(set: $start to 0)Hi there! This is a short game called Date Night, written by me, Hannah Dwan. That's cool, ain't it?
Anyway. This game takes place in real-time. That means that when you start, it's going to be tracking how long you take. Don't worry about rushing! You've got plenty of time, feel free to go to the toilet midway, reply to that email, or check out your messages on whatever social media you use. You'll have an hour, so make sure you're still around then!
If there's nothing for you to do, don't panic. Actions take time. Sometimes you might have to wait. There's also some music later on in this game. Just as a warning, in case you're in a library. If you are: I'm flattered you're playing this rather than reading something award-winningly brilliant. And on top of all of that, this game will occasionally give you some popups. Try not to play this when your boss is looking over your shoulder, then.
So, when you're ready, we can [[begin|Real start]].
(set: $start to 1)(set: $startingtime to (current-time:))(if: $startingtime's (2) is ":")[(set: $startingtimehours to $startingtime's (1))(set: $startingtimeminutes to $startingtime's (3) + $startingtime's (4))(set: $startingtimehours to (num: $startingtimehours))(set: $startingtimeminutes to (num: $startingtimeminutes))(set: $endingtimehours to $startingtimehours + 1)(set: $endingtimeminutes to $startingtimeminutes)(set: $amorpm to $startingtime's (-1) + "M")](else:)[(set: $startingtimehours to $startingtime's (1) + $startingtime's (2))(set: $startingtimeminutes to $startingtime's (4) + $startingtime's (5))(set: $startingtimehours to (num: $startingtimehours))(set: $startingtimeminutes to (num: $startingtimeminutes))(if: $startingtimehours is 11)[(if: $startingtime's (-1) is "P")[(set: $amorpm to "AM")](else:)[(set: $amorpm to "PM")]](else:)[(set: $amorpm to $startingtime's (-1) + "M")]](set: $endingtimehours to $startingtimehours + 1)(set: $endingtimeminutes to $startingtimeminutes)(set: $lastminutealarm to $endingtimeminutes - 10)(if: $lastminutealarm < 0)[(set: $lastminutealarm to 60+$lastminutealarm)](set: $friendtextingyou to $endingtimeminutes - 2)(if: $friendtextingyou < 0)[(set: $friendtextingyou to $endingtimeminutes + $friendtextingyou)](set: $lastminutealarm to (text: $lastminutealarm))(set: $friendtextingyou to (text: $friendtextingyou))
The time is (current-time:). You've got a date, starting at exactly (if: $endingtimehours's length is 1)[(print: "0" + $endingtimehours)](else:)[(print: $endingtimehours)]:(if: $endingtimeminutes's length is 1)[(print: "0" + $endingtimeminutes)](else:)[(print: $endingtimeminutes)] $amorpm.
A blind date, in fact! A complete stranger, someone you've never met before. Well, probably, weirder coincidences have happened.
You're not even sure what their name is, or anything like that. Where they live, what their job is, what they like to do in their spare time, what sort of clothes they wear, or, well, anything. And presumably, they're thinking the same thing in their place. Their apartment? Flat? Parent's house? Penthouse? The fact that you're going on a date with a stranger really is settling in.
Despite knowing nothing about them, you like to imagine [[what they might look like|What do they look like?]].
(set: $whatdotheylooklikecounter to 0)(live: 22s)[(set: $whatdotheylooklikecounter to $whatdotheylooklikecounter+1)]What's their hair colour?
(live: 5s)[(if: $whatdotheylooklikecounter >= 1)[Strike that, first of all, what's their name?(stop:)]]
(live: 5s)[(if: $whatdotheylooklikecounter >= 2)[What's their job?(stop:)]]
(live: 5s)[(if: $whatdotheylooklikecounter >= 3)[What's their favourite film?(stop:)]]
(live: 5s)[(if: $whatdotheylooklikecounter >= 4)[What will they be wearing?(stop:)]]
(live: 5s)[(if: $whatdotheylooklikecounter >= 5)[Will they be confident in this, or a little shy?(stop:)]]
(live: 5s)[(if: $whatdotheylooklikecounter >= 6)[How did your friend meet this person?(stop:)]]
(live: 5s)[(if: $whatdotheylooklikecounter >= 7)[Do you think it will go well?(stop:)]]
(live: 5s)[(if: $whatdotheylooklikecounter >= 8)[It's not going to change anything thinking about the what ifs, really, but they're fun to think about when they're positive. What ifs are sometimes a cynical and pessimistic take, but sometimes a little fantasy is nice. You've got a little rule to not let others stop you fantasising when you want to.
But your date's getting closer. You should probably [[check where it was you were meeting them.|Check phone for where date is]](stop:)]]
You pull out your phone, and go to your messaging app of choice, scrolling up your conversation with your friend.
"Hey! Cupid's on your case, and you two should be meeting up next week on the corner of Trinity Street at (if: $endingtimehours's length is 1)[(print: "0" + $endingtimehours)](else:)[(print: $endingtimehours)]:(if: $endingtimeminutes's length is 1)[(print: "0" + $endingtimeminutes)](else:)[(print: $endingtimeminutes)] $amorpm.. You know the one right? Near those restaurants. From there, you two can do whatever you want. Cupid just brings people together, but you've gotta be the rad date. Have fun!"
Oh yeah, [[Trinity Street|Thinking about Trinity Street]].
It's just around the corner, and you could walk there in about 5 minutes or so. Less if you walked fast.
Despite being so close, you're not really that familiar with Trinity Street. It's got a bunch of family-owned restaurants, plus a small grocery shop coupled with a florist's that smells really nice when you walk past, but that's about it. Typically, you go closer to the inner city nearby to meet friends.
Hopefully, that means this mystery dateperson lives nearby, and this is nice and convenient for both of you. That would be nice, if only so you can meet up against easily later, assuming the date goes well.
For a while, you scroll back through [[your conversation with your friend|Looking through conversation]].
(set: $lookingthroughconversationcounter to 0)(live: 10s)[(set: $lookingthroughconversationcounter to $lookingthroughconversationcounter+1)]It's always weird when you scroll back through conversations with close friends, because you don't remember sending thousands of messages, but here you are, swiping your thumb up the touchscreen of your phone over and over again, with message after message flying upwards.
(live: 5s)[(if: $lookingthroughconversationcounter >= 5)[
==>
You:
==>
(css: "background: #8080ff; text-align: left; padding: 5px; border-radius: 25px")[What's their name?] (stop:)]]
(live: 5s)[(if: $lookingthroughconversationcounter >= 7)[Them:
(css: "background: #6666ff; padding: 5px; border-radius: 25px")[Well it's not a blind date if you know anything about them is it now?](stop:)]]
(live: 5s)[(if: $lookingthroughconversationcounter >= 9)[
==>
You:
==>
(css: "background: #8080ff; text-align: left; padding: 5px; border-radius: 25px")[It's just their name!](stop:)]]
(live: 5s)[(if: $lookingthroughconversationcounter >= 11)[Them:
(css: "background: #6666ff; padding: 5px; border-radius: 25px")[Not telling. <3](stop:)]]
(live: 5s)[(if: $lookingthroughconversationcounter >= 13)[Then the converastion turned to that TV show you had both been watching, and stayed on that for a while. (stop:)]]
(live: 5s)[(if: $lookingthroughconversationcounter >= 15)[Them:
(css: "background: #6666ff; padding: 5px; border-radius: 25px")[Anyway, got to go. Have fun at your date, and let me know how it goes! See ya. <3]
[[They weren't too helpful.|After checking phone conversation]](stop:)]]
Anyway, it's (current-time:). You should probably start getting ready.
What should you wear though? You've not even been given any plans. Something formal? Something casual?
What if you're wearing something too fancy, and they come in just jeans and a t-shirt?
What if they have a plan, and you're going to a nice restaurant, but you've got some casual wear and a hoodie?
It's hard to gauge.
[[You go to your wardrobe|Checking wardrobe]] to check out what clothes aren't in the wash.
Well, it looks like you don't have much of a choice.
You really should get on top of your laundry. For one, it means your laundry basket is always full, and for two, it means you're not able to have much of a choice in this sort of situation.
Not that completely blind dates happen too often.
The only thing you feel like you look good in that's left is a green patterned shirt, primarily because, despite not looking it, is really soft, and clings to your figure in just the right way. Couple that with a pair of black jeans, and you're good to go. Stripping off the clothes you wore that day, you [[put on the outfit|Putting on clothes]].
(set: $puttingonclothescounter to 0)(live: 10s)[(set: $puttingonclothescounter to $puttingonclothescounter+1)]Everyone has their own little ritual for putting on their clothes. An unspoken order, something that rarely changes. You could change, but, well, it's just something you do.
(live: 1s)[$puttingonclothescounter]
(live: 1s)[(if: $puttingonclothescounter >= 2)[You start with the underwear.(stop:)]]
(live: 1s)[(if: $puttingonclothescounter >= 4)[Follow that with a top.(stop:)]]
(live: 1s)[(if: $puttingonclothescounter >= 6)[Deodorant after you put on the top.(stop:)]]
(live: 1s)[(if: $puttingonclothescounter >= 8)[Then whatever's going on your legs.(stop:)]]
(live: 1s)[(if: $puttingonclothescounter >= 10)[Then your socks.(stop:)]]
(live: 1s)[(if: $puttingonclothescounter >= 12)[And like that, you look rather damn good, if you do say so yourself. Hopefully your mystery date says the same thing.
But it's getting on, and you need to be [[on your way out soon.|Grabbing keys and things]](stop:)]]
(set: $grabbingkeysandthingscounter to 0)So, what are the necessities you need to grab before you get going?
(link: "Keys.")[You grab your keys from the bowl next to the front door.(set: $grabbingkeysandthingscounter to $grabbingkeysandthingscounter + 1)]
(link: "Headphones.")[You're not sure where you'll end up this evening, so it's good to have these just in case. You might listen to something on the way, anyway.(set: $grabbingkeysandthingscounter to $grabbingkeysandthingscounter + 1)]
(link: "Phone.")[You left your phone in your bedroom when you got dressed, and walk over to the dresser to pick it up.(set: $grabbingkeysandthingscounter to $grabbingkeysandthingscounter + 1)]
(link: "Money.")[Who knows where you're going, but having a little cash on you will made sure you don't embarrass yourself.(set: $grabbingkeysandthingscounter to $grabbingkeysandthingscounter + 1)]
(live: 1s)[(if: $grabbingkeysandthingscounter is 4)[(stop:)Now that you've grabbed everything, it's [[time to leave|Leaving front door]].]]
Alright, so, you probably don't have to leave quite yet, but it's better to be early, especially when you've got a reasonably important first impression to make here.
With a quick jiggle of the front door handle - it's not great and doesn't open very easily, making coming home while somewhat tipsy an entertaining endeavour - you open it up and walk out, and down the road.
It will take a few minutes to get there, so you might want to put on some music.
(click: "some music")[(go-to: "Walking down the road")]
(set: $walkingdowntheroadcounter to 0)<script>window.open('https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XZJ5mD6nSU')</script>(live: 200s)[(set: $walkingdowntheroadcounter to $walkingdowntheroadcounter +1)]
You step along to the beat.
(live: 5s)[(if: $walkingdowntheroadcounter is 1)[Almost perfectly on time to the song ending, you come up to Trinity Street. Pausing your music, you take out your headphones and stow them away.
It's (current-time:).
Your date is at $endingtimehours:$endingtimeminutes $amorpm. On the dot. You never asked your friend why it's so specific - right down to the minute - but ah well, that's apparently when you're meant to be here.
Fortunately, there's a bench just 10 metres away, so you take a seat on it. [[And wait|Waiting]].(stop:)]]
(set: $waitingcounter to 0)(set: $goodorbad to 1)(if: (history:) contains "Alarm goes off")[(live: 300s)[(set: $waitingcounter to $waitingcounter+1)]There's less than 10 minutes to your date now, and you're getting a little anxious, simply because of how close they are. Heck, if they're early too, they could already be here.
You look around every so often, when you're not refreshing pages and apps on your phone mindlessly to distract yourself. After a few deep breaths, the anxiety goes away.
And yet, you still have to wait.]
(if: $waitingcounter is 1)[A car zooms past, beeping its horn at someone walking in the road. It startles you, your heart beating a little too fast for a few moments.](else-if: (history:) contains "Friend texts you")[It would be possible to count down the seconds until your date now. In fact, if your phone is a little slower than theirs, it may already be time. Every so often, your head pivots to look for this mystery date.] (live: 300s)[(set: $waitingcounter to $waitingcounter+1)]People stroll past, clouds shift overhead, and time passes.
(live: 10s)[(if: $waitingcounter is 1)[A person wearing (either: "a red coat", "a blue coat", "an ugly Christmas jumper", "a suit", "a dress") walked in front of you while you were waiting, and tripped. You walk over to help, but they mumble "No, it's fine" and walk away. You feel like you've seen their face before, but you're not sure who they are. (stop:)]]
(live: 10s)[(if: $waitingcounter is 2)[A gust of wind flies past, making it feel like someone tapped you on the shoulder. You look around, but the road is empty.(stop:)]]
(live: 10s)[(if: $waitingcounter is 3)[Someone walks out of a (either: "shop", "restaurant", "cheap chicken shop", "charity shop", "card shop", "electronics store") opposite from you, locking the door. You wonder where they're off to.(stop:)]]
(live: 10s)[(if: $waitingcounter is 4)[A cat charges around a nearby street corner, chasing a pigeon that seemingly doesn't realise it can fly away from its predator. Eventually, after barrelling past you, the bird flaps its wings and takes off, the cat slinking back to its home.(stop:)]]
(live: 10s)[(if: $waitingcounter is 5)[There's a bench in front of you, and someone sits in it, taking out a lunchbox and eating a wrap. They're probably not your blind date. After a few minutes, they walk away, wiping a little mayo off their cheek.(stop:)]]
(live: 10s)[(if: $waitingcounter is 6)[Your fly was undone. Smart you. You zip it back up. At least you got here early enough that you noticed it before your date got to have a little giggle.(stop:)]]
{(live:20s)[(if: $start is 1)[(set: $currenttime to (current-time:))(if: (num: $lastminutealarm) < 10 and $currenttime's 2nd is ":")[(if: $lastminutealarm is $currenttime's 3rd and $currenttime's 4th is " ")[(alert: "Oi! I hope you're at least getting ready for your blind date. Sincerely: You from the past.")(replace: "(live:20s)")[](goto: "Alarm goes off")]](else-if: (num: $lastminutealarm) < 10)[(if: $currenttime's 3rd is ":")[(if: $lastminutealarm is $currenttime's 4th and $currenttime's 5th is " ")[(alert: "Oi! I hope you're at least getting ready for your blind date. Sincerely: You from the past.")(replace: "(live:20s)")[](goto: "Alarm goes off")[]]]](else-if: $currenttime's 2nd is ":" and (num: $lastminutealarm) >= 10)[(if: $lastminutealarm's 1st is $currenttime's 3rd)[(if: $lastminutealarm's 2nd is $currenttime's 4th)[(alert: "Oi! I hope you're at least getting ready for your blind date. Sincerely: You from the past.")(replace: "(live:20s)")[](goto: "Alarm goes off")]]](else:)[(if: $lastminutealarm's 1st is $currenttime's 4th and $lastminutealarm's 2nd is $currenttime's 5th)[(alert: "Oi! I hope you're at least getting ready for your blind date. Sincerely: You from the past.")(replace: "(live:20s)")[](goto: "Alarm goes off")]]]]
(live:19s)[(if: $start is 1)[(set: $currenttime to (current-time:))(if: (num: $friendtextingyou) < 10 and $currenttime's 2nd is ":")[(if: $friendtextingyou is $currenttime's 3rd and $currenttime's 4th is " ")[(alert: "Hey! Just wanted to tell you to have fun on this date, but don't take it too seriously! Love, Cupid <3")(replace: "(live:19s)")[](goto: "Friend texts you")]](else-if: (num: $friendtextingyou) < 10 and $currenttime's 3rd is ":")[(if: $friendtextingyou is $currenttime's 4th and $currenttime's 5th is " ")[(alert: "Hey! Just wanted to tell you to have fun on this date, but don't take it too seriously! Love, Cupid <3")(replace: "(live:19s)")[](goto: "Friend texts you")[]]](else-if: $currenttime's 2nd is ":" and (num: $friendtextingyou) >= 10)[(if: $friendtextingyou's 1st is $currenttime's 3rd and $friendtextingyou's 2nd is $currenttime's 4th)[(alert: "Hey! Just wanted to tell you to have fun on this date, but don't take it too seriously! Love, Cupid <3")(replace: "(live:19s)")[](goto: "Friend texts you")]](else:)[(if: $friendtextingyou's 1st is $currenttime's 4th and $friendtextingyou's 2nd is $currenttime's 5th)[(alert: "Hey! Just wanted to tell you to have fun on this date, but don't take it too seriously! Love, Cupid <3")(replace: "(live:19s)")[](goto: "Friend texts you")]]]]
(live: 15s)[(if: $start is 1)[(set: $currenttime2 to (current-time:))(if: ":" is $currenttime2's 2nd)[(set: $checkingtimehours to $currenttime2's 1st)(set: $checkingtimehours to (num: $checkingtimehours))(set: $checkingtimeminutes to $currenttime2's 3rd + $currenttime2's 4th)(set: $checkingtimeminutes to (num: $checkingtimeminutes))(if: $checkingtimehours is $endingtimehours)[(if: $checkingtimeminutes is $endingtimeminutes)[(if: $goodorbad is 1)[(replace: "(live: 15s)")[](go-to: "FINALE - good")](else:)[(replace: "(live: 15s)")[](go-to: "FINALE - bad")]]]](else:)[(set: $checkingtimehours to $currenttime2's 1st + $currenttime2's 2nd)(set: $checkingtimehours to (num: $checkingtimehours))(set: $checkingtimeminutes to $currenttime2's 4th + $currenttime2's 5th)(set: $checkingtimeminutes to (num: $checkingtimeminutes))(if: $checkingtimehours is $endingtimehours)[(if: $checkingtimehours is $endingtimehours)[(if: $checkingtimeminutes is $endingtimeminutes)[(if: $goodorbad is 1)[(replace: "(live: 15s)")[](go-to: "FINALE - good")](else:)[(replace: "(live: 15s)")[](go-to: "FINALE - bad")]]]]]]]}
You grab your phone as it buzzes wildly, an irritating tune coupling with that horrendous noise of the phone's case rattling against its seat.
Apparently, it's easier than most people make it out to be to forget something you've done a few days ago, as this alarm makes clear. It was set when you first were told about this blind date. Makes all those stories about someone forgetting where they put a **very important** key days before seem much more believable.
(put: (history:) into $historyarray)(set: $lastpassage to $historyarray's last)
After turning the alarm off, you go back to what
(link: "you were doing")[(go-to: $lastpassage)].
Your friend was always really quite goofy, but you genuinely do love them for it. And with a message like this, you know it's because they do honestly want you to have a good time.
(put: (history:) into $historyarray)(set: $lastpassage to $historyarray's last)(if: $lastpassage is "Alarm goes off")[(set: $lastpassage to $historyarray's 2ndlast)]
(link: "Your date is very soon.")[(go-to: $lastpassage)]
It's $endingtimehours:$endingtimeminutes $amorpm. Your date should be here.
There's only one other person around. They sat there a few minutes ago, in fact, and presumably they were waiting for this exact time too.
As the clock on their phone ticks over, they look around and lock eyes with you.
They smile.
They wave.
And [[you walk over|FIN]].
Thanks for playing! I hope you enjoyed yourself.
If you spotted anything weird, or want to tell me something about the game, or anything else like that, send me a tweet at @hoeyboey or email me at hannahdwan96@gmail.com!
I'd also like to give credit to Caitlynn Belle for helping me bugtest and play this monstrosity (seriously, let me know if you want to see how this was coded because it's disgusting). She makes weird games, you can find her work at caitlynnbelle.com and her more porn-focused stuff at hologramfetish.com.
Again, thanks for playing. Have fun on your date.
(click: "caitlynnbelle.com")[<script>window.open('http://caitlynnbelle.com')</script>]
(click: "hologramfetish.com")[<script>window.open('http://hologramfetish.com/')</script>]
It's $endingtimehours:$endingtimeminutes $amorpm. You're late to your date.
Perhaps you got a bit sidetracked picking out a song to play, or simply couldn't decide what to wear, but you're late, and you were told to be there on the dot.
You're not quite sure what you missed out on. And, perhaps you won't ever know. [[It's disappointing|FIN]].
(if: $startingtimehours is 12)[(set: $endingtimehours to 1)(set: $endingtimeminutes to $startingtimeminutes)(if: $startingtime's (-1) is "A")[(set: $amorpm to "PM")]
(set: $startingtime to (current-time:))(if: $startingtime's (2) is ":")[(set: $startingtimehours to $startingtime's (1))(set: $startingtimeminutes to $startingtime's (3) + $startingtime's (4))(set: $startingtimehours to (num: $startingtimehours))(set: $startingtimeminutes to (num: $startingtimeminutes))(set: $endingtimehours to $startingtimehours + 1)(set: $endingtimeminutes to $startingtimeminutes)(set: $amorpm to $startingtime's (-1) + "M")](else:)[(set: $startingtimehours to $startingtime's (1) + $startingtime's (2))(set: $startingtimeminutes to $startingtime's (4) + $startingtime's (5))(set: $startingtimehours to (num: $startingtimehours))(set: $startingtimeminutes to (num: $startingtimeminutes))(if: $startingtimehours is 11)[(if: $startingtime's (-1) is "P")[(set: $amorpm to "AM")](else:)[(set: $amorpm to "PM")]]](else:)[(set: $endingtimehours to $startingtimehours + 1)(set: $endingtimeminutes to $startingtimeminutes)(set: $amorpm to $startingtime's (-1) + "M")](set: $lastminutealarm to $endingtimeminutes - 10)(if: $lastminutealarm < 0)[(set: $lastminutealarm to 60+$lastminutealarm)](set: $friendtextingyou to $endingtimeminutes - 2)(if: $friendtextingyou < 0)[(set: $friendtextingyou to $endingtimeminutes + $friendtextingyou)]
(set: $nicethingscounter to 0)(live: 10s)[(set: $nicethingscounter to $nicethingscounter+1)]You're a little nervous now that you're here. In some ways, it's nice that you don't know this person from work or in any more direct fashion: if it does go wrong, you've not exactly got a responsibility to keep anything up.
But also, what if it does go wonderfully?
(live: 2s)[(if: $nicethingscounter >= 3)[What if they're funny, and find you funny?(stop:)]]
(live: 2s)[(if: $nicethingscounter >= 4)[What if you both feel comfortable with each other, safe to talk about whatever you want?(stop:)]]
(live: 2s)[(if: $nicethingscounter >= 5)[What if you share interests, just enough that you can both ramble on at each other and captivate one another?(stop:)]]
(live: 2s)[(if: $nicethingscounter >= 6)[What if your cheeks start to hurt from smiling so much together?(stop:)]]
(live: 2s)[(if: $nicethingscounter >= 7)[You don't expect any of this, expectation leads to disappointment and all that jazz, but again, it's nice to think about love.
Even if this isn't some romantic love story blind date, after which there'll be a montage of all the subsequent dates you go on set to some inspiring piano arrangement, it will be nice. You've got some time [[to wait before it, though|Waiting on bench]].(stop:)]]
(live:19s)[(set: $currenttime1 to (current-time:))(if: $friendtextingyou < 10 and $currenttime1's 2nd is ":")[(if: $friendtextingyou is $currenttime1's 3rd and $currenttime1's 4th is " ")[(alert: "Hey! Just wanted to tell you to have fun on this date, but don't take it too seriously! Love, Cupid <3")(replace: "(live:19s)")[](goto: "Friend texts you")]](else-if: $friendtextingyou < 10)[(if: $friendtextingyou is $currenttime1's 4th and $currenttime1's 5th is " ")[(alert: "Hey! Just wanted to tell you to have fun on this date, but don't take it too seriously! Love, Cupid <3")(replace: "(live:19s)")[](goto: "Friend texts you")]]](else-if: $currenttime1's 2nd is ":")[(if: $friendtextingyou's 1st is $currenttime1's 3rd and $currenttime1's 4th)[(alert: "Hey! Just wanted to tell you to have fun on this date, but don't take it too seriously! Love, Cupid <3")(replace: "(live:19s)")[](goto: "Friend texts you")]](else:)[(if: $friendtextingyou's is $currenttime1's 4th and $friendtextingyou's 2nd is $currenttime1's 5th)[(alert: "Hey! Just wanted to tell you to have fun on this date, but don't take it too seriously! Love, Cupid <3")(replace: "(live:19s)")[](goto: "Friend texts you")]]