Pain Roulette

Brian O'Reilly sets the revolver on the table. My hands are trembling. "Alright, six rounds, one bullet," O'Reilly starts laying the ground rules. [[Look at the gun]]

The gun shines in the moonlight. Absolutely pristine. Aside from a small glint of light coming from the fifth chamber. "We each take a turn with the gun in order. Clean shot to the temple," O'Reilly continues. "Nothing weird like sticking it in your mouth, and nothing messy like pointing it at your forehead. We're all professionals so act like one." [[Calculate Probability]]

It's a six-shot revolver. One bullet, six rounds. Everyone has a one in six chance of surviving, depending on how we spin the chamber. "I uh... suppose that's it," O'reilly says looking down at the revolver and taps his fingers on the table. "Any questions?" "We goin' clockwise or counter-clockwise?" Nathan Smith asks, leaning forward in his seat with his arms on the table. "Clockwise," O'Reilly responds with a nod towards Nathan, "Anything else?" It got quiet all of the sudden, I hope no one can hear my heart racing. "Can someone get rid of that damn clock?" Arnold Briggs who's sitting to my right says, bracing his eyes and brow with his fingers. "The ticking is driving me insane." [[Remove the clock]] [[Stay seated]]

"I got it," I get up out of my seat to find the source of the ticking. "Thanks Martin," Briggs was always sensitive to sounds. I look around the room and the only thing else I see is a desk. I feel a deep knot in my throat. Perhaps the ticking would be better than having everyone wait. I head towards the desk and there are two drawers. [[Open the right drawer]] [[Open the left drawer]]

"Ugh I got it," Leo Esposito says, slamming his hands on the table as he springs out of his chair. He's my best friend, but the last guy that should have gotten up. Leo stands in the middle of the room with his hands on his hips, whipping his head back and forth in search for the clock. "Man I don't see shit!" Leo says. "Check inside the desk, maybe?" I tell him. Leo whips around and looks at me, "Good thinking, Martin," he says and makes his way towards the desk. Leo opens the right drawer and it slams open causing the alarm to go off. "Ah God dammit!" Leo says, and he opens the window and throws the alarm clock outside. We all hear the sound of the alarm fade, and then a distant shatter. Tony Carlo starts laughing as Leo makes his way back to his seat. [[Look at O'Reilly]]

As I open the right drawer it gets stuck and I have to yank it open. The drawer slams open, the clock bangs against the metal, and the alarm goes off. "TURN THAT SHIT OFF!" Briggs cries out in panic. "I got it I got it!" I shout as I scramble to turn off the alarm. I turn the alarm off, rip the batteries out, and get back to my seat. [[Look at O'Reilly]]

I open the left drawer and there's nothing but a stack of paper and some paper clips. I close the drawer back up and it screeched so bad I could feel it in my teeth. "We ain't got all day, Leon," Tony Carlo says as he leans back with his arms crossed, a shit eating half smile on his face. "Don't worry, I think I almost found it," I say, half smiling back. Only Tony could make us smile at a time like this. Doesn't slow down my heart rate though. [[Open the right drawer]]

"Well, now that that's... settled. I guess we should begin," O'Reilly says, "Who wants to go first?" "Wait, are we spinning the chamber once at the beginning or once every turn?" Leo asks. "Shit I hadn't thought about that," O'Reilly says looking down and tapping his fingers again. "Martin, you're the math whiz, what do you think?" Leo asks me. Everyone is looking at me now. [[Spin once at the beginning]] [[Spin each turn]]

(set: $spinMode to "once", $ending to "LeoDies") "Let's only spin once at the beginning," I say. "Once it is then," O'Reilly nods in agreement. "Now, who's going first? "Me! I'll go!" Tony grabs the revolver and gives it a good spin, he looks excited. Tony takes the revolver and puts it up to his temple. His eyes are wide, his breathing a mix of deep breaths and hyperventilation. He takes his left hand and starts slamming it on the table and his breathing becomes deeper. I can't watch. [[Take a deep breath]] [[Tap fingers]] [[Crack knuckles]]

(set: $spinMode to "each", $ending to "MartinDies") "Let's spin once at the beginning of each turn," I say. "Each turn it is then," O'Reilly nods in agreement. "Now, who's going first? "Me! I'll go!" Tony grabs the revolver and gives it a good spin, he looks excited. Tony takes the revolver and puts it up to his temple. His eyes are wide, his breathing a mix of deep breaths and hyperventilation. He takes his left hand and starts slamming it on the table and his breathing becomes deeper. I can't watch. [[Take a deep breath]] [[Tap fingers]] [[Crack knuckles]]

I try to take a deep breath but it gets caught in my throat and I nearly gag. Something is writhing around in my stomach. Tony finally pulls the trigger. [[Stare]]

I start tapping my fingers on the table. Briggs put his hand on mine and looks me in the eye, "Stop," he says through his teeth. Tony finally pulls the trigger. [[Stare]]

I look up at the ceiling and while it doesn't look like it's spinning, it sure feels like it is. I just want this to be over. Nathan picks up the gun. (if: $spinMode is "each")[He gives the chamber a whirl.] "Nato, I want you to know I always liked ya," Tony says smiling at Nathan. "Thanks, pal," Nathan says, taking a deep breath. Nathan puts the revolver to his temple, squints his eyes, and holds his breath. [[Look at Nathan]] [[Look at Leo]] [[Look towards O'Reilly]]

As I look down at the table the knot in my stomach starts rolling. If I vomit I hope I'm the one to die. Nathan picks up the gun. (if: $spinMode is "each")[He gives the chamber a whirl.] "Nato, I want you to know I always liked ya," Tony says smiling at Nathan. "Thanks, pal," Nathan says, taking a deep breath. Nathan puts the revolver to his temple, squints his eyes, and holds his breath. [[Look at Nathan]] [[Look at Leo]] [[Look towards O'Reilly]]

Nathan is still holding his breath and squinting and now his face is red. Am I ready to see someone blow their brains out? Nathan pulls the trigger. [[Brace yourself]]

Leo is frozen, eyes locked on Nathan. I don't know why I thought looking at Leo would be comforting. Nathan pulls the trigger. [[Brace yourself]]

Great, now my hands are covered in both lint and sweat. Briggs at this point is drenched in sweat. Shouldn'a worn gray. Briggs slowly picks up the gun and stares at it in his hands a moment. Briggs looks up at me, "Martin, what are my odds?" (if: $spinMode is "once")["You have a one in four chance of survival," I tell him.] (else:)["Since we spin the chamber each time, everyone has a one in six chance of survival," I tell him.] Briggs starts to cry. [[Say something]] [[Stay silent]] [[Pat Briggs on the back]]

As I scratch my head I accidentally rip open a scab and now it stings. Briggs at this point is drenched in sweat. Shouldn'a worn gray. Briggs slowly picks up the gun and stares at it in his hands a moment. Briggs looks up at me, "Martin, what are my odds?" (if: $spinMode is "once")["You have a one in four chance of survival," I tell him.] (else:)["Since we spin the chamber each time, everyone has a one in six chance of survival," I tell him.] Briggs starts to cry. [[Say something]] [[Stay silent]] [[Pat Briggs on the back]]

"It's alright, Arnold, you're among friends," I tell him. Briggs sniffles, looks up, and takes a deep breath. (if: $spinMode is "once")[He takes the revolver and puts it up to his temple.] (else:)[He spins the chamber, and puts the revolver up to his temple.] Briggs closes his eyes and mumbles a prayer. [[Decipher the prayer]] [[Try to steady breathing]] [[Reposition in chair]]

"You got this, Briggs!" Tony chimes in after a second of silence. Briggs sniffles, looks up, and takes a deep breath. (if: $spinMode is "once")[He takes the revolver and puts it up to his temple.] (else:)[He spins the chamber, and puts the revolver up to his temple.] Briggs closes his eyes and mumbles a prayer. [[Decipher the prayer]] [[Try to steady breathing]] [[Reposition in chair]]

As I crack my knuckles I accidentally press too hard and pull one of my fingers. Leo winces at me, he hates the sound of joints cracking. Tony finally pulls the trigger. [[Stare]]

O'Reilly looks oddly calm. Perhaps it's because his turn is last. Nathan pulls the trigger. [[Brace yourself]]

It's a full moon. Would it be my last? Briggs at this point is drenched in sweat. Shouldn'a worn gray. Briggs slowly picks up the gun and stares at it in his hands a moment. Briggs looks up at me, "Martin, what are my odds?" (if: $spinMode is "once")["You have a one in four chance of survival," I tell him.] (else:)["Since we spin the chamber each time, everyone has a one in six chance of survival," I tell him.] Briggs starts to cry. [[Say something]] [[Stay silent]] [[Pat Briggs on the back]]

I give Briggs a pat on the back. He seems to feel somewhat better. Briggs sniffles, looks up, and takes a deep breath. (if: $spinMode is "once")[He takes the revolver and puts it up to his temple.] (else:)[He spins the chamber, and puts the revolver up to his temple.] Briggs closes his eyes and mumbles a prayer. [[Decipher the prayer]] [[Try to steady breathing]] [[Reposition in chair]]

I can't figure out what he's saying and it's stressing me out. How long is this prayer supposed to be? Briggs is right next to me but I can't look away. He's always been an anxious man. I can't tell if he'll be more or less anxious if he doesn't die right here. He looks like he's finally getting ready to pull the trigger. [[Hold breath]] [[Clench fists]]

As I try to steady my breathing I end up choking on my breath. How long is this prayer supposed to be? Briggs is right next to me but I can't look away. He's always been an anxious man. I can't tell if he'll be more or less anxious if he doesn't die right here. He looks like he's finally getting ready to pull the trigger. [[Hold breath]] [[Clench fists]]

I shift in my seat but somehow end up more uncomfortable. How long is this prayer supposed to be? Briggs is right next to me but I can't look away. He's always been an anxious man. I can't tell if he'll be more or less anxious if he doesn't die right here. He looks like he's finally getting ready to pull the trigger. [[Hold breath]] [[Clench fists]]

|click>[CLICK] (after: 0.4s)[(replace:?click)[CLICK]] I release my breath. Briggs lays the revolver back down, he looks me in the eye. [[Make eye contact]] [[Look away]]

|click>[CLICK] (after: 0.4s)[(replace:?click)[CLICK]] I relax my hands. Briggs lays the revolver back down, he looks me in the eye. [[Make eye contact]] [[Look away]]

I make eye contact with Briggs and nod my head. It's my turn now. [[Recalculate odds]]

My eyes dart away as he looks at me. It's my turn now. [[Recalculate odds]]

(if: $spinMode is "once")[I have a one in three chance of survival.] (else:)[I still have a one in six chance of survival.] [[Look at the revolver]]

The revolver is shining even brighter in this spot in the moonlight. Thing looks like it's never been fired once. [[Pick up the revolver]]

The handle feels warm, and a little sweaty. (if: $spinMode is "once")[I rotate the revolver in my hand and stare at it.] (else:)[I take my left hand and I spin the chamber.] [[Look around the room]]

Everyone is staring at me. Frozen in time. Are they hoping I die? Am I hoping I die? I look at Leo to feel some sense of reassurance. He's just staring at me. His eyes glassy and his brow furrowed. He looks just as worried as I feel. Well, here goes nothin. [[Put the gun to your temple]]

Man, all this over a botched job. [[Pull the trigger]]

(if: $spinMode is "once")[ |click>[(text-style:"shudder")[CLICK]] (after: 0.4s)[(replace: ?click)[CLICK]] [[Pass the gun to Leo]] ] (else:)[ |bang>[(text-style:"shudder")[BANG]] (after: 0.4s)[(replace: ?bang)[BANG]] "Martin, no!" I hear Leo scream as I collapse. I feel him catch me. I feel cold. Now I feel nothing. ]

God dammit... I wish it were me. Now Leo only has a fifty-fifty chance of making it. What have I done? I pass Leo the revolver. [[Look Leo in the eyes]]

He looks terrified. I wish there was something I could do. Leo puts the revolver to his temple. He looks at me, then straight ahead, and he pulls the trigger. [[Watch]]

//(text-style:"bold","underline","fidget")[(text-style:"underline","fidget")[(align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[(text-style: "bold", "underline", "expand")+ (text-size: 2)[Pain Roulette]]]]// (align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[''Caedrien Parreco''] (align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[**Content Notice**] This interactive story contains themes of gun violence, death, psychological stress, mention of blood, and reference to injury. The content is non-graphic but may be distressing for some players. [[The Game Starts]]

CLICK(after: 0.4s)[(replace: ?click) [CLICK]] Tony slams the gun down on the table, "Hooo! That was a rush!" he says, shaking. "Not gonna lie, I was really hoping to get this over with for everyone." He laughs but looks down disappointed, "I really didn't want to sit and watch anyone else die." Tony slides the gun to his left. It's Nathan's turn. (if: $spinMode is "once")[ Nathan now has a one in five chance of survival.] (else:)[ Nathan still technically has a one in six chance. Spinning again should make it “fair.” It doesn’t feel any safer.] [[Stare at the ceiling]] [[Look down at the table]]

CLICK(after: 0.4s)[(replace: ?click) [CLICK]] His eyes burst open and he releases what he probably thought was his final breath. Tony gives Nathan a hug and pats him on the back. Tony then slides the revolver over to Briggs. (if: $spinMode is "once")[Briggs now has a one in four chance of survival.] (else:)[Briggs still has a one in six chance of survival. I hope that means something.] [[Wipe hands on pants]] [[Scratch head]]

//BANG // //"No!"// I scream. My ears are ringing and I go to hold Leo. His blood is all over me and the life is already gone from his face. I suddenly remember the glint on the fifth chamber.