Prison Break

(set:$gotAngry to false)A sharp dagger pain runs along your head jolting your body awake. "What happened?", you ask yourself as you peer around at the cold concrete walls, and the steel prison bars, littered with cracks and minor divots as hopeless attempts of escape. It’s been five years since you were locked up, however yesterday seems completely lost from your memory. [[You look around]]. As you groggily shuffle towards the large door keeping you locked in, you catch a glimpse of your reflection shooting back at you from the scratched metal sheet above the sink. The sharp pain emerges again as a memory from what you assume is yesterday floods your mind…you were planning an escape. You remember that you hid a tool from yesterday shoved done the backside of your concrete bed, you can barely remember [[what for]].

The room is small, with the concrete slab you have just arose from taking up half the space. The other half, a steel toilet, missing the luxury of a seat, and a sink, both blending in with the cold, and grey aesthetic of the room itself.

Ah, you remember…it was a… (link: "Large Rope")[(set:$tool to "rope")(goto: "grab tool")] (link: "Screwdriver")[(set:$tool to "screwdriver")(goto: "grab tool")]

You quickly reach behind the bed, and there it is, the $tool! (if: $tool is "rope")[ Worried someone is watching, you quickly wrap the rope around your waist on the inside of the scruffy burlap pants you are dressed in. ](if: $tool is "screwdriver")[ Worried someone is watching, you desperately slide your hands around your scruffy burlap pants looking for a pocket. You feel something on the inside of your pants, lifting over the waist band to see a shoddily put together makeshift pocket, small, but fit enough to store the screwdriver. It’ll do. ] [[Continue->door opens]]

Two large knocks abruptly reverberate from the door, it immediately swings open rather carelessly leaving no time for a response revealing a stark looking man in a police uniform. "Come on, let’s go." He says affirmatively. His face seems familiar, you think to yourself. (link:"He must be helping you escape!")[(set: $friend to "guard")(goto:"walking to cafeteria")] (link:"Ignore the thought, he is just a security guard.")[(set: $friend to "inmate")(goto:"walking to cafeteria")]

Subconsciously, you follow the man out of your cell and continue down a hallway of repeated rooms, all identical to the one you came from. As you shuffle along behind the guard, you see others being lead similarly, all dressed in the same burlap outfit as you are. The buzz of the incandescent lights, the hefty thuds of boots along the ground, the odd throat-clearing cough, all echoing down the hallway creating a rather loud silence. A man in burlap being lead alongside you begins to speak. “Hey 3A, whaddya’ reckon they got for breakfast this time?” He mutters. “Fuckin’ mud topped with a bit of dirt?” [[Stay silent]]. [[Make a joke about it]].

He continues, "Hey mate, are you a mute or somethin', I don’t like to be disrespected like that." [[Stay silent again.->stay silent again]] (link:"Apologise and make a joke about it.")[(set:$apologise to true)(goto:"Make a joke about it"))]

(if: $apologise is true)[You apologise, "Oh, sorry mate, didn’t realise you were talking to me. it sure seems like that."] (else:)[You reply, "haha yeah, it sure seems like that."] "Your damn right it does." "I’m Jack by the way mate, cell 14A. You’re 3A aren’t ya? I’ve seen you around." (link: "Introduce yourself.")[(set: $name to (prompt:"Introduce yourself...","Name")) "Good to meet you $name, Ill be seeing you around." (set:$jackIsFriend to true) You continue down towards the [[cafeteria]]. ]

You enter a large hall, with plenty of steel tables accompanied by groups of prisoners eating their rations. You head towards the kitchen and join the line of about ten others waiting for their meal. (if:$friend is "inmate")[While you wait, an inmate, sporting a lengthy, dark beard, and carrying a heaping tray of food, strolls back along the line and leans in close to whisper into your ear… “Take this. Read it.” With one hand, slips you a scrunched-up napkin before continuing into the crowd of tables. ](else-if:$friend is "guard")[As you wait, the guard who lead you, announces to you as though he wants others to hear, “Throw this napkin out for me 3A.” He slips you the napkin and whispers… “Read it.” Before continuing to his post at the start of the queue. ] You cautiously unravel the napkin to reveal a note, [[it reads…->note]]

Angrily, the man shoves you into the wall, "What’s this shit all about, huh?!" he screams, only centimetres from your face, flinging spit directly onto you. Before you even have time to respond, the guard leading the man swings a baton across the man’s head from behind, knocking him unconscious. His body folds onto the ground like a dead weight. You stand, staring at his limp body, as a few guards from down the hallway carry him away. You continue down towards the [[cafeteria]].

<img src="note.png"> The sharp pain emerges once again, what do you remember? (link:"Place in left hand.")[(set:$tunnelFinished to false)(goto: "place in left hand"))] (link:"Place in right hand.")[(set:$tunnelFinished to true)(goto: "place in right hand"))]

You scrunch the napkin into your left hand. A vision of last night emerges, you are covered in dust and sweat from chipping at the tunnel for over two hours with no result. You were frustrated, who knows if the tunnel would lead outside anyway. After a bit of waiting, you find yourself at the front of the queue. [[Take your food and leave.->take your food and leave]]

You scrunch the napkin into your right hand. A vision of last night emerges, you are covered in dust, pushing the last bit of rubble out of the way as you chip through to the outside. You had to wait until now to escape, the outside walls are on close watch during the night. What does ask for a smaller portion mean you think to yourself, some sort of code? After a bit of waiting, you find yourself at the front of the queue. [[Ask for a "smaller portion".]]

(if: $food is "chicken")[He loads your steel feeding tray up with the $food stew before you swiftly exit the queue and camouflage into the sea of prisoners. [[Decide what to do]].](else-if:$food is "beef")[He loads your steel feeding tray up with the $food stew before you swiftly exit the queue and camouflage into the sea of prisoners. [[Decide what to do]].](else:)[You point to the... (link:"Chicken stew.")[(set: $food to "chicken")(goto:"take your food and leave")] (link:"Beef stew.")[(set: $food to "beef")(goto:"take your food and leave")]]

Despite your hunger, you do as the note suggests… “Could I grab a smaller portion?” you ask. The man serving you, presumably another prisoner on breakfast duty, looks up at you anxiously shaking his head and mouths the words “they know…”. What does he mean? The guards know about the tunnel? It can’t be. [["What do you mean"]] [[Get angry at the man]]

Annoyed and confused, you gesture to the man, “What do you mean, what happened?” The man continues to look at you with a face that knows exactly what you said… “Would you like the chicken, or the beef?” he exclaims as an attempt to change the subject. [[Continue to ask what he means]]. [[Get angry at the man]]. [[Take your food and leave.->take your food and leave]]

Something comes over you as you ignore any reason to avoid unwanted attention. You lean onto the glass panel shielding you from the food and yell, “Whaddya fuckin mean? There is no way they know without… what did you tell them?!” The man peers around at the guards in the cafeteria who seem to have caught onto the commotion you have just caused. You realise the mistake you have made. (set:$gotAngry to true) [[Take your food and leave.->take your food and leave]]

This time aloud, you ask the man assertively… “What… happened?” Not pleased that his attempt to avoid the question didn’t work, he nervously peers around before carefully and quickly whispers, “They know about the tunnel in the garbage area…” “What’s the hold up!?” a prisoner from the back of the queue aggressively yells towards you. Understanding the unwanted attention, you are bringing, you ask for your food… [[Take your food and leave.->take your food and leave]]

After finding a table unoccupied, only littered with scraps of food and empty steel trays, you sit down questioning whether eating this meal is a waste of valuable time. You… [[Eat the meal quickly, you need the energy.->look for friend]] [[You ignore your hunger; you are wasting valuable time.->look for friend]]

Unsure of the best next approach, you look for (if:$friend is "guard")[the guard who is helping you, maybe he has an idea. You peer around the cafeteria looking for him, he seems to have moved from his post just by the kitchen. You look towards the door leading out to the courtyard as you catch a glimpse of him through the small viewing window at the top of the door.](else:)[the prisoner who handed you the note, maybe he has an idea. You peer around the cafeteria looking for him before you catch a glimpse of his distinctive long beard as he exits into the courtyard.] You follow him to the [[courtyard]].

As you step outside, you're greeted by the imposing prison walls adorned with coils of razor-sharp barbed wire, casting their watchful gaze over the courtyard. Below, clusters of inmates occupy the benches, engrossed in conversation, while a rough game of basketball unfolds on the rundown court. Immediately, you walk up to (if:$friend is "guard")[the guard.](else:)[the prisoner who handed you the note.] [[Continue.->planning]]

“What’s the plan?” you ask him. (if:$friend is "guard" and $tunnelFinished is false)[The guard looking cautious, replies, "don’t look at me, we can’t be seen interacting like this. Sit down and face the other way" he says, pointing to the bench to the left of him. You do as your told and face the other direction pretending as though you are invested in the game of basketball in the distance. "I see that you were unable to finish the tunnel. However, if you are thinking of ever getting out of this place, tonight is still your only hope. The prison lost a few guards from the riot a week back, new guards are filling their spots tomorrow morning, and I have heard word that tonight there is barely any monitoring of outside the walls." (link:"\"Go on\"")[ "While it's not without its risks, if we manage to pull this off, your chances of escape look quite promising. The plan involves retrieving your cell key, waiting for nightfall, sneaking out of your cell, and utilizing the locked access ladder leading to the roof just behind the court. I'll take care of the ladder, leaving the rest in your hands. What do you think?” [["Sounds good!"]] [["Um, I don’t know about this".]]]](else-if:$friend is "guard" and $tunnelFinished is true)[The guard looking cautious, replies, “don’t look at me, we can’t be seen interacting like this. Sit down and face the other way” he says, pointing to the bench to the left of him. You do as your told and face the other direction pretending as though you are invested in the game of basketball in the distance. (if: $gotAngry is true)["What was that all about huh? Even though you successfully dug out the tunnel, what’s the point now? You have brought too much attention to yourself to be able to pull this off after that stunt you pulled in the cafeteria. We are going to have to try something else. I have one more plan but if you manage to stuff this up, forget that you know me." (link:"\"Go on\"")["While it's not without its risks, if we manage to pull this off, your chances of escape look quite promising. The plan involves retrieving your cell key, waiting for nightfall, sneaking out of your cell, and utilizing the locked ladder leading to the roof just behind the court. I’m going to have to get you your cell key somehow as you are on too close of a watch, but you going to have to figure everything else out on your own. What do you think?"(set:$ladderLocked to true) [["Sounds good!"]] [["Um, I don’t know about this".]]]](else:)["Great work on the tunnel. You may already be aware that the garbage area is being closely monitored. Nevertheless, I have full confidence in your ability to proceed with our current plan. However, if you believe it's becoming too risky, I do have an alternative strategy in mind. The choice is yours. What are your thoughts?" [[Continue with the current strategy.]] [[It's too risky, we need a new plan.]]]](else-if:$friend is "inmate" and $tunnelFinished is false)["Ah… I see, you need my help as you fucked up the one job you had; finish the bloody tunnel. Anyway… we are gonna have to try somethin’ else because they are still weak on numbers from the riot we caused a week back, and apparently, they have barely anyone monitoring outside of the den tonight. I have a plan if you think you’ll be fit enough not to fuck it up." (link:"\"Go on\"")["Alright, here's the deal. You gotta get that cell key, wait for the darkness to cloak us, slip out of you cell, and then make your way to that locked access ladder by the court. I've got the ladder part covered, but the rest is on you. So, what you reckon?" [["Sounds good!"]] [["Um, I don’t know about this".]]]](else-if:$friend is "inmate" and $tunnelFinished is true)[(if:$gotAngry is true)["What was that all about? You do all those restless nights of slowly carving out the tunnel to just fuck it up like this? All the guards have close watch on you now after that stunt in the cafeteria, so you can give up on that plan. Anyway… we are gonna have to try somethin’ else because they are still weak on numbers from the riot we caused a week back, and apparently, they have barely anyone monitoring outside of the den tonight. I have a plan if you think you’ll be fit enough not to fuck it up." [["Go on"->It's too risky, we need a new plan.]] ](else:)["Nice job on the tunnel, mate. You probably know they got their eyes on the garbage area. Still, I trust you to stick with the plan. But if it's getting too hairy for you, I've got another trick up my sleeve. It's your call, what do you reckon?" [[Continue with the current strategy.]] [[It's too risky, we need a new plan.]]]]

(if:$gotAngry is false and $friend is "guard")["Great, now Unfortunately, I don’t have you cell key anymore, a tall lanky guard with blonde hair who is posted up in the garbage area has been assigned your cell row for tomorrow morning. Now get up, walk back into the cafeteria, and don’t look at me."](else-if:$friend is "guard")[Great now, unfortunately, I don’t have you cell key anymore, another guard has been assigned your cell row tomorrow morning. I’m going to have to do some convincing despite the suspicion it brings on me. All I need you to do now is [[lay low until night fall.]](set:$ladderLocked to true)](else:)[“Great, now a tall lanky guard with blonde hair who is posted up in the garbage area has been assigned your cell row for tomorrow morning, I think you get what your supposed to do. ] [[Head to the garabage area->head to the garbage area (to steal key)]]

(if:$gotAngry is false and $friend is "guard")["Well you’re just going to have to deal with it. Unfortunately, I don’t have you cell key anymore, a tall lanky guard with blonde hair who is posted up in the garbage area has been assigned your cell row for tomorrow morning. Now get up, walk back into the cafeteria, and don’t look at me." [[Head to the garabage area->head to the garbage area (to steal key)]]](else-if:$friend is "guard")["Well you’re just going to have to deal with it. Unfortunately, I don’t have you cell key anymore, another guard has been assigned your cell row tomorrow morning. I’m going to have to do some convincing despite the suspicion it brings on me. All I need you to do now is [[lay low until night fall.]]"(set:$ladderLocked to true)](else:)["Well you just gonna have to suck it up. A tall lanky guard with blonde hair who is posted up in the garbage area has been assigned your cell row for tomorrow morning, I think you get what your supposed to do. " [[Head to the garabage area->head to the garbage area (to steal key)]]]

You head towards the garbage area through two heavy duty doors beside the kitchen. The garbage area isn’t off limits for inmates as they are often assigned jobs requiring it. Despite the distracting smell of rubbish and food scraps, you stay completely alert understanding the importance this holds. You spot two guards down the opposite side of the garbage lot, one of them must have your cell row key. The amount of dumpsters messily spread around makes for good coverage, there should be a way to crouch around and make your way around to them without being spotted. Slowly, (link:"you weave through the dumpsters")[you weave through the dumpsters, staying low to avoid being seen. You manage to get behind the two guards. Now comes the important part, you see that both guards have keys dangling from their waist band, but which guard was it again? They are both tall and lanky however one has brown hair and the other has blonde hair. You need to decide quick… [[It was the blonde hair.]] [[It was the brown hair.]]]

You wake up from a short nap, the singular light in your cell has finally switched off indicating the time is around 10pm. You get straight into the plan. Using the gaps in the prison bars, you reach around with the set of keys and manage to unlock the door. You slowly edge the door open and scoot outside into the now pitch black hallway. Do you… [[Move quickly to the courtyard.]] [[Move slowly and silently to the courtyard.]]

(if:$friend is "guard")["I like your style, the plan is simple enough, use the tunnel…and escape. Now get up, walk back into the cafeteria, and don’t look at me. "](else:)["Good idea mate, hopefully we can see each other on the outside of these walls. Good luck."] [[Head to garbage area.->Head to garbage area (to escape through tunnel)]]

(if:$friend is "inmate")["Alright, here's the deal. You gotta get that cell key, wait for the darkness to cloak us, slip out of you cell, and then make your way to that ladder by the court. I've got the ladder part covered, but the rest is on you. So, what you reckon?" [["Sounds good!"]] [["Um, I don’t know about this".]]](else-if: $friend is "guard")["Fair enough, it's better to be safe than sorry…" "While it's not without its risks, if we manage to pull this off, your chances of escape look quite promising. The plan involves retrieving your cell key, waiting for nightfall, sneaking out of your cell, and utilizing the locked ladder leading to the roof just behind the court. I'll take care of the ladder, leaving the rest in your hands. What do you think?” [["Sounds good!"]]]

You head towards the garbage area through two heavy duty doors beside the kitchen. The garbage area isn’t off limits for inmates as they are often assigned jobs requiring it. Despite the distracting smell of rubbish and food scraps, you stay completely alert understanding the importance this holds. In the corner, hidden behind a rusty dumpster, is the tunnel you've been secretly digging. As you approach, you notice two guards, standing near the entrance. They seem to be engrossed in conversation, but their vigilant eyes occasionally scan the area. (if: $tool is "rope")[ [[Charge at the guards.]] [[Sneak around.->sneak around (rope)]] ](else:)[ [[Charge at the guards.]] [[Sneak around.->sneak around (screw)]]]

Without hesitation you go to reach for the set of keys. Reassuring your decision you see the keys are labelled cell row A and you quickly swipe them from the guard before swiftly hiding back amongst the dumpsters. You chose correctly! Risking no more confrontation you head straight to your cell and [[lay low until night fall.]]

Without hesitation you go to reach for the set of keys…wait a second, as you get closer you see the keys are labelled cell row F. It was the wrong guard. (if:$jackIsFriend is true)[A loud crashing sound screams from the entrance jolting the two guards alert in that direction, "Hey brown hair! Have a look!" Its Jack from cell 14A, he has tipped over a few scrap bins! He seems to be purposely causing a distraction for you. The brown-haired guard starts at him, "That is not a smart move 14A!" Using this time, you fix your mistake and swipe the correct keys from the blonde guard before they both run after Jack who has just bolted back into the cafeteria. Jack has saved you. Risking no more confrontation you head straight to your cell and [[lay low until night fall.]] ](else:)[Unsure of what to do, you attempt to retreat behind a dumpster before a hand grasps firmly onto your arm. "What do you think you're doing!" yells the blonde guard. Suddenly, you receive a heavy hit to the back of your head, and everything goes [[black.->caught]] ]

Congratulations you have escaped the prison. Thanks for playing.

You've been caught by not paying attention!

Worried you are being watched, you risk no time and quickly make your way to the courtyard. [[courtyard.->to the courtyard (final)]]

Making sure to not to alert any guards, you take your time making your way to the [[courtyard.->to the courtyard (final)]]

(if:$ladderLocked is true)[(if:$tool is "rope")[You quietly approach the access ladder, frustrated by the locked hatch. With quick thinking, you tie one end of the rope securely to a nearby post. Then, using the rest of the rope, you fashion a makeshift grappling hook, tying it to the other end. With a steady hand, you aim the grappling hook at the ladder's top rung and skillfully toss it, managing to hook it over the rung. You begin to hear quick echoing footsteps coming from within the cafeteria, better act fast. You [[climb up.]]](else:)[As you approach the access ladder, you notice that the hatch onto the ladder is locked shut. In a moment of desperation, you take out the screwdriver and quickly, but quietly, work to unlock the access door. As you unlock the access ladder, you hear the echoing footsteps of the guards approaching from the courtyard entrance. Time is running out. You manage to crack open the hatch and you begin to [[climb up.]] ]](else:)[You approach the access ladder, and to your surprise [he is helping you escape] { the guard }[Ignore the thought, he is just a security guard] {the inmate} was actually able to unlock it. Suddenly, you hear quick echoing footsteps approaching from the cafeteria, better act fast… You [[climb up.]]]

Managing to get on top of the prison roof you can finally see outside the walls. [[Escape.->escape.]]

You charge at the guards as fast as you can. They pull out their pistols and…(link:"*BANG*")[*BANG* You have died.]

You quietly approach the guards, hugging the shadows. The rope you've taken is still coiled around your waist. As you observe the guards, you notice that the tunnel entrance has been blocked by a panel. However, you also spot a ventilation grille high up on the wall. With quick thinking, you use the rope to create a makeshift lasso. You throw it over the grille, securing it tightly. With a deep breath, you swing from the rope like a pendulum, crashing into the panel with a loud thud. The guards' attention snaps to the commotion, but before they can react, you quickly scramble through the tunnel and [[escape.]]

The guards are still engrossed in their chat. You quietly take out the screwdriver you grabbed earlier. As you examine the tunnel entrance, you notice a panel has been haphazardly screwed onto the wall to block the entrance. You carefully unscrew the panel, one screw at a time, making sure not to make any noise. Once the panel is removed, you slip into the tunnel and [[escape.]]