The diner is unfamiliar, but the mood is not.
The chipped upholstery pops and squeaks as you adjust your posture.
The bulb above you shines a spotlight on a messy table.
The grease of a half-eaten patty melt stains your chin.
You turn a cigarette between your fingers. The tip leaves a trail of smoke, which oscillates and expands as it rises up past your face. (set: $silence to 0)
[[A winding river.|river]]
[[An unstable harmonic vibration.|harmonic]]
[[A raging tornado.|tornado]]
[[A trail of smoke.|smoke]](set: $major to "Geology")(set: $trail to "A winding river.")The trail winds like a creek. Like the creeks of the Columbia Basin, carved by glacial ice and erosion. The meandering always seems pointless - random - to the uninformed. But it never is.
A check is plopped on the table — the waiter vanishing without a trace, per usual. Somehow, it's already caked in grease. Even the pen shines under the light.
[[Leave a hefty tip.]]
[[Leave a paltry tip.]](set: $major to "Engineering")(set: $trail to "An unstable harmonic vibration.")The trail matches the kinds of diagrams in a Controls textbook. A vibration whose amplitude grows larger and larger from the same input over and over until something in the system inevitably breaks.
A check is plopped on the table — the waiter vanishing without a trace, per usual. Somehow, it's already caked in grease. Even the pen shines under the light.
[[Leave a hefty tip.]]
[[Leave a paltry tip.]](set: $major to "Meteorology")(set: $trail to "A raging tornado.")The trail rises, dances, drifts, like a twister. A force of nature guided not by intent or by motivation but by the whims of the sky. Calculated - not random - but merciless.
A check is plopped on the table — the waiter vanishing without a trace, per usual. Somehow, it's already caked in grease. Even the pen shines under the light.
[[Leave a hefty tip.]]
[[Leave a paltry tip.]](set: $major to "Business Administration")(set: $trail to "Just a trail of smoke.")It's just a trail of smoke. Pretending it's anything else - assigning any other value to it - is as dangerous as the cigarette that created it. There are no secrets here. It's just a trail of smoke.
A check is plopped on the table — the waiter vanishing without a trace, per usual. Somehow, it's already caked in grease. Even the pen shines under the light.
[[Leave a hefty tip.]]
[[Leave a paltry tip.]]||=
It's Henry's rule of thumb to only give to the people who earn your grace. Unsettling advice to get from a stepfather, to say the least.
=||
Dad always tipped exorbitantly, but considering how little he regards anyone who isn't his current sidepiece, it was clearly never out of the goodness of his heart.
|==|
(set: $tip to true)You slap a few extra dollars on the table. It's no skin off your back, really — both Dad and Henry have been more than eager to line your wallet as of late.
Each bill comes with its own caveat, its own condition - as it always has.
[[...|further]]||=
It's Henry's rule of thumb to only give to the people who earn your grace. Unsettling advice to get from a stepfather, to say the least.
=||
Dad always tipped exorbitantly, but considering how little he regards anyone who isn't his current sidepiece, it was clearly never out of the goodness of his heart.
|==|
(set: $tip to false)You run your finger along the valley of your wallet, feeling for loose change to throw on the check. Your vision of said coin is, of course, obscured by the dozens of bills that Henry and Dad have so kindly donated to you as of late.
Each bill comes with its own caveat, its own condition - as it always has.
[[...|further]]You step up to the booth and press the phone up to your ear.
[["Hello?"]]
[["Who is this?"]]
[["Sally Draper speaking."]]||=
(color: red)[
Sally, it's Henry. And that's not how a lady answers the phone.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
Hey, Sal.
]]
|==|
You hear both Henry and... Dad on the other end of the line. They're speaking over each other, though — you don't think they're aware.
[["Hello."]]
[["This is weird."]]
[["..."|silence1]]||=
(color: red)[
Sally, that is not how you answer a phone call. It's Henry.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
Sal, it's me.
]]
|==|
You hear both Henry and... Dad on the other end of the line. They're speaking over each other, though — you don't think they're aware.
[["Hello."]]
[["This is weird."]]
[["..."|silence1]]||=
(color: red)[
Sally, it's Henry. I'm glad to hear your manners are in working order.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
When did you get so posh? It's just me.
]]
|==|
You hear both Henry and... Dad on the other end of the line. They're speaking over each other, though — you don't think they're aware.
[["Hello."]]
[["This is weird."]]
[["..."|silence1]]||=
(color: red)[
Henry's Dialogue. The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
Don's Dialogue. The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.
]]
|==|
This text is not in columns, but takes up the entire width, as usual.
(link-reveal-goto: "option1", "passagename")[(set:$var1 to true)]
(link-reveal-goto: "option2", "passagename")[(set:$var2 to true)]
(link-reveal-goto: "option3", "passagename")[(set:$var3 to true)] A winding river.
- Geology.
An unstable control output.
- Mechanical Engineer
A raging tornado.
- Meteorology
A trail of smoke.
- Business Administration||=
(color: red)[
Hello, Sally. Am I interrupting anything?
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
Well hello to you too. You got time to talk?
]]
|==|
You get the uncomfortable feeling that hanging up on either (or both) of them would only make things worse.
[["Yes."]]
[["Kind of."]]
[["Hardly."]]
[["No."]]
[["..."|silencetwo]]
||=
(color: red)[
It's not weird, Sally. Normal girls are usually excited to hear from their parents, even their stepfathers. Am I interrupting anything?
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
I get it, Sal, I'm sorry. I'm trying to call more often. You got time to talk?
]]
|==|
You get the uncomfortable feeling that hanging up on either (or both) of them would only make things worse.
[["Yes."]]
[["Kind of."]]
[["Hardly."]]
[["No."]]
[["..."|silencetwo]]
||=
(color: red)[
... Sally? Are you there? Am I interrupting anything?
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
... OK, OK. You don't have to talk, just listen. You got time to talk?
]]
|==|
(set: $silence to it + 1)You get the uncomfortable feeling that hanging up on either (or both) of them would only make things worse.
[["Yes."]]
[["Kind of."]]
[["Hardly."]]
[["No."]]
[["..."|silencetwo]]||=
(color: red)[
Very well. I'll get to the point.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
I'll be quick, then. Give me just a minute, and you can go back to whatever you're doing.
]]
|==|
[[...|onward]]
||=
(color: red)[
Kind of? You know what, I get it. Listen to me now and I'll let you go in just a minute.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
I can work with that.
]]
|==|
[[...|onward]]
||=
(color: red)[
Good. Because we need to talk.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
I'm not going to pry, but I hope it can wait. I'll be quick.
]]
|==|
[[...|onward]]
||=
(color: red)[
Good. Because we need to talk.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
Sal, please. Please. Just a minute. That's all I need.
]]
|==|
[[...|onward]]
||=
(color: red)[
I understand you've been falling behind on your schooling.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
How's college? Classses and all that. Are you making a name for yourself?
]]
|==|
College has been... tumultuous. It's not that you don't care, but perhaps you're not cut out for academia. It's mostly come down to poor study habits, or the lack thereof.
[["It's been difficult."]]
[["I'm doing fine, thanks."]]
[["It's none of your business."]]
[["..."|moresilence]]||=
(color: red)[
I love you, honey.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
I love you, Sal.
]]
|==|
[["I love you too."]]
[["Goodbye."]]
[["Talk to you later."]]
[["No, you don't."]]
[["Piss off, actually."]]
[["..."|finalsilence]]||=
(color: red)[
I hope that's not just a pleasantry. Goodbye, Sally.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
... Talk to you later, Sal. I promise.
]]
|==|
Henry's line cuts out almost immediately, but you can still, for just a few moments, hear a muffled crying before the second line disconnects.
[[Take a drag]] of your cigarette.||=
(color: red)[
Yeah. Alright. Goodbye, Sally.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
Sally, I - ... Goodbye, Sal. Thank you.
]]
|==|
Henry's line cuts out almost immediately, but you can still, for just a few moments, hear a muffled crying before the second line disconnects.
[[Take a drag]] of your cigarette.||=
(color: red)[
Learn a little more respect for you do. Goodbye, Sally.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
OK yes. I'll keep in touch. Thank you, Sal. Really.
]]
|==|
Henry's line cuts out almost immediately, but you can still, for just a few moments, hear a muffled crying before the second line disconnects.
[[Take a drag]] of your cigarette.||=
(color: red)[
I don't know how else I could have expected you to respond. Coward.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
... That's OK. You don't have to be ready. I understand. Good night, Sal.
]]
|==|
Henry's line cuts out almost immediately, but you can still, for just a few moments, hear a muffled crying before the second line disconnects.
[[Take a drag]] of your cigarette.||=
(color: red)[
... I'm sorry you feel that way.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
...
]]
|==|
Henry's line cuts out almost immediately, but you can still, for just a few moments, hear a muffled crying before the second line disconnects.
[[Take a drag]] of your cigarette.FIN.||=
(color: red)[
Then get help. God knows I've pointed you to every resource under the sun. You know your mother would want you to succeed.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
Well, that's (print: $major) for you. I know your mother would be very proud that you've been keeping at it.
]]
|==|
Your mother died a few years ago. Lung cancer. You can't imagine what might have compelled her to start smoking. (print: $trail)
[["I know that."]]
[["No, she wouldn't."]]
[["You don't get to talk about Mom."]]
[["..."]]||=
(color: red)[
Barely scraping by is not "doing fine," Sally. God knows I've pointed you to every resource under the sun. You know your mother would want you to succeed.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
I'm glad to hear that. I know your mother would be very proud that you've been keeping at it.
]]
|==|
Your mother died a few years ago. Lung cancer. You can't imagine what might have compelled her to start smoking. (print: $trail)
[["I know that."]]
[["No, she wouldn't."]]
[["You don't get to talk about Mom."]]
[["..."]]||=
(color: red)[
Barely scraping by is not "doing fine," Sally. God knows I've pointed you to every resource under the sun. You know your mother would want you to succeed.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
You know, when I took night classes, I didn't want anyone to know I was struggling. Putting on the facade of success is the easy part. I know your mother would be very proud that you've been keeping at it.
]]
|==|
Your mother died a few years ago. Lung cancer. You can't imagine what might have compelled her to start smoking. (print: $trail)
[["I know that."]]
[["No, she wouldn't."]]
[["You don't get to talk about Mom."]]
[["..."]]||=
(color: red)[
Sally, not admitting it is fifty times worse. Trust me. You know your mother would want you to succeed. And that if you didn't, you at least own up to it.
](set: $silence to it + 1)
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
When I took night classes, I didn't want anyone to know I was struggling. Putting on the facade of success is the easy part. I know your mother would be very proud that you've been keeping at it, regardless of how you thing you're doing.
]]
|==|
[["I know that."]]
[["No, she wouldn't."]]
[["You don't get to talk about Mom."]]
[["..."]]||=
(color: red)[
Your silence tells me you're not in any rush. We need to talk.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
...
]]
|==|
(set: $silence to it + 1)[[...|onward]]
The waiter appears, as if summoned by the (if: $tip)[sudden influx of cash](if: $tip is false)[clattering of loose change]. He eyes the check - and the tip - and then looks to you.
"Are you Sally?"
You are.
"You have a phone call."
[[Interesting.]]||=
(color: red)[
I called to confirm your commitment to a graduate program whenever you decide to graduate.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
I just wanted to make sure you were still adamant about grad school.
]]
|==|
[["It's been difficult."
[[I'm doing fine, thanks."
[["It's none of your business."
[["..."|moresilence||=
(color: red)[
The way I see it, either you do know and you're ignoring her wishes, or you don't know and you're lying to me. But that's not what this is about. I called to confirm your commitment to a graduate program whenever you decide to graduate.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
Good. It's best not to dwell on it, and that's not why I called. I just wanted to make sure you were still adamant about grad school.
]]
|==|
A Masters in (print: $major) was always the logical next step for you, you reckoned. What else would you do? Get a job? You shudder at the thought.
[["Of course."]]
[["I'm having second thoughts."]]
[["Why do you care?"]]
[["..."|yetmoresilence]]||=
(color: red)[
Where is this coming from, Sally? Your mother loved you, damn it! But that's not what this is about. I called to confirm your commitment to a graduate program whenever you decide to graduate.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
You know what? I'm not going to get between however you feel about her. That's your... way to feel. And it's not why I called. I just wanted to make sure you were still adamant about grad school.
]]
|==|
A Masters in (print: $major) was always the logical next step for you, you reckoned. What else would you do? Get a job? You shudder at the thought.
[["Of course."]]
[["I'm having second thoughts."]]
[["Why do you care?"]]
[["..."|yetmoresilence]]||=
(color: red)[
Damn it, Sally, you know I was with her every step of the way! I don't think you can say the same. But that's not what this is about. I called to confirm your commitment to a graduate program whenever you decide to graduate.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
Sal, don't say that. You're an adult, now. And that's not what I called to debate. I just wanted to make sure you were still adamant about grad school.
]]
|==|
A Masters in (print: $major) was always the logical next step for you, you reckoned. What else would you do? Get a job? You shudder at the thought.
[["Of course."]]
[["I'm having second thoughts."]]
[["Why do you care?"]]
[["..."|yetmoresilence]]||=
(color: red)[
... Forget it. That's not what this is about. I called to confirm your commitment to a graduate program whenever you decide to graduate.
](set: $silence to it +1)
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
I'm sorry. I assumed you'd be OK talking about her. That was wrong. But she's not why I called. I just wanted to make sure you were still adamant about grad school.
]]
|==|
A Masters in (print: $major) was always the logical next step for you, you reckoned. What else would you do? Get a job? You shudder at the thought.
[["Of course."]]
[["I'm having second thoughts."]]
[["Why do you care?"]]
[["..."|yetmoresilence]]||=
(color: red)[
Interesting. Because the way you're headed, that's going to be a hell of an uphill battle. You know I'm going to the ends of the earth to secure you a spot at Penn.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
Good. I admire your commitment. And I've got your tuition set aside, you know that. For wherever you decide to go.
]]
|==|
(if: $tip is false)[This is exactly why you leave paltry tips. You give someone too much, and you start to expect something in return.](if: $tip)[This is exactly why you leave hefty tips. It always comes back to you. Albeit, it's dangled over your head first. By these two.]
[["Thanks."]]
[["Sounds like you really went out of your way."]]
[["I didn't ask you to do that."]]
[["..."|somuchmoresilence]]||=
(color: red)[
On account of what? Your abysmal performance? You know I'm going to the ends of the earth to secure you a spot at Penn. It's starting to sound like that's a waste of time.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
Good, that means your gears are turning. Take your time, it's an important decision to make. I've got your tuition set aside, you know that. For wherever you decide to go. If you decide to go.
]]
|==|
(if: $tip is false)[This is exactly why you leave paltry tips. You give someone too much, and you start to expect something in return.](if: $tip)[This is exactly why you leave hefty tips. It always comes back to you. Albeit, it's dangled over your head first. By these two.]
[["Thanks."]]
[["Sounds like you really went out of your way."]]
[["I didn't ask you to do that."]]
[["..."|somuchmoresilence]]||=
(color: red)[
Because I'm going to the ends of the earth to secure you a spot at Penn, since you were so adamant about it two years ago. That's why I care, Sally.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
Sal. No matter how you feel, I'm your father, and I care about you. I've got your tuition set aside, you know that. For wherever you decide to go. If you decide to go.
]]
|==|
(if: $tip is false)[This is exactly why you leave paltry tips. You give someone too much, and you start to expect something in return.](if: $tip)[This is exactly why you leave hefty tips. It always comes back to you. Albeit, it's dangled over your head first. By these two.]
[["Thanks."]]
[["Sounds like you really went out of your way."]]
[["I didn't ask you to do that."]]
[["..."|somuchmoresilence]]||=
(color: red)[
Sally, this isn't a XXX call. You know I'm going to the ends of the earth to secure you a spot at Penn. I need to know if I'm busting my ass for nothing.
](set: $silence to it + 1)
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
I'm just asking, Sal. I'm not pushing you into anything. I'm just saying: I've got your tuition set aside, you know that. For wherever you decide to go. If you decide to go.
]]
|==|
(if: $tip is false)[This is exactly why you leave paltry tips. You give someone too much, and you start to expect something in return.](if: $tip)[This is exactly why you leave hefty tips. It always comes back to you. Albeit, it's dangled over your head first. By these two.]
[["Thanks."]]
[["Sounds like you really went out of your way."]]
[["I didn't ask you to do that."]]
[["..."|somuchmoresilence]]He gestures to the phone in the corner of the diner.
"Whenever you're ready." There's impatience in his voice, but it doesn't particularly phase you.
[[Answer the phone.]]Are you interested in grad school?
You know I'm going to the ends of the earth to secure you a spot at XXX.
I've got your tuition set aside, you know that. For wherever you decide to go.
Well I've got an ultimatum.
I've got an offer. An agreement. I don't know.||=
(color: red)[
Damn it, I demand more than just a half-hearted thank you! You've never had to lift a finger once in your life, you know that?
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
Of course. And there's no strings attached. I mean it. It's your money. You deserve it.
]]
|==|
[["You might be right."]]
[["You don't mean that."|meanthat]]
[["You're talking out of your ass."|outass]]
[["..."|burymeinsilence]]||=
(color: red)[
I'm glad you recognize that. But the next step is to actally do something with it. You've never had to lift a finger once in your life, you know that?
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
No, don't think about that. You don't have to worrry. And there's no strings attached. I mean it. It's your money. You deserve it.
]]
|==|
[["You might be right."]]
[["You don't mean that."|meanthat]]
[["You're talking out of your ass."|outass]]
[["..."|burymeinsilence]]||=
(color: red)[
Didn't ask me to — Sally, do you have *any* idea what it means to take initiative? To do something for someone other than yourself? You've never had to lift a finger once in your life, you know that?
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
I wouldn't have expected you to. I'm not going to make you swallow your pride. There's no strings attached. I mean it. It's your money. You deserve it.
]]
|==|
[["You might be right."]]
[["You don't mean that."|meanthat]]
[["You're talking out of your ass."|outass]]
[["..."|burymeinsilence]]
||=
(color: red)[
Sally! Do you hear me? Do you have *any* idea what it means to take initiative? To do something for someone other than yourself? You've never had to lift a finger once in your life, you know that?
](set: $silence to it + 1)
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
I wouldn't have expected you to. I'm not going to make you swallow your pride. There's no strings attached. I mean it. It's your money. You deserve it.
]]
|==|
[["You might be right."]]
[["You don't mean that."|meanthat]]
[["You're talking out of your ass."|outass]]
[["..."|burymeinsilence]]||=
(color: red)[
I know I'm right. You had a pissant of a father and it turned you rotten. And now it's apparently my job to *fix* you before you go get yourself killed out in the real world.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
I like to think so. Sal, this is just the start of an apology I should have given you a long time ago. I need to do this.
]]
|==|
[["Don't you dare talk about my father like that."]]
[["You're a couple years late for an apology."]]
[["You're not doing this for me. You're doing it for yourself."]]
[["..."|mymotherwashitbyaslience]]||=
(color: red)[
You had a pissant of a father and it turned you rotten. And now it's apparently my job to *fix* you before you go get yourself killed out in the real world.
](set: $silence to it + 1)
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
Sal, I don't know what you think this is, but it isn't some kind of plea for forgiveness. This is just the start of an apology I should have given you a long time ago. I need to do this.
]]
|==|
[["Don't you dare talk about my father like that."]]
[["You're a couple years late for an apology."]]
[["You're not doing this for me. You're doing it for yourself."]]
(if: $silence is 7)[[["..."|uniquesilent]]]
(if: $silence is not 7)[[["..."|mymotherwashitbyaslience]]]||=
(color: red)[
You know I'm right. You had a pissant of a father and it turned you rotten. And now it's apparently my job to *fix* you before you go get yourself killed out in the real world.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
Sal, this isn't some kind of plea for forgiveness. This is just the start of an apology I should have given you a long time ago. I need to do this.
]]
|==|
[["Don't you dare talk about my father like that."]]
[["You're a couple years late for an apology."]]
[["You're not doing this for me. You're doing it for yourself."]]
[["..."|mymotherwashitbyaslience]]||=
(color: red)[
God, you were born with a rotten tongue. You had a pissant of a father and it turned you rotten. And now it's apparently my job to *fix* you before you go get yourself killed out in the real world.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
Sal, I don't know what you think this is, but it isn't some kind of plea for forgiveness. This is just the start of an apology I should have given you a long time ago. I need to do this.
]]
|==|
[["Don't you dare talk about my father like that."]]
[["You're a couple years late for an apology."]]
[["You're not doing this for me. You're doing it for yourself."]]
[["..."|mymotherwashitbyaslience]]||=
(color: red)[
Sally, do *not* change the subject. This about you and your awful, miserable attitude. We're gonna fix that attitude so you don't embarrass me when you're faced with the dean of admissions.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
I don't... Uh, you're right. Maybe, you're right.
It's coming from a good place, though. Honest. I thought I solved it.
]]
|==|
[["My attitude, like it or not, is not for you to fix.|fixit]]
[["Why am I always a problem to be *solved* by you two?"|problemfix]]
[["Good intentions don't mean you're not being manipulative."|intention]]
[["..."|hellosilencemyoldfriend]]||=
(color: red)[
Are we done here? I have somewhere to be. But clearly, we are not on the same page. We will talk more of this later.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
Thanks for hearing me out. You didn't have to. This didn't go the way I expected. And that's good.
]]
|==|
[[...|love]]||=
(color: red)[
Oh, grow up. If you want to be treated like an adult, you need to face the facts. I'm not going to apologize because your father was too busy whoring around to give you the time of day.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
I... uh... are you alright, Sal? I don't think I caught that.
]]
|==|
[[At least he doesn't judge my every move.]]
[[I'm sorry, and *you're* not a homewrecker, too*?|stepfather]]
[[I don't care, and you're an awful person for hanging it over my head.]]
[[...|openthesilence]]
||=
(color: red)[
Apology? What the hell am I supposed to apologize for? For not doing a good enough job cleaning up *his* mess?
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
What, am I just supposed to say nothing? Say nothing and just leave things as they are? Does that sound *OK* to you?
]]
|==|
[[Yes. Exactly.]]
[[You're *supposed* to have not messed everything up in the first place.|messup]]
[[I am just fine without either of you, is that clear?]]
[["..."|helpthesilence]]
||=
(color: red)[
I'm sorry if that was too... much. Actually, no I'm not. Cry about it if you want. But it's in your best interest to own that. Can you at least do that for me?
](set: $silence to it + 1)
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
... Which means I need you to *let* me do this. I'm asking for your permission. Please, say something.
]]
|==|
[["I have an awful father."]]
[["Absolutely not."]]
[["OK, fine, I'll allow it."]]
[["..."|mykingdomforasilence]]||=
(color: red)[
How are you *so* blind to the people who are *actually* awful to you?!
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
I don't... Sal? Clearly, your mind is elsewhere. That's OK.
]]
|==|
[[...|wrapitup]]||=
(color: red)[
That is none of your damn business, and you're making a lot of assumptions about something you know absolutely *nothing* about!
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
Call me whatever you want, Sal. It doesn't change the fact that I'm trying.
]]
|==|
[[...|wrapitup]]||=
(color: red)[
Well Don seems to be the only thing in your life that can get you to do much of *anything*!
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
Sal, that's not what the money is fo—
I didn't know... you felt that way.
]]
|==|
[[...|wrapitup]]
||=
(color: red)[
Damnit, you always bring out the worst language in me. I can't keep letting this happen.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
OK. OK. I'll, uh, wrap it up, I guess.
]]
|==|
[[...|wrapitup]]||=
(color: red)[
This insolent child!
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
... OK. You're right. Have a good night, Sal.
]]
|==|
Henry's line cuts out almost immediately, but you can still, for just a few moments, hear a muffled crying before the second line disconnects.
[[Take a drag]] of your cigarette.||=
(color: red)[
I have *never* met someone so ungrateful in all my life! I don't know how you can stand yourself.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
...
Oh.
]]
|==|
[[...|wrapitup]]||=
(color: red)[
That is none of your damn business, and you're making a lot of assumptions about something you know absolutely *nothing* about!
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
I know, Sal.
I know.
]]
|==|
[[...|wrapitup]]||=
(color: red)[
Oh, really? Have it your way.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
Sal, I never said you weren,t I —
I just want to be there.
]]
|==|
[[...|wrapitup]]||=
(color: red)[
That's what I thought.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
It doesn't to me, Sal.
]]
|==|
[[...|wrapitup]]||=
(color: red)[
Well, *someone* has to. And it certainly won't be you.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
Your attitude, however you want to feel about me, is up to you. Always.
]]
|==|
[[...|wrapitup]]||=
(color: red)[
Well, *someone* has to fix the problem. And it certainly won't be you.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
I didn't mean to... that's never how I meant. I'm sorry that's how it came across.
]]
|==|
[[...|wrapitup]]||=
(color: red)[
Manipulative? If anything I've been too hands-off. That's why you've fallen back into being such a... slacker.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
That's... that's true. I'll try to be better.
If I can find out what that means.
]]
|==|
[[...|wrapitup]]||=
(color: red)[
You know, you're more polite when you're quiet. Stick to that.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
Clearly, I didn't.
]]
|==|
[[...|wrapitup]]||=
(color: red)[
This is exactly what I'm talking about. Are you really going to stay silent this entire call? You're just going to make me talk at you over and over until I get tired or something?
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
Sal, I don't know if you've heard any of this. I've been speaking like you have, but I don't *know*. If I'm just speaking into the void, then this is at least good practice for the real thing.
Can you forgive me, void?
]]
|==|
[["Yes."|finalyes]]
[[Maybe."|finalmaybe]]
[["No."|finalno]]
[["..."|actualsilence]]||=
(color: red)[
Oho, she finally speaks. When it's convenient for her.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
I can't ask for anything more.
]]
|==|
[[...|wrapitup]]||=
(color: red)[
I'm so sick of your snark. You have no right to toy with me like this.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
That's better than what I expected to hear. I'll take it.
]]
|==|
[[...|wrapitup]]||=
(color: red)[
Oho, she finally speaks. When it's convenient for her.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
Sal...
]]
|==|
[[...|wrapitup]]||=
(color: red)[
Alright, I've had enough of this.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
Well, I asked for the void and I got the void.
]]
|==|
[[...|wrapitup]]||=
(color: red)[
Good. That's a start.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
...
I suppose you do.
]]
|==|
[[...|wrapitup]]||=
(color: red)[
Fine. It's your loss. You're not getting out of this rut until you reckon with all of this. All of it.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
... If that's how you want it to be. I won't protest.
]]
|==|
[[...|wrapitup]]||=
(color: red)[
No. Of course you can't. What did I expect?
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
... OK. I get it. That's it, then.
]]
|==|
[[...|wrapitup]]||=
(color: red)[
Allow? What are you — Just think about it.
]
=||
[==>
(color: blue)[
Thank you, Sal. Truly.
]]
|==|
[[...|wrapitup]]