(set: $money to 30)
You woke up, once again.
Instead of birds whispering on the trees, you hear construction workers swear under your window and neighbors having rough sex below your apartment.
While crumbling out of bed, you've found a strain of hair on your bedsheets.
In the light of a bedside lamp it shines in a warm amber colours.
You remember her smile again, but it seems a bit more blurry than yesterdays morning.
The memories tend to last shorter in your lonely mind.
And just like yesterday, you start your day... once again.
[[Look out of the window.]]
[[Get yourself a cup of warm tea.]]
[[Look at your phone.]]
<img src="https://cdn.midjourney.com/c6399ea5-5e83-4dbe-a0df-17aa7923f89c/0_3.png">You slowly walk towards the kitchen table.
It is still a bit difficult for you to keep your eyes open.
You take your favourite kind of green tea and start heating some water.
While you wait, you notice your trashcan smells a bit silly.
"Well, nothing much we can do about that", you chuckled.
Your tea is ready, but still a bit hot, so you sip it gently.
This is the single moment, where nothing worries your mind.
What a peaceful silly moment.
[[Get on the street.]]
[[Take out the trash.]]
<img src="https://cdn.midjourney.com/2adc5a14-73ab-44ce-8dc8-e0a0d5bdcaba/0_1.png">There are 2 notifications on your phone.
Your dopamine instantly clicks with that observation.
There is only a system update and SMS from your operator requesting a payment.
There is no human connection.
[[Get yourself a cup of warm tea.]]
<img src="https://cdn.midjourney.com/c2666813-a477-49a2-a615-8b3a4f87d2e4/0_3_384_N.webp">You lean into the window frame.
The streets are more busy than usual and crowded with many people.
The building on the other side of a street is under reconstruction.
They tore that old building from 2020s down a few days back.
You remember all the families that lived there and the kids you've played with.
"Back then, things were simpler", you whisper to yourself and smile a little.
The smile fades away quickly.
[[Get yourself a cup of warm tea.]]
<img src="https://cdn.midjourney.com/f6ffe270-af9c-4330-b16c-33a5b8fac790/0_0.png">(set: $money to $money + 10)
Afte a bit of thought you decided not to ignore the smell anymore.
You went out to the back alley behind the apartment complex.
While taking the trash out, you found 10 dollar bill crumbled on the floor.
You currently have $$money on you.
[[Emerge to the main street.|Get on the street.]]You enter a busy main street crowded with many people.
The sky is unusually clear today.
Some of them bump to you without saying a word.
Some people curse at you.
While strolling around, you noticed a homeless man missing a leg.
He notices you also and shouts: "Hey there young man, mind giving me some change?".
You stop by him and...
[[Give him $1.]]
[[Give him $5.]]
[[Tell him to fuck off.]]
<img src="https://cdn.midjourney.com/ebc3fc52-615d-443e-aeee-fee56126932d/0_1.png">(set:$money = $money - 5)
You decide to give him $1.
He smirks and says: "Huh, I thought you are not that poor".
You feel a little better about yourself for a brief moment.
There is $$money in your pocket.
[[Continue walking.]](set:$money = $money - 1)
You decide to give him $1.
He smirks and says: "Huh, I thought you are not that poor".
You decide not to react.
There is $$money in your pocket.
[[Continue walking.]]"Hey, don't ever shout at me again you old bastard", you yell to his face.
He seems startled by your reaction.
No words come from him.
[[Continue walking.|Getting beaten]]You walk downtown for a few minutes and encounter a casino.
You get close enough, so the bright flashing lights shine directly on your face.
You contemplate whether to go there... you remember how much you've lost by gamblig previous years.
And not only the money, even the people closest to you.
But the urge becomes stronger and comes somewhere within you.
Somewhere where you have no control over it.
You ''have to'' go.
[[Visit casino.]]
<img src="https://cdn.midjourney.com/9adb4ebd-9e61-4d16-8ecf-4ee558790b1c/0_3.png">"Hey!", you hear from around the corner.
A group of youngsters approchaes you.
Some of them clunching their fists, few with baseball bats in their hands.
They move towards you in faster pace.
Your heart starts beating rapidly.
[[Run.]]
[[Calm them down.]]
[[Offer them some money]]Ok, let's run it one more time.
[[Start again.|Start]]
<img src="https://cdn.midjourney.com/0d2529c2-5baf-4ad2-98f9-1e48d79e6591/0_2.png">"Hey guys, what's all the fuss about, can we just talk about it?", you stutter nervously.
"No, there is no talking, you've had your chance!"
They rush to you and start beating you up.
None of the passers by stops it.
Some kicks land unfortunately and you suffer internal bleeding.
There is nothing to do.
''This is the end.''
[[Retry?]]
You turn around and start running for your life.
After a few steps you twist your ankle and harshly land on the pavement.
They rush to you and start beating you up.
None of the passers by stops it.
Some kicks land unfortunately and you suffer internal bleeding.
There is nothing to do.
''This is the end.''
[[Retry?]](set: $money = $money - 20)
"Hey guys, you want a few bucks? I can give a few bucks to you."
They don't seem bothered by this offer.
"Hey guys, it was a mistake, maybe I can give this wise old man a few bucks?"
They slow down a bit and yell "Yeah, you better do that you dick".
You grap a wallet from you pocket, get back to the homeless man and give him $20.
He laughs chaotically as you leave.
You currently have $$money.
[[Continue walking.]]
You move inside, you see all the shiny machines ready for you.
At this time of they, there are only very little people, which you like.
You sit down on one of the machines and start playing.
It is one of the slot machines with fruits.
You did not have a fresh fruit for ages.
You begin to roll with $$money in your pocket.
[[Roll for $1.]]
[[Roll for $2.]](set: $money = $money - 1)
(either:
"As you pull the lever, the symbols spin wildly, creating a sense of anticipation.",
"You watch in suspense as the reels come to a halt, revealing your fate.",
"The machine's gears click and whirl, setting your heart racing.",
"With a satisfying clunk, the reels begin to spin, and you hold your breath.",
"The room seems to hold its breath as you await the outcome of your pull.",
)
This round, you've lost.
(if: $money > 0) [Your current balance is $money.]
(else:) [You ran out of money.]
(if: $money > 0)[ [[Roll for $1.]] ]
(if: $money > 1)[ [[Roll for $2.]] ]
(if: $money <= 0)[ [[Exit the casino.]] ]
(set: $money = $money - 2)
(either:
"The clinking sound of coins echoes in the distance, adding to the excitement.",
"The lights on the machine flash, creating a dazzling display of colors.",
"Your pulse quickens as the symbols align, determining your destiny.",
"The slot machine comes to life, and you hope for a winning combination.",
"The reels slow down, and you wonder if luck is on your side this time.",
)
This round, you've lost.
(if: $money > 0) [Your current balance is $money.]
(else:) [You ran out of money.]
(if: $money > 0)[ [[Roll for $1.]] ]
(if: $money > 1)[ [[Roll for $2.]] ]
(if: $money <= 0)[ [[Exit the casino.]] ]
You walk outside, suddenly the sky is dark and people are gone.
You've spent the whole day in the casino, all by yourself, without winning anything.
You think about the time you've lost there.
"What have I done? What have I become again."
There was nothing achieved this day.
There was no healthy contact with other people.
It was just you and your little flashing machine.
Giving you a temporary and fragile sense of fullfilness.
But in the end of the day.
Was it worth it?
[[Walk back home and start again?|Start]]
<img src="https://cdn.midjourney.com/d82cc9cb-8c67-4ca1-9f6c-d6cf0054ebf9/0_1.png">