Big City Interactive Fate Machine

It is night in Big City. As you walk home from an art exhibition, a woman approaches from the shadowy mouth of a tunnel. She has a bird-like face and wears feathers in her hair. She seems to be hiding something in her lumpy quilted jacket. In a silken voice, she says, "Hello friend. Unfortunately, I'm here to rob you. Please hand me your cash slowly." [[Run for it.|Flee Mugger]] [[Stay put.|Stay Mugger]]

Last year, you underwent surgery to become a seal. You flee the mugger, but your blubbery body and flippers are not conducive to running. You know Big City very well, and your mind races to think of a safe place. [[Go to a crowded plaza.|Crowded Plaza]] [[Hide in an alley.|Go Alley]]

With a sweet smile, the mugger says, "If you make trouble, I'll be forced to do horrible things." The mugger pulls a magic wand from her jacket and waves it menacingly. A devilish dinosaur face is carved on it. The face emits a whimpering moan. They do not sell wands like this at the department store. It probably contains some very sinister magic. [[Talk her out of it.|Talk Mugger]] [[Fight back.|Fight Mugger]]

"Listen ma’am," you begin. As you speak, the mugger anxiously watches your flipper-like hands. Since you underwent the surgery to become a seal, people often feel threatened by your large flippers. [[Intimidate her.|Intimidate Mugger]] [[Be sympathetic.|Sympathize Mugger]]

Last year, you underwent surgery to become a seal. The hormones you took gave you incredible strength. You slap the mugger with your flippers and pin her beneath your blubbery body. [[Attack ferociously.|Beat Mugger]] [[Take her wand.|Disarm Mugger]]

You growl throatily and clap your flippers. The mugger looks uneasily at your snarling seal-like face. You say, "I’ll bounce you on my nose like a ball." The mugger’s magic wand turns flaccid. She flees. [[Chase her.|Chase Mugger]] [[Let her go.|Mugger Escape]]

"I know times are tough," you say. "How about I get you some food and a motel room?" The mugger declines politely. "I can't accept your offer. Now please empty your coin purse. Since you’ve been so cooperative, you may keep your clothes." You clean out your coin purse and the mugger gratefully pockets the money. "Thank you. In the future, maybe you shouldn't walk around at night." She retreats into the shadows. Now you are broke and your hospital bills are due tomorrow. You need some money quickly. [[Mug someone.|Commit Robbery]] [[Beg your mom.|Beg Mom]]

You set out to find someone to rob. While stalking the dark streets and canals of Big City, you fume about the circumstances that forced you commit this ironic crime. <h1>The End</h1> You find a fortune cookie. Your fortune reads, "(either:"Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds.","It is now, in this world, we must live.")" (link:"Start Over")[(goto:"Mugger Appears")]

You call your mom and tell her your unfortunate story. She is surly from being awakened and berates you for walking around at night. You give sullen replies until she finally agrees to give you a loan. Begging your mom for money is tiresome. It is regrettable that you must do it so often. <h1>The End</h1> You find a fortune cookie. Your fortune reads, "(either:"Ask yourself if what you are doing is getting you any closer to where you want to be tomorrow.","The most important thing in communication is to hear what is not being said.")" (link:"Start Over")[(goto:"Mugger Appears")]

You chase the mugger over the bridge out of Big City, but lose her in the swampy countryside. You trudge dejectedly through fog and slimy cesspools until you spot a ramshackle cabin. Approaching stealthily, you peer in a window. Inside the barren dwelling, the mugger feeds banana peels to an infant homunculus. The mugger looks hungry and weary. [[Help her.|Help Mugger]] [[Report her to the cops.|Police Report]]

The mugger retreats into the night. Relieved, you dive into a canal and swim home. When you decided to become a seal, you imagined that your sleek oily fur would appeal to members of the opposite sex. You were surprised to discover that many people find you disturbing. At least your bestial appearance was useful today. You may pursue a career as a bouncer. <h1>The End</h1> You find a fortune cookie. Your fortune reads, "(either:"You can make your own happiness.","Discover the power within yourself.")" (link:"Start Over")[(goto:"Mugger Appears")]

You return to Big City and buy steaks from a butcher. The pale meat is probably from a worm, but this is the only butcher open in the middle of the night. Back at the cabin, you find an open window and hurl the steaks inside. Without waiting for a response, you run away. <h1>The End</h1> You find a fortune cookie. Your fortune reads, "(either:"If you do not give something, you will not get anything.","Things are never quite the way they seem.")" (link:"Start Over")[(goto:"Mugger Appears")]

You pity the mugger and her infant, but she will continue robbing people if she is not stopped. You return to Big City and go to the cop station. You report the incident to the automated cop machine. By the time you complete all the paperwork, the sun has risen. Very soon, the cops will don their flamethrowers and pay the mugger a visit. <h1>The End</h1> You find a fortune cookie. Your fortune reads, "(either:"Patience is a virtue, unless it is against a brick wall.","It never pays to kick a skunk.")" (link:"Start Over")[(goto:"Mugger Appears")]

You slap the mugger silly. You blacken her eyes and knock out a tooth. She smiles slyly despite her injuries. The mugger's magic wand twitches. Your skin turns soft and runny, as if you are melting. While you are distracted, the mugger shoves you away and retreats into the night. As you stagger toward home, the mugger's insidious enchantment slowly transforms you into a gelatinous lump. Eventually you will be reduced to a pool of slime. Maybe a witchdoctor can cure you, but most of them are unreliable and insane. [[Go home.|Become Slime]] [[See a witchdoctor.|Go Witchdoctor]]

You wrench mugger's magic wand from her grasp. The wand's face wails with alarm. The siren-like warbling is painfully intense and you hurl the wand into a canal. While you are distracted, the mugger shoves you away and runs. [[Chase her.|Chase Mugger]] [[Let her go.|Fight Guilt]]

The mugger retreats into the night. Relieved, you dive into a canal and swim home. Since you became you seal, you have never used your bestial strength to hurt someone. The denizens of Big City seem more hostile and dangerous every day, but you still strive to treat others with respect. <h1>The End</h1> You find a fortune cookie. Your fortune reads, "(either:"Adversity is the parent of virtue.","Let your deeds speak.")" (link:"Start Over")[(goto:"Mugger Appears")]

Within a week, your transformation into slime is complete. Your mom keeps you in an aquarium and feeds you mold. She blames your current situation on your reckless attitude, and criticizes you constantly. <h1>The End</h1> You find a fortune cookie. Your fortune reads, "(either:"You learn from your mistakes. You will learn a lot today.","Accept something that you cannot change and you will feel better.")" (link:"Start Over")[(goto:"Mugger Appears")]

You visit a witchdoctor. For a small fee, he casts a spell on you. You are no longer turning into slime, but now you have blisters in your armpits and can only speak in reverse. Worst of all, you are a human again. All of your painful and expensive seal surgery was for nothing. <h1>The End</h1> You find a fortune cookie. Your fortune reads, "(either:"The only certainty is that nothing is certain.","Instead of worrying and agonizing, move ahead constructively.")" (link:"Start Over")[(goto:"Mugger Appears")]

You run to a bustling outdoor market and yell for help. People regard you with confusion. The mugger retreats into the night before you can cause a scene. After you explain your situation to the gathered shoppers and merchants, a man hands you a smoky chunk of edible rubber from his grill. You gratefully accept it even though you do not like rubber. Your adrenaline rush fades and you are suddenly exhausted. Before going home, you buy a robe that can make you invisible. It is expensive, but it will be invaluable when you are mugged again. <h1>The End</h1> You find a fortune cookie. Your fortune reads, "(either:"Sometimes you just need to lay on the floor.","Everything happens for a reason.")" (link:"Start Over")[(goto:"Mugger Appears")]

You run down an alley. The garbage recyclers are overflowing and trash is strewn about. You lay motionless to blend in with a heap of manikins. The mugger enters the alley. Searching for you by the glow of her wand, she meanders slowly toward your position. Behind you, a ventilation shaft plunges into the ground. It must lead to the labyrinthine bowels of the subterranean Deep City. [[Improvise a weapon.|Make Weapon]] [[Escape into Deep City.|Go Deep City]]

One of the manikins has needle-like talons on its fingers. You wrench its arm off and wield it like a spiked club. Lunging suddenly from hiding, you slash the mugger. Your clawed weapon rakes her neck and she emits a startled gurgle. "How rude!" squeals the mugger as she turns and runs. [[Chase her.|Chase Mugger]] [[Let her go.|Weapon Run]]

You plummet down the shaft into Deep City. You wander through endless winding corridors and quickly become lost. In a domed cavern, you see two men fighting atop a bridge over a river. It would be an unusual coincidence, but you think this might be another mugging. The mugger is old and shaky. The victim is skeletally thin but wiry. The mugger batters his victim with a cane. When you enter the cavern, both men pause their struggling and look ashamed. [[Break up the mugging.|Stop Mugging]] [[Ask for directions.|Get Directions]]

The mugger retreats into the night. Gazing proudly at your improvised weapon, you decide to keep it. You consider fashioning a handle and a sling for it. Next time you need to fight, you want to be prepared. <h1>The End</h1> You find a fortune cookie. Your fortune reads, "(either:"Conquer your fears or they will conquer you.","You do not need talent to gain experience.")" (link:"Start Over")[(goto:"Mugger Appears")]

You charge at the mugger and shove him away from the skeletal man. The mugger blurts out, "Hey there buddy! You've got it all wrong!" His foot slips and he teeters on the edge of the bridge. Unless you intervene, the mugger will fall into the rushing river below. [[Help him.|Rescue Old Man]] [[Let him fall.|Old Man Fall]]

As you approach, the men greet you awkwardly. The skeletal man says, "I see you're confused. Sorry you had to witness this weird business. There's a reason for it, but I don't feel like explaining it." You are bewildered and speechless for a moment. Eventually, you manage to say, "I’m from Big City. I’m trying to get back." The men give you directions to an elevator that will take you home. As you hike through Deep City, you see a woman with her pet pig. She and the pig are attacking a man, but you ignore them. You want to avoid another bizarre scene. You head toward the elevator as quickly as you can. <h1>The End</h1> You find a fortune cookie. Your fortune reads, "(either:"You will soon emerge victorious from the maze you have been traveling in.","All comes at the proper time to he who knows how to wait.")" (link:"Start Over")[(goto:"Mugger Appears")]

You yank the mugger back onto the bridge. His victim, the skeletal man, says, "Many thanks mate. I know this looks weird, but it ain’t what you think. You see, I made a bet and told this old fellow he could beat me if I lost. So, I earned whatever thrashing he gives me." The strange explanation leaves you speechless. The skeletal man continues, "You look lost mate. You aren’t from around here." You recover your wits and reply, "I’m from Big City. I’m trying to get back." The men give you directions to an elevator that will take you home. As you hike through Deep City, you see a woman with her pet pig. She and the pig are attacking a man, but you ignore them. You want to avoid another bizarre scene. You head toward the elevator as quickly as you can. <h1>The End</h1> You find a fortune cookie. Your fortune reads, "(either:"You will travel to many exotic places in your lifetime.","It is better to be alone sometimes.")" (link:"Start Over")[(goto:"Mugger Appears")]

The mugger slips off the bridge. As he falls, his hand grasps your flipper and pulls you into the river. The rushing water carries you both away. As a seal, your excellent swimming ability keeps you from drowning as the river surges through countless tunnels. After traveling for hours, you wash up on a subterranean beach. You are lost in the lowest reaches of Deep City’s tangled depths. You consider starting a new life down here. You doubt you will ever find your way back to the surface. <h1>The End</h1> You find a fortune cookie. Your fortune reads, "(either:"Bad luck and misfortune will follow all your days.","The cure for grief is movement.")" (link:"Start Over")[(goto:"Mugger Appears")]

<IMG class="displayed" img src="bigcitycover.jpg" alt="Big City Cover" height="500" width="500"> <h2>Big City Interactive Fate Machine</h2> <h2>A. Hagen 2015</h2> <center>[[Start|Mugger Appears]]</center>