Hotel Conversations

You find yourself [talking]<talk| to a [gnaw]<gnaw|. { (click: ?gnaw)[ The gnaw occupies the (if: $seat contains "space")[(link-repeat: "[(print: $seat's 1st)]<a4|")[(replace: ?a4)[(set: $seat to (rotated: 1, ...$seat))(print: $seat's 1st)]]]<seat|(else:)[$seat] opposite you. The carriage unperturbed by its presence. ] (click: ?talk)[ (set: $seat to $seat's 1st) (replace: ?seat)[$seat] “The story's not going to write itself,” it said. [“No, it isn’t.” ]<a1| ] (click: ?a1)[ “When are you going to write it?” “[(link-repeat: "[(print: $inspiration's 1st)]<a2|")[(replace: ?a2)[(set: $inspiration to (rotated: 1, ...$inspiration))(print: $inspiration's 1st)]]<inspiration|”, you [reply]<reply|. ]] (click: ?reply)[ (set: $inspiration to $inspiration's 1st) (replace: ?inspiration)[$inspiration] “It will come sooner than you think,” the gnaw said, after a while. “Look, you’ve reached the [hotel]<hotel|.” (click:?hotel)[“Remind me, what was the name of the hotel?” “It doesn’t matter. There are more important things,” the gnaw says. ] |choice>[(align:"=><=")[ [“Will we meet again?”]<a3| [[“Goodbye.”->act2]] ] ]] (click: ?a3)[ (replace: ?choice)[“Will we meet again?”, you ask. ] “In due time, if our waters meet.” the gnaw said. [[So you get off the train.->act2]] (set: $time to 18) ] }

The Hotel. You [check in]<check|. (click: ?check)[(link-repeat: "[(print: $initmood's 1st)]<a4|")[(replace: ?a4)[(set: $initmood to (rotated: 1, ...$initmood))(print: $initmood's 1st)]], [[you fall into the bed->act3]].(set: $time to 0)]

(if:$day is 1)[You wake up, untangling yourself from the sheets. You had slept well.](else-if: $day is 2)[You wake up, confused. You don’t remember getting into bed. You untangle yourself from the sheets and get up.](else-if: $day is 3)[You wake up. You check your phone. The day repeated itself again. You get up.](else:)[You wake up.] (align:"=><=")[[[Head to the Lounge->lounge]]] (set: $countdown to true)

{ (set: $day to 1) (set: $time to 1) (set: $due to 8) (set: $countdown to false) (set: $know to (a: "start" )) (set: $inspiration to (a: "When the water turns clear", "When the knife bleeds", "When lightning strikes", "When the moth flies", )) (set: $seat to (a: "seat", "colour", "moment", "shadow", "space", )) (set: $initmood to (a: "Exhausted", "Colourless", "Warring", "Subfusc", "Winded", )) (set: $delilah to "the lady") (set: $arthur to "the man") (set: $law to "the young man") (set: $dd to "the two ladies") (set: $remona to "the lady") (set: $dtalked to false) (set: $atalked to false) (set: $ltalked to false) (set: $ddtalked to false) (set: $btalked to false) (set: $rtalked to false) (set: $letterread to false) (set:$ddangered to false) (set: $ddrose to false) (set: $delrose to false) (set: $artrose to false) (set: $delcount to 0) (set: $writeprogress to 0) (set: $badloop to 0) }

{ (print: "<script>$('html').removeClass(\)</script>") (if: (passage:)'s tags's length > 0)[ (print: "<script>$('html').addClass('" + (passage:)'s tags.join(' ') + "'\)</script>") ] }

(if: $day is 1)[The lounge. There are a few [guests]<g|, each occupied with their business. (click: ?g)[At the couch, (if:$delrose is false)[(if:$delilah is "Delilah")[$delilah](else:)[a lady], scribbling on a notebook, and ](if:$law is "Law")[$law](else:)[a young man], reading a newspaper.(if:$artrose is false)[ At the desk, (if:$arthur is "Arthur")[$arthur](else:)[a man] surrounded by books.]]](else:)[The lounge. The same [people]<p|. (click: g)[At the couch, (if:$delrose is false)[$delilah scribbling on her notebook about the case. ]$law, reading the same newspaper.(if:$artrose is false)[ $arthur, at the desk, researching his book.]]] {(align:"=><=")[ (if: not $dtalked and not $delrose)[[[Approach $delilah->delilah-init]] ] (if: not $atalked and not $artrose)[[[Approach $arthur->arthur-init]] ] (if: not $ltalked)[[[Approach $law->law-init]] ] (if:$know contains "letter" and not $letterread)[[[Read letter->letter-explode]] ] [[Approach the concierge->concierge]] (if: not $btalked)[[[Write your book->write-book]] ] [[Enter the hallway->hallway-gv]] [[Go back to room->go-bedroom]] ]}

{(if:$know contains "eyes")[(if:$delcount > 3)[(go-to:"del-knows")]]}She [looks]<l| at you as you take the seat beside her.(click: ?l)[ Her [eyes]<e| catch you, one of them is brown, the other is green.] {(align:"=><=")[ “[[What's your name->del-name]]?” “[[What brings you here->del-here]]?” (click: ?e)[“[[Your eyes, are they->del-eyes]]?” ] (if:$know contains "roseroom")[[[“I had a dream->del-rose]].” ] (if:$know contains "frame")[“[[I found something->del-scorched]].” ] (if:$know contains "book")[[[Give Delilah the book->del-book]] ] (if:$know contains "snapdragon")[“[[I found something->del-snapdragon]].” ] ]} (set: $delcount to $delcount + 1)

He looks at you, then goes back to his paper. {(align:"=><=")[ “[[What’s on the news->law-news]]?” “[[What brings you here->law-trip]]?” ]}

{(if: $time is 0)[19th October 9:00AM] (else-if: $time is 0.5)[19th October 9:15AM] (else-if: $time is 1)[19th October 9:30AM] (else-if: $time is 1.5)[19th October 9:45AM] (else-if: $time is 2)[19th October 10:00AM] (else-if: $time is 2.5)[19th October 10:15AM] (else-if: $time is 3)[19th October 10:30AM] (else-if: $time is 3.5)[19th October 10:45AM] (else-if: $time is 4)[19th October 11:00AM] (else-if: $time is 4.5)[19th October 11:15AM] (else-if: $time is 5)[19th October 11:30AM] (else-if: $time is 5.5)[19th October 11:45AM] (else-if: $time is 6)[19th October 12:00PM] (else-if: $time is 6.5)[19th October 12:15AM] (else-if: $time is 7)[19th October 12:30PM] (else-if: $time is 7.5)[19th October 12:45PM] (else-if: $time is 8)[19th October 13:00PM] (else-if: $time is 16)[18th October 21:30PM] (else-if: $time is 18)[18th October 22:00PM] (else-if: $time is 20)[18th October 23:00PM] (else-if: $time is 100)[20th October 9:00AM]}

“What's your name?” you ask. “Delilah. Nice to [meet]<m| you.” (click: ?m)[“Would you like to help me with something?” (align:"=><=")[{ “[[Let me hear it->del-case]].” “[[Not really->delilah-reject]].” }] ]

“What brings you to this hotel?” you ask. “I’m on a [case]<c|,” she says. (align:"=><=")[(click:?c)[{ “[[You’re the police->del-police]]?” “[[What’s the case->del-case]]?” “[[Then I shouldn’t busy you->del-busy]].” }]]

“Your eyes, are they?”(set: $eyes to (a:"fascinating","creepy","wonderful","mysterious")) “Yeah, all natural.” “I think they’re [(link-repeat: "[(print: $eyes's 1st)]<a4|")[(replace: ?a4)[(set: $eyes to (rotated: 1, ...$eyes))(print: $eyes's 1st)]]]<e|,” you [say]<s|. (click: ?s)[(replace: ?e)[(print: $eyes's 1st)]She laughs. “They’re a [blessing]<b| to this job.” (click: ?b)[“People tend to fixate on them, and I get to use their distraction to my advantage,” she smiles. (if: not ($know contains "case"))[“Tell me, would you like to help me on this case?” (align:"=><=")[{ “[[You’re the police->del-police]]?” “[[What’s the case->del-case]]?” “[[Not really->delilah-reject]].” }] ]]] (put: (a:"eyes") + $know into $know)

“Fair enough, I’ll see you [[tomorrow->del-talked]].”

You approach the concierge. (if:$know contains "news" )[(if: not($know contains "letter"))[He sees you coming and gives a slight bow. “I have a letter for you.” He hands you a [beige envelope]<e|.(put: (a:"letter") + $know into $know){(click:?e)[ It is addressed to you, written on it, in spiderly black ink, are the words ‘To be read in private’.]} You take it.](else:)[He smiles and gives a slight bow, “How may I be of help?”]](set: $time to $time + 1) {(align:"=><=")[ [[Ask for directions to the banquet->banquet-directions]] (if:$know contains "roseroom")[[[Ask about the Rose Room->rose-room-directions]] ] (if:$know contains "chapel")[[[Ask about the Chapel->chapel-directions]] ] (if:$know contains "letter")[[[Who sent the letter?->letter-who]] ] [[I’m good.->lounge]] ]}

{ (set: $dtalked to false) (set: $atalked to false) (set: $ltalked to false) (set:$ddangered to false) (if: $delrose and $artrose)[(put: (a:"rose ending") + $know into $know)] (set: $time to 0) (set: $due to $due - 2) (go-to: "act3") }

{(if: $countdown)[ (if: $due <= 0)[(set: $countdown to false)(go-to:"preloop-ending")] (else-if: $time >= $due)[ (set: $countdown to false) (go-to: "death")] ]}

And you fall. Everything turns dark. And the clock [[turns->reset-day]].

“You’re the police?” you ask. She laughs. “Close,” she says. “I’m a [journalist]<j|.” (click:?j)[“Is this what journalists do these days?” “Hardly, but I’m doing it at a [request]<r|.” (click:?r)[“A request from who?” “Someone close, but I don’t discuss my partners.” “Of course.” ]] (align:"=><=")[“[[Tell me about the case->del-case]].”]

She flips her notebook a few pages to show you a [photograph]<p|.{(click:?p)[ It’s an oil painting, a portrait of a [lady]<l| holding a bunch of [flowers]<b|. (click:?b)[ Snapdragons, in red, white, and yellow.] (click:?l)[ She is pale, but washed in muted [red and orange]<r|(click:?r)[, as if before a flame]. Her expression, in a space between peace and satisfaction.] The background is an ambient swirl of brown and darkness.]} “[‘Girl by Fire’]<tc|,” she explains.(click:?tc)[ “An oil painting by the late Rudie Li.”] “It’s [gone missing]<gm| and I’ve been asked to retrieve it.” (align:"=><=")[{ “[[Why the hotel->del-hotel]]?” “[[Let me help you->delilah-accept]].” }] (put: (a:"case") + $know into $know)

“Then I shouldn’t busy you.” you say. “Wait, I could use your help.” (align:"=><=")[{ “[[Okay, let me hear it.->del-case]].” “[[I don’t see how I can help.->delilah-reject]].” }]

“My [intuition]<i|.” (click: ?i)[“It rarely fails me.” “And it’s telling me that you’re [a part]<p| of it somehow.” (click: ?p)[“How can I help?” “Just ask around, ask questions, [[do what you came here to do.->del-talked]]”] “Come back when you’ve found something. If you don’t see me, ask for Delilah.”(set: $delilah to "Delilah")]

“Let me help you.” “I knew you would.” she smiles. “I’m Delilah, if we haven’t met.”(set: $delilah to "Delilah") “How can I help?” “Just ask around, ask questions, [[do what you came here to do->del-talked]].”

(set: $dtalked to true) (set: $time to $time + 1) (go-to: "lounge")

“What’s all these books for?” you ask. “It’s for the book I’m writing.” (align:"=><=")[{ “[[You’re a writer?->art-writer]].” “[[What’s the book about?->art-research]].” }]

“Writing helps string my thoughts [together]<t|.” (click:?t)[“It especially helps when the idea in particular is like a web, floating and out of [focus]<f|.”] (click:?f)[“Writing forces me to transform the idea into a linear thought, something more digestible and [understandable]<u|.”] (click:?u)[“If the path before you is unclear, try [[writing it out->art-talked]].”] (put: (a:"write") + $know into $know)

“It’s a theory on [dreams]<d|.” (click:?d)[“I’m proposing that dreams are more than just confabulations.” “Of course, people have been arguing that for [centuries]<c|.” (click:?c)[“But here, I’m trying to tie in all the theories into a uniform theory of [dreams]<q|.” (if: $arthur is not "Arthur")[“I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Arthur.”(set: $arthur to "Arthur")]] (align:"=><=")[(click:?q)[{ “[[What do you think dreams are for->art-dreams]]?” “[[Why are you writing if the theory isn’t complete->art-writing]]?” }]] ]

“I believe dreams are a manifestation of [guidance]<g|.” (click:?g)[“The guidance may be spiritual, or operating at a subconscious level.” “It might even be the voice of your [soul]<s|.”] (click:?s)[“If you’re looking for something, a dream might help.” “There’s a reason for the adage ‘[[sleep on it->art-talked]]’.”] (put: (a:"dreams") + $know into $know)

“I’m a [professor]<p| from KNU. (if:$arthur is not "Arthur")[You can call me Arthur.]” (click:?p)[“I came here for a change in environment.” “It helps when I’m starting a new book.” (align:"=><=")[{ “[[What’s the book about->art-research]]?” }] ]

(set: $atalked to true) (set: $time to $time + 1) (go-to: "lounge")

{(if:$writeprogress is 0)[(set: $progress to "start penning down a few ideas. You manage to scratch out [[two chapters->book-written]].")] (else-if:$writeprogress is 1)[(set: $progress to "continue the next chapter. The ideas flow like ink and you feel a clarity rising. You are close. Time is in your [[hands->book-written]].")] (else-if:$writeprogress is 2)[(set: $progress to "again, the ideas pour. Four chapters grow to six, to eight, to ten. You don’t stop and the ink runs [[heavy->complete-book]].")] (if:$know contains "write" and $know contains "case")[ (set: $time to $time + 4) (set: $writeprogress to $writeprogress + 1) You sit down and $progress ](else:)[ (set: $time to $time + 2) You sit down and try to pen your thoughts into a new book. But your mind is [[blank->lounge]]. ]}

You leave the lounge and enter into a hallway. The hallway splits off into three hallways. There is a golden vase against the wall. (align:"=><=")[{ [[Go to the hallway with the green couch->hallway-gc]] [[Go to the hallway with the chandelier->hallway-chandelier]] [[Go to the hallway with the marble statue->hallway-ms]] [[Go back to the lounge->lounge]] }] (set: $time to it + 0.5)

The hallway looks exactly like the previous one, except for the green couch at the end. (align:"=><=")[{ [[Go back->hallway-gv]] }]

There is a chandelier of glass hanging above. (align:"=><=")[{ [[Go to the hallway with the green vase->hallway-gv]] [[Go to the hallway with the white vase->hallway-wv]] [[Go to the hallway with the red statue->hallway-rs]] }]

In the middle of this hallway is a headless marble statue. (align:"=><=")[{ [[Go to the hallway with the red door->banquet]] [[Go to the hallway with the white vase->hallway-wv]] [[Go to the hallway with the yellow painting->hallway-yp]] [[Go to the hallway with the golden vase->hallway-gv]] }]

A huge painting of sunflowers hangs in this hallway. (align:"=><=")[{ [[Go to the hallway with the red painting->hallway-rp]] [[Go to the hallway with the purple door->emptyroom]] [[Go to the hallway with the marble statue->hallway-ms]] }] (set: $time to it + 0.5)

(if:$time > 4)[(go-to:"banquet-closed")](else:)[The Banquet Room. Only two tables are taken. (if:$remona is "Remona")[$remona](else:)[a lady], having breakfast on her own(if:$ddangered is false and $ddrose is false)[, and (if:$dd is "Dottie and Dillie")[$dd](else:)[two elderly [ladies]<l|], making small talk with each other.(click:?l)[ They look alike, sisters, or twins.](if: $ddrose is true)[. $dd are not here.]] {(align:"=><=")[ (if: not $ddtalked and not $ddangered)[[[Approach $dd->dd-init]] ] (if: not $rtalked)[[[Approach $remona->rem-init]] ] [[Leave the banquet room->hallway-ms]] ]} ]

You find your way to the banquet room. But it is closed. A sign reads: (align:"=><=")[ Opening Hours 8AM to 11AM 1PM to 3PM 5PM to 10PM ](align:"=><=")[ [[Go back->hallway-ms]]]

An abstract red statue made of plastic seems to pulse in the middle of the room. (align:"=><=")[{ [[Go to the hallway with the black statue->hallway-bs]] }] (set: $time to it + 0.5)

This hallway has a white porcelain vase in the middle. (align:"=><=")[{ [[Go to the hallway with the red painting->hallway-rp]] [[Go to the hallway with the chandelier->hallway-chandelier]] [[Go to the hallway with the blue couch->hallway-bs]] [[Go to the hallway with the marble statue->hallway-ms]] }]

A statue made of onyx hangs in the air above you, shaped like an ox. (align:"=><=")[{ [[Go to the hallway with the white vase->hallway-wv]] [[Go to the hallway with the red door->rose-room]] [[Go to the hallway with the red statue->hallway-rs]] }] (set: $time to it + 0.5)

You enter an empty room. There are only towers of chairs stacked up against the walls. (align:"=><=")[{ “[[Go back->hallway-yp]].” }]

A painting of a black cat hangs on the wall, looking at you with its green eyes. (align:"=><=")[{ [[Go to the hallway with the white door->chapel]] [[Go to the hallway with the red painting->hallway-rp]] }] (set: $time to it + 0.5)

You enter the [chapel]<c|. (click:?c)[The chapel is a vast empty chamber. Everything is white, except the red carpet leading to the [front]<f|.] (if:$know contains "chapel")[(click:?f)[You walk down the red carpet, towards the stage. There is something on the [stage]<s|.(click:"something")[ Red, orange, yellow.]] (click:?s)[It is a bouquet of (click:"snapdragons")[, slightly wilted]. You pick it up and quickly [[leave->hallway-bp]]. (put: (a:"snapdragon") + $know into $know)]] (else:)[(click:?f)[You embrace the emptiness of the space. [[Leave->hallway-bp]]]]

As you walk past the painting of the red lady, she looks ominously at you. (align:"=><=")[{ [[Go to the hallway with the yellow painting->hallway-yp]] [[Go to the hallway with the black door->empty-room]] [[Go to the hallway with the white vase->hallway-wv]] [[Go to the hallway with the black painting->hallway-bp]] }] (set: $time to it + 0.5)

You enter through the red door into the [rose room]<r|. {(click:?r)[It looks like the other conference rooms, if [untouched]<u| for years. (click:?u)[The air is stagnant, laden with dust. ] There is something on the left wall. A [shape]<s|. (click:?s)[A rot grey [agglomeration]<a|. (click:?a)[Of fabric? Plastic?] ] In the left corner of room, the carpet is black and [peeled]<pl|. (click:?pl)[Something brown peeks out from under the carpet. (align:"=><=")[ [[Look under the carpet->carpet]] ]] ]}

Your room. The bed has been made. {(align:"=><=")[ (if:$know contains "dreams")[(if:$know contains "roseroom")[[[Take a nap->nap]]](else:)[[[Take a nap->dream]]]](else:)[[[Take a nap->nap]]] (if:$know contains "letter" and not $letterread)[[[Read letter->letter]] ] [[Go back to the lounge->lounge]] ]}

(set: $time to it + 1) (go-to: "bedroom")

You fall asleep.(set: $time to it + 2) At first, everything is [dark]<d|. (click:?d)[A carpeted [room]<rm|.] (click:?rm)[Colours and shapes return [slowly]<s|.] (click:?s)[There are rows of chairs stacked against the wall. Suddenly, a [glow]<f| in the corner of the room.] (click:?f)[[Fire]<fr|.] (click:?fr)[Your eyes hurt from the brightness. You run, looking for [cover]<c|.] (click:?c)[Something throws you out of the [room]<r|(click:?r)[, into the bright [hallways]<h| of the hotel].] (click:?h)[The [door]<dr| slams shut.]<dss| (click:?dr)[(replace:?dss)[Before the door slams shut, you catch a glimpse of a golden [frame]<fr|.(click:?fr)[ A [face]<fc|(click:?fc)[, cast in red and [orange]<o|].]]] (click:?o)[You remember the [label]<l| on the door(click:?l)[, the [[Rose room->reset-day]]].] (put: (a:"roseroom") + $know into $know)

You fall asleep, dreaming of nothing.(set: $time to it + 2) It was a peaceful [[rest->wakeup]].

You wake up. You [[get out->bedroom]] of bed.

“The rose room?” “Take the right with the chandelier till the red statue, then look for a red door near the black ox.” “Be careful, it hasn’t been used since the fire.” (align:"=><=")[{ “[[Thank you->lounge]].” }]

“The chapel?” “Go down the hallway till you see the sunflowers, then follow the paintings to the white door.” (align:"=><=")[{ “[[Thank you->lounge]].” }]

“The banquet room?” “Go down the hallway straight to the marble statue till you see the red door.” (align:"=><=")[{ “[[Thank you->lounge]].” }]

“Who sent the letter?” you ask. “The sender wished to keep their identity private.” “It might help if you read it.” {(align:"=><=")[ “[[Okay->lounge]].” ]}

You see an empty [scorched]<s| frame, with only a whisper of scratched gold. (click:?s)[Burnt paper falls of the edge of the frame as [you]<y|] (click:?y)[pull]<p| (click:?p)[it]<i| (click:?i)[[out]<o|.](put: (a:"frame") + $know into $know) (click:?o)[The air suddenly smells of burning. You [[black out->reset-day]].]

You tell Deliah about the room and the frame. She writes down every [detail]<d|. (click:?d)[“Things are more than they [appear]<a|,” she says, after you finish.] (click:?a)[“I’ll take things over from here.” “You’ve done all you can and I’m sure you have [[other matters->del-talked]] to settle.”] (put: (a:"scorch ending") + $know into $know)

“What’s on the news?” He flips to one of the pages on the newspaper and points out an article. The headline [reads]<r|, {(align:"=><=")[(click:?r)[ [Taxi caught in flames]<h| A taxi combusted into flames outside of New Dai yesterday afternoon. Though the taxi was presumably empty and no bodies were found, pedestrians near the incident said they saw a figure of a lady amidst the flames. ]]} (click:?h)[“Strange isn’t it?” (align:"=><=")[{ “[[Quite->law-talked]].” }]] (put: (a:"news") + $know into $know)

“What brings you here?” “I’m running away from the [colours]<c|.” (click:?c)[“The [colours]<cl|?” you ask.(click:?cl)[ “Places, if you could call it.”] “I mingled among [too many]<m|.”] (click:?m)[“They don’t like it when the colours [[mix->law-talked]].” “I’m [Law]<l| by the way.”(set: $law to "Law") (click:?l)[“I’m sure we’ll meet again soon.”]]

You enter an empty room. There are only towers of chairs stacked up against the walls. (align:"=><=")[{ “[[Go back->hallway-rp]].” }]

You approach the two ladies. They stop their small talk and give you a wave. “Join us!” the lady on the left says. “Come, come!” the lady on the right says. You take the empty [seat]<s|. (click:?s)[“I’m Dottie,” the one on the left says. “I’m Dillie,” the one on the right says.(set: $dd to "Dottie and Dillie") “We were just talking about the youths.” {(align:"=><=")[ [[“What about the youths->dd-youths]]?” (if: $letterread)[“[[I want to talk about Rudie Li->dd-rudie]].” ] ]}]

You approach the lady sitting alone. She looks at you silently as you take the empty seat. {(align:"=><=")[ [[“What brings you to this hotel->rem-talk]]?” (if: $letterread)[“[[I want to talk about Rudie Li->rem-rudie]].” ] ]}

As you approach her, she looks up and smiles. “How many times have we had this conversation?” (align:"=><=")[{ “[[Too many times->del-time]].” “[[I don’t understand->del-explain]].” “[[Are you in a loop too->del-loop]]?” }] (put: (a:"loop ending") + $know into $know)

“Too many times.” “There is a way [out]<o| of this.” (click:?o)[“You’ve got to find the [reason]<r| for this.”] (click:?r)[“That’ll put an [[end->del-talked]] to this.”]

“I don’t understand.” “I’m not the one [causing]<c| it, if you must know.” (click:?c)[“But you don’t have much [time]<t| either.”] (click:?t)[“Every repeat is [shorter]<s| than the one before.”] (click:?s)[“Have you thought about what happens at the [[end->del-talked]]?”]

“Are you in a loop too?” “Heavens, [no]<n|.” (click:?n)[She points to her eyes. “I can [see]<s| things,” she says.] (click:?s)[“Quickly, you don’t have much [[time->del-talked]].”]

{ (if:$know contains "loop ending")[(set: $time to 100)(go-to:)[loop-ending]] (else-if:$know contains "scorch ending")[(set: $time to 100)(go-to:"scorch-ending")] (else-if:$know contains "whisper ending")[(set: $time to 100)(go-to:"whisper-ending")] (else-if:$know contains "book ending")[(set: $time to 100)(go-to:"book-ending")] (else-if:$know contains "rose ending")[(set: $time to 100)(go-to:"rose-ending")] (else:)[(go-to: "bad-ending-final")] }

You wake up. (align:"=><=")[[[Head to the Lounge->lounge-empty]]]

You peel open the [letter]<l|. (click:?l)[It reads, Do not come looking for me. Your effort is futile. If you seek clarity, come find me in the banquet hall. Then, we will talk about [[Rudie->bedroom]].] (set: $letterread to true) (set: $time to it + 1)

You slam the book shut.(put: (a:"book") + $know into $know) (click:"shut")[It is [[finished->lounge]].]

You take out the envelope and decide to [read]<r| in in the lounge. (click:?r)[Despite the [request]<q| for privacy.] (click:?q)[As you [peel]<p| open the letter,] (click:?p)[the letter starts to [smoulder]<s|.] (click:?s)[The letter explodes, [[engulfing->reset-day]] you.]

(set: $ltalked to true) (set: $time to $time + 1) (go-to: "lounge")

{“There’s been a resurgance of [mysticism]<m| in the youths.” (align:"==>")[(click:?m)[“Dillie thinks it’s got to do with the [technology]<t|.”]](click:?t)[“You know, when we were younger, technology was like [magic]<g|!”] (align:"==>")[(click:?g)[“But kids these days are [born]<b| into it.”]](click:?b)[“Technology isn’t [novel]<n| to them as it is to us.”] (align:"==>")[(click:?n)[“So they [crave]<c|.”]](click:?c)[“For something [more]<mm|.”] (align:"==>")[(click:?mm)[“Of course, it isn’t the [mysticism]<msm| we know.”]](click:?msm)[“They’ve made a [hybrid]<h| of sorts.”] (align:"==>")[(click:?h)[“We like to call it [[[digital mysticism->dd-talked]].”]]]}

“I want to talk about Rudie Li,” you say. Their faces grow pale. “How do you know about Rudie?” {(align:"=><=")[ [[“Delilah told me->dd-delilah]]?” [[“I received a letter->dd-letter]].” (if:$know contains "roseroom")[[[“I had a dream about a painting->dd-rose]].” ] ]}

(set: $ddtalked to true) (set: $time to $time + 1) (go-to: "banquet")

“Delilah told me,” you say. One of their faces turn [red]<r|. The other turns [blue]<p|. {(click:?r)[“That evil witch.” ] (click:?p)[“Don’t trust her.” ]}“We do not wish to speak to you [[any longer->dd-talked]].” “Please [[excuse->dd-talked]] yourself.” (set:$ddangered to true)

You tell them about the letter.(put: (a:"chapel") + $know into $know) They listen closely. “We didn’t write the letter.” “But do you know who the [girl]<g| is in the painting?” (click:?g)[“Many suspect that it’s Rudie’s [mistress]<m|.”] (click:?m)[“In fact, rumour is that they had a private [wedding]<w| in this hotel.”] (click:?w)[“I’m sure it has a [[chapel->dd-talked]] somewhere.”]

You tell them about the dream you had, the dream about the rose room. They listen [closely]<c|. (click:?c)[“Dillie.” “We must check out this [room]<r|.”] (click:?r)[They get up. “Please excuse us.” “Thank you for telling us about this.” You are left at an [[empty table->dd-talked]].] (set:$ddrose to true)

You hand over the book to Delilah. “What’s this?” she asks. “A book I’ve written.” (align:"=><=")[{ “[[It will help the case->del-book-case]].” “[[It will provide guidance->del-book-guidance]].” }] (put: (a:"book ending") + $know into $know)

“It will help with the case.” you say. “What is it about?,” she asks. “You have to find out yourself,” you say. She takes the book from you and begins to [[read->del-talked]] it.

“It will provide you guidance.” you say. “I’ll keep that in mind,” she says. She takes the book from you and begins to [[read->del-talked]] it.

You tell her about the dream you had, the dream about the rose room. Delilah is fascinated by your [dream]<c|. (click:?c)[“I must investigate this room.” she says. She gets up and goes to the [[concierge->del-talked]].] (set:$delrose to true)

19th October 9:00AM You [[wake up->ending-loop]].

(if: $badloop is 3)[(go-to:"ending")]And you fall. Everything turns dark. And the clock [[turns->preloop-ending]]. (set: $badloop to $badloop + 1)

Everything is dark forever. (align:"==><==")[(link: "Try again")[(reload:)]]

You tell him about the dream. He puts his pen down and [listens]<l|. (click:?l)[“This is not a coincidence.” “I must go and see to this [room]<r| myself.”] (click:?r)[He gets up, leaving his books [[behind->art-talked]].] (set:$artrose to true)

You tell Delilah about the [flowers]<f| in the chapel. (click:?f)[Her eyes widen. Without a word, she gets up and [[leaves->del-talked]].] (set:$delrose to true) (put: (a:"whisper ending") + $know into $know)

The lounge. The lounge is empty, save for the hotel staff. You approache the [concierge]<c|. (click:?c)[“Where is everyone?” you ask. “They [left]<l|,” he said.] (click:?l)[“And it is time for you to checkout too.” (align:"=><=")[[[And so you leave too->good-ending]]]]

(align:"=><=")[THE END] {(if:$know contains "loop ending")[1. The Loop Ending (1/5)] (else-if:$know contains "scorch ending")[2. The Scorched Ending] (else-if:$know contains "whisper ending")[3. The Rumour Ending] (else-if:$know contains "book ending")[4. The Written Ending (4/5)] (else-if:$know contains "rose ending")[5. The Rose Ending (5/5)]} (align:"==><==")[(link: "Try again")[(reload:)]]

(align:"=><=")[Volume Station presents (css:"font-size:2rem")[//Hotel Conversations//] //written by Ivan art by Zhi Jun// [[Begin->act1]] ]

You approach $arthur and take the seat beside him. Books are scattered all over the table. {(align:"=><=")[ “[[What's all these books for->art-intro]]?” (if:$know contains "roseroom")[[[“I had a dream->art-rose]].” ] (if:$know contains "write")[“[[Tell me about writing->art-writing]].” ] (if:$know contains "dreams")[“[[Tell me about dreams->art-dreams]].” ] ]}

(set: $btalked to true) (go-to: "lounge")

“What brings you to this hotel?” you ask. “I’m taking some time away from [life]<l|.” (click:?l)[“Tough times?” “Tell me about it. I’m Remona.”(set:$remona to "Remona") “What about you? What brings you to this hotel?” {(align:"=><=")[ “[[I’m writing a book->rem-book]].” “[[I’m on a case->rem-case]].” ]}]

“I want to talk about Rudie Li,” you say. Her eyes [widen]<w|. (click:?w)[“Get away from me.” She is clearly unsettled. You quickly [[leave->rem-talked]]. ]

(set: $rtalked to true) (set: $time to $time + 1) (go-to: "banquet")

“I’m writing a book,” you say. “A writer? How’s the [book]<b|?” (click:?b)[“(if:$writeprogress is 0)[I haven’t started on it actually.](else:)[It’s going along.]” “Well, I wish you all the best on it.” “I’m [writing]<w| one too actually.”] (click:?w)[“What kind of book is it?” “A biography. Of my late [husband]<h|.”] {(align:"=><=")[(click:?h)[ “[[Was he famous->rem-famous]]?” “[[I’m sorry for your loss->rem-loss]].” ]]}

“I’m on a case,” you say. “You’re a [detective]<d|?” (click:?d)[“No, I’m a writer.” “The circumstances are rather [unusual]<u|.”] (click:?u)[“Oh I know unusual,” she says. “What’s the case about?” (align:"=><=")[ “[[A missing painting->rem-painting]]?” “[[It’s private->rem-private]].” ]]

“Was he famous?” She laughs. “Only recently, because of his [death]<d|.” (click:?d)[“He was an [[oil painter->rem-talked]].”]

“I’m sorry for your loss.” “Thank you. But I’m fine.” “He was always [distant]<d|.” (click:?d)[“A man in his own [[world->rem-talked]].”]

“It’s a missing painting.” Her eyes [widen]<w|. (click:?w)[“Do not talk to me again.” She is clearly unsettled. You quickly [[leave->rem-talked]].]

“It’s private,” you say. “I understand. We all have our [[secrets->rem-talked]].”