{=
You get off the bus at the same stop you have for the past three weeks. There are around a thousand houses on your patch, in a ward the other side of the city from your own home. The area ranks second-highest on the city council's deprivation index.
<br>
It's //freezing//. Your breath would be clouding the air if you didn't have a mask on, and there'll be frost on the ground within hours. Christmas lights blink in the window of a nearby pub, the building itself sitting vacant.
<br>
[[Start knocking doors|menu]]{=
(set: $hours to ($time / 60))
(set: $minutes to ($time % 60))
(if: $time <1)[(go-to: "timeending")]
(else-if: $piss > 119)[(go-to: "pissending")]
(else-if: $cold > 149)[(go-to: "coldending")]
(else:)[You have (print: (trunc: $hours))h (print: (trunc: $minutes))m left]<br>
(text-colour:red)[You have raised £(print: $dues) in dues<br>]
(text-colour:yellow)[(if: $piss < 26)[You do not need to piss](if: $piss > 25 and < 61)[You're starting to need to piss](if: $piss > 60 and < 91)[You need to piss](if: $piss > 90)[You really need to piss]<br>]
(text-colour:cyan)[(if: $cold < 46)[You're not that cold](if: $cold > 45 and < 91)[You're starting to get chilly](if: $cold > 90 and < 121)[You're getting really cold](if: $cold > 120)[You're freezing your tits off]]
<br>
You're standing at the end of Brunswick Road. Streetlamps bathe the pavement in an orange glow, their light not quite reaching the doorsteps. Somewhere, a dog is barking.
<br>
[[Take a break]]
<br>
Knock a door<br>
(if:$no1 is false)[[1]]
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<br>
^^[[Glossary|glossary]]^^{=
[[Find a toilet]]<br>
[[Warm up]]<br>
[[Message a coworker]]<br>
[[Check the news]]
<br>
[[Back to work|menu]]{=
(set: $piss to -60)
(set: $time to it -25)
It takes you forever to find somewhere to go. All the pubs are shut, and you can only access Tesco Extra through the car park. Eventually some builders working on the new PureGym take pity on you and let you use their portaloo.
<br>
[[Back to work|menu]]{=
(set: $cold to -60)
(set: $time to it -25)
The nearest place that's open is a corner shop, a few streets down from where you're supposed to be knocking. You go inside and pretend to be browsing the magazines while you rub some feeling back into your numb fingers. Eventually the owner starts giving you strange looks, as though you might rob something, so you buy a packet of chewing gum and leave.
<br>
[[Back to work|menu]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
(set: $dues to it + 10)
NO he says, passionately. NO, THE COUNCIL HAVE BEEN NO HELP AT ALL.
<br>
You do some questionable on the spot maths, generating a figure for how much this street is paying in council tax. It sounds about right. You ask him whether it's fair that you pay this much and still have to live with the injustice of flytipping. He agrees it isn't.
<br>
You struggle to bring him round to the idea of direct action, but he signs up anyway.
<br>
"I think it's fantastic, what you're doing," he says as you leave. "Just brilliant. Glad to support."
<br>
You have made (text-colour:red)[£10 in dues]
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
He can't give you a clear answer, blathering something about //unfair reputation// and //cost of living// and //reason the mortgage was so cheap//. You try and strike up a discussion about who is responsible for regenerating the area, but it goes nowhere. He just keeps talking about community litterpicking events.
<br>
Eventually he tells you he needs to get back in because dinner is almost ready. You don't push it.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
(set: $dues to it + 3)
He tells you that people don't respect this area because of its poor reputation. That people have a bad impression of this street in particular. You ask some careful qurstions about why this is, what could be done to improve it, and who should be doing that, and end up having a good discussion about community investment.
<br>
Initially he's wary to give you his card details, but you assure him that it's completely secure.
<br>
"You can cancel whenever you want!" you say, before remembering you're not really supposed to tell people that.
<br>
You have made (text-colour:red)[£3 in dues]
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
"That's not the point," he says, seemingly irritated by the question. "If people weren't dumping their stuff it wouldn't matter about the collection. It's rude. That's the problem."
<br>
You keep trying to polarise towards a better target than the nonspecific flytipping boogeymen, but don't get much further. After a few minutes he excuses himself, saying that he needs to get his children ready for bed.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
He grows animated as he tells you how often people bring their old fridges and sofas to dump in this part of town. It's a shame, he says, that people think they can do that here, just because, you know, it's //that sort of area.//
<br>
[[Ask him what he means by that|22goodbad]]<br>
[[Ask him if the council have been any help|22goodgood]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
You try and urge him to talk about something more interesting - rising rents, community spaces, public transport - but none of these topics seem to capture his imagination the way litter did.
<br>
"I'm just quite lucky, you know," he says. "Not a lot to complain about, really."
<br>
The conversation fizzles out, and he goes back inside with a half-hearted promise to take a look at your website.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no22 to true)
(set: $time to it -10)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
The front garden of this house is well-maintained, and there are fairy lights coiled in the boxwood tree outside. Through the window you can see tall bookshelves and a framed Rothko print on the wall.
<br>
The man who answers the door is in his forties. He is wearing a v-neck jumper and designer glasses.
<br>"Hi," you say. "I'm from your local community organisation. I've been talking to your neighbours tonight about some of the issues in the area. If you could change one thing about living here, what would it be?"
<br>
He thinks about this for a moment, then tells you he'd like to see less flytipping in the area.
<br>
[[Ask him to tell you more about the flytipping|22good]]<br>
[[Gently nudge him towards a better issue|22bad]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
The bins, he tells you. There are half a dozen large bins nearby for resident use, but people come from all over to dump their waste and half the time it isn't collected at all.
<br>
"That's awful," you say, exaggerating your frown so he can make out the extent of your sincerity. "And who's responsible for doing something about that?"
<br>
He tells you that people need to raise their children better. That a lack of discipline and manners is the issue. If people were more considerate, they wouldn't have this issue.
<br>
[["You said that the bins hardly ever get collected - whose fault is that?"|17goodbad]]<br>
[["You said people dump their waste here - why is that?"|17goodgood]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
He tells you they've been an issue for as long as he's lived here. You ask him how long that is and feel more than see him tense up.
<br>
"A while," he says. He glances down at your clipboard. "Are you from the council?"
<br>
"No," you say. "I'm from a local community organisation. We-"
<br>
You are interrupted by a children's shout from inside. The man looks over his shoulder, then turns back and shakes his head.
<br>
"I'm sorry," he says. "I can't talk right now." The door is shut before you can reply.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no17 to true)
(set: $time to it -10)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
Number 17 is set back from the road, with a concrete path leading down past an old trampoline. A children's tricycle lays on its side next to the front door.
<br>
There is a minor commotion from inside before anyone answers. Eventually a harried-looking man pulls the door open, blinking at you. Behind him a child's face peeks from around a corner before retreating.
<br>
"Can I help you?" he says. You can't place his accent.
<br>
"Hi," you say. "I'm from your local community organisation. I've been talking to your neighbours tonight about some of the issues in the area. If you could change one thing about living here, what would it be?"
<br>
"The rats," he says quickly. "Someone needs to get rid of the rats."
<br>
[[Ask him where the rats are coming from|17good]]<br>
[[Ask him how long the rats have been a problem|17bad]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
(set: $dues to it + 5)
That really gets her going. She's almost on the verge of tears as she tells you that her Nan died during her first year, and the price of tickets nearly prevented her from being able to attend the funeral.
<br>
It's a textbook conversation. She even signs up for a little more than you were expecting. You tell her to come along to the next meeting, and she says she'll try.
<br>
You have made (text-colour:red)[£5 in dues]
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
Shit. You skipped ahead a bit too quickly there. The question seems to throw her a bit, and by the time you've got her to say 'the train company bosses' she's looking at you like you're mad.
<br>
"And what could we do to get them to lower the fares?" you ask, smelling the desperation on yourself. You sound like a panto dame.
<br>
"I don't know," she says, already closing the door. "Sorry, I've got to go. Bye."
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
You ask her whether there's anything she'd like to change in the city as a whole - or even in the country!! Think big!! (Last week you recruited someone on the promise that yeah, sure, we could probably run a successful nuclear disarmament campaign at some point. Why not?)
<br>
This seems to capture her imagination more. She's switched-on, and mentions the cost of train tickets when she's going home to visit family.
<br>
Yes!! you say, Yes!! Trains are so expensive!! They're the worst!!
<br>
[[Ask her who she thinks profits off those train tickets|2goodbad]]<br>
[[Ask her if the cost has ever prevented her from being able to go home|2goodgood]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
"No," she says. "They're just full because we had a big clearout."
<br>
"Okay," you say. "Do you think it would be better if they were collected more often?"
<br>
"Nah," she says. "I think it's fine, to be honest."
<br>
"Okay," you say. "Okay."
<br>
"Where did you say you were from again?"
<br>
You don't manage to claw it back. Before she leaves you on the doorstep you manage to press a flyer into her hand.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no2 to true)
(set: $time to it -10)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
This house has the tell-tale fire doors and window stickers of an HMO, and the blue bin is overflowing in the garden. There is a Free Palestine sign in one of the upstairs windows. You think //'bingo'//, then feel guilty about it.
<br>
The woman who answers the door is young, with a ponytail and a loose sweatshirt. She looks confused.
<br>"Hi," you say. "I'm from your local community organisation. I've been talking to your neighbours tonight about some of the issues in the area. If you could change one thing about living here, what would it be?"
<br>
She says she isn't sure. She's a student and has only been living here a couple of months.
<br>
[[Ask her if there's an issue with the bins|2bad]]<br>
[[Broaden the scope of your discussion|2good]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
(set: $dues to it +3)
That works. The two of you bitch about selfish, profit-loving property developers for a while, and you smoothly move the discussion towards potential solutions. He suggests direct action with hardly any prompting from you, and comes up with some solid ideas.
<br>
When it comes to the ask, his face falls slightly. He tells you that he's in quite a lot of debt right now, and we can't afford to commit a full hour's wage every month. You suggest a lower amount, and he agrees.
<br>
You have made (text-colour:red)[£3 in dues]
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
Ooh, bad shout. He grows quite defensive when you suggest that the council might be to blame.
<br>
"Well, it's not their fault they've got no funding, is it? It's the same all over the country. Besides, with everything going on, this is probably the last thing they're worried about."
<br>
You try and turn it around, to polarise against central government instead, but you've already lost him. He yawns into the back of his hand and tells you sorry, but he really needs to get some more sleep.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
He seems grateful that you're not going to keep him there any longer. Before you leave he asks if you've got a website or anything, and promises to look you up later when he's more awake.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
When you mention community spaces he appears more interested. He tells you that he grew up in this area, and over the last ten years he's seen most of the community centres and youth clubs shut down.
<br>
"Why is that?" you ask. "Who's been shutting them down?"
<br>
He tells you that some of them had their public funding cut, and some spaces got bought up by private developers.
<br>
[[Polarise against the council|14goodbad]]<br>
[[Polarise against the developers|14goodgood]]{=
(set: $no14 to true)
(set: $time to it -10)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
Number 14 is nondescript, save for a stack of empty plantpots in the bare front garden.
<br>
You knock twice, and the answer is so long coming that you almost leave. Eventually a man around your own age answers the door. He looks knackered.
<br>
"Hi," you say. "I'm from your local community organisation. I've been talking to your neighbours tonight about some of the issues in the area. If you could change one thing about living here, what would it be?"
<br>
The man hesitates, then tells you that he's been on nights all week and just woke up. He says he's a bit too tired to think of an answer.
<br>
[[Apologise for disturbing him and leave|14bad]]<br>
[[List some issues|14good]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
(set: $dues to it + 3)
"Oh, don't get me started," she says. "Got a list the length of your arm."
<br>
"Tell me about it," you say, perking up. "That's what I'm here for."
<br>
She gives you a full and thorough imventory of all the problems with the house - windows that need replacing, damp in the upstairs bathroom, issues with the boiler - and you nod and tut and go 'oh my god, really?' like you've not heard this story a hundred times before.
<br>
Explaining exactly who you are and what you do is a clumsy process, but she agrees to sign up anyway. When you suggest she comes to the next member's meeting she tells you she's busy before closing the door. You did not tell her the date.
<br>
You have made (text-colour:red)[£3 in dues]
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
"Don't know about fair," she says, shrugging. "That's just what happened. Where did you say you were from again, love?"
<br>
"I'm from a local community organisation," you say, the words falling out of your mouth with minimal input from your brain. "We're made up of ordinary people who want to make change in the area."
<br>
"Right," she says. "How many people have you got round here then?"
<br>
"Uh," you say. "Um."
<br>
"Not many, then?"
<br>
"It could be one more if you joined! Ha ha!"
<br>
"I don't think so, love. Goodnight." She gives you a concillatory sort of smile as she closes the door.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
"Oh, nearly all me life," she says, seeming proud of the fact. She tells you about growing up in the tenements on the hillside, the ones that were demolished in the sixties. How the residents were moved wholesale to new-build estates around the city, no longer subject to communal bathrooms and overcrowding.
<br>
"Of course, these were only supposed to last thirty years," she says, rapping her knuckles against the doorframe. "The council told us they'd put us somewhere else, eventually, but they never did."
<br>
[[Ask her if she thinks that was fair|8goodbad]]<br>
[[Ask her if there are any issues with the house|8goodgood]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
Her answer is vague and nonspecific, giving you very little to work with. She tells you that her daughter lived round here, until she had her little boy, but now they've moved south.
<br>
"That must have been hard," you say. "Your daughter leaving the area after so long."
<br>
"Not really," she says. "She were trouble, to tell you the truth."
<br>
You give her a leaflet before deciding to move on.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no8 to true)
(set: $time to it -10)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
Number 8 is neatly maintained, with flowerbeds by the front gate and net curtains in the window. A garden gnome dressed as Santa flanks the doorstep.
<br>
As you would have guessed from the decor, an elderly woman answers the door. She greets you politely, though her eyes are wary. You do your best to make your smile reassuring.
<br>
"Hi," you say. "I'm from your local community organisation. I've been talking to your neighbours tonight about some of the issues in the area. If you could change one thing about living here, what would it be?"
<br>
She's quick to tell you that this area isn't like it used to be.
<br>
[[Ask her how it's changed|8bad]]<br>
[[Ask her how long she's lived here|8good]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
"Can't afford to have the heating on much," he says. "I've got problems with my chest. Makes that worse."
<br>
"That must be awful," you say. "Do you think it's fair that you have to get sick just because the energy companies raise their prices all the time?"
<br>
The conversation goes slightly better, after that. You go through your checklist fine, but the ask falls flat.
<br>
"Nah," he says. "Don't give to charity on the door. Sorry, love."
<br>
"We're not a charity," you say. "We're a community-"
<br>
But the door's already shut.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
"Government, probably," he says. "Usually is."
<br>
"What about the energy companies? Do you know how much their CEOs make?"
<br>
But he's off on a tangent about the government now, except he seems a bit confused about which party is actually in power. You try to steer the conversation back on track but it doesn't work. When the dog goes for your leg again you give up and leave.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
"Okay," you say. "What do you think's changed in the last five years? Why is the area worse?"
<br>
"Can't buy sausages at Nisa any more," he says. "Not since them lot took over."
<br>
You can't quite figure out if he's joking. You're pretty sure he isn't, and you aren't sure if that's better or worse.
<br>
"Right," you say. "Anything else?"
<br>
The man hauls the dog back into the hallway a little, then scratches at his chin. "Energy bills have gone way up," he says. "Nearly doubled."
<br>
Thank fuck. You can do something with that.
<br>
[[Ask him how that's affected him|13goodgood]]<br>
[[Ask him who's profiting off those bills|13goodbad]] {=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
You frown at him. "I don't think you can say that. It's not-"
<br>
"I can say what I want. It's a free country."
<br>
Before you can mount a more eloquent defence the dog lunges at you again, jaws snapping at your clipboard. You decide, on balance, that maybe the conditions aren't ideal for this debate. You leave.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no13 to true)
(set: $time to it -10)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
It's hard to ascertain much from the exterior of the house; curtains shut, square of grass for a garden, neither immaculate nor scruffy. The only defining feature is a large 'BEWARE OF THE DOG' sign stuck to the front door. When you knock said dog begins to bark, long and loud.
<br>
The man who answers the door is of middling height, with short, greying hair and blown-out tattoos on his forearms. He's gripping the collar of a German Shepherd who seems fairly keen on taking a chunk out of your leg.
<br>
"Hi," you say, taking a step backwards. "I'm from your local community organisation. I've been talking to your neighbours tonight about some of the issues in the area. If you could change one thing about living here, what would it be?"
<br>
"All the Muslims, love," he says, quick as blinking. "Last five years or so, they're all moving here. That's the problem."
<br>
Right. Okay!!
<br>
[[Reframe the issue|13good]]<br>
[[Challenge him on this|13bad]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
"Yes," he says. "My girlfriend works nights. She has to walk home when it's dark. When she can't park near the house it's dangerous. Someone followed her, once."
<br>
"I'm sorry," you say. "That's awful."
<br>
"She's okay. Luckily."
<br>
You talk for a while longer, and you're almost certain it's in the bag. When you come to sign him up, though, he declines. Very politely-when you press him for a reason he says that he 'just doesn't want to'. Difficult to handle an objection that nebulous. You try, a bit, but ultimately get nowhere.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
"I don't know," he says. "Get Tesco to build another car park."
<br>
"Could do that," you say. "There aren't parking permits round here, are there?"
<br>
"No. But I used to live somewhere with them, and they're worse. Cost money. Parking's just as bad."
<br>
You scramble for the right spot in your script and, panicked, come up with: "Do you think that the leader of the council has to park three streets away from his house?" *Shit.* That was nonsense.
<br>
The conversation goes south after that. You leave empty-handed.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
He listens politely while you explain a bit more about where you're from, what you're doing out here tonight. Afterwards you ask again what he'd change in the area.
<br>
"Parking," he says. "People park here when they go to the shops. Sometimes can't find a space for two, three roads. I'm coming home from work late and I have to carry all my shit back here. These people, they don't even live here."
<br>
Parking isn't exactly a sexy issue, but you're used to it at least.
<br>
[[Ask him if having to park far away has caused other issues|18goodgood]]<br>
[[Ask him what could be done about this|18goodbad]] {=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
He looks blankly at you. You fumble your phone from your pocket and show him some photos of actions, meetings and demos, trying to generate some excitement about the group. The man just seems perplexed.
<br>
"I'm sorry," he says again. "This isn't-excuse me."
<br>
Can't blame him for that, you sounded insane. You remind yourself to be normal next time.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
"Well, no," she says, frowning. "I know there's people go litter-picking and that, but I'm busy. I work. I've got two kids."
<br>
Shit. She's got the wrong end of the stick. "Sorry," you say. "I mean, have you called the council? Anything like that?"
<br>
"I tried," she says, frowning, "but I couldn't get through to anyone. Are you from the council, then?"
<br>
You've fumbled this one, and you can't get it back on track. A minute later a kid shrieks something from inside, and she takes the opportunity to shut the door.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
"Council's got other priorities, I suppose," she says. "I understand that, sort of. Given, you know. Everything. But they still seem to be managing to keep other bits of town looking nice. Just not here."
<br>
It's a perfect opportunity to polarise, both against the council and the more affluent areas of the city. The conversation goes remarkably well, but when you make the ask she just gives you an apologetic little smile.
<br>
"Sorry," she says. "Can't afford any more outgoings right now?"
<br>
You offer her the unwaged rate, but she says even that is outside her budget. You push it slightly, but concede when it becomes clear you're starting to piss her off.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no18 to true)
(set: $time to it -10)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
The house is nondescript, a plain duplex with a covered porch and net curtains in the window. There aren't any lights on that you can see, but when you knock you see movement inside.
<br>
The man who answers only opens the door halfway. He's tall, maybe late thirties, wearing paint-splattered jeans and a grey sweatshirt.
<br>
"Hi," you say. "I'm from your local community organisation. I've been talking to your neighbours tonight about some of the issues in the area. If you could change one thing about living here, what would it be?"
<br>
"I'm sorry," he says. "Where are you from?" His voice is strongly accented. Eastern Europe, you think.
<br>
[[Tell him more about your employer|18good]]<br>
[[Name your employer|18bad]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
"Swings have been broken for months," she says. "Bins don't get collected. And there's no lighting, so it's not safe. Especially now it's winter."
<br>
"That's awful," you say. "And I suppose there aren't many other places to take the kids, in lockdown?"
<br>
"Exactly," she says. "Library's shut. Soft play's shut. They've been stuck in the house for weeks."
<br>
[[Ask her if she's tried to do anything about it|1goodbad]]<br>
[[Ask her why she thinks it hasn't been fixed|1goodgood]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
"I mean," she says, scuffing a slippered foot against the doormat. "We all are? I suppose?"
<br>
"Mmmm," you say. "Are you expected to fix the playground?"
<br>
"I think there's some volunteers go litter-picking," she says. "Are you from there?"
<br>
"Oh, no," you say. "I'm from your local community organisation. We're organising people like you and your neighbours to take action on issues like this. Recently we..."
<br>
But she's not listening. One of the children has barrelled into the hallway and is tugging on the hem of her shirt, babbling something you can't interpret. The woman gives you an apologetic shrug before closing the door.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no1 to true)
(set: $time to it -10)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
Straight away you know this is a family house. A handful of toys have been abandoned in the garden, and the car parked outside it has a carseat strapped into the back.
<br>
You knock. The woman who opens the door a few moments later is young, maybe mid twenties, her hair tied back into a loose ponytail. As predicted, you hear the voices of at least two children inside, along with the frenetic soundtrack of some sort of cartoon.
<br>
<br>"Hi," you say. "I'm from your local community organisation. I've been talking to your neighbours tonight about some of the issues in the area. If you could change one thing about living here, what would it be?"
<br>
"Um," she says, glancing back over her shoulder. "Uh, the playground, I suppose? It's in a right state."
<br>
[[Ask her who's responsible for looking after the park|1bad]]<br>
[[Ask her what's wrong with the park|1good]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
"COULD YOU COME DOWN FOR A MINUTE? IT MIGHT BE EASIER TO TALK THAT WAY!"
<br>
"NO I'M ALRIGHT," she says. "WHO DID YOU SAY YOU WERE AGAIN?"
<br>
You valiantly attempt to continue your spiel, but it proves useless. Eventually she closes the window while you're in the middle of a sentence, leaving you hollering to no one.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
"I'M FROM YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANISATION," you shout again. "I'VE BEEN TALKING TO YOUR NEIGHBOURS TONIGHT ABOUT SOME OF THE ISSUES IN THE AREA. IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT LIVING HERE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?"
<br>
"I'M NOT INTERESTED, LOVE," she replies. "SORRY."
<br>
She shuts the window firmly behind her. That's that, then.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no21 to true)
(set: $time to it -10)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
The house is down an uneven driveway, and you almost stumble making your way to the door.
<br>
No one answers when you knock, but a moment later a woman leans out of an upstairs window. "YES?" she calls.
<br>
Oh, Christ. You've not had one of these for a while.
<br>
"HI," you yell. "I'M FROM YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANISATION. I'VE BEEN TALKING TO YOUR NEIGHBOURS TONIGHT ABOUT SOME OF THE ISSUES IN THE AREA. IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT LIVING HERE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?"
<br>
"WHAT?" she replies.
<br>
[[REPEAT THE QUESTION.|21worse]]<br>
[[ASK HER TO COME DOWNSTAIRS.|21bad]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
"Um," he says, looking uncomfortable. "I'd rather you didn't, to be honest. I don't really like... this. Don't give money away on the doorstep."
<br>
He probably thinks you're a charity fundraiser, but somehow you don't think he'll appreciate an explanation of the semantic difference right now. You leave him to it.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
"What about the streetlight?" you say, pointing to it. "How long has that been broken for?"
<br>
"What?" he says. "Oh, um. A few months, I suppose. Are you from the council?"
<br>
"No," you say. "I'm from a community organisation. Has the streetlight being broken-"
<br>
There's a high, sharp beeping sound from inside. Smoke alarm going off. One of the kids starts screaming.
<br>
"Shit," he says. "Sorry, I've got to go."
<br>
He shuts the door, and you make your way back down the stairs.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no10 to true)
(set: $time to it -10)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
This house is in a weird spot, set back from the road and tucked into an odd half cul-de-sac. There's a short flight of stairs up to the front door and an abandoned Barbie doll covered in grime next to the front step. The streetlight outside the house is broken.
<br>
There's movement behind the frosted glass when you knock, but it takes a while for anyone to answer. You've almost finished your count of forty when a man opens the door, frowns at you. He's wearing an apron stained with tomato sauce and you can see two kids running around the lounge behind him.
<br>
"Hi," you say. "I'm from your local community organisation. I've been talking to your neighbours tonight about some of the issues in the area. If you could change one thing about living here, what would it be?"
<br>
"I'm actually just in the middle of making tea," he says. "Sorry."
<br>
[[Ask him when would be a good time to come back.|10bad]]<br>
[[Ask about the broken streetlight.|10worse]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
"No," they say, taking half a step back into the hallway. "Mum's at work."
<br>
No point doing your whole spiel on this kid. You thank them, give them a leaflet to pass onto their Mum, and leave.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
"If there's something that could make living on this street better, what would it be?" you ask.
<br>
The kid looks alarmed. Your voice did get a little strained there, as it often does when you try and sound cheery.
<br>
You see a flicker of movement out of the corner of your eye. A next door neighbour is peering at you from behind their net curtains, scowling.
<br>
"Alright," you say quickly, taking a leaflet from your clipboard and handing it to the teen. "Give this to your parents, okay? Thanks."
<br>
You leave quickly, before Neighbourhood Watch over there decides to call the police.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no5 to true)
(set: $time to it -10)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
This house is fairly well maintained, with heavy curtains over the windows and fairy lights draped over a small tree in the front garden.
<br>
You knock. The hallway is dark and you can't make out the features of the person who answers very well. They're shorter than you, wearing pyjamas.
<br>
"Hi," you say. "I'm from your local community organisation. I've been talking to your neighbours tonight about some of the issues in the area. If you could change one thing about living here, what would it be?"
<br>
"Um," they say. "Sorry, I don't-I don't know."
<br>
You realise, belatedly, that they're younger than you thought, maybe fourteen or fifteen at most.
<br>
[[Reframe the question.|5worse]]<br>
[[Ask if their parents are home.|5bad]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
"Oh, right," she says. "That's cool. Only thing is, though, I'm actually sort of busy right now?"
<br>
She rattles off a list of other local campaign groups that she's involved with. Her interest in these things feels like it should be an argument *for* joining, not against.
<br>
"That's fantastic," you say. "You obviously care about-"
<br>
"I just can't fit anything else in right now," she says, already closing the door. "Sorry."
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
"Right," she says. "Cool. Thing is, I'm actually busy with a lot of stuff, right now. I just don't know if I'd have the time."
<br>
She names a few other local campaign groups, some of which you've heard of.
<br>
"Even if you can't get involved much right now, any support makes a huge difference," you say, hopefully.
<br>
"Sorry," she says, wincing in what you assume is an apologetic way. "Just can't commit. Sorry."
<br>
She's still apologising as she closes the door.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no20 to true)
(set: $time to it -10)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
There are lights on in this house, and the front window is covered by a large fabric hanging dyed in shades of blue and purple. A bike is locked to the railing outside.
<br>
The woman who answers the door is young, wearing glasses and an oversized jumper. She greets you brightly.
<br>
"Hi," you say. "I'm from your local community organisation. I've been talking to your neighbours tonight about some of the issues in the area. If you could change one thing about living here, what would it be?"
<br>
"Oh I've heard of you," she says, pointing at the logo on your ID card. "You do housing stuff, right?"
<br>
[[Say yes, you do housing stuff.|20worse]]<br>
[[Say no, you don't just do housing stuff.|20bad]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
The sound of a cheering crowd comes from inside, and the man swears under his breath.
<br>
"Sorry," he says, not sounding it. "I don't have time for this."
<br>
He closes the door in your face.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
A few people you spoke to last night mentioned the local library being shut down, and you ask whether he's heard about that.
<br>
"Okay," he says, "I don't-"
<br>
The sound of cheering from inside cuts him off. Someone must have scored.
<br>
"Shit," he says. "Look, I've got to go. Leave us a leaflet or something."
<br>
He shuts the door. You post a leaflet, impotently, through the letter box.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no3 to true)
(set: $time to it -10)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
You can't make much of this house. The pebbledash walls could do with a good scrub, but the car in the driveway is gleaming. There are no curtains covering the living room window, so you risk a glance inside. A fairly stark room, bare save for a large flatscreen TV showing the football. There's probably a sofa too but you can't see it from this angle.
<br>
You knock, wait. The man who opens the door is in his early twenties, wearing tracksuit bottoms and holding a can of Heineken. "Yeah?"
<br>
"Hi," you say. "I'm from your local community organisation. I've been talking to your neighbours tonight about some of the issues in the area. If you could change one thing about living here, what would it be?"
<br>
He glances back over his shoulder. "I'm a bit busy right now."
<br>
[[Tell him you'll only be a minute, then make the ask again.|3worse]]<br>
[[Ask about a more specific issue.|3bad]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
"I've heard so many horror stories about student houses round here," you say. "Have you had any problems with your landlord? Not doing repairs, raising the bills, anything like that?"
<br>
"Boiler's been broken for a while," she says.
<br>
"In the middle of winter?" You widen your eyes. "That's awful. And you're still paying full rent?"
<br>
She nods. This is great, you think, a good issue, maybe even a member defence case. You're about to respond when her phone rings. She answers, laughs, and and a moment later she's closed the door on you with an apologetic shrug.
<br>
You stand there for a moment before checking off the house and leaving. Feels like having whiplash.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
"Actually," she says, puffing up slightly. "I organise a community litter pick every weekend."
<br>
"That's brilliant," you say. "But wouldn't it be better if the council kept the streets clean like they're supposed to? Is it fair that you spend your weekends working for free?"
<br>
She glares at you. Whoops. Shouldn't have insulted the community litter pick.
<br>
"We all have a responsibility to take care of our streets," she says. "I'm more than happy to do my civic duty, actually."
<br>
You try and backpedal slightly but the damage is done, and she goes back inside not long after.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no28 to true)
(set: $time to it -10)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
Of all the houses you've seen on this street, this one might be the most immacuate. Fresh paintwork, spotless patio, a heavy brass knocker on the front door. Through the gauzy curtains you can see bookshelves in the living room, a tastefully decorated Christmas tree.
<br>
The woman who answers your knock matches the house. Late forties or early fifties, well-coiffed hair, cashmere jumper. Her smile is polite but strained.
<br>
"Hi," you say. "I'm from your local community organisation. I've been talking to your neighbours tonight about some of the issues in the area. If you could change one thing about living here, what would it be?"
<br>
"Oh," she says. "The rubbish, I suppose. Litter."
<br>
[[Ask her how seeing all the litter around here makes her feel.|28worse]]<br>
[[Ask her who should be responsible for keeping the street tidy.|28bad]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
"Not really," she says, shrugging. "Gonna move out soon, anyway. Going back home next month."
<br>
"Right," you say, wondering if you could at least get a recruitment in another region. "Where's home?"
<br>
She names a town you've never heard of. There's definitely not a branch there.
<br>
You ask if she's got housemates about, but she says no. The conversation fizzles out and she goes back inside shortly after.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
"Oh, awful," she says. "We do a community litter pick on the weekends, you know."
<br>
"That's great," you say, "but should that be your responsibility? Isn't your council tax supposed to pay to keep the streets clean?"
<br>
"It's not the council's fault that people drop their rubbish," she says, sternly. "I hardly think it's fair to accuse them."
<br>
You change tack slightly, but end up talking in circles. Eventually she makes some excuse and goes back inside, leaving you alone on the doorstep.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no29 to true)
(set: $time to it -10)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
A definite student house, this one. You can see the living room through the front window, with its generic IKEA furniture and row of bottles on the mantlepiece.
<br>
Sure enough, the woman who opens the door is about eighteen. She leans against the doorframe, looks you up and down. "Yeah?"
<br>
"Hi," you say. "I'm from your local community organisation. I've been talking to your neighbours tonight about some of the issues in the area. If you could change one thing about living here, what would it be?"
<br>
"What d'you mean?" she says, tilting her head to the side.
<br>
[[Ask her if there have been any issues with her landlord.|29bad]]<br>
[[Ask her if there have been any issues on the street.|29worse]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
He sniffs, bushy eyebrows drawing together. "I'm not interested," he says. "I know your sort. No, I'm not interested. Bloody cheek. Think you can get something for nothing."
<br>
"So you wouldn't change anything about the area?" you ask, weakly.
<br>
He shuts the door in your face.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no23 to true)
(set: $time to it -10)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
Number 23 is a bungalow, small and neat but a little shabby around the edges. One of the sixties prefabs, you reckon, the ones that were meant to be temporary but never got replaced with anything better.
<br>
The man who answers your knock is very old, immaculately dressed in suit and tie. He scowls at you immediately. "Yes?" he says. "What is it?"
<br>
"Hi," you say. "I'm from your local community organisation. I've been talking to your neighbours tonight about some of the issues in the area. If you could change one thing about living here, what would it be?"
<br>
The old man looks at you like you've just taken a shit on his doorstep. "What?" he snaps. "What are you talking about? Who are you?"
<br>
[[Explain a bit more about the organisation.|23bad]]<br>
[[Ask him if there are any problems with the house.|23worse]]{=
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
"What do you mean, my house?" he says, his voice growing strangled. "How dare you-"
<br>
"I just know," you say quickly, "that some of your neighbours have had trouble with the double glazing-"
<br>
"I'm not interested in whatever you're selling," he hisses. "Bugger off."
<br>
He slams the door. Well, at least you got a decisive answer. You tick 23 off the list and move on.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no32 to true)
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
32 has been split into two flats, and the intercom by the front door is broken. You knock as hard as you can, hoping someone will hear you. There's an overflowing recycling bin out the front, smelling of stale beer. When no one responds after a couple of minutes you leave.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no12 to true)
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
Pointless to knock here, but you do anyway. The windows are boarded up and there's an old sofa rotting in the front garden. Clearly abandoned. You peer through the front window while you wait for nothing, looking into a room of bare walls.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no27 to true)
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
The frost has killed the flowers in the window boxes here. They might have been bright in summer, but they're withered to nothing now. The house looks occupied, but no one answers. Key worker, maybe. Out placing canulas or driving buses. You leave.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no19 to true)
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
There's a panel of stained glass in the house's front door, and through it you can see a figure moving about. They come right up as if to answer, and you paint on a smile ready to greet them. Then they retreat again, the light in the hallway switching off. Not feeling chatty today, apparently.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no25 to true)
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
There are five 'NO COLD CALLERS' stickers in the window of this house. Your line manager told you that you should knock these places anyway, because what you're doing is *not* cold calling. Today, though, you aren't sure you feel like getting yelled at. You walk away without knocking.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no6 to true)
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
A handwritten sign has been sellotaped to the front door. *COVID POSITIVE*, it says. *DELIVERIES PLEASE KNOCK AND LEAVE*. You adjust the straps of your mask and walk back up the driveway.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no31 to true)
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
There's a shell of a car in the drive of this house, sitting on cinder blocks and profoundly rusted. You wonder what the point of keeping it is, in this state. Maybe it's just been dumped here, and maybe the house is empty. No one answers when you knock.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no9 to true)
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
The front window of this house has been smashed, patched up with cardboard and gaffer tape, and there are smudges of paint on the front door. Like something's been spray painted there and cleaned away. You knock twice, but there's no answer.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no30 to true)
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
This house reminds you, oddly, of the one you grew up in. Something about the paintwork on the fascia, the red brick wall down the alley. You get an odd shiver of de ja vu as you knock, and are almost glad when no one answers.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no26 to true)
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
There's evidence of a family living in this house. One of those red and yellow plastic cars on the driveway, a Baby On Board sticker in the back window of the Ford Escort. No one home, though. You wonder how many people on this street are breaking lockdown tonight, risking the fines to get a change of scenery for the evening.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no4 to true)
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
A curtain is pulled back in an upstairs window as you knock, then quickly dropped again. No movement from inside, no one comes to the door. Earlier in the week, someone on this street told you that you looked like a cop. *It's the walking boots*, they said. *It's the anorak.*
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no11 to true)
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
As you wait for an answer at number 11 you think about what you'll have for dinner tonight. It'll be about half eight by the time you get home, and you'll need to shower some warmth back into your bones. You won't want to cook at nine P.M. Takeaway again, then, even though you can't afford it.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no15 to true)
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
There doesn't seem to be anyone home here. Through a crack in the curtains you can see a darkened living room with an old cathode telly, a crucifix mounted on the wall above. A cat trots out from under a car and bumps its ginger head against your shins.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no24 to true)
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
This house is fully decked out for Christmas. An inflatable Santa in the front garden, garish lights mounted on the walls, a wreath hanging on the front door. No answer when you knock, though. The absence of people makes the festive decorations seem almost eerie.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no16 to true)
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
You're about to approach the front door of number 16 when a car pulls up nearby. A young man gets out and crosses over to the same house, knocks on the door. Another man answers. You can't hear the ensuing conversation but it sounds tense, heated. You decide to knock somewhere else instead.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $no7 to true)
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
You knock on the door of number 7, noticing the poor state of the windows as you wait for a response. No double glazing, casements warped and cracked. If this person is a tenant, that could be a good issue. Unfortunately no one answers. You drop a leaflet through the letter box and leave.
<br>
[[Knock another door|menu]]{=
(set: $noxx to true)
(set: $time to it -5)
(set: $piss to it + 5)
(set: $cold to it + 5)
House description
<br>
Person description
<br>
"Hi," you say. "I'm from your local community organisation. I've been talking to your neighbours tonight about some of the issues in the area. If you could change one thing about living here, what would it be?"
<br>
Issue
<br>
option1<br>
option2{=
(set: $time to it -10)
(set: $piss to it + 15)
(set: $cold to it + 15)
(if: $break is 0)[
(align:"<==")+(box:"===XXXXXXXXXX=======")[hey]
(text-colour:lime)[how's it going?]
(align:"<==")+(box:"===XXXXXXXXXX=======")[eh, okay. you?]
(text-colour:lime)[still at home. haven't managed to get out yet lol]
]
(else-if: $break is 1)[
(align:"<==")+(box:"===XXXXXXXXXX=======")[it's fucking freezing]
(text-colour:lime)[yeah innit. just left]
(align:"<==")+(box:"===XXXXXXXXXX=======")[only just??]
(text-colour:lime)[i lost track of time]<br>
(text-colour:lime)[& fully cba]
]
(else-if: $break is 2)[
(align:"<==")+(box:"===XXXXXXXXXX=======")[any luck yet?]
(text-colour:lime)[nah. no one home :(]
(align:"<==")+(box:"===XXXXXXXXXX=======")[i don't get that. what tier are you in?]
(text-colour:lime)[3, same as you]
]
(else-if: $break is 3)[
(align:"<==")+(box:"===XXXXXXXXXX=======")[why isn't everyone home, it's lockdown]
(text-colour:lime)[we're not home tbf]
(align:"<==")+(box:"===XXXXXXXXXX=======")[yeah true. essential workers lol]
(text-colour:lime)[lol]
]
(else-if: $break is 4)[
(align:"<==")+(box:"===XXXXXXXXXX=======")[god it's COLD]
(text-colour:lime)[you need a better coat mate. you not got a down jacket?]
(align:"<==")+(box:"===XXXXXXXXXX=======")[a what]
(text-colour:lime)[jfc]
]
(else-if: $break is 5)[
(align:"<==")+(box:"===XXXXXXXXXX=======")[i'm so bored]
(text-colour:lime)[just got called a cunt by a 12yo on a bike]
(align:"<==")+(box:"===XXXXXXXXXX=======")[charming]
(text-colour:lime)[could be worse]
]
(else-if: $break is 6)[
(align:"<==")+(box:"===XXXXXXXXXX=======")[dyou know who's watching the GPS tonight?]
(text-colour:lime)[not sure actually. why?]
(align:"<==")+(box:"===XXXXXXXXXX=======")[no reason. just wondering]
(text-colour:lime)[i'll ask x]
]
(else-if: $break is 7)[
(align:"<==")+(box:"===XXXXXXXXXX=======")[sorry i missed your call what's up?]
(text-colour:lime)[no one is watching it lol]
(align:"<==")+(box:"===XXXXXXXXXX=======")[what???]
(text-colour:lime)[seriously. cannot believe this]
]
(else-if: $break is 8)[
(align:"<==")+(box:"===XXXXXXXXXX=======")[didn't someone near you get assaulted like, two days ago?]
(text-colour:lime)[yep!!]
(align:"<==")+(box:"===XXXXXXXXXX=======")[maybe you should go home jic]
(text-colour:lime)[nah way under target this week :/]
]
(else-if: $break is 9)[
(align:"<==")+(box:"===XXXXXXXXXX=======")[you okay?]
(text-colour:lime)[yeah fine. in shit mood now]
(align:"<==")+(box:"===XXXXXXXXXX=======")[yeah i feel you]
(text-colour:lime)[might just go home]
]
(else:)[They are offline.]
(set: $break to it + 1)
<br>
[[Back to work|menu]]{=
(set: $time to it -10)
(set: $piss to it + 15)
(set: $cold to it + 15)
(if: $news is 0)[
#Boris Johnson: no-deal Brexit now a 'strong possibility'<br>
PM says he cannot accept UK being ‘locked in EU’s orbit’, but Tories urge him to strike deal]
(else-if: $news is 1)[
#Pupils face mass testing as tier 3 Covid measures loom in London<br>
Children to be tested at schools across Kent, Essex and the capital as Covid rates rise]
(else-if: $news is 2)[
#Bison recovering but 31 other species now extinct, says red list<br>
Three frog and one shark species have vanished, and Amazonian dolphin and oak trees are threatened]
(else-if: $news is 3)[
#Greta Thunberg: 'We are speeding in the wrong direction' on climate crisis<br>
Exclusive: Climate striker speaks before UN event marking five years since the Paris accord]
(else-if: $news is 4)[
#How will the EU travel ban affect Britons who have booked holidays?<br>
Covid rules on non-essential travel will kick in for UK when Brexit transition ends on 1 January]
(else-if: $news is 5)[
#Oliver Cromwell did it but will Boris Johnson? Why MPs might sit on Christmas Day<br>
If a deal is secured with the EU, the government is willing to force MPs to give up their December break to pass it]
(else-if: $news is 6)[
#Bristol owners pull out of sale of house hosting Banksy artwork<br>
Stencil mural unveiled on side of house shows woman sneezing out her false teeth]
(else-if: $news is 6)[
#Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson to step aside following arrest<br>
Anderson to take period of unpaid leave while police investigate claims of bribery and witness intimidation]
(else-if: $news is 7)[
#England's test and trace repeatedly failed to hit goals despite £22bn cost<br>
NAO report finds scheme is failing to reach enough contacts and only returns 40% of tests within 24 hours]
(else-if: $news is 8)[
#Italy charges Egyptian security agency officials over murder of Giulio Regeni<br>
Cairo killing of doctoral student in 2016 long believed to be work of Egypt’s security forces]
(else-if: $news is 9)[
#Topshop administrators seek bids of up to £200m for fashion chain<br>
Initial offers expected by end of next week in attempt to seal a deal before Christmas]
(else-if: $news is 10)[
#Spacewatch: SpaceX Dragon resupply craft delivers cargo to ISS<br>
New airlock and scientific experiments among cargo delivered to International Space Station]
(else-if: $news is 11)[
#Black staff at Lloyds are paid 20% less than their peers, bank reveals<br>
Lender releases data as part of race action plan, and says gap is due to lack of black staff in top roles]
(else-if: $news is 12)[
#Facebook faces biggest legal battle in years as US officials launch lawsuits<br>
Regulators and 48 attorney generals take on company over antitrust concerns]
(else-if: $news is 13)[
#Three die in fire at building used by migrants near Barcelona<br>
Blaze started overnight in Catalan city of Badalona]
(else-if: $news is 14)[
#'It's surreal': the US officials facing violent threats as Trump claims voter fraud<br>
Georgians from both parties describe violent and sexual threats to themselves and their families as militias make their presence known]
(else:)[
#Armpit advertising: Australian cricket umpires to carry deodorant ads under their arms<br>
Underarm ads for deodorant believed to be a world first]
<br>
(b4r:"solid")+(b4r-colour:red)[(print: $cases) new cases<br>
(print: $deaths) deaths]
(set: $news to it + 1)
(set: $cases to it + (random: 1,10))
(set: $deaths to it + (random: 1,3))
<br>
[[Back to work|menu]]{=
(text-colour:red)[No more doors tonight.]
<br>
Time's up. That's your shift over, your week over. Not long til Christmas, you tell yourself, just another week of this. Maybe you'll feel better after you've had some rest. Maybe you'll come back to this in the new year, refreshed.
<br>
You return your clipboard to your rucksack and walk to the bus stop. Luckily the 75 comes quickly enough, and you take a window seat near the back.
<br>
(if: $dues >4)[You pull out your phone and check your membership database, just for something to do. To your dismay you find that three people you recruited this week have cancelled their direct debits already. You won't make your targets after all.
<br>]
(else:)[You've not made enough in dues tonight to hit your targets. Again. This is becoming a problem.
<br>
]
[[Call your line manager.|timeending2]]{=
(text-colour:yellow)[No more doors tonight.]
<br>
Your bladder gets the better of you, this time. You need to head home before you actually piss yourself. If you weren't in fucking lockdown you could go into people's houses, but that's not an option currently.
<br>
You return your clipboard to your rucksack and walk to the bus stop. Luckily the 75 comes mercifully quickly, and you take a window seat near the back.
<br>
(if: $dues >4)[You pull out your phone and check your membership database, just for something to do. To your dismay you find that three people you recruited this week have cancelled their direct debits already. You won't make your targets after all.
<br>]
(else:)[You've not made enough in dues tonight to hit your targets. Again. This is becoming a problem.
<br>
]
[[Call your line manager.|pissending2]]{=
(text-colour:cyan)[No more doors tonight.]
<br>
You're far too cold to carry on with this. Your teeth are chattering behind your mask, your hands numb even with gloves on. No way you'll manage a persuasive conversation like this. Time to go home.
<br>
You return your clipboard to your rucksack and walk to the bus stop. Luckily the 75 comes quickly and is warm inside, and you take a window seat near the back.
<br>
(if: $dues >4)[You pull out your phone and check your membership database, just for something to do. To your dismay you find that three people you recruited this week have cancelled their direct debits already. You won't make your targets after all.
<br>]
(else:)[You've not made enough in dues tonight to hit your targets. Again. This is becoming a problem.
<br>
]
[[Call your line manager.|coldending2]]{=
(set: $cases to 17899)
(set: $deaths to 353)
(set: $time to 240)
(set: $hours to 0)
(set: $minutes to 0)
(set: $cold to 0)
(set: $piss to 0)
(set: $dues to 0)
(set: $no1 to false)
(set: $no2 to false)
(set: $no3 to false)
(set: $no4 to false)
(set: $no5 to false)
(set: $no6 to false)
(set: $no7 to false)
(set: $no8 to false)
(set: $no9 to false)
(set: $no10 to false)
(set: $no11 to false)
(set: $no12 to false)
(set: $no13 to false)
(set: $no14 to false)
(set: $no15 to false)
(set: $no16 to false)
(set: $no17 to false)
(set: $no18 to false)
(set: $no19 to false)
(set: $no20 to false)
(set: $no21 to false)
(set: $no22 to false)
(set: $no23 to false)
(set: $no24 to false)
(set: $no25 to false)
(set: $no26 to false)
(set: $no27 to false)
(set: $no28 to false)
(set: $no29 to false)
(set: $no30 to false)
(set: $no31 to false)
(set: $no32 to false)
(set: $break to 0)
(set: $news to 0)
(align:"=><==")[#No One Else Is Doing This]<br>
(align:"=><==")[a community organising simulator]
<br>
''(align:"=><==")[[[Start your shift|intro1]]]''
<br>
(text-colour:white)[(align:"=><==")[[[Credits|credits]]]]{=
''Friday 11th December 2020''
<br>
It's half past three in the afternoon and already getting dark.
<br>
You need to be out on the doors by four at the latest. It's almost the end of the week and you're lagging behind.
<br>
You need to make (text-colour:red)[£5 in dues] to hit your [[targets]].
<br>
[[Leave the house|intro2]]5 members or £25 per week. You used to hit it like clockwork when you first started. Recently, though, your numbers have been [[dropping|intro1]].You put on three jumpers, a scarf, a coat, gloves, a hat, and walking boots. Before you leave you check the contents of your rucksack: water, ID card, rape alarm, [[clipboard]]. You are halfway down the road before you realise you've forgotten your mask and have to double back.
<br>
[[Run for the bus|intro3]]The printed sheets keep a record of house numbers, phone numbers, card numbers. This is your job, four nights out of five: you [[knock doors|intro2]] for a community union.You just about manage to jump on the bus before it leaves. The schools have finished for the day and it's over capacity, teenagers sitting in the seats marked out for social distancing.
<br>
The elderly man behind you is wearing his mask underneath his nose. You put your headphones in and try to [[psych yourself up]] for the next four hours.
<br>
[[Press the bell for your stop|Launchpad]]You were over the moon, the day you landed this job. You believed in the work. Believed that [[community organising|intro3]] was the only way to effect real change.{=
(set: $cases to 17899)
(set: $deaths to 353)
(set: $time to 240)
(set: $hours to 0)
(set: $minutes to 0)
(set: $cold to 0)
(set: $piss to 0)
(set: $dues to 0)
(set: $no1 to false)
(set: $no2 to false)
(set: $no3 to false)
(set: $no4 to false)
(set: $no5 to false)
(set: $no6 to false)
(set: $no7 to false)
(set: $no8 to false)
(set: $no9 to false)
(set: $no10 to false)
(set: $no11 to false)
(set: $no12 to false)
(set: $no13 to false)
(set: $no14 to false)
(set: $no15 to false)
(set: $no16 to false)
(set: $no17 to false)
(set: $no18 to false)
(set: $no19 to false)
(set: $no20 to false)
(set: $no21 to false)
(set: $no22 to false)
(set: $no23 to false)
(set: $no24 to false)
(set: $no25 to false)
(set: $no26 to false)
(set: $no27 to false)
(set: $no28 to false)
(set: $no29 to false)
(set: $no30 to false)
(set: $no31 to false)
(set: $no32 to false)
(set: $break to 0)
(set: $news to 0){=
''Credits''
<br>
Written and designed by Lauren O'Donoghue
<br>
Developed in Twine (Harlowe 3.2.2)
<br>
News headlines pulled from The Guardian online 11/12/20 edition
<br>
Playtested by Andy, Caliban's Revenge, Mervyn Bluestone, mrburns-untumblrised, & Lauren Reisfeld
<br>
Special thanks to the Cliquey Blinders, who are truly doing it like no one else <3
<br>
[[Return|Main Title]]Double-click this passage to edit it.{=
"It happens," your manager says. "There'll always be some churn."
<br>
"Yeah, but this isn't some. It's most of the people I recruited."
<br>
It's demoralising, you want to say, coming out here night after night and telling people they can make a difference, knowing full well that you don't have the capacity to follow through on that promise. Watching, in real time, as they give up on the little bit of hope you managed to sell them. Your firm belief in this model, you want to tell her, is starting to crack.
<br>
But what comes out of your mouth instead is: "I'm sorry."
<br>
"That's okay," she says. "You'll do better next time. Just go out and [[knock more doors|Main Title]]."{=
"Ah," she says. "Never mind. We'll do some more practice conversations next week, yeah?"
<br>
"Alright," you say. "Yeah, okay."
<br>
Privately, you're not convinced this will make much of a difference. Even if you do manage to recruit more people next week-what then? You don't have the time to go back and see them again, and most of them will never come to a meeting or an action without support. They'll just cancel their memberships, probably, and then you're back where you started. You're starting to suspect that this isn't sustainable. That this work that you used to care about so much is, in fact, pointless.
<br>
You try and broach the subject, carefully. "This isn't going as well as I'd hoped. I'm not sure I'm making much of a difference here."
<br>
"That's okay," she says. "These things take time. Just go out and [[knock more doors|Main Title]]."{=
"Hiya," she says. "How'd it go tonight? You were in the same area, yeah?"
<br>
"Yeah," you say. "It was okay. Sort of frustrating."
<br>
"Every door's a different day," she says. "So, did you hit your targets?"
<br>
(if: $dues >4)[[["Yeah, but a few people cancelled their memberships and now I'm back under again."|duesending]]]
(else:)[[["No, I didn't manage it."|noduesending]]]{=
"Hiya," she says. "You're heading home early."
<br>
"Yeah," you say. "Dying for a piss."
<br>
"I used to just go in bushes," she says. "Maybe try that next time."
<br>
"Right," you say. "Okay."
<br>
"So, did you hit target tonight?"
<br>
(if: $dues >4)[[["Yeah, but a few people cancelled their memberships and now I'm back under again."|duesending]]]
(else:)[[["No, I didn't manage it."|noduesending]]]{=
"Hiya," she says. "You're not due back for a while. What's up?"
<br>
"It's freezing," you say. "Was starting to feel awful. Thought it was better to head back."
<br>
"I used to put a hot water bottle up my shirt," she says. "Have you tried that?"
<br>
"No. I haven't tried that."
<br>
"Give it a go next time. Did you make target tonight?"
<br>
(if: $dues >4)[[["Yeah, but a few people cancelled their memberships and now I'm back under again."|duesending]]]
(else:)[[["No, I didn't manage it."|noduesending]]]{=
''Glossary''<br>
Click on a term to expand. Please note that most of these terms don't have a single agreed definition, and primarily apply to this specific scenario.
<br>
*Community Organising:*(click: "Community Organising:")[<br>
A process where people who share common issues, usually those who live in proximity to one another, come together into an organisation that takes action to further their interests.]
<br>
*Community Union:*(click: "Community Union:")[<br>
An organisation similar to a trade union, where the membership is formed of people in a community rather than a workplace.]
<br>
*Community Organiser:*(click: "Community Organiser:")[<br>
An individual who mobilises and coordinates community members towards collective action, often a paid staff member of an organisation.]
<br>
*Doorknocking:*(click: "Doorknocking:")[<br>
Going door-to-door in an area to speak to the people who live there, often for campaigning or fundraising purposes.]
<br>
*Dues:*(click: "Dues:")[<br>
A regular payment made for membership of an organisation, such as a union.]
<br>
*Polarising:*(click: "Polarising:")[<br>
Directing someone's anger or discontent towards a specific target.]
<br>
*The Ask:*(click: "The Ask:")[<br>
An action you ask someone to take; in this case, signing up to join the union.]
<br>
(text-colour:white)[[[Return|menu]]]