A Game of Wits and Pistols

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''A Game of Wits and Pistols'' a short story game by John Vanderhoef [[Beach Landing<-Begin]] <img src="Pictures/Marooned.jpg" width="600px"> <<audio "song3" stop>> <<audio "song1" loop play volume 0.50>> <<set $start to false>> <<set $hook to false>> <<set $coconut to false>> <<set $machete to false>> <<set $jungle to false>> <<set $pipe to false>> <<set $stones to false>> <<set $beehive to false>> <<set $honeycomb to false>> <<set $dialogue1 to false>> <<set $bananas to false>> <<set $monkeys to false>> <<set $climax to false>> <<set $pistol to false>> <<set $deadfish to false>> <<set $flint to false>> <<set $captain1 to false>> <<set $biggs1 to false>> <<set $captain2 to false>> <<set $biggs2 to false>> <<set $confidence to false>>

<<if $start is false>> You taste sea salt and feel sand in your teeth as you roll over and stare up at a vast blue sky. Somehow, you survived the storm. The wave hit at just the right time, just as Longford, that scurrilous dog, led a mob into the Captain's cabin. Biggs, the first mate, tried to defend the Captain, while you stood behind him hoping nobody saw your legs shaking. Longford cut Biggs down in his tracks, slashing open his chest. He was about to do the same to you, too, if not for the storm outside. With dark clouds looming over the sea, rain pelting the hull of the ship, and lightning flashing on the horizon, a giant wave curled over all of you and came down like the hand of God. After that unearthly crash, there was only darkness. And now, this bright blue sky above you. You must have washed up on an island, your body just another piece of ocean tidewrack. Since your legs still work, it might be worth exploring the area and trying to figure out a way to survive. <<else>> This is the spot where you washed up. In the distance you can see a coconut tree, some wreckage from the ship, and the edge of the island's jungle. <</if>> [[Coconut Tree<-Investigate the coconut tree.]] [[Wreckage<-Investigate the ship wreckage.]] [[Jungle Edge<-Investigate the edge of the jungle.]]

It feels good to escape the heat of the sun by standing beneath the cool shade of a coconut tree. <<if $hook is false>> There are some ''//coconuts//'' high up in the tree. If only you had a tool that would help you climb the tree. <<else>> <</if>> [[Beach Landing<-Go back to the beach shoreline.]] <<if $hook is true and $coconut is false>> [[Tree Top<-Use the hook to climb the tree.]] <<else>> <</if>> <<set $start to true>>

<<if $hook is false>> You look down at the wreckage and think of Biggs and the Captain. They didn't make it. When the mutinous men assembled on the deck, you knew there would be trouble. Biggs immediately knew what to do, springing to action and grabbing for his sword -- but you froze. If it wasn't for the wave that took the ship, everybody would have seen your cowardice. Besides sea-scarred, busted up planks of wood, you see a ''//chest//'' and a ''//hook//''. <<else>> Besides sea-scarred, busted up planks of wood, you only see a ''//chest//''. <</if>> <<if $machete is false>> [[Chest<-Investigate the chest.]] <<else>> There's an empty chest that you bashed open with a coconut. It's been a strange day. <</if>> <<if $hook is false>> [[Hook<-Lean down to pick up the abandoned hook.]] <<else>> <</if>> [[Beach Landing<-Walk back to the beach shore.]] <<set $start to true>> <<set $wreckage to true>>

As you walk nearer to the edge of the jungle, you notice a set of footsteps leading into the tropical forest, overgrown with vines and foreign shrubbery. You wonder who might have made the footsteps -- friend or foe? <<if $machete is true>> [[Jungle<-Use the machete to clear a way into the jungle.]] <<else>> You approach the jungle to enter it, but it's far too thick. Your best bet is to find a ''//large knife//'' or something to cut through the bramble. <</if>> [[Beach Landing<-Go back to the beach shoreline.]] <<set $start to true>>

There is a chest here that washed up on shore from the wrecked ship. Something useful is probably inside, but it's locked. You might be able to break it open with a blunt object. [[Wreckage<-Leave the chest alone.]] <<if $coconut is true>> [[Machete<-Use the coconut to break open the chest.]] <<else>> <</if>>

One of your former shipmates must have lost his hook in the storm. You have to hand it to him for that. This might be useful to get a good grip on something. [[Wreckage<-Stand back up with your hook in hand.]] <<set $hook to true>>

You use your hard, green coconut to bash open the lock on the chest. With the lock out of the way, you open the chest to reveal a machete inside. It's not gold, but it looks like it can ''//cut//'' well enough. [[Wreckage<-Pull your new machete from the bottom of the chest.]] <<set $machete to true>>

You use the hook you found to scale the narrow coconut tree. At the top, you can see farther across the island. You can see a set of footsteps leading from the beach into the jungle. You wonder who else might have survived. Was it the Captain? One of the mutineers? Surrounding you is a cornucopia of green coconuts, ready for the picking. [[Coconut<-Grab a coconut.]]

You will surely be starving soon. The coconut could provide some sustenance. It's so hard, though, you wonder how you'd ever be able to split it open. In any case, you should probably find out whose footprints lead into the jungle. [[Coconut Tree<-Climb down the tree.]] <<set $coconut to true>>

<<if $jungle is false>> Using the machete, you cut your way into the thick jungle. Eventually you reach an area with more visibility. You can hear insects buzzing invisibly around you and some kind of birds cooing high in the trees. You're unsure where to go or what to do, and you find yourself missing the days of Biggs barking orders at you to swab the deck. You were always more comfortable with a broom in your hands than with a sword or pistol. Through the trees you can see a grass hut and a clearing. <<else>> Through the trees you can see a grass hut and a clearing. <</if>> [[Grass Hut<-Investigate the grass hut.]] [[Clearing<-Investigate the clearing.]] <<audio "song1" stop>> <<audio "song2" loop play volume 0.50>>

<<if $pipe is false>>You walk up to a grass hut and a familiar scent enters your nostrils with a kind of violence. It's the smell of Longford, that murderous cur. Inside the hut you can see his signature ''//pipe//'' and brand of tobacco. He was definitely here recently. Part of you wants to find that monster. The other part is afraid of what will happen to you if you do. From here, you can see a tree close by that is larger than all the others in the area.<<else>> Now that you picked up the pipe and tabacco, there's nothing left of interest in the grass hut. Longford is somewhere deeper inland. From here, you can see a tree close by that is larger than all the others in the area. <</if>> [[Jungle<-Investigate the central jungle.]] [[Large Tree<-Investigate the large tree.]] <<if $pipe is false>> [[Pipe<-Grab the pipe and tobacco from within the grass hut.]] <<else>> <</if>> <<set $jungle to true>>

A small clearing creates a sense of calm in the otherwise busy, claustrophobic jungle. Small ''//stones//'' are scattered across the forest floor here. [[Stones<-Kneel down to pick up loose stones.]] [[Jungle<-Investigate the central jungle.]] [[Large Tree<-Investigate the large tree.]] <<set $jungle to true>>

<<if $beehive is false>> You stand in the shadow of a large tree, which dominates the jungle canopy here. You can hear the buzzing of honey bees above centered around a visible ''//beehive//'' high up in the tree's branches. The beehive might be a good source of food, but the tree is too large to climb, and your hook is bent out of shape from using it earlier. You could throw something small and hard at the beehive in the hopes of knocking it down. <<else>> You stand in the shadow of a large tree, which dominates the jungle canopy here. The beehive you knocked down is at the foot of the tree, slightly broken and lodged between two large roots that snake up from the ground. <</if>> [[Trail Head<-Investigate the trail head.]] [[Grass Hut<-Investigate the grass hut.]] [[Clearing<-Investigate the clearing.]] <<if $stones is true and $beehive is false>> [[Beehive<-Throw stones at the beehive.]] <<else>> <</if>> <<if $beehive is true and $honeycomb is false>> [[Beehive<-Approach the fallen beehive.]] <<else>> <</if>>

As you approach what looks like a ravine, you almost stumble when you see a large bear sitting in the middle of your path. Its fur is matted and unkept but it seems to have a bemused expression on its face. How did it get here? You've heard of such creatures being brought over from the new world, but you've never seen such a beast. The bear grumbles to itself as it paws at insects in the air. You lean forward to advance but quickly change your mind after the bear instinctively growls. [[Large Tree<-Walk back to the large tree.]] <<if $honeycomb is true>> [[Bottom of a Cliff<-Use the honeycomb to placate the aggressive bear.]] <<else>> The only way forward is past that bear. Maybe if you find some food or something to distract it? <</if>>

You can't imagine smoking the same pipe as Longford, but you never know if it might come in handy somehow. By some strange luck, there's a single match left here, too. [[Grass Hut<-Exit the grass hut.]] <<set $pipe to true>>

You kneel down and pick up a few of the loose stones, putting them into your pocket. If you get desperately thirsty, you can always suck on these, you think to yourself depressingly. [[Clearing<-Stand up in the clearing.]] <<set $stones to true>>

With a well-placed throw of a stone, you knocked the beehive down from the treetop. Now what do you do with it? [[Large Tree<-Step away from the beehive.]] <<if $pipe is true>> [[Use Pipe<-Blow pipe smoke to scare away the bees.]] <<else>> The honeycombs in that beehive look delicious, but the bees are swarming around. You should ''//find some way to get rid of the bees//''. <</if>> <<set $beehive to true>>

You wince as you lift Longford's pipe to your lips and use the one match you found to light the tabacco. After a few puffs, you blow a cloud of smoke at the swarm of bees, scattering them. You, Biggs, and the Captain used to love smoking on the deck together at night, studying the stars in silence. With nothing stopping you, you pluck a sticky, glistening honeycomb from the hive. [[Large Tree<-Step away from the beehive.]] <<set $honeycomb to true>>

<<if $dialogue1 is false>> The bear accepts the honeycomb without question, immediately cupping it in its paws and burying its jaws into the sticky mess. You carefully sidle past it. Having left the bear behind you, you walk forward until a voice like sharp needles interrupts your stride from a cliffside above you. "Look what the tide brought in," a bitter voice says snidely above you. You immediately recognize the voice as Longford's. "I'm surprised you didn't wrap yourself around your captain's leg as you both slowly fell to the ocean's depths," Longford chides. <<else>> With Longford gone, you're free to continue on to the ravine. <</if>> <<if $dialogue1 is false>>[[Longford Dialogue 1<-Talk to Longford.]]<<else>> [[Ravine<-Investigate the ravine.]] <</if>>

You peer up at Longford as a shiver runs down your spine. His thick black beard covers a series of scars from years of pirate life. You, on the other hand, have a tiny scar on your hand from the time a broom splinter pierced you. "Looks like we're the only survivors," Longford says, sneering at you from above. [[Monster<-"You're a monster!"]] [[ScareMe<-"You...you don't scare me!"]]

<<if $monkeys is false>>You sigh as you approach a deep, seemingly impassable ravine. You'll never beat Longford to the last life boat at this rate. You need to figure out a way across this chasm fast! To your right three monkeys sunbathe on some flat rocks. To your left you smell a group of sweet banana trees. <<else>> As you walk back to the ravine, you spy your three monkey friends, now well-fed, climbing through the trees above. As if in coordination, they align themselve, one after another, above the ravine and offer you their hands. Trusting a group of monkeys with your life seems terrifying, but you've come this far. No backing down now. <</if>> <<if $monkeys is false>> [[Monkeys<-Investigate the monkeys.]] <<else>> <</if>> [[Banana Trees<-Investigate the banana trees.]] <<if $monkeys is true>> [[Jungle Edge 2<-Allow the monkeys to help you swing across the ravine.]] <<else>> <</if>>

The three monkeys ignore you as you approach. They have pot bellies and seem to be in a very lazy mood. [[Ravine<-Walk back to the ravine.]] <<if $bananas is true>> [[GiftedBananas<-Give the bananas to the monkeys.]] <<else>> The monkeys look ''//hungry//'' but harmless. <</if>>

The sweet smell of bananas slightly turns as you get closer to the copse of fruit trees. A layer of ''//rotting bananas//'' lines the island floor here. [[PickUpBananas<-Pick up some bananas off the ground.]] [[Ravine<-Walk back to the ravine.]]

<<if $climax is false>> Exiting the jungle, you find yourself on the beach again. Across the sand, you see the last life boat Longford told you about. You beat him to it, you think to yourself, until you see him standing near it, eyeing you like a snake. This is the moment. You failed to challenge Longford when he mutineed and killed Biggs. You failed to challenge him when he came for your captain. Will you fail to challenge him again, stranding yourself on this island for what might be the rest of your life? You see Longford sneering at you near the life boat. You also see a pile of ship wreckage, some dead ''//fish guts//'', and something shiny in the sand you can investigate.<<else>> You see Longford sneering at you near the life boat. You also see a pile of ship wreckage, some dead fish guts, and a crab. <</if>> [[Longford<-Confront Longford.]] <<if $pistol is false>> [[More Wreckage<-Investigate more of the ship wreckage.]] <<else>> <</if>> <<if $flint is false>> [[Crab<-Investigate a glint in the sand.]] <<else>> <</if>> <<if $deadfish is false>> [[Deadfish<-Investigate the deadfish.]] <<else>> <</if>> <<audio "song2" stop>> <<audio "song3" loop play volume 0.50>>

<<if $pistol is true and $flint is true>> You walk toward Longford slowly and confidently. "It's time to pay, Longford," you say, trying to sound mean and serious. "Without a weapon, you're a dead man walking, Kid," Longford laughs. "Get out of here before I end your miserable life, just like your friend Biggs." You reveal your weapon to Longford, hoping that it works when the time comes. <<else>> You walk toward Longford slowly and confidently. "It's time to pay, Longford," you say, trying to sound mean and serious. "Without a weapon, you're a dead man walking, Kid," Longford laughs. "Get out of here before I end your miserable life, just like your friend Biggs." <</if>> <<if $flint is true and $pistol is true and $deadfish is true>> <<else>>[[Jungle Edge 2<-Slowly retreat from Longford. You can't contend with his pistol.]] <</if>> <<if $pistol is true and $flint is true>> [[Duel<-Challenge Longford to a pistol duel.]] <<else>> <</if>>

The sight of your ship's remains reminds you again of everything you've lost. Yes, it was the storm that wrecked the ship, but it was Longford and his mutineers that threatened to do it first. He would have slit your throat and fed you to the sharks. He had already killed Biggs and gotten most of the crew behind his devious plot. Against all odds, you spy a flintlock pistol and a small pouch of gunpowder amongst the wreckage. Although a little damp and caked in sand, there's a chance the pistol still might work. Unfortunately, you notice the flint to spark the gunpowder is missing. It's definitely been one of those days. [[Jungle Edge 2<-Walk back to the jungle's edge.]] [[Flintlock Pistol<-Pick up the flintlock pistol.]] <<set $climax to true>>

You pick up a slightly worn flintlock pistol. But you still need to find some replacement flint. [[Jungle Edge 2<-Walk back to the jungle's edge.]] <<set $pistol to true>>

The glint in the sand turns out to be a piece of flint, perfect for igniting small explosions. As you reach for it in the sand, however, a large crab snaps at your fingertips with its massive claws. Stuck between Longford and this crab, you're not sure which you prefer less. [[Jungle Edge 2<-Walk back to the jungle's edge.]] <<if $deadfish is true>> [[Flint<-Give the dead fish guts to the crab to make it go away.]] <<else>> You don't trust the claws on that crab. He looks violently ''//fishy//''. <</if>> <<set $climax to true>>

Your eyes did not deceive you. You stand above a pile of smelly fish guts. They must have died and washed up during the storm last night. This was the fate of so many of your shipmates, and it could have been yours, too. You can audibly hear yourself gulp as you realize it might still be your fate. Maybe you can use this pile of dead fish guts to disgust Longford to death? No, you're probably just doomed. [[Jungle Edge 2<-Walk back to the jungle's edge.]] [[PickUpFish<-Against your better judgment, pick up the dead fish guts.]] <<set $climax to true>>

With the crab busy munching fish guts, you snatch up the flint from the sand triumphantly. Take that, crab! [[Jungle Edge 2<-Walk back to the edge of the jungle.]] <<set $flint to true>>

''A WAR OF WITS AND PISTOLS'' "You'll have to best me in a classic pirate game of wits and pistols, boy," Longford spits. "You'll never beat my silver tongue, you knave!" <<if $captain1 is false>> [[Captain1<-"Um...you're a dumb dumb."]] <<else>> <</if>> <<if $biggs1 is false>> [[Biggs1<-"Well, that's, like, your opinion, man."]] <<else>> <</if>> <<if $captain1 is true and $biggs1 is true>> [[Duel2<-"Longford, you're a lass and a landlubber, and you have the brains of a bilge rat!"]] <<else>> <</if>>

You pick up a bundle of slowly rotting bananas. Better use these soon. [[Ravine<-Walk back to the ravine.]] <<set $bananas to true>>

You hand the slightly rotten bundle of bananas to the trio of monkeys. They snatch the fruit quickly and begin to gobble. After a minute or two, they jump into the trees and disappear. [[Ravine<-Walk back to the ravine.]] <<set $monkeys to true>>

Pinching your nose, you pick up the disgusting, rotting fish guts. Why are you doing this? What possible purpose will this serve? [[Jungle Edge 2<-Walk back to the edge of the jungle.]] <<set $deadfish to true>>

Longford chortles to himself and rubs his beard. He then spits down at you, narrowly missing your face. "I'm only a monster for wanting what was best for the crew," he says. "The Captain was a weakling. And you and Biggs were even weaker. He led us straight into that storm!" [[Excuse<-"We only hit that storm because you led the mutiny and disrupted our navigations."]] [[Hesitation<-"That's...that's not true. He was a good captain!"]]

Longford chortles to himself and rubs his beard. He then spits down at you, narrowly missing your face. "If I don't scare you, boy," he says, "then why are you shaking in your waterlogged boots?" [[Payback<-"You'll pay for what you've done. You'll pay for Biggs and the Captain."]] [[Hesitation<-"I only have one thing left to live for on this island, Longford -- kill you!"]]

"The captain was a fool, and so were you for following him," Longford spits. "I tell you what -- I'll give you a choice. You can join me and get off this island together, or you can die here and join your poor friends." [[NeverJoin<-"I'll never join you, you curr!"]] [[Join<-"You promise you won't shank me in my sleep?"]]

"You believe what you want, worm," Longford snarls. "But I know something you don't know." [[Excuse<-"The only thing you know how to do is betray people!"]] [[Reveal<-"What are you scheming now?"]]

"That's fine with me, boy," Longford snaps. "You can die on this godforsaken island. Meanwhile, I'll be getting back on the high seas soon enough." [[Reveal<-"How do you plan on doing that? You saw the wreckage. There's nothing left of the ship."]] [[Hesitation<-"I've bashed a chest open with a coconut today, Longford. I'll bash your head in just the same."]]

"You really are a sniveling rat," Longford says. "I wouldn't lower myself to have you crawling under my boot like some obsequious worm. I //would// shank you in your sleep! But that's not how you're going to die..." [[Reveal<-"How do you know how I am going to die?"]] [[Hesitation<-"I'm not dying by your hand, you scoundrel!"]]

"One of our ship's life boats survived the wreck. And she washed ashore not too far from here, past the ravine. Unfortunately for you, the ravine is impassable except from up here. And I don't see you scaling this cliffside with those puny arms." [[EndDialogue1<-"You don't know me, you dog. I'll beat you to that boat."]] [[EndDialogue1<-"I...I can make it. And I'll leave you here to your just desserts."]]

Longford kicks rocks down at you, smiling as you shrink and cover your face. "You think suriving a day on this island has made you a true pirate?" Longford asks. "My only regret is not being able to stick around long enough to see your last breath." As Longford moves to leave, you shout... [[Bottom of a Cliff<-"I'll show you my last breath!"]] [[Bottom of a Cliff<-"I've survived a storm, bees, and a bear already, Longford. I'll survive scum like you, too!"]] <<set $dialogue1 to true>>

You feel your jaw hang from your face like a dolt. You were never as witty as the captain. You remember once the captain told you, jokingly, that you're a ''lass and a landlubber.'' Those are some choice words! [[Duel<-Remember the phrase "lass and a landlubber."]] <<set $captain1 to true>>

''A WAR OF WITS AND PISTOLS'' You stumble over your words. You were never as clever as Biggs. You remember once he told you, playfully, that you had the ''brains of a bilge rat.'' That might come in handy! [[Duel<-Remember the phrase "brains of a bilge rat."]] <<set $biggs1 to true>>

''A WAR OF WITS AND PISTOLS'' "So, you do have a spot of cleverness to you, you picaroon rapscallion!" Longford admits with some surprise. "Well...your mother's a scallywag and a strumpet!" <<if $captain2 is false>> [[Captain2<-"I hate your face."]] <<else>> <</if>> <<if $biggs2 is false>> [[Biggs2<-"Blurgh!"]] <<else>> <</if>> <<if $captain2 is true and $biggs2 is true>> [[Confidence<-I learned a lot from my friends, but it's time to think for myself.]] <<else>> <</if>>

You can barely speak without tripping over your tongue. What would Biggs say? You remember once Biggs called you a ''galley slave'' over a game of cards. Hazzah! [[Duel2<-Remember the phrase ''galley slave.'']] <<set $biggs2 to true>>

''A WAR OF WITS AND PISTOLS'' This entire pirate life promised adventure and swashbuckling. It promised comaraderie and high seas antics. It promised treasure and booty! But things didn't work out the way you thought they would. And you aren't the wide-eyed deckhand you used to be. You know how to break Longford's spirit now. [[Duel3<-Think of the perfect comeback.]]

''A WAR OF WITS AND PISTOLS'' What would the captain think of you now, barely able to squeek out a basic pirate insult. You remember once, when you left his quarters a little dusty, the captain called you a ''scabby sea bass.'' He sure was some captain! [[Duel2<-Remember the phrase "scabby sea bass."]] <<set $captain2 to true>>

''A WAR OF WITS AND PISTOLS'' "So, you do have a spot of cleverness to you, you picaroon rapscallion!" Longford admits with some surprise. "Well...your mother's a scallywag and a strumpet!" (He really did just stand there and let you explore your memories, huh?) It's time to end this. [[Victory<-You wish you had a mother, you sea-spawned galley slave! You're the spoiled offspring of scabby sea bass, you putrid oyster fart! Now, give me my booty -- I mean boaty!]]

Your pirate insult was so harsh that Longford stumbles, his pistol hand falling to his side. Now is your chance. You lift your sand-caked flintlock pistol and aim it at Longford's head. "You want to be the new captain, Longford?" you ask. "You can be the captain of this island." [[WinScreen<-Fire!]]

Your fire the flintlock pistol, sending a lead ball straight between Longford's bushy eyebrows. He goes cross-eyed for a second, tries to utter something, then falls backward, dead. You can't believe you just did that! Without thinking too hard about any of it, you run to the nearby life boat. Longford had already packed it with provisions from the island. While you're not sure about the rotting bananas, you think you'll have enough supplies to survive your journey. You push the boat off from shore and take up the oars to row away. As the island gets smaller behind you, you breathe in the fresh ocean air and smile at the sounds of seagulls in the distance. Their squall means hope. [[Credits<-The End.]] <<audio "pistol" play>>

''A Game of Wits and Pistols'' a short story game by John Vanderhoef Cover image: Marooned (close up).jpg: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marooned_(close_up).jpg Music by GWriterStudio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDJbSEkyAGg&feature=youtu.be ''Tracks in order of appearance:'' Ocean Village - GWriterStudio Tropical Jungle - GWriterStudio Peat Swamp - GWriterStudio Flintlock Pistol sfx: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZQx1pzbdoQ This story game was completed as part of a tutorial series to illustrate the basic functions of Twine for an interactive narrative course. [[Start<-Restart]]

<<cacheaudio "song1" "Music/OceanVillage.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "song2" "Music/TropicalJungle.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "song3" "Music/PeatSwamp.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "pistol" "Music/Pistol.mp3">>