{
(if: $childCompleted is false)[[[Eres un niño de diez años.->Niño1]]]
(else:)[[[<strike>Eres un niño de diez años.</strike>->Niño1]]]
}
{
(if: $witnessCompleted is false)[[[Eres un testigo.->Testigo1]]](else:)[[[<strike>Eres un testigo.</strike>->Testigo1]]]
}
{
(if: $motherCompleted is false)[[[Eres una madre.->Madre1]]](else:)[[[<strike>Eres una madre.</strike>->Madre1]]]
}
{
(if: $assassinCompleted is false)[[[Eres un asesino.->Asesino1]]](else:)[[[<strike>Eres un asesino.</strike>->Asesino1]]]
}
{
(if: $sickCompleted is false)[[[Estás enfermo.->Enfermo1]]](else:)[[[<strike>Estás enfermo.</strike>->Enfermo1]]]
}
{
(if: $motherCompleted is true and $newmanCompleted is false)[[[Eres un hombre nuevo.->HombreNuevo1]]](if: $motherCompleted is true and $newmanCompleted is true)[[[<strike>Eres un hombre nuevo.</strike>->HombreNuevo1]]]
}
{
(if: $assassinCompleted is true and $comaCompleted is false)[[[Estás en coma.->Coma1]]](if: $assassinCompleted is true and $comaCompleted is true)[[[<strike>Estás en coma.</strike>->Coma1]]]
}
{
(if: $sickCompleted is true and $sadCompleted is false)[[[Estás triste.->Triste1]]](if: $sickCompleted is true and $sadCompleted is true)[[[<strike>Estás triste.</strike>->Triste1]]]
}
{
(if: $sadCompleted is true and $workerCompleted is false)[[[Eres un trabajador incansable.->Worker1]]](if: $sadCompleted is true and $workerCompleted is true)[[[<strike>Eres un trabajador incansable.</strike>->Worker1]]]
}
{
(if: $newmanCompleted is true and $avengerCompleted is false)[[[Eres una vengadora.->Vengadora1]]](if: $newmanCompleted is true and $avengerCompleted is true)[[[<strike>Eres una vengadora.</strike>->Vengadora1]]]
}
{
(if: $avengerCompleted is true and $readerCompleted is false)[[[Eres un lector.->Lector1]]](if: $avengerCompleted is true and $readerCompleted is true)[[[<strike>Eres un lector.</strike>->Lector1]]]
}
{
(if: $readerCompleted is true and $deadCompleted is false)[[[Estás muerto.->Muerto1]]](if: $readerCompleted is true and $deadCompleted is true)[[[<strike>Estás muerto.</strike>->Muerto1]]]
}
{
(if: $deadCompleted is true and $childCompleted is true and $witnessCompleted is true)[[[Créditos.->Credits]]]
}
"Este equipo que me he montado es invencible, [tío]<cl1|".
(click: ?cl1)[Es tu mejor amigo quien habla. Tiene todos los juegos del mundo, y [[lo envidias->Niño2]] por ello.]
[Estás en coma]<cl1|.
(click:?cl1)[No hay mucho más que contar.]
(live:3s)[[[Volver->Selección de personaje]]]
{(set: $comaCompleted to true)}
Tan solo [pasabas por ahí]<cl1|.
(click:?cl1)[Corrección: [ni siquiera]<cl2| pasabas por ahí.]
(click:?cl2)[Lo viste [todo]<cl3| desde tu terraza.]
(click:?cl3)[[[El incidente->Testigo2]], quieres decir.]
En este momento, [estás triste]<cl1|.
(click:?cl1)[Ocurre [con frecuencia]<cl2|, pero tratas de no alarmar a los demás.]
(click:?cl2)[Ocurre cada vez que [[miras por la ventana->Triste2]], porque ya no sales a la terraza.]
Paras de teclear y miras la foto de [tu hijo]<cl1|.
(click:?cl1)[Le gustan [los videojuegos]<cl2|.]
(click:?cl2)[Casi nada más que eso[[.->Madre2]]]
Él mató a tu niño. [Es un asesino]<cl1|.{(click-replace:?cl1)[[Merece morir]<cl2|](click-replace:?cl2)[[Tiene que morir]<cl3|](click-replace:?cl3)[[Debe morir]<cl4|]}
(click:?cl4)[[¿Dudas?]<cl5|]
(click:?cl5)[No. No hay ningún motivo para dudar.
(live:2s)[Llamas a la puerta.]
(live:4s)[[[Volver->Selección de personaje]]]]
{
(set: $avengerCompleted to true)
}
No mucha gente lo sabe, pero en esa misma calle se encuentran las oficinas centrales de [los responsables de tu desgracia]<cl1|.
(click:?cl1)[No hace falta ser [una multinacional]<cl2| para arruinarle a uno la vida.]
(click:?cl2)[Su insignificancia no los salvará de [[tu venganza->Asesino2]].]
Durante el último año y medio, has estado [luchando]<cl1| contra ti mismo.
(click:?cl1)[Contra el destino, la mala fortuna, las decisiones erróneas.
(live:3s)[La broma que resulta la noción de [[justicia->HombreNuevo2]] divina.]]
Estás enfermo. Tienes una enfermedad [mortal e incurable]<cl1|.
(click:?cl1)[Te han puesto [fecha de caducidad]<cl2|.]
(click:?cl2)[Tienes que poner en orden tus cosas, pensar en cómo vas a explicárselo a…
(live:1.5s)[[[Volver->Selección de personaje]]]]
{
(set: $sickCompleted to true)
}
No sueles escribir cartas al director, pero este asunto te ha hecho darle vueltas a varias ideas que te rondan por la cabeza desde hace tiempo.
(live:4s)[No sabes si seguirán aceptando textos escritos a máquina, pero es lo único que tienes.]
(live:6s)[Comienzas dedicándole una oración al pobre crío] (live:8s)[–¡[a los dos]<cl1|!]
(click:?cl1)[[No consigues recordar]<cl2| si hubo más víctimas, pero no son tan importantes para lo que quieres exponer.]
(click:?cl2)[Decides despachar [[el tema->Lector2]] de forma que no se nota en absoluto si estás al corriente de otras muertes o no.]
Estás muerto.
[[Como todo el mundo lo está o lo estará->Selección de personaje]].
{
(set: $deadCompleted to true)
}
Preguntan por ti.
(live:2s)[Nunca antes te había llamado nadie al trabajo.]
(live:4s)[Y mucho menos para comunicarte algo así.]
(live:7s)[[[Volver->Selección de personaje]]]
{
(set: $motherCompleted to true)
}
Decides no cogerlo.
(live:2s)[Ni siquiera eres la que está más cerca.]
(live:4s)[Cierras los ojos, disfrutas de tu último minuto de descanso y sientes que [alguien te toca el brazo]<cl1|.]
(click:?cl1)[[[Abres los ojos->Madre5]].]
"No sé a qué esperas para [pedírselo a tu madre]<cl1|, en serio. Es el mejor juego que he probado en mi vida".
(click: ?cl1)[Lo que él no sabe es que ya se lo pediste ayer. Y anteayer, y el día anterior. De pronto, vuelves a sentirte triste. Decides [[cambiar de tema->Niño3]].]
"Ya has dicho eso muchas veces antes de muchos otros juegos. [Todos]<cl1| han sido el mejor que has jugado nunca".
(click: ?cl1)["¿Y? No es mentira. Cada vez descubro [[juegos->Niño4]] mejores, así que sigue siendo válido que sean lo mejor que he probado nunca".]
Tu amigo vuelve a la pantalla. Tienes que sujetarlo de la capucha cuando pretende [cruzar sin mirar]<cl1| con el semáforo en rojo.
(click: ?cl1)[Ni siquiera aparta la vista de la pantalla para darte las gracias. [Musita]<cl2| nombres y números y cuenta con los dedos sin soltar el aparato.]
(click: ?cl2)[En este estado de total desconexión, podrías llevártelo a cualquier parte. Cogerlo del brazo, guiarlo hasta cualquier sitio [[y entonces->Niño5]].]
Entonces nada. Puede que sea mucho más alto y fuerte que tú, pero no deja de ser [otro mocoso de diez años]<cl0|.
(click:?cl0)[No podréis hacer la mayoría de cosas divertidas hasta dentro de mucho tiempo, piensas. Y para entonces es muy probable que [ya no seáis amigos]<cl1|.]
(click: ?cl1)[Ni siquiera tendrá que pasar nada grave entre vosotros. La mayoría de veces la gente se distancia y [termina por desaparecer]<cl2| sin hacer el más mínimo ruido.]
(click:?cl2)[Años después, un recuerdo lejano salta al primer plano. Una sonrisa nostálgica, y la carta vuelve a [un lugar indeterminado de la baraja]<cl3|.]
(click:?cl3)[Así es como te lo ha descrito tu padre tantas veces. No te encariñes demasiado con nadie, porque [de un momento a otro se irán sin decir adiós]<cl4|.]
(click:?cl4)[Sientes que no sería bueno que tú pensaras de esa manera.
(live:2s)[[[No aún->Niño6]], al menos.]]
La calle está casi desierta. (live:2s)[Casi siempre lo está a esta hora del día.]
(live:4s)[El semáforo se pone en verde.] (live:6s)[Tú también miras la pantalla, pero alguien os da un ligero empujón al pasar por vuestro lado.] (live:8s)[Comienzas a caminar [sin prestar atención]<cl1| a tu amigo.]
(click: ?cl1)[Cuando llegas a la otra acera, te das la vuelta y descubres que sigue [[exactamente igual que hace un minuto->Niño7]].]
No hay [ningún motivo]<cl1| para tener prisa.
(click:?cl1)[Es [viernes]<cl2|.]
(click:?cl2)[[No]<cl3| hay deberes.]
(click:?cl3)[Estarás solo en casa [[hasta las nueve->Niño8]].]
En cualquier caso, empiezas a cansarte de esperar, así que sueltas un bufido y [lo llamas por su nombre]<cl1|.
(click:?cl1)[Él ni siquiera levanta [[la vista->Niño9]].]
Entonces, ves –¿u oyes?– algo caer al suelo [y el incidente os golpea]<cl1|.
(click:?cl1)[Uno ya nunca recordará quién es. El otro ya nunca será.
(live:3s)[[[Volver->Selección de personaje]]]]
{
(set: $childCompleted to true)
}
<h1>***The Incident***</h1>
(live:2s)[[[English->EngSelection]]]
(live:2s)[[[Español->Selección de personaje]]]
{
(set: $childCompleted to false)
(set: $witnessCompleted to false)
(set: $motherCompleted to false)
(set: $assassinCompleted to false)
(set: $sickCompleted to false)
(set: $newmanCompleted to false)
(set: $comaCompleted to false)
(set: $sadCompleted to false)
(set: $avengerCompleted to false)
(set: $readerCompleted to false)
(set: $deadCompleted to false)
(set: $workerCompleted to false)
}
***El incidente***
Daniel F. Galeote
Trabajas en una fábrica, a mil kilómetros de todas partes.
(live:3s)[Te levantas temprano, trabajas en la fábrica y te vas a dormir.]
(live:6s)[El otro día hubo [un incidente]<cl2| en la fábrica.]
(click:?cl2)[Es el tercero en lo que va de año.
(live:3s)[[[Volver->Selección de personaje]]]]
{(set: $workerCompleted to true)}
Como suele decirse, y de hecho como suele ocurrir, [nada en aquella jovial tarde de otoño]<cl1| hacía presagiar lo que pasó.
(click:?cl1)[Estabas tumbado en la hamaca, consultando las noticias en el móvil y tomando [una limonada]<cl2| bien merecida.]
(click:?cl2)[Una limonada natural, un pequeño placer de la vida. Un zumo refrescante, ¿[[qué más->Testigo3]] se puede pedir?]
Mirabas más allá de [los edificios]<cl1|, hacia las montañas azules que hay más allá de la ciudad. Este domingo iréis, tu mujer y tú.
(click:?cl1)[[Mirabas]<cl2| los mismos edificios, masas compactas de ladrillo y hormigón y acero y vidrio.]
(click:?cl2)[Mirabas [aquí mismo]<cl3|, a diez metros de la terraza, abajo en la calle. Ventajas de vivir en un primero.]
(click:?cl3)[Dos niños esperaban a que cambiara el semáforo mirando [una misma pantalla]<cl4|.]
(click:?cl4)[Te acordaste de Pokémon.
(live:2s)[[[En fin->Testigo4]].]]
Dejaste el vaso sobre la mesa de la terraza. [Alguien llamaba]<cl1| a la puerta. No tenías ningún motivo para seguir mirando.
(click:?cl1)[No sabías por qué, pero tenías el presentimiento de que [no era tu pareja]<cl2|.]
(click:?cl2)[[Abriste]<cl3| la puerta.]
(click:?cl3)[[[Era->Testigo5]] tu pareja.]
Entonces, a tu espalda, tuvo lugar [el incidente]<cl1|.
(click:?cl1)[Sus consecuencias llegaron hasta tu terraza.
(live:2s)[Y [[ya no pudiste->Testigo6]] terminarte la limonada.]]
“Entiendo que todavía no estés preparado [para hablar de ello]<cl1|”, dice.
(click:?cl1)[Lo que no puedes contarle es que no tienes ningún sentimiento particular al respecto.
(live:3s)[No hay nada que meditar.]
(live:5s)[La mayoría de la gente no está haciendo grandes cosas cuando las golpea algo.]
(live:8s)[Simplemente [[estás triste->Testigo7]].]]
"Has sido [muy valiente]<cl1| al venir hasta aquí".
(click:?cl1)["[Ser testigo]<cl2| de aquello no debió de ser fácil".]
(click:?cl2)["Y sé [[lo que estás pensando->Testigo8]]".]
Podría haber sido peor.
(live:3s)[[[Volver->Selección de personaje]]]
{
(set: $witnessCompleted to true)
}
[Observas]<cl1| la tela de la hamaca, podrida por la humedad.
(click:?cl1)[Alguien que vino a la fiesta de anoche se ha dejado [[un vaso->Triste3]] encima de la mesa.]
Ha pasado más de un año. Algún día tendrás que [salir]<cl1|.
(click:?cl1)[Respiras hondo, abres la puerta corredera y te llevas el vaso de ahí.
(live:3s)[[[Volver->Selección de personaje]]]]
{
(set: $sadCompleted to true)
}
No sabes qué alumbra este pensamiento concreto, pero le das vueltas un par de veces antes de quitarte las gafas, frotarte los ojos y mirar por la ventana.
(live:3s)[Comienzan tus [[diez minutos->Madre3]] de descanso.]
Las ramas desnudas del árbol de fuera azotan suavemente [el cristal]<cl1|.
(click:?cl1)[El cristal es demasiado grueso para que el sonido lo traspase, así que permaneces ahí [observando]<cl2| en silencio.]
(click:?cl2)[Miras hacia el cielo, donde cuatro nubes viajan tranquilamente de lado a lado.
(live:2s)[Una fina columna de humo blanco se eleva con calma en la lejanía y se disipa antes de llegar a su altura.]
(live:3s)[Miras [[a tu alrededor->Madre4]], la mitad de los cubículos vacíos, la otra mitad llenos.]]
Suena un teléfono, pero la recepcionista no está.
(live:2s)[Puedes [[cogerlo]] o [[dejar que suene]].]
“Es para ti".
(live:3s)[[[Volver->Selección de personaje]]]
{
(set: $motherCompleted to true)
}
Caminas haciéndote el distraído. La mochila está colgada de tu hombro. Hace frío, pero [estás sudando]<cl1|.
(click:?cl1)[Nadie te ve. (live:1s)[Estás convencido de ello.] (live:3s)[El autobús estará a punto de girar la esquina.] (live:5s)[No hay motivos para echarse atrás.] (live:7s)[Es el momento perfecto.] (live:9s)[[[El proceso->Asesino3]] está en marcha y ya nada puede detenerlo.]]
Como has soñado miles de veces, te descuelgas la mochila y la lanzas con fuerza hacia [el tejado del edificio]<cl1|, tan solo dos plantas más arriba.
(click:?cl1)[Con suerte, derrumbará el techo del despacho del presidente. Y [él estará dentro]<cl2|.]
(click:?cl2)[[[Lo sabes->Asesino4]].]
Si alguien ha visto la mochila volando [hacia arriba]<cl1| desde dentro no habrá tenido tiempo ni de reconocer de qué se trata.
(click:?cl1)[La gente se alarma cuando ve [bultos]<cl2| cayendo, no al revés.]
(click:?cl2)[La mochila queda en la cornisa. Solo tiene que aguantar ahí [[un par de minutos->Asesino5]].]
El autobús aparece al final de la calle y subes. (live:2s)[Ni siquiera te sientas: tienes pensado bajar [[dos paradas más adelante->Asesino6]].]
Al poner un pie en el suelo, nada más llegar a tu destino, un leve retumbar [sacude el ambiente]<cl1|.
(click:?cl1)[Miras a tu alrededor: nadie parece haberse dado cuenta o darle ninguna importancia.
(live:3s)[Las puertas del autobús se cierran y el vehículo se aleja. [Nadie en su interior te recordará]<cl2|.]]
(click:?cl2)[Lo sabes.
(live:3s)[[[Volver->Selección de personaje]]]]
{
(set: $assassinCompleted to true)
}
Todavía no estás dispuesto a perdonarte –sabes que nunca lo estarás– pero sí comienzas a afrontar [lo que pasó]<cl1|.(click-replace:?cl1)[[lo que hiciste]<cl2|]
(click:?cl2)[[El incidente]<cl3| fue por tu culpa.]
(click:?cl3)[No había [razones]<cl4| para pensar que iba a salir así, pero lo hizo.]
(click:?cl4)[Las expectativas, los motivos y su ausencia, los puntos de vista. Nada de eso puede cambiar [los hechos]<cl5|.]
(click:?cl5)[Y los hechos apuntan directamente [[hacia ti->HombreNuevo3]].]
Tenías la esperanza de que algún grupo terrorista reivindicara la acción. (live:3s)[Por conveniencia, callarías.] (live:5s)[Pero [visto el resultado]<cl1|, eso jamás iba a pasar.]
(click:?cl1)[De todas formas, [nadie]<cl2| lo ha averiguado hasta ahora.]
(click:?cl2)[Nadie tiene [[pruebas o pistas->HombreNuevo4]] que te relacionen con ello.]
Terminas de escribir la segunda carta que esperas que pueda darte algo de paz, que ayude a restaurar una balanza que [[ya nunca estará equilibrada->HombreNuevo5]].
Sí, lo sabes.
(live:2s)[Pones el punto final, y [llaman a la puerta]<cl1|.]
(click:?cl1)[No hay ningún motivo para no [abrir]<cl2|.]
(click:?cl2)[[[Volver->Selección de personaje]]]
{
(set: $newmanCompleted to true)
}
{
(if: $childCompleted is false)[[[You are a ten-year-old kid.->Kid1]]]
(else:)[[[<strike>You are a ten-year-old kid.</strike>->Kid1]]]
}
{
(if: $witnessCompleted is false)[[[You are a witness.->Witness1]]](else:)[[[<strike>You are a witness.</strike>->Witness1]]]
}
{
(if: $motherCompleted is false)[[[You are a mother.->Mother1]]](else:)[[[<strike>You are a mother.</strike>->Mother1]]]
}
{
(if: $assassinCompleted is false)[[[You are a killer.->Killer1]]](else:)[[[<strike>You are a killer.</strike>->Killer1]]]
}
{
(if: $sickCompleted is false)[[[You are ill.->Ill1]]](else:)[[[<strike>You are ill.</strike>->Ill1]]]
}
{
(if: $motherCompleted is true and $newmanCompleted is false)[[[You are a new man.->NewMan1]]](if: $motherCompleted is true and $newmanCompleted is true)[[[<strike>You are a new man.</strike>->NewMan1]]]
}
{
(if: $assassinCompleted is true and $comaCompleted is false)[[[You are in a coma.->Coma_en1]]](if: $assassinCompleted is true and $comaCompleted is true)[[[<strike>You are in a coma.</strike>->Coma_en1]]]
}
{
(if: $sickCompleted is true and $sadCompleted is false)[[[You are sad.->Sad1]]](if: $sickCompleted is true and $sadCompleted is true)[[[<strike>You are sad.</strike>->Sad1]]]
}
{
(if: $sadCompleted is true and $workerCompleted is false)[[[You are a tireless worker.->Worker_en1]]](if: $sadCompleted is true and $workerCompleted is true)[[[<strike>You are a tireless worker.</strike>->Worker_en1]]]
}
{
(if: $newmanCompleted is true and $avengerCompleted is false)[[[You are an avenger.->Avenger1]]](if: $newmanCompleted is true and $avengerCompleted is true)[[[<strike>You are an avenger.</strike>->Avenger1]]]
}
{
(if: $avengerCompleted is true and $readerCompleted is false)[[[You are a reader.->Reader1]]](if: $avengerCompleted is true and $readerCompleted is true)[[[<strike>You are a reader.</strike>->Reader1]]]
}
{
(if: $readerCompleted is true and $deadCompleted is false)[[[You are dead.->Dead1]]](if: $readerCompleted is true and $deadCompleted is true)[[[<strike>You are dead.</strike>->Dead1]]]
}
{
(if: $deadCompleted is true and $childCompleted is true and $witnessCompleted is true)[[[Credits.->Credits_en]]]
}
En tu ensayo hablas de la fragilidad de la vida.
(live:2s)[Del valor relativo y engañoso de las expectativas.]
(live:4s)[Nada garantiza nuestro futuro.]
(live:6s)[No podemos prever los incidentes.]
(live:8s)[Al menos, los que son ajenos a nuestra voluntad.]
(live:10s)[No podemos evitarlos.]
(live:12s)[La mayoría de presentimientos son falsos.]
(live:14s)[[Atesora estos momentos.]<cl1|(stop:)](click-replace:?cl1)[<strike>Atesora estos momentos</strike>.
(live:2s)[Demasiado [[trillado->Lector3]].]]
¿Resulta razonable vivir con extrema precaución, conservando la vida lo máximo posible? (live:3s)[¿Es siquiera posible cambiar casi toda la libertad por algo más de seguridad,] (live:6s)[por mucho que consideres esta dicotomía] (live:8s)[una] (live:9s)[falacia] (live:10s)[absoluta[?]<cl1|]
(click:?cl1)[Terminas con una pregunta. Y entonces, [[atentamente->Lector4]].]
Vas a [mandar tu texto]<cl1|. Aunque sea lo último que hagas en esta vida que se te escapa día a día. Y ellos tendrán que publicarlo. La filosofía es la respuesta.
(click:?cl1)[Pero, tras deshojar el periódico entero, te das cuenta de que la dirección no viene escrita en ninguna parte.
(live:3s)[[[Volver->Selección de personaje]]]]
{
(set: $readerCompleted to true)
}
You stop typing and look at [your son]<cl1|'s picture.
(click:?cl1)[He likes [video games]<cl2|.]
(click:?cl2)[Almost nothing else that that[[.->Mother2]]]
Not many people know it, but on that same street are the headquarters of [those responsible for your disgrace]<cl1|.
(click:?cl1)[You don't have to be [a multinational]<cl2| to ruin one's life.]
(click:?cl2)[Their insignificance won't save them from [[your revenge->Killer2]].]
You are ill. Your illness is [deadly and incurable]<cl1|.
(click:?cl1)[They've put [an expiration date]<cl2| on you.]
(click:?cl2)[You have to tidy up your stuff, think how you're going to tell it to…
(live:1.5s)[[[Back->EngSelection]]]]
{
(set: $sickCompleted to true)
}
For the last year and a half, you've been [fighting]<cl1| yourself.
(click:?cl1)[Fate, misfortune, wrong decisions.
(live:3s)[That joke, the notion of divine [[justice->NewMan2]].]]
[You are in a coma]<cl1|.
(click:?cl1)[There isn't much more to say.]
(live:3s)[[[Volver->EngSelection]]]
{(set: $comaCompleted to true)}
At the moment, [you are sad]<cl1|.
(click:?cl1)[It happens [often]<cl2|, but you try not to worry others.]
(click:?cl2)[It happens every time you [[look out the window->Sad2]], because you no longer go out to the terrace.]
You work in a factory, a thousand kilometers away from everywhere.
(live:3s)[You wake up early, work in the factory and go to sleep.]
(live:6s)[The other day [an incident]<cl2| happened in the factory.]
(click:?cl2)[It's the third one this year.
(live:3s)[[[Back->EngSelection]]]]
{(set: $workerCompleted to true)}
He killed your child. [He is a murderer]<cl1|.{(click-replace:?cl1)[[He deserves to die]<cl2|](click-replace:?cl2)[[He has to die]<cl3|](click-replace:?cl3)[[He must die]<cl4|]}
(click:?cl4)[[Are you doubting?]<cl5|]
(click:?cl5)[No. There's no reason to doubt.
(live:2s)[You knock on the door.]
(live:4s)[[[Back->EngSelection]]]]
{
(set: $avengerCompleted to true)
}
You don't usually write letters to the editor, but this issue has sparked various ideas that have been haunting you for long.
(live:4s)[You do not know if they continue to accept typewritten essays, but it's all you have.]
(live:6s)[You start praying for the poor kid] (live:8s)[–¡[for both]<cl1|!]
(click:?cl1)[[You can't remember]<cl2| if there were more victims, but they're not that important for what you want to expose.]
(click:?cl2)[You decide to deal with [[the topic->Reader2]] by writing in a way that doesn't make it obvious –if you're aware of other deaths or not.]
You are dead.
[[Like everybody is or will be->EngSelection]].
{
(set: $deadCompleted to true)
}
***The Incident***
Daniel F. Galeote
"This team I've put together is invincible, [man]<cl1|."
(click: ?cl1)[It's your best friend who talks. He has all the games in the world, and you [[envy him->Kid2]] for it.]
You were only a [passerby]<cl1|.
(click:?cl1)[Correction: [not even]<cl2| a passerby.]
(click:?cl2)[You saw [it all]<cl3| from your terrace.]
(click:?cl3)[[[The incident->Witness2]], you mean.]
"I don't know what are you waiting for to [ask your mother]<cl1|, seriously. It's the best game I've played in my life."
(click: ?cl1)[What he doesn't know is that you already asked her for it yesterday. And the day before yesterday, and the day before. Suddenly, you feel sad again. You decide to [[change the subject->Kid3]].]
"You've said that about a bunch of other games before. [All of them]<cl1| were the best you'd ever played."
(click: ?cl1)["So? I wasn't lying. I'm always discovering better [[games->Kid4]], so it's still true that they are the best I've ever played."]
Your friend gets back to the screen. You have to grab him from the hood when he tries to [cross without looking]<cl1| at the stoplight.
(click: ?cl1)[He can't even stop looking at the screen to thank you. [He mutters]<cl2| names and numbers and counts with his fingers without setting the device aside.]
(click: ?cl2)[In this state of absolute disconnection, you could take him anywhere. Grab his arm, lead him to some place [[and then->Kid5]].]
Then nothing. He might be much taaller and stronger than you, but he's still [another ten-year-old punk]<cl0|.
(click:?cl0)[You won't be able to do most funny things until many years from now, you think. And when the moment arrives, it's very likely that [you won't be friends anymore]<cl1|.]
(click: ?cl1)[There won't even happen anything serious between you, probably. People grow apart and [eventually disappear]<cl2| quietly.]
(click:?cl2)[Years later, a distant memory jumps to the front page. A nostalgic smile, and the card goes back to an [unspecified location in the deck]<cl3|.]
(click:?cl3)[That's how it's been described many times by your father. Don't become too fond of anyone, because [any minute now they'll leave without saying goodbye]<cl4|.]
(click:?cl4)[You feel you souldn't be thinking like that.
(live:2s)[[[Not yet->Kid6]], at least.]]
The street is almost deserted. (live:2s)[At this time of day, it's always like this.]
(live:4s)[The light turns green.] (live:6s)[You look at the screen too, but somebody pushes you lightly when they pass you by.] (live:8s)[You start walking [without paying too much attention]<cl1| to your friend.]
(click: ?cl1)[When you reach the other side, you turn around and discover that he's [[exactly like a minute ago->Kid7]].]
There's [no reason]<cl1| to hurry.
(click:?cl1)[It's [friday]<cl2|.]
(click:?cl2)[[No]<cl3| homework.]
(click:?cl3)[You'll be alone at home [[until nine->Kid8]].]
Anyway, you start to get tired of waiting, so you let out a snort and [call him by his name]<cl1|.
(click:?cl1)[He doesn't even [[look up->Kid9]].]
Then, you see –or hear?– something fall to the ground [and the incident hits you]<cl1|.
(click:?cl1)[One will never remember who he is. The other one will never be.
(live:3s)[[[Back->EngSelection]]]]
{
(set: $childCompleted to true)
}
As they say, and indeed as usual, [nothing in that jovial autumn afternoon]<cl1| portended what was coming.
(click:?cl1)[You were lying in the hammock, checking the news on the phone and drinking [a well deserved lemonade]<cl2|.]
(click:?cl2)[A natural lemonade, a small pleasure of life. A refreshing juice, [[what else->Witness3]] can one ask for?]
You were looking beyond [the buildings]<cl1|, towards the blue mountains beyond the city. This sunday you'll go, your wife and you.
(click:?cl1)[[You were looking]<cl2| at the buildings themselves, compact masses of bricks and concrete and steel and glass.]
(click:?cl2)[You were looking [right here]<cl3|, ten meters from the terrace, down on the street. Advantages of living on the first floor.]
(click:?cl3)[Two kids were waiting for the traffic light to change looking [at the same screen]<cl4|.]
(click:?cl4)[You remembered Pokémon.
(live:2s)[[[Anyway->Witness4]].]]
You left the glass on the table. [Somebody was ringing]<cl1| the bell. You had no reason to keep looking.
(click:?cl1)[You didn't know why, but you had the feeling that [it wasn't your partner]<cl2|.]
(click:?cl2)[[You opened]<cl3| the door.]
(click:?cl3)[[[It was->Witness5]] your partner.]
Then, behind you, [the incident]<cl1| happened.
(click:?cl1)[Its consequences reached your terrace.
(live:2s)[And [[you couldn't->Witness6]] finish your lemonade.]]
“I'll understand if you're not ready [to talk about it]<cl1|,” she says.
(click:?cl1)[What you can't tell her is that you don't have any particular feeling about it.
(live:3s)[There's nothing to meditate.]
(live:5s)[Most people aren't doing big things when something hits them.]
(live:8s)[You [[are just sad->Witness7]].]]
"You've been [very brave]<cl1| by coming here."
(click:?cl1)["[Witnessing]<cl2| that surely wasn't easy."]
(click:?cl2)["And I know [[what you're thinking->Witness8]]."]
It could have been worse.
(live:3s)[[[Back->EngSelection]]]
{
(set: $witnessCompleted to true)
}
[You observe]<cl1| the fabric of the hammock, rotten by humidity.
(click:?cl1)[Someone who came to the party last night left [[a glass->Sad3]] on the table.]
It's been over a year. Someday you'll have to [go out]<cl1|.
(click:?cl1)[You take a deep breath, you open the sliding door and take the glass away.
(live:3s)[[[Back->EngSelection]]]]
{
(set: $sadCompleted to true)
}
You don't know what illuminates this particular thought, but you think of it for a while before taking off your glasses, rubbing your eyes and looking out the window.
(live:3s)[Your [[ten-minute->Mother3]] break starts.]
The bare branches of the tree outside gently spank [the glass]<cl1|.
(click:?cl1)[The glass is too thick for the sound to be heard from your side, so you stay there [watching]<cl2| in silence.]
(click:?cl2)[You look to the sky, four clouds quietly traveling from side to side.
(live:2s)[A thin column of white smoke rises calmly in the distance and dissipates before reaching their height.]
(live:3s)[You look [[around->Mother4]], half of the cubicles empty, half full.]]
A telephone rings, but the receptionist isn't there.
(live:2s)[You can [[pick it up]] or [[let it ring]].]
They're asking about you.
(live:2s)[No one had called you to work before.]
(live:4s)[And much less to say something like that.]
(live:7s)[[[Back->EngSelection]]]
{
(set: $motherCompleted to true)
}
You decide not to pick it up.
(live:2s)[You're not even the closest person to it.]
(live:4s)[You close your eyes, enjoy your last minute of rest and feel [someone touching your arm]<cl1|.]
(click:?cl1)[[[You open your eyes->Mother5]].]
“It's for you."
(live:3s)[[[Back->EngSelection]]]
{
(set: $motherCompleted to true)
}
You walk acting like you're distracted. The backpack is hanging from your shoulder. It's cold, but [you're sweating]<cl1|.
(click:?cl1)[No one sees you. (live:1s)[You're convinced.] (live:3s)[The bus is about to turn the corner.] (live:5s)[There is no reason to turn back.] (live:7s)[It's the perfect time.] (live:9s)[[[The process->Killer3]] has started and nothing can stop it.]]
As you've dreamed a thousand times, you hold the backpack and throw it hard to [the roof of the building]<cl1|, just two floors above.
(click:?cl1)[With some luck, the roof of the president's office will collapse. And [he'll be inside]<cl2|.]
(click:?cl2)[[[You know it->Killer4]].]
If anyone has seen the backpack flying [up]<cl1| from inside the building, they won't have had time to identify what it is.
(click:?cl1)[People become startled when they see [bulges]<cl2| falling, not vice versa.]
(click:?cl2)[The backpack lands on the ledge. It just has to hang in there [[for a couple of minutes->Killer5]].]
The bus appears in the end of the street and you get on it. (live:2s)[You don't even take a seat: you plan to get off [[two stops later->Killer6]].]
The moment you touch the ground, when you've just arrived at your destination, a slight rumble [shakes the air]<cl1|.
(click:?cl1)[You look around: nobody seems to have noticed or care.
(live:3s)[The bus doors close and the vehicle goes away. [No one inside will remember you]<cl2|.]]
(click:?cl2)[You know it.
(live:3s)[[[Back->EngSelection]]]]
{
(set: $assassinCompleted to true)
}
You're not ready to forgive yourself yet –you know you'll never be– but you do start to face [what happened]<cl1|.(click-replace:?cl1)[[what you did]<cl2|]
(click:?cl2)[[The incident]<cl3| was your fault.]
(click:?cl3)[There was no [reason]<cl4| to believe it would end like this, but it did.]
(click:?cl4)[Expectations, motives and the absence of them, points of view. None of that can change the [facts]<cl5|.]
(click:?cl5)[And the facts point directly [[to you->NewMan3]].]
You hoped that some terrorist group would claim the action. (live:3s)[Conveniently, you'd remain silent.] (live:5s)[But [given the results]<cl1|, that would never happen.]
(click:?cl1)[Anyway, [no one]<cl2| has figured it out for now.]
(click:?cl2)[No one has [[evidence or clues->NewMan4]] linking you with it.]
You end writing the second letter which you hope will give you some peace, which will help restore a balance which [[will never be well-adjusted->NewMan5]].
Yes, you know it.
(live:2s)[You put an end to the letter and [someone knocks on the door]<cl1|.]
(click:?cl1)[There's no reason not to [open]<cl2|.]
(click:?cl2)[[[Back->EngSelection]]]
{
(set: $newmanCompleted to true)
}
In your essay you talk about the fragility of life.
(live:2s)[About the relative and misleading value of expectations.]
(live:4s)[Nothing guarantees our future.]
(live:6s)[We can not foresee incidents.]
(live:8s)[At least those that are beyond our will.]
(live:10s)[We can not avoid them.]
(live:12s)[Most premonitions are false.]
(live:14s)[[Cherish these moments.]<cl1|(stop:)](click-replace:?cl1)[<strike>Cherish these moments</strike>.
(live:2s)[Too [[trite->Reader3]].]]
Is it reasonable to live with extreme caution, preserving life as much as possible? (live:3s)[Is it even possible to exchange almost all freedom for some more security,] (live:6s)[as much as you consider this dichotomy] (live:8s)[an] (live:9s)[absolute] (live:10s)[fallacy[?]<cl1|]
(click:?cl1)[You end with a question. And then, [[faithfully yours->Reader4]].]
You will [send your text]<cl1|. Even if it's the last thing you do in this life that you're losing every day. And they'll have to publish it. Philosophy is the answer.
(click:?cl1)[But after tearing the pages out of the newspaper, you realize that the address is not written anywhere.
(live:3s)[[[Back->EngSelection]]]]
{
(set: $readerCompleted to true)
}
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