Lost Tomorrow

[[Start the game|Title Page]]

(track: 'WhereIsTomorrow', 'play') (align:"=><=")[#(text-style:"bold")[''Lost Tomorrow'']] [[Start]] [[Credits]]

<center><b>Writing & Twine programming:</b> theKatiest (Katie Garling) <b>Sound & Music:</b> fluffy & BitJunkie (Robert French) //Also thanks to the Random Deepak Chopra Quote Generator at http://wisdomofchopra.com/ for a few select quotes.// </center> [[Back|Title Page]]

(track: 'WhereIsTomorrow', 'stop') (track: 'Ambience', 'play') When you wake up, you notice something has changed. Your bedroom is the same: same pillows, same pictures, same mess as usual. But is there something...different? You realize that no, nothing is different. That's the problem. You're still in today. Somehow, you have lost tomorrow. [[Look around]] [[How does one lose tomorrow?]]

Nothing seems out of the ordinary here. But why would it? Everything here is the present. You don't remember what happened yesterday. Or will happen today? Tenses are difficult when you're missing a tomorrow, it seems. Maybe you should retrace your steps from yester-today. [[Retrace Your Steps]]

Without much effort, it seems. [[Apparently so.|Look around]]

The central library downtown was built innumerable years ago, and you love how your footsteps echo on the marble floors whenever you visit. Despite the warm weather, the ivy climbing its brick exterior is bare of leaves. You notice none of the birds land on the branches. You can't recall birds ever landing there. You enter and climb the stone steps up into the main hall. It's grand and cold, and despite the sunlight outside, shadows clinging to all corners. A librarian sits at the checkout counter, quietly working on her computer. A few patrons are sitting at tables, but no one speaks. There's a quiet corner of the room which catches your eye, and beyond that, the door leading to the Stacks. [[Talk to the Librarian|Librarian]] [[Check out the corner|Quiet corner]] [[Enter the Stacks|The Stacks]] (if: ($FirstLocation is "Library") and ($LibraryEvent >= 3)) [You've searched the library pretty thoroughly, but haven't found anything. As you pass through the main hall again, you notice a large book sitting on one of the front tables. That wasn't there before, was it? [[Look at the Mysterious Book|Lead to Cafe]]] (if: ($SecondLocation is "Library") and ($LibraryEvent >= 3)) [You've searched the library pretty thoroughly, but haven't found anything. As you pass through the main hall again, you're seized with a sudden desperation. There must be answers here. It's a library, of course the answers are here somewhere. You just haven't searched hard enough. The shadows flicker slightly as you pass them, and you head back to the shelves in search of more books. [[Continue|Bad Ending - Library]]] (unless: (track: 'LibraryMusic', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'LibraryMusic', 'loop', true) (track: 'LibraryMusic', 'play') ]

The café is busy this time of day, most of the tables being filled with happy customers cheerfully consuming their meals. The soft chatter is soothing, and simple music can faintly be heard wafting from the kitchen. It's a warm space, with good smells and an easy atmosphere. More customers arrive and are seated. You haven't seen anyone leave, but apparently there's still room. No one looks like they plan to leave. The waitress's nametag read "Rosie," and she gestures you to a table. You're given a menu, and you settle back to listen to the bubbling chatter around you. [[Sit down at a table|7 point]] [[Look over the menu|Good food]] [[Listen to the other customers|Overheard]] (if: ($FirstLocation is "Cafe") and ($CafeEvent >= 3)) [The café is so welcoming, you don't really want to leave, but you really need to get your tomorrow back. You flag down Rosie to ask if she knows anything. [[Talk to Rosie|Lead to Shop]]] (if: ($SecondLocation is "Cafe") and ($CafeEvent >= 3)) [The café is so welcoming, you don't really want to leave. It's not like you have anything to worry about after this, right? [[Continue|Good Ending - Cafe]]] (unless: (track: 'CafeMusic', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'CafeMusic', 'loop', true) (track: 'CafeMusic', 'play') ]

The shop is one of many storefronts near the park, surrounded by boutiques, restaurants, and any number of coffee houses. People walk by the shop, but never seem to peer into the windows as they do other stores. You watch one man glance at the shop, and his eyes seem to skip straight to the next door without taking it in. Curious. When you enter, the shop is empty, save for how entirely full it is. Strange objects line shelves, are jammed into stands, and, hanging from the ceiling, a skeleton of an unknown animal grins down at you. But as far as people go, it's deserted. There's a creepy doll staring at you from a nearby shelf, and there's some rustling sounds coming from what you imagine is a bird cage. The bird cage is covered by a think lace veil. [[Your basic creepy doll|Creepy Doll]] [[Is that an actual veil?|Veil]] [[Bird in a Cage]] (if: ($FirstLocation is "Shop") and ($ShopEvent >= 3)) [The shop keeper is behind the counter when you've finished looking around. "Can I help you?" [[Talk to the shop keeper|Lead to Park]]] (if: ($SecondLocation is "Shop") and ($ShopEvent >= 3)) [The shop keeper is behind the counter when you've finished looking around. "Can I help you?" "Yes, I'm looking for a lost tomorrow?" "A lost tomorrow. Oh yes, I remember you..." [[Continue|Bad Ending - Shop]]] (unless: (track: 'ShopMusic', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'ShopMusic', 'loop', true) (track: 'ShopMusic', 'play') ]

You can hear the park long before you enter through the gap in the tall hedges. Children laugh and yell, and a dog barks excitedly in the distance. The sun feels warm on your face, and you stand in a plaza near the entrance just to enjoy the feeling. Everyone seems very relaxed, closed eyes tilted up toward the sun. A jogger runs past and you realize that his eyes are closed too. As are the strolling couples. And the children are standing, eyes closed, all facing toward you. You blink, and everything is back to normal. At least, you think it is...right? [[Go sit on a bench|Man on bench]] [[Watch the couples|Watch the Couples]] [[Go over to the jungle gym|Creepy Children]] (if: ($FirstLocation is "Park") and ($ParkEvent >= 3)) ["Hey, over here!" You follow the voice to see your friend Beatrice pushing a stroller nearby. You join her, pausing to smile and wave at baby Nico. "What brings you to the park today?" [[Talk to Beatrice|Lead to Library]]] (if: ($SecondLocation is "Park") and ($ParkEvent >= 3)) ["Hey, over here!" You follow the voice to see your friend Beatrice pushing a stroller nearby. You join her, pausing to smile and wave at baby Nico. "What brings... oh no, what's the look on your face?" [[Continue|Good Ending - Park]]] (unless: (track: 'ParkMusic', 'isplaying'))[ (group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'ParkMusic', 'loop', true) (track: 'ParkMusic', 'play') ]

You walk up to the counter and wait. Is that keyboard...leaking? [[...]]

You walk across the room to a quiet corner, far from the other patrons, and out of the line of sight of the counter. It's dark, and there's a draft which you didn't notice before. You're not sure why you were drawn here, but it seems like you're not the first. A stack of books sit on the table, with a layer of dust on them that suggests they've been here for quite some time. [[Look at the books]]

You follow the long dim hallway into the Stacks. There's no sound except for your own footsteps as you walk among the tall shelves. The air is heavy with dust and something else. It's not something you recognize. What is that? [[Further into the Stacks]]

The Mysterious Book is heavy, so you leave it on the table as you page through it. The text is dense and hard to parse, but you think it's related to time in some way. Flipping to the title page, you see the book is called "Time Enough for Tomorrow." Well, that's the most promising lead you've found so far. Opposite to the title page, you find an old-fashioned checkout card. Pulling it out, you see the last person to check out this book is Rose Phearson. Isn't that the name of the waitress at the café? (link: "Go to the café")[(set: $SecondLocation to "Cafe")(goto: "Cafe")] (link: "Try the park instead")[(set: $SecondLocation to "Park")(goto: "Park")] (link: "Try the shop instead")[(set: $SecondLocation to "Shop")(goto: "Shop")]

(group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'WhereIsTomorrow', 'play') You don't remember which today it is any more. They all seem to blend together in the oppresive silence of the library. You think the shadows have stopped moving, but you don't think it's because nothing is there. You're starting to think you might have become one of them. But you can't stop looking for answers. Maybe the next book will tell you how to get your tomorrow back. Or surely the next after that. The shadows curl around you as you read. The end. (link: "Try Again?")[(reload:)]

You notice Rosie is apparently the only waitress in the café, which must be tough considering the number of customers. None of them seem impatient though. Rosie is suddenly in front of you with a smile. "Welcome to the café! I'm Rosie, and I'll be your waitress today." "Oh, um, thanks Rosie." "Would you like a drink to get started?" You look down at the menu for the drinks list. "Yeah, I'll take a-" You look up again, but Rosie is gone [[...Okay|serve drinks]]

The menu looks promising for your stomach, if not for finding you lost tomorrow. A snack surely couldn't hurt. The dishes listed look amazing to you, though you can't say you've heard of them before. Some of the descriptions are a little...odd. [[The soup of the day]]

The conversations of other customers drift to your table as you sit, comfortable and warm. Gossip and jokes filter in and out of your perception, until a particular topic catches your attention. [[Listen closer]]

"Oh, sure, I remember you from earlier. You were going to check out that shop next door, I think?" You were in here earlier? You don't remember it at all. "Maybe you left it there. Or traded it away, I suppose. Weird shop, that one." You thank Rosie and think about it. The shop seems like a pretty good lead. But what does she mean by "traded it away?" (link: "Go to the shop")[(set: $SecondLocation to "Shop")(goto: "Shop")] (link: "Try the park instead")[(set: $SecondLocation to "Park")(goto: "Park")] (link: "Try the library instead")[(set: $SecondLocation to "Library")(goto: "Library")]

(group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'WhereIsTomorrow', 'play') The soothing sounds of the bustling café lull you back into a comfortable daydream. You're full and warm, and the atmosphere here is so pleasant, you really can't imagine that tomorrow could ever be better than this. Do... do you really need your tomorrow? You're not sure that you do. Today is fine as it is. The end. (link: "Try Again?")[(reload:)]

The creepy doll stares at you from a nearby shelf. Why do all of these types of shops have creepy dolls? [[Wait, did the doll blink?]]

You pull the thick lace veil down from the birdcage, ignoring the squawking from inside for the moment. The veil has your full attention, as you've never touched anything so delicate before. It's intricately woven, and you can't see any snags or tears at all. It's in really good condition, except... [[What is that?]]

A large, squat bird sit on a perch in the birdcage. Its plumage is ragged and uneven. Dark red feathers litter the cage bottom. [[Polly want a cracker?]]

You aren't sure you like the look of the shop keeper. He's smiling, but it doesn't reach his eyes. In fact, nothing seems to reach his eyes. Are his eyes black... or are those his pupils? You decide to ignore your misgivings and ask after your missing tomorrow. "Tomorrows, hmmm? No, I don't think we have any tomorrows in stock at the moment. I have a few yesteryears in the back, but there's not a lot of call for tomorrows these days." You try to parse that, but it just makes you head ache. You ask if the shop keeper saw you yester-today. "Could be, but I traded my ability to remember faces away for the shop. Makes things simpler, in the end. But your voice... yes, I think you were in here. Didn't do much more than browse before you headed out to the park." You thank the shop keeper, sneaking another glance at his eyes. A faint light glints in their depths. You look away first. (link: "Go to the park")[(set: $SecondLocation to "Park")(goto: "Park")] (link: "Try the café instead")[(set: $SecondLocation to "Cafe")(goto: "Cafe")] (link: "Try the library instead")[(set: $SecondLocation to "Library")(goto: "Library")]

(group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'WhereIsTomorrow', 'play') You feel relieved. So you did come here! "Do you know what happened to it?" The shop keeper nods, looking down at his ledger. "Of course, of course. You traded it to me just today, in fact. The last today, I believe it was." "Can I have it back?" He looks surprised, and studies you closely. "You... want it returned to you?" Unsure why he would even ask, you nod. "I see. Well, if that's what you want. Do you have your Sublime Unconcern with you?" "My...what?" "The Sublime Unconcern you traded for your Tomorrow. I have it written down right here: "Sublime Unconcern, condition 'slightly used' for one Tomorrow, unopened." "I'm... not sure." The shop keeper leans across the counter suddenly, peering into your eyes from inches away. "Oh yes, it's in there," he breathes. "Would you like to trade it back?" Trying not to lean away too obviously, you hesitantly nod. The shop keeper leans back and smiles. "Alright then." It's not a nice smile. You remember the smile when you return home after the trade. The smile is with you when you get ready for bed, eager to get to your promised tomorrow. You remember the smile especially when you wake up and realize just why you traded it away so quickly, so //gratefully//. His smile is the last thing you remember at all. The end. (link: "Try Again?")[(reload:)]

You sit on a nearby park bench, deciding to take a break before searching for your lost tomorrow. It's been a long today already. There's a man sitting on the other side of the bench. You didn't notice him before, and you hope he's not annoyed by your joining him. He doesn't look over, so you suppose it's fine. He says, "Missing your tomorrow, huh?" [[What did you say?]]

There are plenty of other parkgoers who obviously have the same thought in mind. People stroll past, soaking in the sun. One couple almost walks straight into another, but, without even seeming to see one another, both veer slightly at the last moment. [[That was close]]

You look around and notice that no one is interacting outside of their groups. The joggers run past each other, and the strolling couples just... don't even look around. You suppose that isn't so strange, but... [[Something is wrong]]

Beatrice listens as you tell her about the missing tomorrow. "So that's what different about you. I thought you got a haircut or something." Baby Nico gurgles something, and Beatrice bends down to sooth him. You notice that the teething ring she's offering seems to be punctured in a few places. "Sorry about that, he's finally teething. But your tomorrow, huh? That's a shame. I was hoping to invite you over next week for dinner." You tell her you'd love to come, if you can. She smiles before frowning slightly in thought. "Have you tried the library? I always go there when I need answers, and it hasn't failed me recently!" That's less than reassuring, but you suppose a lead is a lead. You wave at baby Nico again as you leave, and he yells a garbled farewell, sharp pointed teeth gleaming in the light. (link: "Go to the library")[(set: $SecondLocation to "Library")(goto: "Library")] (link: "Try the café instead")[(set: $SecondLocation to "Cafe")(goto: "Cafe")] (link: "Try the shop instead")[(set: $SecondLocation to "Shop")(goto: "Shop")]

(group: 'playing', 'stop') (track: 'WhereIsTomorrow', 'play') Beatrice listens as you tell her about the missing tomorrow. "So that's what different about you. I thought you got a haircut or something." Baby Nico gurgles something, and Beatrice bends down to sooth him. You notice that the teething ring she's offering seems to be punctured in a few places. "Sorry about that, he's finally teething. But your tomorrow, huh? That's a shame. I was hoping to invite you over next week for dinner." You tell her you'd love to come, if you can. She smiles before frowning slightly in thought. "You know, I think I remember seeing you today. Or will see you? Anyways, you were talking with the two children in the sandbox...there!" You look where she's pointing and spot a couple of children playing together in the sandbox nearby. Beatrice maneuvers the stroller and yourself over to the children, who look up as you all approach. "Hello," says the first child. "Hello again!" says the second. Beatrice smiles at them with all the confidence of a new mother. "Hello dears. My friend and I were wondering if you if you have seen their missing Tomorrow. My friend is missing it, and really wants it back." "Your Tomorrow?" the first child asks. "This Tomorrow, silly!" the second child answers. The child holds out both hands, cupping a handful of sand. You look over at Beatrice, confused. She huffs and gestures for you to take the sand. You obediently hold out your hand, and watch as the sand trickles through the child's fingers and onto your palm. You don't feel any different, but Beatrice and the children seem satisfied, so you decide that's good enough. You'll know soon enough if it worked. You say goodbye to the children and part from Beatrice, promising to be there next week. You wave at baby Nico again as you leave, and he yells a garbled farewell, sharp pointed teeth gleaming in the light. The end. (link: "Try Again?")[(reload:)]

What was on your schedule? There's a library book that needs to be returned, you're sure. Maybe some shopping or a nice walk through the park? And weren't you planning on trying that new café? Where should you head first? (link: "Library")[(set: $FirstLocation to "Library")(goto: "Library")] (link: "Cafe")[(set: $FirstLocation to "Cafe")(goto: "Cafe")] (link: "Shop")[(set: $FirstLocation to "Shop")(goto: "Shop")] (link: "Park")[(set: $FirstLocation to "Park")(goto: "Park")]

She still hasn't acknowledged you. The smell of ozone wafts past you, and... yes, the keyboard is definitely leaking. [[Um...Ma'am?]]

She doesn't seem to hear you. The ozone smell is stronger now, and the fluid coming from the keyboard is glowing a little. [[Your keyboard is...leaking.]]

The librarian looks up at you and glares. "Shhhh!" Maybe you should try looking elsewhere. You set your library book — you remember you returned it yester-today already — on the counter and leave. [[Back|Library]] (set: $LibraryEvent to it+1)

You keep walking further into the darken room. Has it always been this big? You can't remember ever coming in here before. The scent has gotten stronger too. It's almost... musky. Something moves in the corner of your vision. When you turn, there's nothing. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. [[Go further in]]

There's something following you through the stacks. It's subtle, but it's there. You ease into an aisle, keeping a watch on both entrances. Then you hear the breathing in the aisle next to you. Enough of this. Your tomorrow isn't here, and you won't be much longer either if you don't move. You make a run for it, through the stacks, down the hall, and slam the door closed. As it closes, you hear a scrabbling sound on the other side. The librarian glares at you, but doesn't look surprised. [[Back|Library]] (set: $LibraryEvent to it+1)

The first book is a cookbook, of all things. A glance at the title tells you it's not in a language you recognize, but you open it anyways. You've always loved looking at cookbooks. The pictures in this one are blurry, almost washed out entirely. Why would a cookbook have such blurry photography? As you flip through the pages, you see a flash of one image, a crystal-clear diagram of a human body, segmented with dashed lines and labeled in the strange script. But when you try to flip back to the picture, it's gone. [[Look at the next book]]

The next book is in English, which is good, but the title doesn't make any more sense than the previous one did. What is "The soul is rooted in nonlocal genes" supposed to mean? Opening the book doesn't give you any answers. It's just strings of gibberish, followed by stylized shapes and numbers. You try to read another page. "Non-judgment alleviates sub empirical reality." You give up. [[Look at the last book]]

You pick up the last book. It's older than the rest. The cover is almost falling to pieces, and the gilded font of the title is rubbed almost completely away. You're a little afraid to open it in case the spine cracks. You can make out a whispering sound when you touch the book. What is that? You open the book slightly just to peek, and the whispers get louder. How did you not notice them before? Where are they coming from? You inch the book open a little more, and suddenly there's a harsh whisper right next to your ear. You drop the book and look around. There's no one there. The whispers are gone. [[Back|Library]] (set: $LibraryEvent to it+1)

You wonder what the soup of the day is. Looking around, you don't see any signs that might tell you. You do see something odd at the entrance to the kitchen though. Through the open doorway, a cook stands with his back to you next to a large metal cauldron. As he chops at whatever is on the counter, you could swear you see a slimy tentacle rise from out of the cauldron and reach for him. Without looking, the cook smacks the tentacle with a hand before tipping a cutting board filled with vegetables into the pot. Maybe you should try something else first. [[The catch of the day]]

The Catch of the Day sounds fairly innocuous, you think. You are about to flag Rosie down when a clatter sounds from the entrance. A large man stands in the doorway, chest heaving and looking as if he's been fighting for his life. Blood drips down a cut on his forehead, and on his chest his clothes are shredded. He has a large, wriggling sack sitting at his feet. "Rosie, I've got your catch for tomorrow here" You flinch at just how easily he was able to say it. And at the sounds coming from inside the sack. And at your near escape. The waitress calls out to him in exasperation. "Back door, Greg!" He waves acknowledgement and, heaving up the sack onto his shoulder, heads back outside. You're almost afraid to ask about the special, but at this point you must. [[The Special]]

Finally, Rosie walks up to take your order. "What can I getcha?" "Rosie, what's the special for today?" The waitress stares down at you, a curiously blank expression on her face. She doesn't answer. "Rosie?" The chatter from before seems muted somehow. The café dims in your vision - or is it your vision which dims? Rosie is still perfectly clear, standing there, watching you. You're not sure when you last took a breath. Something snaps, and the world rights itself. The chatter is back, and the warmth, and Rosie smiles at you in a perfectly friendly manner. "What can I getcha?" she asks. You close your menu and tell her you're fine. [[Back|Cafe]] (set: $CafeEvent to it + 1)

You turn to look for Rosie, but she's not at any of the other tables. You suppose she must be quick to serve so many, but she's nowhere in sight. "Here's your drink!" You spin around to find Rosie smiling down at you. Your drink is on the table, and yes, it's exactly what you were going to order. You must be predictable, you suppose. "Would you like an appetizer?" "Oh, um...no, I think I'm good." Rosie smiles at you, still staring. You fidget. "Well, maybe just a small one." Someone sneezes off to your right, and you look over. Rosie isn't there when you turn back. [[She's quick|Order]]

Rosie reappears moments later with a plate in her hands. She sets it down, and you're greeted by a delicious-looking fried concoction. You're not sure what it is, but you know you'll love it. You look up to thank her, and notice the waitress has another plate in her hand. She sets it down. It's another dish of indeterminate but tasty origins. Sitting next to your empty plate, it looks tempting. Wait. You look back to your appetizer. It's gone, and only some grease and the garnish are left to show it was ever there. You... you don't remember eating that. [[This is getting strange|Entree]]

You reach down to pick up your fork, and are interrupted by Rosie. "How's your food so far?" Did she even leave? You can't remember seeing her do so. But you don't remember her being there either. She's still waiting for an answer, so you smile and nod. You look back down to your food and see it's gone, along with your empty glass. You sit there, alone once again, staring down at the table and holding your fork in a slightly shaking hand. [[I feel full. Why do I feel full?|Dessert?]]

"Rosie, what did I just eat?" "What you just ate? What do you mean? Do you want one of our delicious desserts?" Dessert does sound nice. You try to look at the menu while still keeping Rosie in your line of sight, but it's not easy. You raise the menu up to look at it with Rosie directly behind it. She smiles, and nods down at the table. Your dessert is sitting there, exactly as you would have ordered. She places a check on your table. "Now, don't feel the need to rush, take all the time you want!" [[Back|Cafe]] (set: $CafeEvent to it + 1)

Two women at a nearby table huddle close together, as if telling secrets. Their voices are loud, however, and you can hear the conversation clearly. "So what are you two doing tomorrow?" "Well, it would be the same thing as always, but he hasn't got one." "One what?" "One tomorrow, silly." [[Listen very closely]]

You strain to hear everything, but it's breaking up, almost as if you're hearing it through a radio. That doesn't make sense. They're sitting right there at the next table. The second woman is comforting the first, and you can still hear parts of the conversation. "...gone and he just--" "They're like that, tomorrows.... and once you...." You strain to hear, but though the two women are a few feet away, you can't hear another word. [[Back|Cafe]] (set: $CafeEvent to it + 1)

You must be imagining it. Get it together. It's just your basic, average... super creepy doll. You imagine the doll to nod in agreement. You must be imagining it. [[Maybe you should leave the doll alone]]

But the doll doesn't want you to leave it alone. It's been alone for so long. It would be better if you stayed and played with the doll, right? You start to reach for the doll, but an unwary step toward the shelf rams your toe into the corner of a nearby stand. The pain jars you out of whatever trance you were in, and you back away from the shelf slowly. You make sure not to make eye contact with the doll again. [[Back|Shop]] (set: $ShopEvent to it + 1)

At the hem of the veil, tiny silver bells are snagged in the fabric, muffling their sound. With infinite care, you untangle one of the delicate pieces. It chimes so clearly and beautifully, your eyes prickle involuntarily. [[It sounds beautiful]]

Quickly you untangle the rest, and soon an angelic chorus of delicate chimes echoes around the shop. You feel lost in the sound, and suddenly, you feel as if you've heard this sound before. But no, not you. It's not your memory of the bells, somehow. This was the sound you heard as you dressed for your wedding. The delicate sound made you smile, and you couldn't wait to see his face. The bells chimed again as you turned around at the opening of the door. They chimed as you fell to the floor. The bells in your hand are silent as you clench the fabric around them. [[How sad]]

You think you see why such a beautiful veil hasn't been sold. You lay it on a nearby counter gently, careful not to jostle the bells again. [[Back|Shop]] (set: $ShopEvent to it + 1)

"My name is Matthew, actually." You blink at the bird. It tilts its head and watches you. "You..." If possible, the bird seems to sigh. "Yes, I am a talking bird. No, I am not a parrot. I'm an enchanted prince locked away by an evil sorcerer." [[That's...an interesting story]]

The bird gives a shrill laugh at that. "Okay, not a prince, and there's no sorcerer... as far as I know. I just made a bad trade, it seems." "How could a bad trade end with you here?" "This is a strange shop, and the prices are often more than you expect. If I were you, I would take my business elsewhere." [[I'm looking for my tomorrow, actually]]

"Your tomorrow? Oh, I don't recommend looking here. Who knows what a tomorrow would cost you? Better to try your luck out in the world. You don't want to end up like me, after all." "Should I free you?" The bird just shrieks a laugh again. [[Back|Shop]] (set: $ShopEvent to it + 1)

The dozen or so children playing on the small jungle gym don't even look at each other. They move eerily in concert, no one too quick, no one having to wait their turn. They just... play separately, all together. One little girl runs up the slide just as another child slides down. They're going to hit each other, you think, they're going to - The children flicker slightly, and each reach their intended destinations without a problem. [[Did they just...]]

Now that you're watching, you can't seem to stop noticing. Parents watch fondly as children blink in and out of existence while on the monkey bars. One boy jumps from the top of the rope ladder, disappears, then reappears climbing it. The children laugh and shriek, but you can't seem to hear any of them. [[That's not normal]]

None of the adults nearby look disturbed by any of this. After a moment, you make an effort to not look disturbed either, and walk away. [[Back|Park]] (set: $ParkEvent to it + 1)

Another couple walks by. They're in the middle of what seems to be a heated argument. Curses and accusations fly between them, and you can't help but stare at the spectacle they're making. But, are they? No one else seems to be as interested as you are. In fact, no one is even looking in their direction? How could they not hear that? The couple turns a corner in the bushes, and the sound of the fight is cut off abruptly. [[This is getting stranger]]

One more couple attracts your notice. Unlike the last, they're entirely silent, just walking together along a nearby path. They're older, and the woman is using a cane as they wind through the trees. They seem peaceful in their silence. They come across a low-hanging branch that blocks the path slightly. Moving slowly, the old woman ducks slightly to the side to avoid it, clutching at her cane for balance. As you watch, the old man walks through the branch as if it wasn't there. The old woman disappears into the trees, and you can't see either of them at all. [[Back|Park]] (set: $ParkEvent to it + 1)

"You. You're missing your tomorrow, right?" You can only gape for a minute, before stuttering out a yes. "Thought so. You can always tell with these kinds of things. Got that look in your eye that says it, plain as day." You realize he hasn't looked over at you yet, much less looked in your eyes. [[Ask for his help]]

The man snorts slightly. "I can't help you." You want to protest, to argue...to threaten even! But in the end, you just ask him why. "Not a lot a man like me can do," he says. "You're not the only one who's missing something. We're all missing something or other here." [[How can you tell?]]

"There's something in the eyes," the man says again. "They're the windows to your soul, after all." For the first time, the man looks over at you and grins. His sunglasses slip a bit at the movement, revealing a jagged scar and twin holes. You jump to your feet, then feel ashamed for your reaction. But the man on the bench just continues to grin at you, looking back out at the crowd. [[Back|Park]] (set: $ParkEvent to it + 1)

CafeMusic: ./audio/cafe_loop.mp3, ./audio/cafe_loop.ogg LibraryMusic: ./audio/library_loop.mp3, ./audio/library_loop.ogg ShopMusic: ./audio/shop_loop.mp3, ./audio/shop_loop.ogg ParkMusic: ./audio/The_Park_Loop.ogg WhereIsTomorrow: ./audio/Where_Is_Tomorrow_Loop.mp3, ./audio/Where_Is_Tomorrow_Loop.ogg Ambience: ./audio/ambience_loop.mp3, ./audio/ambience_loop.ogg