Pedro looks a little disappointed, but understands. \n\nHe takes the VR headset off of you.\n\n"This may not be the right fit for you. Thank you for your time, and I will see you out."\n\n\n[[Start]]\n
"That means you will need to find somewhere else to work," He replied jokingly. \n\nYou laugh nervously, as he takes notes.\n\n"Well then, time to start your last test." You hear Pedro say with a smile in his voice. \n\nThere's a click and a hum as the VR goggles power on.\n\n[[Good luck]]
"So where were your favorite places to travel?" Hero asks, becoming taken with you. \n\nShe offers a seat at her father’s table so you can continue talking. You both have a great time.\n\n[[This is turning out really well!|Good]]\n[[Ask her about her travels|Very good]]
\nPlaceholder for Dogberry dispensing a bit more humorous wisdom.\n\n[[Thank him]]\n
Hero tries to hide her disappointment, and politely listens to you recite your verses. When you are finished, she smiles, and excuses herself. You…\n\n[[Ask her if she wants to stay and listen to another poem.|Bad]]\n[[Wish her a good evening.|It's over]]
"Yes. This simulation will test you on how well you handle a potential matchmaking opportunity." Pedro turns on the monitor, and walks over to the desk. He taps his password into the keyboard. The monitor in front of you comes to life. \n\n"In this test you will be playing a young man named Claudio looking for a young woman named Hero," Pedro's attention was still on the computer. A few clicks of the mouse, and a picture of Hero appears on the monitor with a ticker tape of stats scrolling under it. \n\n"She is kind, but restless. Interested in the world, and traveling. She also has a soft spot for Claudio, but that doesn't mean you can't mess up."\n\nHe glances up to you and smile. You feel awfully nervous. You ask about the VR unit and the test. \n\n"It wont hurt, and if you run into problems, you can end the simulation early. Are you ready?" \n\n[[Yes]]\n[[No]]\n[[I think?]]\n
"Hero isn't to be trusted," John stirs his drink with his finger. "She was once a party girl who would take on anything and anyone for a good time."\n\nYou try not to listen, but he know's your hooked. John leans in close. You believe you could smell the alcohol on his breath.\n\n"Last I heard was her last relationship ended because she was caught with her boyfriend’s best friend," John laughed. "Not to be trusted, my friend. Not to be trusted."\n\n[[You are speechless...|Speechless]]
Welcome to Messina Connection!\n\nHere at Messina Connection we bring people together by using state of algorythms to understand what our clients want in a partner, and work to bring that to them. \n\nWith over hundreds of available matches we pride ourselves with sucessful matches that range from star-crossed lovers, to the witty-yet-caustic duos.\n\nWe are pleased that you've made it this far into your candidacy for a full time Matchmaker, and hope you join us in helping others find everafter bliss through Messina Connection.\n\n<hr>\n\nYou read through the promotional packet and smile. This is the last round if interviews, and if you make it you'll have a chance at a full time job with benefits. \n\nYou are excited, and almost miss the man standing before you.\n\n"Afternoon," He holds out his hand to shake. "And you are?"\n\n<<textinput $playername "[[Your Name?|User Name]]" >>\n\n\n\n\n[[Credits]]\n\n[[Developer's Notes]]
John's gossip keeps echoing in your mind to drop into your stomach like a hot rock. It makes you feel dizzy and sick. \n\nYou know the past is the past, but how can you trust her?\n\nWould she do this to you? What do you do?\n\n\n[[To leave the simulation.|Leave]]\n[[Take another moment.|Think]]
Placeholder for thanking him for his advice\n\n\n
After a few weeks in your new position, you get an email to meet director Pedro in his office. \n\nWhen you arrive, he greets you, and motions you to sit.\n\n"<<print $playername>>, thank you for coming. I have someone I'd like you to meet."\n\nThe door behind you opens, and the person who enter's bears a striking resemblance to Hero in the simulation.\n\n"This is Doctor Leonata, and she would like to question you about your experience with our program."\n\n"I think you are the best candidate we've interviewed so far, and we, well I'm, interested in your input." She smiles.\n\nYou smile, and agree. \n\n<hr>\n\nA year later you start an apprenticeship under Director Pedro, and also become engaged to Dr. Leonata. \n\nYears later you take over the company, and live a fruitful life with your growing family.\n\n[[End|Start]]
"Afternoon <<print $playername>>," He shakes your hand. "My name is Director Pedro, and I'll be keeping track of your progress for this simulation."\n\nYou shake his hand and smile. \n\n"Follow me."\n\nHe takes you down a series of corridors, through a double door, and into a side door. \n\nOnce you enter you see a row of monitors, each with a VR headset attached to them, and two observation desks with the monitor cables stretching to them.\n\nPedro ushers you to a seat. "So, to refresh your memory <<print $playername>>, you will need to complete the final test within the allotted time."\n\n[[Final Test]]?\n
/* Your story will use the CSS in this passage to style the page.\nGive this passage more tags, and it will only affect passages with those tags.\nExample selectors: */\n\nbody {\n\t/* This affects the entire page */\n\t\n\t\n}\n.passage {\n\t/* This only affects passages */\n\t\n\t\n}\n.passage a {\n\t/* This affects passage links */\n\tcolor: red\n\t\n}\n.passage a:hover {\n\t/* This affects links while the cursor is over them */\n\tcolor: white\n\t\n}
This time you actively search for John.\n\nYou want to hear more, and drown your doubts in gossip and drink. Lucky for you John is more than happy to indulge.\n\nJohn has more Hero gossip, he tells you that he heard that Hero was already interested in someone at the party, so she moved quickly and was able to get what she needed from him. John tells you that she is clearly still a party girl and loves the attention.\n\n[[ Honestly, you really don't care. Time to talk to Hero.|Third choice]]\n[[You feel like getting drunk|Another drink]]
The simulation clock strikes midnight, and ends with you and Hero holding hands. Director Pedro enters and is quite impressed on how you used your own instinct to navigate Hero’s differences. You are hired full time with benefits, and after six months get promoted to middle management.\n\n[[End.|Start]]
"Good," he replies. "Time to start your last test." \n\nYou take a deep breath.\n\nAlright then?" You hear Pedro say with a smile in his voice. You nod your okay.\n\nThere's a click and a hum as the VR goggles power on.\n\n[[Good luck]]
You really don't know what to take of him right now, and it feels like all he does is talk jibberish.\n\nYou start to get irritated.\n\n[[Make an excuse about needing your drink refreshed|Talk to John, again.]]\n[[Take a breath, and smile|Dogberryyes]]\n
You start to understand Dogberry's mannerisms. You don't know if that's a good thing, but you really don't have time to figure it out. \n\nHe gives you some advice which, in the moment, is quite profound. \n\nYou...\n\n[[Listen a moment more]]\n\n[[Thank him]]
You are speechless, and have not choice but to listen. \n\nJohn finishes his tale, and leaves Claudio to think things over. He’s unsure of how he feels.\n\n[[You take your drink and reluctantly search for Hero.|Reluctant]]
\n\n\n[[Start]]
You order another drink.\n\n"She's not someone you could trust, Claudio," John says. "She will toy with you every opportunity she gets, and leave you hanging right when you care the most."\n\nYou feel sick to your stomach. What can you do now?\n\n[[You're done with this guy.|Search for Hero2]]\n[[You're kidding me? Really?|Third choice]]\n
About Nothing - beta
"Good!" She was relieved. "I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention."\n\nShe smiled and extended her hand. "My name is Hero, and you are...?\n\n\n[[Introduce yourself as an admirer.|Admire]]\n[[Complement her mask.|Mask]]
You realize that Hero has changed from what little information the dossier gave him, and that Claudio’s personality doesn’t quite match hers.\n\nThe simulation ends, and Director Pedro goes over the pros and cons of your session. In the end you get a six-month contract job with Messina Connection, before being laid off.\n\n[[End.|Start]]
"Another small fish in a big pond? Where do they find runts like you?" You turn around and see a man leaning at the bar ordering a drink. \n\nYou ask him his name.\n\n"I'm Junior Director John. I helped host this party," He takes his drink from the bartender. "And you must be Claudio. Are you searching for Hero?"\n\n[[Talk to John.]]\n[[Ignore John, take your drink, and continue to search for Hero.|Search for Hero2]]
Shaken with the new information from John, and Dogberry’s ramblings, you feel you aren’t right for this job. You stop the simulation, and ultimately don’t get the job at Messina Connection.\n\n[[End.|Start]]
"That was new...," She stares at you. \n\nNervously you down your drink, and…\n\n[[Apologize.]]\n[[Excuse yourself, and go to the bar for another drink.|Bar Part 2]]
04/29- \n\nRemoved Dogberry's storyline from main thread. Will update in next version.\n\n\nAdded Very Good Ending, but cut down steps to get there. Will test to see if that story thread can be extended in the next version. \n\nTook the Placeholders out of the threads, and added the plot to enhance that story line. \nNeed to beef up John's dialogue in the next update. There is more that can be done with him. He is static at the bar. Think of 2 more spots for player to bump in on him.\n\n\nAdded the Untitled Stylesheet for practice, also worked on prompting player's name.\nTried to make it more interactive, to make the player have more of an experience. Some portions could use a rework in description, and choices for player interaction. Will expand after securing other NPCs in game.\n
You take your drink, clearly not interested in listening to John.\n\nYou go back to searching for Hero. After awhile you stumble on her sitting near one of the smaller fountains, alone and people watching. \n\nYou say hello.\n\n"Hi," She replies with a warm smile. Her eyes reflect the greeting and causes your to smile in return. "How are you? I'm Hero, and you are?" \n\n[[Introduce yourself as an admirer.|Admire]]\n[[Complement her mask.|Mask]]
"Nice to meet you, Claudio," Hero smiles warmly, and returns the compliment. "Do you like the party so far?"\n\n[[You reply that you are enjoying yourself, and mention the wonderful people you’ve met so far.|Travel]]\n[[You reply that it is entertaining, but would rather sit and talk with a charming hostess like herself.|Poetry 2]]
"Oh..." \n\nShe is shocked, and doesn’t know how to take the forward compliment.\n\n[[Try and soothe the situation with a joke.|Joke]]\n[[Try and soothe the situation with an apology.|Apologize.]]
You take the VR mask off, visibly upset and shaking. \n\n"<<print $playername>>. Are you alright?" Director Pedro asks.\n\nThere was a lot to Hero's past that you weren't ready for, and don't think you could overlook even in a professional capacity. \n\nYou believe you aren't a right fit, and request to end the interview. \n\nDirector Pedro escorts you out.\n\n[[End|Start]]\n\n
She doesn’t answer, and just leaves you there alone. \n\n\nThe room appears static-y, and soon melts away to blackness. \n\nThe simulation ends, and Director Pedro walks over to you, takes the VR headset, and goes over what you did wrong. \n\nIn the end Pedro likes you, but doesn’t believe you are a good fit with Messina Connection.\n\n[[End.|Start]]
You tell her that you enjoy poetry and ask if she’d like to hear some.\n\nYou don't notice her grimace as you find your paper and begin to recite a verse.\n\n[[Oh Noble Hero|Poetry]]
You want to meet the infamous Hero to see if she'd settled down with age, or if she is still a wild child. The problem is you don't know if you'd be okay with either scenario. \n\nYou aren't really interested in becoming a one night stand.\n\nYou stop and think...\n\n[[It's okay. I really should look for Hero.|Search for Hero2]]\n[[I'm not the type of person who's into one night-stands. I should go.|Leaves2]]
The eveing chimes echo through the party hall.\n\nYou and Hero exchange numbers, and a brief embrace before leaving the simulation. \n\nOnce done Director Pedro congradulates you, and you are instantly hired. There is talk among the staff that you were the highest scorer of any new hire, and you are on the fast track for a major job opportunity.\n\n[[Prologue|Very good ending]]
You feel a bit off, but understand that you need to take time. This isn't supposed to be easy, nor is it about you.\n\nYou decide to continue on.\n\n[[Search for Hero.]]
You explain how nervous you are, and very sorry if you seem out of sorts.\n\nHer expression softens. \n\n"I know how you feel. Sometimes it takes more than just the first impression to get things right."\n\nYou laugh.\n\n[[Hero accepts your apology.|Accepts]]
Hero looks offended. \n\nYou try and recover by telling her that you were joking. It doesn't seem to win her completely over, but she seems less on the defensive. \n\nYou hold out your hand and...\n\n[[Introduce yourself as an admirer.|Admire]]\n[[Complement her mask.|Mask]]
As Claudio, you are unable to complete the simulation. You are divided about what you know about her from the dossier and what John told you. You don’t know if her past is true, but you find that it does alter your feelings about her. \n\n\nYou stop the simulation, and ultimately don’t get the job at Messina Connection.\n\n[[End|Start]]
"I've been to Greece, and Italy, but I love France the best!" She sounded whistful.\n\nYou ask her what she enjoyed the most in France.\n\n"The food," She laughed. "And the scenery. I travled through Paris and through the provental areas." You smile, and talk to her in French. \n\nHero's face lights up, and the both of you talk until the late hours of the party. \n\n[[Your time is almost up.|France]]\n\n
The guy at the bar looks suspect. His dark hair, and finely cut clothes fit his sophisticated demeanor. Part of you is drawn to him, but the other warns you that you have other duties to complete. \n\n[[Ask him about Hero.]]\n[[Decide it’s not worth it, and leave the bar with your drink.|Search for Hero.]]
You talk to Dogberry. \n\nHe is very confusing, but amusing in his own way.\n\nHe asks you a question...\n\n[[Dogberryyes]]\n[[Dogberryno]]
After a few moments of wandering around you overhear someone calling out her name. It draws your attention and you head over to that direction.\n\n"We will have to catch up sometime soon." You hear Hero say to the person who called for her. "Take care!" She waves, turns around, and bumps right into you.\n\n"Oh! I'm sorry. Are you hurt?"\n\n[[No, are you?]]\n[[Watch where you're going!]]\n\n
He continues to say things you don’t really understand. You are starting to get uncomfortable. You,\n\n[[Continue to look at him with confusion, but this time you excuse yourself before it gets really weird.|Shaken]]\n[[Wait, what?]]
At times you forget that this is a simulation.\n\nThe card games, people's discussions, and the general atmosphere feels like a real party. There are moments where you believe you can smell the food and the perfumed people around you.\n\nYou start to get lost in the sensory overload when a chime from a nearby clock reminds you of your job.\n\n\n[[Search for Hero.]]
You are now in the Masked Ball. \n\nA lavish staircase built from red limestone ascends to the three story Auditorium were the guests enjoy the music of the evening. Box and pit seating's are abundant in the Auditorium, and each area is especially serviced by the host of your choice. \n\nYou move through the grounds and past the grand fountain in the center of the festivities. Watching the bubbling, blue mineral water will relax and soothe your worries away and you feel your energy return. \n\nGames for gentleman- poker, roulette, chess, backgammon, and the like for modest bets between guests or against the house, can be found near the gardens. All areas are monitored and disputes can be settled peacefully or outside the grounds themselves.\n\nYou decide to:\n\n[[Explore the area]]\n[[Get a drink at the bar]]
\n"You think?" \n\n\n[[You mentioned failing...|And if I fail?]]\n\n[[No. No, I'm good|Okay]]\n\n
By Tamara Williamson\n2017
"Good!"\n\nYou smile.\n\n"Now remember, during this simulation you will be named Claudio. You will need to find and match him to a young woman named Hero before the night ends," Pedro adjusts the VR unit on your head. "If you succeed you will find yourself newly hired here at Messina Connection."\n\n[[Okay]]\n\n[[And if I fail?]]\n\n\n
Placeholder for telling Dogberry you are a part of the party.\n\n[[Placeholder]]
You tell her about the night, and that she seems like a nice person. \n\n"Yes these parties can be a lot of fun."\n\nYou ask her about her interests.\n\n"I would like to travel more, and be outside of Messina," She answers. "I love it here, but feel stagnated. I hope, a life of travel will open up new opportunities for me."\n\nYou take a sip of your drink, and listen. She is facinating. \n\n"What are your interests?"\n\n[[Tell her that you like to travel and just returned from studying abroad.|Travel]]\n[[Tell her that you enjoy poetry and ask if she’d like to hear some.|Poetry]]\n
You get another drink. John is still there, and he’s surlier than ever. You,\n\n[[Talk to him this time|Talk to John, again.]]
You don't need to listen to him.\n\nYou take your drink and continue to search for Hero. You find her, and…\n\n[[Introduce yourself as an admirer.|Admire]]\n[[Complement her mask.|Mask]]\n[[Wonder if Hero would make a good girlfriend?|Doubt]]