"Spare Some Change" by Deirdra Kiai

The story headline is "A Warmed-Over Slice of Life".

The story creation year is 2009.

Section 1 - General

Include Conversation Suggestions by Eric Eve.

Use the serial comma and no scoring.

knows-about-date is a truth state that varies. knows-about-date is false.

Section 2 - The Player

Instead of examining the player, say "You've dressed up for the occasion - collared shirt, grey dress pants, a modest amount of hair gel, and just a hint of aftershave. A far cry from your usual black t-shirt and jeans. Kate's definitely going to be impressed."

The player carries a picnic basket and a metal Slinky.

The basket is an openable container. It is closed. The description of the basket is "You've packed two chicken burritos and some tortilla chips -- the exact same meal you had on your first date. Only this time, instead of eating in that dingy Mexican restaurant, you'll be taking the food to the grassy knoll in the park, watching the sunset." Instead of opening the picnic basket, say "You'd better keep it closed so the food will stay warm." Instead of dropping the basket, say "You probably shouldn't leave your dinner lying around unattended."

The description of the Slinky is "The slinky is sort of an inside joke between you and Kate. It all started with her asking 'How did red roses and chocolates become associated with declaring your undying love for a person, anyway? Why don't people, say, give their loved ones a metal Slinky instead? It's just as arbitrary.'" Instead of dropping the Slinky, say "You can't leave that lying around. You need to give it to Kate."

Instead of waiting, say "You pause, shifting around a bit on the spot, trying to think about what you should do next."

Section 3 - The Street

The Corner of West Fourth at Baumgartner is a room. "[if not visited]It's almost 6 PM. Kate should be finishing up at work any time now. You pace around, heart pounding against your chest, thinking about the big surprise you've got in store for her.

[end if]A bum sitting near the intersection catches your eye. He's holding a sign that says 'Why Are Unicorns Hollow?'.

Kate's office is a block west from here."

A sign is here. It is undescribed. The description of the sign is "It's a tattered piece of cardboard with 'Why Are Unicorns Hollow?' written in big, bold letters."

Kate's Office is west of the Corner. Instead of going to Kate's Office: say "It's time. You take a deep breath and head on over to see Kate, walking up the street with an excited yet nervous bounce in your step."; end the game saying "The End."

Instead of going to Kate's Office when the player does not have the basket: say "As you turn to head to Kate's office, you think about what you just did, and hope she won't be disappointed. She'd probably be proud of you, though. She's conscientious like that."; end the game saying "The End."

Section 4 - The Bum

A man called the bum is in the Corner. He is undescribed. The description of the bum is "At first glance, he looks more or less like a typical homeless person -- long, unkempt brown hair, a beard, ratty clothing, the works. But you also notice that he looks quite a bit younger than most of the bums you see in this city. You figure he can't be any older than thirty."

The ask-suggestions are { bum, sign }.
The tell-suggestions are { yourself }.

After saying hello to the bum when the greeting type is explicit, say "'Hey there,' you say to the bum.

'Hey,' he murmurs back."

After saying hello to the bum when the greeting type is implicit, say "The bum glances up at you."

After quizzing the bum about the bum, say "[remove bum ask suggestion]'So, what's your story?' you ask. 'What brings you out here on the streets?'

He leans back and stretches. 'Oh, the usual. Rough times at home. Dropped out of school, couldn't find a job, did drugs and stuff. Now I'm out here. Go figure.'"

After quizzing the bum about the sign, say "[remove sign ask suggestion]'What's with the sign?'

The bum smiles and nods. 'Ah, the sign. Yeah. Y'see, it's my personal statement to the world. I don't want any money or nothing. I just want make people smile, is all.'

He then glances at your picnic basket hungrily. 'Though I certainly wouldn't mind a meal. Haven't had one in days.'"

After informing the bum about yourself:
now knows-about-date is true;
say "[remove yourself tell suggestion]'I'm supposed to be meeting my girlfriend at her office,' you tell him. 'It's our six-month anniversary. Thought I'd surprise her with a little picnic.'

'Oh,' answers the bum. 'Well, that sounds real sweet. I hope she likes it.'"

After saying goodbye to the bum when the farewell type is explicit, say "You smile politely at the bum. 'Well, it was nice talking to you. Maybe I'll see you around again sometime.'

'Will do,' he replies with an impish grin on his face[if the bum has the basket], opening up the wrapper of one of the burritos from the basket[end if]."

After saying goodbye to the bum when the farewell type is implicit, say "'Right,' says the bum[if the bum has the basket], opening up the wrapper of one of the burritos from the basket[end if]. 'Well, have a good evening, then.'"

Instead of giving the basket to the bum:
move the basket to the bum;
say "'Hey, thanks!' says the bum.

'Think nothing of it,' you reply, watching him happily open the picnic basket."

Instead of giving the basket to the bum when knows-about-date is true:
move the basket to the bum;
say "'Hey, isn't that supposed to be for your picnic?' asks the bum.

'Don't worry about it,' you reply. 'It's yours. We can always get dinner somewhere else.'

'Well... thanks, then.' He seems genuinely surprised and overjoyed as he takes the basket and surveys its contents."

Instead of giving the slinky to the bum, say "Nah. The slinky is special to you and Kate."

Instead of smelling the bum, say "He smells like a combination of farm animals and urine. Ugh!"

Instead of kissing the bum, say "Uh, no. He's not your type. And besides, you're taken."

Instead of attacking the bum: say "Suddenly overcome with rage, you punch the bum in the face. He deserves it. Homeless people are a drain on society, after all.

You turn around and walk over to Kate's office. Good thing she didn't see you doing that. She'd probably be furious."; end the game saying "The End."

Instead of taking the sign: say "You grab the bum's sign. 'Hey, that's mine!' he yells as he jumps up and tries to wrest it back from you. Both of you end up on the ground, scratched up and bruised, the sign torn in pieces in the process.

You get up and walk over to Kate's office. If she asks what happened, you'll just tell her you were mugged. She'd probably feel sorry for you and spend the evening tending to your wounds."; end the game saying "The End."