Space Calling

Chapter 1 Inside a flourescent filled office, a job interview is concluding. Mr. Bigz runs the company known as Bigz Callers, a call center located in a small town. Mr.Bigz is known to run shady deals and has a "do whatever it takes" attitude towards making deals. The current product Mr.Bigz Callers are selling is a mysterious one known as Element 12. It comes in a small glass vile, a purple liquid that gaurentees to extend your life by 30 years. Sitting across from Mr.Bigz is Ryan, a 30-something male who's hard on his luck. The economy hasn't been very good to Ryan. He lives in a tent a few miles south of the call center. He knows that this job could mean him getting back on his feet and into a regular life again. An unlit cigar hangs from Mr.Bigz mouth,"We offer full-time work with benefits. The product practically sells itself, alls you got to do is make the calls and collect the money. What do you say? [[I accept your job offer.]] [[I don't think it's a good fit. Bye.]]

"Wonderful. Are you ready to start work now?" [[Yes, let's start.]] [[No, I need more time.]]

Mr. Bigz pulls the cigar out of his mouth and looks directly at you. Mr.Bigz: "You came all this way to just leave?" Ryan: "I'm just not sure if I can sell this product or not" Mr. Bigz: "How about we sweeten the deal.. I can double your pay. Do we have a deal?" [[Sounds awesome, lets's go!]] [[Nah, I'm good.]]

It's your first day on the job and Mr.Bigz has made it clear. You need to make sales in order to get paid. The product you are selling is Element 12, a product that extends life by 30 years. Where this product comes from or how it works is of no importance to you right now. The only thing that matters is making sales and getting some money in your pocket. [[Job Start]]

Mr. Bigz looks annoyed, "You need more time? More time for what? You can't make money without picking that phone up." [[Job Start]]

Mr. Bigz leads Ryan into the main call center. A large warehouse fitted with desks and phones. They walk down the isle towards an empty desk. Mr. Bigz: "Here is your desk, and most importantly your phone to make calls. Now I need you to stay on script. People who go off script don't make sales. If you don't make sales, you don't get paid." Ryan: Got it, Mr.Bigz. I plan on making us both a lot of money. [[Job Start]]

Ryan takes a seat at his desk and turns on his computer. The dialer loads up and plays a ringing sound, letting him know there's calls ready to be made. Sitting on Ryan's desk is a replica model of Element 12, a small glass vile with purple liquid inside. Ryan picks it up and stares at the liquid before setting it back down. Ryan puts his headset on and is ready to call. <center> <img src="assets/phones.png"> </center> [[Caller 1]] [[Caller 2]] [[Caller 3]] <audio autoplay> <source src="assets/ring.wav"> </audio>

Yo Dawg who's calling me? [[Hi, my name is Ryan, I'm with Element 12 industries..]] [[Hang up]]

Ryan clicks on the next call button on his phone dialer. Customer: Hello? Ryan: Hello, sir, do you have a second to speak? This will only take a moment, I’m calling on behalf of a company that could better your life. Customer: Better my life? I mean my life is pretty good right now. How did you get my number? Ryan: Yes, better your life. You see, our company sells Element 12, it’s a product derived specifically from space. Your phone number was scraped from the internet. Customer: The internet? My number should not be on there. And, please, you can’t pull that kinda scam on me. Ryan: Sir, I promise we have the finest space mined product on the market right now and the proof to back it up. Our scientists periodically take trips out to Mars and harvest the surface dust in order to provide an alternate green energy. Customer: How does this help me? Ryan: So, for a small monthly fee of forty nine- Phone line hangs up [[Call back]] [[Job Start]]

Ryan sits at his cubicle with his headset on, staring at the computer LED screen waiting for his first call to come through; right now, the Element 12 logo bounces around the screen. His cubicle is a lot bigger than the other ones around him since it's his first day. The screen lights up with a phone number, name, and address of a caller. Ryan: Hello, and thanks for calling Element 12 member services. I'm Ryan. How much can I ship to you today? BARRy: Hi, Ryan, I'm not a member. I'm just calling to find out how it works. Can it really take 30 years off of you? Ryan: Yes, sir, it certainly can. Energy Green is mined from Epsilon 11, and I'm sure you've seen what the people look like from there. BARRY: Aww, everybody knows that ain't true. Those are aliens, not real people. Ryan:I assure you, sir, those are human people. Tell me something, do you work out? BARRY: Yeah, gym every day, gotta stay in shape, right? Ryan: Great, well, Element 12 can help your stamina, and your workouts will become epic. BARRY My workouts are already epic, pal. Let me think about it. Ryan:What's to think about Barry, if you don't do it now, you'll lose out on our special we're running this week. Two for the price of one. Also, we take 30% off your monthly fees. BARRY: I don't want to buy something without trying it. Do you have free samples? Ryan: Once you order, if you're not satisfied, you return the remainder of your product for a full refund. BARRY:I have to pay to try it. Naw, I'm not comfortable with that. Let me think about it. Ryan: If you order today, Barry, I can add a free month. BARRY:Thanks, Steve, but I have to think about it. Caller hangs up. Ryan disconnects, takes his headset off, and tosses it on the desk. [[call Barry back]] [[Job Start]]

Oh, I've heard about this stuff, I'm interested, Can you tell me more about it? You bet, it's our newest supplement that extends your life by 30 years. [[Are you ready to buy?]] [[Do you need more information?]]

Ryan hangs the phone up. Just then Mr. Bigz pops his head from around the corner. Mr. Bigz: "How's it going so far, Ryan? Making any sales yet?" Ryan: "Not yet Sir, but I got a feeling one will land soon." Mr. Bigz walks away. [[Job Start]]

I'm ready to buy [[Thank you, I'll send your shipment and charge your card.]]

Caller: What if it don't work? Ryan: We offer a 30 year money back gaurentee. Caller: But if the company goes out of business in 10 years then what? Ryan: Sometimes you gotta take a leap of faith. We have many testimonials from happy customers. Caller: Ok you sold me! [[Great, I'll charge your card and send a shipment.]]

Ryan punches in the credit card numbers and hits submit. The screen shows a shipment being sent to the callers address. Ryan: Nice! I'm on a roll with these sales. [[Chapter 2]]

<center> <img src="assets/woods.png"> </center> A thunderous explosion is heard from outside the call center. Everyone hangs their phones up and go outside to check it out. Out in the distance a small cloud of smoke is coming up from the ground. What ever that noise was it came from space and hit the ground. Molly, one of your fellow co-workers approaches you. Molly: Hey, you're new here, ya? Ryan: Yeah, my name is Ryan. Molly: Hi Ryan, I'm Molly. How's the sales going? Ryan: I think it's going alright. I mean it's my first day and I made a sale so I can't compaling too much. Molly: Well, congratulations. So a group of us are gonna go check out what the hell that explosion was out there. Ryan: Oh really? Molly: Yeah you wanna join us? [[Yes, let's go]] [[No, I need more time]] <audio autoplay> <source src="assets/cricket.wav"> </audio>

The group heads out into the woods. Molly: Mr. Bigz has been super intense lately. Steve: Yah he's been pushing this Element 12 like crazy. Ryan: You think that stuff really works? Amanda: No, not at all. If anything it takes 30 years off your life. Ryan: Then why do you sell it? Amanda: We need the money, just like everyone else. Molly: Ryan, you're gonna learn that when it comes to Mr.Bigz and his products you don't ask questions, just sell. It should be up to the consumer to make those decisions if it's real or not. Ryan: What about old people though? At a certain age people start losing their ability to tell the difference from fact and ficton. Steve: Well that ain't up to us. If you want to look deep into Mr.Bigz, then you can't expect to work there long. It never works out for people who question authority. [[Enter Woods]]

Ryan gets back on the phone and tries to make more phone calls. Ryan: I'd love to check out the explosion but I gotta impress the boss. Ryan tries to make more calls but the dialer doesn't work. Molly returns to the office to look for Ryan. Molly: Look we know you are familiar with this forrest. If you still don't want to go, I'll understand but we could use you out there. Ryan: It's just that I just started this job and I want to do good. I'm sure the woods will be exciting.. Molly: Just come with us! I'll give you my sales for today so you can still impress Mr.Bigz. Ryan: ... Okay! [[Chapter 2]]

The woods are dark and mysterious. A cloud of smokes has filled the area from the crash which causes visibility to be low. Molly: Ryan I want to introduce you to some of the other guys who will be coming with us. This is Jake, Amanda, and Steve. Ryan: Hi, I'm Ryan. Jake: Nice to meet you. Amanda: Welcome to the team Ryan. Steve: Hey man I'm Steve. Molly: Okay first things first, we gotta find supplies. The group's first task is to arm themselves. They collect branches from trees and sharpen them on the rocks. Steve: How are your spear skills, Ryan? Ryan: Definitely better than my phone skills. One of the members rips his shirt into pieces which creates a sling. He then collects smaller rocks. Steve: I'm more of a sling guy. Keeps you out of the danger zone but still keeps you in the fight. "Hey, do you want to use a spear as a weapon of the sling?" [[I'll use the spear]] [[I'll use the sling]]

Ryan looks examines his spear. The end is sharp as a knife coming to a point. He takes the spear and throws it into a tree stump. The spear sticks easily into the stump. Steve: Nice, looks like you got some skills with a spear. Ryan: Thanks, I've got some practice in the Boy Scouts. Steve: Very well, why don't you give a few more throws. [[Spear Practice]]

Ryan looks examines his sling. The sling is solid and the rocks are sharp. He loads up a rock, swings it around then lets looks into a tree stump. The rock blasts through the stump Steve: Nice, looks like you got some skills with a sling. Ryan: Thanks, I've got some practice in the Boy Scouts. [[Sling Training]]

Once the team equips their weapons they travel deeper into the woods, looking for the mysterious crash. There are five team members in total, three have spears and two have slings. At the entrance of the woods, a wounded man lay on the ground. Ryan: Hey are you ok? The group gathers around. Molly: He doesn't look good.. Molly reaches down and checks his pulse. Molly: There's a pulse but it's faint. Amanda: What should we do? We can't just leave him here. Steve: What choice do we have? Carry him back? He must weigh 250 pounds. Ryan: On our way back through the woods, we can get help, but there isn't much we can do now. Molly: Let's keep moving. The team decides to travel deeper into the woods. Steve: All this work has made me hungry and I didn't eat lunch during the break today. Ryan: There's food in these woods, berries, mushrooms, wilds animals. The team decides to pick berries and mushrooms for a snack. What would you like to eat? [[Berries]] [[Mushrooms]]

The berries are dark black and fall off the vein with ease. These berries are ripe and sweet. Ryan grabs a handful and stuffs them into his mouth. A sweet and tangy taste fills his mouth as he smiles. Ryan: Anyone else wanna try these berries? Molly points to a large patch of berries near the river. Molly: Those look like their about ot decay, haha, but enjoy them. Let's go grab those fresh ones near the river. [[River Bend]]

The mushrooms are off white and pull from the ground with ease. These mushrooms are ripe and earthy. Ryan grabs a handful and stuffs them into his mouth. A chalky earthy taste fills his mouth as he smiles. Ryan: Anyone else wanna try these mushrooms? Molly points to a large patch of mushrooms near the river. Molly: Those look like their decay, haha, but enjoy them. Let's go grab those fresh ones near the river. [[River]]

When the team reaches the river crossing, Amanda and Steve grab their stomachs. Steve: Ooh I think something is wrong.. Amanda: You feel that to? Feels like poision. Steve kneels down by the river. Steve: I think I need a break. Amanda and Steve lay down on the ground. Ryan: Molly, what are we going to do? Should we leave them here? Molly: What choice do we have? If we turn back now we may never find what crash landed out here. Amanda and Steve cannot go on any longer and must stay behind. Ryan and Molly must decide to turn back now and go home or continue deeper into the woods. [[Go home]] [[keep going forward]]

Ryan: We can't keep going. They're sick from the foreging, if we turn back now we can make it home before night fall. Molly: You're right let's get them to safety. The team decides to play it safe and travel back home. They have to walk slowly as the sick people have slowed them down. Ryan: Hey did you hear that? Molly: No, what do you mean? Ryan: Maybe it was nothing but I swear I heard somthing... Suddenly a pack of bears come out of the woods and attacks the party, killing everyone. [[Game Over]]

Ryan: We can move faster to the crash site if we leave them here. They'll be safe by the river. It looks like the crash site isn't far from here. Molly: Okay, I'm with you. Amanda: We will be okay. If you find anything special in the crash we get half. Steve: Yeah we want half. Ryan: No worries, you guys just rest here, we'll be back shortly. The team decides to leave the two sick people behind and travel deeper into the woods. [[Chapter 3]]

The team was killed by the bears. GAME OVER [[Start]]

<center> <img src="assets/alien.png"> </center> Ryan and Molly travel deeper into the woods. It's become darker due to the overgrowth. The team reaches near the area of the crash site. There's a glow coming from a small fire buring from the crash. Smoke has filled the entire area causing the team to move slower than normal. Ryan: This must be it. Molly: When the thing crashed it knocked down a bunch of old trees blocking the path. Ryan: It looks too dangerous to climb directly over the fallen trees. We can't afford for someone else to get hurt. We're gonna have to take the longer route around to the crash site. Molly: If we don't hurry we will be walking home in the dark with two sick people. Ryan: Then let's hurry. They come to a fork in the road and must decide which path to take: [[Go Left]] [[Go Right]] <audio autoplay> <source src="assets/broadcast.wav"> </audio>

The team travels around to the back side of the crash. As they get close they can clearly see the thing that crashed onto Earth is an actual space ship. On the side of the ship is the Lettering "Element 12 Supply" Ryan: Element 12? Molly: That's clearly a alien ship. Ryan: This must be where Mr.Bigz is getting his product from. Molly: But how? I mean I know he's a sleazy businessman but working with aliens is in a totally different league. Ryan: Who's to say that man is even human? Molly: Wow what the hell is that? Sitting with its back turned to the group is an octopus alien lifeform. The alien octopus is bright red and begins to grunt. Ryan: Oh my god, this is my first alien siting. Molly: It doesn't look friendly, we must be prepared. Ryan holds his spear tightly with both hands. Molly loads her sling with a sharp rock. [[attack alien]] [[run away]]

Ryan approaches the alien with his spear raised. He cocks it back then releases the spear. The spear glides through the air and stabs the red octopus alien. Alien: AAAhhh! Ryan runs up to the alien and pulls the spear from his body. The alien smacks Ryan to the ground with his tentacle. The alien jumps up over to Ryan. Bright blue blood streams from the aliens side. Ryan holds his spear at the ready from the ground but the alien knocks it away. With his other tentacle the alien wraps it around Ryan's neck and begins to squeeze. Ryan grabs the tentacle around his neck to alleviate pressure but its too strong. Just then Molly slings a sharp rock into the aliens head. The alien turns to attack Molly. She loads another rock into her sling but it's too late. The ocotopus alien has already closed the distance. He wraps his tentacle around her neck and lifts her off the ground. She begins to gurgle and turn blue. Ryan comes to, gets up and launches his spear at the alien octopus, stabbing it directly in the head. The alien releases Molly and falls over. The alien lets out a loud scream then dies. Ryan: Molly! Are you ok? Molly: Yeah I think so. Are you ok? Ryan: my neck feels squished but I think I'll be ok. [[examine the alien]] [[examine the ship]]

Molly and Ryan retreat back towards the river stream but the alien gives chase. Suddenly a red tenticle wraps around Molly's head and rips it off clean. Ryan: Molly! Aaahh!! Noooo. Molly's body falls to the ground. Just then another tenticle wraps around Ryan's body and squeezes the life out of him. The alien pulls Ryan's lifeless body back to the crash site. GAME OVER [[Chapter 3]]

The bright red octopus alien lay in the dirt. Blue blood continues to gush out of his head. The alien is dead. Molly: Is it dead? Ryan: I think so. They both move closer to examine the dead alien. The blue blood ontop of the red octopus skin creates a purple color that looks similar to Element 12. Ryan: It's definitely dead. [[examine the ship]]

The ship is still smoldering from the crash, Ryan and Molly approach the ship and look inside. The front of the ship has different gauges and lights flashing. There's an alien language written on the gauges but Ryan and Molly cannot decipher the meaning. The back of the ship is filled with metal crates. Suddenly the plane engulfs with fire. Molly: We gotta get away from this thing, it could blow up. Ryan: We will but first I need to know what's inside those crates. Ryan goes inside the ship and begins to drag a crate from the fire. Molly: Be careful, Ryan! Ryan emerges from the ship with a metal crate. They both run away from the ship as it explodes behind them, destroying any evidence. Ryan: Wow that was close! But we got one, let's see what's inside. Ryan uses his spear to pry open the metal crate. As the lid pops off, a purple glow fills Molly and Ryan's faces. Molly: It's Element 12! Inside the crate is two viles of Element 12. Ryan: So this is where Mr. Bigz is getting Element 12 from. Molly: That slimey bastard is probably an alien himself. Ryan grabs a vile of Element 12 from the case, Molly grabs the other one. Molly: Should we try it? Ryan: This may be the last of the stuff after that wreck. Ryan and Molly pop the lids open on their Element 12. Molly: Cheers. Ryan: Cheers. [[game over]]

[[Space Calling]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

Mr.Bigz leans in closer to Ryan. Mr. Bigz: "Listen bud, I know you're living in a tent in thsoe woods. Scary things happen in those woods and you can't live there forever. This may be your last chance to get back on your feet son. What do you say?" Ryan: "How do you know I live in the woods?" Mr. Bigz: I can smell it on you. Now what do you say? This is your last chance.." [[I accept your job offer.]] [[Nah, I'm good.]]

Ryan hits redial. Custome: Hey, I'm not interested! Can't you take a hint? Ryan: Sir, maybe you're not interested in extending your life, but what about your family members. Don't you think they would like to have you around longer? Our product can help you stay with your family longer. Create more memories and earn more money. What do you say? Are you ready to give Element 12 a chance? Customer: Don't call me again, A**hole! [[Job Start]]

Ryan calls Barry back. Ryan: Hey Barry, it's Ryan again. Listen I really want you to experience the benefits of this new product. What would it take for us to send you a shipment today? Barry: Hmmm, well, could you reduce the price by 50%? Rayan: You know we can't do that Barry, we would be losing money. Barry: Then I ain't interested young man. Ryan: Okay Okay, what about we do free shipping and 15% off? Ryan: Barry? You still there? Ryan: Hello? Barry: Okay let's do it! You sold me on it. Ryan: You're not gonna regret this Barry. I'll send the shipment out tomorrow morning first thing. Barry: Thank you young man. [[Chapter 2]]

Reference Images: 1. Phones. Wallpaper Flare. Retrieved from: https://www.wallpaperflare.com/call-us-phone-represents-talking-debate-and-conversation-call-now-wallpaper-aggji 2. Dark Forest. Brenkee. Retrieved from: https://www.needpix.com/photo/589286/forest-darkness-dark-forest-portrait-spooky-shadow-woman-wilderness-mysterious 3. Space Alien. PickPik. Retrieved from: https://www.pickpik.com/black-and-white-creepy-ghost-hand-window-light-41936 Sounds: 1. Ring. NoiseCollector. Retrieved from: https://freesound.org/people/NoiseCollector/sounds/3978/ 2. Alien Alarm Broadcast. Airborne80. Retrieved from: https://freesound.org/people/Airborne80/sounds/240851/ 3.Cricket. Ev-Dawg. Retrieved from: https://freesound.org/people/Ev-Dawg/sounds/337435/

-Space Calling- [[Reference]] [[Start]]

Caller: Hello, I'm calling about the life extension stuff. Ryan: Yes, you've reached the right place, Element 12 industries. Caller: Ok, I want an express order. Ryan: You got it! On it's way. [[Thank you, I'll send your shipment and charge your card.]]

Molly places her scarf on a tree branch. Molly: Alright let's practice those Sling skills. Ryan loads up the sling. Molly: Now try not to destroy my scarf but we'll use it for sling practice. Are you ready? Ryan: Always. Ryan swings a rock around then hurls it at the scarf. The rock collides with the scarf and smashes against the tree. Molly: Dang. You got some skills. Let's move forward. [[Deep Woods]]

Molly places her scarf on a tree branch. Molly: Alright let's practice those spear skills. Ryan grabs his spear. Molly: Now try not to destroy my scarf but we'll use it for spear practice. Are you ready? Ryan: Always. Ryan pulls back the spear then hurls it at the scarf. The spear collides with the scarf and smashes against the tree. Molly: Dang. You got some skills. Let's move forward. [[Deep Woods]]

Molly leads the way down to the river. Ryan: Hey slow down these rocks are wet. Suddenly Ryan slips and falls on his butt. Molly turns around and looks at Ryan, she smiles. Ryan: I was just trying to help.. Molly reaches her hand out and helps Ryan up. Molly: Let's get them shrooms! Ryan and Molly Laugh and they eat the mushrooms from the river. [[River Crossing]]

Molly leads the way down to the river. Ryan: Hey slow down these rocks are wet. Suddenly Ryan slips and falls on his butt. Molly turns around and looks at Ryan, she smiles. Ryan: I was just trying to help.. Molly reaches her hand out and helps Ryan up. Molly: Let's get them berries! Ryan and Molly Laugh and they eat the mushrooms from the river. [[River Crossing]]