To ensure she had read it correctly, she reread it. <<linkreplace "<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>Drop the letter.</span>" t8n>>The letter fell from Eleanor’s shaking hands and onto the table. <span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Forget how to breathe.|Forget]]</span><</linkreplace>>
But nothing came up. Just a sour taste at the back of her throat. So Eleanor sat next to the toilet for a few more minutes. \n\n<<linkreplace "<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>Check the mail.</span>" t8n>>She got up carefully, not wanting to get dizzy and fall back down again. Sitting down at the kitchen table, she looked at the mail, and gently opened the envelope. <span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Read the letter.|Letter]]</span><</linkreplace>> \n\n<<set $moviepanic to 1>>
She got the knife and spread the peanut butter on the toast. She had to do it immediately or it wouldn’t melt properly. She made sure to put the jam on the toast that was on the left side of the plate, and the honey on the toast that was on the right side of the plate. <<linkreplace "<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>You may now eat and drink.</span>" t8n>>\n\nEleanor happily tucked into her breakfast, alternating between a bite of food and a sip of coffee. It was wonderful. <span style='font-family: Lucida Console'><<if $late is 1>>[[Run eleven minutes late for class.|Run]]<<else>>[[Run two minutes early for class.|Run]]<</if>></span><</linkreplace>>
Eleanor couldn't hang out with him. It was too risky. What if he judged her character based on her social awkwardness, thus discovering an abnormality? She needed to find a balance with her level of social interaction. Too little and she would be seen as faulty. Too much and she would overload. Humanity was so difficult to fake.\n<<set $movieno to 1>>\nBefore Eleanor started to go home at the end of the day, she stopped by the supermarket and bought several fruits and vegetables, as well as some more of her favourite tea. God knew she was going to need it. <span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Go home.|Home]]</span>
Eleanor was silently sitting slouched on the chair, staring intently at her hands on her lap. She could see the light from the window rest warmly on her knuckles and for one moment she was not in the room.\n\n"Miss Kirby?" \n\nEleanor drew her attention away and focused on the man in the chair opposite. She watched him look at her and write something down on the notepad he had sitting on his knee. \n\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Pay attention.]]</span>
Everything and nothing was going through Eleanor's head at the same time as she sat beside the toilet.\n\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Get ready for the day.|Day]]</span>
\n\nThank you for playing.\n\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Go to main menu.|Start]]</span>\n\n
!The Voice of Reason\n!!!!By [[Tegan Nicholson|https://tegannicholson.com/]] [[🐦 |https://twitter.com/tegan_nicholson]]\n\n<<unset $clean, $earlymovienono, $earlymovieyesyes, $emotions, $image, $late, $latemovieno, $latemovieyes, $letter, $mainframe, $movieno, $moviepanic, $movieyes, $reboot, $security>>\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> [[Play.|Voice]]\n\n\n[[Content Warning.|Trigger]]</span>
This Twine game contains the following themes: \n- Anxiety and panic attacks\n- Depression\n- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)\n- Struggles with LGBT+ identities.\n\nPlease note that this interactive narrative is about how the main character feels, and it does not intend to devalue those with mental illness or invalidate LGBT+ individuals. \n\nThis Twine also contains some text effects and sudden colour changes. \n\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> [[Back.|Start]]</span>
<<timed 0.12s>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>> access reboot history</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>number of emergency shutdowns: 15</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>02:31:39AM 01/03/2014</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>07:40:58PM 01/03/2014</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>10:11:47AM 08/03/2014</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>12:09:21AM 02/06/2014</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>12:52:01AM 26/12/2014</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>04:35:15PM 02/03/2015</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>02:02:49AM 15/09/2015</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>11:10:51AM 25/12/2015</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>01:33:23AM 01/01/2016</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>09:36:10PM 01/03/2016</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>02:13:41AM 29/07/2016</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>10:22:58PM 13/08/2016</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>11:41:49AM 18/10/2016</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>04:31:55AM 25/10/2016</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>06:36:47PM 30/10/2016</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > [[end status report|menu]]</span>\n<</timed>>\n\n<<set $reboot to true>>
<<timed 2s>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> REBOOTING..@@.fade-in-out;.@@</span><</timed>>\n\n\n<<timed 8s>><<goto [[ending]]>><</timed>>
Eleanor froze for a brief moment.\n\n"Uhh," she said. Would it be mean to refuse? If she did go with Arthur, all of the social attention would be on her and she wouldn't have Stephanie to diffuse any awkward conversations. But Arthur was apparently very keen to see a movie, and it could be seen as rude if she said no.\n\nStephanie turned her attention to setting up her notebook for the lecture when she saw that Eleanor was thinking.\n\nMaybe she shouldn't go. He would probably want to get food afterwards too. Eleanor just wouldn't be able to handle the pressure. It was too risky. Besides, he would understand if she couldn't go, considering she was being asked quite late.\n\n"Maybe we should go another day when we can all make it. It'd be more fun."\n\nStephanie seemed to take that well, as far as Eleanor could see. But she wasn't looking forward to telling Arthur.\n\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Worry for the rest of the day.|Worry]]</span> \n<<set $latemovieno to 1>>
<<timed 0.12s>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > exit interface</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>ALERT: system will now reboot</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>SYSTEM: are you sure you want to exit this unit interface?</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > [[YES|shutdown]]</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > [[NO|menu]]</span>\n<</timed>>
Exasperatingly, Eleanor burst up, ran to her bedroom where her phone was screaming at her, and turned off the alarm after five attempts at stabbing the screen with her finger.\n\nShe let out a loud sob as she sat down on her bed. \n\n//Why can't I be normal?\n\nWhy did I have to be like this?\n\nI just want to be human.//\n\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Get ready for the day.|Day]]</span>
body {\n background-color: white;\n color: black;\n font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro,Times New Roman,Helvetica,sans-serif;\n font-size: 190%;\n}\n\n\n#ui-bar {\n\tdisplay: none;\n}\n\n\nbody {\n\tmargin-left: -17.5em;\n}\n\n#passages a.link-external:after {\n\tcontent: normal;\n}
It was 10:04pm. <<linkreplace "<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>Go to bed.</span>" t8n>>Eleanor turned off all the lights and got into her bed. She will need to be awake by 8am if she is to be ready for her class on time. If she falls to sleep within the next twenty minutes, she will have had at least eight hours and thirty six minutes of sleep. She preferred a full nine hours, but that will do. \n\nFor the next hour and forty one minutes, Eleanor thought about her assignment due in two weeks’ time, what groceries she would need to purchase on her way back from university, the boy that had had a crush on her in high school, and why [[Storks|http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4624424/?ref_=nv_sr_1]] was the greatest animated movie of 2016. \n\nHer alarm went off at 8am. <span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> [[Get up.|Get]] [[Hit snooze.|Hit]]</span><</linkreplace>>
Later on in the day, she was just finishing up at a class. She was going to soon meet up with her friends, but her heart started to pound when an announcement came over the speakers. \n\nIt said, “Attention all students. We will now initiate today’s human inspection. Failure to show examples of human character, personality, and emotion, will result in punishment. Thank you, and have a nice day.” \n\n<<linkreplace "<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>Have trouble breathing.</span>" t8n>>Eleanor found her throat get a little tight, and there were butterflies in her stomach. //It’s fine, Eleanor. Just smile and be happy. Smile and be happy.// <span style='font-family: Lucida Console'><<if $late is 1>>[[Smile.|Cry.]]<<else>>[[Smile.]]<</if>></span><</linkreplace>>
She begrudgingly ambled out of bed, away from the softness and the warmth. <<linkreplace "<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>Open the curtains.</span>" t8n>>Yawning, she pulled the strings to draw the curtains. It was foggy outside. The sun was peaking weakly above the trees, barely shining on the window to melt away the frost that had formed overnight. <span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> [[Look at your phone.|Look]]</span> <</linkreplace>>
<<timed 0.12s>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > help</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> access: list of available commands</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > [[reboot history]]</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > [[most recent status|end diagnostic]]</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > [[security]]</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > [[emotional capacity|emotions]]</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > [[system image log]]</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > [[mainframe]]</span>\n<<next>><<if $emotions is true and $security is true and $reboot is true and $mainframe is true and $image is true>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > [[clean system]]</span><<else>> <</if>> \n<<if $clean is true>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > [[exit interface]]</span><<else>> <</if>>\n<</timed>>
<<timed 0.12s>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > clean system</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> security bypass enabled</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> access: PERMISSION GRANTED</span><<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> \nWARNING: if system is cleaned crucial files may be overwritten</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>SYSTEM: are you sure you want to reprogram this unit?</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > [[YES|shutdown]]</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > [[NO|menu]]</span>\n<</timed>>\n\n<<set $clean to true>>
<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[YOU ARE NOT SAFE.|Not]]</span>
Eleanor froze for a brief moment.\n\n"Uhh," she said. Would it be mean to refuse? If she did go with Arthur, all of the social attention would be on her and she wouldn't have Stephanie to diffuse any awkward conversations. But Arthur was apparently very keen to see a movie, and it could be seen as rude if she said no.\n\nStephanie turned her attention to setting up her notebook for the lecture when she saw that Eleanor was thinking.\n\nMaybe she should go. Both Arthur and Stephanie would think that she didn't like him. Eleanor just wouldn't be able to handle the pressure. It was too risky.\n\n"Yeah. I think I could use an afternoon off."\n\n//It will be fine. There will be no social interaction during the movie. Once it is over, I will say that I need to get home. Easy.//\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Smile.|Movie]]</span> \n<<set $latemovieyes to 1>>
<<timed 0.12s>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>> access emotion log</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>access: PERMISSION GRANTED</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>> test happy</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>happiness level 21%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>> test sad</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>sadness level 61%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>> test anxiety</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>anxiety level 98%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>> test fear</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>fear level 99%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>> test curiosity</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>curiosity level 76%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>> test desire</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>desire level 75%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>> test love</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > [[end status report|menu]]</span>\n<</timed>>\n\n<<set $emotions to true>>
By the time she was ready to leave the safety and security of the bathroom cubicle, lunch was almost over. Eleanor hoped that her absence had not caused a bout of suspicion amongst her friends and the wider human committee. Perhaps she should skip lunch altogether and make her way to her next class. <<linkreplace "<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>Smile.</span>" t8n>>Eleanor timidly approached her group of friends on the campus lawn, managing to join them without any fuss. So far, so good.\n\nBefore Eleanor started to go home at the end of the day, she stopped by the supermarket and bought several fruits and vegetables, as well as some more of her favourite tea. God knew she was going to need it. <span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Go home.|Home]]</span><</linkreplace>> \n\n
<<timed 0.12s>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > access mainframe</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> mainframe access: NOT CONNECTED</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> disconnected: 11:16:46PM 01/03/2014</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > access mainframe log version 17</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> 00:00:00AM 01/01/2014 status: CONNECTED</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> connection status: WEAK</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > [[end status report|menu]]</span>\n<</timed>>\n\n<<set $mainframe to true>>
It read:\n\n\nEleanor Kirby\n12 Dracaena Drive,\nRichmond,\nMelbourne VIC 3121\n\n\n\nMiss Kirby,\n\n\nIt has come to our attention that there is a fault in your programming concerning human emotion.\n\nPlease refer to the details attached to this letter and make an appointment at your earliest convenience.\n\nFailure to contact us within seven days will warrant your immediate termination. If you refuse to contact us, please ensure you have bid your closest family and friends farewell. \n\nWe hope to resolve this issue as quickly and easily as possible, and we appreciate your cooperation. \n\n\nYours truly,\n\nCherry Aberdeen\n\nManager of Human Relations\nGovernment of Victoria\n\n\n<<if $moviepanic is 1>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Throw up.]]</span><<else>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Read it again.|Again]]</span><</if>>\n\n<<set $letter to 1>>
"So what did you want to watch?" Eleanor smiled, walking by Arthur's side to the cinema.\n\n"There's the Girl on the Train. I read the book," Arthur said.\n\n[[The Girl on the Train|http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3631112/?ref_=nv_sr_1]]? That was nothing like [[Storks|http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4624424/?ref_=nv_sr_1]]. \n\nEleanor took a deep breath. "What about Storks? It's really good," she said, pointing at the poster on display as they entered the cinema. Eleanor's smile wavered when she saw Arthur glance at the poster and looked mildly unimpressed. \n\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Convince him.]]</span>
Eleanor made some toast, placing the two steaming slices on the plate on the table. <<linkreplace "<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>Make sure they are placed symmetrically.</span>" t8n>>She lined them up neatly. <span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Prepare the toast correctly.|Prepare]]</span><</linkreplace>>
The Voice of Reason
"I'm fine," she said, smiling. "I'll see you next week, okay?" Eleanor continued to smile. She weakly waved goodbye and began to pass Arthur to go outside the building. \n\nEleanor's smile dropped immediately when he gently caught her arm to stop her from walking away. \n\n"You're shaking."\n\nEleanor reapplied her smile and turned to face him. "I'm okay, just cold."\n\n"You're crying."\n\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Forget to breathe.|Go home]] </span>
Eleanor continued to sit and stare blankly at the floor.\n\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[GET READY FOR THE DAY OR YOU WILL THROW AWAY YOUR LIFE, YOUR CAREER, AND WHAT LITTLE HUMANITY YOU MAY HAVE. YOU WILL DIE ALONE AND A FAILURE. YOUR EXISTENCE WILL MEAN NOTHING BECAUSE YOU ARE A FRAUD. SO GET READY.|Get Ready]]</span>
Eleanor froze for a brief moment.\n\n"Uhh," she said. Would it be mean to not go anymore? If she did go with Arthur, all of the social attention would be on her and she wouldn't have Stephanie to diffuse any awkward conversations. But Arthur was apparently very keen to see a movie, and it could be seen as rude if she said no at the last minute. \n\nStephanie turned her attention to setting up her notebook for the lecture when she saw that Eleanor was thinking.\n\nMaybe she shouldn't go. He would probably want to get food afterwards, too. Eleanor just wouldn't be able to handle the pressure. It was too risky.\n\n"Maybe we should go another day when we can all make it. It'd be more fun."\n\nStephanie seemed to take that well, as far as Eleanor could see. But she wasn't looking forward to telling Arthur.\n\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Worry for the rest of the day.|Worry]]</span> \n<<set $earlymovienono to 1>>
Eleanor's breath caught in her throat. "I'm fine," she squeaked.\n\nArthur took a deep breath and placed his hand softly on her shoulder, guiding her outside. "I'll walk you home."\n\nEleanor's brow furrowed in worry. She could not control her movements. Before she knew it, she and Arthur were a block away. They turned down a quiet narrow street.\n\n"Do you wanna talk about it?" Arthur asked after a while.\n\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Say no.|Get upset]] </span>
<<timed 0.12s>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > access diagnostic result</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> access: status</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> biological: SUCCESSFUL</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> emotional: FAILED</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> neurological: FAILED</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> physical: SUCCESSFUL</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> social: FAILED</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> instinctual: FAILED</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> memory: SUCCESSFUL</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > [[end status report|menu]]</span>\n<</timed>>
Pressing her palms strongly against her ears, she shook her head violently. Her eyes were squeezed shut as tight as they would go. She drooped her head to her knees and felt droplets of water fall on them. Her heart was bursting from her chest.\n\n//No.\n\nNo.\n\nNo.\n\nNO.//\n\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Yes.]]</span>
Eleanor unplugged her phone and unlocked it. She went through all of her notifications, making sure to tend to each one. When there were none left and her icons were back to their original state, she checked the weather for today. Although it was cold now, it was going to warm up to twenty two degrees Celsius by 1pm.\n \nAfter a shower taking six minutes flat, and changing into clothing appropriate for the weather, Eleanor went to the kitchen. <<linkreplace "<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>Make coffee.</span>" t8n>>Smelling the coffee beans, her dry dehydrated mouth began to salivate. At the same time as preparing her hot beverage, she collected all of the things she needed out of the fridge and pantry. <span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Cook two slices of toast.|Cook]]</span><</linkreplace>> \n\n<audio autoplay>\n <source src="iphone unlock.mp3" type="audio/mp3">\n</audio>
@@.shudder;THEY KNOW@@\n@@.rumble;I AM NOT HUMAN@@\n@@.shudder;THEY KNOW@@\n@@.rumble;I AM WRONG@@\n@@.shudder;THEY KNOW@@\n@@.rumble;I AM FAKE@@\n@@.shudder;THEY KNOW@@\n@@.rumble;I AM AN IMPOSTER@@\n@@.shudder;THEY KNOW@@\n@@.rumble;I AM NOT REAL@@\n@@.shudder;THEY KNOW@@\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> [[IT IS YOUR FAULT.|Safe]]</span>
Eleanor went up to her apartment. <<linkreplace "<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>Put everything where it is supposed to go and do not do anything else until that is completed.</span>" t8n>>She put all of the groceries away, folded the plastic bags and put them and the receipt in their designated boxes in her room. She unpacked her backpack, even though she would need exactly the same things in the backpack the very next morning. She did not rest until her shoes were away, her socks were in the hamper, and her laptop was set up on her desk and charging. <span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Make a cup of tea.|Tea]]</span><</linkreplace>>
"Isn't that for kids?" Arthur asked.\n\n"Ah, not necessarily. The animation is amazing and it's pretty funny."\n\n"Well, I really want to see The Girl on the Train. You like psychological thrillers, don't you?" Arthur looked hopefully at Eleanor.\n\n//It's okay, Eleanor. Close your eyes when you need to. Think about Storks and how it made you feel.//\n\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Just watch it.|Just]]</span>
Stephanie was waiting by the door to the lecture theatre when Eleanor had arrived the next morning. <<linkreplace "<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>Be happy.</span>" t8n>>\n\n"Hello, Steph!" Eleanor greeted cheerfully.\n\n"Hey, El. How's it going?" Stephanie replied just as charmingly.\n\nThey both continued their usual, rehearsed morning conversation. However, as they both found their seats in the lecture theatre, Stephanie changed the topic to something Eleanor wasn't expecting. Usually, Eleanor was able to navigate the average conversation with a human, as it usually involved lots of smiling, nodding, and polite laughing.\n\n<<if $late is 1>>"So did Arthur ask you to go see a movie today? I was going to see one with him but it turns out I have to babysit my cousin. Could you go with him? There was a movie he really wanted to see but not by himself." \n\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Go.|Late movie yes]] [[Don't go.|Late movie no]]</span> <<else>> "So I won't be able to go see a movie today with you and Arthur because it turns out I have to babysit my cousin. So it will just be you two. That cool? He was really looking forward to it." \n\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Yes.|Early movie yes]] [[No.|Early movie no]]</span><</if>> <</linkreplace>>
@-webkit-keyframes fade-in-out {\n\t0%,\n\tto {opacity: 0}\n\t50% {opacity: 1}\n}\n@keyframes fade-in-out {\n\t0%,\n\tto {opacity: 0}\n\t50% {opacity: 1}\n}\n.fade-in-out {\n\ttext-decoration: none;\n\tanimation: fade-in-out 1s ease-in-out infinite alternate;\n\t-webkit-animation: fade-in-out .75s ease-in-out infinite alternate;\n}\n\n@-webkit-keyframes rumble {\n\t50% {\n\t\t-webkit-transform: translateY(-.2em);\n\t\ttransform: translateY(-.2em)\n\t}\n}\n@keyframes rumble {\n\t50% {\n\t\t-webkit-transform: translateY(-.2em);\n\t\ttransform: translateY(-.2em)\n\t}\n}\n.rumble {\n\t-webkit-animation: rumble linear 0.1s 0s infinite;\n\tanimation: rumble linear 0.1s 0s infinite;\n\tdisplay:inline-block;\n}\n\n@-webkit-keyframes shudder {\n\t50% {\n\t\t-webkit-transform: translateX(0.2em);\n\t\ttransform: translateX(0.2em)\n\t}\n}\n@keyframes shudder {\n\t50% {\n\t\t-webkit-transform: translateX(0.2em);\n\t\ttransform: translateX(0.2em)\n\t}\n}\n.shudder {\n\t-webkit-animation: shudder linear 0.1s 0s infinite;\n\tanimation: shudder linear 0.1s 0s infinite;\n\tdisplay: inline-block;\n}
It was lucky the theatre was dark enough for no one to see Eleanor's face. Because if they had, she would have excused herself to go to the bathroom three times already. She writhed her hands on her lap to distract herself. She did //not// want to be there. But she would stay. She would handle it. It was too late to turn back. \n\nStorks was a wonderful movie. It was about friendship and family. You did not need to be human to feel love. You did not need the entirety of human emotion to belong. \n\nAnd yet here she was.\n\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[After the movie, go straight home.|breakdown]] </span>
"I'm starving. Did you want to get something to eat?" Arthur said as Eleanor rejoined him.\n\nEleanor's hands began to shake, so she hid them behind her back. "No, thanks. I have to get home. There's an assignment I need to work on."\n\nArthur stopped. He was frowning at her. \n\nEleanor's heart sped up and she looked somewhere else to avoid his gaze.\n\n"What's wrong?" he asked. "Are you okay?"\n\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Escape.]] </span>
<<timed 0.12s>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > access sanity</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> access: PERMISSION DENIED</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> ERROR</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > [[initiate emergency shutdown|Initiate]]</span>\n<</timed>>
<<if $letter is 1>>Eleanor's alarm went off at 8am.\n\nBut what was the point of getting up? What was the point of pretending for another day when they //knew//?\n\nFor a long time, Eleanor just sat there, alone by the couch. Her limbs ached and her head was throbbing and heavy. Her morning alarm had since shut off by itself, but Eleanor jumped when it went off a second time. \n\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Turn it off.|Turn]]</span> <<else>> Eleanor's eyes droopily opened. She was home, in her bedroom. She turned to look at her bedside table. Her phone was there and plugged in. But her laptop was still in her bag leaning against the cupboard. She felt sick. So sick, all she could use to describe it was dread. \n\nEleanor cautiously slid out of bed and tiptoed to the door. It was slightly ajar, which was not a good sign. She looked down. She was still wearing her clothes from yesterday, socks and all. She crept out of her room and inspected her apartment. There was a note hanging from the handle of the front door.\n\nIt read:\n\n//I put your mail on the kitchen bench. \n\nThings will be alright, your secret is safe. I'll come check on you in the morning. \n\n-Art//\n\nSo yesterday did happen. Yesterday happened, and Eleanor felt like she was going to throw up. <span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Go to the bathroom.|Bathroom]]</span><</if>>
She arrived home. Her arms were tired from carrying her shopping bags, as well as her heavy laptop and her jacket that she was no longer wearing. <<if $movieno is 1>><<linkreplace "<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>Check the mail.</span>" t8n>>Even though her hands were full, she had to check the mail before going inside, because she knew that she would not want to leave her apartment once she had returned for the day. There was a letter inside the mailbox. <span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Take it and go upstairs.|Later]] </span><</linkreplace>><<else>> <</if>><<if $movieyes is 1>><<linkreplace "<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>Only think about tomorrow.</span>" t8n>>Eleanor was hardly paying attention to where she was going. All she could think about was how the events of tomorrow would play out. Before she knew it, she was home. <span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Go upstairs.|Later]] </span><</linkreplace>><<else>> <</if>><<if $late is 1>><<linkreplace "<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>Replay the events in your mind over and over.</span>" t8n>>Eleanor was hardly paying attention to where she was going. All she could think about was how the events of today had played out. They went on over and over in her mind. She was unable to escape. Before she knew it, she was home. <span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Go upstairs.|Later]] </span><</linkreplace>><<else>> <</if>>
Eleanor showered, dressed and ate breakfast like it was any other day. She didn't cry. She didn't have trouble breathing. But the pressure in her chest was still there, and there were butterflies in her stomach.\n\nShe emailed her teachers about her absence and messaged her friends that she would not be at university today. She made sure to tell Arthur not to visit. Now that he knew, there was no way she could face him.\n\nEleanor had nothing left to do but finally pay attention to the letter that had been discarded on the kitchen table.\n\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Make the appointment.|Appointment]]</span>
Eleanor's eyes remained closed, her nose scrunched at the feeling of the cold air on her face and she sniffed. The rest of her was so warm, and she couldn't bring herself to open her eyes just yet. She reached out an arm from underneath the covers to tap her phone screen until she managed to hit the snooze button. What was nine more minutes?\n\nAfter repeating this two more times, and upon the realisation that she only had a mere one hour and thirty three minutes, Eleanor burst out of bed, hardly noticing the wave of chilled air engulfing her.\n\n<<linkreplace "<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>Open the curtains.</span>" t8n>>Yawning, she pulled the strings to draw the curtains. It was foggy outside. The sun was peaking weakly above the trees, barely shining on the window to melt away the frost that had formed overnight. <span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> [[Look at your phone.|Look]]</span><</linkreplace>>\n <<set $late to 1>>
I am the Voice of Reason. And you must listen.\n\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> [[Listen.]]</span>
Her breathing began to be erratic and she could feel a force on her chest. She felt heavy. //He knows. He knows. He knows. He knows. He knows. He knows.// <<linkreplace "<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>Panic.</span>" t8n>> Eleanor started to cry and stop breathing properly at the same time. \n\nArthur worriedly put his hands on her shoulders and leant down so that their eyes were level. She looked so scared. Her assignments weren't due for another two weeks. What else could make her feel like this?\n\nEleanor's eyes darted frantically around. Finally, she dropped to the ground, crouching into a ball. Her clammy hands opened and closed, finding her hair and scrunching it tightly. She couldn't see because of the hot tears stinging her eyes. Her nose was blocked but no matter how wide open her mouth was and how fast she was trying to breathe, nothing could stop the choking feeling.\n\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[He knows and it's your fault. Now everyone will know.|Fault]]</span><</linkreplace>>
<<timed 0.12s>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > access security</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>access: PERMISSION DENIED</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>> bypass security code 13506</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>access: PERMISSION GRANTED</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>security bypassed</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > [[end status report|menu]]</span>\n<</timed>>\n\n<<set $security to true>>
<<timed 0.12s>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > access system image log</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> access: system image log</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> enter system image version</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > access system image version 19</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> 00:00:00AM 01/01/2016 status: AWARE</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > access system image version 18</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> 00:00:00AM 01/01/2015 status: AWARE</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > access system image version 17</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> 00:00:00AM 01/01/2014 status: UNAWARE</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > [[end status report|menu]]</span>\n<</timed>>\n\n<<set $image to true>>
Her breathing began to be erratic and she could feel a force on her chest. She felt heavy, and she sank to the floor. //They know. They know. They know. They know. They know. They know.// <<linkreplace "<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>Panic.</span>" t8n>> Eleanor started to cry and stop breathing properly at the same time. \n\nHer clammy hands opened and closed, grasping nothing but air and squeezing it tightly. She couldn't see because of the hot tears stinging her eyes. Her nose was blocked but no matter how wide open her mouth was and how fast she was trying to breathe, nothing could stop the choking feeling.\n\n//How did they know? How did they find out?// Eleanor had been so careful. She had done the best she could.\n\nThe rest of her body was numb and shaking violently. And then the walls of her apartment began to close in. The lights went out.\n\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[They know and it's your fault.|Fault]]</span><</linkreplace>>
Eleanor slowly stumbled up, causing her to fall backwards onto the beige leather couch behind her.\n\n<<linkreplace "<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>Turn it off.</span>" t8n>> Eleanor didn't move. \n\nThe alarm got louder in her mind.\n\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[TURN IT OFF.|Off]]</span>\n<</linkreplace>>
<<timed 2s>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> REBOOTING..@@.fade-in-out;.@@</span><</timed>>\n\n\n<<timed 6s>><<goto [[wake]]>><</timed>>
She boiled the kettle for a cup of tea, got out a mug, and placed a tea bag in it ready to go.\n\n<<if $movieno is 1>><<linkreplace "<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>Open the letter.</span>" t8n>>Sitting down at the table, she gently opened the envelope. <span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Read the letter.|Letter]]</span><</linkreplace>> <<else>>Meanwhile, Eleanor gathered all of the fruits and vegetables, a chopping board, a knife and containers. She chopped up all of the watermelon and put it in a container. She washed her hands. She chopped up all the carrot and put it in a container. She washed her hands. She chopped up two mangoes and put it all in a container. She washed her hands. She continued until there was no fruit or vegetable left and all of the containers were stacked nicely in the fridge. Eleanor admired the containers, proudly showing the varied colours of the fresh produce. \n\nClosing the door, she saw her abandoned mug by the kettle. Watching the kettle boil once again, Eleanor sighed shakily as she remembered why she was trying to distract herself in the first place. It was a shame, she wished she had something more to cut. <span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Have a cup of tea.|Next day]]</span> <</if>>
.big {\n background-color: white;\n color: black;\n font-family: Adobe Garamond Pro,Times New Roman,Helvetica,sans-serif,Lucida Console;\n font-size: 400%;\n}\n\n.font {\n font-family: Lucida Console, Adobe Garamond Pro,Times New Roman,Helvetica,sans-serif,Lucida Console;\n}\n\n.black {\n background-color: black;\n color: white;\n}
Eleanor froze for a brief moment.\n\n"Uhh," she said. Would it be mean to refuse? If she did go with Arthur, all of the social attention would be on her and she wouldn't have Stephanie to diffuse any awkward conversations. But Arthur was apparently very keen to see a movie, and it could be seen as rude if she said no at the last minute.\n\nStephanie turned her attention to setting up her notebook for the lecture when she saw that Eleanor was thinking.\n\nMaybe she should go. Both Arthur and Stephanie would think that she didn't like him. Eleanor just wouldn't be able to handle the pressure. It was too risky.\n\n"Yeah. I think I could use an afternoon off."\n\n//It will be fine. There will be no social interaction during the movie. Once it is over, I will say that I need to get home. Easy.//\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Smile.|Movie]]</span> \n<<set $earlymovieyesyes to 1>>
But Eleanor could not smile. Her day was growing worse as it continued. First she was late to class because she slept in a little. But she couldn't leave without everything in her routine being completed.\n\nShe needed to leave the classroom. Quickly. Eleanor finished packing up her things and weaved through the crowds of people as they headed to the assembly. Making sure she kept her head down and her lips squeezed tightly, she snuck into the bathroom and locked herself in a cubicle. There was no one else in there at the moment. So she stood there and wept.\n\n<<linkreplace "<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>Do not leave this cubicle until you look normal again.</span>" t8n>>Once she had calmed down, Eleanor shakily took out her phone and messaged her friend that she would be late for lunch. She was going to be here for a while until her puffy eyes were less noticeable and her lips stopped quivering. <span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> [[Go to lunch.|Lunch]]</span><</linkreplace>>\n\n\n
Eleanor was quiet, but the man gave her time to answer.\n\n"I... I'm not sure."\n\nHe wrote some more. "That's alright, Miss Kirby. I'm going to have to ask you to run a diagnostic check for me." He reached for his laptop which was open and sitting on the desk between them. "I'll be able to access your system from here and enter the commands, so you don't have to do anything. Then we can go from there."\n\nEleanor didn't say a word. She couldn't.\n\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Comply.]]</span>\n
"Did you like it?"\n\n"Yeah," Eleanor said.\n\n"It was alright," Arthur noted. He looked to Eleanor as they walked into the foyer. \n\nThey approached the bathrooms and Eleanor excused herself. When she was alone in the cubicle, she took that moment to breathe. To her dismay, her eyes began to prick with tears and her breath was shaky. \n\n//Not long to go now. You can escape very soon.// Wiping her face dry with a bit of toilet paper, she managed to stop crying. Her face was still a little puffy and red, but she didn't have enough time to completely calm down. She hoped she could leave quickly and avoid Arthur noticing.\n\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Leave the bathroom.|Leave]] </span>
"Do you know why you're here?"\n\nThe sun had disappeared behind a large cloud which left Eleanor moving to hug herself in the large office. She avoided looking into the lens of the camera set up beside the man, then she cleared her throat.\n\n<<linkreplace "<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>Answer.</span>" t8n>>"Because I displayed non-human characteristics." She had tried to sound confident, but it came out as nothing but a whisper.\n\nThe man smiled, wrote something down, then spoke. "And which non-human characteristics did you display?"\n\n<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Answer.]]</span><</linkreplace>>
Tegan Nicholson
Eleanor told him that she’d be happy to join him for a movie at 4pm the following afternoon. She really wanted to watch Storks again.\n\n<<linkreplace "<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>Invite Stephanie.</span>" t8n>>She asked to also invite their friend Stephanie. That way, there would be less attention on Eleanor's lack of humanity. He happily invited her too.\n<<set $movieyes to 1>>\nBefore Eleanor started to go home at the end of the day, she stopped by the supermarket and bought several fruits and vegetables, as well as some more of her favourite tea. <span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Go home.|Home]]</span><</linkreplace>> \n\n
She was smiling all through lunch. \n\nShe was smiling when her friend Arthur had asked how she was. Like any fake human, Eleanor said she was well. Arthur then proceeded to ask Eleanor to a movie Thursday afternoon. Although, Eleanor was not sure if she wanted to spend time with him. What if he found out that she was not a proper human? Thankfully, she had never been discovered before when she spent time with her friends. Eleanor had so far been able to pretend that she was a human. But Arthur might get suspicious if she rejected him. <span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Say yes.|Yes]] [[Say no.|No]]</span>
<<timed 0.12s>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > run basic diagnostic</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> running basic diagnostic</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> 0%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> 5%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> 10%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> 15%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> 20%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> 25%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> 30%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> 35%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> 40%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> 45%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> 50%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> 55%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> 60%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> 65%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> 70%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> 75%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> 80%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> 85%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> 90%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> 95%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> 100%</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> diagnostic complete</span>\n<<next>><span style='font-family: Lucida Console'> > [[end diagnostic]]</span>\n<</timed>>
Once all her classes had concluded for the day, Eleanor hurried home, not even stopping by the supermarket. She had skipped lunch because she felt guilty about not going to the cinema with Arthur. But nevertheless, she needed to get away from everything.\n\nWhen she got home, she had to check the mail before going inside, because she knew that she would not want to leave her apartment once she had returned for the day. There was a letter inside the mailbox. <<linkreplace "<span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>Take it and go upstairs.</span>" t8n>>\n\nEleanor went up to her apartment. She was worrying so much about today that she dumped her bag and keys on the kitchen table and turned her attention to the letter she had received. <span style='font-family: Lucida Console'>[[Read the letter.|Letter]]</span><</linkreplace>>\n\n