Parking Lot Cleric Draft 2

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You feel a twinge of something that sends a shiver down the fur on your back. It ripples from your nape all the way to your naked tail. It's about to rain. [[Gather the others->Other Opossums]] <<set $foundFury=false,$foundBeauty=false>> <<set $letItBeDestroyed=false>> <<set $furiousAttacks=0>>

@@.smoke;You are floating above the parking lot.@@ <<timed 2s>>@@.smoke;The fresh paint arranges itself in new ways.@@<</timed>> <<timed 4s>>@@.smoke;An urgent message is communicated.@@<</timed>> <<timed 8s>>[[Snore ->Prophesy]]<</timed>>

You recall hearing towns people chatting in an unfamiliar tongue. You see images on various projections of farms and dumps. You see machines connected by wires and tripods shooting lasers manned by men with clipboards. <<if $foundBeauty==true>>You recall one woman in a fuzzy sweater standing in front of images of rose bushes, quiet benches, and ponds filled with swans. <<elseif $foundFury==true>>If these people plan to destroy the lot, they'll pay. <</if>>\ [[What's that noise?->Surveyors]]

<<silent>> <<if $foundFury==true>> <<set _attackOption =`@@.shudder.rage;Scare them off@@`>> <<else>><<set _attackOption ="Scare them off">> <</if>> <</silent>>\ Men in yellow hats with big tripods and clipboards are gathering around your sacred land and the surrounding clearing. <<if $foundFury==true>><<type 120ms element "span" none>><<link _attackOption "Attack Surveyors">><<set $furiousAttacks+=1>><</link>><</type>><<else>><<link _attackOption "Attack Surveyors">><</link>><</if>> <<if $foundFury==true>><<timed 4s>>[[Disrupt their work->Disrupt Surveyors]]<</timed>><<else>>[[Disrupt their work->Disrupt Surveyors]]<</if>> <<if $foundFury==false>>[[Do nothing->Nights Between]]<</if>>

You quickly gather the others. You explain that interlopers are planning to destroy the sacred lot. Groups of you all approach the various men in orange vests hissing, spitting, and nipping at their ankles. <<if $foundFury==true>>You are relentless. <</if>>They pack up their things and leave. <<if $foundFury==true>>[[Return to your home without talking to anybody->Nights Between]]\ <<else>>[[Celebrate, opossum-style->Nights Between]]<</if>>

You quickly gather the others. You explain that interlopers are planning to destroy the sacred lot. Maybe you all can disrupt the dirt they are so fascinated by. <<set $gasLeak=false,$lotIrrigated=false,$surveyorsGone=false>> <<link "Dig near stagnant pond" "Irrigation">><<set $lotIrrigated=true>><</link>> <<link "Dig around perimeter of lot" "Natural Gas">><<set $gasLeak=true>><</link>>

You hear them before you see them. Large trucks vibrate the ground. Jackhammers and shovels are pulled out of trucks that slam shut. Today is demolition day. @@.shudder.rage;Your blood boils.@@ <<set _prompt='@@.shudder.rage;Destroy the equipment@@'>> <<type 120ms element "span" none>><<link _prompt "Attack Equipment">><<set $furiousAttacks+=1>><</link>><</type>>

<><<if $lotIrrigated==true>> <<switch visited()>> <<case 1>>The holes that are dug fill with water until the clearing is a lot squishier than it normally is. <<if $gasLeak==true>>Now it is wet and stinky. Very swamp-like. <<if $surveyorsGone==false>>The surveyors are long gone.<</if>><<else>><<if $surveyorsGone==false>>The surveyors seem to be leaving.<</if>><</if>> <<case 2>>Once again, water fills up the holes. <<if $gasLeak==true>>It's stinky.<</if>> <<default>>It's wet again. <<if $gasLeak==true>>It reeks too.<</if>> <</switch>> <<elseif $lotIrrigated==false and $gasLeak==false>> The lot is back to normal. <<elseif $lotIrrigated==false>> <<switch visited()>> <<case 2 3>>You pile dirt back into the pits and sop up the water. <<if $gasLeak==true>>It still stinks though.<</if>> <<default>>The water is sopped up again. <<if $gasLeak==true>>Just stinky.<</if>> <</switch>> <</if>> <> <<link "Celebrate departure" "Nights Between">><</link>>\ <<if $lotIrrigated==true>> <<link "Fill back in holes to remove the water" "Irrigation">><<set $lotIrrigated=false>><</link>><</if>>\ <<if $lotIrrigated==false>> <<link "Dig water back up" "Irrigation">><<set $lotIrrigated=true>><</link>><</if>>\ <<if $gasLeak==false>> <<link "Dig around perimeter of lot" "Natural Gas">><<set $gasLeak=true>><</link>><</if>>\ <<if $gasLeak==true>> <<link "Fill back in holes to remove the smell" "Natural Gas">><<set $gasLeak=false>><</link>><</if>> <<set $surveyorsGone=true>>

You hear them before you see them. Large trucks vibrate the ground. Jackhammers and shovels are pulled out of trucks that slam shut. Today is demolition day.<<set _prompt=`@@.peace;Do nothing, it is time for a new era@@`>> <<link "Destroy the equipment" "Attack Equipment">><<set $furiousAttacks+=1>><</link>> [[Disrupt the demolition->Disrupt Equipment]] <<if $letItBeDestroyed==true>><<link _prompt "Park">><</link>><</if>>\ <<if $letItBeDestroyed==false and $lotIrrigated==true and $gasLeak==false>>[[Do nothing->Farm]]<</if>>\ <<if $letItBeDestroyed==false and $gasLeak==true and $lotIrrigated==false>>[[Do nothing->Dump]]<</if>>\ <<if $letItBeDestroyed==false and $lotIrrigated==true and $gasLeak== true>>[[Do nothing->Limbo]]<</if>> <<if $letItBeDestroyed==false and $lotIrrigated==false and $gasLeak== false>>[[Do nothing->Business Park]]<</if>>

The opossums bite essential cords. You attack the ankles of the workers. <<if $foundFury==true>>Your mouth froths. You realize that you are doing most of the work yourself.<</if>> <<set _prompt="@@.shudder.rage;Stand your ground, visciously@@">> A mean-looking man approaches. He towers over you. <<if $foundFury==true and $furiousAttacks==2>><<type 120ms element "span" none>><<link _prompt "Parking Lot Remains">><</link>><</type>> <<else>> [[Stand your ground, feigning ferocity->Animal Control]]<</if>> <<if $foundFury==true>><<timed 6s>>[[Do nothing ->Kick]]<</timed>><<else>>[[Do nothing ->Kick]]<</if>>

Hundreds of opossums play dead in the middle of the parking lot. <<if $gasLeak==true>>Combined with the smell, it seems to convince the demolition team.<<else>>You can't tell if it is working.<</if>> <<if $gasLeak==true>>[[Lie still->Methane Leak]]<<else>>[[Lie still->Who Cares]]<</if>>

<><<if $gasLeak==true>> <<switch visited()>> <<case 1>>You find a pipe with a foul smelling gas emitting from the bolts. It smells like death. <<if $lotIrrigated==true>>Now it is wet and stinky. Very swamp-like. <<if $surveyorsGone==false>>The surveyors are long gone.<</if>><<else>><<if $surveyorsGone==false>>The surveyors seem to be leaving.<</if>><</if>> <<case 2>>Once again, the putrid smell fills the parking lot. <<if $lotIrrigated==true>>It's wet, too.<</if>> <<default>>It's stinky again. <<if $lotIrrigated==true>>It's still puddly.<</if>> <</switch>> <<elseif $gasLeak==false and $lotIrrigated==false>> The lot is back to normal. <<elseif $gasLeak==false>> <<switch visited()>> <<case 2 3>>You pile dirt back onto the pipe and the smell fades. <<if $lotIrrigated==true>>It is still wet, though.<</if>> <<default>>The smell is gone again. <<if $lotIrrigated==true>>Just wet.<</if>> <</switch>> <</if>> <> <<link "Celebrate departure" "Nights Between">><</link>>\ <<if $gasLeak==true>> <<link "Fill back in holes to remove the smell" "Natural Gas">><<set $gasLeak=false>><</link>><</if>>\ <<if $gasLeak==false>> <<link "Dig hole back open to release smell" "Natural Gas">><<set $gasLeak=true>><</link>><</if>>\ <<if $lotIrrigated==false>> <<link "Dig near stagnant pond" "Irrigation">><<set $lotIrrigated=true>><</link>><</if>>\ <<if $lotIrrigated==true>> <<link "Fill back in holes to remove the water" "Irrigation">><<set $lotIrrigated=false>><</link>><</if>> <<set $surveyorsGone=true>>

The stench along with hundreds of "dead" opossums this place seems putrid. The demolition team leaves swiftly. [[Embrace the filth->Dump Parking Lot]]

The men leave but obviously there is an issue with overly agressive opossums in this area. Animal control arrives the next day and relocates you to an unfamiliar area, free of asphault. ''ANIMAL CONTROL ENDING''

Thanks to the great irrigation, the land is converted into farmland. At first glace, you and your society are excited for the bounty that this new life may offer, but then you meet the farm cats. ''FARM CAT ENDING''

You've visciously fought off anyone who would threaten to take away your parking lot. Maybe now it will begin to provide for you all once again. The summer sun rises over your sacred land, and the pavement becomes too hot to walk on. ''FURY ENDING''

You embrace the filth. You begin to praise the parking lot for its putridness. Funnily enough, it provides once again. Large green trucks begin to deposit loads of garbage. Among that garbage you find rotting food that once again provides for your society. ''YUCKY ENDING''

The rose bush as a grey whispy squirrel quietly resting at its base. She regards you, "Nice, isn't it? The smell." [[Chat with the squirrel->Sage Plan]] [[Turn away->Demolition]]

You and the squirrel talk for ages. She talks about fresh acorns, sweet-smelling roses, and stolen birdseed. She does not have the parking lot to provide for her, yet she is happy. She tells you about beautiful places full of sweet-smelling roses called parks. They way she describes them immediately bring back memories of the woman at the podium with pictures behind her. You imagine no famine, no dependency on the lot. Your stomach lurches. [[Ask how we could bring that here ->Charlotte's Web for Park]] [[Return home->Demolition]]

You and the squirrel devise a plan. You don't need to scare away people anymore. You need to draw people here. Show them the beauty that this place could have. You and the squirrel collect flowers and leave them in the clearing in distinct piles. People begin to gather to observe the strange phenomenon. <<if $gasLeak==true>>You continue to collect flowers from the woods. No more people after the first couple gather to view the display. Maybe they were put off by how the smell mixed with the sewage.<<else>>You continue to collect flowers from the woods. Their scents combine into a symphony that wafts into the air. People continue to gather. The parking lot has never been more full.<</if>> <<if $gasLeak==true>><<link "Give up" "Demolition">><</link>><<else>>[[Continue to gather flowers->Final Plan with Squirrel]]<</if>>

The rain begins to fall. It beads off your fur, so you don't feel its temperature directly. Instead, you feel the moisure in the air is more like humidity than a frigid mist. These April showers aren't as immobilizing as those earlier in the spring. [[Take a deep breath->Petrichor]]

You approach the others. Their long snouts, pink noses, and grey fur all overlap as everyone gathers in the clearing. Some are carrying babies on their backs. [[Continue->Rain Falls]]

The warm air carries the unmistakeable scent of rain on pavement. You instruct the others to take a deep breath in as your begin your praise of the almighty parking lot. [[Sing praises->Praises 1]]

The group hisses in agreement. <<if not hasVisited("Praises 2") and hasVisited("Praises 1")>> [[Continue->Praises 2]]\ <<elseif not hasVisited("Praises 3") and hasVisited("Praises 1","Praises 2")>> [[Continue->Praises 3]]\ <<elseif hasVisited("Praises 1","Praises 2","Praises 3")>>[[Continue->Getting Ready for Bed]]<</if>> <img src="images/opossum_church.jpg" alt="image of opossums hissing">

<<link "\"Praise be to the creatures sustained by the puddles and ponds.\"" "Here Here" >><<set $proNature+=1>><</link>> <<link "\"Praise be to the potholes and their iridescent water.\"" "Here Here" >><<set $proLot+=1>><</link>> <<link "\"Praise be to the snowbanks accumulated by the plows.\"" "Here Here" >><<set $proLot+=1>><</link>> <img src="images/hissing_opossum.jpg" alt="image of an opossum hissing">

The parking lot. Too isolated from nearby buildings to be useful to park in, this parking lot as become your society's home. For generations you have been nourished by its gifts. Like your father and his father before him, you are the cleric who maintains the society's relationship with the divine. You've done this sermon a hundred times. Maybe today you'll change it up? <<link "\"Praise be to the snacks left behind by the stoners.\"" "Here Here" >><<set $proLot=1,$proNature=0>><</link>> <<link "\"Praise be to the prolific blackberry brambles.\"" "Here Here" >><<set $proNature=1,$proLot=0>><</link>> <<link "\"Praise be to the bugs that crawl out of the cracks in the pavement.\"" "Here Here" >><<set $proLot=1,$proNature=0>><</link>> <img src="images/hissing_opossum.jpg" alt="image of an opossum hissing">

<<link "\"Praise be to the hot pavement that wards off our enemies.\"" "Here Here" >><<set $proLot+=1>><</link>> <<link "\"Praise be to the extensive brush that hide our weak and vulnerable.\"" "Here Here" >><<set $proNature+=1>><</link>> <<link "\"Praise be to the abandoned cars that provide protection from above.\"" "Here Here" >><<set $proLot+=1>><</link>> <img src="images/hissing_opossum.jpg" alt="image of an opossum hissing">

As the crowd disperses after singing the praises of the almighty parking lot, you head to your section of the brambles and vines around the perimeter of the holy lot. The parking lot hasn't provided in some time. Your society is surviving on morsels, beginning to ration and hunt. You continue to pray to it and honor the lot, yet it seems to fall on deaf pavement. Is something going on? Do you just need to do better? [[Go to sleep->Dream]]

You wake up. Startled by the visions of your god, destroyed. You need to clear your head. [[Go for a walk->Two Paths]]

<<silent>> <<if $proNature==3>> <<set _prompt =`@@.blurrier;Reflect on details of dream@@`, _prompt2=`@@.peace;Be present in the moment@@`>> <<else>><<set _prompt="Reflect on details of dream",_prompt2="Be present in the moment">> <</if>> <</silent>>You walk around the empty lot as the early morning dew settles on the grass in the surrounding clearing. <<link _prompt "Reflection">><</link>> <<link _prompt2 "Odors">><</link>>

As you replay images of crumbling asphault in your mind, you are filled with @@.shudder; rage@@. The lot already is struggling to provide for your people and humans would have it destroyed? You catch your quickening breath and calm yourself, until the moment is right. You'll show them no mercy. There has to be something you can do. [[Think. ->Community Meeting]] <<set $foundFury=true>>

<<silent>> <<if $proNature==3>> <<set _prompt =`@@.blurrier;Reflect on dream@@`, _prompt2=`@@.peace;Follow the smell@@`>> <<else>><<set _prompt="Reflect on dream",_prompt2="Follow the smell">> <</if>> <</silent>>You continue to smell the air and notice a sweet smell unfamilar to you. <<link _prompt "Reflection">><</link>> <<link _prompt2 "Find Beauty">><</link>>

You follow the sweet smell to a bush with large red flowers many yards from the edge of the lot. They smell wonderful. [[Stay a while->Reflection]] <<set $foundBeauty = true>>

<<silent>> <<if $proLot==3>> <<set _prompt =`@@.shudder.rage;Focus on the lot's destruction@@`>> <<else>><<set _prompt="Focus on the lot's destruction">> <</if>> <</silent>>You replay the images in your mind. The parking lot turned to rubble surrounded by men in hard yellow hats and big metal machines. <<if $foundBeauty==false>><<link _prompt "Fury">><</link>> <</if>>\ [[Remember more of dream->Community Meeting]]

<> Many nights pass since the arrival of the surveyors. The parking lot remains. <<set _prompt=`@@.peace;Visit roses@@`>> <<if not hasVisited("Attack Surveyors") and $foundBeauty==true>>You remember the beautiful smell of the roses. <<link _prompt "Sage">><</link>><<else>> <</if>> <<if $foundFury==true>> <<type 120ms element "span" none>><<link @@.shudder.rage;Seethe@@ "Aggressive Demolition">><</link>><</type>> <</if>> <<if $foundFury==true>><<timed 3s>>[[Continue ->Demolition]]<</timed>><<else>>[[Continue ->Demolition]]<</if>> <>

Weeks pass and you continue to gather flowers into piles with the squirrel. Others from your society have joined to help. The displays become increasingly ornate and beautiful. You and the squirrel meet at the rose bush where you first met. She tells you that you just need to trust that the people have seen the beauty in this place. She says to trust her that when they come to destroy the lot, let them go through with it. Something better will come in its place. <<link "\"Okay.\"" "Demolition">><<set $letItBeDestroyed=true>><</link>> <<link "\"I can't.\"" "Demolition">><<set $letItBeDestroyed=false>><</link>>

The machines come and go. The parking lot is torn up. It is much more fragile than it ever seemed. After a while, cobblestone paths are laid, fruit trees are planted, and a new pond is built. This park provides for you and your society more consistently than the parking lot ever did. By the rose bush, you begin to sing its praises whenever the rain falls. ''PARK (TRUE) ENDING''

This demolition team, while shocked, knows that opossums like to play dead. They call your bluff and your peers vacate the parking lot when a strong-looking man walks up. He approaches you, the lone remaining opossum. [[Lie still->Kick]]\ <<if $lotIrrigated==true and $gasLeak==false>> [[Run away->Farm]<</if>>\ <<if $lotIrrigated==false and $gasLeak==false>> [[Run away->Business Park]]<</if>>

The man kicks you effortlessly. Everything goes black as asphault. ''DEAD ENDING''

The parking lot is destroyed, but nothing comes to replace it. You and your society disperse into smaller groups on account of limited resources. The soil freed from under the pavement dries up in the summer sun. The dust kicked up by rain chokes you when you breath. NOTHING ENDING

@@.smoke;Jackhammers, steamrollers, rubble.@@ <<timed 2s>>@@.smoke;The parking lot destroyed.@@<</timed>> <<timed 4s>>@@.smoke;Townsfolk presenting images in front of podiums.@@<</timed>><<set _prompt=`@@.pulse;Wake up@@`>> <<timed 8s>><<link _prompt "Make a Plan">><</link>><</timed>>

<<silent>> <<if $proNature==3>> <<set _prompt =`@@.blurrier;Focus on petrichor@@`, _prompt2=`@@.peace;Look for new smells@@`>> <<else>><<set _prompt="Focus on petrichor",_prompt2="Look for new smells">> <</if>> <</silent>>You take a deep breath to center yourself. You smell a whiff of petrichor in the air, even though it isn't raining. Could this be a sign? <<link _prompt "Reflection">><</link>> <<link _prompt2 "Roses">><</link>>

The land is perfectly useable. The demolition team destroys the almighty lot and swiftly constructs a new business park. Some dude in khaki shorts tosses his half-eaten breakfast into the dumpter near your home but misses. You share it with the others. ''CASUAL FRIDAY ENDING''

The parking lot is demolished but because of the terrible smell the city finds no other use for it except as a dump. Funnily enough, it provides once again. Large green trucks begin to deposit loads of garbage. Among that garbage you find rotting food that once again provides for your society. You begin to speak praises of the truck. ''TRUCK CLERIC ENDING''