#Main Street
It's a perfect day. The sun is out for the first time in months, painting the sidewalk with a soft golden light. A cool breeze saunters by, gently rustling the newly grown leaves on cherry trees. You can even hear the sound of birds, their excited chirps mixing with the lazy chatter of pedestrians. On a street corner, bright notes ring out from a busker's violin.
Spring has come early, and there is no trace at all of the gloomy months that came before.
Every now and then you spot a young person walking briskly down the street, a batch of flowers in their hand and a spring in their step. In their faces you see a reflection of yourself, your own eagerness and joy and contentment. What a pleasure it is to be alive!
You are so deep in your thoughts that you almost miss your destination. You retrace your steps until you see the large, colorful sign: "Elysium".
[[Enter -> Elysium]] #Elysium
"Ah, I'm so glad you asked! I love giving recommendations, it's my favorite part of the job. If only my husband had someone to give him advice like this while we were still dating...
"Of course, you can't go wrong with roses. The symbol of romance and passion since the ancient times -- even Aphrodite went crazy for roses!
"But if you want something different, something that will stand out, you should consider the orchids! They simply ooze elegance and sophistication... if your lucky lady - or man - has modern tastes, they'll love them! I can guarantee it!
"Well, which one would you like?"
[[Choose orchids -> Orchids]]
[[Choose roses -> Roses]]
[["Can you pick for me?" -> Pick]]#Elysium
"No need to look so sheepish! Flowers are the most romantic of languages, beautiful once you know them but difficult to decipher for the average person. I've been married for seven years and my husband still doesn't know my favorite flower!
"Look - here they are! Aren't they pretty? For this bouquet I went with a pastel color palette... very minimalistic. Sometimes less is more! And here's a fun fact about orchids: they grow on every continent! I'd love to see a rose try and manage that!
"Of course, the rose needs no introduction. The symbol of romance and passion since the ancient times -- even Aphrodite went crazy for roses!
"Well, which one would you like?"
[[Choose orchids -> Orchids]]
[[Choose roses -> Roses]]
[["Can you pick for me?" -> Pick]]#Elysium
"Fantastic choice! Would you believe me if I told you I knew you were going to pick the orchids? You just have that kind of vibe... you know what I'm talking about! The kind of person who appreciates elegance and minimalism.
"Well, here you go! I'm going to add some wet paper towels here, to tide them over until you get home, but I would try to vase them as soon as possible! You do have vases at home, right?
"Have a great day! And enjoy yourself -- if my husband came home with a bouquet like that, I know I'd be all over him!"
She winks at you as you walk out. You blush.
[[Exit -> Orpheus Park]]#Elysium
"Fantastic choice! Would you believe me if I told you I knew you were going to pick the roses? You just have that kind of air about you... an old school romantic, as it were.
"Well, here you go! I'm going to add some wet paper towels here, to tide them over until you get home, but I would try to vase them as soon as possible! You do have vases at home, right?
"Have a great day! And enjoy yourself -- if my husband came home with a bouquet like that, I know I'd be all over him!"
She winks at you as you walk out. You blush.
[[Exit -> Orpheus Park]]#Elysium
"Indecisive, aren't you? No, no, that wasn't supposed to be an insult! I'm so sorry, I take that back! I know flower choices can be a bit overwhelming, and your lover is going to be so happy no matter what you get them!
"Okay, let me see... hmm... when unsure, it's always a good idea to go with the safe choice. Roses it is!
"Well, here you go! I'm going to add some wet paper towels here, to tide them over until you get home, but I would try to vase them as soon as possible! You do have vases at home, right?
"Have a great day! And enjoy yourself -- if my husband came home with a bouquet like that, I know I'd be all over him!"
She winks at you as you walk out. You blush.
[[Exit -> Orpheus Park]]# Orpheus Park
It doesn't take you long to reach the entrance to a beautiful gated park. You waltz down the pebbled path like you've done so many times before.
You pass by a fenced in area filled with dogs of all colors and sizes, chasing each other playfully. Their owners look on proudly from chewed-up benches.
You stroll past the marble fountain that is the centerpiece of this park: amidst the streams of falling water is a marble statue of a long-haired man on one knee, eyes closed, playing his lyre. A young woman is sitting in front of him, entranced, her features sharp on the chiseled stone.
Near the end of the path is a pink contraption that looks something like a cross between a trolley and a kiosk, with a smiling young man behind it. As you walk past it, he [[shouts out to you->vendor]]. #Orpheus Park
"Those are some wicked flowers," he says to you with a toothy grin as he leans against his wares. "But flowers just don't cut it nowadays, no they don't! The competition is fierce. The economy, and all that. If you can't afford shiny jewelry or fancy watches, you might as well stay single forever.
"Luckily for you, I've got a much cheaper solution!" He spreads his arms like a magician concluding his performance. "Personalized gifts at an affordable price. Actually it's more than affordable; it's basically a steal! Guaranteed to have your partner melting in your arms. Guaranteed or your money back. Actually, not really. I won't be here tomorrow. But that's neither here nor there! Look to your heart's content."
You examine his offerings. On the left side of the table is a pile of teddy bears with red bow ties, falling into each other. On the right is a neat stack of chocolate boxes tied with red ribbon. In the middle is a mug with the words "You're my favorite pain in the ass." You raise your eyebrows at the vendor.
"Hey, it sells," he shrugs. "So what will it be?"
[[Buy teddy bear -> teddy bear]]
[[Buy box of chocolate -> chocolate]]
[[Buy mug -> mug]]
[[Buy nothing -> nothing]]# Orpheus Park
"I'll take a teddy bear," you say. Your partner had given you a teddy bear for your first anniversary; it still sits on your desk at work, vigilantly guarding your powerpoints and spreadsheets. A relationship is like writing a story. Continuity is everything.
The vendor plops the bear into a white paper bag and stuffs some wrapping paper inside. "Amazing purchase. You won't regret it. Did you know that fifty percent of people don't even get their beloved anything for this most romantic of days? It doesn't take much to be better than average. Actually, I made that number up. But you get what I mean."
You walk to the end of the path, your hands full and your heart light. You pass by an old man sitting at an easel, and then you are at the [[gate -> second avenue]].# Orpheus Park
"I'll take some chocolates," you say. Your partner loves chocolate, especially the truffles covered with coconut flakes, which you spotted inside the transparent boxes. You have a notebook filled with factoids like this. Bad memory is no excuse for being a bad partner.
The vendor plops the chocolate box into a white paper bag and stuffs some wrapping paper inside. "Amazing purchase. You won't regret it. Did you know that fifty percent of people don't even get their beloved anything for this most romantic of days? It doesn't take much to be better than average. Actually, I made that number up. But you get what I mean."
You walk to the end of the path, your hands full and your heart light. You pass by an old man sitting at an easel, and then you are at the [[gate -> second avenue]].# Orpheus Park
"I'll take the mug," you say. It's a crude attempt at humor, to be sure, but it's just the type of humor your partner might like. There's no better feeling in the world than to laugh together with someone you love.
The vendor plops the mug into a white paper bag and stuffs some wrapping paper inside. "Amazing purchase. You won't regret it. Did you know that fifty percent of people don't even get their beloved anything for this most romantic of days? It doesn't take much to be better than average. Actually, I made that number up. But you get what I mean."
You walk to the end of the path, your hands full and your heart light. You pass by an old man sitting at an easel, and then you are at the [[gate -> second avenue]].# Orpheus Park
"I'm good," you say.
"You sure?" The vendor grins unpleasantly. "Did you know that fifty percent of people spend over half a month's paycheck for their beloved on this special day? You're below average, my friend. It doesn't pay to be a cheapskate."
"You made that statistic up," you say. The vendor spits on the grass.
You walk to the end of the path. You pass by an old man sitting at an easel, and then you are at the [[gate -> second avenue]].#Second Avenue
You love walking down this street. It's quieter than Main Street and you can hear yourself think. You can hear the beating of your heart. You love the way the dying sunlight falls through the branches of tall oaks, the way windchimes swing in the gentle wind.
But most of all, you love it because it means you are close to home.
You think of your partner, waiting for you. They might be standing in the kitchen, finishing up some dishes from last night, singing unabashedly to themselves in the way that you adore. They might be looking at themselves in the bathroom mirror, meticulously fixing their hair for the night out you planned. They might be lying on the couch, kicking their feet lazily in the air as they laugh at memes you sent them during work today.
You open the gate. You walk through the small garden. You climb the stairs to your townhouse unit. You turn the doorknob. It's unlocked. [[You enter -> home]].#Home
The door slams shut behind you. You really need to fix it, you've been putting it off for too long.
Your partner isn't in the living room.
"I'm home!" you say. Maybe your partner is washing the dishes and can't hear you.
They aren't in the kitchen.
They aren't in the bathroom.
Maybe they're taking a nap.
You enter the [[bedroom -> bedroom]].#Home
They aren't in the bedroom either. Maybe they got held up at work. You check your phone. Nothing. They would have updated you if they got held up at work. Right? Maybe you'll give them a call.
You look around. There is a portrait of the two of you on the nightstand, at your partner's graduation ceremony for their master's program. The bed is neatly made, like it always is. The pile of clothes on the chair clashes with the neatness of the bed. But something is different.
The pile of clothes is smaller than usual. You sift through it. Jeans and hoodies and t-shirts. All yours.
You notice a [[red envelope ->letter]] on your pillow.#Home
You open the envelope with a trembling hand. It isn't sealed. It was meant to be opened easily.
You recognize the flowery stationary paper. You recognize the handwriting. You wrote letters to each other often, in those early days, and you still do. A letter for each special occasion, to express your love and appreciation and joy. A letter after fights to ask for forgiveness. A letter when one of you is traveling, attached to a fifty cent postcard.
You read.
[[//To my beloved,// ->letter 1]]#Home
[[TO MY BELOVED -> Main Street 2]]#Main Street
It's a perfect day.
The sun is out for the first time in months, spilling its light onto the dusty sidewalk. A cold breeze wanders by, carelessly ruffling the new leaves of spring. You hear the sound of birds, their shrill chirps overpowering the indiscernible chatter of pedestrians. On a street corner, sharp notes fly from a busker's violin.
It's a perfect day.
Every now and then you spot a young person walking briskly down the street, a batch of flowers in their hand and an urgency in their step. In their faces you see a reflection of yourself.
You have never been happier.
You are so deep in your contentment that you walk right past your destination. You retrace your steps until you see the large, colorful sign: "Elysium".
[[Enter ->Elysium 2]]#Elysium
There is one person in front of you so you wait. There are a lot of plants here but you don't know anything about them. Drooping bouquets line the long counter, waiting to be claimed. You stare absent-mindedly at a large painting on the wall of an open field covered with light blue flowers. A small figure is sitting at the edge of the field with her back to you, looking up at the clear sky.
"How can I help you?" The customer before you had left without buying anything. You look up into the face of a woman in her early thirties.
[["I'm here to pick up an order." -> Elysium 2 1]]#Elysium
"Of course, of course! I love picking out flowers for clients, it's one of my favorite parts of the job. If only my husband had someone to give him advice like this while we were still dating...
"No need to look so alarmed, that was a joke! My husband is great. He's just not the best at giving gifts, but he shows his love in other ways... we all have our love languages, right?
"Of course, you can't go wrong with roses. The symbol of romance and passion since the ancient times -- even the goddess Athena admired roses!
"But if you want something different, something that will stand out, you should consider the orchids! They simply ooze elegance and class... if your lucky lady - or man - has modern tastes, they'll love them! I absolutely promise!
"Well, which one would you like?"
[[Choose orchids -> Orchids 2]]
[[Choose roses ->Pick 2]]
[["Pick for me." ->Roses 2]]#Elysium
"That's alright! No need to look ashamed, most people don't know too much about flowers. I've been married for seven years and my husband still doesn't know my favorite flower!
"No need to look so alarmed, that was a joke! My husband is great. He's just not really a gifting kind of person, but he shows his love in other ways... we all have our love languages, right?
"Anyways - here they are! Aren't they pretty? For this bouquet I went with a pastel color palette... very minimalistic. Sometimes less is more! And here's a fun fact about orchids: they grow on every continent! How unique!
"Of course, the rose needs no introduction. The symbol of romance and passion since the ancient times -- even the goddess Athena loved roses!
"Well, which one would you like?"
[[Choose orchids -> Orchids 2]]
[[Choose roses ->Roses 2]]
[["Pick for me." ->Pick 2]]#Elysium
"I knew you were going to pick the orchids, from the moment you walked in! You just have that kind of vibe... you know what I'm talking about! The kind of person who appreciates elegance and minimalism.
"Well, here you go! I'm going to add some wet paper towels here, to tide them over until you get home. I would try to vase them as soon as possible, but don't worry, they are going to be just fine!
"Let me tell you a secret," she says. She leans in. "Flowers are the secret to a successful relationship. If you keep giving your partner flowers, you'll never have to worry about them leaving you! Neat, huh? Not many people know that!"
She winks at you as you walk out. You blush.
[[Exit -> Orpheus Park 2]]#Elysium
"I knew you were going to have a hard time picking! No, no, that wasn't supposed to be an insult! I know flower choices can be a bit overwhelming, and your lover is going to be so happy no matter what you get them!
"Okay, let me see... hmm... You can't go wrong with roses! Not a single person has ever not appreciated a nice batch of roses on Valentine's Day. Not one!
"Well, here you go! I'm going to add some wet paper towels here, to tide them over until you get home. I would try to vase them as soon as possible, but don't worry, they are going to be just fine!
"Let me tell you a secret," she says. She leans in. "Flowers are the secret to a successful relationship. If you keep giving your partner flowers, you'll never have to worry about them leaving you! Neat, huh? Not many people know that!"
She winks at you as you walk out. You blush.
[[Exit -> Orpheus Park 2]]#Elysium
"I knew you were going to pick the roses, from the moment you walked in! You just have that kind of air about you... an old school romantic, as it were.
"Well, here you go! I'm going to add some wet paper towels here, to tide them over until you get home. I would try to vase them as soon as possible, but don't worry, they are going to be just fine!
"Let me tell you a secret," she says. She leans in. "Flowers are the secret to a successful relationship. If you keep giving your partner flowers, you'll never have to worry about them leaving you! Neat, huh? Not many people know that!"
She winks at you as you walk out. You blush.
[[Exit -> Orpheus Park 2]]# Orpheus Park
Something feels different. You glance up to see ominous rainclouds moving slowly towards you. You've only been in the store for a short while, but the world seems darker now, gloomier. You reach your hands out but there is no rain yet.
It doesn't matter. Nothing could ruin the perfection of this day.
It doesn't take you long to reach the entrance to a beautiful gated park. You speedwalk down the pebbled path like you've done so many times before.
You pass by a fenced in area filled with (link-reveal: "dogs")[(show:?dogs)] running around.|dogs)[ As you watch, a young woman trips over the dangling leash of a sprinting bulldog. She gets back awkwardly on her feet, laughing.]
You breeze past the fountain with a marble statue of a man playing the lyre. You see a murder of crows picking through some trash on the grass; it almost looks like they are listening to his performance.
Near the end of the path is a pink kiosk with a smiling young man behind it. Pink, fluffy lettering on a sign reads "Premium Holiday Gifts". As you walk past it, he [[shouts out to you ->vendor 2]]. #Orpheus Park
"Nice flowers," he says to you with a big grin. "But you can do better than that! Love is expensive nowadays. The competition is fierce. Why risk it with just a bundle of flowers, nice enough as they are?
"Luckily for you, I've got the perfect thing!" He spreads his arms like a magician concluding his performance. "Personalized gifts at an affordable price. Highest, premium quality, made by artisans here in the US of A. Guaranteed to have your partner melting in your arms."
You examine his (link-reveal: "offerings")[(show:?offerings)]. |offerings)[On the left side of the table is a pile of teddy bears with red bow ties, falling into each other. On the right is a neat stack of chocolate boxes tied with red ribbon.
"So what will it be?" he asks.
[[Buy teddy bear -> teddy bear 2]]
[[Buy box of chocolate -> chocolate 2]]]
[[Buy nothing -> nothing 2]]# Orpheus Park
"I'll take a teddy bear," you say. Your partner had given you a teddy bear for your first anniversary; it still sits on your desk at work, a monument to the love you bear for each other.
The vendor plops the bear into a white paper bag and stuffs some wrapping paper inside. "Amazing purchase. You won't regret it. Did you know that fifty percent of people don't even get their beloved anything for this most romantic of days? It doesn't take much to beat the competition. Great job, mate."
As he hands you the bag, you see a tag behind the teddy bear's ear: "Made in China".
You walk to the end of the path with your hands full. You pass by an old man sitting at a park bench, with an (link-reveal: "easel")[(show:?easel)] in front of him.|easel)[ You crane your neck to see what he is painting: it's a landscape of the park, but different somehow. In his painting the park is still covered with golden sunshine, with no trace of the stormclouds gathering above.] You walk past him towards the [[gate -> second avenue 2]].# Orpheus Park
"I'll take some chocolates," you say. Your partner loves chocolate, especially the truffles covered with coconut flakes, which you spotted inside the transparent boxes. You remember all of their favorite foods.
The vendor plops the chocolate box into a white paper bag and stuffs some wrapping paper inside. "Amazing purchase. Ya won't regret it. Did you know that fifty percent of people don't even get their beloved anything for this most romantic of days? It doesn't take much to beat the competition. Great job, mate."
You walk to the end of the path, your hands full and your heart light. You pass by an old man sitting at a park bench, with an (link-reveal: "easel")[(show:?easel)] in front of him.|easel)[ You crane your neck to see what he is painting: it's a landscape of the park, but different somehow. In his painting the park is still covered with golden sunshine, with no trace of the stormclouds gathering above.] You walk past him towards the [[gate -> second avenue 2]].# Orpheus Park
"I'm good," you say.
The vendor chuckles. "No no, my friend, you are not good. You'd be good if you bought something. I know you want to; I can see it in your eyes. What is it? What's holding you back? Is it the price?
"I get it, times are tough. Tell you what, I'll give you twenty percent off. Just for you, because you remind me of myself. Here, take another look. What catches your eye?
You examine his (link-reveal: "offerings again")[(show:?offerings)]. |offerings)[On the left side of the table is a pile of teddy bears with red bow ties, falling into each other. On the right is a neat stack of chocolate boxes tied with red ribbon.
[[Buy teddy bear -> teddy bear 2]]
[[Buy box of chocolate -> chocolate 2]]]#Second Avenue
It's quiet here, much quieter than Main Street. You can hear the pounding of your heart, the reverberations of your anticipation. You can hear the windchimes sing in a discordant symphony.
You pick up your pace. You want to get home before it starts raining.
You think of your partner, waiting for you. You remember the day you met. That first date, off the dating app. You always tell your partner that you knew they were the one, immediately. But is that true? You were in a rush that day. It was raining, and you didn't have an umbrella. There was a stain on your shirt and you were afraid they would notice. What was going through your mind?
Memory is a tricky thing.
It doesn't matter. They are waiting for you. And you cannot wait to be home.
You open the gate. You walk through the small garden. You climb the stairs to your townhouse unit. You turn the doorknob. It's unlocked. [[You enter-> home 2]].#Home
The door slams shut behind you. Your partner always nags at you to fix it, but it's fine, really. A slamming door never hurt anyone; you don't have to remember to close it.
Your partner isn't in the living room. They must be cleaning dishes in the kitchen.
"I'm home!" you say. "I hope you're ready! We don't want to be late for our reservation."
They aren't in the kitchen. They must be in the bedroom then, in the middle of a short nap that ceased to be short hours ago, as is often the case.
As you walk by the bathroom, you peek your head in, just in case. They aren't in the bathroom.
You enter the [[bedroom -> bedroom 2]].#Home
They aren't in the bedroom either. They must still be at work. You check your phone. Nothing. Absent minded, as usual. So focused on work that they forget about all else; that was one of the things you admired about them.
You look around. There is a portrait of the two of you on the nightstand, at your partner's graduation ceremony for their master's program. The best day of their life. The bed is neatly made, like it always is. The pile of clothes on the chair clashes with the neatness of the bed.
You sift through the pile of clothes. Jeans and hoodies and t-shirts. All yours. You can't believe your partner actually folded their clothing. Maybe they wanted to do something nice for Valentine's Day.
You notice a [[red envelope ->letter 2]] on your pillow.#Home
You open the envelope. Your hands are steady. Another love letter, but you treasure each one as much as you did the last. You wrote letters to each other often, in those early days, and you still do. There's something about the ink on paper, about the //solidness// of it all, that seems real, in a world where everything is represented with bits and bytes.
It isn't sealed. It was meant to be opened easily.
You recognize the flowery stationary paper. You recognize the handwriting.
You smile.
You read.
[[//To my beloved,// ->letter 2 1]] it began.#Home
//To my beloved,
I still remember the day we met. It was a day not unlike this one; it started out beautifully, perfect in every way, but then the clouds came and I felt such despair. I felt that nothing could rescue me, nothing could touch me in that place where I had fallen.//
[[//And then you walked into my life.// ->letter 2 2]]#Home
[[THAT IS THE NATURE ->letter 2 4]]#Home
[[OF ALL THINGS -> Main Street 3]]#Main Street
The storm is coming.
You've lived in this city long enough to recognize the signs. Once the clouds have gathered, only one thing can disperse them. You pick up your pace. You don't have an umbrella with you; you need to make your way back home to your partner before it's too late.
On a street corner, you see a young woman in shabby clothing (link-reveal: "attacking her violin")[(show:?violin)] with a ferocity you have never seen before. |violin)[Her eyes are squeezed shut and her body movements are jerky and unnatural, almost as if she were one of those inflatable men you saw in front of car dealerships. You wonder if the rain would damage her violin.]
Every now and then you spot a young person walking briskly down the street, their face twisted into a grimace of inner concentration.
You arrive at your destination.
[[Enter ->Elysium 3]]#Home
//Life with you has been an adventure. There is no other word to describe it. The clouds parted and I started anew. There was so much excitement. And so much angst. I ceased to live in a pit, I ceased to walk on a plateau. I was on a roller coaster, and you were there right beside me, laughing and screaming and crying, all at once.
But all good things must come to an end. That is the// [[//nature of all things// ->letter 2 3]].#Elysium
You pull on the door but it doesn't open. You try the other door. Nothing. You cup your hand on the glass and peek inside. Empty.
You step back. You raise your head until you see the large, rainbow sign: "Elysium". You are at the right place.
And then you see it. A white piece of paper taped to the inside of the door, scrawled in hasty handwriting: "Shop closed due to emergency. We are very sorry."
You stare at the note in disbelief. Emergency? You are the one who has an emergency. How can a flower shop be closed, on today of all days? You placed the order a month ago. How could they do this to you? You try the door again, as if this time it might be different. You look up at the sign again. Below it is a phone number.
[[Call the number ->Elysium 3 1]]
[[Leave ->Elysium 3 2]]#Elysium
You dial the number with trembling hands. The line rings and rings. You wait. You hold the phone tightly but you feel your rage slipping through your fingers. Finally, you hear the ring tone cut abruptly. Your heart jumps into your throat.
"Thank you for calling Elysium, for all your flower and gifting needs. Sorry we couldn't make it to the phone, call us back at another time, or leave a message after the beep!"
Your mouth is dry. You can't think of anything to say. You [[hang up ->Elysium 3 2]].#Elysium
There's nothing to be done. As you leave, you see a young man in a collared shirt striding purposefully towards you. You make eye contact with him but you don't say anything. Behind him, you hear him try the door to the flower shop and curse under his breath.
It doesn't take you long to reach the [[park -> Orpheus Park 3]].# Orpheus Park
You pass by a fenced in (link-reveal: "dog park")[(show:?dogs)].|dogs)[ As you watch, a bulldog lunges at a pomeranian, barely missing it. The owner of the pomeranian scoops it up in a protective embrace and starts shouting at the bulldog owner. A fist is raised and you see strangers step in to break the fight. You look away.]
You walk as fast as you can without running. You can taste the moisture in the air. It's going to break, soon. You don't want to get your new jacket wet. There are a bunch of construction cones around the fountain. You swerve around them with annoyance.
Just as you are about to leave the park, a voice [[shouts out to you ->vendor 3]]. #Orpheus Park
"Hey you! Yeah you, with the yellow jacket. Where do you think you're going, empty handed? Don't you know what day it is? You look like the kind to have somebody waiting at home." It was a young man, sitting behind a makeshift kiosk that looked as if it would crumble any second.
"Come on, don't be shy. Personalized gifts at an affordable price. Guaranteed to make your partner love you, or something like that. Come take a look." It sounded more like a demand than a question.
[["Sorry, no time." -> vendor 3 1]]
[["Do you sell umbrellas?" -> vendor 3 2]] #Orpheus Park
The vendor spits, a huge chunk of mucus materializing on the curb. "No time, huh? Of course not. People like you never have time for people like me. You come in, gentrifying my city, pricing us out, forcing us to work two, three jobs just to make ends meet.
"Go on, then. Why do I care about your relationship? I hope your wife or husband leaves you. I hope you stay in a sexless marriage for fifty years. I hope it rains on your parade, every day."
[["Fuck you." -> vendor 3 3]]
[[Move on -> artist]] #Orpheus Park
The vendor spits, a huge chunk of mucus materializing on the curb. "Do I look like your personal servant? What about this pink booth tells you I sell umbrellas? The audacity of people like you. You come in, gentrifying my city, pricing us out, forcing us to work two, three jobs just to make ends meet.
"Go on, then. Why do I care about your relationship? I hope your wife or husband leaves you. I hope you stay in a sexless marriage for fifty years. I hope it rains on your parade, every day."
[["Fuck you." -> vendor 3 3]]
[[Move on -> artist]] #Orpheus Park
"What did you say?" You see his fists clench and his eyes bulge. He stands up from behind the trolley and starts to move towards you.
Another couple walks up the gravel path behind you. The vendor turns to them instead, heckling them the same way he heckled you. You [[turn away -> artist]] with a feeling of relief.#Second Avenue
You lift your head. The clouds are still holding, for now, but you are still late.
You think about the things that happened today. Your frustrations at work. The flower shop. The rude vendor at the park. You look down and realize that you are coming home empty-handed.
Why do things always turn out poorly for you? What have you done to deserve this? Even the weather seems to hate you, seems to have purposefully disrupted your plans for later.
But you are almost home. You look down and you are annoyed that your feet cannot move faster. When you are home, your partner will run up to you and give you a hug. When you are home, your partner will listen to all the injustices of your day. When you are home, there will be release.
When you are [[home -> home 3]] ...#Home
The door slams shut behind you.
Your partner isn't in the living room. You shout their name.
You shout their name again.
"I'm home!" you say. "I'm home! Why are the dishes not done? You've seen the weather report, right? We're going to have to stay in tonight. Can you hear me? Hello? I told you not to nap so late in the day, it's bad for your sleep hygiene."
In the kitchen, on the fridge, is a bright red [[envelope ->letter 3]] held by a magnet. There is no name on it.#Home
You rip the envelope open.
You stare at the contents in disbelief.
The words dance in front of you like swimming tadpoles. You can only understand snippets, tiny fragments.
//You have hurt me, and I you.
There is much that has not been resolved.
There is much that was never// [[//discussed// ->letter 3 1]].#Home
//All couples argue. I know that. All lovers will quarrel. That is the nature of partnerships.
In the early days, I used to get so angry at you. We used to shout and slam doors in each other's faces. But somehow I always knew that the feeling would fade. That the anger was only temporary, and would be replaced by another feeling, just as warm.
But in the past year, you've been so cold.
So// [[//cold// ->letter 3 2]].#Home
//It's my fault. I admit that. I never told you how I felt.
But whenever I blame myself, I also think this: maybe the fact that I didn't try isn't an indication of my failure. Maybe I didn't try because this isn't worth saving.//
[[AM ->letter 3 3]]#Home
[[I ->letter 3 4]]#Home
[[WORTH ->letter 3 5]]#Home
[[SAVING? -> Main Street 4]]#Orpheus Park
You hurry down the path, looking over your shoulder to make sure that the vendor isn't coming after you. You feel your shoulder brush against something. It's an easel.
"Careful," the old man on the park bench says. "If you get my oils onto that nice jacket of yours, they're never coming off."
You look at the painting and then at the kindly face of the old man. Together, they were almost like an oxymoron. The painting is well done, a large piece in the old Renaissance style that you've seen in museums. It shows a young man in a toga, his face twisted in rage. On the ground in front of him is a golden lyre. He is holding a large boulder in his arms, as if preparing to bring it down on the precious instrument.
"The fury of Orpheus," the man explains. "Do you know his story?"
[["Yes." -> artist 2]]
[["No." -> artist 3]]#Orpheus Park
He nods his head. "Good," he says. "Good."
He continues painting again. He seems to have forgotten you.
"I have to finish," you hear him murmuring to himself. "It's late. I have to finish."
You are [[late -> second avenue 3]] too.#Main Street
When will it come?
Will it come when you are ready, or when you least expect it?
You look dubiously at the sky. The storm clouds have gathered, leaving a heavy shadow on the street, but you still see sunlight shining through. A paradox.
Just don't rain until I get home, you think to yourself.
Something knocks into you and you stumble. It's a muscular young man in a dress shirt, walking like he has somewhere to be. He doesn't even look back. People these days. What has the world come to?
You get to the [[flower shop ->Elysium 4]]. #Elysium
"How can I help you?" A middle aged man with a beard and baseball cap looks up from behind the counter.
"I'm here to pick up an order."
The man pulls out a large binder and starts sifting through it. "You'll have to bear with me here. I'm covering for my cousin, but I barely know the business at all."
The man flips back and forth through the binder, visibly perplexed. You take a look around the room. You notice a (link-reveal:"strange painting")[(show:?painting)] on the wall behind the counter. |painting)[It shows an angry Greek man holding a big rock, preparing to smash a harp-like instrument. Hardly appropriate for a flower shop.]
[["What happened to your cousin?" ->Elysium 4 1]]
[["Hurry up!" ->Elysium 4 2]]#Elysium
"Huh?" The man looks up. "Oh, right. Tiffany. She's been running this place for five years now, pretty much on her own. Did you know her?"
"No," you say. "I ordered online."
"Shame, you would have liked her," he says. "She's always been super nice to me, even when we were kids. She's an angel. Anyways... there's been a bit of drama in the family. I don't think I'm supposed to talk about it."
You nod.
"Although... you don't know the family anyways, so I don't suppose there's any harm in telling you." He licks his lips. "Husband of seven years cheated on her. Nasty stuff. I would have said that they were the perfect couple, but you never know, do you? Looking in from the outside."
[["Can I have my flowers please?" ->Elysium 4 3]]
[["Is she okay?" ->Elysium 4 4]]#Elysium
"Huh?" The man looks up. He looks a bit angry, but as he speaks, you realize that he's just flustered. "I'm so sorry. I'm trying my best. I didn't ask for this, you know. My one day off in two weeks, and I get a call first thing in the morning asking for help. I don't mind helping Tiffany though, she's always been super nice to me, even when we were kids."
He drops his voice and looks around conspiratorially, even though there's nobody else in the shop. "Apparently her husband cheated on her. Married for seven years, nasty stuff! I would have said that they were the perfect couple, but you never know, do you? Looking in from the outside."
[["Can I have my flowers please?" ->Elysium 4 3]]
[["Is she okay?" ->Elysium 4 4]]#Elysium
"Oh, I'm sure she will be fine. She always was a tenacious girl. Haven't talked to her much yet but I hear she's been blaming herself, saying he wouldn't have done it if she spent more time with him. No point thinking that way, in my opinion; a cheater's gonna cheat no matter what. Ah, here it is. Can I have your name and phone number?"
You give him your information.
He examines the bouquets along the counter. "It says here that you ordered a florist's choice bouquet, but I have no idea what that is. How about you take... this rose bouquet over here? It looks pretty good to me."
[["What about the customer who ordered that?" ->Elysium 4 5]]
[["I want a different flower." ->Elysium 4 6]]#Elysium
"Of course, of course. I just wanted to explain the situation, so you don't blame Tiffany for all this stuff. Of course, I hope you'll remain a loyal customer of Elysium; I don't want her to come back and find that I've lost all her clients. Ah, here it is. Can I have your name and phone number?"
You give him your information.
He examines the bouquets along the counter. "It says here that you ordered a florist's choice bouquet, but I have no idea what that is. How about you take... this rose bouquet over here? It looks pretty good to me."
[["What about the customer who ordered that?" ->Elysium 4 5]]
[["I want a different flower." ->Elysium 4 6]]#Elysium
The man scratches his head. "Oh, you're right... I didn't think of that." He goes through the binder page in front of him again, brows furrowed in concentration.
"You know what, it's probably fine. If that customer comes I'll offer him another bouquet. Someone probably won't show, right? Anyways, here you go. Hope to see you again! Or, hope you come back to the business again. I probably won't be here. Hopefully."
[[Exit -> Orpheus Park 4]]#Elysium
"Oh, sure. Take another one then. Whichever one you want."
"But what about the customer who ordered that bouquet?" you ask.
The man scratches his head. "Oh, you're right... I didn't think of that." He goes through the binder page in front of him again, brows furrowed in concentration.
"You know what, it's probably fine. If that customer comes I'll offer him another bouquet. Someone probably won't show, right?"
You pick the bouquet you want.
"Hope to see you again! Or, hope you come back to the business again. I probably won't be here. Hopefully."
[[Exit -> Orpheus Park 4]]# Orpheus Park
Orpheus Park looks strange in the waning light. You pass by a fenced in dog park and a shuttered-up kiosk. A cool breeze passes through the park, carrying with it the promise of rain. Oh, what you would give to be home right now, warm in your partner's embrace!
You pass by the fountain at the center of the park. You frown. It's a statue of a man holding a harp, kneeling in front of another man sitting on a throne. Orpheus brokering a deal with Hades. Had the statue always looked like this? You don't recall having seen Hades before. But then again, you aren't the most observant person.
On a park bench, an old man is sitting in front of an easel. As you pass by, you get a look at the canvas. You stop. You really need to get home, but for some reason you feel [[drawn in -> Park 2]].# Orpheus Park
You walk up to the old man. He doesn't seem to notice you; he is completely focused on his art. As you watch, he flicks his wrist hard, splattering paint from his brush across the canvas. A few specks land on your jacket. You try to brush them off but you just end up smearing them on the fabric.
"Hey," you say to him. "Be careful."
He doesn't look at you. He's wiping off his brush with a towel, getting ready for the next splatter. "One cannot be careful when one is making art. One must be bold. That is the way art is made."
You study the canvas. It's a mess. Streaks and blobs of black, blue, and grey appear to have been randomly placed with no thought to structure or form.
[["What is this?" -> Park 3]]
[["You like abstract art?" -> Park 3]]#Orpheus Park
"I don't usually name my pieces," the old man says. "I think it's tacky. But theres's one word I can't get out of my head.
"//Futility.//
"I came to this park once, a long time ago, with my daughter Elisabeth. It was her twelfth birthday. We sat in the grass, right there, and watched the squirrels run by. It was such a beautiful day.
"Over and over again I try to make the perfect painting. I try to recreate my memory of that day. But every time there is some error, some blemish, some lack of inspiration. And I think to myself, I'll just start over again. I think I know where I went wrong. Next time I won't make the same mistake. Next time I'll get it right.
[["Next time." -> second avenue 4]]#Second Avenue
You are almost home.
You think of your partner. They are everything to you. You cannot imagine life without them. Some time ago, not so long ago really, you were alone. But you cannot remember what it felt like. That loneliness belonged to another person.
You think about the statue in the park, Orpheus kneeling before the ruler of the Underworld. He, too, wanted his lover back. He made a deal. What kind of deal would you make? What would you give for your partner? Orpheus had offered his lyre, his talent, his ethereal voice.
What do you have to offer?
You open the gate. You walk through the small garden. You climb the stairs. You open the door. [[You enter -> home 4]].#Home
"I'm home," you say.
Who are you talking to?
You close your eyes. Let everything be back to normal, you think. Let everything be right again. Just this one time.
You'll learn to play the harp if you have to.
You open your eyes. There is a [[red envelope ->letter 4]] on the kitchen counter, splattered all over with black paint.#Home
//I wish we could go back to the way things were before. That's what I want, more than anything.
I would do anything to go back.
If I were to do it all over again, I would savor it more, knowing that it has to end. Maybe I would do things better this time around. Maybe it wouldn't have to end.
But who am I kidding?
Everything has a beginning and an// [[//end// ->letter 4 1]].#Home
//I'm sorry for leaving you this way. It's cruel, I know. But I thought the other option would be crueler. I didn't want you to think that there was a way out. I know you. If you thought there was a chance, you would try. You would try anything you could, promise anything I wanted, make any kind of deal.
I don't want to make you do that.
I hope one day you'll realize that this was the kinder way. And I hope that when you think of me, it won't be this day that you remember, but all the ones we had before.
All the beautiful days we had before.
And, I promise you, there will be// [[//others// ->letter 4 2]].#Home
[[THERE WILL ALWAYS->letter 4 3]]#Main Street
The sky finally breaks.
It catches you as you are on Main Street, when you are too far from the office to turn back. Like tears that have been held back far too long. You don't have an umbrella. You pull up your hood but already you feel your jacket getting heavier from the rain.
On the corner of the street you see a young woman sitting on the curb. She's holding a violin but she isn't playing it; she's cradling it with both hands like a baby. The bow lies on the ground next to her and you are afraid that somebody is going to step on it.
(link-replace: "Pick up the bow.")[(show:?bow)]|bow)[You pick up the bow and hand it to her. She looks up at you through locks of wet hair. "Thank you," she says.
[["Isn't your violin going to get damaged?" -> violin 1]]
[["Why are you sitting in the rain?" -> violin 2]]
]#Main Street
She gives you a small, sardonic smile. "You seem to know a lot about violins," she says. "Do you play? You look like the type that does."
"Yes," you say. "I used to."
"Then maybe you understand a bit of what I'm feeling." She sighs, and looks down. "My parents bought this for me twelve years ago. For as long as I can remember, I've been playing this instrument. Lessons twice a week, practice three hours a day, recitals every month. I've always just done it. I've never thought too much about it.
"But now that I've graduated from college, now that my free time is my own, I've realized that I don't love it anymore. Perhaps I never have. Do you know that feeling?"
[["Yes." -> violin 3]]
[["No." -> violin 4]]#Main Street
She gives you a small, sardonic smile. "Why are you walking in the rain? It wasn't raining when I first started sitting here."
"Fair enough," you say.
"Actually, I was playing before it rained." She sighs, and looks down. "My parents bought this for me twelve years ago. For as long as I can remember, I've been playing this instrument. Lessons twice a week, practice three hours a day, recitals every month. I've always just done it. I've never thought too much about it.
"But now that I've graduated from college, now that my free time is my own, I've realized that I don't love it anymore. Perhaps I never have. Do you know that feeling?"
[["Yes." -> violin 3]]
[["No." -> violin 4]]#Main Street
The young woman nods. "I knew you were a kindred spirit."
"I know that feeling well," you say.
"Then you know how empty it makes you. How shocking that freedom can be. To be honest, I'm afraid. Afraid that I have to decide for myself now, what I love and what I hate. And what if there's nothing that I love?
"What if nothing loves me?"
She puts her head in her hands. The violin and bow lie untouched on the ground beside her. You can't tell if she is crying or if it's just the rain.
[[Sit with her -> violin 5]]
[[Leave ->Asphodel 5]]#Main Street
The young woman nods. "You're lucky, then."
"I don't feel lucky," you say.
"You don't know how empty it makes you. How shocking that freedom can be. To be honest, I'm afraid. Afraid that I have to decide for myself now, what I love and what I hate. And what if there's nothing that I love?
"What if nothing loves me?"
She puts her head in her hands. The violin and bow lie untouched on the ground beside her. You can't tell if she is crying or if it's just the rain.
[[Sit with her -> violin 5]]
[[Leave ->Asphodel 5]]#Asphodel
You step into the store quickly, glad to be out of the rain. It's completely empty. You look around at the shelves that cover every wall and the unnameable plants that adorn them. Drooping bouquets line the long counter, waiting to be claimed.
There is a weird spot on the wall behind the counter, a patch of uneven paint. It's as if something used to hang there but was hastily taken down.
You wait a few minutes, but nobody comes out. You see a bell on the counter.
[[Ring the bell ->Asphodel 5 1]]
[["Is anyone there?" ->Asphodel 5 2]]#Asphodel
You press the bell. Nothing. You press it again. It's jammed or broken or something.
"Is anyone there?" you shout.
For the longest time, there is no response. You stand there, dripping water onto the tiled floor. You are just about to leave when a middle-aged woman shuffles out from behind a curtained door. She sits down at the counter. Her eyes look slightly puffy and red.
"I have... an order," you say. "An online order. For pickup."
"It'll be over there," she gestures. "Find your name on the tag. If you can't find it, just take any other bouquet. It doesn't matter, really."
[["Really?" ->Asphodel 5 3]]
[["Are you okay?" ->Asphodel 5 4]]#Asphodel
"Is anyone there?" you shout.
For the longest time, there is no response. You stand there, dripping water onto the tiled floor. You are just about to leave when a middle-aged woman shuffles out from behind a curtained door. She sits down at the counter. Her eyes look slightly puffy and red.
"I have... an order," you say. "An online order. For pickup."
"It'll be over there," she gestures. "Find your name on the tag. If you can't find it, just take any other bouquet. It doesn't matter, really."
[["Really?" ->Asphodel 5 3]]
[["Are you okay?" ->Asphodel 5 4]]#Asphodel
"Really." she says. "We spend so much of our time finding the perfect words to say, choosing the perfect gift, picking out the perfect combination of flowers. We say it's an experession of our love. But what are we really doing? We are trying to hold on to something that cannot be held. We think we have control over our own happiness, but we don't. There is a sword hanging over our heads, and it may drop at any moment. Or it may never drop. But there is nothing we can do about it. Absolutely nothing."
She sees the look on your face. "Sorry, that was unprofessional. That must have sounded crazy. You must forgive me; I'm not quite myself. I shouldn't make assumptions; I'm sure that whoever these flowers are for is a decent person, and deserving of your love."
[["They are." ->Asphodel 5 5]]
[["I hope so." ->Asphodel 5 6]]#Asphodel
"You aren't the first person to ask me that," she says. "But honestly, I don't know what to say. We are all okay until we aren't. And I can't just tell a customer that I'm not okay; what are you supposed to do with that?"
"I can sympathize," you say.
She shifts her posture, sagging onto the counter like a puppet that just had its strings cut. "I hope you'll never be in a position to sympathize with me," she says. "But that's not something any of us have control over, is it? I can sell you the perfect combination of flowers, but I can't make someone love you. We think we are the masters of our own happiness, but the truth is that we are slaves. There is a sword hanging over our heads, and it may drop at any moment. Or it may never drop. But there is nothing we can do about it. Absolutely nothing."
She sees the look on your face. "Sorry, that was unprofessional. That must have sounded crazy. You must forgive me; I'm not quite myself. I shouldn't make assumptions; I'm sure that whoever these flowers are for is a decent person, and deserving of your love."
[["They are." ->Asphodel 5 5]]
[["I hope so." ->Asphodel 5 6]]#Asphodel
"I'm glad," she says. "Treasure it. It's a rare thing, what you have. Not everyone is so lucky."
You aren't really sure what to say.
"Oh dear. I do hope I haven't ruined your day. Don't mind me, I'm just a rambling old woman." Her eyes are unfocused and she seems to be looking at something outside the window. "I was young like you once, you know. I remember when the world was fresh and exciting and full of possibility. I wish I could go back."
[["It's not too late." -> Asphodel 5 7]]
[[Take your flowers and leave -> Orpheus Park 5]]#Asphodel
"Well, you never really know another person, do you?" she asks. "You can share a bed with someone, have children with them, tell them your deepest secrets. But you can never truly know what's inside their hearts, can you?
"In the end, we are all alone."
You aren't really sure what to say.
"Oh dear. I do hope I haven't ruined your day. Don't mind me, I'm just a rambling old woman." Her eyes are unfocused and she seems to be looking at something outside the window. "I was young like you once, you know. I remember when the world was fresh and exciting and full of possibility. I wish I could go back."
[["It's not too late." -> Asphodel 5 7]]
[[Take your flowers and leave -> Orpheus Park 5]]#Orpheus Park
You step out into the pouring rain. It shows no signs of relenting and seems to only have gotten worse. At least you don't have to worry about your flowers drying up.
The park is almost empty. There are no dogs in the dog park. Or dog owners, for that matter. Water fills and overflows from Orpheus' upturned mouth as he faces the Lord of the Underworld.
There is a pink trolley lying on its side in the grass. As you walk closer, you see a tarp hanging from it and a young man sitting crossed legged beneath. Kind of like a makeshift tent.
[[Join him under the tent -> park 5 1]]
[[Ignore him -> park 5 2]]#Orpheus Park
The man looks at you in surprise. "Who the hell are you?"
"Don't mind me," you say. "I'm just a commuter on my way home from work. Just looking for a bit of shelter until the rain lets up."
He scoffs. "Well, why the hell not? The whole world's gone crazy anyways. Stay as long as you'd like."
[["So, what's up with you?" -> park 5 3]]
[["Got any plans for Valentine's Day?" -> park 5 4]]#Orpheus Park
You can't help but feel like you've missed something important. It would have been a bit crazy to go sit down like that with a stranger, but isn't life all about taking risks? Isn't that how connections are made?
You continue walking down the gravel path. The rain is unrelenting. Near the end of the path, you pass by a park bench. It's just a regular bench, but it looks out of place here, in the middle of the grass. You feel a strange sense of emptiness.
As you walk closer, you can see an (link-reveal: "engraved plaque")[(show: ?plaque)] on the back of the bench. |plaque)[
//Elisabeth Wood
2001 - 2016
Child of light, singer of songs, painter of rainbows//]
[[Continue -> second avenue 5]]#Orpheus Park
"What's up with me? What kind of fucking question is that?"
"Just trying to make small talk," you say. "No need to get so antsy." You look at the pink wares piled on the ground beside him. "These selling well?"
"Selling well? Do you see any customers?"
You shrug.
"Of course it just had to rain today. Only way to make this stupid holiday worse."
[["You don't like Valentine's Day?" -> park 5 7]]#Orpheus Park
He scowls at you. "I'd almost managed to forget what day it was today. Thanks a lot."
"Why were you trying to forget?" you ask.
He turns to the side and spits into the grass. "It's just a shit holiday. Whoever came up with the idea is either a huge asshole or the most clueless person in the world. It's like, let's set aside a day for single people to feel bad about themselves. And the people who are in relationships have to make a show of it to prove how in love they are.
"If you were really in love, you wouldn't need to make such extravagant gestures, would you?"
[["I totally agree." -> park 5 5]]
[["I think you're being a bit too cynical." -> park 5 6]]#Second Avenue
The rain is falling, a torrential downpour that obscures everything. You cannot hear yourself think. You cannot even hear the beating of your heart.
You do the only thing you can. You walk forward numbly. One foot, then the next. Your sneakers have been completely soaked through. Your feet are wet.
You remember that day, an eternity ago. You remember the day you first met your partner. The day your life changed. You had no clue.
It was raining that day.
[[Go home -> home 5]]#Orpheus Park
The young man looks you up and down. "Well, you're alright for a stranger. At least you're not one of those sappy romantic types. Telling me, 'don't worry, there's someone out there for everyone', or some useless shit like 'just be yourself'. Oh, and the absolute worst are the religious types who tell me that God has someone all prepared for me. It just makes me so... so..."
"Angry?" you say.
He thinks for a moment, then shakes his head. "No, not angry. Just sad."
[["They're not wrong though." -> park 5 8]]
[["Fuck those people!" -> park 5 9]]#Orpheus Park
The young man looks you up and down. "Oh, you're one of those people. Shoulda known. You're the kind that likes to tell me, 'don't worry, there's someone out there for everyone', or some useless shit like 'just be yourself'."
He waves a hand at you rudely. "Go on then, fuck off. I can't stand people like you, all smug and shit. You're in a perfect relationship, I get it. No need to rub it in."
[[Leave -> park 5 10]]#Orpheus Park
He turns to the side and spits into the grass. "It's just a shit holiday. Whoever came up with the idea is either a huge asshole or the most clueless person in the world. It's like, let's set aside a day for single people to feel bad about themselves. And the people who are in relationships have to make a show of it to prove how in love they are.
"If you were really in love, you wouldn't need to make such extravagant gestures, would you?"
[["I totally agree." -> park 5 5]]
[["I think you're being a bit too cynical." -> park 5 6]]#Orpheus Park
"Are you fucking serious? You think I haven't tried? Grooming myself, going to the gym, all that crap. You think I haven't tried being myself? How the fuck can I not be myself?"
He waves a hand at you rudely. "Go on then, fuck off. I guess I was wrong about you. I can't stand people like you, all smug and shit. You're in a perfect relationship, I get it. But people like you don't understand the struggles of people like me. Just leave."
[[Leave -> park 5 10]]#Orpheus Park
"Absolutely, absolutely. Those people will never understand the struggles of people like us. I hate how society judges us for our lack of romantic experience, but what they don't realize is that you need experience to get experience. It's like the fucking job market. It's like your boomer parents telling you to talk to the manager and give them a firm handshake. 'Just get out more.' 'Just talk to people.' It's so fucking infuriating."
"It must be," you say.
"I just want to be wanted. That's it. A normal part of the human experience that everyone has. Everyone except for me. I'm not asking for much, am I? Am I?"
[["You deserve to be loved." -> park 5 11]]
[[Leave -> park 5 12]]#Orpheus Park
You continue walking down the gravel path. The rain is unrelenting. Near the end of the path, you pass by a park bench. It's just a regular bench, but it looks out of place here, in the middle of the grass. You feel a strange sense of emptiness.
As you walk closer, you can see an (link-reveal: "engraved plaque")[(show: ?plaque)] on the back of the bench. |plaque)[
//Elizabeth Wood
2001 - 2016
Child of light, singer of songs, painter of rainbows//]
[[Continue -> second avenue 5]]#Home
The door closes weakly behind you. Your shoes leave muddy marks on the floor but you don't bother to take it off.
It's completely silent. You cannot hear anything; not the rain outside, not your own footsteps, not even the always-present humming of home appliances.
You walk to the bedroom.
You know what's waiting for you.
[[Enter bedroom -> bedroom 5]]#Bedroom
You look at the envelope in your hand. You don't even have to read it. You know what's written there. You've known for a long time. You've feared this moment, but now that it's here, you feel nothing.
[[//Dear beloved,// -> letter 5]]#Home
//Dear beloved,
I'm afraid of what the world will be like without you. I know it was I who made this choice, and I take full responsibility for that. But the truth is that you meant so much to me.
I hope you know that.
It's not going to be easy. I won't lie to you. Some days will be harder than others. And there will be many hard days. That's the nature of things.
But on one of those days, I hope you will remember that you once loved, and were loved. We had one of the most precious things in the whole world, and nobody can take that away from us. And there will be a day when the memory of us no longer fills you with pain, but with warmth.// [[//I know.// -> letter 5 1]]#Main Street
You can still taste the moisture in the air, but you are dry. Earlier in the office you could hear the sound of pelting raindrops, but they stopped just as you stepped out of the office.
It's a good omen.
The sun peeks out shyly from behind the dwindling clouds, painting the wet sidewalk with a soft golden light. A cool breeze saunters by, gently ruffling the newly-grown leaves on cherry trees.
You pass by a couple holding hands, the young man in a dress shirt and the young lady in a blue dress. Such a handsome couple. As you watch, the man leans in to whisper something in her ear. She giggles. Something stirs inside you. You remember what it's like to be in love.
On the corner of the street you see a (link-reveal: "broken violin")[(show:?violin)] sitting on the curb.|violin)[ You walk closer. It's an expensive-looking instrument with a hole in the middle. The bow, snapped in half, lies forlornly to the side.
[[Continue ->Elysium 6]]]#Elysium
There are other customers here so you wait patiently in line. You look around at the shelves that cover every wall and the unnameable plants that adorn them. Freshly prepared bouquets line the long counter, waiting to be claimed. You stare absent-mindedly at a large painting on the wall of an open field covered with light blue flowers. Two small figures are sitting at the corner of the field, side-by-side, looking up at the clear sky.
"How can I help you?" The line has cleared faster than you expected. You look into the friendly face of a middle aged man with a beard and baseball cap.
"I'm here to pick up an order," you say.
"Here you go!" The man says. "I'm going to add some wet paper towels here, but I would try to vase them as soon as possible."
[[Leave -> Orpheus Park 6]]
[["What happened to the lady that usually works here?" ->Elysium 6 1]]#Orpheus Park
It doesn't take you long to reach the entrance to a beautiful gated park. You've walked this path so many times before, but somehow it looks different today. It must be a trick of the light.
You pass by a fenced in dog park. You watch a small pomeranian as it approaches a bulldog cautiously, sniffing intently at its rear. The pitbull turns around and barks loudly; the pomeranian scampers away quickly into the arms of its owner. The owner laughs.
You stroll past the marble fountain that is the centerpiece of this park. A statue of a man playing the lyre, his head slightly lifted towards the sky. Is that the trace of a smile on his face? The marble surface has been worn away with water and time. You can't really tell.
[[Continue -> park 6]]#Elysium
"Oh, you must be asking about my cousin Tiffany! She's been running this place for five years now, you must have seen her around.
"I'm not supposed to say too much, but she's been having a rough time with some family issues. I offered to help out here for a week or two so she can get back on her feet. She's staying with her parents now, I think.
"I've always liked flowers, so this kinda of worked out for us both. There was a bit of a steep learning curve but I think I'm handling things a lot better now.
"Anyways, have a great day!"
[[Leave -> Orpheus Park 6]]#Orpheus Park
You pass by a pink trolley-kiosk, loaded with chocolate boxes and teddy bears. A couple is standing in front of it, holding hands, haggling with the vendor. You overhear some snippets of their conversation. The couple is trying to buy a large batch, to give to their single friends.
At the end of the road you pass by a bench, sitting alone in a field of grass. There is a plaque, its bronze surface sparkling in the fresh sunlight.
//Let yourself be sad.
And then, let yourself be happy.//
[[Continue -> second avenue 6]]
[[Leave your flowers on the bench -> park 7]]#Second Avenue
You stop and look around. You see the houses you've passed by so many times before, the houses of your neighbors, some with quirky architecture and others the very image of what you imagine the Wikipedia page for 'middle-class home' would look like. You see the tire swings and trampolines in the front yard, the piles of leaves raked off to the side and the unruly grass that's long overdue for a trim. Signs of homes being lived in, signs of lives being lived.
In the distance, you see the mountains towering with their snow-capped peaks. They look almost unreal, like something out of Greek mythology. In front of you are the leaves of a cherry tree, glistening with fresh raindrops. You pick off a leaf and roll the water droplet around in its folds. Have you ever looked at a leaf up close before? Since when was the world so mysterious?
You can hear the soft chattering of songbirds, the light ring of windchimes hung over family doors. You can hear the beating of your own heart. You look down the path that leads to your home. You'll go there, in a bit. Right now, you just want to stay here for a while. You are in no rush.
You are all alone.
[[THE END -> end]]#Orpheus Park
You lay the flowers down on the bench, a lovely batch of blue orchids. You step back. The color looks striking against the dull wood.
You feel so much lighter now.
[[Continue -> second avenue 6]]#Elysium
There are other customers here so you wait patiently in line. You look around at the shelves that cover every wall and the unnameable plants that adorn them. Freshly prepared bouquets line the long counter, waiting to be claimed. You stare absent-mindedly at a large painting on the wall of an open field covered with light blue flowers, swaying gently in the invisible wind.
"How can I help you?" The line has cleared faster than you expected. You look into the friendly face of a woman in her early thirties.
"I'm here to pick up an order," you say. "My name is --"
"Of course! Now let me look here... oh, that's right! I see you ordered a 'florist's choice' package, but we actually have a few customers who failed to pick up their orders, so it looks like you can have your pick! Let's see... we have this lovely mix of spring flowers with purple orchids as the centerpiece, or, or this fresh bouquet of red and pink roses. Which one would you like?"
[["What would you recommend?" ->Elysium 1 1]]
[["What's an orchid?" ->Elysium 1 2]]#Home
[[I KNOW -> Main Street 6]]#Elysium
"Of course! Now let me look here... oh, that's right! I see you ordered a 'florist's choice' package. Oh, I'm so sorry! We had such a busy day today, I didn't have time to get around to your order. I don't know if it's the economy, or if love is just in the air this year... I've never had so many sales! I had to turn down some perfectly nice young men who were desperate for a last-minute gift!"
You look at the unsold bouquets along the counter.
"Luckily we have some extras here, so you can have your pick! Let's see... we have this lovely mix of spring flowers with purple orchids as the centerpiece, or, or this fresh bouquet of red and pink roses. Which one would you like?"
[["I want to go with the florist's choice." ->Elysium 2 2]]
[["I'm not sure I know what an orchid is." ->Elysium 2 3]]#Main Street
You sit down on the curb beside her. The concrete is hard and cold, and your pants are soaked through almost immediately. She looks at you in surprise, through her fingers. Her eyes are red.
You shrug, in response to her silent question.
You sit with her, side by side, neither of you saying a single word. You watch cars skidding on the wet asphalt, churning up tiny waterfalls. You look on as a young man in a dress shirt sprints down the street with a suitcase over his head. You listen to the sound of the rain, always steady, never changing.
You stand up. She doesn't look at you but she whispers something into the downpour.
[[Go to flower shop ->Asphodel 5]]#Asphodel
"That's sweet of you." She tries to smile but only manages a twitch that looks more like a grimace. "But I'm afraid that for me, it is. I've wasted so much time, given up so many of my best years. Who will want me now?"
"There are seven billion people in the world," you say. "Or it could be eight, now. I haven't checked recently."
Her face twitches again. "Even if there is someone crazy enough, I can't imagine starting again. Starting again from nothing. It's like when you're on a long road trip and you're almost there, but you realize you left the gas stove on and you have to turn back. To undo all your progress, knowing you have to do it again. That's the worst feeling in the world.
"Oh dear. Oh dear. You've given me such kind words, and I've gone on such a tirade. You must think me an exceedingly crazy and rude person. You must come back another time. I'll have some special flowers just for you, from my own garden. But who is that bouquet for? You mustn't keep them waiting!"
[[Take your flowers and leave -> Orpheus Park 5]]#Orpheus Park
He looks at you strangely. "Nobody has ever told me that before."
"I'm glad to be the first," you say.
"I want to believe it," he says. "I really do. But it's hard, when I've seen what the world is like. It feels like my best years are passing me by; time is slipping through my fingers like sand and I can't hold on to it no matter how hard I try. I can't help thinking that it's already too late for me, that I've already missed the train, and that I'll never catch up to it...
"I have so much love inside me. I know I do. But there is nowhere for it to go. It's going to stay trapped inside me forever, until it turns to resentment."
He frowns. "I don't know why I told you all that. To a complete fucking stranger. Go on then. Shoo. I need some time to think."
[[Leave -> park 5 10]]#Orpheus Park
You stand up. "It was nice talking to you," you say. "But I really must be going."
"Whatever," he says. "See ya."
You continue walking down the gravel path. The rain is unrelenting. Near the end of the path, you pass by a park bench. It's just a regular bench, but it looks out of place here, in the middle of the grass. You feel a strange sense of emptiness.
As you walk closer, you can see an (link-reveal: "engraved plaque")[(show: ?plaque)] on the back of the bench. |plaque)[
//Elizabeth Wood
2001 - 2016
Child of light, singer of songs, painter of rainbows//]
[[Continue -> second avenue 5]]<center>
<span class="smaller">
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/iUdw1u7.png">
</span>
//Game by Daniel Gao//
//Artwork by Matt Wang//
Click [[here ->Main Street]] to begin.</center>#Home
[[ALWAYS->letter 4 4]]#Home
[[BE ANOTHER->Main Street 5]]#Orpheus Park
He looks at the sky. "A most tragic tale, as most Greek myths are. Orpheus was a legendary musician. When his wife Eurydice died, he played songs so sad that the earth wept. He journeyed to the underworld, where he melted the hearts of Hades and Persephone with his lyre. He struck a bargain with Hades: Eurydice would return with him, but he could not look back at her until they had both crossed into the world above."
He continues painting again. You wait for him to continue his tale, but he seems to have forgotten you.
You cough lightly. "And...?"
"I have to finish," you hear him murmuring to himself. "It's late. I have to finish."
You are [[late -> second avenue 3]] too.<center><h2>THE END</h2>
<span class="smaller">
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/iUdw1u7.png">
</span>
Thank you for playing!
(link-reveal: "Special thanks")[(show:?thanks)]|thanks)[ to Matt Wang, Drew Limpasuvan, Victor Yin, Kaitlyn Li, Simon Yang, Annie Zhou, Justin Chen, Claire Du, Steven Shao, Jinjin Zhao, and Joy Jiang for playtesting.]
You can check out my website <a href="https://www.dangaocake.com/">here</a> for more writing & games!