Crumbs

(set: $hasName to false)(set: $supermarketVisited to false)(set: $helpedMan to false)(set: $supermarketClosed to false)(set: $hasName to false)You pour just the right amount of milk into the cup, swirling it around with your favourite teaspoon. There's nothing quite like a cup of tea to soothe your soul. But wait, what have you forgotten? [[A spoonful of sugar]] [[The biscuits]] [[A teensy dash of rum]]

You're not usually the type to put sugar in your tea, but desperate times... Hang on though, didn't you run out of sugar last week? Better put it on the shopping list. [[How about those biscuits then?->The biscuits]]

You open the cupboard and pull your biscuit tin down from the shelf. It's worryingly light. You prise open the lid and peer inside. Nothing. Nothing but crumbs anyway. [[Oh crumbs]]

Just to settle your nerves. You wouldn't normally put booze in your tea, but there's nothing normal about what's been going on recently. Oh bloody hell. There's no rum left. Oh well. [[Better make do with biscuits then->The biscuits]]

It's not been easy for anyone since the ties with the EU were finally cut, but you thought you were coping well. Business as usual and all that. Something about that empty biscuit tin taunts you though, mocking you for thinking you were OK. No. You will not give in to panic. You will go out there and find a packet of biscuits. Something fancy, like bourbon creams. Now, where are you most likely to find some? [[The supermarket round the corner]] [[The local school]] [[That food bank up the road]]

Yes, the supermarket. You might even pick up a tin of beans and sausages for your dinner while you're there. Full of confidence, you grab your shopping bag and leave the house, being sure to lock the door after you. Can't be too careful nowadays. [[You set off for the supermarket]]

Aha, good thinking! There's bound to be piles of biscuits in the staff room, and you can get Janet to let you in. She owes you one, after all. You'd better bring your shopping bag, just in case you find some other tasty treats to take home with you. After carefully locking your door, you walk to your front gate and look into the street. No-one around. [[You head towards the school]]

Didn't Janet once say something about there being a food bank next to the church? Maybe that's how the government is going to make sure everyone gets their food rations. Although they're not calling them rations, of course. Transition packs. //Strictly rationed// transition packs. [[You lock your front door behind you and start walking]]

As you walk, your confidence starts to fade. Last time you went to the supermarket, they had a lady at the front of the store checking people's shopping lists and telling them what to cross off. If you recall correctly, that day they'd run out of strawberry jam and toothbrushes. [[They'd better not have run out of biscuits]]

You're surprised there aren't more people around at this time of the day. The kids will be let out of school any minute, so you'd been expecting to take your life in your own hands trying to cross the road in front of the entrance. Last time you were here, you could barely see the school for the swarm of 4x4s parked on the double yellow lines outside. Not today. Has a spike in the price of fuel caused all the parents to suddenly become more environmentally conscious? [[You walk through the school entrance]]

Who do they think they're kidding, you wonder to yourself as you walk in the thin afternoon sunshine, keeping your head down just in case you meet anyone else along the way. You don't want any trouble. Just your biscuits. And a tin of beans and sausage if they can stretch to that. Oh, and some sugar too. You get lost in a fantasy shopping list of all the things you took for granted a few months ago. Belgian chocolate, Italian olive oil, fresh vine tomatoes from Spain... [[Come on, Christine. Snap out of it]]

Right. Better find Janet and see what she can offer. As you walk along the corridor, you glance into a classroom. The kids are still there, but there are only about a dozen of them, staring blankly at the teacher as he drones on about something or other. One of the kids suddenly turns his glazed eyes on you, and you hurry away. [["Christine, what are you doing here?"]]

The voice comes from behind you, shockingly close. You could have sworn you were alone in the corridor. You turn around, worried you look guilty. "Janet, there you are! I was just looking for you. Do you have a minute?" Janet looks uncertain. [["It's OK, Janet. I just want to have a little chat."]] [["You look worried, Janet. Is everything alright?"]] [["I won't keep you long, if that's what you're worried about."]]

Janet looks relieved. Did she think you were going to have it out with her, in front of everyone in the school? You'd like to think you're classier than that. "Oh, OK. What can I do for you?" "As you know, I have more spare time now that I'm only working on my novel. I thought I should put that time to good use and collect food for those in need at this difficult... time." Writing a novel clearly hasn't done much for your vocabulary just yet. [[Janet looks sceptical for a moment]]

Janet looks surprised at your concern. "I wouldn't say everything is alright, no, but it could be worse. I'm just surprised to see you here. It's been a few months and... Look, I'm really sorry for what I said last time we were together." She looks genuinely upset. "Oh that? Don't worry about it! I'd had way too much rosé and I think you'd put away a fair amount of Baileys. We were all talking rubbish that night." [[Janet smiles with relief]]

"N-no no, it's not that. It's just... you know." At least she has the good grace to look sheepish. And well she might. "Aren't you going to ask me how my novel is going?" you ask, brightly, not hesitating to stick the knife in. Janet takes the bait. "Oh, of course! How is it all going? Nearly done?" [[You plaster a pained expression onto your face]]

Business as usual. That's what they told you all. A couple of 'transition' months where we might all have to pull together and go without a few little luxuries until the trade deals were in place. But the deals never came. All you've seen on the news for the last few months is a bunch of politicians blaming each other and rushing to resign before leaving the country as swiftly as possible. [[Leaving behind only the very worst of them]]

That's why the stockpiled food is still sitting in a giant warehouse somewhere, instead of being doled out to the population. You wouldn't be surprised if there was no stockpile at all. Still, if anyone knows what's going on, it's the food bank volunteers. [[You walk past the church and into the community centre]]

It is packed out. Dozens of volunteers dash around among rows of shelves and fill bags with tins, packets and jars. A few dozen more people stand around waiting, while a few lucky ones sit on plastic chairs. (if: $supermarketClosed is true)[God knows what'll happen if everyone in the supermarket queue ends up coming here too.] You walk over to a lady sitting behind a table by the door. She looks up as you approach. (if: $hasName is true)[ [["Hello, love, how can we help you?"->Hello love 2]]](else:)[ [["Hello, love, how can we help you?"]] ]

You turn a corner and just manage to avoid tripping over a pile of rubbish. Plastic waste again. Since the exports stopped, plastic has been piling up all over the place, waiting to be collected. So much for recycling. Well before you get to the supermarket entrance, you find yourself at the end of a snaking queue. You can just about see the front. There must be a hundred grumpy people ahead of you. [[Join the queue]] [[Go to the school]] [[Go to the food bank]]

Oh well. Might as well wait and see if you can get in. Your stomach rumbles and you try to distract yourself by listening to the chatter around you. Ah, no-one does a disgruntled queue quite like the Brits. "I 'eard they ain't even lookin' at our lists now. Just askin' what fings we need most, and lettin' us in if they 'ave 'em." The old lady in front of you looks scandalised, gripping a scrap of paper in her hand. A younger man joins the queue behind you. He looks cross about something. Probably about the long wait. [[Talk to the old lady]] [[Talk to the young man]]

(set: $supermarketVisited to true)Sod this for a game of soldiers. There's no way you're going to spend the rest of the afternoon queuing up just for a bit of food. There's bound to be piles of biscuits in the staff room, and you can get Janet to let you in. She owes you one, after all. [[You head towards the school]]

Didn't Janet once say something about there being a food bank next to the church? Maybe that's how the government is going to make sure everyone gets their food rations. Although they're not calling them rations, of course. Transition packs. //Strictly rationed// transition packs. [[You turn and head towards the food bank->You lock your front door behind you and start walking]]

"How long have you been here then?", you ask the old lady, while taking a furtive look at her shopping list. Tights, cat food, sardines. Bless her. She's probably old enough to remember rationing last time around. She turns to look at you. "Oh, I only just got 'ere. But my friend Enid is up near the front, an' she's been 'ere for two hours. 'Er feet are killin' 'er." [["Bloody hell. It's much worse than last week then."]]

You turn to the young man. He must be, what, early 20s? Younger than you anyway. Too young to look so depressed, that's for sure. "Are you alright?" You hope you come across as concerned rather than nosy. He stares hard at you for a moment. "No, mate, I'm not alright. Did you not see what happened?" [["No, sorry, I only just got here. What did I miss?"]]

"It's bleedin' terrible, is what it is. I was up Boots just now, an' they're sellin' paracetamol one tablet at a time! Can you believe it?" "No! Really? That's ridiculous. How much are they selling those for?" "A pound a go. The bloody cheek." [[You're glad you have a good stash of painkillers back home]]

You've usually got a packet of paracetamol in your bag. Better keep hold of that then. The chatter levels in the queue suddenly spill over into a rumbling of curiosity as a couple of security guards start moving people away from the supermarket entrance. A man halfway up the queue shouts "Oi, what's going on?" [[Looks like they're shutting up shop]]

The old lady doesn't seem that surprised. "Right, I'm off before this gets nasty. I don't like the look of some of them blokes up there." She shoots a dirty look at the young man, but thankfully his attention is elsewhere. She grabs her battered tartan shopping trolley and walks away at an impressive speed for someone in her eighties. You watch her go, and then turn back to the young man. [[He's gone]]

He spits on the ground near his feet. "I was right up at the front, with my list, right? I was going to take some shopping round to my mum, cheer her up a bit. But oh no, the bloke behind me decided I'd pushed into the queue. But I never!" You wonder for a moment if perhaps he did jump the queue. You wouldn't be brave enough to speak up if it happened in front of you, would you? You'd just keep your head down, like always. [["Oh no, that sounds terrible. Didn't they believe you?"]]

"Would you believe me?" "I, er, of course I would. Why would you lie?" "More like why would that bloke lie? I reckon he saw my list and thought I would get the last packet of carrots before he did or something. Greedy bastard. So I get shown to the back of the queue." [["I'm sorry you went through that. Do you want to go in front of me?"]] [["That's rubbish. I hope the queue will move quickly for us."]]

(set: $helpedMan to true)He looks at you with surprise. "Eh? Well, yes, I would appreciate that. Thanks." He steps between you and the old woman, who doesn't look too pleased with the change of queuing partner. The chatter levels in the queue suddenly spill over into a rumbling of curiosity as a couple of security guards start moving people away from the supermarket entrance. A man halfway up the queue shouts "Oi, what's going on?" [[Looks like they're shutting up shop]]

He shrugs his shoulders and looks away. The chatter levels in the queue suddenly spill over into a rumbling of curiosity as a couple of security guards start moving people away from the supermarket entrance. A man halfway up the queue shouts "Oi, what's going on?" [[Looks like they're shutting up shop]]

"Well, to be honest, Janet, it's not going well. What you said to me at my leaving drinks..." You pause, giving her a chance to remember her words. "It really shook my confidence. I've hardly been able to write at all." You look deep into Janet's eyes. Can you force a tear out? Hmm, not right now. Must be too hungry. Janet shifts her weight from one foot to the other and looks down at the ground. [["Oh Christine, I'm so sorry."]]

"No, don't apologise! I'm sure you were right. It was foolish of me to throw away a nice teaching job, thinking I could make it as a writer. But I had to try." "Don't be like that, please. You know I was tipsy. What do I know about writing? I'm a receptionist, Christine, not a literary critic. Come on, how can I make it up to you?" You do your best to smile sweetly. [["Well, Janet, I have a favour to ask."]]

"What is it? I'm sure I can help." "I was hoping to do some writing today. Attempt to write, anyway." Janet winces. "But I can't write at all without a nice cup of tea and a biscuit. The thing is, I'm all out of biscuits. (if: $supermarketVisited is true)[I tried the supermarket, but the queue was half a mile long.] Can you help me out? I thought there might be a spare packet in the staff room." "I'm afraid it's a few weeks since there were any biscuits in the staff room, but I've been bringing some in from home." She rummages in her handbag. "Look, take these. I was meaning to share them with the teachers tomorrow, but it sounds like you need them more. I really want to read that novel one day!" [[She almost sounds convincing]]

"Aww, thank you, Janet. That's really sweet of you. What I lack in skill, I'll make up for in enthusiasm once I have a couple of these in my system. I'd better dash, if I'm going to get anything done today. Bye!" You take the biscuits from Janet and turn on your heel, eager to leave before she finally picks up on your sarcasm. "Er...Bye Christine!" Out in the car park, you stash the precious biscuits in your shopping bag. Your stomach rumbles noisily. Do you have enough food for now? (if: $supermarketVisited is true)[ [[Go home]] [[Go to the food bank]]](else:)[ [[Go home]] [[Go to the supermarket]] [[Go to the food bank]]]

You hurry home, shooting glances over your shoulder. Why so paranoid all of a sudden? No-one's going to mug you for a few custard creams. Bourbons, however, now that would be understandable. At your front door, you fumble with the key and rush inside, bolting the door shut behind you. [[Right, better put the kettle on]]

Last time you went to the supermarket, they had a lady at the front of the store checking people's shopping lists and telling them what to cross off. If you recall correctly, that day they'd run out of strawberry jam and toothbrushes. [[They'd better not have run out of biscuits->They'd better not have run out of biscuits 2]]

"Oh, that's sweet of you Christine. You know I don't really think you should have stuck to teaching English. I think it's brave of you to follow your dreams. How is it going?" "You know, not too bad. Although I am finding it hard to concentrate recently. How can I write a novel if I'm distracted by my tummy rumbling? I actually came here to ask you a favour." [["What do you need? I'll try my best to help."]]

You take a deep breath. Time to be honest. "The truth is, I'm starting to run low on food at home, and I don't think my savings are going to go far if prices keep skyrocketing. Do you... Are there any spare biscuits in the staff room? I'll replace them as soon as I can!" Janet looks at you sadly. "Oh Christine, I had no idea it was so tight for you. But of course it is, now there's no salary coming in. I'm afraid the staff room is pretty bare right now." [["Oh, OK. That's alright. I'll try my luck somewhere else."]]

You turn to leave, walking back down the corridor. "Christine, wait!" Janet hurries after you. "Look, I don't want to offend you. I know you're a person with high standards and you wouldn't have come to me if you weren't... well... desperate. A friend of mine, Mika, she volunteers at the food bank next to St Mary's church. If you go and tell her that I'll vouch for you, I'm sure she can sort you out with some food to tide you over." You try to play it cool, but fail. "Really? That would be wonderful! Once all this madness is over, I'll do whatever I can to repay them. Thank you." [["Take care, Christine."]]

(set: $hasName to true)"Thank you, Janet. You too." You walk out into the car park. You really hope that food bank has bourbon creams. But... are you really that desperate? You still have your pride. (if: $supermarketVisited is true)[ [[Try the food bank->Come on, Christine. Snap out of it]]](else:)[ [[Go to the food bank->Come on, Christine. Snap out of it]] [[Try the supermarket instead->Go to the supermarket]] ]

"You're collecting food? By yourself, or...?" "Yes, just me. I thought I could gather enough to take round to the thingamagig-wotsit... the food bank. Save them the hassle. Those volunteers are busy enough, bless them." "The food bank at St Mary's? Well, I'm sure they will be glad of the help. Have you spoken to them about your collection?" [[You'd forgotten how nosy receptionists can be]]

"Well, I thought about it, but then I thought, why not just turn up with it? A fait accompli, as it were. A bit of a surprise. Can the school help out?" Janet looks at you for a moment. You hope she'll buy your transformation from stressed-out teacher to kindly do-gooder. Finally, she opens her handbag. "Look, Christine. The fact is, the school has nothing to spare and we're barely coping from meal to meal as it is. Half the kids have stopped coming because their parents are too ashamed of sending them in hungry. But here, take these." [[Janet pushes a packet of custard creams into your hand]]

The thought of hungry kids sitting at home instead of getting an education throws you for a minute. But then a grumble from your stomach refocuses your attention. "Oh Janet, how kind! I'm sure the food bank will be very grateful. And I really hope that this mess gets sorted out very soon. Perhaps we can meet for a cup of tea then." "Yes, that would be lovely. When you get to the food bank, ask for Mika. She's a friend and one of the volunteers. Maybe they could do with your help full time?" [["Er, sure, anything to help those less fortunate. Bye, Janet!"]]

(set: $hasName to true)Bloody hell. You bet Janet will be checking with Mika to see if you showed up. As you make your way out of the school again, you look down at the biscuits in your hand, before shoving them into your shopping bag. Custard creams. Not exactly your favourite, but they'll have to do. If Janet bought your story, maybe the volunteers will be gullible too. You could always go tomorrow, of course. [[Go home]] [[Go to the food bank->Come on, Christine. Snap out of it]]

A few minutes later, you're sat in your comfy chair, a steaming cup of tea in your hand and a little plate of biscuits in your lap. But where's that feeling of satisfaction and comfort you were hoping for? The image of Janet's sad eyes starts to haunt you. Have you burned that bridge? You really couldn't afford to lose another ally. What will you do for food tomorrow? You finish the tea in gloomy silence and spend the rest of the evening staring at the crumbs on your plate. [[THE END->Ending - home from school]]

Well, you got the biscuits, but that won't keep Christine satisfied for long. [[Play again to see if you can bring home a bigger stash.->Start]]

As the light of day starts to fade, you turn a corner and stumble over a pile of rubbish. Plastic waste again. Since the exports stopped, plastic has been piling up all over the place, waiting to be collected. So much for recycling. You look around, hoping no-one witnessed your clumsiness. Up ahead of you, you can see the supermarket. Why is the sign not lit up? Has there been a power cut? As you get closer, you see that the shutters are down, covering the windows and entrance in a hostile metal shell. [[They're bloody well closed]]

A couple of security guards are standing by one of the shutters, grumbling about some very fresh-looking graffiti. 'FEED ME', in angry red letters sprawls across the metal. Best not hang around here then. There's only one thing for it. [[Go to the food bank]]

(set: $supermarketClosed to true)But he's not gone far. There he is, getting right up in the face of one of the security guards. Another man steps out of the quickly dissolving queue and throws an empty glass bottle at the shutters as they close over the entrance. Where did he get the bottle from, you wonder. The sound of a police siren cuts through the crowd. Definitely time to scarper. [[Go to the school->Go to the school 2]] [[Go to the food bank]]

There's bound to be piles of biscuits in the staff room, and you can get Janet to let you in. She owes you one, after all. But look at the time! You rush through the streets. They aren't so quiet any more, but you seem to be the only one in a hurry as people stand chatting with friends or staring at their phones. Probably hoping to hear some good news. There are no cars parked outside the school when you arrive, but that's no big surprise at this hour. [[You walk up to the entrance]]

You can't see any light shining through the glass doors, and as you get closer you can see the padlocked chain around the door handles. You're not getting in today. If only you still had your key. Plan B then. Or is it Plan C? You're getting too hungry to remember. [[Go to the food bank]]

You try and return her kind smile with one of your own, but it feels a little forced. Should you really be here? "I...er...I wondered if there was any spare food?" Shame paints a red glow onto your face. "I don't have much money, you see, and, well..." The woman stands up and walks round the desk towards you. "Hey now, it's alright, love. Come here." [[She wraps you in a tight hug]]

God, what must she think of you? Do you really look like someone living on the bread line? But come to think of it, when was the last time you looked at your bank balance without having to have a stiff drink afterwards? No wonder the rum is gone. You step away from the woman as politely as you can manage. "Thank you, you're very kind." You look around at the people around you. So many people. [["So, can you help me?"]]

"Well, to be honest, it's not looking great for today. There are about fifty people already waiting, and it's going to take a while to take care of them." You try to smile bravely. She's not buying it. "Look, tell you what. Keeping busy can help take your mind off things, and we could really do with a hand. Why don't you help out? If there's anything left at the end of the day, we'll share it out between us volunteers." [[Agree to volunteer]] [[Decline her offer]]

The idea of taking your mind off your own hunger by giving out food to others seems a little counterintuitive to you, but you're willing to try anything if there's a chance of a few biscuits at the end of it. "OK, I would like to help out then. What do you need me to do?" The woman's smile grows. "Oh brilliant, thank you. If you go and stand behind one of the tables by the shelves, I'll send people over to you with a list. You just pop the things they need in a bag." [[Seems simple enough]]

The promise of food at the end of the day is tempting, but you're not sure you can wait that long. "Oh, well of course I would love to help, but I have a... thing later, so..." You trail off, lamely. "Alright then, love. Come back tomorrow then, but bright and early if you want a good chance of getting something." [[You nod and move away from the desk]]

You try and return her kind smile with one of your own, but it feels a little forced. Should you really be here? "Er, hi, you wouldn't happen to be Mika, would you?" The woman looks surprised, but keeps on smiling. "That's right, how did you know?" "I'm... friends with Janet Stevens. She said you might be able to help." [[Mika gives you a look of concern]]

A few moments later you're surrounded by the crowds of people milling around. The volunteers are busy with their tasks, and everyone else seems consumed by their own worries. A thought starts to form in your mind as you stare at the quickly emptying shelves. [[A terrible thought]]

On the shelf closest to you, about seven feet away, you can see them. The biscuits. Bourbon creams, Jammie Dodgers, ginger nuts. Could they, would they...notice? Your rumbling stomach compells you to edge closer to the table that stands between you and the shelves. You wait for your moment, when the closest volunteer disappears down the next row. [[Now]]

You hurry to squeeze round the table and make a grab for the biscuits. One packet is enough, but two is better. You shove them into your shopping bag and are back on the other side of the table within a few seconds. You can't help but look nervously around you. Did anyone see? You don't think so. Still, might be smart to make a move. [[You try to look casual as you leave]]

Out in the street, it takes all your willpower not to break into a run. Your shopping bag feels suddenly heavy, dragging at your shoulder and bumping your hip as you hurry home. More than once you turn around quickly, certain you could hear footsteps behind you. But no-one is there. No-one interested in you, at least. [[Finally, you rush through your front door]]

Slamming it shut behind you and scrambling with the bolts, you don't relax until you've drawn all the curtains and put the kettle onto boil. How did it get so late? A few minutes later, you're sat in your comfy chair, a steaming cup of tea in your hand and a little plate of biscuits in your lap. You bite into a bourbon cream, but it tastes like dust in your mouth. A loud banging on your door almost sends the plate careening onto the floor. [[Knock, knock, Christine]]

You sit there, frozen in your chair as the banging continues. Did someone see you take the biscuits? Did they follow you home? No, come on, you're being paranoid. It could be someone who needs help. Still, as you get up and walk towards the door, you pick up the poker from beside the fireplace and grip it tightly behind your back. "Coming!" [[THE END->Ending - stole biscuits]]

Well, that was pretty desperate. She got the biscuits, but at what cost? [[Play again to see if you can give Christine a happier ending->Start]]

"I think I can manage that. I'm Christine, by the way." "Nice to meet you Christine. My name's Mika. Just give me a shout if you need a hand with anything." "Will do, Mika." You wander over to an empty table in the middle of the room. It's not long before you have your first customer. [[She looks tired]]

You spend the next hour contentedly gathering stacks of baked beans, toothpaste and loo roll, packing them into tough fabric bags and handing them over. Some people look so grateful they are close to tears, while others stare through you with cold eyes. You try your best not to judge. God knows what they've been through to get to this point. Your next customer is a young man in a denim jacket. (if: $helpedMan is true)[He looks familiar.] [["Hello, can you pass me your list and I'll sort you out?"]]

He hands you the list and then stares at you for a moment. (if: $helpedMan is true)["Here, don't I know you? Yeah, you let me go in front of you in the queue." You blush, but you're not sure why. "Yes, that was me. Didn't make much of a difference though, did it?" He chuckles. He's a lot less scary-looking when he smiles, you think. [["You're not wrong."]]](else:)[You dash off with the list, eager to get away from his serious expression. It's not a long list. You gather up the items and bring them back to the table. [["I think this is everything."]] ]

You walk over to the shelves and start collecting the items on his list. Didn't he say he was shopping for his mum earlier? That's quite sweet. You throw a couple of extra tins of soup into the bag before taking it over to him. "Here you go. I think that's the lot." He smiles again. As he goes to pick up the bag, he leans in close to you. "Speaking of making a difference, we're planning a big protest tomorrow, outside the town hall. Do you want to come along?" [[He smells nicer than you expected]]

It doesn't take long to fill the bag. "Look, are you sure this is enough for a strong young man like yourself?" You wince a little - you sound like a nosy old lady. You're not even thirty yet! He looks surprised, and then laughs. He looks even younger when he smiles. "Actually, this stuff is for my mum. She needs it more than I do." [[How sweet!]]

Don't get distracted, Christine! You think for a moment. A protest. Could it really change anything? It would definitely be more effective than doing nothing at all, of course. "Erm... Yeah, I would like that." "Great. We'll meet here tomorrow morning at nine. Look, you seem just as peckish as everyone else round here." He reaches into the bag and hands you something. [[A packet of bourbon creams]]

"Aww, thank you." You try not to show just how touched you are by the gesture. "Right then, see you tomorrow, I suppose. I hope you and your mum have enough here to see you through." He stands back from the table and lifts his chin. "Don't worry, we'll soon get things back to normal. See you around." You watch him leave, as a little bit of hope warms your aching stomach. [[THE END->Ending - helped man]]

Well done! There's nothing as nourishing as a bit of hope... Thank you for playing. [[Play again->Start]]

"Hang on a sec". You dash back to the shelves. A few seconds later, you put an extra packet of biscuits into his bag. "For your mum", you say. "Those are her favourites. Thank you." He smiles at you before picking up the bag and walking away. What a nice bloke. [[Shame he had to leave though]]

Well of course he had to leave. This isn't a dating agency, Christine. You spend the rest of the evening busily helping as many people as you can, until Mika finally calls it a day. You and the other volunteers share the remaining fresh food between you. You walk home with a loaf of bread and some carrots in your shopping bag. Not quite biscuits, but sustenance nonetheless. Maybe you'll go and help again tomorrow. [[THE END->Ending - volunteer again]]

Well done! Christine clearly needed a distraction. Thank you for playing. [[Play again to see if she can bring home some biscuits too ->Start]]

God, what must she think of you? Do you really look like someone living on the bread line? But come to think of it, when was the last time you looked at your bank balance without having to have a stiff drink afterwards? No wonder the rum is gone. "Ah yes, don't you worry, love. Janet would only send you to me if you really needed a helping hand. Give me a minute." Mika wanders off, returning a couple of minutes later with a bag filled to the top with supplies. [[It's a beautiful sight]]

You can feel tears starting to well up. Come on, Christine, how did you get into such a state? "Er, wow, thank you, Mika" "You're very welcome. Now you get along home and stay warm. And tell Janet I said hello. Do pop back if you need anything again. We're always looking for volunteers, you know?" "I'll have to have think about that. Bye!" [[You dash off through the crowd]]

Half an hour later, you're sat at home with a steaming cup of tea in your hand and a plate full of goodies in front of you. You're annoyed at yourself for being disappointed when there were no biscuits in the bag. How ungrateful. You'd better go and help out soon, if you don't want to waste away from the guilt. [[THE END->Ending - food from Mika]]

Well, Christine won't be starving any time soon. Hopefully she'll do the right thing and help others too. [[Play again to see if she can be a teensy bit less selfish->Start]]

{  (set: $hasName to false) (set: $supermarketVisited to false) (set: $helpedMan to false) (set: $supermarketClosed to false) (set: $hasName to false) }