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Hi again, I am Michael Lutz! I have made twine games like [[Tower of the Blood Lord|http://correlatedcontents.com/misc/Tower.html]], [[my father's long, long legs|http://correlatedcontents.com/misc/Father.html]] and [[the uncle who works for nintendo|https://itch.io/e/10838/ztul-created-the-uncle-who-works-for-nintendo]]. What you just played is a preview of my in-progress game: ''Ladder''. I'm making it with input from my [[Patreon patrons|https://www.patreon.com/ztul]] who are all super cool!\n\n//''WAIT SO WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE''//\nBasically what you have is the first chapter of a serial Twine game.\n\n//''WAIT A SERIAL TWINE GAME?''//\nYeah. At the end of every month or so, my patrons (all of them, regardless of how much they back me for) get access to the newest chapter. But also: they have the chance to influence how the next chapter goes!!!\n\nThere will be six "parts" to this story (I estimate) and once completed they'll be released together as a full game for non-patrons. This opening chapter is being released publicly so you can see what I'm up to and maybe decide if you want to come along for this weird ride?\n\nSo before you play, there are a few things you should know:\n\n//''THIS IS A ROUGH DRAFT''//\nFirst, the version of the game you've played has no proper end and some rough edges. A lot of niceties like custom CSS and sounds or visuals will be missing for most of this. I won't have corrected typos and there may be paths that go in weird places and coding errors I haven't caught on my own. This is basically like, alpha access? \n\nIf you want to report errors to me you can message me here or email me at j.michael.lutz@gmail.com\n\n//''PATRONS HAVE INPUT''//\nFolks who back me [[on my Patreon|https://www.patreon.com/ztul]] influence how this story goes: at the end of a "chapter" they gain access to a Google form where they tell me what you want to happen in the next chapter. The form is limited to 60 characters, the idea being you have to tell me something either very vague or very specific. I then collect all the responses and begin organizing them into something like a plan for the next chapter's events. Playing through this demo will give you access to a short scene from the recently completed Chapter 2, so you can see how weird things have gotten already.\n\nLet's say that at the end of this chapter, someone writes in "Whinny like a pony and kick your boss in the face." I'm going to do my damnedest to find a situation in which it makes sense for that to happen or for the player to have that choice in the next chapter.\n\n//''WAIT IF WE'RE DETERMINING WHAT HAPPENS HOW DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY PARTS THERE ARE''//\nI know very, very vaguely, how this story is going to work. There's a structure to it, definitely. I'm just not sure how it's going to get from point A to point B, and that's where my patrons and I join forces: they throw stuff at me and I constantly try to figure out how to make everything coherently bend toward an endpoint that, ideally, becomes more fleshed out and specific due to our combined creative energies. Because of what I know for a fact I have planned for this narrative, it can (hopefully) accommodate a lot of minds bouncing around in the same space.\n\n//''IS THIS HOMESTUCK''//\nWhat the shit is homestuck\n\n//''SO WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE GOING FORWARD?''//\nAs of right now, there will be three more points at which I will collect reader input for this story. That is to say, between each of the first five chapters (chapters one and two just completed, and the ending of the fifth chapter will be reserved for tidying things up and setting the stage for a finale chapter). This whole thing is kind of a wild experiment and I don't know how it's going to go, how quickly I'll be able to process input and write new chapters, etc.\n\nAnyway, I hope you like what I've made so far and I want to thank you for bearing with me as I try out something new and, I dunno, make "interactive fiction" extremely literal??? Do you want to bite the bullet and jump into Patreon right now here's [[another link|https://www.patreon.com/ztul]].\n\nI hope you liked the game! And if you haven't yet, be sure and check out Tuesday's [[sample scene|What happens next?]].

<<print $prospectName>> hesitates before speaking again: "Who is this?"\n\n"[["I'm from " + $institutionName + " and we need help"|help2]]."

Even at this early stage, you can tell that choosing to hone these nebulous abstractions that apparently (?) dictate your workplace performance in the direction of PERSPICACITY is sure to lead to all sorts of [[unexpected benefits.|charCreation]]\n<<set $persp = $persp+6>>\n<<set $boon = "yes">>\n

<<set $callStep = 5>>You begin the spiel, "You see, I'm doing <<cyclinglink "okay" "fine" "wonderfully" "pretty well" "pretty good" "awesome" "great">>, but sadly, <<cyclinglink "this year the government voted to reduce our endowment by 5%" "rising tuition costs have decreased the effectiveness of the limited financial aid we can provide" "unexpected weather damage has necessitated several thousand dollars' worth of destruction throughout the campus" "fellowships for deserving faculty across all departments have been reduced by the administration" "the construction of new facilities for our College of Philanthrophy, promised to be a draw for students from all walks of life, can only continue if we reach this month's Alumni Pledge Goal" "it is through the generosity of alumni like yourself that we continue to operate as one of the leading institutions in the country">>. This is why I've called you today."\n<<set $moxy = $moxy+1>><<set $persp = $persp+1>><<if $prospectSuspicion gte 10>><<print $prospectName>> seems very suspicious of you.<<endif>><<if $prospectSuspicion eq 8 or $prospectSuspicion eq 9>><<print $prospectName>> seems in a hurry to end the call.<<endif>><<if $prospectSuspicion eq 6 or $prospectSuspicion eq 7>><<print $prospectName>> seems distant, but willing to talk.<<endif>><<if $prospectSuspicion eq 4 or $prospectSuspicion eq 5>><<print $prospectName>> seems willing to talk.<<endif>><<if $prospectSuspicion eq 2 or $prospectSuspicion eq 3>><<print $prospectName>> makes a noise of agreement.<<endif>><<if $prospectSuspicion lte 0 or $prospectSuspicion eq 1>><<print $prospectName>> seems deeply invested in this conversation.<<endif>>\n\n[[Ask for $100|Ask1]].\n[[Ask for $75|Ask2]].\n[[Ask for $50|Ask3]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<endif>>

<<set $callStep = 4>>"Thanks for going over that with me," you say. "Now, as a <<cyclinglink "current student" "recent graduate" "beginning student" "graduate student">> I just have to ask..."\n<<set $persp = $persp+1>>\n[["...what was your favorite extracurricular activity?"|extraCurric]]\n[["...what is life like after graduation?"|lifeAfter]]\n[["...what is your most cherished memory of attending " + $institutionName + "?"|cherishedMemory]]\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<endif>>

<<set $callStep = 3>>You recite the address on file and confirm it with the prospect.\n<<set $persp = $persp+1>>\n<<if $prospectSuspicion gte 10>><<print $prospectName>> seems very suspicious of you.<<endif>><<if $prospectSuspicion eq 8 or $prospectSuspicion eq 9>><<print $prospectName>> seems in a hurry to end the call.<<endif>><<if $prospectSuspicion eq 6 or $prospectSuspicion eq 7>><<print $prospectName>> seems distant, but willing to talk.<<endif>>\n\n[[Establish rapport|Step4]].\n[[Establish need|Unconfirmed4]].\n[[Ask for $100|Unconfirmed5]].\n[[Ask for $75|Unconfirmed5]].\n[[Ask for $50|Unconfirmed5]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<endif>>\n<<timedgoto "prospectHangup" 25s>>

<<set $callStep = 2>>You explain that you're calling from <<print $institutionName>> to catch up with alumni and update some records.\n<<set $persp = $persp+1>>\n<<if $prospectSuspicion gte 10>><<print $prospectName>> seems very suspicious of you.<<endif>><<if $prospectSuspicion eq 8 or $prospectSuspicion eq 9>><<print $prospectName>> seems in a hurry to end the call.<<endif>><<if $prospectSuspicion eq 6 or $prospectSuspicion eq 7>><<print $prospectName>> seems distant, but willing to talk.<<endif>>\n\n[[Confirm info on file|Step3]].\n[[Establish rapport|Unconfirmed3]].\n[[Establish need|Unconfirmed4]].\n[[Ask for $100|Unconfirmed5]].\n[[Ask for $75|Unconfirmed5]].\n[[Ask for $50|Unconfirmed5]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<endif>>\n\n<<timedgoto "prospectHangup" 25s>>

<<set $callStep = 1>><<if $prospectSuspicion eq 10>>"Who is this?"<<endif>><<if $prospectSuspicion eq 9>>"Yes?"<<endif>><<if $prospectSuspicion eq 8>>"Speaking."<<endif>><<if $prospectSuspicion eq 7>>"That's me."<<endif>><<if $prospectSuspicion eq 6>>"Yes, hello?"<<endif>><<if $prospectSuspicion eq 5>>"That's me. Can I help you with something?"<<endif>>\n<<set $persp = $persp+1>>\n[[Introduce yourself|Step2]].\n[[Confirm info on file|Unconfirmed2]].\n[[Establish rapport|Unconfirmed3]].\n[[Establish need|Unconfirmed4]].\n[[Ask for $100|Unconfirmed5]].\n[[Ask for $75|Unconfirmed5]].\n[[Ask for $50|Unconfirmed5]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<endif>>\n<<timedgoto "prospectHangup" 20s>>

In an incredibly stylish manner, you grab a nearby pen and [[increase your GLAMOUR score.|charCreation]]\n<<set $glam = $glam+6>>\n<<set $boon = "yes">>

Approximately a hundred people are on the floor at any given time, though on weekends it's well over that, since the majority of callers are still traditional clients and they have more free time then.\n\nAt the back of the room, behind a sheet of glass, sits Rex, his back to you but recognizable anyway from the crest of his fauxhawk.\n\nYou look down at your messenger bag. It's time to [[get to work|TuesdaySample]].

You explain that you're calling from <<print $institutionName>> to catch up with alumni and update some records.\n\nThe prospect replies: "<<print either("Sorry, I didn't go there", "I'm not interested", "I don't know what you're talking about", "I don't have time right now", "I've told you people to stop calling me", "I think you have the wrong number", "Take me off your list", "Get bent", "I'm not giving you any money", "Leave me alone", "I'm too old for you to still be bothering me about this", "I have other bills you pay", "Nope, sorry", "I have never heard of that place in my life", "Bother someone else", "No", "Goodbye", "I think our call is breaking up", "I'm busy", "Don't call me again", "Don't call back", "Don't call again", "Go to hell", "Leave us alone")>>."\n<<set $doubt = $doubt+1>>\n\n<<if ($callsComplete eq 6)>>And that does it for today. You're [[free to go|MondayEnd]].<<else>>Before you can say anything else, they've hung up!\n\n[[You get right back to work.|passage]]\n[[You take a moment to read your book.|TryToRead]]<<endif>>

You begin reciting the personal info on file, hoping to confirm it with the prospect.\n\nThe prospect replies: "<<print either("Good lord", "I'm not interested in whatever this is", "I don't know what you're talking about", "I don't have time right now", "I've told you people to stop calling me", "I think you have the wrong number", "Take me off your list", "That person doesn't live here anymore", "That person doesn't live here anymore, and I've told you people that countless times", "Get bent", "I'm not giving you any money", "Leave me alone", "Nope, sorry", "I have no idea who you're talking about", "Bother someone else", "No", "Goodbye", "Don't call me again", "Don't call back", "Don't call again", "Go to hell", "Leave us alone")>>."\n<<set $doubt = $doubt+1>>\nBefore you can say anything else, they've hung up!\n\n<<if ($callsComplete eq 6)>>And that does it for today. You're [[free to go|MondayEnd]].<<else>>[[You get right back to work.|passage]]\n[[You take a moment to read your book.|TryToRead]]<<endif>>

You think you might fare better if you establish a connection with this prospect, so you immediately ask...\n\n[["What was your favorite extracurricular activity?"|RapportFail]]\n[["What is life like after graduation?"|RapportFail]]\n[["What is your most cherished memory of attending" + $institutionName + "?"|RapportFail]]

debug room\n<<print $callsComplete>>\n<<print $pledges>>\n<<print $pledgeAmount>>\n<<print $creditCards>>\n<<print $moxy>>\n<<print $persp>>\n<<print $doubt>>\n<<print $glam>>\n<<print $callStep>>\n<<print $boon>>\n<<print $doubtCounter>>\n<<print $DogsFlag>>\n<<print $CEOFlag>>

The prospect grumbles: "<<print either("Good lord", "I'm not interested in whatever this is", "I don't know what you're talking about", "I don't have time right now", "I've told you people to stop calling me", "I think you have the wrong number", "Take me off your list", "Get bent", "Jesus Christ", "I'm not giving you any money", "Leave me alone", "Nope, sorry", "I have no idea what you're talking about", "Bother someone else", "No", "Goodbye", "Don't call me again", "Don't call back", "Don't call again", "Go to hell", "Leave us alone")>>."\n\nYou seemed to have made a severe breach of protocol here!\n\n[[Apologize profusely and and hang up.|BadCall]]

<<if ($callsComplete eq 6)>><<goto "callscomplete">><<endif>>Your screen fills with the personal info of the prospect.\n<<if $doubtCounter eq "yes">><<set $doubt=$doubt+1>><<endif>>\n<<if ($callsComplete eq 0)>>[[ring ring ring|ProspectIntro]]\n<<set $prospectName = either("Harriet", "Mark", "Chloe", "Ralph", "Daniel")>>\n<<set $prospectSurname = either("Dejesus", "Barta", "Corkill", "Goytiom", "Pirhonen")>>\n<<set $prospectAddress = either("2655 Spadafore Drive, Clearfield, PA 16830", "2478 Traders Alley, Lee's Summit, MO 64063", "2533 Nelson Street, Rosseau, ON P0C 1J0", "797 Jail Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90067", "4214 West Drive, Chicago, IL 60601")>>\n<<set $prospectSchool = "College of Arts and Sciences">>\n<<set $prospectDegree = either("BA in Biology", "BA in Psychology", "BA in Neuroscience", "BA in Chemistry", "BA in English", "BA in Spanish Language and Literature")>>\n<<set $EC = either("-", "Show Choir", "Jazz Ensemble", "Drama and Theater Prop Construction")>>\n<<set $prospectSuspicion = either(8,9,10)>>\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if ($callsComplete eq 1)>>[[ring ring ring|ProspectIntro]]\n<<set $prospectName = either("Marley", "Alfrida", "Tiago", "Anayolisa", "Eluemuno")>>\n<<set $prospectSurname = either("Young", "Brandagama", "Silva Almeida", "McCaffrey", "Udegbunam")>>\n<<set $prospectAddress = either("123 6th St., Melbourne, FL 32904", "4 Goldfield Rd., Honolulu, HI 96815", "71 Pilgrim Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815", "770 Bowman St., South Windsor, CT 06074", "44 Shirley Ave., West Chicago, IL 60185")>>\n<<set $prospectSchool = "School of Education">>\n<<set $prospectDegree = either("B.Sc.Ed in Speech Pathology", "B.Sc.Ed. in Audiology", "M.S.Ed. in Art Education", "M.S.Ed. in Instructional Systems Technology", "M.S.Ed. in Secondary Education", "BA in Educational Psychology")>>\n<<set $EC = either("-", "Student Government", "Sigma Omega Delta", "Lacrosse")>>\n<<set $prospectSuspicion = either(7,9,10)>>\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if ($callsComplete eq 2)>>[[ring ring ring|ProspectIntro]]\n<<set $prospectName = either("Malkhazni", "Hamish", "Rene", "Merle", "Ashley")>>\n<<set $prospectSurname = either("Desheriyev", "Bracewell", "Beránek", "Fluet", "Brandt")>>\n<<set $prospectAddress = either("27962 Beach Avenue, Duluth, GA 30096", "9966 Oakwood St., Chippewa Falls, WI 54729", "29452 Linden St., Waldorf, MD 20601", "7323 Shadow Brook Street, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089", "420 West High Noon Avenue, Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274")>>\n<<set $prospectSchool = "School of Business">>\n<<set $prospectDegree = either("BSB in Accounting", "BBM in Economic Consulting", "BA in Neuroscience", "BA in Chemistry", "BA in English", "BSB in Marketing")>>\n<<set $EC = either("-", "Art Museum Student Committee", "Student Government", "Japanese Culture Club")>>\n<<set $prospectSuspicion = either(5,7,9)>>\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if ($callsComplete eq 3)>>[[ring ring ring|ProspectIntro]]\n<<set $prospectName = either("Shamim", "Morana", "Jeffrey", "Cordelia", "Belonwu")>>\n<<set $prospectSurname = either("Moghadam", "Bošnjak", "Triepels", "Osorio Pineda", "Chimaobim")>>\n<<set $prospectAddress = either("24 Border Rd., Vienna, VA 22180", "8 Westport Dr., Fairborn, OH 45324", "7293 Winding Way St., Easton, PA 18042", "4 Border Rd., Vienna, VA 22180", "9125 Sugar Ave., Allentown, PA 18102")>>\n<<set $prospectSchool = "School of Music">>\n<<set $prospectDegree = either("BA in Music", "BFA in Music", "BA in Music and Culture", "BFA in Organ Performance", "BA in Musicology", "BFA in Music Composition")>>\n<<set $EC = either("-", "Jazz Ensemble", "Eco-Campus Alliance", "Acapella Choir")>>\n<<set $prospectSuspicion = either(8,9,10)>>\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if ($callsComplete eq 4)>>[[ring ring ring|ProspectIntro]]\n<<set $prospectName = either("Latoria", "Samuel", "Geraldo", "Susanne", "Leon")>>\n<<set $prospectSurname = either("Clark", "Hill", "Morgan", "Reinhard", "Nussbaum")>>\n<<set $prospectAddress = either("1 Theatre Ave., Potomac, MD 20854", "903 E. Brook St., Depew, NY 14043", "9439 Griffin Ave., Lumberton, NC 28358", "7662 Greystone Street, Mobile, AL 36605", "56 Thompson St., Andover, MA 01810")>>\n<<set $prospectSchool = "College of Arts and Sciences">>\n<<set $prospectDegree = either("BA in Biology", "BA in Psychology", "BA in Neuroscience", "BA in Chemistry", "BA in English", "BA in Spanish Language and Literature")>>\n<<set $EC = either("-", "Queer Student Alliance", "Orchestra Member", "Library Volunteer Program")>>\n<<set $prospectSuspicion = either(8,9,10)>>\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if ($callsComplete eq 5)>>[[ring ring ring|ProspectIntro]]\n<<set $prospectName = either("Lucian", "Gabriel", "Rosamund", "Adaeze", "Nozomi")>>\n<<set $prospectSurname = either("Gregory", "Syme", "DeWorms", "Brown", "Marquiss")>>\n<<set $prospectAddress = either("2447 W. Garden Road, Pomona, CA 91768", "258 Cemetery St., Billings, MT 59101", "8370 Andover St., Ooltewah, TN 37363", "8733 New Ave., Erie, PA 16506", "2 N. Elm Court, North Olmsted, OH 44070")>>\n<<set $prospectSchool = "College of Arts and Sciences">>\n<<set $prospectDegree = either("BA in Biology", "BA in Psychology", "BA in Neuroscience", "BA in Chemistry", "BA in English", "BA in Spanish Language and Literature")>>\n<<set $EC = either("-", "Student Union Board", "Nondenominational Christian Fellowship Alliance", "Young Anarcho-Capitalists")>>\n<<set $prospectSuspicion = either(8,9,10)>><<endif>>

Ladder: Rung One

Like any good employee, you complied with the request to evaluate yourself yourself in the following areas. <<if $boon eq "no">>You think that, a month in, it's time for a reassesment. At this point you probably can change ONE of your stats.<<endif>>\n\n[[MOXY]]: <<print $moxy>>\n[[PERSPICACITY]]: <<print $persp>>\n[[GLAMOUR]]: <<print $glam>>\n[[DOUBT]]: <<print $doubt>>\n\n<<if $boon eq "yes">>You've updated your stats. Does this seem about right?\n\n[[Yes.|handbook]]\n[[No.|ResetBoon]]<<endif>>

You reflection disappears from your monitor as the <<if $moxy eq 11>>company's proprietary auto-dialer software<<endif>><<if $persp eq 11>>outdated auto-dialer software the foundation is renting<<endif>><<if $glam eq 11>>ChatSoft Auto-Dialer Software (EduCorp Edition)<<endif>><<if $doubt eq 11>>the soulless telemarketing software<<endif>> boots up.\n\nAn on-screen reminder says you should [[check the connections on your headset now|headset]].\n<<if $moxy eq 11>><<set $institutionName to "Midland State University, Subsidiary to the Greater Global Induction Front">><<endif>>\s\n<<if $persp eq 11>><<set $institutionName to "Midland University">><<endif>>\s\n<<if $glam eq 11>><<set $institutionName to "Midland State University, Subsidiary to the Greater North Global EduCorp">><<endif>>\s\n<<if $doubt eq 11>><<set $institutionName to "Midland University">><<endif>>

''TUESDAY''\n\nThings are already in full swing, with snatches of calls audible everywhere, overlapping each other in a low and unremarkable noise like the raindrops that break constantly against the windows.\n\n[[Look around]].\n\n[[Look out the windows|windows]].\n\n[[Go to your station]].

<<print either("The prospect hangs up, apparently tired of you taking so long to respond.", "Suddenly the line goes dead. The prospect hung up on you!", "You hear the prospect mutter something before they hang up. Maybe you should be quicker to speak.", "Without so much as a word the prospect simply hangs up on you.", "Before you can continue the prospect sighs and hangs up.", "The prospect says they don't have time for this, and hangs up on you.", "You take so long to respond that the prospect hangs up with a hurried goodbye.", "The prospect orders you not to call again before hanging up on you.")>>\n<<set $doubt=$doubt+1>>\n<<if ($callsComplete eq 6)>>And that does it for today. You're [[free to go|MondayEnd]].<<else>>[[You get right back to work.|passage]]\n[[You take a moment to read your book.|TryToRead]]<<endif>>

"I know," you reply.\n\n"I figured you were smarter than that," he says. "You know what they say on the news, the Dogs of Sunday are just a myth."\n\n"Yes," you agree.\n\nHe adds: "And a dangerous one, too."\n\n"[[Yes]]."

You pass your coworkers, all in similar cubicles, all chatting away with prospects or waiting as the autodialer patches them through. Some are your age.\n\nSome younger.\n\nSome older.\n\nYou wave hi to the girl who was lucky enough to get promoted from the call floor to the reception desk. She's a year younger but she's worked here longer.\n\n[[You check your phone]].

<<set $CEOFlag = "yes">>"Please help me," you whisper to the prospect.\n\n"What?" they reply, confused.\n\nYou reply...\n\n[[Please help me, but be careful, they might be listening to us|help]].\n[[I have to work here. I'm sorry I'm calling, but I have to|help]].

The prospect grumbles: "<<print either("Good lord", "I'm not interested in whatever this is", "I don't know what you're talking about", "I don't have time right now", "I've told you people to stop calling me", "I think you have the wrong number", "Take me off your list", "Get bent", "I'm not giving you any money", "Leave me alone", "Nope, sorry", "I have no idea what you're talking about", "Bother someone else", "No", "Goodbye", "Don't call me again", "Don't call back", "Don't call again", "Go to hell", "Leave us alone")>>."\n<<set $doubt = $doubt+1>>\nBefore you can say anything else, they've hung up! The [[auto-dialer goes back to work|passage]].

"Please, please," you whisper, "tell someone to help us. I [[have to go now]]."

Everyone, of course, knows you're a felon. Depending on their subscription services they receive push notifications about you if you come within a certain distance of them, and the headset plug [[where your right ear used to be]] is a dead giveaway about your probatory status.\n\nYou've been in the court-mandated re-educational program for four years now, close to receiving your degree. In the scheme of things, not a big deal: there are plenty of people like you, especially here, and you at the very least have been classified as [[nonviolent]].\n\nSo today is going to be [[very interesting|What happens next?]].

What happens next? Well, my Patreon patrons and I decide together.\n\nHere's a [[copy of the FAQ from the start screen that unpacks that|FAQ]].\n\n[[Here's a sample scene from Tuesday|TuesdaySample]].\n\n[[And here's my Patreon!|https://www.patreon.com/ztul]]

You close the call.\n\n<<if ($callsComplete eq 6)>>And that does it for today. You're [[free to go|MondayEnd]].<<else>>[[Get right back to work.|passage]]\n[[You take a moment to read your book.|TryToRead]]<<endif>>

<<if $pledgeAmount gt 100>>"Extremely good work! I'll let Management know you've really been doing extra around here."<<else>><<if $pledgeAmount gt 0>>"Really nice work! It's hard, I know, but you're doing great."<<else>>"It was a rough day, yeah, but you can always try again tomorrow."<<endif>><<if $creditCards gt 0>> He smiles and adds, "And you even got a few credit card pledges. Nice!"<<endif>><<endif>>\n\nYou agree hurriedly, wanting to be out of here. You'll see him again soon enough, [[tomorrow|EndPassage]].

<<set $moxy = $moxy+1>><<set $creditCards = $creditCards+1>>By the time the payment clears, you can tell that <<print $prospectName>> is beginning to regret even agreeing to this. However, as soon as you get a confirmation on your end, you thank <<print $prospectName>> for their generosity and bid them a pleasant day.\n\n<<if ($callsComplete eq 6)>>And that does it for today. You're [[free to go|MondayEnd]].<<else>>\nAfter only a few moments of finalizing some things, you... \n\n[[Get right back to work.|passage]]\n[[You take a moment to read your book.|TryToRead]]<<endif>>

There's not a lot to be said. It's the summer and you didn't [[have many options|opening]].

It's time to climb The Ladder! Every step counts!\n\nWhen speaking with Prospects, speak clearly and cheerfully. They may be rude! That's okay, it's not your fault. Do your best to confirm contact information and establish rapport.\n\nWhen asking for gifts, always descend the ladder in order: start at the $100 tier. If the Prospect is hesitant or declines, offer another reason to give, then go down to $75. If this is still not successful, ask for $50.\n\nRemember, take it one step at a time! It's a simple process to [[make your way to success]]:\n

The headset connections are locked securely into your terminal.\n\nYou adjust the padded speaker over one ear, make sure the mic is positioned correctly over your mouth by listening for your own breath.\n\nThe machine's booted and is now [[requesting your login info|login]].

If you have high PERSPICACITY, then PERSPICACITY is the sort of thing that doesn't need to be explained! \n\nBut the Employee Handbook puts it this way:\n\n"PERSPICACITY is the celerity and acuity of your insight -- your understanding and manipulation of ideas, concepts, or situations. Throughout history various important figures with high PERSPICACITY have been able to point out problems before they occured and negotiated tense situations with the greatest of prudence."\n\n<<if $boon eq "no">>Might you say you've got a bit more PERSPICACITY than normal?\n\n[[Indeed!|PerspBoon]]\n[[I'm not sure?|charCreation]]<<endif>><<if $boon eq "yes">><<back>><<endif>>

<<if ($callsComplete eq 6)>>And that does it for today. You're [[free to go|MondayEnd]].<<else>><<if ($doubt eq 6)>>You hurriedly mouse across the screen and close the call. Why did you do that?\n\nThe autodialer has already pushed you back into the [[calling pool|passage]].<<set $doubtCounter = "yes">><<endif>><<if ($doubt eq 7) and ($doubt gte 6)>>Almost unthinkingly you've terminated the call, before you could be tempted to say anything else. You take a deep breath as in your ear the ringing [[begins again|passage]].<<set $doubtCounter = "yes">><<endif>><<if ($doubt eq 8)>>If your supervisors ask, you can say you were getting picked up by a voice-mail.\n\nMaybe the [[next call|passage]] that will really be the case.<<endif>><<if ($doubt eq 9)>>Whoever that person was, they definitely didn't sound like someone who needed you to be pestering them right now. Right?\n\nRight?\n\n[[Of course|passage]].<<set $doubtCounter = "yes">><<endif>><<if ($doubt eq 10)>>Nope, didn't seem like that call would go anywhere good. Not at all.\n\n[[Back to the caller pool with you|passage]].<<endif>><<if ($doubt eq 11)>>What is even the point? Why are you doing this at all? Hang up. Hang up on all of them.\n\n[[But the phone goes right back to ringing|passage]].<<set $doubtCounter = "yes">><<endif>><<if ($doubt eq 12)>>If you keep hanging up, you realize, the calls are just going to keep coming faster.\n\n[[You'll just be making more calls|passage]].<<set $doubtCounter = "yes">><<endif>><<if ($doubt eq 13)>>Maybe you'll be fired. One of the supervisors in the back office has to be noticing how quickly connections are terminating from your station.\n\n[[Maybe this time...|passage]]<<set $doubtCounter = "yes">><<endif>><<if ($doubt eq 14)>>Your hands seem to be shaking, so you're a split second late in ending the call. You catch half of a second, confused "Hello?" before you manage to terminate.\n\nWithin seconds, [[the ringing returns|passage]].<<set $doubtCounter = "yes">><<endif>><<if ($doubt gte 15)>>You can't do this. You can't. You can't you can't you can't you [[can't|passage]]<<set $doubtCounter = "yes">><<endif>><<endif>>

Walls of your cubicle. Phones chiming elsewhere in the office.\n\nBefore you, floating ghost-like in your station's monitor -- your own face.\n\nYou've brought a [[book to read]] during your downtime.\n\nAs your station readies itself for the day you notice your [[Employee Handbook|handbook]] sitting next to your keyboard.

"Management doesn't like stories about the Dogs of Sunday," he continues. "If this comes up again I'll have to put in a word about it."\n\nThere is a second of chilly silence, and something seems to move behind his eyes -- or maybe nothing is moving back there, and maybe that's the problem.\n\n[[You apologize softly and leave for the day|EndPassage]].

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//''WHO IS LISTENING''//\n\n''CHAPTER 1''\n\nThe man ran through the hallway, afraid for his life. The people following him were still a ways behind, but apart from the place he was, there were not a lot of places he could go. This was because the place he was, was a secret arcology built by the Chinese government in Antarctica. Even now snow was tapping lightly against the massive glass panels of the outer walls, casting monstrously large shadows in the evening sun.\n\nThe man was CIA Special Agent Emerson Burrows, and he would be dead within the hour, though he did not know this now. This was not to say he was ignorant of the stake, of course. He knew very well the men following him would kill him if they got their hands on him. But, as it turns out, the men in pursuit of Emerson were not the ones fated to deal him his death.\n\nThe arcology had been built, in secret, some decade before as the Chinese government began to look into more effective ways to fake global climate change. Below this arcology were massive drills working day and night to destroy the continent's ice shelves, and so far they had been more or less successful.\n\nBut, amazingly, this did not interest CIA Agent Emerson Burrows. Nor would it be of interest to his superiors. It was an open secret in the government that climate change was a Chinese hoax and there was little new to be gleaned from the arcology on this front. For decades the official US response to the Chinese climate change hoax had been to work overtime to make climate change a material reality, thus calling the Chinese's bluff. However, when Emerson infiltrated the operation under the guise of a contracted Australian consultant and analyst, the arcology's obvious purpose was not what he had been searching for.\n\nAnd it was not what he had found. Indeed, what he had found was much worse than what he had been searching for, which was not that good to begin with, so what he found had been really, really bad. The data. The goddamn data. He thought about the data while he ran. Goddamn it.\n\nThe data was on the small USB drive he had in his pocket. He'd downloaded it all from the servers yesterday, thinking no one would notice. He'd taken all known precautions but there must have been a new Chinese firewall the techs back in Washington knew about. Now the arcology staff were onto him, and the only choice he had was to get the data out. Currently he was making his way to the drone bay, where the arcology's expedition drones were stored, and he figured with current optimal wind conditions he could get one to fly all the way back the States.\n\n<<timedgoto "pool" 5s>>

You begin the process of entering the pledge into the system.\n\n<<if $moxy gte 8>>You can process the pledge either via credit card or as an electronic check. Since your employer receives funds from them sooner, [[credit card pledges|Card]] will count toward your pay bonus at the end of the month.<<endif>>\n\n[[Electronic check|Paypal]].

Your station displays today's stats:\n\n''TOTAL GIFT EARNED'' <<print $pledgeAmount>>\n''CREDIT CARD PLEDGES'' <<print $creditCards>>\n\nYou <<cyclinglink "sigh tiredly" "release a deep breath" "grit your teeth" "murmur to yourself">> as you log out for the day, grabbing your copy of //Who Is Listening// and heading [[out into the lobby]].

"Hey!" calls your supervisor, a jovial looking guy with a fauxhawk, as you pass his station.\n\n<<if $CEOFlag eq "yes" and $DogsFlag eq "no">>"I was listening in one some of your prospects today," he says, gesturing to his own station. "You should know, [[Management isn't going to like what you said]]."<<endif>><<if $CEOFlag eq "no" and $DogsFlag eq "yes">>"I was listening in one some of your prospects today," he says, gesturing to his own station. "You said some [[pretty volatile stuff]]."<<endif>><<if $CEOFlag eq "yes" and $DogsFlag eq "yes">>"You said some pretty dangerous stuff today, you know." He doesn't look [[too happy]].<<endif>><<if $CEOFlag eq "no" and $DogsFlag eq "no">>"I was just checking your stats for the day. So it was <<print $pledgeAmount>> and <<print $creditCards>>?"\n\n[[You nod]].<<endif>>

michael lutz

He nods, smiling but showing his teeth in a way you don't like. "Well," he says, "I'll overlook it just this once. See you tomorrow."\n\nYou nod as you walk toward the door. "[[See you tomorrow|EndPassage]]."

<<print $prospectName>> <<print $prospectSurname>> is getting irritated. "Listen, if this is some sort of prank call..."\n\nYou interrupt: "I have to let you go before [[Management notices|Disconnect]]."

Your cubicle is near the center of the room, facing the outer wall, so if you were so inclined -- and you usually aren't -- you could look up over the partition to watch the rain splattering against the windows.\n\nYou scan your thumb to activate the deck and slide your headset on, gently clicking it into place as you settle into your chair, and stow your book, phone, and messenger bag under your desk.\n\nOn your screen scroll some [[helpful reminders]].

You grab //Who Is Listening//, hoping to [[read for a few moments|WhoIs]] before the autodialer throws you back into the calling pool.

This prospect seems like a deeply sympathetic person, so you take a gamble by beginning to explain why the instituion is currently seeking donations.\n\nThe prospect interrupts you: "<<print either("Good lord", "I'm not interested in whatever this is", "I don't know what you're talking about", "I don't have time right now", "I've told you people to stop calling me", "I think you have the wrong number", "Take me off your list", "That person doesn't live here anymore", "That person doesn't live here anymore, and I've told you people that countless times", "Get bent", "I'm not giving you any money", "Leave me alone", "Nope, sorry", "I have no idea who you're talking about", "Bother someone else", "No", "Goodbye", "Don't call me again", "Don't call back", "Don't call again", "Go to hell", "Leave us alone")>>."\n<<set $doubt = $doubt+1>>\nBefore you can say anything else, they've hung up!\n\n<<if ($callsComplete eq 6)>>And that does it for today. You're [[free to go|MondayEnd]].<<else>>[[You get right back to work.|passage]]\n[[You take a moment to read your book.|TryToRead]]<<endif>>

Ladder: [[Rung One|Ladder]]\n\nRecommended Reading: [[What Is Going On Here]]\n<<set $callsComplete = 0>>\n<<set $pledges = 0>>\n<<set $pledgeAmount = 0>>\n<<set $creditCards = 0>>\n<<set $moxy = 5>>\n<<set $persp = 5>>\n<<set $doubt = 5>>\n<<set $glam = 5>>\n<<set $callStep = 0>>\n<<set $boon = "no">>\n<<set $doubtCounter = "no">>\n<<set $DogsFlag = "no">>\n<<set $CEOFlag = "no">>

It's time to climb The Ladder! Every step counts!\n\n1. Read over the Prospect's information.\n\n2. When you get an answer, ask for the Prospect by name.\n\n3. Introduce yourself.\n\n4. State your allegiance to the institution and explain you are calling to confirm the contact information we have on file.\n\n5. Establish rapport -- ''IMPORTANT!'' -- by using information on file to emphasize your shared relationship to the institution, or inquire as to how the instution has had a lasting impact on the Prospect's life.\n\n6. Segue into ''establishing need''. Make a case as to why the institution needs help!\n\n7. Begin asking for gifts! Remember: start at the top and work your way down. You'll never get $100 if you never ask!\n\n8. Did the Prospect turn down the first tier? No worries: provide another reason to give, and proceed to the next tier!\n\n8. Have you confirmed a gift? Excellent! Remember that we accept all major electronic currencies.\n\n9. Regardless of whether you've received a pledge, thank the Prospect for their time!\n\n10. As a re-educational contractor, deviations from protocol will be [[met with harsh penalities]]!

"I don't think there's really that much to say," <<print $prospectName>> chuckles, and adds, "I went to work, of course."\n<<set $moxy = $moxy+1>>\n[[Ask more about life after graduation|lifeAfter2]].\n[[Establish need|Unconfirmed4]].\n[[Ask for $100|Unconfirmed5]].\n[[Ask for $75|Unconfirmed5]].\n[[Ask for $50|Unconfirmed5]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<set $doubt=$doubt+1>><<endif>>\n<<timedgoto "prospectHangup" 10s>>

They took other things, too, of course: a lot of the coding languages you taught yourself, especially some of the older ones full of exploits, and a great deal of the stuff you learned that got you into this mess to begin with.\n\nThe doctor who performed the operation was an old, smiling man. "Don't worry," he said. "We can't dig too deep. That'd be bad. We're just -- taking [[a little off the top|Harsh penalties, indeed.]]."

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He held up his hand, and there came out of the thicket a long growling roar that seemed to get under the skin and freeze the flesh — <<insertlink "a low thrilling roar that made a throbbing in the air all about them.">>\n\n"The dogs of Sunday would be no ordinary dogs," said Gogol, [[and shuddered|DayOne]].\n\n- GK Chesterton, //The Man Who Was Thursday//<<endinsertlink>>

And that does it for today. You're [[free to go|MondayEnd]].

<<if $boon eq "no">>The first page is [[as you left it|charCreation]] after your orientation a month ago. Maybe it's time for a review?<<else>>You've updated your employee stats to suit your current mood.<<endif>>\n\nYou suppose you could also [[review the rules|tutorial]].\n\n<<if $boon eq "yes">>Otherwise, are you ready to get to work?\n\n[[Yes.|cube]]\n[[No, let me waste time with my imaginary employee stats some more.|ResetBoon]]<<endif>>

<<print $prospectName>> spends the next few minutes pleasantly reminiscing about the good old days, within moments diverging from the topic of <<print $EC>> altogether to tell you about <<print either("how they met their current spouse", "a particularly rowdy but memorable homecoming weekend", "a hilarious misadventure at a fraternity party", "a valuable business connection formed in the freshmen dormitories", "a strict professor who taught valuable life lessons", "a strict professor who got their just desserts by the end of the semester", "a horrible course that wrecked their GPA but taught them an important lesson about knowing your limits", "the many campus protests they took part in")>>.\n<<set $prospectSuspicion = $prospectSuspicion - 5>>\n"Well enough about me," says the prospect, "how are you doing at <<print $institutionName>>?"\n\n[[Establish need|Step5]].\n[[Ask for $100|Unconfirmed5]].\n[[Ask for $75|Unconfirmed5]].\n[[Ask for $50|Unconfirmed5]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<set $doubt=$doubt+1>><<endif>>\n

You spend the next several minutes taking down the information for <<print $prospectName>>'s pledge and letting the system process it.\n\nIt takes a while, and usually [[irritates the prospect]].

<<print $prospectName>> explains, with only one or two questions from you, <<print either("how they met their current spouse through their job", "why they eventually went back to school at another institution", "how their degree ended up being unusually applicable in a surprising field", "what it's like climbing to corporate management at a furniture store", "how they invented a new type of rain gutter for houses", "why they eventually had to move to the coast, but this turned out to be a good thing for a lot of reasons", "how they really didn't pursue the line of work they thought they would and have focused mostly on their family", "why their degree was, God's honest truth here, the best ever investment they ever made")>>.\n<<set $prospectSuspicion = $prospectSuspicion - 5>>\n"Well enough about me," says the prospect, "how are you doing at <<print $institutionName>>?"\n\n[[Establish need|Step5]].\n[[Ask for $100|Unconfirmed5]].\n[[Ask for $75|Unconfirmed5]].\n[[Ask for $50|Unconfirmed5]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<set $doubt=$doubt+1>><<endif>>

You're not sure if you're more uncertain than normal or not. You'll just have to [[play it by ear.|charCreation]]\n<<set $doubt = $doubt+6>>\n<<set $boon = "yes">>

NAME: <<print $prospectName>> <<print $prospectSurname>>\nADDRESS: <<print $prospectAddress>>\nSCHOOL/DEGREE: <<print $prospectSchool>>, <<print $prospectDegree>>\nEXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: <<print $EC>>\n\n<<timedinsert 5s>>A <<print either("soft", "rough", "low", "high", "gruff", "breathy", "flat", "gravelly", "adenoidal", "hoarse", "honeyed", "melodious", "husky", "nasal", "rolling", "small", "thick", "throaty", "booming", "emphatic", "suspicious", "quavering", "sly", "bored", "confused")>> voice answers the phone: "Hello?"\n\n[["Ask for " + $prospectName + " " + $prospectSurname|Step1]].\n[[Introduce yourself|Unconfirmed1]].\n[[Confirm info on file|Unconfirmed2]].\n[[Establish rapport|Unconfirmed3]].\n[[Establish need|Unconfirmed4]].\n[[Ask for $100|Unconfirmed5]].\n[[Ask for $75|Unconfirmed5]].\n[[Ask for $50|Unconfirmed5]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<endif>>\n<<if ($callsComplete gt 1) and ($DogsFlag eq "no") and ($glam gt 10) and ($doubt lte 6)>> [[Inform the prospect that the Dogs of Sunday are coming|DogsExpo]].<<endif>><<if ($callsComplete gt 1) and ($CEOFlag eq "no") and ($glam gt 10) and ($doubt gte 7)>>[[Resist the urge to beg the prospect for help|CEOExpo]].<<endif>>\n<<set $callsComplete = $callsComplete + 1>>\n\n<<timedgoto "prospectHangup" 20s>><<endtimedinsert>>\n

You didn't even have a chance, really. You just came home from school one day and your parents were in the living room with the cops.\n\n"It's your fault," Mom was saying to Dad. "You encouraged it."\n\nYou dad had bought you your first deck, which is presumably what your mom was referring to. You've never asked for clarification because they cut off contact with you after you were convicted of corporate espionage and all the copyright infringements in your head got scrubbed out.\n\nYou haven't seen either of them [[since then|Harsh penalties, indeed.]].

There's a few new messages in the group chat you maintain with some local friends. There's a birthday party Saturday night. Lots of people seem to be going.\n\n[[You don't reply just now]].

In a <<print either("hushed", "terse", "tight", "fearful", "uncertain", "suspicious", "quavering", "confused")>> tone the prospect replies: "<<print either("What are you talking about?", "I've never heard of that before!", "What are you trying to imply?", "Who are you? No, don't answer that!", "Yes, yes they are.", "Of course they are.", "Do not call me again.", "Be thankful I am not reporting this.", "Yes, friend, have stength.")>>"\n\nBefore you can say anything else, however, they hang up!\n\n<<if ($callsComplete eq 6)>>And that does it for today. You're [[free to go|MondayEnd]].<<else>>[[You get right back to work.|passage]]\n[[You take a moment to read your book.|TryToRead]]<<endif>>

[[MONDAY]]

"Really? It was a while ago now," <<print $prospectName>> says, either skeptical or truly trying to remember. "Actually, there was one time..."\n<<set $glam = $glam+1>>\n[[Let the prospect continue|cherishedMemory2]].\n[[Establish need|Unconfirmed4]].\n[[Ask for $100|Unconfirmed5]].\n[[Ask for $75|Unconfirmed5]].\n[[Ask for $50|Unconfirmed5]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<set $doubt=$doubt+1>><<endif>>\n<<timedgoto "prospectHangup" 10s>>

It's an airport thriller, //Who Is Listening// by Muez Cathill. You needed something light and entertaining.\n\nYou definitely can't concentrate too hard while working [[this job]].

Then let's [[back up a second|charCreation]].\n<<set $pep = 5>>\n<<set $moxy = 5>>\n<<set $persp = 5>>\n<<set $glam = 5>>\n<<set $doubt = 5>>\n<<set $boon = "no">>

[[Boot up for the day.|opening]]

You cast an easy glance to your messenger bag, its corner just visible as it peeks out from underneath the desk.\n\n[[Harsh penalties, indeed.]]

Hi, I am Michael Lutz! I have made twine games like [[Tower of the Blood Lord|http://correlatedcontents.com/misc/Tower.html]], [[my father's long, long legs|http://correlatedcontents.com/misc/Father.html]] and [[the uncle who works for nintendo|https://itch.io/e/10838/ztul-created-the-uncle-who-works-for-nintendo]]. What you're about to play is a preview of my in-progress game: ''Ladder''. I'm making it with input from my [[Patreon patrons|https://www.patreon.com/ztul]] who are all super cool!\n\n//''WAIT SO WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE''//\nBasically what you have is the first chapter of a serial Twine game.\n\n//''WAIT A SERIAL TWINE GAME?''//\nYeah. At the end of every month or so, my patrons (all of them, regardless of how much they back me for) get access to the newest chapter. But also: they have the chance to influence how the next chapter goes!!!\n\nThere will be six "parts" to this story (I estimate) and once completed they'll be released together as a full game for non-patrons. This opening chapter is being released publicly so you can see what I'm up to and maybe decide if you want to come along for this weird ride?\n\nSo before you play, there are a few things you should know:\n\n//''THIS IS A ROUGH DRAFT''//\nFirst, the version of the game you're playing will have no proper end and some rough edges. A lot of niceties like custom CSS and sounds or visuals will be missing for most of this. I won't have corrected typos and there may be paths that go in weird places and coding errors I haven't caught on my own. This is basically like, alpha access? \n\nIf you want to report errors to me you can message me here or email me at j.michael.lutz@gmail.com\n\n//''PATRONS HAVE INPUT''//\nFolks who back me [[on my Patreon|https://www.patreon.com/ztul]] influence how this story goes: at the end of a "chapter" they gain access to a Google form where they tell me what you want to happen in the next chapter. The form is limited to 60 characters, the idea being you have to tell me something either very vague or very specific. I then collect all the responses and begin organizing them into something like a plan for the next chapter's events. Playing through this demo will give you access to a short scene from the recently completed Chapter 2, so you can see how weird things have gotten already.\n\nLet's say that at the end of this chapter, someone writes in "Whinny like a pony and kick your boss in the face." I'm going to do my damnedest to find a situation in which it makes sense for that to happen or for the player to have that choice in the next chapter.\n\n//''WAIT IF WE'RE DETERMINING WHAT HAPPENS HOW DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY PARTS THERE ARE''//\nI know very, very vaguely, how this story is going to work. There's a structure to it, definitely. I'm just not sure how it's going to get from point A to point B, and that's where my patrons and I join forces: they throw stuff at me and I constantly try to figure out how to make everything coherently bend toward an endpoint that, ideally, becomes more fleshed out and specific due to our combined creative energies. Because of what I know for a fact I have planned for this narrative, it can (hopefully) accommodate a lot of minds bouncing around in the same space.\n\n//''IS THIS HOMESTUCK''//\nWhat the shit is homestuck\n\n//''SO WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE GOING FORWARD?''//\nAs of right now, there will be three more points at which I will collect reader input for this story. That is to say, between each of the first five chapters (chapters one and two just completed, and the ending of the fifth chapter will be reserved for tidying things up and setting the stage for a finale chapter). This whole thing is kind of a wild experiment and I don't know how it's going to go, how quickly I'll be able to process input and write new chapters, etc.\n\nAnyway, I hope you like what I've made so far and I want to thank you for bearing with me as I try out something new and, I dunno, make "interactive fiction" extremely literal??? Do you want to bite the bullet and jump into Patreon right now here's [[another link|https://www.patreon.com/ztul]].\n\nAnyhow, you can [[start playing now if you like|Start]].

Take it away, Employee Handboook:\n\n"Your DOUBT is your measure of uncertainty in your life choices.\n\nA successful employee ''has no DOUBT at all'' that they're doing the right thing for themselves, or the broader community."\n\n<<if $boon eq "no">>Are you more prone to DOUBT than the average person, you think?\n\n[[I'm not really sure to what extent I know anything, really.|DoubtBoon]]\n[[I am absolutely positive I am not.|charCreation]]<<endif>><<if $boon eq "yes">><<back>><<endif>>

<<if ($callsComplete eq 6)>>That was horrible, but it does it for today. You're [[free to go|MondayEnd]].<<else>><<set $doubt = $doubt+1>>Well that was a <<print either("fiasco", "washout", "disaster", "flop", "mess", "total embarrassment", "debacle", "farce", "failure", "royal screwup")>>. Unfortunately, the auto-dialer has pushed you right on to [[the next prospect|passage]].<<endif>>

"Completely understandable," you agree. "However, were you aware that <<cyclinglink "this year the government voted to reduce our endowment by 5%" "rising tuition costs have decreased the effectiveness of the limited financial aid we can provide" "unexpected weather damage has necessitated several thousand dollars' worth of repairs throughout the campus" "fellowships for deserving faculty across all departments have been reduced by the administration" "the construction of new facilities for our College of Philanthrophy, promised to be a draw for students from all walks of life, can only continue if we reach this month's Alumni Pledge Goal""it is through the generosity of alumni like yourself that we continue to operate as one of the leading institutions in the country">>?"\n<<set $moxy = $moxy+1>>\n<<set $prospectSuspicion = $prospectSuspicion-2>><<if $prospectSuspicion gte 10>><<print $prospectName>> seems very suspicious of you.<<endif>><<if $prospectSuspicion eq 8 or $prospectSuspicion eq 9>><<print $prospectName>> seems in a hurry to end the call.<<endif>><<if $prospectSuspicion eq 6 or $prospectSuspicion eq 7>><<print $prospectName>> seems distant, but willing to talk.<<endif>><<if $prospectSuspicion eq 4 or $prospectSuspicion eq 5>><<print $prospectName>> seems willing to talk.<<endif>><<if $prospectSuspicion eq 2 or $prospectSuspicion eq 3>><<print $prospectName>> makes a noise of agreement.<<endif>><<if $prospectSuspicion lte 0 or $prospectSuspicion eq 1>><<print $prospectName>> seems deeply invested in this conversation.<<endif>>\n\n[[Ask for $50|Ask3]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<endif>>

"I understand," you reply, "because one hundred is quite a lot. However, <<cyclinglink "this year the government voted to reduce our endowment by 5%" "rising tuition costs have decreased the effectiveness of the limited financial aid we can provide" "unexpected weather damage has necessitated several thousand dollars' worth of repairs throughout the campus" "fellowships for deserving faculty across all departments have been reduced by the administration" "the construction of new facilities for our College of Philanthrophy, promised to be a draw for students from all walks of life, can only continue if we reach this month's Alumni Pledge Goal""it is through the generosity of alumni like yourself that we continue to operate as one of the leading institutions in the country">>."\n<<set $moxy = $moxy+1>>\n<<set $prospectSuspicion = $prospectSuspicion-1>><<if $prospectSuspicion gte 10>><<print $prospectName>> seems very suspicious of you.<<endif>><<if $prospectSuspicion eq 8 or $prospectSuspicion eq 9>><<print $prospectName>> seems in a hurry to end the call.<<endif>><<if $prospectSuspicion eq 6 or $prospectSuspicion eq 7>><<print $prospectName>> seems distant, but willing to talk.<<endif>><<if $prospectSuspicion eq 4 or $prospectSuspicion eq 5>><<print $prospectName>> seems willing to talk.<<endif>><<if $prospectSuspicion eq 2 or $prospectSuspicion eq 3>><<print $prospectName>> makes a noise of agreement.<<endif>><<if $prospectSuspicion lte 0 or $prospectSuspicion eq 1>><<print $prospectName>> seems deeply invested in this conversation.<<endif>>\n\n[[Ask for $75|Ask2]].\n[[Ask for $50|Ask3]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<endif>>

You spend the next several minutes taking down the information for <<print $prospectName>>'s pledge and letting the system process it.\n<<set $moxy = $moxy+1>>\nAs soon as it clears, you thank <<print $prospectName>> for their generosity and bid them a pleasant day.\n\n<<if ($callsComplete eq 6)>>And that does it for today. You're [[free to go|MondayEnd]].<<else>>After only a few moments of finalizing some things, you...\n\n[[Get right back to work.|passage]]\n[[You take a moment to read your book.|TryToRead]]<<endif>>

GLAMOUR, according to the Employee Handbook:\n\n"GLAMOUR is that special little something. Those who have it, know it, and those who don't have it envy those who do. GLAMOUR dictates not just how you perform tasks, but how stylishly you pull them off -- and style is definitely a prerequisite for catching the eye of Management!"\n\n<<if $boon eq "no">>So then, how GLAMORous are you feeling?\n\n[[(make intense and exhilarating eye contact)|GlamBoon]]\n[[Please, I'm just here to work.|charCreation]]<<endif>><<if $boon eq "yes">><<back>><<endif>>

<<set $DogsFlag = "yes">>\n\nYou take a look around to make sure no one is standing near your cubicle before whispering into the headset: "The Dogs of Sunday are coming."\n\nThere is a pause [[on the other end]].

"Sorry," you say, shrugging.\n\nYour supervisor smiles blandly. "I'm gonna have to put in the report, though," he says. "You know, or else." He chuckles. It is not a happy chuckle. "See you tomorrow."\n\nYou nod tiredly, and [[leave|EndPassage]].

<<timedinsert 5s>>And so, Monday is over. [[What happens next?]]\n<<endtimedinsert>>

Right excellent you've got high MOXY! In fact you've got so much MOXY you probably think you're entitled to <<insertlink "another STAT BOOST, huh?">>\n\nWell I'm sorry to disappoint you, but you'll just have to deal with what you can get. [[I appreciate your MOXY, though.|charCreation]]<<endinsertlink>>\n\n<<set $moxy = $moxy+6>>\n<<set $boon = "yes">>

"Given the circumstances I've outlined," you say, "I was wondering if maybe I could mark you down today for a pledge of one hundred dollars?"\n\n<<if $prospectSuspicion gte 15>><<print $prospectName>> says without hesitation, "I'm sorry, I can't help you," and [[hangs up|BadCall]].<<endif>><<if ($prospectSuspicion gt 11) and ($prospectSuspicion lt 15)>>"No, I don't think I can do that," the prospect says tersely.\n\n[[Suggest another reason to give|Reason2]].\n[[Ask for $75|Ask2]].\n[[Ask for $50|Ask3]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<endif>><<endif>><<if ($prospectSuspicion gt 8) and ($prospectSuspicion lte 11)>>"Sorry," replies <<print $prospectName>>, "but I can't manage that right now."\n\n[[Suggest another reason to give|Reason2]].\n[[Ask for $75|Ask2]].\n[[Ask for $50|Ask3]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<endif>><<endif>><<if ($prospectSuspicion gt 5) and ($prospectSuspicion lte 8)>>"I'm still paying off my own student loans," says <<print $prospectName>>. "Maybe give me another call in a few years."\n\n[[Suggest another reason to give|Reason2]].\n[[Ask for $75|Ask2]].\n[[Ask for $50|Ask3]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<endif>><<endif>><<if ($prospectSuspicion gt 2) and ($prospectSuspicion lte 5)>>"I'm really sorry," says the prospect, with apparent sincerity, "but I just don't have that sort of money to go around right now."\n\n[[Suggest another reason to give|Reason2]].\n[[Ask for $75|Ask2]].\n[[Ask for $50|Ask3]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<endif>><<endif>><<if ($prospectSuspicion lte 2)>>\n"Of course," replies <<print $prospectName>>, "I'd be glad to help you out in any way possible. What do we need to do?"\n<<set $pledges = $pledges+1>>\n<<set $pledgeAmount = $pledgeAmount+100>>\n[[Process pledge|Pledge]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<endif>><<endif>>

"Of course we understand that times are tough for a lot of our graduates," you insist, <<cyclinglink "gritting your teeth" "smiling even though no one can see you" "rolling your eyes" "looking at the clock">>. "That's why we're also willing to take any little bit in the way of a donation, including our lowest tier of fifty dollars. What do you say?"\n\n<<if $prospectSuspicion gte 15>><<print $prospectName>> says without hesitation, "I'm sorry, I can't help you," and [[hangs up|BadCall]].<<endif>><<if ($prospectSuspicion gt 11) and ($prospectSuspicion lt 15)>>"Maybe some other time," replies the prospect.\n\n[[End on a cheery note|EndCall]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<endif>><<endif>><<if ($prospectSuspicion gt 8) and ($prospectSuspicion lte 11)>>"Sorry," replies <<print $prospectName>>, "but that's a week of groceries for me, if I'm lucky."\n\n[[End on a cheery note|EndCall]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<endif>><<endif>><<if ($prospectSuspicion gt 5) and ($prospectSuspicion lte 8)>>"I want to give back, I really do, but maybe later when I'm in a better position," says <<print $prospectName>>.\n\n[[End on a cheery note|EndCall]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<endif>><<endif>><<if ($prospectSuspicion gt 2) and ($prospectSuspicion lte 5)>>"Of course, every little bit helps," says <<print $prospectName>>, "what do we need to do?"\n<<set $pledges = $pledges+1>>\s\n<<set $pledgeAmount = $pledgeAmount+50>>\n[[Process pledge|Pledge]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<endif>><<endif>><<if ($prospectSuspicion lte 2)>>\n"Absolutely," replies <<print $prospectName>>, "just let me get my checkbook."\n<<set $pledges = $pledges+1>>\n<<set $pledgeAmount = $pledgeAmount+50>>\n[[Process pledge|Pledge]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<endif>><<endif>>

You clear your throat and ask, "So could I perhaps mark you down for a pledge of seventy-five dollars today?"\n\n<<if $prospectSuspicion gte 15>><<print $prospectName>> says without hesitation, "I'm sorry, I can't help you," and [[hangs up|BadCall]].<<endif>><<if ($prospectSuspicion gt 11) and ($prospectSuspicion lt 15)>>"No, no, I don't think that's possible right now," the prospect mutters.\n\n[[Suggest another reason to give|Reason3]].\n[[Ask for $50|Ask3]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<endif>><<endif>><<if ($prospectSuspicion gt 8) and ($prospectSuspicion lte 11)>>"Sorry," replies <<print $prospectName>>, "but it's still a little too steep for me."\n\n[[Suggest another reason to give|Reason3]].\n[[Ask for $50|Ask3]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<endif>><<endif>><<if ($prospectSuspicion gt 5) and ($prospectSuspicion lte 8)>>"Listen, I'm still paying student loans," says <<print $prospectName>>. "I can't bother to spend even more on that place."\n\n[[Suggest another reason to give|Reason3]].\n[[Ask for $50|Ask3]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<endif>><<endif>><<if ($prospectSuspicion gt 2) and ($prospectSuspicion lte 5)>>"I understand every little bit helps," says <<print $prospectName>>, "but to be completely honest you're not even asking for a little bit."\n\n[[Suggest another reason to give|Reason3]].\n[[Ask for $50|Ask3]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<endif>><<endif>><<if ($prospectSuspicion lte 2)>>\n"Absolutely," replies <<print $prospectName>>, "can we do this over the phone?"\n<<set $pledges = $pledges+1>>\s\n<<set $pledgeAmount = $pledgeAmount+75>>\n[[Process pledge|Pledge]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<endif>><<endif>>

In no time at all, <<print $prospectName>> is regaling you with the tale of the time <<print either("they helped steal the antique weathervane on top of the art museum", "campus Greek life devolved into a total prank war", "they watched the basketball team win the State championship right there on campus", "they and some friends escaped the local police after setting off way too many fireworks down at the quarry", "a normally staid professor broke character long enough to do a tapdance on his desk", "a campus-wide power outage caused everyone to stream out of the dorms into the parking lots, where they held an impromptu block party with car stereos", "they kept live chickens in their dorm room freshman year, until the chickens got out", "watching from shelter in the student union as the tornado touched down a few decades back")>>.\n<<set $prospectSuspicion = $prospectSuspicion - 5>>\n"Well enough about me," says the prospect, "how are you doing at <<print $institutionName>>?"\n\n[[Establish need|Step5]].\n[[Ask for $100|Unconfirmed5]].\n[[Ask for $75|Unconfirmed5]].\n[[Ask for $50|Unconfirmed5]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<set $doubt=$doubt+1>><<endif>>

''STEPS TO SUCCESS''\n\n1. Read over the Prospect's information.\n\n2. When you get an answer, ask for the Prospect by name.\n\n3. Introduce yourself.\n\n4. State your allegiance to the institution and explain you are calling to confirm the contact information we have on file.\n\n5. Establish rapport -- ''IMPORTANT!'' -- by using information on file to emphasize your shared relationship to the institution, or inquire as to how the instution has had a lasting impact on the Prospect's life.\n\n6. Segue into ''establishing need''. Make a case as to why the institution needs help!\n\n7. Begin asking for gifts! Remember: start at the top and work your way down. You'll never get $100 if you never ask!\n\n8. Did the Prospect turn down the first tier? No worries: provide another reason to give, and proceed to the next tier!\n\n8. Have you confirmed a gift? Excellent! Remember that we accept Electronic Checks and Credit Cards (and prefer the latter -- we receive the funds faster and it will add a small bonus to your paycheck).\n\n9. Regardless of whether you've received a pledge, thank the Prospect for their time!\n\n[[Good luck!|handbook]]

You type in your username and password.\n\n<<timedgoto "autodial" 3s>>

Oh, your headset is ringing! [[Back to the ladder|passage]].

"Of course, yes," you say. "I'm sorry to have bothered you, but <<cyclinglink "thank you for chatting with me" "it was a pleasure speaking with you" "I hope things go well for you" "I hope you can give back in whatever way you like in the future" "I hope you have an excellent day">>."\n\n[[Disconnect|Disconnect]].

<<if $moxy eq 11>>As the number is auto-dialed in, you take a deep breath and [[prepare to climb the ladder|passage]].<<endif>>\s\n<<if $persp eq 11>>The dial tone hums in your ear and you set your gaze upon the [[first rung of the ladder|passage]].<<endif>>\s\n<<if $glam eq 11>>The machine begins to dial. You crack your knuckles, lean back in your chair, and [[contemplate the ladder before you|passage]].<<endif>>\s\n<<if $doubt eq 11>>You rub your forehead as the dial tones shriek in your ear. You bite your lip, and for better or worse, [[face the ladder|passage]].<<endif>>

You walk to the bank of windows on the far side of the calling floor, looking out into the mist and rain. Far below, down the sloping side of the arcology, you can just barely see a few people in imperm suits doing routine exterior maintenance.\n\nAcross the way, the neighboring arc glitters with interior light. Further out into the mist you can see the peaks of the other arcs. Small sparks of neon life\n\n[[You turn back to the call center.|TuesdaySample]]

To quote the Employee Handbook:\n\n"MOXY is your sheer tenacity, your ability to get going when the going gets tough! According to popular literature, folks with high MOXY are more daring, rarely feel the pangs of loss or defeat, and are often willing to go the extra mile in achieving workplace goals!"\n\n<<if $boon eq "no">>Don't you think you've got a bit more MOXY than average?\n\n[[(slam hand on table) You bet you do!!!!|MoxyBoon]]\n[[(shrug)|charCreation]]<<endif>><<if $boon eq "yes">><<back>><<endif>>

<<if $EC eq "-">><<print $prospectName>> hesitates for a moment. "I didn't really have anything I did outside my classes."\n\n"Oh," you reply. "Uh, nevertheless, there was [[another reason I called you today|Step5]]." <<set $prospectSuspicion = ($prospectSuspicion + 2)>><<else>>"Well," <<print $prospectName>> begins thoughtfully, "I did have a lot of fun with <<print $EC>>."\n<<set $persp = $persp+1>>\n[["Ask more about " + $EC|eC2]].\n[[Establish need|Unconfirmed4]].\n[[Ask for $100|Unconfirmed5]].\n[[Ask for $75|Unconfirmed5]].\n[[Ask for $50|Unconfirmed5]].\n<<if ($doubt gt 5)>>[[Hang up]].<<set $doubt=$doubt+1>><<endif>>\n<<timedgoto "prospectHangup" 10s>><<endif>>\n