text: [Themes: true story, school, drama, drugs]
  
  > look around
  There's a run-down old drinking fountain along this east-west stretch of sidewalk, between the trees and the softball field.
  
  Nathalie stands off to the side.
  
  Faye's chalk art is a complicated piece with maybe a dozen characters. And somehow, she's already almost finished.
  
  > go to the east
  Here, finally, there's a bench, where the sidewalk turns from west to south. The picturesqueness of the spot contrasts dramatically with torn-up Second Street just a little ways to the east.
  
  Jessica is working on a curved block of pavement, drawing a diverse
  and vibrant array of flowers.
  
  Nathalie follows along.
  
  > examine the bench
  It seems a bit odd that the bench would be pointed out toward the highway instead of facing the bike trail.
  
  There's a large hardbound book sitting on the bench.
  
  > Examine book
  clearly designed to take up space on coffee tables. Jessica must have brought it to use as a reference.
  
  > look at Jessica
  Jessica is the only person you know of who comes to the Honors center just to read. One time you found her reading in the stairwell when the main study/hangout area had gotten too boisterous.
  
  And she's a junior, a music major. She plays the... You can't remember the word.
  
  > examine the art
  Jessica has drawn a huge bouquet of lilies, roses, and orchids, all rendered with a level of realism that overwhelms you with the force of a strong perfume���But you're not really smelling anything. That was confusing.
  
  > examine trail
  The sidewalk around the softball field is nice and wide, perfect for chalk art.
  
  > talk to Jessica
  Jessica looks up and wipes some sweat from her forehead. "Yes?"
  
  [1] "How are you?"
  [2] "What's the problem here?"
  [3] "I love your flowers."
  [4] "Well, see you later."
  
  > 1
  "How are you?"
  
  Jessica sighs deeply. "Actually, I'm in kind of a rotten mood. Sorry."
  
  "Oh. That's too bad." Well, you're supposed to be doing something
  about it.
  
  [1] "How are you?"
  [2] "What's the problem here?"
  [3] "I love your flowers."
  [4] "Well, see you later."
  
  > 2
  "What's the problem here?"
  
  "I'm really sorry," she says, "but I don't think Xavier's piece is appropriate. And since it's associated with the Honors program, I just think..."
  
  "What exactly is inappropriate about it?" asks Nathalie.
  
  "Well, you should probably see it for yourself," she says, gesturing further down the sidewalk.
  
  Oh no. More walking.
  
  [1] "How are you?"
  [2] "What's the problem here?"
  [3] "I love your flowers."
  [4] "Well, see you later."
  
  > 4
  "Well, see you later."
  
  "Okay. But please, make Xavier change his design."
  
  > Go south
  This is where there would be a crosswalk for Second Street, if there were a Second Street. There's a button for the crosswalk, but there is no crosswalk.
  
  You feel a little hemmed in by the torn-up street to the east and all the trees to the west and south. The sidewalk only goes north from here.
  
  Xavier is kneeling over his drawing, hard at work.
  
  Nathalie follows you.
  
  > look at Xavier
  Xavier is an art major so it's not even fair that he would enter this tournament in the first place. And of course he has to cause trouble. Last year he did a photography exhibition in the Honors center. Just
  an excuse to put up a bunch of naked pictures of naked people.
  
  > examine the chalk
  On the sidewalk is a curvaceous woman with red skin, goatish horns,
  and very little clothing. Her lips are parted sultrily, as if she's about to whisper something to you. Your throat feels tight.
  
  "More interesting than a bunch of flowers, that's for sure," says Nathalie.
  
  > examine the trees
  A wall of trees stands not far beyond the sidewalk. It's unnerving to see such dense woods in the middle of the city. You know the
  university campus isn't far from the other side, but it seems like if you wandered in, you wouldn't wander out for some time.
  
  > examine Street
  Second Street is normally very busy, but it's been torn up for renovation. Now it's an expanse of mud and rubble, bordered by rebar and orange mesh.
  
  > talk to Nathalie
  Nathalie perks up when you turn her way.
  
  [1] "How's it going?"
  [2] "What do you think of Xavier's drawing?"
  [3] "What do you think I should do?"
  [4] "Thanks."
  
  > 2
  "What do you think of Xavier's drawing?" you ask, not concerning yourself with whether he can hear.
  
  "Well, it's got my attention," Nathalie says. "I think people are really going to respond to her."
  
  Xavier presses a hand to his chest. "Oh my gosh, Nathalie, that is the nicest fake compliment I've ever received in my life."
  
  She grins. "Shut up, kid. You know I love you. Keep up the good work."
  
  [1] "How's it going?"
  [2] "What do you think of Xavier's drawing?"
  [3] "What do you think I should do?"
  [4] "Thanks."
  
  > 3
  "What���" You stumble. Nathalie reaches out to steady you.
  
  "Hey. Are you doing okay?"
  
  "No, yeah." You don't want her to worry about you. "I'm just stressed, I think."
  
  "That makes sense. Let's get back to Hina and see if you can take a little break."
  
  You're not as proud as you are exhausted, so you just nod.
  
  > Drink water
  (the water bottle)
  You take a drink from your water bottle. The water doesn't stay cold for long, but it's refreshing nonetheless.
  
  > talk to Xavier
  While you're trying to think of a way to engage, Nathalie steps in. "Hey Xavier. Nice succubus."
  
  "Thanks!" He's in the middle of adding white highlights to make it
  look like her skin (there's a lot of skin) is reflecting the sun.
  
  "Did you know Jessica complained about it?"
  
  "I know she didn't seem to like it when she was over here earlier.
  But, what I've learned is, people are always going to have opinions."
  
  "Well, I brought a judge over, to make a judgment call." Finally Nathalie steps aside and presents you. Xavier spreads his arms and presents his mostly-naked demoness.
  
  "What do you think?"
  
  Your head hurts.
  
  > 3
  "Come on," Nathalie says, "Let's just report back to Hina." She almost puts her arm on your shoulder.
  
  > Go north
  There's a bench here, for weary wanderers such as yourself, where the sidewalk turns from west to south. The picturesqueness of the spot contrasts dramatically with torn-up Second Street just a little ways
  to the east.
  
  Jessica's flowers seem almost finished, but she's still focused on coloring in one of the petals.
  
  Nathalie comes up alongside, dragging her water cooler behind her.
  
  > go to the west
  There's a run-down old drinking fountain along this east-west stretch of sidewalk, between the trees and the softball field.
  
  Faye's Nightmare Before Christmas scene is complete, and now
  she's lying in the grass off the sidewalk.
  
  "Hey, it's finished!" Nathalie rushes over to admire the drawing. "I'm not a judge, so I can say without fear of retribution that I
  completely love this. Jack Skellington is my role model."
  
  Faye doesn't say anything. She's just running her hands over the
  grass, a goofy smile on her lips.
  
  > Go west
  The sidewalk turns from north to east at the border of a small wooded area.
  
  Jonathan is staring straight down at the cement, lazily filling in the blue sea surrounding his island.
  
  Nathalie follows along.
  
  > go north
  The sidewalk continues north and south between the softball field and
  a steep hill. Rachel has been assigned a square of cement near a steel bike rack.
  
  Rachel is still sunbathing; she finished her chalk-slogan-thing
  forever ago.
  
  Nathalie comes up alongside, dragging her water cooler behind her.
  
  > go to the north
  The sidewalk bends south and east here, at the edge of the parking
  lot.
  
  Victoria's python is finished. She's sitting in the grass, staring at the cars.
  
  Nathalie follows along.
  
  > Go east
  At least it's a little shady here.
  
  Hina and Alec are sitting at either end of the table, waiting for you.
  
  Nathalie is right behind you.
  
  > talk to Hina
  "Well?" Hina asks as you approach. You open your mouth.
  
  "Sheesh, Hina, can't you see she's about to fall over?" Alec stands up and guides you to your chair. "You can make your report sitting down. This isn't the Marines."
  
  Hina waits with clenched teeth for you to sit. "So what did Xavier
  draw that Jessica had a problem with?"
  
  "It was a..." You gesticulate weakly, searching for the right words.
  
  Nathalie cuts in: "A big sexy demon with her boobs hanging out."
  
  You nod, and your body wobbles beneath the weight of your head.
  
  Hina slaps her own forehead. "For Pete's sake, Xavier... Okay, here's what we're going to do:"
  
  But her voice fades away as you slump forward and lose consciousness.
  
  ��2
  
  Lane's head thumps against the table, and you leap to your feet in alarm. Hina loses her cool for maybe an eighth of a second, then she grabs Lane by the shoulders.
  
  "Did she faint?" you ask, before you realize that yes, obviously, she fainted.
  
  "We need to get her on her back," Hina says. Before you can make your legs move, Nathalie glares at you and steps in to assist. The two of them position Lane on the grass; Hina leans down to check her breathing.
  
  The judges' folding table is set up behind the bleachers, out of the sun, on a strip of bike trail leading east and west.
  
  You stand by uselessly, your blood pounding in your ears. You should
  do something.
  
  > About yourself
  Your name is Alec; you're wearing a brown shirt and bluejeans. Based
  on what people have told you, you believe yourself to be average-looking. You thought Hina wanted your creative and administrative input on this Sidewalk Chalk Tournament, but it turns out what she really wanted was a warm body to sit at the judges'
  table.
  
  You shouldn't be so critical of Hina. She's under a lot of stress. But aren't you under a lot of stress too? Everyone is. It's the human condition.
  
  > talk to Hina
  "Should I call 911?" you ask. Hina doesn't look up.
  
  "I'm pre-med. I know what to do when someone faints," she grumbles.
  
  "And I have street smarts," adds Nathalie.
  
  "Then, what should I do?"
  
  Hina closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. "Get a bucket of water and erase Xavier's demon lady. I don't have time to argue with him. Tell him he can start over and draw something more appropriate, or if he wants he can just go home."
  
  Nathalie produces a strangled groan of protest. You just nod.
  
  > Go east
  There's a big sand pit in between the end of the bike trail and the equipment shed. It looks like they just gave up on finishing the
  trail. It also looks like they gave up on reconstructing the intersection northeast of here. Everything's torn up, destroyed, and abandoned.
  
  There's an empty bucket on the ground here.
  
  > get bucket
  You pick up the bucket.
  
  > check your inventory
  You are carrying:
  a metal bucket
  an empty water bottle
  
  > Go west
  The judges' folding table is set up behind the bleachers, out of the sun, on a strip of bike trail leading east and west. Lane is lying on the grass just off the path, with Hina petting her forehead and Nathalie keeping her feet elevated.
  
  > talk to Hina
  Hina already asked you to get a bucket of water to erase Xavier's art with. If you make her tell you again, she will get mad.
  
  > talk to Nathalie
  Nathalie gives you a condescending little nod. "Hina's got this under control," she says.
  
  > Go east
  There's a big sand pit in between the end of the bike trail and the equipment shed. It looks like they just gave up on finishing the
  trail. It also looks like they gave up on reconstructing the intersection northeast of here. Everything's torn up, destroyed, and abandoned.
  
  > look at the spigot
  The faucet doesn't have a handle: Instead, there's a little square
  hole where you're supposed to insert a key.
  
  > fill the bucket
  You can't turn on the faucet; it doesn't have a handle. There's a square hole where you're supposed to insert a key, which you don't have.
  
  Hopefully Hina has it.
  
  > talk to Hina
  "What is it?"
  
  "Sorry, I need the key thingy. For the shed. For the water."
  
  Hina sighs impatiently. (Well, this part isn't exactly your fault, is it?) She finds the key in her pocket and hands it to you without
  saying anything.
  
  > fill the bucket
  You place the bucket beneath the spigot, stick the key in the hole on top, and twist it. Clear water pours out and splashes noisily in the bottom of the bucket. The resonance is deeply satisfying. You almost feel a little sleepy.
  
  As the bucket begins to overflow, you snap back to awareness and turn off the faucet. You pull out the key; you don't want to lose that.
  
  Then you pick up the bucket. It's heavy. Gosh.
  
  Okay, you can do this.
  
  > go west
  Victoria is sitting in the grass, her head in her hands. Behind her on the bike path is her finished entry, a giant snake.
  
  Curving around from the east, the trail heads south, between the softball field and the overgrown hillside.
  
  Jeez, it's hot.
  
  > Go south
  Rachel is lying on the grass next to her entry, abandoning herself to the merciless sun. Her eyes are hidden behind ridiculous sunglasses.
  
  An empty bike rack stands on the other side of the trail, at the foot of the hill. The trail runs north and south.
  
  Something shrieks in pain. Was that a bird?
  
  Rachel doesn't react.
  
  "Did you hear that?" you ask.
  
  "Hear what?"
  
  > go to the south
  Jonathan gives you a dark look before turning back down to his work. The bike trail curves from north to east, skirting the edge of the woods.
  
  A dry, mercifully cool breeze wafts over you from out of the forest, but it doesn't last long.
  
  > go to the east
  As you continue past Jonathan's drawing, you hear a voice behind you: Jerk.
  
  You whirl around. "What did you just say?"
  
  Jonathan looks up. "I didn't say anything."
  
  "Are you sure?"
  
  Jonathan blinks. "Um. Well, pretty sure, I guess."
  
  > Go east
  Faye is sitting uncomfortably in the grass across the trail from a drinking fountain. It looks like the sun has gotten the better of her, but her chalk art is finished: A lurid homage to The Nightmare
  Before Christmas.
  
  The bike trail runs east and west between the woods and the outfield fence.
  
  > go east
  Jessica is sprawled across her field of flowers, sobbing softly.
  
  Jessica is sprawled across her field of flowers, sobbing softly.The bucket falls from your grasp
  
  bucket falls from your graspand you run to her, fall to her side,
  touch her cheek. What's wrong?
  
  touch her cheek. What's wrong?Life is wrong, the world is wrong, our sorrow (which is the smallest portion of human misery) is too much to bear. We can't fix anything, we can't help anyone, we can only cling
  to each other
  
  to each otherand weep and cold water crawls over the pavement, sinking into our clothes.
  
  into our clothes.
  ��3
  
  The idea is not that the world itself is merely an illusion. That's stupid. What's really going on is this: Reality is out there, obviously. But there's this veil of appearance that inhibits
  our ability to experience reality. When you manage to push through
  this veil, you'll realize that in fact reality is extremely real.
  
  And you're almost there. You can feel the surface of the world melting away beneath your fingers.
  
  0. THE CAVE
  Ancient signatures painted on smooth, damp stone. Enormous machinery thrumming peacefully, blowing warm, wet wind over your face.
  
  An engine screeches to life and breaks your concentration. There are people in here, talking over the fans, walking around like they own
  the place. They're getting into their cars and they're leaving. Why
  are they leaving?
  
  EXITS: EAST
  
  > About you
  You take a moment to focus. You point your attention inward. The
  flower of your ��tman opens itself to you.
  
  You remember now. Your name is Nathalie.
  
  > check your inventory
  You are carrying:
  a plastic baggie
  
  > look at baggie
  Inside the plastic baggie are seven little yellow pills.
  
  > eat the pill
  Oh, you've had plenty.
  
  > examine the machinery
  Giant machines at the end of the ramp, churning incessantly. Their constant low moan is perfect thinking music.