''All Aboard!''
The announcement echoes over the bustling train station. Hundreds of passengers rush across the platform, pushing into the packed cars on either side of you.
You glance down at your ticket and smile. The fake name is perfect, and it matches your ID.
(set: $name to (prompt: "What is your name?", "default name"))
(set: $player to 0)
(set: $playerLuck to 0)
(set: $playerDrink to 0)
You glance down at your luggage. Which one is yours?
A [[black bag]]
A [[white bag]]
A [[polka dot bag]](set: $player to 1)
You lift your ''black bag'' and board the train. The ticket taker looks at you warily.
Hello, $name, and welcome to the Intercontinental Bank Train. Your room is right this way.
They lead you to an oppulent car just a few doors away from the ''bar''. The Ticket Taker opens the door and gestures for you to enter [[your room]].(set: $player to 2)
You lift your ''white bag'' and board the train. The ticket taker looks at you warmly.
Hello, $name, and welcome to the Intercontinental Bank Train. Your room is right this way.
They lead you to an oppulent car just a few doors away from the ''bar''. The Ticket Taker opens the door and gestures for you to enter [[your room]].You pick up your bag and board the train. The ticket taker directs you toward a small room in the back, near the luggage compartment.
It's a tiny, cramped space. The walls are stained and it smells faintly of mothballs. There's a rack for your bags and a small, cushioned bench.
You settle in for a long trip. You open your handbag and look inside.
There's a bottle of [[Ambien]] and a [[flask]] of whiskey. You pop two Ambien and lie down on the small bench, closing your eyes.
The movement of the train lulls you to [[sleep]].You drink your whiskey and scroll through your favorite social media site on your phone. Eventually, the rocking train lulls you to [[sleep]].You wake hours later to a shrill //whistle//. The train has arrived.
As you disembark, you see a ''man with a scar'' escorted away in handcuffs. Later, you discover that a mysterious spy plot took place on the train. You feel a sense of relief that the danger never got too close to you.
Looking at your ''polka dot bag'', you realize that the choices you've made saved your life this time.
But what would have happened if you'd chosen [[differently|start]]?You lost!
How did that happen? Someone must have cheated, because you were making the best choices.
Or maybe, and hear me out on this, you made a mistake somewhere along the line. There's only one way to [[know for sure|start]].The room is brilliant in every way. The walls are resplendent in polished wood and gilded in the corners. Recessed lighting sets the mood to sultry. There is a connected bathroom, a large sofa, and a bed.
The Ticket Taker coughs, lingering in the door.
[[Tip him]]
[[Don't tip him]](set: $playerLuck to 1)
You slap a fresh $20 into the Ticket Taker's palm.
"Just so you know, $name, we have a celebrity in the casino car for entertainment."
You smile, only modestly interested.
"Tonight, (either: "Carrot Top","Jimmy Fallon","Beyonce") is performing
(either: "the Vagina Monologues", "a series of Scandanavian poems", "endless yodeling")!"
You politely shut the door.
(if: $player is 1)[You walk to the bed to open your [[luggage|bomb]]]
(if: $player is 2)[You walk to the bed to open your [[luggage|defuser]]](set: $playerLuck to 2)
You stare intimidatingly until he takes the hint.
"Just so you know, $name, we have a celebrity in the casino car for entertainment."
You remain stoic.
"Tonight, (either: "Carrot Top","Jimmy Fallon","Beyonce") is performing
(either: "the Vagina Monologues", "a series of Scandanavian poems", "endless yodeling")!"
You rudely shut the door.
(if: $player is 1)[You walk to the bed to open your [[luggage|bomb]]]
(if: $player is 2)[You walk to the bed to open your [[luggage|defuser]]]Inside your bag is a ''bomb!''
You snicker. The Grablovian Seperatists will be pleased once you've installed this device aboard the train.
If all goes according to plan, the International Bank will lose billions, and no innocent lives will be lost.
But first, you need to meet your contact in the ''bar.'' You place the bomb into a suitcase, check yourself in the mirror, and [[head out|bar]].You find the ''bomb defuser kit'' in your bag. You smile. The Grablovian Government will be pleased once you've safely diffused the bomb.
If all goes according to plan, the International Bank will be able to pay billions to refugees, and no innocent lives will be lost.
But first, you need to meet your contact in the ''bar.'' You place the defuser into a suitcase, check yourself in the mirror, and [[head out|bar]].The car is bustling. Passengers drink themselves into a stupor despite the early hour. You find a spot at the bar and place your suitcase by your feet.
The bartender saunters over. He's a heavy-set man with a handlebar mustache.
(if: $player is 1)[He eyes you warily.]
(if: $player is 2)[He eyes you warmly.]
"What'll it be?"
[[Wine]]
[[Beer]]
[[Liquor]]
[[Water]](set: $playerDrink to 1)
"A glass of your best red."
The bartender pours you a glass of wine.
You take a sip and wait for your [[contact]].(set: $playerDrink to 1)
"A glass of your best draft."
The bartender pours you a foamy mug of beer.
You take a sip and wait for your [[contact]].(set: $playerDrink to 1)
(set: $playerLuck to 1)
"A glass of your best scotch, neat."
The bartender pours you three fingers of exquisite scotch.
You take a sip and wait for your [[contact]].(set: $playerDrink to 0)
"A glass of cold water, no ice, with a lemon."
The bartender pours you a glass of tepid water.
You take a sip and wait for your [[contact]].You enjoy your drink and glance around the car. There are too many people to count. You think back to your mission briefing. Who was it you were supposed to meet?
[[A man]]
[[A woman]](set: $playerContact to 2)
You spot him right away. He's standing at the end of the bar, dressed to the nines in a white and black tuxedo. He's a perfect TDH.
//Tall, Dark, and Handsome//
You make eye contact and he approaches.
"It's always lovely to travel by train."
You pause, thinking of the coded response.
[[But flying is so much safer|code]]
[[Because driving takes way too long|code]]
[[I really enjoyed the movie "Speed 2: Cruise Control|code]](set: $playerContact to 1)
You spot her right away. She's standing at the end of the bar, stunning in a sleek red cocktail dress. Her smoky eyes pierce into your very soul.
You make eye contact and she approaches.
"It's always lovely to travel by train."
You pause, thinking of the coded response.
[[But flying is so much safer|code]]
[[Because driving takes way too long|code]]
[[I really enjoyed the movie "Speed 2: Cruise Control|code]](if: $playerContact is 1)[She smiles and touches your arm.
"I wasn't sure you'd make the train."
"I never miss a chance to be brilliant."
She rolls her eyes. "The safe is in the luggage car, all the way at the end of the train. You understand what's at stake?"
You tap your suitcase with your foot.
"For Grablovia."
"For Grablovia." She grins mischeviously. Should we have a toast?"]
(if: $playerContact is 2)[He smiles and touches your arm.
"I wasn't sure you'd make the train."
"I never miss a chance to be brilliant."
He laughs. "The safe is in the luggage car, all the way at the end of the train. You understand what's at stake?"
You tap your suitcase with your foot.
"For Grablovia."
"For the people." He grins mischeviously. "Should we have a toast?"]
(if: $playerDrink is 1)[Have [[another drink]]]
(if: $playerDrink is 0)[Have [[a drink]]]
[[Don't have a drink]](set: $playerDrink to 2)
(if: $playerContact is 1)[She nods.
"How many does that make?"
[[Enough to keep me brave]]
[[Not enough!]]]
(if: $playerContact is 2)[He nods.
"How many does that make?"
[[Enough to keep me brave]]
[[Not enough!]]](set: $playerDrink to 1)
(if: $playerContact is 1)[She nods.
"How many does that make?"
[[Enough to keep me brave]]
[[Not enough!]]
(if: $playerContact is 2)[He nods.
"How many does that make?"
[[Enough to keep me brave]]
[[Not enough!]]"Not while I'm working," you say.
(if: $playerContact is 1)[She nods.
"I do love a professional."
"Then I'd better get to work."
You finish your refreshing glass of water and walk out of the car.
It's time to
(if: $player is 1)[[[Set this bomb]]]
(if: $player is 2)[[[Diffuse this bomb]]]]
(if: $playerContact is 2)[He smiles and touches your arm.
"I do love a professional."
"Then I'd better get to work."
You finish your refreshing glass of water and walk out of the car.
It's time to
(if: $player is 1)[[[Set this bomb]]]
(if: $player is 2)[[[Diffuse this bomb]]]]You carefully make your way to the luggage compartment. It's cramped, packed to the brim with overstuffed Samsonites and Swissgears. You weave through the maze of smelly bags until you reach an ''immense safe!''
"This must be it."
The bomb is easy to install. It's the size of an iPad and sticks right on the front of the safe.
You smile at a job well done...but something's wrong.
You hear [[footsteps]]You carefully make your way to the luggage compartment. It's cramped, packed to the brim with overstuffed Samsonites and Swissgears. You weave through the maze of smelly bags until you reach an ''immense safe!''
"This must be it."
The bomb is easy to find. It's the size of an iPad and stuck right on the front of the safe.
Worst, it's the wrong device for such a job. This bomb would ''blow up the entire train!''
You have to diffuse it...but something's wrong.
You hear [[footsteps]](if: $playerContact is 1)[She nods.
"I do love a professional."
"Then I'd better get to work."
You finish your refreshing drink and walk out of the car.
It's time to
(if: $player is 1)[[[Set this bomb]]]
(if: $player is 2)[[[Diffuse this bomb]]]]
(if: $playerContact is 2)[He smiles and touches your arm.
"I do love a professional."
"Then I'd better get to work."
You finish your refreshing drink and walk out of the car.
It's time to
(if: $player is 1)[[[Set this bomb]]]
(if: $player is 2)[[[Diffuse this bomb]]]]You order another round. And another. And another. Pretty soon, you're throwing quite the party in the bar car. Passengers surround you, singing and dancing. Even your contact seems to be having a good time.
It's such a soiree that you completely forget about the mission!
(if: $player is 1)[At the end of the night, you pass out in your car.
You wake up to someone pounding on the door. It's the ''Police!''
Looks like you got so drunk you forgot to set the bomb!
They cuff you and lead you off to [[jail|dead]]]
(if: $player is 2)[At the end of the night, you pass out in your car.
Sometime before midnight, a bomb detonates in the luggage compartment. The other spy wasn't very savvy, and the device was much too large. It completely derails the train!
You don't wake up because you're [[dead]]]"$name, I thought I'd find you here."
You turn around and gasp.
It's ''Viktor Romonov'', world-class Grablovian spy! You'd recognize him anywhere with his trademark ''scar over his eye''.
"Victor!"
"I've come here to stop you, $name." Prepare to die!
You don't have much time. You look around for some kind of weapon!
Grab the [[crowbar]]
Grab the [[chain]]
Use your [[fists]]You may be a living weapon, but Viktor is a monster. You grab the crowbar.
Viktor pulls out a gun!
"Well that's not very sporting," you quip.
(if: $playerDrink is 0)
[Unfortunately, gun beats crowbar in this case. Viktor shoots you and tosses your lifeless body off the train and into the [[wilderness|dead]]]
(if: $playerDrink is 1)
[You strike quickly, knocking the gun from his hand. Your next swipe connects with his head, knocking him flat.
Good thing you had that drink. It kept your nerves calm without dulling your senses.
Uh oh! Voices coming your way. Looks like you made too much noise.
Quick, to the [[roof]]]
(if: $playerDrink is 2)
[You strike quickly, knocking the gun from his hand. Unfortunately, your second swipe goes wide. Damn, too many drinks tonight!
Viktor grabs the crowbar and wrestles it from your hands, tossing it aside.
What are you going to do now?
Grab the [[chain]]
Use your [[hands]]]There's no time for finesse. You grab the chain.
"Come at me, spy!" Viktor roars.
(if: $playerDrink is 0)
[The chain is an unwieldly weapon. If you were out of your wits in any way, this fight would have been over in seconds.
But you stayed professional all night! You use the chain to whip Viktor into a pile of bruises and broken bones!
Uh oh! Voices coming your way. Looks like you made too much noise.
Quick, to the [[roof]]]
(if: $playerDrink is 1)
[The chain is an unwieldly weapon, but you've trained in unorthodox combat. Your next swipe connects with his head, knocking him flat.
Uh oh! Voices coming your way. Looks like you made too much noise.
Quick, to the [[roof]]]
(if: $playerDrink is 2)
[The chain is an unwieldly weapon, but you're too drunk to think of the consequences. You lash out wildly, randomly, and it's just crazy enough to work! Your next swipe connects with his head, knocking him flat.
Uh oh! Voices coming your way. Looks like you made too much noise.
Quick, to the [[roof]]]There's no time to grab a weapon. Luckily, you //are// a weapon.
(if: $playerDrink is 0)
[Unfortunately, Viktor is a much more powerful weapon. He easily defeats you in hand-to-hand combat. After mashing your face for a few minutes, he tosses your lifeless body off the train and into the [[wilderness|dead]]]
(if: $playerDrink is 1)
[Unfortunately, Viktor is a much more powerful weapon. Despite your years of training, you can't deny just how much his fists //hurt// when they hit you.
If only you'd had another drink, maybe you could have taken the punches. You're running out of time!
Grab the [[crowbar]]
Grab the [[chain]]
Keep using your [[hands]]]
(if: $playerDrink is 2)
[Viktor is a formidable fighter, but you've got something he doesn't: A blood-alcohol level in dangerous territory. You barely feel him pummeling your chest, but he sure felt that right cross!
You manage to knock him flat, and he's not getting up any time soon.
Uh oh! Voices coming your way. Looks like you made too much noise.
Quick, to the [[roof]]]Yeah, Viktor is a human tank. This was a bad idea. He easily defeats you in hand-to-hand combat. After mashing your face for a few minutes, he tosses your lifeless body off the train and into the [[wilderness|dead]](if: $playerLuck is 1)[You clamber to the roof just as guards flood the compartment. Luckily, they didn't see you.
(if: $player is 1)
[You make it back to the bar car just before midnight. With the mission accomplished, you decide to enjoy a glass of your favorite beverage.
Just after midnight, the device detonates, sending the safe soaring into the ocean. The International Bank won't recover from this anytime soon.
Grablovia is safe, and your earnings from this job are substantial.
As the weeks pass and the news settles down, you think toward your next big job. The work of a spy is never [[done|win]]]
(if: $player is 2)
[You make it back to the bar car just before midnight. With the mission accomplished, you decide to enjoy a glass of your favorite beverage.
The next morning, you watch a handcuffed Viktor do a perp walk from the train into a waiting police car. You make eye-contact and share a knowing smile. This round goes to you, but the war is far from over.
Grablovia is safe, and your earnings from this job are substantial.
As the weeks pass and the news settles down, you think toward your next big job. The work of a spy is never [[done|win]]]]
(if: $playerLuck is 2)[You rush to the roof, but the ladder is slippery and you can't make it out in time!
Hands wrap around your waist and drag you back inside.
(if: $player is 1)
[You struggle with the guards, but there are too many. They knock you out and lock you away for the police.
Sometime before midnight, the bomb detonates in the luggage compartment. You must have done something wrong as the device was much too large. It completely derails the [[train!|dead]]]
(if: $player is 2)
[You struggle with the guards, but there are too many. They knock you out and lock you away for the police.
The next day is a whirlwind of interrogations and accusations. Lucky for you, your prints were all over the bomb defuser device. Unlucky for you, being a spy is still super illegal. You go to jail.
As the weeks pass and the news settles down, you start to plan your escape. The work of a spy is never [[done|win2]]]]You ''won!''
You made the right calls, kept your head under pressure, and defeated a bad guy! That's great. Game over, right?
But what about all the other ways this story could have ended? There's only one way to [[know for sure|start]].Double-click this passage to edit it.Double-click this passage to edit it.You ''won!'' Well, sort of.
You made the right calls, kept your head under pressure, and defeated a bad guy! But your luck just wasn't with you today. Maybe there's something you could have done differently?
There's only one way to [[know for sure|start]].