\n<<if not $q4>>[[Resiliance|Hunt for the cards]]<<endif>>

"I'm sorry if I'm being a little terse today," Sally says, pouring herself a drink, "But I know you didn't drop by here just to hang out. What do you want?"\n\n[[Tell her about the Video|Chase]]

"I think I'd just like a glass of water, actually." You tell Petrelli. She nods, heading over to the sink and pouring you a glass.\n"Here you go." She says, handing the drink to you with a smile.\n\n[[Have a sip|Drink1]]

"No, no." You say, shaking your head in disbelief, "You have gotta be messing with me." \n\n"I'm afraid not." Doctor Petrelli says, sadly. She reaches into a manilla envolope and pulls out several scans, placing them on the counter in front of you. "Look," she says, pointing to a spot below the stomach, "This large blotch near the back of your pancreas? I'm afraid to say that is the tumor."\n<<set $choose1 = true>>\n<<display 'Postdeathops'>>

No, you are no going to just lie down and die. You can't let that happen, there has to be something you can do.\n\n<<display 'ApartmentOps'>>

"Hey, Sally," You say, smiling. "Do you remember me? Derek Ray? From College?"\n<<if $impat>>She stares at you for a moment. "Yeah, I do. What inspired you to try and knock down my door?"<<else>> "Oh yeah," she says, tilting her head to one side. "Yeah, of course I remember you, Derek. Uh, what are you doing here?"<<endif>>\n\n<<display 'Reasons'>>

It takes a moment for you to return to reality, but when you do, you find yourself overwhelmed with emotion. The memories are so powerful, so crisp and clear... how can something so strong be connected with an object so small?\n\nAnd yet you know then that this is it. This is what you need to do, to give your son -- relics of your past, of who you were, to bridge the gap of time.\n\nSo here's one. What else will work, what can have that effect? Your mind drifts back to your jumbled thoughts while painting... of the portrait, of the play... and it all becomes clear.\n\n<<display 'JourneyInception'>>

And there he is. At least, you assume it is him -- for if everything else in the house had felt the same, Jeff served as a disturbing reminder of how much time had passed. He looks to be about 14 now, sitting on the couch, a controller in his hands, mashing buttons as his virtual self takes on hoards of aliens. \n\nIt suddenly occures to you you don't remember when his birthday is, or know where he goes to school -- and that you will be as strange to him as he now is to you.\n\nDiana looks at you and clears her throat pointedly.\n\n[[Greet your Son]]\n[[Let Diana do it]]\n

"It was really a one time thing." You tell her, brushing off the complement and getting up to remove the casset from the VCR. "I haven't acted since. It wasn't really for me..." All the attention...\n \nYou look up at the clock. It's getting late.\n\n[[Leave]]

"Uh, Hi." You say, "My name is Derek Ray. I would like to speak with Mr. Vanderbilt... please, if at all possible. It's important."\n\n"Everything is important, sir." The secretary replies, "Mr. Vanderbilt is a very busy man. What is the nature of your buisness?"\n\n[[Tell her you have a buisness deal]]\n[[Tell her you would like to talk about art]]\n[[Tell her you are dying|SecretaryDie]]

"Oh." Dr. Petrelli says. She looks you up and down. "Well, I have to be honest with you, Derek. The treatment is quite expensive. Do you have any family members who could help ease your costs?"\n\nThere it is again. That family thing -- now, the only chance you had of treatment. You knew you could ask, of course... but...\n\n[[Give up|Pass on it]]

"He was meticulous." You say, "Never stopped until everything was perfect. Always worked really slowly, deliberately..." Quite unlike, and yet all together the same, as yourself.\n\nVanderbilt nods. "Interesting." he says. "Yes, his care is quite apparent in his work."\n<<set $nathan = $nathan + 5>>\nAnd then he is gone, leaving you to try to chase after him.\n\n[[Follow|Artwork3]]

"Maybe some other time, Mr. Vanderbilt" You say quickly, "I really would rather just see my old piece." And frankly, what could this collector possibly teach you about sculpture?\n\n"Oh." He responds, "Very well, I understand you are quite busy. Well, come along, then." And briskly, he turns to the left into another corridor.\n<<set $nathan = $nathan - 5>>\n<<set $ignore = $ignore + 1>>\n[[Chase after him|Artwork2]]

"What do you like about it?"\n\n"Oh, it's just always caught my interest!" Mr. Vanderbilt says, rubbing his hands together. "It's called 'Obfuscation,' and it's by Louise Planter. The composition of this work is phenominal, wouldn't you agree? An excellent work of abstract art."\n\nObfuscation, huh? You gaze upon the blocks, each aligned in a seemingly random formation.\n\n[[Tell him it's great]]\n[[Tell him it's alright]]\n[[Shift Perspective|Shift Perspective]]\n

Mr. Vanderbilt leads you down the hallway a bit before turning right into a corridor filled with sculptures. Everything from the most realistic modana to the most abstracted shapes lines this hall. You recongize a few of the works, and often Vanderbilt will slow down to look at various individual works.\n\n"Oh!" he says suddenly, coming to a stop before one of the more abstract works: a large and seemingly random geometric formation. "I've always been a fond of this one."\n\n<<set $choose1 = false>>\n<<set $ignore = 0>>\n\n[[Take an Interest|Art1New]]\n[[Press on|Art1Press]]\n

A few months later, a small obituary is published in the Portland Times. Derek Ray, struggling artist, dies alone of pancriatic cancer at age 52. There was no funeral. Really, when it came down to it, no one cared.\n\n''The End''

"Derek... what the hell do you think you are you doing?" Diana interrupts. You swallow.\n\n[[Tell her you want to speak to your son]]\n[[Apologize and hang up]]

"I actually know this one." You say, smiling. "It's //Countryside// by Mario Georgetti, yes?"\n\nVanderbilt beams. "Yes, that is correct! He died last year, quite unfortunate." He turns towards the painting again, smiling. "If you are familiar with his work, you know he paid uncanny attention to detail."\n<<set $nathan = $nathan + 5>>\n\n[[Tell him it's quite impressive]]\n[[Tell him Georgetti has made better]]\n[[Tell him you met Georgetti]]

"Well, It was a pleasure meeting you." You say, "But I probably should be getting home.\n\n<<if $nathan gte 20>>"Well, I am glad I had the oppertunity to meet you, Mr. Ray." Nathan says, shaking your hand and smiling widely. "Please give me a call sometime if you are in the LA area, I'll treat you to lunch." \n\n<<else>> "Very well." Nathan says, and you can't help but detect a lingering note of bitterness in his voice. "Maybe next time, you'll have time to appreciate my collection, eh?"<<endif>>\n\nHalf an hour later, you were in a cab heading for the airport.\n\n[[Go Home|Home Post-Nathan]]

"It's been a long time, you know. I've missed you guys. I sure you are as beautif--"\n<<set $family = $family - 1>>\n<<display 'Cut Off'>>

"I've always liked Georgetti's work." You say, "I still don't know how he got so much detail." Or how he put up with himself adding it in...\n\n"They say he did final touch ups with a single strand of a brush!" Vanderbilt says, smiling, "But I'm pretty sure that's just a story." And then, without a word, he was gone.\n\n[[Follow|Artwork3]]

"You know what, Diana?" You say, losing your cool, "You can be such a bitch. I don't deserve this shit right now."\n\nFor a moment, Diana's face is drained of all expression. She stares at you, as if unable to process what you just said. "You don't deserve this, Derek?" She says, quietly, "After abandoning us, you don't deserve my scorn? And why exactly is that?"\n\n[[Tell her you are trying]]\n[[Tell her you still love her]]\n[[Tell her you are dying]]

Taking a deep breath, you reach up and carefully press the doorbell. The sound of the artificial chime echos throughout the halls.\n<<set $choose3 = true>>\n<<set $Jeff = false>>\n<<display 'Threshold'>>

Your thoughts drift back to the course of your life. It hadn't really been that bad, you think. You'd spent your life doing what you wanted to do, focusing what you loved: the act of creation, the power of paint. That, above all else.\n\nAbove all else... \n\nGuilt suddenly comes upon you. You pour it onto the canvas before it can consume you.\n<<set $tLife = true>>\n\n<<display 'PaintThoughts'>>

"Because..." you say, desperately, "Because I still love you!"\n\nDiana looks at you, her face blank for a moment. Then, to your horror, it twists into an expression of utter rage. "You arrogent piece of shit." She snarls, "You really do think you can just drop by here and say a few slick words and make everything better, don't you? Well, //fuck you.//"\n\nAnd before you can stop her, she kicks the box of mementos off the porch and slams the door. <<set $family = $family - 8>>\n<<set $choose1 = false>><<set $choose2 = false>><<set $choose3 = false>>\n<<display 'FailChoice'>>

You bang on the door. "Diana!" You yell, "Diana please! I'm sorry! Open up!"\n\nBut of course, she does not answer.\n<<set $choose1 = true>>\n<<display 'FailChoice'>>

Turning away from the closed door, you walk down the steps, turning your back on the house and everything it contained. There was nothing more you could do here. For better or for worse, your journey was over.\n\n[[Face your End]]

"Um," you say, awkwardly, "Sorry. I know he's busy, I mean, you said that, probably too busy to talk about art, but the thing is --"\n\n"Mr. Vanderbilt says he will see you this Saturday, Mr. Ray, at the site of his collection."\n\n[[Accept]]\n[[Protest]]

//"Derek Ray," he continued, fixing you with a level gaze, "will you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, to honor and cherish, 'til death do you part?"\n\nIn that moment, you could see the future stretched out before you. You saw yourself waking up next to her every morning, meeting her downstairs for breakfast before she heads out to the lab; Your muse, ever beautiful, an endless resource of artistic inspiration, standing by you as you painted into the night. And you knew that there was only one thing you could possibly say.//\n\n[[I do|EndRing]]

//"Diana McCormick," The paster said, turning to your bride, "Will you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to honor and cherish, 'til death do you part?"\n\nYou looked over at Diana. She smiles at you nerviously, and then she nods. "I do." She says, with unquestionable resolve.//\n\n//And then the pastor turned to you.//\n\n[[Onwards|RingMem5]]

You dwell on the play for a bit. You know there was a recording of it, somewhere, but what did you do with it?\n\nAnd then it hits you. Many years ago, during your time in college, you lent it to a crush of yours, Sally Davis, hoping that somehow by watching it she would get to know you better.\n\nYou have no idea if she ever did watch it, and regardless nothing ever came of your relationship. But regardless of her state, you are sure your son could make better use of the tape now than she could.\n<<set $q1 = true>><<set $effort = $effort + 1>>\n\n[[Visit Sally]]

//Everything seemed so much smaller from up on the alter. The rows and rows of pews, every seat filled with friends invited either out of love or obligation, all of them seemed insignificant considering how long it had taken to work everything out. The only thing that really mattered at this point were the doors at the other end of the carpet and the monumental reality that lurked behind them.\n\n"All rise for the bride." The minister said. The music swelled and those doors swung open.//\n\n[[Check it out|RingMem3]]

//When you first told your parents of your engagement to Diana McCormick, they were ecstatic. "Derek and Diana," Your mother would gush, "How wondeful! Sounds just like a Hollywood couple."\n\nInitially, you shared their feelings, but as the wedding drew closer and closer, you found your excitement replaced with nervousness. Now the day had arrived, as you looked at yourself in the mirror, you wondered whether you were doing the right thing, and marveled that you had made it this far.\n\n"Hey, Derek?" Tom's voice said from behind you, "You ready? It's time to tie the knot."\n\n[[Enter the Chapal|RingMem2]]//

Patiently, you wait for some response from inside the room. Finally, you hear somone moving from behind the door. The clap of a lock, and then swings open -- revealing Sally. She is much as you remember her -- unnaturally slender, with short dark hair, still attractive despite her age... No doubt that took no small amount of effort on her part.\n\n"Hello? She says, looking at you curiously.\n<<display 'DoorOpen'>>

<<set $q4 = true>><<set $effort = $effort + 1>>\n[[Head To The Old House]]

You rap your knuckle twice in quick succession across the door. Several moments pass, but there is no response.\n<<set $choose1 = true>>\n<<display 'Dooroptions'>>

<<if not $verify>>[[Examine Video]]<<endif>>\n<<if not $thank>>[[Thank Her]]<<endif>>\n<<if not $ask>>[[Ask if you can watch it]]<<endif>>

<<display 'Photo'>>

"Um..." you say, somewhat awkwardly, "Of course I remember. How could I ever forget?"\n\nSally grins. "Really, you do? You got so drunk, I thought for sure you wouldn't remember anything. Did you ever paint that picture of Peter getting mauled by a bull? I swear, his face when he said you were going to do that..." She chuckles slightly, and takes another sip of her drink. "Guess he shouldn't have questioned your art, huh? You always so were adorably intense about it."\n\nShe tapers off suddenly, perhaps realizing you haven't said a word. "I'm sorry, I'm blathering. Old friends, y'know? Tell me, Derek, what brought you here?"\n\n[[Tell her about the video|Chase]]

"Mr. Vanderbilt," you say, smiling, "Come stand where I am standing."\n\nHesitently, Mr. Vanderbilt walks over and looks at the sculpture. "Oh yes," he says, "That //is// a funny shape, isn't it? What a strange coincience."\n\n<<set $nathan = $nathan + 5>>\n[[Reflect on it|ReflectArt1]]\n[[Press on|Artwork2]]

"You know what?" You say, glaring at your wife from across the path, "I really have no idea."\n<<set $family = $family - 5>>\n[[Remove Ring]]

"Thanks, Doc." You say, slowly, "But you've done enough already."\n\nPetrelli smiles sadly. "Very well, Mr. Ray." She say, quietly. "While I understand you have your reasons for your decision, please let us know if you change your mind -- we are here to help you, after all."\n\nA few moments of silence fall between you, and then Doctor Julie Petrelli gets to her feet. "Come on, Mr. Ray," She says, kindly, "I'll see you out of the office."\n<<set $family = 0>>\n[[Head Home|Enter your apartment]]

Carefully, you place the tape inside your bag, walking <<if $drink>>slowly<<endif>> with Sally to the door.\n\n"Well," You say, unsure how to end what will surely be the last time you see her, "Thank you for your help."\n\n<<if $sally gte 30>>"No problem," she says, smiling, "I'm glad you came by, Derek. It's always nice to see old friends."<<else>>"I just wish you had stayed longer." She comments, "But I understand it's hard to care for old friends."<<endif>>\n\n<<if $sally gte 45>><<display 'Kiss'>><<else>>And with that, she shuts the door, leaving you, once again, to yourself.<<endif>>\n[[Go Home|GoHomeVideo]]

Sally hands you a plate, and sits down at the table across from you. "So," she says, her mouth full, "How have you been? What are you up too?"\n\n[[Make Small Talk|Talkitive]]\n[[Cut to the Chase|Chase]]

"How... how long has it been there?" You ask, stunned.\n"Well, we can't be sure..." Petrelli says, "but based upon when you first reported symptoms, I'd say at least a year or so."\n<<set $choose3 = true>>\n<<display 'Postdeathops'>>

Your mind dwells upon how you wound up in this place. If someone had told you when you were younger, playing with your friends on the playground, that in fourty some years those friends would be gone and you would be in danger of dying alone... \n\nWhy did this happen? Has everything in your life been forcing you to this point? Your brush strokes become rigid and deterministic, moving towards their inevitable conclusion.\n\n<<set $tFate = true>>\n<<display 'PaintThoughts'>>

"A mark of life's disappointments." you say, tiredly, pressing the ring onto him. "of the fact that things sometimes simply don't work out, no matter how beautifully the start."\n\n"Oh?" Diana says, sharply. "And whose fault was that?" \n\nJeff shifts uncomfortably. Sighing, you glance back in the box.\n\n<<set $family = $family - 5>>\n<<display 'Unpacking'>>

"Hello, Diana?" You say, carefully, "Uh... how have you been?"\n\nThere is no response from the other side. In fact, you could almost swear it got quieter.<<set $call = true>>\n\n[[Talk Up]]\n[[Small Talk]]\n[[Tell her you want to speak to your son]]

"Holding this thing again must bring back such great memories." Nathan says, smiling, "Ah, to be a creator of worlds."\n\n[[Tell him its not all its cut out to be|Tell him thats not quite true]]\n[[Ask what he thinks the painting is about]]\n[[Tell him you should be going]]

"Are you serious?" you say, absolutely stunned, "I've had this for 20 years!"\n\nDiana scowls. "The majority of which you spent miles away, not being a father. Take it off."\n<<set $family = $family + 4>>\n[[Obey Her|Remove Ring]]\n[[Refuse|Protest Ring]]

Cautiously, you peek inside the window of the house<<if not $choose3>>.<<if $choose2>> There is still no one to be seen. <<else>>The inside is meticulously cleaned and neat, but there is no one to be seen.<<endif>>\n<<set $choose2 = true>>\n<<display 'Threshold'>><<else>>... and find yourself staring right into the stunned face of your wife.\n\nThe door swings open.<<if $call>> "You know, every since you called I've been wondering if you were going to try and pull something like this..." she hisses, "but I told myself, 'Oh no, no one could possibly be //that// insensitive!'"<<else>>"What are you doing?" she says coldly, "Why are you here?"<<endif>>\n<<display 'initial choices'>>\n<<endif>>

"Hey, do you mind if I use you're Video player?" You ask her, "I haven't seen this in forever."\nSally looks at you, considering. "Alright," she says, with a <<if $sally gte 30>>strange twinkle in her eye, "I probably should have watched it when you lent it to me in the first place, anyway."<<else>>shrug. You grin.<<endif>>\n\n[[Watch Video|PlayStart]]

"I'm Derek." You say, insistently, "Derek Ray? We knew each other in college?"\n<<if $impat>>She frowns a little. "Really? I remember you being bigger. What inspired you to try to knock down my door?" <<else>> Her face lightens a little. "Oh!" she exclaims, brushing her hair back over her ear, "Derek! Wow... this is a surprise. I'm sorry, I didn't recongize you... It's been a long time. What brought you here?<<endif>>"\n\n<<if $sally lte -5>>[[Apologize]]<<endif>>\n<<display 'Reasons'>>

You are standing at the door of an apartment in downtown Seattle where, if you are not mistaken, Sally Davis now resides.\n<<set $choose1 = false>><<set $choose2 = false>><<set $impat = false>><<set $nerve = false>>\n<<display 'Dooroptions'>>

<<set $choose1 = true>>\nThere are too many thoughts in your head right now, bouncing around. Too much for a man to handle, but enough to pour into one last work.\n\nGetting out your canvas, easle, and paints, you sit down and let your work swallow you whole.\n<<set $tDeath = false>><<set $tLife = false>><<set $tJeff = false>><<set $tDiana = false>><<set $tFate = false>><<set $tArt = false>><<set $tSchool = false>><<set $tSchool = false>>\n<<display 'PaintThoughts'>><<set $tFame = false>>

You take your first sip of the beverage. The liquid washes down your throat, cooling your insides and helping to calm your nerves a little.\n\nPetrelli motions for you to follow her. "Why don't you bring that to my office," she says, "You can finish it there."\n\nWalking ahead, she opens a door to her right and goes inside.\n\n[[Follow Her|Office]]

Sally pours you a glass, which you finish quickly. "So," she says as you place the glass on the table, "How have you been? What are you up too?"\n\n[[Socialize|Talkitive]]\n[[Cut to the Chase|Chase]]

"Well then..." You ask, desperately, "do you think you could have him call me back?"\nDiana sighs. "I'm not going to do that, Derek. Jeff has more important things to do than talk to you."\n<<set $family = $family + 2>>\n[[Take Offense]]\n[[Plead]]\n[[Give up]]

<<if not $choose1>>[[Paint|ApartPaint]]<<else>>[[Look for Photo]]<<endif>>\n<<if not $choose2>>[[Call Home|CallBegin]]<<else>><<if not $choose3>>[[Reflect|Grim]]<<endif>><<endif>>

Quickly you glance down at the sheet you ripped from the Yellow Pages. Sally Davis, 314B Anderson Way. This is the place, all right.\n<<set $choose2 = true>>\n<<if not $choose1>>\n<<display 'Dooroptions'>>\n<<else>>\nAs you examine the page, you hear the door in front of you swing open. Looking up, you see Sally framed in the doorway. Suprisingly, she is much as you remember her -- unnaturally slender, with short dark hair, still attractive despite her age. No doubt that took no small amount of effort on her part.\n\n\n"Hello?" She says, looking at you curiously. "Can I help you?"\n<<display 'DoorOpen'>>\n<<endif>>

Slowly, wordlessly, you turn away from Diana again and walk down the stairs. This time she does not stop you -- there is nothing more that could possibly be said.\n\n[[Face your End]]

Two months later, Derek Ray, the socially maligned artist, died alone in his apartment in Portland. <<if ($sally lt 30) and ($family lt 30) and ($nathan lt 30) and (not $teacher) and (not $sister)>> There was a funeral service, but no one bothered to come -- after all, what tribute can one offer to a man who had so little to offer himself? <<else>> A funeral was held, and a scattering of people came; most notably <<if $sally gte 30>> Sally, dressed in black, mourning the loss of a man she almost knew<<endif>><<if $nathan>>; Mr. Vanderbilt, taking a day off from work to honor one who could do what he couldn't<<endif>><<if $teacher>>; Lisa Merriam, giving thanks to the student who remembered and appreciated her mother <<endif>><<if $sister>>; And Nat, crying silently for her asshole brother<<endif>>. They marveled over the strangeness of their last encounters with Derek, his strange desire to possess objects from his past, the fact that he never told any of them his days were numbered.\n\n<<if $family gte 45>>And then, to everyone's suprise, rising from her pew at the back fo the church, Diana Ray moved to speak.\n\n[[Listen|Diana Speech2]]<<else>><<if $family gte 30>>And in the very back of the church, sitting silently, was a widow and her teenage son. They spoke to no one, but they were there -- and that was something.<<else>>But in the small crowd, it was the people who were not there who were most noticable -- For no where in the church sat his wife and son.<<endif>>\n<<endif>>\n<<endif>>\n\n<<if $family lt 45>>''FIN''<<endif>>

Instead of following Sally, you decide to check out the Living Room. Shortly after entering, you spot what you were looking for -- on the furthest shelf sit rows and rows of DVD and a few Video's. If your trinket is anywhere, it is likely here.\n\n[[Search]]\n<<if $sarah lte 0>>[[Leave and head to kitchen|Annoy Kitchen]]<<else>>[[Leave and head to kitchen|Head to kitchen]]<<endif>>

"Is there anything you can do?" You ask. There has to be something. There is //always// something, right?\n\nPetrelli sighs. "We'll attempt to treat the cancer immediately if you would like, but with pancreatic cancer the chances of a five-year survival rate are slim, Derek; Five percent at best. Chemo is a strong option for you."\n\nBeing confided to a hospital for the last years of your life; sounds like fun.\n\n[[Ask for the Treatment|Ask for treatment]]\n[[Pass on it]]

"All these things were important to me." You say, "Really important. I just thought... I donno. I should pass them on."\n\n"Ah." Diana says slowly, "I see. So really, then, you are giving him all this stuff for yourself."\n<<set $family = $family + 6>>\n[[Tell her that is unfair]]\n[[Tell her you are trying]]

<<set $choose1 = false>>Picking up the box, you follow her inside. Diana leads you through the entry way, past the living room and into the dining room. It's funny how little is different from how you remember it; sure, some of the furnature has been changed and rearranged, but the house still feels much the same as it did when you left.\n\n"Don't you dare touch anything." Diana says, sternly, "I just cleaned this place." You smile -- that's familiar, too.\n\nDiana pushes open the dining room door, slipping inside the room that you know used to be the TV room. The sounds of gunshots echo from the room -- someone is playing a videogame.\n\nJeff.\n\n[[Peek inside the room|Jeffpart2]]

"Actually," you lie, "I'm calling to represent my law firm. We were wondering if Mr. Vanderbilt might be willing to provide us with, er, finantial advice?"\n\n"Is that so?" she says, her voice dry, "What firm are you with?"\n\n[[Ray & Rey]]\n[[Kowels & Johnson]]\n[[Thomas & Jones]]\n[[Backtrack]]

"How long do I have left?" You ask, faintly.\n\n"Your prognosis is around three months." Petrelli says, grimacing slightly. "Five at the most. I'm sorry... I know this is far too sudden. I wish there was more, I really do." \n<<set $choose2 = true>>\n<<display 'Postdeathops'>>

"Actually..." you say, slowly. "Diana and I have been separated for a while. I've been living in Portland for the last five years."\n"Oh." Sally says, softly, "Well, I'm sorry to hear that." She pauses for a second, as if considering something. "You know what, why don't you come in, then? We can catch up."\n<<set $sally = $sally + 7>>\n<<set $impat = false>>\n[[Enter]]

<<if $portrait>>The next morning, the cab drops you off from the airport, "The Cage" in hand. You have no idea how you managed to get the portrait<<if $nathan gte 40>>, or how you managed to connect so well with this eccentric art tycoon. Guess you must have done something right.<<else>><<if $nathan lt 10>>though you wonder if you could have done so without alienating your wealthy "fan."<<endif>><<else>>, but you are glad you did.<<endif>> \n\nCarefully, you put the portrait next to the box which held the other mementos.\n<<else>> \nYou return home empty handed. <<if $nathan gt $15>> While you enjoyed your meeting with Nathan, i<<else>>I<<endif>>t is frankly not suprising that your efforts ended with nothing to show for them. \n\nWhat now?\n<<endif>>\n<<display 'JourneyHub'>>

"I know it's an unfair request," You say, carefully, "But I'd like to have something to leave for my son. I... don't have long left, you see."\n\nMr. Vanderbilt looks you up and down, slowly, and then sighs. "Just for the record, if anyone else asked, I would say no, regardless of the story." \n\nFor a moment, he just stands there, looking at you. "Well, alright, Derek." He says, finally, "Let's go find that painting, shall we?"\n\n[[Follow him]]

<<if $choose1>>Anxiety curdles in the pit of your stomach. You haven't seen Sally for years. What will she think when you randomly show up like this?<<endif>>\n\n<<if not $choose1>> [[Knock]] <<else>> [[Knock Again]] \n[[Wait]]<<endif>>\n<<if not $choose2>>[[Verify Address]]<<endif>>\n[[Turn Back]]

"I think I'll have something stronger," you say -- after all, you have nothing to lose.\n\n"In that case," Sally replies, smiling, "I'll indulge myself as well." Pulling out a pair of beer bottles, she places them on the tabletop. Opening hers, she takes a large gulp. "Hey," she suddenly says with a chuckle, "do you remember your 21st birthday, Derek?"\n\nYou rack your brains, but nothing comes to you.\n<<set $sally = $sally + 15>>\n[[Tell her you do]]\n[[Tell her no]]\n

"I'm sorry, Diana." You say, "But I needed to come by. To see you two."\n\n"I'm sure." Diana says, crossing her arms, "And you never thought even once that maybe we didn't need to see you?"\n\n[[Tell her you brought some things for Jeff]]

"Uh... actually, I really don't." You say, taking a swig of the drink. "Isn't that sad?"\n\n"Nah, I'm not suprised." She says, grinning, "You got so drunk I wouldn't think you'd remember anything that happened for the next month."\n\n[[Ask what happened]]\n[[Cut the Conversation|Chase]]

"Miss Lane, I have terminal cancer." You say, quietly. "I don't have long to live, but I actually think Mr. Vanderbilt can help me."\n\nThere is an awkward pause at the other end of the line. "Mr. Ray, we get calls like this every day." Late says, kindly. "While I'm sure your situation is desperate, Mr. Vanderbilt cannot give money to every person who needs assistance."\n\n[[Tell her that's not what you need|endSec]]\n[[Tell her that's unfair|endSec]]\n

You start to protest, but the secretary cuts you off. "I'm sorry, sir," She says, sadly, "but we really cannot help you. I recommend you call your local hospital."\nAnd before you can say anything more, she hangs up.\n[[Put the phone down]]\n

Diana waits for several moments, and then gives up. "Coward." She mutters, before turning to Jeff. "Jeff," she says, the tension permiating her voice, "You'll never guess who showed up out of the blue."\n\nJeff hardly looks up from his videogame. "Who?" he says, idly.\n\n"Your father."\n\nJeffs face goes blank. Without even bothering to pause the game, he turns to look at you, and then at Diana. "Uh," he says, quietly, "Why?"\n\n"I don't know!" Diana says, wryly, "Derek, why don't you tell him?" <<set $family = $family - 4>>\n\n[[Tell him you have things to give him]]\n

"Do you remember that Video I lent you?" You ask. "Back when we were in college? I was kind of wondering if I could get it back."\n\nSally raises her eyebrows. "That old thing?" she says, a strange edge to her voice, "You came all the way out here for that?" <<if not $impat>>She sighs. "And here I thought this was a social call."<<endif>>\n\nShe looks at you, clearly thinking, and then shrugs. "Why don't you come in for a moment, Derek? We'll see if we can find it."\n<<set $sally = $sally - 5>>\n[[Follow her inside|Inside]]\n

Careful not to make a sound, you place the box of mementos by the side of the door. Taking a few steps back, you examine the presentation -- a bit slapdash, but undoubtably deliberate. This way, you won't have to deal with Diana. And hopefully, Jeff will find your present to him soon.\n\nBut what if he doesn't? What if it goes unnoticed? What if it gets stolen?\n\nWhat if Diana finds it first?\n<<set $choose1 = true>>\n<<if $choose3>> And if on cue, the door swings open. "Derek Ray..." She says as she steps out of the arch, her voice void of emotion, <<if $call>>"Why are you here? Was I not clear enough when you called?"<<else>>"What do you think you are doing here?"<<endif>>\n<<display 'initial choices'>>\n<<else>><<display 'Threshold'>>\n<<endif>>

Suddenly, Dr. Petrelli stops. "Hey, would you like anything to drink?" She asks kindly, gesturing to a nearby mini bar. "Coffee? Juice?"\n\n[[Ask for Coffee]]\n[[Ask for Juice]]\n[[Ask for Water]]\n[[Nothing, thanks.]]

"Yes." You say, smiling, "It's quite an interesting piece."\n\nMr. Vanderbilt beams. "Of course! I'm glad you agree. Well, shall we move on?" And then, without so much as a warning, he darts around the corner.\n\n[[Follow him|Artwork2]]

"Derek Ray," She said forcefully, clutching the edge of the podium, "was a terrible husband, and a terrible father. He never was able to truely show an interest in anything that didn't come from his own head, prefering to spend his life in front of a canvas instead of with his family."\n\nThe room had fallen silent, all now stareing at the woman who dared to defame the dead. She looked at them each, in turn. "But as much of an asshole as he was..." She continued, "As much as I wish I had never married that bastard, I--"\n\nShe took a breath. For a moment, but only just, her mask faltered. "I understand now... that he cared." She continued, quietly now, "That worthless, sonofabitch actually cared. And Derek... I guess that does counts for something, if not much." \n\nAnd without talking to anyone, without so much as looking at the rest of the attendees, Diana took the hand of her son and left the church.\n\n''Fin''

<<if $effort gt 4>>\nYou've looked everywhere.\n[[Onward|EndGame]]\n<<else>>\n<<if $effort eq 2>>\nHaving looked everwhere you possibly could, you pack up the box and plan your trip. You are a little bit nervious, to be sure, but there is nowhere to go now but forward.\n[[Onward|EndGame]]\n<<else>>\n<<if $effort gt 1>>\nLooking into the box, you consider your options. You at least poked around a little, you think. Maybe what you already have will be enough to do the trick.\n[[Onward|EndGame]]\n[[Continue looking|JourneyHub]]\n<<else>>\nLooking for mementos will be difficult, of course, but you can't help but feel that going to New York with nothing but an old photo to offer is rather... pathetic. \n[[Onward|EndGame]]\n[[Continue looking|JourneyHub]]\n<<endif>>\n<<endif>>\n<<endif>>\n

"I'm sorry, Mr. Vanderbilt." You say, <<if $ignore = 1>>"But I'm kind of in a hurry here."<<else>>"But I'm actually already quite familiar with this work."<<endif.>>\n\n"Oh." Your host says, quickly, "That's unfortunate, I would have liked to hear your thoughts." And he is off again, down the rest of the corridor and too the right.\n<<set $ignore = $ignore + 1>>\n<<set $nathan = $nathan - 5>>\n[[Follow Him|Artwork3]]

"I wasn't exactly expecting company, Derek." Sally says as you enter the kitchen. "I'm afraid I don't have much to offer you. Would you like some Pasta? Or a Salad? Or maybe just a glass of water?"\n\n<<if $sally gte 15>>"Or maybe you would you like something stronger?" She adds, after a moment.<<endif>>\n\n[[Have Pasta|Normal]]\n[[Have Salad|Normal]]\n[[Have Water|Simple]]\n[[Tell her you need the Video|Chase]]\n<<if $sally gte 15>>[[Have something stronger|Beer]]<<endif>>\n\n

You are not sure where that impulse came from. Really, you'd rather not talk about your family situation with this woman, even if she took notice of your ring. \n<<set $choose3 = true>>\n<<display 'OfficeConvo'>>

"A sign of my love." You say, dropping the ring in his palm. "Evidence of the fact that, even across the country, I kept you two close to my heart."\n\nJeff looks at the ring, and then back at you. After a moment, you turn back to the box.\n\n<<set $family = $family + 1>>\n<<display 'Unpacking'>>

"It was a bit annoying, yes." You say, shrugging. "I was in the middle of a big art project."\n\n"Well, I apologize for the inconvienience." <<display 'Beverages'>>

You take your first sip of the beverage. The dark liquid scalds your throat, clearing up some of the fog in your brain and sending it to work.\n\nPetrelli motions for you to follow her. "Why don't you bring that to my office," she says, "You can finish it there."\n\nWalking ahead, she opens a door to her right and goes inside.\n\n[[Follow Her|Office]]

Come stand where I am, now." Slowly, you move over to where the collector is standing -- and the abstract shapes seem to merge to form what is clearly --\n\n"A teapot!" you exclaim, suprised.\n\n"Indeed! Isn't it intreging? While many modern artists ask us to find the fantastic in the mundane, Planter chose to instead ask us to look for the mundane in the fantastic. But I'm rambling, come on, we need to find your painting!"\n\nThe transition was so fast that you hardly realized he had changed course. Turning around, you manage to just see him dive through a lefthand corridor.\n

//"Diana McCormick," The paster says, turning to your bride, "do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to honor and cherish, 'til death do you part?"\n\nYou looked over at Diana, nerviously. She smiles at you, and then, slowly, she nods. "I do."\n\nAnd with that, the pastor turned to you.\n\n"Derek Ray," he said, fixing you with a level gaze, "do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, to honor and cherish, 'til death do you part?"//

"Well... yeah." You say. I mean, thats what you went on this journey to do, right? Fix things?\n\nDiana stares at you for a moment. Then, to your horror, her face twists and controts. "You arrogent piece of shit." She growls. She seems to struggle with herself to come up with something more, but cannot find the words. "//Fuck you!//" She finally yells, and before you can stop her, she kicks the box of mementos off the porch and slams the door.\n<<set $family = $family - 8>>\n<<display 'FailChoice'>>

Again you reach for the door, rapping upon the wood three more times, just to make sure you were heard.\n<<set $impat=true>><<set $sally = $sally - 10>>\nBefore you finish knocking the second time, however, the door swings open. There stands Sally -- older than you remember her, obviously, but still much the same -- looking a little annoyed.\n\n"Can I help you?" She asks.\n<<display 'DoorOpen'>>

You reach into the case and pull out the tape. "Now this here..." you say, holding it up for him to see, "is truely a lost treasure. Why, I hadn't seen it for 30 years."\n\nJeffery tilts his head, looking at it. "A treasure, huh?" he asks, tiredly. "What's on it?"\n\n[[Tell him a reflection of your life]]\n[[Tell him a piece of your self]]\n[[Tell him its just a funny diversion]]

You shrug. "I don't know, I thought you might enjoy seeing your father in his awkward teenage years... Back in the 70's."\n\nBehind you, Diana coughs. Jeff, however, smiles, "I bet you were such a nerd."\n\nChoosing not to answer this, you turn back to the box.\n<<set $family = $family>>\n<<display 'Unpacking'>>

Mr. Vanderbilt leads you over to a corner of the exibit where, displayed in a place of prominence, the portrait hangs. A lush field, with large sweeping willows and a bright cheery sky, bushes shaped in odd formations and animals imitating human action. It would be a perfect fairytale image if not for the man in the middle -- trapped in an ominous gray cage, reaching out to the animals in vain.\n\n<<if $nathan lte 15>>Slowly, Mr. Vanderbilt takes the portrait down. "If I see this thing up for sale," He says, handing the work to you, "I will personally hunt you down."\n\nBut his words are meaningless. Looking at the portrait in your hands, you are once again being swallowed by memory...<<else>>"Go ahead," Nathan says, smiling, "take it down. I suppose it is yours, anyway -- you came all this way just to get it." \n\nCarefully, you reach up and remove the painting from it's fixture. Almost the instant the painting is in your hands, the memories crash over you like a wave... <<endif>>\n<<set $portrait = true>>\n[[Remember|PortraitMem1]]

"Thank you." You say to her, smiling. "It means alot that you would say that." Sally smiles slightly, but doesn't say anything in response.\n<<set $sally = $sally + 5>>\n\nYou look up at the clock. It's getting late.\n\n[[Leave]]

Sally's apartment is modestly fashioned, with 'simple but comfortable' seeming to be the guiding rule for the furniture selection. \nUpon entering, Sally heads left into the living room, which is complete with a few games systems and a television set. On the far wall is a large shelf full of films, which she heads streight towards.<<set $crush = false>>\n<<display 'Get Video'>>

"Diana," You plead, throwing dignity to the wind, "I am begging you -- I would just like to speak to him once."\n<<set $family = $family + 3>>\n<<display 'Go Away Speech'>>

Leaving the box on the porch, you walk down the steps and head out the gate. You can only hope that things go as you planned, that Jeff will find the box, that the contents will mean something to him. \n\nYou've done enough -- your journey is over.\n\n[[Face your End]]

"It's an okay piece, I guess." You say, tilting your head to look at it. "But honestly, the composition isn't anything too special."\n\nVanderbilt blinks. "Well of course!" He says, confidently, "We have much better pieces. I just always wondered if there was something more to this one." He shifts a bit, and then shurgs. "But let's move on, shall we?"\n\nAnd far more quickly than you would have thought possible, he has darted around the corner.\n<<set $ignore = $ignore + 1>>\n[[Follow Him|Artwork2]]

"Well then," you say through grit teeth, "I'm truely sorry for bothering you. Goodbye, Diana."\n\nBut before you can hang up, however, Diana responds. "He doesn't even know you, Derek. What point is there in talking to him?"\n\n[[Hang Up|CallEnd]]

"We... built a kingdom together, Jeff." You say, smiling. "We took meaningless sand and turned it into something. And this is the proof."\n\nJeffs face suddenly lights up. "Oh yeah," he says, "I remember! We used a shell for decoration. That was //my// idea."\n\nNot quite accurate, but whats the harm in that. Smiling, you turn back to the box.\n\n<<set $family = $family + 3>>\n<<display 'Unpacking'>>

You reach down and clasp your fingers around the gold band, giving it a pull and a twist. At first it resists, seeming to tighten as you struggle with it --\n\n--and then, all at once, it comes free.\n\n[[...|RingMem1]]

"Actually," you say, glaring at the man in the cage, "I'd be happy to switch lives with you, any day."\n\n"Huh." he says, frowning slightly, "I would be proud if I was you. But I supppose the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence?"\n<<set $nathan = $nathan - 5>>\n[[Get Going|Tell him you should be going]]

<<if not $choose1 or not $choose2 or not $choose3>><<if not $choose1>>[[Tell her about your art project|DocProj]]<<endif>>\n<<if not $choose2>>[[Tell her about your day|DocDay]]<<endif>>\n<<if not $choose3>>[[Tell her about your relationships|DocRelat]]<<endif>>\n[[Ask why you were called in|Cuttoit]]<<else>><<display 'OutofConvo'>><<endif>>

"Very well." Petrelli says with a small sigh, her smile melting away, "Obviously I didn't call you in here just to have a pleasant chat."\n\n<<display 'Death'>>

"We strove to create something and lost it." You said, smiling grimly, "But I was there to comfort you when you needed it." See, you think, I was a good dad.\n\n"Well, that's once, at least." Jeff says, and your feel your stomach turn. Great, you've turned this photo into a reminder of your absence. You turn back to the box.\n\n<<set $family = $family - 3>>\n<<display 'Unpacking'>>

"Well," you say, awkwardly, "I guess this is it."\n\n"Yeah." Diana says, "I guess it is."\n\nYou raise your right hand and give a half hearted wave, then turn around to head home.\n<<set $family = $family + 3>>\n[[Head out|Head down the stairs]]

Gazing one last time at the small gold band in your palm, you come to your decision. "Very well, Diana," you say, quietly. And, with that, you drop the ring inside the box.\n\nGlancing up at Diana, you are suprised to see that her expression is completely blank. "You son of a bitch." She says, quietly.\n<<set $ring = true>>\n<<set $family = $family + 8>>\n<<print $sally>> <<print $family>> <<print $nathan>> <<print $teacher>> <<print $sister>>\n\n[[Beg her to let you take the box to Jeff]]\n[[Leave|LeaveDiana]]

//"Alright children," Mrs. Merriam said one wintery day, smiling brightly down upon her class, "Today we are going to break out the paints. It's time for arts and crafts."\n\nYou looked down at the paints and paper that were placed before you. In your minds eye, you could see exactly what you wanted to make -- it would be the best in the class.\n\n[[Begin your work|FingerMem2]]

//As you gazed at the pigments, your memory wandered to a day at the pool. You had just passed the swim test, and were about to jump into the deep end for the first time. As you lept off the diving board, the world seemed to freeze, and you were consumed by fear in the moments before the you were swallowed by the cool, calming abyss.\n\nCarefully, you dipped two fingers into the blue paint, and began to apply it to the paper.//\n\n[[You Continued Painting|FingerMem3]]

//Your mind drifted to your family. Your parents were loving, and the scent of cherry pie sometimes wafted through the house, filling you with warmth and hunger. That same warmth filling you now, you spread color across the paper in broad, crimson stroaks...//\n\n[[You Continued Painting|FingerMem5]]

"If I still have that old tape, it will be in here." She says, beginning to search through rows and rows of films, "But I don't think I still have it. It would be a bit silly, I mean, I have not seen you for almost -- oh."\nStunned, she pulls something from the shelf, and, after a moment, hands it to you. It is the video.\n<<set $play=true>>\n<<set $verify = false>>\n<<set $thanks = false>>\n<<set $ask = false>>\n<<display 'DVDchoices'>>

//And so it continued, each pigment a memory, a feeling, an emotion, as you poured yourself into your work.\n\nFinally, you looked down at what you had created. The colors were applied with care across the paper, mixing and mingling in spirals, forming shapes that seemed to constantly alternate between the abstract and the specific. It was pretty, to be sure... but...\n\nFrustrated, you crumpled up the paper and started over again. You could do better. You knew you could.\n\n[[...|EndFinger]]//

You gaze down at the simple circlet which now rests so heavily in the palm of your hand.\n\n"Well?" Diana says, "Get rid of it already."\n\n[[Toss it]]\n[[Put it in the box]]\n[[Put it back on]]

"I'm sorry," you mutter, "I'm not sure what I was thinking. This was a bad idea."\n\n[[Hang Up|CallEnd]]

"Out of curiosity, what do you think the meaning of "The Cage" is, Nathan?"\n\n"Me?" Nathan says, taken aback, "I assumed the painting was about how the advances of industry have seperated us from nature."\n<<set $nathan = $nathan + 5>>\n[[Get Going|Tell him you should be going]]

"Now, wait," you say, taken aback, "I don't even know where the collection is, or if I can afford too--"\n\n"The collection is currently in display in LA. Mr. Vanderbilt will cover your travel expenses."\n\n[[Accept]]

"Oh you know," you say, awkwardly, "I've been around."\n"Still painting?" She asks, smiling.\n"Of course! Can't ever stop. How about you? How are you these days?"\nSally shrugs. "Same as ever. Not much going on, really. Journalism isn't really big these days."\n<<set $sally = $sally + 5>>\n[[Tell her why you are here|Chase]]

"A symbol of my failure." You finish, quietly. You open up your hand and drop the small band into his. "I should have been here for you all, all this time. I'm sorry."\n\nJeff turns the gold band over and over in his hand. You glance back at Diana, but she looks away from you, one hand covering her mouth. \n\nYou look back down into the box.\n\n<<set $family = $family + 6>>\n<<display 'Unpacking'>>

"I'm really sorry about that -- that was rude of me." You say with a grimace, "I've just had alot on my mind, recently."\nSally's features soften somewhat. "Oh," She says, "It's okay. I just wasn't expecting company. What brought you by?"\n<<set $impat = false>>\n<<set $sally = $sally+5>>\n<<display 'Reasons'>>

by Connor Fallon

Hope for salvation, you decide, is a foolish hope. Why try to accomplish something so likely to be futile?\n\n[[Wait for Death]]

"<<if $sally lt 10>>Look, Sally, as much as I'd like to reconnect, I'm kind of, er, on a schedule here. <<endif>>Do you remember that old video I lent you," You ask, "back when we were in college? The one of me in a play? ...I was actually kind of wondering if I could get it back."\n\nSally raises her eyebrows. "That old thing? I doubt I still have it. But if you follow me for a moment, I suppose I could check."\n\n[[Follow her out|FollowLiving]]

<<if not $choose1>>[[You don't believe it|Denial]]<<endif>>\n<<if not $choose3>>[[Ask how long you have had it|Length]]<<endif>>\n<<if not $choose2>>[[Ask how long you have left|Howlong]]<<else>>[[Ask about treatment|Treatment]]<<endif>>\n

"We just finalized analyzing your scans..." Petrelli says, slowly, "...and I'm afraid the stomach pains you've been feeling lately...." \n\n"Well, I'm afraid there is no easy way to tell you this." She continues, quietly. "The fact is... you have cancer. Pancreatic cancer, actually."\n<<set $choose1 = false>><<set $choose2 = false>><<set $choose3 = false>>\n<<display 'Postdeathops'>>\n

"Don't worry about it," You say, quietly, "My schedule was pretty free, so it wasn't a problem."\n\nPetrelli smiles. "That's good." <<display 'Beverages'>>

"Um, Thomas & Jones Law Firm?"\n\n<<display 'Busted'>>

Death was approaching. There was no way to ignore that fact now. True, in reality it was little closer now than it had been half an our ago, but you swear you could feel the reaper breathing down your neck.\n\nYou wave your brush over the canvas, warding off death and your mortality with every stroke. But this could only last so long. In a way, you are glad that you know. It gives you time to do something about it.\n<<set $tDeath = true>>\n<<display 'PaintThoughts'>>

"I'm here about my painting, 'The Cage?'" you say, "I know it's a little... unorthadox, but I was wondering if I could... get it back?"\n\nVanderbilt's smile flickers. "Get it back?" he says, uncertainly. "Why?"\n\n[[Tell him you deserve it]]\n[[Tell him it is for your son]]

"I've always enjoyed Georgetti's work," You say with a smile, "but this is not his best. Have you seen //Fairground//?"\n\n"Ahhhh..." Vanderbilt sighs, "I've been trying to get that one, but Blankfeld got to it first, and he's not selling. It's value will only go up now that Georgetti is no longer with us... people never seem to recongize an artist until they are gone."\n\nAnd then he was gone again, leaving you to process his words.\n<<set $nathan = $nathan + 10>>\n[[Follow Him|Artwork3]]

You pull out the casing which contains the portrait. Unwrapping it, careful not to touch the canvas, you turn to show it to your son. "This one is quite valuable." You say, smiling, "I went through quite a bit of trouble to get it back."\n\nJeff runs his fingers accross the front of the picture; you try not to cringe. "It's wierd," he says, "What does it mean?"\n\n[[It's about the burden of technology]]\n[[It's about dispair]]\n[[It's about being trapped by our creations]]

"You've really got nerve!" Diana snaps. "We haven't heard from you in //ten years//, Derek! Jeff hardly even knows who you are."\n\nAnd before you can say another word, she hangs up.\n\n[[Hang Up|CallEnd]]

"That's unfair." You say, tiredly, "I'm sure Jeff will appreciate them. I'm sure they will mean something to him."\n\n"Yes." Diana says, "They would mean almost as much as having his father around."\n<<set $family = $family - 3>>\n[[Call her out|Snap at her]]\n[[Tell her you are trying]]\n[[Tell her you are dying]]

Your name is Derek Ray. You are a painter, 55 years of age, living alone. Legally, you have a wife and a son, but you haven't seen them in years. Frankly, they have no reason to want to see you.\n\nFor the last several months, you have been experiencing strange pains in your back -- insignificant at first, but quickly growing into something unbearable. For this reason, on an afternoon that would otherwise have been perfect for painting, you find yourself at Portland Medical Center. For this reason, you have nothing to do but wait.\n\n[[Bide your time|Appointment Time]]

//You looked at her, confused. "Have I ever... sought release?" You said, pleading, though keeping your dignity.\n\nThe Girl who was Belle looked at you, her eyes pitying, "In words?" She asked, "No. Never... But in changed nature, in altered spirit, yes. So I must release you." And with that, she turned her back to you, to this fictional but still important life you had together, and strode away.\n\n"You may have pain in this." She said suddenly, stopping at the door to glance back at you, "A very, very brief time, and you will dismiss the recollection of it, gladly, as an unprofitable dream, from which it happened well that you awoke. May you be happy in the life you have chosen." And with that, she exited the stage, leaving you behind with yourself. And by yourself, you turned back to counting your gold.\n\nThe world around you seemed to slow, until ultimately you were frozen in time. Across the darkness, the older you wept. "Spirit..." he says, his face wet with tears, "Show me no more... Why do you delight to torture me?"//\n\n[[...|EndPlay]]

//"What then?" You say, trying to draw her back to you, "Even if I have grown so much wiser, what then? I am not changed towards you." \n\nAn awkward silence follows this pronouncement. Belle stares at you for a moment and then you add; "…Am I?" ...fearing the answer.\n\nBelle sighs. "When it was made, you were another man. That which promised happiness when we were one in heart, is fraught with misery now that we are two. How often and how keenly I have thought of this, I will not say. It is enough that I have thought of it, and can release you."\n//\n\n[[Plead with her|PlayMem5]]

//You shook your head. "This is the even-handed dealing of the world." You told her, carefully spelling out the situation so that she could understand her irrationality. "There is nothing on which it is so hard as poverty; and there is nothing it professes to condemn with such severity as the pursuit of wealth."\n\nIn the leftmost corner of your eye, an actor you knew to be an older you hung his head in shame.\n\nBelle frowned. "You fear the world too much." she said, "I have seen your nobler aspirations fall off one by one, until the master-passion, Gain, engrosses you, have I not?" And thought the entire thing was an act, the way her words stung was quite real.//\n\n[[You lost yourself in the role|PlayMem4]]

//You entered the stage and took your seat at a desk in the darkness, a woman standing beside you, a girl you love here. And then the lights come up.\n\nAround the desk you sit towers mountains of coins. The girl, Belle, looks at you, her eyes filled with artificial sadness. "Another idol has displaced me, Scrooge;" She says to you sadly, "and if it can cheer and comfort you in time to come, as I would have tried to do, I have no just cause to grieve."\n\nYou glance up from your work, considering her. "What Idol has displaced you?" You ask, tiredly as you count your coins.\n\n"A golden one." She retorts.\n\n[[You reasoned with her|PlayMem3]]//

//At the age of 17, you were known to be socially awkward, self-conscious, and introverted -- so it was a suprise to everyone, including you, when you were cast in a fairly significant role in your high school's senior play.\n\nMonths of rehersal passed in a flash, and before you knew it, it was opening night -- and the time to make your first and only theatrical performance.//\n\n[[Make Your Enterence|PlayMem2]]

<<if $family gte 22>><<if not $choose1>>[[Take out the photo]]<<endif>>\n<<if $play>>[[Take out the casset]]<<endif>>\n<<if $finger>>[[Take out the finger-painting]]<<endif>>\n<<if $portrait>>[[Take out "The Cage"]]<<endif>>\n<<if $ring>>[[Take out the wedding ring]]<<endif>>\n<<if $choose1 and not $play and not $finger and not $portrait and not $ring>>But what once was full of memories now sits empty.\n\n[[Close the box]]<<endif>><<else>>"Actually, Derek," Diana says suddenly, her hand suddenly clenching your shoulder, "I think Jeff has seen enough. And look at that, your time is up."\n\nAnd before you could protest, she had escorted you out the door.\n\n[[Head to the end|EndLeave]]

And here you are. At the entrence to your old home -- a small blue house in the middle of the queens. The house itself is rather unimposing, but it seems to loom over you nonetheless.\n<<set $told = false>>\n[[Walk up the steps]]\n[[Flee]]

"It's about the way technology has seperated us from nature." You say, pointing to the industrial cage, "We look out, we long for that sort of carefree life, but we cant get near it anymore."\n\nJeff tilts his head to the side. "I donno, I like computers just fine." But despite this, he sets the painting next to him, and you turns back to the box.\n\n<<set $family = $family>>\n<<display 'Unpacking'>>

"Diana," you say, quietly, "I know you said you wouldn't do it... but... please... Can I give the box to Jeff? Please?"\n\nDiana stares at you for a moment. <<if $family gte 35>>"It can't fix anything, you know." she says.\n\nBut then, to your suprise, she swings open the door, motioning for you to come inside.\n\n[[Follow her|Jeffpart1]]\n<<else>>"What is this Derek?" She whispers, finally, "One last attempt to feel better about yourself before you die?"\n\nYou feel your face heat up.\n\n[[Insist]]\n[[Leave|LeaveDiana]]<<endif>>

Carrying the box along with you, you turn your back on the house and the people inside. You feel rather silly for going this far, that it took a trip all the way to New York to make you realize how fruitless it was to make things right.\n\nReally, there is nothing left. There hasn't been for a while.\n\n[[Face your End]]

<<if not $call>>[[Say hello]]<<endif>>\n[[Tell her you had to come]]\n[[Tell her you brought some things for Jeff]]

You place the cassette in the VCR and press play, plopping down on the couch next to Sally. On the screen, high school kids in costume begin to gather in a murky set. \n\nAnd the memories come flooding back.\n\n[[...|PlayMem1]]

"Listen, Diana... I know you probably don't want to hear from me --" there is a snort on the other end of the line -- "But look... do you think I could talk to Jeffery."\nSeveral moments of silence follow your request.\n"Jeff is asleep, Derek." Diana says, slowly. "It's the middle of the night."\n\nOh. Right. Time difference.\n\n[[Insist you need to talk]]\n[[Ask if she can have him call you]]\n[[Apologize and hang up]]

"I was just in the area." You tell her, shrugging.\nSally raises an eyebrow. "You were just in the area?" she says, skeptically, her eyes drifting down to your ring. "Don't you and your family live in New York or something?"\n[[Tell her you have separated.|seperated]]\n[[Lie]]

The Vanderbilt Collection was on special display at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art -- an entire floor filled with the works of various modern artists. After asking around, you find Mr. Vanderbilt in the furthest end of the exibit, looking upon one of the paintings. He is a little older than you, but clearly possesses much more energy.\n\n"Ah! Well, well, well." Vanderbilt says as soon as he notices you, extending a hand, "This is a treat. What can I do for you?"\n<<set $nathan = true>>\n<<display 'Vanderchoice'>>

"Is it really a coincidence?" You say, tilting your head, "If it was me, this would be a counterpoint to those who try to find the fantastic in the mundane."\n\nVanderbilt blinks, and then nods slowly. "Yes..." he says, "Yes, that makes sense." For several moments he just sits there, looking at the painting. Then, suddenly, he looks up and smiles. "Amazing. Shall we move on?" And next thing you know, he's off, darting around the corner.\n<<set $nathan = $nathan + 10>>\n\n[[Follow Him|Artwork2]]

You look down at the casset. Poor quality casing, manufatured to make a cheap profit off of the parents whose kids were in the show -- yep, this is it alright.\n\n<<set $verify = true>>\n<<display 'DVDchoices'>>

"My day was okay." You say, "I went grocery shopping and then I came here. Nothing too eventful."\n"That's nice." Patrelli responds, smiling somewhat absently. "We have to enjoy the little things, right?"\n<<set $choose2 = true>>\n<<display 'OfficeConvo'>>

You take out the beach photo, dusting off the glass before handing it to Jeff. "Do you remember this day?" You ask, as he looks down at the photograph, "Do you remember what happened here?"\n\nYour son shakes his head. Of course he doesn't. It was far too long ago.\n\n<<set $choose1 = true>>\n\n[[Tell him you built a kingdom]]\n[[Tell him you were there for him]]\n[[Tell him all of you were happy]]

"Sorry about that... bad joke. Look, I'm actually the painter of "the Cage." It's a work currently in Vanderbilt's collection? I was wondering if he would be interested in meeting to talk about the work."\n\nSilence. The beats strech on awkwardly. Idly, you twirl the cord in your hand.\n\n[[Fill the void]]\n[[Wait|PassedOn]]

Oh, fame. Fame was a fickle fellow. People remember 'The Cage' at least... but that was long gone, now, in the hands of some rich art collector.\n\nIdly, you wonder what made that work so special... what people saw it it, what had been going through your mind as you made it... if you could only recall.\n<<set $tFame = true>>\n<<display 'PaintThoughts'>>

You look up Mr. Vanderbilt in the yellow pages, and quickly come across the number of his brokerage firm -- it is named after him, after all. Quickly you dial the number. The phone rings once, and is answered by a cool, professional voice.\n\n"Hello, thank you for calling Vanderbuilt Securities. My name is Olivia Lane, may I help you?"\n\n[[Tell her you would like to speak to Mr. Vanderbilt]]

<<if not $choose1>>[[Try to get her to come back out]]<<endif>>\n<<if not $choose2>>[[Look at the box]]<<endif>>\n[[Leave|EndLeave]]

You begin to pour through the tapes, turning one after another over in search of your tape. You know it is here. It has to be.\n\n"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Sally's voice bellows from behind you, and instantly you know you've screwed up. "Why are you digging through my stuff?"\n\nAnd as she throws you out of the apartment, ignoring your protests, it occurs to you you probably should have gone about this in a different way.\n\n[[Go Home|GoHomeVideo]]

"He was a bit obnoxious, to tell you the truth." You say, shrugging, "Obsessive, even by artist standards. Also quite pretentious."\n\nVanderbilt nods. "Hmmm. How interesting. Well, should we move on?"\n<<set $nathan = $nathan + 5>>\n[[Follow|Artwork3]]

//The next morning she was gone. So too was your wallet, your drugs, and any hope of release.\n\nYour head pulsing, you collapsed back upon the bed, staring up at the shabby, stained ceiling. The walls were closing in. There was no escape. Damn it. Damn it. DAMN IT.//\n\n[[You were compelled|PortraitMem5]]

//Carefully, you got out of bed, glancing around the room once more. There it was, in the corner, knocked over at some point during the night -- your eisle. You sat it back on its feet, take a deep breath, and began.\n\nThe paint flowed onto the canvas effortlessly, the pictures in your mind taking shape as your pain and betrayal and loneliness is syphoned onto the paper. The world stops pulsing, the room opens up, and everything falls back where it needs to be.\n\n[[...|EndPortrait]]//

"Listen, Diana," you plead, "I'm not expecting forgiveness. I just... I felt the need to do //something//. I'm trying, alright."\n\n"'Try' isn't worth much." Diana says.\n\n"But isn't it worth //something?//"\n<<set $family = $family + 12>>\n[[Say Goodbye]]\n[[Head down the stairs]]

//You remember being 26 years old, tired, and desperate. The music and energy of the murky night club you lurked at pulsed around you from where you sat at the bar, a glass in hand. Through a fog you considered how you wound up in this place.\n\nGetting a degree in fine art... that was simply brilliant life choice, wasn't it?\n\n[[You Head to the Dance Floor|PortraitMem2]]//

//You took one last swig of your drink -- the alchohol warmed your insides and bludgioned your brain. Then, somewhat clumsily, you got to your feet and wandered onto the dance floor.\n\nIt was not long before you found her. Tall, curvy, dressed in a halter-top and skirt, you knew that she had come her for the same thing you had -- escape.\n\n[[You Danced With Her|PortraitMem3]]//\n

"Weather's kind of gray down here in Portland." You begin, awkwardly, "I bet things are much nicer back in New York, huh?"\n<<set $family = $family - 1>>\n<<display 'Cut Off'>>

"Well," you say, quietly, "Well, I guess this is it."\n\nDiana tilts her head. "Yeah, I guess it is."\n\n"Well, bye then." You say, finally, "Goodbye, Diana. Goodbye, Jeff... and thank you." And with that, you leave. There are no more words you can say, nothing more you can give.\n\nYour journey is over.\n\n[[Face your End]]

"These things all mean something to me." You say, quietly. "I was kind of hoping... I donno. I was hoping they could help Jeffery understand me more. That maybe they would help."\n\n"Ah." Diana says, smiling oddly, "So you think that will make up for your absence, huh?"\n<<set $family = $family + 4>>\n[[Tell her yes]]\n[[Tell her that is impossible]]

"Right." Lane says, dryly. "Well, Mr. Ray, I'm sorry to say that Vanderbilt Securities only does buisness with real companies. Good day."\n\nAnd before you can say anything more, she hangs up.\n\n[[Put the phone down]]

"Coffee actually sounds excellent." You respond, "I've been feeling a bit tired."\n\n"Coffee it is, then." Doctor Petrelli says, "Just give me a moment." Walking over to the mini-bar, she sets the coffee machine wirring. After a few moments, she returns with a steaming cup in her hands. "Here," she says, handing the beverage to you. "Careful, its quite hot."\n\n[[Have a sip|Drink2]]

"It was a wonderful day." You say. smiling, "We spent the entire day together, building, laughing... Its a good memory."\n\nJeff takes the photo an examines it carefully, "I wish I remembered it, then." He says. You turn back to the box.\n\n<<set $family = $family + 1>>\n<<display 'Unpacking'>>

Jeffery. Your little boy, your son. It's been 10 years since you last saw him. Ten whole years. He woudn't even remember you, of course. It's been far too long. He was probably in highschool now.\n\nThe wieght of time is crushing. How could you possibly bridge the gap of those years? There had to be a way, there had to be. Somehow you have to let him know who you are.\n\nThe picture before you is struggling to emerge. You splash some more paint upon the canvas to help it along.\n<<set $tJeff = true>>\n\n<<display 'PaintThoughts'>>

Mimesis

Well, that was a miserable failure, wasn't it?\n\n<<display 'JourneyHub'>>

Sally raises her hand to stop you. "I don't want to hear it." She says. "I don't know why you are sneaking out on your wife. I appreciate you coming to visit, but I really think it's best if you leave."\n\nAnd with that, she slams the door in your face.\n\n[[Beg]]\n[[Go Home|GoHomeVideo]]

"The man was convinced that photography was a cheap imitation of paint," You tell Vanderbilt, "He always said that while photo's could always capture the image, they could never capture the soul -- and that's why he found himself compelled to create."\n\nVanderbilt smiles. "That's wonderful." He says, quietly. "Truely wonderful." He indulges himself in the image before him for several more moments, and then abruptly turns away. "Well," he says, "We should be off!"\n\nAnd then he is gone. You have no idea how someone so old can move so fast.\n<<set $nathan = $nathan + 10>>\n\n[[Follow|Artwork3]]

"5% is something." You say, hopefully. "What do I have to do?"\n\n"You will need to stay overnight between chemo sessions, in addition to any other surgeries we deem necessary in order to try to remove the cancerous tissue." Petrelli looks back down at your papers and frowns. "I see that you're not insured, though... do you have any form of payment plan we could go off of?"\n\n\n[[Tell her you don't have any]]\n[[Pass on treatment|Pass on it]]

"Derek Ray?" \n\nYou look up. Framed in the doorway to the back rooms stands Doctor Julie Petrelli, a pretty young physician her thirties. "I'm ready to see you now," she says.\n\n[[Meet your appointment]]

With a few final sweeps of the brush, you touch up your work, adding a detail here and there. Putting your brush aside, you look over your work. \n\nIts... really nothing special. \n\nPushing away the work in disappointment, you hang your head. Idly, the photograph of the beach from earlier drifts to the front of your mind. You wonder if that picture is, indeed, somewhere around here...\n\n<<display 'ApartmentOps'>>

\n<<set $ring = false>><<set $play = false>><<set $finger = false>><<set $portrait = false>><<set $cards = false>><<set $q1 = false>><<set $q2 = false>><<set $q3 = false>><<set $q4 = false>><<set $quantity = 1>><<set $effort = 1>><<set $sally = 0>><<set $nathan = 0>><<set $teacher = 0>>\nSo now the only question is... where to begin?\n<<display 'JourneyHub'>>\n

Petrelli's office is suprisingly bright, considering her profession. While most of the equipment in the room is standard fair, she has livened up the place by decorating the room with all sorts of fish trinkets -- pictures, paintings, and sculptures.\n\nPetrelli slides into the seat behind her desk, looking up at you expectingly. "Please," she says, gesturing to the chair opposite her and smiling, "Take a seat, Derek."\n\n[[Sit Down]]

"Fine." You say through grit teeth. "Fine!" And turning away, you toss the ring as far as you possibly can.\n\n"There!" you declare, turning back to Diana. "There. It's gone. You don't have to be connected to me anymore."\n\nDiana just shakes her head.\n<<set $family = $family - 3>>\n[[Beg her to let you take the box to Jeff]]\n[[Leave|EndLeave]]

//She was beautiful.\n\nNow, Diana was hardly one to dress up. When not wearing her lab coat from work, she was usually content with jeans and a plain top. So it was somewhat awkwardly that she moved down the aisle, unsure how to hold herself in the large, flowery gown -- but somehow the awkwardness just made her shine brighter.\n\nSoon she had ascended the steps and was standing next to you. "You ready for this, bub?" She whispered to you, grinning. You can't believe you were ever nervous.\n\n[[Tie the knot|RingMem4]]//

"Could you... Could you maybe wake him up?"\n"What?!"\n"Please, Diana, I really need to talk to him."\n"My god, Derek. You haven't changed one bit!"\n<<set $family = $family - 3>>\n[[Take Offense]]\n[[Plead]]\n[[Give up]]

"Please, Diana," you beg, "This is all I have left."\n\n<<if $family gte 30>>Diana looks you up and down. Then she lets out a tremendous sigh. "I will give you half an hour, Derek." She says, "Nothing more."\n\nAnd with that, she opens the door to let you inside.\n\n[[Follow her|Jeffpart1]]\n<<else>>Diana shakes her head, slowly. "I'm sorry, Derek." She says, "But frankly, this pathetic attempt to make things better... it's only going to make things worse."\n\nAnd with that, she slips inside and shuts the door.\n\n[[Head down the steps|EndLeave]]<<endif>>

A little while later you arrive back at your studio apartment. Tiredly, you look around. Jars of paint and ink, piles of crumpled paper, and the tools of the trade litter the room. On the counter, a picture frame lays face down, and your phone lies, dusty and unused.\n\nWell, Derek, you are at the end of your life. What do you want to do?\n<<set $choose1 = false>><<set $choose2 = false>><<set $choose3 = false>><<set $choose4 = false>><<set $choose5 = false>><<set $call = false>>\n<<display 'ApartmentOps'>>

"Hey Jeff," you say, tiredly, "I know it must be difficult for you... having my show up all of a sudden... but I have some things I wanted to give to you. Is that okay?"\n\nJeff stares at you for a moment. "Sure." he says, finally, shrugging, "I'll take your stuff, I guess."\n\nCringing slightly, you place the box on the floor in front of Jeff and open it. And there they are, sitting sheltered in the cardboard; the fruits of your labor.\n \n<<display 'Unpacking'>>

"My wedding ring?" You respond, "Why do you think I wear it? It's a symbol of --"\n\n"Nice try, buddy." Diana growls, "But that approach is going to have the opposite effect that you want. Take the damn thing off."\n<<set $family = $family - 3>>\n[[What?!]]\n[[Obey Her|Remove Ring]]\n[[Refuse|Protest Ring]]

You find the photo in the closet drawer, along with many other insignificant trinkets. There, frozen in eternal bliss, are you and your three-year-old son -- playing in the sand while Diana looks on. It's a rather cheesy picture, almost cliche, and for a moment you wonder why you bothered looking for it. But then something tugs at the back of your mind, pulling you in...\n\n[[Remember|PhotoMem1]]

//"Sure thing." You told him, smiling. "Wait here."\n\nYou ran down the beach towards where Diana was lounging, her nose deep in the lastest Steven King novel, a good distance away. "Hey, honey," You say, "Jeff wants you to come and check out the castle we made."\n\nDiana looks around. "Where is it?"\n\n"Further down the beach. Jeff is there now."\n\nDiana stares at you for a moment. "Alright then," she says, finally, smiling and extending her arm to you for you to take, "Lead me to the kingdom. With haste."\n\n[[Head Back|PhotoMem5]]

//You clasp Diana's arm and pull her to her feet, and together the two of you head back to the site. But when you arrived, it was to a very different scene than the one you had left. \n\nJeffery was kneeling on the ground, the waves lapping at his knees, his kingdom reduced to a pile of sand.\n\n"I couldn't stop it." Jeff said, quietly, emptily.\n\n[[Comfort Him|PhotoMem6]]

//"Hey, Hey!" you said calmly, picking your son up out of the sand and bouncing him in your arms. "It's okay, Jeff, it's okay. We can always make another one."//\n\n[[...|EndPhoto]]

"It's... it's about the burden of being an artist." You say, slowly. "About how sometimes it can cut you off from the real people. From the things that make you happy."\n\nThe room is silent for a moment. Jeff moves his fingers off the canvas, looking at it carefully, and even Diana seems to be at a lost for words. For a moment you all just sit there, quietly.\n\nThen, your turn back to the box.\n<<set $family = $family + 5>>\n<<display 'Unpacking'>>

//It was a humid day in the middle of July, and Diana had decided it was the perfect time to take Jeffery to the beach. "Just imagine," she said to you jokingly, "Growing up and never having seen the ocean. That's bound to cause some psychological damage."\n\nYou were pretty sure he would be fine. But Diana really wanted to go... so why not?\n\n[[Head to the beach|PhotoMem2]]//

//"It's done!" Jeff yelled, his voice high and triuphantly grating, "It's done, dad!"\n\nStepping back, you gazed upon your creation. With several towers and long, sweeping walls, the sand fortress was quite impressive, indeed. But there was something missing. Something you knew needed to be fixed. \n\n"Oh," you mused, "I don't think it's quite done yet."\n\n[[Fix the problem|PhotoMem3]]

//Carefully, you scooped up a broken shell from the nearby tides, pressing it into the structure so that it sat above the castle enterence -- a miniture insigna for all the sand people that lived inside.\n\n"There." You said, smiling, "Now it's finished."\n\nJeff grins broadly. "Dad, Can we show mom?"\n\n[[Get Diana|PhotoMem4]]//

"We're on vacation." You tell her, "Jeff wanted to see the Northwest. I thought I'd use the opportunity to visit old friends."\n<<if $sally lte -5>>\nSally looks you up and down, carefully. "And you just left your family at home?" She says, finally. "That's a little bit sketchy, don't you think?"\n[[Um...]]\n<<else>>\n"Oh, Okay. Well, I am glad you dropped by." Sally says, smiling wryly. "Why don't you come in?"\n<<set $sally = $sally + 5>>\n[[Enter]]\n<<endif>>

"I'm not going to be here long." You sigh, "I just needed to drop off some things for my son."\n\n"Oh, really?" Diana snorts, "For Jeff? That's thoughtful of you."\n\n[[Show her the box]]\n[[Tell her the stuff is important]]\n[[Tell her the stuff will help]]\n

Curiously, you move over to the right, watching the shapes seemingly shift relative to each other. \n\nThen you move over to the right. Suddenly, you stop. To your suprise, a shape has emerged -- the pieces of the sculpture before you have clearly formed the outline of a big, red, geometric teapot.\n\n[[Inform Vanderbilt]]\n[[Tell him it's great]]\n[[Tell him it's alright]]

Art! That all consuming passion which had plauged you since you first dipped your fingers into paint in kindergarten. The need to create, to express, constantly nagging at the back of your mind, pulling you even now, in the face of death.\n\nYou hadn't been very succesful of course, but at the height of your fame you had some limited notability... \n\nAs you ponder what drives you to create, you are driven on, colors arcing arcross the canvas in swift, fluid strokes.\n\n<<set $tArt = true>>\n<<display 'PaintThoughts'>>

"Alright." You say, gazing upon the painting, "Tell me about it."\n\nMr. Vanderbilt beams at you. "Well, this work is simply called "Countryside" -- it's by Mario Georgetti. Died last year, quite sad. Now, while the painting seems rather typical at first glance, if you take a closer look you will see an amazing attention to detail. They say Georgetti did touch up with a single strand of a brush! Even the smallest blotch is important. Like this one, here --" he points to a small blotch in the upper window of the barn -- "if you look carefully, it is clearly two young lovers."\n\nAnd then, once again, Mr. Vanderbilt is off. You linger to squint at the blotch he was pointing at.\n\nIt looks more like an octopus to you.

"It contains part of my soul." You say, quietly. "I poured myself into the part I played -- I shine through it. Maybe you'll see yourself in it too."\n\nJeffery stares at you. Then he smirks a little. You can't tell if it's a good or bad thing, but it's something. You look back into the box.\n\n<<set $family = $family + 3>>\n<<display 'Unpacking'>>

Sally raises an eyebrow. "You came all the way from New York just to see me?" she says, and you can't tell if she is intrigued or uncomfortable, but you could swear she glanced your ring. "How does your wife feel about this?"\n<<set $sally = $sally + 7>>\n[[Tell her you have separated.|seperated]]\n[[Lie]]

You take a deep breath. "This painting..." you say, slowly, "Is meant to convey that no matter how hard to struggle, you will find that is good some things in life will be just out of reach."\n\nJeff frowns. "Well that's great." he says. From behind you, you hear Diana tsk. Feeling slightly embarressed, you take the painting and turn back to the box.\n<<set $family = $family - 3>>\n<<display 'Unpacking'>>

Slowly you walk down the concrete walkway, past the bushes, and up the stairs to the porch. There, in front of you, is the door to your old house. Somewhere beyond it, you know, live your wife and son -- a life seperate from you.\n\n<<set $choose1 = false>><<set $choose2 = false>><<set $choose3 = false>><<set $choose5 = false>><<set $choose6 = false>><<set $choose4 = false>><<display 'Threshold'>>

You rise to your feet and follow Dr. Petrelli out of the lobby and down the corridors beyond. "I'm sorry to have called you in on such short notice," Petrelli says casually, smiling the standard smile, "I hope this wasn't too much of an inconvienence."\n\n[[Tell her it was no big deal|NoBiggie]]\n[[Complain]]

"Um, Kowels & Johnson Law Firm?"\n\n<<display 'Busted'>>

"Wait, Derek." Diana says, suddenly. You turn around, and she extends a finger to point at your hand. "Why on earth are you still wearing that thing?"\n\nYou glance down at where she is pointing, a small band of gold wrapped around your finger. Your wedding ring...\n\n[[Tell her it's sentimental|Lovering]]\n[[Tell her you had forgotten about it|Forgotring]]\n[[Tell her you really have no idea|Nocarering]]

"I've been planning to start a new painting." You tell the doctor, "Something different."\n\n"Oh, really?" She asks, her interest piqued, "What of?"\n\n"I'm not sure yet." You say, "But it will be different."\n<<set $choose1 = true>>\n<<display 'OfficeConvo'>>

"Mr. Vanderbilt, it truely is a pleasure to meet you." You say, smiling, "A good number of artists owe their livelyhood to you."\n\n"Well, I consider it my duty to support the arts." Vanderbilt says with a smile, "I just do what I can."\n<<set $nathan = $nathan + 5>>\n<<display 'Vanderchoice'>>

"You know," you say, "I met Georgetti once. At a art show."\n\n"Oh really?" Vanderbilt said, "What was he like?"\n\n[[Talk about the man]]\n[[Talk about his technique]]\n[[Talk about his craft]]

"I'm sorry, Diana." You say, slipping the ring onto my finger, "But I'm not ready to do that just yet."\n\nDiana grits her teeth. "You were ready the moment you ran out, Derek. But... whatever. Not much point in fighting over it now, is there?" She laughs, mirthlessly.\n\n<<set $family = $family - 3>>\n\n[[Beg her to let you take the box to Jeff]]\n[[Leave|LeaveDiana]]

Slowly you reach into the box, feeling around until your fist closes around the small golden band. You glance up at Diana, who meets your eyes for a moment, before pulling the item out.\n\n"This..." you begin to say, keeping your hand closed tight, "This is..."\n<<set $ring = false>>\n\n[[Proof of my love]]\n[[A mark of life's disappointments]]\n[[A symbol of my failure]]

//"Hey, Derek. Derek, are you alright?"

//Carefully, you tried to sit back up. Something snaps inside of you, and the last thing you remember before passing out is every part of your body exploding with pain.\n\nYou only remember snippets of the next few hours. Being lifted into large van with flashing lights. Being rushed down a large corridor, pushed along, still on your back. Then they injected you with something, and you remember nothing.//\n\n[[Come to|CardMem3]]

//Pain. Pain, and Panic.\n\nThat is what you remember most strongly, lying on the ground, on your back, at the age of 12. The pain flowed from your body, overwhelming your brain and screaming, quite unnessisarilly, that something was wrong.\n\n"Yes, yes, he fell down the stairs!" Your mother was saying into a phone, her voice high, "Please... send someone quickly!'\n\n[[You tried to move|CardMem2]]//

"Juice sounds good." You say, "I don't really have a preference for what kind, though."\nPetrelli smiles, then walks over to a small fridge. She comes back holding a small can of apple juice. "Why not go with one of the classics?" she says, handing the can to you.\n\n[[Have a sip|Drink1]]

Without saying another word to anyone, you slip out of the room, out of the house, leaving your family behind. You've done all you can here. There are no more words you can say, nothing more you can give.\n\nYour journey is over.\n\n[[Face your End]]

You knew exactly where 'The Cage' was now. Everyone knew where it was.\n\nSold many years ago and passed who knows how many times since then, the work is now in the hands of a wealthy art collector by the name of Nathan Vanderbilt, a man who you know very little about. Most likely, he will throw fancy wine in your face the moment you go to speak to him.\n\nStill, you figure it's worth a shot.\n\n<<set $q3 = true>><<set $effort = $effort + 1>>\n[[Call Mr. Vanderbilt]]

Scene by scene, your theatrical efforts fly by. Then, all too abruptly, the show is over -- the lights are raised, and you are brought back to reality and all that it entails.\n\n"That was actually... very good." Sally says, quietly. You had forgotten she was there. "Never knew you had an acting streak."\n\n[[Thank her]]\n[[Tell her she is sweet]]\n[[Tell her it was a one time thing]]\n

"Mr. Vanderbilt," you begin, "My name is Derek Ray --"\n\n"Oh, no need to introduce yourself, Derek." Mr. Vanderbilt says with a laugh, "I'm very familiar with who you are. I'm a fan of your work! Always reminded me of Salvador Dali, but more grounded, you know?"\n\nThis comes as a suprise. You had no idea you had any fans, and personally didn't think you were anything like Dali. But you are flattered nonetheless.\n\n<<display 'Vanderchoice'>>

"I'm actually the painter of "the Cage." It's a work currently in Vanderbilt's private collection? I was wondering if he would be interested in meeting to talk about the work."\n\nSilence. The beats strech on awkwardly. Idly, you twirl the cord in your hand.\n\n[[Fill the void]]\n[[Wait|PassedOn]] \n

You catch up with Mr. Vanderbilt only to find him stopped in front of yet another work -- a simple oil painting of a european-looking farm and countryside. You recongize this one -- it's by Mario Georgetti, you actually met him once.\n\nVanderbilt is examining the painting with great intent, and it's not untill you tap him upon the shoulder that he takes notice of your presence.\n\n"Oh, Mr. Ray!" He exclaims, <<if $ignore eq 1>>"I know the last work didn't interest you, but maybe this one will...<<else>> I think you'll like this one as well!<<endif>>"\n\n[[Take an Interest|Art2New]]\n[[Press on|Art2Press]]\n

"Come on" Mr. Vanderbilt says, "Your picture is just ahead."\n\n"Thank you for your help, Mr. Vanderbilt." You say, trying to keep pace with this suprisingly limber old man. You were pretty sure that running this distance was never a problem before... but you were also pretty sure you knew why it was now.\n\n<<if $nathan gte 30>>Mr. Vanderbilt smiles. "I'm very glad you came out here, Mr. Ray, even if it was just to retrieve a painting. Your company has been enjoyable. And please, call me Nathan."<<else>><<if $ignore eq 2>> Mr. Vanderbilt shrugs. "Well, you are going to get what you asked for. I'll be sad to see it go... it was always on of my favorite pieces."<<else>>Mr. Vanderbilt smiles briefly. "Not to worry, not to worry. And please, call me Nathan. Let's press on, shall we?"<<endif>>\n<<endif>>\n\n\n[[Visit your painting|PortraitIntro]]

"That's very sweet of you to say..." You say, smiling. "I'm glad you finally saw it."\n\n"Yeah..." Sally says, smiling oddly, "I am too."\n<<set $sally = $sally + 10>>\nReluctantly, you look up at the clock. It's getting late.\n\n[[Leave]]

"Hello... Jeffery." You say, cutting accross the game, "I don't know if you remember me..."\n\nEverything in the room seems to freeze. The room is silent save for the sound of simulated gunshots as Jeff, not even pausing the game, turns to look at you. Diana watches him carefully.\n\n"Dad?" He says, finally, his face crumpled, "Why...?" he trails off. He looks so confused...\n\n[[Tell him you have things to give him]]

"Listen, Diana," you plead, "I'm not expecting forgiveness. I just... I felt the need to do //something//."\n\nDiana sighs. "Derek, you abandoned us. What did you honestly think you would be able to do?"\n<<set $family = $family + 8>>\nYou know, of course, that there isn't really anything.\n\n[[Say Goodbye]]\n[[Head down the stairs]]

"Don't I deserve it?" You say, "As the creator?"\n\nMr. Vanderbilt grimaces. "That's it? That's your reason? You just deserve it back? Isn't the point of art to be shared with the world? I'm sorry, Mr. Ray, but I can't abide by your request..."\n\n[[Go Home|Home Post-Nathan]]

"Look." You say, opening the box, "See? I just thought he'd like to have this stuff."\n\nDiana glances into the box. "That's so sweet. I'm sure he'll really appreciate your garage sale left-overs."\n<<set $family = $family + 3>>\n[[Tell her the stuff is important]]\n[[Tell her the stuff will help]]\n[[Call her out|Snap at her]]

<<if not $q1>>[[Search for the video|Hunt for the video]]<<endif>>\n<<if not $q3>>[[Search for the portrait|Hunt for the portrait]]<<endif>>\n[[Check box of trinkets|Check Box]]\n[[Travel to New York|GoOnVerify]]

And then, to your suprise, Sally leans forward and kisses you on the cheek. "You are a good man, Derek." She says. "Things will work out for you, just give it time." And with that somewhat ironic sentiment, she waves you goodbye, and shuts the door.

Diana. Oh, Diana. You know she can never forgive you. But there was a time when things were better, right you know there was... you married her for a reason.\n\nYour mind drifts to a day at the beach, a memory you know is there, powerful, with all of you together. You reach out with your brush and attempt to form that memory... but the images are hazy, clouded by time. If you could only find a way to clear them up...\n\nWait, don't you have a photo somewhere around here? You set the thought aside for now.\n\n<<set $tDiana = true>>\n<<display 'PaintThoughts'>>

"Hey Diana," You begin, carefully, "It's been a while."\n\n"Yeah," Diana says, crossing her arms. "It has. It's been //ten years.//"\n\n[[Tell her you had to come]]\n[[Tell her you brought some things for Jeff]]

"Thanks, Doc," You say, "But I'm not really thirsty."\nDr. Petrelli smiles oddly. "Very well." She says. "Why don't you follow me into my office, then?\n\nWalking ahead, she opens a door to her right and goes inside.\n\n[[Follow her|Office]]

"Oh, this?" You say, smiling sadly, "A reflection of my life, and maybe yours as well. All of ours, really. It's a classic, this."\n\nAnd with that, you turn to look back in the box.\n<<set $family = $family + 2>>\n<<display 'Unpacking'>>

Are you sure? To leave now, with the box and all, would be to forgo everything you have worked for.\n\n[[Continue leaving|Flee2]]\n[[Head up the steps|Threshold]]

<<if not $tDeath>>[[Think about death]]<<else>><<if not $tJeff>>[[Think about Jeff]]<<else>><<if not $tSchool>>[[Think about HighSchool]]<<endif>><<endif>>\n<<if not $tFate>>\n[[Think about fate]]<<endif>><<endif>><<endif>>\n<<if not $tLife>>[[Think about life]]<<else>><<if not $tDiana>>[[Think about Diana]]<<endif>>\n<<if not $tArt>>[[Think about art]]<<else>><<if not $tFame>>[[Think about fame]]<<endif>><<endif>><<endif>>\n<<if $tSchool and $tDiana and $tFame>>[[Finish painting]]<<endif>>\n

"What is that supposed to mean!?" You retort, "Is it so wrong for me to want to talk to my son?"\n<<set $family = $family - 3>>\n<<display 'Go Away Speech'>>

"So, Derek," the Doctor says as you take a seat, "What have you been up too? How has your day been?" She glances over you, her eyes resting on your ring finger, where a golden band rests. "How is the wife?"\n\n<<set $choose1 = false>><<set $choose2 = false>><<set $choose3 = false>>\n<<display 'OfficeConvo'>>

Is that really who you are? Are you content to be the man who dies alone and friendless, going without a fight, forever estranged from the people who matter most, forever the unknown father?\n\n[[Yes]]\n[[No|Fight your fate]]\n

You follow Sally out of the kitchen and into the Living Room.\n<<display 'Get Video'>>

"Oh," you say, looking down at the simple gold band, "I guess I forgot about it."\n\n"Oh, well that's just perfect." She snorts, "Of course you forgot about 'that.'" For a moment, she stares off at nothing, tapping her foot. Then all at once, she focuses her attention back on you. "I'd like you to remove it." \n\n[[What?!]]\n[[Listen to her|Remove Ring]]\n[[Ignore her|Protest Ring]]

"Come on, Sally!" You call out, but she does not respond. With a sigh, you realize there is no way you will get that recording now.\n[[Go Home|GoHomeVideo]]

[[Say Hello]]\n[[Ask if she remembers you|Introduce yourself]]\n

You look into the box of memories and to check its contents.\n\nThere is a photo of you and your family at the beach.\n\n<<if $play>>An old video casset of your play.<<endif>>\n\n<<if $cards>>A small pile of get-well cards.<<endif>>\n\n<<if $portrait>>A twisted portrait of a landscape.<<endif>>\n\n<<if $finger>>A finger painting.<<endif>>\n\n[[Close Box|JourneyHub]]

"Hello, Sally." You say<<if $nerve>>, turning around nervously<<endif>><<if $impat>>, with a hasty smile<<endif>>. "How have you been?"\nSally just eyes you warily. "Do I know you?"\n\n[[Remind her]]

<<actions "Introduce Yourself" "Talk him up" "Ask for the painting" >>

Sally's apartment is modestly fashioned, with 'simple but comfortable' seeming to be the guiding rule for the furniture selection. To the left is the living room, complete with a television set, and all related media. To the right, the kitchen where Sally has gone.\n\n<<if $sarah lte -5>>[[Follow Sally to kitchen|Annoy Kitchen]]<<else>>[[Follow Sally to kitchen|Head to kitchen]]<<endif>>\n[[Head to living room]]\n

//Indeed, you danced with her. Around and around the floor you whirled, her smiling and twirling every bump and thump in the beat. \n\nAt some point you know you took her back to your apartment, her delighted laughter replaced with something more primal -- but the hard edges of the night were wonderfully blurred as if viewed through frosted glass.\n\n[[You woke up|PortraitMem4]]\n\n

Carefully, you pick up the reciever and begin to punch in the number -- Hopefully Diana hasn't changed it. \n\nThe phone rings -- once, twice, three times -- as you twist the cord idly in your hands. Finally, there is a click from the other side. \n\n"Hello?" The voice is tired, but familiar. "Ray residence."\n<<set $choose2 = true>>\nIt's her.\n\n[[Greet Diana]]\n[[Hang up|CallEnd]]\n

Slowly, you close the box. "And that's it." You say, "That's all I've got for you. All that's left."\n\nHesitantly you glance up at your son, one last time. He looks back at you, as if he wants to say something. Then, silently, you get back to your feet.\n<<print $sally>> <<print $family>> <<print $nathan>> <<print $teacher>> <<print $sister>>\n[[Say goodbye]]\n[[Make a quiet exit]]

You look down at the box. It's been knocked down the steps, it's contents scattered on the ground. You pick up the beach photo from where it has fallen at your feet. The glass is cracked.\n<<set $choose2 = true>>\n<<display 'FailChoice'>>

<<set $crush = false>>[[Tell her you were in the area|Area]]\n[[Tell her you came to see her|Crush]]\n[[Tell her you came for the Video|Frank]]

<<set $nerve=true>>\nLoosing your nerve, you turn around to leave. Why had you ever thought this was a good idea, anyway? Visiting an old crush to reclaim an abandoned tape was incredibly silly.\n<<if not $choose1>>\n[[Go Home|GoHomeVideo]]\n<<else>>\nBut then, just as you are turning to leave, the door opens. "Going somewhere?" A familiar voice says.\n<<display 'DoorOpen'>>\n<<endif>>

You thank Sally for her help. She nods and smiles slightly.\n<<set $impat = false>>\n<<set $thank = true>>\n<<set $sally = $sally + 5>>\n<<display 'DVDchoices'>>

"Why?" You say, frusterated, "What's the point? I'm going to die soon anyway."\n\nDiana crosses her arms. "The point is you should have stopped wearing the damn thing a long time ago. Dying doesn't restore you the privelage of parading around as a faithfully married man."\n<<set $family = $family + 3>>\n[[Listen|Remove Ring]]

"Very well." You say, still stunned at how quickly this came through, "Tell him I'll be there."\n\n"Wonderful, Mr. Ray." Ms. Lane replies, "He's arranged a flight for you in the morning."\n\nAnd with that, she hangs up the phone.\n\n[[Visit Mr. Vanderbilt]]

You hesisitate. You are pretty sure that if you ring the doorbell, Diana will be the one who answers it.\n\n[[Ring anyway]]\n<<display 'Threshold'>>

Your face hot, you put the phone back in the reciever. Trying to call was a stupid idea... A simple call can not fix anything, and certainly will not get past Diana. You will need to do something grander, if you want to connect with your son. \n\n<<display 'ApartmentOps'>>

You glance down at the phone. Well, that was one possibility ruled out.... clearly a simple call won't do. Your attempt really only served as a reminder of how little you will be leaving behind -- a bitter wife, and a son who will never know his father...\n\n[[There is nothing left|Rethink]]\n[[Fight your fate]]

An awkward silence falls between the two of you. Petrelli's smile flickers and dies. "Well, I don't think we can put this off any longer." Petrelli says, finally, "So let's get to why I called you in."\n<<display 'Death'>>

You remembered very little of high school... just that it was hell, like it was for anyone with a conscience. You worry about Jeff going through that. Would he be okay?\n\nThere had been a few shining moments though, of course. Art class was always nice. And then there had been that one play... you remember recieving complements from strangers, you had even bought a tape... but why?\n\nYou are not exactly sure why, but you are filled with a warmth at these thoughts. With each stroke upon the canvas you feel slightly more content.\n<<set $tSchool = true>>\n<<display 'PaintThoughts'>>

<<if $play>>You arrive at home around midnight, placing your prize ever carfully into the box. Despite your current situation, you can't help but feel somewhat satisfied. <<if $sally gte 30>> I mean, you got your prize, and got to reconnect with Sally in the process. <<if $sally gte 45>>It was... nice.<<endif>><<endif>><<else>>You arrive back at home, tired and discouraged, at around midnight. What were you thinking? You were a fool to travel out there in the first place, to think she'd greet you with open arms.<<endif>>\n\n<<display 'JourneyHub'>>

"Um, Ray & Rey Law Firm?"\n\n<<display 'Busted'>>

<<if not $choose1>>[[Leave the Box]]<<endif>>\n[[Check the Window]]\n<<if not $choose3>>[[Ring the Doorbell|endBell]]<<endif>>\n<<if not $choose1>>[[Flee]]<<else>>[[Leave|FleeBox]]<<endif>>

"Goddamn it, Diana, can you lay off for once? For god's sake, I'm dying!"\n\nDiana freezes. "You're... dying?"\n\n"Yes. Dying. Of cancer, actually. Are you glad?"\n\n"No... no, of course I'm not glad." Diana says, quietly. "But that is not going to make everything better."\n<<set $told = true>>\n<<set $family = $family + 4>>\n[[Tell her you are trying]]

You sit there in silence, waiting for some response from her end. A minute pases, maybe two, before Lane speaks again:\n\n"Mr. Vanderbilt says he will see you this Saturday, Mr. Ray, at the site of his collection."\n\n[[Accept]]\n[[Protest]]

"Nothing much, actually. Mostly we all just sat around and drank. But then one of your friends -- I think it was Peter? -- said your art wasn't that great, and you got all upset. Told him the next picture you painted would be of him being mauled by a bull."\n\n"It was kind of cute, actually." She adds after a brief pause, a sly smile crossing her lips. "You always were so sensitive about your art."\n\n"So," she says, setting the bottle aside. "Enough reminiscing. What brought you by?"\n\n[[Tell her you are looking for the tape|Chase]]