conversations.from: system
conversations.value: In the heartland of the United States of America lies the state of Midlands, a wonderful little place to live. Midlands has it all: big cities, stretches of rural countryside, little college towns, sprawling suburbs, and beautiful tourist destinations. Midlands also has incredibly contentious partisan politics, being almost completely evenly divided between the two major parties.
  
  With six term governor Peter Forsyth finally retiring in 2016, it's the race to replace him is looking like it will be one of the most contentious races the state has ever seen. Would-be governors from both parties are scrambling to declare their candidacies, and there is no immediately clear front runner. National media personalities excitedly speculate about who might emerge victorious.
  
  This is the story of one of those candidates. A story about modern American politics, and what happens behind the scenes of a campaign when the cameras aren't rolling.
  
  ** Out of Character Information **
  
  This game is a little bit of an experiment. The goal here is not to serve as a serious examination of the state of modern American politics or any major issues, but to use the setting of a political campaign for satire and light hearted comedy. Think *Parks and Recreation*, *Veep*, or political coverage from *The Onion* for an idea of the kind of tone I'm going for. Expect constant mishaps and overblown 'gaffes' and 'scandals'.
  
  To the extent that any of the comedy concerns a particular party or issue, it is my intent to treat both sides with the same degree of levity. I am certainly not intending to offend anyone and I do not expect anything terribly controversial to be included, but if you might feel offended by having any of your personal political views be the subject of humor, then this may not be the game for you.
  
  The game takes place in a fictional American state and will contain no references to actual modern politicians or other real life figures.
  
  The candidate can be either a Republican or a Democrat. Feel free to write it either way. I have no preference.
  
  ----
  
  The above is the original introduction to the game, but we lost both the narrator and the player playing the candidate. Nevertheless, some of us think that there's real life in this story, and it's worth continuing rather than trying to restart.
  
  I'm looking for about 3 new players. Any questions, send me a message.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The Candidate: You are running for Governor of Midlands in 2016. You have a long road ahead.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Candidate's Child: Well behaved political prop, or black sheep and scandal waiting to happen?
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Candidate's Spouse: The most thankless yet demanding job in the entire campaign. Appearances are everything.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Campaign Manager: A political veteran, the final authority on all matters relating to the campaign. Well, except for the candidate, of course.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Press Secretary: You're the one in charge of dealing with the media. Critical to the success of any campaign.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Consultant: One of the candidate's top advisers, your expertise and knowledge is critical in crafting policies and messages.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Documentary Filmmaker: You're embedded with the campaign in order to make a film about the political process.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Intern: A lowly volunteer seeking to get your first experience in the world of politics. Prepare to make a lot of coffee.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Opposition Researcher: Chief mudslinger for the campaign, finding ways to make your opponents look bad is your most important job.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Fundraising Director: Running a major political campaign is expensive. Your job is to keep the money flowing in.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Dark Secrets: You have a terrible secret you are trying desperately to hide.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Dimwitted: Simply put, you just aren't that bright.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Troubling Past: You've made some mistakes in the past, and people just don't seem willing to let it go.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Inappropriate: You have the terrible habit of behaving inappropriately in ways that get you some negative attention.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Lazy: You don't have much of a work ethic.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Unlikable: For one reason or another, you have a gift for putting people off and making a bad impression.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Frail: You are physically weak or infirm in some way, which can make it difficult to keep up with the demands of the campaign.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Extremist: You have some views which are decidedly outside of the mainstream.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Inexperienced: This is all new to you. You really don't know what you're doing.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Out of Touch: You really have no idea how the average American really lives.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Win the Election: More than anything else, you really want the candidate to win the election.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Find a Better Job: This campaign gig is going to look great on a resume. Just make sure not to burn any bridges before something better comes around.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Advance Your Agenda: You care a great deal about certain issues. Making sure those issues are tackled is more important to you than winning or losing.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Enjoy Life: Having a little fun is more important than the campaign, right?
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Lose the Election: You actually don't really want the candidate to win. You're looking for opportunities to undermine the campaign.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Revenge: You have a personal grudge against one of the opponents. You'll do anything to get back at them.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Experienced: You've been working in politics for a long, long time. You know how this all works.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Charismatic: You have a real gift for winning people over.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Intelligent: You have a quick wit and a strong mind.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Squeaky Clean: You have a truly amazing ability to avoid temptation. You don't have a single secret which could be used against you.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Wealthy: Money can go a very long way in politics.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Respected: You've done something noteworthy or heroic which has won you a lot of goodwill with people.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Connected: In politics, who you know is everything. You know a great deal of useful and influential people.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Legacy: You come from one of Midlands' great political dynasties. Your name alone opens doors for you.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Educated: You know the issues inside and out. Nobody could ever accuse you of being poorly informed.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Diligent: You're not afraid to work hard. Your long hours are bound to pay off eventually.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Avoid the Spotlight: You ended up as part of this campaign against your will. You just want to stay out of it as much as possible. Easier said than done.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The State Capitol Building: A historic building dating back to when Midlands was first granted statehood. Still houses the state legislature.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The State Capitol Building: A historic building dating back to when Midlands was first granted statehood. Still houses the state legislature.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The Faulty Permits: Somebody accidentally reserved the capitol steps for ten PM rather than ten AM. This needs to be fixed quickly.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Talking Points: Everyone needs to be on the same page before they get hounded by media questions. Time to finalize issue positions.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Prepare the Speech: This speech could be one of the most important in Matthew's political career. It needs to be perfect.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The Speech (Matthew): Matthew's teleprompter has malfunctioned terribly. Can the speech be saved?
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Media Spin: The reporters are out in droves. It's time to sell them on Matthew's plausibility as a gubernatorial candidate.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Campaign Headquarters: Office space rented in a building not far from the state capitol.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Fundraising: Time to start bringing in the bucks.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Endorsements: Nothing gives a fledgling campaign a shot in the arm like the endorsement of someone known and respected.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Arrange Interviews: Time to get Matthew out there and talking to the media while he still has their attention.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The Issues: It might be a good idea to actually talk substance a little bit. Right?
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: KTVMI Studios: One of Midlands' most popular statewide stations. Home of 'Couch Talk', among other programs.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: KTVMI Studios: One of Midlands’ most popular statewide  television stations. Home of ‘Couch Chat’, among other programs.    
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: 'Couch Chat' (Matthew): Matthew has wound up on a ridiculous morning talk show which seems designed to make him look like a fool.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Opposition Research: Lieutenant Governor Elana Clyburne has entered the race and has the media's attention. Time to dig up some dirt.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Lieutenant Governor Elana Clyburne: Effectively the the incumbent, with the Governor retiring. Has a solid reputation, without having done much yet. A schoolmate and rival of Kirsten.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Alyssa Clyburne: Elana Clyburne's daughter, and a much easier target.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Phil Gleeson: Independent candidate and right-wing conspiracy theorist.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Blake Worthings-Reagan: Press secretary for Clyburne and Drake's one-time lover.
  
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Maxime Delap Szczesny: An American-Polish steel heiress who publicly supports a high minimum wage but hates unions. She's very rich and probably a good fit for Matthew, but likely to be quite demanding.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The Coffee Shop: Called literally "The Coffee Shop", this is actually a notch above most of its competitors in terms of comfort, smartness, privacy and price.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Get in the media: Get Matthew out there and generating positive media coverage, either by giving interviews or appearing at public events.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Intern: A lowly volunteer seeking to get your first experience in the world of politics. Prepare to make a lot of coffee.    
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Diligent: You’re not afraid to work hard. Your long hours are bound to pay off eventually. 
  
  *"Yes sir, right away sir. Do you need me to work overtime as well?"*
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: O.C.D.: You need everything to be just right or a certain way or you just can't handle it.
  
  *"Sir, your tie isn't straight enough...let me fix it.....there...no still not perfect hold on...."*
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Get Promoted: You don't really want to be an intern anymore, you want to get promoted up the ladder.
  
  *"Maybe one day I'll be the campaign manager*"
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Inheritance: The loss of a close relative has given you some extra cash. 
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Out of control: You're a whirlwind: full of energy but difficult to predict and impossible to keep on track or direct.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Make an impact: It's important to keep busy, and to keep setting and achieving goals, and it really doesn't matter what they are.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Talk Fast: You can make anything sound good, or at least tolerable. "What he said about how we should blow up Europe? It was taken out of context."
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: You Bastard: You don't really care what happens to anyone else, just so long as you win... er, the candidate wins, that is.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Get Richer: You are a wealthy man. You have well enough to live on. But hey, more money can never hurt, right?
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Partying Past: You might not anymore, but you used to rage pretty hard bro.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Cool Under Pressure: When all about you are losing their heads, you're keeping calm and getting it done.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Bossy: You love barking orders almost as much as laughing at your own jokes.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Connected: You upgrade your phone mostly so you have more space for contacts. You meet a lot of people, and any one of them could be useful.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Take Charge: When you're the one sane person in the room, it's best to be the leader rather than the follower.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Surrounded By Idiots: Sometimes, it feels like everyone in this room is an idiot. Time to set them straight. Who cares if they hate you for it?
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Folksy: *Aw, shucks. He's just a regular guy like me!* Out-of-touch you may be, but you can do a convincing impression of Joe Sixpack - as long as no-one digs too deep.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Single Dad: You have one single thing more important than the campaign. Your child. Sometimes finding a babysitter can be tough.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Connections: Sure it may be an old flame, but you're willing to deal with or spy on whoever it takes to win.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Girl Scout: You may be in politics, but you have some moral principles that keep you from engaging in dirty tricks.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Speechwriter: All the thankless work of a press secretary at half the pay and with less exposure. You're in charge of giving the candidate the right words for the right moment.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: College Network: You got to a college for studies, it's a good place for networking.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Pugnacious: When there's a fight to be had, you don't mess around.  You stand up fiercely for your beliefs and your team, and God help anybody who crosses you.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Inexperienced: Fancy degrees only get you so far, kid. Knowing how the game is played comes with time, and you're too damn young.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Impatient: When you want something, you hate having to wait for it.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Persuasion: You are able to convince people to move fast - they may not always do what you want - but you can make ditheres do something 
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Make It Viral: People like viral videos, you know a guy in your school's AV department..