A Woking Simulator

You are a white heterosexual man with an interest for social justice. Basically, it means you try not to be an a-hole and respect people no matter what their gender, origins or sexuality. It also mean you are aware this is not a point of view as widely held as one would expect and that it sets you in opposition to many who don't think to question the general status quo. On the internet, your echo chamber is one of people who agree with those predicates. However, you go to work at Alpha Corp every day, with a team of white men who are not necessarily bad persons, but who would never really question a system that benefits them. [[You go to work->Work1]]

(set:$energy to 100)(set:$woke to 100)(set:$work to 100)(display:"WakeUp") Every working day, you take breaks with your colleagues and talk about various subjects, from the most innocuous to the most political. Of course, you can always choose to isolate yourself, when you feel you need to restore yourself emotionally. [[Take a break with your colleagues->Break1]] [[Take a break on the web->Online1]]

(set:$work to it + 10)Your team spends the break talking about Alpha Corp's latest news. You talk contracts, policy changes, the new work subjects that might be coming up in the future. Some of this interests you and you are pretty optimistic about your future in the company. Also, you like it when the conversation stays professional. [[You go back to work after the break->Work2]]

(set:$energy to it - 10)(set:$work to it - 5)You get online and realize that a new harassment campaign has been started against somebody who just posted selfies of themselves although their appearance differs from the usual beauty standards. It makes you sad and angry to see so much energy spent for the single purpose of making the world a worse place and other people miserable. You spend the rest of the day thinking about this poor person and you’re being inefficient in your job. [[Let's call it a day->Work2]]

(display:"WakeUp") One of your colleagues is leaving the company today for a new job and wants to go to a restaurant to celebrate. He is well-liked and everybody in the team seems to be up for going. [[Go to the restaurant.->Restaurant]] [[Pretend you are unwell to skip it.->SkipRestaurant]]

It is the end of the fiscal year and your managers are about to make meetings to talk about your work results. It’s a good time to think back on how you feel about yourself here. (if:$woke<100)[You might pretend to care about social justice when there are people to congratulate you, but when you are alone and confronted to hate talks, you fail to act on those ideas](else-if:$woke>120)[You keep fighting for what you believe, even if you don't know whether your speeches have an impact. You wish your reactions were pushing others to reconsider some of their old ideas. And in the end, you know the best thing you can do is concentrate on defending your ideas at your own level.] (if:$energy<85)[But speaking up for what you believe in is hard. It takes an emotional toll that you’re starting to feel in your everyday life. You’re feeling depressed.](else:)[By sparing some time for yourself and avoiding open conflict, you managed to protect yourself from being leeched off by the negative energy confrontations can have.] (if:$work<100)[Isolating yourself from your colleagues is a good way to hide from what you hate in the world, but it also made your workplace feel unbearable. You’re thinking about quitting.](else:)[You kept communicating with your colleagues, some of which you appreciate. You realize their behavior is a reflection of society and that in every company, you will meet the same kind of people. You can see yourself continuing working there.] [[End]]

(set:$work to it + 5)The restaurant where you celebrate is a Chinese restaurant. As soon as he gets the menu, Brett, the loudest of your colleagues starts reading it with what he believes to be a Chinese accent, interspersed with racist jokes. [[You interrupt Brett to explain why this is racist and he shouldn't do this->Explanation]] [[You interrupt Brett by just interjecting "Seriously? Come on man..."->SaidSomething]] [[You laugh->Laughed]] [[You ignore the joke->IgnoreRestaurant]]

(set:$work to it - 5)(set:$energy to it + 5)You spend lunchtime looking at cute baby animals. You feel refreshed, but you also know that your absence will be noted. You hope you will not turn into That Guy, the one people don't even bother inviting to events anymore. [[We'll see later->InternDay]]

(set:$energy to it - 20)(set:$work to it - 5)(set:$woke to it + 10)You start explaining how this is racist, but Brett is not willing to listen to you, the restaurant is noisy and everybody else is distracted. He soon interrupts you, saying "Come on, this is just a joke, you know I am not racist!" Everybody goes on with ordering the food as if nothing happened, but you feel bad about not having been able to make your point and knowing that some of them now see you as a party pooper. [[Finish Eating->InternDay]]

(set:$energy to it - 5)(set:$woke to it + 5)Brett asks "What?", but the fact that he doesn't go on with the joke shows you that he knows very well what this was about. The rest of the lunch passes without any other disruption and you’ve had quite a good time overall. [[Finish Eating->InternDay]]

(set:$woke to it - 20)(set:$work to it + 5)A few other people laugh too. Brett is happy to have an audience and goes on to make jokes during the whole duration of the lunch. At some point, the Chinese waiter overhears you and you feel bad when you realize it. [[Finish Eating->InternDay]]

(set:$woke to it - 5)Brett keeps on with his joke for what feels like hours to you. At some point, he finally stops and you jump at the occasion to start another conversation. [[You go back to work->InternDay]]

(set:$intern to true)(set:$energy to it + 5)(display:"WakeUp") A new intern has arrived in your team. It’s a woman called Helena. She is young and looks shy and overwhelmed by this first job experience in a company. You hope your colleagues will behave themselves in front of her. At lunchtime, she leaves to eat with three of your colleagues. [[You join them->InternLunch]] [[You let them go and eat at your desk->SkipIntern]]

(set:$work to it + 5)It takes about 30 minutes into the conversation, before your colleague Logan decides to make misogynistic remarks about how he is the boss at home and his wife does as she’s told and how she loves it because he brings home the bacon. One of your colleagues seems to find it very amusing and spurs him on, while the other seems uneasy but will probably not intervene. Helena is still very shy and her face is hard to read. [[You interrupt Logan to tell him he cannot say that->AngryIntern]] (link:"You mock Logan for his outdated ideas")[(if:$energy>80)[(goto:"MockColleague")](else:)[That would probably be the best solution, but you feel worn out by the previous events and can't find the energy to do it.]] [[You don't say anything->MockIntern]] [[You leave the table->LeaveIntern]]

(set:$energy to it + 5)(set:$work to it - 5)(set:$intern to false)You watch some stupid videos and get a good laugh out of it. You hope the lunch with the intern didn't turn wrong. [[You go back to your day feeling refreshed->Work4]]

(set:$energy to it + 5)(set:$woke to it + 5)Everybody immediately starts laughing at Logan, even the shy Helena. She realized Logan's stance seemed ridiculous to everybody and seems glad. [[You finish eating->Work4]]

(set:$intern to false)(set:$woke to it - 10)(set:$work to it + 5)While Logan continues explaining his "ideas" about the subject, you try sending a "sorry" look to Helena, to make her know it is not a normal conversation. But you can’t manage to catch her stare. [[You hope she will not have to go through this again soon->Work4]]

(set:$work to it - 10)(set:$intern to false)You leave the table with an outraged expression on your face. You hope this move will be understood by Helena as proof that not everybody agrees with Logan. [[You go back to work earlier than usual->Work4]]

(display:"WakeUp") (unless:$intern)[As you arrive in the morning, a manager comes in the office and explains to your team that Helena, the new intern, has in fact received a better offer from an overseas company and decided to take it. You can't help to wonder whether it had anything to do with yesterday's lunch. ]At lunchtime, part of the team leaves to eat with a manager. You know from experience that he can be pretty misogynistic. But he is your manager and you think it might be good for your job to eat with him sometimes. [[Go eat with them->EatManager]] [[Eat on your own->SkipManager]]

(set:$work to it + 5)The conversation seems to be going OK, until at some point the manager starts explaining that men are animals who can't control themselves and women should never meet them alone in private places if they don't want to get raped. (link:"You confront him")[(if:$energy>75)[(goto:"ConfrontManager")](else:)[You wish you could. But you feel worn out by the previous events and can't find the energy to do it.]] [[You act surprised and ask him whether he thinks he is an animal->SmoothManager]] [[You don't say anything->FollowManager]] [[You storm out of the room->LeaveManager]]

(set:$woke to it + 10)(set:$work to it - 5)(set:$energy to it + 5)You spend your lunch break answering to the friend of a friend saying misogynistic things on Facebook. You receive a private message from a friend of yours thanking you for answering, as she felt too burnt out to do it herself. You feel good about it. [[You go back to work->Work5]]

(set:$woke to it + 10)(set:$energy to it - 10)(set:$work to it - 20)You confront your manager, first calmly, then more and more vehemently. You will clearly not change his mind today. No one reacts to the conversation, but after he’s left, you realize the other persons present agreed with you. [[You go back to work knowing your manager might resent you but you said the necessary thing->Work5]]

(set:$work to it - 5)(set:$woke to it - 20)You don't say anything, as you are afraid to lose your job, but you feel awful about it. After the manager leaves, you realize everyone agrees that what he said was bullshit, which makes you feel slightly better. [[You go back to work->Work5]]

(set:$work to it - 15)(set:$woke to it + 5)The way you left the room leaves no doubt that you did it because of your manager's words. Which is fine by you : you prefer that to hearing him say such things without being called out on it. [[You go back to your work->Work5]]

(display:"WakeUp") During a break, a group of colleagues are watching a web video and start laughing. You walk up to them to have a peek and you realize they’re laughing at the video of a man dressed in feminine clothes, dancing to a feminine song. The video is not satyrical and the dancer is actually very good, but seeing a man performing a feminine dance in feminine clothes is an event ludicrous enough to cause them to laugh. (link:"You try to explain to them what cross-dressing is")[(if:$energy>75)[(goto:"ExplainCross")](else:)[It feels like the normal reaction. But you feel tired of lecturing everybody for no result and can't find the energy to do it.]] (link:"You say that you wish you could dance like that")[(if:$energy>75)[(goto:"SmoothCross")](else:)[You wish you could. But you feel worn out by the previous events and can't find the energy to do it.]] [[You laugh with them->LaughCross]] [[You go back unnoticed to your desk->SkipCross]]

(set:$woke to it + 10)(set:$energy to it - 10)You do your best to explain what you understand of the subject. Your colleagues look at you with snarky eyes, but don't actually interrupt you. You don't know whether it had any influence, but you feel glad you did it. [[You go back to work->Work6]]

(set:$work to it + 5)(set:$woke to it - 10)Everyone laughs at the video. You feel like your colleagues would have never understood, had you tried to explain anything to them. But you still feel a little ashamed. [[You go back to work->Work6]]

(set:$energy to it + 5)(set:$woke to it - 5)You prefer to ignore all this and go back to your desk. You feel like they would have never understood anyway. [[You go back to work->Work6]]

Tonight, everyone from your team is going out to get a drink. (if:$work<70)[You would like to skip it, but everybody is leaving together, so you feel like it would be more discreet to go and leave early than skipping it altogether.] [[You follow everybody to the bar->Bar]]

You get a few drinks. (if:$intern)[[[Then Helena, the shy intern, comes to talk to you->InternBar]]](else-if:$woke>110)[[[Then a colleague you like comes to talk to you->ColleagueBar]]](else-if:$woke<86)[[[Then Brett, your loud colleague, comes to talk to you->LoudBar]]](else:)[[[Then you go home->Work7]]]

(set:$woke to it + 5)(set:$energy to it + 20)She has red cheeks, either because she is already a little drunk or because she feels intimidated. She tells you that she is beginning to get used to the team, but that when she arrived, she felt completely lost and afraid. She thanks you for your reaction against Logan, during her first lunch there. You then talk a little before she leaves the bar early. It makes you happy that your behaviour had a real impact on somebody who needed the help. (if:$woke>110)[[[Then a colleague you like comes to talk to you->ColleagueBar]]](else-if:$woke<86)[[[Then Brett, your loud colleague, comes to talk to you->LoudBar]]](else:)[[[No long after, you go home too->Work7]]]

(set:$work to it + 20)(set:$energy to it + 5)You start talking about work. Then you move to the subject of your other colleagues and he lets slip that he is glad that you spoke up against some of the worst things those colleagues say. It is the first time you hear somebody say it and it makes you feel better to know you are not alone on those subjects, even though the other ones don't actualy speak up most of the time. [[You leave the bar happier->Work7]]

(set:$energy to it - 20)(set:$woke to it - 5)(set:$work to it + 5)Brett tells you how he likes your humor and how he likes the atmosphere there is recently. You feel happy that your colleagues like you and that the atmosphere at work is a light one. But given that he likes racist jokes above all, you wonder whether it is really a good sign that he likes you so much. [[You leave the bar->Work7]]

(display:"WakeUp") Today, for lunch, four of your colleagues are planning to order a bunch of pizzas for a take-out lunch and eat them at a park. They ask you whether you want to join them. [[You want to enjoy the sun and join them->Park]] [[You prefer staying indoor alone->ParkSkip]]

(set:$work to it + 5)When you arrive at the park, you see one of your colleagues talking in a lively way to the others. When you get near them, you hear him explaining that the man making the pizzas looked gay and your colleague says he is disgusted by the smile the pizzaiolo gave him when they left. The other colleagues are listening to him, amused. You are not really sure how much of the amusement is about mocking this colleague and how muchof it is about mocking the pizzaiolo. (link:"You explain to everybody that such a reaction is homophobic and shocking")[(if:$energy>75)[(goto:"ParkExplain")](else:)[It feels like the normal reaction. But you feel tired of lecturing everybody for no result and can't find the energy to do it.]] [[You ask him why he says he was disgusted and push him to explain his own reaction->ParkWhy]] [[You laugh and tell him the pizzaiolo will probably make a move next time->ParkLaugh]] [[You take a pizza and go eat away from their conversation->ParkAway]]

(set:$energy to it + 10)(set:$work to it - 5)You start a meme mocking meninists, that becomes very popular in a matter of minutes. It is the first time it ever happened to you and you feel proud of it, even if you know it will not bring much of a change. [[You go back to work->Work8]]

(set:$woke to it + 10)(set:$energy to it - 10)(set:$work to it - 5)You explain that saying such a thing is homophobic and ridiculous. He weasels away, answering that he is not homophobic, then adding it’s just his opinion and he is entitled to having it. You don't really know whether you’ve made a difference, either in his own mind or in any of your other colleagues’ and it was also a bit straining to take a stand. But you are happy you did it and didn't let this pass. [[You go back to work->Work8]]

(set:$woke to it + 10)(set:$energy to it - 5)Questioning him on why he says he is disgusted is impressively effective to calm him down. After two simple questions, he is stammering and unable to answer. Another of your colleagues changes the subject, but you feel happy that you’ve put him in a tight spot simply by pushing him a little. You even dare to hope he will think about it more later. [[You go back to work->Work8]]

(set:$woke to it - 10)(set:$work to it + 5)By saying the pizzaiolo might make a move on him, you completely play into the hands of your colleagues. He acts even more disgusted and everybody laughs along with him. The rest of the picnic sees him and another colleague exchanging homophobic jokes. [[You go back to work->Work8]]

(set:$work to it - 10)You eat away from the group. At one point, one of your colleagues notices and wants to invite you back, but another one stops him and whispers something to him. You feel like you are starting to get shut off. [[You go back to work->Work8]]

(display:"WakeUp") On a coffee break, you see two of your colleagues starting a conversation. One of them seems about to start a story. They are secluded enough from the rest of the group there that you have the intuition it’s going to be gossip. The look your colleagues send your way seems inviting, but you can still ignore them without being impolite. [[You join them to hear the latest gossip->Gossip]] [[You politely go back to work->GossipAvoid]]

(set:$work to it + 5)Gossip it is, indeed. There is a rumour that a guy from the company next door is courting a woman of his team, trying more and more to do things he sees as "romantic". He first sent her letters at her work, then flowers and the rumour says he went to her home yesterday in a limousine to ask her out for dinner. This rumour also says she isn't interested in him, but still accompanied him to the restaurant. Your colleagues seem to think the guy is a loser and the girl is lucky to be treated to free restaurant meals and flowers, but that she should tell him once and for all that she is not interested. [[You exclaim that she is probably terrified and talk about how women can be victim of violence when rejecting men->GossipExplain]] [[You remark you wouldn't like to be in her place->GossipSmooth]] [[You say you wish somebody would treat you to restaurant meals->GossipLaugh]] [[You don't say anything->GossipNothing]]

(display:"WakeUp") All news outlets are talking about a politician who wants to stop people fleeing their country destroyed by wars from entering your own country. Four of your colleagues are going to a sandwich place for lunch and ask whether you want to join them. You know they are going to talk about refugees. And Logan, who has set opinions about everything, is among those colleagues. [[You join them->Refugees]] [[You opt for take-out food alone->RefugeesSkip]]

(set:$woke to it + 10)(set:$energy to it - 5)The two of your colleagues listen to you, even though they don't seem to fully realize what you are telling them. Being in a smaller group and the relaxed atmosphere give you enough space to explain yourself and even though your colleagues probably think you are being excessive, they listened and might think about it in the future. [[You go back to your work->Work9]]

(set:$woke to it + 5)(set:$energy to it - 5)You try to guide them through walking in this woman’s shoes and see from her perspective. They end up saying it would probably be an awkward situation, but you never really manage to make them see the danger she might be feeling, as it is not something men can feel around women. You still got them to realize it is not a good position for her to be in, though. [[You go back to work->Work9]]

(set:$woke to it - 10)(set:$work to it + 5)The colleague who was telling the story mocks you by saying you are not cute enough for such advantages. Then you start mocking the pathetic suitor for all the efforts that won’t even get him laid. You end your coffee break laughing with your colleagues. [[You go back to work->Work9]]

(set:$woke to it - 5)You let your colleagues laugh about the pathetic suitor and wondering whether the woman should go to restaurants with him, without interrupting or giving your opinion. When colleagues look at you, you just laugh with them a little. [[Then you go back to work->Work9]]

(set:$work to it - 5)(set:$energy to it + 5)You make a little sign in their direction, then leave with your coffee. You go in a quiet place and scroll through one of your friends' holiday pictures on your smartphone. [[Then you go back to work->Work9]]

(set:$work to it + 5)As expected, once everybody has ordered their sandwiches and taken a seat, the conversation quickly addresses the refugees crisis. And as you feared, Logan wants everybody to know that if he were in a country devastated by war, he would volunteer to stay behind and fight. (link:"You start lecturing him on the subject")[(if:$energy>75)[(goto:"RefugeesLecture")](else:)[It feels like the normal reaction. But you feel tired of lecturing everybody for no result and can't find the energy to do it.]] (link:"You ask him to explain what he would do, to prove him it is not that simple")[(if:$energy>75)[(goto:"RefugeesHow")](else:)[You wish you could. But you feel worn out by the previous events and can't find the energy to do it.]] [[You agree with him and say you would too->RefugeesFail]] [[You don't say anything->RefugeesSilence]]

(set:$work to it - 5)You eat alone while reading the news and stories of refugees. You wish you could do something to help them and you decide to send some money to an NGO. [[Then, you go back to work->LastDay]]

(set:$woke to it + 10)(set:$energy to it - 10)You’ve read quite a lot on this subject in the past few days and know it well enough to give him a little lecture about it. Nevertheless, he doesn't seem very receptive, even if he doesn't oppose you. You hope the other colleagues will at least take something from the conversation. [[You go back to work->LastDay]]

(set:$woke to it + 10)(set:$energy to it - 5)You ask him for more details on which army he would fight with, what he would do with his wife and children, what he would hope for. Each question proves to everybody how little Logan knows on the subject. Logan finishes his sandwich without talking, while the subject changes. You don't know whether it is because he is angry or thinking about the conversation. [[You go back to work->LastDay]]

(set:$woke to it - 10)(set:$work to it + 5)You start talking with Logan about how the two of you would change the face of the war in this country. Your other colleagues start laughing, not really knowing how serious each of you are. You finish the lunch firing air-guns at each other. [[You go back to work->LastDay]]

(set:$woke to it - 5)You let it slide without saying anything. Logan continues on the subject for a few minutes, then everybody starts talking about the sandwiches and Logan's remark is forgotten. The rest of the lunch is uneventful. [[You go back to work->LastDay]]

#A WOKING SIMULATOR (css:"font-size:small")[*This game is a work of fiction, containing fictional characters, companies and events.* *Note that it depicts conversation containing homophobia, racism, sexism and rape culture.*] [[Start->Intro]]

(set:$energy to it - 20)(set:$woke to it + 10)(set:$work to it - 10)You patronize him in front of everybody for saying such things and it doesn't go well. Logan is unhappy and starts making homophobic remarks at you, that you don't let slide either. Your colleagues finally interrupt the verbal fight by asking Logan to stop. You hope you didn't scare Helena, but at least, she knows for certain that not everybody thinks like Logan in the team. [[You go back to work->Work4]]

(set:$energy to it - 5)(set:$work to it - 10)He replies that yes, of course, he is an animal and that if you think you are not one, you are just lying to yourself. You didn't shake his beliefs at all, and worse than that, you are now very uneasy, hoping that all of it is just talk and that he never actually assaulted anyone. You wish you had confronted him more directly. [[You go back to work->Work5]]

(set:$woke to it + 5)(set:$energy to it - 10)(set:$work to it - 5)You say you think he looks cool and dances well. Your colleague look at you with incredulity. They are wondering whether you are mocking the dancer or not. When you make it clear you are not mocking him, they start mocking you instead. You don't really care for yourself, but you really feel like you couldn't make them empathize for even a second. [[You go back to work->Work6]]

Thank you for playing! -- Fred Tingaud [[Replay->Start Game]]

//This morning, (if:$energy<85)[you woke-up feeling more tired than when you went to bed. It took you time and will-power to even get out of your bed and start preparing. (if:$work<100)[You made it to work late and hurried discreetly to your desk, hoping nobody noticed you.](elseif:$energy<100)[Only the fear of being late motivated you enough to make it to work in time.]](elseif:$energy<100)[Waking up was harder than usual. (if:$work<100)[You stayed in bed a little and made it to work a few minutes late.](else:)[ It took a good breakfast to lift up your spirits.]](else:)[You woke up feeling good. (if:$work<100)[You spent some time reading the news before leaving for work in a hurry. It would be a pity to be late when you were ready since 15 minutes.](else:)[You arrived early and took some time to drink coffee with your colleagues before getting to work.]]//