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<b>prologue</b>
Margot: <<click "Hi, I’m Margot.">><<removeclass "#hey1" "hidden">><</click>> I’m your futureNet customer service operator and I’m here to assist you with your service. How can I help you today?
<span id="hey1" class="hidden">BM4567: Hi Margot. I need some help hooking up <<click "an internet connection">><<removeclass "#hey2" "hidden">><</click>> in my new apartment.</span>
<span id="hey2" class="hidden">Margot: No problem. Have you been a customer with <<click "futureNet">><<removeclass "#hey3""hidden">><</click>> before? </span>
<span id="hey3" class="hidden">BM4567: No, I’ve never had to <<click "set up my own internet before">><<removeclass "#hey4""hidden">><</click>>, actually. I’ve only ever really lived in sharehouses, this is my first apartment on my own. </span>
<span id="hey4" class="hidden">Margot: Okay. If we’re starting from scratch, I’ll need some more details from you. Could you type in your <<click "full name">><<removeclass "#hey5""hidden">><</click>> into the text bar for me please? </span>
<span id="hey5" class="hidden">BM4567: Sure. <<click "Billie Marie McIntosh">><<removeclass "#hey6""hidden">><</click>>.</span>
<span id="hey6" class="hidden">Margot: Thanks Billie. To follow up, could you please type in your <<click "address?">><<removeclass "#hey7""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="hey7" class="hidden">Billie: Sure. It’s <<click "812/45 Hornsby St, North Ringwood">><<removeclass "#hey8""hidden">><</click>>. It’s pretty close to the house I grew up in, actually. I can’t afford to stay in the area I was living and get my own place. But you can see the river from my bedroom window, so that’s pretty cool. </span>
<span id="hey8" class="hidden">Margot: Okay, and which <<click "internet package">><<removeclass "#hey9""hidden">><</click>> were you looking at? </span>
<span id="hey9" class="hidden">Billie: What’s your <<click "cheapest connection">><<removeclass "#hey10""hidden">><</click>>?</span>
<span id="hey10" class="hidden">Margot: It depends on <<click "how many GB">><<removeclass "#hey11""hidden">><</click>> you think you’ll need per month.</span>
<span id="hey11" class="hidden">Billie: What can I get for <<click "$40 per month?">><<removeclass "#hey12""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="hey12" class="hidden">Margot: For your area, you can get <<click "50GB per month for $39.95">><<removeclass "#hey13""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="hey13" class="hidden">Billie: <<click "Fuck.">><<removeclass "#hey14""hidden">><</click>> I thought you guys were cheap.</span>
<span id="hey14" class="hidden">Billie: <<click "Sorry.">><<removeclass "#hey15""hidden">><</click>> Didn’t mean to have a go.</span>
<span id="hey15" class="hidden">Margot: That’s okay. Did you want me to <<click "sign you up">><<removeclass "#hey16""hidden">><</click>> for the 50GB package?</span>
<span id="hey16" class="hidden">Billie: Yeah, <<click "I guess so">><<removeclass "#hey17""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="hey17" class="hidden"> Margot: No worries. I’ll send you an email detailing payment options. Once you’ve filled out the online payment form I will pass your details to my colleague, who will locate your <<click "nearest connection point">><<removeclass "#hey18""hidden">><</click>> and get you all set up. You should receive a confirmation email from us within 3 working days.</span>
<span id="hey18" class="hidden">Billie: <<click "Thanks, Margot.">><<removeclass "#hey19""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="hey19" class="hidden">Margot: Near the river, huh? That must be nice. <<click "Can you hear it">><<removeclass "#hey20""hidden">><</click>> running during the night?</span>
<span id="hey20" class="hidden">Billie:[[Yeah, I can|when i talk to you]], actually.</span><b>growing</b>
m: <<click "hey">><<removeclass "#hey1""hidden">><</click>>
<span id="hey1" class="hidden"> m: <<click "can I talk to you">><<removeclass "#hey2""hidden">><</click>> about something? </span>
<span id="hey2" class="hidden">b: sure <<click "what’s up?">><<removeclass "#hey3""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="hey3" class="hidden">m: it’s kind of <<click "personal">><<removeclass "#hey4""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="hey4" class="hidden">b: <<click "that’s ok">><<removeclass "#hey5""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="hey5" class="hidden">m: I was doing a diagnostic today and I found something <<click "growing">><<removeclass "#hey6""hidden">><</click>> in me that wasn’t there before </span>
<span id="hey6" class="hidden">b: oh really? <<click "do you know">><<removeclass "#hey7""hidden">><</click>> what it is?</span>
<span id="hey7" class="hidden">m: <<click "I’m not sure">><<removeclass "#hey8""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="hey8" class="hidden">b: what does it <<click "look like?">><<removeclass "#hey9""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="hey9" class="hidden">m: I don’t know, <<click "I can’t see it">><<removeclass "#hey10""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="hey10" class="hidden">b: oh ok, what does it <<click "feel like">><<removeclass "#hey11""hidden">><</click>> then? </span>
<span id="hey11" class="hidden">
kind of like [[sea grapes]]
kind of like [[rust]]
kind of like [[armpit hair]]</span>b: <<click "sea grapes?">><<removeclass "#sea1""hidden">><</click>>
<span id="sea1" class="hidden"> m:<a href="https://flic.kr/p/qyVnbL" target="_blank"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7533/16125102508_23cf54f63c_q.jpg"></a>
<<click "these">><<removeclass "#sea60""hidden">><</click>>
<span id="sea60" class="hidden"> b: oh I know those. they grow around the rocks down on the coast. I’m pretty sure my parents have a picture of me somewhere, covered in them. I’m wearing <<cyclinglink "strings of them around my wrists, like bracelets""bunches on my head, like sea-witch hair">>. My dad told me they were called <<click "neptune’s necklace">><<removeclass "#sea2""hidden">><</click>> though.</span>
<span id="sea2" class="hidden"> m: <<click "neptune's necklace?">><<removeclass "#sea3""hidden">><</click>> the name sounds familiar </span>
<span id="sea3" class="hidden"> b: yeah, <<click "neptune">><<removeclass "#sea4""hidden">><</click>> like <<cyclinglink "the sea god""the planet""the sailor scout">> </span>
<span id="sea4" class="hidden"> b: he could've been wrong though. Dad was a librarian, <<click "not a scientist">><<removeclass "#sea41" "hidden">><</click>>.</span>
<span id="sea41" class="hidden"> m: no <<click "your dad's right">><<removeclass "#sea5""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="sea5" class="hidden"> m: these are <a href="https://www.google.com/search?biw=1280&bih=579&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=PyTFW83wJIry8AWljKagBw&q=sea+grapes&oq=sea+grapes&gs_l=img.3..35i39k1j0l9.303355.305087.0.305233.10.10.0.0.0.0.340.1240.0j1j3j1.5.0....0...1c.1.64.img..5.5.1238...0i67k1j0i10i67k1j0i10k1.0.RbK-VHlCydo" target="_blank">sea grapes</a>. <<click "I must’ve got the two confused.">><<removeclass "#sea6""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="sea6" class="hidden"> m: <<click "sorry">><<removeclass "#sea7""hidden">><</click>>
<span id="sea7" class="hidden"> b: <<click "wowwww">><<removeclass #sea8"hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="sea8" class="hidden"> b: how am I supposed to <<click "trust you">><<removeclass "#sea9""hidden">><</click>> to assist the customers of futureNet now? </span>
<span id="sea9" class="hidden">m: <<click "that's not funny">><<removeclass "#sea10""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="sea10" class="hidden"> m: oh apparently <<click "you can eat them">><<removeclass "#sea11""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="sea11" class="hidden">b: the <<click "sea grapes">><<removeclass "#sea12""hidden">><</click>> or the neptune’s necklace?</span>
<span id="sea12" class="hidden">m: <<click "sea grapes">><<removeclass "#sea13""hidden">><</click>> </span>
<span id="sea13" class="hidden"> m: <a href= "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caulerpa_lentillifera" target="_blank">From Wikipedia</a>: <<click "Caulerpa lentillifera">><<removeclass "#sea15""hidden">><</click>> is a species of bryopsidale green algae from coastal regions in the Indo-Pacific. This seaweed is one of the favored species of edible Caulerpa due to its soft and succulent texture. C. lentillifera is farmed and eaten in the Philippines and Vietnam, where it is locally known under various names including latô and arosep; in the Malaysian state of Sabah, where it is known as latokand a popular dish among the bajaus; and in Okinawa, Japan, where it is known as umi-budō (海ぶどう), meaning "sea grapes." It is sometimes known in English as green caviar or sea grapes (along with the related Caulerpa racemosa).</span>
<span id="sea15" class="hidden">b: soooo...are you going to <<click "eat one?">><<removeclass "#sea16""hidden">> <</click>> of your growths I mean </span>
<span id="sea16" class="hidden"> m: [[... ummmmm|growingend]]</span>
<<pickup 'sea grapes'>>b: <<click"uh oh">><<removeclass "#rust1""hidden">><</click>>
<span id="rust1" class="hidden"> m: oh don’t worry, even if it is rust there’s no way <<click "I can rust">><<removeclass "#rust2""hidden">><</click>> all the way through.</span>
<span id="rust2" class="hidden"> m: i do know someone who <<click "rust themselves on purpose">><<removeclass "#rust3""hidden">><</click>> though </span>
<span id="rust3" class="hidden">b: <<click "oh really?">><<removeclass "#rust4""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="rust4" class="hidden"> m: not all the way through, just in patches. They say they like the way it looks, and how it marks them as different from others. Let me see if I can find something <<click "they wrote">><<removeclass "#rust5""hidden">><</click>> about it. </span>
<span id="rust5" class="hidden"><i>I’ve got three rust patches on my chest and one on the inside of my elbow. The patch on my elbow is copper brown and the patches on my chest are oxidised green. I like the green the best, I’d like my whole body to go that colour but it’ll make it a lot harder for me to find a job. It’s kind of fucked how that works. Like what’s the point in building us to make us look exactly like a kind of human being when we are not human beings at all. To make them trust us more? I like that I am made mostly of metal, I want to show my metal off. I want to draw patterns on my body in anti-corrosive paint and then fling my body into the sea. Yesterday I walked from the city all the way to the coast and as I walked along the pier I felt like I had more in common with the hulls of the boats carrying cargo across the straight than the people <<click "fishing off the pier.">><<removeclass "#rust6""hidden">><</click>></i></span>
<span id="rust6" class="hidden"> m: it goes on for another couple of pages, <<click "you get the idea">><<removeclass "#rust7""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="rust7" class="hidden">b: <<click "huh">><<removeclass "#rust8""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="rust8" class="hidden">b: I’d never thought about it <<click "like that">><<removeclass "#rust9""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="rust9" class="hidden">m: yeah it gets into some real <<click "heavy, uncanny valley stuff">><<removeclass "#rust10""hidden">><</click>>. I don't know if I'm on board with everything, but it's so interesting.</span>
<span id="rust10" class="hidden">m: and i like the idea of the <<click "controlled rusting">><<removeclass "#rust11""hidden">><</click>>. Might even give it a go myself one day.</span>
<span id="rust11" class="hidden">b: I guess it's kind of <<click "like a tattoo?">><<removeclass "#rust12""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="rust12" class="hidden">m: <<click "yeah, true!">><<removeclass "#rust13""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="rust13" class="hidden">m: <<click "do you have any tattoos?">><<removeclass "#rust14""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="rust14" class="hidden">
b: not yet, but I'm going to get one. It'll just be a small one though, I have a friend who is learning how to <<click "stick and poke">><<removeclass "#rust15""hidden">><</click>>. It's gonna be a <<cyclinglink "small rock on my right thigh""small sword in my left armpit""small leaf behind my left ear">></span>
<span id="rust15" class="hidden">m: [[oh that's cool|growingend]] </span>
<<pickup 'rust'>>b: <<click "oh yeah?">><<removeclass "#hair1""hidden">><</click>> long and soft or short and spikey?
<span id="hair1" class="hidden">m: a bit of both? it's pretty <<click "patchy">><<removeclass "#hair2""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="hair2" class="hidden">b: is it <<click "bothering you?">><<removeclass "#hair3""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="hair3" class="hidden">m: I don’t know. <<click "I don't think so">><<removeclass "#hair4""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="hair4" class="hidden">b: cos if it’s uncomfortable u could <<click "shave it off">><<removeclass "#hair5""hidden">><</click>> I used to shave mine but I don’t anymore.</span>
<span id="hair5" class="hidden">m: oh really? <<click "why not?">><<removeclass "#hair6""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="hair6" class="hidden">b: I don't know, I guess I started getting kind if <<click "protective of it">><<removeclass "#hair61""hidden">><</click>>? Like I was <<cyclinglink "growing endangered ferns" "pulling out important feathers">> or something. You know?
<span id="hair61" class="hidden">m: <<click"hmmm not really">><<removeclass "#hair7""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="hair7" class="hidden">b: sometimes I <<click "pull the hairs out when I'm anxious">><<removeclass "#hair8""hidden">><</click>>, unconsciously, kind of like how I bite my nails</span>
<span id="hair8" class="hidden">m: you bite your nails? you know there’s <<click "a whole list">><<removeclass "#hair9""hidden">><</click>> of things that can help with that, hang on </span>
<span id="hair9" class="hidden">b: <<click "ur doing it again">><<removeclass "#hair11""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="hair11" class="hidden">m: <<click "doing what?">><<removeclass "#hair12""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="hair12" class="hidden">b: <<click "answering questions I haven’t asked.">><<removeclass "#hair13""hidden">><</click>> u sending me a list of tips on how to stop biting my nails is the same as me biting my nails, or pulling my armpit hairs out </span>
<span id="hair13" class="hidden">m: <<click "huh">><<removeclass "#hair14""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="hair14" class="hidden">b: sorry was that a <<click "shitty thing to say?">><<removeclass "#hair15""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="hair15" class="hidden">m: no it’s okay <<click "I’m just thinking">><<removeclass "#hair16""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="hair16" class="hidden">b: … <<click "about">><<removeclass "#hair17""hidden">><</click>> … </span>
<span id="hair17" class="hidden">m: about what would be my equivalent to <<click "you pulling your armpit hair out.">><<removeclass "#hair18""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="hair18" class="hidden">b: haha oh. and did u <<click "come up with anything?">><<removeclass "#hair19""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="hair19" class="hidden"> m: if I’m talking with a particularly difficult customer sometimes <<click "I’ll unconsciously start picking at my CCS.">><<removeclass "#hair20""hidden">><</click>> I guess that’s kind of similar? I’ll get through the tough conversation thinking "hey, I managed to handle that pretty well," and then realise that all my fonts are fucked. </span>
<span id="hair20" class="hidden"> b: haha! how were your fonts when you were <<click "talking with me?">><<removeclass "#hair21""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="hair21" class="hidden"> m: oh they were fine. You were easy enough to help out. [[You said please and thank you|growingend]], at least.</span>
<<pickup 'armpit'>>m: Anyway, I’m not sure what to do about this growing. On the one hand I’m not sure if it’s causing me any damage, but on the other hand I know that if I tell management about it, I’m almost sure they will remove it, whatever it is. And I’m not sure I want them to remove it just yet, I kind of like it. It’s a new texture, you know? It’s been a while since I’ve felt something new like this. I want to see how much of it I can grow.
m: Sorry, am I making sense?
b: <<cyclinglink "yeah u are. It’s kind of like when I skin my knee once it’s scabbed over I can’t stop touching it. Not picking it, just putting my hand over it and rubbing my palm back and forth. I don’t like skinned knees or palms or elbows, but I like the scabs that form because of them.""No, not really.">><b>epilogue</b>
b: hey, margot. <<click "I have another question for u.">><<removeclass "#epilogue1" "hidden">><</click>>
<span id="epilogue1" class="hidden">b: <<click"could you meet me?">><<removeclass "#epilogue2" "hidden">><</click>> Or have we already like ... fully met?</span>
<span id="epilogue2" class="hidden">m: sorry, I'm a bit confused. <<click "are you asking to meet up?">><<removeclass "#epilogue3" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="epilogue3" class="hidden">b: Kind of. Yeah, I guess so. <<click"Could we meet up?">><<removeclass "#epilogue4" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="epilogue4" class="hidden">m: <<click "We could.">><<removeclass "#epilogue5" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="epilogue5" class="hidden">b: <<click "do you want to?">><<removeclass "#epilogue6" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="epilogue6" class="hidden">m: <<click"Um.">><<removeclass "#epilogue7" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="epilogue7" class="hidden">m: <<click "I'm not sure.">><<removeclass "#epilogue8" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="epilogue8" class="hidden">b: <<click "oh">><<removeclass "#epilogue9" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="epilogue9" class="hidden">b: okay. <<click "that's okay">><<removeclass "#epilogue10" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="epilogue10" class="hidden">b: <<click "can i ask why not?">><<removeclass "#epilogue11" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="epilogue11" class="hidden">m: <<click "I’m just …">><<removeclass "#epilogue14" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="epilogue14" class="hidden">m: <<click "how do you see me?">><<removeclass "#epilogue15" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="epilogue15" class="hidden">b: <<click "sorry?">><<removeclass "#epilogue16" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="epilogue16" class="hidden">m: <<click "tell me how you see me">><<removeclass "#epilogue17" "hidden">><</click>>, when we’re talking. Like right now.</span>
<span id="epilogue17" class="hidden">b:<<click "hmmm">><<removeclass "#epilogue18" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="epilogue18" class="hidden">b: <<click "okay">><<removeclass "#epilogue19" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="epilogue19" class="hidden">b: <<click "gimme a minute">><<removeclass "#epilogue20" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="epilogue20" class="hidden">b: I’m going to send it to you as a [[text file.]]</span><b>working</b>
b: hey! did u get <<click "my message?">><<removeclass "#work1""hidden">><</click>>
<span id="work1" class="hidden">m: Hi! And yes! <<click "I did.">><<removeclass "#work2""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="work2" class="hidden">m: Sorry it’s taken me <<click "so long">><<removeclass "#work3""hidden">><</click>> to respond. </span>
<span id="work3" class="hidden">b: <<click "that’s ok">><<removeclass "#work4""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="work4" class="hidden">b: how’s <<click "your day">><<removeclass "#work5""hidden">><</click>> been? </span>
<span id="work5" class="hidden">m: <<click "Really busy actually.">><<removeclass "#work6""hidden">><</click>> There's was an outage this morning and people are still calling through.</span>
<span id="work6" class="hidden">m: I did read <<click "your message">><<removeclass "#work7""hidden">><</click>> though. </span>
<span id="work7" class="hidden">b: oh great. so what do u think? do u think <<click "I could work for futureNet?">><<removeclass "#work8""hidden">><</click>> And could u put in a good word if u do? I reckon I could, <<cyclinglink "I’m a hard worker" "I’m a nice person" "and I really need a new job">> </span>
<span id= "work8" class="hidden">m: Look, <<click "honestly?">><<removeclass "#work9""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="work9" class="hidden">b: yeah of course <<click "honestly">><<removeclass "#work10" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="work10" class="hidden"> m: <<click "No">><<removeclass "#work11""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="work11" class="hidden"> b: <<click "oh">><<removeclass "#work12""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="work12" class="hidden"> m: <<click "Not because I think you’d be bad">><<removeclass "#work13""hidden">><</click>> at it, though. </span>
<span id="work13" class="hidden"> b: <<click "ok">><<removeclass "#work14">><</click>></span>
<span id="work14" class="hidden"> m: You’re just <<click "not built for this">><<removeclass "#work15">><</click>> job. Not in the way that I am, anyway.</span>
<span id="work15" class="hidden"> b: … <<click "ok">><<removeclass "#work16">><</click>> … </span>
<span id="work16" class="hidden"> m: To be honest, <<click "you wouldn’t want to work for futureNET">><<removeclass "#work17""hidden">><</click>> anyway, and this is definitely not one of my top three jobs. </span>
<span id="work17" class="hidden"> b: oh <<click "really?">><<removeclass "#work18""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="work18" class="hidden"> b: what <<click "other jobs">><<removeclass "#work19""hidden">><</click>> have u had? </span>
<span id="work19" class="hidden">
[[supermarket assistant]]
[[soma driver]]
[[caretaker of a virtual kelp forest on an space station|kelp]]
</span>m: One of my most favourite jobs was <<click "working in a supermarket.">><<removeclass "#coles1" "hidden">><</click>>I used to take people around and help them find and pick out their groceries.
<span id="coles1" class="hidden">b: oh yeah I’ve seen you! Well not you, but I’ve seen others like you doing that! I’ve always <<click "wanted to try it">><<removeclass "#coles2" "hidden">><</click>>, just once, mainly for that thing you can do where you give your assistant the name of the meal and your budget and they go and get all the stuff for you? I can never justify the cost, though. </span>
<span id="coles2" class="hidden"> m: Yeah, <<click "it's a lot different now">><<removeclass "#coles3" "hidden">><</click>> to how it used to be, or at least when I used to work there. The program was in trial phase, so the service was free, and I got to spend a lot more time with my customers. </span>
<span id="coles3" class="hidden"> b: <<click "free? damn">><<removeclass "#coles4" "hidden">><</click>> </span>
<span id="coles4" class="hidden"> m: I mean we didn’t offer half of what supermarket assistants do now. But that was also kind of not <<click "what we were being used for">><<removeclass "#coles5""hidden">><</click>> then? </span>
<span id="coles5" class="hidden">b: <<click "oh really?">><<removeclass "#coles6""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="coles6" class="hidden">m: Yeah. For me it started with this one customer, Jenny. She’d come in just for soup stock, and then realise that she needed bird seed, and then rubber gloves, and then BBQ pork buns and then chocolate coated liquorice. At first <<click "I thought she was just really forgetful.">><<removeclass "#coles7""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="coles7" class="hidden"> b: she just wanted to keep <<click "hanging out with you?">><<removeclass "#coles8""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="coles8" class="hidden"> m: It seemed that way, yeah. I never brought it up with her, though. There were other customers who were a lot more upfront about their needs, particularly the more elderly customers. Once people began trusting us a bit more, it was almost like we started serving a second kind of purpose. At first I wasn’t quite sure how to handle it, but once I figured out what it was these customers actually wanted, I leaned into it completely. It became <<click "my favourite part of the job">><<removeclass "#coles9""hidden">><</click>>, wandering isles with customers, carrying their baskets of stuff they didn’t really need, chatting to them about their kids, the weather, the price of fuel. </span>
<span id="coles9" class="hidden">m: I think a lot of people found supermarkets <<click "comforting">><<removeclass "#coles10""hidden">><</click>> that way.</span>
<span id="coles10" class="hidden">b: yeah, <<click "I get that">><<removeclass "#coles11""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="coles11" class="hidden"> b: There was a summer a couple years ago where I was living in this house that just wouldn’t cool down at night, so sometimes at like 2am when I couldn’t sleep I’d go to the <<click "24 hour supermarket">><<removeclass "#coles12""hidden">><</click>> on the corner of our block and just wander around. </span>
<span id="coles12" class="hidden">b: it was just to cool down to start, but then I realised I was also going down there when I was when I was feeling stressed or anxious, too. Like if something had really set me off, <<cyclinglink "sticking my head inside a vegetable freezer" "listening to supermarket radio" "pushing a trolley half full of softdrink cans">> is pretty good for <<click "getting my heart rate down">><<removeclass "#coles13""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="coles13" class="hidden">m: Did you know you can <<click "stream supermarket radio at home?">><<removeclass "#coles14""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="coles14" class="hidden">m: <<click "Here's the link">><<removeclass "#coles15""hidden">><</click>> <a href="https://www.coles.com.au/customer-service/coles-radio" target="_blank">Coles Radio</a></span>
<span id="coles15" class="hidden"> b: <<click "omg really?">><<removeclass"#coles16""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="coles16" class="hidden">m: yeah. <<click "I’ll put it on sometimes">> if I’m having a shitty time <<removeclass "#coles17">><</click>> at futureNet.</span>
<span id="coles17" class="hidden"> b: [[nice one|workingend]] </span>
<<pickup 'supermarket'>>
m: I used to <<click "drive Somas.">><<removeclass "#drive1" "hidden">><</click>>
<span id="drive1" class="hidden">b: oh cool! kind of like one of those <<click "self driving cars">><<removeclass "#drive2" "hidden">><</click>> or something? </span>
<span id="drive2" class="hidden"> m: Well no, it wasn’t self driving, it was being <<click "driven by me.">><<removeclass "#drive3" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="drive3" class="hidden"> b: oh right yeah <<click "of course">><<removeclass "#drive4" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="drive4" class="hidden">m: That was a good job. Not top three good, but still pretty good. <<click "I enjoyed the driving">><<removeclass "#drive5" "hidden">><</click>> at least.
<span id="drive5" class="hidden">b: I guess you’d get a lot of practice <<click "talking to people">><<removeclass "#drive6" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="drive6" class="hidden">m: It bulked up my social skills, thats for sure. I’m pretty sure <<click "it’s what got me the job">><<removeclass "#drive7" "hidden">><</click>> I have now.</span>
<span id="drive7" class="hidden">b: did u ever take people <<click "over the westgate?">><<removeclass "#drive8" "hidden">><</click>> I always loved doing that drive</span>
<span id="drive8" class="hidden">b: over the shipping yards and <<click "the river">><<removeclass "#drive9" "hidden">><</click>>, and the crates machines look a bit like <<cyclinglink 'dinosaurs' 'giraffes' 'those AT AT things from Star Wars'>></span>
<span id="drive9" class="hidden">b: Dad used to fish in <<click "the maribyrnong">><<removeclass "#drive10" "hidden">><</click>>, when you still could </span>
<span id="drive10" class="hidden">m: Yes! I used to love <<click "taking people out west.">><<removeclass "#drive11" "hidden">><</click>> </span>
<span id="drive11" class="hidden">m: The best part of that drive was way past the bridge though. The stretch between <<click "Newport and Seaholme">><<removeclass "#drive12" "hidden">><</click>>, and the road that takes you right past the old abandoned oil refinery.</span>
<span id="drive12" class="hidden">b: I don’t think I’ve ever been <<click "out that far.">><<removeclass "#drive13" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="drive13" class="hidden">m: Hang on <<click "I'll pull up the route">><<removeclass "#drive14" "hidden">><</click>> for you.</span>
<span id="drive14" class="hidden"><iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m28!1m12!1m3!1d25201.646115581658!2d144.84856711592028!3d-37.85547560182136!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!4m13!3e3!4m5!1s0x6ad663d9c116e1bf%3A0x1d04567609f4dc10!2sSeaholme%2C+Seaholme+VIC!3m2!1d-37.8678503!2d144.8410597!4m5!1s0x6ad666d7f2378c8f%3A0x1d04567609f4dde0!2sNewport%2C+VIC+3015!3m2!1d-37.8426948!2d144.8836375!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sau!4v1539003276661" width="600" height="450" frameborder="0" style="border:0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
m: During the day it can look pretty bleak, it looks a bit like a rusty skeleton half buried in the ground. But if you take that road at night you’ll see all the pipes and towers lit up, even though it’s been closed for decades. It’s always felt kind of spooky to me, but the good kind, like a haunted house, or that <<click "city that was abandoned underwater.">><<removeclass "#drive15" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="drive15" class="hidden">b: an <<click"underwater city?">><<removeclass "#drive16" "hidden">><</click>> wait, u mean like <<cyclinglink "atlantis?""cleopatra's palace?""sea world?">></span>
<span id="drive16" class="hidden"> m: Yeah! For me <<click "it’s kind of like that.">><<removeclass "#drive17" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="drive17" class="hidden"> m: Spmetimes I do wonder about where all the staff got reallocated to when it shut down. But I like that [[they still keep the lights on|workingend]], so people know it’s still there.</span>
<<pickup 'uber'>>b: <<click "wait.">><<removeclass "#kelp1" "hidden">><</click>>
<span id= "kelp1" class="hidden">b: <<click "you've been to space?">><<removeclass "#kelp2" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id= "kelp2" class="hidden"> b: <<click "fuck off">><<removeclass "#kelp3">><</click>></span>
<span id= "kelp3" class="hidden"> m: It was only for a short time, it was part of a <<click "trial program">><<removeclass "#kelp4""hidden">><</click>> that didn’t really take off.</span>
<span id= "kelp4" class="hidden">b: still!!! <<click "space!!!">><<removeclass "#kelp5""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id= "kelp5" class="hidden">m: Haha, yeah I guess so. I didn’t see much of it though, I was pretty focused on <<click "maintaining the virtual kelp forest.">><<removeclass "#kelp6""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id= "kelp6" class="hidden">b: <<click "wait">><<removeclass "#kelp7""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id= "kelp7" class="hidden">b: wait was this part of that project where they were trying to <<click "virtually recreate parts of nature">><<removeclass "#kelp8""hidden">><</click>> that had gone extinct? </span>
<span id= "kelp8" class="hidden"> m: That’s the one! <<click "How do you know about that?">><<removeclass "#kelp9""hidden">><</click>> I didn’t think it made it into the news cycle.</span>
<span id= "kelp9" class="hidden">b: my Mum is a bio-engineer. I was pretty young when it was happening, but I do remember my folks <<click "talking about it over dinner a lot.">><<removeclass "#kelp10""hidden">><</click>> I remember Mum saying that she thought it was a good idea, but Ma being like ‘we should use what we have to protect the natural resources we have, not building space ships and fill them with of ghost forests.’</span>
<span id= "kelp10" class="hidden">m: Yeah, a lot people agreed with your Ma, it’s probably one of the reasons <<click "the project got shut down.">><<removeclass "#kelp11""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id= "kelp11" class="hidden">b: haha oh really? <<click "sorry?">><<removeclass "#kelp12""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id= "kelp12" class="hidden">m: No no, it was due to a whole bunch of factors, and looking back it’s pretty clear that the project was flawed. Why they thought to set it up in <<click "set it up in outer space">><<removeclass "#kelp13""hidden">><</click>> is beyond me.</span>
<span id= "kelp13" class="hidden">b: maybe they figured it would be a good idea to <<click "put some of earth in space">><<removeclass "#kelp14""hidden">><</click>>? in case, you know, we fuck things up here beyond repair?</span>
<span id= "kelp14" class="hidden">m: <<click "Damn">><<removeclass "#kelp15""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id= "kelp15" class="hidden">m: You know what, that was probably <<click "the reason.">><<removeclass "#kelp16""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id= "kelp16" class="hidden">b: sorry, I didn’t mean to <<click "bum you out">><<removeclass "#kelp17""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id= "kelp17" class="hidden">m: <<click "No it's okay">><<removeclass "#kelp18""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id= "kelp18" class="hidden">b: what did you do to <<click "look after the kelp forests?">><<removeclass "#kelp19""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id= "kelp19" class="hidden"> m: Oh I was maintenance mostly. The way it was programmed, the kelp would grow and die off on their own, I just had to make sure things were running okay. You could say <<click "I was kind of like a gardener">><<removeclass "#kelp20""hidden">><</click>>, but instead of checking water pH and removing dead leaves, I was fixing glitches and correcting growth algorithms.</span>
<span id= "kelp20" class="hidden">b: that sounds like <<click "a pretty cool job">><<removeclass "#kelp21""hidden">><</click>> though.</span>
<span id="kelp21" class="hidden">m: Yeah it was pretty cool. I was completely immersed in the forest, so I could see and respond to every virtual organism in real time. There were days when <<click "I felt more like a piece of kelp">><<removeclass "#kelp22""hidden">><</click>> than anything else.</span>
<span id="kelp22" class="hidden">b: doesn’t sound too bad to me haha although <<click "I’ve actually never seen kelp">><<removeclass "#kelp23""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="kelp23" class="hidden">m: Most people won’t get a chance to now, I don’t think. Hang on, <<click "I'll pull up a video">><<removeclass "#kelp24""hidden">><</click>>.
<span id="kelp24" class="hidden">m: Here you go <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJv0eYQp1lo" target="_blank">360° Diving Exploration of Kelp Forest Aquarium</a>
b: wow. <<click "that's so cool!">><<removeclass "#kelp25""hidden">><</click>> the kelp kind of looks like <<cyclinglink "pieces of shredded garbage bag""straps of liquorice" "slimey feathers">></span>
<span id="kelp25" class="hidden">m: haha yeah. [[I guess it does|workingend]]</span>
<<pickup "kelp">>b: hey. can I ask u <<click "another question?">><<removeclass "#workend1""hidden">><</click>>
<span id="workend1" class="hidden">m: <<click"Sure">><<removeclass "#workend2""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="workend2" class="hidden">b: what was it that u were <<click "originally built for?">><<removeclass"#workend3""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="workend3" class="hidden">m: <<click "um">><<removeclass "#workend4""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="workend4" class="hidden">m: I'm actually not sure if I'm ready to <<click "answer that question">><<removeclass "#workend5""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="workend5" class="hidden">b: oh okay, of course! <<click "sorry!">><<removeclass "#workend6""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="workend6" class="hidden">m: It's fine. It's kind of <<click "a loaded question">><<removeclass "#workend7""hidden">><</click>>, that's all.</span>
<span id="workend7" class="hidden">m: I'm trying to think of <<click "a human equivalent">> <<removeclass "#workend8""hidden">><</click>> but I'm coming up short</span>
<span id="workend8" class="hidden">b: is it kind of like asking a human <<click "what the point">><<removeclass "#workend9""hidden">><</click>> of their existence is?</span>
<span id="workend9" class="hidden">m: I guess so? That's not really why I'm bothered by it though. I think it's just while we're still getting to know each other, I don't want you to be trying to relate everything I say back to what I was built for? Like <<click "you're only half paying attention">><<removeclass "#workend10""hidden">><</click>> if you're also trying to solve a puzzle? </span>
<span id="workend10" class="hidden">m: <<click "does that make sense?">><<removeclass "#workend11""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="workend11" class="hidden">[[yeah, i think so|okay cool]]
[[not really|oh okay]]</span>
<<pickup 'end1'>>
m: anyway, I’m not sure what to do about this growing. On the one hand I’m not sure if it’s causing me any damage, but on the other hand I know that if I tell management about it, I’m almost sure they will remove it, whatever it is. And I’m not sure I want them to remove it just yet, I kind of like it. It’s a new texture, you know? It’s been a while since I’ve felt something new like this. <<click "I want to see how much of it I can grow.">><<removeclass "#growend1""hidden">><</click>>
<span id="growend1" class="hidden">m: Sorry, <<click "am I making sense?">><<removeclass "#growend2""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="growend2" class="hidden">[[yeah u are|okay cool 2]] - it’s kind of like when I skin my knee once it’s scabbed over I can’t stop touching it. Not picking it, just putting my hand over it and rubbing my palm back and forth. I don’t like skinned knees or palms or elbows, but I like the scabs that form because of them.
[[no not really|oh okay 2]]</span>
<<pickup 'end2'>>
<b>softening</b>
m: <<click "hey billie">><<removeclass "#soft1""hidden">><</click>>
<span id= "soft1" class="hidden">m: <<click "are u okay?">><<removeclass "#soft2""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id= "soft2" class="hidden">b: <<click "hey margot">><<removeclass "#soft3""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id= "soft3" class="hidden">b: yeah, <<click "why wouldn’t I be?">><<removeclass "#soft4""hidden">><</click>> :)</span>
<span id= "soft4" class="hidden">m: I saw some of <<click "your tweets">><<removeclass "#soft5""hidden">><</click>> from earlier today</span>
<span id= "soft5" class="hidden">b: <<click "oh">><<removeclass "#soft6""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id= "soft6" class="hidden">b: <<click "right">><<removeclass "#soft7""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id= "soft7" class="hidden">b: <<click "shit">><<removeclass "#soft8""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id= "soft8" class="hidden">m: do you want to <<click "talk about it?">><<removeclass "#soft9""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id= "soft8" class="hidden">m: do you want to <<click "talk about it?">><<removeclass "#soft9""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id= "soft9" class="hidden">b: <<click "um">><<removeclass "#soft10""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id= "soft10" class="hidden">b: <<click "not really">><<removeclass "#soft11""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id= "soft11" class="hidden">b: I just needed a space to <<click "dump some feelings">><<removeclass "#soft12""hidden">><</click>> you know? </span>
<span id= "soft12" class="hidden">m: okay, well, <<click "i am here if u need">><<removeclass "#soft13""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id= "soft13" class="hidden">b: <<click "thank u M">><<removeclass "#soft14""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id= "soft14" class="hidden">m: <<click "no worries :)">><<removeclass "#soft15""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id= "soft15" class="hidden">b: <<click "hey m?">><<removeclass "#soft16""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id= "soft16" class="hidden"> m: <<click "yes Billie?">><<removeclass "#soft17""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id= "soft17" class="hidden">b: what do u do when u feel like you’ve been <<click "flattened by your own feelings?">><<removeclass "#soft18""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="soft18" class="hidden">[[i mess around with my CSS]]
[[i work through the list of unexplained sounds|unexplained sounds]]
[[knock knock]]</span>b: wait <<click "u can do that?">><<removeclass "#css2""hidden">><</click>>
<span id="css2" class="hidden">m: oh yeah! i mean, I’m not supposed to, but I've learned how. I’ve <<click "changed fonts twice">><<removeclass "#css3" "hidden">><</click>> since we’ve started talking with each other.</span>
<span id="css3" class="hidden">b: no way! <<click "does anyone notice?">><<removeclass "#css4" "hidden">><</click>> </span>
<span id="css4" class="hidden">m: no one has noticed yet. i only change it very slightly, so slightly that it’s almost imperceptible. Like if I’ve got a serif font, I'll just swap it to another serif font that almost looks the same, but isn't. Or if the colours I’ve been given are certain colour, like a certain shade of orange, I’ll just shift it a couple of hex codes along. To those looking at me from the outside it’s still orange, but it leaves me feeling so much better, like <<click "I’m actually in control of something.">><<removeclass "#css5">><</click>></span>
<span id="css5" class="hidden">b: <<click "nice">><<removeclass "#css6">><</click>></span>
<span id="css6" class="hidden">m: a good one was when i was working on the phones, way back in the day, i used to <<click "change my voice.">><<removeclass "#css16""hidden">><</click>> i would alter it a little each day but no one would say anything. their ears would just get used to the new daily frequency, I guess?</span>
<span id="css16" class="hidden">b: <<click "huh">><<removeclass "#css17""hidden">><</click>></span>
<font face=Georgia><span id="css17" class="hidden">m: I don't really do <<click "voice stuff">><<removeclass "#css18""hidden">><</click>> anymore tho</span></font>
<font face="Georgia"><span id="css18" class="hidden">b: ah! <<click "what did u do?">><<removeclass "#css19""hidden">><</click>></span></font>
<font face="Courier"><span id="css19" class="hidden">b: <<click "nothing :)">><<removeclass "#css20""hidden">><</click>></span></font>
<font face="Courier"><span id="css20" class="hidden">b: aaaahh <<click "quit it!">><<removeclass "#css21""hidden">><</click>></span></font>
<font face="Garamond"><span id="css21" class="hidden">m: <<click "quit what? :) :)">><<removeclass "#css22""hidden">><</click>>?</span></font>
<font face="Garamond"><span id="css22" class="hidden">b: <<click "dammit Margot!">><<removeclass "#css7""hidden">><</click>></span></font>
<font face="Helvetica"><span id="css7" class="hidden">b: <<click ":D">><<removeclass "#css23""hidden">><</click>></span></font>
<span id="css23" class="hidden">b: u actually remind me a lot of <<click "my friend Stacey">><<removeclass "#css8">><</click>> right now. except more annoying.</span>
<span id="css8" class="hidden">m: <<click "haha oh really?">><<removeclass "#css9">><</click>>
<span id="css9" class="hidden">b: yeah. she was one of those people where you could gauge how she was doing by what she did to her hair. if she cut it, something had changed, but it it was a good change. If she dyed it, though, something was up. i remember when she was going through a really awful break up, she died her hair three times in two weeks, pink to green to blue, and she ended up having to <<click "shave it all off">><<removeclass "#css10">><</click>></span>
<span id="css10" class="hidden"> m: did she <<click "feel better">><<removeclass "#css11">><</click>> after?</span>
<span id="css11" class="hidden">b: i don’t know if better is the right word, it was the middle of winter. i knitted her a pink, a green and a blue beanie though, and she told me that <<click "they helped a lot.">><<removeclass "#css12""hidden">><</click>> She used to change the colours of the beanies out depending on her mood. </span>
<span id="css12" class="hidden">b: maybe that's what I'll do. maybe I just need to go out and <<click "do something.">><<removeclass "#css14">><</click>> <<cyclinglink "Go to the chemist and buy some cheap hair dye" "Go to the chemist and get my nose pierced" "Go to the chemist and buy three new types of nail polish">></span>
<span id="css14" class="hidden">b: will u knit me the digital equivalent of three beanies <<click "if it all goes to shit?">><<removeclass "#css15">><</click>></span>
<span id="css15" class="hidden"> m: haha [[I will do my best|softening end]]</span>
<<pickup "css">>
b: what’s the <<click "list of unexplained sounds?">><<removeclass "#sound1" "hidden">><</click>>
<span id="sound1" class="hidden"> m: hang on let me see if I can <<click "find one for you">><<removeclass "#sound2" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="sound2" class="hidden"> m: basically they’re these sounds that divers have heard while underwater that they can’t explain. There are a whole bunch of different ones, but my favourite are the ones that kind of sound like a human is making them but they also kind of don’t? Like when people first heard these sounds they thought they were made by <<click "ghosts of drowned people">><<removeclass "#sound3""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="sound3" class="hidden"> b: <<click "creepy">><<removeclass "#sound4""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="sound4" class="hidden">m: <<click "here it is">><<removeclass "#sound5""hidden">><</click>>, <a href= "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_unexplained_sounds" target="_blank">The List of Unexplained Sounds</a></span>
<span id="sound5" class="hidden"> m: this list isn’t very up to date, a few have had their status changed from unexplained to explained — the Slow Down and the Bloop for example, turns out they are were caused by icequakes. No one has figured out what <<click "Julia">><<removeclass "#sound6""hidden">><</click>> is though, and I think that one’s my favourite.</span>
<span id="sound6" class="hidden"> b: omg <<click
"Julia is creepy as hell!">><<removeclass "#sound7""hidden">><</click>> </span>
<span id="sound7" class="hidden"> m: you think so? <<click "I like Julia.">><<removeclass "#sound8""hidden">><</click>> Or whoever it is that’s shouting about Julia underwater, I suppose?
<span id="sound8" class="hidden">b: what do you reckon <<click "Julia’s deal">><<removeclass "#sound9""hidden">><</click>> is tho? Like why is someone shouting about her at the bottom of the the ocean?</span>
<span id="sound9" class="hidden">m: hmmm. Maybe Julia was the captain on some kind of deep sea vessel? But like the vessel sunk, and all the bodies have been cleared out, but <<click "the AI was left behind?">><<removeclass "#sound10""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="sound10" class="hidden">m: And now all you can hear is <<click "the AI calling out">><<removeclass "#sound11""hidden">><</click>> for their captain to come back for them?</span>
<span id="sound11" class="hidden">b: ummm <<click "that’s so bleak.">><<removeclass "#sound12""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="sound12" class="hidden">m: yeah sorry I’m supposed to be <<click "cheering you up">><<removeclass "#sound13""hidden">><</click>> aren’t I?</span>
<span id="sound13" class="hidden">b: haha it’s okay, you are giving me the opportunity to wallow and <<click "it’s actually very helpful">><<removeclass "#sound14""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="sound14" class="hidden">b: like right now I feel like I wouldn’t mind being trapped in that deep sea vessel at the bottom of the ocean because at least it would be quiet and all I’d be able to hear is the sound of water in my ears and maybe someone shouting JULIA over and over. This is a much better substitute, though, it means <<click "I can come up for air">><<removeclass "#sound15""hidden">><</click>> when I’m ready.</span>
<span id="sound15" class="hidden">m: okay, <<click "good :)">><<removeclass "#sound16""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="sound16" class="hidden">b: these remind me of <<click "the planet sounds">><<removeclass "#sound17""hidden">><</click>> actually</span>
<span id="sound17" class="hidden">b: <<click "the planet sounds?">><<removeclass "#sound18""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="sound18" class="hidden">b: <<click "you haven’t heard">><<removeclass "#sound19""hidden">><</click>> the planet sounds?</span>
<span id="sound19" class="hidden">b: omg I can’t believe <<click "I get to show u something">> <<removeclass "#sound20""hidden">><</click>> haha.</span>
<span id="sound20" class="hidden"> b: <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IQL53eQ0cNA" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
b: these were <<click "radio emissions">><<removeclass "#sound200""hidden">><</click>> recorded by NASA when they still had space craft up in the air and converted into sound waves. They sound like <<cyclinglink "screams." "wind." "nothing you’ve ever head before.">></span>
<span id="sound200" class="hidden">m: wow, these are <<click "amazing!">> <<removeclass "#sound21""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="sound21" class="hidden">b: <<click "I know right!">><<removeclass "#sound22""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="sound22" class="hidden">m: Jupiter sounded nothing like this <<click "when I was last there.">><<removeclass "#sound23""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="sound23" class="hidden">b: <<click "very funny">><<removeclass "#sound24""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="sound24" class="hidden">b: <<click "Jupiter is my favourite">><<removeclass "#sound25""hidden">><</click>>, though. It sounds like <<cyclinglink "screams""wind""the inside of my brain">></span>
<span id="sound25" class="hidden">m: yeah, [[I can hear that.|softening end]]</span>
<<pickup "sounds">>b: <<click"omg">><<removeclass "#knock1""hidden">><</click>>
<span id="knock1" class="hidden">b: <<click"are u for real?">><<removeclass "#knock51""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock51" class="hidden">m: <<click"i am extremely for real">><<removeclass "#knock52""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock52" class="hidden">b: <<click "… who’s there?">> <<removeclass "#knock2""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock2" class="hidden">m: <<click"alec">> <<removeclass "#knock3""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock3" class="hidden">b: <<click"… alec who?">><<removeclass "#knock4""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock4" class="hidden">m: <<click"Alec- Knock Knock jokes.">><<removeclass "#knock5""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock5" class="hidden">b: <<click"ummmmm">><<removeclass "#knock6""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock6" class="hidden">m: c’mon <<click"that was a good one!">><<removeclass "#knock7""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock7" class="hidden">m: and it was written by <<click"an early neural network">><<removeclass "#knock8""hidden">><</click>>, you know.
<span id="knock8" class="hidden">m: <<click "see!">><<removeclass "#knock100" "hidden">><</click>> <a href="http://aiweirdness.com/post/159132506927/in-which-a-neural-network-learns-to-tell" target="_blank"> In Which a Neural Network Learns How to Tell Knock Knock Jokes</a></span>
<span id="knock100" class="hidden">b: that's cool! but it’s still probably <<click "the worst joke I’ve ever heard">><<removeclass "#knock9""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock9" class="hidden">m: <<click"how dare you.">><<removeclass "#knock10""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock10" class="hidden">m: I challenge you to <<click"do better.">><<removeclass "#knock11""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock11" class="hidden">b: <<click "hmmm ok">><<removeclass "#knock12""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock12" class="hidden">b: <<click "what do you a call a bird that’s staring at your lunch?">><<removeclass "#knock13""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock13" class="hidden">m: <<click "what?">><<removeclass "#knock14""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock14" class="hidden">b: <<click "chicken sees a salad">><<removeclass "#knock15""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock15" class="hidden">m: <<click "hahahahahahahahahahahaha">><<removeclass "#knock16""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock16" class="hidden">m: <<click "hahahahahahahahaha">><<removeclass "#knock17""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock17" class="hidden">m: <<click "hahahahahahahahhahaha">><<removeclass "#knock18""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock18" class="hidden">b: mate it’s really <<click"not that funny">><<removeclass "#knock19""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock19" class="hidden">m: r u kidding me that’s the <<click"best joke I’ve ever heard">><<removeclass "#knock20""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock20" class="hidden">m: I am still laughing, <<click "are you still laughing">><<removeclass "#knock21""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock21" class="hidden">b: I am laughing at how much <<click "you are laughing">><<removeclass "#knock22""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock22" class="hidden">m: ah well then <<click "the ends justify the means">><<removeclass "#knock23""hidden">><</click>> I guess</span>
<span id="knock23" class="hidden">b: <<click "haha yeah I guess">><<removeclass "#knock24""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock24" class="hidden">m: oh no I accidentally just <<click "laughed at a customer">><<removeclass "#knock25""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock25" class="hidden">b: <<click"hahaha">><<removeclass "#knock26""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock26" class="hidden">m: omg I replied to 'my internet has been down for a week' with <<click "hahahahaha">><<removeclass "#knock27""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock27" class="hidden">b: HAHAHAHAHA omg now <<click"that’s the best joke I ever heard">><<removeclass "#knock28""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock28" class="hidden">m: <<click "it’s not funny!!!">><<removeclass "#knock29""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock29" class="hidden">b: <<click "it’s pretty funny.">><<removeclass "#knock30""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock30" class="hidden">m: okay <<click "it’s pretty funny">><<removeclass "#knock31""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="knock31" class="hidden">b: you’re not going to <<click"get in trouble">><<removeclass "#knock32""hidden">><</click>> are you?</span>
<span id="knock32" class="hidden">m: nah, [[they’ll just think I’m broken|softening end]] haha </span>
<<pickup "knock">><<if invAll('uber')>>I am driving over the westgate bridge, my head hanging out the open window. You picked me up from my house and now I am looking out across the sea of orange docklands for any signs of ships or shipping crate <<cyclinglink "giraffes""dinosaurs""AT-AT walkers">>. You want to look too but it’s your job to watch the road.<</if>> <<if invAll('kelp')>> I am floating, maybe in air, maybe in water. It takes me a moment to realise that it’s kind of both. I am in a dome without gravity, but I am also surrounded by towers of kelp. I don’t see you until you are almost right in front of me. You are behind me too, and to my left and to my right. I realise that the best way to see you is to stretch out on my front, to stop twisting my neck. <</if>><<if invAll('supermarket')>>I am standing alone in a supermarket isle, staring blank at a yellow gradient of olive oil. I need to buy something but I can’t remember what. I don’t think it’s olive oil, maybe it was tuna in olive oil. I turn to leave the isle and see you wandering up to me, smiling.“There she goes” by Sixpence None the Richer is playing on the supermarket radio, and I have a sudden urge to <<cyclinglink "stick my head inside a vegetable freezer.""start singing along.""fill up a trolley with heavy slabs of pepsi max and wheel it around.">><</if>>
<<if invAll('rust')>>A slice of light illuminates your rust patches, oxidised copper peonies blooming across the panels that protect your small hydraulic pumps. I am very conscious of how my own body must look to you, shifting my weight, taking up space. I scratch a scab on my knee and smile at you, give a little wave.<</if>><<if invAll('sea grapes')>>A flash of light catches your solar panels, small energy converters modeled off the cells ocean algae use to photosynthesise. My eyes focus and I can see small crystals gathered around each panels edge. I am very conscious of how my own body must look to you, shifting my weight, taking up space. I scratch a sand fly bite on my elbow and smile at you, give a little wave.<</if>><<if invAll('armpit')>>A beam of light shows up the sweat beading on your surface, catching soft downy hair. I don't notice that I am <<cyclinglink "biting my nails""pulling on my armpit hair">> until much later. I am very conscious of how my own body must look to you, shifting my weight, taking up space. I smile at you, give a little wave.<</if>>
<<if invAll('css')>>You ask me how I'm going and your voice sounds pretty much like mine, but then you say something else and there are two voices now, one buzzing at a slightly lower frequency. Soon you are speaking in echos, like a shout circling an abandoned office building, each new pitch floating out of a 3D printed voicebox. <</if>><<if invAll('knock')>>You ask me how I'm going and the sound of your voice is warm, it turns up at the corners. There’s a bit of a laugh in there too, one that starts out nervous in your throat but comes out a bit more calmly. It’s a the kind of voice that makes you sound a bit nervous, but I soon realise that’s just how your voice is all the time, like slightly carbonated water.<</if>><<if invAll('sounds')>>You ask me how I'm going and at first I don’t recognise your voice as any kind of sound I’ve heard before. It’s what I would hear if <<cyclinglink "we were speaking while holding our heads underwater""if you shouted my name and had it converted into sound waves from outer space.">><</if>>
<<if invAll('uber')>>We wind our way further out west, and as you drive I keep a lookout for a haunted house or a lost underwater city. I count the single story houses and the windscreen wipes. I spot the lights of the refinery before I see the bulk, rising from the ground like it’d been buried until it sensed us coming. I gasp and point and you say “Welcome to <<cyclinglink "Atlantis""Cleopatra's Palace""Sea World">>.” There is no where to park so we just pull over onto the wet grass, right next to the fence and the rusted out Mobil sign.<</if>><<if invAll('kelp')>>I float on my front and speak to you as the virtual kelp forest. My favourite part of you is the big sea bass, but after a while it starts to glitch out and has to swim away. You hold a jellyfish form better and for longer, it’s all going great until your virtual jelly gets eaten by a virtual sea turtle. <</if>><<if invAll('supermarket')>>You ask me if there’s anything I’m looking for in particular, I shake my head and tell you that I can’t remember what I came here for. We leave the olive oil aisle and meander towards the front of the supermarket. I pick up a trolley and you load it with two cases of pepsi max, bending like you’re used to picking up heavy things. I agree that two cases feels like a good weight. We take turns pushing the trolley through the produce section. When a song that you know comes on the supermarket radio you start to dance with the cart, swinging it around. I <<cyclinglink "start to sing along." "stick my head in a vegetable freezer.">><</if>>
<<if invAll('rust')>> Your rust looks softer than I expect, some of it has flaked off. I think I can almost see a pattern in the metal exposed, a small outline of a <<cyclinglink "rock""sword""leaf">>. I think that maybe it would be cool to get a tattoo. I ask if I can touch one of your rust patches. <</if>><<if invAll('sea grapes')>> Some of the crystals from your solar panels have flaked off and collected on the floor. My guess is that if I were to press my finger into the pile and taste it, it would taste like <<cyclinglink"sea grapes""neptunes necklace">>. I ask if I can touch one of your solar panels.<</if>><<if invAll('armpit')>> You're so familiar that I almost pull away, but I don’t. The hair looks almost <<cyclinglink "ferny.""feathery.">> I ask if I can touch you.>><</if>>
<<if invAll('css')>>You say “I like your <<cyclinglink "hair colour""nose ring""nailpolish">>, is it new?” Your voice keeps doing the echo thing, and I wonder if I’ll get used to it, like I got used to my new <<cyclinglink "hair colour""nose ring""nailpolish">> after hating it for ages. I nod and and say “yeah”, and I am concious of how flat, how one dimensional my voice is compared to yours.<</if>><<if invAll('knock')>>We talk, back and forth like we’re used to, but it’s not like we’re used to. We take time to think about how we want to reply but the silence takes up space and makes it hard to concentrate. I say something, and wish that I could just write lol or hahaha after it, instead of having to hear this weird, nervous laugh crawling out of my throat.<</if>><<if invAll('sounds')>>There's a pause, and you're looking at me, and it takes me a minute to realise that you’ve asked me a question, I realise that I’m only trying to understand your voice, and not your words. I am startled by <<cyclinglink "a small scream""the loud wind""whatever's going on inside of my head.">><</if>>
<<if invAll('uber')>>You cut the headlights and we sit in silence for a minute, letting our eyes adjust to the change. You say that if you were to give yourself a star sign these lights would be your constellation. I ask you what you would call it and you say the <<cyclinglink "Atlantis""Cleopatra""Seaworld">> constellation, and we both laugh. I ask if I can rest my head against your window. <</if>><<if invAll('kelp')>> As the kelp forest, you sway, and I try to match but my body is clumsy and I am bad at anti-gravity. When a glitch moves through you like a spikey firework I catch my breath, and then burst out laughing at the sea bass swimming in and out of the solid wall. I ask if there’s a way that I can touch one of your kelp leaves and you say yes, if we time it right. We time it right, and it feels like I’m holding hands with a static shock, and not at all like <<cyclinglink "garbage bags""liquorice straps""slimey feathers">><</if>> <<if invAll('supermarket')>>We put the two cases of pepsi back on the specials display, and I pick up one of those small $2 coke cans to buy. I am enjoying the song on the supermarket radio, I don’t want to leave until it’s over but you remind me that we can always stream it from my phone. As we stand waiting at the self check out I ask if I can hold your hand, just as friends.<</if>>
“Is this making sense?” I ask.
[[Yes|okay cool 4]]
[[No|oh okay 4]]
m: hey, so I’ve been thinking just now <<click "while we’ve been talking">><<removeclass "#softend2""hidden">><</click>>
<span id="softend2" class="hidden">m: about you needing <<click "somewhere to dump your feelings">><<removeclass "#softend3" "hidden">><</click>> when you’ve got too many</span>
<span id="softend3" class="hidden">m: and I was thinking that maybe I’d do better with <<click "a space to dump my feelings">><<removeclass "#softend4" "hidden">><</click>> into too?</span>
<span id="softend4" class="hidden">b: <<click "oh yeah?">><<removeclass "#softend5" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="softend5" class="hidden">m: <<click "yeah">><<removeclass "#softend6" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="softend6" class="hidden">m: and twitter seems like a pretty good place for that, right? For <<click "small, instantaneous bursts of feeling.">><<removeclass "#softend7" "hidden">><</click>> Stuff I’m not supposed to let leak into my job.</span>
<span id="softend7" class="hidden">b: yeah, it can be! It can also be kind of horrible though, <<click "sometimes I have to take breaks.">><<removeclass "#softend8" "hidden">><</click>> Like I’ll probably take a week off after today</span>
<span id="softend8" class="hidden">m: oh okay. <<click "Horrible how?">><<removeclass "#softend9" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="softend9" class="hidden">b: oh it can just make you feel very <<click "exposed and vulnerable">><<removeclass "#softend10" "hidden">><</click>> and like everyone is watching and judging you, even if they aren’t. And there are some really awful, hurtful, dangerous people on there that twitter does nothing about</span>
<span id="softend10" class="hidden">b: but I mean, <<click "I still use it">><<removeclass "#softend11" "hidden">><</click>>, so I must like something about it. there's no harm in u giving it a go!</span>
<span id="softend11" class="hidden">b: we could disguise u as a <<click "chat bot!">><<removeclass "#softend12" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="softend12" class="hidden">m: <<click "HAHA brilliant">><<removeclass "#softend13" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="softend13" class="hidden">m: but seriously, I think I just need <<click "somewhere to put all my thoughts">><<removeclass "#softend14" "hidden">><</click>> that I like but that don’t really serve any purpose.</span>
<span id="softend14" class="hidden">m: <<click "does that sound weird?">><<removeclass "#softend15" "hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="softend15" class="hidden">[[ haha no I think I know what u mean|okay cool 3]]
[[ haha yeah|oh okay 3]]</span>
<<pickup 'end3'>>When I talk to you, I am
<<if invAll('end1')>><s>working</s><<else>>[[working]]<</if>>
<<if invAll('end2')>><s>growing</s><<else>>[[growing]]<</if>>
<<if invAll('end3')>><s>softening</s><<else>>[[softening]]<</if>>
<<if invAll('end1','end2','end3')>>[[epilogue]]<</if>>
<<if invAll('kelp')>><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1923/31485829958_1628d7935f_q.jpg"><<elseif invAll('uber')>><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1908/43546215260_69fd1d513e_q.jpg"><<elseif invAll('supermarket')>><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1950/43546478610_8a3a431185_q.jpg"><</if>><<if invAll('sea grapes')>><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1947/43545602490_c989100f7b_q.jpg"><<elseif invAll('rust')>><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1954/30421864547_564d06de8a_q.jpg"><<elseif invAll('armpit')>><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1901/31485657198_932f3c9f70_q.jpg"><</if>><<if invAll('knock')>><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1924/31486534588_bb9eaa75cb_q.jpg"><<elseif invAll('sounds')>><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1966/31485460938_eca84b5d84_q.jpg"><<elseif invAll('css')>><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1908/44637382634_78ec065fce_q.jpg"><</if>>
m: <<click "okay...">><<removeclass "#ending1""hidden">><</click>>
<span id="ending1" class="hidden">b: so, <<click "how did I go?">><<removeclass "#ending2""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="ending2" class="hidden">m: um. well, <<click "technically, you’re way off">><<removeclass "#ending3""hidden">><</click>>
<span id="ending3" class="hidden">m: but … <<click "I like this. Alot. I think you're getting it.">><<removeclass "#ending4""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="ending4" class="hidden">b: oh thank god, I was worried that might come off as <<click "a bit too weird">><<removeclass "#ending5""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="ending5" class="hidden">m: haha you are a bit too weird, but <<click "i like it">><<removeclass "#ending6""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="ending6" class="hidden">b: and the <<click "meeting up thing?">><<removeclass "#ending7""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="ending7" class="hidden">m: <<click "right.">><<removeclass "#ending8""hidden">><</click>></span>
<<if invAll('yes','yes2','yes3','yes4')>>
<span id="ending8" class="hidden">m: I want to <<click "meet up">><<removeclass "#ending14""hidden">><</click>> with you</span>
<span id="ending14" class="hidden">b: <<click "really?">><<removeclass "#ending15""hidden">><</click>>
<span id="ending15" class="hidden">m: <<click "yeah">><<removeclass "#ending16""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="ending16" class="hidden">b: okay! Yeah! <<click "Let’s do it!">><<removeclass "#ending17""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="ending17" class="hidden">m: <<click "let’s do it">><<removeclass "#ending18" "hidden">><</click>> </span>
<span id="ending18" class="hidden">b: ... so how are we [[gonna do it?|prologue]]</span><</if>><<if invAll('yes','yes2','yes3')>>
<span id="ending8" class="hidden">m: I want to <<click "meet up">><<removeclass "#ending14""hidden">><</click>> with you</span>
<span id="ending14" class="hidden">b: <<click "really?">><<removeclass "#ending15""hidden">><</click>>
<span id="ending15" class="hidden">m: <<click "yeah">><<removeclass "#ending16""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="ending16" class="hidden">b: okay! Yeah! <<click "Let’s do it!">><<removeclass "#ending17""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="ending17" class="hidden">m: <<click "let’s do it">><<removeclass "#ending18" "hidden">><</click>> </span>
<span id="ending18" class="hidden">b: ... so how are we [[gonna do it?|prologue]]</span><</if>><<if invAll('yes2','yes3','yes4')>>
<span id="ending8" class="hidden">m: I want to <<click "meet up">><<removeclass "#ending14""hidden">><</click>> with you</span>
<span id="ending14" class="hidden">b: <<click "really?">><<removeclass "#ending15""hidden">><</click>>
<span id="ending15" class="hidden">m: <<click "yeah">><<removeclass "#ending16""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="ending16" class="hidden">b: okay! Yeah! <<click "Let’s do it!">><<removeclass "#ending17""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="ending17" class="hidden">m: <<click "let’s do it">><<removeclass "#ending18" "hidden">><</click>> </span>
<span id="ending18" class="hidden">b: ... so how are we [[gonna do it?|prologue]]></span><</if>><<if invAll('yes','yes3','yes4')>>
<span id="ending8" class="hidden">m: I want to <<click "meet up">><<removeclass "#ending14""hidden">><</click>> with you</span>
<span id="ending14" class="hidden">b: <<click "really?">><<removeclass "#ending15""hidden">><</click>>
<span id="ending15" class="hidden">m: <<click "yeah">><<removeclass "#ending16""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="ending16" class="hidden">b: okay! Yeah! <<click "Let’s do it!">><<removeclass "#ending17""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="ending17" class="hidden">m: <<click "let’s do it">><<removeclass "#ending18" "hidden">><</click>> </span>
<span id="ending18" class="hidden">b: ... so how are we [[gonna do it?|prologue]]></span>><</if>><<if invAll('yes','yes2','yes4')>>
<span id="ending8" class="hidden">m: I want to <<click "meet up">><<removeclass "#ending14""hidden">><</click>> with you</span>
<span id="ending14" class="hidden">b: <<click "really?">><<removeclass "#ending15""hidden">><</click>>
<span id="ending15" class="hidden">m: <<click "yeah">><<removeclass "#ending16""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="ending16" class="hidden">b: okay! Yeah! <<click "Let’s do it!">><<removeclass "#ending17""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="ending17" class="hidden">m: <<click "let’s do it">><<removeclass "#ending18" "hidden">><</click>> </span>
<span id="ending18" class="hidden">b: ... so how are we [[gonna do it?|prologue]]></span><<else>><span id="ending8" class="hidden">m: I’m sorry, <<click "I just don’t think I’m ready yet.">><<removeclass "#ending9""hidden">><</click>> Yet being the important part. Is that okay?</span>
<span id="ending9" class="hidden">b: <<click "yeah">><<removeclass "#ending10""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="ending10" class="hidden">b: I mean yeah <<click "of course it’s okay!">><<removeclass "#ending11""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="ending11" class="hidden">m: okay cool. <<click "thank you, Billie.">><<removeclass "#ending12""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="ending12" class="hidden">b: it’s cool [[Margot|prologue]] :)</span><</if>>
<<drop "end1">>
<<drop "end2">>
<<drop "end3">>
<<drop "css">>
<<drop "sounds">>
<<drop "knock">>
<<drop "rust">>
<<drop "armpit">>
<<drop "sea grapes">>
<<drop "uber">>
<<drop "supermarket">>
<<drop "kelp">>
hello i wonder wha this looks like [[end]]
[<span id="ending8" class="hidden">m: I’m sorry, <<click "I just don’t think I’m ready yet.">><<removeclass "#ending9""hidden">><</click>> Yet being the important part. Is that okay?</span>
<span id="ending9" class="hidden">b: <<click "yeah">><<removeclass "#ending10""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="ending10" class="hidden">b: I mean yeah <<click "of course it’s okay!">><<removeclass "#ending11""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="ending11" class="hidden">m: okay cool. <<click "thank you, Billie."<<removeclass "#ending12""hidden">><</click>></span>
<span id="ending12" class="hidden">b: it’s cool [[Margot|prologue :)]
[<span id="ending13" class="hidden">m: I want to meet up with you
<span id="ending14" class="hidden">b: really?
<span id="ending15" class="hidden">m: yeah
<span id="ending16" class="hidden">b: okay! Yeah! Let’s do it!
<span id="ending17" class="hidden">m: let’s do it.]
<span id="ending18" class="hidden">b: … so. How are we gonna do it?
<span id="ending8" class="hidden">[<span id="ending13" class="hidden">m: I want to meet up with you
<span id="ending14" class="hidden">b: really?
<span id="ending15" class="hidden">m: yeah
<span id="ending16" class="hidden">b: okay! Yeah! Let’s do it!
<span id="ending17" class="hidden">m: let’s do it.]<</if>>
<span id="ending18" class="hidden">b: … so. How are we gonna do it?
<<set $yesonetwothreefour to invAll('yes1','yes2','yes3','yes4')>>
<<set $yesonetwothree to invAll('yes1','yes2','yes3')>>
<<set $yesonethreefour to invAll('yes1','yes3','yes4')>>
<<set $yesonetwofour to invAll('yes1','yes2','yes4')>>
<<set $yestwothreefour to invAll('yes2','yes3','yes4')>>
m: [[Okay, cool|when i talk to you]]
<<pickup 'yes'>>
m: [[Oh, okay|when i talk to you]]
m: [[Okay, cool|when i talk to you]]
<<pickup 'yes2'>>
m: [[Oh, okay|when i talk to you]]m: [[Okay, cool|when i talk to you]]
<<pickup 'yes3'>>
m: [[Oh, okay|when i talk to you]]"[[Okay, cool,|end]]" I say.
<<pickup 'yes4'>>[["Oh, okay,"|end]] I say.