A Pick-Me-Up Story

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<<set $litter6 to ".........">> <img src="images/Pick Me Up Title Card With Rust.png" alt="A grey automaton constructed out of tubes walks along a grassy hillside, brandishing a long branch with a pouch tied on the end. This is A Pick-Me-Up Story." /> <<set $litter5 to "........">> The burning sun up ahead is slowly crawling below the edge of the view. The dense thicket of light wades away. <img src="images/Horizon.png" alt="A grey sidewalk extends towards the horizon, within which a forest and mountain can be seen. Various grey items are laid throughout the grass on both of the sidewalk's sides." height="500" width="500" /> <<set $litter1 to "...">> With the added clarity of the scene comes a clearer view of the tainted soil. Countless abandoned belongings of peoples who have long since left the passage are strewn about the grass. <<set $litter2 to "....">> <img src="images/Noticing.png" alt="The robot looks down at one of the grey items that lies within the grass. A feint silhouette of a city stands in the distance." height="500" weight="500" /> <img src="images/First Pickup.png" alt="The robot reaches down to pick the object up." height="500" width="500" /> <<set $litter3 to ".....">> [[The protocol is begun anew.]] <<set $litter4 to "......">>

<<set $shape1 to random(6)>> <<if $shape1 is 0>> <img src="images/Cylinder.png" height="500" width="500" />The item bears the shape of a cylinder. <</if>> <<if $shape1 is 1>> <img src="images/Cube.png" height="500" width="500" />The item bears the shape of a cube. <</if>> <<if $shape1 is 2>> <img src="images/Cone.png" height="500" width="500" />The item bears the shape of a cone. <</if>> <<if $shape1 is 3>> <img src="images/Rectangular Prism.png" height="500" width="500" />The item bears the shape of a Rectangular Prism. <</if>> <<if $shape1 is 4>> <img src="images/Sphere.png" height="500" width="500" />The item bears the shape of a sphere. <</if>> <<if $shape1 is 5>> <img src="images/Sheet.png" height="500" width="500" />The item bears the shape of a sheet. <</if>> <<if $shape1 is 6>> <img src="images/Pyramid.png" height="500" width="500" />The item bears the shape of a pyramid. <</if>> <<set $texture1 to random(5)>> <<if $texture1 is 0>>It bears a rough, irregular texture.<</if>> <<if $texture1 is 1>>The item feels soft to the touch, comforting, even.<</if>> <<if $texture1 is 2>>The brittle object could snap in two with the right grip.<</if>> <<if $texture1 is 3>>The surface of it is perfectly smooth. <</if>> <<if $texture1 is 4>>Just by gripping the object, it becomes apparent that it was built to last; it would not break easily. <</if>> <<if $texture1 is 5>>The item feels like it must be handled with care - one wrong touch could destroy it utterly. <</if>> <<set $type1 to random(2)>> <<if $type1 is 0>>It has an opening in its surface that seems to be there by design. <</if>> <<if $type1 is 1>>There is an opening in the object that appears to be a sign of damage. <</if>> <<if $type1 is 2>>There is not an opening in sight on the item. <</if>> This item appears to be a <<textbox "$litter1" "Type what you have identified the item as here." "Item 2">> Once you have determined the identity of the item in hand, press ENTER, RETURN, or the equivalent key on your keyboard, to continue.

<<set $shape2 to random(6)>> <<set $location2 to random(2)>> Next to the $litter1, there lies another item <<if $location2 is 0>> partially wedged into the ground. <<set $where2 to "in the ground">><</if>> <<if $location2 is 1>> gently laying atop the grass. <<set $where2 to "on the grass">> <</if>> <<if $location2 is 2>>tangled in the branches of a nearby bush. <<set $where2 to "in a bush">> <</if>> <<if $shape2 is 0>> <img src="images/Cylinder.png" height="500" width="500" />The item is a sort of cylinder. <</if>> <<if $shape2 is 1>> <img src="images/Cube.png" height="500" width="500" />The item is shaped like a cube. <</if>> <<if $shape2 is 2>> <img src="images/Cone.png" height="500" width="500" />The item appears to be a cone. <</if>> <<if $shape2 is 3>> <img src="images/Rectangular Prism.png" height="500" width="500" />The item is shaped like a rectangular prism of sorts. <</if>> <<if $shape2 is 4>> <img src="images/Sphere.png" height="500" width="500" />The item seems to have been modeled as a sphere. <</if>> <<if $shape2 is 5>> <img src="images/Sheet.png" height="500" width="500" />The item is best described as a sheet. <</if>> <<if $shape2 is 6>> <img src="images/Pyramid.png" height="500" width="500" />The object is modeled much like a pyramid. <</if>> <<set $texture2 to random(5)>> <<if $texture2 is 0>>The object's surface is coarse, like sand or asphalt. <</if>> <<if $texture2 is 1>>Its surface is soft, giving in to pressure easily. <</if>> <<if $texture2 is 2>>It feels like it could break apart easily. <</if>> <<if $texture2 is 3>>The surface of it is noticably smooth; there's hardly an imprefection present. <</if>> <<if $texture2 is 4>> It feels incredibly strong, like it could survive falling onto the nearby shore of rock. <</if>> <<if $texture2 is 5>>The item feels like it must be handled with extreme care; one wrong touch could destroy it swiftly. <</if>> <<set $type2 to random(2)>> <<if $type2 is 0>>Part of the object is open, seemingly by design. <</if>> <<if $type2 is 1>>Its surface is open, and it appears to be the result of damage or wear. <</if>> <<if $type2 is 2>>Every surface of the item is perfectly solid; no openings are in sight. <</if>> This item appears to be a <<textbox "$litter2" "..." "Item 3">>

Shapes: Cylinder(done), Cube(done), Pyramid(done), Rectangular Prism(done), Sphere(done), SHeet(done), Cone(done) Texture/feeling: Coarse, Soft, Brittle, Sturdy, Smooth, Delicate

<<set $variable to random(5)>> <<if $variable is 0>> <</if>> <<if $variable is 1>> <</if>> <<if $variable is 2>> <</if>> <<if $variable is 3>> <</if>> <<if $variable is 4>> <</if>> <<if $variable is 5>> <</if>>

<<set $shape3 to random(6)>> <<set $location3 to random(2)>> The next piece of litter rests <<if $location3 is 0>> a little further ahead in the grass. <<set $where3 to "a small distance away">> <</if>> <<if $location3 is 1>> underneath where the $litter2 was laid. <<set $where3 to "underneath $litter2">> <</if>> <<if $location3 is 2>> on the other side of the sidewalk. <<set $where3 to "on the other side of the path">> <</if>> <<if $shape3 is 0>> <img src="images/Cylinder.png" height="500" width="500" />This other item is shaped like a cylinder. <</if>> <<if $shape3 is 1>> <img src="images/Cube.png" height="500" width="500" />This other item is shaped like a cube. <</if>> <<if $shape3 is 2>> <img src="images/Cone.png" height="500" width="500" />This other item is shaped like a cone. <</if>> <<if $shape3 is 3>> <img src="images/Rectangular Prism.png" height="500" width="500" />This other item is shaped like a rectangular prism. <</if>> <<if $shape3 is 4>> <img src="images/Sphere.png" height="500" width="500" />This other item is shaped like a sphere. <</if>> <<if $shape3 is 5>> <img src="images/Sheet.png" height="500" width="500" />This other item is shaped like a sheet. <</if>> <<if $shape3 is 6>> <img src="images/Pyramid.png" height="500" width="500" />This other item is shaped like a pyramid. <</if>> <<set $texture3 to random(5)>> <<if $texture3 is 0>>It bears a coarse surface, as if it is made of sand. <</if>> <<if $texture3 is 1>>The surface of the item is comforting and soft. <</if>> <<if $texture3 is 2>>The item feels like it may snap with ease at the touch. <</if>> <<if $texture3 is 3>>The object's surface is quite smooth. <</if>> <<if $texture3 is 4>>This item feels firm; it would not fall apart easily. <</if>> <<if $texture3 is 5>>This object must be handled with great care, lest it fall to dust. <</if>> <<set $type3 to random(2)>> <<if $type3 is 0>>The body of the item has a deliberately designed opening. <</if>> <<if $type3 is 1>>It has been broken open, either by force or the forces of nature. <</if>> <<if $type3 is 2>>All of the item's surfaces are perfectly shut. <</if>> This item appears to be a <<textbox "$litter3" "..." "Item 4">>

<<set $shape4 to random(6)>> <<set $location4 to random(2)>> After the $litter3 is identified and retrieved, another piece of litter is detected <<if $location4 is 0>> more or less next to its location, gently resting on the ground. <<set $where4 to "next to the $litter3">> <</if>> <<if $location4 is 1>> buried deep within dried mud.<<set $where4 to "under dried mud">> <</if>> <<if $location4 is 2>> closer to the asphalt of the walkway.<<set $where4 to "close to the sidewalk">> <</if>> <<if $shape4 is 0>> <img src="images/Cylinder.png" height="500" width="500" />This item resembles a cylinder. <</if>> <<if $shape4 is 1>> <img src="images/Cube.png" height="500" width="500" />This one bears six sides and many edges & corners, much like a cube. <</if>> <<if $shape4 is 2>> <img src="images/Cone.png" height="500" width="500" />This item takes a form not unlike a pointed cone. <</if>> <<if $shape4 is 3>> <img src="images/Rectangular Prism.png" height="500" width="500" />This object's shape is best described as that of a rectangular prism. <</if>> <<if $shape4 is 4>> <img src="images/Sphere.png" height="500" width="500" />This one is rounded, like a sphere. <</if>> <<if $shape4 is 5>> <img src="images/Sheet.png" height="500" width="500" />This one is a thin sheet. <</if>> <<if $shape4 is 6>> <img src="images/Pyramid.png" height="500" width="500" />It would be accurate to describe this item as a pyramid. <</if>> <<set $texture4 to random(5)>> <<if $texture4 is 0>>The surface of it is rough to the touch. <</if>> <<if $texture4 is 1>>Like a blanket, it is soft and gentle to the touch. <</if>> <<if $texture4 is 2>>This item feels like it could resist a fair bit of physical strain. <</if>> <<if $texture4 is 3>>Like freshly sanded wood or die-cast metal, the item's surface is slick. No imperfections. <</if>> <<if $texture4 is 4>>The construction of this one feels solid and firm; it will not break under even the greatest force. <</if>> <<if $texture4 is 5>>Just from a single touch, the item feels as if it was not meant to be handled casually. Great care must be taken to not damage it. <</if>> <<set $type4 to random(2)>> <<if $type4 is 0>>On one of the surfaces lies an opening with a door on a hinge. <</if>> <<if $type4 is 1>>A ragged, irregular hole occupies one of the item's sides. <</if>> <<if $type4 is 2>>The item is completely shut. <</if>> This item appears to be a <<textbox "$litter4" "..." "Item 5">>

<<set $shape5 to random(6)>> <<set $location5 to random(2)>> After picking up the $litter4, another piece of litter is detected <<if $location5 is 0>>on the sidewalk, resting just up ahead.<<set $where5 to "on the sidewalk further ahead">> <</if>> <<if $location5 is 1>>partially buried inside a bush off to the side.<<set $where5 to "stuck in a bush">> <</if>> <<if $location5 is 2>>covered up in a blanket of grass nearby.<<set $where5 to "hidden under loose grass">><</if>> <<if $shape5 is 0>> <img src="images/Cylinder.png" height="500" width="500" />This one takes the shape of a cylinder. <</if>> <<if $shape5 is 1>> <img src="images/Cube.png" height="500" width="500" />This piece is modeled like a cube. <</if>> <<if $shape5 is 2>> <img src="images/Cone.png" height="500" width="500" />This piece of litter resembles a cone. <</if>> <<if $shape5 is 3>> <img src="images/Rectangular Prism.png" height="500" width="500" />There lies a box, a rectangular prism of sorts. <</if>> <<if $shape5 is 4>> <img src="images/Sphere.png" height="500" width="500" />The piece of litter would be described most accurately as a sphere. <</if>> <<if $shape5 is 5>> <img src="images/Sheet.png" height="500" width="500" />The best way to describe this piece's shape would be that of a sheet. <</if>> <<if $shape5 is 6>> <img src="images/Pyramid.png" height="500" width="500" />This object has the form of a pyramid. <</if>> <<set $texture5 to random(5)>> <<if $texture5 is 0>>The surface of the item is rough & coarse, like the asphalt of the sidewalk. <</if>> <<if $texture5 is 1>>The surface of it is soft like a comforter or blanket. <</if>> <<if $texture5 is 2>>Its surface shows signs of fragility, including a number of cracks. <</if>> <<if $texture5 is 3>>The immaculate surface is incredibly smooth, having not been tainted by the surroundings. <</if>> <<if $texture5 is 4>>Just by handling the object, it is clear that it may not break or bend easily. <</if>> <<if $texture5 is 5>>It feels rather delicate; it must be handled with care. <</if>> <<set $type5 to random(2)>> <<if $type5 is 0>>A clean-cut opening is visible on one of the item's sides; it almost appears to be an access point. <</if>> <<if $type5 is 1>>Something has broken open the item, leaving a rather irregular hole on the surface. <</if>> <<if $type5 is 2>>The item is without any openings. <</if>> This item appears to be a <<textbox "$litter5" "..." "Item 6">>

<<set $shape6 to random(6)>> <<set $location6 to random(2)>> A final piece is detected <<if $location6 is 0>>partially stuck in the dirt.<<set $where6 to "wedged in soil">> <</if>> <<if $location6 is 1>>resting atop the grass, right next to the sidewalk.<<set $where6 to "right next to the sidewalk">> <</if>> <<if $location6 is 2>>stuck on a stray branch on a tree nearby.<<set $where6 to "hanging on a tree branch">><</if>> <<if $shape6 is 0>> <img src="images/Cylinder.png" height="500" width="500" />It is modeled in the shape of a cylinder. <</if>> <<if $shape6 is 1>> <img src="images/Cube.png" height="500" width="500" />It is modeled like a cube. <</if>> <<if $shape6 is 2>> <img src="images/Cone.png" height="500" width="500" />The litter bears the silhouette of a cone. <</if>> <<if $shape6 is 3>> <img src="images/Rectangular Prism.png" height="500" width="500" />Its shape is best described as a rectangular prism or a box. <</if>> <<if $shape6 is 4>> <img src="images/Sphere.png" height="500" width="500" />The piece holds the shape of a sphere. <</if>> <<if $shape6 is 5>> <img src="images/Sheet.png" height="500" width="500" />It takes the shape of a sheet. <</if>> <<if $shape6 is 6>> <img src="images/Pyramid.png" height="500" width="500" />It is best described as a pyramid. <</if>> <<set $texture6 to random(5)>> <<if $texture6 is 0>>The item is rough and rugged to the touch. <</if>> <<if $texture6 is 1>>Its surface is soft and cushioned. <</if>> <<if $texture6 is 2>>It feels like it could break with ease. <</if>> <<if $texture6 is 3>>The surface is noticably smooth, having been affected very little by the surroundings. <</if>> <<if $texture6 is 4>>It feels like it would not break with ease. <</if>> <<if $texture6 is 5>>It seems as if it was meant to be handled very carefully. <</if>> <<set $type6 to random(2)>> <<if $type6 is 0>>Its surface bears a sizable opening with a door hanging on the edge. <</if>> <<if $type6 is 1>>One area of the object bears damage, with a broken open area adorning one of its sides. <</if>> <<if $type6 is 2>>It bears no openings of any sort. <</if>> This item appears to be a <<textbox "$litter6" "..." "Total Haul">>

TOTAL HAUL A(n) $litter1 was found next to a(n) $litter2 which was found $where2. Another item was found $where3 and was identified as a(n) $litter3. After this, the $litter4 was located $where4. The $litter5 was detected $where5, and a(n) $litter6 was found $where6. Assessing the common purposes of these items, they may have arrived here during a <<textbox "$conclusion1" "INSERT EVENT" "Guess the people">>

The items were likely brought here by a <<textbox "$conclusion2" "AUTONOMOUS ENTITY/GROUP" "In the end...">>

In the end... it matters little. <img src="images/Fill Bag.png" alt="The robot tosses the final object into a pink satchel full of other pieces of litter." height="500" width="500" /> The $conclusion1 is long since over. The $conclusion2 has long since left. <img src="images/Gazing.png" alt="With the satchel tied to the end of a long stick, the robot looks upon the now clearer grass." height="500" width="500" /> What matters is that the space be cleaned up... <img src="images/Ending Card.png" alt="Having finished picking up litter in this area, the robot walks forward as it was earlier, looking to the horizon." height="500" width="500" /> [[for its next occupants.]]

A Pick Me Up Story Suubmitted for Neophyte Studio's Narrative Game Jam #4 Optional Theme: The Horizon Restriction: Random Special Thanks to SquishyPuffDave - explaining a good method to code random elements in Twine ~Toaster Strooder If you'd like to keep picking up litter, feel free to press reset in the menu to start again.