," says Agent Iota, "Nothing Is Perfect."
He gives you the Nothing Is Perfect talisman.(set: $inv += (a: "the Nothing Is Perfect talisman"))
You can [[leave->Corridor 1 Day 3]] through the door you came in back to the corridor.]]]
(else:)[You're in the interview room. There is no-one else in here. You can [[leave->Corridor 1 Day 3]] through the door you came in back to the corridor.]
<img src="https://petebeatstory-dev.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/LoungeDay.png" width="600px">
You are in a spacious, pleasantly decorated lounge. Large windows let daylight into the room. There is a bookcase full of books.
Through the window you can see a sculpture in the garden outside.
Agent Rho, whom you recognize from yesterday, sits on the sofa.
(click: "Agent Rho")["So you're nearly ready to leave here." he says. "It's been a pleasure."
"Yes, it's been great to meet you." you reply. You smile at him.
(click: "smile at him")["My Dear Sir," he says, "I hope we don't see you in here again!"
He gives you the My Dear Sir talisman.(set: $inv += (a: "the My Dear Sir talisman"))]]
You can go [[west->Corridor 1 Day 3]] to the corridor.<img src="https://petebeatstory-dev.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/Hospital.png" width="600px">
You leave through the exit door.
(click: "leave")[=Your time here is up, you are free to go.
You walk out of the building.
(click: "walk out")[=You leave through the main door. You notice a sign outside. You smell fresh air for the first time in several days.
(click: "sign")[The sign says:
**Westnook Hospital
Secure Mental Health Facility**]
(click: "fresh air")[=It smells good. The winter sun beats down on you. You are happy, and you are free.
True, you don't have your favourite uncle to guide you anymore. But you somehow feel that everything will be alright.
You can, if you want, go back [[inside->Corridor 1 Complete]], but there are no more talismen to be discovered.
(link: 'More')[=
<hr>
Thanks for playing Nothing Is Perfect.
(link: "Buy the album")[(open-url: 'https://petebeat.bandcamp.com/album/nothing-is-perfect')]
(link: "Join the mailing list")[(open-url: 'http://eepurl.com/bJIu9b')]
[[Credits->Credits]]
Start Again(click: "Start Again")[(reload:)]
(set: $afterBasement to "Corridor 1 Complete")
(set: $isComplete to true)
(save-game: "Slot A")Game coded by <a href="https://petebeat.net" target="_blank">Pete Beat</a> using Twine.
ASCII art images generated from these photographs:
* Home "Living Room" by Ryan Park CC-BY https://flic.kr/p/svrW9
* "Corridor" by Billie Grace Ward CC-BY https://flic.kr/p/RymMcJ
* "Living Room" by Kinkazamah CC-BY https://flic.kr/p/7PPQfF
* Bedroom Day "Bedroom" by Jason Toff https://flic.kr/p/fDQ4ys
* Bedroom Night "Bedside" by young shanahan CC-BY https://flic.kr/p/p8LuuL
* Dining Area "Lodge Dining Area" by David Miller CC-BY https://flic.kr/p/8fMrRA
* Interview Room "Office After 4b" by Chris Lott CC-BY https://flic.kr/p/huxnr
* "North Manchester General Hospital" by Mikey CC-BY https://flic.kr/p/iHzUGw
All music and videos produced by Pete Beat (c) 2020 All Rights Reserved.
(link-goto: "Go back", (history:)'s last)Congratulations, you have found a talisman!
See the knowledge which it unlocks here. This will open in a new tab.
(click: 'here')[(open-url: 'https://petebeat.net/sq-nip-you-never-know-dsafdoiau/')]
[[Go back->Basement]] Congratulations, you have found a talisman!
See the knowledge which it unlocks here. This will open in a new tab.
(click: 'here')[(open-url: 'https://petebeat.net/sq-nip-capitalism-must-die-coiefji/')]
[[Go back->Basement]] Congratulations, you have found a talisman!
See the knowledge which it unlocks here. This will open in a new tab.
(click: 'here')[(open-url: 'https://petebeat.net/sq-nip-for-a-reason-zoiwejns/')]
[[Go back->Basement]] Congratulations, you have found a talisman!
See the knowledge which it unlocks here. This will open in a new tab.
(click: 'here')[(open-url: 'https://petebeat.net/sq-nip-she-loves-me-false-zdxoivcj/')]
[[Go back->Basement]] Congratulations, you have found a talisman!
See the knowledge which it unlocks here. This will open in a new tab.
(click: 'here')[(open-url: 'https://petebeat.net/sq-nip-my-dear-sir-qpozjkxc/')]
[[Go back->Basement]] Congratulations, you have found a talisman!
See the knowledge which it unlocks here. This will open in a new tab.
(click: 'here')[(open-url: 'https://petebeat.net/sq-nip-falling-asdoiubb/')]
[[Go back->Basement]] Congratulations, you have found a talisman!
See the knowledge which it unlocks here. This will open in a new tab.
(click: 'here')[(open-url: 'https://petebeat.net/sq-nip-if-you-want-to-scream-weof22/')]
[[Go back->Basement]] Congratulations, you have found a talisman!
See the knowledge which it unlocks here. This will open in a new tab.
(click: 'here')[(open-url: 'https://petebeat.net/sq-nip-englands-rose-papownn/')]
[[Go back->Basement]] Congratulations, you have found a talisman!
See the knowledge which it unlocks here. This will open in a new tab.
(click: 'here')[(open-url: 'https://petebeat.net/sq-nip-nothing-is-perfect-20huhuxz/')]
[[Go back->Basement]] Congratulations, you have found a talisman!
See the knowledge which it unlocks here. This will open in a new tab.
(click: 'here')[(open-url: 'https://petebeat.net/sq-nip-nothing-aweidjf8/')]
[[Go back->Basement]] Congratulations, you have found a talisman!
See the knowledge which it unlocks here. This will open in a new tab.
(click: 'here')[(open-url: 'https://petebeat.net/sq-nip-jangling-abvcosai/')]
[[Go back->Basement]] <img src="https://petebeatstory-dev.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/Corridor.png" width="600px">
You're in the main corridor of the hospital ward.
A door to the north leads to the anteroom and isolation cell you first came from. There is a door to the [[Basement]]. To the east and west are several doors, leading to the [[Lounge->Lounge Complete]], [[Dining Area->Dining Area Complete]], or [[Room 1->Room 1 Complete]].
(click: "north")[The isolation cell rooms are locked.]
You can walk out of the [[exit->Exit]].<img src="https://petebeatstory-dev.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/LoungeDay.png" width="600px">
You are in a large, pleasantly decorated lounge. This is the ward day room.
[[Go back->Corridor 1 Complete]] to the corridor.<img src="https://petebeatstory-dev.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/DiningArea.png" width="600px">
You're in a dining area, with several tables arranged throughout the room. Someone has left a [[newspaper->a newspaper complete]] on the table.
[[Go back->Corridor 1 Complete]] to the corridor.<img src="https://petebeatstory-dev.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/BedroomDay.png" width="600px">
You're in the room which was yours until today. A standard hospital ward room.
[[Go back->Corridor 1 Complete]] to the corridor.**EVENING CHRONICLE**
**THE 'BIG SECRET' IS REVEALED**
The 'big secret' which has consumed the internet turned out to be a marketing campaign for the new TV reality talent show "Big Brother Is Watching You".
Pundits, speculators, experts, and the public at large have all expressed their disappointment at such a let-down. Everyone is annoyed they were taken in by such an obvious marketing plot.
It turns out the show is to be filmed on an industrial estate in Gateshead. Local residents have responded with apathy.
[[Go back->Dining Area Complete]].