About Time v2

Your browser lacks required capabilities. Please upgrade it or switch to another to continue.

Loading…

<> <<set $vignetteLst = ["Flirt"]>> <<set $regret = false>> <<set $remorse = false>> <<set $transistor = false>> <<set $Flirt = false>> <<set $depressed = false>> <<set $sunny = false>> <<set $dayCount = 743>> <> "Time is relative." This formula excerpt from the theory of A. Einstein is also evocative out of its context. We can feel it when we are excited or extremely bored. Find it in our expressions, what's a good time after all ? Or a strange time ? Or even my favorite : being right in time ? The concept of time is more difficult to grasp because of its constraint... It can only move forward. It fixes the present in a state that can only be remembered as history. Only the imagination enable us to discover the other paths that won't ever occur. You just have to start with a simple formula, from the literary world this time... [[Once upon the time...|Generate]]

It's amazing how unadapted our emotions sometime are to fulfill our interests. While not knowing that my answer would actually matter. I had the best possible attitude. Detached. Confident. - "I'm never looking for something. I just enjoy what I find." - "Woah, I like the spirit, I'll be curious to hear what you find and what it will lead you to !" <> /*[[Flirt_regret]][[Flirt_breath]]*/ <<set $choicesLst = [ {text : "Right now is right", link : "Flirt_regret"}, {text : "There is no rush", link : "Flirt_breath"}]>> <<include Choice>> <>

<> <<set $remorse = true>> <>- "Sure, I'm looking for transistors, I'm building a..." Eye contact. Heart beat increases. Slight shake on the left hand. Sweat will come. - "Those are not rare, and I have a lot of variety. Some sailors found plenty in recent expeditions." She shows me a section I didn't come to yet. Lots of them indeed. I'm not in a good mental state to make efficient choices. - "I'm... I'm going.... To look around." She goes away just as she came, but now, I figured out she was my type and I will need to have another conversation with her if I want those components. <> /*[[Flirt_transistor]][[Flirt_flee]]*/ <<set $choicesLst = [ {text : "It's going to be a good time", link : "Flirt_transistor"}, {text : "Maybe next time", link : "Flirt_flee"}]>> <<include Choice>> <>

So, I met this girl from another island. Super cute. We barely talked at first. I was looking for components. Browsing the stalls, I didn't notice when she came closer. - "What are you looking for ? Maybe I can help." <> /*[[Flirt_confident]][[Flirt_remorse]]*/ <<set $choicesLst = [ {text : "Good timing", link : "Flirt_remorse"}, {text : "Not right now", link : "Flirt_confident"}]>> <<include Choice>> <>

<><<for _choice range $choicesLst>> <<capture _choice>><<link _choice.text>> <<if _choice.variables != undefined>> <<for _key range Object.keys(_choice.variables)>> <<set State.variables[_key] = _choice.variables[_key]>> <</for>> <</if>> <<append "#vignette" t8n>> <<= Story.get(_choice.link).text>> <</append>> <<remove "#choice">> <</link>><</capture>> <<= "\n">> <</for>> <>

<> <<if $transistor == false>>I do need those transistors... I'm trying to think but I keep looping through emotions without any clear thought able to emerge. <<= "\n">><<= "\n">><</if>> <<if $remorse>>A simple memory builds up joy and soon turn into excitement. She was cute... It grows. And nice... Too fast. She might have been interested. I can't hold it. Sudden vertigo. I should have ask her out... Falling down. I try to catch something on the way. At least my breath. I start suffocating. I need to calm down. It slowly improves. For a fraction of time, I'm quiet. I forgot, but already her picture comes back. <<= "\n">><<= "\n">> <<if $transistor == false>>Sailors will go without radio this time. <</if>>I catch the door out not giving a look back. The fresh air feels nice even if I'm cold inside. I'm already looking at this as it was the past. With nostalgia. Remorse is less intense than regrets... but it stays with you forever. <<elseif $regret>>Nothing happened. I’m containing it. For as long as I can, but the memory is growing until it's able to force itself. The dam breaks I’m submerged by disgust. Drawn into regrets. An apparent benign situation shakes my whole mental structure one good time. The impact was strong, but also fast. I’m telling myself it’s going to be OK one more time... Rebuilding the dam knowing another wave will soon come. <<= "\n">><<= "\n">> <<if $transistor == false>>Sailors will go without radio this time.<</if>> I catch the door out not giving a look back. The fresh air feels nice but my heart is burning. Regrets are stronger than remorse... but nobody can predict the future if they never tried anything in the past.<<if $transistor>>At least I have everything I need to build the sailors a radio now.<</if>><</if>> <> [[Only time can heal those wounds|Conclusion]]

<> <<set $dayCount++>> <<set _i = random(1)>> <<if _i == 0>> <<set $sunny = true>> <<else>> <<set $sunny = false>> <</if>> <>I take my time before opening my eyes. Let it last for as long as I can. When you sleep you don't see the minute past... But now I'm awake. Nothing I can do about it. <<if $sunny>>A sun ray enlight the whole cell.<<else>>I can hear the rain hitting the walls of the prison.<</if>> So I wake up. Like all day. sit on the couch. stretch my arms. Biiiig breath in... Cough. My lungs hurts. <> /*[[Escape_weather]]*/ <<set $choicesLst = [ {text : "It's nothing...", link : "Escape_weather", variables : {depressed:false}}, {text : "My days are counted", link : "Escape_weather", variables : {depressed:true}}]>> <<include Choice>> <>

<> <<set _i = random($vignetteLst.length-1)>> <<set $vignette = $vignetteLst[_i]>> /* <<run $vignetteLst.deleteAt(_i)>> */ <<include $vignette>> <>/*[[Flirt]][[Escape]]*/<> <>

This story could have gone very differently, depending on subtle shift in time. However, if we put this ending in perspective, over a minute, a lifetime, or even then eternity. Its impact on the protagonist drastically changes, from emotionally draining to meaningless. Don't forget that everything you live is tied to time, and [[time... is relative|Intro]]. This IF was written by <a href="https://twitter.com/_bstr_ct">Bstrct</a>

<> <<set $transistor = true>><<set $awkward = false>> <>My breath stabilizes. I already took my decision and my body is slowly adapting to it. Heart beat... Decent. I put a smile on my face and stress my legs. I hand her the transistors and after a short look to evaluate the price, she gives me a quick look from under. Subtle smile. - "So, what are you making ?" <> /*[[Flirt_invit]][[Flirt_convo]]*/ <<set $choicesLst = [ {text : "Time to ask her out", link : "Flirt_invit"}, {text : "Wait for it", link : "Flirt_convo"}]>> <<include Choice>> <>

<> <<set $regret = true>> <>The combination of pride and physical attractiveness initiate a tension. Gravity. Few more exchanges with her and we are in love. A warm film envelope my skin. Brighten my sight. Lighten my heart. Sometimes things go so fast... Sometime too fast. We are not aligned. Return to reality, the collision is imminent. Not sure what I was doing but I came way too close to her. Her recoil made the awkwardness of the situation even more obvious. She says something but I'm not focused right now... Hopefully, that wasn't a question. She goes back to her desk either way. <> /*[[Flirt_flee]][[Flirt_breath]]*/ <<set $choicesLst = [ {text : "Run", link : "Flirt_flee", variables : {regret:true}}, {text : "Pause", link : "Flirt_breath"}]>> <<include Choice>> <>

I need some time to get use to this new information. She's gorgeous. Fact. Sounds nice too. Strange. I should be pretty stressed right now. I always do when I met someone I like. Luckily, her friendly tone was enough to balance out. My eyes are browsing the stalls blankly. At least it feels like it. However, I ended up on the pile of transistors I was looking for. My body remembers what the mission was while my brain is floating somewhere else. The more time passes, the more distant our exchange is, the more I'm wondering how friendly she was. Memory distortion? Was it just a formal tone? Like, for a customer... Because I am. Sudden thought. Was it cynical ? A "woah..." more than a "woah !" like she's not impressed ? <> /*[[Flirt_flee]][[Flirt_transistor]]*/ <<set $choicesLst = [ {text : "Ok, time to go !", link : "Flirt_transistor"}, {text : "Time to go... Away!", link : "Flirt_flee", variables : {remorse:true}}]>><<include Choice>> <>

- "You know what ? I would love to show you my workshop if you'd like." Words came a bit faster than expected and she looks... <<if $awkward>>A bit surprised. OK, extremely confused to be honest !<<else>>Fine by it, she gives me a nice smile, I can add some more before she answers.<</if>> <> /*[[Flirt_invit_push]][[Flirt_invit_slow]]*/ <<set $choicesLst = [ {text : "Time to shine", link : "Flirt_invit_push"}, {text : "Time to shy", link : "Flirt_invit_slow"}]>> <<include Choice>> <>

<> <<set $awkward = true>> <>- "Hum... Don't you want to guess?" - "Well, it is one of the most common components…" - "Right I…" - "Wait ! I still want to try: You have a long coat like the sailors so you spend time on the docks. However, you are not tanned, so you probably don't actually go on the ships... <> /*[[Flirt_invit]][[Flirt_convo_2]]*/ <<set $choicesLst = [ {text : "Time to ask her out", link : "Flirt_invit"}, {text : "She's probably busy anyway...", link : "Flirt_convo_2"}]>> <<include Choice>> <>

<> <<set $awkward = false>> <>...So, more of a maker than a repairman. Therefore, the main device everyone is looking for right now is... Radios ?" I was intrigued at first, then surprised, then... Almost scared. - "Part-time shopkeeper, part-time detective hun?" - "I do actually... Considering this, you are also pretty good at it." <> /*[[Flirt_invit]][[Flirt_convo_3]]*/ <<set $choicesLst = [ {text : "Time to ask her out", link : "Flirt_invit"}, {text : "Why now?", link : "Flirt_convo_3"}]>><<include Choice>> <>

<> <<set $awkward = true>> <>We then stop talking. Looking at each other. Some time passes. Could be a second. Could be a minute. She wakes up before me and looks back to the transistors. Back to the seller/customer relationship. She gives me a price. <> /*[[Flirt_invit]][[Flirt_flee]]*/ <<set $choicesLst = [ {text : "Time to ask her out", link : "Flirt_invit"}, {text : "Timeout", link : "Flirt_flee", variables : {remorse:true}}]>> <<include Choice>> <>

<><<if $awkward>>Adopting an overly confident posture seemed to be the opposite of what she expected. I should have apologized. Now it's too late and in case I didn't get it, her tone of voice makes it real explicit. <<= "\n">><<= "\n">> - "Not sure where you are going with that but let's focus on the transaction, would you ?" <<= "\n">><<= "\n">> I blank. Hear the amount. Don't even try to bargain. <<= "\n">><<= "\n">> <<set $choicesLst = [ {text : "Time flies as I do", link : "Flirt_flee", variables : {regret:true}}]>> <<include Choice>> <<else>>- "When do you usually close the shop ?" <<= "\n">><<= "\n">> - "Ho, I'm just waiting for my friend to come back." <<= "\n">><<= "\n">> - "Well, maybe I can keep you company until then." <<= "\n">><<= "\n">> - "I'd love too, as you can see, there are not many people right now." <<= "\n">><<= "\n">> <<set $choicesLst = [ {text : "Enjoy my time", link : "Flirt_success"}]>> <<include Choice>> <</if>> /*[[Flirt_flee]][[Flirt_success]]*/<>

<><<if $awkward>>I take some time to compose and finally decide to expose myself: <<= "\n">><<= "\n">> - "I'm sorry, you look great, sound nice, and I guess it's too much to handle for my nerves. I just wish I could have a chance to discuss with you in another context. One where there isn't time pressure to say something smart or give a nice impression at the first glance." She takes some time to evaluate my statement. Maybe I was too serious, let's de-escalade this. "Am I making it worst ? Sorry I'm getting romantic sometime." <<= "\n">><<= "\n">> - "No no, romantic is great. It often ends up in tears but it offers a rare honesty about the feelings of oneself. You know, my day is probably over soon. Would you keep me company for the time left ?" <<= "\n">><<= "\n">> <<set $choicesLst = [ {text : "Enjoy the time left", link : "Flirt_success"}]>> <<include Choice>> <<else>>Not sure why, but I feel a sudden danger. What if she was busy right now? Am I imposing myself? Am I really prepared to manage the stress of a full-blown date? Still time to retract before she answers. <<= "\n">><<= "\n">> - "I mean, it could be whenever, maybe next week or something ?" <<= "\n">><<= "\n">> She seems surprised by the change of pacing and answer on the same confused tone I gave her: <<= "\n">><<= "\n">> - "Ho, sure. Could be fun eventually. We'll figure out." <<= "\n">><<= "\n">> Nervous. We need to focus on something else. We were in a middle of a transaction. Good. I look down the transistors and she gives me a price quickly. I pay. Head out. <<= "\n">><<= "\n">> <<set $choicesLst = [ {text : "Running out of time", link : "Flirt_flee", variables : {remorse:true}}]>> <<include Choice>> <</if>> /*[[Flirt_flee]][[Flirt_success]]*/<>

I sit near her and have this funny thought. I don't even know her name yet. This game we played was just a premise of what it's like to tune yourself with another person. We reached a stepping stone. A foundation of trust that broadens the topics we can discuss, the risks we can take, and eventually will lead us to the next one. Granting ourselves more time.<<set $Flirt = true>> [[That was a good time|Conclusion]]

It was the good time It was a dark time

<<if $depressed>>It's getting worst, but more than that... Even in the sailors most craziest story, nobody recovers from lungs pain. I take another breath. Smaller this time. More like a resigned sigh.<<else>>IT'S NOTHING !<</if>> I stand up. Take my makeshift knife and add one more fish to the sea. Take a look back. Look at the whole wall. Started as an aquarium. Now it's a hell of an ocean ! <<= $dayCount>> fishes and one shark. <<= $dayCount>>... 1 for each day I couldn't get one from the sea. One shark because it only takes one to get caught. Now my favorite part. I walk slowly. <<if $sunny>>The light is so strong that my eyes are already half closed. The cell is a oven but I can feel a subtle wind caressing my skin. I reach the window and see the outside under a beautiful sunny day.<<else>>It's freezing in the cell but it is even colder outside. A gust of wind close my eyes. I can feel some moisture on my skin already. I reach the window and see the outside under a beautiful rainny day.<</if>> This ritual has been my only joy for all this time... But soon it will be over. <<if $depressed>>I probably don't have much longer to live...<<else>>I'm getting out of here !<</if>> <> /*[[Escape_plan]][[Escape_wait]]*/ <<set $choicesLst = [ {text : "This day could be the last", link : "Escape_plan"}, {text : "I have a bad feeling about this", link : "Escape_wait"}]>> <<include Choice>> <>

One way or another I need to get out of here right now<<if $depressed>>...<<else>> !<</if>>I've been preparing this for a long time. When I first arrived they just put me in the cell for an eternity... Just to break me. Just so I would beg to get out. Even when they put me at work on the open mine. Long day under the burning sun or the cold rain. Even then I was so gratful toward them. Then it became a routine. We can get use to anything if you repeat it enough time. The first day I end up near death of exaustion. after 10 all my body had entered a survival state adrenaline rushing throught my veins, my mind focused, sharp, finding any way to ease my work, my posture, my thirst, so I can pass through an other day. After a 100, I was just repeating the same actions, I already optimize what I could, my body was tired by the end of the day, but my brain was struggling, I couldn't sleep so I start planing. After <<= $dayCount>> days, I have a plan. It is time to try it. The guards are approaching I stand close to the gate waiting for them to open it. Damn it ! I figure out that I forgot to hide my knife, it is still in my belt of fortune. They are almost there ! <> /*[[Escape_catch]][[Escape_work]]*/ <<set $choicesLst = [ {text : "Do it already !", link : "Escape_catch", variables : {depressed:false}}, {text : "Stand still", link : "Escape_work", variables : {depressed:true}}]>> <<include Choice>> <>

<<if $depressed>>It's been a while I'm planing my escape, but every day I feel weaker. The weaker, the less confident about this plan. The less confident, the less I can dream about it... And without dreams, how could I be motivated to get stronger ? My last hope is that coming closer to death I won't care anymore about the risk and go for it anyway... <<else>>I'm not going to rush my escape though. I became patient during my time. Prison do that to people. Forces you to be patient or to die pursuing a quick escape. I was a sailor luckily, like most prisoners around. Used to wait on the deck. Wait in the court. Wait in the pit. Most others can't endure it. Just like if this whole system has been designed for us in mind... My time will come, I'll just wait a bit longer.<</if>> The bell rings and makes me surface from my thought. The guards start opening the gates. <> /*[[Escape_medic]][[Escape_work]]*/ <<set $choicesLst = [ {text : "Time to rest and think", link : "Escape_medic", variables : {depressed:false}}, {text : "Time to eat and work", link : "Escape_work", variables : {depressed:true}}]>> <<include Choice>> <>

I quickly grab some dirt and breathe it. I cough. Runny nose. It start to grow too. I lie down on my couch. Work on my breathing. It should be pretty convincing. They don't take chances with contagious viruses around. Nobody is using this trick for long anyway. I hear the guard approaching. Give another heavy cough. - "Shit ! This one looks bad. Go grab the medic I'll bring him in." Something is different. Why are they more scared this time ? I start noticing the liquid under my nose. thiker than usual, and this smell... It's blood ! I went hard on my nose this time. Nobody likes to go any close to the infirmary because of all the disease you may catch but I don't see alternative without blowing my cover. <> /*[[Escape_infirmary]][[Escape_work]]*/ <<set $choicesLst = [ {text : "Better play along", link : "Escape_infirmary", variables : {depressed:false}}, {text : "I can deescalate this", link : "Escape_work", variables : {depressed:true}}]>> <<include Choice>> <>

The best time is right after lunch. Everyone is sleepy right after lunch. The sun hits hard.

Double-click this passage to edit it.