??? 2017/08/20(Sun)14:54 No. 823977 ID: 3b2ae4
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I’ve never felt so… content—no, that’s not it. I feel rested, like the world drifts on yet I don’t. I won’t have to anymore. I don’t know where I am, but…

I’m finally where I want to be.

I never knew I wanted this.

I seem to forget who I am here… but I’d hate to distract myself from all this.

>Choose a (full) name
>Choose a species of goat/sheep
>[examples include mouflon ram, ibex, tur, chamois, etc. I just want a horn style for her]

Let's go with chamois.

Nestani Marinos.

>name
Isabella

>type of sheep/goat
Markhor?

Marlene Collins. A Manx Loaghtan. Big Cool Horns, two tall ones pointing up, and two curly ones curling downward.

Breed: Valais Blacknose

Species: Marco Polo sheep

Jacob sheep.
Name: Baaaphomet Aran.

Marlene Collins 2017/08/20(Sun)16:40 No. 824007 ID: 519127
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>Marlene Collins
>Marco Polo Sheep
That’s right… it’s Marlene. Marlene Collins. I reach my horns, they feel Argali—ah, yes, I'm a Marco Polo Sheep. I doubt any of this is important anyway. My name just feels… irrelevant here.

My eyes, they see red yellow—or a yellow red—which is probably the world through my eyelids. I’m too tired to open them. I don’t really feel like opening them. The motive to move is gone unless I want to stretch or yawn. I want to look around—but I can already see everything.

'everything' is turning out to be surprisingly boring. Any plans for later?

Hi Marlene!
How'd you get here? Do you know where "here" is?
At least its pleasant for you here.

You seem very relaxed. Maybe there is something you can do to make you feel even more relaxed?

Why are you naked and shaved all over?

WAKE UP

It would appear that someone or something is influencing your mind, making you content and docile.

This is not okay. Fight it.

perhaps this is heaven? paradise? have you finally crossed the valley of life and come to the plains of the afterlife?

oh hey you're naked

Stretch and yawn. Lazily shift positions.

You seem to be part of a great wave.
Go give one of those lens-flare balls a hug.

Marlene Collins 2017/08/20(Sun)19:05 No. 824052 ID: fff3b2
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>How’d you get here? Where is ‘here’?
I don’t remember coming here. Was I always here? It’s hard to describe; I can feel the surrounding colors and hear the aura of warmth around my body. What do they call that—? Synthe-something…? Don’t correct me; I don’t want to think too much.

I’m in some heavenly womb, floating yet… I’m lying down.

>Perhaps this is heaven/a paradise
I’m starting to think that maybe heaven is real. Perhaps I did die. I remember a time when I was stressed. I can’t remember anything violent to this moment.

>Someone/something is influencing your mind. Fight it.
That—oh my, that does sound terrifying. What would anyone want me for? I’m not important, Am I? H-how could I fight this? Why would anyone want to leave this place anyway?

Just try to remember more things. Since you're floating you could try swimming around a bit.

As for why you'd leave... well, don't you want to talk to other people? You seem to be alone here.

>>824052
That's why this place is so comfortable and you don't want to leave! It's to make you want to stay so that you can continue to be used!

Open your eyes!

>>824052
Maybe this is some kind of weird womb analogy.

Maybe it's beer! Drink it.

Perhaps you've taken some kind of drug or are in a sensory deprivation chamber. Float around feeling nice until it wears off or the time you paid for runs out.

If nothing changes after a while, try swimming around and exploring. You might find even more nice things to experience. If you're here long term, you'll eventually want something to do, I'm sure.

I think you should see where the things coming out of your head lead to.

>Why would anyone want to leave this place anyway?

Because this place, wonderful as it is is stagnant. While you are here time stands still.
But you cannot sleep forever, for you are alive.

Remember this place, hold it dear.
But please.
Wake Up.

Even though it's comfortable, there's nothing wrong with trying to swim around, or opening your eyes, or your mouth to try and taste things! Even in Heaven, you should still try to experience variety!

Aren't you forgetting something? What are you forgetting? There is something. Like a splinter. Can you feel it?

Marlene Collins 2017/08/22(Tue)07:58 No. 824270 ID: 31e18b
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>Swim around
Interesting; I don’t need to physically move my arms. I just drift. And I can feel everything is relative. The world—this ambient place—moves for me. I don’t know which way is up—yet no matter which direction I face I can feel gravity as if I’m always about to fall.

>Try to remember more things.
Okay… I’m Marlene. I’m… a normal girl. I write. I love to write. My home. My sisters. I remember the rumbling purr of a distant lawn mower. The tin yawn of a biplane with a cirrus landscape in the sky. My friends. No, just mutual. Just the company of absence now. But it’s okay—I’m here.

Have you ever listened to the sun? So peaceful.

>Some weird womb analogy
Heh, yeah. I can see that. Wonder what this means. Am I going to be reborn?

Marlene Collins 2017/08/22(Tue)07:59 No. 824272 ID: 31e18b
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>Perhaps you’ve taken a drug
There are no drugs I take—well, does melatonin count? I haven’t slept this well before. I mean, I’m awake now but not. Maybe it’s a lucid dream? It feels too real.

>Look around/open your eyes!/ Wake Up
That’s the weird thing; I can see myself in a few perspectives. And when I try to open for a peek, I become too tired to continue—seeing little eyelid movies that dance through my lashes.

I try to think about getting out of a bed, but even the thought of work and exercise tires my mind.

>Things coming out of your head
I ‘see’ the tether protruding from my head. Yet when I reach—I can’t grab it. My hand goes through like I’m a ghost, or it’s the ghost. But I sense it’s securing me. I feel safe with it—like there’s no fear of heights and it’ll never snap apart. And it goes on forever—always out of my peripheral. Up. Up…

Just a few more minutes.

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

Follow the tether upwards.

Go deeper into the abyss.

Dive, dive, dive!

>>824272
Try following the tethers. If you can move this place at will, and you don't have physical reality slowing you down I don't think the fact they stretch out forever will really be an obstacle.

The sound of the sun shouldn't be peaceful. If you could hear the sun, it would be immeasurably loud. If sound of all the rising and falling convection cells on the surface of the sun actually traveled through space, all the way at the earth, the sound of the sun would STILL be 100 dB. It would be a very deep, impossibly loud, hum -- and not peaceful at all!

You are aware you are completely naked, right? Everything is on display.

>>824474
What's wrong with being naked? Being naked is arguably better than having clothes on.

Marlene Collins 2017/08/23(Wed)12:04 No. 824572 ID: 5672c8
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>Dive/Deeper into the abyss.
Like I said, this seems to go on forever. The tether stretches far where its origin is too far to see. When I think about sinking I can feel the lush air waft through my fur to simulate movement. My ears tickle when pressure changes to further imitate a gradual dive.

But it still feels like I’m not going anywhere significant. I can’t move at lightning speed either. I start following the tethers instead.

>You’re completely naked
Yes. Yes, I’ve noticed. But on display to what audience? Aren’t you my thoughts? I remember how I wouldn’t normally feel content with exposure. But those feelings seem to have escaped me, as they no longer matter.

Who's that holding you? Are you alone?

Ok, let's follow the tether then.

So who's hands are those on your shoulders?

Nibble the finger of that-which-is-not-yourself.

>Aren’t you my thoughts?
Maybe. You're not sure, and we're not sure either. (Which is redundant anyways, if we're your thoughts).

>But on display to what audience?
I'm not sure. But there's certainly someone's hands on your shoulder now. Unless you're purposefully shaping the environment into doing that, the same way that you can make it move.

aaaa bad touch

spooky hands on shoulders, flee immediately

Marlene Collins 2017/10/01(Sun)17:56 No. 833933 ID: 11f77a
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>Whose hands are those?
I can’t believe I haven’t noticed them. I mean—what I felt was comforting—but I hadn’t finished the thought process that someone may be here with me…

>Flee immediately
For the first time I spend energy to break away—but those hands desperately keep holding onto me! Something is unsettling, something is wrong here; very wrong!

I—I should try to take a peek. I can’t quite picture what’s going on with all these thoughts suddenly rushing around in my head!

Gore him with your magnificent horns.

You can always close your eyes again, so yeah, try opening one eye a little bit.

kick at whatever is trying to grab you.

Try turning to face the source of the hand. Maybe it will break their grasp. And even if not, you'll be in better biting position. And then open your eyes and take a look at em.

Open your eyes.

>>833933

wake up
wake up
wake up

>>833933
I'm not sure what's going on, but I think it's time for you to leave

The medicae is removing probes! You should stay still to ensure the procedure goes smoothly.

Marlene Collins 2017/10/04(Wed)11:00 No. 834469 ID: 11f77a
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>Kick/Bite/Gore him
I roll my neck and wave an arm to push this hand away. Even when I swing my hardest it feels like I’m struggling underwater. Soon its fingers dig around my shoulder as a second hand slithers its digits near my neck to fasten me still.

>Open your eyes
Just what the fuck is going o—

Marlene Collins 2017/10/04(Wed)11:01 No. 834471 ID: 11f77a
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Christ! Oh fuckkin’ Christ! Get me out of here! Fuck fuck fuck!

The veil is replaced. Good morning, test subject!

Alright, where are you now? Do you remember what you saw? More about who you are and how you got here?

Good morning sunshine. Looks like you're back in the wonderland. Time to get up and get down!

were... were we adducted by aliens or was that just a good trip going bad?

Marlene Collins 2017/10/11(Wed)20:20 No. 836017 ID: 11f77a
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Wow, that was— what was that? Weirdest dream ever. And I can remember it so… vividly! It was like I was actually there.

>Aliens?
I know, right? I better not have been probed. That’d piss me off to no end.

>Where are you now?
I… don’t know. It’s cramped and—oooh I think I’m in my closet. Yeah. It’s my closet. Strange yet interesting… you never explore your closet at this angle, sitting on the floor. I feel so tiny with clothes hanging above me like I've shrunk.

>>836017
Okay, do you remember how you got there? Anything strange happened to you recently?

Sleepwalk often? What time is it even?

>>836017
Why are you sleeping in the closet.

So how sore do you feel and where, I've heard waking up in a closet usually plays marry hell with your neck

You have a nice closet. So, are you gonna stay here?

How inconvenient is it going to be to open the closet door from inside?

>>836017
Check head for wires

>>836017
Judging by your nightmare, you were undergoing brain surgery while anesthetized. That's typically not done for brain surgeries, implying that you were unconscious or not supposed to consent.

For whatever reason, you should check the back of your head for scars, just in case.

Better safe than sorry.

Well, it's good to have ambitions. The first step is getting yourself out of the closet. Push, or slide?

Marlene Collins 2017/11/07(Tue)12:19 No. 843225 ID: 11f77a
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>How did you get here? Sleepwalk often?
Siiigh, yes, I must’ve sleepwalked again. I don’t know what causes it—I’ve been doing it since high school so it’s nothing unfamiliar. Yet I haven’t sleepwalked in months.

And here I thought I finally shrugged it off.

>Check for scars/wires
Hmm, I don’t recall going to a doctor. I reach the back of my head and it seems smooth enough; no stitches or anything. I wonder what the wires symbolized in my dream—as free as I’ve felt.

Well I guess it’s time for me to face the shitty world.

Marlene Collins 2017/11/07(Tue)12:20 No. 843228 ID: 11f77a
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“I thought we were done playing hide and seek, hmm?”

>>843228
Okay who's this? Tell him of your embarrassing malady.

Take towel.

Tell him that uh.. you were having a nostalgic moment and thinking about things in a cozy place.

Then get up and go do your morning routine.

>>843231
But this is good too.

>>843228
Tell him you sleepwalked in here and you just now woke up.

That had better not be your husband.

Tell him to @#$%ing leave, you have to go to work. Alone.

Ready for round two if you are. jailer

you know this guy?

>>843228
You know this guy, I hope?

>>843231
Best response.

Tell me about it.

Though I could get used to looking at you from this angle.

>>843277
Seconding these Seconds.

Come out of the closet. Tell him you had a bit of a bad dream.

Marlene Collins 2017/12/03(Sun)22:54 No. 849691 ID: 11f77a
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>You know this guy?
That’s my boyfriend, Seb. His real name is Sebastian Porlock. He’s a sweet, lovable guy. I’ve known him since freshman year in college. But none of us felt like it was worth being there—so we dropped out some time after sophomore year and eventually found a way to live together in this cramped apartment. It was a hard relationship in the beginning but, he’s got a steady job as an auto mechanic now.

We’ve been together for about four years.

>Sleepwalking
He knows I occasionally sleepwalk, “I had a bit of a bad dream” I say, shrugging off the morning tiredness and playfully unravel his loose towel. We share some affectionate nose boops but he has to dress up for work soon.

Chapter 1: I Am Fine And Everything's Okay Sarcopholacooda 2017/12/03(Sun)22:57 No. 849692 ID: 11f77a
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>Get up and do your morning routine
That’s the weird thing, I don’t really have a routine. I’m unemployed right now. I’m an aspiring novelist and screenwriter—but no one’s been biting. I may have had a short story published a time ago but it was nothing special. I’ve worked as pretty much anything that lets me write notes for a boss.

And with each job I became sick of the repetitive tasks…

Hmm. How about you check the wanted ads and look for something new.

Find a job that's really out there. You could take a tour as a tabloid journalist, make conspiracies come to life!

>>849691
Have you ever teased him about being named after the most famous killjoy in history from a poem?

Also, try writing about your HORRIBLE NIGHTMARE. It can be great inspiration! Also, since you don't feel upset now, you can approach it logically and hopefully defuse the nervous impulses that cause it through your work as a writer.

Get a job in the science sector.

Write down what you can remember of the dream. The less sense it makes now, the more likely you'll be able to refine it into something unique enough to be salable later on.

Strange. This seems familiar. Tell Henry Sebbie you're going to spend the day buying pastries.

Marlene Collins 2018/01/02(Tue)19:43 No. 855699 ID: 11f77a
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I routinely give Seb a kiss and wave to him out the window. I always promise to find a job, even when he says it’s alright if it takes a while. Still, I can’t just make him pay for everything.

>Buy some pastries
Huh, I can’t remember the last time I had a doughnut, or a piece of cake. But spending money on anything makes me feel guilty if I’m unemployed.

>Find a job that’s really out there/tabloid journalist
I used to love writing about anything all my life, through school and college—but where I am I’m just not… satiated. I try to be creative and think abstractly but some ideas don’t feel grounded enough. My portfolio is weak—maybe it’s because all my latest submissions were rejected time and again.

>Write about the nightmare/dream
Well, I suppose it could make good practice anyway. It’s still something to reflect on and perhaps develop. It’s still on my mind clear as day.

Marlene Collins 2018/01/02(Tue)19:44 No. 855701 ID: 11f77a
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Okay… the dream. The… dream.

Dreeeeeam. Hmm.

Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t forgotten; I still remember plenty! Not in a way like recalling a movie where you have the gist of a scene, but an actual experience. A memory; like I lived through it. As if I was there and felt everything. The words to describe are within reach, but they don’t make sense. No words are good enough.

No, I can’t use words. It was more than words. I was there.

And when I try to imagine that…

…

It’s a migraine just trying to comprehend what I saw. I need a glass of water or somethin’. The room is too… gray. I need a change.

>>855701
Just force yourself to get some words on paper. Describe it imperfectly, so have pieces to work with later when the memory fades. You can worry about editing and finding the right words later.

Drink deep from the stream of consciousness before it runs dry.

>>855701
Go outdoors. Write with a notebook.
...can you draw or paint? Maybe you could do that as part of getting the dream out of your head.

You're a writer. You should know that no words are ever good enough. Write them down anyway. Put it someplace safe. No need to share it, just get it down on paper to let it off your mind.

Also get some orange juice.

Try drawing the experience. "A picture speaks a thousand words," and "a picture can speak where words fail."

Start with the womb metaphor and work from there. You can cut and paste the parts you like around later. Also, give some thought to what happened at the end there, what was that?

Can't draw, eh? Well, set up a few "lines" of sketches of the solar field and annotate with simple words when you need to record details.

Take a nap. Sleeping in the closet probably can't be called a good night's sleep.

Or go out for a walk. Maybe you'll find some inspiration.

Take a short walk. Not too far, the tether will only stretch so much.

Get what words on paper you can, with some sketches.

Also, you should look into lucid dreaming techniques. Here's a good one: get in the habit of, throughout the day, completely seriously, asking yourself "Am I dreaming right now?"

So? Are you?

>>855701
Drink a shitload of water.

Marlene Collins 2018/01/03(Wed)16:54 No. 855910 ID: 11f77a
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Careful, unsure if gif might trigger some actual headaches.

>Take a nap/lucid dreaming
As much as a nap feels great when you’re unemployed, I want to be productive and not accidentally sleep halfway through the day. I take a moment to be sure this isn’t a dream as well. Like pinching myself.

Nope, still here. Perhaps I can research lucid dreaming at a library.

>Drink water
I take a glass of water though; my mouth did feel a bit dry.

>Force yourself to get some words on paper/describe imperfectly
>Start with the womb metaphor
>You’re a writer. You should know that no words are ever good enough.
Well, you have a point there. The difficulty is just having the motive to begin. I remember being fluent on describing everything on how I felt inside the dream. Yet in the real world I run into blanks like I forget words and their meanings.

But I do start writing down words: womb, sun, solar, flare, warm, uhm… euphoric, yawn… red, like orangey red but yellow. Relax. Uh—drift. Ghost… wires? I make little sketches too. I’m not a perfect artist, but I can doodle. I only draw wisps.

You know, lingering my thoughts on it… I kind of wish to return. I haven’t felt good about myself and where I am in ages.

>What happened at the end there?
That’s what I’m asking myself. To describe what I saw is… formless… and eldritch. I don’t know if you’ve ever had a migraine—but vision is blurry as your brain fights to fill in the blanks, like a blind spot.

It hurts my head when I think about it any longer.

Marlene Collins 2018/01/03(Wed)16:55 No. 855911 ID: 11f77a
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>Go for a walk/Find some inspiration
This apartment isn’t exciting anyway. There are a couple of places I like to hang out to write instead. Fortunately I have like-minded friends all around this small city. Most of them are writers too!

There’s a coffee shop I frequently visit, Brook’s Clove. The ambience of people chattering makes it feel like I have an actual desk job. Hopefully my friends are working behind the register today. Guess I’ll cheat a teensy bit and scarf down a doughnut while there.

I have yet to mention that I’m a bit of a songwriter! I’m in a jam band that was thrown together since high school. We’re constantly changing names so for now we’re The Mnemonic Gaps. I sometimes sing, but I’ve written some bad songs during my angsty teen years. We never played a gig except a talent show—which ended horribly.

Lastly I could stop by Silenus Industries, which is our small Hollywoodesque studio on the block. I worked there as a secretary and screenwriter. I think I even sold an episodic script for a tv show, which was promptly cancelled in three episodes before mine aired. Some of the security guards are nice enough to let me in.

I could always do something here first before I go...!

Coffeeshop, because that's generic enough to relax your sinuses and get some words in. Focus on making a bestseller.

>>855911
Go to the coffee shop.

>Guess I’ll cheat a teensy bit and scarf down a doughnut while there.
Why stop at one? You can't function properly on an empty stomach.

>>855911
Coffee shop

Coffee shop.

Also, why mnemonic gaps? As I understand it, that means gaps in memory, missing time probably.

Get the band back together, dude! Start with some covers first though.

Taking in the smells of coffee is a good way to unwind.

Brook’s Clove.

Not to chat with old friends, but to try and meet new people. Who knows, maybe one could land you a job.

Take a trip over to the coffee shop.

Marlene Collins 2018/02/06(Tue)00:08 No. 865075 ID: 11f77a
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>Why Mnemonic Gaps?
It’s just a name that sounds ‘cool’ or something. I didn’t name it, just by the only two guys in the band constantly running up ideas. Past titles were I’m The Machine, The Hungry Shades, and Satyromaniacs.

Doubtful we’ll keep it for long.

>Go to Brook’s Clove
Coffee (and doughnuts) it is. I don’t take long to pack; I throw on a book bag with a laptop and writing supplies—and soon will be on my way.

I don’t ride a bus or bike. I enjoy walking; it’s therapeutic and I can listen to music while looking about, plus I can stroll by the park. Winter’s finally over, so Spring is beginning to bloom.

It’ll take maybe 20 minutes to reach the coffee shop. Usually on walks I just imagine up my stories.

Marlene Collins 2018/02/06(Tue)00:12 No. 865077 ID: 11f77a
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And sometimes… there are no ideas. And when I’m not creative I tend to reflect on my life. Most of the time it makes me depressed. Well, perhaps moody is better. Depression is too strong of a word.

You know the story… I’m waiting to be something more—but I feel stuck here. Everything is at a standstill while all my other friends from school (including my siblings) look far ahead of me. I rarely keep in touch with them (besides the band time to time).

I look at their photos online, and they seem to be doing well.

You know, when I feel sad—I seem to frequently listen to sad music. It brings up some depressing questions.

I have good ideas… but I feel like I need to establish myself first.

Like… could this be the extent of my life? Is this the extent of ‘me’?

That stuff.

>>865077
>Is this the extent of me?
Yes. Yes it is.

Now you have to decide if risking your life and sanity is worth the potential to gain new material and self-improvement, or just stick indoors and bang your boyfriend every five hours in endless self-indulgent hedonism.

... It's the former, right? Why else would you attract supernatural entities in your nightmares?

Step one, stop looking at those photos online. Step two, go out and take some of your own. Quiet town or not, it's got to have some scenic view you can capture for yourself.
step three: WAKE UP

Alright. So here's a thing to think about. You are experiencing, what, at least three levels of reality? And it is totally ambiguous which is a dream for which, or even IF there is a 'baseline' reality or the others are dreams, or whatever structure this all has, right?

So set down some rules, some guidelines, ya?

Here's a few good ones:

1.) Always act ethically and to the best part of your character, in every reality you find yourself in

2.) Always, regularly, try to take chances to 'wake up' from any reality you might be in, without harming yourself or others (try that after this)

3.) Always make sure to be aware and observant of wherever you find yourself, including the small details for discrepancies, and be on the watch for anything trying to manipulate the way you think or act!

4.) Make an effort to pre-commit to appropriate reactions in the weird sorts of scenarios that might pop up in this sort of thing. Think them through to be prepared ahead of time! Like, what to do if someone has done something to your memories? What to do if something is puppeting someone you care about? What to do if you actually do have superpowers in one of the levels of reality? What to do if you find out that one of the levels was a computer simulation? What to do if you find yourself confronted by some sort of eldritch god? What if you are one? Etc. etc.

>>865077
I think you should worry less about who and what you are, and what it means, than finding joy in the things you can. The big picture always get depressing, in some way. As does comparing yourself to others.

>>865168
These are good ideas.

Marlene Collins 2018/02/09(Fri)20:40 No. 866284 ID: 11f77a
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>Supernatural entities in your nightmares
>WAKE UP
>Levels of reality
Yeesh. I’ll remember to second-guess myself when I see a Déjà vu.

I’m positive that this is real life. It was just a nightmare I had. Yes, yes, it’s what “they’d want me to think” if I was somehow… hooked up to a simulation. Why would this world make me feel like crap anyway? It’s not even sunny out and it feels like autumn for being in April.

>>865168
But hey, this is interesting material to write about at least. I’ll try to remember once I have a chance to sit down. I just don’t want to look like a lunatic and constantly look around paranoid for an exit switch.

>Stop looking at those photos
>Comparing yourself to others
>Find joy
It’s hard to avoid them. I don’t attend many social events outside of home, and everyone I know online constantly bleats on their phone and portrays such simple lives. If only I done something a bit different and pushed myself to publish a story.

Sigh…

I will try to avoid them. It’s hard to break from that habit. Maybe I look at their pictures just to punish myself. Unhealthy, I know...

Marlene Collins 2018/02/09(Fri)20:41 No. 866285 ID: 11f77a
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And before I know it, I’m at the shop. It’s moderately busy since all the college kids are hanging out here. I’ll grab a doughnut and find a nice spot by the window—

???: Marley!

Find a nice sp—

???: Marlene!

…Oh!

Marlene Collins 2018/02/09(Fri)20:45 No. 866287 ID: 11f77a
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I forgot Emmylou Meadow worked here today! She’s perhaps my only best friend not counting Seb. I seem to have one close friend at a time, due to how introverted I can be. But we were so much alike as teens and I try to say hello once in a while.

Emmylou: “I haven’t seen you in a good week! What gives?”

She’s sort of in the same situation as me, only she finished college and has a teaching degree. Still, we all start somewhere behind counters. But somehow she’s able to look on the bright side of things. I don’t know how she does it.

Marlene: “Just busy with work. I often cut myself off from the world to write. You know. Waiting for an epiphany.”

Emmylou: “Well you come up with anything new? I’d love to hear it! Lemee see if I can take a quick break. It’s been fuckkin’ boring around here. Busy… but it’s boring busy!”

> “__”

Tell her to get you coffee and doughnuts first. She should know the drill.

You could also tell her about the dream or something. And why would it be boring for her? She's got plenty of customers to talk with all the time.

>>866287
Tell her about your crazy nightmare. Literally so intense it gave you migraines.

"Swimming in a sea of glowing fluid. Thou floatest in it like lethargic goo. Unable to openst thy eyes to witness the majesty of the fluid, but knowest that it is there. Every limb, numb and limp, seems to deny command, where instead the fluid follow thy thoughts and flow to where thee needest to be. Several wires protrudest from thy back of head. Thou tryest to find its source, but find nought a piece of grey nightmare flashing before thine eyes thy awokest in a dark confinement with a man opening its door, sending broad rays into thy place."

Marlene Collins 2018/06/14(Thu)08:06 No. 888889 ID: 11f77a
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Marlene: “Why would working here be boring? There’s plenty of people to talk to.”

Emmylou: “Most of the customers just want their coffee and doughnuts—”

Marlene: “Which reminds me, I’d like one of each.”

Emmylou snorts, “Yeah. Okay. I’ll bring some over to you myself~ Wait ten minutes for me, okay?”

Marlene Collins 2018/06/14(Thu)08:07 No. 888890 ID: 11f77a
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I try to explain everything during her break; the dream, the nightmare. I use whatever colorful words I can describe with. She nods and smiles—at least she’s a good listener.

Emmylou: “Wooow. That must’ve been real nice! Shame you woke up.”

Emmylou: “I had a crazy dream the other night too! Like, I was in some crazy—

And like every dream told to a friend or stranger, it’s discarded—not on purpose I know.

And because her dream wasn’t mine—although it may sound like an interesting pitch—but I don’t set an emotion to it and shrug that off too. I don’t know why I feel so rude.

The only flaw to explaining dreams is they’re hard to follow if they weren’t yours to begin with. What may have been unimaginable euphoria to me would be sweet nothings to others.

Emmylou: “and when I shined a flashlight on it I saw a big, ugly, monstrous creature! I can only describe some dude with a huge, tumorous head! My vision blurred, madness was taking over my body. I slumped to the ground, unable to move. I couldn’t feel my left arm. I tried crawling—INCHING away as the scientologists grabbed me out of the room. And slowly… I woke up. It was weeeeird.”

Emmylou: “Well, I just want to say that your dream could make for a good poem, or something! Something short and sweet; just random musings of a polo sheep~”

You ever feel like there's a pattern to your dreams? One of abduction and restraint?
I think your subconscious is telling you to go out and meet new people.

As per the rules of discussing dreams, make with the platitudes about how crazy her dream is, how she's probably drinking too much caffeine, etc.

But sincerely ask her if she's sure your dream would actually be interesting to see in a poem. That's nice of her to say at least.

Scientologists, huh?
...
What does a Scientologist look like? or was it just one of those things you just knew?

Be polite and tell her that her dream sounds really interesting. But she also shouldn't worry about it as dreams are usually meaningless projections.

Tease her a bit about eating donuts while on the job. She's gonna get fat~

A poem? Seems like it's something you could try, altho, try doing it a bit differently. Once you're alone, close your eyes and just write on the paper whatever comes to your mind. Yeah, with your eyes closed.

Other than that, keep up the small talk with her until she needs to return to work. And then look around at what others around here are doing. Anyone interesting around? Listen in on what they're talking about.

>>888890
Man. Her dream was nearly as horrible as yours at the end there.

Marlene Collins 2018/07/10(Tue)11:04 No. 891987 ID: 11f77a
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>Make with the pleasantries of discussing her dream
Marlene: “Scientologists, huh? Wow, quite… Lovecraftian! Could be the caffeine you constantly drink. You ought to write that one down before it leaves your memory, though.”

Marlene: “But do you really think mine could be worth a poem? I’ve just been stuck lately; I couldn’t even put a sentence together this morning.”

Emmylou: “Of course! I always like your ideas! Even Nick makes a fun log after every session of D&D he plays for fun. You should just jot something down.”

I nod, I don’t have much to continue on than that.

>Abduction/restraint
>Your subconscious is telling you to meet new people
I never felt… restrained in my dreams. However I guess I feel huddled in real life. I thought my subconscious is telling me the opposite, to focus on myself and blot out the world

Marlene Collins 2018/07/10(Tue)11:04 No. 891989 ID: 11f77a
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There was a quiet pause; I drink some coffee thinking of what to say next. I do look around but the chatter is too fused to pick out a conversation.

Emmylou: “Soooo~”

Emmylou: “How are things with Seb? Is he still fixing cars? He must make alotta money, tho!”

Emmylou: “I tell ya, those guys rip ya off when in need of a repair. I’m sure Seb knows what he’s doing but I had to have my car inspected the other day and there are all these problems they come up with…”

I want to respond in kind and act like everything’s okay. But I suppose there’s been some absent affection between us now and then—mainly by me. There’s this feeling like I want to isolate myself for a while, and lock myself in a room until I get shit done.

And I feel upset.

Marlene Collins 2018/07/10(Tue)11:05 No. 891990 ID: 11f77a
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Marlene: “Uuughn—I don’t know, Lou.”

Marlene: “I mean, he’s fine, he’s great. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”

Marlene: “But lately I’m just in a rut with myself.”

Marlene: “I can’t focus on anything right now.”

My eyes are clouding up, there’s that sudden rush of emotion now. I know it’s coming, I don’t know why.

There's gotta be something more. Not more than Seb more to life. But if you don't know what that is, it just makes everything else seem pointless, even if you know it isn't.

You're upset because you want a different life, but if you throw away what you have and live as yourself, it's utterly heartless and disrespectful to the people around you, most of all Seb. Finding ways to integrate your current life with new and better opportunities is

well, let's face it, it's the @#$%ing rat race. The American Dream. Those among the 1%ers who aren't sure they're happy with what they concluded with, and the majority of the 99%ers who are sure they aren't.

So have a coffee and think about how you feel about this. The better you understand your grief, the better you can control and rationalize it into manageable pieces.

Nah, that isn't true, you know exactly what's wrong, you just don't know what to do about it. There's not a lot ambiguity in what you are describing, you feel constrained by your comfortable living situation, it's bearing down on you like it's a job instead of a routine to keep you fit and sane.

Take a deep breath and calm down. You came here to relax, not go into some negative feedback loop. Things may seem gloomy, but any such monotony can be solved simply by doing something new. Talking to new people, learning to do new stuff, visiting new places, etc. All will lead to opportunities and the things you desire. Perhaps it's about time to leave this café.

>>891990
Release your emotions and see what happens.

Politely excuse yourself from the conversation. Find a dark corner to sob/eavesdrop in.

Marlene Collins 2018/08/03(Fri)22:57 No. 895964 ID: 11f77a
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Emmylou: “Awe, there, there. Don’t be upset. Just take a deep breath and relax~”

Emmylou: “Drink your coffee; let it loosen you up for the day.”

Marlene: “Hrrrrngh…”

>More to life/everything seems pointless
>Different life/don’t throw away what you have
>Understand your grief
It’s a harrowing feeling to be aware of yourself in some way. I see myself in the third-person and think: ‘You have the tools. You have the living space. You have a lover who provides. Everything you need to survive is right in front of you!’

Maybe I’m an asshole to think I’d be… ‘recognized’ by now. Nothing matters unless I’m famous. My mother always sends me newspapers of students and young kids praised for their smarts and creativity—in hopes to motivate me. But that only does the opposite!

Great, nineteen-year-olds already surpass me; thanks. Point is, I know it’s selfish to feel this way, to believe you’d hit a milestone this young, but I’m assuming it’s just a strain of depression over me. Not serious, but gloomy.

>Routine
There’s that word again, but… I suppose it’ll keep me occupied. I’ll think of a timeline; a day-by-day routine when I gain motivation later tonight.

Marlene Collins 2018/08/03(Fri)22:57 No. 895965 ID: 11f77a
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>Do something new/talk to new people/learn new stuff/visit new places
I’m somewhat of an introvert, but I know saying that isn’t an excuse. I could try, then, after today. Since I didn’t really plan to do that today—I’ll push it to tomorrow. I could think of some things to do in preparation for tomorrow.

My breaths are no longer shaky, so I can talk again.

Emmylou: “Better~?”

Marlene: “No. But… I ought to let it all out in private.”

We finish our coffees and talk; Emmylou will have to return to work soon. She hugs me.

Emmylou: “Be brave. You have a lot of time on your hands! Know that. There’s no deadline to think things through!”

Emmylou: “I’ll see you soon, love~ Keep visiting me.”

Marlene: “Mmhmm…”

I think I’ll head straight to my ‘band’ the Mneumonic Gaps next. I could use the bus and think about things.

Thinking about things on the bus makes you miss your stop. Just walk.

To the bus! You've walked enough for now.

Fame is a rough dream to have. For a lot of reasons.

Don't miss the next bus, now.

>>895964
That's hierarchy of needs stuff. Just because you've got the fundamentals of survival down, it doesn't make you a bad person to want fulfillment on the higher ones.

Marlene Collins 2018/08/07(Tue)20:24 No. 896358 ID: 11f77a
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>>896027
Well, that does make me feel a little better.

>Don’t miss the bus!
>You’ve walked enough for now
Fine, I’ll take the bus already. My band is a little ways away. I haven’t written anything lately for them, but I met them through Maebe who is their drummer.

Marlene Collins 2018/08/07(Tue)20:25 No. 896359 ID: 11f77a
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I don’t know how she even puts it up with the other two boys who are up in the front.

Marlene Collins 2018/08/07(Tue)20:25 No. 896360 ID: 11f77a
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‘YOU GET ON WITH LIFE AS A BARMAID!
‘YOU’RE A BEAUTIFUL KINDA PER-SON!
‘CAUSE GIRL, YOU LIKE TO CONTEMPLATE ORANGE JUICE!

Marlene Collins 2018/08/07(Tue)20:26 No. 896361 ID: 11f77a
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‘BUT WHEN YOU START TO DAYDREAM,
‘YOUR MIND TURNS TO VODKA!
Oooh-Hoooo Oooh!

Marlene Collins 2018/08/07(Tue)20:26 No. 896362 ID: 11f77a
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Robin: “Hold up, hold up.”

Robin: “You were supposed to use the second verse.”

Nick: “I was, though!”

Robin: “I mean like, you’re going—”

Robin: “Woom woom weeeOOOWWmm, woom woo—”

Nick: “I know how I’m going. I think this part should have the… ‘woom’ thing. Whatever.”

Robin: “That’s too early, man. Nah!”

Maebe: “Hey Marley...”

J
F
C
Are they always like this or is it just a bad day?

Lyrics. They always put unearned pride in the lyrics.

Show these two what it means to meepinthecorner.

>>896368
It's a garage band, of course they're always like this.
What's this song called, Screwdriver?

Well at least Maebe seems chill. Is this a common problem, all that arguing? If they can't agree on what parts they're playing when, they're never not going to mangle the sound. But I suppose that's why Maebe is exasperated.

Do you recognise the song? In that case, you should be able to tell them how the lyrics should be sung.

Other than that, greet them and ask about their progress and what not. Got any new songs for them with you?

Haha, I like those doofuses.

>Maebe: “Hey Marley...”
Hey Maebe, how's it going?

What's up?

Marlene Collins 2018/08/13(Mon)11:21 No. 897030 ID: 11f77a
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>Are they always like this?
...Yeah...

So that’s Nick Rudder on the guitars with Robin Bhest on bass. They may look like twins but they aren’t. They’re not the best of lyricists, I know. But we’ve had so many genre changes like our band name but we mainly keep close to rock.

Unless they cover a Led Zeppelin or RHCP song again for the billionth time. Nick just wants fancy basslines from Robin to go along with his riffs but Robin wants to go his own way with his instrument. They both sing... kind of.

I don’t recognize the song.

Marlene: “Hey... boys. What song was that one called? Screwdriver?”

They look at one another like a wall of epiphany slammed into them.

They both exclaim: “That’s a perfect title!”

Robin: “You really need to write those songs for us, maaan!”

Maebe faces me, lighting a cigarette.

Maebe: “Dropping by, Marley? We were just wonderin’ about you.”

Maebe: “If you came up with any songs lately.”

She smirks, “Still, it’s nice of you to drop by and babysit the boys for me.”

>Any new songs for them?
I don’t really have a song for them.

Marlene Collins 2018/08/13(Mon)11:22 No. 897031 ID: 11f77a
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Marlene: “Why so eager for one? I haven’t had the motivation to write anything for days…”

Maebe: “Oh, you haven’t heard yet?”

Nick: “We have until next month to nudge in the May-4-Two’s rock roster at Steele City!”

Robin: “It’s a bar, lots of college kids go there since it’s so close to J. Euryk Institute!”

Nick: “Lots of bands stared their gigs there! Dietrich Satyr, Planet Cul-de-sac...”

Nick: “Uh…”

Robin: “No pressure but, we need a good song. A really good song. Maybe two.”

Robin: “I know you’ve been in and out of this band, that’s cool and all. But you ought to really join. Make it official.”

Nick: “Yeah.”

...

>>897031
What's the gig pay? Money is a damn good motivator.

Okay they're already growing on me. I was worried they were gearing up for an early falling out, but clearly they're just dorks.

It's a given right? Considering what you've been thinking about recently, you really should try this. And they're saying "official" but it's not a point of no return. Just don't sign anything.

As for a song, you do have something you could use for inspiration.

What is this J. Euryk Institute?

Tell them that you'll help them this time but that you ain't making anything official unless the band gets some big contract or something. Also, only if you get to decide on the style.

Even then, I'm not convinced that this is worth spending time on. It seems like this would be just you getting trapped by the nostalgia and doing something that others want rather than what you want. It doesn't feel... real.

Anyway, talk to them about how you feel and if they have any advice for you and your inspiration. Heh, let them convince you.

Has your band thought of a ritual sacrifice motif? Big mess of bit of red makeup on the neck or chest, plus red handprints on the horns? Or has that been done/not your kind of rock? It sounds like a simple & low investment way to stand out.

Anyway, only join up if you're really willing to be working with these clowns for the next month. Let them know you'll write lyrics and sing until after the show but you really need to keep your options open here, okay? If they're understanding, I don't see a reason to say no.

Yeah? Yeah!
Just for kicks, you should write them the worst song you can think of and see how they/the audience respond. Plus an actual one, of course, but the fun will be seeing if they can tell which is which.

Only if they're really desperate. "We-scouted-100-people-and-they-all-told-us-to-go-to-hell" desperate.

Marlene Collins 2018/08/31(Fri)15:00 No. 899797 ID: 11f77a
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>J. Euryk Institute
It’s a nearby college campus.

>Trapped by some nostalgia?
>Is it worth spending time on?
>Are you willing to work with these clowns?
>Unofficial or no?
It’s a hard decision to make. Even though they’re my friends who get along well—I seem to feel uneasy about a commitment. Then again, I need to occupy my time and start small. I don’t have the motivation for a novel, but a song here and there could be a good exercise. I don’t know if they mean ‘official’ official. But to start spending more time here in their garage studio.

>Ritual sacrifice motif
Absolutely not.

Marlene Collins 2018/08/31(Fri)15:02 No. 899799 ID: 11f77a
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>Money
Marlene: “Are we paid for this? Or is it some battle of the bands where you have to enter with a fee?”

Nick: “Nah we just play in front of someone who will decide whether we make it on the list. Then we are paid!”

Robin: “Unless you’re locally famous.”

Nick: “We—don’t really know anyone else, Marley. I mean, we could send some flyers out but, you seem to have the talent.”

>Keep options open
>Decide on a rock style
>Only if they’re really desperate
I suppose I could make a list of demands, something we could set straight before I begin… a rock genre change, for sure.

Marlene: “Alright boys, I think I’ll help you out on a song. But there’s a few changes I’d like to make~”

Guess it’s time for some demands. I think I could get away with some things at least.

We're gonna be a glam rock band. Time to make everyone fabulous! (And it'll distract from their singing if it's that bad.)

Well, let's think this through. What is their nominal style? What have they branched out to do in experimenting? If we're messing with things, we don't wanna branch too far, gotta keep any existing skills relevant. What music types do they like? What music types or songs are they best at, even if they don't like them, in the sense of working together as a band? What are their individual skills best at, even if it doesn't mess well with the group?

I mean, based on your dreams and imagery, if you can make poems and songs and such based on those, you'd probably work best as one of the many styles based on psychedelic rock. Cause it sure was a psychedelic dream. You know, jam bands, progressive rock, neo-progressive rock, etc. You know, arty stuff that isn't JUST songs about love, lust, and loss. The problem with that is getting your own distinct sound and style, rather than just playing covers.

Hmmm, in a related set of questions. Do you think you can describe the feeling of that euphoria in music? How about make up something fanciful about that bad experience at the end, when you were in a lab or some shit. Then spin a musical story about your attempted escape from said lab. Shit, think you could come up with the core of a progressive album that's a high-minded, pink floyd type meditation on reality in album format from that dream?

>>899826
I know little of music styles but the idea of basing the stuff off the unique perspective of dreams is interesting. And if you want to use it as an outlet for writing, leave it open to a sequel song or a universe you could eventually make a full LP (ambitious, but whatever) out of.

Anyway, other demands are that you are going to be here on a probationary basis. You'll see through this event then you'll see.

Then you could have it that creative differences should go through you and they can't let those disagreements become personal. I mean, that's a hell of a sell, but there is a serious need for organization, and you can couch it as more of an advisor role. Especially if you mean it. That said, this maybe should wait until you decide whether or not you're here to stay. Could be a bargaining chip there too.

>Absolutely not.
Aww, but Satanic Panic is great! And also my only idea!

What was that genre you wanted to go into that everyone else was tentative about? Acid rock? Punk? Psychadelic? IDFK. Convince them to take the plunge.

And don't feel pressured to include your dream as part of the song. If you can barely remember it using it for inspiration is just going to drive you mad.

Since they don't have a keyboard, the choice of rock style is quite limited and I don't know enough about rock music that I'd be able to suggest anything other than hard rock or punk rock. But isn't this already their current style? Meh.

>demands
Hugs. You require hugs and love to function properly.

>>899917
Ohhh yea. Good point. They need to get a Keyboardist to broaden the potential rock styles away from just hard rock or punk rock and related sounds. Do you all know one?

Marlene Collins 2018/09/02(Sun)18:17 No. 900167 ID: 11f77a
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>Creative differences?
>What have they branched out to do in experimenting?
Marlene: “What can you guys do, anyway? It’s been a while since I heard your music than whatever I just walked into.”

Nick: “We could be a punk band! It’s what we’ve been experimenting on. We know how to be loud and get that energy out.”

Robin: “Or maybe industrial! Nothing crisp but nice guitar-fuzz ambience that Nick can play. And Maebe on the drums to make the place echo.”

Nick: “Or experimental math rock, somehow make our own sound and odd time signatures!”

Robin: “Or gay church indie folk rock!”

Nick: “What?”

Robin: “Huh?”

Nick: “Uh… maybe alternative rock, then? 90’s oriented? Maybe early 2000s. Hard rock perhaps? I’ve been getting into desert rock lately.”

>Describe feeling of euphoria in music
>Base on styles such as psychedelic rock/art rock/Pink Floyd
That’s a good area on how to describe what I felt in the dream. I would even go into ‘Shoegaze’ which may require some technical skills (and perhaps lots of foot pedals). But a soft voice could work best there if anyone had to sing. The boys are capable to play similarly to Siversun Pickups or Smashing Pumpkins.

>Need a Keyboard/ist
Marlene: “Do we have a keyboard?”

Robin: “My brother has one somewhere. I could bring it in. Mom would make us have piano lessons as kids. But I was born to shred.”

Nick: “On a bass?”

Robin: “You could do a lot more on a bass guitar than a regular one, you know!”

Marlene: “Maybe we could hire someone in time for the show.”

So we have a nice range and the boys aren’t too difficult to learn something new. Sounds like I’ll propose a blend of psychedelic rock, progressive, shoegazing art rock type thing to go on. I wonder if there’s anything else I could consider — other than the idea that I’ll be around on a probationary basis. I could organize with Maebe and a few dweebs.

If this works out maybe I can just be a song writer for a career. That’s wouldn’t be so bad, would it?

Hmm, yup, yep, those were all words. Sounds good.
Join your bandmates for a good old fashioned jam session.

Organizing with Maebe and a few dweebs sounds great.

Pick a generic class, hone your progression in it, pick another class, hone your progression. Don't just jump into a hybrid style unless you know the components.

Songwriting is better than nothing, might as well pad your resume.

Sounds good. This is a nice creative outlet, and that kind of music is creative as hell. It'd be a nice way to grow creatively, and to assimilate any weird dreams or other experiences you might have. They've certainly experimented with different styles enough.

Ask what they think of songs and albums that tell a story? Would that be fun, or is it too pretentious for their tastes?

See if they have any profound stories to tell, and then share your idea of interpreting a dream you had through music. Maybe even your musings on levels of reality.

Like, you're not crazy -- the waking world you find yourself in is the real world. But, for argument's sake, what if it wasn't?

Various transcendentalists and spiritualists throughout history have claimed that the world we find ourselves in is not the most real one. The movie The Matrix simply described these spiritual concepts in the first mainstream method that was really big in pop culture. Science has recently gotten in on the action too with the ancestor simulation hypothesis.

Let's say one of these ideas -- that people are in vats being plugged into some sort of virtual reality to test who knows what (the original plot for the Matrix had people's brains be processors, don't ya know. Not that computers would NEED to do that, which is where analyzing the story breaks down), or what if everyone is a computer simulation run by their far descendants, which they might actually have a reason to do, or what if there was some spiritual world that was more real than the one we find ourselves in.

If any of those were true, then what? What would change? How would you behave? What promises should someone make to themselves in preparation? What would it look like to get a glimpse of the other world?

Heady stuff, but fun to talk about over a beer or two. Also maybe fun to come up with a few sequential scenes about someone's awakening and escape, then maybe a few outlines to some songs associated with each core emotion/thought of those scenes.

Ohhh! There ARE Progressive metal bands. No need to stray from being 'hard' or 'heavy', just because it's arty or tells a story. Tool is a good example of one of those. Maybe something like that?

>psychedelic rock, progressive, shoegazing art rock type thing
This seems alright, yeah.

Or post-progressive queercore :P

Marlene Collins 2018/09/07(Fri)22:34 No. 900934 ID: 11f77a
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>>900213
>Pick a generic class, hone your progression
Well as much as I would like to make a whole story about it, I suppose I’ll just start with the feeling—or the concept. But like you’ve said yourself it’s pretty heavy, but something to think about over a beer (or even during the week).

Marlene: “Well boys, I believe we should go in the direction of Psychedelic Rock! Perhaps towards Shoegaze in the noughties and less Stoner Rock from the seventies.”

Marlene: “I feel my lyrics would best be suited for that sound.”

Robin: “Hmm, I think I can dig that. Could you?”

Nick: “Don’t think I’ve dipped into it, but I’ll try. What about you, Maebe?”

Maebe shrugs, spinning sticks.

Marlene: “And I just want to tag along for the ride. I’ll help you guys out here and there. I’m still undecided what I want to do for the next chunk of my life.”

They seem to understand, with Robin looking through the house for a keyboard. I can stay for a while and write as they play.

Marlene Collins 2018/09/07(Fri)22:34 No. 900935 ID: 11f77a
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Well I guess I now need a theme, a concept for the first song; something to hang on to for now. I can always change it later, but what should it be? (You may write some bits and pieces of lyrics, or rhymes if you please. Conceptual, allusions, or descriptions.)

A) The Feeling. The senses drive to true euphoria.
B) The Place. Like a sanctuary, such an idea of escapism and nostalgia. Perhaps the thrill of a new experience.
C) The Reality. Dreams within reach, yet too far. Neutral, but teeters from somber thoughts to small acts of hope.
D) The Nightmare. Ramblings of a mad goat, a warning to dreamers.
E) Something else entirely

F) Work later, visit Silenus Industries; the Movie Production company.

A. Start at the beginning of the mystery.

>>900935
A. Gotta run with your gut on this, so follow your heart.

C

C. You could get there, with just a little luck.

A. That first feeling is where you start.

Marlene Collins 2023/01/20(Fri)17:23 No. 1054263 ID: 11f77a
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Maaaaaaaarrrleeeeeeeeene...

Marlene Collins 2023/01/20(Fri)17:23 No. 1054264 ID: 11f77a
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That impact of silence hits me like a brick wall. It’s like sleeping in class and noticing everyone stopped talking at once. The makeshift and distorted noise from their instruments have ceased and now they’re staring at me.

Nick: Yo. Our music must really suck to put you to sleep in the middle of our jam.

Robin: We’ve been playing for twenty minutes before we realized you dozed. You cool?

Marlene Collins 2023/01/20(Fri)17:24 No. 1054265 ID: 11f77a
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Marlene: Oh... I’m sorry, guys. It wasn’t—

Marlene: Well maybe it was part of why I dozed off.

Marlene: I dunno what happened. I was beginning to think about how my dreams felt to me.

Marlene: And something about it that... I was within reach of it again...

The boys stare at me waiting for a conclusion but I got nothing.

Marlene: That’s it. That’s all I have.

Marlene Collins 2023/01/20(Fri)17:25 No. 1054266 ID: 11f77a
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Robin: Well, what have you got written down anyway?

Eeeeh, crap. Scribbles.

I dunno. Maybe I’ll work on the words another day... or something. I feel so tired right now... I guess I don’t like forcing myself to think, and only think in the moment.

Unfortunately ‘in the moment’ means never having a notepad ready to write it down, ever.

All eyes watching and waiting for me to do something...
I may just move on to Silenus Industries in a moment.

Can't force creativity. Go ahead with Silenus

Have a notepad by your bed, the best ideas always come as you're trying to sleep.
Maybe you can use the fact that the meaning keeps slipping from your grasp. Time keeps on slipping, into the future...

Sometimes it's better to let the pencil do the thinking, just relax and let it move where it feels natural.

>>1054317
this

Marlene Collins 2023/01/23(Mon)13:48 No. 1054530 ID: 11f77a
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>Can’t force creativity
Yeah. Sucks it’s never easy. I gather my shit and stand up.

Maebe: On the road again, then?

Marlene: Uh-huh, sorry guys. I may want to bounce before it’s too late. I was just stopping by after all. I’ll try visiting more often; the battle-of-the-bands thing sounds like I could stay occupied with something.

Robin: Steele City!

Marlene: Sure. That. I’ll try to write at home whenever I’m in the mood. You guys should just play around with shoegaze or dream pop. Email me some riffs.

Nick: No pressure! We could be instrumental if it doesn’t work out for you.

Maebe: Oh please, instrumental would be great.

I wave and head out. I’ll need to take a bus again but they come around periodically in the city.

>Have a notepad by your bed […]
There’s a small drawer where I keep a few reading books. If I remember I ought to place a notebook there before bed.

Marlene Collins 2023/01/23(Mon)13:49 No. 1054531 ID: 11f77a
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Well here we are.

Silenus Industries.

It’s a low-brand film studio in the corner of the city. It’s no Hollywood, but if you get your foot in the door you may have a chance to make it a lasting career.

I used to work here just after dropping out of college with Seb. I was only a secretary, but I got to learn little things about the studio. Things were looking up in the beginning until I hit a wall.

Maybe it was after so many rejected scripts. Perhaps that was only part of it. I dunno. Something killed it for me. I just don’t know what. That’s the life of any writer I s’pose.

I hang out with some of the writers inside--maybe they have something interesting to refresh my creativity. I typically know the best days to stop by too so I can just slip in like I still work there.

Marlene Collins 2023/01/23(Mon)13:50 No. 1054532 ID: 11f77a
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Ah, good. It’s Lars as security this evening. He catches me as he drinks his coffee.

Lars: Oh, hey Marlene. Uh, what’re you up to today?

Oh, you know, the usual.

>>1054530
oh horseshit, "can't force creativity," that's a mantra for the terminally burnt out. You sometimes HAVE to, otherwise you lose the habit and it becomes harder to start again.

Don't you remember what it was like when you were first learning, when you didn't know shit about story structure or even consistent punctuation? It was still just as much a slog, you just had more energy for it because you believed in it!

You don't have to write a masterpiece, you just have to write _something._ a short story about someone enjoying a sunny day, or a goofy sci-fi thing about a spaceman encountering god, who cares! Let it be a bit shit and you'll find some flow again, then you can start back up the polishing.

Anyways, as for what you're doing today, see if you can't find one of the working writers and ask what advice they have for getting something approved.

Marlene Collins 2023/01/27(Fri)19:04 No. 1054856 ID: 11f77a
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>Don’t you remember what it was like when you were first learning […] You don’t have to write a masterpiece, you just have to write something
Ugh... but it really isn’t that simple though! No one starts with story structure or grammar when they first learn to write--they start with an idea. At a young age it could be ‘action scenes and explosions that would be awesome’ and over a lifetime it becomes ‘how can I interpret the concern, sorrow, or anger I feel’.

Maybe, with this funk I’m in--I really feel nothing. Well--I teared up at Brook’s Clove--but was that sadness? Was that confusion?

I can’t let my mind wander into that right now. I answer Lars.

Marlene: Uhm, nothing important! Nice to see you, Lars.

Lars: Mmhm. A bit chilly today. I’ll be stuck in this ice box tonight.

Marlene: Was gonna say you’re drink that coffee a bit late. Heh.

Lars: Ee-Yep.

>See if you can’t find one of the working writers and ask [for] advice
Marlene: Well I suppose that’s it, nothing much exciting on my end.

Marlene: I’m hoping to talk to my friends for some advice so, I’ll see you around.

Marlene Collins 2023/01/27(Fri)19:05 No. 1054857 ID: 11f77a
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I walk towards the boom gate. Lars gets a bit jittery to stop me and say something--his arm holds out even though I’m not close.

Lars: Eh—wait! Marley! Sorry but...I don’t think you can come in.

Marlene: You don’t think?

Lars: I meant--I can’t let you inside unless you’re an employee now. The bosses don’t really want you strolling in anymore.

Marlene Collins 2023/01/27(Fri)19:06 No. 1054859 ID: 11f77a
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Marlene: What kind of bullshit is that? People know me in there. Why would the higher ups give a shit where I go?

Lars: Well—it’s not you specifically. I-I didn’t mean it like that. Security is being chewed out and someone’s bound to be fired the next time someone makes the wrong call.

Lars: I don’t want them to think I’ll let anybody in. Sorry, but you either show an employee ID or keep walking.

Lars: I would be fine for you to chill here but no soliciting either.

Marlene: I’m not a whore, dummy.

Lars: I just don’t want to have to make a scene!

Goddammit. Lars is usually a chill guy but I guess the higher-ups have made some impending changes to staff. Really fucking sucks that I came all this way for nothing.

>>1054859
You can't go in? Doesn't mean people can't come out. Or talk to you via phone. Tell him who you want to see, so that they can contact you in some way.

yeah, there's gotta be someone we can talk to. just don't make too much of a scene, we don't wanna get Lars in trouble for something he can't really control.

aaaaaaand since he said we could wait, no reason not to wait! maybe ask lars about the new management? why are they so persnickety about this shit?

Sounds like an incident or something might have caused this change of policy. Maybe you or Lars could call one of your buddies and let them know you're at the gate looking for them.

Marlene Collins 2023/01/30(Mon)19:42 No. 1055034 ID: 11f77a
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>Tell him who you want to see […]
>Maybe you or Lars could call one of your buddies and let them know you’re at the gate looking for them
Marlene: Well could you at least, you know, call one of them somehow? Let them know I’m out here looking for them.

Lars: Well--I can only call in security. You’d have to go to the front desk for that but you probably won’t get any farther than the waiting room.

It’ll be pointless to figure something out with Lars. To be honest, I’ve actually never shared my number with my friends inside. I only use the term ‘friends’ loosely as they were more like mutual coworkers. I don’t think I’ve hung out with them after work.

Marlene: Well. Shit. Sorry I kind of... took it out on you. I’ll figure something out later.

Lars: Don’t worry. Maybe things will ease up in a month and you’ll be able to stroll right in again no problem. It's probably a bad month for the studio.

I nod, can't argue with that. With a final sigh I turn and wave--

--but not before bumping into someone without paying attention.

Marlene Collins 2023/01/30(Mon)19:45 No. 1055035 ID: 11f77a
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Nicodemus: Wha-hoah there! Careful.

Nicodemus: Well I’ll be, who do we have here Lars?

Nicodemus: It’s good to see you Marlene; I haven’t had a peek at ‘cha for a good month!

Marlene: Nic--Mister Booth! Yes! It has certainly... been a while.

Nicodemus: Nico will do just fine, Marley~

Nico: Just leavin’?

Uuhh...

Swoon into his arms.
"Oh thank heavens! A big, strong knight to help this damsel in distress. Don't suppose you can get me inside? To slay a dragon or something I forget where I was going with this."

>>1055054
I mean, that's a possibility, but I don't think Marlene's much in the mood for swooning and she does already have a good and supportive boyfriend. Even if this guy is a... specimen. Who is he to you, Marlene?

Well, he asked, so give him a wan smile and tell him straight. You tried hitting up the place for old times' sake and a bit of inspiration for your current writings, but got bounced due to Rules Being Enforced. Sucks that you appear to have lost a connection, but what can y'do? Schmooze your way back in, maybe get people in trouble? Nah. For one, you'd rather earn your place.

Besides, you've been feeling a bit off your best writing mood for a bit anyway, so perhaps this was just... fate and circumstance telling you not to push yourself too hard.

>>1055091
This

Marlene Collins 2023/02/03(Fri)13:36 No. 1055161 ID: 11f77a
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>Who is he to you, Marlene?
I didn’t expect to run into Mr. Booth. He’s probably back from a late lunch. He’s a nice guy and all--I was his secretary when I worked here. His presence can be a little... intimidating. I mean, he’s all warm smiles at first. An okay dude. It’s just when he’s making heated phone calls and managing the office he can get pretty demanding.

I try not to make eye contact for too long. I don’t know why; some kind of vibe. But I have to play my predicament off somehow.

>Swoon into his arms
I think that would throw both of us off-guard. Much as I’d like to try and put on an act, I think he would see through that.

Marlene: Oh, well, yeah I suppose I was only leaving. I was hoping I’d talk to my friends in the studio--you know. Been a while. But I guess the higher-ups are on strict rulings and a citizen like me can’t just stroll in any more.

He raises an eyebrow.

Nico: Is that so? I haven’t heard anything like that.

Marlene: Yeah. Well. Lars just told me. But it’s fine. I’ll be on my way.

Marlene Collins 2023/02/03(Fri)13:38 No. 1055162 ID: 11f77a
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I slowly side-step on my way out--but Mr. Booth is still in a chatty mood. He finds what I said a little ridiculous.

Nico: Now, hold on. I’m sure the situation aint all bad.

Nico: I’d like to think I know Mr. Silenus pretty well and I believe he would hardly notice you mucking about the office every now and then.

Nico: As long as you don’t interrupt work.

Marlene: Yeah but, I know what Mr. Silenus is like too. He can get pretty upset over the slightest thing. My desk was right next to those meeting rooms, you know.

Marlene: I won’t risk being a burden.

He waves a hand down.

Nico: Well I’m one of those higher-ups. Why don’t you come along inside with me then!

Lars: Mr. Booth I don’t think that’s a very good--

Nico: Awe come on, Lars. Marlene’s not gon’na sabotage anything.

Nico: If anything I’ll keep a close eye on her.

Lars: S-Sir?

Nico: At ease, soldier. Heh. The owner rarely comes around here anyway. If he comes yellin’ down at you, you direct him to me.

Lars: O-Okay then. Sir.

Nico: Thank you kindly. Right this way, Marley.

He pats me on the shoulder and takes the lead. I give Lars a subtle shrug and start following.

Marlene Collins 2023/02/03(Fri)13:39 No. 1055163 ID: 11f77a
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We walk through the entrance hall. I try not to make things awkward; I don’t know what to say but ‘thank you’. I dunno. I felt like when I quit I had made an impression on some of the people here. I’d rather not talk about that day.

But Mr. Booth seems like we’re still on good terms. Perhaps enough time has passed that it wasn’t all that bad in hindsight. All my friends are on the same floor as his office. So it’s... still awkward to stand beside him on the elevator.

Marlene Collins 2023/02/03(Fri)13:39 No. 1055164 ID: 11f77a
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Look at that guy. Must be so proud of himself. What’s he so quiet for?

Marlene Collins 2023/02/03(Fri)13:40 No. 1055165 ID: 11f77a
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Nico: So. It’s certainly been a while. What’cha been up to?

Nico: Write anything good lately?

Marlene Collins 2023/02/03(Fri)13:40 No. 1055166 ID: 11f77a
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...

Marlene Collins 2023/02/03(Fri)13:40 No. 1055167 ID: 11f77a
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Marlene: Oh, you know. Not much...

>>1055167
Just having weird psychedelic dreams about like a weird unreality thing like being being not even born and opening my eyes waking up to a horrific dark reality with my skull strapped to some helmet my horns removed my eyelids forced opem by hooks as i scream for help to get out of it wires trailing from me as some creature holds me fingers digging into my flesh something like a tongue slobbering infront of me but i cant see the rest of it only my own crying face? Sooo sort of the usual but really strange but the psychedelic part has really stuck with me guess hippis where onto something as it calms me down

Maybe not... quite so much detail? Something like: Oh, you know. This or that. I've been having weird psychedelic dreams. They've been making me contemplative about the nature of reality. You know -- the allegory of the cave and the like. Also the simulation hypothesis -- both the real science theory one about ancestor simulations and the more varied pop culture one like you see in the Matrix that it was inspired by.

Maybe it is true. Maybe he is didn't consider the quitting that bad experience.

At any case, being sincere and relatable will get him to warm up to seeing you again, if he hasn't already.
Tell him how you have been having a writters block this past couple weeks, and having bad dreams and bad sleep hasn't helped, but you hope meeting your friends will help you pull idas together.
And thank him for helping you in getting to talk to them, don't be so shy!

>>1055181
this would be best, no need to go too in-depth about the dreams yet

Modulate your response by whatever went down between you when you quit. If he doesn't treat the events of that day as something bad to acknowledge or discuss, then... great? I suppose you could admit things haven't been going too swell, but be firm on that you'll sink or swim by your own power, you're in a rut, not desperate. You really did just drop by for some social contact and inspiration for your own projects.

As a side thing, you don't have to make this all about you - and elevator talk is by definition brief. You could distract by picking up a different topic to speak about.

For one, Nico's whole aura - and the 'soldier' comment to Lars and his muscular build - does seem to speak 'armed forces'. If you haven't got around to ask about it before - out of curiosity, did he ever serve before he got into the movie biz, and if so where and as what?

Or... you could throw him a literal elevator pitch for a project - you can even joke it off 'just as practice'. Granted, that's kind of hard to do that when you don't have any good scripts on hand and some history to begin with.

Been having some interesting dreams at night lately. Been trying to write something down and make a story out of them, but just can't seem to manifest something out of it on the ol pen and paper. Uh, how about you sir?

Marlene Collins 2023/02/05(Sun)20:46 No. 1055312 ID: 11f77a
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>Did he ever serve before he got into the movie biz?
Hmm. I don’t think so. I took that as a general quip to Lars. It’s not like he had medals of honor hanging in his office when I worked here. Perhaps his dad served. Although it may explain the tidiness.

Nico: Not much? Come on, there ought to be somethin’ exciting you’re working on.

Nico: You were... ‘full of ambition’ when you moved on from here.

Ambition huh? That better not have been a dig at me. If he wanted to insult me he could’ve said that at the gate. I’m tight-lipped to reply anything negative in return. If he wants an ambitious elevator pitch I ought to lay it on him.

Marlene Collins 2023/02/05(Sun)20:46 No. 1055313 ID: 11f77a
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Marlene: Weeeell...

Marlene: A bit of this and that. It’s mostly a writer’s block as of late. I admit it’s a bit of a rocky start, but I’ll manage. I’m just in a tiny rut is all.

Marlene: A couple of bad dreams too. They start nice enough and turn around a dark corner.

Marlene: Sometimes they get quite vivid. Psychedelic, even. They waken me up in the middle of the night and I contemplate about the nature of reality; whether this is more of a simulation like you see in the Matrix. Or perhaps all just an allegory of the cave; you know the one by Plato?

Marlene Collins 2023/02/05(Sun)20:47 No. 1055314 ID: 11f77a
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Marlene: So I’m seeing if I could meet my friends to pull some ideas together.

Marlene Collins 2023/02/05(Sun)20:50 No. 1055315 ID: 11f77a
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Nico: Well... I suppose... inspiration starts somewhere.

The elevator bell rings just in time for that conversation to end, otherwise there would’ve been a pause just long enough to make it awkward.

He chuckles with a shrug.

Nico: Welp. I’m glad to get to see you--back at the studio.

Nico: Say...

Nico: I got to catch up on some things and make a few calls. But before you leave, perhaps you’d like to stop by my office--if you can. I’d appreciate it.

He walks away, never in a hurry. Still maintaining a confident posture as he waves at his lackeys. I pause for a bit--but I realize I ought to hop out before the elevator shutters close.

Maybe I've said a bit too much. I regret everything.

Not so, he invited you back to his office! That could be your in up the ladder of writing... one way or the other.
You should take your mind off it for now by looking for your friends in the cafeteria or writer's room or wherever.

he invited you to his office for coffee, he totally wants to bang you

go find your friends and try to work out some ideas

>I regret everything
Squash that thought. You spoke only truth and one's greatest ambitions are seldom achieved in a few months. You certainly didn't anticipate hitting a dry patch when you left the studio, but there's no denying it and trying to impress him with vague nothings could've been worse.

That said, even if you oversold what you could achieve, you gotta remember you're still barely out of the gate. Coliseums are never built in a day, the best scripts are iterated on. You're here to pick up inspiration to get past your writer's block and put out something that can do you proud. YOU - emphasis - proud and earn a wage. You're NOT here to prove yourself to someone you no longer work for.

Even if you become less in his eyes, even if there's an undertone of disappointment (or pleasure?) in your failure to carpe that diem, that's a him thing, never a you problem. He's literally not the boss of you any longer - and you can always keep it that way.

>maybe he wants to bang you
We can see what he actually wants before we leap to nasty conclusions. Still, if just speaking with him in an elevator for three minutes got you feeling off, maybe he's not someone you should go hang with at the end of day.

Marlene Collins 2023/02/08(Wed)19:58 No. 1055607 ID: 11f77a
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>He’s not the boss of you any longer.
>Even if you become less in his eyes […] that’s a him thing, never a you problem.
Yeah. He’s probably busting my balls and I shouldn’t give a shit about what he thinks. I’m not bound to any deadline and I’m here with a purpose. Although I have no idea what to expect once I visit his office.

I don’t take long standing around—so I start walking in the opposite direction. There are some familiar faces along the way who smile and wave. And then there are some new faces replacing coworkers since I left. It’s a constantly changing staff; it’s very hard to stick around once you realize how unfulfilling it is to actually work on film in a chair.

And finally I get to see the three of them. Panning, Dolly, and Jibb; the three black sheep of the studio. They always hang around this giant table instead of working in their cubicles and it’s become sort of a thing they do. But more room means more papers to scatter across.

Panning: Oh! Look who stopped by.

Dolly: Marlene!

Jibb: Hey!

Marlene: What’s up, guys?

Panning: Same shit. Trying to squeeze out twenty scripts in seven months with seventeen other writers who can’t coordinate.

Jibb: Including us.

Panning: Least it’s a U.S. adaptation of a british comedy. We’ll just use the source material. Remove ‘bruv with bro.

Dolly: How are you faring, Mar?

Dead inside, unable to find my muse. So, reusing old material huh? Have we seen this show before? Maybe we should go back and rediscover some old favorites.

>bruv with bro
Hah. And hag with ho.

>>1055624
>dead inside
404 muse not found, yeah. Or she's being held captive in your dreams by a sanity-shattering sci-fi horrorshow. One of the two. You really need to set yourself up a dream journal - had a wildly vivid one just last night.

>stacks of paper
So what's their current lineup? Adaptations all day erry day? Well, at least they're getting challenged a little! You could probably do with working within some constraints - right now you seem to be floating through the full vastness of every possibility on the table, which is pleasant enough, but you probably gotta pare it down to get somewhere.

>inspiration - and gossip
Maybe if that table was a bit smaller and a bit more crowded you'd do. Not that you're here to distract them from their jobs overly. You hear there's been some crackdowns of late? Mr. Booth was actually the one to let you in - you bumped into him right around when Lars said it'd be his - or someone's - ass if civvies like yourself were let through. Came as a bit of a surprise to you that things got uptight all of a sudden - did anything happen?

>contact details
Well, it was surprisingly nice of Mr. Booth to give you one last chance to drop by, hi and possibly bye. Unless they wanna share phone numbers or something? No pressure, you were just coworker acquaintances. For that matter Lars did suggest things might ease up again after a while.

Eh, even freedom can come with its own restrictions. Stuck in a rut with writing this next piece. The ideas just keep escaping me before I can write anything down.

Oh! Speaking of writing things down. Mind sharing phone numbers?

Marlene Collins 2023/02/12(Sun)19:08 No. 1055885 ID: 11f77a
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Marlene: Dead inside.

Dolly: Aren’t we all, huh?

Marlene: Unable to find my muse.

Panning: Hrmm.

Marlene: I’m held captive in my dreams by a sanity-shattering sci-fi horrorshow.

Jibb: Is that Shakespeare?

Marlene: Just a vivid dream last night, it’s... nothing. Nothing yet at least. Usually I forget that kind of stuff but this one seems quite prominent.

Marlene Collins 2023/02/12(Sun)19:10 No. 1055886 ID: 11f77a
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Marlene: So... an adaptation huh? Reusing old material? What’s the show about?

Panning: It’s about some dumb plots that these unemployed groups of regulars do at a pub.

Panning: But they can’t work at a ‘pub’. So we’re changing it to an organic café. It has to... uh... ‘reflect the modern audience’.

Marlene: Sounds like a few shows we already have though.

Panning: Yes but it’s a Portland setting now. There’s bound to be jokes there.

Jibb: I once got stuck trying to write a revival of a law-and-order comedy from the 70s. All the main actors were dead by then except the guy who played the janitor.

Marlene: Well nothing like a good challenge, I s’pose.

Jibb: We had to include laugh tracks to let the viewers know when something funny happened.

Dolly: Lasted four seasons, surprisingly.

Marlene: Aside from that--I hear there’s a bit of a crackdown here and people are getting fired left and right--or something?

All three of them seem to sigh or groan in unison.

Dolly: Our ratings have been down and Silenus is losing money. Easy as that. So what can you expect? I think an assistant was fired simply because the corner of a document was bent a little.

Marlene: By Booth?

Panning: No, I think it was Drinkwine.

Marlene: Is there seriously someone with the last name of Drinkwine?

Marlene: Anyhoo, I’d’ve been a little surprised if it had been Booth. He actually let me inside when Lars stopped me at the gate.

Jibb: Booth huh? He’s had quite the intimidating presence lately. Didn’t think he’d show any kindness at this quarter.

Dolly: Things will ease up like always.

Marlene: Lars said that.

Marlene Collins 2023/02/12(Sun)19:20 No. 1055887 ID: 11f77a
File 167625842999.png - (139.25KB , 550x500 , 070.png )

>Share phone numbers
Marlene: You know, this might sound a little weird. But it would be nice if I could share some numbers in case I’m trapped outside again. I know we’re just coworkers and we never really hung out but--I feel like visiting this place could help me time to time.

Marlene: I dunno. I just need a way to get the ball rolling and as long as I'm not bothering anybody--

Marlene: Or whatever. I don't work here any more. I don't know why I thought I could stroll in as if the answer is waiting for me on this table.

Marlene: Maybe quitting was a bad idea--at least there was a routine.

Dolly: Awe, well sure Marley! I can share you my number!

Dolly: Come to think of it I may have a deal for you; maybe it’ll help you out of that block.

Dolly: Follow me to my desk! I can show you something.

I do so, and when we get to her cubicle she opens a cabinet and lifts a large stack of paper with twine roped around it. It lands on her desk with a thud.

Dolly: Newbies read famous screenplays to be like the greatest writers of all time. Yeah?

Dolly: Well no one ever reads the shittiest, most terrible scripts to know what not to do.

Dolly: I got stuck with having to read submitted scripts and I guarantee 99.9% of them are absolute garbage. Some of them don’t make it past the logline before being thrown in the trash.

Dolly: But perhaps you can take that out of my hands. I’m just way too focused on churning out episodes for these shows and I’d rather not waste my time.

Marlene: Sounds like I’d be doing your job for free then.

Dolly: Okay, okay, I get that. I wasn’t just laying it all off on you. Maybe I thought that if this stack of scripts was going to a shredder anyway--perhaps you can still find something to learn about. Or be inspired. Whatever spark you need.

Dolly: I can make you a deal. If you find at least one script that is actually worth past the tenth page then I’ll give you a hundred bucks.

Dolly: What do you say? You’d be doing me a real solid--and it helps both of us.

>>1055887

Hmmmm. Time to negotiate, haggle a bit. Don't go too high, this is more about asserting your dignity in not accepting the first offer, because this DOES sound interesting!

>But they can’t work at a ‘pub’. So we’re changing it to an organic café. It has to... uh... ‘reflect the modern audience’.
Eh, why not see if we can’t switch between a bar and a cafe. Make it so two of the friends are always arguing about which spot is better. Could see a gag where bar friend has everyone hang out at the cafe because he’s afraid of what his wife will do if she finds him at the bar and cafe friend starts wanting to hang out at the bar because he loses his job or something and the switch has the rest of the friends confused and concerned before they figure out why.

I love a good challenge. I hope the are adorably bad scripts!

Honestly, a song about bad screenplays could be funny, it could be a satirical take on prospecting writers that's just the smallest bit self-deprecating. A story would keep you in the audience's mind.

Might as well anyways, you can take the script to your friends and make some entertainment out of it, shitty writing can be pretty funny if you let it be.

"Fine, but I'm keeping the ones that suck. Maybe I'll come up with something."
>Intellectual theft
"Uh, more like theft of brain damage! You have all these in the archives, they would know if I blatantly plagiarized! I just think that maybe the reason all of these are ^&*( is because there's rot in each of them and I can excise the best parts to make something coherent! And I fully intend to cite my resources, thank you very much."

Marlene Collins 2023/02/18(Sat)20:24 No. 1056458 ID: 11f77a
File 167678065471.png - (146.61KB , 550x500 , 071.png )

>I love a good challenge.
>Haggle a bit. Don’t go too high, this is more about asserting your dignity […]
I more or less try to push it, maybe make my answer ambiguous whether I tease or not.

Marlene: Well I dunno. There’s got to be some finder’s fee for finding that diamond in the rough. You sure you’re not going to take all the credit--?

Dolly: You know very well we won’t get paid shit for finding the golden script to simply send forward to Mr. Booth. The hundred is just an incentive to look through this pile in the first place. Take it or leave it, sis.

Marlene: Fine, fine. It’ll give me something to do at home. I’ll keep the ones that suck though. Thanks.

I take the stack of scripts. It’s a lot heavier than I thought. Good thing I brought a backpack along. If none of them work out as a good story I could at least grab some bits for a song.

Dolly: It’s a one-time only deal, by-the-way. If you want a hobby of sifting through this stuff day after day you can be my guest. But I’m not handing any more hundred-dollar bills after this.

Marlene Collins 2023/02/18(Sat)20:25 No. 1056459 ID: 11f77a
File 167678073636.png - (110.48KB , 550x500 , 072.png )

Dolly and I return to the others; they shift papers around and use a highlighter or sharpie to fix or cross stuff off.

Jibb: I’ve got an idea for a side-plot! The character, Noah, has bought and named several stars through a star-naming service to spell out--

Panning: We changed Noah’s name to Rocko.

Jibb: Well Rocko SUCKS as a name for that character! We don’t have to swap out every English name to be blatantly American to say it's an American show!

Dolly: You guys good?

Jibb sets his glasses down and rubs his eyes.

Jibb: No.

Panning: Hmm. I think I have something. An episode where Bailey would accidentally drop a stack of pancakes in the fermenter they’re trying to homebrew--and starts a new trend of pancake-flavored beer.

Dolly: That already happens in Bog Wild. You even wrote that.

Panning: Dammit. Really? I thought that was a fever dream. I must’ve been on terrible edibles when I started spewing shit from my pencil.

Marlene: You guys should steal ideas from the shitty scripts sent from all over the world.

Jibb: If our names are going to be plastered onto a show like this I’d rather put forth some effort.

The three of them are scattering more pages and they look like their creative souls have been draining throughout the day.
A) I could contribute some ideas--make some use of my time here at least.
B) Hmm, I wonder what else has been happening here. Rumors, even.
C) “Do you guys think quitting this place was a terrible choice?”
D) Well I should head over to Mr. Booth’s office and see what’s in store for me...
E) >__

Rumors...

B. Rumors.

Surely something wild has been going on in the office. Perhaps some kind of crazy relationship drama? Secret affairs? The perfect setup for a soap opera episode?

I mean, you could always make fun of the source material. Have a group of tourists Britain representative of the original cast show up and shenanigans and rivalry ensue. It's a nice evil doppelganger routine for most and a nod to any fans of the original.

Marlene Collins 2023/02/19(Sun)18:20 No. 1056519 ID: 11f77a
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>Surely something wild has been going on in the office.
Marlene: So. Anything worth hearing about since I left? Is Bryson still here?

Dolly: Nah, he left a month ago.

Marlene: Kaylee?

Panning: Moved on to a different building.

Jibb: There’s something up in the air about a load of layoffs this season. If you haven’t noticed, everyone is tight-lipped and working much harder than usual.

Dolly: I may have heard Silenus Industries could be...

She lowers her voice a bit to keep it between the four of us.

Dolly: ...preparing for a merger.

Jibb: Hnnk—what?!

Marlene: No fuckin’ way!

Panning: Where’d you hear that? And with who?

Dolly: Bacchus Pictures--I think.

Jibb: Ah, shit. I used to work with Bacchus for a while. Trust me, it aint better.

Marlene: Probably why Mr. Silenus is venting on everyone. I’m surprised Mr. Booth is so calm this afternoon.

Dolly: If a merger happens and Silenus abruptly shuts down or moves somewhere then this place may slowly become a ghost town.

Panning: Well I guess we better hash out these scripts to scrounge every penny before losing our jobs.

Marlene: How about this idea:mMaybe you can invite the original British cast or make a doppelganger episode.

Panning: Most of the original cast is a lot more famous nowadays in superhero movies and whatnot. So their schedule is difficult to maneuver around. Probably best for the next season if the show hooks an audience.

I try to think of other ways to contribute, but the sound of this place disappearing sort of hits me. I feel it’s the only thread that I can hang on to in case I finally write something worthy. My only strand to actually publishing something. I hope it’s only stays a rumor.

You'll still know people in the industry no matter where they work.
What is keeping him so happy, I wonder? Maybe he stands to gain something from the merger. Let's go see him.

>>1056539
Sure, let's try this

say thanks to the ladies, maybe ask panning and jib for their numbers, then go find Mr. Booth and see how he's doing

Marlene Collins 2023/02/21(Tue)21:56 No. 1056761 ID: 11f77a
File 167704539083.png - (184.78KB , 550x500 , 074.png )

>You’ll still know people in the industry no matter where they work.
That’s true. I guess I won’t have easier access if Silenus shuts down. Bacchus is on the other side of the country.

>What is keeping [Mr. Booth] so happy, I wonder.
Interesting thought indeed. Perhaps he’s finally done with all this shit and foresees a better position up the ladder once the merger happens. I feel it’s time for me to take my leave anyway.

Marlene: Well I think I ought to head out. It’s getting late.

Marlene: Thanks for the scripts Dolly--I'll see if I find anything worth reporting back. It ought to keep me busy tomorrow.

Dolly: You have fun with those!

Marlene: As for the rest of you, good luck. Hopefully you write a few zingers.

Marlene: Oh... you wouldn’t mind if we share phone numbers, would you?

Jibb: Yeah sure. Just a second – here.

Panning: Uh--I may have to pass on that one, Marley. Sorry. I'm a bit... reserved on who I share numbers with.

After collecting Jibb's number I lift my backpack over the shoulder and walk on down the aisle of cubicles--straight to Booth’s office. His door is slightly open but I can tell through the window blinds that he’s not busy on the phone. Still, I tap my knuckle on the door before stepping through.

Marlene Collins 2023/02/21(Tue)21:58 No. 1056762 ID: 11f77a
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I enter his office; it’s very clean. The darker colors of wood on the bookshelves, window frames, and desk absorb the creeping sunlight in a way that makes this place dimmer than the blank environment of the cubicles. He stands by the window peering out into the courtyard. I know the drawer next to him holds liquor but he’s not drinking anything at the moment.

Marlene: Mr. Booth?

Nico: Hmm? Oh! Marley, yes. Come right in. No need to take a seat. We can stand. I’d prefer standing. I constantly get up and down in that chair...

Nico: Do you have a name preference? Marlene? Marley?

Marlene: Either is fine, I guess. Ms. Collins works as well.

He hums. I can tell there was a suppressed chuckle. I suppose it was my intention to add a slight bit of humor to catch him off guard.

Marlene: Was there something you need?

He’s moseying to his desk, a lean where he’s half-sitting on the edge.

Nico: Nothing imperative; just some conversation. Since you’re stopping by I wanted to know... how you’ve been. Something that an elevator ride won’t limit. Heh.

Nico: It’s been your... second month taking it alone?

Marlene: Almost six.

He sounds like he hadn’t realized how quick it has been.

Nico: Almost six months.

Nico: Well this place hasn’t changed much. You still seem to find your way around.
A) He should quit pussy-footin’ around and get it straight with me already.
B) Whatever he wants to say, I shouldn’t rush him and remain silent.
C) I wonder if this is going to be anything about the day I left.
D) I should make it clear that I don’t need his insight on my situation. I’ll make it on my own just fine.
E) I ought to ask about this place merging with Bacchus.
F) >__