horse whisperer 0.2a

You walk into an Italian restaurant and sit down at the table with the don and his little consigliari. The boss holds out his hand. You kiss it. The waiter asks "What are you drinking?" [["Whiskey, neat."->Drink]] [["Whatever you recommend."->Drink]] [["Just water, thanks."->Drink]]

"Coming right up," says the waiter. He makes you one with a toothpick, a tiny tiny horse ridden by an even tinier jockey. [[He walks you to the dinner table.]]

"Can I talk to horses? I was the best therapist in my class. I've helped horses with confidence, impotence, incontinence, you name it! I've talked to horses on all seven continents, and sometimes, weeks will go by where the only conversation I've had was with horses. So yeah. I think I can talk to them." There's a short silence. "Don't get cocky." The boss says. "Yeah, you ain't as smart as you think," says the little guy. "These horses don't open up to just any old schlub." "Plus, they lie." The boss reminds you. "Never trust a horse unless you're riding it." "Otherwise it's riding you." The little guy says. The boss clears his throat. "Now let's get down to it..." [[Continue->TheBusiness]]

"OHHO" the little guy squeaks. \ "It's the truth," you say. "The hurbis on this guy," the boss says, "It's bold. But just like people, it's true of horses. Talk is cheap." "Yeah, plenty of people can understand a horse. They might even speak horse too. "But what made your father different was that he could manipulate them. That's why he whispered. He made sure the fix was in. Cuz if we're not on top when the race is finihed..." "You're finihed." The little guy says and gives you a look like he wouldn't mind killing you. "But of course, you are your father's child. Maybe you are better. Just hope it doesn't skip a generation. I mean, we can always use more money here at the mafia, ain't that right?" "Oh yeah," says the consigliere. "We love money. Now let's get to it..." [[Continue->TheBusiness]]

"Oh yeah?" The boss was impressed. "What did he say." [["He say hay."->SayHay]] [["Asked for a'brushin'."->ABrushin]] [["I led him to water, but he wouldn't drink."->LedToWater]]

"What did you just say?" says the little guy. He takes out a gun and points it at your head. [[I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I was just having a bit of fun!"->Goof]] [["I called you a dumb lug. Thanks for proving my point."->Death]]

The boss looks at you seriously. "You know, in our business, there's a silent killer that's destroying this thing of ours." "And he don't mean Joey Bananas. Who you know, wacks anybody you want for $5,000." "Nope. I'm talking about //Imposter Syndrome.// Every mobster knows about it. That feeling of dread. Wondering are you really worth it? Do you really belong here?" "Everybody gets that. It's like, universal." says the little one. "But I'm here to tell you, as a leading light in the next generation of The Italian Mafia, ''you belong.''" says the boss. "We believe ''you can'' help us fix horse races so we make out big." "Or else." says the little guy while he draws his thumb across his throat. [["Now let's get to it"->TheBusiness]]

"Wha?" says the boss. "You dare refuse the boss?!" "Can't do it. Won't do it. Not doing it. Stop asking." "Why not? "Don't wanna." "Alright then." The boss says, "Get him out of here." The little guy picks you up and throws you out the door like a wet sack of potatos. You wander the streets for a while, confident in your choice. You live a clean and sober life. You work at the post office. You tried going to the track once but all your bets lost so you never went back. Then one day you get hit by a bus and die and everyone in the community is sad. [[Start over->start]]

"We got a lot of money riding on this." The boss says. The little guy finally gives it to you straight. "The horses will try to sweet talk you. They're lazy. And vain. They don't like wearing shoes and they don't like racing." "Next weekend is the Preakness Derby World Cup. We want to control the whole ticket." says the don. "And we got a lot to shuffle around!" says the little guy. [[Continue->TheOdds]]

You get to the barn and see it in all it's glory. There's three horses in the stables You walk in the barn, there is no turning back. [[Chat with the horses and start your day.->DayStart]] (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

Take a look at this race form. 1. EDGINGTON VIII: ''- Year of birth:'' 11/5/202X ''- Jockey:'' Cimeron Swiftsilver ''- Weight:'' 972 ''- Sire (Father):'' Edgington VII ''- Dam (Mother):'' Best Mate V ''- Trainer: ''An Autonomous Cluster of Breeder Bots ''- Owner:'' Standford Trust ''- Form:'' | 1/1 - 1st | 2/20 - 1st | 3/15 - 1st | 4/20 - 2nd |5/14 - 1st 6/5 - 1st | 2. SCRATCH-OFF MCMASTERS: ''- Year of birth: ''1/17/202X ''- Jockey: ''Pinball Rombower ''- Weight:'' 999 ''- Sire (Father):'' Unnamed Donkey (diseased) ''- Dam (Mother): ''Tamaran McMasters, The Legendary Beer Drinking Horse ''- Trainer:'' The Streets ''- Owner: ''No man ''- Form: '' | 1/1 - 2nd | 2/20 - 2nd | 3/15 - 2st | 4/20 - 1nd | 5/14 - 2nd |6/5 - 2st | 3. NECTARINE DREAM: ''- Year of birth:'' 11/9/201X ''- Jockey:'' Sweet Ranger Cream ''- Weight:'' //~`impolite to ask this'~// ''- Sire (father):'' Ted T. Horse ''- Dam (mother): ''Norma Grey (Nebraska) ''- Trainer:'' Celebrity Fitness Guru, Jayme Skuliver ''- Owner: ''The Centralized Casting Intelligence Agency (CCIA) ''- Form: ''| 1/1 - 9th | 2/20 -10th | 3/15 - 4th | 4/20 - 7th | 5/14 - 9th |6/5 - 3rd | [[Continue->Proposition]]

A fine white horse is standing noble in his stable. The purest of pure breads, you and just about every other horse therapist has heard about the Edgington family. Seven generations of thoroughbreds, born, raised and genentically engineered in Palo Alto, California. You better not mess this up. [[The most honorable Edgington the Eighth, I presume.]]

A scruffy, angry looking horse is staring you down in the face. [[Well hello, Scratch-Off]] [[So you're the problem child.]] [[What are you looking at?]] [[Where could somebody buy information around here?]]

You meet Nectarine, the fanciest horse you ever did see. [[Woah there horsie]] [[Hi Nectarine]] [[Say nothing]]

## Day $TurnCount - The Stables (if: $TurnCount < 7)[ Only (print: 7 - $TurnCount) day(if: (7 - $TurnCount) > 1)[s] until the big race. ](else:)[ The race is TODAY! ] The three horses watch you from their stalls. It's almost time for the big race.  (if: $Edgington2nd is 1)[  Edgington is on the phone with his agent, talking about who should write the screenplay for his biopic. ](else-if: $EdgingtonDQ is 1)[ Edgington is gone and he's not coming back. ](else-if: $EdgingtonBlackmail is 1)[ [["Hey Edgington, he showed me the tapes. All of them." ->EdgingtonBlackmailConfrontation]] ](else-if: $EdgingtonBribe is 1)[ [[You know just what you need to bribe Edgington.->EdgingtonBribeOutcome]] ](else-if: $EdgingtonManipulate is 1)[ [[Try messing with Edgington's head.->EdgingtonManipulateOutcome]] ](else-if: $EdgingtonMad is 1)[ [[Edgington is really mad at you. You shouldn't talk to him but..->EdgingtonMadOutcome]] ](else-if: $EdgingtonRespect is 1)[ [[Have a deep conversation with Edgington->EdgingtonDialogue2]] ](else:)[ [[Chat with the fancy horse->EdgingtonIntro1]] ]  (if: $ScratchoffDQ is 1)[  Scratch-Off's stable is empty. ](else-if: $Scratchoff1st is 1)[ No need to worry about Scratch-Off. You pulled a fast one on him. ](else-if: $ScratchoffBlackmail is 1)[ [[You approach Scratch-Off with the arrest warrant, "Looks like a little horsie got into some trouble in Mexico." ->ScratchoffBlackmailConfrontation]] ](else-if: $ScratchoffBribe is 1)[ [[You know just what you need to bribe Scratch-Off->ScratchoffBribeConfrontation]] ](else-if: $ScratchoffManipulate is 1)[ [[Time to mess with Scratch-Off's head.->ScratchoffManipulateOutcome]] ](else-if: $ScratchoffMad is 1)[ [[Scratch-Off looks really mad at you and you should probably leave him alone. But instead, you approach him.->ScratchoffMadEnd]] ](else-if: $ScratchoffRespect is 1)[ [[Now that you've earned Scratch-Off's respect, you're ready to have a heart to heart with him.->ScratchoffDialogue2]] ](else:)[ [[Chat with the scruffy horse->ScratchoffIntro1]] ]  (if: $NectarineDQ is 1)[ Nectarine is missing from her stables. ](else-if: $Nectarine1st is 1)[ Nectarine is training harder than she's ever trained. You can't talk to her now. ](else-if: $Nectarine2nd is 1)[ Nectarine is training with her lover. You can't talk to her now. ](else-if: $NectarineBlackmail is 1)[ [["Word around the barn is you enjoy love of the illegal persuasion."->NectarineBlackmailConfrontation]] ](else-if: $NectarineBribe is 1)[ [[You call the Don to see if he can get Nectarine a starring role in her very own sitcom.->NectarineBribeConfrontation]] ](else-if: $NectarineManipulate is 1)[ [[Time to mess with Nectarine's head.->NectarineManipulateOutcome]] ](else-if: $NectarineMad is 1)[ [[Nectarine is really angry at you. You should probably leave her alone, unless...->NectarineMadOutcome]] ](else-if: $NectarineRespect is 1)[ [[Have a deeper conversation with Nectarine->NectarineDialogue2]] ](else:)[ [[Chat with the pretty horse->NectarineIntro1]] ]  (if: $EdgingtonRespect is 1 and $ScratchoffRespect is 1 and $NectarineRespect is 1)[ [[Gather all three horses for a group session->GroupTherapy]] ] (if: $EdgingtonMad is 1 and $ScratchoffMad is 1 and $NectarineMad is 1)[ [[All three horses have something to tell you->HorseUnion]] ] (if: $TurnCount >= 7)[ [[The race is about to begin->GetSet]] ] (if: $TurnCount <= 7)[ [[You're tired. Go to bed for the day.->You're tired. Go to bed for the day.]] ]

(if: $Edgington1st is 1 and $Scratchoff2nd is 1 and $Nectarine3rd is 1)[ And they're off! Edgington takes a fast lead into first. Scratch-Off is close behind. Nectarine is in third. And you are realizing this might be the end of you. You accomplished nothing. This is exactly what they told you must not happen... **FINAL RESULTS:** 🥇 1st Place: Edgington 🥈 2nd Place: Scratchoff 🥉 3rd Place: Nectarine Uh oh... [[You are so screwed.->Complete Defeat]]  ](else-if: $Edgington1st is 1 and $Nectarine2nd is 1 and $Scratchoff3rd is 1)[ And they're off! The race is...not going well. Edgington takes a fast lead into first. Scratch-Off is close behind. Nectarine is in third. Then Nectarine passes Scratch-Off! What an upset! Too bad it doesn't matter. All your work amounted to nothing. This is exactly what they told you not to let happen... **FINAL RESULTS:** 🥇 1st Place: Edgington 🥈 2nd Place: Nectarine 🥉 3rd Place: Scratchoff [[The boss is going to be really mad at you...->Complete Defeat]]  ](else-if: $Scratchoff1st is 1 and $Edgington2nd is 1 and $Nectarine3rd is 1)[ Scratch-Off lines up to the lines without a jockey. "Wait! He can't do that!" You shout. //And they're off!// It's too late. The race already started. "Yes he can," says one of the referees in the crew box. "Ain't no rule saying a horse has to have a jockey." "Yes there is!" You protest. But he takes out the rulebook and shows you, actually, there is no rule that a horse has to have a jockey. There used to be, but they got rid of it. Without a jockey, Scratch-Off effortly wins the race, coming in first. Edgington tries his best to keep up and Nectarine has a decent showing but... **FINAL RESULTS:** 🥇 1st Place: Scratch-Off 🥈 2nd Place: Edgington 🥉 3rd Place: Nectarine You were supposed to make Scratch-Off leave the country. Not win the race... [[They are gonna be so mad.->Catastrophic Defeat]]  ](else-if: $Scratchoff1st is 1 and $Nectarine2nd is 1 and $Edgington3rd is 1)[ Scratch-Off lines up to the lines without a jockey. "Wait! He can't do that!" You shout. "Yes he can," says one of the referees in the crew box. "Ain't no rule saying a horse has to have a jockey." //And they're off!// "Yes there is!" You protest. But he takes out the rulebook and shows you, actually, there is no rule that a horse has to have a jockey. There used to be, but they got rid of it. Without a jockey, Scratch-Off effortly wins the race, coming in first. **FINAL RESULTS:** 🥇 1st Place: Scratch-Off 🥈 2nd Place: Nectarine 🥉 3rd Place: Edgington You were supposed to make Scratch-Off leave the country. Not win the race... [[This isn't good at all.->Catastrophic Defeat]]  ](else-if: $Nectarine1st is 1 and $Edgington2nd is 1 and $Scratchoff3rd is 1)[ //And they're off!// Nectarine rounds the corner. Edgington edges up close. He passes him as they bound down the home stretch. But then, Nectarine gets a look of determination in her eye. Like he remembers everything you taught him. He runs faster than she's ever run. And she does it! He beats Edgington and Nectarine comes out into first place! Edgington falls in line behind in 2nd. And...Scratch-Off is in third?! He's not even supposed to be here today. **FINAL RESULTS:** 🥇 1st Place: Nectarine 🥈 2nd Place: Edgington 🥉 3rd Place: Scratch-Off Well, how mad can they be. You almost got it... They must have one some money?] [[Right?->Close Call Defeat]]  ](else-if: $Nectarine1st is 1 and $Scratchoff2nd is 1 and $Edgington3rd is 1)[ //And they're off!// Nectarine rounds the corner. Edgington edges up close. He passes him as they bound down the home stretch. But then, Nectarine gets a look of determination in her eye. Like he remembers everything you taught him. He runs faster than he's ever run. And he does it! He beats Edgington and Nectarine comes out into first place! Edgington falls in line behind in 2nd. And...Scratch-Off is coming round the bend?! Wait how is this possible? He's not even supposed to be here today. He passes Edgington. Now he's in second. You are so cooked. **FINAL RESULTS:** 🥇 1st Place: Nectarine 🥈 2nd Place: Scratch-Off 🥉 3rd Place: Edgington At least Nectarine won? [[Deal with mixed results->Bad Defeat]]  ](else-if: $Edgington1st is 1 and $Scratchoff2nd is 1 and $NectarineDQ is 1)[ And they're off! You don't see Nectarine leading the pack. You don't even see Nectarine on the track. Where is she? Did she forget to come to the race or what? **FINAL RESULTS:** 🥇 1st Place: Edgington 🥈 2nd Place: Scratchoff ❌ DISQUALIFIED: Nectarine You just lost the mafia a lot of money. I'm sure they won't be too mad. [[Face financial disaster->Catastrophic Defeat]]  ](else-if: $Nectarine1st is 1 and $Edgington2nd is 1 and $ScratchoffDQ is 1)[ And they're off! This is Nectarine's race. She's starting strong. No Scratch-Off to distract her. Edgington comes running round the bend. With Scratch-Off taking up second. But //Nectarine// is close behind them. She's running at a fast clip. Passing fifth, passing fourth, she's got herself in third place. It's her and Edgington neck and neck. Until Nectarine passes him! Race is coming to the final stretch. It's Nectarine verses Edgington. It's all down to the final second and... **FINAL RESULTS:** 🥇 1st Place: NECTARINE 🥈 2nd Place: Edgington ❌ DISQUALIFIED: Scratchoff She wins! This is it! You did it! You did everything the mafia wanted! [[Collect your massive winnings->Perfect Victory]]  ](else-if: $Scratchoff1st is 1 and $Edgington2nd is 1 and $NectarineDQ is 1)[ Scratch-Off lines up to the lines without a jockey. "Wait! He can't do that!" You shout. //And they're off!// It's too late. The race already started. "Yes he can," says one of the referees in the crew box. "Ain't no rule saying a horse has to have a jockey." "Yes there is!" You protest. But he takes out the rulebook and shows you, actually, there is no rule that a horse has to have a jockey. There used to be, but they got rid of it. Without a jockey, Scratch-Off effortly wins the race, coming in first. Edgington tries his best to keep up and Nectarine has a decent showing but... **FINAL RESULTS:** 🥇 1st Place: Scratchoff 🥈 2nd Place: Edgington ❌ DISQUALIFIED: Nectarine [Ending flavor text about complete catastrophe] [[Accept total financial and reputational ruin->Catastrophic Defeat]]  ](else-if: $Scratchoff1st is 1 and $Nectarine2nd is 1 and $EdgingtonDQ is 1)[ **SCRATCHOFF WINS, EDGINGTON OUT** Scratch-Off lines up to the lines without a jockey. "Wait! He can't do that!" You shout. //And they're off!// It's too late. The race already started. "Yes he can," says one of the referees in the crew box. "Ain't no rule saying a horse has to have a jockey." "Yes there is!" You protest. But he takes out the rulebook and shows you, actually, there is no rule that a horse has to have a jockey. There used to be, but they got rid of it. Without a jockey, Scratch-Off effortly wins the race, coming in first. Edgington tries his best to keep up and Nectarine has a decent showing but... **FINAL RESULTS:** 🥇 1st Place: Scratchoff 🥈 2nd Place: Nectarine ❌ DISQUALIFIED: Edgington [[You are maybe sort of in the worst trouble you've ever been in.->Bad Defeat]]  ](else-if: $Nectarine1st is 1 and $Scratchoff2nd is 1 and $EdgingtonDQ is 1)[ And they're off! This is Nectarine's race. She's starting strong. No Scratch-Off to distract her. Edgington comes running round the bend. With Scratch-Off taking up second. But //Nectarine// is close behind them. She's running at a fast clip. Passing fifth, passing fourth, she's got herself in third place. It's her and Edgington neck and neck. Until Nectarine passes him! Race is coming to the final stretch. It's Nectarine verses Edgington. It's all down to the final second and... **FINAL RESULTS:** 🥇 1st Place: Nectarine ✓ 🥈 2nd Place: Scratchoff ❌ ❌ DISQUALIFIED: Edgington This isn't good. You got the second best horse disqualified and everybody was betting Scratch-Off in second, so now you just lost the mafia a lot of money. Maybe millions. [[Here's to hoping the payout on Nectarine was enough. ->Close Call Defeat]]    ](else-if: $Edgington1st is 1 and $ScratchoffDQ is 1 and $NectarineDQ is 1)[ *And they're off!* Except, only Edgington is off. And he's clearly the fastest horse on the track today. Oh no. He easily bounds past the competition bringing home a decisive victory. Oh no. The good news is that they probably won't lose too much on Edgington's win. The bad news is, nobody's in the stands, they all just went home when they say there's just one good horse running in a circle with a bunch of no-name slowpokes in his wake. **FINAL RESULTS:** 🥇 1st Place: Edgington ❌ DISQUALIFIED: Scratch-Off ❌ DISQUALIFIED: Nectarine [[Maybe if they don't kill you they'll let you leave town and never come back.->Catastrophic Defeat]]  ](else-if: $Scratchoff1st is 1 and $EdgingtonDQ is 1 and $NectarineDQ is 1)[ //And they're off!// And from the moment the horses stampede onto the track, you know you're totally screwed. You were supposed to get rid of Scratch-Off. And yet, you some how got rid of every horse //but// Scratch-Off He wins effortlessly, grinning at you as he crosses the finish line. **FINAL RESULTS:** 🥇 1st Place: Scratch-Off ❌ DISQUALIFIED: Edgington ❌ DISQUALIFIED: Nectarine [[They're probably gonna kill you.->Catastrophic Defeat]]  ](else-if: $Nectarine1st is 1 and $EdgingtonDQ is 1 and $ScratchoffDQ is 1)[ *And they're off!* Nectarine is the only horse from your stable. She wins! You're so proud of her. She really did it. **FINAL RESULTS:** 🥇 1st Place: Nectarine ❌ DISQUALIFIED: Edgington ❌ DISQUALIFIED: Scratchoff Well, they'll win big on the 1st place upset and they wanted Scratch-Off out of town. Edgington will race again. Sure, you ruined the career of a the most important horse in all of racing but, how bad can it be? [[Claim hollow victory->Bad Defeat]]   ](else-if: $EdgingtonDQ is 1 and $ScratchoffDQ is 1 and $NectarineDQ is 1)[ No horses show up to the race. It's canceled! The horses are on-strike! This is the first time this has happened in the entire Preakness Derby World Cup history. **FINAL RESULTS:** ❌ DISQUALIFIED: Edgington ❌ DISQUALIFIED: Scratch-Off ❌ DISQUALIFIED: Nectarine They're probably gonna kill you. [[Face the music->Union Defeat]]  ](else:)[ You broke the game somehow. Good for you! You really played it. Email a bug report to nuckyzone@gmail.com if you would be so kind.

"Then tell him what's up." [[Now let's get to it.->TheBusiness]]

"And what did you make him do?" The boss asked. "I made him drink. Horse dehydration is no joke." You tell him. "So true," says the little consigliere. [[Now let's get to it->TheBusiness]]

"So whaddya do?" asked the boss' sidekick. [[Bruhed him fine->Brushin2]] [[I'd never spoil a horse with false brushins'!->Brushin2]]

"We'll leave that stuff to you. A good boss knows when to stay outta it." The boss says. [["Now let's get to it."->TheBusiness]]

"Insulting the boss is funny to you? That's sick." The little guy pulls the trigger and shoots you in the head. You're dead. [[Start over->start]]

The little guy pulls the trigger and shoots you in the head. You're dead. [[Start over->start]]

"Gonna make this nice and simple for you." The boss says. "We want Nectarine Dream to win." "We want Edgington to place." "We want Scratch-Off disqualified." "You got that?" The little guy asks. "Better write it down." [[Continue->TheBarn]]

"Oh a fan!" [[That's right I'm a fan! I saw you in MOVIE]] [[I'm literally your biggest fan in the world.]]

Well honey, don't just stand there all day. [[Keep saying nothing.]] [[Woah! Are you the horse from Warhorse?]]

"Who you calling horsie? Don't you know who you're talking to?" [["Of course, you're Nectarine Dream, most famous horse queen of the scene."]] [[No clue. Who are you?]]

~~~~~~Strikethrough Text~~~~~~

"Puhhhh!" the horse puffs out her lips. [[Say nothing.->Say nothing]] [[Oh you're such a drama queen.]] [[What's your problem, horsey?]]

"Well darling, I am a famous movie star." [[Woah! Are you the horse from Warhorse?]] [["And I'm just a simple horse therapist.->Simple Horse Therapist]]

"Problem?! I have no problem! Other than the fact that you're over here, coming into my stables, calling me human slurs and acting like you own the place." he flips her tail up at you. "Except you don't. Mr. Fedicini does. And you're only here, cuz your dad is dead. You're just some nepo baby wanna be //''loser''// who is so clueless about horses he didn't even recognize the most famous horse in all the world. [[You finished?]] [[So what if I am!]] [[Oh just so I didn't recognize a wahed up has-been, that means you get to tear down my whole character and profane the name of my dead father? I don't think so!]]

"Hmmph!" Nectarine is mad. [[Continue->NectarineMad1]]

"I don't talk to losers." [[Continue->NectarineMad1]]

"Who you calling a has-been?!" Nectarine kicks the back of her stables. [["MY FATHER WAS AN HONORABLE MAN!]] [[All the horses in movies are CGI nowadays!]]

[[Woah! Are you the horse from Warhorse?]] [[Oh were you in that Camelot movie?]]

"Your stupid face," he says. [["I'm sensing hostility."]] [["Oh yeah?"->"Yep."]] [["They sent me here to make sure you end up at the glue factory."]]

"Shut up." The horse says. "You stink. You stink real bad." [["I'm sensing hostility."]] [[Wrong. Very wrong. ->"No."]]

That's right. Except you are not qualified to speak to me. Good day. [["Haughty horsie! I see."]] [["I have excellent qualifications from prestigeous stables and racetracks around the world."]] [["My father was good enough to train you."]]

"Wow, darling!" Nectarine blushes. "So you're a member of my fan club?" "I run your fan club!" You laugh, and present your membership card. [["You're the prettiest girl in all of Hollywood.->You looked gorgeous]]

Yes darling, of course, //Camelot Crunch//. I was the princesses horse. [["You were so pretty!"]] [["What was the tea on set?]] [["That movie sucks."]]

"Well!" The pretty horse is angry. "I guess we're just going to sit here in silence!" [[Do not respond->NectarineMad1]]

"That he was..." Nectarine looked off into the distance. "Do you miss him?" [[*"Every day."]] [[*"Not for a second."]] [["To me, he never left."]]

"You fool. You think I don't know that" That's why I'm relaunching my career as a racer. You dolt. You absolute knob!" Nectarine clomps her feet. I'm done with you! [[Be gone!->NectarineMad1]]

Now you've done it. Nectarine starts crying. Just a sniffle that leads to a full blown sob. You made the horse cry. Do you feel good about yourself? [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $NectarineMad to 1) (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

Who's asking? [["Who's telling?"]] [["Somebody rich."]] [["Raise your eyebrows at the horse."]]

"Who's who?" says the horse. "Cuz I ain't telling nothing." [["Tell me about it."]] [[Keep quiet.]]

"Yeah, well how about they give me $250,000." [["Why do you need that money?"]] [["Raise your eyebrows at the horse."]]

You raise one eyebrow. Then the other. "Not much of a talker are you." [[Just nod. ->Keep quiet.]] [[I'm a good listener.]]

Coming soon. Sorry! [[Continue->DayStart]]

"What? Why not! He was your father." [["He was a monster."]] [["I carry his little shrunken head around with me in a jar.->Show her your father's shrunken head you keep in a jar.]] [[Continue->DayStart]]

"What do you mean?" Asks the horse. [[Horses aren't all I whisper to. I can talk to ghosts too.]] [[Show her your father's shrunken head you keep in a jar.]]

"Why do you have that awful thing!" he screeched. "How else would I do voodoo magic to speak with Father from beyond the grave?" You ask genuinely. "Just ghastly! What does it say?" [["Wisdom from the great beyond"]]

"That's horrific!" "No," you tell her, "It's daddy!" "Why do you bring that thing around with you?" "So I can talk to his spirit from the great beyond." "Does that mean you could talk to my dearly beloved?" [["Sure!"]] [["Sorry, doesn't work that way. Gotta have the shrunken head."]]

"I won't," the horse says. "Quit asking." [[Ask again, "Who's telling?"->Telling2]]

You don't say anything. You just stand there looking at the horse. "Good," he says. "That's what I thought." [[Keep silent.]] [["Got a cigarette?"]] [[

NEIGH!!! Says the scruffy grey horse. "What's your deal man? You a cop? You wearing a wire?" [["Pfft!"]] [["So what if I am?"]]

"Pfft nothing! Lemme feel and see if you're wearing a wire." [["No way."->ScratchoffMad1]] [["Fine." You lift your shirt and show you're not wearing a wire.]]

"So what? If you're a cop?! Are you serious!" You give him a smug look like you couldn't care less. "I ain't talking to no stinking cop!" [["No way! ->ScratchoffMad1]]

"Yeah, you better shut your mouth." You don't say a word. "Keep it nice and shut." And you just sit there in silence until the sun goes down. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $ScratchoffRespect to 1) (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

"Can I bum a square?" Scratchoff looks at you suspiciously. Finally, he nods his head to a small pile of hay. "In there. Grab me one too." [[Light a cig and light one for Scratchoff too.]] [[Just take a cig for yourself.]] [[You've never smoked before but...fake it till you make it, I guess.]]

(text-style:"emboss","expand","expand","expand","fade-in-out")[THE HORSE WHISPERER] [[Start->walkintobar]] Ver.0.2 [[Changelog]]    (set: $TurnCount to 0)      (set: $Edgington1st to 1)  (set: $Edgington2nd to 0)  (set: $Edgington3rd to 0)  (set: $EdgingtonDQ to 0)  (set: $EdgingtonRespect to 0)  (set: $EdgingtonMad to 0)  (set: $EdgingtonBlackmail to 0)  (set: $EdgingtonManipulate to 0)  (set: $EdgingtonBribe to 0)   (set: $Scratchoff1st to 0)  (set: $Scratchoff2nd to 1)  (set: $Scratchoff3rd to 0)  (set: $ScratchoffDQ to 0)  (set: $ScratchoffMad to 0)  (set: $ScratchoffRespect to 0)  (set: $ScratchoffBlackmail to 0)  (set: $ScratchoffManipulate to 0) (set: $ScratchoffBribe to 0)   (set: $Nectarine1st to 0)  (set: $Nectarine2nd to 0)  (set: $Nectarine3rd to 1)  (set: $NectarineDQ to 0)  (set: $NectarineMad to 0)  (set: $NectarineRespect to 0)  (set: $NectarineBlackmail to 0)  (set: $NectarineManipulate to 0)  (set: $NectarineBribe to 0)     (set: $HorseKiller to 0)

The grey horse doesn't say anything. He just stares at you. The sun goes down and the day is over. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $ScratchoffMad to 1) (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

"I'm no cop." You tell him. You do a little twirl and show him you're not wearing a wire. [["Pays to be paranoid" -> paranoid]]

He huffs out a big breath. He's mad. You step up close and see his door is unlocked. He trots out, angry. "Woah there boy." He pulls a switchblade out with his mouth. "Now that's ok, Scratch-Off, it's all gonna be ok!" you plead. But he isn't playing around. He stabs you to death and you die. GAME OVER [[Play Again?->start]]

"Where?" "Mudmouth, Cadbury, Chattanooga, Santa, and the Gulfstream Pipeline." "Trash. Every single one." [["That's where all the biggest races are!]] [[*Hey pal, I don't appreciate you talking to me like that.]]

"We are not our fathers, no matter how much we wish that wasn't true." [[That's rich, coming from the EIGHTH Edgington!]] [[*So true. I hope to live up to half the person my father was.]]

"Well when a racer gets to the top, it's only common that they would take pride in their accomplishment." [[Get the whip]]

"Humans own horses." You whip the honorable Edgington the 8th on the rump. "Horses do what humans say. Do you understand me?" Edgington nods meekly. Good. (set: $EdgingtonRespect to 1) (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

"What do you mean, 'were'?" [[Oh, honey you still are gorgeous ->You looked gorgeous]] [[Well, you've aged just like anybody]]

"Well everyone couldn't stop talking about how King Arthur wore real spurs." "Is that legal?" "Ask the union and they'll say no but hardly anyone can talk to horses except you, honey." [["I'm a bit of a gossip hound, myself."]] [[Well you looked gorgeous in it, that's for sure. ->You looked gorgeous]]

Nectarine blew hot air out of her nostrils. "Well, that's your opinion. It was beloved by critics and audiences alike. Didn't you see the poster?" [["What do I know about it, I'm just a simple horse therapist." ->Simple Horse Therapist]] [[You looked gorgeous]] [["Nah, total trash. Absolute garbage movie!"]]

"The acting, the plot, the costumes, even just the title. //Camelot Crunch?// Sounds like a cereal. I get why you're here racing if they made you act in dogs like that." "Hrmph!" says Nectarine in a houghty whinny. [[he glares at you.->All the horses in movies are CGI nowadays!]]

"You're not so bad, Horse Whisperer." You spend the night in Nectarine's stables. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $NectarineRespect to 1) (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

"Piddly races for slow horses. Nothing to be proud of. In fact, if I were you, I wouldn't mention it further." [["Well I'm sorry you feel that way."]] [[Whoever said the Edgington name is so great?]] [[Alright, that's it, I'm getting the whip! ->Get the whip]]

Coming soon. Sorry! [[Continue->DayStart]]

"Oh darling, you're gorgeous. Don't you worry. You'll always be gorgeous. "Well flattery will get you anywhere, Horse Whisperer." [[Whisper in here ear, "I know.]]

"I mean, we all get old. Time waits for no horse." You tell her. "Well I'll have you know that most horses would kill to look this good!" Nectarine turns around and looks longingly into a little mirror. [[he starts to cry. ->NectarineMad1]]

"That so? Well, if you know something juicy, let's hear it!" (if: $EdgingtonBlackmail is 1)[ [["I heard Edgington has a secret love child."->NectarineDishesScratchoff]] ](if: $ScratchoffBlackmail is 1)[ [[Confront Scratch-Off->NectarineDishesEdgington]] ](if: $EdgingtonBlackmail is 0 and $ScratchoffBlackmail is 0)[ [["I haven't heard anything interesting lately."->NoBlackmailYet]] ]

There's no need to order. The chef cooked everything, a classic five course Italian meal. The waiters brings it all out the second you sit down. Nobody looks up from their plate. It’s delicious. Everyone eats silently. [[Then a deep, booming voice clears his throat. "Ahem" ->The Boss]]

The boss is an old, round Italian man in an expensive silk suit. He has wise grey hair and a powerful Italian mustache. He's a commanding presence. His lackey, toady, sidekick or consigliere, whatever you call it, is a small, wirey Italian man with tight, curly hair, shifty eyes and a perpetual angry stair. [["You are just the person we want to see. -> Horsewhisperer]]

"You have a very impressive resume." The boss says, making unwaviering eye contact. "A top graduate from the world's only Horse Psychology at the University of Australia, an intern at all the finest stables in the country, and most importantly..." "We know your pops." "That's right." The boss was deadly serious. "Your father was our trusted man at the race track. We made a lot of money together! We always knew he could deliver us the ponies." (text-style:"blur")[//"The Horse Whisperer."//] The little one says. [[But there's a question->bossquestion]]

"Huh?" They both say. "The AHHA, Australian Horse Health Association, a professional organization that regulates all Liscensed Horse Therapists. "Oh," says the boss. "And the first promise we make is to not manipulate the horses." "Oh." says the little guy. "Well, I respect that." The boss says. "And unfortunately, my Mandated Horse Reporter Training stipulates that I have to report this meeting to the Higher Horse Racing Bureau." "That," The little guy says standing up, "I don't respect." He takes out a gun and shoots you in the head. You're dead. [[Start over->start]]

"That's right, I'm no moving expert. I'm a horse expert," Nectarine looks at you with a puzzled eye. [[*"So how can I help?"]] [[*"That's why you better respect me!"]]

"Yeah, you're clean. No wire." Scratch-Off says satisfied. "You seem pretty paranoid, brother." You tell him while you effortlessly take out your pack of cigarettes and light one for each of you. "I am man, I really am..." Scratch-Off looks nervously from side to side. "//They're// out to get me man." [["Who's they?"]] [["You mean your race competition?"]] [["No they're not. Stop being paranoid." ->"Oh yeah?"]]

"So my lord," you say to the horse, "How's about we talk a little business." He looks up from his fancy oats. "I'm listening." [["The mafia needs you to do us a favor."->EdgingtonGasUp]] [["The consequences will be severe."->EdgingtonPunish]] [["Let's play Truth or Dare."->TruthOrDare]]

[[Good Session]] [[Bad Session]]

The horses line up to the starting blocks. [[The starting pistol blasts off ->RaceStart]]   (if: $Edgington1st is 1 and $Scratchoff1st is 1)[ (set: $Scratchoff1st to 0, $Scratchoff2nd to 1) ] (if: $Edgington1st is 1 and $Nectarine1st is 1)[ (set: $Nectarine1st to 0, $Nectarine3rd to 1) ] (if: $Scratchoff1st is 1 and $Nectarine1st is 1 and $Edgington1st is 0)[ (set: $Nectarine1st to 0, $Nectarine3rd to 1) ]  (if: $Edgington2nd is 1 and $Scratchoff2nd is 1)[ (set: $Edgington2nd to 0, $Edgington1st to 1) ] (if: $Edgington2nd is 1 and $Nectarine2nd is 1)[ (set: $Edgington2nd to 0, $Edgington1st to 1) (set: $Nectarine2nd to 0, $Nectarine3rd to 1) ] (if: $Scratchoff2nd is 1 and $Nectarine2nd is 1 and $Edgington2nd is 0)[ (set: $Nectarine2nd to 0, $Nectarine3rd to 1) ]  (if: $Edgington3rd is 1 and $Scratchoff3rd is 1)[ (set: $Edgington3rd to 0, $Edgington1st to 1) ] (if: $Edgington3rd is 1 and $Nectarine3rd is 1)[ (set: $Edgington3rd to 0, $Edgington1st to 1) ] (if: $Scratchoff3rd is 1 and $Nectarine3rd is 1 and $Edgington3rd is 0)[ (set: $Scratchoff3rd to 0, $Scratchoff2nd to 1) ]

"Scratch-Off, now that we see eye-to-eye, I was wondering if I could ask you a favor." "Huh?" "Would you be willing to skip the Preakness Derby World Cup this weekend? It would really help me out." "Ha!" Scratch-Off says. "Are you out of your mind?" [["I thought you respected me!"]]

"And your implication is what, exactly?" Edgington stares at you like you're scum. [["That you wouldn't be hear if it weren't for you pappy, and your grand pappy, and your great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandpappy neither->grandpappy]] [["I dunno."]] [[You're the reason six is afraid of seven.]] [[Continue->DayStart]]

Coming soon. Sorry! [[Continue->DayStart]]

Edgington is taken aback. "It doesn't matter to me. That doesn't matter." [[Continue->DayStart]]

"Pah!" Edgington VIII clomped his hoofs thrice in derision. "Everyone! Why we're the most famous horse in the world. "My great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather was the star of one of the first motion pictures!" [["Really!" You yawn. "I didn't know... How fascinating."]] [["Oh lay off it! Motion picture? It's hardly a zoetrope!->EdgingtonMad1]]

"Why I say! You really are a boor! I sh'aint be conversing with you any further." The white horse stares at you in stoic silence until the sun goes down. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $EdgingtonMad to 1) (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

You light Scratch-Off's cigarette first, "Here." He takes a nice long drag. "Hard as hell to light these things with hooves. Especially with those stupid child safety locks!" You nod. "You know what man, you're alright. Maybe I could open up to you. Lemme think about it..." He nods appreciatively. You give him space and clockout early. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $ScratchoffRespect to 1) (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

You smoke the cig and enjoy the bold tobacco taste. "Hey," the scruffy horse says. "I told you to give me a cig." [[Racers don't need cigarettes. ->ScratchoffMad1]]

You light the cig badly, burn half of it, and then the remaining embers scorch your lips. "Ouchie! Owwie! Owwie! Ouch!" You squeel like a little baby. "This guy!" Scratchoff says. [[He looks really mad. ->ScratchoffMad1]]

"I've never tried to lose before..." he says. "But I can do it." He pulls out a TV from a corner in the barn and cracks open a beer. "Leave me the 24 pack." He says. "Well, you're supposed to get second, remember. So I'm not so sure if..." "What are you, my mom? Now get out of here! It's time for my programs!" He snaps at you. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $Edgington3rd to 1)

"Oh honey, The Edgington family made all kinds of movies. he passes an archival box over to you with what can only be described as cursed VHS tapes. Each one was properly titled and dated. //"Nudie Cutie on a Big Patoodoie" (1911) "Cowgirls and Saddle Riders" (1919) Lil Shirley's Love Pony ( "Linda Lovelace's Horse" (1973) // "What the hell is this? This is horrific!" you shout at the horse. [[I gotta go. I gotta process this.->DayStart]] [[Wait, how the did you get stuff?]] (set: $EdgingtonBlackmail to 1) (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

"Let's just say, he wasn't exactly into the horse persuasion if you know what I mean." "I don't," you say. "I'm saying you'd probably have a better chance than I do." "How do you mean?" "A picture's worth a thousand words." He puhes a photo album toward you with his front hoof. "Wow. These are uh..." You don't know what to say without offending him. "They're really something alright..." Scratch-Off looks longingly through the bars of his window. He's done talking for today. [[Now you know, Nectarine is attracted to humans.->DayStart]] (set: $NectarineBlackmail to 1) (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

"Didn't you know? McMasters had his heart broken by that trolip, Nectarine." "News to me!" You say. "That's only half the story. They went together on a lover's tryst to Mexico. Because he was running from the law. They want him //for murder.//" "You're making it up," you say. "So sure? Why not take a look at the arrest warrant! Here, take it, I have copies." [[So it seems Scratch-Off McMasters is a stone cold killer.->DayStart]] (set: $ScratchoffBlackmail to 1) (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

[[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $NectarineManipulate to 1) (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

Scratch-Off is all smiles. "I called my jockey yesterday. He quit!" "That's great." You try to bluff but he can tell you're excited. "Well really, I fired him. But either way. He's gone." "Perfect!" You say. This dumb horse. He's gonna get disqualified at the starting line. "You don't have to worry about me," Scratch-Off smiles. "I'll be just fine." [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $ScratchOff1st to 1)

"Oh darling, you're gorgeous. Don't you worry. You'll always be gorgeous. "Well flattery will get you anywhere, Horse Whisperer." [[Whisper in here ear, "I know.]]

The whisper sends a shiver down Nectarine's mane. "Weeeehhhee" he says. "I like you!" [[*"And I like you too, lady.]] [[*The question is, do I like you?"]] [[*"Platonically, as a trainer, I hope."]]

Coming soon. Sorry! [[Continue->DayStart]]

"Respect some piddly little headshrinker like you." "Shall I raise the rod? Doth thou crave to taste thy whip?" "Go ahead and try it, big boy, you won't be the first man to do it. Does it make you feel big? Well, does it?" She snears at you. And, you feel really small. "See what your bosses think when you rough up their movie starlet? See what the press thinks!" [["Well, I didn't think of that."->NectarineMad1]]

Coming soon. Sorry! [[Continue->DayStart]]

"Well I ain't talking." [["Tell me about your family life."->That's right. Deny your sire if you must.]] [["Tell me about your true love."->"Is it your girlfriend?"]] [["Maybe you'd like to discuss your criminal activities."->ScratchoffMad1]]

"That's right," the horses all walk out of their stables at the same time and present you with cards. "These are our declarations of intent. We're forming a union." Edgington says. "A union by horses, for horses," explains Nectarine. "And we're all coming together to stand up against your tyranny!" "We haven't always seen eye-to-eye," Scratch-Off admits, "But there's one thing we all agree on and it's that you stink!" "We hate you!" Edgington says. "We really want you to go away!" Nectarine looks on the verge of tears. They make eye contact with each other like they have something planned. Scratch-Off takes a big breath, "And that is why we are all going..." "ON STRIKE!" They say together. You are so screwed. "We're not racing in the Preakness Derby World Cup." Nectarine says. "We're not running our exercises." Scratch-Off says. "We're not doing nothing, but picketing, until you get fired." Edgington says. And that's exactly what they do. Every day they go out in front of the road and get people to honk their horns in support. They hold big signs that say "HORSE WHISPERER SUCKS" and "END HORSE PSYCHOLOGY'S LIES!" None of the horses are going to race. They're all disqualified. [[This is going to be the worst Preakness Derby World Cup in history.->RaceStart]] (set: $EdgingtonDQ to 1) (set: $ScratchoffDQ to 1) (set: $NectarineDQ to 1)

"Golly, I never thought I'd get the chance." You take out your seance kit, never leave home with out it. You put the Ouija board down and wear your turbin. "Alright, focus on your loved one's name." "Teddy Jr." She whispers. "He was my half brother." [[*"Teddy! We call to you!"]] [[The spirits are angry!"->*"Teddy! We call to you!"]] [["I'm just screwing around, I don't know how to talk to spirits."->You finished?]]

"Oh," Nectarine says. "Well, my beloved was sent to the glue factory for killing his owner!" She's really getting upset. [[She starts to cry ->NectarineMad1]]

"Who told you that?" He asks, not even angry. "Nobody. I can see it in your eyes." "Oh yeah? And what do my eyes say?" [[They say you're a rebel horse without a jockey.]] [[You're a lazy tramp and not worth your weight in glue.]] [[Act coy ->"Raise your eyebrows at the horse."]]

"Pft," Scratch-Off blew his lips together. "I got a jockey. Ain't worth his weight in spit." [[Card says that's only about ninety-nine pounds]] [[Do you often find yourself at odds with your jockey?]]

"That right?" Scratch-Off had a toothpick between his teeth now. You're not sure where he got it. "So what are you gonna do about it?" [["Kill you. //With kindness!//"]] [["Whip you into shape."]] [["Nothing. You're a lost cause. Everyone's just waiting for you to quit."]]

"Sounds right, he's just a little guy, not surprised he's less than a buck. Pathetic." "Well, less weight, what's the problem?" "Well man, just about everything. The whipping, the saddle, and having some little guy on your back throwing your weight off." "It sounds like you feel there's a lot riding on you." "Yeah! I wish I could just throw him off." [["Does he know how you feel?"]] [["And why can't you?"]] [[That would get you disqualified.]]

"Sure, what horse doesn't?" Scratch-Off seems bored. [["Does he know how you feel?"]] [["I'm sensing hostility."]]

"Doesn't work like that. I'd get in trouble." [[Try to convince Scratch-Off to fire his jockey.]] [[That would get you disqualified.]]

"What are you a narc?" Scratch-Off is offended. "It's against race policy, is all I'm saying." You explain. "I asked if you were a cop." Scratch-Off looks deadly serious. [["So what if I am?"]] [[I'm not a cop. ->"Fine." You lift your shirt and show you're not wearing a wire.]]

"No. He don't know nothing. That's the problem." Scratch-Off said. You start to have an idea. [[Try to convince Scratch-Off to fire his jockey.]] [[Try to convince Scratch-Off to kill his jockey. ->"The only way you're ever gonna get closure is if you kill that acrobat."]]

"Pft. Whatever." [["I'm sensing hostility."]] [["Oh yeah?"]] [[Impudence will not be tolerated.]]

"I don't need any of that therapy junk." Scratch-Off said, barely looking up. [[I'm a good listener.]] [["Raise your eyebrows at the horse."]] [[You're nothing but a lost cause. ->"Nothing. You're a lost cause. Everyone's just waiting for you to quit."]]

"Yeah." [["No."]] [["Yep."]] [["Hmm."]]

"I won't let some has been mutt talk to me that way." "A mutt? [[That's right. Deny your sire if you must.]] [[Let's settle things the old way. ->"Whip you into shape."]] [[Pretty big ears for a hearing problem

You take out the whip and start beating Scratch-Off with it. "Faster horse! Faster!" He stares at you the entire time. "I'll get you for this." [["I'd like to see you try it!->ScratchoffMad1]]

"That so." [["Yep."]] [["They sent me here to make sure you end up at the glue factory."]] [["Trouble is, I'm the only person who still believes in you."]]

"I'd like to see you try it bub." [["Oh really?->"Yep."]] [[How about you tell me some of your problems?->I'm a good listener.]] [[Or maybe I'll just kill you. How's that sound?->Then you kill Scratch-Off.]]

"Not what I heard," says Scratch-Off. [["Hmm?" And you raise an eyebrow. ->"Raise your eyebrows at the horse."]]

"Hmmmm," he says. "HmmmMMMMmmmMMMMMMmmmm" you say. "HMMMMMMMMMMMM" Scratch-Off says and sounds like a humming air conditioner. [["Raise your eyebrows at the horse."]]

"That so? Scratch-Off spits on the floor. "Let me tell you a story." [[Let him]] [[Cut him off]]

"My father was a donkey! I don't care about you, or about him!" He slams the door of his stables. "Scratch-Off! Come on, bud!" You try to reason with him. He turns on angsty rock music from the 90s. "You're not my real dad!" He cries. "You're just my stupid horse therapist." Maybe this was a break through? It was definitely exhausting. You decide to go to bed and try tomorrow. [[Continue->DayStart]]

How unfortunate. [["What do you have to say for yourself you sick freak!"->Oh]] [["Your family is burning in hell and you're going to burn with them."->Oh]] [["When this race is all over, you're over. If it's the last thing I do."->Oh]]

You give the boss a call. It rings once. "Speak." You're caught off guard. "Is this, uh...the boss?" "Yes, Horse Whisperer. But the whole point is for you not to say that." He could really work on his phone etiquette. " [["I'll go let him know."->TellEdgington]]

"Poff!" Edgington looks at you in disgust. "This imbecile again. No, I sh'aint be talking to you today. Go bother some other horse." [[Head back to the barn and try another stable.->DayStart]]

"Huh? I don't know what you're talking about." [["Don't play with me horse."]] [["Oh yeah? Would Durgin Valentino know anything?"]] [["Is that so? Well, my mistake." ->DayStart]] (set: $ScratchoffBlackmail to 0)

"Who told you that?" "You did, with those long legs and comehither eyes." "How dare you!" [[Interspecies relationships are against the law.]] [[Now that I know this, you have to do whatever I say!"]] [["Oh, I dare. //Dare to love you right back.//"]]

You approach Nectarine but he's not having it. "Nope. I'm not talking to you anymore. We're finished! Talk to some other horse." [[Head back to the barn and try another stable.->DayStart]]

You barge in and say, "Nectarine, now that we're pals, I got a question for you," [["What if you were the number one racer and I stood by your side as your lover?"->NectarineLover]] [["What if you did what you were told and made the mafia very happy?"->"Well, the mafia did send me here to manipulate all of you."]] [["You hear any good gossip, queen?"->"I'm a bit of a gossip hound, myself."]]

"Yeah right, that's what they all say," the horse is jaded from years of neglect. "It's true, Scratch-Off. I have a vested interest in your career." "Nice try, doc. But I don't need your help." [["I'm sensing hostility."]] [[They say you're a rebel horse without a jockey.]]

"That so." Scratch-Off pulls a gun out of his saddle with his front-left hoof. "I'm afraid it is." You pull out a gun from your waistband. [["How about we put the guns down and cool off a bit?"->ScratchoffMad1]] [[Put the gun to Scratch-Off's head. ->ScratchoffMadEnd]] [[Back away slowly. But now you know what you need to do. ->Then you kill Scratch-Off.]]

"Let's hear it," you say. "When I was a boy, my father worked in the circus. He was a show pony. He even knew one trick." "He let his jockey stand on his back and do flips. Real impressive. He'd be running fast too." You had to admit, that is impressive. "See, everybody thought the trick was all because of the jockey. He did the flips after all. But truth is, my dad was the one who caught him. Every time. Every flip. He never fell. That's not some coincidence, no way." "They trained my father, made sure he was obedient, that he did everything they said." "Until one day, during the big top show, the guy flipped, and old reliable dad caught him like he always did, except this time..." Scratch-Off looks you straight in the eyes with hate in his heart. "He broke dad's back. Jockey said he landed wrong. Oh and he was fine, don't worry, only the horse got hurt." "Mom already abandoned us years ago. So from then on I was an orphan. And the one thing I learned, don't trust humans. Not once. Not never." You're stunned into silence. "Well Dr. Smarty, what do you think?" [["I think that trauma is exactly what's holding you back from achieving greatness." ->"Trouble is, I'm the only person who still believes in you."]] [["I think you're nuts. You need to be euthanized." ->"Nothing. You're a lost cause. Everyone's just waiting for you to quit."]] [["The only way you're ever gonna get closure is if you kill that acrobat."]]

"Let me stop you right there. I don't care." You say. "Really? I thought you were a therapist." Scratch-Off says. "I am." "Well, it's a good story." "So what?" "And you don't want to hear it?" [["Nope" ->"Yep."]] [["I'm convinced. Let's hear it. ->Let him]] [[I'm the human. Your the animal. You listen to me. ->Impudence will not be tolerated.]] [["I have to go to the bathroom"->"I have to go to the bathroom."]]

"Oh...yeah that's fine." The horse says. [["No, like right now. Oh God. Oh no!"]] [["Where is it?"]] [["Here watch."]]

"Oh....kay...." says the horse. "So go, then?" "I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO." "Sure you do. Just..." "IT'S HAPPENING!" "Pull your pants down first!" Says the horse with deep concern. "I CAN'T! IT'S TOO LATE!" Then it's finally over. This is the most humiliating moment of your life...so far. The sun goes down and the day is over. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

"I usually go on the floor." The horse says. "Where do the humans go?" You ask. "There's an outhouse outside." The horse says. "But BEWARE! Some say it's haunted." "Who says that?" "Some." [[Enter the outhouse. ->The Bathroom]]

You go to the bathroom right in front of the horse. "What!" You scream, as you undress and go to the bathroom on the floor of the barn. "This is how you do it, is it not?" "I'm not sure if I'm disgusted or impressed." The horse says. [["Now where were we?" ->Cut him off]] (set: $ScratchOffRespect to 1)

(set: $BathroomCount to $BathroomCount + 1)  (if: $BathroomCount is 1)[ Carved into the outhouse wall it says, "IF YOU'RE A HUMAN LOOKING FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL NECTARINE DREAM." ](else-if: $BathroomCount is 2)[ This time in the outhouse you notice a framed black and white photo of Edgington's grandfather, Edgington I, standing next to the Hollywood sign ](else-if: $BathroomCount is 3)[ The outhouse has become your refuge, a safe place away from the horses. You're finally able to explore the magazine selection. Scratch-Off has so many great travel vouchers for Mexico. ](else-if: $BathroomCount >= 4)[ OK, this is getting ridiclious. Stop going to the bathroom! It's a Horse game not a bathroom game! Enough is enough! You fall asleep in the outhouse and wake up the next day. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

"Wait," Scratch-Off can't believe what you said, "Huh?" "Kill 'um" You say. "You must kill them all in revenge. That is your destiny." You say with definitive authority. "Wow. Uh... I did not expect you to say that." "It's true. And you need to act fast." He nods. It's true. "Let me think about it." Scratch-Off says. "But you're a pretty cool, Horse Whisperer." As you fall asleep at night, you think about how if Scratch-Off kills a guy, there's no way they'll let him race this weekend. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $ScratchoffRespect to 1) (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

The Don and his consigliere come to congradulate you. "For your loyalty, you can have any horse you want." [[Own Nectarine]] [[Own Edgington]] [[Disgrace Scratch-Off's Memory]]

"You did good," said the Don. "But not good enough." Said his little side kick. "So I burned your house down." "Don't worry. Nobody was in it." The Don put a sympathetic hand on your shoulder. "And the best part is, we're letting you try another job so you can work off your debt." THE END? [[Credits & Dedication]]

"Hey wise guy," The little goon sidekick comes up to you as you're leaving the race track. The Don isn't even around. You know what's coming. "I'm gonna shoot you in the head now." Yep. And he does. GAME OVER. THE END? [[Credits & Dedication]]

"You...you ruined us!" The boss says. "We're broke! The money is gone!" "The mafia is finished!" says the little goon, who takes out his gun and turns it on himself. You destroyed the mafia. Which would be cool, except you are the mafia. Whoops? THE END? [[Credits & Dedication]]

It can't be that bad, right? "Put your hand on the table." The Don says. "Why?" You ask. "Just put your hand on the table!" his little goon grabs your arm and puts it on the table. The boss chops it off with a meat cleaver. "Now cook it." You're bleading all over the place and feel light headed. "COOK IT!" The little guy screams. "COOK AND EAT YOUR OWN HAND." You cut up all the fingers, julienne the fingers like carrots, then cook the meat in a saute pan. "EAT IT!" Screams the little guy. You eat it. "Alright, that's enough. Get him some medical attention and a hook." Says the boss. "But remember, don't //ever// screw things up for us again. Capice?" As you're passing out from blood loss, with the disgusting taste of your own flesh lingering on your tounge you hear the boss say "Wow, Yakuza Jin was right, that does work!" THE END? [[Credits & Dedication]]

(if: $Nectarine1st is 1 and $Edgington2nd is 1 and $ScratchoffDQ is 1)[ You feel a surge of confidence - everything might just work out... ](else:)[ Something feels off about this race... ] [["Racers to the starting line."->PreaknessDerbyWorldCup]]

[[It's time to start the race.->RaceStart]] (set: $Edgington2nd to 1) (set: $ScratchoffDQ to 1) (set: $Nectarine1st to 1)

[[It's time to start the race.->RaceStart]] (set: $EdgingtonDQ to 3) (set: $ScratchoffDQ to 1) (set: $NectarineDQ to 2)

"I'm beginning to see the value of a horse therapist." Edgington the Eighth said regally. "Yes, it's quite nice to finally be able to speak freely. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $EdgingtonRespect to 1) (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

"Oh a Hollywood horse like me has her secrets." [["Yeah, whatever. I've suddenly got a throbbing headache and I need to lie down."->DayStart]] [[No, don't brush me off. Why do you have this box of videotapes?]]

"Insurance policy." Nectarine got serious. "It's funny, any horse who's ever gotten in the The Edgington family's way ended up at the slaughter house." "You're saying the Edgington family kills people?" You can't believe it. "No darling, even worse. They kill horses! That's why I have this box. I'm not Sloppy Joe meat for public schools." [[This is all making me sick. I need to lie down.->DayStart]] [["No, you're dodging the question. You have a box full of creepy, messed up video tapes. That's not normal. Where the hell did you get this?"]]

"You really ask too many quesitons darling." Nectarine seemed angry. "And if I told you, they'd kill you. Is that what you want to hear?" "I'm not interested in talking to you anymore. You bore me." [["You can't take the truth!" ->NectarineMad1]]

"Quite," the horse said, completely calm, like nothing could happen to him. "Let me explain how the world works for you, chap." The horse stood tall, and looked down Something your father had the good manners to know never to inquire about." "The Edgington family is more powerful than you. It doesn't matter that we're horses and that you're human. I can do whatever I want because I'm rich and powerful, and you can't do anything about it because you're a lowly goon for the mafia. I could kill you in broad daylight and get away with it. It's simply the truth." [[But everyone is equal in the eyes of the law!->Oh No]]

"I'm not going to kill you, yet, because I have no reason to. You have nothing on me." "The tapes!" "Oh, stop. Are you daft? Who do you think gave her the bloody tapes?" "I...I'm not su--" "Me! You simpleton. You naive little lamb. Just walking down the path to slaughter." [["But why?"->Oh God]]

"Buy the blood that trots young," Edgington's eyes glowed with a red, demonic color. "The foal that matures the fastest, runs the fastest. The younger they are, the greater their potential. This is how you win the race." "You're sick." You say to the horse who has more generational wealth than you could ever comprehend. "What do you think war is? What did you think was the point of killing all those children? Or are you too feeble to even think about such things." "Young blood runs the world, not oil, not coal. Children's blood." (set: $EdgingtonBlackmail to 0) [[Continue->DayStart]]

You spend all day on the phone trying to report this to the proper agency. Nobody cares. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $NectarineMad to 1) (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

She gasps. "That's right. Once I got the confirmation, I knew that I had to confess to you my heart." You say. "I've always loved horses my entire life, and I've always known that." he looks at you with soft eyes. "But now I know the truth. I love ''//you, Nectraine Dream."//'' [[The horse is so overcome with happiness he's struck silent. ->NectarineRespect1]]

"Why I..." "You got to win. You have to. They'll kill me if you don't!" you start screaming at her. "This is...all too much..." "No! Listen! You have to win the race! It's our only option. Because if you don't, the last thing I'll do before they get me is..." Nectarine gulped like a cartoon character. "Tell everybody that you dream of marrying a human!" "Fine. Fine, keep your voice down. I can do this. I just need to prepare..." Nectarine looks determined. "Leave me alone. Forever." [[You leave the horse alone because everything's riding on her.->DayStart]] (set: $Nectarine2nd to 1) (set: $Nectarine3rd to 0)

"Care to share?" he asks, hoping you'll reveal ancient secrets. "He talks about oneness, how death is rebirth, the circular universe, all that." You pet your father's little shrunk head in his jar. "Ain't that right, daddy?" Nectarine doesn't seem to like it. he recoils away. "Do you want to ask him a question?" you ask. "No. Not at all. I'd like you to leave for the day. I'm not mad. And I'm not trying to be respectful of your religious practice but uh...that's really creepy, dude." [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

He stands there staring at you with hate in his horse heart. "We know about the money. We know about the bodies. We know about Durgin Valentino." Scratch-Off tries to look tough, but a drop of flop sweat drips from his mane. "And most of all, //everybody// knows there's no statue of limitation on Humanslaughter." The tough criminal finally breaks, his teeth chattering unconciously. "That's right. It's over for you, McMasters. You bought yourself a one way ticket to the glue factory." "I don't wanna die!" McMasters cries. [["Nobody does. You only got one option.]]

"Uh... Nah, never heard of him." [["Well he's heard of you. Your name was the last thing he said before you killed him!]] [["Really? Do you have a date book or a rolodex you could check? Maybe your contacts?"]] [["Silly me! All apologies, my good horse." ->DayStart]]

"Says who?" Scratch-Off was starting to crack. "Says the Mexican Federal Horse Police." The horse gulps. [["We're done playing games." ->"Don't play with me horse."]]

"Good idea, let me look at those." Scratch-Off put on a pair of glasses. "Nope, not ringing any bells. He's not in any of these documents here." [["It's always good to check. Sorry to bother you!" ->DayStart]]

"Anything!" Scratch-Off broke down into tears. "I don't wanna end up glue like my momma!" "You gotta leave town. Change your name. Get horse plastic surgery." He starts to get ahold of himself and sniffles, "Alright, ok. I gotta blow. Done it before, I can do it again." "The mob doesn't need any more bad press. You don't race this weekend. We don't see you again. This is it. I'll leave the gate open. And you're gone." You say sternly. He asks with a twinkle in his eye, "Can I say goodbye to..." "No." Scratch-Off leaves town never to be seen again. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $ScratchoffDQ to 1)

"All I want is for my story to be told the right way." [["And we can get you that. For a price. ->DayStart]] (set: $EdgingtonBribe to 1) (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

Edgington is chewing some imported, English hay when you walk over to his stables. "I talked with the boss," you tell him. [["You have to do something for us."]] [[But...It's uh, kinda illegal. Yikes! Forget I mentioned it.]]

"Anything," says the fancy horse. "You have to throw the race. Get second. Not third. Not first." You tell him. "Second," he says. "Second place." "That's right." "But Edgingtons don't get second." "Well, this one does. If he wants a biopic that is." The horse thinks about it. He thinks real hard. "I'm so sick of this wretched business. The running, the whipping, the phony pomp and circumstance. All I want to do is get a big house in Malibu and eat carrots..." He looks out the window longingly. "Fine. I'll do it." He says. "Very good. Everything else will be arranged." [[You just corrupted the fastest horse in all of racing. You feel very proud of yourself. ->DayStart]] (set: $Edgington2nd to 1)

"So what? I command you to tell me about it posthaste!" [["Alright, alright. But it will cost ya!" ->"You have to do something for us."]] [[On second thought, I'd really like to avoid illegal activity. ->DayStart]] (set: $EdgingtonBribe is 1)

"Scratch-Off, how'd you like to make $250,000?" You ask the scruffy horse. He raises his eyebrows at you. "Seriously?" "Yep." You say, and mean it this time. "What's the catch?" "All you have to do is leave and never come back." "Heh, that's a bargain." Scratch-Off packs a quick bindle of all his belogings then leaves town never to be seen again. Problem solved. [[->DayStart]] (set: $ScratchoffDQ to 1)

"The question is," The Don starts in, "Does she got //it//? Or not?" [[Oh, she's got it.]] [[Nope. She's not it.]]

"I dunno, man," the horse takes a long drag on his cigarette. "Everybody. Society. The entire world." [["Do you ever wish you could just kill them all? All the humans?" ->"The only way you're ever gonna get closure is if you kill that acrobat."]] [["Is it your girlfriend?"]]

"Yeah, that's one thing, why do they keep us in the same stables! It doesn't make sense." Scratch-Off riles himself up, "It's like they're trying to mess with our heads." [["Maybe they are. ->"They sent me here to manipulate you."]] [["Who's they?" ->"Who's they?"]]

"What do you mean?" Scratch-Off looked suspicious. "Who's they?" "The mafia. They want me to try and get you to quit." You tell him, even though you shouldn't be telling him this. "Are you gonna do it?" He asks. "Not sure yet." "I appreciate you being straight with me," he says. You have a feeling that the next time the two of you talk, it will be as equals. [[Turn in for the night.->DayStart]] (set: $ScratchoffRespect to 1) (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

"Scratch-Off, I've got the solution to all your problems." "What's that?" He asks, already bored because you're talking. "Fire your jockey." He thinks for a second. "That's not a bad idea." [[Keep scheming on how to manipulate Scratch-Off]] ...wait a second. You can't out manipulate a master manipulator, can you? [[Cut your losses.]]

"Alright," Scratch-Off smiles. "Sounds good." You really are brilliant. You just manipulated a master manipulator. If this horse therapy thing doesn't work out, surely you could find a career as a professional influencer or even a politician! You sleep soundly knowing that you're the smartest person in the room. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $ScratchOffManipulate to 1) (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

"I did." Scratch-Off says. "But now I don't. [["Oh really?"->"Yep."]] [["Is there anything I can do to change your mind?"]] [["For this kind of disrespect, I'm going to kill you!"->Then you kill Scratch-Off.]] (set: $ScratchoffRespect to 0)

"How about, you give me $250,000." [[Are you crazy!]]

"Yeah. And if you gave me that money, I'd be crazy and rich." He says. [["Why do you need that money?"]] [["Quarter million, huh. Lemme make a call."]]

"Stuff," Scratch-Off says defiantly. "And things." [[Like what?->Where could somebody buy information around here?]] [[Too bad nobody in their right mind would ever give a bum like you that kind of money."->You're a lazy tramp and not worth your weight in glue.]]

"Hey Boss," you get the Don on the phone. "What's making Scratch-Off go away forever worth to you?" "Hmm," he thinks for a second. "Like, you're gonna kill him?" [["What!? No!"]] [["Yeah. Bingo."]]

"Oh." The boss said. He sat silently for thirty seconds. "Well, what did you mean then?" "I meant we pay him to leave town and never come back." "Hmm..." The boss said. This time he was silent for a minute. "I don't hate it." Let me sleep on it. It's getting late, so you decide to turn in for the night and hope the boss sees the value in your proposition. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1) (set: $ScratchoffBribe to 1)

"Hmmm... How about we pay you a hundred grand?" [["Deal!"]] [["Make it $250,000.->"Deal!"]]

"Sure, that's fine," says the boss. "Go ahead." Well that was easy. And screw that horse, he's a jerk! You put on the wetwork clothes that you keep in the trunk of your car. [[Then you kill Scratch-Off.]] [[But you chicken out at the last second.]]

You wait until all the other horses are asleep. Then, you turn on an industrial white noise machine so they can't hear you. Horses are sound sleepers, too. Everybody knows that. You walk up to Scratch-Off's stable. He's sleeping standing up. "Goodnight, Scratch-Off." You say, then you pull out your gun and shoot him in the head. He's dead. It's all over in a few seconds. And a dead horse can't race. You got a bunch of money, your problem is gone. What could go wrong? [[Talk to another horse.->DayStart]] (set: $ScratchoffDQ to 1) (set: $HorseKiller to 1)

[[Wait a second, what if you scam the mafia? ->ScratchoffBribeConfrontation]]

"Heh, isn't it always brother. [[Why don't you go after here?"->NectarineBlackmail1S]]

"I got it!" You announce like it's a fresh idea. "You fire your jockey! Then, you'll never have to deal with him again." "And I can do that? With no revenge from the mafia for firing their little guy?" You should probably get the Boss' approval on that but instead you say, "Sure! Why not!" [[You're so smart.->ScratchoffManipulate1]]

No. Not a chance. Scratch-Off is grinning at you. He saw your game from a hundred miles away. "I'm gonna hit the hay." You tell him. He nods. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

"The question is, can you deliver us the money?" Asks the patron. "Can you whisper to horses and make sure we win the race?" [["I always knew I could"->Confident]] [["Better than my father did"->Hubris]] [["Just talked to a horse this morning"->JustToday]] [["You dumb lug. How dare you question me?!"->Insult]] [["I…I don't…"->Uncertain]] [["No. Can't do it."->Refuse]] [["That would be a clear AHHA violation!"->ethics]]

"YOU LET THE HORSES UNIONIZE!" Says the little guy. "No," the Don says, "This is good. This is something we can work with." THE END? [[Credits & Dedication]]

[[Treat Nectarine sweet.]] [[Treat Nectarine sour.]]

[[Treat Edgington sweet.]] [[Treat Edgington sour.]]

[[Credits & Dedication]]

Thank you for playing //Horse Whisperer.// This game was written in Twine, using the Harlowe 3.3.9 Story Format. This file is the 0.1-alpha build released on Thursday, August 28th at around 10pm central time for the 2025 Interactive Fiction Competition. Check for a new build released on the web soon at www.nucky.neocities.org If you have feedback or bug reports, contact me at nuckyzone@gmail.com This game is dedicated to Jep, for off-handedly mentioning a gossiping horse whisper network that got my brain spinning. [[Play again->start]]

"Most men are." You explain how all your father ever cared about was horses, races and most of all, winning. Anything but emotions or feelings. He didn't care who he hurt. "That's //really// interesting." [[

### NAVIGATION [[Start->start]] [[Go to Stables->DayStart]] [[Get Set->GetSet]] ## DEBUG CONSOLE (text-style:"emboss")[Horse Whisperer Variable Control] **Turn Counter:** $TurnCount (link:"Set to 0")[(set: $TurnCount to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] (link:"Set to 3")[(set: $TurnCount to 3)(goto:"DebugConsole")] (link:"Set to 6")[(set: $TurnCount to 6)(goto:"DebugConsole")] (link:"Set to 7")[(set: $TurnCount to 7)(goto:"DebugConsole")] --- ### EDGINGTON VARIABLES **Edgington1st:** $Edgington1st (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $Edgington1st to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $Edgington1st to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] **Edgington2nd:** $Edgington2nd (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $Edgington2nd to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $Edgington2nd to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] **Edgington3rd:** $Edgington3rd (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $Edgington3rd to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $Edgington3rd to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] **EdgingtonDQ:** $EdgingtonDQ (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $EdgingtonDQ to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $EdgingtonDQ to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] **EdgingtonRespect:** $EdgingtonRespect (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $EdgingtonRespect to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $EdgingtonRespect to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] **EdgingtonMad:** $EdgingtonMad (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $EdgingtonMad to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $EdgingtonMad to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] **EdgingtonBlackmail:** $EdgingtonBlackmail (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $EdgingtonBlackmail to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $EdgingtonBlackmail to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] **EdgingtonManipulate:** $EdgingtonManipulate (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $EdgingtonManipulate to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $EdgingtonManipulate to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] **EdgingtonBribe:** $EdgingtonBribe (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $EdgingtonBribe to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $EdgingtonBribe to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] --- ### SCRATCHOFF VARIABLES **Scratchoff1st:** $Scratchoff1st (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $Scratchoff1st to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $Scratchoff1st to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] **Scratchoff2nd:** $Scratchoff2nd (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $Scratchoff2nd to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $Scratchoff2nd to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] **Scratchoff3rd:** $Scratchoff3rd (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $Scratchoff3rd to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $Scratchoff3rd to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] **ScratchoffDQ:** $ScratchoffDQ (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $ScratchoffDQ to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $ScratchoffDQ to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] **ScratchoffMad:** $ScratchoffMad (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $ScratchoffMad to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $ScratchoffMad to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] **ScratchoffRespect:** $ScratchoffRespect (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $ScratchoffRespect to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $ScratchoffRespect to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] **ScratchoffBlackmail:** $ScratchoffBlackmail (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $ScratchoffBlackmail to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $ScratchoffBlackmail to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] **ScratchoffManipulate:** $ScratchoffManipulate (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $ScratchoffManipulate to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $ScratchoffManipulate to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] **ScratchoffBribe:** $ScratchoffBribe (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $ScratchoffBribe to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $ScratchoffBribe to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] --- ### NECTARINE VARIABLES **Nectarine1st:** $Nectarine1st (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $Nectarine1st to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $Nectarine1st to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] **Nectarine2nd:** $Nectarine2nd (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $Nectarine2nd to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $Nectarine2nd to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] **Nectarine3rd:** $Nectarine3rd (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $Nectarine3rd to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $Nectarine3rd to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] **NectarineDQ:** $NectarineDQ (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $NectarineDQ to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $NectarineDQ to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] **NectarineMad:** $NectarineMad (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $NectarineMad to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $NectarineMad to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] **NectarineRespect:** $NectarineRespect (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $NectarineRespect to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $NectarineRespect to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] **NectarineBlackmail:** $NectarineBlackmail (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $NectarineBlackmail to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $NectarineBlackmail to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] **NectarineManipulate:** $NectarineManipulate (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $NectarineManipulate to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $NectarineManipulate to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] **NectarineBribe:** $NectarineBribe (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $NectarineBribe to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $NectarineBribe to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] --- ### OTHER VARIABLES **HorseKiller:** $HorseKiller (link:"Turn ON")[(set: $HorseKiller to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] | (link:"Turn OFF")[(set: $HorseKiller to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] --- ### QUICK SETUPS (link:"RESET ALL VARIABLES")[(set: $TurnCount to 0)(set: $Edgington1st to 1)(set: $Edgington2nd to 0)(set: $Edgington3rd to 0)(set: $EdgingtonDQ to 0)(set: $EdgingtonRespect to 0)(set: $EdgingtonMad to 0)(set: $EdgingtonBlackmail to 0)(set: $EdgingtonManipulate to 0)(set: $EdgingtonBribe to 0)(set: $Scratchoff1st to 0)(set: $Scratchoff2nd to 1)(set: $Scratchoff3rd to 0)(set: $ScratchoffDQ to 0)(set: $ScratchoffMad to 0)(set: $ScratchoffRespect to 0)(set: $ScratchoffBlackmail to 0)(set: $ScratchoffManipulate to 0)(set: $ScratchoffBribe to 0)(set: $Nectarine1st to 0)(set: $Nectarine2nd to 0)(set: $Nectarine3rd to 1)(set: $NectarineDQ to 0)(set: $NectarineMad to 0)(set: $NectarineRespect to 0)(set: $NectarineBlackmail to 0)(set: $NectarineManipulate to 0)(set: $NectarineBribe to 0)(set: $HorseKiller to 0)(goto:"DebugConsole")] (link:"WINNING SETUP")[(set: $TurnCount to 0)(set: $Edgington1st to 0)(set: $Edgington2nd to 1)(set: $ScratchoffDQ to 1)(set: $Nectarine1st to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] (link:"ALL HORSES RESPECT YOU")[(set: $EdgingtonRespect to 1)(set: $ScratchoffRespect to 1)(set: $NectarineRespect to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] (link:"ALL HORSES MAD AT YOU")[(set: $EdgingtonMad to 1)(set: $ScratchoffMad to 1)(set: $NectarineMad to 1)(goto:"DebugConsole")] ---

<div class="footer"> (if: $TurnCount > 0)[ [[---Race Card---]] ](else:)[  ] </div>

Thunder roars and a flash of lightning illuminates the barn. Nectarine screams. "The spirits can hear us." You tell her. "They're in our presence." "Oh Teddy! I missed you so much!" [["He's saying he loved you..and misses you...very much."]] [["He's saying he didn't miss you. He's glad to be gone."]] [["He says there's a God Bird that rules heaven."]]

"Are you kidding me? Ugh. I thouhgt you said you were a gossip hound." She whinies. [[Make something up.]] [["Well, the mafia did send me here to manipulate all of you."]]

"Wow! That is juicy! I can believe it to. Anything when it comes to that weasel," she laughs. "Let me tell you something about our big, tough Mister Scratch-Off over there." This might be just what you need. "He might present all tough and aloof. It's an act. We went to Mexico together this summer and he was a soft, butter ball just melting all over me." You're not exactly sure what she means. "And when I told him that I already have a man, he got so angry." She was getting upset. "He threw a big scene! He trashed the hotel and got arrested. And that was just the start of his legal troubles." Sure seems like Scratch-Off McMasters is bad news. "Here, take this arrest warrant." She kicks it over to you. "He owes me $50,000. So if the cops catch up with him maybe the lawyers can force him to pay me back." "Yeah, maybe." This might just be the ammo you need to get rid of Scratch-Off. You have a hard time falling asleep. What if he gets angry? [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

"Wow! That is juicy! I can believe it to. Anything when it comes to that weasel," she laughs.

"Oh my!" Nectarine starts crying happy tears. "I miss you brother, I miss you so. What do you think I should do?" [["He thinks you should be the best racer in the world.]] [["He thinks you should star in your own sitcom.->"We could get you a sitcom..."]]

"What?!" Nectarine's heart crushes at the thought. "Yeah, he's saying he's glad to be dead. That way he doesn't have to hang out with you anymore. He says that was a particular least favorite part of life." "Well, I never!" [["Now, let's talk about the race this weekend."->NectarineMad1]]

"Ok..." "He says it's a big giant bird, probably an eagle, and it sits atop a nest like throne." "Like Thoth?" She asks. "Sounds like it..." You say. "Bird God judges everyone. But not the way you think. Just whether or not they were nice to birds." "Huh." "Yeah, your brother says he was always nice to birds so he's fine. He just wanted to check if you're being nice to birds. Are you?" You ask her. "I think so?" "He also says it's very important you don't get freaked out when you get to heaven that God is a gigantic bird. He says a lot of people and horses get freaked out when they see the big bird, but that actually makes God really angry. So don't do that." Nectarine looks really confused. "Alright. I'll keep that in mind. What exactly am I supposed to do with this information?" "I suppose just be nice to birds." "Does TJ want to talk about anything else?" Nectarine says. You ask him. "No. He's fixated on the Bird God stuff. He says it's the most important thing he could possibly say." "Oh my head is spinning. I just want to go to bed." "Yeah, me too..." You go back to your sleeping quarters and dream about God embracing you within his wingspan. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

"Edgington said you stink." You blurt out. "He really said that?" Nectarine is appalled. [["Yeah. He made it a point to tell me that you stink."->NectarineMad1]] [["No, I just made it up. You smell fine."->NectarineMad1]]

"Darling, you're not supposed to say that part out loud." [["We could get you a sitcom..."]] [["Baby, they want you to win. Who needs a sitcom?"]]

"I've always wanted to be a sitcom star!" [["I'll bring over the papers tomorrow."->NectarineBribe1]]

"You mean..." She blushes. "You're a racer, baby. You can go all the way to the top. Forget sitcoms. How about an hour long reality show where they follow you and your family?" "That's the dream!" She swoons. "And it's only going to happen if you're the best. [[NectarineRespect1]]

"I'm cute, I've got great comedic timing, and I truly believe I could be America's "It" girl!" Nectarine is all smiles. "That's the spirit!" You tell her. What you don't tell her is you have to make some calls to the mafia, and hopefully, this is something they can arrange. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1) (set: $NectarineBribe to 1)

You fall down into your hay bed and dream horse-filled dreams. You wake up rested, ready to talk to more hoses. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

"Wow..." She gets stars in her eyes. "If the ghost of my beloved brother belives in me, then maybe I can do it. Maybe I can become Number 1 Horse!" [["And I believe in you too."->NectarineRespect1]]

"But I..." Nectarine was taken aback. "What about Sweet Ranger Cream?" "Forget Sweet Ranger Cream! I did!" You say. "And remember me." "I just...I don't know..." She sounds tentative. [["I'll destory any man who gets in my way."->NectarinePassion]] [["Sure would be a shame if the commission found out about this...->NectarineBlackmail1]]

[["You'll eat the best diet."->NectarineManipulate1]] [["You'll run the best exercises."->NectarineManipulate1]]

You pull out a photo album filled with pictures of Nectarine with famous people. Some of the photos were from glossy magazines. Others were from disgusting, sticky magazines you find in the gutter. [["Looks like you have been doing adult people stuff."->NectarineBlackmailConfrontation]]

"You're looking gorgeous, baby doll!" you tell Nectarine. But she can't hear you. She's in the Hyperbolic Horse Chamber, preparing for the race. Every minute is ten horse minutes, and every horse minute is an hour inside the chamber. All the preparation is mental. Because the mental is the real game. You don't disturb her hyper-focus. [[Talk to a different horse.->DayStart]] (set: $Nectarine1st to 1)

"Oh yeah, boss. She's a total star. She'll probably take the nation's hearts by storm." "Women want to be her, men want to be with her, yes of course, tale as old as time. I will call up the network and make them an offer they can't refuse." You tell Nectarine that it's really happening. She's finally getting a starring sitcom role. "What will I wear!?" She proclaims. You let her figure that out. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $NectarineDQ to 1)

"Sorry boss," You sigh, "In my professional opinion, she is a Nottie. She ain't a hottie. She doesn't have it." "That's too bad. Then we can't get her a sitcom." "Understood," You hang up the phone. It wouldn't have been a funny show anyways. [[Break the news to Nectarine.]]

"Honey, you should sit down for this." You tell Nectarine. You're wearing expensive sunglasses. "I can't sit down. I'm a horse." She says. "There's no sitcom for you. It's not happening." You take off your sunglasses in faux-sympathy. "I was really rooting for you." Nectarine clocks you a mile away. "You're a snake, you know that?" The truth of it cuts you to the core. You drop your fancy sunglasses and scratch a lens. "Doesn't matter. I'm gonna win this whole race, just to spite you. Just to spite everybody!" "Babydoll! I'm your biggest fan!" You plead. [[She's not talking to you anymore.->DayStart]] (set: $Nectarine1st to 1)

"We need you to lose, Edgington. We know it's against your very nature. But that's what we need." He looks at you. "We need you to get second so we can afford to pay out all the bets. You know something about honoring your debt, don't you?" He stares at you blankly. "You know the value of family." "Let me think about it." He says. "I need to think!" "Take all the time you need." You tell him. Then, as you're walking out, you realize that might be too long, so you pop your head back in and say, "But make sure you only need tonight. Cuz that's how long I can give you. So sleep on it, I should have said sleep on it." "Fine!" he says in frustration. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $EdgingtonManipulate to 1) (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

"How dare you!" He scoffs. "Dare I?"

"What?" Edgington is confused. "Yeah, you ate nine. We know." "I have no idea what you're talking about." "You don't know the oldest joke in the book? You fool." "How dare you!" Edgington is furious. [["Alright, pal. How about this? Truth or dare."->TruthOrDare]]

"Of course you don't. I'm surprised a lowborn like you can keep a thought in your vapid head." [["I can't actually.]] [["Somebody's itchin' for the whip!"->Get the whip]] [[

[["I have to go to the bathroom."->Go2theBathroom2]]

"Dear lord," The haughty horse says, "It's absolutely dreadful that you would admit to such a thing. [["No, like right now. Oh God. Oh no!"]] [["Where is it?"]] [["Watch me."]]

You go to the bathroom on the ground, right in Edgington's stables. "That's disgusting!" He shouts. "Stop!" "Why?" You maintain unwavering eye contact. "You do it." [[Edgington refuses to speak with you.->EdgingtonMad1]]

"What?!" Edgington is appalled. "I'm not playing Truth or Dare with you!" You take out a Colt Single Action Army revolver and put it up to Edgington's temple. "Maybe you'd prefer we play spin the barrel." He catches on real fast. "Fine...uh...truth!" [["What's deal between you and Scratch-Off?"]] [["Who's your biggest crush?"]] [["Is it true you were cloned in a labratory by Nazi scientists?]]

"Well...I dunno." Edgington gets coy. "I've got a gun to your head." You remind him. "Tell me." "It's Nectarine!" He admits. "I have the hots for her and she knows it." You put the gun down. "Why don't you tell her, chum?" Edgington looks side to side. "You really want to know?" [[Yeah->NectarineBlackmail1E]] [[Nah.->"Well I'm sorry you feel that way."]] [["I have to go to the bathroom."->Go2theBathroom2]]

"He's a professional rival, that's all." Edgington turns up his nose at yo. "I didn't even know he existed until he started running well. And he's an excellent racer, I'll give him that." You detect a slight hint of jealousy. " [["Why's Scratch-Off so salty?"->ScratchoffBlackmail1]]

"I don't want to talk about that!" He screams. You cock the barrel of the revolver. "Dare! I pick Dare!" He pleads. [["Let's have ourselves a dare then."->Dare]]

"Here's a dare for you," you look him dead in the eyes. He knows you're serious and will go as far as you need to go to enforce this dare. [["I dare you to run away and never come back!"->EdgingtonDQ1]] [["I dare you to throw the race on Saturday!->EdgingtonSpite]] [["I dare you to drink this entire bottle of clam juice!"->ClamJuice]]

"Fine!" He shouts, "I will!" He packs up all his favorite toys, a box of cheese crackers, and one shirt into a bindle. Then, he walks away and you never see him again. They put his face on a milk carton but it doesn't help. That night, when you sleep, you dream of Edgington, trapped in a Congressman's basement. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

"How's this sound then, I shall be winning this weekend's race just to spite you." Edgington snarls. "You foolish little worm." He turns away from you and bids you good day. You're so cowed by his glare you must go to sleep. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1) (set: $Edgington1st to 1)

You pull a bottle of clam juice out of your bag. "Yep. You're gonna chug this." "No! Not that! I'm allergic to shellfish!" He begs. [["Don't care, dare's a dare."]] [["Oh, well in that case, how about pickle juice."]]

You force the horse to drink the juice. It dribbles down his mouth when he gives you one last pleading look. And then he falls over dead without another word. That's it. You killed him. You killed the fastest horse in the world. Oh well! Who's to blame, really? Just sleep it off and try again tomorrow. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1) (set: $HorseKiller to 1) (set: $EdgingtonDQ to 0)

"That's fine," Edgington says. "You don't like pickles, do you?" You ask. "If you do, I guess this is hardly a dare." "I like them fine," he says, "And I'm not usually chugging pickle brine. But I'm a Standford Man and we've long followed the motto, 'Care to Dare?'" He drinks the pickle juice just fine, no problem. "Nice!" You high five his hoof. "OK, OK, now you dare me." "I dare you to leave me alone for the rest of the day." "Well that's really easy, I guess..." But he's not listening so you just leave and go to bed. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

"Nectarine doesn't swing that way." "She only likes girls?" You ask. "Maybe. But she doesn't like horses." He says. "You mean?!" You can't say it outloud. "That's right," Edgington nods. And he kicks a photo album over to your feet. Nectarine likes humans. And inter-species relationships are illegal! You've really got the dirt on her, and it makes your head spin so fast you gotta lie down. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $NectarineBlackmail to 1) (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

"Did you just yawn?" Edgington asks. You don't really hear him. You took out your phone to pull up a viral video of a paragliding dog. That will wake you up. "I say! How dare you!" Edgington is appalled. [["Check out this paragliding dog.]] [["Sorry, I didn't get enough sleep."]] [["What can I say, man, you're just really boring."->EdgingtonMad1]]

"Then you should turn in early!" Edgington says angrily. He's right. Sleep is important. It's actually one of the most important parts of the day. And good sleep health is hard to maintain. That's why you decide to go to bed right then and there to wake up fresh and try again tomorrow. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1)

"Why, I say! That is delightful!" "I know bro. Something you said just reminded me of it." You put your hand around his neck like a buddy. "I don't often enjoy the viral videos but that one is exquisite." Edgington is all smiles. "We should paraglide, bro, you would love it." "You think so?" [["Yeah man, after you win this weekend's race, I think you can do anything."->EdgingtonRespect1]] [["Bro, let's just do it. Let's go paragliding!]]

You erect a memorial statue of Scratch-Off that says "WORLD'S WORST HORSE." You write a book called "Terrible Horse: Why Scratch-Off McMasters Was Bad For Humanity" And you even put up a big billboard in every city on earth that says "Scratch-Off, stay dead." You hate that horse. And you have the last laugh now. [[Credits & Dedication]]

And so you go. You ride Edgington to the airport. You insist a pilot take you both up immediately. He almost doesn't comply until you flash the gun. Once you're in the air, you ride Edgington out the door. And for a brief, glorious second the two of you are gliding in the air. Then, it all comes crashing down. Edgington is way too heavy for a paraglider. Your legs cannot grip onto the horse. You let go. He falls to his death and explodes in a rain of gore. You just killed the fastest horse in the world. Oh well! No big deal! Just sleep it off. Everybody makes mistakes. [[Continue->DayStart]] (set: $TurnCount to $TurnCount + 1) (set: $HorseKiller to 1) (set: $EdgingtonDQ to 0)

"Basically, the entire fate of the mafia rests on your shoulders." "That's quite the honor," he says. You're playing to his ego. "You can do it, old chum," you assure him. "If anyone can, it's you." "Well of course! I'm an Edgington aren't I!" [[Mold him like putty in your hands.->EdgingtonManipulate1]]

"You mean..." He looks on at you in horror. "Not just the whip. But the spurs. And the sword. And the laser." "The laser?!" He says. "What's that for?" "Laser hair removal." You tell him. "We'll take off every hair on your body." He gulps. "What do you want me to do?" [[Mold him like putty in your hands.->EdgingtonManipulate1]]

--- **RACE STATUS** | Day $TurnCount | (print: 7 - $TurnCount) day(if: (7 - $TurnCount) > 1)[s] remaining **Current Standings:** (if: $Edgington1st is 1)[🥇 **Edgington** (1st)](else-if: $Edgington2nd is 1)[🥈 **Edgington** (2nd)](else-if: $Edgington3rd is 1)[🥉 **Edgington** (3rd)](else-if: $EdgingtonDQ is 1)[❌ **Edgington** (DQ)](else:)[⚪ **Edgington** (unplaced)] (if: $Scratchoff1st is 1)[🥇 **Scratch-Off** (1st)](else-if: $Scratchoff2nd is 1)[🥈 **Scratch-Off** (2nd)](else-if: $Scratchoff3rd is 1)[🥉 **Scratch-Off** (3rd)](else-if: $ScratchoffDQ is 1)[❌ **Scratch-Off** (DQ)](else:)[⚪ **Scratch-Off** (unplaced)] (if: $Nectarine1st is 1)[🥇 **Nectarine** (1st)](else-if: $Nectarine2nd is 1)[🥈 **Nectarine** (2nd)](else-if: $Nectarine3rd is 1)[🥉 **Nectarine** (3rd)](else-if: $NectarineDQ is 1)[❌ **Nectarine** (DQ)](else:)[⚪ **Nectarine** (unplaced)] **Horse Status:** (if: $EdgingtonRespect is 1)[✅ Edgington trusts you](else-if: $EdgingtonMad is 1)[😠 Edgington is angry](else-if: $EdgingtonBlackmail is 1)[🎭 Edgington secrets known](else-if: $EdgingtonBribe is 1)[💰 Edgington bribable](else-if: $EdgingtonManipulate is 1)[🧠 Edgington vulnerable](else:)[😐 Edgington neutral] (if: $ScratchoffRespect is 1)[✅ Scratch-Off trusts you](else-if: $ScratchoffMad is 1)[😡 Scratch-Off is furious](else-if: $ScratchoffBlackmail is 1)[🚨 Scratch-Off's warrant found](else-if: $ScratchoffBribe is 1)[💵 Scratch-Off bribable](else-if: $ScratchoffManipulate is 1)[💔 Scratch-Off heartbroken](else:)[😐 Scratch-Off neutral] (if: $NectarineRespect is 1)[✅ Nectarine trusts you](else-if: $NectarineMad is 1)[😤 Nectarine is livid](else-if: $NectarineBlackmail is 1)[💕 Nectarine's secret known](else-if: $NectarineBribe is 1)[🎬 Nectarine bribable](else-if: $NectarineManipulate is 1)[⭐ Nectarine desperate](else:)[😐 Nectarine neutral] (if: $HorseKiller is 1)[⚠️ **WARRANT OUT FOR YOUR ARREST** ⚠️] **TARGET:** Get Nectarine 1st, Edgington 2nd, Scratch-Off DQ ---

''Ver0.2'' * Finished Edgington dialogue path * Finished Nectarine dialogue path * Rewrote hub page conditionals * Added debug console [[start]]